TOPIC: Reading
Comprehension
Directions (1-8): Read the following passage
and answer the given questions. Some words are highlighted to help you answer the
questions.
BA.2 is the latest subvariant of omicron, the
dominant strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. While the origin
of BA.2 is still unclear, it has quickly become the dominant strain in many
countries, including India, Denmark and South Africa. It is continuing to
spread in Europe, Asia and many parts of the world. The omicron variant, officially
known as B.1.1.529, of SARS-CoV-2 has three main subvariants in its lineage:
BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3. The earliest omicron subvariant to be detected, BA.1, was
first reported in November 2021 in South Africa. While scientists believe that
all the subvariants may have emerged around the same time, BA.1 was
predominantly responsible for the winter surge of infections in the Northern
Hemisphere in 2021.
The first omicron subvariant, BA.1, is unique in
the number of alterations it has compared to the original version of the virus
– it has over 30 mutations in the spike protein that helps it enter cells.
Spike protein mutations are of high concern to scientists and public health
officials because they affect how infectious a particular variant is and
whether it is able to escape the protective antibodies that the body produces
after vaccination or a prior COVID-19 infection. Because of its relative genetic
similarity, BA.2 is considered a subvariant of omicron as opposed to a
completely new variant
Some scientists have called BA.2 a “stealth”
variant because, unlike the BA.1 variant, it lacks a particular genetic
signature that distinguishes it from the delta variant. While standard PCR
tests are still able to detect the BA.2 variant, they might not be able to tell
it apart from the delta variant.
It is also considered to be more transmissible
but not more virulent than BA.1. This means that while BA.2 can spread faster
than BA.1, it might not make people sicker. It is worth noting that while BA.1
has dominated case numbers around the world, it causes less severe disease
compared to the delta variant. Recent studies from the U.K. and Denmark suggest
that BA.2 may _________(I)________ a similar risk of hospitalization as BA.1.
A recent study suggested that people previously
infected with the original BA.1 subvariant have robust protection against BA.2.
Because BA.1 caused widespread infections across the world, it is likely that a
significant percentage of the population has protective immunity against BA.2.
This is why some scientists predict that BA.2 will be less likely to cause
another major wave. However, while the natural immunity gained after COVID-19
infection may provide strong protection against reinfection from earlier
variants, it weakens against omicron.
Q1. The author explains the reason for why some
experts believe BA.2 will have a lower chance of causing another large wave.
What is it?
(a) The paragraph says so because BA.2 variant
is supposedly the last variant of the Covid virus, as discovered by the
scientist.
(b) BA.1 produced widespread infections over the
world, therefore, it’s likely that a large proportion of population is immune
to BA.2.
(c) The COVID-19 vaccination that has been
distributed in most countries works efficiently to hold off the birth of a new
variant.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(e) All of the above
Q2. From the following statements, choose the
incorrect statement(s) in accordance to the information given in the passage.
(i) BA.2 is classified as a subvariant of
omicron rather than a wholly separate variant due to its genetic closeness.
(ii) Although BA.2 can spread more quickly than
BA.1, it does not appear to make patients sicker.
(iii) BA.1, the first omicron subvariant to be
detected, was discovered in November 2021 in Europe.
(a) Both (i) and (ii)
(b) Only (iii)
(c) Only (ii)
(d) Both (ii) and (iii)
(e) All of the above
Q3. Scientists and public health authorities are
concerned about spike protein mutations because ____________________________________________________________________.
(a) it is unknown to
mankind, throughout the scientific history, how many mutations can a single
string of virus produce
(b) this mutation is something novel and never
been recorded in the recent history of the Covid-19 virus.
(c) they impact how infectious a variation is
and if it may evade the protective antibodies produced by the body following
vaccination or infection with COVID-19
(d) All of the above
(e) None of these
Q4. Why have the scientist proclaimed that the BA.2
variant can fly under the radar while conducting the Covid evaluation?
(a) It doesn’t have a distinct genetic signature
that sets it apart from the delta version.
(b) The Covid tests haven’t been refined in
quality so as to be able to decent the new BA.2 variant.
(c) Scientists have concluded that this variant
is milder and almost impossible to recognize when they had studied this variant
meticulously.
(d) All of the above
(e) None of these
Q5. Which of the following word will be placed
in the blank (I)?
(a) compound
(b) steeped
(c) implore
(d) pose
(e) None of these
Q6. Choose the synonym of STEALTH as
highlighted in the passage.
(a) scrumptious
(b) militant
(c) clandestine
(d) omnipotent
(e) barren
Q7. Choose the word that is the most opposite in
its meaning to DOMINANT as highlighted in the passage.
(a) industrious
(b) unceremonious
(c) secondary
(d) reverie
(e) genial
Q8. The second paragraph contains a word which means
strong and healthy; vigorous. Select which word it is.
(a) infected
(b) subvariant
(c) natural
(d) weakens
(e) robust
Directions (9-15): Read the following passage
and answer the given questions. Some words are highlighted to help you answer
the questions.
Among the many changes brought about by the
pandemic is the widespread use of QR codes, graphical representations of
digital data that can be printed and later scanned by a smartphone or other
device. QR codes have a wide range of uses that help people avoid contact with
objects and close interactions with other people, including for sharing
restaurant menus, email list sign-ups, car and home sales information and
checking in and out of medical and professional appointments.
QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on
product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout
computer know what products are being purchased. Bar codes store
information along one axis, horizontally. QR codes store information in both
vertical and horizontal axes, which allows them to hold significantly more
data. That extra amount of data is what makes QR codes so versatile.
Like barcodes, QR codes are designed with data
redundancy. Even if as much as 30% of the QR code is destroyed or difficult to
read, the data can still be recovered. In fact, logos are not actually part of
the QR code; they cover up some of the QR code’s data. However, due to the QR
code’s redundancy, the data represented by these missing dots can be recovered
by looking at the remaining visible dots.
QR codes are not inherently dangerous. They are simply
a way to store data. However, just as it can be hazardous to click links in
emails, visiting URLs stored in QR codes can also be risky in several ways. The
QR code’s URL can take you to a phishing website that tries to trick you into
entering your username or password for another website. The URL could take you
to a legitimate website and deceive that website into doing something harmful,
such as giving an attacker access to your account. While such an attack
requires a flaw in the website you are visiting, such vulnerabilities are
common on the internet. The URL can take you to a malicious website that tricks
another website you are logged into on the same device to take an unauthorised
action.
A malicious URL could open an application on
your device and cause it to take some action. Maybe you have seen this
behaviour when you clicked a Zoom link, and the Zoom application opened and
automatically joined a meeting. While such behaviour is ordinarily benign, an
attacker could use this to _____(II)_____ some apps into revealing your data.
It is critical that when you open a link in a QR code, you ensure that the URL
is safe and comes from a trusted source. Just because the QR code has a logo
you recognise does not mean you should click on the URL it contains.
Q9. What does the author mean by “QR codes are
designed with data redundancy”?
(a) QR codes cannot retain data, once the code
has been lost or destroyed.
(b) This means that one needs to be careful and
collect data before the time finishes to scan the QR code.
(c) The data can still be retrieved even if some
part of the QR code is damaged or hard to interpret.
(d) Both (a) and (c)
(e) All of the above
Q10. QR codes are extremely adaptable as
compared to bar codes because of ____________________________.
(a) the variety of symbols and texts they use
(b) the colour scheme is always monochromatic
and black and white
(c) their nature of being portable
(d) the additional data they may hold
(e) None of these
Q11. Given below are some statements about QR
codes. Choose the one(s) which provide(s) the correct information about them.
(a) QR codes may be used for a variety of
purposes, including avoiding touch with items and close encounters with other
people.
(b) They contain data in both vertical and
horizontal axes, allowing them to retain a lot more information.
(c) QR codes and bar codes are very dissimilar
in nature and cannot be compared in any context.
(d) Both (a) and (b)
(e) All of the above
Q12. Why does the author ask the users and
readers to exercise caution while dealing with OR codes?
(a) QR codes might cause power failure to the
device you might be accessing them on.
(b) A fraudulent URL might lead your device to
launch an application and perform an activity.
(c) The URL of the QR code may redirect you to a
fake website that attempts to mislead you into entering your login or password
for yet another website.
(d) Both (b) and (c)
(e) All of the above
Q13. The last paragraph includes a word which
means a condition, tumour, or growth that is not cancerous. Which one of
the following is it?
(a) benign
(b) critical
(c) malicious
(d) URL
(e) source
Q14. Which of the following word will be placed
in the blank (II)?
(a) postpone
(b) trick
(c) tax
(d) deduce
(e) quail
Q15. Choose the synonym of PURCHASED as
highlighted in the passage.
(a) procured
(b) wounded
(c) outdone
(d) rectified
(e) exhorted
SOLUTIONS:
S1. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct answer is option (b): BA.1
produced widespread infections over the world, therefore, it’s likely that a
large proportion of population is immune to BA.2.
The answer can be found in the last paragraph
where it states: Because BA.1 caused widespread infections across the world;
it is likely that a significant percentage of the population has protective
immunity against BA.2. This is why some scientists predict that BA.2 will
be less likely to cause another major wave.
S2. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct answer is option (b): Only
(iii).
This statement is incorrect because the first
paragraph states: The earliest omicron subvariant to be detected, BA.1, was
first reported in November 2021 in South Africa.
Statement (i) is correct because the last line
of second paragraph mentions: Because of its relative genetic similarity, BA.2
is considered a subvariant of omicron as opposed to a completely new variant.
The same way statement (ii) is correct because
the third paragraph says: This means that while BA.2 can spread faster than
BA.1, it might not make people sicker.
S3. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c): they
impact how infectious a variation is and if it may evade the protective
antibodies produced by the body following vaccination or infection with
COVID-19.
This answer is present in the second paragraph: Spike
protein mutations are of high concern to scientists and public health officials
because they affect how infectious a particular variant is and whether it is
able to escape the protective antibodies that the body produces after
vaccination or a prior COVID-19 infection.
S4. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a): It
doesn’t have a distinct genetic signature that sets it apart from the delta
version.
The third paragraph mentions the answer to this
question: Some scientists have called BA.2 a “stealth” variant because, unlike
the BA.1 variant, it lacks a particular genetic signature that distinguishes
it from the delta variant.
S5. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d): pose.
Pose means to be present or constitute (a
problem or danger).
Compound- to put together (parts) so as to form
a whole; combine.
Steeped- surround or fill with a quality or
influence.
Implore- beg someone earnestly or desperately to
do something.
S6. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c): clandestine.
Clandestine means undertaken or done so as to
escape being observed or known by others.
This can serve as a synonym of stealth.
Scrumptious- (of food) extremely tasty;
delicious.
Militant- combative and aggressive in support of
a political or social cause, and typically favouring extreme.
Omnipotent- (of a deity) having unlimited power;
able to do anything.
Barren- (of a place or building) bleak and
lifeless.
S7. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c): secondary.
Secondary means coming after, less important
than, or resulting from someone or something else that is primary.
Industrious- diligent and hard-working.
Reverie- a state of being pleasantly lost in
one’s thoughts; a daydream.
Unceremonious- having or showing a lack of
courtesy; rough or abrupt.
Genial- friendly and cheerful.
S8. Ans (e)
Sol. The correct answer is option (e): robust.
Robust means having or exhibiting strength or
vigorous health.
damaged or hard to interpret.
S9. Ans (c)
Sol. The correct answer is option (c): The
data can still be retrieved even if some part of the QR code is
This answer is present in the second paragraph
itself: Like barcodes, QR codes are designed with data redundancy. Even if
as much as 30% of the QR code is destroyed or difficult to read, the data can
still be recovered.
S10. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d): the
additional data they may hold.
The answer is in the last line of the first
paragraph: Bar codes store information along one axis, horizontally. QR codes
store information in both vertical and horizontal axes, which allows them to
hold significantly more data. That extra amount of data is what makes QR
codes so versatile.
S11. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d): Both
(a) and (b).
Both the statements are present in the first
paragraph: (a) QR codes have a wide range of uses that help people avoid
contact with objects and close interactions with other people, including
for sharing restaurant menus, email list sign-ups, car and home sales
information and checking in and out of medical and professional appointments.
(b) QR codes store information in both
vertical and horizontal axes, which allows them to hold significantly more
data.
Statement (c) is incorrect because the first
paragraph mentions: QR codes are a close cousin of the bar codes on
product packaging that cashiers scan with infrared scanners to let the checkout
computer know what products are being purchased.
S12. Ans (d)
Sol. The correct answer is option (d): Both
(b) and (c).
Statement (c) is present in the third paragraph:
The QR code’s URL can take you to a phishing website that tries to trick you
into entering your username or password for another website.
Statement (b) is present in the last paragraph:
A malicious URL could open an application on your device and cause it to take
some action.
S13. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a): benign.
A condition is called benign to suggest
it is not dangerous or serious.
S14. Ans (b)
Sol. The correct answer is option (b): trick.
To trick someone means to fool someone; to
deceive someone; to cheat someone.
S15. Ans (a)
Sol. The correct answer is option (a): procured.
Procure means to obtain (something), especially
with care or effort.
Wound- inflict an injury on (someone).
Outdo- be more successful than.
Rectify- put right; correct.
Exhort- strongly encourage or urge (someone) to
do something.
English Quizzes For SBI PO Mains 2023 - ...
