English Questions For RBI Assistant Mains 2017

Directions (1-10): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are given bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.

Today’s world is dominated not by one or two or even several powers, but rather is influenced by dozens of state and non-state actors exercising various kinds of power. A twentieth century dominated first by a few states, then, during the Cold War, by two states, and finally by American pre-eminence at the Cold War’s end, has given way to a twenty-first century dominated by no one. Call it non-polar.

Three factors have brought this about. First, some states have gained power in tandem with their increased economic clout. Second, globalization has weakened the role of all states by enabling other entities to amass substantial power. And, third, American foreign policy has accelerated the relative decline of the United States vis-à-vis others. The result is a world in which power is increasingly distributed rather than concentrated. 

The emergence of a non-polar world could prove to be mostly negative, making it more difficult to generate collective responses to pressing regional and global challenges. More decision makers make it more difficult to make decisions. Non-polarity also increases both the number and potential severity of threats, be they rogue states, terrorist groups, or militias. 

Still, if non-polarity is inevitable, its character is not. A great deal can and should be done to shape the nonpolar world. But order will not emerge on its own. On the contrary, left to its own devices, a non-polar world will become messier over time. 

Resisting the spread of nuclear weapons and unguarded nuclear materials may be as important as any other set of undertakings. If internationally managed enriched-uranium or spent-fuel banks are established, countries could gain access to nuclear power but not come to control the material needed for bombs. Security assurances and defensive systems could be provided to states that might otherwise feel compelled to develop their own nuclear programs to counter those of their neighbors. And robust sanctions could be introduced to influence the behavior of would-be nuclear weapon states. 

Combating terrorism is also essential if the non-polar era is not to turn into a modern Dark Age. There are many ways to weaken existing terrorist organizations by using intelligence, law enforcement resources, and military capabilities. But this is a loser’s game unless something can be done to reduce recruitment. 

Parents, religious figures, and political leaders must delegitimize terrorism by shaming those who embrace it. More importantly, governments must find ways to integrate alienated young men and women into their societies, which requires greater political freedom and economic opportunity. 

Trade also can be a powerful force in a non-polar world by giving states a stake in avoiding conflict, generating greater wealth, and strengthening the foundations of domestic political order—thereby decreasing the chance of state failure as well. To this end, the scope of the World Trade Organization should be extended through the negotiation of future global arrangements that reduce subsidies and both tariff and non-tariff barriers. 

A similar level of effort might be needed to ensure the continued flow of investment. The goal should be to create a World Investment Organization, which, by encouraging cross-border capital flows, would minimize the risk that “investment protectionism” impedes activities that, like trade, are economically beneficial and build political bulwarks against instability. A ‘W10 could encourage transparency on the part of investors, determine when national security is a legitimate reason for prohibiting or limiting investment, and establish a dispute-resolution mechanism. 

More effort also will be needed to prevent state failure and deal with its consequences. The US and other developed countries should enhance their military capacities to deal with the type of threats being faced in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as establish a pool of civilian talent to assist with basic nation-building tasks. Greater economic and military assistance to increase states’ ability to meet their responsibilities to their citizens and neighbors will also be essential. 

Multilateralism will be critical in a non-polar world. To succeed, though, it must be recast to include entities other than the great powers. The United Nations Security Council and the G-8 should be reconstituted to reflect the world of today rather than the post-1945 era, and the participation of non-state actors in multilateral organizations and processes will need to be considered. 

Multilateralism may have to be less comprehensive and less formal, at least initially. Networks will be needed alongside organizations. Getting everyone to agree on everything will be difficult; instead, we should consider accords with fewer parties and narrower goals. 

Trade is something of a model here, insofar as bilateral and regional accords are filling the vacuum created by the failure to conclude a global trade round. The same is true of climate change: agreement on certain aspects of the problem (say, deforestation) or involving only some countries (the major carbon emitters, for example) may prove feasible, whereas an accord that includes every country and tries to resolve every issue may not. 

Multilateralism a la carte is likely to be the order of the day. This is less than optimal, but in a non-polar world, what is best may well prove the enemy of the possible. 

Q1. Which of the following titles best suits the passage? 

(a) Living in a Multipolar World. 

(b) The Age of Nonpolarity. 

(c) A New World Order 

(d) Multilateralism in the 21st century.

(e) Agreement

Q2. According to the writer, the twentieth century international relations were principally… 

(a) characterized by a world dominated not by one or two but several states 

(b) characterized by a world with numerous centres with meaningful power. 

(c) characterized by a change from multi-polar to bi-polar to a uni-polar world. 

(d) characterized by the supremacy the United States.

(e) characterized by the international relations

Q3. The writer is likely to disagree with which of the following? 

(a) In a multi-polar system, no power dominates. 

(b) Non-state actors pose a threat in the non-polar world. 

(c) American foreign policy contributed to the emergence of a non-polar world. 

(d) Cold War by two states poses immense threat to the security

(e) None of the above.

Q4. Which of the following describes the writer’s attitude towards a non-polar world? 

(a) A non-polar world is unavoidable, but the nations are not doing enough to make the world a better and safer place. 

(b) A non-polar world is avoidable; however, the nations can do enough to make such a world a better and safer place. 

(c) A non-polar world poses immense threat to the security of the nations because of the power exercised by non-state actors; the developed nations must deal with these threats militarily. 

(d) A non-polar world becomes a dangerous place as no decision can be taken to pressing global challenges because of the increasing number of decision makers.

(e) A non-polar developed nations should enhance development .

Q5. According to the writer the most effective way to combat terrorism is…By preventing recruitment of men and women to terrorism. 

(a) By involving the influential groups in a society to condemn terrorism. 

(b) By providing political and economic freedom to society at large. 

(c) By weakening terrorism through intelligence and military capabilities.

(d) By weakening investment protectionism and formal multilateralism.

(e) By initiating accelerated the relative decline

Q6. The writer is likely to agree with which of the following? 

(a) The developed nations should enhance their military capability to deal with some of the problems of a non-polar world. 

(b) The WTO should be strengthened to deal with the ill effects of investment protectionism that may arise in a non-polar word. 

(c) The United Nations and the G8 should be expanded, and non state actors excluded from them to play critical roles in a non-polar world. 

(d) An all-inclusive and formal multilateralism should be promoted and encouraged for the sustainability of a non-polar world.

(e) American foreign policy has accelerated the relative decline of the United States.

Q7. Which of the following is most nearly similar in meaning of the word feasible as used in the passage?

(a) suitable

(b) opposed

(c) favorite

(d) forward

(e) comprehend

Q8. Which of the following is most nearly similar in meaning of the word bulwarks as used in the passage?

(a) alienate

(b) injury

(c) rampart

(d) beneficial

(e) harm

Q9. Which of the following is most nearly similar in meaning of the word Clout as used in the passage?

(a) clear

(b) influence

(c) true

(d) genuine 

(e) ethical

Q10. Which of the following is most nearly Opposite in meaning of the word  inevitable as used in the passage?

(a)imminent

(b)escapable 

(c)inexorable

(d)decided

(e)assured

ANSWER