AP PSC PAPERS : Group -I Mains Examination

(GENERAL ENGLISH)

1. Read the passage given below and answer the questions that follow. 2x10=20

Homi Bhabha felt that it was his duty to stay in India and build up schools comparable with those that other countries are fortunate in possessing.  He set about this job very methodically. He knew there were several competent Indians scattered all over. A school of research was the thing; he knew that could bring them together. The result was the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Bhabha gathered young and talented scientists to work at the institute. Noted scholars from all over the world gave talks. 
Scientists suspected that there was an unknown force working inside the nucleus of an atom. But Bhabha had the perception: “when nuclear energy has been successfully applied for power production, say, a couple of decades from now, India will not have to look abroad for experts.” Bhabha was appointed as the first Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, which was established in 1948 under Department of Scientific Research. Later on, after creation of Department of Atomic Energy (abbreviated as DAE), the Commission was brought under the purview of DAE in 1958. Homi Bhabha knew Nehru well. Nehru gave him a free hand and funds without strings as well. Speed and efficiency were the hallmarks of all activities. A site was chosen in Trombay to house reactors and laboratories and to produce atomic power. People were trained and the infrastructure provided to satisfy the basics of atomic research.
The atomic energy network gradually extended. A heavy-water plant was set up at Nangal, a monazite plant at Alwaye; the Atomic Minerals Division set up its own plants where Uranium could be mined. Canada’s help was sought to build a reactor in Trombay. Bhabha thought that nuclear physics could lead to production of cheap electric power. One gram of uranium could provide power to Calcutta for twenty years. Besides, the atmosphere would be pollution free. However, the danger of radioactivity leakage should be guarded against. European scientists were skeptical about the peaceful uses of atomic energy nor were they sure how economical generating electricity would be. But Bhabha showed how nuclear power could compete with thermal power. The first power plant was set up at Tarapur to provide power to Maharastra and Gujarat – something that Bhabha did not live to see.

To have breeder reactors turn thorium into nuclear fuel was Bhabha’s fondest dream. Very soon India will be completely self-sufficient in nuclear fuel. It was Bhabha’s vision and organization that enabled India to enter the select nuclear club.
(i) Why did Homi Bhabha stay in India?
(ii) What did Homi Bhabha do to bring competent Indians to India from other countries?
(iii) What is the full form of DAE?
(iv) What did Nehru do to encourage Homi Bhabha?
(v) Which country helped India in its nuclear programme?
(vi) How much uranium is required to provide electric power to Calcutta for twenty years?
(vii) Did the European scientists agree with Homi Bhabha about peaceful use of nuclear Power?
(viii) What is the precaution to be taken in the generation of nuclear power?
(ix) What were the states in India that got nuclear power first?
(x) Did Homi Bhabha want to produce a nuclear bomb?

2. Read the passage given below and make a précis of it by reducing it to one thirds of its original length. Give an appropriate title to the passage. 15

The lion is the world’s second largest living cat after the tiger, and some of them weigh over 250 kg. At present it is found in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, with a small endangered population in northwest India. In historic times, it also used to be found in North Africa, Western Asia and the Middle East. About 10,000 years ago, the lion was the mammal with the largest population after humans and was widespread in most of Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas. Lions in the wild live for ten to fourteen years, but they can live up to twenty years in captivity. Their natural habitats are mainly savannas and grasslands, but they also live in the bushes and forests. Lions are more social than other cats, and live in groups. A pride of lions consists of a few adult males, cubs and female lions, which hunt for prey. Lions usually kill hoofed animals for food but they also feed on dead animals if necessary. Lions usually do not hunt humans, unless they turn maneaters.The species is now endangered with a possibly irreversible decrease of thirty to forty per cent over twenty years. It seems that the animals can survive only in reserves
and parks. The cause of this extinction could be the loss of their natural habitats and their conflicts with humans, who, for example, have kept lions as live exhibits since historic times. However, at the present, zoos are taking part in breeding programmes for Asiatic lions. The distinctive and well recognized image of the male lion with its mane is among the most common animal symbols. It has been found in caves dating from the Paleolithic period and was part of ancient and medieval cultures. The symbol is widely used in literature, art, flags and contemporary films. (300words) 

3. Read the jumbled sentences given below and form a meaningful paragraph by rearranging them. Rewrite the complete paragraph in your answer book. 10

(i) The monkey put the two pieces in a balance and found one piece heavier.
(ii) But one piece was larger than the other.
(III) One of them cut it into two pieces so that they might take one each.
(iv) They wanted to divide it between them.
(v) Each wanted to have the larger piece.
(vi) When the cats asked for what is left, the monkey at once put the whole thing in his mouth saying it was the judge’s fee.
(vii) The monkey continued doing it till the two pieces became very small.
(viii) So he bit off a portion from the heavier one to make it lighter.
(ix) Once two cats found a piece of cheese.
(x) So they quarreled and went to a monkey and asked him to settle their dispute.

4. Correct the sentences given below without changing the meaning: 20

(i) Neither of his parents are educated.
(ii) I am suffering with fever.
(iii) We must all congratulate Sindhu for winning a medal in Olympics.
(iv) I am learning English for ten years.
(v) She applied two days leave to visit her parents.
(vi) He is leaving to Delhi by the two O’clock flight.
(vii) My father is very angry on me for failing in the examination.
(viii) Although he worked very hard, but he did not succeed.
(ix) I did not brought my calculator today.
(x) I have seen the movie two years ago.

5. Make sentences using the following idiomatic expressions. Your sentence should bring out the meaning of the idiomatic expression clearly. 2x10=20

(i) hand and glove
(ii) cry wolf
(iii) tooth and nail
(iv) black money
(v) hit the nail on the head
(vi) piece of cake
(vii) lose heart
(viii) run into
(ix) look after
(x) call off

6. Give synonyms of the following words. Write them clearly in your answer book next to each word. 10
(i) surprised
(ii) smell
(iii) begin
(iv) famous
(v) quiet
(vi) strange
(vii) mistake
(viii) ancient
(ix) diligent
(x) hide

7. Give antonyms of the following words. Write them clearly in your answer book next to each world. 10
(i) beautiful
(ii) early
(iii) vertical
(vi) reject
(v) fake
(vi) arrogant
(vii) intelligent
(viii) generous
(ix) guilty
(x) transparent

8. Write the correct spellings of the following words. 10
(i) innosence
(ii) colourfull
(iii) seperate
(iv) stationary shop
(v) appearnce
(vi) tution
(vii) occassion
(viii) grammer
(ix) truely
(x) humourous

9. Make sentences with the following pairs of words, clearly bringing out the difference in meaning between the two words. 2x5=10
(i) matter ( as noun) ; matter (as verb)
(ii) canvas ; canvass
(iii) troop ; troupe
(iv) altar ; alter
(v) affect ; effect

10. Fill in the blanks in the following sentences using suitable articles/prepositions/conjunctions. Rewrite the completed sentences in answer book.10
 (i) He is _______ Tendulkar of our college.
 (ii) He is known to be _____ honorable man.
 (iii) In the conference I met _____ European professor.
 (iv) Today I met ____ teacher who taught me music in my childhood.
 (v) He is very keen _____ studying medicine.
 (vi) My brother helped me _____ solving the problem.
 (vii) My boss is never pleased _______ my performance.
 (viii) This ring is made ______ silver.
 (ix) He told me _______he had finished his home work.
 (x) I will not help him ______ he asks me.

11. Give appropriate one word substitutes for the following expressions. 5
(i) a person who can speak many languages
(ii) something that is fit for eating
(iii) a person who loves one’s own country
(iv) one who does not take alcoholic drinks
(v) the study of animals

12. Insert appropriate punctuation marks in following sentence and write correctly. 5

i told you to be punctual to the class why are you late again I missed the bus sir

13. In the sentences given below some words are underlined. Identify the parts of speech of the underlined words. 5
(i) The secret of happiness is contentment.
(ii) No one can satisfy a greedy person.
(iii) The world is a wonderful place to live in.
(iv) If you work hard, you are sure to succeed.
(v) My house is beside the post office.

<< Go Back to Main Page

Courtesy: AP-PSC