Comprehension For SBI PO SET – 25
Comprehension For SBI PO Set – 25
Politicians and generals talk of military strategies and manouvres but something completely different is needed. Stability will come only when economic opportunities exist, when youth can find jobs and support families rather than seeking their livelihood in violence. Peace can only be achieved with a withdrawal of foreign troops, sanctions and peacekeepers and the arrival of jobs, productive farms and factories, healthcare and schools. Repeatedly, the fragile peace in impoverished countries has broken down because f the lack of economic follow-up. Despite promises of aid, the actual record of international aid to post-war reconstruction is deficient. Once the war ends, agencies involved in post-war relief efforts fail to understand how to start or restart economic development in a low income setting. They squander time, surplus aid funds and opportunities because they are not familiar with local conditions and do not understand their point of view. There are distinct phases of outside help to end a conflict. In the first phase focus is on providing food, water, shelter and medicine to refugees, ie humanitarian. In the second, emphasis is on the refugees returning home while in the last phase long-term investments and strengthening of courts is the main focus. However, once a conflict is over, aid agencies sanctioned by the World Bank send study groups instead of requisite personnel. There is a gap of several years before moving from humanitarian relief arrives the war has restarted. It is possible to restart economic development through targeted “quick impact” initiatives. Most economies in post-conflict countries are based on agriculture. Providing free packages of seeds, fertilizers and low-cost equipment quickly will ensure that former soldiers will return to their farms and establish their livelihood. But the window of opportunity closes quickly and one has to implement these measures almost immediately.
1. Which of the following is a reason why post-conflict reconstruction efforts have failed?
(a) Aid organizations do not understand issues from the perspective of the poor.
(b) Rapid economic development in low-income countries.
(c) World Bank studies are not valid.
(d) International aid organizations become too involved in reconstruction efforts.
(e) None of these
2. Where does the problem lie in implementing post-war relief measures?
(a) Aid agencies fail to study the situation.
(b) Economic development measures are too rapid.
(c) Focus on economic development not humanitarian aid.
(d) Lack of funds to implement programmes.
(e) Lack of essentials and qualified personnel.
3. According to the author, how can political stability be achieved?
(a) Increasing the number of foreign troops in areas of conflict
(b) Depending more on foreign aid
(c) Following recommendations given by the World Bank
(d) Providing economic opportunities
(e) None of these
4. Which of the following is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?
(a) Focus in the first phase of a war is on providing humanitarian aid
(b) Sanctions are not a means to ensure peace.
(c) Adequate time must be taken to plan and implement quick impact strategies.
(d) Providing employment to the younger generation will prevent wars.
(e) Focus on delivering justice through courts should be in the last phase of conflict aid.
5. How can economic development be restarted in an impoverished country?
(a) Long-term studies should be commissioned.
(b) Retaining soldiers in the army to ensure law and order
(c) Restrict number of aid agencies to avoid waste
(d) Focusing on agricultural initiatives
(e) Deploying peacekeepers in the country
6. What is the benefit of “quick impact” aid?
(a) Soldiers earn income from the army and their farms.
(b) Providing alternate livelihood to soldiers before war can restart.
(c) Free land is given to soldiers.
(d) Price of equipment is low.
(e) None of these
Directions (Q. 7-8): Choose the word that is most nearly SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
7. EXIST
(a) live
(b) fit
(c) create
(d) occur
(e) survive
8. SQUANDER
(a) lavish
(b) spend
(c) displace
(d) lose
(e) misuse
Directions (Q.9-10): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
9. FRAGILE
(a) weak
(b) lasting
(c) long
(d) strong
(e) unstable
10. DEFICIENT
(a) surplus
(b) valued
(c) short
(d) secure
(e) repaired
Answer key:
1. (a) 2. (e) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (a) 9. (b) 10. (a)