Comprehension For SBI PO set – 6
Comprehension Set – 6
There is no field of human endeavour that has been so misunderstood as health. While health which connotes well-being and the absence of illness has a low profile, it is illness representing the failure of health which virtually monopolizes attention because of the fear of pain, disability and death. Even Sushruta has warned that this provides the medical practitioner power over the patient which could be misused. Till recently, patients had implicit faith in their physician whom they loved and respected, not only for his knowledge but also in the total belief that practitioners of this noble profession, guided by ethics, always placed the patient’s interest above all other considerations. This rich interpersonal relationship between the physician, patient and family has, barring a few exceptions, prevailed till the recent past, for caring was considered as important as curing. Our indigenous systems of medicine like ayurveda and yoga have been more concerned with the promotion of the health of both the body and mind and with maintaining a harmonious relationship not just with fellow-beings but with nature itself, of which man is an integral part. Healthy practices like cleanliness, proper diet, exercise and meditation are part of our culture which sustains people even in the prevailing conditions of poverty in rural India and in the unhygienic urban slums. These systems consider disease as an aberration resulting from disturbance of the equilibrium of health, which must be corrected by gentle restoration of this balance through proper diet, medicines and the establishment of mental peace. They also teach the graceful acceptance of old age with its infirmities resulting from the normal degenerative process as well as of death which is inevitable. This is in marked contrast to the western concept of life as a constant struggle against disease, ageing and death which must be fought and conquered with the knowledge and technology derived from their science: a science which, with its narrow dissective and quantifying approach, has provided us the understanding of the microbial causes of communicable diseases and provided highly effective technology for their prevention, treatment and control. This can rightly be claimed as the greatest contribution of western medicine and justifiably termed as ‘high’ technology. And yet the contribution of this science in the field of non-communicable diseases is remarkably poor despite the far greater inputs in research and treatment for the problems of ageing like cancer, heart diseases, paralytic strokes and arthritis which are the major problems of affluent societies today.
1. Which of the following has been described as the most outstanding benefits of modern medicine?
(A) The real cause and ways of control of communicable diseases
(B) Evolution of the concept of harmony between man and nature
(C) Special techniques for fighting ageing
(a) Only B and C
(b) Only A and B
(c) Only A
(d) Only B
(e) Only C
2. In India traditionally the doctors were being guided mainly by which of the following?
(a) High technology
(b) Good knowledge
(c) Professional ethics
(d) Power over patient
(e) Western concept of life
3. What caution have proponents of indigenous systems sounded against medical practitioners?
(a) Their undue concern for the health of the person.
(b) Their emphasis on research on non-communicable diseases.
(c) Their emphasis on curing illness rather than preventive health measures.
(d) Their emphasis on restoring health for affluent members of the society.
(e) None of these
4. Why has the field of health not been understood properly?
(a) Difficulty in understanding distinction between health and illness.
(b) Confusion between views of indigenous and western system.
(c) Highly advanced technology being used by the professionals.
(d) Not given in the passage.
(e) None of these
5. Why, according to the author, have people in India survived in spite of poverty?
(a) Their natural resistance to communicable diseases is very high.
(b) They have easy access to western technology.
(c) Their will to conquer diseases
(d) Their harmonious relationship with the physician
(e) None of these
6. Which of the following pairs are mentioned as ‘contrast’ in the passage?
(a) Western concept of life and science.
(b) Technology and science.
(c) Western physician and western-educated Indian physician.
(d) Indian and western concepts of life.
(e) Knowledge and technology.
7. Why does the author describe the contributions of science as remarkably poor?
(a) It concentrates more on health than on illness.
(b) It suggests remedies for the poor people.
(c) It demands more inputs in terms of research and technology.
(d) The cost of treatment is low.
(e) None of these
8. Which of the following can be inferred about the position of the author in writing the passage?
(A) Ardent supporter of western system n present context.
(B) Supremacy of ancient Indian system in today’s world.
(C) Critical and objective assessment of the present situation.
(a) Only A
(b) Only B
(c) Only C
(d) Neither B nor C
(e) None of these
9. The author seems to suggest that
(a) we should give importance to improving the health rather than curing of illness.
(b) we should move towards becoming an affluent society.
(c) ayurveda is superior to yoga.
(d) good interpersonal relationship but not sufficient.
(e) ayurvedic medicines can be improved by following western approaches and methods of sciences.
Directions (Q. 10-12): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
10. INEVITABLE
(a) Undesirable
(b) Unsuitable
(c) Detestable
(d) Avoidable
(e) Available
11. CONCERNED
(a) Diluted
(b) Liberated
(c) Indifferent
(d) Divested
(e) Relaxed
12. DEGENERATIVE
(a) Recuperative
(b) Revolving
(c) Productive
(d) Innovative
(e) Integrative
Directions (Q. 13-15): Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
13. CONNOTES
(a) Helps
(b) Cures
(c) Follows
(d) Confirms
(e) Implies
14. ABERRATION
(a) Observation
(b) Alternative
(c) Deviation
(d) Outcome
(e) Stimulate
15. DERIVED
(a) Constructed
(b) Sprung
(c) Directed
(d) Processed
(e) Continued
Answer key:
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (e) 6. (d) 7. (e) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (d) 11. (c) 12. (a) 13. (e) 14. (c) 15. (b)
