Identify the best way to improve the Bold part of the given sentence. If there is no improvement required, select ‘no improvement’-

I courteously asked her where was she going but she did not reply.

Directions: - In the following passage, some of the words have been left out, each of which is indicated by number. Find the suitable word from the options given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningfully complete.
Marketing also (16) an environment in the marketplace for healthy completion. Marketing efforts get the (17) out on pricing of products and services, (18) not only reaches the intended consumers, but also (19) other companies competing for the consumers’ (20). As opposed to companies that have a monopoly on products and services that can charge almost any (21), marketing helps keep pricing competitive for a business to try to win over (22) before its competition does. Without competition, well (23) companies would continue to (24) while lesser known companies or new companies would (25) little chance of ever becoming successful.

Mark at (18).

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word and click the button corresponding to it.
VANITY

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
 A new analysis has determined that the threat of global warming can still be greatly diminished if nations cut emissions of heat-trapping greenhouse gases by 70% this century. The analysis was done by scientists at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). While global temperatures would rise, the most dangerous potential aspects of climate change, including massive losses of Arctic sea ice and permafrost and significant sea-level rise, could be partially avoided.
 “This research indicates that we can no longer avoid significant warming during this century,” said NCAR scientist Warren Washington, the study paper's lead author. “But, if the world were to implement this level of emission cuts, we could stabilize the threat of climate change", he added.
 Average global temperatures have warmed by close to 1 degree Celsius since the pre-industrial era. Much of the warming is due to human-produced emissions of greenhouse gases, predominantly carbon dioxide. This heat-trapping gas has increased from a pre-industrial level of about 284 parts per million ( ppm ) in the atmosphere to more than 380 ppm today. With research showing that additional warming of about 1 degree C may be the threshold for dangerous – climate change, the European Union has called for dramatic cuts in emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
 To examine the impact of such cuts on the world's climate, Washing ton and his colleagues ran a series of global studies with the NCAR - based Community Climate System Model (CCSM). They assumed that carbon dioxide levels could be held to 450 ppm at the end of this century. In contrast, emissions are now on track to reach about 750 ppm by 2100 if unchecked. The team's results showed that if carbon dioxide were held to 450 ppm, global temperatures would increase by 0.6 degrees Celsius above current readings by the end of the century. In contrast, the study showed that temperatures would rise by almost four times that amount to 2.2 degrees Celsius above current readings if emissions were allowed to continue on their present course. Holding carbon dioxide levels to 450 ppm would have other impacts, according to the climate modeling study.
 Sea-level rise due to thermal expansion as water temperatures warmed would be 14 centimeters about (5.5 inches) instead of 22 centimeters (8.7 inches). Also, Arctic ice in the summertime would shrink by about a quarter in volume and stabilize by 2100, as opposed to shrinking at least three quarters and continuing to melt, and Arctic warming would be reduced by almost half.

Direction: Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Q. Diminished 

Direction (Q.131 to 140): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage, against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate word in each case.

Once upon a time a foolish brahmin (131) to Birbal with a strange request. He wanted to be (132) as ' pandit’. Now, the term pandit ' (133) to a man of knowledge. But unfortunately, this poor brahmin was uneducated. Birbal tried to explain the difference to him saying that it was not correct to call an uneducated man a pandit and because of this very reason it would be improper to call him so . But, the silly brahmin had his heart (134) on this title. Birbal came up with a brilliant solution and said that as the brahmin was an uneducated man he should (135) abuses and stones at anyone who dared to address him by the very same title. Then Birbal called all his servants and ordered them to call this brahmin pandit. The brahmin was very pleased. But the moment the servants started calling out to him as ' pandit ' he pretended to be very angry and (136) abusing them loudly. Then he picked up a few stones and hurled them in their direction. All this shouting and screaming (137) a crowd. When people realised that this brahmin was erupting every time someone called him pandit’, they all started to (138 ) him. Over the next couple of days, he would constantly hear the word ' pandit ' wherever he went very soon the whole town started referring to him as ' pandit ' much to his (139). The foolish brahmin never realised why people were calling him a pandit. He was extremely pleased with the result. He (140) Birbal from the bottom of his heart.

 Fill in the blank (137).

Direction: In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, choose the word opposite in meaning of the given word as your answer.

Sedentary

Directions: In question four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase underlined in the sentences. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and mark it is the Answer Sheet.

Cheek by jowl

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
We have witnessed several disasters in recent times, some natural others man made. The frequency of such calamities has injured us and deadened our collective sensitivity, but that does not reduce the enormity of the - personal tragedy of each victim's family and community. The economic loss is only secondary to the human suffering, but is also substantial. The Government whether State or Central has standardised its response. This consists of reacting late, blaming others, visits by VIPs announcing a relief package including compensation for those affected and then forgetting all about it. There seems to be little attempt at drawing lessons from each disaster, storing the knowledge for future use , long term planning for possible pre - emptive action. Prepared ness for disasters thus falls short of what is possible using today ' s technologies.

Floods in many parts of India like the states of Bihar and Assam area yearly phenomenon. Yet the government seems to be caught by surprise year after year. It is obvious that tarpaulins, vaccines, medicines, clothes, satellite phones, large numbers of doctors and paramedical staff etc. will be needed as will boats and buses for evacuation. This is known to all those who have combated emergencies yet the non - availability of these essential services and commodities occurs. Worse the organizational structure and mechanisms for dealing with disasters are lethargic and ill defined. The National Disaster Management Agency, set up a short time ago being a central government agency has limitations relating to infringing the jurisdiction of states. It could have aggregated and disseminated experiences and knowledge, stocked many of the essential items required in an emergency or worked with agencies to ensure sufficient stocks, but hasn’t.

While the reaction to major disasters is dismal, the response to emergencies like accident is equally sad. Victim lie unattended since passersby are wary of getting caught in a labyrinthine of police and legal systems. The resulting delay in treatment con verts injuries into deaths. Of late, unique and free service to provide assistance in emergency cases is operational. Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) is a professionally managed operation - initiated by the vision and grant from Ramalinga Raju. The service , which is a successful example of public private partnership likely to become operational in a few states in the near future . Given the sad failure of conventional government organisations in handling disaster, it is time we looked at the PPP model as an alternative without the government seeking in any way to abdicate its responsibility. While the state provides the funding, private organizations will provide the drive, professionalism, competent management and output linked efficiency of a good corporate organization. Combining the sensitivity and purpose of an NGO with private entrepreneurial drive to handle disasters together is thus a worthwhile challenge for both corporates and the government .

Why is there a lack of medical care at disaster sites?