Question : Comprehension:

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

In the stress-ridden world, traditional pastimes that could prove therapeutic are dying for want of patronage. One such is the art of puppetry. The word “puppet” is derived from the Latin word pupa, meaning “doll” or “girl”. Puppets came into being in India in the third century A.D. Here it was honed into a theatrical art. It helped to propagate the works of saints and religious leaders, and also depict stories from epics. Later, it spread to South East Asia. The Cambodian puppeteers inspired the Thais. Java and Bali followed though it didn’t catch on in Sumatra. The Malays followed the Siamese and Japanese styles in the nineteenth century. Gradually, puppets became more sophisticated in appearance, as skilled craftsmen began to make the models. Puppeteers became trained as performers. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, puppet theatres became extremely popular in artistic circles. Writers like George Sands and Goethe organised their own well-prepared puppet shows to entertain their friends. Puppet shows have been mentioned in the literature by Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, and many others.

Basically, there are three kinds of puppets. Shadow puppets are made of translucent leather and coloured vegetable dyes. Buffalo, goat, or sheep skin is treated to become translucent. Limbs are loosely jointed so that they can be made to move separately. A stick is attached vertically in the middle. The movement of the stick causes general movements. But for special movements, single strings attached to the limbs are used. These leather puppets are projected on a screen, which is illuminated by a light source placed behind the puppets. The puppeteer manipulates the puppets to form moving shadows on the screen. He also speaks the parts, sings, or is accompanied by music. String puppets involve puppets that are manipulated by six strings. The performance is on a stage but the puppeteers are never seen. They wear anklets which produce the illusion that the puppets themselves are dancing. The main storyteller recites the storyline, while the puppets perform, and the dialogue and music are provided by the puppeteers. Rod or stick puppets are constructed around the main central rod. A short horizontal bar serves as the shoulders, from which the upper limbs dangle. The arms, made of cloth and stuffed with straw or paper, are jointed or manipulated with other thinner rods. These puppets can be the size of a human being. The puppeteer hides behind the puppet and manipulates it. The coordination of the limbs comes only through practice.

Puppetry is a good communication medium. Messages can be propagated in a realistic way. Puppet making and performing is good occupational therapy for convalescents and physically disabled people. Muscular coordination and manual dexterity improve with effort. However, the best use of this art is that it can provide delightful hours of fun to young and old alike.

Question:

Traditional ways of recreation, such as puppetry, are dying because:

Option 1: they do not provide relaxation from stress

Option 2: they do not get the support of patrons

Option 3: the performers lack skill and training

Option 4: the performances are no longer interesting

Question : Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Government of India’s New Integrated Food Security Scheme?
A. This New Integrated Food Security Scheme has been started from 1 January 2023.
B. The Government of India targeted to supply food grains to more than 80 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act.
C. The first time this food grains supply programme was brought under the Ministry of Social Justice for effective implementation.

Option 1: B and C only

Option 2: A and C only

Option 3: A, B and C

Option 4: A and B only

Question : Directions: If P ÷ Q means that P is the mother of Q, P × Q means that P is the father of Q and P – Q means that P is the sister of Q, then which of the following expressions shows that A is the father of C?

Option 1: B × A – C

Option 2: A × B – C

Option 3: A × B ÷ C

Option 4: A – B × C

Question : What is Typhlops?

Option 1: Blind snake

Option 2: Sea snake

Option 3: Glass snake

Option 4: Grass snake

Question : If the cost of 120 m of cloth is INR 9,600, then what will be the cost of 147 m of that cloth?

Option 1: INR 16,170

Option 2: INR 11,670

Option 3: INR 11,760

Option 4: INR 17,160

Question : The following data shows the number of boys and girls in Class VII, Class VIII, Class IX, and Class X of a school. Study the data and answer the question.

Which class has the maximum number of students?

Option 1: Class VII

Option 2: Class IX

Option 3: Class X

Option 4: Class VIII

Question : What is the full form of ISDN?

Option 1: International Service Digital Network

Option 2: Indian Service Digital Network

Option 3: Integrated Service Digital Network

Option 4: Internal Service Digital Network

Question : Directions: Consider the given statements to be true and decide which of the given conclusions can be drawn from the given statements.
Statements:
1. No man is a monkey.
2. Hari is a man.
Conclusions:
I. Hari is not a monkey.
II. All men are not Hari.

Option 1: Only conclusion I follows

Option 2: Only conclusion II follows

Option 3: Both conclusion I and conclusion II follow

Option 4: Neither conclusion I nor conclusion II follows

Question : The sum of two angles of a triangle is 116° and their difference is 24°. The measure of the smallest angle of the triangle is:

Option 1: 38°

Option 2: 28°

Option 3: 46°

Option 4: 64°

Question : Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
Causing or wanting to cause harm or evil to someone.

Option 1: Chaotic

Option 2: Malevolent

Option 3: Insipid

Option 4: Rancour