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PART 2
M.A. IN Counselling
Duration: 1 Hour

Marks: 50

SECTION-A

20 Marks

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Comprehension: Read the passage given and answer the questions that follow.
The passage has been taken from The Economist, August 18 2011 Asias Lonely Hearts.

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A lot of Asians are not marrying later. They are not marrying at all. Almost a third of
Japanese women in their early 30s are unmarried; probably half of those will always be.
Over one-fifth of Taiwanese women in their late 30s are single; most will never marry. In
some places, rates of non-marriage are especially striking: in Bangkok, 20% of 40-44year old women are not married; in Tokyo, 21%; among university graduates of that age
in Singapore, 27%. So far, the trend has not affected Asias two giants, China and India.
But it is likely to, as the economic factors that have driven it elsewhere in Asia sweep
through those two countries as well; and its consequences will be exacerbated by the sexselective abortion practised for a generation there. By 2050, there will be 60m more men
of marriageable age than women in China and India.

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The joy of staying single

Women are retreating from marriage as they go into the workplace. Thats partly because,
for a woman, being both employed and married is tough in Asia. Women there are the
primary caregivers for husbands, children and, often, for ageing parents; and even when in
full-time employment, they are expected to continue to play this role. This is true elsewhere
in the world, but the burden that Asian women carry is particularly heavy. Japanese women,
who typically work 40 hours a week in the office, then do, on average, another 30 hours
of housework. Their husbands, on average, do three hours. And Asian women who give
up work to look after children find it hard to return when the offspring are grown. Not
surprisingly, Asian women have an unusually pessimistic view of marriage. According to a
survey carried out this year, many fewer Japanese women felt positive about their marriage
than did Japanese men, or American women or men.
At the same time as employment makes marriage tougher for women, it offers them an
alternative. More women are financially independent, so more of them can pursue a single
life that may appeal more than the drudgery of a traditional marriage. More education has
SAMPLE PAPER 2011

also contributed to the decline of marriage, because Asian women with the most education
have always been the most reluctant to wedand there are now many more highly educated
women.
No marriage, no babies
The flight from marriage in Asia is thus the result of the greater freedom that women enjoy
these days, which is to be celebrated. But it is also creating social problems. Compared
with the West, Asian countries have invested less in pensions and other forms of social
protection, on the assumption that the family will look after ageing or ill relatives. That can
no longer be taken for granted. The decline of marriage is also contributing to the collapse
in the birth rate. Fertility in East Asia has fallen from 5.3 children per woman in the late
1960s to 1.6 now. In countries with the lowest marriage rates, the fertility rate is nearer 1.0.
That is beginning to cause huge demographic problems, as populations age with startling
speed. And there are other, less obvious issues. Marriage socialises men: it is associated
with lower levels of testosterone and less criminal behaviour. Less marriage might mean
more crime.
1.

What are the reasons that have been attributed to Asian women not marrying?

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2.

What is the connection made between employment and marriage in the article?

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3.

What are the likely social implications of decline in marriage?

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4.

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What are your thoughts about the status of women and marriage in India?

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SECTION-B:

30 Marks

Descriptive test: Essay Test of 1000 words. Write an essay on any one of the following
topics.
(Testing for awareness and sensitivity to contemporary social issues to assess analytical
writing abilities through an essay.)
1.

The North-East region of India feels discriminated by various sections of society.

What do you feel about the issue? Give examples to support your view.

2.

The option to recall elected politicians is unlikely to ever be enacted in actuality in

India. Discuss.

3.

Lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, transgender populations in India are gaining greater visibility
and rights in India. What are the implications of this?

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SAMPLE PAPER 2011