LISAS’IAS

ODISHA CIVIL SERVICES (MAIN) EXAM. - 2020

VERY SIMILAR TEST (VST)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE

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INSTRUCTIONS FOR VSTs

ENGLISH LANGUAGE
 Write your Name, Regn. No., Subject Name, Test No. & Date of
Exam. on the first page of Answer Sheet.
 Put Margin from both sides and top of the answer sheets.
 Put Page Number on top of each answer sheets.
 First write the Question Number and Question, then the answer.
 Scan the answer sheets clearly.
 Save the Answer sheets in your name & e-mail id
(Example : sarita gupta–guptasarita2020@gmail.com)
 E-mail subject should be “Subject Name, Paper and Test No.”
Example : ENGLISH – VST
 Send your answer by 20.10.2020 (10.00a.m.)

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Full Mark – 300 Time – 3 HOURS

1. Write an essay in about 1000 words on any of the

following. (100)

(a) Values are not what humanity is, but what

humanity ought to be
(b) A crisis is an opportunity in disguise
(c) Biased media is real threat to Indian democracy
(d) Wisdom finds truth

2. Read the passage given below and answer the

questions that follow.

Jetpur is a Village Panchayat in Bundi district of Rajasthan. The

panchayat elections are due and the campaigning of the
candidates are going and this time also maximum number of
candidates from a particular community will win. That particular
community is dominant in the village, hence to consolidate their
power community votes on the basis of caste. From last 2
decades candidate from that community are winning most of the
ward seats. Even if a more qualified and more progressive person
stands from another community, he tends to lose because he is
not from dominant caste.

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This identity politics is not only the story of one village or any
particular area but more or less same throughout the country and
the world. Identity in politics has played an important role in
winning and losing elections and dominance. Identity is the story
about who we are, what is common, what we share with others
and how we are different. Identity politics is the politics in which
an individual wages on behalf of a group that share’s a common
aspect of identity be it caste, religion, race, gender, ethnicity etc.
Any group be it weak or strong can pursue identity politics. A
dominant group like Patels of Gujarat, Yadavs of UP, Gurjars of
Rajasthan and Jaats of Haryana led by cultural insecurities,
chauvinism and insecurity about losing their dominance or a
marginalized group like Dalits, women, minority groups etc. led by
historic injustice and bigotry.
In the words of a great sociological thinker Karl Marx – “Workers
of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains” who
wants to unite people based on the identity of ‘poor working class’
against the capitalistic forces who are dominant, oppressive and
exploitative at that time. It is quite clear that identity plays an
important role in uniting the people, who are weak and largely
ignored, by identifying oneself with the larger group and thereby
brings about desired change and gain bargaining power.
India’s struggle for independence is also the same where weak

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Indians stand united against the despotic rule of mighty British
empire. The movements led by various leaders are based on the
identity of one nation and symbols of indigenization like charkha,
khadi, and vernacular languages.
Non-Aligned Movement is the prominent example of Third world
counties uniting against the strong influence of two major powers.
In WTO also, we see weak developing nations (developing
country being their identity) are getting united not to leave the
talks on Doha development round and fight against the bullish
nature of developed capitalistic nations.
Identity politics can be both regressive and progressive based on
its aims and methods. In India various Dalit movements and
Peasants struggle (at the time of independence) is based on
identity which is progressive as they are being marginalized
because of their socio-economic status. Whereas demand for
separate nation ‘Pakistan’ solely based on religion is regressive
as it turns into a lot of bloodshed at the time of partition and
thereafter.
Identity politics has not only united people at times but also
divided them too. Where French Revolution has united the
Unprivileged class against the exploitative Privileged class. The
Nazism has divided the society and was the main cause of World
War II.

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It is true that most of the identity politics has been played so as to
unite the minorities, weaker section and the oppressed against
the strong and the dominant one but it is also true that whenever
dominant class saw their authority and power diminishing they
resort to violence and try to bring solidarity within their group to
maintain the status quo.

Questions : (6x5=30)

(a) Define identity politics in your own words but as per the
view of the passage.
(b) Was Hitler an identity politician? Justify in light of the
passage given?
(c) What are the salient features of identity politics, as given
in the passage?
(d) Is identity politics a necessary evil according to the
passage?
(e) “Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but
your chains”, explain in the context of the passage.

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3. Make a précis of the following in about 500 words. (40)

Ideology plays a key role in deciding the future of any nation.

There are different ideologies emerged under different
circumstances. After the industrial revolution capitalism occupied
centre stage , consequences due to capitalism led to socialism.
Gradually many ideologies like communism, neo capitalism
emerged. It is not correct to say any idea is better than others ,
however we can say which ideology suits the age and
circumstances. Every ideology and philosophy is good and great
only thing we need to do , adopt the right principles to suit one
nation. Here we must verify whether stigmatized capitalism is
better than crony socialism in India rather comparing ideas itself.
India adopted socialistic principles after post independence as so
much poverty and inequality and regional imbalance existed.
Moreover, capitalists are not in a position to do investments. With
socialism state get dividends and can use it on poor people. Many
leaders like Nehru, Bose , and jayaprakash Narayanan strongly
propounded socialistic values. Definitely, to certain extent it
served the purpose and reduced the regional imbalance by
establishing planning commission and public sectors at backward
areas like Bhilai, Jamshedpur.

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However this socialism gradually turned into crony socialism.
Licence quota Raj became a norm. Closed economy with lot of
restrictions on trade erased the competition. Public sector
became symbol of laziness, corruption, restrictive to change and
adopt technology.
Red tapism become a norm, concentration of power at
bureaucracy at peaks, monopoly trade restrictive practices act
punishes the merit, govt. Control over everything backfired
miserably. When individualism is growing how a person works,
whatever he does, receives the same amount. Recognition of
merit is crucial for improving the productivity.
Crony socialism, means state and few players take decisions and
no competition to public sector. When other nations are growing
at jet speed by adopting new technology , india in the name of
import substitution policy encouraged laziness, corruption and
speed money. Only after private sector entry in power production,
ntpc becomes more productive, steel public sector still not
competitive, as no strong private entity emerged.
Any idealogies ultimate purpose is to welfare of all, for that
redistribution is crucial if there are no resources to redistribute,
what is the use of equality. During crony socialistic period, Indian
growth is Hindu growth around 3 %, and with closed economy
India failed to capture world trade where south Korea, Taiwan,

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Indonesia utilized to increase growth. If growth is inclusive it is
well and fine, but growth is crucial for welfare. Crony socialism
deprives that.
Crony socialism gives importance to equality, but not much
importance to freedom and liberty. International scenario in China
and Russia also reveal these kind of strongest measures would
not useful and led to corruption, so they shifted to capitalistic
mode of production, although political set up in communist
oriented.
When the crony socialism failed to address problems of India, it
forced to adopt lpg reforms to avoid the crisis. It has given
immediate results by improving the growth, and india could
reduce the poverty to 21%. Competition has ensured productivity,
merit recognized, relicensing of all major industries, more private
sector participation changed the Indian economy scenario.
However in this process capitalism become stigmatized. There is
negative perception towards capital. Capitalists only aim is to
make profits, squeeze poor people money, in every step
capitalists have ulterior motive , so trust deficit increased.
There are some valid reasons to come to that conclusion. Crony
capitalism, where policies are favourable to capitalists, contracts
are assigned to rich people, banks pouring loans to capitalists,
and some deliberate loan defaulters like Vijaya Malaya, and

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growing NPA crisis. In addition to that Twin balance sheet
syndrome and corporate loan waivers with tax payers money, and
tax concessions to them , and consulting them while designing
programmes, and by political funding, corporates, formed political
business bureaucratic Nexus. Thus, they created a stigma
towards capital and people are distrusting capitalists, and lead to
policy paralysis due to opposition to land acquisition act, labour
reforms, privatization of some public sectors.
Whatever limitations may be with stigmatized capitalism it is
necessary evil in present day circumstances. It recognizes merit,
no importance to caste or religion, women get their due place, no
discrimination based on social hierarchy, some people are
needed to take risk, and they deserve profits for taking risk,
otherwise where investments comes.
Economic survey clearly emphasized future of India relies on
private sector and exports , so stigmatized capitalism is better
than crony socialism.
However if we correct mistakes in stigmatized capitalism, we
could fetch more benefits. Already some capitalists are doing
great job in philanthropy, like tatas and through CSR. Insolvency
bankruptcy code and GST, and RBI guidelines to address NPA
would solve problems to certain extent. However, a lot needs to
be done to reduce stigma around capital.

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Here all capitalists have Gandhian trustee model where capitalists
need to treat trustees and share profits with workers, and pay
taxes properly, and don't disturb the environment beyond
recuperative levels, do some social welfare works, and don't
influence the political process and elections, that would make
stigmatized capitalism into inclusive capitalism.
To conclude, ideas or ideologies for sake do not say good or bad.
For Cuba socialistic ideology worked out, for U.S capitalism
worked out and became a super power. So everything depends
on circumstances. At present India need capitalism, many experts
believe after lpg although India lost competence in some sectors
gained market in some other sectors, so instead of supporting
protectionism in WTO, India need to move towards openness and
capture the growing world market would help increase growth and
employment. In this process we should not give untoward benefits
to capitalists that lead to stigmatized capitalism, policy paralysis.
Just with stigmatized capitalism India secured some benefits , if it
becomes inclusive capitalism India would get the status of a
developed country, free of poverty, hunger, and malnutrition.

4. Expand the idea contained in one of the following. (20)

(a) Handsome is he that handsome does.
(b) If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind ?

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 (c) Necessity is the mother of invention.
(d) Deeds always speak louder than words.

5. (A) Complete the sentences choosing appropriate word from

the list below for each blank. (1x10 =10)

(quest, although, fissiparous, momentous, worried,

phenomena, askance, empirical, evolve, hardly, breed,
damaging)

(i) The struggle against the ______ forces of

communalism is thus closely linked with socio-
economic transformation of the society.
(ii) Politic corruption and nepotism, along with poverty and
unemployment, ______ frustration in the general
population.
(iii) Those who look ______ at the idea of discipline may be
directed to observe nature.
(iv) Superstitions are universal ______ having their own
peculiar place in he cultural ethos and milieu of a
people.

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 (v) It was ______ occasion in the annals of mankind when
on July 21, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first man
to set foot on the moon.
(vi) The ______ for a happy life engrosses every human
being on this earth.
(vii) It can ______ be denied that personality affects one’s
concept of a happy event.
(viii) ______ the Americans call the television the ‘idiot box’,
it is one of the most revolutionary any inventions of the
20th century.
(ix) The most ______ influence of crude sex and vulgarity
depicted in Indian film is on the immature minds and
those belonging to the lower rungs of the society.
(x) Man has been able to dispel nebulous superstitions and
replace them by______ knowledge.

(B) Provide one word substitutes for the expressions given

below. (1x10 =10)

(i) One who lends money at exorbitant interest.

(ii) Confinement to one place to avoid spread of infection.
(iii) Animals which carry their young in a pouch, e.g.
Kangaroo.
(iv) Words inscribed on a tomb.
(v) Government by the wealthy.
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 (vi) One who comes into a foreign country to settle there.
(vii) That which cannot be avoided or prevented.
(viii) A cure for all diseases.
(ix) One who is overanxious about his health
(x) Animals which live in a flock.

(C) Use the idioms in sentences of your own. (2x5 =10)

(i) Bury the hatchet

(ii) Eat one’s cake and have it too
(iii) Lock, stock and barrel
(iv) High and dry
(v) At loggerheads

6. (A) Write an antonym for each underlined word: (1x5 =5)

(i) The soldiers were brave.
(ii) These gems are priceless.
(iii) He is hostile to us.
(iv) This is an exciting book.
(v) I deposited all the money at the bank.

(B) Write a synonym for each underlined word. (1x5 =5)

(i) The powerful man lifted nearly 150 Kg. weights.
(ii) The essay was too short to do justice to the subject.
(iii) There were many defects in the work.
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 (iv) The luminous dials of the clock were easy to see in the
dark.
(v) He accomplished his goal.

(C) Choose the correct word from each pair in the

bracket in the following sentence and rewrite them.

(1x5 =5)

(i) The (enormousness/ enormity) of the crimes shocked

the people.
(ii) It is unlawful to (abet/abate) a criminal.
(iii) The country has an (equable/equitable) climate.
(iv) Many riots are the outcome of (inflammable/
inflammatory) rumours.
(v) To be charitable is (virtual/virtuous).

7. Use the following phrasal verbs in sentences. (write the

meaning first, then the sentence). (1x5 =5)

(i) Break in
(ii) Count upon
(iii) Give in
(iv) Make off
(v) Take after
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 8. Use the noun/verb/adjective/adverb form of the
following words in sentences, as directed in each
question, to bring out their meaning). (1x5 =5)

(i) bright (Use the verb form)

(ii) live (Use the adjective form)
(iii) hard (Use the adverb form)
(iv) jeopardy (Use the verb form)
(v) horrible (Use the noun form)

9. Fill in the blanks below using correct prepositions. (1x5 =5)

(i) Switzerland lies ______ France, Italy, Austria and

Germany. (between/among)
(ii) I have been waiting her ______ two house. (since/for)
(iii) The judge condemned the prisoner ______ death.
(with/to)
(iv) I congratulate you ______ your success. (on/for)
(v) ______ his arrival home, Ritz fell ill. (after/on)

10. Correct the errors in the sentences below. (1x10 =10)

(i) There is no place in this compartment.

(ii) You should avail this opportunity.
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 (iii) Death is more preferable to dishonor.
(iv) She gave a speech on Environment.
(v) The teacher, with her students, were going out.
(vi) Not only the soldiers but their captain also were
captured.
(vii) Many a battle were fought on Indian soil.
(viii) When I shall see him, I shall tell him this.
(ix) Cities after cities fell.
(x) Could you please open this knot ?

11. Rewrite the sentences according to the instructions

given in brackets. The meaning of the sentences must
not change. (1x10 =10)

(i) No one died in the accident. That was fortunate.

(Combine into a simple sentence)
(ii) He was afraid to run. he might slip on the ground and
fall down (Combine into a complex sentence)
(iii) Bring him here. (Change the voice)
(iv) This tea is too strong for me (remove ‘too’)
(v) He said to me, “Please bring me a glass of water. (Turn
into Indirect Speech)
(vi) As soon as he entered the room, all the others left.
(Start the sentence with ‘No sooner than’)

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 (vii) There are very few creatures as intelligent as the
dolphin. (Change into Superlative degree)
(viii) The Taj is more beautiful than any other building.
(Change into positive degree)
(ix) I wish I were a King. (Change into exclamatory
sentence)
(x) Besides being industrious he is wise. (Rewrite the
sentence using “not only- but also)

12. Translate into English. (30)

***
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