CAPE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(Approved by AICTE and Affiliated to Anna University)

(A NAAC Accredited Institution)

Levengipuram, Rajakrishnapuram Post, Tirunelveli District – 627 114, TAMILNADU

Phone: 04652-268077 Fax: 04652 – 268078, 267010
Website: www.capeitech.org, e-mail: capeitech@yahoo.com

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

LAB RECORD

Student Name :
Register Number :

Subject Code : HS 8581

Subject Name : PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

Branch :

Year/ Sem : III / VI

Batch : 2019-2023
Academic Year : 2021-2022

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 BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

Certified that this is a bonafide record work done by Selvan / Selvi

……………………………………….. with Register No
960518……………….. studying B.E, …………………………… in III year
VI semester in of this Institution in Advanced reading and Writing (HS
8581) during the academic year 2020-2021.

Staff In-Charge Head of the Department

Submitted for the Anna University practical examination held at CAPE

Institute of Technology, Levengipuram on ……………………… .

Internal Examiner External Examiner

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 JOB APPLICATION LETTER

Write a letter of application for the post of a Junior Engineer to the Divisional Engineer,
Mambalam Division, Chennai Telephones, 786, Anna Salai Chennai – 35. Attach a suitable
resume with the application.

20.10.2020

Aravind samy.
S 3/325, Lotus St.,
Vallabai patel nagar,
Coimbatore.

The Divisional Engineer, Mambalam

Division,
Anna Salai,
Chennai – 35.

Dear Sir,

Subject: Application for nthe post of Junior Engineer – reg.

Your advertisement for the post of Junior Engineer in ‘The Hindu’ dated 17.01.14 interested me as I am
confident that I possess the requisite qualification and skills.

I am a B.Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering graduate. I completed my degree with

a 9.5 CGPA from College of Engineering, Guindy in the year 2013. I did a project in VLSI Designs
during my final year. It won the best project award in an inter-University competition. I have
attached my resume for the other details of my qualification and skills.

I hope that my qualification and skills will merit your consideration. I would be happy to attend a personal
interview to further discuss my skills.
Thanking you
Yours truly,
Sign

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 RESUME

Aravind samy. Mobile: 9880040200

S 3/325, Lotus St., Email:samyvinds@gmail.com

Vallabai patel nagar Website:

www.aravindswamy.com Coimbatore

Objective:

To begin my career as a Junior Engineer in a dynamic environment where I have opportunities

to get experience and expertise and to further enhance my career prospects.

Education:

• May 2013 B.Tech. Electronics and Communication Engineering, College of

Engg. Guindy,
9.5 CGPA.

• April 2009 H.Sc in K.M. Boys Higher Secondary School, Avadi, Chennai; 95%

Project Done:

Did a project in VLSI Designs, which won the Best Project Award in “Tech Fest,” an inter university
technical symposium held in JNK Technical University, Delhi in 2012.

Computer Skills:

Languages : C, C++, Java Operating Systems : Unix, Linux, Windows

Application : MATLAB, Oracle, Web Designing

Co-curricular Activities:

• Presented a paper titled, “Recent Developments in Mobile Networks” in the Fourth

International Conference on Communication Networks held in Malaysia, in 2012.
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 • One of the Organizing Committee members of the technical symposium “Convergence”
conducted by our college in August 2012.

Extra Curricular Activities:

• Student Secretary for University Sports Club.

• Captain of the Foot ball team.
• Won several medals and trophies in foot ball in Zonal and State Level.

Experience:

May 2013 – till date: Junior Engineer, SMT Communication Systems, Chennai-85.

Personal Details:

Date of Birth : 15.03.1992

Father’s Name : Sundar. K

Marital Status : Single

Languages Known : Tamil, English, Hindi, German

Interests : Reading books and Blogging on Foot ball

References:

1. Dr. Anu Durairaj HOD, Dept. of

ECE, College of Engg. Chennai – 35.

2. Mr. Peter Francis

Manager, SMT Communication Systems Chennai – 85.

Declaration:

I hear with above mentioned all details are true to my knowledge.

Date :
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Signature :
INTERVIEW SKILLS

Preparing for the interview

Your preparation before the day of the interview needs to be on two main fronts:

Research the Organisation

Find out as much as you can about the company. Look at their website, and any information that
they have sent you, and see if you can find their mission, objectives, any value statements and the
like. It’s helpful to be familiar with the organisation’s guiding principles. Also try to find out how
the job that you have applied for fits into the organisation.

Make a list of the questions about the organisation, ideally around work, such as the team you
will be working with, or the work that you will be doing on a daily basis. Either you should
already have done that before applying, or you need to be prepared to work the hours stated.

Tests and Presentations

Some interviews require you to make a short presentation, or to take a test. The details will
always be included in the letter inviting you to interview, so you’ll have time to prepare. If
you’ve been asked to make a presentation, don’t assume that there will be PowerPoint, or that
you’ll be standing in front of a group.

You may be invited to bring a handout. It’s worth spending a bit of time making a one-page
handout that fully summarizes your presentation, whether it’s a mind-map, a picture of some
sort. Think about what you want them to remember from your presentation, and make sure that’s
clear from your handout.

Presentations

If you’ve been invited to give a presentation, you will probably be asked to give it immediately after
introductions. Our Presentation Skills section has lots of advice and further reading about preparing
for and giving effective presentations and you may find our page Presentations in Interviews
particularly useful.

If there’s a time limit for your presentation then keep to it. If you can’t see the clock in the room,
then put your watch on the table in front of you, to make sure that you’re keeping to time. If
you’re running short, cut your presentation and move to the conclusion.

6
What to Expect in the Interview

How Many Interviewers?

The letter inviting you to interview will probably state who will be interviewing you. It’s often
three to five people, because that removes any individual bias, so don’t be surprised to walk in and
find a roomful of people. One will probably take the lead, and explain who will be asking
questions as well as the role of the others.

When you’re asked a question, reply to the person who asked the question. The others may intervene,
either during or after your answer. Generally, reply to that person and not to the group.

Types of Questions

Interviewers often like to start with an easy ‘ice-breaker’ question, such as ‘What do you do in your
current job?” or “Tell us why you applied for this job?” If you’ve done your preparation, you’ll be
ready for this.

Modern interviews tend to be ‘competence-based’, which means that they focus on your skills, and
how you can demonstrate them. So questions will often be in the form of:

• Tell us about the time when you…

• From your previous experience, how would you deal with a situation like …
If you don’t have much work experience, don’t worry. Be prepared to say “Well, I haven’t
actually had to do that yet, but this is what I would do in the situation”. They know you don’t
have much experience, but they’re trying to give you a chance to show that you can do the job.

At The End

At the end of the interview, you will probably be asked if you have any questions.It’s also acceptable
to ask when the organisation will expect to let people know the outcome of their application.

Before you leave, thank the interview panel for he chance to attend the interview and say that it
was nice to meet them. Smile, gain eye contact and shake hands if appropriate. Always leave a
good final impression. You will find out in due course if you were successful. If you were not then
it can be a good idea to ask for feedback. You may gain some useful tips and advice to improve
your chances at your next interview.

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 DO’S AND DON’T WHILE ATTENDING THE INTERVIEW

Do’s:

 Arrive in good time. The interview panel may be interviewing a lot of candidates so do not
keep them waiting.
 Dress appropriately. Some organisations, especially technology companies, have a very casual
dress code but, for most, a suit will be appropriate interview wear. Remember that you are
being judged on the appearance that you present.
 Act appropriately, which usually means following the interviewer’s lead. If you are offered a
hand to shake, then shake it, but don’t offer your own hand if nobody else seems interested.
 Engage with the interviewers. Smile, make eye contact, and build rapport.
 Answer the questions that are asked, using relevant examples where at all possible.
 Dress smartly, Look bright and speak clearly and confidently.
 Find out where the venue is, how to go there and how long it takes.
 Do try to sparkle, use gestures in your conversations.
 Make sure try to be smooth and emphatic.
 Arrive ten minutes early prior to the interview start time.
 Maintain good eye contact during the interview.
 Sit erect in your seat. Avoid fid getting and slouchings.

Don’t:

• Be afraid to blow your own trumpet a bit. After all, nobody else is going to blow it for you;
however do not lie or exaggerate. If you want the job, be enthusiastic and positive.
• Be over-familiar or share too much information.
• Don’t arrive late.
• Don’t answer cellphone calls or respond to texts.
• Don’t enquire about salary, vocations, bonus or other benefits.
• Don’t act disinterested in job.
• Don’t offer any negative information about yourself.
• Don’t be soft spoken; spoken clearly.
• Don’t fidget or slouch.
• Don’t bring up or discuss about family or personal issues.
• Don’t tell jokes during the interview.
• Don’t make negative commands about the previous employees.
• Don’t argue with the interviewer.

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 Vocabulary-Technical

I. Match the words in column A with meanings in column

BA B
(a) Appropriate (1) allowing light to pass
(b) Translucent (2) a place water is collected
(c) Feedback (3) repercussion
(d) Catchment (4) suitable
(5) response
Answers a-4, b-1, c-5,d-2
A B
(a) Breeder (1) energy
(b) Harness (2) not moving
(c) Portable (3) connect
(d) Stagnant (4) producer
(5) can be moved
around Answers a-4, b-3, c-4, d-2
II. Choose the synonym for the words from the given alternatives.

1. Remote
a. automatic b. distant c. savage d. mean
2. Detest
a. argue b. hate c. discover d. reveal
3. Gracious
a. pretty b. clever c. pleasant d. present
4. Predict
a. foretell b. decide c. prevent d. discover
5. Kin
a. exult b. twist c. friend d. relative
6. Pensive
a. oppressed b. caged c. thoughtful d. happy
7. Banish
a. exile b. hate c. fade d. clean
8. Fraud
a. malcontent b. argument c. imposter d. clown
9. Saccharine
a. leave b. sweet c. arid d. quit
10. Drag

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a. sleepy b. crush c. proud d. pull
Answers: 1. b, 2. b, 3. c, 4. a, 5. d, 6. c, 7. a, 8. c, 9. b, 10. d

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 GROUP DISCUSSION
National Education Policy 2020
Theme:

• In July 2020, ‘National Education Policy’ (NEP), 2020 was approved by the cabinet.
• This policy aims for the major overhaul of the Indian education system. It is expected that the
education system will be completely transformed by 2040.
• This will replace the old National Educational Policy, 1986.
• As education is a concurrent subject, implementation of the policy will require the approval of states.

Positive impact on the education system:

• School years are changed from 10+2 format to 5+3+3+4 format (Foundational (3 years of preschool +
Grade 1-2)+ Preparatory (Grades 3-5) + Middle (Grade 6-8)+ High School (Grade 912)). For the first
time, Early childhood Care & Education (ECCE) is also included in education policy. Anganwadis
and private pre-schools will take care ECCE of children. Anganwadi centres will be strengthened by
2030 to provide equitable access to ECCE for all children. This policy aimed to achieve 100% Gross
Enrolment Ratio in pre-school to secondary school by 2035.
• To eliminate rote-learning and to promote the holistic development of children, the present curriculum
and pedagogy will be revamped to make it suitable for the 21st century.
• Nutritious breakfast will be provided in addition to the mid-day meal program so that children can
peacefully concentrate on studies.
• At present, Intermediate education is in terms of groups such as MPC, BPC, CEC etc. After studying
these courses, students had to go into that career path. This method is eliminated in NEP 2020. The 4-
year undergraduate course will have a wide choice of subjects for the students to choose from. Arts,
vocational crafts & physical education can also be chosen. There will be no hard separation among
‘curricular’, ‘extra-curricular’, or ‘co-curricular’ areas, among ‘arts’, ‘humanities’, and ‘sciences’, or
between ‘vocational’ or ‘academic’.
• In general, vocational education is considered as inferior to mainstream education. But vocational
education improves the employability of students. In developed countries, many students go for
vocational subjects. In South Korea, 95% of students go for these subjects, in the US it is 52% and in
Germany, it is 75%. Now, vocational subjects are integrated into mainstream education. So, that will
be beneficial for the Indian economy.
• At present, only intellectual skills are developed in schools. But that is not sufficient for the overall
development of children. So, National Education Policy, 2020 proposed imparting emotional skills
such as empathy, communication, perseverance, teamwork, leadership quality etc in students.
• For holistic development, children should be taught many things apart from education. NEP 2020
stresses on encouraging creativity and innovativeness in students. They will be given knowledge on
necessary things such as new technologies, digital literacy, gender sensitisation, fundamental duties,
social issues etc by revamping the curriculum.
• ‘Right to Education’ (RTE) is extended from 14 years to 18 years.

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• To increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio and also to increase access to education, Online Distance
Learning (ODL), MOOC (Massive Open online courses) will be given adequate importance. This can
reduce the number of dropouts too.
• Textbooks containing core concepts will be the same for all at the national level, and at the same time
supplement materials can be added as per local contexts and needs. In this way, local subjects will not
be ignored.
• At present, our exams award memorization skills, which encourages rote-learning. This is the most
criticised part of the Indian education system. NEP 2020 proposed the overhaul of assessment methods
to promote critical thinking skills. The ‘National Assessment Centre for School Education’ (NACSE)
will set standards and norms of assessments. To reduce exam stress on students, board exams can be
taken on two occasions during any given school year – one main examination and one for
improvement.
• To reduce the burden on students in writing multiple entrance tests for universities, ‘National Testing
Agency ‘(NTA) will conduct high-quality common aptitude test for university entrances.
• A regulatory system will work towards stopping the commercialization of education by stopping the
arbitrary increase of fees.
• Teacher-student relation is very important in the education system. But at present, teachers are
transferred regularly, which places stress on students. So, this practice will be stopped.
• Teachers will be given constant opportunities, which is called as ‘Continuous Professional
Development‘ (CPD) for self-improvement, to learn the latest innovations, pedagogy, storytelling
based approach and advances in their profession. 50 hours of CPD per annum will be provided for
teachers.
• Committed teachers will be recognised and will be encouraged with incentives such as an increase in
salary, promotions etc. All these things can make the teaching profession lucrative and attractive.
More people may come to this profession.

– Positive impact on Higher education:

• Till now, many Higher education institutes (HEIs) are providing limited courses. With NEP 2020,
Colleges would either fully be integrated into a university or converted into an autonomous degree-
giving institution. This allows faculty and institutional autonomy. Colleges will become
multidisciplinary institutions by providing a wide choice of subjects.
• It made degrees flexible by providing entry and exit options to degree courses. Appropriate
certification will be provided depending on the years they studied. If one chooses to quit after a year,
they will obtain a diploma, if they quit after 2 years, the advanced diploma will be provided etc.
• This policy aims to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio in Higher education (GER) from 26% to 50% by
2035.
• India will be transformed as a global study destination by allowing top 100 universities of the world to
open colleges in India.
• No student should be deprived of higher education due to financial inability. To make education
inclusive financial support will be provided to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Steps
will be taken to achieve gender balance in HEIs.
• Professional education including technical, healthcare, legal and agriculture fields will be revamped to
suit the needs of the 21st century.

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• ‘National Higher Education Regulatory Authority‘ (NHERA) will regulate all the HEIs. This will
eliminate duplication of regulatory efforts.
• ‘Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog‘ (RSA), an apex advisory body for elementary to university education in
India will replace the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE). It will develop and revise the
vision of the education system on a continuous basis in collaboration with the corresponding apex
bodies of States.
• To promote high-quality research in educational institutes, ‘National Research Foundation’ (NRF) will
be established to support and to fund research. Research & development in universities will be
according to the research & development in the relevant industries.

Challenges:

• In general, some companies do not prefer recruiting the students that are graduated through distance
learning courses. So, employability value of open learning courses should be addressed.
• States may feel like Rashtriya Shiksha Ayog (RSA) & National Higher Education Regulatory Council
(NHERC) may overpower their institutes. Achieving a common ground with states will be a
challenge.

Criticism:

• It was mentioned that funding for education will be increased to 6% of GDP to implement the new
National Education Policy 2020. At present, 4.6% of the GDP is allocated for education. The economy
has slowed down and on top of it pandemic has impacted the economy badly. So, increasing the
education’s share may not be possible in the near future.
• Mother tongue/local language as the medium of instruction was made compulsory till class 5. This is
criticised by many. English connects the whole of India because there are so many languages in our
country. Reducing the importance of English is being criticised. And with this move, kids of inter-
state migrants will be at a disadvantage.
• This policy mentioned online education, but still many people do not have access to digital devices
and internet connectivity.
• Poor infrastructure in educational institutions and shortage of teachers are not addressed.

Conclusion:

At present, the Indian education system is criticised by many due to many reasons such as its
rote learning methods, outdated curriculum etc. India is ranking 35th in global education rankings
of 2020. National Education Policy 2020 can completely change our education system for good
because it crafted well according to the requirements of the 21st century. By 2030, India will have
the largest population of youth. NEP 2020 helps in utilising this demographic dividend. And It
can also make India a knowledge hub of the world by attracting foreign students.

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 Growing air pollution levels

Causes of Air pollution in India :-

• Increasing usage of Automobiles.

• Dust kicked up by vehicles moving on roads.
• Increasing constructions and demolitions of buildings.
• Increasing demand for houses is leading to deforestation, which is worsening the quality of air further.
• Industrialization.
• Burning of crop residue. This is highly prevalent in Punjab and Haryana.
• Burning of garbage.
• Still many Indians are using firewood and cow dung for cooking.
• Greenhouse gas emissions due to burning of biomass residue.
• Usage of diesel vehicles.
• Adulterated fuel blends by many Indian taxis and auto rickshaws. These adulterants increase
emissions of harmful pollutants from vehicles, worsening urban air pollution.

Effects of Air pollution :-

• Negative impact on health of humans as well as other living beings. Mainly, children and old people
are vulnerable to adverse health effects caused by air pollution.
• Air pollution is the leading environment cause of death. In 2015, India reported 11 lakh deaths due to
air pollution.
• Increase in spread of non-communicable diseases due air pollution has accounted for 62% of the total
diseases in India.

Steps Taken by Indian Government :-

• Government of India enacted the “Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (EPA)” under article 253 of
the constitution after the dreadful incident of Bhopal gas tragedy.
• Indian government removed subsidies for polluting cooking gases to improve access to clean fuel for
household cooking.
• The Delhi government has tried odd-even rule to reduce air pollution.
• Supreme Court banned registrations of diesel cars above 2000cc in Delhi, which is one of the highest
air polluted cities of India.
• Indian government banned firecrackers on weddings.
• Burning of solid waste is banned.

14
 What more needs to be done:-

• Allocation of more funds for afforestation projects.

• Betterment of public transportation.
• Enhancing the quality of roads.
• Encouraging community forests.
• Incentives for Eco-friendly buildings.
• Encouraging the usage of clean fuels.
• Investing more in energy generation from renewable resources.
• Encouraging work from home culture to reduce vehicular pollution.

Best Practices in Other Countries:-

• ‘Paris’ has set few good practices such as implementing odd-even bans on vehicles, making public
transport free during high pollution days and encouraging car & bike-pooling.
• ‘Netherlands’ is working on plans to to ban the sale of all petrol and diesel cars from 2025 and
allowing only electric or hydrogen vehicles.
• ‘Copenhagen’ now has more bicycles than people.

Conclusion :-

Everyone has a right to clean environment. Air pollution also needs attention just like
cleanliness issue. With the help of technological advancement and public support, government
needs to work for the reduction of air pollution levels on a war-footing.

15
 ORAL PRESENTATION
GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF HILL ROADS
DEFINITION OG HILL ROADS

Hill road is defined as the one which passes through a terrain with a cross slope of

25% or more. IRC: SP: 73-2015 and IRC: SP: 84-2014 have merged the Mountainous and Steep

Terrain having Cross Slope more than 25%.

DESIGN IN HILL ROADS

Design and Construction of Hill roads are more complex than in plain terrain due to

factors summarized below:

a) Highly broken relief with vastly differing elevations and steep

slopes, deep gorges etc. which increases road length.

b) The geological condition varies from place to place.

c) Variation in hydro-geological conditions.

d) Variation in the climatic condition such as the change in temperature due

to altitude difference, pressure variation, precipitation increases at greater

height etc.

e) High-speed runoff due to the presence of steep cross slopes.

f) Filling may overload the weak soil underneath which may trigger new slides.

g) Need of design of hairpin bends to attain heights.

h) Need to save Commercial and Residential establishments close to the

i) Need to save the ecology of the hills.

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 SPECIAL CONSIDERATION IN HILL ROAD DESIGN

i) Alignment of Hill Roads

The designer should attempt to choose a short, easy, economical and safe

comforting route.

(ii) General considerations

When designing hill roads the route is located along valleys, hill sides and if

required over mountain passes.

Due to complex topography, the length of the route is more.

In locating the alignment special consideration should be made in respect to

the variations in:

• Temperature

• Rainfall

• Geological conditions

• Resettlement and Rehabilitation considerations

• Environment Considerations

i) Temperature

a) Air temperature in the hills is lower than in the valley. The

temperature drop being approximately 0.5° per 100 m of

rising.

b) On slopes facing south and southwest snow disappears rapidly

and rain water evaporates quickly while on slopes facing north

and northeast rain water or snow may remain for the longer time.

c) Unequal warming of slopes, sharp temperature variations and

17
erosion by water are the causes of slope failure facing south and

southwest.

18
 ii) Rainfall

a) Rainfall generally increases with increase in height from sea level.

b) The maximum rainfall is in the zone of intensive cloud formation at

1500-2500 m above sea level. Generally, the increase of rainfall for

every 100 m of elevation averages 40 to 60 mm.

c) In summer very heavy storms/cloud burst may occur in the hills and

about 15 to 25% of the annual rainfall may occur in a single rainfall.

The effects of these types of rainfall are serious and should be

considered in design.

GEOMETRIC DESIGN STANDARDS

The various Design Standards being followed in the India for the design of Hill

Road are:

IRC:SP:48-1998 Hill Road Manual.

IRC:52-2001 Recommendations About the Alignment Survey and Geometric

Design of Hill Roads.

IRC:SP:91-2010 Guidelines for Road Tunnels.

IRC:SP:73-2015 Manual of Specifications and Standards for Two Laning of

Highways with Paved Shoulder.

IRC:SP:84-2014 Manual of Specifications and Standards for Four Laning of

Highways through Public Private Partnership.

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REVERSE CURVES NEEDED IN DIFFICULT TERRAIN

Curves in same direction separated by short tangents, known as broken – back

curves.

Should be avoided, as far as possible, in the interest of aesthetics and safety and

replaced by a single curve.

If this is not feasible, a tangent length corresponding to 10 seconds travel time

must at least be ensured between the two curves.

Vertical Alignment

Vertical curves are introduced for smooth transition at grade change.

Both Summit curves and Valley curves should be designed as Square parabola.

The Length of vertical curves is controlled by sight distance requirements.

Curves with greater length are aesthetically better.

20
IIIUSTRATION OF HAIR-PIN BENDS

A hairpin bend or a hairpin is a very sharp bend in a

road, wherethe road turns back in the opposite direction.

READING COMPREHENSION
I. Read the given passage and answer the following questions. (10 x 1 = 10)

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have created a tiny robot
which looks like a thread or a worm and is designed to crawl through the blood vessels
inside the brain. The robot is magnetically controlled and it is made for gliding through the
narrow, winding pathways, such as the labyrinthine vasculature of the brain.
The aim of this robotic thread is to create a tool by which the doctors can deliver clot
reducing therapies to patients who have blockages and lesions, such as the ones that occur
in aneurysms and stroke. The wormlike thread has been developed by Xuanhe Zhao,
associate professor of mechanical engineering and of civil and environmental engineering
at MIT along with lead author Yoonho Kim, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of
Mechanical Engineering.
“Stroke is the number five cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the United
States. If acute stroke can be treated within the first 90 minutes or so, patients’ survival
rates could increase significantly,” Zhao said in a statement. “If we could design a device
to reverse blood vessel blockage within this ‘golden hour,’ we could potentially avoid
permanent brain damage. That’s our hope.”
The latest research combines the expertise of hydrogels and biocompatible materials made
mostly of water. It also includes 3-D printed materials which are controlled with the help
of magnetism. These can crawl, jump, and even catch a ball, simply by following the
direction of a magnet. The worm-like robot at its core is made from a nickel-titanium alloy
called “nitinol,” which is both bendy and springy.
The robotic thread is coated with a rubbery paste, embedded with particles to give it its
magnetic properties. The MIT researchers demonstrated the precision of the robotic worm
by using a large magnet to steer the thread through an obstacle course of small rings. This
has been described as being similar to guiding a thread through the eye of a needle.
The scientists have also tested this magnetic worm through a silicone replica of major
blood vessels of the human brain. The silicone replica was modeled after the CT scans of
an actual patient’s brain. The team of scientists filled the silicone vessels with a liquid
simulating the viscosity of blood.
This research project was partly funded by the Office of Naval Research, the MIT Institute
for Soldier Nanotechnologies, and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
1. What is the robot described in the passage de2s0igned to do?
a. It is designed to travel through labyrinths
b. It is designed to crawl through narrow pathways
c. It is designed to identify worms
d. It is designed to crawl and glide through the blood vessels of the brain
2. What is the purpose of creating this robot?
a. To cause strokes and aneurysms
b. To prevent strokes and aneurysms before their onset
c. To treat strokes and aneurysms promptly
d. To analyse strokes and aneurysms thoroughly
3. How is the movement of the robot controlled?
a. Magnetically
b. Electrically
c. Electronically
d. Manually
4. What does the “golden hour” referred to in the passage mean?
a. The hour just before the onset of stroke
b. The period of an hour and a half immediately after the stroke
c. The hour after the patient reaches the hospital
d. The period when the patient is still alive and conscious
5. Which of the following materials makes up the core of the robot?
a. Biocompatible materials
b. 3 D printed materials
c. Hydrogels
d. Nickel titanium alloy nitinol
6. Which of the following is not an effect of stroke?
a. Disability
b. Death
c. Worm infection
d. Brain damage
7. Which of the following gives evidence of the precision of the robot?
a. Leading the robot through a pathway made up of small rings using a magnet
b. Passing the robot through the eye of the needle
c. Modeling an actual brain using silicone and the CT scans of a real brain
d. Simulating the viscosity of the brain using a thick liquid in silicone vessels
8. Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a step in increasing survival rates among
stroke victims?
a. Treating the stroke within 90 minutes of the occurrence of the stroke
b. Reversing blood vessel blockage through clot reducing therapy
c. Making the patient crawl, jump and catch a ball
d. Avoiding permanent brain damage through prompt treatment
9. Which of the following properties is NOT one of the properties of the robot?
a. Rubbery
b. Bendy
c. Magnetic
d. Springy
10. Which of the following is mentioned as one of the funding agencies of the project?
a. Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT
b. National Science Foundation
c. Department of Civil and Environmental E21ngineering, MIT
d. US Navy

II. A. Listen to the given passage and answer the questions that follow: (5 x 1 = 5)
Listening Transcript

Among countless stands of car manufacturers, software developers and engineering

universities at Cologne’s video games convention, the sight of fatigue-clad soldiers manning
the German military’s brightly-lit stall draws in the curious.
With a stand boasting a helicopter simulator and ultra-fast games, the Bundeswehr,
Germany’s army, has turned to the Gamescom fair in its bid to recruit computer-savvy
potential soldiers.
The call to arms is clear under a “Centre of Cyber Operations” sign with a keyboard-inspired
logo in the colours of the German flag.
“We are looking for people who specialise in information technology — those with a taste for
computers are knocking at the right door,” Nils Feldhoff, an army communications officer,
said. Dozens of young gamers, visiting the stand at the Gamescom convention, flocked to try
their hand at the army’s flight simulator or test their reactions on a two-player game.
However, the military personnel were careful to spell out the difference between the reality of
life in the ranks and violent military-based video games.
“We have a clear educational mission: we strictly try to separate virtual games from reality
by explaining to any interested young people that this is not a video game,” Mr. Feldhoff
said.
If a gamer “wants to become a soldier because he is interested in weapons, that’s not a good
argument,” he added.
The move is part of an initiative to change the public image of obsolete equipment and under-
investment that has plagued the Bundeswehr.
1. What is the Gamescom convention?
a. A car manufacturers’ convention
b. A convention of engineering universities
c. A video games convention
d. A software programmers’ convention
2. Where is the convention being held?
a. Bundeswehr
b. Cologne
c. Centre of Cyber Operations
d. Military stall

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3. Which of the following is NOT an objective of the German military in putting up the
stall?
a. To educate the German youth who visit the stall about the differences between virtual
games and army life
b. To recruit young tech savvy soldiers
c. To change the image of the army among the public
d. To attract the curious public to the army
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the attractions at the army’s stall?
a. Army weapons
b. Flight simulator
c. Military based two player games Keyboard inspired logo in German flag colours
5. The army has put up a stall at this convention because
a. The soldiers wish to showcase their games
b. The army wishes to enter the IT domain
c. The army is unable to recruit through conventional means
d. There is a need in the army for young soldiers specialising in information technology
II. B. Listen to the given passage and answer the following questions. (5 x 1 = 5)
Listening Transcript
As an effort to strengthen supply chain in southern India, Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India
(BPPI) has established a regional warehouse at Gummidipoondi, Tiruvallur district on
Thursday.
The warehouse was inaugurated under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana
scheme to provide generic medicines at affordable prices.
Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers V. Sadananda Gowda inaugurated the
warehouse, spread over 65,000 sq.ft., which has modern amenities for storage and
distribution. The aim was to reduce the cost of health care.
He said there are nearly 5,500 Jan Aushadhi kendras in 684 districts across the country. The
total sales had crossed 315.70 crore this fiscal as the medicines are cheaper by 50-90% than
the average market price. About 900 drugs and 154 surgical goods and consumables are
available for sale at the stores. The scheme also provided self-employment opportunities.
The BPPI, which is a society set up under Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of
Chemicals and Fertilisers, has three warehouses in Gurugram, Bengaluru and Guwahati and
the one in Gummidipoondi was WHO- Good Distribution Practice compliant, a press release
said.
1. What goods are stocked at the warehouse at Gummidipoondi?
a. Chemicals
b. Fertilisers
c. Consumer good
d. Medicines
2. Which of the following is NOT an aim of the Janaushadhi scheme?
a. To market patented drugs 23
b. To provide generic medicines at affordable prices
c. To reduce the cost of healthcare.
d. To provide self-employment opportunities
3. Why are the sales of medicines high at the Janaushadhi Kendras?
 a. They are compliant with the WHO’s Good Distribution Practices.
b. The medicines are much cheaper than the medicines available in the market.
c. The kendras are large and spread over the entire country.
d. The kendras have modern amenities for storage and distribution.
4. Which of the following is NOT available at the Janaushadhi kendras?
a. Medicines
b. Surgical goods

c. Pesticides
d. Consumable medical supplies
5. The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India has been established under
a. WHO
b. Prime Minister’s Office
c. Department of Pharmaceuticals
d. Fiscal department

III. Among the following sets of sentences state which sentence (A or B) is correct.
(5 x 1 = 5)
1. A. We are used to doing so much work at the office that when we get a holiday, we feel
bored.
1. B. We are used to do so much work at the office, that when we get a holiday, we
feel bored.

2. A. Our house is near to the railway station, so you will not have any difficulty finding it
2. B. Our house is so close to the railway station, that you will not have any difficulty finding
it.

3. A. Inspite of I felt tired, I sat up and completed my homework.

3. B. In spite of feeling tired, I sat up and completed my homework.

4. A. Yesterday I got a call from the exams office informing me that I would get my
transcripts in a week.
4. B. Yesterday I got a call from the exams office informing me that I will get my
transcripts in a week.

5. A. Can you tell me where the administrative block is?

5. B. Can you tell me where is the administrative block?

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