Comprehension Passage for SBI PO/Clerk 2018: 14 May
Directions (Q. 1-8): Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
The interim nuclear accord between Iran and the international community announced after tense negotiations in Geneva, is historic for two reasons. The deal promises to end Iran’s prolonged nuclear confrontation with the world, strengthen the global non-proliferation regime and reduce the dangers of war in the Middle East. Second, emerging from secret talks between Washington and Tehran over the last many months, the deal lays the foundation for a long overdue rapprochement between America and Iran.
As it creates possibilities for new geopolitical equations in a very critical region, the nuclear agreement has already stirred a big backlash in the United States and the Middle East hardliners and ideologues in America and Iran will accuse their governments of giving away too many concessions. Some of the predictable hostility is rooted in the demonisation of each other over many decades. But a close look at the terms of what is being called the “first step” nuclear agreement suggests sensible give and take that would instil mutual confidence and facilitate talks for a final resolution of the nuclear dispute. For its part, Iran has agreed to freeze some of the sensitive activities of its nuclear programme and roll back others. Iran is now open to unprecedented international inspections to verify its commitments under the accord. The international community, in turn, has given modest relief from the massive sanctions regime that has been constructed in recent years against Iran. To be sure, the terms of the deal are reversible in practice. The deal, however, opens the door to a comprehensive settlement which would ensure that Iran’s nuclear programme remains peaceful, in return for an end to the international economic blockade against Tehran.
Time is of the essence for Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, who is acutely aware that the present window of political opportunity at home to negotiate with the US will not last too long. President Barack Obama is under fire from Israel and the Gulf Arab states, especially Saudi Arabia, who fear that a US-Iran detente will make them vulnerable to Tehran’s rising regional clout. Meanwhile, the US Congress threatens to undermine the deal by pushing for more sanctions against Iran. As Obama and Rouhani move forward in a political minefield, India has a major opportunity to raise its diplomatic profile in the region, where it has so much at stake. Delhi, which has welcomed the nuclear deal, must step up its engagement with all the major players in the region, for the Middle East will not be the same as the prospects for Iran’s reconciliation with America improve.
1. What has Iran agreed to do as per the recent nuclear agreement? Give your answer in the context of the given passage.
1) Iran has agreed to dismantle all its nuclear arsenals.
2) Iran has agreed to freeze some of the sensitive activities of its nuclear programme.
3) Iran has denied to get its commitments under the accord inspected by international inspectors.
4) Iran has agreed to discontinue all its nuclear programmes.
5) None of these
2. What is/are the importance of the nuclear deal between Iran and the international community?
1) The deal lays the foundation for a long overdue friendship between Iran and America.
2) The deal will help reduce the dangers of war in the Middle East.
3) The deal promises to end Iran’s prolonged nuclear confrontation with the world.
4) It creates possibilities for a new geopolitical equation in a very critical region.
5) All the above
3. Find the correct statement(s) on the basis of the given passage.
(A) In lieu of Iran’s nuclear agreement, the international community has given some relief from certain sanctions against Iran.
(B) In practice, the terms of the deal are irreversible.
(C) The international community has rejected the request of Iran to continue its nuclear programme even for peaceful purposes.
1) Only (A)
2) Only (B)
3) Only (C)
4) Both (B) and (C)
5) Both (A) and (B)
4. What is the reason of Saudi Arabia’s fear?
1) Increasing regional clout of Tehran
2) As per the recent agreement Iran would not be in a position to help Saudi Arabia when in need.
3) The regular threats received from the USA
4) US Congress has threatened Saudi Arabia to impose sanctions if it does not abide by the diktat of the US.
5) All the above
5. How has India taken the interim nuclear accord announced between Iran and the international community?
1) India thinks that the recent accord will weaken Tehran and all its neighbouring countries will make it a soft target.
2) India has welcomed the nuclear deal because this will provide an opportunity to step up its engagement in the Middle East.
3) India takes the announcement of nuclear accord as a big opportunity to raise its diplomatic profile in Iran.
4) Only 1) and 2)
5) Only 2) and 3)
Directions (Q. 6-7): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
6. Instil
1) steal
2) stimulate
3) initiate
4) infuse
5) incite
7. Blockade
1) lump
2) barrier
3) union
4) outburst
5) stroke
Directions (Q. 8): Choose the word/group of words which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
8. Rapprochement
1) friendship
2) conflict
3) battle
4) trade
5) enmity
Answers –
- 2
- 5
- 1
- 1
- 2
- 4
- 2
- 5
