Reading Comprehension — Set 12
Questions 111–120 of 120
Read the following passage and answer questions RC161–RC165. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from the realm of science fiction to becoming a transformative force in everyday life. At its core, AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems, including learning, reasoning, and self-correction. Machine learning, a subset of AI, enables computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed, while deep learning uses neural networks with many layers to process complex patterns. The applications of AI span virtually every industry. In healthcare, AI algorithms can diagnose diseases from medical images with accuracy rivalling experienced physicians. In agriculture, AI-powered drones monitor crops, detect pests, and optimise irrigation. Financial institutions use AI for fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. Even governance is being transformed — several governments are piloting AI systems for traffic management, public service delivery, and predictive policing. However, the rapid advancement of AI also raises profound concerns. Automation threatens to displace millions of workers across multiple sectors, creating what economists call 'technological unemployment'. Privacy is another major concern as AI systems often require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively. There are also fears about algorithmic bias — AI systems trained on historically biased data may perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities. Perhaps most existentially, some researchers warn about the risks of artificial general intelligence (AGI) — AI that exceeds human intelligence in all domains — though most experts consider this a distant possibility. India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released in 2018, identifies five focus sectors: healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and smart mobility. India aims to leverage AI to address its unique development challenges while becoming a global hub for AI innovation. According to the passage, what is the primary purpose of machine learning?
Correct Answer: B. To enable computers to learn from data without explicit programming
The passage directly states that 'machine learning, a subset of AI, enables computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed'. This is the primary purpose of machine learning as described. It is distinct from deep learning which uses neural networks. The passage does not mention robots or any replacement relationship between machine learning and deep learning.
Artificial intelligence is transforming healthcare in ways that were unimaginable just a decade ago. AI algorithms can diagnose diseases from medical images with accuracy rivalling experienced physicians, enabling earlier detection of cancers, diabetic retinopathy, and other serious conditions. Machine learning systems are also being used to analyse vast datasets of patient records, identifying patterns that predict hospital readmissions and guide treatment planning. The integration of AI into clinical workflows promises to reduce diagnostic errors and extend high-quality care to regions where specialist physicians are scarce. While the technology raises important questions about patient privacy and the accountability of automated decisions, its potential to improve health outcomes at scale is widely acknowledged. Which of the following applications of AI in healthcare is mentioned in the passage?
Correct Answer: B. Diagnosing diseases from medical images
The passage specifically states that 'AI algorithms can diagnose diseases from medical images with accuracy rivalling experienced physicians'. This is the healthcare application explicitly mentioned. The passage does not mention autonomous surgery, prescription of medicines, or drug development in connection with AI applications. The question tests careful reading of specific details given in the passage.
The rapid advancement of automation and artificial intelligence is reshaping labour markets in profound ways. Robots and software systems can now perform many tasks that once required human workers — assembling goods, processing claims, answering customer queries, and even drafting routine legal documents. Automation threatens to displace millions of workers across multiple sectors, creating what economists call technological unemployment, as machines replace human labour faster than new roles are created to absorb the displaced workforce. Unlike previous waves of mechanisation that primarily affected manual labour, the current wave of intelligent automation also threatens white-collar and knowledge-based occupations. Governments and educational institutions face urgent pressure to rethink training programmes and social safety nets to manage this transition. The term 'technological unemployment' as used in the passage refers to which phenomenon?
Correct Answer: C. Job displacement caused by automation
The passage states that 'automation threatens to displace millions of workers across multiple sectors, creating what economists call technological unemployment'. The term clearly refers to job displacement caused by automation — when machines or AI systems replace human workers. It is not related to economic recession, worker attitudes, or unemployment specifically among technology workers. The passage presents this as one of the major concerns about AI advancement.
As artificial intelligence systems are deployed in hiring, lending, criminal justice, and healthcare, concerns about fairness and bias have moved to the forefront of public debate. These systems learn their behaviour from historical data — data that often reflects past patterns of discrimination against women, ethnic minorities, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Algorithmic bias — AI systems trained on historically biased data may perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities — represents a major risk when such systems are used to make consequential decisions. A hiring algorithm trained on records from a male-dominated industry, for example, may systematically rank female applicants lower even when their qualifications are equal. Addressing this challenge requires not only technical fixes but also greater diversity among AI developers and stronger regulatory oversight of how these systems are audited and deployed. What concern related to AI training data is highlighted in the passage?
Correct Answer: B. AI trained on biased data may amplify social inequalities
The passage specifically mentions 'algorithmic bias — AI systems trained on historically biased data may perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities'. This is the concern related to AI training data highlighted in the passage. The passage does not discuss energy consumption, data collection costs, or structured versus unstructured data. Algorithmic bias is presented as a significant social concern.
Which sector is NOT mentioned in India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence as a focus sector?
Correct Answer: B. Defence
The passage lists five focus sectors of India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence: healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and smart mobility. Defence is not mentioned as one of the five focus sectors. The question requires the reader to identify the option that is NOT in the list. Healthcare, agriculture, and smart cities are all explicitly mentioned as focus sectors in the passage.
Read the following passage and answer questions RC166–RC170. Microplastics — plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres — have emerged as one of the most pervasive and concerning pollutants of our time. They originate from two primary sources: primary microplastics, which are manufactured at a small size for use in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial abrasives; and secondary microplastics, which result from the breakdown of larger plastic items through weathering, UV radiation, and physical abrasion. The scale of microplastic contamination is staggering. Researchers have found microplastics in the deepest ocean trenches, the highest mountain peaks, Arctic ice cores, and even in human blood and breast milk. A landmark 2019 study estimated that the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of microplastics per week — roughly equivalent to a credit card — primarily through contaminated water, seafood, and packaged food. The health implications are a subject of intense ongoing research. Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and heavy metals, potentially disrupting hormonal systems and causing oxidative stress. Nanoplastics — even smaller fragments — can cross cellular membranes and blood-brain barriers, raising particularly serious health concerns. Marine ecosystems have been severely affected, with microplastics entering the food chain from plankton to fish to larger predators, including humans. Addressing microplastic pollution requires action at multiple levels. Individual actions include reducing single-use plastic consumption and washing synthetic fabrics less frequently (as laundry releases synthetic fibres). Policy measures include banning microbeads in cosmetics (which several countries have done), improving plastic waste management, and advancing biodegradable alternatives. Research into plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria also offers hope for future remediation. According to the passage, what are the two primary sources of microplastics?
Correct Answer: B. Primary microplastics manufactured at small size and secondary microplastics from breakdown of larger plastics
The passage explicitly states that microplastics 'originate from two primary sources: primary microplastics, which are manufactured at a small size for use in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial abrasives; and secondary microplastics, which result from the breakdown of larger plastic items'. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, ocean pollution, and air pollution are not described as the two primary sources in the passage. The passage provides a precise definition of both primary and secondary microplastics.
Microplastic pollution has become one of the most pervasive environmental challenges of the modern era, with tiny plastic fragments now detected in oceans, soils, drinking water, and even the air we breathe. A landmark 2019 study estimated that the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of microplastics per week — roughly equivalent to a credit card — through contaminated water, seafood, and other foods. These particles enter the body through the digestive system and may accumulate in organs, with potential effects on inflammation, hormone disruption, and immune function, though the full health implications are still being investigated. Plastic packaging, synthetic clothing fibres, and degraded plastic litter are among the primary sources of this contamination. Addressing the problem requires action at multiple levels, from industrial redesign to consumer behaviour change and international policy agreements. What quantity of microplastics does the passage suggest the average person ingests per week?
Correct Answer: B. 5 grams
The passage states that 'a landmark 2019 study estimated that the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of microplastics per week — roughly equivalent to a credit card'. The amount is specifically 5 grams per week, not kilograms, milligrams, or 50 grams. The passage also provides a helpful comparison — equivalent to the weight of a credit card — to make this quantity relatable. This is a factual detail directly stated in the passage.
As plastics break down in the environment, they fragment into progressively smaller particles collectively described as microplastics and nanoplastics. While microplastics are already a widespread concern, nanoplastics — even smaller fragments — can cross cellular membranes and blood-brain barriers, raising particularly serious health concerns about their potential to interfere with neurological and cellular processes. Unlike larger particles that are often excreted, nanoplastics may accumulate within cells and organs where their long-term biological effects are difficult to study with current technology. Preliminary research has linked nanoplastic exposure to oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in animal models, though definitive evidence in humans remains an active area of scientific investigation. Scientists warn that without urgent reductions in plastic production and pollution, human exposure to these particles will continue to rise. Why are nanoplastics considered particularly concerning according to the passage?
Correct Answer: B. They can cross cellular membranes and blood-brain barriers
The passage states that 'nanoplastics — even smaller fragments — can cross cellular membranes and blood-brain barriers, raising particularly serious health concerns'. The ability to penetrate these biological barriers is what makes nanoplastics particularly dangerous. The passage does not claim they are more visible, impossible to remove, or cause immediate visible symptoms. Crossing the blood-brain barrier is especially significant because it means these particles can potentially affect brain function.
Reducing microplastic pollution requires action at every level of society, from industrial producers to individual consumers. Policymakers in several countries have introduced bans on single-use plastics and mandates for improved wastewater filtration, which can capture a significant proportion of plastic particles before they enter rivers and oceans. At the individual level, practical steps include avoiding unnecessary plastic packaging, choosing natural fibre clothing where possible, and washing synthetic fabrics less frequently, as laundry releases synthetic fibres that pass through most wastewater treatment systems and accumulate in aquatic environments. Improving infrastructure for plastic waste collection and recycling is also essential to prevent plastics from fragmenting into microparticles after disposal. Each of these measures, while individually modest, can contribute meaningfully to reducing the overall flow of microplastics into ecosystems and food chains. Which of the following individual-level actions to reduce microplastic pollution is mentioned in the passage?
Correct Answer: B. Washing synthetic fabrics less frequently
The passage specifically mentions 'washing synthetic fabrics less frequently (as laundry releases synthetic fibres)' as an individual action to reduce microplastic pollution. The passage does not recommend using only glass containers, eating only organic food, or avoiding all packaged products as stated actions. The passage provides a balanced approach including both individual actions and policy measures to address microplastic contamination.
The contamination of oceans, soils, and freshwater systems with microplastics poses a formidable remediation challenge because the particles are so small, numerous, and widely dispersed that conventional clean-up methods are largely ineffective. Some researchers are investigating filtration and electrocoagulation technologies that can remove microplastics from water treatment streams, and international agreements are being negotiated to reduce plastic production at its source. Research into plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria also offers hope for future remediation, as scientists have discovered naturally occurring microorganisms capable of breaking down certain polymers and have begun engineering enhanced versions in the laboratory. These biological approaches are still at an early stage, and scaling them to address ocean-scale pollution remains a significant scientific and logistical challenge. Nevertheless, the convergence of policy action, technological innovation, and changing consumer habits provides grounds for cautious optimism about the long-term management of microplastic pollution. What does the passage suggest about the future of microplastic remediation?
Correct Answer: C. Research into plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria offers hope for remediation
The passage concludes by noting that 'research into plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria also offers hope for future remediation'. This indicates scientific optimism about biological methods for addressing microplastic pollution. The passage does not suggest there is no hope, does not say only government policy can solve the problem, and does not advocate for complete elimination of plastics. The mention of plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria represents a promising area of scientific research highlighted by the passage.