Sample paper for practice

Read the text given below:

Held every year on 21 May, UNESCO leads the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity
for Dialogue and Development highlighting not only the richness of the world's cultures, but
also the essential role of intercultural dialogue for achieving peace and sustainable
development.

A recent international emergency has proved the intrinsic value of the cultural and creative
sector at generating social cohesion, educational resource or personal well-being in times of
crisis. It has also underscored the sector's potential to generate economic growth, something
which is too often underestimated.

With the adoption in September 2015 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by the
United Nations, and the resolution on Culture and Sustainable Development adopted by the UN
General Assembly in December 2015, the message of the World Day for Cultural Diversity for
Dialogue and Development is more important than ever. The 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) can best be achieved by drawing upon the creative potential of the world's
diverse cultures and engaging in continuous dialogue to ensure that all members of society
benefit from sustainable development.

Bridging the gap between cultures is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and
development. Cultural diversity is a driving force of development, not only with respect to
economic growth, but also as a means of leading a more fulfilling intellectual, emotional,
moral and spiritual life. This is captured in the culture conventions, which provide a solid basis
for the promotion of cultural diversity. Cultural diversity is thus an asset that is indispensable
for poverty reduction and the achievement of sustainable development.

At the same time, acceptance and recognition of cultural diversity in particular through
innovative use of media and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) are
conducive to dialogue among civilizations and cultures, respect and mutual understanding.

In 2001, UNESCO adopted the Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Next, in December
2002, the UN General Assembly, in its resolution 57/249, declared May 21 to be the World Day
for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, and in 2015, the Second Committee of the
UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution on Culture and Sustainable
Development, affirming culture's contribution to the three dimensions of sustainable
development, acknowledging further the natural and cultural diversity of the world, and
recognizing that cultures and civilizations can contribute to, and are crucial enablers of,
sustainable development.

The day provides us with an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural
diversity and to achieve the goals of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion
of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions adopted on 20 October 2005.

Answer the following questions based on the above passage: (10)

i) Based on the reading and understanding of the above passage, list 2 points to describe the
purpose of UNESCO leading the celebration of World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue
and Development. (1)

(a) ________

(b) ________

ii) Select the option that corresponds to the meaning of the following sentence from para 2.

The recent international emergency has proved the intrinsic value of the cultural and creative
sector at generating social cohesion, educational resource or personal well-being in times of
crisis. (1)

A. the real worth of cultural sector at generating social cohesion during pandemics

B. the real worth of creative sector at undermining the social cohesion during an
international emergency

C. questioning the real worth of creative sector at generating education resource during
an international emergency

D. highlighting the real worth of cultural and creative sector at generating social cohesion
and educational resource during an international emergency

iii) Based on your reading of the passage, examine in about 40 words how Sustainable
Development Goals can be achieved. (2)

iv) What is the tone of the writer in the given line from paragraph 4? Rationalise your response
in about 40 words : (2)

"Cultural diversity is an asset."

v) The phrase 'bridging the gap' in paragraph (4) refers to : (1)

A. widening the differences

B. connecting two desparate ideas

C. supporting the bridging

D. filling in the space between two connected things

vi) In sets a-e below, identify two sets of synonyms. (1)

b. intellectual and moral

c. reduction and promotion

d. essential and intrinsic

e. urgent and crucial

Options:

i. a and c ii. b and e iii. d and e iv. b and d

vii. Complete the sentence appropriately : (1)

The Second Committee of UN General Assembly in 2015 adopted ________.

viii. Complete the following sentence : (1)

________ is urgent and necessary for peace, stability and development.

2. Read the passage given below:

Mango (Mangifera indica) is Asia's most popular fruit, and it has gained popularity around
the world. It has long been a component of culture and religion as a useful and tasty fruit. In
addition to taste, it has many good qualities thus making it to be called as "King of Fruits".
Major mango-growing states in India include Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar,
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are the leading states in mango
production.

Mango is grown in an area of 5.58 million hectares of area in the world. India is the
largest producer of mangoes with 46.02 and 45.88 percent of the total world area and
production, respectively. However, India being the major shareholder in terms of mango
production, exports only 0.52% of its total production indicating the huge gap in exporting of
mangoes. Peru exports about 46%, Thailand 24%, Mexico 18% and Brazil 11% of their total
mango production. These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports.
Hence, efforts are needed to evolve cheap transportation mechanism, increase the trade
agreements with major importing countries and enhance the productivity.

The top importing country is United States of America, however, India exports only two
percent of its total exports to the USA. The USA, European countries, the UK, Malaysia and
Russia can be the other hotspots where India can target to export the mangoes. The critical
issue for exporting to the USA is transportation cost (due to sea route distance) and limited
shelf life of mango, while for Europe transportation costs as well as competition by African
countries are the major hurdles.
 The following chart shows the major export destinations of Indian mangoes in 2019-20:

Table:

Major Export Destination of Indian Mangoes in 2019-20:

Answer the following questions, based on the passage above: (10)

i)Complete the following analogy appropriately, based on your understanding of Para 1: (1)

We can say that for becoming the king of jungle, Lion has to be the strongest, bravest and
the fiercest. Similarly, Mango is known as the king of fruits because ________.

ii) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate option from those given in brackets, based on your
understanding of Para 2: (1)

The statement that, India is the largest producer of Mangoes with 45.88 percent of the
total world production can be attributed to Indian orchardists, is a/an ________ (fact/opinion)
because it is a/an ________ (subjective judgement/objective detail)

iii) Justify the following in about 40 words: (2)

India being the major shareholder in terms of mango production, exports only 0.52% of its
total production.

iv) Based on the table, which three countries were at par with each other in terms of mango
import from India in 2019-20? (2)

v) The top mango importing country is the U.S.A., however, India exports only two percent of
its total exports to the U.S.A. State any one inference that can be drawn from this. (1)

vi) In the given sentence taken from para-2, select the option that correctly replaces the
underlined word, with its most likely antonym. (1)

These countries are the bigger challenges for Indian mango exports.

a. enigmas b. solutions c.provocations d. disputes

vii) Complete the statement: India described as the largest producer of mangoes in the world
because…………… (1)

viii) Which of the following is the main takeaway from the study mentioned in the passage? (1)

a. India needs to produce more mangoes so that more can be exported.

b. The UAE imported most mangoes from India in 2019-20.

c. India is the largest producer of mangoes and by putting in more efforts, has the
potential to be the largest exporter too.

d. More study is needed to find ways to increase the export of mangoes from India.