← Combined Technical (NG)
Past Questions
Choose the correct sentence structure from the given options:
A)
EM Forster wrote in a passage to India.
B)
EM Forster wrote a passage to India.
C)
EM Forster wrote ‘A Passage to India’.
D)
EM Forster wrote in ‘A Passage to India’.
This question tests knowledge of sentence structure, specifically regarding the use of proper nouns (titles of literary works) and transitive verbs.
1. **Analysis of the Verb**: The verb 'wrote' is used here as a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the thing that was written).
2. **Identification of the Object**: 'A Passage to India' is the title of a famous novel by E.M. Forster. Titles of books are proper nouns and should be capitalized and typically enclosed in quotation marks or italicized to distinguish them from common nouns.
3. **Evaluating Options**:
- **Option (a)**: 'wrote in a passage to India' suggests he was physically located in a passage while writing, or writing inside a specific text, which is logically incorrect in this context.
- **Option (b)**: 'wrote a passage to India' lacks capitalization and punctuation for the title. Without these, it sounds as if he wrote a physical path or a short excerpt leading to the country of India, rather than the novel.
- **Option (c)**: 'wrote ‘A Passage to India’' correctly identifies the novel as the direct object, uses proper capitalization for the title, and uses quotation marks to denote it is a specific work. This is the grammatically and contextually correct structure.
- **Option (d)**: 'wrote in ‘A Passage to India’' implies that Forster wrote something inside his own book (perhaps as an editor or later addition), which is not the standard way to state authorship of a work.
Identify the Part of speech of the underlined word in the sentence: 'That is the least expensive option available.' (Underlined word: least)
A)
Adjective
B)
Preposition
C)
Verb
D)
Adverb
To determine the part of speech of the word 'least' in the sentence 'That is the least expensive option available,' we must look at what word it is modifying.
1. **Analyze the target word**: The word 'least' is modifying the word 'expensive'.
2. **Identify the modified word**: 'Expensive' is an adjective describing the noun 'option'.
3. **Apply grammatical rules**: A word that modifies an adjective, a verb, or another adverb is classified as an **adverb**. In this case, 'least' is the superlative form of the adverb 'little', used here as an adverb of degree to indicate the extent to which the option is expensive.
**Why other options are incorrect:**
- **a. Adjective**: While 'least' can be an adjective (e.g., 'the least amount'), here it does not modify a noun directly; it modifies the adjective 'expensive'.
- **b. Preposition**: A preposition shows a relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., 'in', 'on', 'at'). 'Least' does not perform this function.
- **c. Verb**: A verb expresses an action or state of being. 'Least' does not express an action.
Choose the appropriate preposition: 'She walked __________ the room.'
A)
in
B)
onto
C)
into
D)
at
The sentence describes a movement from the outside to the inside of a space. In English grammar, 'into' is the preposition used to indicate movement or entry into a three-dimensional space (like a room).
Breakdown of options:
- 'in' (Option a) typically describes a position or state of being already inside a location (e.g., 'She is in the room'). While used colloquially, 'into' is the grammatically precise choice for the action of walking from outside to inside.
- 'onto' (Option b) indicates movement to a surface (e.g., 'She stepped onto the platform'), which is not applicable to a room.
- 'at' (Option d) indicates a specific point or location (e.g., 'She is at the door'), not the act of entering a space.
Mary __________ into the room, trying hard not to wake her roommates.
A)
scampered
B)
crept
C)
accelerated
D)
rushed
The key to solving this vocabulary question lies in the contextual clue: 'trying hard not to wake her roommates.' This indicates that Mary's movement must be quiet, slow, and cautious.
1. **'crept' (Option b)**: This is the past tense of 'creep,' which means to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed. This perfectly matches the context of trying not to wake others.
2. **'scampered' (Option a)**: This means to run with quick, light steps, often in a playful or hurried manner. This movement is typically too noisy and energetic for someone trying to be stealthy.
3. **'accelerated' (Option c)**: This means to increase in speed. Increasing speed is contrary to the caution required to avoid waking someone.
4. **'rushed' (Option d)**: This means to move with urgent haste. Rushing usually involves loud footsteps and sudden movements, which would likely wake the roommates.
The most commonly used for grain storage to prevent pest infestation is:
A)
open sun drying
B)
Cold storage
C)
Hermetic storage
D)
Hydroponics
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. The goal is to identify the most effective and commonly used method for grain storage specifically to prevent pest infestation. 2. Open sun drying (Option a) is a pre-storage process used to reduce moisture content to prevent mold, but it is not a storage method itself and does not prevent pests once the grain is stored. 3. Cold storage (Option b) is primarily used for perishable goods like fruits and vegetables; while it can slow pest activity, it is energy-intensive and not the standard 'common' method for bulk grain storage. 4. Hydroponics (Option d) is a method of growing plants without soil, completely unrelated to post-harvest storage. 5. Hermetic storage (Option c) refers to airtight storage (e.g., PICS bags, silos). It prevents pest infestation by creating an oxygen-depleted and carbon dioxide-rich environment as the grains and insects respire, effectively suffocating insects and preventing new pests from entering. This is a widely promoted and highly effective technology for grain preservation.
Marketing mix is defined in terms of the following:
A)
3 C’s
B)
7 C’s
C)
4 P’s
D)
3 R’s
Option C is correct: 4 P’s.
Which seeding method uses Malobansa?
A)
Transplanting
B)
Seed dropping behind the plough
C)
Check row planting
D)
Hill dropping
In the context of traditional agricultural practices in Northeast India, specifically in Mizoram, 'Malobansa' refers to a traditional bamboo seed-drill or a bamboo tube used for sowing. This device is attached to or used in conjunction with a plough to drop seeds precisely into the furrow created by the plough. Therefore, it is used for the method of 'seed dropping behind the plough'.
- Option (a) Transplanting involves moving seedlings from a nursery to the main field, which does not require a seed-dropping tool like Malobansa.
- Option (c) Check row planting is a specific spatial arrangement of rows to allow for intercultural operations, not a tool-based seeding method.
- Option (d) Hill dropping refers to placing seeds in clusters at specific intervals, whereas the Malobansa is designed for continuous or semi-continuous dropping along a ploughed line.
A visual which contains graphically certain process, like the life cycle of pests and pest control techniques is:
A)
Bulletin board
B)
Handouts
C)
Wall chart
D)
Mobile units
Option C is correct: Wall chart.
Which theory emphasizes that adults are motivated to learn when they perceive the relevance of the content?
A)
Behaviourism
B)
Constructivism
C)
Andragogy
D)
Cognitivism
The question refers to the theory of adult learning.
1. **Andragogy** (Option c): Developed primarily by Malcolm Knowles, andragogy is specifically the art and science of helping adults learn. A core pillar of this theory is that adults are 'self-directed' and 'goal-oriented.' They are motivated to learn when they perceive that the learning will help them solve a real-life problem or perform a task more effectively (relevance).
2. **Behaviourism** (Option a): Focuses on observable behaviors and the use of reinforcement (rewards/punishments) to shape behavior, rather than the internal perception of relevance.
3. **Constructivism** (Option b): Suggests that learners construct their own knowledge based on their experiences. While it applies to adults, it is a general learning theory not specifically defined by the 'adult motivation through relevance' framework.
4. **Cognitivism** (Option d): Focuses on the internal mental processes of the mind (like memory and thinking) and how information is processed, rather than the motivational drivers specific to adult learners.
________ is the systematic process of collecting, analyzing and using information to track a programme’s progress toward reaching its objectives and to guide management decisions.
A)
Monitoring
B)
Planning
C)
Controlling
D)
Directing
Option A is correct: Monitoring.
Improved sickle used in hills is:
A)
Serrated sickle
B)
Smooth sickle
C)
Rotary sickle
D)
None of the above
Option A is correct: Serrated sickle.
Which of the term is used for implement/ tools efficiency?
A)
Field capacity
B)
Hp
C)
Cut off
D)
Power
Option A is correct: Field capacity.
The name of the component placed in between driver wheels and differential of a tractor is:
A)
Gearbox
B)
Final drive
C)
Clutch
D)
Transmission shaft
In a tractor's power train, the flow of power generally follows this sequence: Engine → Clutch → Gearbox/Transmission → Differential → Final Drive → Drive Wheels. The differential splits the power between the two rear wheels and allows them to rotate at different speeds during turns. However, the differential output is usually at a high speed and low torque. The 'Final Drive' is the component placed between the differential and the drive wheels; its primary purpose is to provide a final gear reduction to increase torque and reduce the rotational speed before the power reaches the wheels.
Why other options are incorrect:
- a. Gearbox: This is located before the differential to provide various speed ratios.
- c. Clutch: This is located between the engine and the gearbox to engage or disengage power.
- d. Transmission shaft: This is a general term for shafts that carry power, but it is not the specific component designed for the final reduction between the differential and the wheels.
Rotavator for hill agriculture is usually:
A)
Tractor mounted
B)
Power tiller mounted
C)
Manual
D)
Animal drawn
In hill agriculture, the terrain is characterized by steep slopes, narrow terraces, and fragmented land holdings. Large tractor-mounted machinery is often impractical due to the lack of maneuverability and the risk of overturning on slopes. A rotavator (rotary tiller) mounted on a power tiller is the most suitable choice because power tillers are compact, lightweight, and highly maneuverable, making them ideal for the small plot sizes and rugged topography typical of hilly regions.
- Option (a) Tractor mounted: Too bulky and dangerous for narrow hill terraces.
- Option (c) Manual: Rotavators require high torque and rotational speed to pulverize soil, which cannot be achieved manually.
- Option (d) Animal drawn: Rotavators are active implements requiring a power take-off (PTO) or engine to rotate the blades; animal-drawn implements are passive (like plows) and cannot perform the rotary action of a rotavator.
Which describes the characteristics of ‘Early Majority’ the best?
A)
Traditional
B)
Skeptical
C)
Deliberate
D)
Venturesome
Option C is correct: Deliberate.
An AC motor is an electric motor powered by ________ type of current.
A)
Direct current
B)
Alternating current
C)
Pulsating current
D)
Continuous current
Option B is correct: Alternating current.
Wheel hoe type weeder works on ________ of the operator.
A)
rotary action
B)
push and pull action
C)
sliding action
D)
vibratory action
A wheel hoe is a manual weeding tool consisting of one or more wheels with attached weeding blades or tines. Unlike power weeders that use rotary action (motorized spinning), a wheel hoe is operated manually. The operator moves the machine forward (push) and sometimes backward (pull) to drive the blades into the soil to cut weeds and aerate the soil.
- Option (a) 'rotary action' refers to power-driven tillers or rotary weeders, not manual wheel hoes.
- Option (c) 'sliding action' is too vague and does not describe the mechanical operation of a wheel hoe.
- Option (d) 'vibratory action' is used in specialized soil compactors or specific industrial tools, not in standard manual weeding.
The main advantage of Farmer Field School (FFS) approach in agriculture extension is:
A)
Low cost
B)
High participation
C)
Rapid dissemination
D)
Individual focus
Option B is correct: High participation.
Which leadership style is most effective in agricultural extension?
A)
Autocratic
B)
Democratic
C)
Laissez-faire
D)
Transactional
Option B is correct: Democratic.
In tractor engine, the complete path of power from the engine to the wheel is called:
A)
Power train
B)
Power wheel
C)
Both (a) and (b)
D)
None of the above
Option A is correct: Power train.
The concept of ‘transactional model of communication’ was introduced by:
A)
Shannon and Weaver
B)
Wilbur Schramm
C)
Alder and Towne
D)
Barnlund
Option D is correct: Barnlund.
ISO stands for:
A)
International Standard of Organization
B)
Indian Standard of Organization
C)
International Organization for Standard
D)
Indian Organization of Standard
Option C is correct: International Organization for Standard.
The most commonly used method for needs assessment in rural communities is:
A)
Random sampling
B)
PRA
C)
Case studies
D)
Focus group discussion
Option B is correct: PRA.
The ‘ceteris paribus’ clause in the law of demand does not mean that:
A)
The taste of the consumer does not change
B)
The income of the consumer does not change
C)
The price of the consumer does not change
D)
The price of the substitute does not change
Option C is correct: The price of the consumer does not change.
The cost incurred by the farmer for cultivation of a crop per unit of output is:
A)
Yield
B)
Cost of production
C)
Cost of cultivation
D)
Total cost
In agricultural economics, it is crucial to distinguish between the total expenditure on a field and the cost relative to the output.
1. **Cost of Production (Option b):** This is defined as the total cost incurred for the cultivation of a crop divided by the total output produced. It represents the 'per unit' cost (e.g., cost per quintal or cost per kg). The formula is: Cost of Production = Total Cost of Cultivation / Total Yield.
2. **Cost of Cultivation (Option c):** This refers to the total expenditure incurred by the farmer on all inputs (seeds, fertilizers, labor, irrigation, etc.) to grow a crop on a specific area of land, regardless of the final output volume. It is an absolute value, not a per-unit value.
3. **Total Cost (Option d):** This is the sum of all fixed and variable costs incurred during the production process. Like the cost of cultivation, it is a lump sum and not expressed per unit of output.
4. **Yield (Option a):** This refers to the amount of crop produced per unit area of land (e.g., kg per hectare), which is a measure of productivity, not cost.
Therefore, since the question specifically asks for the cost 'per unit of output', the correct term is the Cost of Production.