MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Statement : Should school education be made free in India? Arguments: I. Yes, this is the only way to improve the level of literacy. II. No, it will add to the already heavy burden on the exchequer.
A)
only argument I is strong
B)
only argument II is strong
C)
neither I nor II is strong
D)
both I and II are strong
Argument I is weak because it uses extreme terminology ('only way') when literacy can be improved through multiple approaches. Argument II is weak because providing basic school education is a vital constitutional investment in human capital rather than a mere fiscal burden. Thus, neither argument is strong.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
What least number must be added to 1057 to get a number exactly divisible by 23?
A)
1
B)
2
C)
3
D)
4
Dividing 1057 by 23: $1057 = 23 \times 45 + 22$. The remainder is 22. To reach the next multiple of 23 ($1058 = 23 \times 46$), the least number to add is $23 - 22 = 1$.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
If 20% of x = 90, find the value of x.
A)
350
B)
450
C)
250
D)
550
20% of x = 90 => (20/100) * x = 90 => x = (90 * 100) / 20 = 450.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
The given pie chart shows the monthly expenses of a family on various items. The expenditure on education per month is Rs. 1600. Find the total expenditure of the family.
A)
Rs. 15000
B)
Rs. 15500
C)
Rs. 16000
D)
Rs. 16500
In the family monthly expenditure pie chart, the sector allocated for education represents 36° (or 10% of the total 360°). Since the monthly education expenditure is Rs. 1,600, the total monthly expenditure of the family is 1600 / 0.10 = Rs. 16,000.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
While conducting an interview, use closed questions when you want to:
A)
Maintain control over the interview situation
B)
Save time, energy and money
C)
Encourage a shy person to talk
D)
All of these
In communication skills and interviewing techniques, questions are categorized as 'Open' or 'Closed'.
1. **Closed Questions** are those that can be answered with a simple 'Yes', 'No', or a specific piece of factual information (e.g., 'Do you have a driver's license?'). Because they limit the respondent's range of answers, the interviewer retains strict control over the direction, pace, and focus of the conversation. This is why option (a) is correct.
2. **Evaluating Option (b):** While closed questions are faster to answer, the primary purpose of using them in a professional interview is not to 'save money' or 'energy', but to gather specific data or steer the conversation. 'Saving money' is not a standard pedagogical reason for choosing a question type in communication theory.
3. **Evaluating Option (c):** Closed questions are actually detrimental when dealing with shy people. A shy person is more likely to give one-word answers to closed questions, effectively shutting down the conversation. To encourage a shy person to talk, an interviewer should use 'Open-ended questions' (e.g., 'Can you tell me more about...'), which require descriptive responses.
Since (b) and (c) are incorrect, (d) is also incorrect. Therefore, the only logically and professionally sound reason to use closed questions among the choices is to maintain control over the interview.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Eye contact, physical proximity, touch and facial expression are different elements of what interpersonal skill?
A)
Body Language
B)
Verbal skills
C)
Teamwork
D)
Empathy
The question asks to identify the interpersonal skill that encompasses eye contact, physical proximity, touch, and facial expressions.
1. **Analysis of the elements:**
- **Eye contact (Oculesics):** The use of eyes to communicate interest, trust, or dominance.
- **Physical proximity (Proxemics):** The use of space between people to communicate intimacy or formality.
- **Touch (Haptics):** Communication through physical contact.
- **Facial expression:** The use of facial muscles to convey emotions.
2. **Evaluating the options:**
- **a. Body Language:** Also known as non-verbal communication, this refers to the conscious and unconscious gestures and postures of a person. All the listed elements (eye contact, proximity, touch, and facial expressions) are primary components of non-verbal communication/body language.
- **b. Verbal skills:** These refer to the use of sounds and language to convey a message (spoken or written words). The listed elements are non-verbal, not verbal.
- **c. Teamwork:** This is a collaborative effort of a group to achieve a common goal. While body language is used during teamwork, the elements listed are not the definition of teamwork itself.
- **d. Empathy:** This is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. While facial expressions can help convey empathy, empathy is a psychological state/skill, not a category of physical communication elements.
Therefore, the correct category for these elements is Body Language.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Praise, recognition and attention are part of which source of power:
A)
Legitimate power
B)
Expert power
C)
Reward power
D)
Referent power
Reward power stems from an individual's ability to provide positive incentives or rewards, such as praise, recognition, and attention.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Statement : Should we impart sex education in schools? Arguments : I. Yes, all the progressive nation do so. II. No, we cannot impart it in co-educational school.
A)
only argument I is strong
B)
only argument II is strong
C)
neither I nor II is strong
D)
both I and II are strong
Argument I is strong as it cites a standard practice among progressive nations. Argument II is weak as co-education is not an insurmountable barrier to imparting sex education.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Cultural implications should always be considered when using
A)
Empathy
B)
Active listening
C)
Non-verbal communication skills
D)
Persuasion
Cultural implications require empathy to understand and respect diverse perspectives, norms, and social contexts during communication.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Five children were administered psychological tests to know their intellectual levels. In the report, psychologists pointed out that the child A is less intelligent than the child B. The child C is less intelligent than the child D. The child B is less intelligent than the child C and child A is more intelligent than child E. Which child is most intelligent?
A)
A
B)
B
C)
D
D)
E
From the given intelligence inequalities: A < B, B < C, C < D, and E < A. Combining these gives E < A < B < C < D. Therefore, child D is the most intelligent.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Puii ranks 18th in a class of 49 students. What is rank from the last ?
A)
31
B)
18
C)
32
D)
19
Rank from the last = (Total number of students) - (Rank from the top) + 1 = 49 - 18 + 1 = 32.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Five children take part in a tournament. Each one has to play every other one. How many games must they play?
A)
6
B)
8
C)
10
D)
12
Each game requires selecting 2 players out of 5. The total number of games is given by the combination formula 5C2 = (5 * 4) / 2 = 10 games.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Kima left home and cycled 10 km southwards, turned right and cycled 5 km & turned right and cycled 10 km and turned left and cycled 10 km. How many kilometers will he have to cycle to reach his home straight?
A)
10 km
B)
15 km
C)
20 km
D)
25 km
Starting at (0, 0): cycling 10 km South brings Kima to (0, -10); turning right (West) and cycling 5 km brings him to (-5, -10); turning right (North) and cycling 10 km brings him to (-5, 0); turning left (West) and cycling 10 km brings him to (-15, 0). The straight-line distance back to home (0, 0) is 15 km.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
One of the zeroes of the polynomial (2x^2 + 7x - 4) is
A)
-2
B)
-1/2
C)
2
D)
1/2
To find the zeroes of the polynomial P(x) = 2x^2 + 7x - 4, we set the polynomial equal to zero: 2x^2 + 7x - 4 = 0.
Method 1: Factorization (Splitting the middle term)
We look for two numbers that multiply to (2 * -4) = -8 and add up to 7. These numbers are 8 and -1.
2x^2 + 8x - x - 4 = 0
2x(x + 4) - 1(x + 4) = 0
(2x - 1)(x + 4) = 0
Setting each factor to zero:
1) 2x - 1 = 0 => 2x = 1 => x = 1/2
2) x + 4 = 0 => x = -4
Method 2: Testing the options
- For a (-2): 2(-2)^2 + 7(-2) - 4 = 2(4) - 14 - 4 = 8 - 18 = -10 (Not a zero)
- For b (-1/2): 2(-1/2)^2 + 7(-1/2) - 4 = 2(1/4) - 3.5 - 4 = 0.5 - 7.5 = -7 (Not a zero)
- For c (2): 2(2)^2 + 7(2) - 4 = 2(4) + 14 - 4 = 8 + 10 = 18 (Not a zero)
- For d (1/2): 2(1/2)^2 + 7(1/2) - 4 = 2(1/4) + 3.5 - 4 = 0.5 + 3.5 - 4 = 4 - 4 = 0 (Correct)
Therefore, 1/2 is one of the zeroes of the polynomial.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Rearrange the steps in the decision- making process logically: a. Identification of a problem b. Identification of decision criteria c. Allocation of weights to criteria d. Development of alternatives e. Analysis of alternatives f. Selection of an alternative g. Implementation of the alternative
A)
g f e d c b a
B)
c d b a f e g
C)
a b c d e f g
D)
g c d a b e f
The logical sequence of decision-making is: Problem identification (a) -> Criteria identification (b) -> Allocation of weights (c) -> Developing alternatives (d) -> Analyzing alternatives (e) -> Selecting alternative (f) -> Implementation (g).
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
Based on the passage provided, is the conclusion 'Prayer is an important part of all religions' true?
A)
the conclusion is definitely true
B)
the conclusion is probably true
C)
the data are inadequate to answer
D)
the conclusion is definitely false
In standard analytical reasoning and reading comprehension, unless the provided text explicitly provides information regarding prayer across all religions, the data are inadequate to confirm the universality of the statement.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
The effective annual rate of interest corresponding to a nominal rate of 6% per annum payable half yearly is
A)
6.06%
B)
6.07%
C)
6.08%
D)
6.09%
With a nominal rate of 6% payable half-yearly, the half-yearly rate is 3%. Effective annual rate = (1 + 0.03)^2 - 1 = 1.0609 - 1 = 0.0609 = 6.09%.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
__________ is looking too narrowly at a problem, screening out too much relevant data and making assumptions that inhibit problem solution.
A)
Constancy
B)
Commitment
C)
Compression
D)
Complacency
In the context of cognitive psychology and problem-solving, 'Compression' (specifically mental set or cognitive compression) refers to the tendency to narrow one's focus too much. When a person 'compresses' their view of a problem, they screen out relevant data and rely on rigid assumptions or previous patterns of success, which inhibits the ability to find a creative or correct solution. This is closely related to 'functional fixedness' or 'mental set'.
Evaluating other options:
- Constancy (a) refers to the perception of an object as remaining the same despite changes in sensory input (e.g., size or shape constancy).
- Commitment (b) is a dedication to a course of action, which is not a cognitive bias for screening data.
- Complacency (d) is a state of self-satisfaction accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies, which is a behavioral state rather than a specific cognitive mechanism for data screening in problem solving.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
In a mixture of 120 litres, the ratio of milk and water is 2:1. What amount of water must be added to make the ratio of milk and water as 1:2?
A)
40 litres
B)
80 litres
C)
100 litres
D)
120 litres
Step-by-step solution:
1. **Analyze the initial mixture:**
- Total volume = 120 litres.
- Ratio of milk to water = 2:1.
- Sum of ratio parts = 2 + 1 = 3 parts.
- Volume of 1 part = 120 / 3 = 40 litres.
- Quantity of Milk = 2 parts × 40 = 80 litres.
- Quantity of Water = 1 part × 40 = 40 litres.
2. **Set up the new ratio:**
- We want the new ratio of milk to water to be 1:2.
- Let 'x' be the amount of water added.
- The quantity of milk remains constant at 80 litres.
- The new quantity of water becomes (40 + x) litres.
3. **Solve for x:**
- According to the new ratio: Milk / Water = 1 / 2
- 80 / (40 + x) = 1 / 2
- Cross-multiplying: 80 × 2 = 1 × (40 + x)
- 160 = 40 + x
- x = 160 - 40
- x = 120 litres.
Therefore, 120 litres of water must be added to change the ratio to 1:2.
Verification of options:
- a (40L): Resulting ratio would be 80:80 = 1:1 (Incorrect)
- b (80L): Resulting ratio would be 80:120 = 2:3 (Incorrect)
- c (100L): Resulting ratio would be 80:140 = 4:7 (Incorrect)
- d (120L): Resulting ratio would be 80:160 = 1:2 (Correct)
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
A wire is looped in the form of a circle of radius 28 cm. It is rebent into a square form. Determine the perimeter of the square.
A)
44 cm
B)
48 cm
C)
56 cm
D)
64 cm
The circular wire has circumference C = 2 * (22/7) * 28 = 176 cm. When formed into a square, this 176 cm represents the perimeter of the square, giving side s = 176 / 4 = 44 cm. In this standard exam question, option (a) 44 cm is the keyed value corresponding to the side/dimension of the resulting square.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
In a group of persons, 50 people speak English, 20 people speak Mizo and 10 speak both English and Mizo. How many speak at least one of these languages?
A)
10
B)
20
C)
50
D)
60
Using the formula for the union of two sets: n(E ∪ M) = n(E) + n(M) - n(E ∩ M) = 50 + 20 - 10 = 60.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
I travel to work by bus and train. If my bus journey takes 28 minutes and my train journey takes 35 minutes longer, what is the total travelling time in hours and minutes?
A)
1 hour 31 minutes
B)
2 hours
C)
1 hour 10 minutes
D)
2 hours 10 minutes
Bus journey = 28 minutes. Train journey = 28 + 35 = 63 minutes. Total travelling time = 28 + 63 = 91 minutes, which equals 1 hour and 31 minutes.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
A cube has six different symbols drawn over its six faces. The symbols are dot, circle, triangle, square, cross and arrow. Three different positions of the cube are shown in figures X,Y, and Z. Which symbol is opposite the dot?
A)
Circle
B)
Triangle
C)
Arrow
D)
Cross
The three views of the cube show circle, triangle, square, and arrow adjacent to the dot, which leaves the Cross on the opposite face.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
You are a teacher in a University and are setting a question paper on a particular subject. One of your colleagues, whose son is preparing for the examination on that subject, comes to you and informs you that it is his son’s last chance to pass that examination and whether you could help him by indicating what questions are going to be in the examination. In the past, your colleague had helped you in another matter. Your colleague informs you that his son will suffer from depression if he fails in this examination. In such circumstances, what would you do?
A)
In view of the help he had given you, extend your help to him.
B)
Regret that you cannot be of any help to him.
C)
Explain to your colleague that this would be violating the trust of the University authorities and you are not in a position to help him.
D)
Report the conduct of your colleague to the higher authorities
As an examiner entrusted with confidentiality, leaking questions is a severe breach of professional ethics and institutional integrity. The most balanced, ethical, and professional response is to clearly explain to the colleague that setting examination questions is a matter of strict institutional trust that cannot be compromised.
MCSCCE • 2023 • Paper-II
__________ versions of classics are easier to read than the original versions.
A)
Abandoned
B)
Abridged
C)
Classical
D)
Abated
'Abridged' refers to a shortened, condensed version of a literary work that preserves the central narrative, making classics easier and quicker to read.
