Read the following passage carefully and answer questions 31 to 36.

Story telling is not in our genes. Neither it is an evolutionary history. It is the essence of what makes us Human.

Human beings progress by telling stories. One event can result in a great variety of stories being told about it. Sometimes those stories differ greatly. Which stories are picked up and repeated and which ones are dropped and forgotten often determines how we progress. Our history, knowledge and understanding are all the collections of the few stories that survive. This includes the stories that we tell each other about the future. And how the future will turn out depends partly, possibly largely, on which stories we collectively choose to believe.

Some stories are designed to spread fear and concern. This is because some story-tellers feel that there is a need to raise some tensions. Some stories are frightening, they are like totemic warnings: "Fail to act now and we are all doomed." Then there are stories that indicate that all will be fine so long as we leave everything upto a few especially able adults. Currently, this trend is being led by those who call themselves "rational optimists". They tend to claim that it is human nature to compete and to succeed and also to profit at the expense of others. The rational optimists however, do not realize how humanity has progressed overtime through amiable social networks and how large groups work in less selfishness and in the process accommodate rich and poor, high and low alike. This aspect in story-telling is considered by the 'Practical Possibles', who sit between those who say all is fine and cheerful and be individualistic in your approach to a successful future, and those who ordain pessimism and fear that we are doomed.

What the future holds for us is which stories we hold on to and how we act on them.

Answer the following questions:

31. Rational optimists:

(a) Look for opportunities.

(b) Are sensible and cheerful.

(c) Are selfishly driven.

Identify the correct answer from the codes given below:

(A) (b) and (c) only      (B) (a), (b) and (c)

(C) (a) only                    (D) (a) and (b) only

Answer: B

32. Humans become less selfish when:

(A) they work in solitude

(B) they work in large groups

(C) they listen to frightening stories

(D) they listen to cheerful stories

Answer: B

33. 'Practical Possibles' are the ones who:

(A) are cheerful and carefree                        (B) follow Midway Path

(C) are doom-mongers                       (D) are self-centred

Answer: B

34. Story telling is:

(A) the essence of what makes us human

(B) an art

(C) a science

(D) in our genes

Answer: A

35. Our knowledge is a collection of:

(A) some important stories

(B) all stories that we have heard during our life-time

(C) some stories that we remember

(D) a few stories that survive

Answer: D

36. How the future will turn out to be, depends upon the stories?

(A) Designed to make prophecy

(B) We collectively choose to believe in

(C) Which are repeatedly narrated

(D) Designed to spread fear and tension

Answer: B

37. At present a person is 4 times older than his son and is 3 years older than his wife. After 3 years the age of the son will be 15 years. The age of the person's wife after 5 years will be:

(A) 50                 (B) 42

(C) 48                 (D) 45

Answer: A

38. Among the following statements two are contradictory to each other. Select the correct code that represents them:

Statements:

(a) All poets are philosophers.

(b) Some poets are philosophers.

(c) Some poets are not philosophers.

(d) No philosopher is a poet.

Codes:

(A) (b) and (c)               (B) (a) and (b)

(C) (a) and (d)               (D) (a) and (c)

Answer: D

39. In an examination 10,000 students appeared. The result revealed the number of students who have:

passed in all five subjects = 5583

passed in three subjects only = 1400

passed in two subjects only = 1200

passed in one subject only 735

failed in English only = 75

failed in Physics only = 145

failed in Chemistry only = 140

failed in Mathematics only = 200

failed in Bio-science only = 157

The number of students passed in at least four subjects is:

(A) 7900                        (B) 6300

(C) 6900                        (D) 7300

Answer: B

40. Which of the following is not a principle of effective communication?

(A) Strategic use of grapevine

(B) Persuasive and convincing dialogue

(C) Participation of the audience

(D) One-way transfer of information

Answer: D