MORALITY
Read the Passage carefully and answers the following Questions:-
There is a fairly universal sentiment that the use of a nuclear weapon is clearly contrary to morality andthat its production probably so, does not go for enough. These activities are not only opposed to morality but also to law and if the legal objection can be added to the moral, the argument against the use and the manufacture of these weapons will considerably be reinforced. Now the time is ripe to evaluate the responsibility of scientists who knowingly use their expertise for the construction of such weapons which have a deleterious effect on mankind.
To this must be added the fact that more than 50 per cent of the skilled scientific manpower in the world is now engaged in the armaments industry. How appropriate it is that all this valuable skill should be devoted to the manufacture of weapons of death in a world of poverty is a question that must touch the scientific conscience.
A meeting of biologists on the long-term worldwide biological consequences of Nuclear War added frightening dimensions to those forecasts. Its report suggested that the long biological effects resulting from climatic changes may at least be as serious as the immediate ones.
Sub-freezing temperatures, low light levels and a high dose of ionizing and ultraviolet radiation extending for many months after a large-scale nuclear war could destroy the biological support systems of civilization, at least in the Northern Hemisphere. Productivity in natural and agricultural ecosystems could be severely restricted for a year or more. Post-war survivors would face starvation as well as freezing conditions in the dark and be exposed to a near-lethal dose of radiation. If, as now seems possible, the Southern Hemisphere were affected also, global disruption of the biosphere would ensue. In any event, there would be severe consequences, even in the areas not affected directly, because of the interdependence of the world economy. In either case the extinction of a large fraction of the earth’s animals, plant and micro-organism seem possible. The population size of Homospiens conceivably could be reduced to prehistoric levels or below, and extinction of the human species itself cannot be excluded.
1. The author of the passage seems to of the view that
(a) the evaluation of the scientists’ expertise show their incompetence
(b) spending money on the manufacture of weapons may be justifiably subject to the availability of funds
(c) utilization of scientific skills in the manufacture of weapons is appropriate
(d) utilization of valuable knowledge for the manufacture of lethal weapons is inhuman
2. It appears from the passage that the use of nuclear weapons is considered against morality by
(a) almost all the nations of the world
(b) a minority group of scientists who have the necessary skill and competence
(c) only those nations which cannot afford to manufacture weapons
(d) most of the scientists who devote their valuable skills to manufacture nuclear weapons
3. The author’s most important objective of writing the above passage seems to.
(a) explain scientifically the climatic changes resulting from the use of nuclear weapons
(b) summaries the long biological effects of the use of nuclear weapons
(c) highlight the use of nuclear weapons as an effective population control measure
(d) illustrate the devastating, effects of the use of nuclear weapons on mankind
4. Which of the following is one of the consequences of Nuclear ‘War?
(a) Post-war survivors being very few will have abundant food
(b) The fertility of land will last only for a year or so
(c) Southern hemisphere would remain quite safe in the post-war period
(d) it fights would be cooler and more comfortable
5. Which of the following statements (A), (B) and/or 0 is/are definitely true in the context of the passage?
A. Living organisms in the areas which are riot directly affected by the consequences of nuclear war would also suffer.
B. There is a likelihood of extinction of the human species as a consequence of nuclear war
C. The post-war survivors would be exposed to the risk of near-lethal radiation
(a) Only A (b) Only B
(c) only C (d) All the three
6. According to the passage, the argument against the use and manufacture of nuclear weapons
(a) becomes stronger if legal and moral considerations are combined
(b) is acceptable only on moral grounds
(c) does not stand the test of legality
(d) possesses legal strength although it does not have moral standing
7. Which of the following best explains the meaning of the word ‘devoted’ as used in the passage?
(a) Overutilized (b) Underutilized
(c) Utilized for betterment (d) Abused for destruction
8. Choose the word which is most opposite in meaning of the word deleterious’ as used in the passage.
(a) Hermitic (b) Non-cognizable
(c) Beneficial (d) Revolutionary
9. Choose the word which is similar in meaning to the word ‘ensure’ as used in the passage.
(a) Increase (b) Follow
(c) Reduce (d) Claim
ANSWERS:-
1. (d) 2. (a)
3. (d) 4. (b)
5. (d) 6. (a)
7. (d) 8. (c)
9. (b)
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