SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(R.B.I. 1990)
 Recent advances in science and technology have made it possible for geneticists to find out abnormalities in the unborn fetus and take remedial action to rectify some defects which would otherwise prove to be fatal to the child. Though genetic engineering is still at its infancy, scientists can now predict with greater accuracy a genetic disorder. It is not yet an exact science since they are not in a position to predict when exactly a genetic disorder will set in. While they have not yet been able to change the genetic order of the gene in germs, they are optimistic and are holding out that in the near future they might be successful in achieving this feat. They have, however, acquired the ability in manipulating tissue cells. However, genetic miss-information can sometimes be damaging for it may adversely affect people psychologically. Genetic information may lead to a tendency to brand some people as inferiors. Genetic information can, therefore, be abused and its application in deciding the sex of the fetus and its subsequent abortion is now hotly debated on ethical lines. But on this issue geneticists cannot be squarely blamed though this charge has often been levelled at them. It is mainly a societal problem. At present genetic engineering is costly processes of detecting disorders but scientists hope to reduce the costs when technology becomes more advanced. This is why much progress in this area has been possible in scientifically advanced and rich countries like the U.S.A., U.K. and Japan. It remains to be seen if in the future this science will lead to the development of a race of supermen or will be able to obliterate disease from this world.
 1. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the phrase ‘holding out’ as used in the passage?
(a) catching                           (b) expounding
 (c) sustaining                        (d) restraining
 (e) controlling
 2. According to the passage, the question of abortion is
(a) ignored                             (b) hotly debated
 (c) unanswered                    (d) left to the scientists to decide
(e) already settled
3. Which of the following is true regarding the reasons for progress in genetic engineering?
(a) It has become popular to abort female fetuses.
(b) Human beings are extremely interested in heredity.
 (c) Economically sound and scientifically advanced countries can provide the infrastructure for such research.
(d) Poor countries desperately need genetic information.
 4. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘obliterate’ as used in the passage?
 (a) wipe off                          (b) eradicate
(c) give birth to                     (d) wipe out
 (e) very literate
 5. Which of the following is the opposite in meaning to the word ‘charged’ as used in the passage?
 (a) calm                     (b) disturbed
 (c) discharged           (d) settled
 (e) peaceful
6. Which of the following is not true of the genetic engineering movement?
(a) The possibility of abuse
(b) It is confronted by ethical problems.
 (c) Increased tendency to manipulate gene cells
 (d) Acquired ability to detect genetic disorders in unborn babies
(e) Acquired ability to manipulate tissue cells
7. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘feat’ as used in the passage?
(a) process                             (b) focus
(c) fact                                   (d) possibility
 (e) goal
8. Why, according to the author, is genetic misinformation severely damaging?
 A. The cost involved is very high.
 B. Some people are unjustly branded as inferior.
(a) An only (b)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (b) B only
(c) Both A and B Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â (d) Neither A nor B
(e) Either A or B
9. In the passage, ‘abused’ means
(a) insulted                           (b) talked about
(c) killed                                (d) misused
(e) changed
10. At present genetic engineering can rectify all genetic disorders. Is it?
(a) Yes                                    (b) No
(c) It can do HO only in some cases
11. Which of the following, according to the author, are the short-comings of genetics in becoming an exact science?
A. Technicians will not be able to determine the time when a genetic disorder will set in.
 B. Technicians have not been able to manipulate germ cells.
(a) An only                           (b) B only
 (c) Both A and B                (d) Either A or B
(e) Neither A nor B
 12. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘squarely’ as used in, the passage?
 (a) rigidly                            (b) firmly
(c) directly                           (d) at right angle
 (e) straight
13. Which of the following is not true, according to the passage?
 (a) Society is not affected by research in genetic engineering.
(b) Genetic engineers are not able to say some things with certainty.
(c) If genetic information is not properly handled, it will create problems.
(d) Manipulation of genes is presently done only in tissue cell.
(e) Scientists recognize the possibilities of abuse of information related to genetics.
14. According to the author, the present state of knowledge about heredity has made geneticists
 (a) introspective                (b) accusative
(c) arrogant                         (d) optimistic
(e) reckless
15. What is the tone of the author in the last sentence of the passage?
(a) resignation                   (b) cautious
(c) relief                               (d) concern
 (e) unconcern
Answers:-
1.(b)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 2. (d)
3. (e) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 4. (c)
5.(b)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 6.( a)
7. (a)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8. (b)
9. (d) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 10. (a)
11. (c) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 12. (c)
 13. (a)            14. (d)
15. (b)
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