Tuesday 17 January 2017

English Reading Comprehension Part 3 for IPPB and IDBI

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

India’s external debt profile appears similar to that of other major market economies. But its short term external debt stock is now higher than countries such as Brazil and Russia (in terms of percentage of GDP), according to Taimur Baig and Kaushik Datta, economists at Deutsche Bank. India’s share of short term debt relative to the stock of total external debt is also higher than other emerging market economies, with the exception of Turkey, they say.

Though short term debt was contained in FY 14, it was largely due to a slowdown in imports and may again rise once there is a rebound in growth and imports pick up. Some economists point out that since GDP is expressed in dollar terms, a weak rupee translates into a lower GDP number and hence, a lower ratio could be misleading.

However, the composition of long term debt which is reckoned to be durable and ‘safe’ is also worrisome. While the share of almost risk free sovereign, multilateral and bilateral credit has reduced significantly over the years, it is private corporate sector debt and ‘retail’ component in terms of NRI deposits that has swelled over the years. Proceeds from the FCNR (B) swap and overseas borrowing schemes were, in fact, the main contributors to the $31.2 bn increase in external debt in FY 14, which were facilitated by the Reserve Bank to stabilise the Indian currency.

“NRI deposits do not pose material risks (as they are generally rolled over). But the increase in the share of external commercial borrowings exposes the domestic corporate sector significantly to external shocks, including adverse exchange rate movements,” says Samiran Chakrabarty, Chief India Economist, Standard Chartered Bank. Every year about $20 bn is scheduled for repayment. The amount may not seem alarming, but the risk arises if there is a global liquidity squeeze.

The recent trouble in Iraq has added another dimension to external sector woes, which is that the reduction in trade deficit in FY 14 may reverse again. “Already struggling with a record low growth, high inflation, a weak currency, low manufacturing growth and possibility of sub-normal monsoon, the threat of oil supply shock and the resultant increase in prices add to the risks faced by the country, which could hamper India’s envisaged improvement in economic growth in FY 15,” say Madan Sabnavis and Kavita Chacko of Care Ratings. If crude price risks persist, the current account deficit, which was contained in 2013-14, could deteriorate further and also add to pressure on the rupee. Care Ratings has projected a CAD for the year at 2.5% of GDP, assuming stable crude oil prices and a re covery in industrial production. Higher persistent crude prices would upset this calculation.

1. Which of the following statements is contrary to the facts mentioned in the given passage?
a) In FY 14, short term debt was contained due to slowdown in imports.
b) Short term debt is directly proportional to t he quantum of imports.
c) A weak rupee translates into a lower GDP number
d) Private corporate sector debt has decreased over the years

2. What is/are the reasons of the author being apprehensive about India’s improvement in economic growth in FY 15?
a) The recent Iraq crisis may lead to reduction in trade deficit in the current financial year
b) The possibility of sub-normal monsoon
c) High inflation and low manufacturing growth
d) All of the above

3. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Contained
a) Neglected b) Accomodated c) Controlled
d) Excluded

4. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Reckoned
a) Nullified b) Abandoned c) Started
d) Considered

5. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Envisaged
a) Anticipated b) Amazed c) Doubted
d) Discarded

6. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Proceeds
a) Profit b) Outgo c) Income
d) Interests

7. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Squeeze
a) Congestion b) Crunch c) Restraint
d) Release

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words/phrases are given in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.

The first budget of the new administration needed to focus on two key macro problems – a path to fiscal consolidation and a clear signal for structural reforms – to boost the long run growth trajectory of the economy. The budget delivers on both counts.

On the fiscal deficit, the new government has continued from where the previous administration left in laying out a path and a commitment to reducing the deficit to 3% of GDP by FY 17. On the structural reform path, there was a clear focus on boosting labour intensive manufacturing and growth.

The excise duty cuts for food processing and footwear industries, creation of SEZs, single window clearance, tax deductions for investments, reforms to the Apprenticeship Act and Rs.10,000 Crore as venture capital for SMEs were all small steps in that direction. While the fiscal path is admirable, it also may be too aggressive. It may be difficult to get a 20% increase in tax revenues in a year when growth is likely to remain below 6%.

The assumption of service tax revenues growing by 40% may be a tad optimistic. Further, the 3G telecom privatisation proceeds of Rs.45,000 Crore also look ambitious. To achieve the government’s medium term targets will not be easy. First, we would have preferred a more realistic and gradual approach to consolidation. Taking an extra year to reach the 3% deficit target (i.e. by FY 18 instead of FY 17) might be more realistic, and would not compromise macro stability. Second, there is an urgent need for a return to fiscal rules and the FRBM Act, with due sanctions, as the Economic Survey argues. Without it, and despite the medium term path laid out in the budget, there may be an incentive to pause on fiscal consolidation, as happened in FY 09 and was witnessed through FY 12. More than 80 countries follow some sort of a fiscal rule and have found them very useful in imposing fiscal descipline.

Third, if consolidation is based on increasing the tax base, then further erosions could be avoided. In this regard, the increase in income tax exemption limits further reduces an already small tax base. Only 3% of Indians (35 mn) pay income tax compared with more than 20% of Chinese and over 45% of Americans. The strategy that China followed was to not raise income tax thresholds with rising incomes to increase the base further. If the government consistently raises the threshold limits, it would be difficult to expand the tax base.

Fourth, tax administration could be improved by having an independent revenue service, with its own budget and autonomy in hiring staff. As the government implements its revenue strategy, autonomy and reforms in administration could be potentially very helpful.

Fifth, a road map for reducing subsidies, particularly the large fertilizer subsidy, can give greater credence to the consolidation path.

The budget marks a very good beginning in terms of signalling a commitment to fiscal discipline and structural regorms. While the strategy seems to improve GDP growth and, thereby, reduce fiscal deficit through revenue byoyancy, such a strategy is fraught with risks.

We think that to meet the consolidation path requires a clear set of rules, measures to broadbase the tax system and a road map to reduce subsidies. This budget lays out the overall vision.

8. Which of the following statements is not based on the facts mentioned in the given passage?
a) It will be difficult to get a 20% increase in income tax revenue if the growth remains below 6%.
b) It will be difficult to achieve government’s medium term targets.
c) The new government has committed to reducing the fiscal deficit to 3% of GDP by FY 17.
d) Among India, China and America, the highest number of tax payers live in America.

9. What is being done by the government for structural reform?
a) Special attention was paid on the growth of labour intensive manufacturing.
b) Excise duty cut for food processing and footwear industries was allowed
c) SEZs are to be created
d) All of the above

10. What is/are the prerequisite(s) to meet the consolidation path? Give your answer in the context of the given passage.
a) More and more people should be brought under the net of income tax.
b) A blue print should be prepared to reduce subsidies.
c) An independent, autonomous body with an authority to inspect the functioning of income tax department should be brought into existence.
d) Only a) and b)

11. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Erosion
a) Destruction b) Deterioration c) Strengthening
d) Consumption

12. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the
word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Buoyancy
a) Elasticity b) Snap c) Rigidity
d) Feslience

13. Choose the word/group of words which is most similar in meaning to the
word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Fraught
a) Empty b) Devoid c) Lack d) Abound
14. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Consistently
a) Steadily b) Customarily c) Never
d) Congruously

15. Choose the word/group of words which is most opposite in meaning of the word/group of words printed in bold as used in the passage.
Credence
a) Distrust b) Assurance c) Belief
d) Credit

ANSWERS:
1. Option D
2. Option D
3. Option C
4. Option D
5. Option A
6. Option B
7. Option D
8. Option D
9. Option D
10. Option D
11. Option B
12. Option D
13. Option D
14. Option C
15. Option A


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