Directions : In the following passage

some words have been deleted. Fill

in the blanks with the help of the
alternatives given. Select the most
appropriate option for each blank.
Don’t let the adorable title fool you: As Scott J. Committee’s computer
Shapiro ____1_____ in “Fancy Bear Goes systems before the 2016
Phishing,” his new book about cybersecurity, presidential election.
hacking can ____2_____ terrible harm. Shapiro is Fancy Bear released a
the author, with Oona A. Hathaway, of “The _____7_____ of emails
Internationalists” (2017), which ____3_____ that included Hillary
20th-century efforts to ____4____ war; Clinton’s closed-door
____5_____ the numerous questions animating speeches to Goldman
“Fancy Bear Goes Phishing” is ____6____ hacking Sachs and her campaign
has opened the door to war by other means. chairman’s tips for risotto.
After all, “Fancy Bear” and “Cozy Bear” refer to the
cyberespionage units linked to Russian intelligence
that gained access to the Democratic National
Don’t let the adorable title fool A. Denies
you: As Scott J. Shapiro B. Presume
____1_____ in “Fancy Bear
C. Acknowledges
Goes Phishing,” his new book
about cybersecurity, hacking can D. Daggers
____2_____ terrible harm. E. None of these

Question 9: Blank 1
Don’t let the adorable title fool you: A. Instinct
As Scott J. Shapiro ____1_____ in B. Elucidate
“Fancy Bear Goes Phishing,” his
C. Avert
new book about cybersecurity,
hacking can ____2_____ terrible D. Inflict
harm. E. None of these

Question 10: Blank 2

Shapiro is the author, with Oona A. A. Justifies
Hathaway, of “The Internationalists” B. Presents
(2017), which ____3_____
20th-century efforts to ____4____ C. Reimburse
war; ____5_____ the numerous D. Recounts
questions animating “Fancy Bear E. None of these
Goes Phishing” is ____6____
hacking has opened the door to war
by other means.
Question 11: Blank 3
Shapiro is the author, with Oona A. A. Outlaw
Hathaway, of “The Internationalists” B. Provoke
(2017), which ____3_____ 20th-century
C. Assert
efforts to ____4____ war; ____5_____
the numerous questions animating D. Defend
“Fancy Bear Goes Phishing” is E. None of these
____6____ hacking has opened the
door to war by other means.
Question 12: Blank 4
Shapiro is the author, with Oona A. A. Within
Hathaway, of “The Internationalists” B. Between
(2017), which ____3_____
C. Besides
20th-century efforts to ____4____
war; ____5_____ the numerous D. Among
questions animating “Fancy Bear E. None of these
Goes Phishing” is ____6____
hacking has opened the door to war
by other means.
Question 13: Blank 5
Shapiro is the author, with Oona A. A. Whether
Hathaway, of “The Internationalists” B. Erstwhile
(2017), which ____3_____ 20th-century
C. Therefore
efforts to ____4____ war; ____5_____
the numerous questions animating D. Nonetheless
“Fancy Bear Goes Phishing” is E. None of these
____6____ hacking has opened the
door to war by other means.
Question 14: Blank 6
Fancy Bear released a _____7_____ A. Drive
of emails that included Hillary Clinton’s B. Trove
closed-door speeches to Goldman
C. Trifle
Sachs and her campaign chairman’s
tips for risotto. D. Dock
Question 15: Blank 7 E. None of these
Direction(1-10): A phrase written in
brackets is given against each
blank. Choose the right
IDIOM(s/Word(s)) from the options
which can replace the phrase most
appropriately. If none of the options
is fit for replacement, according to
you, then select E as your answer.
Revenues from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), taxes __________( Associative
which completes seven years at the end of this month, relevance or connection) to
hit a record high of ₹2.1 lakh crore in April that typically the first month of this fiscal are
sees higher inflows due to a year-end 3% higher. Although gross
_____________(Adherence to normative protocols or revenues from domestic
regulatory frameworks) rush. Receipts in May, for transactions grew 15.3%,
transactions__________(Execution or implementation accelerating from a 13.4% rise a
of prescribed tasks) in April, were the fifth highest ever month earlier, revenues from
at ₹1,72,739 crore, rising almost 10% from a year ago, goods imports dipped for the
compared with a 12.4% uptick in the previous month. second time in three months.
This was the slowest rise since July 2021 when the
second COVID-19 wave had dented economic activity. In
the nearly three years since then, GST revenues have
generally grown at least 11%. Compared with the
average monthly receipts of ₹1.68 lakh crore in 2023-24,
Domestic revenue growth has also been uneven across prospective scenarios).
States, with five recording a decline in May, and eight Meeting for the first time since
growing far slower than the national average. However, last October, the Council may
broader worries about GST revenues have much routine work on its
being___________(Exhibiting suboptimal or plate, including clarifications
disappointing outcomes), voiced by the Union Finance related to, and reviews of,
Minister at a GST Council meeting in late 2021, have past decisions such as the
now__________(Fell back or went back to a previous 28% levy on online games
position). and casinos.
This is, therefore, an opportune time for the Council,
which is meeting this Saturday, to
_____________(Aggressively advance or accelerate
activities) on its pending reform agenda to make it a truly
Good and Simple Tax as originally
____________(Conceptualized or projected into
However, it is hoped the Council will also find time for each State and face varying
bigger things such as reviving the plan to compliance diktats. Not all of this
____________(Simplify or make more efficient.) can be discussed in one go. So,
GST’s complex, multiple-rate structure. A ministerial it is most critical that the Council,
group, tasked with this agenda since 2021, must be which is usually expected to
asked to restart its work ____________(Executed with meet every quarter but has
celerity and precision). A new rate structure might also been___________(Assembled
entail lower levies on items such as cement and or summoned for deliberative
insurance, for instance. A road map is also needed to engagements) just six times
bring excluded items such as electricity, natural gas, since 2022, resolves to meet
and petroleum products into the GST net to ensure more often.
businesses can avail credits for these inputs. Along with
easing com appliances for smaller firms as promised in
the Bharatiya Janata Party’s election manifesto, there is
room for simplifying the system for all businesses,
including large ones which are compelled to register in
Revenues from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), A. Only a
which completes seven years at the end of this
B. Only b and c
month, hit a record high of ₹2.1 lakh crore in April
that typically sees higher inflows due to a year-end C. Only a and b
_____________(Adherence to normative D. All a, b and c
protocols or regulatory frameworks).
E. None of a, b and c
1. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can
most appropriately fit in the blank in the above
statement?
a. Compliance
b. Acquiescence
c. Recalcitrance
Receipts in May, for A. Only a
transactions__________(Execution or B. Only c
implementation of prescribed tasks) in April,
were the fifth highest ever at ₹1,72,739 crore, C. Only b
rising almost 10% from a year ago, compared with D. Both b and c
a 12.4% uptick in the previous month.
E. None of a, b and c
2. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can
most appropriately fit in the blank in the above
statement?
a. Renounced
b. Forsaken
c. Undertaken
Compared with the average monthly receipts of A. Only a
₹1.68 lakh crore in 2023-24, taxes __________( B. Only a and b
Associative relevance or connection) to the
first month of this fiscal are 3% higher. C. Only b and c

3. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) D. All a, b and c

can most appropriately fit in the blank in the E. None of a, b and c
above statement?
a. Tying
b. Pertaining
c. Detaching
However, broader worries about GST revenues A. Only a and c
being___________(Exhibiting suboptimal or B. Only a and b
disappointing outcomes), voiced by the
Union Finance Minister at a GST Council C. Only b and c
meeting in late 2021, have now receded. D. All a, b and c
4. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) E. None of a, b and c
can most appropriately fit in the blank in the
above statement?
a. Underwhelming
b. Overwhelming
c. Lacklustering
However, broader worries about GST revenues A. Only a and c
being___________(Exhibiting suboptimal or
B. Only a and b
disappointing outcomes), voiced by the Union
Finance Minister at a GST Council meeting in late C. Only b and c
2021, have now__________(Fell back or went D. All a, b and c
back to a previous position).
E. None of a, b and c
5. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can
most appropriately fit in the blank in the above
statement?
a. Regressed
b. Receded
c. Subsided
This is, therefore, an opportune time for the A. Only b
Council, which is meeting this Saturday, to B. Only a and b
_____________(Aggressively advance or
accelerate activities) on its pending reform C. Only b and c
agenda to make it a truly Good and Simple Tax D. All a, b and c
as originally envisaged.
E. None of a, b and c
6. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can
most appropriately fit in the blank in the above
statement?
a. Ease off
b. Press the pedal
c. Rein in
This is, therefore, an opportune time for the Council, A. Only a
which is meeting this Saturday, to press the pedal on
B. Only a and b
its pending reform agenda to make it a truly Good and
Simple Tax as originally C. Only b and c
____________(Conceptualized or projected into D. All a, b and c
prospective scenarios).
E. None of a, b and c
7. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can most
appropriately fit in the blank in the above statement?
a. Contemplated
b. Envisaged
c. Conceived
However, it is hoped the Council will also find A. Only b and c
time for bigger things such as reviving the plan B. Only a and b
to ____________(Simplify or make more
efficient.) GST’s complex, multiple-rate C. Only a and c
structure. D. All a, b and c
8. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) E. None of a, b and c
can most appropriately fit in the blank in the
above statement?
a. Streamline
b. Muddle
c. Rationalise
A ministerial group, tasked with this agenda A. Only b and c
since 2021, must be asked to restart its work B. Only a and b
____________(Executed with celerity and
precision). C. Only a and c

9. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) D. All a, b and c

can most appropriately fit in the blank in the E. None of a, b and c
above statement?
a. Promptly
b. Briskly
c. Expeditiously
So, it is most critical that the Council, which is A. Only b and c
usually expected to meet every quarter but has B. Only a and b
been___________(Assembled or summoned for
deliberative engagements) just six times since C. Only a and c
2022, resolves to meet more often. D. All a, b and c
10. Which of the following IDIOM(s)/WORD(s) can E. None of a, b and c
most appropriately fit in the blank in the above
statement?
a. Assembled
b. Adjourned
c. Convened