IGNOU BEGLA-138 June 2023 Previous Year Question Paper

Q1.Read the passage given below and answer the questions which follow : From Yamini Aiyar’s article in the Hindustan Times, Wednesday, June 01, 2022, Page 14. Three catastrophic global events –the corona virus pandemic, the Russia -Ukraine war, and the climate crisis –have exposed the fragility of India’s rural economy. Now as India grapples with rising food inflation and slowing rural demand, policymakers must design a durable policy that goes beyond ad-hoc export bans. Amid the pandemic induced economic crisis, the rural economy was a site of resilience. In 2020 -

Q2.agriculture was the only sector of the economy that remained strong, growing at

Q3.3%. Crucially it provided the country with its most resilien t safety net. A slew of policy measures enhanced Minimum Support Price (MSP) and procurement kept granaries well stocked, ensuring basic food security. Moreover a good monsoon and two successive bumper harvests coincided with rising global prices which cre ated a perfect condition for robust agri-commodity exports. Along w ith the provision of basic food grains, agriculture was also India’s primary employer. The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy recorded that between 2019 and 2022 agriculture added 11 million new jobs while the rest of the economy shed 15 million jobs. Agriculture, long considered the employer of last resort for policymakers emerged as the only employer and primary safety net for millions of Indians amid the pandemic. However, for most, Indi a’s agriculture offers subsistence employment rather than a robust substitute for non -farm income. Fa r from being insulated, the largely in formal rural economy was devastated by Covid -19. Rural wages, particularly non -farm wages declined sharply during the pandemic and are yet to recover. India’s agriculture policy has incentivised over - production of cereals and sugarcane while discouraging diversification. Ironically, this perverse policy ensured food security during the pandemic. However, after the pandem ic global supply chain disruptions and climate shocks like the heat wave of March caused a steep rise in commodity prices. While cereal and sugar prices remained insulated from international price fluctuations, inflation was driven mainly by edible oils. Policy-making needs to balance between food security needs and the need to diversify in order to increase farm income. A strong rural economy is the backbone of India’ s food and climate security and the only way for crisis management in an increasingly vul nerable global economy. Questions :

(a) Which global events have affected our rural economy and in what way ? 4

(b) What shows that our rural economy is by and large resilient ? 4

(c) Which policy regarding agriculture is talked about in the passage and wh at is the author’s suggestion about policy - making ? 4

(d) What are the strong and weak points of our agricultural policy ? 4

(e) What is the common perception about India’s agriculture ? 4 [ 6 ]

Q4.Find words from the passage which convey similar meanings as given below : 10

(a) a situation of serious problems

(b) increase in prices

(c) something that lasts long without becoming weaker

(d) strong and healthy

(e) to encourage by providing a benefit

(f) a harmful or undesirable practice

(g) weak and without protection

(h) something which relates to the whole world

(i) disease that affects a large number of persons over a very wide area (j) something which is worth eating or consuming. [ 7 ]

Q5.What are the three common difficulties encountered during the acquisition of reading skills ?

Q6.What is an expository text ? Write about the various categories of expository text.

Q7.What are the advantages of telephone conversation ? For which different purposes is telephone conversation used ?

Q8.Write short notes on the following : 5+5

(a) Rhythm as a literary device

(b) Stress types in English Language

Q9.Write a note on the basic principles of good communication (7 Cs). 10 [ 8 ]

Q10.Differentiate between argumentative and persuasive texts.

Q11.What are the reading ability skills of comprehending literary texts–prose and poetry ? 10 BEGLA–138 39,330