Read the following passage and answer the questions that follow:
As the Arctic ice cap retreats, shipping lanes are opening that many trading nations hope could rival, or at least complement, conventional routes during summer months. The Northern Sea Route (NSR), a.k.a. the Northeast Passage a shipping lane across the rim of Siberia connecting the Atlantic to the Pacific, first became ice-free in 2007, and is gaining traction as a seasonal alternative route. A voyage from Shanghai to Hamburg via the NSR shaves roughly 30 percent of the distance off a similar trip via the Suez Canal, and it also avoids pirate-infested waters. Only four cargo vessels sailed the whole route in 2010, but this number has increased markedly each year: to thirty-four in 2011; forty-six in 2012; and seventy-one in 2013. Indeed, Russia is investing billions of dollars in Arctic infrastructure to realize a “Suez of the north.” By comparison, more than 17,000 ships pass through the Suez Canal annually.
But industry executives and analysts say a number of challenges for shipping along the NSR will remain in the years ahead. Even during the summer, the harsh environment makes navigation difficult, amid unpredictable weather and ice floes. Ships often require an icebreaker escort (roughly $400,000) and additional insurance that offsets some of the route’s potential fuel savings. Moreover, the fact that Moscow controls most of the NSR and the attendant ice-breaking fleet is troubling for some shipping executives, who fear the Kremlin could abruptly decide to hike costs. Finally, while the NSR may provide a viable alternative for bulk cargo shipping (e.g., oil, coal, ore) in the near future, it may be of limited value for container shipping, which operates on a tight delivery schedule.
Question 1
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage about the Arctic sea Ice?
(A) It opened up the region for greater commercialization, and shipping.
(B) The extent of Arctic sea ice, which melts to its low, has steadily declined over the past three decades.
(C) The years 2007–2012 saw the lowest levels since satellite imaging began in 1979.
(D) Scientists expect minimum annual variability as wind and weather patterns do not change much in the Arctic.
Question 2
The Northern Sea Route connects which of the following?
(A) Siberia to the Singapore.
(B) Shanghai to England.
(C) Alaska to California.
(D) All the above
Question 3
Consider the following statements.
1. The harsh environment makes navigation difficult, amid unpredictable weather and ice flows.
2. The NSR might provide a viable alternative for bulk cargo shipping.
Which of the above statements are true?
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Question 4
Which of the following is true about Northern Sea Route according to the passage?
1. Russia controls most of the NSR and the attendant icebreaking fleet is troubling for some shipping executives.
2. Japan is also alive to the benefits from the NSR.
3. Shortening of the distance and time from Europe to Asia through the Northern Sea Route will lead to the saving of fuel and on the emissions of carbon dioxide.
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1 and 2 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Question 5
With respect to the passage, which of the following statements is/are correct as regards to the Suez Canal?
1. It handles the most number of ships in the world.
2. Waters around it are pirate-infested.
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
SOLUTIONS TO DAILY CSAT MISSION # 28
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (B) 5. (A)
Explanations
1. Total graduates = 40% = 80 employees. Total diploma holders = 80% = 160 employees.
Employees with both = 30% = 60.
Out of 80 graduates, 60 also have a diploma. So, employees who are only graduates = 20.
Out of 160 diploma holders, 60 also are graduates. So, employees who are only diploma holders = 100.
We have concluded that only graduates = 20, only diplomas = 100 and both = 60.
So, employees who neither have a diploma nor are graduates = 200 – (20 + 100 + 60) = 20.
2. Let the number of guests be ‘x’.
So, number of bowls of rice = x/2. Number of bowls of dal = x/3 and number of bowls of meat = x/4.
Given, x/2 + x/3 + x/4 = 65, which gives ‘x’ = 60.
3. Let the number of women initially be ‘x’. So, number of men initially = 2x.
After city Y, we have (2x – 10) = (x + 5), which gives ‘x’ = 15.
the total people who boarded initially = 15 women + 30 men = 45.
4. Let the initial consumption of the consumer be 100 litres, and the cost per litre = 100 bucks.
So, total cost initially = 100 * 100 = 10,000 bucks.
New cost = 80 bucks per litre. Let the new consumption be ‘x’ litres.
So, total cost finally = 80x bucks.
Given 80x = 10,000, which gives x = 125. So, he can increase consumption by 25% to keep his spending the same.
5. Let the time taken by taxi be ‘t’ hours and the time taken on foot be ‘f’ hours. Given, t + f = 16.
But, 2t = (t + f) – 4 = 16 – 4 = 12, which gives t = 6. If t = 6, f = 10.
So, 2f = 2*10 = 20 hours.
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