1000+ Reading Comprehension Worksheets Pdf with Answers - 1

Question: 1

Today the import duty on a complete machine is 35% for all practical purposes, whereas the import duty on the raw materials and components ranges from 40% to 85%. The story does not here. After paying such high import duties on components, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% to 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e., central sales tax or state sales taxes which range from 4% to 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging upto 22%, as against 4%-7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India’s machine tools builder have to pay for components is more or less based in pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares. The above represents only a few of the extraneous reasons for the high cost of Indian machines.
The machine tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6000 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India’s machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody’s case that the needs of this fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6000 km away?
Then, what is that the industry requests from the Government it wants level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the points of strategic and vital interests of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Govt’s consideration and understanding.
Which of the following is the principal focus for the content of the passage?

(A) Encouragement to small and middle scale industries

(B) Unrealistic strategy of development of technology

(C) Reduction in rate of interest on loans to machine tool industry

(D) Indian machine tool industry and its vital role in country's development

Question: 2

Why do small and medium scale industries look for help from India’s machine tool industry?

(A) To improve their poor financial status

(B) To remain the Government’s focus of attention

(C) To produce cheaper components notwithstanding the poor quality

(D) To produce low cost components without dilution in quality

Question: 3

Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the content of the passage?

(A) India should not waste its resources on the production of machine tools

(B) The Govt. of India was not considerate to the difficulties faced by machine tool industry

(C) Levying heavy custom duty is absolutely necessary

(D) The Govt. of India has duly reconised the role of machine tool industry

Question: 4

According to the passage, assembling imported components into machine proves ultimately

(A) A very stupendous and unmanageable task

(B) More cost effective than importing machine

(C) Costlier than importing machine

(D) Cheaper than importing complete machine

Question: 5

Which of the following is true in the context of the passage?

(A) India's quantum of production of machine tools is more than that of other advanced countries

(B) In the case of machines, the excise duty is levied only on the cost price.

(C) In critical times, the machine tool builders allowed the industry to perish.

(D) India's machine tool industry has a praise-worthy record of performance.