CUET Reading Comprehension: Brain Drain Effects in USA | The Hindu April 9
Passage for Students to Comprehend
Passage (Adapted from the Editorial):
The election of Donald Trump has sparked concerns about a potential exodus of scientific expertise from the United States. His administration’s decision to freeze research grants and disrupt ongoing scientific work has left many academics uncertain. The National Science Foundation (NSF), a key body established to fund research, is now under pressure. International students aspiring for doctoral studies may face confusion due to these policy shifts. Countries like Canada and Europe are seizing this opportunity, increasing efforts to recruit U.S. scientists. The editorial warns of a “research brain drain,” which could undermine America’s global leadership in science. Historically, a similar exodus occurred when Jewish scientists fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Aix-Marseille University in France has even announced a “Safe Place for Science” to attract displaced experts. This situation might lead to a low dishonest decade of anger and fear, challenging the future of global research.
Instructions for Students:
Read the passage carefully. Answer the following questions based on your understanding:
- What is the main concern raised in the passage?
- How has Mr. Trump’s administration affected scientific research?
- What is the role of the National Science Foundation (NSF)?
- Why might international students be confused?
- What action have Canada and Europe taken in response?
- What historical example is provided?
- What is the “Safe Place for Science” initiative?
- What long-term effect is predicted?
Basics of Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension is a critical skill for exams like CUET, enabling students to understand, interpret, and analyze texts effectively. Here are the basics to guide students:
- Active Reading: Engage with the text by underlining key ideas, circling unfamiliar words, and noting the main points. Avoid passive skimming.
- Identify the Main Idea: Determine the central theme or purpose of the passage (e.g., a problem, solution, or argument).
- Understand Vocabulary in Context: Look at how words are used to grasp their meaning, rather than relying solely on prior knowledge.
- Make Inferences: Draw conclusions beyond the text based on hints or implications (e.g., predicting outcomes).
- Note Supporting Details: Pay attention to facts, examples, and evidence that support the main idea (e.g., dates, names, or events).
- Summarize: After reading, mentally or briefly summarize the passage to check understanding.
- Practice Question Types: Familiarize yourself with question formats like main idea, detail-based, inference, and vocabulary-in-context questions.
- Time Management: Allocate time to read and answer (e.g., 2-3 minutes per passage in CUET), practicing under timed conditions.
- Improve Vocabulary: Learn synonyms, antonyms, and contextual usage to decode complex sentences.
- Revisit and Review: Re-read tricky sections and cross-check answers with the passage to avoid errors.
Tip for Students: Practice daily with editorials or passages like this one, and discuss with peers to enhance comprehension skills.
- 10 Reading Comprehension (RC) MCQs: Focused on understanding the main ideas, details, and inferences from the text.
- 10 Rearrangement of Sentences MCQs: To form meaningful sentences by re-arranging phrases.
- 10 Other CUET English MCQs: Including vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms), analogies, and sentence correction, reflecting diverse CUET patterns.
- 20 Words with Synonyms and Antonyms: Extracted from the editorial for vocabulary enrichment.
50 MCQs for CUET English Preparation
10 Reading Comprehension (RC) MCQs
- What is the primary concern raised in the editorial about U.S. research?
- A) Lack of funding
- B) A possible exodus of expertise
- C) Overregulation of scientists
- D) Increase in student enrollment
- Answer: B
- According to the text, what action has Mr. Trump taken that affects science?
- A) Increased research grants
- B) Froze grants and disrupted research
- C) Promoted new science policies
- D) Hired more scientists
- Answer: B
- What is the role of the National Science Foundation (NSF) as mentioned?
- A) To regulate university admissions
- B) To fund and establish research
- C) To train international students
- D) To monitor climate change
- Answer: B
- What does the editorial suggest about the impact on international students?
- A) They are unaffected by U.S. policies
- B) They may face confusion and uncertainty
- C) They are guaranteed doctoral positions
- D) They are leaving due to better jobs
- Answer: B
- What is the potential outcome of a “research brain drain” according to the text?
- A) Enhanced U.S. scientific leadership
- B) Undermining U.S. promotion of expertise globally
- C) Increased funding for European research
- D) Stability in American universities
- Answer: B
- What example is given of a past “research brain drain”?
- A) Migration from Asia to Europe
- B) Jewish scientists leaving Germany in the 1930s
- C) Scientists moving to Africa
- D) U.S. scientists relocating to China
- Answer: B
- What is the stance of countries like Canada and Europe regarding U.S. scientists?
- A) They are restricting immigration
- B) They are increasing efforts to recruit them
- C) They are ignoring U.S. expertise
- D) They are collaborating with the U.S.
- Answer: B
- What does the editorial imply about Mr. Trump’s effect on science?
- A) It has strengthened U.S. research
- B) It has led to an assault on science
- C) It has no significant impact
- D) It has increased global cooperation
- Answer: B
- What is the “Safe Place for Science” announced by?
- A) The U.S. government
- B) The French University Aix-Marseille
- C) The European Union
- D) The National Science Foundation
- Answer: B
- What long-term effect is predicted due to the current situation?
- A) A decade of scientific prosperity
- B) A low dishonest decade of anger and fear
- C) Increased U.S. dominance in research
- D) Global scientific unity
- Answer: B
10 Rearrangement of Sentences MCQs
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) a possible exodus of expertise
(B) the Trump effect and
(C) the editorial discusses
(D) in the U.S.- (1) (C), (B), (A), (D)
- (2) (B), (A), (C), (D)
- (3) (D), (C), (B), (A)
- (4) (A), (D), (B), (C)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “The editorial discusses the Trump effect and a possible exodus of expertise in the U.S.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) froze research grants
(B) Mr. Trump
(C) and disrupted scientific work
(D) in the U.S.- (1) (B), (A), (C), (D)
- (2) (A), (C), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (A), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (A), (B)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “Mr. Trump froze research grants and disrupted scientific work in the U.S.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) international students
(B) may face confusion
(C) due to policy changes
(D) aspiring for doctoral studies- (1) (A), (D), (B), (C)
- (2) (B), (C), (A), (D)
- (3) (D), (A), (B), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (A), (B)
- Answer: (3)
- Explanation: “International students aspiring for doctoral studies may face confusion due to policy changes.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) a research brain drain
(B) the possibility of
(C) could undermine U.S. leadership
(D) is discussed- (1) (B), (D), (A), (C)
- (2) (A), (C), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (A), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (A), (B)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “The possibility of a research brain drain is discussed could undermine U.S. leadership.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) to recruit U.S. scientists
(B) Canada and Europe
(C) are increasing efforts
(D) due to the crisis- (1) (B), (C), (A), (D)
- (2) (C), (A), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (C), (A)
- (4) (A), (D), (C), (B)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “Canada and Europe are increasing efforts to recruit U.S. scientists due to the crisis.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) an assault on science
(B) Mr. Trump’s actions represent
(C) according to the editorial
(D) in the U.S.- (1) (C), (B), (A), (D)
- (2) (B), (A), (C), (D)
- (3) (D), (C), (B), (A)
- (4) (A), (D), (B), (C)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “According to the editorial, Mr. Trump’s actions represent an assault on science in the U.S.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) a Safe Place for Science
(B) Aix-Marseille University
(C) has announced
(D) in France- (1) (B), (C), (A), (D)
- (2) (C), (A), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (C), (A)
- (4) (A), (D), (C), (B)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “Aix-Marseille University has announced a Safe Place for Science in France.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) a low dishonest decade
(B) the editorial predicts
(C) of anger and fear
(D) due to current policies- (1) (B), (A), (C), (D)
- (2) (A), (C), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (A), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (A), (B)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “The editorial predicts a low dishonest decade of anger and fear due to current policies.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) Jewish scientists
(B) left Germany
(C) in the 1930s
(D) due to Nazi oppression- (1) (A), (B), (C), (D)
- (2) (B), (C), (A), (D)
- (3) (D), (A), (B), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (B), (A)
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: “Jewish scientists left Germany in the 1930s due to Nazi oppression.”
- Re-arrange the phrases to form a meaningful sentence:
(A) global academic exodus
(B) the U.S. seems inevitable
(C) from the country
(D) due to policy shifts- (1) (B), (A), (C), (D)
- (2) (A), (C), (B), (D)
- (3) (D), (B), (A), (C)
- (4) (C), (D), (A), (B)
- Answer: (3)
- Explanation: “Due to policy shifts, the U.S. seems inevitable a global academic exodus from the country.”
10 Other CUET English MCQs
- Replace the underlined word with the synonym: Mr. Trump disrupted research.
- (1) supported
- (2) disturbed
- (3) encouraged
- (4) ignored
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Disrupted” means disturbed, fitting the context of policy impact.
- What is the antonym for “expertise”?
- (1) Skill
- (2) Incompetence
- (3) Knowledge
- (4) Proficiency
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Expertise” means skill, and “incompetence” is its opposite.
- Teacher is to Guidance as Scientist is to _____.
- (1) Research
- (2) Teaching
- (3) Policy
- (4) Administration
- Answer: (1)
- Explanation: A teacher provides guidance, and a scientist conducts research.
- Replace the underlined word with the antonym: The policy is stable.
- (1) steady
- (2) unstable
- (3) firm
- (4) secure
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Stable” means steady, and “unstable” is its antonym.
- Choose the correct synonym for “exodus”.
- (1) Return
- (2) Departure
- (3) Arrival
- (4) Stay
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Exodus” means a mass departure, as seen with expertise leaving.
- What is the antonym for “recruit”?
- (1) Hire
- (2) Dismiss
- (3) Employ
- (4) Enlist
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Recruit” means to hire, and “dismiss” is its opposite.
- Policy is to Change as Science is to _____.
- (1) Stability
- (2) Innovation
- (3) Tradition
- (4) Routine
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: Policy undergoes change, and science drives innovation.
- Replace the underlined word with the synonym: The grant was frozen.
- (1) released
- (2) suspended
- (3) granted
- (4) approved
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Frozen” means suspended, fitting the context of funding.
- What is the antonym for “prosperity”?
- (1) Success
- (2) Wealth
- (3) Adversity
- (4) Growth
- Answer: (3)
- Explanation: “Prosperity” means success, and “adversity” is its opposite.
- Choose the correct synonym for “undermine”.
- (1) Strengthen
- (2) Weaken
- (3) Support
- (4) Enhance
- Answer: (2)
- Explanation: “Undermine” means to weaken, as in undermining U.S. leadership.
20 Words with Synonyms and Antonyms
- Expertise
- Synonyms: Skill, Proficiency, Knowledge
- Antonyms: Incompetence, Ignorance, Inability
- Exodus
- Synonyms: Departure, Migration, Exit
- Antonyms: Return, Arrival, Stay
- Disrupt
- Synonyms: Disturb, Interrupt, Upset
- Antonyms: Support, Maintain, Stabilize
- Recruit
- Synonyms: Hire, Enlist, Employ
- Antonyms: Dismiss, Fire, Release
- Freeze
- Synonyms: Suspend, Halt, Stop
- Antonyms: Release, Continue, Resume
- Undermine
- Synonyms: Weaken, Subvert, Sabotage
- Antonyms: Strengthen, Support, Enhance
- Prosperity
- Synonyms: Success, Wealth, Growth
- Antonyms: Adversity, Poverty, Decline
- Confusion
- Synonyms: Uncertainty, Bewilderment, Chaos
- Antonyms: Clarity, Certainty, Order
- Leadership
- Synonyms: Guidance, Direction, Authority
- Antonyms: Followership, Submission, Weakness
- Assault
- Synonyms: Attack, Onslaught, Strike
- Antonyms: Defense, Protection, Support
- Research
- Synonyms: Investigation, Study, Exploration
- Antonyms: Ignorance, Neglect, Avoidance
- Grant
- Synonyms: Award, Fund, Allocate
- Antonyms: Deny, Withhold, Refuse
- Impact
- Synonyms: Effect, Influence, Consequence
- Antonyms: Insignificance, Negligence, Inaction
- Crisis
- Synonyms: Emergency, Turmoil, Disaster
- Antonyms: Stability, Peace, Calm
- Opportunity
- Synonyms: Chance, Prospect, Possibility
- Antonyms: Limitation, Restriction, Obstacle
- Drain
- Synonyms: Deplete, Exhaust, Empty
- Antonyms: Fill, Replenish, Restore
- Recruitment
- Synonyms: Hiring, Enlistment, Selection
- Antonyms: Dismissal, Rejection, Termination
- Fear
- Synonyms: Anxiety, Dread, Alarm
- Antonyms: Courage, Confidence, Calmness
- Innovation
- Synonyms: Creativity, Invention, Advancement
- Antonyms: Stagnation, Tradition, Obsolete
- Policy
- Synonyms: Strategy, Guideline, Plan
- Antonyms: Chaos, Disorder, Randomness
