Reading Comprehension — Set 12

Read the following passage and answer questions RC161–RC165. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from the realm of science fiction to becoming a transformative force in everyday life. At its core, AI refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by computer systems, including learning, reasoning, and self-correction. Machine learning, a subset of AI, enables computers to learn from data without being explicitly programmed, while deep learning uses neural networks with many layers to process complex patterns. The applications of AI span virtually every industry. In healthcare, AI algorithms can diagnose diseases from medical images with accuracy rivalling experienced physicians. In agriculture, AI-powered drones monitor crops, detect pests, and optimise irrigation. Financial institutions use AI for fraud detection, risk assessment, and algorithmic trading. Even governance is being transformed — several governments are piloting AI systems for traffic management, public service delivery, and predictive policing. However, the rapid advancement of AI also raises profound concerns. Automation threatens to displace millions of workers across multiple sectors, creating what economists call 'technological unemployment'. Privacy is another major concern as AI systems often require vast amounts of personal data to function effectively. There are also fears about algorithmic bias — AI systems trained on historically biased data may perpetuate or even amplify existing social inequalities. Perhaps most existentially, some researchers warn about the risks of artificial general intelligence (AGI) — AI that exceeds human intelligence in all domains — though most experts consider this a distant possibility. India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released in 2018, identifies five focus sectors: healthcare, agriculture, education, smart cities, and smart mobility. India aims to leverage AI to address its unique development challenges while becoming a global hub for AI innovation. According to the passage, what is the primary purpose of machine learning?

Which of the following applications of AI in healthcare is mentioned in the passage?

The term 'technological unemployment' as used in the passage refers to which phenomenon?

What concern related to AI training data is highlighted in the passage?

Which sector is NOT mentioned in India's National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence as a focus sector?

Read the following passage and answer questions RC166–RC170. Microplastics — plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimetres — have emerged as one of the most pervasive and concerning pollutants of our time. They originate from two primary sources: primary microplastics, which are manufactured at a small size for use in cosmetics, personal care products, and industrial abrasives; and secondary microplastics, which result from the breakdown of larger plastic items through weathering, UV radiation, and physical abrasion. The scale of microplastic contamination is staggering. Researchers have found microplastics in the deepest ocean trenches, the highest mountain peaks, Arctic ice cores, and even in human blood and breast milk. A landmark 2019 study estimated that the average person ingests approximately 5 grams of microplastics per week — roughly equivalent to a credit card — primarily through contaminated water, seafood, and packaged food. The health implications are a subject of intense ongoing research. Microplastics can carry toxic chemicals and heavy metals, potentially disrupting hormonal systems and causing oxidative stress. Nanoplastics — even smaller fragments — can cross cellular membranes and blood-brain barriers, raising particularly serious health concerns. Marine ecosystems have been severely affected, with microplastics entering the food chain from plankton to fish to larger predators, including humans. Addressing microplastic pollution requires action at multiple levels. Individual actions include reducing single-use plastic consumption and washing synthetic fabrics less frequently (as laundry releases synthetic fibres). Policy measures include banning microbeads in cosmetics (which several countries have done), improving plastic waste management, and advancing biodegradable alternatives. Research into plastic-eating enzymes and bacteria also offers hope for future remediation. According to the passage, what are the two primary sources of microplastics?

What quantity of microplastics does the passage suggest the average person ingests per week?

Why are nanoplastics considered particularly concerning according to the passage?

Which of the following individual-level actions to reduce microplastic pollution is mentioned in the passage?

What does the passage suggest about the future of microplastic remediation?