Editorial Analysis 27th January 2025 PDF

Detailed grammatical solutions The Hindu EDITORIAL ANALYSIS Presents 27th January 2025 PREPARE FOR BANK (PO/ CLERK), SSC,UPSC, State PSC, CAT,CTET,RAILWAY EXAMS,CDS, TET, NDA/AIRFORCE, NET and all Govt. Exams  VOCABULARY 1. Adamant (दृढ़) Meani...

Detailed grammatical solutions The Hindu EDITORIAL ANALYSIS Presents 27th January 2025 PREPARE FOR BANK (PO/ CLERK), SSC,UPSC, State PSC, CAT,CTET,RAILWAY EXAMS,CDS, TET, NDA/AIRFORCE, NET and all Govt. Exams  VOCABULARY 1. Adamant (दृढ़) Meaning: Refusing to be persuaded or to change one's mind. Synonyms: Stubborn, unyielding, inflexible, resolute Antonyms: Flexible, yielding, compliant Example: Despite all the arguments, she remained adamant about her decision to pursue a career in arts. 2. Rosy (आशाजनक ) Meaning: Promising or optimistic in outlook. Synonyms: Hopeful, bright, favorable Antonyms: Bleak, discouraging, grim Example: With a new job and supportive colleagues, her future looked rosy.  VOCABULARY 3. Reluctant (अ नच्छुक ) Meaning: Unwilling or hesitant to do something. Synonyms: Hesitant, unwilling, disinclined Antonyms: Eager, willing, enthusiastic Example: He was reluctant to share his personal details with strangers. 4. Assertive (आत्म वश्वासी ) Meaning: Having or showing a confident and forceful personality. Synonyms: Confident, bold, self-assured Antonyms: Submissive, timid, passive Example: Being assertive in a workplace helps in expressing your ideas effectively.  VOCABULARY 5. Complacent (आत्मसं तुष्ट ) Meaning: Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements. Synonyms: Self-satisfied, smug, overconfident Antonyms: Concernead, dissatisfied, vigilant Example: The team became complacent after winning their first few matches. 6. Fulcrum (प्रधान आधार ) Meaning: The central or most important point of something. Synonyms: Pivot, core, crux Antonyms: Peripheral, insignificant, trivial Example: Education is the fulcrum of societal development.  VOCABULARY 7. Reinforce (सु दृढ़ करना ) Meaning: To strengthen or support, especially with additional personnel or material. Synonyms: Strengthen, fortify, bolster Antonyms: Weaken, undermine, diminish Example: The government aims to reinforce the healthcare system with more funding. 8. Rankle (चु भना ) Meaning: To cause persistent irritation or resentment. Synonyms: Irritate, annoy, vex, embitter Antonyms: Soothe, appease, calm, pacify Example: Her unfair criticism continued to rankle him for weeks.  VOCABULARY 9. Perish (नष्ट होना ) Meaning: To die, especially in a sudden, violent, or untimely way, or to come to an end. Synonyms: Die, expire, succumb, vanish Antonyms: Survive, thrive, endure, persist Example: Many ancient civilizations perished due to natural disasters. 10. Breakneck (अत्यं त तीव्र ग त) Meaning: Dangerously or extremely fast. Synonyms: Reckless, rapid, hasty, swift Antonyms: Slow, cautious, deliberate, steady Example: The driver took a breakneck turn on the winding mountain road.  VOCABULARY Phrasal Verbs: 1. Catch up Meaning: To reach the same level or standard as someone or something after falling behind. 2. Drop back Meaning: To move back or fall behind in position or progress. 3. Run away Meaning: To leave a place or situation quickly, often to avoid trouble or danger. 4. Turn up Meaning: To appear or arrive unexpectedly or after being awaited.  VOCABULARY Idioms & Phrases 1. Around the corner Meaning: it will happen very soon 2. Back to basics Meaning: to return to a simpler way of thinking or doing something 3. A bolt from the blue Meaning: a sudden and unexpected event or piece of news  VOCABULARY 4. Out of the red Meaning: to be financially stable or able to pay 5. School of thought Meaning: a particular way of thinking Article for Reading An enduring commitment to the Indo-Pacific The inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States marks an unparalleled comeback in American political history. It also signals a vital moment in global geopolitics, particularly for the Indo-Pacific region. During his first term, Mr. Trump redefined U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific. As he embarks on his second term, expectations of a more assertive U.S. security posture and strengthened alliances are high. The presence of the foreign ministers from India, Japan, and Australia — America’s key Quad partners — at the inauguration underscores the strategic importance of this grouping in Mr. Trump’s foreign policy vision. With the Indo-Pacific being central to U.S.’s strategic priorities, Trump 2.0 signals a renewed focus on deepening defence, economic, and technological cooperation with ‘like-minded’ nations to address persisting and emerging challenges, while ensuring regional stability. Mr. Trump’s first term marked a pivotal shift in Washington’s approach to this region, redefining the strategic landscape in three ways. First, under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. adopted the term ‘Indo-Pacific’, replacing the previously favoured ‘Asia-Pacific’, which reflected a recalibration of the geopolitical lens, moving beyond a focus solely on East Asia and the Pacific Rim to encompass a wider area critical for global trade, security, and strategic stability. The term expanded the geographic focus to include the Indian Ocean, emphasising the importance of securing sea lines of communication, addressing maritime challenges, and underscoring the U.S.’s intent to counterbalance China’s growing influence. The Indo-Pacific expanded the strategic narrative, integrating defence, security, and political considerations alongside economic cooperation. Second, there were structural changes in the U.S. defence and security framework, including the renaming of the U.S. Pacific Command as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in 2018, reflecting the operational import accorded to the Indo-Pacific. The Office of the Secretary of Defence was reorganised to establish specialised units focusing on Indo-Pacific allies and partners. Third, the revival of the Quad underscored the Trump administration’s recognition of the Indo-Pacific as the fulcrum of 21st century geopolitics, reflecting a pragmatic convergence of interests among its members. The U.S. provided a robust push to institutionalise the grouping. The Trump administration elevated the Quad dialogue to the ministerial level, laying the groundwork for deeper collaboration in maritime security, supply chain resilience, and technological standards. The Joe Biden administration inherited the Indo-Pacific framework and maintained its strategic centrality. Mr. Biden elevated the Quad further by convening the first-ever Quad leaders’ summit in 2021, marking a significant institutional leap. He emphasised multilateralism and sought to broaden the Quad’s agenda by initiating collaboration on vaccines, climate change, critical technologies, and infrastructure development. He also introduced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in 2022, complementing the strategic focus with economic engagement. Summary Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th President of the United States signifies a historic political comeback and a critical juncture for global geopolitics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Trump's first term was transformative, redefining U.S. policy in the region through the adoption of the "Indo-Pacific" term, structural changes in defense operations (e.g., renaming the Pacific Command as Indo-Pacific Command), and the revival of the Quad alliance involving India, Japan, and Australia. These steps emphasized maritime security, countering China's influence, and fostering defense and economic cooperation. While Joe Biden maintained and expanded the Indo-Pacific framework by hosting the first Quad leaders’ summit and broadening its agenda to include climate, vaccines, and technology, Trump's second term is expected to prioritize a more assertive U.S. presence, deeper alliances, and regional stability. Tone: The tone is analytical and anticipatory, outlining past achievements in U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy and setting expectations for a more assertive and focused approach during Trump’s second term. Reading Comprehension Based on the above passage, answer the following questions: Question 1: What does the presence of foreign ministers from India, Japan, and Australia at Trump’s inauguration signify? a) The establishment of new economic agreements with the U.S. b) The formation of a formal military alliance under the Quad. c) The strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific in Trump’s foreign policy. d) The prioritization of climate change initiatives within the Quad. e) None of the above Question 2: Which of the following best captures the overarching significance of Trump’s Indo-Pacific strategy as described in the passage? a) It solely aimed to counterbalance China’s influence in the region. b) It marked a comprehensive recalibration of U.S. geopolitical focus and partnerships. c) It reduced the emphasis on economic cooperation in favor of defence strategies. d) It introduced a multilateral framework for addressing global environmental issues. e) None of the above Question 3: Which of the following best describes the shift in geopolitical terminology initiated during Trump’s first term? a) A move from ‘Asia-Pacific’ to ‘Indo-Pacific’ to reflect a broader geographic and strategic scope. b) A transition from economic-centric policies to solely defence-focused strategies. c) A change from multilateral engagements to bilateral agreements in the region. d) A pivot from focusing on China to addressing broader global challenges. e) None of the above Article for Skimming Learn to unlearn It was the Greek philosopher Antisthenes who said, “The most useful piece of learning for the uses of life is to unlearn what is untrue.” As I age, I realise how important it is to unlearn many of the things that I have been taught from my childhood. Like a peace skill that would make us wise, we need to learn to unlearn at every point of our life. The most important thing necessary for unlearning is an open mind. An adamant heart and mind can never unlearn. When you know something is untrue, a person with an open mind will be quick to start the process of unlearning. This eventually leads to knowledge and also peace in all relationships. People who refuse to unlearn lose these beautiful things. In most cases, they refuse to unlearn not because they do not see the truth but because they only want to see what they want to see and not the truth. Thirty years ago, parents in every middle class household in India wanted to educate their wards so that they start earning well and have a rosy future. Education was seen as a tool to earn money. Now we have unlearned a few things. Both mental and physical health are getting prioritised and children are encouraged to develop skills of their choice and excel in them. Hence we see many first-generation entrepreneurs around us. Of course, many of you may argue that all this comes only after some financial stability. Not necessarily. Indian middle-class and even lower middle-class families have evolved and learned to unlearn. Now you can see parents encouraging their children to go after excellence and not monetary improvements alone. What really stops us from unlearning is a fear of failure. We are so very used to our old ideas that we fear that shedding it and embracing something new may put us into trouble. We as human beings are capable of unlearning if we are capable of learning. We have embraced technology with a bang. We don’t use the same brick-like phones that we used some years ago. We are fast becoming a cashless society, using many payment apps for our convenience. For a society that can adapt to fast technological changes, isn’t it a bit funny that we still cannot come out of our age-old superstitious practices? Is patriarchy so deep in our veins that we are still reluctant to treat our girls as equals? Isn’t it a typical case of our psyche refusing to unlearn? Aren’t marriages still getting arranged after the horoscopes match? Isn’t it high time we recognised that two mature adults should be able to make life’s decisions themselves? It is again the fear factor that deters us from unlearning some of our outdated practices and embrace new things. If the saying that change is the only constant in the world is true, shouldn’t we add unlearning is the most important thing that human beings must learn to evolve into better human beings? Unlearning is the most positive part of our learning process in life. Every positive development personal or professional, come to us after we prepare ourselves to unlearn and move forward with new ideas and new beliefs. Question 4: According to the passage, how has the perspective of Indian middle-class families toward education evolved? a) They prioritize monetary gains over skill development. b) They still view education primarily as a tool for financial stability. c) They now encourage children to pursue excellence in their chosen fields. d) They discourage entrepreneurship due to financial risks. e) None of the above Question 5: What overarching message does the author convey about unlearning? a) It is a slow and challenging process that requires societal consensus. b) It is the foundation for personal and societal progress. c) It is an inevitable outcome of technological advancements. d) It is only relevant in the context of education and career choices. e) None of the above Today's Descriptive Question: Original Text: The global energy crisis refers to the widespread challenges in meeting the world’s growing demand for energy due to constrained supplies, rising costs, and geopolitical tensions. This crisis affects the availability and affordability of energy resources, including fossil fuels, renewable energy, and electricity. Rooted in a combination of economic, environmental, and political factors, the energy crisis poses significant threats to global stability, economic development, and environmental sustainability. A primary driver of the energy crisis is the heavy reliance on finite fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. These resources are unevenly distributed globally, making supply chains vulnerable to geopolitical conflicts and trade restrictions. Additionally, the transition to renewable energy, though vital for sustainability, has been slow due to high costs, technological barriers, and inadequate infrastructure. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains, and the Russia-Ukraine war, which destabilized global oil and gas markets, have further exacerbated the situation. The impacts of the energy crisis are far-reaching. Skyrocketing energy prices strain household budgets, increase inflation, and slow industrial output. In many developing nations, energy shortages limit access to electricity, affecting education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. The crisis also highlights the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions to address climate change and reduce dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets. Addressing the global energy crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, including diversifying energy sources, accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, and fostering international cooperation. Innovation, investments, and policy reforms will be crucial in navigating this pressing global challenge. Precis The global energy crisis stems from constrained energy supplies, rising costs, and geopolitical conflicts, driven by reliance on finite fossil fuels and slow renewable energy transitions. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical tensions have worsened the crisis, affecting economies, households, and energy access in developing nations. The crisis underscores the need for sustainable energy solutions to mitigate climate change and reduce fossil fuel dependency. Diversifying energy sources, adopting renewables, enhancing efficiency, and fostering international collaboration are essential to overcoming this global challenge.  Write an email to the HR department of a company, inquiring about any job vacancies in your field of expertise. Include your key skills and attach your resume for reference. To: ………[email protected] Subject: Inquiry About Job Vacancies in [Field of Expertise] Dear [HR Manager's Name/ Hiring Team], I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I am writing to inquire about potential job openings at [Company Name] that align with my expertise in [Your Field of Expertise]. I have [X years] of experience as a [Your Current/Previous Role], during which I have honed my skills in [Key Skill 1], [Key Skill 2], and [Key Skill 3]. At my current/previous organization, [Organization Name], I have contributed to [mention any notable achievements or responsibilities relevant to the company you're applying to]. With a strong passion for [relevant aspect of the industry/field], I believe my skill set and experience would make a valuable addition to your team. Attached to this email, you will find my updated resume, which provides further details about my professional background and accomplishments. I would be delighted to explore any opportunities where I can contribute to the success of [Company Name]. Please let me know if there are any openings that align with my profile or if you require any additional information. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to your esteemed organization. Best regards, [Your Full Name] [Your Contact Information] Match the column 1. Around the corner A. a sudden and unexpected event 2. Back to basics B. to be financially stable or able to pay 3. A bolt from the blue C. it will happen very soon 4. Out of the red D. a particular way of thinking 5. School of thought E. to return to a simpler way of thinking Answer: 1-c 2-e 3-a 4-b 5-d Vocabulary 1. Adamant: 2. Rosy: 3. Reluctant: 4. Assertive: 5. Complacent: 6. Fulcrum: 7. Reinforce: 8. Rankle: 9. Perish: 10. Breakneck: Rc ans 1. Ans: c Explanation: The passage highlights that the presence of Quad partners’ foreign ministers at the inauguration underscores the centrality of the Indo-Pacific to Trump’s strategic priorities. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: a) No specific economic agreements are mentioned in this context. b) The Quad is not a formal military alliance. d) Climate change initiatives were not the focus of this reference. 2. Ans: b Explanation: The passage details how Trump’s strategy broadened the U.S.’s geopolitical focus to include the Indian Ocean, emphasized maritime challenges, and strengthened partnerships through the Quad, reflecting a recalibration of priorities. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: a) While counterbalancing China was a key goal, the strategy was broader. c) Economic cooperation remained an integral part alongside defence strategies. d) Environmental issues were addressed more prominently under Biden, not Trump. 3. Ans: a Explanation: The passage emphasizes that the term ‘Indo-Pacific’ expanded the U.S.’s focus beyond East Asia and the Pacific Rim to include the Indian Ocean, reflecting a broader strategic and geographic approach. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: b) The strategies included both economic and defence considerations, not solely defence. c) Multilateral engagements like the Quad were emphasized, not reduced. d) While countering China was a focus, the shift was not exclusively away from broader challenges. 4. Ans: c Explanation: The passage mentions that Indian families have unlearned the earlier notion of education solely for earning money and now encourage children to focus on skills and excellence. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: a) The shift away from monetary focus is explicitly mentioned. b) The focus on financial stability is acknowledged but is no longer the sole priority. d) Entrepreneurship is seen positively, not discouraged. 5. Ans: b Explanation: The passage emphasizes that unlearning outdated ideas and embracing new beliefs are vital for both personal and professional development, portraying it as a cornerstone of progress. Why Other Options Are Incorrect: a) While challenging, the emphasis is not on consensus or slowness. c) Unlearning is linked to adaptability, not solely technology. d) It is relevant beyond education and career.