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Troubled waters: On India, Sri Lanka and the fisheries dispute
India and Sri Lanka must facilitate discussions among their fishermen
In the latest chapter of the long-standing fisheries dispute in the Palk Bay region, the Sri Lankan Navy
arrested 14 fishermen from Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district on February 8 for alleged
poaching in waters north of Mannar. Two trawlers were also impounded. On January 27, the Navy
fired at an Indian boat near Delft Island, injuring two fishermen. With these arrests, the total number
of Indian fishermen detained this year has risen to 77. Just last week, a Sri Lankan court released nine
fishermen from Karaikal, Puducherry, but one other person received a six-month prison sentence.
Additionally, Sri Lankan courts have been imposing hefty fines, complicating their release.
Government data over the past decade, based on responses in Parliament, show that in 2024, the
number of Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka crossed the 500-mark for the first time in 10 years
(528). There were 787 arrests in 2014.
In a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on February 3, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.
Stalin said that 97 fishermen and 216 fishing boats were still under the custody of Sri Lanka. Unlike in
the past, when they were quickly released, recent years have seen rising convictions for violations of
the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and unlawful fishing. While Tamil Nadu and
Puducherry fishermen often cross the IMBL, their counterparts in Sri Lanka’s Tamil-speaking Northern
Province, who are still recovering from the civil war, oppose their fishing methods, particularly
ecologically destructive bottom trawling. Northern Sri Lankan fishermen are seeking a sustainable
solution that protects their waters from over-exploitative fishing. Indian fishermen have repeatedly
sought a fresh round of talks with their Sri Lankan counterparts, with the last such meeting having
taken place in November 2016. The issue was also raised in the most recent Joint Working Group
meeting in Colombo last October. However, the Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led Sri Lankan
government appears reluctant to negotiate. New Delhi and Colombo must recognise that a fresh
approach is required to break the deadlock rather than continuing with a business-as-usual mindset.
Unlike the cases of Indian fishermen detained in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, the
arrests in Sri Lanka are significantly higher. New Delhi must introduce incentives to encourage Palk
Bay fishermen to move away from trawling. While this shift will take time, both governments must
facilitate immediate discussions between their fishing communities to find interim solutions. It is only
through proactive diplomacy and sustainable fishing policies that this ongoing conflict can be
addressed effectively. [Practice Exercise]
Red/blue coloring of words in the sentence Indicates subject verb relationship; where ‘red’
denotes ‘subject’ and ‘blue’ denotes ‘verb’.
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Vocabulary
1. Troubled waters (phrase) – A situation of 12. Decade (noun) – Period of ten years द
difficulty, conflict, or uncertainty.
13. Unlike (preposition) – Different from,
Contrary to, In contrast to, Distinct from,
2. Facilitate (verb) – Enable, Assist, Ease, Opposed to
Promote, Support
14. Conviction (noun) – Verdict, Judgment,
3. Long-standing (adjective) – Enduring, Sentence, Ruling, Decision द
Persistent, Long-lasting, Established,
15. Counterpart (noun) – Equivalent, Peer,
Chronic य आ
Match, Colleague, Partner
4. Alleged (adjective) – Supposed, Claimed,
16. Ecologically (adverb) – Environmentally,
Reported, Purported, Accused
Naturally, Sustainably, Greenly,
5. Poaching (noun) – Illegal hunting, Biologically
Trespassing, Stealing, Unlawful fishing,
17. Destructive (adjective) – Harmful,
Theft
Damaging, Devastating, Ruinous,
6. Trawler (noun) – Fishing boat, Vessel, Ship, Catastrophic
Dinghy, Craft
18. Bottom trawling (noun) – Deep-sea
fishing, Dragnet fishing, Net fishing,
7. Impounded (adjective) – Confiscated,
Seabed fishing, Trawl fishing
Seized, Taken, Held, Detained य
आ
19. Seek (verb) – Search, Pursue, Request,
8. Detain (verb) – Arrest, Hold, Confine,
Aim, Strive
Apprehend, Restrain
20. Sustainable (adjective) – Eco-friendly,
9. Impose (verb) – Enforce, Levy, Apply,
Renewable, Viable, Enduring,
Inflict, Introduce
Maintainable ऊ
10. Hefty (adjective) – Large, Substantial,
21. Over-exploitative (adjective) – Excessive,
Heavy, Considerable, Significant
Unsustainable, Greedy, Depleting,
11. Complicate (verb) – Confuse, Entangle, Exploitative य द
Aggravate, Obstruct, Muddle
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22. Take place (phrase) – To happen or 28. Incentive (noun) – Motivation,
occur. Encouragement, Stimulus, Reward,
Spur
23. Reluctant (adjective) – Hesitant, Unwilling,
Resistant, Disinclined, Cautious 29. Interim (adjective) – Temporary,
Provisional, Transitional, Short-term,
24. Negotiate (verb) – Discuss, Bargain, Stopgap
Mediate, Confer, Settle
30. Proactive (adjective) – Active, Initiative,
25. Deadlock (noun) – Stalemate, Impasse, Forward-looking, Preventive,
Standstill, Gridlock, Standoff Dynamic य
26. Business-as-usual (adjective) – Routine, 31. Diplomacy (noun) – Negotiation,
Normal, Standard, Regular, Typical Statesmanship, Tact, Mediation,
Dialogue
27. Detain (verb) – Arrest, Hold, Confine, 32. Sustainable (adjective) – Eco-friendly,
Renewable, Viable, Enduring,
Apprehend, Restrain
Maintainable ऊ
33. Address (verb) – Tackle, Handle, Resolve,
Confront, Manage
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Summary of the Editorial
1. Recent Arrests: On February 8, the Sri Lankan Navy arrested 14 Indian fishermen and impounded two
trawlers for alleged poaching in Sri Lankan waters.
2. Violence and Injuries: On January 27, the Sri Lankan Navy fired at an Indian boat, injuring two
fishermen near Delft Island.
3. Rising Detentions: In 2024, the number of Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka crossed 500 for the
first time in a decade, with 528 arrests so far.
4. Historical Context: Arrests peaked at 787 in 2014, but recent years have seen a resurgence in
detentions and stricter penalties.
5. Current Custody: As of February 3, 97 Indian fishermen and 216 fishing boats remain in Sri Lankan
custody.
6. Stricter Convictions: Unlike earlier quick releases, recent years have seen increased convictions and
hefty fines for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
7. Tamil Nadu’s Concerns: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has urged External Affairs Minister S.
Jaishankar to address the issue, highlighting the plight of detained fishermen.
8. Fishing Methods Conflict: Indian fishermen often use bottom trawling, which is ecologically destructive
and opposed by Sri Lankan Tamil-speaking fishermen in the Northern Province.
9. Sri Lankan Fishermen’s Plight: Northern Sri Lankan fishermen, still recovering from the civil war, seek
sustainable fishing practices to protect their waters.
10. Call for Talks: Indian fishermen have repeatedly requested fresh talks with Sri Lankan counterparts,
with the last meeting held in November 2016.
11. Joint Working Group: The issue was discussed in the October 2023 Joint Working Group meeting in
Colombo, but no resolution was reached.
12. Sri Lanka’s Reluctance: The Sri Lankan government, led by Anura Kumara Dissanayake, appears
unwilling to engage in negotiations.
13. Need for Fresh Approach: Both India and Sri Lanka must move beyond a business-as-usual mindset to
resolve the deadlock.
14. Incentives for Change: New Delhi should incentivize Indian fishermen to transition away from trawling
to more sustainable fishing practices.
15. Proactive Diplomacy: Immediate discussions between fishing communities and sustainable policies are
essential to address the conflict effectively.
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Practice Exercise: SSC Pattern Based
1. What is the tone of the passage? [Editorial page]
A. Alarmist
B. Sarcastic
C. Critical yet solution-oriented
D. Humorous
2. Based on government data over the past decade, in which year did the number of Indian
fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka cross the 500-mark for the first time in 10 years?
A. 2022
B. 2023
C. 2024
D. 2015
3. Fill in the blank: The Sri Lankan courts have been imposing ________, complicating the
release of Indian fishermen.
A. hefty fines
B. travel restrictions
C. permanent bans
D. reduced sentences
4. What can be inferred about the primary cause of tensions between Indian and Sri Lankan
fishermen?
A. The Indian fishermen are intentionally violating international laws.
B. Sri Lankan fishermen are unwilling to cooperate with their Indian counterparts.
C. The dispute arises due to ecological concerns and differences in fishing methods.
D. India does not take any action to resolve the dispute.
5. Why is the Sri Lankan government reluctant to negotiate with India on the fisheries dispute?
A. They fear losing control over their territorial waters.
B. They believe previous negotiations have not resulted in meaningful change.
C. They are waiting for international intervention.
D. They prioritize economic agreements over fishing disputes.
6. Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word.
She recieved a beautiful surprise from her partner.
A. Surprise
B. Partner
C. Beautiful
D. Received
7. Change the following sentence into positive degree.
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system
A. Mercury is smaller than any other planet in the solar system.
B. The most smallest planet in the solar system is mercury.
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C. Mercury is the smallest planet than any other one.
D. No other planet is as small as Mercury in the Solar System
8. Select the sentence that has a grammatical error
A. She asked an easy question, and I took an hour to crack it.
B. After a tiring day, I had a cup of coffee with Sudhir.
C. She saw an excellent episode of the series.
D. There is a man sitting beside cat
9. Select the most appropriate option with the correct usage of the preposition to substitute
the underlined segment in the given sentence.
World Press Freedom Day will be dedicated to the importance of journalism and freedom in
expression in the context of the current global environmental crisis.
A. freedom on expression
B. freedom at expression
C. freedom from expression
D. freedom of expression
10. Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence.
Dolphins are named among the intelligent animals on earth
A. intelligentest
B. more intelligent
C. most intelligent
D. intelligenter
11. Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
The allowance that is given by a husband to his wife on separation
A. Affianced
B. Matrimonial
C. Dowry
D. Alimony
12. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The teacher asked us to _________ our homework by tomorrow
A. completes
B. completed
C. completing
D. complete
13. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
The library books were long __________________, their pages bearing the weight of the
passage of time.
A. overdate
B. overdue
C. overdrew
D. overdo
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14. The bat flew silently through the night, searching for insects to eat. The bat in this context
refers to _______.
A. mammal known for nocturnal flight and insect consumption
B. a measurement unit in digital information systems
C. a wooden tool utilised in sports like baseball or cricket
D. the act of delivering a forceful strike or hit
15. Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined words in the given
sentence.
Thousands of people were killed by the train accident that took place last Wednesday
A. killed in
B. killed of
C. killed from
D. killed to
16. Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank.
I will try to _______ because he is a good friend of mine
A. show him the door
B. stop him in his tracks
C. avoid him like the plague
D. get him off the hook
17. Select the most appropriate synonym of the underlined word.
Samira is a lady who needs extrinsic motivation and will not work on her own.
A. Amicable
B. Intriguing
C. Outward
D. Adventurous
18. Select the most appropriate ANTONYM of the underlined word in the given sentence.
He was not able to answer as the question was ambiguous.
A. Clear
B. Unsuitable
C. Deep
D. Superficial
19. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
Caught in a time warp
A. To make extra effort
B. To remain unchanged from a time in the past
C. To be extremely happy
D. To avoid talking about what’s important
20. Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined words in the given
sentence.
In the beauty contest, Parul won the award for being the beautiful one.
A. less beautiful
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B. more beautiful
C. least beautiful
D. most beautiful
Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and
select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Forests provide essential ecosystem services (1)__________ benefit both the environment and
human society. One crucial service is carbon sequestration, as forests absorb and store large
amounts of carbon dioxide, helping mitigate climate change. Additionally, forests regulate
water cycles (2)__________ influencing precipitation patterns and maintaining water quality.
(3)__________, forests offer recreational opportunities, cultural significance, and economic
benefits through timber production and (4)__________. Thus, preserving and sustainably
managing forests is imperative for maintaining thes (5)__________ ecosystem services.
21. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 1.
A. that
B. then
C. this
D. than
22. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 2.
A. about
B. by
C. off
D. between
23. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 3.
A. As long as
B. Though
C. Whatever
D. Moreover
24. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 4.
A. industrialisation
B. deforestation
C. ecotourism
D. degradation
25. Select the most appropriate option to fill in blank number 5.
A. vitalise
B. vitality
C. vital
D. vitally
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Answers
1. C 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. B 6. D 7. D 8. D 9. D 10.C 11.D
12. D 13.B 14.A 15.A 16.D 17.C 18.A 19.B 20.D 21.A 22.B
23. D 24.C 25.C [Practice Exercise]
Explanations
1. C) Critical yet solution-oriented
The passage highlights shortcomings in the current approach (critical) and emphasizes the
need for new strategies and direct discussions (solution-oriented).
A: The passage does express concern, but it does not resort to sensational or panic-driven
language.
B: There is no mocking or ironic tone in the passage; it remains serious and factual.
D: The topic is a serious international dispute; there is no attempt at humor.
2. C) 2024
The passage states, "Government data over the past decade, based on responses in
Parliament, show that in 2024, the number of Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka crossed
the 500-mark for the first time in 10 years (528)."
A. 2022 – The passage does not mention any data about 2022 crossing the 500-mark.
B. 2023 – There is no mention of 2023 reaching this milestone.
D. 2015 – The only other year mentioned in the passage with high arrests was 2014 (787), not
2015.
3. A) hefty fines
The passage states, "Additionally, Sri Lankan courts have been imposing hefty fines,
complicating their release." This confirms that "hefty fines" is the correct answer.
A. The passage does not mention any travel restrictions being imposed.
C. There is no mention of permanent bans in the passage.
D. The passage states that one fisherman received a six-month prison sentence, which
indicates punishment rather than a reduced sentence.
4. C) The dispute arises due to ecological concerns and differences in fishing methods.
The passage highlights that Sri Lankan fishermen oppose the ecologically destructive bottom
trawling used by Indian fishermen. The issue is not just about legal boundaries but also about
the sustainability of marine resources.
A (Incorrect): The passage does not state that Indian fishermen are intentionally violating laws;
it acknowledges that they cross the IMBL, but their main concern is livelihood, not deliberate
law-breaking.
B (Incorrect): The passage mentions that Sri Lankan fishermen seek a sustainable solution, not
that they are entirely unwilling to cooperate. Their concerns are environmental rather than
purely political.
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D (Incorrect): India has been involved in multiple discussions and has raised the issue in
meetings, indicating active efforts rather than inaction.
5. B) They believe previous negotiations have not resulted in meaningful change.
The passage states that despite previous discussions (the last major meeting in 2016 and the
recent Joint Working Group meeting in October), there has been no resolution, leading to
reluctance from the Sri Lankan side to engage in further negotiations.
A (Incorrect): The passage does not suggest that Sri Lanka fears losing control over its waters;
rather, their main concern is over-exploitative fishing by Indian trawlers.
C (Incorrect): There is no mention in the passage of Sri Lanka waiting for international
intervention. The focus is on bilateral discussions.
D (Incorrect): The passage does not indicate that Sri Lanka is prioritizing economic agreements
over the fishing dispute; it emphasizes the lack of resolution in past discussions as a key reason
for reluctance.
6. D) The incorrect spelling in the sentence is ‘Recieved’, which should be correctly spelled as
‘Received’. It means “to be given, presented with, or paid something” प्राप्त कयना.
7. D) No other planet is as small as Mercury in the Solar System
No other planet is as small as Mercury' का use होगा क्मोंकक Positive Degree भें तुरना कयते सभम
"No other" के साथ "as + adjective + as" का प्रमोग होता है औय वाक्म का अथथ बी वही यहता है ; जैस—
े
No other city is as beautiful as Jaipur.
No other planet is as small as Mercury' will be used because, in the Positive Degree, "No other"
is used with "as + adjective + as" for comparison, and the meaning of the sentence remains the
same; Like— No other city is as beautiful as Jaipur.
8. D) ‘There is a man sitting beside cat" भें "cat" के ऩहरे "the" का प्रमोग होना चाहहए, क्मोंकक ककसी
ववशेष वस्तु का उल्रेख कयने के लरए "the" का उऩमोग होता है। cat' ए countable noun औ इ
article य आ य ; — There is a man sitting beside the cat.
In "There is a man sitting beside cat", the article "the" is needed before "cat" because we are
referring to a specific object. So, the correct sentence should be— "There is a man sitting
beside the cat."
9. D) freedom in expression' द 'freedom of expression' use क्यों 'freedom of
expression' is standard phrase थ ‘ व्य क् त्र ’; — Everyone has
the right to freedom of expression.
'freedom of expression' will be used instead of 'freedom in expression' because 'freedom of
expression' is a standard phrase meaning ‘the right to express one's opinions’; Like— Everyone
has the right to freedom of expression.
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10. C) 'most intelligent' द 'most intelligent' य क्यों 'intelligent' ए
polysyllabic adjective औ इ superlative , 'most' य य
; — Dolphins are named among the most intelligent animals on earth.
'most intelligent' will be used because 'intelligent' is a polysyllabic adjective, and for its
superlative form, 'most' is used; Like— Dolphins are named among the most intelligent animals
on earth.
11. D) Alimony (noun) – The allowance that is given by a husband to his wife on separation. बयण-
ऩोषण
Affianced (adjective) – Engaged to be married. भॊगेतय
Matrimonial (adjective) – Relating to marriage or the relationship between husband
and wife. वैवाहहक
Dowry (noun) – Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their
marriage. दहे ज
12. D) 'Complete' का use होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ ऩय teacher ने कहा है कक हभें homework कर तक ऩूया कयना
है , जो कक एक साभान्म आदे श मा ननदे श है । 'Complete' महाॉ verb की base form है , जो इस context भें
सही है ।
वहीॊ, 'Completes' का अथथ है 'वह ऩूणथ कयता है ', जो subject के लरए सही नहीॊ है , 'Completed' past tense
है , जो महाॉ सभम के सॊदबथ भें ठीक नहीॊ है , औय 'Completing' verb का gerund form है , जो बी इस
context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
'Complete' will be used because the teacher is giving a general instruction to complete the
homework by tomorrow. 'Complete' is the base form of the verb, making it the correct choice
here. 'Completes' refers to a third-person singular action, 'Completed' is past tense, which
doesn’t match the context, and 'Completing' is the gerund form, which doesn’t fit here.
13. B) 'Overdue' का use होगा क्मोंकक "overdue" का अथथ होता है जो सभम ऩय नहीॊ हुआ हो, जैसे ककसी
चीज़ का सभम ऩूया हो चक
ु ा हो। महाॉ ऩय मह सॊदबथ ऩुस्तकें हैं जो सभम ऩय नहीॊ रौटाई गईं औय उनका ऩष्ृ ठ
सभम की दफाव को सहन कय यहा है , इसलरए 'overdue' सही है । जफकक 'Overdate' का कोई अथथ नहीॊ है ,
'Overdrew' का अथथ है अधधक ऩैसे खीॊचना, औय 'Overdo' का अथथ है अधधक कयना, जो इस सॊदबथ भें
उऩमुक्त नहीॊ हैं।
'Overdue' will be used because it means something that is past its expected time, like books
that were not returned on time, and their pages are bearing the weight of time. In this context,
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'overdue' fits best. 'Overdate' has no meaning, 'Overdrew' means to take out more money than
is available, and 'Overdo' means to do something excessively, which is not applicable here.
14. A) ‘mammal known for nocturnal flight and insect consumption' का use होगा क्मोंकक "bat" का
अथथ एक स्तनधायी प्राणी होता है जो यात भें उड़ता है औय कीड़े खाता है । वाक्म भें फतामा गमा है कक "The
bat flew silently through the night, searching for insects to eat," जो इस प्राणी के सॊदबथ भें है ।
mammal known for nocturnal flight and insect consumption' will be used because the word
"bat" refers to a mammal that flies at night and feeds on insects. The sentence mentions "The
bat flew silently through the night, searching for insects to eat," which clearly refers to the
animal, making A the correct choice.
15. A) killed by' के फदरे 'killed in' का use होगा क्मोंकक ककसी दघ
ु ट
थ ना मा घटना भें भाये जाने ऩय 'in' का
प्रमोग होता है । 'by' का प्रमोग ककसी व्मक्क्त मा कायण से भाये जाने ऩय होता है। महाॊ ऩय दघ
ु ट
थ ना का सॊदबथ
है , अत् 'in' सही होगा
'killed in' will be used instead of 'killed by' because when referring to a death caused by an
event or accident, we use 'in'. 'By' is used when referring to death caused by a person or a
specific cause. Since the context refers to an accident, 'in' is the correct preposition.
16. D) Get him off the hook (phrase)- To free someone from blame, responsibility, or difficulty
द , ़िम् द , य ि ई क् द ।
When someone is “off the hook,” it means they are no longer responsible for a problem or
trouble they were previously involved in.
17. C) Extrinsic (adjective) – External, coming from outside, not inherent. फाहयी, फाह्म
Synonym: Outward (adjective) – Directed or moving toward the outside; external. फाहयी
Amicable (adjective) – Friendly, peaceable. दोस्ताना
Intriguing (adjective) – Arousing curiosity or interest; fascinating. हदरचस्ऩ
Adventurous (adjective) – Willing to take risks or try out new things; daring. साहसी
18. A) Ambiguous (adjective) – Unclear, open to more than one interpretation, vague, confusing,
uncertain. अस्ऩष्ट
Antonym: Clear (adjective) – Easy to understand, free from confusion, transparent, definite.
स्ऩष्ट
Unsuitable (adjective) – Not appropriate or fitting for a particular purpose, improper.
अनुऩमुक्त
Deep (adjective) – Having a great depth, profound, intense. गहया
Superficial (adjective) – Shallow, lacking depth or thoroughness, surface-level. सतही
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19. B) Caught in a time warp (idiom) – To remain unchanged from a time in the past
Stuck in an outdated or old-fashioned way of thinking, living, or behaving, as if time has not
moved forward.( य , , य व्य फँ आ, यआ
ढ ।)
20. 'D) ‘beautiful' के फदरे 'most beautiful' का use होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ ऩय 'award' की फात की जा यही है ,
जो कक सवोत्तभ का सॊकेत कयता है , औय comparative degree (जैसे 'more beautiful') औय
superlative degree (जैसे 'most beautiful') भें पकथ होता है । इस भाभरे भें , हभ superlative degree का
प्रमोग कयें गे, क्मोंकक प्रनतमोधगता भें ककसी एक व्मक्क्त को सफसे सॊद
ु य घोवषत ककमा गमा है ।
'most beautiful' will be used instead of 'beautiful' because the sentence talks about the
award, which refers to the best or the highest in comparison. In this case, we will use the
superlative degree 'most beautiful,' as the contest declares one person to be the most
beautiful
21. A) That' का use होगा क्मोंकक मह एक relative pronoun है जो ककसी चीज़ को जोड़ता है , जैसा कक महाॉ
'essential ecosystem services' के फाये भें फात हो यही है जो 'benefit both the environment and
human society' को स्ऩष्ट रूऩ से जोड़ता है। 'Then' का अथथ है उस सभम, जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
'This' का अथथ है मह, रेककन महाॉ एक linking शब्द की आवश्मकता है , 'Than' का उऩमोग तर
ु ना कयने के
लरए होता है , जो इस context भें उऩमक्
ु त नहीॊ है ।
'That' is used because it is a relative pronoun that connects the clause describing "essential
ecosystem services" to the benefit they provide to both the environment and human society.
'Then' means at that time, which does not fit in this context. 'This' means referring to
something close, but here, a linking word is needed, and 'that' works better. 'Than' is used for
comparisons, which is not appropriate in this context.
22. B) 'By' use क्यों "by" य द थ य ध्य (forests)
द् य । क्य य थ थ ैं औ
ण ए ख ैं, इ ए 'by' ल् । 'about' थ " ",
इ द थ उ यक् । 'Off' थ " य द ", द थ ।
'Between' थ "द य ों ", य न् ों
,इ एय ।
'By' will be used because it indicates the means through which an action occurs. The sentence
states that forests regulate water cycles by influencing precipitation patterns and maintaining
water quality, making 'by' the correct choice. Whereas, 'About' means "regarding," which does
not fit the context. 'Off' means "away from," which does not relate to the regulation of water
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cycles. 'Between' means "in the space separating two things," but the sentence does not
discuss a direct comparison between two entities, so it is incorrect.
23. D) Moreover' का use महाॉ सही है क्मोंकक इसका अथथ होता है 'इसके अनतरयक्त' औय मह एक ववचाय को
जोड़ने के लरए प्रमोग ककमा जाता है । महाॉ ऩय वनों के दस
ू ये राब के फाये भें फतामा जा यहा है , जैसे कक
भनोयॊ जन, साॊस्कृनतक भहत्व औय आधथथक राब, इसलरए 'Moreover' का use उऩमुक्त है । 'As long as'
का अथथ है 'जफ तक', जो महाॉ के सॊदबथ भें कपट नहीॊ फैठता। 'Though' का अथथ है 'हाराॉकक', जो इस स्थान
ऩय कोई ववयोध मा तुरना नहीॊ दे ता, इसलरए गरत है। 'Whatever' का अथथ है 'जो बी', जो इस सॊदबथ भें
सही नहीॊ है क्मोंकक मह एक साभान्म फात को व्मक्त कयता है , जफकक महाॉ हभ एक अनतरयक्त राब की
फात कय यहे हैं।
'Moreover' is the correct choice because it means "in addition" or "furthermore," and it is used
to add another point to the idea. In the sentence, it introduces additional benefits of forests
like recreational opportunities, cultural significance, and economic benefits, making 'Moreover'
the most suitable option. 'As long as' means "until" or "while," which doesn’t fit the context of
adding another benefit. 'Though' means "however," which implies contrast or opposition, but
there is no contrast here, so it’s incorrect. 'Whatever' means "anything" or "everything," which
doesn’t align with the structure of the sentence and would make the meaning unclear.
24. C) 'Ecotourism' का use होगा क्मोंकक 'ecotourism' का अथथ होता है ऩमाथवयण के प्रनत जागरूक मात्रा,
क्जसभें ऩमाथवयण सॊयऺण औय सभद
ु ामों को राब ऩहुॉचाने के लरए मात्रा की जाती है। इस वाक्म भें मह
फतामा जा यहा है कक जॊगर आधथथक राब प्रदान कयते हैं, क्जसभें 'ecotourism' एक भहत्वऩूणथ हहस्सा है ।
'Industrialisation' का भतरफ है औद्मोधगकीकयण, जो महाॊ सॊदबथ भें उऩमुक्त नहीॊ है क्मोंकक मह जॊगरों
के ऩमाथवयणीम राब के साथ भेर नहीॊ खाता। 'Deforestation' का अथथ है जॊगरों की कटाई, जो न केवर
ऩमाथवयण को नक
ु सान ऩहुॊचाती है फक्ल्क इसका उऩमोग इस वाक्म भें नहीॊ ककमा जा सकता क्मोंकक मह
सकायात्भक सॊदबथ भें नहीॊ है । 'Degradation' का अथथ है धगयावट मा नष्ट होना, जो बी इस सॊदबथ भें
अनुऩमुक्त है क्मोंकक मह जॊगरों के सॊयऺण के सॊदबथ भें नकायात्भक है ।
'Ecotourism' will be used because it refers to environmentally responsible travel that helps
preserve the environment and benefits local communities. In this sentence, it highlights that
forests provide economic benefits through timber production and ecotourism.
'Industrialisation' refers to the process of industrial development, which doesn’t align with the
environmental context here. 'Deforestation' refers to the destruction of forests, which is the
opposite of the intended meaning in the sentence. 'Degradation' means deterioration or
decline, which would not fit in this context as it has a negative connotation.
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25. C) ‘Vital' का use होगा क्मोंकक "vital" का अथथ होता है अत्मॊत भहत्वऩूण,थ जो sentence भें आवश्मक
ऩारयक्स्थनतकी तॊत्र सेवाओॊ के भहत्व को व्मक्त कयता है । महाॊ ऩय ‘ecosystem services’ का भहत्व फतामा
जा यहा है , इसलरए 'vital' सही option है। 'Vitalise' का अथथ होता है जीवन दे ना, जो इस सॊदबथ भें उऩमुक्त
नहीॊ है । 'Vitality' का अथथ है जीवन शक्क्त, जो महाॉ ऩय कपट नहीॊ है । 'Vitally' एक adverb है , क्जसका अथथ
है अत्मधधक भहत्वऩण
ू थ ढॊ ग से, जो महाॉ नहीॊ आ सकता
‘Vital' will be used because it means extremely important, which appropriately conveys the
importance of ecosystem services in the sentence. 'Vitalise' means to give life, which doesn't
fit the context here. 'Vitality' means life force, which doesn't work in this context. 'Vitally' is an
adverb meaning in an extremely important manner, which is incorrect here
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