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Comprehension

Comprehension
Directions (1-12): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given
below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while
answering some of the questions.
When wealth came into existence, a moral structure was made around money. The Puritan
legacy inhibited luxury and self-indulgence. Thoughtful people spread a practical gospel that
emphasized hard work, temperance and frugality and the result was quite remarkable.

GA

IN

The world has been affluent since its founding. But it was, by and large, not corrupted by
wealth. For centuries, it remained industrious, ambitious and frugal. Over the past 30 years,
much of that has been shredded. The social norms and institutions that encouraged frugality
and spending what you earn have been undermined. The institutions that encourage debt and
living for the moment have been strengthened. The moral guardians are forever looking for
decadence out of movies and reality shows. But the most rampant decadence today is
financial decadence, the trampling of decent norms about how to use and harness money.

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A

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The deterioration of financial traditions has meant two things. First, it has meant
an explosion of debt that inhibits social mobility and ruins lives. Second, the transformation
has led to a stark financial polarization. On one hand, there is what is called an investor class.
It has tax-deferred savings plans, as well as an army of financial advisers. On the other hand,
there is the lottery class, people with little access to financial planning but plenty of access to
payday lenders, credit cards and lottery agents. The loosening of financial inhibition has
meant more options for the well-educated but more temptation and chaos for the most
vulnerable. Social norms, the invisible threads that guide behavior, have deteriorated. Over
the past years, people have been more socially conscious about protecting the environment
and inhaling tobacco. They have become less socially conscious about money and debt.
The agents of destruction are many and State governments have also played a role. They
hawk their lottery products with aggression, which some people call a tax on stupidity.
Twenty per cent of the worlds population consists of frequent players, spending about $60
billion a year. Aside from the financial toll, the moral toll is comprehensive. Here is the
government, the guardian of order, telling people that they dont have to work to build for the
future. They can strike it rich for nothing. Payday lenders have played a role. They
seductively offer fast cash-at absurd interest rates to 15 million people every month. Credit
card companies have played a role. Instead of targeting the financially astute, who pay off
their debts, they have found that they can make money off the young and vulnerable. Fiftysix percent of students in their final year of college carry four or more credit cards. The
nations leaders have played a role as they have always had an incentive to shove costs for
current promises onto the backs of future generations.
It has only now become respectable to do so. The market itself has played a role. Software
stalwarts built socially useful products to make their fortune. But what message do the salary
packages that their top, managers get send across the country when they ignore millions of
fellow countrymen who suffer from poverty, malnutrition or hunger? Austerity has become a

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Comprehension

thing of the past. The list could go on. But there could be some recommendations. First, raise
public consciousness about debt the way the anti-smoking activists did with their campaign.
Second, create institutions that encourage thrift. Foundations and religious institutions could
issue short-term loans to cut into the payday lenders business. Colleges could reduce credit
card advertising on campus. The tax code should tax consumption not income. But the most
important thing is to shift values. The wise made it prestigious to embrace certain middle
class virtues. Now its socially acceptable to undermine those virtues. It is considered normal
to play the debt game and imagine that decisions made today will have no consequences in
the future.

GA

IN

1. What does the author mean by the phrase the transformation has led to a stark
financial polarization as used in the passage?
(1) The deterioration of social norms has benefited only the wealthy and the knowledgeable
while the vulnerable class of people has fallen into a debt trap
(2) Since moral inhibitions no longer exist, the debt agents provide loans only to the affluent
class thus widening the gap between the rich and the poor
(3) The debt culture is being utilized as a measure to draw money from the wealthy class by
credit card companies
(4) Both (1) and (2)
(5) None of these

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A

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

(1) Ever since its existence, money has ruined lives owing to lack of awareness among people
regarding its unrestricted usage
(2) Government has taken many initiatives to control the rampant money lending business to
protect vulnerable sections of the society.
(3) Governments throughout the world have been putting tax on amount of consumption of an
individual rather than his/her income
(4) Credit card companies are discreet enough to provide credit cards to only those people
who guarantee repaying money in the future.
(5) None is true
3. Which of the following can be the most appropriate title for the given passage?
(1) The debt culture and government initiatives to curtail it
(2) Breaking social barriers taking the route of financial indulgence
(3) Accumulation of debt- a lesson for the future generations
(4) Effect of consumerism on the world market
(5) Lack of perseverance for saving money in India
4. Which of the following according to the author, has/have been responsible for the
encouragement of culture of debt in the society lately?
(A) The changing lifestyle which makes it impossible for, a common man to sustain himself
without debts and loans.
(B) Breaking down of moral institutions which supported economic prudence.
(C) Provision for easy availability of loans to every section of the society regardless of their
ability to repay these.
(1) Only A
(2) Only B
(3) Both A and C
(4) Both B and C

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(5) None of these

5. The author of the given passage seems to be definitely(1) Suggesting that the agents of debts be banned from the society.
(2) Unaware of the benefits associated with the easy availability of loans these days.
(3) In favour of bringing back the financial restrictions once imposed by the society
(4) not supportive of campaigns related to anti-tobacco and saving the environment
(5) None of these

IN

6. Why does the author of the given passage seem to be displeased with the software
stalwarts?
(1) They make fortune out of the products which are barely social useful
(2) They have been drawing colossal salaries and turn a blind eye towards the needs of fellow
countrymen
(3) They are directly responsible for the hunger, malnutrition and poverty among their fellow
countrymen
(4) They have promoted the culture of debt among various sections of society
(5) None of these

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8. STRIKE IT
(1) Smash
(2) Reveal
(3) Register
(4) Assume
(5) Become

7. THRIFT
(1) Compassion
(2) Prudence
(3) Pleasure
(4) Acceptance
(5) Become

GA

Directions (7-9): Choose the word /group of words which is most similar in meaning to
the word/phrase printed in bold as used in the passage.

9. AGGRESSION
(1) Violence
(2) Hostility
(3) Offensively
(4) Determination
(5) Belligerence

Directions (10-12): Choose the word/phrase which is most opposite in meaning to the
word printed in bold as used in the passage.
10. EXPLOSION
(1) Deflation
(2) Split
(3) Reduction

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(4) Simplification
(5) Alteration
11. ABSURD
(1) Expensive
(2) Diplomatic
(3) Consistent
(4) Invariable
(5) Reasonable

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Answers:
1) 4
2) 5
3) 3
4) 4
5) 1
6) 1
7) 2
8) 5
9) 3
10) 3
11) 5
12) 1

IN

12. COMPREHENSIVE
(1) Insignificant
(2) Massive
(3) Incomplete
(4) Abundant
(5) Inappropriate

2. Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it.

Mosquitoes do not randomly perch on just anybody, but choose their victims selectively,
searching for the most aromatically appealing humans, according to a study released recently.
"Mosquitoes use odor to sort attractive people from the unattractive to find those that are the
most tasty," said University of Florida entomologist, Jerry Butler, in a statement.
In a study of what attracted mosquitoes to people, Butler said he worked off a theory that they
go for humans who provide the richest source of cholesterol and B vitamins, which the pesky
insects need to live on but do not produce themselves.
Butler found one sure way to stop attracting them - stop breathing. He said that mosquitoes

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Comprehension

can sniff out an attractive human dinner target from as far away as 64.3 km.
When human beings exhale, they expel a plume of carbon dioxide and other odors that travel
through the air. The appetizing concoction is the olfactory equivalent of a dinner bell, alerting
mosquitoes that a warm meal is within range. Perspiration, a barely avoidable human
condition, is also a mosquito lure - but only if the sweat has marinated and formed bacteria.
When a mosquito is trailing an attractive target, it zig zags following the breath plume until it
makes contact, landing on the skin and patiently searches for just the right spot to insert its
stylet for an 8-to-10 second feeding session.

IN

Bathing helps reduce the attractiveness of sticky bodies but strangely enough after-bath
products do not. Skin care products that clean, soften and moisturize may improve a person's
appearance, but are also tantalizing to mosquitoes. Butler said. Certain medications, including
heart and blood pressure medicine, can also alter a person's likelihood of being bitten.

GA

Butler said that he conducted the research in order to explore the tastes of mosquitoes and
help humans avoid mosquito-borne diseases.
"If you can figure out who, among your friends, is attractive to mosquitoes, be sure to invite
that person to all your outdoor gatherings. You might be able to spare your other guests from
mosquito bites," Butler said.
From the passage, one can deduce that an entomologist is a person who specializes in the
study of

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1.

(A)insects in general
(B) scent and its relationship to mosquitoes
(C) ways to avoid mosquito-borne diseases
(D)the eating habits of humans and mosquitoes

BE
A

2.At a garden party, mosquitoes will most likely zoom in on the person who
(A)is sweating profusely
(B) is prone to heart attacks
(C) has high cholesterol levels
(D)has drenched herself with perfumes

From the passage, one can deduce that the most highly developed sensory mode of the
3.mosquito is its sense of smell. Which of the following statements shows convincing proof
?
(A)The mosquito searches for the most aromatically appealing human being.
(B) The mosquito can sort attractive people from the unattractive.
(C) The mosquito can sniff out a human target 64 km away
(D)The mosquito can sniff out people who are sweating.
4.When human beings exhale, the substances they leave in a trail behind them are
I carbon dioxide
II sweat

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Comprehension

III moisturizers
IV medication taken in
(A)I and II
(B) II and III
(C) III and IV
(D)I and IV

6.What can you conclude about the mosquito ?

6) B

1) A 2) C 3) C 4) D 5) D

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Answers:

GA

(A)It is a voracious hunter.

(B) It is a selective hunter.
(C) It is a hunter of strong smells.
(D)It is a hunter of the night

IN

5.Mosquitoes are drawn to human beings in two ways. These are

I through the odors a person emits via his breath
II the attractive way a person carries himself
III the smells that a person emits as a result of his medication
IV the clothing a person wears on his body
(A)I and II
(B) II and III
(C) III and IV
(D)I and III

BE
A

3. Everyone deals with integrity underlying moral issue in their everyday life. Most of our
parents would have taught us during our growing up years that we must inculcate this virtue
because it is the right thing to do. Question arises-What is integrity? It means honesty keeping to one's word even if it costs us dearly to do so. If you pledge to 'love, honour and
cherish your spouse until death do you part', you must honour that promise. If you agree to do
a task, you must do it.
Integrity comes in many forms, but honesty and dependability are two traits that are expected
in most workplace situations. Irresponsible behaviour and distrust can make a work
environment tense and uncomfortable. A strong work ethic shows co-workers and clients that
you're reliable and take your responsibilities seriously. Polite communication, respectable
behaviour and fiscal irresponsibility also help you stand out as a trustworthy employee.

Working diligently when you're on the clock is a clear example of workplace integrity.
Socializing, surfing the Internet, making personal phone calls, texting and frequent snacking
are activities that detract from work time. Saving those activities for break time will show
your boss, co-workers and customers that you work hard when you're on the clock. Even if
you don't actually clock in and out with a time card, focusing on your work responsibilities

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Comprehension

while you're at your desk, work station or production area will showcase your strong work
habits.
Abiding by company policies is another powerful way to demonstrate integrity. Cutting
corners and neglecting to follow workplace regulations can lead to mistakes, problems and
even dangerous situations. Your willingness to properly record financial transactions,
safely dispense of hazardous or toxic materials, follow company protocol for dealing with
clients, perform clean-up or set-up procedures and properly maintain equipment shows others
that you're not just looking for the easy way out. Establishing yourself as a trustworthy
worker who submits to company policies shows your boss and coworkers that you'll
faithfully carry out your duties.

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Respecting those you work with reveals your desire to create a healthy work environment.
Polite communication, appropriate interactions and respect for co-workers' thoughts and ideas
demonstrate your ability to look beyond your own interests to pursue team centred work
goals. As you deal with co-workers honestly and respectfully, you establish a level of trust
with them. Integrity in the workplace also stems from moral and ethical behaviour. Making
sure there's no reason to question your conduct is one of the best ways to prove that you are
an honest and dependable employee. Avoid using company products or equipment for
personal use and submit exact receipts for travel or meal reimbursements. Don't over-promise
what you can't provide and strive to meet deadlines. Work productively and cooperate during
company meetings so you don't appear lazy or apathetic, and don't call in sick if you aren't.
By exhibiting responsible behaviour, you don't give co-workers or clients the
opportunity to question your integrity.

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A

1. What are the two traits of integrity as given in the passage?

1) Distrust and work environment
2) Strong work ethics and dependability
3) Honesty and responsible behaviour
4) Dependability and Honesty.
5) None of these
2. Which of the following is not correct in the context of the passage?
1) Ethical behaviour helps you become a trustworthy employee.
2) To follow all the policies of a company is also an example of integrity.
3) One should not make promise to meet deadlines.
4) Employees detract from their work when they misuse the facilities.
5) None of these
3. What is the main advantage of demonstrating integrity at the work place?
1) It helps build up ethical behaviour.
2) It increases dependability.
3) It creates a healthy work-environment.
4) Both 2 and 3
5) None of these
4. Which of the following activities prove that the employee is sincere?
1) Punctuality and dependability
2) Strong work ethics
3) Honesty and responsible behaviour.

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4) Workplace integrity
5) All the above
5. What do you mean by the phrase 'on the clock'?
1) To see if it is a time for a break.
2) To be working
3) Not on duty.
4) You have limited amount of time.
5) None of these
Directions (Q. 6-8): Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word
printed in bold as used in the passage-

GA
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8. Apathetic
1) Disinterested
2) Sympathetic
3) Concerned
4) Callous
5) Endeavour

7. Dispense
1) Collect
2) Disorganise
3) Handover
4) Hold
5) Shellout

IN

6. Diligently
1) Inactively
2) Differently
3) Ardently
4) Firmly
5) Easily

Directions (Q. 9-10): Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word
printed in bold as used in the passage9. Inculcate
1) Mete out
2) Neglect
3) Implant
4) Try for
5) Exert

10. Strive
1) Neglect
2) Dissuade
3) Aim
4) Care
5) Endeavor

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Answers:
1. 4
2. 3
3. 1
4. 5
5. 2
6. 1
7. 4
8. 2
9. 3
10. 5

IN

4. Many crabs lovers have headed to various seafood shacks but most know that the

GA

best crabs are now found somewhere in Yio Chu Kang, a far distance from the
usual crab-puller of East Coast.

&

Come to Yio Chu Kang and one would be spoilt for choice. Three restaurants are
making roaring business, selling crabs in different flavors. However, fret not,
fellow crab lovers, for there are no price hikes as yet. There are even no GST
claims or service charges!

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A

That is certainly value for money! But what makes the three restaurants tolerant of
one another's presence? It seems that the restaurants cater to different tastes and
boast many chefs from different provinces and countries to whip up an impressive
range of crab-based dishes. Each seems to have created its own niche and have a
different and sustainable clientele. Thus, they do not have to poach the others'
customers. Then how do they keep their overheads low? Certainly, to pay for top
chefs and authentic ingredients will definitely eat into their profits.
"We are extremely focused. There is no classy atmosphere. Everything is kept
simple and cheap. The diners dine al-fresco style, with minimum fuss. No Italian
crockery here; no silverware either! It is good old finger-licking crabs with free
flow of water to quench the burning throat and clean fingers."
The no-fuss dining ambience goes down well with the recent recession and many
do not miss the chandeliers and the live bands. For Mr Ang, business has boomed
and even increased by 15 per cent in spite
of the slow economic growth. Customers are willing to forgo up-market frills for
fatter wallets. It seems that simple dining is here to stay.
With the endless variety of the crustacean dishes, it seems that the customers are
the winners. Spoilt for choice, one would think that diners would have a ball of a
time choosing the perfect dish. Not really. There are just so many to choose from

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that seasoned diners stick to what they relish and rarely become adventurous with
their choices.
"I don't want to try the others when I am guaranteed that I will never go wrong
with my favorite dish."
In any case, the eatery owners do not leave their diners' choices to chance. Quips
an enterprising one, "I make sure that all my dishes come in morsel-sized portions
so that my diners can have a taste of all fifty different types of dishes available!
Answer the following questions using complete sentences

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GA

IN

1. Where did the crab lovers go to before they headed to Yio Chu Kang for crabs ?
2. Why are the restaurants in Yio Chu Kang value for money ?
3. Why are the restaurant owners tolerant of the presence of the other restaurants serving
crabs ?
4. How do the restaurants keep their cost low ?
5. What do diners appreciate more than the fancy frills ?
6. Do diners enjoy choosing the wide spread of crab-based dishes ? Explain.
7. What does the word 'relish' means ?
8. What is the best way to try as many dishes as possible ?
9. Why do you think seasoned diners always order the same old dishes ?
10.What is the other word used for crabs in the passage ?

BE
A

Answers
1. They went to East Coast at first.
2. Their crab dishes are cheaper and there are no GST charges or service charges.
3. Each one has created his own niche and targets different clients. Thus, they do not need to
fight with one another for diners.
4. They keep everything simple, from the crockery to the ambience.
5. They appreciate the cash savings better.
6. They do not really enjoy choosing as there are just too many dishes to choose from.
7. It means 'enjoy'.
8. The best way is to order the morsel-sized portions so that one gets to eat all the different
types of dishes at one go.
9. They are not adventurous and are afraid that the other dishes would not taste as nice as
what they normally ordered.
10.It is 'crustaceans'

5. Corruption is a broad term covering a wide range of misuse of entrusted funds and power
for personal gain i.e. Theft, fraud, nepotism, abuse of power etc. A corrupt act is often - but
not necessarily - illegal. In handling corruption you will often face a Gray zones and

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Comprehension

dilemmas. In many countries, corruption is everywhere and daily life is riddled with
situations in the Gray zone between legal and illegal. Many people accept petty corruption as
a fact of life. But the causes might differ, however, whether corruption results from a need, a
culture or simply from an opportunity too tempting not to exploit, it influences the way we
deal with it - or dont deal with it. Corruption can occur on different scales. There is
corruption that occurs as small favours between a small number of people (petty corruption),
corruption that affects the government on a large scale (grand corruption), and corruption that
is so prevalent that it is part of the every day structure of society, including corruption as one
of the symptoms of organized crime (systemic corruption).

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The main reason for the spread of corruption is that the people in the highest seat of power
are corrupt unless the people at the top rung of power are honest and free from corruption;
there is absolutely no possibility of eradicating corruption. If there is widespread corruption
in India , it is because the people at the top are really corrupt .No subordinate will have
to guts to be corrupt if the people at the top of the administration are honest and
take stern action against the corrupt people .They can not be harsh to the corrupt people ,
since it is through the corrupt subordinates that the people at the top get their share of the
bribes .If one can make a discrete enquiry with the pavement traders, he can find out how
much the police and the corporation councillors collect from the pavement traders .They say
that the money so collected is shared by people from the top to the bottom. If the head is
corrupt, what will the limbs do? The causes of corruption in India also include excessive
regulations, complicated taxes and licensing systems, numerous government departments
each with opaque bureaucracy and discretionary powers, monopoly by government controlled
institutions on certain goods and services delivery, and the lack of transparent laws and
processes. There are significant variations in level of corruption as well as in state
government efforts to reduce corruption across India. A 2005 study done by Transparency
International in India found that more than 62% of the people had firsthand experience of
paying bribe or peddling influence to get a job done in a public office.Taxes and bribes are
common between state borders; Transparency International estimates that truckers pay
annually 22,200 crores (US$ 4.5 billion) in bribes. Government regulators and police share in
bribe money, each to the tune of 43% and 45% respectively. The en route stoppages
including those at checkpoints and entry-points take up to 11 hours in a day. About 60% of
these (forced) stoppages on road by concerned authorities such as government regulators,
police, forest, sales and excise, octroi, weighing and measuring department are for extorting
money. The loss in productivity due to these stoppages is an important national concern. The
number of truck trips could increase by 40%, if forced delays are avoided. According to a
2007 World Bank published report, the travel time for a Delhi-Mumbai trip can be reduced
by about 2 days per trip if the corruption and associated regulatory stoppages to extract bribes
was eliminated.
1. How many rupees are paid by truckers annually as per the study of transparency
international ?
1) US $ 4.5 billion
2) Rs. 22, 000 crore
3) Rs. 22, 200 crore
4) US $ 4 billion
5) None of these

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2. What is the main objective of writer behind writing the passage?

1) It gives an idea of right and wrong judgement.
2) To remove the corruption from top to bottom.
3) To throw light on corruption.
4) Both 1 and 2
5) None of these
3. What is petty corruption ?
1) When corruption doesn't occur in many people.
2) Corruption found from top to bottom in every department.
3) When people of a particular department is corrupt.
4) Where head of the departments are corrupt.
5) None of these

GA

IN

4. Why the corruption is increasing so rapidly ?

1) Because all the employees are interested in it.
2) The people in the highest seat of power our involved in the corruption.
3) Government is unable to control over the corruption.
4) There is a lack of strict laws against it.
5) None of these

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5. What do you understand by Gray zones as used in the passage ?

1) Double meaning.
2) A puzzled situation but can be solved.
3) Lack of knowledge.
4) A topic that is not clear or full of ambiguity.
5) None of these

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6. RUNG
1) Hierarchy
2) Step
3) Grade
4) Stage
5) Cross bar

Direction : Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word printed
in bold as used in the passage.

7. ERADICATE
1) Undo
2) Erase
3) Massacre
4) Annihilate
5) Abate
8. GUTS
1) Stamina
2) Courage
3) Heart
4) Mettle

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5) Spirit
Direction : Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in
bold as used in the passage.
9. PREVALENT
1) Abnormal
2) Isolated
3) Infrequent
4) Limited
5) Ubiquitous

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Answers:
1. 3
2. 3
3. 1
4. 2
5. 4
6. 1
7. 4
8. 2
9. 3
10. 5

IN

10. STERN
1) Tough
2) Easy
3) Gentle
4) Flexible
5) Lenient

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