Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow. Key factors influencing subway air pollution will include station depth, date of construction, type of ventilation (natural/air conditioning), types of brakes (electromagnetic or conventional brake pads) and wheels (rubber or steel) used on the trains, train frequency and more recently the presence or absence of platform screen-door systems. In particular, much subway particulate matter is sourced from moving train parts such as wheels and brake pads, as well as from the steel rails and power-supply materials, making the particles dominantly iron-containing. To date, there is no clear epidemiological indication of abnormal health effects on underground workers and commuters. New York subway workers have been exposed to such air without significant observed impacts on their health, and no increased risk of lung cancer was found among subway train drivers in the Stockholm subway system. But a note of caution is struck by the observations of scholars who found that employees working on the platforms of Stockholm underground, where PM concentrations were greatest, tended to have higher levels of risk markers for cardiovascular disease than ticket sellers and train drivers. The dominantly ferrous particles are mixed with particles from a range of other sources, including rock ballast from the track, biological aerosols such as bacteria and viruses, and air from the outdoors, and driven through the tunnel system on turbulent air currents generated by the trains themselves and ventilation systems.
Select the most suitable word from the passage which means 'not covered or hidden'.
Understanding the Vocabulary Question
The question asks us to find a word from the provided passage that has a meaning similar to 'not covered or hidden'. To answer this, we need to read the passage carefully and consider the context in which certain words are used.
Analyzing the Passage Context
The passage discusses various factors influencing subway air pollution, the sources of particulate matter, and potential health effects on workers and commuters. It mentions workers being subjected to this air and studies on health impacts.
Examining the Options and Meanings
Let's look at each option and see how it is used in the passage and if its meaning aligns with 'not covered or hidden'.
- Turbulent: The passage uses this word in "driven through the tunnel system on turbulent air currents". Turbulent describes air currents that are irregular and unpredictable in motion. This does not mean 'not covered or hidden'.
- Sourced: The passage states "much subway particulate matter is sourced from moving train parts". Sourced means originated from or obtained from a particular source. This does not mean 'not covered or hidden'.
- Abnormal: The passage says "there is no clear epidemiological indication of abnormal health effects". Abnormal means deviating from what is normal or usual. This does not mean 'not covered or hidden'.
- Exposed: The passage states "New York subway workers have been exposed to such air without significant observed impacts on their health". When someone is 'exposed' to something like air, it means they are directly in contact with it, not covered or hidden from it. They are subjected to its effects. This meaning closely aligns with 'not covered or hidden'.
Why 'Exposed' Fits the Meaning
The word 'exposed' is used in the context of subway workers interacting with the air inside the subway system. Being exposed to air means that their bodies or respiratory systems are directly in contact with that air; they are not shielded or hidden from it. Therefore, in this context, 'exposed' means being open or subjected to something, which implies not being covered or hidden from it.
Comparing this to the other options, none of them convey the sense of being uncovered, revealed, or subjected to something directly without protection or concealment.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the word usage within the passage and comparing the meanings of the options, the word that most suitably means 'not covered or hidden' is 'Exposed'.
Revision Table: Key Vocabulary from Passage
| Word | Context in Passage | Meaning in Context |
|---|---|---|
| Turbulent | Turbulent air currents | Irregular, agitated motion (of air) |
| Sourced | Sourced from moving train parts | Originated from, obtained from |
| Abnormal | Abnormal health effects | Deviating from normal |
| Exposed | Exposed to such air | Subjected to, in direct contact with (not covered/hidden from) |
Additional Information: Reading Comprehension Tips
Understanding vocabulary in context is a crucial skill in reading comprehension. Here are some tips:
- Read the sentence containing the word carefully.
- Look for clues in the surrounding sentences that might explain the word's meaning.
- Consider the overall topic of the passage.
- If options are provided, substitute each option into the sentence where the target word appears and see which one makes the most sense.
- Break down complex words if possible (prefixes, suffixes, roots).
- Relate the word to synonyms or antonyms you might know.
In this question, understanding the phrase "exposed to such air" helps clarify the meaning of 'exposed'. It implies direct contact with the air, not being hidden from it.
Important Questions from Miscellaneous
A stone is thrown horizontally from the top of a 20 m high building with a speed of 12 m/s. It hits the ground at a distance R from the building. Taking g = 10 m/s2 and neglecting air resistance will give :
A mass is attached to a spring that hangs vertically. The extension produced in the spring is 6 cm on Earth. The acceleration due to gravity on the surface of the Moon is one-sixth of its value on the surface of the Earth. The extension of the spring on the Moon would be:
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words (a), (b), (c), and (d). Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word and mark your response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
The deluge affected the population.The major source of vitamins and minerals for vegetarians is
Which of the following statements about the Deccan Riots Commission is/are correct?
1. The Commission did not hold enquiries in the districts which were not affected.
2. The Commission did record the statements of ryots, sahukars and eye-witnesses.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
