Reading Comprehension For ISRO Assistant: Part 1

Flipkart’s announcement that Softbank Vision Fund, a private equity fund backed by Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son, would take a stake in the company has energised India’s e-commerce space. The investment is widely reported to be about $2.5 billion, and the deal would leave Flipkart with a war chest of $4 billion in cash to sustain its operations.
The move is seen as the Japanese billionaire’s response to the increasing domination of India’s e-commerce space by the American giant Amazon. Amazon chief Jeff Bezos claimed in April this year that his company had become India’s fastest-growing e-commerce company. He also said that Amazon plans to increase its investment in India. A number of private data sources have confirmed since then that Amazon, since its launch in India in 2013, has either matched or surpassed Flipkart’s performance on various counts. On the other hand, it is well-known that Mr. Son’s initial investment in Snapdeal, an Indian e-commerce venture, was far from successful. In fact, in May this year, Softbank recognised losses of over $1.4 billion on its investments in Snapdeal and Ola. Mr. Son’s attempts to merge Snapdeal with Flipkart to create a larger rival to take on Amazon also failed to materialise last month. Yet the allure of the Indian e-commerce market is hard to resist. E-commerce is projected to grow at a rapid pace given the large potential in a country where people predominantly shop at traditional bricks-and-mortar retail stores. The strength of Mr. Son’s investment pursuits has been doubted for long. But he has also picked super winners such as Alibaba that have more than compensated for his losses. For now his investments in the Indian start-up space have failed to take of, but he may still be counting on India to deliver his next big super winner. With Mr. Son’s financial backing, Flipkart will be looking to regain the ground it has lost to Amazon. Mr. Bezos, on the other hand, will be keen not to lose out to a rejuvenated Flipkart the way he lost the Chinese market to Alibaba. Meanwhile, other Amazon rivals too have entered the e-commerce fray in India. Microsoft, Tencent and eBay have also invested in Flipkart this year. Alibaba has invested in Paytm, the Indian payments company that also offers shopping services. Going forward, more e-commerce companies in India might evolve into similar payments-cum-shopping platforms. Such a strategy would be similar to the buy-and pay model at the foundation of Alibaba’s rise in China. Notably, Tencent, Alibaba’s rival in China, has even come up with a chat App (WeChat) that lets users shop and pay. Amazon seems prepared for the challenge with the launch of its own wallet service in India. But regardless of who wins this battle, the Indian consumer looks set to be wooed by more competitive prices.

Question 1. 

Which of the following e-commerce company was the India’s fastest growing company in April 2017?
A. Flipkart
B. Amazon
C. Snapdeal
D. ebay
Answer: B
Explanation:: Amazon chief Jeff Bezos claimed in April this year that his company had become India’s fastest-growing e-commerce company

Question 2. 

Which among the following is true according to the passage?
A. Softbank recognised losses of $1.4 billion on it’s investment in Snapdeal and Paytm
B. Softbank recognised losses of over $1.4 billion on it’s investment in Snapdeal and Ola.
C. Softbank recognised losses of over $1.4 billion on it’s investment in Snapdeal and Flipkart.
D. None of these
Answer: B
Explanation: SoftBank recognised losses of over $1.4 billion on its investments in Snapdeal and Ola.

Question 3. 

Which of the following can be the suitable title for the passage?
A. Amazon over other
B. The race of e-commerce retailer.
C. Son vs Bezos.
D. Failure of Indian e-commerce industry.
Answer: C
Explanation: Son vs Bezos is the suitable title for the passage. 

Question 4. 

Which of the following statement is/are wrong according to the passage.
I. SoftBank Vision fund invested about 2.5 billion on Flipkart.
II. Microsoft, Tencent, Alibaba and eBay have also invested in Flipkart this year.
III. Alibaba has invested in Paytm, the Indian payments company that also offers shopping services.
A. ( I ) and (III)
B. Only (I)
C. Only (II)
D. Only (III)
E. (I), (II) and (III)
Answer: C
Explanation: Microsoft, Tencent and eBay have also invested in Flipkart this year

Question 5. 

Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Rejuvenated
A. Quenched
B. Resuscitated
C. Suppress
D. Ruin
Answer: B
Explanation: Rejuvenated means to bring back to a former condition.

Question 6. 

Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Evolve
A. Develop
B. Progress
C. Expand
D. Halt
Answer: D
Explanation: Evolve means to develop gradually.

Question 7. 

Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
Allure
A. Repulsion
B. Charisma
C. Enchantment
D. Charm
Answer: A
Explanation: Allure means to fascinate.

Question 8. 

Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in the passage
Fray
A. Battle
B. Combat
C. Fracas
D. Truce
Answer: D
Explanation: Fray means a competition or contest. D. Truce means peaceful solution.