Regional Turmoil
Regional Turmoil
The war on Gaza is no longer about Israel and Hamas. Israel has carried out targeted strikes in
Lebanon and Syria, killing Hezbollah, Hamas and Iranian commanders. From southern Lebanon,
Hezbollah is exchanging fire with Israeli troops. Iran-backed militias in Syria and Iraq have attacked
U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq. The Houthis, the Iran-backed rebels of Yemen, have turned the Red Sea
into a battlefield. The U.S.’s air strikes in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, seek to retaliate against Shia militias.
As chaos and instability spread, Sunni Islamist militants attacked Iran, killing at least 100 people. In
the latest escalation, Iran claims to have destroyed an Israeli intelligence outpost in Iraq’s Kurdistan
and training camps of Sunni Islamists in Syria and Pakistan, in air strikes. This is now a classic case of
regional anarchy where countries are taking unilateral military measures to address their perceived
security challenges, throwing international laws and the idea of sovereignty, the bedrock of the
international system, to the wind, thereby risking a wider all-out war.
Just weeks before the October 7 attack, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. National Security Adviser, had said “the
Middle East is quieter today than it has been in two decades”. The Abraham Accords were on a
strong footing, and Saudi Arabia and Israel were moving closer towards normalisation. Iraq had
become quieter; Gulf Arabs and Iran had reached a rapprochement; and a ceasefire was holding in
Yemen. Most of these changes, however, ignored the oldest crisis in the region — Israel’s continuing
occupation of the Palestinian territories. The October 7 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent
vengeful offensive in Gaza have not only brought Palestine back to the centre of West Asia but also lit
fires, triggering perhaps the deepest security crisis in the region since 1967. The involvement of non-
state actors and the absence of an off ramp complicate matters. After 100 days of war with Hamas,
Israel has achieved little in Gaza. The Houthis, a militia that survived seven years of Saudi bombing,
are unlikely to be deterred by America’s strikes. Even though Iran wants to showcase strength and
boldness, it cannot mask its inherent weakness, which also makes it unpredictable. The old order,
anchored by America’s domineering regional presence, is in tatters. What West Asia needs is a new
security equilibrium. There has to be an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and peace between Israel and
Palestinians could be used as a springboard for further talks aimed at regional security between the
main stakeholders — Israel, Arab nations, Iran, the U.S. and their respective allies and proxies.
Red/blue coloring of Words in the sentence indicates subject verb relationship; where ‘red’
denotes ‘subject’ and ‘blue’ denotes ‘verb’. [Practice Exercise]
Vocabulary
1. Turmoil (noun) – Unrest, Tumult, 12. Chaos (noun) – Disorder, Disarray,
Disruption, Turbulence, Upheaval Confusion, Mayhem, Anarchy
22. To the wind (phrase) – Disregard, Ignore, 32. Vengeful (adjective) – Revengeful,
Dismiss, Brush aside, Flout Retaliatory, Vindictive, Spiteful, Grudge-
bearing
23. Thereby (adverb) – Thus, Therefore,
Consequently, Hence, Accordingly इ 33. Lit fire (phrase) – Ignited conflict, Sparked
confrontation, Set ablaze, Kindled, Flared
up
24. All-out war (noun) – Total war, Full-scale
34. Trigger (verb) – Activate, Initiate, Spark,
war, Unrestricted war, Comprehensive
Set off, Provoke
war, Complete war
2. The conflict has escalated beyond Israel and Hamas, involving multiple regional players and
affecting various countries.
3. Israel has conducted targeted strikes in Lebanon and Syria, impacting Hezbollah, Hamas, and
Iranian forces.
6. The Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran, have intensified the conflict in the Red Sea area.
7. The U.S. has retaliated with airstrikes against Shia militias in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen.
9. Iran claims to have struck Israeli and Sunni Islamist targets in Iraq, Syria, and Pakistan.
10. The situation represents a breakdown in regional order, with nations taking unilateral actions,
undermining international laws and sovereignty.
11. The U.S. National Security Adviser's recent comments about relative calm in the Middle East
contrast sharply with the current turmoil.
12. The Abraham Accords and other regional reconciliations have overlooked the unresolved
Palestinian issue.
13. The conflict in Gaza, fueled by the October 7 Hamas attack, has repositioned the Palestinian
situation as a central regional issue.
14. The conflict involves non-state actors and lacks clear paths to de-escalation, complicating the
security crisis.
15. A new regional security equilibrium is essential, starting with an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
and using Israel-Palestinian peace as a basis for broader regional security discussions.
A. Optimistic
B. Indifferent
C. Critical
D. Sympathetic
6. Given below are four jumbled sentences. Out of the given options pick the one that gives
their correct order.
A. These lotteries organised by State Governments sell dreams.
B. Lured by this, millions of poor people waste their hard-earned money.
C. Crores of rupees and gold are offered as prizes.
D. People buy lotteries hoping to become rich overnight
A. CABD
B. DACB
C. DBCA
D. CBAD
Comprehension:
In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of
the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank.
Agra's marble-marvel has such an overwhelming presence (1)______ other monuments in the
town have been relegated (2) ______ oblivion. Amongst such 60 odd monuments in (3) ______
town, the Red Taj is the most (4) ______ and relatively well-preserved. The tomb in red
sandstone was (5) ______ by Ann Hessing, widow of a Dutch officer, after his death in 1803.
7. Select the correct option to fill in blank 1.
A. but
B. than
C. that
D. If
8. Select the correct option to fill in blank 2.
A. with
B. on
C. to
D. By
9. Select the correct option to fill in blank 3.
A. the
B. an
C. their
D. A
10. Select the correct option to fill in blank 4.
A. efficient
B. adequate
C. active
D. elegant
11. Select the correct option to fill in blank 5.
A. built
B. build
C. to build
D. Building
12. Select the most appropriate one word substitution for the given group of words.
To increase the speed
A. Activate
B. Assimilate
C. Accelerate
D. Exhilarate
13. Select the INCORRECTLY spelt word
A. Opportunity
B. Obscure
C. Omision
D. Obsolete
14. Given below are four jumbled sentences. Out of the given options pick the one that gives
their correct order.
A. These are generated by a violent undersea disturbance or ocean activity.
B. Once generated, they travel outward on the ocean surface in all directions.
C. A tsunami is made up of a series of very long waves.
D. Spreading thus, they look like ripples caused by throwing a rock in a pond
A. BADC
B. CBDA
C. CABD
D. BDCA
15. Select the most appropriate one word substitution for the given group of words.
Pertaining to an individual from birth
A. Chronic
B. Habitual
C. Congenital
D. Anomaly
16. Select the most appropriate meaning of the given idiom.
See eye to eye
A. Stare at someone
B. See clearly
C. Agree with someone
D. Be suspicious
17. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
If they will get married, they will probably settle in Mumbai.
A. If they will be getting married
B. If they had got married
D. The both
25. Select the most appropriate option to substitute the underlined segment in the given
sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select No improvement.
They stopped to laugh as soon as the teacher entered the classroom.
A. stopped laugh
B. stopped laughing
C. No improvement
D. stop laughing
Answers
1. B 2. B 3. B 4. B 5. C 6. B 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. D 11.A 12.C
13. C 14.C 15.C 16.C 17.C 18.C 19.C 20.D 21.A 22.C 23.D 24.D
25. B [Practice Exercise]
Explanations
1. B) Regional powers are engaging in unilateral military actions, undermining international
laws and risking a broader conflict.
The passage describes a complex and chaotic situation in West Asia, where various countries
and groups are taking unilateral military measures, often disregarding international laws and
the concept of sovereignty. This has led to a classic case of regional anarchy, with the potential
risk of escalating into a wider, all-out war. The other options do not accurately reflect the
multi-faceted and escalating nature of the conflict as described in the passage.
2. B) It is central to the conflict, but the turmoil has expanded to include other regional power
dynamics and conflicts.
The passage starts by stating that "West Asia needs a new security equilibrium with the
Palestine issue at the centre," indicating the importance of the Palestine issue. However, it
goes on to describe various other conflicts and unilateral military actions involving different
groups and countries, showing that while the Palestine issue is central, the regional turmoil
involves a broader set of conflicts and dynamics.
3. B) Jake Sullivan claimed that the Middle East was quieter than it had been in two decades, a
statement contradicted by the October 7 Hamas attack and its aftermath.
Jake Sullivan remarked that "the Middle East is quieter today than it has been in two decades,"
reflecting a sense of relative calm or stability in the region. However, the subsequent October
7 Hamas attack and Israel's retaliatory actions starkly contrasted with this sentiment,
highlighting the volatile and unpredictable nature of the region's peace and security dynamics.
The events following Sullivan's statement, including the resurgence of the Palestinian issue and
the broader regional security crisis, clearly contradicted the initial assessment of tranquility.
4. B) The region witnessed a significant deterioration in security, marked by the resurgence of
the Palestinian issue and a complex crisis involving various state and non-state actors.
The passage describes a deepening security crisis in the region, particularly highlighting the
October 7 Hamas attack and Israel's response in Gaza. The resurgence of the Palestinian issue,
the involvement of non-state actors, and the absence of clear strategies for de-escalation (an
off ramp) point to a significant deterioration in the region's security situation. The old order,
previously anchored by America's strong presence, is described as being in tatters, indicating a
shift away from previous stability and towards a more complex and unpredictable security
environment.
5. C) Critical
The passage adopts a critical tone towards the situation in West Asia. It highlights the chaotic
and unstable state of affairs, describing a "classic case of regional anarchy" and the breakdown
of international laws and sovereignty. It further criticizes the lack of progress and the old order
being "in tatters," indicating a tone of disapproval and concern rather than neutrality,
sympathy, or optimism.
6. B) DACB
People buy lotteries hoping to become rich overnight These lotteries organised by State
Governments sell dreams. Crores of rupees and gold are offered as prizes. Lured by this,
millions of poor people waste their hard-earned money
7. B) 'than' का उऩमोग होगा क्मोंकक 'Agra's marble-marvel has such an overwhelming presence'
के फाद 'than' का उऩमोग कयके तुरना की जा यही है । 'Than' का उऩमोग तुरनात्भक डडग्री के
साथ ककमा जाता है , औय महाॉ 'such an overwhelming presence' के साथ तुरना की जा यही है
कक अन्म स्भायक उऩेक्षऺत हो गए हैं।
'than' should be used because after 'Agra's marble-marvel has such an overwhelming
presence', 'than' is used to compare. 'Than' is used with comparative degrees, and here it is
being used to compare that other monuments have been relegated compared to the
overwhelming presence of the marble-marvel.
8. C) To' का use होगा क्मोंकक इस context भें "relegated to oblivion" का अथथ होता है ककसी चीज
को बुराना मा नजयअॊदाज कय दे ना। इस sentence भें कहा गमा है कक अग्रा की अन्म स्भायकों
को भभथय के आश्चमथ की उऩस्स्थतत के कायण बुरा ददमा गमा है , इसलरए 'to' महाॉ सही है ।
'With', 'on', औय 'by' इस context भें सही नहीॊ होंगे क्मोंकक मे prepositions इस particular
expression के साथ ठीक से कपट नहीॊ होती हैं।
To' should be used because in this context, "relegated to oblivion" means to forget or
ignore something. The sentence says that other monuments in Agra have been
forgotten due to the overwhelming presence of the marble marvel, making 'to' the
correct choice here. 'With', 'on', and 'by' are not appropriate in this context because
these prepositions do not fit well with this particular expression.
9. A) The' का use होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ ऩय specific town की फात हो यही है , स्जसभें Agra की फात की
गमी है । 'The' definite article होता है स्जसका use specific person, place, or thing को refer कयते
सभम होता है । 'An' indefinite article है औय इसका use non-specific things के लरए होता है ।
'Their' possessive adjective है औय महाॉ ऩय fit नहीॊ होता। 'A' बी indefinite article है औय
specific town की फात कयते हुए इसका use नहीॊ होगा।
The' should be used because we are talking about a specific town, that is Agra. 'The' is a
definite article used to refer to a specific person, place, or thing. 'An' is an indefinite
article and is used for non-specific things. 'Their' is a possessive adjective and does not
fit here. 'A' is also an indefinite article and will not be used while referring to a specific
town.
10. D) elegant' का use होगा क्मोंकक "elegant" का अथथ होता है सॊद
ु य औय सोकपस्स्टकेटे ड। Sentence
भें फतामा गमा है कक Red Taj शहय भें भौजद
ू अन्म स्भायकों भें सफसे अधधक ______ है , इसलरए
'elegant' महाॉ सही है क्मोंकक मह उसकी सुॊदयता औय सोकपस्स्टकेशन को व्मक्त कयता है ।
'Efficient' का अथथ है कुशर, 'Adequate' का अथथ है ऩमाथप्त, औय 'Active' का अथथ है सकरिम, जो
इस context भें सही नहीॊ है ।
elegant' should be used because it means beautiful and sophisticated. The sentence
describes that the Red Taj is the most ______ among other monuments in the town,
making 'elegant' fitting here as it expresses its beauty and sophistication. Whereas, 'A.
efficient' means skillful, 'B. adequate' means sufficient, and 'C. active' means energetic
or lively, which don’t fit in this context.
11. A) Built' का use होगा क्मोंकक महाॉ ऩय sentence की फात कय यही है ककसी चीज को फनाने की
जो ऩहरे ही हो चक
ु ी है । 'Built' एक past participle है औय मह इस context भें सही है क्मोंकक
tomb ऩहरे ही फन चक
ु ी है । 'Build' present form है , 'to build' infinitive है औय 'Building' एक
gerund है , जो इस context भें सही नहीॊ हैं।
Built' should be used because the sentence is talking about something that has already
been constructed. 'Built' is a past participle and is correct in this context because the
tomb has already been constructed. 'Build' is in the present form, 'to build' is an
infinitive, and 'Building' is a gerund, none of which are correct in this context.
12. C) Accelerate (verb) – To increase in speed or rate. गति बढ़ाऩा
Activate (verb) – To make something active or operative. सक्रिय करऩा
Assimilate (verb) – To take in, understand, or absorb information, values, or culture.
सम्ममलऱि करऩा
Exhilarate (verb) – To make someone feel very happy or animated. उत्स़ाहिि करऩा
13. C) The INCORRECTLY spelt word among the given options is C. "Omision". The correct spelling
is "Omission छोड़ हिय़ा गय़ा, नजरअंि़ाज क्रकय़ा गय़ा.
14. C) CABD
A tsunami is made up of a series of very long waves These are generated by a violent
undersea disturbance or ocean activity. Once generated, they travel outward on the ocean
surface in all directions. Spreading thus, they look like ripples caused by throwing a rock in
a pond