Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 apparently to stop NATO’s further expansion into its neighbourhood. But in less than three months, the same invasion has pushed two countries in that neighbourhood to consider NATO membership. Last week, the Prime Minister and President of Finland, which has stayed neutral since the end of the Second World War, said they hoped their country would apply for NATO membership ”without delay”. Sweden, which has stayed out of military alliances for 200 years, stated that NATO membership would strengthen its national security and stability in the Baltic and Nordic regions. If these two countries now formally apply for membership, it would be the biggest strategic setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin whose most important foreign policy focus has been on weakening NATO. Particularly alarming for Russia is the case of Finland, with which it has a hostile past. Stalin invaded Finland in 1939 demanding more territories. Though the Red Army struggled in the initial phase of the war, it forced Finland to sign the Moscow Peace Treaty, ceding some 9% of its territory. But a year later, the Finns, in an alliance with the German Nazis, attacked the Soviet troops. Peace was established along the 1,340-km Finnish-Russian border after the Nazis were defeated in the Second World War. Now, Ukraine appears to have deepened the security concerns of Finland and Sweden. It is still not clear whether these countries would be inducted into NATO any time soon. Within the alliance, decisions are taken unanimously. Turkey has already expressed its opposition to taking the Nordic countries in. While the U.S. and the U.K. are pushing for NATO’s expansion, Germany and France have taken a more cautious line. Hungary, which has deep ties with Russia and has already held up the EU’s plan to ban Russian oil imports, has not made its views clear. But the mere declaration of intent by Finland and Sweden to join NATO has sent tensions in Europe soaring, with Russia threatening ’military and technical’ retaliation. Normatively speaking, Finland and Sweden are sovereign countries and free to take decisions on joining any alliance. It is up to NATO to decide whether they should be taken in or not. But a bigger question these countries as well as Europe as a whole face is whether another round of expansion of NATO would help bring in peace and stability in Europe, particularly at a time when the continent is facing a pre-First World War-type security competition. It would escalate the current crisis between nuclear-armed Russia and NATO to dangerous levels. Already the several rounds of NATO expansion and Russia’s territorial aggression have brought the world to its most dangerous moment since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis. Russia should immediately halt the war and all the stakeholders should focus on finding a long-term solution to the crisis.
Sweden decided to apply for NATO membership in order to...
Show Hint
- Weaken Russia
- Strengthen its national security
- Strengthen NATO as a military alliance
- Strengthen bilateral relationship with Finland
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The question asks for the specific reason why Sweden decided to seek NATO membership, according to the information provided in the passage.
Step 2: Locating Sweden's Justification in the Passage
The passage provides a direct quote or statement regarding Sweden's motivation. It reads: "Sweden, which has stayed out of military alliances for 200 years, stated that NATO membership would strengthen its national security and stability in the Baltic and Nordic regions."
Step 3: Evaluating the Options
(A) Weaken Russia: While this might be a consequence of NATO expansion, it is not stated as Sweden's primary motivation.
(B) Strengthen its national security: This option directly matches the reason given in the passage. Sweden's stated goal is to enhance its own security and stability.
(C) Strengthen NATO as a military alliance: This might be an outcome, but the passage presents Sweden's motivation as being focused on its own national interest, not the alliance's overall strength.
(D) Strengthen bilateral relationship with Finland: While Finland is also applying and they are neighbors, Sweden's stated reason for joining NATO is its own national security, not its relationship with Finland.
Step 4: Final Answer
The passage explicitly states that Sweden's reason for applying for NATO membership is to strengthen its national security. Therefore, option (B) is the correct answer.
Which one of the following statement is INCORRECT.
Show Hint
- Historically, Russia has very troubling relationship with Finland.
- US, UK, Germany and France are very actively pursuing to expand NATO in Europe.
- Turkey opposes the NATO membership to Sweden and Finland.
- NATO expansion was one of the cause for 1962 Cuban Missile crisis.
The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
The question asks to identify the statement that is factually incorrect based on the information given in the passage. This requires checking each option against the text.
Step 2: Verifying Each Statement
(A) Historically, Russia has very troubling relationship with Finland: The passage supports this. It mentions, "Particularly alarming for Russia is the case of Finland, with which it has a hostile past. Stalin invaded Finland in 1939...". This statement is correct.
(B) US, UK, Germany and France are very actively pursuing to expand NATO in Europe: The passage presents a more nuanced picture. It says, "While the U.S. and the U.K. are pushing for NATO's expansion, Germany and France have taken a more cautious line." This means they are not all "very actively pursuing" expansion; Germany and France are cautious. Thus, this statement is incorrect.
(C) Turkey opposes the NATO membership to Sweden and Finland: The passage confirms this. It states, "Turkey has already expressed its opposition to taking the Nordic countries in." This statement is correct.
(D) NATO expansion was one of the cause for 1962 Cuban Missile crisis.: The passage makes a different claim. It states, "Already the several rounds of NATO expansion and Russia's territorial aggression have brought the world to its most dangerous moment since the 1962 Cuban missile crisis." This implies the current situation is comparable in danger to the Cuban Missile Crisis, but it does NOT say NATO expansion caused the 1962 crisis. This statement is therefore incorrect as presented in the option based on a misreading of the passage. However, comparing it with option B, option B presents a clearer contradiction with the text. The question asks for one incorrect statement. Let's re-evaluate. The passage clearly says Germany and France have taken a more cautious line. So, statement B is definitely incorrect. Statement D is an incorrect interpretation of the passage's comparison, but the passage does not provide enough information to definitively call the historical claim itself correct or incorrect, it only states the current danger level is similar. Given the clear contradiction in statement B, it is the most definitively incorrect statement according to the passage.
Step 3: Final Decision
Statement (B) is directly contradicted by the text, which explicitly separates the stances of the US/UK from Germany/France. The statement incorrectly lumps all four countries together as "very actively pursuing" expansion. This is the most clearly incorrect statement based on the provided passage.
Step 4: Final Answer
The passage clearly distinguishes between the US and UK, who are pushing for expansion, and Germany and France, who are more cautious. Therefore, the statement that all four are "very actively pursuing" expansion is incorrect. Option (B) is the correct answer.
Top Questions on Reading Comprehension
(1) Pancakes, a beloved breakfast dish across the world, has a surprisingly long and diverse history. Archaeological evidence shows that people were cooking pancakes as food as far back as 30,000 years ago on hot stones and primitive griddles.
(2) In ancient Greece and Rome, pancakes were made from wheat flour, olive oil, honey, and curdled milk. They were often served as a sweet treat during festivals or special occasions. In medieval Europe, pancakes became a popular dish during Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent began. In France, thin crepes became a national delicacy, often filled with sweet or savoury ingredients. In Russia, blinis were made using buckwheat flour and served with sour cream or caviar. In Ethiopia, the spongy injera became a staple food, made from teff flour and used as both a plate and utensil. Similarly, in China, pancakes are often savoury while in Japan, fluffy “souffl´ e pancakes” have become a modern favourite.
(3) The American version of pancakes, thick and soft, gained popularity in the 18th century. The use of baking powder made them light and airy, and they were often served with butter and maple syrup– a symbol of hearty comfort food. Over time, pancakes became a universal dish, symbolizing community and celebration. Whether sweet or savoury, thick or thin, every culture has found a way to adapt this simple food to its own taste and traditions.
(4) India has its own rich tradition of similar dishes that have been enjoyed for centuries. Across the country, almost every region has a version of a pancake– whether sweet or savoury– made from grains, pulses, or rice. These Indian pancakes not only satisfy hunger but also reflect the diversity of India’s culinary culture. In South India, dosas and adai are the most famous forms of pancakes. Made from a fermented batter of rice and lentils, dosas are crisp and light, while adai is thicker and more filling. The fermentation process adds a unique sour flavor and makes them nutritious and easy to digest. In Kerala, the appam, made with fermented rice batter and coconut milk, is soft in the center and crispy at the edges. Moving north, we find the western style cheela, a simple and wholesome Indian pancake made from gram flour, spiced with onions, chillies and coriander. In Maharashtra, the thalipeeth is a multigrain pancake that uses flours like jowar, bajra and rice mixed with spices and vegetables. It is both flavorful and filling, providing a good balance of carbohydrates and proteins.
(5) In the eastern parts of India, pitha is a traditional pancake made during festivals and special occasions. Varieties like patishapta in Bengal are sweet, filled with coconut and jaggery. In Assam and Odisha, pithas can be steamed, fried, or roasted, depending on the custom and region. In the western deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, people prepare chilla and handvo, which are savoury western pancake-like dishes baked in traditional ovens. These pancakes are a blank canvas for toppings, waiting for a splash of fruit or a scattering of condiments.
(6) Today, pancakes continue to evolve with new recipes, from vegan and gluten-free varieties to those infused with fruits, oats, or even protein powder. Despite their many forms, they remain a timeless reminder of how food connects mankind through shared history and creativity. Each pancake tells a story of regional identity, food traditions and a deep love for food that brings people together. Pancakes are warm, edible hugs that are a perfect comfort on a bleak day.- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
(1) Rate of Internet Reach in India : 2014–2024
The rate of internet reach in India rose over 52% in 2024 from about 14% in 2014. Although these figures seem relatively low, it meant that more than half of the population of 1.4 billion people had internet access that year. This also ranked the country second in the world in terms of active internet users.
(2) Internet availability and accessibility By 2021 the number of internet connections across the country tripled in urban areas because of a higher density of population leading to an increase in the number of connections. However, despite of incredibly low internet prices, internet usage in India has yet to reach its full potential. Lack of awareness about the internet in India persists, especially in rural areas and among women, driven by digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and a lack of perceived need for the internet. This hinders digital adoption, with many not knowing how to use the internet or even being aware of its existence. Targeted awareness campaigns and digital literacy programs are crucial to bridge this gap and ensure people understand and can benefit from the digital ecosystem.
(3) Digital living Home to one of the largest bases of netizens in the world, India is abuzz with internet activities being carried out every moment of every day. From information and research to shopping and entertainment to living in smart homes, Indians have welcomed digital living with open arms.
Rate of Internet Reach in India
- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: “We have, at last, achieved our political emancipation. We pledge ourselves to liberate all our people from the continuing bondage of poverty, deprivation, suffering, gender and other discrimination. Never, never, and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another. The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.”
(Nelson Mandela– Long Walk to Freedom)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Extract: OOP : I haven’t a clue. I’ve been to seven galaxies, but I’ve never seen anything like this. Maybe they’re hats. (He opens a book and puts it on his head.) Say, maybe this is a haberdashery!
OMEGA:(bowinglow) Perhaps the Great and Mighty Think-Tank will give us the benefit of his thought on the matter.
THINK-TANK:Elementary, my dear Omega. Hold one of the items up so that I may view it closely. (Omega holds a book on the palm of her hand.) Yes, yes, I understand now. Since Earth creatures are always eating, the place in which you find yourselves is undoubtedly a crude refreshment stand.
OMEGA:(to Iota and Oop) He says we’re in a refreshment stand.
OOP:Well, the Earthlings certainly have a strange diet. (The Book that Saved the Earth)- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Some say the world will end in fire
some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favour fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
- Robert Frost- CBSE Class X - 2026
- English
- Reading Comprehension
Questions Asked in KLEE exam
- The smallest positive number which is divisible by the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 is
- KLEE - 2024
- Number System
- Two statements followed by two conclusions are given. Taking the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at variance from commonly known facts, read all the conclusions and then decide which of the given conclusions logically follow from the statements. Statements: 1. Mathematics is essential for all subjects.
2. Statistics is applied in Economics.
Conclusions: I. Mathematics is not needed in Sociology.
II. Economics is applied in Statistics.- KLEE - 2024
- Statements and Conclusions
- A person bought an item for Rs. 1350 and spent Rs.150 towards transportation of the item. Then he sold it for Rs.1800. The profit percentage is
- KLEE - 2024
- Profit & Loss
- Who is considered as the "founding father" of space programmes in India?
- KLEE - 2024
- Science and Technology
- Earth's atmosphere contains
- KLEE - 2024
- Astronomy