Comprehension
Read the passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
The process of making Bidis starts in forested villages where villagers pluck Tendu leaves and sell it to the forest department or a private contractor who in turn sells it to the forest department. On average a person can collect 100 bundles (of 50 leaves each) a day. The government then auctions the leaves to Bidi factory owners who give it to contractors. The contractor in turn supplies tobacco and leaves to home-based workers. These workers, mostly women, roll the bidis first dampening the leaves, then cutting them, filling in tobacco evenly and then tying them with thread. The contractor picks up these bidis and sells them to the manufacturer who roasts them and sells them and puts his own brand label. The manufacturer then sells them to a distributor who distributes the packed bidis to wholesalers who in turn sell to your neighborhood pan shops.
Question: 1

What kind of work does the passage exemplify?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Government work
  • Home-based work
  • Factory work
  • Minor forest produce
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The text details a process of bidi production and distribution, from Tendu leaf collection to sales. Let's categorize the work described:

  • Government work: Public sector tasks, not the primary focus, despite government involvement in auctions.
  • Home-based work: This is central, with workers, mainly women, rolling bidis in their homes.
  • Factory work: Factories are used for branding and roasting, but the passage highlights decentralized labor prior to this.
  • Minor forest produce: Tendu leaves are a minor forest produce, but the emphasis is on the labor involved.

Therefore, the passage predominantly illustrates Home-based work due to the significant role of home-based bidi rolling in the production chain.

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Question: 2

In home-based work such as rolling Bidis, who among the following provides raw material to the home-based worker?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Government
  • Contractor
  • Manufacturer
  • Distributor
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The query concerns the supplier of raw materials to home-based Bidi rollers. The options provided are Government, Contractor, Manufacturer, and Distributor. The passage outlines the supply chain:

  • Tendu leaves are first obtained by the forest department or a private contractor.
  • The government then auctions these leaves to Bidi factory owners.
  • Subsequently, these factory owners distribute the leaves to contractors.
  • It is these contractors who then furnish tobacco and leaves to individuals working from home.

Therefore, the unambiguous answer is that a Contractor is responsible for supplying raw materials, specifically tobacco and leaves, to home-based Bidi rollers.

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Question: 3

What is the usual method of payment for workers described in the passage?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Monthly
  • Daily
  • Piece Rate
  • Annually
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The passage identifies home-based workers, primarily women, who assemble Bidis by hand using materials supplied by contractors. Their remuneration is contingent upon the volume of Bidis completed, a practice characteristic of the Piece Rate compensation model.

Key elements presented include:

  • Contractors furnish workers with leaves and tobacco.
  • The manufacturing process involves manual steps: moistening leaves, cutting, stuffing with tobacco, and binding.
  • Completed Bidis are subsequently retrieved by the contractors.

The Piece Rate system dictates payment based on output quantity rather than a fixed wage. Consequently, the described production method corresponds to Piece Rate.

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Question: 4

Who among the following receives the maximum profit in the Bidi industry?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Government
  • Workers
  • Manufacturers
  • Contractors
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Within the Bidi sector, the highest profits are generally realized by contractors. An examination of the supply chain elucidates this:

  • Villagers: Their role commences with the collection of Tendu leaves, which they then vend to either the forest department or a contractor. Their remuneration is confined to the established rate for leaf collection.
  • Government: This entity procures Tendu leaves through auction to Bidi factory proprietors. Its revenue is derived from a fixed auction sum, with no further profit participation.
  • Manufacturers: Post-acquisition of Bidis from contractors, manufacturers undertake roasting, packaging, and branding. Although they achieve profitability through branding and scale, their cost structure and branding efforts cap their maximum profit potential relative to contractors.
  • Contractors: They function as intermediaries, connecting the government with home-based laborers. Contractors acquire Tendu leaves at auction prices, provide these leaves along with tobacco to workers, and subsequently collect the completed Bidis for sale to manufacturers. Their strategic advantage lies in minimizing labor expenditures and maximizing their profit margin on the resale of finished Bidis.

Therefore, due to their command over cost management and markup opportunities, contractors are optimally positioned to secure the greatest profit within this operational structure.

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Question: 5

Which of the following is a negative consequence of Bidi rolling?

Updated On: Jan 16, 2026
  • Skin infection
  • Lung infection
  • Backache
  • Conjunctivitis
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The Bidi rolling process involves predominantly female workers handling Tendu leaves and tobacco. Their tasks include moistening leaves, cutting, uniformly filling them with tobacco, and securing the rolled Bidis with thread. Direct exposure to these materials, especially tobacco, can result in health problems.

The following are potential negative consequences of this work:

  • Skin infection: Prolonged skin contact with tobacco can cause irritation or infection due to nicotine and other chemical compounds.
  • Lung infection: While possible from inhaling tobacco dust, this is less directly linked to rolling than skin contact.
  • Backache: Repetitive motions and required posture during rolling can lead to back pain.
  • Conjunctivitis: Airborne particles may cause eye inflammation, but this is not a primary concern highlighted in Bidi rolling specifically.

Based on the direct hand contact involved in Bidi rolling, Skin infection is identified as a significant occupational hazard. This is due to the common occurrence of skin issues stemming from exposure to the plant materials and nicotine, which are characteristic of the substances handled by Bidi rolling workers.

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