AFCAT 13 Sept 2015 Official Paper (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Without patience wisdom cannot be used properly.

 Key Points

• The very first phrase of the passage suggests that 'patience is better than wisdom.' This indicates that the passage may speak of the merits of patience.
• Similarly, the next line compares patience and wisdom (brains) in terms of 'ounces' and 'pounds.' An ounce is smaller than a pound.
• Therefore, here it would mean that even a little patience could be much more worthy than a pound of knowledge or wisdom.
• Also, as per option 4, this would mean that having all the wisdom is of no use, if patience is not practiced because, patience weighs more than wisdom.
  

Therefore the correct answer is option 4.

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. It is only a small number of people that are found observing patience in life.

Key Points 

• As per the first line of the text, it mentions this sentence, "All men praise patience, but few can practice it."
• The statement is then followed by the given statement in the question. This means that it is adding to more details about the fact that, not everyone can practice patience.
• The word 'herb' refers to medicine which in turn is a metaphor for 'patience.'
• The given statement is a metaphor for it int he following way; patience is a medicine, beneficial for all; however, that medicine or virtue does not grow or nourish in everyone. There are only a few who grow that medicine (patience) in their gardens. 
  

Therefore, as per the statements and their metaphors, option 4 is the correct option.

The correct option is 2 i.e. They consider their own problems to be difficult to solve as compared to the problems of other people.

 Key Points

• The remark has a few metaphors that must first be understood.
• The feathers in the statement refers to the burdens that are carried by people. These burdens are either light or as heavy as lead.
• As per the remark, the writer describes that people find every other person's burden to be light, but their own (feathers - burdens) to be heavy, and option 2 simply states the same.
  

Therefore, option 2 is the correct answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. exciting.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Enticing: attractive or tempting.
2. Exciting: 

causing great enthusiasm and eagerness. 3. Encharming: to charm. 4. Enhancing: intensify, increase, or further improve the quality, value, or extent of.

• ​In the text, (4) refers to the word 'exciting' as it describes the series of challenges in life as causing enthusiasm and bringing out the eagerness to seize the opportunities.

​

• Other options are not entirely invalid, however, a challenges and opportunities are rarely described as 'charming,' 'tempting,' or even 'improving in quality.'
• They are often described as exciting, as they stimulate learning and growth.
  

Therefore option 2 is the best suited answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. grabbing.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Freeing: the action or process of releasing or being released.
2. Offsetting: place out of line.
3. Grabbing: obtain or get (something) quickly or opportunistically.
4. Conceiving: form or devise (a plan or idea) in the mind.

• ​In the text, (5) refers to the word 'grabbing' as it refers to 'obtaining' the right opportunities. The word is also indicative of a rough and quick movement of capturing something.
• Therefore the overall meaning would be to grasp or grab the right opportunities quickly that come one's way.

​

• Other options are not valid in this context. Grasping opportunities are rarely described with 'a release,' 'placed out of line,' 'or planning of an idea.'
• They are often described as quick and opportunistic. Therefore, the other options are less suitable.
  

Therefore option 3 is the best suited answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. execution.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Delay: make (someone or something) late or slow.
2. Hindrance: a thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction.
3. Command: give an authoritative or peremptory order.
4. Execution: the carrying out of a plan, order, or course of action.

• ​In the text, (6) refers to the word 'execution' as it refers to 'carrying out a devised plan.'
• As per the passage, it refers to the fact that planning one's course of action is better than an unplanned course.
• The word following 'planned' is 'execute' as they refer to properly laying out a plan of action to be carried out.

​

• Other options are not valid in this context as it would mean planning a delay, or hindrance is beneficial in career choices which is untrue. The other options are less suitable.
  

Therefore option 4 is the best suited answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. desirable.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Desirable: wished for as being an attractive, useful, or necessary course of action.
2. Deciphered: succeed in understanding, interpreting, or identifying something.
3. Inevitable: certain to happen; unavoidable.
4. Rejected: dismiss as inadequate, unacceptable, or faulty.

• In the text, (7) refers to the word 'desirable' as the passage refers to choosing the right career, with proper planning.

• It describes the choosing the right opportunities as a desirable and recommended thing to do as compared to making a hasty decision.

• The word 'desirable' in this context refers to being more 'preferable' or wishing' to make the right career choice.

• Other options are not valid in this context as they mean 'unavoidable' or 'faulty' decisions in choosing the career, which is not the meaning of the statement.

Therefore option 1 is the best suited answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. analyze.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Assemble: cause (people or things) to gather together for a common purpose.
2. Classify: assign to a particular class or category.
3. Divide: separate or be separated into parts.
4. Analyze: examine (something) methodically and in detail, typically in order to explain and interpret it.

• ​In the text, (8) refers to the word 'analyze' as the passage refers to choosing the right career, with proper planning and assessment.
• It describes choosing the right opportunities by 'analyzing' each aspect of the groups and organizations that are suitable, which includes detailed examination and a way to understand it's pros and cons better.

​

• Other options are not completely wrong in this context, however, analyzing is a better term while speaking about examining of one's surrounding and opportunities. Classification, division and assembling could actually come under the broader term of analyzing and thus, option 4 is a better alternative.
  

Therefore option 4 is the best suited answer.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. qualifications.

• Let us first look at what the options mean:

1. Assemble: a detailed description of the design and materials used to make something.
2. Disagreement: lack of consistency or correspondence.
3. Qualifications: a quality or accomplishment that makes someone suitable for a particular job or activity.
4. Identification: a person's sense of identity with someone or something.

• ​In the text, (9) refers to the word 'qualifications' as the passage refers to choosing the right career, with proper planning and assessment.
• It describes choosing the career paths and organizations by properly analyzing their qualifications.

​

• Other options in this context are not valid, as they do not refer to the assessment of one's options / organizations and occupations 
  

Therefore option 3 is the best suited answer.

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. vague.

Key Points 

• Nebulous means a vague or ill-defined concept. It also refers to hazy or cloudy. (एक अस्पष्ट या गलत परिभाषित अवधारणा। यह धुंधला या बादल छाए रहने को भी संदर्भित करता है)
• In other terms nebulous would refer to something that is 'unclear' or 'blurred.'
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:
• Tiny: very small (बहुत छोटे से)
• Vague: indefinite or not having a precise meaning (अनिश्चित या सटीक अर्थ न होना)
• Insignificant: meaningless. (अर्थहीन।)
• Inadequate: lacking the quality or quantity required or insufficient. (आवश्यक या अपर्याप्त गुणवत्ता या मात्रा की कमी।)
• From the above words, it is clear the 'vague' is closest in meaning to nebulous as it refers to being 'unclear or not having precise meaning.'
• An example of the same is: It was not difficult to realize her answer to the question was nebulous.
  

Therefore 'vague' is nearest to the word 'nebulous.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. weaken.

• Debilitate means make (someone) very weak and infirm.
• In other terms it would refer to something that exhausting or draining.
  
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Weaken: make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength.
2. Attack: take aggressive military action against.
3. Surmount: overcome (a difficulty or obstacle).
4. Destroy: end the existence of (something) by damaging or attacking it.
   

• ​From the above words, it is clear the 'weaken' is closest in meaning to debilitate as it refers to a state of being or making weak.
• An example of the same is:  It is expected that the illness will debilitate him for at least another week.
  

Therefore 'weaken' is nearest to the word 'debilitate.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. curse.

• Anathema means a strong curse or something or someone that one bitterly dislikes. It is a noun.
• In other terms it would refer to something like a ban or curse.
• In its other main usage, it is a formal excommunication.
• An example of the same is: The epidemic which killed dozens of small children was an anathema to the residents of the town.
  

Therefore 'curse' is nearest to the word 'anathema'

Additional Information

The other options are not as closely related to the meaning of "anathema".

• Religious chant: a repetitive song or prayer used in religious ceremonies.
• Pun: a play on words, especially one that is humorous.
• Musical subject: a melody or theme that is used in a piece of music.

The correct answer is liking.

Key Points

• Penchant means a strong or habitual liking for something or a tendency to do something (किसी चीज के लिए मजबूत या अभ्यस्त पसंद या कुछ करने की प्रवृत्ति)
• In other terms, it would refer to fondness or preference for something.
  

Therefore 'liking' is nearest to the word 'penchant'.

Additional Information

Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Liking: a feeling of regard or fondness. (सम्मान या स्नेह की भावना)
2. Eagerness: enthusiasm to do or to have something. (कुछ करने का उत्साह)
3. Disability: a disadvantage or handicap (विकलांगता)
4. Keenness: the quality of being eager or enthusiastic (इच्छा)

• ​From the above words, it is clear that penchant means an intense liking.
• An example of the same is: He has a penchant for the game.​

Mistake Points

• Although keenness seems like a good match, it speaks more of enthusiasm and eagerness as compared to 'liking or preference.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. manageable.

• Refractory means stubborn or unmanageable.
• In other terms it would refer to resistant.
  
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Refreshing: give new strength or energy to or reinvigorate.
2. Burdensome: difficult to carry out or fulfill.
3. Privileged: having special rights, advantages, or immunity to.
4. Manageable: able to be controlled or dealt with without difficulty.
   

• ​From the above words, it is clear that refractory is opposite to 'manageable.'

Therefore 'manageable' is opposite to the word 'refractory.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. Affable.

• Insolent means showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
• In other terms it would refer to being ill - mannered.
  
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Sullen: bad-tempered and sulky.
2. Affable: friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to.
3. Determined: possessing or displaying resolve.
4. Rich: having a great deal of money or assets or wealth.
   

• ​From the above words, it is clear that insolent is opposite to 'affable,' which means 'to be well - mannered or friendly.'

Therefore 'affable' is opposite to the word 'insolent.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. Harmonious.

• Acrimonious means angry and bitter.
  
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Legal: relating to the law.
2. Severe: bad or undesirably intense.
3. Cursive: writing with characters joined.
4. Harmonious: free from disagreement or dissent.
   

• ​From the above words, it is clear that acrimonious is opposite to 'harmonious,' which means 'to be agreeing or friendly.

Therefore 'harmonious' is opposite to the word 'acrimonious.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. believer.

• Sceptic refers to a person inclined to question or doubt accepted opinions.
• It would also simply refer to a doubtful person or non-believer.
  
• Let us take a look at what the options mean:

1. Cryptic: having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure.
2. Believer: a person who believes in the truth or existence of something.
3. Support: bear all or part of the weight of; hold up.
4. Eminent: famous and respected within a particular sphere.
   

• ​From the above words, it is clear that sceptic is opposite to 'believer,' which means 'to be a kind of supporter or devotee' instead of being a doubter.

Therefore 'believer' is opposite to the word 'sceptic.'

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. to restrain.

• To hold something in a leash means to tightly control someone or something, to restrict someone’s freedom, to curtail someone’s independence.
• It is also used as 'to keep on a short leash.'

​

• Its origins come from the fact that a leash is a rope or leather strap attached to an animal, usually a dog, in order to control the movement of that animal.
• An example of a sentence is: We need to hold the rioters in a leash, for the peace of city.
  

Therefore, option 1 best defines the given phrase.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e. to talk nonsense.

• To talk through one's hat means to make irresponsible or foolish statements; talk nonsense.
• An example of a sentence is: He is talking through his hat when he says he'll make the team win.
  

Therefore, option 2 best defines the given phrase.

The correct answer is To surrender or give up a contest.

Key Points

• The correct answer is option 1 i.e. to surrender or give up a contest.
• To throw up a sponge means to give up a contest or to acknowledge defeat. The option closest to it is option 1.
• It is also similar to the phrase **'to throw in a towel.'**​

​Therefore, option 1 best defines the given phrase.

Important Points

• Its origins come from a custom of the boxing ring, the person employed to sponge a boxer between rounds throwing his sponge in the air as a token of defeat.
• An example of a sentence is: After repeated failures and disappointments he was tempted to throw up the sponge

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. to get into trouble.

• To get into hot waters means to get in trouble, or into an embarrassing situation.

​

• Presumably it's origin is based on the fact that the water hot enough to burn one and therefore, it could refer to getting into trouble or a dangerous situation.
• An example of a sentence is: The young boy got into hot water with his parents when he had a fight at school.
  

Therefore, option 3 best defines the given phrase.

The correct spelling is Dolorous.

Key Points

• Dolorous means feeling or expressing great sorrow or distress. (बहुत दुख या संकट महसूस करना या व्यक्त करना)
• An example is as follows: Sally stopped and uttered a dolorous phrase that we could all understand. “My dog is dead, ” she said, as tears filled her eyes.

The correct spelling is 'Conduit'.

Key Points 

• Conduit means a person or organization that acts as a channel for the transmission of something. (एक व्यक्ति या संगठन जो किसी चीज के प्रसारण के लिए एक चैनल के रूप में कार्य करता है।)
• An example of the same is: By its definition, money laundering is a conduit for trading criminal money.
  

​Hence, the correct choice is option 2.

The correct spelling is 'Gregarious.'

Key Points

• Gregarious means a person who is fond of a company or sociable.
• An example for the same is: she is the most gregarious of all girls.

The correct spelling is option 2 i.e. intrinsic.

Key Points 

• Intrinsic means belonging naturally or essential. (स्वाभाविक रूप से या आवश्यक)
• An example of the same is: Most mothers have this intrinsic need to protect their children at all costs.

The correct spelling is option 1 i.e. sepulchral.

Key Points 

• Sepulchral means relating to a tomb or gloomy. (एक मकबरे या उदास से संबंधित)
• An example of the same is: The cemetery was a sepulchral sight at night.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 2 i.e**. to waste one’s efforts**

• An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical (not literal) meaning, which has become accepted in common usage.
• To flog a dead horse means waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding or as mentioned in option 2.
• It is also similar to the phrase 'to beat a dead horse.'

​

• Its use may be justified if one imagines the image of beating or flogging a lifeless horse, expecting it to get up and pull a wagon. This is obviously an attempt that is going to fail.
• An example of a sentence is: He keeps trying to get his manuscripts published, but I think he is flogging a dead horse.
  

Therefore, option 2 best defines the given phrase.

The correct answer is option 4 i.e. a rough and clumsy person at a place where skill and care are required.

• An idiom is a phrase, saying, or a group of words that has a metaphorical (not literal) meaning, which has become accepted in common usage.
• A bull in a china shop means an extremely awkward, or clumsy person. It also refers to not being able to manage a light situation and thus cause destruction.
• It is also said as 'like a bull in a china shop.'

Important Points

• The phrase comes from literally imagining a bull, in a shop that sells crockery, which is obviously going to lead to destruction due to the bull's movements.
• An example of a sentence is:
• The new housemaid is a bull in a china shop.

Therefore, option 4 best defines the given phrase.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 1 i.e. the beginning and the end.

• An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical (not literal) meaning, which has become accepted in common usage.
• The alpha and the omega means both the beginning and the end.

​

​

• This phrase has its origins in the Bible. Alpha and Omega are also the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, respectively, thus making it the beginning and the end metaphorically.
• An example of a sentence is: He had to learn the alpha and the omega of the subject before he could even begin his research.
  

Therefore, option 1 best defines the given phrase.

Explanation

The correct answer is option 3 i.e. a useless undertaking.

• An idiom is a phrase, saying or a group of words that has a metaphorical (not literal) meaning, which has become accepted in common usage.
• A fool's errand means a task that is futile, a task that has little hope of being successful.

​

​

• The term fool’s errand came into use in the 1700s, originally being mostly used when playing a trick on someone who is feeble-minded, or who / when one doesn't comprehend things well enough.
• An example of a sentence is: Even in quiet times, predicting the paths of exchange rates is a fool’s errand.
  

Therefore, option 3 best defines the given phrase.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Maria Sharapova.

• Serena Williams (USA) defeated Maria Sharapova (Russia) in the final to win the Women's Singles tennis title at the 2015 Australian Open.
• This was her sixth Australian Open title.
• Venus Williams (USA) and Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) were out of the tournament in quarterfinals and first round respectively.

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Lucknow Boy: A Memoir.

• Vinod Mehta was an eminent Indian journalist and founder editor-in-chief of ‘Outlook’ who published his autobiography by the name of Lucknow Boy: A Memoir.
• One Life Is Not Enough is an autobiography by K. Natwar Singh, former Minister of External Affairs and senior Congress politician.
• The Accidental Prime Minister is a memoir by Sanjaya Baru, who was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's media advisor.
• The Substance and the Shadow is an autobiography by veteran actor Dilip Kumar.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. Birmingham, England.

• Durban, South Africa was initially elected as the host for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in 2015.
• But Durban was stripped of its rights to host due to financial constraints and Birmingham was awarded 2022 Commonwealth Games as Durban's replacement host in 2017.
• Gold Coast, Australia was the host for 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Kayakalp​.

• An innovation council called “Kayakalp” was proposed in the Rail Budget 2015.
• It would be set up for the purpose of business re-engineering and introducing “a spirit of innovation in Railways”.
• Railtech (RIPL) is one of the oldest rail track contractors with a pan India and global presence.
• Sankalp is a fast passenger train on the Ahmedabad - Vadodara route.
• Navachar is a hindi equivalent for innovation.

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Sri Lanka​.

• Sri Lanka celebrates its Independence Day on 4th February.
• Bahrain celebrates its Independence Day on 15th August.
• Cambodia celebrates its Independence Day on 9th November.
• Bangladesh celebrates its Independence Day on 26th March.

The correct answer is Nocturnal​.

• Animals active at night are called nocturnal.
• Examples - Hedgehogs, Foxes, Owls, Bats, and Aardvarks.
• Animals active during the day are called diurnal.
• Examples - Humans, Dogs, Songbirds, Elephants, Squirrels, Gorillas, Deer.
• A parasite is an organism that lives on or in a host and gets its food from or at the expense of its host and can cause disease in humans.
• Examples - Stomach and gut worms (threadworm, hookworm), Skin mites (scabies) hair and body lice (head lice and crab lice), Protozoa (Giardia).

The correct answer is option 4, i.e. NITI Aayog​.

• The NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) is a policy think tank of the Government of India, established with the aim to achieve sustainable development goals with cooperative federalism by fostering the involvement of State Governments of India in the economic policy-making process using a bottom-up approach.
• It was established on January 1, 2015 by the NDA government to replace the Planning Commission which followed a top-down model.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the chairperson of the NITI Aayog.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. Arunima Sinha​.

• “Born Again on the Mountain” is a book authored by Arunima Sinha, a mountaineer and sportswoman.
• The book is an autobiographical account of a girl who beats all odds to become the world’s first female amputee and India’s first amputee to climb Mount Everest.
• Pooja Rani is a female middleweight boxer and 2014 Asian Games Bronze medalist.
• Bachendri Pal has authored "Everest – My Journey to the Top" (an autobiography).

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. A.S. Kiran Kumar​.

Key Points

• A.S. Kiran Kumar was the chairman of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) in 2015.
• S. Somanath is the present chairman of ISRO (2023).
• MYS Prasad is the former director of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre Sriharikota Range.
• Shailesh Nayak is currently the Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies and has served as an interim chairman of ISRO.
• K Radhakrishnan was the chairman of ISRO between 2009 - 2014.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Henry Bacquerel.

• Henry Bacquerel in 1896 discovered radioactivity proving that the uranium emitted radiation without an external source of energy such as the Sun.
• Marie Curie, who together with her husband Pierre, actually coined the term radioactivity and began investigating the phenomenon recently discovered by Becquerel.
• Ernest Rutherford did many experiments studying the properties of radioactive decay, named these alpha, beta, and gamma particles, and classified them by their ability to penetrate matter.
• Enrico Fermi works were on the artificial radioactivity produced by neutrons, and for nuclear reactions brought about by slow neutrons.

The correct answer is  Scattering.

• Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 1930 for his work on the scattering of light and for the discovery of the effect named after him, "The Raman Effect".
• This phenomenon of light scattering was discovered on 28 February 1928 and the day is celebrated by the Government of India as the National Science Day every year in commemoration of the discovery.
• He was also the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in any branch of science and was awarded the first Bharat Ratna by Government of India in 1954.

The correct answer is Ionosphere.

Key Points

• The ionosphere is an abundant layer of electrons and ionized atoms and molecules that stretches from about 48 km above the surface to the edge of space at about 965 km, overlapping into the mesosphere and thermosphere.
• This dynamic region grows and shrinks based on solar conditions and divides further into the sub-regions based on what wavelength of solar radiation is absorbed and is a critical link in the chain of Sun-Earth interactions.
• This region is what makes radio communications possible.
• The troposphere starts at the Earth's surface and extends 8 to 14.5 km high and is the densest part of the atmosphere.
• The stratosphere starts just above the troposphere and extends to 50 km high and contains the ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation.
• The mesosphere starts just above the stratosphere and extends to 85 km high and meteors burn up in this layer.
• The Thermosphere starts just above the mesosphere and extends to 600 km high. Aurora and satellites occur in this layer.
• The Exosphere is the upper limit of our atmosphere and extends from the top of the thermosphere up to 10,000 km.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Lord Irwin.

• Simon Commission was appointed by the British government in 1927 and visited India in 1928 during the tenure of Viceroy Lord Irwin (1926 - 1931).
• Lord Chelmsford was the Viceroy during 1916 - 1921.
• Lord Reading was the Viceroy during 1921 - 1926.
• Lord Wellington was the Viceroy during 1931 - 1936.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. 1914.

Key Points

• Having spent 21 years in South Africa helping fight discrimination, Gandhi decided to leave South Africa to head back to India in July 1914.
• On his way home, Gandhi was scheduled to make a short stop in England.
• However, when World War I broke out during his journey, Gandhi decided to stay in England and form another ambulance corps of Indians to help the British.
• When the British air caused Gandhi to take ill, he sailed to India in January 1915.

The correct answer is option 3, i.e. Finance.

• Todar Mal was associated with Finance in Akbar’s durbar and was one of the Navaratnas.
• He was the finance minister of the Mughal Empire and was associated with land revenue reforms.
• Tansen was associated with Music in Akbar’s durbar.

Mughals:

• The Mughals were descendants of two great lineages of rulers.
• From their mother’s side, they were descendants of Genghis Khan (died 1227), the Mongol ruler who ruled over parts of China and Central Asia.
• From their father’s side, they were the successors of Timur (died 1404), the ruler of Iran, Iraq and modern-day Turkey.
• However, the Mughals did not like to be called Mughal or Mongol. This was because Genghis Khan’s memory was associated with the massacre of innumerable people.
• It was also linked with the Uzbeks, their Mongol competitors.
• On the other hand, the Mughals were proud of their Timurid ancestry, not least of all because their great ancestor had captured Delhi in 1398.

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Isotherms.

• Isotherms are lines on a weather map which connects points of equal temperature.
• Isohyets are lines on a weather map which connects points of equal rainfall over a period of time.
• Isomers are compounds with identical chemical formulae, but different structures.
• Isobars are lines on a weather map which connects points of equal atmospheric pressure measured in millibars.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. Shashi Kapoor.

• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in cinema is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organisation set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for honoring the recipients' "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema"
• First presented in 1969, the award was introduced by the Government of India to commemorate Dadasaheb Phalke's (1870–1944) contribution to Indian cinema, who is popularly known as and often regarded as "the father of Indian cinema"
• He was an Indian filmmaker who directed India's first full-length feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913).
• Shashi Kapoor was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2014.
• Pran was the recipient of the award for 2012.
• Dilip Kumar was the recipient of the award for 1994.
• Amitabh Bachchan was the recipient of the award for 2018.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. $27\frac{1}{3}$.

• There are two periods involved with the orbit of the Moon around the Earth.
• The Moon appears to move completely around the celestial sphere once in about 27.3 days as observed from the Earth.
• This is called a sidereal month and represents the orbital period of the Moon around the Earth.
• The Moon takes 29.5 days to return to the same point on the celestial sphere as referenced to the Sun because of the motion of the Earth around the Sun.
• This is called a synodic month (lunar phases as observed from the Earth are correlated with the synodic month).

The correct answer is option 4, i.e. Winds of Samsara.

• Ricky Kej is an Indian-American composer, music producer and Environmentalist.
• He won a Grammy at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards for his album Winds of Samsara in the Best New Age Album category in 2015.
• In the Lonely Hour is the debut studio album by English singer Sam Smith.
• Morning Phase is an album by American singer Beck.
• Beyonce is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress.

The correct answer is option 2, i.e. 1500 kg.

Key Points

• Agni-V is an intercontinental ballistic missile(ICBM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and is a part of the Agni series of missiles, under the original Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP).
• It is a three-stage solid fuelled missile with a range of 5,500 to 5,800 km.
• It is capable of carrying nuclear payload of 1500 kg.

The correct answer is option 1, i.e. Admiral Gorshkov.

• INS Vikramaditya is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier and the flagship of the Indian Navy.
• Originally it was commissioned by Russian Navy in 1987 under the name Baku and was later renamed as Admiral Gorshkov before being decommissioned in 1996.
• The carrier was purchased by India in 2004 after years of negotiations and has been renamed in honour of Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor of India.
• After completing the trials, she was commissioned in 2013 at a ceremony held at Severodvinsk, Russia and the Prime Minister of India formally inducted INS Vikramaditya into the Indian Navy and dedicated her to the nation in 2014.
• Mikhail Gorbachev was the eighth and last leader of the Soviet Union and is a former President of the USSR; Admiral Nakhimov is a Russian battlecruiser; Petr Bezobrazov was an admiral in the Imperial Russian Navy.

Given,

A boat travels upstream from A to B and downstream from B to A in 3 hrs

Speed of boat in still water = 9 km/hr

Speed of current = 3 km/hr

Formula:

Speed = distance/time

Upstream = Speed of boat - speed of current

Downstream = Speed of boat + speed of current

Calculation:

Upstream speed = 9 - 3 = 6 km/hr

Downstream speed = 9 + 3 = 12 km/hr

Let distance between A and B be x km, then

According to the question

x/12 + x/6 = 3

⇒ (2x + x)/12 = 3

⇒ 3x/12 = 3

⇒ x/4 = 3

⇒ x = 3 × 4

⇒ x = 12 km

∴ The distance between A and B is 12 km.

Given,

Speed of steamer in still water = 4.5 km/hr

Speed of current = 1.5 km/hr

Formula:

Average speed = Total distance/total time

Upstream speed = speed of boat - speed of current

Downstream speed = Speed of boat + speed of current

Calculation:

Upstream speed = 4.5 - 1.5 = 3 km/hr

Downstream speed = 4.5 + 1.5 = 6 km/hr

Let distance covered by upstream and downstream be 6 km

Time to cover 6 km distance upstream = 6/3 = 2 hrs

Time to cover 6 km distance downstream = 6/6 = 1 hr

Total distance = 6 + 6 = 12 km

Total time = 2 + 1 = 3 hr

∴ Average speed = 12/3 = 4 km/hr

Smart trick

Upstream speed = 4.5 - 1.5 = 3 km/hr

Downstream speed = 4.5 + 1.5 = 6 km/hr

Average speed = 2 × 3 × 6/(3 + 6) = 2 × 3 × 6/9 = 4 km/hr

Given,

A can do 1/2 of a piece of work in = 8 days

B can do 1/3 of the same work in = 8 days

Formula:

Total work = Efficiency × Time

Calculation:

A can do 1/2 of a piece of work in = 8 days

A can do the whole work in = 8 × 2 = 16 days

B can do 1/3 of a work in = 8 days

B can do the whole work in = 8 × 3 = 24 days

Total work = 48 unit (LCM of 16 and 24)

Efficiency of A = 3 units/day

Efficiency of B = 2 units/day

Total work = 3 + 2 = 5 units/day

∴ A and B together can complete the whole work in = 48/5 = 9.6 days

Alternate Method

A can do the whole work in = 8 × 2 = 16 days

Efficiency of A = 1/16

B can do the whole work in = 8 × 3 = 24 days

Efficiency of B = 1/24

Efficiency of A and B = 1/16 + 1/24 = (3 + 2)/48 = 5/48

∴ Time taken by A and B = 1/Efficiency = 48/5 = 9.6 days

Given,

C alone can complete a work in = 40 days

Formula:

Total work = Efficiency × Time

Calculation:

Let B can work be 2 unit in a certain time

Work done by A in a certain time = 2 × 1/2 = 1 unit

Work done by C in a certain time = (1 + 2) × 1/2 = 3 × 1/2 = 1.5 unit

Efficiency ratio of A, B and C = 1 : 2 : 1.5

Total work = 1.5 × 40 = 60

∴ A, B and C together can complete the whole work = 60/(1 + 2 + 1.5) = 60/4.5 = $13\frac{{1}}{3}$ days

Given,

Length of train = 150 m

Speed of train = 68 km/hr

Speed of man = 8 km/hr

Formula:

Speed = Distance/time

Relative speed, if two train running opposite train = Sum of speed of both trains

Relative speed, if two train running same direction = Difference of speed of both trains

1 km/hr = 5/18 m/s

Calculation:

Relative speed of train and man, if same direction = 68 - 8 = 60 km/hr = 60 × 5/18 m/s

Time = 150 × 18/5 × 1/60

∴ Time = 9 seconds

Given,

Train cross 12 km long distance in 10 min

Train cross a telegraph post in 6 seconds

Formula:

Speed = distance/time

1 km/hr = 5/18 m/sec

1 m/sec = 18/5 km/hr

Calculation:

Speed of train = 12/(10/60) km/hr

⇒ Speed of train = 72 km/hr

Length of train = speed × time

⇒ Length of train = 72 × (5/18) × 6

⇒ 120 m 

∴ The length of the telegraph post is 120 m.

Given,

Salary of A’s is more than B’s by 50%

Calculation:

Let the salary of B be Rs. 100

Salary of A = 100 × (150/100) = Rs. 150

The salary of B is less than that of A’s = 150 - 100 = Rs. 50

Salary of B less than that of A’s (in %) = (50/150) × 100 

∴ Salary of B less than that of A’s (in %) $33\frac{1}{3}\%$

Concept:

If a number increase by x%, then

Increase number = Actual number × (100 + x)/100

If the price of a commodity decrease by x%, then the increase in price, so as not to change the original price = [x/(100 - x)] × 100

Calculation:

Short Trick:

The percentage should an item increase the price so that there is no change in the original price = [25/(100 - 25)] × 100 = $33\frac{1}{3}\%$

Detailed Method:

Let the price of the item be Rs. 100

If price decrease by 25%, then decreased price = 100 × (75/100) = Rs. 75

If we want to get the original price again, then we increase the price by = 100 - 75 = Rs. 25

If we want to get the original price again, then the increase % = (25/75) × 100 = $33\frac{1}{3}\%$

Given,

Anmol sold 2 items for, one at a loss of 10% and another at profit of 10%.

Selling price of each article = Rs. 1000

Concept:

When two articles are sold at same price but one of them sold at x% profit and another sold at x% loss, in this process there is always loss = x²/100

Calculation:

Short Trick:

Loss percentage = 10²/100 = 100/100 = 1%

Detailed method:

Selling price of each items = Rs. 1000

Total selling price of both items = 1000 × 2 = Rs. 2000

Cost price of first items = 1000 × 100/90 = 10000/9

Cost price of second item = 1000 × 100/110 = 10000/11

Total cost price of both items = 10000/9 + 10000/11 = (110000 + 90000)/99 = 200000/99

Loss = 200000/99 - 2000

Loss = (200000 - 198000)/99 = 2000/99

∴ Loss% = [(2000/99)/(200000/99)] × 100 = 1%

Formula:

Profit = SP - CP

Profit % = (Profit/CP) × 100

Calculation:

Let CP and SP be Rs. x and Rs. y respectively

Profit = Rs. (y - x)

If profit doubles, then SP = 2y

Profit = (2y - x)

According to the question

3 (y - x) = (2y - x)

⇒ 3y - 3x = 2y - x

⇒ 3y - 2y = 3x - x

⇒ y = 2x

⇒ y : x = 2 : 1

Let y = Rs. 2 and x = Rs. 1

Profit = 2 - 1 = Rs. 1

∴ Profit % = (1/1) × 100 = 100%

Given,

Time = 8 years.

Rate = 4%

Formula:

SI = Prt/100

Calculation:

Let Principal be Rs. (x + 340)

SI = Rs. x

According to the question

x = [(x + 340) × 4 × 8]/100

⇒ x = [(x + 340) × 8]/25

⇒ 25x = 8x + 340 × 8

⇒ 25x - 8x = 340 × 8

⇒ 17x = 340 × 8

⇒ x = (340 × 8)/17

⇒ x = 20 × 8

⇒ x = Rs. 160

∴ Principal = 160 + 340 = Rs. 500

Given,

A sum was invested for 3 years at simple interest at a certain rate. Had it been invested at 4% higher rate of interest, it would have fetched Rs. 600 more. 

Formula:

SI = Prt/100

Calculation:

Let rate of interest be r% and principal be P, then

According to the question

(P × r × 3)/100 - [P × (r + 4) × 3]/100 = 600

⇒ (3Pr/100) - (3Pr/100) + (12P/100) = 600

⇒ 12P/100 = 600

⇒ P = 600 × 100/12

⇒ P = Rs. 5000

∴ The principal is Rs. 5000.

Difference in rate = 4% and t = 3 years

P × 4/100 × 3 = 600

⇒ P = Rs. 5000

∴ The sum is Rs. 5000.

Given,

Average weight of 50 boys = 45 kg

Formula:

Average = sum of all observations/total number of all observations

Calculation:

Average weight of 50 boys = 45 kg

Sum of weight of 50 boys = 45 × 50 = 2250 kg

If 1 boys left the class, then average of 49 boys = 44.9 kg

Sum of weight of 49 boys = 44.9 × 49 = 2200.1

∴ Weight of boy who left the class = 2250 - 2200.1 = 49.9 kg

Alternate Solution

New average = 45 - 0.1 = 44.9 kg

Weight of boy left = New average + Number of total boys × Average reduced

= 44.9 + 50 × 0.1

= 44.9 + 5

= 49.9 kg

Given,

Total quantity of mixture = 35 litres

Ratio of milk to water = 4 : 1

Concept:

If N is divided into a : b, then

First part = N × a/(a + b)

Second part = N × b/(a + b)

Calculation:

Quantity of milk in the mixture = 35 × 4/5 = 28 litres

Quantity of water in the mixture = 35 - 28 = 7 litres

If 7 litres water is added, then new quantity of water = 7 + 7 = 14 litres

New ratio of milk to water = 28 : 14 = 2 : 1

∴ The ratio of milk and water of the new mixture is 2 ∶ 1.

Females can be both doctors as well as patients.

All the three are connected to each other.

The correct Venn diagram is,

Hence, the correct answer is "option (3)".

Detectives and spies can be men or women.

Men can be with or without beard.

And,

In men with beards there can be detectives or spies.

The correct Venn diagram is,

Hence, option 4 is the correct answer.

As all fathers are males.

And all males are human beings.

The correct Venn diagram is,

Hence, the correct answer is "option (3)".

Steel and wood both are used as building material.

And,

There is no relation between steel and wood.

The correct Venn diagram is,

Hence, option 1 is the correct answer.

Doctors, Teachers and Engineers are different to each other in their profession.

The correct Venn diagram is,

Hence, the correct answer is "option (4)".

The logic followed here is:

Blizzard : Freeze → means a severe snowstorm and Freeze means the result of extreme cold i.e. the result of Blizzard is Freeze.

Similarly,

Insult : Humiliation → Insult means speak with disrespect and Humiliation means a state of being someone feel ashamed i.e. the result of insult is humiliation.

Hence, the correct answer is “Insult: Humiliation”

The logic followed here is:

• Graceful and Clumsy are antonyms.

Similarly,

• Laugh and Cry are antonyms.

Hence,  the correct answer is "laugh: cry".

Additional Information

The logic followed here is:

• Zenith and Nadir are antonyms.

Similarly,

• Genuine and Phony are antonyms.

Hence, the correct answer is "genuine : phony".

Additional InformationIndigent and Poverty are synonyms.

Zeal and Eagerness are synonym.

The logic followed here is:

Pedagogy : Teaching → Pedagogy is the method and practise of Teaching.

Similarly,

Entomology : Insects → Entomology is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of insects.

Additional Information

Hence, the correct answer is "Entomology : Insects".

The logic followed here is:

Capriciousness means to describe a person or thing that’s impulsive and unpredictable and Reliability is the quality of being trustworthy. A person who is Capricious’ loses Reliability’.

Similarly,

Tenacious means tending to keep a firm hold of something and Practicality means possibility. A person is Tenacious’ he loses Practicality’.

Hence, “Tenacious: Practicality” is the correct answer.

The logic followed here is:

Niagara, Alamere and Kempty are waterfalls. Whereas, Andes is a mountain range in South America.

Hence, “Andes” is different from the rest.

Additional Information: 

Small Betrayals, Shooting from the Hip and Surviving Men are books written by Shobhaa De.

Whereas,

We Indians is a book written by Khushwant Singh.

Hence, the correct answer is "We Indians".

The logic followed here is:

• Brass, Bronze and Steel are alloys.

Whereas,

• Silver is not an alloy.

Here, “Silver” is different from the rest.

Hence, the correct answer is "Silver".

Additional Information

Documentary, Commentary and Feature are related to media and news.

Whereas,

Puppet is not related to media and news.

So, puppet is different from the rest.

Hence, the correct answer is "Puppet".

Additional Information

The logic followed here is:

• Deccan, Kaas and Chhota Nagpur are plateaus.

Whereas,

• Nanda Devi is a mountain.

​Here, "Nanda devi" is different from rest.

Hence, the correct answer is "Nanda devi".

Additional Information

The figure which would complete the given pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (4)"..

The figure which would complete the given pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (3)".

The figure which would complete the given pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (2)".

The figure which would complete the given pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (3)".

The figure which would complete the given pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option (3)".

The pattern followed is,

Figure 1 is rotated 135° anti clock – wise to obtain figure 2 and the symbols at the ends of the lines change their orientation.

And,

Figure 3 is rotated 135° anti clock – wise to obtain figure 4 and the symbols at the ends of the lines change their orientation.

Similarly,

Figure 5 should be rotated 135° anti clock – wise and the symbols at the end of the lines should change their orientation.

The figure which will come next in the pattern is,

Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.

The logic followed here is:

1. Movements of bottom most symbol: The symbols at the bottom shift to the top and interchange their positions in the next figure.

2. Movement of top left most figure: Shift diagonally middle

3) Movement of top left most figure: Shift vertically downwards

4. Movement of middle symbol and appearance of new symbol.

Only figure (c) satisfies this condition.

Hence, option (3) is the correct answer.

The pattern followed here is:

We only need to observe the first two arrows of each pair of consecutive figures in the series to eliminate the wrong options and find the correct one.

1. In each pair of consecutive figures (pairs 1-2, 3-4), the first two arrows interchange their positions and then rotated in order to point in the opposite direction.

2. In each pair of consecutive figures (pairs 1-2, 3-4), the last two arrows interchange their positions and then rotated in order to point in the opposite direction.

3. Thus, the answer figure will have the same pair of arrows as in the 5^th figure, wherein the positions will be interchanged and then the arrows will be rotated to point in the opposite direction

Only figure (a) satisfies this condition.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 1".

The pattern followed is,

1. The smaller arrow alternately moves 45°  and 90°  anticlockwise direction.

2. The bigger arrow moves 135° clockwise direction.

The figure which will come next in the pattern is,

Hence, option 4 is the correct answer.

The pattern followed is,

1. Elements of first row exchange their positions with those of the third row in each figure.

2. After applying step 1, in each row, the elements interchange their positions. This is done alternately.

3. Elements in middle row is interchanged their position in next figure. This is done alternately.

4. Figures (1, 2) (3, 4) and (5, 6) have the same elements in the middle row.

The figure which will come next in the pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 1".

The pattern followed is,

Figure 1 is rotated 180⁰ clock wise to obtain figure 2.

Similarly,

Figure 3 should be rotated 180⁰ clock wise to obtain figure 4.

This is the complete figure series.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 2".

The pattern followed is,

1. The shaded leaf is rotated 135⁰ clock wise.
2. The leaf which is not shaded is rotated 135⁰ anticlockwise.

The figure which will come next in the series is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Figure (a)".

The pattern followed is,

1. The arrow with curved head shifts alternately between the first and second positions from the top. At alternate steps, the curve faces outwards.

2. The arrow with v shaped head shifts alternatively between second and third positions from top. Every steps mirror arrow will occur.

3. The arrow with triangular head move down simultaneously one step and then back to their original positions

4)The arrow with semi-circular head has its flat surface facing inside and outside alternately.

Hence, option 4 is the correct answer.

The pattern followed is,

The empty circle rotates 90⁰ clockwise and the curve rotates 90⁰ anticlockwise whereas the square rotates 180⁰. A new symbol replaces the filled circle which rotates 180⁰.

In figure 3, we have

1. a bar in the place of a filled circle

2. a pointed arrowhead in the place of a square

3. a triangular arrowhead in the place of an empty circle

4. a filled circle in the place of a curve

The figure which will come next in the pattern is,

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 4".

The pattern followed is,

1. In figure 1, the first and last symbols exchange their places and the circle is shaded after changing its position to obtain figure 2.

2. The middle symbols are interchanged and the direction of the arrow is also interchanged to obtain figure 2.

Similarly,

1. In figure 3, the first and last symbols exchange their places and the square is shaded after changing its position to obtain figure 4.

2. The middle symbols are interchanged and the triangle is reversed to obtain figure 4.

The figure which will come next in the pattern is,

Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.

We have to check each figure:

Figure (a):

Here, Both the angles are Obtuse angle.

Figure (b):

Here, both the angles are Acute angles.

Figure (c):

Here, One angle is Acute angle and other is Obtuse angle.

Figure (d):

Here, Both the angles are Obtuse angle.

In each figure both angles are same except the figure (c).

Hence ,the correct answer is "Option (3)".

The pattern followed is,

In figures (b), (c), and (d), the pair of arrows are pointing in the same direction,

whereas, in figure (a), they are pointing in different directions.

Thus, Figure (a) is different from the rest.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 1".

The pattern followed is,

The dots are placed at the middle of the sides in figures ‘a’, ‘c’ and ‘d’.

Whereas,

In figure ‘b’, dots are placed at corners.

Hence, option 2 is different from the rest.