English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• The correct mapping of List I (Word/Expression) with List II (Meaning) is as follows:
• A. Ensue - 4. To happen as a result
• B. Morass - 1. Muddy ground
• C. Imbroglio - 2. Complex disputes
• D. Potpourri - 3. Collection of different things
• From the given options, only option 3 (A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3) matches the correct mappings.

The correct answer is 'A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3'.

Key Points

• Let us match the given terms with their correct meanings:
• A. Malversation - 4. Corrupt behaviour of a public servant: 'Malversation' refers to corruption or misconduct, especially by a person in a position of trust.
• B. Conundrum - 2. Confusing problem: 'Conundrum' means a difficult or confusing problem or question.
• C. Incessant - 1. Continuing without a break: 'Incessant' refers to something that is continuous or unending.
• D. Mulct - 3. Extracting money in the form of taxes: 'Mulct' means to extract money, often as a penalty or through taxation.

The correct answer is 'A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1'.

Key Points

• From the given options, the correct matching is:
• A-2 (Impugn): Expressing doubts about something.
• B-3 (Spew): Flowing out of something in a forceful way.
• C-4 (Harangue): Aggressive lecturing.
• D-1 (Gibberish): Meaningless words.

The correct answer is 'A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1'.

Key Points

• From the given options, only 'A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1' matches the meanings correctly.
• Let us analyze the words and their meanings:
• A. Caveat - 2. Warning: The word "caveat" means a warning or caution.
• B. Amble - 3. Walking at a slow pace: "Amble" refers to walking leisurely or at a slow pace.
• C. Acolyte - 4. Ardent follower: An "acolyte" is an ardent follower or assistant.
• D. Archaic - 1. Old-fashioned: "Archaic" describes something that is outdated or old-fashioned.

The correct answer is 'A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3'.

Key Points

• From the given options, only the combination of matches 'A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3' is correct.
• Explanation for the matches:
• A (Kernel - 4): The soft part inside a seed is referred to as the kernel.
• B (Brook - 2): A brook means a small stream of water.
• C (Jinx - 1): Jinx refers to something that causes bad luck.
• D (Solace - 3): Solace is something that gives comfort or consolation in distress.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• List I contains the words or expressions, and List II provides their meanings. The task is to match them correctly.
• The correct matches are:
• A - 4: Feat - An achievement requiring great courage.
• B - 1: Fate - The development of events outside a person's control.
• C - 2: Fathom - Used to measure the depth of water.
• D - 3: Faux pas - An embarrassing mistake.
• From the given options, only option 3 provides the correct matches.

The correct answer is 'A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1'.

Key Points

• The question requires matching terms in List I with their meanings in List II.
• Here is the correct matching:
• A. Semitic - 3: A family of languages that includes Hebrew.
• B. Seminary - 2: Training college for priests.
• C. Send off - 4: Wish good luck to a person leaving.
• D. Semblance - 1: Similarity of appearance.
• Option 4 correctly represents this matching.

The correct answer is 'A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3'.

Key Points

• The correct matching of List I with List II is as follows:
• A. Hatch - 4: A door in an aircraft.
• B. Haughty - 2: Arrogant behaviour.
• C. Gruff - 1: Rough and low in pitch.
• D. Gruelling - 3: Tiring and demanding.
• From the given options, only option 1 matches the correct pairing.

The correct answer is 'A-4, B-1, C-2, and D-3.'

Key Points

• Based on the definitions of the words in List I, the correct matching combination is 'A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3'.
• Let's look at the meanings:
• 'A-4': Extirpate means to destroy completely (समूल नष्ट करना; जड़ से उखाड़ना).
• Example: The use of modern medicine helped to extirpate the disease from the region.
• 'B-1': Extol means to praise enthusiastically (प्रशंसा करना; गुणगान करना).
• Example: He often extols the virtues of a healthy lifestyle.
• 'C-2': Extremity means the farthest point or limit of something (चरम सीमा; सिरा).
• Example: The ship was anchored at the northern extremity of the island.
• 'D-3': Expunge means to remove completely; erase or strike out (निकाल देना; मिटा देना).
• Example: The court ordered the records to be expunged.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• The correct matching for List I and List II is as follows:
• A. Devious - 2. Skilful in using underhand tactics
• B. Devolution - 3. Transfer of power from higher to lower government
• C. Detriment - 4. The state of being harmed or damaged
• D. Detract - 1. Cause something to seem less valuable
• From the given options, Option 2 provides the correct matches:
• A - 2
• B - 3
• C - 4
• D - 1

The correct answer is 'recognized'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence structure "It is increasingly ______ that..." requires a past participle to complete the phrase correctly.
• "Recognized" is the correct grammatical choice, meaning 'acknowledged' or 'accepted as true'.
• The other options ("recognize", "recognizing", "been recognized") do not fit the passive construction or are not appropriate verb forms in this context.
• "Recognized" accurately conveys the idea that people are more and more accepting or realizing the stated fact about inequality in learning levels.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Complete Sentence: It is increasingly recognized that learning levels within many countries are highly unequal.

 

Additional Information

• Recognize: (present tense) does not fit the passive construction of the sentence.
• Recognizing: (present participle/gerund) does not fit after "is increasingly" in this context.
• Been recognized: requires "has/have" for correct usage and does not fit the sentence as given.

The correct answer is 'may'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence is discussing a possible reason for the unequal learning levels, not a certainty.
• "May" is used to express possibility or likelihood, which fits the context appropriately.
• Other options like "ought to", "should", and "must" imply obligation, recommendation, or certainty, which do not suit the intended meaning of the sentence.
• "May" correctly signals that the reason given is one of several possible explanations.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...are highly unequal. This may be happening because of institutional features of school systems, such as early streaming, regional diversity...

 

Additional Information

• Ought to: Implies a sense of duty or moral obligation, not fitting here.
• Should: Expresses recommendation or expectation, which is not suitable for stating a possibility.
• Musmustt: This appears to be a typographical error and is not a valid option.

The correct answer is 'in'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase requires a preposition that shows a relationship of diversity regarding expenditure or political engagement.
• "In" is the correct preposition to use with "diversity" in this context (e.g., "diversity in" expenditure).
• Other options ("on", "for", "with") do not correctly collocate with "diversity" in this usage.
• "In" reflects the idea that the diversity occurs within the areas of expenditure or political engagement.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...such as early streaming, regional diversity in expenditure or political engagement, ...

 

Additional Information

• On: Generally used to show a surface relationship, not suitable with "diversity".
• For: Used to show purpose or benefit, does not fit the context here.
• With: Can indicate accompaniment, but not the type of diversity discussed.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The passage discusses the inequality in learning levels within countries and explores various factors contributing to this disparity.
• Blank (111): The word 'evident' is the best fit as it means 'clear' or 'obvious.'
• Blank (112): 'Might' is appropriate as it suggests a possibility.
• Blank (113): 'In' correctly fits the context of 'diversity in expenditure.'
• Blank (114): 'Unequal' describes the disparity in access to education.
• Blank (115): 'Those' appropriately refers to specific developed countries.
• Blank (116): 'Often' suits the meaning of frequent occurrence.
• Blank (117): 'Suggesting' indicates a possible outcome derived from a statement.
• Blank (118): 'Educational' describes the type of skills mentioned.
• Blank (119): 'No' is fitting as it denotes the impossibility of complete equality.
• Blank (120): 'Inequalities' points to the unevenness in learning outcomes.

 

Complete Passage:

"It is increasingly evident (111) that learning levels within many countries are highly unequal. This might (112) be happening because of institutional features of school systems, such as early streaming, regional diversity in (113) expenditure or political engagement, unequal (114) access to education, and non-equitable access to different types of providers. Among the developed countries, those (115) with more equal learning outcomes often (116) have better average learning outcomes, suggesting (117) that appropriate interventions in the education sector may have positive effects on both equality and the quality of education. Economic inequality is associated with the distribution of educational (118) skills among adults, although the direction of causation is unclear. Arguably, no (119) society will ever reach total equality in the learning outcomes of every individual. Inequalities (120) in learning outcomes may depend on individual ability and motivation, as well as the type of background one comes from and the types of resources one has access to."

The correct answer is 'those'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence is making a comparison among groups of developed countries.
• "Those" is used to refer to specific groups or entities previously mentioned—in this case, countries with more equal learning outcomes.
• Other options like "these" (used for things close by), "that" (singular), and "some" (imprecise) do not fit the comparative structure of the sentence.
• "Those" correctly introduces a relative clause describing developed countries with more equal outcomes.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...Among the developed countries, those with more equal learning outcomes...

 

Additional Information

• These: Refers to things close by or just mentioned, less common in this comparative context.
• That: Singular, not suitable for referring to groups of countries.
• Some: Too vague and not comparative.

The correct answer is 'also'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence compares developed countries with more equal learning outcomes to others, indicating that these countries also have better average outcomes.
• "Also" is used to add information, showing an additional benefit.
• Other options ("with", "to", "for") do not fit grammatically or contextually in the sentence structure.
• "Also" correctly links the two related facts: equality and higher average outcomes.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...those with more equal learning outcomes also have better average learning outcomes...

 

Additional Information

• With: Does not fit the role of an adverb in this context.
• To: Not grammatically correct here.
• For: Does not logically fit the sentence structure.

The correct answer is 'suggesting'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence describes an ongoing implication or result, so the present participle "suggesting" is needed to connect the two clauses smoothly.
• "Suggesting" links the previous statement to the idea that interventions may have positive effects, indicating cause and effect.
• Other options like "suggested" (past tense), "have suggested" (present perfect), and "suggest" (simple present) do not fit the sentence structure or intended meaning here.
• "Suggesting" helps to indicate the logical connection between equal learning outcomes and the potential effects of interventions.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...also have better average learning outcomes, suggesting that appropriate interventions in the education sector may have positive effects...

 

Additional Information

• Suggested: Past tense, does not fit the ongoing implication.
• Have suggested: Present perfect, does not fit the continuous logical connection.
• Suggest: Simple present, does not connect the clauses smoothly.

The correct answer is 'numeracy'.

 

Key Points

• The passage refers to the types of skills whose distribution is associated with economic inequality among adults.
• "Numeracy" refers to the ability to understand and work with numbers, which is a key skill evaluated in education and economics.
• Other options such as "number", "proficiency", and "calculation" do not specifically refer to a recognized skill set in this context.
• "Numeracy skills" is the standard term used in educational and economic research to discuss mathematical ability among adults.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Complete Sentence: Economic inequality is associated with the distribution of numeracy skills among adults, although the direction of causation is unclear.

 

Additional Information

• Number: Refers to a single numerical value, not a skill set.
• Proficiency: Means skill, but the sentence needs a specific type of skill.
• Calculation: Refers to the process, not the ability or skill set itself.

The correct answer is 'no'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence suggests that it is unlikely any society will achieve total equality in learning outcomes.
• "No" is the most appropriate word to express this idea—"no society will ever reach total equality..."
• Other options like "any", "few", and "some" do not fit the intended meaning of absolute impossibility.
• "No society" is the standard way to communicate that such a scenario is not expected to occur at all.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Complete Sentence: Arguably, no society will ever reach total equality in the learning outcomes of every individual.

 

Additional Information

• Any: Implies possibility, which does not match the intended meaning.
• Few: Implies a small number, not absolute impossibility.
• Some: Implies a subset, not total absence.

The correct answer is 'differences'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence refers to the existence of variety or inequality in learning outcomes.
• "Differences" is the appropriate plural noun to describe the variations in learning outcomes among individuals.
• Other options like "Difference" (singular), "Different" (adjective), and "Differentiated" (past participle/adjective) do not fit the context or grammatical structure of the sentence.
• "Differences in learning outcomes..." is a standard phrase used in educational and social sciences.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Complete Sentence: ...No society will ever reach total equality in the learning outcomes of every individual. Differences in learning outcomes may depend on individual ability and motivation, as well as the type of background one comes from and the types of resources one has access to.

 

Additional Information

• Difference: Singular, but the context refers to multiple variations.
• Different: Adjective, not a noun, so does not fit grammatically.
• Differentiated: Past participle/adjective, not used as a noun in this context.