English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is '(A) - (2) , (B) - (3) , (c) - (4) , (D) - (1).'

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Intention" (2) is a noun, referring to a purpose or aim. Thus, A - 2.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Intend" (3) is a verb, meaning to have (something) as a plan or purpose. Thus, B - 3.
• C. Present participle of verb: This is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as an adjective or an adverb, or as part of a progressive tense.
• From List II, "Intending" (4) is the present participle of the verb "intend". Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Intentional" (1) is an adjective, meaning done on purpose; deliberate. Thus, D - 1.

Based on the matching: A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Experimentation" (3) is a noun, referring to the process of performing experiments. "Experiment" (2) can also be a noun, but it is also a verb. "Experimentation" is solely a noun. Thus, A - 3.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Experiment" (2) is a verb, meaning to perform a scientific procedure, especially in a laboratory, to determine something. Thus, B - 2.
• C. Infinite form of verb: The infinitive form of a verb is typically "to" followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., "to run," "to eat").
• From List II, "To experiment" (4) is the infinitive form of the verb "experiment". Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Experimental" (1) is an adjective, meaning based on, concerned with, or serving for experiment. Thus, D - 1.

Based on the matching: A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Discrimination" (2) is a noun, referring to the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex. Thus, A - 2.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Discriminate" (3) is a verb, meaning to recognize a distinction; differentiate; treat (a person or group) differently or unfairly. Thus, B - 3.
• C. Gerund: A form that is derived from a verb but that functions as a noun, typically ending in -ing (e.g., reading is good for you).
• From List II, "Discriminating" (4) can function as a gerund (e.g., "His discriminating between right and wrong was evident"). It also functions as a present participle or an adjective, but in the context of the options, it's the best fit for gerund given the word family. Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Discriminatory" (1) is an adjective, meaning making or showing an unfair or prejudicial distinction between different categories of people or things. Thus, D - 1.

Based on the matching: A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Supposition" (3) is a noun, referring to an uncertain belief. Thus, A - 3.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Suppose" (1) is a verb, meaning to assume that something is the case on the basis of probability without proof or certain knowledge. Thus, B - 1.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Supposedly" (4) is an adverb, meaning according to what is generally assumed or believed to be the case, often without proof. Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Supposed" (2) is an adjective, meaning generally assumed or believed to be the case, but not necessarily so. (It can also be the past participle of the verb 'suppose'). Thus, D - 2.

Based on the matching: A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 2.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Justice" (3) is a noun, referring to the quality of being fair and reasonable. Thus, A - 3.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Justify" (1) is a verb, meaning to show or prove to be right or reasonable. Thus, B - 1.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Just" (4) can function as an adverb meaning exactly or precisely (e.g., "It's just what I needed"). It can also be an adjective, but in the context of other options, it fits here as an adverb. Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Juridical" (2) is an adjective, relating to judicial proceedings and the administration of law. Thus, D - 2.

Based on the matching: A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 4.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Straightness" (4) is a noun, referring to the quality or state of being straight. Thus, A - 4.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Straighten" (3) is a verb, meaning to make or become straight. Thus, B - 3.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Straight" (1) can function as an adverb meaning in a straight line or direct course (e.g., "go straight"). It can also be an adjective, but in the context of other options, it fits here as an adverb. Thus, C - 1.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Straightest" (2) is the superlative form of the adjective "straight," meaning most straight. Thus, D - 2.

Based on the matching: A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Neglectfulness" (2) is a noun, referring to the quality of being neglectful. "Neglect" (1) can also be a noun, but "Neglectfulness" is exclusively a noun form for this family of words. Thus, A - 2.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Neglect" (1) is a verb, meaning to fail to care for properly or to fail to do something. Thus, B - 1.
• C. Gerund: A form that is derived from a verb but that functions as a noun, typically ending in -ing.
• From List II, "Neglecting" (3) is the gerund form of the verb "neglect". Thus, C - 3.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Negligent" (4) is an adjective, meaning failing to take proper care in doing something. Thus, D - 4.

Based on the matching: A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 2.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Forbiddance" (3) is a noun, referring to the act of forbidding or prohibiting something. Thus, A - 3.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Forbid" (1) is a verb, meaning to refuse to allow (something). Thus, B - 1.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Forbiddingly" (2) is an adverb, meaning in a way that is threatening or suggests disapproval. Thus, C - 2.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Forbidden" (4) is an adjective, meaning not allowed; banned. (It is also the past participle of the verb "forbid"). Thus, D - 4.

Based on the matching: A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Hardness" (2) is a noun, referring to the quality of being hard. Thus, A - 2.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Harden" (3) is a verb, meaning to make or become hard. Thus, B - 3.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Hard" (4) can function as an adverb meaning with great effort or difficulty (e.g., "work hard"). Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Hardy" (1) is an adjective, meaning robust; capable of enduring difficult conditions. Thus, D - 1.

Based on the matching: A-2, B-3, C-4, D-1.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 2.

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

Key Points

• Let's match each part of speech from List I with its corresponding example in List II:
• A. Noun: A word (other than a pronoun) used to identify any of a class of people, places, or things, or to name a particular one of these.
• From List II, "Fastness" (3) is a noun, referring to the quality of being fast or firm. Thus, A - 3.
• B. Verb: A word used to describe an action, state, or occurrence.
• From List II, "Fasten" (2) is a verb, meaning to close or connect securely; to fix or hold firmly. Thus, B - 2.
• C. Adverb: A word or phrase that modifies or qualifies an adjective, verb, or other adverb or a word group, expressing a relation of place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc.
• From List II, "Fast" (4) can function as an adverb meaning quickly or rapidly (e.g., "run fast"). Thus, C - 4.
• D. Adjective: A word or phrase naming an attribute, added to or grammatically related to a noun to modify or describe it.
• From List II, "Fastest" (1) is the superlative form of the adjective "fast," meaning most rapid. "Fast" (4) also acts as an adjective, but "Fastest" is specifically a superlative adjective. Thus, D - 1.

Based on the matching: A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1.

Therefore, the correct answer is option 3.

The correct answer is 'Moved'.

 

Key Points

• The blank requires a word that indicates the state of being affected by something, in this case, the charm of Nature.
• Option 1: 'Moved' is the past participle used as an adjective here, meaning "affected emotionally." This fits the context perfectly, suggesting the subject was touched or inspired by nature's charm.
• Option 2: 'Moving' is the present participle. If it were used as a participial phrase, it would imply the subject is moving, or that nature is moving, neither of which fits the intended meaning of being affected by the charm. (e.g., "Moving along the path, he admired nature.")
• Option 3: 'Having moved' is a perfect participle. This implies that the action of moving has already been completed, and it usually sets up a subsequent action (e.g., "Having moved by the charm, he started to paint."). While grammatically possible in some contexts, it doesn't flow as naturally or simply as 'Moved' to describe the immediate state of being affected.
• Option 4: 'Moves' is a simple present tense verb. This doesn't fit the sentence structure, which requires a participle or an adjective to begin the descriptive phrase.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Phrase: "Moved by the charm of Nature around him,..."

The correct answer is 'when'.

 

Key Points

• The blank requires a word that connects "a time" to the clause "he was still a primitive being." This connection needs to specify when that time occurred.
• Option 1: 'then' is an adverb of time. It usually refers to a specific point in time already established or indicates a sequence. It doesn't function as a relative adverb to introduce a clause defining a time. (e.g., "First we eat, then we go.")
• Option 2: 'when' is a relative adverb that refers to a time. It correctly introduces a clause that describes the specific time mentioned ("a time"). (e.g., "I remember the day when we first met.")
• Option 3: 'till' is a preposition or conjunction meaning "up to the time that." It indicates duration or a limit, not a specific point in time being described. (e.g., "Wait till I come back.")
• Option 4: 'for' is a preposition or conjunction indicating purpose, duration, or reason. It does not introduce a clause defining a time in this manner. (e.g., "He studied for years.")

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: "This goes back to a time when he was still a primitive being."

The correct answer is 'has had'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase "has had" is the present perfect tense form, used here to show an effect that began in the past and continues to be true.
• The rest of the passage stays in present tense ("give us"), confirming that the influence of art is being described as an ongoing truth, not a completed past event.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "Art has had a softening influence on him. The earliest paintings of the prehistoric age in the caves all over the world give us magnificent examples of the same."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "has" is incorrect because the simple present tense fails to capture the sense of an action that started in the past and continues into the present.
• Option 2: "have" is incorrect because "Art" is a singular/uncountable subject and requires "has," not "have."
• Option 4: "had had" is incorrect because the past perfect tense would require the rest of the passage to be anchored in the past, but it is written in the present tense instead.

The correct answer is 'Observant'.

 

Key Points

• The blank requires a word that describes the quality of the "eye." Since "eye" is a noun, the word filling the blank must be an adjective.
• Option 3: 'Observant' is an adjective meaning quick to notice things; keenly perceptive. This perfectly describes the skill of the artists who created the magnificent prehistoric paintings. An "observant eye" is a common and correct collocation.
• Option 1: 'Observing' is a present participle, which can act as an adjective, but it generally implies an ongoing action (the eye is doing the observing). While plausible, "observant eye" more naturally conveys the characteristic or ability of the eye.
• Option 2: 'Observance' is a noun referring to the act of obeying a rule or custom, or the act of noticing. It cannot directly modify "eye" in this grammatical structure.
• Option 4: 'Observation' is a noun meaning the act or process of observing. It also cannot directly modify "eye" in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The earliest paintings of the prehistoric age in the caves all over the world give us magnificent examples of the observant eye and the trained hand in man's savage state."

The correct answer is 'portrayed'.

 

Key Points

• The sentence describes aspects of the paintings: "The colours chosen, the movement _______ and the expressions the pictures are..." We need a word that describes the movement as it is depicted in the paintings.
• Option 1: 'portraying' is a present participle. If used, it would suggest the movement itself is doing the portraying, or that the pictures are actively portraying movement right now. This doesn't fit the context of a static painting.
• Option 2: 'portray' is the base form of the verb. This is incorrect as the sentence structure requires a past participle functioning as an adjective to describe "movement."
• Option 3: 'portrayed' is the past participle. It functions as an adjective here, meaning "depicted" or "represented." This fits perfectly, describing the movement as it is shown in the paintings. The paintings are static, so the movement is portrayed within them.
• Option 4: 'portrayal' is a noun, meaning the act of portraying something. While we are talking about what is in the pictures, "the movement portrayal" is grammatically awkward and less natural than "the movement portrayed." We are listing elements within the pictures, not the act of portraying itself as an element.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The colours chosen, the movement portrayed and the expressions the pictures are..."

The correct answer is '2. suffused'.

Key Points

• The sentence fragment "the expressions the pictures are _______ with" requires a word that indicates how the expressions are present within or fill the pictures.
• Option 2: 'suffused' is the past participle of "suffuse," meaning "to gradually spread through or over; to imbue or fill with." This makes perfect sense in the context of art, indicating that the pictures are filled or permeated with expressions.
• Option 1: 'suffixed' means to add something to the end of a word or stem; it's unrelated to the context.
• Option 3: 'suffusing' is the present participle. If used, it would imply the pictures are actively doing the "suffusing," which is grammatically incorrect for this passive construction.
• Option 4: 'surfaced' means to rise to the surface or appear, which does not fit the meaning of the pictures being filled with expressions.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

The correct answer is '3. standards'.

Key Points

• The sentence is making a comparison regarding quality: "even if all of them are not to the _______ of the paintings at Altamira." We are comparing the quality of some paintings to the recognized high quality of the Altamira paintings.
• Option 3: 'standards' is a plural noun referring to a level of quality or excellence against which other things are measured. The phrase "not to the standards of" is a common and idiomatic way to express that something does not meet the expected or desired level of quality set by another.
• Option 1: 'standard' (singular) could work in some contexts ("to the same standard"), but "to the standard of X" is less idiomatic than "to the standards of X" when referring to the overall level of excellence.
• Option 2: 'standardised' is an adjective meaning made to conform to a standard. It does not fit the grammatical structure or the comparative meaning.
• Option 4: 'stand' is a verb or a noun (e.g., a position, a piece of furniture) and does not fit the context of comparing artistic quality.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

The correct answer is '1. far-off'.

Key Points

• The blank describes "days of the early man in India," which refers to a very distant past (prehistoric age). We need an adjective that conveys this sense of temporal distance.
• Option 1: 'far-off' is an adjective specifically meaning distant in time or space. It is the most appropriate and idiomatic choice for describing a remote historical period.
• Option 2: 'far' can mean distant, but "far-off days" is a more common and natural collocation to emphasize distance in time.
• Option 3: 'far-out' is an informal adjective meaning unconventional or excellent, which is entirely unsuitable for this context.
• Option 4: 'far-fetched' is an adjective meaning unlikely or improbable, which also does not fit the context of describing historical time.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

The correct answer is '1. even'.

Key Points

• The passage describes a profound experience expressed by Kalidasa, relating to man's connection with art from ancient times. The phrase "_______ the happiest man feels" implies a universal truth or a shared human emotion, suggesting that even those who seem immune to sadness or longing are affected.
• Option 1: 'even' is an adverb used to emphasize something unexpected or surprising, or to include an extreme case. In this context, it emphasizes that the feeling Kalidasa describes applies to everyone, including "the happiest man," highlighting the profound and pervasive nature of the experience. The construction "even the happiest man feels..." is a common way to express that no one is exempt from a particular human condition or emotion.
• Option 2: 'for' is a conjunction that typically introduces a reason or cause. "For the happiest man feels" would imply the happiest man's feeling is the reason for Kalidasa's expression, which doesn't fit the flow as well as emphasizing the scope of the feeling.
• Option 3: 'with' is a preposition indicating accompaniment or possession. "With the happiest man feels" is grammatically incorrect in this structure.
• Option 4: 'still' is an adverb meaning continuing up to the present or in spite of something. While "still feels" is grammatically correct, "even" provides a stronger emphasis on the universality of the feeling, suggesting it applies to an unexpected group (the happiest).

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

The correct answer is '3. elated'.

Key Points

• The blank follows "feels" and describes the emotional state of "the happiest man" in response to beauty and melody. This requires an adjective that conveys a feeling of happiness or joy.
• Option 3: 'elated' is the past participle of the verb "elate," and it functions as an adjective meaning ecstatically happy or proud. The phrase "feels elated" accurately describes the man's emotional state.
• Option 1: 'elates' is a verb in the third person singular present tense. "To elate" means to make someone happy. "The man feels elates" is grammatically incorrect.
• Option 2: 'elating' is a present participle. While it can function as an adjective, "feels elating" would mean that the man is causing elation in others, or that the experience itself is elating to him, which is not the primary sense intended for describing his feeling. "Feels elated" directly describes his personal emotion.
• Option 4: 'excite' is a base verb. "The man feels excite" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form to describe a feeling would be the past participle "excited" or the noun "excitement."

Therefore, the most appropriate word to fill the blank is Option 3.