English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'had three parts.'.

Key Points

• The sentence is in the past tense because it refers to something that happened in the past.
• Specifically, it says "They were informed," which implies that someone told them about the inaugural version of the scheme in the past.
• Therefore, the correct verb form to use after "inaugural version of the scheme" is "had," which is the past tense of "have."
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2) "was three parts" is not correct because "was" is the past tense of "is," which is not the correct verb to use in this context. The inaugural version of the scheme is not a singular entity that can be described as "is" or "was," so this option is not grammatically correct.
• Option 3) "have three parts" is not correct because "have" is the present tense of the verb and does not match the past tense of the sentence. Using "have" in this context would suggest that the inaugural version of the scheme still exists, which is not what the sentence implies.
• Option 4) "had has three parts" is not correct because it is redundant and ungrammatical to use "had" and "has" together. "Has" is the present tense of "have," and using it in this sentence would suggest that the inaugural version of the scheme still exists, which is not what the sentence implies. Using both "had" and "has" together creates a grammatically incorrect sentence.

The correct alternative to complete the sentence is 'if you won a lot of money?'.

Key Points

• The correct answer is - if you won a lot of money?
• This sentence is in the second conditional, which is used to talk about hypothetical or unlikely situations in the present or future.
• The correct form of the verb to use in this case is the past simple.
• The correct structure for the second conditional is "if + simple past, would + base form of the verb."
• Therefore, the correct sentence is: "What would you do if you won a lot of money?"

Additional Information

• The other options are explained below:
• "If you would won a lot of money?" This option is not grammatically correct. In the second conditional form, the word "would" is used to express the hypothetical or unreal nature of the situation. However, in this option, "would" is used incorrectly with the verb "won." Instead, the correct form is "if you won a lot of money."
• "If you have won a lot of money?" This option is in the present perfect tense, which is used to talk about actions or events that happened in the past but have a connection to the present. However, the second conditional form is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations. Therefore, this option does not fit with the context of the sentence.
• "If you will win a lot of moneys?" This option is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "If you will win a lot of money," but this does not fit with the context of the sentence. The second conditional form is used to talk about hypothetical or unreal situations in the present or future, so "will win" does not fit.

Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is "if you won a lot of money."

The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: 2) we could go out.

Key Points

• The sentence is in the third conditional form, which is used to talk about hypothetical situations in the past. In this case, the situation is that it was raining, but it stopped.
• The correct structure for the third conditional is "if + past perfect, would/could/should/might + have + past participle."
• Therefore, the correct option is "If it stopped raining, we could go out."

Additional Information

• Let's examine the other options to understand why they are incorrect:
• "If it stopped raining, we had gone out." This option is not grammatically correct. The past perfect tense is used to talk about an action that was completed before another action in the past. However, in this sentence, the action of going out is hypothetical and did not actually happen. Therefore, the correct form is "could have gone out."
• "If it stopped raining, we should go out." This option is not grammatically incorrect, but it does not fit the context of the sentence. "Should" is used to give advice or make a suggestion, but in this sentence, the situation is hypothetical. Therefore, the correct option is "could go out."
• "If it stopped raining, we ought to go out." This option is not grammatically incorrect, but it does not fit the context of the sentence. "Ought to" is used to talk about an obligation or duty, but in this sentence, the situation is hypothetical. Therefore, the correct option is "could go out."

The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: 1) if you have any further news.

Key Points

• The sentence is in the imperative form, which is used to give a command or make a request. In this case, the request is to let the speaker know if the listener has any further news.
• The correct structure for this type of sentence is "let + object pronoun + verb."
• Therefore, the correct option is "Let me know if you have any further news."

Additional Information

• Let's examine the other options to understand why they are incorrect:
• "Let me know if you had any further news." This option is in the past simple tense, which is used to talk about actions or events that happened and were completed in the past. However, the request in the sentence is about present or future news, so the correct form is "if you have any further news."
• "Let me know if you has any further news." This option is not grammatically correct. The verb "has" is incorrect because it does not agree with the subject "you," which requires the verb "have" in the present tense.
• "Let me know if you had have any further news." This option is not grammatically correct. The use of "had have" is redundant, and the correct form is "if you had any further news."
• Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is "Let me know if you have any further news."

The correct answer is 'at the cheapest hotel in the town. '.

Key Points

• The sentence "We stayed" is incomplete without further information. It requires an object or a prepositional phrase to specify where the speaker stayed. The four alternatives given in the question provide different options to complete the sentence based on the quality of the hotel.
• Option 1: "at the cheap hotel in the town" suggests that the hotel was inexpensive but does not provide any comparison to other hotels in the town.
• Option 2: "at the cheaper hotel in the town" implies that there are at least two hotels in the town and the speaker chose the one that was less expensive than the other. However, it does not indicate whether it was the cheapest hotel.
• Option 3: "at the cheapest hotel in the town" implies that there are at least two or more hotels in the town, and the speaker stayed at the one with the lowest price. This option uses the superlative form of the adjective "cheap" and indicates that the hotel is the least expensive among all the hotels in the town.
• Option 4: "at a cheapest hotel in the town" is grammatically incorrect, as the word "cheapest" is already a superlative, and using an article "a" before a superlative adjective is not correct.
• Therefore, the correct option to complete the sentence is "at the cheapest hotel in the town." (Option 3)

The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: "when she was 22."

Key Points

• Option 2, "when she was 22," is the most appropriate choice because it specifies a particular time when Julia got married. The use of "when" indicates a specific moment in time, which in this case is Julia's age of 22. This option provides a clear and concise reason for Julia's marriage without making any assumptions or drawing any vague conclusions.
• Option 1, "as she was 22," is not the best option because it does not provide any clear reason for Julia's marriage. The word "as" can be used to indicate a causal relationship, but it is not clear what that relationship is in this context.
• Option 3, "because she was 22," is not a logical reason for Julia's marriage because being 22 years old is not a sufficient reason to get married. This option implies that Julia got married solely because of her age, which is not a logical or reasonable conclusion.
• Option 4, "since she was 22," suggests that Julia got married because of her age, but it is not necessarily true that age was the only reason for her marriage. This option leaves room for other possible reasons for Julia's marriage, which may or may not be related to her age.
• In conclusion, option 2, "when she was 22," is the best option because it clearly indicates the time when Julia got married without making any assumptions or vague conclusions.

The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: "does this train get to London?"

Key Points

• When referring to the arrival of a mode of transport such as a train or a bus, the correct preposition is 'to'.
• So, Option 4, "does this train get to London?" is a valid option and can be used to ask about the arrival time of a train at its destination.
• The phrase "get to" is commonly used to refer to arriving at a destination.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Option 1, "does this train get at London?" is not the best option because "at" is not the correct preposition to use in this context. "At" is used to indicate a specific location, but not a destination.
• Option 2, "does this train get in London?" is a common way to ask about the arrival time of a train at its destination. However, it can also be interpreted as asking about the location of the train within London, which is not what is intended in this context.
• Option 3, "does this train get into London?" is the incorrect option because 'into' is used in the sense of 'moving to a position inside or in something'.

The correct answer is 'getting on in your new job?'.

Key Points

• The phrase "getting on" is commonly used to inquire about someone's progress or experience in a specific context or activity, like a job.
• The preposition "in" is appropriately used to specify the context, which in this case is the "new job."
• The correct option to complete the sentence is: getting on in your new job?
• This is a common way of asking someone about their progress or experience in a new job.
• So the full sentence would be: "How are you getting on in your new job?"

Additional Information

• The other options are not correct as they do not fit the structure of the sentence or the idiomatic usage of the phrase.
• "Getting of in your new job?" has a grammatical error. The word "of" should be "off" or "on", but even with "off", the sentence would not convey the intended meaning.
• "Getting along your new job?" is incorrect as it is missing a preposition. The correct phrase should be "getting along in your new job" or "getting along with your new job".
• "Getting off in your new job?" is also not a standard way to inquire about someone's experience or progress in a new job. "Getting off" is typically used in contexts like departing from a vehicle or place.

The correct answer is 'cut down on coffee.'.

Key Points 

• The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: cut down on coffee.
• The complete sentence would be: "I am trying to cut down on coffee." This means that the person is attempting to reduce the amount of coffee they consume, either because they want to be healthier or because they think they are drinking too much.

Additional Information

• "Shut down on coffee" doesn't make sense in this context. "Shut down" usually means to close or turn off, which doesn't really apply to coffee consumption.
• "Cut down on coffee" is the correct choice because it means to reduce the amount of coffee that you consume. This could be because of health reasons, or because you simply want to consume less caffeine. For example, you might say "I'm drinking too much coffee and I need to cut down."
• "Break down on coffee" also doesn't make sense in this context. "Break down" usually means to stop working or functioning properly, which doesn't apply to coffee consumption.
• "Turn down on coffee" doesn't make sense either. "Turn down" usually means to decline or reject something, which doesn't make sense in the context of coffee consumption.
• So, in summary, "cut down on coffee" is the correct choice because it means to reduce the amount of coffee that you consume.

The correct answer is 'are caused by careless driving.'.

Key Points

• The correct alternative to complete the sentence is: are caused by careless driving.
• The complete sentence would be: "Many accidents are caused by careless driving." This means that a significant number of accidents happen because of drivers who are not paying enough attention or being reckless on the road.

Additional Information

• Here is more information about each of the options:
• "Cause careless driving" doesn't make sense in this context. It suggests that the accidents are the result of someone driving carelessly, rather than the other way around.
• "Have caused careless driving" is grammatically correct, but it suggests that the careless driving has already occurred as a result of the accidents, rather than the other way around.
• "Are caused by careless driving" is the correct choice because it correctly identifies careless driving as the cause of the accidents. This is a common way to express this idea.
• "Will cause careless driving" doesn't make sense in this context because it suggests that the accidents will lead to future instances of careless driving, which is not necessarily the case.

The correct answer is 'critical'.

Key Points

• The passage takes a critical tone towards the modern civilization and its relationship with machines. The author argues that although science has given humans immense power, the society is not making proper use of that power. The author points out that despite having machines as servants, people have become too reliant on them, and the machines are slowly becoming their masters. The author is critical of the fact that people have not learned to manage their machines, and instead of using the extra time and energy they have, they continue to create more machines that they do not know what to do with.
• Furthermore, the author argues that the society is failing to use the power of machines to become more civilized. Instead, people have become more dependent on machines and less concerned with important matters such as justice and creativity. Therefore, the overall tone of the passage is critical of modern civilization and its shortcomings.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

The correct answer is 'culture and civilization'.

Key Points 

• The given passage is about the problems with civilization. It tells us that the machines and our dependency on them. With the help of machines most of our time is saved but we do little with that time. It concludes with a note that if humans will give their time and energy which their machines have won for them to make more beautiful things, such as to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations, to discover how to prevent poverty, then I think our civilization would undoubtedly be the greater as it would be more lasting than it has ever been.
• Read the lines of the passage,"And this brings me to the point at which I asked, "What do we do with all the time which the machines have saved for us, and the new energy they have given us?" On the whole, it must be admitted, we do very little. For the most part, we use our time and energy to make more and better machines which will give us still more time and still more energy, and what are we to do with them? The answer, I think, is that we should try to become more civilized. "
• After reading the above sentences we can conclude that the use of machines has failed to bring us culture and civilization.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is 'if man devotes his time to make more beautiful things​'.

Key Points

• The given passage is about the problems with civilization. It tells us that the machines and our dependency on them. With the help of machines most of our time is saved but we do little with that time. It concludes with a note that if humans will give their time and energy which their machines have won for them to make more beautiful things, such as to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations, to discover how to prevent poverty, then I think our civilization would undoubtedly be the greater as it would be more lasting than it has ever been.
• Read the lines of the passage," A person has a better chance today to do these things than he/she ever had before; he/she has more time, more energy, less to fear and less to fight against. If he/she will give his/her time and energy which his/her machines have won for him/her to make more beautiful things, to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations, to discover how to prevent poverty, then I think our civilization would undoubtedly be the greater as it would be more lasting than it has ever been. "
• After reading the above sentences we can conclude that according to the passage, our civilization would be made greater if man devotes his time to make more beautiful things.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Mistake Points

• According to the passage, The main thing a man can do for our civilization to make it greater' is - 'giving their time and energy which their machines have won for them to make more beautiful things' and the statement given in option 4 comes under the suggestions of 'beautiful things man can make'.
• "preventing poverty" is the one way of making "more beautiful things" others are 'to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations'. This all comes under the 'suggestive points' for how man will give their time and energy to make more beautiful things'
• Hence, we can say that the statement given in Option 1 is the super set and statement is option 4 is its sub-set.

The correct answer is 'demonstrative '.

Key Points 

• The given passage is about the problems with civilization. It tells us that the machines and our dependency on them. With the help of machines most of our time is saved but we do little with that time. It concludes with a note that if humans will give their time and energy which their machines have won for them to make more beautiful things, such as to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations, to discover how to prevent poverty, then I think our civilization would undoubtedly be the greater as it would be more lasting than it has ever been.
• Read the lines of the passage," Machines were made to be humanity's servants, yet man has grown so dependent on them that they are in a fair way to become his masters. Already most people spend most of their lives looking after and waiting upon machines. And the machines are very stern masters."
• After reading the above sentences we can conclude that according to the passage, machines work relentlessly on human command hence they are inexorable masters.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• inexorable: impossible to stop or prevent.
• "the seemingly inexorable march of new technology"

The correct answer is 'Irrationally'.

Key Points

• The given passage is about the problems with civilization. It tells us that the machines and our dependency on them. With the help of machines most of our time is saved but we do little with that time. It concludes with a note that if humans will give their time and energy which their machines have won for them to make more beautiful things, such as to find out more and more about the universe, to remove the cause of quarrels between nations, to discover how to prevent poverty, then I think our civilization would undoubtedly be the greater as it would be more lasting than it has ever been.
• Read the lines of the passage," Machines were made to be humanity's servants, yet man has grown so dependent on them that they are in a fair way to become his masters. Already most people spend most of their lives looking after and waiting upon machines."
• After reading the above sentences we can conclude that according to the passage, we use the powers in a way that does not use reason or clear thinking.
• Hence, we can say that we use the powers bestowed upon us by science irrationally.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• inexorable: impossible to stop or prevent.
• "the seemingly inexorable march of new technology"

The correct answer is 'both humans and marine life'.

Key Points

• According to the passage, "Plastic is a versatile and essential commodity with multiple uses that have made our lives more convenient. However, plastic pollution is a crisis that is overflowing our landfills, clogging waterways, and infiltrating the ocean. Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water and in the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes, including endocrine disruption. The devastating effects of plastic on marine life have been observed, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings. The plastic pollution crisis affects both humans and marine life and needs to be addressed urgently."
• The passage clearly states that plastic pollution has negative effects on both humans and marine life.
• Plastic particles have been found in drinking water and the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes including endocrine disruption.
• In addition, plastic pollution has devastating effects on marine life, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings, ultimately leading to starvation or suffocation.
• Therefore, it can be concluded that plastic pollution affects both humans and marine life.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 3.

The correct answer is 'in the oceanic depths​'.

Key Points 

• According to the passage, "Plastic is a versatile and essential commodity with multiple uses that have made our lives more convenient. However, plastic pollution is a crisis that is overflowing our landfills, clogging waterways, and infiltrating the ocean. Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water and in the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes, including endocrine disruption. The devastating effects of plastic on marine life have been observed, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings. The plastic pollution crisis affects both humans and marine life and needs to be addressed urgently."
• The passage states that plastic pollution can be found in the ocean, even in the deepest parts of the ocean.
• It is mentioned that plastic has been found on remote and uninhabited islands as well, indicating that plastic pollution is widespread and affects many different environments.
• Therefore, the passage emphasizes the seriousness of plastic pollution and its negative impact on both the environment and human health.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1

The correct answer is 'a pandemic​​'.

Key Points 

• According to the passage, "Plastic is a versatile and essential commodity with multiple uses that have made our lives more convenient. However, plastic pollution is a crisis that is overflowing our landfills, clogging waterways, and infiltrating the ocean. Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water and in the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes, including endocrine disruption. The devastating effects of plastic on marine life have been observed, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings. The plastic pollution crisis affects both humans and marine life and needs to be addressed urgently."
• While the term "pandemic" is typically used to describe a disease outbreak, it can also be used more broadly to describe a widespread and global issue affecting multiple areas of life.
• In the passage, the author describes plastic pollution as a crisis that is visible and affects various aspects of daily life, and it highlights the devastating effects of plastic on marine and terrestrial life.
• Therefore, it can be seen as a pandemic issue.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.

The correct answer is 'it has multiple uses in our everyday lives'.

Key Points 

• According to the passage, "Plastic is a versatile and essential commodity with multiple uses that have made our lives more convenient. However, plastic pollution is a crisis that is overflowing our landfills, clogging waterways, and infiltrating the ocean. Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water and in the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes, including endocrine disruption. The devastating effects of plastic on marine life have been observed, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings. The plastic pollution crisis affects both humans and marine life and needs to be addressed urgently."
• The passage states that plastic is an essential commodity with multiple uses based on its key qualities of malleability, flexibility, and durability.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is 'it has multiple uses in our everyday lives'.

Key Points 

• According to the passage, "Plastic is a versatile and essential commodity with multiple uses that have made our lives more convenient. However, plastic pollution is a crisis that is overflowing our landfills, clogging waterways, and infiltrating the ocean. Plastic particles have been detected in drinking water and in the food we eat, and studies have linked the chemicals in plastic to negative health outcomes, including endocrine disruption. The devastating effects of plastic on marine life have been observed, with animals ingesting plastic waste and getting tangled in fishing nets or plastic pack rings. The plastic pollution crisis affects both humans and marine life and needs to be addressed urgently."
• In the given passage, the term "clogging" has been used to refer to the action of something getting stuck and blocking a passage or channel.
• It refers to the process of plastic waste blocking waterways and causing flooding or suffocating animals that get trapped in it.
• Therefore, the correct answer is option 1) obstruction.
• Obstruction: Something that blocks or hinders the passage or progress of something else.
• Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Flow: The movement of a liquid, gas, or electricity in a particular direction.
• Opening: An empty space or gap in something, which allows passage or access to something else.
• Clearing: The act of removing obstructions or objects from a place, making it open and accessible.