English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'a'.

Key Points

• The only error in the sentence occurs in part (a), where the indefinite article "a" is missing before the noun "guest."
• The correct expression for conveying a general statement about guests should be "A guest is."
• Correct sentence- A guest is unwelcome when he stays too long

The correct answer is 'd' (No error).

Key Points

• (a) "My friend and benefactor" is grammatically correct and acceptable.
• There is no error in this part of the sentence. According to English grammar, two nouns ('friend' and 'benefactor') describing the same person can be connected using the conjunction 'and'.
• (b) The singular verb 'has' is the appropriate choice to use here.
• Given that the subject ('My friend and benefactor') is singular, a singular verb must follow this according to subject-verb agreement rules in English grammar.
• (c) The word 'come' is the correct form to use after 'has'.
• This is because 'has' is an auxiliary verb used to form the present perfect tense, and 'come' is the past participle of the verb 'come', which is required for the present perfect tense.
• There is coherence and agreement in the subject-verb relationship. The subject 'My friend and benefactor' is singular, and the verb 'has come' is in appropriate form and tense.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4 (No Error).

The correct answer is 'd'.

Key Points

• This sentence is grammatically correct and there is no error in any of the underlined parts.
• When two subjects are connected by 'neither...nor', 'either...or', 'not only...but also', 'nor', 'or', or 'none-but', the verb should agree with the subject closer to it.
• For instance:
• Neither Ram nor Shyam has come.
• Either Ram or his friends have come.
• Has Ram or Shyam come?
• The sentence uses the singular verb "am" to match the singular subject "either he or I", which is grammatically correct.
• "Mistaken" is an adjective. The structure "am/is/are + adjective" is common in English, such as "I am happy," "She is sad," or "They are excited."
• In the sentence "Either he (a) / or I (b) / am mistaken. (c) / No error (d)," the verb must agree with the subject closer to it when "either...or" is used.
• In this case, the subject closer to the verb is "I," so the verb "am" is appropriate.
• Therefore, the correct answer is (d) No error.

Confusion Points 

• In English, when using paired conjunctions like "either...or" or "neither...nor" with multiple pronouns, there's a traditional order of pronouns based on politeness or emphasis, often referred to as the "2-3-1" order for pronouns.

• This means that second person ("you") generally comes first, third person ("he", "she", "it", "they") comes next, and first person ("I", "we") comes last.

• For the given sentence "Either he or I am mistaken", switching the places of the pronouns would result in "Either I or he is mistaken." While this structure might seem less common, it is not ungrammatical. Both constructions are correct, but the original "Either he or I am mistaken" is more traditionally and commonly accepted. However, both versions are understood and used in contemporary English.

The correct answer is 'c'.

Key Points

• The sentence given is: "Each of these substances are found in India."
• When pronouns such as Each, Every, Everyone, Someone, Somebody, Nobody, None, One, Any, Many a, and More than one are used they follow singular verb rules.
• In other words, singular verbs, nouns, and pronouns should be used with them.
• Exception: Each as a demonstrative pronoun and when used with 'each of the', follows a plural verb.
• However, the verb used here is "are," which is plural. This makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.
• The correct sentence would be: "Each of these substances is found in India." Here, the singular verb "is" matches the singular subject "each."
• Therefore, the error is in the underlined part (c) and the correction is to replace the plural verb "are" with the singular verb "is".
• The correct response is option 3, "c".

The correct answer is 'a'.

Key Points

• The sentence is: "Who do you wish to see?" This sentence is a question, and the pronoun "who" is used as the subject of the sentence. In this case, "who" is used to refer to the person being wished to be seen.
• However, the use of "who" as the subject pronoun in this sentence is incorrect. The correct pronoun to use here is "whom" because it is the object of the verb "to see." The correct sentence would be: "Whom do you wish to see?"
• In formal writing, it is important to use the correct pronoun to avoid grammatical errors. In formal writing, "whom" should be used as the object pronoun, while "who" should be used as the subject pronoun.

The error is in part (b) of the sentence.

Key Points

• The sentence is in the past tense, as indicated by the use of the past tense verb "was" in part (a) of the sentence.
• Therefore, the verb in part (b) should also be in the past tense.
• However, the word "has" is in the present perfect tense, which is incorrect.
• The correct form of the verb in this context is "had", which is the past perfect tense.
• This tense is used to refer to an action that was completed before another action in the past.
• ​In this case, the action of making the speech happened before the time being referred to in the sentence, which is the past.
• Therefore, the correct sentence is "It was one of the best speeches that had ever been made in the Parliament."
• The correct response is option 2) b.

The correct answer is 'b'.

Key Points

• The error is in part (b) of the sentence.
• The adjective "same" should be preceded with "the" to indicate that the bat being referred to is a specific one that was previously mentioned or known to both the speaker and the listener. (विशेषण "same" को "the" से पहले होना चाहिए यह इंगित करने के लिए कि जिस बल्ले को संदर्भित किया जा रहा है वह एक विशिष्ट है जिसका पहले उल्लेख किया गया था या वक्ता और श्रोता दोनों को पता था।)
• The correct sentence would be: "I played with the same bat that you used."
• Thus, the correct answer is Option b.

The correct answer is 'b'.

Key Points

• The error is in part (b) of the sentence.
• The verb "defers" should be replaced with "differs" to convey the intended meaning of being different from or not the same as something else.
• The correct sentence would be: "His written statement differs in several important respects from his oral statement."
• The correct response is option 2) b.

The correct answer is 'a'.

Key Points

• The error is in part (a).
• The correct phrase is "I have ordered three cups of coffee."
• The use of "for" after "ordered" is unnecessary and incorrect in this context. Therefore, the correct answer is (a).
• So the correct sentence is: "I have ordered three cups of coffee."
• "Ordered for" is not the correct phrase to use in this context.
• The correct answer is option (a).

The correct answer is 'd'.

Key Points

• In this sentence, all the underlined parts are grammatically correct and there is no error. The sentence means that it is not considered appropriate to talk in a proud or arrogant way about one's own success.
• Let's look at each of the underlined parts:
• (a) "One must not" is a modal verb construction that expresses a prohibition or a rule. It is followed by the base form of the verb, which in this case is "boast". This means that the sentence is stating that it is prohibited to boast.
• (b) "Boast of" is a phrasal verb that means to speak with excessive pride or satisfaction about one's own achievements, possessions, or abilities. The preposition "of" is used after the verb "boast" to indicate what the person is boasting about.
• (c) "One's own success" means one's own achievements or accomplishments. In this context, it refers to the things that a person has accomplished that they might be tempted to boast about.
• In summary, this sentence is error-free.

The correct answer is 'eager'.

Key Points

• The word "anxious" in this sentence means that the graduates are eager or anxious to find work. Therefore, option 2, "eager", is the closest in meaning to the underlined word.
• "Eager" means having a strong desire or enthusiasm for something. It is often used to describe someone who is excited or keen to do something, such as eager to learn, eager to please, or in this case, eager to find work. It implies a sense of anticipation and eagerness to start or engage in an activity.
• Option 1, "composed", means calm and in control, which is opposite in meaning to "anxious".
• Option 3, "indifferent", means having no interest or concern, which is also opposite in meaning to "anxious".
• Option 4, "prominent", means important or well-known, which does not convey the same meaning as "anxious".

The correct answer is 'constrained '.

Key Points

• The word "circumscribed" in this context means that the power of the monarchy was limited or restricted by the new law.
• It suggests that the monarchy's authority was not absolute, and that the new law placed boundaries or limits on the monarch's power.
• The word "constrained" means to limit or restrict someone or something's freedom or action.
• Therefore, it is the closest in meaning to "circumscribed" in the given sentence.
• The other options, "naturalized," "circumvented," and "notified," do not have the same meaning as "circumscribed" and are not appropriate in this context. "Naturalized" means to grant citizenship to a foreigner, "circumvented" means to avoid or bypass something, and "notified" means to inform someone about something.

The correct answer is 'listening secretly'.

Key Points

• "Eavesdropping" is a term used to describe the act of secretly listening to a conversation that you are not a part of.
• It typically involves standing or being positioned in a location where you can hear what is being said without the knowledge or consent of the speakers.
• In the given sentence, "We caught him eavesdropping outside the window," it means that the person was listening secretly to a conversation that was happening inside the building, and he was caught doing so outside the window.
• Therefore, the option that is closest in meaning to "eavesdropping" is 3) listening secretly.

The correct answer is 'urged'.

Key Points

• To "exhort" means to strongly encourage or urge someone to do something.
• In this sentence, the party leader is urging or encouraging his members to start preparing for the formation of their government.
• Therefore, the most appropriate option is "urged".
• The other options do not convey the same meaning as "exhorted".
• For instance, "expected" means something different, as it suggests that the party leader anticipated that his members would start preparing for the formation of their government, but does not necessarily imply that he encouraged them to do so.
• Similarly, "facilitated" means to make something easier or more possible, but it does not capture the sense of urging or encouraging that is present in the sentence.
• Finally, "discouraged" means to dissuade someone from doing something, which is the opposite of what the party leader is doing in this sentence.

The correct answer is 'cordial'.

Key Points

• The word "hospitable" means to be friendly, welcoming, and generous towards guests or strangers. In this sentence, the author is describing the local people as being hospitable to strangers, which means that they are friendly and welcoming to those who are not from the area.
• The most appropriate option that is nearest in meaning to "hospitable" is "cordial".
• Cordial means being warm and friendly, and therefore it accurately describes the local people's behavior towards strangers.
• The other options - "surly," "distant," and "frosty" - are all antonyms of "hospitable".
• Surly means rude or bad-tempered, distant means cold or aloof, and frosty means unfriendly or unwelcoming.
• None of these options accurately convey the idea of friendliness or warmth that is present in the word "hospitable", and are therefore not suitable alternatives for it.

The correct answer is 'inappropriate'.

Key Points

• The word "incongruous" means not in harmony or keeping with the surroundings or other aspects of something. In this sentence, the author is saying that traditional methods seem out of place or inappropriate in our technical age.
• The most appropriate option that is nearest in meaning to "incongruous" is "inappropriate".
• The other options - "unswerving," "constant," and "unvarying" - do not accurately convey the meaning of "incongruous".
• They all refer to something that is consistent or unchanging, which is not the same as being out of place or inappropriate.
• Therefore, the best answer is "inappropriate", as it captures the sense of something being unsuitable or not fitting in with its surroundings or context.

The correct answer is 'volatile'.

Key Points

• The word "mercurial" refers to something or someone that is unpredictable, unstable, or quick to change moods or opinions.
• In the given sentence, the phrase "mercurial temperament" suggests that Mohan's personality or behavior is subject to sudden or unpredictable changes, possibly characterized by rapid mood swings or varying levels of enthusiasm.
• Therefore, the word "volatile" which means liable to change rapidly and unpredictably is the closest in meaning to the underlined word.
• The other options - "pleasant," "agreeable," and "merciful" - do not convey the sense of unpredictability or instability that is implied by the word "mercurial."

The correct answer is 'essential'.

Key Points

• When something is described as "obligatory," it means that it is required or mandatory.
• In the given sentence, the use of "obligatory" indicates that all employees are required to wear protective clothing, and it is not optional.
• If an employee chooses not to wear protective clothing, it could result in disciplinary action.
• Therefore, the use of "essential" (option 4) as the nearest meaning to "obligatory" is appropriate, as it conveys the idea that wearing protective clothing is necessary and indispensable.

The correct answer is 'vulnerability'.

Key Points

• predisposition: a condition that makes somebody/something likely to behave in a particular way or suffer from a medical condition.
• vulnerability: the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
• Hence,  the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word is 'vulnerability'.

The correct answer is 'mocking'.

Key Points

• sardonic means showing that you think you are better than other people and not taking others seriously

ख़ुद को श्रेष्ठ समझनेवाला तथा दूसरों के प्रति आदर भाव न रखनेवाला; निरादरपूर्ण

• to laugh at somebody/something in an unkind way or to make other people laugh at him/her/it

किसी की हँसी उड़वाना, परिहास का पात्र बनाना या बनवाना

• Hence,  the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word is 'mocking'.