PYST 8: IB MTS/SA Official Paper - English Language (Held On: 20 Dec, 2023 Shift 2) (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is: Option 3 (Evade).

Key Points

• The word "circumvent" means to find a way around (an obstacle or restriction), often by clever or unethical means. (चालाकी से बचना या टालना)
• Example: He tried to circumvent the security system by using a fake ID.
• "Evade" refers to avoiding or escaping from something, especially by cleverness or trickery. (बचना या टालना)
• Example: The thief managed to evade the police by hiding in an abandoned building.
• Both words have similar meanings, making "Evade" the most appropriate synonym for "Circumvent".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 3 (Evade).

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Simulate (समान दिखाना): To imitate the appearance or character of something.
• Example: The pilot trained on a simulator that could accurately simulate real flight conditions.
• Contort (मरोड़ना): To twist or bend out of its normal shape.
• Example: The gymnast's body contorted into an extraordinary position during her routine.
• Visualize (कल्पना करना): To form a mental image of something.
• Example: He visualized his success before the competition even started.

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

The misspelled word is 'recieved'.

• The correct spelling would be 'received'.
• The word 'received' is a verb which means 'to be given or presented with something'. (प्राप्त किया)
• For Example -
• She received a gift on her birthday.

Therefore, the correct answer would be 'recieved'.

Additional Information

Let's understand the meanings of the other marked words - 

• Continent - one of the world's main continuous expanses of land (महाद्वीप)
• Attention - notice taken of someone or something (ध्यान)
• Recent - having happened, begun, or been done not long ago or not long before (हाल ही में)

The correct answer is 'a'.

Key Points

• The article "a" is used before singular, countable nouns that begin with a consonant sound.
• In the given sentence, "a finger of ice" is a metaphor, and the article "a" fits because "finger" starts with a consonant sound.
• Option 2 ("an") is incorrect because "an" is used before words starting with a vowel sound, which does not apply here.
• Option 3 ("the") is incorrect because it refers to something specific, which is not the case here.
• Option 4 (No article) is incorrect because an article is required to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "The word moved over me like a finger of ice."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "an" is incorrect because "finger" does not start with a vowel sound.
• Option 3: "the" is incorrect because it implies specificity, which is not intended in this context.
• Option 4: No article is incorrect because omitting the article would make the sentence incomplete and grammatically incorrect.

The correct answer is 'shone, changed'.

Key Points

• The verb "shone" is the past tense of "shine."
• The verb "changed" is the past tense of "change."
• The sentence refers to actions that occurred in the past, making the use of past tense verbs appropriate.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect because they either use inappropriate tense or do not fit the context of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Complete Sentence: "Your light shone so brightly that it touched so many of us, impacted the lives of many more, and changed the game forever."

Additional Information

• Option 1: "had shone, changing" is incorrect because "had shone" suggests a past perfect tense, which is unnecessary here, and "changing" does not fit the context.
• Option 2: "shines, had changed" is incorrect because "shines" is present tense, while the sentence refers to past events.
• Option 4: "has shone, has changed" is incorrect because the present perfect tense does not align with the context of completed past actions.

The correct answer is Option (2) i.e. SPQR

Key Points

• The sentence begins with "Interpreting the facial expression, tone of voice and gestures" which is correctly indicated by part (S).
• Following this, "interaction that allow us to make rapid" (P) continues the logical sequence, making it clear how these are related to social interaction.
• The next part, "of others is a vital element of social" starts the explanation about the importance of interpreting expressions, indicated by (Q).
• Ending with "inferences about others' mental states" (R) completes the sentence by stating the ultimate purpose of interpretation.

Therefore, the correct answer is SPQR.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (QPSR): This option starts with "interaction that allow us to make rapid of others is a vital element," which disrupts the logical flow.
• Option 3 (PSQR): This option starts with "of others is a vital element of social expression, tone of voice," which is grammatically incorrect and lacks coherence.
• Option 4 (SRQP): This option starts with "inferences about others' mental states interaction that allow us," which creates a fragmented and confusing sentence structure.

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

Option 1 contains no spelling errors.

• The words “their,” “annually,” and “deciduous” are correctly spelled.
• In option 2, “there” should be “their” and “annualy” should be “annually.”
• In option 3, “anually” is incorrectly spelled; the correct spelling is “annually.”
• In option 4, “decidous” is incorrect; the correct spelling is “deciduous.”

Therefore, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• Deciduous – Trees that shed their leaves annually. (पर्णपाती)
• Annually – Occurring once every year. (वार्षिक रूप से)
• Shed – To cast off or let fall. (झाड़ना / गिराना)

The correct answer is: Option 4 (Windfall).

Key Points

• The word "Windfall" refers to an unexpected gain or good fortune, typically in the form of money or wealth. (अप्रत्याशित लाभ)
• Example: Winning the lottery was a complete windfall for the struggling family.
• The correct word "Windfall" is used to describe a situation where someone receives a sudden and unexpected benefit or profit. (अचानक और अप्रत्याशित लाभ)
• Example: The company experienced a windfall after securing a major contract.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4 (Windfall).

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Bounty (इनाम/पुरस्कार): Generous amounts of something or a reward offered, often by the government.
• Example: The farmer received a bounty for his excellent harvest this year.
• Waterfall (झरना): A stream of water that falls from a height, commonly over a cliff.
• Example: We visited a beautiful waterfall during our trip to the mountains.
• Hex (जादू/श्राप): A spell or curse, often used in a superstitious or magical context.
• Example: The villagers believed the old woman had cast a hex on their crops.

The correct answer is Option (1) i.e. PQSR

Key Points

• The sentence starts with part P, which introduces the subject, "mass reductions of the Greenland Ice Sheet have substantial."
• Following P, part Q logically continues with "impacts on global sea level and the speed of the Atlantic," creating a smooth flow of ideas.
• The next part, S, explains the reason behind the impacts, "Meridional Overturning Circulation, due to the additional," linking it to the context of the sentence.
• Finally, part R adds the specific information about "freshwater caused by increased meltwater runoff into the northern Atlantic," completing the sentence logically and grammatically.

Therefore, the correct answer is PQSR.

Additional Information

• Option 3 (PQRS): This option places R at the end, which creates an incomplete and disconnected sentence structure.
• Option 2 (SRQP): This option starts with S, which disrupts the logical flow, as it jumps to an explanation before introducing the subject.
• Option 4 (RPQS): This option begins with R, which fails to introduce the key subject, leading to a lack of contextual clarity.

The correct answer is 'for'.

Key Points

• The preposition "for" is used to indicate a period of time in this context.
• The sentence refers to an action that occurred over a certain period ("many years"), so "for" is the most appropriate option.
• Options 2, 3, and 4 do not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "I didn't speak to the sage again for many years."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "by" is incorrect as it indicates proximity or a deadline, which does not fit here.
• Option 3: "of" is incorrect as it implies possession or relation, which is not suitable in this context.
• Option 4: "since" is incorrect because it refers to a point in time in the past and requires the present perfect tense.

The correct answer is 'No article'.

Key Points

• Articles ("a," "an," and "the") are not used before uncountable nouns like "breakfast" in most cases, unless specific or modified (e.g., "the breakfast you prepared").
• In this sentence, "breakfast" is used in a general sense, so no article is required.
• Option 1, Option 2, and Option 3 are incorrect because they involve unnecessary or incorrect article usage.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Complete Sentence: "They are having breakfast in my room."

Additional Information

• Option 1: "an" is incorrect because "breakfast" is uncountable, and we do not use "an" with it.
• Option 2: "a" is incorrect for the same reason as above.
• Option 3: "the" is incorrect because "breakfast" is not being specified or modified in this context.

The correct answer is: Demagogue.

Key Points

• The word "Demagogue" refers to a leader who seeks support by appealing to the emotions, desires, and prejudices of people, especially by stirring up public discontent or anger. (जनता की भावनाओं को भड़काने वाला व्यक्ति)
• Example: The politician was accused of being a demagogue as he exploited people’s fears to gain votes.
• The Hindi meaning of "Demagogue" is "जनता को भड़काने वाला नेता".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Demagogue.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Reconciler (सुलह कराने वाला): Someone who brings people or groups together to resolve a conflict or disagreement.
• Example: The teacher acted as a reconciler between the two arguing students.
• Unites (एकजुट करना): Refers to bringing people or things together to form a whole or achieve a common goal.
• Example: The festival united people from different backgrounds.
• Saint (संत): A person regarded as holy, virtuous, or dedicated to their faith and good deeds.
• Example: Mother Teresa is often remembered as a saint for her selfless service to humanity.

The correct answer is: Option 4 i.e. A white elephant.

Key Points

• The phrase "A white elephant" refers to something that is expensive to maintain but provides little or no use. (बेकार और महंगा संपत्ति)
• Example: That huge mansion has become a white elephant for the family as it costs too much to maintain but serves no real purpose.
• In the context of the question, the office that has become expensive to maintain and difficult to dispose of is aptly described as a "white elephant."

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Option 1: Till the cows come home (कभी न खत्म होने वाले समय तक): Refers to something that continues for a very long time or forever.
• Example: You can argue till the cows come home, but I won’t change my decision.
• Option 2: Start off on the wrong foot (शुरुआत खराब होना): Refers to beginning something in a problematic or unfavorable manner.
• Example: They started off on the wrong foot by arriving late for the important meeting.
• Option 3: Scapegoat (बलि का बकरा): Refers to a person who is unfairly blamed for the mistakes or faults of others.
• Example: He was made the scapegoat for the team's failure despite his efforts.

The correct answer is: Option 3 i.e. Exonerated.

Key Points

• The word "acquitted" means to free someone from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty. (बरी करना)
• Example: He was acquitted of all charges due to lack of evidence.
• "Exonerated" refers to someone being freed from blame or guilt. (दोषमुक्त)
• Example: The new evidence exonerated her from the accusation of theft.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Exonerated.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Arraigned (आरोपित): Someone being called to court to answer criminal charges.
• Example: She was arraigned on charges of fraud.
• Impeachable (दोषारोपणीय): Capable of being accused or charged with a crime or misconduct.
• Example: His actions were deemed impeachable offenses by the council.
• Indicted (अभियोग लगाना): Formally charged with a crime.
• Example: The grand jury indicted him for embezzlement.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• A) Bribery
• This is incorrect. The passage does not mention any bribery charge against Mrs. Ascentia Dawes.
• B) Murder
• This is correct. The passage clearly states she was charged with the murder of her slave, an Indian girl.
• C) Fraud
• This is incorrect. There is no reference to fraud in the described case.
• D) Robbery
• This is incorrect. The case concerns a homicide charge, not theft or robbery.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2) Murder.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (Bribery): Incorrect; the passage focuses on a homicide trial.
• Option 3 (Fraud): Incorrect; no financial deception is mentioned.
• Option 4 (Robbery): Incorrect; theft is not involved in the case.
• Option 2 (Murder): Correct; explicitly stated in the passage.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Key Points

• A) A proper exam is conducted in the US to select a juror.
• This cannot be inferred from the passage. It only mentions selection based on professional, intellectual, and social backgrounds, not exams.
• B) The law of the US doesn’t promote the active participation of people in jury trials.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage clearly states that the law requires participation and employers cannot prevent employees from serving jury duty.
• C) Before the arrival of British in India, there were no jury trials.
• This can be inferred. The passage explicitly states that jury trials came to India with the British, implying they did not exist before.
• D) Indian people were highly favoured in the jury trials.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage mentions jury trials gradually became biased, not that Indians were favoured.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (Exam): Incorrect because the passage does not mention exams for juror selection.
• Option 2 (Law doesn’t promote participation): Incorrect because the law mandates participation.
• Option 4 (Indians favoured): Incorrect because jury trials became biased, not favourable to Indians.
• Option 3 (No jury trials before British): Correct because jury trials were introduced by the British in India.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Key Points

• Vituperative means harshly critical or bitter in tone, fitting the passage's description of jury trials as a "biased institution" that favoured British interests while ignoring violence against Indians.
• The author shows clear disapproval through phrases highlighting injustice in colonial India.
• The factual start on modern jury systems contrasts with the critical shift to India's biased history, conveying anger and condemnation.

Thus, vituperative best captures the passage's harshly critical attitude toward the colonial jury system.

Additional Information

• Apologetic: Incorrect; no regret or defense of the system appears.
• Introspective: Incorrect; lacks self-reflection, focusing on external criticism.
• Technical: Incorrect; goes beyond procedures to express strong disapproval.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Key Points

• The preposition "from" is used to indicate the source or cause of something, which is appropriate in the context of "suffered from various health problems."
• The preposition "from" is also used correctly in the phrase "dissuade her from fulfilling her mission" to indicate prevention or discouragement.
• Options 2, 3, and 4 use incorrect prepositions and do not fit grammatically or contextually in the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "Over the last two decades of her life, she suffered from various health problems, but nothing could dissuade her from fulfilling her mission."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "of, with" is incorrect because "suffer of" and "dissuade her with" do not make grammatical or contextual sense.
• Option 3: "with, on" is incorrect because "suffer with" and "dissuade her on" do not fit properly in the sentence.
• Option 4: "off, of" is incorrect because "suffer off" and "dissuade her of" are not grammatically correct or meaningful in the context.

The correct answer is: Option 2.

Key Points

• The phrase "Black and white" means something that is written down or presented clearly and unambiguously. (साफ और स्पष्ट तरीके से लिखा हुआ)
• Example: The lawyer insisted on having the agreement in black and white to avoid any misunderstandings.
• In the given sentence, the context is about requiring everything in writing, which matches the meaning of the phrase "black and white." (सभी चीज़ें लिखित रूप में चाहिए)

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 2.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Weal and woe (सुख और दुःख): Refers to both good and bad times in life.
• Example: They have stood by each other through weal and woe.
• Break a leg (शुभकामनाएं): An idiom that means to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
• Example: Before the play started, everyone told the actors to break a leg.
• Spill the beans (राज़ खोलना): To reveal a secret or disclose information unintentionally.
• Example: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party.

The correct answer is: Terse.

Key Points

• The word "verbose" means using or expressed in more words than needed; overly wordy and lengthy in communication. (लंबा और शब्दy)
• Example: His verbose explanation made the topic seem more complicated than it actually was.
• "Terse" refers to communication that is brief, concise, and to the point, often with no unnecessary elaboration. (संक्षिप्त)
• Example: Her terse reply made it clear that she did not wish to discuss the matter further.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'verbose' is 'terse'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Terse.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Flowery (आलंकारिक): Language that is elaborate and excessively ornate.
• Example: The speech was filled with flowery phrases but lacked substance.
• Talkative (बातूनी): Someone who talks a lot or excessively.
• Example: She is very talkative and can hold a conversation for hours.
• Elaborate (विस्तृत): Involving many details or thorough explanation.
• Example: The architect gave an elaborate description of his plans for the new building.

The correct answer is 'some'.

Key Points

• The word "some" is used to refer to an unspecified amount or quantity, which perfectly fits the context of the sentence.
• The sentence suggests incorporating a certain amount of exercise into a routine, making "some" the most appropriate choice.
• Options 2, 3, and 4 are grammatically incorrect and do not fit the context of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "Add some exercise in your routine."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "very" is incorrect because it is an adverb and cannot modify "exercise" directly.
• Option 3: "too" is incorrect as it implies excess, which is inappropriate in this context.
• Option 4: "so" is incorrect because it does not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence.