English Comprehension PYQs

The word ‘sirious’ is the wrong spelling. The correct spelling is ‘serious’.

The given sentence is correct.

The correct answer is option 2.

The correct word in this context would be 'reward' since it means a thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement.

Note: Betwixt is an archaic term which means 'between'

The sentence is a proverb and the correct form of the word to be used in this context is 'deceptive'.

'Deceptive' means 'giving an appearance or impression different from the true one; misleading'.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• The correct form of the word 'compulsory' to be used in the context of the sentence is 'compulsorily'.
• 'Compulsorily' is the adverb form of the word 'compulsory', which means 'required, mandatory, obligatory'.
• So, the word that would fit the blank would be Compulsorily.

Additional Information

• Compel means force or oblige (someone) to do something.
• Compiled means produce (a list or book) by assembling information collected from other sources.

The correct word is 'perils.' It means 'serious and immediate danger.' It makes sense because we are talking about the death of a person most probably a journalist. 

Responsibility: the state or fact of having a duty to deal with something or of having control over someone.

Onus: something that is one's duty or responsibility.

Guilt: the fact of having committed a specified or implied offence or crime.

Restraint: a measure or condition that keeps someone or something under control.

The correct answer is 'Only I and II'.

Key Points

In the given statements, the errors are in statement I and statement II.​

• ​​​In statement I, its should be replaced by it’s (it is) to make the sentence grammatically correct.
• Here Its is a possessive determiner we use to say that something belongs to or refers to something whereas it’s is a contraction of “it is” or “it has”.
• For e.g.- 1. Its been a year since the last time they met. (Incorrect)                          2. It’s been a year since the last time they met. (Correct)
• In statement II, the verb should be say in place of says since the subject is researchers, which is plural in number. According to the Subject-verb Concord, the verb must agree with its subject in number and person.
• For e.g.- No examples are relevant to the case

Thus, the correct sentences are I. It’s hazardous to use a handheld cell phone while driving.  and II. T**hey are also dangerous say, researchers.

Statement III is grammatically and contextually correct. Sentence III is an example of subject-verb agreement with a compound subject.

Additional Information

Compound subjects (two subjects in the same sentence) usually take a plural verb, unless the combination is treated as singular in popular usage or the two subjects refer to the same thing or person.

• Neither my dad nor my brothers know how to ski. (Correct sentence)
• Corn and cheese are great on a pizza. (Correct sentence)

The correct answer is 'Only I and III'.

Key Points

In the given statements, the errors are in statement I and statement III.

• In statement I, the preposition at will be replaced by on to make the sentence grammatically correct. The idiom on the verge of means at the point when (something) is about to happen or is very likely to happen.
• For e.g.- The company was on the verge of going bankrupt.
• In statement III, the preposition in will be replaced by over because the preposition in indicates rest or motion inside anything or refer to a period of time usually in the future.
• For e.g.- She is in the garden.
• He will return in a month

Here the sentence talks about clouds so we have to use the preposition over which means moving across space above someone or something to make the sentence grammatically correct.

• Statement II is grammatically and contextually correct. Here the preposition by is used which means according to; from the evidence of.
• For e.g.- By my watch, it is 10:30.
• Thus the correct sentences are: I. India’s manufacturing sector was believed to be on the verge of sickness. and **​II. Clouds hung thick and grey over Bengaluru airport.

Additional Information

Over can be used in the following ways

The correct answer is Option 2) i.e. Both A and C are incorrect.

Key Points

• A) Sentence A is incorrect. 'invaded Spain' should be there in place of 'has invaded Spain'
• Explanation: When a specified time of past is mentioned then we use past indefinite in place of the present perfect tense.
• B) Sentence B is correct.
• Explanation: Since the action is continuing from the past into the present, the perfect tense is correctly used.
• C) Sentence C is incorrect. 'they had been married' should be there in place of 'they were married'
• Explanation: Present perfect tense is used denoting an action completed prior to some past point of time specified or implied.

Correct Sentence A: 'The Moors invaded Spain in the eighth century, and much of the Spanish language derives from Arabic.' 

Correct Sentence C: 'It must have been very strange for him to be alone after they had been married for more than 50 years.'

The correct answer is Option 4) i.e. Both A and C are incorrect

Key Points

• A) Sentence A is incorrect. 'whether the virtues' should be there in place of 'if the virtues'
• Explanation: 'whether...or' is the correct pair of conjunction
• B) Sentence B is correct.
• Explanation: 'Yet' is used to express a new idea regardless of what the existing one suggests.
• C) Sentence C is incorrect. 'but also that its production' should be there in place of 'but that its production'
• Explanation: 'not only...but also' is the correct pair of conjunction

Correct Sentence A: 'They meditate whether the virtues of the one will exalt or diminish the force of the other, or correct any of its nocent qualities.' 

Correct Sentence C: 'Boulton realized not only that this engine could power his manufactory, but also that its production might be a profitable business venture.'

The correct answer is D.

Key Points

• The given paragraph is about Globalization.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the topic of the paragraph by talking about how globalisation influences foreign trade in the world.
• Sentence C is the second sentence as it continues D by explaining that things that were only found in developed countries are now found in other countries as well thus expanding foreign trade.
• Sentence B is the third sentence as it explains that people in other countries can get whatever they want because things from different countries can be traded now.
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence as it explains the international trade in which countries import and export across the globe.
• Sentence E is at the correct place so it's the fifth sentence explaining that to overlook these trades and to maintain a fair trade, some organizations have been established.
• Sentence F is the sixth sentence as it continues E, it talks about World trade organizations which is one of such organisations established to influence individual governments to follow international trade rules, copyrights, policies on subsidies, taxes and tariffs.
• The correct sequence is DCBAEF.

Additional Information

• Globalization is the process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.

The correct answer is C.

Key Points

• The given paragraph is about Globalization.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the topic of the paragraph by talking about how globalisation influences foreign trade in the world.
• Sentence C is the second sentence as it continues D by explaining that things that were only found in developed countries are now found in other countries as well thus expanding foreign trade.
• Sentence B is the third sentence as it explains that people in other countries can get whatever they want because things from different countries can be traded now.
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence as it explains the international trade in which countries import and export across the globe.
• Sentence E is at the correct place so it's the fifth sentence explaining that to overlook these trades and to maintain a fair trade, some organizations have been established.
• Sentence F is the sixth sentence as it continues E, it talks about World trade organizations which is one of such organisations established to influence individual governments to follow international trade rules, copyrights, policies on subsidies, taxes and tariffs.
• The correct sequence is DCBAEF.

Additional Information

• Foreign trade is the exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories.
• ​For example, Foreign trade is of critical importance to the economy.

The correct answer is B.

Key Points

• The given paragraph is about Globalization.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the topic of the paragraph by talking about how globalisation influences foreign trade in the world.
• Sentence C is the second sentence as it continues D by explaining that things that were only found in developed countries are now found in other countries as well thus expanding foreign trade.
• Sentence B is the third sentence as it explains that people in other countries can get whatever they want because things from different countries can be traded now.
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence as it explains the international trade in which countries import and export across the globe.
• Sentence E is at the correct place so it's the fifth sentence explaining that to overlook these trades and to maintain a fair trade, some organizations have been established.
• Sentence F is the sixth sentence as it continues E, it talks about World trade organizations which is one of such organisations established to influence individual governments to follow international trade rules, copyrights, policies on subsidies, taxes and tariffs.
• The correct sequence is DCBAEF.

Additional Information

• The word copyrights means exclusive and assignable legal right, given to the originator for a fixed number of years, to print, publish, perform, film, or record literary, artistic, or musical material.
• ​​For example, His family still holds the copyright to his songs.

The correct answer is A.

Key Points

• The given paragraph is about Globalization.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the topic of the paragraph by talking about how globalisation influences foreign trade in the world.
• Sentence C is the second sentence as it continues D by explaining that things that were only found in developed countries are now found in other countries as well thus expanding foreign trade.
• Sentence B is the third sentence as it explains that people in other countries can get whatever they want because things from different countries can be traded now.
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence as it explains the international trade in which countries import and export across the globe.
• Sentence E is at the correct place so it's the fifth sentence explaining that to overlook these trades and to maintain a fair trade, some organizations have been established.
• Sentence F is the sixth sentence as it continues E, it talks about World trade organizations which is one of such organisations established to influence individual governments to follow international trade rules, copyrights, policies on subsidies, taxes and tariffs.
• The correct sequence is DCBAEF.

Additional Information

• The word subsidies means a sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low. 
• ​​​For example, The company receives a heavy subsidy from the national government.

The correct answer is F.

Key Points

• The given paragraph is about Globalization.

• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the topic of the paragraph by talking about how globalisation influences foreign trade in the world.

• Sentence C is the second sentence as it continues D by explaining that things that were only found in developed countries are now found in other countries as well thus expanding foreign trade.

• Sentence B is the third sentence as it explains that people in other countries can get whatever they want because things from different countries can be traded now.

• Sentence A is the fourth sentence as it explains the international trade in which countries import and export across the globe.

• Sentence E is at the correct place so it's the fifth sentence explaining that to overlook these trades and to maintain a fair trade, some organizations have been established.

• Sentence F is the sixth sentence as it continues E, it talks about World trade organizations which is one of such organisations established to influence individual governments to follow international trade rules, copyrights, policies on subsidies, taxes and tariffs.

• The correct sequence is DCBAEF.

Additional Information

• The word countries is plural for the word country. Here, country ends with a 'y' so its plural form will have a '-ies'.
• Regular nouns are changed to plural by adding an 's'.
• If the singular noun ends in ‑s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, add ‑es to the end to make it plural.

The correct answer is 'The Minister was visibly upset when he heard the sad news of his debacle in the election' i.e. this sentence is grammatically and contextually correct.

Key Points

• Let us explore the grammatical errors in the sentences:
• In Option 1, the use of the singular form of the verb 'has' is incorrect.
• We know that when two singular nouns are joined by 'and' referring to two different persons the pronoun used for them should be 'plural'. (जब दो एकवचन संज्ञाएँ 'and' से जुड़ती हैं तो दो अलग-अलग व्यक्तियों के लिए प्रयुक्त सर्वनाम 'बहुवचन' होना चाहिए)
• Therefore, the plural form of the verb 'have' should be used in place of the singular form of the verb 'has'.
• Correct Sentence: The Prime Minister and the Chief Minister have expressed grief over the loss of lives due to the bus accident in Jammu and Kashmir.
• In Option 2, the use of the article 'a' is incorrect.
• We use the article 'a' before a consonant sound and we use the article 'an' before a vowel sound (here, expensive). (व्यंजन ध्वनि से पहले आर्टिकल 'a' और स्वर ध्वनि से पहले आर्टिकल 'an' का इस्तेमाल करते हैं)
• Therefore, the article 'an' should be used in place of the article 'a'.
• Correct Sentence: Going to court can be an expensive, time-consuming, and gut-wrenching experience that is best avoided.
• In Option 4, the use of the plural form of the noun 'hairs' is incorrect.
• We know that some nouns are generally uncountable nouns, and 'Hair' is one of them. (कुछ संज्ञाएं आम तौर पर असंख्य संज्ञाएं होती हैं, और 'हेयर' उनमें से एक है)
• Uncountable nouns are used with a singular verb. (असंख्य संज्ञाओं का प्रयोग एकवचन क्रिया के साथ किया जाता है)
• Therefore, the singular form of the noun 'hair' should be used in place of the plural form of the noun 'hairs'.
• Correct Sentence: He was neither ancient nor ugly, with familiar dark eyes and hair and roughly hewn features.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

The correct answer is 'Improving the physical educational system, which is one of the worst in the world, requires commitment from the country’s politicians' i.e. this sentence is grammatically and contextually correct.

Key Points 

• Let us explore the grammatical errors in the sentences:
• In Option 1, the use of the present tense form of the verb 'have' in the if-clause is incorrect.
• The given sentence is the third conditional sentence explaining that present circumstances would be different if something different had happened in the past. (दिया गया वाक्य third conditional वाक्य है जो यह समझाता है कि यदि अतीत में कुछ अलग हुआ होता तो वर्तमान परिस्थितियाँ अलग होतीं)
• When using the third conditional, we use the past perfect i.e. had + past participle (here, taken) in the if-clause and the modal auxiliary (would, could, should, etc.) + have + past participle (here, missed) in the main clause.
• Therefore, the past tense form of the verb 'had' should be used in place of the present tense form of the verb 'have'.
• Correct Sentence: If we had taken a taxi, we wouldn't have missed the plane.
• In Option 3, the use of the adverb 'vividly' is incorrect.
• In the given sentence, 'vividly' is an adverb, which cannot modify a noun (here, 'memories'). (दिए गए वाक्य में, 'vividly' एक क्रिया विशेषण है, जो एक संज्ञा को संशोधित नहीं कर सकता है)
• Adjectives usually come before the noun that they modify. (विशेषण आमतौर पर उस संज्ञा से पहले आते हैं जिसे वे संशोधित करते हैं)
• Therefore, the adjective 'vivid' should be used in place of the adverb 'vividly'.
• Correct Sentence: People of my generation who lived through World War II have vivid memories of confusion and incompetence.
• In Option 4, the use of the plural form of the noun 'alumni' is incorrect.
• We know that 'alumni' is the plural form for a group of male graduates and for a group of male and female graduates. ('alumni' पुरुष स्नातकों के समूह और पुरुष और महिला स्नातकों के समूह के लिए बहुवचन रूप है)
• 'Alumnus' refers specifically to a singular male graduate. ('Alumnus' विशेष रूप से एक एकल पुरुष स्नातक को संदर्भित करता है)
• Therefore, the singular form of the noun 'alumnus' should be used in place of the plural form of the noun 'alumni'.
• Correct Sentence: John has also been honored by the University of Chicago as a distinguished alumnus in 2002.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

The correct answer is- 'He told me how scared he was of being on his own.'

Key Points  

• Option 1 is incorrect.
• In English grammar, the habitual present is a verb in the present tense used to indicate an action that occurs regularly or repeatedly.
• It's also known as the present habitual.
• "Movement of buses" is an action that occurs regularly or repeatedly, so it must be in the Simple Present Tense.
• Structure: Subject + V1(s/es) + Object
• So, we have to replace "has left" with "leaves" to make it grammatically correct.
• Correct Sentence: The last bus leaves at midnight every day.
• Option 2 is correct.
• The meaning of the phrase "on his own" is by or through one's individual efforts or means.
• ​Example: He ha​d to finish designing the website on his own after many of our workers were laid off.
• The sentence is grammatically and contextually correct.
• Option 3 is incorrect.
• We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about the action that started in the past and is continuing now.
• This is often used with 'for' or 'since'.
• Example: We've been studying since 9 o'clock. (We're still studying now.)
• So, we have to replace "am waiting" with "have been waiting" to make it grammatically correct.
• Correct Sentence: Where is he? I have been waiting for him since three o'clock!
• Option 4 is incorrect.
• The given sentence is a negative sentence and in the Present Tense.
• The present simple, in its negative form, has this structure: Subject + do/does + not + verb + object
• Example: He does not go there.
• ​So, we need a base form of the verb "lose."
• So, we have to replace "lost" with "lose" to make it grammatically correct.
• Correct Sentence: You should practice so that you do not lose the match.
• So, the correct answer is Option 2.

Correct sentence: He told me how scared he was of being on his own.

The correct answer is 'C.'

Key Points

• The given sentence "Near the end of June 2021, security officers in the UAE ________ the residential buildings in Abu Dhabi to arrest about 700 African migrants'' is talking about security officers in the UAE raiding the residential buildings in Abu Dhabi to arrest about 700 African migrants.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is 'Raided'.
• Also, the use of the word ''arrest'' in the sentence indicates the use of the word 'raided' in the blank.
• The word 'Raided' means To conduct a raid (a surprise visit by police to arrest suspects or seize illicit goods).
• Example: The nightclub was raided by the police.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

Complete Sentence: Near the end of June 2021, security officers in the UAE raided the residential buildings in Abu Dhabi to arrest about 700 African migrants.

The correct answer is 'E.'

Key Points

• The given sentence "The workers were cuffed during the first two weeks of their _______ and besides being subjected to racial slurs and physical abuse, they were also refused access to basic medical aid such as sanitary pads to women'' is saying that the workers were cuffed during the first two weeks of their imprisonment and besides being subjected to racial slurs and physical abuse.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is 'Detention'.
• Also, the use of the word ''cuffed'' in the sentence indicates the use of the word 'detention' in the blank.
• The word 'Detention' means The act of stopping a person from leaving a place, especially by keeping him or her in prison.
• Example: He was kept in detention by the police.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Complete Sentence: The workers were cuffed during the first two weeks of their detention and besides being subjected to racial slurs and physical abuse, they were also refused access to basic medical aid such as sanitary pads to women.