English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

• To answer this question, let's first understand the underlined sentence from the passage:
• "An analysis of income and employment trends among slum dwellers in urban India reveals prospects for economic mobility and decent work, as poor rural households often migrate to slums rather than formal settlements."
• This sentence suggests that there are prospects for economic mobility and decent work for slum dwellers in urban India, particularly for poor rural households who often choose to migrate to slums rather than formal settlements.
• Now, let's break down the options:
• Option 1: Migration to urban slums in India offers potential economic advancement and job opportunities for poor rural households.
• This inference aligns with the underlined sentence because it highlights the potential for economic mobility and decent work for slum dwellers, indicating that migrating to urban slums can provide opportunities for improving their economic conditions. The passage implies that despite the challenges of urban poverty and informal employment, slums offer a better alternative for economic advancement compared to rural areas.
• Option 2: Stagnation in urban slums' economy persists, with a significant portion engaged in unskilled labour for over a decade.
• While the underlined sentence acknowledges migration to slums, it doesn't imply stagnation; rather, it suggests prospects for economic mobility and decent work. Thus, this inference cannot be drawn from the underlined sentence.
• Option 3: Choosing formal settlements over urban slums limits economic mobility and work prospects for poor rural households in India.
• This sentence implies that choosing urban slums over formal settlements may offer better economic prospects, indicating that opting for formal settlements might limit economic mobility and work opportunities. Thus, this inference cannot be drawn from the underlined sentence.
• Option 4: Investigating simultaneous high unemployment and wages is crucial for understanding urban poverty dynamics.
• Although the underlined sentence mentions income and employment trends among slum dwellers, it doesn't specifically address simultaneous high unemployment and wages, so it doesn't provide a basis for understanding these dynamics. Thus, this inference cannot be drawn from the underlined sentence.
• Option 5: Income and employment conditions in urban slums tend to perpetuate rather than alleviate systemic poverty and inequality.
• While the sentence acknowledges income and employment conditions in urban slums, it doesn't provide enough information to conclude whether these conditions perpetuate or alleviate systemic poverty and inequality. Thus, this inference cannot be drawn from the underlined sentence.
• Therefore, the correct answer is "Migration to urban slums in India offers potential economic advancement and job opportunities for poor rural households."

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

• To answer this question, let's examine each sentence given in the question:
• Sentence A: Skilled and semi-skilled labour saw a 6% increase, unlike unskilled labour.
• This sentence is false. The passage states that the share of employment in skilled and semi-skilled labour decreased by 6% between 2012-19, unlike unskilled labour.
• Sentence B: Employment in skilled and semi-skilled labour decreased over the decade.
• This sentence is true. According to the passage, the share of employment in skilled and semi-skilled labour decreased by 6% between 2012-19.
• Sentence C: The urban unemployment rate decreased consistently from 2015-16 to 2022-23.
• This sentence is false. The passage mentions a relatively higher unemployment rate in urban areas, at 4.8% in 2000 over the 1.5% in rural areas, indicating fluctuations rather than a consistent decrease.
• Sentence D: The number of surveyed slum households decreased from 513 to 396.
• This sentence is true. The passage states that the number of surveyed slum households decreased from 513 in 2012 to 396 in 2021-22.
• Sentence E: Urban areas exhibit higher unemployment rates compared to rural areas.
• This sentence is true. The passage mentions a higher unemployment rate in urban areas (4.8% in 2000) compared to rural areas (1.5% in 2000).
• So, out of the given sentences, sentences B, D, and E are true, while sentences A and C are false.
• Therefore, the correct answer is "All B, D, and E are true."

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

• To answer this question, let's break down the sentences given in the question:
• Sentence A: The higher wages in urban areas have resulted in a decrease in migration for economic mobility.
• This sentence cannot be inferred from the passage. While the passage discusses higher average monthly earnings in urban areas, it does not explicitly mention any decrease in migration due to lower wages.
• Sentence B: The survey revealed that all 396 households in 2021-22 had improved economically since 2012.
• This sentence cannot be inferred from the passage. While the passage discusses surveys conducted among slum households in Kolkata in 2012 and 2021-22, it does not provide explicit information about the economic improvement of all households surveyed in 2021-22.
• Sentence C: Truck driving and cleaning have decreased in popularity as occupations in slums in the last decade.
• This sentence cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions an increase in the popularity of occupations such as truck driving and cleaning in slums over the last decade, indicating the opposite trend.
• So, out of the three sentences given in the question, none can be inferred from the passage.
• Therefore, the correct answer is "All A, B, and C."

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

To answer this question, first, read the third paragraph of the passage carefully and understand the key points mentioned:

The passage's third paragraph discusses the predominant occupations in Kolkata's slums, emphasizing unskilled labour's stability. It also highlights shifts in employment trends over a decade, with a rise in petty businesses and emerging occupations like truck driving and construction work.

• Now, let's analyze the options:
• Option 1: The divergence in employment and income trends between rural and urban areas is highlighted in the report, emphasizing the dynamics of slum economies.
• This option discusses the divergence in employment and income trends between rural and urban areas, which is not directly related to the content of the third paragraph of the passage. Thus, this cannot be the correct answer.
• Option 2: The data collected from Kolkata's slums shows a shift towards formal employment and away from self-employment, contradicting the findings of the IER 2024.
• This option suggests a shift towards formal employment in Kolkata's slums, contradicting the findings of the IER 2024. However, the third paragraph doesn't mention such a shift. Thus, this also cannot be the correct answer.
• Option 3: While unskilled labour remains dominant in Kolkata's slums, skilled labour and formal employment have decreased, replaced by petty businesses.
• This option accurately summarizes the content of the third paragraph. It highlights that while unskilled labour remains dominant in Kolkata's slums, there has been a decrease in skilled labour and formal employment, with an increase in petty businesses. Thus, this is the correct answer.
• Option 4: The survey conducted in 2022-23 covered all 37 slums in Kolkata that were surveyed in 2012, although some slums had either been redeveloped or evicted.
• This option talks about the survey coverage in Kolkata's slums, which is not relevant to the content of the third paragraph. Thus, this cannot be the correct answer.
• Option 5: The income and employment trends in slums were found to be unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the pre-COVID-19 year of 2019.
• The option discusses the unaffected nature of income and employment trends in slums by the COVID-19 pandemic, which is not mentioned in the third paragraph. Thus, this cannot be the correct answer.
• Therefore, the correct answer is "While unskilled labour remains dominant in Kolkata's slums, skilled labour and formal employment have decreased, replaced by petty businesses."

The correct answer is 'Neither Sameera nor Vinod knows anything about the accident' 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 plural form of the verb 'were' is incorrect.
• We know that if two subjects are joined by expressions like ''either…or, or neither … nor, or, nor, not only...but also'', the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.
• For Example - Neither John nor his friends are coming today. (Here, the verb agrees with the second subject i.e. his friends)
• Therefore, the singular form of the verb 'was' (since 'principal' is singular) should be used in place of the plural form of the verb 'were'.
• Correct Sentence: Neither the contestants nor the principal was aware of the fire.
• In Option 2, the use of the plural form of the adverb 'instead' is incorrect.
• In the sentence, 'instead' must be replaced with the prepositional phrase ''instead of'' which means ''in place of.''
• Correct Sentence: Instead of criticizing why don't you help with the presentation?
• In Option 3, the use of the adjective 'urgent' is incorrect.
• In the sentence, 'urgent' is an adjective and fails to modify the verb 'send'.
• We know that if a verb is to be modified, we should use an adverb.
• Therefore, the adverb 'urgently' should be used in place of the adjective 'urgent'.
• Correct Sentence: It is requested that a detailed report be sent urgently on the representations and ongoing strike by the employees.
• In Option 4, the verb agrees correctly with the subject nearest to it i.e. Vinod. It is a singular subject. Therefore, 'knows' will be used.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

The correct answer is 'The girl, with several others, was late for school.' 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 definite article 'the' is erroneous.
• 'Approval' is an uncountable noun and uncountable nouns take 'the' when used in a particular sense.
• In the given sentence, 'approval' is not specified, nor is it qualified by any adjective.
• Therefore, we will omit the article 'the' before 'approval'.
• Correct Sentence: The developers submitted building plans to the council for approval.
• In Option 3, the use of the adverb 'lately' is incorrect.
• 'Lately' is an adverb that denotes 'recently'.
• 'Late' denotes 'after the fixed, right, or usual time.'
• Therefore, the adverb 'late' should be used in place of the adverb 'lately'.
• Correct Sentence: She was heavily fined last month for coming late.
• In Option 4, the use of the plural form of the verb 'have' is incorrect.
• We know that expressions such as each of, one of, anybody, each, every, and nobody must be followed by a singular verb.
• Therefore, the singular form of the verb 'has' should be used in place of the plural form of the verb 'have'.
• Correct Sentence: Each of the ladies has a designer handbag.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

The correct answer is 'No sooner had he arrived in Delhi than he was kidnapped' 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 determiner 'fewer' is incorrect.
• The determiner 'fewer' is used to refer to numbers among things that are counted.
• The determiner 'less' is used to refer to quantity or amount among things that are measured.
• Therefore, the determiner 'less' should be used in place of the determiner 'fewer'.
• Correct Sentence: I see you have eaten less than ten percent of your mashed potatoes.
• In Option 2, the use of the preposition 'with' is incorrect.
• The verb 'assign' is followed by the preposition 'to'.
• If someone is assigned to a particular place, case, group, or person, they are sent there, usually in order to work at that place or for that case.
• Therefore, the preposition 'to' should be used in place of the preposition 'with'.
• Correct Sentence: A different policeman has been assigned to the case.
• In Option 4, the use of the plural form of the verb 'are' is incorrect.
• We know that amounts, even if plural, have a singular verb.
• Therefore, the singular form of the verb 'is' should be used in place of the plural form of the verb 'are'.
• Correct Sentence: Five kilograms of flour is all that I need for my baking.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

The correct answer is 'Several members of the party have resurrected the idea of constitutional change' i.e. this sentence is grammatically and contextually correct.

Key Points

• Let us explore the grammatical errors in the sentences:
• In Option 2, the use of the singular form of the verb 'lives' is incorrect.
• We know that the words (People, Children, Men, Women, Mice, Feet, etc.) are irregular plural nouns (nouns that are not formed by adding -s) and they take the plural form of the verb.
• Therefore, the plural form of the verb 'live' should be used in place of the singular form of the verb 'lives'.
• Correct Sentence: I clearly empathize with the people who live in those neighborhoods.
• In Option 3, the use of the singular form of the verb 'was' is incorrect.
• We know that the words (Both Of, A Few Of, Many, Several) always take the plural form of the verb.
• Therefore, the plural form of the verb 'were' should be used in place of the singular form of the verb 'was'.
• Correct Sentence: When the ship finally reached land, only a few of the crew were left to witness the event.
• In Option 4, the use of the plural form of the verb 'have' is incorrect.
• We know that 'Everyone' is a collective noun and it refers to multiple people but they are grouped into a single entity.
• The word (Everybody, Anybody, Somebody, Nobody, Everyone, Anyone, Someone, No One) subjects are all singular.
• Therefore, the singular form of the verb 'has' should be used in place of the plural form of the verb 'have'.
• Correct Sentence: Everyone has their own ideas about the best way to bring up children.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

The correct answer is 'BDCAE'.

Key Points

• Part B will be the first sentence of the sequence because it introduces the topic of an outbreak that was mistaken for Japanese encephalitis.
• Part D will come after B as it gives information about physicians in the area who noted something.
• Part C will come after D as it gives information that physicians noted the persons who had been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis.
• Part A will come after C as it further gives information that the persons who had been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis were not protected in the epidemic.
• Part 'E' is the concluding or last part as it concludes that the number of cases among adults was unusual.

Hence, the correct answer is option 5.

Correct Sentence: The outbreak was originally mistaken for Japanese encephalitis, but physicians in the area noted that persons who had been vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis were not protected in the epidemic, and the number of cases among adults was unusual.

Important Points

• Important Rules to Solve the Sentence Jumbles:
• Read the sentences attentively and try to comprehend the idea or theme of the sentences.
• Try to identify the opening and closing sentences.
• Try to identify the mandatory pairs. Two sentences can be connected through various connectors and other determinants.

The correct answer is 'CEABD'.

Key Points

• Part C will be the first sentence of the sequence because it introduces the topic of SAF which is made from renewable biomass and waste resources.
• Part E will come after C as it gives information about the potential of SAF that it can deliver the performance.
• Part A will come after E as it further gives information about the performance i.e. of petroleum-based jet fuel.
• Part B will come after A as it explains that the SAF delivers performance however with a fraction of its carbon footprint, giving airlines solid footing.
• Part 'D' is the concluding or last part as it concludes why carbon footprint, giving airlines solid footing i.e. for decoupling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from flight.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Correct Sentence: SAF made from renewable biomass and waste resources has the potential to deliver the performance of petroleum-based jet fuel but with a fraction of its carbon footprint, giving airlines solid footing for decoupling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from flight.

Important Points

• Important Rules to Solve the Sentence Jumbles:
• Read the sentences attentively and try to comprehend the idea or theme of the sentences.
• Try to identify the opening and closing sentences.
• Try to identify the mandatory pairs. Two sentences can be connected through various connectors and other determinants.

The correct answer is 'DBCEA'.

Key Points

• Part D will be the first sentence of the sequence because it introduces the topic of banana ketchup.
• Part B will come after D as it gives information about the first commercial mass production of banana ketchup.
• Part C will come after B as it gives information about who first mass-produced banana ketchup commercially i.e. Magdalo V. Francisco Sr.
• Part E will come after C as it further gives information about Magdalo V. Francisco Sr., he is the founder of the brand name Mafran.
• Part 'A' is the concluding or last part as it concludes that Magdalo V. Francisco Sr. registered the brand name Mafran with the Bureau of Patents.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Correct Sentence: In 1942, banana ketchup was first mass-produced commercially by Magdalo V. Francisco Sr. who founded the brand name Mafran which he registered with the Bureau of Patents.

Important Points

• Important Rules to Solve the Sentence Jumbles:
• Read the sentences attentively and try to comprehend the idea or theme of the sentences.
• Try to identify the opening and closing sentences.
• Try to identify the mandatory pairs. Two sentences can be connected through various connectors and other determinants.

The correct answer is 'assistive, support.'

Key Points

• The given sentence is talking about hiring some personnel for Rekha.
• ​Let us explore the words in the given options:
• 'Assistive' means denoting a person who is employed to provide basic help.
• 'Support' means to help somebody by saying that you agree with them.

Conclusion:

Rekha's family hired a person to provide basic help to Rekha in her daily tasks.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Complete Sentence: Rekha's family hired assistive personnel to support her in daily tasks like bathing and preparing meals.

Additional Information

• The meaning of other options:
• 'Sabotage' means to deliberately destroy, damage, or obstruct something.
• 'Antagonistic' means showing or feeling active opposition or hostility towards someone or something.
• 'Undercut' means to undermine or destroy the force, value, or effectiveness of something.
• 'Hostile' means having very strong feelings against somebody or something.
• 'Weaken' means to become less strong; to make somebody/something less strong.
• 'Fierce' means very strong; violent.
• 'Controvert' means to deny the truth of something.
• 'Scrape' means to manage to get or win something with difficulty.

The correct answer is 'aid, recovery.'

Key Points

• The given sentence is talking about the Red Cross workers and how they work.
• ​Let us explore the words in the given options:
• 'Aid' means to help somebody or something.
• 'Recovery' means getting back something that was lost, stolen, or missing.

Conclusion:

During natural disasters, the Red Cross workers help the victims in getting back from injuries.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

Complete Sentence: Red Cross workers usually aid in the recovery of victims of natural disasters by providing medical care to those who are injured.

Additional Information

• The meaning of other options:
• 'Relapse' means to become worse again after an improvement.
• 'Obstacle' means something that makes it difficult for you to do something or go somewhere.
• 'Regression' means a return to a former or less developed state.
• 'Constraint' means a limitation or restriction.
• 'Loss' means the fact or process of losing something or someone.
• 'Hindrance' means a thing that provides resistance, delay, or obstruction to something or someone.
• 'Misplace' means to put an object in the wrong place and so lose it temporarily.
• 'Drawback' means a disadvantage or problem.

The correct answer is 'approve, cover.'

Key Points

• The given sentence is talking about taking a day off and the shift of work.
• ​Let us explore the words in the given options:
• 'Approve' means to agree formally to something.
• 'Cover' means to do somebody’s job while he or she is away from work.

Conclusion:

The supervisor does not agree to a day off due to the shortage or absence of other employees.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Complete Sentence: My supervisor won’t approve my day off because there is no one to cover my shift.

Additional Information

• The meaning of other options:
• 'Bare' means basic and simple.
• 'Proscribe' means to order not to do or use or to be done or used.
• 'Expose' means to cause someone to be vulnerable or at risk.
• 'Prohibit' means to say that something is not allowed by law.
• 'Omit' means to not include something; to leave something out.
• 'Interdict' means to prohibit someone from doing something.
• 'Slur' means an unfair comment or an insult that could damage people’s opinion of somebody or something.
• 'Neglect' means to give too little or no attention or care to somebody or something.

The correct answer is 'maintain, frequently.'

Key Points

• The given sentence is talking about how to keep the lawn nice and fresh.
• ​Let us explore the words in the given options:
• 'Maintain' means to keep something in good condition by checking and repairing it regularly.
• 'Frequently' means regularly or habitually; often.

Conclusion:

To keep the lawn nice and fresh, you have to water it regularly.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Complete Sentence: If you want to maintain your lawn, you will need to water it frequently so it stays nice and fresh.

Additional Information

• The meaning of other options:
• 'Rare' means not occurring very often.
• 'Ignore' means to refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally.
• 'Seldom' means not often; rarely.
• 'Withdraw' means to remove or take away something from a particular place or position.
• 'Perpetually' means in a way that never ends or changes; constantly.
• 'Retract' means to say that something you have said is not true.
• 'Constant' means happening or existing all the time or again and again.
• 'Negotiate' means to decide or agree on something by talking about it.

The correct answer is 'D.'

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the segments after rearrangement is DACEB.
• The sentence 'D' is independent of any other sentence as it is giving general information about "Elon Musk". Hence, 'D' is the first part.
• Sentence A will come after D as it further gives information about the education of Elon Musk.
• Sentence C will come after A as it is giving information about Elon Musk's contribution to making PayPal.
• Sentence E will come after C as it is giving information about Elon Musk's shocking or impressive success.
• The sentence 'B' is the concluding part because it is telling, he is the richest person in the world now.
• From the above sequence, we can say that sentence 'D' is the first sentence after rearrangement.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Paragraph after rearranging the sentences: Elon Musk is the charismatic co-founder and CEO of electric car maker Tesla and rocket manufacturer SpaceX. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania in physics, Musk started getting his feet wet as a serial tech entrepreneur. He was instrumental in creating the company that became PayPal. His astounding success has given rise to comparisons to other visionary businessmen. He is surpassed only by Jeff Bezos as the richest person in the world.

Hint

• Important Rules to Solve the Para Jumbles:
• Read the sentences attentively and try to comprehend the idea or theme of the sentence and eliminate the irrelevant options.
• Try to identify the opening (independent sentence) and closing sentences (concluding sentence).
• Try to identify the mandatory pairs. Two sentences can be connected through various connectors and other determinants.

The correct answer is 'A.'

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the segments after rearrangement is DACEB.
• The sentence 'D' is independent of any other sentence as it is giving general information about "Elon Musk". Hence, 'D' is the first part.
• Sentence A will come after D as it further gives information about the education of Elon Musk.
• Sentence C will come after A as it is giving information about Elon Musk's contribution to making PayPal.
• Sentence E will come after C as it is giving information about Elon Musk's impressive success.
• The sentence 'B' is the concluding part because it is telling, he is the richest person in the world now.
• From the above sequence, we can say that sentence 'A' is the second sentence after rearrangement.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

The correct answer is 'C.'

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the segments after rearrangement is DACEB.
• The sentence 'D' is independent of any other sentence as it is giving general information about "Elon Musk". Hence, 'D' is the first part.
• Sentence A will come after D as it further gives information about the education of Elon Musk.
• Sentence C will come after A as it is giving information about Elon Musk's contribution to making PayPal.
• Sentence E will come after C as it is giving information about Elon Musk's impressive success.
• The sentence 'B' is the concluding part because it is telling, he is the richest person in the world now.
• From the above sequence, we can say that sentence 'C' is the third sentence after rearrangement.

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

The correct answer is 'E.'

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the segments after rearrangement is DACEB.
• The sentence 'D' is independent of any other sentence as it is giving general information about "Elon Musk". Hence, 'D' is the first part.
• Sentence A will come after D as it further gives information about the education of Elon Musk.
• Sentence C will come after A as it is giving information about Elon Musk's contribution to making PayPal.
• Sentence E will come after C as it is giving information about Elon Musk's impressive success.
• The sentence 'B' is the concluding part because it is telling, he is the richest person in the world now.
• From the above sequence, we can say that sentence 'E' is the fourth sentence after rearrangement.

Hence, the correct answer is option 5.

The correct answer is 'B.'

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the segments after rearrangement is DACEB.
• The sentence 'D' is independent of any other sentence as it is giving general information about "Elon Musk". Hence, 'D' is the first part.
• Sentence A will come after D as it further gives information about the education of Elon Musk.
• Sentence C will come after A as it is giving information about Elon Musk's contribution to making PayPal.
• Sentence E will come after C as it is giving information about Elon Musk's impressive success.
• The sentence 'B' is the concluding part because it is telling, he is the richest person in the world now.
• From the above sequence, we can say that sentence 'B' is the fifth sentence after rearrangement.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.