English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is D

Key Points

• In the given sentence there is an error in part D of the given sentence.
• When two nouns are joined by 'and' then the plural form of the verb will be used.
• Here, and is used to join the two nouns: generosity and altruism.
• Therefore, in part D of the sentence, 'is' should be replaced by 'are'.

The correct sentence is,  what he did was nothing more than obey those feelings of generosity and altruism which, as everyone knows, are the two best traits of human nature.

Additional Information

• Subject-Verb Agreement: The subject and the verb in the sentence should agree with each other in number and person.
• When the subject is in the singular the verb must also be the singular.
• When the subject is in the plural the verb also must be in the plural.

The correct answer is 'D' i.e. the error lies in part D of the sentence. 

Key Points

Let us have a look at few words used in the given sentence:

• The word shoppers is a noun.
• The word there is an adverb.
• It refers to the noun shoppers.
• We need a possessive pronoun their instead of an adverb there.
• Hence, there should be replaced with their.

So the correct sentence is: The result of the survey shows that the majority of the shoppers ditch their shopping carts after loading. 

Additional Information

Let us understand the meaning of possessive pronoun:

• Possessive pronouns are pronouns that help us show possession.
• Example: mine, yours, his, hers, its, ours, yours, etc.

The correct answer is CAB

Key Points

• 'Approved' is a verb and is not a physical entity that can 'do' something or take any action as it by itself is an action. Thus, this blank requires a noun, this could be 'Russia'.
• 'Said' is not an action a country can take, it has to be replaced by a doable action like 'approved'.
• 'Russia' is not something that can be 'on' state TV, it is not an action that can be done by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The blank requires a verb, like 'said'.

Thus, the correct sentence will be: Russia on Saturday approved a third coronavirus vaccine for domestic use, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on state TV.

The correct answer is BAC

Key Points

• 'Mind' is not something that can be done, the blank requires a verb. Thus, 'asserted' is appropriate for the blank.
• 'Asserted' is an action, it is not a physical entity in which something can be 'kept'. This blank requires a noun. Thus, the appropriate word is 'mind'.
• 'Behaviour' can be appropriate, and since it has been established that A and B need to be interchanged, blank C remains unchanged.

Thus, the correct sentence will be: It is asserted that people should keep in mind the importance of adherence to COVID-19 appropriate behaviour.

The correct answer is BAC

Key Points

• 'Vaccine' is a noun, it is not an action that someone can 'do'. The blank requires a verb in the present tense.  Thus, the correct answer is 'produce'.
• 'Produce' is a verb it cannot be a type of something, it is an action and hence cannot have 'doses'. 'Product' is the noun form and can be a type of coronavirus vaccine. The blank requires a noun and thus the answer is 'vaccine'.
• We've already established that A and B will be interchanged and also '40 million' is a quality that can be used to describe people. Thus, the answer will be 'people'.

Hence, the final sentence will be: The AstraZeneca company is going to produce in Japan doses of the coronavirus vaccine enough for 40 million people, the executive director of the Japanese department of the firm said.

The correct answer is CAB

Key Points

• 'Crash' is a verb (an action) and is usually followed or preceded by a noun that is the subject. 'Crash' is an action and thus cannot be 'killed' (also a verb). The blank requires a noun, thus the correct word is 'pilot'.
• 'Saturday' is used to refer to a time period and thus things happen 'on' a Saturday and not 'in' a Saturday. The blank requires a verb. Thus, the correct answer is 'crash'.
• 'Pilot' is a noun, nothing can be 'said on' a pilot, the blank requires a noun that describes a time period. Thus, the correct answer is 'Saturday'.

Hence, the correct sentence will be: A Japanese air force officer and a US Air Force instructor pilot were killed in a crash in Alabama, Japan's Air Self-Defense Force said on Saturday.

The correct answer is 'None of the above'. 

Key Points

• The first blank requires a 'verb', an action that can be taken on the 'sanctions'. 'Sanctions' are usually levied or lifted and thus the correct answer is 'lifted'.
• The second blank requires a noun that can be related to the 'government'. The noun also has to refer to a person as they are conducting the action of 'speaking'. Thus, the correct answer is 'spokesman'.
• The third blank requires a noun that can be associated with a country (Tehran). It should also be something that can be signalled. Thus, the correct answer 'desire'.

Hence, the correct sentence will be: Iran believes US sanctions will soon be lifted despite continuing “diplomatic wrangling” over reviving the nuclear deal, a government spokesman said on Saturday, signalling Tehran's desire to end the impasse while not offering a new position.

The correct answer is E 

Key Points

• The passage clearly talks about - the COVID virus and the multiple points of view on what could be its origin.
• Sentence E be the first sentence as it gives us an introduction to the passage in the form of scientists thinking that bats are the origin point of the COVID virus.
• Sentence D will be the second sentence as it talks about 'the winged mammal' and since there are more than one types of 'winged mammals', it can be assumed this 'winged mammal' has been referenced in the previous sentence.
• Sentence C will be the third sentence as it talks about 'the paper' and since there are more than 'one paper' that has been published in the world, this has to be referring to the study mentioned in the previous sentence i.e. sentence D.
• Sentence B will be the fourth sentence as it starts with the adjective 'other' used to describe 'experts' meaning there are some original 'experts' that have been mentioned before in the passage i.e. in sentence C and that is why these 'experts' are 'other'.
• Sentence A will be the fifth sentence which is the final sentence and thus should be conclusive to the passage, thus usually means a quote by someone important like in sentence A which contains a quote by Matthew Struebig who talks about getting a conclusion on the origin of the COVID virus.

Sentence D may also look like a statement that could be the introductory sentence for the passage, but on close observation, the reader will be able to see that the article 'the' is used before the term 'winged mammal' and since there is more than one type of winged mammals, it means that the term is referring to something that has been mentioned before.

• Thus, the correct sequence is - EDCBA

The correct answer is D

Key Points

• The passage clearly talks about - the COVID virus and the multiple points of view on what could be its origin.
• Sentence E be the first sentence as it gives us an introduction to the passage in the form of scientists thinking that bats are the origin point of the COVID virus.
• Sentence D will be the second sentence as it talks about 'the winged mammal' and since there are more than one types of 'winged mammals', it can be assumed this 'winged mammal' has been referenced in the previous sentence.
• Sentence C will be the third sentence as it talks about 'the paper' and since there are more than 'one paper' that has been published in the world, this has to be referring to the study mentioned in the previous sentence i.e. sentence D.
• Sentence B will be the fourth sentence as it starts with the adjective 'other' used to describe 'experts' meaning there are some original 'experts' that have been mentioned before in the passage i.e. in sentence C and that is why these 'experts' are 'other'.
• Sentence A will be the fifth sentence which is the final sentence and thus should be conclusive to the passage, thus usually means a quote by someone important like in sentence A which contains a quote by Matthew Struebig who talks about getting a conclusion on the origin of the COVID virus.

​Thus, the correct sequence is - EDCBA

The correct answer is C

Key Points

• The passage clearly talks about - the COVID virus and the multiple points of view on what could be its origin.
• Sentence E be the first sentence as it gives us an introduction to the passage in the form of scientists thinking that bats are the origin point of the COVID virus.
• Sentence D will be the second sentence as it talks about 'the winged mammal' and since there are more than one types of 'winged mammals', it can be assumed this 'winged mammal' has been referenced in the previous sentence.
• Sentence C will be the third sentence as it talks about 'the paper' and since there are more than 'one paper' that has been published in the world, this has to be referring to the study mentioned in the previous sentence i.e. sentence D.
• Sentence B will be the fourth sentence as it starts with the adjective 'other' used to describe 'experts' meaning there are some original 'experts' that have been mentioned before in the passage i.e. in sentence C and that is why these 'experts' are 'other'.
• Sentence A will be the fifth sentence which is the final sentence and thus should be conclusive to the passage, thus usually means a quote by someone important like in sentence A which contains a quote by Matthew Struebig who talks about getting a conclusion on the origin of the COVID virus.

​Thus, the correct sequence is - EDCBA

The correct answer is B

Key Points

• The passage clearly talks about - the COVID virus and the multiple points of view on what could be its origin.
• Sentence E be the first sentence as it gives us an introduction to the passage in the form of scientists thinking that bats are the origin point of the COVID virus.
• Sentence D will be the second sentence as it talks about 'the winged mammal' and since there are more than one types of 'winged mammals', it can be assumed this 'winged mammal' has been referenced in the previous sentence.
• Sentence C will be the third sentence as it talks about 'the paper' and since there are more than 'one paper' that has been published in the world, this has to be referring to the study mentioned in the previous sentence i.e. sentence D.
• Sentence B will be the fourth sentence as it starts with the adjective 'other' used to describe 'experts' meaning there are some original 'experts' that have been mentioned before in the passage i.e. in sentence C and that is why these 'experts' are 'other'.
• Sentence A will be the fifth sentence which is the final sentence and thus should be conclusive to the passage, thus usually means a quote by someone important like in sentence A which contains a quote by Matthew Struebig who talks about getting a conclusion on the origin of the COVID virus.

​Thus, the correct sequence is - EDCBA

The correct answer is A 

Key Points

• The passage clearly talks about - the COVID virus and the multiple points of view on what could be its origin.
• Sentence E be the first sentence as it gives us an introduction to the passage in the form of scientists thinking that bats are the origin point of the COVID virus.
• Sentence D will be the second sentence as it talks about 'the winged mammal' and since there are more than one types of 'winged mammals', it can be assumed this 'winged mammal' has been referenced in the previous sentence.
• Sentence C will be the third sentence as it talks about 'the paper' and since there are more than 'one paper' that has been published in the world, this has to be referring to the study mentioned in the previous sentence i.e. sentence D.
• Sentence B will be the fourth sentence as it starts with the adjective 'other' used to describe 'experts' meaning there are some original 'experts' that have been mentioned before in the passage i.e. in sentence C and that is why these 'experts' are 'other'.
• Sentence A will be the fifth sentence which is the final sentence and thus should be conclusive to the passage, thus usually means a quote by someone important like in sentence A which contains a quote by Matthew Struebig who talks about getting a conclusion on the origin of the COVID virus.

​Thus, the correct sequence is - EDCBA

The correct answer is only 2.

Key Points

• The phrase which we should choose to connect the sentences is only 2.
• The word 'when' is used to express 'during the time that'. So, the phrase 'when the Moon' would join the sentences appropriately.
• 'Whereas' is used to express 'compared with the fact that'. Therefore, the phrase 'whereas the moon' cannot form a meaningful sentence.
• 'And' is used to join two or more words or phrases or to link those statements which are used to describe a similar object. Hence, the phrase 'And the Moon' is not appropriate for the given sentences.

The sentence after using the phrase is: Solar eclipses occur at new moon when the Moon is between the Sun and Earth.

Additional Information

Eclipse: blocking or covering

Occur: to happen or take place

The correct answer is Option 2.

Explanation:

Let us check the options one by one:

• Option 1: The conjunction ‘while’ is used to either refer ‘at the same time’ or to mean ‘contrast’. The given sentence doesn’t talk about any contrast and refer anything related to time. Hence, the use of the conjunction ‘while’ is incorrect.
• Option 2: This seems correct. It rightly conveys the result- the book had many philosophical teachings embedded in it and the consequence was that it could not be read and understood in the first attempt.

The conjunction ‘so that’ is used to mean ‘result or consequence’.

For example- He was so ill that he could not even cook his own food.

• Option 3: ‘Therefore’ is used as a conjunctive adverb and is governed by some punctuation rules. When used to join two independent clauses (clauses that are independent), it should be preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma.

For example- Ron never liked rock music; therefore, he always stayed away from such concerts.

Hence, the compound sentence should use a semicolon and a comma before and after ‘therefore’ respectively to make the sentence correct –

“The book is layered with many philosophical teachings; therefore, it cannot be read and understood at one go.”

• Option 4: The use of the conjunction ‘yet’ distorts the meaning of the sentence completely for the second part of the sentence is not said in contrast to the first; rather it is an explanation. Hence, this is incorrect.

Therefore, Option 2 is the correct answer.

Adverbs when used as a conjunction to connect two independent clauses are called Conjunctive Adverbs.

For example- ‘Therefore’, ‘in fact’, ‘on the other hand’, etc.

The correct answer is Only 1 i.e. Whereas

Key Points

• The first statement talks about how werewolves take their true form only when there is a new moon.
• The second statement talks about how vampires on the other hand are always vampires, irrespective of the time of day or week.
• 'Whereas' is a connector used to refer to a contrast or comparison of 2 or more things.
• In the current sentence, the existence of werewolves and vampires is being compared.

Thus, the correct sentence will be: "Werewolves take their true form only during the new moon whereas vampires are vampires throughout their lives."

The correct answer is Whereas

Key Points

• The first statement talks about how Maxine is a topper in her class.
• The second statement talks about how Sasha was in the bottom three in the same class.
• 'Whereas' is a connector used to refer to a contrast or comparison.
• In the current sentence, there are 2 people from the same class and their rankings are being compared.

Thus, the final sentence will be: "Maxine was the topper in her class, whereas Sasha was in the bottom three."

The correct answer is Only 2 i.e. Nonetheless

Key Points

• The first statement talks about Mihir being very sick, this is not a condition in which one usually does anything major. One just tries to recover as soon as possible.
• The second statement talks about Mihir playing a tennis tournament, this is something that involves a lot of physical exertion and is not something one usually does when one is sick.
• Thus, it would not make sense that Mihir should play in a tennis tournament despite the fact that he is sick. 
• 'Nonetheless' is a connector used to something being a fact 'in spite of' something.
• In this case, Mihir went on to play in a tennis tournament in spite of the fact that he was very sick.

Thus, the final sentence will be 'Mihir was extremely sick, nonetheless he went on to play in the tennis tournament.'

The correct answer is Only 1 i.e. Unless

Key Points

• The first statement talks about how she (Mohini) scored full marks on her exam, while the second statement talks about how she would not be permitted to participate in her annual day.
• It would not make sense that even though she already scored full marks on her exam that someone would not allow her to participate in an extra-curricular activity (annual day).
• It would be more logical to assume that if it so happened that Mohini did not score full marks on her exam she would not be allowed to participate in the annual day. 
• 'Unless' is a connector used to introduce an exception.
• One statement is the truth, except for in the following scenario.

Thus, the final statement will be: 'Unless she scored full marks in her exam, Mohini would not be allowed to participate in the annual day.'

The correct answer is Disappointed

Key Points

• Unhappy:  not happy or satisfied
• ​E.g.: Amelia's parents were unhappy with her choice of career.
• Disappointed: sad or displeased because someone or something has failed to fulfil one's hopes or expectations
• ​E.g.: After having failed his final exam, Sam was very disappointed.

Thus, it is clear that Unhappy and Disappointed are similar words

Additional Information

• Shocked: To feel surprised and upset
• E.g: Dean was shocked to find out that he was adopted.
• Pleased: cause to feel happy and satisfied
• ​E.g.: Mark was pleased with the party he was able to throw.
• Amazed: greatly surprised; astonished
• ​E.g.: Jeffrey was amazed at the strength Sarah was able to show in the boxing ring.
• Overjoyed: extremely happy
• E.g.: Max was overjoyed to know that he was finally cancer-free.

The correct answer is Anxious

Key Points

• Serene:  Calm, peaceful and untroubled
• E.g.: The picnic that the Samson's planned at the lake was supposed to be very serene.
• Anxious: Feeling or showing worry and unease
• E.g. No matter how many tests he gave, Jared was always anxious before them.

Thus, it is clear that Serene and Anxious are opposite words

Additional Information

  Let's look at the meaning of the other words:

• Untroubled: not feeling, showing, or affected by anxiety or problems
• ​E.g.: Even after having almost met with an accident Lara was completely untroubled.
• Tranquil: free from disturbance; calm
• ​E.g.: After being given a painkiller pill, the dog was very tranquil.
• Calm: not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions
• ​E.g.: Despite having lost the biggest match of her life, Naomi was very calm.
• Peaceful: not wanting or involving war, violence or argument
• ​E.g.: She hoped the different ethnic groups in the area could live together in peaceful co-existence​

Confusion Points

• Furious: extremely angry
• ​E.g.: Jay was very furious about the person who had run into his car from behind.

'Anxious' and 'Furious' may both seem like opposite words for calm, but being calm means to not be worried about something and being anxious means being extremely worried and tense about something.