NDA General Ability Test 21 April 2019 Official Paper (Previous Year Paper)

The correct answer is '(c).'

Key Points

• 'With' means ‘in the same place as someone or something’ or ‘accompanying.'
• 'With' का अर्थ है 'किसी के या किसी चीज़ के समान स्थान पर' या 'साथ में':
• Example: She loved him with all her heart.
• In this sentence, the verb dictate is used.
• इस वाक्य में dictate क्रिया का प्रयोग हुआ है।
• Dictation (the act of saying something aloud, so that your words can be prepared in writing by someone else) is given 'to' someone.
• शब्द Dictation (किसी बात को जोर से कहने की क्रिया, जिससे कि आपके शब्द किसी और के द्वारा लिखित रूप में तैयार किए जा सकें) के साथ पूर्वसर्ग 'to' का प्रयोग किया जाता है।​​
• Example: The president has dictated some letters to his secretary.
• Therefore, the use of 'with' in Part (c) of the sentence should be replaced with 'to' to make it grammatically correct.
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(c).'
  

​The correct sentence: Opening his letters reading them carefully and sending for his clerk he dictated answers to them.

Additional Information

• Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence.
• Prepositions एक वाक्य में दूसरे शब्दों के बीच संबंधों को दर्शाता है।
• It tell us where or when something is in relation to something else.​
• यह हमें बताता है कि कहां या कब कोई चीज किसी और चीज के संबंध में है।
• Example: I should rewrite the introduction of my essay.

The correct answer is '(b).'

Key Points

• After means 'later' or 'next in time'.
• After का अर्थ है 'बाद में' या 'अगली बार'।
• The given sentence tells us about the past and then about what happened afterwards.
• दिया गया वाक्य हमें अतीत के बारे में बताता है और फिर बाद में क्या हुआ।
• So, the preposition 'after' should be inserted before 'becoming' in Part (b) of the sentence to make complete sense.
• तो, वाक्य के Part (b) में 'becoming' से पहले पूर्वसर्ग 'after' डाला जाना चाहिए ताकि पूर्ण अर्थ हो सके।
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(b).'
  

​The correct sentence: He was my school friend but after becoming a great man he has grown proud enough to forget his old friends.

Additional Information

• Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence.
• Prepositions एक वाक्य में दूसरे शब्दों के बीच संबंधों को दर्शाता है।
• It tell us where or when something is in relation to something else.​
• यह हमें बताता है कि कहां या कब कोई चीज किसी और चीज के संबंध में है।
• Example: I should rewrite the introduction of my essay.

Option 3 is the right answer. It has an error.

Key Points 

• 'Found' means having been discovered by chance or unexpectedly.
• Founded means to establish or originate (an institution or organization).
• Shantiniketan is an institution that was 'started' or 'founded' by Tagore.

The correct sentence is -- Rabindranath Tagore, a Nobel laureate and the author of the national anthem, founded Shantiniketan.

The correct answer is '(a).'

Key Points

• 'Into' is used when something or someone is going or being put into another location.
• 'Into' का प्रयोग तब किया जाता है जब कोई चीज या कोई व्यक्ति किसी अन्य स्थान पर जा रहा हो या रखा जा रहा हो।
• Example: She walked into the room.
• 'In' is used to describe where someone or something already is.
• 'In' का इस्तेमाल यह बताने के लिए किया जाता है कि कोई व्यक्ति या कोई चीज़ पहले से कहां है।​
• Example: She is in the room.
• Therefore, the use of 'into' in Part (a) of the sentence should be replaced with 'in' to make it grammatically correct.
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(a).'
  

​The correct sentence: The art of printing was introduced in England during the reign of Edward IV by William Caxton, a native of Kent.

Additional Information

• Prepositions indicate relationships between other words in a sentence.
• Prepositions एक वाक्य में दूसरे शब्दों के बीच संबंधों को दर्शाता है।
• It tell us where or when something is in relation to something else.​
• यह हमें बताता है कि कहां या कब कोई चीज किसी और चीज के संबंध में है।
• Example: I should rewrite the introduction of my essay.

The correct answer is "(a)"

Key Points

• 'From' is used to show a starting point but needs to be followed by 'to/until' to show the endpoint.-- from 2 to 4 p.m.
• However, 'for' is used "for a period of time."
• The given sentence needs a 'For' as a period of time is given.
• Look at the following examples:
• For the past ten hours, he has been shaking that car.
• I have been working for Skillshare for the past two years.
• The correct sentence is- For thirty years he has devoted himself to public affairs without taking a holiday.

The correct answer is '(a).'

Key Points

• The first conditional talks about the possibility of a future event and its consequence.
• पहली सशर्त भविष्य की घटना और उसके परिणाम की संभावना के बारे में बात करती है।
• Structure of the sentence: (If + subject + present simple verb) +  (subject + will + verb)
• Example: If it rains tomorrow, I’ll stay at home.
• Therefore, the use of 'will be' in Part (a) of the sentence should be replaced with 'is' to make it grammatically correct.
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(a).'
  

​The correct sentence: If Ramesh is promoted, he will get a higher salary.

Additional Information

• We use modal verb to show if we believe something is certain, possible or impossible.
• हम modal verb का उपयोग यह दिखाने के लिए करते हैं कि क्या हमें लगता है कि कुछ निश्चित, संभव या असंभव है।
• Example: That can't be Peter's coat. It's too small.
• We also use them to do things like talk about ability, ask permission, and make requests and offers.
• हम उनका उपयोग क्षमता के बारे में बात करने, अनुमति मांगने और अनुरोध और ऑफ़र करने जैसे काम करने के लिए भी करते हैं।​
• Example: Could I have some tea, please?

Option 3 is the right answer. It has an error.

Key Points 

• Since more than one is meant when we say 'five', the noun that follows it should be a plural-- Days. Also, we are mentioning the frequency of going to the office in a week. So, the use of the article 'a' will convey the correct meaning.

The sentence should be -- My brother goes to the office five days a week.

The correct answer is '(c).'

Key Points

• 'Never' is an adverb and it should be used after 'will'.
• ​**'Never'** एक क्रिया विशेषण है और इसका प्रयोग 'will' के बाद करना चाहिए।
• Its location must be between the helping verb 'will' and the verb 'get'.
• इसका स्थान सहायक क्रिया 'will' और क्रिया 'get' के बीच होना चाहिए।
• The sequence of the words is reversed in Part 'c' of this sentence.
• इस वाक्य के Part 'c' में शब्दों का क्रम उलट दिया गया है।
• Therefore, the sequence 'never you will' in Part (c) of the sentence should be replaced with 'you will never' to make it grammatically correct.
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(c).'
  

​The correct sentence: If you lend Mohan a pen he will lend it to someone else, and you will never get it back.

Additional Information

• An adverb is a word that modifies (describes) a verb (he sings loudly), an adjective (very tall), another adverb (ended too quickly), or even a whole sentence.
• क्रिया विशेषण एक ऐसा शब्द है जो एक क्रिया को संशोधित करता है (वर्णन करता है) (वह जोर से गाता है), एक विशेषण (बहुत लंबा), एक और क्रिया विशेषण (बहुत जल्दी समाप्त हो जाता है), या यहां तक ​​कि एक पूरा वाक्य।
• Adverbs often end in -ly, but some (such as fast) look exactly the same as their adjective counterparts.
• क्रियाविशेषण अक्सर -ly में समाप्त होते हैं, लेकिन कुछ (जैसे तेज़) उनके विशेषण समकक्षों के समान ही दिखते हैं।
• Example: Fortunately, I had brought an umbrella.

The erroneous part is "(a)One of the most widely spread".

Key Points

• In the given sentence, the usage of the adverb form of the word "widely" is incorrect.
• The given sentence already has the superlative "most" before the noun "wide".
• We use the superlative "most" before a noun to signify that something is of the highest or great degree.
• So we don't need to use the adverb form "widely" which means to a great degree as it would be a repetition.

The correct sentence is - One of the most widespread bad habits is the use of tobacco.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

The correct answer is '(d).'

​

• The given sentence gives an explanation about Arabia.
• दिया गया वाक्य Arabia के बारे में स्पष्टीकरण देता है।
• The sentence has used the verbs and other parts of speech correctly and has no errors.
• वाक्य में क्रियाओं और भाषण के अन्य भागों का सही उपयोग किया गया है और इसमें कोई त्रुटि नहीं है।
• Therefore, the correct answer is '(d).'
  

​The correct sentence: A great part of Arabia is a desert.

Additional Information

• A helping verb (also known as an auxiliary verb) is used with a main verb to help express the main verb's tense, mood, or voice.
• एक helping verb (जिसे auxiliary verb के रूप में भी जाना जाता है) का उपयोग मुख्य क्रिया के साथ मुख्य क्रिया के काल, मनोदशा या आवाज को व्यक्त करने में मदद के लिए किया जाता है।
• The main helping verbs are "to be," "to have," and "to do."
• They appear in the following forms: To Be: am, is, are, was, were, being, been, will be
  

                                                         To Have: has, have, had, having, will have.

• Example: Peter has been singing for an hour.

The correct answer is- 'run into'

Key Points 

• Encounter means unexpectedly be faced with or experience (something hostile or difficult). (अप्रत्याशित रूप से सामना करना या अनुभव करना (कुछ शत्रुतापूर्ण या कठिन))
• Run into means start to experience a difficult or unpleasant situation. (एक कठिन या अप्रिय स्थिति का अनुभव करना शुरू करें)
• Run away means escape from a place, person, or situation. (किसी स्थान, व्यक्ति या स्थिति से बचना)
• Run down means reduce (or become reduced) in size, numbers, or resources. (आकार, संख्या या संसाधनों में कमी (या कम हो जाना))
• Run with means associate habitually with (someone). ((किसी के साथ) आदतन सहयोगी)
• The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'encounter' is ' run into'.
• Example - Some people complain when they run into a small problem in the course of their thoroughly happy life.

The correct answer is- 'great suffering'

Key Points 

• Miseries mean a state or feeling of great physical or mental distress or discomfort. (बड़ी शारीरिक या मानसिक परेशानी या बेचैनी की स्थिति या भावना)
• Indifferent love means not caring what the other person does in a relationship. (इस बात की परवाह नहीं करना कि दूसरे व्यक्ति रिश्ते में क्या करता है)
• Perfect happiness is a feeling of contentment and joy. (संतोष और खुशी की भावना)
• Great suffering means distress, unhappiness, misery. (संकट,दुख)
• Moderate sympathies mean feeling sadness for other people (अन्य लोगों के लिए दुख महसूस करना)
• The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'miseries' is 'great suffering'.
• Example - This cold turkey, if not treated, can lead to fits and even death along with great suffering.

The correct answer is- 'happiness'

Key Points 

• Delight means please (someone) greatly. (कृपया किसी को बहुत)
• Wisdom means having the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; (अनुभव, ज्ञान और अच्छे निर्णय लेने का गुण होना)
• Happiness means the state of being happy. (खुश रहने की अवस्था)
• Purity means freedom from adulteration or contamination. (मिलावट या संदूषण से मुक्ति)
• Peace means freedom from disturbance; tranquillity. (अशांति से मुक्ति; शांति)
• The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'delight' is 'happiness'.
• Example - International day of happiness is celebrated across the world on 20 March to spread and make people understand that happiness is one of the best gifts that you can give.

The correct answer is- 'hunger'

Key Points 

• Starvation means suffering or death caused by a lack of food. (भोजन की कमी के कारण होने वाली पीड़ा या मृत्यु)
• Starch is an odourless, tasteless white substance occurring widely in plant tissue. (एक गंधहीन, बेस्वाद सफेद पदार्थ जो पौधे के ऊतकों में व्यापक रूप से पाया जाता है)
• Staple means used, needed, or enjoyed constantly usually by many individuals. (आमतौर पर कई व्यक्तियों द्वारा उपयोग, आवश्यक, या लगातार आनंद लिया जाता है)
• Plenty means a lot. (ढेर सारा)
• Hunger means a feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat. (खाने की इच्छा के साथ भोजन की कमी के कारण असुविधा या कमजोरी की भावना)
• The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'starvation' is ' hunger'.
• Example - It is terrible for people to die of hunger.

The correct answer is 'complaint'.

Key Points

• The word 'Grievance' means an official statement of a complaint about something believed to be wrong or unfair. (शिकायत; व्‍यथा)
• ​Let's see the meaning of other given options:-
• 'Depression' means a feeling of unhappiness that lasts for a long time. (दुःख की भावना जो लंबे समय तक रहती है)
• 'Complaint' means the expression of dissatisfaction. (शिकायत, असंतोष की अभिव्यक्ति)
• 'Abrasion' means the process of scraping or wearing something away. (किसी चीज को खुरचने की प्रक्रिया।)
• 'Gratefulness' means appreciative of benefits received. (प्राप्त लाभों की सराहना करना)
  

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Additional Information

• The synonyms of the word 'Grievance' are "complaint, protest, challenge".
• The antonyms of the word 'Grievance' are "acclaim, applause, praise".
• Example of 'Complaint' in a sentence:
• India has lodged a complaint with the International Court of Justice.

Option 1 is the right answer.

Slanderous means false and malicious.

Abusive means extremely offensive and insulting.

Praiseworthy means deserving approval and admiration.

Moderate means neither small nor large in size, amount, degree, or strength.

Inspiring means causing you to feel confident about yourself or eager to learn or do something.

The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word 'slanderous' is 'abusive'.

Example - Being in an abusive relationship can be incredibly isolating.

The correct answer is 'enormous'.

Key Points

• The word 'Gigantic' means extremely big; huge or enormous. (अत्‍यधिक बड़ा; विशाल, विराट)
• ​Let's see the meaning of other given options:-
• 'Winged' means having one or more lateral parts. (एक या एक से अधिक पार्श्व भाग होना)
• 'Small' means not large in size, number, amount, etc. (छोटा)
• 'Tiny' means very small. (बहुत छोटा; नन्‍हा)
• 'Enormous' means very big or very great. (विशाल या अत्‍यधिक)
  

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Additional Information

• The synonyms of the word 'Gigantic' are "enormous, immense, huge".
• The antonyms of the word 'Gigantic' are "small, little, mini".
• Example of 'Enormous' in a sentence:
• Germany produced enormous quantities of coal, iron, and steel.

The correct answer is 'eradicate'.

Key Points

• The word 'Abolish' means to formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution. (किसी क़ानून या प्रथा को आधिकारिक रूप से समाप्‍त करना)
• ​Let's see the meaning of other given options:-
• 'Detest' means to hate or not like somebody or something at all. (किसी से घृणा करना या किसी को बिलकुल पसंद न करना)
• 'Eradicate' means to destroy completely; put an end to something. (किसी चीज़ को जड़ से उखाड़ देना)
• 'Nurture' means to encourage something to develop and to help it succeed. (विकास और सफलता-प्राप्ति के लिए प्रोत्‍साहित करना)
• 'Assimilate' means to learn and understand something. (कुछ सीखना और समझना)
  

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Additional Information

• The synonyms of the word 'Abolish' are "eradicate, eliminate, erase".
• The antonyms of the word 'Abolish' are "allow, authorize, permit".
• Example of 'Eradicate' in a sentence:
• We are determined to eradicate racism from our sport.

Option 4 is the right answer.

Oasis means a fertile spot in a desert, where water is found.

Sandbank means a deposit of sand forming a shallow area in the sea or a river.

Mound means a rounded mass projecting above a surface

Dune means a mound or ridge of sand or other loose sediment formed by the wind, especially on the sea coast or in a desert.

Spring means  a source of water from the ground, particularly a very small pond

The option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word **'oasis' is '**spring'

The correct answer is 'several'.

Key Points

• The word 'Various' means more than one; several. (विभिन्‍न, विविध)
• ​Let's see the meaning of other given options:-
• 'Several' means more than two but not many; a few. (अनेक; कुछ)
• 'Similar' means like somebody or something but not exactly the same. (किसी के समान; किसी के जैसा)
• 'Valuable' means worth a lot of money. (बहुत महँगा, बहुमूल्‍य, क़ीमती)
• 'Singular' means denoting or referring to just one person or thing. (सिर्फ एक व्यक्ति या चीज़ का ज़िक्र करना)
  

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Additional Information

• The synonyms of the word 'Various' are "several, abundant, numerous".
• The antonyms of the word 'Various' are "same, joint, singular".
• Example of 'Several' in a sentence:
• There are several amendments under consideration.

The correct answer is "trustworthy"

Key Points

• Look at the given word in the question:
• Dubious- hesitating or doubting.
• Look at the selected word:
• Trustworthy- able to be relied on as honest or truthful.
• Look at the meaning of the other words in the options:
• Shady- of doubtful honesty or legality.
• Suspicious- having or showing a cautious distrust of someone or something.
• Doubtful- feeling uncertain about something.
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'dubious' is 'trustworthy'.
• Example - 
• Jadeja is utterly trustworthy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
• Renault is a trustworthy car brand in France.

Hence, the correct answer is trustworthy

Here the correct answer is Vigilant.

Key Points:- 

• Unmindful means not conscious or aware. (सचेत या जागरूक न होना)
• Vigilant means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. (संभावित खतरे या कठिनाइयों के लिए सावधानीपूर्वक निगरानी रखना)
• Example - The World Health Organization is calling on Asia-Pacific countries to stay vigilant in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. ​
• Careless means not concerned or worried about. (चिंतित न होना)
• Stupid means having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense. (बुद्धि या सामान्य ज्ञान की बहुत कमी होना या दिखाना)
• Fatuous means silly and pointless. (मूर्ख और व्यर्थ)
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'unmindful' is vigilant'.

Option 3 is the right answer.

Curable means (of a disease or condition) able to be cured.

Remediable means action is intended to correct something that is wrong or to improve a bad situation.

Treatable means able to be healed or cured, especially medically.

Terminal means (of a disease) predicted to lead to death, especially slowly; incurable.

Operable means able to be treated by means of a surgical operation.

The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'curable'  is 'terminal'.

Example - He is suffering from a terminal disease.

Option 3 is the right answer.

Key Points 

• Auspicious means conducive to success; favourable. (सफलता के लिए अनुकूल; अनुकूल)
• Propitious means giving or indicating a good chance of success; favourable. (सफलता का अच्छा मौका देना या संकेत देना; अनुकूल)
• Fortunate means auspicious or favourable. (शुभ या अनुकूल)
• Ominous means giving the worrying impression that something bad is going to happen; threateningly inauspicious. (चिंताजनक धारणा देना कि कुछ बुरा होने वाला है; घातक अशुभ)
• Opportune means occurring at a favourable time; well-timed. (अनुकूल समय पर घटित होना; समयोचित)
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'auspicious' is 'ominous'.
• Example - He was born on a very ominous day.

The correct answer is 'friendship'.

Key Points 

• Option 4 is the right answer.
• Hostility means unfriendliness or opposition. (मित्रता या विरोध)
• Animosity means strong hostility. (मजबूत दुश्मनी)
• Belligerence means aggressive or warlike behaviour. (आक्रामक या जंगी व्यवहार)
• Malice means the desire to harm someone; ill will. (किसी को नुकसान पहुंचाने की इच्छा; बैर)
• Friendship means a close association between two people marked by feelings of care, respect, admiration, concern. (देखभाल, सम्मान, प्रशंसा, चिंता की भावनाओं से चिह्नित दो लोगों के बीच घनिष्ठ संबंध)

The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'hostility' is 'friendship'.

Example : Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber shared an amazing friendship bond with each other.

Option 1 is the right answer.

Key Points 

• Monotonous means dull, tedious, and repetitious; lacking in variety and interest. (सुस्त, थकाऊ, और दोहराव; विविधता और रुचि में कमी)
• Exciting means causing great enthusiasm and eagerness. (बहुत उत्साह और उत्सुकता पैदा करना)
• Dreary means depressingly dull and bleak or repetitive. (निराशाजनक रूप से सुस्त और धूमिल या दोहराव)
• Tedious means too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous. (बहुत लंबा, धीमा या सुस्त; थकाऊ या नीरस)
• Uneventful means not marked by interesting or exciting events. (दिलचस्प या रोमांचक घटनाओं द्वारा चिह��नित नहीं)
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'monotonous' is 'exciting'.
• Example: His life is rather exciting.

Option 2 is the right answer.

Key Points 

• Abominable means very bad; terrible. (बहुत बुरा; भयानक)
• Attractive means appealing to look at. (देखने के लिए आकर्षक)
• Obnoxious means extremely unpleasant. (अत्यंत अप्रिय।)
• Ugly means unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance. (अप्रिय या प्रतिकारक, विशेष रूप से दिखने में)
• Repulsive means arousing intense distaste or disgust. (तीव्र अरुचि या घृणा उत्पन्न करना)
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'repulsive' is 'attractive'.
• Example : Small savings rate cuts make banking & PSU debt funds attractive.

Option 4 is the right answer.

Key Points 

• Serene means calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil. (शांत, शांतिपूर्ण और अशांत; शांत)
• Placid means not easily upset or excited. (आसानी से परेशान या उत्साहित नहीं)
• Pleasing means satisfying or appealing. (संतोषजनक या आकर्षक)
• Tranquil means free from disturbance; calm. (अशांति से मुक्त; शांत)
• Turbulent means characterized by conflict, disorder, or confusion; not stable or calm. (संघर्ष, विकार, या भ्रम की विशेषता; स्थिर या शांत नहीं)
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'serene' is 'turbulent'.
• Example: Turbulent seas kept us from sailing.

The correct answer is "eternal" 

Key Points

• Look at the meaning of the given word in the question**:**
• Transient means lasting only for a short time; impermanent.
• Look at the meaning of the selected word:
• Eternal means lasting or existing forever; without end.
• Look at the meanings of the rest of the words:
• Brief means of short duration; not lasting for long.
• Momentary means lasting for a very short time; brief.
• Short-lived means lasting only a short time.
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'transient ' is 'eternal'.
• Look at the Example: 
• It is said that Vampire lives an eternal life.

Hence the correct answer: eternal

The correct answer is "modest"

Key Points

• Look at the meaning of the word in the question**:**
• ​Vain means too interested in your own appearance or achievements.
• Look at the meaning of the selected word:
• Modest- unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities or achievements.
• Look at the meaning of the other options:
• Arrogant means someone who is full of self-worth or self-importance.
• Conceited means excessively proud of oneself; vain.
• Proud means having great self-respect or dignity.
• The option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word 'vain' is 'modest'.
• Look at the Example
• Sohan is a modest person.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1 i.e. "modest"

The correct answer is- 'a person who wins a race or competition although no one expected him to.'

Key Points:-

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:-
• 'A dark horse' means someone or something whose abilities, plans, or feelings are little known to others. ('A dark horse' का अर्थ है कोई या ऐसा कुछ जिसकी क्षमता, योजना या भावनाओं के बारे में दूसरों को कम ही पता हो।)
• Example: The Korean movie 'Parasite' was the dark horse for the Oscar awards this year.
• Thus, the correct answer is option 2.

Therefore, the correct meaning of the given idiom is: a person who wins a race or competition although no one expected him to.

Option 3 is the right answer i.e. a performance that is extremely good.

Key Points

• The idiom-'A show-stopper' means the most exceptional or memorable performance or item among others; a stand-out.
• Example : Her performance at the gala was the show stopper of the event.
• Thus, option 3 is the correct alternative here.

The correct answer is: a performance that is extremely good

The correct answer is- 'Someone who has many skills.'

Key Points:-

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:-
• 'Jack of All Trades' means a person who can do various tasks but is not outstanding in any of them. ('Jack of All Trades' का अर्थ एक ऐसा व्यक्ति है जो विभिन्न कार्य कर सकता है लेकिन उनमें से किसी में भी उत्कृष्ट नहीं है।)
• Example: Most of us today are a jack of all trades, as we have to have many skills to live in this competitive world.
• Thus, the correct answer is option 1.

Therefore, the correct meaning of the given idiom is Someone who has many skills.

The correct answer is "to try very hard to achieve something"

Key Points

• The idiom 'fight tooth and nail' mean 'to engage in vigorous combat or make a strenuous effort, using all one's resources'.
• Example: At times we have to fight tooth and nail to bring about a new change in our society.
• ​Thus, as per the options given, option 4 is the correct answer.

​The correct answer is: To try very hard to achieve something.

The correct answer is- 'in an honest way.'

Key Points:-

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:-
• 'Fair and square' means with no cheating or lying involved. ('Fair and square' का अर्थ है जिसमें कोई धोखा या झूठ शामिल नहीं है।)
• Example: The opponent punched him fair and square in the chest.
• Thus, the correct answer is option 1.

Therefore, the correct meaning of the given idiom is: in an honest way.

Additional Information

• Let's learn about the origin of the given phrase:
• This phrase dates back to the 1600s. It is usually used in the context of sporting competitions, races or any kind of contest. (यह मुहावरा 1600 के दशक का है। यह आमतौर पर खेल प्रतियोगिताओं, दौड़ या किसी भी प्रकार की प्रतियोगिता के संदर्भ में उपयोग किया जाता है।)

Option 1: SPRQ is the correct answer.

The passage is about how we are ignorant of our superpowers. The first line tells us about the superpowers we do not use properly. The second line is about us unable to manage our machines. It then goes on about how to treat the machines and that we find it difficult to do without machines.

The last line tells us about the machines may rule over us all together.

 The correct sequence is:

S1: We do not know what do to with our knowledge.

S: Science has given us superhuman powers, which we do not use properly.

P: For example, we are unable to manage our machines.

R: Machines should be fed properly and waited upon attentively; otherwise they refuse to work or cause destruction.

Q: We already find it difficult to do without machines.

S6: In the course of time they may rule over us all together.

Option 2: PSQR is the correct answer.

The passage is in points about how the British rule has ruined the country.

The first line tells us that the rule is a curse as it destroys. It then explains about our non-violent battle and the intention of destroying the government. The last line sarcastically explains that our dharma is to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.

 The correct sequence is:

S1: The British rule in India has brought about moral, material, cultural and spiritual ruination of this great country.

P: I regard this rule as a curse.

S: I am out to destroy this system of Government.

Q: Sedition has become my religion.

R: Ours is a non-violent battle.

S6: We are not to kill anybody but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.

Option 1 is the right answer: QSRP.

Key Points

• The sentence is about two workers being shot during the local body elections.
• So, the part having 'gunman' will come first.
• The correct sequence is--Q: unidentified gunmen S: shot dead two workers  R: and injured another during P: the urban local body elections.
• The correct answer is option 1.

The correct sentence is: Unidentified gunmen shot dead two workers and injured another during the urban local body elections.

Option 4 is the right answer: QPSR.

Key Points

• The sentence is about a particular state having political and religious accomplishment.
• So, that particular state will come as first part.
• The correct sequence is --Q: this state has a history of P: both intensely political and S: religious contestation and R: of syncretic accomplishment.
• Thus the correct answer is option 4.

The correct sentence is: This state has a history of both intensely political and religious contestation and of syncretic accomplishment.

Option 2 is the right answer: PSRQ.

Key Points

• The sentence is about a father feeling let down (disappointed) in his quest (search) for injustice.
• Thus the father would come first.
• The correct sequence is--P: the father also S: feels let down R: by the system Q: in his quest for justice.
• The correct answer is option 2.

The correct sentence is: The father also feels let down by the system  in his quest for justice.

The correct answer is 'has always been one nation along with differences.'

Key Points

• Let's have a look at the first sentence of the passage:   
• **'I do not wish to suggest that because we were one nation we had no differences, but it is submitted that our leading men travelled throughout India either on foot or in bullock-carts.'
• Therefore, according to the author, India has always been one nation along with differences.
• इसलिए, लेखक के अनुसार, भारत हमेशा मतभेदों के साथ एक राष्ट्र रहा है।
• So, the correct option is 'has always been one nation along with differences.'

 Additional Information

• The meaning of the word 'leading' is very important or most important.
• Example: They are the world's leading manufacturer of audio equipment.

The correct answer is 'Because they could observe the underlying unity of the country as made by nature.'

Key Points

• Let's have a look at the seventh sentence of the passage:   
• **'But they saw that India was one undivided land so made by nature.'
• ​They, therefore, argued that it must be one nation. Arguing thus, they established holy places in various parts of India and fired the people with an idea of nationality in a manner unknown in other parts of the world'.
• इसलिए, उन्होंने तर्क दिया कि यह एक राष्ट्र होना चाहिए। इस प्रकार तर्क करते हुए, उन्होंने भारत के विभिन्न हिस्सों में पवित्र स्थानों की स्थापना की और लोगों को राष्ट्रीयता के विचार से दुनिया के अन्य हिस्सों में अज्ञात तरीके से निकाल दिया।​
• Therefore, the great sages of India established pilgrimages in the different corners of the country because they could observe the underlying unity of the country as made by nature.
• So, the correct option is 'Because they could observe the underlying unity of the country as made by nature.'

 Additional Information

• The meaning of the word 'pilgrimage' is a special journey made by a pilgrim.
• Example: Muslims try to go on a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their life.

The correct answer is 'critical.'

Key Points

• Let's have a look at the 11th and 12th sentences of the passage:   
• **'Only you and I and others who consider ourselves civilized and superior persons imagine that we are many nations. It was after the advent of railways that we began to believe in distinctions, and you are at liberty now to say that it is through the railways that we are beginning to abolish those distinctions.'
• ​This shows how the author is critical of our way of thinking.
• इससे पता चलता है कि कैसे लेखक हमारे सोचने के तरीके की आलोचना करता है।
• Therefore, in the passage, the author's attitude towards the railways is critical.
• So, the correct option is 'critical.'

Additional InformationIf a person or their behaviour is civilized, they are polite and behave in a calm and reasonable way.

• Example: Let's discuss this like civilized people.

The correct answer is 'The purity of heart is superior to the observance of any ritual.'

Key Points

• Let's have a look at the sixth sentence of the passage:   
• **'They taught us that those whose hearts were aglow with righteousness had the Ganges in their own homes.'
• ​Thus, the author means when he says that "whose hearts were aglow with righteousness had the Ganges in their own homes" is the purity of heart is superior to the observance of any ritual.
• इस प्रकार, लेखक का अर्थ यह है कि जब वह कहता है कि "जिनके दिल धार्मिकता से प्रज्ज्वलित थे, उनके घरों में गंगा थी" हृदय की पवित्रता किसी भी अनुष्ठान के पालन से श्रेष्ठ है।
• So, the correct option is 'The purity of heart is superior to the observance of any ritual.'

 Additional Information

• The meaning of the word 'observance' is the act of obeying a law or following a religious custom.
• Example: Financial markets will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The correct answer is 'analytical style.'

Key Points

• Let's have a look at the meaning of the given style:
• Dialogic style: Dialogic refers to the use of conversation or shared dialogue to explore the meaning of something. (संवाद से तात्पर्य किसी चीज़ के अर्थ का पता लगाने के लिए बातचीत या साझा संवाद के उपयोग से है।)
• Prescriptive style: Linguistic prescription, or prescriptive grammar, is the establishment of rules defining preferred usage of language. These rules may address such linguistic aspects as spelling, pronunciation, vocabulary, syntax, and semantics. (भाषाई नुस्खे, या निर्देशात्मक व्याकरण, भाषा के पसंदीदा उपयोग को परिभाषित करने वाले नियमों की स्थापना है। ये नियम वर्तनी, उच्चारण, शब्दावली, वाक्य रचना और शब्दार्थ जैसे भाषाई पहलुओं को संबोधित कर सकते हैं।)
• Descriptive style: When an author writes in a descriptive style, they are painting a picture in words of a person, place, or thing for their audience. ... But the author is not trying to convince the audience of anything or explain the scene – merely describe things as they are. (जब कोई लेखक वर्णनात्मक शैली में लिखता है, तो वे अपने दर्शकों के लिए किसी व्यक्ति, स्थान या चीज़ के शब्दों में चित्र बना रहे होते हैं। ... लेकिन लेखक किसी भी चीज़ के लिए दर्शकों को समझाने या दृश्य की व्याख्या करने की कोशिश नहीं कर रहा है - केवल चीजों का वर्णन करें जैसे वे हैं।)
• Analytical style: Analytical writing style is often called for at the university level. It involves reviewing what you've read in light of other evidence. (विश्लेषणात्मक लेखन शैली की अक्सर विश्वविद्यालय स्तर पर आवश्यकता होती है। इसमें अन्य सबूतों के आलोक में आपने जो पढ़ा है उसकी समीक्षा करना शामिल है।)
• The passage analyses the different things that affect the thinking of humans from ancient to modern times by things like the railways, the idea of nationality and the holy places in various parts of India.
• Passage रेलवे, राष्ट्रीयता के विचार और भारत के विभिन्न हिस्सों में पवित्र स्थानों जैसी चीजों से प्राचीन से आधुनिक समय तक मनुष्यों की सोच को प्रभावित करने वाली विभिन्न चीजों का विश्लेषण करता है।​
• Hence, the paragraph is written in 'analytical style.'
• So, the correct option is 'analytical style.'

 Additional Information

• The meaning of the word 'analytical is relating to or using analysis or logical reasoning.
• Example: He has a very analytical mind.

Option 2 is the right answer.

Let us look into the meaning of the given words: 

• Lean means thin and in good physical condition.
• Dense means parts that are close together so that it is difficult to go or see-through.
• Erosion means the gradual destruction and removal of rock or soil in a particular area by rivers, the sea, or the weather.
• Sparse means scanty; in short supply.
• Tidy means arranged neatly and in order.

The most appropriate phrasal verb for the blank space is 'dense'. 

In a forest, if trees are close together[ dense] their intertwined roots will stop erosion.

The correct sentence is -- Dense forests prevent erosion.

Option 4 is the right answer.

Let us look at the meaning of the given words:

• Revealed means to make something visible or make it public information.
• Searched means try to find something by looking or otherwise seeking carefully and thoroughly.
• Discovered means find unexpectedly or during a search.
• Busted means raid or search (premises where illegal activity is suspected).

The most appropriate word for the blank space is 'busted'.

The correct sentence is -- Three people were arrested and an illegal arms unit was busted by the police in a raid.

Option 1 is the right answer.

The options are all phrasal verbs.

A phrasal verb is a phrase (such as take-off or look down on) that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.

Let us look at the options one by one:

• Drove off means to leave in a car.
• Broke  down means to lose control of one's emotions, often sadness
• Rode in means  to sit on and manage (a horse, bicycle, etc.)
• Drove in means travelling in an automobile

The most appropriate phrasal verb for the blank space is ' drove off'.

The correct sentence is -- A woman got into the car and drove off.

The correct answer is 'dozed off'.

Key Points

• The options are all phrasal verbs.
• A phrasal verb is a phrase (such as take-off or look down on) that combines a verb with a preposition or adverb or both and that functions as a verb whose meaning is different from the combined meanings of the individual words.
• Dozed off means to sleep for a short time; nap.
• Example: The office was so hot that I nearly dozed off at my desk.
• Therefore the most appropriate option for the given blank is 'dozed off' because it indicates that the author slept because the lecture was boring.
• Hence, option 3 is the correct answer.

Complete sentence: The lecture was not very interesting. In fact, I dozed off in the middle of it.

Additional Information

• Let us look at the options one by one:
• 'Showed off' means boastfully display one's abilities or accomplishments.
• 'Put off' means an evasive reply.
• 'Plugged-off' means to work hard and in a determined way.

Hinglish

• विकल्प सभी phrasal verbs हैं।
• एक phrasal verb एक वाक्यांश है (जैसे take-off या look down) जो एक verb को एक preposition या adverb या दोनों के साथ जोड़ती है और एक verb के रूप में कार्य करती है जिसका अर्थ अलग-अलग शब्दों के संयुक्त अर्थ से अलग होता है।
• 'Dozed off' का मतलब है थोड़े समय के लिए सोना; झपकी।
• उदाहरण: The office was so hot I nearly dozed off at my desk.
• इसलिए दिए गए रिक्त स्थान के लिए सबसे उपयुक्त विकल्प 'dozed off' है क्योंकि यह इंगित करता है कि लेखक सो गया था क्योंकि व्याख्यान उबाऊ था।
• अत: विकल्प 3 सही उत्तर है।
• आइए एक-एक करके विकल्पों को देखें:
• 'Showed off' करने का अर्थ है किसी की क्षमताओं या उपलब्धियों को घमंड से प्रदर्शित करना।
• 'Put off' का मतलब है टाल-मटोल का जवाब।
• 'Plugged-off' का अर्थ है कड़ी मेहनत और निर्धारित तरीके से काम करना।

पुरा वाक्य: The lecture was not very interesting. In fact, I dozed off in the middle of it.

Option 1 is the right answer.

Let us look at the meaning of given words:

• Suspect means to believe to be guilty, false, counterfeit.
• Afford means have enough money to pay for.
• Manage means to be responsible for controlling or organizing someone or something.
• Administer means to manage and be responsible for the running of (a business, organization, etc.).

The most appropriate word for the blank space is " suspect'.

The correct sentence is --The cops suspect murder by kin.

Key Points

• The plasma membrane doesn’t have any type of Nucleic Acid - either DNA or RNA.
• The plasma membrane consists of lipids, cholesterol, phospholipid bilayer, glycol-lipids, etc.
• The nucleus contains Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and might even contain some Ribonucleic Acid (RNA).
• Ribosomes are made up of ribosomal Ribonucleic Acid (rRNA).
• Mitochondria contain circular naked DNA, which is why it is capable of self-division.
• Chloroplasts also contain DNA but may contain some RNA.
• RNA has the primary function of converting the information stored in DNA.
• The plasma membrane protects the cell from its surroundings.
• Ribosomes are that cell structures that help in making proteins.

Ribosomes don't have their own genetic material or DNA as apart from Nucleus, Mitochondria, and Chloroplast, all the other cell organelles are considered to be non-living.

• Ribosomes are the cellular machines that assemble the proteins.
• Nucleus houses the cell’s genetic material or DNA.
• The genetic materials of mitochondria and chloroplast are circular double stranded. This kind of material is found in the prokaryotes.
• Examples of prokaryotes are bacteria and archaea.
• Examples of eukaryotes are protists, fungi, plants, and animals.

Pericycle is a cylinder in the sclerenchyma or parenchyma cells lying inside of the endodermis, that is the outermost part of stele in the plants. Its functions include providing protection to vascular bundles, and strengthening the roots.

• Tracheids are a part of the xylem as elongated cells, that help in transport of mineral salts and water.
• Sieve Tubes are elongated cells in the phloem which help in the conduit of food transport, mostly sugar.
• Fibres are elongated cells which help in providing support to the plant.

Marsilea consists of vascular tissue. Belonging to the family of genus Marsilea, these organisms grow on semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems.

Key Points

• The basic difference between Vascular and nonvascular plants is that while the former has a vascular system (xylem and phloem, the latter lacks it.
• Example of vascular plants - Conifers, Ferns
• Examples of non-vascular plants are- Bryophyte (mosses), Marchantiophyta (liverworts), Anthrocerotophyta (hornworts), Algae (Cladophora).

Caterpillar is a primary consumer because it depends on Plants for its nutrition, i.e it eats plants.

• Primary consumers are defined as herbivores feeding on plants for their food.
• Examples include Caterpillar, termites, hummingbirds, grasshoppers.
• Crabapple tree is a Primary Producer.
• Frogs are secondary consumers.
• Sparrowhawk are secondary consumers too.

Spring tide is when the earth, moon and the sun are all in a straight line.

• This tide occurs at full moons and new moons each lunar month.
• Spring tides are earth’s most extreme tides - with the greatest difference between high and low tides.
• Neap tides are when the earth, moon and sun are at right angles to each other.
• They occur in the first and three-quarters of the moon.
• They are the least extreme tides - with the least difference between high and low tides.

The links between the atoms have potential energy in them.

• The coming together of two atoms results in repulsive force and a decreased potential energy.
• This will result in a decreased energy of the system.
• Nuclear energy is the energy released as a result of nuclear fusion or fission.
• Thermal energy comes from the temperature of heated substances.
• Chemical energy is the energy stored in bonds of chemical compounds, and this energy is released when a chemical reaction takes place.

CONCEPT:

• The phenomenon in which a white light ray when falls on a prism get separated into its component colors is called a dispersion of light.
• The band of the coloured components of a light beam is called its spectrum.

EXPLANATION:

• A rainbow is a natural spectrum appearing in the sky after a rain shower.
• It is caused by the dispersion of sunlight by tiny water droplets, present in the atmosphere.
• A rainbow is always formed in a direction opposite to that of the Sun.
• The water droplets act like small prisms.
• They refract and disperse the incident sunlight, then reflect it internally, and finally refract it again when it comes out of the raindrop.
• Due to the dispersion of light and internal reflection, different colours reach the observer’s eye.
• Thus light energy escaping from the Sun can be spread by a shower of raindrops.

CONCEPT:

According to the energy conservation principle,

• The energy of any object can never be created nor can it be destroyed. It can only be converted from one form to another form.

EXPLANATION:

• As an apple is stuck on a tree at some height it will have gravitational potential energy which can be given as P.E = mgh
• When it starts falling because of gravitational force it will be accelerated toward the ground and will have some kinetic energy.
• As apple falls because of air resistance or friction is provided to it and hence cause heat energy (ideally heat produced in this case is generally negligible but in case of a comet falling from space it generates a huge amount of heat as it falls through our atmosphere).
• Finally, it hits the ground where both heat and kinetic energy is transferred to ground and rest is been transmitted in a form of sound energy
• Thus potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and the heat produced while falling was because of air resistance as it falls and when finally it hits the ground its energy been wasted as sound and heat energy.

Pitchblende is a Uranium rich radioactive mineral used as a fuel in nuclear power stations.

• It contains radium and is largely made up of Uranium dioxide (UO2).
• Due to radioactive decay, it also contains some traces of Lead, Thorium, and other such rare earth elements.
• Bauxite is primarily composed of aluminum oxide compounds (alumina), silica, iron oxides, and titanium dioxide is a mineral formed by the laterite soil.
• Quartz is a chemical with one part of Silicon and two parts of Oxygen.
• Feldspar is rock-forming minerals making up to 41% of the Earth’s continental crust.

The correct answer is [CH3(CH2)15-N-(CH3)3]+Br-.

• Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide [CH₃(CH2)₁₅^-N^-(CH₃)₃]⁺Br^- is a Cationic Surfactant.

Key Points

• Synthetic detergents have wetting and emulsifying properties and are used for cleansing purposes.
• They have a structure that is quite different from soaps but is similar to soaps in the way that they are composed of molecules that have both oil and water-soluble ends.
• They can be made from petrochemicals, fats, and oils.
• CH3(CH2)11NH3+Cl- (Dodecylamine Hydrochloride) and CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)3+Br- (Hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide) are cationic synthetic detergents.
• CH3(CH2)11OSO3-Na+ (sodium dodecyl sulfate) and CH3(CH2)11C6H4SO3-Na+ (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate) are anionic synthetic detergents.
• Synthetic detergent molecules, like soap molecules, generally consist of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.
• The hydrophobic, long hydrocarbon chain tail of the detergent molecule is attracted to particles of oil or grease by dispersion forces (London forces or Weak Intermolecular Forces).
• The hydrophilic, charged, or polar head of the detergent molecule is attracted to water molecules.
• ​ hydrocarbon tails. They come under the category of Polyoxyethylene.

Propane is an example of a clean fuel.

Key Points

• Propane is similar to Liquified Petroleum Gas, but the latter has some other traces of gases like Butane, Isobutane, and natural gas liquids.
• Coke releases a lot of unburnt particles.
• Petrol and Wax are not clean fuel as they release a lot of harmful gases including SOx and NOx.

The correct answer is Magnesium (Mg).

• Magnesium is unreactive and unresponsive to cold water.

Key Points

• The reaction of metals with cold or hot water depends on the reactivity of the metals.
• Reactive metals like sodium, potassium, calcium, etc. react with cold or hot water.
• Moderately reactive metals like magnesium react with hot water.
• Less reactive metals do not react with cold or hot water but react with steam.
• Least reactive metals like gold, silver, etc. do not react at all.​

Important Points

• As the reactivity decreases in the order Potassium (K) > Sodium (Na) > Calcium (Ca) > Magnesium (Mg).
• So, the tendency to react with cold water decreases and that's why magnesium does not react with cold water but reacts slowly with hot water and vigorously with steam

Isoelectronic refers to two ions or molecules having the same electronic structure and the same number of valence electrons.

• Electronic configuration of Na⁺ ion = 2,8
• Electronic Configuration of O^- ion = 2,7
• The electronic configuration of O^2–ion is 2,8
• Thus, since both of them have 10 electrons, they have filled the K and L shells.
• Sp, Na^+, and O^2- are isoelectronic.
• Two or more molecular entities are described as isoelectronic if they have the same structure and the same number of valence electrons.
• This means that the connectivity and the number of atoms are the same, but the elements involved may differ.

The correct answer is Silicones.

• Silicones is used as a binder in paints.

Key Points

• Silicones are polymers that are also known by the name polysiloxanes.
• These are the polymers that involve any inert, synthetic compound made up of iterative units of siloxane.
• It is a chain of alternating oxygen and silicon atoms that are frequently combined with hydrogen and carbon.
• Properties of Silicones:
• Silicones have low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity.
• Their toxicity is also low.
• It can repel water and form watertight seals. Has high resistance to oxygen, ozone, and ultraviolet (UV) light.
• Has both electrically insulative and conductive properties.
• High gas permeability and high thermal stability Superior solvents for organic compounds.

Important Points

• Applications of Silicones:
• ​Silicones can acquire many forms from liquids to solids that allow engineers, inventors, and companies to use them as a key component in various industrial applications.
• It is their versatile quality that makes silicones an essential ingredient in products that make our lives better, whether as rubbers, fluids, resins, silicone gels, or silicon glue.
• Silicones can be found in a different number of applications starting from computers and engineered spacecraft, shampoo to baking moulds.
• Silicones can also be consumed in renewable energy starting from wind turbines to solar panels rely on silicone technology.
• Silicones are used extensively as a construction material for erecting commercial and residential buildings.
• They are said to prevent damage from moisture and bacteria build-up​

Additional Information

• Titanium dioxide is a white pigment in paints.
• A micrometre sized titanium dioxide causes white coloring.
• Phthalocyanine is a type of pigment too.
• Novolac are used as replacements for natural resins and have industrial applications.

Air mass can be formed in polar, as well as tropical regions.

• Air masses forming near the tropical regions or near the equator are warmer than those formed near the poles.
• They do not develop in a cyclonic condition.
• Generally, there are four types of air masses - Continental, Tropical, Maritime, Polar.
• Maritime air masses have high humidity which takes moisture from the ocean and results in heavy rainfall.
• Continental air masses form over large landmasses and are dry

National Water Academy is located in Pune.

Key Points

• It was earlier named as the Central Training Unit, and was set up under the Central Water Commission in 1988.
• It was set up to impart training to the in-service engineers from various state and central organizations.
• The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an autonomous independent agency of the United States, provided assistance to the academy, which was further supported by the World Bank under Hydrology Project I.
• Now, it functions under the Ministry of Water Resources.

Campos and Llanos the extensive grasslands located in Eastern part of South America.

• These are spread across many countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and southern Brazil.
• Important grasslands in the world are as follows -
• Steppe - Europe and North Asia
• Pustaz - Hungary
• Prairies - USA
• Pampas - Argentina
• Veld - South Africa
• Downs - Australia
• Canterbury - New Zealand
• Savannah - Africa and Australia
• Taiga - Europe and Asia
• Selvas - South America

Adelaide, a South Australia’s capital city, is famous for Viticulture.

• The altitude and climate of Adelaide Hills are suitable for the cultivation of grapes and production of wine.
• Viticulture is a branch of horticulture dealing with Grape cultivation and Wine Making.
• Suitable conditions for Viticulture - Light Sunshine, 65-70 cm of average rainfall throughout the year, frost free season, Properly aerated soil.

Shamal is a northwesterly wind that blows in the Mesopotamian region over Iraq, Persian Gulf, including Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

• The winds are strong during the day but get weaker during the night.
• Results in sandstorms in the Iraq region, with sand picked up from Jordan and Syria.
• Local Wind in East Asia is named Buran.
• Local Wind in the West Coast of Africa is Alize Maritime.
• Local Wind in Sahara is Kalima.

The orographic rainfall involves the ascent of air that is forced by the mountain barrier.

Key Points

• The mountain barrier should be across the wind direction.
• After the air rises and cools down, orographic clouds are formed and they serve as a source of precipitation.
• The leeward side of the mountain range is deprived of heavy rainfall.
• Inversion of Rainfall is associated with Orographic Rainfall.
• Convectional Rainfall is associated with thunderstorms and lighting, with heavy rainfall but for a shorter period of time.

James Mill is the author of the book ‘History of British India’.

• The History of British India is a book on Indian History, Religion, culture, Arts, Character, and Laws in India.
• He covered the attacks on India within a wider theoretical framework.
• Charles Grant is British championed the Christian missionaries cause in India.
• John Stuart Mill was a 19th century philosopher.
• William Jones was an English Orientalist and jurist who founded the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

Azamgarh Proclamation of August 25, 1857, was issued in the name of the Hindu-Muslim divide.

• The proclamation had denouncements of the tyranny and oppression of the English people.

• Besides, it also had a form of manifesto which sought to win the support of the influential quarters.

• It had various promises, including zamindari rights, attractive pay for soldiers, and “gratis” or the use of government vessels of the tradesmen in India.

• While the proclamation also talked about Hindu Muslims, it called for their unity against the Christian Missionaries who had arrived in India to convert the people from their religion.

• Hence, Option 3 is the most appropriate answer.

• The proclamation focused on Hindu-Muslim unity, but the question has been asked differently by UPSC. However, the facts remain the same.

Lord Willingdon, in his letter of 1933 said ‘it’s a beautiful world if it wasn’t for Gandhi’.

Key Points

• Lord Willingdon (1931 to 1936) brutally suppressed the Civil Disobedience Movement after the second Round Table Conference.
• His period also saw the Third Round Table Conference, relaunch of the Civil Disobedience, Communal Award, Poona Pact, Separation of Burma from India, and Government of India Act 1935.
• He was preceded by Lord Irwin and succeeded by Lord Linlithgow.

Ghanshyam Das Birla wanted to support only those Congressmen and Swarajists, who didn’t favor communism or socialism.

Key Points

• On 3^rd August 1934, Birla wrote to Thakurdas, “Vallabhbhai, Rajaji and Rajendra Babu are all fighting against Communism and Socialism. It is therefore necessary that some of us who represent healthy capitalism should help Gandhiji as far as possible and work with a common object’.
• Foremost Congress leader who had socialistic and communist leaning was Nehru, and he was in jail at that time.

In Memoriam is a creation of Sir Joseph Noel Paton from 1858, an oil on canvas.

The painting is an illustration of British Women/children attacking in the 1857 sepoy mutiny.

• Paton’s famous painting was dedicated to the heroism shown by British women during the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.
• Thomas Jones Barker is famous for Relief of Lucknow, currently kept in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
• Thomas Daniell is famous for The Rope Bridge at Serinagur.
• Charles D ’Oyly has an extensive gallery named View of Calcutta and Environs, 1848.

Solution:

Concept:

• Insulators are made up of materials that lack conduction of electricity or heat (either it’s made from a type of material which are considered to be a bad conductor of heat and electricity )
• Even if an excess charge is added to an insulating material, it cannot move, remaining indefinitely in place.
• And materials like amber, fur, glass, plastic, wool are examples of Insulators and as we know static electricity effects such kind of materials.

Explanation:

• Electrical charge is one of the fundamental property of matter, hence proton is considered to be (+1) and electron as (-1).
• When two objects rubbed with each other to create Static electricity, it means potential difference is generated because one object gives up electron and becomes more positive charge and other negative charge and cause a disproportion between positive charges and negative in an object.
• These charges can build up on the surface of an object until they find a way to be released or get discharged.
• One way to discharge them is through making them in contact with each other.
• Thus when an insulator is rubbed static electricity is generated and charge it.

Concept:

Some specific speed of sounds at room temperature can be given as

• The speed of sound in air at room temperature will be approximately 330 m/s
• The speed of sound in water at room temperature will be approximately 1500 m/s
• Speed of sound at all temperature will always be around this range only

Explanation:

These is the following examples of the speed of sound in different material

Concept:

Iron is a chemical element with symbol Fe and atomic number 26.

It is a metal in the first transition series. It is by mass the most common element on Earth, forming much of Earth's outer and inner core.

Irons melting point is 1540 degrees Celsius.

Explanation:

From the above explanation, we can see that the melting point of iron is approximately around 1500° C

Concept:

Electrical Resistance of a wire can be defined as a property of a material to oppose the flow of current passing through a conductor.

The resistance of a wire is given as 

$R = \frac{{\rho l}}{A}$

ρ  = resistivity of the material, 

l = is the length and  

A = area of cross-section. 

Explanation:

As seen the resistance varies inversely to an area of cross-section and directly proportional to its length here ρ is constant known as the resistivity of the material.

Using this we can say that since material remains the same resistivity (ρ) is the same and the ratio of both the resistance can be given as below

Given:

R₁ = R,

l₁ = l and l₂ = l/2

r₁ = r and r₂ = 2r

$\frac{{{R_1}}}{{{R_2}}} = \frac{{\frac{{\rho {l_1}}}{{{A_1}}}}}{{\frac{{\rho {l_2}}}{{{A_2}}}}} = \frac{{{l_1}{A_2}}}{{{l_2}{A_1}}}$

$\frac{{{R_1}}}{{{R_2}}} = \frac{{l \times \pi \times 4{r^2}}}{{\frac{l}{2} \times \pi \times {r^2}}} = 8;$

Hence R₂ = R/8

Concept:

• On earth, till now we are only able to create fission by bombarding fast neutron on unstable or heavy atoms like uranium, plutonium, and thorium which radiates the huge amount of energy, this property is performed in a controlled manner is used by us in our nuclear reactor, although we are trying to produce fusion reactors but till date, it not cost-effective and not effective.

Explanation:

• In modern physics, a nuclear reaction can be classified into two types
• Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come close enough to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles (neutrons or protons).

Either

• Nuclear fusion is the process of forming a heavy nucleus from two lighter nuclei.
• For example Hydrogen atoms are fused to form Helium
• Fission reaction or nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of a heavy atom (such as uranium, plutonium or thorium) when bombarded with low-energy neutrons and it split apart into lighter nuclei and few neutrons which causes a chain reaction. When this is done, a tremendous amount of energy is released if the mass of the original nucleus is just a little more than the sum of the masses of the individual products.
• Fission reaction can further be classified into controlled and uncontrolled fission reaction
• In controlled fission the chain reaction is controlled and only a controlled amount of reaction is allowed, nuclear reactors in nuclear power plants are one of the examples of the controlled fission reaction.
• And for uncontrolled fission chain reaction is allowed to happen unless fission material is over, nuclear bomb is one of the examples of an uncontrolled fission reaction

Copper doesn’t replace iron from its solution.

• This is because Copper is less reactive than iron.
• A more reactive metal displaces the less reactive metal from its solution.
• In the given reaction, Iron (Fe) displaces Copper (Cu) by giving up two electrons and gets oxidized and forms a new compound called ferrous sulfate.
• Copper gets reduced.
• Iron is a reducing agent, meaning that it loses 2 electrons.
• CuSO₄ is an oxidizing agent, taking 2 electrons.
• The final solution turns green on exposure to moist air.
• The reaction is a redox reaction as it involves both loss and gain of electrons by different elements.

Acetic acid is an organic compound classified as carboxylic acid with the chemical formula CH₃COOH.

• It is the second simplest carboxylic acid (has a carboxyl (-COOH) group present in its chemical structure)
• Organic Acid examples - Acetic Acid, Lactic Acid, Oxalic Acid, Uric Acid, Malic Acid, Formic Acid.
• Inorganic acids are compounds which comprise hydrogen and non-metallic elements or their groups, e.g. Hydrochloric acid (HCl), Nitric acid (HNO₃), Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) etc

The major components of air include Nitrogen, Oxygen, and Water Vapor.

• Nitrogen - 78.08%
• Oxygen - 20.95%
• So, even though dinitrogen and dioxygen are the main constituents of air, they don’t react with each other as the reaction requires a high temperature (around 3000 degree centigrade).
• Thus, an exothermic reaction in a high temperature would result in oxides of nitrogen being formed.

Albert Einstein explained the phenomenon of the Photoelectric Effect.

• He won the Nobel Prize for the services in Theoretical Physics, with special regard to the discovery of Photoelectric effect.
• Photoelectric effect is the phenomenon where when photons hit an electron on the metal surface, electrical effect due to release of electrons takes place.
• Wave-duality effect was discovered due to this very phenomenon.
• Max Plank discovered Energy Quanta (Nobel Prize in 1918)
• Neils Bohr - Atomic Structure and Quantum Theory (Nobel Prize in 1922)
• Ernest Rutherford - First who split the atom (Theory of Atomic Structure, Nobel Prize in 1908)

The equivalent weight of oxalic acid in C₂H₂O₄⋅2H₂O is 63.

• The molecular weight of oxalic acid (C₂H₂0₄) is 90.
• But since Oxalic Acid exists with 2 molecules of water, hence molecular weight of Oxalic acid (C₂H₂O₄⋅2H₂O) = 126
• Now, Equivalent weight = Molecular weight/Basicity
• Therefore, Equivalent Weight = 126/2 = 63 (As 2 is the basicity)
• Basicity here means Oxalic Acid release 2 H⁺ ions

Tamraparni River or Porunai is a perennial river originating in Agastyarkoodam peak, a hill (Pothigai) in Western Ghats.

• The river flows through various districts in Tamil Nadu and finally drains off in Gulf of Mannar.
• Hence, it is an East flowing river.
• Periyar is the second longest river in Kerala which drains off in the Vembanad Lake (West flowing river)
• Bharathapuzha rises near Annamalai hills. It is also known as Ponnani. It is the longest river in Kerala and drains in the Arabian Sea.
• Pamba river, Kerala also falls in the Vembanad lake after traversing a course of 177 km.
• Other West Flowing Rivers - Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhandhar, Kalinadi, Sharavati.
• East flowing rivers - Subarnarekha, Baitrani, Brahmani, Penner, Palar.

Jhelum is an important tributary of the Indus that rises from a spring at Verinag, situated at the foot of the Pir Panjal in the south-eastern part of the valley of Kashmir.

• Historically, it was known as ‘Vitasta’ by the ancient Greeks.
• The river flows through Srinagar and Wular lake and enters Pakistan through a deep narrow gorge.
• Jhelum joins Chenab near Jhang in Pakistan.
• Tista is a river in Bangladesh which joins the Brahmaputra on the right bank after which it is called Jamuna.
• Bharathapuzha rises near Annamalai hills. It is also known as Ponnani. It is the longest river in Kerala and drains in the Arabian Sea.
• Tungabhadra is a major tributary of the River Krishna and is historically associated with the Vijayanagara Kingdom.

The Sarda or Saryu river rises in the Milam glacier in the Nepal Himalayas where it is known as the Goriganga.

• Along the Indo-Nepal border, it is called Kali or Chauk, where it joins the Ghaghara.
• Sarda is known as Kali or Kali Ganga when it joins the Ghaghara river in the Uttar Pradesh plains.
• After this, it finally meets the Ganga at Chhapra, Bihar.
• Ghagra originates in the glaciers of Mapchachungo and its tributaries include Tila, Seti, and Beri.
• Pindar is a tributary of the Alaknanda joining it at Karnaprayag.
• Mandakakini/Kali Ganga joins Alaknanda at RudraPrayag.
• Bhagirathi meets Alaknanda at DevPrayag.

Mission Indradhanush was started in December 2014 with the aim of strengthening and re-energizing the programme and achieving full immunization coverage for children and pregnant women at a rapid pace by 2020.

• Ultimate goal is focussed on children up to two years of age and pregnant women.
• 201 high focus districts have been identified for the same.
• Further, an advanced version of the program called Intensified Mission Indradhanush was started by PM Modi in October 2017.

All the statements are correct.

• Movement of the tides are caused majorly by the Moon’s gravitational pull and to a lesser extent due to the sun’s gravitational pull.
• But according to Alan Strahler & Arthur Strahler’s book on Physical Geography (which seems to be the source UPSC picked for this question), Tides are also an environmental effect of Rotation of Earth.
• Hence, the third statement is correct.
• Rotation of Earth leads to change in the location of the earth surface towards and away from the Sun. Thus, the change in rate of solar insolation and hence the change in air temperature and diurnal rhythm in day-light. Hence, the first statement is correct.
• A third natural effect is the flow path of both air and water are turned consistently in a side-ward direction.
• The flow in the northern hemisphere changes/moves towards the right and the flow in the Southern Hemisphere moves/changes towards the left, called the coriolis effect.
• Hence, the second statement is correct.

F G Hutchins described Gandhi’s Quit India Movement as a ‘spontaneous revolution’

• Hutchins described the Quit Indian Movement as the event that was responsible for the British Political Parties to resign and leave quickly.
• While the movement started as a non-violent mass struggle, it was nowhere non-violent.
• Major leaders were sent to jail as a result and the movement was virtually leaderless.
• But the impact was a result of the mass based struggle.
• The following 3 (three) items consist of two statements, Statement I and Statement II. Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer using the code given below:

Abul Fazl was a political advisor and high ranked official in the Akbar administration.

• Abul Fazl helped Akbar with the framing of vision of governance with Sulh-i-kul.
• It was about peaceful and harmonious relationships among the different religions in his administration.
• Abul Fazl also wrote a three-volume history of Akbar’s reign, titled Akbar Nama.
• First volume deals with Akbar’s ancestry.
• Second volume recorded events from Akbar’s reign.
• Third volume is the Ain-i Akbari
• It deals with Akbar’s administration, including rich statistics on crop diversity, wages, revenue, prices.
• Hence, both statements are correct and statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I.