English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• To determine the first sentence, we identify the independent introductory statement that establishes the broad theme without depending on demonstrative pronouns, transitional adverbs, or remedial proposals:
• Sentence A is the FIRST sentence: Serves as the independent overarching topic sentence, introducing Japan's iconic cherry blossoms and their centuries-old cultural significance as a cherished herald of spring renewal.
• "For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal."
• Sentence C (2^nd): Connects directly to the historical tradition described in sentence A via the demonstrative phrase "This historical predictability," explaining how rising regional temperatures have caused buds to open weeks ahead of schedule.
• "This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule."
• Sentence E (3^rd): Corroborates this environmental shift with empirical data, noting that detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar in recent decades.
• "In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar."
• Sentence B (4^th): Highlights the practical fallout using the cause-and-effect marker "Consequently," explaining how local festival organizers struggle to align traditional celebrations with these irregular bloom dates.
• "Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates."
• Sentence D (5^th): Serves as the logical concluding technical solution, proposing that systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops.
• "Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."
• The complete sequence is A - C - E - B - D, making A the FIRST sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal. This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule. In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar. Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates. Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• To determine the second sentence, we trace the direct link from the long-standing tradition established in the opening sentence to the change disrupting it:
• Sentence A (1^st): Serves as the independent overarching topic sentence, introducing Japan's cherry blossoms and their centuries-old role as a reliable herald of spring renewal.
• "For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal."
• Sentence C is the SECOND sentence: Connects directly to the temporal regularity implied in sentence A via the demonstrative phrase "This historical predictability," explaining how rising regional temperatures have caused buds to open weeks ahead of schedule.
• "This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule."
• Sentence E (3^rd): Reinforces this shift with scientific evidence, noting that detailed botanical records in recent decades reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar.
• "In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar."
• Sentence B (4^th): Outlines the cultural and logistical disruption via the transition marker "Consequently," stating that local festival organizers struggle to align traditional celebrations with these irregular bloom dates.
• "Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates."
• Sentence D (5^th): Concludes with an actionable horticultural solution, suggesting that systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops.
• "Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."
• The complete sequence is A - C - E - B - D, making C the SECOND sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal. This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule. In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar. Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates. Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• To determine the third and fourth sentences, we examine the logical flow connecting historical tradition, climate disruption, botanical evidence, community impact, and horticultural mitigation:
• Sentence A (1^st): Serves as the independent overarching topic sentence, introducing Japan's centuries-old cherry blossom tradition as a herald of spring renewal.
• "For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal."
• Sentence C (2^nd): Directly follows sentence A via the demonstrative reference "This historical predictability," explaining how rising temperatures prompt buds to open weeks early.
• "This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule."
• Sentence E is the THIRD sentence: Substantiates the altered blooming timeline with empirical evidence, noting that recent botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar.
• "In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar."
• Sentence B is the FOURTH sentence: Connects to the erratic bloom calendar through the cause-and-effect marker "Consequently," explaining that local festival organizers struggle to align celebrations with these irregular bloom dates.
• "Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates."
• Sentence D (5^th): Serves as the logical concluding technical solution, proposing that systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops.
• "Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."
• The complete sequence is A - C - E - B - D, making E - B the correct pair for the THIRD and FOURTH sentences.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal. This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule. In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar. Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates. Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• To establish the correct sequence of all five sentences:
• Sentence A (1^st): Serves as the independent overarching topic sentence, establishing Japan's centuries-old cherry blossom tradition as a cherished herald of spring renewal.
• "For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal."
• Sentence C (2^nd): Directly follows sentence A via the demonstrative reference "This historical predictability," explaining how rising temperatures cause buds to open weeks ahead of schedule.
• "This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule."
• Sentence E (3^rd): Substantiates this temperature-driven shift with empirical evidence, noting that detailed botanical records in recent decades reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar.
• "In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar."
• Sentence B (4^th): Connects directly to the accelerated and shifted calendar via the transition marker "Consequently," explaining that local festival organizers struggle to align traditional celebrations with these irregular bloom dates.
• "Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates."
• Sentence D (5^th): Serves as the logical concluding technical remedy, proposing that systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops.
• "Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."
• Therefore, the correct full sequence is A C E B D.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal. This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule. In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar. Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates. Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• To determine the last sentence, we trace the full narrative flow from centuries of cultural tradition, climate-induced disruption, botanical records, and festival planning challenges to the final protective solution:
• Sentence A (1^st): Serves as the independent overarching topic sentence, establishing Japan's cherry blossom season as a cherished herald of spring renewal.
• "For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal."
• Sentence C (2^nd): Directly follows sentence A via the demonstrative phrase "This historical predictability," explaining how rising temperatures prompt buds to open weeks early.
• "This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule."
• Sentence E (3^rd): Corroborates the shift with empirical data, noting that recent botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar.
• "In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar."
• Sentence B (4^th): Connects via the cause-and-effect transition "Consequently," detailing how local festival organizers struggle to align traditional celebrations with these irregular bloom dates.
• "Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates."
• Sentence D is the LAST sentence: Serves as the logical concluding technical remedy, proposing that systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops.
• "Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."
• The complete sequence is A - C - E - B - D, making D the LAST sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"For centuries, Japan's iconic cherry blossoms have served as a cherished herald of spring renewal. This historical predictability has eroded as rising regional temperatures prompt buds to open weeks ahead of schedule. In recent decades, detailed botanical records reveal an unprecedented acceleration in the annual flowering calendar. Consequently, local festival organizers struggle to align traditional spring celebrations with these irregular bloom dates. Systematic urban climate monitoring can assist horticulturists in protecting delicate ornamental trees from sudden temperature drops."

The correct answer is 'E' i.e. No error.

Key Points

• In the given sentence, no improvement is required in any of the parts or there is no error in the sentence.
• The given statement in the sentence is a negative statement.
• The use of the negative word 'seldom' which means not often; rarely, indicates the statement is a negative statement.
• A few negative words are: Scarcely, hardly, rarely, barely, seldom, no, nothing, neither, few, none, etc.
• Example: You seldom go to the beach, do you?
• When the statement is negative, we use a positive question tag.
• She is not a girl, is she?
• And, if the statement is positive, we use a negative question tag.
• She is a girl, isn't she?

Hence, the correct answer is option 5.

Correct Sentence: She seldom smokes, does she?

The correct answer is 'B' i.e. this part of the sentence has an error.

Key Points

• In the second part of the given sentence, the singular form of the verb 'has' is incorrect.
• Two or more nouns (here, Rohit and Virat) joined by 'and' usually form a plural compound subject, which takes a plural verb.
• Example: Rakesh and Seema are going on holiday.
• The plural form of the verb 'have' should be used with the plural compound subject (Rohit and Virat).
• Therefore, the plural form of the verb 'have' should be used in place of the singular form of the verb 'has'.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Correct sentence: Rohit and Virat have played very well in the recent match.

Additional Information

• Subjects and verbs must agree with one another in number (singular or plural).
• Thus, if a subject is singular, its verb must also be singular; if the subject is plural, its verb must also be plural.

The correct answer is 'D' i.e. this part of the sentence has an error.

Key Points

• In the given sentence, the noun 'car' is not a specified noun.
• The noun 'car' is not a particular or specific car.
• 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles, which means that they refer to, or introduce, an unspecified noun.
• We use 'a' before a consonant sound and we use 'an' before a vowel sound (here, expensive).
• The definite article 'the' is used before singular and plural nouns when the noun is specific or particular.
• ''No article'' is used when we refer to general ideas, plurals, or uncountable nouns.
• Therefore, the indefinite article 'an' should be used in place of the indefinite article 'a'.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Correct Sentence: He spent all his savings on an expensive car.

Additional Information

There are three articles: a, an, and the. Articles are used before nouns or noun equivalents and are a type of adjective.

The correct answer is 'D' i.e. this part of the sentence has an error.

Key Points

• In the fourth part of the given sentence, the use of the negative question tag "isn't he" is incorrect.
• The given statement in the sentence is a negative statement (not singing).
• When the statement is negative, we use a positive question tag.
• He is not a boy, is he?
• And, if the statement is positive, we use a negative question tag.
• He is a boy, isn't he?
• Therefore, the positive question tag "is he" should be used in place of the negative question tag "isn't he".

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Correct Sentence: The boy is not singing a song, is he?

The correct answer is 'B' i.e. this part of the sentence has an error.

Key Points

• In the second part of the given sentence, the use of the adverb 'further' is incorrect.
• The adverb 'further' means more; to a greater degree.
• Example: Can we talk further on the issue?
• The given sentence is talking about the comparison between the distance of the school and the distance of the college from the city.
• Therefore, the adverb 'farther' should be used in place of the adverb 'further'.
• The adverb 'farther' is used to indicate the extent to which one thing is distant from another.
• Example: The venue is farther than we imagined.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Correct Sentence: The school is farther than the college from this city.

The correct answer is A-R.

Key Points

 

Let us look at the sentence combinations:

• Phrase A of column 1 should be matched with the phrase R of column 2 to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct.
• "It involves a universal biochemical response as well as a high individual emotional response".
• ​​​​Phrase A cannot be used with either phrase P and phrase Q because it would not make a meaningful sentence.
• It involves a universal biochemical response think you are walking on the road and
• It involves a universal biochemical response you heard a loud and noisy horn of a vehicle.

The correct answer is A-P.

Key Points

Let us look at the sentence combinations:

• Phrase A of column 1 should be matched with the phrase P of column 2 to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct.
• "Ms Rema was born the second of the three children of K.K. Madhavan".
• ​​​​Phrase A cannot be used with either phrase Q and phrase R because it would not make a meaningful sentence.
• Ms Rema was born the second of after he won from Nandigram in 2016.
• Ms Rema was born the second of he held the portfolios of irrigation.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• He set up an extensive training program for them.
• This is the correct answer. The passage states that Mr. Weller set up an extensive training program for the local workers to improve their skills and help make the railway more efficient.
• He gave them a very long holiday.
• This is incorrect. The passage does not mention giving the workers a long holiday.
• He fired all of them immediately.
• This is incorrect. Mr. Weller trained the local workers rather than firing them all.
• He told them to work without any pay.
• This is incorrect. The passage does not state that the workers were asked to work without pay.
• He asked them to build new tracks by hand.
• This is incorrect. Although the tracks were severely damaged, the passage does not say that the workers were asked to rebuild them by hand.

Therefore, the correct answer is He set up an extensive training program for them.

 

Additional Information

• He gave them a very long holiday: No such action is mentioned in the passage.
• He fired all of them immediately: He instead invested in training the local workers.
• He told them to work without any pay: The passage provides no information about unpaid work.
• He asked them to build new tracks by hand: This specific method of repairing the tracks is not mentioned.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• They aimed to turn a failing railway into a profitable business.
• This is the correct answer. The passage states that Mr. Weller believed the failing railway could become highly profitable through hard work, disciplined training, and better technology. The American company also invested millions of dollars in the project.
• They wanted to shut down the railway completely.
• This is incorrect. The company invested heavily in improving the railway rather than shutting it down.
• They wanted to sell American cars to the local citizens.
• This is incorrect. The passage focuses on operating and improving the railway, not selling cars.
• They hoped to keep the old broken engines forever.
• This is incorrect. Mr. Weller invested heavily in repairing the old engines to improve railway operations.
• They intended to give the railway back to the local government.
• This is incorrect. The passage indicates that the private American company wanted to operate the railway successfully and profitably.

Therefore, the correct answer is They aimed to turn a failing railway into a profitable business.

 

Additional Information

• They wanted to shut down the railway completely: The company supported efforts to improve the railway and make it profitable.
• They wanted to sell American cars to the local citizens: No such business goal is mentioned in the passage.
• They hoped to keep the old broken engines forever: The old engines were repaired to improve railway efficiency.
• They intended to give the railway back to the local government: The company was operating the railway as a private business.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• The trains were almost always late.
• This is the correct answer. The passage states that the ancient trains in Oakhaven were almost always late, making this one of the major operational problems Mr. Weller had to solve.
• The trains moved much too quickly.
• This is incorrect. The passage says the trains were almost always late, not that they moved too quickly.
• There were far too many workers.
• This is incorrect. The passage does not identify an excessive number of workers as a major problem.
• The train tickets were entirely free.
• This is incorrect. The passage does not mention free train tickets as a problem.
• The railway tracks were made of gold.
• This is incorrect. The passage states that the railway tracks were severely damaged, not made of gold.

Therefore, the correct answer is The trains were almost always late.

 

Additional Information

• The trains moved much too quickly: The trains were actually almost always late.
• There were far too many workers: The passage does not mention too many workers as a problem.
• The train tickets were entirely free: Ticket prices are not discussed in the passage.
• The railway tracks were made of gold: The tracks were severely damaged and required repairs.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• To manage the trains for a private American company.
• This is the correct answer. Mr. Weller accepted an offer to become the CEO of Trans-Global Iron, a private American company, and travelled to Oakhaven to manage its struggling railway network.
• To take a long relaxing vacation.
• This is incorrect. Mr. Weller travelled to Oakhaven for a professional responsibility, not for a vacation.
• To build a brand new government office.
• This is incorrect. He had previously worked in the government railway department, but his new role was with a private company.
• To buy a big house for his family.
• This is incorrect. The passage does not mention that he travelled there to buy a house.
• To learn how to speak a new language.
• This is incorrect. Learning a new language was not the reason for his journey.

Therefore, the correct answer is To manage the trains for a private American company.

 

Additional Information

• To take a long relaxing vacation: Mr. Weller travelled to Oakhaven for work, not for relaxation.
• To build a brand new government office: His new position was with a private American company, not a government office.
• To buy a big house for his family: The passage does not mention purchasing a house.
• To learn how to speak a new language: Language learning is not mentioned as his purpose for travelling.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• Opinion
• This is the correct answer. In the passage, "His view on the situation was entirely positive and clear." Here, view means an opinion or belief about a situation.
• Picture
• This is incorrect. Picture refers to a visual representation and does not fit the context of someone's opinion.
• Window
• This is incorrect. A window is an opening in a wall through which one can see outside. It is unrelated to the meaning of "view" here.
• Eye
• This is incorrect. An eye is a body organ used for seeing and does not mean an opinion in this context.
• Television
• This is incorrect. Television is an electronic device used to watch programmes and is not a synonym for "view" here.

Therefore, the correct answer is Opinion.

 

Additional Information

• Picture: A visual representation of something.
• Window: An opening in a wall fitted with glass or another material.
• Eye: The organ of sight.
• Television: An electronic device used for receiving and displaying programmes.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Key Points

• Reducing
• This is the correct answer. In the passage, Mr. Weller started cutting unnecessary costs. Here, cutting means reducing or lowering expenses.
• Adding
• This is incorrect. Adding means increasing or including something, which is opposite to the meaning of cutting costs.
• Sewing
• This is incorrect. Sewing means joining pieces of cloth with a needle and thread and does not fit the context.
• Pasting
• This is incorrect. Pasting means sticking something to another surface and is unrelated to reducing costs.
• Tearing
• This is incorrect. Tearing means pulling or ripping something apart and does not convey the intended meaning in the passage.

Therefore, the correct answer is Reducing.

 

Additional Information

• Adding: Increasing or including something.
• Sewing: Joining pieces of material using a needle and thread.
• Pasting: Sticking something onto another surface.
• Tearing: Pulling or ripping something apart.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• Confront
• This is the correct answer. In the passage, Mr. Weller had to face a series of huge operational problems. Here, face means to confront or deal with a difficult situation.
• Smile
• This is incorrect. Smile means to show happiness through a facial expression and does not fit the context.
• Head
• This is incorrect. Head refers to the part of the body above the neck and is not the intended meaning here.
• Avoid
• This is incorrect. Avoid means to stay away from something, whereas Mr. Weller had to deal with the problems.
• Paint
• This is incorrect. Paint means to apply colour to a surface and has no connection with the context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Confront.

 

Additional Information

• Smile: To show happiness through a facial expression.
• Head: The upper part of the human body containing the brain.
• Avoid: To stay away from or prevent contact with something.
• Paint: To cover a surface with paint or create a picture using paint.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Key Points

• resign
• This is the correct answer. The passage says that Mr. Weller left his comfortable government position to seek a fresh challenge. The word resign means to formally leave one's job or position.
• steal
• This is incorrect. Steal means to take something unlawfully and does not fit the context of leaving a job.
• hide
• This is incorrect. Hide means to conceal oneself or something, which does not fit the meaning of the sentence.
• run
• This is incorrect. Although run can sometimes mean leave quickly, it does not appropriately describe formally leaving a government position in this context.
• sleep
• This is incorrect. Sleep means to rest in an unconscious state and has no connection with leaving a job.

Therefore, the correct answer is resign.

 

Additional Information

• Steal: To take something unlawfully or without permission.
• Hide: To keep something or oneself out of sight.
• Run: To move quickly on foot; it does not suitably express formally leaving a job here.
• Sleep: To rest in a state of reduced consciousness.