English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by addressing the pervasive nature of problems in life, setting a general context for the discussion.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the broad idea that life is full of problems needing solutions:
• "Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved."
• Sentence B follows by explaining the complexity of problems and the mixture of decisions required to address them:
• "And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans."
• Sentence 3 (fixed) emphasizes that solving problems is itself a challenging task, building upon the ideas introduced earlier.
• Sentence F follows by focusing on the persistence and effort needed to work through problems:
• "It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence."
• Sentence A concludes by highlighting the motivation and grit required for problem-solving:
• "It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it."
• Sentence E wraps up the paragraph by pointing out that some problems involve multiple layers of decision-making, giving a sense of complexity to the discussion.
• "Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."
• The correct sequence is DB3FAE.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved. And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans. Figuring out how to solve a problem is itself a hard problem. It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence. It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it.

Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."

The correct answer is Option 5.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by identifying the ubiquity of problems in life, setting the stage for discussing problem-solving challenges.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the general context:
• "Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved."
• Sentence B is the second sentence because it elaborates on the complexity of problems and how they require a mix of decisions and actions:
• "And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans."
• Sentence 3 (fixed) comes next and emphasizes the inherent difficulty of solving problems.
• Sentence F follows as it describes persistence and effort as critical factors in solving problems:
• "It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence."
• Sentence A is next as it highlights the grit and motivation required to solve problems:
• "It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it."
• Sentence E concludes by discussing the layered decision-making involved in complex problems:
• "Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."
• The correct sequence is DB3FAE.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved. And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans. Figuring out how to solve a problem is itself a hard problem. It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence. It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it.

Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by introducing the concept of life being filled with problems, setting a broad context for the discussion.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the overarching theme:
• "Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved."
• Sentence B is the second sentence as it elaborates on the complexity of these problems:
• "And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans."
• Sentence 3 (fixed) emphasizes that solving problems is a challenging task in itself.
• Sentence F is the fourth sentence as it discusses persistence and effort required for solving problems:
• "It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence."
• Sentence A follows as it highlights the motivation and grit needed to tackle problems:
• "It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it."
• Sentence E concludes by discussing how some problems have multiple layers of decision-making:
• "Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."
• The correct sequence is DB3FAE.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved. And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans. Figuring out how to solve a problem is itself a hard problem. It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence. It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it.

Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by introducing the idea that life is filled with problems, setting the stage for discussing problem-solving challenges.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the broad theme:
• "Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved."
• Sentence B is the second sentence as it elaborates on the complexity of problems:
• "And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans."
• Sentence 3 (fixed) highlights the inherent difficulty of solving problems.
• Sentence F is the fourth sentence as it emphasizes the importance of persistence and finding information in problem-solving:
• "It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence."
• Sentence A is the fifth sentence as it discusses the motivation and grit required to work through problems:
• "It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it."
• Sentence E concludes by addressing the layered nature of complex problems:
• "Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."
• The correct sequence is DB3FAE.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved. And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans. Figuring out how to solve a problem is itself a hard problem. It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence. It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it.

Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."

The correct answer is Option 5.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by introducing the idea that life is filled with problems, setting the stage for further discussion on solving them.
• Sentence D is the first sentence as it introduces the overarching theme:
• "Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved."
• Sentence B is the second sentence as it elaborates on the complexity of these problems:
• "And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans."
• Sentence 3 (fixed) emphasizes the difficulty of solving problems in general.
• Sentence F is the fourth sentence as it discusses persistence and the importance of information-gathering in solving problems:
• "It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence."
• Sentence A is the fifth sentence as it highlights the motivation and grit required to solve problems:
• "It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it."
• Sentence E concludes the paragraph by discussing the complexity of problems that involve multiple layers of decision-making:
• "Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."
• The correct sequence is DB3FAE.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Life is strewn with problems that need to be solved. And most problems do not require single decisions, like ‘Who should I vote for in this upcoming election?’ but a complicated mixture of decisions, prioritization, and action plans. Figuring out how to solve a problem is itself a hard problem. It requires finding information, but it also involves persistence. It takes motivation and grit to stick with a problem and work your way through it.

Some problems, however, are much more complex and involve multiple layers of decision-making."

The correct answer is option 5.

Key Points

No interchange is required in the sentence as it is both grammatically correct and meaningful.

• The word whimsical (A) perfectly describes the artist as someone who is imaginative or playful in their creations.
• Conspicuous (B) appropriately describes the paintings as noticeable or attracting attention.
• The word vivid (C) correctly portrays the paintings as brightly colored or striking.
• Meticulous (D) accurately conveys that the paintings were detailed and carefully crafted.

Thus, no interchange is necessary, and the sentence is meaningful as it stands.

Additional Information

Let's understand the meanings of the marked words - 

• Whimsical - playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way (मनमौजी).
• Conspicuous - standing out so as to be clearly visible (स्पष्ट).
• Vivid - producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind (ज्वलंत).
• Meticulous - showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise (सूक्ष्म).

The correct answer is option 4.

Key Points

The given sentence is: The overt (A) signs of anger were quite subtle (B), making the situation appear more ambiguous (C) and less plausible (D) to outsiders.

Explanation:

• The word "overt" (A) is contradictory to the word "subtle" (B). "Overt" means something openly shown, while "subtle" means something not obvious or understated.
• To make the sentence meaningful and grammatically correct, we need to interchange "overt" (A) and "subtle" (B).

After interchanging, the sentence becomes:

The subtle (A) signs of anger were quite overt (B), making the situation appear more ambiguous (C) and less plausible (D) to outsiders.

Thus, the correct answer is option 4, which suggests swapping A and B.

Additional Information

Meaning of key terms:

• Overt: Done or shown openly; not secret or hidden. (स्पष्ट)
• Subtle: So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe. (सूक्ष्म)
• Ambiguous: Open to more than one interpretation; not having one obvious meaning. (अस्पष्ट)
• Plausible: Seeming reasonable or probable. (विश्वसनीय)

The correct answer is Option (5) i.e. No interchange required

 

Key Points

• The word 'unscrupulous' (A) correctly describes the businessman as morally unprincipled.
• The word 'notorious' (B) correctly describes the ventures as well-known for negative reasons.
• The word 'actions' (C) correctly refers to the corrupt deeds of the businessman.
• The word 'overshadowed' (D) correctly describes the effect of his corrupt actions on his public image.
• All words are in the correct positions and make the sentence both grammatically correct and meaningful.

Therefore, the correct answer is No interchange required.

The correct answer is option 5.

Key Points

• No interchange required. The sentence is already grammatically correct and meaningful as written.
• Word meanings and roles in the sentence:
• Zealous (A) — enthusiastic, eager. (modifies player)
• Melancholy (B) — sad, sorrowful. (describes the player's feeling after defeat)
• Resilient (C) — able to recover quickly; mentally tough. (describes his character)
• Brisk (D) — lively, energetic. (describes the manner/energy with which he recovers)
• Each adjective correctly modifies the noun or idea it refers to: a zealous player can still feel melancholy after losing; a resilient character appropriately explains how he bounces back; recovering with brisk energy is a natural collocation.

Example to illustrate: A passionate (zealous) runner may feel sad (melancholy) after losing a race, but their tough (resilient) mindset helps them train again with lively (brisk) energy.

The correct answer is 'Supersede.'

Key Points

• Supersede means to replace someone or something.​
• In the first sentence, filling the blank with 'supersede' would imply one thinking of replacing the other for his position.
• In the second sentence, filling the blank with 'supersede' would imply replacing the manual labor by robots.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is 'supersede'.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Complete Sentences:

1. Vikram hopes he can supersede his boss and take his position in the company.
2. The use of robots will someday supersede manual labor.

Additional Information

• Let us explore the other options:
• ​Superficial means not studying or thinking about something in a deep or complete way.
• Superfluous means unnecessary, not needed.
• Supernatural means unnaturally or extraordinarily great.
• Supercilious means showing that you think that you are better than other people.

The correct answer is 'Aberrant.'

Key Points

• Aberrant means diverging from the normal or right way.​
• In the first sentence, filling the blank with 'aberrant' would imply a way of tying the laces other than the normal way.
• In the second sentence, filling the blank with 'aberrant' would imply that the drunken man conducted in an abnormal way.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is 'aberrant'.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

Complete Sentences:

1. My sister has an aberrant way of tying her shoelaces.
2. The drunken man’s aberrant conduct drew the police officer’s attention.

Additional Information

• Let us explore the other options:
• Frequent means (of a person) doing something often; habitual.
• Normal means usual, typical, or expected.
• Usual means habitually or typically occurring or done.
• Familiar means having a good knowledge of something.

The correct answer is 'Mendacious.'

Key Points

• Mendacious means lying; not telling the truth.​
• In the first sentence, filling the blank with 'mendacious' would imply lying about vegetarianism.
• In the second sentence, filling the blank with 'mendacious' would imply creating a false story or lying about something.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is 'mendacious'.

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Complete Sentences:

1. Amit is mendacious about his vegetarianism because he eats chicken.
2. Instead of giving me another mendacious story, just be honest for once.

Additional Information

• Let us explore the other options:
• Candid means truthful and straightforward; frank.
• Reliable means consistently good in quality or performance; able to be trusted.
• Moral means standards of good behavior.
• Ethical means morally good or correct.

The correct answer is Option C.

 

Key Points

• Option A: Soft toys became popular as a means for children to engage in physical activities outdoors.
• This statement is incorrect as the passage mentions that lockdowns confined families to their homes and outdoor play was restricted.
• Option B: The software industry saw a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This statement is incorrect. The passage states that the global software industry experienced "unprecedented, explosive growth" and became the "nervous system of the global economy."
• Option C: Soft toys provided emotional security for children during the pandemic.
• This statement is correct as the passage explicitly mentions that these tactile toys offered "emotional security, anxiety relief, and a medium for imaginative play" during isolation.
• Option D: Toy manufacturers decreased production of plush toys due to reduced demand.
• This statement is incorrect. According to the passage, toy manufacturers ramped up production to meet the "unprecedented spike in global demand."
• Option E: Cloud computing infrastructure experienced a decline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• This statement is incorrect as the passage notes that cloud computing infrastructure experienced a "gold rush" as businesses transitioned to remote work.

Therefore, the correct answer is: ‘Option C’.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The passage explicitly mentions that in the physical realm, the toy industry experienced a remarkable resurgence.
• This growth was driven by parents seeking comforting, screen-free developmental tools for their children during the lockdowns.
• Soft toys provided emotional security and anxiety relief for children who were restricted from outdoor play and school environments.
• Thus, the reason for the resurgence aligns directly with the description in Option B.

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

 

Correct Sentence: "In the physical realm, the toy industry experienced a remarkable resurgence, driven by parents seeking comforting, screen-free developmental tools for their children."

 

Additional Information

• A: The increase in outdoor activities – Incorrect, as the passage states outdoor play was restricted during this time.
• C: The decline of digital software infrastructure – Incorrect, as the passage notes that the software industry actually experienced "explosive growth."
• D: The implementation of homeschooling practices – While schools closed, the passage identifies the specific driver for the toy industry boom as the search for comforting, screen-free tools.
• E: The closure of toy manufacturing plants – Incorrect, as manufacturers "ramped up production" to meet the spike in demand.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The passage explicitly states that the software sector and digital infrastructure experienced "unprecedented, explosive growth" and a "gold rush" during the pandemic.
• The decline of physical office spaces and school campuses was a direct result of lockdowns and the "non-negotiable transition to remote work and e-learning."
• Option D suggests a "decline in demand for digital tools," which is the exact opposite of what the passage describes.
• Since the demand for digital tools surged to ensure survival and operations, it cannot be a reason for the decline of physical spaces; rather, the increase in digital demand was the response to that decline.

Therefore, the correct answer is D.

 

Relevant Quote: "Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) models, cloud computing infrastructure, and collaborative communication platforms experienced a gold rush as businesses scrambled to remain operational."

 

Additional Information

• A: The COVID-19 pandemic – Cited as the primary trigger for the economic anomalies and lockdowns.
• B: The necessity of remote work – Cited as the reason why schools and offices had to transition to virtual spaces.
• C: The acceleration of digital infrastructure transformation – Cited as the result of the shift away from physical campuses.
• E: The temporary reaction to a crisis – The text mentions that while the boom started as a reaction to a crisis, it led to a permanent structural pivot.

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Key Points

• A) The COVID-19 pandemic had a positive impact on consumer demand for soft toys and digital software.
• This can be inferred from the passage. The passage explicitly states that the pandemic catalyzed explosive growth in both the soft toys market and the digital software sector.
• B) Toy manufacturers had to prioritize emotional security over commercial profits.
• This cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage mentions that toy manufacturers ramped up production of plush toys that emphasized comfort, sensory engagement, and companionable play, but it doesn't indicate that commercial profits were deprioritized.
• C) The global software industry experienced a decrease in collaborative communication platforms.
• This cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage actually indicates a surge in collaborative communication platforms during the pandemic.
• D) The surge in demand for soft toys was a temporary trend that reversed post-pandemic.
• This cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage does not mention that the surge in demand for soft toys was a temporary trend or that it reversed post-pandemic.
• E) The increase in cloud computing infrastructure was a reactionary adjustment rather than a permanent change.
• This cannot be inferred from the passage. The passage suggests that the digital transformation represented a permanent structural pivot.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Additional Information

• Only A: Correct because option A can be inferred from the passage.
• Only B: Incorrect because option B cannot be inferred from the passage.
• Only C: Incorrect because option C cannot be inferred from the passage.
• Only D: Incorrect because option D cannot be inferred from the passage.
• Only E: Incorrect because option E cannot be inferred from the passage.

The correct answer is 'spike'.

 

Key Points

• The word "spike" means a sharp increase in the magnitude or concentration of something. (अचानक हुई तेज़ वृद्धि)
• In the passage, it is mentioned that the pandemic "catalysed unprecedented, explosive growth" in certain markets. The term "spike" directly refers to this sudden surge in demand.
• The context describes a massive increase in the popularity of soft toys as families sought emotional comfort, making "spike" the only logically fitting word.
• The other options: "scarcity" (shortage), "reduction" (decrease), "plateau" (no change), and "downturn" (decline) contradict the "explosive growth" described in the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option B'.

Complete Sentence: This unprecedented spike in global demand was a clear sign that families were prioritising emotional well-being and comforting physical play to combat the psychological fatigue of isolation.

Additional Information

• Scarcity (कमी): the state of being scarce or in short supply.
• Reduction (कटौती): the action or fact of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
• Plateau (स्थिरता): a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress.
• Downturn (गिरावट): a decline in economic, business, or other activity.

The correct answer is 'Option B' i.e., 'restricted'.

Key Points

• The word "confined" means to keep or restrict someone or something within certain limits of space, scope, or time. (सीमित)
• Example: The heavy rain confined the children to the house all afternoon.
• "Restricted" refers to something that is limited in extent, number, or scope; it is the closest synonym to "confined" as used in the passage to describe people being kept in their homes. (प्रतिबंधित या सीमित)
• Example: Access to the laboratory is restricted to authorised personnel only.

Therefore, the correct answer is- restricted.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Liberated (मुक्त): To set someone free from a situation, especially imprisonment or slavery.
• Example: The army liberated the city from the enemy forces.
• Expanded (विस्तारित): To become larger or more extensive in size or importance.
• Example: The company expanded its operations to several new countries this year.
• Dispersed (बिखरा हुआ): Distributed or spread over a wide area.
• Example: The police used water cannons to disperse the crowd.
• Increased (बढ़ा हुआ): To become greater in size, amount, or degree.
• Example: The cost of living has increased significantly over the last decade.

The correct answer is Option B i.e., manual.

Key Points

• In the context of the passage, the word "book" (as part of "rule book") refers to a set of established rules, principles, or standards that govern how something is done. (नियमावली)
• Example: The sudden shift in the market forced the company to throw away the old rule book and start fresh.
• "Manual" refers to a book of instructions or a set of guidelines that explains how to do something or how a system works. (निर्देशिका/नियम-पुस्तिका)
• Example: The employee manual contains all the policies regarding leave and conduct.
• Hence, in the phrase "rewriting the rule book," the word "book" is most similar in meaning to 'manual'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- manual.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Catalogue (सूची-पत्र): A complete list of items, typically arranged in alphabetical or systematic order.
• Example: You can browse our full range of products in the autumn catalogue.
• Register (पंजी/रजिस्टर): An official list or record of names, items, or events.
• Example: The hotel guest register showed that no one had checked in after midnight.
• Volume (खंड/पुस्तक): A single book that is part of a larger series or a collection of written work.
• Example: The encyclopedia consists of twenty individual volumes.
• Rewrite (फिर से लिखना): To write something again in a different way to improve or change it.
• Example: The script was so poor that the director asked the author to rewrite it entirely.

The correct answer is Option(D) i.e., 'Obscurity'.

Key Points

• The word "sign" means an object, quality, or event whose presence or occurrence indicates the probable presence or existence of something else. (संकेत)
• Example: The sudden drop in temperature was a sure sign that a storm was approaching.
• "Obscurity" refers to the state of being unknown, inconspicuous, or difficult to understand; it implies a lack of clarity or visibility, which is the opposite of a clear sign or indicator. (अस्पष्टता)
• Example: The origins of the ancient ritual are shrouded in obscurity, with no clear records existing today.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'sign' is 'obscurity'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Obscurity.

Additional Information

Here are the other options explained along with their Hindi meanings and example sentences:

• Indication (संकेत): A condition or circumstance that points to or suggests something.
• Example: There was no indication that the company was in any financial trouble.
• Proof (प्रमाण): Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
• Example: You will need to provide proof of identity to open a bank account.
• Signal (संकेत/इशारा): A gesture, action, or sound that is used to convey information or instructions.
• Example: The referee blew the whistle as a signal for the match to start.
• Evidence (सबूत): The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
• Example: The police found forensic evidence that linked the suspect to the crime scene.