English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'Retain.'

Key Points

• The first sentence talks about the cup warmer allowing the beverage to keep its temperature.
• The use of the word ''temperature'' in the first sentence indicates the use of the word 'retain' in the blank.
• The second sentence talks about a sister who is a shopping addict and thus finds it hard to preserve money.
• The use of the word ''money'' in the second sentence indicates the use of the word 'retain' in the blank.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is, 'Retain'.
• The word 'Retain' means To keep or continue to have something; not to lose. (किसी वस्‍तु को रखना या बनाए रखना या रखे रहना; न गँवाना)

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Sentence 1: The cup warmer will allow your beverage to retain its temperature for at least an hour.

Sentence 2: Because my sister is a shopping addict, she finds it hard to retain money.

Additional Information

• Let us explore  the other options:
• Agony means Great pain or suffering. (तीव्र वेदना, तेज़ पीड़ा, व्‍यथा, कष्‍ट)
• Feud means An angry and serious argument between two people or groups that continues over a long period of time. (दो व्‍यक्तियों या व्‍यक्ति-समूहों के बीच लंबे समय तक चलने वाला झगड़ा; पुश्‍तैनी रंजिश)
• Strive means To try very hard to do or get something. (कुछ करने या पाने के लिए कठोर परिश्रम करना)
• Affliction means A cause of pain or harm. (दुख, वेदना, मनस्‍ताप)

The correct answer is 'Reluctance.'

Key Points

• The first sentence talks about Rahul who agreed to take out the trash but his unwillingness to do so was obvious.
• The use of the word ''delayed'' in the first sentence indicates the use of the word 'reluctance' in the blank.
• The second sentence talks about a volunteer who was unwilling to go on stage.
• The use of the word ''willing'' in the second sentence indicates the use of the word 'reluctance' in the blank.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is, 'Reluctance'.
• The word 'Reluctance' means Unwillingness or disinclination to do something. (कार्य-विशेष के प्रति अनिच्‍छा या हिचक)

Hence, the correct answer is option 2.

Sentence 1: While Ben agreed to take out the trash, his reluctance to do so was obvious by how long he delayed actually doing it.

Sentence 2: I wouldn’t say that the man was a willing volunteer since his reluctance to go on stage was written all over his face.

Additional Information

• Let us explore  the other options:
• Tedious means Boring and lasting for a long time. (उबाऊ और समय की दृष्टि से लंबा)
• Lively means Full of energy, interest, excitement, etc. (चुस्‍ती, रुचि, रोमांच आदि से भरपूर; जानदार, ज़िंदादिल)
• Staggered means Very surprised. (बहुत हैरान, अचंभित)
• Procure means To obtain something, especially with care or effort. (कुछ प्राप्‍त करना विशेषतः प्रयास या कठिनाई से)

The correct answer is 'Persistent.'

Key Points

• The first sentence talks about rescheduling the picnic because of the kind of rainstorms.
• The use of the word ''rainstorms'' in the first sentence indicates the use of the word 'persistent' in the blank.
• The second sentence talks about a wife who is a kind of complainer who has a negative opinion about everything.
• The use of the word ''complainer'' in the second sentence indicates the use of the word 'persistent' in the blank.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is, 'Persistent'.
• The word 'Persistent' means Not stopping; continuous. (लंबे समय तक रहने वाला या बार-बार होने वाला; किसी काम को करते रहने के लिए कृत संकल्‍प)

Hence, the correct answer is option 3.

Sentence 1: We keep rescheduling our picnic because of the persistent rainstorms.

Sentence 2: According to Bipin, his wife is a persistent complainer who has a negative opinion about everything.

Additional Information

• Let us explore  the other options:
• Advance means To move forward. (आगे बढ़ना)
• Wary means Careful because you are uncertain or afraid of somebody or something. (किसी व्‍यक्ति या वस्‍तु के प्रति अनिश्‍चय या भय के कारण सावधान रहना)
• Inquisitive means Having or showing an interest in learning things; curious. (चीजों को सीखने में रुचि होना या दिखाना; जिज्ञासु)
• Cautious means Taking great care to avoid possible danger or problems. (सावधान, सतर्क, चौकस)

The correct answer is 'Prevail.'

Key Points

• The first sentence talks about hoping for justice so that the killer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
• The use of the word ''justice'' in the first sentence indicates the use of the word 'prevail' in the blank.
• The second sentence talks about using logical minds so that a war should not break down between two gangs.
• The use of the phrase ''logical minds'' in the second sentence indicates the use of the word 'prevail' in the blank.
• Therefore, the most appropriate word to be filled in the blank is, 'Prevail'.
• The word 'Prevail' means To win or be accepted, especially after a fight or discussion. (किसी की विजय होना या किसी को मान लिया जाना विशेषतः संघर्ष या विचार-विमर्श में)

Hence, the correct answer is option 1.

Sentence 1: Let us hope justice will prevail so the killer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Sentence 2: If logical minds do not prevail, a major war will break out between the two largest gangs in the city.

Additional Information

• Let us explore  the other options:
• Proliferation means A rapid increase in the number or amount of something. (संख्‍या में तेज़ी से बढ़ोतरी)
• Favoritism means Giving unfair advantages to the person or people that you like best. (अपने पसंदीदा व्यक्ति को अनुचित लाभ देना,पक्षपात, तरफ़दारी)
• Declined means To refuse, usually politely. (नम्रता से अस्‍वीकार करना)
• Travail means A difficult or unpleasant experience or situation that involves a lot of effort, difficulty, and suffering. (कठोर या अप्रिय अनुभव जिसमें परिश्रम, प्रयास, पीड़ा शामिल है; कष्ट, घोर श्रम)

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

Key Points

• Replace Live on with Live by.
• Live on - subsist on a particular type of food. 
• Example- He lives entirely on vegetables these days.
• Live by - to agree with and follow (something, such as a set of beliefs), to survive by (doing something)
• Example- He tried to live by his faith.
• They were ancient people who lived by hunting and gathering.
• Hence, option 1 is the correct answer.

The correct sentence is: Dogs live by their nose, so smell is very important.

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

Key Points

• Replace Isn't with Doesn't in part D.
• When the verb in the main sentence is in the present simple we form the question tag with do/does.
• We shouldn't use any name in the question tag, use pronouns in place of that.

Ex: You play the guitar, don't you?

​      Sania likes tennis, doesn't she?

• Hence, option 4 is the correct answer.

Thus the correct sentence is: Your sister lives in Spain, doesn't she?

Additional Information 

• Question tags are short questions at the end of statements.
• They are mainly used in speech when we want to: confirm that something is true or not, or to encourage a reply from the person we are speaking to.
• Question tags are formed with the auxiliary or modal verb from the statement and the appropriate subject.
• A positive statement is followed by a negative question tag.
• Jack is from Spain, isn't he?
• Mary can speak English, can't she?
• A negative statement is followed by a positive question tag.
• They aren't funny, are they?
• He shouldn't say things like that, should he?

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

Key Points

• Replace will be with has been.
• The keyword 'since' indicates the subordinate clause in the perfect continuous tense.
• The sentence structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense is Subject + HAS/HAVE + BEEN + Verb-ING. And this structure is what suits the given sentence.
• So, option 1 is the correct answer.

​

The correct sentence is: He has been in a grumpy mood since he got up

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

Key Points

• Replace among with between in part D.
• Between is typically used when referring to two things, like "between a rock and a hard place," while among is used for a greater number.
• Ex: Put your head down between your knees.
• The bees were buzzing among the flowers.
• Here, we are talking about two rocks, therefore between is the correct preposition to be used here.
• Hence, the correct answer is option 4.

The correct sentence is: The opening to the cave was only a narrow hole between two rocks.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph explores the integration of artificial intelligence into workplace writing and the ongoing debate surrounding its usage.
• Sentence F is the first sentence as it broadly introduces the core topic—AI writing tools entering workplaces:
• "AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere."
• Sentence B is fixed as the 2^nd sentence, expanding on how these models function and impact expectations:
• "Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets."
• Sentence C is the third sentence, providing a concrete real-world example of this daily reliance:
• "Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports."
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence, introducing the critical perspective against AI usage:
• "Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive."
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence, presenting the opposing view defending AI tools:
• "Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work."
• Sentence E is the sixth sentence, concluding the discussion by summarizing the broader impact of this debate:
• "This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."
• The correct sequence is F - B - C - A - D - E, making F the FIRST sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere. Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets. Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports. Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive. Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work. This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph explores the integration of artificial intelligence into workplace writing and the ongoing debate surrounding its usage.
• Sentence F is the first sentence as it introduces the broad subject of AI tools in professional settings:
• "AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere."
• Sentence B is fixed as the 2^nd sentence, elaborating on how these models operate and shift productivity demands:
• "Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets."
• Sentence C is the third sentence, highlighting the specific routine tasks workers delegate to these tools:
• "Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports."
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence, opening the critical side of the debate:
• "Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive."
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence, presenting the contrasting view held by advocates:
• "Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work."
• Sentence E is the sixth sentence, concluding with the broader philosophical question raised by this dialogue:
• "This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."
• The correct sequence is F - B - C - A - D - E, making C the THIRD sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere. Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets. Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports. Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive. Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work. This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph explores the integration of artificial intelligence into workplace writing and the ongoing debate surrounding its usage.
• Sentence F is the first sentence as it introduces the broad topic of AI writing tools in modern professional life:
• "AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere."
• Sentence B is fixed as the 2^nd sentence, explaining how these models shift expectations and productivity standards:
• "Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets."
• Sentence C is the third sentence, illustrating how employees utilize these tools for daily tasks:
• "Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports."
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence, introducing the primary criticism against using AI for writing:
• "Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive."
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence, presenting the opposing counter-argument in defense of AI:
• "Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work."
• Sentence E is the sixth sentence, concluding the discussion by reflecting on the broader debate:
• "This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."
• The correct sequence is F - B - C - A - D - E, making A the FOURTH sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere. Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets. Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports. Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive. Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work. This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph explores the integration of artificial intelligence into workplace writing and the ongoing debate surrounding its usage.
• Sentence F is the first sentence as it introduces the broad topic of AI writing tools in modern professional life:
• "AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere."
• Sentence B is fixed as the 2^nd sentence, explaining how these models shift expectations and productivity standards:
• "Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets."
• Sentence C is the third sentence, illustrating how employees utilize these tools for daily tasks:
• "Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports."
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence, introducing the primary criticism against using AI for writing:
• "Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive."
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence, presenting the opposing counter-argument in defense of AI:
• "Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work."
• Sentence E is the sixth sentence, concluding the discussion by reflecting on the broader debate:
• "This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."
• The correct sequence is F - B - C - A - D - E, making D the FIFTH sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere. Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets. Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports. Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive. Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work. This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."

The correct answer is Option 5.

 

Key Points

• The paragraph explores the integration of artificial intelligence into workplace writing and the ongoing debate surrounding its usage.
• Sentence F is the first sentence as it introduces the broad topic of AI writing tools in modern professional life:
• "AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere."
• Sentence B is fixed as the 2^nd sentence, explaining how these models shift expectations and productivity standards:
• "Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets."
• Sentence C is the third sentence, illustrating how employees utilize these tools for daily tasks:
• "Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports."
• Sentence A is the fourth sentence, introducing the primary criticism against using AI for writing:
• "Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive."
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence, presenting the opposing counter-argument in defense of AI:
• "Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work."
• Sentence E is the sixth sentence, concluding the discussion by reflecting on the broader debate:
• "This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."
• The correct sequence is F - B - C - A - D - E, making E the SIXTH (LAST) sentence.

 

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"AI writing models have entered workplace routines everywhere. Their ability to text in seconds has raised productivity targets. Today, workers regularly rely on algorithms to write emails and reports. Critics argue that AI makes human writing lazy and repetitive. Supporters counter that AI frees people from tedious drafting work. This ongoing debate forces us to rethink what real authorship means."

The correct answer is "has widened".

Key Points

• The correct phrase to replace "has widen" is "has widened."
• In the given sentence, "disparity between the standard of living" is the singular subject.
• So, the singular form of the verb should be used, Now, "has" is followed by the past participle.
• Hence, the correct phrase to be substituted is "has widened".

Therefore, the correct answer is "Option 4".

Correct Sentence: "The disparity between the standard of living of the poor and the rich has widened in the last few years."

Additional Information

• Use of "few", "a few" and "the few":
• Few: Hardly any
• a few: some but not many (it has a positive meaning)
• the few: all that is available.

The correct answer is "Option 3".

Key Points

• The correct phrase to be substituted in the above sentence is "remove him from".
• We use the base form of the verb "remove" after the preposition "to" in the above sentence instead of "removing".
• Now, the objective case of "he" i.e. "him" should be used, and lastly "remove" takes the preposition "from".
• Hence, "remove him from" is the correct phrase to be substituted.

Therefore, the correct answer is "Option 3".

Correct Sentence: "As the police officer was too personally involved, the higher authorities including some government officials decided to remove him from the case."

Additional Information

• When an action follows another action in English, it's common to use the infinitive verb form (to + base form of the verb) to indicate purpose or intention.
• Example: She agreed to help with the project.
• In this sentence, "agreed" is the main verb, and "to help" is the infinitive verb form that follows "agreed."

The correct answer is "Option 3".

Key Points

• The correct preposition to replace 'against' would be 'in'.
• Here, the preposition 'in' refers to being involved or connected with a particular subject or activity.
• Against refers to disagreeing with a plan or activity.
• Example: She spoke against the decision to close the college.
• Hence, the correct phrase which should be substituted is "in".

Therefore, the correct answer is "Option 3".

Correct Sentence: "In a bilateral meeting, Russia and India signed three Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation in various vital sectors, including energy, trade, and arms."

Additional Information Let's look at where the other prepositions are used:

• “From” is a preposition that indicates the origin, source, or starting point.
• “Upon” is a more formal or synonym for “on” or “when.”
• “Beside” is a preposition that means “next to” or “by the side of.”

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The original sentence is attempting to list the activities that the cat enjoys in its free time using the structure of parallelism.
• Parallelism means balancing two or more ideas or arguments that are equally important by presenting them in the same grammatical structure.
• In the original sentence, the phrases "lounging on the couch" and "chasing after mice" are in the -ing form (present participle), which indicates ongoing activities.
• To maintain consistency and correct the sentence, "play in the garden" should also be in the -ing form, making it "playing in the garden."

Therefore, the correct answer is playing in the garden.

 

Additional Information

• will play in the garden: This option creates a future tense, which does not fit with the other list items that describe current, ongoing activities.
• to play in the garden: This option introduces an infinitive form, breaking the parallel structure of the list which is based on present participles (-ing form).
• plays in the garden: While this option uses the present tense, it does not match the ongoing action portrayed by the other activities in the list which are described using present participles.

The correct answer is 'vexing'.

 

Key Points

• The passage explains that cosmic inflation was introduced to solve major puzzling problems or paradoxes in Big Bang cosmology (such as the horizon and flatness problems).
• The context calls for an adjective that describes difficult, problematic, or troubling paradoxes that required a breakthrough theory to resolve.
• "Vexing" means causing annoyance, frustration, or worry, which accurately describes complex scientific paradoxes.
• Other options ("trivial", "rudimentary", "transparent", "negligible") suggest things that are minor, basic, clear, or unimportant, which contradicts the major cosmological paradoxes mentioned.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: The concept of cosmic inflation was proposed to resolve several (A) vexing paradoxes in Big Bang cosmology. During this ultra-rapid expansion phase in the early universe, tiny quantum fluctuations were stretched to macro-scales, laying the seeds for cosmic structure. Without this rapid expansion, the observed uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation would be fundamentally (B) ________. Astrophysicists rely on precise telemetry from space observatories to (C) ________ theoretical models against empirical data. When observational anomalies arise, scientists are forced to (D) ________ long-standing assumptions about the early universe. This constant interplay between mathematical theory and empirical discovery continues to (E) ________ our understanding of origin events. Ultimately, confirming the exact mechanism of inflation remains one of the most (F) ________ goals in modern astrophysics.

 

Additional Information

• Trivial (नगण्य / तुच्छ): "Trivial" means of little value or importance.
• Rudimentary (मौलिक / प्राथमिक): "Rudimentary" means involving or limited to basic principles.
• Transparent (पारदर्शी / स्पष्ट): "Transparent" means easy to perceive or understand.
• Negligible (तुच्छ / नगण्य): "Negligible" means so small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.

The correct answer is 'inexplicable'.

 

Key Points

• The passage explains that cosmic inflation is required to account for the uniform temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation across vastly separated regions of space.
• The sentence states that "Without this rapid expansion," the observed uniformity would lack a logical explanation or scientific basis.
• "Inexplicable" means unable to be explained or accounted for, which fits the context of a phenomenon that cannot be explained without inflation theory.
• Other options ("coherent", "intuitive", "self-evident", "predictable") suggest clarity, logical order, or ease of understanding, which directly contradict the premise of a cosmological puzzle.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Complete Passage: The concept of cosmic inflation was proposed to resolve several (A) vexing paradoxes in Big Bang cosmology. During this ultra-rapid expansion phase in the early universe, tiny quantum fluctuations were stretched to macro-scales, laying the seeds for cosmic structure. Without this rapid expansion, the observed uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation would be fundamentally (B) inexplicable . Astrophysicists rely on precise telemetry from space observatories to (C) ________ theoretical models against empirical data. When observational anomalies arise, scientists are forced to (D) ________ long-standing assumptions about the early universe. This constant interplay between mathematical theory and empirical discovery continues to (E) ________ our understanding of origin events. Ultimately, confirming the exact mechanism of inflation remains one of the most (F) ________ goals in modern astrophysics.

 

Additional Information

• Coherent (सुसंगत / स्पष्ट): "Coherent" means logical and consistent.
• Intuitive (सहज ज्ञान युक्त): "Intuitive" means using or based on what one feels to be true without conscious reasoning.
• Self-evident (प्रत्यक्ष / स्वतः स्पष्ट): "Self-evident" means clear or obvious without needing proof or explanation.
• Predictable (पूर्वानुमेय): "Predictable" means able to be predicted or expected beforehand.

The correct answer is 'calibrate'.

 

Key Points

• The passage describes how astrophysicists use real-world measurements (empirical data) gathered by space observatories to assess and refine their theoretical models.
• The context requires a verb that means to measure, adjust, or evaluate something against a standard.
• "Calibrate" means to carefully assess, set, or adjust something by comparing it with a standard, which perfectly fits the scientific process of testing models against empirical data.
• Other options ("fabricate", "disregard", "obfuscate", "dismantle") suggest inventing falsely, ignoring, confusing, or destroying, which contradict the constructive scientific method described.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

 

Complete Passage: The concept of cosmic inflation was proposed to resolve several (A) vexing paradoxes in Big Bang cosmology. During this ultra-rapid expansion phase in the early universe, tiny quantum fluctuations were stretched to macro-scales, laying the seeds for cosmic structure. Without this rapid expansion, the observed uniformity of the cosmic microwave background radiation would be fundamentally (B) inexplicable. Astrophysicists rely on precise telemetry from space observatories to (C) calibrate theoretical models against empirical data. When observational anomalies arise, scientists are forced to (D) ________ long-standing assumptions about the early universe. This constant interplay between mathematical theory and empirical discovery continues to (E) ________ our understanding of origin events. Ultimately, confirming the exact mechanism of inflation remains one of the most (F) ________ goals in modern astrophysics.

 

Additional Information

• Fabricate (गढ़ना / निर्माण करना): "Fabricate" means to invent or concoct something, typically with deceitful intent.
• Disregard (उपेक्षा करना): "Disregard" means to pay no attention to or ignore.
• Obfuscate (अस्पष्ट करना): "Obfuscate" means to render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible.
• Dismantle (विघटित करना / नष्ट करना): "Dismantle" means to take a machine or structure to pieces.