Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The passage discusses the origins and meaning of the term "Sufism."
• Sentence Q comes first in the sequence because it introduces the derivation of the term "Sufism" from "suf" (wool).
• Sentence R follows as it provides another possible derivation, "safa" (purity).
• Sentence S comes next as it clarifies the actual term used for Sufism in Islamic texts, "tasawwuf."
• Sentence P concludes the sequence, summarizing historians’ understanding of the term in different ways.
• The correct sequence is QRSP.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"According to some scholars, it is derived from suf, meaning wool. Others derive it from safa, meaning purity. The word used for Sufism in Islamic texts is tasawwuf. Historians have understood this term in several ways."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The passage begins with a historical context about Al-Biruni's birthplace and his early education, followed by his linguistic skills, association with Greek philosophers, and eventual journey to Ghazni.
• Sentence R is the first in the sequence as it discusses the educational background of Al-Biruni:
• "Khwarizm was an important centre of learning, and Al-Biruni received the best education available at the time."
• Sentence Q follows as it elaborates on Al-Biruni's linguistic proficiency:
• "He was well versed in several languages; Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit."
• Sentence S is the third because it mentions his familiarity with Greek philosophers despite not knowing the Greek language:
• "However he did not know Greek, although he was familiar with the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers."
• Sentence P is the fourth as it describes the turning point in his life when he was taken to Ghazni by Sultan Mahmud:
• "In 1017, when Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm, he took several scholars back to his capital, Ghazni: Al-Biruni was one among them."
• The correct sequence is QSRP.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Khwarizm was an important centre of learning, and Al-Biruni received the best education available at the time. He was well versed in several languages; Syriac, Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, and Sanskrit. However he did not know Greek, although he was familiar with the works of Plato and other Greek philosophers. In 1017, when Sultan Mahmud invaded Khwarizm, he took several scholars back to his capital, Ghazni: Al-Biruni was one among them."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The correct sequence of the middle sentences is SPRQ.
• Explanation of the sequence:
• Sentence S introduces the founding of the empire in the fourteenth century, providing the historical starting point.
• Sentence P elaborates on the empire's geographical expanse during its peak, building upon its establishment.
• Sentence R describes the eventual decline of Vijayanagara due to the sacking and desertion of the city in 1565.
• Sentence Q concludes with the memory of the empire's existence, tying it to the local people's recollection of Hampi.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Vijayanagara or ‘city of victory’ was the name of both a city and an empire. The Empire was founded in the fourteenth century. In its heyday it stretched from the river Krishna in the north to the extreme south of the Indian peninsula. In 1565 the city was sacked and subsequently deserted. Although it fell into ruin in the seventeenth-eighteenth centuries, it continued to live in the memories of the people who inhabited the Krishna-Tungabhadra doab. They remembered it as Hampi, a name derived from that of the local mother goddess, Pampadevi."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph discusses the transformation of India's economy post-liberalisation and globalisation.
• Sentence P is the first in the sequence as it highlights the initial state of India's economy and the balance of payment crisis:
• "India’s 3% rate of growth and a set of emergent circumstances led to a balance of payment crisis in the early 1990s."
• Sentence S follows P, as it introduces the measures taken in response to the crisis:
• "In a landmark budget in 1991, responding to the emergent crisis, India delicenced many industries and liberalised its economic policies."
• Sentence Q comes next, detailing the specific steps taken to ease business and remove restrictions:
• "Ease of business was ensured, and the requirement for import licences, and production quotas, were removed."
• Sentence R is the last in the sequence, elaborating on how India overcame the crisis and stopped relying on IMF loans post-1993:
• "Apart from these measures India also took a loan from the IMF to tide over the crisis, but after 1993, India has not taken another loan from the IMF."
• The correct sequence is QSRP.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"India’s 3% rate of growth and a set of emergent circumstances led to a balance of payment crisis in the early 1990s. In a landmark budget in 1991, responding to the emergent crisis, India delicenced many industries and liberalised its economic policies. Ease of business was ensured, and the requirement for import licences, and production quotas, were removed. Apart from these measures India also took a loan from the IMF to tide over the crisis, but after 1993, India has not taken another loan from the IMF."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by introducing the underprivileged population and exploitation they face.
• Sentence Q is the first of the jumbled sentences as it highlights one form of exploitation:
• "One such form of exploitation in our country has been begar or forced labour without payment."
• Sentence S follows as it elaborates on a related form of exploitation:
• "Another closely related form of exploitation is buying and selling of human beings and using them as slaves."
• Sentence R comes next, as it emphasizes the exploitation the marginalised face:
• "The marginalised are often subjected to exploitation by their fellow human beings."
• Sentence P concludes the sequence as it references the Constitution's stance on such exploitation:
• "Both of these are prohibited under the Constitution of India."
• The correct sequence is QSRP.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"In many countries, there are millions of people who are underprivileged and deprived. One such form of exploitation in our country has been begar or forced labour without payment. Another closely related form of exploitation is buying and selling of human beings and using them as slaves. The marginalised are often subjected to exploitation by their fellow human beings. Both of these are prohibited under the Constitution of India. In the past forced labour was imposed by landlords, moneylenders, and other wealthy persons."

The correct answer is 'in any case'.

Key Points

• The discourse marker "in any case" is used to indicate that the speaker is making a statement regardless of any other factors or conditions.
• In this context, the speaker implies that the person would not listen to them regardless of whether they tell them what they think or not.
• Other options like "meanwhile" and "in the meantime" are not suitable here as they are used to indicate simultaneous actions or events, which is not applicable in this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Complete Sentence: "I can’t be bothered to tell him what I think; in any case he would not listen to me."

Additional Information

• Option 1: "meanwhile" is incorrect because it refers to events occurring simultaneously.
• Option 3: "in the meantime" is incorrect as it indicates a temporary period between two events.
• Option 4: "somehow" is incorrect as it refers to achieving something in an unspecified way, which is irrelevant here.

The correct answer is 'On the contrary'.

Key Points

• The phrase "On the contrary" is used to introduce a contrasting idea or to refute a previous statement.
• The context of the sentence requires a discourse marker that indicates a contrary or opposite idea, which aligns with the meaning of "On the contrary".
• Options 2, 3, and 4 do not convey the required contrast or relevance in this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "On the contrary, if the referee points his fingers, this indicates that someone has done something wrong."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "Whatever more" is irrelevant and does not fit the context.
• Option 3: "Briefly" suggests summarization, which is not suitable here.
• Option 4: "As regards" is used to introduce a topic, but it does not fit the meaning of the sentence.

The correct answer is 'Incidentally'.

Key Points

• The discourse marker "Incidentally" is used to introduce a new topic or to connect ideas in a casual or related manner.
• In this sentence, "Incidentally" is appropriate because it introduces a query about whether the person has been to the local library, which might not be directly related to the ongoing conversation.
• Options 1, 2, and 3 do not fit the context or provide the correct discourse marker for this sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Complete Sentence: "Incidentally, have you been to the local library yet?"

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Sort of" is incorrect because it does not serve as a proper discourse marker in this context.
• Option 2: "Frankly" is incorrect; it is used to express an honest opinion, which does not fit the sentence.
• Option 3: "All the same" is incorrect as it implies contrast or concession, which is not required here.

The correct answer is 'To a large extent'.

Key Points

• The discourse marker "To a large extent" is the most appropriate choice in this context as it conveys the idea of the statement being largely true.
• The sentence highlights that women are healthier and living longer than ever before, and "To a large extent" appropriately introduces this generalization.
• Options 2, 3, and 4 are not suitable as they fail to match the required tone and context of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "To a large extent women are healthier and are living longer than ever before: indeed on an average, they can expect to live five years longer than men."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "As regards" is incorrect because it does not fit the sentence structure or meaning appropriately.
• Option 3: "As far as" is incorrect as it does not suitably introduce the generalization in this context.
• Option 4: "Turning now" is incorrect because it indicates a shift to a new topic, which is not the case in this sentence.

The correct answer is 'what is more'.

Key Points

• The phrase "what is more" is used to add an additional point or emphasize something in a sentence, making it the most appropriate discourse marker in this context.
• The sentence highlights two aspects: finding a career the speaker loves and getting paid reasonably for it. "What is more" effectively connects these ideas.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect as they do not fit the context or purpose of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Complete Sentence: "The difference is that I have been fortunate to find a career that I love and, what is more, I am getting paid reasonably for it."

Additional Information

• Option 1: "briefly" is incorrect because it implies summarizing, which does not fit the sentence.
• Option 2: "broadly speaking" is incorrect as it refers to generalizations, which is not the intent here.
• Option 4: "in conclusion" is incorrect as it is used to summarize a discussion, not to emphasize or add a point.