Search Previous Year Questions

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The passage explicitly discusses the downsides of the shorter format's popularity.
• It states that "critics argue that the commercialization of ODIs has come at the expense of depth and nuance."
• The text further elaborates that in the pursuit of viewership, "substance often gives way to spectacle."
• This aligns directly with Option 3, which identifies the loss of depth due to over-commercialization.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3.

Relevant Quote: "However, critics argue that the commercialization of ODIs has come at the expense of depth and nuance. In pursuit of viewership, substance often gives way to spectacle."

Additional Information

• Option 1: While the passage mentions "dwindling attention spans," it notes that ODIs actually appeal to these viewers because they are shorter, so being "too long" is not a criticism aimed at ODIs.
• Option 2: The passage does not suggest a lack of competitiveness; rather, it highlights "aggressive batting" and "innovative bowling."
• Option 4: The passage does not mention the number or frequency of international tournaments as a point of criticism.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The passage notes that the "adrenaline-infused pace of ODIs appeals to a broader demographic, especially in an era of dwindling attention spans and time constraints."
• In contrast, Test cricket is described as a "slow-burning" format that requires "patience" and unfolds over five days, typically appealing to "purists."
• Therefore, the distinction in viewer appeal is that ODIs are designed for the modern viewer's need for faster, more compressed entertainment.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4.

Relevant Quote: "The adrenaline-infused pace of ODIs appeals to a broader demographic, especially in an era of dwindling attention spans and time constraints."

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect as the passage describes Test cricket as "slow-burning" and ODIs as the faster format.
• Option 2: The passage does not specify the age of fans, only that ODIs appeal to a "broader demographic."
• Option 3: This is incorrect; the passage states Test cricket rewards "consistency and grit" rather than just flamboyance/showmanship.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The author is critical because they point out the "declining audience" and the "increasingly entertainment-driven sports culture" that threatens the format.
• The author is hopeful because they mention that high-stakes series like the Ashes still "ignite global interest" and emphasize the importance of "preserving the sanctity of Test cricket."
• The tone is serious and analytical, reflecting on the "delicate balance" needed for the sport's future rather than being indifferent or mocking.

Therefore, the correct answer is 2.

Relevant Quote: "...the challenge lies in preserving the sanctity of Test cricket without undermining the accessibility of ODIs—a delicate balance that cricketing authorities must negotiate in the years ahead."

Additional Information

• Option 1: The author shows deep concern for the future of the sport, making "indifferent" an incorrect descriptor.
• Option 3: The author refers to Test cricket as the "pinnacle" and an "art form," which is the opposite of being "mocking or dismissive."
• Option 4: The vocabulary used (e.g., "tactical acumen," "commercial viability," "sanctity") indicates a formal and academic tone rather than a "casual and informal" one.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The passage highlights the tension between the "sanctity of Test cricket" (tradition) and the "commercial viability" of ODIs (commercial interests).
• It describes Test cricket as an "art form" rooted in "endurance and strategy," while ODIs are seen as a "lucrative spectacle" driven by "viewership" and "advertisers."
• The final sentence identifies the core challenge as a "delicate balance" between preserving traditional depth and maintaining modern accessibility.
• Therefore, Option 3 accurately captures the overarching theme of the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3.

Relevant Quote: "The challenge lies in preserving the sanctity of Test cricket without undermining the accessibility of ODIs—a delicate balance that cricketing authorities must negotiate in the years ahead."

Additional Information

• Option 1: The passage discusses "classical skills" and "aggressive batting" but does not suggest there is a shortage of talented players.
• Option 2: While the formats have different timeframes (5 days vs. 1 day), the passage focus is on philosophical and commercial differences, not the logistics of scheduling.
• Option 4: The passage mentions these as "among its many formats," implying others exist, and it never suggests reducing the sport to only two formats.

The correct answer is 'discussing the issue with him'.

Key Points

• The verb "discussing" is correctly used without the preposition "about" when referring to the topic of discussion.
• Using "about" after "discussing" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are either awkward or grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Complete Sentence:"I was discussing the issue with him."

Additional Information

• Option 1: "discussed regarding the issue" is incorrect as "regarding" is unnecessary and unnatural here.
• Option 2: "had discussion on issue" is incorrect because it lacks proper article usage ("the issue") and does not fit the tense of the sentence.
• Option 4: "had been discussing about issue" is incorrect because "about" is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

The correct answer is 'from doing such things'.

Key Points

• The verb "prevent" is always followed by "from" and a gerund (verb + -ing).
• The phrase "prevent your brother to do" is grammatically incorrect because "prevent" does not take an infinitive form ("to do").
• Option 1: "from doing such things" is correct because it maintains proper grammatical structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Complete Sentence: "You must prevent your brother from doing such things."

Additional Information

• Option 2: "of doing such things" is incorrect because "prevent" does not pair with "of."
• Option 3: "not to do such things" is incorrect because it changes the intended meaning and is not grammatically correct.
• Option 4: "doing such things" is incomplete and does not fit grammatically after "prevent your brother."

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: She told me to open the window.
• Key Conversions:
• "Open the window" becomes "to open the window"
• The imperative sentence in direct speech is converted into an infinitive in indirect speech.
• The reporting verb "said to" is changed to "told" to indicate a command or instruction.
• Pronoun Change:
• The pronoun "me" remains unchanged as it is correctly used as the object in indirect speech.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
• In indirect speech, the quotation marks are removed, and the sentence is restructured.
• The word "to" is added before the verb to reflect the command in indirect speech.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Correct Sentence: She told me to open the window.

Additional Information

• Option 1: "She told me open the window."
• This option is grammatically incorrect as the infinitive "to" is missing before the verb "open".
• Option 3: "She told me opening the window."
• This option is incorrect as the verb form "opening" is not appropriate for indirect speech.
• Option 4: "She said me to open the window."
• This option is incorrect as the reporting verb "said" is not followed by the object "me" in this context.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: She said that they had already left before she arrived.
• Key Conversions:
• "they had already left" remains "They had already left"
• The past perfect tense "had already left" remains unchanged while converting to direct speech.
• "before she arrived" becomes "before I arrived"
• Pronoun "she" is changed to "I" to reflect direct speech.
• Reporting verb:
• Indirect: "She said that"
• Converted to: "she said," maintaining the reporting clause.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
• Starts with a capital letter "They" and ends with a period ".".
• Reporting clause follows the quoted speech, starting with a lowercase letter after the comma.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

Correct Sentence: "They had already left before I arrived," she said.

Additional Information

• Option 1: "They have already left before I arrived," she said.
• Incorrect tense: "have already left" is present perfect, which doesn't match the past perfect tense in the indirect speech.
• Option 2: "They already left before I arrived," she said.
• Incorrect tense: "already left" is simple past, which doesn't match the past perfect tense in the indirect speech.
• Option 4: "They left before I had arrived," she said.
• Incorrect word order and tense: "left" is simple past and "had arrived" is past perfect, which doesn't align with the original indirect speech.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes the process of photosynthesis, fundamental to life on Earth.
• Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the entities that perform photosynthesis:
• "Plants, algae, and some bacteria possess a unique ability to convert light energy into chemical energy."
• Sentence 1 follows as it highlights the importance of photosynthesis:
• "This process, known as photosynthesis, is fundamental to life on Earth as it forms the base of most food webs."
• Sentence 4 is the third sentence because it explains the starting point of the process:
• "It begins with the absorption of photons by chlorophyll pigments within the plant cells."
• Sentence 3 is the fourth as it describes the chemical reaction that occurs during photosynthesis:
• "The captured light energy is then used to synthesize glucose molecules from water and carbon dioxide."
• The correct sequence is 2, 1, 4, 3.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Plants, algae, and some bacteria possess a unique ability to convert light energy into chemical energy. This process, known as photosynthesis, is fundamental to life on Earth as it forms the base of most food webs. It begins with the absorption of photons by chlorophyll pigments within the plant cells. The captured light energy is then used to synthesize glucose molecules from water and carbon dioxide."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph is structured to explain the process of pollination in a logical sequence:
• Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the concept of pollination:
• "Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part."
• Sentence 3 follows as it explains how pollination occurs:
• "The transfer can be carried out by various agents, including insects, birds, and wind."
• Sentence 4 is the third sentence as it highlights the result of successful pollination:
• "Successful pollination leads to fertilization and the subsequent production of seeds and fruits."
• Sentence 1 is the final sentence as it emphasizes the importance of pollination in the plant lifecycle:
• "This process, a crucial part of the plant's life cycle, is vital for the continued existence of many plant species."
• The correct sequence is 2, 3, 4, 1.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part. The transfer can be carried out by various agents, including insects, birds, and wind. Successful pollination leads to fertilization and the subsequent production of seeds and fruits. This process, a crucial part of the plant's life cycle, is vital for the continued existence of many plant species."