English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Passive voice structure: The object of the active voice sentence becomes the subject of the passive voice sentence.
• In the active voice, the sentence is: "Have the engineers resolved the calibration issue yet?"
• To convert to passive voice: Place the object "the calibration issue" at the beginning.
• Change the active verb form "have resolved" to "has been resolved" (present perfect passive).
• Add the preposition "by" followed by the original subject "the engineers."
• Ensure the word "yet" remains at the end of the sentence for clarity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "Has the calibration issue been resolved by the engineers yet?"

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Has the calibration issue had been resolved by the engineers yet?" – Incorrect use of "had" (incorrect tense).
• Option 3: "Has the calibration issue be resolved by the engineers yet?" – Incorrect verb form "be" (missing "been").
• Option 4: "Has the calibration issue resolved by the engineers yet?" – Missing auxiliary verb "been."

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The error lies in the subject-verb agreement of the sentence.
• The subject of the sentence is "All that is needed for the bill to pass," which is singular.
• The verb "are" in part 2 should instead be "is" to match the singular subject.
• Thus, the error is located in part 2 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "All that is needed for the bill to pass is a simple majority and a signature from the presiding officer to certify the vote."

 

Additional Information

• 1: "All that is needed for the bill to pass" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
• 3: "and a signature from the presiding officer" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
• 4: "to certify the vote." – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The word "current" in the sentence means something belonging to the present time or happening now. (वर्तमान / मौजूदा)
• Example: She is aware of the current situation in the country.
• The word "current" in Option 1 refers to the flow of water in a river or sea. (जलधारा / पानी का बहाव)
• Example: The swimmer struggled against the strong current of the river.
• Both words have the same spelling and pronunciation but different meanings, which makes them homonyms.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: Current refers to something happening now or at the present time. (वर्तमान)
• Example: The report focuses on current economic challenges.
• Option 3: Current refers to the present or modern trend. (वर्तमान / प्रचलित)
• Example: She keeps up with current fashion trends.
• Option 4: Current refers to recent or present events. (वर्तमान घटनाएँ)
• Example: Students should stay informed about current affairs.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• Passive voice structure: The subject of the passive voice sentence becomes the object of the active voice sentence.
• In the given sentence, the passive voice structure is: "The injured man was taken to the hospital by some villagers."
• To convert this to active voice, the original doer of the action, "some villagers," should become the subject of the sentence.
• The verb "was taken" (past tense, passive) changes to "took" (past tense, active).
• The object, "the injured man," remains as it is in the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: "Some villagers took the injured man to the hospital."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Some villagers take the injured man to the hospital." – Incorrect tense (present instead of past).
• Option 2: "Some villagers were taking the injured man to the hospital." – Incorrect tense (past continuous instead of past simple).
• Option 3: "Some villagers had taken the injured man to the hospital." – Incorrect tense (past perfect instead of past simple).

The correct answer is Option 3: Analytical.

 

Key Points

• The tone of the author is best captured as Analytical, as the passage involves a detailed examination of the options provided.
• Option 1 (Dogmatic) implies a rigid or authoritative tone, which is not evident in the passage.
• Option 2 (Reverent) suggests a tone of deep respect, which does not align with the analytical evaluation of the options.
• Option 4 (Indifferent) reflects a lack of interest or concern, which is not consistent with the passage's tone.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

• An analytical tone is characterized by an objective and detailed examination of information or arguments.
• In this context, the author evaluates the options provided to determine the correct tone for the passage.
• This careful and reasoned approach aligns with the definition of an analytical tone.

The correct answer is Option 3: "Smartness devoid of rigor often culminates in superficiality..."

 

Key Points

• The sentence "Smartness devoid of rigor often culminates in superficiality..." highlights the limitation of relying solely on smart work.
• It emphasizes that while smart work is beneficial, it needs to be complemented by rigor and thoroughness to avoid superficial outcomes.
• This contrasts with other sentences that focus on different aspects of work without directly addressing this limitation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Interpretation: "Smart work alone, without an adequate amount of effort or depth, often leads to results that lack substance or meaningful impact."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Focuses on the historical valorization of hard work, which is a separate concept.
• Option 2: Describes transcending repetitive efforts without directly addressing the limitation of smart work.
• Option 4: Discusses the attributes of a sagacious worker but does not pinpoint the drawback of smart work alone.

The correct answer is Option 1: They must harmonize to achieve sustainable results.​

 

Key Points

• From a philosophical standpoint, hard work and smart work are not inherently opposed to one another but should function in harmony to yield sustainable and effective results.
• The argument emphasizes the balance between the two approaches rather than favoring one over the other.
• While hard work provides consistency and effort, smart work enhances efficiency by leveraging tools, strategies, and innovation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Additional Information

• Hard Work: Refers to putting in consistent effort and dedication over time to achieve goals.
• Smart Work: Involves using innovative techniques, tools, and strategies to achieve goals more efficiently.
• Neither approach is superior on its own; combining both leads to sustainable success.

The correct answer is Option 2: Eliminate randomness and inefficiency in effort.

 

Key Points

• The phrase "minimize entropy in labor" implies reducing randomness and inefficiency in effort.
• Entropy, in this context, refers to disorganization or disorder in work processes.
• Smart work involves creating streamlined, efficient workflows to achieve maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "Reduce physical strain through technology" – While technology can reduce physical strain, it doesn't directly address inefficiency in effort.
• Option 3: "Avoid structured systems of work" – This is the opposite of minimizing entropy, as structured systems reduce disorder.
• Option 4: "Increase workload to achieve results faster" – Increasing workload doesn't necessarily minimize inefficiency and randomness.

The correct answer is Option 1: Treadmill.

 

Key Points

• The metaphor "Treadmill" is often used to describe unidirectional exertion, symbolizing repetitive motion with no change in direction or outcome.
• It conveys the idea of continuous effort without significant progress or variation.
• Other options like "Algorithmic precision" or "Social capital" do not align with the concept of unidirectional exertion.
• Thus, the correct metaphor is "Treadmill," making Option 1 the right choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Explanation: The term "Treadmill" captures the essence of unidirectional effort, indicating a scenario where energy is expended continuously but in a fixed, singular direction without deviation or completion of a journey.

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: Algorithmic precision – This refers to accuracy and systematic execution, not unidirectional exertion.
• Option 3: Crucible of challenges – This refers to a severe test or trial, which is unrelated to the concept of unidirectional exertion.
• Option 4: Social capital – This relates to the networks and relationships that enable society to function effectively, not unidirectional exertion.
• Treadmill aptly describes the repetitive and unidirectional nature of exertion, which is why it is the correct answer.

The correct answer is 'is good at'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase "is good at" is used to indicate skill or proficiency in a particular subject or activity.
• The verb "in" is incorrect in this context, as it does not properly describe proficiency.
• Options 1, 3, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: "He is good at mathematics."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "is better in" is incorrect because "better" suggests a comparison that is not implied in the sentence.
• Option 3: "is good for" is incorrect because "good for" suggests benefit or suitability, not skill.
• Option 4: "is best at" is incorrect because "best" implies a superlative comparison, which is not stated in the sentence.

The correct answer is 'should come with us'.

 

Key Points

• The verb phrase "should come" is used to express an insistence or suggestion in reported speech.
• The original sentence uses "comes," which is grammatically incorrect in this context.
• Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect because they do not convey the appropriate meaning of insistence in the given situation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: "She insisted that she should come with us."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "came with us" is incorrect because the past tense "came" does not reflect the insistence correctly in reported speech.
• Option 3: "is coming with us" is incorrect because it implies a present action, which does not align with the context of insistence.
• Option 4: "has to come with us" is incorrect because "has to" implies a necessity rather than insistence.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: He speculated that, had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative.
• Key Conversions:
• "had stochastic volatility been incorporated" becomes "Had stochastic volatility been incorporated"
• The subjunctive mood is retained in direct speech.
• "the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative" remains "the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative"
• The tense and structure are unchanged as the statement is speculative and hypothetical.
• Reporting verb:
• Indirect: "He speculated that"
• Converted to: "He speculated," maintaining the hypothetical tone.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
• The sentence starts with a capital letter "Had" and ends with a period ".".
• Reporting clause precedes the quoted speech, ending with a comma.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "He speculated, ‘Had stochastic volatility been incorporated, the valuation would perhaps have been more conservative.’"

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "He speculated, ‘If stochastic volatility is incorporated, valuation will perhaps be conservative.’"
• Incorrect tense: changes the hypothetical past condition to a present/future condition.
• Option 3: "He speculated, ‘If volatility had been incorporated, valuation perhaps more conservative.’"
• Grammatical error: missing auxiliary verb “would have been” in the second clause.
• Option 4: "He said, ‘Stochastic volatility incorporation would make valuation conservative.’"
• Incorrect meaning: removes the speculative and hypothetical tone of the original sentence.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: They said they were going on a trip.
• Key Conversions:
• Direct Speech: "We are going on a trip."
• Indirect Speech: "They said they were going on a trip."
• Changes:
• The pronoun "We" changes to "They" to match the subject of the reporting speech.
• The verb "are" (present tense) changes to "were" (past tense) to align with the rules of reported speech.
• The reporting verb "said" remains unchanged as it simply introduces the indirect speech.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Quotation marks are removed in indirect speech.
• The sentence structure is adjusted to integrate the reported clause seamlessly.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "They said they were going on a trip."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "They said they are going on a trip."
• Incorrect because the verb "are" does not change to "were," which is required for past reporting.
• Option 3: "They said they went on a trip."
• Incorrect because "went" (past tense) changes the meaning to indicate the trip has already been completed, which is not implied in the original direct speech.
• Option 4: "They said they had going on a trip."
• Incorrect because "had going" is grammatically incorrect and does not follow the rules of indirect speech.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The paragraph discusses the disruptions caused by anthropogenic climate change and builds coherence by connecting the effects systematically.
• Sentence 1 is the first sentence as it introduces the central theme of climate change and its anthropogenic causes:
• "Anthropogenic climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases, is causing a wide range of disruptions to global ecosystems."
• Sentence 3 follows as it elaborates on the immediate consequences of climate change, focusing on extreme weather events:
• "This has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves."
• Sentence 2 comes next as it highlights specific phenomena like glacial retreat and rising sea levels:
• "Glacial retreat and the melting of polar ice caps have accelerated, contributing to a rise in global sea levels."
• Sentence 4 concludes the paragraph as it sums up the collective impact of these changes, emphasizing the threat to human societies and biodiversity:
• "The collective impact of these changes poses a serious threat to human societies and biodiversity."
• The correct sequence is 1, 3, 2, 4.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Anthropogenic climate change, driven by the emission of greenhouse gases, is causing a wide range of disruptions to global ecosystems. This has led to more frequent and intense extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and heatwaves. Glacial retreat and the melting of polar ice caps have accelerated, contributing to a rise in global sea levels. The collective impact of these changes poses a serious threat to human societies and biodiversity."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph explains the scientific process in a logical order, starting from the hypothesis to experimentation and analysis.
• Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the beginning of scientific experimentation:
• "Scientific experimentation begins with the formulation of a testable hypothesis based on an observation or question."
• Sentence 4 follows because it details the next step of designing and conducting a controlled experiment:
• "Next, a controlled experiment is designed and carried out to collect empirical evidence."
• Sentence 3 is the third sentence as it discusses the analysis of the data collected during the experiment:
• "The data collected from these experiments is then analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis."
• Sentence 1 is the final sentence as it emphasizes the importance of the process for ensuring the integrity and reproducibility of the results:
• "This process is crucial because it ensures the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results."
• The correct sequence is 2, 4, 3, 1.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Scientific experimentation begins with the formulation of a testable hypothesis based on an observation or question. Next, a controlled experiment is designed and carried out to collect empirical evidence. The data collected from these experiments is then analyzed and interpreted to draw conclusions about the hypothesis. This process is crucial because it ensures the integrity and reproducibility of experimental results."

The correct answer is: Option 4 i.e. Radiant.

Key Points

• The word "Luminous" refers to something that emits or reflects light; it is bright or shining, especially in the dark. (प्रकाशमान, चमकीला)
• Example: The luminous stars lit up the night sky beautifully.
• "Radiant" means emitting rays of light or shining brightly, which makes it synonymous with "luminous." (दीप्तिमान, चमकदार)
• Example: Her radiant smile lit up the entire room.
• Hence, the most appropriate synonym for 'Luminous' is 'Radiant.'

Therefore, the correct answer is: Radiant.

Additional Information

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

• Dull (मंद, फीका): Lacking brightness or vividness; not shiny.
• Example: The dull surface of the old mirror reflected very little light.
• Dim (धुंधला): Not bright or clear; lacking in light.
• Example: The room appeared dim as the lamp’s light was very weak.
• Opaque (अस्पष्ट, अपारदर्शी): Not transparent or translucent; not allowing light to pass through.
• Example: The opaque glass window blocked the sunlight completely.

The correct answer is: Scanty.

Key Points

• The word "Exiguous" means something that is very small in size or quantity, or insufficient. (अत्यल्प)
• Example: The company’s exiguous profits barely covered their operating expenses.
• "Scanty" refers to something that is insufficient or meager in amount or size. (अल्प)
• Example: The scanty rainfall this year has led to drought conditions in the region.
• Hence, the synonym for "Exiguous" is "Scanty".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Scanty.

Additional Information

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

• Huge (विशाल): Very large in size, extent, or amount.
• Example: The statue was so huge that it could be seen from miles away.
• Excessive (अत्यधिक): More than what is necessary, normal, or desirable.
• Example: The excessive use of fertilizers can harm the soil quality.
• Abundant (प्रचुर): Existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
• Example: The forest is abundant with wildlife and natural beauty.

The correct answer is: Option 3 i.e. Uphold.

Key Points

• The word "Abrogate" means to repeal or do away with a law, right, or formal agreement. (रद्द करना)
• Example: The government decided to abrogate the outdated law that hindered economic growth.
• "Uphold" refers to maintaining or supporting something, particularly laws or principles, without letting them be repealed or discarded. (संरक्षित करना)
• Example: The court upheld the decision to protect the environment from industrial pollution.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'Abrogate' is 'Uphold'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 3.

Additional Information

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

• Abolish (समाप्त करना): To formally put an end to a system, practice, or institution.
• Example: The government abolished the old tax regime to simplify the process for taxpayers.
• Revoke (रद्द करना): To officially cancel or withdraw something, such as a law, order, or privilege.
• Example: His driving license was revoked after the court found him guilty of reckless driving.
• Annul (निरस्त करना): To declare something invalid, such as a law or agreement, often legally.
• Example: The marriage was annulled due to legal discrepancies in the documentation.

The correct answer is: Option 3 (Pondering deeply).

Key Points

• The idiom "To chew the cud of reflection" means to think deeply or meditate over something. It originates from the behavior of cows chewing cud, which metaphorically represents careful and prolonged consideration. (किसी चीज़ पर गहराई से सोचना)
• Example: After hearing the news, she sat by the window and chewed the cud of reflection, wondering what to do next.
• To "ponder deeply" refers to careful thought or contemplation, often before making a decision or forming an opinion. (गहराई से विचार करना)
• Example: He pondered deeply about the consequences of his actions before making a final decision.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 3 (Pondering deeply).

Additional Information

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

• Option 1: Eating slowly (धीरे-धीरे खाना): This simply refers to consuming food at a slow pace.
• Example: She enjoys eating slowly to savor every bite of her meal.
• Option 2: Daydreaming without focus (ध्यान केंद्रित किए बिना कल्पना करना): This refers to indulging in aimless thoughts or fantasies.
• Example: He spent the afternoon daydreaming without focus, staring out of the window.
• Option 4: Mentally preparing for battle (युद्ध के लिए मानसिक रूप से तैयारी करना): This indicates getting ready for a challenging situation, often involving mental preparation.
• Example: Before the debate, she spent hours mentally preparing for battle against her opponent.

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

The correct spelling of the word meaning 'witty, clever, and verbally skillful' is ‘Persiflage’.

• Meaning of Persiflage - light and slightly contemptuous mockery or banter. (हास्यपूर्ण व्यंग्य)
• For Example - The friendly persiflage between the talk show hosts kept the audience entertained.

Therefore, the correct answer is ‘Persiflage’.

Additional Information

Let’s understand the incorrect options:

• Persiphledge - This is a misspelled version of the word and does not hold any meaning in English.
• Pursiflage - This is also an incorrect spelling of the word.
• Persiflagee - This is an incorrect spelling with an unnecessary additional 'e' at the end.