English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'Option(1)' i.e. 'Expostulation'.

Key Points

• The word "Expostulation" means the act of expressing earnest disapproval or reasoning with someone gently. (हल्की आपत्ति या समझाने का प्रयास)
• Example: Her expostulation with the child was calm and meant to correct his behavior.
• "Expostulation" is the correct spelling that conveys the meaning of mild disapproval or protest. (नरम विरोध)
• Example: He listened patiently to her expostulation about his careless actions.
• The other options contain spelling errors and are not valid English words.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Expossulation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; not a valid English word.
• Expostelation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; no meaning in English.
• Expostullation (गलत वर्तनी): Incorrect spelling; not recognized in English vocabulary.

The correct answer is 'Option(4)' i.e. 'Pedant'.

Key Points

• The word "Pedant" refers to a person who is overly concerned with minor details, rules, or formalities, especially in teaching. (शब्दाडंबरप्रिय / सूक्ष्म बातों पर अत्यधिक ध्यान देने वाला)
• Example: The teacher was considered a pedant because he corrected every tiny mistake in punctuation.
• "Pedant" correctly describes someone who focuses excessively on trivial details. (छोटी-छोटी बातों में उलझने वाला)
• Example: He sounded like a pedant when he insisted on perfect grammar in casual conversations.
• The term often carries a negative connotation, suggesting unnecessary emphasis on minor points.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Critic (आलोचक): A person who evaluates and judges the merits of something.
• Grammarian (व्याकरणविद्): A person who studies or writes about grammar.
• Scholar (विद्वान): A learned person with deep knowledge in a subject.

The correct answer is 'Option(1)' i.e. 'Abscond'.

Key Points

• The word "Abscond" means to leave hurriedly and secretly, especially to avoid arrest or legal action. (फरार होना)
• Example: The accused tried to abscond after committing the crime.
• "Abscond" correctly describes leaving suddenly and in haste. (जल्दी से भाग जाना)
• Example: He absconded from the office without informing anyone.
• The term is generally used in legal or criminal contexts.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Perambulate (टहलना): To walk through or around a place.
• Circumambulate (परिक्रमा करना): To walk all the way around something, especially in a ritual manner.
• Loiter (आवारा घूमना): To stand or wait around without purpose.

The correct answer is '2' i.e. would have received.

Key Points

• The given sentence is an example of the third conditional, which is used to describe unreal situations in the past.
• “Had they submitted” is the inverted form of “If they had submitted,” showing a past perfect structure.
• The structure of the third conditional is Had + subject + past participle, would have + past participle.
• Therefore, the correct verb form to complete the sentence is Option 2.

Correct sentence: Had they submitted the proposal earlier, they would have received the funding.

Additional Information

• 1^st Conditional Sentence:
• Structure: If + Present Simple, will + base verb.
• Example: If they submit the proposal now, they will receive the funding.
• Usage: Describes real or possible future situations.
• 2^nd Conditional Sentence:
• Structure: If + Past Simple, would + base verb.
• Example: If they submitted the proposal earlier, they would get the funding.
• Usage: Refers to hypothetical present or future situations.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The subject of the sentence is “The CEO”, which is singular.
• The phrase “along with his deputies” is a parenthetical phrase and does not change the number of the subject.
• The verb “were” is plural and does not agree with the singular subject.
• The correct verb should be “was” to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Correct sentence: The CEO along with his deputies was present during the final negotiations with the investors and regulators.

Additional Information

• Expressions like along with, together with, as well as do not affect subject-verb agreement.
• The verb always agrees with the main subject, not with the accompanying phrase.
• Example: The manager along with his team is attending the meeting.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the simple past tense (“damaged”).
• In passive voice, the structure for simple past is Object + was/were + past participle + by + subject.
• The object “many houses” becomes the subject in the passive voice.
• Since “houses” is plural, we use “were damaged”.

Correct sentence: Many houses were damaged by the storm.

Additional Information

• Option 1: “are damaged” – Incorrect tense (simple present).
• Option 2: “had been damaged” – Past perfect tense, not matching the original sentence.
• Option 4: “have been damaged” – Present perfect tense, not suitable here.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The error lies in Part 2 of the sentence.
• In a passive construction involving two distinct subjects ('allegations' and 'procedural lapses'), the auxiliary verb must be repeated for the second subject to ensure grammatical completeness.
• Furthermore, the main clause uses "might have had" (modal + have + past participle), which indicates a third conditional context (unreal past).
• In the third conditional, the 'if' clause must use the past perfect tense (had + past participle). Therefore, Part 2 is incomplete as it lacks the auxiliary verb "had been" to accompany the subject 'procedural lapses'.

Correct sentence: If the allegations had been substantiated and procedural lapses had been proven, the committee might have had enough reason to initiate an internal probe which never occurred.

Additional Information

• Third Conditional: If + past perfect, would/might/could have + past participle. This describes a hypothetical situation in the past and its result.
• When subjects are different in a compound passive sentence, the auxiliary verb cannot be omitted for the second subject if the meaning or tense requires its specific inclusion for clarity.

The correct answer is Option 1 i.e. The welder fitted a steel mitre joint at a 45° angle.

Key Points

• The word "mitre" in the given sentence refers to a ceremonial headdress worn by bishops. (बिशप की टोपी)
• Example: The bishop placed the mitre on his head before the religious ceremony began.
• The homonym "mitre" also refers to a type of joint made by cutting two pieces at an angle, usually 45°, so they fit together neatly. (कोणीय जोड़)
• Example: The carpenter carefully crafted a mitre joint to join the wooden frames perfectly.
• Both words are spelled the same but have different meanings, which makes them homonyms.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

Additional Information

• Option 2: The cardinal's mitre was trimmed in crimson. (बिशप की टोपी) – This refers to the same religious headdress, not a different meaning.
• Option 3: The procession displayed an ancient mitre in a glass case. (बिशप की टोपी) – Again, it refers to the ceremonial headgear.
• Option 4: The children admired the sparkling mitre on the altar. (बिशप की टोपी) – This also refers to the religious headpiece, not a different meaning.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The given sentence is in passive voice, where the focus is on “the findings” rather than the doer of the action.
• The phrase “were interpreted to have been misrepresented” indicates a reporting structure in passive form.
• To convert into active voice, the doer (the spokesperson) must become the subject of the sentence.
• Option (3) correctly shifts the focus to the spokesperson and maintains the intended meaning.

Correct sentence: The spokesperson is believed to have misrepresented the findings in the official release.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Uses “It is believed,” which changes the sentence structure and does not directly convert the subject properly.
• Option 2: Incorrect meaning; it wrongly suggests the official release misrepresented the spokesperson.
• Option 4: Uses “misinterpreted” instead of “misrepresented” and alters the meaning of the sentence.

The correct answer is 'Option 2' i.e. like.

Key Points

• The verb “like” is a stative verb, which expresses feelings or states rather than actions.
• Stative verbs are generally not used in continuous (–ing) form.
• The sentence is in the present tense, so the correct form should be simple present: “I like this movie.”
• Therefore, “am liking” is grammatically incorrect in standard usage.

Correct sentence: I like this movie a lot.

Additional Information

• Option 1: “have liked” – Present perfect tense; does not fit the context of general liking.
• Option 3: “liked” – Simple past tense; changes the meaning and time reference.
• Option 4: “am enjoy this movie” – Grammatically incorrect structure.

The correct answer is Option 2: True freedom requires interrogation of influences.

 

Key Points

• The passage argues that modern society subtly shapes and manipulates individual choices through systems like social conditioning, digital surveillance, and algorithmic influence.
• It suggests that what appears to be free will is often structured and conditioned by external forces such as market mechanisms and political strategies.
• The author clarifies that the aim is not fatalism but awareness—true autonomy requires conscious interrogation of the influences shaping decisions.
• Thus, the central argument emphasizes that genuine freedom emerges only when individuals critically examine and understand the forces guiding their choices.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Concept: True agency in modern society is achieved not by assuming freedom, but by actively questioning the frameworks that influence our decisions.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: The passage does not argue that free will is incompatible with democracy; rather, it critiques the authenticity of perceived freedom.
• Option 3: The author explicitly challenges the idea that modern society provides full autonomy.
• Option 4: The passage critiques market forces and consumer systems, rather than promoting capitalism as the path to autonomy.

The correct answer is Option 3: Information environments reinforcing existing beliefs.

 

Key Points

• The passage states that social media platforms create information ecosystems that reinforce existing biases.
• The term “cognitive echo chambers” refers to environments where individuals are repeatedly exposed to views that align with their prior beliefs.
• Such environments limit exposure to opposing perspectives, thereby strengthening confirmation bias.
• Thus, the phrase implies curated digital spaces that reinforce existing beliefs rather than encouraging critical thinking.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Concept: Cognitive echo chambers are controlled information environments that amplify and validate pre-existing opinions.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Refers broadly to media repetition, not specifically to reinforced belief systems.
• Option 2: Political slogans may repeat ideas, but they do not fully capture the psychological dimension described.
• Option 4: Chatbots mimicking users is unrelated to the contextual meaning provided in the passage.

The correct answer is Option 3: They manipulate preferences subtly.

 

Key Points

• The passage states that personalization engines masquerade as facilitators of choice while subtly guiding users.
• They nudge individuals toward decisions already engineered to maximize corporate profit.
• Consumer preferences are shaped using behavioral data and predictive analytics before individuals become consciously aware.
• Thus, personalization algorithms manipulate preferences subtly rather than empowering independent decision-making.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: They eliminate market competition – The passage does not mention reducing or eliminating competition.
• Option 2: They empower user decisions – The passage argues the opposite; empowerment is an illusion.
• Option 4: They increase data privacy – The passage instead highlights digital surveillance, not enhanced privacy.

The correct answer is Option 3: To illustrate the illusion of self-determination shaped by societal filters.

 

Key Points

• The passage states that career choices are often filtered through socioeconomic class, geography, and familial pressures.
• This example reinforces the idea that what appears to be a voluntary decision is actually shaped by societal conditioning.
• The author uses career selection to demonstrate the illusion of self-determination within predefined social boundaries.
• It supports the broader argument that modern free will is frequently a constructed perception rather than authentic autonomy.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 – The passage does not suggest that education guarantees autonomy; instead, it highlights structural influence.
• Option 2 – The author explicitly mentions familial pressures as influential, not irrelevant.
• Option 4 – The passage clearly states that socioeconomic class shapes choices, contradicting this option.

The correct answer is Option 3: Reflective and critical.

 

Key Points

• The author critically examines the concept of free will, questioning its authenticity in modern society.
• The discussion reflects deep analysis and introspection about social conditioning, digital surveillance, and manipulation.
• The tone is not fatalistic, as the author calls for awareness and conscious interrogation rather than passive acceptance.
• This balanced yet questioning approach makes the tone reflective and critical rather than neutral or overly optimistic.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 – The author explicitly rejects fatalism and instead encourages awareness.
• Option 2 – The passage is analytical, not merely neutral or historical.
• Option 4 – Although the author urges awareness, the dominant tone is critical reflection rather than optimism or persuasion.

The correct answer is Option 3: Rita said that she hadn't eaten anything.

Key Points

• The reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, so the tense in the reported speech must be backshifted.
• The original sentence uses present perfect tense ("haven't eaten").
• In indirect speech, present perfect changes to past perfect ("hadn't eaten").
• The pronoun "I" changes to "she" according to the subject.

Correct sentence: Rita said that she hadn't eaten anything.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Uses simple past ("didn't eat"), which is incorrect because present perfect should change to past perfect.
• Option 2: Keeps the tense unchanged, which is incorrect since backshifting is required after a past reporting verb.
• Option 4: Changes the tense to past continuous, which alters the original meaning.

The correct answer is Option 3: They said they would overcome that challenge together.

Key Points

• The reporting verb "said" is in the past tense, so modal verbs must follow the rule of backshifting.
• The modal verb "shall" changes to "would" in indirect speech.
• The pronoun "We" changes to "they" according to the subject of the reporting clause.
• The demonstrative "this" changes to "that" in indirect speech.

Correct sentence: They said that they would overcome that challenge together.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Uses "will" instead of "would", which does not follow the backshifting rule.
• Option 2: Incorrectly changes "shall" to "should", altering the meaning.
• Option 4: Keeps "shall" unchanged, which is incorrect in reported speech after a past reporting verb.

The correct answer is 'Option 3' i.e. "Had the evidence not been tampered with, the verdict could have been different," said the lawyer.

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the third conditional, expressing an unreal past situation and its possible different outcome.
• The structure used is inversion form of the third conditional: "Had + subject + past participle".
• The verb form "had not been tampered with" correctly maintains the past perfect passive voice.
• The result clause "could have been different" properly reflects an unreal past possibility.

Correct sentence: "Had the evidence not been tampered with, the verdict could have been different," said the lawyer.

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect verb structure ("had not tampered") and wrong tense in the result clause ("could change").
• Option 2: Uses second conditional ("were not tampered") and changes meaning to a present unreal situation.
• Option 4: Grammatically incorrect structure and improper modal usage ("may differ").

The correct answer is 'Option 3' i.e. 1, 3, 4, 2.

Key Points

• Sentence 1 introduces the topic by defining Artificial Intelligence, so it logically begins the paragraph.
• Sentence 3 explains how AI is achieved, referring back to the concept introduced in sentence 1.
• Sentence 4 continues the explanation by describing what happens through this training, maintaining logical flow.
• Sentence 2 concludes the paragraph by mentioning applications of the process, and the phrase "This process" clearly refers to the training explained earlier.

Correct paragraph: Artificial Intelligence is a field of computer science focused on creating machines that can simulate human cognitive functions. This is typically achieved by training machine learning models on vast datasets, allowing them to identify patterns and make predictions. Through this training, an AI system learns to perform specific tasks, such as recognizing objects in images or translating text. This process is used in various applications, from self-driving cars to medical diagnosis systems.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (2, 3, 4, 1): Begins with an unclear reference "This process" without introduction.
• Option 2 (3, 1, 2, 4): Starts with explanation before defining the subject.
• Option 4 (1, 4, 3, 2): Disrupts logical sequence because training explanation (3) should precede its result (4).

The correct answer is 'Option 4' i.e. 2-3-4-1.

Key Points

• Sentence 2 introduces the subject Coral reefs, making it the logical starting point of the paragraph.
• Sentence 3 explains their importance by describing the benefits they provide.
• Sentence 4 follows logically by highlighting the threats to their survival.
• Sentence 1 begins with "Therefore", which indicates a conclusion and must come at the end.

Correct paragraph: Coral reefs are vital marine ecosystems. They provide habitats for countless species and protect coastlines. Pollution and climate change pose severe threats to their survival. Therefore, protecting them is a shared responsibility.

Additional Information

• Option 1 (2-1-3-4): Places the conclusion immediately after the introduction, breaking logical progression.
• Option 2 (2-4-1-3): Ends with a supporting detail instead of a concluding statement.
• Option 3 (3-4-2-1): Begins with the pronoun "They" without a clear antecedent.