English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• A) Monitoring elections
• This cannot be inferred as the primary function. The passage mentions electoral interference but not monitoring as the central democratic role.
• B) Encouraging economic debates
• This cannot be inferred. The passage does not highlight economic debates as a primary function of social media in democracy.
• C) Enabling real-time civic participation
• This can be inferred. The passage explicitly states that social media allows citizens to articulate opinions, mobilize for causes, and scrutinize authority in real-time, acting as a digital agora.
• D) Promoting cultural diversity
• This cannot be inferred. While marginalized voices are amplified, the passage focuses on civic participation rather than cultural diversity.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: Enabling real-time civic participation.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (Monitoring elections): Incorrect because the passage discusses electoral interference, not monitoring.
• Option 2 (Economic debates): Incorrect because economic debates are not mentioned as a primary democratic function.
• Option 4 (Cultural diversity): Incorrect because the passage emphasizes civic participation, not cultural diversity.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• A) It is an inherently corrosive force that systematically destroys political discourse.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage acknowledges negative aspects like misinformation and polarization but does not claim social media is inherently corrosive.
• B) It is a purely virtuous tool that guarantees the success of marginalized voices.
• This cannot be inferred. While marginalized voices are amplified, the passage stresses that social media is not inherently virtuous.
• C) It is a neutral reflection of societal intent that depends entirely on how it is used.
• This can be inferred. The passage explicitly states that social media is neither inherently virtuous nor corrosive, but rather a mirror of societal intent, shaped by how citizens, institutions, and platforms wield it.
• D) It is an outdated platform that is slowly being replaced by traditional print columns.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage contrasts social media with traditional print columns, showing that social media has replaced them as a digital agora, not the other way around.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: It is a neutral reflection of societal intent that depends entirely on how it is used.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because the passage does not portray social media as inherently destructive.
• Option 2: Incorrect because the passage rejects the idea of social media being purely virtuous.
• Option 4: Incorrect because social media is described as replacing traditional print columns, not being replaced by them.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• A) Traditional gatekeepers strictly filter out complex arguments before they are posted.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage emphasizes that social media dismantles traditional gatekeeping, allowing free flow of information.
• B) Emotionally charged content is optimized for engagement rather than accuracy.
• This can be inferred. The passage explicitly states that emotionally charged content, designed for engagement, often eclipses nuanced debate, reducing discourse to outrage.
• C) The technological architecture of these platforms prevents the sharing of long-form text.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage does not mention restrictions on long-form text as the reason for overshadowing nuanced debate.
• D) Political leaders prefer to use algorithmic silos to communicate with constituents.
• This cannot be inferred. While algorithmic silos are mentioned, they are linked to polarization, not directly to the overshadowing of nuanced debate.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2: Emotionally charged content is optimized for engagement rather than accuracy.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because social media bypasses traditional gatekeepers rather than reinforcing them.
• Option 3: Incorrect because platform architecture does not prevent nuanced debate through text length.
• Option 4: Incorrect because algorithmic silos contribute to polarization, not directly to overshadowing nuanced debate.

The correct answer is 'Option 3'.

 

Key Points

• A) It operates as an exclusive, private network for coordinated grassroots movements.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage emphasizes openness and public participation, not exclusivity.
• B) It functions as a strict regulatory body that fact-checks political leaders in real-time.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage does not describe social media as a regulatory authority.
• C) It serves as an open, public space for participatory dialogue and civic engagement.
• This can be inferred. The passage explicitly compares social media to a "digital agora," meaning a public forum where citizens engage in dialogue, similar to ancient town halls or print columns.
• D) It acts as an editorial filter that decides which news stories are allowed to go viral.
• This cannot be inferred. The passage highlights that social media bypasses editorial filters, allowing direct communication and grassroots mobilization.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: It serves as an open, public space for participatory dialogue and civic engagement.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect because social media is described as open and public, not exclusive.
• Option 2: Incorrect because social media is not a regulatory body.
• Option 4: Incorrect because the passage emphasizes bypassing editorial filters, not enforcing them.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• A) Algorithmic transparency
• This is mentioned in the passage as an essential framework to ensure social media supports democracy.
• B) Complete eradication of algorithmic sorting
• This is not mentioned in the passage. The author calls for transparency in algorithms, not their complete eradication.
• C) Media literacy
• This is mentioned as a crucial factor to help citizens critically engage with information on social media.
• D) Regulatory oversight
• This is mentioned as necessary to mitigate misuse and strengthen democratic resilience.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2: Complete eradication of algorithmic sorting.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (Algorithmic transparency): Correctly mentioned in the passage as essential.
• Option 3 (Media literacy): Correctly mentioned in the passage as essential.
• Option 4 (Regulatory oversight): Correctly mentioned in the passage as essential.
• Option 2 (Complete eradication of algorithmic sorting): Incorrect because the passage only emphasizes transparency, not eradication.

The correct answer is 'to your behaviour'.

 

Key Points

• The verb "object" is always followed by the preposition "to" when expressing disapproval or opposition.
• The correct prepositional phrase is "object to your behaviour" and not "object for your behaviour."
• Options 2, 3, and 4 are grammatically incorrect as they do not match the correct usage of "object."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: "I object to your behaviour."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "with your behaviour" is incorrect because "object" does not use "with" as a preposition.
• Option 3: "on your behaviour" is incorrect as it does not fit the construction of the verb "object."
• Option 4: "against your behaviour" is incorrect because "object" does not pair with "against" in this context.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: She indicated that, unless the quorum were met promptly, the charter amendments would lapse.
• Key Conversions:
• "unless the quorum were met promptly" becomes "Unless the quorum is met promptly"
• The subjunctive "were" is converted to the present tense "is" for direct speech.
• "the charter amendments would lapse" becomes "the charter amendments will lapse"
• The modal verb "would" is converted to "will" to match the direct speech format.
• Reporting verb:
• Indirect: "She indicated that"
• Converted to: "She said," maintaining a neutral reporting tone.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
• Starts with a capital letter "Unless" and ends with a period "." within the quotation marks.
• Reporting clause precedes the quoted speech, separated by a comma.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "She said, “Unless the quorum is met promptly, the charter amendments will lapse.”"

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "She said, ‘Unless the quorum had been met promptly, the charter amendments would have lapsed.’"
• Changes the meaning to a hypothetical past event, which is incorrect.
• Option 3: "She said, ‘If the quorum was not met promptly, the charter amendments might have lapsed.’"
• Incorrect conditional structure "if...was not met," and modal verb "might" alters the intended meaning.
• Option 4: “She said, ‘If the quorum is promptly met, the charter amendments must not lapse.’"
• Changes the meaning and introduces a compulsion ("must not") that is not present in the original sentence.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: The teacher told them to be quiet in the class.
• Key Conversions:
• Direct command "Be quiet in the class" is converted to indirect speech:
• The reporting verb "said" is changed to "told" to indicate a direct instruction.
• The word "them" is added to specify the subject being addressed.
• The imperative "be quiet" is converted into the infinitive form "to be quiet" in indirect speech.
• Reporting clause:
• The teacher instructed the students, maintaining the original intent of the sentence.
• Punctuation and Format:
• Direct speech is enclosed in quotation marks.
• Indirect speech does not require quotation marks and the sentence is reformatted accordingly.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: The teacher told them to be quiet in the class.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "The teacher told be quiet in the class."
• Grammatically incorrect: the phrase "told be quiet" lacks proper structure.
• Option 2: "The teacher told them to quiet in the class."
• Incorrect: "to quiet" is not grammatically correct; the correct phrase is "to be quiet."
• Option 3: "The teacher said them to be quiet in the class."
• Grammatically incorrect: "said them" is not valid; the correct verb is "told them."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The logical sequence of the sentences is based on the progression of the data processing and submission workflow.
• Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the initial step of extracting survey responses:
• "Raw survey responses were extracted from multiple sources."
• Sentence 3 follows as it describes the preprocessing and standardization of datasets:
• "Each dataset underwent preprocessing and standardization."
• Sentence 4 is the third sentence because it elaborates on the step of eliminating redundant entries:
• "Redundant entries were eliminated using automated filters."
• Sentence 1 is the fourth as it concludes the process with the submission of compiled data:
• "The team submitted the compiled data to the analytics division."
• The correct sequence is 2-3-4-1.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"Raw survey responses were extracted from multiple sources. Each dataset underwent preprocessing and standardization. Redundant entries were eliminated using automated filters. The team submitted the compiled data to the analytics division."

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph discusses strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing carbon-intensive energy production and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency.
• Sentence 2 is the first sentence as it introduces the broader goal:
• "To mitigate the worst effects of climate change, the global community must drastically reduce its reliance on carbon-intensive energy production."
• Sentence 1 follows as it provides a specific strategy to achieve this goal:
• "A key strategy is to diversify energy sources, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives like solar, wind, and geothermal power."
• Sentence 3 comes next as it explains the benefits of this energy transition:
• "This shift not only decreases greenhouse gas emissions but also improves air quality and creates new economic opportunities."
• Sentence 4 is the last as it adds another aspect of reducing energy consumption through policies:
• "Additionally, policies that promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation can further lower overall energy consumption."
• The correct sequence is 2, 1, 3, 4.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

"To mitigate the worst effects of climate change, the global community must drastically reduce its reliance on carbon-intensive energy production. A key strategy is to diversify energy sources, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable alternatives like solar, wind, and geothermal power. This shift not only decreases greenhouse gas emissions but also improves air quality and creates new economic opportunities. Additionally, policies that promote energy efficiency in buildings and transportation can further lower overall energy consumption."

The correct answer is: Option 2 (Clear).

Key Points

• The word "perspicuous" refers to something that is clearly expressed or easily understood; lucid. (स्पष्ट रूप से समझने योग्य)
• Example: The teacher's explanation was so perspicuous that no student had any questions.
• "Clear" means easy to understand, not ambiguous or confusing. (साफ़, स्पष्ट)
• Example: The instructions on the package were clear, making assembly a breeze.
• Hence, the most appropriate synonym of "perspicuous" is "clear".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 2 (Clear).

Additional Information

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

• Confused (उलझन में): Unable to think clearly or understand something.
• Example: She looked confused when I asked her about the new policy.
• Precarious (अनिश्चित): Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse.
• Example: The ladder was placed in a precarious position, making it risky to climb.
• Muddled (घबराया हुआ): In a state of confusion or disorder.
• Example: His thoughts were so muddled that he couldn’t explain his point properly.

The correct answer is: Option 2 i.e. Plentiful.

Key Points

• The word "Exiguous" means very small in size or amount; scanty or meager. (अत्यल्प, नगण्य)
• Example: The resources available for the project were exiguous, making it challenging to complete.
• "Plentiful" refers to something that exists in great quantity; abundant. (प्रचुर मात्रा में)
• Example: This region is known for its plentiful harvest of fruits every year.
• Since "Exiguous" means "scarce" and "Plentiful" means "abundant," they are direct antonyms.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 2 i.e. Plentiful.

Additional Information

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

• Meager (अल्प): Refers to something that is lacking in quantity or quality; insufficient.
• Example: The family survived on a meager income, struggling to meet their basic needs.
• Sparse (विरल): Refers to something that is thinly scattered or distributed.
• Example: The vegetation in the desert is sparse due to the lack of water.
• Skimpy (अपर्याप्त): Refers to something that is inadequate in size or amount, often barely sufficient.
• Example: She wore a skimpy dress, which barely covered her shoulders.

The correct answer is: Option 4 i.e. "An exceptionally loyal and useful service".

Key Points

• The idiom "Yeoman service" refers to diligent, reliable, and helpful service that is performed loyally and effectively. (बहुत वफादार और उपयोगी सेवा)
• Example: During the flood relief operations, the volunteers provided yeoman service to the affected people.
• "Exceptionally loyal and useful service" captures the essence of the idiom. It is used to describe someone who has gone above and beyond to assist or contribute meaningfully. (अत्यधिक वफादार और उपयोगी सेवा)
• Example: The nurse's yeoman service at the hospital was appreciated by everyone.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Additional Information

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

• Option 1: A trivial task done quickly (एक मामूली कार्य जो जल्दी किया गया हो): Refers to something insignificant or simple that is completed in no time.
• Example: Folding laundry is often considered a trivial task done quickly.
• Option 2: A dishonest act in uniform (वर्दी में किया गया बेईमानी का कार्य): Refers to an unethical or deceitful act carried out by someone in a position of authority or responsibility.
• Example: A soldier committing theft while on duty is an example of a dishonest act in uniform.
• Option 3: A brave but foolish deed (एक साहसी लेकिन मूर्खतापूर्ण कार्य): Refers to an act of courage that lacks wisdom or results in unintended consequences.
• Example: Trying to rescue a wild animal bare-handed was a brave but foolish deed.

The correct answer is: Option 4.

Key Points

• The idiom "Coals of fire upon his head" means to shame an enemy or adversary through acts of kindness. (दुश्मन को दयालुता के माध्यम से शर्मिंदा करना)
• Example: Instead of retaliating when someone insults you, showing generosity or kindness can place coals of fire upon their head.
• Kindness has a powerful impact, often making others feel guilt or regret for their actions. This is the essence of this idiom.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 4.

Additional Information

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

• Option 1: To punish someone for hypocrisy (किसी को पाखंड के लिए सजा देना): This option suggests retaliation for someone's dishonesty or hypocrisy, but it is not the correct meaning of the idiom.
• Example: He exposed the hypocrisy of the politician, but he did not punish him.
• Option 2: To provoke guilt through accusation (आरोप के माध्यम से अपराधबोध को उकसाना): This option implies making someone feel guilty by accusing them, but this is not the intent behind the idiom.
• Example: She provoked guilt by blaming him for the mistake.
• Option 3: To offer false forgiveness (झूठी माफी देना): This option refers to pretending to forgive someone without truly meaning it, which is unrelated to the idiom.
• Example: He offered false forgiveness, hiding his anger beneath the surface.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

The word 'Amnesty' means an official pardon.

• The correct spelling is 'Amnesty'.
• The word 'Amnesty' is a noun which refers to 'an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses'. (क्षमा)
• For Example -
• The government announced an amnesty for all political prisoners.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Amnesty'.

Additional Information

Explanation of the other options:

• Option 1 - Amnisty: Incorrect spelling.
• Option 2 - Ammmnesty: Incorrect spelling with unnecessary repetition of the letter 'm'.
• Option 4 - Amnistee: Incorrect spelling with 'ee' instead of 'y'.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

The word 'Ephemeral' means 'lasting a short time'.

• Ephemeral is an adjective used to describe something that is short-lived or temporary.
• For example: "The beauty of cherry blossoms is ephemeral, as they bloom for only a few weeks."

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Ephemeral'.

Additional Information

Explanation of the incorrect options:

• Ephemerel - Incorrect spelling.
• Ephemaral - Incorrect spelling.
• Ephemoral - Incorrect spelling.

The correct answer is: Obsolete.

Key Points

• The word "Obsolete" refers to something that is no longer in use, or has become outdated due to advancements or changes over time. (अप्रचलित)
• Example: The typewriter has become an obsolete device in the age of computers and laptops.
• "Outdated" is a synonym of "Obsolete" and conveys the same meaning of something that has fallen out of use or favor. (अप्रचलित)
• Example: Many traditional farming techniques are now considered obsolete due to modern machinery.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Obsolete.

Additional Information

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

• Absolute (पूर्ण): Refers to something that is complete, total, or not dependent on anything else.
• Example: The king held absolute power over the kingdom.
• Medieval (मध्यकालीन): Relates to the Middle Ages, a period in European history from the 5^th to the late 15^th century.
• Example: The castle was built in the medieval period and has been well-preserved.
• Antique (प्राचीन): Refers to something old and often valuable due to its age or rarity.
• Example: She owns an antique vase that has been passed down through generations.

The correct answer is: Virtuoso.

Key Points

• The word "Virtuoso" refers to a person who is highly skilled in music or arts. (संगीत या कला में अत्यधिक कुशल व्यक्ति)
• Example: She is a virtuoso pianist who captivates audiences with her performances.
• "Virtuoso" is often used to describe someone who has mastered a particular art form or skill to an extraordinary degree. (किसी कला या कौशल में असाधारण दक्षता प्राप्त व्यक्ति)
• Example: The gallery showcased paintings by a virtuoso artist whose work is known worldwide.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Virtuoso.

Additional Information

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

• Performer (प्रदर्शन करने वाला व्यक्ति): A person who entertains an audience by acting, singing, dancing, or playing music.
• Example: The performer received a standing ovation for his flawless dance routine.
• Composer (संगीतकार): A person who writes music, especially as a professional occupation.
• Example: Beethoven is one of the most famous composers in history.
• Prodigy (प्रतिभाशाली व्यक्ति): A young person with exceptional qualities or abilities, often in a specific field like music, mathematics, or arts.
• Example: The child prodigy began playing the violin at the age of three.

The correct answer is 'legibility'.

 

Key Points

• The passage explores the concept of urban decay not just as physical destruction, but as a "semantic artifact" (something that carries meaning).
• The sentence in question uses a parallel structure of contrasting pairs: "encoding absence as presence" and "entropy as ______".
• Entropy refers to a lack of order, randomness, or gradual decline into chaos. To maintain the contrast (like absence vs. presence), the missing word must represent clarity, order, or the ability to be understood.
• "Legibility" fits perfectly because the passage discusses "reading" ruins, "syntax," "grammar," and "meaning." It suggests that the decay makes the chaos (entropy) readable or understandable in a new way.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: Urban decay is not merely a symptom of infrastructural attrition, but a semantic artifact—where stone and steel become archives of deferred modernities. Cracks, corrosion, and spectral scaffolds do not degrade meaning; they transmute it, encoding absence as presence and entropy as 1. legibility. These architectural residues defy the chronological hygiene of masterplans, offering instead a fugitive temporality...

 

Additional Information

• Memorial (स्मारक): A structure or object established to remind people of a person or event. While ruins can be memorials, it does not fit the specific contrast with "entropy" in a linguistic context.
• Decadence (पतन): Moral or cultural decline, often characterized by excessive indulgence. This is synonymous with decay/entropy rather than a contrast to it.
• Monumentality (विशालता): The quality of being massive or impressive in scale. This refers to physical size rather than the "meaning" or "readability" the sentence focuses on.

The correct answer is 'laundering'.

 

Key Points

• The passage critiques the act of aestheticizing decay without critique, turning disorder into something decorative.
• The word must convey the idea of disguising or sanitizing disorder, making it appear acceptable or even beautiful.
• "Laundering" fits perfectly, as it metaphorically suggests the act of cleaning up or disguising disorder to render it decorative.
• Other options ("excess", "disintegration", "reiteration") do not capture the sense of disguising or transforming disorder into aestheticized form.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Complete Passage: To aestheticize such decay without critique is to partake in ontological 2. laundering —rendering disorder decorative and suffering sublime.

 

Additional Information

• Excess: refers to surplus but does not imply disguising disorder.
• Disintegration: means breaking apart, which is descriptive but not about aestheticizing.
• Reiteration: means repetition, irrelevant to the idea of disguising decay.