English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The text states that "The initial rollout was hampered by inequitable distribution," with urban centers getting more doses than rural areas.
• This imbalance is explicitly attributed to "administrative centralization" and a "lack of cold-chain infrastructure" in remote regions.
• Logistical hurdles like power outages and storage limitations made transporting vaccines to rural hinterlands "perilous," further skewing the distribution toward urban centers.
• Option 4 accurately combines both the political/administrative reason (centralization) and the physical reason (logistics/infrastructure) mentioned in the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence from Text: "This imbalance stemmed not only from administrative centralization but also from the lack of cold-chain infrastructure in remote regions..."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect. The text does not mention "excess production" specific to urban areas; rather, it discusses an "inequitable distribution" of the available supply.
• Option 2: Incorrect. While "fluctuating supply chains" are mentioned, the specific reason for the urban-rural skew is attributed to internal logistics and centralization.
• Option 3: Incorrect. Although "vaccine hesitancy" existed, the passage identifies infrastructure and administration as the reasons for the initial distribution imbalance.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The passage notes that vaccine skepticism was fueled by misinformation on social media and cultural misconceptions.
• To counter these obstacles and improve outreach, the text states that India "recalibrated its strategy" by taking specific community-focused actions.
• These actions included the "engagement of local influencers and religious leaders" to build trust and the "use of mobile vaccination units" to reach hesitant or remote populations.
• Option 1, 3, and 4 are not supported by the text; in fact, the text mentions India relied on indigenous vaccines (countering Option 3) rather than foreign imports.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence from Text: "The decentralization of vaccine procurement to states, the engagement of local influencers and religious leaders, and the use of mobile vaccination units gradually improved outreach."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect. While the text mentions social media was a source of rumors, it does not mention national censorship as a strategy used by the government.
• Option 3: Incorrect. The text explicitly highlights the success of indigenous vaccine production (Covishield and Covaxin).
• Option 4: Incorrect. The passage does not suggest that the government restricted media access; rather, it worked through local leaders to spread correct information.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The passage provides a comprehensive overview of the entire vaccination campaign, covering its challenges, initial failures, recalibration, and ultimate success as a "mass mobilization."
• While digital inequality (Option 4) is a significant point discussed, it is presented as one of several obstacles (alongside cold-chain logistics and misinformation) rather than the sole theme of the entire text.
• The text concludes by calling the drive a "testament to the nation's capacity for mass mobilization under crisis," reinforcing that the overarching theme is the broad strategy and execution of the campaign.
• Option 1 and 2 are too narrow or factually incorrect based on the text's focus; pharma exports are only briefly mentioned as "diplomacy," and the risks of side effects are mentioned only as "rumors."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence from Text: "The COVID vaccination drive in India stands as a testament to the nation's capacity for mass mobilization under crisis."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrect. While the passage mentions "Vaccine Maitri," this is a small detail compared to the internal vaccination efforts described.
• Option 2: Incorrect. The text treats side effects as "misinformation" and "rumors" rather than factual risks it aims to discuss.
• Option 4: Incorrect. While "interplay between public trust, infrastructural resilience, and inclusive policy" is mentioned at the end, this serves to explain why the vaccination strategy was so complex.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The author's tone is analytical because the text systematically examines both the successes and the failures of the campaign, such as the digital divide and logistical hurdles.
• It is cautiously optimistic because while the author calls the drive a "testament to the nation's capacity for mass mobilization," they also warn about the "critical interplay" and "inclusive policy design" needed for the future.
• Option 1 is incorrect as the author acknowledges the campaign as "monumental" rather than dismissing it.
• Option 3 is incorrect because the author is not uncritical; they highlight significant issues like marginalization through the CoWIN platform and inequitable distribution.
• Option 4 is incorrect because, despite highlighting flaws, the author concludes that India successfully "recalibrated its strategy" and achieved its goals, which is not alarmist.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Supporting Evidence from Text: "The COVID vaccination drive in India stands as a testament to the nation's capacity... Yet, it also reveals the critical interplay between public trust... essential for future public health interventions."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Sarcasm involves irony or mockery; the author uses professional and serious language throughout.
• Option 3: A jubilant tone would ignore the mentioned "complex logistical, social, and political challenges."
• Option 4: An alarmist tone would suggest the situation is beyond control, whereas the author describes how India "managed to recalibrate its strategy."

The correct answer is '3' i.e. returned home .

Key Points

• The sentence "They returned back to home after the event" contains a grammatical redundancy. The word "returned" already implies going back, so the word "back" is unnecessary.
• The phrase "to home" is also incorrect. The correct phrase is "returned home".
• Thus, the most concise and grammatically accurate replacement is "returned home".

Correct sentence: They returned home after the event.

Additional Information

• Common Redundancy: Phrases like "returned back" or "revert back" are redundant. The word "return" or "revert" already implies "back."
• Correct Usage: Use "returned home" or "revert" without adding "back."
• Examples:
• Incorrect: She returned back to the office.
• Correct: She returned to the office.
• Incorrect: Please revert back with the details.
• Correct: Please revert with the details.

The correct answer is '3' i.e. of theft .

Key Points

• The verb "accused" is always followed by the preposition "of" when referring to the reason for the accusation.
• Using "of" indicates the specific act or crime for which someone is being accused.
• Other prepositions such as "for," "with," "by," or "on" do not fit grammatically in this context.

Correct sentence: He was accused of theft.

Additional Information

• Common Usage of "Accused of":
• Example: She was accused of stealing the documents.
• Usage: Indicates that someone is being blamed or charged with a specific act.
• Other Common Verbs with Specific Prepositions:
• Blamed for: He was blamed for the accident.
• Charged with: She was charged with fraud.

The correct answer is '4' i.e. He asked how long I had been waiting .

Key Points

• The given sentence is in direct speech and is a question in the present perfect tense: "How long have you been waiting?"
• When converting to indirect speech:
• The reporting verb changes to asked as it is a question.
• The tense of the direct speech changes from present perfect (have been) to past perfect (had been).
• The pronoun "you" changes to "I" to match the subject in indirect speech.

Correct sentence: He asked how long I had been waiting.

Additional Information

• Rules for changing tense in indirect speech:
• Present perfect tense (have/has + past participle) changes to past perfect tense (had + past participle).
• Present tense verbs change to past tense verbs.
• Example:
• Direct speech: He said, "I have finished my homework."
• Indirect speech: He said that he had finished his homework.

The correct answer is '1' i.e. "The players are improving with each match," said the coach.

Key Points

• The given sentence is in indirect speech, where the coach is reporting on the players' improvement.
• When converting from indirect to direct speech, the tense remains the same if the reporting verb ("said") is in the past tense and the reported action is ongoing in the past.
• In this case, the verb "were improving" is in the past continuous tense, so it becomes "are improving" present continuous tense in direct speech.
• Option 1 accurately converts the indirect speech sentence into direct speech while preserving the tense and meaning.

Correct sentence: "The players are improving with each match," said the coach.

Additional Information

• Rules for Conversion:
• Reporting Verb: The reporting verb "said" does not require any modifications in this case.
• Reported Speech: The tense of the reported speech remains in past continuous ("were improving").
• Quotation Marks: Direct speech is marked with quotation marks to indicate the exact words spoken.
• Incorrect Options:
• Option 2: Uses the past continuous tense ("were improving") instead of the present continuous, which changes the meaning.
• Option 3: Uses the present simple tense ("improve"), which is inappropriate given the context.
• Option 4: Uses the past perfect tense ("had improved"), which changes the meaning of the sentence.

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

Key Points

• The correct sequence of sentences is determined based on logical flow and coherence.
• Sentence 2 introduces the topic of research as a foundational concept, making it the best starting point.
• Sentence 1 explains what research entails, following naturally after the introduction.
• Sentence 3 elaborates on the types of research, ensuring a seamless progression of ideas.
• Sentence 4 concludes the paragraph by discussing the documentation and validation of research findings.

Correct paragraph: Research is a foundational pillar of academic and scientific progress. It is a process that involves the systematic and objective investigation of a subject to discover new facts or to confirm existing ones. This can be either theoretical, aiming to expand knowledge, or applied, seeking to solve a practical problem. The findings of this investigation are then documented and peer-reviewed to ensure validity and credibility.

Additional Information

• When arranging sentences into a coherent paragraph, always prioritize logical flow and connectivity between ideas.
• Start with a general or introductory statement, then move to specifics or explanations, and conclude with a summary or final thought.

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

Key Points

• The sentences need to be rearranged to form a coherent and meaningful paragraph.
• The passage starts with the introduction of blockchain technology, which is explained in sentence 2: "Blockchain technology, at its core, is a distributed ledger that maintains a decentralized record of transactions."
• Next, the description of how the blockchain operates is given in sentence 4: "It functions by distributing copies of the ledger across a vast network of computers."
• Then, the nature of the network is elaborated in sentence 1: "The most prevalent of these is the peer-to-peer (P2P) network, where no single entity controls the entire system."
• Finally, the benefits of this decentralized structure are highlighted in sentence 3: "This decentralized structure ensures security and transparency by requiring network consensus for any new record to be added."

Correct sequence: 2, 4, 1, 3.

Additional Information

• When rearranging sentences, it's important to look for logical connections between sentences.
• For instance, introductions often provide a general idea or definition, followed by more specific details or examples.
• In this case, sentence 2 introduces blockchain technology, while the subsequent sentences build on that introduction.

The correct answer is: Childish.

Key Points

• The word "Juvenile" refers to something related to young people, especially children or adolescents, or something immature. (नाबालिग/बालसुलभ)
• Example: The juvenile behavior of the students disrupted the class.
• "Childish" refers to behavior or actions that resemble those of a child and are often immature or silly. (बचकाना)
• Example: His childish argument showed a lack of seriousness.
• Hence, the word "Juvenile" closely relates to "Childish," making option 3 the correct answer.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Childish.

Additional Information

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

• Adult (वयस्क): Refers to a person who is fully grown or mature.
• Example: As an adult, he took full responsibility for his actions.
• Wise (बुद्धिमान): Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment.
• Example: Her wise advice helped me solve the problem effectively.
• Mature (परिपक्व): Fully developed physically or mentally; showing maturity in behavior.
• Example: His mature response to the crisis impressed everyone.

The correct answer is: Option 1 i.e. To reconcile after a conflict.

Key Points

• The idiom "Bury the hatchet" means to end a dispute or conflict and restore friendly relations. (झगड़ा समाप्त करना और सुलह करना)
• Example: After years of rivalry, the two leaders decided to bury the hatchet and work together for the betterment of their people.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 1.

Additional Information

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

• Option 2: To deepen hostility (शत्रुता बढ़ाना): This means to make a conflict or disagreement worse.
• Example: Her harsh words only served to deepen the hostility between the two groups.
• Option 3: To run away (भाग जाना): This means to flee or escape from a situation.
• Example: He decided to run away from his responsibilities instead of facing them.
• Option 4: To forget someone's name (किसी का नाम भूल जाना): This means being unable to recall a person's name.
• Example: I met her at the party, but I forgot her name shortly after.

The correct answer is: Establish.

Key Points

• The word "Extirpate" means to completely destroy or eradicate something, often referring to removing it from its roots. (जड़ से उखाड़ना)
• Example: Efforts were made to extirpate invasive species from the ecosystem.
• "Establish" is the opposite of extirpate as it refers to creating or setting up something permanently or firmly. (स्थापित करना)
• Example: The company plans to establish a new office in the city.
• Hence, we can infer that the antonym of "Extirpate" is "Establish".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Establish.

Additional Information

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

• Exterminate (समाप्त करना): To destroy completely, often used in the context of killing pests or enemies.
• Example: The government launched a campaign to exterminate mosquitoes carrying the disease.
• Uproot (जड़ से उखाड़ना): To pull out by the roots or completely remove something from its place.
• Example: The farmer uprooted the weeds from the field.
• Eradicate (समूल नष्ट करना): To destroy or eliminate completely.
• Example: Scientists are working to eradicate diseases from the world.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

The misspelled word is 'Indispensible'.

• The correct spelling would be 'Indispensable'.
• The word 'indispensable' is an adjective which means 'absolutely necessary or essential'. (अत्यावश्यक)
• For Example -
• Good education is indispensable for a successful career.

Therefore, the correct answer would be 'Indispensable'.

Additional Information

Let's understand the meanings of the other marked words:

• Embarrassment - a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness (शर्मिंदगी)
• Camouflage - the disguising of military personnel, equipment, or installations by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings (छलावरण)
• Rendezvous - a meeting at an agreed time and place, typically between two people (मिलन स्थल)

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

The correct spelling is 'Nitrocellulose'.

• Nitrocellulose is a compound used as an early film base and is also known as cellulose nitrate.
• It is highly flammable and was once widely used in photography and filmmaking.
• Over time, it was replaced by safer materials due to its tendency to degrade and pose fire hazards.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Nitrocellulose'.

Additional Information

Interesting facts about Nitrocellulose:

• Nitrocellulose was initially used in the production of gunpowder and explosives before its application in film production.
• It is known for its glossy finish and is still used in some musical instrument coatings.
• The instability of nitrocellulose led to the development of safer, more durable alternatives for films.

The correct answer is: Glutton.

Key Points

• The word "Glutton" refers to a person who eats excessively or greedily. (पेटू व्यक्ति)
• Example: He is such a glutton that he finished the entire pizza by himself in just a few minutes.
• "Glutton" is the correct answer because it perfectly describes someone who overindulges in food or drink. (पेटू व्यक्ति)
• Example: The glutton at the party consumed more food than everyone else combined.
• Therefore, the correct answer is: Glutton.

Additional Information

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

• Gourmet (भोजन पारखी): A connoisseur of good food; someone who appreciates and knows the fine details of cuisine.
• Example: The gourmet chef prepared a meal that was both beautiful and delicious.
• Epicure (सुख-साधन प्रेमी): Someone who takes particular pleasure in fine food and drink.
• Example: She is an epicure who enjoys dining at Michelin-starred restaurants.
• Sybarite (भोग-विलासी): A person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for luxury and pleasure.
• Example: The sybarite spent his days lounging in luxury resorts.

The correct answer is 'which'.

 

Key Points

• The word "which" is used to refer to a specific item or subset from a group that was mentioned earlier.
• In this sentence, the phrase "none of ____ were explained" requires the relative pronoun "which" to refer to the caveats in the finance minister's statement.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The finance minister's statement was laden with caveats, none of which were explained."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "that" is incorrect because "that" is not used to refer to specific items in this context.
• Option 2: "them" is incorrect because "them" is a pronoun and does not fit the grammatical structure of the sentence.
• Option 4: "whom" is incorrect because "whom" is used for people, not things.

The correct answer is 'opposed'.

 

Key Points

• The word "opposed" means being in direct conflict or contrast with something.
• The sentence indicates that the philosopher's stance was completely contrary to the prevailing orthodoxy, which aligns with the meaning of "opposed."
• Options 1, 2, and 3 do not fit the context. "Adverse" and "averse" have different meanings, and "converse" does not describe direct opposition.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Complete Sentence:"The philosopher's stance was diametrically opposed to the prevailing orthodoxy."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "adverse" refers to something harmful or unfavorable, which does not fit the context here.
• Option 2: "averse" refers to a strong dislike, not a direct opposition.
• Option 3: "converse" means something reversed in position or order, which does not convey the intended meaning.

The correct answer is 'had'.

Key Points

• The correlative conjunction "No sooner... than" is used to indicate that one action happened immediately before another.
• When a sentence begins with "No sooner", it follows the structure: No sooner + had + subject + been + past participle + than + simple past.
• Thus, the correct sentence is: "No sooner had the findings been published than critics began questioning their legitimacy."
• Options 1, 3, and 4 are incorrect because they do not fit the required past perfect structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

Correct Sentence: *"*No sooner had the findings been published than critics began questioning their legitimacy."

Additional Information

• Common correlative conjunction patterns include:
• No sooner... than
• Hardly/Scarcely... when
• Examples:
• "No sooner had the train left than it started raining."
• "No sooner had the results been announced than the audience applauded."

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The issue in this sentence is the incorrect placement of the correlative conjunction "neither...nor."
• The phrase "neither penalise first-time offenders" should be correctly placed to ensure parallel structure with "nor those who may have violated norms."
• The sentence should read: "The policy aims to penalise neither first-time offenders nor those who may have violated norms..."
• The error lies in part 1 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "The policy aims to penalise neither first-time offenders nor those who may have violated norms due to systemic ambiguity rather than deliberate intent."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "nor those who may have violated norms" is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
• Option 3: "due to systemic ambiguity" is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
• Option 4: "rather than deliberate intent" is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.