SSC CHSL 2020 Official Paper 34 (Held on: 12 Aug 2021 Shift 1) (Previous Year Paper)

Here the correct answer is Maintained an expression of well being.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:-
• Keep up appearances - maintain an impression of wealth or well-being; to pretend to be happier, less poor, etc. than you really are, because you do not want people to know how bad your situation is. (धन या कल्याण की छाप बनाए रखना; अधिक खुश, कम गरीब, आदि होने का नाटक करना, क्योंकि आप नहीं चाहते कि लोगों को पता चले कि आपकी स्थिति कितनी खराब है)
• For Example - They were very unhappily married but kept up appearances for the sake of their children.
• The given sentence tries to convey that the marriage of the couple was not working well but still they were maintaining an expression of well-being.
• Thus, the correct answer is Option 2.

Here the correct answer is Happy and energetic.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given idiom:-
• Full of beans - lively; in high spirits. (जीवंत; खुश और ऊर्जावान)
• For Example - She was laughing and shouting and generally full of beans.
• Thus, the correct answer is Option 3.

Here the correct answer is Meet.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given word:-
• Avoid - keep away from or stop oneself from doing (something). (टालना)
• Let's look at the meaning of the words given in options:-
• Meet - arrange or happen to come into the presence or company of (someone). (मिलना)
• Bypass - a road passing around a town or its center to provide an alternative route through traffic. (यातायात के माध्यम से एक वैकल्पिक मार्ग प्रदान करने के लिए एक शहर या उसके केंद्र के चारों ओर से गुजरने वाली सड़क)
• Dodge - avoid (someone or something) by a sudden quick movement. (चकमा देना)
• Avert - turn away (one's eyes or thoughts). (टालना)
• Thus, after looking at the meanings of the given words, it is clear that the correct antonym for Avoid is Meet.
• Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

The correct answer is 'from 9 a.m to 11 a.m'.

Key Points

• The given sentence is grammatically incorrect.
• Here, 'from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.' should be used instead of 'by 9 a.m. till 11 a.m.'
• ‘From’ is used to show the place, direction, or time that somebody/something starts or started.
• Example: I work from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm every day.
• Similarly, in the given sentence 9 a.m. is the time when the interview started.
• 'From' is followed by 'to' when we talk about time.
• Hence, ‘from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Sentence: The interview will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य व्याकरण की दृष्टि से गलत है।
• इधर, 'from 9 a.m. till 11 a.m.' 'by 9 a.m. to 11 a.m' के बजाय इस्तेमाल किया जाना चाहिए।
• 'From' का प्रयोग उस स्थान, दिशा या समय को दर्शाने के लिए किया जाता है जिससे कोई व्यक्ति/कुछ शुरू होता है।
• Example: I work from 8.30 am to 5.00pm every day.
• इसी तरह दिए गए वाक्य में 9 a.m. बजे वह समय है जब साक्षात्कार शुरू होगा।
• जब हम समय की बात करते हैं तो 'from' के बाद 'to' आता है।
• इसलिए, 'from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.' सबसे उपयुक्त उत्तर है।

The correct answer is 'curiosity'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'curiosity'.
• It means 'a desire to know or learn'. (जिज्ञासा, कुतूहल, उत्‍सुकता)
• Example: Out of curiosity, he opened her letter.
• The given sentence states that unable to control her desire to know, Alice ran after the rabbit down the rabbit hole.
• Hence, ‘curiosity’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Sentence: Unable to check her curiosity, Alice ran after the rabbit down the rabbit hole.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Pleasure: the feeling of being happy or satisfied. (प्रसन्‍नता या संतुष्टि)
• Nervousness: the quality or state of being nervous. (नर्वस होने की अवस्था या भाव)
• Wisdom: the ability to make sensible decisions and judgements because of your knowledge or experience. ((ज्ञान या अनुभव के आधार पर) विवेकपूर्ण निर्णय लेने की क्षमता, समझदारी, बुद्धिमानी, अक़लमंदी)

Here the correct answer is Expect.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the given word:-
• Anticipate - regard as probable; expect or predict. (संभावित के रूप में; अपेक्षा या भविष्यवाणी करना)
• Let's look at the meaning of the words given in options:-
• Expect - regard (something) as likely to happen. (अपेक्षा करना)
• Accept - consent to receive or undertake (something offered). (स्वीकार करना)
• Prefer - like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose. (पसंद करना)
• Doubt - a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. (शक)
• Thus, after looking at the meanings of the given words, it is clear that the correct synonym for Anticipate is Expect.
• Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

The correct answer is 'Strugle'.

Key Points

• Among the given options, the incorrectly spelt word is 'Strugle'.
• Its correct spelling is 'Struggle'.
• It means 'to make strenuous or violent efforts in the face of difficulties or opposition struggling with the problem'. (कठिनाइयों या समस्या से जूझ रहे विरोध का सामना करने के लिए ज़ोरदार या हिंसक प्रयास करना)
• Example: The struggle lasted for nearly two hours.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Propel: to move, drive or push somebody/something forward or in a particular direction. (आगे की ओर या दिशा-विशेष में व्‍यक्ति या वस्‍तु को धकेलना या चलाना)
• Several: more than two but not very many; a few. [दो से कुछ अधिक (बहुत अधिक नहीं), अनेक; कुछ]
• Fulfil: to make something that you wish for happening; to achieve a goal. (अभीष्‍ट काम को पूरा करना; लक्ष्‍य की प्राप्ति करना)

The correct answer is 'peril'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate synonym of the given word 'Jeopardy' is 'Peril'.
• Jeopardy: danger of loss, harm, or failure. (हानि या विफलता का खतरा)
• Example: I love to read mystery novels where the main character's safety is in jeopardy.
• Peril: great danger. (गंभीर ख़तरा, संकट)
• Example: A lack of trained nurses is putting patients’ lives in peril.
  

Correct Answer: Peril.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:-
• Destiny: the things that happen to you in your life, especially things that you cannot control. [नियति, भवितव्‍यता, जीवन में घटित होने वाली घटनाएँ (जो निंयत्रित नहीं की जा सकती)]
• Fortune: a very large amount of money. (बहुत बड़ी धनराशि; विशाल संपत्ति, भरपूर पैसा)
• Safety: The state of being safe; not being dangerous or in danger. [सुरक्षित रहने की स्थिति, सुरक्षा; (दूसरों के लिए) ख़तरनाक या (स्‍वयं) ख़तरे में या संकटग्रस्‍त न होना]

The correct answer is 'Avertion'.

Key Points

• Among the given options, the incorrectly spelt word is 'Avertion'.
• Its correct spelling is 'Aversion'.
• It means 'a strong feeling of not liking somebody/something'. (किसी व्‍यक्ति या वस्‍तु के प्रति विमुखता; विरुचि, विद्वेष)
• Example: Most people have an aversion to spiders.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Education: the teaching or training of people, especially in schools. (शिक्षा, तालीम, पढ़ाई)
• Meditation: the action or practice of meditating. (ध्यान करने की क्रिया या अभ्यास)
• Location: a place or position. (कोई स्‍थान या ठिकाना)

The correct answer is 'Numerous boxing championships have been won by Mary Kom'.

Key Points

• The given sentence is in Active Voice. As per the given question, we have to change it into Passive Voice.
• The structure of the given sentence is as follows: 
• Subject + has/have + V3 + Object. (Active Voice)
• Subject (Objective Case) + has/have + been + V3 + by + Object (Subjective  Case). (Passive Voice)
• Example:
• We have finalized the site for our new factory. (Active Voice)
• The site for our new factory has been finalized by us. (Passive Voice)
• The subject of the given sentence is 'Mary Kom' and the object of the given sentence is 'Numerous boxing championships'.
• The subject will be put in place of the object and the object will be put in place of the subject.
• And 'has won' will be changed into 'have been won'.
• Lastly, the preposition 'by' will be added.
  

Correct Sentence: Numerous boxing championships have been won by Mary Kom.

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य Active Voice में है। दिए गए प्रश्न के अनुसार हमें इसे Passive Voice में बदलना है।
• दिए गए वाक्य की संरचना इस प्रकार है:
• Subject + has/have + V3 + Object. (Active Voice)
• Subject (Objective Case) + has/have + been + V3 + by + Object (Subjective  Case). (Passive Voice)
• Example:
• We have finalized the site for our new factory. (Active Voice)
• The site for our new factory has been finalized by us. (Passive Voice)
• दिए गए वाक्य का Subject 'Mary Kom' है और दिए गए वाक्य का object 'Numerous boxing championships' है।
• वस्तु के स्थान पर विषय रखा जाएगा और विषय के स्थान पर वस्तु रखी जाएगी।
• और 'has won' को 'have been won' में बदल दिया जाएगा।
• अंत में, Preposition 'by' जोड़ा जाएगा।

The correct answer is 'My brother asked me if I had read the newspaper that day.'

Key Points

• The given sentence is in Direct Speech. As per the question, we have to change it into Indirect Speech.
• The process of transformation is as follows:
• In the given sentence the reporting verb has an object. Hence, 'said to' will be changed into 'asked'.
• Comma and inverted commas will be removed.
• The conjunction 'if' will be added.
• 'you' will be changed into 'I' because the second-person pronouns are changed according to the object of the reporting verb.
• 'have read' will be changed into 'had read'.
• The adverb 'today' will be changed into 'that day'.
  

Correct Sentence: My brother asked me if I had read the newspaper that day. 

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य Direct Speech में है। प्रश्न के अनुसार, हमें इसे Indirect Speech में बदलना होगा।
• परिवर्तन की प्रक्रिया इस प्रकार है:
• दिए गए वाक्य में Reporting Verb में Object है। इसलिए, 'said to' को 'asked' में बदल दिया जाएगा।
• अल्पविराम और उल्टे अल्पविराम हटा दिए जाएंगे।
• Conjunction 'if' जोड़ा जाएगा।
• 'you' को 'I' में बदल दिया जाएगा क्योंकि Reporting Verb के Object के अनुसार Second person के Pronoun बदल दिए जाते हैं।
• 'have read' को 'had read' में बदल दिया जाएगा।
• क्रिया विशेषण 'today' को 'that day' में बदल दिया जाएगा।

Here the correct answer is Detective.

Key Points

• Let's look at the meaning of the correct answer:-
• Detective - a person, especially a police officer, whose occupation is to investigate and solve crimes. (जासूस; एक व्यक्ति, विशेष रूप से एक पुलिस अधिकारी, जिसका पेशा अपराधों की जांच और समाधान करना है)
• For Example - Detectives are anxious to interview anyone who saw the car.
• Thus, the correct answer is Option 4.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of the other words given in options:-
• Lawyer - a person who practises or studies law, especially (in the UK) a solicitor or a barrister or (in the US) an attorney. (वकील)
• Journalist - a person who writes for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or prepares news to be broadcast. (पत्रकार)
• Criminal - a person who has committed a crime. (अपराधी)

The correct answer is 'Asylum**'**.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given group of words is 'Asylum'.
• Asylum means "an institution for the care of people who are mentally ill." मानसिक रूप से बीमार लोगों की देखभाल के लिए एक संस्था।

Correct Answer: Asylum i.e. Option 3*.*

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Dormitory: a large bedroom with a number of beds in it, especially in a school, etc. [अनेक पलंगों वाला बड़ा शयनकक्ष (विशेषतः स्‍कूल आदि में)]
• Infirmary: a place (as in a school or prison) where sick or injured individuals receive care and treatment. (एक जगह (एक स्कूल या जेल में) जहां बीमार या घायल व्यक्ति देखभाल और उपचार प्राप्त करते हैं)
• Sanatorium: a type of hospital where patients who need a long period of treatment for an illness can stay. [(लंबी बीमारी से पीड़ित रोगियों के उपचार और स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य-लाभ के लिए अस्‍पताल जैसा स्‍थान); आरोग्‍य-निवास; स्‍वास्‍थ्‍य-सुधार केंद्र, सैनिटोरियम]

The correct answer is 'BDAC'.

Key Points

• The given question is an example of a Para Jumble.
• We know that the first statement of a para jumbled question is usually an independent general statement, a noun, a universal fact, starting off a story, starting of an incident or an event, or it starts with 'most' or 'once'.
• Sentence B will be the starting line because it contains the main idea of the para jumble i.e. Kari, the elephant.
• However, Sentence D states that the narrator was nine years old when the elephant was given to him to take care of. He could reach his back if he stood on tiptoe.
• So, D will follow B.
• Sentence A will be next because it mentions 'that high' which corresponds to the height of the elephant mentioned in sentence D.
• So, C will follow A because it tells why the narrator never found out how tall Kari was.
• Thus, the correct sequence is:
• B: Kari, the elephant was five months old when he was given to me to take care of.
• D: I was nine years old and I could reach his back if I stood on tiptoe.
• A: He seemed to remain that high for nearly two years.
• C: We grew together, that is probably why I never found out just how tall he was.
  

Correct Sequence: Kari, the elephant was five months old when he was given to me to take care of. I was nine years old and I could reach his back if I stood on tiptoe. He seemed to remain that high for nearly two years. We grew together, that is probably why I never found out just how tall he was.

The correct answer is 'what I told you'.

Key Points

• The given sentence is grammatically incorrect.
• The given sentence is in the past tense so the verb must be used in its past form(told) and not in the continuous form(telling).
• Hence, ‘what I told you’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Sentence: Did you do what I told you to do yesterday?

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य व्याकरण की दृष्टि से गलत है।
• दिया गया वाक्य Past में है इसलिए verb का प्रयोग अपने past form (told) में किया जाना चाहिए न कि continuous form (telling) में।
• इसलिए, 'what I told you' सबसे उपयुक्त उत्तर है।

The correct answer is 'accompanied'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'accompanied'.
• It means 'to go together with somebody/something'. (किसी के साथ-साथ जाना)
• Example: Massive publicity accompanied the film’s release.
  

Correct Sentence: Thunder and lightning was accompanied with heavy rain.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Accorded: to give something to somebody. [किसी व्‍यक्ति को कुछ प्रदान करना (सम्‍मान, समर्थन आदि)]
• Accustomed: if you are accustomed to something, you are used to it and it is not strange for you. (किसी बात का आदी या अभ्‍यस्‍त)
• Accrued: to increase over a period of time. (निर्धारित अवधि के दौरान बढ़ना; वृद्धि होना)

The correct answer is 'Please refrain to'.

Key Points

• The given sentence is grammatically incorrect.
• 'Refrain' is followed by 'from'.
• ‘Refrain from something’ means to stop yourself from doing something.
• Example: Please refrain from smoking in the hospital.
• Similarly, the given sentence states to stop yourself from going out without a mask.
• Hence, ‘Please refrain from’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Sentence: Please refrain from going out without a face mask.

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य व्याकरण की दृष्टि से गलत है।
• 'Refrain' के बाद 'from' आता है।
• 'Refrain from something' का अर्थ है अपने आप को कुछ करने से रोकना।
• Example: Please refrain from smoking in the hospital.
• इसी तरह दिए गए वाक्य में खुद को बिना मास्क के बाहर जाने से रोकने की बात कही गई है।
• इसलिए, 'Please refrom from' सबसे उपयुक्त उत्तर है।

The correct answer is 'ADBC'.

Key Points

• The given question is an example of a Para Jumble.
• We know that the first statement of a para jumbled question is usually an independent general statement, a noun, a universal fact, starting of an incident, or it starts with 'most' or 'once'.
• Sentence A will be the starting line because it contains the main idea of the para jumble i.e.the town of Lustenau that built a world record-breaking bonfire.
• However, Sentence D states that the pyre reached as high as 60 meters. So, D will follow A.
• Let's look at the meaning of Pyre:-
• Pyre - a heap of combustible material, especially one for burning a corpse as part of a funeral ceremony.
• Further, Sentence B states that the structure took three months to build but collapsed in less than half an hour & Sentence C states that Embers from the big fire fell onto nearby market traders. So, C will follow B.
• Let's look at the meaning of Embers:-
• Embers - a small piece of burning or glowing coal or wood in a dying fire.
• Thus, the correct sequence:
• A. The town of Lustenau in Austria claims to have built a world record-breaking bonfire.
• D. According to the organizers, the pyre reached as high as 60 meters.
• B. The structure took three months to build but collapsed in less than half an hour last Saturday evening.
• C. Embers from the big fire fell onto nearby market traders, but local fire crews were on hand to make sure that everyone was safe.
  

Correct Sequence: The town of Lustenau in Austria claims to have built a world record-breaking bonfire. According to the organizers, the pyre reached as high as 60 meters. The structure took three months to build but collapsed in less than half an hour last Saturday evening. Embers from the big fire fell onto nearby market traders, but local fire crews were on hand to make sure that everyone was safe.

The correct answer is 'cheerful'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate antonym of the given word 'Morbid' is 'Cheerful'.
• Morbid: showing interest in unpleasant things, for example disease and death. (अप्रिय वस्‍तुओं (जैसे रोग, मृत्‍यु) में रुचि रखने वाला)
• Example: He'd always had a morbid sense of humor, like hers.
• Cheerful: feeling happy; showing that you are happy; noticeably happy and optimistic. (प्रसन्‍न, प्रमुदित; हँसमुख; आशावादी)
• Example: Bhavna is always very cheerful.
  

Correct Answer: cheerful.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Cruel: causing physical or mental pain or suffering to somebody/something. (किसी को शारीरिक अथवा मानसिक पीड़ा देनेवाला; निर्मम, क्रूर)
• Horrid: very unpleasant or unkind. (बहुत अप्रिय या बुरा लगने वाला या हृदयहीन; अमनोहर)
• Gloomy: causing or feeling depression or despondency. (उदास)

The correct answer 'are going to lead'.

Key Points

• The given sentence is grammatically incorrect.
• According to the “Subject-Verb Agreement Rule”, a singular subject always takes a singular verb and a plural subject always takes a plural verb.
• In the given sentence, ‘Vincent Jonson’ is a singular subject that will take ‘is’ as a singular verb.
• Hence, ‘is going to lead’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Sentence: Vincent Jonson, a musician, is going to lead an 80-man naval band in the Republic Day Parade this year.

Hinglish

• दिया गया वाक्य व्याकरण की दृष्टि से गलत है।
• "Subject-Verb Agreement Rule" के अनुसार, एक singular subject हमेशा singular verb लेता है और एक plural subject हमेशा एक plural verb लेता है।
• दिए गए वाक्य में, 'Vincent Jonson' एक singular subject है जो 'is' को singular verb के रूप में लेगा।
• इसलिए, 'is going to lead' सबसे उपयुक्त उत्तर है।

The correct answer is 'spacious'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'spacious'.
• It means 'having a lot of space; large in size'. (जिसमें बहुत जगह हो; आकार में बड़ा, लंबा-चौड़ा)
• Example: First she opened the double doors in the kitchen and found the spacious dining room.
• The given passage tells about a villa that has a lot of space.
• Hence, ‘spacious’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Paragraph: Seventy-year-old Bapak Gilang sat in his favourite rocking chair in his spacious villa. He was staring at the evening sky (2) ______ the open window. It was already (3) ______ and it was very windy. He (4) ______ the dark clouds and felt a little (5) ______ today. He reflected that like the dusk sky, his days were also wrapped in clouds of loneliness.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Specific: detailed or exact. (विस्‍तार-युक्त विस्‍तृत या एकदम सही)
• Spiral: a long curved line that moves round and round away from a central point. (सर्पिल रेखा (केंद्र बिंदु से सर्प के रेंगने के आकार में चलती रेखा))
• Spreading: extend over a large or increasing area. (एक बड़े या बढ़ते क्षेत्र में विस्तार)

The correct answer is 'through'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate preposition for the given blank is 'through'.
• It means 'from one end or side of something to the other'. [(किसी वस्‍तु के) इस पार से उस पार; आर-पार]
• Example: to look through a telescope...
• The given passage states that he was staring at the evening sky from one side of the open window.
• Hence, ‘through’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Paragraph: Seventy-year-old Bapak Gilang sat in his favourite rocking chair in his spacious villa. He was staring at the evening sky through the open window. It was already (3) ______ and it was very windy. He (4) ______ the dark clouds and felt a little (5) ______ today. He reflected that like the dusk sky, his days were also wrapped in clouds of loneliness.

The correct answer is 'dusk'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'dusk'.
• It means 'the time in the evening when the sun has already gone down and it is nearly dark'. (साँझ; शाम का समय जब सूरज पहले ही ढल चुका होता है और लगभग अंधेरा हो जाता है)
• Example: It was past dusk, and bonfires were springing up down the beach.
• The given passage states that it was already the time of evening and it was nearly dark. We get this information by looking at the previous sentence that states that the person was staring at the evening sky.
• Hence, ‘dusk’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Paragraph: Seventy-year-old Bapak Gilang sat in his favourite rocking chair in his spacious villa. He was staring at the evening sky through the open window. It was already dusk and it was very windy. He (4) ______ the dark clouds and felt a little (5) ______ today. He reflected that like the dusk sky, his days were also wrapped in clouds of loneliness.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Dawn: the early morning, when light first appears in the sky. (ऊषा-काल, बड़े सवेरे जब़ आकाश मे पहला प्रकाश प्रकट होता है)
• Morning: the early part of the day between the time when the sun rises and midday. (सुर्योदय से मध्याहन तक का समय, प्रातःकाल, सुबह, सवेरा)
• Noon: 12 o’clock in the middle of the day; midday. (दोपहर, दिन के मध्‍य 12.00 बजे; मध्‍याह्न)

The correct answer is 'observed'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'observed'.
• It means 'notice or perceive (something) and register it as being significant'. [अवलोकन करना]
• Example: The police observed a man enter the bank.
• The given passage states that he noticed the dark clouds.
• Hence, ‘observed’ is the most appropriate answer. 
  

Correct Paragraph: Seventy-year-old Bapak Gilang sat in his favourite rocking chair in his spacious villa. He was staring at the evening sky through the open window. It was already dusk and it was very windy. He observed the dark clouds and felt a little (5) ______ today. He reflected that like the dusk sky, his days were also wrapped in clouds of loneliness.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Glanced: to look quickly at somebody/something. (किसी व्‍यक्ति या वस्‍तु पर उड़ती नज़र डालना)
• Stared: to look at somebody or something for a long time because you are surprised, shocked, etc. [(आश्‍चर्य, विक्षोभ आदि के कारण) किसी को देर तक देखते रहना; घूरना, टकटकी लगा कर देखना]
• Peered: to look closely or carefully at somebody/something, for example, because you cannot see very well. (किसी व्‍यक्ति या वस्‍तु को समीप से और ध्यानपूर्वक देखना, क्‍योंकि वह अन्‍यथा स्‍पष्‍ट नहीं दिखाई दे रही है)

The correct answer is 'pensive'.

Key Points

• The most appropriate word for the given blank is 'pensive'.
• It means 'thinking deeply and quietly about something serious'. (किसी गंभीर विषय पर गहराई से सोचना; विचार मग्न; विषादग्रस्त)
• Example: He was pensive for a moment.
• The given passage states that he noticed the dark clouds and was thinking deeply that his days were similar to the dusty sky wrapped in loneliness.
• Hence, ‘pensive’ is the most appropriate answer.
  

Correct Paragraph: Seventy-year-old Bapak Gilang sat in his favourite rocking chair in his spacious villa. He was staring at the evening sky through the open window. It was already dusk and it was very windy. He observed the dark clouds and felt a little pensive today. He reflected that like the dusk sky, his days were also wrapped in clouds of loneliness.

Additional Information

• Let's look at the meaning of other words:
• Innocent: not having done wrong. (जिसने ग़लत काम नहीं किया; निर्दोष, बेगुनाह, बेक़सूर)
• Attentive: watching, listening to, or thinking about somebody/something carefully. (सावधान, सतर्क, चौकन्‍ना, एकाग्र)
• Delighted: extremely pleased. (अति प्रसन्‍न, बहुत ख़ुश)

• Hence, the correct answer is "Option 4".

• Average runs in total 10 matches = 15

∴ sum of runs in total 10 matches = 15 × 10 = 150. 

• Average runs in first 4 matches = 14

∴ sum of runs in first 4 matches = 14 × 4 = 56. 

• Average runs in last 4 matches = 12

∴ sum of runs in last 4 matches = 12 × 4 = 48. 

• Sum of runs in the remaining 2 matches = total runs in 10 matches - (sum of runs in first 4 matches + sum of runs in last 4 matches)

∴ sum of runs in remaining 2 matches = 150 - (56 + 48) = 150 - 104 = 46.​

⇒ average of runs in remaining 2 matches = 46 ÷ 2 = 23

Hence, the correct answer is "23".

The logic follows here is :-

Sheep: Lamb → A baby sheep is called a lamb

Similarly,

Cow: Calf → A baby cow is called a calf.

Hence, the correct answer is "Cow : Calf".

Additional Information

• Option 1: 

• the water image of A is incorrect

• Option 2: 

• the water image of M is incorrect

• Option 3: 

• this is correct.

• Option 4: 

• the water image of E is incorrect

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 3".

BODMAS RULE:

Option 1) : 64 and 36

Given equation: 64 + 36 ÷ 3 × 9 - 32 = 44

By interchanging 64 and 36 in the given equation.

Interchanged equation is :36 + 64 ÷ 3 × 9 - 32 = 44

⇒ 36 + 21.333 × 9 - 32 = 44

⇒ 36 + 191.997 - 32 = 44

⇒ 227.997 - 32 = 44

⇒ 195.997 ≠ 44

⇒ LHS ≠ RHS

Option 2) : 9 and 64

Given equation : 64 + 36 ÷ 3 × 9 - 32 = 44

By interchanging 9 and 64 in given equation.

Interchanged equation is: 9 + 36 ÷ 3 × 64 - 32 = 44

⇒ 9 + 12 × 64 - 32 = 44

⇒ 9 + 768 - 32 = 44

⇒ 777 - 32 = 44

⇒ 745 ≠ 44

⇒ LHS ≠ RHS

Option 3) : 3 and 9

Given equation : 64 + 36 ÷ 3 × 9 - 32 = 44

By interchanging 3 and 9 in given equation.

Interchanged equation is: 64 + 36 ÷ 9 × 3 - 32 = 44

⇒ 64 + 4 × 3 - 32 = 44

⇒ 64 + 12 - 32 = 44

⇒ 76 - 32 = 44

⇒ 44 = 44

⇒ LHS = RHS

Option 4) : 32 and 36

Given equation : 64 + 36 ÷ 3 × 9 - 32 = 44

By interchanging 32 and 36 in given equation.

Interchanged equation is: 64 + 32 ÷ 3 × 9 - 36 = 44

⇒ 64 + 10.66 × 9 - 36 = 44

⇒ 64 + 95.94 - 36 = 44

⇒ 159.94 - 36 = 44

⇒ 123.94 ≠ 44

⇒ LHS ≠ RHS

Thus, the correct answer is "3 and 9".

Family chart :

Family diagram :

• Case (i) :

• Case (ii) :

Case (i) → Here Boy introduced by Leela to Ana is 'Himself'. 

Case (ii) → Here Boy introduced by Leela to Ana is 'Leela's brother'. 

• There is no option provided Himself/Leela.

∴ We go with case (ii).

Thus, the boy introduced by Leela to Ana is 'Leela's brother'.

Hence, the correct answer is "Brother".

Additional Information

• Leela's grandparents could be Leela's father's or mother's parents

The pattern followed here is:

Hence, the correct answer is "393".

The logic followed here is:

• Code = sum of positional values of opposite letters in the word + no. of consonants in the word
• GATHER is coded as 107:
• No. of consonants in GATHER = 4 (G, T, H, R)
• G + A + T + H + E + R ⇔ (T + Z + G + S + V + I) + 4 = (20 + 26 + 7 + 19 + 22 + 9) + 4 = 103 + 4 = 107
• HONOUR is coded as 74
• No. of consonants in HONOUR = 3 (H, N, R)
• H + O + N + O + U + R ⇔ (S + L + M + L + F + I) + 3 = (19 + 12 + 13 + 12 + 6 + 9) + 3 = 71 + 3 = 74
• ​Similarly, HEAVEN will be coded as 110.
• No. of consonants in HEAVEN = 3 (H, V, N)
• H + E + A + V + E + N ⇔ (S + V + Z + E + V + M) + 3 = (19 + 22 + 26 + 5 + 22 + 13) + 3 = 107 + 3 = 110

Hence, 110 is the correct answer.

The logic followed here is:

• Healthy Diet : Tiredness → Healthy diet can help us avoid tiredness

Similarly,

• Carefulness : ? → Carefulness can help us avoid accidents.

Hence, the correct answer is "Accident".

The logic followed here is :-

First number = (second number)² + (third number)²

• (277, 14, 9) → 14² + 9² → 196 + 81 = 277

Similarly,

• (313, 12, 13) → 12² + 13² → 144 + 169 = 313

Hence, the correct answer is "(313, 12, 13)".

The logic followed here is:

1. Book - reading material
2. Newspaper - reading material
3. Magazine - reading material
4. Publisher - a person or company that publishes books, magazines, etc.

Hence, the correct answer is "Publisher".

The logic followed here is:

• LANCER is written as NALREC and NORWAY will be written as :

Similarly, 

Hence, the correct answer is "RONYAW".

The number of triangles in given figure is as shown below :

∴ There are 17 triangles in given figure.

Hence, the correct answer is "17".

Important Points

• The first three letters are common to each word: I, N, D.
• So, we will compare the words from the fourth letter.

Given order: Indiscipline < Indetermination < Indelicate < Indictable < Independent.

Dictionary order: Indelicate < Independent < Indetermination < Indictable < Indiscipline

Hence, the correct answer is "3, 5, 2, 4, 1".

The logic follows here is :-

1587, 1273, 5789 are odd numbers

but 3462 is an even number.

Hence, 3462 is different from three alternatives.

Thus, the correct answer is "3462".

• The logic followed here is:

• Option 1) : CHSN

• Option 2) : WBYT

• Option 3) : YDWR

• Option 4) : MRGB

• Hence, MRGB is different from the other three alternatives.

Thus, the correct answer is "MRGB".

Given :- _ k l _ l j _ j k j _ l _ l j

By checking options and substituting accordingly.

1) k j l l k → k k l - j l j - l j k -  j l l - k l j

2) l k l j k → l k l - k l j - l j k - j j l - k l j

3) j k l k k → j k l - k l j - l j k - j k l - k l j

4) j l k l k → j k l - l l j - k j k - j l l - k l j

• Option (3) gives a cyclic pattern of jkl - 'klj' - ljk - jkl - 'klj'

Hence, the correct answer is "j k l k k".

• Here, after folding, we get the mirror images of 

and

.

• There will be no change in 

.

Option 1: 

 -  

has changed.

Option 2: 

• mirror image of 

 is not given

Option 3: 

Option 4: 

• mirror image of 

is not given.

Hence, the correct answer is "Option 3".

• The logic followed here is:
• PLMO : PNMQ

Similarly,

• UDMS : ?

• Hence, UDMS is written as 'TNEV'.

Thus, the correct answer is "TNEV".

The least possible Venn diagram for given statements is as follows :

Conclusions:

I. Some cycles are roads → Follows (As shown in the Venn diagram, a part of the cycle is road)

II. No road is a car → Follows (As shown in the Venn diagram, no road is a car because all roads are cycles and no cycle is a car.)

III. No car is a cycle → Follows (Because no cycle is a car, no car is a cycle.)

Hence, the correct answer is "All the conclusions follow".

The least possible Venn diagram for the given relation is as shown below :

• Ridge Gourd is a vegetable which belongs to cucumber family
• Turnip is a root vegetable
• Both Ridge Gourd and Turnip are vegetables.

Thus, the correct answer is "Option 2".

The logic follows here is :-

The opposite faces of given cube is :

Thus, the correct answer is "3 and 5".

The logic followed here is:

• Figure 1 to figure 2 ⇒ (V, ▢, 

) moves 1 step clockwise; C moves to the bottom left corner; (P, △) only interchange their positions

• Figure 2 to figure 3 ⇒ (V, ▢, 

) moves 6 steps clockwise;  C moves to the top right corner

• Figure 3 to figure 4 ⇒ (V, ▢, 

) moves 1 step anticlockwise; C moves to the bottom left corner; (P, △) only interchange their positions

• Figure 4 to figure 5 ⇒ (V, ▢, 

) moves 6 steps anticlockwise; C moves to the top right corner;

• Figure 5 to figure 6 ⇒  (V, ▢, 

) moves 1 step clockwise; C moves to the bottom left corner; (P, △) only interchange their positions

Thus, the correct answer is "Option 1".

The logic followed here is :-

First number = (Second number × 2) - 2

• 364 : 183 → (183 × 2) - 2 = 366 - 2 = 364

Similarly,

• 462 : 232 → (232 × 2) - 2 = 464 - 2 = 462

Thus, the correct answer is "232".

The pattern followed here is:

In a column:

(1st number + 2nd number) - (1st number - 2) = 3rd number.

Column 1: (12 + 14) - (12 - 2) = 26 - 10 = 16

Column 3: (11 + 17) - (11 - 2) = 28 - 9 = 19

Similarly, 

Column 2: (15 + 5) - (15 - 2) = 20 - 13 = 7

Hence, 7 is the correct answer.

Given:

AC = 5 cm

DE = 3 cm

Area of trapezium ACED = 32 cm2

Concept used:

Area of a trapezium = 1/2 × (Sum of the parallel sides) × Height (Perpendicular distance between two parallel lines)

Area of a triangle = 1/2 × Base × Height

Calculation:

Considering the trapezium ACED, the area of ACED = 1/2 × (DE + AC) × GF

According to the question,

1/2 × (DE + AC) × GF = 32

⇒ 1/2 × 8 × GF = 32

⇒ GF = 8

Let BG be P cm.

Area of ΔABC

⇒ 1/2 × AC × BF

⇒ 1/2 × 5 × BF

⇒ 2.5 × (BG + GF)

⇒ 2.5 × (P + 8)

Area of ΔBDE

⇒ 1/2 × DE × BG

⇒ 1.5 × P

According to the question,

ΔABC = ΔBDE + Area of trapezium ACED

⇒ 2.5 × (P + 8) = 1.5 × P + 32

⇒ P = 12

Hence, ΔBED = 1.5 × 12 = 18 cm²

∴ The area of ΔBED is 18 cm2.

Given: 

AB = 15 cm

BC = 10 cm

Concept used:

In geometry, the angle bisector theorem is concerned with the relative lengths of the two segments that a triangle's side is divided into by a line that bisects the opposite angle.

Calculation:

Let CD = P cm.

So, BD = (P - 2) cm

According to the question,

P + P - 2 = 10

⇒ P = 6

So, CD = 6 cm and BD = 4 cm.

Since AD is the angular bisector of ∠A, we can conclude

AB/AC = BD/CD

⇒ 15/AC = 4/6

⇒ AC = 22.5

∴ The length of AC is 22.5 cm.

Given:

$√{x}+\frac{1}{√ x}=2√3$

Concept used:

(a + 1/a)² = a² + 2 + 1/a²

Calculation:

$√{x}+\frac{1}{√ x}=2√3$

⇒ x + 1/x + 2 = 12

⇒ x2 + 1/x2 = 10

⇒ x2 + 1/x2 + 2 = 100

⇒ x2 + 1/x2 = 98

⇒ x4 + 1/x4 + 2 = 9604

⇒ x4 + 1/x4 = 9602

∴ The required value of x4 + 1/x4 is 9602.

Shortcut TrickIf $x + \frac{1}{x}$ = a, then $x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}$ = a² - 2

So, $√{x}+\frac{1}{√ x}=2√3$ , then $x + \frac{1}{x}$ = (2√3)² - 2 = 10

Again, $x + \frac{1}{x}$ = 10 , then $x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}$ = 10² - 2 = 98

Also, $x^2 + \frac{1}{x^2}$ = 98, then $x^4 + \frac{1}{x^4}$ = 98² - 2 = 9602

Shortcut Trick

Using the Income = Expenditure + Savings relation.

Let Income = 100, then Expenditure = 68 and Savings = 32.

Change in Income (40% of 100) = +40.

Change in Expenditure (30% of 68) = +20.4.

Change in Savings = 40 − 20.4 = 19.6.

Savings increase % = (19.6 ÷ 32) × 100 = 61.25%.

∴ The correct answer is 61.25%.

Alternate Method

Given: Initial spending = 68% of income, Income increase = 40%, Expenditure increase = 30%.

Formula Used: Income = Expenditure + Savings; Percentage change = (Change ÷ Original) × 100

⇒ Initial Income = 100, Expenditure = 68, Savings = 100 − 68 = 32

⇒ New Income = 100 + 40% of 100 = 140

⇒ New Expenditure = 68 + 30% of 68 = 68 + 20.4 = 88.4

⇒ New Savings = 140 − 88.4 = 51.6

⇒ Increase in Savings = 51.6 − 32 = 19.6

⇒ Percentage Increase = (19.6 ÷ 32) × 100 = 0.6125 × 100 = 61.25%

∴ The correct answer is 61.25%.

Additional Information

Base Change Rule

When comparing percentage increases, always divide the absolute change by the original base value (initial savings in this case).

Successive Percentage

If a value increases by a% and then by b%, the net increase is given by [a + b + (a × b)/100]%, though linear equations are better for Income-Exp-Savings problems.

Weighted Average/Alligation

Income % change is the weighted average of Expenditure % change and Savings % change based on their initial values.

Given:

The average of 40 numbers is 48.2.

The average of the first 15 numbers is 45 and that of the next 22 numbers is 50.5.

The 38th number is 1 more than the 39th number, and the 39th number is 3 less than the 40th number.

Concept used:

Sum (Total) = Average × Number of elements

Calculation:

The sum of first (15 + 22) = 37 numbers

⇒ (15 × 45) + (22 × 50.5)

⇒ 1786

Let the 39th number be P.

Hence, the 38th & 40th numbers are (P + 1) and (P + 3) respectively.

According to the question,

1786 + (P + 1) + P + (P + 3) = 40 × 48.2

⇒ 3P = 138

⇒ P = 46

⇒ P + 3 = 49

Average of the 39th and 40th numbers = (46 + 49) ÷ 2 = 47.5

∴  47.5 is the average of the 39th and 40th numbers.

Calculation:

Total students in B.Sc Maths = 700 × 20% = 140

Total number of girls in B.Sc Maths = 140 - (140 × 40%) = 84

Ratio = 84 : 140 = 3 : 5

∴ The ratio of the total number of girls admitted in B.Sc. Maths to the total number of students admitted in B.Sc. Maths is 3 : 5.

Given: 

Selling price = Rs. 3150

Profit made = 5%

Desired profit = 8%

Concept used:

Selling price = Cost price + Cost price × Profit%

Calculation:

Let the cost price be Rs. CP.

According to the question,

⇒ CP + CP × 5% = 3150

⇒ CP = 3000

To gain 8%, he should sell the article at = 3000 + 3000 × 8% = Rs. 3240

∴ He should sell the article at Rs. 3240 in order to gain 8%.

Shortcut TrickTo make 8% gain,

He should sell the article at = (3150 ÷ 1.05) × 1.08 = Rs. 3240

∴ He should sell the article at Rs. 3240 in order to gain 8%.

Given:

A tap can fill a tank in 4 hours. Another tap can fill the same tank in 6 hours.

Concept used:

Entire work = Work done hourly × Total time taken (In hours)

Calculation:

LCM (4,6) = 12

Let us consider the capacity of the tank as the LCM of 4 and 6.

So, the capacity of the tank = 12 Units

Hourly filled,

By Tap A = 12 ÷ 4 = 3 units

By Tap B = 12 ÷ 6 = 2 units

Time taken to completely fill the tank when both A & B are opened

⇒ 12 ÷ (3 + 2)

⇒ 2.4 hours = 2 hours 24 minutes

∴ If both the taps are opened at the same time, 2 hours 24 minutes will take the empty tank to be filled completely.

Given:

tan 3θ = sin 45°. cos 45° + cos 60° 

3θ is an acute angle

Concept used:

Calculation:

tan 3θ = sin 45°. cos 45° + cos 60°

⇒ tan 3θ = 1/√2 × 1/√2 + 1/2

⇒ tan 3θ = 1

⇒ tan 3θ = tan 45° 

⇒ 3θ = 45° 

⇒ θ = 15° 

⇒ 4θ = 60° 

⇒ Sin 4θ = Sin 60° 

⇒ Sin 4θ = √3/2

∴ The value of Sin 4θ is √3/2.

Given:

$\frac{13\frac{7}{9}÷\frac{2}{3}\ of\ \frac{1}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\times3}{\frac{7}{5}\ of\ 325-20+7}$

Concept used:

Calculation:

$\frac{13\frac{7}{9}÷\frac{2}{3}\ of\ \frac{1}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\times3}{\frac{7}{5}\ of\ 325-20+7}$

⇒ (124/9 ÷ 2/9 + 2)/(455 - 20 + 7)

⇒ (62 + 2)/442

⇒ 64/442

⇒ 32/221

∴ The required value of $\frac{13\frac{7}{9}÷\frac{2}{3}\ of\ \frac{1}{3}+\frac{2}{3}\times3}{\frac{7}{5}\ of\ 325-20+7}$is 32/221.

Shortcut Trick

For any expression of the form x + (1/x) = k, the value of x² + (1/x²) is always k² − 2.

Since cot θ = 1/tan θ, we have tan θ + (1/tan θ) = 3.

Value = 3² − 2 = 9 − 2 = 7.

∴ The correct answer is 7.

Alternate Method

Given: tan θ + cot θ = 3

Formula Used: (a + b)² = a² + b² + 2ab

⇒ (tan θ + cot θ)² = 3²

⇒ tan² θ + cot² θ + 2(tan θ)(cot θ) = 9

⇒ tan² θ + cot² θ + 2(1) = 9

⇒ tan² θ + cot² θ = 9 − 2

⇒ tan² θ + cot² θ = 7

∴ The correct answer is 7.

Additional Information

Reciprocal Identities

Trigonometric pairs that are reciprocals: tan θ × cot θ = 1, sin θ × cosec θ = 1, and cos θ × sec θ = 1.

Higher Powers Shortcut

If x + 1/x = k, then x³ + 1/x³ = k³ − 3k and x⁴ + 1/x⁴ = (k² − 2)² − 2.

Pythagorean Identities

Key formulas include sec² θ − tan² θ = 1 and cosec² θ − cot² θ = 1.

Calculation:

Total production of Company B in 2015 and 2017 to 2019

⇒ 70 + 150 + 180 + 120 = 520 lakh tonnes

Total production of Company A in 2014 to 2019

⇒ 70 + 90 + 120 + 140 + 130 + 150 = 700 lakh tonnes

90% of the total production of Company A

⇒ 700 × 90% = 630 lakh tonnes

% = (630 - 520)/630 × 100% ≈ 17.5%

∴ The total production of paper by company B in 2015 and 2017 to 2019 was 17.5% less than 90% of the total production of paper by company A in 2014 to 2019.

Given:

The ratio of the shares of A and C is 8 ∶ 7 and that of B and C is 3 ∶ 2.

The difference between the shares of A and B is Rs. 240.

Concept used:

Ratio Proportion

Calculation:

A : C = 8 : 7 = 16 : 14

B : C = 3 : 2 = 21 : 14

A : B : C = 16 : 21 : 14

Let P be the common ratio. 

According to the question,

21P - 16P = 240

⇒ P = 48

⇒ (16 + 21 + 14)P = 2448

∴ The value of x is Rs. 2448.

Given:

The five-digit number 457ab is divisible by 3, 7, and 11.

Concept used:

LCM defines the least number which is exactly divisible by two or more numbers.

Calculation:

LCM (3, 7, 11) = 231

Let us consider the lowest possible values of a,b.

Suppose the given number = 45700 (Where a = b = 0)

Now, when 45700 is divided by 231, the approximate quotient = 45700 ÷ 231 ≈ 197

So, taking the next integer quotient, we will get a multiple of 231.

Hence, the required number = (197 + 1) × 231 = 45738

So, a = 3, b = 8.

a2 + b2 - ab

⇒ 9 + 64 - 24

⇒ 49

∴ The value of a2 + b2 - ab is 49.

Given:

Marked Price = Rs. 350

Selling price = Rs. 308

Concept used:

Discount = Marked Price - Selling Price

Discount % = Discount/Marked Price × 100%

Calculation:

Discount given = 350 - 308 = Rs. 42

Discount % = 42/350 × 100% = 12%

∴ Discount percentage will be 12%.

Shortcut Trick

Let Downstream speed be D and Upstream speed be U.

Equation 1: 15/D + 8/U = 2

Equation 2: 20/D + 12/U = 17/6 (as 2 h 50 min = 17/6 h)

Multiply Eq 1 by 3 and Eq 2 by 2 to equate U terms: 45/D + 24/U = 6 and 40/D + 24/U = 17/3

Subtracting gives: 5/D = 6 − 17/3 ⇒ 5/D = 1/3 ⇒ D = 15 km/h.

∴ The correct answer is 15 km/h.

Alternate Method

Given:

Case 1: Distance Downstream = 15 km, Distance Upstream = 8 km, Total Time = 2 h.

Case 2: Distance Downstream = 20 km, Distance Upstream = 12 km, Total Time = 2 h 50 min = 17/6 h.

Formula Used:

Time = Distance ÷ Speed

Calculations:

⇒ Let 1/D = x and 1/U = y

⇒ 15x + 8y = 2 ... (i)

⇒ 20x + 12y = 17/6 ... (ii)

⇒ Multiply (i) by 3: 45x + 24y = 6

⇒ Multiply (ii) by 2: 40x + 24y = 17/3

⇒ Subtracting: (45x − 40x) = 6 − 17/3

⇒ 5x = 1/3

⇒ x = 1/15

⇒ Since x = 1/D, D = 15 km/h.

∴ The correct answer is 15 km/h.

Additional Information

Downstream and Upstream Speed

Downstream speed (D) = Speed of boat (u) + Speed of stream (v). Upstream speed (U) = Speed of boat (u) − Speed of stream (v).

Speed of Boat in Still Water

Speed of boat in still water (u) = (D + U) ÷ 2. This is the average of the two directional speeds.

Speed of Current

Speed of current/stream (v) = (D − U) ÷ 2. It represents the rate of flow of the water body.

Given:

cosec (58° + θ) - sec (32° - θ) + sin 15° sin 35° sec 55° sin 30° sec 75°

Concept used:

Sec (90° - α ) = Cosec α

Sin α × Cosec α = 1

Calculation:

cosec (58° + θ) - sec (32° - θ) + sin 15° sin 35° sec 55° sin 30° sec 75°

⇒ sec (90° - 58° - θ) - sec (32° - θ) + sin 15° sin 35° sec (90 - 35)° sin 30° sec (90 - 15)°

⇒ sec (32° - θ) - sec (32° - θ) + sin 15° sin 35° cosec 35° sin 30° cosec 15°

⇒ sin 15° cosec 15° sin 35° cosec 35° sin 30°

⇒ 1 × 1 × 1/2

⇒ 1/2

∴ The required value of cosec (58° + θ) - sec (32° - θ) + sin 15° sin 35° sec 55° sin 30° sec 75° is 1/2.

Given: 

Principal amount (P) = Rs. 46000

Rate (R) = 15%

Time (N) =  $2\frac{2}{5}$ years

Concept used:

Compound interest, CI = P(1 + R/100)n - P

where

P = Principal amount

R = Rate of interest per year

N = Time in years

Calculation:

The principal amount becomes

⇒ 46000 × (1 + 15/100)² = Rs. 60835

Now, for 2/5 years, the rate of interest becomes = 15% × 2/5 = 6%

Hence, the principal amount becomes

⇒ 60835 × (1 + 6/100)¹ = Rs. 64485.1

So, the interest accrued = 64485.1 - 46000 ≈ Rs. 18485

∴ Rs. 18485 is the compound interest on a sum of Rs. 46,000 for $2\frac{2}{5}$ years at 15% per annum, interest being compounded annually.

Shortcut Trick

For the first two years, the rate of interest is 15%

Then, for the next 2/5 years, the rate of interest becomes

⇒ 15% × 2/5 = 6%

So, calculating the successive percentage of 15%, 15% and 6%, we get

⇒ {(15 + 15 + 6) + (15 × 15 + 15 × 6 + 15 × 6)/100 + (15 × 15 × 6)/(100 × 100)}%

⇒ 40.185%

So, the interest accrued = 46000 × 40.185% ≈ Rs. 18485

∴ Rs. 18485 is the compound interest on a sum of Rs. 46,000 for  years at 15% per annum, interest being compounded annually.

Shortcut Trick

By the secant intersection theorem, PA × PB = PC × PD.

Given PB = 1/3 × AB = 1/3 × 9 = 3 cm, so PA = 9 + 3 = 12 cm.

Let PD = x cm, meaning PC = x + 5 cm.

12 × 3 = (x + 5) × x ⇒ x² + 5x − 36 = 0

On factorising, (x + 9)(x − 4) = 0 ⇒ x = 4 cm (ignoring negative value).

∴ The correct answer is 4 cm.

Alternate Method

Given:

Length of chord AB = 9 cm

Length of chord CD = 5 cm

PB = 1/3 × AB = 1/3 × 9 = 3 cm

Formula Used:

When two secants of a circle intersect at an exterior point, the product of the entire secant segment and its external part is equal for both secants.

⇒ PA × PB = PC × PD

P B A D C

3 9 x 5

Calculations:

⇒ Total length PA = PB + AB = 3 cm + 9 cm = 12 cm

Let the length of PD be x cm.

⇒ Total length PC = PD + CD = (x + 5) cm

Applying the secant intersection theorem:

⇒ 12 × 3 = (x + 5) × x

⇒ 36 = x² + 5x

⇒ x² + 5x − 36 = 0

Factorising the quadratic equation:

⇒ x² + 9x − 4x − 36 = 0

⇒ x(x + 9) − 4(x + 9) = 0

⇒ (x − 4)(x + 9) = 0

⇒ x = 4 or x = −9

Since the length of a line segment cannot be negative, we discard x = −9.

⇒ PD = 4 cm

∴ The correct answer is 4 cm.

Additional Information

Secant Intersection Theorem

When two secants intersect outside a circle, the product of the total length of one secant and its external segment equals the product of the total length of the other secant and its external segment (PA × PB = PC × PD).

Intersecting Chords Theorem

When two chords intersect inside a circle, the product of the segments of one chord equals the product of the segments of the other chord (PA × PB = PC × PD where P is the internal intersection point).

Tangent-Secant Theorem

If a tangent segment and a secant segment are drawn to a circle from an exterior point, the square of the length of the tangent segment equals the product of the total secant length and its external segment (PT² = PA × PB).

Given:

3√3x3 - 8y3 = (√3x + Ay)(3x2 + By2 + Cxy)

Concept used:

a³ - b³ = (a - b) (a² + b² + ab)

Calculation:

3√3x3 - 8y3 = (√3x + Ay)(3x2 + By2 + Cxy)

⇒ (√3x)3 - (2y)³ = (√3x + Ay)(3x2 + By2 + Cxy)

⇒ (√3x - 2y) (3x² + 4y² + 2√3 xy) = (√3x + Ay)(3x2 + By2 + Cxy)

Comparing both side we get,

A = -2

B = +4 

C = +2√3

Hence,

(A2 + B2 - C2)

⇒ 4 + 16 - 12

⇒ 8

∴ The required (A2 + B2 - C2) is 8.

Calculation:

Number of persons that are less than 20 years of age = 7 + 6 + 7 + 2 = 22

∴ 22 persons are less than 20 years of age.

Calculation:

Difference in angles between May and February = 77° - 45° = 32° 

Here, 1° represents = 5400 ÷ 360 = 15 computers

Hence, the difference between the number of computers sold in May and the number of computers sold in February = 32 × 15 = 480

So, x = 480

∴ The value of x is 480.

Shortcut Trick

When a large sphere is melted to form small spheres, the number of spheres (n) is determined by the cube of the ratio of their radii.

n = (Radius of large sphere / Radius of small sphere)³

n = (12 / 2)³ = 6³ = 216

∴ The correct answer is 216.

Alternate Method

Given:

Radius of the solid metallic sphere (R) = 12 cm

Radius of each small sphere (r) = 2 cm

Formula Used:

Volume of a sphere = (4/3) × π × r³

Calculations:

⇒ Let 'n' be the number of small spheres formed.

⇒ Volume of large sphere = n × Volume of one small sphere

⇒ (4/3) × π × (12)³ = n × (4/3) × π × (2)³

⇒ 12 × 12 × 12 = n × 2 × 2 × 2

⇒ 1728 = n × 8

⇒ n = 1728 ÷ 8

⇒ n = 216

∴ The correct answer is 216.

Additional Information

Volume Conservation

When one solid object is melted and recast into another shape or multiple shapes, the total volume remains constant.

Surface Area of Sphere

The total surface area of a sphere with radius 'r' is given by 4 × π × r².

Hemisphere Properties

For a hemisphere of radius 'r', the volume is (2/3) × π × r³ and the total surface area is 3 × π × r².

Given: 

3x - 2y + 3 = 0

Concept used:

(a - b)³ = a³ - 3a²b + 3ab² - b³

Calculation:

3x - 2y + 3 = 0

⇒ 3x - 2y = -3      ....(1)

⇒ (3x - 2y)³ = -(3)³

⇒ 27x³ - 54x²y + 36xy² - 8y³ = -27

⇒ 27x3 - 18xy (3x - 2y) - 8y3 + 27 = 0

⇒ 27x3 - 18xy × (-3) - 8y3 + 27 = 0 (From 1)

⇒ 27x3 + 54xy - 8y3 + 27 = 0

⇒ 27x3 + 54xy - 8y3 + 30 = 3

∴ The required value of (27x3 + 54xy + 30 - 8y3) is 3.

Shortcut Trick

When tangents from an external point P intersect a circle, and the chord of contact is at a distance d from the centre:

Distance of P from centre OP = (Radius)² ÷ d

⇒ OP = 6.5² ÷ 2.5

⇒ OP = 42.25 ÷ 2.5 = 16.9 cm

∴ The correct answer is 16.9 cm.

Alternate Method

Given:

Radius of the circle, OA = 6.5 cm

Distance of chord from the centre, OM = 2.5 cm

Formula Used:

Hypotenuse² = Perpendicular² + Base²

Calculations:

       O A B P M 6.5 2.5 OP = 16.9 cm

⇒ In right ΔOMA, by Pythagoras theorem:

⇒ AM = √(OA² − OM²)

⇒ AM = √(6.5² − 2.5²) = √(42.25 − 6.25) = √36 = 6 cm

⇒ Tangent PA is perpendicular to radius OA, so ∠OAP = 90°.

⇒ In right ΔOAP, AM is the altitude from the right angle to hypotenuse OP.

⇒ By the geometric mean property of right triangles: OA² = OM × OP

⇒ 6.5² = 2.5 × OP

⇒ 42.25 = 2.5 × OP

⇒ OP = 42.25 ÷ 2.5 = 16.9 cm

∴ The correct answer is 16.9 cm.

Additional Information

Tangent to a Circle

A tangent at any point of a circle is perpendicular to the radius through the point of contact.

Chord of Contact

The line joining the points of contact of two tangents drawn from an external point to a circle is called the chord of contact.

Right-Angled Triangle Properties

In a right ΔABC right angled at A, if AD ⊥ BC, then AB² = BD × BC and AC² = CD × BC.

The correct answer is 2019.

• PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) is a central sector scheme under the Government of India that provides income support to farmers and their families.
• ​Under this scheme, the Center transfers Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal installments, directly to the bank accounts of all landholder farmers, irrespective of the size of their landholdings.
• It was launched in February 2019.

Key Points

• The main objectives of the PM-KISAN scheme are given below:
• The objective of the scheme is to meet the financial nee ds of Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) by ensuring proper crop health and proper yields and in procuring various inputs commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
• It is a central sector scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
• It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fa rmers Welfare.​

The correct answer is Rajasthan.

• Kalbelia dance is an expression of the lifestyle of the Kalbelia community as a snake charmer.
• Kalbelias are now found mainly in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Jalore, and Barmer districts of western Rajasthan and the cities of Jaipur and Pushkar in eastern Rajasthan.
• Women in flowing skirts dance to the beat of the 'khanjari', a percussion instrument, and the 'pungi', a wind instrument.

Additional Information

Important Points 

The list of classical dances in India is given below:

The correct answer is mangrove.

• Coringa is a beautiful mangrove forest where the Godavari joins the backwaters of Bay of Bengal.

Key Points

• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary and estuary located near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh, India.
• It is the third-largest stretch of mangrove forests in India with 24 mangrove tree species and over 120 bird species.
• It is home to the critically endangered white-backed vulture and the long-billed vulture.

Important Points

• Mangrove forests are home and sanctuaries for many aquatic bird species, including:
• Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary
• Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary
• Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
• Pichavaram
• Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
• Sundarbans National Park

Additional Information

• Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

The correct answer is Rajendralala Mitra.

• ‘Buddha Gaya: The Hermitage of Sakya Muni’ in 1878 was written by Rajendralala Mitra.
• ​His major works were "the antiquities of Orissa" (2 volumes, 1875–80), "Bodh Gaya" (1878), "Indo-Aryans" (2 volumes, 1881), and more.
• Bodh Gaya is one of the four holiest places in Buddhism. Here Buddha attained enlightenment after doing penance for 49 days under the Bodhi tree.
• Emperor Ashoka built a temple to mark this site of Buddha's enlightenment in the 3rd century BC.
• A later stone railing that surrounds this temple has remained from the period (1st century BC). Sanchi and Barhut depict the temple on several reliefs.

Additional Information

• Buddhism originated in India 2,600 years ago.
• The religion is based on the teachings, life experiences of its founder Siddhartha Gautama, born around 563 BCE.
• He was born into a royal family of the Shakya dynasty, who ruled from Kapilvastu in Lumbini.
• At the age of 29, Gautama left home and rejected his life of wealth, and adopted a lifestyle of Tapasya, or extreme self-discipline.
• After 49 consecutive days of meditation, Gautam attained Bodhi (wisdom) under a peepal tree in Bodh Gaya village, Bihar.
• Buddha gave his first sermon in Sarnath village near Banaras city of Uttar Pradesh. This phenomenon is known as dharma-chakra-pravartana (the turning of the wheel of law).
• He died at the age of 80 in 483 BC at a place called Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. This event is known as Mahaparinirvana.

The correct answer is Sunil Chhetri.  

• Sunil Chhetri became the second Indian footballer after Bhaichung Bhutia to play 100 international matches.

Important Points

• Awards and honors of Sunil Chhetri:
• 2011 − Arjuna Award, by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding achievement in sports.
• 2019 − Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.
• 2021 – Khel Ratna Award, highest sporting honour of India.

Additional Information

• Udanta Singh is an Indian professional footballer who plays primarily as a forward for the Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC and the Indian national football team.
• Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Indian Super League club Bengaluru and the India national team.
• Bhaichung Bhutia is an Indian former professional footballer who played as a striker. He is often nicknamed the Sikkimese Sniper because of his shooting skills in football.

The correct answer is Punjab.

• Punjab is a state in the northwest region of India and is one of the most prosperous states.
• The name Punjab is made of two words Punj (Five) + Aab (Water) i.e. land of five rivers.
• These five rivers of Punjab are Sutlej, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum. Only Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers flow in today’s Punjab.
• The other two rivers are now in the state of Punjab, situated in Pakistan.
• The Punjab State is divided into three regions: Majha, Doaba and Malwa.

Key Points

• Majha is a region located in the central parts of the historical Punjab region divided between India and Pakistan.
• It extends from the right bank of the Beas River to the north, and reaches as far north as the Jhelum River.
• Doaba is also known as Bist Doab, is the region of Punjab, India that lies between the Beas River and the Sutlej River.
• The dialect of Punjabi spoken in Doaba is called "Doabi".
• Malwa is a region of India in the south-east of the state of Punjab and parts of Haryana and Rajasthan, between the Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.

The correct answer is Mountaineer.

• Ace mountaineer Colonel Narendra Kumar, who helped India secure the Siachen Glacier, passed away in December 2020.
• He was responsible for the success of Operation Meghdoot in 1984.
• He was the first Indian to climb the Nanda Devi mountain.
• He climbed Mount Everest, Mount Blanc (the highest peak in the Alps) in 1965, and later, Mount Kanchenchanga.

Important Points

• Bachendri Pal, an Indian mountaineer, is the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak in the world.
• She achieved this feat in 1984 and was later awarded the Padma Shri.

The correct answer is precipitation.

• In meteorology, precipitation is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor under the gravitational pull from clouds.
• The main forms of precipitation include drizzle, rain, hail, snow, ice pellets, graupel, and hail.
• Precipitation occurs when a part of the atmosphere becomes saturated with water vapor (reaching 100% relative humidity), causing the water to condense and "precipitate" or fall off.
• Thus, fog and mist are not rain but colloid, because the water vapor is not condensed enough for precipitation.

Additional Information

• Condensation is the process in which water vapor becomes liquid.
• This is the reverse of evaporation, where liquid water becomes vapor.
• Condensation occurs in one of two ways: either the air cools to its dew point or it becomes so saturated with water vapor that it cannot hold any more water.
• Sedimentation is a physical water treatment process in which gravity is used to remove suspended solids from water.
• Solid particles trapped in a moving water disturbance can be naturally removed by sedimentation in the still waters of lakes and oceans.
• For example, in a mixture of sand and water, sand settles down at the bottom.
• Decantation is a process for the separation of mixtures of immiscible liquids or of a liquid and a solid mixture such as a suspension. 
• Example: decantation of oil and vinegar.

The correct answer is Reita Faria.

• Reita Faria is an Indian physician, former model, and winner of the Miss World 1966 pageant.
• Reita Faria is a beauty pageant titleholder who won the Miss World title in 1966, making her the first Asian woman to win the event.
• Born in Bombay to Goan parents, she became the first Asian woman to win a beauty pageant.

Additional Information

• List of Miss World winners from India