English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The primary issue in the sentence is the use of the plural verb "were" with the singular subject "Neither."
• When "Neither" is used as the subject of a sentence, it is grammatically singular and requires a singular verb.
• The correct phrase should be "proposals was approved," ensuring proper subject-verb agreement.
• Thus, the error is located in part B (Option 2) of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "Neither of the two proposals was approved because the committee found both of them to be unsatisfactory."

 

Additional Information

• A: "Neither of the two" – This part correctly sets up the choice between two specific items and serves as the singular subject.
• C: "because the committee found" – This part is grammatically correct; "committee" is a collective noun acting as a single unit here.
• D: "both of them to be unsatisfactory." – This part correctly uses "both" to refer back to the two proposals and is grammatically sound.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Although "proposals" is plural, it is the object of the preposition "of," not the subject of the sentence.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The sentence uses the correlative conjunction "not only... but also," which is used to connect two balanced clauses or phrases.
• The inclusion of "and" in part C is redundant and grammatically incorrect because the "not only" in part B is already waiting to be paired with "but also" in part D.
• To maintain the correct correlative structure, the conjunction "and" should be removed or replaced to ensure the two parts of the pair correlate directly.
• Thus, the error is located in part C (Option 3) of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "He is not only intelligent hardworking, but also very kind." 

Additional Information

• Correlative Conjunctions: These are pairs like either... or, neither... nor, and not only... but also. They must connect grammatically similar elements (parallelism).
• A: "He is" – This is the subject and helping verb, which is correct.
• B: "not only intelligent" – This starts the correlative pair correctly.
• D: "but also very kind" – This completes the correlative pair correctly.
• Parallelism: When using "not only... but also," ensure that the words following each part of the conjunction are the same part of speech (in this case, adjectives: intelligent/hardworking and kind).

The correct answer is 'with'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition "with" is used to indicate involvement or association in a particular activity or situation.
• The sentence describes the defendant’s involvement in colluding with foreign agents, making "with" the most appropriate choice.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are incorrect as they do not fit the grammatical or contextual requirements of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The defendant was charged with colluding with foreign agents to influence the outcome of the election."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "of" is incorrect because "charged of" is not a valid construction in this context.
• Option 2: "for" is incorrect because "charged for" is used in the context of billing or monetary transactions, not accusations.
• Option 4: "about" is incorrect because it does not convey the required sense of involvement.

The correct answer is 'whereas'.

 

Key Points

• The conjunction "whereas" is used to show contrast between two clauses.
• In the given sentence, the two parts are contrasting: "He has a lot of potential" contrasts with "his lack of discipline may hinder his growth."
• Options 2, 3, 4, and 5 are grammatically incorrect or do not fit the context of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: "He has a lot of potential, whereas his lack of discipline may hinder his growth."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "unless" is incorrect because it is used to introduce a condition, not a contrast.
• Option 3: "because" is incorrect as it introduces a reason, not a contrasting idea.
• Option 4: "albeit" is incorrect because it means "although" or "even though," and does not fit with the structure of the sentence.

The correct answer is option 1.

Key Points

The correctly spelled word is 'Anniversary'.

• Anniversary refers to the date on which an event took place in a previous year, typically a celebration of an important past event. (वार्षिकोत्सव)
• Let us analyze the given options:
• Option 1: Anniversary - Correctly spelled.
• Option 2: Aniversary - Incorrect, missing one 'n'.
• Option 3: Anniversarry - Incorrect, has an extra 'r'.
• Option 4: Annivessary - Incorrect, has 'e' instead of 'i'.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Anniversary' (Option 1).

Additional Information

Examples of usage:

• They celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary with a grand party.
• The company marked its 10^th anniversary with a special event for employees.

The correct answer is option 3.

Key Points

The correctly spelt word is 'Inimical'.

• **The word 'Inimical' means 'tending to obstruct or harm; unfriendly'. **(विरोधी/हानिकारक)
• It is an adjective and is used in contexts where hostility or harm is implied.
• For Example -
• His policies are inimical to the interests of the working class.
• The two countries have developed an inimical relationship due to repeated border disputes.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Inimical' (option 3).

Additional Information

Let's understand why the other options are incorrect -

• Option 1: Emenical - This is a misspelled word.

No such word exists in the English language.

• Option 2: Enemical - This is incorrect as it doesn't match the correct spelling 'Inimical'.
• Option 4: Enimical - This is also misspelled. The correct spelling is 'Inimical'.

The correct answer is: Option 1 i.e. Everyone working together.

Key Points

• The phrase "All hands on the deck" means that everyone is required to work together or contribute to a task, especially in a situation of urgency or importance. (सभी को एक साथ मिलकर काम करना पड़ता है)
• Example: When the company was facing a critical deadline, it was all hands on the deck to complete the project on time.
• Correct Explanation: The idiom emphasizes teamwork and cooperation, especially in situations that demand collective effort. (टीमवर्क और सहयोग पर जोर देना, खासकर जब एक सामूहिक प्रयास की आवश्यकता हो)
• Example: The storm was approaching fast, so it was all hands on the deck to secure the ship.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Option 1 i.e. Everyone working together.

Additional Information

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

• Option 2: Someone in charge of the deck (डेक का प्रभारी व्यक्ति): This is incorrect as the idiom does not refer to a single person but rather to collective teamwork.
• Example: The captain of the ship is responsible for the deck, but this does not align with the idiom's meaning.
• Option 3: A distraction on the deck (डेक पर ध्यान भटकाने वाला कुछ): This is incorrect as the idiom does not refer to a distraction but to a coordinated effort.
• Example: There was no distraction on the deck; instead, everyone was focused on the task.
• Option 4: A difficult task (एक कठिन कार्य): This is incorrect because the idiom doesn’t refer to the difficulty of the task but rather to the need for collective effort.
• Example: While it was a difficult task, all hands on the deck ensured it was completed successfully.

The correct answer is: Scarce.

Key Points

• The word "Profuse" means something that exists or is produced in large quantities; it refers to abundance or excess. (प्रचुर मात्रा में)
• Example: The garden was profuse with vibrant flowers blooming in every corner.
• "Scarce" refers to something that is insufficient, rare, or in short supply; it is the opposite of profuse. (दुर्लभ)
• Example: During the drought, water became scarce in the region.
• Hence, the antonym of "Profuse" is "Scarce".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Scarce.

Additional Information

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

• Copious (प्रचुर): Existing in large quantity; abundant.
• Example: She took copious notes during the lecture to ensure she didn’t miss any details.
• Abundant (अधिक): Present in large amounts; more than enough.
• Example: The region is abundant in natural resources like coal and minerals.
• Plentiful (बहुतायत): Exceedingly large in quantity; available in plenty.
• Example: The harvest this year was plentiful due to good rainfall.

The correct answer is: Veterinarian.

Key Points

• The word "Veterinarian" refers to a person who is professionally trained to care for the health of animals, including diagnosing and treating their diseases and injuries. (पशु चिकित्सक)
• Example: The veterinarian prescribed a special diet to improve the dog's health.
• "Zoologist" is a scientist who studies animals and their behavior, but they do not necessarily treat animals medically. (प्राणी विज्ञानी)
• Example: The zoologist spent years studying the migration patterns of birds.
• Hence, the correct one-word substitute for a person trained to care for animals is "Veterinarian".

Therefore, the correct answer is: Veterinarian.

Additional Information

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

• Zoologist (प्राणी विज्ञानी): A scientist who studies animals and their biology.
• Example: The zoologist observed the behavior of lions in their natural habitat.
• Biologist (जीव विज्ञानी): A scientist who studies living organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.
• Example: The biologist is researching the impact of climate change on marine life.
• Ecologist (पारिस्थितिकी विज्ञानी): A scientist who studies the relationships between living organisms and their environment.
• Example: The ecologist is examining the effects of deforestation on local ecosystems.

The correct answer is: Blot.

Key Points

• The word "Blot" refers to a stain or mark caused by a discoloring substance. (दाग)
• Example: The ink spilled on the paper, leaving a large blot that ruined the document.
• It is often used to describe a stain that negatively impacts the cleanliness or appearance of something.
• "Blot" is the correct one-word substitute for the given statement.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Blot.

Additional Information

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

• Smudge (धब्बा): A smear or streak caused by rubbing something wet or greasy.
• Example: She accidentally smudged the ink on her drawing while working on it.
• Mark (निशान): A visible impression or sign left on a surface.
• Example: The table had a mark where the hot cup had been placed.
• Spot (धब्बा): A small area or point differing in color or texture from its surroundings.
• Example: The leopard has distinctive spots on its fur.

The correct answer is option 2.

Key Points

The misspelled word is 'addres'.

• The correct spelling would be 'address'.
• The word 'address' is a noun or verb depending on its usage:
• As a noun: It refers to the particulars of the place where someone lives or an organization is situated. (पता)
• As a verb: It refers to the act of speaking to someone or dealing with something. (संबोधित करना)
• For Example -
• As a noun: The address on the envelope was incomplete.
• As a verb: The teacher addressed the concerns of her students.

Therefore, the correct answer would be option 2.

Additional Information

Let’s understand the meanings of the other sentences:

• Option 1: The sentence is correct as it uses the word 'address' in its proper form.
• Option 3: The phrase 'return address' is correctly spelled and used.
• Option 4: The sentence properly uses 'mailing address' with the correct spelling.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Active voice structure: The subject performs the action, whereas in the passive voice, the subject receives the action.
• The original sentence contains two passive constructions: "It was believed" (Passive reporting) and "had been stolen by a rival company" (Passive main clause).
• To convert "It was believed" to active, we need a general subject like "People" or "They" because the original agent is unspecified.
• To convert "had been stolen by a rival company" to active, the agent "a rival company" must become the subject of the verb "had stolen."
• Combining these changes results in: "People believed that a rival company had stolen the secret formula."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "People believed that a rival company had stolen the secret formula."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "A rival company believed that the secret formula had been stolen." – This changes the meaning; it suggests the rival company was the one believing the theft occurred.
• Option 3: "The secret formula was stolen by a rival company." – This is still in the passive voice and omits the "It was believed" context entirely.
• Option 4: "A rival company stole the secret formula, it was believed." – While the first part is active, "it was believed" remains a passive construction at the end.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• Direct Speech: "The professor said, 'The study published last year proves that the hypothesis is false.'"
• Key Conversions:
• Tense Change (Backshifting):
• When the reporting verb is in the past tense ("said"), the verbs in the reported speech move one step back in time.
• The simple present "proves" changes to the simple past "proved."
• The simple present "is" changes to the simple past "was."
• Time Expression Change:
• Specific time markers change to reflect the shifted perspective.
• "last year" is converted to "the previous year" or "the year before."
• Conjunction:
• The comma and quotation marks are replaced by the conjunction "that" to introduce the reported statement.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: "The professor said that the study published the previous year proved that the hypothesis was false."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: Fails to apply backshifting to the verbs ("proves," "is") and fails to change the time expression ("last year").
• Option 3: Correctly changes the time expression and the first verb but fails to change the second verb ("is" remains "is").
• Option 4: Correctly shifts both verbs to the past tense but incorrectly retains the time expression "last year" instead of changing it to "the previous year."

The correct answer is 'Option 1'.

 

Key Points

• The subject "a pair of jeans" is singular, and therefore, the verb "is" must agree with the singular subject.
• The correct choice is Option 1, where the singular verb "is" matches the subject.
• Option 2 ("it has already torn") is grammatically incorrect because "has torn" implies an action performed by the subject, which is not possible for jeans.
• Option 3 ("it was already torn") suggests the jeans were already torn at the time of purchase, which contradicts the intended meaning.
• Option 4 ("and which are already torn") is grammatically awkward and redundant.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: "I bought a new pair of jeans and it is already torn."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "it has already torn" is incorrect because it implies an action performed by the jeans, which is not logical.
• Option 3: "it was already torn" is incorrect as it contradicts the idea of buying new jeans.
• Option 4: "and which are already torn" is incorrect due to redundancy and awkward phrasing.

The correct answer is 'in the last four overs'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase "in the last four overs" is more suitable because it clearly indicates the time period that has just passed.
• The original phrase "in the past four overs" is grammatically correct but slightly less common in cricket terminology.
• Options 2, 3, and 4 are either incorrect or do not fit the context appropriately.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: "The bowler took three wickets in the last four overs."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "in the next four overs" is incorrect because it refers to a future time frame, not the past.
• Option 3: "during the past four overs" is wordy and less concise than the correct option.
• Option 4: "in four overs" is vague and does not specify whether it refers to the past or future.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Identify the Tense: The active sentence "will be implementing" is in the Future Continuous Tense.
• Passive Structure for Future Continuous: The formula is Object + will be + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject.
• Step 1: Move the object "The new environmental regulations" to the beginning.
• Step 2: Change the verb "will be implementing" to "will be being implemented."
• Step 3: Add the agent "by the government" and the time phrase "next month."

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "The new environmental regulations will be being implemented by the government next month."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: "will be implemented" – This is the Future Simple Passive. It misses the continuous "being" aspect.
• Option 3: "are being implemented" – This is the Present Continuous Passive, which changes the timeframe from future to present.
• Option 4: "will have been implemented" – This is the Future Perfect Passive, used for actions that will be completed by a certain point.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• Indirect Speech: "My friend told me that she had been thinking about quitting her job but that she had not made a final decision yet."
• Key Conversions:
• Tense Change (Forward-shifting):
• When converting from indirect to direct speech, we move the tenses forward.
• The past perfect continuous "had been thinking" shifts forward to the present perfect continuous "have been thinking."
• The past perfect "had not made" shifts forward to the present perfect "have not made."
• Pronoun Change:
• The third-person pronoun "she" and possessive "her" in indirect speech must change to the first-person "I" and "my" to reflect the original speaker's perspective.
• Reporting Verb:
• The reporting verb "told me" is typically converted back to "said to me" followed by a comma and quotation marks.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "My friend said to me, 'I have been thinking about quitting my job, but I have not made a final decision yet.'"

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Incorrectly uses the past continuous ("I was thinking") for the first part of the sentence.
• Option 3: Keeps the verbs in the past perfect ("had been thinking," "had not made"), which would only be used in direct speech if the action had already been completed before another past event.
• Option 4: Uses the simple past ("did not make") for the second clause, which does not align with the duration/relevance implied by "yet" in this context.

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• Option 2) a participial phrase modifying “reforms”
• This is the correct answer. The phrase begins with the past participle "aimed." It functions as an adjectival phrase directly describing the noun preceding it, "reforms." It tells us specifically what kind of institutional reforms are necessary—those that are aimed at amplifying female representation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (a misplaced modifier): Incorrect because it is placed perfectly adjacent to the noun it describes ("reforms"), meaning there is no grammatical ambiguity about what is being modified.
• Option 3 (an absolute phrase modifying the entire sentence): Incorrect because an absolute phrase typically features a noun or pronoun alongside a participle modifying the whole clause (e.g., "The reforms having passed, the board celebrated"), which doesn't fit the syntax here.
• Option 4 (an infinitive phrase modifying “necessity”): Incorrect because an infinitive phrase requires the word "to" followed by the base form of a verb (e.g., "to aim").

The correct answer is 'Option 2'.

 

Key Points

• Tense Analysis: Present Tense
• The auxiliary (helping) verb used in the sentence is "is", which indicates that the action is occurring in the present tense. If it were past tense, the helping verb would be "was."
• Voice Analysis: Passive Voice
• In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is the recipient of the action rather than the doer. Here, the subject "Their leadership" receives the action of being characterized.
• A passive voice construction requires a form of the "to be" verb paired with a past participle. The phrase "is characterized" follows this exact formula.
• Additionally, the use of the preposition "by" to introduce the actual agents of the action ("a collaborative approach, emotional intelligence, and resilience") is a classic indicator of a passive sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is passive voice, present tense.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (active voice, present tense): Incorrect because the subject is receiving the action, not performing it. An active equivalent would be: "A collaborative approach characterizes their leadership."
• Option 3 (active voice, past tense): Incorrect due to both voice (it is passive) and tense (it uses "is" instead of "was").
• Option 4 (passive voice, past tense): Incorrect because the auxiliary verb "is" places the sentence in the present tense. The past passive equivalent would be "was characterized."

The correct answer is: Option (2) i.e. Dominance or rise.

Key Points

• The word "ascendancy" means occupation of a position of dominant power or influence; a state of rising to power or becoming more dominating. (प्रभुत्व या प्रभाव)
• Example: The party's ascendancy in the political arena was remarkable.
• The closest synonym for 'ascendancy' is 'dominance or rise', which means having a commanding influence or coming into an increased level of power. (प्रभुत्व या उदय)
• Example: The company's rise to market dominance was swift and impressive.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Dominance or rise.

Additional Information

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

• Decline (पतन): A decrease in quality, quantity, or importance.
• Example: There has been a decline in sales over the past few months.
• Stagnation (स्थिरता): The state of not flowing or not moving.
• Example: The local economy showed signs of stagnation despite efforts for development.
• Separation (विच्छेद या अलगाव): The action or state of moving or being moved apart.
• Example: The separation of the two companies was completed in January.