English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is Option (4) i.e. 'Work that is done for pleasure rather than money'.

Key Points

• The idiom 'Labor of love' refers to a task or piece of work that a person performs out of deep interest, passion, or personal satisfaction rather than for financial gain or external rewards. (मेहनत का वह काम जो खुशी के लिए किया जाए)
• Example: For the retired teacher, running a free library in his village is a labor of love.
• 'Work that is done for pleasure rather than money' describes an activity undertaken primarily because the person enjoys doing it, without the expectation of being paid. (पैसे के बजाय खुशी के लिए किया गया काम)
• Example: Painting murals for the local orphanage is a work that is done for pleasure rather than money for her.
• Hence, we can infer that the meaning of the idiom 'Labor of love' is 'Work that is done for pleasure rather than money'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Work that is done for pleasure rather than money.

Additional Information

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

• A profuse or intense display or declaration of love or affection (प्रेम या स्नेह का अत्यधिक प्रदर्शन): This refers to an abundant or very strong showing of emotional fondness towards someone.
• Example: His profuse declaration of love at the airport surprised everyone.
• An exclamation of surprise, shock, frustration, exasperation, anger, alarm, or annoyance (आश्चर्य, सदमा, क्रोध या झुंझलाहट क�� अभिव्यक्ति): This describes a sudden, loud cry or remark expressing a sharp emotional reaction.
• Example: 'Good grief!' is a common exclamation of frustration when things go wrong.
• Used to introduce some great sacrifice or demonstration of selfless goodwill (निस्वार्थ सद्भावना या बलिदान का प्रदर्शन): This phrase is used to highlight an act of altruism or kindness performed without selfish motives.
• Example: The soldier’s decision to stay behind was a final demonstration of selfless goodwill toward his comrades.

The correct answer is: To speak with accuracy and exactness.

Key Points

• The idiom 'Speak by the card' means to be extremely careful and precise in one's language, ensuring that everything said is accurate and based on facts. (सटीक और शुद्ध रूप से बोलना)
• Example: The lawyer advised his client to speak by the card during the cross-examination to avoid any contradictions.
• 'To speak with accuracy and exactness' refers to the act of communicating information that is correct, precise, and without any errors. (सटीकता और यथार्थता के साथ बोलना)
• Example: Scientific reports require researchers to speak with accuracy and exactness regarding their findings.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct meaning of the idiom 'speak by the card' is 'to speak with accuracy and exactness'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- To speak with accuracy and exactness.

Additional Information

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

• To communicate in a way that aligns with one's perspective, preferences, motivations, etc. (अपने दृष्टिकोण या प्राथमिकताओं के अनुसार संवाद करना): This refers to speaking based on personal bias or individual viewpoints.
• Example: Politicians often communicate in a way that aligns with their party's perspective rather than objective truth.
• To speak candidly as one sees or experiences, even if it comes across as rude or tactless (बेबाकी से बोलना, भले ही वह अभद्र लगे): This means being blunt or direct without worrying about being polite.
• Example: He is known to speak candidly, which sometimes hurts the feelings of his colleagues.
• To say malicious, objectionable, or defamatory things about someone or something (किसी के बारे में दुर्भावनापूर्ण या अपमानजनक बातें कहना): This refers to the act of slandering or bad-mouthing others.
• Example: It is unethical to say defamatory things about a competitor just to win a contract.

The correct answer is Option(3) i.e. Equestrian.

Key Points

• The word 'Equestrian' refers to someone who is a skilled horse rider or something that relates to horse riding or horseback riders. (घुड़सवारी संबंधी)
• Example: The local equestrian club is hosting its annual show jumping competition this weekend.
• 'Equestrian' is the correctly spelt word among the given options, originating from the Latin word 'equester' (belonging to a horseman). (घुड़सवार)
• Example: The park features a magnificent equestrian statue of the former king.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct spelling is 'Equestrian'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Equestrian.

Additional Information

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

• Equestarian (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word where an extra 'a' is placed before the 'r'.
• Example: This spelling is incorrect and not used in the English language.
• Equestirian (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word where 'i' is used instead of 'e' after 't'.
• Example: Always check the dictionary to avoid misspellings like equestirian.
• Equesterian (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling of the word where an extra 'e' is added between 't' and 'r'.
• Example: Using the spelling equesterian is a common typographical error.

The correct answer is: Wonderful.

Key Points

• The word 'marvelous' refers to something that causes great wonder; it is extraordinary or extremely good. (अद्भुत)
• Example: The weather during our vacation was absolutely marvelous.
• 'Wonderful' means inspiring delight, pleasure, or admiration; it is used to describe something that is extremely good or marvelous. (आश्चर्यजनक)
• Example: It is wonderful to see the family back together again.
• Hence, we can infer that the closest synonym of 'marvelous' is 'wonderful'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Wonderful.

Additional Information

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

• Terrible (भयानक): Extremely bad or serious.
• Example: The traffic was terrible this morning due to the heavy rain.
• Ordinary (साधारण): With no special or distinctive features; normal or commonplace.
• Example: She was just an ordinary girl with big dreams.
• Boring (उबाऊ): Not interesting; tedious or dull.
• Example: The long lecture became quite boring after the first hour.

The correct answer is: Ignoreamus.

Key Points

• The word 'ignoreamus' is misspelt as it incorrectly includes an 'e' after the prefix; it is intended to represent the word for an ignorant person. (अशुद्ध शब्द)
• Example: The document contained a typo where 'ignoramus' was written as 'ignoreamus'.
• 'Ignoramus' is the correct spelling, referring to a person who is utterly ignorant or lacks knowledge, especially in a specific field. (अज्ञानी व्यक्ति)
• Example: Despite his wealth, he remained a complete ignoramus regarding the basic laws of the country.
• Hence, we can conclude that the misspelt word among the given options is 'ignoreamus'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Ignoreamus.

Additional Information

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

• Independence (स्वतंत्रता): The state of being free from the control or influence of others.
• Example: Many nations fought for their independence during the twentieth century.
• Retribution (प्रतिफल/दंड): Punishment inflicted on someone as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act.
• Example: The villain eventually faced retribution for his wicked deeds.
• Connotation (भावार्थ): An idea or feeling which a word invokes for a person in addition to its primary meaning.
• Example: The word 'home' has a connotation of warmth and security that 'house' lacks.

The correct answer is: Respond.

Key Points

• The word 'Interrogate' means to ask questions of someone, especially a suspect or a prisoner, closely, aggressively, or formally. (पूछताछ करना)
• Example: The police began to interrogate the suspect about his whereabouts on the night of the crime.
• 'Respond' refers to saying something in reply or as an answer; it is the act of providing information or a reaction rather than demanding it. (जवाब देना)
• Example: She didn't respond to my email until three days later.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'interrogate' is 'respond'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Respond.

Additional Information

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

• Question (प्रश्न पूछना): To ask someone questions to get information or to express doubt.
• Example: I have a question about the new project timeline.
• Examine (जांच करना): To inspect someone or something in detail to determine their nature or condition.
• Example: The doctor needs to examine your throat before making a diagnosis.
• Investigate (जांच-पड़ताल करना): To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry to discover and examine facts.
• Example: The detective was assigned to investigate the robbery that took place last night.

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

Key Points

• The phrase 'A short version of a written text with only the main points' refers to a concise summary or a condensed version of a larger document. (एक लिखित पाठ का संक्षिप्त रूप जिसमें केवल मुख्य बिंदु हों)
• Example: The executive summary served as a short version of a written text with only the main points for the busy directors.
• 'Precis' means a concise summary or abstract of a text, speech, or report that captures all the essential information in a condensed form. (संक्षेप)
• Example: She was asked to write a precis of the long report to save the committee time.
• Hence, we can infer that 'precis' is the most suitable one-word substitute for the given phrase.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Precis.

Additional Information

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

• Extract (निकाला हुआ भाग): A portion of a book, document, or film that has been taken out for a specific purpose.
• Example: The magazine published a short extract from the author's upcoming autobiography.
• Excerpt (उद्धरण): A short extract from a film, broadcast, or piece of music or writing.
• Example: They played an excerpt from the symphony during the radio interview.
• Epilogue (उपसंहार): A section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a comment on or a conclusion to what has happened.
• Example: The epilogue of the novel explains what happened to the characters ten years later.

The correct answer is Option (2) i.e. Prologue.

Key Points

• The phrase 'a piece of writing that introduces a novel' refers to the opening section of a literary work that sets the stage, provides background information, or establishes the tone before the main story begins. (प्रस्तावना)
• Example: The author included a brief piece of writing to explain the history of the fictional world before the first chapter.
• 'Prologue' is the specific term for an introductory speech or section in a novel, play, or poem. It often provides essential context that helps the reader understand the events to follow. (भूमिका)
• Example: The prologue of the novel described a mysterious event that happened fifty years before the main plot.
• Hence, we can infer that the most suitable one-word substitution for the given phrase is 'Prologue'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Prologue.

Additional Information

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

• Epilogue (उपसंहार): A section or speech at the end of a book or play that serves as a conclusion or a comment on what has happened.
• Example: In the epilogue, the readers finally learn what happened to the hero after he left the kingdom.
• Excerpt (अंश): A short extract taken from a film, broadcast, piece of music, or writing.
• Example: The literary magazine published an excerpt from the upcoming thriller to build excitement.
• Synopsis (सारांश): A brief summary or general survey that provides an outline of the plot or main points of a work.
• Example: The agent asked the writer to submit a one-page synopsis of her entire novel.

The correct answer is Many houses near the coast were destroyed by the storm.

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Active Voice and follows the structure of the Simple Past Tense: Subject + V2 (Past Tense Verb) + Object.
• In the given sentence, The storm acts as the Subject, destroyed is the Simple Past form of the verb, and many houses near the coast is the Object.
• When converting a sentence from Active to Passive Voice, the Object of the active sentence becomes the Subject of the passive sentence.
• The standard formula for Simple Past Tense in the Passive Voice is: New Subject + was/were + V3 (Past Participle) + by + New Object.
• Since the new subject Many houses near the coast is plural, the auxiliary verb were must be used to maintain Subject-Verb Agreement.
• The Past Participle (V3) form of the verb destroy is destroyed, and the original subject The storm is added as the agent after the preposition by.
• Combining these elements, the correct passive sentence is: Many houses near the coast were destroyed by the storm.

 Additional Information

• Understanding Tense Consistency in Voice Conversion:
• Simple Present Passive: Formed using is/am/are + V3. It is used for habitual actions or general truths (e.g., are destroyed).
• Present Perfect Passive: Formed using has/have + been + V3. It indicates an action completed in the recent past with a connection to the present (e.g., have been destroyed).
• Simple Future Passive: Formed using will + be + V3. It is used for actions that are expected to happen in the future (e.g., will be destroyed).
• Simple Past Passive: Formed using was/were + V3. It must be used when the active verb is in the Simple Past to preserve the original meaning.

The correct answer is The transport department is strictly implementing the latest safety regulations..

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Passive Voice of the Present Continuous Tense, as indicated by the structure are being + past participle (implemented).
• When converting from Passive to Active Voice, the object of the preposition 'by' (the transport department) becomes the subject of the active sentence.
• In the Present Continuous Tense, the active voice construction follows the pattern: Subject + is/am/are + present participle (verb + ing) + Object.
• The subject the transport department is a singular entity, necessitating the use of the singular auxiliary verb is followed by the main verb implementing.
• The original subject of the passive sentence (the latest safety regulations) shifts to the object position in the active sentence.
• The adverb strictly maintains its position to modify the verb, resulting in the correct active form: is strictly implementing.

 Additional Information

• Understanding Tense Consistency during voice conversion:
• Simple Present: If the active verb is implements, the passive is is/are implemented.
• Present Continuous: If the active verb is is implementing, the passive is is/are being implemented.
• Simple Past: If the active verb is implemented, the passive is was/were implemented.
• Present Perfect: If the active verb is has implemented, the passive is has/have been implemented.
• The Active Voice is generally preferred in professional and clear communication as it identifies the doer of the action directly and is typically more concise than the Passive Voice.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The error in the sentence is the incorrect use of the preposition of in Part 3.
• When discussing a specific functional or mechanical fault within a machine, device, or system, the preposition with is idiomatically correct.
• The phrase problem of is typically reserved for defining the nature of an abstract issue or a general situation (e.g., the problem of poverty).
• To indicate a malfunction in a component, the sentence should correctly use problem with the ignition system.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: 'There is an irreparable problem with the ignition system of the car, which has to be addressed immediately.'

 

Additional Information

• Part 1: 'There is an' – This is grammatically sound. The indefinite article an correctly precedes the word irreparable, which begins with a vowel sound.
• Part 2: 'irreparable problem' – The adjective irreparable is used correctly to describe a problem that cannot be repaired or rectified.
• Part 4: 'which has to be addressed immediately' – This relative clause is grammatically correct and appropriately conveys the necessity of urgent action.

The correct answer is 'with'.

 

Key Points

• The verb agree takes the preposition with when it refers to being in accord with an opinion, policy, statement, or person.
• In this context, the sentence implies that the farmers did not share the same opinion or approve of the government's policy.
• Therefore, with is the most suitable preposition to fill the blank.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "The farmers did not agree with the policy of the government."

 

Additional Information

• Agree to: This is generally used for a proposal, suggestion, or an action (e.g., They agreed to the terms of the contract).
• Agree on: This is used when two or more people reach a mutual decision or consensus about a specific matter (e.g., We agreed on a price).
• Agree about: This is used to indicate having the same opinion regarding a subject or situation.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes the life and changing appearance of a girl, moving from her birth to her present state.
• Sentence S1 is the starting point, establishing that she was a beautiful baby.
• Sentence C follows immediately as it adds specific detail to the claim in S1:
• 'The first and only one of our five that was beautiful at birth.'
• Sentence D is the second sentence because it shifts the focus from her birth to her present situation, describing her current beauty as a new and uneasy tenancy:
• 'You do not guess how new and uneasy her tenancy in her now-loveliness.'
• Sentence A follows by explaining the long interval between her birth and her current beauty, mentioning the years she was thought homely and introducing the term seeing eye:
• 'You did not know her all those years she was thought homely... and was now, to the seeing eye.'
• Sentence B is the fourth sentence as it directly responds to the phrase 'seeing eye' from the end of sentence A:
• 'But the seeing eyes were few or non-existent.'
• Sentence S2 concludes the paragraph by adding a final qualifying detail to sentence B:
• 'Including mine.'
• The logically coherent sequence is CDAB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'She was a beautiful baby. The first and only one of our five that was beautiful at birth. You do not guess how new and uneasy her tenancy in her now-loveliness. You did not know her all those years she was thought homely, or see her poring over her baby pictures, making me tell her over and over how beautiful she had been - and would be, I would tell her - and was now, to the seeing eye. But the seeing eyes were few or non-existent. Including mine.'

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes a past encounter with a woman whom the narrator remembers through a specific detail: a ring.
• S1 is the fixed starting sentence, which introduces the mystery of the woman and the significance of a ring on her right forefinger.
• Sentence D is the second sentence as it initiates the flashback, providing the setting and time of their first meeting: thirty-four years earlier in Vienna at a tavern for Latin American students.
• Sentence A is the third sentence because it adds specific descriptive details about that day in Vienna. It mentions the narrator's arrival from Rome and specifically identifies the Egyptian ring in the shape of a serpent, which directly connects back to the ring mentioned in S1.
• Sentence C is the fourth sentence as it moves from her appearance to her speech and the narrator's assumption about her identity. Because she spoke elementary Spanish in a metallic accent, the narrator thought she was the only Austrian at the table.
• Sentence B is the fifth sentence because it uses the contrastive phrase 'But no' to correct the assumption made in sentence C. It reveals her true origin as being born in Colombia and explains her presence in Austria to study music and voice.
• S2 is the fixed closing sentence, which concludes the description of her during that period, noting she was about thirty and had begun to age before her time.
• The correct logical sequence is DACB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'This was a crucial piece of information, because I feared she was an unforgettable woman whose real name I never knew, and who wore a similar ring on her right forefinger which, in those days, was even more unusual than it is now. I had met her thirty-four years earlier in Vienna, eating sausage with boiled potatoes and drinking draft beer in a tavern frequented by Latin American students. I had come from Rome that morning, and I still remember my immediate response to her splendid soprano's bosom, the languid foxtails on her coat collar, and that Egyptian ring in the shape of a serpent. She spoke an elementary Spanish in a metallic accent without pausing for breath, and I thought she was the only Austrian at the long wooden table. But no, she had been born in Colombia and had come to Austria between the wars, when she was little more than a child, to study music and voice. She was about thirty, and did not carry her years well, for she had never been pretty and had begun to age before her time.'

Therefore, the correct sequence is Option 1 (DACB).

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The original sentence 'The students worked hard...' is grammatically correct and logically sound.
• In this context, 'hard' functions as an adverb meaning 'with a great deal of effort' or 'intensely.'
• The adverb 'hard' correctly modifies the verb 'worked,' explaining how the students performed the action to achieve the result of completing the assignment.
• Since the sentence is already correct in its structure and meaning, no improvement is required.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4.

 

Correct Sentence: 'The students worked hard and were thus able to complete the assignment on time.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'worked hardly' – The word 'hardly' is an adverb that means 'scarcely' or 'almost not.' If used, it would mean the students did almost no work, which contradicts their ability to finish the assignment.
• Option 2: 'worked very harder' – This is grammatically incorrect. The adverb 'very' cannot be used to modify the comparative degree ('harder'). One would instead use 'much harder' or 'even harder.'
• Option 3: 'worked hardest' – This is the superlative degree. It is generally used when comparing the effort of one group against two or more other groups. In a simple descriptive sentence like this, the positive degree ('hard') is the standard choice.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• According to the first sentence of the passage, an exemplum is defined as a story used to illustrate a broader moral or thematic point.
• The passage explains that this literary and rhetorical device was historically popular during the Middle Ages, particularly within religious sermons.
• It serves as a narrative tool to convey specific messages, such as 'Greed is the root of all evil' in Chaucer's 'The Pardoner's Tale'.
• Therefore, the primary purpose is to use a story to clarify or reinforce a moral lesson or thematic argument in discourse.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect because the passage suggests that an exemplum is a means of argumentation and instruction, rather than a device intended to replace rational thought with emotion.
• Option 3 is incorrect because, while an exemplum is a narrative, its primary goal in the context of the passage is moral instruction rather than mere entertainment or humor.
• Option 4 is incorrect because the passage associates the exemplum with religious discourse and formal exhortations (like those of Chanticleer), not specifically with academic research papers.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, the exemplum was specifically popular during the Middle Ages.
• The text states that during this period, the device featured prominently in collections of tales compiled for preachers to use in their teachings.
• It was a staple of religious sermons, which dominated the culture and discourse of the medieval era.
• Therefore, the period of its greatest popularity is clearly identified as the Middle Ages.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

• Renaissance period: While literature flourished, the passage does not link the peak popularity of the exemplum to this era; it focuses more on art and science.
• Victorian society: This era was known for industrial progress and a different set of moral literature, but the exemplum originated and peaked much earlier.
• Enlightenment era: This period focused on logical thinking and rationalism, whereas the exemplum relies on illustrative storytelling often found in religious contexts.
• The passage notes that while the term now applies to nonreligious exhortations, its historical height remains rooted in the medieval religious tradition.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, Chaucer uses the literary device of an exemplum in The Pardoner's Tale to convey a specific moral lesson.
• The text explicitly states that the author uses this story to communicate the message: 'Greed is the root of all evil.'
• The narrative describes three drunken revelers who discover a treasure and, driven by their greed, kill each other to gain sole possession of the gold.
• This tragic ending serves as a direct illustration of how the desire for wealth leads to moral corruption and death.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Moral Lesson: 'Greed is the root cause of evil.'

 

Additional Information

• Exemplum: A story used in discourse to illustrate a moral or thematic point, which was highly popular during the Middle Ages.
• The characters in the tale originally set out to confront Death, but their own greed becomes the instrument through which they eventually meet him.
• While other virtues like honesty or loyalty are important in literature, the passage specifically focuses on greed as the central theme of this particular tale.
• Chaucer is noted for using multiple exempla across his works, such as in The Nun's Priest's Tale, where Chanticleer presents ten examples to argue about the significance of dreams.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• An exemplum is defined as a story or anecdote used to illustrate a broader moral or thematic point in discourse.
• While it was traditionally associated with religious sermons during the Middle Ages, its usage has evolved over time.
• The passage specifically notes that the term now applies more broadly to stories used in formal, nonreligious exhortations or arguments.
• This shift means that in modern contexts, it serves as a tool for persuasion and moral instruction in various types of formal communication, not just spiritual ones.
• Therefore, the most accurate description of its modern use is that it is widely applied to stories used in formal, nonreligious arguments.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that the term "once" tied to religious discourse "now applies more broadly."
• Option 2: This is incorrect because the passage mentions that these tales can be historical as well as legendary, and their primary function is argumentation rather than just literary fiction.
• Option 3: While an exemplum may share similarities with allegory, the passage characterizes it specifically as a tool for illustrating points in formal arguments rather than defining it as a synonym for symbolic representation.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, an exemplum is defined as a story used to illustrate a broader moral or thematic point.
• The text explicitly states that the use of exempla remains a compelling means of argumentation and moral instruction.
• By providing concrete stories (historical or legendary), an exemplum helps to clarify complex ideas and strengthen arguments through illustrative examples.
• For instance, Chanticleer in The Nun's Priest's Tale uses ten exempla specifically to convince his wife of a particular viewpoint, demonstrating its persuasive function.

Therefore, the correct answer is 2.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: The purpose is not to replace facts with fiction, but to use narratives to reinforce a message or truth.
• Option 3: While an exemplum is a story, its primary goal is instruction and moral weight, not just lighthearted entertainment without meaning.
• Option 4: An exemplum is intended to provide clarity and thematic focus; if used correctly, it should support the discourse rather than confuse the audience with unrelated tales.