English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'under the auspices of'.

 

Key Points

• The idiom 'under the auspices of' means with the backing, support, or patronage of a particular person or organization.
• In the given sentence, the construction of the bridge is being carried out with the patronage or support of the Chief Minister, making this the most appropriate fit.
• The other options provide meanings related to oversight or instruction rather than official support or patronage.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Sentence: The bridge is being built here under the auspices of the chief minister of the state.

Additional Information

• Under the supervision of: Refers to a situation where someone is monitoring or overseeing the work to ensure it is done correctly.
• Under the guidance of: Refers to following the advice, leadership, or mentorship of an experienced person.
• Under the direction of: Refers to being managed, ordered, or controlled by someone in a position of authority.

The correct answer is: Defenseless.

Key Points

• The word 'vulnerable' means someone or something that is exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally. (असुरक्षित)
• Example: Older people are often more vulnerable to certain diseases.
• 'Defenseless' refers to someone or something that lacks protection or is unable to defend itself against attack or harm. (रक्षाहीन)
• Example: The defenseless animals were unable to escape the approaching forest fire.
• Hence, we can infer that the synonym of 'vulnerable' is 'Defenseless'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Defenseless.

Additional Information

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

• strong (मजबूत): Having the power to move heavy weights or perform other physically demanding tasks; not easily broken or damaged.
• Example: The bridge was built with strong steel cables to withstand high winds.
• secure (सुरक्षित): Fixed or fastened so as not to give way, become loose, or be lost; certain to remain safe.
• Example: Please ensure that all the windows are secure before you leave the house.
• Protected (संरक्षित): Kept safe from harm, injury, or attack through various measures or guards.
• Example: National parks are protected areas where wildlife can live without human interference.

The correct answer is governance.

Key Points

• In the provided sentence, the word governence is misspelled. The correct spelling is governance, which concludes with the suffix -ance rather than -ence.
• Linguistically, governance is derived from the Old French word governance, which itself stems from the Latin verb gubernare, meaning to steer or rule.
• The term refers to the action or manner of governing an organization, state, or specific sector. In this context, it pertains to the regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms required for data centres to operate sustainably.
• A common orthographic rule for nouns ending in the /əns/ sound involves checking the source verb; verbs like govern, maintain, and guide lead to nouns ending in -ance (governance, maintenance, guidance).

 Additional Information

• emissions:
• This refers to the discharge of substances, particularly carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, into the atmosphere.
• Monitoring carbon emissions is a critical component of environmental reporting for high-energy industries like AI computing.
• accountable:
• This adjective defines the obligation of an individual or organization to account for its activities and accept responsibility for them.
• Accountability in AI deployments is essential for ensuring transparency and preventing algorithmic bias or unethical data usage.
• deployments:
• In a technical context, this refers to the implementation and integration of software or hardware systems into a live environment.
• The phrase accountable AI deployments emphasizes the need for continuous ethical monitoring after Artificial Intelligence models are released to the public.

The correct answer is: Inevitable.

Key Points

• The word 'Inevitible' is a misspelt word; the correct spelling of this word is 'Inevitable', which means certain to happen and unable to be avoided. (अपरिहार्य)
• Example: It was inevitible that they would meet again.
• 'Inevitable' refers to something that is certain to happen and unavoidable. (अपरिहार्य/अनिवार्य)
• Example: The accident was the inevitable consequence of carelessness.
• Hence, we can infer that the misspelt word is 'Inevitable'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Inevitable.

Additional Information

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

• Credible (विश्वसनीय): Able to be believed; convincing.
• Example: We need to find a credible witness for the trial.
• Invisible (अदृश्य): Unable to be seen.
• Example: Wind is invisible, but we can feel its effects.
• Plausible (प्रशंसनीय/सत्य प्रतीत होने वाला): Seeming reasonable or probable.
• Example: She gave a plausible explanation for her absence.

The correct answer is 'Option (3)' i.e. Decrease.

Key Points

• The word 'increase' means to become or make greater in size, amount, intensity, or degree. (बढ़ना)
• Example: The company aims to increase its annual sales by twenty percent this year.
• 'Decrease' refers to the act of making or becoming smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree. (घटाना/कमी करना)
• Example: There has been a significant decrease in the number of smokers over the last decade.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'increase' is 'decrease'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Decrease.

Additional Information

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

• Grow (बढ़ना/विकास करना): To undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically; to become larger or greater over time.
• Example: Children grow out of their clothes very quickly during their early years.
• Expand (विस्तार करना): To become larger or more extensive in scope, volume, or area.
• Example: The balloon began to expand as more air was pumped into it.
• Raise (बढ़ाना/उठाना): To lift or move something to a higher position; to increase the amount, level, or strength of something.
• Example: The charity event managed to raise a lot of money for the local hospital.

The correct answer is 'drought'.

 

Key Points

• The word 'drought' refers to a prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall, leading to a shortage of water. (सूखा)
• In the context of the sentence, villagers praying for rain indicates that they are experiencing a lack of water or a dry spell, which is accurately described by the term 'drought'.
• The other words 'draught', 'draft', and 'drift' do not relate to weather conditions or a lack of rain.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Complete Sentence: The villagers prayed for rain during the long summer drought.

Additional Information

• Draught (हवा का झोंका / घूँट): In British English, this refers to a current of cool air in a room or a single act of drinking.
• Draft (प्रारूप): A preliminary version of a piece of writing or a document.
• Drift (बहाव): A continuous slow movement from one place to another, often caused by water or air currents.

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

Key Points

• The phrase 'a mental condition where a person feels an uncontrollable urge to steal' refers to an impulse control disorder where the individual cannot resist stealing items, regardless of their value or need. (चोरी करने की तीव्र इच्छा)
• Example: Doctors identified that her habit of taking small items from the office was actually driven by an uncontrollable urge to steal.
• 'Kleptomania' is a recognized psychiatric condition characterized by the recurrent failure to resist impulses to steal objects that are not needed for personal use or for their monetary value. (चोरी करने की बीमारी)
• Example: Despite having a successful career and plenty of money, he was arrested for shoplifting due to his kleptomania.
• Hence, we can infer that the one-word substitution for the given condition is 'kleptomania'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- kleptomania.

Additional Information

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

• Pyromania (चीजों को आग लगाने की तीव्र इच्छा): An obsessive desire to set fire to things, often to relieve tension or for gratification.
• Example: The psychologist noted that the patient exhibited signs of pyromania, often feeling a rush of relief after seeing flames.
• Bibliomania (पुस्तकों के प्रति अत्यधिक लगाव): A passionate or obsessive enthusiasm for collecting and possessing books.
• Example: His bibliomania was evident when he bought three different editions of the same novel just for their unique covers.
• Anglomania (अंग्रेजी रीति-रिवाजों के प्रति अत्यधिक लगाव): An excessive admiration or obsession with English customs, manners, or products.
• Example: Her anglomania led her to adopt a British accent and spend all her vacations in London.

The correct answer is 'from'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition 'from' is used with 'made' when the original material undergoes a chemical or physical transformation to create the final product.
• In this sentence, bamboo is processed into pulp and then into paper; the original form of the bamboo is completely changed.
• Therefore, 'made from' is the grammatically correct choice for describing this manufacturing process.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: 'Good quality paper is made from bamboo.'

 

Additional Information

• Made of: This is used when the material stays the same and is still recognizable in the final product (e.g., 'The chair is made of wood').
• Made by: This is used to refer to the person, company, or method that produced the item (e.g., 'This cake was made by my mother').
• Made out of: Often used when an object has been repurposed or changed from one thing into another (e.g., 'He made a candle holder out of a wine bottle').

The correct answer is Will the new park be inaugurated by the mayor next week?.

Key Points

• The given sentence is an interrogative sentence in the Simple Future Tense. In the Active Voice, the structure follows: Will + Subject + V1 (Base Form) + Object + ...?
• In this specific sentence, the mayor acts as the subject, inaugurate is the main verb, and the new park is the direct object.
• To convert a Simple Future interrogative sentence into Passive Voice, the structure must be: Will + Object (as new subject) + be + V3 (Past Participle) + by + Subject (as new object)?
• Following this rule, the object the new park moves to the position immediately after the auxiliary verb will.
• The verb inaugurate is transformed into its passive form, which is be inaugurated (using the past participle).
• The original subject the mayor is introduced by the preposition by at the end of the clause.
• The time expression next week remains unchanged as it functions as an adverbial adjunct.

 Additional Information

• The incorrect options fail primarily due to tense inconsistency:
• Is the new park...: This represents the Simple Present Tense passive voice, which is used for habitual actions or general truths, not future events.
• Has the new park been...: This represents the Present Perfect Tense passive voice, which indicates an action that has already been completed in the recent past.
• Was the new park...: This represents the Simple Past Tense passive voice, used for actions that occurred and were completed at a specific time in the past.
• In voice transformation, the temporal meaning and aspect of the original sentence must be strictly preserved to maintain grammatical accuracy.

The correct answer is The secretary will have finalised the report before the chairman arrives for the meeting.

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Passive Voice of the Future Perfect Tense. This is identified by the structure will have been + past participle (V3).
• In Passive Voice, the focus is on the Object (the report), while in Active Voice, the focus shifts to the Subject or doer of the action (the secretary).
• The standard formula for Future Perfect Tense in Active Voice is: Subject + will + have + past participle (V3) + Object.
• To convert, the agent the secretary moves to the subject position, the verb will have been finalised changes to will have finalised, and the patient the report moves to the object position.
• The subordinate time clause (before the chairman arrives for the meeting) remains unchanged as it provides the temporal context for the completion of the main action.

 Additional Information

• Understanding Tense Mismatch in other options:
• Simple Present Tense: Used in option 2 (finalises). It denotes regularity or habitual actions, which contradicts the specific future completion indicated in the original sentence.
• Past Perfect Tense: Used in option 3 (had finalised). This tense is used to describe an action that was completed before another past action, which changes the timeline from future to past.
• Past Continuous Tense: Used in option 4 (was finalising). This indicates an ongoing action in the past, failing to convey the sense of completion inherent in the perfect tense.
• General Rule for Active to Passive in Future Perfect:
• Active: Sub + will + have + V3 + Obj.
• Passive: Obj + will + have + been + V3 + by + Sub.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The error lies in the use of the preposition among in the third part of the sentence.
• While among is generally used for more than two items in a vague or collective sense, between is used when referring to distinct, individual entities, regardless of the number.
• In the given sentence, the relationship is being established between three specific, individual components: an organism, its habitat, and the predators.
• When expressing a relationship between distinct items, the preposition between is grammatically appropriate.
• Therefore, the phrase among an organism, its habitat, should be corrected to between an organism, its habitat,.

Therefore, the correct answer is among an organism, its habitat,.

 

Correct Sentence: 'In their study, they tried to find out the relationship between an organism, its habitat, and the predators present there.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: In their study, they tried to – This part correctly introduces the subject and the action in the past tense.
• Option 2: find out the relationship – This part correctly uses the phrasal verb find out to mean discover or investigate.
• Option 4: and the predators present there. – This part correctly lists the final entity in the relationship and uses there to refer back to the habitat.

The correct answer is 'in'.

 

Key Points

• In English grammar, certain adjectives and verbs are followed by fixed prepositions.
• The adjective absorbed is followed by the preposition in when it signifies being very interested, deeply involved, or engrossed in an activity or subject.
• The sentence indicates that Mahasweta is giving her full attention to the reading of scriptures, which requires the use of in.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'Mahasweta is completely absorbed in reading scriptures.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (at): This is typically used for precise locations, times, or specific targets (e.g., 'at the station', 'at 5 o'clock') and does not pair with 'absorbed'.
• Option 2 (with): While we use with for tools or associations (e.g., 'occupied with'), it is grammatically incorrect when used with 'absorbed' in the context of mental focus.
• Option 4 (01): This is a numerical value and is irrelevant to the grammatical structure of the sentence.

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes a nostalgic reflection on childhood and the blending of memories during the holiday season.
• S1 sets the scene by mentioning the narrator was eleven and living on a farm in Cape Breton.
• Sentence D is the first sentence to follow S1 because it provides immediate context to the location mentioned:
• 'My family had been there for a long, long time and so it seemed had I.' (The word 'there' refers back to the farm in Cape Breton).
• Sentence C follows as it continues the reflection on time:
• 'And much of that time seems like the proverbial yesterday.'
• Sentence A is the third sentence as it introduces a transition from the past to the present moment of the narration:
• 'Yet when I speak on this Christmas 1977, I am not sure how much I speak with the voice of that time or how much in the voice of what I have since become.'
• Sentence B follows A because it expands on the narrator's uncertainty regarding their memory:
• 'And I am not sure how many liberties I may be taking with the boy I think I was.'
• S2 provides the concluding thought, explaining that Christmas is a time where past and present are often imperfectly blended.
• The correct sequence is DCAB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'I am speaking here of a time when I was eleven and lived with my family on our small farm on the west coast of Cape Breton. My family had been there for a long, long time and so it seemed had I. And much of that time seems like the proverbial yesterday. Yet when I speak on this Christmas 1977, I am not sure how much I speak with the voice of that time or how much in the voice of what I have since become. And I am not sure how many liberties I may be taking with the boy I think I was. For Christmas is a time of both past and present and often the two are imperfectly blended.'

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes a method to listen to one's heartbeat more clearly than by just lying on a pillow.
• Sentence D follows S1: Sentence S1 mentions hearing 'it' (the heartbeat) through a pillow. Sentence D provides a contrast, stating there is a place where it can be heard 'even better than that', making it the logical transition from the opening statement.
• 'But I know that there is a place where you can hear it even better than that.'
• Sentence A follows D: After claiming there is a better way to hear the heartbeat, the author introduces the procedure. Sentence A acts as the instructional bridge.
• 'Here is what you do.'
• Sentence C is the third sentence: It describes the first physical step of the process introduced in Sentence A.
• 'You ease yourself into a tub of water, you ease yourself down.'
• Sentence B is the fourth sentence: After getting into the tub, the next logical action is to settle down and let the water become still.
• 'You lie back and wait for the ripples to smooth away.'
• Sentence S2 concludes the sequence: The final fixed sentence completes the action by describing the moment of submergence to finally 'listen' as promised in D.
• The correct sequence is DACB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'Sometimes you hear it through the pillow at night. But I know that there is a place where you can hear it even better than that. Here is what you do. You ease yourself into a tub of water, you ease yourself down. You lie back and wait for the ripples to smooth away. Then you take a deep breath, and slide your head under, and listen for the playfulness of your heart.'

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The original sentence contains an error in the idiomatic expression 'in a view to providing.'
• The correct idiom is 'with a view to,' which means with the intention or hope of doing something.
• In English grammar, the phrase 'with a view to' is always followed by a gerund (the -ing form of the verb) rather than the base form of the verb.
• Therefore, the phrase 'with a view to providing' is the grammatically accurate replacement for the underlined part.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: 'They moved to a quieter neighbourhood with a view to providing their children with a better environment.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: 'for the purpose of providing' – While this is grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, 'with a view to' is the specific idiomatic correction intended for the error 'in a view to.'
• Option 3: 'in order to provide' – This is also grammatically correct, but it uses the infinitive form (to provide) instead of the gerund form (providing) used in the original sentence.
• Option 4: 'No improvement required' – This is incorrect because the original phrase 'in a view to' is not a standard English idiom.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The sentence follows the standard Subject + Verb + Object structure.
• The subject of the sentence is Scammers, and the verb is design.
• In this construction, the subject is the doer of the action (designing fake job postings).
• When the subject performing the action is emphasized and placed before the verb, the sentence is categorized as being in the Active voice.
• The phrase to exploit job seekers is an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, which does not change the primary voice of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1.

 

Additional Information

• Passive voice: The sentence would be in passive voice if the object was the focus. For example: 'Fake job postings are designed by scammers to exploit job seekers.'
• Reflexive voice: This is used when the subject and the object are the same person or thing (e.g., 'The scammers fooled themselves.').
• Causative voice: This is used when the subject causes someone else to perform an action (e.g., 'The king had the scammers design fake postings.').

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• In the sentence provided, masquerade describes the action performed by the subject, which is Scammers.
• A verb is a part of speech that represents an action, occurrence, or state of being.
• In this context, masquerade means to pretend to be someone else (in this case, hiring managers) to deceive others.
• Since the word functions as the main action or predicate of the clause, it is classified as a verb.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: 'Scammers masquerade as hiring managers offering attractive jobs but ultimately requesting payment for training or processing fees.'

 

Additional Information

• Noun: A word used to identify a person, place, or thing. In this sentence, Scammers and managers are nouns.
• Adjective: A word that modifies or describes a noun. For example, attractive describes the noun jobs.
• Adverb: A word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example, ultimately describes when the request for payment happens.
• Verb: It is essential for a sentence to have a verb to express what the subject is doing; masquerade serves this purpose here.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• In the provided passage, the word masquerade is used as a verb to describe the actions of scammers.
• The term masquerade means to pretend to be someone or something else, often with the intention to deceive or trick others.
• The context explains that fraudsters assume the identity of hiring managers to gain the trust of innocent candidates; this is a form of impersonation.
• Therefore, the meaning to pretend to be someone else is the most accurate definition in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is To pretend to be someone else.

 

Contextual Usage: "...where scammers masquerade as hiring managers offering attractive jobs but ultimately requesting payment..."

 

Additional Information

• To dress up for a party: This refers to the literal meaning of a masquerade ball, where people wear masks and costumes, but it does not fit the context of digital recruitment fraud.
• To disappear suddenly: This would be synonymous with vanishing or absconding, which is not the definition of masquerading.
• To ask for a favor: This involves a request or solicitation, which does not capture the deceptive identity implied by the word masquerade.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The word suspicious is an adjective used to describe something that causes a feeling of distrust or suggests that something is wrong or dishonest.
• In the context of the passage, suspicious upfront payments refer to money requested by scammers that should be viewed with caution or skepticism.
• The phrase doubtful or questionable perfectly captures this meaning, as it indicates that the payments are not clearly legitimate and may involve fraudulent intent.
• Thus, among the given options, Option 3 is the closest in meaning.

Therefore, the correct answer is doubtful or questionable.

 

Correct Phrase: "...avoidance of doubtful or questionable upfront payments are essential measures for protection."

 

Additional Information

• Trustworthy and clear: These terms are antonyms of suspicious, implying that something is reliable and honest.
• Common and usual: These words refer to the frequency or normality of an occurrence, which does not necessarily imply whether it is honest or dishonest.
• Fast and efficient: These words describe the speed or productivity of a process, which is unrelated to the concept of suspicion or fraud.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The passage explicitly mentions that fraudsters exploit job seekers through fake job postings, impersonating recruiters, and conducting sham interviews.
• Specific fraudulent activities include fake staffing agencies asking for upfront payments, money laundering schemes, and fabricated credit report checks.
• The impact of these scams on candidates is severe, leading to financial loss, identity theft, and potential legal trouble.
• Therefore, Option 1 accurately identifies both the fraudulent methods and their negative consequences as described in the text.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1.

 

Answer Summary: 'Such deceptive practices not only cause financial loss but also expose victims to identity theft and potential legal trouble.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2 is incorrect because government job alerts and verified recruitment are positive, legitimate processes, not the frauds mentioned.
• Option 3 is incorrect because it describes transparent processes and real job offers, which are the opposite of the scams discussed in the passage.
• Option 4 is incorrect because the passage states that scammers request payment for training, rather than providing free certifications.