English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is: Someone or something whose success or popularity is short-lived.

Key Points

• The idiom 'a flash in the pan' refers to something that starts out with great promise but soon fails or is not repeated; it implies a temporary success. (क्षणभंगुर सफलता)
• Example: The new company's high profits last month proved to be just a flash in the pan when they went bankrupt this month.
• 'Someone or something whose success or popularity is short-lived' describes a person or thing that achieves fame or success for a very brief period and then disappears from the spotlight. (अल्पकालिक सफलता)
• Example: Many pop stars of the 90s were just short-lived sensations who are no longer remembered today.
• Hence, we can infer that the meaning of the idiom 'a flash in the pan' is 'someone or something whose success or popularity is short-lived'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Someone or something whose success or popularity is short-lived.

Additional Information

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

• To abruptly turn on (अचानक चालू होना): To start or activate something, especially lights or machinery, very suddenly.
• Example: The security lights abruptly turned on as soon as the thief climbed over the wall.
• To look at one (एक नज़र देखना): To cast a quick or unexpected glance at someone or something.
• Example: She took a quick look at him to see if he was joking.
• To be thought of in a quick or fleeting fashion (क्षणभर के लिए विचार में आना): When an idea or thought passes through the mind very rapidly without staying.
• Example: For a second, the idea of quitting his job was thought of in a fleeting fashion, but he decided to stay.

The correct answer is: Enlarge.

Key Points

• The word 'expand' means to increase in size, volume, or quantity, or to make something become larger. (विस्तार करना)
• Example: Metals tend to expand when they are heated.
• 'Enlarge' means to make something bigger or to become larger in size or scale. It is the closest synonym for 'expand' as both describe the process of increasing dimensions. (बड़ा करना)
• Example: We are planning to enlarge our kitchen to make more space for dining.
• Hence, we can infer that the synonym of 'expand' is 'enlarge'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Enlarge.

Additional Information

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

• Reduce (कम करना): To make something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.
• Example: You need to reduce the speed of the car as you approach the intersection.
• Hide (छिपाना): To put or keep something out of sight or to keep a secret.
• Example: He tried to hide the broken vase behind the curtain.
• Destroy (नष्ट करना): To end the existence of something by damaging it so badly that it cannot be repaired.
• Example: The heavy earthquake managed to destroy many old buildings in the city.

The correct answer is: Sponteneous.

Key Points

• The word 'Spontaneous' is the correct spelling, which means performed or occurring as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation. (स्वतः होने वाला)
• Example: The audience burst into spontaneous applause at the end of the play.
• The option 'Sponteneous' is incorrectly spelled.
• Hence, we can identify 'Sponteneous' as the correct choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Sponteneous.

Additional Information

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

• Sanctimonious (ढोंगी): Making a show of being morally superior to other people.
• Example: We were tired of his sanctimonious lectures about healthy eating.
• Scintillating (शानदार): Sparkling or shining brightly; brilliantly clever or exciting.
• Example: The professor delivered a scintillating lecture on quantum physics.
• Serendipity (आकस्मिक लाभ): The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way.
• Example: Finding her lost ring in the garden was a stroke of pure serendipity.

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

Key Points

• The word 'encourage' means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone; it involves stimulating the development or progress of an action or person. (प्रोत्साहित करना)
• Example: A good teacher will always encourage students to ask questions and explore new ideas.
• 'Dishearten' means to cause someone to lose determination or confidence; it describes the act of making someone feel less hopeful or enthusiastic. (हतोत्साहित करना)
• Example: Although the team lost the first match, they did not let the defeat dishearten them for the rest of the tournament.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'encourage' is 'dishearten'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Dishearten.

Additional Information

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

• Inspire (प्रेरित करना): To fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially something creative or positive.
• Example: The athlete's journey from injury to victory continues to inspire millions of fans.
• Praise (प्रशंसा करना): To express warm approval, admiration, or commendation for someone's achievements or qualities.
• Example: The manager was quick to praise the staff for completing the project ahead of schedule.
• Motivate (प्रेरित करना/उत्साहित करना): To provide someone with a reason for doing something or to make them feel enthusiastic about a task.
• Example: Financial rewards are often used to motivate employees to reach their monthly targets.

The correct answer is: Capture.

Key Points

• The word 'Escape' means the act of breaking free from confinement, control, or a dangerous situation. (बच निकलना/पलायन)
• Example: The convicts made a daring escape from the prison during the storm.
• 'Capture' refers to the act of catching or taking possession of someone or something by force or skill; it is the direct opposite of letting someone go or them getting away. (पकड़ना/बंदी बनाना)
• Example: The police were finally able to capture the criminal after a week-long search.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'Escape' is 'Capture'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Capture.

Additional Information

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

• Liberation (मुक्ति/स्वतंत्रता): The act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression.
• Example: The liberation of the occupied territory brought great joy to the local population.
• Breakout (जेल से भागना/प्रस्फुटन): A sudden and forcible escape from a place or a sudden development.
• Example: Security was tightened immediately after the news of the prison breakout reached the authorities.
• Flight (पलायन/उड़ान): The action of fleeing or running away from a threat; it can also refer to the movement through the air.
• Example: The flight of refugees from the war-torn region created a humanitarian crisis.

The correct answer is 'on'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition 'on' is used when referring to travelling by public transport or large vehicles where there is space to stand or walk, such as a bus, train, or plane.
• When a vehicle is preceded by an article ('a', 'an', or 'the') or a determiner, the preposition 'on' is required (e.g., 'on a tour bus').
• The preposition 'by' is used to indicate a mode of transport in general and is followed directly by the noun without an article (e.g., 'by bus').
• Options 1, 3, and 4 are grammatically incorrect in this specific context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The teachers are going on a tour bus.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'by' would be correct if the sentence was 'going by tour bus', as 'by' cannot be used with the article 'a' for transport.
• Option 3: 'in' is used for small, private vehicles where you sit down immediately, like cars or taxis (e.g., 'in a car').
• Option 4: 'through' indicates movement from one side to another or within an enclosed area (e.g., 'through the city').

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

Key Points

• The phrase 'The ability to make quick decisions and good judgements in a particular field' refers to having a high level of insight and shrewdness in a specific area, such as business or politics. (किसी विशेष क्षेत्र में त्वरित और सटीक निर्णय लेने की क्षमता)
• Example: He is known for his sharp business acumen, which has helped him build several successful companies.
• 'Acumen' means the ability to make good judgments and take quick decisions, typically in a particular domain. (कुशाग्रता/बारीक समझ)
• Example: Her financial acumen was instrumental in helping the firm navigate the economic crisis.
• Hence, we can infer that 'Acumen' is the most suitable one-word substitution for the given description.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Acumen.

Additional Information

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

• Contrition (पछतावा/अनुताप): The state of feeling remorseful and penitent for a sin or shortcoming.
• Example: The defendant showed genuine contrition for his actions during the trial.
• Candor (स्पष्टवादिता/निष्कपटता): The quality of being open and honest in expression; frankness.
• Example: We were surprised by the candor of her confession regarding the mistake.
• Abnegation (त्याग/अस्वीकार): The act of renouncing or rejecting something, typically a right, belief, or pleasure.
• Example: Her life was marked by self-sacrifice and the abnegation of material comforts.

The correct answer is Classical music is played by the orchestra at the concert hall every weekend.

Key Points

• The provided sentence is in the Simple Present Tense, which is used to describe habitual actions, general truths, or routines. This is identified by the base verb plays (V1+s) following the singular subject The orchestra.
• In the Active Voice, the structure follows the pattern: Subject + Verb (s/es) + Object. In this instance, The orchestra is the subject performing the action, and classical music is the direct object receiving the action.
• To convert a sentence from Active to Passive Voice in the Simple Present Tense, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The grammatical formula is: New Subject + is/am/are + Past Participle (V3) + by + Agent (Optional).
• The term Classical music is an uncountable noun and is treated as singular. Therefore, the auxiliary verb is must be used to maintain Subject-Verb Agreement.
• The Past Participle form of the verb play is played. Consequently, the core passive structure becomes is played.
• The agent of the action, the orchestra, is introduced using the preposition by. The phrase at the concert hall every weekend serves as an Adverbial of Place and Time and remains at the end of the sentence to preserve the original context and frequency.

 Additional Information

• Analysis of incorrect tense conversions:
• Simple Past Passive: The phrase was played is used only if the original sentence was in the Simple Past (e.g., 'The orchestra played'). Since the original action is habitual/present, this is incorrect.
• Present Continuous Passive: The structure is being played is reserved for actions currently in progress at the time of speaking. It does not fit the every weekend habitual context.
• Present Perfect Passive: The construction has been played indicates an action that started in the past and has just been completed or continues to have relevance, which changes the Simple Present meaning.
• Transitive Verbs: Only sentences with transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be converted into the passive voice. Here, plays is transitive as it acts upon classical music.

The correct answer is Is a science quiz being prepared by you for the children?.

Key Points

• The given sentence is an interrogative sentence written in the Present Continuous Tense. The active voice structure is: Am/Is/Are + Subject + V1 + ing + Object?.
• To convert a Present Continuous sentence into Passive Voice, the structure used is: Am/Is/Are + New Subject + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + New Object?.
• In the active sentence, the subject is you and the object is a science quiz. During conversion, a science quiz becomes the new subject of the passive sentence.
• Since the new subject a science quiz is singular, the helping verb Is must be placed at the beginning of the sentence to maintain the interrogative form.
• The main verb preparing is changed into its Past Participle form, which is prepared. The auxiliary word being is added before the past participle to indicate the continuous aspect of the action in the passive state.
• The original subject you becomes the agent of the action, introduced by the preposition by. The phrase for the children remains as an additional adjunct at the end of the clause.

 Additional Information

• Incorrect Tense and Subject-Verb Agreement:
• Was a science quiz...: This option is incorrect because it uses the Past Continuous Tense auxiliary verb Was, which changes the timeframe of the original Present Continuous sentence.
• Are a science quiz...: This option is grammatically incorrect because it fails to follow Subject-Verb Agreement. The plural verb Are cannot be used with the singular subject a science quiz.
• Has a science quiz...: This option incorrectly utilizes the Present Perfect Tense helping verb. The Present Perfect Passive requires the structure Has/Have + Subject + been + V3, which does not match the continuous nature of the original question.

The correct answer is The workers were painting the gates all afternoon..

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the Passive Voice and follows the Past Continuous Tense structure. The passive form for this tense is: Subject + was/were + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Agent.
• To convert the sentence into the Active Voice, the Agent (the workers) must be shifted to the Subject position, and the Passive Subject (the gates) must be shifted to the Object position.
• The auxiliary verb being is removed, and the Past Participle (painted) is changed back into its Present Participle form (painting) to reflect continuous action in the past.
• The active structure for the Past Continuous Tense is: Subject + was/were + Present Participle (V-ing) + Object. Since The workers is a plural noun, the auxiliary verb were is retained.
• Combining these elements, the sentence becomes 'The workers were painting the gates all afternoon'.

 Additional Information

• Tense Variations:
• Simple Past Tense: Used for actions completed at a specific time in the past. The active form is 'The workers painted the gates'.
• Past Perfect Tense: Used to describe an action that was completed before another action or time in the past. The active form is 'The workers had painted the gates'.
• Simple Future Tense: Used for actions that will happen after the current moment. The active form is 'The workers will paint the gates'.
• Active vs. Passive Voice:
• In Active Voice, the subject performs the action. It is more direct and emphasizes the doer.
• In Passive Voice, the subject receives the action. It is often used when the action itself or the receiver is more important than the doer.

The correct answer is 'of'.

 

Key Points

• The adjective proud is habitually followed by the preposition of when referring to the object of one's pride.
• The phrase proud of means feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction as a result of one's own achievements, qualities, or possessions.
• In this context, the sentence indicates that the French feel a sense of pride regarding their valour (great courage in the face of danger).
• Using any other preposition like in, at, or about with the adjective proud is grammatically incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The French are very proud of their valour.'

 

Additional Information

• Take pride in: While we use the preposition of with the adjective proud, we use the preposition in with the noun pride (e.g., They take pride in their work).
• Option 2: 'in' is used with the verb/noun form (pride in) but not with the adjective proud.
• Option 3: 'at' and Option 4: 'about' are not standard collocations for expressing pride in English grammar.

The correct answer is replete with loopholes that could have.

Key Points

• The adjective replete identifies a state of being full or abundantly supplied. In the English language, it is a linguistic fact that replete must be followed by the fixed preposition with to form a grammatically correct collocation.
• The sentence utilizes the past tense verb was found in the principal clause. To maintain tense consistency (also known as the sequence of tenses), the subordinate clause describing the potential of the loopholes must use the past form of the modal verb. Therefore, could is required instead of can.
• The relative pronoun that is preferred here to introduce a restrictive relative clause. This clause is essential to the sentence as it defines the specific nature of the loopholes that made the proposal problematic.
• The phrase could have correctly expresses past possibility or potential, aligning with the observation made when the proposal was first evaluated.

 Additional Information

• Prepositional Usage:
• Replete of: This is a grammatical error often caused by confusion with the phrase 'full of'. While they share meanings, their syntactic requirements differ.
• Replete in: This variation is generally restricted to scientific or biological contexts, such as a substance being 'replete in nutrients', and does not apply to abstract flaws like loopholes.
• Modal Verb Logic:
• The use of can in the original sentence creates a tense mismatch. In formal writing, if the discovery (was found) happened in the past, the potential consequences are viewed from that past perspective, necessitating could.
• Could also functions as a subjunctive mood marker here, indicating a hypothetical outcome based on the existing flaws in the proposal.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The paragraph begins with a metaphor comparing a person's actions to those of a philanthropist whose altruistic motives unexpectedly lead to a lucrative investment.
• Sentence D follows S1 as it directly continues the philanthropist metaphor, detailing the specific ten percent reward and the resulting awkward feeling that the profit detracts from the savour of his virtue.
• Sentence A is the third sentence because it transitions from the general metaphor to the specific character Bateman Hunter. He relates to the philanthropist's dilemma and dreads the scrutiny of Isabel Longstaffe’s cool grey eyes.
• Sentence C follows A by providing a description of the cool grey eyes mentioned at the end of sentence A, stating that they were far-seeing and wise.
• Sentence B is the fifth sentence as it expands on Isabel Longstaffe’s character, describing her meticulous uprightness, her exacting code, and her tendency to express disapproval through cold silence.
• The fixed sentence S2 concludes the sequence by emphasizing the finality of Isabel's judgement, which is a direct consequence of the uprightness described in sentence B.
• The correct sequence is DACB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

He was like the philanthropist who with altruistic motives builds model dwellings for the poor and finds that he has made a lucrative investment. He cannot prevent the satisfaction he feels in the ten percent which rewards the bread he had cast upon the waters, but he has an awkward feeling that it detracts somewhat from the savour of his virtue. Bateman Hunter knew that his heart was pure, but he was not quite sure how steadfastly, when he told her his story, he would endure the scrutiny of Isabel Longstaffe's cool grey eyes. They were far-seeing and wise. She measured the standards of others by her own meticulous uprightness and there could be no greater censure than the cold silence with which she expressed her disapproval of a conduct that did not satisfy her exacting code. There was no appeal from her judgement, for, having made up her mind, she never changed it.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The paragraph follows a narrative structure, moving from a general introduction about learning fables to the specific plot and dialogue of a famous story.
• Sentence D is the first sentence in the sequence as it provides a direct link to S1 by identifying a specific fable from the collection mentioned:
• 'Among those I learnt was The Ant and The Grasshopper which is devised to bring home to the young the useful lesson that in an imperfect world industry is rewarded and giddiness punished.'
• Sentence A follows D because it introduces the primary setting and the initial actions of the two main characters within that specific fable:
• 'In this admirable fable... the ant spends a laborious summer gathering its winter store, while the grasshopper sits on a blade of grass singing to the sun.'
• Sentence B is the third sentence as it advances the timeline to winter and describes the consequence of the characters' previous actions:
• 'Winter comes and the ant is comfortably provided for, but the grasshopper has an empty larder: he goes to the ant and begs for a little food.'
• Sentence C is the fourth sentence as it prepares the reader for the climax of the story, which is the ant's verbal response:
• 'Then the ant gives him her classic answer:'
• The fixed sentence S2 provides the actual dialogue introduced by sentence C: 'What were you doing in the summertime?'
• The correct sequence is DABC.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'When I was a very small boy I was made to learn by heart certain of the fables of La Fontaine, and the moral of each was carefully explained to me. Among those I learnt was The Ant and The Grasshopper which is devised to bring home to the young the useful lesson that in an imperfect world industry is rewarded and giddiness punished. In this admirable fable (I apologize for telling something which everyone is politely, but inexactly, supposed to know) the ant spends a laborious summer gathering its winter store, while the grasshopper sits on a blade of grass singing to the sun. Winter comes and the ant is comfortably provided for, but the grasshopper has an empty larder: he goes to the ant and begs for a little food. Then the ant gives him her classic answer: What were you doing in the summertime?'

The correct answer is No improvement required.

Key Points

• The original sentence not entirely wrong is grammatically sound and conveys a nuanced meaning, suggesting that the argument held partial validity or some degree of truth.
• The adverb of degree entirely correctly modifies the adjective wrong. When preceded by not, it indicates that the statement is partially correct, which fits the context of an argument that could be improved.
• The adversative conjunction but is used appropriately to introduce a contrast between the argument's limited accuracy and its failure to include essential details.
• The conditional perfect construction would have made in the second clause implies that the argument had a persuasive foundation that was simply incomplete, justifying the use of not entirely wrong in the first clause.
• Other options either change the logical intent of the sentence or introduce less formal phrasing that reduces the analytical precision of the statement.

 Additional Information

• Adverbs of Degree:
• Entirely, completely, and totally are used to emphasize the full extent of a quality. In formal writing, negating these adverbs is a common rhetorical strategy to provide tempered criticism.
• Logic and Coherence:
• If an argument is entirely wrong, it usually requires refutation rather than just adding key points to make it more convincing. Therefore, the original phrasing maintains logical coherence.
• Diction:
• The phrase not so wrong is often considered colloquial or idiomatic and lacks the formal weight required for argumentative prose compared to not entirely wrong.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The passage clearly states that environments characterized by poverty, social injustice, and inadequate sanitation contribute to the prevalence of infectious diseases.
• Inadequate sanitation refers to the lack of facilities for the safe disposal of human waste and the maintenance of hygiene through services such as garbage collection and wastewater treatment.
• Poverty acts as a major factor because it limits access to resources like clean water, nutritious food, and medical care, all of which are essential to prevent and fight infections.
• Thus, among the given choices, Areas with poverty and poor sanitation is the environment that increases the risk of these diseases.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: Regions with advanced healthcare systems generally have lower risks because they possess the tools for early detection, vaccination, and effective treatment.
• Option 3: Communities with high literacy rates usually show better health outcomes as people are more informed about hygiene practices and disease prevention.
• Option 4: Cities with modern infrastructure typically provide clean water and efficient sewage systems, which are critical in reducing the transmission of waterborne and infectious diseases.

The correct answer is Personal hygiene.

 

Key Points

• The provided passage categorizes hygiene into three distinct levels: community, household, and personal.
• According to the text, the most well-known strategy for lowering the prevalence of infectious diseases is identified as personal hygiene.
• This strategy is heavily promoted through commercialization and extensive advertising, making it the most recognized approach among the general public.
• Therefore, based on the literal text of the passage, the correct strategy is Personal hygiene.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Additional Information

• Environmental Factors: While personal hygiene is the most common strategy, the passage highlights that environmental conditions—such as clean water, sanitation, and food security—were historical drivers for reducing mortality in Western Europe.
• Business Influence: The text notes that business interests focus heavily on hand hygiene, which is a component of personal hygiene, sometimes at the cost of addressing antibiotic resistance or environmental damage.
• Disease Prevalence: Factors like poverty and social injustice are listed as fundamental contributors to the spread of infectious diseases alongside poor sanitation.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The passage explicitly states that a false sense of security has been brought about by the commercialization of hygiene.
• This perception is sustained and promoted through extensive advertising, which often prioritizes the sale of personal hygiene products.
• The text suggests that while personal hygiene is a well-known strategy, focusing on it exclusively can lead people to ignore broader environmental factors like clean water and proper sanitation.
• The passage further notes that business interests influence individual health behaviors frequently at the expense of addressing environmental damage and antibiotic resistance.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the passage mentions that commercial interests often ignore environmental damage rather than encouraging sustainability.
• Option 3: While the text implies that these sectors are important, the specific concern attributed to commercialisation and advertising is the psychological false sense of security.
• Option 4: There is no mention in the text of operational costs, public health standards being lowered by reducing costs, or job elimination.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, historical evidence from Western Europe demonstrates that the reduction in infant and child mortality was primarily driven by improvements in general environmental conditions.
• The text specifically identifies access to clean water, proper sanitation, and food security as the critical factors that went beyond mere personal hygiene to improve public health.
• The passage suggests that while personal hygiene is a well-known strategy, the large-scale decline in death rates was due to these broader infrastructural and environmental shifts.
• Therefore, the factor that most reduced child mortality in Western Europe is Better access to clean water and sanitation.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: While handwashing awareness is a part of personal hygiene, the text argues that business interests often overemphasize this at the expense of addressing environmental damage.
• Option 2: The passage does not attribute the primary reduction in Western European child mortality to antibiotics and vaccines, focusing instead on environmental conditions.
• Option 3: The text mentions that commercial hygiene products and their advertising can create a false sense of security rather than being the primary driver of mortality reduction.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, business interests significantly influence individual health behaviors by placing a heavy emphasis on hand hygiene.
• The text highlights that this focus often occurs at the expense of concerns regarding environmental damage and the development of antibiotic resistance.
• This suggests that commercial entities prioritize products related to personal hygiene while ignoring wider health and environmental issues that are equally or more critical.
• Therefore, the influence of business on health behavior is characterized by a narrow focus on personal hygiene products rather than holistic health solutions.

Therefore, the correct answer is It focuses on hand hygiene, ignoring wider health issues.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that business interests act at the expense of environmental concerns, not in favor of balanced care.
• Option 3: This is incorrect as the text suggests that antibiotic resistance is one of the factors being neglected due to the singular focus on commercial hygiene.
• Option 4: This is incorrect because the passage identifies environmental damage as a negative consequence or a neglected factor of current commercial hygiene trends.