English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is: Option (2) i.e. To carry a certain degree of risk or danger.

Key Points

• The idiom 'be a little dicey' is used to describe a situation that is unpredictable, uncertain, and potentially dangerous or risky. (अनिश्चित या जोखिम भरा)
• Example: The weather forecast looks a little dicey for our outdoor wedding ceremony tomorrow.
• 'To carry a certain degree of risk or danger' accurately reflects the meaning of the idiom, as something 'dicey' suggests that the outcome is not safe or guaranteed. (जोखिम या खतरे का एक निश्चित स्तर होना)
• Example: Investing all your savings into a single startup can carry a certain degree of risk or danger.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct meaning of the given idiom is 'to carry a certain degree of risk or danger'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- To carry a certain degree of risk or danger.

Additional Information

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

• Very favourable circumstance (बहुत अनुकूल परिस्थिति): A set of conditions that are helpful or likely to lead to a successful result.
• Example: The sudden drop in interest rates was a very favourable circumstance for first-time home buyers.
• Very awkward and creepy feeling (बहुत अजीब और डरावनी भावना): A sensation of deep discomfort, strangeness, or fear.
• Example: Being alone in the old library at night gave him a very awkward and creepy feeling.
• Be very lucrative or attractive (बहुत लाभदायक या आकर्षक होना): Something that is highly profitable or extremely appealing to others.
• Example: The offshore drilling project turned out to be very lucrative for the energy company.

The correct answer is: Fade.

Key Points

• The word vanish means to disappear suddenly or completely from sight. (गायब होना)
• Example: The magician made the rabbit vanish into thin air, leaving the audience in awe.
• Fade refers to the process of becoming gradually faint, losing strength, or disappearing slowly from sight or hearing. (धुंधला होना या धीरे-धीरे गायब होना)
• Example: As the sun began to set, the bright colors of the horizon started to fade into darkness.
• Hence, we can infer that the most suitable synonym for vanish in this context is fade.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Fade.

Additional Information

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

• Appear (प्रकट होना): To come into sight or become visible.
• Example: A small figure began to appear through the thick fog.
• Reappear (पुनः प्रकट होना): To appear again after being lost or unseen for a period.
• Example: After the storm passed, the stars began to reappear in the sky.
• Stay (ठहरना / रुकना): To remain in the same place or condition.
• Example: The guests decided to stay for another two days at the hotel.

The correct answer is: Resplendant.

Key Points

• The word 'Resplendant' is the misspelt word in the given options. It is an incorrect version of the word used to describe something shining brilliantly or impressive. (गलत वर्तनी)
• Example: The student was corrected by the teacher for writing 'Resplendant' instead of the correct spelling in his essay.
• 'Resplendent' is the correct spelling, which refers to something that is attractive and impressive through being richly colorful or sumptuous. (दीप्तिमान)
• Example: The forest was resplendent with the vibrant colors of the autumn leaves.
• Hence, we can infer that the misspelt word among the choices is 'Resplendant'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Resplendant.

Additional Information

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

• Repentance (पछतावा): This refers to the action of repenting or feeling sincere regret or remorse for one's wrongdoings.
• Example: The criminal showed a deep sense of repentance for the pain he had caused.
• Recalcitrant (आज्ञा न माननेवाला): This describes someone who has an obstinately uncooperative attitude toward authority or discipline.
• Example: The recalcitrant student refused to follow the instructions provided by the principal.
• Retaliation (प्रतिशोध): This refers to the action of returning an attack or responding to an injury with a counter-attack.
• Example: The army prepared for a swift retaliation after the enemy crossed the border.

The correct answer is: violent.

Key Points

• The word 'peaceful' refers to a state of being free from disturbance, noise, or tranquility; it describes a situation that is calm and not involving violence or war. (शांतिपूर्ण)
• Example: They enjoyed a peaceful afternoon by the riverside.
• 'Violent' is the correct antonym as it describes actions or situations involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill, or something marked by extreme intensity and aggression. (हिंसक)
• Example: The violent storm caused significant damage to the coastal town.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'peaceful' is 'violent'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- violent.

Additional Information

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

• Calm (शांत): Not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions; a synonym for peaceful.
• Example: The sea was very calm after the winds died down.
• Quiet (चुप/शांत): Making little or no noise; a state of silence or lack of activity.
• Example: The quiet library is the best place to study for exams.
• Gentle (सौम्य): Having or showing a mild, kind, or tender temperament or character.
• Example: She gave the kitten a gentle stroke on its back.

The correct answer is: Work.

Key Points

• The word 'Leisure' refers to the time when one is free from work or duties, allowing for rest or enjoyment. (अवकाश / फुर्सत)
• Example: He spent his leisure hours reading books and playing the piano.
• 'Work' refers to an activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result, often as a job or responsibility. (काम / कार्य)
• Example: She has a lot of work to complete before the deadline tomorrow.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'Leisure' is 'Work'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Work.

Additional Information

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

• Relaxation (विश्राम): The state of being free from tension and anxiety.
• Example: Listening to classical music is a great form of relaxation for her.
• Free time (खाली समय): Time available for hobbies and other activities that you enjoy, outside of work or school.
• Example: I like to go for a run in my free time to stay healthy.
• Idleness (आलस्य / निकम्मापन): The state of being lazy and having no work or activity.
• Example: Continuous idleness can lead to a lack of motivation and boredom.

The correct answer is 'of'.

 

Key Points

• The verb complain is frequently followed by the preposition of when describing medical symptoms, physical ailments, or pain.
• In clinical or medical contexts, to complain of something means to report a specific physical symptom to a healthcare provider.
• In the given sentence, the lady is reporting severe left-sided abdominal pain, making of the most grammatically appropriate choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Complete Sentence: "The lady complained of severe left-sided abdominal pain."

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: about is used when expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance regarding a situation, person, or thing (e.g., complaining about the noisy neighbors). While sometimes used interchangeably with symptoms, of is the standard idiomatic choice for pain.
• Option 1: for and Option 3: in are grammatically incorrect in this context as they do not form standard phrasal verbs with complain to indicate symptoms.

The correct answer is: Dilettante.

Key Points

• The phrase 'A person who cultivates an area of interest without any real commitment' refers to an individual who dabbles in an activity or subject in a superficial way, lacking serious intent or deep expertise. (एक व्यक्ति जो बिना किसी वास्तविक प्रतिबद्धता के किसी क्षेत्र में रुचि रखता है)
• Example: He is often viewed as just a person who cultivates an area of interest without any real commitment because he never finishes any of the courses he starts.
• 'Dilettante' refers to a person who engages in an activity, such as the arts or a branch of knowledge, without serious study or commitment; an amateur. (नौसिखिया/शौकीन व्यक्ति)
• Example: She is a dilettante who spends her weekends painting but has no desire to turn it into a profession.
• Hence, we can infer that the one-word substitution for the given phrase is 'Dilettante'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Dilettante

Additional Information

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

• Hedonist (सुखवादी): A person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important goal of life.
• Example: As a true hedonist, he believed that every moment should be spent in maximum enjoyment.
• Connoisseur (पारखी): An expert judge in matters of taste, especially in the fine arts, food, or drink.
• Example: The museum curator is a connoisseur of 18^th-century French sculpture.
• Philistine (अशिक्षित/कला-विरोधी): A person who is hostile or indifferent to culture and the arts, or has no understanding of them.
• Example: He is such a philistine that he refused to visit the world-famous art gallery during his trip.

The correct answer is Will the new season be released next month?.

Key Points

• The original sentence is an interrogative sentence in the Simple Future Tense (Active Voice).
• In the Active Voice, the structure for a Simple Future question is: Will + Subject + V1 (Base Form) + Object?
• To convert this into the Passive Voice, the grammatical formula changes to: Will + Object (acting as Subject) + be + V3 (Past Participle) + (by + Agent)?
• In this conversion, the object the new season shifts to the subject position, and the verb release is transformed into its third form, released.
• The auxiliary verb be must be placed before the past participle to complete the passive construction in the future tense.
• In English grammar, the agent (e.g., by them) is often omitted in the Passive Voice if the subject is a general or indefinite pronoun like they, people, or someone.

 Additional Information

• Simple Future Passive Rules:
• Affirmative Structure: Subject + will be + V3 (e.g., The season will be released).
• Negative Structure: Subject + will not be + V3 (e.g., The season will not be released).
• Interrogative Structure: Will + Subject + be + V3? (e.g., Will the season be released?).
• Structural Analysis of Incorrect Options:
• The use of the base form release instead of the past participle is a common error in passive constructions, as seen in the second option.
• The Future Continuous form (e.g., be releasing) denotes an ongoing action in the future and does not satisfy the requirements of a standard passive conversion for the simple future.
• The omission of the verb be in an interrogative passive sentence renders the sentence grammatically incomplete and incorrect.

The correct answer is By the end of the year, my internship will have been completed..

Key Points

• The given sentence By the end of the year, I will have completed my internship is in the Active Voice and uses the Future Perfect Tense.
• The Active Voice structure for Future Perfect is: Subject (I) + will have + Past Participle (completed) + Object (my internship).
• To convert this into Passive Voice, the Object of the active sentence (my internship) becomes the Subject of the passive sentence.
• The structural formula for Future Perfect in the Passive Voice is: New Subject + will have been + Past Participle (V3) + (by + agent).
• The auxiliary verb been is mandatory when converting any perfect tense (Present, Past, or Future) into its passive form to indicate the state of completion.
• Applying these rules, the verb will have completed is transformed into will have been completed.
• The adverbial phrase By the end of the year denotes the future time limit and remains at the beginning of the sentence to maintain the original emphasis on the deadline.

 Additional Information

• Grammatical Tense Analysis:
• Future Perfect Tense: Used to describe an action that will be finished by a particular time in the future. In passive voice, the focus remains on the completion of the task (the internship) rather than the person doing it.
• Incorrect Options:
• will have completed: This is active voice; it implies the internship itself is performing the action.
• has been completed: This is Present Perfect Passive, which refers to an action completed in the past or very recently, not in the future.
• will be completed: This is Simple Future Passive, which does not convey the sense of an action being finished by a specific point in time.

The correct answer is Thousands of tourists had visited the castle before the storm..

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Passive Voice and uses the Past Perfect Tense, identified by the structure had been + past participle (visited).
• In Passive Voice, the object of the action (the castle) serves as the grammatical subject, while the actual doer (thousands of tourists) is introduced by the preposition by.
• To convert a sentence from Passive Voice to Active Voice in the Past Perfect Tense, the structure must follow the formula: Subject + had + past participle (V3) + object.
• The doer of the action, thousands of tourists, is moved to the subject position at the beginning of the sentence.
• The auxiliary verb been is removed, and the auxiliary had is paired directly with the past participle verb visited to maintain the Active Voice form.
• The original subject, the castle, becomes the direct object of the verb in the active construction.
• The temporal phrase before the storm remains at the end of the sentence to indicate the sequence of events.

 Additional Information

• Voice and Tense Consistency:
• Simple Past Tense: Converts to Subject + V2 + Object (e.g., Thousands of tourists visited...). This does not match the Past Perfect aspect of the original sentence.
• Past Continuous Tense: Uses the structure was/were + verb + ing (e.g., were visiting). This implies an ongoing action, which contradicts the completed nature of Past Perfect.
• Future Simple Tense: Uses will + base verb (e.g., will visit). This changes the timeframe from the past to the future, making it grammatically incorrect in this context.
• The Past Perfect Tense is specifically used to describe an action that was completed before another point or action in the past (the storm).

The correct answer is 'about'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition 'about' is used to indicate the subject, cause, or reason for a particular feeling or emotional state.
• In this context, the sentence explains the reason behind Reeta's emotional state of being 'depressed.' The reason is her 'separation from her family.'
• The construction 'depressed about' is the idiomatic way to express sadness or low spirits regarding a specific situation or event.
• Options 1, 2, and 4 are grammatically or idiomatically unsuitable for indicating the cause of depression in this specific sentence structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'Reeta was very much depressed about her separation from her family.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'for' is generally used to indicate purpose, duration, or a recipient (e.g., 'waiting for someone'), which does not fit here.
• Option 2: 'at' is often used for reactions to a specific point or event (e.g., 'surprised at'), but 'about' is preferred for situational causes of depression.
• Option 4: 'in' is used to indicate a state (e.g., 'in a depression') or a physical location, but not the external cause of the feeling.

The correct answer is an attempt to fish in troubled waters.

Key Points

• The sentence requires the correct use of a standard English idiom. The expression to fish in troubled waters is a fixed phrase used to describe the act of taking advantage of a disturbed, chaotic, or unstable situation for personal gain.
• In the original sentence, the preposition into was used incorrectly. Idioms are lexically fixed, meaning their components, including prepositions, cannot be changed without making the phrase grammatically or idiomatically incorrect.
• The use of the preposition in is essential because it signifies being within the state of turmoil or trouble. The politician in the sentence is attempting to benefit from the existing confusion, which is perfectly captured by the phrase an attempt to fish in troubled waters.
• Options 1 and 2 are incorrect because they use improper prepositions such as for, out, and under, which do not exist in the standard version of this metaphorical expression.

 Additional Information

• Etymology and Origin:
• The idiom dates back to the 16^th century and is derived from the literal practice of fishing. It was observed that fish are more easily caught when the water is agitated or murky, as they become disoriented and cannot see the nets or hooks clearly.
• The first recorded use in English literature appeared in 1568 in a collection of prose, where it was used to describe people who benefit from civil discord.
• Grammatical Function:
• Prepositional usage: In English, in often denotes a state or condition (e.g., in trouble, in love), whereas into denotes movement or transformation. Since the 'waters' (trouble) already exist, the locative preposition 'in' is the only correct choice.
• Noun Phrase Structure: The phrase an attempt to is followed by an infinitive verb (to fish), forming a cohesive adjectival phrase that modifies the politician's action.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The paragraph follows the routine and personal interactions of a mail carrier named Thanappa on his delivery route.
• Sentence S1 is fixed and establishes the setting, mentioning that his beat covered Vinayak Mudali Street and that it took him nearly six hr to finish his round.
• Sentence B follows S1 by providing the reason for the long duration of his work:
• 'He allowed himself to get mixed up with the fortunes of the persons to whom he was carrying letters.' This explains why a route that might otherwise be shorter takes six hours.
• Sentence A is the third sentence as it narrows down the focus from general people to a specific individual:
• 'At No. 13, Kabir Street, lived the man who had come halfway up the road to ask for a letter for so many years now.'
• Sentence C follows A by giving background information and historical context about this specific man:
• Thanappa had watched him grow older ('greying on the pyol') while the man constantly hoped for a big prize from crossword puzzles.
• Sentence D is the fifth sentence as it describes the specific daily interaction between Thanappa and the man:
• '‘No prize yet,’ he announced to him every day.'
• Sentence S2 is fixed and concludes the dialogue naturally: '‘But don’t be disheartened.’'
• The logical sequence is BACD.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'Though his beat covered Vinayak Mudali Street and its four parallel roads, it took him nearly six hr before he finished his round and returned to the head office in Market Road to deliver accounts. He allowed himself to get mixed up with the fortunes of the persons to whom he was carrying letters. At No. 13, Kabir Street, lived the man who had come halfway up the road to ask for a letter for so many years now. Thanappa had seen him as a youngster, and had watched him day by day greying on the pyol, sitting there and hoping for a big prize to come his way through solving crossword puzzles. ‘No prize yet,’ he announced to him every day. ‘But don’t be disheartened.’'

The correct answer is Option 2.

Key Points

• The paragraph begins by introducing the characters and the subject of the conversation. S1 sets the stage for a story about a man named Pashka.
• Sentence B is the first sentence as it provides the basic introduction to Pashka, defining his profession as a baker and mentioning his talent for playing the banjo.
• Sentence D follows by describing his initial interactions with the narrator's companion; he is described as a merry chap who made a good impression with his nice clean clothes.
• Sentence A is the third sentence because it offers specific details about the clean clothes mentioned in Sentence D, noting the high cost of his vest and the quality of his boots.
• Sentence C is the fourth sentence as it summarizes the result of his charm and appearance: she fell in love with him, and he subsequently became her 'creditor'.
• The paragraph concludes with S2, which logically flows from the end of Sentence C by elaborating on the negative consequences of him becoming her 'creditor' and his subsequent abusive behavior.
• The correct sequence is BDAC.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'And suddenly, turning towards me, she began to talk about herself, Pashka, and their mutual relations. He was a baker with red mustaches and played very well on the banjo. He came to see her and greatly pleased her, for he was a merry chap and wore nice clean clothes. He had a vest which cost fifteen Rubles and boots with dress tops. For these reasons she had fallen in love with him, and he became her 'creditor'. And when he became her creditor, he made it his business to take away from her the money which her other friends gave to her for bonbons, and, getting drunk on this money, he would fall to beating her; but that would have been nothing if he hadn't also begun to 'run after' other girls before her very eyes.'

The correct answer is is a moot point.

Key Points

• The phrase moot point is an idiomatic expression referring to a subject that has no practical significance or is irrelevant because the situation has already been decided by other factors.
• In the provided sentence, the choice between an early flight or a late flight is considered insignificant because the travelers are already behind schedule, making the timing of the flight purely academic or pointless.
• The term moot originates from Old English 'mot', meaning a meeting or assembly for debate. In legal terminology, a moot court is a mock trial for students to practice hypothetical cases that have no binding authority or real-world effect.
• Using mute instead of moot is a common linguistic error known as an eggcorn. While mute means silent, it does not convey the intended meaning of irrelevance in a debate or decision-making context.

 Additional Information

• Common Confusions:
• Muted point: The word muted refers to something that is softened, subdued, or quieted (e.g., muted colors or muted sounds). It is grammatically incorrect in this idiomatic context.
• Mute: This word describes a lack of speech or silence. It is often used in technology (the mute button) or media to indicate the absence of audio.
• Moot as a verb: Beyond being an adjective, moot can function as a verb meaning to propose or bring up a topic for discussion. For example, 'The proposal for a new park was mooted during the city council meeting.'

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, the term Orientalism and the negative connotation it carries today are directly linked to Edward Said's perspective.
• Said explains that the West established a doctrine to rule and conquer the eastern globe by creating a system of knowledge that viewed the Orient as inferior and uncivilized.
• The modern reference of the term focuses on this Western portrayal used to justify imperialism and cultural dominance.
• Therefore, while it may have roots in academic study, it mainly refers to the biased representation of the East as subordinate to the West.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: This is the literal or historical definition of the term, but the passage emphasizes that its current main reference is the negative ideological framework.
• Option 3: While Salman Rushdie mentions the creation of fictional characters like cruel princes, this is a method used within Orientalism, not the definition of the term itself.
• Option 4: Artistic representation is a medium through which Orientalism was expressed, but the core meaning today refers to the underlying power dynamic and perceived inferiority.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, the primary reason for studying Eastern languages and cultures was the Western desire to mold and control the narrative of the East.
• The text explains that Europeans aimed to create a system of knowledge that would allow them to frame Eastern ways of thinking as inferior and uncivilized.
• This strategy was part of a larger doctrine of the Orient and the Occident established by the West to rule and conquer the eastern globe.
• By influencing knowledge, Western powers could maintain a status of Western Superiority, which is directly addressed in Option 2.

Therefore, the correct answer is To influence Eastern knowledge and Western Superiority.

 

Relevant Quote: 'One of the main reasons for this was a desire to learn more about Eastern culture and history so that Europeans could mold it and create a system of knowledge that would allow them to inform the Orient that their way of thinking was inferior and uncivilized.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 is incorrect because the study was intended for domination and molding, not for the preservation or safeguarding of traditions.
• Option 3 and 4 are incorrect as they suggest cultural respect and peaceful coexistence, whereas the passage describes the creation of an uncivilized other to justify control.
• Edward Said defines Orientalism as a style of thought that provides a moral and cultural justification for British imperialism.
• Salman Rushdie also notes that a false Orient was created to support the underpinning ideology of Western dominance.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The passage clearly states that the image of the Orient as a 'threatening inferior' and an 'uncivilized other' was established by the British.
• This representation was part of a broader style of thought in literary studies, as described by Edward Said in his work 'Orientalism'.
• The British imperial ideology used this negative portrayal to provide a moral, cultural, and artistic justification for their imperialism.
• The doctrine established by the West was intended to rule and conquer the eastern globe by characterizing their way of thinking as inferior.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Image: The Orient was promoted as a threatening, inferior, and uncivilized other.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the passage highlights the West's desire to portray the Orient as uncivilized rather than progressive.
• Option 2: The text explicitly mentions that the West created a system to inform the Orient that they were inferior, contradicting any idea of intellectual equality.
• Option 4: The passage refers to the Orient as being seen as threatening, which opposes the concept of a peaceful region in the context of imperial ideology.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, Salman Rushdie describes the creation of a 'false Orient' in his writings.
• He specifically characterizes this false image as being populated by 'cruel-lipped princes and dusky slim-hipped maidens.'
• This description aligns with the idea of a fantasy world composed of exotic and stereotypical characters rather than a realistic portrayal of the region.
• The passage notes that such a portrait was used to provide a moral, cultural, and artistic justification for British imperialism.

Therefore, the correct answer is A fantasy world of cruel princes and exotic maidens.

 

Correct Sentence: "Salman Rushdie describes the 'false Orient' in his writings as a fantasy world of cruel princes and exotic maidens."

 

Additional Information

• A land of scholars and monarchs – This option is incorrect because the passage highlights the stereotypical and 'uncivilized' traits attributed to the Orient, not scholarly ones.
• A region supportive of technological progress – The text suggests the West viewed the Orient as 'inferior' and 'uncivilized', which contradicts the notion of technological progress.
• A society without Western influence and domination – This is incorrect because the 'false Orient' was a construct created by Western culture (the Occident) specifically to facilitate its rule and conquest.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• According to the passage, the doctrine of the Orient and the Occident was established by the West specifically to rule and conquer the eastern globe.
• The study of Eastern languages, history, and cultures was used to create a system of knowledge that framed the Orient as inferior and uncivilized.
• The text explicitly states that a false portrait of the Orient (filled with stereotypes like cruel princes and exotic maidens) was created to provide a moral, cultural, and artistic justification for British imperialism.
• This ideology served as the underpinning for the expansion and maintenance of colonial power by Western nations.

Therefore, the correct answer is Justify imperialism.

 

Additional Information

• Promote cultural exchange: This is incorrect because the passage emphasizes that the Western desire to learn about the East was for the purpose of molding it to fit Western interests, not for equal exchange.
• Encourage equality: The passage highlights that Western powers aimed to inform the Orient that their way of thinking was inferior, which directly contradicts the concept of equality.
• Remove stereotypes: On the contrary, Orientalism was responsible for the creation of negative stereotypes and a false image of the East to maintain Western superiority.