English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is: Option (1) i.e. Being watched or examined closely.

Key Points

• The idiom 'under close scrutiny' refers to a situation where someone or something is being subjected to very thorough, critical, and detailed observation or inspection. (बारीकी से जांच के अधीन)
• Example: The government's new policy has been under close scrutiny by the public and the media.
• 'Being watched or examined closely' means the act of monitoring or investigating something with extreme care to ensure accuracy or to find faults. (बारीकी से देखा या परखा जाना)
• Example: Every part of the engine is being watched or examined closely for signs of wear and tear.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct meaning of the idiom 'under close scrutiny' is 'being watched or examined closely'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Being watched or examined closely.

Additional Information

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

• Not being watched or examined closely (बारीकी से नहीं देखा या जांचा जाना): This implies a lack of supervision or a casual approach where details might be missed.
• Example: When the students are not being watched or examined closely, they tend to get distracted.
• Go unnoticed intentionally by the authority (अधिकारी द्वारा जानबूझकर अनदेखा किया जाना): This describes a situation where an official or person in charge deliberately ignores a mistake or action.
• Example: The building violation was allowed to go unnoticed intentionally by the authority due to political pressure.
• Being taught carefully (सावधानी से सिखाया जाना): This refers to receiving education or training with great attention to detail and patience.
• Example: The young pianist is being taught carefully by a world-renowned instructor.

The correct answer is: quick.

Key Points

• The word 'rapid' means happening in a short time or at a great speed; it describes a fast pace of movement or change. (तीव्र)
• Example: The country is experiencing rapid economic growth due to new industrial policies.
• 'Quick' refers to moving fast or doing something in a short amount of time; it is the closest synonym to rapid. (तेज़)
• Example: He gave a quick nod of approval before leaving the room.
• Hence, we can infer that the closest synonym of 'rapid' is 'quick'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- quick.

Additional Information

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

• Slow (धीमा): Moving, operating, or happening at a low speed; not quick or fast.
• Example: The slow pace of the lecture made it difficult for the students to stay focused.
• Late (देर): Doing something or taking place after the expected, proper, or usual time.
• Example: I apologized for being late to the dinner party.
• Weak (कमजोर): Lacking the power to perform physically demanding tasks; having little physical strength or energy.
• Example: She felt weak and dizzy after skipping her breakfast.

The correct answer is Option(4) i.e. Rigourous.

Key Points

• The word 'Rigourous' is a misspelt word; the correct spelling of the adjective is 'Rigorous', which refers to something that is extremely thorough, exhaustive, or strictly applied. (कठोर)
• Example: The results were questioned because the researcher used a rigourous (misspelt) approach that lacked accuracy.
• 'Rigorous' refers to the quality of being extremely thorough and careful, often used to describe analysis, training, or standards. (सख्त)
• Example: The military training was incredibly rigorous, testing the recruits both physically and mentally.
• Hence, we can infer that the misspelt word among the given options is 'Rigourous'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Rigourous.

Additional Information

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

• Rhapsodic (उत्साही): Characterized by an intense or extravagant expression of enthusiasm or ecstasy.
• Example: He gave a rhapsodic account of his travels through the Italian countryside.
• Rapacious (लालची): Having or showing a strong or excessive desire to acquire money or possess things; aggressively greedy.
• Example: The rapacious speculators were blamed for the sudden rise in property prices.
• Resourceful (साधन-संपन्न): Having the ability to find quick and clever ways to overcome difficulties and solve problems.
• Example: A resourceful manager can find ways to keep a project on track even with a limited budget.

The correct answer is Forbid.

Key Points

• The word 'permit' means to give authorization or consent to someone to do something; it implies allowing an action to take place or making it possible. (अनुमति देना)
• Example: The security guards will not permit anyone to enter the building without a valid ID card.
• 'Forbid' means to refuse to allow something or to prohibit an action, making it the direct opposite of 'permit'. (मना करना)
• Example: The doctor had to forbid the patient from eating sugary foods due to health concerns.
• Hence, we can infer that the most appropriate antonym of 'permit' is 'forbid'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Forbid.

Additional Information

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

• Allow (अनुमति देना): To let someone do something or to not prevent something from happening.
• Example: Many parents do not allow their children to stay out late at night.
• Authorize (अधिकृत करना): To give official permission for something or to grant someone the authority to perform a task.
• Example: The Director is the only person who can authorize such a large expenditure.
• Approve (मंजूरी देना): To officially agree to or accept a proposal, plan, or request as satisfactory.
• Example: The committee is expected to approve the new budget by the end of the week.

The correct answer is: Calm.

Key Points

• The word 'Nervous' refers to a state of being anxious, worried, or easily agitated, especially regarding a future event or a stressful situation. (घबराया हुआ)
• Example: She felt extremely nervous as she waited for the results of her audition.
• 'Calm' refers to a state of being peaceful, composed, and free from agitation or strong emotions like anxiety or anger; it is the direct opposite of being nervous. (शांत)
• Example: The pilot stayed calm and managed to land the plane safely during the storm.
• Hence, we can infer that the antonym of 'Nervous' is 'Calm'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Calm.

Additional Information

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

• Anxious (चिंतित): Experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness about something with an uncertain outcome.
• Example: The students were anxious to see their final grades.
• Uneasy (बेचैन/असहज): Feeling uncomfortable, troubled, or restless due to a sense of impending danger or trouble.
• Example: He had an uneasy feeling that he had forgotten something important.
• Tense (तनावपूर्ण): A state where one is unable to relax because of nervousness or mental pressure.
• Example: The atmosphere in the room was tense as they waited for the verdict.

The correct answer is: Precursor.

Key Points

• The phrase 'A thing that comes before another thing of the same kind' describes an object or person that precedes another in time or development. (एक ही प्रकार की दूसरी चीज़ से पहले आने वाली चीज़)
• Example: The rotary dial phone was a precursor to the modern smartphone.
• 'Precursor' refers to something that happened or existed before another thing and had an influence on it or was a sign of what was to come. (पूर्वगामी)
• Example: Biological research on cells was a precursor to the development of modern vaccines.
• Hence, we can infer that the most suitable one-word substitution for the given phrase is 'precursor'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Precursor.

Additional Information

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

• Adage (कहावत): A traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; a proverb.
• Example: My grandfather always used the adage, 'Waste not, want not' when we left food on our plates.
• Umbrage (अपमान का बोध/रोष): Feeling of being offended or resentful.
• Example: The politician took umbrage at the journalist's questioning of his integrity.
• Proximity (निकटता): The state of being near in space or time.
• Example: The proximity of the nuclear plant to the city raised safety concerns among the residents.

The correct answer is 'for'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition 'for' is used to indicate a period of time or duration.
• In the given sentence, 'two hr' (two hours) represents a specific length of time that the action of waiting lasted.
• The sentence is in the past perfect continuous tense ('had been waiting'), which typically uses 'for' to show how long an action had been continuing up to a point in the past.
• Option 1, 2, and 3 do not fit the grammatical requirement for expressing a duration of time in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Complete Sentence: 'Rishita said that she had been waiting at the gate for two hr.'

 

Additional Information

• Since: This is used to refer to a specific starting point in time (e.g., since 10 AM, since Monday).
• By: This is used to indicate a limit or deadline by which an action must be completed (e.g., by tomorrow).
• From: This is often used to show the beginning of a range of time, often paired with 'to' or 'until' (e.g., from morning to evening).

The correct answer is The underperforming employees will be fired by the manager..

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the Active Voice and follows the structure of the Simple Future Tense: Subject + will + V1 (base verb) + Object.
• In this sentence, The manager is the Subject, will fire is the Verb, and the underperforming employees is the Object.
• To convert a Simple Future Tense sentence into Passive Voice, the structure used is: New Subject (Object of active) + will + be + V3 (Past Participle) + by + New Agent (Subject of active).
• Following this rule, the object the underperforming employees moves to the subject position, and the verb will fire changes to will be fired.
• The original subject the manager is added at the end, preceded by the preposition by, resulting in the correct passive construction.

 Additional Information

• Understanding why other options are incorrect based on Tense and Modality:
• The underperforming employees must be fired by the manager: This uses the modal verb must, which changes the degree of necessity and does not reflect the original Simple Future intent of will.
• The underperforming employees will fire the manager: This sentence remains in the Active Voice but reverses the Subject and Object, fundamentally altering the meaning of the original statement.
• The underperforming employees are fired by the manager: This structure represents the Simple Present Tense in passive voice (is/am/are + V3), failing to maintain the future timeframe established by will.
• In English grammar, the Future Passive is essential for formal reporting where the action or the receiver of the action is more significant than the performer.

The correct answer is A hidden cave was discovered by the explorer behind the waterfall..

Key Points

• The original sentence 'The explorer discovered a hidden cave behind the waterfall' is in the Active Voice and follows the Subject + Verb (V2) + Object structure.
• The verb discovered is in the Simple Past Tense, which indicates an action completed at a specific time in the past.
• To convert a sentence from Active Voice to Passive Voice in the Simple Past Tense, the rule is: New Subject (Original Object) + was/were + Past Participle (V3) + by + New Object (Original Subject).
• In this sentence, the Object is a hidden cave. Since this is a Singular Noun, it must be paired with the singular auxiliary verb was to maintain Subject-Verb Agreement.
• The Past Participle form of the verb 'discover' is discovered.
• The prepositional phrase behind the waterfall remains as an adverbial modifier, and the agent the explorer is introduced using the preposition by.

 Additional Information

• Simple Present Passive:
• This uses is/am/are + V3. It is used for facts or regular actions (e.g., 'is discovered'), which does not match the Simple Past tense of the original verb.
• Present Perfect Passive:
• This uses has/have + been + V3. It represents an action that happened at an indefinite time (e.g., 'has been discovered'), whereas the original sentence used the definite Simple Past.
• Subject-Verb Agreement Errors:
• Using were with a singular subject like a hidden cave is grammatically incorrect, as were is reserved for plural subjects or the second person.

The correct answer is The students read the books every evening..

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the Passive Voice and follows the structure of the Simple Present Tense: Object + is/am/are + V3 (Past Participle) + by + Subject.
• To convert this into the Active Voice, the agent of the action (the students) must be moved to the beginning of the sentence to act as the subject.
• The auxiliary verb 'are' is removed, and the past participle 'read' is changed to its base form (V1) to maintain the Simple Present Tense.
• Since The students is a plural subject, the verb read remains in its base form without adding an 's' or 'es' (subject-verb agreement).
• The recipient of the action, The books, which was the subject in the passive form, is moved to the object position in the active form.
• The phrase every evening is an adverbial of frequency that indicates a habitual action, confirming that the tense must remain in the Present Indefinite/Simple Present.

 Additional Information

• Understanding why other options are incorrect based on Tense consistency:
• Present Perfect Tense: The option containing have read is incorrect because it changes the tense to indicate a completed action, which does not match the original Simple Present passive.
• Present Continuous Tense: The option are reading is incorrect because it describes an action currently in progress rather than a general habit or fact.
• Simple Future Tense: The option will read is incorrect as it shifts the timeframe to the future, violating the rule that the tense must remain the same during voice conversion.
• Active Voice Structure: Always follows the pattern Subject + Verb + Object. For Simple Present, it is Subject + V1 (s/es) + Object.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The main verb in the sentence is clarified, which is in the past tense.
• According to the sequence of tenses, if the principal clause is in the past tense, the subordinate clause should also be in the past tense.
• The original phrase uses are disbursed (present tense), which is grammatically inconsistent with the reporting verb clarified.
• The correct form should be were disbursed to maintain tense consistency throughout the sentence.
• The adverb judiciously correctly modifies the verb disbursed, and not misused maintains a parallel structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: 'The minister clarified that the funds allocated for the scheme were disbursed judiciously and not misused as it has been alleged.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: 'were disbursed with judiciousness and not misused' is grammatically possible but more wordy than using the adverb judiciously.
• Option 3: 'were not misused and had been disbursed in judiciously' is incorrect because in judiciously is an ungrammatical combination of a preposition and an adverb.
• Option 4: 'No improvement required' is incorrect because the present tense are must be changed to the past tense were to match the main verb clarified.

The correct answer is 'of'.

 

Key Points

• The verb dream is commonly followed by the preposition of (or about) when it means to contemplate or imagine a future possibility, desire, or aspiration.
• In the given sentence, dreamed of going correctly expresses the children's wish to visit the water park with their superhero.
• The preposition of links the verb dreamed with the gerund phrase going to the water park.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The children dreamed of going to the water park with their superhero.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (for): This is incorrect because we do not use the structure 'dream for doing something'; instead, verbs like 'hope' or 'long' are used with 'for'.
• Option 4 (in): This is incorrect because 'dream in' is typically used to specify a medium or state (e.g., 'dream in color' or 'dream in French'), which does not fit the context of the sentence.

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The paragraph follows a chronological narrative regarding the arrest and investigation of Aksionov, eventually leading to his trial.
• Sentence C is the first sentence after S1 as it depicts the immediate action following the police officer’s order to bind him:
• 'As they tied his feet together and flung him into the cart, Aksionov crossed himself and wept.'
• Sentence A follows because it describes the subsequent steps taken by the authorities—confiscating his property and moving him to a place of detention:
• 'His money and goods were taken from him, and he was sent to the nearest town and imprisoned there.'
• Sentence B is the third sentence as the focus shifts to the background investigation conducted during his imprisonment:
• 'Inquiries as to his character were made in Vladimir.'
• Sentence D is the fourth sentence as it provides the specific feedback from the merchants and inhabitants of Vladimir (referred to as ‘that town’) regarding his past behavior:
• 'The merchants and other inhabitants of that town said that in former days he used to drink and waste his time, but that he was a good man.'
• This sequence leads perfectly into S2, which notes that after these preliminary events, the trial officially began.
• The correct sequence is CABD.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'The police officer ordered the soldiers to bind Aksionov and to put him in the cart. As they tied his feet together and flung him into the cart, Aksionov crossed himself and wept. His money and goods were taken from him, and he was sent to the nearest town and imprisoned there. Inquiries as to his character were made in Vladimir. The merchants and other inhabitants of that town said that in former days he used to drink and waste his time, but that he was a good man. Then the trial came on: he was charged with murdering a merchant from Ryazan and robbing him of twenty thousand Rubles.'

The correct answer is Option 4.

Key Points

• The paragraph establishes a somber atmosphere following a funeral and focuses on the psychological weight of silence within a household.
• Sentence D follows S1 because it immediately clarifies and expands upon the concept of silence introduced in the first sentence:
• 'It was not stillness, for stillness is merely the absence of sounds; it was silence, because it seemed that they who were silent could say something but would not.'
• Sentence A is the second sentence as it connects the abstract definition of silence to a specific person, Father Ignatius, and his perception of his wife:
• 'So thought Father Ignatius each time he entered his wife’s chamber and met that obstinate gaze...'
• Sentence C follows as a parallel thought, shifting the focus from the wife to the daughter, Vera:
• 'So thought he, examining his daughter’s music sheets, which bore imprints of her voice, as well as her books and her portrait...'
• Sentence B is the fourth sentence because it zooms in on the portrait mentioned at the end of sentence C and describes his routine of examining it:
• 'Father Ignatius was accustomed to scrutinize the portrait in established order... in his fancy he would see upon it a slight wound, which he had noticed on Vera’s cheek in death...'
• Finally, S2 concludes the paragraph by explaining the specific meditation regarding the slight wound and the train accident mentioned in B.
• The correct logical sequence is DACB.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'From the day of the funeral silence reigned in the little house. It was not stillness, for stillness is merely the absence of sounds; it was silence, because it seemed that they who were silent could say something but would not. So thought Father Ignatius each time he entered his wife’s chamber and met that obstinate gaze, so heavy in its aspect that it seemed to transform the very air into lead, which bore down one’s head and spine. So thought he, examining his daughter’s music sheets, which bore imprints of her voice, as well as her books and her portrait, which she brought with her from St. Petersburg. Father Ignatius was accustomed to scrutinize the portrait in established order: First, he would gaze on the cheek upon which a strong light was thrown by the painter; in his fancy he would see upon it a slight wound, which he had noticed on Vera’s cheek in death, and the source of which he could not understand.

Each time he would meditate upon causes; he reasoned that if it was made by the train the entire head would have been crushed, whereas the head of Vera remained wholly untouched.'

The correct answer is decided to merge their individual businesses.

Key Points

• The primary error in the original sentence is redundancy. The verb merge is defined as the act of combining or joining two or more things to form a single entity. Therefore, the word together is already inherent in the definition of the word itself.
• Using together alongside merge creates a pleonasm, which is the use of more words than are necessary to convey a meaning. Removing the redundant word makes the sentence more concise and grammatically precise.
• The phrase decided to merge their individual businesses effectively communicates that the separate entities were joined into one without the linguistic clutter of unnecessary modifiers.
• In formal English, especially in a business context, it is essential to avoid repetitive phrasing to maintain professional clarity and flow.

 Additional Information

• Understanding Redundancy:
• Redundant expressions occur when a modifier repeats the meaning of the word it modifies. Common examples in competitive exams include revert back (revert already means to go back), advance forward (advance already means to move forward), and return back.
• Specific Contexts:
• Merge: Rooted in the Latin mergere, meaning to dip or plunge. In corporate law, a merger is the legal consolidation of two entities into one.
• Together: While useful for emphasis in casual speech, it provides no new information when paired with verbs of unification like combine, unite, or amalgamate.
• Sentence Improvement: Option 1 is incorrect as it places the redundant word together between the infinitive marker and the verb, creating an awkward split infinitive structure. Option 3 simply moves the redundancy to the end of the clause.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The passage highlights that to tackle climate change and sustain sectors like agriculture, we need specific natural resources, including specialized crops.
• Crops that are drought-tolerant and heat-resistant are specifically mentioned as being important for long-term sustainability.
• The text explains that current agricultural choices often favor crops that work well in present conditions, but these may fail as environments shift.
• Therefore, the primary importance of these crops lies in their ability to adapt to future climate conditions, which may be warmer, wetter, or drier than today.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: 'Crops that can handle drought, heat, and higher CO2 levels are important because they will do well in future climates that may be warmer, wetter, or drier.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: While drought-tolerant crops might reduce the need for irrigation, the passage focuses on their role in climate adaptation rather than just resource management.
• Option 2: There is no mention of pesticide use in relation to these crops; the focus is on environmental resilience.
• Option 3: The passage suggests that we need to protect genetic diversity through breeding programs, not eliminate it.
• The text advocates for accelerating breeding programs to ensure that current crops and their wild relatives are prepared for shifting environmental conditions.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The passage discusses the importance of natural resources and specialized crops in tackling climate change.
• It explicitly mentions that private companies and farmers often make choices based on immediate performance rather than long-term resilience.
• According to the text, they choose crop types that work well now, which translates to present conditions.
• This behavior is identified as a challenge because it overlooks varieties that might be better suited for future climates that are warmer, wetter, or drier.

Therefore, the correct answer is They work well under present conditions.

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: The passage does not discuss the cost of production or whether current crops are cheaper to produce.
• Option 3: The text suggests that the current choices actually lack future climate resilience, as farmers prioritize what works in the present.
• Option 4: While genetic diversity is mentioned as something that needs protection, it is not cited as a reason for why farmers choose specific current crops.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The passage discusses the importance of utilizing natural resources to address climate change and maintain sectors like agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
• It highlights a gap where current selections by private companies and farmers are based on present conditions rather than future climate resilience (warmer, wetter, or drier climates).
• The text explicitly states that to better protect genetic diversity, there is a need to accelerate breeding programs for current crops, breeds, and their wild relatives.
• Therefore, the strategy for protection involves the improvement of crops and breeds through accelerated development.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Correct Sentence: 'To better protect genetic diversity, we should accelerate breeding programs for current crops, breeds, and their wild relatives.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: Reducing breeding programs would be counterproductive, as the passage calls for their acceleration to meet future needs.
• Option 2: The passage suggests that we need to manage ecosystems (like forests and wetlands) more actively and adaptively, not avoid managing them.
• Option 4: Limiting the use of wild relatives would restrict the available genetic pool; the passage encourages their inclusion in breeding efforts to enhance diversity.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The passage highlights that natural resources and healthy ecosystems are essential to tackle climate change and sustain sectors like agriculture and forestry.
• Specifically, ecosystems such as forests, mangroves, and wetlands are noted for their ability to reduce the effects of climate change.
• The text points out that these ecosystems are at risk due to climate shifts, necessitating active and adaptive management to maintain their function.
• Thus, the rationale for managing these areas is to ensure they can effectively help reduce climate change impacts.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: 'Healthy ecosystems like forests, mangroves, and wetlands can help reduce the effects of climate change, but they are also at risk... This means we need to manage them more actively and adaptively.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is incorrect because the passage explicitly states that these ecosystems are at risk as the climate changes, rather than being immune.
• Option 2: This is incorrect because the passage describes these ecosystems as tools to tackle climate change, implying they help mitigate rather than increase greenhouse gas emissions.
• Option 3: This is incorrect as the passage suggests migration corridors are needed to facilitate species movement, and active management is intended to support the ecosystem, not prevent species migration.

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

• The passage emphasizes that healthy ecosystems like forests and wetlands are at risk due to climate change and require active management.
• One strategy for adaptive management is connecting natural areas to prevent species from becoming trapped in changing habitats.
• The text identifies migration corridors as a specific tool used to create these connections between habitats.
• The stated purpose of these corridors is to help species move (relocate) as their environments shift because of warmer, wetter, or drier conditions.
• Thus, the objective is to ensure that wildlife and plant species can find suitable habitats even as their current ones become uninhabitable.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4.

 

Correct Sentence: 'Connecting natural areas, such as by creating migration corridors, can help species move as their environments shift.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: This is the opposite of the corridor's function; they are meant to enable movement, not prevent it.
• Option 2: While connectivity is important in planning, the passage specifically focuses on natural areas and ecosystems rather than urban areas.
• Option 3: Migration corridors are intended to preserve genetic and ecosystem diversity by allowing species to survive environmental changes.
• The text also highlights the importance of protecting genetic diversity through breeding programs for crops and their wild relatives to sustain agriculture.