English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'skills'.

Key Points

• The passage describes the job interview process as a critical phase in hiring.
• An interview allows a candidate to present their qualifications and suitability for the role.
• 'Skills' refer to the expertise or talents needed to perform a job effectively.
• In this context, the appropriate noun must represent what a candidate demonstrates to an employer, making 'skills' the most logical choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Complete Passage: A job interview is an important step in the hiring process. It gives candidates a chance to show their 1. skills and learn more about the company. Before going to the interview, it is important to 2. research the company's background and prepare thoughtful answers. Dressing 3. professionally also creates a good first impression. During the interview, candidates should speak clearly, stay calm, and 4. listen to the interviewer's questions carefully. Finally, sending a thank-you email afterward shows 5. interest and professionalism.

Additional Information

• Salary: This refers to the financial compensation for work and is usually discussed later in the process.
• Mistakes: These are errors or faults; candidates generally avoid highlighting these during an initial introduction.
• Office: This refers to a physical workplace or place of business, which is not something a candidate can 'show' as their own qualification.

The correct answer is 'research'.

Key Points

• The passage outlines the essential steps and professional behavior required for a job interview.
• Blank (2) requires a verb that describes what a candidate should do regarding a company's background before attending the interview.
• 'Research' is the most appropriate word because it means to investigate or study a subject in detail to gain knowledge.
• Gathering information about a potential employer helps a candidate prepare thoughtful answers and demonstrate genuine interest.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Passage: A job interview is an important step in the hiring process. It gives candidates a chance to show their 1. skills and learn more about the company. Before going to the interview, it is important to 2. research the company's background and prepare thoughtful answers. Dressing 3. professionally also creates a good first impression. During the interview, candidates should speak clearly, stay calm, and 4. listen to the interviewer's questions carefully. Finally, sending a thank-you email afterward shows 5. interest and professionalism.

Additional Information

• Clean: This means to remove dirt or marks, which is irrelevant to investigating a company's background.
• Ask: While you may ask questions during the interview, the background is something you investigate independently beforehand.
• Write: Although a candidate might write notes, 'research' more accurately describes the act of gathering information about the organization.

The correct answer is 'professionally'.

Key Points

• The sentence discusses how a candidate should prepare for a job interview to make a positive impact.
• The blank requires an adverb that describes the manner of dressing appropriate for such a formal setting.
• 'Professionally' means in a way that is appropriate for a professional person or context, which aligns with creating a good first impression during an interview.
• Other options like 'poorly', 'casually', and 'quietly' do not fit the context of standard interview etiquette aimed at making a positive impression.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Passage: A job interview is an important step in the hiring process. It gives candidates a chance to show their 1. skills and learn more about the company. Before going to the interview, it is important to 2. research the company's background and prepare thoughtful answers. Dressing 3. professionally also creates a good first impression. During the interview, candidates should speak clearly, stay calm, and 4. listen to the interviewer's questions carefully. Finally, sending a thank-you email afterward shows 5. interest and professionalism.

Additional Information

• Poorly: In a way that is not good or not satisfactory.
• Casually: In an informal way; not formal.
• Quietly: Making very little noise or without much activity.

The correct answer is 'listen to'.

Key Points

• The passage provides guidance on how to conduct oneself during a job interview.
• Blank (4) requires a verb that logically follows the advice to 'speak clearly' and 'stay calm' while interacting with an interviewer.
• 'Listen to' is the most suitable choice because active listening is a fundamental communication skill. It ensures that the candidate fully understands the interviewer's questions before providing a response.
• The adverb 'carefully' strongly collocates with the verb 'listen', indicating a high degree of attention and focus.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Complete Passage: A job interview is an important step in the hiring process. It gives candidates a chance to show their 1. skills and learn more about the company. Before going to the interview, it is important to 2. research the company's background and prepare thoughtful answers. Dressing 3. professionally also creates a good first impression. During the interview, candidates should speak clearly, stay calm, and 4. listen to the interviewer's questions carefully. Finally, sending a thank-you email afterward shows 5. interest and professionalism.

Additional Information

• Ignore: To pay no attention to someone or something. This would lead to a failure in communication and a negative impression.
• Answer: While a candidate must answer questions, the act of listening 'carefully' is the prerequisite step that ensures the answer is accurate and relevant.
• Guess: To give an answer without being sure of the facts. This is generally discouraged in a professional interview setting as it shows a lack of preparation or honesty.

The correct answer is 'interest'.

Key Points

• The passage describes the standard procedures and etiquette involved in a job interview.
• The sentence indicates that sending a follow-up thank-you email is a positive action that demonstrates a specific quality.
• In the context of recruitment, a follow-up email is used to reaffirm a candidate's interest in the position and the company.
• The other options ('boredom', 'fear', 'silence') represent negative or contradictory states that do not align with the goal of showing professionalism.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: A job interview is an important step in the hiring process. It gives candidates a chance to show their (1) skills and learn more about the company. Before going to the interview, it is important to (2) research the company's background and prepare thoughtful answers. Dressing (3) professionally also creates a good first impression. During the interview, candidates should speak clearly, stay calm, and (4) listen to the interviewer's questions carefully. Finally, sending a thank-you email afterward shows (5) interest and professionalism.

Additional Information

• Boredom: The state of feeling weary and restless through lack of interest; this would be detrimental to a job application.
• Fear: An unpleasant emotion caused by being aware of danger; it is not something a candidate aims to project through a professional email.
• Silence: The absence of any sound or communication; sending an email is an act of communication, so it cannot represent silence.

The correct answer is: Ulterior.

Key Points

• The word 'Ulterior' means existing beyond what is obvious or admitted, usually referring to a hidden motive or reason. (गुप्त)
• Example: She suspected that he had an ulterior motive for being so generous.
• 'Ulterior' is the correctly spelled English word, which is used to describe something that is kept hidden or secret. (परोक्ष)
• Example: They had no ulterior designs on our property when they made the offer.
• Hence, we can infer that the correctly spelt word is 'Ulterior'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Ulterior.

Additional Information

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

• Umberage (गलत वर्तनी): This is an incorrect spelling. The correct spelling is 'Umbrage', which means offense or annoyance. (क्रोध या अपमान)
• Example: He took umbrage at the suggestion that his work was sloppy.
• Undulate (लहराना): To move with a smooth wavelike motion.
• Example: The green fields began to undulate in the gentle breeze.
• Uncouth (गंवार): Lacking good manners, refinement, or grace.
• Example: His uncouth manners made him unpopular at social gatherings.

The correct answer is consensus.

Key Points

• In the given sentence, the word concensus is misspelt. The correct orthographical form is consensus, which features the letter s in both the middle and the final syllables.
• The term consensus refers to a general agreement, a collective opinion, or unanimity reached by a group of individuals or organizations.
• Etymologically, the word is derived from the Latin term consentire, which is a combination of con- (meaning 'together') and sentire (meaning 'to feel' or 'to think').
• Spelling errors for this term frequently involve substituting the second s with a c (as in 'concensus') due to its phonetic similarity, but the correct sequence is c-o-n-s-e-n-s-u-s.
• Within the context of constitutional reforms, reaching a consensus is vital to ensure that all stakeholders agree on the foundational laws and principles of the state.

 Additional Information

• emphasised:
• This is a verb that means to give special importance or prominence to something.
• It follows British English spelling conventions; in American English, the word is spelled as emphasized using the -ize suffix.
• reconciliation:
• This noun refers to the restoration of friendly relations or the process of making one view or belief compatible with another.
• It is a key term in diplomacy and conflict resolution, often involving the settlement of long-standing disputes.
• constitutional:
• An adjective relating to the established set of fundamental principles or precedents according to which a state is governed.
• Constitutional reforms refer to formal amendments or changes made to the Constitution to improve governance or legal frameworks.

The correct answer is: Doubtful.

Key Points

• The word 'certain' refers to being completely sure of something, having no doubts, or something that is known for a fact. (निश्चित)
• Example: Scientists are certain that the earth revolves around the sun.
• 'Doubtful' refers to a state of feeling uncertain, unsure, or having reservations about something; it is the direct antonym of being certain. (संदेहास्पद/अनिश्चित)
• Example: It is doubtful whether the flight will take off on time due to the heavy fog.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'certain' is 'doubtful'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Doubtful.

Additional Information

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

• Definite (निश्चित/स्पष्ट): Something that is clearly stated, decided, or fixed and not subject to change.
• Example: They have not yet given a definite answer to our proposal.
• Positive (सकारात्मक/पक्का): A state of being confident or sure about something, or showing a constructive attitude.
• Example: I am positive that I locked the front door before leaving.
• Sure (पक्का/निश्चित): Feeling confident in what one thinks or knows; having no doubt.
• Example: Please make sure that all the windows are closed.

The correct answer is The renovation project had been finished by them before the grand opening..

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Past Perfect Tense, which follows the active voice structure: Subject + had + Past Participle (V3) + Object.
• When converting a Past Perfect sentence into Passive Voice, the structure shifts to: New Subject (Original Object) + had + been + Past Participle (V3) + by + New Object (Original Subject).
• In the given sentence, They is the subject, had finished is the verb phrase, and the renovation project is the direct object.
• During the transformation, the renovation project moves to the subject position, and the auxiliary had is supplemented with been to indicate the passive state.
• The pronoun They changes to its objective form them following the preposition by, while the temporal phrase before the grand opening remains unchanged at the end of the sentence.

 Additional Information

• Comparison of Tenses in Passive Voice:
• Simple Past Passive: Uses was/were + V3 (e.g., the project was finished). This is used for a single completed action in the past without emphasizing the sequence.
• Present Perfect Passive: Uses has/have + been + V3 (e.g., the project has been finished). This relates a past action to the present moment.
• Past Perfect Passive: Specifically used to denote an action that was completed before another point or action in the past, which is precisely what the phrase before the grand opening signifies.
• The use of had been finishing is grammatically incorrect for a passive construction as it erroneously combines the perfect continuous aspect with a passive intent, which does not fit the completion status of the verb finished.

The correct answer is Was the last train missed by them too?.

Key Points

• The given sentence 'Did they miss the last train too?' is in the Simple Past Tense and follows an interrogative structure.
• In the Active Voice, the construction for a Simple Past question is: Did + Subject + Base Verb (V1) + Object?.
• To transform this into Passive Voice, the structure must be: Was/Were + New Subject (Original Object) + Past Participle (V3) + by + New Object (Original Subject)?.
• The Object of the active sentence is the last train. Since it is a singular noun, the auxiliary verb Was is used to begin the passive sentence.
• The Subject of the active sentence is they, which changes to the objective case pronoun them when placed after the preposition 'by'.
• The Main Verb 'miss' (V1) is converted into its Past Participle form, which is missed (V3).
• The adverb too remains at the end of the sentence to maintain the original meaning.

 Additional Information

• Understanding why other options are incorrect:
• Had the last train missed...: This uses the Past Perfect auxiliary Had, which is used for actions completed before another point in the past. It does not match the Simple Past tense of the original sentence.
• Were the last train missed...: While 'Were' is a past tense auxiliary, it is only used with plural subjects or the pronouns 'You', 'We', and 'They'. Since 'the last train' is singular, this violates Subject-Verb Agreement.
• Is the last train missed...: This uses the Simple Present auxiliary Is, which incorrectly changes the timeline of the sentence from the past to the present.
• Rules for Pronoun Transformation:
• Active Subject to Passive Object: I becomes me, He becomes him, She becomes her, We becomes us, and They becomes them.

The correct answer is 'by'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase 'learn by heart' is a widely used idiomatic expression in English.
• It means to memorize something so thoroughly that it can be repeated or written from memory without looking at the source.
• In the context of the sentence, the teacher is advising the students to memorize a poem, which requires the preposition 'by'.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Complete Sentence: 'We were advised by the teacher to learn the poem by heart.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'in' is incorrect because the expression 'learn in heart' is not standard English for memorization.
• Option 3: 'for' is incorrect as it does not form a meaningful idiom with 'learn' and 'heart' in this context.
• Option 4: 'about' is incorrect because 'learn about heart' would mean gaining knowledge about the organ or the symbol of the heart, rather than rote learning a text.

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The sentence uses the verb insisted, which belongs to a category of verbs (such as suggest, demand, propose, or recommend) that often require the subjunctive mood when followed by a that-clause.
• In the present subjunctive mood, the base form of the verb (without 'to') is used, regardless of the subject's number or person.
• For the verb to be, the base form is simply be. Since the sentence is in the passive voice (the report receives the action), the correct structure is be + past participle (submitted).
• Therefore, is to be should be replaced by be to maintain grammatical standard in formal English.
• Thus, be submitted by is the correct grammatical choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: 'The manager insisted that the report be submitted by tomorrow.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'to be submitted by' – This is incorrect because the that-clause requires a finite verb or a subjunctive verb, not an infinitive phrase directly following the subject.
• Option 3: 'is submitted on' – This uses the indicative mood ('is'), which is less appropriate than the subjunctive after the verb 'insist'. Additionally, by tomorrow is used for deadlines, whereas on tomorrow is grammatically awkward.
• Option 4: 'No improvement required' – This is incorrect because the original phrase is to be submitted uses the indicative mood which is considered less formal or potentially incorrect in strict grammatical structures involving verbs of insistence.

The correct answer is 'on'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition on is used to indicate a position, location, or place of work that is an open area or a surface.
• In English grammar, it is idiomatic to use on when referring to a farm. For example, one lives on a farm or works on a farm.
• The word farm refers to a piece of land, and the standard preposition for land-based locations of this type is on.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The labourers are working on a farm.'

 

Additional Information

• By: This preposition usually means near, beside, or indicates the agent of an action. It does not fit the context of working at a location like a farm.
• In: While in is used for enclosed spaces (like in a factory or in an office), on is specifically used for agricultural land and estates.
• At: This can be used for general locations (like at the station), but on is more precise for the physical land of a farm.

The correct answer is lucid explanation of the complex theory.

Key Points

• The original sentence contains a logical contradiction because it uses the word obscure, which means not discovered or known about, uncertain, or difficult to understand, to describe an explanation that made a topic comprehensible (easy to understand).
• The term lucid refers to something expressed clearly and easy to understand. Replacing obscure with lucid creates a logically sound sentence where a clear explanation helps unversed students (those lacking experience or knowledge) grasp a difficult subject.
• The word complex is an appropriate adjective for a theory that students typically struggle with, as it indicates a system consisting of many different and connected parts that are often intricate.
• The phrase made it comprehensible acts as the result of the explanation; therefore, the preceding adjective must support the idea of clarity rather than ambiguity or dullness.

 Additional Information

• Stodgy:
• This term describes something that is dull, uninspired, or heavy and slow-moving.
• A stodgy explanation would likely make a theory harder to engage with rather than comprehensible for struggling students.
• Equivocal:
• This refers to using ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself.
• An equivocal explanation is inherently uncertain and would not help unversed students understand a difficult topic.
• Unversed:
• This adjective describes someone who is not practiced or unskilled in a particular area or subject.
• It highlights the necessity for a lucid or transparent teaching method to bridge the knowledge gap.

The correct answer is my colleagues.

 

Key Points

• The phrasal verb looking forward to requires a gerund (verb + -ing) or a noun phrase that functions as the object of the preposition to.
• In the given sentence, the infinitive verb meet is incorrectly placed before the noun phrase my colleagues.
• To make the sentence grammatically correct, the verb meet must be changed to its gerund form meeting, resulting in the correct phrase meeting my colleagues.
• Thus, the error is contained within the segment my colleagues as it requires the preceding verb to be in the gerund form to complete the object of the preposition properly.

Therefore, the correct answer is my colleagues.

 

Correct Sentence: 'I am looking forward to meeting my colleagues tomorrow.'

 

Additional Information

• looking forward – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and represents the continuous aspect of the phrasal verb.
• to meet – Although to is present, it acts as a preposition within the phrasal verb looking forward to, meaning it must be followed by a gerund phrase rather than an infinitive verb.

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

• The error in the sentence lies in the phrase to handle.
• The adjective capable is idiomatically followed by the preposition of and a gerund (the -ing form of a verb).
• Using an infinitive (to + verb) after capable is grammatically incorrect.
• The phrase capable to handle must be replaced with capable of handling to make the sentence correct.
• Thus, the error is identified in Option 3.

Therefore, the correct answer is to handle.

 

Correct Sentence: 'She is capable of handling this difficult task.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (is): This is the correct singular form of the verb to be matching the singular subject She.
• Option 2 (capable): This is the correct adjective to describe the subject's ability.
• Option 4 (this difficult task): This is a correctly formed noun phrase acting as the object.
• Gerund vs Infinitive: While some adjectives like able take an infinitive (e.g., able to handle), capable strictly requires of + gerund.

The correct answer is (3) i.e. Fratricide.

Key Points

• The phrase 'the act of killing one's own brother' refers to the murder of a sibling by another. (भाई की हत्या)
• Example: The ancient tragedy was centered around the betrayal and the subsequent fratricide within the royal family.
• 'Fratricide' is the specific legal and social term used for the act of killing one's own brother or sister. (भ्रातृघात)
• Example: The investigation concluded that the prince was guilty of fratricide in his quest for the throne.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct one-word substitute is 'Fratricide'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Fratricide.

Additional Information

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

• Patricide (पितृवध): The act of killing one's own father.
• Example: In Greek mythology, several stories explore the dark theme of patricide.
• Homicide (नरहत्या): The killing of one human being by another.
• Example: The detective specialized in solving complex homicide cases in the city.
• Suicide (आत्महत्या): The act of intentionally taking one's own life.
• Example: Support networks are essential for providing help to those who may be struggling and considering suicide.

The correct answer is: Magnanimous.

Key Points

• The word 'Avaricious' means having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain. (लालची)
• Example: The avaricious merchant hoarded grains during the famine to sell them at an exorbitant price later.
• 'Magnanimous' refers to someone who is very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful; it describes a person who is noble in spirit and not petty. (उदार)
• Example: Despite the bitter rivalry, he was magnanimous enough to congratulate his opponent on a well-deserved victory.
• Hence, we can infer that the antonym of 'Avaricious' is 'Magnanimous'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Magnanimous.

Additional Information

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

• Petty (तुच्छ): Of little importance; trivial or concerned with unimportant things.
• Example: It is not worth getting into petty arguments over who should take out the trash.
• Selfish (स्वार्थी): Lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own profit or pleasure.
• Example: He realized his selfish behavior was driving his friends away.
• Vindictive (प्रतिशोधी): Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
• Example: The vindictive rumors spread by her former colleague damaged her reputation.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes the daily hardships and social interactions of a beggar, ending with a moral lesson.
• Sentence 1 introduces the subject: 'A beggar lives a very hard and lonely life on the streets.'
• Sentence S is the first part after the introduction because it elaborates on the 'hard life' by specifying the lack of basic necessities:
• 'He has no proper home, food, or clothes to wear.'
• Sentence R follows S as it describes the action he takes to address his lack of food and money:
• 'Every day, he asks people for a few coins or some food to survive.'
• Sentence P is the third part because it explains the social reaction to his begging mentioned in the previous sentence:
• 'Many people ignore him, but a few show kindness and help.'
• Sentence Q is the fourth part as it completes the description of his daily routine by mentioning where he spends his nights:
• 'He spends nights in open places, hoping for a better tomorrow.'
• This sequence leads naturally into Sentence 6, which provides the concluding thought about being thankful and kind.
• The correct sequence is SRPQ.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'A beggar lives a very hard and lonely life on the streets. He has no proper home, food, or clothes to wear.

Every day, he asks people for a few coins or some food to survive. Many people ignore him, but a few show kindness and help. He spends nights in open places, hoping for a better tomorrow. His life teaches us to be thankful and kind to the poor.'

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The passage begins by defining the concept of Biodiversity as the fundamental variety of life found on our planet.
• Sentence P follows sentence 1 because it elaborates on what that variety entails:
• 'It includes plants, animals, microorganisms, and their ecosystems.'
• Sentence S is the third sentence as it uses the phrase 'These species' to refer directly back to the plants, animals, and microorganisms mentioned in sentence P:
• 'These species depend on one another to survive.'
• Sentence Q is the fourth sentence because it identifies specific environments that are known for having a high concentration of life:
• 'Forests, oceans, and grasslands have rich biodiversity.'
• Sentence R is the fifth sentence because it introduces the negative factors that threaten these systems:
• 'Pollution and deforestation damage biodiversity.'
• The passage concludes with Sentence 6, which provides a call to action based on the damage mentioned in the previous sentence.
• The correct sequence is PSQR.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'Biodiversity means the variety of life on Earth. It includes plants, animals, microorganisms, and their ecosystems. These species depend on one another to survive. Forests, oceans, and grasslands have rich biodiversity. Pollution and deforestation damage biodiversity. We must protect biodiversity to keep our planet healthy.'