English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'affect'.

Key Points

• The passage discusses the vital role of sleep in human health and the repercussions of its deficiency.
• The blank requires a verb that describes how a lack of sleep influences or changes mood, memory, and physical health.
• 'Affect' means to have an effect on or to make a difference to. It is the most appropriate word to describe how health factors are influenced by external conditions like sleep deprivation.
• The phrase 'negatively affect' is a standard collocation used to describe an unfavorable influence on a system or state.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. Lack of sleep can negatively 1. affect our mood, memory, and physical health. Experts recommend at least seven to eight hr of sleep for 2. average adults. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain 3. processes information from the day. People with irregular sleep schedules may find it difficult to 4. function during the day. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help 5. build better sleep habits.

Additional Information

• Destroy means to end the existence of something by damaging or attacking it; it is too extreme for describing the impact on mood.
• Damage means physical harm that impairs value or usefulness; while health can be damaged, 'affect' is more idiomatically versatile for mood and memory.
• Reflect means to throw back light or show an image, which does not fit the context of impact or influence.
• Note the difference: Affect is usually a verb (to influence), while Effect is usually a noun (the result).

The correct answer is 'average'.

Key Points

• The passage discusses the importance of sleep for human health and well-being.
• The sentence provides a general guideline for the amount of sleep needed by a standard representative of the population.
• The word 'average' is the most appropriate adjective here to describe the general adult population, for whom seven to eight hours of sleep is the standard medical recommendation.
• Using 'average' helps categorize the group without specifying individual variations like age or health conditions.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Passage: Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. Lack of sleep can negatively (1) affect our mood, memory, and physical health. Experts recommend at least seven to eight hr of sleep for (2) average adults. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain (3) processes information from the day. People with irregular sleep schedules may find it difficult to (4) function during the day. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help (5) build better sleep habits.

Additional Information

• Typical: Refers to having the distinctive qualities of a particular type of person or thing.
• Common: Refers to something occurring, found, or done often.
• Normal: Refers to conforming to a standard or being usual/expected.

The correct answer is 'processes'.

Key Points

• The passage emphasizes the physiological and cognitive roles of sleep.
• The sentence explains what the brain does with the information gathered during the day while a person is sleeping.
• 'Processes' is the most appropriate verb in this context as it means to perform a series of operations on data or information to handle, organize, or consolidate it.
• In cognitive science, sleep is known as a time when the brain processes memories and information, which fits the sentence perfectly.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Passage: Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. Lack of sleep can negatively 1. affect our mood, memory, and physical health. Experts recommend at least seven to eight hr of sleep for 2. average adults. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain 3. processes information from the day. People with irregular sleep schedules may find it difficult to 4. function during the day. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help 5. build better sleep habits.

Additional Information

• Earns: To receive money or rewards in return for work; this does not apply to the brain handling information.
• Saves: While the brain stores information, 'processes' is a more comprehensive term for what the brain does during sleep (sorting, consolidating, and handling data).
• Forgets: While some information is lost, the primary health-related function of sleep being described here is the beneficial handling (processing) of information.

The correct answer is 'function'.

Key Points

• The passage focuses on the importance of sleep for human health and the consequences of sleep deprivation.
• The sentence describes a difficulty people face during the day when their sleep schedules are irregular.
• 'Function' is the most appropriate verb as it means to work or operate in a proper or particular way, especially in the context of daily cognitive and physical performance.
• Other options ('relax', 'wake', 'speak') do not accurately describe the general daily impairment caused by a lack of restorative sleep.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. Lack of sleep can negatively 1. affect our mood, memory, and physical health. Experts recommend at least seven to eight hr of sleep for 2. average adults. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain 3. processes information from the day. People with irregular sleep schedules may find it difficult to 4. function during the day. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help 5. build better sleep habits.

Additional Information

• Relax: To rest or engage in an enjoyable activity so as to become less tired or anxious.
• Wake: To emerge or cause to emerge from a state of sleep; stop sleeping.
• Speak: To say something in order to convey information, an opinion, or a feeling.

The correct answer is 'build'.

Key Points

• The passage focuses on the importance of sleep hygiene and maintaining healthy routines.
• The blank requires a verb that describes the action of developing or establishing better sleep habits.
• "Build" is the most appropriate choice as it means to develop or establish something (like a habit) over a period of time.
• Using a consistent routine is a proactive way to build or cultivate positive behavior.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. Lack of sleep can negatively 1. affect our mood, memory, and physical health. Experts recommend at least seven to eight hr of sleep for 2. average adults. During sleep, the body repairs tissues and the brain 3. processes information from the day. People with irregular sleep schedules may find it difficult to 4. function during the day. Creating a consistent bedtime routine can help 5. build better sleep habits.

Additional Information

• Break: To stop or end a habit, usually a negative one (e.g., break a bad habit).
• CUE: A signal or prompt for something to happen; it does not fit the grammatical structure of 'helping to [verb] habits' in this context.
• Test: To examine or evaluate the quality or performance of something, which does not apply to the creation of habits here.

The correct answer is 'asleep at the switch'.

 

Key Points

• The idiom 'asleep at the switch' means to be inattentive to a duty or failing to react quickly to a situation.
• In the given sentence, it describes a bureaucracy that is failing to address the critical issue of youth unemployment.
• The origin of this phrase comes from the railroad industry, where a trainman might fail to change a track switch, leading to an accident.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Sentence: When the youth are struggling with unemployment and the bureaucracy is asleep at the switch, how can a great nation be formed?

Additional Information

• The other options like 'asleep at the light', 'asleep at the board', and 'asleep at the cut-out' are incorrect variations and do not constitute standard English idioms.
• Common synonyms for being 'asleep at the switch' include negligent, remiss, and oblivious.

The correct answer is: Option (1) i.e. Dragged.

Key Points

• The word 'pulled' means to exert force on someone or something so as to cause movement towards oneself. (खींचना)
• Example: She pulled the door open to welcome the guests into the house.
• 'Dragged' refers to pulling someone or something along forcefully, especially with difficulty or along the ground; it is the closest synonym to the word 'pulled' in this context. (घसीटना)
• Example: The workers dragged the heavy sacks of cement across the construction site.
• Hence, we can infer that the synonym of 'pulled' is 'dragged'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Dragged.

Additional Information

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

• Pushed (धक्का देना): To exert force on someone or something in order to move them away from oneself.
• Example: He pushed the cart through the narrow aisle of the supermarket.
• Stopped (रुकना / रोकना): To come to an end or to cause something to cease moving or operating.
• Example: The driver stopped the bus at the designated stop.
• Rejected (अस्वीकार करना): To dismiss as inadequate, inappropriate, or not meeting certain standards.
• Example: The university rejected his application because it was submitted after the deadline.

Choose the word that is the most appropriate synonym of the word 'deceive'.

The correct answer is 'Option (4)' i.e. 'Trick'.

Key Points

• The word 'deceive' means to deliberately cause someone to believe something that is not true, especially for personal gain or to hide the truth. (धोखा देना)
• Example: The salesman tried to deceive the customers by misrepresenting the quality of the product.
• 'Trick' refers to an act or scheme intended to deceive or outwit someone; it is the most appropriate synonym as it involves using cleverness or dishonesty to mislead others. (छल करना / चकमा देना)
• Example: The magician used a clever trick to make the coin disappear into thin air.
• Hence, we can infer that the most appropriate synonym of 'deceive' is 'trick'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Trick.

Additional Information

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

• Help (मदद करना): To assist or aid someone in doing something.
• Example: It is always good to help those who are in need.
• Guide (मार्गदर्शन करना): To show someone the way or direct their movements or actions.
• Example: The tour leader will guide the group through the historical monuments of the city.
• Support (समर्थन करना): To provide assistance, encouragement, or approval for someone or something.
• Example: My parents always support my decisions regarding my career.

The correct answer is volatility.

Key Points

• In the given sentence, the word volatility is misspelled. It is often incorrectly written as volatality.
• The correct spelling of the term is v-o-l-a-t-i-l-i-t-y. It originates from the Latin word volatilis, which means flying or fleeting.
• The noun volatility describes the state of being unstable, highly changeable, or prone to unexpected and rapid shifts, especially in financial markets or chemical properties.
• All other underlined words in the sentence—dividend, shareholders, and remarkable—are spelled correctly and fit their respective grammatical contexts perfectly.

 Additional Information

• Dividend:
• Meaning: A distribution of a portion of a company's earnings, decided by the board of directors, paid to a class of its shareholders.
• Grammar: It is a noun, derived from the Latin word dividendum, which means thing to be divided.
• Shareholders:
• Meaning: Any person, company, or institution that owns at least one share of a company’s stock.
• Role: They are the actual owners of a corporation and have the right to vote on key corporate matters.
• Remarkable:
• Meaning: Worthy of attention, striking, or extraordinary.
• Word Class: It acts as an adjective modifying the noun rise in the provided sentence.

The correct answer is: False.

Key Points

• The word 'genuine' refers to something that is authentic, real, or true; it is not a fake or a counterfeit. (असली / वास्तविक)
• Example: The antique dealer confirmed that the signature on the painting was genuine.
• 'False' refers to something that is not real or genuine; it is intentionally untrue, fake, or artificial. (नकली / असत्य)
• Example: The witness was charged for providing false information to the police.
• Hence, we can infer that the most appropriate antonym of 'genuine' is 'false'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: False.

Additional Information

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

• Real (वास्तविक): Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact; not imagined or supposed.
• Example: After years of searching, they finally found the real source of the river.
• Honest (ईमानदार): Free of deceit; truthful and sincere.
• Example: He is well-known for being an honest man who never breaks his promises.
• Original (मौलिक): Present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest.
• Example: The museum houses the original manuscript of the famous poet.

The correct answer is It is said that honesty is the best policy.

Key Points

• When an active sentence starts with an indefinite subject like They, People, or Someone followed by a reporting verb (e.g., say, think, believe) and a that-clause, the passive voice is often introduced by the dummy subject It.
• The active verb say is in the Present Indefinite Tense. To convert this into the passive voice, we use the structure: It + is + past participle (V3) + that-clause.
• In this specific sentence, They say becomes It is said. The conjunction that connects the passive introductory phrase to the rest of the statement.
• The phrase honesty is the best policy is a universal truth and a noun clause acting as the object. In such constructions, the content of the that-clause remains unchanged during the transformation.
• Therefore, the complete passive construction is It is said that honesty is the best policy.

 Additional Information

• Comparison of incorrect options:
• Honesty said to be the best policy: This is grammatically incomplete as it lacks the auxiliary verb (is) necessary to form the Passive Voice.
• They are said honesty is the best policy: This structure is logically and syntactically incorrect because the pronoun They cannot be the subject of the passive verb are said while simultaneously retaining the noun clause in this manner.
• Honesty was said to be the best policy: This is incorrect because it changes the tense of the original sentence. The reporting verb say is in the present tense, so the passive form must use is rather than the past tense was.
• Alternative Passive Structure:
• Such sentences can also be converted using the Subject + Verb (Passive) + To-infinitive pattern. For example: Honesty is said to be the best policy. This involves moving the subject of the noun clause to the start of the sentence.

The correct answer is Does the insurance company provide a complete health check-up every year?.

Key Points

• The original sentence is in the Passive Voice and follows the structure of an interrogative sentence in the Present Simple Tense. This is identified by the auxiliary verb 'Is' at the beginning and the Past Participle form of the verb 'provided'.
• The phrase 'every year' acts as an adverbial of frequency, which is a hallmark of the Present Simple Tense, indicating a habitual or routine action.
• To convert an interrogative sentence from passive to Active Voice in this tense, we use the formula: Do/Does + Subject + Base Verb (V1) + Object?.
• The Passive Agent 'the insurance company' becomes the Active Subject. Since 'the insurance company' is a singular third-person entity, the auxiliary verb 'Does' must be used.
• The Passive Subject 'a complete health check-up' becomes the Active Object, and the verb 'provided' reverts to its base form, 'provide'.

 Additional Information

• Understanding Tense Variations in Interrogative Sentences:
• Present Continuous Tense: Uses the structure 'Is/Am/Are + Subject + V-ing?'. It is used for actions happening at the moment of speaking.
• Past Simple Tense: Uses 'Did + Subject + V1?'. This is used to inquire about actions that were completed at a specific time in the past.
• Present Perfect Tense: Uses 'Has/Have + Subject + V3?'. This tense is typically used for actions where the time is not specific or the action has relevance to the present.
• Active Voice emphasizes the doer of the action, making the sentence more direct and clear, whereas Passive Voice emphasizes the recipient or the action itself.

The correct answer is 'in'.

 

Key Points

• The preposition 'in' is used to indicate a position within an enclosed space, a container, or a physical area with defined boundaries.
• Since a 'house' is a physical structure that provides an interior space for living, the preposition 'in' is the most appropriate choice to describe residing inside it.
• Common collocations for habitation include 'live in a house', 'live in an apartment', or 'live in a cottage'.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The poor family lives in a small house near the forest of Similipal.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: 'on' is used for surfaces (e.g., 'on the roof') or being atop something, which does not fit the context of living inside a dwelling.
• Option 3: 'at' is typically used for specific points or locations in space (e.g., 'at the bus stop') or specific addresses.
• Option 4: 'by' means 'near' or 'beside' (e.g., 'a house by the woods'), which would imply living next to the house rather than inside it.

The correct answer is look into the matter.

Key Points

• The phrasal verb look into is the most appropriate choice here as it means to investigate, examine, or research the facts of a situation thoroughly.
• In the context of financial irregularities, a committee is expected to conduct a detailed inquiry or audit to identify errors or malpractices.
• The original phrase look onto is contextually incorrect because it refers to the physical direction or view a building or window has, such as a house that looks onto a park.
• By using look into, the sentence accurately conveys that the department is being subjected to a formal investigation regarding its monetary records.

 Additional Information

• Look over:
• This phrasal verb means to examine or inspect something quickly or superficially.
• It is typically used when checking for errors in a draft or reviewing a document before a meeting.
• Look after:
• This means to take care of, protect, or be responsible for someone or something.
• It is commonly applied to caregiving (looking after children) or supervising the maintenance of property.
• Phrasal Verbs with Look:
• Look up to: To admire or respect someone as a role model.
• Look down on: To consider someone as inferior or unimportant.
• Look out for: To be vigilant or watchful for potential danger or opportunities.

The correct answer is 'at the instance of'.

 

Key Points

• The prepositional phrase 'at the instance of' means at the request, suggestion, or instigation of someone.
• In this sentence, it implies that the publication of the book was initiated or prompted by the president of the literary committee.
• This phrase is commonly used in formal, official, or legal contexts to denote the person or authority responsible for requesting an action.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'The book was published at the instance of the president of the literary committee.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'due to' is used to indicate the cause or reason for an occurrence (e.g., 'The delay was due to heavy traffic').
• Option 2: 'subsequent to' means after or following a particular event (e.g., 'The meeting was held subsequent to the press release').
• Option 4: 'in accordance with' means in a manner consistent with a rule, law, or instruction (e.g., 'The work was done in accordance with the contract').

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The sentence describes a sequence of events in the past. When two actions happen in the past, the action that was completed first is expressed in the Past Perfect Tense (had + past participle).
• The phrase by the time is a strong indicator that the Past Perfect should be used to show that the decisions were finished before the director's arrival.
• Since the decisions are the recipients of the action, the Passive Voice of the Past Perfect is required: had been + past participle (made).
• Therefore, the underlined part were made should be replaced with had been made to correctly reflect the timeline of events.

Therefore, the correct answer is 1.

 

Correct Sentence: 'The meeting had already started, and several key decisions had been made by the time the new director arrived.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: "several keys decision were made" – This is grammatically incorrect because keys is used as an adjective here and should be singular (key), and decision should be plural (decisions) to match the quantifier several.
• Option 3: "several keen decisions was made" – This contains a subject-verb agreement error; the plural subject decisions requires the plural verb were or had been, not the singular was. Additionally, keen changes the intended meaning of the sentence.
• Option 4: "No improvement required" – This is incorrect because the Simple Past (were made) does not clearly establish the completion of the action before the director's arrival as accurately as the Past Perfect does in a formal grammatical context.

The correct answer is: pilot.

Key Points

• The phrase 'A person who flies an aircraft' refers to an individual who operates the controls of an airplane, helicopter, or other flying vehicles. (विमान उड़ाने वाला व्यक्ति)
• Example: After years of training, he finally became a professional who flies commercial aircraft.
• A 'pilot' is a person who is professionally qualified to operate the directional and flight controls of an aircraft. (विमान चालक)
• Example: The pilot safely navigated the plane through the turbulent storm.
• Therefore, the correct answer is- pilot.

Additional Information

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

• Driver (चालक): A person who drives a vehicle, such as a car, bus, or train.
• Example: The driver of the bus waited for all the passengers to board.
• Airman (वायुसैनिक): A member of an air force, particularly one below the rank of a commissioned officer.
• Example: Every airman in the unit was prepared for the upcoming drill.
• Captain (कप्तान): The person in command of a ship or an aircraft; the highest-ranking officer on a commercial flight.
• Example: The captain of the flight greeted the passengers as they entered the plane.

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

Key Points

• The phrase 'origin and development of human societies' refers to the scientific study of how human beings have evolved biologically and how their cultures and societies have grown over time. (मानव समाजों की उत्पत्ति और विकास)
• Example: Understanding the origin and development of human societies requires analyzing both physical remains and cultural traditions.
• 'Anthropologist' refers to a scientist or professional who specializes in the study of humanity, focusing on human biological characteristics, evolutionary history, and social and cultural development. (मानवविज्ञानी)
• Example: The Anthropologist spent years living with indigenous communities to study their unique social structures and rituals.
• Hence, it is clear that a person who studies the origin and development of human societies is called an Anthropologist.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Anthropologist.

Additional Information

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

• Archaeologist (पुरातत्वविद्): A person who studies human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains.
• Example: The Archaeologist discovered ancient clay tablets that provided new insights into the Mesopotamian civilization.
• Sociologist (समाजशास्त्री): A professional who studies the development, structure, and functioning of human society, including social relationships and institutions.
• Example: A Sociologist might research how different social classes are impacted by economic changes in a city.
• Historian (इतिहासकार): An expert who studies and records the past, often by examining written documents and historical records.
• Example: The Historian wrote a comprehensive book detailing the events of the industrial revolution.

The correct answer is: A person who is unsuited for a particular position, role, or situation..

Key Points

• The idiom 'A square peg in a round hole' refers to an individual who does not fit into a particular environment, social group, or job role because their character or skills are not appropriate for it. (अनुपयुक्त व्यक्ति)
• Example: He felt like a square peg in a round hole when he joined the high-pressure financial firm, as he was much more interested in the arts.
• 'A person who is unsuited for a particular position, role, or situation' describes a state of mismatch where a person's personality or abilities are not aligned with the requirements of their situation. (एक व्यक्ति जो किसी विशेष पद, भूमिका या स्थिति के लिए अनुपयुक्त है)
• Example: Placing a shy, quiet person in a loud public relations job is a classic example of a square peg in a round hole.
• Hence, we can infer that the correct meaning of the given idiom is someone who is a misfit in their role.

Therefore, the correct answer is- A person who is unsuited for a particular position, role, or situation.

Additional Information

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

• A person who secretly dislikes their coworkers (सहकर्मियों के प्रति गुप्त द्वेष रखने वाला व्यक्ति): This refers to internal feelings of animosity toward colleagues, which is not the meaning of the idiom.
• Example: Despite his polite behavior, he was known to be a person who secretly dislikes his coworkers.
• A person who is physically awkward or uncoordinated (शारीरिक रूप से अनाड़ी या असमन्वित व्यक्ति): This describes someone who is clumsy in their movements.
• Example: His frequent tripping made him seem like a person who is physically awkward.
• A person who is stubborn and refuses to compromise (हठी व्यक्ति जो समझौता करने से इनकार करता है): This describes a person who is inflexible or headstrong in their opinions.
• Example: The project was delayed because the manager was a person who is stubborn and refuses to compromise.

The correct answer is Option 1.

Key Points

• The passage outlines the lifelong journey and the evolving role of a mother in her son's life, following a chronological and logical progression from infancy to maturity.
• Sentence 1 establishes the starting point of the bond: birth.
• Sentence P follows as the first stage of the child's development, focusing on the basic physical care required as he grows and learns about the world.
• Sentence R follows because it describes the mother's next role as a protector and a mentor who instills good values during the child's early developmental years.
• Sentence Q is the fourth sentence as it transitions to a more social and structured stage of life, highlighting the mother's support during his school years and her encouragement of his dreams.
• Sentence S follows as it addresses the mother's support during the emotional challenges and difficult times that occur as the child matures, requiring patience and wisdom.
• Sentence 6 provides the conclusion, stating that this unwavering love persists into his adulthood.
• The correct sequence is PRQS.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'A mother loves her son from the moment he is born. She takes care of him as he grows and learns new things. She protects him from dangers and teaches him good values. She supports him in school and encourages him to follow his dreams. She guides him during difficult times with patience and wisdom. Her love remains strong even when he becomes an adult.'