English Comprehension PYQs

The correct answer is 'vertically challenged'.

 

Key Points

• The idiom 'vertically challenged' is a euphemism used to describe someone who is short or below average height.
• In the context of recruitment for the army, candidates must meet specific physical standards, including a minimum height requirement. If a person does not meet this, they are not selected.
• The other phrases like 'diagonally challenged' or 'obliquely challenged' are not standard English idioms and carry no specific meaning in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 2'.

Complete Sentence: He was not selected in the army, as he was vertically challenged.

Additional Information

• Horizontally challenged: This is a humorous euphemism used to describe someone who is overweight or fat.
• Euphemism: A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing.
• Idiomatic euphemisms are often used in informal or humorous English to avoid being direct about physical characteristics.

The correct answer is 'vicious circle'.

 

Key Points

• The idiom 'vicious circle' (or cycle) refers to a sequence of events where each problem creates another problem and then makes the first one worse, often creating an inescapable loop.
• In Hindu mythology, human existence is often described as being caught in the cycle of birth and rebirth (known as Samsara), which is driven by karma.
• The other words provided—'viscous', 'abacus', and 'truant'—do not form meaningful idioms with 'circle' and do not fit the philosophical context of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Sentence: According to the Hindu mythology, man is subjected to the vicious circle of birth and rebirth.

Additional Information

• Viscous: Refers to a fluid that has a thick or sticky consistency and does not flow easily (e.g., honey is more viscous than water).
• Abacus: An ancient tool used for performing mathematical calculations by sliding beads along rods.
• Truant: A student who stays away from school without permission or explanation.

The correct answer is Option(2) i.e. Entertainment.

Key Points

• The word 'Amusement' means the state or experience of finding something funny or entertaining; it refers to the feeling of being enjoyed or pleasantly occupied. (मनोरंजन)
• Example: The children watched the clown with great amusement.
• 'Entertainment' refers to the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment; it is used to describe performances or activities that give people pleasure. (मनोरंजन)
• Example: The hotel provides live entertainment every evening for its guests.
• Hence, we can infer that the closest synonym of 'Amusement' is 'Entertainment'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Entertainment.

Additional Information

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

• Boredom (ऊब): The state of feeling weary and restless through lack of interest or activity.
• Example: He started humming a tune to relieve the boredom of the long journey.
• Anger (क्रोध): A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.
• Example: It was difficult for him to hide his anger when the project was canceled.
• Confusion (भ्रम): Lack of understanding; uncertainty; a situation of panic or disorder.
• Example: There was some confusion about the new office timings.

The correct answer is: Dangerous.

Key Points

• The word 'hazardous' refers to something that is risky, perilous, or likely to cause harm or injury, particularly concerning health or safety. (खतरनाक)
• Example: The disposal of hazardous waste must be handled with extreme care to prevent environmental damage.
• 'Dangerous' is the closest synonym, describing something that is able or likely to cause harm, injury, or negative consequences. (खतरनाक)
• Example: It is dangerous to drive a vehicle while feeling extremely tired or drowsy.
• Hence, we can infer that the closest synonym of 'hazardous' is 'dangerous'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Dangerous.

Additional Information

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

• Safe (सुरक्षित): Free from danger or risk; not likely to cause or lead to harm.
• Example: The rescue team ensured that everyone was safe after the flood.
• Helpful (सहायक): Giving or ready to give help; useful.
• Example: The guidebook provided many helpful tips for traveling across the country.
• Easy (आसान): Achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties.
• Example: She found the final test to be quite easy because she had prepared well.

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

Key Points

• The word 'Wainskoting' is the misspelt word in the given options. (ग़लत वर्तनी)
• Example: The architectural plan contained a typo, spelling the wall treatment as wainskoting.
• The correct spelling is 'Wainscoting', which refers to wooden paneling that covers the lower part of the walls of a room. (कमरे की दीवारों के निचले हिस्से पर लकड़ी की सजावट)
• Example: The traditional dining room was decorated with elegant oak wainscoting.
• Hence, we can identify that 'Wainskoting' is incorrectly spelled as it should use 'c' instead of 'k'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Wainskoting.

Additional Information

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

• Wholesome (पौष्टिक/स्वास्थ्यप्रद): Conducive to or suggestive of good health and physical well-being.
• Example: The farmer's market provides wholesome food grown without harmful chemicals.
• Windbreaker (हवा रोकने वाला जैकेट): A thin outer garment designed to resist wind chill and light rain.
• Example: It was a bit chilly near the coast, so he put on his windbreaker before walking on the beach.
• Wordsmith (शब्द-शिल्पी): A person who is skilled at using words, especially a professional writer.
• Example: As a veteran wordsmith, the journalist knew exactly how to capture the audience's attention.

The correct answer is: Sameness.

Key Points

• The word 'difference' refers to a point or way in which people or things are not the same; it denotes a distinction or dissimilarity between entities. (अंतर)
• Example: Scientists are studying the genetic difference between the two species of birds.
• 'Sameness' refers to the state or quality of being identical, similar, or uniform; it indicates a lack of variety or diversity, making it the direct opposite of difference. (समानता)
• Example: The sameness of the houses in the neighborhood made it difficult for him to find his friend's home.
• Hence, we can infer that the opposite of 'difference' is 'sameness'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Sameness.

Additional Information

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

• Gap (अंतराल): A break in continuity, a space between two objects, or a disparity in views.
• Example: There is a wide gap between the rich and the poor in many developing countries.
• Concea (likely a typo for Conceal) (छिपाना): To prevent something from being seen or known; to hide.
• Example: He tried to conceal his true feelings behind a mask of indifference.
• Conflict (संघर्ष): A serious disagreement or argument, typically a protracted one.
• Example: The conflict between the two neighboring countries has lasted for decades.

The correct answer is: Spoiler.

Key Points

• The phrase 'Revealing of crucial details' refers to the act of sharing key plot points or the ending of a story, which can ruin the surprise for someone who has not experienced it yet. (फिल्म के कथानक के महत्वपूर्ण विवरणों का खुलासा करना)
• Example: He ruined the movie for everyone by revealing the crucial details of the ending.
• A 'Spoiler' is information about a plot of a movie, book, or television show that, if known beforehand, can reduce the suspense or surprise for the audience. (रहस्योद्घाटन/बिगाड़ने वाला)
• Example: I had to stay off social media all day to avoid any spoilers about the championship game.
• Hence, we can infer that the most suitable one-word substitution for the given phrase is 'spoiler'.

Therefore, the correct answer is: Spoiler.

Additional Information

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

• Teaser (ट्रेलर की एक छोटी झलक): A short video or advertisement used to build interest and anticipation for a film or product without revealing too much.
• Example: The production house released a thirty-second teaser that left fans wanting more.
• Climax (चरमोत्कर्ष/शिखर): The most intense, exciting, or important point in a story, play, or movie.
• Example: The movie reached its climax during the intense final confrontation between the two main characters.
• Twister (बवंडर): A common informal name for a tornado; it can also refer to something that twists or is confusing.
• Example: The twister swept through the valley, causing significant damage to the local farms.

The correct answer is: Uxorious.

Key Points

• The phrase 'Having a great fondness for one's wife' refers to a man who is excessively fond of his wife or shows extreme submission to her. (अपनी पत्नी के प्रति अत्यधिक प्रेम या आसक्ति होना)
• Example: His friends often teased him for his uxorious behavior, as he couldn't spend a single evening without her.
• 'Uxorious' describes a husband who is excessively or submissively fond of his wife. (अपनी पत्नी का बहुत शौकीन या जोरू का गुलाम)
• Example: He was an uxorious man who dedicated all his spare time to fulfilling his wife's every wish.
• Hence, we can infer that the most suitable one-word substitution for the given phrase is 'Uxorious'.

Therefore, the correct answer is- Uxorious.

Additional Information

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

• Delirious (बेसुध या उन्मत्त): In an acutely disturbed state of mind resulting from illness or intoxication, or a state of wild excitement.
• Example: The patient was delirious with a high fever and didn't recognize anyone.
• Apathetic (उदासीन): Showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
• Example: The citizens were apathetic about the upcoming local elections.
• Feisty (साहसी या फुरतीला): (of a person, typically one who is relatively small) lively, determined, and courageous.
• Example: She is a feisty young woman who is not afraid to speak her mind.

The correct answer is 'for'.

 

Key Points

• The phrase 'take for granted' is a fixed idiomatic expression in the English language.
• It means to fail to properly appreciate someone or something, often because they are so familiar or consistently available that they are treated with indifference.
• In this context, the sentence suggests that children should appreciate their parents instead of ignoring their value.
• The preposition 'for' is the only grammatically correct choice that completes this idiom.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: "Children should not take their parents for granted; rather, they should respect them."

 

Additional Information

• Option 1: 'in' is incorrect because the expression 'take in granted' does not exist in English.
• Option 2: 'by' is incorrect because 'take by granted' is not a standard idiomatic construction.
• Option 4: 'about' is incorrect as it does not fit the required phrase structure for this meaning.

The correct answer is Were experiments being conducted by the students in the lab this morning?.

Key Points

• The given sentence is an interrogative sentence in the Past Continuous Tense. The active voice structure is: Was/Were + Subject + Verb(ing) + Object?
• To convert this into Passive Voice, the structure changes to: Was/Were + New Subject (Original Object) + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Agent?
• The object of the active sentence is experiments, which is a plural noun. Therefore, the auxiliary verb Were must be used to maintain Subject-Verb Agreement.
• The continuous nature of the action is preserved in the passive voice by adding the word being before the past participle form of the verb (conducted).
• The subject the students becomes the agent introduced by the preposition by. The time and place modifiers in the lab this morning remain at the end of the sentence. Hence, the second option is the grammatically correct conversion.

 Additional Information

• Past Continuous Passive:
• This tense is used to indicate that an action was ongoing in the past when viewed from a passive perspective.
• The inclusion of being is mandatory; without it, the sentence would shift to Simple Past Passive, which changes the original meaning.
• Subject-Verb Agreement is crucial; using Was with a plural subject like experiments is a common grammatical error.
• Evaluation of Incorrect Options:
• Option 1: Uses Was with the plural subject experiments, violating agreement rules.
• Option 3: Uses Are, which incorrectly changes the tense from Past Continuous to Present Continuous.
• Option 4: Omits the word being, resulting in a Simple Past passive structure instead of Past Continuous.

The correct answer is The scientists at the institute are preparing an elaborate report on climate change for the upcoming conference..

Key Points

• The given sentence is in the Passive Voice and follows the structure of the Present Continuous Tense. This is identified by the auxiliary verb is, the continuous marker being, and the past participle prepared.
• To convert a Present Continuous passive sentence into Active Voice, the structure must be: Subject + is/am/are + V1 + ing + Object.
• The Agent in the passive sentence (the scientists at the institute) becomes the Subject in the active sentence. Since scientists is a plural noun, the auxiliary verb are is required.
• The verb prepared is changed back to its base form prepare and the -ing suffix is added to reflect the continuous nature of the action, resulting in preparing.
• The Subject of the passive sentence (An elaborate report on climate change) becomes the Direct Object in the active sentence.
• The prepositional phrase for the upcoming conference remains unchanged as it provides additional context regarding the purpose of the action.

 Additional Information

• Distinguishing Tenses in Active Voice:
• Simple Present Tense: Uses the base form of the verb (prepare/prepares). It represents habitual actions or general truths. Option 1 is incorrect because it changes the tense from continuous to simple present.
• Present Perfect Tense: Uses has/have + V3 (have prepared). It indicates an action that has been completed at an unspecified time in the past. Option 3 is incorrect as it implies completion rather than an ongoing process.
• Simple Future Tense: Uses will/shall + V1 (will prepare). It describes actions that have not yet happened. Option 4 is incorrect because it changes the timeframe of the report's creation to the future.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: In the active voice, the verb must agree with the new subject (The scientists). Because scientists is plural, are is the grammatically correct auxiliary verb to pair with the present participle.

The correct answer is 'in'.

 

Key Points

• The noun 'interest' is followed by the preposition 'in' when it refers to the feeling of wanting to give your attention to something or of wanting to be involved with and discover more about something.
• In the given sentence, the subject is Rahul's curiosity or hobby regarding music, which requires the standard prepositional phrase 'interest in'.
• Option 3 represents the correct preposition required for this context.
• Options 1, 2, 4, and 5 are grammatically incorrect or irrelevant as they do not form a standard idiomatic expression with 'interest' in this context.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3.

 

Complete Sentence: 'Rahul's interest in music has continued since his childhood.'

 

Additional Information

• A fixed preposition is a preposition that always follows a specific word (noun, verb, or adjective).
• Other examples of nouns with fixed prepositions include: Belief in, Reason for, Experience in, and Success in.
• The preposition 'for' (Option 2) can sometimes follow 'interest' but only in very specific financial contexts (e.g., interest for the year) or when meaning a benefit, which does not apply here.

The correct answer is Option 1.

 

Key Points

• The sentence follows the structure of parallel comparison (also known as a correlative or proportional comparison).
• This structure requires the pattern: The + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb, the + comparative adjective/adverb + subject + verb.
• In the first part, higher is the comparative degree of high. Therefore, the second part must also use a comparative degree.
• The comparative degree of little (used for uncountable nouns like oxygen) is less.
• While lesser is also a comparative, it is typically used as an attributive adjective to mean of smaller size, value, or importance (e.g., the lesser of two evils). When referring to the amount or quantity of something like oxygen, less is the grammatically correct choice.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 1.

 

Correct Sentence: 'When scaling the Himalayas, the higher one ascends, the less oxygen is available.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 2: the least oxygen is available – This is incorrect because least is a superlative degree, whereas the correlative structure requires a comparative degree.
• Option 3: the oxygen available is lesser – This is incorrect because it breaks the parallel The + comparative structure required at the beginning of the clause.
• Option 4: No improvement required – This is incorrect because lesser is not standard in this specific correlative context comparing quantity; less is the appropriate term.

The correct answer is Option 3.

Key Points

• The paragraph describes a scene involving an old man walking on a hot day and finding a place to rest.
• Sentence S1 is fixed and introduces the setting:
• 'On a blazing hot summer afternoon, an old man came walking down a narrow village path.'
• Sentence C follows S1 because it describes the immediate physical condition of the old man mentioned in the opening sentence:
• 'He was tired and thirsty.'
• Sentence D is the third sentence as it shows the man reacting to his condition by spotting a location:
• 'Right by the road, he spotted a tiny grocery store.'
• Sentence B is the fourth sentence because the pronoun 'It' refers back to the grocery store identified in Sentence D, describing its structure:
• 'It had a tin roof and mud walls.'
• Sentence A is the fifth sentence as it moves from the exterior description of the building to the person inside:
• 'The shopkeeper sat inside fanning himself and shooing away the flies that were buzzing around in the stifling heat.'
• Sentence S2 is fixed and concludes the paragraph by describing the bench in front of the store.
• The correct logical sequence is CDBA.

Coherent paragraph after rearrangement:

'On a blazing hot summer afternoon, an old man came walking down a narrow village path. He was tired and thirsty. Right by the road, he spotted a tiny grocery store. It had a tin roof and mud walls. The shopkeeper sat inside fanning himself and shooing away the flies that were buzzing around in the stifling heat. There was a little bench in front of the store where the villagers met when evening came and the land had cooled down.'

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

• The primary grammatical issue in the sentence is pronoun inconsistency.
• The sentence starts with the indefinite pronoun 'one' but concludes with the second-person pronoun 'you' ('people will respect you').
• In standard English, pronouns must be consistent throughout a sentence to maintain clarity and logical flow. If 'you' is used in the main clause, 'you' should also be used in the conditional clause.
• The phrase 'If you are honest' correctly matches the pronoun 'you' used later in the sentence and maintains the present tense required for a Type 1 conditional (real possibility).

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: 'If you are honest, people will respect you.'

 

Additional Information

• Option 1 (If one were honest): This is incorrect because it retains the pronoun 'one' (clashing with 'you') and uses the subjunctive mood ('were'), which does not fit the factual or probable context of the sentence.
• Option 3 (If you were honest): This is incorrect due to tense mismatch. 'Were' implies a hypothetical past or present (Type 2 conditional), which is incompatible with the future result 'will respect'.
• Option 4 (No improvement required): This is incorrect because the original sentence suffers from pronoun shift, which is a common stylistic and grammatical error.

The correct answer is 'with'.

Key Points

• The sentence describes India as a country that possesses a diverse and rich heritage.
• The preposition 'with' is used to indicate having or possessing a particular quality, feature, or characteristic.
• In the context of the phrase 'a nation with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy', it correctly identifies the attributes associated with India.
• Other prepositions like 'in', 'of', or 'by' do not correctly establish the relationship of possession or descriptive characteristic in this grammatical structure.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: India, as a nation 1. with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy, confers several prestigious awards to honour extraordinary achievements and contributions across different fields. Among these, the highest-ranking awards 2. hold special significance, as they represent the nation's deepest gratitude and recognition of excellence. At the pinnacle of civilian honours stands the Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is the highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order. Over the years, eminent personalities like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar have been recipients of this rare honour. In the realm of 3. gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the nation's most distinguished military award. It is presented for acts of 4. conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma and Captain Vikram Batra have been decorated with this honour, symbolizing courage and patriotism at its peak. In addition, India also recognizes valour through other gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime bravery award. For contributions in civilian life, the Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri acknowledge distinguished service in varied disciplines. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also 5. inspire generations by highlighting the values of dedication, courage, and service to the nation. They embody India's respect for those who go beyond personal ambition to contribute to society and the country's progress.

Additional Information

• In: Generally used to indicate a location, a period of time, or being inside something.
• Of: Often used to show belonging, origin, or what something is made of.
• By: Usually indicates the means, the agent performing an action, or proximity.

The correct answer is 'hold'.

Key Points

• The sentence requires a verb that agrees with the subject 'the highest-ranking awards'.
• The subject 'awards' is plural, which necessitates the use of a plural verb form in the simple present tense.
• 'Hold' is the base form of the verb and correctly matches the plural subject to indicate a state or fact.
• The context of the sentence is in the present tense, as indicated by the subsequent verb 'represent'.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 3'.

Complete Passage: India, as a nation with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy, confers several prestigious awards to honour extraordinary achievements and contributions across different fields. Among these, the highest-ranking awards hold special significance, as they represent the nation's deepest gratitude and recognition of excellence. At the pinnacle of civilian honours stands the Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is the highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order. Over the years, eminent personalities like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar have been recipients of this rare honour. In the realm of gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the nation's most distinguished military award. It is presented for acts of conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma and Captain Vikram Batra have been decorated with this honour, symbolizing courage and patriotism at its peak. In addition, India also recognizes valour through other gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime bravery award. For contributions in civilian life, the Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri acknowledge distinguished service in varied disciplines. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire generations by highlighting the values of dedication, courage, and service to the nation. They embody India's respect for those who go beyond personal ambition to contribute to society and the country's progress.

Additional Information

• Holds: This is the third-person singular form of the verb, which would be used if the subject were singular (e.g., 'the award holds').
• Holding: This is the present participle or gerund form; it would require an auxiliary verb like 'are' to function as a main verb in a continuous tense.
• Holed: This is the past tense of the verb 'hole', which means to make a hole in something, and is contextually irrelevant here.

The correct answer is 'Courage and heroic bravery'.

Key Points

• The word 'gallantry' refers to the quality of being brave, courageous, or heroic, especially in the context of combat or dangerous situations.
• In the passage, it is used to describe the category of military awards like the Param Vir Chakra (PVC), which is specifically given for exceptional acts of valor and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy.
• Therefore, the most appropriate meaning among the options is 'Courage and heroic bravery'.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Additional Information

• Intelligence in planning: Relates to strategy and mental acuity, not necessarily physical courage.
• Discipline and obedience: Refers to following rules and orders strictly.
• Loyalty to the nation: Refers to faithfulness and devotion to one's country, which is a broader virtue than gallantry.

Complete Passage: India, as a nation with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy, confers several prestigious awards to honour extraordinary achievements and contributions across different fields. Among these, the highest-ranking awards hold special significance, as they represent the nation's deepest gratitude and recognition of excellence. At the pinnacle of civilian honours stands the Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is the highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order. Over the years, eminent personalities like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar have been recipients of this rare honour. In the realm of gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the nation's most distinguished military award. It is presented for acts of conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma and Captain Vikram Batra have been decorated with this honour, symbolizing courage and patriotism at its peak. In addition, India also recognizes valour through other gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime bravery award. For contributions in civilian life, the Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri acknowledge distinguished service in varied disciplines. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire generations by highlighting the values of dedication, courage, and service to the nation. They embody India's respect for those who go beyond personal ambition to contribute to society and the country's progress.

The correct answer is 'Noticeable'.

Key Points

• The word 'conspicuous' is an adjective that describes something that is clearly visible, striking, or attracting attention due to being remarkable.
• In the context of the passage, it refers to acts of bravery during military service that are so extraordinary and evident that they qualify for the Param Vir Chakra.
• 'Noticeable' is the correct synonym as it means easily seen or noteworthy, which aligns with the description of valor that stands out.
• Other options like 'Hidden', 'Insignificant', and 'Ordinary' are either opposites or do not fit the description of a high-order achievement.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 1'.

Complete Passage: India, as a nation with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy, confers several prestigious awards to honour extraordinary achievements and contributions across different fields. Among these, the highest-ranking awards hold special significance, as they represent the nation's deepest gratitude and recognition of excellence. At the pinnacle of civilian honours stands the Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is the highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order. Over the years, eminent personalities like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar have been recipients of this rare honour. In the realm of gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the nation's most distinguished military award. It is presented for acts of conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma and Captain Vikram Batra have been decorated with this honour, symbolizing courage and patriotism at its peak. In addition, India also recognizes valour through other gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime bravery award. For contributions in civilian life, the Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri acknowledge distinguished service in varied disciplines. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire generations by highlighting the values of dedication, courage, and service to the nation. They embody India's respect for those who go beyond personal ambition to contribute to society and the country's progress.

Additional Information

• Hidden: Not seen or known; kept secret or concealed.
• Insignificant: Too small or unimportant to be worth consideration; trivial.
• Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal or commonplace.

The correct answer is 'inspire'.

Key Points

• The sentence follows a parallel structure using the correlative conjunction 'not only... but also...'.
• The subject of the sentence is 'These awards', which is a plural noun.
• In the first part of the structure, the verb 'celebrate' is in the present simple tense (base form) to agree with the plural subject.
• To maintain grammatical parallelism, the verb in the second part (Blank E) must also be in the present simple tense (base form).
• 'Inspire' is the correct base form of the verb that matches the plural subject 'awards' and the parallel verb 'celebrate'.

Therefore, the correct answer is 'Option 4'.

Complete Passage: India, as a nation with a rich cultural, scientific, and historical legacy, confers several prestigious awards to honour extraordinary achievements and contributions across different different fields. Among these, the highest-ranking awards hold special significance, as they represent the nation's deepest gratitude and recognition of excellence. At the pinnacle of civilian honours stands the Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954. It is the highest civilian award of India, awarded for exceptional service in art, literature, science, and public service of the highest order. Over the years, eminent personalities like Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Lata Mangeshkar, and Sachin Tendulkar have been recipients of this rare honour. In the realm of gallantry, the Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the nation's most distinguished military award. It is presented for acts of conspicuous bravery and supreme sacrifice in the presence of the enemy. Brave soldiers like Major Somnath Sharma and Captain Vikram Batra have been decorated with this honour, symbolizing courage and patriotism at its peak. In addition, India also recognizes valour through other gallantry awards like the Ashoka Chakra, the highest peacetime bravery award. For contributions in civilian life, the Padma Awards, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri acknowledge distinguished service in varied disciplines. These awards not only celebrate individual achievements but also inspire generations by highlighting the values of dedication, courage, and service to the nation. They embody India's respect for those who go beyond personal ambition to contribute to society and the country's progress.

Additional Information

• Inspires: This is the third-person singular form (used with subjects like 'it', 'he', or 'she'), which does not fit the plural subject 'awards'.
• Inspired: This is the past tense form, which breaks the consistency of the general factual statement written in the present tense.
• Inspiring: This is the present participle or gerund form, which requires an auxiliary verb (like 'are') to function as a main verb in this context.