Question 1

In this English spelling question, choose the option that shows the correctly spelled standard English word among the four given alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Correct spelling is essential for clear written communication, and competitive exams often include direct questions where you must identify the correctly spelled word from a set of similar looking options. Such questions test your exposure to printed English and your attention to detail. Here you must choose the one word that matches standard spelling conventions. Given Data / Assumptions: • Four forms are presented: "sargeons", "divorsee", "depicted", and "parlancee". • Only one of these matches the accepted spelling of a common English word. • No context sentence is provided, so you must rely on your stored knowledge of spellings. Concept / Approach: The word "depicted" is the past tense and past participle of "depict", which means to represent in words, pictures, or images. It is spelled d e p i c t e d. The other options are distorted versions of real English words. "Sargeons" seems to be an incorrect attempt at "surgeons"; "divorsee" looks similar to "divorcee", and "parlancee" resembles "parlance". In such questions, it is helpful to silently pronounce the words, recall where you have seen them, and then visualise their correct form in your mind. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Look at "depicted" and recall if you have seen this exact form in reading. It is a common word used to describe pictures or descriptions. Step 2: Examine "sargeons". The correct word for doctors who operate is "surgeons", starting with s u r, not s a r, so this option is wrong. Step 3: Consider "divorsee". The usual spelling for a person who is divorced is "divorcee" with c e e at the end, so this option is not correct. Step 4: Look at "parlancee". The correct noun is "parlance" with no extra e at the end, so the given form is incorrect. Step 5: Conclude that only "depicted" follows the proper spelling of an English verb in its past tense form. Verification / Alternative check: To verify further, construct a sample sentence such as "The festival was beautifully depicted in the painting." The word looks natural and familiar. Now try "The scene was sargeons" or "The rules of formal divorsee were discussed"; these forms clearly do not fit because the spellings look wrong and the grammar does not match. Visualization and usage checks like this make the correct choice stand out more clearly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Sargeons" is incorrect because the profession is spelled "surgeons", not "sargeons". The vowel and consonant sequence is wrong. "Divorsee" adds an extra e compared to "divorcee" and does not match standard usage. "Parlancee" again adds an unnecessary e; the recognised noun is "parlance", which means a particular way of speaking or using words. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates are tempted by options that simply look complicated, assuming that complexity equals correctness. Others rely solely on pronunciation, but English spelling often uses silent letters or unexpected patterns. To strengthen your performance, make a habit of underlining or mentally noting interesting words as you read, and practise writing them. Regular exposure to correctly printed English across newspapers, novels, and study material gradually builds a secure mental dictionary of accurate spellings. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is depicted.

Question 2

In this English vocabulary question on synonyms, select the word that is closest in meaning to "gregarious", a term often used to describe social and outgoing people.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym questions assess your depth of vocabulary and your ability to match a given word with another that has a very similar meaning. The word "gregarious" is commonly used in descriptions of personality, particularly in psychology, literature, and everyday conversation. Choosing the correct synonym helps you both understand and write character descriptions more accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: • The target word is "gregarious". • You must pick the synonym, that is, the closest meaning. • The options are "introvert", "melancholy", "affable", and "pensive". • Exactly one option should capture the idea of a sociable and friendly person. Concept / Approach: "Gregarious" describes someone who enjoys the company of others, likes being in groups, and is fond of social interaction. It is linked with being sociable and outgoing. "Affable" means friendly, pleasant, and easy to talk to, which aligns closely with this meaning. The other options describe very different emotional or personality states. A solid approach is to restate the key idea of the target word in simple terms and then look for the option that expresses the same idea, not just a vaguely positive or negative feeling. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Paraphrase "gregarious" as "sociable, fond of company, and enjoying being with people". Step 2: Examine "affable". It means friendly, warm, and easy to approach, which fits well with someone who enjoys social interaction. Step 3: Check "introvert". An introvert is a shy or reserved person who tends to be more inward focused and less socially outgoing, so this is actually closer to an opposite concept. Step 4: Consider "melancholy", which refers to sadness or a deeply thoughtful sadness; it does not convey sociability. Step 5: Look at "pensive", which describes a person who is deeply or seriously thoughtful, often quiet, and again not especially outgoing. Therefore, "affable" is the best synonym. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine two sentences. First: "He is a gregarious host who talks to everyone at the party." Second: "He is an affable host who talks to everyone at the party." The sense remains the same in both sentences, confirming that the words are close in meaning. Now compare with "introvert" or "melancholy"; replacing "gregarious" with these words would create a very different impression and even contradict the intended idea of someone who likes company. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Introvert" refers to a personality type that is reserved and prefers solitude or small, quiet groups. This is contrary to gregarious behaviour. "Melancholy" describes a state of sadness or depression, which is about mood, not sociability. "Pensive" suggests quiet, serious, or deep thoughtfulness. While it can be a positive quality, it does not indicate being outgoing or sociable. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse "gregarious" with "generous" or assume it relates to generosity or wealth because of the sound of the word. Others may think any positive sounding word qualifies as a synonym. To avoid such confusions, focus on the core meaning and mental image associated with each term. Regular reading of good quality English text where such personality adjectives appear in context will help you remember their nuances more securely. Final Answer: The correct synonym of "gregarious" is affable.

Question 3

In this English grammar error spotting question, read the sentence "The factory complex houses a shop-floor and 10 cubicles for the staff in an area of about thousand squares meters" and identify the part that contains an error, or mark that there i…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions require you to pay close attention to articles, number forms, and correct noun usage. In this sentence about a factory complex and its built up area, the mistake lies not in the overall meaning but in the details of how the quantity and unit are expressed. Such questions are common in competitive exams because they test both grammar and a feel for natural English expressions. Given Data / Assumptions: • The full sentence is: "The factory complex houses a shop-floor and 10 cubicles for the staff in an area of about thousand squares meters." • Part A: "The factory complex houses a shop-floor". • Part B: "and 10 cubicles for the staff in an area". • Part C: "of about thousand squares meters." • Part D: "No error". Concept / Approach: In English, when we refer to a countable number like "thousand", we usually use an article or another determiner before it if it is singular and not part of a fixed phrase. We say "about a thousand square meters", not "about thousand square meters". Additionally, the unit should be "square meters", not "squares meters". This part of the sentence therefore contains two small but clear errors in article usage and plural formation. The rest of the sentence is structurally sound. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Check Part A. "The factory complex houses a shop-floor" is grammatically correct. The verb "houses" correctly means "contains" or "accommodates". Step 2: Look at Part B. "and 10 cubicles for the staff in an area" correctly continues the description and links the second element with "and". No error here. Step 3: Examine Part C. The phrase should read "of about a thousand square meters." It is missing the article "a" before "thousand". Step 4: Notice that "squares meters" is also wrong. The correct form is "square meters", with "square" used as an adjective, not in plural form. Step 5: Since the error is clearly located in Part C, that part must be selected as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: Try rewriting the sentence in fully correct form: "The factory complex houses a shop-floor and 10 cubicles for the staff in an area of about a thousand square meters." This version sounds natural and follows standard English usage. If you compare this with typical descriptions in real estate advertisements or engineering reports, you will find the same structure repeated, which confirms that the revision is correct and the original Part C is faulty. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is fine. The subject "The factory complex" and verb "houses" agree in number, and "a shop-floor" is an acceptable noun phrase. Part B is grammatically sound, linking the additional item "10 cubicles for the staff" and correctly using "in an area". Part D, "No error", is incorrect to choose, because we have clearly identified and corrected the issues in Part C. Common Pitfalls: Many learners overlook small articles like "a" and tend to focus only on bigger, more obvious grammar points. Another common mistake is treating measurement units as nouns to be pluralised blindly, leading to forms like "squares meters" or "litres waters". In technical and exam writing, such small errors can reduce clarity and correctness. To avoid them, pay attention to fixed collocations such as "square meter", "square kilometer", and revise them as complete chunks rather than as separate words. Final Answer: The part containing the error is "of about thousand squares meters." (Part C).

Question 4

In this sentence completion question on English usage, fill in the blank in the sentence "Even if two horses may look _____, they may not be of the same age" with the most appropriate word or phrase from the given options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Fill in the blank questions test your sense of natural English collocations and your ability to choose the most appropriate word so that the sentence becomes meaningful and grammatically correct. Here, the sentence compares two horses that look similar but may differ in age. You need a word that completes the comparison in a way that English speakers commonly use. Given Data / Assumptions: • The sentence is: "Even if two horses may look _____, they may not be of the same age." • The options are "comparable", "alike", "on par", and "only same". • The context is visual similarity versus actual age. Concept / Approach: When we talk about two things that look similar in appearance, a very natural and common expression in English is "look alike". The word "alike" is used after verbs like "look" or "seem" to express similarity. The other options are not idiomatically suitable in this structure. The approach is to mentally complete the sentence with each option and check which sounds natural and preserves the intended meaning: similar outward appearance but possibly different real characteristics. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Insert "comparable": "Even if two horses may look comparable, they may not be of the same age." Although the meaning is understandable, the collocation "look comparable" is not the most natural choice; we usually say things are comparable in terms of price, value, or quality rather than appearance. Step 2: Insert "alike": "Even if two horses may look alike, they may not be of the same age." This is a common and idiomatic construction when referring to similar appearance. Step 3: Insert "on par": "Even if two horses may look on par..." This phrase is awkward because "on par" is typically used with "be" rather than "look", and it refers more to equal quality or level than to visual similarity. Step 4: Insert "only same": "Even if two horses may look only same..." This is not correct English; the phrase is ungrammatical and unnatural. Step 5: Conclude that "alike" is the best and correct fit for the context and structure. Verification / Alternative check: You can test the choice by trying similar sentences: "Even if two brothers look alike, their personalities may be different." This sentence is perfectly natural and very common in English. Replacing "alike" with any of the other options makes the sentence sound forced or incorrect. Native speakers almost always use "look alike" when talking about similar appearance of people or animals. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Comparable" usually pairs with "be" or "remain" rather than "look" and focuses on equality in value, usefulness, or performance rather than purely visual similarity. "On par" is a phrase used to mean equivalent or equal in quality or status and again typically follows linking verbs, not "look", and is not used for visual resemblance. "Only same" is grammatically wrong; we would say "the same" or "only similar", but the given combination does not form a correct phrase. Common Pitfalls: Learners often overvalue more sophisticated sounding words like "comparable" and may pick them even when a simple, everyday word is a better fit. Exam setters deliberately include such distractors. The key is to prioritise natural usage and idiomatic combinations. Regular reading of good English text builds an ear for what sounds right and helps you choose the most suitable option in sentence completion tasks. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is alike.

Question 5

In this voice change question, convert the sentence "Do you intimidate your younger brothers?" from Active Voice into the correct Passive Voice form by choosing the most appropriate option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice change questions test your understanding of how to transform a sentence from Active Voice to Passive Voice without changing its tense or meaning. The sentence here is in the simple present tense and is framed as a question. You must convert it into an equivalent passive question where the object becomes the subject while preserving the sense and time of the action. Given Data / Assumptions: • Active sentence: "Do you intimidate your younger brothers?" • Subject in Active Voice: "you". • Object in Active Voice: "your younger brothers". • Main verb: "intimidate" in simple present tense. • Four possible passive forms are provided. Concept / Approach: To change a simple present question in Active Voice into Passive Voice, we use the structure "Are/Is/Am + object as subject + past participle + by subject". The auxiliary "do" or "does" used in the active question is replaced by the correct form of "to be" in the passive. Here, the subject "you" becomes the agent introduced by "by", and the object "your younger brothers" moves to the subject position. The main verb "intimidate" should change to its past participle "intimidated". The question form must be retained. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the active sentence is in simple present: "Do you intimidate your younger brothers?" Step 2: Move the object "your younger brothers" to the subject position in the passive sentence. Step 3: Choose the correct form of "to be" for plural "brothers" in simple present, which is "are". Step 4: Change the main verb "intimidate" to its past participle "intimidated". Step 5: Add the agent phrase "by you" and maintain the interrogative word order: "Are your younger brothers intimidated by you?" Verification / Alternative check: You can check the transformation by reversing it. Starting from the passive "Are your younger brothers intimidated by you?", convert it back to active. The subject in passive "your younger brothers" becomes the object, "by you" gives the active subject "you", and "are intimidated" in passive becomes "do you intimidate" in simple present active. This gives back the original sentence "Do you intimidate your younger brothers?", confirming that the tense and meaning match perfectly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Were your younger brothers being intimidated by you?" uses past continuous tense, which changes the time of the action and is not equivalent to simple present. "Have your younger brothers being intimidated by you?" is grammatically incorrect because "have" should be followed by "been", not "being", in the present perfect passive. "Are your younger brothers being intimidated by you?" uses present continuous passive, which again alters the tense and implies an action happening right now rather than a general habit or repeated action. Common Pitfalls: Learners often focus on the verb form and forget to keep the tense unchanged when shifting between voices. Another common error is mixing continuous or perfect forms with the simple present. Some students also struggle with the word order of questions in passive voice. To avoid these issues, practise transforming many examples, always starting by identifying the original tense and then applying the correct passive structure for that specific tense using a clear set of rules. Final Answer: The correct Passive Voice form is "Are your younger brothers intimidated by you?".

Question 6

In this idiom and phrase question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom "A blessing in disguise" as it is used in everyday English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be understood simply by translating the individual words. The idiom "a blessing in disguise" frequently appears in conversation, motivational speeches, and written texts. Understanding it accurately helps in reading comprehension and in interpreting real life situations described in stories or articles. Given Data / Assumptions: • The idiom given is "a blessing in disguise". • Four possible meanings are provided. • You must choose the meaning that matches standard English usage. Concept / Approach: "A blessing in disguise" refers to something that at first seems bad, unlucky, or unfortunate, but later turns out to have a beneficial effect. The idea is that the blessing is "hidden" under the appearance of a problem. To answer correctly, you must recall or infer this established meaning and then match it to the option that describes a misfortune eventually leading to good results. Idiom questions reward familiarity developed through reading and listening to natural English. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that many people use this idiom when they find that a setback or difficulty has actually helped them in the long term. Step 2: Examine the option "A misfortune that eventually has good results." This directly expresses the idea of something bad turning out to be good later. Step 3: Compare this with your understanding of the idiom. It matches exactly. Step 4: Check the other options to confirm that they do not accurately describe the idiom. Step 5: Select "A misfortune that eventually has good results" as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: Consider a simple example. Suppose someone misses a train and feels upset, but later learns that the train met with an accident. Missing the train, which first seemed unlucky, actually saved the person. In that situation, missing the train is called a blessing in disguise. This story clearly supports the interpretation that the idiom describes an event that seems negative but is secretly beneficial. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "A person who has changed so much that he is now unrecognisable" describes someone whose appearance or behaviour has altered, but this has nothing to do with hidden blessings. "A prayer asking for God's favour" relates to the word "blessing" alone, not to the complete idiom with "in disguise". The idiom is about events, not prayers. "A bad person hiding his face behind a mask" focuses literally on disguise and a wrongdoer, which again does not match the positive and ironic sense of the idiom. Common Pitfalls: Some learners get distracted by the word "disguise" and think of physical hiding or masks, which leads them to wrong interpretations. Others may treat idioms as if they can be translated word by word, which is not reliable. The best way to master idioms is to learn them in context, along with sample sentences and short stories. Over time, repeated exposure fixes their figurative meanings firmly in memory. Final Answer: The idiom "a blessing in disguise" means a misfortune that eventually has good results.

Question 7

In this English vocabulary question on synonyms, select the word that is closest in meaning to "reassert", which means to state or affirm something again firmly and confidently.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym questions measure how precisely you understand the meanings of verbs and how they are used in real sentences. The verb "reassert" is formed from "assert" with the prefix "re", and appears in news reports, legal discussions, and formal writing. Knowing its sense helps interpret statements about policies, rights, and opinions that are being confirmed again. Given Data / Assumptions: • The target verb is "reassert". • The options are "renounce", "acknowledge", "disbelief", and "conceal". • Only one option should express a meaning close to stating something again firmly. Concept / Approach: "Assert" means to state, claim, or declare something strongly and confidently. Adding "re" gives "reassert", which means to assert again, to reaffirm, or to reconfirm something that has already been said or established. Among the options, "acknowledge" is the closest in sense because it involves admitting, accepting, or recognising something as true, which can overlap with reaffirming. The other options either express the opposite meaning or are unrelated in part of speech. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Paraphrase "reassert" as "to state again firmly" or "to reaffirm". Step 2: Consider "acknowledge". It means to admit or accept that something is true or valid, and in many contexts it functions as a near synonym of affirm or confirm. Step 3: Check "renounce". This means to give up a claim, right, or belief, which is the opposite of asserting it again. Step 4: Look at "disbelief". This is a noun meaning lack of belief, not a verb, and does not match the grammatical role or meaning of "reassert". Step 5: Examine "conceal". It means to hide or keep something secret, which is again quite different from openly stating or affirming something. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine the sentence "The leader decided to reassert his commitment to social justice." If we replace "reassert" with "acknowledge", we get "The leader decided to acknowledge his commitment to social justice." The sense remains reasonably close in that he is openly accepting or confirming that commitment. If we use "renounce" or "conceal", the sentence changes meaning completely, which shows that these are not synonyms. This comparison supports choosing "acknowledge" as the best available option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Renounce" indicates giving up something, often publicly, which contradicts the idea of stating or confirming something again. "Disbelief" is not even a verb but a noun, so it cannot function as a synonym of "reassert" in typical sentence structures. "Conceal" means to hide or keep something out of sight or secret; this is the opposite attitude of openly stating or reaffirming something. Common Pitfalls: Some students may focus only on partial similarities in sound, confusing "reassert" with words like "resign" or "renounce" because both appear in political contexts. Others may ignore part of speech and wrongly pick a noun when a verb is needed. To avoid such errors, always check whether the option matches the grammatical category of the word in question and whether it can substitute naturally in sample sentences without changing the basic meaning. Final Answer: The closest synonym of "reassert" among the given options is acknowledge.

Question 8

In this passage based cloze test on Indian monsoon floods, choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank in the phrase "a _____________ monsoon so vital to India's economic fortunes" so that the sentence becomes meaningful and grammatically cor…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Passage based cloze tests assess your ability to understand context, tone, and collocation, and then choose a word that fits both the grammar and the message of the passage. This particular passage describes the impact of the monsoon on different states in India and highlights the economic importance of the rainy season. Selecting the right adjective before the word "monsoon" is essential to preserve the natural flow and meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: • The fragment given is "Once again, a _____________ monsoon so vital to India's economic fortunes has left some states in shambles." • The options are "rapid", "huge", "thunder", and "vigorous". • The surrounding sentences go on to describe heavy rainfall and paralysing floods in different states. Concept / Approach: The adjective must describe a monsoon season that is intense or strong enough to cause severe flooding and damage, while also sounding natural in collocation with the word "monsoon". In journalistic and climatic descriptions, words like "vigorous", "active", or "intense" are commonly used for a strong monsoon. The word "vigorous" means energetic, forceful, or powerful, and fits both the weather context and standard usage. The other options either do not collocate well with "monsoon" or do not capture the intended meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the overall context: the text speaks about heavy rainfall, paralysing floods, and states left in shambles, all due to the monsoon. Step 2: Recognise that the passage is not merely about a normal monsoon, but about one that has been especially strong or active, causing destruction. Step 3: Examine "rapid". While rainfall can be rapid, "rapid monsoon" is not a standard or common phrase in climatic writing. Step 4: Consider "huge". It describes size rather than intensity, and "huge monsoon" is not natural collocation. Step 5: Look at "thunder". It is a noun and does not work grammatically as an adjective directly before "monsoon" in this structure. Step 6: Evaluate "vigorous". It conveys active, strong, and forceful behaviour and collocates well with "monsoon". Thus, "a vigorous monsoon" sounds natural and fits the context of heavy rainfall and floods. Verification / Alternative check: If we read the sentence with the chosen word, it becomes "Once again, a vigorous monsoon so vital to India's economic fortunes has left some states in shambles." This sentence clearly suggests that a powerful monsoon, although economically important, has caused damage. This idea is consistent with the continuation of the passage which mentions heavy rainfall, paralysing floods, and destroyed assets. The other options either sound unnatural or do not offer this clear link between strength and impact. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Rapid" mainly refers to speed, not continuous intensity over a season, and "rapid monsoon" is not a widely used phrase. "Huge" typically describes physical size or extent but does not combine smoothly with "monsoon" as an adjective, especially in formal writing. "Thunder" cannot directly modify "monsoon" in this position and would be grammatically odd. Common Pitfalls: In cloze tests, students sometimes rely only on dictionary meanings and ignore collocation and style. This can lead them to choose words that are semantically close but unnatural in context. Another common pitfall is ignoring surrounding sentences that hint at the exact nuance required. Practising with editorial passages and paying attention to typical combinations such as "vigorous monsoon", "weak monsoon", or "deficient monsoon" builds a strong sense of natural usage for exam success. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is vigorous.

Question 9

In this passage based cloze test, choose the most suitable phrase to fill the blank in "heavy rainfall in a ____________ has created paralysing floods" so that the sentence about monsoon floods becomes natural and meaningful.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze test continues the passage about a vigorous monsoon and its impact on several Indian states. The sentence focuses on how heavy rainfall over a limited period produced paralysing floods. The blank must be filled with a phrase that correctly describes a limited duration of time in a formal, written style suitable for a newspaper editorial or report. Given Data / Assumptions: • The fragment is "From Assam to Karnataka, heavy rainfall in a ____________ has created paralysing floods". • The options are "short span of time", "very quickly", "short moments", and "fraction of a second". • The overall tone is serious and formal, typical of editorial writing. Concept / Approach: The phrase should highlight that the flooding resulted from intense rainfall concentrated in a relatively brief period, not spread evenly across the season. The expression "in a short span of time" is widely used in formal English to indicate such a limited duration. It functions grammatically as a noun phrase after the preposition "in", whereas the other options either do not fit the structure or are stylistically inappropriate for describing floods. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Insert "short span of time": "heavy rainfall in a short span of time has created paralysing floods". This sounds natural and grammatically correct. Step 2: Try "very quickly": "heavy rainfall in a very quickly has created..." This is grammatically wrong because "very quickly" is an adverbial phrase and cannot directly follow "in a". Step 3: Try "short moments": "heavy rainfall in a short moments has..." The article "a" clashes with the plural "moments", and the phrase is awkward. Step 4: Try "fraction of a second": "heavy rainfall in a fraction of a second has created..." This suggests an impossibly tiny time frame for flood producing rainfall, which is unrealistic for the context. Step 5: Conclude that "short span of time" is the only option that is both grammatically correct and contextually appropriate. Verification / Alternative check: If we read the entire sentence with the chosen phrase, it becomes: "From Assam to Karnataka, heavy rainfall in a short span of time has created paralysing floods that have taken a heavy toll of life, wiped out crops and destroyed hard earned assets." This reads smoothly and exactly describes how concentrated rainfall can trigger floods. The other options either break the structure or exaggerate the timeline in a way that does not match natural descriptions in serious articles. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Very quickly" is an adverbial phrase and cannot work in the pattern "in a ...". The grammar is incorrect. "Short moments" would require "in short moments" without an article, and even then it is not a standard phrase in this context. "Fraction of a second" is used for extremely brief events like flashes of light, not for rainfall patterns significant enough to cause major floods. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes choose very dramatic sounding phrases such as "fraction of a second" to make the situation appear more intense, but exam setters are checking for realistic and idiomatic usage, not drama. Another trap is to ignore the surrounding grammar and select an option purely based on meaning. To avoid such mistakes, always test the option inside the sentence, checking both sense and structure before finalising your answer. Final Answer: The correct phrase to fill the blank is short span of time.

Question 10

Continuing the passage on monsoon floods, choose the most appropriate phrase to fill the blank in "floods that have taken a _______________" so that the sentence accurately describes the loss of life caused by the disaster.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item is part of a cloze test describing how intense monsoon rains produce severe flooding across different states. The sentence focuses on the human impact of the floods. In formal English, there are commonly used expressions to talk about loss of life in disasters, and you must select the phrase that fits this editorial style while maintaining grammatical correctness. Given Data / Assumptions: • The fragment is "floods that have taken a _______________, wiped out crops and destroyed hard-earned assets." • The options are "many deaths", "dangerous turn", "heavy toll of life", and "big cost in terms of life". • The tone is serious and journalistic, typical of newspaper commentary. Concept / Approach: When speaking about disasters, a very common phrase is "take a heavy toll of life" or "take a heavy toll". This expression means that many lives have been lost. It is idiomatic and widely used in reports. The other options either sound awkward, are less idiomatic, or do not match the pattern "taken a ...". Therefore, the task is to identify the exact collocation that fits into the blank: "taken a heavy toll of life". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Insert "many deaths": "floods that have taken a many deaths..." This is grammatically wrong because the article "a" cannot be followed by the plural noun phrase "many deaths". Step 2: Try "dangerous turn": "floods that have taken a dangerous turn..." While this forms a phrase, it does not directly express loss of life and also does not fit with the rest of the sentence about crops and assets. Step 3: Insert "heavy toll of life": "floods that have taken a heavy toll of life..." This is a standard and powerful phrase describing many lives lost. Step 4: Try "big cost in terms of life": "floods that have taken a big cost in terms of life..." This sounds informal and clumsy in a serious editorial. Step 5: Conclude that "heavy toll of life" is the most appropriate and idiomatic choice. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with the chosen phrase: "From Assam to Karnataka, heavy rainfall in a short span of time has created paralysing floods that have taken a heavy toll of life, wiped out crops and destroyed hard earned assets." This sentence flows smoothly and reflects the standard style of journalistic writing about natural disasters. Other phrases such as "many deaths" do not fit grammatically with "taken a", and "dangerous turn" shifts the focus away from human casualties. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Many deaths" cannot grammatically follow "a" in "taken a many deaths", and it is not part of any common idiom. "Dangerous turn" focuses on a change in situation, not specifically on the death toll, and does not match the idea of lives lost. "Big cost in terms of life" is an awkward, wordy phrase that is not idiomatic and sounds less polished than "heavy toll of life". Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose options that seem emotionally strong without checking how they collocate with the surrounding verbs and nouns. Another trap is ignoring the article or preposition in the fragment before the blank, which often signals what type of phrase must follow. To master cloze tests, always read the entire sentence and pay attention to fixed expressions commonly used in the topic area, in this case reports of natural disasters and their consequences. Final Answer: The correct phrase to fill the blank is heavy toll of life.

Question 11

In the same passage about monsoon floods, choose the most suitable verb to complete the clause "When the waters ___________" so that it correctly describes what happens after the flood level goes down.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze item continues the narrative of flood events caused by a strong monsoon. After describing the destruction caused by the floods, the passage moves to what happens when the water level reduces. The verb in the blank must be a natural and commonly used choice to describe floodwaters going down after a peak. Given Data / Assumptions: • The fragment reads "When the waters ___________, a familiar cycle of assessment of damage by Central teams, preparation of loss estimates and expensive restoration work will follow." • The options are "rush back", "recede", "flow away", and "ebb". • The sentence is written in a formal editorial style. Concept / Approach: To describe floodwaters going down, journalists and officials often use the verb "recede", which means to move back from a previous high position or to diminish. While "ebb" can also refer to water levels decreasing, "recede" is more frequently used with "waters" and "floods" in modern newspaper writing. The verb must also fit smoothly into the clause "When the waters ...", so we must choose the one that best maintains both clarity and style. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Insert "rush back": "When the waters rush back..." This suggests water returning to a place quickly, which is the opposite of what happens after a flood peak. Step 2: Insert "recede": "When the waters recede..." This perfectly expresses the idea that floodwaters go down and withdraw from flooded areas. Step 3: Try "flow away": "When the waters flow away..." While understandable, this phrase is less precise and does not capture the idea of water level dropping from a previously high mark. Step 4: Try "ebb": "When the waters ebb..." This is grammatically possible and has a similar meaning, but is slightly more literary and less common in standard news reports than "recede". Step 5: Conclude that "recede" is the best match for context, precision, and common usage. Verification / Alternative check: Reading the full sentence with the chosen verb gives: "When the waters recede, a familiar cycle of assessment of damage by Central teams, preparation of loss estimates and expensive restoration work will follow." This sentence echoes many real reports on flood affected regions, where the phrase "after the waters recede" is very common. This consistency with real world usage strengthens confidence that "recede" is the intended answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Rush back" implies water moving quickly toward a place, as in a returning tide or a sudden wave, which does not fit the idea of floodwaters subsiding. "Flow away" is too general and does not clearly express the lowering of water level that reveals damage. "Ebb" can be used for tides and levels declining, but in modern reporting "recede" is the more natural and commonly used choice with "waters" in this context. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pick any option that roughly matches the meaning of "go away" without considering which word collocates most strongly with "waters" and "floods" in authentic texts. Another mistake is to overlook the direction implied by the verb, as in "rush back", which conveys movement in the wrong direction. To improve accuracy, regularly read news articles about natural events and pay attention to the specific verbs used to describe rising and falling water levels. Final Answer: The correct verb to fill the blank is recede.

Question 12

In the closing part of the monsoon flood passage, select the most appropriate noun to complete the phrase "expensive ____________ work such as repairs of river embankments" so that it reflects the type of work usually done after flood damage.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The final cloze item in this passage describes the work that follows once floodwaters have receded. Government teams assess the damage and then undertake certain types of construction related work. The blank must be filled with a noun that accurately and naturally describes the kind of work done to bring damaged structures like river embankments back to their previous condition. Given Data / Assumptions: • The fragment is "expensive ____________ work such as repairs of river embankments, will follow." • The options are "rejuvenation", "reclamation", "renovation", and "restoration". • The context is flood damage to infrastructure like embankments. Concept / Approach: The most appropriate term in disaster management and engineering for work that returns damaged structures to a functional state is "restoration". It refers to bringing something back to its original or proper condition. "Renovation" is more often used for buildings and interiors when they are modernised or improved. "Reclamation" refers to recovering land from water or waste, and "rejuvenation" relates to making something feel or look younger or fresher, often used in environmental or cosmetic contexts. Here, we need the specific idea of repairing and restoring damaged embankments. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Insert "rejuvenation": "expensive rejuvenation work such as repairs of river embankments..." This sounds slightly off, because "rejuvenation" is rarely used for structural repair after floods. Step 2: Insert "reclamation": "expensive reclamation work..." Usually, reclamation refers to converting unusable land into usable land, for example, reclaiming land from the sea, not simply repairing embankments. Step 3: Insert "renovation": "expensive renovation work..." This is generally used for improving or upgrading buildings, not specifically for post flood repair of embankments. Step 4: Insert "restoration": "expensive restoration work such as repairs of river embankments..." This fits perfectly, as restoration is exactly about repairing damage and returning structures to their previous condition. Step 5: Conclude that "restoration" is the most precise and context appropriate option. Verification / Alternative check: Consider typical news sentences like "restoration work on roads and bridges will begin after the water recedes" or "the government allocated funds for the restoration of damaged embankments". These examples show that "restoration work" is a set phrase in this context. Using the other options in such sentences would sound unusual or technically inaccurate, which confirms that "restoration" is the best fit. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Rejuvenation" suggests making something feel younger or more lively, which is more suitable for parks, rivers in terms of flow health, or people, not for direct structural repair after floods. "Reclamation" refers to recovering land, often from bodies of water or from waste, rather than repairing existing protective structures. "Renovation" is frequently used for interior or building upgrades, not specifically for restoring damaged embankments after a natural disaster. Common Pitfalls: Students may focus on the positive tone of words like "rejuvenation" or on the familiarity of "renovation", ignoring subtle differences in technical usage. Another tendency is to treat all words with the prefix "re" as interchangeable, which is not true. A good exam strategy is to connect such words to standard phrases you have seen in newspapers and textbooks so that their typical collocations guide your choices during cloze tests. Final Answer: The correct noun to fill the blank is restoration.

Question 13

In this antonym question on English vocabulary, select the word that is opposite in meaning to "fidgety", a term used to describe someone who is restless or unable to keep still.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Antonym questions check how well you can identify the opposite meaning of a given descriptive word. The adjective "fidgety" is often used to describe people, especially children or nervous adults, who cannot sit still and keep moving restlessly. Understanding such descriptive adjectives and their opposites helps in reading narratives and in describing behaviour accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: • The target adjective is "fidgety". • The options are "composed", "restive", "twitchy", and "antsy". • Only one option should represent the opposite quality of calmness and self control. Concept / Approach: "Fidgety" describes a person who is restless, nervous, or constantly moving. The opposite would be someone who is calm, relaxed, and steady. Among the options, "composed" fits best because it means calm and in control of one's emotions and behaviour. The other options, "restive", "twitchy", and "antsy", all suggest restlessness or nervous movement and are therefore close in meaning to "fidgety", not opposite. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Paraphrase "fidgety" as "unable to sit still, restless, and nervous". Step 2: Identify that the antonym should express calmness or steadiness. Step 3: Examine "composed". It means calm, self possessed, and not easily disturbed, which is directly opposite to fidgetiness. Step 4: Check "restive". It describes someone who is hard to control or restless, especially when waiting, which is similar to being fidgety. Step 5: Look at "twitchy" and "antsy". Both words suggest nervous movements or impatience, again close to the original word. Step 6: Conclude that "composed" is the only true antonym among the options. Verification / Alternative check: You can test this by placing the words in a sentence. "The child was fidgety in his seat during the long ceremony" gives a clear image of restlessness. The opposite sentence would be "The child was composed in his seat during the long ceremony", which conveys calm and controlled behaviour. Using "restive", "twitchy", or "antsy" in place of "fidgety" would produce similar images of impatience, not opposites. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Restive" means unable to remain still, difficult to control, especially because of boredom or dissatisfaction; it is close in meaning to "fidgety". "Twitchy" suggests nervous movements or small jerks, often associated with tension or anxiety and therefore similar to fidgety behaviour. "Antsy" is an informal term for being agitated, impatient, or restless, again aligned with "fidgety" rather than opposite. Common Pitfalls: A typical mistake is to choose a word that "feels" strong or expressive without checking whether it actually expresses the opposite meaning. Another error is to confuse near synonyms for antonyms just because they all describe emotional states. The key is to mentally picture the behaviour described by each option and ask whether it is the same or the reverse of the original word. Building short mental images for such descriptive adjectives can greatly improve accuracy in vocabulary questions. Final Answer: The correct antonym of "fidgety" is composed.

Question 14

In this idiom and phrase question, interpret the expression "Against the clock" and select the option that best explains its meaning in standard English usage.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom "against the clock" is widely used in work situations, sports commentary, and everyday conversation to describe tasks performed under severe time pressure. Idiom questions like this one test whether you can go beyond literal word meanings and understand the figurative sense that native speakers attach to fixed expressions. Given Data / Assumptions: • The idiom given is "Against the clock". • Four possible explanations are listed. • Only one of these reflects the correct idiomatic meaning of working under time pressure. Concept / Approach: When someone is working "against the clock", it means they are trying to complete a task before a fixed deadline, often in a hurry or with limited time remaining. The clock here symbolises the deadline or time limit, and being "against" it suggests a race or struggle to beat the time. Therefore, the correct explanation should mention doing a job quickly or racing to finish before time runs out. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine option A: "To do a job fast to finish it before a deadline." This matches the idea of racing to finish something within limited time. Step 2: Look at option B: "Time is money." This is a different proverb that stresses the value of time but not the idea of racing against a deadline. Step 3: Consider option C: "Man is a victim of time." This gives a philosophical statement about human life and time, not the specific idiom. Step 4: Check option D: "It is useless to fight destiny." This relates to fate, not to deadlines. Step 5: Conclude that option A is the only accurate paraphrase of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Think of a typical sentence: "The team was working against the clock to complete the project before the client visit." Here the phrase clearly describes hurried work because of a fixed deadline. If we replace it with any of the other options, the sentence becomes illogical or loses the idea of urgency. This comparison confirms that the idiom is specifically about time pressure and deadlines rather than general thoughts about time or fate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Time is money" is another idiom that emphasises that wasting time is like wasting money; it does not refer to racing a deadline. "Man is a victim of time" is a philosophical observation and not a recognised idiom with the same structure. "It is useless to fight destiny" concerns fate and destiny, which are unrelated to the practical problem of finishing work within a time limit. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose an option that has a general connection to time but does not capture the specific nuance of the idiom. Another pitfall is ignoring the everyday context where this expression is used, such as exams, office deadlines, or timed competitions. To improve with idioms, pay attention to how they appear in news reports and dialogues and mentally link them to typical situations, not just to abstract meanings. Final Answer: The idiom "Against the clock" means to do a job fast to finish it before a deadline.

Question 15

From the following options, select the one word that is correctly spelt in standard English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question tests the ability to recognise the correctly spelt form of an English word when several look similar but contain deliberate errors. Such questions are common in competitive examinations because accurate spelling is essential for formal writing, reading comprehension, and professional communication. Given Data / Assumptions: - The task is to choose the correctly spelt word from four options. - Options: karnages, halogram, demagogy, comands. - Only one option matches the accepted dictionary spelling of a real English word. - The other options are near miss spellings of familiar words. Concept / Approach: The key to solving this type of question is to identify which option corresponds to a known English word in its correct form. Here, karnages resembles the word carnage, halogram resembles hologram, and comands resembles commands. None of these are correct spellings. Demagogy is a correctly spelt noun meaning the practices or methods of a demagogue, that is, political activity that seeks support by appealing to prejudices rather than by using rational argument. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Compare karnages with familiar vocabulary. The real word is carnage, so karnages is incorrect. Step 2: Look at halogram. The standard spelling for the scientific and technological term is hologram, with an o after h. Step 3: Examine comands. The correct English word is commands, with double m. Step 4: Consider demagogy, which is a recognised English noun referring to demagogic practices. Its spelling matches dictionary usage. Step 5: Conclude that demagogy is the only correctly spelt option. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine each word in a sentence or headline. Words like political demagogy or the demagogy of certain leaders are often seen in articles about politics. By contrast, karnages, halogram, and comands look unfamiliar and would normally be underlined as errors by a spell checker. This mental check strengthens the conclusion that demagogy is the correct spelling. Why Other Options Are Wrong: karnages replaces the initial c in carnage with k and adds an unnecessary plural ending. halogram omits the necessary o after h, breaking the correct form hologram. comands drops one m from commands, which is a common error when doubling consonants. None of these forms appear as standard entries in reliable dictionaries. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes rely on how a word sounds rather than on visual familiarity built through reading. This can lead to accepting phonetic but incorrect spellings such as halogram. To improve, one should read widely from newspapers, books, and articles and pay attention to the spelling of more advanced vocabulary. Over time, the eye starts to recognise correct patterns automatically and spotting errors becomes easier. Final Answer: demagogy is the only correctly spelt word among the given options.

Question 16

Select the antonym, that is, the word opposite in meaning to the adjective "bland", from the options given below.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests your understanding of antonyms. The word bland is often used to describe something that is dull, unexciting, or lacking in strong flavour or character. To answer correctly, you must identify the option that expresses the opposite idea, namely something full of life, energy, or interest. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: bland. - Options: blah, insipid, tame, lively. - Only one option should express the opposite meaning of bland. - The context can be either taste or general personality and style. Concept / Approach: Bland, when used for food, means lacking strong flavour. When used for people, performances, or writing, it means dull, boring, or lacking in excitement. The opposite quality would be something animated, colourful, or energetic. Lively captures that idea well. The other options, blah, insipid, and tame, are either synonyms or near synonyms of bland and therefore cannot be antonyms. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that bland food has little taste and a bland speech is not exciting. Step 2: Examine blah, which is an informal word used to describe something dull or boring. This is close in meaning to bland. Step 3: Consider insipid, which also means lacking flavour or interest and is commonly used as a synonym for bland. Step 4: Look at tame, which can mean unexciting or lacking in spirit. Again, this is close to bland, not opposite. Step 5: Evaluate lively, which means full of life, energy, and activity. Step 6: Recognise that lively is directly opposite to dull and boring and therefore is the correct antonym of bland. Verification / Alternative check: Insert the words into simple sentences for comparison. A bland dinner versus a lively dinner does not match perfectly, but a bland party versus a lively party shows a clear opposition: one is dull, the other is full of energy. If we use insipid party or blah party, the meaning is similar to bland. This quick test confirms that lively is the only option on the opposite side of the meaning scale. Why Other Options Are Wrong: blah is slang for something monotonous or dull, which reinforces rather than opposes bland. insipid is a standard synonym of bland, used in contexts such as insipid soup or an insipid performance. tame often suggests lacking in excitement or adventure, very similar to bland when used figuratively. Because all three share the idea of dullness, they cannot serve as antonyms. Common Pitfalls: Some test takers mistakenly choose the most difficult or formal sounding word, thinking that it must be the answer. However, in antonym questions the correct choice is the one that truly reverses the meaning. A safe strategy is to visualise a situation, like a party or performance, then see which word would describe it as exciting instead of boring. In this case, lively clearly does that. Final Answer: lively is the correct antonym of bland.

Question 17

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the most appropriate option: "The parents gave their children some (advice) before they left for the picnic."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of countable and uncountable nouns in English, especially the correct use of the noun advice. Many learners confuse advice (a noun) with advise (a verb), or incorrectly try to pluralise advice as advices. The sentence describes parents giving guidance to their children before a picnic, so the grammatical form must match this context. Given Data / Assumptions: - Sentence: The parents gave their children some advice before they left for the picnic. - Bracketed word: advice. - Options alter the number or part of speech of the bracketed word. - The verb gave already indicates that what follows is a noun phrase functioning as an object. Concept / Approach: In standard English, advice is an uncountable noun. We say some advice, a piece of advice, or a bit of advice, but we do not say advices. The verb form advise is used differently, as in They advise their children, and cannot be used as a direct object after gave without additional structure. Therefore the original phrase some advice is already correct and does not require improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the role of the bracketed word in the sentence: it is the object of the verb gave. Step 2: Recognise that advice is a noun describing guidance or suggestions. Step 3: Recall that advice is uncountable, so the phrase some advice is grammatically correct in English. Step 4: Examine option A, advices. This form is generally incorrect because advice does not take a regular plural in standard usage. Step 5: Examine option B, advise, which is a verb and therefore cannot serve as the object noun without restructuring the sentence. Step 6: Examine option C, advises, which is a present tense verb form and again does not fit the object position. Step 7: Conclude that the best choice is option D, no improvement. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute each option into the sentence. The parents gave their children some advice sounds natural and matches common usage. The parents gave their children some advices sounds clearly wrong to experienced readers. The parents gave their children some advise or some advises is ungrammatical because those are verb forms. This confirms that the given phrase is already correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: advices incorrectly treats advice as a countable noun, which standard English does not accept. advise and advises are verb forms and cannot directly follow some as part of a noun phrase object. To use advise correctly, the sentence would need to be rewritten, for example, The parents advised their children, which changes both form and focus of the original sentence. Common Pitfalls: Many learners apply regular countable patterns to abstract nouns and attempt constructions like informations, furnitures, or advices. A helpful strategy is to memorise common uncountable nouns and the correct partitive expressions used with them, such as a piece of advice, a piece of information, or some furniture. This prevents overgeneralisation and reduces errors in exams and real communication. Final Answer: no improvement is correct because the phrase some advice is already grammatically and idiomatically correct.

Question 18

In the following sentence, identify the part that contains an error, or select "No error" if the sentence is correct: "She was annoyed when she found that the chewing gum was stuck to her hair."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions check a learner's ability to detect grammatical or usage mistakes in seemingly simple sentences. The sentence here describes a girl who becomes annoyed upon discovering chewing gum stuck to her hair. To solve the question, each part must be examined for tense, subject verb agreement, prepositions, and article usage. Given Data / Assumptions: - Part A: She was annoyed - Part B: when she found that - Part C: the chewing gum was stuck to her hair. - Part D: No error - The time reference is clearly in the past. Concept / Approach: The approach in such questions is to check each segment in isolation and then in context. The sentence uses simple past tense throughout and describes a completed event. Phrases like was annoyed, found that, and was stuck are standard forms. The article the before chewing gum is acceptable, because it refers to a specific piece of gum that was discovered on her hair. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine Part A: She was annoyed. This is a correct past tense description of a mental state. Step 2: Examine Part B: when she found that. The conjunction when and the verb found correctly introduce a past time clause. Step 3: Examine Part C: the chewing gum was stuck to her hair. The article the is correct because a specific gum is being referred to, and the verb phrase was stuck clearly shows a passive state. Step 4: Combine all segments to check overall flow: She was annoyed when she found that the chewing gum was stuck to her hair. The sentence is smooth, grammatical, and natural. Step 5: Since no error is found in A, B, or C, the correct choice is Part D: No error. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine alternative versions and compare. Changing any part to forms like had found that or got annoyed when she found that does not significantly improve the sentence and is not required by any grammar rule here. The original version already follows standard narration in the simple past tense, which is appropriate for a short completed event discovered earlier. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Selecting A, B, or C would imply that one of those parts is grammatically faulty. However, each segment respects basic rules of tense, word order, and article use. There is no mismatch between subject and verb, no incorrect preposition, and no missing article that would justify marking an error in those segments. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes candidates assume that every sentence in an error spotting question must contain a mistake. In reality, some items are included specifically to test whether the learner is confident enough to choose the No error option. The best strategy is to evaluate carefully and, if no genuine error is found, confidently select No error rather than forcing a correction. Final Answer: D is correct, indicating that the sentence is free from error.

Question 19

In the following sentence, identify the part that contains a grammatical error, or select "No error": "It is not easy for an actor to earn respect from both the fans as well as the critic."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks understanding of parallel structures and correlative conjunctions in English. The sentence talks about an actor who wants to earn respect from two groups, fans and critics. The error lies in the faulty combination of linking words that join these two groups, which is a common area of confusion in competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: - Part A: It is not easy for an actor - Part B: to earn respect from both the fans - Part C: as well as the critic. - Part D: No error - Intended meaning: earning respect from two sets of people, fans and critics. Concept / Approach: Correlative conjunctions such as both and, either or, neither nor, and not only but also must be used in complete pairs to maintain parallel structure. In this sentence, the word both appears in Part B, but instead of being followed by and, it is followed by as well as in Part C. The structure both the fans as well as the critic is therefore incorrect. A correct version would be either both the fans and the critics or the fans as well as the critics, but not a mixture of both patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the entire sentence and focus on the joining words that connect the two objects, fans and critic. Step 2: Observe that Part B uses both and Part C uses as well as, which belong to two different patterns. Step 3: Recall the correct correlative form: both X and Y. Step 4: Notice that the sentence currently uses both X as well as Y, which is not acceptable in formal English. Step 5: Recognise that this mismatch appears specifically in Part C, where as well as the critic occurs. Step 6: Therefore, Part C must be marked as containing the error. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence in a correct form. A better version is: It is not easy for an actor to earn respect from both the fans and the critics. Here, both is correctly paired with and and critic is changed to critics to match fans. This revision removes the awkwardness and matches standard usage. Since the correction mainly affects the portion represented by Part C, that part clearly contains the problem in the original sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is a standard introductory clause and correctly uses the dummy subject it. Part B correctly uses the infinitive phrase to earn respect from both the fans and is grammatically sound until the word both. Part D, No error, would be correct only if A, B, and C were all flawless, which is not the case here because the correlative conjunction is wrong. Common Pitfalls: Many learners get used to phrases like as well as and attempt to combine them with other correlative conjunctions, producing mixed structures like both as well as or either as well as. Such combinations are not accepted in formal written English. A helpful strategy is to memorise some typical pairs and to avoid changing them: always use both and together and use as well as without both in the same phrase. Final Answer: C is the correct choice, as Part C contains the faulty structure as well as after both.

Question 20

Select the one-word substitute that best expresses the meaning of the phrase "a gesture expressing respect, such as a bow".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on one-word substitutes, a favourite topic in English vocabulary sections. The phrase describes a respectful gesture, for example a bow or similar act, and you must identify the concise term that captures this idea. Knowing such words improves both exam performance and the quality of formal writing. Given Data / Assumptions: - Phrase: a gesture expressing respect, such as a bow. - Options: Consensual, Obeisance, Perk, Germinate. - Only one option should match the meaning of a respectful bodily gesture. Concept / Approach: The noun obeisance means a movement of the body, such as a bow or curtsy, made as a sign of respect or obedience. It can also mean the act of showing great respect in general. The other options belong to different semantic fields: consensual refers to mutual agreement, perk refers to a benefit or advantage, and germinate refers to the process of a seed starting to grow. Therefore, obeisance is the only word that fits the given phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea in the phrase: a gesture that expresses respect. Step 2: Consider situations such as people bowing before a leader, a deity, or an elder. That entire act is called obeisance. Step 3: Examine option B, Obeisance, and recall that it is commonly used in sentences like They made obeisance before the king. Step 4: Look at option A, Consensual, which relates to consent and mutual agreement, not to respectful gestures. Step 5: Observe that option C, Perk, describes a benefit or perquisite, often in employment contexts. Step 6: Option D, Germinate, is about seeds starting to grow, and has no link to respect or gestures. Step 7: Conclude that only option B matches the meaning of the given phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Create a sample sentence: The disciples bowed in obeisance to their guru. This sentence perfectly illustrates the meaning of a respectful gesture such as a bow. Replacing obeisance with consensual, perk, or germinate makes the sentence absurd, which confirms they are semantically unrelated. This is a strong indication that obeisance is the correct one-word substitute for the phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Consensual is used in contexts where actions are done by agreement of all parties, for example consensual decision, and does not refer to physical gestures of respect. Perk describes an extra advantage or benefit, such as a company car, and is completely off topic. Germinate describes the beginning of growth of a seed or idea and does not convey respect or physical movement. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pick unfamiliar words at random, hoping that they match hidden meanings. A more reliable approach is to learn one-word substitutes with example sentences and group them by themes, such as respect, fear, movement, or speech. Recognising that obeisance belongs to the theme of respect and ceremony helps to recall it quickly in exam conditions. Final Answer: Obeisance is the correct one-word substitute for a gesture expressing respect, such as a bow.

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