Question 1

In the passage, choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence: so that the private sector can factor this ___________ their decision making.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage comes from an economic discussion about inflation targeting. The sentence explains why policy should be simple and transparent: so that the private sector can include it in their decisions. The key phrase here is factor this _________ their decision making. You must choose the preposition that correctly completes this standard expression. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: so that the private sector can factor this ___________ their decision making. Options: into, in, within, onto. Factor is being used as a verb, meaning to include something as a component in calculations or decisions. The phrase needs to describe incorporating policy information as part of the decision process. Concept / Approach: In modern English, especially in business and economics, the standard phrasal pattern is factor something into something else. For example, companies factor risk into their pricing, or households factor inflation into their spending decisions. The preposition into is almost always used after factor in this sense. Using in, within, or onto would break this well established collocation and sound unnatural, especially in a formal passage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify factor as a verb meaning include as a consideration. Step 2: Recall the common expression factor something into something, as in factor costs into the budget. Step 3: Test into in the sentence: so that the private sector can factor this into their decision making. This sounds natural and idiomatic. Step 4: Test in: factor this in their decision making is incomplete; usually one would say factor this in when deciding, but not directly in their decision making. Step 5: Test within: factor this within their decision making is not a standard phrase and sounds awkward. Step 6: Test onto: factor this onto their decision making is clearly wrong because onto describes movement to a surface, not inclusion in a process. Step 7: Conclude that into is the only preposition that fits the phrasal pattern and meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Check usage in real world economic sentences: Firms factor expected inflation into wage negotiations, or Investors factor policy risk into asset prices. In each case, into is used, not in or within. If we tried to write factor expected inflation within wage negotiations, it would sound ungrammatical to a native reader. This demonstrates that factor into is the proper collocation and must be used in the passage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: In is wrong here because factor in is used in a different construction (for example, factor in the cost), and does not fit directly before their decision making without additional words. Within is wrong because it suggests location inside something, not the act of including a variable in a calculation or plan. Onto is wrong because it expresses movement to a surface or target, such as put the book onto the shelf, and has nothing to do with abstract decision processes. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes rely on general familiarity with prepositions and choose in because it appears very frequently in English. However, phrasal verbs and verb plus preposition combinations often have fixed partners that must be memorised. Another pitfall is ignoring examples from business English, where factor into is extremely common. Reading newspaper editorials on economics can help reinforce such patterns and improve performance on cloze tests. Final Answer: The correct preposition is into, giving so that the private sector can factor this into their decision making.

Question 2

In the passage, select the best word to complete the sentence: The question that this ________ is: are there more “complicated” policies which work better?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage discusses economic policy and the practice of targeting inflation. The sentence you must complete refers to the natural question that arises from adopting such a policy. The phrase The question that this ________ is requires a verb that correctly expresses the idea that a certain issue gives rise to or presents a question. You must pick the option that fits both grammatically and stylistically in formal writing. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: The question that this ________ is: are there more “complicated” policies which work better? Options: shows, poses, brings along, ask. The subject this refers to the belief or practice of targeting inflation. The clause after is introduces the content of the question. Concept / Approach: In English, the standard expression is a question that this poses, meaning a question that this situation gives rise to. The verb pose is frequently used with question in academic and analytical contexts, such as this poses a challenge or this poses an important question. Other verbs like show, bring along, or ask do not naturally fit into the structure the question that this ____ is. Ask would also need a different grammatical pattern, such as the question that this asks of us, which is not given here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise the pattern the question that this ________ is, where the blank must be filled with a verb in the third person singular. Step 2: Test poses: The question that this poses is: are there more “complicated” policies which work better. This reads smoothly and matches common usage. Step 3: Test shows: The question that this shows is sounds odd, because show normally takes a direct object that is being revealed, not a question that is being created. Step 4: Test brings along: The question that this brings along is is awkward and not idiomatic; we would instead say brings up or leads to. Step 5: Test ask: The question that this ask is is grammatically wrong because ask needs an object and the form should be asks, not ask, for a third person singular subject. Step 6: Conclude that poses is the only verb that fits the structure correctly and expresses the required meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar sentences in formal writing: The problem of inequality poses a serious question, and The rise in automation poses new challenges for workers. In each case, pose is used to indicate that something raises or sets a question or problem. In this passage, targeting inflation as a policy stance naturally poses the question of whether more complicated policies might perform better, so the same verb should be used. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Shows is wrong because a question is not normally said to be shown; information or data are shown, but questions are posed or raised. Brings along is wrong because it is informal, and even then the usual phrase would be brings up a question, not brings along a question. Ask is wrong both grammatically (needs asks) and structurally, since The question that this asks is would require a different construction in the rest of the sentence. Common Pitfalls: One pitfall is ignoring collocations and only thinking of approximate meanings. Students may consider shows or brings along because they roughly imply that something follows from a policy, but they do not form the standard phrase with question. Another pitfall is overlooking subject verb agreement, which immediately disqualifies ask as written. Remember that academic and economic writing has its own favourite verbs, and pose with question is one of the most frequent combinations. Final Answer: The correct word is poses, giving The question that this poses is: are there more “complicated” policies which work better?

Question 3

In the passage, choose the correct verb form to complete the sentence: are there more “complicated” policies which _________ better?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage is examining economic thinking about inflation targeting and alternative policies. The sentence you must complete asks whether there exist other, more complicated policies that perform better. The structure are there more “complicated” policies which _________ better requires a verb that correctly completes the relative clause and keeps the tense consistent with the present time discussion. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: are there more “complicated” policies which _________ better? Options: have been, will be, were, are. The main clause begins with are there, which is present tense. The author is posing a general, timeless question about the existence and performance of policies. Concept / Approach: The question structure are there policies which are better is standard English for asking about current or general comparisons. The verb in the relative clause which are better must match the present tense and simple comparison implied. Other tenses like have been, were, or will be introduce specific time frames or speculative future, changing the sense of the general question. Therefore, the simplest and most accurate verb is are, treating better as a predicate adjective that describes the policies. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the main auxiliary in the question is are: are there more “complicated” policies. Step 2: Realise that the relative clause which _________ better should harmonise with the present tense used in are there. Step 3: Test are: which are better. This creates a straightforward comparative structure, asking whether such policies are superior. Step 4: Test have been: which have been better implies a completed period in the past and suggests evidence up to now, which the passage does not explicitly mention. Step 5: Test were: which were better restricts the comparison to the past, not to general, ongoing performance. Step 6: Test will be: which will be better makes the sentence purely about future predictions, but the author is more broadly questioning existing alternative frameworks. Step 7: Conclude that are is the best fit for expressing a general present comparison. Verification / Alternative check: Consider how you would normally ask such a question in conversation or writing: Are there other options which are better? or Are there policies which are better than this one? This pattern is natural and widely used. Switching to have been, were, or will be subtly shifts the meaning away from the broad, conceptual question towards specific time frames. In an economic essay that is discussing general policy design, the present simple is usually preferred for theoretical comparisons. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Have been is wrong because it implies past performance up to the present and would normally be followed by than plus some reference point, which is not given here. Were is wrong because it confines the comparison to the past and breaks the parallel with are there. Will be is wrong because it focuses on future performance rather than the idea of existing policies that may already be better alternatives. Common Pitfalls: Students might be tempted by have been, thinking that policies have a history of performance, but the passage is not describing a data based evaluation; it is raising a theoretical question. Another pitfall is overlooking the main verb are there and choosing a different tense without considering consistency. When in doubt, match the tense of the relative clause to the tense of the main clause unless there is a clear reason to do otherwise. Final Answer: The correct verb form is are, giving are there more “complicated” policies which are better?

Question 4

In the passage, select the correct linking word to complete the sentence: _____________ it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage compares inflation targeting with another proposal called nominal income targeting. After introducing the more complicated policy, the author comments on its complexity and on how the private sector may be perceived. The blank at the start of the sentence requires a conjunction or linking word that shows contrast between the simple policy discussed earlier and the more complex policy mentioned now. Given Data / Assumptions: We already know from the passage that simple and transparent policies are being discussed. The sentence to complete is: _____________ it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged. Options: But, Hence, So, Because. The preceding sentence introduces nominal income targeting as one such policy. The author is contrasting this more complicated policy with the simpler approach of inflation targeting. Concept / Approach: In English, the conjunction but is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrast or qualification. Here, the author wants to say that one such policy exists, but it is more complicated and there is a certain assumption about the private sector. Hence and so are used for results or logical conclusions, while because introduces a reason. None of those fit as well as but when the aim is to signal opposition or contrast with what came before. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider the sequence: I just note that one such policy is called "nominal income targeting". _____________ it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged. Step 2: Understand that the author is noting a drawback or complication of nominal income targeting compared to simple inflation targeting. Step 3: Test But: But it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged. This signals contrast and sounds natural. Step 4: Test Hence: Hence it is more complicated would mean its complexity is a conclusion drawn from earlier statements, which is not the intended logic. Step 5: Test So: So it is more complicated suggests a result, not a contrast; it does not fit the critical tone. Step 6: Test Because: Because it is more complicated would require a main clause following it; standing alone at the start of this sentence it disrupts the structure. Step 7: Conclude that But is the appropriate connective for introducing a contrasting fact. Verification / Alternative check: Read a reconstructed passage fragment: Targeting inflation comes from a belief that policy should be simple and transparent. One such alternative is nominal income targeting. But it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged. This flow clearly contrasts the simplicity of one approach with the complexity of another. Replacing But with Hence or So would wrongly suggest that the complexity is a logical consequence rather than a drawback or opposing feature. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hence is wrong because it indicates a result or consequence (for example, It was raining; hence the delay), which is not the intended relationship here. So is also a result connector and does not capture the idea of contrast. Because is wrong because it typically introduces a reason clause that should be followed by a main clause, and the sentence as given does not provide that structure. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to pick Hence or So in any formal passage, thinking that these words sound sophisticated. However, connectors must be chosen for logical relationship, not for perceived difficulty. Another pitfall is to overlook the larger passage and treat each blank in isolation. Reading a line or two before and after the blank helps clarify whether the relationship is cause, result, or contrast, which is crucial for picking the right conjunction. Final Answer: The correct linking word is But, giving But it is more complicated and the private sector is deemed to be intellectually challenged.

Question 5

Select the synonym of the word spine, meaning the backbone or the series of vertebrae extending from the skull to the lower back.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for a synonym of the word spine in a biological or anatomical sense. The spine is commonly understood as the backbone, the central support structure in the human body and many animals. The options contain words from different semantic fields, and only one is closely related to this anatomical meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: spine. Options: supple, vertebrae, rotund, grime. We focus on the physical, anatomical meaning of spine, not metaphorical uses like courage or determination. We assume basic knowledge of body parts and common scientific terms. Concept / Approach: Anatomically, the spine is composed of a series of small bones called vertebrae that run from the neck down to the lower back. Thus, vertebral column and spine are closely related, and vertebrae are the individual bones that together form the spine. Among the options, vertebrae is therefore the closest to spine in meaning. The other options describe flexibility, shape, or dirt, and are clearly unrelated to the anatomical structure being tested. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the spine is also called the backbone or vertebral column and consists of many small bones. Step 2: Examine vertebrae. This is the plural of vertebra, the individual bone that forms part of the spinal column. Step 3: Notice that spine and vertebrae are directly connected in meaning, with vertebrae being the components of the spine. Step 4: Examine supple. This word means flexible or easily bent, usually describing muscles, leather, or movement, not a specific body part. Step 5: Examine rotund. This adjective means round or plump in shape, again not connected to the spine. Step 6: Examine grime. This is a noun meaning dirt or soot, completely unrelated to anatomy. Step 7: Conclude that vertebrae is the only option that can serve as a near synonym for spine in this context. Verification / Alternative check: If you open any basic biology textbook, you will find explanations like The human spine is made up of 33 vertebrae. This shows that spine and vertebrae are used together to talk about the same body region. While they are not exact one word replacements in all sentences, vertebrae is clearly the closest match in meaning among the options given. None of the other words ever appear in definitions of spine. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Supple is wrong because it describes a property (flexibility) and does not name a body structure. Rotund is wrong because it describes roundness or plumpness in shape and is unrelated to the backbone. Grime is wrong because it refers to dirt, often on surfaces or skin, and has no connection to the spine as an anatomical term. Common Pitfalls: Some students may be distracted by supple because it is vaguely associated with movement and the body. However, the question asks for a synonym of spine, not a word describing how the spine might move. Another pitfall is to overthink and reject vertebrae because it is the plural form, but vocabulary questions often accept closely related terms like this as synonyms when they point to the same concept area. Final Answer: The synonym of spine in this context is vertebrae.

Question 6

Improve the bracketed part of the conditional sentence: If I (have had) money, I would have bought this car.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your knowledge of conditional structures in English, specifically the third conditional, which describes unreal situations in the past. The sentence is about a hypothetical past situation: the speaker did not have money in the past, and therefore did not buy the car. You must choose the correct form to complete the if clause so that it matches the structure of the third conditional. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: If I (have had) money, I would have bought this car. Options: had, did have, had had, no improvement. The result clause is I would have bought this car, which clearly shows an unreal past situation. We assume standard British or international exam grammar rules for conditionals. Concept / Approach: The third conditional is used to talk about unreal past conditions and their likely results. Its standard form is: If + subject + had + past participle, subject + would have + past participle. For the verb have, the past participle is had, so the correct combination in the if clause becomes had had. Although repeating had may look odd to learners, it is grammatically required: the first had is the auxiliary in the past perfect, and the second had is the main verb in its past participle form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that would have bought indicates a third conditional structure, referring to an unreal past event. Step 2: Recall the rule: third conditional = If + past perfect, would have + past participle. Step 3: Identify the verb in the if clause as have, so the past perfect form must be had had. Step 4: Replace have had with had had: If I had had money, I would have bought this car. Step 5: Check option had; If I had money, I would have bought this car mixes a present form in the if clause with a past result, which is not standard. Step 6: Check option did have; If I did have money, I would have bought this car is not the usual third conditional pattern and sounds unnatural. Step 7: Conclude that had had is the only option that correctly forms the past perfect and fits the structure of the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar conditional sentences: If she had studied harder, she would have passed the exam. If they had left earlier, they would have caught the train. If I had had more time, I would have visited you. In all these examples, the past perfect in the if clause expresses the unreal past condition, and the would have clause expresses the unreal result. The sentence in the question follows exactly this pattern, so If I had had money is the correct and natural expression. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Had alone is wrong in this context because If I had money, I would have bought this car mixes a typical second conditional if clause (talking about a present unreal condition) with a third conditional result clause, causing tense inconsistency. Did have is wrong because the pattern If I did have money is usually used for emphasis in present or general situations and does not combine with would have bought in this way. No improvement is wrong because have had does not form the required past perfect here; in this position, had must come before the subject I in order to form a correct structure such as Had I had money, which is not offered. Common Pitfalls: Many learners find the repeated had in had had visually strange and try to avoid it, but it is entirely correct and should be memorised as a pattern. Another pitfall is confusing second and third conditionals and mixing tenses between them. Always check the form of the result clause: if you see would have plus past participle, the if clause should almost always be in the past perfect, not simple past or present. Final Answer: The correct improvement is had had, giving If I had had money, I would have bought this car.

Question 7

Rearrange the parts of the sentence to form a coherent statement: The first clue P - to the nature of this agenda Q - lies in the origin of R - the smart city idea itself.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your ability to rearrange sentence fragments to form a clear, logical, and grammatically correct statement. You are given one main clause beginning and three labelled parts P, Q, and R. The aim is to decide the correct order in which these parts should follow the initial phrase The first clue so that the whole sentence reads naturally and conveys a complete idea about the agenda and the origin of the smart city idea. Given Data / Assumptions: Fixed beginning: The first clue. P: to the nature of this agenda. Q: lies in the origin of. R: the smart city idea itself. Options: RPQ, QPR, QRP, PQR. We assume standard English word order and logical flow of ideas. Concept / Approach: When rearranging fragments, look for natural continuations of phrases. The first clue is typically followed by a prepositional phrase beginning with to, about, or regarding, explaining what the clue concerns. That makes P a good candidate to come immediately after The first clue. Next, we expect a verb phrase that tells us where the clue is found, such as lies in the origin of. Finally, we add the object that completes that prepositional phrase, the smart city idea itself. Putting these pieces together gives a smooth, meaningful sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the given beginning: The first clue. Step 2: Ask what the first clue is about. Fragment P, to the nature of this agenda, naturally answers that by specifying the subject of the clue. Step 3: Attach P after the beginning: The first clue to the nature of this agenda. Step 4: Now look for a verb that tells us something about this clue. Fragment Q, lies in the origin of, provides the main verb phrase lies and the preposition in. Step 5: Add Q next: The first clue to the nature of this agenda lies in the origin of. Step 6: Finally, complete the object of the preposition of with R, the smart city idea itself. Step 7: The complete sentence reads: The first clue to the nature of this agenda lies in the origin of the smart city idea itself, which is clear and grammatically correct. Verification / Alternative check: Check the other orders quickly. If you start with Q after the beginning, you get The first clue lies in the origin of to the nature of this agenda the smart city idea itself, which is ungrammatical and jumbled. Starting with R gives The first clue the smart city idea itself, which is incomplete and does not connect logically to Q and P. Only PQR maintains smooth word order and proper phrase connections, so it is the only viable choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: RPQ (R then P then Q) produces The first clue the smart city idea itself to the nature of this agenda lies in the origin of, which is nonsensical. QPR gives The first clue lies in the origin of to the nature of this agenda the smart city idea itself, with incorrect placement of to the nature and a broken prepositional phrase. QRP also misorders the pieces and yields an awkward, ungrammatical sentence. Common Pitfalls: A common error in rearrangement questions is to focus only on meaning and ignore small connecting words like prepositions. However, these words help you see which fragments must stay together, for example, lies in the origin of the smart city idea itself. Another pitfall is to start with the first fragment that looks like a verb phrase, such as Q, without noticing that The first clue usually requires an of phrase specifying what the clue is about before the verb appears. Final Answer: The correct order of parts is PQR, giving The first clue to the nature of this agenda lies in the origin of the smart city idea itself.

Question 8

In the following sentence, identify the part that has an error: I had invited (A) / all my sister-in-laws (B) / to my son's birthday party. (C) / No error (D).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error spotting question focuses on the correct plural form of a compound noun, specifically sister-in-law. The sentence describes someone inviting multiple relatives to a birthday party. The grammatical issue is with how the plural is formed when a noun is combined with prepositions like in and other words such as sister and law. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence parts: I had invited (A) / all my sister-in-laws (B) / to my son's birthday party. (C) / No error (D). Part A: I had invited. Part B: all my sister-in-laws. Part C: to my son's birthday party. The speaker is talking about more than one sister-in-law. Concept / Approach: In English, many compound nouns form the plural by adding s to the main noun, not to the entire phrase. In the expression sister-in-law, the core noun is sister, and in-law is a postmodifier. Therefore, the plural is sisters-in-law, not sister-in-laws. The same pattern appears in brothers-in-law, mothers-in-law, and so on. Recognising where to put the plural s is crucial for correct usage in formal writing and exams. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the compound noun: sister-in-law. Step 2: Determine that the speaker is referring to more than one such relative by using all my, which signals plurality. Step 3: Recall the rule for compounds like this: add s to the main noun in the compound, not at the end of the entire phrase. Step 4: Apply the rule: sister becomes sisters while in-law remains unchanged, giving sisters-in-law. Step 5: Examine part B: all my sister-in-laws. This incorrectly places the s at the end of law instead of on sister. Step 6: Check parts A and C: I had invited and to my son's birthday party are grammatically correct and natural. Step 7: Conclude that the error is in part B. Verification / Alternative check: Look at similar English expressions: She met her mothers-in-law, They are my brothers-in-law, and We spoke to several editors-in-chief. In each case, the main noun is pluralised while the following elements remain singular. No reliable grammar book or dictionary lists sister-in-laws as the standard plural; instead, they all show sisters-in-law. Rewriting the sentence as I had invited all my sisters-in-law to my son's birthday party confirms that this version sounds correct and idiomatic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is correct because I had invited is an appropriate use of the past perfect to describe an action completed before a later reference point. Part C is also correct; to my son's birthday party clearly indicates the purpose or destination of the invitations, and son's is correctly written as a possessive. Part D, No error, is wrong because the incorrect plural form in part B proves that the sentence does contain an error. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often pluralise the last word in a compound noun by habit, leading to forms like sister-in-laws, which are widespread in casual speech but not accepted in formal exams. Another pitfall is not knowing which part of a compound is the main noun. A simple check is to see which word can stand alone as the primary category; here it is sister, not law. Learning the plural patterns of common compound family terms will help you avoid such mistakes. Final Answer: The error is in part B, which should read all my sisters-in-law.

Question 9

Select the one word that best substitutes the phrase: a loud, harsh, piercing cry.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One word substitution questions check whether you can match a descriptive phrase to a concise vocabulary item. Here, the phrase a loud, harsh, piercing cry refers to a particular type of sound, usually unpleasant and high pitched. Among the options, only one word captures this specific combination of loudness, harshness, and piercing quality. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: a loud, harsh, piercing cry. Options: noise, howl, screech, cry. We assume standard dictionary meanings of these words as they are used in everyday English. The correct answer must match all three elements: loud, harsh, and piercing. Concept / Approach: The word screech is commonly used to describe an unpleasant, high pitched, shrill sound such as the sound of car brakes, a bird of prey, or someone screaming sharply. It is inherently loud, harsh, and piercing. By contrast, noise is a very general term, cry is too broad, and howl usually refers to a long, mournful or wailing sound, not specifically piercing and shrill. Therefore screech is the most precise match for the phrase given. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key descriptors: loud, harsh, piercing. Step 2: Consider noise. This can be loud, but it is a general word for any unwanted sound and does not emphasize harsh or piercing qualities. Step 3: Consider howl. This word usually describes the long, drawn out cry of a wolf, dog, or wind. It may be loud and emotional but is not necessarily piercing and shrill. Step 4: Consider cry. This is a broad term for any shout, scream, or vocal sound expressing emotion, and it can be soft or loud, but the phrase here is more specific. Step 5: Consider screech. This means a high pitched, unpleasant, shrill sound, often described as piercing the ears. Step 6: Match the definitions: screech fits all three descriptors, while the others only partially match or are too general. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine sample sentences: The tyres made a screech as the car stopped suddenly, or We heard a screech of brakes, which clearly convey a loud, piercing, unpleasant sound. Compare this to I heard a noise in the next room, which could be any sound, or The wolf let out a howl, which suggests a long, mournful cry, not necessarily harsh and piercing. These examples show that screech is the word most tightly associated with a loud, harsh, piercing cry. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Noise is wrong because it is too broad and does not specifically imply high pitch or harshness. Howl is wrong because it typically implies a wailing or mournful sound, and not necessarily a piercing, shrill one. Cry is wrong because it may be soft, loud, joyful, or sad, and lacks the built in idea of harsh, piercing sound quality that screech carries. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to choose noise because it seems obviously connected to sound, or howl because it invokes strong emotion. However, the exam wants the word that matches the entire phrase. Another pitfall is to overlook the nuance in adjectives like piercing and harsh. When solving one word substitution questions, always align each part of the phrase with the candidate word before deciding. Final Answer: The best one word substitute for a loud, harsh, piercing cry is screech.

Question 10

Select the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom: Run out of steam.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be understood from the literal meanings of the individual words. Run out of steam is an idiom that originally comes from the age of steam engines, but is now widely used in everyday English to describe people and projects. The question tests whether you know the figurative meaning of this expression. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: Run out of steam. Options: To lose impetus or enthusiasm; To work quickly like a machine; To give up easily; no more money to spend. We assume the phrase is used in a general context about effort, energy, or motivation. We must pick the option closest to the idiomatic sense, not the literal picture of steam running out. Concept / Approach: Literally, a steam engine that runs out of steam loses the pressure needed to move and gradually slows down or stops. Metaphorically, when a person or project runs out of steam, it means they lose energy, momentum, or enthusiasm, causing progress to slow or halt. It does not directly refer to speed like a machine or to giving up at the first sign of trouble, and it definitely does not relate to money unless used in a specific financial metaphor. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualise a steam engine whose steam supply is exhausted; it slows down and eventually stops moving. Step 2: Map that image to human situations: a person working on a project may become tired or lose interest, so their effort declines. Step 3: Examine option A: To lose impetus or enthusiasm. This directly describes a decline in energy and motivation, just like the fading power of a steam engine. Step 4: Examine option B: To work quickly like a machine. This is the opposite of slowing down and clearly does not match the idea of running out of steam. Step 5: Examine option C: To give up easily. Running out of steam implies a gradual loss of drive after some effort, not an immediate surrender at the start. Step 6: Examine option D: no more money to spend. While people sometimes use similar phrases about money, the idiom run out of steam is about energy and motivation, not finances. Step 7: Conclude that option A is the correct interpretation. Verification / Alternative check: Consider typical usage: The team started well but ran out of steam in the second half of the match, or The campaign ran out of steam after a few weeks. In these examples, nobody is talking about money or initial weakness; instead, the examples describe a loss of momentum after an energetic start. The subjects did not give up easily; they tried for some time and then slowed down. This perfectly aligns with losing impetus or enthusiasm. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To work quickly like a machine is wrong because it suggests high energy and speed, not a loss of power. To give up easily is wrong because running out of steam implies prior effort and then decline, not instant surrender. No more money to spend is wrong because the idiom does not directly refer to financial resources, even though steam is a kind of fuel in the original literal sense. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to connect steam with machinery and choose the option about working quickly like a machine, but this ignores the phrase out of, which signals depletion. Another pitfall is equating any expression about running out with money shortages, but here the idiom has a broader, metaphorical meaning about energy and drive. To master idioms, it helps to see them in context rather than guessing from individual words. Final Answer: Run out of steam means to lose impetus or enthusiasm.

Question 11

Select the word with the correct spelling from the options given.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question requires you to identify the single correctly spelled word among four options that resemble English words but contain deliberate errors. Spelling accuracy is essential for clear communication and is frequently checked in competitive exams through questions like this, where three options contain extra or missing letters and one reflects the standard dictionary form. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: haunchhes, exulltant, marketted, transmit. We assume the intended base words are haunches, exultant, marketed or marketing, and transmit. Only one option uses the standard spelling used in formal written English. Concept / Approach: The approach is to match each option to the most likely real word and recall its correct spelling. English often doubles consonants in particular patterns, but not at random. Similarly, certain suffixes, such as ant in exultant, have fixed forms. Among the options, transmit is a common verb used in both scientific and everyday contexts and is correctly spelled here, while the other options contain extra letters that break standard patterns. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine haunchhes. The likely standard noun is haunches, referring to the hip or upper thigh region. The extra h in haunchhes makes this form incorrect. Step 2: Examine exulltant. This appears to be a distorted version of exultant, which means filled with or expressing great joy. The correct spelling uses one l, exultant, not exulltant. Step 3: Examine marketted. The intended verb form is probably marketed, the past tense of market. English generally does not double the t before adding ed in this case, so marketted is wrong. Step 4: Examine transmit. This verb meaning to send or convey is spelled transmit, with one t in the middle and another at the end, exactly as given. Step 5: Since transmit matches a standard dictionary entry and the others contain obvious extra letters, transmit is the correctly spelled option. Verification / Alternative check: Think of common phrases: transmit data, transmit a signal, transmit a disease. In all these, the word is spelled transmit. You might also recall the noun transmission, which keeps the same base spelling. In contrast, you will see haunches, not haunchhes, in descriptions of animals or body parts; exultant, not exulltant, in literature; and marketed, not marketted, in business writing. Consulting any standard dictionary will confirm these forms. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Haunchhes is wrong because the double h does not follow any standard rule and the correct plural of haunch is haunches. Exulltant is wrong because the adjective from exult is spelled exultant; doubling the l is incorrect. Marketted is wrong because the pattern is market plus ed to make marketed, not doubling the t. Common Pitfalls: Many learners struggle with doubled consonants, especially when forming past tenses or adjectives. Examiners exploit this by adding extra letters to make words look complicated. A second pitfall is to mistrust a simple, familiar word like transmit and instead choose a more complex looking option. In spelling questions, the familiar, cleanly formed word is often the correct choice. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is transmit.

Question 12

Select the antonym of the word demure, which describes a person who is modest, shy, or reserved in behaviour and appearance.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to select the antonym of the word demure. Demure is often used to describe someone, usually a woman or girl, who is quietly modest, shy, and reserved in manner or dress. To find the antonym, you must choose the word that best expresses the opposite personality trait: someone who is confident, forward, or unreserved. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: demure. Options: humble, bold, coy, sober. We focus on the typical behavioural meaning of demure: modest and reserved, sometimes to the point of shyness. The correct antonym should suggest lack of shyness, confidence, or even assertiveness. Concept / Approach: Demure characterises someone who avoids drawing attention and behaves in a quiet, often conservative way. The opposite of such behaviour is boldness: willingness to take risks, speak out, or attract attention without embarrassment. Coy is actually quite close in meaning to demure, as it also suggests shyness or pretended shyness. Humble is about modesty in status or attitude but does not directly oppose demure. Sober relates to seriousness or lack of showiness, not to boldness versus shyness. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of demure: modest, shy, reserved, and often quiet in dress and behaviour. Step 2: Examine humble. A humble person does not boast and does not think of themselves as important, but they may still be quiet or bold; humble does not directly oppose demure. Step 3: Examine bold. A bold person is confident, willing to take risks, and not shy about expressing themselves, which contrasts strongly with the reserve of a demure person. Step 4: Examine coy. Coy means shy or pretending to be shy in a flirtatious way; it is similar to demure, not opposite. Step 5: Examine sober. Sober can mean not drunk or serious in manner and appearance; a sober person might even be demure, so it is not an antonym. Step 6: Conclude that bold is the word that best expresses the opposite of demure. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the sentence: She used to be demure, but now she is quite bold on stage. This clearly sets bold as the opposite of demure in terms of behaviour. In contrast, sentences like She is both humble and demure show that humble can coexist with demure. Similarly, She gave a sober and demure performance also sounds natural. However, saying She is both demure and bold would sound contradictory, confirming that these words represent opposing traits. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Humble is wrong because it refers to modesty in status or self importance, not necessarily to shyness or reserve in public behaviour. Coy is wrong because it is near synonymous with demure, especially when describing shy, flirtatious behaviour. Sober is wrong because it focuses on seriousness or restraint, which is compatible with demure, not its opposite. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to choose humble because learners associate both humble and demure with modesty. However, antonyms must be direct opposites in the specific dimension being tested. Another pitfall is misunderstanding coy as a completely different concept, when in fact it often overlaps with demure. Always check whether the candidate antonym really contradicts the original word in ordinary usage. Final Answer: The antonym of demure is bold.

Question 13

Select the word with the correct spelling from the options given.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another spelling recognition question where you must identify the correctly spelled English word among four choices. Each option resembles a real word, but three have been deliberately misspelled. Only one matches the standard dictionary form and is suitable for use in formal writing and exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: stumbal, wrinkeled, bristles, reasert. We assume the intended real words are stumble, wrinkled, bristles, and reassert. Exactly one option appears in correct form in standard English. Concept / Approach: The best way to tackle such questions is to mentally match each option to the likely real word and recall its spelling from reading experience. English spelling has common suffixes such as les in bristles and led in wrinkled. By checking each candidate against these patterns, you can spot the extra or missing letters. Bristles is a well known word referring to short, stiff hairs, and its spelling here is correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine stumbal. The likely verb is stumble, and the noun form stumble, not stumbal. The ending bal does not correspond to any standard form. Step 2: Examine wrinkeled. This appears to be a distorted version of wrinkled, the past participle of wrinkle. The correct spelling is w r i n k l e d, not wrinkeled. Step 3: Examine bristles. This is the plural of bristle, meaning short, stiff hairs such as those on a brush or on an animal's skin. The spelling b r i s t l e s is correct. Step 4: Examine reasert. The intended verb is reassert, meaning to assert again. The spelling reasert with one s is incorrect; it should be reassert with double s. Step 5: Conclude that bristles is the only option that matches a correct dictionary spelling. Verification / Alternative check: Try using each word in a sentence: The brush has stiff bristles, which is correct and natural. By contrast, I saw a stumbal on the road, The shirt is wrinkeled, and Let me reasert my point all look wrong and would likely be flagged by a spell checker. Checking a dictionary confirms that bristles is used exactly in this form as the plural noun or third person singular verb. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Stumbal is wrong because the correct verb is stumble and any noun form would still follow that pattern, not bal. Wrinkeled is wrong because the correct past form wrinkled does not include an extra e after k. Reasert is wrong because reassert doubles the s; the single s spelling provided is non standard and incorrect. Common Pitfalls: One pitfall is relying solely on how a word sounds instead of on written patterns. For example, wrinkled and wrinkeled may sound similar, but the extra e is visually suspicious. Another pitfall is to overcomplicate the choice and doubt a common correct word like bristles, thinking the exam must hide the answer in a more complex option. Often, the simple, familiar spelling is the correct one. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is bristles.

Question 14

Change the voice of the sentence: The payment was collected by the hardworking salesman.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks you to convert a passive voice sentence into active voice while keeping the meaning, tense, and emphasis intact. The original sentence credits a hardworking salesman with collecting a payment. You must choose the active voice sentence that states clearly who did the action and what action was done, without adding or changing any information about ability or difficulty. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence (passive): The payment was collected by the hardworking salesman. We must convert it to active voice. Options provide various possible active style sentences, some of which modify the meaning. The past simple passive form was collected should become a past simple active form. Concept / Approach: To convert from passive to active voice, identify the agent (doer of the action) in the by phrase, make it the subject, keep the same tense in the verb, and place the original subject as the object. Here, the hardworking salesman is the agent, and the payment is the object of the verb collect. The tense is simple past. Therefore, the active voice sentence should be The hardworking salesman collected the payment. Any option that introduces extra meanings such as ability, difficulty, or time sequence goes beyond a straightforward voice change and should be rejected. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject in the passive sentence: The payment. Step 2: Identify the agent doing the action: the hardworking salesman. Step 3: Identify the verb and tense: was collected is simple past passive. Step 4: Form the active sentence: Subject (the hardworking salesman) + simple past verb (collected) + object (the payment). Step 5: Write the active sentence: The hardworking salesman collected the payment. Step 6: Compare this with option A and see that it matches exactly. Verification / Alternative check: Check whether the meaning has changed. The original says that the payment was collected and attributes the action to the hardworking salesman. Option A, The hardworking salesman collected the payment, gives exactly the same information. There is no mention of ability, difficulty, or conditions; it simply states who did what. The tense remains simple past, so the time reference is preserved. This confirms that option A is a faithful active voice version of the passive sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, The salesman who worked hard was able to collect the payment, adds the idea of ability (was able to) and changes the structure, making it more complex than necessary. Option C, To collect the payment the salesman had to work hard, shifts the focus to the necessity of working hard and suggests difficulty, which is not stated in the original sentence. Option D, The hardworking salesman was able to collect the payment, again introduces the notion of ability rather than simply stating the completed action. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes select an option that seems richer or more detailed, thinking that more words equal a better answer. In voice change questions, however, the goal is to preserve meaning, not to add commentary. Another pitfall is to overlook subtle shifts in meaning introduced by phrases like was able to or had to, which change the focus from the action itself to ability or effort. Always look for the option that mirrors the original tense and information as closely as possible. Final Answer: The correct active voice transformation is The hardworking salesman collected the payment.

Question 15

In English grammar, convert the direct question At what time do the counters close, spoken by the client to the ticket seller, into its correct indirect reported speech form.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This English grammar question tests your understanding of how to change a direct question in the present simple tense into indirect or reported speech. The original sentence is spoken by a client who wants to know the closing time of the counters. In reported speech questions, especially those beginning with a wh word such as what time, we must change the word order, pronouns, and tense correctly while keeping the original meaning intact. Given Data / Assumptions: The direct speech sentence is The client said to the ticket-seller, At what time do the counters close. The reporting verb is said to, which will normally change to asked when reporting a question. The question begins with the wh phrase at what time, so no auxiliary do or did is needed in the reported clause. The original question uses present simple do the counters close which usually changes to past simple in indirect speech when the reporting verb is in the past. We must choose the option that follows standard rules for indirect questions and keeps the meaning correct and natural. Concept / Approach: When we convert a direct question to indirect speech, the structure changes from auxiliary plus subject to subject plus verb, just like a normal statement. Wh question words such as what, where, why, and at what time stay at the beginning of the reported clause. Present simple verbs usually shift one step back in tense to past simple if the reporting verb is in the past. In this sentence, do the counters close becomes the counters closed. The reporting verb said to should change to asked for a normal information question, and the phrase to the ticket-seller remains as an object after asked. There is no need for a question mark in the final reported sentence, because the whole sentence becomes a statement about what the client asked. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Replace said to with asked because the client is asking a question, not simply making a statement. Step 2: Keep the object of the reporting verb as the ticket-seller, so we have The client asked the ticket-seller. Step 3: Bring the wh expression at what time directly after the object, forming at what time as the connector of the reported clause. Step 4: Change the question word order do the counters close to statement order the counters closed and backshift the tense from present simple close to past simple closed. Step 5: Combine all parts into one complete sentence without a question mark: The client asked the ticket-seller at what time the counters closed. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, check whether the indirect sentence correctly answers the question What did the client ask. The sentence The client asked the ticket-seller at what time the counters closed clearly reports the content of the original question. The tense shift from close to closed is standard because the question is reported after it was spoken. The word order at what time the counters closed is correct for an indirect wh clause. There is no extra auxiliary did inside the reported clause, which is important for correct grammar. Everything remains clear and polite, matching typical exam expectations. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B uses at what time did the counters close in the reported clause, which wrongly keeps the direct question order and auxiliary did. Indirect questions should have statement order. Option C uses will instead of the past form closed, which breaks the normal backshift of tense and suggests a future meaning that the original sentence does not have. Option D keeps the present do in do the counters close and also uses an unnatural phrase inquired to instead of inquired of or asked, so it is not acceptable standard English. Common Pitfalls: Learners frequently forget to change the auxiliary do or did into a normal tense form or leave the question word order unchanged when forming indirect questions. Another common mistake is to keep said to instead of using a more appropriate reporting verb such as asked or inquired for questions. Students may also forget to shift the tense from present to past when the reporting verb is in the past. A reliable method is to first imagine the reported clause as a simple statement, then attach the reporting verb and connector at what time to that statement structure. Final Answer: The client asked the ticket-seller at what time the counters closed.

Question 16

Improve the verb phrase has been belonging in the sentence This palace has been belonging to our family since generations by choosing the correct tense form.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your understanding of English verb forms, especially how to use present perfect with stative verbs. The original sentence is This palace has been belonging to our family since generations, where the bracketed part has been belonging is grammatically awkward. Examinations often include such questions to check whether candidates can recognise correct aspect and tense for verbs that describe states rather than actions. Given Data / Assumptions: The full sentence to improve is This palace has been belonging to our family since generations. The underlined or bracketed portion is has been belonging. The intended meaning is that the palace has been in the possession of the family for a long time up to the present. The options suggest different verb forms: has belonging, has belonged, belonged, and no improvement. Concept / Approach: The verb belong is usually a stative verb that describes a state of possession or relationship. Stative verbs are rarely used in continuous or progressive forms such as is belonging or has been belonging in standard English. To express a state that started in the past and continues up to the present, we commonly use the present perfect simple, not the present perfect continuous, especially with stative verbs. Thus, has belonged is the correct form. The phrase since generations is better expressed as for generations, but the test focuses only on the bracketed verb phrase, so we correct that part and keep the rest unchanged. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify belong as a stative verb of possession, similar to own and have when used for relations and ownership. Step 2: Recall that stative verbs normally use simple tenses rather than continuous forms, so has been belonging should be examined closely. Step 3: Decide which tense expresses an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present. The answer is the present perfect simple, has belonged. Step 4: Replace has been belonging with has belonged to create the corrected sentence This palace has belonged to our family since generations. Step 5: Confirm that other options such as has belonging or simple past belonged do not correctly express the intended ongoing state into the present. Verification / Alternative check: Compare three versions: This palace belonged to our family since generations suggests a completed state and sounds incorrect with since. This palace has been belonging to our family is not standard because belong is stative and does not take the continuous form in this meaning. This palace has belonged to our family for generations correctly shows that the state began in the past and continues up to now. Grammar references regularly mark belong as a verb that does not usually appear in progressive forms when it indicates possession, which confirms that has belonged is the right choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A has belonging is ungrammatical, because belonging is a present participle or gerund and cannot directly follow has in this structure. Option C belonged is simple past and does not fit well with since generations, which normally calls for a present perfect tense to show continuity. Option D no improvement would keep has been belonging, which is an incorrect continuous form for a stative verb of possession in standard English. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to apply continuous forms mechanically whenever a duration is mentioned with since or for, without checking whether the verb is stative or dynamic. Learners sometimes think that every long lasting situation must use a form like has been plus ing, but this is not true for verbs such as know, believe, own, and belong. Another pitfall is ignoring small but important preposition differences such as for generations versus since generations, although in this question the test focuses mainly on the verb form. To avoid errors, always check whether the verb describes an action or a state and choose simple or continuous aspects accordingly. Final Answer: has belonged

Question 17

Rearrange the given fragments about expectations, rhetoric, and political scrutiny one year after an official launch to form a coherent English sentence.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence rearrangement question tests your ability to order clause fragments so that they form a natural, grammatically correct, and logically coherent sentence. The topic is political rhetoric and expectations one year after an official launch. Such questions appear frequently in exams because they check your understanding of clause structure, conjunctions such as while, and the logical flow of ideas in complex sentences. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence begins with the fixed opening One year after its official launch. Three fragments are provided: P while expectations Q has largely escaped political scrutiny R have been scaled down, the rhetoric The task is to arrange P, R, and Q so that the entire sentence is meaningful. Concept / Approach: The key to solving this question is to identify the main subject and verb for each clause and see how the conjunction while contrasts them. The phrase while expectations suggests that a clause about expectations will follow. The fragment have been scaled down, the rhetoric clearly contains a verb phrase have been scaled down and then introduces the subject the rhetoric at the end, which is typical of an inverted structure. The final fragment has largely escaped political scrutiny matches with the subject the rhetoric. Therefore, expectations must be the subject of have been scaled down, and rhetoric must be the subject of has largely escaped political scrutiny. The conjunction while explicitly contrasts these two developments, which points to the order while expectations have been scaled down, the rhetoric has largely escaped political scrutiny. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the opening One year after its official launch, which sets the time frame of the sentence. Step 2: Attach fragment P while expectations to introduce the first clause that will later receive a verb phrase. Step 3: Recognise that R have been scaled down, the rhetoric supplies both a verb phrase have been scaled down and a delayed subject the rhetoric, so when joined after while expectations we get while expectations have been scaled down, the rhetoric. Step 4: Observe that Q has largely escaped political scrutiny naturally follows the subject the rhetoric and completes the contrasting idea. Step 5: Combine all parts to form the full sentence: One year after its official launch, while expectations have been scaled down, the rhetoric has largely escaped political scrutiny, which corresponds to the order P R Q. Verification / Alternative check: Check each proposed order quickly. For Q P R, we would get One year after its official launch, has largely escaped political scrutiny while expectations have been scaled down, the rhetoric, which breaks normal subject verb order at the beginning. For R P Q, One year after its official launch, have been scaled down, the rhetoric while expectations has largely escaped political scrutiny also sounds ungrammatical and confuses subject roles. For P Q R, the sequence while expectations has largely escaped political scrutiny have been scaled down, the rhetoric attempts to make expectations the subject of has largely escaped political scrutiny, which does not match the intended contrast. Only P R Q produces a smooth and meaningful sentence that clearly sets up a contrast between reduced expectations and rhetoric that escapes scrutiny. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A Q P R incorrectly starts the central clause with has largely escaped political scrutiny and delays the subject, making the structure clumsy and confusing. Option B R P Q uses have been scaled down, the rhetoric first, leaving while expectations stranded and leading to an illogical arrangement where expectations seems to modify the wrong verb. Option D P Q R forces expectations to be the subject of has largely escaped political scrutiny, which contradicts the intended idea that rhetoric, not expectations, has escaped scrutiny. Common Pitfalls: Many learners focus only on vocabulary and ignore the grammatical clues in the fragments. Words like expectations and rhetoric may tempt students to place them in positions that feel meaningful but break subject verb agreement or disrupt clause boundaries. Another common mistake is ignoring the conjunction while, which clearly indicates a contrast between two actions or states. A good strategy is to locate verbs and their logical subjects first, then connect them using the conjunction to maintain parallel and contrasting structures in the sentence. Final Answer: P R Q

Question 18

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate verb in the sentence The Department has ________ a complaint against Mr. Bakshi.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary and collocation question tests your ability to choose the verb that naturally fits with the noun complaint in a formal administrative context. The sentence is The Department has blank a complaint against Mr. Bakshi. Government departments, police, and other official bodies use certain standard expressions when talking about complaints. Examinations often check these fixed combinations because they reflect real usage in newspapers, legal documents, and formal communication. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence reads The Department has blank a complaint against Mr. Bakshi. The options are expressed, registered, informed, and noted. The context is clearly formal and legal or administrative, since a department acts against a named individual. We must select the verb that forms a common collocation with complaint in this context. Concept / Approach: In formal English, we often talk about filing a complaint, lodging a complaint, or registering a complaint with an authority. The verb registered is widely used in official reports and legal contexts, especially in Indian English, to indicate that a complaint has been formally entered into records. The other verbs do not pair as naturally with complaint in this structure. Expressed a complaint is unusual; one normally expresses concern or dissatisfaction. Informed a complaint is ungrammatical because informed needs an object such as informed him or informed the department. Noted a complaint sounds like someone has simply observed it, not that the department has formally made it. Therefore, registered is the verb that best matches both meaning and usage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key noun complaint and recall common verbs that collocate with it in legal and administrative language. Step 2: Recognise that idiomatic expressions include register a complaint, file a complaint, and lodge a complaint among others. Step 3: Compare these with the options and see that registered directly matches this familiar phrase. Step 4: Check whether the other options can be used in the same structure and notice that they either sound unnatural or change the meaning away from formal action. Step 5: Conclude that The Department has registered a complaint against Mr. Bakshi is the only option that is both grammatically correct and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine reading a news report. Sentences such as The police have registered a complaint or The department has registered a complaint are very common. Now try replacing registered with expressed, informed, or noted. The Department has expressed a complaint against Mr. Bakshi sounds awkward; departments may express concern or disapproval but usually do not express a complaint. The Department has informed a complaint is incomplete because one informs a person, not a complaint. The Department has noted a complaint suggests they became aware of a complaint filed by someone else, not that they themselves took action against Mr. Bakshi. This usage check confirms that registered is the most accurate and natural choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A expressed does not form a standard collocation with complaint in this structure and would normally take objects like regret or opinions. Option C informed requires a person or body as object, for example informed the committee, and does not work directly with complaint. Option D noted suggests only that the department observed or recorded something, not that it actively initiated a formal case against a person. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes ignore collocations and rely only on general word meanings. Since all the verbs have formal or neutral tones, candidates may feel that any of them might fit. However, natural English uses specific verb noun pairs, and exam setters use these to distinguish between learners who simply know word meanings and those who know real usage. A good preparation habit is to read official notices, news articles, and legal reports, paying attention to standard phrases such as register a case, file a complaint, and issue a notice. Final Answer: registered

Question 19

Choose the one-word substitute that best expresses the phrase a hollow object used to contain something.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question asks you to find a single noun that captures the meaning of the phrase a hollow object used to contain something. Vocabulary questions of this type check your ability to match precise dictionary style definitions with technical or semi technical words that appear in formal writing, scientific texts, and high level reading passages. Given Data / Assumptions: The descriptive phrase is a hollow object used to contain something. The options given are platter, salver, plate, and receptacle. We must choose the option that refers broadly to any container, not just a flat surface for serving food. Concept / Approach: A receptacle is a general term in English for a container, vessel, or hollow object designed to hold or receive something. It can be used for physical containers, such as a trash receptacle or a receptacle for offerings, and sometimes in abstract senses. In contrast, platter, salver, and plate primarily refer to flat dishes, usually used for serving food. They may have slightly raised edges but are not defined primarily as hollow, nor are they broad enough in meaning to match any kind of container. Therefore, receptacle is the only word that fits the general definition of a hollow object used to contain something. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea in the definition, which is a hollow object used to contain something, indicating a general container. Step 2: Recall that the noun receptacle is commonly defined as a container, device, or space that receives or holds things. Step 3: Examine platter, salver, and plate, all of which are specific types of flat dishes without a strong emphasis on being hollow. Step 4: Note that the question is not restricted to serving dishes or tableware, so a broad term for any container is more appropriate. Step 5: Conclude that receptacle is the single word that covers the exact idea of a hollow object used to contain or receive items. Verification / Alternative check: Try using each option in sentences that match the definition. The phrase Throw the rubbish into the receptacle matches the sense of a hollow container. By contrast, Put the rubbish on the platter or plate sounds strange, because those are meant for serving food and are not general containers. A salver is a type of tray used in formal settings, such as for serving drinks, and again does not fit the broad idea of any hollow object used to contain something. Dictionary entries confirm that receptacle refers to containers or devices that receive and hold something, making it the best fit for the given phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A platter refers to a large, flat dish used for serving food, not a generic hollow container. Option B salver is a specific kind of tray, often used in formal settings, and does not carry the general meaning of any hollow container. Option C plate is a flat dish for serving or eating food and is not typically described as a hollow object used to contain things. Common Pitfalls: Many learners see words related to dishes like plate and platter and assume they must fit because these objects can hold food. However, the definition emphasises hollow object and is clearly more general than tableware. Another pitfall is not being familiar with the word receptacle and avoiding it simply because it seems technical. Building a strong vocabulary includes learning such general academic words that often appear in exam passages and scientific descriptions. Paying attention to precise definitions while reading can help you recognise and remember terms like receptacle more easily. Final Answer: receptacle

Question 20

Choose the most appropriate adjective to complete the sentence He has a _______ interest in studying human psychology.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your knowledge of natural English collocations, that is, words that commonly occur together. The sentence given is He has a blank interest in studying human psychology. Several adjectives are offered, but only one combines with interest in a standard, idiomatic way to express strong, serious involvement. Such collocation questions are important because they show whether you understand not only vocabulary but also typical usage patterns in real language. Given Data / Assumptions: The base sentence is He has a blank interest in studying human psychology. The options are deep, wide, vast, and heavy. The context suggests a serious, strong, perhaps long lasting interest in an academic subject. Concept / Approach: The phrase deep interest is a very common and natural collocation. It expresses that someone is strongly and sincerely interested in a topic, often at an emotional or intellectual level. Wide interest is occasionally used, but usually in the sense that many people are interested, as in the topic generated wide interest among researchers. Vast interest is uncommon and sounds awkward, because vast usually describes size or quantity, not mental attitudes. Heavy interest is not idiomatic in this context; heavy tends to describe physical weight, burdens, or serious responsibility, not interest in a subject. Therefore, deep is the correct adjective to complete the sentence naturally. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the noun interest and recall which adjectives are commonly used with it in English. Step 2: Recognise that expressions like a deep interest in science or a deep interest in music are frequently seen in books, articles, and formal writing. Step 3: Compare this with wide interest, which usually describes how widely a topic is followed, not how intensely one person feels about it. Step 4: Consider vast interest and heavy interest, and notice that native usage rarely combines these adjectives with interest in the sense of personal enthusiasm for study. Step 5: Choose deep as the adjective that best expresses a strong, serious, and lasting interest in studying human psychology. Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into the sentence and read it aloud. He has a deep interest in studying human psychology sounds natural and is commonly used in academic introductions or biographies. He has a wide interest in studying human psychology sounds as if his interest covers many areas, but still feels slightly odd; more natural would be a wide range of interests. He has a vast interest in studying human psychology does not match usual patterns, since vast modifies concrete nouns like area or numbers. He has a heavy interest in studying human psychology sounds incorrect, because heavy does not normally modify interest in this way. Checking standard usage in quality reading materials will confirm that deep interest is the established collocation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B wide is more often used with words like range, variety, or audience and is not the most natural partner for interest in this sentence. Option C vast typically modifies physical or measurable quantities such as land, knowledge, or resources and rarely appears with interest as a personal feeling. Option D heavy tends to describe weight, work, or responsibility and does not collocate with interest in the sense of enthusiasm for a subject. Common Pitfalls: Many learners focus only on the dictionary meanings of adjectives and neglect collocation patterns. Because wide and vast both suggest something large, they may seem suitable for describing the extent of interest. However, natural English relies on fixed patterns such as strong interest, keen interest, and deep interest. Reading extensively and noticing these patterns in context is one of the best ways to master collocations and avoid unnatural combinations in exams and real life communication. Final Answer: deep

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