Question 1

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement": "Many novelists from the sub-continent (has provided) s…

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests subject-verb agreement and correct use of the present perfect tense. The sentence "Many novelists from the sub-continent (has provided) scathing accounts of this period" talks about several writers and what they have written. The verb phrase must agree in number with the plural subject "Many novelists" and must be in a grammatically correct present perfect form. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence fragment: "Many novelists from the sub-continent (has provided) scathing accounts of this period." Options: have provided, have provide, have provides, no improvement. Subject: "Many novelists", which is clearly plural. The intended tense is present perfect: they have already produced these accounts, and the result is still relevant. Concept / Approach: In English, the present perfect tense uses "have/has" plus the past participle of the main verb. For plural subjects, we use "have", not "has". The correct combination here is "have provided": "Many novelists ... have provided scathing accounts." "Has provided" would only be correct with a singular subject like "A novelist". Any form like "have provide" or "have provides" breaks the required structure "have + past participle". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject: "Many novelists", which is plural. Step 2: Recall the rule: plural subjects take "have" in present perfect, singular subjects take "has". Step 3: Combine "have" with the past participle of "provide", which is "provided", giving "have provided". Step 4: Test option A: "Many novelists ... have provided scathing accounts". This is grammatically correct and natural. Step 5: Test option B: "have provide". This is wrong because the verb after "have" must be in the past participle form "provided", not the base form "provide". Step 6: Test option C: "have provides". This is wrong because "provides" is a present tense form used with singular subjects (he, she, it), and cannot follow "have". Step 7: Test option D: keeping "has provided" is wrong because "has" does not agree with the plural subject "Many novelists". Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar sentences: "Many writers have criticised the policy," or "Several historians have written about this era." In each case, plural subjects ("Many writers", "Several historians") take "have" plus a past participle. If we substituted "has", the sentence would immediately sound incorrect: "Many writers has criticised" is clearly wrong. Thus, "Many novelists ... have provided scathing accounts" is the only acceptable structure. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Have provide" is wrong because the present perfect requires the past participle "provided", not the base form. "Have provides" is wrong because the s-form of the verb is incompatible with the auxiliary "have". "No improvement" is wrong because "has provided" clashes with the plural subject "Many novelists". Common Pitfalls: A common error is to let the nearby singular phrase "the sub-continent" influence the choice of "has", but the true subject is "Many novelists", not "sub-continent". Another pitfall is to forget that "have" is an auxiliary verb here and must be followed by a past participle, not another finite verb form. Always locate the real subject and then build the verb phrase accordingly. Final Answer: The correct improvement is have provided, giving "Many novelists from the sub-continent have provided scathing accounts of this period."

Question 2

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentence fragments. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the fragments to form a coherent and grammatically correct sentence about the absence of zebra crossings.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to reorder labelled fragments to form a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. The sentence is about the absence of zebra crossings and its effect on citizens. You are given three labelled parts A, B, and C, which must follow the introductory phrase so that the final sentence reads smoothly and logically. Given Data / Assumptions: Introductory words: "The absence of zebra". Fragment A: "to the life and person". Fragment B: "of citizens in most cities". Fragment C: "crossings has become a threat". Options for order: BCA, BAC, CAB, ACB. Intended final idea: The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat to the life and person of citizens in most cities. Concept / Approach: To build the sentence, we must first complete the noun phrase that begins with "The absence of zebra". Logically, this should be followed by "crossings has become a threat" to complete the subject and verb, since "zebra crossings" is the standard term. After that, we expect a prepositional phrase of the form "to the life and person of citizens in most cities", which breaks down naturally into A ("to the life and person") followed by B ("of citizens in most cities"). Thus, the correct sequence after "The absence of zebra" is C-A-B. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Begin with the given starting phrase: "The absence of zebra ..." Step 2: Identify which fragment can immediately follow "zebra" to complete a common expression. "Crossings has become a threat" (fragment C) pairs perfectly to form "The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat". Step 3: Recognise that we now need to specify the nature of the threat: a threat to whom or to what. Step 4: Notice that fragment A begins with "to the life and person", which is a natural continuation after "has become a threat". Step 5: Attach fragment B, "of citizens in most cities", to complete the prepositional phrase, giving "to the life and person of citizens in most cities". Step 6: Combine all parts: "The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat to the life and person of citizens in most cities." Step 7: Map this sequence to the label order: C first, then A, then B, which is CAB. Select CAB as the correct option. Verification / Alternative check: Try the other sequences briefly. If you start with B ("of citizens in most cities"), you get "The absence of zebra of citizens in most cities ..." which is illogical and ungrammatical. Starting with A ("to the life and person") after "The absence of zebra" gives "The absence of zebra to the life and person crossings has become a threat", which is also incorrect. Only C completes the basic structure "The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat", after which A and B naturally extend the idea. Why Other Options Are Wrong: BCA and BAC both place fragment B immediately after "zebra", creating "The absence of zebra of citizens in most cities", which makes no sense. ACB puts A after "zebra", which wrongly connects "to the life and person" directly to "zebra" instead of to "has become a threat". None of these scrambled sequences form a coherent, grammatical sentence. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to focus on meaning without paying attention to standard collocations like "zebra crossings". Another pitfall is to join fragments solely based on their prepositions, without ensuring that the initial noun phrase and verb are completed correctly. Always start by forming a valid subject-verb structure ("The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat") and then attach additional modifiers where they naturally fit. Final Answer: The most logical and grammatically correct order is CAB, giving "The absence of zebra crossings has become a threat to the life and person of citizens in most cities."

Question 3

In the following question, four similar-looking words are given, out of which only one word is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word related to the idea of twisting or deforming.

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Introduction / Context: Spelling recognition questions ask you to choose the correctly spelled standard English word among several near lookalikes. Here, all four options resemble possible forms of a word related to twisting, bending, or deforming. The real English noun for a twisted or distorted shape is "contortion", and your task is to recognise its correct spelling among distractors that include misplaced vowels and consonants. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: conturtion, contorsion, contortion, contursion. Intended target word: contortion, meaning a twisted position or distortion of the body or object. All other forms are non standard spellings that might seem plausible at first glance. Concept / Approach: The noun "contortion" is formed from the verb "contort", meaning to twist or bend out of shape, plus the suffix "-ion". Therefore, the correct spelling keeps the root contort intact and adds ion: contortion. Variants that change the vowel sequence or insert extra letters break the connection with the root verb and do not match any standard dictionary form. Comparing each option with the base word contort helps quickly identify the correct spelling. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the base verb is "contort", spelled c o n t o r t. Step 2: Form the noun by adding the suffix "-ion", keeping the root intact, yielding c o n t o r t i o n, or "contortion". Step 3: Examine option C: contortion. This exactly matches the root plus suffix pattern and is a familiar word in English. Step 4: Examine option A: conturtion. Here, the vowel sequence "ur" breaks the link with "contort" and does not correspond to a recognised English word. Step 5: Examine option B: contorsion. This looks like "contorsion" with an extra s and altered vowel order; the correct related word with s is "contorsionist", but the base noun is still "contortion". Step 6: Examine option D: contursion. This again introduces "urs" instead of "ort", destroying the connection with "contort". Step 7: Conclude that "contortion" is the only correctly spelled standard word. Verification / Alternative check: Think of common usages: "His face twisted into a grotesque contortion of rage," or "Acrobats often perform dramatic contortions of the body." You will nearly always see "contortion" in such contexts, not any of the other spellings. Checking a reliable dictionary will also show "contortion" and "contortionist" as the recognised forms derived from "contort." Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Conturtion" is wrong because the sequence "ur" does not match the root "tort" in "contort" and appears in no standard dictionary entry. "Contorsion" is wrong as a spelling of this noun; while "contorsion" can appear in specialised contexts in some languages, English standard usage prefers "contortion" for the meaning tested here. "Contursion" is wrong because it mixes letters from unrelated roots and does not correspond to a normal English word. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to judge by sound alone, where "contortion" and "contorsion" might sound similar when spoken quickly. Another trap is to be distracted by uncommon but vaguely familiar patterns like "-sion", which appear in many nouns, and assume they must be correct. Remember to look for the recognizable root "contort" and then simply add "-ion" without changing the internal letters. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is contortion.

Question 4

In the following sentence, some part may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If the sentence is free from error, select "No Error": "He was such a (1)/ wonderful person (2)/ into so many…

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Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions test your ability to notice small but important grammatical mistakes in otherwise simple sentences. The sentence "He was such a wonderful person into so many ways" clearly tries to praise someone in many respects, but one of the parts contains an incorrect preposition. Your task is to identify which numbered segment contains the error. Given Data / Assumptions: Segment (1): "He was such a". Segment (2): "wonderful person". Segment (3): "into so many ways." Segment (4): "No Error". The intended meaning is: He was a wonderful person in so many ways. We assume standard conversational English usage. Concept / Approach: The phrase "in so many ways" is a common English expression used to describe the different aspects in which something is true. The preposition "into" is not used in this context. "Into" usually suggests movement towards the inside of something or transformation (for example, "go into the room", "turn into ice"), not the idea of "in many respects". Therefore, the error lies in segment (3), where "into" should be replaced with "in". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the sentence carefully: "He was such a wonderful person into so many ways." Step 2: Check segment (1) "He was such a". This is a common and correct beginning for an emphatic statement. Step 3: Check segment (2) "wonderful person". This correctly completes the noun phrase "such a wonderful person". Step 4: Examine segment (3) "into so many ways." Here, the preposition "into" sounds awkward and unnatural in this context. Step 5: Substitute the more usual expression "in so many ways", which is the standard English collocation. Step 6: Confirm that the corrected sentence "He was such a wonderful person in so many ways" now reads smoothly and expresses the intended meaning. Step 7: Conclude that part (3) contains the error. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar sentences: "She is kind in many ways," "He helps people in so many ways," and "They support us in countless ways." In all of these, the correct preposition is "in". Using "into" would be wrong: "kind into many ways" or "helps people into many ways" do not make sense. This shows that the collocation "in so many ways" is fixed and must be used here as well. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Segment (1) "He was such a" correctly introduces an emphatic description. Segment (2) "wonderful person" is also correct and logically completes the introductory phrase. Segment (4) "No Error" is wrong because we have already identified a clear grammatical error in segment (3), so the sentence is not error free. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to read quickly and miss small prepositional errors, especially when the rest of the sentence sounds natural. Another pitfall is to confuse "in" and "into" and treat them as interchangeable. Remember that "into" usually implies motion or transformation ("walk into", "change into"), while "in" is used for states or conditions ("in love", "in many ways", "in trouble"). Final Answer: The error is in part 3. The sentence should read: "He was such a wonderful person in so many ways."

Question 5

In the following sentence, some part may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If the sentence is free from error, select "No Error": "The magician placed the ball (1)/ underneath of his h…

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Introduction / Context: This error spotting question focuses on the correct use of prepositions in English, specifically with the word "underneath". The sentence describes a magician placing a ball under his hat before performing a trick. One of the segments uses an incorrect combination of "underneath" and "of", and your job is to identify that error. Given Data / Assumptions: Segment (1): "The magician placed the ball". Segment (2): "underneath of his hat and". Segment (3): "made a mystic sign above it." Segment (4): "No Error". We are describing the position of the ball in relation to the hat. Concept / Approach: In English, "underneath" is already a preposition meaning "directly under" or "beneath". It does not normally take "of" after it. We say "underneath his hat" or "under his hat", not "underneath of his hat". The extra "of" is ungrammatical. Therefore, the error lies in segment (2), which should read "underneath his hat and". The rest of the sentence is correctly constructed. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the full sentence: "The magician placed the ball underneath of his hat and made a mystic sign above it." Step 2: Check segment (1): "The magician placed the ball". This is a correct and complete subject-verb-object pattern. Step 3: Examine segment (2): "underneath of his hat and". Here, the combination "underneath of" seems awkward and non standard. Step 4: Recall that "underneath" is a preposition that directly takes its object ("underneath his hat"), similar to "under his hat". It does not need an additional "of". Step 5: Rewrite the phrase correctly as "underneath his hat and", which reads naturally and grammatically. Step 6: Check segment (3): "made a mystic sign above it." This is correct and follows logically from the first action. Step 7: Conclude that the only error is in segment (2). Verification / Alternative check: Compare with standard phrases: "He hid the key underneath the mat," "The cat slept underneath the table," or "She kept the letter under her pillow." None of these use "underneath of". Adding "of" after "underneath" would sound incorrect to native speakers. In your sentence, "The magician placed the ball underneath his hat" parallels these examples and confirms the correct prepositional form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Segment (1) is grammatically sound and sets up the action clearly. Segment (3) is also correct, with "made a mystic sign above it" clearly referring back to the ball under the hat. Segment (4), "No Error", is wrong because we have already identified an error in segment (2), so the sentence cannot be considered error free. Common Pitfalls: Many learners overuse "of" after certain prepositions, producing forms like "inside of", "outside of", or "underneath of", which can be acceptable in very informal speech but are not considered correct in standard exam English. Another pitfall is to focus only on content words like "magician", "mystic", and "sign" and overlook small functional words like prepositions, where exam setters often hide the errors. Final Answer: The error is in part 2. The sentence should read: "The magician placed the ball underneath his hat and made a mystic sign above it."

Question 6

In the following sentence, the blank is to be filled with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four options: "Our nation's _______________ into another country's war could pull us into the crisis."

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Introduction / Context: This fill-in-the-blank question tests your vocabulary and your ability to choose a noun that fits both grammatically and logically in a sentence about foreign policy. The sentence warns that our nation's involvement in another country's war could draw us into a crisis. The key is to select the word that naturally describes involvement in someone else's conflict. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: "Our nation's _______________ into another country's war could pull us into the crisis." Options: intervention, intention, perfection, invention. The preposition "into" suggests movement or involvement in a situation, here, another country's war. The noun should commonly collocate with foreign policy and war. Concept / Approach: The standard term used for a country becoming involved in another country's internal or external conflict is "intervention". We often read about military intervention, political intervention, or humanitarian intervention. "Intention" means plan or purpose, "perfection" means flawlessness, and "invention" means creation of something new. Only "intervention" captures the idea of actively entering someone else's war, which could indeed pull the intervening nation into crisis. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core idea: our country taking some active role in someone else's war. Step 2: Examine "intervention." This noun means interference or involvement in a situation, especially by a foreign country in the affairs of another. Step 3: Replace the blank with "intervention": "Our nation's intervention into another country's war could pull us into the crisis." This sounds logical and matches typical political language. Step 4: Examine "intention." This refers to a plan or purpose, and "nation's intention into another country's war" is not a standard collocation. Step 5: Examine "perfection." This word relates to being flawless; "nation's perfection into another country's war" makes no sense. Step 6: Examine "invention." This refers to creating something new; "nation's invention into another country's war" is clearly illogical. Step 7: Conclude that "intervention" is the only option that expresses the intended meaning in a natural and grammatically correct way. Verification / Alternative check: Check with common phrases in news reports: "military intervention in Syria", "foreign intervention in the civil war", "UN intervention in the conflict." You will see "intervention" used repeatedly to describe the entry of one country into another's war or crisis. Replacing "intervention" with "intention", "perfection", or "invention" in those contexts would produce nonsense, confirming that "intervention" is the correct word here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Intention" is wrong because it refers to a mental state or plan, not the act of entering a conflict. "Perfection" is wrong because it has nothing to do with war or involvement; it means flawlessness. "Invention" is wrong because it refers to creating new devices, ideas, or processes, not joining another country's war. Common Pitfalls: A common trap is to choose a word that only vaguely fits the grammar but not the meaning, especially when the words share the suffix "-tion". Students might pick "intention" because it sounds formal; however, good vocabulary skills require matching collocations, not just forms. Always check if the word you choose actually appears in similar real-life contexts. Final Answer: The correct word is intervention, giving "Our nation's intervention into another country's war could pull us into the crisis."

Question 7

In the following sentence, the blank is to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four options: "As a fitness ___________, Deepti is always preaching to her friends about the importance of working out."

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Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question checks your understanding of related word forms and how they fit into sentence structure. The sentence describes Deepti as someone who cares a lot about fitness and talks about it often. The blank follows the phrase "As a fitness _________," which gives a strong clue that the missing word should be a noun describing a person. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: "As a fitness ___________, Deepti is always preaching to her friends about the importance of working out." Options: enthusiasm, enthusiast, enthusiastic, enthusiastically. The article "a" before the blank ("a fitness ...") signals that the blank should be a singular countable noun. We assume that Deepti is a person who strongly likes fitness. Concept / Approach: The correct choice must be a noun that refers to a person with a strong interest in fitness. "Enthusiast" is exactly such a noun; it means someone who is highly interested in or devoted to a particular activity or subject. "Enthusiasm" is a noun but names the feeling itself, not the person. "Enthusiastic" is an adjective, and "enthusiastically" is an adverb, neither of which can be used directly after "a fitness" in this structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Notice the article "a" before the blank: "As a fitness _________". This requires a singular countable noun referring to a person or role. Step 2: Examine "enthusiasm": this is a noun, but it refers to the feeling of excitement, not the person who feels it, so "a fitness enthusiasm" is incorrect. Step 3: Examine "enthusiast": this is a noun meaning a person who is very interested in a particular subject, such as a music enthusiast or a sports enthusiast. Step 4: Insert "enthusiast" into the sentence: "As a fitness enthusiast, Deepti is always preaching to her friends about the importance of working out." This is natural and grammatically correct. Step 5: Examine "enthusiastic": this is an adjective and cannot directly follow "a fitness" in this way; we would say "an enthusiastic fitness trainer" instead. Step 6: Examine "enthusiastically": this is an adverb and is completely unsuitable after the article "a". Step 7: Conclude that "enthusiast" is the only option that fits both grammar and meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Consider similar patterns: "As a music enthusiast, he attends every concert," or "As a technology enthusiast, she reads gadget blogs daily." In each case, "enthusiast" refers to the person with a strong interest. Replacing "enthusiast" with "enthusiasm", "enthusiastic", or "enthusiastically" in those sentences would be ungrammatical. This confirms that "fitness enthusiast" is the correct and idiomatic phrase in the question sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Enthusiasm" is wrong because the sentence needs a person, not a feeling. "Enthusiastic" is wrong because it is an adjective and does not fit after "a fitness" without a following noun. "Enthusiastically" is wrong because it is an adverb, which cannot fill a noun slot. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus only on the topic word "fitness" and quickly choose "enthusiasm" because they recognise it as being related to strong interest. However, ignoring the article "a" leads to grammatical errors. Always use the surrounding grammar clues (articles, prepositions, pronouns) to determine whether the missing word must be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. Final Answer: The correct word is enthusiast, giving "As a fitness enthusiast, Deepti is always preaching to her friends about the importance of working out."

Question 8

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is similar in meaning to the adjective "phonetic", i.e., relating to speech sounds.

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Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for a word similar in meaning to "phonetic". In linguistics and language study, "phonetic" relates to speech sounds and the way they are produced, transmitted, and heard. It is connected to pronunciation and spoken language, not silence or lack of speech. The correct synonym must reflect this relationship to sound and speaking. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "phonetic". Options: Mute, Reticent, Silent, Spoken. We focus on the general sense of phonetic as "relating to speech sounds" or "related to pronunciation". The correct answer will be associated with speaking rather than silence. Concept / Approach: "Phonetic" comes from the Greek root "phone", meaning sound or voice. It is used in phrases like "phonetic alphabet", "phonetic transcription", and "phonetic spelling", all of which refer to how words are pronounced or spoken. Among the options given, "Spoken" is the only word that directly connects to speech and oral language. "Mute", "Reticent", and "Silent" are all associated with not speaking or speaking very little, which is the opposite direction. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "phonetic" is used in contexts such as "phonetic symbols", "phonetic script", and "phonetic representation" to describe how words sound when spoken. Step 2: Examine "Spoken". This adjective directly refers to things that are said aloud, such as "spoken language" or "spoken words". It links naturally to pronunciation and sound. Step 3: Substitute "Spoken" as a near synonym: both "phonetic description" and "spoken description" have to do with oral sound rather than written form. Step 4: Examine "Mute". This word means unable to speak or choosing not to speak, which is associated with silence, not sound. Step 5: Examine "Reticent". This means reserved or not inclined to talk much; again, it suggests limited speech rather than focus on sound. Step 6: Examine "Silent". This means making no sound or not speaking, which is the opposite of an emphasis on speech sounds. Step 7: Conclude that "Spoken" is the only option that shares the core idea of speech and sound with "phonetic". Verification / Alternative check: Compare usage: "phonetic language teaching" focuses on how words are spoken; "spoken language teaching" also emphasises oral communication. Both share the idea of speech sounds. On the other hand, phrases like "mute language" or "silent teaching" would mean something completely different and are not standard collocations in this context. This confirms that "Spoken" is the closest match to "phonetic" among the given choices. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Mute" is wrong because it describes lack of speech, not attention to sound. "Reticent" is wrong because it refers to a person's unwillingness to speak freely, not to the nature of speech sounds. "Silent" is wrong because it indicates absence of sound, whereas "phonetic" explicitly concerns the presence and qualities of speech sounds. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to overfocus on the exam's emphasis on "opposite" questions and wrongly assume that "phonetic" must be related to silence. Another pitfall is not recalling the root "phon-" (sound), which appears in other words like "telephone" and "symphony". Recognising roots helps you quickly see that "phonetic" must be about sound and that "Spoken" is therefore the best match. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to "phonetic" is Spoken.

Question 9

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is similar in meaning to the phrasal verb "to astound", meaning to greatly surprise or amaze someone.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for a word or phrase similar in meaning to "to astound". The verb "astound" means to shock or greatly surprise someone, often leaving them amazed or at a loss for words. The correct option will express a strong effect on the mind, not calmness or peace. Recognising the emotional intensity of "astound" is key to choosing the right synonym. Given Data / Assumptions: Target phrase: "To astound". Options: To Bewilder, To Tranquil, To Placid, To Serene. We assume standard meanings: astound = amaze or greatly surprise. The correct choice should indicate a strong mental impact, such as confusion, amazement, or shock. Concept / Approach: "To astound" and "to bewilder" both describe strong mental reactions. "To astound" means to fill someone with sudden wonder or surprise; "to bewilder" means to confuse or puzzle completely, often as a reaction to something unexpected. While not perfectly identical, "to bewilder" is much closer in intensity and effect than verbs associated with calmness. The other options are derived from adjectives "tranquil", "placid", and "serene", all of which are connected to peace and calm, the opposite of being astounded. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Define "to astound": to greatly surprise or amaze, sometimes to the point of leaving someone briefly confused or speechless. Step 2: Examine "To Bewilder." This means to confuse someone deeply, often because something is surprising or hard to understand. It suggests a strong mental impact. Step 3: Observe that both "to astound" and "to bewilder" involve a powerful reaction to something unexpected or extraordinary. Step 4: Examine "To Tranquil." This is incorrect because "tranquil" is an adjective meaning calm or peaceful; "to tranquil" is not standard usage as a verb. Step 5: Examine "To Placid." "Placid" is an adjective meaning calm or undisturbed; again, "to placid" is not a standard verb and suggests calmness, not amazement. Step 6: Examine "To Serene." "Serene" is another adjective meaning calm and peaceful; "to serene" is not a normal verb form and is conceptually opposite to surprise or shock. Step 7: Conclude that "To Bewilder" is the best available equivalent to "To Astound" among the given options. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences: "The news of their sudden victory astounded everyone," and "The news of their sudden victory bewildered everyone." In both cases, people are left mentally shaken or confused by unexpected information. By contrast, "The news tranquil everyone" or "The news placid everyone" do not exist in English and, even if forced, would suggest calmness, which opposes the meaning of "astound". This shows that "To Bewilder" is the only sensible choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To Tranquil", "To Placid", and "To Serene" are all based on adjectives that describe peaceful, calm states. None of these words, even in their correct forms "tranquil", "placid", or "serene", convey the idea of shock, amazement, or confusion. They move in the opposite emotional direction from "astound". Common Pitfalls: Some students may hesitate to choose "To Bewilder" because they think bewilder only means confused, not amazed. However, in many contexts, people are bewildered because something is so astonishing or unexpected that their mind cannot immediately process it—very similar to being astounded. Another pitfall is assuming that all answer options are correctly formed verbs; here, only "To Bewilder" corresponds to a normal verb, and that itself is a clue. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to "To Astound" is To Bewilder.

Question 10

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is opposite in meaning to the word "disdain", meaning contempt or lack of respect.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question checks your understanding of the word "disdain" and your ability to pick its opposite. "Disdain" is a strong negative feeling meaning contempt, scorn, or a sense that someone or something is unworthy of respect. The correct antonym must express a positive attitude of respect or approval, not another form of dislike or contempt. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "Disdain". Options: Antipathy, Admiration, Derision, Scorn. We assume standard dictionary meanings: disdain = to regard with contempt, to look down on. The correct answer must be positive in tone, showing respect or high regard, not another negative feeling. Concept / Approach: "Disdain" implies strong dislike combined with a sense of superiority. The opposite of that attitude is admiration, which involves respect, approval, and sometimes even affection. "Antipathy", "derision", and "scorn" are all different forms of hostility or contempt, which are close in meaning to "disdain", not opposites. Therefore, "Admiration" is the only option that clearly reverses the emotional direction of "disdain". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Define "disdain": a feeling that someone or something is unworthy of one's consideration or respect; contempt. Step 2: Examine "Admiration": this means respect, warm approval, and often appreciation of someone's qualities. Step 3: Recognise that admiration and disdain lie on opposite ends of a spectrum of evaluation: one is positive respect, the other is negative contempt. Step 4: Examine "Antipathy": this means a deep seated feeling of dislike, which is similar in negativity to disdain. Step 5: Examine "Derision": this means mockery or ridicule, again related to scorn and very close to disdain. Step 6: Examine "Scorn": this is almost a direct synonym of disdain, meaning contempt or the feeling that someone is worthless. Step 7: Conclude that "Admiration" is the only option that expresses the opposite attitude. Verification / Alternative check: Use the words in opposite sentences: "She regarded him with disdain," versus "She regarded him with admiration." These sentences clearly oppose each other in meaning: one shows contempt, the other shows respect. If you substitute "antipathy", "derision", or "scorn" into the second sentence, you still get negative feelings, not an opposite. This confirms that "Admiration" is the correct antonym for "Disdain". Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Antipathy" is wrong because it describes strong dislike, not respect. "Derision" is wrong because it means mockery and is another way of expressing contempt. "Scorn" is wrong because it is essentially a synonym of disdain, not its opposite. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes mistakenly choose "antipathy" as an opposite because they confuse the question type and look for a synonym rather than an antonym. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the emotional direction (positive versus negative) of the options. When you see words like "admiration" among a group of negative nouns, that contrast is a strong hint that it is the required antonym for a word like "disdain". Final Answer: The antonym of "Disdain" is Admiration.

Question 11

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is opposite in meaning to the word "canonical", meaning standard, accepted, or officially recognised.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question focuses on the word "canonical". In many contexts, "canonical" means conforming to a general rule, standard, or accepted body of work, such as canonical texts in literature or canonical laws in religion. It suggests something officially recognised or orthodox. Therefore, the antonym must express deviation from accepted standards or lack of official approval. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "Canonical". Options: Approved, Official, Sanctioned, Unorthodox. We assume the sense "conforming to accepted rules or standards" rather than any highly technical mathematical usage. The correct antonym must express non standard, unconventional, or not officially accepted. Concept / Approach: "Canonical" and "orthodox" are closely related: both refer to what is generally accepted as correct or authoritative. The opposite of orthodox is unorthodox: ideas or practices that deviate from established norms. Among the options, "Unorthodox" directly captures this opposite meaning. "Approved", "Official", and "Sanctioned" all reinforce the idea of being accepted and authorised, which is similar to "canonical", not opposite. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand "canonical" as "officially recognised, standard, or authorised," as in "canonical works of literature" or "canonical law." Step 2: Examine "Unorthodox." This adjective means not conforming to traditional or established beliefs, customs, or rules, describing something unconventional or non standard. Step 3: Recognise that an unorthodox idea is precisely what would not be part of the "canonical" set of approved ideas or works. Step 4: Examine "Approved." This implies authorised or accepted, which is similar in meaning to canonical, not opposite. Step 5: Examine "Official." This too means formally approved or recognised by authority, again aligning with canonical. Step 6: Examine "Sanctioned." This means officially permitted or authorised, again close in meaning to canonical. Step 7: Conclude that only "Unorthodox" stands in clear opposition to "Canonical". Verification / Alternative check: Consider contrasting sentences: "This is a canonical interpretation of the text" versus "This is an unorthodox interpretation of the text." The first suggests a standard, widely accepted reading; the second suggests a non standard, unusual reading. Similarly, canonical religious practices are officially accepted; unorthodox practices deviate from them. This parallel confirms that "Unorthodox" is the antonym you need. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Approved" is wrong because it reinforces the sense of being authorised or accepted, just like canonical. "Official" is wrong because it also suggests being formally recognised by an authority. "Sanctioned" is wrong for the same reason, in its common sense of being permitted or authorised. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to forget that the question is asking for an opposite and to choose a word that looks similar in tone, such as "Official" or "Sanctioned". Another pitfall is not understanding the link between "canonical" and "orthodox". Remember that "Unorthodox" literally means "not orthodox", making it a natural opposite for any word that suggests conformity to accepted standards, including "canonical". Final Answer: The antonym of "Canonical" is Unorthodox.

Question 12

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom "It goes without saying".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom question asks you to interpret the phrase "It goes without saying." Native speakers use this expression when a fact is so obvious or well known that it does not really need to be stated, although they then state it anyway for emphasis. The correct option must capture this sense of obviousness or self evidence, not silence or suffering. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "It goes without saying." Options: To silently bear the injustice. Something which is implied to be obvious. There is no point in doing something after you are told to do it. Break long relationship with someone. The idiom is commonly followed by a statement: "It goes without saying that..." The focus is on the fact that the statement is almost unnecessary because everyone already knows it. Concept / Approach: "It goes without saying" literally suggests that something can "go" (be accepted or understood) even without being said. Figuratively, it means that what follows is so obvious that it need not be mentioned. Among the options, only "Something which is implied to be obvious" matches this interpretation. The other choices relate to injustice, lateness in acting, or ending relationships, none of which are linked to obviousness or common knowledge. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall typical usage: "It goes without saying that we all want peace," or "It goes without saying that parents care for their children." Step 2: Notice that in these cases, the speaker is referring to facts that are generally assumed and widely accepted. Step 3: Examine option "Something which is implied to be obvious." This directly describes a statement that is taken for granted or understood without needing explanation. Step 4: Examine "To silently bear the injustice." This refers to not complaining about unfair treatment, which is unrelated to the idea of something being obvious. Step 5: Examine "There is no point in doing something after you are told to do it." This sounds more like the idea behind "don't shut the stable door after the horse has bolted" and is not the meaning of the given idiom. Step 6: Examine "Break long relationship with someone." This suggests ending a relationship, again completely unrelated to obviousness. Step 7: Conclude that the only accurate interpretation is "Something which is implied to be obvious." Verification / Alternative check: Substitute the long meaning into typical sentences: "It goes without saying that honesty is important" becomes "It is obvious (and almost does not need to be said) that honesty is important." This fits perfectly. Trying to insert the other options—such as "It silently bears the injustice that honesty is important"—would make no sense. This confirms that the idiom is about obvious truths, not about endurance or delayed action. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To silently bear the injustice" is wrong because the idiom does not concern suffering or keeping quiet about unfairness. "There is no point in doing something after you are told to do it" is wrong because it does not relate to obviousness; it describes a different proverb-like idea. "Break long relationship with someone" is wrong because it describes ending relationships, which has no connection with the phrasing "goes without saying." Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes over interpret idioms, looking for dramatic or emotional meanings where none exist. Another pitfall is ignoring how the idiom is used in real sentences and instead guessing based on a literal reading of individual words. To avoid this, always think of one or two example sentences you have heard or can imagine, and see which option best fits those examples. Final Answer: "It goes without saying" means something which is implied to be obvious.

Question 13

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom "to let someone off".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom question explores the phrase "to let someone off". In everyday English, this expression is commonly used in legal, disciplinary, or informal contexts where someone is excused from punishment, blame, or a duty. The correct option must capture the idea of excusing or freeing someone from negative consequences, not physically dropping them or ignoring their situation. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "to let someone off". Options: To let someone fall. To leave someone in his present state. To release someone from blame. To refuse to answer. We often see this idiom in sentences like "The teacher let him off with a warning." The core idea involves not punishing someone as severely as expected or not punishing at all. Concept / Approach: "To let someone off" usually appears in constructions such as "let someone off the hook", "let someone off lightly", or simply "let someone off". In all of these, the central meaning is to excuse someone from blame, obligation, or punishment. Among the answer choices, "To release someone from blame" directly captures this sense. The other options either describe unrelated physical actions or ambiguous situations that do not involve excusing someone. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall common usage: "The judge let him off with a small fine" or "They decided to let her off this time because it was her first mistake." Step 2: Notice that in these examples, the person is escaping serious punishment or blame. Step 3: Examine "To release someone from blame." This exactly matches the idea of excusing someone so that they are no longer held responsible. Step 4: Examine "To let someone fall." This is a physical image of dropping or failing to support someone and does not convey excusing them from blame. Step 5: Examine "To leave someone in his present state." This is too vague and generic; it does not necessarily imply removing punishment or responsibility. Step 6: Examine "To refuse to answer." This idiom would apply to a different phrase such as "to pass on a question", not "to let someone off". Step 7: Conclude that "To release someone from blame" is the best interpretation of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase common sentences: "The police let him off" can be restated as "The police released him from blame or punishment." "She was let off with a warning" means "She did not receive serious punishment; she was excused." Trying to restate these with the other options—"let him fall", "left him in his present state", "refused to answer"—would distort the meaning and fail to capture the intended idea. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To let someone fall" is wrong because it describes a physical action or failure to support someone, not excusing them. "To leave someone in his present state" is wrong because it says nothing specifically about blame or punishment; it could apply to many neutral situations. "To refuse to answer" is wrong because it relates to questions or inquiries, not to releasing people from responsibility. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes confuse "let someone off" with "let someone down" (to disappoint) or with literal physical meanings of "off". Another pitfall is choosing a vague option like "leave someone in his present state" simply because it seems harmless, but idioms usually have more specific meanings. Always think of a concrete sentence where the idiom is used and see which option fits that context. Final Answer: "To let someone off" means to release someone from blame.

Question 14

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom "to let someone off".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a repeat idiom question on the phrase "to let someone off". It again tests whether you understand that this expression refers to excusing someone from punishment, blame, or a duty. The meaning does not change with repetition; what matters is choosing the option that best captures this idea of being spared from consequences. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "to let someone off". Options: To let someone fall. To leave someone in his present state. To release someone from blame. To refuse to answer. Typical usage: "The teacher let the student off this time" or "They let him off with a warning." We focus on the idea of being excused from negative outcomes. Concept / Approach: In phrases like "let someone off the hook" and "let someone off lightly", the verb "let off" clearly points to sparing someone from punishment or serious consequences. The answer choice "To release someone from blame" directly expresses this meaning. The other options do not refer to punishment or responsibility at all, so they cannot be correct interpretations of this idiom. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "to let someone off" is usually used when someone has done something wrong or broken a rule but is not punished severely. Step 2: Consider "To release someone from blame." This phrase means to free someone from responsibility or guilt, aligning perfectly with being "let off." Step 3: Consider "To let someone fall." This would refer to a physical act of dropping someone or failing to support them, not to excusing them from punishment. Step 4: Consider "To leave someone in his present state." This is vague and does not imply forgiveness or removal of consequences. Step 5: Consider "To refuse to answer." This relates to avoiding a question, not to letting a person escape blame. Step 6: Conclude that "To release someone from blame" is the only option that matches how the idiom is used in real-life contexts. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: "The judge decided to let the young offender off" can be rewritten as "The judge decided to release the young offender from blame or severe punishment." Similar paraphrases work for school or workplace examples. None of the other answer options can substitute without changing the meaning drastically, which confirms the chosen interpretation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To let someone fall" is wrong because it describes physical movement, not moral or legal responsibility. "To leave someone in his present state" is wrong because it says nothing about blame or punishment. "To refuse to answer" is wrong because it relates to avoiding questions, which is a different concept altogether. Common Pitfalls: Repeated questions like this can tempt students to second guess themselves and look for a different answer the second time. However, idioms have stable meanings, and you should confidently choose the same correct interpretation whenever the expression appears. Do not be misled by unfamiliar wording in distractor options; always rely on how the phrase is actually used in sentences you know. Final Answer: "To let someone off" means to release someone from blame.

Question 15

In the following question, select the alternative that best improves the bracketed verb phrase so that the sentence becomes grammatically correct. If no improvement is required, choose "no improvement". Maybe they (has had) a fight.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of tense and subject verb agreement in a sentence that expresses a possible action in the recent past. Competitive English examinations frequently include such items where you must select the option that makes the sentence natural, idiomatic, and grammatically correct in Standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: Maybe they (has had) a fight. The words inside brackets must be replaced with a correct verb phrase. The subject is plural (they). The sentence describes a possible past action that may have been in progress. Concept / Approach: The word "maybe" introduces a speculation. When we speculate about what was going on at a particular time in the past, English commonly uses the past continuous tense (were having) after "maybe," especially for ongoing actions like having a fight, talking, or arguing. The verb phrase must agree with the plural subject "they." Therefore, the auxiliary "were" should be used, not "was" or "has." The form "has had" also sounds awkward here because it is a present perfect form with a singular auxiliary that does not agree with the plural subject. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject: "they" (plural). Step 2: Decide on an appropriate tense to show a possible ongoing past action: past continuous. Step 3: Form the past continuous for a plural subject: "were" + present participle "having." Step 4: Insert the new verb phrase into the sentence: "Maybe they were having a fight." Step 5: Check that the sentence now sounds natural and grammatically correct. Verification / Alternative check: If we try the other tenses, such as "have had" or "had had," the sentence still may be understandable, but the exam pattern here focuses on the clearly natural choice. "Maybe they were having a fight" neatly expresses a temporary, ongoing event that the speaker is guessing about, which matches the typical usage in everyday English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: were had: This is not a valid English construction. "Were had" does not form any standard tense. was having: The auxiliary "was" is singular and does not agree with the plural subject "they." no improvement: The original phrase "has had" is wrong because "has" is singular and does not agree with "they." It also does not fit the intended ongoing past meaning. Common Pitfalls: Students often focus only on tense and forget subject verb agreement. Others overuse the present perfect tense ("has had" or "have had") where a simple continuous form would be more natural. Another common mistake is to choose "was having" simply because it sounds familiar, without noticing that the subject is plural. Final Answer: The correct improvement of the bracketed verb phrase is were having, making the complete sentence: Maybe they were having a fight.

Question 16

In the following question, select the alternative that best improves the bracketed verb form so that the sentence becomes grammatically correct and natural. If no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". We would not want them to think we (do…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of tense and auxiliary verb usage in reported thought or opinion. The structure "We would not want them to think" introduces an imagined or hypothetical situation, followed by a clause that must be grammatically complete and consistent in tense and number. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: We would not want them to think we (doing) anything immoral. The bracketed word must be replaced by a correct verb form. The subject of the clause is "we," which is plural. The clause describes an ongoing action that the speaker denies. Concept / Approach: After the verb "think," we usually need a full clause with subject and finite verb. Here, "we doing" is not a complete clause; it lacks the auxiliary verb. To describe an action in progress in this type of structure, English uses the past continuous or present continuous depending on viewpoint. Because the main clause uses "would not want," it is natural and idiomatic to pair it with "were doing" as a notional past continuous form that fits the hypothetical perspective and plural subject "we." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the clause after "think": "we … anything immoral." Step 2: Recognise that "doing" alone is incomplete and needs an auxiliary verb. Step 3: Match the auxiliary with the plural subject "we," so prefer "were" rather than "was." Step 4: Use the continuous form "were doing" to show an ongoing action that is being denied. Step 5: The final clause becomes "we were doing anything immoral." Verification / Alternative check: If we attempt "we was doing," this fails subject verb agreement rules. If we try "we done," that gives a past participle without an auxiliary and changes the aspect from continuous to perfect, which does not fit the structure well. Therefore, "were doing" is the most accurate and natural form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: was doing: The auxiliary "was" is singular and cannot agree with the plural subject "we." done: This is a past participle and does not form a proper clause after "we"; it should be part of a perfect structure such as "have done." no improvement: Leaving the verb as just "doing" gives a non finite form without an auxiliary, which is ungrammatical in this context. Common Pitfalls: Learners often forget that "we" always requires plural agreement ("were") and may mistakenly choose "was" due to its common use in informal speech. Another error is to remove the auxiliary altogether and leave only an -ing form, which is incorrect after verbs like "think" that require a full finite clause. Final Answer: The correct improvement of the bracketed part is were doing, giving the sentence: We would not want them to think we were doing anything immoral.

Question 17

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one word substitute for the given expression. Excessively lengthy speech that uses far too many words.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for a one word substitute that captures the idea of an excessively lengthy speech. Such questions test not only your knowledge of dictionary meanings but also your sensitivity to connotation, that is, whether a word carries a positive, neutral, or negative shade of meaning in real usage. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase provided is: excessively lengthy speech. Four alternatives are given: Concision, Verbiage, Curt, Succinct. Only one option should match the idea of unnecessary wordiness. The context is general English vocabulary used in exams. Concept / Approach: To answer this, you must know which word specifically refers to the use of too many words, often in a negative sense. The term that describes speech or writing that contains an overabundance of words, especially unnecessary ones, is "verbiage." It refers to excessive or meaningless wordiness. The other options suggest brevity or shortness, which is the opposite of what is described in the phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key idea in the phrase: "excessively lengthy" means too long and wordy. Step 2: Recall that "verbiage" means excessive use of words or a lot of unnecessary wording. Step 3: Check whether "verbiage" applies to speech. It does; it can describe both speech and writing. Step 4: Compare the remaining words and see that they all indicate brevity, not lengthiness. Step 5: Conclude that "Verbiage" is the only option that matches the given phrase. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the meaning of "verbiage" by remembering common exam collocations such as "legal verbiage" or "needless verbiage," which point to long, complicated, and wordy language. In contrast, exam questions describing short or concise speech would use words like "succinct" or "curt." Therefore, there is no real competitor to "verbiage" among the options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Concision: This means brevity or the quality of expressing much in few words, which is the opposite of an excessively lengthy speech. Curt: This means rudely brief or abrupt in speech, again indicating shortness, not length. Succinct: This means clearly and briefly expressed, concise and to the point, which also opposes the idea of excessive length. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse "verbiage" with "verbal" or "verbatim" because all three begin with "verb." However, "verbiage" is specifically about wordy language. Another mistake is to pick "curt" due to a vague association with bad manners in speech, but that word describes very few words, not many. Always focus on whether the word suggests length or brevity. Final Answer: The best one word substitute for "excessively lengthy speech" is Verbiage.

Question 18

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one word substitute for the given description. An ornamented staff carried by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks knowledge of one word substitutes related to symbols of power and royalty. Rulers often use particular objects during ceremonies to represent authority, and the English language has precise words for these items. Knowing such terms is helpful for history, literature, and general vocabulary questions. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase is: an ornamented staff carried by rulers on ceremonial occasions as a symbol of sovereignty. Options are: Spectacle, Receptacle, Sceptre, Zephyr. We must choose the single word that exactly matches this description. Concept / Approach: In monarchies and other traditional systems, kings and queens carry a special staff or rod during coronations and other ceremonies. That decorated rod symbolising royal authority is called a "sceptre." It is a well known term in political and literary contexts. The other words in the list either relate to containers, visual displays, or wind and have nothing to do with royal staffs. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on key ideas: "ornamented staff," "carried by rulers," and "symbol of sovereignty." Step 2: Recall the standard term from history and literature for such an object, which is "sceptre." Step 3: Check that a sceptre is indeed a ceremonial staff and not just any stick or weapon. Step 4: Compare with the other options to ensure they do not fit the description. Step 5: Conclude that "Sceptre" is the only accurate match. Verification / Alternative check: In many descriptions of coronations, both crown and sceptre are mentioned together as the key symbols of monarchy. Phrases like "the crown and sceptre of the king" clearly show that the sceptre is an object of authority. None of the other words are ever used in that way, which confirms the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Spectacle: This means an impressive or striking display that people watch, not a physical staff. Receptacle: This means a container or vessel used to hold or store things, not a symbol of sovereignty. Zephyr: This means a gentle breeze or light wind, especially from the west, and has no link to royal insignia. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose a word because it sounds sophisticated without recalling its exact meaning. Another mistake is to confuse "sceptre" with "spectre," which refers to a ghost. Carefully reading the description and connecting it to known historical imagery of kings and queens helps prevent such confusion. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute for the given description is Sceptre.

Question 19

In the following question, four spellings of the same word are given, out of which only one spelling is correct. Select the correctly spelt word that refers to a bruise or injury caused by a blow.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling questions test your familiarity with standard English orthography, especially for words that are common in medical, legal, or formal contexts. The word here refers to a bruise or injury produced by a blow, usually without a break in the skin. Such vocabulary appears in reports, news articles, and examinations. Given Data / Assumptions: All four options are variations of the same target word. The intended meaning is a bruise or injury caused by impact. Only one option uses the standard spelling accepted in dictionaries. Concept / Approach: The correct word is "contusion." It is derived from Latin and is widely used in medical descriptions. The key points in its spelling are the initial "con," the middle "tu," and the final "sion." Any deviation that changes vowels or consonants at these positions will no longer match the correct word in English. Spelling questions often present slight variations that look similar in order to test careful visual recognition. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the standard term for a bruise without a cut: "contusion." Step 2: Check each option against this memory: C o n t u s i o n. Step 3: See that option A, "Contusion," exactly matches this pattern. Step 4: Observe that the other options change either the vowel order or replace letters, which makes them incorrect spellings. Step 5: Select option A as the correctly spelt word. Verification / Alternative check: If you look at uses of this word in medical reports or sports injury summaries, you will see sentences such as "The player suffered a contusion on his knee." None of the variant spellings shown in the other options occur in formal writing. This real world verification supports the choice of "Contusion." Why Other Options Are Wrong: Contution: The letters after "t" are incorrect. The correct sequence is "tus," not "tut." Cuntusion: The second letter should be "o," not "u," so the beginning "cun" is wrong. Cuntution: This option contains two errors at once: "cun" instead of "con" and "tution" instead of "tusion." Common Pitfalls: A frequent problem in spelling questions is that test takers read too quickly and pick a word that looks familiar at first glance. Others rely on pronunciation alone, which can be misleading because many English words are not spelled exactly as they sound. Training your eye to notice each letter in sequence is essential for scoring well in spelling based items. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word meaning a bruise or injury caused by a blow is Contusion.

Question 20

In the following question, four spellings of the same word are given, out of which only one spelling is correct. Select the correctly spelt plural noun for curved swords used in battle.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your ability to recognise the standard spelling of a relatively less common English word that appears in history, fantasy literature, and descriptions of weapons. The word refers to a type of curved sword commonly associated with Middle Eastern or Asian warriors. Given Data / Assumptions: The word required is the plural of a curved sword, pronounced approximately "sim i tars." Four close looking variants are presented. Only one matches the correct English spelling used in standard dictionaries. Concept / Approach: The correct spelling is "scimitars." Important elements in this spelling are the initial "sci," the middle "mi," and the final "tars." Spelling questions often alter one vowel or consonant to create confusion. Recognising the "sci" cluster at the beginning and the "tar" part near the end helps fix the correct form in memory. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the standard singular form is "scimitar" and the plural is "scimitars." Step 2: Compare each option with this pattern. Step 3: Option B, "Scimitars," matches the remembered spelling exactly: S C I M I T A R S. Step 4: Notice that the other options misuse vowels or rearrange letters, which makes them incorrect. Step 5: Choose option B as the correct spelling. Verification / Alternative check: You may have seen this word in sentences such as "The warriors drew their scimitars" or in fantasy games where weapons are listed. These uses always follow the same spelling pattern. None of the altered versions in the other options appear in recognised reference works, which confirms that "Scimitars" is the only acceptable spelling here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Scemitars: The second letter is "c," but the third letter should be "i," not "e," so the opening "sce" is incorrect. Scimetars: This replaces the sequence "itar" with "etar," disturbing the correct vowel pattern before the final consonants. Scemetars: This combines the earlier errors, using "sce" instead of "sci" and "etar" instead of "itar." Common Pitfalls: Students may rely on approximate sound and guess that any of the similar looking forms is acceptable. Another trap is to focus only on the first and last letters while ignoring the interior pattern "imi," which is distinctive. For spelling items, always trace the entire word from beginning to end, checking each vowel and consonant in order. Final Answer: The correctly spelt plural noun for the curved swords described is Scimitars.

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