Question 1

Reading comprehension: read the passage carefully and then answer the question that follows. To know language is to be able to speak it; even a child who does not yet attend school can speak his or her language. In order to speak a language it is im…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is another detail based item from the same passage. It checks your ability to recall exactly what the author says about the earliest language related activity of a child, starting from birth. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage discusses various stages: listening, speaking, understanding, reading, and writing. Near the end, the author describes what a baby does from birth and even before birth. The sentence of interest says that the baby has been listening ever since it was born, and even a little before that. The question asks what the child has been doing ever since it was born. Options include speaking, reading, walking, and listening. Concept / Approach: The key skill for this question is precise reading. You should not guess based on general knowledge of child development. The author clearly indicates listening as the continuous activity from birth onward. Other activities such as speaking, reading, and walking are shown to occur later in the child's life. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate the lines in the passage that describe a baby's timeline. Step 2: Note the information: the baby does not speak until nine months and understands a few words at six months. Step 3: Focus on the sentence: It has been listening ever since it was born, and even a little before that. Step 4: Conclude that listening is the activity the author highlights as happening from birth. Verification / Alternative check: Check each option against the passage. Speaking is explicitly denied until nine months. Reading and walking are not mentioned as activities from birth at all. Only listening is directly stated as continuous from birth and slightly earlier. Therefore listening must be the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: speaking: The passage clearly states that the baby does not speak until nine months. reading: Reading is a later skill that the child acquires after speaking, and it is not associated with birth. walking: Although the passage compares learning to walk and talk, it does not say that walking begins from birth. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to choose speaking because the passage focuses on speaking as knowing a language. However, the author carefully distinguishes between listening, understanding, and speaking. Another error is not revisiting the relevant lines and relying on memory, which may mix up the sequence of skills. Final Answer: Correct option: listening.

Question 2

Reading comprehension: read the passage carefully and then answer the question that follows. To know language is to be able to speak it; even a child who does not yet attend school can speak his or her language. In order to speak a language it is im…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your ability to capture the author's main idea about what it means to truly know a language. The passage describes different skills such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and then gives a specific statement summarising the core requirement. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage states that to know language is to be able to speak it. It emphasises that a child speaks a language even before going to school. It adds that to know a language is first of all to be able to speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child does. The question asks what one must be able to do in order to know a language. Options mention speaking, reading, writing quickly, and singing. Concept / Approach: To answer this, you should identify the author's explicit definition or summary in the passage. The sentence that begins To know a language then is first of all to be able to speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child does directly answers the question. This is more specific than a simple mention of speaking and connects knowledge of language to natural, effortless speech. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Look for sentences starting with To know a language in the passage. Step 2: Read the full statement that explains this idea. Step 3: Note the exact condition: to be able to speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child. Step 4: Choose the option that repeats this meaning most accurately. Verification / Alternative check: Although reading and writing are important, the passage clearly says that speaking comes first, and one can even speak without being able to read or write. Therefore, any option that focuses on reading well, writing quickly, or singing does not match the author's definition of knowing a language. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Read it well all the time: Reading is mentioned as a later skill, not the primary definition of knowing a language. Write it quickly: Speed in writing is never used in the passage as a measure of language knowledge. Sing in the language: Singing is not discussed and is not central to language knowledge. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to equate knowing a language with academic skills like reading and writing, because school learning often focuses on them. However the passage highlights natural spoken fluency as the first and most basic sign of knowing a language, using the example of a three year old child. Final Answer: Correct option: Speak it as easily and naturally as a three year old child.

Question 3

Spelling: four words are given, out of which only one word is spelt correctly. Choose the correctly spelt word.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests spelling of a commonly confused word in English, especially in its British form. Competitive exams often include such questions to check whether candidates can recognise the correct pattern of vowels and consonants in tricky words. Given Data / Assumptions: The word tested is manoeuvre, which can function as both a noun and a verb. Four different spellings are given, only one of which is correct. You are not required to know the meaning in detail, only the correct form. The options vary mainly in the order of vowels and the final letters. Concept / Approach: The correct British spelling is manoeuvre, with the sequence m a n o e u v r e. It comes from French manoeuvre. Many wrong versions try to rearrange the vowels, for example by swapping o and e, adding extra letters, or changing the final structure. By remembering the pattern mano pluseuvre, you can recall the correct form more easily. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Look at each option slowly and observe the sequence of vowels a, o, e, u and consonants n, v, r. Step 2: Recall or check if you have seen the spelling manoeuvre in books, news articles, or instructions like military manoeuvre. Step 3: Compare that remembered form with the given options and match it to Manoeuvre. Step 4: Reject all other spellings that disturb this sequence. Verification / Alternative check: You can also think of the American variant maneuver, which omits the o and simplifies the spelling. In British and many exam contexts, Manoeuvre is the standard form. This helps confirm that options with extra letters or different vowel orders are incorrect. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Manauvre: Has the vowel order a u instead of o e u, which does not match the recognised spelling. Maneauvre: Misplaces the vowels and creates an unfamiliar pattern. Meneauver: Changes both vowels and consonants, and does not correspond to any standard variant. Common Pitfalls: Many learners panic when they see foreign looking spellings and choose the one that looks most simple, even if it is wrong. Others rely on the American version and try to adapt it incorrectly. The best habit is to read widely and notice spellings of such words in authentic texts, so that in the exam the correct form feels familiar to your eye. Final Answer: Correct option: Manoeuvre.

Question 4

Antonym: in the following question, choose the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word. GRACEFUL

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks for the antonym of graceful. Vocabulary questions on antonyms test both your knowledge of word meanings and your ability to distinguish subtle differences between related words. You must find the option that most strongly contrasts with the idea of graceful movement or behaviour. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: graceful. Options: AWKWARD, ELEGANT, GRACIOUS, UGLY. Graceful usually refers to smooth, pleasing, and well balanced movement, or to a pleasing style. You need the opposite quality in usual English usage. Concept / Approach: Graceful is often used for movement that is smooth and well coordinated, like a graceful dancer or a graceful gesture. The opposite idea is clumsy, uncoordinated movement, for which awkward is the standard adjective. UGLY deals more with visual appearance, not directly with movement or manner. ELEGANT and GRACIOUS are similar in meaning to graceful, not opposite. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that graceful suggests beauty in movement, posture, or style. Step 2: Identify which option expresses clumsiness or lack of ease. Step 3: Note that AWKWARD describes movement that is stiff, clumsy, or uncomfortable. Step 4: Select AWKWARD as the antonym because it directly opposes graceful in the context of movement. Verification / Alternative check: Check usage: we often say awkward movements, awkward dance steps, or an awkward walk to describe the opposite of graceful dance, graceful steps, or a graceful walk. The pair graceful and awkward appears frequently in dictionaries and exam prep materials as an antonym pair, which confirms the choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: ELEGANT: Close in meaning to graceful, used for refined and stylish appearance or behaviour. GRACIOUS: Refers to kindness, politeness, and courtesy, not the opposite of graceful. UGLY: Relates to unattractive appearance; it is not the standard opposite of graceful in terms of movement. Common Pitfalls: Some students quickly choose UGLY because they think any negative adjective will work as an opposite. Others confuse gracious and graceful and think one is the reverse of the other. In vocabulary questions, always focus on the precise aspect of meaning, which here is poise and movement, for which awkward is the direct contrast. Final Answer: Correct option: AWKWARD.

Question 5

Synonym: in the following question, choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the given word. INSOLENT

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for the word that is closest in meaning to insolent. Synonym questions test how accurately you understand the core sense of a word and whether you can distinguish it from related but different ideas. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: insolent. Options: OFFENSIVE, INTOLERANT, INDECENT, AWKWARD. Insolent is commonly used to describe rude and disrespectful behaviour, especially towards someone in authority. Concept / Approach: Insolent comes from a Latin root meaning unaccustomed or arrogant. In modern English it describes someone who shows a lack of respect in speech or manner, often in a bold or impudent way. OFFENSIVE means causing someone to feel hurt, angry, or insulted, especially through rude or disrespectful behaviour. This is the closest match among the options. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of insolent as rude, impudent, and disrespectful. Step 2: Compare this meaning with each option. Step 3: Notice that OFFENSIVE can describe speech or behaviour that insults or deeply annoys others, which aligns with insolent behaviour. Step 4: Select OFFENSIVE as the best synonym. Verification / Alternative check: Dictionary definitions for insolent often give synonyms like rude, impudent, cheeky, and offensive. Phrases such as insolent remark and offensive remark are both used for disrespectful comments. This supports OFFENSIVE as the nearest equivalent in the given list. Why Other Options Are Wrong: INTOLERANT: Refers to unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behaviour that differ from one's own; it relates more to narrow mindedness than open rudeness. INDECENT: Usually describes behaviour or images that offend standards of morality or modesty, especially sexual ones. AWKWARD: Refers to clumsiness or social discomfort, not deliberate rudeness. Common Pitfalls: Students may confuse insolent with indecent because both can involve offensive behaviour. However, indecent is usually linked to moral or physical impropriety, while insolent focuses on disrespect, especially in speech. Keeping such distinctions in mind helps in choosing the most accurate synonym in exams. Final Answer: Correct option: OFFENSIVE.

Question 6

One word substitution: choose the word that can be substituted for the given description. Someone who is incapable of being quietened or pacified.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your knowledge of one word substitutions, a common area in competitive English. You have to match a description with the precise term that expresses the same idea in a single word. Given Data / Assumptions: Description: Someone who is incapable of being quietened or pacified. Options: Implacable, Unflappable, Insatiable, Inexplicable. The required word must describe a person who cannot be calmed down or satisfied. Concept / Approach: Implacable refers to a person or force that cannot be appeased, pacified, or changed. It is often used for implacable anger, implacable hostility, or an implacable enemy. The key idea is that no amount of pleading or negotiation will calm this person. This directly fits the description given in the question. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the central idea in the description: cannot be quietened or pacified. Step 2: Recall that Implacable is used when feelings like anger or hatred cannot be reduced. Step 3: Compare the other options and see that they describe different qualities. Step 4: Choose Implacable as it best matches the sense of being impossible to calm. Verification / Alternative check: Dictionaries define Implacable as unable to be placated, where placate means to make someone less angry or hostile. This perfectly matches being incapable of being quietened or pacified. Therefore Implacable is the only option that fully covers the description. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Unflappable: Describes someone who stays calm and does not get upset easily, the opposite situation from a person who cannot be pacified. Insatiable: Refers to someone whose desires or appetites cannot be satisfied, often used with hunger or curiosity, not specifically about pacifying emotions. Inexplicable: Means something that cannot be explained, unrelated to calming someone. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose Insatiable because it also uses the idea of cannot be satisfied. However the question is about calming or pacifying a person's emotional state, not about satisfying hunger or desire. Understanding these fine shades of meaning is essential for scoring well in one word substitution questions. Final Answer: Correct option: Implacable.

Question 7

One word substitution: choose the word that can be substituted for the given description. Government by a department of state or by non elected officials.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of political and administrative terms. It asks you to identify the correct word for a system of government run mainly by departments and officials rather than by elected representatives directly. Given Data / Assumptions: Description: Government by a department of state or by non elected officials. Options: Bureaucracy, Autocracy, Oligarchy, Hierarchy. The key idea is rule or control by officials and administrative departments. Concept / Approach: Bureaucracy refers to a system of government or administration in which important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives. It also describes the complex organisation of departments and rules that control how a government functions. Autocracy and oligarchy are forms of political rule based on individuals or groups, not specifically tied to departmental administration. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the central feature in the description: government by departments and non elected officials. Step 2: Recall that Bureaucracy is associated with civil servants, official procedures, and departmental control. Step 3: Compare this idea with the meanings of Autocracy, Oligarchy, and Hierarchy. Step 4: Conclude that only Bureaucracy directly matches the description. Verification / Alternative check: Standard definitions describe Bureaucracy as a system of government where most important decisions are taken by state officials. In everyday language, people also use bureaucracy to refer to red tape and complex procedures in government offices. Both senses point to rule by officials, confirming the match. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Autocracy: Means government by a single person with absolute power. Oligarchy: Means government by a small group of people, often from a privileged class. Hierarchy: Refers to an ordered ranking system where people or groups are ranked one above another; it is not a specific form of government by officials. Common Pitfalls: Candidates may confuse Hierarchy with Bureaucracy because both relate to organisation and levels of authority. However only Bureaucracy highlights decision making by officials and departments as the central feature of governance. Remembering such precise definitions is important for one word substitution questions. Final Answer: Correct option: Bureaucracy.

Question 8

One word substitution: choose the word that can be substituted for the given description. The killing of a race or a large group of people of the same nation or ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question focuses on a serious historical and political term. It tests whether you can recognise the correct word for the deliberate killing of a race or a large group sharing the same nationality or ethnicity. Given Data / Assumptions: Description: The killing of a race or a large group of people of the same nation or ethnicity. Options: Homicide, Genocide, Suicide, Murder. The correct word must refer to killing many people because of their group identity, not just individuals. Concept / Approach: Genocide is the term used for the deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group. The prefix geno refers to race or kind, and cide means killing. Homicide is killing a person, murder is the unlawful killing of a person with intent, and suicide is killing oneself. Only genocide covers killing of an entire race or group. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key phrase killing of a race. Step 2: Recall that cide means killing and that geno is linked to race or tribe. Step 3: Match this with Genocide, meaning killing of a race or ethnic group. Step 4: Reject other options which refer to killing individuals or oneself. Verification / Alternative check: History textbooks and news articles use genocide to describe events where entire communities are targeted because of their identity. No other term among the options is applied to such large scale, targeted killing. This confirms that genocide is the only correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Homicide: Killing of a human being by another human being, usually at the level of individuals. Suicide: Act of intentionally killing oneself. Murder: Unlawful killing of a person with malice or intent, normally used for individuals or small numbers. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes select homicide or murder simply because they see the idea of killing. However the description clearly mentions a race, which requires the more specific term genocide. Remember that examiners often test such fine distinctions to check precision in vocabulary. Final Answer: Correct option: Genocide.

Question 9

Idiom: in each of the following questions, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase. For all intents and purposes

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of a common English idiom for all intents and purposes. Idioms are fixed expressions whose overall meaning cannot always be guessed from the individual words, so you must learn their standard sense and usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: for all intents and purposes. Options: For all businesses, Obliquely, Practically, Almost perfect. The correct option should capture the sense of in effect or in practice. Concept / Approach: For all intents and purposes is used to say that something is true or effective in every important way, even if not formally stated. It is similar to saying practically, in effect, or basically. For example, if we say The two plans are, for all intents and purposes, the same, we mean that they are practically the same. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or infer the meaning of the idiom from examples you may have seen. Step 2: Recognise that it is often used to mean effectively or practically speaking. Step 3: Compare this sense with the given options. Step 4: Choose Practically because it best represents in effect in real life terms. Verification / Alternative check: You can replace the idiom with Practically in sample sentences to test the fit. For instance, He is, for all intents and purposes, the leader of the group becomes He is practically the leader of the group. The meaning remains the same. This confirms that Practically is the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: For all businesses: Changes the sense to something related to commerce; this is not the idiomatic meaning. Obliquely: Means indirectly or not in a direct way, which is unrelated to in effect. Almost perfect: Focuses on quality or degree of perfection, not on practical effect. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates misinterpret intents as intentions and then guess something about sincerity or effort. Others may choose almost perfect because they feel the phrase sounds strong and complete. The safe method is to remember that for all intents and purposes is a set phrase equal to practically or in effect in everyday English. Final Answer: Correct option: Practically.

Question 10

Idiom: in each of the following questions, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase. Go out of your way

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of the idiom go out of your way. Idioms often have a figurative meaning that goes beyond the literal idea of walking out of a physical path. Here you need to recognise what it means when someone goes out of their way for another person. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: go out of your way. Options: Did not want to, Ran away, Did everything possible, Tried to avoid us. The phrase normally describes making special effort to help or please someone. Concept / Approach: To go out of your way means to make a special, extra effort to do something, usually something kind or helpful that is not strictly required. For example, She went out of her way to make us feel comfortable means she did everything possible to help us, even beyond normal expectation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or imagine sentences where this idiom is used, especially in positive contexts. Step 2: Focus on the idea of taking extra trouble or making strong effort. Step 3: Compare this sense with the options provided. Step 4: Select Did everything possible because it clearly captures the idea of special effort. Verification / Alternative check: You can test the replacement: He went out of his way to help them becomes He did everything possible to help them. The meaning remains almost the same and still suggests extra effort. None of the other options fit naturally in such sentences, which confirms the answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Did not want to: Suggests reluctance, the opposite of making special effort. Ran away: Implies escape or avoidance, unrelated to helping. Tried to avoid us: Directly contradicts the idea of going out of your way to help or support. Common Pitfalls: Students may take the phrase literally and imagine physically going out of the path or running away, which leads them to wrong options like Ran away. Remember that idioms must be interpreted in context and are usually used in familiar patterns, such as go out of your way to do something for someone. Final Answer: Correct option: Did everything possible.

Question 11

Idiom: in each of the following questions, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase. In the running

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your understanding of the idiom in the running. Idioms related to competition and success are common in exams, and knowing them helps you interpret news, sports commentary, and business reports. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: in the running. Options: Loves to run, Running from the law, Physically fit, Has good prospects in the competition. The expression appears in contexts where people or teams compete for a prize, job, or position. Concept / Approach: In the running means that a person or team is still competing seriously and has a real chance to win or be selected. For example, She is still in the running for the scholarship means she still has good chances of being chosen. It does not refer to physical running but to being a realistic contender. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the idiom is used in competitive or selection contexts, not only in sports. Step 2: Identify which option mentions prospects in a competition. Step 3: Note that Has good prospects in the competition directly matches this idea. Step 4: Choose this option as the correct meaning of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence: After the second round of interviews, only five candidates are still in the running. Replacing the idiom with Has good prospects in the competition fits well: only five candidates still have good prospects in the competition. This confirms the correct interpretation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Loves to run: Interprets running literally, ignoring the competitive figurative meaning. Running from the law: Suggests escaping from legal authorities, which is unrelated. Physically fit: Describes health or fitness level, not competitive chances. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes focus only on the word running and think of physical activity or athletics. However, idioms like in the running, front runner, and out of the race all use running as a metaphor for competition. Understanding this metaphorical use is important for grasping idioms correctly. Final Answer: Correct option: Has good prospects in the competition.

Question 12

Sentence completion: the sentence given below has a blank. Choose the phrasal verb that best completes the sentence. How did you __________ this rare book?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs formed with come. Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and a particle such as by, with, to, or at, and they often have meanings that are different from the simple verb alone. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: How did you __________ this rare book. Options: come with, come to, come by, come at. The context suggests someone is asking how another person obtained or managed to get a rare book. Concept / Approach: Come by as a phrasal verb means to obtain or acquire something, especially something rare or hard to get. For example, It is difficult to come by honest friends or How did you come by so much money so quickly. This fits perfectly when we speak about a rare book. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the idea implied by the sentence: the speaker wants to know how the person obtained the book. Step 2: Recall that come by means obtain or get, especially something rare. Step 3: Test the options in the sentence: How did you come with this rare book, How did you come to this rare book, How did you come by this rare book, How did you come at this rare book. Step 4: Conclude that only come by gives a natural and correct meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Check dictionary usage or examples: to come by something equals to get something, often by chance or effort. When speaking about a rare item, we commonly ask How did you come by it. None of the other phrasal combinations are used in this sense, which confirms come by as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: come with: Means to accompany or to be included with something, as in This phone does not come with a charger. come to: Can mean regain consciousness or reach a total amount, not obtain a rare book. come at: Means to move towards or attack, as in The dog came at him aggressively. Common Pitfalls: Learners often try to guess from literal meanings of the prepositions and may choose come with or come to. Phrasal verbs, however, are idiomatic and must be learned as fixed expressions. Exposure through reading and listening is the best way to master them for exam use. Final Answer: Correct option: come by.

Question 13

Sentence completion: the sentence given below has a blank. Choose the word that best completes the sentence. __________ people as they are and have tolerance with their weaknesses.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of similar looking English words that differ in meaning and usage. You need to pick the correct word to complete a sentence advising how to relate to other people. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: __________ people as they are and have tolerance with their weaknesses. Options: Except, Access, Expect, Accept. The sentence is about attitude towards people and their weaknesses. Concept / Approach: The correct verb in this context is Accept. To accept people as they are means to acknowledge and receive them without trying to force them to change. This matches the idea of having tolerance with their weaknesses. The other words except, access, and expect either differ in spelling or refer to completely different actions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the sense of the sentence: it is advising us to show tolerance and understanding. Step 2: Recall that Accept means to receive or agree to something or someone willingly. Step 3: Insert each option into the blank and test the meaning. Step 4: Observe that only Accept people as they are gives a natural and meaningful sentence. Verification / Alternative check: The full sentence becomes Accept people as they are and have tolerance with their weaknesses, which is a common piece of advice. Similar expressions such as accept yourself and accept others support this usage. No other option fits this idiomatic pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Except: Means excluding or leaving out, so Except people as they are is ungrammatical and illogical. Access: Means to reach or obtain entry to something, as in access a file or access a building; it does not take people as a direct object in this sense. Expect: Means to anticipate or think that something will happen; Expect people as they are also does not form a correct phrase. Common Pitfalls: Because Accept and Except sound similar, candidates sometimes confuse them in spelling and usage. Another error is to choose Expect because it looks familiar. Remember that Accept is used for receiving or approving people and ideas, especially in phrases like accept people as they are. Final Answer: Correct option: Accept.

Question 14

Sentence completion: the sentence given below has a blank. Choose the option that best completes the sentence. The two boys ______ each other for the first place.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of the correct verb and preposition combination to describe competition. The sentence talks about two boys competing for the first place, and you must choose the phrase that best fits standard English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: The two boys ______ each other for the first place. Options: contended for, fought with, vied with, struggled to. The idea is organised, perhaps fair, competition for the top position. Concept / Approach: The verb vie means to compete eagerly with someone for something. The standard pattern is vie with someone for something. So the natural phrase is vied with each other for the first place. This combines the correct verb, preposition, and object to describe competition between two people. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the key idea is competing for first place, not physical fighting. Step 2: Recall the collocation vie with someone for a prize or position. Step 3: Fit it into the sentence: The two boys vied with each other for the first place. Step 4: Confirm that this sounds idiomatic and grammatically complete. Verification / Alternative check: You can check other example sentences: Companies vie with one another for market share, or Teams vie with each other for the championship. These patterns match the structure in the question, proving that vied with is the right choice here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: contended for: The usual structure is contend with someone for something. Contended for each other is not correct; the missing with makes it ungrammatical in this exact sentence. fought with: Suggests physical fighting, not organised competition for first place, and the sentence would need fought with each other for first place, which still sounds less precise for examination competition. struggled to: Needs an infinitive verb after it, as in struggled to win or struggled to study, so it does not fit directly before each other. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes choose contended for because it seems close in meaning to compete for, but they forget the correct preposition pattern. Others pick fought with because they link competition with fighting. Learning common collocations such as vie with for helps avoid such mistakes in exams. Final Answer: Correct option: vied with.

Question 15

In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the “No error” option. The tour (A) / of the…

Accepted Answer

C

Question 16

In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the “No error” option. He is a saint (A) / a…

Accepted Answer

D

Question 17

In the following questions, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the button corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the “No error” option. Neither the Captain (…

Accepted Answer

D

Question 18

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding to it. Fever in the season of dengue is sending Calcuttans scurrying to hospitals for admission, triggering a shor…

Accepted Answer

refusing to acknowledge the danger

Question 19

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding to it. Fever in the season of dengue is sending Calcuttans scurrying to hospitals for admission, triggering a shor…

Accepted Answer

increased tremendously

Question 20

Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding to it. Fever in the season of dengue is sending Calcuttans scurrying to hospitals for admission, triggering a shor…

Accepted Answer

a nursing home

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