Question 1

In the following spelling question, choose the correctly spelt English word from the four alternatives given.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling based questions check whether you can recognize the standard, correct form of frequently used English words. Here the word in focus is "dithering", which appears in newspapers and formal English to describe hesitation or indecision. Such questions are common in competitive exams because spelling errors can change meaning and reduce the quality of written communication. Given Data / Assumptions: Four similar looking spellings are provided: "Ditheering", "Dethering", "Dithering", and "Detheering". Only one of these is the correct standard spelling. The word is often used in the phrase "stop dithering" or "political dithering". We assume modern standard British or international English usage. Concept / Approach: The correct spelling of the verb and noun is "dither" and its ing form "dithering". The letter pattern is d i t h e r i n g with a single h and no extra double vowels. Variants like "ditheering" or "detheering" introduce unnecessary double e patterns, and "dethering" changes the vowel order. The best approach is to recall the base word "dither" correctly and then simply add ing to form "dithering". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Think of the base verb, which is "to dither", meaning to be indecisive.Step 2: Add the continuous tense ending ing to form "dithering". The pattern becomes d i t h e r i n g.Step 3: Check each option carefully, noting the position of every vowel and consonant.Step 4: Observe that option C "Dithering" exactly matches d i t h e r i n g.Step 5: Confirm that the other options contain extra letters or incorrect vowel positions and therefore must be rejected. Verification / Alternative check: Looking at any good English dictionary will show the forms "dither" and "dithering". They will not list "ditheering", "dethering", or "detheering" as standard spellings. In addition, you may remember seeing this word in political commentary, where writers say that a leader is "dithering over a decision". That common real world usage helps fix the spelling in memory with the single h and no extra vowels. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "Ditheering" adds an unnecessary extra e, which does not match the base spelling of "dither". Option B "Dethering" changes the vowel order from "di" to "de", which changes the look and is not a recognised English word. Option D "Detheering" combines both errors, with "de" and double e, and clearly does not match the dictionary form. Common Pitfalls: In spelling questions, candidates often focus only on the first few letters and guess quickly. However, exam setters purposely create distractors that look very similar at the beginning and differ in the middle or near the end. The safest habit is to mentally pronounce each option slowly and compare it with the base word you know, letter by letter, before choosing. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word among the options is "Dithering".

Question 2

In the following spelling question, choose the correctly spelt English word related to the past form of "throttle".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another spelling recognition question. It focuses on the past tense form of the verb "throttle", which means to choke or to control the flow of something, especially in engines or in figurative expressions. Spelling questions like this strengthen your attention to detail and help you avoid mistakes in formal writing where incorrect forms can look unprofessional. Given Data / Assumptions: The options are "Throtled", "Throttlede", "Throtlede", and "Throttled". The base verb is "throttle". We need the correct past tense form used in standard English. The question assumes knowledge of basic rules for forming the past tense of regular verbs ending in consonant vowel consonant combinations. Concept / Approach: The verb "throttle" ends with the pattern t t l e. To make the past tense of "throttle", we add d to form "throttled". We do not add extra e at the end beyond the one already present in "throttle", and we do not remove any of the consonants. Thus the correct spelling retains both t letters and the existing e, plus d for the past form, resulting in t h r o t t l e d. Any change in this sequence will produce a non standard or incorrect form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Write the base verb mentally as "throttle".Step 2: Add the regular past tense ending d, giving "throttled".Step 3: Examine the spellings in each option and compare them with t h r o t t l e d.Step 4: Identify that option D "Throttled" is the only one that matches this pattern exactly.Step 5: Reject all spellings that remove one t, move letters around, or add an unnecessary extra e at the end. Verification / Alternative check: Consulting a dictionary confirms that the correct past tense and past participle of "throttle" is "throttled". For example, "The pilot throttled back the engine" or "He throttled the opponent in anger" use this spelling. None of the other choices would appear in a standard English reference work, which confirms that they are only distractors created for the exam. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "Throtled" drops one of the t letters, which does not follow from the base form "throttle". Option B "Throttlede" wrongly adds an extra e after the d, creating an incorrect ending. Option C "Throtlede" both drops a t and rearranges the letters, resulting in a non existent word. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often forget the double consonants when forming past tense forms, especially with words like "travelled", "cancelled", and "throttled". A good strategy is to always start from the complete base spelling and then simply attach the suffix: d or ed, without deleting important consonants unless an established rule requires it. In this case, the base "throttle" already contains both t letters, so they must remain in the past tense form. Final Answer: The correctly spelt past tense form of "throttle" is "Throttled".

Question 3

In this sentence ordering task, choose the most logical order of the labelled parts X, Y, and Z to complete the idea: "Children are sensitive X to what happens around them and are Y enthusiastic about working on Z plays that reflect their lives."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sentence ordering questions test your ability to recognise logical and grammatical patterns in English. In this item, a single sentence is broken into labelled segments X, Y, and Z. You must find the correct sequence so that the completed sentence becomes smooth, meaningful, and grammatically correct. Such tasks are important in exams because they check both your understanding of sentence structure and your sense of natural English order. Given Data / Assumptions: The basic frame is "Children are sensitive X to what happens around them and are Y enthusiastic about working on Z plays that reflect their lives". X, Y, and Z are short fragments that need to be placed in the correct positions after the verbs "are sensitive" and "are enthusiastic". The completed sentence should talk about children, their sensitivity to their surroundings, and their enthusiasm for plays that reflect their lives. We assume that X corresponds to "to what happens around them", Y to "enthusiastic about working on", and Z to "plays that reflect their lives". Concept / Approach: To solve such questions, you should first reconstruct the most natural English sentence without worrying about labels. A smooth version is "Children are sensitive to what happens around them and are enthusiastic about working on plays that reflect their lives." Once you have this, you match each label X, Y, Z to the phrase that fits this pattern. This lets you determine the correct order of the labels after the main sentence parts. You must also check that the prepositions and connectors remain in correct positions when the labels are inserted. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Imagine the complete sentence in plain English: "Children are sensitive to what happens around them and are enthusiastic about working on plays that reflect their lives."Step 2: Identify which fragment naturally follows "are sensitive". It should be "to what happens around them", which is X.Step 3: Identify which fragment follows "are" in the second part. It should be "enthusiastic about working on", which is Y.Step 4: Finally, the object of that phrase is "plays that reflect their lives", which is Z.Step 5: Putting this together gives the order X then Y then Z, so the correct sequence is XYZ. Verification / Alternative check: We can quickly test the other options. If we use ZYX, the sentence would read in a strange and incorrect order. Options ZXY and YZX similarly break the close connection between "sensitive" and "to what happens around them" or between "enthusiastic" and "about working on". Only the XYZ arrangement keeps both halves grammatical and natural to a fluent speaker of English. This confirms that XYZ is the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A ZYX would disturb the link between each verb and its logical complement, producing an awkward and confusing sentence. Option C ZXY would put "plays that reflect their lives" directly after "are sensitive", which changes the meaning and feels incorrect. Option D YZX would put "enthusiastic about working on" immediately after "are sensitive", which also creates a mismatch in meaning and flow. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes try to solve such items only by guessing or by focusing on the first fragment they like. A better strategy is to rebuild the full sentence from your intuition of natural English and then map fragments to that model. Also pay close attention to prepositions like "to" and "about", because they often signal where certain fragments must attach in the sentence. Final Answer: The most logical and grammatical order of the labelled parts is XYZ, giving a smooth sentence about children and plays that reflect their lives.

Question 4

In this sentence ordering problem about mental and bodily phenomena, choose the correct order of the labelled parts X, Y, and Z to make a coherent sentence beginning "But this does not mean".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Here you are asked to arrange labelled fragments into a single coherent philosophical sentence. The base clause begins with "But this does not mean" and deals with the relationship between mental phenomena and the body. Sentence ordering questions of this type test your ability to track meaning across segments and to recognise the only arrangement that yields a natural and logically consistent statement. Given Data / Assumptions: The introductory part is "But this does not mean". The fragments are labelled X, Y, and Z and roughly correspond to "phenomena to the body", "is a meaningless expression", and "that the reference of mental". We want a complete sentence expressing that some conclusion about mental and bodily phenomena is not correct. A natural conceptual statement here is "But this does not mean that the reference of mental phenomena to the body is a meaningless expression." Concept / Approach: The easiest way to tackle this item is to first reconstruct the likely target sentence in plain English. The theme suggests that the statement will deny that talking about mental phenomena in relation to the body is meaningless. Once this rough sentence is in mind, you match each phrase to its appropriate position in that sentence. The conjunction "that" will normally introduce a noun clause, which then will be followed by a subject and eventually a verb phrase like "is a meaningless expression". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Imagine a complete sentence: "But this does not mean that the reference of mental phenomena to the body is a meaningless expression."Step 2: Identify the first fragment after "mean". It should start with "that the reference of mental", which is label Z.Step 3: Immediately after that we expect to describe what reference this is: "phenomena to the body", which is label X.Step 4: Finally, we need the main verb phrase "is a meaningless expression", which is label Y.Step 5: Putting these together produces the order Z X Y, or ZXY, which reads smoothly and expresses a meaningful philosophical idea. Verification / Alternative check: If you try YZX, you would get something like "But this does not mean is a meaningless expression that the reference of mental phenomena to the body", which is clearly ungrammatical. YXZ or XZY similarly break the necessary order of subject and verb within the clause introduced by "that". The only arrangement where "that the reference of mental phenomena to the body is a meaningless expression" appears correctly is ZXY, which confirms it as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A YZX begins with a verb phrase "is a meaningless expression" and then tries to attach the subject fragments after it, which breaks normal English word order. Option C YXZ causes the same problem and does not allow the sentence to flow logically from clause to verb. Option D XZY would start "that phenomena to the body" without clearly linking to "mental", and again places "is a meaningless expression" in the wrong position. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes focus only on the literal strings without considering the deeper logical meaning. In abstract topics like mental and bodily phenomena, this can make every arrangement seem similar. A better method is to look for structural clues, such as where a clause beginning with "that" must start, and where the verb phrase expressing judgement, such as "is a meaningless expression", must appear. This structural awareness makes such questions much easier. Final Answer: The most logical and grammatical order of the fragments is ZXY, which produces the sentence "But this does not mean that the reference of mental phenomena to the body is a meaningless expression."

Question 5

In this active and passive voice question, choose the correct passive form of the sentence "The travel agent is making all the reservations."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice change questions test your ability to convert a sentence from active voice to passive voice or the other way round while maintaining the same tense and meaning. Here, the active sentence "The travel agent is making all the reservations" is in the present continuous tense. We need a passive form that correctly reflects the same time frame and action, with "all the reservations" becoming the subject of the passive sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: "The travel agent is making all the reservations." Subject in active voice: "The travel agent". Object in active voice: "all the reservations". Tense: present continuous (is making). We want a passive voice structure: object of the active becomes subject of the passive. Concept / Approach: The general rule for changing present continuous from active to passive is: subject + is or are + being + past participle + by + agent. In the given sentence, "all the reservations" is a plural noun phrase, so it must take "are". The main verb "make" in passive past participle form is "made". Therefore, the passive structure should be "All the reservations are being made by the travel agent." Any option that breaks the plural agreement, changes the tense improperly, or uses the wrong verb form must be rejected. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify subject, verb, and object in the active sentence.Step 2: Recognise the tense as present continuous: "is making".Step 3: Move the object "all the reservations" to the subject position in the passive sentence.Step 4: Use the passive structure for present continuous: are being made.Step 5: Place the original subject after "by" to get "by the travel agent". The resulting sentence is "All the reservations are being made by the travel agent." Verification / Alternative check: We can double check by converting the proposed passive sentence back to active. Starting from "All the reservations are being made by the travel agent", we identify "all the reservations" as object, "travel agent" as subject, and "are being made" as passive verb. Converting back gives "The travel agent is making all the reservations", which matches the original exactly. This confirms that option C is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "All the reservations is made by the travel agent" is incorrect because "reservations" is plural and should take "are", and "is made" does not show continuous action. Option B "All the reserving will be made by the travel agent" changes the tense to future "will be made" and also changes the noun from "reservations" to "reserving". Option D "All the reserving is made by the travel agent" again changes the noun and tense, losing the continuous present meaning. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget to retain the original tense when switching between active and passive voices. They may also confuse gerunds like "reserving" with noun forms like "reservations". Always maintain the same time reference and use the correct past participle form in passive constructions, and keep the main noun phrase unchanged unless the exam question specifically tests nominalisation. Final Answer: The correct passive voice form is "All the reservations are being made by the travel agent."

Question 6

In this direct and indirect speech question, choose the correct indirect form of the sentence: He said to the dentist, "I have a toothache."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Questions on direct and indirect speech check whether you can correctly transform quoted speech into reported speech. Here, the original sentence is "He said to the dentist, 'I have a toothache.'" We must choose the indirect form that preserves meaning, maintains correct tense sequence, and uses proper pronouns. This is a common type of question in English grammar sections of many competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: He said to the dentist, "I have a toothache." Reporting verb: said to, which becomes told in indirect speech. Reported clause: "I have a toothache." We assume that the reporting verb is in the past tense, so we must apply backshifting rules. Concept / Approach: When the reporting verb is in the past tense ("said"), the tense in the reported clause usually shifts one step back in time. Present simple "have" becomes past simple "had". Additionally, the first person pronoun "I" in the direct speech refers to "he", the speaker, so in indirect speech it must become "he". The structure "said to" usually changes to "told" followed by the person. The basic pattern is: He told the dentist that he had a toothache. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change "said to" into "told", giving "He told the dentist".Step 2: Introduce the conjunction "that" to connect the reporting clause to the reported content.Step 3: Replace "I" from the quotation with "he" because the original speaker is "he".Step 4: Apply backshift to the verb: "have" becomes "had" when reported from a past reporting verb.Step 5: Combine these pieces to get "He told the dentist that he had a toothache." Verification / Alternative check: Test each option against these rules. Option C "He told the dentist that he had a toothache" matches all requirements: correct reporting verb, correct conjunction, proper pronoun, and correctly shifted tense. Options that keep "I" instead of "he" are wrong because they fail to adjust the point of view. Options that change the tense improperly or add extra words like "gotten" without need also deviate from standard grammar rules for indirect speech. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "He told the dentist that I have a toothache." keeps "I" and "have", which does not match the reported perspective and does not shift the tense. Option B "He told the dentist that he had gotten a toothache." adds "gotten", which implies acquiring the toothache, and changes the simple state into an action, which is not required. Option D "He told the dentist that I have a gotten toothache." mixes first person and an awkward verb form, making it grammatically and stylistically incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget to adjust pronouns and tenses according to the narrator's perspective and the time reference. They may simply copy the original clause after "that" without any changes. The safe approach is always to identify who originally spoke the words, whom they were speaking to, and then shift pronouns and tenses according to reported speech rules. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is "He told the dentist that he had a toothache."

Question 7

In this cloze passage on yoga and health, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "The Trikonasana, or triangle pose, stimulates the function of the entire body and _____________ a lateral (side) stretch to the spine."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is part of a cloze passage about the Trikonasana, also known as the triangle pose in yoga. The passage describes the benefits of the asana and uses present tense to talk about general truths. You must select the verb form that fits both the grammar and the meaning of the sentence, which talks about what the pose does for the body and spine. Given Data / Assumptions: The relevant sentence is "The Trikonasana, or triangle pose, stimulates the function of the entire body and _____________ a lateral (side) stretch to the spine." The subject is "The Trikonasana, or triangle pose". The first verb is "stimulates", which is present simple. The second verb must match the subject and tense and complete the coordinate structure. Concept / Approach: When one subject has two verbs connected by "and", those verbs usually share the same tense and use the base form with appropriate agreement. The sentence already uses present simple "stimulates", so the second verb should also be in present simple form. The subject "pose" is singular; therefore, the verb should be "gives". The infinitive "to give" or past forms like "gave" and "given" do not fit directly within this coordinated structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject "The Trikonasana, or triangle pose" as a singular noun phrase.Step 2: Note that the first verb "stimulates" is in present simple tense and agrees with this subject.Step 3: Understand that the second part must also describe a general fact about what the pose does.Step 4: Choose the verb form "gives", which is present simple and agrees with the singular subject.Step 5: Read the complete sentence: "The Trikonasana, or triangle pose, stimulates the function of the entire body and gives a lateral (side) stretch to the spine." Verification / Alternative check: Try replacing the blank with each option. "Stimulates the function of the entire body and given a lateral stretch" is incorrect as it mixes finite and non finite forms. "Stimulates the function and gave a lateral stretch" switches tense from present to past, which is inconsistent. "Stimulates and to give a lateral stretch" also breaks the parallel structure. Only "stimulates the function of the entire body and gives a lateral stretch" is grammatically clean and expresses a present general truth about the asana. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "given" cannot be used directly as a main verb with this subject and structure; it would require an auxiliary verb. Option B "gave" is past tense and breaks the consistent present simple description of the asana's benefits. Option C "to give" would require a different structure, such as "stimulates and is known to give", which is not present here. Common Pitfalls: In cloze passages, learners sometimes pick options by sound rather than by checking agreement and tense consistency. A reliable technique is to locate the main subject and find the tense of the first verb, then ensure that coordinated verbs and phrases match this tense and agreement pattern. This habit will reduce errors in long passages where multiple blanks must work together. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is "gives", giving a smooth present tense description of the pose's effects.

Question 8

Continuing the Trikonasana passage, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "Practise this asana every day and you will _________ strength in the ankles, thighs, knees, hips, calves and hamstrings."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage continues describing the health benefits of the Trikonasana. The specific sentence talks about what will happen if you practise the pose every day. It uses the future construction "you will" followed by a base form of a verb. Recognising this pattern is essential in choosing the correct option to fill the blank. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is "Practise this asana every day and you will _________ strength in the ankles, thighs, knees, hips, calves and hamstrings." The auxiliary "will" indicates the simple future tense. The missing verb describes the result of regular practice. The passage focuses on positive development of strength and stamina. Concept / Approach: In English, the construction with "will" to express future actions or results is followed by the base form of the verb, also called the bare infinitive. For example, "will gain", "will build", and "will increase". The natural verb to describe an increase in strength is "gain". Therefore the correct combination is "will gain". Any other form such as "gaining", "gained", or "to gain" would not fit the grammar of this future tense structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "will" as the future auxiliary verb.Step 2: Recall that "will" is followed by the base form of the main verb, not by ing, ed, or "to" forms.Step 3: Among the options, note that "gain" is the base form, while "gaining", "gained", and "to gain" are not suitable in this context.Step 4: Insert "gain" into the sentence: "you will gain strength in the ankles, thighs, knees, hips, calves and hamstrings."Step 5: Confirm that the meaning and the grammar are both correct and natural. Verification / Alternative check: Try each option in the sentence. "Will gaining" is incorrect because "will" cannot directly take an ing form. "Will gained" is also wrong because after "will" we do not use the past tense. "Will to gain" is not a standard pattern either. Only "will gain" matches normal future tense formation and describes a reasonable physical benefit of yoga practice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "gaining" would require an auxiliary like "be", as in "will be gaining", which is not provided here. Option C "gained" is a past tense or past participle form and does not follow the rule of using base form after "will". Option D "to gain" would be correct after certain verbs like "expect to gain", but not immediately after "will". Common Pitfalls: In cloze tests, examinees sometimes focus only on meaning and ignore tense structure, especially if they see a familiar collocation like "gaining strength". However, in this structure the presence of "will" forces the bare infinitive. Always check which auxiliary verbs are present before the blank, because they usually determine the correct form of the verb that should follow. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is "gain", giving the phrase "you will gain strength in the ankles, thighs, knees, hips, calves and hamstrings".

Question 9

In the Trikonasana passage, select the correct verb form to complete the sentence: "All standing poses __________ the cardiovascular system, so the more you do it, the better your stamina will become."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This blank appears in the same health and yoga themed passage. The sentence explains a general truth about all standing yoga poses and their effect on the cardiovascular system. To fill the blank correctly, you need to match the subject "all standing poses" with the appropriate present tense verb form that describes a general, habitual effect. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is "All standing poses __________ the cardiovascular system, so the more you do it, the better your stamina will become." The subject is plural: "all standing poses". The sentence expresses a general fact or health principle. The second clause uses a future tense "will become" but that does not force the first clause into future tense. Concept / Approach: When we state a general fact about a class of actions, in this case standing poses, we normally use the simple present tense. For plural subjects in simple present, the verb is in its base form without an s ending. A natural collocation here is "standing poses build the cardiovascular system", meaning they strengthen it. Therefore the correct form is "build". Past tense "built" or non finite forms like "building" and "to build" would not fit the grammar and style of a general statement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise "all standing poses" as a plural subject referring to yoga postures in general.Step 2: Decide that we are talking about a general health effect, which calls for the simple present tense.Step 3: For plural subjects in simple present, use the base form "build".Step 4: Insert "build" into the sentence: "All standing poses build the cardiovascular system."Step 5: Confirm that the sentence now reads smoothly and logically with the following clause about improved stamina. Verification / Alternative check: Try each option in context. "All standing poses built the cardiovascular system" suggests a past action, which does not match the general health advice context. "All standing poses building the cardiovascular system" would need a helping verb such as "are". "All standing poses to build the cardiovascular system" is incomplete and ungrammatical in this position. Only "build" works as a complete verb in a present simple statement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "built" is past tense and does not suit a timeless general truth about exercise and health. Option C "building" is a participle and cannot stand alone as the main verb without an auxiliary. Option D "to build" is an infinitive and would require a different structure, such as "help to build", which is not present in the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may be distracted by the future tense in the second half of the sentence and try to mirror that tense in the first half. However, it is common in English to mix a general present tense clause with a future result clause, especially in conditional or explanatory sentences. Always focus on the subject and the type of statement when deciding the tense for the main verb in the first part of such sentences. Final Answer: The correct verb form is "build", giving the sentence "All standing poses build the cardiovascular system, so the more you do it, the better your stamina will become."

Question 10

In the same Trikonasana passage, choose the correct word to complete the comparison: "so the more you do it, the ________ your stamina will become."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This blank is part of a comparative structure often seen in English: "the more you do something, the better or worse some result will be". The passage is describing how repeated practice of standing poses affects your stamina. The correct answer must maintain a natural comparative relationship and agree with this well known pattern. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is "All standing poses build the cardiovascular system, so the more you do it, the ________ your stamina will become." The phrase "the more you do it" introduces a comparative idea. The blank must be filled with an appropriate comparative form of an adjective. The context is clearly positive improvement in stamina. Concept / Approach: In English, when we use "the more" to introduce a comparison, we usually complete the pattern with a comparative form in the second clause, such as "the better", "the stronger", or "the higher". Here we are talking about stamina improving, so the natural expression is "the better your stamina will become". The word "best" is superlative, not comparative, and "good" without modification does not match the structure. "Too good" introduces an idea of excess, which the passage does not suggest. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise the paired comparative structure: "the more you do it, the ... your stamina will become".Step 2: Recall that the correct match is usually "the more, the more or better".Step 3: Identify "better" as the comparative form of "good".Step 4: Substitute "better" into the sentence: "the more you do it, the better your stamina will become."Step 5: Confirm that this expression is natural in standard English and fits the positive health message of the passage. Verification / Alternative check: Try each option. "The more you do it, the best your stamina will become" is wrong because "best" cannot be used directly with "the more" in this pattern; it is used with a fixed upper limit, not a comparative relationship. "The more you do it, the good your stamina will become" is grammatically incorrect. "The more you do it, the too good your stamina will become" sounds unnatural and exaggerates in an odd way. Only "better" fits the structure and meaning perfectly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "best" is a superlative and does not follow "the more" pattern correctly in a cause and effect comparison. Option C "good" lacks the comparative form required by the construction and sounds incomplete. Option D "too good" suggests an excessive level that can even be negative, which is not the intended meaning of the health advice. Common Pitfalls: Candidates may be tempted by "best" because it sounds positive and many learners overuse superlatives. However, the grammatical pattern "the more ... the better" is extremely common in English and should be memorised as a fixed structure. Recognising such patterns in exam questions allows you to answer quickly and accurately. Final Answer: The correct word is "better", resulting in "the more you do it, the better your stamina will become".

Question 11

In the Trikonasana passage, choose the correct linking word to complete the sentence: "The aim is never to overdo it, but to engage regularly, __________ that you get stronger and more stable over time."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This final blank in the Trikonasana passage concerns a linking word that connects the idea of regular engagement in yoga with the result of becoming stronger and more stable. The correct answer must express purpose or result in a natural, concise way that fits the formal style of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is "The aim is never to overdo it, but to engage regularly, __________ that you get stronger and more stable over time." The phrase before the blank gives the method: engage regularly. The phrase after the blank describes the result: you get stronger and more stable. We need a conjunction that can connect a method with an intended or expected result. Concept / Approach: Common English constructions for expressing purpose or result include "so that", "in order that", and "so". In many modern contexts, writers use "so that" or simply "so" before a clause describing the outcome. In the exam sentence, the blank is followed directly by "that", so "so" is the natural word to place there, forming the common phrase "so that you get stronger and more stable over time". The other options "if", "of", and "to" do not create a standard purposeful expression in this position. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the second part of the sentence talks about the result of engaging regularly.Step 2: Recall that "so that" is widely used to introduce a purpose or result clause.Step 3: Recognise that the blank must be filled by "so" to complete the phrase "so that".Step 4: Insert "so" into the sentence: "engage regularly, so that you get stronger and more stable over time."Step 5: Check that the sentence now reads naturally and supports the main message of balanced practice. Verification / Alternative check: Try replacing the blank with other options. "Engage regularly, if that you get stronger" is incorrect because "if that" is not a standard combination. "Engage regularly, of that you get stronger" is ungrammatical. "Engage regularly, to that you get stronger" is also wrong. Only "so that" provides a clear cause and effect relationship and fits well with the overall tone of advice in the passage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A "if" introduces a condition, but the phrase "if that you get stronger" is not idiomatic English. Option B "of" cannot link two clauses in this way and does not indicate purpose. Option D "to" may introduce an infinitive clause, but "to that you get stronger" does not form a correct grammatical structure. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may overcomplicate the sentence and search for longer connectors, but the presence of "that" immediately after the blank is a strong clue that "so" is the required word. It helps to memorise common pairs such as "so that" and to notice how they are used in articles, textbooks, and exam passages to express purposeful actions and results. Final Answer: The correct linking word is "so", producing the phrase "so that you get stronger and more stable over time".

Question 12

In this error spotting question, identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error: "She was so (1) near to (2) achieving her goal. (3) No Error (4)".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions require you to examine a sentence divided into numbered parts and find the segment that contains a grammatical or usage error. Here the sentence describes a person being very close to achieving a goal. The error lies in the incorrect preposition or structure used after the adjective "near". Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is broken as "She was so (1) near to (2) achieving her goal. (3) No Error (4)". The phrase "so near to achieving her goal" is meant to describe proximity to success. We must determine whether any segment misuses an adjective, preposition, or other grammar element. The standard expression in English is "near achieving" or "very near to something" like a place or noun, not usually "near to" followed by a gerund here. Concept / Approach: In English, "near" can function both as an adjective and as a preposition. With a noun, both "near" and "near to" can sometimes be heard, but in many standard constructions, "near" alone is preferred. When "near" is followed by a gerund clause describing an action, such as "achieving her goal", the usual and more natural form is "near achieving her goal" without "to". Thus, the presence of "to" after "near" in this sentence is unnecessary and non standard. The rest of the sentence is grammatically correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the sentence as a whole: "She was so near to achieving her goal."Step 2: Focus on the phrase "near to achieving", as this looks slightly awkward.Step 3: Recall that the natural phrase is "so near achieving her goal" or "so close to achieving her goal".Step 4: Realise that "to" is not needed after "near" in this context with a gerund clause.Step 5: Conclude that part (2) contains the error because of the unnecessary preposition "to". Verification / Alternative check: If we correct the sentence to "She was so near achieving her goal", it sounds smooth and correct. Alternatively, we could also write "She was so close to achieving her goal", where "close to" is the fixed combination. This confirms that the underlying idea is fine, and only the exact word choice around "near" needs correction. Parts (1) and (3) do not contain errors, and part (4) is simply the "No Error" option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (part 1 "She was so") is correct; "so" is commonly used before adjectives to intensify them. Option C (part 3 "achieving her goal") is grammatically correct and expresses the intended meaning clearly. Option D (part 4 "No Error") is wrong because there is indeed an error in part (2). Common Pitfalls: Students may accept "near to" without question because they are familiar with "close to". Although "near to" can appear in some constructions, exam setters often test this subtle distinction in error spotting items. It is important to notice which adjective the preposition is associated with and whether that combination is standard in the given structure. Here "close to achieving" is natural, while "near achieving" is preferred without "to". Final Answer: The error is in part 2, which contains the unnecessary preposition "to" after "near".

Question 13

In this error spotting question, find the part of the sentence that contains an error: "He watched as fights (1) broke out (2) along the city. (3) No Error (4)".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another error spotting question focused on the use of prepositions with place expressions. The sentence describes fights breaking out in a city, and the error is in the phrase "along the city". Understanding which prepositions naturally collocate with words like "city" is important for accurate English usage, especially in descriptive writing and reporting. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is divided as "He watched as fights (1) broke out (2) along the city. (3) No Error (4)". The subject "He" and the verb phrase "watched as fights broke out" are grammatically correct. The problematic phrase is "along the city". The intended meaning is that fights happened in many parts or areas of the city. Concept / Approach: The preposition "along" is normally used with linear objects like roads, rivers, or walls, as in "along the river" or "along the road". When we talk about events happening within the limits of a town or city, we typically use "in the city", "throughout the city", or "across the city". Therefore "along the city" is not a natural or correct combination in standard English. The correct correction would be "across the city" or "throughout the city". Thus, the error is located in part (3). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the entire sentence: "He watched as fights broke out along the city."Step 2: Confirm that "He watched" and "fights broke out" are correctly formed verb phrases.Step 3: Examine "along the city" and test alternative prepositions in your mind such as "in the city", "across the city", or "throughout the city".Step 4: Recognise that "along" does not match the noun "city" in this context because a city is not a simple line or edge.Step 5: Conclude that part (3) is the incorrect segment due to wrong preposition choice. Verification / Alternative check: Correcting the sentence to "He watched as fights broke out across the city" or "He watched as fights broke out throughout the city" gives a much more natural and idiomatic expression. No changes are needed in parts (1) and (2), and thus "No Error" in part (4) cannot be selected. This confirms that the mistake is confined to part (3) only. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (part 1 "He watched as fights") is grammatical and meaningful. Option B (part 2 "broke out") correctly describes the sudden start of fights and is a standard phrasal verb. Option D (part 4 "No Error") is wrong because we have clearly identified an error in the phrase "along the city". Common Pitfalls: Many learners treat prepositions as interchangeable, but exam questions often test knowledge of fixed combinations. "Along" works with long narrow locations, whereas "across" or "throughout" typically pair with wider areas like fields or cities. Training yourself to notice these patterns in reading materials will make such error spotting questions easier to answer accurately. Final Answer: The error is in part 3, where "along the city" should be replaced by a more suitable prepositional phrase such as "across the city" or "throughout the city".

Question 14

In this vocabulary based fill in the blank question, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "Everyone was pleased to learn the actor would _________ his role as the captivating pirate."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of a specific verb frequently used in discussions about film, theatre, and television. The sentence speaks about an actor and a role that audiences already know and love, namely "his role as the captivating pirate". The key idea is that the actor will play the same role again in a later production. The correct verb for performing a role once more is "reprise". Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is "Everyone was pleased to learn the actor would _________ his role as the captivating pirate." The context is positive reaction from people who enjoyed the actor in that role earlier. The options include "reprise", "rescue", "save", and "free". We assume knowledge of basic theatre and cinema vocabulary. Concept / Approach: In entertainment contexts, when an actor plays the same character again in a sequel, revival, or new production, we say that the actor "reprises" the role. The verb "reprise" comes from a word meaning "repeat" or "take up again". The other options, "rescue", "save", and "free", relate to physical or metaphorical saving from danger or restriction, which do not match the specific professional sense here. Therefore we must select the term that accurately describes repeating the same performance role. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the phrase "his role as the captivating pirate". This implies that the actor has already played this role before.Step 2: Recognise that audiences are pleased because they will see him in that same character again.Step 3: Recall that the standard verb for taking up a role again is "reprise".Step 4: Insert "reprise" into the sentence: "Everyone was pleased to learn the actor would reprise his role as the captivating pirate."Step 5: Confirm that the sentence now reads naturally for a film or theatre news report. Verification / Alternative check: Test other options. "Rescue his role" sounds odd and does not reflect repeating a performance. "Save his role" might loosely suggest preserving the role, but it does not mean playing it again. "Free his role" does not make sense in common English usage. Only "reprise his role" is an established collocation widely seen in entertainment journalism and reviews. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B "rescue" involves saving someone or something from danger, which is not the intended idea here. Option C "save" can mean rescue or store, but does not convey the idea of performing a role once more. Option D "free" suggests releasing something from control or restriction and is completely unrelated to repeating a character role. Common Pitfalls: Students who have not been exposed to film and theatre vocabulary may be unfamiliar with "reprise". In such cases, paying attention to the context of enthusiasm and earlier performance can help. The mention of "his role" strongly hints that the action concerns acting rather than physical rescue, guiding you away from options like "rescue", "save", and "free". Building a reading habit that includes arts and culture sections in newspapers will gradually make such specialised words more familiar. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is "reprise", giving "Everyone was pleased to learn the actor would reprise his role as the captivating pirate".

Question 15

In the following question, a sentence is given with a blank that must be filled with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four options. The diamond necklace was _______ too extravagant for a simple dinner party.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This English grammar question tests a very common collocation in everyday usage: the phrase far too plus an adjective. The sentence describes how the diamond necklace did not suit the occasion because it was excessive for a simple dinner party. The blank must be filled with a word that forms a natural expression with too extravagant and accurately reflects the degree of excess implied by the context. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: The diamond necklace was _______ too extravagant for a simple dinner party. Options: distance, long, very much, far. The speaker is criticising the necklace as being more elaborate than appropriate for a modest event. We assume standard modern English usage of degree modifiers before adjectives. Concept / Approach: In English, the set phrase far too is frequently used before an adjective to emphasise that something is much more than necessary or suitable. Examples include far too expensive, far too late, or far too formal. The word far in such phrases functions as an intensifier. The other options either do not collocate with too in this way or change the meaning in an unnatural manner. The approach is to identify which option forms a fixed, idiomatic combination with too extravagant and also matches the idea that the necklace is excessively fancy for the occasion. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the pattern in the sentence: was _______ too extravagant. This suggests a degree adverb before too.Step 2: Test the phrase far too extravagant, which is a common expression used to indicate a strong degree of excess.Step 3: Check the contextual meaning. For a simple dinner party, a diamond necklace being far too extravagant is logical and natural.Step 4: Test the other options: distance too extravagant, long too extravagant, and very much too extravagant. All of these sound ungrammatical or awkward.Step 5: Conclude that far is the only option that completes the well known collocation far too extravagant and fits the context perfectly. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, consider similar sentences. We say The dress was far too formal for a picnic and This car is far too costly for my budget. In each case far strengthens too plus an adjective. Substituting very much would give very much too extravagant, which is not standard usage. Distance and long do not act as degree adverbs here and cannot modify too extravagant correctly. Reading the sentence aloud with far inserted shows that it flows naturally and communicates the intended meaning of strong excess. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Distance: This is a noun and cannot function as a degree adverb in this structure. Long: This normally describes length or duration and does not collocate with too in front of extravagant in this way. Very much: Although very much can modify verbs and some phrases, it does not fit between the verb was and too in this pattern; very much too extravagant sounds incorrect in careful English. None of these options forms a recognised collocation in this sentence. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may be tempted by very much because they know it is used to show a high degree, but they may not recall the exact word order rules. Others may overlook the fact that grammar questions often test fixed expressions such as far too. The safest strategy is to rely on hearing how native-like the phrase sounds and to recall similar examples from reading or listening. Once a student internalises far too as a common pattern, this type of question becomes easy to answer. Final Answer: The correct word that completes the sentence naturally is far, forming the idiomatic phrase far too extravagant.

Question 16

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is similar in meaning to the given word. Fallacy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests understanding of the word fallacy, which is frequently used in logical reasoning, philosophy, and competitive exams. A fallacy usually refers to a mistaken belief or a flaw in reasoning. The task is to select the option whose meaning is closest to this idea, from among four words that belong to the semantic field of belief, proof, and correctness. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Fallacy. Options: Conformity, Surety, Bias, Evidence. We consider standard dictionary meanings used in reasoning and argument analysis. The exam setter expects the nearest meaning among the four, not a perfect one to one equivalence. Concept / Approach: Fallacy means an incorrect idea or a defect in an argument that makes the conclusion unreliable. In practical situations, fallacies often arise from biased reasoning, incorrect assumptions, or misleading arguments. Among the options, bias refers to an unfair preference or prejudice that can distort judgement and lead to wrong conclusions. While bias and fallacy are not identical, bias is the only option linked to wrong thinking or unsound judgement. The other options describe certainty, agreement, or proof, which are opposite to error. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the main meanings of fallacy: false belief, faulty reasoning, or misleading argument.Step 2: Examine Conformity. This means behaving in line with rules, standards, or expectations; it does not suggest wrongness in reasoning.Step 3: Examine Surety. This expresses certainty or guarantee, which is conceptually opposite to the idea of error or mistaken belief.Step 4: Examine Bias. This is an inclination or prejudice that can cause people to accept or form fallacies because their judgement is distorted.Step 5: Examine Evidence. This refers to facts or information that support a conclusion; it strengthens arguments instead of weakening them. Thus, Bias is the closest in sense. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify the choice by constructing simple examples. A political fallacy might come from a strong political bias. Bias in that context directly produces fallacious reasoning. On the other hand, conformity simply describes following rules, which can be either correct or incorrect. Surety is linked to confidence and does not relate to error, and evidence is associated with proof that helps avoid fallacies. Because bias is the only word that naturally connects to wrong or distorted thinking, it serves as the nearest available synonym in this option set. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Conformity: This refers to agreement or compliance with norms, not to logical error. A person can conform to a group while still reasoning correctly or incorrectly; the word itself does not imply fallacy. Surety: This means certainty or guarantee, almost the opposite of fallacy, because a fallacy is something that makes a conclusion uncertain or invalid. Evidence: This denotes facts and data used to support or refute a claim. Evidence is what we use to detect and remove fallacies, so it is not similar to fallacy at all. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may confuse fallacy with falsity and then mistakenly look for a word that directly means false rather than an error in reasoning. Others may be tempted by evidence because both words appear together in logical discussions, but they play opposite roles. A reliable method is to ask, which option could realistically be the cause or form of wrong reasoning. Bias clearly fits this test, while conformity, surety, and evidence do not. Final Answer: The word closest in meaning to fallacy among the given options is Bias.

Question 17

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is similar in meaning to the given word. To reproach.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This synonym question tests knowledge of verbs that describe different types of judgement or feedback. The target phrase to reproach is generally used when someone expresses disapproval, criticism, or blame towards another person for a fault or mistake. The candidate must choose the option that most closely matches this sense of disapproval, as opposed to praise or clearing of blame. Given Data / Assumptions: Target expression: To reproach. Options: To commend, To laud, To exonerate, To admonish. The context is general English usage in which reproach involves criticism. We assume normal formal meanings of these verbs as used in exams. Concept / Approach: To reproach someone means to speak to them in a way that shows you are disappointed or disapprove of their actions. It often involves gentle scolding or blaming. To admonish has a very similar meaning: it means to warn or reprimand someone firmly but usually in a constructive way. On the other hand, to commend and to laud are verbs of praise, and to exonerate means to declare someone free of blame. These are semantically opposite to the idea of reproach. The correct strategy is to group the praise and clearance words together and select the only option that points towards reprimand or scolding. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of reproach: express disapproval, blame, or criticism for a fault.Step 2: Examine To commend. This means to praise or express approval, which is the opposite of reproach.Step 3: Examine To laud. This also means to praise highly, especially in public, and therefore does not match reproach.Step 4: Examine To exonerate. This means to clear someone from blame or fault, which again contradicts the act of reproach.Step 5: Examine To admonish. This means to warn or reprimand someone firmly, very close to reproach in tone and purpose. Therefore, this is the correct synonym. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by placing each verb in a simple sentence similar to typical exam sentences. A teacher reproached the student for coming late can be replaced by A teacher admonished the student for coming late without changing the basic meaning. However, if we use commended, lauded, or exonerated, the meaning changes completely, because those verbs suggest praise or removal of blame. Since admonish is the only verb that keeps the negative judgement and corrective tone, it is the best synonym for reproach among the given options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To commend: This verb means to approve of someone or to praise them, which is the opposite of criticising them. To laud: This also means to praise, often in a formal or ceremonial manner, and cannot be used where disapproval is intended. To exonerate: This means to officially declare that someone is not guilty or responsible for a problem, which directly opposes the idea of blaming or reproaching someone. None of these verbs capture the sense of rebuke inherent in reproach. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse verbs that involve strong feelings, regardless of whether those feelings are positive or negative. Commend and laud, for example, sound serious and formal, but they are still positive. Another pitfall is mixing up exonerate with words like examine or explain simply because of similar beginnings. The safest method is to remember that reproach, reprimand, scold, and admonish all carry the idea of pointing out faults, whereas commend and laud belong firmly to the praise group. Final Answer: The word most similar in meaning to to reproach is To admonish.

Question 18

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word. Veneration.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question tests understanding of a formal noun used to describe attitude or feeling towards a person or object. Veneration is commonly used in religious, cultural, and moral contexts to indicate deep respect or reverence. To answer correctly, the candidate must identify which option expresses the opposite emotional attitude, that is, strong disrespect or dislike instead of respect and honor. Given Data / Assumptions: Key word: Veneration. Options: Adoration, Contempt, Reverence, Admiration. We assume standard dictionary meanings and usage in moral or religious contexts. The task is to find the direct opposite, not just a different or unrelated word. Concept / Approach: Veneration means great respect, reverence, or awe, often directed toward saints, elders, leaders, or sacred objects. Its core idea is a high degree of positive regard. Therefore, the antonym must express strong negative regard. Contempt is a noun that denotes a feeling that someone or something is worthless, beneath consideration, or deserving of scorn. The other options, Adoration, Reverence, and Admiration, are all words that describe respect or love; they are synonyms or near synonyms of veneration, not opposites. Thus, the correct method is to group positive feeling words together and choose the single negative attitude word. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that veneration means deep respect or reverence.Step 2: Examine Adoration. This means intense love and respect, often towards a deity or beloved person. It is clearly similar to veneration.Step 3: Examine Reverence. This is almost a direct synonym of veneration, meaning deep respect and awe.Step 4: Examine Admiration. This means respect and warm approval, again positive in tone.Step 5: Examine Contempt. This is a strong feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration or deserves scorn. This is the emotional opposite of veneration, so Contempt is the correct antonym. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine sentences that use these words. One may feel veneration for a saint, reverence for an elder, adoration for a deity, and admiration for a brave person. In each case the attitude is positive and respectful. If one feels contempt for a corrupt official, that attitude is the complete opposite of respect. Replacing veneration with contempt in any positive sentence reverses the meaning entirely. This confirms that contempt is the antonym we are looking for in this question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Adoration: This is an even stronger form of love and respect, especially in religious contexts, and is therefore a synonym, not an antonym. Reverence: This word shares nearly the same meaning as veneration and is often used interchangeably in religious or formal texts. Admiration: This indicates approval and respect, which again belongs to the same positive semantic field. Choosing any of these would mean confusing synonyms with antonyms. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes rush and choose any familiar word without checking whether the question is asking for a synonym or an antonym. Another pitfall is confusing admiration and adoration because they appear frequently in exam passages and may feel overused. A safe strategy is to first decide whether the base word expresses a positive or negative emotion, and then pick the option that clearly expresses the opposite polarity. Here veneration is strongly positive, and contempt is strongly negative. Final Answer: The word that is opposite in meaning to veneration is Contempt.

Question 19

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is opposite in meaning to the given word. Impugnable.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question focuses on a less common adjective used in formal and legal English. Impugnable is derived from the verb impugn, which means to challenge or attack something as false or questionable. Therefore, impugnable means capable of being attacked, questioned, or called into doubt. The candidate must select the option that most strongly expresses the opposite state, namely something that is not open to doubt or challenge. Given Data / Assumptions: Key word: Impugnable. Options: Dicey, Debatable, Indubious, Hazy. We assume usage in contexts like arguments, claims, decisions, or evidence. The task is to choose the best opposite, not just a different word. Concept / Approach: Impugnable describes a statement, decision, or action that can reasonably be challenged or doubted. Therefore, the antonym must describe something that is beyond doubt or question. The option indubious, although less common than indubitable, is formed from in plus dubious and is intended in exam context to mean not doubtful or not open to suspicion. The other options dicey, debatable, and hazy all suggest uncertainty, risk, or lack of clarity, which are conceptually similar to impugnable rather than opposite. The correct approach is to recognise that indubious, by structure and meaning, denotes the absence of doubt. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand impugnable as capable of being questioned, attacked, or doubted.Step 2: Examine Dicey. This means risky, uncertain, or of doubtful outcome, which implies that something is not secure and may be questioned.Step 3: Examine Debatable. This clearly means open to debate, dispute, or argument, which is very close to impugnable.Step 4: Examine Hazy. This means unclear or not well defined, again suggesting doubt and uncertainty.Step 5: Examine Indubious. By construction, this word means not dubious, that is, not questionable or not doubtful. This is the opposite state of impugnable, so it is the correct antonym. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by substituting the words into a sample sentence. Consider The witness testimony is impugnable, meaning it can be challenged. If we switch to indubious, The witness testimony is indubious suggests that it is beyond doubt and cannot reasonably be attacked. Using dicey, debatable, or hazy in that place would only reinforce the idea that the testimony is unreliable or open to challenge, which does not create an opposite meaning. Thus indubious is the only option that reverses the sense of impugnable. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Dicey: This emphasises risk and uncertainty, which align with the idea that something could be challenged or may fail. It does not imply security or undeniability. Debatable: This directly indicates that an issue is open to argument, which is almost a direct synonym of impugnable. Hazy: This describes something unclear or vague, which again invites doubt. None of these words express the idea of being firmly established and free from suspicion. Common Pitfalls: Because indubious is less commonly encountered than dubious or indubitable, candidates may hesitate to pick it, even though the prefix in clearly marks it as a negative form. Some may also confuse dicey with decisive or debatable with reliable because they rely on approximate sound rather than precise meaning. A useful technique is to break words into parts: dubious means doubtful, so indubious naturally means not doubtful. Recognising these common prefixes can often unlock the answer in such vocabulary questions. Final Answer: The word that is opposite in meaning to impugnable is Indubious.

Question 20

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses the meaning of the given idiom or phrase. To hit the nail on the head.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom based question tests understanding of a very common English phrase used in both spoken and written language. The expression to hit the nail on the head comes from the image of a hammer striking a nail precisely on its head, which is the correct spot. In conversation, it refers to saying or doing something that is exactly right or accurately identifies the main issue. The candidate must choose the option that reflects this figurative meaning rather than a literal or unrelated sense. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: To hit the nail on the head. Options: take out frustration by beating a person, make a wrong decision, find exactly the right answer, unwittingly fall into a trap. No specific sentence context is given, so the general dictionary meaning is tested. We assume standard modern English usage that appears in exams and media. Concept / Approach: In idiomatic usage, if someone hits the nail on the head, they describe a situation or problem very accurately or give a solution that is exactly correct. It is often used to praise a remark that captures the essence of an issue. None of the other options reflect this idea. Making a wrong decision is the opposite, taking out frustration describes anger, and falling into a trap describes being deceived. The correct approach is to focus on the idea of precision and correctness implied by the idiom and match it with the option that mentions exactly the right answer. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the common usage: She really hit the nail on the head with that comment, meaning she identified the problem perfectly.Step 2: Compare this sense with option To find exactly the right answer. This clearly expresses the idea of precision and correctness.Step 3: Examine option To make a wrong decision. This describes error and is opposite to the sense of being exactly right.Step 4: Examine option To take out frustration by beating a person. This is completely unrelated, describing violence and anger.Step 5: Examine option To unwittingly fall into a trap. This describes being tricked or deceived and does not match the idea of accuracy. Therefore, option C is the correct explanation of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can use the idiom in different contexts. In a meeting, someone might say Your analysis hits the nail on the head, meaning it perfectly captures the real issue. In exam explanation videos, teachers often say This option hits the nail on the head, meaning it matches the requirement exactly. In all such cases, the underlying idea is an exact match between problem and solution, which lines up with finding exactly the right answer. None of the other options can be used naturally in these contexts while preserving the meaning of the idiom. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To take out frustration by beating a person: This could be related to the idea of hitting, but it is purely literal and does not reflect the idiomatic meaning. To make a wrong decision: This goes in the opposite direction, reflecting error instead of accurate judgement. To unwittingly fall into a trap: This emphasises ignorance or a mistake due to deception, not accuracy. These options are deliberately designed distractors that rely on superficial associations rather than true meaning. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus on the literal meaning of hit and nail and imagine a violent or negative scenario. Examiners exploit this by offering options involving beating or traps. Another pitfall is associating the idiom with decision making in general and then confusing right decisions with wrong ones. A reliable technique is to ask, in what situations have I heard this phrase. Almost always it is used to praise someone for exact correctness, which directly supports the correct option. Final Answer: The idiom to hit the nail on the head means to find exactly the right answer or to describe something with complete accuracy.

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