Question 1

In this error-spotting sentence, identify the part that contains an error in subject–verb agreement or plural formation: "My sister-in-laws who lives in Kolkata have come to stay with us."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on correct plural formation of compound nouns and agreement between subject and verb. The phrase sister in law is a compound noun, and it has a special pattern for pluralisation. Many learners make mistakes with such forms, especially when they are part of longer sentences involving relative clauses like who lives in Kolkata. Error spotting in such contexts is common in competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Part 1: My sister-in-laws Part 2: who lives in Kolkata Part 3: have come to stay with us. Part 4: No Error We assume there is more than one sister in law visiting. Concept / Approach: For compound nouns like sister in law, the plural is formed by adding s to the main noun, not to law. Therefore, the correct plural is sisters in law, not sister in laws. Once we fix that, agreement of who lives and have come also needs attention, but the primary test in this question is the plural form in part 1. Standard exam keys usually treat one main error per sentence, and the clearly visible error is the wrong pluralisation of sister in law. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the head noun in the compound sister in law, which is sister. Step 2: Apply the rule that the plural marker s is attached to sister, producing sisters in law. Step 3: Notice that the given phrase My sister-in-laws contradicts this rule. Step 4: Recognise that therefore part 1 contains a clear and important grammatical error. Step 5: Select option 1 as the part with error. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence correctly as My sisters-in-law who live in Kolkata have come to stay with us. Here, both the plural form and the verb agreements are corrected. Since the exam typically counts only one part as erroneous in such a pattern, part 1, containing sister-in-laws, is clearly wrong. Even if you notice that lives should be live, the most obvious and tested concept here is compound noun pluralisation in part 1. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 2 contains who lives in Kolkata, and while live would be better if we emphasise more than one person, the highlighted central test point is the plural compound noun. Part 3, have come to stay with us, correctly uses have as an auxiliary for a plural subject, matching sisters in law once corrected. Part 4, No Error, cannot be chosen because we have already identified the incorrect plural form in part 1. Common Pitfalls: Students often add s at the very end of a compound noun, especially in speech, without considering which word carries the main meaning. This leads to forms like brother in laws or mother in laws. Remember that in such compounds, the first noun generally takes the plural, leading to brothers in law, mothers in law, and sisters in law. Final Answer: The error is in part 1; the correct form should be My sisters-in-law.

Question 2

In this error-spotting sentence, identify the part that contains an error in the phrase "These kind of clothes are rather expensive for me to buy."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of agreement between demonstratives like this or these and nouns such as kind and clothes. In English, phrases like this kind of or these kinds of have specific patterns. Mixing singular and plural incorrectly leads to awkward and ungrammatical expressions, which examiners target in error spotting questions. Given Data / Assumptions: Part 1: These kind of clothes Part 2: are rather expensive Part 3: for me to buy. Part 4: No Error The intended meaning is that such clothes are expensive for the speaker to buy. Concept / Approach: There are two correct patterns: this kind of clothing or these kinds of clothes. Demonstratives and the noun kind must agree in number. These is plural, so it should be followed by kinds, not kind, when used with a plural noun like clothes. In the given sentence, These kind of clothes mixes a plural demonstrative with a singular kind, which is incorrect. Therefore the error lies in part 1. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the demonstrative these, which is plural. Step 2: Notice that it is immediately followed by the singular noun kind. Step 3: Recall that with these, we usually say these kinds of when referring to multiple types. Step 4: Check that clothes is plural, which supports the use of the plural kinds. Step 5: Conclude that the phrase should be these kinds of clothes, making part 1 incorrect as given. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence correctly as These kinds of clothes are rather expensive for me to buy. This version is natural and grammatically consistent. Alternatively, you could also say This kind of clothing is rather expensive for me to buy, but that would change the sentence structure. Since the given sentence clearly uses these and clothes, the fix must involve changing kind to kinds in part 1, confirming that this is where the error lies. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 2 uses are rather expensive, which is an appropriate verb phrase for a plural subject like clothes. Part 3, for me to buy, is a correct infinitive phrase expressing purpose or difficulty. Part 4 cannot be chosen because we have already identified a mismatch in number in part 1. Common Pitfalls: Many learners hear expressions like this kind of thing in speech and then simply replace this with these without adjusting the rest of the phrase. This leads to incorrect combinations like these kind of things. To avoid this, always check that your demonstrative (this or these) agrees with the form of kind or kinds and also matches the number of the following noun. Final Answer: The error is in part 1; it should read These kinds of clothes.

Question 3

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate verb: "The employee did not _____ to the argument of the manager."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Vocabulary questions involving similar sounding verbs test both meaning and collocation. In workplace or negotiation contexts, the choice of verb can change the entire sense of a sentence. Here, the sentence refers to how an employee reacts to a manager's argument. We need a verb that logically matches the idea of accepting or yielding to someone's reasoning and that fits naturally with the preposition to in standard English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: The employee did not _____ to the argument of the manager. Four verbs are provided: precede, exceed, concede, recede. The context suggests a discussion or disagreement, not movement in space or measurement. The preposition to follows the blank, which limits which verbs will be natural. Concept / Approach: The verb concede means to admit that something is true, valid, or correct, often reluctantly. It is commonly used in expressions like concede a point or concede to an argument. In contrast, precede means to go before in time or order, exceed means to go beyond a limit, and recede means to move back or further away. Only concede fits the sense of responding to an argument in a discussion, and it also works smoothly with the preposition to in many contexts. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key phrase argument of the manager, which suggests debate or persuasion. Step 2: Recall that concede means to accept or admit something, often after some resistance. Step 3: Test the sentence mentally with concede: The employee did not concede to the argument of the manager, which makes good sense. Step 4: Try inserting the other verbs and notice that they do not produce natural or logical meanings. Step 5: Select concede as the only verb that matches both meaning and collocation. Verification / Alternative check: Consider similar sentences such as She refused to concede to his demands or He finally conceded the correctness of her analysis. In both, concede clearly describes accepting someone else's position. The pattern did not concede to aligns naturally with these examples. Using precede, exceed, or recede with to the argument would sound odd and would not be idiomatic English. This confirms our choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Precede means to come before in time or order, as in A precedes B, and does not take to the argument in this kind of sentence. Exceed relates to quantity or limit, as in exceed the speed limit or exceed expectations, and has nothing to do with responding to an argument. Recede is used for physical or metaphorical movement backwards, such as flood waters recede or a hairline recedes, and again does not fit the idea of reacting to reasoning. Common Pitfalls: Because these verbs share similar sounds, students sometimes choose by ear rather than by meaning. Another pitfall is not paying attention to the object of the verb; here, argument of the manager strongly signals a debate context rather than measurement or movement. Building strong awareness of common collocations like concede a point and concede to an argument will improve accuracy. Final Answer: The correct verb is concede: The employee did not concede to the argument of the manager.

Question 4

Fill in the blank with the correct preposition: "He was sworn _____ as the Prime Minister of our country."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of fixed expressions in English, especially those used in political and ceremonial contexts. When a person assumes a formal office, such as President, Prime Minister, or judge, English uses a specific phrasal verb with sworn. Knowing this phrase is essential for understanding news reports and official statements about changes in government or leadership. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: He was sworn _____ as the Prime Minister of our country. The blank is followed by as the Prime Minister of our country. Four prepositions are offered: in, off, about, it. The context is an official oath taking ceremony. Concept / Approach: The correct collocation in English is sworn in as, which means formally installed into an office by taking an oath. For example, a leader is sworn in as President, or a judge is sworn in as a member of the court. The preposition in is a fixed part of this phrase. Sworn off has a completely different meaning related to giving up a habit, while sworn about and sworn it do not form any standard expression with this sense. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that sworn is used here in a passive construction describing a ceremony. Step 2: Recall the common phrase sworn in as used in political news and official reports. Step 3: Insert in into the sentence: He was sworn in as the Prime Minister of our country. Step 4: Check that the resulting sentence reads smoothly and matches typical usage. Step 5: Eliminate other prepositions that do not create meaningful or idiomatic combinations. Verification / Alternative check: Think of similar expressions: The new cabinet was sworn in yesterday. He was sworn in as the chief minister. In all such cases, in is used after sworn to indicate formal assumption of duties. Sworn off would appear in sentences like He has sworn off sweets, which clearly belong to a different semantic field. Since our sentence refers to appointment as Prime Minister, only sworn in as is appropriate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Off changes the meaning to giving up something, as in sworn off smoking, which is unrelated to official appointments. About does not combine with sworn to form any idiomatic phrase in this context, and sworn about as the Prime Minister is ungrammatical. It is not a preposition and simply does not fit structurally after sworn in the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse this expression with sworn to, which appears in contexts like sworn to secrecy. They may then try to use to after sworn in this sentence. Remember that sworn in as is used when someone takes office, while sworn to secrecy or sworn to protect refers to promises or duties. Keeping these contexts separate will help you choose the correct preposition quickly in exams. Final Answer: The correct preposition is in, giving He was sworn in as the Prime Minister of our country.

Question 5

Select the synonym of the word "cantankerous", which describes a person who is difficult and always ready to argue.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym questions test your depth of vocabulary by asking you to match a given word with another of similar meaning. Cantankerous is an adjective often used to describe people who are difficult to deal with, bad tempered, and quick to argue. Such words commonly appear in reading comprehension passages or character descriptions in literature, so recognising them is useful for both exams and general understanding. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: cantankerous. Four options: humorous, quarrelsome, remorseful, dullness. The word is used primarily to characterise a person's temper or behaviour. We need to select the closest meaning, not an opposite or unrelated word. Concept / Approach: Cantankerous describes someone who is always complaining, easily annoyed, and eager to argue or fight. The closest everyday word for this quality is quarrelsome, which means inclined to quarrel or argue frequently. The other options describe completely different emotional states: humorous relates to fun, remorseful to regret, and dullness to lack of interest or brightness. Therefore, quarrelsome is the only synonym that fits the semantic field of cantankerous. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the approximate meaning of cantankerous as bad tempered and argumentative. Step 2: Examine each option and link it to its core meaning. Step 3: Identify quarrelsome as meaning inclined to quarrel or argue, which is very close to cantankerous. Step 4: Notice that humorous suggests a playful or funny nature and is the opposite of sour temperament. Step 5: Recognise remorseful and dullness as unrelated to the idea of being argumentative and therefore reject them. Verification / Alternative check: Try using the words in similar sentences. For example, He is a cantankerous old man fits well with He is a quarrelsome old man. Both suggest a person who likes to argue. Replacing cantankerous with humorous or remorseful would completely change the picture. Similarly, saying He is a dullness old man is not even grammatically acceptable. These comparisons confirm that quarrelsome is the correct synonym for cantankerous in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Humorous refers to someone who has a sense of humour and likes to make others laugh, which is almost the opposite of the irritable and argumentative tone of cantankerous. Remorseful describes a person filled with regret or guilt about something wrong they have done, which has nothing to do with the love of quarrelling. Dullness is a noun meaning lack of interest, excitement, or brightness and is not even the same part of speech as cantankerous, which is an adjective. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may confuse cantankerous with melancholic or sad, because both can describe negative emotional states, but the core difference is important: cantankerous people argue and complain, while sad people may remain quiet. Building word families, such as cantankerous, quarrelsome, irritable, and grumpy, helps reinforce meaning clusters and improves synonym recognition. Final Answer: The synonym of cantankerous in the given options is Quarrelsome.

Question 6

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is similar in meaning to the given word Connoisseur, that is, an expert and discerning judge of quality or taste.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests the meaning of the word Connoisseur, a term that appears often in competitive exams, especially in passages about art, food, wine, and culture. A candidate must know that this word refers to a person who has deep knowledge and refined taste, and who is able to judge quality with discrimination. Selecting the correct synonym shows a good command of high frequency advanced English words that are used in editorial writing and descriptive passages. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is Connoisseur. The four options are Decisive, Uncivilised, Discerning judge, and Narrow-minded. Only one option must be closest in meaning to Connoisseur. The question is a standard synonym question with no extra sentence context provided. Concept / Approach: Connoisseur is used for a person who is an expert judge in matters of taste or quality. Examples include a connoisseur of art, a connoisseur of classical music, or a connoisseur of fine food. The key ideas are expertise, refined taste, and the ability to judge subtle differences in quality. Therefore, we look for an option that conveys the idea of a discerning and informed judge, rather than simply any strong decision maker or ordinary person with opinions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the dictionary sense of Connoisseur as an expert who can appreciate and judge the fine points of something, especially in art, food, or wine. Step 2: Examine the option Decisive. This word describes someone who can make decisions quickly and firmly. It does not necessarily imply expertise in judging quality. Step 3: Examine Uncivilised. This is the opposite of refined. A connoisseur is usually associated with culture and refinement, so this meaning clearly does not match. Step 4: Examine Discerning judge. This directly expresses the idea of a person who judges with insight and refined taste. It aligns very closely with the sense of Connoisseur. Step 5: Examine Narrow-minded, which refers to a person who is not open to new ideas. This is again the opposite of the broad, informed outlook that a connoisseur usually has. Step 6: Conclude that Discerning judge is the only option that captures the core meaning of Connoisseur. Verification / Alternative check: In many texts, phrases such as wine connoisseur or art connoisseur can be replaced by expert judge of wine or expert judge of art without changing the meaning significantly. The emphasis is always on refined judgement and discrimination among high quality items. Decisive people may simply make quick decisions, sometimes even without deep understanding, which is not the same. Narrow-minded and Uncivilised actually carry negative connotations and do not fit the image of a cultured expert. Thus, Discerning judge is clearly the best synonym in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Decisive is wrong because it focuses on decision making speed and firmness, not on refined appreciation or expertise. Uncivilised is wrong because it suggests a lack of culture or refinement, which is the opposite of what a connoisseur embodies. Narrow-minded is wrong because it refers to closed thinking and intolerance, again contrary to the broad and informed outlook of a true connoisseur. None of these words expresses the idea of an expert judge in matters of taste. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to pick Decisive simply because a connoisseur does make judgements, and students confuse making decisions with expert evaluation. Another pitfall is ignoring the typical collocations where connoisseur appears, such as art connoisseur, which clearly signals expertise and refined taste. To avoid mistakes, learners should remember that connoisseur always implies both deep knowledge and subtle appreciation, not merely a strong opinion. Final Answer: The word that is similar in meaning to Connoisseur is Discerning judge.

Question 7

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word Nugatory, which means of no value or importance.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Antonym questions test a student's ability to recognise not only the meaning of a word, but also which word expresses the opposite idea. The term Nugatory is somewhat formal and is often found in written English, particularly in legal or academic contexts, to describe something that is of no value, ineffective, or insignificant. To answer correctly, one needs to choose an option that represents usefulness or effectiveness, rather than any negative or empty quality. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Nugatory. Options: Delusive, Futile, Unreal, Productive. We need the word that expresses the opposite meaning. Standard dictionary sense of Nugatory is assumed: trivial, worthless, or of no practical effect. Concept / Approach: Nugatory is used to describe something that fails to produce a useful result, is of no importance, or is invalid. A clear antonym will therefore express the idea that something is useful, effective, or capable of producing good results. Among the given options, Productive clearly indicates generating useful or beneficial outcomes. The other choices are more similar to Nugatory in implying illusion, uselessness, or lack of reality, and hence cannot be antonyms. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Nugatory means of no real value, trivial, or ineffective. Step 2: Consider Delusive, which refers to something that deceives or misleads and does not directly express usefulness or value. Step 3: Examine Futile, which explicitly means useless or serving no practical purpose, and is therefore similar in meaning to Nugatory, not opposite. Step 4: Examine Unreal, which suggests something that does not exist in reality, again not conveying usefulness or value. Step 5: Examine Productive, which describes something that yields good results, generates output, or creates value. Step 6: Recognise that Productive is directly opposed to the idea of worthless or ineffective. Step 7: Conclude that Productive is the correct antonym for Nugatory. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine two sentences: The discussion proved nugatory and The discussion proved productive. The first suggests it achieved nothing, while the second suggests it led to useful outcomes. These two meanings clearly oppose each other. If we substitute Futile in place of Nugatory, the meaning remains quite close, which proves Futile cannot be an antonym. Delusive and Unreal describe different types of negative qualities but not the direct opposite of having value and effect. Therefore, Productive stands as the only correct opposite. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Delusive is wrong because it focuses on deception or illusion, which does not directly counter the idea of lack of value. Futile is wrong because it is almost a synonym of Nugatory, meaning pointless or useless. Unreal is wrong because it describes something that is not real rather than something that is effective or valuable. None of these options express the positive idea of creating worthwhile results. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse synonyms with antonyms when the choices are all somewhat negative sounding. Words like Futile and Nugatory can be mistakenly treated as opposites of more neutral words, but here they both point in the same direction of uselessness. To avoid such errors, examine whether a choice truly reverses the sense of the original word in a sentence, rather than merely sounding different. Training with pairs like useless and productive helps solidify the correct association. Final Answer: The word that is opposite in meaning to Nugatory is Productive.

Question 8

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word Naive, which describes someone innocent and easily fooled.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item checks knowledge of antonyms for personality adjectives. The word Naive is frequently used to describe a person who is simple, inexperienced, and too ready to trust others. Competitive exams often pair Naive with words that describe cleverness, cunning, or sophistication, since these qualities move in the opposite direction. Choosing the correct antonym requires careful attention to connotation, not only dictionary definitions. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Naive. Options: Artful, Candid, Credulous, Sincere. We must find the word that most strongly expresses the opposite character trait. Standard meanings of these personality adjectives are assumed. Concept / Approach: Naive describes someone who is innocent, lacking worldly experience, and therefore easily deceived or overly trusting. An antonym should therefore suggest cleverness combined with a degree of cunning, someone who is not easily misled. Artful is a good candidate because it can mean skilful and also cleverly deceitful. On the other hand, Candid and Sincere both describe honesty and openness, which can exist in both naive and experienced people. Credulous, meaning too ready to believe, is almost a synonym of Naive, not an opposite. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that Naive refers to an innocent, simple person with little worldly experience and a tendency to trust others easily. Step 2: Consider Artful, which describes someone skilful in achieving aims, often by indirect or clever means. It can also imply being crafty or sly. Step 3: Consider Candid, which means open, honest, and straightforward in expression. This deals with how someone communicates, not necessarily their level of worldly wisdom. Step 4: Consider Credulous, which is used for someone who is too willing to believe and is easily fooled. This is conceptually very close to Naive, so it cannot be an antonym. Step 5: Consider Sincere, which means genuine and free from pretence, again related to honesty but not to cleverness versus innocence. Step 6: Recognise that Artful implies shrewdness and often a capacity to deceive, which stands in strong contrast to Naive. Step 7: Conclude that Artful is the best opposite among the given options. Verification / Alternative check: Compare two sentences: She is naive and believes whatever people tell her and She is artful and never lets anyone take advantage of her. The first sentence paints a picture of someone innocent and easily influenced, while the second suggests a person who is clever and perhaps a little manipulative. These two character types contrast sharply. Replacing Naive with Credulous changes little in the meaning, confirming that Credulous is a near synonym, not an antonym. Candid and Sincere are more about honesty than about being easily fooled or not, so they do not function as true opposites here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Candid is wrong because a naive person can also be candid; honesty and simplicity often go together. Credulous is wrong because it directly describes someone who believes things too easily, which is a key aspect of being naive. Sincere is wrong because it focuses on genuineness, which again can be seen in naive people rather than opposing naivety. None of these words captures the opposite idea of cleverness and strategic thinking that Artful conveys. Common Pitfalls: Many learners mistake Credulous as an antonym simply because the word feels complex and unfamiliar. However, context and meaning show that it reinforces the same idea as Naive. Another trap is to pick Candid or Sincere by wrongly assuming that Naive must be about dishonesty, which it is not. To avoid such errors, always convert the question into a simple description in your own words and then pick the option that reverses that description, not just a word that sounds sophisticated. Final Answer: The word that is opposite in meaning to Naive is Artful.

Question 9

In the following sentence improvement question, choose the correct verb form to replace the bracketed part in the sentence: We (has finished) our lunch half an hour ago.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sentence improvement questions often focus on tense consistency and subject verb agreement. The sentence We has finished our lunch half an hour ago clearly sounds wrong to a fluent speaker. The phrase half an hour ago is a clear marker of a completed action in the past, and English grammar requires a matching past tense structure. The task here is to choose the most appropriate replacement for the incorrect verb phrase has finished so that the sentence becomes natural and grammatically correct. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: We has finished our lunch half an hour ago. Bracketed part to improve: has finished. Options: finished, will have finished, had finished, No improvement. We note the time expression half an hour ago, which clearly places the action in the past. Concept / Approach: When a sentence contains an explicit past time marker such as yesterday, last week, or half an hour ago, the standard tense used is simple past, not present perfect or future perfect. The subject We is plural, so in simple past the correct form is We finished. The present perfect form We have finished could be possible in some contexts, but here has is incorrect because it does not agree with We, and the presence of ago favours simple past. The other options either express future time or past perfect, neither of which fits this simple context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject and tense marker. The subject is We and the time expression half an hour ago indicates completed past time. Step 2: Recognise that with ago, English normally uses simple past, so the basic structure should be We finished our lunch half an hour ago. Step 3: Examine option A, finished, which leads to We finished our lunch half an hour ago, a correct and natural sentence. Step 4: Examine option B, will have finished, which suggests a future perfect situation and would require a future reference point, not ago. Step 5: Examine option C, had finished, which is past perfect and usually needs another past event for comparison, such as before we left, which is not present here. Step 6: Examine option D, No improvement, which would wrongly retain has finished and keep the subject verb disagreement and tense issue. Step 7: Conclude that finished is the correct choice to replace has finished. Verification / Alternative check: Compare sentences in standard usage. We finished our lunch half an hour ago is exactly how a fluent speaker would describe a completed action with a clear time reference. We have finished our lunch half an hour ago is rarely used and is considered awkward, because present perfect does not normally combine with a specific past time expression using ago. Will have finished and had finished both require more complex contexts that are not given in the sentence. This confirms that the simple past finished is the proper correction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Will have finished is wrong because it refers to completion by a point in the future, and contradicts the past marker ago. Had finished is wrong because past perfect is used when one past action is completed before another past action, which is not mentioned here. No improvement is wrong because We has finished is incorrect both in agreement and in typical tense usage with ago. Therefore, these options cannot be accepted. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overuse present perfect and past perfect because they sound more advanced, ignoring the fact that simple past is correct and natural with explicit past time markers. Another common mistake is not checking subject verb agreement carefully and overlooking that We requires have, not has. When you see ago in an exam sentence, it should strongly signal simple past, which is a quick way to avoid confusion while selecting the correct answer. Final Answer: The correct improvement is to use simple past, so the sentence becomes We finished our lunch half an hour ago. The answer is finished.

Question 10

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one word that is the best substitute for the phrase: the act of speaking irreverently about sacred things.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Single word substitution questions are designed to test how well a learner can match a detailed descriptive phrase with the correct concise term. The phrase here, the act of speaking irreverently about sacred things, comes from religious and ethical vocabulary. English has a specific word that captures insulting or showing contempt for religious beliefs, sacred objects, or deities, and that word appears frequently in exam papers and legal discussions in some countries. Given Data / Assumptions: Descriptive phrase: the act of speaking irreverently about sacred things. Options: Atheist, Blasphemy, Bellicose, Defection. We need a noun describing an act, not a person, and it must relate directly to religion or sacred subjects. Standard dictionary definitions are assumed. Concept / Approach: The key clues in the phrase are speaking, irreverently, and sacred things. These indicate disrespectful or insulting speech directed at religious subjects. Blasphemy is precisely defined as impious or irreverent speech or action concerning God or sacred things. Atheist refers to a person who does not believe in God, which is a belief position, not necessarily an act of insulting religion. Bellicose refers to a warlike attitude, and Defection refers to abandoning a duty or allegiance. Thus, only Blasphemy fits all parts of the description. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the phrase refers to an act, so the correct answer must be a noun that names an action, not a type of person. Step 2: Identify the core meaning: speaking irreverently about sacred things implies insulting or showing contempt for religious beliefs or holy matters. Step 3: Examine Atheist, which means a person who does not believe in the existence of God. It tells us about belief, not necessarily about an act of disrespectful speech. Step 4: Examine Blasphemy, which is defined as speech or writing that shows contempt for God or sacred things. Step 5: Examine Bellicose, which means warlike or inclined to fight, and is not related to religion or sacred things. Step 6: Examine Defection, which means desertion from a cause, party, or duty, again unrelated to irreverent talk about religion. Step 7: Conclude that Blasphemy is the only word that captures the exact meaning of the phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence from a news report: He was charged with blasphemy for insulting the holy book. Replacing blasphemy with any of the other options leads to nonsense. He was charged with atheist makes no sense because atheist is a person. He was charged with bellicose or defection also do not match the idea of insulting religious beliefs. The description in the question lines up perfectly with Blasphemy as used in legal codes and public debates across different countries. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Atheist is wrong because it refers to a person who does not believe in God, which is a belief status rather than an act of irreverent speech. Bellicose is wrong because it deals with aggression and warlike behaviour, not with religion or sacred matters. Defection is wrong because it describes the act of leaving an organisation, army, or cause, usually political or military. None of these words involves speaking irreverently about sacred things. Common Pitfalls: Some students confuse Atheist with Blasphemy because both appear in discussions about religion. However, atheism is about belief or lack of belief, whereas blasphemy is about offensive speech or actions. Others may choose Defection simply because it sounds serious or official. The safest strategy is to break the phrase into key ideas and match each part carefully: speech, irreverent, sacred things. Only the word Blasphemy covers all three elements accurately. Final Answer: The best single word substitute for the given phrase is Blasphemy.

Question 11

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one word that is the best substitute for the phrase: a person who talks too much about himself and constantly refers to his own achievements.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This single word substitution question focuses on subtle differences between closely related psychological terms. The phrase a person who talks too much of himself points to a kind of self centred conversational style where someone constantly refers to personal achievements, opinions, and experiences. English makes a useful distinction between Egoist, which refers broadly to a self centred person, and Egotist, which refers more specifically to someone who talks about himself excessively. Recognising this distinction is important for scoring full marks in vocabulary based questions. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: a person who talks too much of himself. Options: Egoist, Elite, Emetic, Egotist. We must choose the word that most precisely matches the behaviour described. Standard distinctions in advanced English vocabulary are assumed. Concept / Approach: The keyword in the phrase is talks too much of himself. This emphasises speech and conversation rather than only inner attitude. Egotist is defined as a person who is excessively self centred in speech and who repeatedly talks about personal achievements, talents, or experiences. Egoist is a broader term for someone who is selfish and puts personal interest first, but it does not specifically highlight constant self reference in talk. Elite refers to a superior group and Emetic refers to a medicine that induces vomiting, so they are clearly irrelevant here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the phrase does not simply say self centred but focuses on talks too much of himself, which is a behavioural description of speech. Step 2: Examine Egoist. This is someone who is selfish and mainly concerned with personal advantage, but may or may not show this by constant talking about self. Step 3: Examine Elite, which refers to a select group of people with high status or ability, not to a personality type who talks about self. Step 4: Examine Emetic, which is a medical term for a substance that induces vomiting, clearly unrelated to personality or speaking behaviour. Step 5: Examine Egotist, which standard dictionaries define as a person who is excessively conceited and self centred in speech, constantly talking about himself. Step 6: Align this meaning with the given phrase and see that it matches perfectly. Step 7: Conclude that Egotist is the most accurate single word substitute. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences such as He is such an egotist that every conversation somehow becomes a story about his achievements. Here, egotist clearly emphasises talking about self. If we replace egotist with egoist, the sentence still sounds possible but loses some precision, because egoist traditionally focuses more on self interest than on talk. In examination settings, the more precise term linked to excessive self talk is preferred. That is why egotist is the correct choice when the phrase explicitly mentions talking too much of himself. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Egoist is wrong in this context because it does not necessarily imply constant self reference in conversation, even though some modern usage blends the two words. Elite is wrong because it refers to a high status group, not an individual behaviour pattern. Emetic is wrong because it is a medical word for a drug that induces vomiting and has nothing to do with personality traits or speech habits. None of these alternatives fits the behaviour described as well as Egotist does. Common Pitfalls: Many students confuse Egoist and Egotist because they share the root ego. Some teachers and modern writers even use them interchangeably, but traditional exam based English usually maintains the distinction. To avoid confusion, remember that Egoist concerns self interest and selfish actions, while Egotist concerns self talk and constant boasting. Linking the letter t in Egotist to talking can be a helpful memory trick for multiple choice exams. Final Answer: The correct single word substitute for a person who talks too much of himself is Egotist.

Question 12

In the following question on spelling, four words are given. Out of these, select the word that is incorrectly spelt.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling questions check careful observation and familiarity with standard written English. This item presents four words, three of which are correctly spelt and one of which contains a typical exam style spelling error. The test taker must identify the incorrectly spelt word. Such questions often use words that have tricky letter sequences, especially vowels that are easy to reverse or extra letters that are easy to insert by mistake. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: Entrepreneur, Remuneration, Apprentice, Soveriegnity. The question asks for the incorrectly spelt word. We assume standard British or international spelling conventions. The words all relate to business, payment, training, and political status. Concept / Approach: Entrepreneur, Remuneration, and Apprentice are common exam words. When correctly spelt, they appear exactly as they do in formal writing. The tricky word here is intended to be Sovereignty, which comes from the root Sovereign. The option Soveriegnity mixes up the order of the vowels e and i and adds an extra syllable type ending that is not standard. By comparing the forms with known correct spellings, one can quickly isolate the incorrect option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine Entrepreneur, which is spelled e n t r e p r e n e u r. This is the standard spelling borrowed from French and is used worldwide. Step 2: Examine Remuneration, which is spelled r e m u n e r a t i o n and means payment or reward. The given spelling matches the dictionary form. Step 3: Examine Apprentice, which is spelled a p p r e n t i c e and refers to a trainee. The option given matches this correct pattern. Step 4: Examine Soveriegnity. The intended correct word is Sovereignty, from Sovereign, spelled s o v e r e i g n t y. The option reverses i and e and adds an extra i t y structure. Step 5: Recognise that Soveriegnity does not match any correct dictionary spelling and is therefore the incorrect word. Step 6: Conclude that option Soveriegnity is the wrongly spelt option that the question is targeting. Verification / Alternative check: A quick dictionary or memory check confirms that Entrepreneur, Remuneration, and Apprentice are common words whose spellings do not change. Sovereignty is the legal term for supreme power or authority, and its spelling is fixed. The given version Soveriegnity looks like a blend of Sovereign and Sovereignty but does not conform to either. That alone is enough to mark it as incorrect. In exam conditions, recognising the root Sovereign and its correct letter order helps solidify the answer choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Entrepreneur is correctly spelt and frequently appears in business newspapers and magazines. Remuneration is also correctly spelt and is common in job advertisements and employment contracts. Apprentice is correctly spelt and appears constantly in contexts involving vocational training or traditional crafts. None of these words contains the type of vowel reversal or extra letters that mark typical exam traps, so they cannot be the incorrect spellings in this set. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may doubt Entrepreneur or Remuneration because they feel long and foreign, but these words are now very standard in English. Others may not recognise the intended root Sovereign and may not see why Soveriegnity is wrong. To avoid such errors, it is useful to learn difficult words together with their root forms and related nouns, for example, Sovereign and Sovereignty, so that any deviations in exam options stand out clearly to the eye. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word in the list is Soveriegnity.

Question 13

In the following question on spelling, four words are given. Out of these, select the word that is incorrectly spelt.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling based question presents four words that look similar to their correct forms. Three are correctly spelt, while one contains a subtle but important error. Such questions are common in competitive exams to test attention to detail and familiarity with standard written English. The words here are of moderate difficulty and often appear in essays, reports, and formal letters, making them useful for real life writing as well. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: Tranquillity, Perseverence, Resplendence, Accommodation. The task is to identify the incorrectly spelt word. We assume standard British or widely accepted spellings. Each word is a common noun used in formal contexts. Concept / Approach: The key is to know or recall the correct spellings. Tranquillity is correctly spelt with a double l in standard British English. Resplendence, meaning brilliant or glowing quality, is correctly formed. Accommodation is correctly spelt with double c and double m. The problematic option is Perseverence, where the last part should be ance instead of ence. The correct spelling is Perseverance, meaning continued effort in spite of difficulty. Recognising the common suffix patterns ance versus ence is helpful here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine Tranquillity. In British English, tranquillity is spelt t r a n q u i l l i t y, with double l. The given spelling matches this. Step 2: Examine Accommodation, which is correctly spelt a c c o m m o d a t i o n, with both double c and double m. The option shows these doubles correctly. Step 3: Examine Resplendence, spelt r e s p l e n d e n c e, which is a standard spelling for the noun meaning brilliance. The given spelling is correct. Step 4: Examine Perseverence. The correct word is Perseverance, with the ending a n c e, not e n c e. The option mixes up these vowels. Step 5: Recognise that Perseverence is therefore an incorrect spelling intended as the answer. Step 6: Conclude that among the four, Perseverence is the word that is not spelt according to standard usage. Verification / Alternative check: Looking at real usage, one finds perseverance in motivational writing and exam passages, always ending with a n c e. Tranquillity, Resplendence, and Accommodation are also widely used in correct forms in textbooks and articles. If we try to search for Perseverence in authoritative dictionaries, it will not appear as a headword; instead, they will redirect to Perseverance. This confirms the error. Noticing typical suffix spellings like performance, endurance, perseverance (with ance) and difference, excellence (with ence) is a useful technique. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tranquillity is correct in British English, and even in other variants it appears with either one or two l letters; exam boards usually accept the British double l spelling. Resplendence is correctly spelt and appears as such in literature describing glowing or magnificent beauty. Accommodation is a classic example of a word with double c and double m, and the provided spelling matches this pattern exactly. Therefore, none of these can be the incorrect spelling. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to doubt long words like Accommodation or Tranquillity, which learners know are tricky, and to overlook the less obvious change from ance to ence in Perseverence. Students often confuse these two suffixes because they sound similar. A good habit is to learn difficult words along with their word families; for example, persevere leads naturally to perseverance with ance. Visual memory of these patterns helps in quickly spotting incorrect variations in exam settings. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word is Perseverence; the correct spelling is Perseverance.

Question 14

The following question gives four labelled sentences. Select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph about frustration as a global problem.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Para jumble or sentence arrangement questions test a candidate's ability to understand logical flow and cohesion in a short paragraph. The given sentences all revolve around the topic of frustration and how it affects different countries. To solve such questions effectively, one must identify the general introductory statement, follow it with supporting details, and maintain a consistent pattern of reference words such as it, these countries, and other countries. The goal is to create a smooth and meaningful paragraph. Given Data / Assumptions: R: Frustration is a global cancer. S: It has spared no country. Q: In some countries, frustration exists because these countries are populated by "have-nots". P: In other countries which are populated by "haves", frustration is among them also because they do have much but remain dissatisfied. Options: RSQP, SQRP, PSRQ, QRPS. The text compares how frustration affects both poor and rich populations. Concept / Approach: The best strategy is to look for a sentence that introduces the broad topic. Sentence R is clearly introductory, calling frustration a global cancer, which is a strong metaphor and sets the tone. This is naturally followed by S, which makes a general statement that it has spared no country, expanding on the global nature. Once the global idea is established, Q and P can provide specific explanations for different types of countries, first those populated mainly by have nots and then those populated by haves. This leads us to the order R S Q P, which corresponds to option RSQP. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the most general statement. R, Frustration is a global cancer, introduces the main idea and is suitable as the first sentence. Step 2: Look for a sentence that logically follows by amplifying this idea. S, It has spared no country, directly refers back to frustration with the pronoun It and supports the global claim. Step 3: After R and S, we expect examples or explanations of how this global frustration appears in different places. Step 4: Q states that in some countries, frustration exists because they are populated by have nots. This gives the first concrete illustration and should logically follow the general statements. Step 5: P then contrasts with Q by talking about other countries populated by haves where frustration also exists, thus completing the contrast between poor and rich societies. Step 6: Assembling in sequence gives R S Q P, which forms a smooth and coherent paragraph. Verification / Alternative check: Read the paragraph in full: Frustration is a global cancer. It has spared no country. In some countries, frustration exists because these countries are populated by have nots. In other countries which are populated by haves, frustration is among them also because they do have much yet remain dissatisfied. The progression from general to particular and from one type of country to another is logical and clear. Try starting with S or P and the paragraph feels abrupt or lacks an introduction. This confirms RSQP as the correct order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: SQRP starts with S, It has spared no country, but the pronoun It has no clear antecedent because frustration has not yet been mentioned. PSRQ begins with P, but that introduces other countries without saying what these other countries are being compared to. QRPS opens with Q, In some countries, frustration exists, which ignores the powerful introductory statement about global cancer and makes the paragraph less cohesive. All of these options break the natural flow of introduction followed by elaboration. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus only on pairs like Q and P, noticing that they contrast have nots and haves, but forget to check where the topic is first introduced. Another common mistake is ignoring pronouns such as It and other countries that clearly refer back to earlier sentences. The safest approach is to first locate the global or definitional statement, then look for sentences that use pronouns or contrast markers to follow logically. This usually leads to the correct order quickly. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is R S Q P, so the correct option is RSQP.

Question 15

The following question gives four labelled sentences. Select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph about man, his inner spirit, and the purpose of a moral maxim.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para jumble question presents four related sentences that reflect on the nature of man, his inner spirit, and the purpose of a moral maxim. The task is to arrange these sentences in a logical order so that they form a coherent paragraph. Success in such questions depends on recognising introductory statements, pronoun references, and the logical progression from general ideas about human nature to the explanation of a specific teaching or maxim. Given Data / Assumptions: R: Man is something much greater than an intelligent being using his intellect to make newer inventions from time to time. Q: He has within him a spirit which is ever exhorting him to cut down his needs and learn to be happy with what he has. P: The real purpose underlying this maxim lies in its utility in the worldly sense. S: It tells us to be up and doing, not to be passive in our attitude to life. Options: QPSR, RQPS, SRPQ, None. We assume that this maxim has been named in a previous sentence not included in the set, so this maxim and It can refer back to earlier context. Concept / Approach: We begin by searching for the most general statement about the subject, which is usually the best candidate for the opening sentence. R gives a broad philosophical statement about man being more than just an intelligent inventor, making it suitable as an introduction. Q logically follows, explaining what else is within man, namely a spirit that urges him to reduce his needs and be content. After describing man and his inner spirit, the paragraph shifts to this maxim and its real purpose in P, and then S explains what the maxim tells us. Thus, the order R Q P S provides a smooth progression from nature of man to the teaching and its implications. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Choose the introductory sentence. R introduces man in a general, philosophical way and does not depend on any earlier sentence within this set, so it is a natural start. Step 2: Look for a sentence that elaborates on man by using a pronoun He. Q states, He has within him a spirit which is ever exhorting him, clearly referring back to man in R. Step 3: After R and Q, the paragraph turns to a specific moral teaching referred to as this maxim. P explains that the real purpose underlying this maxim lies in its utility in the worldly sense. Step 4: Sentence S begins with It tells us, where It clearly points back to this maxim mentioned in P, so S must follow P. Step 5: Combine these observations to give the order R Q P S, which corresponds to option RQPS. Step 6: Check that the resulting paragraph flows naturally from human nature to inner spirit to the maxim and then to its practical message. Verification / Alternative check: Read the assembled paragraph: Man is something much greater than an intelligent being using his intellect to make newer inventions from time to time. He has within him a spirit which is ever exhorting him to cut down his needs and learn to be happy with what he has. The real purpose underlying this maxim lies in its utility in the worldly sense. It tells us to be up and doing, not to be passive in our attitude to life. The reasoning is clear: first the writer describes man, then his inner spirit, then introduces the maxim and finally states what it teaches. Trying QPSR or SRPQ leads to pronouns He or It appearing before their antecedents, which makes the paragraph confusing. Why Other Options Are Wrong: In QPSR, the first sentence begins with He, but the person referred to has not been introduced, breaking coherence. In SRPQ, S begins with It, yet this maxim has not been mentioned, so the reference is unclear and the reader is confused. None is incorrect because we have found a valid, coherent order within the given options. Therefore, RQPS remains the only sequence that respects pronoun references and logical development of the ideas. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to ignore pronouns like He and It and focus only on thematic preference, thereby placing Q or S at the start. Another pitfall is to overlook the word this maxim, which signals that some teaching has been introduced just before P, making P unsuitable as the first sentence in isolation. To succeed in para jumbles, always track pronouns and demonstratives carefully, and ensure that each one has a clear antecedent within the constructed paragraph. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is R Q P S, so the correct option is RQPS.

Question 16

A sentence has been given in the Active Voice. Out of the four given alternatives, select the option that best expresses the same idea in the Passive Voice: Why do you waste money?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice transformation questions check a learner's understanding of how to change a sentence from active to passive or vice versa without altering its meaning or tense. The given sentence, Why do you waste money?, is a present simple question in the active voice. The task is to convert it correctly to the passive voice while keeping the interrogative structure and the same time reference. Such questions are common in English grammar sections of competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Why do you waste money? Subject: you. Verb: waste. Object: money. Options include various passive constructions in present and perfect tenses. We must preserve the sense of a general, habitual action question. Concept / Approach: To convert a present simple active question of the form Why do you waste money? into passive, we move the object money to the subject position and form a passive structure using the appropriate form of be plus the past participle wasted. For a present simple passive with a singular subject, we use is wasted. The auxiliary do disappears and the question begins with Why is. We also keep by you to show the agent, because the original question focuses on the person responsible for wasting money. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object in the active sentence, which is money. Step 2: Bring the object to the front to form the new subject in the passive sentence: Money. Step 3: Since the tense in the active sentence is present simple (do waste), we need the present simple passive form is wasted. Step 4: Form the interrogative structure by placing the auxiliary is before the subject in a question: Why is money wasted. Step 5: Add the agent phrase by you to preserve the original meaning: Why is money wasted by you? Step 6: Compare this with the answer choices and find that option Why is money wasted by you? matches exactly. Verification / Alternative check: Check tense and aspect. The original sentence Why do you waste money? refers to a general or repeated action, not one that has just finished or is in progress now. Therefore, the passive form should also be in the simple present. Why is money being wasted by you? expresses present continuous, implying it is happening right now, which slightly changes the meaning. Why has money been wasted by you? uses present perfect passive, referring to completed past actions with present effect, which is not the same. Why is money wasted by you? preserves the habitual or general sense, so it is the correct transformation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Why is money been wasted by you? is grammatically incorrect because it uses is with the past participle been, which requires has or have in a correct passive form. Why has money been wasted by you? changes the tense to present perfect and suggests completed actions in the past, not the general habit implied by do waste. Why is money being wasted by you? uses the present continuous passive, indicating an ongoing action, which again alters the original time reference. Thus, these alternatives do not accurately reflect the tense and sense of the original question. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse present simple and present continuous or believe that the presence of do must be mirrored by a perfect or continuous passive structure. Another common error is to use the wrong auxiliary combination such as is been, which is not correct in English. The safe method is to first identify the tense in the active sentence, then apply the corresponding be form in the passive, and finally adjust word order for questions. Practising with simple patterns like Do you eat rice? and Is rice eaten by you? helps internalise the correct transformation. Final Answer: The correct passive voice form is Why is money wasted by you?

Question 17

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word that is opposite in meaning to the given word NONCONFORMIST.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question deals with a word that describes a person's attitude toward social rules and established customs. NONCONFORMIST is a commonly tested word in competitive exams and reading comprehension passages, especially in contexts about culture, society, and art. A correct answer requires understanding that a nonconformist is someone who does not follow established patterns or accepted standards. The opposite will be a person or quality that favours following traditional norms and accepted practices. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: NONCONFORMIST. Options: CONVENTIONAL, PRACTICAL, FASHIONABLE, NOMAD. We must select the word that represents the opposite approach to rules and customs. Standard dictionary meanings of these words are assumed. Concept / Approach: A nonconformist is someone who refuses to conform to prevailing ideas, customs, or norms. They often choose an independent or rebellious path. The antonym must represent someone who accepts and follows established conventions. CONVENTIONAL fits this requirement because it describes behaviour or beliefs that follow what is generally done or believed. PRACTICAL relates to usefulness, FASHIONABLE relates to style trends, and NOMAD describes wandering people; none of these inherently addresses conformity to social norms. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that NONCONFORMIST refers to a person who does not accept or follow established customs, traditions, or standards. Step 2: Examine CONVENTIONAL, which means based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed, and thus describes following accepted norms. Step 3: Examine PRACTICAL, which deals with usefulness, realistic thinking, and effective action, not specifically with conformity or nonconformity. Step 4: Examine FASHIONABLE, which describes something that is currently popular or in style, again not necessarily about attitude towards rules. Step 5: Examine NOMAD, describing a person who moves from place to place and does not have a permanent home, which is about lifestyle, not conformity. Step 6: Recognise that only CONVENTIONAL expresses the idea of following established traditions, making it a true opposite of NONCONFORMIST. Step 7: Conclude that CONVENTIONAL is the correct antonym. Verification / Alternative check: Consider contrasting sentences: She is a nonconformist artist who breaks all traditional rules and She is a conventional artist who follows classical styles. These two descriptions clearly oppose each other. Using PRACTICAL instead of CONVENTIONAL does not create the same opposition. A person can be both practical and nonconformist or both practical and conventional. Similarly, being fashionable or a nomad does not directly address attitude to social norms. Therefore, CONVENTIONAL is the only choice that fits as a direct opposite in meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: PRACTICAL is wrong because it relates to effectiveness and realism, not to whether one follows or challenges social norms. FASHIONABLE is wrong because many nonconformists can become fashionable once their style becomes popular, so the two words are not opposites. NOMAD is wrong because it describes a wandering lifestyle and does not inherently involve rebellion against social conventions. None of these options targets the core idea of conforming to traditions, which is central to the required antonym. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pick PRACTICAL or FASHIONABLE because these words feel positive and they may misinterpret NONCONFORMIST as simply negative or impractical. However, nonconformity is not about competence but about attitude to norms. The safest strategy is to mentally rephrase NONCONFORMIST as someone who does not follow established customs, and then look for a word that means follows established customs, which leads directly to CONVENTIONAL. Final Answer: The word that is opposite in meaning to NONCONFORMIST is CONVENTIONAL.

Question 18

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the word that best expresses the meaning of the given word CONSTRAIN.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym questions test a learner's ability to match a given word with another word that has a very similar meaning in most contexts. The word CONSTRAIN appears in many formal texts, including legal documents, reports, and academic writing. It often describes limiting the freedom of actions, feelings, or development. Choosing the right synonym helps improve both comprehension and precise expression in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: CONSTRAIN. Options: STRESS, CONTRADICT, RESTRICT, OBSTRUCT. We must select the word that comes closest in meaning across common contexts. Standard dictionary meanings of these words are assumed. Concept / Approach: To constrain someone or something is to force them to act in a certain way or to limit their freedom or possibilities. In ordinary usage, it is close in meaning to restrict, limit, or confine. The word RESTRICT captures exactly this sense of limiting freedom or scope. STRESS refers to mental or physical pressure, CONTRADICT means to deny or oppose a statement, and OBSTRUCT means to block the way, usually physically. Only RESTRICT consistently overlaps with the core meaning of CONSTRAIN in abstract and practical contexts. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that CONSTRAIN means to limit, restrict, or compel, often by applying rules, circumstances, or pressure. Step 2: Examine STRESS, which means mental strain or emphasis, not primarily about limiting freedom of action. Step 3: Examine CONTRADICT, which means to state the opposite of what someone else has said, focusing on disagreement in statements, not limitation. Step 4: Examine RESTRICT, which means to limit the size, amount, or range of something, or to control someone's activities by rules. Step 5: Examine OBSTRUCT, which means to block or get in the way of something, usually in a physical sense like obstructing a road. Step 6: Notice that RESTRICT best matches the idea of limiting or confining action, very close to CONSTRAIN. Step 7: Conclude that RESTRICT is the best synonym among the given options. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences. Circumstances constrained him to accept the job can be rewritten as Circumstances restricted him to accepting the job without much change in meaning. However, replacing constrained with stressed, contradicted, or obstructed does not work. For instance, Circumstances stressed him to accept the job sounds odd and inaccurate. Similarly, The law constrains pollution levels can be restated as The law restricts pollution levels. This parallel confirms that RESTRICT is the closest match in sense and usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: STRESS is wrong because it describes pressure or emphasis but does not directly mean to limit or confine, although stress can sometimes lead to constrained behaviour. CONTRADICT is wrong because it deals with opposing statements rather than boundary setting. OBSTRUCT focuses on blocking progress, especially physically, and is more specific than the broader, often abstract sense of CONSTRAIN. None of these words can be substituted for CONSTRAIN in many standard sentences without altering the meaning significantly. Common Pitfalls: A typical mistake is to choose OBSTRUCT because students think of any kind of difficulty as a constraint. However, obstruction is about blockage, whereas constraint is broader and often involves rules, limits, or internal factors. Another pitfall is to pick STRESS because pressure can cause constrained actions, but the words are not interchangeable. A good strategy is to remember that CONSTRAIN and RESTRICT both fit naturally into phrases like constrain growth or restrict growth, which is a strong clue for the correct answer. Final Answer: The word that best expresses the meaning of CONSTRAIN is RESTRICT.

Question 19

Four spellings of the same word are given. Out of these, choose the correctly spelt word.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests spelling recognition for a word frequently used in formal writing and exam explanations. The word means containing an error or incorrect. Accurately spelling such words is important for clear written communication. The exam provides four variations, three of which contain common types of mistakes, such as missing letters or misplaced vowels, and one of which is the correct spelling used in standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: Erroneous, Eronneous, Erronous, Eroneous. The task is to select the correctly spelt word. We assume standard British or international spelling conventions. All options aim to represent the adjective meaning wrong or incorrect. Concept / Approach: The correct spelling of the word is Erroneous, with the pattern e r r o n e o u s. This word is derived from error and keeps the double r and the sequence e o u s at the end. The incorrect options either drop one of the r letters, misplace vowels, or both. Recognising the root error and the typical adjective ending eous helps identify the correct form quickly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that the root is error, spelt e r r o r, and the adjective form is formed by changing the ending to e o u s, giving erroneous. Step 2: Examine option A, Erroneous. It contains double r after the initial e and the ending e o u s, giving e r r o n e o u s, which is the standard spelling. Step 3: Examine option B, Eronneous, which has only one r at the beginning and double n in the middle, deviating from the root error. Step 4: Examine option C, Erronous, which keeps double r but omits the e before o u s at the end, so the ending is o n o u s instead of o n e o u s. Step 5: Examine option D, Eroneous, which uses only one r and disrupts the clear connection to error. Step 6: Conclude that Erroneous is the only option that matches the correct and commonly accepted spelling. Verification / Alternative check: In usage, one often reads phrases like erroneous judgment or erroneous assumption. Replacing erroneous with any of the other options would be instantly marked wrong by a spell checker or editor. The pattern of forming adjectives with eous is also found in words like spontaneous and courageous, which helps reinforce the correctness of the e o u s ending. Checking a reliable dictionary confirms that Erroneous is the only valid spelling among the given choices. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Eronneous is wrong because it changes the double r at the start to a single r and introduces an unnecessary double n, breaking the link with error. Erronous is wrong because it drops the e before the o u s ending, resulting in an unusual letter combination not recognised as standard. Eroneous is wrong because it again uses a single r and distorts the derivation from error. None of these forms appears in formal texts or dictionaries as correct English words. Common Pitfalls: Learners frequently delete or misplace vowels when encountering longer adjectives, especially those ending with eous or ious. They may also forget which consonant is doubled in the root. A practical strategy is to remember base words and examine how standard suffixes are added. In this case, knowing error plus eous leads directly to erroneous, and any version that breaks this pattern can be safely rejected in a multiple choice setting. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is Erroneous.

Question 20

In the following sentence error spotting question, identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical error: There was a comparison between you and he.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions assess a candidate's knowledge of grammar, usage, and idiomatic expressions. In this sentence, There was a comparison between you and he, the structure seems almost correct, but one part violates standard English rules regarding pronoun case after prepositions. The task is to identify which segment, marked A, B, C, or D, contains the error according to formal written English used in exams and official communication. Given Data / Assumptions: Full sentence: There was a (A)/ comparison between (B)/ you and he (C)/ no error (D). Part A: There was a. Part B: comparison between. Part C: you and he. Part D: no error. We assume normal rules for pronoun case after the preposition between. Concept / Approach: In English, pronouns that follow prepositions such as between, to, for, and with are normally in the objective case, for example, between you and me, between him and her. In the phrase between you and he, he is in the subjective case and should be replaced by the objective form him. The rest of the sentence is grammatically acceptable. Therefore, the error lies in part C, where the pronoun form is incorrect for its position after a preposition. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A: There was a. This is a correct beginning for an existential statement introducing something that existed. Step 2: Examine part B: comparison between. This phrase is correct and sets up a comparison between two entities. Step 3: Examine part C: you and he. Here, both pronouns follow the preposition between and should be in the objective case. Step 4: Recognise that you is used identically in subject and object positions, so it is acceptable, but he is a subject form and should be him in object position. Step 5: Replace he with him to get the correct phrase between you and him. Step 6: Conclude that the error is in part C. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with common correct patterns: between you and me, between him and her, between us and them. All these use object pronouns after between. If we say between I and he, it is clearly wrong and unnatural. By the same logic, between you and he is incorrect. The corrected sentence There was a comparison between you and him sounds natural and matches standard usage found in grammars and style guides. No other part of the sentence shows any tense, agreement, or word order issues. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A, There was a, is correct because it introduces the existence of something, namely a comparison. Part B, comparison between, is a standard collocation expressing that two or more things are being compared. Part D, no error, is wrong because we have identified a definite pronoun case error in part C. Therefore, only part C can be marked as the segment with the grammatical mistake. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes overcorrect and think that subject forms such as I or he must always be used in formal contexts, leading them to choose between you and I or between you and he. This is a misunderstanding. Case must match function in the sentence, and objects of prepositions require object forms like me, him, and them. A good way to practise is to remove one pronoun and test it: There was a comparison between he sounds wrong, while There was a comparison between him is clearly correct. Final Answer: The error is in part C, where you and he should be corrected to you and him.

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