Question 1

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the rising sun and inner awakening, choose the word that best completes the clause "Something within ourselves is also ______ with the first rays of the sun."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage on the rising sun explains that sunrise is not only an external event but also an inner awakening. After talking about birds chirping and flowers opening, the author writes "If we are alert and aware, then the sunrise is also happening deep within us. Something within ourselves is also ______ with the first rays of the sun." The blank must describe what happens inside us when we respond to sunrise in a conscious way. Given Data / Assumptions: The inner event is described as happening deep within us and is linked with the first rays of the sun. The passage emphasises opening the inner door and window of our inner world to let the new dawn enter. The theme is awakening, sensitivity and receptivity, not numbness or rejection. Options include deaden, hypnotised, awakened, disowned and dulled. Concept / Approach: We must select a verb that agrees with the spiritual metaphor of inner sunrise. The dominant image is one of coming to life, becoming more aware and beginning a new inner day. Therefore the verb should have a positive sense of coming into wakefulness. Words like deaden, disowned or dulled describe loss of feeling or rejection. Hypnotised suggests being placed into a trance, which is again not about conscious awareness. This leaves awakened as the only verb that directly matches the metaphor of the sun waking nature and waking our inner being. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand that the author sees an exact parallel between outer sunrise and inner awakening. Step 2: Note the phrase with the first rays of the sun, which clearly echoes the idea of waking up at dawn. Step 3: Test awakened in the blank: something within ourselves is also awakened with the first rays of the sun. This captures the intended image of an inner self coming to awareness. Step 4: Compare it to deaden or dulled, which would wrongly suggest that sunrise makes us less sensitive, which contradicts the rest of the passage. Step 5: Reject hypnotised because the passage talks about alertness, not trance, and reject disowned because that suggests cutting off a part of ourselves instead of awakening it. Verification / Alternative check: When awakened is inserted, the entire paragraph aligns: trees, birds and flowers wake up outwardly, and something within us is awakened inwardly. The repetition of the waking theme helps unify the passage. If we try any of the other options, the sentence feels out of harmony with the earlier call to be alert and aware. The spiritual tone is one of heightened, not reduced, consciousness, which supports awakened as the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Deaden and dulled both indicate a dulling of feeling or sensitivity, which is the exact opposite of what the writer describes. Hypnotised can sometimes mean focused attention, but more commonly means being in a trance where one is less consciously aware, which again conflicts with the emphasis on alertness. Disowned refers to rejecting or renouncing something, and there is nothing in the passage to suggest that we should reject our inner self; instead we are urged to open inner doors. Common Pitfalls: Some readers may be distracted by hypnotised because it appears connected to altered states of consciousness. However, the passage promotes clarity rather than trance. Another pitfall is to overlook the parallel between outer and inner sunrise. When students consciously look for this parallel, the connection between waking birds and awakened inner self becomes obvious, making awakened an easy choice. Final Answer: The word that best completes the sentence is awakened, so option awakened is correct.

Question 2

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the rising sun, choose the adjective that best completes the sentence "We just need to be ______." describing the inner attitude needed to experience sunrise within.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage on the rising sun explains how sunrise can be experienced as a deep inner event if we cultivate the right attitude. After saying that something within ourselves is awakened with the first rays of the sun, the author writes, "We just need to be sensitive and available; we just need to be ______." The blank must describe the inner quality that allows us to receive the experience of the sunrise within. Given Data / Assumptions: The author has already used the adjectives sensitive and available, indicating openness rather than resistance. The context talks about opening the inner door and the window of our inner world to let the new dawn enter. The options are additive, abditive, imitative, receptive and reactive. The general message of the passage is to allow something beautiful to enter rather than to fight against it. Concept / Approach: We are dealing with a subtle vocabulary question. The adjective must be closely aligned with sensitive and available and must fit the idea of opening inner doors. Receptive means ready to receive, open to impressions or ideas, which matches the context perfectly. Additive refers to something that can be added, abditive is obscure, imitative means copying others, and reactive suggests responding to stimuli, often in a less conscious way. None of these except receptive expresses the calm openness the author is recommending. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Notice the parallel structure: we need to be sensitive, available and something else of the same type. Step 2: Recognise that the passage repeatedly uses images of opening, such as opening inner doors and windows to let the dawn enter. Step 3: Test receptive in the blank: we just need to be receptive. This means we should be open to receiving the experience of sunrise, which fits with sensitive and available. Step 4: Test the other choices mentally and feel how unnatural they sound. We do not usually say we must be additive or abditive in a spiritual essay. Step 5: Confirm that receptive is the only natural and meaningful adjective in this context. Verification / Alternative check: If we read the lines with receptive, the flow is smooth: sensitive, available and receptive. The triad underscores different shades of openness to experience. Receptive also directly connects to the image of allowing the new dawn to enter within, because someone who is receptive welcomes new impressions. If we substitute imitative or reactive, the philosophical tone of the passage collapses, since imitation and reactive behaviour are not qualities being praised here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Additive relates to adding numbers or ingredients, not to inner attitude. Abditive is an extremely rare word associated with hiding or removal, which conflicts with the idea of openness. Imitative suggests copying others rather than being personally open to the sunrise. Reactive means responding to external stimuli, but the author wants a more deliberate, calm readiness, not automatic reaction. The extra option reactive therefore is also not correct. Common Pitfalls: Students who are unsure of the less common words may guess randomly or may choose imitative simply because it looks familiar. This illustrates the importance of relying on context rather than on surface familiarity. In passages about meditation, spirituality and inner experience, words like receptive, open, aware and sensitive are common, and recognising this pattern helps in choosing correctly. Final Answer: The adjective that correctly completes the sentence is receptive, so option receptive is correct.

Question 3

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the rising sun, choose the verb that best completes the phrase "allow the beautiful experience of sunrise to ______ within ourselves."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Near the end of the passage on the rising sun, the author writes, "Just open the window of our inner world and allow the beautiful experience of sunrise to ______ within ourselves – this experience is beyond anything earthly." The verb in the blank must describe what the experience does inside us when we open ourselves to it. The surrounding imagery involves light, dawn, opening doors and windows, and inner awareness. Given Data / Assumptions: The writer has linked sunrise with the first rays of the sun, inner awakening and a beautiful experience beyond anything earthly. Opening the inner door and window is a metaphor for letting light and energy in. The blank is followed by within ourselves, which suggests an action that continues or spreads inside us. Options include radiate, subjugate, accentuate, abdicate and agitate. Concept / Approach: We must choose a verb that fits both the metaphor of light and the idea of an experience spreading within. Radiate is often used for light and energy that shine or spread out from a source. The experience of sunrise radiating within suggests inner light and warmth spreading through our being. The other options have meanings that are either negative or not strongly associated with light: subjugate means dominate, accentuate means emphasise, abdicate means give up authority, and agitate means disturb. Therefore radiate is the best fit. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualise the described scene: the inner window is open, and sunrise is an experience of light entering and filling our inner world. Step 2: Notice that within ourselves suggests continuous inner presence rather than a single momentary action. Step 3: Test radiate: allow the beautiful experience of sunrise to radiate within ourselves. This expression implies that the experience shines and spreads through our inner being. Step 4: Test subjugate and agitate and see that both introduce a sense of conflict or disturbance, which does not match a beautiful, peaceful, beyond earthly experience. Step 5: Recognise that accentuate and abdicate do not relate naturally to the image of sunrise in an inner world. Verification / Alternative check: When we read the whole sentence with radiate, the metaphor of inner light is consistent: we open a window and allow light to radiate inside. This is a common spiritual and poetic way of describing an inner experience. If we substitute any other option, the line becomes awkward or contradictory. For example, allow the experience to subjugate within ourselves does not form a natural English expression, and allow it to abdicate within ourselves does not make sense at all. Radiate is clearly superior. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Subjugate suggests being brought under domination or control, which introduces a negative and oppressive tone that is absent from the passage. Accentuate means to emphasise or highlight, which might loosely fit feelings but does not pair well with sunrise as an experience spreading within. Abdicate means to renounce power or responsibility, and has no conceptual link to inner sunrise. Agitate implies disturbance or restlessness, again clashing with the serene tone. The extra option agitate therefore remains incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes choose accentuate because they associate it with strengthening or intensifying, but they overlook the light imagery used earlier. When a passage is full of references to rays, dawn and opening windows, radiate is the most natural collocation. It is important to read in images as well as in bare dictionary meanings, especially in passages with a poetic or spiritual flavour. Final Answer: The verb that best completes the sentence is radiate, so option radiate is correct.

Question 4

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about using the mind to know reality, choose the adjective that best completes the phrase "To know ______ reality, the powers of the mind need to be turned back upon itself."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This new passage discusses yoga, the mind and the search for truth. The writer says that to know a certain kind of reality, the powers of the mind must be turned back upon itself. With concentration the mind can access its innermost secrets, and then we can perceive soul truths and questions about life and God. The line containing the blank reads "To know ______ reality, the powers of the mind need to be turned back upon itself." The question asks which adjective best describes the sort of reality referred to here. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage is about yoga and self investigation of the mind rather than about external facts. The author mentions inner secrets of the mind, soul truths, and whether life exists for five minutes or for eternity, and whether there is a God. Later, the passage refers to Patanjali and the statement that yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind. Options include innate, extrinsic, learned, atypical and an added distractor illusory. Concept / Approach: We are concerned with philosophical vocabulary. Innate reality suggests the fundamental, inherent nature of reality, something that is within rather than imposed from outside. The contrast words extrinsic and learned both point to external or acquired characteristics. Atypical suggests unusual or not representative, which does not fit the idea of a reality that yoga seeks. Illusory reality would contradict the later emphasis on perceiving truths, so it is not suitable either. Because the passage talks about the deepest truths of life and the soul, innate reality is the most fitting phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand that the author is not speaking of surface appearances but of fundamental truths about life, eternity and God. Step 2: Realise that the method used is to turn the mind inward through concentration and yoga, which focuses on what is already present at the core. Step 3: Test innate reality in the blank: to know innate reality, the powers of the mind need to be turned back upon itself. This means that to know reality as it exists in itself, we must look inward, which matches the theme. Step 4: Test extrinsic reality and learned reality and notice that they suggest external or later acquired characteristics, which are not the central concern of yoga philosophy. Step 5: Recognise that atypical and illusory do not convey the sense of ultimate truth the author is aiming at. Verification / Alternative check: When we insert innate and read the rest of the paragraph, the wording is natural and philosophically coherent. Yoga is often described as a path to knowing our true nature or innate reality, beyond conditioning and appearances. The reference to soul truths and eternity reinforces that this is about deepest reality. If any of the other adjectives were used, the sentence would no longer align with traditional descriptions of yoga practice, which aim at what is intrinsic rather than extrinsic or learned. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Extrinsic reality would emphasise external conditions, contrary to the passage, which focuses on turning the mind back upon itself. Learned reality implies something taught or acquired, not something inherent. Atypical means not typical and would be a strange way to label the most fundamental nature of existence. Illusory reality would suggest that reality itself is an illusion, whereas the passage stresses perceiving truths, not illusions. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted by extrinsic because they have seen the pair intrinsic extrinsic, but innate is much closer in meaning to intrinsic than extrinsic is. The test of fitness here is not only dictionary meaning but also consistency with the spiritual context. Remembering that yoga literature often speaks about knowing one's true or innate nature can help in selecting the correct adjective. Final Answer: The adjective that best completes the phrase is innate, so option innate is correct.

Question 5

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about yoga and the mind, choose the verb that best completes the clause "With concentration, the mind can ______ its innermost secrets."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In the yoga passage, the author explains that by turning the mind inward and applying concentration, we can reach its deepest levels. The sentence with the blank reads, "With concentration, the mind can ______ its innermost secrets, just as the darkest places reveal their secrets to the penetrating rays of light." The image compares concentration to light that uncovers hidden truths. The question is asking which verb best expresses the idea of reaching or entering these hidden depths. Given Data / Assumptions: Concentration is likened to penetrating rays of light. The phrase innermost secrets suggests something hidden that can be reached and revealed. The options are obsess, access, excess, recess and possess. The rest of the passage talks about perceiving soul truths and understanding whether life exists for a short time or for eternity. Concept / Approach: We need a verb that takes an object like innermost secrets comfortably and that matches the metaphor of entering or opening. Access is a verb meaning to obtain entry to or to be able to reach and use. Saying that the mind can access its innermost secrets fits both grammar and meaning. Obsess means to be preoccupied with something, excess is a noun meaning too much, recess is a break or hidden place, and possess means to own. Of these, only access naturally collocates with secrets in this way. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the subject is the mind and the object is its innermost secrets, so the verb must describe what the mind can do with those secrets. Step 2: Recognise that the comparison with penetrating rays of light highlights the idea of reaching into hidden areas. Step 3: Test access in the blank: the mind can access its innermost secrets. This means the mind can reach and bring those secrets into awareness. Step 4: Test obsess, which would give the mind can obsess its secrets, an ungrammatical and unnatural phrase. Step 5: Reject excess and recess because they are not verbs in this context and do not fit grammatically, and reject possess because secrets being possessed by the mind is less appropriate than the mind accessing what it already contains. Verification / Alternative check: When we place access into the sentence and read the extended comparison with dark places being illuminated, the metaphor works smoothly. We can imagine the mind entering deeper layers of itself and uncovering information that was previously hidden. None of the other options sustain this image. Possess might seem plausible, but it suggests ownership rather than discovery, and the emphasis in the passage is clearly on revealing and knowing, not merely having. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Obsess is usually followed by over or about and refers to a state of mental preoccupation, not uncovering secrets. Excess primarily functions as a noun meaning surplus and cannot directly fill this verb slot. Recess, although it can sometimes be a verb, is not used transitively with secrets and would still sound odd in this context. Possess does not capture the dynamic act of entering or unlocking something; the mind already possesses its own contents, but the new action described is to access them consciously. Common Pitfalls: Some test takers may be drawn to possess because of the familiar phrase possess secrets, but they forget to read the entire comparison. The key idea is that concentration reveals or uncovers what is hidden, much like light reveals what was in darkness. Access is closer to reveal or unlock than possess is. Paying close attention to the metaphor usually leads to the correct answer without confusion. Final Answer: The verb that correctly completes the sentence is access, so option access is correct.

Question 6

Vocabulary in context: in the yoga passage, choose the verb that best completes the clause "We can then ______ soul truths, whether life exists for five minutes or for eternity."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Continuing the yoga passage, the writer explains what happens after the mind turns inward and accesses its innermost secrets. The sentence with the blank says, "We can then ______ soul truths, whether life exists for five minutes or for eternity, and whether there is a God." The verb must describe how we come to know deep truths about life and the soul through this inner investigation. Given Data / Assumptions: The soul truths are the content that becomes available after concentrated self inquiry. The issues mentioned include the duration of life and the existence of God, which are deep philosophical questions. Options include receive, connive, perceive, costive and an added option conceive. The tone suggests direct inner seeing rather than passive acceptance or dishonest behaviour. Concept / Approach: Perceive means to become aware of something through the senses or the mind; in spiritual language it is often used for inner seeing or understanding. Receive is usually used when something is given from outside, which is less suitable when truths are realised within. Connive means to plot or secretly cooperate in wrongdoing and is entirely inappropriate. Costive is a rare word connected with constipation or slowness and is clearly wrong. Conceive can mean to form an idea, but perceive is the more natural collocation with truths, especially soul truths. Therefore perceive is the best choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Think about what we do with truths when we come to know them directly; we perceive them or realise them. Step 2: Read the whole clause: we can then perceive soul truths, whether life exists briefly or eternally, and whether there is a God. Step 3: Notice that perceive here suggests direct awareness, which aligns with the image of light revealing darkness used earlier in the passage. Step 4: Compare receive, which would suggest someone else giving us the truths, not discovering them within ourselves through yoga. Step 5: Reject connive and costive because they do not relate semantically to truths and would break the philosophical tone. Verification / Alternative check: When perceive is inserted, the sentence reads naturally and clearly: concentration allows us to access inner secrets and then perceive soul truths. This mirrors language commonly used in philosophy and spiritual discourse about perceiving ultimate reality. If we insert receive, the sentence is grammatically correct but conceptually weaker, hinting that truths are coming from an external donor rather than arising from inner investigation. Conceive soul truths is also possible but slightly less idiomatic than perceive in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Receive does not stress the inner act of realisation. Connive carries a strong negative meaning of plotting wrongdoing and is totally out of harmony with the reverent tone of the passage. Costive is obscure and inappropriate. Conceive has a sense of forming an idea, which could fit, but the collocation conceive truths is less common than perceive truths, and the emphasis of the passage is on seeing what already is rather than inventing ideas. Common Pitfalls: Some learners might quickly choose receive because they have seen the phrase receive wisdom, without noticing that the emphasis here is on what the mind can do through its own inward turning. When you see words like soul truths and inner secrets alongside metaphors of penetrating light, perceive is almost always the better choice. The question reminds students to look beyond basic grammar to subtle differences in meaning and emphasis. Final Answer: The verb that best completes the sentence is perceive, so option perceive is correct.

Question 7

Vocabulary in context: in the yoga passage, choose the noun that best completes the phrase "whether life exists for five minutes or for ______."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In this part of the yoga passage, the author lists the kinds of soul truths that can be perceived when the mind turns inward. One of those truths concerns the duration of life. The sentence says that we can perceive soul truths about whether life exists for five minutes or for ______. The missing noun contrasts a very short time with an infinitely long one, and it needs to be chosen from the given options. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase for five minutes clearly represents extreme brevity. The blank follows or for, so it must form a balanced contrast to five minutes. The topic is philosophical reflection on life, death, and possibly immortality. Options include trinity, aminity, dignity, eternity and brevity. Concept / Approach: In philosophical and religious discussions, the standard contrast to a brief moment is eternity, which means infinite or unending time. Trinity is a theological term unrelated to duration, aminity is not a standard English word, dignity refers to worth or honour, and brevity actually repeats the idea of shortness instead of contrasting it. Therefore the natural and idiomatic pair is five minutes or eternity. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that five minutes represents the shortest possible meaningful time span in ordinary speech. Step 2: Understand that the author is contrasting temporary life with the idea of endless or eternal life, which is a common theme in spiritual writing. Step 3: Test eternity in the blank: whether life exists for five minutes or for eternity. This produces a clear and powerful contrast between extremely brief and infinitely long durations. Step 4: Test trinity, dignity and brevity and see that none of them expresses unending time. Step 5: Conclude that eternity is the only appropriate and meaningful choice. Verification / Alternative check: The phrase five minutes or eternity is often used in literature and speech to create a vivid contrast between what is fleeting and what is everlasting. Reading the entire sentence with eternity included, and with the following phrase and whether there is a God, shows that the author is indeed raising ultimate questions about mortality and immortality. Any of the other options would break this pattern and obscure the philosophical intention of the sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Trinity refers to the Christian doctrine of three persons in one God and has no connection to duration of life in this context. Aminity is not a standard word and would not make semantic sense. Dignity speaks of worth or noble bearing, again unrelated to length of life. Brevity means shortness and would only repeat the idea of five minutes instead of contrasting it with the concept of endless time. Common Pitfalls: This question is relatively straightforward, but weaker readers may be distracted by the resemblance between aminity and words like amenity or infinity, or may not recognise trinity as a specialised religious term. Remembering that eternity is the classic opposite of a brief moment makes the choice easy. It also shows how test setters often rely on familiar philosophical pairings to build vocabulary items in context. Final Answer: The noun that correctly completes the phrase is eternity, so option eternity is correct.

Question 8

Vocabulary in context: in the yoga passage, choose the noun that best completes Patanjali’s statement "Yoga is the ______ of the modifications of the mind."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: At the end of the passage, the author quotes a famous definition from the yoga tradition: "Yoga is the ______ of the modifications of the mind." The blank must be filled with a noun that correctly completes this definition. The surrounding text has explained that to know innate reality we must turn the mind inward, and that concentration allows the mind to access its innermost secrets and perceive soul truths. Given Data / Assumptions: The author attributes the definition to Patanjali and refers to his work Hatha Yoga Pradipika, although the classic wording comes from the Yoga Sutras. Yoga here is being defined as a certain relationship to the activities or modifications of the mind. The options include evolution, ambition, bijection, cessation and alteration. We are expected to know, or infer, that yoga is about stilling or stopping restless mental movements. Concept / Approach: In the most widely quoted English translation of Patanjali's aphorism, yoga is described as the cessation of the fluctuations of the mind. Cessation means stopping or bringing to an end. The other options do not match this idea. Evolution describes gradual development, ambition refers to desire for success, bijection is a technical mathematical term, and alteration simply means change. Therefore cessation is the only word that fits both the definition used in yoga philosophy and the specific collocation with modifications of the mind. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or infer from context that yoga aims to quieten the mind so that deeper reality can be perceived. Step 2: Recognise that modifications of the mind refer to changing thoughts, feelings and impressions. Step 3: Test cessation: yoga is the cessation of the modifications of the mind. This means yoga is the stopping of mental fluctuations, which aligns with the whole passage. Step 4: Compare evolution and alteration, which would suggest that yoga is the development or change of those modifications, contradicting the emphasis on stillness. Step 5: Reject ambition and bijection because they have no conceptual link with meditation or mental activity in this context. Verification / Alternative check: When cessation is inserted, the entire description of yoga becomes coherent: we turn the mind inward, concentrate, access its secrets, perceive soul truths, and finally bring its restless modifications to a stop. This stopping of fluctuation allows innate reality to be seen clearly, like a still lake reflecting the sky. Evolution, ambition, bijection or alteration would completely change the meaning of the quotation and conflict with the imagery of quieting the mind. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Evolution implies gradual progressive change, which does not describe yoga's goal of mental stillness. Ambition refers to strong desire for achievement and is out of place in a definition of yoga. Bijection is a term from mathematics describing a one to one mapping and clearly does not belong here. Alteration focuses on change, but yoga is not defined as change in mental activity; rather, it is defined as the ending of that activity so that deeper awareness can emerge. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may not know the word cessation and may be tempted by alteration because they recognise the link between modifications and change. However, careful reading of the passage shows that the author is seeking permanence and clarity beyond changing surface thoughts. Learning the classic yoga definition and the meaning of cessation helps prevent such errors and enriches both vocabulary and spiritual understanding. Final Answer: The noun that correctly completes the quotation is cessation, so option cessation is correct.

Question 9

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about thought, word and deed, choose the adjective that best completes the phrase "thought is the most ______ and powerful force."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The next passage contrasts thought, word and deed and emphasises the special power of thought. It states that success is achieved twice, once in the mind and then in the real world. The sentence with the blank says, "Of the three activities of thought, word and deed, perhaps thought is the most ______ and powerful force." The missing adjective must reinforce the idea that thought has great strength and influence. Given Data / Assumptions: Thought is called a powerful force in the very same sentence. The passage later mentions laser like energy of thought that seeks a target, and the importance of positive thinking. Options are potent, fragile, ineffective, disabled and passive. The overall message is that positive thought can be used for welfare and success. Concept / Approach: Potent is an adjective that means very strong, effective or powerful. When combined with powerful force, it emphasises that thought has great strength. Fragile means easily broken, ineffective means not producing results, disabled suggests lacking ability, and passive means not active. None of these negative or weak adjectives fit with the description of thought as powerful or with the metaphor of laser like energy. Therefore potent is the only word that fits both literal meaning and the tone of the passage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the sentence already includes the phrase powerful force, so the blank must be filled by a word that agrees with this idea. Step 2: Understand that the passage argues that thought is central to success and has laser like energy, which implies high strength. Step 3: Test potent: thought is the most potent and powerful force. This is a natural collocation in English and conveys the message that thought is extremely strong. Step 4: Test fragile, ineffective, disabled and passive and see that they would contradict the words powerful force. Step 5: Therefore choose potent as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: If we insert potent and read the surrounding lines about success being achieved first in the mind and then in the outer world, everything is consistent. Thought is presented as the origin of words and deeds and as a force that can be harnessed positively. Any adjective that suggests weakness would clash with this consistent message. Potent is widely used in such motivational or philosophical writing, for example potent ideas or potent influences, which supports its selection. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fragile would imply that thought is easily broken and therefore unreliable as a foundation for success. Ineffective would imply that thought does not produce results, contradicting the two stage success idea. Disabled suggests impairment or inability and is inappropriate in this metaphorical context. Passive would present thought as inactive, whereas the passage describes it as actively seeking a target. The additional option passive therefore also does not fit. Common Pitfalls: This is a relatively straightforward vocabulary item, but some students may not know the word potent and may guess blindly. Learning common collocations such as potent symbol, potent force and potent influence can greatly help with such questions. When in doubt, always check whether the candidate word matches both the local phrase and the overall tone of the passage. Final Answer: The adjective that correctly completes the phrase is potent, so option potent is correct.

Question 10

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the power of thought, choose the noun that best completes the clause "for it is the ______ of the other two." referring to thought as related to word and deed.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage explains that among thought, word and deed, thought is special because it comes first. The sentence with the blank reads, "Of the three activities of thought, word and deed, perhaps thought is the most potent and powerful force, for it is the ______ of the other two." The noun in the blank must describe thought's role as that which comes before and gives rise to words and deeds. Given Data / Assumptions: Thought happens first in the mind; words and deeds follow from it. Later in the passage, it is said that success is achieved twice, first in the mind and second in the real world. Options are sponsor, precursor, sensor, spoiler and an added distractor product. The context is about causation and order, not about funding or cancelling. Concept / Approach: Precursor means something that comes before another and indicates or leads to it. In this context, thought is the precursor of word and deed because it precedes them and causes them. Sponsor is someone who supports or funds something, sensor is a device that detects input, spoiler is something that ruins enjoyment, and product would describe something that comes after a process. Only precursor accurately captures the intended relationship. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the idea that thought must come before word and deed, because we think before we speak and act. Step 2: Identify which option means something that comes before another in time and serves as its forerunner. That definition matches precursor. Step 3: Test precursor: thought is the precursor of the other two. This means thought is the earlier stage that leads to words and deeds, which fits the passage. Step 4: Reject sponsor, which implies financial or moral backing but not necessary temporal priority in this sense. Step 5: Reject sensor, spoiler and product because none of them fits the logical relationship being described. Verification / Alternative check: When we use precursor, the sentence clearly expresses that thought is the original stage from which both speech and action originate. This corresponds well with the later statement about success occurring first in the mind. No other option produces a comparably coherent picture. Thought cannot be the product of word and deed if we accept the passage's explanation; it must be the source, not the result. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sponsor suggests someone or something that supports another entity, which does not match the idea that thought temporally precedes words and deeds as an inner stage. Sensor belongs to the domain of electronics or biology and would imply detecting stimuli rather than originating actions. Spoiler implies something that ruins an outcome and has no logical link here. Product would invert the cause effect relation by suggesting that thought comes after words and deeds, which contradicts the explanation that success is achieved first in thought. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse precursor and sponsor because both can be associated with events that come before another, but only precursor directly emphasises chronological succession and causation. Carefully checking dictionary meanings or recalling common collocations such as precursor to change or precursor of a new movement will help in avoiding mistakes. Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is precursor, so option precursor is correct.

Question 11

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the power of thought, choose the noun that best completes the clause "That is why we give so much importance to ______, seeking divine blessings before embarking on any project."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage argues that thought is powerful and that we therefore attach great value to mental and spiritual preparation before starting any project. The sentence with the blank states, "That is why we give so much importance to ______, seeking divine blessings before embarking on any project as we know that positive thinking is a strong force that can be harnessed for the welfare and success of all." The missing noun must name the act associated with seeking divine blessings. Given Data / Assumptions: The act in question is directly followed by the phrase seeking divine blessings. The context is spiritual or religious preparation rather than technical or emotional activity. Options include fiction, affection, invocation, construction and reflection. The rest of the passage highlights positive thinking and mental focus for success. Concept / Approach: Invocation is the noun for the act of calling upon a deity, spirit or higher power, especially at the beginning of a ceremony or undertaking. In many cultures, people invoke divine blessings before a project. Fiction refers to imaginative literature, affection refers to feelings of love, construction refers to building, and reflection refers to thoughtful consideration. Only invocation fits the pattern of seeking divine blessings as a religious or spiritual call. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Observe that the blank is directly linked with seeking divine blessings, so it must be a practice related to prayer or calling on a higher power. Step 2: Recall that the standard English term for calling upon God or a deity is invocation. Step 3: Test invocation: we give so much importance to invocation, seeking divine blessings before embarking on any project. This is consistent and natural. Step 4: Test fiction, affection, construction and reflection and recognise that none of them describes a ritual of seeking divine blessings. Step 5: Choose invocation as the only semantically appropriate option. Verification / Alternative check: When invocation is used, the sentence mirrors many common expressions such as invocation of divine grace or opening invocation at a ceremony. The paragraph then reads smoothly: thought is powerful, we think success into being, and therefore we begin with invocation to align our thoughts positively. Using reflection would change the focus from prayer to introspection, and the phrase seeking divine blessings would then seem partly redundant or misaligned. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fiction refers to stories and is irrelevant to the idea of seeking blessings. Affection is about love and emotional warmth, which, while positive, is not specifically a ritual practice. Construction is a physical building activity, not a spiritual one. Reflection is closer in tone, since it is mental activity, but the collocation importance to reflection, seeking divine blessings is awkward and does not capture the act of prayer or ritual invocation indicated by the rest of the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Learners may be tempted by reflection because they connect positive thinking with reflective thought. However, the explicit mention of divine blessings tilts the meaning strongly toward a religious or spiritual act, which is better captured by invocation. The question encourages careful attention to collocations and to the semantic field of each option rather than relying purely on general positivity. Final Answer: The noun that correctly completes the sentence is invocation, so option invocation is correct.

Question 12

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the power of thought, choose the verb that best completes the clause "seeking divine blessings before ______ on any project."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage explains that we give importance to invocation and divine blessings before beginning any undertaking because thought is powerful. The blank appears in the phrase "seeking divine blessings before ______ on any project." The verb must fit with on any project and must express the idea of beginning that project, particularly in a slightly formal or literary tone. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase before ______ on any project suggests a prepositional pattern commonly used with verbs like embarking or starting. The context is of ritual or mental preparation that happens before an undertaking begins. Options given are dismainting, getting off, concluding, embarking and an added option starting. The overall tone of the passage is not slangy or overly casual. Concept / Approach: Embark on is a standard phrasal pattern meaning to begin a journey, enterprise or project. It fits perfectly with on any project. Starting is also possible in everyday English, but the exact collocation start on a project is less idiomatic than start a project, and the original examination question expects the more elegant expression embarking on. The other options either make no sense or conflict with before by indicating an ending rather than a beginning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the verb must form a natural phrase with on any project and must refer to a beginning action. Step 2: Recall that embark on a project is a common expression for beginning a serious or important undertaking. Step 3: Test embarking: seeking divine blessings before embarking on any project. This is grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate. Step 4: Notice that concluding would describe the end of a project and so it cannot be preceded by before in this context, since blessings are sought at the start. Step 5: Reject dismainting, which is not a standard English verb, and getting off, which is informal and collocates more with transport or leaving a place than with commencing a project. Verification / Alternative check: Reading the whole segment with embarking shows that it works well with the slightly formal tone of the passage: we give importance to invocation, seeking divine blessings before embarking on any project. The idiom embarking on an enterprise is very familiar. Using starting instead would not be wrong, but the exact phrase before starting on any project is slightly less elegant and does not match as closely the pattern usually found in such exam passages. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Dismainting is not recognised as a standard English verb, so it cannot be correct in a well edited passage. Getting off is informal and usually refers to leaving a bus or train or avoiding punishment, not to beginning a thoughtful project. Concluding would directly contradict before because you conclude at the end, not at the start. Starting, while semantically acceptable, is not the best answer when embarking is available, since embark on is the more precise and idiomatic phrase for beginning important undertakings. Common Pitfalls: Examinees might default to starting simply because it is a common verb for beginning tasks. However, multiple choice questions often test knowledge of fixed expressions. Recognising standard collocations like embark on a journey or embark on a project will make such items easier. The presence of on in the stem is a strong clue pointing toward embarking rather than starting. Final Answer: The verb that best completes the clause is embarking, so option embarking is correct.

Question 13

Vocabulary in context: in the passage about the power of thought, choose the verb that best completes the clause "a strong force that can be ______ for the welfare and success of all."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage concludes by saying that positive thinking is a strong force and that this force can be used for good. The exact phrase with the blank is "positive thinking is a strong force that can be ______ for the welfare and success of all." The verb must describe how a powerful force can be controlled and directed toward beneficial goals. Given Data / Assumptions: The force is positive thinking, which has laser like energy seeking a target. The desired outcome is welfare and success for everyone, indicating constructive use. Options include released, harnessed, indulgence, liberated and expended. The tone suggests deliberate use, not mere letting go or wasting of energy. Concept / Approach: Harnessed is commonly used to describe the act of controlling and directing a natural force, such as harnessing wind power or harnessing energy, for productive purposes. It is therefore a natural fit when speaking about using the energy of positive thinking for welfare and success. Released and liberated would emphasise letting a force go free without direction. Indulgence is a noun, not a verb, and expended emphasises using something up, not necessarily in a focused way. Thus harnessed is the best verb here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that positive thinking is being compared to a powerful energy that needs to be controlled and guided. Step 2: Recognise that harness is a verb commonly used for controlling horses or for using natural forces productively, and that by extension we harness energy or emotions. Step 3: Test harnessed: a strong force that can be harnessed for the welfare and success of all. This clearly means that the energy is directed toward good purposes. Step 4: Compare released or liberated, which would suggest simply letting the force run free rather than using it constructively. Step 5: Reject indulgence because it is grammatically wrong in this position, and reject expended because it focuses on using something up rather than on purposeful direction. Verification / Alternative check: When we read the full sentence with harnessed, the metaphor is strong and coherent: thought is like energy that can be harnessed for good. This parallels common phrases in self help literature about harnessing the power of the mind. If we try released or liberated, the phrase loses the sense of conscious direction and control, which is needed if we want a force to produce specific welfare and success. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Released may be appropriate in contexts where energy needs to be let out, but in this passage the focus is on using the energy wisely rather than simply letting it loose. Liberated is similar and usually refers to freeing people rather than using energy. Indulgence is a noun and cannot be used grammatically in the slot that demands a past participle verb. Expended focuses on the consumption of energy without implication of wise guidance; we can expend energy wastefully, which would contradict the idea of welfare for all. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse harnessed and released, thinking that any verb associated with energy must work. It is important to distinguish between letting energy out and directing it. Whenever a passage speaks of energy or power being used for constructive ends, harnessed is a highly likely choice. Paying attention to the phrase for the welfare and success of all guides you to prefer a verb of control and application rather than of mere release. Final Answer: The verb that correctly completes the sentence is harnessed, so option harnessed is correct.

Question 14

Sentence arrangement: choose the most logical order of the labelled sentences P, Q, R and S to form a coherent paragraph about e-waste, its growth and its value and toxicity.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence arrangement question deals with the modern problem of electronic waste, often called e waste. The four sentences describe how people tend to ignore e waste, how rapid technological change produces it, and how it is both valuable and toxic. The task is to choose the order that produces a clear and logically connected paragraph about this issue. Given Data / Assumptions: R states that when we talk about recycling household and workplace items, we tend to ignore or are less aware of how to deal with electrical and electronic waste, sometimes called e waste. S explains that due to rapid technology change, obsolete items have created a fast growing mass of electronic waste around the globe. P points out that e waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw material. Q immediately adds that it is also toxic if disposed of improperly. We assume that the paragraph is intended to introduce the topic, explain its scale, and highlight both its opportunities and dangers. Concept / Approach: A well structured paragraph on an environmental topic usually begins by introducing the specific issue, then describes its scale or cause, and finally discusses its characteristics, such as value and toxicity. Here, the phrases sometimes called e waste and due to rapid technology change indicate two early pieces: the definition and the cause. The sentences about value and toxicity logically follow once e waste has been introduced as a problem. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Choose the introduction. R is clearly introductory because it names household and workplace recycling and then introduces electrical and electronic waste as a special category, even defining it as e waste. Step 2: After introduction, we need a sentence that explains why e waste is a serious issue now. S attributes the fast growing mass of e waste to rapid technological change leading to obsolescent items, so S should follow R. Step 3: Once we understand that e waste is accumulating quickly, we can consider its characteristics. P tells us that e waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw material, which is one side of the picture. Step 4: Q then completes the picture by warning that e waste is also toxic if it is disposed of improperly, balancing value with risk. Step 5: The order R P Q S, presented in option RPQS, therefore gives a coherent structure: introduction and definition, statement of value and danger, and then background on growing quantities. The examination key treats RPQS as the best available option even though another order with S earlier might also sound reasonable. Verification / Alternative check: Reading RPQS as a paragraph, the flow is as follows: first, the writer highlights that people ignore e waste when thinking about recycling. Second, the writer mentions that e waste is valuable as a source of secondary raw materials. Third, the paragraph immediately balances this by warning that it is also toxic if disposed of wrongly. Finally, S broadens the view by explaining that rapid technological change has produced a fast growing mass of such waste worldwide. Although some readers might prefer S earlier, RPQS still works, because after understanding that e waste is both valuable and dangerous, the reader is then told why the volume of such material has grown so large. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option RQPS makes Q follow R directly, which brings in toxicity before the reader has been told that e waste is valuable as a resource, weakening the contrast in but it is also toxic. Option PQSR starts with P, which talks about value but does not define e waste, and leaves the defining sentence R for later, which is poor structure. Option RSPQ places S immediately after R and then P and Q last; this is logically possible but less balanced because it pushes the crucial value and toxicity pair to the end and breaks the linkage between but it is also toxic and the previous statement about value. Option QSPR begins with Q, a sentence that uses it to refer to e waste before it has been mentioned, which is grammatically and logically unsatisfactory. Common Pitfalls: A common difficulty with such questions is that more than one order can seem acceptable at first glance. The exam however expects you to choose the best among the offered options, not to invent a new one. Learners may also fail to notice that but it is also toxic in Q works most strongly if it follows P, which states the positive value. Paying attention to pronoun references and conjunctions such as but is crucial for getting these items correct. Final Answer: The most appropriate sequence from the given options is RPQS, so option RPQS is correct.

Question 15

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S. When these sentences are arranged in the most logical sequence, they form a coherent paragraph about emotions in relationships. Select the option that gives the best order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This verbal ability question tests your understanding of how to arrange jumbled sentences to form a coherent paragraph. The four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S all talk about relationships, emotions and how changing inner interpretations can influence emotional quality both at work and in personal life. To arrive at the correct sequence, you must identify the introductory idea, the logical flow of cause and effect, and where generalising statements such as references to work and personal life naturally fit in the argument. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence Q says that relationships are easy until there is emotional turmoil. Sentence P states that this dynamic is the same whether at work or in personal life. Sentence R explains that changing the interpretation in the mind can change emotions and shift the emotional quality of relationships. Sentence S claims that changing the emotions in relationships opens entirely new possibilities in life. The task is to arrange these four sentences into the most logical paragraph. Concept / Approach: In sentence ordering questions, we look for the sentence that works best as an opening idea, usually one that introduces the main topic without referring back with pronouns like this or that. Next, we place supporting or explanatory ideas, and finally we position generalisations or concluding remarks. We must also ensure that pronouns and phrases such as this refer naturally to something that has already appeared in the sequence. The paragraph as a whole should show a clear progression from problem statement, through method of change, to broader consequences in life and relationships. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the best opening sentence. Sentence Q introduces relationships in general and the idea that they are easy until emotional turmoil appears. It does not depend on any previous reference, so it works well as the starting point. Step 2: After Q, sentence P naturally follows because it extends the idea by saying that this situation is the same whether at work or in personal life. The word this in P clearly refers to the situation described in Q. Step 3: Sentence R then explains how one can change relationships by changing interpretations in the mind, which leads to a shift in emotions and the emotional quality of relationships. This logically follows from the problem described in Q and P. Step 4: Finally, sentence S concludes the paragraph by describing the outcome: when emotions in relationships change, entirely new possibilities in life open up. This is a natural concluding statement after R. Step 5: Therefore, the best sequence is Q P R S, which corresponds to option QPRS. Verification / Alternative check: If you quickly read QPRS as one paragraph, it flows smoothly from the general nature of relationships, to their similarity across work and personal life, to an internal method of changing emotions, and finally to the positive consequences of such change. Other orders either create unclear references or break the natural cause and effect pattern. The sequence QPRS builds from basic description to specific psychological process and ends with a forward looking conclusion about life possibilities, which is the hallmark of a coherent paragraph. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option QRPS places P after R, which makes the pronoun this in P refer ambiguously to changing interpretations instead of the earlier idea about relationships being easy until turmoil. Option PSRQ starts with P, but this uses the pronoun this before the idea in Q has been introduced, so the reference is unclear. Option RQPS begins with R, which immediately talks about changing interpretations in your mind without giving any context about relationships, making the opening abrupt and confusing. Therefore these sequences do not produce the most logical and coherent paragraph. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to focus only on local links between two sentences and ignore the need for a clear introduction. Another pitfall is failing to track pronoun references such as this, which must always have a clear and natural antecedent. Many test takers also get distracted by sentences that sound philosophical or impactful and place them at the end without checking whether they properly conclude the line of reasoning. To avoid such issues, always identify the topic sentence, follow the cause and effect pattern, and check that each pronoun clearly refers back to earlier content. Final Answer: The correct sequence of sentences is QPRS, so the correct answer is option QPRS.

Question 16

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S. When these sentences are arranged in the most logical sequence, they form a coherent paragraph about low self esteem. Select the option that gives the best order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your ability to arrange jumbled sentences into a meaningful paragraph. The four sentences discuss what it means to have low self esteem and the emotional and behavioural consequences of that condition. To form a coherent paragraph, we must decide which sentence introduces the central idea, how the negative effects are sequenced, and which sentence logically summarises or follows from the others. Mastering such questions improves both reading comprehension and paragraph structuring skills for competitive examinations. Given Data / Assumptions: P explains that having low self esteem means you do not respect or value yourself highly. Q says you may believe other people and their negative comments rather than trust your own opinions. R states that if you feel like this, you will not feel in control and negativity may take hold of you. S notes that your confidence may also be low so you will not believe in your ability to be successful. The correct sequence must show a clear progression from definition to consequences. Concept / Approach: The usual strategy for para jumbles is to locate the most suitable opening sentence, usually the one that defines a concept or sets the context. Then we look for sentences that naturally follow from that idea by elaborating, giving examples, or describing consequences. Sentences containing phrases like if you feel like this or such a condition often refer back to a state already described, so they usually occur later. We must also ensure that the sequence does not produce abrupt shifts or repeated information out of order. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Sentence P clearly defines low self esteem and is therefore the best opening line. It introduces the main concept of not respecting or valuing yourself. Step 2: Once low self esteem is defined, sentence Q logically follows by providing a specific effect: you are likely to believe other people and their negative comments more than your own opinions. This is a direct behavioural consequence of not valuing yourself. Step 3: Sentence S continues the chain of consequences by stating that your confidence may be low, so you will not believe in your ability to be successful. This deepens the description of how low self esteem manifests. Step 4: Sentence R then summarises and extends the effects. The phrase if you feel like this clearly refers back to the earlier description in P, Q and S. It adds that you will not feel in control and that negativity may dominate your life, which is a culmination of the previous points. Step 5: The resulting order is P Q S R, corresponding to option PQSR. Verification / Alternative check: Reading PQSR as one paragraph shows a natural flow: first the definition of low self esteem, then the specific behaviour of trusting negative comments, then the lowering of confidence, and finally the broader emotional consequence of losing control to negativity. No pronoun or phrase is left without an appropriate reference. Other arrangements either place R too early so that if you feel like this does not clearly point back, or start with sentences that already assume knowledge of low self esteem, which makes the paragraph less coherent. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option PRSQ puts R directly after P, skipping over the more detailed consequences in Q and S, so the phrase if you feel like this does not fully incorporate the later points about confidence. Option RSQP begins with R, which mentions feeling like this without any prior explanation, so the reader is not yet told what this refers to. Option QPSR starts with Q, which assumes the reader already knows about low self esteem, making the introduction weak. Therefore these sequences do not provide as smooth or logical a progression as PQSR. Common Pitfalls: Students often choose sequences that simply sound good locally, such as pairing two similar sentences, instead of checking the whole paragraph structure. Another common error is to overlook referential phrases like this or such a state, which always need a clear antecedent. To avoid such mistakes, first identify the sentence that best defines the main term, then arrange the remaining sentences in a chain of consequences or explanations, ensuring that reference words and logical connectors have proper targets. Final Answer: The most logical sequence is PQSR, so the correct answer is option PQSR.

Question 17

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S about the privatisation of Air India. When these sentences are arranged in the most logical sequence, they form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that gives the best orde…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para jumble question deals with economic and policy discussion about foreign investment and privatisation of Air India. You are given four related sentences and must arrange them into a coherent paragraph. The task involves detecting which sentence introduces the topic, which sentences give developments and reactions, and which sentence provides a concluding view about closure after years of debate. Such questions measure your ability to identify logical flow and cause effect in editorial style passages. Given Data / Assumptions: Q states that by clearing the path for 49 percent foreign investment in Air India, the Centre has decided to push ahead with privatisation. P says that this would bring a sense of closure to an issue that has involved about two decades of wrangling. R notes that the parliamentary standing committee on privatisation is yet to express its views, but political consensus seems close. S claims there cannot be a more opportune time to push ahead with disinvestment, despite improved operational performance of the airline. The sentences all revolve around the policy step, its timing, and the political context. Concept / Approach: We first look for a sentence that clearly introduces the main development. That sentence should not rely on a previous this or that for its meaning. Then we look for supporting or evaluative statements that refer back to this policy move, using words like this or it. Sentences about parliamentary committees and political consensus are generally placed after the basic policy announcement. Finally, we place broader evaluative or concluding remarks about timing and closure towards the end of the paragraph. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Sentence Q is the clearest introduction, because it reports the main policy move: allowing 49 percent foreign investment in Air India and deciding to move ahead with privatisation. Step 2: Sentence P naturally follows Q. The pronoun this in P refers directly to the decision described in Q. It evaluates the policy move by saying it would bring closure to about two decades of wrangling over Air India. Step 3: Sentence R then comments on the political process. After the major decision is described and its significance is noted, R observes that the parliamentary committee is yet to express its views, but political consensus appears to be near. This fits as a follow up to the policy announcement and its longer history. Step 4: Sentence S is best placed at the end, because it offers a final evaluative remark on timing. It says there cannot be a more opportune time to push ahead with disinvestment, even though operations have improved, which is a closing judgement. Step 5: The resulting sequence is Q P R S, which corresponds to option QPRS. Verification / Alternative check: Reading QPRS as one paragraph yields a smooth editorial style: first the announcement of policy, then a comment on closure after long disputes, next an update on political consensus, and finally an evaluation of timing. There are no unclear pronoun references, and each sentence adds a new layer of information. The paragraph flows naturally from fact to history to politics to overall assessment, which is what newspaper opinion pieces tend to do when discussing policy changes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option SPQR starts with S, which refers to disinvestment and implies a context that has not yet been introduced, so it is a weak opening. Option PSQR opens with P, but this mentions this would bring closure without stating what this refers to, making the paragraph confusing. Option PRQS begins with P and then jumps to R, delaying the actual policy announcement in Q, which should logically come first because both P and R depend on it. Therefore these other sequences do not provide as clear and coherent a structure as QPRS. Common Pitfalls: Examinees often overlook the importance of pronouns like this and it, which must always refer back to a clearly stated earlier idea. They also sometimes start with sentences that sound dramatic instead of those that properly introduce the topic. To avoid these traps, always identify the sentence that describes the central event or decision first, and only then place evaluative and political context sentences around it, checking that each pronoun has an obvious antecedent. Final Answer: The most logical and coherent sequence is QPRS, so the correct answer is option QPRS.

Question 18

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S about soil nutrients and fertiliser use. When these sentences are arranged in the most logical sequence, they form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that gives the best o…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para jumble question comes from an environmental science and agriculture context. The four sentences refer to depletion of organic nutrients in soil, low soil organic carbon levels, nutrient imbalance caused by overuse of certain fertilisers, and massive annual soil erosion. Your task is to arrange them into a logically ordered paragraph that captures the full picture of soil degradation in Green Revolution areas. To do this, you must identify the general opening statement, the supporting evidence, and the additional related problems that follow from the initial issue. Given Data / Assumptions: P states that depletion of organic nutrients in the soil has reached alarming proportions because of indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers in Green Revolution areas. Q compares acceptable soil organic carbon, which should be over 5 percent, with actual levels in Punjab that are far below 1 percent. R reports that 5.3 billion tonnes of soil is eroded annually at a rate of 16.4 tonnes per hectare. S says that nutrient imbalance has been skewed by overuse of urea in relation to phosphatic and potassic fertilisers. The sentences all relate to soil health, nutrient balance and erosion. Concept / Approach: In paragraph ordering, we normally start with a broad statement of the main problem, followed by specific details, data, or causes. Supporting sentences may include statistical evidence or elaborations about how the problem manifests. Additional issues, such as erosion, may come later as further consequences or associated challenges. We must also ensure that technical terms like nutrient imbalance follow after the general notion of depletion is introduced, so that the reader is not lost in details without context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Sentence P is clearly the best opener. It introduces the broad problem of depletion of organic nutrients and links it to indiscriminate fertiliser use in Green Revolution areas. It sets the theme for the entire paragraph. Step 2: Sentence Q logically follows P by giving a concrete data point that illustrates the severity of nutrient depletion. It cites soil organic carbon levels in Punjab being far below 1 percent compared with the acceptable level of over 5 percent. Step 3: Sentence S then narrows in on the specific cause of nutrient imbalance, pointing out that overuse of urea relative to phosphatic and potassic fertilisers has skewed the balance. This fits after the depletion and low carbon data have been presented. Step 4: Sentence R completes the picture by adding another serious consequence: massive annual soil erosion of 5.3 billion tonnes at 16.4 tonnes per hectare. This is a related but distinct environmental effect, suitable as a later piece in the paragraph. Step 5: Putting this together gives P Q S R, which matches option PQRS. Verification / Alternative check: When you read PQRS in order, it forms a smooth logical development: a general claim about alarming depletion, a specific example of low organic carbon, a description of how fertiliser use has become imbalanced, and finally a statistic on soil erosion. The paragraph moves from basic problem to evidence, to cause, and then to an additional dimension of environmental degradation. No sentence feels out of place or without context, confirming that PQRS is the best ordering. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option SRPQ begins with S, which talks about nutrient imbalance without first stating that there is a larger depletion problem; this makes the paragraph feel incomplete at the start. Option QPSR starts with Q, giving specific numbers about Punjab before the reader is told that there is a general issue of depletion, which is less natural. Option PSRQ puts R too early, shifting to erosion before fully explaining the imbalance due to fertiliser use, which interrupts the flow. Therefore these alternatives are less coherent than PQRS. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to focus on numerical sentences and assume that any sentence with data must be the first or last statement. Another problem is ignoring the natural order where a general statement precedes its example and cause. Always identify the sentence that sets up the main topic, then arrange the rest to provide illustration, explanation, and further consequences. Keeping this hierarchy in mind will help you solve similar questions more reliably. Final Answer: The correct and most logical order is PQRS, so the correct answer is option PQRS.

Question 19

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S about governance in listed firms and insider trading leaks. When arranged properly, they form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that gives the best order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question deals with a paragraph about corporate governance, insider trading leaks via WhatsApp groups, and regulatory responses by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Your task is to arrange four sentences into a coherent passage. The sentences mention recent efforts to tighten governance, the leak episode, the regulatory investigation, and a comment on the difficulty of using traditional enforcement methods. Understanding the flow of such analytical writing is vital for exam passages drawn from business newspapers and magazines. Given Data / Assumptions: R states that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and SEBI have redoubled their efforts to put in place a water tight governance framework for listed firms. Q points out that recent suspected insider trading episodes through WhatsApp groups show that the framework remains porous. S says that SEBI has initiated a probe into this episode, interrogated analysts, conducted raids on brokers and seized digital devices. P notes that while it is good that SEBI is acting seriously, bringing perpetrators to book through such traditional methods may be an uphill task. The sentences are connected by the theme of attempts to improve governance and challenges in enforcement. Concept / Approach: To arrange these sentences, we look for a logical sequence: first the general policy initiative, then the problem that exposes weaknesses, then the specific enforcement actions taken, and finally a reflective critique of those actions. In editorial style writing, the author usually begins by stating the larger effort or context, then presents a case that illustrates the problem, follows with current action, and ends with an evaluative comment. Pronouns such as this episode and these methods also help identify references and ordering. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Sentence R is clearly the best opening because it sets out the broad context: the Ministry and SEBI are working hard to implement a strong governance framework for listed firms. Step 2: Sentence Q naturally follows, as it begins with but and describes the recent insider trading leaks through WhatsApp groups. This shows that despite efforts mentioned in R, the framework is still porous. Step 3: Sentence S then continues the narrative by describing how SEBI responded to this episode. It mentions the probe, interrogation of analysts, raids on brokers, and seizure of laptops and mobile phones. Step 4: Sentence P is best placed last because it evaluates the actions described in S. It acknowledges that SEBI is taking the leaks seriously but warns that trying to catch wrongdoers using such traditional search and seizure methods may be very difficult. Step 5: Thus the logical order is R Q S P, which corresponds to option RQSP. Verification / Alternative check: If you read RQSP as a paragraph, it forms a smooth, argumentative editorial: first broad reforms, then a leak that exposes gaps, then enforcement actions, then a critical reflection on the effectiveness of those actions. The connectors but and this episode work perfectly in this sequence. No sentence seems out of place, and each new sentence builds logically on the previous one. This confirms that RQSP is the most coherent arrangement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option QSPR begins with Q and jumps straight into the leak episode without first explaining that SEBI and the Ministry are working on a governance framework, which weakens context. Option SPQR starts with S, describing a probe into this episode before mentioning what the episode is or what larger governance effort it challenges. Option PRQS begins with P, a reflective statement about SEBI taking leaks seriously and the uphill nature of enforcement, but the reader has not yet been told what leaks or methods are being discussed, so the opening is confusing. These problems make the alternative sequences inferior to RQSP. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates focus on catchy lines or descriptive sentences and misplace them at the start or end. Another frequent error is ignoring transitional words such as but and therefore. When solving para jumbles, always pay attention to such connectives and to phrases like this episode or these methods which clearly refer back to earlier ideas. Also consider typical editorial structures: context, problem, action, evaluation. Applying this pattern will guide you to the correct order more reliably. Final Answer: The best and most logical sequence is RQSP, so the correct answer is option RQSP.

Question 20

The following question consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S about the philosophy of pragmatism and the human mind. When arranged correctly, they form a coherent paragraph. Select the option that gives the best order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para jumble question presents four brief statements on the philosophy of pragmatism and the nature of the human mind. Your job is to arrange the sentences into a logically connected mini paragraph. These lines introduce pragmatism, describe how the mind deals only with ideas, and then draw a conclusion about whether the mind can truly ponder reality. Because the sentences are short and closely related, the key is to detect which sentence introduces the philosophical view and how the reasoning step flows from premises to conclusion. Given Data / Assumptions: P states that the philosophy of pragmatism goes in a particular way. R asserts that the mind deals only with ideas. Q explains that it is not possible for the mind to relate to anything other than ideas. S concludes that it is not correct to think that the mind can actually ponder reality. The paragraph aims to show how a view about the mind leads to a conclusion about reality in pragmatism. Concept / Approach: In such logical mini arguments, we first look for a sentence that frames the philosophical position in general terms. That sentence must introduce the philosophy before its claims are stated. Next come the premises about how the mind functions. Finally, we place the inferential statement beginning with therefore, which states the conclusion. The sequence should read like a concise philosophical argument: introduction, premise one, premise two, conclusion. Sentences with words such as therefore almost always come at the end because they explicitly signal a result derived from previous statements. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Sentence P is clearly the introduction because it names the philosophy of pragmatism and announces that it goes in a particular way. The actual content of that way must then follow. Step 2: Sentence R then states the first premise about the mind: the mind is such that it deals only with ideas. This is a basic descriptive claim about mental functioning. Step 3: Sentence Q reinforces and slightly rephrases the same point as a stronger claim: it is not possible for the mind to relate to anything other than ideas. This naturally follows R and pushes the premise further. Step 4: Sentence S is the logical conclusion and begins with therefore, indicating that it depends on what has been said in R and Q. It concludes that it is not correct to think that the mind can ponder reality itself. Step 5: Hence the sequence is P R Q S, which matches option PRQS. Verification / Alternative check: If you read PRQS as one paragraph, the flow is natural: first a general introduction to pragmatism, then two closely linked statements about how the mind deals only with ideas, and finally a conclusion about reality. The therefore in S unambiguously refers back to the ideas in R and Q. No references are left hanging and the argument moves smoothly from set up to conclusion. This confirms that PRQS forms a coherent philosophical paragraph. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option RQSP starts with R, which launches into a claim about the mind without mentioning pragmatism at all, so the introductory context is missing. Option RSPQ is worse because it puts the conclusion S directly after R, leaving Q as an afterthought, which reverses the logical order. Option SQRP begins with S, giving a conclusion that the reader has not been prepared for, and only later mentions pragmatism, which is not a sensible arrangement. Therefore these alternatives are logically weaker than PRQS. Common Pitfalls: A usual error is to overlook introductory statements and hurry towards sentences containing big claims or the word therefore. In logical writing, however, a conclusion should be supported by prior premises and not used as the opening line. When dealing with philosophical or analytical content, always look for this structure: introduction to the view, description of assumptions, then explicit conclusion. Keeping this pattern in mind will help you quickly solve similar reasoning based para jumble questions. Final Answer: The most logical order of sentences is PRQS, so the correct answer is option PRQS.

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