Question 1

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the word order: A captious attitude (causes often) difficulties in a relationship and creates tension.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of adverb placement in an English sentence. The focus is on the correct position of the adverb "often" in relation to the verb "causes." The sentence describes how a captious attitude can create difficulties in a relationship, and we must choose the option that arranges the words in a natural and grammatically correct way. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is "A captious attitude." The verb in the bracketed phrase is "causes" and the adverb is "often." The original structure is "causes often." The sentence talks about habitual or frequent difficulties in relationships. Concept / Approach: In English, adverbs of frequency such as "often," "usually," "always," and "never" are most commonly placed before the main verb in simple tenses. For example, we say "often causes," "usually goes," or "never forgets." When the verb is a form of "be," the adverb normally comes after it, such as "is often late." Here, the verb "causes" is the main verb in the simple present tense, so the most natural position for "often" is before "causes." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the main verb in the clause. The verb is "causes." Step 2: Notice that "often" is an adverb of frequency describing how frequently a captious attitude leads to difficulties. Step 3: Apply the rule that an adverb of frequency usually comes before a main verb in the simple present tense. Step 4: Rearrange the phrase "causes often" to "often causes." Step 5: Rebuild the complete sentence: "A captious attitude often causes difficulties in a relationship and creates tension." This sentence now sounds natural, clear, and grammatically correct. Verification / Alternative check: Compare similar sentences: "Stress often causes headaches" and "Lack of communication often causes misunderstandings." In both examples, "often" comes immediately before the verb "causes." Using the same pattern here confirms that "often causes" is the correct choice. The original "causes often" does not follow normal adverb placement for this type of verb and tense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "caused often" shifts the verb to the past tense and also places "often" after the verb in a less natural position. The sentence talks about a general truth in the present, so the simple present "causes" is more appropriate. Option C: "causing often" changes the verb form to a present participle, which would require a different sentence structure, such as "A captious attitude, often causing difficulties..." The given sentence does not use such a structure. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "causes often difficulties" is not the typical word order and sounds awkward in English. Common Pitfalls: Learners often place adverbs randomly without considering whether the position sounds natural. Adverbs of frequency have fairly stable positions, and memorising some basic patterns helps: subject plus adverb plus main verb ("She often visits"), or subject plus auxiliary plus adverb plus main verb ("They have always supported"). Remember that wrong placement may not completely block understanding, but it makes the sentence sound unnatural and can cost marks in an exam. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "often causes," so the sentence should read: A captious attitude often causes difficulties in a relationship.

Question 2

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the possessive form: She broke down at his words uttered with blatant disregard for a (personal’s) feelings.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests correct use of possessive forms in English. The sentence describes someone speaking with blatant disregard for another individual's feelings, which requires a proper possessive noun. The bracketed part "personal’s" is not a valid possessive form in this context, so we must select the option that gives the correct structure and meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase under correction is "for a personal’s feelings." The context is emotional sensitivity toward another individual. We need a singular noun that can take a possessive form. The sentence refers to feelings that belong to a person, not to "personal" as an adjective. Concept / Approach: The word "personal" is usually an adjective, as in "personal opinion" or "personal belongings." Adjectives do not normally take the possessive apostrophe plus s structure. Instead, we need the noun "person" to show ownership of the feelings. The correct possessive form of "person" is "person’s." Therefore, the phrase should be "for a person’s feelings," which means "for the feelings of a person." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that "personal" is an adjective, not a noun that can directly take a possessive ending. Step 2: Recognise that the sentence talks about feelings that belong to an individual, so we need the noun "person." Step 3: Form the possessive of "person" by adding apostrophe plus s, giving "person’s." Step 4: Insert the article "a" before "person’s" to maintain the structure "for a person’s feelings." Step 5: Check the full sentence: "She broke down at his words uttered with blatant disregard for a person’s feelings." This now reads naturally and clearly. Verification / Alternative check: We can compare with similar phrases like "for a child’s safety" or "for a student’s benefit." In each case, a singular countable noun is converted into a possessive form to show ownership. Applying that pattern here confirms that "person’s feelings" is the appropriate structure. "Personal’s feelings" does not match any standard grammatical pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "personnel’s" refers to staff members collectively, as in "the company personnel." Using it with "a" and in the singular is incorrect, and the meaning does not fit the sentence, which is about one person’s feelings. Option C: "person" without the possessive ending would give "for a person feelings," which is grammatically incomplete. We need the possessive form to show that the feelings belong to that person. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because "personal’s" mixes an adjective with a possessive ending, which is not standard English. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse "person," "persons," "people," and "personnel," or try to attach possessive endings to adjectives. Another common problem is forgetting to use the possessive form when describing something that belongs to someone. Remember that nouns, not adjectives, take possessive apostrophe plus s. When in doubt, substitute a simpler phrase like "of a person" to check whether a possessive structure is needed. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "person’s," so the phrase should read: blatant disregard for a person’s feelings.

Question 3

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct tense and form: His decision (will be fair) to everyone as he is the most disinterested party in this controversy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of verb forms and the correct use of the verb "be" plus an adjective. The sentence predicts something about the fairness of a future decision. We must decide whether the existing phrase "will be fair" is correct or whether it needs any improvement based on standard English grammar. Given Data / Assumptions: The subject is "His decision." The bracketed phrase is "will be fair." The context is a prediction about the fairness of his future decision. We need to confirm the appropriate tense and structure to describe this future state. Concept / Approach: When we talk about a future state or quality, we often use "will be" plus an adjective. For example, "The result will be good" or "The journey will be difficult." Here, "fair" is an adjective describing the quality of the decision. The form "will be fair" correctly expresses that in the future, the decision is expected to be fair. None of the alternative verb forms fit the meaning and structure as well as the original phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the sentence is referring to something that has not yet happened, namely his decision. Step 2: Recognise that we normally express future predictions using "will" plus base verb or "will be" plus adjective or noun. Step 3: Notice that "fair" functions as an adjective describing the decision. Step 4: Confirm that "will be fair" is the correct future form here and that no change is needed. Step 5: Read the full sentence: "His decision will be fair to everyone as he is the most disinterested party in this controversy." This sentence is fluent and grammatically sound. Verification / Alternative check: We can check similar structures: "Her answer will be honest," "Their proposal will be acceptable," and "The outcome will be fair." In each case, "will be" precedes an adjective that describes a future condition or quality. This pattern matches the bracketed phrase "will be fair." The alternatives either change the meaning or break basic grammatical rules, confirming that the original is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "fairing" is incorrect in this context because "fair" is an adjective here, and "fairing" would not fit as a verb or noun describing the quality of the decision. Option B: "will fair" incorrectly treats "fair" as a main verb. While "fair" can function as a verb in some specialised contexts, in this sentence the intended role is clearly that of an adjective describing the decision. Option C: "had fair" is completely wrong in tense and structure. It uses past perfect "had" with an adjective without a linking verb, making the phrase ungrammatical. Option D: "No improvement" is correct because the phrase "will be fair" accurately and grammatically describes the expected future quality of the decision. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to treat adjectives as verbs or to confuse the structure "will be" plus adjective with "will" plus main verb. Learners sometimes attempt forms like "will good" or "had honest," which are not correct. Remember that adjectives describing states or qualities generally need a linking verb such as "be," "seem," or "become." In future tense predictions about qualities, "will be" is normally used. Final Answer: The phrase "will be fair" is already correct, so the best choice is: No improvement.

Question 4

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct verb phrase: She dithered every time she (make) a decision about her career.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests tense consistency and the correct choice of verb phrase in a past time context. The sentence talks about a repeated situation in the past where she hesitated whenever a decision was required. The bracketed part "make" must be adjusted so that it fits naturally with "dithered" and clearly indicates a repeated requirement to take a decision. Given Data / Assumptions: The main verb is "dithered," which is in the simple past tense. The clause introduced by "every time" refers to each occasion when a decision was needed. The bracketed verb is "make," which is in base form. We need a structure that is consistent with the past and shows obligation or necessity at those times. Concept / Approach: The phrase "every time she had to make a decision" is a natural way to talk about repeated situations in the past where an obligation arose. The expression "had to" is the past form of "have to," which expresses necessity. Using "had to make" clearly indicates that on each occasion in the past when a decision was necessary, she hesitated. This matches well with "dithered," which also describes a past habit or repeated action. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that "dithered" is in the simple past tense and describes a repeated pattern of behaviour. Step 2: Recognise that the clause with "every time she ..." should also refer to those past occasions. Step 3: Choose a past time structure that reflects necessity each time. "Had to make" is the natural past form of "has to make." Step 4: Replace the bracketed "make" with "had to make." Step 5: Read the complete sentence: "She dithered every time she had to make a decision about her career." This is now grammatically correct and semantically clear. Verification / Alternative check: Consider parallel sentences: "He panicked every time he had to speak in public" or "They hesitated every time they had to sign a contract." In each, the combination "had to" plus base verb describes necessity in past repeated events. Applying this pattern here confirms that "had to make" is the right choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "makes" is in the simple present tense and does not match "dithered," which is past. It would fit better in a sentence like "She dithers every time she makes a decision." Option C: "will make" refers to the future and is incompatible with the past tense "dithered." Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because leaving "make" in base form after "she" gives an ungrammatical structure. It should be "she makes" or "she had to make," not "she make." Common Pitfalls: Students often forget to maintain tense consistency when there are multiple clauses in a sentence. Another common problem is using base verbs directly after subjects in the past without an auxiliary. Remember that if the sentence is clearly about past repeated situations and expresses obligation, "had to" is the usual choice. Matching the tense of the main clause and the subordinate clause makes the sentence clear and correct. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "had to make," so the sentence should read: She dithered every time she had to make a decision about her career.

Question 5

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by selecting the correct past form: She emanated ebullience as she (learn) about her first rank in the exam.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on correct verb form and tense in a sentence describing a joyful event in the past. The sentence shows that she radiated happiness at the time she came to know about her first rank. The bracketed verb "learn" must be adjusted to fit smoothly into this past narrative. Given Data / Assumptions: The main verb is "emanated," which is in the past tense. The clause introduced by "as" refers to the time when she found out about her first rank. The bracketed word is "learn," which is in base form. The context clearly indicates a completed past event. Concept / Approach: When describing a past event that triggers an emotional reaction at the same time, we generally use the simple past tense. The verb "learn" in the simple past can be "learned" or "learnt" depending on spelling preferences. Many exam questions follow the British spelling "learnt." Therefore, "as she learnt about her first rank" is a natural and grammar friendly way of expressing the idea. The other options either break the tense pattern or use an incorrect form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Observe that "emanated" is in simple past and that the whole sentence describes a specific moment in the past. Step 2: Recognise that "as" here means "when" or "at the time that," so the action of learning and the action of emanating happiness occur together. Step 3: Use simple past for the verb "learn," giving "learnt" (or "learned"). Step 4: Check which option provides the correct simple past form. The option "learnt" is appropriate. Step 5: Read the revised sentence: "She emanated ebullience as she learnt about her first rank in the exam." The structure is now consistent and clear. Verification / Alternative check: We can compare with similar sentences: "She smiled as she learnt the good news" or "He shouted with joy as he learnt of his promotion." In each case, the verb after "as" is in the simple past because it refers to a completed past action. This confirms that "learnt" fits the pattern in the question sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "learning" would require a different construction, such as "while learning about her first rank." In the given structure with "as she," simple past is more natural. Option C: "had learn" is incorrect because "had" in past perfect tense must be followed by the past participle "learnt" or "learned," not the base form "learn." Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because the base form "learn" cannot follow "she" in a past narrative without an auxiliary verb. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes mix tenses within one sentence or forget that conjunctions like "as" can introduce a clause that needs a properly conjugated verb. Another common issue is confusion between base form, simple past, and past participle. Remember that simple past verbs generally end with "-ed" or use an irregular past form, and that they match the time frame set by the main verb. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "learnt," so the sentence should read: She emanated ebullience as she learnt about her first rank in the exam.

Question 6

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the participle: The student (chose) to represent the school was the epitome of dedication and excellence.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of past participles used in reduced relative clauses. The sentence describes a student selected to represent the school and then comments on that student's qualities. The bracketed word "chose" must be corrected to fit the grammatical role it plays in the sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The noun being modified is "The student." The bracketed verb is "chose," which is the simple past form of "choose." The intended meaning is "The student who was chosen to represent the school." The sentence is using a reduced relative clause structure, where "chosen" stands in for "who was chosen." Concept / Approach: In reduced relative clauses, the past participle is often used without "who was" when the subject has undergone an action. For example, "The book written by her" stands for "The book that was written by her." Similarly, "The student chosen to represent the school" stands for "The student who was chosen to represent the school." Therefore, the correct form here is the past participle "chosen," not the simple past "chose," and not any progressive or perfect form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Expand the structure mentally: "The student (who was) chosen to represent the school." Step 2: Recognise that "chose" is the simple past tense, which is used as the main verb, not as a participle in this pattern. Step 3: Identify that we need the past participle "chosen" to complete the reduced relative clause. Step 4: Select "chosen" from the options and place it in the sentence. Step 5: Read the corrected sentence: "The student chosen to represent the school was the epitome of dedication and excellence." It now sounds grammatically correct and natural. Verification / Alternative check: Consider similar examples: "The athlete selected for the national team won a medal," or "The candidates shortlisted for the interview must report at nine." In each case, the past participle "selected" or "shortlisted" replaces "who were selected" or "who were shortlisted." This confirms that the same pattern should be applied with "chosen" in the given sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "is choosing" is present progressive and would change the meaning to a student who is in the process of choosing, which does not fit the context. The school chooses the student, not the other way round. Option C: "have chose" is ungrammatical because the correct past participle is "chosen," and with "have" it should be "have chosen." Even then, it would not fit the reduced relative clause structure. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because "chose" as a simple past form cannot function correctly in this reduced clause. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse simple past and past participle forms, especially with irregular verbs like "choose" (chose, chosen). Another frequent issue is failing to recognise reduced relative clauses, where the auxiliary verb and relative pronoun are omitted. Recognising that "student chosen" stands for "student who was chosen" makes it easier to select the correct form. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "chosen," so the sentence should be: The student chosen to represent the school was the epitome of dedication and excellence.

Question 7

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct degree of comparison: Life in (more) thriving towns is intimately connected with the local trades and industries.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your understanding of degrees of comparison with adjectives, especially when referring to a group of towns that are at the top in terms of prosperity. The sentence describes how life in certain towns is closely linked to local trade and industry. The bracketed word "more" must be evaluated to see whether a comparative or superlative degree is required. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase is "Life in (more) thriving towns." The intended meaning is likely to refer to the towns that are highly or most thriving, not just more thriving than others in an unspecified comparison. There is no explicit comparison with another set of towns in the sentence. The sentence speaks generally about life in those towns where trade and industry are strongly developed. Concept / Approach: Adjectives can appear in three degrees: positive ("thriving"), comparative ("more thriving"), and superlative ("most thriving"). The comparative degree "more thriving" is used when comparing two sets or entities, such as "Town A is more thriving than Town B." The superlative "most thriving" is used when something is at the highest level within a group, as in "the most thriving towns in the region." In this sentence, we are not comparing two specific sets of towns; instead, we are describing those towns that are at the higher extreme, so "most thriving towns" is more natural than "more thriving towns." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the adjective "thriving" and see that it is modifying "towns." Step 2: Consider whether the sentence is making a comparison or just talking about a category of towns that are highly prosperous. Step 3: Observe that there is no phrase like "than other towns" in the sentence, so a direct comparison is not being made. Step 4: Conclude that a superlative structure is more appropriate: "the most thriving towns." Step 5: Replace "more" with "most" and read the full sentence: "Life in most thriving towns is intimately connected with the local trades and industries." Many exam versions also prefer "in the most thriving towns," but as an improvement of the bracketed word, choosing "most" is the key step. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar sentences: "Life in the most industrialised cities is fast paced" or "In the most prosperous regions, agriculture and trade are well developed." These do not explicitly compare one group with another; instead, they refer to the group at the top in terms of a particular quality. Following this pattern, "most thriving towns" matches better than "more thriving towns." Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "much" does not work directly before "thriving towns," because it normally modifies the comparative degree, as in "much more thriving," not the positive adjective alone. Option B: "much more" yields "much more thriving towns," which suggests a comparison, but the sentence does not clearly set up a comparison between two sets of towns. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "more thriving towns" without a clear comparative structure is less idiomatic and does not accurately reflect a general statement about the top category of towns. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse when to use comparative or superlative degrees. A useful guideline is that the comparative usually appears with "than" and compares two things, while the superlative often appears with "the" and refers to the highest degree within a group. When there is no explicit comparison but a reference to the highest or extreme group, the superlative is usually preferred. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "most," so the phrase should be: Life in most thriving towns is intimately connected with the local trades and industries.

Question 8

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by using the correct preposition: Keshav was (endowed on) rare talents from a very young age.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question checks your knowledge of the standard preposition that follows the verb "endowed." The sentence refers to Keshav having certain natural talents. To express this meaning correctly, we must use the right prepositional phrase with "endowed." Given Data / Assumptions: The structure under correction is "was endowed on rare talents." Keshav is the subject, and "rare talents" are the qualities or gifts he possesses. The intended meaning is that Keshav possessed or was gifted with special talents. We need to choose the preposition that collocates correctly with "endowed." Concept / Approach: In standard English usage, the common and correct collocation is "endowed with something" when we talk about a person having special qualities, abilities, or features. For example, "She is endowed with beauty and intelligence." There is also a less common pattern "endow something on someone," but that has a different structure and is not used in this passive form with "on" directly before the thing possessed. In this sentence, the subject is the person who has the talents, so the construction must be "was endowed with rare talents." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that "endowed" is used in the passive voice: "was endowed." Step 2: Recognise that Keshav is the receiver of the talents, and "rare talents" are the qualities he has. Step 3: Recall the collocation "endowed with" to describe someone who naturally possesses certain qualities. Step 4: Replace "on" with "with" to create the phrase "was endowed with rare talents." Step 5: Check the full sentence: "Keshav was endowed with rare talents from a very young age." This is now grammatically correct and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: Think of similar sentences: "The region is endowed with natural beauty," or "He is endowed with great intelligence." In each example, "with" is used to connect the subject and the qualities they possess. This matches the structure needed in the given sentence, which confirms that "endowed with" is the correct phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "endowed of" is not a standard expression and does not appear in correct English usage for this meaning. Option B: "endowed upon" is part of a different pattern, usually "to endow something upon someone," such as "The foundation endowed a scholarship upon the student." It is not used as "was endowed upon rare talents," which would reverse the roles. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because "endowed on rare talents" is ungrammatical and not idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: A common problem is confusing "endowed with" and "endow something on." Learners may also attempt to guess prepositions instead of remembering the collocation. In English, many verbs and adjectives prefer fixed prepositions, such as "interested in," "capable of," and "endowed with." Memorising such patterns is very helpful for scoring well in sentence improvement questions. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "endowed with," so the sentence should read: Keshav was endowed with rare talents from a very young age.

Question 9

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct tense: The unpleasant feeling (passes) and she glanced guardedly up at him.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests tense consistency within a narrative sentence. The sentence describes events that happened in the past: an unpleasant feeling came and then went away, and she looked up at him. We must ensure that all verbs properly reflect the same time frame. Given Data / Assumptions: The second verb "glanced" is clearly in simple past tense. The bracketed verb is "passes," which is in simple present tense. The sentence describes a sequence of actions that occurred at one moment in the past. We need to bring the first verb into harmony with the second. Concept / Approach: When a sentence narrates a sequence of actions that took place in the past, the verbs are usually in simple past tense. The progression here is that the unpleasant feeling went away and then she glanced up. Therefore, "passed" is the correct form for the first action, matching "glanced" in tense and giving a smooth, chronological flow. Using present or present perfect would disturb this consistency. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the two main verbs: "passes" (bracketed) and "glanced." Step 2: Note that "glanced" is in simple past, indicating that both actions belong to a past narrative. Step 3: Change "passes" to its simple past form "passed" so that both actions share the same tense. Step 4: Insert "passed" in the sentence: "The unpleasant feeling passed and she glanced guardedly up at him." Step 5: Check that the sequence now reads smoothly, showing first the disappearance of the feeling and then her action of looking up. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar constructions: "The pain subsided and he relaxed," or "The storm ended and the sun came out." In each example, both verbs are in simple past, reflecting a completed sequence. Similarly, "The unpleasant feeling passed and she glanced..." correctly follows this narrative pattern. Using present tense "passes" would sound as if we are describing a habitual or general truth, which does not match the context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "passing" would require a different structure such as "the unpleasant feeling, passing quickly, left her calm," and is not suitable in this straightforward narrative. Option B: "has passed" is present perfect, which typically links the past to the present moment. It is not appropriate in a simple past narrative that is clearly located completely in the past. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "passes" in present tense clashes with the past tense "glanced." Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes mix tenses within one sentence, especially when focusing more on meaning than on form. A useful rule is that, in a simple past narrative, all main actions should normally be in simple past unless there is a specific reason to shift tense. Maintaining tense consistency helps the reader follow the timeline of events clearly. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "passed," so the sentence should read: The unpleasant feeling passed and she glanced guardedly up at him.

Question 10

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct verb form: Affirmations are positive statements that (describes) a desired situation or goal and are often repeated.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question focuses on subject verb agreement, especially in relative clauses. The sentence defines "affirmations" and explains what they do. The bracketed verb "describes" must agree in number with its subject, which is "statements." Given Data / Assumptions: The main noun is "affirmations," which are defined as "positive statements." The clause "that (describes) a desired situation or goal" modifies "statements." The real grammatical subject of "describes" is "that" referring back to "statements." "Statements" is a plural noun. Concept / Approach: In a relative clause starting with "that," the verb must agree with the noun the relative pronoun refers to. Here, "that" stands for "statements," which is plural. Therefore, the verb in the clause must be plural as well, that is, "describe," not "describes." The correct structure is "statements that describe a desired situation or goal." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the noun that "that" is referring to. It refers to "statements." Step 2: Note that "statements" is plural. Step 3: Apply subject verb agreement: a plural subject requires a plural verb form in the present tense. Step 4: Change "describes" to "describe" to match the plural subject. Step 5: Read the full sentence: "Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired situation or goal and are often repeated." It now follows correct grammar rules. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar structures: "Books that describe history are popular," or "Devices that measure temperature are called thermometers." In each case, "that" refers to a plural noun ("books" or "devices"), so the verb is plural ("describe," "measure"). This pattern confirms that "describe" is the correct verb form in the given sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "describing" would change the structure to a participial phrase, which is possible but less appropriate for a clear definition of what affirmations are. Option C: "is describing" is singular and progressive, not matching the plural noun "statements" and not fitting the general descriptive nature of the sentence. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because "describes" does not agree with the plural noun "statements." Common Pitfalls: Subject verb agreement errors are very common, particularly in complex sentences where the subject is separated from the verb by other words or phrases. Students may mistakenly match the verb with the nearest noun rather than the actual subject. A good strategy is to first identify the core subject and then ensure that the verb matches it in number and person. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "describe," so the sentence should read: Affirmations are positive statements that describe a desired situation or goal and are often repeated.

Question 11

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the parallel verb form: Through the practice of repeated affirmations, we can make great progress on our chosen path and (increasing) our magnetism to succeed in anything.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of parallel structure and correct verb forms in a coordinated verb phrase. The sentence explains what repeated affirmations can help us do, namely progress on our path and strengthen our magnetism to succeed. The bracketed part "increasing" must align with the preceding verb phrase "make great progress." Given Data / Assumptions: The first verb after "can" is "make" in the base form. The bracketed form "increasing" follows the conjunction "and." The modal "can" applies to both actions. The intended meaning is "we can make progress and increase our magnetism." Concept / Approach: When two verbs share the same modal auxiliary, such as "can," they should both be in the base form for parallelism. The structure should be "can make" and "can increase," but since the modal only appears once, the pattern is "can make ... and increase." Therefore, the second verb should be "increase," not "increasing." This maintains grammatical parallelism and matches the normal rules of coordinated verb phrases with modals. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the modal auxiliary "can," which governs the verb phrase. Step 2: Note that the first verb governed by "can" is "make" in the base form. Step 3: Recognise that after "and," the second verb "increase" should also be in the base form to stay parallel with "make." Step 4: Replace "increasing" with "increase." Step 5: Read the full sentence: "Through the practice of repeated affirmations, we can make great progress on our chosen path and increase our magnetism to succeed in anything." It now follows the rules of parallel structure. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with other examples: "We can learn new skills and improve our confidence," or "They can earn money and save for the future." In each case, both verbs after "can" appear in the base form. Applying the same logic here confirms that "increase" is the appropriate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "increased" is past tense and does not match the modal "can," which requires the base form of the verb. Option B: "have increased" introduces present perfect tense and breaks the parallel structure with "make." Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "increasing" disrupts the parallelism and does not fit smoothly after the modal "can." Common Pitfalls: A frequent error is forgetting to match verb forms when there is a list of actions following a modal or auxiliary verb. Students may change the form of the second verb without noticing that it should be parallel to the first. A good habit is to check whether the verbs after conjunctions like "and" or "or" share the same grammatical form, especially when governed by a common modal such as "can," "will," or "must." Final Answer: The correct improvement is "increase," so the sentence should read: Through the practice of repeated affirmations, we can make great progress on our chosen path and increase our magnetism to succeed in anything.

Question 12

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by selecting the correct infinitive form: Everybody is aware that peaceful life respects non violence and non interference, yet it is difficult (to maintaining) peace because public consciousness is not exp…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the correct form of the verb after an adjective in the pattern "it is difficult to do something." The sentence discusses how hard it is to preserve peace, even though everyone understands the importance of non violence. The bracketed phrase "to maintaining" must be corrected to fit standard English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: The structure is "it is difficult ... peace." The bracketed phrase is "to maintaining." The idea is about performing the action of maintaining peace. We need to determine whether a gerund or infinitive is correct in this position. Concept / Approach: After adjectives like "difficult," "easy," "hard," and "important," English usually uses an infinitive phrase beginning with "to" plus the base form of the verb. Common patterns include "it is difficult to understand," "it is easy to say," and "it is important to remember." Therefore, the correct form here is "to maintain," not "to maintaining." The structure "to maintaining" incorrectly mixes the infinitive marker "to" with a gerund. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the pattern "it is difficult" which calls for an infinitive phrase to explain what is difficult. Step 2: Recognise that the verb describing the action is "maintain." Step 3: Use the infinitive "to maintain" after "difficult." Step 4: Replace "to maintaining" with "to maintain." Step 5: Read the corrected sentence: "Everybody is aware that peaceful life respects non violence and non interference, yet it is difficult to maintain peace because public consciousness is not expansive enough." This is now grammatically accurate and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: We can check similar constructions: "It is difficult to control anger," "It is easy to break a promise," or "It is important to protect the environment." All of these use the infinitive structure. Replacing "to maintain" with "maintaining" would require a different sentence pattern such as "Maintaining peace is difficult," but that is not the pattern being tested here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "maintaining" without "to" would fit in a different structure like "Maintaining peace is difficult," but with "it is difficult" we expect "to maintain." Option C: "maintained" is a past participle and does not form a proper infinitive or gerund phrase after "difficult." Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because "to maintaining" is not correct in standard English grammar. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse gerunds and infinitives, especially after adjectives and certain verbs. Remember that in the structure "it is adjective to do," the infinitive is the normal choice. Gerunds usually function as subjects or objects, as in "Maintaining peace requires effort," or after prepositions, such as "interested in learning." Final Answer: The correct improvement is "to maintain," so the sentence should read: it is difficult to maintain peace only because public consciousness is not expansive enough.

Question 13

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by correcting the auxiliary verb: A beautiful landscape, full of green vegetation, will not just attract our attention but (fill us) with infinite satisfaction.

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question examines parallelism and correct use of auxiliary verbs in a correlative structure. The sentence uses the construction "will not just A but B" to talk about the effect of a beautiful landscape. The bracketed phrase "fill us" must be checked to see whether it needs an auxiliary verb for full parallel structure with "will ... attract." Given Data / Assumptions: The first part of the verb phrase is "will not just attract our attention." The second part is "but (fill us) with infinite satisfaction." The subject for both actions is "A beautiful landscape." The tense and modality should remain consistent across both parts. Concept / Approach: Correlative patterns like "not just ... but also ..." typically maintain the same auxiliary verb structure in both parts. Since the first part uses "will" in "will not just attract," the second part should logically use "will" as well, giving "but will fill us." Omitting "will" in the second part can be acceptable in some informal contexts, but for exam standard and clear parallelism, including "will" is preferred. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the auxiliary verb in the first part of the sentence. It is "will." Step 2: Recognise that the second part of the sentence shares the same subject and should match the tense and modality. Step 3: Add "will" before "fill us" to mirror the structure "will attract." Step 4: Form the improved phrase "will fill us." Step 5: Read the entire sentence: "A beautiful landscape, full of green vegetation, will not just attract our attention but will fill us with infinite satisfaction." This now exhibits clear parallel structure and consistent tense. Verification / Alternative check: Check against similar examples: "The new policy will not just reduce costs but will improve efficiency," or "The programme will not just inform you but will inspire you." In both cases, "will" appears in each part to maintain symmetry and clarity. Using the same pattern here confirms that "will fill us" is the most appropriate phrasing. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "filled us" switches to past tense and breaks the future orientation of the sentence, which is set by "will not just attract." Option C: "fill them" wrongly changes the object pronoun from "us" to "them," which is inconsistent with the earlier "our attention." Option D: "No improvement" is not ideal because omitting the auxiliary "will" after "but" weakens the parallel structure and is not the formal standard expected in exam questions. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes ignore the need for parallel structure in correlative conjunctions. They may think that repeating the auxiliary is unnecessary or redundant. However, in formal written English, especially in examinations, repeating the auxiliary in the second part of a "not just ... but also ..." structure often makes the sentence clearer and stylistically better. Maintaining parallelism helps the reader see that both actions are of equal importance and share the same subject and tense. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "will fill us," so the sentence should read: A beautiful landscape, full of green vegetation, will not just attract our attention but will fill us with infinite satisfaction.

Question 14

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct preposition phrase: It is dangerous and harmful to be guided in our life course by hatreds and aversions, for they are wasteful of energy and limit and twist the mind, and prevent it…

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Introduction / Context: This question tests the correct preposition and verb form after the verb "prevent." The sentence explains how negative emotions can distort the mind and block it from understanding the truth. The bracketed phrase "to perceiving" must be adjusted to match the standard pattern used with "prevent." Given Data / Assumptions: The main clause is "they limit and twist the mind, and prevent it ... the truth." The bracketed phrase is "to perceiving." The verb "prevent" usually takes a particular prepositional structure in English. The meaning is that hatreds and aversions stop the mind from perceiving the truth. Concept / Approach: The standard construction in English is "prevent someone from doing something" or "prevent something from happening." Thus, the pattern is "prevent it from perceiving the truth." The preposition "from" is followed by a gerund (verb plus ing). Therefore, "from perceiving" is the correct phrase, and "to perceiving" is wrong because it mixes the infinitive marker "to" with a gerund in an ungrammatical way. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the verb "prevent" and recall its typical pattern "prevent someone from doing something." Step 2: Recognise that the pronoun "it" refers to the mind, the thing being prevented from an action. Step 3: Use the preposition "from" after "prevent it." Step 4: Use the gerund "perceiving" after "from" to form "from perceiving." Step 5: Insert the corrected phrase: "and prevent it from perceiving the truth." The full sentence now reads naturally and follows correct grammar rules. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with other examples: "Fear prevents us from taking risks," "Noise prevents students from concentrating," and "Clouds prevent sunlight from reaching the ground." In each example, "prevent" is followed by "from" and a gerund. This confirms that "from perceiving" is the proper structure in the question sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "upon perceiving" would mean something like "when it perceives," which changes the meaning and does not match the verb "prevent." Option C: "to perceive" would fit patterns like "try to perceive" or "want to perceive," but it does not follow the verb "prevent," which demands "from" plus gerund. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "to perceiving" is not a recognised or grammatical construction in standard English. Common Pitfalls: A typical mistake is to use "to" instead of "from" after "prevent" or to forget the gerund form. Students may know the meaning of "prevent" but not remember its fixed pattern. Learning verbs along with their prepositions, such as "insist on," "succeed in," and "prevent from," makes it easier to avoid such errors in exams and in everyday writing. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "from perceiving," so the sentence should read: and prevent it from perceiving the truth.

Question 15

Reading comprehension – passage on pure unconditional love: choose the most suitable title for the passage that explains love as the very source of existence and invites us to shift from conditional love to pure love.

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Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question asks you to select the most suitable title for a passage that explains pure unconditional love as the very basis of creation and as our deepest identity. A good title must capture the central theme and not just a side detail. The passage contrasts conditional, fear-based love with true, boundless love that arises when the false sense of separateness is surrendered. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage states that: - The world exists because of love, more precisely pure love. - Our very existence is an expression of pure unconditional love of the Source. - Society has reduced love to a conditional, fear-dominated experience. - We are invited to move from conditional love to pure love, recognizing ourselves as the Source of love. Concept / Approach: To find the best title, focus on the main idea rather than illustrative examples. The passage repeatedly emphasizes that true love is unconditional, not dependent on meeting others’ expectations, and that each person is actually the Source of love. The theme is therefore an understanding and rediscovery of pure love as our true nature, not only a critique of conditional love or a narrow aspect such as selflessness. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key thesis: the world exists because of pure love and our existence is an expression of that love. Step 2: Notice how much space is devoted to explaining what pure love is and how it differs from conditional love. Step 3: Observe that the passage encourages readers to see themselves as the Source of love and to honour themselves as such. Step 4: Compare each option with this central idea and choose the one that best captures the overall message, not just one detail. Verification / Alternative check: A good way to verify is to ask: “If I had to summarize the entire passage in one line, which option comes closest?” The option about understanding pure love as our true nature directly reflects the entire flow of the passage and can easily serve as a heading for it, whereas the other options feel narrower or slightly off-centre. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option b) “Conditional love and its limitations” focuses only on one contrasting idea. The passage does criticise conditional love, but mainly to lead us toward pure love. As a title, this is too narrow. Option c) “Role of the false ‘‘I’’ in love” refers to an important idea near the end of the passage, but that is a later step, not the overall focus. The passage is not primarily about ego analysis but about discovering pure love. Option d) “Selflessness in human relationships” is too generic and does not specifically convey the idea that we ourselves are the Source of love and that pure love is unconditional and boundless. Common Pitfalls: Students often pick a title that matches a single interesting sentence rather than the main argument of the text. Another common mistake is to choose a vague moral-sounding phrase that could fit many passages, instead of a title tailored to this specific one about pure, unconditional love as our true nature and the Source of existence. Final Answer: Understanding pure love as our true nature

Question 16

Reading comprehension – pure love passage: interpreting what the term “Source” refers to in the second paragraph, where our existence is described as an expression of pure unconditional love.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to interpret a specific term, “Source”, as it is used in the pure love passage. The second paragraph explains that our existence is an expression of pure unconditional love of the Source, and then briefly clarifies what that Source can be called. You must connect the context with the explanatory phrase that appears in brackets. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage says that: - Our existence is an expression of pure unconditional love of the Source. - The Source is further described as something you may call Consciousness, Creator, God, or Divine Self. - The term is used in a spiritual sense, pointing to an ultimate origin, not merely an individual person or ego. Concept / Approach: In reading comprehension, when a key word is immediately explained in brackets or with a phrase like “you may call it”, that explanation usually gives the precise meaning that the examiner wants. Here, the bracketed phrase mentions several near-synonyms that all point to a divine, ultimate principle. Among the options, we need to choose the one that best captures this cluster of meanings in simple language. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate the second paragraph and the sentence where “Source” appears with an explanation in brackets. Step 2: Note the words linked to “Source”: Consciousness, Creator, God, Divine Self. Step 3: Recognize that all these terms refer to a divine or ultimate origin of existence, not to an ordinary human being or an ego. Step 4: Compare this understanding with the given options and select the one that aligns most closely with the idea of a divine origin. Verification / Alternative check: To check, ask yourself whether each option could naturally replace the word “Source” in that sentence. “Your very existence is an expression of pure unconditional love of God” still preserves the meaning, because “God” is one of the words explicitly listed in the passage. Substituting “human being” or “man's ego” does not match the original explanation and distorts the sense of the passage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option b) “A human being in general” fails because the passage makes a clear distinction between human beings, who are expressions of the Source, and the Source itself, which is more fundamental. Option c) “Man's ego or false identity” contradicts the passage, which treats the false “I” as something that must be surrendered in order to experience true divine love. The ego is an obstacle, not the Source. Option d) “Other living beings apart from humans” is also incorrect, because the passage uses “Source” in a universal spiritual sense, not to refer to animals or plants specifically. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse the “Source” with themselves and pick “human being” simply because the passage also says that we are expressions of that Source. However, being an expression of something is different from being that Source itself. Carefully reading the bracketed clarification is essential to avoid such misinterpretations. Final Answer: God, the Divine Source or Consciousness

Question 17

Reading comprehension – pure love passage: identify the statement that is not true according to the author’s explanation of conditional love and pure love.

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Introduction / Context: This question asks you to choose the statement that is not true when compared with the ideas expressed in the pure love passage. The passage contrasts pure unconditional love with conditional love that is based on expectations and fear. To answer correctly, you have to carefully read the sentences about how the world exists, what pure love is, how conditional love works, and how we are related to love as the Source. Given Data / Assumptions: From the passage we know: - The world is said to exist because of love, more precisely pure love. - We are told that society has made us believe that love depends on meeting expectations. - If people are not “good enough”, they fear being deprived of love. - These beliefs reduce love to a fear of denial. - The author states that each person is the Source of love and must honour themselves as such. Concept / Approach: “Not true” questions require you to test each option against the passage rather than simply finding a line that matches the words. Look for contradictions. If the passage clearly states the opposite of a given statement, that statement is the one that is not true. Pay attention to words like “never”, “always”, and “only”, because they make a statement absolute and easier to compare with the text. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Evaluate option a. The passage explicitly states that if we ask how and why the world exists, the one-word answer is love, refined as pure love. So statement a is in agreement with the passage. Step 2: Evaluate option c. The passage explains that people in our life remind us that we are the Source of love, which means that human beings are themselves expressions and sources of love. This matches the statement, so c is true. Step 3: Evaluate option d. The text says true love is far beyond personalized love that individuals assert on one another. Therefore, it supports the idea that true love is not simply that personalized love. So d is true. Step 4: Evaluate option b. The passage describes how conditional love has made love into a fear of denial: we think we will be deprived of love if we do not fit expectations. This directly contradicts the statement that conditional love never gives the fear of denial, so b is not true. Verification / Alternative check: Double-check by locating the lines about conditional love. The author complains that love has been reduced to fear, because people worry that they will not receive love if they do not satisfy conditions. That is a clear and strong idea, and any statement denying the link between conditional love and fear must be incorrect. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option a is supported by the opening idea of the passage, which clearly connects the existence of the world to love, understood as pure love. Option c reflects the later part of the passage where we are told that people around us remind us that we are the Source of love, so it is consistent with the author's message. Option d is again aligned with the section where the author distinguishes pure love from personalized love. It matches the argument and cannot be the “not true” statement. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to read too quickly and assume that conditional love must be positive, so students treat option b as true because it “sounds nice”. Reading the critical tone of the text carefully reveals that the author actually sees conditional love as rooted in fear, which is the opposite of what option b claims. Final Answer: Conditional love never gives rise to the fear of denial.

Question 18

Reading comprehension – pure love passage: according to the author, whom should we honour as the true Source of love?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: In this question, you must focus on the closing part of the pure love passage, where the author talks about how we should view ourselves in relation to love. The text explains that people around us are not primarily here to love us but to remind us that we are the Source of love. On this basis, the author calls the reader to honour themselves as the Source of love. Given Data / Assumptions: The relevant ideas from the passage are: - People in our lives remind us that we are the Source of love. - We should stop waiting for the world to love us. - The author uses an analogy about “hiring an agent” to love oneself, which is presented as unnecessary. - The passage explicitly tells the reader that it is time to honour oneself as the Source of love. Concept / Approach: The question is straightforward but requires precise reading of the last few lines. The author moves from a broad spiritual explanation to a personal instruction. While families, communities, and societies are mentioned earlier as carriers of beliefs about conditional love, the final call to honour the Source of love is addressed directly to the individual reader. The correct option must reflect this personal focus. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Revisit the last few sentences of the passage, starting from the line about people existing in your life to remind you that you are the Source of love. Step 2: Note that the author says you can love yourself instead of waiting for the world to love you. Step 3: Read the specific sentence where the author states that it is time for you to honour yourself as the Source of love. Step 4: Compare the answer choices and identify the one that directly expresses the idea of honouring yourself as the Source. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine the author answering the question, “Whom should we honour as the Source of love?” Based on the text, the author would clearly reply that we must honour ourselves, because we are reminded that love flows from within us, not from external approval. This mental check confirms that the answer must center on the individual self, not on family or society. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option a) “Our family members” is incorrect because, although family is mentioned, it is usually in the context of how beliefs about conditional love are passed down, not as the ultimate Source of love. Option b) “Our wider community” and option c) “Society as a whole” are also wrong because the passage describes how communities and societies have often distorted love into fear of denial. The author does not ask us to honour them as the Source of love; rather, we are to transform the paradigm by recognising our own true nature. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted to choose “family” or “society” because those words appear prominently in the paragraph about collective beliefs. However, this question focuses on the explicit instruction given at the end. Always pay close attention to where the author shifts from describing a problem to prescribing a solution. Final Answer: Ourselves as the Source of love

Question 19

Reading comprehension – pure love passage: identify the statements that correctly describe pure love and its experience according to the author.

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Introduction / Context: This question asks which statements about pure love are true according to the passage. The author takes great care to distinguish pure unconditional love from common, conditional notions of love, and also explains how pure love is actually experienced. To answer correctly, you must recall three specific claims: the role of pure love in the existence of the world, the surrender of the false “I”, and the fact that true love is expressed through giving rather than demanding. Given Data / Assumptions: From the passage we have: - The world's existence is linked to love, and the author refines this answer as pure love. - True love is said to transcend dualities like love and hatred. - The experience of true love is associated with surrendering the false sense of separateness, the false “I”. - True love can be experienced only through giving, not by demanding from others. Concept / Approach: The question is of the “multiple statements plus ‘All of these’ ” type, where more than one statement might be correct. The safe and logical approach is to test each statement independently against the text. If all individual statements are supported by the passage, then the option “All of these” becomes the correct choice. If even one is false, “All of these” must be rejected. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Evaluate statement a. The passage initially answers the question about why the world exists with “love”, then clarifies that the more accurate term is “pure love” because the everyday word “love” has become diluted. This supports the idea that the world exists due to pure love, not a shallow, conditional form of love. Step 2: Evaluate statement b. Later in the passage, the author states that the experience of true love comes with the surrender of the false “I” and letting go of separateness. This directly matches statement b. Step 3: Evaluate statement c. The passage clearly states that true love can be experienced only through giving and not by demanding, which aligns exactly with statement c. Step 4: Since all three statements are supported by the text, the logically correct option is “All of these”. Verification / Alternative check: Re-reading the relevant lines shows that each of the three claims appears in the passage, sometimes almost in the same wording. That strongly confirms that there is no trick here: the examiner wants you to recognise that all listed statements faithfully summarise the author's points about pure love. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Options a, b, and c, taken individually, are true, but the question asks which statements about pure love are correct, and one option explicitly indicates that all of them are correct at once. Choosing only a, b, or c would ignore the fact that the other statements are also valid. Therefore, the best summarising choice is option d) “All of these”. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes distrust the “All of these” alternative and assume at least one statement must be wrong. This bias can lead to overthinking. In comprehension questions, do not reject “All of these” simply because it seems too easy. Instead, calmly cross-check each statement with the passage and decide on logical grounds. Final Answer: All of these

Question 20

Reading comprehension – mindfulness and social action passage: why does the author call care for others’ well-being a moral responsibility?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question is based on a passage that connects mindfulness, spirituality, and social responsibility. The author explains that our personal journey and social action are intertwined. A key sentence states that recognising the dependence of our well-being on others makes caring for their well-being a moral responsibility. Your task is to identify that reasoning among the options. Given Data / Assumptions: In the passage: - Mindfulness is described as a way to become aware of our own fears and others’ fears. - The spiritual path and social action are seen as parts of one whole. - The author says that acknowledging our well-being depends on others leads to the conclusion that caring for others is a moral responsibility. - Exercises like the “mindful citizen” activity are mentioned as tools for building a sense of common humanity. Concept / Approach: To answer this question, you must focus on cause and effect: what is the reason given for calling care of others a moral duty? Instead of guessing based on general moral ideas, you should recall the exact connection the author draws. Options that introduce new reasons not mentioned in the text, such as constitutional duties or upbringing, should be treated with suspicion. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate the part of the passage where moral responsibility is mentioned. Step 2: Note that the author explicitly states that when we acknowledge our own well-being depends on others, caring for others becomes a moral responsibility. Step 3: Compare this cause-and-effect statement with the options provided. Step 4: Choose the option that directly reflects the idea that dependence of our well-being on others is the reason. Verification / Alternative check: If you mentally replace the phrase in the passage with each option, only one retains the original implication: “Acknowledging that our well-being depends on others makes caring for others’ well-being a moral responsibility.” This sentence is almost directly mirrored in option b, giving a strong verification that b is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option a) “Because of our naturally concerned and sensitive nature” is vague and not directly mentioned. While concern may be part of moral life, the passage gives a different, more specific reason. Option c) “Because it depends entirely on one’s upbringing” introduces an idea that the passage never emphasises. Upbringing may shape us, but it is not cited as the basis for moral responsibility here. Option d) “Because it is written as a fundamental duty in the Constitution” is completely external to the text. The passage does not refer to any legal or constitutional framework; it argues from interdependence and shared humanity, not law. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose an option that sounds morally lofty but is unsupported by the actual passage. Another pitfall is overgeneralising from personal beliefs about duty instead of staying inside the evidence given by the text. Careful reading of the key sentence prevents these mistakes. Final Answer: Because our own well-being depends on the well-being of others

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