Question 1

Rearrange the parts of the sentence to form a correct and meaningful statement about tax proposals: "He spent a third ... of the time describing his tax proposals, but made sure that none of them was of any consequence."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a jumbled sentence question where three labelled parts P, Q, and R must be arranged to complete the sentence that begins "He spent a third…". The sentence concerns how much time he spent describing tax proposals and the fact that he ensured those proposals were not important. The test checks your understanding of natural English word order and logical flow in complex sentences. Given Data / Assumptions: The full jumbled sentence is indicated as: He spent a third P: was of any consequence Q: made sure that none of them R: of the time describing his tax proposals, but We must attach P, Q, and R appropriately after "He spent a third" to form a coherent sentence. Concept / Approach: We know from normal usage that: "a third of the time" is a standard phrase about duration. The contrasting clause is likely to start with "but made sure that none of them was of any consequence". So the solution must: First complete the time expression: "a third of the time describing his tax proposals, but…" Then add a clause about his deliberate choice: "made sure that none of them was of any consequence". We therefore need R immediately after "a third", followed by Q and P to form a logical statement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the fixed beginning: "He spent a third…". We need a phrase that naturally follows "a third" to describe time. Step 2: Part R is "of the time describing his tax proposals, but". This clearly completes the time expression and leads into a contrast with "but". So R should come immediately after "a third". Step 3: After "but", the sentence should describe his precaution: "made sure that none of them was of any consequence". Step 4: Part Q is "made sure that none of them", and part P is "was of any consequence". Q must come before P to keep subject verb order ("none of them was of any consequence"). Step 5: Putting it together: RQP gives "He spent a third of the time describing his tax proposals, but made sure that none of them was of any consequence." Verification / Alternative check: Test each option: QRP: "He spent a third made sure that none of them of the time describing his tax proposals, but was of any consequence." This is ungrammatical and breaks the time phrase. QPR: "He spent a third made sure that none of them was of any consequence of the time describing…" also breaks both time and clause structure. PRQ: Starting with "was of any consequence" after "He spent a third" makes no sense; there is no subject for "was". RQP: Assembles into a logical and grammatically correct sentence. Therefore, RQP is the only acceptable order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: QRP: Moves the verb phrase "made sure" immediately after "spent a third", leaving "of the time" stranded later and breaking the idiom "a third of the time". QPR: Places "was of any consequence" before "of the time describing…", creating confusion about what "was" refers to. PRQ: Begins directly with "was of any consequence" after "a third", which is grammatically impossible because "was" then has no clear subject. Common Pitfalls: Students often try to match P and Q together first because they obviously form "none of them was of any consequence", but then they forget that R must directly follow "a third" to complete the time phrase. A safe strategy is to locate fixed expressions like "a third of the time" and build around them before arranging the remaining logical clause. Final Answer: The correct order is RQP, forming the sentence: "He spent a third of the time describing his tax proposals, but made sure that none of them was of any consequence."

Question 2

Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error in "The temple is within a hundred yards from my house."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error spotting question examines your understanding of prepositions used with expressions of distance. The sentence reads: "The temple is within a hundred yards from my house." You must identify which underlined part of the sentence is incorrect. Although the sentence may sound almost natural, a small preposition error makes it grammatically wrong in standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is divided as: (A) The temple is (B) within a hundred yards (C) from my house (D) No error We must determine which part has the incorrect or unnecessary word. Concept / Approach: Two structures are relevant here: "within a hundred yards of my house" "a hundred yards from my house" When we use "within", the correct preposition to link to the reference point is "of", not "from". So "within a hundred yards of my house" is standard English. Using "within" and "from" together creates redundancy and incorrect prepositional pairing. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the whole sentence and identify the core meaning: it indicates that the temple is located close to the house, specifically within a distance of one hundred yards. Step 2: Observe phrase (B): "within a hundred yards" – this is correct as a measure of maximum distance. Step 3: Check phrase (C): "from my house". Combined with "within a hundred yards", we would normally say "within a hundred yards of my house". The preposition "from" is wrong in this structure. Step 4: Parts (A) and (B) are fine, so the error must be in part (C). Verification / Alternative check: Compare the two correct alternatives: "The temple is a hundred yards from my house." (simple distance statement) "The temple is within a hundred yards of my house." (states a maximum distance) The test sentence tries to mix them and ends up with "within a hundred yards from my house", which no longer follows standard grammar. Replacing "from" with "of" fixes the sentence fully. Why Other Options Are Wrong: (A) The temple is: This is a correct subject verb start and contains no error. (B) within a hundred yards: Correct phrase indicating maximum distance. (D) No error: Cannot be chosen because we have clearly identified an incorrect preposition in part (C). Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to overlook small preposition errors in otherwise smooth sentences. Candidates sometimes think "from" is acceptable because "from my house" is common in other contexts. Remember that prepositions are highly sensitive to the words immediately before them; "within" almost always takes "of" when followed by a distance + reference point. Training yourself to notice such standard combinations will significantly improve your accuracy in error spotting questions. Final Answer: The error is in part C; the sentence should read "The temple is within a hundred yards of my house."

Question 3

Select the synonym of "to moan" in the sense of expressing pain, sadness, or complaint.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to choose the synonym of the verb "to moan". In everyday English, people "moan" when they are in pain, sad, or complaining about something. The options include several verbs that describe different kinds of facial expressions and sounds. You must pick the one that is closest in meaning to the emotional sound of a moan. Given Data / Assumptions: The options are: to sigh to beam to smirk to simper We assume the question focuses on "moan" as an audible expression of discomfort or complaint, not mechanical noise. Concept / Approach: "To moan" generally means: to make a long, low sound expressing pain or unhappiness, or to complain in an annoying way about something. Among the options, "to sigh" is the only verb that describes a breathy sound often linked to sadness, relief, or complaint. The other options deal with smiling or unnatural expressions of happiness, which are opposite in tone to moaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "moan": to express unhappiness or pain with a low sound, for example "He moaned with pain", or "She is always moaning about her job". Step 2: Consider "to sigh": this means to let out a long, deep breath, usually showing sadness, tiredness, or relief. Sighs often accompany complaints or expressions of disappointment. Step 3: Examine "to beam": this means to smile broadly with pleasure or pride. It indicates happiness rather than pain or complaint. Step 4: Check "to smirk": this is to smile in a self satisfied, often irritating way, usually when something bad has happened to someone else. Step 5: Look at "to simper": this means to smile in a silly or affected way, often to gain favour. Again, it suggests a kind of superficial happiness. Step 6: Among these, only "to sigh" is even close to expressing sadness or mild complaint, so it is the best synonym here. Verification / Alternative check: Think of example sentences: "He sat in the corner, sighing and moaning about his bad luck." This shows that sighing and moaning can appear together as related behaviours. "He sat in the corner, beaming and moaning" would be contradictory; beaming expresses joy, while moaning expresses distress. "She smirked and moaned" would send mixed signals: a smirk is mocking, a moan is pained. "She simpered and moaned" also conflicts in tone. Therefore, "to sigh" clearly aligns most closely with "to moan" in emotional context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: to beam: Indicates broad happiness and pride, the opposite of moaning. to smirk: Suggests a self satisfied, often unpleasant smile, not a sound of pain or complaint. to simper: Describes a silly or affected smile, often flirtatious or insincere. Common Pitfalls: Some examinees may be confused by the fact that all options refer to emotional expressions, and they may choose at random. It is crucial to pay attention to the emotional direction: moaning is associated with negative feelings (pain, sadness, frustration), whereas beaming, smirking, and simpering are all types of smiling. Only sighing belongs on the negative or heavy emotional side and thus aligns with moaning. Final Answer: The synonym of "to moan" in this context is to sigh.

Question 4

Choose the one word that best substitutes the phrase "deserving reward or praise".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One word substitution questions test whether you can replace a longer descriptive phrase with a single precise word. Here, the phrase is "deserving reward or praise". While several options have positive meanings, only one of them directly captures the idea of having earned praise or reward because of merit or good work. Your task is to recognise that precise word. Given Data / Assumptions: The options are: meritorious honourable virtuous noble The phrase to be replaced is "deserving reward or praise". Concept / Approach: The key idea in the phrase is "deserving" in the sense of "having merit that earns recognition". The adjective "meritorious" comes directly from "merit" and is defined in dictionaries as "deserving praise, reward, or reward because of goodness or achievements". The other options describe good character or status but do not necessarily imply that a specific action has earned a reward. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the central meaning: a person or action is "deserving reward or praise" because it has merit. Step 2: Examine "meritorious": it literally means "deserving reward or praise", especially for being good, useful, or done with great effort. Step 3: Check "honourable": this describes someone who has high moral principles and is worthy of respect, but it does not specifically refer to an action that deserves a reward. Step 4: Evaluate "virtuous": this means morally good or righteous, again emphasising moral quality rather than earned praise for a particular deed. Step 5: Consider "noble": it can refer to high social rank or an admirable character, but it does not naturally mean "deserving of reward" for a particular act. Step 6: Conclude that "meritorious" is the only word whose core definition directly equals "deserving reward or praise". Verification / Alternative check: Try substituting each option into a sample sentence: "His meritorious service was recognised with a medal" clearly expresses that his service deserved the reward. "His honourable service" is fine but focuses on integrity rather than the idea of earning a specific reward. "His virtuous service" sounds odd; we normally talk about a virtuous person, not virtuous service. "His noble service" emphasises dignity, not necessarily earned reward. This supports "meritorious" as the best match. Why Other Options Are Wrong: honourable: Strongly positive but about moral uprightness and respectability, not specifically about earning a reward. virtuous: Emphasises moral goodness, usually in personal behaviour, not the notion of being deserving of a prize or formal recognition. noble: Relates either to aristocratic rank or to lofty ideals, not directly to merited reward. Common Pitfalls: The main trap is that all given words are positive, so some candidates pick any one randomly. In one word substitution questions, you must not only match general positivity but also match the exact nuance of the phrase. Remember that "meritorious" is commonly used in phrases like "meritorious performance", "meritorious service", and "meritorious students", all of which refer to people or acts that deserve recognition and reward. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute for "deserving reward or praise" is meritorious.

Question 5

Improve the underlined part in the sentence "The candidate was likely to win the assembly elections (with the) sweeping majority." by choosing the most appropriate alternative.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your knowledge of standard collocations in English related to elections and majorities. The original sentence reads: "The candidate was likely to win the assembly elections with the sweeping majority." You must decide whether the phrase "(with the)" is correct or whether another preposition article combination better fits common usage. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: "The candidate was likely to win the assembly elections (with the) sweeping majority." Options are: by the with a by a no improvement We assume the intended meaning is that the candidate will win by a very large margin in terms of votes or seats. Concept / Approach: In election language, the standard expression is "to win by a majority" or more specifically "to win by a narrow majority" or "by a sweeping majority". The preposition "by" is used with "majority" when we talk about the size of victory. The article "a" is used because "sweeping majority" is a singular countable noun, not already known to the listener. The phrase "with the sweeping majority" is clumsy and non idiomatic in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core idea: the sentence speaks about winning elections and about the size of the victory, described as a "sweeping majority". Step 2: Recall the usual structure: "to win an election by a majority of votes" or "to win by a sweeping majority". Step 3: Examine option C "by a": it gives "win the assembly elections by a sweeping majority", which matches the standard election idiom. Step 4: Check option A "by the": "by the sweeping majority" is less natural, because we are not referring to some specific majority already mentioned; we are describing the kind of majority, so "a sweeping majority" is more appropriate. Step 5: Check option B "with a": "win with a sweeping majority" is possible in informal speech, but the more precise and exam favoured collocation is "win by a sweeping majority". Step 6: "No improvement" would keep the incorrect "with the", which is the least idiomatic combination. Verification / Alternative check: Compare these: "He won the election by a sweeping majority." (very common in newspapers) "He won the election with a sweeping majority." (understandable but less precise) "He won the election with the sweeping majority." (sounds odd; "the" suggests a specific majority everyone knows about) Examination standards usually reward the clearest and most conventional phrase, which is "by a sweeping majority". Therefore, option C best improves the sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: by the: Uses the correct preposition but the wrong article; "the sweeping majority" incorrectly assumes a previously identified, specific majority. with a: Grammatically acceptable but less idiomatic; the fixed expression with elections strongly favours "by a majority". no improvement: Retains a non standard phrase "with the sweeping majority", which exam setters consider incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse "with" and "by" when describing results, for example "win with five goals" versus "win by five goals". As a rule of thumb, when talking about the margin or majority by which something is won or lost, "by" is the more precise preposition: "win by ten runs", "lose by two votes", "win by a sweeping majority". Remembering this pattern will help you handle similar questions confidently. Final Answer: The correct improvement is by a, giving "The candidate was likely to win the assembly elections by a sweeping majority."

Question 6

Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error in "I am certain that the officer is not only greedy but corrupt."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error spotting question checks your knowledge of correlative conjunctions, specifically the pair "not only … but also". The sentence given is: "I am certain that the officer is not only greedy but corrupt." You must decide which part of the sentence breaks the expected parallel structure and therefore contains the error. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is split into: (A) I am certain that (B) the officer is not only (C) greedy but corrupt. (D) No error We must select the segment where the grammatical pattern is incomplete or wrong. Concept / Approach: The correlative conjunction "not only … but also" works in pairs and is used to join two parallel elements. When we say "not only X but also Y", both X and Y should be grammatically similar (both adjectives, both nouns, etc.). In this sentence, "greedy" and "corrupt" are parallel adjectives describing the officer. However, the word "also" is missing after "but", which makes the standard correlative pair incomplete. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the correlative conjunction: "not only … but …". The second part is expected to be "but also". Step 2: Look at part (B): "the officer is not only" – this correctly begins the correlative structure. Step 3: Examine part (C): "greedy but corrupt." Here, "but" is present, but "also" is missing after it, which breaks the correlative pair. Step 4: Parts (A) and (B) are structurally fine; the problem lies in part (C), where the phrase should be "greedy but also corrupt". Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: "I am certain that the officer is not only greedy but also corrupt." This is a well balanced sentence in which "greedy" and "corrupt" are matched adjectives, joined by the complete correlative pair "not only … but also". Without "also", the sentence sounds incomplete and less formal, which is not acceptable in competitive exam standards. Why Other Options Are Wrong: (A) I am certain that: Grammatically correct introduction to a dependent clause. (B) the officer is not only: Correctly sets up the first half of the correlative conjunction. (D) No error: Cannot be chosen because we have identified the missing "also" in part (C). Common Pitfalls: Students often overlook missing words in common idiomatic structures because the sentence still seems understandable. However, exams specifically test these standard patterns. Always check both halves of correlative pairs like "not only … but also", "either … or", "neither … nor", and "both … and". If one half is present, confirm that the corresponding partner is also there and that both sides are grammatically parallel. Final Answer: The error is in part C; the sentence should read "greedy but also corrupt."

Question 7

Convert the direct question "Do you have anything to tell me, little princess?' asked the king." into indirect speech by choosing the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This reported speech question involves converting a direct question into indirect speech. The original sentence is: "'Do you have anything to tell me, little princess?' asked the king." In indirect speech, you must remove quotation marks, change the pronouns and tense appropriately, and introduce the question with "whether" or "if" because it is a yes/no type question. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct question: "Do you have anything to tell me, little princess?" Reporting clause: "asked the king." The question is of the yes/no type ("Do you have anything…?"). The subject "you" refers to "the little princess"; "me" refers to "the king". Concept / Approach: When converting such questions to indirect speech: Use a reporting verb like "asked" followed by "whether" or "if". Change the word order from question form to statement form (subject before verb). Backshift tense if needed: "do you have" (present simple) usually becomes "she had" when the reporting verb is in the past. Adjust pronouns: "you" becomes "she", "me" becomes "him". We also avoid using "that" after "asked" plus "if/whether", as that would be redundant. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting verb and its tense: "asked" is in the simple past. Step 2: Introduce the reported question with "whether" or "if": "The king asked the little princess whether/if…" Step 3: Change "Do you have anything to tell me?" to statement order and backshift tense: "she had anything to tell him". Step 4: Combine all parts: "The king asked the little princess whether she had anything to tell him." Verification / Alternative check: Evaluate each option: Option A: "The king ask the little princess if she have anything to tell him." Verb forms are wrong ("ask" instead of "asked", "have" instead of "had"). Option B: "The king asked the little princess that if she had anything to tell him." The use of "that" before "if" is incorrect and redundant. Option C: "The king said to the little princess if she had anything to say to him." Reporting verb "said to" is not usually followed directly by "if" in indirect questions; "asked" is better, and the structure sounds awkward. Option D: "The king asked the little princess whether she had anything to tell him." This follows all the rules correctly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: Incorrect subject verb agreement and tense; "ask" should be "asked", "have" should be "had". Option B: The combination "asked … that if" is grammatically wrong; you should not use "that" before "if/whether" in reporting questions. Option C: Uses "said to" instead of "asked" and keeps a slightly clumsy structure; exams prefer the standard "asked … whether". Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes forget to change the question word order to statement order, or they keep the auxiliary "do" in the reported clause. Another frequent mistake is to misplace or overuse "that" with "if" or "whether". For yes/no questions, remember the pattern: "asked + object + if/whether + subject + verb" with the correct tense backshift. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is The king asked the little princess whether she had anything to tell him.

Question 8

Choose the one word that best substitutes the phrase "involving or showing violence and bloodshed".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question asks you to replace the phrase "involving or showing violence and bloodshed" with a single adjective. Such words are commonly used in film reviews, crime reports, and descriptions of battles. Recognising the precise descriptive term helps you understand and summarise texts more efficiently. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase to be replaced is "involving or showing violence and bloodshed". The options are: inundate gory sanguine imbrue We must pick the option that naturally describes scenes full of blood and violence. Concept / Approach: The adjective "gory" is the standard English word for something that is full of bloodshed or gruesome details, especially in films, stories, or real events. The other options are either verbs or adjectives with very different meanings. Exams often include "sanguine" as a trap because its Latin root relates to blood, but its modern meaning has shifted to "optimistic" or "cheerful". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "gory" describes scenes with a lot of blood and violent detail, as in "a gory horror movie". Step 2: Examine "inundate": this is a verb meaning to flood or overwhelm, often used metaphorically ("inundated with work"), not about bloodshed. Step 3: Look at "sanguine": although it comes from a root related to blood, in modern English it mainly means "cheerfully optimistic". Step 4: Check "imbrue": this verb means to stain or soak, especially with blood, but it is not an adjective and does not directly substitute for the whole phrase. Step 5: Conclude that "gory" is the only option that is an adjective whose core meaning directly matches the phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Try using each word in a sample sentence: "The movie was very gory; many viewers had to look away during the battle scenes." This clearly refers to graphic bloodshed. "The movie was very inundate" is grammatically wrong and meaningless. "The movie was very sanguine" would suggest it was optimistic, not violent. "The movie was very imbrue" is wrong because "imbrue" is a verb, not an adjective. Only "gory" fits both the grammar and the meaning of the description. Why Other Options Are Wrong: inundate: Verb meaning to flood or overwhelm; unrelated to bloodshed. sanguine: Adjective meaning optimistic or hopeful; despite its etymology, it does not describe violence. imbrue: Verb meaning to stain or soak with liquid (often blood); it cannot substitute directly for an adjectival phrase and is not the intended answer. Common Pitfalls: Learners familiar with Latin roots may mistakenly associate "sanguine" with blood because of "sanguinary" (which actually means bloodthirsty). Exam setters use this to mislead you. Always focus on the modern, commonly used meaning rather than ancient roots. Also pay attention to part of speech; an adjective phrase should generally be replaced by an adjective, not a verb. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is gory.

Question 9

Select the antonym of the verb "beleaguer", which means to harass or besiege someone with difficulties or criticism.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The word "beleaguer" is often used to describe someone who is being harassed, troubled, or surrounded by difficulties. An antonym must therefore express the opposite idea: helping, supporting, or relieving someone instead of troubling them. This question checks whether you can recognise both synonyms and opposites of less common verbs. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "beleaguer" (to harass or besiege). Options: gnaw, assist, badger, pester. We must pick the option that is opposite in meaning to harassment or persistent trouble. Concept / Approach: "Beleaguer" and "besiege" suggest continuous pressure, annoyance, or attack. Three of the options ("gnaw", "badger", "pester") also describe forms of persistent irritation or harassment. Only "assist" describes a positive, helpful action. Therefore, "assist" stands in direct contrast to "beleaguer" and functions as its antonym in this set. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "beleaguer": to put someone under repeated attack or pressure, either literally (military siege) or metaphorically (harass with problems). Step 2: Examine "gnaw": this verb means to bite or wear away with persistent action, both physically and psychologically ("gnawing doubts"). It suggests a form of ongoing trouble. Step 3: Look at "assist": it means to help or support someone in doing something. Step 4: Consider "badger": this means to repeatedly ask or bother someone, another synonym of harass. Step 5: Evaluate "pester": this also means to annoy or bother someone again and again. Step 6: Since "beleaguer", "badger", "pester", and "gnaw" share the idea of persistent trouble, "assist" is the only word that expresses the opposite idea of providing help instead of pressure. Verification / Alternative check: Compare two sentences: "The manager was beleaguered by constant complaints." (He was troubled by them.) "The manager was assisted by his helpful staff." (He was helped by them.) These show a clear contrast between being troubled and being supported. If you substitute "badgered" or "pestered" for "beleaguered", the sentences still have nearly the same meaning, confirming those as synonyms rather than antonyms. Why Other Options Are Wrong: gnaw: Suggests constant wearing away or worrying, which is similar in effect to beleaguering someone internally. badger: Means to harass or nag continuously; it is a direct synonym of "beleaguer". pester: Also means to annoy repeatedly, making it another synonym rather than opposite. Common Pitfalls: Students may focus on unfamiliarity and assume that the rare word "beleaguer" must have an unusual antonym. In reality, exam questions often place a single clearly opposite term among several near synonyms. Always check which words share the same "feel" and which one truly moves in the opposite direction. Here, "assist" obviously swaps harassment for help, making it a safe and correct choice. Final Answer: The antonym of "beleaguer" is assist.

Question 10

Fill in the blank in the sentence "The special court was ____________ without having reached any decision on the case." with the most appropriate word.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence describes what happened to a special court session that ended without any decision being reached. The blank must be filled with a verb that accurately describes formally ending or suspending a court sitting. The question tests your knowledge of legal and formal vocabulary such as "adjourn", "recess", and "postpone". Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: "The special court was ____________ without having reached any decision on the case." Options are: adjourned dispersed postponed recessed We assume the subject "special court" refers to the sitting/session, not the physical building, and that proceedings ended for the time being. Concept / Approach: In legal and parliamentary contexts, the standard verb for suspending proceedings to another time is "adjourn". A court is "adjourned" when the judge formally ends the session, often until a specified future date. "Postponed" is used for delaying an event before it starts. "Recessed" refers to a short break, usually temporary, not the complete ending of the day's sitting. "Dispersed" describes people scattering or going away, not the formal status of the court sitting itself. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the phrase "without having reached any decision on the case". This suggests the sitting came to an end for that time, even though no decision was made. Step 2: Consider "adjourned": in court language, this means the session was formally ended or suspended to another date or time. Step 3: Examine "dispersed": this describes people going away in different directions ("the crowd dispersed") but does not describe the formal act of ending a court session. Step 4: Check "postponed": you postpone a hearing or meeting before it actually takes place; saying "the court was postponed" is awkward and inaccurate. Step 5: Evaluate "recessed": a court may "recess" for a short break, but "was recessed without having reached any decision" would usually imply a temporary break, not the session's conclusion. Step 6: Given the context of finishing proceedings for the day without judgment, "adjourned" is clearly the best fit. Verification / Alternative check: Legal reports typically say: "The court was adjourned till tomorrow" or "The hearing was adjourned without a decision." This matches our sentence very closely. It would be unusual to see "the court was dispersed" or "the court was postponed". "The court went into recess" can be used, but that implies a temporary break rather than closing for the day or longer without a decision. Thus, "adjourned" is both natural and technically accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: dispersed: Refers to the movement of people, not the formal ending of judicial proceedings. postponed: Typically applies to scheduled events before they begin, e.g., "the trial was postponed", not "the court was postponed". recessed: Implies a short break, but the sentence context suggests ending without decision, which is better expressed by "adjourned". Common Pitfalls: Learners may confuse "adjourn" and "postpone" because both involve shifting actions to a later time. The key difference is timing: "postpone" before the event begins, "adjourn" while it is in progress. Remember that "court adjourned" is a standard phrase in courtroom contexts, and recognising it will help you answer such questions quickly. Final Answer: The correct verb is adjourned, giving "The special court was adjourned without having reached any decision on the case."

Question 11

Select the correctly spelled English word from the following options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling recognition question asks you to identify which of the given options is correctly spelled in standard English. Three of the options are misspelled versions of known words; one is a correctly spelled scientific term. Even if you are not a geology expert, you can still eliminate the clearly incorrect forms by using your general spelling knowledge and pattern recognition. Given Data / Assumptions: The options are: bloting terrazo gulible pyroxene Exactly one is correctly spelled. Concept / Approach: The words resemble: "bloting" → likely intended to mimic "blotting". "terrazo" → likely a misspelling of "terrazzo", a flooring material. "gulible" → clearly a distorted form of "gullible". "pyroxene" → a mineral name commonly used in geology. In exam spelling questions, unfamiliar technical terms are often spelled correctly while common words are quietly altered by dropping or adding letters. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Evaluate "bloting": The correct spelling for the process of absorbing ink or liquid is "blotting", with double "t". Therefore, "bloting" is wrong. Step 2: Examine "terrazo": Standard flooring made from chips of marble set in cement is called "terrazzo", with double "r" and double "z". So "terrazo" is misspelled. Step 3: Check "gulible": The adjective meaning easily fooled is "gullible", with double "l" and an extra "l" after "gu". Thus, "gulible" is incorrect. Step 4: Look at "pyroxene": This is the standard spelling of a group of important rock forming silicate minerals, frequently mentioned in geology. Step 5: Conclude that "pyroxene" is the only correctly spelled word among the four. Verification / Alternative check: Even if you are not familiar with "pyroxene", you can still reason as follows: Write the expected forms: "blotting", "terrazzo", "gullible". Compare them with the options: each of the first three options is missing at least one letter or doubles the wrong consonants. "Pyroxene" does not clearly conflict with any known common spelling and matches dictionary forms for mineral names. Because all likely everyday words are clearly misspelled, the scientific term must be the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: bloting: Missing one "t"; correct form is "blotting". terrazo: Should be "terrazzo" with double "r" and double "z". gulible: Incorrect; the correct spelling is "gullible". Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes mistrust technical or unusual looking words and assume that they must be the trick options. However, exam setters regularly alter common words (by deleting letters or doubling consonants) while leaving genuine technical terms untouched. A reliable strategy is to first correct the spellings of familiar words in your head; if all of them turn out to be wrong, the unfamiliar one is usually the correct answer. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is pyroxene.

Question 12

Select the synonym of "melodramatic" in the sense of being exaggerated, emotional, or overly theatrical in behaviour or style.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The adjective "melodramatic" is often used to criticise someone's behaviour, speech, or a piece of writing or acting as being overly emotional, exaggerated, or showy. This question asks you to choose the best synonym among four options. Recognising such tone related words is important for understanding literary criticism, reviews, and everyday commentary. Given Data / Assumptions: The options are: tranquil halcyon bucolic theatrical We must pick the one that matches the emotional and stylistic meaning of "melodramatic". Concept / Approach: "Melodramatic" comes from "melodrama", a type of play characterised by exaggerated emotions and sensational events. Therefore, "melodramatic" describes behaviour or style that is overly theatrical, not calm or peaceful. Among the options, "theatrical" directly reflects this same idea of acting or behaving in a showy, exaggerated way. The other options are associated with peace and countryside calmness, which are nearly opposite in tone. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "melodramatic": unduly emotional, exaggerated, or affected, like an overacted scene in a theatre. Step 2: Examine "theatrical": this adjective describes something related to the theatre or acting; it also carries the extended meaning of being dramatic and exaggerated in behaviour. Step 3: Check "tranquil": this means calm, peaceful, and free from disturbance; it is almost the opposite of melodramatic. Step 4: Evaluate "halcyon": often used to describe a period in the past that was happy and peaceful; again, the tone is calm and contented, not overwrought. Step 5: Consider "bucolic": this word relates to the pleasant aspects of the countryside and rural life. It suggests simplicity and calmness, not emotional excess. Step 6: Conclude that "theatrical" is the only option that truly aligns with the sense of exaggerated, showy emotion found in "melodramatic". Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into a sample sentence: "Her reaction to the news was so melodramatic; she was almost theatrical in her gestures and tears." This clearly shows "melodramatic" and "theatrical" can be used together to reinforce the same idea. "Her reaction was tranquil/halcyon/bucolic" would make no sense, because these adjectives do not describe an emotional outburst at all. The pairing of "melodramatic" and "theatrical" is natural in English and is often seen in reviews of performances or comments about people who exaggerate their feelings. Why Other Options Are Wrong: tranquil: Means calm and peaceful; it contrasts sharply with the excitement and exaggeration of melodrama. halcyon: Refers to a happy and peaceful time; it is used for nostalgia, not for overacting or emotional display. bucolic: Describes the pleasant aspects of rural life; it has nothing to do with strong or exaggerated emotions. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes confuse "melodramatic" with "melodious" because both begin with "melod-". "Melodious" is about pleasant sound, especially music, whereas "melodramatic" is about excessive drama. Focusing on the root "drama" in "melodramatic" helps you remember that it relates to theatricality and emotional exaggeration, making "theatrical" the clear synonym here. Final Answer: The synonym of "melodramatic" in this context is theatrical.

Question 13

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in the correct order: "The yatra focussed P - for poor and Q - marginalised communities R - on access to development and dignity."

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Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to rearrange jumbled parts of a sentence into a grammatically correct and logically meaningful order. The sentence is about a yatra (a journey or march) and what it focussed on. Such questions appear frequently in competitive English exams to check your understanding of word order, collocations, and logical flow in complex noun phrases. Given Data / Assumptions: Main clause beginning: "The yatra focussed". Part P: "for poor and". Part Q: "marginalised communities". Part R: "on access to development and dignity". The final sentence must be grammatically correct and meaningful in standard English. Concept / Approach: When rearranging sentence parts, it is important to identify natural phrase groups and the correct placement of prepositional phrases. The verb "focussed" commonly takes the preposition "on" to introduce the main object of focus, as in "focussed on access". The phrase "for poor and marginalised communities" naturally describes for whom this access is intended. So the structure should be: "focussed on access to development and dignity for poor and marginalised communities." This means that R must come immediately after "focussed", followed by P and Q together to form a complete prepositional phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Attach the verb "focussed" to its natural preposition "on". Therefore, R ("on access to development and dignity") should follow the main clause.Step 2: After R, we need to say for whom this access is meant. Part P ("for poor and") begins with the preposition "for", which perfectly follows the idea of "access".Step 3: Part Q ("marginalised communities") completes the phrase "for poor and marginalised communities", which is a standard descriptive group.Step 4: Combining these in order gives: "The yatra focussed on access to development and dignity for poor and marginalised communities."Step 5: This corresponds to the order R P Q, which is written as RPQ. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with RPQ inserted: "The yatra focussed on access to development and dignity for poor and marginalised communities." The sentence is grammatically sound, logically clear, and stylistically natural. If you try other combinations such as PQR ("for poor and marginalised communities on access to development and dignity") after "focussed", you get "The yatra focussed for poor and marginalised communities on access...", which sounds awkward and uses the wrong preposition directly after "focussed". Thus only RPQ yields a fully correct sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: RQP: Gives "on access to development and dignity marginalised communities for poor and", which is ungrammatical and breaks the phrase "for poor and marginalised communities". PQR: Leads to "focussed for poor and marginalised communities in a confusing word order; "focussed for" is not the natural collocation here. QRP: Starts with "marginalised communities" after "focussed", which ignores the necessary preposition "on" and produces an incorrect structure. PRQ: Begins the object with "for poor and marginalised communities", again giving "focussed for" instead of "focussed on", which is non-standard usage. Common Pitfalls: Many learners try to start directly with the people ("poor and marginalised communities") because they think the yatra focussed on people. However, grammatically the focus is expressed as "focussed on access to development and dignity", and only then do we specify that this access is for those communities. Always pay attention to verb prepositions and fixed collocations like "focus on" to guide your rearrangement choices. Final Answer: The correct order of the parts is RPQ, giving the sentence: "The yatra focussed on access to development and dignity for poor and marginalised communities."

Question 14

In the following question, choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the idiom "to shoot the breeze".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom based question tests your ability to understand informal English expressions. The phrase "to shoot the breeze" is a common idiom in conversational English. Knowing such idioms helps you understand native level speech and adds naturalness to your own usage in both spoken and written communication. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "to shoot the breeze". We must identify the option that correctly captures its figurative meaning. Options describe different informal or everyday activities. The expression is informal and usually used about people talking together. Concept / Approach: In idiomatic English, "to shoot the breeze" means to chat idly or have a light, casual conversation without any serious purpose. It often implies relaxed, friendly talk about everyday things rather than an important meeting or a focused discussion. The correct option must capture this idea of casual chatting, not literal shooting, bragging, or any physical act. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or infer that "breeze" suggests something light and gentle, and "shoot" here is figurative, not literal.Step 2: Connect the idiom with contexts where people say "We just sat around and shot the breeze for an hour", meaning they simply talked casually.Step 3: Compare the options and look for a meaning related to casual talk.Step 4: Option B, "To have a casual conversation", clearly describes light, informal chatting.Step 5: Confirm that the other options focus on random actions, bodily functions, or bragging, which do not match the idiom's known meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine friends meeting after work and someone saying, "We did not do much, just shot the breeze." In all such situations, it obviously refers to relaxed conversation, not to gas, bragging, or trying random tasks. Dictionaries also define "shoot the breeze" as to chat idly. This confirms that the correct interpretation is having a casual conversation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To do random acts hoping one will be successful: This relates to trying many different things without planning, not to talking. To release stomach gases: This is a crude interpretation based on "breeze", but it has no connection to the idiom's actual usage. To brag about some mild achievement: Bragging is boasting about success, which is more intense and self focused than the relaxed mutual chatting implied by the idiom. To complain loudly about the weather: Although "breeze" refers to wind, there is no established idiomatic link to complaining about weather here. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes misinterpret idioms literally or get distracted by one of the key words (like "breeze") and try to attach meanings related to weather or gas. Always remember that idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings must be learned as a whole. When in doubt, think about where and how you have seen or heard the phrase used in context. Final Answer: The idiom "to shoot the breeze" means to have a casual conversation.

Question 15

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence: "It was hard to believe that she (were) dead for three months."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your understanding of tense, subject verb agreement, and natural usage in reported statements. The sentence given is "It was hard to believe that she (were) dead for three months." You must choose the best replacement for "were" so that the sentence sounds natural and grammatically correct in standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: Original structure: "It was hard to believe that she ___ dead for three months." Subject of the clause: "she" (third person singular). Time expression: "for three months", suggesting a period of time up to some reference point. Options include "was", "has been", "is", "no improvement", "had been". The speaker is referring to a duration of death extending over three months. Concept / Approach: We must consider both subject verb agreement and tense meaning. First, "she were" is wrong because with a singular subject "she", we use "was" or a perfect form, not "were", in an ordinary statement. Second, the presence of "for three months" suggests a continuing state over that period. The natural way to express a continuing state up to a point close to the speaker's perspective is the present perfect ("has been dead for three months") when the situation is still true. Even though the main clause uses "was hard to believe", in narrative English it is acceptable to retain "has been" to emphasise that the state of being dead lasted for those three months and is seen as a block of time connected to that point. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Correct the agreement error: "were" cannot be used with singular "she" in this indicative context, so "no improvement" is incorrect.Step 2: Consider "was dead for three months". This sounds as if she was dead for exactly three months and then perhaps stopped being dead, which is logically impossible.Step 3: Consider "has been dead for three months", which neatly expresses a continuous state over a duration of three months.Step 4: Test "is dead for three months": this is ungrammatical with a duration phrase; we normally say "has been dead for three months".Step 5: "had been" would be used if we were talking about a time in the past relative to another past time, but that additional past reference point is not clearly expressed in the sentence. "Has been" is therefore the most natural choice in standard exam usage. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine someone speaking not long after her death: "It is hard to believe that she has been dead for three months." Now put the sentence into a narrative in the past: "Back then, it was hard to believe that she has been dead for three months." In modern English, especially in reported speech that refers to an ongoing or very relevant state, the present perfect is often retained because the state (her death and its duration) is still true and emotionally present. This sounds more natural than "was dead for three months" and more directly matches the meaning implied by "for three months". Why Other Options Are Wrong: was: "She was dead for three months" incorrectly suggests that the state ended after three months, which is illogical when talking about death. is: "It was hard to believe that she is dead for three months" mixes past and present in a jarring way and uses "is" incorrectly with "for three months". no improvement: Keeps "were", which is wrong because "she" requires "was" or a perfect form, not "were", in standard indicative mood. had been: Typically used when the duration up to a past point is being described relative to another past event ("By then she had been dead for three months"). The sentence does not clearly set up such a two level past time frame. Common Pitfalls: Students often choose "was" simply to fix the agreement error, forgetting to check whether it matches the logic of the sentence with a duration phrase. Another common mistake is to always backshift tenses (changing "has been" to "had been") whenever a reporting verb is in the past, even when the sense of an ongoing state is still strongly felt. Remember that context and meaning must guide the choice of tense, not just mechanical rules. Final Answer: The best replacement is "has been", giving the sentence: "It was hard to believe that she has been dead for three months."

Question 16

In the following passage, choose the correct word to fill the blank: "___________ being an intangible idea, the nation is quite real because it is a shared idea."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is part of a passage completion (cloze test) focused on formal English usage. The sentence discusses the nation as an intangible but real idea and begins with a concessive expression (showing contrast). You must select the preposition or conjunction that correctly introduces the contrast before a verb ing form ("being"). Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: "___________ being an intangible idea, the nation is quite real because it is a shared idea." The sentence expresses contrast between "intangible idea" and "quite real". Options: "Inspite", "Although", "Despite of", "Despite", and "Though of". The word after the blank is "being", which is a gerund/participle. Concept / Approach: In English, there are a few ways to express concession: "although", "though", "in spite of", and "despite". "Although" and "though" are followed by a full clause (subject + verb). "In spite of" and "despite" are prepositions followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund. Here, the next word is "being", which functions like a noun (gerund). Therefore, the correct structure must be "Despite being an intangible idea". "Inspite" is a misspelling, and "Despite of" is grammatically wrong. "Although being" is awkward and non standard. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Notice the contrast: although the nation is an intangible idea, it is still real. So a concessive expression is needed.Step 2: Identify the form that follows the blank: "being an intangible idea" (a gerund phrase).Step 3: Recall that "despite" is correctly used with a gerund ("despite being") while "although" must be followed by a clause ("although it is").Step 4: Eliminate "Inspite" (incorrect spelling of "in spite") and "Despite of" (wrong combination because "despite" does not take "of").Step 5: Choose "Despite" to form the natural and grammatical phrase "Despite being an intangible idea". Verification / Alternative check: Insert "Despite" into the sentence: "Despite being an intangible idea, the nation is quite real because it is a shared idea." This sounds fully correct and very natural in formal writing. If we try "Although", we would need to add "it is": "Although it is an intangible idea, the nation is quite real..." The test does not provide "it is", so "Although being" would be ungrammatical. Thus only "Despite" fits both the grammar and the style. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Inspite: Incorrect spelling; the correct phrase is "in spite of", and it would still require "of". Although: Must be followed by a clause ("although it is"), not directly by "being" in formal written English. Despite of: Redundant, because "despite" already includes the meaning of "in spite of" and is not followed by "of". Though of: Not a valid English expression; "though" does not take "of" in this way. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse "despite" and "in spite of", or they mechanically add "of" after "despite". A strong way to avoid this error is to remember that "despite" never takes "of", whereas "in spite of" always does. Also, be careful to match "although/though" with clauses and "despite/in spite of" with noun or gerund phrases. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is Despite, giving the phrase "Despite being an intangible idea".

Question 17

In the same passage, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "___________ of nationhood are important for this sharing to be reliably reproduced..."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to a cloze passage about the idea of the nation and its representation. The line reads: "___________ of nationhood are important for this sharing to be reliably reproduced..." You must choose the word that best conveys the concept of commonly recognised signs that represent the nation. Given Data / Assumptions: Partial sentence: "___________ of nationhood are important for this sharing to be reliably reproduced." The passage later mentions "maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India" as examples. Options: "Symbols", "Badges", "Emblems", "Figures", "Tokens". The context is political science / sociology, discussing how nations are represented. Concept / Approach: The sentence is talking about things that help people share and reproduce the idea of the nation. In political and social theory, we commonly speak of "symbols of nationhood" such as flags, anthems, and other icons. While "emblems" is somewhat similar, "symbols of nationhood" is the well established phrase in academic English. Therefore, we must choose the word that both fits the context and forms a standard collocation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that later in the passage, the author refers to "maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India". These are clear examples of national symbols.Step 2: Identify which option matches this broad category of flags, maps, and iconic figures.Step 3: "Symbols of nationhood" is a widely used phrase in discussions about nationalism and identity.Step 4: "Badges of nationhood" or "figures of nationhood" are less common, and "tokens" is too vague.Step 5: Therefore, "Symbols" is the most suitable and natural choice for the blank. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with "symbols": "Symbols of nationhood are important for this sharing to be reliably reproduced..." This immediately sounds like typical academic language. If you insert "badges", the meaning narrows to physical badges rather than all kinds of representations. "Emblems of nationhood" is possible, but slightly less comprehensive, and the passage clearly emphasises maps and flags as broader symbolic references, aligning more strongly with "symbols". Why Other Options Are Wrong: Badges: Badges are specific physical items worn on clothing. They do not cover items like maps or abstract figures in the same general way that "symbols" does. Emblems: Emblems are symbolic designs or devices, often official, but the broader, more common term in this conceptual discussion is "symbols of nationhood". Figures: This tends to refer to persons or shapes, and does not naturally collocate with "of nationhood" to cover flags and maps. Tokens: Tokens are small objects representing something else, but again are too narrow and not the standard phrase used in this context. Common Pitfalls: Students might be tempted by "emblems" because it sounds formal and is close in meaning. However, exam questions often test collocations and standard academic phrases. Knowing common expressions like "national symbols", "symbols of nationhood", and "national identity symbols" helps you choose more confidently. Final Answer: The correct word is Symbols, giving the phrase "Symbols of nationhood are important..."

Question 18

In the passage, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "...which is why we have familiar _____________ to memory like maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question continues the cloze passage about national identity. The specific line is: "...which is why we have familiar _____________ to memory like maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India." You must select the word that correctly completes the common expression used to refer to tools that help us remember something. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: "we have familiar _____________ to memory like maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India." Maps and flags are concrete items that help people remember and visualise the nation. We are looking for a set phrase used in English. Options: "assistance", "aids", "help", "support", "props". Concept / Approach: There is a well known phrase in English: "aids to memory". It refers to devices, images, or phrases that help someone remember information, similar to "memory aids" or "mnemonics". The context of maps and flags fits this idea perfectly. Among the options, only "aids" forms the set phrase "aids to memory" in standard usage. The other words are more general and do not typically appear in this collocation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that maps and flags serve as visual tools that help people recall the idea of the nation.Step 2: Recall the standard expression "aids to memory", meaning things that assist memory.Step 3: Check the options and see that "aids" is the only one that fits naturally before "to memory".Step 4: Construct the complete phrase: "familiar aids to memory like maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India."Step 5: Confirm that this phrase is both grammatically correct and idiomatic in formal writing. Verification / Alternative check: Read the sentence with "aids": "which is why we have familiar aids to memory like maps, flags, or the figure of Mother India." This clearly communicates that such images help citizens recall and emotionally connect with the nation. Substituting "assistance", "help", or "support" gives awkward and unidiomatic phrases such as "assistance to memory" or "help to memory", which are not standard expressions in English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: assistance: While related in meaning, "assistance to memory" is not a standard collocation and sounds unnatural. help: "Help to memory" is also awkward; we usually say "memory help" or "helps you remember", not "help to memory". support: "Support to memory" does not convey the specific idea of tools or devices used as reminders. props: "Props to memory" would suggest theatrical props and is not idiomatic for psychological or symbolic aids. Common Pitfalls: Examinees often focus only on literal meaning and ignore fixed expressions. Because "assistance" and "help" can generally mean similar things, they may choose them without realising that the phrase "aids to memory" is a fixed and recognised pattern. Always pay attention to standard collocations that you may have encountered in reading textbooks or articles. Final Answer: The correct word is aids, giving the phrase "familiar aids to memory".

Question 19

In the passage, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "National symbols are extremely powerful ________________ they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense..."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another cloze question from the same passage, focusing on conjunctions and logical relationships. The sentence reads: "National symbols are extremely powerful ________________ they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense _______." The blank must be filled by a conjunction that explains why national symbols are powerful. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: "National symbols are extremely powerful ________________ they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense..." The clause after the blank gives a reason: "they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense emotion." We need a word that introduces a reason clause. Options: "since", "because", "so", "thereof", "unless". Concept / Approach: The structure is: "X are extremely powerful because they Y". In English, "because" is the most direct and common conjunction used to introduce a reason clause. "Since" can also introduce a reason clause, but here "because" is stronger and more explicit, and it is the typical exam key in such contexts. "So" generally introduces a result, not a reason. "Thereof" is a formal pronoun like "of that", not a conjunction. "Unless" introduces a negative condition and does not fit here at all. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the logical relationship. The clause after the blank explains why national symbols are powerful.Step 2: Choose a conjunction that introduces a reason: either "since" or "because".Step 3: Compare the naturalness of "National symbols are extremely powerful because they connect..." with "National symbols are extremely powerful since they connect...".Step 4: Note that "because" gives a direct, unambiguous reason and is stylistically perfect in this explanatory sentence.Step 5: Eliminate the other options as they do not logically or grammatically fit the context. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full line with "because": "National symbols are extremely powerful because they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense emotion." This clearly expresses a cause and effect relationship. Using "so" would reverse the logic: "National symbols are extremely powerful, so they connect..." which is not the intended meaning. "Since" is possible but slightly softer and more often used when the reason is already known or obvious; exam questions typically prefer the straightforward "because". Why Other Options Are Wrong: since: Grammatically possible, but "because" is the more direct and expected answer in this exam style explanation of cause. so: Introduces a result, not a reason. The sentence does not say "they are powerful, so they connect"; it says "they are powerful because they connect". thereof: This is a formal pronoun meaning "of that" and cannot function as a conjunction in this sentence. unless: Introduces a negative conditional ("except if") and is completely incompatible with the intended meaning. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse "since" and "because" or treat them as interchangeable in all contexts. While both can introduce reasons, "because" is less ambiguous and is safer in exam questions where a clear cause needs to be emphasised. Also, watch out for "so", which often tempts learners but usually reverses the direction of the logical relationship. Final Answer: The correct conjunction is because, completing the sentence as "National symbols are extremely powerful because they connect..."

Question 20

In the passage, choose the correct word to complete the sentence: "...they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense ________________."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question completes the final blank of the passage about national symbols. The line is: "National symbols are extremely powerful because they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense ________________." You must choose the noun that best fits both the psychology related meaning and the collocation with "intense". Given Data / Assumptions: Partial sentence: "compressed reservoirs of intense ______". The topic is national symbols and how they work on people's minds. Options: "compassion", "empathy", "emotion", "elation", "remorse". The author is describing something stored inside people that symbols tap into. Concept / Approach: In psychology and political theory, symbols are often said to tap into deep "emotions" or "emotional reservoirs" connected with identity, pride, fear, or loyalty. The broad, collective term for such feelings is "emotion". The phrase "intense emotion" is a very common collocation. The other options each name a specific emotion (compassion, empathy, elation, remorse) or a particular type, not the general concept. The sentence is clearly about the general emotional power of symbols, not one specific feeling. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Interpret "compressed reservoirs" as deep, stored-up psychological energies in people.Step 2: Note that national symbols can evoke pride, anger, sorrow, and many other feelings.Step 3: Therefore, the word needed must be broad enough to cover all such feelings.Step 4: Among the options, "emotion" is the only generic term that includes all types of feelings.Step 5: Fit it into the sentence: "reservoirs of intense emotion" which is both natural and commonly used in English. Verification / Alternative check: Read the sentence with "emotion": "they connect to compressed reservoirs of intense emotion." This matches the standard way of describing the emotional power of symbols. If you insert "compassion" or "empathy", you limit the meaning to kindness or understanding, which is too narrow. "Elation" refers specifically to joy, while national symbols may also evoke grief or anger. Thus, only "emotion" captures the full range implied by the passage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: compassion: Refers to sympathy or pity, but national symbols are not limited to compassionate feelings. empathy: Means understanding others' feelings from their perspective; again too narrow and not the usual collocation with "national symbols". elation: Means great happiness; symbols may cause elation sometimes but also many other feelings. remorse: Means deep regret or guilt; not the general category the author is discussing. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates overthink and try to choose a "deep sounding" word instead of the simple and general one. In reading comprehension and cloze tests, the simplest broad term is often correct when the context suggests a wide range of possibilities. Here, "emotion" is precisely that broad term and fits perfectly with "intense". Final Answer: The correct word is emotion, giving the phrase "compressed reservoirs of intense emotion".

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