Question 1

In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the verb that best completes the phrase: “rise to power and _______ a new regime with dramatic success … ”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze question focuses on the verb that best describes what dictators do after they rise to power. The passage says that dictators may rise quickly and then create something new in the political structure of a country. The correct verb must combine naturally with “a new regime” and match the formal, political tone of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The relevant clause reads: “dictators may rise to power and _______ a new regime with dramatic success”. 2) The options are: restart, establish, enter, define. 3) The noun that follows is “a new regime”. 4) The context is about dictators taking power and creating a government of their own design. 5) The verb must express the idea of setting up or creating this regime. Concept / Approach: In political writing, we typically talk about leaders “establishing” a regime, government or system. The verb “establish” means to set up or found something on a firm or permanent basis. Words like “restart”, “enter” or “define” do not fit properly with “a new regime” in this context. Therefore, we must choose the verb that best conveys the act of creating a new government structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the object “a new regime”; the verb must be something we can logically do to a regime. Step 2: Test “restart”: “restart a new regime” is awkward; you restart something that already exists, not something that is “new”. Step 3: Test “establish”: “establish a new regime” is a common and precise phrase meaning to found or set up a government. Step 4: Test “enter”: “enter a new regime” would mean joining a regime that is already there, not creating it. Step 5: Test “define”: “define a new regime” would mean to describe it, not to bring it into existence. Step 6: Therefore “establish” is the only option that correctly expresses the intended political action. Verification / Alternative check: Insert “establish” into the full sentence: “whereas dictators may rise to power and establish a new regime with dramatic success, under peculiar conditions.” The sentence now perfectly describes the process of gaining control and creating a new governmental system. Replacing “establish” with any other option either distorts the meaning or makes the phrase ungrammatical. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “restart” is inappropriate because a “new regime” is being created, not restarted. “enter” suggests moving into something already existing, which contradicts “new regime”. “define” focuses on giving a description, not on building or founding a system of government. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes pick “restart” or “enter” because they sound dynamic, but they fail to think carefully about what those verbs actually mean with “regime”. Another common mistake is choosing “define” due to its academic tone, forgetting that the passage describes concrete political actions, not theoretical descriptions. Always imagine the real world action implied: what does a dictator actually do after gaining power? He or she sets up a regime, that is, “establishes” it. Final Answer: The verb that correctly completes the sentence is establish.

Question 2

In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the noun that best completes the phrase: “establish a new _______ with dramatic success … ”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze test item asks you to pick the noun that most precisely describes what dictators establish after they rise to power. The passage says that dictators may rise to power and then “establish a new _______ with dramatic success”. We must choose the word that best matches “establish” and reflects a new system of rule. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The phrase is “establish a new _______ with dramatic success”. 2) The options are: regime, state, era, epoch. 3) The subject is “dictators” who have risen to power. 4) The action is political and institutional, not just historical or cultural. 5) We need a noun that naturally follows “establish a new …” in a political context. Concept / Approach: In political science and history, “regime” is the standard term for a particular system or pattern of rule, often associated with specific leaders or ideologies. “State” refers to the political entity itself (the country), while “era” and “epoch” refer to periods of time. Since the passage is about dictators creating a new system of rule rather than a new country or time period, “regime” is the most accurate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider the verb “establish” and list what we usually “establish” in politics: governments, regimes, institutions, parties. Step 2: Test “regime”: “establish a new regime” is a very common political phrase describing the setting up of a new ruling system. Step 3: Test “state”: “establish a new state” would mean founding a new country, which is stronger and less appropriate than simply establishing a new ruling system within an existing state. Step 4: Test “era”: “establish a new era” is metaphorical and less precise; eras happen over time but are not literally “established” by a single dictator. Step 5: Test “epoch”: similar to “era”, it is a period of time, not a formal structure of rule. Step 6: Conclude that “regime” most precisely expresses the idea of a new political rule created by dictators. Verification / Alternative check: Insert “regime” into the full sentence: “whereas dictators may rise to power and establish a new regime with dramatic success, under peculiar conditions.” This is exactly the kind of sentence you would see in a civics or history book. Substituting “state”, “era” or “epoch” blurs the meaning and no longer refers clearly to the structure of governing. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “state” implies a new political entity, often with different borders or international status, which goes beyond what the passage describes. “era” and “epoch” refer to long historical periods and are not typical objects of the verb “establish” in this concrete sense. They would make the sentence more poetic but less accurate and clear. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse “state” and “regime”, thinking they are interchangeable. However, a state can remain the same while regimes change. Another pitfall is choosing “era” or “epoch” just because they sound sophisticated, without checking if they match the precise political meaning. Always ask: what exactly is being created here—a new country, a new time period, or a new system of rule? Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is regime.

Question 3

In this passage about democracy and dictatorship, choose the adjective that best completes the phrase: “with dramatic success, under _______ conditions.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The final blank in this democracy dictatorship passage focuses on the type of conditions under which dictators may rise quickly and establish a new regime. The phrase “with dramatic success, under _______ conditions” hints that these circumstances are special or unusual compared to normal democratic growth. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The relevant fragment is: “dictators may rise to power and establish a new regime with dramatic success, under _______ conditions”. 2) The options are: profitable, unfavourable, suitable, peculiar. 3) The earlier part of the sentence states that democracy is always a slow growth. 4) Dictatorship here appears as a dramatic, exceptional development. 5) The chosen adjective must match the idea of rare or special conditions. Concept / Approach: The word “peculiar” in formal writing often means “particular, special, or unusual”, not just “strange”. Saying “under peculiar conditions” emphasises that the conditions favouring dictatorships are not the normal, everyday conditions in which democracy develops slowly. Words like “profitable”, “unfavourable” or “suitable” do not capture this nuance in the same way. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Interpret the sentence: democracy takes time; dictators sometimes succeed quickly when special conditions arise. Step 2: Test “profitable”: this focuses on money or economic gain and does not directly describe political circumstances that favour dictators. Step 3: Test “unfavourable”: “unfavourable conditions” usually hinder success, not produce dramatic success. Step 4: Test “suitable”: “suitable conditions” are merely appropriate; they do not emphasise rarity or unusual character. Step 5: Test “peculiar”: “under peculiar conditions” suggests special, particular, sometimes abnormal circumstances. Step 6: Since dictatorships often arise in exceptional crises or unusual social situations, “peculiar” matches the idea best. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with “peculiar”: “The conditions under which democracy can flourish are difficult to define; but one thing is clear, that democracy is always a slow growth, whereas dictators may rise to power and establish a new regime with dramatic success, under peculiar conditions.” The flow and meaning are coherent: democracy grows slowly in general, but dictators exploit unusual circumstances. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “profitable” would make the sentence sound as if dictatorships depend mainly on financial gain, which is not the focus here. “unfavourable” contradicts the phrase “with dramatic success”, because unfavourable conditions would normally prevent success. “suitable” is too weak and general; it does not highlight that these conditions are unusual. Common Pitfalls: Some learners misinterpret “peculiar” only as “odd” or “funny” and therefore avoid it, but in formal contexts it often simply means “particular” or “characteristic”. Others choose “suitable” because it sounds safe, without noticing that the writer wants to stress that dictators’ success depends on special, not ordinary, circumstances. Always consider the subtle tone of the passage, not just the dictionary meaning of individual words. Final Answer: The adjective that best completes the sentence is peculiar.

Question 4

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the noun that best completes the sentence: “We have rich cultural _____.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze question comes from a passage describing the depth and strength of a people’s culture. The sentence “We have rich cultural _____” needs a noun that captures the idea of something inherited from the past and valued in the present. Your task is to select the word that best expresses this idea in standard English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The sentence fragment is “We have rich cultural _____.” 2) The options are: gift, treasure, heritage, boon. 3) The next line in the passage says “Its roots go into antiquity”, reinforcing the idea of something old and inherited. 4) The phrase “rich cultural heritage” is very common in discussions of civilisation and tradition. 5) We must choose the noun that fits grammatically and collocationally after “cultural”. Concept / Approach: The word “heritage” refers to traditions, achievements and values passed down from previous generations. When we talk about a country or community, we almost always use the phrase “cultural heritage” to describe this legacy. While “treasure” can metaphorically refer to valuable things and “gift” or “boon” can describe advantages, they do not combine with “cultural” as naturally and precisely as “heritage” does. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Attach each option to “cultural” and see which phrase you most commonly encounter: cultural gift, cultural treasure, cultural heritage, cultural boon. Step 2: “cultural gift” is not a standard expression; “gift of culture” is possible but different in meaning. Step 3: “cultural treasure” can appear in some contexts, but it usually describes particular objects or sites, not the entire body of traditions. Step 4: “cultural heritage” is a widely used collocation in textbooks, essays and government documents, referring to the whole inherited culture. Step 5: “cultural boon” is rare and awkward; “boon” means blessing or benefit, not the set of inherited traditions itself. Step 6: Considering the next sentence about roots going into antiquity, “heritage” fits perfectly as the idea of something inherited from long ago. Verification / Alternative check: Read the first two sentences with “heritage”: “We have rich cultural heritage. Its roots go into antiquity.” This is exactly how authors typically begin essays on Indian culture or any ancient civilisation. Replacing “heritage” with “treasure” or “gift” makes the wording less precise and less idiomatic, even though the general meaning stays positive. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “gift” emphasises something given rather than inherited and is not standard after “cultural” in this context. “treasure” usually refers to valuable objects or resources, not the whole body of traditions, beliefs and practices. “boon” refers to a benefit or blessing; saying “cultural boon” would change the meaning and is not a recognised collocation here. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose a generally positive word like “treasure” without paying attention to fixed phrases that appear in essays and speeches. Another pitfall is ignoring the next sentence; the mention of “roots” and “antiquity” strongly points towards something inherited, which is best captured by “heritage”. When dealing with cloze tests, always look at the sentences before and after the blank for strong hints. Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is heritage.

Question 5

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the noun that best completes the sentence: “Its roots go into _____.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze item continues the description of a community’s cultural legacy. After stating “We have rich cultural heritage”, the passage adds “Its roots go into _____.” The blank must be filled with a noun that reinforces the idea of something very old, stretching back into ancient times. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The sentence fragment is “Its roots go into _____.” 2) The previous sentence mentions “rich cultural heritage”. 3) The options are: pastress, antiquity, obscurity, dignity. 4) We need a word that relates to age or the distant past. 5) The word must form a natural phrase with “roots go into”. Concept / Approach: The phrase “go into antiquity” is a standard way of saying that something originates in very ancient times. “Antiquity” means the ancient past, especially before the Middle Ages. Other options either do not exist as standard English words (“pastress”) or do not match the idea of ancient origin. Therefore we must choose the noun that clearly indicates great age and historical depth. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider the overall idea: cultural heritage with roots stretching far back in time. Step 2: Test “pastress”: this is not a standard English word and does not appear in common usage. Step 3: Test “antiquity”: this word means the ancient past and is frequently used in historical and cultural contexts. Step 4: Test “obscurity”: this means being unknown or unclear, not necessarily old; “roots go into obscurity” would change the meaning to “we do not know the origin”. Step 5: Test “dignity”: this refers to honour or respect, which does not connect logically with “roots go into”. Step 6: The phrase “roots go into antiquity” strongly supports the idea that the culture is ancient. Verification / Alternative check: Read the two sentences together with “antiquity”: “We have rich cultural heritage. Its roots go into antiquity.” This combination is common in essays about Indian civilisation, Greek culture and other ancient traditions. Substituting any other option either makes the sentence ungrammatical or shifts the meaning to something unintended. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “pastress” is not a recognised English noun in this context and appears to be an incorrect or invented form. “obscurity” focuses on being unknown rather than on being old, which does not match the proud tone of the passage. “dignity” refers to nobility or respect, but “roots go into dignity” does not make sense because “dignity” is not a time period or origin. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to pick a word that “sounds” sophisticated, like “obscurity” or “dignity”, without checking whether it actually fits the meaning of the sentence. Another pitfall is not recognising “antiquity” as a common academic word referring to ancient times. To avoid such errors, always ask what idea the writer is emphasising: in this case, clearly the great age of the cultural heritage. Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is antiquity.

Question 6

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the noun that best completes the sentence: “Ours has never been a closed ______.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze question continues the reflection on cultural heritage. After stating that the community has a rich cultural heritage with roots in antiquity, the writer comments that “Ours has never been a closed ______.” The blank must be filled with a noun that logically completes the idea of openness in cultural exchange. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The sentence fragment is “Ours has never been a closed ______.” 2) The options are: community, country, nation, culture. 3) The surrounding sentences talk about cultural heritage and roots in antiquity. 4) Later, the passage compares this culture to a tree that is open to external influences while holding its roots firm. 5) The blank is likely to be filled by a noun directly linked with “cultural”. Concept / Approach: We commonly talk about a “closed culture” versus an “open culture” to describe whether a society accepts external influences. Although “closed community”, “closed country” and “closed nation” can exist in other contexts, the most direct and thematically consistent choice here is “culture”. The passage is about cultural patterns, not political borders or demographic groups alone. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the main topic of the passage: cultural heritage and its interaction with external influences. Step 2: Attach each option to “closed”: closed community, closed country, closed nation, closed culture. Step 3: While “closed community” exists, the focus so far has been on culture as an abstract system, not on a small local group. Step 4: “closed country” and “closed nation” would emphasise political isolation or restricted borders, which the passage does not specifically mention. Step 5: “closed culture” directly contrasts with the next line, which says the culture has grown like a tree, open to external influences. Step 6: Therefore “culture” is the most precise and coherent noun to use here. Verification / Alternative check: Read three lines together: “We have rich cultural heritage. Its roots go into antiquity. Ours has never been a closed culture. It has grown just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” The continuity in the use of “cultural heritage” and “culture” is clear. Replacing “culture” with “country” or “nation” would shift the focus to political entities rather than cultural patterns. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “community” could be used in some social contexts, but the passage is clearly talking at the level of civilisation and culture, not local communities. “country” and “nation” refer primarily to political territories and populations, which is too narrow and slightly off topic given the repeated use of “cultural”. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes mix up political and cultural terms, choosing “nation” or “country” just because they are common in GK passages. However, cloze tests often require you to maintain thematic coherence: when the author is talking about cultural heritage, “culture” is the natural word to repeat and develop the idea. Look for such coherence when choosing among similar nouns. Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is culture.

Question 7

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the verb that best completes the sentence: “It has _______ just like a tree … ”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The passage uses an extended metaphor comparing culture to a tree. After saying that the culture has never been closed, the writer states “It has _______ just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” The verb in the blank must fit both the image of a tree and the idea of gradual cultural development. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The sentence fragment is “It has _______ just like a tree”. 2) The options are: grown, risen, expanded, branched. 3) The earlier lines mention “rich cultural heritage” and roots in antiquity. 4) The next part says “open to external influences but holding its roots hard”. 5) The verb must capture natural, organic development over time. Concept / Approach: Trees “grow” from their roots and can also “branch”, “expand” or “rise”. However, in English we most commonly say “grown like a tree” to refer to organic development. When describing cultures or traditions, “grown” is the primary metaphorical verb. “risen” fits more with sun or prices, “expanded” with businesses or empires, and “branched” with specific parts rather than the whole entity. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualise the metaphor: a tree develops over time; we talk about it as growing from its roots. Step 2: Test “grown”: “It has grown just like a tree” is a very natural and common expression for something that develops organically. Step 3: Test “risen”: “It has risen just like a tree” is unusual; trees grow upwards but we rarely say they “rise” like the sun or smoke. Step 4: Test “expanded”: “It has expanded just like a tree” sounds off; expansion fits better with territory or markets than with the image of roots and branches. Step 5: Test “branched”: “It has branched just like a tree” focuses only on division into branches, not overall growth, and is less standard. Step 6: Therefore, “grown” is the verb that best completes both the literal and metaphorical meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Read the extended metaphor with “grown”: “Ours has never been a closed culture. It has grown just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” This paints a clear picture of a culture that develops over time, responds to outside influences, yet remains rooted. None of the other options express this gradual, organic development as clearly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “risen” suggests a more sudden upward movement and is not the standard verb used with trees. “expanded” sounds technical or economic and does not match the natural imagery. “branched” would make sense if the focus were on diversification into different branches of culture, but that is not what the sentence stresses; it highlights the overall growth from deep roots. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes learners are tempted by “expanded” because it suggests growth, but they forget to test it against the exact metaphor of a tree and roots. Others choose “branched” because trees have branches, without noticing that the sentence is about the whole culture, not about its subdivisions. Always match the blank not just to a single word (like “tree”) but to the entire image and idea being expressed. Final Answer: The verb that best completes the sentence is grown.

Question 8

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the adjective that best completes the phrase: “just like a tree, ______ to external influences … ”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Continuing the tree metaphor, the passage says that the culture “has grown just like a tree, ______ to external influences but holding its roots hard.” The blank must be filled with an adjective that clearly describes a positive, receptive attitude to influences from outside while still preserving core identity. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The sentence fragment is “just like a tree, ______ to external influences but holding its roots hard.” 2) The options are: welcome, eager, open, agreeable. 3) The topic is a culture that accepts outside influences yet keeps its core intact. 4) The adjective should form a common collocation with “to external influences”. 5) The passage is written in a formal essay style. Concept / Approach: In English, we commonly say “open to external influences” to describe systems, cultures or people that are receptive and willing to learn from outside sources. The word “open” fits naturally with “to”. While “eager” and “agreeable” describe attitudes, they do not collocate as neatly with “to external influences” in this abstract, formal context. “welcome” is usually a verb or adjective applied to people or things, not directly to “influences”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Attach each option to “to external influences”: welcome to external influences, eager to external influences, open to external influences, agreeable to external influences. Step 2: Notice that “open to” is a very common structure used with ideas, suggestions and influences. Step 3: “welcome to external influences” is not a standard phrase; we say “external influences are welcome” instead. Step 4: “eager to external influences” is incorrect; we say “eager for” or “eager to do something”, not “eager to influences”. Step 5: “agreeable to external influences” is grammatically possible but uncommon and somewhat awkward in this context. Step 6: “open to external influences” reads smoothly and expresses precisely the intended meaning of receptiveness. Verification / Alternative check: Read the whole segment: “It has grown just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” This neatly captures the idea of a culture that learns from others without losing its foundation. Inserting any of the other options makes the sentence sound forced or grammatically questionable. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “welcome” would require a different structure (“external influences are welcome”) and does not sit naturally before “to external influences”. “eager” needs “for” or an infinitive, not “to” plus a noun phrase. “agreeable” is more often used with “to someone” or “to an idea”, and is not the standard way to talk about openness to influences. Common Pitfalls: A typical mistake is to choose a word that expresses a similar attitude (like “eager”) without checking if the exact grammatical pattern is correct. Another pitfall is ignoring collocations: “open to” is a very strong collocation that should immediately stand out if you have been reading English texts. Whenever you see a preposition like “to” or “for” after a blank, always test which adjectives you commonly see with that preposition. Final Answer: The adjective that best completes the sentence is open.

Question 9

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the noun that best completes the phrase: “open to external ______ but holding its roots hard.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze question completes the description of a culture compared to a tree. The sentence says that it has grown like a tree, “open to external ______ but holding its roots hard.” The noun that fills the blank must represent forces or inputs coming from outside that can shape the culture without uprooting it. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The fragment is “open to external ______ but holding its roots hard”. 2) The options are: influences, facts, modifications, institutions. 3) The preceding adjective “open” strongly suggests a common expression. 4) The passage deals with culture interacting with the outside world. 5) The noun should fit naturally with the phrase “open to external …”. Concept / Approach: The phrase “open to external influences” is a standard way of saying that a culture or person can be affected or shaped by ideas and practices from outside. “Influences” is the exact word that fits this collocation. While “facts”, “modifications” and “institutions” are all real nouns, they do not combine as idiomatically with “open to external” in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Attach each option to “external”: external influences, external facts, external modifications, external institutions. Step 2: Consider the phrase with the preceding “open to”: “open to external influences” is a very common and natural English expression. Step 3: “open to external facts” sounds odd; we usually say “aware of facts” rather than “open to facts”. Step 4: “open to external modifications” is grammatically possible but clumsy and not typical in cultural discussions. Step 5: “open to external institutions” again sounds technical and does not capture the broad sense of ideas, customs and practices. Step 6: “external influences” directly refers to ideas, customs or practices from other cultures that can affect one’s own. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with “influences”: “It has grown just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” This paints a clear picture of a culture influenced by others yet staying rooted in its own traditions. Inserting any of the other options weakens or distorts this clear image. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “facts” are pieces of information, not shaping forces in the same broad sense as “influences”. “modifications” focus on changes themselves, not the forces that cause them. “institutions” are organised structures like schools or governments; while they can influence culture, the phrase “open to external institutions” is not conventional in this context. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to focus only on the word “external” and pick any noun that could in theory be external, without checking the collocation “open to external …”. English has many fixed or semi fixed combinations, and cloze questions often rely on these. Paying attention to such patterns like “open to external influences” will help you solve many similar questions quickly and accurately. Final Answer: The noun that best completes the sentence is influences.

Question 10

In this passage about cultural identity, choose the adverb or adjective that best completes the phrase: “open to external influences but holding its roots _______.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This final cloze item in the cultural passage completes the tree metaphor. The culture is described as “open to external influences but holding its roots _______.” The missing word should reinforce the idea that, although the culture accepts outside ideas, it still firmly holds on to its core traditions and values. Given Data / Assumptions: 1) The phrase to complete is “holding its roots _______.” 2) The options are: light, fast, hardly, hard. 3) The context is a tree (or culture) that remains firmly rooted while being open to external influences. 4) We need a word that expresses firmness or strength of grip. 5) The sentence is metaphorical but should still sound natural in English. Concept / Approach: In English, we use “hold hard”, “hold fast” and “hold firmly” to indicate a strong and determined grip. In this multiple choice set, “hard” is the best fit for conveying firmness in a simple way. “fast” could have worked in the phrase “hold fast”, but “holding its roots fast” is less common and feels slightly archaic. “hardly” changes the meaning completely, and “light” is the opposite of what is intended. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the idea: the culture is receptive to outside influences but still firmly anchored in its own roots. Step 2: Test “light”: “holding its roots light” does not make sense; light refers to weight, not firmness. Step 3: Test “fast”: “holding its roots fast” is an old fashioned but possible phrase; however, we usually see “hold fast” as a verb phrase, not “holding its roots fast” in modern prose. Step 4: Test “hardly”: “holding its roots hardly” would mean “holding its roots scarcely”, which is the opposite of firm holding. Step 5: Test “hard”: “holding its roots hard” clearly suggests holding firmly, especially in the simple vocabulary often used in exam passages. Step 6: Given the options, “hard” is the closest to the intended meaning of strong attachment. Verification / Alternative check: Read the complete metaphor: “It has grown just like a tree, open to external influences but holding its roots hard.” The two halves now form a neat contrast: openness above ground, firmness below ground. The reader understands that the culture is flexible on the surface but deeply rooted in its own heritage. None of the other options captures this balance as clearly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “light” suggests the opposite of strength or firmness and therefore contradicts the metaphor of deep roots. “fast” might tempt some readers because of the phrase “hold fast”, but in this exact position and with this set of options, “hard” is more straightforward and modern. “hardly” means “barely” or “almost not”, which would wrongly suggest that the culture scarcely holds to its roots. Common Pitfalls: One pitfall is to overvalue archaic or poetic expressions like “hold fast” and therefore choose “fast” automatically, without checking the full sentence and style. Another is misunderstanding “hardly” as related to “hard” in the sense of strong; in fact, “hardly” has the opposite meaning. Always be cautious with adverbs ending in “ly”, and test the sentence logically before deciding. Final Answer: The word that best completes the sentence is hard.

Question 11

In the following sentence from a passage on cultural heritage, choose the most appropriate word to fill the blank: We have rich cultural _____ that shape our traditions, beliefs, and way of life.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests vocabulary in context and the ability to recognise natural English collocations. The sentence refers to the overall set of ideas that guide a society, so we must choose the word that best expresses the idea of guiding principles in a cultural setting. Given Data / Assumptions: • The sentence is about rich cultural traditions and ways of life. • The blank must be filled with a plural noun that fits grammatically after the word cultural. • The word should express the idea of guiding principles held by a community. • Only one option should sound natural and standard in educated English usage. Concept / Approach: The task is to identify the most appropriate collocation with cultural. In standard usage, cultural values is a very common phrase used in social sciences and general English to describe beliefs and principles that influence behaviour in a society. We compare each option for meaning and naturalness in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the full sentence and note that it talks about things that shape traditions and beliefs. Step 2: Recall which nouns commonly follow the word cultural in everyday and academic English. Step 3: Recognise that cultural values is a fixed and widely used phrase. Step 4: Check that values fits both grammatically and semantically better than the other options. Step 5: Conclude that values is the most appropriate and precise choice. Verification / Alternative check: You can test the options by placing each one in the sentence: rich cultural teachings, rich cultural doctrines, rich cultural morals, and rich cultural values. The last phrase is the most natural and is very commonly used to refer to shared beliefs and standards that guide a community. This confirms our choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Teachings: This usually refers to specific religious or philosophical lessons, not the broad pattern of social behaviour and ideas in a culture, so it is less suitable. Doctrines: This suggests formal, rigid beliefs, often religious or political, and does not match the general, everyday sense of the sentence. Morals: This can refer to right and wrong behaviour, but the common phrase is moral values or cultural values, not cultural morals, so it sounds less natural. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pick any word that looks related to religion or ethics without checking collocations. Another mistake is to assume that all options are equally acceptable, but competitive exams usually expect the most standard phrase, not just a grammatically possible one. Final Answer: The correct answer is values because the phrase rich cultural values is the most natural and widely accepted way to describe the shared principles that shape a community's traditions and way of life.

Question 12

In the context of a passage on cultural heritage, complete the sentence: The ______ of our cultural heritage has come under the influence of Western culture.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of figurative vocabulary. The sentence talks about cultural heritage being attacked or weakened by Western culture, and uses a metaphor from warfare or defence. We must pick a word that fits this image and makes sense in context. Given Data / Assumptions: • The sentence refers to our cultural heritage as something that can be defended or attacked. • The blank is followed by of our cultural heritage. • The overall idea is that Western culture is threatening or influencing something central and strong in that heritage. • The correct word should logically fit this metaphor of defence and strength. Concept / Approach: The key idea is to recognise that citadel is a metaphor for a strong fortress or central stronghold. In many texts, the citadel of tradition or the citadel of faith refers to the core, most strongly defended part of a belief system. That is exactly the sense needed here for cultural heritage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that the sentence talks about our cultural heritage being under pressure from Western culture. Step 2: Recognise that the writer is using figurative language, comparing cultural heritage to a defended place. Step 3: Recall that citadel means a fortress or a stronghold, usually at the centre of a city. Step 4: Test the phrase the citadel of our cultural heritage and see that it sounds natural and meaningful. Step 5: Confirm that none of the other options express the same idea of a strong central fortress. Verification / Alternative check: Try replacing the blank with each option: the source of our cultural heritage, the minaret of our cultural heritage, the altar of our cultural heritage, and the citadel of our cultural heritage. Only citadel retains the idea of something that can come under attack and that symbolises strong defence and core strength. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Source: This means origin, not stronghold. It does not fit a metaphor of defence or attack. Minaret: This is a tall tower in a mosque and is specific to a particular religious architecture, making it contextually unsuitable and misleading. Altar: This refers to a place of worship or sacrifice, not to a defensive structure, so it does not match the idea of something coming under attack in a military sense. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose source because students see heritage and immediately think of origins. Another mistake is to ignore the figurative, military tone of the sentence and pick a word only on the basis of its association with religion or culture. Final Answer: The correct answer is citadel, because it metaphorically represents the strong central fortress of our cultural heritage that has come under the influence or attack of Western culture.

Question 13

In the sentence The citadel of our cultural heritage has come under the _____ of Western culture, choose the word that best completes the blank.

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Introduction / Context: This vocabulary in context question focuses on choosing a word that correctly expresses influence or control. The phrase under the _____ of Western culture must be completed with a noun that can naturally collocate with under the and suggest dominance or influence. Given Data / Assumptions: • The sentence speaks about Western culture affecting our cultural heritage. • Under the blank must form a meaningful phrase with Western culture. • The intended meaning is influence, dominance, or control rather than simple physical movement. • Only one option should fit both grammatically and semantically. Concept / Approach: The key concept is the fixed expression under the sway of, which means under the influence or control of something or someone. This is a common phrase in English used in political, cultural and psychological contexts. We compare each option for collocation and meaning to see which one fits best. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core idea that Western culture influences or dominates our cultural heritage. Step 2: Recall common idiomatic expressions that follow the pattern under the _____ of. Step 3: Recognise that under the sway of is a standard phrase meaning under the influence of. Step 4: Insert sway into the sentence to check that it reads smoothly and conveys the intended meaning. Step 5: Check that tide, current and wind do not form standard, idiomatic expressions in this cultural context. Verification / Alternative check: Test each option in the sentence: under the tide of Western culture, under the current of Western culture, under the wind of Western culture, under the sway of Western culture. Only under the sway of Western culture is a recognised idiom that clearly means under the influence of Western culture. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Tide: Under the tide of is not a standard phrase, and tide suggests a physical flow of water rather than cultural influence. Current: This applies to water or electricity; under the current of sounds awkward and does not convey the idea of control or influence clearly. Wind: Under the wind of has no idiomatic meaning, and wind does not express cultural domination. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pick tide or current because they imagine Western culture moving like a wave. However, the exam expects you to recognise the exact idiomatic expression under the sway of, which directly matches influence in the context of culture and ideas. Final Answer: The correct answer is sway because the phrase under the sway of Western culture is an established idiom meaning that our cultural heritage has come under its powerful influence.

Question 14

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. When I think of my family's history on the land. I experience a pang of regret. Unlike much of the arid West, where the land ha…

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Farming has eroded the natural beauty of the plains.

Question 15

Based on the passage about the author's memories of the Kansas prairie and the impact of farming, which option best states the most accurate summary of the author's position about agriculture on the plains?

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Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question asks you to identify the author's overall attitude toward farming on the Kansas plains. The passage balances factual description with personal emotion, but the dominant tone is one of regret about what agriculture has done to the original prairie landscape. Given Data / Assumptions: • The author mentions that western Kansas has been torn up by agriculture. • About ninety percent of the original sod prairie is said to be gone. • The author expresses a pang of regret when thinking of the family history on the land. • The author still finds the land romantically impressive and feels pride as a plains daughter. Concept / Approach: To answer main idea questions, you must combine all important points rather than focus on a minor detail. Here, the major theme is loss of original prairie due to farming. Although the author loves the land, she is clearly unhappy about the environmental changes brought by agriculture. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note phrases like torn up by agriculture and ninety percent of the original sod prairie is gone. Step 2: Observe the author's emotional response, such as pang of regret. Step 3: Recognise that the author contrasts the romantic quality of the land with the damage caused by farming. Step 4: Match this overall feeling with the option that emphasises environmental loss rather than benefit. Step 5: Conclude that farming has eroded the natural beauty of the plains is the most accurate summary. Verification / Alternative check: Ask whether each option is supported by several lines of the passage. Only the statement that farming has eroded the natural beauty matches the description of the land being torn up and the disappearance of the sod prairie, along with the author's regret. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The presence of people has enriched the plains habitat: The passage never suggests enrichment; instead it stresses loss. Farming has improved the soil of the plains: There is no claim that the soil improved; the focus is on suitability for farming and subsequent damage to the prairie. Farming has chemically polluted the plains: Chemical pollution is never mentioned, so this goes beyond the passage. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to choose an option that sounds positive because farming brought economic benefit. However, the question asks for the author's position, which is centred on environmental and emotional loss, not on economic development. Final Answer: The correct answer is Farming has eroded the natural beauty of the plains. This directly reflects the author's regret that agriculture has destroyed most of the original sod prairie and changed the landscape forever.

Question 16

In the passage about western Kansas and the disappearance of the prairie, the author's argument is based primarily on which of the following?

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Introduction / Context: This question asks what mainly supports the author's argument in the passage about western Kansas. Although the passage includes some factual statements, the driving force behind the argument is the author's emotional reaction to the transformation of the prairie landscape. Given Data / Assumptions: • The author mentions feeling a pang of regret when thinking of the family history on the land. • The land is described as torn up by agriculture and largely changed. • The author recalls being moved and enthralled by the expanse of the prairie. • Pride in the identity as a plains daughter is explicitly stated. Concept / Approach: To identify the basis of an argument, we look at what the author relies on most: personal emotions, historical records, numerical data, or inherited opinions. Here the narrative is clearly first person and introspective, emphasising feelings and perceptions rather than formal studies or ancestral reports. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note the frequent use of first person statements such as I experience, I have known and I have felt. Step 2: Observe the emotional vocabulary, including pang of regret, romantic quality and enthralled. Step 3: Check whether the passage presents any statistical data or formal historical research; it does not. Step 4: Confirm that the reflections come from the author's direct experience, not from ancestors. Step 5: Conclude that the argument rests primarily on feelings born out of personal experience. Verification / Alternative check: Ask which option would still make sense if we removed specific numbers but kept the author's emotions. The passages impact would remain strong because it is driven by internal reactions to the land, so feelings from personal experience must be the main basis. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Facts of history and statistical studies: No numerical or formal historical evidence is provided, only general statements about change. Facts derived from personal observations: The author does observe the land, but the emphasis is less on factual reporting and more on emotional response, making feelings more appropriate than dry facts. Feelings passed down by ancestors: The passage never says that the author inherited these feelings; they arise directly from personal encounters with the land. Common Pitfalls: Many students confuse personal observation with emotional experience. Here, while observation exists, the central thrust of the argument is clearly emotional, expressed through words of regret and pride rather than neutral description. Final Answer: The correct answer is feelings the author has picked up from personal experience, because the passage is driven by the author's own emotional response to the changing prairie landscape.

Question 17

From the passage about western Kansas and the changing prairie, it may be determined that the word "mercantile" has something to do with which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to infer the meaning of the word mercantile from the context of the passage. The author describes the relationship to the land as primarily mercantile, which contrasts with the later description of its romantic quality. Given Data / Assumptions: • The author says that the relationship to the place has always felt primarily mercantile. • The community used the land and tried to hold at bay its effect on them. • The author later speaks of romantic quality and emotional attachment to the expanse of the land. • Mercantile should oppose or differ from romantic and emotional language. Concept / Approach: Mercantile is derived from commerce and trade. In context, it refers to a practical, businesslike, profit-focused relationship with the land, rather than an emotional or spiritual one. We choose the option that best reflects this businesslike, practical aspect. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Notice that mercantile describes how people related to the land. Step 2: Recognise that they used the land for farming, which is an economic activity. Step 3: Contrast mercantile with the later reference to romantic quality, which is clearly emotional. Step 4: Understand that mercantile therefore means commercial, businesslike or practical. Step 5: Select the option closest in meaning to commercial and businesslike, which is practicality. Verification / Alternative check: Replace mercantile with practical or commercial in the sentence and see if it still makes sense. A primarily practical or commercial relationship to the land matches the idea of using it mainly for economic benefit, which fits the passage well. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Danger: The passage does not suggest that the land is threatening or unsafe. America: Mercantile is not a national term; it is related to trade and commerce, not specifically to a country. Spirituality: This is the opposite of what mercantile suggests, since the author contrasts mercantile with romantic and emotional responses to the land. Common Pitfalls: Students might guess spirituality because romantic quality appears later, but the passage clearly sets mercantile as a contrasting idea. Another error is to rely on vague memory instead of using the context to infer meaning. Final Answer: The correct answer is practicality, because mercantile in this passage refers to a practical, commercial attitude centred on using the land for economic gain rather than emotional or spiritual connection.

Question 18

According to the passage about western Kansas and the author's memories of the prairie, what does the author feel proud about?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks whether you can pick out a direct statement from the passage. Near the end of the text, the author clearly states what makes her feel proud, linking it to her identity and origin on the plains of western Kansas. Given Data / Assumptions: • The author talks about the romantic quality of the land and feeling moved by its expanse. • She mentions that she feels enthralled by the size of the plains. • She explicitly says that she takes pride in her identity as a plains daughter. • Plains daughter refers to someone who comes from or belongs to the plains region. Concept / Approach: For such questions, it is important to focus on exact wording rather than overinterpret. The phrase plains daughter clearly indicates pride in being from the plains, which corresponds to being a native of Kansas in the context of the passage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Locate the sentence in which the author mentions pride. Step 2: Note the expression I take pride in my identity as a plains daughter. Step 3: Interpret plains daughter as meaning someone whose origins lie in the plains, specifically western Kansas. Step 4: Match this understanding with the given options. Step 5: Select being a native of Kansas as the best match. Verification / Alternative check: Check whether the author mentions pride in being an American or in seeing romantic qualities. She does not state pride in those terms. The only explicit pride is linked to identity as a plains daughter, which clearly points to being from that region. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Being an American: The text does not mention national identity at all. Being able to see the romantic quality of the land: The author does value this, but she does not say she takes pride in it; it is presented as a feeling, not as a source of pride. The ability to unite well: No reference is made to unity or social cohesion; this option is unrelated to the passage. Common Pitfalls: Some students generalise pride to patriotism and assume the author is proud of being American. Others focus only on the romantic description and miss the exact phrase plains daughter, which is central to the answer. Final Answer: The correct answer is being a native of Kansas, because the author explicitly states taking pride in the identity as a plains daughter, meaning someone from the Kansas plains.

Question 19

From the passage about the transformation of western Kansas, what factor does the author say changed the entire landscape of Kansas?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on a factual detail from the passage. The author compares the relatively unchanged arid West with western Kansas, which has undergone drastic change. You must identify the specific cause of this change as stated by the author. Given Data / Assumptions: • The author says that western Kansas has been torn up by agriculture. • The flat plains, excellent soil and just adequate rainfall are mentioned as reasons why farming became possible. • The result is that about ninety percent of the original sod prairie is gone. • No mention is made of wind, heat or flooding as causes of this large-scale transformation. Concept / Approach: The skill involved is locating key factual statements and distinguishing them from background description. The phrase torn up by agriculture directly attributes the change to human farming activity, not to natural forces. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the part of the passage that talks about change in the landscape. Step 2: Note the explicit statement that western Kansas has been torn up by agriculture. Step 3: Connect the disappearance of ninety percent of the sod prairie with agricultural development. Step 4: Confirm that other natural factors like wind, heat or flooding are not blamed for this major change. Step 5: Select agriculture as the factor that changed the entire landscape. Verification / Alternative check: If agriculture were removed from the passage, the main explanation for the loss of prairie would disappear. None of the other listed options are mentioned, so they cannot be the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wind: Although wind can shape plains, the passage does not refer to it as a destructive force here. Heat: Heat is a feature of climate but is not described as a cause of landscape destruction in the text. Flooding: No floods are mentioned at all; this option introduces information not present in the passage. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates overthink and assume natural disasters caused the change, but the passage clearly emphasises human activity, especially agriculture, as the main agent of transformation. Final Answer: The correct answer is agriculture, because the author states that western Kansas has been torn up by agriculture, leading to the loss of most of the original prairie landscape.

Question 20

According to the passage about economists and the free market, what does not seem good or normal in their view?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests careful reading of a complex sentence in a passage about free market economics. The author comments on the mindset of many economists in the United States and how this mindset affects their judgment of what is normal or good in economic life. Given Data / Assumptions: • The passage states that most economists seem captivated by the spell of the free market. • It then says that consequently nothing seems good or normal that does not accord with the requirements of the free market. • The focus is on the economists' perception of what is good or normal. • We must interpret the phrase nothing seems good or normal that does not accord with. Concept / Approach: The key is to understand the logical structure: because economists admire the free market, they see only those things that fit free market requirements as good or normal. Everything that fails to meet these requirements appears not good or not normal to them. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the cause and effect relationship in the sentence: captivated by the free market leads to a particular judgment. Step 2: Focus on the phrase nothing seems good or normal that does not accord with the requirements. Step 3: Rephrase it in simpler language: anything that does not match free market rules is seen as bad or abnormal. Step 4: Compare this rephrasing with the given options. Step 5: Select the option that directly states that things which do not accord with free market requirements seem not good or normal. Verification / Alternative check: If we read only the main clause that follows consequently, we see that the author clearly defines what fails to seem good or normal: practices and policies that do not fit free market demands. This directly supports the correct option. Why Other Options Are Wrong: The new interest in free market: This is the cause, not what seems abnormal. Being captivated by the spell of the free market: This describes the economists' attitude, not what they judge. The economists who are captivated by the free market: These are people, not the practices being judged as good or bad. Common Pitfalls: Students may get lost in the long sentence and pick an option that merely repeats part of the text. It is important instead to identify the object of the phrase nothing seems good or normal, which refers to anything that does not accord with free market requirements. Final Answer: The correct answer is that which does not accord with the requirement of the free market, because the passage states that such things do not seem good or normal to the economists described.

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