Question 1

The following four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about self-awareness and reading. Select the most logical order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para-jumble compares reading about self-awareness in books with actually developing self-awareness through focused observation of one's own mind and behaviour. The sentences mention where attention is focused during reading, what self-awareness requires, the difference between intellectual understanding and real practice, and how reading can actually train you not to pay attention to yourself. A good paragraph must present these ideas in a logically flowing argument. Given Data / Assumptions: - P: When you read a book you are focusing your attention on the conceptual ideas in the book. - Q: Self awareness is developed through practices in focusing your attention on the details of your personality and behavior which isn’t learned from reading a book. - R: You can develop an intellectual understanding of the ideas of self awareness from a book, but this is not the same. - S: With your attention in a book you are practicing not paying attention to your own behavior, emotions and personality. - We need an order that introduces reading, contrasts it with the requirements of self-awareness, notes the limited role of books, and concludes with the effect of reading on where attention goes. Concept / Approach: The clearest starting point is P, which describes what happens when you read: your attention is on the ideas in the book. Q then states how self-awareness is actually developed – by focusing on your own personality and behaviour – and explicitly notes that this is not learned from reading alone. R follows by acknowledging that books can still give an intellectual understanding of self-awareness, though this is different from true experiential awareness. S wraps up by pointing out that reading tends to train us away from paying attention to our own inner processes. This gives a natural flow P–Q–R–S. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Begin with P, which sets the scene by explaining the direction of attention during reading. Step 2: Follow with Q, which introduces the concept of self-awareness and contrasts its requirements with the type of attention used while reading. Step 3: Add R, which refines the argument by conceding that reading can give an intellectual, but not experiential, understanding of self-awareness. Step 4: Conclude with S, which emphasises that by continuously focusing on books, you may actually practise not paying attention to your own behaviour and emotions. Verification / Alternative check: Reading PQRS as a paragraph starts from what reading does (P), explains what self-awareness really needs (Q), makes a balanced comment about what books can and cannot do (R), and then draws a subtle conclusion about reading as practice in external focus (S). Other orders, such as QPSR, would begin with self-awareness without first mentioning reading, making some references to “a book” feel slightly abrupt or out of place. Why Other Options Are Wrong: - SQPR: Starting with S, which refers to “your attention in a book”, is awkward without first establishing that you are actually reading a book (P). - QPSR and QSPR: Bring in self-awareness before clearly setting up the reading context, and then shuffle the remaining sentences so the comparison is less clear. Common Pitfalls: When dealing with abstract topics like self-awareness, examinees may be tempted to start with sophisticated-sounding sentences that define the concept. However, this paragraph is specifically about reading versus self-awareness, so the opening needs to introduce reading first. Always check which sentence best establishes the context shared by all the others. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is PQRS.

Question 2

The following four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about the concept and origin of Yoga. Select the most logical order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para-jumble explains what Yoga is, where it originated, what the word means, and how it relates to mind and body. The sentences include historical information, etymology, philosophical meaning and practical description. A coherent paragraph must introduce Yoga, then expand on its name, spiritual significance and function as a discipline. Given Data / Assumptions: - P: Yoga is one of the ancient art forms which was originated in India thousand years ago. - Q: It is the connection of individual Soul to the Divine soul. - R: It is a Sanskrit word derived from Yuj which means to Unite in its ordinary sense. - S: It’s a system of mental and physical discipline which controls the mind and the body. - We need a sequence that begins with the historical introduction, then gives the word's origin, then the spiritual meaning, and finally describes Yoga as a discipline affecting mind and body. Concept / Approach: P naturally introduces Yoga, mentioning its ancient Indian origin. After introducing the practice, it makes sense to explain the origin of the word itself, which is done in R by deriving Yoga from the Sanskrit root “Yuj”, meaning “to unite”. Once that meaning is established, Q explains what is being united: the individual soul and the Divine soul. Finally, S describes Yoga practically as a system of mental and physical discipline that controls mind and body. The resulting order is P–R–Q–S. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Use P as the opening sentence because it introduces Yoga as an ancient art form originating in India. Step 2: Follow with R, which tells us that the word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit “Yuj”, meaning “to unite”, adding linguistic context. Step 3: Insert Q next, to explain that this “union” is between the individual soul and the Divine soul, giving the concept a spiritual dimension. Step 4: End with S, which describes Yoga as a system of mental and physical discipline that actually implements this philosophy by controlling mind and body. Verification / Alternative check: Reading PRQS as a paragraph introduces Yoga historically, then unpacks the literal and spiritual meaning of the term, and finally explains how it works as a discipline. Starting with Q or S would be less clear: Q speaks of “It” (Yoga) without having introduced what “It” is, and S calls Yoga a system of discipline without first giving any philosophical or historical background. Thus PRQS is both logical and informative. Why Other Options Are Wrong: - QPRS and SQPR: These begin with references to “It” without first naming Yoga properly and can confuse a reader who expects an introduction first. - SPQR: Starts with the practical description, then circles back to origin and philosophy, which is a less natural order for a short explanatory paragraph. Common Pitfalls: In concept-based para-jumbles, learners sometimes jump directly to deep philosophical statements, thinking they are more important. However, a well-structured explanation usually starts from the outer layer (history or definition), then moves inward to meaning and application. Keeping this in mind helps you quickly identify P and R as crucial early sentences in this paragraph. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is PRQS.

Question 3

The following four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about Indian savers, banks and debt options. Select the most logical order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para-jumble presents a short analysis of how Indian savers have shifted from real to financial assets, the menu of options they face, and how banks have behaved with deposit interest rates. The sentences talk about the savers' shift, the rise of equity-linked choices, the lack of debt options, and banks' responses to changing market rates. A logical paragraph should start with the broad trend among savers and then discuss the product landscape and bank behaviour. Given Data / Assumptions: - Q: Indian savers have made a decisive shift from real to financial assets in recent years prompted by policy nudges and sluggish gold and property markets. - S: But while umpteen new equity-linked options have sprung up on their menu – MFs, NPS, market-linked insurance plans – there’s a notable dearth of debt options. - P: Banks, which garner the lion’s share of retail debt allocations, pegged down their term deposit interest rates with alacrity by 200-250 basis points between 2014 and 2016 as market rates fell. - R: But they have been tardy in passing on the rate increases of the past year. - We want an order that first states the savers' shift, then the product mix, then bank action when rates fell, and finally bank inaction when rates rose. Concept / Approach: The narrative begins logically with Q, which sets up the main background: savers moving from real assets like gold and property to financial assets. S follows with “But while…”, which describes the resulting menu of financial products, highlighting many equity-linked options but few debt options. P then zooms in on banks, the main providers of retail debt products, and explains how they quickly cut deposit rates when market rates fell. R adds the contrasting point that banks have been slow to pass on more recent rate increases. This yields the coherent order Q–S–P–R. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with Q, which provides the big picture: a shift in Indian savers' preferences from real to financial assets. Step 2: Add S, which, using the connector “But while…”, discusses the composition of financial options now available, stressing a lack of debt choices despite many equity-based ones. Step 3: Insert P next, focusing on banks as the main providers of debt products and describing how they quickly reduced deposit rates when overall market rates fell. Step 4: Conclude with R, which contrasts P by stating that banks have been slow (“tardy”) to pass on recent rate increases, completing the argument about banks' asymmetric behaviour. Verification / Alternative check: Read QSPR in one go. First, you learn about savers' shift; next, the equity-heavy but debt-light menu they face; then, the banks' quick rate cuts; finally, their slow rate hikes. This forms a coherent economic commentary. If you start with P or S, you suddenly talk about banks or product menus without explaining why savers are important in this context, which weakens coherence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: - SRQP and SPQR: These begin with “But while…” or banks' behaviour without first describing the underlying shift in saving patterns, which is like starting in the middle of the story. - QRSP: Places the description of banks' slow rate hikes too early, breaking the clear contrast with their earlier quick rate cuts. Common Pitfalls: In economics-themed para-jumbles, look for a sentence that describes the broad trend or background, then sentences that begin with connectors like “But while”, “However”, or “But they” that introduce contrasts or additional details. Keeping an eye on these discourse markers will help you place sentences in the correct argumentative sequence quickly. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is QSPR.

Question 4

The following four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about making a gratitude list. Select the most logical order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para-jumble discusses the concept of a gratitude list: what it is, what it typically contains, how we often take such things for granted, and how the list can be extended. You must arrange the sentences so that the paragraph defines the idea, comments on our attitude, gives an illustrative example, and then notes that the list can go on. Given Data / Assumptions: - Q: The gratitude list is a list of those things that we have and that we are grateful for. - P: Most often, the things in this list are forgotten by us or taken for granted, as we continue to interact with the world on a daily basis. - R: A simple gratitude list would go thus: I am grateful for being alive, that I have a roof over my head and can afford two square meals, that I have work, that I am earning, that I don’t have any major disease etc. - S: This list is endless, and we can all keep adding our own small or big personal items to the list. - We need an order that first defines, then comments on attitude, then provides examples, and finally generalises the list’s open-ended nature. Concept / Approach: Q is the definition of a gratitude list, so it must come first. P logically follows because it comments on how we usually treat the things in this list – forgetting or taking them for granted. R then provides a concrete example of what such a list looks like in real life. S concludes by pointing out that the list can be endless and everyone can add more items. This makes the sequence Q–P–R–S the most coherent. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Use Q as the opening sentence since it gives the basic definition of a gratitude list. Step 2: Follow with P, which discusses how we often forget or undervalue the things on that list in daily life. Step 3: Insert R, which illustrates the idea with a sample list of statements expressing gratitude for life, shelter, food, work and health. Step 4: Finish with S, which highlights that the list can go on indefinitely and invites readers to think of their own items. Verification / Alternative check: Read QPRS as a completed paragraph. The reader first learns what a gratitude list is, then how such things are often unnoticed, then sees a specific example of such a list, and finally is told that the list can be endless. This order feels natural and persuasive. If you start with P or R, the definition of a gratitude list comes too late, and the paragraph feels disjointed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: - PQRS and PRQS: These begin with commentary or example without clearly defining the term, which is less effective for readers unfamiliar with the concept. - PQSR: Alters the placement of R and S so that the concluding sentence comes too early and the example feels tacked on at the end. Common Pitfalls: Definition-based paragraphs usually start with sentences that answer the implicit question “What is it?”. Once that is clear, the writer can criticise attitudes, give examples and then generalise. When solving para-jumbles, always locate the sentence that functions like a dictionary definition or clear explanation and consider it as your first candidate for the opening line. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is QPRS.

Question 5

The following four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about moral principles devised by sages. Select the most logical order.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para-jumble deals with the idea that principles of propriety and righteousness are not automatic products of human nature, but deliberate creations of sages based on observation and thought. The sentences talk about conscious evolution of behaviour, an analogy of a potter and clay, the sages' observations, and the conclusion that laws and systems come from that thinking. Your task is to arrange these sentences into a logically flowing argument. Given Data / Assumptions: - Q: A person’s behaviour evolves through conscious evolution. - R: When a potter pounds the clay and makes a vessel, it is the product of the artisan’s activity, not of his nature. - S: The sages observed activities and gathered ideas and thoughts, and thereafter introduced principles of propriety and righteousness and instituted laws and systems. - P: Therefore, these are products of the thinking by sages and not products of every man’s nature. - We want an order that first states that behaviour is consciously developed, then uses an analogy, then a description of the sages' role, and finally a concluding statement beginning with “Therefore”. Concept / Approach: The sequence should begin with a general statement about behaviour, proceed to an illustrative analogy, explain the sages' process, and then draw a conclusion. Q introduces the idea that behaviour evolves through conscious evolution, not automatic nature. R then presents the analogy of a potter shaping clay to show that some products are results of activity rather than nature. S connects this analogy to sages who carefully observed activities and designed principles and systems. P, which starts with “Therefore”, clearly functions as the concluding sentence, stating that these principles are products of sages' thinking, not of every person's nature. This gives the order Q–R–S–P. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Choose Q as the opening sentence because it states the central idea: behaviour evolves through conscious evolution. Step 2: Follow with R, which uses the analogy of a potter and clay to illustrate the difference between nature and product of activity. Step 3: Add S, which applies the analogy to sages, describing how they observed, thought and then created principles and institutions. Step 4: Conclude with P, which uses “Therefore” to draw the final inference that principles of propriety and righteousness are products of sages' thinking, not automatic products of every human being's nature. Verification / Alternative check: Reading QRSP as a complete paragraph, you first see the concept of consciously evolved behaviour, then a concrete analogy to clarify that concept, then a specific application to sages and moral systems, and finally a summarising conclusion. Any ordering that places P before S, or R before Q, disrupts either the logic of analogy or the flow from premise to conclusion. For example, starting with P (“Therefore…”) without establishing what the “therefore” refers to would be illogical. Why Other Options Are Wrong: - PQRS and PSQR: These place the conclusion (“Therefore…”) before the reasoning, making the paragraph feel backwards. - PRQS and RQPS: These either mix analogy and general statement in an awkward way or separate S and P, which need to appear near the end as reasoning and conclusion. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates overlook logical connectors such as “Therefore” and treat all sentences as equally likely starters. In argumentative para-jumbles, always identify words like “Thus”, “Therefore”, “Hence” or “As a result”; those sentences almost always belong at or near the end, not at the beginning. Similarly, analogies (like the potter and clay) usually come after the main idea they are meant to clarify. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is QRSP.

Question 6

Rearrange the four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S to form a coherent paragraph about the changing pattern of human disease. Then select the most logical order of the sentences from the options given below.  P: Modern medicine has scored significan…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is a classic sentence arrangement or para jumble item. Four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S talk about the changing pattern of human disease from infections and trauma to modern chronic degenerative diseases. The task is to arrange these sentences so that they form one smooth, logically connected paragraph. Given Data / Assumptions: R says that throughout human history the leading causes of death have been infection and trauma. P states that modern medicine has scored significant victories against infection and trauma and that chronic degenerative diseases are now the main causes of ill health and death. S explains that these chronic degenerative diseases have a long latency period before symptoms appear and a diagnosis is made. Q concludes that the majority of apparently healthy people are actually in a pre ill state. We assume that a coherent paragraph should move from historical background to present situation, then to explanation, and finally to a logical inference. Concept / Approach: The correct approach in para jumbles is to look for (a) an opening sentence that introduces the topic, (b) clear logical links such as pronouns and demonstratives, and (c) a concluding inference. Sentence R clearly introduces the topic with a time phrase throughout human history. Sentence P continues naturally by contrasting the past with the present after the advances of modern medicine. Sentence S refers back to the chronic degenerative diseases mentioned in P through the pronoun these. Finally, sentence Q draws a conclusion from S by using it follows that. Putting these observations together leads to the order R P S Q. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the best opening sentence. R is the only sentence that begins with a broad time frame throughout human history and sets up the background, so R should come first.Step 2: Look for a sentence that contrasts the historical situation with the present. P begins with modern medicine and describes the new pattern of disease, so it logically follows R, giving RP.Step 3: Observe the demonstrative pronoun these in S, which must refer back to the chronic degenerative diseases listed in P. Therefore S must follow P, giving RPS.Step 4: Sentence Q uses the connector it follows that to draw an inference from the information about latency periods and hidden disease risk in S. So Q comes last, giving the full order RPSQ.Step 5: Check the flow: R (past pattern) → P (present pattern) → S (key property of present diseases) → Q (conclusion about apparently healthy people). This is smooth and logically tight. Verification / Alternative check: Test competing options. If P is placed first, there is no prior context for the contrast between modern medicine and earlier times. If Q appears earlier, the phrase it follows that would lack a clear previous statement to follow from. Any order that puts S before P leaves the pronoun these without a proper noun phrase to refer to. Only RPSQ satisfies all pronoun references and gives a natural progression from history to conclusion, which confirms it as the best sequence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: PRQS starts with P and jumps backwards to R, which breaks the time sequence from past to present. PSQR makes P the opener and then gives S, but has no place to introduce infection and trauma as traditional killers. QRSP begins with a conclusion, which is unnatural and leaves the reader wondering what it follows from. None of these alternatives maintains both the historical contrast and the logical chain of reference that we see in RPSQ. Common Pitfalls: Many learners focus only on content words like disease or health and ignore linking phrases such as throughout human history, these and it follows that. In para jumbles, these linking words are often the strongest clues. A useful strategy is to first locate the global introduction and the clear conclusion, then arrange the remaining sentences using pronouns and logical connectors as guides. Final Answer: The most logical and coherent order of the sentences is RPSQ, so option A is correct.

Question 7

Rearrange the four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S to form a coherent paragraph about Type B malnutrition in developed countries. Then select the most logical order of the sentences from the options given below.  P: The incidence and severity of Ty…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This para jumble tests your ability to arrange four sentences on the topic of malnutrition in developed countries, specifically Type B malnutrition. The sentences mention national surveys, a distinction between Type A and Type B malnutrition, the inclusion of newer micronutrient groups, and low intake of those micronutrients. The goal is to build a logically connected mini paragraph. Given Data / Assumptions: R states that many national surveys reveal that malnutrition is common in developed countries. S clarifies that this is not the classical calorie or micronutrient deficiency seen in developing countries (Type A malnutrition), but multiple micronutrient depletion with calorie balance or excess (Type B malnutrition). P asserts that the incidence and severity of Type B malnutrition will appear worse if additional micronutrient groups like essential fatty acids, xanthophylls and flavonoids are included in surveys. Q notes that the commonly ingested levels of these micronutrients are far too low in many developed countries. We assume a good paragraph will introduce the problem, define it, then explain how evidence and specific nutrients make it look even more serious. Concept / Approach: The usual strategy for para jumbles is to find the opening sentence, track pronouns and referents, and identify cause effect or general specific relationships. R works as a natural opening because it introduces the surprising fact that malnutrition is common even in developed countries. S then explains what kind of malnutrition this is, explicitly contrasting Type A and Type B. P goes further by arguing that if we broaden the list of micronutrients considered, Type B malnutrition will look worse. Q then supports P by adding that the intake of these very micronutrients is already too low. This yields the order RSPQ. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Choose an introductory sentence. R is the only one that introduces the general finding of malnutrition in developed countries, so it is the best opener.Step 2: Look for a sentence that explains what kind of malnutrition R is talking about. S begins with This is not and contrasts Type A with Type B, so it must directly follow R, producing RS.Step 3: After defining Type B malnutrition in S, the paragraph naturally moves to how its incidence and severity will be evaluated. P directly mentions Type B malnutrition and survey design, so RS is followed by P, giving RSP.Step 4: Q refers back to these micronutrients mentioned in P and supplies the reason why including them in surveys will highlight more serious deficiency: their intake is far too low. Hence Q must follow P, giving RSPQ.Step 5: Read the combined paragraph RSPQ to confirm that it flows smoothly: surveys identify malnutrition, it is defined as Type B, then the measurement is widened, and finally low intakes make the problem appear worse. Verification / Alternative check: Check the competing options. SPQR starts with S, which uses This without any clear antecedent. PRQS starts with P, which refers to Type B without first introducing malnutrition in developed countries, so it lacks context. RQSP puts Q immediately after R, but the demonstrative This in S then has no clear reference. Only RSPQ preserves all pronoun references and builds an argument step by step, which verifies it as the correct order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: SPQR and PRQS both violate the natural sequence of introducing a phenomenon, defining it, and then discussing measurement and supporting data. RQSP mixes the explanation and evidence in an order that makes the reference to these micronutrients confusing. In all three incorrect orders, the cohesion between sentences is weaker and key connectors like This and these do not clearly link back to earlier ideas. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake with para jumbles is to focus too much on topic words like malnutrition or micronutrients and ignore logical markers such as This is not or these micronutrients. These small words signal the direction of the argument and the sequence in which ideas should appear. Training yourself to spot pronoun referents and contrast markers is one of the most reliable ways to solve this type of question accurately. Final Answer: The most coherent order of the four sentences is RSPQ, so option C is correct.

Question 8

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a short descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "fear of pain".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a one word substitution question from English vocabulary based on Greek roots used for different phobias. The phrase given is fear of pain. You have to identify which option correctly names this particular phobia. Such questions are common in competitive exams and help test how well you know specialised vocabulary built from classical roots. Given Data / Assumptions: The descriptive phrase is fear of pain. Option A: Mysophobia. Option B: Algophobia. Option C: Acrophobia. Option D: Homophobia. We assume that the options are standard English words formed from Greek roots, each referring to a different fear. Concept / Approach: Many English words for phobias are based on Greek. The suffix phobia means irrational fear of something. The key is to know or recall what each prefix stands for. The Greek root algo or algos relates to pain. Therefore, algophobia is the technical term for fear of pain. Myso refers to dirt or contamination, acro refers to heights, and homo here refers to same, used in the social context of homosexuality. Matching these roots with the phrase fear of pain leads to the correct choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Break down each option into its root and the suffix phobia. For example, algophobia is algo plus phobia.Step 2: Recall that algo is related to pain, as seen in words like analgesic, a medicine that removes pain.Step 3: Conclude that algophobia literally means fear of pain, which matches the phrase exactly.Step 4: Examine mysophobia. Myso is associated with dirt or contamination; mysophobia means fear of dirt or germs, not pain.Step 5: Look at acrophobia; acro refers to heights, so acrophobia is fear of heights. Homophobia refers to irrational fear or dislike of homosexuality. None of these fits fear of pain, so only algophobia is correct. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, test the words in example sentences. A person with algophobia may avoid any situation that could cause physical pain, such as medical procedures. A person with mysophobia might constantly wash hands due to fear of germs. Someone with acrophobia will avoid high places like tall buildings or bridges. Homophobia relates to negative attitudes towards homosexual people. Only the first example directly involves fear of pain, confirming that algophobia is the correct one word substitution for the phrase in the stem. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Mysophobia is incorrectly linked to pain if chosen. It specifically deals with fear of contamination, dirt, or germs. Acrophobia is limited to fear of heights and has no connection to pain as such, even though falling from a height might cause pain in real life. Homophobia is a social and psychological term related to prejudice towards homosexual people and is not used to describe a medical fear of pain. None of these options directly expresses fear of pain. Common Pitfalls: A major challenge with one word substitution questions on phobias is that learners may only be familiar with a few common ones like acrophobia or claustrophobia and then guess based on partial memory. Another trap is to focus only on the familiar sounding part of the word without analysing the root. A good exam strategy is to systematically learn the most frequent roots such as acro, mys, agor, and algo so that you can quickly decode new phobia words during the test. Final Answer: The one word that best substitutes the phrase fear of pain is Algophobia, so option B is correct.

Question 9

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a short descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "200th anniversary".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a one word substitution question about anniversaries and time intervals. The phrase given is 200th anniversary. You have to identify which word among the options correctly names the celebration of two hundred years. This type of question commonly appears in general English sections to test knowledge of numerical prefixes and time related vocabulary. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase given is 200th anniversary. Option A: Quadriennial. Option B: Bicentennial. Option C: Quinquennial. Option D: Bimillennial. We assume each word uses Latin based numerical prefixes like bi, quinque and so on, combined with roots that relate to years or centuries. Concept / Approach: The root cent in English often refers to a hundred, as in century which means one hundred years. The prefix bi means two. Thus, bicentennial refers to the 200th anniversary, that is, the completion of two hundred years since an event. Quadriennial combines quadri (four) and ennial (years) and refers to something happening every four years. Quinquennial refers to a five year period. Bimillennial would relate to two thousand years rather than two hundred years. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the number in the phrase: 200th tells us that the event marks two hundred years.Step 2: Identify the relevant number roots in the options. Bi suggests two, cent suggests hundred, mill suggests thousand, quadri suggests four, and quinque suggests five.Step 3: Combine bi plus cent to get two hundred, and note that bicentennial is widely used for 200 year celebrations.Step 4: Recognise that quadriennial refers to something occurring every four years, such as a quadriennial sports event, and is not about a 200 year anniversary.Step 5: Note that quinquennial refers to a period of five years, and bimillennial relates to two thousand years. Neither matches the idea of a 200th anniversary, so bicentennial is the only correct choice. Verification / Alternative check: Think of how these words appear in real contexts. Historic events like the adoption of a constitution or the founding of a city often have bicentennial celebrations two hundred years later. You may have read about bicentennial parades or bicentennial stamps issued in honour of 200 years. In contrast, a quinquennial plan is a five year plan, and quadriennial elections happen every four years. These uses confirm that bicentennial belongs with 200th anniversary, not the other options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Quadriennial is based on quadri meaning four and annus meaning year, and it describes an event that recurs every four years rather than an exact 200 year celebration. Quinquennial is tied to the number five and is used for five year periods or events. Bimillennial suggests two thousand years, such as a bimillennial celebration two millennia after an event. None of these alternatives expresses the idea of exactly two hundred years passing since a particular date. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse centennial and bicentennial or misinterpret the bi prefix as referring to two years instead of two units of a hundred years. It is helpful to remember a small set of related words together: centennial for 100 years, bicentennial for 200 years, tricentennial for 300 years, and so on. Linking these words with familiar events like national founding anniversaries can make them much easier to remember in exam conditions. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute for 200th anniversary is Bicentennial, so option B is correct.

Question 10

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a short descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "a short story with a clear moral lesson".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question focuses on a common literary term. The phrase given is a short story with a moral. You need to identify the single word that names a brief narrative used to teach a moral or spiritual lesson. Such words are frequently encountered in religious texts, fables and moral stories, so knowing them is valuable for both literature and general English exams. Given Data / Assumptions: The descriptive phrase is a short story with a clear moral lesson. Option A: Wobble. Option B: Parable. Option C: Scrabble. Option D: Affable. We assume that one of these is the recognised literary term for a brief instructive story. Concept / Approach: A parable is a short, simple story that illustrates a moral or spiritual lesson. It often uses everyday events and characters to convey deeper truths. Wobble means to move unsteadily, scrabble refers to scratching or scrambling and is also a board game, and affable means friendly or easy to talk to. Therefore, only parable fits the idea of a short moral story given in the stem. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key elements in the phrase: short story and moral.Step 2: Recall that religious texts and moral collections often contain parables, such as parables about kindness or forgiveness.Step 3: Match this memory with option B, parable, which is defined as a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson.Step 4: Check option A, wobble; it describes unsteady movement and has nothing to do with stories or morals.Step 5: Check options C and D, scrabble and affable, which relate to scratching or a game, and a pleasant personality, rather than moral narratives. Thus, parable is the only word that satisfies the description in the question. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences. You may read that a teacher shared a parable to teach honesty to children. The word wobble cannot substitute here because it refers to movement. Scrabble would suggest the board game rather than a lesson. Affable would be used to describe a person, as in an affable host, not a story. These substitution tests confirm that parable and only parable matches the phrase a short story with a moral. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wobble is a verb or noun indicating unsteady movement, such as a table that wobbles. Scrabble is used as a verb meaning to scratch or scramble or as the name of a word game; it does not relate to moral storytelling. Affable is an adjective describing someone who is friendly, good natured, and easy to talk to. None of these words carries the idea of a concise moral narrative that the stem clearly requires. Common Pitfalls: Because parable is not used very frequently in everyday conversation, some learners may confuse it with fable. Both refer to short stories with lessons, but fables often use animals as characters, while parables usually involve human characters and have a stronger spiritual or ethical focus. For the purpose of one word substitution, the exam setter has chosen parable to fit the given phrase, so that is the answer you should select. Final Answer: The one word that best substitutes the phrase a short story with a moral is Parable, so option B is correct.

Question 11

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "ceremonial dress with medals and ribbons worn at an official ceremony".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution item tests knowledge of a specific term for formal ceremonial dress. The phrase given describes dress with medals and ribbons worn at an official ceremony. You must choose the word that names the full set of special clothing, insignia and decorations worn on such occasions, often by officials, royalty or members of institutions. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase describes ceremonial dress with medals and ribbons worn at official ceremonies. Option A: Penicillia. Option B: Penetralia. Option C: Regalia. Option D: Basophilia. We assume one of these is the standard English word for ceremonial dress and ornaments that symbolise rank or office. Concept / Approach: The correct word is regalia. Regalia refers to the special clothes, symbols, medals and decorations that go with an office or order, particularly in formal ceremonies. Penicillia resembles the name of the antibiotic penicillin and is not relevant here. Penetralia refers to inner or secret parts of a place, such as a temple, and basophilia is a technical term in biology. Thus, only regalia matches the description of ceremonial dress with medals and ribbons. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core idea in the phrase: special dress and decorations used at formal official ceremonies.Step 2: Recall that regalia is the word for the emblems and clothing associated with high office or royalty, such as crowns, robes and medals.Step 3: Match this with option C, regalia, which is defined as the distinctive clothing and insignia of a king, institution or official.Step 4: Examine Penicillia and see that it is related to the name penicillin and is not a term for dress or ornaments.Step 5: Recognise that Penetralia describes inner or secret parts and basophilia is a scientific term. Neither fits the ceremonial clothing context, so regalia is the only suitable choice. Verification / Alternative check: Consider a typical example: At the convocation, university officials appeared in full academic regalia. Here, regalia clearly includes gowns, hoods, caps and medals. If we try to substitute Penicillia, Penetralia or basophilia into the same sentence, it no longer makes sense. This simple substitution check confirms that regalia is the established word for the set of ceremonial clothes and insignia described in the question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Penicillia is not a recognised standard English form and seems to be a distractor based on the name of an antibiotic. Penetralia refers to the innermost or most secret parts of a building or place, often used in literary or religious contexts. Basophilia comes from biology and refers to a property of cells or tissues that stain with basic dyes. All three options are unrelated to clothing, ceremonies or medals, so they cannot be correct here. Common Pitfalls: One risk in such questions is that the unfamiliar scientific sounding options may distract candidates who are unsure of the right answer. It is helpful to recognise reg as a root connected to rule and royalty, as in regal and regent. This connection can remind you that regalia refers to symbols of rule, including robes and medals. Keeping track of such word families greatly improves performance on vocabulary based questions. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute for ceremonial dress with medals and ribbons worn at official ceremonies is Regalia, so option C is correct.

Question 12

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "too extreme, vague or indefinite to be adequately described in words".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution item tests your ability to choose the correct adjective for something that cannot be adequately described. The phrase given is extreme or indefinite to be adequately described, which clearly points towards a word meaning beyond description. You have to select the option that naturally expresses this idea in standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase suggests that the thing is too extreme, vague or indefinite to be fully expressed in words. Option A: Ostensible. Option B: Indescribable. Option C: Impressionable. Option D: Conceivable. We assume that one of these adjectives directly conveys the sense of not being describable. Concept / Approach: The most direct and accurate word for something that cannot be properly put into words is indescribable. It means beyond description or impossible to describe adequately. Ostensible means apparent or seemingly true but not necessarily so. Impressionable describes someone who is easily influenced, and conceivable means that something can be imagined or thought of. Of these, only indescribable fits the idea of being too extreme or indefinite to be described. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea: the thing described in the phrase is beyond adequate description in words.Step 2: Recall the meaning of indescribable, which is used for experiences, feelings or beauty that words fail to capture fully.Step 3: Match this meaning with option B, indescribable, which literally contains describe and the negative prefix in.Step 4: Examine ostensible, which refers to something that appears to be real or true but may hide a different reality; it does not convey being beyond description.Step 5: Reject impressionable and conceivable as they describe a person or the possibility of imagining something, not the inability to describe it. Therefore, indescribable is the correct choice. Verification / Alternative check: Test the options in sample sentences. You can say The view from the mountain was indescribable, meaning that it was so beautiful that words were not enough. If you substitute ostensible, impressionable or conceivable, the sentence either becomes incorrect or changes meaning completely. The phrase an indescribable feeling is common in English and matches well with the idea in the stem, confirming that indescribable is the right answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Ostensible is used in contexts such as the ostensible reason for the visit, meaning the apparent or stated reason, not something beyond description. Impressionable applies to people, especially young people, who are easily influenced by others. Conceivable describes something that can be imagined or believed, often used in phrases like every conceivable option. None of them relates to the inability to describe something due to its extremity or vagueness. Common Pitfalls: Because indescribable directly contains describe, some test takers mistakenly think it is too obvious to be correct and start considering more complex sounding options. However, exam designers often include the straightforward choice. A good approach is always to match the core meaning first rather than overcomplicating. When the question clearly points to beyond description, indescribable is exactly the word that should come to mind. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is Indescribable, so option B is correct.

Question 13

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "the state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question deals with a political and legal term. The phrase given is the state of being deprived of a right or privilege, especially the right to vote. You must choose the single word that describes the condition in which citizens lose their voting rights or other important civic privileges. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase focuses on deprivation of rights, especially voting rights. Option A: Abolishment. Option B: Disenfranchisement. Option C: Abandonment. Option D: Abatement. We assume that one of these words is commonly used in the context of citizens losing the right to vote. Concept / Approach: The word enfranchise means to grant a person or group the right to vote. Adding the prefix dis gives disenfranchise, meaning to take away or deny that right. Disenfranchisement is the noun form that describes the condition of having been deprived of such rights. Abolishment refers to completely ending a practice or institution. Abandonment is giving up or leaving something, and abatement refers to reduction or lessening. Only disenfranchisement captures the specific idea of being deprived of rights, especially voting rights. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key element in the phrase: loss of a legal or civic right, particularly the right to vote.Step 2: Recall that enfranchisement is the granting of voting rights, for example during the extension of suffrage.Step 3: Note that disenfranchisement is the opposite, describing the condition where those rights have been taken away or denied.Step 4: Examine abolishment, which applies to cancelling laws or institutions, not primarily to removing rights from specific individuals.Step 5: Reject abandonment and abatement, which do not focus on rights or voting. This leaves disenfranchisement as the only precise answer. Verification / Alternative check: Look at example usages. A sentence like The new law led to the disenfranchisement of many poor voters clearly shows that the word deals with the loss of voting rights. Abolishment would be used in contexts such as the abolishment of a tax or a practice, and abandonment might describe leaving a project or place. Abatement is common in phrases like noise abatement. None of these match the idea of citizens being deprived of their right to vote, confirming that disenfranchisement is the correct substitution. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Abolishment refers to the act of ending or eliminating something entirely, such as the abolishment of slavery. It does not emphasise the removal of a right from certain people. Abandonment describes leaving something behind or giving it up, but it is usually voluntary and not tied to civic rights. Abatement means reduction, such as tax abatement or pollution abatement, and is not connected to the deprivation of voting rights. Therefore, these options are not accurate for the phrase in the question. Common Pitfalls: Because abolish is a strong word associated with ending injustices, some learners may mistakenly choose abolishment. However, the phrase in the stem highlights the condition of people who have lost a right, not the act of ending an institution. The presence of the root franchise in disenfranchisement is an important clue: franchise in politics is directly linked to voting rights, so its negative form naturally refers to losing that right. Final Answer: The one word that best substitutes the phrase is Disenfranchisement, so option B is correct.

Question 14

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "assembly or parliament in which no party has a clear majority".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution problem is based on political terminology. The phrase describes an assembly or parliament where no single party has a clear majority of seats. In many parliamentary systems this situation has a specific name, and that is the word you need to select from the options. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase is assembly or parliament in which no party has got clear majority. Option A: Clung. Option B: Hung. Option C: Pung. Option D: Dung. We assume that one of these words is the recognised term used in political reporting to describe such a parliament. Concept / Approach: The correct term is a hung parliament. This refers to a situation where no party or pre election coalition reaches the majority threshold required to form a government on its own. The word hung in this context suggests that the outcome is suspended or undecided because no side clearly wins. Clung is the past tense of cling, dung refers to animal waste, and pung is not a standard English word here. Therefore, hung is the only option that fits the description. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the situation described is common in multi party democracies and is often reported in news as a hung assembly or hung parliament.Step 2: Recall that the phrase hung parliament is used when no party gains an absolute majority of seats.Step 3: Match this directly with option B, hung, which completes the well known political term.Step 4: Examine clung, which is a verb form meaning held tightly and has no link to parliaments or elections.Step 5: Reject pung and dung, since they either are not meaningful in this context or refer to something completely different, such as animal droppings. Thus, hung is the correct choice. Verification / Alternative check: Think of example headlines: The election resulted in a hung parliament, forcing parties to negotiate a coalition. Substituting clung or dung would make no sense: clung parliament is not an accepted term and dung parliament is clearly wrong. The phrase hung parliament is standard in political discussion, which confirms that hung is the right one word substitute for the stem. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Clung is the past tense of cling and is used in sentences like The child clung to her mother. It does not function as a noun to describe a type of parliament. Pung is not a standard English noun in this context and appears only as a distractor. Dung is the solid waste of animals and is obviously unrelated to voting, seats or majorities. None of these words can correctly name a legislative body without a clear majority party. Common Pitfalls: Because the options all rhyme, some candidates may treat this as a spelling puzzle and overthink it. The safest strategy is to recall real life usage from newspapers and news channels, where terms like hung assembly and hung parliament are commonly used. When vocabulary questions echo phrases used in current affairs, connecting them to such remembered lines is often the fastest and most reliable way to answer. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is Hung, as in hung parliament, so option B is correct.

Question 15

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "a formal speech or piece of writing that expresses high praise for someone who has d…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks for a one word substitute for a very specific type of speech or writing. The phrase is a formal expression of praise for someone who has died. This situation commonly arises at funerals or memorial services, where friends, relatives or colleagues deliver a speech honouring the life and character of the deceased. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase refers to a formal speech or written piece praising a person who has died. Option A: Orology. Option B: Eulogy. Option C: Cytology. Option D: Misology. We assume one of these is the standard English term used for such speeches at funerals or memorials. Concept / Approach: The correct word is eulogy. It comes from Greek roots meaning good words and refers to a speech or written tribute praising someone, especially someone who has died. Orology is the study of mountains, cytology is the study of cells, and misology refers to a hatred of reasoning or argument. These are all technical terms unrelated to funeral speeches. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the main elements of the phrase: formal expression, praise, and someone who has died.Step 2: Recall that eulogies are commonly delivered at funerals, and many cultures use that exact term in news and literature.Step 3: Match this memory with option B, eulogy, which is defined as a formal speech honouring a person, especially one who has just died.Step 4: Examine orology, which relates to the study of mountains and has nothing to do with speeches.Step 5: Check cytology and misology and see that both are specialised academic terms unrelated to death or praise. Therefore, eulogy is the only option that fits the given description. Verification / Alternative check: Consider an example sentence: The family asked her oldest friend to deliver a eulogy at the memorial service. Trying to substitute orology, cytology or misology would produce nonsense sentences. Eulogy fits naturally in contexts of remembrance and praise after death. Reading obituaries and reports of state funerals often exposes this word, reinforcing its meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Orology, derived from the Greek word for mountain, appears in geography and geology contexts, not in funeral ceremonies. Cytology is a biological discipline focused on cells, used in medical and scientific writing. Misology refers to a dislike of rational argument or reasoning, and sometimes appears in philosophical discussions, not in speeches praising the dead. Because none of these options is connected to the idea of a formal tribute to a deceased person, they are all incorrect here. Common Pitfalls: Students can be distracted by the similar sounding endings in the options, such as ology, which generally indicates a field of study. Eulogy is slightly different because it ends in logy but does not mean study of something; instead, it is related to speaking well of someone. Remembering a small group of exceptions like eulogy, trilogy and apology can help you avoid assuming that every logy word is purely a scientific discipline. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is Eulogy, so option B is correct.

Question 16

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "a person who dies without making a legal will".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question comes from legal vocabulary. The phrase describes a person who dies without having made a valid will. In law, there is a specific term for such a person, and it appears frequently in discussions of inheritance and property distribution. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase is one who dies without will, meaning without a legal will. Option A: Abdicate. Option B: Intestate. Option C: Fortunate. Option D: Desperate. We assume one of these options is a standard legal term relating to succession and inheritance. Concept / Approach: The correct word is intestate. A person is said to die intestate if they die without leaving a valid will. Abdicate means to give up a position of power, fortunate means lucky, and desperate describes someone in extreme distress. None of these words has any direct legal connection to wills or property division after death. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the legal context suggested by the phrase, which is about wills and inheritance.Step 2: Recall that inheritance law distinguishes between testate succession (when a valid will exists) and intestate succession (when there is no will).Step 3: Recognise that intestate is used as an adjective and noun to mean a person who dies without leaving a legal will.Step 4: Eliminate abdicate, which refers to voluntarily giving up the throne or a high office and not to death without a will.Step 5: Reject fortunate and desperate because they relate to emotional or situational conditions rather than legal status at death. Thus, intestate is the precise one word substitute. Verification / Alternative check: Look at how the word is used in legal texts and newspapers: When a person dies intestate, their property is distributed according to the law of intestate succession. Substituting abdicate, fortunate or desperate in that sentence makes it absurd. This confirms that intestate is the correct technical term for the situation described in the stem. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Abdicate is used in sentences such as The king decided to abdicate the throne, which is about relinquishing power during life, not about death or wills. Fortunate and desperate are general adjectives describing good luck or extreme need, and they do not signal anything about legal documents or property distribution. They are clearly not equivalents for the phrase one who dies without will. Common Pitfalls: Because intestate is not widely used outside legal contexts, some candidates may not recognise it immediately. A helpful memory trick is to link testate (with a will) and intestate (without a will). The prefix in here has a negative sense, just as in words like incomplete or invalid. Once you see testate and intestate as a pair, the meaning becomes easier to remember. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is Intestate, so option B is correct.

Question 17

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "systematic study and analysis of election trends and voting behaviour".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution item asks for the name of a specialised field of study. The phrase given is systematic study of election trends, which clearly points to a discipline that analyses voting patterns, election results and political behaviour of voters. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase describes systematic study and analysis of election trends and voting behaviour. Option A: Archaeology. Option B: Psephology. Option C: Entomology. Option D: Eschatology. We assume one of these is the recognised name for the academic field that studies elections. Concept / Approach: The correct term is psephology. It comes from a Greek root related to pebbles that were used in ancient voting and now refers to the statistical study of elections and voting. Archaeology is the study of human history through material remains, entomology is the study of insects, and eschatology is the study of last things or end times in religion. None of these other options is connected to elections. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the domain: elections, voting trends and voter behaviour.Step 2: Recall that specialists who predict election outcomes by analysing opinion polls and past data are often called psephologists.Step 3: Match this with option B, psephology, the field devoted to such analysis.Step 4: Examine archaeology, which deals with fossils, artefacts and ancient sites, not modern elections.Step 5: Eliminate entomology and eschatology, which relate to insects and theological end times respectively. Therefore, psephology is the only correct substitute. Verification / Alternative check: Look at examples from media reports: Psephology has become an important tool for understanding voter preferences before elections. The phrase election psephology is sometimes used when discussing pre poll surveys and exit polls. Using archaeology, entomology or eschatology in this context would confuse the reader and clearly be wrong. This supports the choice of psephology as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Archaeology focuses on the physical remains of past human societies, such as pottery, tools and ruins, and does not involve the study of contemporary voting patterns. Entomology is a branch of zoology dealing with insects, for example studying bees or butterflies. Eschatology is a theological discipline that deals with beliefs about judgement, heaven, hell and the end of the world. None of these fields intersect with systematic analysis of election results and voter behaviour. Common Pitfalls: Because psephology is an uncommon word in everyday conversation, many candidates may not recognise it immediately. However, it often appears in exam oriented reading passages and in election season news coverage. A practical tip is to connect psephology with polls and predictions. Remembering that psephologists are the experts who appear on television explaining swing percentages will help fix the word in your memory. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute for systematic study of election trends is Psephology, so option B is correct.

Question 18

In the following English vocabulary question, you are given a descriptive phrase. Choose, from the four alternatives, the one word that best substitutes the phrase "a statement that is accepted as true without proof and used as a starting point for …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question comes from the language of mathematics and logic. The phrase describes a statement which is accepted as true without proof and then used as a basis for further reasoning or deduction. Such statements appear in geometry, algebra and philosophy and have a specific name. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase is a statement which is accepted as true without proof. Option A: Elegy. Option B: Axiom. Option C: Agenda. Option D: Almanac. We assume one of these words is the standard term used in mathematics and logic for foundational statements. Concept / Approach: The correct term is axiom. In mathematics and formal systems, axioms are basic statements assumed to be true without proof. From these axioms, theorems and other results are deduced. Elegy is a poem of serious reflection, often about death. Agenda is a list of items to be discussed at a meeting, and almanac is an annual publication containing information like calendars and statistics. Only axiom matches the logical meaning in the stem. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea: a statement accepted without proof that serves as a starting point for reasoning.Step 2: Recall school mathematics, where geometric results often begin from axioms or postulates.Step 3: Match this with option B, axiom, which is defined as a self evident truth or widely accepted principle used for further argument.Step 4: Examine option A, elegy, which is associated with poetry and mourning, not logic.Step 5: Eliminate agenda and almanac since they refer to lists of items and yearly reference books. They do not involve logical statements accepted without proof. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences: In Euclidean geometry, the parallel postulate is treated as an axiom. If you substitute elegy, agenda or almanac into this sentence, the result becomes meaningless. In contrast, axiom fits naturally, reinforcing that it is the correct term for the type of statement described in the question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Elegy is firmly rooted in literature and refers to a mournful poem, often about death, such as an elegy written after a tragedy. Agenda is a list or plan of things to be discussed or done, for example the agenda for a meeting. Almanac is a yearly publication containing calendars, tide tables and other data. None of these words carries any sense of foundational truth in logic or mathematics. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse axiom with maxim or adage. While maxim and adage are proverbs or wise sayings, an axiom has a more formal and technical flavour and is used mainly in mathematical and philosophical contexts. It is helpful to remember pairs like axiom and theorem, where axioms are assumed and theorems are proved, to keep the concepts clear in your mind. Final Answer: The one word that correctly substitutes the phrase is Axiom, so option B is correct.

Question 19

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: The granaries of India are trapped in a dangerous vicious cycle of input use, where increased dumping of f…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question checks your understanding of subject verb agreement and tense consistency in a complex sentence. The bracketed phrase has rendered describes the effect of increased dumping of fertiliser. You must decide whether this phrase is grammatically correct or whether one of the alternative verb forms expresses the idea more accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: The full sentence is: The granaries of India are trapped in a dangerous vicious cycle of input use, where increased dumping of fertiliser in the wrong combinations has rendered the soil incapable of regenerating itself, which in turn escalates input use. The bracketed part is has rendered. Options: have rendered, is rendered, had render, and No improvement. The subject of has rendered is the noun phrase increased dumping of fertiliser in the wrong combinations. Concept / Approach: Two grammar points are central here. First, subject verb agreement: the head noun dumping is singular, even though it is followed by a prepositional phrase of fertiliser in the wrong combinations. Therefore, the correct auxiliary is has, not have. Second, tense consistency: the main clause uses a present tense are trapped and the later clause uses escalates, so the present perfect has rendered is suitable to describe a past action with present result, namely soil that is now incapable of regenerating itself. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the true subject of the verb in the clause where increased dumping of fertiliser in the wrong combinations has rendered the soil incapable of regenerating itself.Step 2: Recognise that dumping is the main noun, and of fertiliser in the wrong combinations is only a qualifier, so the subject is singular.Step 3: Match singular subject with singular auxiliary has, making has rendered the correct present perfect form.Step 4: Evaluate have rendered; it would wrongly treat the subject as plural and violates subject verb agreement.Step 5: Reject is rendered (simple present passive) and had render (incorrect structure; past perfect would be had rendered). Given this, the original has rendered is both grammatically and stylistically correct, so No improvement is the right choice. Verification / Alternative check: Read the sentence aloud with each option. With have rendered, the clause sounds odd because increased dumping is treated as plural. With is rendered, the meaning shifts to a general statement rather than a completed action causing a current state. With had render, the grammar is clearly wrong. In contrast, has rendered neatly connects past overuse of fertiliser to the present condition of the soil. This reading confirms that the original phrasing does not need correction. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Have rendered disagrees with the singular subject dumping and so fails the basic agreement rule. Is rendered switches to a simple present passive construction that does not fit well with are trapped and escalates in the surrounding context. Had render is ungrammatical; a correct past perfect structure would be had rendered, but that form is not even presented as an option. Therefore, none of these alternatives improves the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Examinees sometimes become distracted by nearby plural nouns like combinations and incorrectly think that they control the verb. It is essential to isolate the true head noun of the subject phrase when checking agreement. Another common mistake is to over correct by changing a perfectly fine present perfect form to another tense simply because the question asks for an improvement. Always test whether the original actually has an error before choosing an alternative. Final Answer: The bracketed phrase has rendered is already correct, so the best choice is No improvement, and option D is correct.

Question 20

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: Mixed cropping should be encouraged both as a (hedge for) price risk and for its ecological benefits.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your knowledge of fixed prepositional collocations in English. The phrase hedge for price risk sounds slightly unnatural. You must identify the correct preposition that typically follows hedge when the verb or noun is used in the sense of protecting oneself against financial risk or uncertainty. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: Mixed cropping should be encouraged both as a hedge for price risk and for its ecological benefits. The bracketed part is hedge for. Options: hedge against, hedge of, hedge in, No improvement. We assume the intended meaning is that mixed cropping acts as a protection from price risk. Concept / Approach: In financial and general English, the fixed collocation is hedge against something, meaning to protect oneself from a possible loss or negative outcome. For example, farmers hedge against price fluctuations by diversifying crops. The preposition for is not usually used in this context. Hedge of refers to a physical hedge, hedge in means to restrict or surround, and No improvement would leave the non standard phrase hedge for unchanged. Therefore, hedge against is the correct improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the underlying meaning of hedge here: a measure taken to reduce the risk of loss from price fluctuations.Step 2: Recall common phrases such as hedge against inflation and hedge against currency risk.Step 3: Note that these always use against as the preposition after hedge when discussing risk.Step 4: Replace hedge for with hedge against in the sentence and check: Mixed cropping should be encouraged both as a hedge against price risk and for its ecological benefits now sounds natural and idiomatic.Step 5: Verify that hedge of and hedge in do not convey protection from risk. Hedge of would simply describe a hedge surrounding something, and hedge in means to confine or restrict. Thus, hedge against is the only suitable choice. Verification / Alternative check: Try substituting each option into the sentence. Hedge for price risk feels awkward and is not the usual expression in economics. Hedge of price risk is ungrammatical. Hedge in price risk suggests confinement rather than protection. Hedge against price risk fits both economic writing and standard English, reflecting how risk management is normally described. This substitution test confirms hedge against as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hedge of and hedge in fundamentally change the meaning from protecting against risk to describing physical surroundings or restriction. Leaving the phrase as hedge for does not match common usage and would likely be marked incorrect in a competitive exam that tests standard collocations. Because the question clearly focuses on the right preposition after hedge with risk, hedge against is the only acceptable option. Common Pitfalls: Many learners understand the general meaning of hedge but are uncertain about the specific preposition that should follow it. In English, risk related expressions often have fixed patterns: insure against, protect against, guard against, and similarly hedge against. Memorising these combinations through reading financial news articles can greatly improve accuracy in sentence improvement questions like this one. Final Answer: The correct phrase is hedge against price risk, so the bracketed part should be replaced with hedge against, making option A correct.

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