Question 1

The active voice sentence is "The cleaners sweep the streets everyday." Choose the option that best expresses this sentence in the passive voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks the transformation of a habitual simple present sentence in active voice into a simple present sentence in passive voice. The original sentence "The cleaners sweep the streets everyday" describes a regular duty. In the passive version, the focus shifts from "the cleaners" to "the streets" while keeping the idea of daily routine intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: The cleaners sweep the streets everyday. Subject: the cleaners. Object: the streets. Verb: sweep (simple present). Adverb of frequency: every day (daily routine). Concept / Approach: For simple present passive, we follow the pattern: subject (former object) + is/am/are + past participle. Here, "the streets" is plural, so we use "are swept." The agent "by the cleaners" is added at the end to show who does the sweeping. The phrase "every day" must be retained to show frequency and is usually placed at the end of the sentence, although it can also appear at the beginning for emphasis. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify "the streets" as the object that becomes the subject in the passive voice. Step 2: Convert the verb "sweep" (simple present) to its passive form: "are swept" for the plural subject. Step 3: Add the agent phrase "by the cleaners" to keep the information about who performs the action. Step 4: Place "every day" at the end of the sentence. The final passive sentence is: "The streets are swept by the cleaners every day." Verification / Alternative check: The sentence "The streets are swept by the cleaners every day" correctly uses simple present passive and preserves the sense that this is a daily routine. It reads naturally and matches the meaning of the original active sentence. The word order is standard and clear. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "Sweeping of the streets every day has been done by the cleaners." uses a clumsy nominalisation and present perfect tense rather than simple present, making it stylistically and grammatically unsuited for this transformation. Option C: "Every day the cleaners have been sweeping the streets." is present perfect continuous in active voice, not passive, and shifts the aspect of the action. Option D: "The streets have had been swept by the cleaners every day." is ungrammatical; the auxiliary sequence "have had been" is incorrect. Option E: "The streets were swept by the cleaners every day." uses simple past instead of simple present, changing the time reference to the past. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes change the tense when moving from active to passive, especially to past or perfect forms, which alters the meaning. Another issue is overcomplicating the sentence with "is done" or "has been done" structures, which are not needed when a straightforward passive form exists. Always maintain the original tense and use the simplest correct passive construction. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is The streets are swept by the cleaners every day.

Question 2

Four spellings of the same word are given. Choose the correctly spelt word that means "a shortage" or "insufficiency".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question tests the learner's knowledge of common English vocabulary related to quantity. The word being tested means a shortage or lack of something, especially when demand is high. Spelling questions are frequent in competitive exams because they check both vocabulary and careful attention to detail, since several options often sound similar when pronounced. Given Data / Assumptions: We are given five variants of a word: "Scarety," "Scarcity," "Scarsity," "Scarecity," and "Scarcety." Only one of these is a correct English spelling. The intended meaning is a shortage or an insufficient supply of something, such as water, food, or resources. Concept / Approach: The correct English word for a shortage is "scarcity." It is spelled S C A R C I T Y. Many distractor options play with sounds like "scare," "scar," and the suffixes "-city" or "-sity." The key is to recognise that "scarcity" comes from "scarce" (meaning rare or in short supply) plus the noun-forming suffix "-ity." Combining these gives "scarcity," not "scarsity" or "scarcety." Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the base adjective "scarce," which means rare or not plentiful. The related noun is formed by adding the suffix "-ity." Step 2: Attach the suffix correctly: "scarce" minus the silent "e" plus "-ity" becomes "scarcity." Step 3: Check each option letter by letter. "Scarcity" (S C A R C I T Y) matches the known correct spelling. Step 4: Confirm that the other variants either insert extra letters, change vowel patterns, or mix two words, which makes them non-standard and incorrect. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the spelling "scarcity" by remembering common collocations such as "water scarcity," "food scarcity," and "scarcity of jobs." Dictionaries and textbooks consistently list "scarcity" as the standard noun. None of the other spellings appear in formal English usage with the intended meaning of shortage or insufficient supply. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "Scarety" replaces "scar" with "scare" and drops the "c" before "ity," which is not a recognised English word. Option C: "Scarsity" looks close but incorrectly uses "sity" instead of "city," and it does not match the standard noun derived from "scarce." Option D: "Scarecity" mixes "scare" and "city," adding an extra "e" and producing a non-standard spelling. Option E: "Scarcety" replaces the "i" in "-ity" with an "e," resulting in a wrong ending that does not follow the usual suffix pattern. Common Pitfalls: Many students are misled by pronunciation and try to represent the sound "sir" or "ser" in the middle with different vowel combinations such as "sity," "city," or "sity." Others confuse the related adjective "scarce" with the noun "scarcity" and attempt to write "scarcety" or "scarsity." A good strategy is to memorise families of words: scarce (adjective), scarcity (noun), and scarcely (adverb). Understanding how suffixes like "-ity" convert adjectives to nouns will also help avoid mistakes. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word meaning a shortage or insufficiency is Scarcity.

Question 3

In the sentence "He was very kind enough to invite me," one part contains a grammatical error. Identify the part of the sentence that is incorrect.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions ask you to identify which segment of a sentence contains a grammatical or usage mistake. Here, the sentence "He was very kind enough to invite me" sounds awkward because of incorrect use of degree expressions. The task is to find the precise part that causes the error, which is a common test of knowledge about modifiers and intensifiers in English grammar. Given Data / Assumptions: Complete sentence: He was very kind enough to invite me. Segments for analysis: Part 1: He was Part 2: very kind enough Part 3: to invite me Part 4: No error We must choose the part that makes the sentence ungrammatical or unnatural. Concept / Approach: The key concept here is the use of intensifiers "very" and "enough." In standard English, "very" is used to intensify an adjective ("very kind"), and "enough" is used to indicate sufficiency ("kind enough"). Combining both "very" and "enough" before the same adjective ("very kind enough") is incorrect because it redundantly mixes two degrees of emphasis in one phrase. The correct expression is either "very kind" or "kind enough," but not both together. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine Part 1 "He was." This is grammatically fine as a subject plus linking verb. Step 2: Examine Part 2 "very kind enough." This expression combines two intensifiers before the adjective "kind," which is suspicious. Step 3: Examine Part 3 "to invite me." This infinitive phrase correctly explains the purpose of his kindness. Step 4: Conclude that the error lies in Part 2 because we should say either "He was very kind to invite me" or "He was kind enough to invite me," but not "very kind enough." Verification / Alternative check: If we correct the sentence, two acceptable versions emerge: "He was very kind to invite me" or "He was kind enough to invite me." Both are grammatically correct and natural in usage. The fact that removing either "very" or "enough" fixes the sentence confirms that their combination in Part 2 is the problematic element. The rest of the sentence does not need changes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "He was" is correct; subject and verb agree and there is no grammatical issue. Option C: "to invite me" properly follows the adjective phrase "kind enough" or "very kind" to express purpose, and it does not contain an error. Option D: "No error" is incorrect because we have clearly identified a grammatical problem in the phrase "very kind enough." Option E: "The whole sentence is correct as it is." is wrong because the sentence is not acceptable in standard English without revising the degree phrase. Common Pitfalls: Students often try to intensify a sentence by stacking multiple adverbs like "very" and "enough" without realising that certain words do not combine naturally. Another common mistake is thinking that more modifiers always express stronger emphasis and are therefore acceptable. In English, words like "enough" already carry a specific meaning of sufficiency, so adding "very" before them makes the phrase ungrammatical. It is better to choose one appropriate intensifier rather than using two conflicting ones. Final Answer: The erroneous part of the sentence is very kind enough.

Question 4

In the sentence "Police reports claim that substantial seizure of cocaine have been made in the last two months," one part contains an error in subject–verb agreement. Identify the incorrect part.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error spotting question focuses on subject–verb agreement in a complex noun phrase. The sentence "Police reports claim that substantial seizure of cocaine have been made in the last two months" sounds slightly off to a trained ear. The task is to find the segment where the verb form does not correctly match its subject in number, a very common area of testing in grammar-based examinations. Given Data / Assumptions: Complete sentence: Police reports claim that substantial seizure of cocaine have been made in the last two months. Key segments: Part 1: Police reports claim that Part 2: substantial seizure of cocaine have been made Part 3: in the last two months. Part 4: No error We must identify which part contains incorrect grammar, particularly focusing on agreement. Concept / Approach: The central rule is that the verb must agree with the true subject in number. In the phrase "substantial seizure of cocaine have been made," the head noun is "seizure," which is singular. The prepositional phrase "of cocaine" merely describes what is seized and does not change the number of the head noun. Therefore, the verb should be singular ("has been made"), not plural ("have been made"). The rest of the sentence is structurally sound. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the clause where the error may occur: "substantial seizure of cocaine have been made." Step 2: Find the true subject of the verb "have been made." The noun closest to the verb is "seizure," which is singular. Step 3: Note that the phrase "of cocaine" is a prepositional phrase modifying "seizure" and does not act as the subject. Step 4: Apply subject–verb agreement rules: a singular subject requires a singular verb, so "have been made" must change to "has been made." Therefore, Part 2 contains the error. Verification / Alternative check: If we correct the sentence, it becomes: "Police reports claim that substantial seizure of cocaine has been made in the last two months." This version sounds grammatically correct and respects the singular–plural relationship between "seizure" and "has been made." The rest of the structure stays unchanged, confirming that the only issue lay in the plural verb form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "Police reports claim that" is correct. "Police reports" is plural, so "claim" is the correct plural verb. Option C: "in the last two months." is a correct adverbial phrase of time and contains no subject–verb agreement issues. Option D: "No error" is incorrect because we have clearly identified an agreement error in Part 2. Option E: "The sentence is fully correct as written." is also wrong for the same reason; the verb form must be singular. Common Pitfalls: A very common mistake is to let the noun immediately after the preposition "of" influence the verb form. In phrases like "a list of items," "a bouquet of flowers," or "substantial seizure of cocaine," the true subject is the noun before "of" (list, bouquet, seizure). Many learners incorrectly match verbs to the plural noun that follows "of," resulting in errors like "a bouquet of flowers were" instead of "was." Always locate the head noun of the phrase and ensure the verb agrees with that noun, not with any noun inside a prepositional phrase. Final Answer: The incorrect part of the sentence is substantial seizure of cocaine have been made.

Question 5

In the following sentence, one numbered part contains a grammatical error. Identify the incorrect part, or choose option 4 if the sentence has no error: 1) Every conceivable race and nationality 2) had its shared of suffering 3) in the world wars 4)…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to locate a basic grammar error inside a long sentence that has been divided into numbered parts. Such questions are very common in competitive English exams because they check both comprehension and knowledge of standard usage in one shot. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is presented in four numbered parts as follows. Part 1 is Every conceivable race and nationality. Part 2 is had its shared of suffering. Part 3 is in the world wars. Part 4 represents the choice No error. The instruction says that exactly one part has an error, and the other parts are grammatically acceptable in normal written English. Concept / Approach: The key concept here is correct noun form after a possessive pronoun. After words like its, his, her, my, our and their, we normally use a noun, not a past participle. We also need to check subject verb agreement, tense, prepositions, and overall sentence sense. The phrase world wars is a standard historical reference that can be accepted without change. Therefore the most promising place to look for an error is the unusual phrase its shared of suffering. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read the complete sentence mentally as: Every conceivable race and nationality had its shared of suffering in the world wars.Second, check part 1. The phrase Every conceivable race and nationality is grammatically correct and nicely emphasises that all groups suffered.Third, check part 2. The word shared here is in the past form, but the structure requires the noun share after the possessive pronoun its. The correct phrase is had its share of suffering, not had its shared of suffering.Fourth, check part 3. The preposition in the world wars is appropriate and idiomatic, and there is no error of tense or agreement here.Fifth, once we have isolated the clear error in part 2, we select option 2 as the answer rather than No error in part 4. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the incorrect word shared with share and read the sentence again. Now it becomes Every conceivable race and nationality had its share of suffering in the world wars. This is a standard, natural sentence in English. No other changes are required. Since only part 2 needs correction and the meaning now becomes smooth and clear, our choice is confirmed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option 1 refers to the phrase Every conceivable race and nationality. This part is grammatically fine and expresses a wide range of groups, so it is not the error. Option 3 refers to in the world wars, which is the normal way to describe suffering during those conflicts, so this part is also correct. Option 4 represents No error, but we have already found a definite grammatical error in part 2, so No error cannot be chosen. Common Pitfalls: Many learners rush through error spotting questions and focus only on obvious subject verb agreement issues, overlooking subtler mistakes in word form. Another common mistake is to be carried away by overall meaning and ignore the exact grammar of each part. Some candidates also confuse share and shared because they sound similar, but their roles in the sentence are very different. Careful attention to the function of each word in the structure is essential for accuracy in this type of question. Final Answer: The incorrect part is 2, because the phrase should be had its share of suffering, not had its shared of suffering.

Question 6

Complete the sentence by choosing the most appropriate word in standard English: The criminal was ________ lest he should escape.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to choose the word that best completes a formal sentence about preventing a criminal from escaping. Such questions are designed to test not only knowledge of dictionary meanings but also awareness of collocations, that is, which words naturally go together in real English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is The criminal was ________ lest he should escape. The options are fetid, fettered, fettled, and feted. The structure lest he should escape tells us that some action was taken in advance to stop an escape. We therefore expect a verb or participle that describes restraining or securing the criminal, not praising or describing a smell. Concept / Approach: We first recall the meanings of similar looking words starting with fet. Fetid means foul smelling or having a bad odour. Fettered is the past participle of fetter, which means to chain or shackle someone, especially by the feet. Fettled comes from the phrase in fine fettle, meaning in good condition. Feted is the past participle of fete, which means to celebrate or honour someone. Only one of these meanings logically fits the idea of stopping a criminal from escaping. Step-by-Step Solution: First, test fetid in the blank: The criminal was fetid lest he should escape. This produces a strange meaning, because a bad smell does not by itself prevent escape.Second, test fettered: The criminal was fettered lest he should escape. This now makes sense because fettered means chained or bound to restrict movement.Third, test fettled: The criminal was fettled lest he should escape. This is not idiomatic, since fettled is rarely used alone in this way and relates to condition, not restraint.Fourth, test feted: The criminal was feted lest he should escape. This would mean he was celebrated so that he would not escape, which is illogical.Finally, compare all four trials and confirm that only fettered gives a logical and natural sentence in context. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify our choice by recalling common phrases from reading and media. Criminals, prisoners, and slaves are often described as being fettered, in fetters, or unfettered when free. This is a standard collocation in English. None of the other words typically takes a human object in this kind of legal or security context. Therefore, both meaning and real usage support the choice fettered. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fetid describes something that smells very bad, such as fetid water or fetid air. It does not describe a security measure. Fettled is mainly used in the expression in good fettle, meaning in good shape or condition, and is not used as a simple verb form before a human object. Feted means celebrated or honoured, as when a celebrity is feted by fans; this is the opposite of how a dangerous criminal is treated. As a result, these three options do not fit the logical meaning of the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Examinees often confuse words that look or sound similar, especially when they share the same root letters. In time pressure, a learner may pick any option that seems familiar without carefully checking its meaning against the sentence. Another pitfall is to ignore the deeper logic of the sentence and focus only on the grammar. Always check whether the completed sentence describes a realistic action or state. When you see constructions like lest he should escape, think of prevent, restrict, or secure, which will guide you toward fettered in this particular question. Final Answer: The correct word is fettered, so the completed sentence is The criminal was fettered lest he should escape.

Question 7

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and best expresses the idea that there is almost no opportunity for free and open inquiry.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your grasp of subtle differences in quantifiers in English, especially the contrast between little and a little, and your sense of natural phrasing in a complex sentence about public debate and cultural norms. The aim is to pick the version that is both grammatically correct and semantically accurate. Given Data / Assumptions: The core sentence talks about the amount of opportunity for free and open inquiry, and states that fundamental values and cultural norms remain largely unquestioned. The four options differ only in the opening phrase, such as there is little room or there is a little room. We assume the intended meaning is that almost no space exists for such inquiry, which is a negative situation. Concept / Approach: In English, little before an uncountable noun like room usually has a negative meaning, implying almost none. In contrast, a little suggests some positive amount, even if small. The definite article the is used when both speaker and listener have a specific, known item in mind, which does not apply here. We also check whether phrases like lessening room sound natural and idiomatic in standard written English when combined with remain largely unquestioned. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option A: There is little room for free and open inquiry, and fundamental values and cultural norms remain largely unquestioned. This is grammatically correct, and little room conveys the sense of scarce opportunity.Second, read option B: There is a little room for free and open inquiry. This suggests that some room does exist, which clashes with the strong negative idea that norms remain largely unquestioned.Third, read option C: There is the little room for free and open inquiry. The definite article the is unnatural here because no specific, previously mentioned room is being referred to.Fourth, read option D: There is lessening room for free and open inquiry. Although understandable, lessening room is clumsy, and the progressive idea of decrease does not match the permanent tone of remain largely unquestioned.Finally, compare all four options and confirm that only option A is both idiomatic and exactly aligned with the intended meaning. Verification / Alternative check: We can cross check by paraphrasing. Option A roughly means There is almost no opportunity for free and open inquiry. This fits well with the idea that fundamental values and cultural norms remain largely unquestioned, because if there is almost no chance for open questioning, those norms will naturally stay unchallenged. None of the other openings provide this strong negative emphasis while also sounding natural. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B softens the statement by implying that some space does exist, which weakens the criticism. Option C misuses the definite article and sounds ungrammatical. Option D uses an awkward phrase; native writers prefer expressions like there is less and less room or room is shrinking instead of lessening room. Therefore, these options either change the intended meaning or violate standard usage. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse little and a little because both involve small quantities. The key is that little usually has a negative flavour, while a little has a positive one. Another pitfall is ignoring natural collocations and writing mechanically correct but awkward phrases. Reading widely and noticing how native writers express such ideas can help you internalise idiomatic patterns like little room for debate and avoid clumsy constructions. Final Answer: The best sentence is There is little room for free and open inquiry, and fundamental values and cultural norms remain largely unquestioned.

Question 8

Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct and best expresses the idea that historians can reconstruct the story of Jesus without using the Bible itself.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on correct use of articles and prepositions with the word Bible and on natural coordination of phrases in a complex sentence about historical reconstruction. You must identify which version observes standard grammar and sounds like well edited academic English. Given Data / Assumptions: All four options express the same basic idea that historians can reconstruct much of the story of Jesus using only the testimony of other historians from his era, without relying on the religious text. The variations lie in expressions such as help of the Bible, help from Bible, and omissions of articles. We assume that the intended register is formal, so incomplete or telegraphic phrases are not acceptable. Concept / Approach: In English, the Bible is treated as a specific unique text, so it normally takes the definite article the. The preposition of is preferred with help when we refer to a source of assistance, as in with the help of the teacher, although help from is also possible with a noun phrase that includes an article. However, dropping the article altogether before Bible makes the phrase sound ungrammatical in standard usage. Good coordination also requires balanced phrases on both sides of and, such as without the help of the Bible and with just the views. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option A. It uses without the help of the Bible and with just the views, which is fully grammatical and balanced. This looks promising.Second, read option B. It says without the help from Bible, which omits the article before Bible and combines help from in an unusual way in this formal context.Third, read option C. It says without the help of Bible, again leaving out the required the before Bible and using by just the views, which is slightly clumsy.Fourth, read option D. It further shortens the phrases to without help of Bible and with just views, both of which sound incomplete and unidiomatic in careful writing.Finally, compare all four options. Only option A is fully grammatical, natural, and stylistically appropriate for academic discussion. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify our choice by trying to substitute similar phrases. For example, without the help of the teacher sounds normal, but without the help of teacher sounds bare. The same pattern applies to the Bible. Also, in academic prose, writers prefer longer, explicit phrases such as with just the views rather than compressed expressions like with just views, which sound conversational. Therefore, in both structure and tone, option A matches standard usage best. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B misuses help from with a bare noun Bible and thus sounds unnatural. Option C omits the definite article before Bible and combines help of with by just the views, which introduces awkwardness. Option D removes both articles, giving without help of Bible and with just views, which are not acceptable in formal writing. These errors in article use and collocation make the sentences inferior to option A. Common Pitfalls: Learners frequently overlook articles when reading quickly, especially before unique nouns like sun, earth, or Bible. In careful written English, however, these nouns often take the definite article. Another pitfall is to think that shorter always means better in editing. While concision is valuable, dropping essential small words can damage grammatical correctness and clarity. Always check whether each noun phrase has the necessary determiners, and whether paired phrases around a conjunction have matching structure. Final Answer: The correct sentence is Historians believe that much of the story of Jesus can be reconstructed without the help of the Bible and with just the views of historians who lived during his time.

Question 9

Choose the sentence that correctly and naturally describes an intricately engineered biological system like the human body.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your awareness of standard patterns after the word such in English, especially when comparing something specific like the human body with a general category. It also checks that you notice agreement between possessive pronouns and nouns, such as our and ours. Given Data / Assumptions: The core idea is that an intricately engineered biological system like the human body seems unlikely to have arisen purely from random changes. The versions differ in the use of such, such as, and in whether they follow these with the pronoun our or the pronoun ours. We assume that the intended style is formal, scientific, and grammatically precise. Concept / Approach: There are two common patterns with such in English. One is such a system as ours, where such is followed by a noun phrase and then as plus a possessive pronoun in independent form. Another is such a system as our body, where our directly modifies a noun. Using such and such as together before the same noun phrase is redundant and ungrammatical. Further, our must be followed by a noun, as in our system, while ours stands alone as a possessive pronoun that replaces a full noun phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option A. It uses such an intricately engineered bio system as ours, which is a well known and correct comparative structure.Second, read option B. It says such an intricately engineered bio system such as our. Here such and such as are both used and our is left without a following noun, so the phrase is faulty.Third, read option C. It drops the article an and still uses such and such as our with no noun after our, which creates two errors at once.Fourth, read option D. It says such intricately engineered bio system such as ours, which again repeats such and such as and also omits the article an before the singular noun system.Finally, compare all four options. Only option A applies the standard pattern such a system as ours with correct article use and pronoun form. Verification / Alternative check: We can test the pattern by replacing bio system with simple word system. Phrases like such a system as ours are common in formal writing and are easily found in serious prose. In contrast, such system such as our would always be edited in published material because of redundancy and the incomplete possessive. This confirms that option A is the only fully acceptable choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is wrong because it combines such with such as in a single continuous phrase and leaves the possessive pronoun our without a noun. Option C not only repeats such but also removes the article an before a singular count noun. Option D repeats such with such as and still lacks the required article. These combinations produce ungrammatical and unnatural phrases, so they cannot be chosen. Common Pitfalls: Students often overuse such as because they see it frequently in examples and lists. However, the construction such a system as ours is different and does not require such as. Another pitfall is confusion between our and ours. Remember that our always needs a noun after it, while ours replaces a full noun phrase previously understood from context. Keeping these small but important distinctions in mind will help you handle many similar questions in exams. Final Answer: The best version is At first glance, it seems implausible that such an intricately engineered bio system as ours could have come about merely as a result of random modifications.

Question 10

Choose the sentence that correctly and idiomatically uses the expression make light of difficulties.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement item revolves around the idiom make light of something, which means to treat a serious problem as if it were not important. The question examines both your knowledge of the fixed preposition in the idiom and your awareness of correct verb forms and word order in a complex sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The basic message is that Monu and Sonu tried to minimise their problems, but in reality the situation was bad. Options differ in how they combine make light, the preposition of, and the object their difficulties. One option also changes the verb form has attempted, which affects agreement with the compound subject Monu and Sonu. Concept / Approach: In standard English the idiom is make light of something, not make light something or make something light in this sense. When we say make light of their difficulties, we mean that they treat the difficulties as unimportant. Additionally, with the compound subject Monu and Sonu, the correct auxiliary in the past perfect or present perfect would be have, not has. In this sentence the simple past attempted is already correct and does not need to change. Step-by-Step Solution: First, examine option A: make light of their difficulties. This matches the idiom exactly and keeps the rest of the sentence intact.Second, examine option B: make their difficulties light. This changes the idiomatic structure into a literal and slightly odd phrase. It sounds as if they are physically making difficulties light in weight.Third, look at option C. It uses has attempted with Monu and Sonu, which creates a subject verb agreement error, and it still omits the preposition of.Fourth, look at option D. It keeps attempted, but uses make light their difficulties without of, which is not the standard idiom.Finally, compare all options. Only option A uses the correct idiom in a grammatical and natural sentence. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the idiom by recalling similar phrases, such as make light of a serious issue, make light of an accident, or do not make light of this warning. In all of these, the preposition of is always present. Expressions without of may appear in some very old or poetic texts, but they are not used in modern exam level English, so you should follow the standard pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B treats difficulties as an object complement of the adjective light and loses the idiomatic sense. Option C introduces a grammatical error by pairing has with a plural subject and still fails to include the necessary preposition. Option D is grammatically closer but still incomplete because native speakers say make light of something, not make light something in this context. For these reasons, options B, C, and D must be rejected. Common Pitfalls: Many students know the basic words in an idiom but forget or change the small connecting words, especially prepositions. However, in idioms these small words carry crucial meaning, and exam setters often target them. Another common issue is to change tense or agreement without any need, which creates new errors rather than fixing the original one. When improving a sentence, always ensure that the rest of the structure remains correct. Final Answer: The correct sentence is Monu and Sonu attempted to make light of their difficulties, but it was obvious that things were going badly for them.

Question 11

Choose the sentence that best describes the performance of the iPhone 8 Plus compared with earlier Plus models in terms of market share.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is about improving a sentence taken from a business or technology report. It tests how naturally you can express a comparison of early market share figures for three smartphone models while keeping the structure clear and grammatically correct. Given Data / Assumptions: The idea is that the iPhone 8 Plus has a market share of 0.4 percent, while the earlier iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus had early shares of 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent. The sentence should show that the newer model has topped or exceeded the early performance of the previous models. We assume that small stylistic edits are allowed as long as the meaning is kept intact. Concept / Approach: In English business writing, it is common to say that one product topped the early performance figures of another product, meaning it exceeded those figures. The verb top can take a direct object, such as topped the early performance figures. Prepositions like in before early performance or phrases like topped to perform early are not idiomatic. Therefore we look for a version where top has a clear and natural object. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option A. It says topped the early performance figures of the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus. This is grammatical and clearly links the verb topped with its object early performance figures.Second, read option B. It uses topped in early performance, which is less natural because topped usually takes a direct object rather than an in phrase in this context.Third, read option C. It says topped to perform early, which is ungrammatical and does not convey any clear meaning.Fourth, read option D. It uses topped in earlier performing, which is again unidiomatic and confusing, since earlier performing does not work here as a noun phrase.Finally, compare all four options. Only option A presents a smooth, professional sounding sentence that a real market analyst might write. Verification / Alternative check: We can test option A by simplifying the middle part. The wording the iPhone 8 Plus, which at 0.4 percent market share topped the early performance figures of the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus, which attracted 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent market share respectively is long but logically structured. If we strip some detail, we get the iPhone 8 Plus topped the early performance figures of the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus, which is perfectly acceptable. No other option reduces so neatly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B combines topped with in early performance, which does not match normal usage and sounds translated or forced. Option C uses topped to perform early, an incorrect pattern that confuses top with perform. Option D uses topped in earlier performing, which mixes verb and participle forms in a way that native writers would avoid. These phrases do not appear in standard business English, so they are not appropriate in a formal report. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes treat high level vocabulary like top, outperform, or exceed as if they could freely combine with any preposition. In reality, such verbs have preferred patterns that you must memorise from authentic reading. Another pitfall is ignoring the core grammar when distracted by many numbers in a sentence. Always identify the main subject, verb, and object and check if the basic skeleton is correct before worrying about the extra details. Final Answer: The best version is The only bright spot so far this year for Apple is its iPhone 8 Plus, which at 0.4 percent market share topped the early performance figures of the iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 6 Plus, which attracted 0.2 percent and 0.3 percent market share respectively.

Question 12

Choose the sentence that correctly uses prepositions to describe moving to the back of a booth and waiting there.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your sense of natural preposition choice and phrase structure in a narrative sentence. The characters are changing their physical position relative to a booth, and the sentence must clearly express that movement in idiomatic English. Given Data / Assumptions: The core situation is that some people hurry to a safer or more hidden position at the back of a booth and then wait until a malformed youth has gone away. The options change the prepositions to, for, and towards, and also change the noun phrase that describes the rear part of the booth. Concept / Approach: When we describe movement in English, we usually use verbs like hurry, go, or run followed by the preposition to or towards plus a clear place phrase. The phrase the back of the booth is more natural than the booth’s back in modern prose, although both can be used. The preposition for is generally not used directly with a destination in this kind of sentence. We are looking for a version that sounds like standard narrative English. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option A: They hurried to the booth’s back. This is understandable, but the possessive form the booth’s back is slightly stiff compared to the more usual back of the booth.Second, read option B: They hurried for towards the booth’s back. This combines for and towards in an ungrammatical way, so it must be rejected.Third, read option C: They hurried for the booth’s backing. Here backing is used incorrectly for back, and for remains a wrong preposition.Fourth, read option D: They hurried towards the back of the booth and waited for the malformed youth to disperse. This combines a natural motion verb with towards and the phrase the back of the booth, which is clear and idiomatic.Finally, compare the options. Option D gives the most natural and correct description in modern English. Verification / Alternative check: We can test common expressions in daily English: people hurry to the back of the hall, move to the back of the line, or go towards the back of the bus. All these patterns use to or towards plus the back of followed by a noun. The phrase the booth’s back is not wrong, but back of the booth aligns better with these standard patterns and therefore reads more smoothly to most readers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is grammatically acceptable but slightly awkward in style. In a strict exam context, however, the examiner usually wants the most natural wording, which is given in option D. Option B is clearly ungrammatical, since hurry for towards does not form a standard prepositional combination. Option C misuses backing, which refers to support or endorsement, not the rear of a physical object, and also uses the wrong preposition for. These flaws make B and C unsuitable choices. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overuse the preposition for because they associate it with purpose or destination, but in motion contexts to and towards are usually correct. Another pitfall is to rely too heavily on possessive apostrophe forms like booth’s back, which are more common in older or more literary writing. For clear modern English, it is often better to choose of phrases such as the back of the booth. Final Answer: The best sentence is They hurried towards the back of the booth and waited for the malformed youth to disperse.

Question 13

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the idiom rank and file to refer to ordinary members of a labour union.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the fixed idiom rank and file, which means the ordinary members of an organisation, as opposed to its leaders. The sentence also tests correct preposition use with the phrase have a bond with someone or something. Given Data / Assumptions: The intended sense is that the speaker lacks a special connection with the ordinary members of the Labour Union but does know some senior technical people. The incorrect original phrase rank and folder must be corrected to the standard expression. Any change that distorts that idiom or disturbs preposition patterns will be wrong. Concept / Approach: The idiom rank and file is a set phrase and should not be modified. It always appears as rank and file, not rank and folders, rank and portfolio, or other variations. The usual collocation is have a bond with or have no bond with, where with introduces the group. Therefore we look for an option that keeps with and inserts the exact idiom rank and file of the Labour Union. Step-by-Step Solution: First, read option C. It says rank and file of the Labour Union and keeps the preposition with, giving have any special bond with the rank and file of the Labour Union. This matches both idiom and grammar.Second, read option A. It says rank and folders, which is meaningless in this context and clearly wrong.Third, read option B. It says rank and portfolio, which mixes an idiom with an unrelated word. Portfolio refers to a set of investments or responsibilities, not ordinary members.Fourth, read option D. It changes the pattern to bond in the rank and file with the Labour Union, which is not standard usage and sounds clumsy.Finally, confirm that only option C supplies the correct idiom with correct preposition and natural word order. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify our choice by recalling common uses from newspapers and magazines. Writers often say the rank and file of the party, unrest among the rank and file, or support from the rank and file. In every case, rank and file is the exact phrase used to refer to ordinary members. When you mentally substitute the Labour Union for the party in those examples, option C fits perfectly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A creates a non existent expression rank and folders, which has no established meaning. Option B uses portfolio, which is a different concept altogether and does not combine with rank to form any idiom. Option D breaks the smooth pattern have a bond with and instead inserts in the rank and file with, which is not how native speakers construct such sentences. All these errors make the alternatives unacceptable. Common Pitfalls: Many exam candidates misread fixed expressions and try to guess their components based on spelling or sound, creating forms like rank and folders instead of rank and file. Another pitfall is overcomplicating preposition structures by adding extra words like in, when a simple with would do. To avoid such mistakes, learn idioms as complete units and memorise them in context, and always check whether a phrase you produce actually exists in standard usage. Final Answer: The correct sentence is Although I do not have any special bond with the rank and file of the Labour Union, I know some top engineers.

Question 14

Choose the sentence that correctly uses the expression a far cry from to compare city life and rural life.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This improvement question checks your control of the idiom a far cry from, which is used to say that one situation is very different from another. The sentence compares life in the centre of a huge city with life in the countryside, so the idiom is very appropriate if used correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: The key structure should be is a far cry from, followed by a noun or gerund phrase that describes the contrasting situation. Any replacement that changes from to than or that alters far cry into something else will likely be incorrect. The rest of the sentence, living in the rural countryside, is sound and does not need major alteration. Concept / Approach: In standard English we say something is a far cry from something else, not a far cry than or far cry than. The preposition from is essential in this idiom. We also avoid adding unnecessary verbs like ruing, which means regretting, because they change the meaning entirely. Therefore, we focus on the option that keeps is a far cry from as a fixed chunk and preserves the intended comparison. Step-by-Step Solution: First, look at option A: Living in the heart of New York city is certainly a far cry from living in the rural countryside. This uses the idiom exactly as it should be used.Second, examine option B: is a far cry than. This replaces from with than, which is wrong in this idiom.Third, examine option C: is certainly ruing living in the rural countryside. This introduces the verb ruing, which changes the meaning to regretting rather than comparing.Fourth, examine option D: is certainly far cry than. This removes the article a and again uses than instead of from, creating two separate grammar problems.Finally, confirm that only option A captures the correct idiom and keeps the sense of a strong contrast between city and rural life. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the idiom by recalling similar sentences: This small town is a far cry from the busy capital or His new job is a far cry from his old routine. In all such examples, the structure a far cry from remains fixed. If you substitute than, the sentences immediately sound wrong. This confirms that option A follows the established pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B misuses the preposition than, which normally follows adjectives like greater or different, not the idiom a far cry. Option C introduces a new verb ruing, which both changes the intended meaning and breaks the comparison structure. Option D removes the article and still uses than, leaving far cry than as an incorrect fragment. These deviations from standard idiomatic English make the options unsuitable. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake in idiom questions is to mix patterns. Students remember that than often follows comparative expressions and incorrectly attach it to idioms that actually require from. Another pitfall is to think that replacing words with rarer vocabulary such as ruing automatically improves a sentence. In reality, clarity and correctness matter more than unusual word choice. Always recall the full idiom as you have seen it in real reading. Final Answer: The correct sentence is Living in the heart of New York city is certainly a far cry from living in the rural countryside.

Question 15

The given sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about New Year celebrations, Christmas, and global suffering. Sentence 1 is fixed as the opening. Choose the most logical order of the remaining sentences A, B, C, and D.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a parajumble question based on a thought piece that links New Year celebrations, Christmas, homelessness, war, and the idea of foreign festivals. You are told that sentence 1 is fixed as the opening, and you must find the best sequence of the four labelled sentences A, B, C, and D that follows logically. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence 1 states that the new year 2018 has arrived and comments that nothing really seems to have changed despite firecrackers. Sentence D mentions New Year Eve coming close on the heels of Christmas and describes Christmas as commemorating the birth of a homeless child to poor refugees in a foreign place. Sentence C then refers back to this Christmas with the phrase That too, and highlights that it was celebrated despite a world where homeless people, children, refugees, and foreignness are often abused. Sentence A adds another layer by discussing regions where firecrackers are replaced by bombs and people struggle even for food or shelter. Sentence B introduces a group of fellow nationals who might accuse the writer of celebrating foreign festivals. Concept / Approach: Good paragraphs follow clear chains of reference. Pronouns like That too must refer back to a clearly identified event, and phrases like foreign festivals must connect to earlier mentions of foreign places and refugees. We also look for smooth thematic movement from personal observation to wider global reality and finally to national criticism. Step-by-Step Solution: First, attach sentence D directly after sentence 1. Sentence 1 talks about the new year and firecrackers, and D continues the New Year theme by placing New Year Eve close to Christmas, which fits naturally after the mention of celebrations.Second, note that sentence C begins with That too, which must refer to Christmas introduced in D. So C logically follows D and reflects on how Christmas was celebrated in a world that mistreats the homeless and refugees.Third, sentence A then broadens the idea of suffering by comparing firecrackers with bombs in many parts of the world and stressing that millions do not even have the luxury of fireworks because they are simply trying to survive. This continues the global social justice theme introduced in C.Fourth, sentence B finally brings the focus back to the writer’s own country, mentioning fellow nationals who might accuse the writer of celebrating foreign festivals. This ties back to the mention of a homeless child in a foreign place in sentence D and neatly connects foreign festivals with that idea.Thus the logical order after sentence 1 is D, then C, then A, then B, which is represented by choice DCAB. Verification / Alternative check: Check whether any other option can maintain correct references. If we start with A after 1, the phrase That too in C would have no clear reference. If we place B too early, the accusation of foreign festivals would appear before the paragraph has established the link between Christmas, homelessness, and foreignness. Only DCAB ensures that each pronoun and phrase points to a clear previous idea. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option BDCA begins with B, which introduces criticism of foreign festivals without first mentioning Christmas as a foreign festival associated with homelessness. Option ADCB places A before D, so when D mentions that New Year Eve came close on the heels of Christmas, this link feels abrupt and less natural. Option ADCB also misplaces C, making That too dangle. Option CDAB starts with C, where That too has no antecedent and confuses the reader from the start. Therefore, these orders break the logical flow of the paragraph. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates focus only on broad topic similarity and ignore fine details such as pronoun reference and the phrases this, that, or such. In parajumble questions, these small connectors are often key clues for ordering sentences. Another pitfall is to be swayed by strong opinions inside the text, such as the accusation about foreign festivals, and try to place them first even when the narrative has not yet built up to that point. Always trace references carefully to build a coherent chain. Final Answer: The most logical sequence after sentence 1 is D, C, A, B, so the correct answer is DCAB.

Question 16

The given sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about the symbolic anger of Shiva and the global anger of women in 2017. Sentence 1 is fixed as the opening. Choose the most logical order of sentences A, B, C, and D.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This parajumble links a mythological image from Hindu tradition with the modern movement of women speaking out against harassment and abuse. Sentence 1 about Shiva’s third eye is fixed at the beginning, and you must place A, B, C, and D in an order that makes sense as one continuous argument. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence 1 states that when Shiva opens the third eye it is a terrible warning for the cosmos. Sentence C explains this symbol by saying that it means he is angry enough to incinerate anything in his path. Sentences D and A describe the modern context of widespread anger. D speaks of a furious outpouring of rage across the world against men in various positions. A summarises this by stating that in somewhat similar fashion, in 2017 women across the world seemed to declare war on harassment, abuse, rape, inequality, and injustice. Sentence B then qualifies that anger is only one part of empowerment and notes that women also achieved many positive milestones. Concept / Approach: A coherent paragraph first explains its opening image, then draws a parallel, and finally adds nuances or qualifications. We need to connect the symbolic anger of Shiva to the real anger of women, and then temper that anger with a broader view of empowerment. We also look at connectors like in somewhat similar fashion and however, which signal logical relationships. Step-by-Step Solution: First, place sentence D immediately after sentence 1. Sentence 1 introduces the idea of terrible cosmic anger. D follows naturally by describing a furious outpouring of rage across the world, providing a modern echo of this cosmic anger.Second, sentence A begins with in somewhat similar fashion and explicitly mentions the year 2017 and women across the world declaring war on various injustices. This clearly refers back to the anger mentioned in sentence D and links it to the mythological image from sentence 1.Third, sentence C can be read as strengthening the symbolic connection by clearly explaining that Shiva’s open third eye means he is angry enough to destroy. Placed after A, it sharpens the parallel between divine anger and the intense human anger just described.Fourth, sentence B starts with the contrast marker however. It points out that anger is only one facet of empowerment and that 2017 also saw many positive achievements by women. This makes sense as a concluding sentence that balances the earlier focus on rage and war.Thus the most coherent order after sentence 1 is D, then A, then C, then B, which is encoded as DACB. Verification / Alternative check: Check the flow in full: sentence 1 invokes Shiva’s third eye; D immediately shows modern rage across the world; A names 2017 and lists the injustices women protested against; C clarifies that the third eye is a symbol of destructive anger; and B ends by broadening the picture to include achievements and empowerment. This reading has a clear thematic arc from symbol to parallel to explanation to qualification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option ABCD places A directly after sentence 1 without first clarifying the meaning of the third eye, making the phrase in somewhat similar fashion less grounded. Option CBDA begins with C, which explains the symbol, but then jumps to B and achievements before describing the global rage in D and the summary in A, which weakens the parallel. Option DBAC ends with C, so the explanation of the symbol appears too late, after the main discussion of women and empowerment. These orders feel less smooth and less logically structured than DACB. Common Pitfalls: Parajumble questions that mix myth and modern social issues can tempt learners to focus only on topic words such as women or empowerment and ignore the internal logic of connectors like in somewhat similar fashion or however. Another common mistake is to treat an explanation sentence like C as if it must always directly follow the opener, without considering how the rest of the paragraph builds a richer comparison. Always test complete sequences and read them as a single coherent piece. Final Answer: The most logical sequence after sentence 1 is D, A, C, B, so the correct answer is DACB.

Question 17

The given sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about system administrators reacting to major security flaws named Meltdown and Spectre. Sentence 1 is fixed as the opening. Choose the most logical order of sentences A, B, C, …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This parajumble is about system administrators reacting with dark humour to the discovery of serious security flaws. You must arrange the labelled sentences so that they form a clear narrative, starting from sentence 1 about an online forum where sysadmins are sharing gallows humour. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence 1 sets the scene on an online forum. Sentence A explains that they were discussing two security flaws called Meltdown and Spectre that affect any computer powered by processors from major chip designers. Sentence D clarifies that this means most modern devices, from smartphones to cloud servers. Sentences C and B then present two examples of gallows humour: one sysadmin posts a picture of a fire raging in a skip, and another jokes that computers were a mistake. Concept / Approach: A good paragraph first names the topic of discussion, then explains how big the problem is, and finally illustrates it with concrete examples and jokes. The sequence should move from general to specific and from factual explanation to humorous reaction. Pronouns like they must also have a clear antecedent in the immediately preceding context. Step-by-Step Solution: First, sentence A should follow sentence 1 because it answers the natural question what were they discussing. It specifies the flaws Meltdown and Spectre and notes that they affect machines using processors from Intel, AMD, ARM, and others.Second, sentence D logically comes after A because it unpacks the phrase that is most of them by listing examples such as smartphones, desktop PCs, game consoles, and cloud machines. This extends the explanation of the scale of the problem.Third, once the seriousness of the issue is established, sentence B can introduce one example of gallows humour in words, where someone comments that computers were a mistake.Fourth, sentence C then gives another humorous example, this time visual, where one user simply posts a picture of a fire raging in a skip. The two jokes together illustrate the mood described in sentence 1.Thus the most coherent order after sentence 1 is A, then D, then B, then C, which corresponds to the answer ADBC. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full paragraph with sequence 1, A, D, B, C. It introduces the forum, names the flaws, expands on how widespread they are, and then shows two different humorous reactions. This flows exactly like a short news explanation. In contrast, starting with jokes before the flaws are even named would make the humour harder to understand and reduce the clarity of the passage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option CBAD begins directly with one of the jokes, which is confusing before the reader knows what threat is being discussed. Option BCDA also leads with jokes and delays the explanation of Meltdown and Spectre until late in the paragraph, which weakens coherence. Option CADB places the picture before the explanation and the list of affected devices, interrupting the explanatory flow. In all these cases, the reader has to work harder to understand what the gallows humour is about. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes give too much weight to humour or striking images and try to place such sentences early in the order. However, in most expository writing, writers introduce and explain the problem before presenting reactions or examples. Another pitfall is to ignore referents such as that’s most of them, which clearly depends on a previous mention of items that can be counted. Always trace these pronouns back to their logical origins when ordering sentences. Final Answer: The correct sequence after sentence 1 is A, D, B, C, so the answer is ADBC.

Question 18

The given sentences, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph about recent signs of recovery in the Indian economy after major disruptions. Sentence 1 is fixed as the opening. Choose the most logical order of sentences A, B, C, and D.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This parajumble discusses the Indian economy and asks why it might appear to have returned to health. Sentence 1 suggests that one could think the economy is looking rosy again. The remaining sentences describe evidence of recovery and recall the two major disruptions that the economy had to overcome. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence C begins with It seems to have recovered from two enormous disruptions, clearly referring back to the Indian economy mentioned in sentence 1. Sentence A then specifies these disruptions as the decision to withdraw most currency in circulation and the poorly planned rollout of the new goods and services tax. Sentences B and D list positive indicators of recovery. B mentions the Purchasing Managers Index expanding at its fastest pace in five years and a credit rating upgrade. D states that exports are no longer declining and have even risen by 30 percent in the latest month of data. Concept / Approach: The logical structure of the paragraph is first to state that the economy appears healthy, then to say that it has recovered from serious shocks, then to identify those shocks, and finally to provide concrete output data that support the impression of recovery. We also watch for pronouns like it, which clearly refer to the economy mentioned in the previous sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: First, sentence C must follow sentence 1 because it continues the thought with it seems to have recovered, where it obviously refers to the Indian economy in the opener.Second, sentence A naturally comes after C because it spells out the two enormous disruptions just mentioned: the demonetisation move and the introduction of the goods and services tax.Third, after naming the disruptions, the paragraph should present evidence of recovery. Sentence D offers a clear data point about exports that supports the idea of improvement.Fourth, sentence B further reinforces this picture with other indicators, such as the Purchasing Managers Index and a rating agency upgrade.Therefore, the most coherent order after sentence 1 is C, A, D, B, which is captured by option CADB. Verification / Alternative check: Reading in order 1, C, A, D, B gives a smooth narrative: the economy seems to have recovered, it faced two disruptions, those disruptions are named, exports have improved, and an index plus a rating agency confirm the positive trend. By contrast, if we begin with A immediately after 1, the phrase two enormous disruptions in C would appear without clear reference later, and the paragraph would feel less tightly constructed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option ABDC starts with A before C, so the term two enormous disruptions appears in C after the details have already been given, which reverses the natural order. Option ACBD also misorders the explanation and uses the indicators before clearly framing the idea of recovery from disruptions. Option BCDA begins with B, jumping directly into data without first mentioning that the economy has recovered from anything, so the link to disruptions becomes weak. These sequences make the argument less coherent than CADB. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake in parajumble questions is to start with data rich sentences because they feel important. However, writers usually frame the issue first and then support it with numbers. Another pitfall is to ignore logical signposts like two enormous disruptions, which strongly suggest that an explanation is coming immediately afterwards. Always look for such signals when choosing the correct sequence. Final Answer: The correct sequence after sentence 1 is C, A, D, B, so the answer is CADB.

Question 19

Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: Chronic drought and food insecurity plague the Sahel, which is already one of the poorest regions in the world; moreover, the climate and geography of the region _______ regional communities to relat…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary based question asks you to choose a verb that fits both grammatically and logically in a sentence about the Sahel, a region facing chronic drought and food insecurity. The blank describes what the climate and geography do to local communities in terms of their connection to the wider world. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence says that the Sahel is already one of the poorest regions, and then adds that the climate and geography of the region lead communities to relative isolation. The blank is followed by regional communities to relative isolation, so the missing verb should combine naturally with an object and the preposition to. We also assume that the verb will express a negative effect, not a positive one, because the rest of the sentence focuses on hardship. Concept / Approach: The key is to understand subtle differences in meaning. Alleviate means to lessen or relieve, usually referring to suffering, so it would improve a bad situation. Relegate means to send or consign someone or something to a lower or more remote place, which fits with pushing communities into isolation. Downgrade means to reduce in importance or rank and is typically used with status or rating, not physical isolation. Transgress means to break a rule or boundary, which does not sit well with the preposition to and the object regional communities. Step-by-Step Solution: First, insert alleviate in the blank: the climate and geography of the region alleviate regional communities to relative isolation. This is ungrammatical and contradicts the negative context.Second, insert relegate: the climate and geography of the region relegate regional communities to relative isolation. This is grammatically correct and expresses that these factors push communities into an undesirable remote position.Third, insert downgrade: the climate and geography of the region downgrade regional communities to relative isolation. This sounds odd, because we generally downgrade ratings or positions, not geographical communities, and not to isolation.Fourth, insert transgress: the climate and geography of the region transgress regional communities to relative isolation. This is not a standard structure and does not convey any clear meaning.Comparing all four trials, relegate is the only verb that produces a natural, meaningful sentence. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify our choice by thinking of other contexts where relegate is used. For example, a team can be relegated to a lower division, or certain groups can be relegated to the margins of society. In each case, relegate to carries the sense of forced movement into a worse or more isolated position. This fits exactly with the idea of regional communities being pushed into relative isolation by harsh climate and geography. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Alleviate is wrong because it describes a positive relief of pain or difficulty, which clashes with the negative picture of drought, food insecurity, and isolation. Downgrade usually takes abstract objects such as credit ratings or software versions and does not naturally pair with communities to isolation. Transgress means to violate a law or boundary and normally takes a direct object such as rule or moral limit, so it cannot be followed by regional communities to relative isolation in any standard way. Common Pitfalls: Many learners guess based on partial familiarity with a word rather than checking full collocations. They may see the prefix trans or down and assume a negative sense without verifying whether the verb fits the grammatical frame of the sentence. Another pitfall is to ignore the preposition to, which strongly suggests verbs like consign, relegate, or reduce, rather than relieve or break. Always test each option by reading the complete sentence aloud in your mind. Final Answer: The correct verb is relegate, so the completed sentence is the climate and geography of the region relegate regional communities to relative isolation.

Question 20

In the following sentence, choose the word that best completes the meaning: My husband has listed me as the __________ of his life insurance policy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a common vocabulary question from everyday financial English. It tests whether you know the specific term used in insurance documents for the person who will receive the payout from a policy when a certain event occurs, such as the death of the insured person. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence says, My husband has listed me as the blank of his life insurance policy. This clearly refers to the official role assigned in the policy, not to general family relationships or inheritance law. The options are successor, beneficiary, heir, and inheritor, all of which relate to receiving something, but in slightly different contexts. Concept / Approach: In insurance terminology, the standard word is beneficiary. A beneficiary is the person or entity named to receive the benefits or proceeds of a policy, trust, or will. Successor is a broader term used for someone who takes over a position, office, or title. Heir and inheritor are more strongly associated with inheriting property or titles according to legal rules of succession, not with the specific naming in a policy document. Step-by-Step Solution: First, test successor. My husband has listed me as the successor of his life insurance policy sounds wrong, because people succeed to positions, not to policies.Second, test beneficiary. My husband has listed me as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy sounds exactly like standard phrasing used by insurers and financial planners.Third, test heir. My husband has listed me as the heir of his life insurance policy is not standard; heir is usually used for broader inheritance of estate, not for policy documentation.Fourth, test inheritor. This word is rarely used in everyday speech and again fits better with estates than with a specific policy form.Therefore, beneficiary is the only option that precisely matches both legal and everyday usage. Verification / Alternative check: Think about how insurance companies phrase their forms and brochures. They ask you to nominate or name a beneficiary, not an heir or successor, when you fill out a life policy application. Legal and financial guides also speak of beneficiary designation for retirement accounts and insurance. This consistent use across real world texts confirms that beneficiary is the expected choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Successor is used in sentences like She is the successor to the managing director, not in connection with insurance policies. Heir appears in contexts such as legal heir to the property, which is a broader legal concept and not tied to the wording of a policy. Inheritor is a less common synonym for heir and has the same limitation. Using any of these three in the given sentence would sound odd and out of place to a native speaker. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes ignore domain specific vocabulary and choose a more general synonym for receive or follow. However, exams frequently test whether you know the exact technical word used in particular fields like law, finance, or medicine. When you see a question that clearly belongs to a specialist domain, try to recall the precise term used in that context, rather than relying on a loose synonym. Final Answer: The correct word is beneficiary, so the completed sentence is My husband has listed me as the beneficiary of his life insurance policy.

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