Question 1

Rearrange the given parts of the sentence in the correct order to form a meaningful statement: We must urgently P) ethics that respects, and responds Q) humanely to, the strangers in our cities R) and consciously develop a new.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sentence rearrangement questions check a learner's ability to understand logical flow and syntactic structure. The sentence here is about developing a new ethics in relation to strangers in cities. The first part is fixed: "We must urgently," and the remaining segments P, Q, and R must be ordered correctly to complete the message. Given Data / Assumptions: Fixed beginning: "We must urgently" P: "ethics that respects, and responds" Q: "humanely to, the strangers in our cities" R: "and consciously develop a new" We must choose the order of R, P, Q that gives a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence. Concept / Approach: After "We must urgently," the sentence should continue with a verb phrase that expresses what we must do. Segment R begins "and consciously develop a new," which clearly contains the verb "develop" and directly continues the idea of what we must do. After that, we need an object for "develop," which should be "a new ethics that respects, and responds humanely to, the strangers in our cities." Segment P provides "ethics that respects, and responds," while segment Q completes the idea by specifying "humanely to, the strangers in our cities." Thus, the logical order after the start is R then P then Q. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Attach R after the opening: "We must urgently and consciously develop a new..." This gives us a clear verb phrase and sounds natural. Step 2: After "develop a new," we need the noun phrase that names what we are developing. Segment P begins with "ethics that respects, and responds," which fits immediately. Step 3: The phrase in P is incomplete without specifying to whom it responds; Q, "humanely to, the strangers in our cities," completes this idea. Step 4: Combine them: "We must urgently and consciously develop a new ethics that respects, and responds humanely to, the strangers in our cities." Step 5: This order corresponds to R P Q, written as RPQ. Verification / Alternative check: If we try other orders, the sentence breaks down. For example, starting with P after the opening gives "We must urgently ethics that respects, and responds," which is ungrammatical because a verb is missing. Starting with Q gives "We must urgently humanely to, the strangers in our cities," which makes no sense. Only R provides the verb "develop," which is needed after "We must urgently." Once R is chosen, placing P then Q produces a smooth and meaningful sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (RQP): "We must urgently and consciously develop a new humanely to, the strangers in our cities ethics that respects, and responds" is clearly ungrammatical. Option C (PQR): starts directly with "ethics that respects," leaving no main verb after "We must urgently." Option D (QRP): begins "We must urgently humanely to," which is not a valid continuation. Option E (PRQ): again fails to introduce the verb immediately after "We must urgently." Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus solely on whether two segments connect grammatically, ignoring the need for a main verb early in the sentence. A good strategy is first to find which segment can logically follow the fixed start, especially looking for a main verb. Then, use meaning and collocations to arrange the remaining parts. Here, recognising that "develop a new ethics" must be introduced by R is the key step. Final Answer: The correct order is RPQ, forming the sentence: "We must urgently and consciously develop a new ethics that respects, and responds humanely to, the strangers in our cities."

Question 2

Change the following sentence from active to passive voice: "I took the grinder yesterday." Choose the correct passive form.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice transformation questions check understanding of how to change sentences from active to passive while keeping tense, meaning, and time reference intact. The given sentence "I took the grinder yesterday." is in simple past tense and uses a direct object "the grinder." The task is to convert this to passive voice correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: I took the grinder yesterday. Subject: I. Object: the grinder. Verb: took (simple past of "take"). Time adverbial: yesterday. Concept / Approach: To form the passive voice for simple past tense, we use the pattern: subject (former object) + was/were + past participle of the main verb. Here, the object "the grinder" becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Since "grinder" is singular, we use "was." The past participle of "take" is "taken." The agent "by me" is added to show who performed the action, and the time word "yesterday" is kept at the end. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object "the grinder" in the active sentence; it will become the subject of the passive sentence. Step 2: Recognise that the tense is simple past ("took"), so the passive auxiliary must be "was" for a singular subject. Step 3: Use the past participle "taken" after "was." Step 4: Add the agent phrase "by me" to show who took the grinder. Step 5: Place "yesterday" at the end, giving: "The grinder was taken by me yesterday." Verification / Alternative check: The resulting sentence "The grinder was taken by me yesterday." clearly expresses the same information as the original: the object (grinder), the person performing the action (me), the action (take in past), and the time (yesterday). The tense remains simple past, now expressed through the passive structure "was taken." Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "The grinder had been taken by me yesterday." uses past perfect tense, which does not match the simple past of the original sentence. Option C: "The grinder was took by me yesterday." is incorrect because "took" is used instead of the past participle "taken." Option D: "The grinder was taken yesterday by myself." misuses "myself," which is a reflexive pronoun and sounds unnatural here; the standard is "by me." Option E: "The grinder was being taken by me yesterday." uses past continuous passive, suggesting an action in progress, which does not match the simple completed action in the original. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse simple past passive with past perfect passive or continuous passive forms. Another common mistake is incorrect use of verb forms, such as "was took" instead of "was taken." Remember that passive constructions always use the past participle, not the simple past form. Also, be careful with pronouns; in the agent phrase, standard English prefers "by me" rather than "by myself" unless emphasis is required. Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is The grinder was taken by me yesterday.

Question 3

Choose the correct meaning of the idiom "to go the extra mile".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be understood simply by looking at the individual words. The phrase "to go the extra mile" is widely used in everyday English, especially in workplace and customer service contexts. It does not literally refer to walking an additional mile; instead, it has a figurative meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "to go the extra mile." We must select the option that correctly explains its intended sense. Options include ideas about special effort, bonuses, getting lost, vehicles, and delaying journeys. Concept / Approach: "To go the extra mile" means to put in more effort than is strictly necessary, expected, or required in order to achieve something or to help someone. It often implies doing something additional or exceptional to ensure success or satisfaction. The idiom is commonly applied to employees who give outstanding service, students who work extra hard, or anyone who makes special sacrifices to achieve a goal. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall typical usage: "She really went the extra mile to help her customers," or "If you want to succeed, you must go the extra mile in your preparation." Step 2: Compare each option with this idea. Option A describes "to make a special effort to achieve something," which exactly matches the sense of the idiom. Step 3: Note that options about bonuses, getting lost, or cars do not relate to effort or going beyond expectations. Step 4: Conclude that Option A correctly captures the figurative meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Try replacing the idiom with Option A in a sample sentence. "Our teacher always goes the extra mile to explain difficult topics" becomes "Our teacher always makes a special effort to explain difficult topics." The sentence still makes perfect sense. Substituting any other option, such as "to get an unexpected bonus" or "a vehicle which is very fuel efficient," would break the meaning of the sentence and sound absurd. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: "to get an unexpected bonus" describes a reward, not the act of putting in extra effort. Option C: "to lose one's way and walk aimlessly" is unrelated and focuses on being lost, not on working harder. Option D: "a vehicle which is very fuel efficient" refers to cars, not to human effort or behaviour. Option E: "to delay starting an important journey" implies procrastination, which is almost the opposite of taking extra initiative. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes learners try to interpret idioms literally, imagining an extra kilometre or mile of travel. This leads to choosing options connected with walking, vehicles, or journeys. However, idioms must be understood as whole units with conventional meanings. A good strategy is to memorise idioms in example sentences so that their figurative sense becomes familiar. Final Answer: The idiom "to go the extra mile" means to make a special effort to achieve something.

Question 4

In the sentence "The prince and princess made their way through the cheering crowd.", identify the part that contains an error, if any.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions require careful examination of each segment of a sentence. In this case, the sentence describes two royal persons moving through a crowd. We have to check for subject–verb agreement, pronoun usage, and prepositional phrases to see whether any part contains a grammatical mistake. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: The prince and princess made their way through the cheering crowd. Segments: Part A: "The prince and princess" Part B: "made their way" Part C: "through the cheering crowd." Part D: "No error" We must decide whether any of Parts A, B, or C has an error, or whether the sentence is fully correct. Concept / Approach: First, check subject–verb agreement. "The prince and princess" is a compound subject joined by "and," which is plural, so it correctly takes the plural verb "made." Next, examine pronoun agreement: since there are two people, the pronoun "their" is appropriate as the plural possessive pronoun. Finally, inspect the prepositional phrase "through the cheering crowd," which is grammatically correct and idiomatic to describe movement within a group of people. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Analyse Part A: "The prince and princess." This correctly names two individuals and forms a plural subject. Step 2: Analyse Part B: "made their way." The verb "made" is plural past tense and agrees with the plural subject. The expression "make one's way" is idiomatic and correctly adapted to the plural "their." Step 3: Analyse Part C: "through the cheering crowd." This prepositional phrase correctly describes how they moved, and "cheering crowd" is a natural collocation. Step 4: Since no grammatical or idiomatic error appears in any of the segments, the correct choice is "No error." Verification / Alternative check: Try to rephrase the sentence while preserving meaning: "The prince and princess walked through the cheering crowd," or "The prince and princess moved through the cheering crowd." Both alternative versions confirm that the original structure is correct and fluent. There is no issue with tense, number, or pronoun agreement, and the preposition "through" is the right choice for describing movement inside a crowd. Why Other Options Are Wrong (as error choices): Option A: "The prince and princess" is correctly formed and does not require an article between the two nouns. Option B: "made their way" is a well known idiomatic phrase meaning "proceeded" or "moved along," and the pronoun "their" agrees in number with the compound subject. Option C: "through the cheering crowd." is grammatically sound and contextually appropriate. Option E: "The entire sentence is correct as written." is essentially another way of saying "No error," but the standard exam key uses the labelled "No error" option. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes candidates suspect an error simply because the sentence seems too easy or because they overthink the structure. Another common confusion arises with pronouns when two singular nouns are joined by "and"; remember that "prince and princess" together require plural verbs and plural pronouns like "they" or "their." Recognising standard idioms such as "make one's way" also helps to avoid false alarms. Final Answer: The sentence is grammatically correct, so the right choice is No error.

Question 5

In English vocabulary, select the synonym that best expresses the meaning of the word "shimmering".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to select the synonym that best expresses the meaning of the word "shimmering". Such questions are very common in competitive exams and measure how precisely you understand subtle differences between similar looking words. Knowing the exact shade of meaning of a word helps in reading comprehension as well as in effective writing. Here, you must identify which option most accurately captures the idea of light that flickers, gleams, or glows with a soft, wavering effect, which is what "shimmering" typically conveys. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "shimmering". You must choose one synonym from the given options. Each option is a single word in English. Only one option correctly matches the meaning of "shimmering". Concept / Approach: To solve synonym questions, you should start by recalling the core idea of the word in question. "Shimmering" usually describes light that glows or shines with a soft, sometimes flickering or wavering quality, such as moonlight on water or heat rising from a road. Once you have the core meaning in mind, compare each option and see which one can be used in a similar context. A good synonym should be substitutable in most typical sentences that use the word, without changing the overall meaning or tone. Words that describe personality, intelligence, or behavior are unlikely to be correct here because "shimmering" is typically visual and related to light or appearance. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "shimmering" means shining or gleaming with a soft, wavering, or flickering light. Step 2: Examine option "stolid". "Stolid" refers to someone who shows little or no emotion, calm, and impassive. It is about personality, not light. Step 3: Examine option "glinting". "Glinting" means shining with quick flashes of light or giving off small, bright reflections. This clearly relates to light and visual appearance. Step 4: Examine option "daft". "Daft" means silly or foolish, referring to a person or behavior, not to light or visual effect. Step 5: Examine option "daffy". "Daffy" also means silly or crazy in a light hearted way and is again about personality, not light. Step 6: Compare all meanings. Only "glinting" has a meaning close to a visual shining effect, so it is the best synonym for "shimmering". Verification / Alternative check: A quick substitution test can be used. Imagine a phrase like "shimmering surface of the lake". If we replace "shimmering" with each option, only "glinting surface of the lake" still makes sense and preserves the idea of reflected or flickering light. "Stolid surface of the lake", "daft surface of the lake", or "daffy surface of the lake" sound wrong because they do not describe light or appearance. This substitution confirms that "glinting" fits the sense of "shimmering" in both meaning and usage. Therefore, "glinting" is the correct synonym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Stolid" is wrong because it describes a person who is unemotional or impassive; it does not relate to light or visual sparkle. "Daft" is wrong because it means silly or foolish, again describing a person or behavior rather than a visual effect. "Daffy" is similar to "daft", meaning silly or slightly crazy, and is also unrelated to shining light. None of these three words can naturally replace "shimmering" in typical sentences without changing the meaning completely. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to guess based on sound rather than meaning. Some candidates may be tempted by unusual words like "daffy" simply because they look distinctive or unfamiliar. Others may not recall the exact meaning of "stolid" and might wrongly assume it has something to do with solid or steady light. Always focus on the exact dictionary meaning and on how the word is used in real sentences. Looking for the core idea of the target word and matching that idea with the options is the safest strategy for synonym questions. Final Answer: The word that best matches the meaning of "shimmering" is glinting.

Question 6

In this sentence completion question on basic chemistry, choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The enzyme was the _____________ that triggered the chemical reaction."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of a common scientific term used in chemistry and biology. The sentence describes an enzyme that triggers a chemical reaction. You are asked to choose the most appropriate word to fill in the blank. Enzymes are biological molecules that play a very specific role in reactions, so this is essentially a vocabulary question about basic science concepts. Knowing what enzymes do in the body or in a laboratory helps you decide which option fits both the meaning and the context of the sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: "The enzyme was the _____________ that triggered the chemical reaction." The context is scientific, related to chemical reactions. Options are "catalyst", "support", "encouragement", and "incitation". Exactly one word must correctly describe the role of an enzyme. Concept / Approach: In chemistry, a catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed itself in the overall process. Enzymes are natural biological catalysts that speed up reactions in living organisms. Therefore, if an enzyme triggers or speeds up a chemical reaction, the precise technical word that describes its role is "catalyst". The approach is to recall this scientific definition and test which option fits that definition. The other options may look somewhat related but do not have the specific technical meaning needed here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall what an enzyme is. An enzyme is a biological molecule, usually a protein, that speeds up chemical reactions in cells. Step 2: Recall the definition of "catalyst". A catalyst is any substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being permanently changed. Step 3: Compare this with the sentence. The enzyme "triggered the chemical reaction", which means it helped start or speed up the reaction. Step 4: Check option "catalyst". This matches the exact scientific role of an enzyme. Step 5: Check option "support". This is a general word meaning help or assistance, but it is not a technical term for something that speeds up a reaction. Step 6: Check option "encouragement". This usually refers to giving someone confidence or motivation, often used with people, not chemical reactions. Step 7: Check option "incitation". This comes from "incite" and means to provoke or stir up, usually used for actions or emotions, not as a standard scientific term for chemical reactions. Step 8: Conclude that "catalyst" is the only correct and precise term in this scientific context. Verification / Alternative check: You can double check by rewriting the sentence with each option. "The enzyme was the catalyst that triggered the chemical reaction" sounds correct and would be accepted in any science textbook. However, "The enzyme was the support that triggered the chemical reaction" is awkward and imprecise. "Encouragement" and "incitation" clearly do not fit a technical chemistry statement. An enzyme is never described in professional science writing as encouragement or incitation. This confirms that only "catalyst" works logically and stylistically. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Support" is too vague and does not refer specifically to the speeding up of a reaction. "Encouragement" is a psychological or emotional term, mainly used in human or social contexts, not in chemistry. "Incitation" describes provoking action but is not a standard scientific label for the role of a substance in a reaction. None of these words accurately expresses the defined function of an enzyme in triggering a chemical reaction, so they are all incorrect in this context. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is selecting a word that sounds dramatic or strong, such as "incitation", without thinking about whether it is the accepted technical term. In science questions, the most accurate technical word is usually preferred over more general or emotional language. Another pitfall is to ignore your prior knowledge from school science lessons and treat this purely as an English question. Here, combining vocabulary skills with basic scientific understanding is essential to arrive at the correct answer. Final Answer: The enzyme that triggered the chemical reaction is best described as a catalyst.

Question 7

In English spelling, four possible forms of a word are given. Select the correctly spelt word from the options below.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a straightforward spelling question that asks you to identify the one correctly spelt word from four options. Spelling questions test your familiarity with standard English forms, especially for words that may sound similar or have confusing combinations of vowels and consonants. Here, all four options look somewhat plausible at first glance, so you must rely on your memory of correct spellings or your understanding of word formation patterns in English. Given Data / Assumptions: You are given four spellings: "adendum", "atlantise", "inovate", and "abseiled". Exactly one of these words is spelled correctly according to standard English usage. The task is to choose the correctly spelt word, not necessarily the most common word in everyday speech. Concept / Approach: The correct approach is to examine each word and connect it with any familiar base word. "Abseiled" is the past tense of "abseil", a term often used in climbing, meaning to descend a rock face using a rope. The past tense is formed by adding "ed" to the base word "abseil", giving "abseiled". The other options appear to be modified forms of real words but with incorrect spellings, such as "addendum", "Atlantis", and "innovate". Recognising the correct base words and their standard spellings will guide you to the correct option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Look at "adendum". It seems related to the word "addendum", which refers to an addition at the end of a document. The correct spelling has two d letters and a u: "addendum". So "adendum" is incorrect. Step 2: Look at "atlantise". It appears to be a distorted form of "Atlantis" or "Atlantic". The ending "ise" makes it odd, and there is no standard English word "atlantise" in common usage. So it is incorrect. Step 3: Look at "inovate". This resembles the verb "innovate", which means to introduce something new. The correct spelling has double n: "innovate". So "inovate" is incorrect. Step 4: Look at "abseiled". The base word "abseil" is correctly spelled with "abseil". Adding "ed" to form the past tense produces "abseiled", which matches standard English spelling. Step 5: Conclude that the only correctly spelt word among the four options is "abseiled". Verification / Alternative check: You can verify by checking how these words would appear in a good dictionary or by recalling when you might have seen them in printed text. "Addendum" and "innovate" are fairly common academic or professional terms, and both use double consonants that are missing in the options given. "Atlantise" does not match any widely accepted standard word, while "abseiled" clearly matches the known form from mountaineering and adventure sports. This reinforces the conclusion that "abseiled" is correctly spelt. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Adendum" is wrong because it omits one d and the u from "addendum". "Atlantise" is not standard and seems to mix elements of "Atlantis" and the suffix "ise" without forming a recognised word. "Inovate" is incorrect because the correct spelling of the verb is "innovate" with two n letters. Each of these three options contains a spelling error, either by missing letters or by using an incorrect suffix. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often rely only on sound and ignore common spelling patterns. For instance, many English words that derive from Latin roots retain double consonants, such as "addition", "innovation", and "address". Forgetting these patterns leads to errors like "adition" or "inovate". When unsure, think about related words and how they are spelt, such as "innovation" for "innovate". This habit helps you eliminate incorrect spellings even if you are not one hundred percent sure of the correct one. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is abseiled.

Question 8

In English vocabulary, select the synonym that best expresses the meaning of the word "bounder".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a vocabulary question about the word "bounder". It asks you to choose the option that is closest in meaning to this word. "Bounder" is a somewhat old fashioned English term that still appears in literature and exams. It typically refers to a man whose behaviour is socially unacceptable, rude, or lacking in manners. To answer correctly, you must know or infer this meaning and then match it with the most suitable option among the choices given. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "bounder". The options are "lout", "mediocre", "done", and "decorous". Exactly one option must be the closest synonym in meaning. The context is social behaviour and character, not physical boundaries. Concept / Approach: "Bounder" is used to describe a person, usually a man, whose manners and conduct are considered disgraceful, rude, or socially offensive. It often suggests someone who does not respect social norms or polite behaviour. When you look at the options, you need to find a word that is also used for an ill mannered or boorish person. Words related to quality level, completeness, or politeness will not match. The strategy is to think of the semantic field of behaviour and manners and ignore options that clearly belong to different domains. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "bounder" refers to a socially unacceptable, ill mannered, or obnoxious person. Step 2: Examine "lout". A "lout" is a rude, aggressive, or uncouth man, someone who behaves in a bad manner. Step 3: Examine "mediocre". This word means average or of only moderate quality. It describes quality, not behaviour or manners. Step 4: Examine "done". This simply means finished or completed, and has nothing to do with personality or behaviour. Step 5: Examine "decorous". "Decorous" means showing good taste and proper, polite behaviour. Step 6: Compare all options with the idea of an ill mannered man. Only "lout" matches the sense of rude and socially offensive behaviour. Verification / Alternative check: A quick way to verify is to imagine a sentence from a novel: "Everyone at the party thought he was a complete bounder." If we replace "bounder" with "lout", the sentence still makes sense: "Everyone at the party thought he was a complete lout." Replacing with "mediocre" or "done" makes no sense, and "decorous" would be the opposite meaning, since it implies polite and proper behaviour. This substitution exercise clearly confirms that "lout" is the intended synonym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Mediocre" is wrong because it relates to average or second rate quality, not to social behaviour. "Done" is wrong because it refers to completion of an action or task and is unrelated to descriptions of character. "Decorous" is particularly wrong because it suggests good manners and propriety, which is the opposite of what "bounder" implies. Since "bounder" is negative and "decorous" is positive, they cannot be synonyms. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to select a word just because it appears more familiar, without carefully considering its meaning. Many candidates know "mediocre" and "done" but may be less certain about "lout" and "bounder". However, exams often test precisely such less common but important words. Another pitfall is assuming that a word with a formal or elegant sound like "decorous" must be correct, when in fact the original word has a negative tone. Always pay attention to whether the tone is positive or negative and whether it fits the context of the word being tested. Final Answer: The synonym that best expresses the meaning of "bounder" is lout.

Question 9

Four spellings of a word meaning "to lessen or relieve pain or suffering" are given. Choose the correctly spelt word from the options below.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of correct English spelling for a common verb that means to lessen or relieve pain, suffering, or difficulty. In competitive exams, you often see several words that look similar but only one matches the standard dictionary spelling. Here, the options are all variations of the same sounding word, and you must identify the correct arrangement of letters. Given Data / Assumptions: Four spellings are given: "Alleviate", "Allaviate", "Alliveate", and "Allaevate". All four are capitalised, but you should focus on the internal spelling pattern. Exactly one option is the correct standard spelling. The meaning of the word is to reduce or ease something, for example to alleviate pain. Concept / Approach: The correct word is "alleviate", which means to make suffering, a problem, or pain less severe. It is spelled a l l e v i a t e. When solving such questions, it helps to recall the word in context, such as "medicines that alleviate pain" or "policies that alleviate poverty". Recognising familiar fragments like "levi" in the middle of the word can also confirm the correct choice. The other options try to distract you by changing vowels and the position of letters, but they do not match any standard English word. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Remember the correct spelling of the verb meaning to ease pain or distress: "alleviate". Step 2: Compare each given option with this known spelling. Step 3: Option "Alleviate" matches perfectly: A l l e v i a t e. Step 4: Option "Allaviate" replaces the second e with an a, giving "lava" instead of "levi" in the middle, which is incorrect. Step 5: Option "Alliveate" uses "livea" rather than "levia", which again does not match the standard spelling. Step 6: Option "Allaevate" mixes the vowels in an unnatural pattern "aev", which is not how the word is spelled in standard English. Step 7: Conclude that only "Alleviate" is correctly spelt. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify by thinking of related forms, such as "alleviation". This noun form is spelled a l l e v i a t i o n, which again contains "levi" at its core. Neither "allaviation", "alliveation", nor "allaevation" exists as standard forms. This consistency across related words confirms that "Alleviate" is the only correct spelling here. Additionally, spell checkers and dictionaries recognise "alleviate" as valid and mark the other variants as errors. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Allaviate" is wrong because it distorts the vowel pattern and does not correspond to any recognised English verb. "Alliveate" wrongly introduces "live" instead of "lev", changing the internal structure in a way that breaks the original word. "Allaevate" uses an unusual cluster of vowels "aev" which is not found in the correct form and looks unnatural. All three are typical distractors designed to confuse candidates who rely only on sound and not on visual memory of spelling. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to over rely on phonetics. Because many English vowels have similar sounds, options that merely shuffle vowels can still sound almost correct when read aloud. Another pitfall is ignoring patterns from word families. Observing related words such as "elevate", "levity", and "alleviation" can reinforce the correct internal pattern "levi". Building a habit of noticing such roots and families makes spelling questions easier over time. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is Alleviate.

Question 10

In this idiom based question, choose the option that best explains the phrase "would not be caught dead" as used in the sentence about an outfit the speaker strongly rejects.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of an English idiom. The phrase "would not be caught dead" is used in a sentence where the speaker insists that they would never wear a particular outfit. Idiom questions require you to grasp the figurative meaning of a phrase rather than interpreting it literally. You must pick the option that explains what the speaker really means about the outfit and their attitude toward it. Given Data / Assumptions: The original example sentence states that the speaker would not be caught dead wearing an outfit and compares it to something even the grandmother would not wear. The idiom in focus is "would not be caught dead". Four explanatory options are provided. Exactly one option must correctly capture the idiomatic sense without changing the overall meaning. Concept / Approach: The idiom "would not be caught dead" means that a person is so opposed to doing something or wearing something that they would avoid it under any circumstances. It implies strong dislike, embarrassment, or shame associated with that action or object. The person is saying that even in the worst hypothetical situation, they still would not do it. The best explanation among the options will express this strong rejection and dislike, without introducing ideas that are not clearly suggested in the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Restate the meaning of the idiom. "Would not be caught dead" means to never want to do something because of strong dislike or embarrassment. Step 2: Examine option A. It says that the outfit is classy but the speaker does not prefer wearing it. This weakens the force of the idiom and adds a detail about the outfit being classy, which is not stated. Step 3: Examine option B. It emphasises shame and disapproval from others, which is partly true, but it adds the idea that people would disapprove, which is not clearly mentioned in the original sentence. Step 4: Examine option C. It simply states that the speaker dislikes wearing the particular outfit. This captures the basic idea of strong dislike in a clear and direct way. Step 5: Examine option D. It reads the phrase literally and says that wearing the outfit will not kill her. This completely misses the figurative meaning of the idiom. Step 6: Compare all options. Option C most accurately reflects the idiomatic meaning without adding unnecessary assumptions. Verification / Alternative check: Consider how the idiom is used in other sentences. For example, "He would not be caught dead singing in public" clearly means he strongly dislikes that idea and is too embarrassed to do it. Similarly, in the given sentence, the speaker is emphasising how unattractive or unsuitable the outfit is to her. Option C, which states that the speaker dislikes the outfit, fits this pattern closely. Options A and B introduce extra details, while option D misinterprets the expression literally, so they are less accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incorrect because it suggests the outfit is classy, which is not mentioned in the original sentence, and it softens the strong refusal into a mild preference. Option B over emphasises external disapproval by people around her. While shame and disapproval can be part of the idiom, the passage itself focuses on the speaker personal dislike, especially with the humorous reference to the grandmother. Option D is wrong because it treats the expression as if it is about actual death, ignoring the figurative usage that is common in everyday English. Common Pitfalls: Many learners misinterpret idioms literally or focus on extra details that are not supported by the text. Another common error is choosing the most dramatic sounding explanation, even if it adds new ideas. To avoid these pitfalls, always ask yourself what the speaker attitude really is and which option captures that attitude in the simplest, most direct way. With idioms like "would not be caught dead", it is safer to connect the phrase to strong personal dislike or embarrassment rather than to physical danger or actual death. Final Answer: The option that best explains the idiom "would not be caught dead" in this context is The speaker dislikes wearing the particular outfit.

Question 11

In this idiom and phrase question, choose the option that best explains the expression "method in his madness" as used in the sentence about a presentation.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the idiomatic expression "method in his madness". The expression is used when someone appears to be acting in a strange or irrational manner, but there is actually a logical plan or purpose behind their actions. You are given a sentence about a presentation and must pick the option that correctly explains the meaning of the idiom as used in that sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence describes a person whose behaviour at the start of a presentation seems odd or irrational. Four explanatory options are given, each trying to capture what the phrase implies. Only one option should match the well known idiomatic meaning. Concept / Approach: The idiom "there is method in his madness" means that although someone behaviour appears crazy, foolish, or disorganised, there is actually a clear strategy or rational goal hidden beneath the surface. In the context of a presentation, it suggests that what initially looked confusing or nonsensical later turns out to be purposeful and well thought out. The correct option must therefore mention both the apparent absurdity and the eventual discovery of a rational purpose or structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Restate the idea of the idiom. It describes hidden logic behind apparently mad actions. Step 2: Examine option A. It says he deliberately chose to be vague and absurd. This focuses on deliberate vagueness but does not clearly mention that there was a rational purpose discovered later. Step 3: Examine option B. It states that although the presentation appeared absurd at first, the audience eventually realised that he had a rational purpose behind it. This captures both the initial confusion and the later understanding. Step 4: Examine option C. It simply notes a stark difference between the start and the conclusion but does not mention hidden logic or planning. Step 5: Examine option D. It suggests that he was not in his senses and presented awkwardly, which supports the idea of madness but ignores the idea of method or rational plan. Step 6: Conclude that option B most accurately reflects the meaning of the idiom in this context. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify by matching the option with the standard dictionary meaning of the idiom. Dictionaries usually explain "method in madness" as apparent foolishness that actually hides a sensible purpose. Option B follows this pattern exactly: initial appearance of absurdity followed by recognition of rational intent. Options A, C, and D leave out one of the essential aspects, either the sense of hidden logic or the contrast between how things looked at first and how they appear in the end. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is incomplete because it emphasises deliberate absurdity but not the later discovery of order or purpose. Option C is too vague and focuses only on a difference between beginning and end, without indicating that the original madness had a structured goal. Option D misinterprets the phrase by suggesting that the speaker was simply not in his senses; it fails to convey that there was an underlying method. The idiom does not imply that a person is genuinely senseless; it emphasises the surprising presence of a plan where there appeared to be chaos. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to focus only on the word "madness" and ignore the word "method". Students often assume the phrase means genuine insanity, whereas the whole point of the idiom is the combination of apparent craziness with real logic. Another pitfall is selecting answers that sound dramatic but lack a clear link to rational purpose. When you see such idioms, always look for options that bring out both sides of the contrast: appearance versus reality, chaos versus order, or confusion versus planning. Final Answer: The idiom "method in his madness" in this presentation context is best explained by the option: Though his presentation appeared a little absurd in the beginning, we ultimately found out that he had a rational purpose behind it.

Question 12

In this idiom and phrase question, identify the option that correctly explains the expression "give someone the benefit of the doubt" in the passage about trusting close ones.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is based on the idiomatic expression "benefit of the doubt". The passage describes how people behave toward those closest to them. It notes that we often assume good intentions from loved ones because we trust them. Your task is to choose the option that correctly explains what it means to give someone the benefit of the doubt in this context, without altering the meaning of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage discusses our tendency to trust close friends or relatives. The phrase "benefit of the doubt" appears in this context. Four options attempt to explain what this habit really involves. Exactly one option matches the standard meaning of the idiom. Concept / Approach: The idiom "give someone the benefit of the doubt" means choosing to believe that a person is telling the truth or acting with good intentions, even when the evidence is incomplete or slightly suspicious. It does not mean hiding crimes or ignoring clear evidence. Instead, it is about assuming innocence or honesty when things are uncertain. In the passage, we naturally trust close ones because we know and care for them, so we are inclined to believe them even without full proof. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Restate the meaning of the idiom. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt means believing them despite incomplete information. Step 2: Examine option A. It states that because we love and trust our close ones, we often believe them even when we are not completely sure their words are true. This aligns well with the idiom. Step 3: Examine option B. It speaks of hiding crimes and covering up lies, which goes beyond the idea of trust under uncertainty and implies deliberate wrongdoing. Step 4: Examine option C. It describes humans as inherently doubting, which is the opposite of what the passage emphasises. Step 5: Examine option D. It talks about nepotism and favouring relatives even against strong evidence, which again is stronger than simply trusting someone when unsure. Step 6: Compare all options. Only option A precisely presents the idea of trusting loved ones when the truth is not fully known. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, imagine a typical situation: a friend arrives late and gives an excuse that sounds slightly doubtful. If you give them the benefit of the doubt, you choose to believe their explanation because you trust them. You do not hide evidence or commit unethical acts. Option A reflects this gentle attitude of trust under uncertainty. Options B and D introduce ideas of covering crimes or ignoring clear proof, which is not part of the basic meaning of the idiom. Option C is simply unrelated, as it stresses doubt rather than trust. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is wrong because it changes the meaning from trusting under uncertainty to actively hiding crimes and lies. Option C misrepresents human behaviour as mainly sceptical, which contradicts the passage emphasis on natural trust toward close ones. Option D introduces the concept of nepotism and ignoring strong evidence, which is far more extreme and unethical than simply extending trust. None of these capture the subtle and everyday sense of "benefit of the doubt". Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is confusing "benefit of the doubt" with blind loyalty or unethical protection of relatives. The idiom is about assuming good intentions when information is incomplete, not about ignoring clear evidence of wrongdoing. Another pitfall is to choose the most dramatic or complex explanation instead of the simple, accurate one. In idiom questions, the best answer is often the one that sticks closest to the plain everyday meaning you might encounter in conversation or simple stories. Final Answer: The option that correctly explains the expression "benefit of the doubt" in this passage is Since we love and trust our close ones, we often tend to believe them, even when we are not sure what they are saying is true.

Question 13

The word "zealous" is given in bold. Choose the option in which the pair of words represents a synonym and an antonym of "zealous".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question deals with the word "zealous". You are asked to choose the pair of words that are either both synonyms, both antonyms, or one synonym and one antonym of "zealous". This format tests your understanding of the central meaning of the word and your ability to recognise both similar and opposite meanings in the options provided. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "zealous". Four options are given, each containing a pair of words. Exactly one pair correctly relates to "zealous" as synonyms, antonyms, or a synonym and an antonym. You must know or infer the core meaning of "zealous". Concept / Approach: "Zealous" describes someone who shows great energy, enthusiasm, or passion in pursuit of a cause or objective. A zealous person is eager and intensely committed. Therefore, a synonym would be a word like "fervent" or "enthusiastic", while an antonym would be a word like "apathetic", meaning lacking interest or enthusiasm. The approach is to check each pair and see whether at least one of the words matches this idea of intense enthusiasm and whether the pair as a whole fits the required relationship to "zealous". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the core meaning of "zealous" as very enthusiastic, passionate, or fervent. Step 2: Look at option A, "Droopy, Gigantic". "Droopy" suggests something hanging down or lacking energy, and "gigantic" means huge. Neither addresses intense enthusiasm, so they are unrelated. Step 3: Look at option B, "Tenacity, Assiduity". "Tenacity" refers to persistence and determination; "assiduity" refers to careful and constant effort. These words are related to perseverance and diligence, which are close to zeal but do not directly capture emotional eagerness. Importantly, neither is a clear opposite. Step 4: Look at option C, "Fervent, Apathetic". "Fervent" means very enthusiastic or passionate, which is a strong synonym of "zealous". "Apathetic" means lacking interest or enthusiasm, which is a clear antonym of zeal. Step 5: Look at option D, "Conceited, Capacious". "Conceited" means excessively proud of oneself, and "capacious" means spacious. Neither relates to enthusiasm toward a cause. Step 6: Conclude that option C is correct because it includes both a synonym and an antonym of "zealous". Verification / Alternative check: To verify, you can try replacing "zealous" in a sentence. For example, "She was zealous in her charity work." Replacing "zealous" with "fervent" gives "She was fervent in her charity work", which still makes sense and keeps the idea of passionate effort. Replacing "zealous" with "apathetic" produces the opposite meaning: "She was apathetic in her charity work", indicating no interest or enthusiasm. This confirms that "fervent" and "apathetic" form a correct synonym and antonym pair for "zealous". None of the other options can be used in this way without distorting the meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is wrong because "droopy" and "gigantic" do not relate to enthusiasm at all; they apply to physical appearance or size. Option B, while closer in the sense of dedication, focuses on persistence and hard work rather than emotional passion. The pair also lacks an opposite. Option D is completely unrelated to zeal, as "conceited" refers to vanity and "capacious" refers to size or capacity. These do not fit any logical relationship with "zealous". Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes confuse zeal with mere persistence or with pride in oneself. While a zealous person may be persistent, the core of the word is emotional intensity and eagerness for a cause. Another common error is to choose words that sound sophisticated without checking their meanings carefully. Always break down the target word, recall its root or related forms like "zeal", and then compare each option patiently. This habit will greatly improve accuracy on vocabulary questions of this type. Final Answer: The correct pair related to "zealous" is Fervent, Apathetic, where "fervent" is a synonym and "apathetic" is an antonym.

Question 14

The word "recalcitrant" is given in bold. Choose the option in which the pair of words correctly represents antonyms of "recalcitrant".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your understanding of the word "recalcitrant". You are given four options, each a pair of words, and asked to select the pair that has the correct relationship with "recalcitrant" as synonyms, antonyms, or a synonym and an antonym. To answer, you need to know that "recalcitrant" refers to someone who is stubbornly uncooperative or resistant to authority or control. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "recalcitrant". Each option contains two words. The correct pair must have a clear semantic relationship with "recalcitrant". The test may expect a pair of antonyms of the given word. Concept / Approach: "Recalcitrant" describes a person or group that is resistant to authority, difficult to manage, or stubbornly uncooperative. Antonyms for "recalcitrant" would be words like "amenable", "compliant", or "docile", which describe someone who is willing to cooperate or easy to control. To find the correct option, we look for words that express willingness to obey or be guided, rather than resistance. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "recalcitrant" as stubbornly uncooperative and resistant. Step 2: Check option A, "Peculiar, Convivial". "Peculiar" means strange or unusual, and "convivial" means friendly or sociable. Neither directly relates to obedience or resistance. Step 3: Check option B, "Amenable, Docile". "Amenable" means open and responsive to suggestion, willing to cooperate. "Docile" means easily taught, led, or managed, submissive. Step 4: Check option C, "Taciturn, Withering". "Taciturn" means quiet, reserved in speech, and "withering" can mean scornful or causing to dry up. These are unrelated to obedience or resistance. Step 5: Check option D, "Voluble, Turgid". "Voluble" means talkative, and "turgid" means swollen or pompous in style. Again, they do not express compliance or stubbornness. Step 6: Conclude that option B provides two clear antonyms of "recalcitrant", making it the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence: "The student was recalcitrant and refused to follow instructions." If we replace "recalcitrant" with "amenable", the meaning flips: "The student was amenable and easily followed instructions." Similarly, replacing it with "docile" also gives the opposite sense. This confirms that both "amenable" and "docile" are suitable antonyms. No other option provides such a direct and clear contrast with the original word. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is about personality traits that do not address obedience or resistance. A person can be peculiar yet very obedient. Option C focuses on how much someone talks or on a harsh effect, which is not tied to cooperation or defiance. Option D deals with talkativeness and pompous style, again unrelated to the specific concept of stubborn non cooperation. Because these options do not mirror or oppose the meaning of "recalcitrant", they cannot be accepted as correct. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes mistake any strong sounding or negative word for a synonym or antonym of another negative word. However, nuance matters. "Recalcitrant" specifically concerns attitude toward authority and willingness to comply, not general unpleasantness or strangeness. Therefore, you should always connect words to their precise definitions, rather than to a vague sense of negativity or sophistication. Building precise word associations is the key to scoring well in advanced vocabulary questions. Final Answer: The pair that correctly gives antonyms of "recalcitrant" is Amenable, Docile.

Question 15

The word "nefarious" is given in bold. Choose the option in which the pair of words correctly relates in meaning to "nefarious".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of the advanced vocabulary word "nefarious". You must select the pair of words that has the most meaningful relationship with "nefarious", either through synonymy, antonymy, or a mixture of both. Correctly answering requires that you know what "nefarious" means and then evaluate how each pair connects to ideas of goodness or wickedness. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "nefarious". Four options are provided, each containing two words. Exactly one pair stands in a meaningful relation to "nefarious" as synonyms, antonyms, or a combination. You must judge relative closeness of meaning, not just surface similarity. Concept / Approach: "Nefarious" means extremely wicked, villainous, or morally bad. A nefarious action is not just wrong but deeply unethical or criminal. Any word that reflects moral baseness or dishonour will be close in meaning. A word suggesting noble, generous, or virtuous qualities will be opposite in meaning. When reviewing each pair, look for a word that clearly signals moral evil or its contrast, and judge whether that pair best represents a semantic link to "nefarious". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "nefarious" as morally evil, wicked, or criminal. Step 2: Examine option A, "Sloppy, Flurry". "Sloppy" means careless or untidy, and "flurry" means a brief burst of activity or snow. Neither relates to moral evil. Step 3: Examine option B, "Unassertive, Ignoble". "Unassertive" means shy or not forceful in expressing oneself. "Ignoble" means not noble in character or quality, base, or dishonourable, which is close to morally low or evil. Step 4: Examine option C, "Modest, Subtle". "Modest" means humble or not boastful, and "subtle" means delicate or not obvious. These are not ideas of wickedness. Step 5: Examine option D, "Gregarious, Magnanimous". "Gregarious" means sociable, and "magnanimous" means generous and forgiving, which are positive traits and more like antonyms of moral evil, overall. Step 6: Conclude that the only pair containing a word close to moral baseness or wickedness is option B, because of "ignoble". Verification / Alternative check: To verify, focus on "ignoble". Actions described as ignoble are shameful, base, or lacking in honour. This overlaps strongly with the idea of "nefarious" deeds. While "unassertive" is more neutral and refers to personality, the presence of "ignoble" in the pair gives option B the strongest connection to "nefarious". No other pair in the list contains any word that approaches the sense of moral wrongness, which confirms option B as the best available choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is wrong because being "sloppy" or experiencing a "flurry" says nothing about moral good or evil. Option C is wrong because "modest" and "subtle" are generally positive or neutral traits that relate to behaviour and style, not to moral depravity. Option D is wrong because both "gregarious" and "magnanimous" are positive traits and in fact lean toward the opposite of wickedness. Among all choices, only "ignoble" in option B clearly moves into the moral domain of low or dishonourable behaviour, which makes it the closest fit. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse any strongly positive or negative word with any other strong word, without respecting the specific dimension involved. "Nefarious" is about moral evil, not about carelessness, noise, or sociability. Another common mistake is to reject an option because not both words are perfect matches. In some exam patterns, a pair may be selected even when only one word in it captures the required meaning and the other is neutral. In such cases, you must choose the option that contains the strongest direct connection to the target word. Final Answer: The pair that most meaningfully relates in sense to "nefarious" is Unassertive, Ignoble, due mainly to the word "ignoble".

Question 16

The word "histrionic" is given in bold. Choose the option in which the pair of words correctly gives synonyms of "histrionic".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests advanced vocabulary by focusing on the word "histrionic". The task is to choose the pair of words that are synonyms of "histrionic". Such questions require not only a basic understanding of the word but also the ability to connect it with related terms describing similar behaviour or style. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "histrionic". Four options are given, each a pair of words. Exactly one pair should give correct synonyms. The context of use of "histrionic" is usually behaviour or acting style. Concept / Approach: "Histrionic" usually describes behaviour that is overly dramatic, exaggerated, or theatrical, often to attract attention. It can refer to acting that is too showy or emotional displays that seem insincere due to their intensity. Therefore, words like "melodramatic" and "theatrical" fit naturally as synonyms. When checking the options, focus on whether the pair suggests exaggerated drama or something else entirely. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "histrionic" as overly dramatic and theatrical. Step 2: Look at option A, "Melodramatic, Theatrical". "Melodramatic" means exaggerated or overly emotional, especially in a way that resembles melodrama. "Theatrical" means related to theatre or behaviour that is showy and dramatic. Step 3: Look at option B, "Conscientious, Diligent". These words describe careful and hardworking behaviour, not exaggerated drama. Step 4: Look at option C, "Tenacious, Retentive". "Tenacious" means persistent or determined, and "retentive" refers to having a good memory or the ability to hold things. These are unrelated to dramatic display. Step 5: Look at option D, "Thrive, Tussle". "Thrive" means to prosper, and "tussle" means to struggle or wrestle. They do not connect to dramatic behaviour. Step 6: Clearly, only option A contains words that match the sense of "histrionic". Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence like "The actor performance was too histrionic for this subtle play." Replacing "histrionic" with "melodramatic" gives a very similar meaning: "The actor performance was too melodramatic for this subtle play." Replacing it with "theatrical" also keeps the sense of exaggerated acting. Replacing "histrionic" with any of the words from the other options would produce sentences that no longer fit the context of emotional overacting, confirming that option A is the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B is wrong because conscientious and diligent are traits of a careful, hardworking person, not someone who overacts. Option C is wrong because persistence and retention are unrelated to emotional drama or performance style. Option D is wrong because prospering or struggling physically does not say anything about dramatic behaviour. None of these other word pairs can be used naturally in the same contexts where "histrionic" would be used. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake in such questions is to pick words that sound impressive or complex but are not meaningfully related. Many candidates also focus on one word in the pair and ignore the second, but you must evaluate the pair as a whole and make sure it fits the definition of the target word. To avoid errors, always try to think of a sample sentence with the target word and see which options can replace it without breaking the sense of the sentence. Final Answer: The correct pair of synonyms for "histrionic" is Melodramatic, Theatrical.

Question 17

The word "tremulous" is given in bold. Choose the option in which the pair of words correctly gives a synonym and an antonym of "tremulous".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks about the word "tremulous". You must choose the pair of words that correctly acts as a synonym and an antonym of "tremulous". Understanding this word requires knowledge of both physical and emotional connotations relating to trembling or nervousness. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "tremulous". Four options are given, each with a pair of words. The correct pair must contain one word that is close in meaning to "tremulous" and another that is opposite in meaning. The context of "tremulous" often involves shaking from fear, weakness, or nervousness. Concept / Approach: "Tremulous" means shaking or quivering, often slightly, due to nervousness, fear, or weakness. So a synonym would be a word like "quivery" or "shaky". An antonym would describe steadiness or firmness, such as "steady". The method is to identify which pair contains these complementary ideas of trembling versus stability. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Fix the meaning of "tremulous" as quivering, shaking, or trembly. Step 2: Look at option A, "Stringent, Garrulous". "Stringent" means strict or severe; "garrulous" means very talkative. Neither relates to trembling. Step 3: Look at option B, "Quivery, Steady". "Quivery" means shaking or trembling, which is a direct synonym. "Steady" means firm, stable, or not shaking, which is the opposite of tremulous. Step 4: Look at option C, "Conjunctive, Desist". "Conjunctive" relates to connection or combination, and "desist" means to stop doing something. These are unrelated. Step 5: Look at option D, "Abstain, Defer". Both "abstain" and "defer" relate to delaying or refraining from actions, not to physical shaking or steadiness. Step 6: Conclude that only option B provides a clear synonym and antonym of "tremulous". Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence: "Her voice was tremulous as she spoke." Replace "tremulous" with "quivery": "Her voice was quivery as she spoke." This still makes sense and preserves the sense of shaking. Replace "tremulous" with "steady": "Her voice was steady as she spoke." This flips the meaning to the opposite. This test confirms that "quivery" and "steady" are indeed an appropriate synonym and antonym pair for "tremulous". No other option supports this kind of substitution test. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A fails because strictness or talkativeness does not capture the idea of trembling. Option C joins ideas of connection and stopping, which are completely outside the semantic field of shaking or stability. Option D relates to postponing or avoiding actions, again unrelated to physical or emotional trembling. None of these options provide a natural synonym or antonym of "tremulous". Common Pitfalls: Many learners might be tempted to choose options with impressive looking words that they only vaguely recognise. However, this can lead to errors when the meanings do not actually align. In such questions, it is important to rely on precise definitions rather than on the sound or length of the word. Whenever possible, recall example sentences where you may have seen the word, and test whether proposed synonyms and antonyms can replace it while keeping or reversing the meaning correctly. Final Answer: The correct pair containing a synonym and an antonym of "tremulous" is Quivery, Steady.

Question 18

Read the passage about the philosophy of pragmatism and choose the inference that can be correctly drawn regarding truth, experience, and reality.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension and inference question is based on a short passage that explains the philosophy of pragmatism. The passage discusses how the mind deals with ideas rather than reality directly and how pragmatists think about truth. Your task is to identify which statement follows logically as an inference, not just which sentence repeats lines from the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage says the mind can only deal with ideas, not reality itself. It suggests that whether something is true is not about matching an absolute external reality but about consistency with our experience. Reality as such is referred to as a metaphysical issue. You must choose the statement that best expresses a conclusion that can reasonably be drawn from these points. Concept / Approach: In pragmatism, truth is seen as something that is validated by its practical consequences and by how well it fits with experience. The key link in the passage is between truth and experience. A valid inference should capture this relationship clearly. The correct option will not merely repeat individual phrases from the passage but will summarise the idea that experiences play a central role in deciding what we call true. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the core claim. The passage states that truth is not defined by correspondence to an absolute reality but by consistency with our experience. Step 2: Consider option A, "Our experiences define our concept of reality." This is partly suggested but focuses mainly on reality rather than directly on truth, and the passage emphasises truth as consistency with experience, not necessarily that reality is defined by experience. Step 3: Consider option B, "Reality is a metaphysical issue." This is mentioned in the passage, but as a direct statement, not as an inference. The question asks for an inference rather than a restatement. Step 4: Consider option C, "Pragmatism and reality are two sides of the same coin." This is not supported. The passage does not say pragmatism and reality are equivalent or inseparable. Step 5: Consider option D, "Our experiences enable us to determine the truth." This directly captures the main claim that truth is about consistency with experience, making it a logical inference. Step 6: Conclude that option D is the best inference because it connects truth with experience in the way the passage describes. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, restate the passage in your own words: according to pragmatism, the mind only accesses ideas, and what we call truth is judged by how well these ideas match our experiences. This means that experiences serve as the test or measure of truth. Option D expresses exactly that: experiences enable us to determine whether an idea counts as true. Options A and B are either incomplete or direct restatements, while option C introduces a relationship that is never described. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A focuses on reality rather than truth and goes a step further than the passage, which is risky as an inference. Option B simply repeats a phrase that reality is a metaphysical issue but does not express a new conclusion. Option C is clearly unsupported and can be rejected because the passage never claims pragmatism and reality are two sides of the same coin. The question is about inference, so we prefer an option that reorganises the key idea in a new but faithful way, which is what option D does. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse inference questions with direct fact questions. They either pick an option that copies a line from the passage word for word or they choose a statement that sounds philosophically deep but is not actually supported. The safest method is to identify the main conceptual link the passage emphasises and find the option that restates this link in clear and simple language. Here, the crucial link is between truth and experience, not between experience and reality in general. Final Answer: The correct inference from the passage on pragmatism is Our experiences enable us to determine the truth.

Question 19

Read the passage about taste sensitivity to phenylthiocarbonide (PTC) in humans and primates and choose the inference that can be correctly drawn from it.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is based on a scientific passage describing how humans and non human primates vary in their ability to taste an artificial chemical called phenylthiocarbonide, or PTC. The passage explains that in most human populations a majority of people can taste PTC, and that this ability shows a long evolutionary history. You must choose the inference that best follows from these observations. Given Data / Assumptions: A majority of individuals in nearly all human populations can taste PTC. The percentage of tasters varies, from about 60 percent in India to about 95 percent in Africa. A similar polymorphism (variation) is observed in non human primates. This polymorphism may reflect evolutionary selection for detecting other bitter, possibly toxic, substances. Concept / Approach: The central information is that most humans can taste PTC, which implies that only a minority cannot taste it or have an uncertain response. When the options use the phrase "indeterminant taste profile", we can reasonably interpret that as referring to individuals who do not taste PTC in the usual way, that is, non tasters or atypical responders. A correct inference should be consistent with the numerical and qualitative information given, without adding new claims not suggested by the passage. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note that in all mentioned populations, the majority are tasters: 60 percent in one example and 95 percent in another. Step 2: This implies that non tasters make up at most 40 percent in India and only 5 percent in Africa, that is, always a minority. Step 3: Examine option A, which says humans show the same taste profile as primates. The passage only says the polymorphism is observed in primates, not that the specific percentages match, so this cannot be safely inferred. Step 4: Examine option B, which claims humans prefer substances that are naturally sweet. The passage does not mention sweetness or preference, so this is unsupported. Step 5: Examine option C, which states that only a minority of the human population have an indeterminant taste profile. This aligns with the data that most can taste PTC, leaving a minority whose taste response is different. Step 6: Examine option D, which says a majority have an indeterminant taste profile. This directly contradicts the passage, which clearly states a majority can taste PTC. Step 7: Conclude that option C fits the numerical patterns described and is the correct inference. Verification / Alternative check: You can check again by translating percentages into everyday language. If 60 to 95 percent of a population can taste PTC, then 5 to 40 percent cannot. It is accurate to say only a minority have a different or indeterminant taste response. The passage does not claim anything about identical taste profiles between humans and other primates, nor does it reference preferences for sweetness. Therefore, the only inference that combines the numerical majority with a reasonable description of the remaining group is that only a minority have an unusual or indeterminant taste profile. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is wrong because the passage does not give enough data to say that humans and non human primates share the same taste profile; it only notes that both show variation. Option B introduces an idea about preference for sweet foods, which is never mentioned. Option D is the direct opposite of the data given, since it suggests that most humans have an indeterminant taste profile, whereas the passage clearly states that most can taste PTC. These options either go beyond or contradict the information in the passage. Common Pitfalls: In inference questions, students often select answers that sound scientific or that mention key terms like "primates" and "reality", even if they are not actually supported by the passage. Another common trap is overlooking exact numerical information, such as the statement that a majority can taste PTC. Always pay attention to words like "majority" and "minority", and check whether your chosen option respects these proportions. If an option reverses the majority and minority, it cannot be an acceptable inference. Final Answer: The correct inference from the passage is Only a minority of the human population have an indeterminant taste profile.

Question 20

Based on the description of Elizabeth Bennett in rural 18th century England, choose the term that best describes her position in society when her property is entailed to the nearest male heir.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This inference question is based on a short literary description from the novel "Pride and Prejudice". The passage explains that Elizabeth Bennett lives in rural 18th century England and that her family property is entailed to the nearest male heir. In such a system, women cannot inherit the main estate. You are asked to choose the word that best describes her social and economic position under these conditions. Given Data / Assumptions: The story is set in 18th century England, in a rural, genteel society. Elizabeth Bennett family property is entailed to a male heir, which means she cannot inherit it directly. Her prospects for security and status depend heavily on marriage and male controlled inheritance rules. You must choose among terms such as marginal, immaterial, unrelated, and extraneous. Concept / Approach: In this historical context, women had limited legal rights to property and were often dependent on male relatives. A woman whose family estate is entailed to a male heir has a precarious position: she belongs to the family but has little control over property or long term financial security. The key idea is that she is on the margins of economic power despite her social background. The best descriptive word should capture her vulnerable, secondary, or peripheral status rather than suggesting she is wholly irrelevant or entirely outside the system. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider "Marginal". This term suggests being on the edge or periphery of power or importance, not at the centre. Step 2: Consider "Immaterial". This term means irrelevant or not significant to a matter. Step 3: Consider "Unrelated". This term implies no relation at all, which clearly is not true, since Elizabeth is a daughter in the family that owns the estate. Step 4: Consider "Extraneous". This term suggests something that is external or coming from outside, not belonging naturally. Step 5: Given that Elizabeth is central to the family but blocked from property rights, her status is not unrelated or extraneous; rather, she is pushed to the edges of inheritance and power. Step 6: Therefore "Marginal" is the best word to describe her position in such a patriarchal inheritance structure. Verification / Alternative check: Think about what being "marginal" means in socio economic terms. A marginal member of society has some recognition but limited power or security. Elizabeth belongs to a respectable family but has little direct claim over property and must rely on marriage for stability. "Immaterial" would wrongly suggest that her existence or concerns do not matter at all to the story or society, which is clearly not true, as the novel focuses heavily on women lives and struggles. "Extraneous" and "unrelated" contradict the facts, since she is a key family member. Hence, "marginal" aligns with the historical and narrative context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Immaterial" is wrong because Elizabeth concerns about property and marriage are central to the plot and to the depiction of women issues at the time. They are not irrelevant. "Unrelated" is factually incorrect, as she is directly related to the property owning family. "Extraneous" implies she does not belong or is an outsider, which again does not describe a daughter of the house. Only "marginal" captures the idea of being pushed to the edge of power and inheritance while still belonging to the social group that controls property. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may confuse "immaterial" with "lacking material property" and assume that it refers to not owning assets. However, in academic and legal language, "immaterial" means irrelevant to a case, not lacking materials. Others may choose "extraneous" because it sounds formal, but that word is closer to "foreign" or "not belonging". To avoid these pitfalls, always recall the precise meanings of such adjectives and test them directly against the context provided in the passage. Final Answer: The position of young Elizabeth Bennett in that social and legal framework is best described as marginal.

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