Question 1

In this synonym question, select the option that is closest in meaning to the word "splinter" used as a noun for a small, sharp piece broken off from a larger object.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks you to select the nearest synonym of the word "splinter". The word is being used as a noun, referring to a small thin piece that has broken away from wood, glass, or some other hard material. Such questions test your ability to distinguish between very similar sounding words and to focus on exact meanings in context, which is essential for reading comprehension and precise usage in exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "splinter". Options: stub, share, chip, friction. We assume the sense is: a small sharp fragment broken off from a larger piece of material such as wood or glass. We want a word that can usually appear in the same sentences as "splinter". Concept / Approach: A "splinter" is a small, thin, often sharp piece that has been broken off from something larger. The closest everyday word that matches this idea is "chip" as in "a chip of wood" or "a chip of glass". Both "splinter" and "chip" can refer to small pieces that break off due to impact, cutting, or wear. The other options either refer to something quite different or simply do not fit the physical meaning at all. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the typical usage of "splinter": a wooden splinter in the finger, a splinter of glass in the skin. Step 2: Compare with "chip". We often say "a wood chip" or "a chip of glass", which describes the same kind of broken piece. Step 3: Consider "stub". This usually means the short remnant of something that has been cut off, such as a "cigarette stub" or "ticket stub", not a thin sharp fragment. Step 4: Consider "share". This refers to a portion or part of something in terms of quantity or ownership, not a broken physical fragment. Step 5: Consider "friction". This refers to resistance when two surfaces rub together, a completely different concept from a small broken piece. Verification / Alternative check: Try substituting each option into example sentences. In "He got a splinter in his finger", "He got a chip in his finger" still gives a similar image of a small sharp fragment, even though "splinter" is more idiomatic. However, "He got a stub in his finger" or "He got a share in his finger" makes no sense. "He got a friction in his finger" is completely wrong. This substitution test confirms that "chip" is the only realistic synonym here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Stub" is the short, usually blunt remainder of something, not a thin sharp fragment broken off. "Share" is an abstract part or proportion and has no connection with broken pieces. "Friction" describes a physical force and cannot stand as a synonym of a small piece of material. Common Pitfalls: Examinees sometimes think about any word that suggests "part of a whole" and then mistakenly choose something like "share". However, exam synonyms are usually about matching the specific sense, not just a broad idea. In questions involving physical objects, visualising an example is helpful. When you imagine a splinter of wood lodged in a finger, a "chip of wood" fits very well, but "share" and "friction" do not even come close. Final Answer: The closest synonym of "splinter" in this context is "chip".

Question 2

Rearrange the parts of the sentence to form a coherent statement: "In that case, ..." with segments (P) put together the best gender just, (Q) practices from all Personal Laws, and (R) a Uniform Civil Code would simply.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is about sentence rearrangement, a common topic in English sections of competitive exams. You are given a partially fixed sentence beginning "In that case," followed by three labelled fragments P, Q, and R. Your task is to arrange these fragments so that the final sentence is grammatically correct, logically connected, and stylistically natural. The sentence talks about a Uniform Civil Code and gender just practices drawn from different Personal Laws. Given Data / Assumptions: Fixed opening: "In that case,". P: "put together the best gender just". Q: "practices from all Personal Laws". R: "a Uniform Civil Code would simply". We need to connect these fragments into one smooth sentence about what a Uniform Civil Code would do. Concept / Approach: In rearrangement questions, we look for the logical subject and verb, and then we place objects and complements in the correct order. Here, the natural subject is "a Uniform Civil Code" and the verb phrase is "would simply put together". The object of "put together" is "the best gender just practices from all Personal Laws". So we first form the main clause "a Uniform Civil Code would simply put together", and then we attach the object phrase that completes what is being put together. This leads directly to the order R P Q. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the main subject of the clause. Fragment R contains "a Uniform Civil Code" which clearly functions as the subject. Step 2: Notice that R also contains the auxiliary verb "would" and adverb "simply", which together form the beginning of the predicate: "would simply". Step 3: Fragment P begins with a verb phrase "put together the best gender just", which can directly follow "would simply". Combined they read "a Uniform Civil Code would simply put together the best gender just". Step 4: Fragment Q adds the object of this verb phrase: "practices from all Personal Laws". Now the complete clause becomes "a Uniform Civil Code would simply put together the best gender just practices from all Personal Laws". Step 5: Attach this clause to the fixed beginning: "In that case, a Uniform Civil Code would simply put together the best gender just practices from all Personal Laws." Verification / Alternative check: Test the other sequences quickly. If we start with P, we would get "In that case, put together the best gender just..." which lacks a clear subject before the verb "put together" and sounds incomplete. If Q or P comes before R, we do not get a proper grammatical subject and auxiliary before the main verb phrase. Only R at the beginning allows the sentence to start with a clear subject and modal verb. Once R is fixed first, the logical sequence of the remaining two fragments is P then Q, because we need to first specify what the code will do ("put together the best gender just") and then specify what exactly is being put together ("practices from all Personal Laws"). Why Other Options Are Wrong: QRP gives "In that case, practices from all Personal Laws a Uniform Civil Code would simply put together the best gender just", which is ungrammatical and jumbled. RQP reads "In that case, a Uniform Civil Code would simply practices from all Personal Laws put together the best gender just", which breaks normal word order because the object appears before the main verb phrase. PQR cannot work because starting with a bare verb phrase after the comma creates a fragment lacking subject and auxiliary structure. Common Pitfalls: Many students focus only on meaning and ignore basic subject verb order. A reliable strategy is to first find which fragment can logically contain the subject and finite verb of the main clause. Here, only R has a clear subject "a Uniform Civil Code" and a modal verb "would". Once the main clause structure is identified, placing verb complements and objects becomes much easier. When stuck, read each trial sentence aloud in your mind; incorrect orders will sound very awkward or broken. Final Answer: The correct sequence is R P Q, so the answer is RPQ.

Question 3

Select the correctly spelt English word from the following options, focusing on standard dictionary spelling.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question asks you to identify which one of the four given words is correctly spelt according to standard English usage. Such questions test your familiarity with common vocabulary and typical spelling patterns, and they also check whether you can spot extra or missing letters that often cause confusion in exam settings. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: "comando", "coolants", "limphoid", "permutted". Only one of these forms is the correct standard spelling for a real English word. The words appear to be distorted versions of known terms like "commando", "coolants", "lymphoid", and "permuted". Concept / Approach: To solve spelling questions, you rely on prior exposure to correct written forms in textbooks, articles, and dictionaries. Among the four options, "coolants" is a familiar technical word used in engineering and automotive contexts, referring to liquids that absorb and remove heat. The others differ from standard spellings of likely intended words. Therefore, by comparing each option with the correct dictionary form, we can quickly identify the only correct spelling in the list. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider option "comando". The likely intended word is "commando", which refers to a soldier specially trained for raids. The standard spelling uses double m and ends with "ando", not "ando" with a single m, so "comando" is incorrect. Step 2: Consider "coolants". This is a known plural noun for substances used to cool engines and machines. The base word "coolant" plus the regular plural "s" gives "coolants", which matches standard spelling. Step 3: Look at "limphoid". The correct medical term is "lymphoid", relating to lymph or the lymphatic system, spelt with "lym" not "lim". So "limphoid" is incorrect. Step 4: Examine "permutted". The correct past tense of "permute" is "permuted" with a single t. The double t in "permutted" makes it wrong. Step 5: Conclude that "coolants" is the only option that matches a standard dictionary spelling. Verification / Alternative check: You can double check by thinking of example sentences. "The car engine uses specialized coolants to avoid overheating" is a natural sentence found in technical writing. For "commando", "lymphoid", and "permuted", we know their correct spellings from school science and mathematics. The given distorted versions do not appear in any standard context. This confirms that "coolants" is the only correctly spelt word in the list. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Comando" is missing an m. The correct spelling for the soldier is "commando". "Limphoid" incorrectly uses "limp" instead of "lym". The correct form is "lymphoid". "Permutted" doubles the letter t unnecessarily. The correct past tense is "permuted". Common Pitfalls: Many spelling mistakes involve doubling consonants or misplacing vowels, especially in scientific or foreign origin words. Students often recognise the general shape of words but ignore specific patterns like "lym" in "lymphoid" or the double m in "commando". A good habit is to read widely and pay attention when you encounter unfamiliar words. Over time, your visual memory of correct forms will make these questions quite straightforward. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is "coolants".

Question 4

Select the option that is closest in meaning to the adjective "spartan" as used to describe a lifestyle, attitude, or way of living.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks for a synonym of the adjective "spartan". The term originally refers to things related to ancient Sparta, whose citizens were famous for strict discipline, courage, and a very simple, austere way of life. Over time, "spartan" has acquired meanings like "simple, without luxury, and very disciplined" and can also extend to the idea of bravery and toughness in difficult conditions. The options here focus on various qualities, and you must choose the one that comes closest in common usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "spartan". Options: garish, forgiven, civilized, brave. We assume the question focuses on the historical association of Sparta with courage and severe discipline. We want the option that best captures the core meaning among the four given words. Concept / Approach: In many exam contexts, "spartan" is connected to a hard, disciplined life and the bravery of Spartan warriors. While the most precise dictionary synonym would be words like "austere" or "simple", these are not present among the options. When such direct synonyms are missing, you must look for the option that best fits the main historical connotation. Spartans are widely known for bravery in battle, so "brave" is the closest match from the list provided, whereas the other options are unrelated in meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the historical background. Sparta was a Greek city state famous for strict discipline, severe training, and courage in warfare. Step 2: Think about how "spartan" is used in modern English. It often means "simple, without unnecessary comforts, very disciplined", and carries a nuance of toughness and fearlessness. Step 3: Check the options. "Garish" means showy or overly bright, which is the opposite of spartan simplicity. Step 4: "Forgiven" refers to pardon for a fault and is not connected with austerity or courage. Step 5: "Civilized" describes a society or behaviour that is cultured and polite, which is not the central idea in the word "spartan". Step 6: "Brave" reflects courage and toughness, qualities strongly associated with the Spartan people and their lifestyle. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine a sentence: "The soldiers led a spartan life in the camp." Replacing it with "The soldiers led a brave life" does not preserve the idea of simplicity, but it maintains the sense of toughness in difficult conditions much better than the other choices. If we replace "spartan" with "garish" or "civilized", the meaning changes completely. Given that competitive exams sometimes rely on the strongest historical association, bravery is the closest of the given options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Garish" is almost the opposite of spartan. It suggests bright, flashy, and showy, while a spartan lifestyle is plain and restrained. "Forgiven" is about moral or legal pardon and has no overlap with the ideas of discipline, harshness, or courage. "Civilized" focuses on culture and refinement, whereas "spartan" emphasises toughness and simplicity rather than manners or sophistication. Common Pitfalls: One major pitfall is expecting a perfect one to one dictionary synonym in every question. Sometimes the exam setter provides approximate options and expects you to pick the one closest in spirit. Here, while "austere" would be the best pure synonym, it is not available, so you must fall back on the strong historical image of Spartan warriors as brave and tough. When several options feel unrelated, always choose the one that at least shares a key idea or association with the given word. Final Answer: Among the given options, "brave" is the closest in meaning to "spartan".

Question 5

In this sentence completion question, select the word that best completes the sentence: "The Directors failed to understand the __ behind the decision to suspend the manager."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to choose the most appropriate abstract noun to complete a formal business style sentence. The sentence describes Directors trying to understand why a decision was taken, specifically a decision to suspend a manager. In such organisational contexts, certain nouns appear frequently, such as "reason", "rationale", and "basis". The task is to select the word that best fits both meaning and register. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence frame: "The Directors failed to understand the __ behind the decision to suspend the manager." Options: belief, politics, ideology, rationale. The context is corporate or organisational decision making. The phrase structure "understand the __ behind the decision" strongly suggests a word meaning "reason" or "justification". Concept / Approach: The key phrase is "the __ behind the decision". In formal English, "rationale" is a precise term that means "the underlying reason or justification for a course of action". It is commonly used in management, law, and academic writing. The other options do not fit as naturally. "Belief" refers to something a person holds to be true, "politics" refers to power games and strategies, and "ideology" refers to a system of ideas or beliefs, often broad and theoretical. None of these directly mean "reason for a specific decision". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify what the Directors are trying to understand. They want to grasp why the decision to suspend the manager was taken. Step 2: Focus on the phrase "behind the decision". This invites a word that means "reason" or "justifying logic". Step 3: Evaluate "belief". You normally understand someone belief or understand the beliefs of a group, but "the belief behind the decision" sounds less idiomatic than "the rationale behind the decision". Step 4: Evaluate "politics". While internal politics might influence decisions, "failed to understand the politics behind the decision" would emphasise manipulative power play rather than neutral reasoning. It is possible but not the best fit here. Step 5: Evaluate "ideology". This refers to a broad system of ideas such as political or religious ideology and is too general for a specific company decision. Step 6: Evaluate "rationale". This means the logical basis or explanation for a decision, and the collocation "rationale behind the decision" is very common and natural in formal English. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the blank with each option. "The Directors failed to understand the belief behind the decision" is possible but slightly awkward and vague. "The Directors failed to understand the politics behind the decision" shifts the meaning toward hidden power motives. "The Directors failed to understand the ideology behind the decision" sounds odd in a routine corporate context unless a very strong philosophical principle is involved. "The Directors failed to understand the rationale behind the decision" is exactly the standard formal expression used in board meetings and reports. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Belief" does not describe the structured reasoning process behind a formal action; it is more personal and subjective. "Politics" suggests power struggles and alliances rather than neutral justification, which may not be what the sentence intends to highlight. "Ideology" is too general and is usually reserved for political or religious belief systems, not for everyday managerial decisions. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes over focus on whether an option is broadly related to thought or ideas and ignore collocation. The phrase "rationale behind a decision" is a fixed expression in management English. Learning such common phrases is extremely helpful. Whenever you see "behind the decision" or "behind this policy", remember that exam setters love the word "rationale" for such blanks. Final Answer: The most appropriate word is "rationale".

Question 6

In this idiom based question, choose the option that best explains the meaning of the expression "When it rains, it pours" used in everyday English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of the English idiom "When it rains, it pours". Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be understood merely from the individual words used. This specific idiom is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe a situation where misfortunes or problems do not come one by one, but many together or in quick succession. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "When it rains, it pours". Options describe different interpretations of difficulties and timing. We assume the idiom refers to the way events often cluster, especially negative ones. We need the option that correctly captures the idea that one problem is quickly followed by many others. Concept / Approach: Literally, rain can start as a light drizzle and then suddenly become a heavy downpour. Figuratively, the idiom suggests that when trouble or bad luck starts, it often seems to come all at once or repeatedly. The correct explanation should mention this piling up or repetition of negative events. We must distinguish this from general statements about bad times or being unprepared, which are similar but not precise matches. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the general meaning of the idiom. It is usually said when several bad things happen at almost the same time. For example, losing a job, then falling ill, then facing a financial problem in one short period. Step 2: Examine option A, which speaks of "getting much less than what one expected". That is about disappointment, not about many bad events clustering together. Step 3: Option B says "calamity always occurs in bad times". This is vague and does not describe repeated or multiple problems, only that bad events happen when things are already bad. Step 4: Option C states "you always fall into trouble when you are least prepared". This focuses on being unprepared rather than on the number or frequency of problems. Step 5: Option D says "When something bad occurs, it usually occurs more than once". This directly expresses the idea that problems rarely appear alone, but instead come in clusters, which is the core meaning of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Think of an example. Suppose someone says, "First my car broke down, then my laptop crashed, and now I have caught a cold. When it rains, it pours." They clearly mean that one problem followed another and another. The emphasis is on multiple issues happening together or very close in time. None of the options except D emphasises this repetition. Therefore, option D is the exact match. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A describes disappointment in expectations, which has nothing to do with a series of misfortunes. Option B talks about calamity in bad times but does not emphasise multiple problems arriving together. Option C focuses on preparedness and timing, suggesting trouble comes when you are least prepared, but again does not capture the piling up effect. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes get attracted to options that mention "bad times" or "calamity" in general, since the idiom clearly refers to negative events. However, idioms often carry a more specific nuance. Here, the key nuance is that difficulties come in bunches rather than in isolation. In idiom questions, always identify the distinctive twist of meaning rather than only the general positive or negative tone. Final Answer: The idiom means that when something bad happens, more bad things tend to follow, so the correct option is: "When something bad occurs, it usually occurs more than once".

Question 7

In this voice transformation question, convert the sentence "Dark clouds have overcast the evening sky." into the correct passive voice form by selecting the appropriate option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of active and passive voice transformation in English grammar. You are given an active voice sentence, "Dark clouds have overcast the evening sky", and asked to choose the correct passive voice version. Mastery of tense, verb form, and correct word order is essential to solve such questions accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: "Dark clouds have overcast the evening sky." Subject in active voice: "Dark clouds". Object in active voice: "the evening sky". Main verb phrase: "have overcast" (present perfect tense). We must convert to passive voice while keeping the same tense and basic meaning. Concept / Approach: In voice transformation, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The tense of the main verb must remain the same. For present perfect tense, the passive structure is: has/have been + past participle. The verb "overcast" has the same form as base and past participle; it does not become "overcastted". We also usually introduce the doer with "by" if it is mentioned. Therefore, we are looking for a sentence that begins with "The evening sky" and uses "has been overcast by the dark clouds". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify subject, verb, and object in the active sentence: Subject "Dark clouds", verb "have overcast", object "the evening sky". Step 2: In the passive form, move the object to the subject position: "The evening sky". Step 3: Maintain present perfect tense by using "has been" plus the past participle. Since "the evening sky" is singular, we use "has been". Step 4: Use the correct past participle. The verb "overcast" remains "overcast" in past participle, so we write "has been overcast". Step 5: Add the agent phrase with "by": "by the dark clouds". The full passive sentence becomes "The evening sky has been overcast by the dark clouds." Verification / Alternative check: Examine each option. Option B reads "The evening sky has been overcast by the dark clouds." It matches our constructed passive form exactly. Option A, "By the dark clouds the evening sky was overcast", changes the tense to simple past ("was overcast") and uses an unusual word order. Option C, "Dark clouds overcastted the evening sky", remains in active voice and uses an incorrect verb form. Option D, "The sky of the evening was overcasted by dark clouds", uses the wrong tense and the non standard form "overcasted". Only option B preserves tense, meaning, and correct verb form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A shifts the tense from present perfect ("have overcast") to simple past ("was overcast") and uses awkward inversion by starting with "By the dark clouds". Option C does not convert to passive at all, and "overcastted" is incorrect; the verb "overcast" does not take "ed". Option D also uses "overcasted", which is not accepted in standard English, and changes the tense to simple past, along with an unnatural phrase "the sky of the evening". Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake is to change the tense unintentionally while converting active to passive. Another common error is to add "ed" to verbs that already have irregular past participle forms, as in "overcasted". To avoid such errors, always identify the tense first, recall the correct passive pattern for that tense, and check the dictionary form of any irregular verbs. For present perfect, the pattern is "has/have been + past participle". Final Answer: The correct passive voice sentence is "The evening sky has been overcast by the dark clouds."

Question 8

Select the option that is most opposite in meaning to the verb "horrify" in the context of causing an emotional reaction.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question requires you to choose the word whose meaning is most opposite to "horrify". The word "horrify" describes causing intense fear, shock, or disgust in someone. To answer correctly, you must think of what emotional effect is directly contrary to that feeling of horror and identify which option expresses that opposite effect. Given Data / Assumptions: Target verb: "horrify". Options: affright, petrify, appall, soothe. We assume "horrify" means to fill someone with horror or great shock. We need the option that clearly reverses that effect by calming or comforting instead of frightening. Concept / Approach: "Horrify" is a strong negative emotional verb. A person is horrified when they see an accident, a frightening scene, or extremely bad behaviour. An antonym should therefore be a verb that reduces fear, anxiety, or upset and brings comfort or peace. Among the given options, three are near synonyms of "horrify", while one stands in clear contrast by describing calming action. That contrasting word is the correct antonym. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of "horrify": to cause horror, shock, or great fear. Step 2: Look at "affright". This means to frighten or scare someone, which is similar to "horrify", not opposite. Step 3: Consider "petrify". In emotional contexts it means to make someone so frightened that they are unable to move, again a similar effect to horror. Step 4: Examine "appall". This means to greatly dismay or horrify, so it is almost a direct synonym. Step 5: Evaluate "soothe". This means to calm, comfort, or relieve pain or anxiety. This is exactly the opposite kind of effect from causing horror or fear. Verification / Alternative check: Use example sentences to compare. If a violent movie may horrify viewers, a gentle song may soothe them. If a terrible news report horrifies a child, a parent might try to soothe the child afterward. "Affright", "petrify", and "appall" are all used in situations where fear or shock increases, while "soothe" is used when fear or pain is reduced. Therefore, "soothe" stands as the clear antonym in this set. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Affright" means to frighten, so it produces a similar emotional reaction rather than an opposite one. "Petrify" also intensifies fear, suggesting that someone is frozen in terror. "Appall" is nearly interchangeable with "horrify" in many clauses, so it cannot be an antonym. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes confuse synonyms with antonyms when several options have strong emotional meanings. A practical strategy is to check whether the word you are considering would appear in the same or in a contrasting sentence. If you can replace "horrify" with that word without changing the overall meaning, it is more likely a synonym. An antonym should allow you to describe a very different emotional outcome, such as calming instead of shocking. Here, only "soothe" clearly does that. Final Answer: The correct antonym of "horrify" is "soothe".

Question 9

Select the correctly spelt English word from the following options, focusing on common vocabulary used in reading passages.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a spelling recognition question. Out of the four given options, you must find the word that matches standard English spelling. These questions often include one correct word and three distractors that are slightly altered versions of real words. Your task is to rely on visual memory of proper spellings and your knowledge of vocabulary frequently seen in reading comprehension or general awareness articles. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: "pillages", "spliter", "palenes", "bloting". Only one option should match a dictionary form. The incorrect words resemble "splinter", "paleness", and "blotting". We assume "pillages" is the intended plural or third person singular of "pillage". Concept / Approach: "Pillage" is a verb and noun meaning to rob a place using violence, especially in war, and "pillages" is a correct inflected form. The other three options show missing letters or altered vowels. A systematic check of each option against likely real words reveals that only "pillages" corresponds exactly to a proper English word as found in dictionaries and serious texts. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine "pillages". It comes from the base verb "pillage". Adding "s" makes either the third person singular form (he pillages) or the plural noun form (acts of pillage), both of which are correct. Step 2: Look at "spliter". This seems to be a distorted version of "splinter". The standard spelling includes "n" after "i", so "spliter" is not correct. Step 3: Consider "palenes". The likely real word is "paleness", which refers to a lack of colour in the face. The correct spelling uses double s at the end and an extra s before e, so "palenes" is wrong. Step 4: Check "bloting". This looks like a mistaken form of "blotting". The verb "blot" forms "blotting" with double t when adding the ing ending. Therefore, "bloting" is incorrect. Step 5: Since "pillages" lines up perfectly with a known word, it must be the correctly spelt one. Verification / Alternative check: Use example sentences for confirmation. "The army pillages the villages during war" is grammatically and orthographically correct. If we try "spliter" in place of "splinter", the error becomes obvious: "He got a spliter in his thumb" looks wrong to any reader familiar with basic English. Similarly, "palenes of her face" and "ink bloting paper" are clearly misspelt compared to "paleness" and "blotting". This confirms that only "pillages" matches standard spelling. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Spliter" is missing the letter "n" and therefore does not match the correct word "splinter". "Palenes" omits one of the letters "s" and changes the formation of the abstract noun "paleness". "Bloting" drops one of the consonants and should instead be "blotting" with double t. Common Pitfalls: In spelling questions, examinees may focus only on how the word sounds, which can be misleading with English spelling. Many errors arise from missing double consonants or misplacing vowels. It helps to visualise where you have seen the word in print. Reading newspapers, novels, and non fiction regularly builds this mental dictionary, making such questions much easier over time. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word among the options is "pillages".

Question 10

Convert the sentence "Please do not cry," he said into its correct indirect speech form by selecting the most appropriate option.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your skill in changing direct speech to indirect (reported) speech. The original sentence is a polite request: "Please do not cry," he said. When reporting such a sentence, we must choose an appropriate reporting verb, adjust the pronouns, and remove the quotation marks, while keeping the tone of request or pleading intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: "Please do not cry," he said. Speaker: he. Listener is implied; the original sentence does not name the listener explicitly. The presence of "Please" shows a request or plea, not an order. We must choose an indirect form that expresses a request with correct grammar. Concept / Approach: When converting a polite request in direct speech to indirect speech, we often use reporting verbs such as "ask", "request", or "beg". The word "please" is usually dropped and replaced by an appropriate verb that already conveys politeness. If the listener is "me", the indirect form becomes "He begged me not to cry." We keep the negative infinitive "not to cry" to match "do not cry" from the original. Correct indirect speech should be concise, grammatically correct, and preserve the tone of pleading. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the type of sentence. It is a negative imperative with "please", signalling a request. Step 2: Select a suitable reporting verb that shows the sense of pleading. "Begged" is appropriate because the speaker is strongly asking someone to stop crying. Step 3: Remove the quotation marks and the word "please". These are replaced by the reporting verb in indirect speech. Step 4: Use an object pronoun for the listener. The most natural choice is "me", giving "He begged me". Step 5: Convert "do not cry" to the negative infinitive "not to cry". Combining these gives "He begged me not to cry." Verification / Alternative check: Examine each option. Option B reads "He begged me not to cry." This captures the request, uses the correct reporting verb, and uses the infinitive structure "not to cry" properly. Option A, "He begged that I should not cry", is grammatically possible but less idiomatic and slightly more awkward. Option C, "He said to please him and not cry", changes the meaning, making it sound like the listener should please him, which is not the focus. Option D, "He told me to not to cry", is ungrammatical due to the double "to". Thus, option B is the best and most natural indirect form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is overly formal and uses a "that" clause, which is uncommon for simple requests of this type. Option C alters the sense by suggesting that the listener must please the speaker, instead of simply requesting that the listener stop crying. Option D is incorrect because of the phrase "to not to cry", where one "to" must be removed. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to keep the word "please" directly in reported speech or to forget to use a reporting verb that indicates a request, such as "ask", "request", or "beg". Another frequent mistake is incorrect placement of "not" in infinitive structures. Remember that "do not cry" becomes "not to cry" when reporting an instruction or request. Practising many examples of direct to indirect conversions will make these grammatical patterns feel much more natural. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech is: "He begged me not to cry."

Question 11

In this voice transformation question, choose the active voice sentence that correctly expresses the meaning of the passive sentence "An elephant may be helped even by an ant."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question assesses your ability to convert a passive sentence into a correct and natural active voice sentence without changing the meaning. The given passive sentence is "An elephant may be helped even by an ant." It expresses a general truth or proverb like idea, suggesting that even a very small creature can help a very large one. You must find the active version that preserves both the modal verb and the emphasis. Given Data / Assumptions: Passive sentence: "An elephant may be helped even by an ant." Passive subject: "An elephant". Agent introduced by "by": "an ant". Modal verb: "may". Main verb in passive: "be helped". We must make "an ant" the subject of the active sentence and keep "may" as the modal. Concept / Approach: To convert from passive to active voice, we move the agent of the action (the "by" phrase) to subject position, keep the modal verb, and change "be helped" to the base verb "help". The phrase "even by an ant" in passive becomes "Even an ant" at the beginning of the active sentence to maintain emphasis. We must also ensure that articles before "elephant" and "ant" are correct and that the modal "may" is preserved, since it expresses possibility rather than certainty or obligation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the agent in the passive sentence. "By an ant" indicates that the ant is the one doing the helping. Step 2: Move this agent to the subject position in the active sentence. We begin with "Even an ant". Step 3: Retain the modal verb "may" to keep the same degree of possibility. Step 4: Convert "be helped" to the base verb "help". Thus the verb phrase becomes "may help". Step 5: Place the original passive subject "an elephant" as the object of the verb in the active sentence: "Even an ant may help an elephant." Verification / Alternative check: Examine each option. Option C reads "Even an ant may help an elephant." This matches the structure we derived and maintains the proverb like emphasis that even a very small creature can be of help. Option A uses "can" instead of "may" and incorrectly uses "a elephant" instead of "an elephant". Option B keeps "may" but again says "a elephant", which is grammatically wrong. Option D changes the modal to "ought to", implying duty or obligation rather than possibility, and therefore changes the meaning. Hence, option C is the correct active voice equivalent. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A changes the modal from "may" to "can", which shifts the nuance from possibility to ability, and also has an article error. Option B keeps the modal but still has the incorrect article "a elephant". Option D uses "ought to", implying moral duty, which does not match the original sense of mere possibility. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes treat "can" and "may" as interchangeable, but exam setters often expect precise preservation of modals during voice transformation. Another common error is to overlook article usage, especially before words beginning with vowel sounds such as "elephant". When converting voice, always check three things: the subject and object swap, the correct base form of the verb, and the preservation of tense and modal auxiliaries. Final Answer: The correct active voice sentence is "Even an ant may help an elephant."

Question 12

Rearrange the labelled sentences to form a coherent paragraph about the German practice of "lapanka" in occupied Poland.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a paragraph arrangement or para jumble question. You are given four labelled sentences that together describe a German practice in occupied Poland during the Second World War, associated with the term "lapanka". Your task is to arrange them so that they produce a logical, smoothly flowing paragraph that introduces the practice, explains the term, and then provides statistics and an example. Given Data / Assumptions: Q: A common German practice in occupied Poland was to round up random civilians on the streets of Polish cities. S: The term "lapanka" carried a sardonic connotation from the word earlier use for the children game known in English as "tag". P: According to various estimates, between 1942 and 1944 there were approximately 400 victims of this practice daily in Warsaw alone, with numbers on some days reaching several thousands. R: For example, on 19 September 1942 close to 3000 men and women were transported by train to Germany they had been caught in the massive round ups all over Warsaw the previous two days. We seek the most natural narrative order explaining the practice, naming it, quantifying it, and illustrating it with an example. Concept / Approach: A coherent paragraph usually starts with a general statement or definition, then may introduce terminology, provide quantitative details, and end with a specific example. Sentence Q clearly introduces the general practice of rounding up civilians. Sentence S explains the term "lapanka", which refers to that practice. Sentence P gives statistical data about how frequent it was, and sentence R supplies a concrete example on a particular date. Therefore the logical order is Q, S, P, R, which corresponds to option QSPR. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Find the best opening sentence. Q introduces "a common German practice in occupied Poland" and is independent, so it is a strong candidate for the opening. Step 2: After defining the practice in Q, it makes sense to introduce the technical or colloquial term for this practice. Sentence S does exactly that by explaining the meaning and origin of "lapanka". Hence S should follow Q. Step 3: Once the practice and term are introduced, we can provide numerical detail. P quantifies the scale of the practice, referring back to "this practice", which naturally links to Q (and implicitly to the term mentioned in S). Step 4: Finally, a specific example often comes after general statistics. Sentence R provides an example with a precise date and number of victims, illustrating what P described. Step 5: This gives the order Q S P R, matching option C (QSPR). Verification / Alternative check: Check alternative sequences. If we start with S, the term "lapanka" is introduced before the reader knows what practice it refers to, which can be confusing. If we put R before P, the example would come before the general statistical summary, which is less natural in formal exposition. Ending with Q, as in some other options, would move the basic definition to the end of the paragraph, which is clearly illogical. Only QSPR gives a smooth flow from general overview to term explanation, then to data, and finally to a specific illustration. Why Other Options Are Wrong: SQRP starts by discussing the term "lapanka" without first describing the practice itself, which can leave readers puzzled. SRPQ moves from the term to an example and then to statistics, and ends with the basic definition, which is backward. QPRS places the statistics before the term explanation. Ending with S feels abrupt and leaves the paragraph with a definition of the term instead of a summarising statement or example. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates focus only on pronoun references like "this practice" without considering the overall informational flow. A more reliable strategy is to first identify a sentence that can stand alone as a topic sentence. Then, look for sentences that explain terms, give numerical details, and finally provide examples. Checking for phrases like "for example" or "according to estimates" also helps decide what should follow what. Here, those cues strongly support the QSPR order. Final Answer: The most logical order is Q S P R, so the correct option is QSPR.

Question 13

Rearrange the labelled sentences to form a coherent narrative paragraph about the speaker journey to the house of Roderick Usher.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This paragraph arrangement question is based on a narrative excerpt that describes a journey to the house of Roderick Usher, a character from famous Gothic literature. The four labelled sentences describe the travel, the sight of the house, identification of its owner, and information about how long it had been since the narrator and Roderick Usher had met. You need to arrange these sentences into the most logical chronological order. Given Data / Assumptions: Q: One dull dark day in autumn, I was travelling on horseback through a dreary stretch of countryside. S: At night fall, I came in sight of the house of Usher. R: This was the house of Roderick Usher, who had been my childhood pal. P: It had been umpteen years since we had seen each other. The paragraph is a first person narrative of a journey and a reunion after a long separation. Concept / Approach: Narrative paragraphs usually follow time order. First the narrator describes the setting and journey, then arriving at a particular place, then recognising whose house it is, and finally adding background details about the relationship and time gap. Among the given sentences, Q is clearly the starting point because it begins with a time expression "One dull dark day in autumn" and sets the scene. S naturally follows as the arrival at the destination. R identifies the owner of the house, and P gives further background about the friendship and the fact that they had not met for years. This results in the sequence Q S R P. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the best opening sentence. Q introduces the time, mood, and situation of travelling on horseback, making it a classic opening for a story. Step 2: After travelling, the next key event is arriving at or seeing the destination. Sentence S states "At night fall, I came in sight of the house of Usher", which logically follows the travel described in Q. Step 3: Once the narrator sees the house, it is natural to explain whose house it is. R provides that information: "This was the house of Roderick Usher, who had been my childhood pal." Step 4: After identifying Roderick as a childhood friend, P adds further detail: "It had been umpteen years since we had seen each other." This completes the background and sets up emotional anticipation for their meeting. Step 5: Therefore, the most coherent order is Q S R P, which corresponds to option C (QSRP). Verification / Alternative check: Consider alternative orders. If we start with P, "It had been umpteen years since we had seen each other", the reader has no idea who "we" are or why this matters until much later, which is less effective. Beginning with S ("At night fall, I came in sight of the house of Usher") lacks initial context and ignores the set up of the journey. Ending with Q would place the travel description after the arrival, which is clearly illogical. Only QSRP shows a natural time sequence: travel, arrival, identification, and background. Why Other Options Are Wrong: PQSR starts abruptly with information about the lapse of time without introducing the characters or setting. PSQR also begins with the time gap, then jumps to the idea that the house belonged to Roderick Usher, and only later describes the travel and sight of the house, which scrambles the narrative. QRSP would place P ("It had been umpteen years") before S, so the reader knows about the time gap but does not yet know that the narrator is about to see the house, which weakens the flow of events. Common Pitfalls: In narrative para jumbles, many students look only for pronoun references and connectors, but they forget to apply simple chronological logic. A good strategy is to list events in the order they would naturally happen in real life: journey, arrival, recognition, and then reflection on the past. Often, the sentence with the most explicit time and setting markers makes the best beginning, as is the case with Q here. Final Answer: The correct order is Q S R P, so the answer is QSRP.

Question 14

In this spelling question, four words are given, and you must identify the one word that is incorrectly spelt according to standard English usage.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question requires you to pick out the one incorrectly spelt word among four options. The other three words are correctly spelt common English words that you will have encountered in textbooks and everyday reading. Spotting the wrongly spelt word depends largely on your visual memory of words and basic familiarity with English vocabulary. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: "Dictionory", "Irrelevant", "Perishable", "Tangible". We are told that only one of these words is incorrectly spelt. The likely intended correct forms are "dictionary", "irrelevant", "perishable", and "tangible". Concept / Approach: The word "dictionary" is a very common English word referring to a reference book containing words and their meanings. Its correct spelling uses "a" before the final "ry" and not "o". The other three words, "irrelevant", "perishable", and "tangible", are correctly spelt in the options. Therefore, the misspelt word is "Dictionory", which replaces "a" with "o" in the second last syllable. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine "Dictionory". The common word is "dictionary", which you see in book titles such as "Oxford English Dictionary". The correct sequence is "tionary", not "tionory". Hence "Dictionory" is wrong. Step 2: Look at "Irrelevant". This is spelt with double r and single l, exactly as it appears in standard English. There is no error here. Step 3: Check "Perishable". This word describes something that can decay or spoil, such as perishable goods. Its spelling with "perish" plus "able" is correct. Step 4: Review "Tangible". This means something that can be touched or physically felt. The spelling "tangible" is the standard dictionary form. Step 5: Conclude that "Dictionory" is the only incorrectly spelt option. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify this by writing the words as you have typically seen them. For instance, school children often write "dictionary work" or "dictionary meaning". If you imagine a book cover, you will recall the spelling "dictionary", not "dictionory". The other three words can be checked by dividing them into roots and suffixes: "ir" plus "relevant", "perish" plus "able", and "tang" plus "ible". All of these follow common English spelling patterns. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Irrelevant" is a standard word meaning not related to the subject, and its spelling is correct. "Perishable" correctly describes items that can rot or spoil and follows the typical formation pattern of adding "able" to a verb. "Tangible" is correctly spelt and is frequently used in law and business contexts for things that have a physical presence. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes second guess themselves because all options look familiar. A good strategy is to silently pronounce each part of the word and recall where you have seen it. Words ending with "ary" such as "dictionary", "vocabulary", and "imaginary" follow a pattern that you can memorise. Mixing "ory" and "ary" is a common spelling mistake that exam makers like to test. Keeping a mental or written list of such common traps is useful for fast recognition in the exam hall. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word is "Dictionory"; the correct spelling is "dictionary".

Question 15

In this spelling question, four words are given and you must select the one that is incorrectly spelt according to standard English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling based question asks you to identify the one incorrectly spelt word among four options. The other three options are correctly spelt English words. Questions of this type check whether you can distinguish commonly confused letter patterns such as "ie" and "ei", which often cause trouble for learners. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: "Conceive", "Leisure", "Neice", "Reign". We know that the correct words are "conceive", "leisure", "niece", and "reign". Only one form is misspelt in the options. Concept / Approach: The word "niece" is famously tricky because it uses the "ie" pattern even though it sounds like "nees". The misspelt version "Neice" reverses the letters. The other words are correctly spelt: "conceive" follows the "ei" after c pattern, "leisure" has the correct vowel sequence, and "reign" is the standard spelling for rule or sovereignty. Thus, the only incorrect spelling here is "Neice". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine "Conceive". There is a common rule in English: "i before e except after c" in some words. The spelling "conceive" fits this pattern: "cei" after c. Step 2: Check "Leisure". This is a standard English word meaning free time, spelt "leisure" with "eis". The option matches this exactly. Step 3: Look at "Neice". The correct spelling for a daughter of one brother or sister is "niece". The letters "ie" come after n, not "ei". Therefore "Neice" is wrong. Step 4: Review "Reign". This is a common word in history and politics, referring to the period of rule of a king or queen. The spelling "reign" is correct. Step 5: Conclude that "Neice" is the incorrectly spelt word among the four. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine common collocations. You might write "the reign of a king", "time for leisure activities", and "conceive an idea". All of these spellings would look familiar from textbooks and news articles. However, when you picture greeting cards or family notes, the word appears as "niece", not "neice". This mental cross check with contexts you have seen helps confirm that the error lies in option C. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Conceive" is spelled correctly and follows a typical English pattern for words derived from Latin roots. "Leisure" is the standard British and international spelling for free time; "leasure" or other variations would be wrong. "Reign" correctly represents rule or period of rule and is extremely common in history books. Common Pitfalls: Mixing up "ie" and "ei" is a classic spelling problem. A useful memory aid is that "i before e except after c" often holds for words like "receive" and "conceive", but there are exceptions such as "neighbour" and "leisure". The word "niece" is another special case where "ie" comes first. Learning a short list of these exceptions and revisiting them before the exam helps you spot incorrect variations quickly. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word is "Neice"; the correct spelling is "niece".

Question 16

In this one word substitution question, choose the single word that best replaces the phrase "A person who is blamed for the wrong doings of others."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a one word substitution question. You are given a descriptive phrase, "A person who is blamed for the wrong doings of others", and asked to pick the single English word that conveys this idea. Such questions test how well you know concise vocabulary used in news reports, essays, and everyday speech when describing people roles or situations. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: "A person who is blamed for the wrong doings of others." Options: Bursar, Captor, Phlegmatic, Scapegoat. We assume the question is about someone unfairly receiving blame that properly belongs to others. The correct answer should match this exact sense. Concept / Approach: The word "scapegoat" is widely used to describe a person who is made to bear the blame for the faults or crimes of others. The term originates from a Biblical ritual but is now common in modern language. The other options refer to completely different roles or personality traits. So, you must match definitions carefully rather than rely on how sophisticated the word sounds. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of "scapegoat". It is someone who is punished or blamed so that others, often the real culprits, escape responsibility. Step 2: Check each option. "Bursar" means a person responsible for financial affairs in an institution, such as a college treasurer. Step 3: "Captor" refers to a person who has captured another, such as a kidnapper or a jailer, not someone who receives blame. Step 4: "Phlegmatic" is an adjective describing a calm, unemotional temperament. It is not a noun for a person who is blamed. Step 5: "Scapegoat" exactly matches the idea of a person blamed for others misdeeds, making it the correct one word substitute. Verification / Alternative check: Think of typical sentences. In politics, people say "The junior officer became a scapegoat for the scandal." Here the junior officer is blamed while senior officials escape responsibility. You would not say he became a "bursar", "captor", or "phlegmatic" in that context. Those words have completely different meanings. Checking real world usage confirms that "scapegoat" fits the phrase perfectly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Bursar" is an official responsible for managing finances, especially in educational institutions; there is no link to being blamed. "Captor" describes someone who holds another person captive. It is associated with imprisonment, not with blame. "Phlegmatic" is an adjective describing a calm personality and cannot serve as a noun referring to a person who bears others blame. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes pick unusual or less familiar words assuming that the hardest word is always the correct answer. However, competitive exams often use common high frequency words like "scapegoat" that appear regularly in newspapers. The key is to understand and remember such everyday academic vocabulary. Reading editorials and analyses will expose you to these words in natural contexts so that their meanings become very clear. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is "Scapegoat".

Question 17

In this one word substitution question, select the single word that best replaces the phrase "That which cannot be corrected."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your knowledge of one word substitutions for descriptive phrases. You are given the phrase "That which cannot be corrected" and asked to choose a single word that captures this idea. Such questions are common in competitive exams to see if you can link Latin based vocabulary with its simplified English definition. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: "That which cannot be corrected." Options: Impregnable, Immolation, Incorrigible, Ineligible. We assume the phrase refers to a fault, habit, or behaviour that cannot be improved or reformed. The correct answer should directly express incorrigible nature. Concept / Approach: The adjective "incorrigible" is used for a person or habit that cannot be corrected, improved, or reformed despite repeated attempts. The prefix "in" means "not", and "corrigible" relates to being corrected. The other options have standard meanings that do not match this phrase. So you must pay attention to word roots and standard dictionary meanings rather than guessing from sound alone. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Analyse the phrase "cannot be corrected". It implies that efforts to change or improve something fail; the nature remains the same. Step 2: Recall the meaning of "incorrigible". It describes a person or behaviour that resists all correction or reform, for example an "incorrigible liar". Step 3: Check "impregnable". This means "unable to be captured or broken into", usually used for fortresses or defences. It does not refer to correction of behaviour. Step 4: Examine "immolation". This is a noun referring to killing or offering in sacrifice, especially by burning. It is unrelated to correction. Step 5: Look at "ineligible". It means "not qualified or not allowed to do something", such as being ineligible to vote. Again, this is different from "cannot be corrected". Step 6: Therefore, "Incorrigible" is the only option that correctly matches the given phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences. A teacher might say, "He is an incorrigible mischief maker", meaning his behaviour cannot be corrected. You would not say "impregnable mischief maker" or "ineligible mischief maker" in this context. Also, newspaper articles often use "incorrigible" to describe persistent offenders. This confirms the close link between the phrase and the word in practical usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Impregnable" belongs to the semantic field of fortifications and security, not correction or reform. "Immolation" is about sacrifice and burning, which is conceptually far away from the idea of correction. "Ineligible" deals with qualifications and permissions, and does not say anything about whether someone can be corrected. Common Pitfalls: Students can be misled by the negative prefix "in" and think that any word beginning with "in" may match the idea of "cannot". Remember that the root of the word is equally important. Recognising that "corrigible" is related to "correct" helps you see why "incorrigible" is correct here. Studying word roots and prefixes is a powerful way to improve performance on one word substitution questions. Final Answer: The correct one word substitute is "Incorrigible".

Question 18

Improve the underlined part of the sentence by choosing the most appropriate option: "Taj Mahal is (a worth seeing monument) in Agra."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to the sentence improvement category. You are given a sentence with a grammatically awkward phrase in brackets: "Taj Mahal is (a worth seeing monument) in Agra." The task is to choose the option that best improves this part so that the sentence becomes natural and grammatically correct standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: "Taj Mahal is a worth seeing monument in Agra." Underlined phrase to improve: "a worth seeing monument". Options: "a monument to see its worth", "a monument worth seeing", "one of worth seeing monuments", "No improvement". We need to express that the Taj Mahal is a monument that is worth seeing. Concept / Approach: The phrase "worth seeing" functions as an adjective phrase that typically comes after the noun it modifies, not before it. In English, we say "a book worth reading", "a place worth visiting", and "a monument worth seeing". Placing "worth" before "seeing" and after the noun is the standard pattern. Therefore, we must choose an option that follows this pattern and sounds natural to a native speaker, without adding unnecessary words or altering the meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the problem in the original phrase. "A worth seeing monument" places the modifier "worth seeing" before the noun in an unusual way and does not follow common English word order. Step 2: Examine option B: "a monument worth seeing". This places the noun "monument" first, followed by the modifying phrase "worth seeing", which matches patterns like "a film worth watching". Step 3: Check option A: "a monument to see its worth". This changes the meaning, suggesting that one must see the monument in order to know its value, which is awkward and wordy. Step 4: Check option C: "one of worth seeing monuments". This phrase is ungrammatical; it should be "one of the monuments worth seeing" if rewritten properly. Step 5: Option D, "No improvement", would retain the clumsy original structure, which is not acceptable. Step 6: Conclude that "a monument worth seeing" is the most accurate and natural improvement. Verification / Alternative check: Insert option B into the full sentence: "Taj Mahal is a monument worth seeing in Agra." This reads smoothly as standard English and communicates exactly what is intended. Compare with "Taj Mahal is a worth seeing monument in Agra" which feels awkward. The version with "a monument to see its worth" is both longer and conceptually slightly different. The "one of worth seeing monuments" version is clearly incorrect. These comparisons confirm that option B is superior. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses an odd phrase "to see its worth", which is not a common collocation when recommending a tourist attraction. Option C is grammatically flawed because the placement of "worth seeing" without "the" and proper noun order is incorrect. Option D fails to fix the unnatural structure in the original sentence and therefore cannot be correct. Common Pitfalls: Students often accept non native patterns if they sound slightly formal or complex. However, exam setters test familiarity with natural collocations like "worth seeing", "worth visiting", and "worth reading" in their correct positions. A good tip is to remember examples: "This is a movie worth watching", "That is a book worth reading", and then transfer the pattern to new nouns. Doing so quickly shows that "a monument worth seeing" is the correct choice here. Final Answer: The improved sentence should read: "Taj Mahal is a monument worth seeing in Agra."

Question 19

In this idiom based question, select the option that best explains the meaning of the expression "Teething problems" as used in everyday English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom question focuses on the phrase "Teething problems". The expression comes from the literal idea of a baby experiencing discomfort when its first teeth start to emerge, but in business, technology, and everyday conversation it is used metaphorically. You must choose the explanation that captures this figurative meaning correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "Teething problems". Options: Oral problems. Problems at the start of a new project. Problems for quite a long time in adjusting in the new place. Problem of having good dentist. We assume the question is testing your knowledge of the metaphorical sense commonly used in organisational or technical contexts. Concept / Approach: Literally, teething problems refer to the difficulties babies face when their first teeth come out. Metaphorically, "teething problems" describes minor difficulties, bugs, or issues that occur during the early phase of any new system, project, or arrangement. These are not long term crises, but initial glitches that are expected and usually temporary. Therefore, the correct explanation mentions problems at the beginning of a new initiative, not general health problems or long term adjustment issues. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall typical usage. Managers often say, "The software has some teething problems, but they will be fixed soon." This clearly refers to early stage issues. Step 2: Look at option B: "Problems at the start of a new project." This matches the idea of initial difficulties in new undertakings. Step 3: Examine option A: "Oral problems." This reflects the literal sense related to teeth, but the idiom in exam context usually expects the figurative meaning. Step 4: Examine option C: "Problems for quite a long time in adjusting in the new place." This suggests prolonged, continuing difficulties, whereas teething problems are normally short term initial issues. Step 5: Examine option D: "Problem of having good dentist." This is too specific and literal, and does not match normal idiomatic usage. Verification / Alternative check: Consider examples from news articles or project reports. A headline might read, "New metro line faces teething problems in first week" or "The startup has overcome initial teething problems." In both cases, the phrase clearly refers to early difficulties shortly after launch, which matches option B exactly. None of the other options would fit naturally in these sentences. You would not write "faces oral problems" or "faces problems of having good dentist" about a metro line or startup. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A restricts the meaning to literal dental issues, which is not how the idiom is used in business or general discussions. Option C implies long lasting difficulties in adapting to a new place, not temporary early stage issues. Option D focuses on finding a dentist, which is far removed from the figurative sense in which the idiom is typically used. Common Pitfalls: Some learners are tempted by the literal picture suggested by an idiom, especially when they see words like "teething" that obviously relate to teeth. However, idioms often shift far away from their literal origins. For exam purposes, always think of how you have seen the phrase used in reports, articles, or conversations, not just what the individual words suggest. Remember that "teething problems" has become a standard phrase meaning early difficulties with a new system or arrangement. Final Answer: The idiom "Teething problems" means "Problems at the start of a new project".

Question 20

In this English idiom question, choose the option that best explains the meaning of the expression "to keep the wolf from the door", that is, to avoid severe poverty or starvation.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of a common English idiom, "to keep the wolf from the door". Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings are not always obvious from the literal meanings of the individual words. In this case, the image of a wolf at the door represents hunger, debt, and serious financial trouble. When exam questions ask you to choose the correct meaning of an idiom, you must focus on the figurative sense that native speakers commonly associate with that expression. Given Data / Assumptions: The idiom given is "to keep the wolf from the door". It is used in everyday English, especially in the context of money and survival. We must choose the option that best represents the figurative meaning, not the literal image of a wolf. Only one option should be fully correct and most appropriate in standard English usage. Concept / Approach: The key to idiom questions is to recall or infer the commonly accepted meaning. The "wolf" here symbolizes danger, hunger, or poverty trying to enter the house. "Keeping the wolf from the door" therefore means managing to survive, paying bills, and avoiding starvation or extreme financial hardship. It does not refer to travel, entry restrictions, or business negotiations directly. We compare this meaning with each of the answer options and select the one that matches best. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the idiom is metaphorical, not literal. Step 2: Recall that in many idioms, wild animals like wolves represent danger, threat, or hunger. Step 3: Understand that the "door" represents the home or basic security of a person or family. Step 4: Combine the ideas and interpret the expression as keeping severe poverty or hunger away from one's household. Step 5: Compare this meaning with the options and observe that "Avoid starvation and extreme poverty" matches perfectly. Step 6: Confirm that the other options talk about cracking a deal, prohibiting entry, or going on a pleasant tour, which are unrelated to the idiom's established meaning. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the meaning by checking how the idiom is used in example sentences. For instance: "His small shop does not make him rich, but it keeps the wolf from the door." In this sentence, the shop is not about getting a big opportunity or enjoying a tour; it simply ensures that he has enough money to survive and not go hungry. Dictionaries and standard English usage guides also define this idiom as "to avoid starvation or financial ruin" or "to have just enough money to live". This confirms that the first option is the correct interpretation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Crack an important business deal" is about business success, which may bring money, but the idiom does not specifically refer to negotiating deals; it refers more broadly to survival. "Indicate that entry is prohibited" focuses on a literal door and keeping someone out. The idiom is not used for signboards or prohibiting visitors. "Have a pleasant and carefree tour" is about enjoyment and travel, which is completely different from the idea of avoiding hunger or poverty. Common Pitfalls: Students often treat idioms too literally or link them to one word only, such as "door" or "wolf", and then guess that it might be about physical protection or stopping entry. Another common mistake is to choose a positive-sounding option like having a pleasant tour, simply because it seems attractive. In idiom questions, always think about how native speakers actually use the expression in sentences and remember that idiomatic meanings are often metaphorical. Also, be careful not to overthink and add meanings like bravery or heroism when the idiom is primarily about financial survival. Final Answer: Avoid starvation and extreme poverty is the correct meaning of the idiom "to keep the wolf from the door".

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