Question 1

In this analogy question, the pair Pesticide : Plant is given. A pesticide is a substance used to protect a plant from harm by killing or controlling pests. From the options below, choose the pair of words that shows the most similar relationship to…

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Introduction / Context: Analogy questions in English and general aptitude test your ability to recognise relationships between pairs of words. Here, the base pair Pesticide : Plant describes an agent and the thing it is meant to protect. A pesticide is applied so that a plant remains healthy and safe from harmful pests. The goal is to identify which option expresses a similar protective relationship between two items. Given Data / Assumptions: - Pesticide is a chemical agent. - Plant is the living thing that the pesticide is meant to protect. - We must select the option where the first word protects or safeguards the second in a similar preventive or protective way. Concept / Approach: To solve analogy questions, first clearly describe the relationship in the given pair in simple language. Here, a pesticide is used as a preventive measure to protect a plant from pests and diseases. It is not the plant itself but something applied to the plant. Next, examine each option and test whether the first word is a preventive or protective measure that is used on or for the second word, similar to pesticide for a plant. The pair with the closest conceptual match is the correct answer. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Pesticide : Plant means a chemical agent used on a plant to protect it from harmful organisms. Step 2: Injection : Disease suggests that an injection is a tool to treat a disease, not the thing that is protected. The disease is not protected, so this is not a close match. Step 3: Vaccination : Body shows a preventive agent that is given to the human body to protect it from future infections. This is very similar to pesticide protecting a plant. Step 4: Medicine : Cure is not parallel because medicine is used to bring about a cure, and the cure is a result, not a thing being protected. Step 5: Teacher : Student shows a human relationship of guidance and education, not a substance that protects a physical entity. Verification / Alternative check: A quick check is to restate each option in the form first word protects the second word. Only vaccination protects the body in a preventive way comparable to pesticide protecting the plant. Injection can deliver many things including painkillers or saline and is not directly the counterpart of pesticide. Medicine helping a cure is a different kind of relationship, and teacher guiding student is yet another relationship type. Therefore, the best and closest match remains vaccination protecting the body. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is wrong because injection is a method of delivering substances and disease is not something that is protected by an injection. Option C is wrong because medicine brings about a cure rather than protecting the cure itself. Option D is wrong because a teacher guides a student, which is a human relationship and not a chemical preventive relationship. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to choose an option that vaguely feels related to health or treatment without checking the precise direction of the relationship. Students may also confuse treatment with prevention. Remember that pesticide is primarily preventive, just as vaccination is preventive. Training yourself to express the relationship in words first, such as agent protects target, will make these questions much easier to handle in competitive exams. Final Answer: The pair with the same relationship as pesticide and plant is Vaccination : Body.

Question 2

There is a certain relationship between the words Firm and Flabby, and you must find a similar relationship for the pair involving Piquant. Firm and flabby are opposites in terms of physical feel. Choose from the options the word that has a relation…

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Introduction / Context: This is a verbal analogy question from English vocabulary. The words Firm and Flabby form a pair that helps you identify the relationship you must reproduce using the word Piquant. Firm and flabby are opposite in meaning with respect to texture or physical tightness. Piquant is usually used to describe food that is pleasantly sharp or spicy in taste. The question asks you to select the option that stands in the same kind of opposite relationship to piquant as flabby does to firm. Given Data / Assumptions: - Firm and flabby differ in meaning and are opposites in the context of body or material firmness. - Piquant describes something that has a sharp, stimulating, or pleasantly spicy flavour. - We must identify which option represents the opposite or near opposite of piquant. Concept / Approach: In analogy questions of this type, the first pair defines the relationship. Firm is roughly the opposite of flabby; therefore, we expect that piquant will be paired with a word that is opposite in meaning in the context of taste. Piquant food is interesting, sharp, and stimulating to the taste buds, so its opposite would be food that is dull, tasteless, or lacking in flavour. Knowing basic vocabulary, bland is commonly used to describe food that does not have a strong or interesting taste. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that firm and flabby represent opposite qualities, one tight and the other loose and soft. Step 2: Understand that piquant indicates a pleasantly sharp or spicy taste that excites the palate. Step 3: Examine the options. Salty is a strong taste, but not necessarily the opposite of piquant; some piquant foods may also be salty. Step 4: Pleasant is too vague and does not provide the opposite sense, because piquant can itself be pleasant. Step 5: Bland is used for food that is dull and lacking strong flavour, which stands as the opposite of sharp and spicy. Step 6: Smell is a noun describing a sense and not an adjective of taste; it does not fit the required relationship. Verification / Alternative check: A quick verification is to form simple sentences. Piquant sauce excites the taste buds, while bland soup fails to excite them. This contrast best matches the firm versus flabby pair. Also, if you tried to pair piquant with salty or pleasant, you would not get a clear opposition. Therefore, the analogy Firm : Flabby :: Piquant : Bland is the most consistent and meaningful pair, aligning both with vocabulary usage and with the pattern of opposites presented in the question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, salty, is a strong taste but can sometimes be part of a piquant flavour, so it is not opposite. Option B, pleasant, is too general and can include piquant flavours, so it does not create a contrast. Option D, smell, changes from taste to another sense and breaks the relationship pattern entirely. Common Pitfalls: Students often pick related words rather than logically opposite ones. Another mistake is to ignore the part of speech or the context in which the words are used. In analogy questions, always confirm whether the pair is based on synonymy, antonymy, part whole relation, or function. Here, the first pair clearly indicates antonyms, so you must search for an antonym of piquant, which is bland. Building a strong vocabulary base and constantly revising common antonyms help in scoring well in such questions. Final Answer: The correct completion of the analogy is Piquant : Bland.

Question 3

In the following sentence, one part may contain a grammatical or usage error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D suggests that the sentence has no error. Read the sentence and identify the part that contains an …

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Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions are a common feature of English sections in competitive exams. They test your knowledge of grammar, idiomatic usage, and sentence structure. In this question, the sentence about a trek is broken into parts so that you can examine each portion carefully. Your task is to decide which specific part contains an error in standard English usage or whether the sentence is correct as it stands. Given Data / Assumptions: - Complete sentence: The trek is difficult but it is far worth the endeavour. - Part A: The trek is difficult. - Part B: but it is far worth. - Part C: the endeavour. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: The central idea of the sentence is that although the trek is challenging, it is still very rewarding. In English, the natural and idiomatic expression is that something is well worth the effort or the endeavour. The phrase far worth is not a standard collocation. While we can say far better, far more, or well worth, we do not say far worth. Therefore, the issue in this sentence is one of idiomatic usage rather than basic grammar alone. We must identify which part contains this non standard phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, The trek is difficult. This is a grammatically correct independent clause with a clear subject and verb and no error in structure. Step 2: Examine part B, but it is far worth. Here, the conjunction but introduces contrast, which is correct. However, the expression far worth is not idiomatic. The correct phrase should be well worth or worth it. Step 3: Examine part C, the endeavour. This part functions as the object of worth and is grammatically acceptable. Step 4: Since only part B contains non standard usage, the error is located in part B. Verification / Alternative check: Rewriting the sentence with a correct idiom confirms the mistake. The corrected sentence would be The trek is difficult but it is well worth the endeavour. Now, every part reads naturally and is grammatically sound. Because part B is the only fragment that required change, selecting that part as the error is consistent with the intended structure of the question and with standard English usage. This verification step also reinforces your understanding of the correct phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is correct because it clearly states the fact that the trek is difficult without any grammatical or usage error. Option C is correct because the phrase the endeavour serves as a proper noun phrase object and fits naturally after worth. Option D is incorrect because the sentence is not fully correct; the phrase far worth is unidiomatic and must be replaced. Common Pitfalls: A common difficulty in such questions is that learners may focus only on obvious grammar issues such as subject verb agreement or tense and may overlook idiomatic expressions. Another pitfall is being influenced by similar correct phrases like far better and assuming that far worth is also acceptable. Regular reading of good quality English texts and noting collocations such as well worth, worth the effort, and worth the endeavour help build a natural feel for correct expressions. Always check whether the expression you see is one you have encountered in correct usage before. Final Answer: The error is in part but it is far worth, which should be replaced by an expression like it is well worth.

Question 4

Four different spellings of the same word are given below. Only one of them is spelt correctly in standard English. Carefully read each option and choose the correctly spelt word.

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Introduction / Context: Spelling based questions test your familiarity with standard English orthography. Many English words, especially those of older origin, have silent letters or unusual letter combinations. The word in focus here is thoroughly, which is commonly used to mean completely, in detail, or very carefully. You are given four alternative spellings and must identify the one that matches the correct dictionary form of the word. Given Data / Assumptions: - The target word means completely or very carefully. - Four candidate spellings are presented: Thoruoghly, Thoroughly, Thoroghouly, and Thorougholy. - Only one of these is standard and correct. Concept / Approach: English spelling often follows patterns, particularly in common suffixes. The adverb thoroughly is formed from the adjective thorough plus the adverbial suffix ly. The base word thorough is spelt t h o r o u g h and the full adverb is t h o r o u g h l y. To decide which option is correct, break it into the recognised base and suffix and check for extra or misplaced letters. Options that disturb the pattern of thorough plus ly are incorrect. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or infer that the base word is thorough, which ends with the sequence ough. Step 2: Form the adverb by adding ly directly after thorough, giving thoroughly. Step 3: Examine option A, Thoruoghly, where the letters u and o are incorrectly arranged inside the word. Step 4: Examine option B, Thoroughly, which preserves the base thorough and adds ly correctly. Step 5: Examine option C, Thoroghouly, which inserts an extra o and rearranges the ough cluster incorrectly. Step 6: Examine option D, Thorougholy, which breaks the base and suffix pattern by inserting an extra o before the final ly. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify the spelling by thinking of related forms like thoroughness or by recalling common usage in reading. Standard dictionaries consistently record the adverb as thoroughly. Another strategy is to mentally pronounce each option and check if any strange additional syllables appear due to extra letters. The options with scrambled ough clusters produce awkward imaginary pronunciations, confirming that they are incorrect. Only option B maintains the standard letter sequence and recognisable pronunciation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A is wrong because the letters u and o are misplaced, breaking the thorough pattern. Option C is wrong because it overcomplicates the middle of the word with an incorrect ordering of vowels. Option D is wrong because of an unnecessary extra o before ly, which does not appear in the correct word. Common Pitfalls: Learners often struggle with words that contain ough, as this group of letters appears in many different pronunciations and positions. Confusion increases when similar looking wrong options are presented. To avoid such mistakes, make a habit of noting down and revising commonly tested words like thorough, although, through, and thought. Visual memory of the correct form is very helpful. Anchoring the pattern thorough plus ly in your mind will help you quickly eliminate incorrect variants in exams. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is Thoroughly.

Question 5

In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most similar in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is MEDDLE, which describes interfering in something that is not your concern.

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Introduction / Context: Synonym questions evaluate your vocabulary and your ability to understand shades of meaning in English words. The word given in capitals, MEDDLE, is commonly used when someone unnecessarily involves himself or herself in another person's affairs. Your task is to select the option that is closest in meaning to this idea, staying as true as possible to the sense of unwanted involvement. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: MEDDLE. - Options: Disregard, Overlook, Interfere, Free. - Exactly one option should represent the closest synonym in everyday usage. Concept / Approach: Meddle generally means to interfere in something that does not concern you, often causing annoyance or problems. It implies unwanted interference rather than helpful involvement. To identify the correct synonym, review what each option means. Disregard and overlook indicate ignoring something, which is almost the opposite of meddling. Free does not match the concept at all. Interfere, however, directly expresses the idea of getting involved where one is not needed or wanted. Matching the core idea of the word allows you to avoid confusion created by superficially similar looking options. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of meddle as to involve yourself in something that is not your business or to tamper with something. Step 2: Consider option A, Disregard, which means to pay no attention to or to ignore. This is the opposite of interfering, so it cannot be a synonym. Step 3: Consider option B, Overlook, which again means to fail to notice or ignore something. This is also contrary to the sense of interfering. Step 4: Consider option C, Interfere, which means to get involved in a situation where you are not wanted, often causing problems. This matches the meaning of meddle very closely. Step 5: Consider option D, Free, which means to release or set at liberty and has no connection with meddling. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify your choice by using the options in example sentences. For instance, Do not meddle in their argument can be rephrased as Do not interfere in their argument, and the sense remains intact. However, substituting disregard or overlook would completely change the meaning to Do not ignore their argument, which is quite different. Thus, the only option that preserves the original sense is interfere, confirming it as the correct synonym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Disregard is wrong because it involves lack of attention rather than unwanted involvement. Overlook is wrong because it means to miss noticing something, again implying inattention, not interference. Free is wrong as it refers to liberty or release, unrelated to the act of meddling. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse meddle with words that describe emotional concern and think it may mean care or attention. However, meddle has a negative tone and almost always implies that the involvement is not welcome. To avoid mistakes, learn common collocations like meddle in other people's affairs and do not meddle with the controls. These patterns reinforce that interference is the central idea of the word and help you connect it correctly with interfere in synonym questions. Final Answer: The word most similar in meaning to MEDDLE is Interfere.

Question 6

In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most similar in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is ABJURE, which is often used in formal English to describe giving something up.

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Introduction / Context: This question belongs to the vocabulary section focusing on synonyms. The given word ABJURE appears frequently in formal or legal contexts and is important for competitive exams. Understanding its meaning helps you recognise similar words in reading passages and improves your ability to answer synonym questions correctly. You must select the option that most closely captures the meaning of abjure. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: ABJURE. - Options: Renounce, Run off secretly, Abide, Discuss. - Only one option is the closest meaning match in standard usage. Concept / Approach: Abjure means to formally give up a belief, claim, or way of life, often under oath or by a serious decision. It is very close in meaning to renounce. To solve this question, you should first recall what abjure means or infer it from similar words like adjure or conjure in context. Then compare that meaning with the choices. Words that indicate running away, tolerating, or talking about something do not capture the formal giving up or rejection implied by abjure. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that abjure is used when someone gives up an idea, belief, or claim in a firm and often public way. Step 2: Examine option A, Renounce. Renounce means to give up or formally declare abandonment of a right, belief, or practice. This matches the core meaning of abjure. Step 3: Examine option B, Run off secretly, which describes escaping or eloping, an entirely different idea. Step 4: Examine option C, Abide, which means to tolerate or to remain, again the opposite of giving up something. Step 5: Examine option D, Discuss, which means to talk about something and does not suggest abandonment. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, consider example sentences. A person might abjure violence, meaning that the person renounces violence and decides not to follow it any more. Substituting renounce gives the same idea. However, saying run off secretly, abide, or discuss would completely change the meaning of such a sentence. This confirms that renounce is the only true synonym among the options given, making it the correct choice for this question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Run off secretly is wrong because it refers to physical escape, not formal abandonment of an idea or belief. Abide is wrong because it suggests acceptance or tolerance, which is the opposite of giving up. Discuss is wrong because it involves talking about an issue and has no sense of renunciation. Common Pitfalls: A frequent pitfall is confusing abjure with similar sounding words such as adjure, which means to urge or command earnestly. Another mistake is to guess based on vague familiarity with the sound of the word rather than its meaning. To avoid this, always connect abjure with the idea of renouncing a belief or practice. Learning such words in example sentences, particularly from editorial and legal contexts, greatly improves retention and exam performance. Final Answer: The word most similar in meaning to ABJURE is Renounce.

Question 7

In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most similar in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is ESTRANGE, which is often used for relationships that have become distant.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of the vocabulary word ESTRANGE. Such words are frequently used to describe changes in relationships, particularly when people who were once close gradually become distant. Knowing the correct synonym is useful both for reading comprehension and for precise expression in English. You must select the option that best matches the idea of estranging someone. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: ESTRANGE. - Options: Endanger, To become puzzling, Miscalculate, Alienate. - Only one option correctly captures the meaning of estranging someone. Concept / Approach: Estrange means to cause someone to no longer be close or friendly with another person or group. It describes the process of turning a friend into a stranger or creating emotional distance. The closest common synonym in everyday English is alienate. Alienate means to cause someone to feel isolated, unfriendly, or no longer supportive. The other options relate to risk, confusion, or calculation and do not match this emotional or relational context. By focusing on the relational meaning, you can quickly identify the correct option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that estranging someone usually means causing a loss of affection, closeness, or friendly feeling. Step 2: Look at option A, Endanger, which means to put at risk or in danger. This deals with safety, not relationships. Step 3: Look at option B, To become puzzling, which suggests becoming confusing. Estrange does not mean to confuse. Step 4: Look at option C, Miscalculate, which deals with making an error in judgment or arithmetic and has no link to relationships. Step 5: Look at option D, Alienate, which means to cause someone to feel isolated or no longer friendly. This closely matches the meaning of estrange. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences to verify. One might say constant quarrels estranged him from his family, meaning constant quarrels alienated him from his family. Replacing estranged with alienated keeps the sense of separation and distance. However, using endanger, become puzzling, or miscalculate would produce sentences that do not make logical sense. This shows that alienate is the only choice that fits both logically and semantically, confirming it as the correct synonym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Endanger is wrong because it refers to putting someone at risk, usually of harm or loss, not emotional distance. To become puzzling is wrong because estranging someone does not mean making a situation confusing. Miscalculate is wrong as it refers to incorrect calculation or judgment, not to relationships. Common Pitfalls: Some learners confuse estranged with strange and think it simply means odd. In fact, estranged is about relationships that have become distant. Others may overfocus on the sound of the word and guess randomly among options. To avoid mistakes, associate estranged with alienated and remember collocations like estranged husband, estranged relatives, and estranged friend. Consistently noticing such phrases while reading newspapers or novels strengthens your memory of the word and its correct synonym. Final Answer: The word most similar in meaning to ESTRANGE is Alienate.

Question 8

In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is DEROGATORY, which is used for comments or remarks that show a low opinion of someone.

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Introduction / Context: Antonym questions check your grasp of word meanings by asking you to pick a term that is opposite in sense to the given word. The target word here is DEROGATORY, which is often used to describe comments, remarks, or statements that are insulting, disapproving, or showing a low opinion of someone or something. Your aim is to identify the option that conveys a clearly opposite idea, such as respect or approval. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: DEROGATORY. - Options: Conferred, Immediate, Praising, Private. - One option must be opposite in meaning to derogatory. Concept / Approach: Derogatory remarks are insulting or belittling. They reduce someone's reputation in the eyes of others. Therefore, the opposite of derogatory should be a word that suggests expressing approval, admiration, or positive evaluation. Among the choices, praising is the only word that directly signifies speaking well of someone. Conferred relates to giving something formally, immediate relates to time, and private relates to privacy. None of these three expresses the opposite of insulting speech. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that a derogatory comment is insulting, disrespectful, or demeaning. Step 2: Examine option A, Conferred, which means granted or bestowed, usually an honour or title. This has nothing to do with the tone of a remark. Step 3: Examine option B, Immediate, which relates to something happening at once and does not concern praise or insult. Step 4: Examine option C, Praising, which means expressing approval or admiration, the opposite of putting someone down. Step 5: Examine option D, Private, which refers to something not public and is unrelated to the approval disapproval scale. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, compare sentences. A derogatory remark about his colleague hurt the person badly shows an insulting statement. If you replace derogatory with praising, you obtain a praising remark about his colleague, which has the opposite emotional impact. Trying conferred, immediate, or private in this sentence does not reverse the meaning and often sounds awkward or meaningless. Thus, praising is confirmed as the correct antonym in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Conferred is wrong because it describes giving honours and has no direct relation to the tone of speech. Immediate is wrong since it concerns timing rather than attitude. Private is wrong because it refers to whether something is public or confidential, which is a different dimension from respectful or insulting. Common Pitfalls: Examinees sometimes select words that merely appear formal or sophisticated rather than focusing on meaning. Others may misinterpret derogatory as related to legal procedure or delay, which leads them toward irrelevant choices. To avoid such errors, always restate the core meaning in your own simple words, such as insulting or belittling, and then search for the option that reverses that meaning, in this case praising or appreciative. Final Answer: The word most nearly opposite in meaning to DEROGATORY is Praising.

Question 9

In each of the following questions, choose the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word given in capitals. Here, the word is WANE, which is used to describe something that is decreasing or becoming weaker.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on antonyms, that is, words with opposite meanings. The word WANE commonly appears in phrases such as public interest began to wane or the moon is on the wane, meaning that interest or size is decreasing. To answer correctly, you must recognise this sense of decline and then select the option that conveys growth or increase, providing a natural opposite. Given Data / Assumptions: - Target word: WANE. - Options: Widen, Poor, Swell, Tight. - One option should clearly express the idea of increase to oppose the idea of decrease. Concept / Approach: Wane means to decrease in power, intensity, or size. The classic example is the waning moon, which appears to shrink. The opposite concept is to grow, expand, or become larger. Swell is widely used in English to mean to grow in size or volume, and can also refer to rising waves or swelling crowds. While widen involves becoming broader in one dimension, swell captures the general idea of expansion in a more complete and idiomatic way. The other options do not reflect the reverse of waning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Remember that wane refers to diminishing strength, brightness, size, or intensity. Step 2: Consider option A, Widen, which focuses on an increase in width only. While it indicates some form of growth, it is not the standard opposite of wane. Step 3: Consider option B, Poor, which refers to lack of money or quality. It is unrelated to increase or decrease in intensity over time. Step 4: Consider option C, Swell, which means to grow, expand, or become larger, and is commonly used as the reverse of shrinking or waning. Step 5: Consider option D, Tight, which describes how firmly something is fixed or how snugly it fits. It does not relate to the idea of waning. Verification / Alternative check: Check by substituting the words into a similar sentence. If we say enthusiasm began to wane, the opposite sentence would be enthusiasm began to swell, meaning enthusiasm started to grow. Saying enthusiasm began to widen sounds odd, and the other options do not make sense. Similarly, when the moon wanes, it appears smaller; when something swells, it appears bigger. This substitution test confirms that swell most accurately expresses the opposite of wane among the choices. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Widen is wrong because it is limited to width and is not the usual direct antonym in this context. Poor is wrong because it talks about wealth or quality, not changes in intensity or size over time. Tight is wrong because it describes fit or tension rather than temporal decrease or increase. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to pick words that appear vaguely related to size or quality without checking whether they are actually used as opposites in real expressions. Another pitfall is ignoring typical collocations like on the wane and on the swell or swell of the crowd. Building an awareness of common phrases through regular reading helps you avoid such mistakes and recognise antonyms more confidently. Final Answer: The word most nearly opposite in meaning to WANE is Swell.

Question 10

In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D indicates that there is no error. Identify the part that contains a grammatical or usage e…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting items test whether you can distinguish correct English sentences from those containing subtle mistakes. In this question, the sentence about the police arresting a thief is divided into parts to help you focus on each segment. You must decide whether any part contains an error in tense, agreement, or structure, or whether the sentence is entirely correct and therefore should be classified as having no error. Given Data / Assumptions: - Full sentence: The police have arrested the thief who broke into my house last night. - Part A: The police have. - Part B: arrested the thief. - Part C: who broke into my house last night. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: The key grammatical points to check here are subject verb agreement, correct tense usage, and correct placement of modifiers like last night. In standard English, the word police is treated as a plural noun when referring to the police force in general, so it takes a plural verb have. The present perfect tense have arrested is appropriate for an action whose result is relevant to the present. The clause who broke into my house last night correctly modifies the thief. If all these aspects are correct, the answer is that there is no error in the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, The police have. The subject police is plural in this sense, and the plural auxiliary have is therefore correct. Step 2: Examine part B, arrested the thief. This verb phrase completes the present perfect tense have arrested and correctly states the action performed by the police. Step 3: Examine part C, who broke into my house last night. This is a defining relative clause describing the thief and uses the simple past broke, which is appropriate for an action completed last night. Step 4: Confirm that last night refers to the time of the breaking in, not necessarily the time of arrest, and its position in the clause is acceptable. Step 5: Since all parts are grammatically sound and idiomatic, the only accurate choice is that the sentence has no error. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, you may rewrite the sentence as one unit and compare with typical English usage: The police have arrested the thief who broke into my house last night. This structure is commonly seen in newspapers and spoken English. There is no subject verb disagreement and no tense mismatch between arrested and broke. The phrase last night clearly attaches to broke into my house and does not create ambiguity that makes the sentence wrong. Therefore, declaring no error is fully justified. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is not wrong because police correctly takes the plural auxiliary have in this context. Part B is not wrong because arrested the thief is a correct verb object combination. Part C is not wrong because the relative clause who broke into my house last night is grammatically and logically sound. Part D is right to state that the sentence is grammatically correct and free from error. Common Pitfalls: Some learners mistakenly think that police should always be treated as singular or that last night must appear at the end of the entire sentence. Such rigid views lead to incorrect identification of errors. In English, many collective nouns, including police, can be treated as plural when referring to the group as a collection of individuals. Also, adverbials of time are flexible in position as long as the meaning remains clear. Being aware of standard patterns in reading material helps you avoid overcorrecting correct sentences. Final Answer: The correct response is The sentence is grammatically correct; no error.

Question 11

In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D indicates that the sentence is correct. Identify the part that contains a grammatical or u…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to spot errors in a complex sentence where both grammar and spelling may cause confusion. The sentence describes a man who appeared to be a gentleman but was later revealed to be something else. You must inspect each part carefully to find the portion that contains a clear mistake in standard written English or decide that the sentence is correct. Given Data / Assumptions: - Complete sentence: The man who they thought to be a gentleman turned out to be a rougue. - Part A: The man who they thought to be. - Part B: a gentleman turned out. - Part C: to be a rougue. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: There are two aspects to check here. The first is the relative clause structure with who they thought to be, and the second is the spelling of key words. While advanced grammar discussions may consider whether who or whom is preferable, examination questions at this level often highlight more obvious errors such as incorrect spellings. The word rougue in part C is not a correct English spelling. The intended word is rogue, meaning a dishonest or unprincipled man. Therefore, the clearest and most definite error lies in part C. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, The man who they thought to be. This introduces the relative clause and, although some grammarians might prefer whom instead of who, the structure is widely understood and commonly used in modern English. Step 2: Examine part B, a gentleman turned out. This segment correctly indicates that the man was believed to be a gentleman and forms part of the predicate turned out. Step 3: Examine part C, to be a rougue. The context indicates that he actually turned out to be a dishonest person. The standard English spelling for this word is rogue, not rougue. Step 4: Since part C clearly contains a misspelt word, it is the part that must be marked as having an error. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence with correct spelling: The man who they thought to be a gentleman turned out to be a rogue. Now the sentence reads smoothly and the meaning is clear. No other segment stands out as a definite error at this level of testing. This confirms that the key mistake is confined to the word rougue in part C, which must be corrected to rogue. Therefore, selecting part C as the error location is justified. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is acceptable in common usage, and the relative clause structure is understandable and functional. Part B correctly expresses the idea that he was believed to be a gentleman and contains no structural error. Part D, claiming no error, is wrong because the misspelling in part C makes the sentence incorrect. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes focus exclusively on advanced points like who versus whom and overlook clear spelling mistakes. While precision is useful, in examination conditions you should first identify obvious errors such as incorrect spellings, wrong verb forms, or missing prepositions. Another pitfall is reading too quickly and mentally correcting the spelling without noticing it is wrong on the page. Reading every key content word carefully and comparing it with known spellings helps avoid such oversights. Final Answer: The error lies in the part to be a rougue, where rougue must be corrected to rogue.

Question 12

In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D indicates that the sentence has no error. Identify the part that contains a grammatical or…

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Introduction / Context: This error spotting question checks your knowledge of English idioms and natural expressions. The sentence describes speaking very frankly to someone about his chances of passing a strict medical examination. You must decide which part of the sentence sounds incorrect or unnatural in standard English usage. Sometimes, the error is not in basic grammar but in the use of a preposition within a fixed phrase. Given Data / Assumptions: - Full sentence: I told him on his face that he could not hope to pass the stringent Medical examination of the Service Selection Board. - Part A: I told him on his face. - Part B: that he could not hope. - Part C: to pass the stringent Medical examination of the Service Selection Board. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: The idiomatic expression in English is to say something to someone's face, meaning to say it very directly, without hiding it behind their back. The phrase on his face is not the accepted form in this context. The rest of the sentence, including the clause about not being able to hope to pass a stringent medical examination, is grammatically acceptable. Therefore, your focus should be on locating the incorrect preposition in the fixed phrase and marking that part as the error. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, I told him on his face. This is meant to express directness, but the correct idiom is I told him to his face. Step 2: Examine part B, that he could not hope. This structure is correct, as could not hope introduces what he realistically cannot expect. Step 3: Examine part C, to pass the stringent Medical examination of the Service Selection Board. This part is grammatically sound and describes a demanding test. Step 4: Since only part A misuses the preposition on instead of to, part A contains the error. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence with the correct idiom: I told him to his face that he could not hope to pass the stringent Medical examination of the Service Selection Board. This revised sentence reads naturally and is consistent with standard English usage. No further changes are necessary. This confirms that the only real problem in the original sentence is the incorrect phrase on his face, and therefore part A must be selected as the error bearing segment. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part B is correct because the use of could not hope is suitable when expressing that success is very unlikely. Part C is correct because the phrase to pass the stringent Medical examination of the Service Selection Board is grammatically well formed. Part D is wrong because the sentence as given does have an idiomatic error in part A. Common Pitfalls: Learners who translate directly from their mother tongue often produce literal expressions like on his face instead of to his face. Such small preposition mistakes can change an otherwise good sentence into an incorrect one in an exam. To avoid this, pay attention to fixed expressions while reading or listening to English. Phrases like to his face, behind his back, and face up to a problem are standard and need to be memorised as units. Regular exposure to authentic language helps you internalise these forms and recognise errors quickly. Final Answer: The part containing the error is I told him on his face, which should be corrected to I told him to his face.

Question 13

In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D suggests that there is no error. Identify the part that contains a grammatical error in th…

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Introduction / Context: This question examines whether you can correctly handle subject verb agreement in sentences containing phrases like one of those who. Such constructions are common in competitive exams because they mix singular and plural nouns and require careful attention. You must decide which part of the sentence describing Mohan and the educational tour contains a grammatical error, if any. Given Data / Assumptions: - Complete sentence: Mohan is one of those boys who has expressed willingness for joining the educational tour. - Part A: Mohan is one of those boys. - Part B: who has expressed. - Part C: willingness for joining the educational tour. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: In sentences of the pattern one of those boys who, the relative pronoun who refers back to those boys, which is plural, not to one, which is singular. Therefore, the verb following who should also be plural. The correct form is who have expressed, not who has expressed. This is a classic point of subject verb agreement tested in examinations. The rest of the sentence, including the expression willingness for joining the educational tour, is acceptable in form and meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, Mohan is one of those boys. This part correctly states that Mohan belongs to a larger group of boys. Step 2: Examine part B, who has expressed. The antecedent of who is those boys, a plural noun phrase. Therefore, the verb after who should be have expressed, not has expressed. Step 3: Examine part C, willingness for joining the educational tour. This phrase is grammatically acceptable and communicates that the boys are willing to join the tour. Step 4: Since the only error is the singular verb has with the plural antecedent, part B is the portion that must be marked as wrong. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence correctly: Mohan is one of those boys who have expressed willingness for joining the educational tour. Now, the verb have properly agrees with the plural subject those boys referred to by who. The sentence becomes grammatically correct and clear in meaning. Because no other part of the sentence requires modification, this confirms that the error lies only in part B, and selecting that part as the answer is justified. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is correct because it clearly sets up the idea that Mohan belongs to a group. Part C is correct since the phrase willingness for joining the educational tour conveys the intended meaning and is grammatically acceptable. Part D is incorrect because the sentence does have an error in subject verb agreement in part B. Common Pitfalls: Many students wrongly make the verb agree with one instead of those boys. This happens because one is closer to the verb and seems like the subject at first glance. To avoid this trap, always identify the noun to which the relative pronoun refers. In one of those boys who, the word who refers back to boys, which is plural. Practising similar patterns, such as one of the students who have applied, will help you internalise the correct agreement and avoid losing marks on such questions. Final Answer: The error is in the part who has expressed, which should be changed to who have expressed.

Question 14

In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. The sentence is divided into three parts labelled A, B and C, and part D suggests that the sentence has no error. Identify the part that contains a grammatical or …

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Introduction / Context: This error spotting question checks your understanding of number agreement between determiners and nouns, as well as natural phrasing in English. The sentence talks about plans for spending summer holidays with a friend in Kerala. You need to decide which part of the sentence sounds incorrect in standard English usage or whether the sentence is fully correct. Given Data / Assumptions: - Full sentence: I may spend this summer vacations with one of my friends in the backwaters of Kerala. - Part A: I may spend. - Part B: this summer vacations. - Part C: with one of my friends in the backwaters of Kerala. - Part D: The sentence is grammatically correct; no error. Concept / Approach: The phrase this summer vacations is not correct because the singular demonstrative this should be followed by a singular noun, for example this vacation, or the noun vacations should be preceded by a plural demonstrative like these. In standard English, we usually say this summer vacation or these summer vacations, depending on whether we refer to one period or multiple periods. The rest of the sentence, including in the backwaters of Kerala, is acceptable and natural. Therefore, the error lies in the mismatch between this and vacations in part B. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part A, I may spend. This is a correct introductory phrase expressing possibility. Step 2: Examine part B, this summer vacations. The determiner this is singular, while vacations is plural. For correct agreement, we should use this summer vacation or these summer vacations. Step 3: Examine part C, with one of my friends in the backwaters of Kerala. This phrase is grammatically sound. The expression backwaters of Kerala correctly describes the famous waterways in that state. Step 4: Because only part B has a clear error of number agreement, part B must be selected as the incorrect segment. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence with correct agreement: I may spend this summer vacation with one of my friends in the backwaters of Kerala. Now, the singular this matches the singular vacation, and the sentence sounds natural. Alternatively, you could say I may spend these summer vacations, but that requires changing this to these. Since only the original phrase this summer vacations needed correction, our choice of part B as the error is confirmed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A is correct because the modal verb may is properly used to express possibility. Part C is correct because the phrase with one of my friends in the backwaters of Kerala is grammatically and idiomatically acceptable. Part D is wrong because the sentence does contain an error in part B, so it is not fully correct. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overlook small agreement errors because they focus on larger structures only. Another common mistake is to carry over patterns from other languages where determiners may function differently. To avoid such errors, pay attention to the pairing of this with singular nouns and these with plural nouns, and practise with common time expressions like this year, these years, this summer, and these summers. Such practice will make it easier to notice mismatches quickly in exam settings. Final Answer: The part containing the error is this summer vacations, which should be changed to this summer vacation or these summer vacations.

Question 15

Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank so that the sentence becomes meaningful and correct: According to the weather _______ it is going to be cloudy today.

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Introduction / Context: Fill in the blank questions in English test whether you can select the most appropriate word so that the sentence sounds natural and precise. Here, the sentence refers to information from a weather related source, saying that it is going to be cloudy today. You must decide which noun best collocates with weather to describe this information correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: - Sentence: According to the weather _______ it is going to be cloudy today. - Options: Announcement, Indication, Prediction, Forecast. - The correct option should form a standard phrase with weather. Concept / Approach: In everyday English, the most common phrase used for information about future weather conditions is weather forecast. A forecast is an official or scientific statement about what is likely to happen in the future, particularly about the weather. While indication and prediction also relate to future possibilities, they do not form as strong and fixed a collocation with weather. Announcement is even less suitable, as it simply refers to something that is declared or made known, without capturing the technical sense of meteorological prediction. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the sentence structure According to the weather blank suggests a standard term usually heard in news or reports. Step 2: Evaluate option A, Announcement. Although announcements can be about weather, the direct phrase weather announcement is not the standard expression for predictions. Step 3: Evaluate option B, Indication. Weather indication is not a commonly used fixed phrase in standard English. Step 4: Evaluate option C, Prediction. Weather prediction is meaningful, but the more widely used collocation in media and exams is weather forecast. Step 5: Evaluate option D, Forecast. The phrase weather forecast is standard and immediately recognisable as the official prediction of future weather conditions. Verification / Alternative check: Consider how the sentence sounds with each option: According to the weather announcement, according to the weather indication, according to the weather prediction, and according to the weather forecast. The last choice is the one that sounds most natural and is most frequently used in newspapers, television bulletins, and everyday conversation. This check confirms that forecast is the best fit among the available answers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Announcement is wrong because it emphasises the act of declaring information rather than the process of predicting weather conditions. Indication is wrong because it is too general a word and does not form a strong fixed phrase with weather. Prediction is not the best choice because although it is meaningful, weather forecast is the far more established term in standard usage. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates rely only on meaning and choose prediction because it sounds close to the idea of forecasting. However, exams often test your knowledge of natural collocations. Learning common combinations like weather forecast, weather report, weather warning, and traffic forecast will help you choose the most idiomatic answer quickly. Regular listening to news bulletins and reading weather reports in English can strengthen your sense of such collocations. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is Forecast, giving According to the weather forecast it is going to be cloudy today.

Question 16

Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank so that the sentence becomes meaningful and correct: The villagers ______ the murder of their leader by burning the police van.

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Introduction / Context: This fill in the blank question tests your understanding of verbs that describe emotional and reactive responses to a serious incident. The sentence states that villagers reacted to the murder of their leader by burning a police van. You must select the verb that best expresses this strong action in response to a wrong done to them, keeping in mind the direct object the murder of their leader. Given Data / Assumptions: - Sentence: The villagers ______ the murder of their leader by burning the police van. - Options: Protested, Avenged, Mourned, Consoled. - The chosen verb must correctly and naturally take the object the murder of their leader. Concept / Approach: The key to this question lies in understanding the collocations of these verbs with an object like the murder of their leader. Avenged is used when someone takes revenge for a wrong or injury. One typically avenges a wrong, a death, or an insult. Protested is usually used with against and refers to expressing opposition, not directly taking revenge. Mourned expresses grief for someone, and consoled refers to comforting someone. Burning a police van is a violent, retaliatory act, so the sense is closer to taking revenge than to mourning or consolation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider option A, Protested. We usually say protested against a decision or protested against injustice. Saying protested the murder is less natural, and burning a police van suggests more than just protest. Step 2: Consider option B, Avenged. One commonly says avenged his death or avenged the murder. The villagers took a retaliatory action, which fits the idea of avenging the murder of their leader. Step 3: Consider option C, Mourned. To mourn is to feel or express deep sorrow, which would be done for the leader himself, not for the murder as an act. Moreover, burning a police van suggests anger and revenge, not grief alone. Step 4: Consider option D, Consoled. To console is to comfort someone in sorrow. It does not fit with the description of burning a vehicle. Step 5: The only verb that correctly collocates with the murder of their leader and matches the retaliatory action described is avenged. Verification / Alternative check: Try inserting each verb. The villagers avenged the murder of their leader by burning the police van sounds natural and captures the idea of revenge. The villagers protested the murder of their leader by burning the police van is grammatically possible but less precise in describing revenge, and typical usage would be protested against the murder. The other options clearly clash with the act described. This comparison confirms that avenged is the most effective and accurate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Protested is less appropriate because the structure protested the murder is clumsy, and protest usually involves demonstrations rather than destructive revenge. Mourned is wrong because it would focus on grief rather than violent retaliation, and the sentence object would normally be the leader himself. Consoled is wrong because it means offering comfort and does not match the destructive act of burning a van. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted by protested because of its frequent use in news reports about public anger. However, exam setters often test precise collocations such as avenge the murder. To avoid such traps, pay attention to the objects that verbs usually take. Remember phrases like avenge a wrong, avenge an insult, and avenge his death. This awareness helps you quickly identify avenged as the correct answer in contexts of vengeance and retribution. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is Avenged, giving The villagers avenged the murder of their leader by burning the police van.

Question 17

Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank so that the sentence becomes meaningful and correct: While on a routine flight, the aircraft was hit by a missile and ______ into flames.

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Introduction / Context: This fill in the blank question checks your understanding of the most natural verb used in the fixed phrase that describes a sudden fire. The sentence describes an aircraft that is hit by a missile and then suddenly goes up in flames. The aim is to choose the verb that best completes the idiomatic expression used for such a scenario in English. Given Data / Assumptions: - Sentence: While on a routine flight, the aircraft was hit by a missile and ______ into flames. - Options: Fired, Burst, Caught, Engulfed. - The chosen verb must fit naturally before into flames. Concept / Approach: The standard English expression for something suddenly starting to burn fiercely is burst into flames. The verb burst captures the idea of suddenness and intensity. The other verbs either require different prepositions or convey a slightly different meaning. Caught is usually used in the form caught fire, not caught into flames. Engulfed is used when something is surrounded or swallowed by flames, usually in the structure engulfed in flames, not engulfed into flames. Fired does not work in this structure at all. Therefore, burst is the best choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider option A, Fired. This verb usually means to shoot or to dismiss someone from a job. The phrase fired into flames is not meaningful in this context. Step 2: Consider option B, Burst. The phrase burst into flames is a well known idiom describing a sudden outbreak of fire. Step 3: Consider option C, Caught. We commonly say caught fire, not caught into flames. The preposition into makes this combination incorrect. Step 4: Consider option D, Engulfed. This verb works with in, not into, in the phrase engulfed in flames, meaning surrounded by fire. The sentence structure here does not support that usage. Step 5: Since burst correctly forms the idiomatic phrase burst into flames, it is the only suitable option. Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into the sentence. The aircraft was hit by a missile and burst into flames sounds natural and vivid. The aircraft was hit by a missile and caught into flames does not read correctly because English speakers do not use caught with into flames. The aircraft was engulfed into flames is also incorrect in standard usage. These checks confirm that burst is the only grammatically and idiomatically correct option among the four. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Fired is wrong because it does not collocate with into flames and does not describe the aircraft's condition after being hit. Caught is wrong because the correct expression is caught fire, and the preposition into makes the phrase unnatural. Engulfed is wrong in this structure because we say engulfed in flames, not engulfed into flames. Common Pitfalls: Some students focus only on the meaning of fire and pick C or D without considering exact collocations and prepositions. Remember that in exams, the most natural and widely used phrase is usually expected as the answer. Phrases like burst into flames, catch fire, and engulfed in flames are worth memorising as fixed expressions. Paying attention to such patterns in reading material and news reports will greatly improve your performance in vocabulary and usage questions. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is Burst, giving While on a routine flight, the aircraft was hit by a missile and burst into flames.

Question 18

Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank so that the sentence becomes meaningful and correct: Hari got the company car for a _____ price as he was the senior most employee in the company.

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Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of adjectives commonly used to describe the price of an item, especially when the price is very low or symbolic. The sentence talks about Hari getting a company car for a special price due to his seniority. You need to pick the adjective that most accurately expresses the idea that the price was very small compared to the actual value of the car. Given Data / Assumptions: - Sentence: Hari got the company car for a _____ price as he was the senior most employee in the company. - Options: Reduced, Discounted, Fixed, Nominal. - The chosen word should match common business usage in describing a very low special price. Concept / Approach: The key idea is that a company may offer a very low or token amount to a long serving employee when selling an asset. In English, a nominal price means a price that is small and not truly reflective of the real value, often charged only as a formality. Reduced and discounted prices are lower than usual, but do not necessarily convey that the amount is almost symbolic. Fixed price means a price that does not change. Therefore, nominal is the most precise word to describe a very small, special price given as a favour or privilege. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider option A, Reduced. A reduced price is simply a lowered price, which might still be substantial. The sentence suggests something more special due to seniority. Step 2: Consider option B, Discounted. A discounted price is lower than the normal price because of a discount. Again, this does not necessarily emphasise that the price is very small or merely token. Step 3: Consider option C, Fixed. A fixed price is one that is not negotiable, which does not relate to being especially low. Step 4: Consider option D, Nominal. A nominal price is a very small price, often much lower than the true value of the item, charged only as a formality. This fits the context where a senior employee receives a special benefit. Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into the sentence. Saying Hari got the company car for a nominal price strongly implies he got it very cheaply as a mark of appreciation. Saying reduced or discounted price makes the transaction sound like a standard sale with a typical discount, which does not fully reflect the special privilege implied by senior most employee. Fixed price does not add any sense of benefit. Therefore, nominal provides the most suitable and precise meaning in the context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Reduced is wrong because it suggests only that the price has been lowered, without highlighting that it was unusually small. Discounted is wrong because it sounds like a regular commercial discount rather than a symbolic or token price offered as a privilege. Fixed is wrong because it relates to negotiability of the price, not to its level relative to the value of the car. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes confuse nominal price with normal price because the words sound similar. In fact, nominal price often means much lower than normal. Another pitfall is choosing a word that is roughly related to price reductions without asking if it fully fits the context of special treatment. To avoid this, build a habit of associating nominal with token amounts, such as nominal fee, nominal rent, or nominal charge, especially in examples where the real value is much higher. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the sentence is Nominal, giving Hari got the company car for a nominal price as he was the senior most employee in the company.

Question 19

The elements which have a low value of ionization potential, that is, they lose electrons easily, are strong ______:

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to basic chemistry and tests your understanding of the connection between ionization potential and the behaviour of elements as oxidizing or reducing agents. Ionization potential, also called ionization energy, is the energy required to remove an electron from an isolated gaseous atom. Elements with low ionization potential lose electrons readily. You are asked to identify whether such elements behave as strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, or something else. Given Data / Assumptions: - Ionization potential is the energy needed to remove an electron from an atom. - Low ionization potential means electrons are removed easily. - The question asks whether such elements are strong oxidizing agents, strong reducing agents, both depending on reactants, or none of these. Concept / Approach: Redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons. An oxidizing agent gains electrons and is itself reduced. A reducing agent loses electrons and is itself oxidized. If an element has low ionization potential, it can lose electrons easily because only a small amount of energy is needed to remove them. Such an element readily donates electrons to other species. Therefore, it acts as a good reducing agent. In contrast, a strong oxidizing agent would be an element or ion that readily gains electrons, which is usually associated with high electron affinity or high effective nuclear charge, not low ionization potential. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that ionization potential is directly related to how tightly an atom holds its outer electrons. Low ionization potential means weak attraction and easy loss of electrons. Step 2: Define a reducing agent as a species that donates electrons to another species in a reaction, thereby reducing that other species and getting oxidized itself. Step 3: Define an oxidizing agent as a species that accepts electrons from another species, thereby oxidizing that other species and getting reduced itself. Step 4: Recognise that if an element loses electrons easily due to low ionization potential, it will tend to donate electrons in reactions and behave as a reducing agent. Step 5: Hence, such elements are strong reducing agents and not strong oxidizing agents. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. They have relatively low ionization energies and readily lose one electron to form positive ions like Na plus and K plus. In reactions, sodium can reduce water, acids, and many other substances by donating its electron. It is therefore a strong reducing agent. On the other hand, strong oxidizing agents like fluorine or permanganate ion tend to gain electrons rather than lose them and do not have low ionization potentials in the same sense. This comparison confirms the general principle that low ionization potential is associated with strong reducing power. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, Oxidizing agents, is wrong because oxidizing agents must gain electrons, which is not favoured by low ionization energy alone; instead, they usually have a high tendency to attract electrons. Option C, Oxidizing and Reducing agents depending upon the reactants, is too vague and does not reflect the clear trend that easy loss of electrons directly supports reducing behaviour. Option D, none of these, is incorrect because one of the given choices, reducing agents, correctly matches standard redox theory. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse the roles of oxidizing and reducing agents, mixing up who gains and who loses electrons. Another common confusion is between ionization energy and electron affinity. To avoid mistakes, remember the simple rule: the species that loses electrons is the reducing agent and is oxidized, and the species that gains electrons is the oxidizing agent and is reduced. Low ionization potential favours loss of electrons, so it is directly linked with reducing behaviour. Keeping a few periodic table examples in mind, such as alkali metals as strong reducers and halogens as strong oxidizers, makes such questions straightforward. Final Answer: Elements with low ionization potential are strong Reducing agents because they can easily lose electrons in redox reactions.

Question 20

Pick the most effective word from the given options to fill in the blank and make the sentence meaningfully complete: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers _____ their commander.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question checks how accurately you can choose a verb that expresses a very specific emotional reaction. The sentence talks about unruly behaviour by soldiers and the reaction of their commander. You need a word that means made someone extremely angry or furious. Knowing the fine differences between verbs like clash, aggrieve, impeach and incense is important for scoring well in competitive English exams. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers _____ their commander. Subject causing the reaction: the unruly behaviour of the soldiers. Person affected: their commander. We need a past tense verb that correctly describes the effect of that behaviour on the commander. We assume the commander feels strong anger or outrage at indiscipline in the ranks. Concept / Approach: The approach is to interpret the emotional tone implied by unruly behaviour. Such behaviour does not usually cause mild sadness or formal charges in this kind of one-line sentence; it normally provokes anger or indignation. The verb we choose should therefore mean made very angry. Incensed, used as a verb in the past form, precisely means caused to be extremely angry. The other options either describe different actions (such as formally charging someone) or do not fit the emotional context properly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the sentence with each option inserted and check meaning and grammar. Step 2: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers clashed their commander is incorrect, because clash is usually intransitive or used with with, as in clashed with their commander. Step 3: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers impeached their commander is wrong, because impeach means to formally charge a public official with misconduct; the soldiers behaviour is not charging the commander. Step 4: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers aggrieved their commander seems possible grammatically, but aggrieved usually suggests making someone feel wronged or treated unfairly, not primarily furious at indiscipline. Step 5: The unruly behaviour of the soldiers incensed their commander means it made him extremely angry or enraged, which fits both the emotional intensity and the military context. Step 6: Therefore, Incensed is the most effective word to complete the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: You can quickly test collocations. We commonly say someone is incensed by bad behaviour or incensed at an insult, clearly linking to anger. By contrast, impeach takes an object like president or minister and usually appears with formal context, while clash typically appears as clash with someone or clash over an issue. These patterns confirm that only incensed naturally describes the commanders reaction to unruly soldiers. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Clashed suggests a mutual conflict, often between two sides, not a one-way emotional reaction caused in a commander by someone else behaviour. Impeached refers to a legal or constitutional charge, not an emotional response, so it does not match the idea of behaviour upsetting a superior officer. Aggrieved emphasises feeling wronged or unfairly treated rather than being enraged by insubordination, so it is weaker and less precise than incensed here. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to pick a word that vaguely sounds negative without checking its exact meaning and normal usage. Exam questions often include near misses that are grammatically possible but semantically off. To avoid this, always ask: what exact emotion or action is being described? In military discipline, unruly behaviour typically provokes strong anger, making incensed the best match. Final Answer: The correct and most effective word is Incensed.

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