Question 1

The question below consists of four labelled sentences. Out of the given options, select the most logical order of the sentences (P, Q, R, S) to form a coherent paragraph about the environment and our responsibility towards it.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to arrange jumbled sentences into a clear and logically flowing paragraph. The four parts all discuss the environment, how it supports human life and why it needs protection. In paragraph ordering questions, you must pay attention to sequence markers, pronouns and the general movement from definition to explanation and finally to conclusion or appeal. Given Data / Assumptions: P: However, our environment also need some help from all of us to get maintained as usual to nourish our lives forever and to never ruin our lives. Q: It gives us all things which we need to live our life on this planet. R: It provides us better medium to grow and develop. S: An environment includes all the natural resources which surround us to help in number of ways. Exactly one of the four given sequences (PQRS, QPSR, SRQP, QSPR) forms a smooth paragraph. Concept / Approach: A good paragraph usually starts with a general definition or introduction, then moves to explanations or examples, and finally concludes with a contrast, warning or suggestion. Among the sentences, S clearly defines environment, so S is a natural opening. Sentences Q and R talk about what the environment gives us and how it helps us grow, which should come after the basic definition. Sentence P begins with However and appeals for human help, which sounds like a concluding remark. Our task is to choose the sequence that follows this logical structure. The order S R Q P is acceptable and is the best among the supplied options. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the introductory sentence. S defines environment as including all the natural resources that surround us. This is clearly the starting point because no other sentence introduces the main topic as clearly. Step 2: Decide what can follow S. After defining environment, we should talk about what it does for us. Both Q and R begin with It and refer back to environment, so they can only come after S. Step 3: Compare R and Q for the second position. R says It provides us better medium to grow and develop. Q says It gives us all things which we need to live our life on this planet. Either could follow, but placing R immediately after S maintains a general developmental idea, followed by the more specific point in Q about things we need to live. Step 4: Place Q next. Q clearly continues the idea of environmental support by specifying that it gives us all things we need to live. Step 5: Place P last. P begins with However and speaks of our duty to help maintain the environment, which sounds like a concluding or contrasting remark after describing all the benefits we receive. Step 6: The resulting order is S R Q P, which corresponds to option SRQP in the answer choices. Verification / Alternative check: Read the paragraph in the SRQP order: An environment includes all the natural resources which surround us to help in number of ways. It provides us better medium to grow and develop. It gives us all things which we need to live our life on this planet. However, our environment also need some help from all of us to get maintained as usual to nourish our lives forever and to never ruin our lives. Even though the grammar needs small corrections, the logical flow is clear: definition, benefits, further benefits, and then an appeal for protection. None of the other orders produce such a natural sequence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: PQRS starts with However, which normally cannot open a paragraph because it refers back to an earlier idea that has not yet been mentioned. QPSR begins with a sentence using It, but without a clear noun before it, the reference is vague; moreover, P should not come so early, as it is a concluding appeal. QSPR again begins with It, has P as the third sentence, and leaves R for the end, producing a less coherent flow and a weak conclusion. Common Pitfalls: Many students try to memorise fixed patterns without reading the actual content. In paragraph ordering questions, it is essential to read for meaning and to notice connecting devices such as pronouns and words like however, therefore and thus. Pay attention to which sentence introduces the topic, which ones provide supporting information, and which one expresses a conclusion or contrast. That habit will guide you to the correct order even when grammar or phrasing is slightly imperfect. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is SRQP, corresponding to option C.

Question 2

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences about social criticism. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences (P, Q, R, S) to form a coherent paragraph on socialism, criticism of capitalism and post…

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Introduction / Context: This is a paragraph arrangement question based on abstract ideas from social and political theory. The four sentences mention social criticism, different forms of socialism, experiences of minorities, the centrality of the critique of capitalism and the effect of postmodernism on grand theories. Your task is to arrange them in an order that creates a smooth, logically connected argument. Given Data / Assumptions: R: The starting points of social criticism can be very different and the different forms of socialism never has a monopoly on Social Criticism. P: The starting point can be the experience of a minority within society generally or even the experience of a group of people within a progressive social movement which does not live up to its progressive agenda in every respect. Q: Within (or after) postmodernism a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This does not exclude the possibility or the necessity of dialogue. S: Nevertheless most social critics still consider the Critique of capitalism to be central. We must pick the option that produces a coherent, flowing paragraph from these four parts. Concept / Approach: Look for a broad opening statement, then examples or elaboration, followed by the main claim and finally a qualification or conceptual framing. R sounds like a good starting point because it introduces the idea that social criticism can have many starting points and denies any monopoly. P then explains R by giving a specific example of such starting points. Q talks about the context of postmodernism and the loss of a grand unifying theory. S, with Nevertheless, contrasts with this and states that the critique of capitalism remains central. Because Nevertheless usually refers back to a strong previous claim, Q must come before S. Therefore the logical order is R, P, Q, S (RPQS). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Choose the introduction. R speaks in general terms about starting points of social criticism and mentions different forms of socialism. It introduces the broad topic, so it is an ideal opening sentence. Step 2: Find the sentence that elaborates R. P directly picks up the phrase starting point and provides specific examples: the experience of a minority within society or a group inside a progressive movement. This clearly explains the general claim made in R, so P should follow R. Step 3: Decide where Q fits. Q introduces the framework of postmodernism and states that a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This moves the discussion to a more theoretical level, after the examples of starting points have been given, so Q naturally comes after P. Step 4: Examine S. S begins with Nevertheless, which is a contrast marker. It makes sense as a response to the idea in Q that a grand unifying theory is not possible. Despite that situation, S says that most social critics still consider the critique of capitalism to be central. Therefore S should immediately follow Q. Step 5: The resulting sequence is R P Q S, exactly matching option RPQS. Verification / Alternative check: Read the paragraph in the RPQS order: The starting points of social criticism can be very different and the different forms of socialism never has a monopoly on Social Criticism. The starting point can be the experience of a minority within society generally or even the experience of a group of people within a progressive social movement which does not live up to its progressive agenda in every respect. Within (or after) postmodernism a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This does not exclude the possibility or the necessity of dialogue. Nevertheless most social critics still consider the Critique of capitalism to be central. The flow is logically sound: general statement, illustration, theoretical situation, and then an important qualification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: PRQS starts with a specific example (P) before giving the broader context in R, which feels backward and less coherent; the reader wonders whose starting point is being discussed until R appears. RQPS puts Q too early, jumping into postmodernism and dialogue immediately after R, and then returns to a specific example in P, which breaks the flow from general to specific. PSRQ begins with a specific example, jumps to the centrality of capitalism in S, then moves back to the general idea in R and only then brings in postmodernism in Q; this produces a confusing and disjointed argument. Common Pitfalls: A frequent mistake with abstract topics is to focus only on familiar words like capitalism or postmodernism and try to place those sentences first. Instead, you should follow discourse clues such as Nevertheless and repeated phrases like starting point, which clearly signal the logical relations between sentences. Training yourself to spot these markers will greatly improve your accuracy in paragraph arrangement questions, even when the subject matter is theoretical or unfamiliar. Final Answer: The most logical and coherent order of the sentences is RPQS, option B.

Question 3

In the following question, a sentence is given in the passive voice: "Rohan was not told about the e-mail." Out of the four alternatives, select the sentence that best expresses the same meaning in the active voice.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice change questions check your understanding of how to convert sentences from passive voice to active voice and vice versa without changing the essential meaning. The given sentence is in the passive voice, focusing on Rohan as the person affected by the action. Your task is to choose the active voice version that is natural, grammatically correct and semantically equivalent. Given Data / Assumptions: Passive sentence: Rohan was not told about the e-mail. We need an active voice sentence with a clear subject performing the action. Options provide different possible subjects and structures: Nobody, Somebody, The e-mail, There was nobody who could tell. The meaning to preserve is that Rohan did not receive the information about the e-mail from anyone. Concept / Approach: In a passive sentence, the focus is on the receiver of the action, while the doer is either hidden or introduced with by. When converting to active voice, we normally bring in an explicit subject to represent the implied doer. In Rohan was not told about the e-mail, the implied meaning is that no person told him. The most straightforward active form therefore uses Nobody as the subject: Nobody told Rohan about the e-mail. We avoid awkward constructions where inanimate objects like e-mail become the grammatical subject of tell, because that sounds unnatural in standard English. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object and subject in the passive sentence. Rohan is the person acted upon, and the action is was not told about the e-mail. The doer is unspecified but clearly refers to people in general. Step 2: To convert to active voice, choose a sensible subject. Since no one told him, the natural active subject is Nobody. Step 3: Construct the active sentence: Nobody told Rohan about the e-mail. This has a clear subject (Nobody), a simple past verb (told), an indirect object (Rohan) and a prepositional phrase about the e-mail. Step 4: Compare this with option A, which exactly matches that structure, so option A is a strong candidate. Step 5: Evaluate the other options and notice that they either add unnecessary elements or become grammatically awkward, which confirms that option A is the best equivalent. Verification / Alternative check: You can use a standard passive to active pattern: X was not told about Y by anyone becomes Nobody told X about Y. Replacing X with Rohan and Y with the e-mail gives Nobody told Rohan about the e-mail, exactly matching option A. The time reference (past) and the negation (not) are both preserved. The focus on Rohan remains, but in active voice we put the new negative subject at the beginning, which is fully acceptable. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Somebody did not tell Rohan about the e-mail suggests that there was one particular person who failed to tell him, but it does not convey that nobody at all informed him. It weakens the meaning. The e-mail was not told about to Rohan is grammatically incorrect because we do not usually say tell about to with e-mail as the subject; it also sounds unnatural and does not follow normal English idiom. Common Pitfalls: There was nobody who could tell Rohan about the e-mail is long and changes the meaning slightly. It suggests lack of ability or possibility rather than simply the fact that nobody did tell him. In voice change questions, examiners prefer the cleanest structure that matches tense, negative form and sense as closely as possible. Students sometimes overcomplicate the answer by adding could or unnecessary clauses. Keeping it simple and direct is usually the safest approach. Final Answer: The correct active voice form is Nobody told Rohan about the e-mail.

Question 4

In the following question, a sentence is given in direct speech: Ram said to Rohan, "Do not run so fast." Out of the four alternatives, select the option that best expresses this sentence in indirect speech.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Reported speech or direct indirect speech questions test whether you can change a quoted sentence into a reported form while preserving the original meaning and applying correct grammar. Here the original sentence is an imperative or command in the negative form. You must choose the reported version that correctly converts the imperative structure and fits naturally with the reporting verb said to. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: Ram said to Rohan, "Do not run so fast." Reporting verb: said to, which often becomes told in indirect speech when followed by an object. The quoted part is a negative imperative (a request or order not to do something). We need an indirect speech sentence that is grammatically correct and matches the tone of the original. Concept / Approach: When we convert negative imperatives in direct speech into indirect speech, we normally use a structure like told or asked someone not to plus base verb. The reporting verb said to is usually changed to told when it introduces an instruction or command. We also remove quotation marks and the auxiliary do, and instead introduce the infinitive not to run. We should not introduce why clauses or question forms because the original sentence is not a question. The most neutral and grammatically correct option here is Ram told Rohan not to run so fast. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the type of sentence inside the quotes. "Do not run so fast" is a negative command or instruction. Step 2: Replace said to with an appropriate reporting verb. In indirect speech for commands, said to is normally changed to told. So we begin with Ram told Rohan. Step 3: Convert the imperative. For negative imperatives, use not to plus the base form of the verb. So "Do not run so fast" becomes not to run so fast in indirect speech. Step 4: Combine the parts: Ram told Rohan not to run so fast. This sentence is grammatically correct, uses the correct reporting verb and keeps the same meaning. Step 5: Compare this with the given options and see that it matches option D exactly. Verification / Alternative check: We can quickly test each option against the rules for reporting imperatives. Option D uses told, includes the object Rohan immediately after it, and converts the imperative into not to run so fast, which follows the standard pattern. The tense does not need backshifting here because the instruction is of general relevance and the verb run is in base form inside an infinitive. The time relation also does not raise any issues, so the structure is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Ram advised Rohan do not run so fast is incorrect because after advised we expect either an object plus to infinitive (advised Rohan to run) or a that clause; the negative imperative is not correctly converted and is missing not to. Common Pitfalls: Ram asked Rohan why is he running so fast completely changes the sentence type from command to question and introduces why is he running, which was not present in the original. Ram requested Rohan not to run so fast could be grammatically acceptable but request suggests a polite appeal, whereas said to does not necessarily imply politeness. Exam keys usually choose the most neutral and direct match, which is told plus not to. Therefore it is safer to go with the option that follows the standard transformation rules exactly. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is Ram told Rohan not to run so fast.

Question 5

In the following passage based question, a blank has been given in the sentence: "Language, they say, is the _____ through which human beings perceive the world." Select the most appropriate word from the options to fill the blank so that the senten…

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Introduction / Context: This question is part of a larger passage that compares language to a device which shapes how human beings see the world. The sentence uses a metaphor, and you must pick the word that best completes that metaphor. Understanding the image created by the writer is essential, because all four options are grammatically possible, but only one fits the intended comparison and flows naturally with later references to English as a lens. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Language, they say, is the _____ through which human beings perceive the world. Options: lens, resource, source, telescope. The same passage later speaks about English as a distorted lens for seeing animals. The author is using a metaphor from the world of seeing or viewing rather than from energy or finance. Concept / Approach: The key word in the sentence is perceive, which is closely related to seeing or sensing. When we talk about perceiving the world through something, a common metaphor is lens, meaning a medium that shapes how things appear to us. In the passage, English is later called a distorting lens for viewing animals, which clearly confirms that the controlling image is optical. Resource and source do not fit this visual metaphor as naturally, and telescope is too specific and does not match the later repeated word lens in the passage. Therefore lens is the most appropriate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on perceive the world. This expression suggests seeing or experiencing reality through something that influences how it looks. Step 2: Consider lens. A lens is a part of glasses or a camera that focuses and shapes light, which makes it an excellent metaphor for language shaping perception. Step 3: Consider resource. A resource is something we use or draw upon, like money or water, which does not naturally fit the idea of perceiving the world through it. Step 4: Consider source. A source is an origin or starting point, for example the source of a river or source of information. Language can be a source of misunderstanding, but here the phrase is the through which, which favours a medium like a lens rather than an origin. Step 5: Consider telescope. A telescope is a device for viewing distant objects. While it is related to seeing, it is very specific and is not echoed later in the passage; the passage talks again about a lens, not a telescope. Step 6: Therefore lens is the only option that matches both the immediate metaphor and the later description in the passage. Verification / Alternative check: If you read the full passage, it goes on to say: English is perhaps the most distorting lens through which to see animals. It has perpetuated a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl. Because lens is repeated later, the author is clearly using a consistent metaphor. Replacing the first blank with lens keeps that consistency. If you inserted telescope, the later sentence about distorting lens would lose its echo and sound poorly constructed. This internal evidence from the passage confirms that lens is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Resource suggests that language is a useful asset, which may be true but does not fit the phrase through which human beings perceive the world, where a medium of perception is needed rather than a utility. Source emphasises origin rather than medium; it would be more natural in a structure like language is the source of many misunderstandings, not in the phrase through which we perceive. Common Pitfalls: Telescope can attract students because it is a visual instrument and seems related to perception. However, the writer wants a general term, because language affects perception of everything, not only distant objects. Moreover, good cloze test strategy is to consider the entire passage, not just the single sentence. When a later sentence repeats or extends the same metaphor, that repetition is a strong clue. Ignoring contextual clues is a common reason for mistakes in such questions. Final Answer: The most appropriate word is lens, so the sentence reads: Language, they say, is the lens through which human beings perceive the world.

Question 6

In the same passage, the next sentence reads: "If so, English is perhaps the most _____ lens through which to see animals." Select the option that best fills the blank to capture the author's critical view of English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question continues the metaphor introduced earlier in the passage, where language is compared to a lens through which humans perceive the world. The author specifically comments on English as a lens for seeing animals and clearly holds a critical view, suggesting that the language misrepresents them. The word you choose for the blank must express this critical attitude and match the negative tone developed in the rest of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: If so, English is perhaps the most _____ lens through which to see animals. Options: distorting, disturbing, popular, useful. Later lines in the passage mention that English has perpetuated a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl, and that the word "animal" can suggest baseness and vulgarity. The passage criticises how English shapes our view of animals, not praises it. Concept / Approach: The key idea is that English produces a wrong or biased image of animals, not simply that it is widely used or that it causes emotional disturbance. A lens that produces a wrong image is described as distorting. By calling English the most distorting lens, the author emphasises that English words and expressions twist or misrepresent animals. Disturbing relates to causing emotional upset, popular refers to being widely liked, and useful suggests helpfulness. None of those capture the precise notion of altering the image itself, which is central to the lens metaphor. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note the metaphor: English is a lens through which we see animals. We need an adjective that describes a negative quality of a lens. Step 2: Consider distorting. A distorting lens bends light or changes shapes, making objects appear different from what they really are. This fits perfectly with the idea that English gives a cross eyed view of animals. Step 3: Consider disturbing. Disturbing describes something that upsets or worries us, but a disturbing lens is not a standard expression and does not directly address misrepresentation. Step 4: Consider popular. Popular lens would simply mean widely used, which is neutral or positive, not critical. The passage clearly criticises the way English labels animals. Step 5: Consider useful. Useful lens suggests helpfulness, again contradicting the negative description that follows about animal meanings implying vulgarity. Step 6: Distorting therefore is the only option that joins naturally with lens and supports the claim that English has perpetuated a cross eyed view of animals. Verification / Alternative check: Read the surrounding sentences with distorting: Language, they say, is the lens through which human beings perceive the world. If so, English is perhaps the most distorting lens through which to see animals. It has perpetuated a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl. The flow is smooth and the criticism consistent. Replacing distorting with popular or useful would make the second sentence positive, while the third sentence remains negative, causing a clash in tone. This internal consistency check confirms that distorting is the intended word. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Disturbing focuses on emotional reaction and does not sit naturally in the phrase disturbing lens; we usually speak of disturbing images or disturbing news, not disturbing lenses. Popular and useful both carry favourable or at least neutral meanings and would not match an argument that accuses English of shaping a biased and low view of animals, especially when animal related terms are said to imply baseness and vulgarity. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to ignore the metaphor and the specific noun lens, and simply pick a word that seems negative, such as disturbing. However, cloze test blanks must fit both the literal combination (adjective plus noun) and the wider passage meaning. Distorting is frequently used with lens or mirror in physics and everyday language, so it collocates well. Training yourself to notice collocations and extended metaphors will greatly improve your accuracy in such questions. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is distorting, giving: English is perhaps the most distorting lens through which to see animals.

Question 7

Continuing the same passage, consider the sentence: "It has _____ a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl." Select the option that best completes the sentence to show that English has kept this biased view alive.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question again draws on the same critical passage about language and animals. The author argues that English maintains a biased, cross eyed view of animals. The blank requires a verb that describes how such a view continues over time. You need to choose a word that fits both the grammar of the sentence and the idea of keeping a wrong view alive from generation to generation. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: It has _____ a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl. The subject It refers to English as a language. Options: accompanied, exercised, perpetuated, undeterred. The surrounding sentences describe English as a distorting lens and explain how the very word "animal" can suggest baseness and vulgarity. Concept / Approach: The central idea is continuity of a negative perception. A word that means to keep something going, especially something harmful, is perpetuate. If a culture or language perpetuates a stereotype, it means it continues that stereotype rather than correcting it. Accompanied, exercised, and undeterred do not carry this sense. Grammar is also important: has perpetuated is a correct present perfect form, indicating an effect from past to present. Therefore the most suitable choice is perpetuated. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the required tense and aspect. The sentence uses has plus past participle, so we need a verb whose past participle sounds natural after has. Step 2: Consider perpetuated. The phrase has perpetuated a view is standard English for has kept a particular way of seeing things alive over time. This matches the idea that English maintains a cross eyed view. Step 3: Consider accompanied. Has accompanied a cross eyed view sounds odd, because accompany means to go together with something, not to keep it going. Step 4: Consider exercised. Exercise usually takes objects like power, control or caution; has exercised a cross eyed view is not a normal collocation and does not convey continuity. Step 5: Consider undeterred. Undeterred is an adjective or past participle that usually modifies a person or group, as in undeterred by the difficulties, and is not normally used as a transitive verb in this way. Step 6: Only perpetuated gives both the correct grammatical form and the intended meaning of continuing a biased view. Verification / Alternative check: Replacing the blank with perpetuated, the sentence reads: It has perpetuated a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl. This makes perfect sense and is a typical phrase in critical writing about language. The present perfect tense emphasises that English has for a long time maintained such a view and that its influence continues into the present, which is consistent with the overall argument of the passage. The other options either disrupt the grammar or weaken the meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Accompanied suggests that English has gone along with a cross eyed view, but in the passage, English is not just a companion to that view; it is a major reason why the view continues. The nuance is wrong. Exercised is usually followed by words like authority, caution or influence. A cross eyed view cannot naturally be exercised, so this option feels linguistically forced. Common Pitfalls: In cloze tests, many candidates choose words based only on partial meaning, for example, seeing that exercised is a formal verb and assuming it must fit. However, correctness in English depends heavily on collocation, the natural combination of words. The phrase perpetuate a myth or perpetuate a stereotype is common in academic and journalistic writing, making perpetuated the most natural choice here. Training yourself to notice such typical combinations while reading will help you avoid such traps. Final Answer: The correct completion is perpetuated, so the sentence becomes: It has perpetuated a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl.

Question 8

In the same passage, consider the sentence: "The very word \"animal\" can _____ the brutish and the sensual." Select the option that best expresses the idea that this word suggests such negative qualities.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question again asks you to choose a word that fits logically and stylistically in a critical discussion of how language shapes our view of animals. The author wants to say that the word "animal" carries negative associations in English, linking animals with brutish or purely sensual behaviour. The correct verb must reflect the idea of implication or association of meanings, not repairing or understanding anything. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: The very word "animal" can _____ the brutish and the sensual. Options: connote, rectify, trouble, understand. Earlier, the passage calls English a distorting lens and says it has perpetuated a cross eyed view of animals. The sentence clearly refers to the meaning or associations of the word "animal". Concept / Approach: In vocabulary and semantics, denote means to refer to something directly, while connote means to suggest or imply additional ideas or feelings associated with a word. When we say a word connotes something, we mean that it brings extra meanings or emotional colouring. Here the author is saying that "animal" not only denotes non human creatures but also connotes brutish and sensual behaviour. Rectify means correct, trouble means cause worry, and understand is a mental process; none of these verbs naturally take such an object in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the phrase the very word "animal". This points to discussion of meaning and association in language rather than physical actions. Step 2: Consider connote. To connote something is to suggest or imply it in addition to basic meaning. So the word "animal" can connote the brutish and the sensual is a standard way to describe negative associations. Step 3: Consider rectify. Rectify means to correct or put something right, and it normally takes objects like mistake, error or situation. A word does not rectify the brutish and the sensual, so this option is not appropriate. Step 4: Consider trouble. Trouble means to disturb, worry or cause problems. The structure can trouble someone, but trouble the brutish and the sensual does not make sense in this sentence. Step 5: Consider understand. Understand is usually used with a person as subject and an idea as object; the word "animal" cannot understand the brutish and the sensual in this abstract way. Step 6: Thus, connote is the only verb that grammatically and semantically fits the sentence about word associations. Verification / Alternative check: In linguistic discussions, we often read sentences like The word "home" connotes warmth and security. This pattern, word connotes quality, is exactly what we see here. If we insert connote, the sentence becomes The very word "animal" can connote the brutish and the sensual, which is parallel to such standard usage. The other options fail either at the level of collocation or basic meaning, confirming that connote is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Rectify is about correcting errors or faults; the word "animal" does not correct brutish or sensual behaviour, it merely suggests it. Trouble would require a living subject that causes disturbance to someone; using a word as the subject of trouble in this way is highly unusual and would still not capture the idea of implied meaning. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may quickly eliminate rectify and understand but hesitate between connote and trouble, thinking that words can trouble or disturb readers. However, the object here is the brutish and the sensual, which are qualities, not people, so trouble cannot fit smoothly. Whenever a sentence discusses what a word brings to mind, connotation and connote are standard technical terms. Recognizing this connection will help you pick such words with confidence in exams. Final Answer: The most appropriate verb is connote, giving: The very word "animal" can connote the brutish and the sensual.

Question 9

In the final line of this passage, we read: "Animal _____ imply baseness and vulgarity." Select the option that best completes the sentence to show that certain animal related expressions carry such negative suggestions.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question completes the criticism developed in the passage about how English uses animal related terms. The author wants to say that certain common expressions involving the word animal suggest base or vulgar behaviour. The blank must be filled with a word that normally collocates with animal and whose combination with imply baseness and vulgarity sounds natural and precise in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Animal _____ imply baseness and vulgarity. Options: breeding, gestures, instincts, species. The passage has already discussed how the word "animal" can connote the brutish and the sensual. The phrase Animal instincts is a familiar collocation in English. Concept / Approach: While several nouns can follow animal, the task is to identify the one that is typically associated with low or uncontrolled behaviour in English usage. The expression animal instincts commonly refers to basic drives like aggression or sexuality, which many people think of as crude or primitive. Saying that animal instincts imply baseness and vulgarity fits both the language of morality and the earlier remarks about brutish and sensual associations. Breeding, gestures and species do not carry the same strong moral judgement when combined with animal in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the phrase imply baseness and vulgarity. The blank should be filled by something that naturally suggests low, uncontrolled drives. Step 2: Consider instincts. Animal instincts is a well known phrase referring to primitive and powerful drives, sometimes contrasted with rational thought. Step 3: Consider breeding. Animal breeding is a technical term in agriculture or zoology related to reproduction and selection, not to moral qualities like baseness or vulgarity. Step 4: Consider gestures. Animal gestures would refer to physical movements, but these do not usually imply vulgarity as a fixed phrase in English. Step 5: Consider species. Animal species is a neutral scientific expression and does not by itself suggest low behaviour. Step 6: Therefore instincts is the only option that naturally combines with animal and supports the claim that such language suggests base qualities. Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into the sentence mentally. Animal instincts imply baseness and vulgarity sounds like a comment on how the phrase animal instincts is interpreted in everyday speech. Animal breeding imply baseness and vulgarity is grammatically rough and conceptually off, as breeding is a neutral activity. Animal gestures and animal species also sound neutral when followed by imply baseness and vulgarity, which shows that they do not carry the implied negative meanings that the author is criticising. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Breeding in the phrase good breeding can even be positive when used of humans, and animal breeding is used technically without negative moral overtones; it is not a set phrase linked with vulgarity. Gestures refers to physical movements or signs, and while some gestures can be rude, animal gestures as a general expression does not carry a fixed association with baseness. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates might overthink species because of phrases like human species, but animal species merely categorises animals and does not connect to moral judgement. The exam setter expects you to recognise known collocations rather than invent unusual interpretations. Remember that language criticism often focuses on fixed phrases such as animal instincts, animal cunning or animal passion, so spotting those fixed expressions is a strong clue in these vocabulary based blanks. Final Answer: The correct completion is instincts, so the sentence reads: Animal instincts imply baseness and vulgarity.

Question 10

In the following question, a sentence is divided into four parts, and one part may contain a grammatical or idiomatic error. Identify the part that has the error: My brother finds it difficult (1) / to pass away the time (2) / at the house of our gr…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions check your understanding of idiomatic usage and common phrasal verbs in English. In this sentence, the speaker describes how his brother feels when he is spending time at the house of their grandparents. The error is not in the basic grammar but in the choice of phrasal verb, where a wrong expression has been used instead of the correct one accepted in standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence parts: (1) My brother finds it difficult; (2) to pass away the time; (3) at the house of our grandparents; (4) No Error. The phrase pass away has a well known meaning in English. The intended meaning is simply to spend time or occupy oneself, not to die. We have to choose which part contains the error, based on standard idiomatic usage. Concept / Approach: The important concept here is phrasal verbs. Pass away is a polite euphemism for die, especially when talking about people. The phrasal verb used to mean spend time is pass the time, or sometimes pass time, not pass away the time. Therefore, while each individual word in to pass away the time is simple, the phrase as a whole is incorrect in this context. Parts 1 and 3 are grammatically sound, so the error must be located in part 2. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the sentence for overall meaning: My brother finds it difficult to pass away the time at the house of our grandparents. The sense is that he feels bored or cannot keep himself occupied. Step 2: Check part 1, My brother finds it difficult. This is a correct and common structure: find it difficult plus infinitive. Step 3: Check part 3, at the house of our grandparents. This is a correct prepositional phrase describing location and does not show any grammatical error. Step 4: Focus on part 2, to pass away the time. In standard English, pass away is usually used as a verb of dying, for example His grandfather passed away last year. It is not the correct expression for spending time. Step 5: The correct idiomatic phrase would be to pass the time, as in He finds it difficult to pass the time at our grandparents' house. Step 6: Therefore, part 2 is the segment containing the error and should be marked as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: Replace pass away with die and read the sentence: My brother finds it difficult to die the time at the house of our grandparents. This is clearly nonsensical. On the other hand, if you rewrite the sentence correctly as My brother finds it difficult to pass the time at the house of our grandparents, it communicates a normal idea of boredom. This contrast confirms that the expression in part 2 is wrong and must be corrected for the sentence to make sense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 1 uses a standard structure finds it difficult plus infinitive, so it is free of error. Part 3, at the house of our grandparents, is grammatically correct; the possessive form of grandparents is acceptable, and the preposition at matches the context of being present at a place. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes over focus on small grammar points in the wrong place, such as thinking house of our grandparents should be changed to our grandparents house, while missing the more serious idiomatic error. In error spotting, always first check whether any phrase sounds unnatural in everyday English, especially phrasal verbs like pass away. Memorising the different meanings of pass away and pass the time is helpful because exam setters often target such pairs to test whether you know the difference between literal and idiomatic meanings. Final Answer: The error is in part 2, where to pass away the time should be changed to to pass the time.

Question 11

In the following question, a sentence is divided into four parts. One part may contain an error. Identify the part that has the error: No sooner had he finished (1) / his morning walk (2) / when it began to rain. (3) / No Error (4).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error spotting question examines your knowledge of a common correlative structure in English: no sooner ... than. Many learners confuse the second part and use when instead of than, which exam setters deliberately test. The sentence describes two events in quick succession, and you must recognise the correct conjunction that pairs with no sooner in formal English. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence parts: (1) No sooner had he finished; (2) his morning walk; (3) when it began to rain; (4) No Error. The intended meaning is that it began to rain immediately after he finished his walk. The standard pattern is No sooner had X happened than Y happened. We must select the part that violates this standard pattern. Concept / Approach: In English, certain expressions are used in pairs, known as correlative conjunctions. For very immediate succession of events we use no sooner ... than, hardly or scarcely ... when, and barely ... when. The combination no sooner ... when is incorrect in formal standard English. In the given sentence, the first part correctly uses no sooner with an inverted past perfect (had he finished), but the third part incorrectly uses when instead of than. This is the error that must be detected. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the first part: No sooner had he finished. This follows the correct pattern where no sooner is followed by an auxiliary had and subject he, forming an inverted past perfect that is common in such structures. Step 2: Read the second part: his morning walk. This simply completes the first clause and is grammatically correct. Step 3: Examine the third part: when it began to rain. Here we must check the conjunction that joins the two clauses. Step 4: Recall the correct correlative pair: no sooner ... than. When we begin a sentence with no sooner, we must complete it with than before the second clause. Step 5: Therefore, the sentence should read: No sooner had he finished his morning walk than it began to rain. Step 6: Since when is wrongly used instead of than, the error lies in part 3. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with the related structure hardly had he finished his morning walk when it began to rain. In that pattern, when is correct. For no sooner, however, the matching word is than. Both structures express almost the same idea but use different conjunctions. If you substitute than for when in the original sentence, it immediately sounds more natural in formal written English. This shows that part 3 must be changed and is therefore the incorrect part. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 1 is correctly formed with no sooner followed by had and the subject; this inverted form is standard when no sooner begins a clause. Part 2, his morning walk, is a simple and correct noun phrase that completes the object of finished. Common Pitfalls: Because hardly, scarcely and barely pair with when, many learners subconsciously copy the same structure with no sooner and produce no sooner ... when. Examiners exploit this overlap to set traps. A useful memory aid is: no sooner than and hardly or scarcely when. By memorising these as fixed pairs, you can quickly spot errors of this type in competitive exam questions and avoid confusing the conjunctions. Final Answer: The error is in part 3, where when should be replaced by than to form the correct structure: No sooner had he finished his morning walk than it began to rain.

Question 12

In the following question, a blank is given in the sentence: "_____ you work hard, you cannot succeed." Select the conjunction that best completes the sentence to express a necessary condition for success.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of conjunctions that introduce conditions. The sentence states that success is impossible without hard work. You must select the word that most clearly and concisely expresses a negative condition, that is, that the absence of hard work will prevent success. Choosing the right conjunction ensures that the logical relation between effort and success is correctly conveyed. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: _____ you work hard, you cannot succeed. Options: If, Till, Until, Unless. The second clause you cannot succeed is negative and expresses impossibility. The intended meaning is that success is impossible if you do not work hard. Concept / Approach: Unless is a conjunction meaning except if or if not. When you say Unless you work hard, you cannot succeed, you state that the only way to avoid failure is to work hard. This matches the common motivational statement about hard work and success. If is a general conditional conjunction that can be used with either positive or negative second clauses, but If you work hard, you cannot succeed changes the meaning and becomes incorrect. Till and until are time conjunctions, used to talk about something happening up to a particular point in time, not about conditions for success. Therefore, unless is the most appropriate choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Interpret the meaning: the sentence is saying that without hard work, success is not possible. This is a negative condition. Step 2: Consider unless, which explicitly means if not. Unless you work hard can be paraphrased as if you do not work hard. Step 3: Insert unless into the sentence: Unless you work hard, you cannot succeed. This matches the intended idea perfectly. Step 4: Test if. If you work hard, you cannot succeed would wrongly suggest that hard work results in failure, the opposite of the intended meaning, so if cannot be used here. Step 5: Test till and until. Till you work hard, you cannot succeed and Until you work hard, you cannot succeed are unidiomatic and blur time and condition; they suggest waiting until you start working hard, not a general rule about success. Step 6: Therefore, unless is the only conjunction that naturally introduces the required negative condition. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence with an explicit negative condition: If you do not work hard, you cannot succeed. This is a clear statement. Now replace If you do not with Unless you and remove the negative in the subordinate clause: Unless you work hard, you cannot succeed. The two sentences are equivalent in meaning. This shows that unless is the intended conjunction here. None of the other options allow such a clean transformation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: If is used for general conditions but would require a different main clause to keep the meaning positive, such as If you work hard, you can succeed, which is not what is printed in the question. Common Pitfalls: Some learners treat unless as interchangeable with until because both start with the same two letters, but they belong to different categories: unless is a conditional conjunction, while until or till indicates time. Another mistake is to place unless in the main clause and keep a negative subordinate clause, causing a double negative. The safe pattern to remember is Unless plus positive condition, followed by a negative result clause, as in Unless you study, you will not pass. The given sentence follows that exact pattern. Final Answer: The sentence is correctly completed as Unless you work hard, you cannot succeed.

Question 13

In the following question, a blank is given in the sentence: "Corruption is a standing hindrance _____ the nation's development." Select the correct preposition to complete the sentence in standard English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Preposition questions frequently test common fixed combinations in English, often with abstract nouns such as hindrance, obstacle or barrier. In this sentence, corruption is described as something that blocks or obstructs development. You must choose the preposition that naturally follows hindrance in such constructions, so that the sentence sounds idiomatic and grammatically correct. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Corruption is a standing hindrance _____ the nation's development. Options: of, over, to, upon. We focus on the phrase hindrance plus preposition plus noun phrase. The intended meaning is that corruption obstructs or prevents the development of the nation. Concept / Approach: The standard preposition used with hindrance is to, especially in the pattern a hindrance to something. For example, bureaucracy can be a hindrance to progress. Using of, over or upon after hindrance would sound awkward or change the meaning. Hindrance of would suggest a hindrance that belongs to something, which is not the intended idea; hindrance over and hindrance upon are not normal collocations. Therefore, to is the correct preposition to express the idea of an obstacle in the way of development. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall common collocations: we say a hindrance to progress, a barrier to entry, an obstacle to success. Step 2: Insert to into the sentence: Corruption is a standing hindrance to the nation's development. This sounds natural and clearly expresses that corruption stands in the way of development. Step 3: Test of: Corruption is a standing hindrance of the nation's development. This construction is unusual and does not reflect standard English usage. Step 4: Test over: hindrance over the nation's development does not form a recognised phrase and gives no clear prepositional meaning. Step 5: Test upon: hindrance upon the nation's development also sounds forced and is not used in common speech or writing. Step 6: Because only to fits idiomatic usage, we select to as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: You can check the usage in other sentences: His laziness is a hindrance to his career; Poverty is a hindrance to education. In all these cases, the preposition to links the hindrance with the thing being obstructed. Applying the same pattern to the given sentence confirms that the nation's development must follow to, not any of the other prepositions. This cross checking with parallel examples is a reliable way to verify your choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Of is often used to show possession or composition, as in the development of the nation, but hindrance of the nation's development is not the standard way to express an obstacle. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to overgeneralise prepositions like of and upon without checking whether they match actual usage in set phrases. Exam questions on prepositions frequently focus on such fixed patterns. The best strategy is to read widely and notice how nouns like hindrance, barrier, solution and effect combine with prepositions. Over time, phrases like hindrance to will feel natural, and you will immediately identify alternatives as incorrect in tests. Final Answer: The correct preposition is to, so the sentence reads: Corruption is a standing hindrance to the nation's development.

Question 14

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is similar in meaning (synonym) to the given word: Lethargy.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym questions measure how well you understand the meanings and shades of emotional words in English. The word lethargy is often used to describe a state of low energy, sleepiness or sluggishness. Your goal is to select the option that most closely expresses this idea, even if the part of speech is slightly different. Understanding such words is important for reading comprehension and for accurately describing states of mind and body. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Lethargy. Options: Activity, Drowsy, Modest, Pleasure. Lethargy is a noun; some options are adjectives or nouns. We aim for closest similarity in overall meaning, not necessarily identical grammar category. Concept / Approach: Lethargy refers to a condition of unusual tiredness, drowsiness or lack of energy. It describes a slow, sleepy, unmotivated state. The adjective drowsy describes a person who is sleepy or half asleep, which is very close in sense to someone experiencing lethargy. Activity is almost the opposite, suggesting energetic movement; modest refers to being humble or not bragging; pleasure is enjoyment or satisfaction. Among the given options, drowsy is clearly the nearest in meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Define lethargy. It is a noun describing a state of listlessness, low energy and sleepiness, often making it hard to take action. Step 2: Check Activity. Activity means being busy, moving or doing things. This is the opposite of lethargy, so it cannot be the synonym. Step 3: Check Drowsy. Drowsy is an adjective that describes someone who feels sleepy and slow, which closely matches the typical symptoms of lethargy. Step 4: Check Modest. Modest relates to humility or moderation, particularly in behaviour or dress, and has nothing to do with energy levels. Step 5: Check Pleasure. Pleasure is a feeling of enjoyment or satisfaction and is not directly connected to being energetic or sluggish. Step 6: Therefore, Drowsy is the best available synonym for lethargy among the options. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences: After the heavy lunch, he was overcome by lethargy can be paraphrased as After the heavy lunch, he felt very drowsy. The emotional and physical states described are nearly identical. You cannot naturally replace lethargy with activity, modest or pleasure in such a sentence. This substitution test confirms that drowsy is the closest in meaning, even though one is a noun and the other is an adjective. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Activity describes energetic movement and engagement, which is what someone with lethargy lacks; it is more like an antonym. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes get distracted by part of speech and hesitate to pick an adjective like drowsy for a noun like lethargy. In many exam questions, however, the focus is on semantic similarity, and minor grammatical differences are ignored. When in doubt, first match meanings and typical usage, and only then check whether the grammar can reasonably be adjusted in context. In this case, lethargy and drowsy both point to sleepiness and low energy, so they are clearly related enough for a synonym question. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to Lethargy is Drowsy, representing a sleepy, low energy state.

Question 15

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is similar in meaning (synonym) to the given word: Hoodwink.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This synonym question checks your understanding of verbs related to cheating and deception. The word hoodwink is slightly old fashioned but still used in modern English to describe tricking someone, especially by making them believe something that is not true. You must find the option that is closest in meaning to cheating or deceiving, rather than simply being secret or illegal. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Hoodwink. Options: Defraud, Illicit, Secret, Stare. Hoodwink is a verb that means to deceive or trick someone. We are looking for the option that also describes a dishonest act against someone. Concept / Approach: To hoodwink someone is to mislead or cheat them, often by false stories or by hiding the truth. Defraud means to cheat someone in order to get money or something of value, which is a more specific type of deception. Illicit is an adjective meaning illegal or not allowed; secret is an adjective or noun referring to hidden information; stare is a verb meaning to look fixedly. Of these, only defraud shares the core meaning of cheating or tricking, so it is the best synonym in this set. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of hoodwink: to deceive, trick or mislead someone, often so that you can benefit at their expense. Step 2: Examine Defraud. Defraud means to cheat someone out of money, property or rights by using dishonest methods. This fits well within the same family of meanings as hoodwink. Step 3: Examine Illicit. Illicit describes something that is not allowed by law or social rules, such as illicit trade. It does not itself describe the act of tricking a person. Step 4: Examine Secret. Secret describes things that are hidden or not revealed, but secrecy can exist even without deception; it is more about concealment than cheating someone directly. Step 5: Examine Stare. Stare means to look at something or someone with eyes wide open for a long time, and is unrelated to dishonesty or trickery. Step 6: Therefore, Defraud is the closest synonym among the options. Verification / Alternative check: Place the options into a sentence: The salesman tried to hoodwink the customer with false promises can be rephrased as The salesman tried to defraud the customer with false promises, especially if money is involved. Both sentences describe cheating. Replacing hoodwink with illicit or secret would not work grammatically, and replacing it with stare would be absurd. This test confirms that defraud matches both usage and meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Illicit describes the status of an activity under law or norms, but does not specify the act of deceiving a particular person. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may be tempted by illicit because many fraudulent acts are illicit, but synonym questions require you to match parts of speech and core meanings. Hoodwink is a verb, defraud is a verb, and both involve cheating people. Illicit and secret are adjectives that describe qualities of actions or information, not the dishonesty itself. Remember to check not just whether words appear in similar contexts, but whether they share the same essential meaning and grammatical behaviour. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to Hoodwink is Defraud.

Question 16

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning (antonym) to the given word: Multifaceted.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Antonym questions test whether you can recognise opposite meanings in English vocabulary. The word multifaceted is often used to describe someone or something that has many different aspects, sides or talents. To find the antonym, you must select the option that most clearly suggests having only one aspect, being straightforward or lacking complexity, rather than being skilled or flexible. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Multifaceted. Options: Adroit, Handy, Pliable, Simple. Multifaceted literally means having many facets or sides, like a cut gemstone, and figuratively means having many different parts or qualities. The antonym should imply one dimensional, uncomplicated or not having many aspects. Concept / Approach: Multifaceted combines multi (many) with faceted (having faces or aspects). Its opposite should refer to something that is not complex, not many sided, and relatively straightforward. Simple matches this sense by implying plain, uncomplicated or single layered. Adroit means skilful or clever; handy means useful or good with practical tasks; pliable means flexible or easily bent. None of these words express the idea of lacking multiple facets, so they cannot be true antonyms of multifaceted. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Clarify the meaning of multifaceted: possessing many different features, qualities, roles or aspects. Step 2: Examine Simple. Simple suggests something that is not complicated, easy to understand, and often having few parts or dimensions. This is conceptually opposite to having many facets. Step 3: Examine Adroit. Adroit means skilful or clever, especially with hands or mind. A person can be adroit and still be multifaceted; there is no direct opposition between these two ideas. Step 4: Examine Handy. Handy describes someone good at using tools or doing practical tasks, or something conveniently located. Again, it deals with usefulness or skill, not number of aspects. Step 5: Examine Pliable. Pliable means flexible, easily bent or influenced. This is about adaptability, not complexity of facets. Step 6: Therefore, Simple is the only word that stands opposite to multifaceted in the dimension of complexity and variety. Verification / Alternative check: Use the words in sample phrases: a multifaceted personality is someone with many different talents and traits, while a simple personality suggests straightforward, perhaps limited, traits. Similarly, a multifaceted problem has many interconnected parts, whereas a simple problem is easy to understand and solve. These pairings show clear opposition. In contrast, saying a problem is adroit, handy or pliable does not even make sense, so those words cannot be antonyms of multifaceted. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Adroit refers to skill level, not to the number of aspects a thing has; it cannot serve as an opposite to multifaceted. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes look for any negative sounding or unusual word as an antonym without checking the exact dimension of meaning. For multifaceted, the central dimension is complexity and variety, not talent or flexibility. Always ask yourself: in what way is this word being used, and which option reverses that specific characteristic? This approach ensures you choose Simple rather than being misled by less familiar words like adroit or pliable. Final Answer: The correct antonym of Multifaceted is Simple.

Question 17

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word that is opposite in meaning (antonym) to the given word: Trepidation.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question focuses on emotional vocabulary related to fear and anxiety. Trepidation is often used in formal and literary English to describe a feeling of deep anxiety or nervous fear about something that may happen. To find the opposite, you must choose a word that represents the absence of such anxiety, a state of peace and composure, rather than another strong negative emotion or fear itself. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Trepidation. Options: Bold, Calm, Fear, Violent. Trepidation refers to nervous fear, apprehension or uneasiness. The antonym should express either fearlessness or a relaxed, peaceful state. Concept / Approach: Trepidation describes a state of mental disturbance, where a person feels worried or frightened. The opposite emotional state is calm, which means peaceful, free from agitation or excitement. While bold describes a personality trait of courage, calm directly names the emotional state that contrasts with anxiety, and so it is the more accurate antonym. Fear is a direct synonym of trepidation, and violent describes aggressive behaviour rather than emotional peace or fear. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Clarify the meaning of trepidation as a noun: a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen. Step 2: Examine Calm. Calm refers to a state of peace, without strong emotion, anxiety or agitation. This directly opposes the inner disturbance implied by trepidation. Step 3: Examine Bold. Bold is an adjective describing a person who is brave or confident. While bravery can be the opposite of being fearful, it is about character rather than the immediate emotional state. Step 4: Examine Fear. Fear is nearly the same in meaning as trepidation, so it is a synonym, not an antonym. Step 5: Examine Violent. Violent describes forceful, physically aggressive behaviour or strong destructive natural forces, and is not directly related to the presence or absence of fear. Step 6: Because Calm exactly names the opposite emotional condition to trepidation, it is the best antonym among the given options. Verification / Alternative check: Use the words in parallel sentences: She waited with trepidation for the exam results versus She waited with calm for the exam results. The contrast is clear between nervous fear and peaceful composure. If you say She waited with fear, you have almost the same meaning as trepidation, not its opposite. Bold does not fit easily with waited with bold, so it does not function naturally as a direct opposite in this structure. This comparison confirms that calm is the correct antonym here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Bold relates to courage in action or decision, but a bold person can still feel inner trepidation; it is not the direct, everyday opposite to the feeling itself. Common Pitfalls: Some students may focus only on courage versus fear and quickly choose bold, but antonym questions often ask for opposite emotional states rather than opposite personality labels. Calm describes the mind that is free from anxiety, which is exactly what trepidation takes away. Matching the type of word and its context of use usually leads you to the better answer. Therefore, calm is preferred over bold in this specific question. Final Answer: The correct antonym of Trepidation is Calm.

Question 18

In the following question, choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the English idiom/phrase "kick the bucket".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom "kick the bucket" is a very common informal expression in English. Competitive examinations often test such idioms because they do not mean what the individual words suggest. A literal reading about someone kicking a bucket would be completely wrong here. The real task is to recognise that this phrase is a humorous or euphemistic way of talking about death. Given Data / Assumptions: The given idiom is "kick the bucket". The question asks for the option that best expresses its meaning. All options are short phrases that could, in theory, describe a sudden event in someone's life. We assume standard modern English usage, especially in informal conversation and storytelling. Concept / Approach: Idioms are expressions whose meanings cannot be guessed by translating each word literally. For "kick the bucket", dictionaries and real-life usage agree that it is an informal or humorous way of saying "to die". It is often used when people want to speak lightly or jokingly about death, or when a writer wants to avoid the direct word "die". Therefore, the correct option must capture the idea of death, not anger, delay, accident or money loss. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall or look up the idiom "kick the bucket". It is very widely known as slang meaning "to die".Step 2: Compare each option with this meaning. "Lose temper" refers to getting angry, which is unrelated to death.Step 3: "To delay a little longer" describes postponement, not dying. Again, this does not match the idiom.Step 4: "To die" directly expresses the correct meaning in simple, neutral language.Step 5: "To meet with an accident" can sometimes lead to death, but in English it means "to be involved in an accident", which may or may not be fatal. It is therefore not an exact synonym.Step 6: Conclude that "To die" is the only option that exactly matches the established meaning of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify from typical sentences: "He finally kicked the bucket last winter" clearly means "He finally died last winter". Replacing it with "lost his temper" or "met with an accident" completely changes the meaning. Even if an accident sometimes causes death, the idiom itself does not mention accidents at all. The phrase is also used even when the cause of death is natural and peaceful, so the core meaning is simply "to die". Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Lose temper" expresses anger, not death. "To delay a little longer" suggests postponement and has no connection with the idea of dying. "To meet with an accident" focuses only on an event, which might be minor or serious; it is not the standard idiomatic meaning of "kick the bucket". "To lose all one's money" describes financial loss and is unrelated to the idiom's established sense. Common Pitfalls: Many learners try to guess the meaning from the words "kick" and "bucket", imagining physical actions or accidents. This is a trap with idioms: literal translation usually fails. Another mistake is to choose an option that sounds dramatic, such as "to meet with an accident", even though it is not the exact meaning. The safest strategy is to actively learn common idioms with clear examples and to remember that "kick the bucket" is a light, colloquial way to say "to die". Final Answer: The idiom "kick the bucket" means to die.

Question 19

In the following question, choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the English idiom/phrase "an axe to grind".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The idiom "an axe to grind" is frequently tested in English vocabulary sections, especially in exams that focus on idioms and phrases. On the surface, it appears to refer to sharpening a tool, but in actual usage it describes a hidden or selfish motive behind someone's actions or opinions. Understanding such figurative uses of language is essential for scoring well in verbal ability questions. Given Data / Assumptions: The idiom given is "an axe to grind". The task is to choose the option that best explains its meaning. All options are short, general descriptions of behaviour or motives. Standard modern English usage and dictionary meaning are assumed. Concept / Approach: Historically, the idiom comes from the image of a person pretending to be interested in the welfare of others, while actually wanting to use their grinding wheel to sharpen his own axe. Figuratively, if someone "has an axe to grind", they have a personal, often selfish interest in a matter, usually not openly declared. The correct meaning therefore connects directly with "selfish motive" rather than bravery, foolishness, risk-taking, or quarrelsomeness. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the standard meaning: "an axe to grind" = "a private or selfish purpose in mind".Step 2: Examine option A: "To act bravely". This relates to courage, which is unrelated to the idea of hidden motives.Step 3: Examine option B: "To act like a fool". This suggests foolish behaviour, but the idiom does not refer to intelligence; it refers to intention.Step 4: Examine option C: "To have a selfish motive". This perfectly matches the idea of having one's own interest to serve beneath the surface of words or actions.Step 5: Examine option D: "To take risk". Risk-taking may occur with or without selfish motives and is not the core meaning here.Step 6: Examine option E: "To start an unnecessary quarrel". While people with an axe to grind might quarrel sometimes, the idiom itself focuses on motive, not on starting fights. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the sentence: "The journalist clearly had an axe to grind against the minister." We understand that the journalist had some personal grievance or selfish interest, not that he was brave, foolish, or simply fond of quarrelling. Replacing "an axe to grind" with "a selfish motive" preserves the meaning, while replacing it with any other option distorts it. Thus, option C is confirmed as correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To act bravely" describes courageous behaviour and has no connection with hidden personal interests. "To act like a fool" focuses on lack of wisdom rather than on motive. "To take risk" refers to dangerous decisions, which can be unselfish as well, so it does not capture the idiom. "To start an unnecessary quarrel" is about conflict, not about underlying purpose. None of these alternatives match the standard idiomatic meaning. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse "an axe to grind" with idioms about quarrels or revenge because of the physical image of an axe. Another trap is assuming that it must refer to violent or risky behaviour. The safest approach is to connect the idiom with its core idea: a hidden, usually selfish agenda. Whenever you see this idiom in reading comprehension, ask yourself, "What private benefit does this person want?" That question will naturally point you to the idea of selfish motive. Final Answer: The idiom "an axe to grind" means to have a selfish motive.

Question 20

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the best alternative: We (are looking forward for) a positive response from you.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests a very common collocation in English: "look forward to" followed by a noun or an -ing form. Sentence improvement items like this check whether the learner knows which preposition correctly completes the phrase. Many speakers mistakenly say "look forward for" or "look forward at", so examinations frequently include this error to distinguish accurate usage from incorrect patterns. Given Data / Assumptions: The original sentence is: "We (are looking forward for) a positive response from you." The bracketed portion is grammatically suspect and needs to be improved. Four alternatives are provided, including "No improvement". We assume the intended meaning is that the speaker eagerly awaits a positive reply. Concept / Approach: In English, the fixed phrase is "to look forward to something" or "to look forward to doing something". The preposition "to" is an integral part of the expression. It does not change according to the object. "For" and "at" are incorrect in this collocation. The tense "are looking forward to" is also appropriate here because it describes a present, ongoing expectation. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Isolate the phrase "are looking forward for" and recall the correct form from standard English usage.Step 2: Recognise that the correct collocation is "are looking forward to".Step 3: Examine option A: "are looking forward to". This matches exactly the correct collocation and tense.Step 4: Examine option B: "have been looking forward at". Both the preposition "at" and the tense change are unnecessary and unidiomatic here.Step 5: Examine option C: "should look forward at". Again, "at" is wrong, and "should look" changes the meaning from a simple statement to advice.Step 6: Option D, "No improvement", would keep the incorrect "for", so it cannot be correct.Step 7: Conclude that option A is the only grammatically correct and idiomatic improvement. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the full sentence with option A: "We are looking forward to a positive response from you." This sounds natural and is frequently used in formal letters and emails. We can compare with typical closing lines such as "We look forward to hearing from you soon." If we replace "to" with "for" or "at", both native and fluent speakers will immediately perceive it as incorrect: "looking forward for a response" is not standard English. Hence, the selected option is verified as correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Have been looking forward at" (option B) mixes the present perfect continuous tense with an incorrect preposition and is far more complicated than needed. "Should look forward at" (option C) uses "at" wrongly and gives a sense of advice, not description. "No improvement" (option D) would leave the clearly incorrect "for" unchanged. None of these reflect the fixed phrase "look forward to" that is widely accepted in English. Common Pitfalls: Many learners try to choose prepositions based on general meaning instead of memorising fixed expressions. They think "for" fits because we wait "for" something. However, phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions often fix a particular preposition that does not follow simple logic. A useful strategy is to learn expressions like "look forward to", "interested in", and "good at" as complete chunks rather than word by word. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "are looking forward to".

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