Question 1

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one word which is the best substitute for the given phrase: “Speaking with a stammer or lisp, that is, speech marked by repeated or prolonged sounds or difficulty in pronouncing cer…

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Introduction / Context: This question tests vocabulary related to speech patterns and one word substitutions. Competitive examinations often include such items to check a candidate knowledge of precise terms that replace longer descriptive phrases. Here, we are dealing with a phrase that describes a way of speaking that involves a stammer or a lisp. The correct answer should match this description in simple and widely understood English. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase to be replaced is “speaking with a stammer or lisp”. Four options are given, three of which use rare Latin based formations, and one common English term. The task is to select the one word that best captures the idea of disfluent speech with repetitions or sound distortions. We assume current standard usage in exams and general communication. Concept / Approach: A “stammer” or “stutter” refers to a speech disorder where sounds, syllables, or words are repeated or prolonged, and normal flow of speech is interrupted. A “lisp” refers to a difficulty in pronouncing s or z sounds, often sounding like th. The common noun and verb that describes such disfluent speech is “stuttering” or “to stutter”, especially in everyday and examination oriented English. The other given options resemble obscure or pseudo technical Latin based words and do not commonly appear in standard dictionaries as the normal term for this behaviour. Therefore, we must choose the familiar word that directly corresponds to the phrase in the question. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key idea in the phrase: the person speaks with a stammer or lisp, which means speech is not smooth and certain sounds are difficult. Step 2: Recall the usual English term for this phenomenon. Both “stammering” and “stuttering” are used, but examination choices here include only “Stuttering”. Step 3: Examine the other options. They are unusual and not recognised as standard everyday terms for this speech pattern. Step 4: Select “Stuttering” as the one word substitution that best matches the phrase. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by trying to rephrase the sentence. For example, “The child speaks with a stammer or lisp” can be rewritten as “The child has a problem of stuttering in speech”. This preserves the idea of disfluent speech with repetitions and sound difficulties. In contrast, if we use “Melliloquent”, which suggests sweet or honeyed speech, the meaning changes completely. Likewise, “Dentiloquent” would suggest speaking through teeth, and “Fatiloquent” might suggest prophetic speech, none of which capture stammering or lisping. This comparison confirms that “Stuttering” is the correct substitute. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: “Melliloquent” would literally suggest speaking in a smooth, sweet, or honeyed manner, which is almost opposite to stammering or lisping. Option B: “Dentiloquent” suggests speaking with teeth prominent or emphasised, not a recognised term for stammering in common usage. Option C: “Fatiloquent” would relate to prophetic or fate telling speech, not to any speech defect. Common Pitfalls: In one word substitution questions, candidates sometimes feel attracted to rare looking words, assuming that the most unusual option must be correct. This is a trap. Examinations typically use words that actually appear in good dictionaries and advanced reading material. When the phrase describes a very common phenomenon like a stutter, the answer is much more likely to be a familiar word than a mysterious one. A good strategy is to focus on exact meaning and discard all options that do not clearly match it, regardless of how impressive they look. Final Answer: The best one word substitute for “speaking with a stammer or lisp” is “Stuttering”.

Question 2

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one word which is the best substitute for the phrase “excessive desire to work, an abnormal compulsion to remain busy with work all the time”.

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Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question examines knowledge of English terms formed from Greek roots. Many words that describe obsessions or abnormal desires end with the suffix “mania”. The root before “mania” indicates the object of that obsession. Understanding these roots helps aspirants decode difficult vocabulary in reading comprehension, editorials, and advanced texts, even when the words look unfamiliar at first. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase we need to replace is “excessive desire to work”. Each option ends with “mania”, indicating some form of obsession. We must match the correct root with the idea of work. We assume standard usage in psychological or descriptive vocabulary. Concept / Approach: The combining form “ergo” or “erg” comes from a Greek word meaning “work”. It appears in words like “ergonomics” (study of workplace efficiency) and “energy” (through related roots). Therefore, “Ergomania” literally means an obsession or excessive desire to work. The other options refer to very different things: “idolo” links to idols, “islo” is associated with islands, and “ethno” refers to race or people. None of those match the idea of work. By understanding the root meaning, we can easily pick the correct term even if we have not memorised it earlier. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the keyword “work” in the phrase “excessive desire to work”. Step 2: Recall or deduce that “ergo” or “erg” relates to work in several English words. Step 3: Match this root with the options and notice that “Ergomania” is the only one that carries this root. Step 4: Conclude that “Ergomania” is the best one word substitute for an abnormal desire to keep working. Verification / Alternative check: As a quick check, imagine a sentence: “His ergomania cost him his family life, because he spent every waking hour at the office.” The sentence clearly suggests a work related obsession. If we substituted “Ethnomania”, it would wrongly suggest an obsession with races or ethnic groups. Substituting “Idolomania” would refer to obsession with idols or celebrities, and “Islomania” would indicate an obsession with islands. None of these meanings correspond to working too much. This cross check confirms that “Ergomania” is the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: “Idolomania” would describe excessive love or worship of idols or famous personalities, not of work. Option C: “Islomania” relates to a strong fascination with islands, such as a desire to visit or live on them. Option D: “Ethnomania” would refer to an intense preoccupation with ethnicity or race, which is again unrelated to working behaviour. Common Pitfalls: Learners may get confused because all the options look similar and may feel pressured to guess. A common mistake is to ignore the root and choose randomly. Another mistake is to assume that any option will do because the endings match. In vocabulary that uses Greek and Latin components, the root carries the main meaning. Developing a habit of noticing roots like “bio”, “geo”, “psycho”, “ergo”, and “philo” can turn difficult questions into easier logic based ones. Even if a candidate has not seen “Ergomania” before, recognising “erg” as work allows a confident and correct answer. Final Answer: The one word substitute for “excessive desire to work” is “Ergomania”.

Question 3

In the following question, four words are given, out of which one word is incorrectly spelt. Identify the incorrectly spelt word that does not match standard English spelling.

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Introduction / Context: This spelling question checks familiarity with common but slightly advanced English words. Competitive examinations deliberately include such items to ensure that candidates can distinguish correct spellings from near correct lookalikes. Here, three options are correctly spelt words, while one option has a missing letter. Identifying the incorrect spelling helps improve accuracy in written communication and in reading comprehension, where such words often appear in editorials and essays. Given Data / Assumptions: Four options are given: “Pertinacious”, “Demarcation”, “Temperament”, and “Sureptitious”. We must find the one word that is incorrectly spelt according to standard English. We assume modern standard spelling used in reputable dictionaries and textbooks. Concept / Approach: The key to this question lies in knowing or recognising the word “surreptitious”, which means secret or done by stealth. The correct spelling has a double “r” and a double “t” in the middle: s u r r e p t i t i o u s. In the option list, the word appears as “Sureptitious”, missing one “r” and having an incorrect sequence of letters. The other three words are correctly spelt: “Pertinacious” means stubbornly persistent, “Demarcation” means marking a boundary, and “Temperament” refers to a person’s natural disposition. Since only “Sureptitious” fails to match a correct English word, it is the incorrectly spelt option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Check whether each option looks like a known English word and recall its meaning, if possible. Step 2: Recognise that “Pertinacious”, “Demarcation”, and “Temperament” are standard vocabulary items with correct spelling. Step 3: Examine “Sureptitious” and recall that the familiar word is “surreptitious”, not “sureptitious”. Step 4: Conclude that “Sureptitious” is incorrectly spelt and therefore is the required answer. Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by using each word in a sample sentence. For instance, “Her pertinacious questioning finally revealed the truth” uses “pertinacious” correctly. “There is a clear demarcation between the two plots of land” shows “demarcation” in a natural context. “His calm temperament makes him a good leader” is also standard. In contrast, if we try “He made a sureptitious phone call during the meeting”, we realise that common dictionaries and style guides use “surreptitious” in this place. This mismatch confirms that “Sureptitious” is wrong. Spell checking tools and official word lists also recognise “surreptitious” but not “sureptitious”. Why Other Options Are Wrong (they are correct spellings): Option A: “Pertinacious” is correctly spelt and means very persistent or stubborn in holding an opinion or course of action. Option B: “Demarcation” is correctly spelt and refers to a boundary or clear separation between areas, ideas, or groups. Option C: “Temperament” is correctly spelt and denotes a person natural character or typical mood pattern. Common Pitfalls: Spelling questions often include words that are less familiar to test whether candidates truly know them rather than simply recognising them vaguely. Learners may be tempted to mark a word as wrong just because they have not seen it before. Another pitfall is ignoring internal double consonants, such as the double “r” and “t” in “surreptitious”. To overcome this, it is helpful to read widely and pay attention to commonly tested words in practice sets. Grouping words by roots and similar patterns also helps, for example remembering that “surreptitious”, “suspicious”, and “fictitious” share the “itious” ending. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word is “Sureptitious”, which should be correctly written as “surreptitious”.

Question 4

In the following question, four words are given, out of which one word is incorrectly spelt. Identify the incorrectly spelt word which does not follow standard English spelling.

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Introduction / Context: This spelling question aims to test familiarity with everyday English words that often occur in news reports and editorials. Three of the given options are correctly spelt, while one has an internal error. Recognising the correct form is essential for accurate writing as well as for understanding texts about politics, law, and public decision making, where terms like “referendum” frequently appear. Given Data / Assumptions: We are given four words: “Treachery”, “Refrendum”, “Suppression”, and “Resemblance”. Only one of them is incorrectly spelt. We must choose the incorrectly spelt word as the answer. We assume the exam uses standard British or international English spelling. Concept / Approach: The key word in this set is “Refrendum”, which is intended to be “referendum”. A referendum is a direct vote by the public on a specific political question or decision. The correct spelling is r e f e r e n d u m. The option “Refrendum” omits a vowel and rearranges letters, making it incorrect. The other words are standard: “Treachery” means betrayal, “Suppression” means the act of stopping or controlling something, and “Resemblance” means similarity. Recognising the correct spelling of “referendum” allows us to confidently mark “Refrendum” as the wrong form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read each option carefully and recall known spellings from previous reading experience. Step 2: Confirm that “Treachery”, “Suppression”, and “Resemblance” match the standard spellings you have seen in books and newspapers. Step 3: Notice that “Refrendum” looks similar to “referendum” but lacks the second “e” and has the letters in the wrong order. Step 4: Decide that “Refrendum” is the incorrectly spelt word and choose it as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can recall how news headlines appear when a country votes on an issue: “The government has announced a national referendum on the new constitution.” This consistent spelling, with “refer” in the first part, makes sense because it is related to referring a question to the people. No reputable source uses “refrendum”. If we look at the other options in example sentences, such as “His treachery shocked his allies”, “The suppression of free speech is a serious concern”, and “There is a striking resemblance between the two paintings”, all appear correct and natural. This contrast confirms that “Refrendum” is the only incorrect form. Why Other Options Are Wrong (they are correct spellings): Option A: “Treachery” is correctly spelt and commonly used to mean betrayal or disloyal conduct. Option C: “Suppression” is correctly spelt and refers to the act of putting down or restraining something, such as protests or emotions. Option D: “Resemblance” is correctly spelt and denotes similarity between people or things. Common Pitfalls: Candidates may be misled by words that look unfamiliar or by silent letters in English. Sometimes, learners mark a correctly spelt word as wrong simply because they have not encountered it often. Another pitfall is the tendency to skim rather than read each letter. Spelling questions require slow, careful reading and comparison with known patterns. A good habit is to pay attention to political terms like “referendum”, “parliament”, and “sovereignty” when reading newspapers, because they are favourite targets in competitive exams. Final Answer: The incorrectly spelt word is “Refrendum”, which should be correctly written as “referendum”.

Question 5

The following sentences P, Q, R and S form a jumbled paragraph about oil wealth and the Soviet and Russian governments. Out of the four options, select the most logical order to form a coherent paragraph.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests paragraph jumbling or sentence arrangement, an important skill for reading comprehension and writing. The sentences describe how the oil industry and government policies changed from the Soviet era to modern Russia, and how ordinary citizens have or have not benefited from oil wealth. The task is to arrange P, Q, R and S in a logical order so that they read as a connected paragraph with proper flow of ideas and contrasts. Given Data / Assumptions: P: While the Soviet Government bought grain and other foreign consumer goods to be sold in domestic markets at heavily subsidized rates, Russia rejected socialism. Q: The oil industry was the prime target of a sweeping privatization drive launched after the break-up of the Soviet Union. R: The Russian government has failed to do for its people even a fraction of what the Soviet Union, with twice the population, did with the revenue generated from oil. S: However, not all Russian have been rolling in oil wealth. We must choose the order that creates a clear, coherent argument. Concept / Approach: In jumbled paragraph questions, we look for a logical starting point, connectors like “however” and “while”, and cause effect links. Here, Q introduces a factual starting point after the breakup of the Soviet Union: the oil industry was privatised. S begins with “However”, which usually contrasts with an idea of general prosperity that may be expected from oil wealth. R explains that the government has failed to use oil revenue for people in the way the Soviet system did. P then contrasts Soviet policies with modern Russia, using “While” to set up the comparison. The sequence Q S R P therefore moves from the event of privatisation, to an expectation or belief about wealth, then to a critique of the present government, and finally to a reminder of how the Soviet government used oil income differently. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify a suitable introductory sentence. Q mentions the break up of the Soviet Union and the privatisation of the oil industry, which is a clear historical starting point. Step 2: Look for a sentence that logically follows Q. Once oil is privatised, many may assume that Russians became very rich. S, starting with “However, not all Russian have been rolling in oil wealth”, directly addresses and corrects that assumption, so Q followed by S fits well. Step 3: After S, we need an explanation of why oil wealth has not benefited all. R provides this by stating that the modern Russian government has failed to do for its people what the Soviet Union did with oil revenue. Step 4: P then naturally follows, giving details about Soviet policy and contrasting it with modern Russia by using “While the Soviet Government bought grain and other foreign goods at subsidised rates, Russia rejected socialism”. Verification / Alternative check: If we read the sequence QSRP as a paragraph, it runs as follows: first, oil was privatised after the Soviet collapse (Q). Second, despite that, not all Russians are bathing in oil wealth (S). Third, the government has failed to use oil revenue for people in the way the Soviet system did (R). Fourth, the writer explains that the Soviet Government used oil revenue to buy grain and goods for citizens at subsidised rates, whereas modern Russia has rejected socialism (P). This sequence gives a smooth and coherent flow. Other options break this logic. For example, PRQS starts with a “While” sentence comparing Soviet and Russia without first establishing the context of oil privatisation, and QSRP clearly reads more naturally as a cause effect narrative. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (PRQS): Starts with P, which uses “While” and clearly expects some prior context. It also places S and Q at the end in an order that disrupts the contrast and historical flow. Option C (RQSP): Starts with a criticism (R) without first mentioning the key event of privatisation. The jump from R to Q does not use any linking word, making the paragraph feel disjointed. Option D (RSPQ): Begins with R, then S, and only later introduces Q and P, which reverses the natural historical order and weakens the logical structure. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes rely only on chronology or only on connectors like “however” or “while” without reading for overall argument. Another pitfall is to treat each sentence in isolation, forgetting that the paragraph as a whole must move from introduction to explanation and then to contrast. A good strategy is to identify a clear topic sentence, then group sentences by function (cause, effect, contrast) and place them accordingly. Checking the final paragraph aloud in your mind helps detect awkward jumps and illogical orderings. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is Q S R P, which corresponds to option QSRP.

Question 6

The following sentences P, Q, R and S form a jumbled paragraph about volatility in global commodity markets. Out of the four options, select the most logical order to form a coherent paragraph.

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Introduction / Context: This question tests the ability to arrange jumbled sentences into a logically connected paragraph. The topic is price volatility and speculative movements in global commodity markets, especially in relation to liquidity, interest rates, and financial conditions. Such questions are common in exams because they measure both comprehension and sensitivity to logical flow, connectors, and cause effect relationships in complex texts. Given Data / Assumptions: P: The recent reduction in interest rates in the US and the injection of liquidity have resulted in investors seeking new avenues such as commodity markets, in view of the turbulence in financial markets and the low returns in treasuries. Q: The relatively easy liquidity and low interest rates, by themselves, make holding of inventories attractive and thus induce volatility in commodity markets. R: The financialisation of commodity trade and current extraordinary conditions in global financial markets could have influenced the spurt in prices. S: The weakening of the US dollar is also advanced as a reason for the recent volatility in commodity markets, including food items. We need to select the order that forms a coherent analytical paragraph. Concept / Approach: Usually, the best starting sentence in such a set provides a broad overview of the issue, and later sentences supply specific reasons or consequences. Here, R speaks generally about financialisation of commodity trade and extraordinary global financial conditions influencing the spurt in prices. This reads like an umbrella statement. P, Q, and S then elaborate specific mechanisms: P mentions interest rate cuts and liquidity pushing investors into commodities, Q explains how easy liquidity and low rates induce volatility through inventory holding, and S adds weakening of the US dollar as another factor. Therefore, R should come first, followed by a detailed chain P, Q, S that explains different aspects of the same broad theme. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the broadest, most introductory sentence. R links financialisation and extraordinary conditions to a general spurt in prices, which clearly introduces the paragraph theme. Step 2: Find a sentence that naturally follows R by explaining one channel of influence. P does this by describing lower interest rates and extra liquidity that drive investors into commodity markets. Step 3: After P, Q continues the same line of thought. It explains how easy liquidity and low rates themselves encourage holding inventories, which increases volatility. Thus R followed by P and Q is logical. Step 4: Finally, S introduces another reason, weakening of the US dollar, which is “also advanced as a reason”, indicating that it should appear after at least one other reason has been given. So S naturally comes last, giving additional support. Verification / Alternative check: Reading RPQS as a single paragraph, we get: first, a general statement that financialisation and extraordinary conditions could have influenced the spurt in prices (R). Second, the reduction in interest rates and injection of liquidity push investors into commodities (P). Third, easy liquidity and low rates make it attractive to hold inventories and hence create volatility (Q). Fourth, the weakening US dollar is also cited as a reason for volatility (S). This sequence moves smoothly from generic overview to specific mechanisms, then to an added factor, which is the classic structure of an analytical paragraph. In contrast, starting with P or Q would feel abrupt, as those sentences assume we already know the bigger story about global financial conditions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (PRQS): Begins with P, which immediately discusses US interest rates without first establishing why commodity prices are under discussion. R is pushed to second place, making the flow less natural. Option B (SPQR): Starts with S, which uses the phrase “also advanced as a reason”, clearly indicating that some earlier reason should have been mentioned, so S cannot logically open the paragraph. Option C (QSPR): Starts with Q and then jumps to S, which again uses “also” without any prior reason, leaving the paragraph logically incomplete at the beginning. Common Pitfalls: Many candidates focus only on connector words like “also” and “by themselves” and ignore content hierarchy. While connectors are very useful, the main clue here is that R speaks in the widest, most summarising way about financialisation and extraordinary conditions, which is ideal for an opening sentence. Another common mistake is to chain sentences purely by local links, such as choosing Q after P only because both mention low interest rates, without ensuring that the overall paragraph has a clear introduction and conclusion. A good strategy is to identify one broad theme sentence, a set of supporting sentences, and any summarising or additional reason sentences, then arrange them in that logical order. Final Answer: The most logical order of the sentences is R P Q S, which corresponds to option RPQS.

Question 7

Change the following sentence into the appropriate passive form by selecting the correct option: “I hope that I shall win this dance competition.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests transformation from active voice to passive voice for a sentence containing a verb of emotion or mental state, “hope”. Mastering voice change is important in competitive exams because many questions require rewriting sentences while preserving meaning and tense. The sentence “I hope that I shall win this dance competition” expresses a personal hope about a future event. The passive version usually shifts focus from the person to the action while keeping the sense of hope and future outcome intact. Given Data / Assumptions: Original active sentence: “I hope that I shall win this dance competition.” The reporting verb is “hope”, and the content clause is “that I shall win this dance competition”. We must choose the best passive construction among the four options. The tense of the actual event is future (“shall win”), and the expression of hope is present (“I hope”). Concept / Approach: When changing such sentences into passive voice, English often uses an impersonal construction like “It is hoped that…”. The agent (the person who hopes) can be omitted or introduced later with “by” if needed, but exams usually keep the focus on the action. The content clause “I shall win this dance competition” in passive becomes “the dance competition will be won by me”. Putting it together, we get “It is hoped that the dance competition will be won by me.” This structure preserves the idea that there is a hope about a future win, while shifting from a personal “I hope” to a general passive expression. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the main clause and the subordinate clause. Main clause: “I hope”. Subordinate clause: “that I shall win this dance competition”. Step 2: Convert the subordinate clause into passive voice. “I shall win this dance competition” becomes “this dance competition will be won by me”. Step 3: Change “I hope” into an impersonal passive form. The standard pattern is “It is hoped that…”. Step 4: Combine them: “It is hoped that the dance competition will be won by me.” Verification / Alternative check: Check whether the chosen option preserves the same meaning and tense. The original conveys a present hope about a future event. The answer “It is hoped that the dance competition will be won by me” keeps the present passive “is hoped” and the future “will be won”, which matches the sense of “shall win”. Other options either distort this structure or sound unidiomatic. If we try to reverse the transformation, from the passive back to active, “It is hoped that the dance competition will be won by me” can become “I hope that I shall win this dance competition”, which is our original sentence. This round trip verification demonstrates that the transformation is accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: “Winning the dance competition is hoped by me” is grammatically awkward and not a natural English expression. We rarely say that something “is hoped by” a person. Option C: “Dance competition winning is my hope” is unidiomatic and clumsy. It does not follow standard patterns of either active or passive constructions. Option D: “The dance competition is hoped to be won” is vague and incomplete. It omits the agent and sounds unnatural without an explicit subject such as “It is hoped that…”. Common Pitfalls: One common mistake is to mechanically change the subject and object and add “by me” without adjusting the structure of verbs like “hope”, “think”, or “believe”. Another pitfall is to forget that some verbs are more naturally used in impersonal passive forms with “it is hoped that…”, “it is believed that…”, and so on. Candidates should practice these patterns rather than attempting word for word conversions. Always ensure that the passive sentence is one that a native or proficient speaker would actually use in formal writing. Final Answer: The correct passive form is “It is hoped that the dance competition will be won by me.”

Question 8

Change the following direct speech sentence into the correct indirect speech form by selecting the appropriate option: He said, “Let it rain I have to go.”

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Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of converting direct speech into indirect or reported speech. The original sentence expresses determination: the speaker says that even if it rains, he still has to go. When transforming such sentences, we must preserve the speaker attitude and meaning, while changing pronouns, tenses, and structure according to the rules of reported speech. The correct indirect form should show that he remained firm and unaffected by the possibility of rain. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: He said, “Let it rain I have to go.” The sentence contains an imperative like “let it rain” and a statement “I have to go”. The reporting verb is “said”, and we must find the best indirect rendering among the options. The intention is to express the speaker strong resolve rather than fear or reluctance. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, we do not always reproduce exact words like “let it rain”, but we convey the sense. The speaker is essentially saying that rain will not stop him. A suitable reporting verb for such insistence or firm attitude is “persisted” or “insisted”. The clause should show that he does not care about the rain and still has to go. Among the options, only option A captures both ideas: indifference to the rain, and obligation or determination to go. The tense shifts from present “do not care” and “have to go” to past “did not care” and “had to go” in line with standard back shifting when the reporting verb is in the past. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the meaning of the original. It implies: “Even if it rains, I must still go. Rain will not stop me.” Step 2: Identify how to express this in reported speech. We need a reporting verb that shows persistence and a clause that mentions indifference to rain and the need to go. Step 3: Apply tense changes. “I do not care for the rain and I have to go” in reported form becomes “he did not care for the rain and he had to go”. Step 4: Select the option that matches this structure and meaning, which is option A. Verification / Alternative check: We can check by reimagining the direct speech that might produce option A. If we start from “He persisted that he did not care for the rain and he had to go”, a possible direct form could be “He said, ‘I do not care for the rain, I have to go’.” That is very close in meaning to “Let it rain I have to go”. The essential message of determination against weather conditions is preserved. The other options either distort the meaning or use incorrect grammar. For instance, option B uses “can't stop him to go out”, which is not a correct pattern; it should be “stop him from going out”. Option C incorrectly uses “exclaimed” and mixes tenses. Option D reverses the meaning by suggesting he cannot go because of rain. Therefore, option A is the only acceptable transformation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: “He said that rain can't stop him to go out” has faulty grammar (“stop him to go” is incorrect) and does not reflect the exact tone of determination in a natural way. Option C: “He exclaimed that let it rain but he will go” is awkward. The phrase “that let it rain” is not normal reported speech, and the tense “will go” is not properly back shifted. Option D: “He said that he can't go just because it is raining” actually reverses the original meaning by suggesting he cannot go due to rain, whereas the direct sentence indicates he will go despite rain. Common Pitfalls: In reported speech questions, candidates sometimes focus only on mechanical rules of tense change and ignore the deeper meaning. As a result, they may pick an option that is grammatically polished but semantically wrong. Another pitfall is not noticing that certain phrases in direct speech, such as “let it rain”, cannot be copied directly into indirect speech, and instead must be paraphrased. The safe approach is always to first paraphrase the direct sentence in your own words, then look for the option that best matches that paraphrase with correct grammar and tense. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech form is “He persisted that he did not care for the rain and he had to go.”

Question 9

In the following passage about India and world peace, a blank is indicated. Select the most appropriate word to fill the blank: “India’s motto has been Vasudeva Kutumbakam, meaning that the whole world is _____ community.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question comes from a passage on India foreign policy and the ancient ideal expressed in the Sanskrit phrase “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”, often paraphrased in English as “the world is one family”. The blank asks for a word that correctly completes the idea that the entire world is viewed as a single community. Such cloze test questions examine both vocabulary and understanding of context. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: “India’s motto has been Vasudeva Kutumbakam or that the whole world is _____ community.” Options provided are “one”, “distinct”, “essential”, and “significant”. The passage is about unity and world peace, not about separation or difference. We assume that the examiner expects the well known translation of this phrase. Concept / Approach: The key idea of “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” is unity. It does not describe the world as many separate communities but as a single human family. Therefore, the blank must be filled with a word that emphasises oneness. “One community” captures this meaning perfectly. The other options either suggest separation (“distinct” community), importance (“significant” community), or basic nature (“essential” community), none of which direct express unity of all humanity in the sense required here. The correct answer is thus the simple and direct word “one”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the meaning of “Vasudeva Kutumbakam”. It is widely interpreted as “the whole world is one family”. Step 2: Map “family” to a similar concept in the given English sentence. Here, the phrase used is “one community”. Step 3: Evaluate the options. “One community” matches the sense of unity, whereas “distinct community”, “essential community”, or “significant community” shift the focus away from unity. Step 4: Select “one” as the correct word to complete the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: We can rephrase the sentence fully as “India has often repeated the motto that the whole world is one community.” This is entirely consistent with the philosophical and diplomatic language that Indian leaders use in international forums. If we try “distinct community”, the meaning becomes that the world is separate or different, which contradicts the message. “Essential community” does not convey unity, and “significant community” is vague and off topic. Additionally, the phrase “one community” echoes the commonly quoted interpretation “one family”, so it clearly fits both context and idiomatic usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: “distinct” suggests clearly separate or different, which is opposite to the idea that the world is united as a single community. Option C: “essential” refers to something fundamental or necessary, but “essential community” is not a standard expression and does not reflect the intended meaning. Option D: “significant” means important, yet “significant community” does not capture the philosophical sense of unity implied by the motto. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates overthink cloze test questions and search for complex sounding words even when the context calls for a simple one. Another pitfall is to ignore cultural or well known translations and treat the sentence as a stand alone line. Here, knowing the familiar translation of “Vasudeva Kutumbakam” gives a strong clue. In such passages, always link the blank to the central theme, which in this case is unity of all nations and people. The simplest and most direct word often fits best when it preserves the core meaning without unnecessary complication. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is “one”, as in “the whole world is one community”.

Question 10

In the following passage about India’s commitment to world peace, a blank is indicated. Select the most appropriate word to fill the blank: “There are a _____ of pillars upon which India’s policy of living in peace with and promoting peace among nat…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze test question comes from a passage that explains India foreign policy and its various guiding principles or pillars. The sentence describes that there are several pillars supporting this policy. The expression used in English for “several” or “many” in such a formal context is often “a number of”. The blank therefore must be filled with a word that fits into this fixed phrase and maintains grammatical correctness. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: “There are a _____ of pillars upon which India’s policy of living in peace with and promoting peace among nations of the world rests.” The options are “numerous”, “number”, “many”, and “loop”. We assume the writer wants to use the well known phrase “a number of pillars”. The phrase should be grammatically correct and stylistically formal. Concept / Approach: In English, the idiomatic expression is “a number of” followed by a plural noun, meaning “several” or “many”. The structure “There are a number of pillars” is therefore fully correct. The word “number” completes this phrase. The option “numerous” is an adjective that can modify a noun directly, as in “numerous pillars”, but it does not fit after “a” in this exact structure. The option “many” would work if used directly with the noun (“There are many pillars”), but again it does not fit as “a many of pillars”. “Loop” is clearly irrelevant. Therefore, “number” is the only option that forms the correct phrase “a number of pillars”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Observe the pattern “There are a _____ of pillars”. This strongly suggests the fixed phrase “a number of pillars”. Step 2: Check which option can combine with “a” and “of” to form a natural expression. Only “number” works in “a number of”. Step 3: Reject “numerous” and “many” because they cannot appear between “a” and “of” in this way. Also reject “loop” as meaningless here. Step 4: Select “number” as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence fully with each option. “There are a number of pillars upon which India’s policy rests” sounds perfectly natural. “There are a numerous of pillars” is ungrammatical. “There are a many of pillars” is also wrong. “There are a loop of pillars” is meaningless. If we remove “a” and “of”, we could say “There are many pillars”, but the original structure clearly includes both words, so we must preserve that pattern. This confirms that “number” is the only correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: “numerous” is an adjective that should directly modify a noun, as in “numerous pillars”, and cannot fit between “a” and “of”. Option C: “many” could work in “many pillars” but not in the phrase “a many of pillars”. The required pattern here is “a number of”. Option D: “loop” is unrelated to the context and does not form any meaningful phrase with “a” and “of” in this sentence. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes ignore the surrounding words “a” and “of” and focus only on the noun “pillars”, leading them to choose “numerous” or “many” because they both convey multiplicity. However, cloze tests often check fixed expressions or collocations rather than isolated word meanings. It is crucial to read the entire structure of the sentence and notice patterns like “a number of”, “a lot of”, or “a series of”. Paying attention to these patterns allows for quick and confident selection of the correct option. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is “number”, forming the phrase “a number of pillars”.

Question 11

In the following passage about India’s peaceful foreign policy, a blank is indicated. Select the most appropriate word to fill the blank: “India’s policy of living in peace with and _____ peace among nations of the world rests on several pillars.”

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Introduction / Context: This cloze test question comes from a passage describing the guiding qualities of India foreign policy. The sentence refers to living peacefully with other nations and also doing something to spread peace. Therefore, the missing word should express the active act of encouraging or supporting peace among nations. Choosing the correct word tests the candidate sensitivity to context and collocations in political and diplomatic language. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence fragment is: “India’s policy of living in peace with and _____ peace among nations of the world rests.” The options are “disturbing”, “allowing”, “generating”, and “promoting”. The passage is positive, about commitment to world peace, not about conflict. We assume that the missing word should collocate naturally with “peace” and “among nations”. Concept / Approach: In diplomatic and international relations discourse, the standard phrase is “living in peace with and promoting peace among nations”. The verb “promoting” means encouraging, supporting, or furthering a cause. It fits well with the idea that India does not merely enjoy peace but actively works to spread it. “Disturbing peace” would be negative and contradictory. “Allowing peace” is weak and not idiomatic in this context. “Generating peace” is possible in some contexts but is less common and not the usual collocation with “among nations”. “Promoting peace” is widely used in speeches, resolutions, and charters, so it is the best choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the structure: “living in peace with” (states own behaviour) and then “_____ peace among nations” (active role toward others). Step 2: Recall typical expressions used by governments and international bodies, such as “promoting peace”, “promoting harmony”, and “promoting cooperation”. Step 3: Compare each option with this pattern. Only “promoting peace” matches common formal usage. Step 4: Select “promoting” as the most appropriate word for the blank. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the full sentence: “India’s policy of living in peace with and promoting peace among nations of the world rests on several pillars.” This sounds like something that might appear in a diplomatic white paper or a United Nations speech. If we try “disturbing peace among nations”, the sentence becomes contradictory to the context of world peace. “Allowing peace among nations” sounds weak and suggests a passive role. “Generating peace among nations” is understandable but less idiomatic. In contrast, “promoting peace among nations” fits perfectly as a standard phrase in international relations documents. This confirms our choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: “disturbing” is opposite in meaning to what the passage intends. Disturbing peace would mean causing conflict or unrest. Option B: “allowing” suggests that peace happens by itself and India merely permits it. This does not reflect the active, positive role described in the passage. Option C: “generating” can sometimes be used figuratively, but “generating peace among nations” is not a typical collocation and sounds less natural than “promoting peace”. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates rely purely on dictionary meanings and forget about collocations. All the options except “disturbing” could in theory relate to peace, but only one is commonly used in formal international discourse. Another pitfall is ignoring the wider context and emotional tone of the passage. The passage is clearly praising India peaceful approach, so any word with negative or awkward connotations should be discarded. When solving cloze tests, it is essential to read the entire paragraph, not just the single sentence containing the blank. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is “promoting”, giving the expression “living in peace with and promoting peace among nations”.

Question 12

In the following passage on peaceful uses of nuclear energy, a blank is indicated. Select the most appropriate word to fill the blank: “Policies of non alignment, peaceful co existence, economic and cultural cooperation, disarmament and peaceful ___…

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Introduction / Context: This cloze test question is taken from a passage describing how India seeks world peace through various policies. One of the key phrases in international diplomacy is “peaceful uses of nuclear energy”, which refers to applying nuclear technology for power generation, medicine, and research rather than for weapons. The blank in the sentence must be filled with a word that completes this familiar phrase accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: “Policies of non alignment, peaceful co existence, economic and cultural cooperation, disarmament and peaceful _____ of nuclear energy support India’s commitment to world peace.” The options are “uses”, “disruption”, “sources”, and “negotiation”. The context is positive and peaceful use of nuclear technology. We assume the writer is using standard terminology found in international treaties and agreements. Concept / Approach: The internationally recognised phrase, seen in many treaties and discussions, is “peaceful uses of nuclear energy”. It highlights that nuclear technology should be used for constructive purposes like electricity, medical treatment, and scientific study. Out of the options, only “uses” fits the phrase both grammatically and conceptually. “Disruption of nuclear energy” would suggest causing problems, which goes against the positive tone. “Sources of nuclear energy” is grammatically possible but does not match the fixed expression after the word “peaceful”. “Negotiation of nuclear energy” is unidiomatic. Therefore, “uses” must be the correct answer. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the passage lists several peaceful policies: non alignment, co existence, cooperation, disarmament, and peaceful something related to nuclear energy. Step 2: Recall common phrases used in this context, especially “peaceful uses of nuclear energy”. Step 3: Check each option after “peaceful”. Only “uses of nuclear energy” forms a standard and widely recognised phrase. Step 4: Select “uses” as the correct word for the blank. Verification / Alternative check: We can read the full sentence with “uses”: “Policies of non alignment, peaceful co existence, economic and cultural cooperation, disarmament and peaceful uses of nuclear energy support India’s commitment to world peace.” This flows naturally and matches vocabulary found in many international documents. Trying other options quickly shows problems: “peaceful disruption of nuclear energy” is self contradictory, “peaceful sources of nuclear energy” is descriptive but not idiomatic in this list of policy approaches, and “peaceful negotiation of nuclear energy” is unclear and awkward. Therefore, the phrase “peaceful uses of nuclear energy” is clearly the intended one. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B: “disruption” is negative and means disturbance or destruction, which clashes with the idea of peaceful policies. Option C: “sources” might fit grammatically in another context, but the established collocation in international affairs is “uses of nuclear energy”, not “sources of nuclear energy”, when talking about peace. Option D: “negotiation” does not combine naturally with “of nuclear energy” in this structure. We can negotiate treaties, not nuclear energy itself. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may overanalyse the word “peaceful” and think of “peaceful negotiation”, because negotiation is often associated with peace. However, the object of “negotiation” would be treaties or agreements, not nuclear energy directly. Another pitfall is ignoring fixed phrases. In cloze tests, writers frequently use language taken directly from real world legal or diplomatic documents. Learning such standard combinations like “peaceful uses of nuclear energy”, “arms control and disarmament”, and “confidence building measures” helps candidates solve questions quickly and accurately. Final Answer: The correct word to complete the phrase is “uses”, giving “peaceful uses of nuclear energy”.

Question 13

In the following passage about settlement of disputes, a blank is indicated. Select the most appropriate word to fill the blank: “_____ of international disputes through negotiations and peaceful means is one of the salient features of India’s commi…

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Introduction / Context: This cloze test question completes a sentence that describes how disputes between countries should be handled. In international law and diplomacy, a very common phrase is “settlement of international disputes through negotiations and peaceful means”. The blank therefore needs a word that matches this established term and reflects the idea of resolving conflicts in a peaceful manner. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence fragment is: “_____ of international disputes through negotiations and peaceful means are some of the salient features that give credence to India’s commitment to world peace.” The options are “urge”, “requirement”, “settlement”, and “enactment”. The context is about peaceful methods of handling disagreements between states. We assume the writer is using standard diplomatic vocabulary. Concept / Approach: The word that naturally fits in this context is “settlement”. The phrase “settlement of international disputes” is widely used in the United Nations Charter and other legal texts to refer to resolving conflicts peacefully, often through negotiation, mediation or arbitration. “Urge of disputes”, “requirement of disputes”, or “enactment of disputes” do not form meaningful expressions. Thus “settlement” is both semantically and collocationally correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify what action is being described: handling international disputes through negotiation and peaceful means. Step 2: Recall the standard phrase from international law: “peaceful settlement of disputes”. Step 3: Compare each option with the phrase. Only “settlement of international disputes” matches exact usage. Step 4: Choose “settlement” as the correct word for the blank. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with the chosen option: “Settlement of international disputes through negotiations and peaceful means is one of the salient features that give credence to India’s commitment to world peace.” This is fully consistent with the language of global diplomacy and legal documents. If we try “urge of international disputes”, the phrase becomes meaningless. “Requirement of international disputes” is also incorrect, since disputes are not requirements. “Enactment of international disputes” does not make sense either, because we enact laws, not disputes. These comparisons confirm that “settlement” is the only appropriate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: “urge” refers to a strong desire and cannot be used with “of disputes” in this sense. Option B: “requirement” would suggest something that is needed, but “requirement of disputes” is not meaningful here. Option D: “enactment” refers to the passing or making of laws or regulations, not to the handling of disputes between nations. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake in cloze tests is to choose a word based only on grammar, ignoring the specialised vocabulary of the subject area. In passages about foreign policy or international law, many phrases are set expressions like “peaceful settlement of disputes” or “maintenance of international peace and security”. Candidates who read newspapers and basic texts on world affairs will recognise these patterns quickly. It is also important to check that the noun chosen can logically take the phrase “of international disputes” and be followed by “through negotiations and peaceful means”. Only “settlement” satisfies all these conditions. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is “settlement”, giving the phrase “settlement of international disputes through negotiations and peaceful means”.

Question 14

Simplify and evaluate the trigonometric expression: “What is the value of [sec θ / (sec θ − 1)] + [sec θ / (sec θ + 1)] ?”

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Introduction / Context: This question tests algebraic manipulation of trigonometric expressions, a frequent topic in quantitative aptitude and mathematics sections of competitive exams. The expression involves the secant function and asks for simplification to a more familiar trigonometric form. To solve it, we must use algebraic techniques like combining fractions and basic trigonometric identities relating sec θ, tan θ, and cosec θ. Given Data / Assumptions: We need to simplify the expression: [sec θ / (sec θ − 1)] + [sec θ / (sec θ + 1)]. θ is an angle for which the trigonometric functions involved are defined, and sec θ is not equal to ±1, so that denominators are non zero. Four possible simplified forms are provided as options. We will use standard trigonometric identities: sec^2θ = 1 + tan^2θ and 1 + cot^2θ = cosec^2θ. Concept / Approach: The key steps are to combine the two fractions over a common denominator and then express everything in terms of sec^2θ. After that, we link sec^2θ with tan^2θ using the identity sec^2θ = 1 + tan^2θ. Finally, we transform the resulting expression into terms of cot^2θ and cosec^2θ to match one of the given options. Careful algebraic manipulation reveals that the entire expression simplifies neatly to 2 cosec^2θ. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Let sec θ = x for simplicity. Then the expression becomes E = x / (x − 1) + x / (x + 1). Step 2: Combine the two fractions over a common denominator (x − 1)(x + 1): E = [x(x + 1) + x(x − 1)] / (x^2 − 1). Step 3: Simplify the numerator: x(x + 1) + x(x − 1) = x^2 + x + x^2 − x = 2x^2. Step 4: So E = 2x^2 / (x^2 − 1). Substitute back x = sec θ to get E = 2 sec^2θ / (sec^2θ − 1). Step 5: Use the identity sec^2θ = 1 + tan^2θ. Then sec^2θ − 1 = tan^2θ. So E = 2(1 + tan^2θ) / tan^2θ. Step 6: Split the fraction: E = 2[1 / tan^2θ + 1] = 2[cot^2θ + 1]. Step 7: Use the identity 1 + cot^2θ = cosec^2θ to get E = 2 cosec^2θ. Verification / Alternative check: We can test the simplification with a specific angle where all functions are defined. For example, take θ = 45 degrees. Then sec 45° = √2 and cosec 45° = √2. Compute the left side: sec θ / (sec θ − 1) + sec θ / (sec θ + 1) = √2 / (√2 − 1) + √2 / (√2 + 1). Multiply numerator and denominator appropriately or use rationalisation, and we find that the value simplifies to 4. Now compute the right side for the option 2 cosec^2θ: cosec 45° = √2, so cosec^2θ = 2, and 2 * 2 = 4. The numerical values match, giving strong confirmation that the algebraic simplification is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: 2 sin2 θ is not equivalent to the derived expression. For θ = 45 degrees, sin 2θ is sin 90 degrees, which is 1, so 2 sin2 θ gives 2, not 4. Option B: 2(1 + tan2θ) is a different function and does not match the simplified result. Checking with θ = 45 degrees gives 2(1 + tan 90 degrees), which is undefined. Option D: sin2θ is again much smaller than 2 cosec^2θ for most valid angles. For θ = 45 degrees it equals 1, not 4. Common Pitfalls: Candidates may make algebraic errors when combining fractions, such as adding denominators directly or forgetting to simplify the numerator properly. Another common mistake is to stop after obtaining 2 sec^2θ / (sec^2θ − 1) and not converting it further into a simpler standard form. It is also easy to confuse tan^2θ and cot^2θ identities. A systematic approach is to always look for basic identities like sec^2θ = 1 + tan^2θ and 1 + cot^2θ = cosec^2θ and to check the final answer by substituting a simple angle where all functions are defined. This ensures both algebraic and conceptual correctness. Final Answer: The expression [sec θ / (sec θ − 1)] + [sec θ / (sec θ + 1)] simplifies to 2 cosec^2 θ.

Question 15

In the following question, some part of the sentence may have an error. Identify the part that contains the error, if any: “I am vexed at him (1) for what all he has (2) done for him till date. (3) No error (4)”

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Introduction / Context: This question is from the common error spotting pattern where a sentence is divided into numbered parts. The task is to find the segment that contains a grammatical or usage error. The given sentence describes someone being vexed or annoyed with another person because of what that person has done. One of the parts has a pronoun usage problem, and we must locate and correct it. Given Data / Assumptions: Complete sentence: “I am vexed at him (1) for what all he has (2) done for him till date. (3) No error (4)” Part 1: “I am vexed at him” Part 2: “for what all he has” Part 3: “done for him till date.” We assume the intended meaning is that the speaker is vexed with someone because of what that person has done for the speaker. Concept / Approach: The main error lies in the pronoun in part 3: “done for him till date”. Given the context, the correct phrase should be “done for me” because it is the speaker who is affected by the actions. If the sentence is saying “I am vexed with him for what all he has done for him”, it creates confusion and illogical repetition. The second “him” is wrong and should be replaced by “me”. While part 1 could also be improved by changing “vexed at him” to “vexed with him”, examination keys usually focus on the clear pronoun mismatch in the third segment as the primary tested error. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the meaning of the sentence. The speaker is annoyed because of what the other person has done, presumably to or for the speaker. Step 2: Examine each part for correctness. “I am vexed at him” is understandable, though “vexed with him” would be more idiomatic, but it is not a clear grammatical error in this exam context. Step 3: Look at part 2: “for what all he has”. In Indian English, “what all” is used informally, but examiners often tolerate it in such constructions, so this part is not the main target. Step 4: Check part 3: “done for him till date.” Here the second “him” should logically refer back to the speaker, which means it should be “me”. This is a clear pronoun error. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence in a corrected form: “I am vexed with him for all that he has done for me till date.” This version makes good sense: the speaker is irritated with someone because of that person actions towards the speaker. If we keep “him” in part 3, the sentence would mean that the person has done many things for himself, and yet the speaker is vexed, which especially with “for what all he has done for him” is logically confusing and not natural. Hence, part 3 contains the error. Even if we also improve “vexed at him” to “vexed with him” in practical usage, exam wise the pronoun in part 3 is the clearest mistake to be identified. Why Other Options Are Not Marked as the Main Error: Option A (part 1): “vexed at him” could be replaced with “vexed with him” for more idiomatic English, but “vexed at” is not strictly wrong and is sometimes found in older usage. Exam patterns usually reserve the correction for a more definite error. Option B (part 2): “for what all he has” is informal but understandable and not clearly ungrammatical in the way that the pronoun mismatch is. Option D (part 4): “No error” is incorrect because we have clearly found a mistake in part 3. Common Pitfalls: Error spotting questions often contain informal expressions that may or may not be corrected, which can distract candidates from more definite mistakes. A common pitfall is to over focus on stylistic improvements instead of grammar and logic. In this question, some candidates might quickly mark part 1 because they remember that “vexed with” is preferred. However, exam setters typically choose one clear error that changes meaning, such as a wrong pronoun. A good strategy is to first look for errors that make the sentence structurally or logically incorrect and only then consider more subtle collocational issues. Final Answer: The error is in part 3, where “for him” should be “for me”.

Question 16

In the following sentence, some part may contain an error. Identify the part that has an error, if any: “The Manager warned his team members (1) that if they persist in their (2) obstructionist attitude they would be punished. (3) No error (4)”

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Introduction / Context: This is an error spotting question focusing on the correct sequence of tenses in a conditional clause within reported speech. The sentence states that a manager warned his team about possible punishment if they continued behaving in an obstructionist way. We must check whether the tense forms in the “if” clause and the “would” clause are consistent with the past reporting verb “warned”. Given Data / Assumptions: Complete sentence: “The Manager warned his team members (1) that if they persist in their (2) obstructionist attitude they would be punished. (3) No error (4)” Part 1: “The Manager warned his team members” Part 2: “that if they persist in their” Part 3: “obstructionist attitude they would be punished.” Reporting verb “warned” is in the past tense. Concept / Approach: In reported speech involving conditional sentences, when the reporting verb is in the past, the usual sequence is “if” + past tense, followed by “would” + base verb. For example, “He warned that if they came late, they would be punished.” Here, “persist” appears in the present tense while the main clause uses “would be punished”. To maintain standard sequence of tenses, “persist” should be in the past form “persisted”. Therefore, part 2 contains the error and should read “that if they persisted in their”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the structure. The manager issued a warning (past tense) about a condition and a consequence: “if they … they would be punished”. Step 2: Recall that in such reported conditional sentences, the “if” clause usually takes the past simple when followed by “would” in the result clause, for example, “if they continued, they would suffer”. Step 3: Examine part 2: “if they persist in their”. The verb “persist” is in present tense, which does not match the back shifted pattern with “would be punished”. Step 4: Correct part 2 to “if they persisted in their”, which aligns the clause with the past reporting verb and the “would” clause. Verification / Alternative check: We can reconstruct the likely direct speech: “The Manager said to his team members, ‘If you persist in your obstructionist attitude, you will be punished.’” On converting this to indirect speech, “said” becomes “warned”, “you persist” becomes “they persisted”, and “you will be punished” becomes “they would be punished.” This produces the sentence “The Manager warned his team members that if they persisted in their obstructionist attitude they would be punished.” The only change needed from the given sentence is in part 2, where “persist” should be “persisted”. Parts 1 and 3 are structurally fine. Why Other Options Are Not Marked as Errors: Option A (part 1): “The Manager warned his team members” is correct. It clearly shows who gave the warning and to whom. Option C (part 3): “obstructionist attitude they would be punished” is correct when joined to the corrected “if” clause. The use of “would be punished” suits reported speech after a past reporting verb. Option D (part 4): “No error” is incorrect because we have clearly identified a tense inconsistency in part 2. Common Pitfalls: Many learners rely on modern conversational English, where sequence of tenses is more flexible, and might accept “if they persist, they would be punished” as acceptable. In formal examination grammar, however, the pattern “if + present, will” is used in direct speech, and when back shifted after a past reporting verb, it becomes “if + past, would”. Ignoring this rule leads to marks lost in error spotting questions. A helpful technique is to try reconstructing the likely direct speech form in your mind, then carefully applying tense changes to reach the indirect version. Final Answer: The error is in part 2; it should be “if they persisted in their obstructionist attitude they would be punished.”

Question 17

In the following sentence, a blank has been left for an adjective that matches the meaning of “taciturn”. Select the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: Both taciturn and _____, Daniel seldom spoke and never spent money.

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Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests your ability to choose an adjective that fits both the grammatical structure of the sentence and the logical description of a person. The sentence describes Daniel as taciturn and then adds another quality related to how he spends money. You must identify the option that best completes the description in a precise and natural way. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: “Both taciturn and _____, Daniel seldom spoke and never spent money.” Key clue 1: taciturn refers to someone who talks very little. Key clue 2: “never spent money” suggests a negative attitude towards spending. Options: wary, cheap, discreet, miserly. We want an adjective that logically pairs with taciturn and directly explains his attitude to money. Concept / Approach: The word miserly means extremely unwilling to spend money, like a miser. It directly explains “never spent money” and therefore matches the second half of the sentence perfectly. Wary means cautious, discreet means careful or tactful in speech and behaviour, and cheap informally means not willing to spend, but it is less precise and more colloquial than miserly in a formal exam sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the two traits being described: little speech and refusal to spend.Taciturn already covers the idea of speaking very little.The second adjective must therefore match “never spent money”.Among the options, miserly is the exact word used for someone who hates spending money.Thus, “Both taciturn and miserly, Daniel seldom spoke and never spent money” is the most natural and precise completion. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with each option: “taciturn and wary” describes a quiet, cautious person but does not connect strongly to “never spent money”. “Taciturn and discreet” focuses on speech, not spending. “Taciturn and cheap” is understandable but sounds informal and slightly awkward in this formal context. “Taciturn and miserly” fits both the style and the logic of the sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wary means cautious or watchful, usually about danger, not about spending in a persistent, stingy way. Cheap is a casual word that can mean low in price or not willing to spend but is less appropriate in a formal exam sentence about personality. Discreet describes someone who is careful about what they say or do, but the sentence already uses taciturn to talk about speech, and “never spent money” needs a specific money related adjective. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted by cheap because they commonly use it in daily speech, but advanced vocabulary questions prefer more precise and formal words like miserly or stingy. Always match the tone of the sentence and the exact nuance required. When a person is described as never spending money, miserly is the most accurate one word description. Final Answer: The blank should be filled with miserly, giving “Both taciturn and miserly, Daniel seldom spoke and never spent money.”

Question 18

In the following sentence, a blank has been left for a describing word. Choose the alternative that best completes the sentence in meaning and grammar: He was too _____ to make a statement before the boss.

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Introduction / Context: This question checks whether you can select the most appropriate adjective to describe a person who does not dare to speak before a superior. The phrase “too _____ to make a statement before the boss” suggests fear, lack of courage, or nervousness, not simply physical tiredness or any random quality. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: “He was too _____ to make a statement before the boss.” Options: shy, tired, timid, coward. The structure “too + adjective + to + verb” requires a proper adjective after too. The boss is a person in authority, so the situation can be intimidating. Concept / Approach: Timid is an adjective meaning shy, lacking in courage or confidence. It is used especially when someone hesitates to speak or act in front of others. Shy is similar, but timid is stronger and more suitable in a formal sentence describing fear of the boss. Tired describes physical or mental fatigue and does not explain fear of speaking. Coward is a noun, not an adjective, so it does not fit the grammatical pattern after “too”. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise the structure: “too … to …” needs an adjective, not a noun.Eliminate coward because it is a noun; the correct form would be cowardly as an adjective.Consider tired: being tired might stop someone from working, but it does not naturally explain fear of speaking to the boss.Compare shy and timid: both mean lacking confidence, but timid more strongly conveys fearfulness or nervousness about speaking.Therefore, “too timid to make a statement before the boss” is the best match. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence with each option: “too tired to make a statement” suggests simple exhaustion, not fear. “Too shy to make a statement” is possible but slightly weaker than timid; exams often prefer the more precise word. “Too timid to make a statement” is commonly used for people who are afraid to speak up. This choice captures both lack of courage and the formal tone of the sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Shy is close in meaning but milder; a shy person may speak softly but can still talk when needed. The sentence emphasises an inability to speak, which timid captures more strongly. Tired refers to fatigue, not fear. Coward is grammatically incorrect in this slot and also describes a general character trait, not necessarily a momentary reluctance in one situation. Common Pitfalls: Many learners focus only on meaning and ignore grammar. Always check whether the word form is appropriate for its position in the sentence. When you see “too … to …”, you should expect an adjective. Among adjectives that suggest fear of speaking before authority, timid is more accurate and exam friendly than shy in this context. Final Answer: The sentence is best completed as: “He was too timid to make a statement before the boss.”

Question 19

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is most similar in meaning to the given word: Reiterate.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a synonym question that tests your knowledge of formal vocabulary. The word reiterate is frequently used in discussions, meetings and written communication. Understanding it helps you follow instructions and interpret what speakers or writers mean when they emphasise a point more than once. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Reiterate. Options: Abuse, Pretend, Detest, Repeat. We must pick the option whose meaning is closest to reiterate. We assume the common usage: “The teacher reiterated the rule,” or “I reiterate my request.” Concept / Approach: Reiterate means to say or do something again, often for emphasis or clarity. It comes from the idea of repetition. Abuse means treat badly or use insulting language. Pretend means act as if something is true when it is not. Detest means hate strongly. None of these convey the idea of saying something again. Repeat, however, directly means to say or do something again, matching reiterate in core meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall usage: “The manager reiterated that deadlines must be met.” This clearly involves saying the same thing again.Compare with Abuse: this is about mistreatment or insult, completely different from the idea of repetition.Pretend refers to acting as though something is real when it is not, a different concept.Detest expresses strong dislike or hatred, again unrelated.Repeat means say or do again, which is exactly the sense of reiterate, especially in formal contexts. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite a sample sentence: “Let me reiterate the main point” becomes “Let me repeat the main point.” The meaning remains the same: the speaker is going to say the key idea again. Replacing reiterate with any of the other options would completely change the sense of the sentence and make it illogical. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Abuse deals with cruelty or insulting treatment and has no link to saying something again. Pretend is about imagination and deceit, not repetition. Detest is about strong negative feelings, not about speech acts or actions done more than once. Only Repeat shares the core meaning of doing or saying something again. Common Pitfalls: Some learners see the re prefix and get confused, but in many words re suggests again, as in rewrite, recheck and reconsider. Reiterate is slightly more formal but follows the same idea. In synonym questions, focus on the central sense used in typical sentences rather than on vague associations. Recognising that reiterate means repeat will help you in reading comprehension and listening as well. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to “Reiterate” is Repeat.

Question 20

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is most similar in meaning to the given informal word: Nincompoop.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This synonym question uses a humorous or informal English word: nincompoop. Examinations sometimes test such words to check if you can connect informal vocabulary to its more standard equivalent. Recognising these words also helps you understand novels, cartoons and casual conversations in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Nincompoop. Options: Wise, Fool, Lover, Companion. We must select the option that is closest in meaning to nincompoop. We assume the usual meaning of nincompoop: a silly or stupid person. Concept / Approach: Nincompoop is a light hearted word used to describe someone who behaves in a foolish or ridiculous way. It is not a serious technical term; it is more like calling someone a silly fool. Among the options, Fool is the only word that directly refers to a person who lacks good sense or behaves in a stupid manner. Wise means intelligent and sensible, which is the opposite of the intended meaning. Lover and Companion describe relationships, not intelligence or behaviour. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall: nincompoop is used in sentences such as “Do not be such a nincompoop,” meaning “Do not be so foolish.”Option Wise: a wise person shows good judgment, so this is actually contrary to the idea of being silly.Option Lover: refers to someone in a romantic or affectionate relationship, unrelated to foolishness.Option Companion: simply means someone who accompanies or spends time with another person.Option Fool: denotes a person who acts stupidly or lacks sense, which is exactly what nincompoop implies. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute the options in a sample sentence: “He acted like a complete nincompoop in the meeting.” Changing nincompoop to fool gives “He acted like a complete fool in the meeting,” which preserves the meaning perfectly. Replacing it with wise, lover or companion makes the sentence meaningless or opposite in sense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Wise is an antonym rather than a synonym, because wisdom is associated with careful and thoughtful behaviour. Lover and Companion change the focus from intelligence or behaviour to personal relationships. Neither term carries the idea of silliness or stupidity, which is central to the word nincompoop. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes overthink humorous words and hesitate because they seem childish. However, many classic English books, especially for children or light comedy, use nincompoop and similar terms. When an exam asks for a synonym, choose the simple, obvious equivalent in standard vocabulary. Here, fool is exactly that straightforward match. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to “Nincompoop” is Fool.

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