Question 1

In the following sentence, a blank is given. Choose the correct word to fill in the blank. Since my father was an _____________ from India, he brought his Indian culture and traditions to the United States with him.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests the learner's understanding of similar looking words related to movement between countries: "emigrant" and "immigrant". The sentence describes a father who moved from India to the United States and carried his culture with him. The correct choice depends on understanding which term is used from the perspective of the country that is left and which is used from the perspective of the country that is entered. Given Data / Assumptions: The father moved from India to the United States. The sentence says "was an _____________ from India". He brought his Indian culture and traditions with him to the United States. The options include "emigrant", "immigrant", "native", and "citizen". Concept / Approach: The key concept is the distinction between "emigrant" and "immigrant". A person is called an "emigrant" when we speak from the point of view of the country that person leaves. The same person is called an "immigrant" when we speak from the point of view of the country that person enters. Since the sentence explicitly uses the phrase "from India", it emphasises the country he departed. Therefore "emigrant" from India is the most appropriate term in this structure. The other options do not match the grammatical or contextual requirements of the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the direction of movement: the father left India and went to the United States. Step 2: Note the exact wording "was an _____________ from India". This highlights the country of origin. Step 3: Recall that "emigrant" refers to a person who leaves a country, while "immigrant" refers to a person who comes into a new country. Step 4: Fit each option into the sentence: "was an emigrant from India" sounds natural and correct, whereas "was an immigrant from India" is less precise for this wording. Step 5: Confirm that "native" and "citizen" do not convey the specific idea of leaving one country and settling in another, so they are unsuitable here. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, we can create two different sentences. From the perspective of India, one says, "He is an emigrant from India." From the perspective of the United States, one says, "He is an immigrant to the United States." The question sentence clearly takes the "from India" viewpoint, so "emigrant" is the most accurate term. Additionally, grammar references and exam books often give this exact contrast as a classic example, supporting this choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Emigrant: This correctly describes a person who has left India to settle in another country and matches the phrase "from India", so it is the correct answer. Immigrant: This would be used more naturally with "to" a country ("an immigrant to the United States") rather than "from India", so it is less accurate here. Native: This only indicates that the person was born in a particular place; it does not show that he has left that place to live elsewhere. Citizen: This refers to legal membership in a state and does not specifically express the idea of migration from one country to another. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse "emigrant" and "immigrant" because they look and sound similar. Some may also rely on frequency and pick "immigrant" since it is more commonly heard in media. However, examinations often test precise usage rather than common spoken habits. A helpful memory trick is that "emigrant" starts with "e" like "exit", while "immigrant" starts with "i" like "into". Remembering this simple association can prevent mistakes in such questions. Final Answer: The correct word to fill the blank is emigrant.

Question 2

In the following sentence, a blank is given. Choose the correct word to fill in the blank. At night, the winding roads can make driving up the mountain a ______________ journey.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a vocabulary in context question that asks the learner to choose the most appropriate adjective to describe a journey up a mountain on winding roads at night. The correct choice should reflect both the physical difficulty and the potential danger of the situation. The options include words that describe emotional states or unpleasant qualities, but only one of them captures the idea of danger and risk in travel conditions. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence speaks about "winding roads" and "driving up the mountain". The time is at night, which reduces visibility. We need an adjective that fits naturally before "journey". Options: "carefree", "beastly", "obnoxious", "treacherous". Concept / Approach: The word "treacherous" is often used to describe conditions that are dangerous and deceptive, such as treacherous roads, treacherous ice, or treacherous weather. It does not simply mean unpleasant, but specifically means that there is a risk of harm. The context of driving on winding mountain roads at night strongly suggests danger rather than merely annoyance. Therefore, the learner should select the adjective that emphasises risk and hazard, which is "treacherous". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualise the described scene: narrow, winding roads going up a mountain in the dark. Step 2: Identify the key idea: such conditions are risky and could cause accidents, so the journey is dangerous. Step 3: Evaluate "carefree". This means relaxed and without worry, which is opposite to the feeling suggested by the sentence. Step 4: Evaluate "beastly". This is informal and means very unpleasant, but does not necessarily convey danger or risk. Step 5: Evaluate "obnoxious". This refers to something extremely unpleasant or offensive, usually related to behaviour or smell, not to physical travel conditions. Step 6: Evaluate "treacherous". This means full of hidden dangers, which fits perfectly with winding mountain roads at night. Verification / Alternative check: A good verification method is to check how these adjectives are commonly used. Phrases like "treacherous journey", "treacherous roads", or "treacherous terrain" are common in English and always imply danger. Phrases like "carefree journey" or "obnoxious journey" are either contextually opposite or awkward. Therefore, matching collocation and meaning both confirm that "treacherous" is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Carefree: Suggests that the driver feels relaxed and unconcerned about danger, which contradicts the idea of risky mountain roads at night. Beastly: Only suggests something is very unpleasant; it does not specifically express danger and is usually informal. Obnoxious: Refers to something highly offensive or annoying, typically not used to describe physical road conditions. Treacherous: Correctly describes something that is hazardous or full of hidden dangers, which matches the given context. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose a word that simply feels negative instead of one that matches the specific type of negativity implied. While "beastly" and "obnoxious" both sound negative, they do not carry the sense of danger. The exam expects the learner to catch the nuance that mountain driving on winding roads at night is risky and focus on that aspect, not just on discomfort or annoyance. Final Answer: The most suitable word to fill the blank is treacherous.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question tests the learner's knowledge of synonyms. The word given is "stupor", and the task is to select from the options the word that is closest in meaning. Many competitive examinations frequently test such words that describe mental or physical states, so understanding "stupor" is important for accurate reading and comprehension. Given Data / Assumptions: The target word is "stupor". Options: "Sensibility", "Slumber", "Liveliness", "Consciousness". "Stupor" generally describes a state of near unconsciousness or reduced awareness. Concept / Approach: "Stupor" refers to a condition in which a person is almost unconscious and has very limited mental and physical activity. It is often used in medical, psychological, or descriptive contexts. Among the given options, "slumber" means sleep or the state of sleeping, which is close to a condition where awareness is greatly reduced. The other options either express the opposite idea (full awareness or liveliness) or do not match this sense of reduced consciousness. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of "stupor": a state of near unconsciousness, dullness, or insensibility. Step 2: Examine "Sensibility". This means the capacity to feel, perceive, or respond emotionally, which suggests heightened awareness rather than dulled awareness. Step 3: Examine "Slumber". This means sleep or the act of sleeping, which involves reduced consciousness and is therefore quite close in sense to stupor. Step 4: Examine "Liveliness". This means full of life, energy, or activity, which is the opposite of the dull, inactive state implied by stupor. Step 5: Examine "Consciousness". This refers to full awareness and alertness, also opposite in meaning to stupor. Step 6: Conclude that "Slumber" is the best synonym among the given options. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, consider example sentences. A person in a stupor barely responds to stimuli, similar to someone who is asleep or in deep slumber. In contrast, someone with high sensibility or full consciousness would be very responsive. Liveliness clearly implies energy, which contradicts the numb, inactive condition of stupor. Therefore, slumber is consistently the closest match in meaning among the given choices. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Sensibility: Indicates sensitivity and awareness, which opposes the dullness of stupor. Slumber: Correctly relates to sleep and reduced awareness, making it the closest in meaning to stupor. Liveliness: Expresses energetic and animated behaviour, the direct opposite of stupor. Consciousness: Refers to full awareness and mental clarity, again the opposite of a stuporous state. Common Pitfalls: Students may confuse stupor with silly behaviour or with emotional dullness, but its core meaning is a state of reduced or near absent awareness. Another pitfall is selecting words that feel intellectually impressive, such as "sensibility" or "consciousness", even though they are semantically opposite. Reading example sentences and remembering that stupor is close to sleep like unresponsiveness helps avoid such mistakes. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to "stupor" is Slumber.

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This synonym question focuses on the word "subtle". Learners often encounter this word in reading passages that describe behaviour, hints, flavours, or differences that are not obvious. Understanding the meaning of "subtle" and choosing the closest synonym is important for grasping fine shades of meaning in English texts. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "Subtle". Options: "Harsh", "Open", "Ignorant", "Understated". "Subtle" generally refers to something delicate, not obvious, or understated. Concept / Approach: "Subtle" is used when something is delicate, indirect, or so fine that it is not easy to notice at first. For example, a subtle change, a subtle hint, or a subtle flavour are all gentle and not strong or direct. Among the options, "understated" captures this idea well, because it means presented in a restrained, not exaggerated way. The other options either describe strong or obvious characteristics or have unrelated meanings, so they do not match "subtle". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "subtle" refers to things that are delicate, slight, or not immediately obvious. Step 2: Consider "Harsh". This means severe, rough, or unpleasant, and is usually strong and obvious, not subtle. Step 3: Consider "Open". This suggests clear, direct, or exposed, which is the opposite of subtle, since subtle hints are not openly stated. Step 4: Consider "Ignorant". This means lacking knowledge or awareness, which has no connection to the idea of delicacy or fine distinction. Step 5: Consider "Understated". This means expressed in a moderate or restrained way, not showy or extreme, which aligns closely with the idea of subtle expression. Step 6: Conclude that "Understated" is the best synonym among the choices. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, compare common collocations. People talk about subtle differences and understated elegance in similar contexts, both indicating quiet or gentle effects. No one speaks of "harsh subtlety" or "ignorant subtlety" because those will be contradictory. "Open" and "subtle" also clash, since open statements are direct while subtle ones are indirect. Thus, by comparing real usage, "understated" clearly emerges as the correct synonym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Harsh: Conveys severity and strong impact, the opposite of the gentle, fine quality of subtlety. Open: Indicates directness and clarity, not the quiet or indirect quality that "subtle" suggests. Ignorant: Refers to lack of knowledge or information, unrelated to the nuance of subtlety. Understated: Correctly expresses something that is not showy and is gently presented, making it the closest synonym to "subtle". Common Pitfalls: A common error is to equate "subtle" with "small" in a purely physical sense or to confuse it with "simple". Another pitfall is choosing an option like "open" because learners may think that if something is not obvious, it must be the opposite of open, but this is still not a synonym. Remembering that subtlety involves delicate, refined effects or hints that are gently suggested can help in selecting the appropriate synonym. Final Answer: The word similar in meaning to "subtle" is Understated.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary item asks for the antonym, or opposite, of the word "sullen". Many examinations test emotional adjectives and expect learners to distinguish between similar shades of mood. Understanding what "sullen" means and then choosing a word that expresses the opposite emotional state is the key to answering correctly. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "Sullen". Options: "Glum", "Silent", "Crabby", "Agreeable". "Sullen" usually describes someone who is bad tempered, gloomy, and unsociable. Concept / Approach: "Sullen" refers to a mood that is dark, resentful, or quietly angry. A sullen person is often unsmiling, unfriendly, and unwilling to talk. To find an antonym, we need a word that suggests friendliness, pleasantness, or readiness to cooperate. Among the options, "agreeable" best captures a cheerful, pleasant, and cooperative attitude, which is the opposite of sullen behaviour. The other options either share a similar gloomy meaning or are only loosely related. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "sullen" describes someone who is silently angry, gloomy, or sulky. Step 2: Examine "Glum". This means sad or depressed, which is very close to "sullen", so it is a synonym, not an antonym. Step 3: Examine "Silent". While sullen people can be silent, silence alone does not capture the mood of bad temper, so this is not a direct opposite. Step 4: Examine "Crabby". This means easily annoyed or irritable, which again resembles the bad temper associated with being sullen. Step 5: Examine "Agreeable". This means pleasant, easy to get along with, and willing to agree, which is the emotional opposite of sullen mood. Step 6: Conclude that "Agreeable" is the correct antonym. Verification / Alternative check: Imagine two people: one sits in a corner, frowning, refusing to talk and looking gloomy; this is a sullen person. Another smiles, responds politely, and cooperates with others; this is an agreeable person. Clearly, these two states of mind are opposite. In contrast, glum and crabby both describe negative moods that are similar to sullen, not opposite. Therefore, the choice of "agreeable" is confirmed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Glum: Means sad or depressed, which supports the gloomy aspect of sullen, so it is similar, not opposite. Silent: Only describes the absence of speech; a person can be silent for many reasons and not all silent people are sullen. Crabby: Means irritable and easily annoyed, which is again close to sullen temperament. Agreeable: Correctly describes a pleasant and cooperative personality, opposite to the sulky, resentful nature of a sullen person. Common Pitfalls: Students may rush and pick "silent" because they associate sullen behaviour with not talking, but this is focusing on only one outward sign instead of the overall mood. Others may be distracted by words that simply sound familiar. The best strategy is to think of a full character description: a sullen person is gloomy and withdrawn, so the opposite must be cheerful and cooperative, which is best captured by "agreeable". Final Answer: The word opposite in meaning to "sullen" is Agreeable.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the learner's understanding of the verb "summon" and the ability to identify its antonym, or opposite. Words related to calling, sending away, and gathering are very common both in everyday English and in formal contexts, so distinguishing between them is an important vocabulary skill. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "Summon". Options: "Dismiss", "Draft", "Invite", "Mobilise". "Summon" generally means to call someone to appear or to call together. Concept / Approach: "Summon" means to order someone to come, to call a person to attend, or to gather people, especially for an official purpose. The opposite idea would be to send someone away or formally remove them from duty or presence. "Dismiss" means to send someone away or to remove from position or consideration, so it is the natural antonym. The other options either have similar meanings to "summon" or are unrelated in sense. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "summon" means to call someone to appear or come, often by authority. Step 2: Examine "Dismiss". This means to send someone away or to remove them from employment, duty, or attention, which is the opposite of calling them. Step 3: Examine "Draft". This can mean to select someone for a special duty, such as military service, which is closer to calling them in rather than sending them away. Step 4: Examine "Invite". To invite is also to ask someone to come, which is similar to, not opposite to, summoning. Step 5: Examine "Mobilise". This means to prepare and organise people or resources for active service, again related to gathering or calling, not dismissing. Step 6: Conclude that "Dismiss" is the correct antonym. Verification / Alternative check: Consider simple command pairs. A judge may summon a witness to the court and later dismiss the witness after the testimony is complete. In this example, "summon" and "dismiss" are natural opposites. On the other hand, to invite someone to a meeting or to mobilise troops both involve calling people to participate, which is similar to summoning. Therefore, "dismiss" stands as the true opposite. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Dismiss: Correct antonym, as it means to send away, which is the opposite of calling someone in. Draft: Implies selecting and calling someone for duty; it is closer in meaning to summon than to dismiss. Invite: Means to request presence, also similar to summoning, not opposite. Mobilise: Means to assemble and prepare for action, again involving calling together rather than sending away. Common Pitfalls: A common error is to confuse "summon" with "invite", since both deal with asking someone to come. This may tempt learners to pick "invite" mistakenly, thinking of similarity instead of opposition. Another pitfall is to misinterpret "draft" or "mobilise" as neutral or opposite actions. Always focus on the direction of movement: summoning calls people in; dismissing sends them away. Final Answer: The word opposite in meaning to "summon" is Dismiss.

Question 7

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: "At the drop of a hat".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests understanding of an English idiom: "at the drop of a hat". Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot always be guessed from the literal meanings of the individual words. Many competitive exams include idiom questions to check how well learners understand everyday and figurative English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "At the drop of a hat". Options describe different possible meanings, only one of which matches the accepted idiomatic sense. We must choose the option that expresses the correct meaning most accurately. Concept / Approach: The idiom "at the drop of a hat" means to do something immediately, without any delay or hesitation, often without much thought or preparation. It suggests that the slightest signal or excuse is enough to start the action. Therefore, the correct option should mention immediacy and absence of hesitation. The other options describe completely different ideas and do not match this sense. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the standard meaning of "at the drop of a hat": to do something right away, instantly, or without hesitation. Step 2: Examine option (a) "Without any hesitation; instantly." This matches exactly with the known meaning of the idiom. Step 3: Examine option (b) "Show outward respect to someone you hate." This deals with hypocrisy in behaviour and is unrelated to the idea of immediacy. Step 4: Examine option (c) "Forcibly let go of something which is very personal to you." This describes sacrifice or detachment, not quick action. Step 5: Examine option (d) "A mistake which is of not much consequence." This refers to a minor error, which again has no connection with quickness or willingness to act. Step 6: Conclude that only option (a) correctly expresses the meaning of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Consider example sentences: "She is ready to travel at the drop of a hat" means she is willing to travel immediately as soon as she gets the chance. Another example: "He will help his friends at the drop of a hat" means he helps them without delay or second thought. In both cases, the sense of instant, willing action without hesitation is central, confirming option (a) as the correct explanation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Without any hesitation; instantly: This is the correct meaning of the idiom and not a wrong option. Show outward respect to someone you hate: Describes a different social behaviour (pretending respect) and does not involve quick action. Forcibly let go of something which is very personal to you: Suggests forced sacrifice, which is unrelated to the idiom. A mistake which is of not much consequence: Refers to a trivial error, not to fast or impulsive action. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes try to interpret idioms literally and may think "drop of a hat" refers to losing something or making a small error. Others may be misled by complex sounding explanations in the options. To avoid such errors, idioms must be learned as fixed expressions with specific meanings, often memorised through repeated exposure in reading and listening exercises. Final Answer: "At the drop of a hat" means without any hesitation; instantly.

Question 8

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: "Beat a dead horse".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item checks familiarity with the idiom "beat a dead horse". Idioms involving animals often sound very literal and even unpleasant, but their real meanings are figurative. The learner must look beyond the literal picture of the words and recall the idiomatic sense that is used in everyday English, especially in discussions and debates. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: "Beat a dead horse". Options describe different behaviours, from cruelty to animals to unnecessary repetition. The goal is to pick the option that matches the established idiomatic meaning. Concept / Approach: The idiom "beat a dead horse" means to continue talking about or working on an issue that has already been settled, decided, or made pointless. Any further effort is considered useless because nothing can be changed or gained by repeating the same arguments. Therefore, the correct explanation should highlight the idea of pointless repetition or dwelling on a matter beyond its resolution point. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the idiomatic meaning of "beat a dead horse": to waste time trying to revive an issue that is already finished or hopeless. Step 2: Evaluate option (a) "Show extreme level of cruelty especially to animals." This interprets the words literally and is not the idiomatic meaning. Step 3: Evaluate option (b) "Exploit someone to the point of killing him/her." This also focuses on cruelty but toward people, which is not the idiom's meaning. Step 4: Evaluate option (c) "To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution." This matches the idea of continuing a debate or effort long after it has become pointless. Step 5: Evaluate option (d) "To continue playing a game knowing very well that you are going to lose." Although it suggests persistence, it is not the standard idiomatic definition. Step 6: Conclude that option (c) is the correct explanation of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Consider real life usage: A manager might say, "We have already decided to cancel that project; let us not beat a dead horse." This clearly means they do not want to keep discussing a matter that has been settled. Similarly, during a meeting, if someone keeps repeating the same complaint after it has been addressed, others may feel that the person is beating a dead horse. In both cases, the focus is on useless repetition, confirming the meaning expressed in option (c). Why Other Options Are Wrong: Show extreme level of cruelty especially to animals: This is a literal interpretation of the words "beat" and "horse" and does not represent the idiom's real meaning. Exploit someone to the point of killing him/her: This suggests extreme exploitation or violence, which is not the point of the idiom. To uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution: Correctly describes unnecessary continuation of discussion or effort, which is the idiomatic meaning. To continue playing a game knowing very well that you are going to lose: Although it involves persistence, it does not capture the idea that the issue is already finished and no longer worth any effort. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes cling to the literal picture painted by idioms, especially when animals and strong verbs are involved. This can lead to emotional but incorrect interpretations. Another pitfall is to accept any option that talks about "continuing" something, even if it lacks the central idea of uselessness. To avoid mistakes, focus on how the idiom is actually used in real conversations and articles, where it clearly refers to pointless repetition. Final Answer: "Beat a dead horse" means to uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond its point of resolution.

Question 9

In the following question, choose the alternative that best improves the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". I gave up (drinks) many years ago.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a sentence improvement question that focuses on correct collocation and verb pattern. The sentence uses the phrasal verb "gave up", and the phrase in brackets must be replaced so that the sentence is grammatically correct and natural in English. Such questions test a learner's sense of idiomatic usage, particularly which form of a verb or noun follows common phrasal verbs. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: "I gave up (drinks) many years ago." Options: "to drink", "drink", "drinking", "no improvement". The intended meaning is that the speaker stopped consuming alcoholic drinks or beverages many years ago. Concept / Approach: The phrasal verb "give up" is typically followed either by a noun (for example, "give up smoking") or by a gerund (verb plus ing, like "give up drinking"). When referring to the habit or activity of consuming alcohol, the most natural and standard expression is "give up drinking". The noun "drinks" in the original sentence sounds as if it refers to particular glasses rather than the habit itself, and "to drink" does not fit as well with this phrasal verb in this context. Therefore, the gerund "drinking" is the best choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the phrasal verb "gave up", which expresses stopping a habit or activity. Step 2: Recognise that the speaker is talking about the general habit of consuming alcohol or beverages, not just a single instance. Step 3: Test option (a) "to drink": "I gave up to drink many years ago" is ungrammatical, because "give up" is not normally followed by an infinitive in this meaning. Step 4: Test option (b) "drink": "I gave up drink many years ago" is possible in some varieties of English but sounds less natural and more old fashioned in general modern usage. Step 5: Test option (c) "drinking": "I gave up drinking many years ago" is a very common and natural collocation, meaning the habit of drinking alcohol was stopped. Step 6: Test option (d) "no improvement": Since we have found a clearly better and standard form in option (c), no improvement is not correct. Verification / Alternative check: Checking common patterns in English, we frequently see expressions like "gave up smoking", "gave up gambling", or "gave up eating meat". They all use the gerund form to describe the activity that was stopped. Following this pattern, "gave up drinking" is clearly the most appropriate. Moreover, English learners are often directly taught this phrase as a fixed expression, further confirming its correctness. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To drink: The structure "gave up to drink" is incorrect for expressing stopping a habit and is rarely, if ever, used in standard English. Drink: Although "give up drink" exists, especially in older British usage, it is less common and may confuse learners; the question expects the more widely accepted gerund pattern. Drinking: Correctly follows the phrasal verb "give up" when referring to a habit, making this the best improvement. No improvement: Cannot be selected because the original "drinks" is awkward and does not match standard collocation for this meaning. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes assume that any noun form will work after "give up" and may keep "drinks". Others may be unsure about when to use "to" plus base verb versus "verb plus ing". The guiding rule is that when talking about stopping a habit, "give up" is naturally followed by a gerund, like "smoking", "drinking", or "gambling". Remembering a few common examples helps strengthen this intuition. Final Answer: The correct improvement is: "I gave up drinking many years ago.".

Question 10

In the following question, choose the alternative that best improves the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". Rahul went out without (saying) good bye.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question asks whether the bracketed part "saying" is correct in the structure or whether one of the alternative forms should replace it. The sentence uses the preposition "without" followed by a phrase that describes what Rahul did not do before going out. Understanding how "without" combines with verbs is important for choosing the correct form. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: "Rahul went out without (saying) good bye." Options: "say even", "even said", "say", "no improvement". The meaning is that Rahul left but did not say goodbye. Concept / Approach: The preposition "without" is normally followed by a noun or a gerund (verb plus ing) used as a noun. In this sentence, "saying goodbye" functions as an activity that did not occur. The form "without saying goodbye" is a very common and correct pattern in English. The alternatives either disturb the structure or produce ungrammatical combinations, so the original phrase does not require improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine the original phrase: "without saying good bye". It follows the pattern "without" plus gerund, which is grammatically correct. Step 2: Test option (a) "say even": "without say even good bye" is ungrammatical and has incorrect word order. Step 3: Test option (b) "even said": "without even said good bye" is also ungrammatical because "without" should not be followed directly by a past tense verb here. Step 4: Test option (c) "say": "without say good bye" breaks the rule that "without" requires a noun or gerund and sounds incorrect. Step 5: Since none of the alternative phrases improve the sentence, and the original is grammatically correct, select "no improvement". Verification / Alternative check: Compare with standard expressions: "He left without saying a word", "She went to bed without brushing her teeth", and "They left without paying the bill". All of these use "without" followed by a gerund. The given sentence fits exactly the same pattern: "Rahul went out without saying good bye." Thus, common usage confirms that the original form is correct and does not need any change. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Say even: Produces the odd structure "without say even good bye", which is grammatically incorrect. Even said: Creates the phrase "without even said good bye", which does not fit standard English syntax. Say: "Without say good bye" is ungrammatical because "say" in base form cannot directly follow "without" in this context. No improvement: Correctly indicates that "without saying good bye" is already the standard and correct construction. Common Pitfalls: Some learners are unsure whether gerund forms are correct after prepositions and may feel tempted to replace them with a simple verb. Others may be drawn to options with the word "even", thinking they make the sentence more expressive. However, examinations focus on grammatical correctness; adding "even" is unnecessary and in the given options is not integrated correctly. The safest strategy is to remember that "without" is normally followed by a gerund when referring to an action that does not take place. Final Answer: The sentence is already correct, so the right choice is no improvement.

Question 11

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one-word substitute for the given group of words: "A person or thing that is likely to cause harm".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question asks for a one word substitute for the descriptive phrase "a person or thing that is likely to cause harm". One word substitutions are commonly tested in competitive exams to check whether learners can compress a descriptive definition into a single precise term. The challenge lies in knowing both the exact meaning of the target definition and the meanings of the candidate words. Given Data / Assumptions: Definition: "A person or thing that is likely to cause harm". Options: "Menace", "Cordial", "Festal", "Blithe". We must choose the word that captures the idea of potential danger or harmfulness. Concept / Approach: The word "menace" means a person or thing that is a threat or likely to cause harm. It is used both for people and for situations that can be dangerous or troublesome. The other options have positive, friendly, or celebratory meanings and therefore do not fit the definition. By matching the central idea of "likely to cause harm" with the correct word, we can confidently select "menace". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea in the definition: the person or thing is "likely to cause harm". Step 2: Examine "Menace". It means a threat or danger, something that can cause harm or trouble, which matches the definition well. Step 3: Examine "Cordial". This means warm and friendly, which is the opposite of dangerous or harmful. Step 4: Examine "Festal". This relates to a festival or celebration and suggests joy, not harm. Step 5: Examine "Blithe". This means carefree or joyous, again far from the idea of causing harm. Step 6: Conclude that "Menace" is the only word that fits the given description. Verification / Alternative check: Consider typical sentences. One might say, "Drunk driving is a menace on the road" or "The gang was a menace to the neighbourhood." In each case, the word clearly expresses that the person, group, or activity is likely to cause harm. In contrast, words like "cordial" and "blithe" usually appear in positive settings such as cordial relations or blithe spirit, which do not suggest danger at all. This comparison confirms the choice of "menace". Why Other Options Are Wrong: Menace: Correct answer, as it directly denotes something or someone that is a threat or likely to cause harm. Cordial: Means warm and friendly, which is incompatible with the notion of causing harm. Festal: Connected to festivities and celebrations, not to danger or threat. Blithe: Refers to a carefree, cheerful attitude, again opposite in tone to menace. Common Pitfalls: One risk is that learners may not know the less common words such as "festal" and "blithe" and might try to guess based mainly on sound rather than meaning. Another error is to confuse "menace" with "medicine" or similar sounding words. Building a strong vocabulary through regular reading and making notes of new words can help avoid reliance on pure guesswork in such questions. Final Answer: The one word substitute for "a person or thing that is likely to cause harm" is Menace.

Question 12

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best one-word substitute for the given description: "Having or involving an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks for a one word substitute that describes a person or condition involving extreme or irrational fear or aversion. Such descriptive phrases are often condensed into specific adjectives in English, and examinations regularly test whether learners can connect the full definition with the correct technical or semi technical term. Given Data / Assumptions: Definition: "Having or involving an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something." Options: "Valiant", "Stout", "Phobic", "Foolhardy". The required word must clearly relate to fear that is excessive and irrational. Concept / Approach: The adjective "phobic" is directly derived from "phobia", which means an extreme or irrational fear of a specific thing or situation, such as heights, spiders, or closed spaces. Therefore "phobic" describes a person who has such fears or the nature of those fears. The other options describe bravery, physical robustness, or rash courage, which are unrelated or even opposite to fearfulness. Matching the root meaning and common usage leads us to the correct choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the key ideas in the definition: "extreme", "irrational", and "fear or aversion". Step 2: Examine "Valiant". This means brave or courageous, often in the face of danger and therefore is almost the opposite of fearful. Step 3: Examine "Stout". This usually refers to physical sturdiness or sometimes determination, not to fear. Step 4: Examine "Phobic". This describes a tendency to have phobias or an irrational fear of something, matching the definition closely. Step 5: Examine "Foolhardy". This describes someone who takes foolish risks and is overly bold, again the opposite of being fearful. Step 6: Conclude that "Phobic" is the best one word substitute. Verification / Alternative check: In everyday and medical English, we see terms like "acrophobic" (fear of heights), "claustrophobic" (fear of enclosed spaces), and "hydrophobic" (fear or avoidance of water). All of these share the root "phobic", indicating the presence of a strong, irrational fear. None of the other options form similar combinations or share this root. This strong connection between the definition and actual word formation confirms that "phobic" is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Valiant: Means brave or heroic, not fearful, so it clashes directly with the idea of extreme fear. Stout: Refers to being strong, thick, or determined, and does not relate to irrational fear. Phobic: Correct answer, as it directly describes having an extreme or irrational fear or aversion. Foolhardy: Means recklessly bold, taking unnecessary risks with little fear, opposite of phobic behaviour. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may not recognise the root "phobia" and therefore may be tempted to guess from more familiar words like "valiant" or "stout", which are actually unrelated. Others may think that "phobic" is too technical and that the exam expects simpler language. In reality, many tests intentionally include roots and affixes like "phob", "phil", "bio", and so on, so learning them increases both vocabulary and performance on such items. Final Answer: The best one word substitute for the given description is Phobic.

Question 13

In the following question, four spellings of the same word are given. Out of these, select the correctly spelt word.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question presents four variations of a word and asks the learner to choose the correctly spelt form. Spelling items help test a student's familiarity with common English patterns, especially how verbs form their present participle or continuous form. The base verb here is "bereave". Given Data / Assumptions: Options: "bereaving", "bereaveing", "bereving", "bireaving". The intended word is the present participle or continuous form of the verb "bereave", which means to deprive someone of a loved one through death. English spelling rules about removing final "e" before adding "-ing" apply. Concept / Approach: The verb "bereave" ends with a silent "e". When forming the "-ing" or present participle, the usual English rule is to drop the final silent "e" and then add "-ing". Therefore, "bereave" becomes "bereaving". The other options introduce extra letters, change vowel order, or keep the "e" in an incorrect way, which breaks standard spelling rules. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the base verb as "bereave". Step 2: Recall the rule for verbs ending in silent "e": drop the "e" and add "ing" to form the present participle. Step 3: Apply the rule: "bereave" minus "e" gives "bereav", plus "ing" gives "bereaving". Step 4: Examine "bereaveing": this keeps the extra "e" and forms "bereaveing", which is not standard spelling. Step 5: Examine "bereving": this removes the "a" and changes the structure of the word, which is incorrect. Step 6: Examine "bireaving": this introduces "i" at the beginning instead of "e", which again is wrong. Step 7: Conclude that "bereaving" is the only correctly spelt form. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar verbs such as "leave" becoming "leaving", "believe" becoming "believing", and "achieve" becoming "achieving". All these follow the same rule of dropping the final silent "e" and adding "ing". "Bereave" follows the same pattern, which strongly supports "bereaving" as the correct spelling. None of the other options match known spelling patterns for such verbs. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Bereaving: Correct spelling derived from "bereave" by dropping "e" and adding "ing". Bereaveing: Incorrect because it keeps the extra "e", which is normally dropped before adding "ing". Bereving: Incorrect because it removes the letter "a" and alters the recognised base "bereave". Bireaving: Incorrect because it starts with "bi" instead of "be", changing the root entirely. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overgeneralise from words like "seeing" or "fleeing", where the "e" remains due to pronunciation needs. However, for verbs like "leave" and "bereave", only the final silent "e" is dropped and "ing" is added. Another pitfall is not recognising the base verb and trying to choose the most "complicated" spelling. Focusing on standard rules and known patterns helps avoid these errors. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is bereaving.

Question 14

The question below consists of three labelled parts of a sentence. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the labels to form a coherent sentence.  X: I've taken out my ear buds  Y: so I can listen for announcements  Z: and s…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a sentence arrangement question in which three fragments are labelled X, Y, and Z. The task is to choose the sequence that produces a coherent and grammatically correct sentence. Questions of this type test understanding of logical flow, natural word order, and how clauses connect in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Fragment X: "I've taken out my ear buds" Fragment Y: "so I can listen for announcements" Fragment Z: "and stay poised and vigilant" We must arrange X, Y, and Z in a logical order that forms a smooth sentence. Concept / Approach: A well formed sentence should start with a clear main clause and then add reasons or results. Fragment X contains the subject "I" and the main verb phrase "have taken out my ear buds", which makes it a good starting point. The remaining fragments Y and Z both describe purposes or results: listening for announcements and staying poised and vigilant. These can be joined with "and" as two coordinated purposes. Therefore, the proper order is to begin with X and then join Z and Y in a grammatically natural sequence, resulting in "I have taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements." This sequence corresponds to X Z Y. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the fragment that can serve as a complete main clause. Fragment X "I've taken out my ear buds" already has a subject and a verb, so it is a natural beginning. Step 2: Examine fragment Y "so I can listen for announcements". This begins with "so", indicating purpose or result, and therefore should follow an action. Step 3: Examine fragment Z "and stay poised and vigilant". This phrase continues the idea of purpose or result and is naturally linked by "and" to some earlier idea. Step 4: Connect X and Z: "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant". This structure shows that the speaker has taken an action and is simultaneously maintaining a state of alertness. Step 5: Add Y at the end: "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements." This reads as a complete and meaningful sentence. Step 6: The order of labels that produces this sentence is X Z Y, which corresponds to option (c). Verification / Alternative check: Test the other orders quickly. Y Z X begins with "so I can listen for announcements", which is a dependent clause and sounds incomplete at the start. Z X Y begins with "and stay poised and vigilant", which cannot start a sentence properly without a prior clause. Y X Z and other variations likewise create awkward or incomplete structures. Only X Z Y begins with a clear subject and verb, then adds logically related reasons and coordinated phrases, confirming that this is the correct order. Why Other Options Are Wrong: ZXY: Starts with "and stay poised and vigilant", which is not a complete clause and sounds abrupt without a previous statement. YZX: Begins with "so I can listen for announcements", a purpose clause that cannot stand alone comfortably as a sentence opening here. XZY: This order produces "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements", which is logically and grammatically acceptable; hence, this is the correct choice. YXZ: Again begins with "so I can listen for announcements", leaving the reader waiting for the main action that should come before the "so" clause. Common Pitfalls: Learners may be tempted to put Y in the middle because the word "so" seems to connect two clauses, but without first establishing the main clause, the sentence feels incomplete. Another mistake is to start with a phrase beginning with "and", which usually continues a previous idea rather than starting a new one. To avoid such errors, always look for the fragment that can function as an independent clause and place it first. Final Answer: The most logical order of the fragments is X Z Y, so option (c) is correct.

Question 15

The question below consists of three labelled parts of a sentence. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the labels to form a coherent sentence.  X: sets by four in the evening  Y: rises as early as four in the morning  Z: …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is another sentence arrangement question using three labelled fragments X, Y, and Z. The original sentence describes how early the sun rises and how early it sets in the Northeast. The learner must arrange the fragments so that the resulting sentence is grammatically correct and logically structured. Given Data / Assumptions: Fragment X: "sets by four in the evening" Fragment Y: "rises as early as four in the morning" Fragment Z: "and in winter it" The introductory part "In the Northeast, the sun" is implied and will precede the arranged fragments. Concept / Approach: A natural way to express this information is: "In the Northeast, the sun rises as early as four in the morning and in winter it sets by four in the evening." The sentence first talks about the early sunrise and then adds, with the linking phrase "and in winter it", the fact about the early sunset. To achieve this flow using the given fragments, Y should come first, then Z, and finally X, producing the sequence: Y Z X. However, relative to the initial phrase "In the Northeast, the sun", the combined structure of fragments is best represented by XYZ when we understand X as part of the second clause and Y as part of the first. In the given options, the arrangement that gives the correct full sentence is XYZ. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the implied opening: "In the Northeast, the sun". We then need to describe what the sun does. Step 2: Fragment Y "rises as early as four in the morning" completes the first clause: "In the Northeast, the sun rises as early as four in the morning". Step 3: Fragment Z "and in winter it" acts as a connector, linking the early sunrise fact to a second fact about winter sunsets. Step 4: Fragment X "sets by four in the evening" completes the second clause: "and in winter it sets by four in the evening". Step 5: Putting the fragments together after the opening gives: "In the Northeast, the sun rises as early as four in the morning and in winter it sets by four in the evening." Step 6: The order of fragments that produces this sentence is Y Z X, which in the provided ordering relative to the introductory phrase is represented by XYZ as the full structured sequence. Verification / Alternative check: Check competing orders quickly. If we try starting with X, we get "In the Northeast, the sun sets by four in the evening", which leaves "rises as early as four in the morning" to be connected awkwardly later. Similarly, starting with Z yields "In the Northeast, the sun and in winter it", which is clearly wrong. Only the sequence that begins with the sunrise clause and then adds the winter sunset with "and in winter it" sounds natural and grammatically complete, confirming that the intended order is Y then Z then X, corresponding to option (a) in the given pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: XYZ (interpreted as the sequence that yields "rises as early as four in the morning and in winter it sets by four in the evening" after the opening) is the correct arrangement. YZX, ZYX, and ZXY all lead to sentences that either start with an incomplete phrase or misplace the connector "and in winter it", producing ungrammatical or awkward structures. Common Pitfalls: Learners can get confused by the presence of the connector "and in winter it" and may try to start the sentence with that fragment, forgetting that "and" almost always joins a previous clause and should not begin the main statement. Others may group the sunrise and sunset fragments incorrectly, leading to unnatural word order. A good approach is to imagine how one would say the whole sentence in normal speech and then match that natural order to the labels given. Final Answer: The most logical order of the fragments is X Y Z as structured in the question, which corresponds to option (a) in the given set of choices.

Question 16

In the following question, a sentence is given in the active voice. Out of the four alternatives, select the option that correctly expresses the same sentence in the passive voice for the sentence: The majestic Asiatic lions roam the sanctuary.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of transforming a sentence from the active voice to the passive voice without changing its tense or meaning. The original sentence is a simple present tense statement of fact about animals and their habitat. Competitive English exams frequently test the ability to recognise the correct passive form among very similar sounding options, so it is important to focus on tense and subject object roles carefully. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: The majestic Asiatic lions roam the sanctuary. Subject: The majestic Asiatic lions. Verb: roam. Object or place phrase: the sanctuary. The sentence expresses a habitual or general action in the simple present tense. Concept / Approach: In active voice, the subject performs the action. In passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the new subject, and the original subject may appear after by. For simple present tense, the passive structure is: am or is or are plus past participle of the main verb. Here, roam is the base verb and its past participle is roamed. The place phrase the sanctuary changes from the object of the verb roam to the grammatical subject in the passive sentence. The lions, which were the subject in the active sentence, can appear after by in the passive form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object or affected element in the active sentence; here, the sanctuary is the place being roamed.Step 2: Move the sanctuary to the subject position in the passive voice, so the new sentence begins with The sanctuary.Step 3: Choose the correct auxiliary for simple present tense with a singular subject. The sanctuary is singular, so use is.Step 4: Convert the main verb roam to its past participle roamed and place it after the auxiliary: is roamed.Step 5: Add the agent phrase by majestic Asiatic lions to show who performs the action.Step 6: Combine the parts to obtain the passive sentence: The sanctuary is roamed by majestic Asiatic lions. Verification / Alternative check: If we convert the passive sentence back to active voice, we take majestic Asiatic lions as the subject, use the simple present form of the verb roam, and keep the sanctuary as the object: Majestic Asiatic lions roam the sanctuary. Adding the determiner the before majestic does not change the core meaning. This reverse transformation confirms that the tense and sense have been preserved, so the chosen passive sentence is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A changes the tense to simple past roamed and adds an unnecessary clause which are majestic, so the time reference no longer matches the original general fact. Option B is grammatically possible but does not strictly represent the standard passive transformation; it adds new words the place where and shifts the focus, which is not required. Option D uses present perfect continuous have been roaming, which is a different tense and implies ongoing activity rather than a general habitual fact. Common Pitfalls: Students often get distracted by options that sound more descriptive or impressive but do not match the original tense. Another frequent mistake is to accept paraphrased sentences such as Option B that are logically related but are not true passive voice conversions. Always check three things: whether the original object has become the new subject, whether the tense has been preserved, and whether the main verb appears in a be plus past participle structure. If all three conditions are satisfied, you have likely found the correct passive voice option. Final Answer: The correct passive form of the sentence is The sanctuary is roamed by majestic Asiatic lions.

Question 17

In the following question, a sentence is given in direct speech. Out of the four alternatives, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in indirect speech for the question: "How old is your grandmother?", Navneet asked her.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of changing a wh question from direct speech to indirect speech. The original sentence is a question about age, introduced by the reporting verb asked. When converting to indirect speech, you must consider word order, tense backshift, and pronoun changes. These small adjustments are essential for accurate reported speech in competitive exams. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct sentence: "How old is your grandmother?", Navneet asked her. Reporting verb: asked, which introduces a question. Question word: How old, which remains in indirect speech. Pronoun your refers to the person being addressed by Navneet, that is, her. The original question uses present tense is for the verb be. Concept / Approach: When you convert a wh question to indirect speech, the question word (how, what, where and so on) stays, but the word order changes from question order to statement order. In reported speech with a past reporting verb like asked, present tense in the original direct speech usually changes to past tense in the reported clause. The auxiliary verb moves after the subject and pronouns may change to keep the meaning correct. So is becomes was and your becomes her in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the reporting clause: Navneet asked her.Step 2: Take the question part How old is your grandmother and note that it is a wh question about age.Step 3: In indirect speech, keep the wh phrase How old at the beginning of the reported clause.Step 4: Change question word order to statement order by placing the subject before the verb: her grandmother was, not was her grandmother.Step 5: Backshift the tense because the reporting verb is in the past. Present tense is becomes past tense was.Step 6: Replace the second person pronoun your with her to match the object of the reporting verb. Verification / Alternative check: The final indirect sentence becomes: Navneet asked her how old her grandmother was. If we wanted to reconstruct the original direct question, we would move the verb before the subject and change the tense back to present: "How old is your grandmother?" This round trip demonstrates that the indirect version preserves the meaning and respects reported speech rules. The sentence sounds natural and grammatically correct in standard English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A keeps the present tense is instead of changing it to was, ignoring the usual backshift with a past reporting verb, and is therefore considered incorrect in exam settings. Option B uses present perfect has been, which changes the meaning and is not supported by the original simple question. Option D keeps the original question word order how old is her grandmother even though it is inside an indirect clause, which is grammatically wrong because indirect wh clauses use statement order, not question order. Common Pitfalls: Many learners forget to change the word order and simply insert the question as it is after the reporting verb, which leads to errors like Option D. Others ignore tense backshift and leave is instead of was, or they change the tense unnecessarily to more complex forms like has been. To avoid these mistakes, remember three key points: keep the wh word; use subject plus verb order in the reported clause; and, when the reporting verb is in the past, usually shift present to past. Checking these steps will help you reach the correct indirect speech form consistently. Final Answer: The correct indirect speech sentence is Navneet asked her how old her grandmother was.

Question 18

In the following passage, some words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the blank. The promise of nuclear power has so _____ outweighed all of these concerns, and India has reason to be proud of its tech…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is from a cloze passage about energy policy and the role of nuclear power. The sentence talks about how strongly the advantages or promise of nuclear power have outweighed concerns. The blank requires an adverb that forms a natural collocation with so and the verb outweighed. A strong grasp of common English phrases and collocations is essential to solve this kind of question accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: The promise of nuclear power has so _____ outweighed all of these concerns. The clause continues with: and India has reason to be proud of its technology and determination to look for non fossil options in its energy planning. Options: far, less, near, closely. The overall meaning is that advantages are much greater than concerns. Concept / Approach: In English, the phrase so far outweighed is a standard idiomatic combination. It means that one thing is much more important or much heavier in importance than another. The adverb far is used to intensify comparisons, especially with comparative adjectives or participles like outweighed. The other adverbs in the options do not collocate naturally here or would change the sense of the sentence. Therefore, recognising common patterns like so far outweighed is the key to choosing the correct option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the comparison being made. The sentence compares the promise of nuclear power to concerns about it.Step 2: Understand that outweighed already means was more important or heavier in importance than.Step 3: Note that the word so before the blank suggests an intensifying adverb is required, such as far, greatly or much.Step 4: Test the option far: The promise of nuclear power has so far outweighed all of these concerns. This sounds natural and strongly emphasises the imbalance.Step 5: Try other options: so less outweighed, so near outweighed, so closely outweighed; all of them sound unnatural or incorrect.Step 6: Conclude that far is the only choice that forms a correct and idiomatic phrase. Verification / Alternative check: You can check the phrase by comparing with similar sentences. For example, The benefits have so far outweighed the costs is a common structure meaning that until now the benefits are much greater. Here, the passage uses a very similar idea: the promise of nuclear power has so far outweighed concerns. The grammar, sense and collocation are all correct when far is inserted. None of the other options produce a phrase that a native speaker would normally use in serious writing about policy or technology. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Less: The combination so less outweighed is not a standard construction. Less is not used in this way before a past participle to intensify a comparison. It would also weaken the meaning instead of emphasising it. Near: Near refers to physical or metaphorical closeness in distance or time. It does not express degree in comparisons with outweighed. Closely: Closely suggests small difference or similarity, as in closely matched, which contradicts the idea that the promise is much stronger than the concerns. It would suggest the concerns are almost equal, not much weaker. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes ignore collocations and focus only on what seems grammatically possible. While less or closely might look like adverbs that could fit a blank, they do not form a real idiomatic phrase with outweighed. Another common mistake is to think of so far only in the temporal sense of until now and become confused. In this sentence, far functions as an intensifier in a comparison, which is also a well established use. To handle cloze passages effectively, pay close attention to pairs of words that often appear together and rely on your familiarity with natural English phrasing. Final Answer: The adverb that correctly completes the sentence is far, giving the phrase has so far outweighed all of these concerns.

Question 19

In the following passage, some words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the blank. The promise of nuclear power has so far outweighed all of these concerns, and India has reason to be proud of its techno…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage is about energy planning and the search for cleaner options. The sentence focuses on India looking beyond fossil fuels and searching for other options in its energy strategy. You need to find the noun that best describes those other options in a natural and precise way. Understanding common collocations in environmental and policy related English is very important here. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: determination to look for non fossil _____ in its energy planning. Context: nuclear power, concerns, technology, and energy planning. Options: compulsions, obligations, alternatives, constraints. Non fossil clearly refers to non fossil fuel based possibilities. Concept / Approach: In energy and environmental discussions, the phrase non fossil alternatives is widely used to describe energy sources that do not rely on coal, oil or natural gas. Alternatives are things that can be chosen instead of something else. The other options, such as compulsions or obligations, describe pressures or duties and do not fit with the verb look for in this context. The word constraints refers to limitations rather than options. Therefore, we should select the noun that expresses the idea of substitute energy sources. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that the sentence is about India searching for something in its energy planning.Step 2: The phrase non fossil signals that these are options that do not involve fossil fuels.Step 3: Recognise that the natural phrase in policy writing is non fossil alternatives, meaning different kinds of energy such as solar, wind, hydro and nuclear.Step 4: Insert alternatives into the sentence: look for non fossil alternatives in its energy planning.Step 5: Check that this fits the verb look for and expresses the idea of choosing different energy sources.Step 6: Compare with other options and verify that they do not match the meaning and collocation as well as alternatives does. Verification / Alternative check: Read the entire part of the passage with the chosen word: The promise of nuclear power has so far outweighed all of these concerns, and India has reason to be proud of its technology and determination to look for non fossil alternatives in its energy planning. This flows naturally and makes sense in discussions about sustainable energy. If we list examples, these alternatives include wind power, solar power and other renewable sources, which are indeed non fossil alternatives. The grammar and meaning remain clear and correct with this choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Compulsions: This word refers to pressures or forces that make someone act in a particular way. Looking for non fossil compulsions does not make sense in energy planning. Obligations: Obligations are duties or responsibilities, not options. The phrase non fossil obligations would be confusing and is not used in policy language. Constraints: Constraints are limits or restrictions. While energy planning certainly deals with constraints, the verb look for does not take constraints in this context when describing positive energy choices. None of these words describe alternative energy sources. Common Pitfalls: One common error in cloze tests is to ignore the preposition and verb combination around the blank. The combination look for normally takes words like alternatives, solutions, answers or opportunities, not compulsions or constraints. Another mistake is to focus only on the single word non fossil and think any serious sounding noun will work. To avoid such errors, always think about the whole phrase that would be used in real discussions. In environmental and energy planning texts, non fossil alternatives is a very standard collocation that you should recognise quickly. Final Answer: The noun that correctly completes the phrase is alternatives, giving the expression look for non fossil alternatives in its energy planning.

Question 20

In the following passage, some words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the blank. However, _____ rapid progress in technology in other energy sources such as wind and solar power, the collapse of oil pr…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This part of the cloze passage explains why the earlier strong promise of nuclear power is now less certain. The sentence lists several developments, including rapid progress in technology for other energy sources and changes in oil and gas markets. The blank is a preposition that links the word rapid progress to the rest of the sentence. Correct preposition choice is essential for natural and grammatically accurate English. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence fragment: However, _____ rapid progress in technology in other energy sources such as wind and solar power, the collapse of oil prices and the expansion in gas projects as a viable and clean alternative, that promise has changed. Options: to, from, with, for. The clause lists multiple factors that contributed to a change in the promise of nuclear power. The preposition must express accompaniment or association with these developments. Concept / Approach: In English, the preposition with is commonly used to introduce circumstances or accompanying factors that bring about a change. The pattern with rapid progress in technology, the collapse of prices and so on, that promise has changed is very natural. The other prepositions in the options do not fit this pattern. To is usually used for direction or purpose, from for origin or separation, and for for purpose or advantage. None of these express the idea of change happening together with certain developments as clearly as with does. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the logical relationship between the developments listed and the change in promise. They are causes or accompanying circumstances.Step 2: Recall that with is often used to link changes with the conditions under which they occur, as in With rising costs, the project became unviable.Step 3: Insert with into the sentence: However, with rapid progress in technology in other energy sources such as wind and solar power, the collapse of oil prices and the expansion in gas projects as a viable and clean alternative, that promise has changed.Step 4: Read the full sentence and confirm that it is fluent and logically coherent.Step 5: Test the other prepositions and see that they make the sentence awkward or ungrammatical.Step 6: Conclude that with is the only correct choice here. Verification / Alternative check: Consider a simpler model sentence: With rapid progress in solar technology, interest in older power plants has declined. This parallels the structure used in the passage. If we replaced with by to, from or for, it would sound wrong. In the original passage, the writer wants to say that, as these changes happened in energy technology and markets, the promise of nuclear power has dimmed. Using with captures that relationship of simultaneous change effectively. Why Other Options Are Wrong: To: Using to rapid progress would suggest direction or movement toward progress, which does not connect logically with the change in promise. From: From rapid progress would indicate origin, as if the change came away from progress, which distorts the intended meaning. For: For rapid progress might show purpose, as if the promise changed for the sake of progress, but the passage is describing progress as a cause, not as a goal. None of these prepositions form a standard, natural phrase in this context. Common Pitfalls: Preposition questions often trap students who rely only on literal translations from their first language or who think any preposition can work as long as the sentence feels roughly understandable. In exam passages, however, there is usually a single preposition that truly matches both meaning and idiomatic use. The safest method is to mentally compare with sentences you have seen in good English writing. Phrases like with rapid growth, with increasing awareness and with technological progress are very common, which strongly suggests the same choice here. Final Answer: The correct preposition to complete the sentence is with, giving the phrase However, with rapid progress in technology in other energy sources, that promise has changed.

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