Question 1

Select the antonym of the word "intrinsic" from the following alternatives, choosing the option that best expresses the opposite meaning.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Antonym questions test your understanding of subtle differences between words. The adjective "intrinsic" is widely used in academic, scientific and general English to describe qualities that belong naturally to something. To answer correctly, you must recognise this meaning and then choose the opposite concept. This is important for reading textbooks, exam questions and even business writing where such abstract vocabulary is common. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "intrinsic". Task: choose the antonym (opposite in meaning). Options: elemental, innate, connate, acquired. We assume standard dictionary meanings for all options. Concept / Approach: "Intrinsic" means belonging to something by its very nature; built-in; inherent. For example, "the intrinsic value of honesty" or "an intrinsic property of a material". The opposite idea is something that is not naturally part of something, but is gained or learned from outside. Therefore, we are looking for a word that expresses "not inborn but learned or added later". Among the options, "acquired" has exactly that sense. The method is to compare each option with the definition of intrinsic and see whether it reinforces the meaning (a synonym) or reverses it (an antonym). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "intrinsic" = inherent, natural, essential to the thing itself. Step 2: Examine "elemental". Elemental means basic, fundamental or relating to the basic elements of something. That is very close in flavour to intrinsic, not opposite. Step 3: Examine "innate". Innate means inborn, existing from birth, which again is similar to intrinsic because it describes qualities that belong naturally to a person or thing. Step 4: Examine "connate". Connate means existing naturally since birth or from the beginning; it is another near synonym of innate and intrinsic. Step 5: Examine "acquired". Acquired means gained later, usually by effort, learning or experience. This clearly contrasts with inborn, inherent qualities. Step 6: Conclude that "acquired" is the correct antonym of "intrinsic". Verification / Alternative check: If you look up a thesaurus, common synonyms of intrinsic include inherent, inborn, innate, essential, fundamental. Antonyms generally listed include extrinsic and acquired. While extrinsic is not among the options, "acquired" is, and it fits perfectly as something developed over time instead of being present from the start. This independent check confirms that acquired is the intended answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: elemental: Suggests fundamental or basic, which is conceptually close to intrinsic, not opposite. innate: Means inborn or natural from birth, strongly reinforcing the idea of intrinsic qualities. connate: Also means existing naturally or from birth, another near synonym to intrinsic rather than an antonym. Common Pitfalls: Because three of the four options look and feel similar to "intrinsic", some students mistakenly think the question might be asking for a synonym instead of an antonym and choose one of those. Always read the instruction line carefully: "Select the antonym" means you must search for the word that introduces the opposite concept. Paying attention to small instruction words like "synonym" versus "antonym" is crucial in vocabulary questions. Final Answer: The antonym of "intrinsic" is acquired.

Question 2

In the following sentence, the blank must be filled with a suitable preposition. Select the correct alternative: "Providence smiles ______ those who are diligent."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of standard English prepositional phrases, especially set expressions used in a slightly formal or literary style. The sentence mentions "Providence", a word often used to describe divine care or fate, and asks which preposition completes the idiomatic collocation "smiles ______ those". Correct preposition choice is crucial for sounding natural and accurate in English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: "Providence smiles ______ those who are diligent." We must choose the preposition that fits best in formal English. Options: with, in, upon, over. We assume "Providence" refers to divine guidance or fate favouring people. Concept / Approach: English has several fixed phrases combining "smile" with a preposition: "smile at someone", "fortune smiles upon someone", etc. When we speak about fate or fortune being favourable to a person, the standard expression is "fortune smiles on/upon someone". Since "Providence" is used here much like "fortune", we should recall the idiomatic phrase "smiles upon". The approach is to rely on familiarity with these set expressions rather than literally trying to insert any preposition that seems possible. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the meaning: the sentence states that divine favour (Providence) favours or blesses people who are diligent. Step 2: Recall the idiom "fortune smiles upon the brave" or "fortune smiles on those who take risks". Step 3: Test "with": "Providence smiles with those who are diligent" is not a recognised phrase and sounds unnatural. Step 4: Test "in": "Providence smiles in those who are diligent" is grammatically odd and does not express favour. Step 5: Test "upon": "Providence smiles upon those who are diligent" matches the well known literary pattern and sounds correct. Step 6: Test "over": "Providence smiles over those who are diligent" is not a standard collocation. Step 7: Conclude that "upon" is the correct preposition here. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify by comparing other similar expressions: "Destiny smiled upon him", "Luck smiled upon the team at the last moment." Dictionaries often list examples like "fortune smiles on/upon someone" to indicate that good luck or favourable circumstances come to them. Substituting Providence for fortune does not change the preposition; "upon" remains the natural choice in formal English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: with: We say "smile with joy" when describing how someone smiles, not "smiles with those" when describing favour. in: "Smile in someone" does not make sense in this context; it would require a completely different structure. over: While "rejoice over" or "weep over" are common, "smile over someone" as an idiom for bestowing favour is not standard English. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to overgeneralise from phrases like "laugh at" or "smile at" and assume that any preposition will do. In idiomatic English, many phrases have a fixed form that must be learned as a whole. When the subject is an abstract concept like fortune, luck, or Providence, the phrase "smiles upon" or "smiles on" is strongly preferred and widely used in literature and formal writing. Final Answer: The correct completion is "Providence smiles upon those who are diligent."

Question 3

Select the word with the correct spelling from the following options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling questions are a straightforward but important part of many competitive exams. They test your familiarity with common English words and your ability to spot incorrect letter patterns. Here, you must identify the correctly spelt word among four options, three of which contain deliberate spelling errors. Such questions improve your proofreading skills and help avoid mistakes in formal writing. Given Data / Assumptions: The task is simply: "Select the word with the correct spelling." Options: chaastity, marothon, reasert, toxicity. Each option appears to resemble a real English word. Only one option is correctly spelled; the others contain errors. Concept / Approach: The strategy is to recognise the correct forms of familiar words. The four options approximate "chastity", "marathon", "reassert", and "toxicity". Knowing the correct spelling of these words allows you to eliminate the wrong forms. Because spelling rules in English are irregular, memory and exposure are crucial. You can often spot double letters or misplaced vowels that signal mistakes. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Consider option "chaastity". It looks like a form of "chastity", a word meaning purity. The correct spelling is c h a s t i t y, with only one "a" after "ch". So "chaastity" with double "a" is incorrect. Step 2: Consider option "marothon". This resembles "marathon", the long-distance race. The correct spelling is m a r a t h o n, with "a" after "mar". "Marothon" with an "o" after "mar" is wrong. Step 3: Consider option "reasert". It looks like "reassert". The correct word meaning "state again" is r e a s s e r t, with double "s" in the middle. "Reasert" with one "s" is incorrectly spelled. Step 4: Consider option "toxicity". This word is commonly used in science and everyday English to mean the degree of being toxic or poisonous. The accepted spelling is t o x i c i t y, exactly as given here. Step 5: Conclude that "toxicity" is the only correctly spelled word among the four options. Verification / Alternative check: You can quickly verify by recalling where you may have seen each word. Marathon is frequently used in sports news, spelled as "marathon". Chastity appears in moral or religious texts as "chastity". The prefix "re-" plus the verb "assert" logically gives "reassert" with double "s". Toxicity appears in health advisories and scientific contexts, always spelled "toxicity". Cross-checking each option with known words confirms that only "toxicity" matches its correct form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: chaastity: Incorrect because of the double "a". The real word is "chastity". marothon: Incorrect substitution of "o" for "a" after "mar". The correct spelling is "marathon". reasert: Missing an "s". The verb is "reassert", so its forms must preserve the double "s". Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose the longest or most complicated-looking word, assuming it is correct. Others are tricked by pronunciation and think that the sound of the word directly indicates spelling. English spelling often preserves historical patterns rather than phonetic ones, so regular reading and practice are more reliable than guesswork. In exams, always mentally compare each option with a word you have seen in books, articles or reliable sources. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is toxicity.

Question 4

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the most appropriate alternative: "When I last saw Ravi, he (had been running) to catch his bus."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of English verb tenses, especially how to narrate past events and ongoing actions. The sentence describes what Ravi was doing at the specific moment when the speaker last saw him. Choosing the correct tense makes the time relationship between the two actions clear and natural in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Main sentence: "When I last saw Ravi, he (had been running) to catch his bus." We must decide if "had been running" is correct or if another form expresses the meaning better. Options: ran, was running, had run, no improvement. The time reference "when I last saw Ravi" points to a definite point in the past. Concept / Approach: English often uses the past continuous tense to describe an action that was in progress at a specific time in the past. The structure is "was/were + -ing form". The past perfect continuous "had been running" is used when we emphasise how long an action was happening before another past event. Here, the natural idea is simply that Ravi was in the middle of running at the moment the speaker saw him. Therefore, past continuous "was running" fits best. The approach is to compare the time relationship and choose the tense that most clearly shows an ongoing action at a point in the past. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the two actions: (a) I last saw Ravi (b) he was trying to catch his bus. Step 2: Notice that the seeing happened at one particular moment in the past, and the running was an action in progress at that moment. Step 3: For an action in progress at a specific past time, English uses the past continuous: "he was running". Step 4: Test option "was running": "When I last saw Ravi, he was running to catch his bus." This sounds natural and correct. Step 5: Test option "ran": "he ran to catch his bus" suggests a simple completed action after the seeing, which does not highlight that he was already in motion when seen. Step 6: Test option "had run": implies that his running was completed before the last time the speaker saw him, which conflicts with the intended meaning. Step 7: Evaluate "had been running": this tense emphasises duration before another event, but here the exam style and natural usage favour the simpler past continuous. Step 8: Conclude that "was running" is the best improvement. Verification / Alternative check: Grammar references often use examples like "When I saw him, he was running down the street" to illustrate the past continuous. They reserve the past perfect continuous for contexts such as "He was tired because he had been running for an hour." The exam sentence does not focus on the duration of Ravi's running, only on what he was doing at that moment. This confirms that "was running" is the most appropriate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: ran: Simple past suggests a finished action and does not emphasise that the action was in progress when he was seen. had run: Past perfect indicates a completed action before another past event, which changes the intended sequence of actions. no improvement: "had been running" is grammatically possible but stylistically less natural and not the best choice for the usual exam expectation in such sentences. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overuse complex tenses like past perfect continuous because they appear advanced, even when simpler forms are more natural. Another common error is not noticing the time marker "when I last saw", which signals that we are fixing a particular moment in the past. Always decide which action is ongoing and which is the reference point, then choose past continuous for the ongoing action at that time. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "was running", so the sentence becomes: "When I last saw Ravi, he was running to catch his bus."

Question 5

In the following sentence, some part may have an error. Identify the part with the error, or select "No error" if the sentence is correct: "If you are in the wrong gears (A) / the car won't be (B) / able to climb the hill. (C) / No error (D)".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error-spotting questions test your ability to notice small but important grammatical or usage mistakes in English sentences. This particular sentence talks about driving a car uphill and uses the phrase "in the wrong gears". To answer correctly, you must understand normal English usage for mechanical terms like "gear" and how they are used in such expressions. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is divided into four parts: (A) If you are in the wrong gears (B) the car won't be (C) able to climb the hill. (D) No error. We must find which part contains the grammatical or usage error. The context is operating a car and selecting the right gear. Expressions like "in the wrong gear" are common in English. Concept / Approach: In normal English, when we talk about the setting chosen for a car's transmission, we almost always use the singular "gear" in phrases such as "in the wrong gear" or "in first gear". Even though a car has multiple gears, the driver is only in one gear at a particular moment. Therefore the natural phrase is "in the wrong gear", not "in the wrong gears". The rest of the sentence is grammatically correct, so the error lies in the use of the plural noun in part (A). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read part (A) "If you are in the wrong gears" and check whether it matches standard idiomatic English. Step 2: Recall common expressions: "in the right gear", "in the wrong gear", "change gear". These all use the singular "gear". Step 3: Realise that at any one moment the car is engaged in a single gear, so "gears" is logically and grammatically odd here. Step 4: Examine part (B): "the car won't be". This is fine because it continues into "able to climb the hill". Step 5: Examine part (C): "able to climb the hill." This is grammatically correct and meaningful. Step 6: Having checked all parts, conclude that part (A) contains the error: we should say "If you are in the wrong gear". Verification / Alternative check: You can verify with any English driving manual or standard phrasebook that the usual expression is "drive in the wrong gear" or "be in the wrong gear for the speed or slope". The plural "gears" might be used in a different structure, such as "modern cars have five gears", but not in the positional phrase "in the wrong gear". Therefore, identifying A as the erroneous part matches real-world usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B: "the car won't be" correctly leads into "able to climb the hill", so there is no error here. C: "able to climb the hill" is standard English expressing capability and has no grammatical problem. D: "No error" is wrong because we have clearly identified an error in part A; thus, the sentence is not error-free. Common Pitfalls: Some students overlook small number (singular/plural) mistakes because they focus mainly on tenses or prepositions. Others may be influenced by the fact that cars indeed have several gears and therefore feel that "gears" is logical. However, English often uses singular nouns in fixed expressions where only one option is active at a time. Recognising these patterns is essential for doing well in error-detection questions. Final Answer: The error is in part (A); the correct phrase should be "in the wrong gear".

Question 6

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase "The ball is in your court".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question deals with a very common modern English idiom: "The ball is in your court." It comes from sports vocabulary, particularly tennis and similar games, but is widely used in business, relationships and everyday conversations. Exams often test such idioms because they are frequent in spoken and written English, and non-native speakers must learn their figurative meanings rather than translating them literally. Given Data / Assumptions: Target idiom: "The ball is in your court". We must choose the explanation that best represents its figurative meaning. Options describe different situations: responsibility to act, opportunity, blame, or dilemma. The context suggests a decision point or next step in a process. Concept / Approach: In a tennis match, when the ball is in your half of the court, it is your turn to hit it back. The idiom extends that idea to decisions and responsibilities in life. When someone says "Now the ball is in your court," they mean that it is your responsibility or your turn to take action or make a decision. The approach is to remember this game-based origin and pick the option that reflects "it is now your move" rather than general opportunity, blame or confusion. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualise the image: in a game, each side hits the ball alternately; when the ball lands in your side, you must respond. Step 2: Transfer this image to real life: the idiom is used when someone has presented you with a proposal, offer, or question, and now you must respond or decide. Step 3: Check option (a): "It is up to you to make the next move." This perfectly reflects the idea that you must now act or decide. Step 4: Check option (b): "You have got a fantastic opportunity." Although sometimes the responsibility to act can be a good opportunity, this does not capture the core idiomatic meaning and is too positive and narrow. Step 5: Check option (c): "You will be blamed for crimes that you have not committed." This introduces the idea of unfair blame, which has nothing to do with the idiom. Step 6: Check option (d): "You have been put into a dilemma." A dilemma is a difficult choice between two bad options, but the idiom does not necessarily imply difficulty; it simply indicates whose turn it is to act. Step 7: Conclude that option (a) is the only one that correctly and completely captures the idiomatic meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Standard dictionaries define "the ball is in someone's court" as meaning that it is their responsibility to take action next. Example sentences include "I have done all I can; now the ball is in your court." This clearly matches option (a). Checking multiple sources, including business English examples, confirms that responsibility and the next step are the central ideas of the idiom. Why Other Options Are Wrong: You have got a fantastic opportunity: Overemphasises the positive aspect and ignores the key idea of responsibility and turn-taking. You will be blamed for crimes that you have not committed: Completely unrelated to the metaphor of a game and introduces a wrong theme. You have been put into a dilemma: Suggests confusion and difficulty, but the idiom can apply even when the choice is simple; it only indicates that it is your turn to decide. Common Pitfalls: Students may be tempted by attractive-sounding options that reflect good news ("fantastic opportunity") or dramatic situations ("dilemma"). However, idiom questions demand precise recognition of the established meaning. Remember to ignore emotional tone and focus instead on what the phrases consistently mean in real usage across many contexts. Final Answer: "The ball is in your court" means it is up to you to make the next move.

Question 7

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the most appropriate alternative: "I would love (to availing) a short holiday, and go for an overnight trek."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of correct verb patterns and reflexive usage in English, specifically with the verb "avail". In formal English, "avail" is often used with a reflexive pronoun, especially in the form "avail oneself of something", meaning to make use of an opportunity or resource. The original sentence uses an incorrect form "to availing", which needs to be improved to a grammatically correct and idiomatic structure. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: "I would love (to availing) a short holiday, and go for an overnight trek." We must choose the best replacement for "(to availing)". Options: to avail myself of, to avail of, to avail myself, no improvement. The intended meaning is "I would love to make use of a short holiday." Concept / Approach: In standard formal English, the pattern is "to avail oneself of something". Here, "oneself" changes to "myself" because the subject is "I". The word "of" introduces the thing being used, i.e., "a short holiday". The correct infinitive form is "to avail", not "to availing". Therefore, we need the structure "to avail myself of a short holiday". The approach is to recall this set pattern and then check which option fully matches it. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the error in the original phrase: "to availing" is grammatically wrong because "to" should be followed by the base verb and not the -ing form in this context. Step 2: Recall the standard collocation "to avail oneself of something" meaning to make use of an opportunity. Step 3: Insert the appropriate reflexive pronoun for "I": that pronoun is "myself". Step 4: Include the preposition "of" which links the verb phrase to the object "a short holiday". The complete phrase becomes "to avail myself of a short holiday". Step 5: Compare this full phrase with the options. Step 6: Option (a) "to avail myself of" exactly matches the correct pattern. Step 7: Option (b) "to avail of" is used informally in some varieties of English but is considered less standard and also lacks the reflexive pronoun. Step 8: Option (c) "to avail myself" is incomplete without "of", so it is grammatically unfinished. Step 9: Option (d) "no improvement" cannot be correct because "to availing" is clearly wrong. Verification / Alternative check: Grammar references often provide examples like "Students should avail themselves of the library resources" or "She availed herself of the discount." These confirm that the typical formal structure uses "avail oneself of". Substituting "I" gives "avail myself of", and placing it in the infinitive after "would love" yields "would love to avail myself of a short holiday", which is fully correct and idiomatic. Why Other Options Are Wrong: to avail of: Although heard in some informal speech, it is not the standard, fully correct expression in formal written English and lacks the reflexive pronoun expected in exams. to avail myself: Without "of" and an object, the phrase is grammatically incomplete and leaves the meaning hanging. no improvement: The original "to availing" violates basic infinitive rules and cannot be accepted. Common Pitfalls: Students may be confused by regional variations where "avail of" is used without a reflexive pronoun. However, competitive exams generally follow standard formal British or international English, where "avail oneself of" is preferred. Another error is to focus only on the form of "avail" and forget about the required preposition "of". To avoid these pitfalls, remember the full pattern as a fixed phrase: "to avail oneself of (something)". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "to avail myself of", so the sentence becomes: "I would love to avail myself of a short holiday, and go for an overnight trek."

Question 8

In the following question, a sentence has been given in the Active voice. Out of the four alternatives, select the option which best expresses the same sentence in the Passive voice: "Mariam was writing a note to her boss."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Voice transformation questions require you to convert a sentence from Active to Passive or vice versa without changing the original meaning or tense. The given sentence "Mariam was writing a note to her boss" is in the past continuous tense and Active voice. Your task is to identify the Passive voice form that accurately preserves both the tense and the sense of an action in progress in the past. Given Data / Assumptions: Active voice sentence: "Mariam was writing a note to her boss." Subject: Mariam; Object: a note; Indirect complement: to her boss. The tense is past continuous (was writing). We must choose the Passive voice equivalent from four options. Concept / Approach: To convert a past continuous sentence from Active to Passive: Identify the object in Active voice and make it the subject in Passive voice. Use the correct form of "be" in the same tense (here, past continuous → "was being" or "were being"). Add the past participle of the main verb ("written"). Include "by + agent" if we wish to mention who performed the action (by Mariam). Keep other parts of the sentence (like "to her boss") intact. Thus, "was writing" must transform into "was being written", not simply "was written". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Note the original structure: Subject (Mariam) + was writing (past continuous) + Object (a note) + to her boss. Step 2: Move the object "a note" to the subject position in the Passive voice: "A note ...". Step 3: Preserve the tense: past continuous of "write" in Passive form is "was being written". Step 4: Add the agent phrase: "by Mariam". Step 5: Retain the prepositional phrase "to her boss" at the end. Step 6: Combine all pieces: "A note was being written by Mariam to her boss." Step 7: Compare this result with the given options and see that it matches option (c). Verification / Alternative check: A quick tense check: "was being written" is clearly past continuous Passive because: "was" = past tense of "be". "being" = progressive marker. "written" = past participle of "write". This matches the original progressive aspect of "was writing". If we used "was written", we would be changing the meaning to a simple completed action, losing the idea that the writing process was ongoing at that moment. Therefore, "was being written" is the correct and precise transformation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option (a) "A note was written to her boss by Mariam.": This is in the simple past tense, not past continuous, and suggests the writing was already completed, which changes the aspect of the original sentence. Option (b) "A note was wrote by Mariam to her boss.": Grammatically incorrect because "wrote" is the simple past form; Passive requires the past participle "written". Option (d) "A note was written by Mariam to her boss.": Same problem as option (a), it uses the simple past and ignores the continuous nature of the action. Common Pitfalls: Many students forget to preserve the progressive aspect when changing voice and mistakenly convert all sentences into simple past or simple present. Another common error is confusing past tense with past participle, using forms like "was wrote". To avoid these mistakes, always: Identify the original tense and aspect. Use "be" in the same tense + "being" if the original is continuous. Use the correct past participle for the main verb. Final Answer: The correct Passive voice form is "A note was being written by Mariam to her boss."

Question 9

Select the synonym of the word "incinerate" from the following alternatives.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary question focuses on the verb "incinerate", a word often used in environmental science, waste management and news reports. Understanding it helps you read about topics like garbage disposal, pollution and industrial processes. The task is to choose the synonym, that is, the word closest in meaning to "incinerate". Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: "incinerate". Options: parch, moderate, ignite, quench. We must pick the option nearest in meaning for standard English usage. Context suggests fire, burning or heat processes. Concept / Approach: "Incinerate" means to burn something completely until it is reduced to ashes, especially in a controlled facility called an incinerator. It is therefore closely connected to the idea of setting on fire and burning thoroughly. Among the options, "ignite" means to set something on fire or cause it to begin burning. While "ignite" focuses on the starting of the fire and "incinerate" on burning something up, they are the closest pair in meaning. The strategy is to recall these definitions and then exclude words that mean drying, calming, or extinguishing. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that "incinerate" = to burn something completely, often as a method of waste disposal. Step 2: Consider "parch". Parch means to dry out by heat or sun, as in "parched land". It does not necessarily imply burning to ashes. Step 3: Consider "moderate". This means to make something less extreme or reduce its intensity. It has no relation to fire. Step 4: Consider "ignite". Ignite means to set something on fire, to kindle or start burning. Step 5: Consider "quench". Quench means to extinguish or put out a fire, the opposite of lighting it. Step 6: Recognise that "ignite" is the only option associated positively with starting a fire, which is conceptually closest to incinerating something. Step 7: Conclude that "ignite" is the correct synonym for the purpose of this question. Verification / Alternative check: Dictionaries define "incinerate" as "destroy something, especially waste material, by burning". "Ignite" is defined as "to set fire to; to kindle". While "incinerate" emphasises the end result of reducing something to ashes, the key process still requires ignition and burning. In exam settings, "ignite" is accepted as the closest synonym among the given choices. The other three options point away from the burning process itself. Why Other Options Are Wrong: parch: Refers mainly to drying out due to heat or lack of water. A parched field may be very dry but not necessarily burned. moderate: Means to lessen or control intensity, often used about temperature, opinions or behaviour, not burning. quench: Means to put out a fire or satisfy thirst. It is effectively opposite to starting or maintaining a fire. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may be tempted by "parch" because it involves heat and dryness, but it stops short of the strong idea of burning to ash. Others might be misled into overthinking and searching for a perfect one-to-one meaning match. In exam questions, you often need to choose the "nearest" meaning present among the options, not an ideal theoretical match. Recognising that both incinerate and ignite are part of the burning process is enough to guide you to the correct answer. Final Answer: The synonym of "incinerate" among the options given is ignite.

Question 10

Select the word with the correct spelling from the following options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your ability to identify standard English spelling among several similar-looking words. Spelling accuracy is important not only in exams, but also in professional emails, reports and competitive writing tasks. Here, three of the options contain deliberate spelling errors, and you must select the one correctly spelled word. Given Data / Assumptions: Instruction: "Select the word with the correct spelling." Options: snatched, litigat, abhored, variabely. All four options look like real English words or close to them. Only one matches its dictionary spelling. Concept / Approach: The four options appear to be based on "snatched", "litigate", "abhorred", and "variably". The approach is to recognise the correctly formed word and eliminate those that show clear omissions or wrong letters. Regular exposure to written English helps you build a mental image of common words. Comparing each option to that mental dictionary will reveal which one is correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine "snatched". This is the past tense form of "snatch", meaning to grab quickly. Correct spelling is s n a t c h e d. The option exactly matches this form. Step 2: Examine "litigat". It appears to be a truncated version of "litigate", which means to bring a lawsuit. Correct spellings would be "litigate" or "litigated", not "litigat". Missing the final "e" or "ed" indicates incorrect spelling. Step 3: Examine "abhored". This seems based on "abhorred", which is the past tense and past participle of "abhor". The correct form has a double "r": a b h o r r e d. Here, "abhored" lacks one "r" and so is wrong. Step 4: Examine "variabely". It looks like "variably", an adverb from "variable". The correct spelling is v a r i a b l y, without an extra "e" before "l". "Variabely" contains a misplaced "e" and is incorrect. Step 5: Conclude that "snatched" is the only correctly spelled word. Verification / Alternative check: You can verify quickly by recalling typical usage. "Snatched" appears regularly in news or stories ("The thief snatched her bag.") and always uses this spelling. Looking at dictionaries or spell-check tools will show that "litigat", "abhored", and "variabely" are flagged as incorrect, while "snatched" passes without error. This confirms our selection. Why Other Options Are Wrong: litigat: Incomplete verb; missing final "e". Correct is "litigate". abhored: Incorrect because "abhor" doubles the "r" in the past form: "abhorred". variabely: The extra "e" breaks the normal pattern. The correct adverb is "variably". Common Pitfalls: Examinees sometimes assume that the more complex word must be correct, or they are misled by pronunciation and guess that more vowels are needed. English spelling does not always follow a simple sound-letter rule, so relying on sound alone can mislead you. Regular reading and notice of how words are spelled in authentic texts is the best way to avoid such traps. In an exam, compare each option with a word form you genuinely recognise rather than choosing by length or appearance alone. Final Answer: The correctly spelled word is snatched.

Question 11

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the single word which is the best substitute for the given phrase: "To harass someone persistently to do something."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One-word substitution questions test your ability to condense a longer definition or phrase into a single precise English word. This is a valuable skill for concise writing and for understanding advanced vocabulary in newspapers, essays and literature. Here, the phrase given is "To harass someone persistently to do something." We must choose the option that accurately captures this meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: "To harass someone persistently to do something." Options: Iconoclast, Dote, Neurotic, Importune. We need a verb that fits the definition, not a noun describing a type of person, unless the exam uses verbal sense as well. The key ideas are "harass", "persistently", and "to do something". Concept / Approach: The verb "importune" means to ask someone pressingly and persistently for or to do something, often to the point of annoyance or harassment. The other options do not carry this meaning at all: "iconoclast" is a person who attacks traditional beliefs, "dote" refers to being excessively fond of someone, and "neurotic" relates to a kind of anxious psychological state. The method is to match the exact nuance of repeated, bothersome requests to the right word. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the essential elements of the phrase: repeated pressure, harassment, and trying to make someone do something. Step 2: Consider "Iconoclast". An iconoclast is a person who breaks or attacks cherished beliefs or institutions. There is no idea of persistently asking someone to do something. Step 3: Consider "Dote". To dote on someone means to be extremely and often foolishly fond of them, not to harass them. Step 4: Consider "Neurotic". This adjective or noun refers to a person suffering from a neurosis, which is a mild mental disorder involving anxiety. It does not describe the act of pressuring someone else. Step 5: Consider "Importune". To importune means to demand or beg with urgency or persistence, often in a nagging way that annoys the other person. Step 6: Match "importune" with the phrase "to harass someone persistently to do something" and see that it fits exactly in meaning. Step 7: Conclude that "Importune" is the correct one-word substitute. Verification / Alternative check: Checking a reliable dictionary, "importune" is defined as "to ask (someone) pressingly and persistently for or to do something". Many example sentences show a sense of nuisance or harassment, such as "Reporters importuned him with questions." This perfectly mirrors the phrase in the question, confirming that "importune" is the intended answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Iconoclast: A noun describing a person who attacks established beliefs, which is conceptually unrelated to persistently urging someone to act. Dote: A verb indicating loving someone to excess, without any sense of pressure or harassment. Neurotic: An adjective or noun relating to a mental condition characterised by anxiety. It does not describe the act of bothering others with persistent requests. Common Pitfalls: Some students might be attracted to unfamiliar or impressive-looking words like "iconoclast" or "neurotic" simply because they sound advanced. However, advanced vocabulary must still match the meaning exactly. The safest strategy in one-word substitution questions is to carefully break the phrase into key ideas and check which word fits all of them, not just one. Here, only "importune" covers "harass", "persistently", and "to do something". Final Answer: The best one-word substitute for the phrase is Importune.

Question 12

In the following sentence, the blank must be filled with a suitable preposition. Select the correct alternative: "The baby looked ________ the toffee with greedy eyes."

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Introduction / Context: This is a preposition question testing your familiarity with common verb-preposition combinations in English. The sentence describes a baby directing its gaze toward a toffee, emphasising the way it looked at the sweet. Choosing the correct preposition is essential for sounding natural and grammatically correct. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: "The baby looked ________ the toffee with greedy eyes." Options: upon, into, on, at. The verb is "looked" and the object of gaze is "the toffee". We assume ordinary physical looking, not metaphorical meanings. Concept / Approach: In English, when we talk about directing our eyes towards something, we most often use the phrase "look at" followed by an object: "look at the sky", "look at the picture". Some prepositions like "into" and "upon" are also used with "look", but they change the nuance sharply ("look into" means investigate, "look upon" can mean consider in a certain way). For a simple description of a baby's gaze, the standard collocation is "looked at the toffee". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the basic meaning: the baby is directing its eyes towards the toffee, probably wanting to eat it. Step 2: Recall the normal expression: "look at something" for simply observing it. Step 3: Test "upon": "looked upon the toffee" sounds archaic and more like viewing something with an attitude, not just staring greedily at food. Step 4: Test "into": "looked into the toffee" would mean examining the inside of something or metaphorically investigating, which is clearly wrong here. Step 5: Test "on": "looked on the toffee" is not idiomatic; we generally say "looked on" meaning "watched as a bystander", usually followed by a different structure. Step 6: Test "at": "looked at the toffee with greedy eyes" perfectly expresses the idea and follows standard English usage. Step 7: Conclude that "at" is the correct preposition. Verification / Alternative check: Examples from everyday English confirm this pattern: "The child looked at the toy", "She looked at the cake longingly", "They looked at the painting in silence." All use "look at" to show gaze directed towards an object. In grammar guides, "look at" is listed as the default pattern for visual attention. This supports "at" as the only suitable choice among the options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: upon: "Look upon" is more literary and often used metaphorically, as in "look upon him as a friend"; it does not fit a simple description of staring at food. into: "Look into" means investigate or examine a matter, for example, "look into the problem", not gaze at a visible object. on: "Look on" is used in phrases like "look on with interest" or "look on while others work", not "look on an object". Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes overcomplicate such questions by searching for unusual meanings of prepositions instead of trusting their sense of normal usage. Another issue is direct translation from mother tongues, which may use different prepositions. To avoid these mistakes, try to recall actual English sentences you have read or heard, and lean towards the simplest, most common collocation when describing everyday actions like looking at an object. Final Answer: The correct preposition is "at", so the sentence should read: "The baby looked at the toffee with greedy eyes."

Question 13

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the single word which is the best substitute for the phrase "A short statement expressing a general truth."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One-word substitution exercises help you build a strong vocabulary and express complex ideas in a compact way. The phrase given here describes a type of statement that expresses a general truth or rule of conduct. Such statements are widely used in philosophy, moral teachings and everyday sayings. You must select the word that precisely represents this concept. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: "A short statement expressing a general truth." Options: Maxim, Infer, Drum, Pander. We need a noun referring to a concise general truth, not a verb or an unrelated object. We assume standard dictionary definitions for all options. Concept / Approach: The word "maxim" refers to a brief statement that expresses a general truth or a rule of conduct, for example "Honesty is the best policy." Other similar words include proverb, aphorism, and adage, but among the options here, "maxim" is the one that fits perfectly. The approach is to compare each option with this definition and eliminate those that clearly belong to different word families or meanings. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise the phrase describes something like a proverb or aphorism: a short, wise saying about life. Step 2: Examine option "Maxim". A maxim is defined as a short, pithy statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct. Step 3: Examine option "Infer". Infer is a verb meaning to draw a conclusion from evidence, not a noun naming a type of statement. Step 4: Examine option "Drum". A drum is a musical instrument or object, completely unrelated to general truths or statements. Step 5: Examine option "Pander". Pander is a verb meaning to indulge or satisfy someone's lower desires, again not related to concise truths. Step 6: Since only "Maxim" matches the concept and grammatical form needed, select it as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: Checking a dictionary, "maxim" is defined as "a short statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for behaviour." Example: "He lives by the maxim that one should treat others as one wishes to be treated." The phrase in the question—"a short statement expressing a general truth"—aligns almost word for word with this definition, confirming that "maxim" is the correct choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Infer: A verb meaning to conclude from evidence; it refers to a mental process, not a type of statement. Drum: A concrete noun naming an instrument; it has no conceptual link to general truths or rules. Pander: A verb meaning to cater to or gratify someone's weaknesses; it is unrelated to the idea of moral or general truths. Common Pitfalls: Because "maxim" is less frequently used than "proverb", some candidates may be uncertain of its meaning and avoid it. Others might not pay attention to the part of speech and mistakenly choose a familiar verb instead of the required noun. Always ensure that the grammatical category (noun, verb, adjective) matches what the phrase demands, and where the phrasing in the question closely mirrors a dictionary definition, treat that as a strong clue. Final Answer: The best one-word substitute is Maxim.

Question 14

Rearrange the given parts of the sentence to form a coherent and grammatically correct sentence: "It is a truth universally P-acknowledged that a single Q-man in possession of a good R-fortune must be in want of a wife." Select the correct order of …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This rearrangement question is based on the famous opening line of Jane Austen's novel "Pride and Prejudice". Such questions test your understanding of sentence structure, logical flow and the relationship between different parts of a sentence. You must place the jumbled parts P, Q and R in the correct order so that the overall sentence reads smoothly and meaningfully. Given Data / Assumptions: Fixed beginning: "It is a truth universally" Part P: "acknowledged that a single" Part Q: "man in possession of a good" Part R: "fortune must be in want of a wife" We must decide the correct order of P, Q, R after the fixed beginning. Concept / Approach: A grammatically correct English sentence must preserve proper phrase order and meaning. The phrase "It is a truth universally acknowledged" is complete in itself. After that, we expect a clause that explains what this truth is: "that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." To build this clause, the words "a single" must be followed by a noun ("man"), and that noun needs to be completed by a phrase describing him ("in possession of a good fortune"). The approach is to arrange the parts so that these natural grammatical links are preserved. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the fixed segment: "It is a truth universally". This must be followed by a past participle to complete the phrase "universally acknowledged". Step 2: Notice that part P begins with "acknowledged that a single". This fits perfectly: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single ...". Step 3: After "a single", we require a noun to specify what is single. Part Q starts with "man in possession of a good", which completes "a single man" and begins the description of him. Step 4: So far we have "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good ...". Step 5: Part R, "fortune must be in want of a wife", completes the noun phrase "a good fortune" and continues the clause: "must be in want of a wife". Step 6: Combining them in the order P → Q → R gives: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Step 7: Therefore, the correct sequence of parts is PQR, which corresponds to option (b). Verification / Alternative check: We can verify by quickly checking the other sequences: QRP: "It is a truth universally man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife acknowledged that a single" clearly breaks the structure and leaves phrases hanging. RPQ: Starting the continuation with "fortune must be in want of a wife" after "truth universally" is grammatically impossible. QPR: "It is a truth universally man in possession of a good acknowledged that a single fortune must be in want of a wife" also disrupts logical order and divides phrases incorrectly. Thus, only PQR forms a well-known, grammatically correct sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: QRP: Begins the continuation with "man", which must be introduced by "a single" first; also postpones "acknowledged" to the end and breaks the phrase "truth universally acknowledged". RPQ: Starts with "fortune must be in want of a wife", which cannot directly follow "truth universally". It leaves "acknowledged" and "a single man" stranded later. QPR: Separates "acknowledged" from "truth universally", producing an unnatural sequence that is neither grammatically correct nor meaningful. Common Pitfalls: Students may recognise the famous sentence but still get confused by the labels P, Q and R, especially under time pressure. Another common mistake is to focus only on meaning and ignore grammatical ties, such as the need for an adjective ("single") to be directly followed by the noun it qualifies ("man"). A systematic approach—first forming known fixed phrases, then ensuring that each word group logically leads into the next—helps avoid these errors. Final Answer: The correct order of the parts is PQR, giving: "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife."

Question 15

Rearrange the parts of the following sentence into a meaningful and grammatically correct order.  Your absence has P – gone through me, Q – through a needle, R – like thread.  Choose the correct sequence of P, Q and R to form the complete sentence.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question on sentence rearrangement tests the learner's understanding of English sentence structure and idiomatic expressions. The sentence contains the well-known simile “like thread through a needle”. To answer correctly, the learner must recognise the idiom and place the parts P, Q and R in a logical order so that the sentence reads smoothly and conveys the intended emotional meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: The fixed part is “Your absence has …”. P: “gone through me” Q: “through a needle” R: “like thread” The final sentence should be grammatically correct and meaningful. The familiar idiom is “like thread through a needle”. Concept / Approach: The core concept is understanding idiomatic English and natural word order. In English, similes often follow the pattern “like X through Y”. Here, “like thread through a needle” is a fixed and recognisable phrase. We first attach the correct verb phrase to the subject “Your absence has”, then complete the simile in the correct order. The aim is to see which order of P, R and Q produces this idiomatic pattern while keeping verb and object placement correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the fixed part “Your absence has …”. The only phrase that can logically follow is P: “gone through me”, giving “Your absence has gone through me …”. Step 2: Recognise the known simile “like thread through a needle”. This simile must appear as “like thread” (R) followed by “through a needle” (Q). Step 3: Place R before Q to preserve the simile: “like thread through a needle”. Step 4: Combine everything: “Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle.” This corresponds to the order P–R–Q, which is shown as PRQ. Step 5: Check that this full sentence is grammatically correct, emotionally expressive, and uses a natural English idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Try the other sequences quickly. “PQR” would give “Your absence has gone through me through a needle like thread”, which breaks the idiom and sounds awkward. “QPR” and “RPQ” both try to begin the completion with “through a needle” or “like thread”, which cannot directly follow “Your absence has”. They are therefore ungrammatical and unidiomatic. Only PRQ reproduces the conventional phrase “like thread through a needle”, so PRQ is the unique correct sequence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option PQR: Places “through a needle” after “gone through me”, leading to “… gone through me through a needle like thread”, which is clumsy and destroys the simile. Option QPR: Begins the completion with “through a needle”, which cannot logically or grammatically follow “Your absence has”. Option RPQ: Starts with “like thread” after “Your absence has”, again disrupting normal word order and leaving “gone through me” in the wrong place. Common Pitfalls: Many learners focus only on local grammar and ignore idiomatic usage, so they may choose an order that is technically possible but not natural. Another common mistake is to ignore the simile as a fixed chunk and to break “like thread through a needle” into pieces placed incorrectly. Some candidates rush and select the first option that sounds vaguely acceptable without checking all possibilities against known English expressions. Final Answer: The correct sequence is PRQ, giving the sentence “Your absence has gone through me like thread through a needle.”

Question 16

In the following sentence, identify the part that contains an error in standard English grammar. If there is no error, choose the option “No error”.  This is the sportsperson whom I think has won the much coveted prize.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is an error-spotting question that tests knowledge of relative pronouns, especially the difference between “who” and “whom” in complex sentences. In competitive English exams, recognising the grammatical role of the relative pronoun within the clause is very important. The sentence contains an embedded clause after “I think”, and the learner must decide whether “who” or “whom” is appropriate in formal standard English. Given Data / Assumptions: Complete sentence: “This is the sportsperson whom I think has won the much coveted prize.” Part (A): “This is the sportsperson” Part (B): “whom I think has won” Part (C): “the much coveted prize.” Part (D): “No error” We follow standard formal English usage as required in exams. Concept / Approach: The key grammar concept is that “who” is used as a subject and “whom” as an object. To choose between them, we must look at the clause where the pronoun functions. In the sentence “This is the sportsperson who I think has won…”, the clause inside is “who has won”. Here, the relative pronoun is the subject of the verb “has won”. Even though “I think” is inserted, the underlying structure is “This is the sportsperson who has won the prize, I think.” Therefore the subject form “who” is required, not the object form “whom”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Isolate the main clause: “This is the sportsperson …” which is grammatically correct. Step 2: Examine the relative clause: “whom I think has won the much coveted prize.” Ignore “I think” momentarily to see the core structure. Step 3: Rewrite mentally as “This is the sportsperson who has won the much coveted prize, I think.” Here, “who” is clearly the subject of “has won”. Step 4: Since the pronoun functions as subject, the correct relative pronoun is “who”, not “whom”. Step 5: Therefore the error lies in part (B), which incorrectly uses “whom”. The corrected sentence is: “This is the sportsperson who I think has won the much coveted prize.” Verification / Alternative check: Check part (A): “This is the sportsperson” is a normal demonstrative + noun phrase construction. No error. Check part (C): “the much coveted prize” is a correct noun phrase: article + intensifier + participle + noun. Only part (B) contains the wrong form of the relative pronoun, confirming that (B) is the only erroneous segment. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: Contains only the subject and complement “This is the sportsperson”. The structure is correct. Option C: The phrase “the much coveted prize” is appropriate and idiomatic, with correct adjective order. Option D: “No error” is wrong because we have clearly identified the misuse of “whom” in part (B). Common Pitfalls: Many learners think that “whom” always sounds more formal and therefore more correct, so they overuse it even where “who” is required. The inserted phrase “I think” confuses the analysis, because candidates may treat “whom” as the object of “think”. In fact, the real object of “think” is the entire clause, and the pronoun remains subject of “has won”. Another common mistake is not reconstructing the underlying clause and therefore missing the subject–verb relationship. Final Answer: The error is in part B. The sentence should read: “This is the sportsperson who I think has won the much coveted prize.”

Question 17

Convert the following direct speech sentence into indirect speech (reported speech) in standard English:  Abhay said to Veena, "Are you coming to the Reception?"

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests transformation of a yes/no question from direct speech into indirect (reported) speech. The learner must pay attention to the reporting verb, the change in word order, the appropriate conjunction (if or whether), and the sequence of tenses. The sentence is a simple present continuous question spoken in the past, reported by a past reporting verb “said”. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “Abhay said to Veena, 'Are you coming to the Reception?'” Reporting verb: “said to” which usually becomes “asked” for a question. The question is a yes/no type, not a wh-question. We follow normal rules of backshifting tense in reported speech. The Reception is a specific event and is kept as “the Reception”. Concept / Approach: When converting a direct yes/no question into reported speech, the main steps are: change “said to” into “asked”, remove the question mark, use the conjunction “if” or “whether”, change the word order from question form to statement form, and adjust the tense according to the sequence of tenses rule. Since the reporting verb “said” is in the past, the present continuous “are you coming” generally changes to past continuous “she was coming”, while pronouns are adjusted from “you” to “she”. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Change the reporting verb: “said to” becomes “asked” because a question is being reported: “Abhay asked Veena …”. Step 2: Introduce the connector for a yes/no question: use “if” or “whether”. Both are acceptable, but we must also maintain correct tense. We will work with “if”: “Abhay asked Veena if …”. Step 3: Convert the question “Are you coming to the Reception?” into a statement word order. Change “Are you coming” to “she was coming”. Step 4: Apply backshift of tense because of the past reporting verb. Present continuous “are coming” becomes past continuous “was coming”. Step 5: Replace “you” with “she” (Veena) and remove the question mark: “Abhay asked Veena if she was coming to the Reception.” Verification / Alternative check: Check option (c): “Abhay asked Veena if she was coming to the Reception.” This uses “asked”, the conjunction “if”, correct backshift from “are coming” to “was coming”, and correct pronoun change. Confirm that the sentence is in statement order (subject before verb) and no question mark remains. All rules are satisfied. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: “Abhay told Veena if she was coming to the Reception.” The verb “told” is not normally used with “if” to introduce a question; “asked” is required. Option B: “if she will be coming” keeps future meaning, but the original was present continuous. With a past reporting verb, we expect a shift to “was coming”, not “will be coming”. Option D: “whether she is coming” keeps present continuous tense “is coming” after a past reporting verb, which breaks the usual sequence of tenses rule in such neutral context. Common Pitfalls: Candidates often forget to change “said to” into “asked” when reporting questions. Another mistake is to retain question word order (“if was she coming”) instead of changing into statement order. Learners sometimes do not apply backshift consistently or over-backshift in cases where it is not needed. Here, standard exam grammar expects “was coming”. Final Answer: The correct reported speech sentence is “Abhay asked Veena if she was coming to the Reception.”

Question 18

In the following passage, one word has been left out and replaced by a blank. Read the passage carefully and select the option that best completes the sentence.  In view of last year's H1N1 attack and prevailing ____________ weather conditions, the …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question is based on a cloze passage about public health and seasonal flu (H1N1). The missing word describes the weather conditions that may influence the activity of the virus. The learner must choose the option that fits both meaning and formal newspaper-style English, rather than relying only on literal dictionary meanings. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: “In view of last year's H1N1 attack and prevailing ____________ weather conditions, the health department officials expect that the virus will turn more active by January end.” Options: “erratic”, “weird”, “dicey”, “unstable”. Context: news reporting, formal tone, discussion of seasonal or climatic patterns that influence disease transmission. We assume the passage comes from a standard English news article. Concept / Approach: The main concept is vocabulary in context. The correct word must collocate naturally with “weather conditions” and sound appropriate in a formal health report. “Erratic weather conditions” is a common collocation in newspapers, meaning that the weather is unpredictable or variable. Other options either sound informal, colloquial, or unnatural when paired with “weather conditions”. Choosing correctly depends on knowledge of common English collocations and register (formal vs informal usage). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine each option with the phrase “weather conditions”. Step 2: “Erratic weather conditions” is a very common phrase meaning irregular or unpredictable weather, which can easily affect disease spread. Step 3: “Weird weather conditions” sounds informal and journalistic in a casual way, not typical of formal health department language. Step 4: “Dicey weather conditions” is slang-like; “dicey” means risky or uncertain, but it does not usually collocate with “weather conditions” in serious news writing. Step 5: “Unstable weather conditions” is possible, but “unstable” is more often used for political situations or markets; “erratic” is the more standard adjective in this specific context. Step 6: Therefore, “erratic” best fits both meaning and style, giving “prevailing erratic weather conditions”. Verification / Alternative check: Re-read the whole sentence with the chosen word: “In view of last year's H1N1 attack and prevailing erratic weather conditions, the health department officials expect that the virus will turn more active by January end.” The sentence now sounds like authentic newspaper English: logical, formal, and idiomatic. Replacing “erratic” with any other option either makes the tone too casual or the collocation unnatural, confirming that “erratic” is the best choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (weird): “Weird weather conditions” sounds conversational and does not suit the serious, technical tone of a health department statement. Option C (dicey): “Dicey” is colloquial and suggests risk rather than irregularity; it rarely collocates with “weather conditions” in formal writing. Option D (unstable): While “unstable weather” could be understood, the standard and frequent expression in news-style English is “erratic weather conditions”, making “unstable” less appropriate. Common Pitfalls: Learners may focus only on dictionary meanings and ignore the formal register of the passage. Some may choose “unstable” simply because it seems technical, without checking real-life usage patterns. Others may be tempted by “weird” or “dicey” because they sound dramatic, but exam passages usually prefer neutral, formal vocabulary. Final Answer: The blank should be filled with “erratic”, giving the phrase “prevailing erratic weather conditions”.

Question 19

In the following passage, one word has been left out and replaced by a blank. Read the passage carefully and select the option that best completes the sentence.  In view of last year's H1N1 attack and prevailing erratic weather conditions, the healt…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This cloze passage question checks both tense agreement and subject–verb agreement in a journalistic context. The sentence describes current thinking of health department officials based on last year's H1N1 attack and the present weather. The learner must choose the verb form that correctly matches the plural subject “officials” and fits the overall time reference of the passage. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: “In view of last year's H1N1 attack and prevailing erratic weather conditions, the health department officials ____________ that the virus will turn more active by January end.” Subject: “the health department officials” (plural). Options: “expect”, “expects”, “were expecting”, “are expecting”. The clause “will turn more active” refers to a future possibility, but the statement itself is given as a general present report. Concept / Approach: We need a verb that agrees with the plural noun “officials” and expresses their present assessment. In formal news writing, present simple is commonly used to state general expectations or predictions, especially in reported summaries: “officials expect that…”. The present continuous “are expecting” sometimes suggests an ongoing process, while “were expecting” would refer to the past. “Expects” with -s would agree with a singular subject, so it is not correct here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject of the verb: “the health department officials” is clearly plural. Step 2: Eliminate “expects” because the -s form is used only with a singular subject in the present simple (he/she/it expects). Step 3: Consider the time frame. The reference to “last year's attack” is background information, but the clause “will turn more active by January end” describes what they currently believe about the future. Step 4: Present simple “expect” is the standard choice for expressing general expectations: “officials expect that the virus will turn more active …”. Step 5: “Were expecting” would put the expectation in the past, which contradicts the sense that they are making a present prediction. “Are expecting” is grammatically possible but less idiomatic than the neutral present simple “expect” in this reporting style. Verification / Alternative check: Insert “expect”: “the health department officials expect that the virus will turn more active by January end.” This reads exactly like standard news reporting. Check if any other option fits better. “Are expecting that the virus will turn more active” sounds slightly awkward and is not the usual collocation with “officials” in formal articles. Thus, “expect” is both grammatically correct and stylistically appropriate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (expects): Does not agree with the plural subject “officials”. It would be correct only with a singular subject such as “the department expects”. Option C (were expecting): Past continuous, suggesting a previous expectation which may have changed; this does not match the present report of what they now think. Option D (are expecting): Grammatically possible but less natural in formal news style, where simple present “expect” is favoured for general statements. Common Pitfalls: Learners often focus on the nearest noun, such as “department”, and incorrectly use singular verb forms. Some candidates overuse continuous tenses (“are expecting”) even when simple present is more appropriate for general truths or institutional views. Failure to match the style of news reporting can lead to choosing verbs that sound technically correct but not idiomatic for exam passages. Final Answer: The correct choice is “expect”, giving “the health department officials expect that the virus will turn more active by January end.”

Question 20

In the following passage, one word has been left out and replaced by a blank. Read the passage carefully and select the option that best completes the sentence.  In-charge, Integrated Disease ____________ Programme (IDSP), Dr Shah, said, “Virus is s…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks awareness of standard terminology used in public health programmes. The acronym “IDSP” stands for a specific national health initiative. The learner must associate the correct word with the given acronym and context, rather than guessing purely from meaning. Such questions are common in general knowledge sections that intersect with English usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Fragment: “In-charge, Integrated Disease ____________ Programme (IDSP), Dr Shah …” Acronym: IDSP. Options: management, control, surveillance, eradication. We assume familiarity with common health programme names used in India and globally. Concept / Approach: IDSP is widely known as the “Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme.” The word “surveillance” in public health does not mean spying in a negative sense; it refers to systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of health data for planning and response. Therefore, the missing word must be “surveillance”. Other options, while related to health (management, control, eradication), do not match the established name of the programme and would make the acronym IDSP incorrect. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Expand the acronym IDSP. In Indian public health, IDSP officially stands for “Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme”. Step 2: Check which of the options corresponds to the word “Surveillance”. Options list “management”, “control”, “surveillance”, “eradication”. Step 3: Replace the blank with “surveillance”: “Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)”. This now aligns perfectly with the acronym. Step 4: Confirm that the other words would create wrong expansions such as “Integrated Disease Management Programme”, which is not the recognised name. Step 5: Therefore, “surveillance” is the only correct and contextually accurate option. Verification / Alternative check: Verify that the expression “Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)” matches known health-literature usage. Check internal logic: the purpose of IDSP is to monitor and track disease patterns, which is exactly what “surveillance” means in epidemiology. Using “management”, “control”, or “eradication” would change the official title and conflict with the given acronym. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (management): Disease management refers to treatment and handling of cases, but there is no official “Integrated Disease Management Programme (IDMP)” in this context. Option B (control): “Disease control programme” is a generic phrase, but the given acronym IDSP does not expand to “Integrated Disease Control Programme”. Option D (eradication): Eradication means complete elimination of a disease, which is a different goal and again does not match the real name of IDSP. Common Pitfalls: Candidates who are unfamiliar with the acronym may choose a word purely by meaning, such as “control” or “management”. Some learners misunderstand “surveillance” as only a security-related term and fail to recognise its technical use in health contexts. Ignoring the acronym in brackets is another mistake; the question deliberately provides IDSP as a clue to the correct expansion. Final Answer: The blank must be filled with “surveillance”, giving “Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP)”.

English Questions