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Past Questions
What is the minimum age required to be a member of the Lok Sabha?
A)
25 years
B)
30 years
C)
35 years
D)
18 years
According to Article 84 of the Constitution of India, the qualifications for membership of Parliament are specified. For the Lok Sabha (the Lower House), the minimum age required to contest elections and become a member is 25 years.
Analysis of other options:
- Option b (30 years): This is the minimum age required to become a member of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House).
- Option c (35 years): This is the minimum age required to be eligible for the office of the President or Vice-President of India.
- Option d (18 years): This is the minimum age required to be a registered voter (universal adult suffrage) in India, but not to contest elections for the Lok Sabha.
What is the largest organ in the human body?
A)
Heart
B)
Liver
C)
Brain
D)
Skin
The human body's organs are categorized as either internal or external. The skin is the largest organ of the body overall, covering the entire external surface and acting as a protective barrier. In an average adult, the skin accounts for approximately 15% of total body weight.
Analysis of other options:
- a. Heart: A muscular organ responsible for pumping blood, but significantly smaller than the skin.
- b. Liver: This is the largest INTERNAL organ, but it is smaller than the skin when considering the body as a whole.
- c. Brain: A complex organ for nervous system control, but not the largest in terms of size or mass.
The President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of-
A)
Only members of Lok Sabha
B)
Members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
C)
Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States
D)
Members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States
According to Article 54 of the Constitution of India, the President is elected by an Electoral College. This college consists of:
1. The elected members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
2. The elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States (including the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Puducherry).
Analysis of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because it excludes the Rajya Sabha and State Assemblies.
- Option (b) is incorrect because it excludes the State Legislative Assemblies.
- Option (c) is incorrect because it excludes the members of Parliament.
- Option (d) is correct as it encompasses all the constituent parts of the Electoral College as defined by the Constitution.
The credit for Integrating the Princely States into the Union goes to
A)
Mahatma Gandhi
B)
Jawaharlal Nehru
C)
Sardar Vallabhai Patel
D)
Raja Rammohan Roy
The integration of the Princely States into the Indian Union after independence in 1947 was a monumental task. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, as the first Home Minister of India and the Minister of States, played the pivotal role in this process. Along with V.P. Menon, he used a combination of diplomatic persuasion, political pressure, and, in some cases (like Hyderabad), military action to convince over 560 princely states to join the Indian Union. For his leadership in unifying the country, he is widely known as the 'Iron Man of India' and the 'Unifier of India'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Mahatma Gandhi: While he was the spiritual and political leader of the independence movement, he was not involved in the administrative and diplomatic negotiations for the integration of states.
- Jawaharlal Nehru: Although he was the Prime Minister and supported the process, the primary responsibility and execution of the integration strategy lay with Sardar Patel.
- Raja Rammohan Roy: He is known as the 'Father of the Indian Renaissance' and lived in the early 19th century, long before the events of 1947.
Which amendment of the Constitution of India is known as mini-constitution?
A)
Constitution Forty-First Amendment Act, 1976
B)
Constitution Forty-Second Amendment Act, 1976
C)
Constitution Forty-Third Amendment Act, 1977
D)
Constitution Forty-Fourth Amendment Act, 1978
The 42nd Amendment Act of 1976 is widely referred to as the 'Mini-Constitution' because it brought about the most comprehensive changes to the Constitution of India since its inception. It was enacted during the Emergency period under the government of Indira Gandhi. Key changes included: 1) Adding the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble. 2) Introducing Fundamental Duties (Part IV-A) via Article 51A. 3) Increasing the powers of the judiciary's review and changing the tenure of the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies. Due to the sheer volume and variety of changes across different parts of the document, it earned the nickname 'Mini-Constitution'.
Other options are incorrect because:
- Option (a) The 41st Amendment dealt with specific administrative/legal adjustments and was not comprehensive.
- Option (c) The 43rd Amendment (1977) was a corrective measure to restore some rights removed during the Emergency.
- Option (d) The 44th Amendment (1978) was enacted by the Janata Government to undo several controversial changes made by the 42nd Amendment to prevent future misuse of Emergency powers.
A bilateral naval exercise called Exercise Varuna is between India and which country?
A)
Australia
B)
USA
C)
France
D)
Germany
Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise conducted between the Indian Navy and the French Navy. It was initiated in 1993 to enhance interoperability, strengthen maritime cooperation, and promote strategic partnership between the two nations.
Analysis of other options:
- Australia: India conducts exercises such as 'AUSINDEX' with Australia.
- USA: India conducts major exercises such as 'Malabar' (which is also multilateral) and 'SIMBEX' (with Singapore, though USA is a key partner in Malabar).
- Germany: India conducts exercises such as 'Exercise LINEX' with Germany.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
He has let himself be gone after his divorce.
B)
He has let himself going after his divorce.
C)
He has let himself go after his divorce.
D)
He has let himself gone after his divorce.
The question tests the usage of the causative verb 'let'. In English grammar, the verb 'let' follows the structure: 'let + object + bare infinitive' (the base form of the verb without 'to').
1. Analysis of the structure: In the sentence 'He has let himself go', 'let' is the main verb (in present perfect form), 'himself' is the object, and 'go' is the bare infinitive.
2. Idiomatic meaning: The phrase 'to let oneself go' is a common English idiom meaning to stop caring about one's appearance, health, or behavior, often due to depression or lack of motivation.
3. Evaluating options:
- Option (a) 'be gone' is passive/stative and does not fit the idiomatic meaning or the required bare infinitive structure.
- Option (b) 'going' is a present participle/gerund; 'let' cannot be followed by a gerund in this context.
- Option (c) 'go' is the bare infinitive, which correctly follows the rule for the verb 'let'.
- Option (d) 'gone' is a past participle; 'let' cannot be followed by a past participle in this active construction.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: Did you have any problem ___ for the key?
A)
for searching
B)
in searching
C)
searching
D)
to search
The sentence follows a specific idiomatic structure in English: 'to have problem/difficulty/trouble + in + gerund (-ing form)'. When expressing that someone experienced a struggle while performing a specific action, the preposition 'in' is used to link the noun 'problem' to the activity.
1. 'in searching' (Option b) is the grammatically correct construction for this context.
2. 'for searching' (Option a) is incorrect because 'problem for' is typically used to describe who the problem affects (e.g., 'This is a problem for me'), not the activity being performed.
3. 'searching' (Option c) is sometimes used in informal spoken English (e.g., 'I had trouble searching'), but in a formal competitive exam context, the preposition 'in' is required for grammatical completeness.
4. 'to search' (Option d) is incorrect because the noun 'problem' is not typically followed by a to-infinitive to describe the process of the struggle.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: Mary ___ rather not drive at night.
A)
must
B)
has to
C)
could
D)
would
The sentence requires a modal verb that pairs with 'rather' to express a preference. The phrase 'would rather' is a standard English idiomatic expression used to indicate a preference for one thing over another. In this context, 'Mary would rather not drive at night' means that Mary prefers not to drive at night.
Analysis of other options:
- 'must rather' is grammatically incorrect; 'must' expresses obligation.
- 'has to rather' is grammatically incorrect; 'has to' expresses necessity.
- 'could rather' is not a standard English construction for expressing preference; 'could' expresses ability or possibility.
Choose the correct synonym for: loquacious
A)
exact
B)
talkative
C)
quiet
D)
concise
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the word**: The word 'loquacious' is derived from the Latin 'loqui', meaning 'to speak'. In English, it describes a person who tends to talk a great deal.
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'exact'**: This means precise or accurate. It has no relation to the amount of speaking one does. Therefore, it is incorrect.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'talkative'**: This means fond of talking or communicative. This is a direct synonym for 'loquacious'. Therefore, it is correct.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'quiet'**: This means making little or no noise or not talking much. This is an antonym (opposite) of loquacious. Therefore, it is incorrect.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'concise'**: This means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief. This is also essentially an antonym to the wordy nature of a loquacious person. Therefore, it is incorrect.
Select an appropriate verb, preposition and adverb to fill in the blanks: Rita works ___
A)
hardly
B)
hard
C)
herd
D)
heard
The sentence requires an adverb to describe how Rita works.
1. 'Hard' (Option b) functions as both an adjective and an adverb. When used as an adverb, it means 'with great effort' or 'diligently'. Therefore, 'Rita works hard' is grammatically correct and logically sound.
2. 'Hardly' (Option a) is an adverb of degree meaning 'scarcely' or 'almost not'. If we say 'Rita works hardly', it would mean she almost does not work at all, which is rarely the intended meaning in this context and usually requires a different sentence structure (e.g., 'Rita hardly works').
3. 'Herd' (Option c) is a noun referring to a group of animals or a verb meaning to move a group, which does not fit the context.
4. 'Heard' (Option d) is the past tense/past participle of the verb 'hear', which is grammatically incorrect in this position.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: hospitality
A)
wrathful
B)
illness
C)
coldness
D)
cordiality
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the target word**: 'Hospitality' refers to the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. It is characterized by warmth, kindness, and openness.
2. **Evaluate the options**:
- **a. wrathful**: This is an adjective meaning full of anger. It does not match the part of speech (noun) of 'hospitality' and describes an emotion rather than a manner of reception.
- **b. illness**: This refers to a disease or period of sickness. It has no semantic relationship with hospitality.
- **c. coldness**: In a social context, 'coldness' refers to a lack of friendliness, warmth, or enthusiasm. It describes a distant or unwelcoming demeanor, which is the direct opposite of being hospitable.
- **d. cordiality**: This means sincere affection and kindness. This is a synonym for hospitality, not an antonym.
3. **Conclusion**: Since hospitality is defined by warmth and welcome, 'coldness' (unwelcoming behavior) is the most appropriate antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: tenacious
A)
persistent
B)
relentless
C)
yielding
D)
steadfast
Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the target word. 'Tenacious' means tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely. In a behavioral sense, it means being persistent, stubborn, or determined.
Step 2: Evaluate the options to find the opposite meaning (antonym).
- Option (a) 'persistent' is a synonym of tenacious (continuing firmly in a course of action).
- Option (b) 'relentless' is a synonym of tenacious (oppressively constant; incessant).
- Option (c) 'yielding' means giving way under pressure; compliant or flexible. This is the direct opposite of being tenacious or stubborn.
- Option (d) 'steadfast' is a synonym of tenacious (resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering).
Step 3: Conclusion. Since options a, b, and d are synonyms, 'yielding' is the only appropriate antonym.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I was pleasantly surprised to see you.
A)
verb
B)
adverb
C)
adjective
D)
preposition
In the sentence 'I was pleasantly surprised to see you', the underlined word is 'pleasantly'. To determine its part of speech, we look at what it modifies. 'Surprised' is a participle acting as an adjective describing the subject 'I'. The word 'pleasantly' describes *how* or *to what extent* the person was surprised. Since 'pleasantly' modifies an adjective ('surprised'), it functions as an adverb.
Breakdown of other options:
- a. Verb: A verb expresses an action or state (e.g., 'was', 'see'). 'Pleasantly' does not express an action.
- c. Adjective: An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. While 'surprised' is an adjective here, 'pleasantly' modifies that adjective, not a noun.
- d. Preposition: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., 'in', 'on', 'at'). 'Pleasantly' does not serve this function.
Choose the correct synonym for: avert
A)
face
B)
permit
C)
confront
D)
prevent
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the word 'avert'**: The verb 'avert' means to prevent or ward off an undesirable occurrence, or to turn away (one's eyes or thoughts).
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'face'**: To face something means to confront it or deal with it directly. This is an antonym (opposite) of avert.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'permit'**: To permit means to allow something to happen. This is contrary to the meaning of avert, which is to stop something from happening.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'confront'**: To confront means to face a challenge or a person head-on. Like 'face', this is an antonym of avert.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'prevent'**: To prevent means to keep something from happening or arising. This aligns perfectly with the primary definition of 'avert' (e.g., 'to avert a disaster' is synonymous with 'to prevent a disaster').
Therefore, 'prevent' is the correct synonym.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I like coffee but my sister likes tea.
A)
interjection
B)
conjunction
C)
preposition
D)
adjective
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the sentence: 'I like coffee but my sister likes tea.'
2. Identify the underlined word: 'but'.
3. Determine the function of 'but' in this context: It is connecting two independent clauses ('I like coffee' and 'my sister likes tea').
4. Define the parts of speech provided in the options:
- Interjection: A word used to express strong emotion (e.g., Wow!, Ouch!).
- Conjunction: A word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. 'But' is specifically a coordinating conjunction used to show contrast.
- Preposition: A word showing the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., in, on, at).
- Adjective: A word that describes or modifies a noun (e.g., blue, large).
5. Conclusion: Since 'but' connects two clauses, it is a conjunction.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The new project will focus on sustainable development.
A)
pronoun
B)
verb
C)
noun
D)
adverb
Step-by-step analysis: 1. Identify the underlined word: In the sentence 'The new project will focus on sustainable development', the word 'development' is the target. 2. Analyze the function: 'Development' refers to a process or a state of growth/progress. It acts as the object of the preposition 'on'. 3. Apply grammatical rules: Words that name a person, place, thing, idea, or process are classified as nouns. Here, 'development' is an abstract noun. 4. Evaluate other options: (a) It is not a pronoun because it does not replace a noun. (b) It is not a verb because it does not express an action or state of being in this context (the verb phrase is 'will focus'). (d) It is not an adverb because it does not modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb; rather, it is modified by the adjective 'sustainable'. Therefore, 'development' is a noun.
Choose the meaning of the prepositional phrase: at the top of
A)
high places
B)
upper limit
C)
coverup
D)
roof
The prepositional phrase 'at the top of' refers to the highest point, peak, or the uppermost part of something. Among the given options:
1. 'Upper limit' (Option b) is the most accurate synonym, as it describes the highest possible point or boundary of an object or a scale.
2. 'High places' (Option a) is too general; while something at the top is in a high place, the phrase specifically denotes the peak, not just any elevated location.
3. 'Coverup' (Option c) refers to a concealment of a crime or mistake and is completely unrelated.
4. 'Roof' (Option d) is a specific object. While a roof is at the top of a building, 'at the top of' can apply to a mountain, a page, or a list, making 'upper limit' the correct generalized meaning.
Choose the correct synonym for: courteous
A)
abrupt
B)
polite
C)
rude
D)
vigilant
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the target word**: 'Courteous' is an adjective that describes someone who is respectful, considerate, and possesses good manners in their interactions with others.
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'abrupt'**: This means sudden or curt in manner. It is often seen as a lack of courtesy. Therefore, it is an antonym, not a synonym.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'polite'**: This means having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people. This matches the definition of 'courteous' perfectly.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'rude'**: This means lacking manners or being offensive. This is a direct antonym of 'courteous'.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'vigilant'**: This means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. It refers to alertness, not manners.
Conclusion: 'Polite' is the only word that shares the same meaning as 'courteous'.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
She saw the painting yesterday and she liked it.
B)
She see the painting yesterday and she liked it.
C)
She sees the painting yesterday and she like it.
D)
She saw the painting yesterday and she like it.
The sentence contains the time marker 'yesterday', which indicates that the action took place in the past. Therefore, the sentence must maintain tense consistency using the Simple Past Tense for all verbs.
1. Analysis of Option (a): 'saw' is the past tense of 'see', and 'liked' is the past tense of 'like'. Both verbs are consistent with the time marker 'yesterday'. This is grammatically correct.
2. Analysis of Option (b): 'see' is the present tense. It is incorrect to use 'see' with 'yesterday'.
3. Analysis of Option (c): 'sees' and 'like' are present tense forms. This contradicts the time marker 'yesterday'.
4. Analysis of Option (d): While 'saw' is correct, 'like' is in the present tense. A sentence describing a sequence of events in the past must maintain parallel structure; therefore, 'liked' is required.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The company invested heavily in renewable energy.
A)
adjective
B)
noun
C)
pronoun
D)
adverb
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Identify the underlined word: In the sentence 'The company invested heavily in renewable energy', the word 'heavily' is the target word.
2. Analyze the function of the word: The word 'heavily' describes how the company 'invested'.
3. Determine the part of speech: Since 'invested' is a verb, a word that modifies or describes a verb is an adverb. Adverbs typically answer questions such as 'How?', 'When?', 'Where?', or 'To what extent?'. In this case, 'heavily' answers 'How did they invest?'
4. Evaluate other options:
- (a) Adjective: Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns (e.g., 'renewable' modifies 'energy'). 'Heavily' does not modify a noun.
- (b) Noun: A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. 'Heavily' is not a naming word.
- (c) Pronoun: A pronoun replaces a noun (e.g., he, she, it). 'Heavily' does not replace a noun.
5. Conclusion: 'Heavily' is an adverb of manner.
One-word substitute for: to stare at someone or something
A)
ogle
B)
ignore
C)
overlook
D)
admire
The question asks for a one-word substitute for 'to stare at someone or something'.
1. **ogle (Option a):** To ogle means to stare at someone with amorous, greedy, or lustful interest. While it has a specific connotation, it is the only word among the options that describes the act of staring.
2. **ignore (Option b):** This is the opposite of staring; it means to refuse to take notice of or acknowledge.
3. **overlook (Option c):** This means to fail to notice something or to ignore a mistake; it does not mean to stare.
4. **admire (Option d):** While one might stare while admiring, 'admire' refers to a feeling of respect or warm approval, not the physical act of staring itself.
Therefore, 'ogle' is the most appropriate substitute for the act of staring among the given choices.
Choose the correct word to make a meaningful sentence: I have no ___ to the library.
A)
access
B)
excess
C)
accessive
D)
excessive
The sentence requires a noun that describes the ability or right to enter or use a place.
1. **'access' (Option a)**: A noun meaning the means or opportunity to approach or enter a place. In this context, 'no access to the library' means the person cannot enter or use the library. This is the grammatically and contextually correct choice.
2. **'excess' (Option b)**: A noun meaning an amount of something that is more than necessary. 'No excess to the library' is logically incorrect.
3. **'accessive' (Option c)**: This is not a standard English word used in this context.
4. **'excessive' (Option d)**: An adjective meaning more than is necessary, normal, or desirable. An adjective cannot follow 'no' in this specific sentence structure to act as the object of the sentence without a noun following it (e.g., 'no excessive noise').
Therefore, 'access' is the only word that fits the meaning of the sentence.
Choose the meaning of the prepositional phrase: for want of
A)
wanting
B)
not needed
C)
lack of
D)
wanted
The prepositional phrase 'for want of' is an idiomatic expression in English. In this context, the word 'want' does not mean 'desire' (as in 'I want a car'), but rather 'deficiency' or 'absence'. Therefore, 'for want of' means 'because of a lack of' or 'due to the absence of'.
Example: 'The project failed for want of funding' means 'The project failed because of a lack of funding'.
Analysis of options:
- a. 'wanting' is an adjective or participle meaning lacking or deficient, but it does not capture the prepositional meaning of the phrase.
- b. 'not needed' is the opposite of the meaning.
- c. 'lack of' is the precise synonym for 'for want of'.
- d. 'wanted' refers to being desired or sought after, which is the common meaning of 'want' but not the meaning used in this specific prepositional phrase.
Select an appropriate verb, preposition and adverb to fill in the blanks: I ___ my room every Saturday.
A)
was cleaning
B)
clean
C)
cleaned
D)
am cleaning
The sentence contains the phrase 'every Saturday', which indicates a habitual action or a repeated routine. In English grammar, the Simple Present Tense is used to express habits, general truths, and repeated actions.
1. Option (b) 'clean' is the Simple Present form, which correctly matches the subject 'I' and the habitual time marker 'every Saturday'.
2. Option (a) 'was cleaning' is the Past Continuous tense, used for an action that was ongoing at a specific point in the past, which contradicts the habitual nature of 'every Saturday'.
3. Option (c) 'cleaned' is the Simple Past tense, used for a completed action in the past, not a recurring habit.
4. Option (d) 'am cleaning' is the Present Continuous tense, used for an action happening right now, not for a general weekly routine.