SSC CGL 2017 · 2017-08-17 · Shift 1

Decode each pair as row, column using Matrix I (0–4) or Matrix II (5–9), then read off the letter. Checking option 4 — 95, 24, 59, 20: 95 → Matrix II, row 9 col 5 = S 24 → Matrix I, row 2 col 4 = I 59 → Matrix II, row 5 col 9 = Z 20 → Matrix I, row 2 col 0 = E This spells SIZE exactly. The other options decode to LMNV, GESV and JDXV respectively. Hence option 4 is correct.

The relation between WTQ and DGJ is the opposite-letter pairing: each letter is replaced by its mirror in the alphabet (A↔Z, B↔Y, …). W↔D, T↔G, Q↔J. Apply the same mirror rule to NKH: N↔M, K↔P, H↔S. So the answer is MPS, which is option 1.

As triangle represents Geologists and circle represents Architects. So, the alphabet lies in the region which is common between the triangle and circle will represent architects who are geologists. These letters are A, B. Hence, A,B is the correct answer.

The pattern is the letter-count of each word increases by 1: bat (3) → thin (4) → reply (5) → length (6) → ? (7). Among the options, only display has 7 letters (terror = 6, dome = 4, scolding = 8). Hence the answer is display.

The relation is specific member : broader category. A Father is one type of Parent (parents include fathers and mothers). Applying the same rule, a Sister is one type of Sibling (siblings include brothers and sisters). Brother is a co-member, not a category; Daughter is a different relation; Other is too vague. Hence the answer is Sibling.

Step 1 — Swap operators per the code: + → ×, − → +, × → ÷, ÷ → −. So \(9+3-72\times 6\div 3\) becomes \(9\times 3 + 72 \div 6 - 3\). Step 2 — Apply BODMAS: \[9\times 3 + 72\div 6 - 3 = 27 + 12 - 3 = 36\] Hence the answer is 36 (option 4).

Relation between 60 and 15: \(60 \div 4 = 15\), i.e. the second number is one-fourth of the first. Applying the same rule to 100: \(100 \div 4 = 25\). Hence the missing number is 25 (option 4).

Rewrite every term as a unit fraction: \(\tfrac{1}{1^3}, \tfrac{1}{2^3}, \tfrac{1}{3^3}, \tfrac{1}{4^3}, ?, \tfrac{1}{6^3}\) (since \(0.125=\tfrac{1}{8}=\tfrac{1}{2^3}\)). The denominators are consecutive cubes, so the missing term has denominator \(5^3=125\): \[\frac{1}{125}=0.008\] Hence the answer is 0.008 (option 4).

Box weights: 20, 30, 40, 50 kg. All non-empty subset sums (each box used at most once): Singles: 20, 30, 40, 50. Pairs: 50, 60, 70, 70, 80, 90. Triples: 90, 100, 110, 120. All four: 140. The set of achievable totals is {20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 140}. Among the options, 140, 90 and 100 are present, but 130 is not. Hence 130 kg cannot be formed.

A's path: 3 km West, then 5 km South, then right-turn (facing South, right is West) 7 km West. Net displacement from start: 10 km West, 5 km South. B's path: 1 km South, then right-turn (West) 10 km West. Net displacement: 10 km West, 1 km South. Both end up on the same north-south line (10 km West of start). B is only 1 km South while A is 5 km South, so B lies \(5-1=4\) km North of A. Hence B is 4 km North of A.

Available letters in TOKENISM: T, O, K, E, N, I, S, M. EMITS (E, M, I, T, S), STONE (S, T, O, N, E) and NOISE (N, O, I, S, E) use only these letters and can be formed. NAMES requires the letter A, which is not present in TOKENISM. Hence NAMES cannot be formed.

A strong argument must be relevant to the issue and supported by facts or sound logic. Argument I cites data showing accidents rise after speed breakers are installed. Since speed breakers are meant to improve safety, evidence that they do the opposite directly undermines their purpose and is a relevant, fact-based ground for banning them — hence strong. Argument II claims they "teach fast drivers a lesson". This is a vague, punitive opinion, not a concrete safety or policy justification — hence weak. Therefore only Argument I is strong.

Evaluate each option: 1 is odd; \(-(-3)=3\) is odd; 5 is odd; \(-2\) is even. Three numbers (1, 3, 5) are odd, while -2 is the only even number. Hence -2 is the odd one out.

Test the rule \(a\#b=\dfrac{a-b}{2}\) on the given examples: \[\frac{19-13}{2}=3,\quad \frac{25-3}{2}=11,\quad \frac{36-10}{2}=13\] All three match. Applying the same rule: \[7\#3=\frac{7-3}{2}=\frac{4}{2}=2\] Hence the value is 2.

Compare letters of SQUALOR with USWCNQT position-wise: S→U, Q→S, U→W, A→C, L→N, O→Q, R→T. Each letter shifts +2 in the alphabet. Applying +2 to WHY: W→Y, H→J, Y→A (since \(25+2=27\equiv 1\pmod{26}\)). Therefore WHY is coded as YJA.

Clearly, 4 will be the right answer.

Examine each row and test the rule \((\text{col}_1-\text{col}_2)\times\text{col}_3=\text{col}_4\). Row 1: \((10-4)\times 2=12\) ✓ Row 3: \((8-5)\times 1=3\) ✓ Row 2: \((7-?)\times 3=15 \implies 7-?=5 \implies ?=2\). Hence the missing number is 2.

Clearly, option 3 will complete the given incomplete figure.

Three pattern threads run across the series AbC, dEfG, hIjKl, MnOpQr: Length: 3, 4, 5, 6 — so the next term has 7 letters. Letters used: consecutive alphabet starting from where the previous term ended. After r, the next block is s, t, u, v, w, x, y. Case: the leading letter alternates Upper/lower/lower/Upper/Upper... and within each term cases alternate. Term 5 starts with uppercase S, giving S t U v W x Y. Hence the answer is StUvWxY.

Step 1 — Count days from June 5 to December 11: Remaining June: \(30-5=25\); July 31; Aug 31; Sept 30; Oct 31; Nov 30; Dec (up to 11) 11. \[25+31+31+30+31+30+11=189\text{ days}\] Step 2 — Find odd days: \[189\div 7=27\text{ remainder }0\] Step 3 — Shift the day: 0 odd days means no shift from Monday. Therefore Tushar's birthday falls on Monday.

Clearly, based on the given open cube, the cube given in option 2 cannot be formed as the star symbol is opposite to the four dots symbol in the given open cube. Hence, answer is option 1

Chair, Sofa and Couch are all pieces of furniture used for sitting or reclining. Television is an electronic appliance for viewing broadcasts, not a piece of furniture. Hence Television is the odd one out.

Check the alphabetical gap between consecutive letters in each set: XVT: 24, 22, 20 — difference \(-2\). NPR: 14, 16, 18 — difference \(+2\). LJH: 12, 10, 8 — difference \(-2\). FDB: 6, 4, 2 — difference \(-2\). Three sets move backward by 2; only NPR moves forward by 2, making it the odd one out.

Clearly, the given question figure is hidden in option 2.

Hence, option 2 will be the right mirror image of the given figure.

Humphry Davy, the British chemist, isolated sodium in 1807 by performing electrolysis on molten sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The same technique soon yielded potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium. The other names are unrelated to this discovery: William Henry Fox Talbot was a pioneer of photography, J. J. Thomson discovered the electron (1897), and Karl Benz built the first practical automobile.

Reforestation is the replanting or natural regeneration of trees on land that was previously forested but was cleared by logging, fire, agriculture or other causes — exactly what the blank describes. Deforestation is the opposite (clearing forests); afforestation (not listed) refers to planting forests where none existed before; Jhum is shifting cultivation; greenhouse is unrelated to forest restoration.

The 2016 Men's Kabaddi World Cup was hosted in Ahmedabad, India. In the final, India defeated Iran 38–29, making Iran the runner-up. Thailand, Argentina and Pakistan were participating sides but did not reach the final.

The Sellout by American author Paul Beatty won the Man Booker Prize 2016, making Beatty the first US writer to receive the award. The other titles won in earlier years: A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (2015), The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan (2014), and The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton (2013).

The Jama Masjid of Delhi was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Its construction began in 1650 CE and was completed in 1656 CE. Since the 17th century spans the years 1601-1700, both dates fall within it. Hence the mosque was built in the 17th century.

Milk of magnesia is an aqueous suspension of magnesium hydroxide, \(\text{Mg(OH)}_2\). It is a mild base used as an antacid and laxative because it neutralises excess stomach acid: \[\text{Mg(OH)}_2 + 2\text{HCl} \rightarrow \text{MgCl}_2 + 2\text{H}_2\text{O}\] Sodium hydroxide is too corrosive for ingestion; ammonium and calcium hydroxide are not the active ingredient.

India shares its north-western land boundary with Pakistan, demarcated by the Radcliffe Line of 1947. Sri Lanka lies to the south across the Palk Strait (maritime boundary only). Myanmar lies to the east/south-east and Bangladesh to the east, so none of them border India in the north-west.

The 15th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1963 raised the retirement age of High Court judges from 60 to 62 years (Article 217). The same amendment also enabled transfer of judges between High Courts and allowed retired HC judges to sit and act as judges of a High Court. Supreme Court judges continue to retire at 65 years.

Appellate jurisdiction is the power of a higher court to review and reconsider decisions of a lower court, including both factual findings and legal issues. As the highest court of appeal, the Supreme Court hears appeals from High Courts under Articles 132-136. Original jurisdiction handles cases filed directly (Article 131), writ jurisdiction enforces fundamental rights (Article 32), and advisory jurisdiction renders opinions to the President (Article 143).

Sound in humans is produced in the larynx (voice box), which contains the vocal cords. When air expelled from the lungs passes through the glottis, the vocal cords vibrate and generate sound; pitch is regulated by their tension and length. The oesophagus carries food, the medulla controls breathing reflexes, and the epiglottis prevents food from entering the trachea — none produce sound.

Queen Didda ruled Kashmir from 980 to 1003 CE, initially as regent for her son and grandsons and later as sole sovereign. Her reign is chronicled in Kalhana's Rajatarangini. She is regarded as one of medieval India's most powerful female rulers and preceded the Lohara dynasty in Kashmir. Avadh, Sindh and Bengal were ruled by other dynasties during this period.

In adult men the vocal cords are typically about 20 mm long (roughly 17-25 mm). This greater length, compared with about 10-15 mm in adult women, makes them vibrate at a lower frequency, giving men a lower-pitched voice. Options 10 mm corresponds to female cords, while 30 mm and 40 mm exceed the normal adult range.

Under British rule the Madras Presidency was a major rice-growing region, and the colonial revenue administration — particularly the Ryotwari system — pressured cultivators to continue growing rice to ensure stable land revenue and food supply for the army and administration. Jute was a Bengal crop, tea was confined to hill plantations (Assam/Nilgiris), and sugarcane was not the principal coerced crop in Madras.

The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed over the Internet that uses the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) as its addressing scheme to specify the protocol, host and path of a resource. JavaScript is a programming language, SQL is a database query language, and "string" is a data type — none defines web addressing.

The Himalayas are divided longitudinally by river valleys. The stretch between the Satluj and Kali rivers, lying mainly in Uttarakhand, is called the Kumaun Himalayas and contains peaks such as Nanda Devi, Trisul and Kamet. Punjab Himalayas lie between the Indus and Satluj, Nepal Himalayas between the Kali and Tista, and Assam Himalayas between the Tista and Brahmaputra.

The statement defines the Law of Diminishing Marginal Product: when more of a variable input is added to a fixed input, beyond a certain point the marginal product of the variable input begins to fall. The Law of Variable Proportions describes the full three-stage relationship of total, average and marginal product, but the specific phenomenon of falling marginal product is captured precisely by the Law of Diminishing Marginal Product. "Short Run" and "Long Run" are time frames, not laws.

Primary xylem differentiates from the procambium in two stages. The elements formed first are called protoxylem; they have narrow vessels/tracheids with annular or spiral lignin thickenings and mature while surrounding tissues are still elongating. Metaxylem is the later-formed primary xylem (wider, with scalariform/reticulate/pitted thickenings). Xylem fibres and xylem parenchyma are supportive/storage components, not conducting elements classified by time of formation.

Nereis (marine ragworm), Pheretima (earthworm) and Hirudinaria (leech) all show true metameric segmentation, a true coelom, bilateral symmetry and a closed circulatory system — the defining features of Phylum Annelida. Coelenterata are radially symmetric and acoelomate; Aschelminthes (nematodes) are pseudocoelomate and unsegmented; Arthropoda have jointed appendages and a chitinous exoskeleton.

Potato (Solanum tuberosum), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and brinjal (Solanum melongena) are three different species that share the genus Solanum of family Solanaceae (nightshade family). Panthera (tiger, lion) and Felis (domestic cat) are animal genera, and tigris is a species epithet — none applies to these plants.

In a centrally planned (command) economy, the government — through a central planning authority — decides what to produce, how much to produce, how resources are allocated and at what prices goods are sold. Private industrialists and individual citizens do not direct production; the judiciary only interprets law and plays no economic-planning role. Hence the correct fill-in is Government.

Liquids conduct electricity when they contain mobile ions. Acids release \(H^+\) ions, bases release \(OH^-\) ions, and salts (ionic compounds like NaCl) dissociate into cations and anions on dissolving in water. These three classes of substances are called electrolytes. Copper, aluminium and iron are metals — elemental metals do not produce ionic solutions in water — so the correct fill-in is Salts.

Statement 1 — Gilead was written by Marilynne Robinson (2004, Pulitzer 2005), not Don Winslow. Incorrect. Statement 2 — Wolf Hall was written by Hilary Mantel (2009, Booker Prize), not Stephen Dobyns. Incorrect. Statement 3 — To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) was indeed written by Harper Lee. Correct. Only statement 3 is correct, so the answer is Only 3.

The 2016 Human Development Report, published by the UNDP, ranked the United Kingdom at position 16 (HDI value 0.909), placing it in the 'Very High Human Development' category. A rank of 4 is too high (top spots were held by Norway, Australia, Switzerland, Germany), while 64 or 256 are inconsistent with the UK's developed-economy profile. Hence the correct answer is 16.

The Thar Express runs between Bhagat Ki Kothi (Jodhpur, India) and Karachi Cantt (Pakistan), crossing the border between Munabao (India) and Khokhrapar (Pakistan). Immigration and customs formalities for passengers on this train are carried out at the Zero Point railway station, situated on the Pakistan side near the international border. The other options — Jalal Marri, Lal Pir and Gujar Garhi — are not the designated border-check station for this service.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission), launched on 2 October 2014, was specifically aimed at eliminating open defecation by constructing individual household latrines and community/public toilets across rural and urban India. The other schemes have different mandates: Gram Uday Se Bharat Uday focuses on rural development and Panchayati Raj; Stand Up India funds SC/ST and women entrepreneurs; the National Rurban Mission develops rural-urban cluster villages. Hence the answer is Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

Step 1 — CI compounded yearly: \[CI_y = 4000\left(1+\tfrac{12}{100}\right)^1 - 4000 = 4000(1.12) - 4000 = 480\] Step 2 — CI compounded half-yearly (rate \(=6\%\), periods \(=2\)): \[CI_h = 4000(1.06)^2 - 4000 = 4000(1.1236) - 4000 = 494.40\] Step 3 — Difference: \[CI_h - CI_y = 494.40 - 480 = 14.40\] Therefore the difference is Rs. 14.4.

Step 1 — Combined one-day work: \[\tfrac{1}{18}+\tfrac{1}{36}=\tfrac{2+1}{36}=\tfrac{3}{36}=\tfrac{1}{12}\] Step 2 — Work done in 9 days together: \[9\times\tfrac{1}{12}=\tfrac{9}{12}=\tfrac{3}{4}\] Step 3 — Work left: \[1-\tfrac{3}{4}=\tfrac{1}{4}=25\%\] Therefore 25% of the work is left.

Let the fraction be \(x\). Given: \[x+\tfrac{7}{x}=\tfrac{11}{2}\] Step 1 — Clear denominators (multiply by \(2x\)): \[2x^{2}-11x+14=0\] Step 2 — Factorise: \[(2x-7)(x-2)=0 \implies x=\tfrac{7}{2}\text{ or }x=2\] Only \(\tfrac{7}{2}\) appears among the options. Check: \(\tfrac{7}{2}+\tfrac{7}{7/2}=\tfrac{7}{2}+2=\tfrac{11}{2}\). Hence the fraction is 7/2.

Total profit can be given as = 20 = 30 - 10 + 5 + 15 + 10 = 70 ∴ the cumulative profit is Rs. 70 Lakh

Step 1 — Price after first discount: \[2500\times(1-0.30)=2500\times 0.70=1750\] Step 2 — Extra reduction to reach Rs. 1400: \[1750-1400=350\] Step 3 — Additional discount % (on Rs. 1750): \[\tfrac{350}{1750}\times 100=20\%\] Therefore the additional discount is 20%.

Let Duronto's time for 432 km be \(T\) hours and Express's original time be \(T+1\). Step 1 — Increased Express speed (50% more) means time becomes \(\tfrac{2}{3}\) of original: \[\tfrac{2}{3}(T+1)=T-2\] Step 2 — Solve: \[2(T+1)=3(T-2)\implies 2T+2=3T-6\implies T=8\] Step 3 — Duronto's speed: \[\tfrac{432}{8}=54\text{ km/hr}\] Therefore the speed of Duronto is 54 km/hr.

Profit from 2012 to 2015 = 30 - 10 + 5 + 15 = 40 lakh Reserve at the beginning of 2012 = 150 - 40 = 110 lakh ∴ the reserve at the beginning of 2012 is Rs. 110 lakh

Number of girls \(=50-27=23\). Step 1 — Total class weight: \[50\times 55.44=2772\text{ kg}\] Step 2 — Total boys' weight: \[27\times 72=1944\text{ kg}\] Step 3 — Average weight of girls: \[\tfrac{2772-1944}{23}=\tfrac{828}{23}=36\text{ kg}\] Therefore the average weight of girls is 36 kg.

Reflecting a point across the horizontal line \(y=k\) keeps the x-coordinate unchanged and maps \(y\) to \(2k-y\). For point \((1,2)\) and line \(y=3\): \[(x',y')=(1,\;2\times 3 - 2)=(1,4)\] The point is 1 unit below \(y=3\), so its image lies 1 unit above, at (1, 4).

In \(\triangle DEF\) right-angled at E, side EF is opposite \(\angle D\) and DE is adjacent to it. Using: \[\tan D=\tfrac{EF}{DE}\implies \tan 30^\circ=\tfrac{2\sqrt{3}}{DE}\] Since \(\tan 30^\circ=\tfrac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\): \[\tfrac{1}{\sqrt{3}}=\tfrac{2\sqrt{3}}{DE}\implies DE=2\sqrt{3}\times\sqrt{3}=6\] Therefore \(DE=\) 6 cm.

Let Math marks \(=M\), Science marks \(=S\). Given \(M=S+30\) and \(M=0.6(M+S)\). Step 1 — Simplify second equation: \[M=0.6M+0.6S\implies 0.4M=0.6S\implies M=1.5S\] Step 2 — Use first equation: \[1.5S=S+30\implies 0.5S=30\implies S=60\] Therefore Pranita's Science marks are 60.

Each binary digit represents a power of 2, with the rightmost being \(2^0\). \[1101111_2 = 1\cdot2^6+1\cdot2^5+0\cdot2^4+1\cdot2^3+1\cdot2^2+1\cdot2^1+1\cdot2^0\] \[= 64+32+0+8+4+2+1 = 111\] Therefore the decimal equivalent is 111.

Step 1 — Find the Cost Price: A 5% loss means SP = 95% of CP. \[CP = \frac{1900}{0.95} = 2000\] Step 2 — Selling price for 15% profit: \[SP = 2000 \times \frac{115}{100} = 2300\] Therefore the required selling price is Rs. 2300.

Standard values: \(\tan 45^\circ = 1\) and \(\sec 60^\circ = 2\). \[\tan 45^\circ + \frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}\sec 60^\circ = 1 + \frac{4}{\sqrt{3}}\cdot 2 = 1 + \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\] Taking a common denominator \(\sqrt{3}\): \[= \frac{\sqrt{3} + 8}{\sqrt{3}}\] This matches option 1.

For a square of side \(s\), the diagonal satisfies \(d = s\sqrt{2}\) (Pythagoras on the two equal legs). \[s = \frac{d}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{12}{\sqrt{2}} = \frac{12\sqrt{2}}{2} = 6\sqrt{2}\] Therefore the side is \(6\sqrt{2}\) cm.

From the graph we can see that company reported loss in 2013 because profit is negative there

Given: The numbers are 10 and 25 Used formula: a : b :: c : d ⇒ a/b = c/d Calculation: Let the third proportional x be ⇒ 10/25 = 25/x ⇒ 10 = 625/x ∴ x = 625/10 = 62.5 ∴ The third proportional of the two numbers 10 and 25 is 62.5.

By the section formula, if A(2,1) divides BC in ratio 2:3 (with B=(1,−3), C=(4,y)): \[1 = \frac{2\cdot y + 3\cdot(-3)}{2+3} = \frac{2y - 9}{5}\] \[5 = 2y - 9 \implies 2y = 14 \implies y = 7\] Therefore y = 7.

Using the Pythagorean identity \(\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1\): \[\cos^2\theta = 1 - \left(\frac{20}{29}\right)^2 = 1 - \frac{400}{841} = \frac{441}{841}\] \[\cos\theta = \frac{\sqrt{441}}{\sqrt{841}} = \frac{21}{29}\] Taking the positive root (acute angle), cos θ = 21/29.

Profit in 2012 = 30 Profit in 2011 = 20 ⇒ Difference = 30 - 20 = 10 Percentage can be given as = difference ×100/20 ⇒ Percentage = 10 × 100/20 = 50% ∴ By 50% profit in 2012 was more than the profit of 2011

Multiply throughout by 2 to clear the fraction: \[14x - 3(2x-3) = 1\] Expand and combine: \[14x - 6x + 9 = 1 \implies 8x = -8\] Therefore x = −1.

For an AP, \(a_n = a_1 + (n-1)d\). Subtracting \(a_3\) from \(a_9\): \[6d = a_9 - a_3 = 10 - (-8) = 18 \implies d = 3\] The 16th term lies 7 places after the 9th: \[a_{16} = a_9 + 7d = 10 + 21 = 31\] Therefore a₁₆ = 31.

Let the ∠BCD = y Now in triangle ABC and in BDC ⇒ cos y = BC/25 = 16/BC ⇒ BC 2= 400 ⇒ BC = 20 Now applying Pythagoras theorem in triangle BDC ⇒ BD = √(BC 2- DC 2) ⇒ BD = √(20 2- 16 2) = √144 = 12 ∴ BD = 12 cm

A line cuts the X-axis where \(y = 0\). Substituting in \(2x + 5y = -6\): \[2x + 0 = -6 \implies x = -3\] Therefore the line meets the X-axis at (−3, 0).

Using the identity \(a^3 + b^3 = (a+b)^3 - 3ab(a+b)\): \[a^3 + b^3 = (4)^3 - 3(3)(4) = 64 - 36 = 28\] Therefore a³ + b³ = 28.

Sentence Reordering: The Burning Sun (YXZ) The correct order is YXZ. Stem and Fragments Stem: "The burning sun" (the fixed opening) X: "our very" Y: "seemed to be sucking" Z: "blood out of us" Logical Reconstruction — Y → X → Z Y first: After 'The burning sun', Y provides the verb phrase: 'seemed to be sucking' — grammatically and idiomatically the sun 'seemed to be sucking' something. Y leads into X for what is being sucked. X second: X reads 'our very' — as in 'sucking our very [blood]'. The phrase 'our very blood' is an emphatic expression meaning the essence of our vitality. Z third: Z reads 'blood out of us' — completing the vivid image: 'seemed to be sucking our very blood out of us'. Full Sentence (YXZ) "The burning sun seemed to be sucking our very blood out of us." Correct Answer: YXZ (Option 4)

Yearning means a deep, intense longing or wistful desire for something — an exact fit for the phrase. The distractors are opposites or unrelated: apathy is a lack of feeling, satiety is the state of being fully satisfied, and gratification is the pleasure of a desire fulfilled.

The active sentence has plural object "the students' questions", so the passive subject must take the plural verb are (not is), and the present-simple passive needs the past participle answered. The adverb always sits between auxiliary and main verb. This gives: The students' questions are always answered by the tutor — option 3. Options 1 and 4 fail subject–verb agreement; option 2 distorts the meaning.

The idiom "to make up one's mind" means to reach a firm decision after consideration — i.e. to decide, which matches option 2. Option 1 describes bracing for bad outcomes, option 3 refers to overcoming grief, and option 4 is self-persuasion about feasibility — none capture the act of deciding itself.

In the passage, researchers fed rats "a diet of either standard chow or chow that included prebiotics." The word chow is used to mean the food given to the rats — i.e. rat food, matching option 3. Chow is not itself a fibre (prebiotics were added to it), not a class of nutrients, and not a sleep enhancer.

Travesty means a false, absurd or grossly distorted representation of something — an exact match for the given phrase. The other options — solemnity, seriousness, and gravity — all denote degrees of earnestness or importance and have no link to distortion or misrepresentation.

The main clause "I hear the sound" needs to be completed by the prepositional phrase "of the blow" (Y), which specifies what is heard. The simultaneous visual perception then follows: "while I see" leads into "his tool raised" (X) and "above his head" (Z), describing what is seen. Reading in order: "I hear the sound of the blow while I see his tool raised above his head." The sequence Y → X → Z produces a grammatically coherent sentence. Hence the correct order is YXZ.

Melody means a pleasant, harmonious sequence of musical notes. Its antonym must denote harsh, discordant sound. Cacophony means a harsh, jarring mixture of sounds — the direct opposite of melody. "Chant" and "lyric" are types/components of music, and "inflection" refers to a change in pitch or word form; none oppose melody. Hence the answer is Cacophony.

The word meaning "distorted or corrupted from the original" is spelt Perverted — prefix "per-" + root "vert" (to turn) + "-ed". "Pervirted" wrongly uses "i" after "v"; "Parverted" and "Parvirted" wrongly use "a" in the prefix. Only option 1 matches the standard dictionary spelling. Hence the correctly spelt word is Perverted.

The passage states that researchers "monitored the rats' body temperature, gut bacteria and sleep-wake cycles — using electroencephalogram (EEG), or brain activity testing over time." This directly identifies EEG as the method for monitoring sleep-wake cycles. Body temperature was monitored separately; REM/NREM are sleep stages observed, not a monitoring tool; "brain power" is not the term used. Hence the answer is By using EEG.

The reported speech is a yes/no question ("Will you tell me..."), so the conjunction must be if (not "that"). "Said" changes to "asked", "will" shifts back to "would", "you" → "he", "me" → "her", and "means" → "meant". Applying all changes: Mother asked Pritam if he would tell her what it meant. Options 2 and 4 wrongly use "that"; option 1 fails to back-shift "will".

The standard collective noun for a group of sheep is flock (also used for birds). "Shoal" denotes a group of fish, "block" is a solid unit or section, and "culture" refers to customs or a microbial growth — none fit a shepherd's sheep. Hence the blank is filled by Flock.

After a modal verb like might, the perfect form requires have + past participle: "might have done". "Doing" (present participle) is wrong after "have" in this perfect-infinitive construction. Option 2 ("has done") fails subject-verb agreement with "We"; option 1 mixes a gerund with an infinitive. Therefore the bracketed part is best improved to have done, giving "We might have done something to help you."

Facsimile means an exact copy or reproduction of an original (especially a document or artwork). Replica — an exact copy or model — carries the same meaning. "Disparate" (essentially different) and "contrast" (striking difference) are antonyms; "peculiar" (strange) is unrelated. Hence the synonym is Replica.

The sentence needs a noun denoting the level or degree of fun. The idiomatic phrase fun quotient — on the pattern of "IQ" or "EQ" — means exactly that: the measure of enjoyment. "Mark" and "sign" are indicators, not degrees; "moment" is a point in time. Only Quotient fits, giving "The fun quotient reduced significantly when mom decided to tag along."

Chauvinism means aggressive, prejudiced loyalty to one's group or cause, often with a belief in its superiority. Zealotry — excessive, fanatical zeal for a cause — matches that sense of extreme, intolerant fervour. "Neutral" and "evenhanded" denote impartiality (opposites), while "aloof" means distant in manner. Hence the synonym is Zealotry.

The passage states: "Prebiotics are dietary fibres found naturally in foods like artichokes, raw garlic, leeks and onions." This directly defines prebiotics as dietary fibres. "Bacteria" and "gut microbiota" are what prebiotics feed, not what they are; "foods like artichokes" are mere sources containing prebiotic fibre. Hence the answer is Dietary fibres.

Part 2 contains the error. The phrase should use the preposition at (or omit "down the") — the correct construction is "directly at the bridge" to parallel "view of the downstream". As written, "directly down the" produces a faulty parallel with "view of". Part 1 and Part 3 are grammatically acceptable in context, so the error lies in part 2.

The passage states: "When beneficial bacteria digest prebiotic fibre, they not only multiply... but they also release metabolic by-products." Since prebiotics are defined as dietary fibres, the by-products are released when good bacteria digest dietary fibres. The other options describe unrelated events (sleep, nutrient richness, stress recovery) that the passage does not link to by-product release.

The infinitive "(to be)" cannot serve as the main verb. With the singular subject He, the past continuous was being is required — "were being" agrees only with plural subjects, and bare "being" lacks an auxiliary. "He was being positively rude" idiomatically conveys a specific instance of temporary rude behaviour, which fits the adverb "positively".

Diffident means shy, modest, and lacking self-confidence. Its antonym must denote boldness or forceful assertion. Aggressive — forceful, assertive, ready to confront — is the clear opposite. "Bashful", "demure", and "meek" are all synonyms of diffident (shy/submissive). Hence the antonym is Aggressive.

The error lies in part (2). The preposition "out" cannot be used with "known" to mean "beyond the borders of". The correct preposition is "outside". The corrected sentence reads: His name was hardly known outside his own country. Here "outside" indicates that his fame did not extend beyond his country's boundaries.

The noun form of the adjective "bland" is created by adding the suffix -ness (always with a double 's'). Thus bland + ness = Blandness. "Blandnes" and "Blandenes" use a single 's'; "Blandeness" inserts an extra 'e' that is not added to consonant-ending adjectives. Hence option 4, Blandness, is the correctly spelt word.

The idiom "to have a finger in every pie" means to be actively involved in many different activities, projects, or enterprises at the same time. This matches option 2: To be involved in a large and varied number of activities or enterprises. The other options (fighting, mocking, leaving jobs unfinished) describe unrelated behaviours.

The passage states that rats on the prebiotic diet spent more time in non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep, which it describes as "restful and restorative". REM is mentioned as improving after stress but is not labelled restorative; EEG and ECG are measurement techniques, not sleep types. Hence the restorative sleep is NREM.