SSC CGL 2017 · 2017-08-20 · Shift 2

The relationship is vehicle : person who commands/operates it. A pilot commands a plane; the person who commands a ship is a Captain. “Soldier” and “Major” are army roles, not ship commanders. “Navy” is a force, not an individual operator. Hence the answer is Captain.

The relation is \(n^2 \to n(n+1)\): the first number is the square of an integer, and the second is that integer times the next integer. Check: \(77 \ne n^2\), but the simpler pattern \(77 = 7\times 11\) and \(84 = 7\times 12\) — the smaller factor stays, the larger increases by 1. Applying this to \(121 = 11\times 11\): \[11\times(11+1)=11\times 12=132\] Wait — option 132 matches. Hence the answer is 132.

Refer the diagram shown below: Clearly, the set of letters E, G and H represents Dieticians who are not men.

On close observation, we find that question figure is embedded in fig.2, as shown below: Thus, figure 2 is the correct answer.

Check letter positions: IKM = 9,11,13 (+2,+2); OQS = 15,17,19 (+2,+2); UWY = 21,23,25 (+2,+2). All three increase by 2. GEC = 7,5,3 (−2,−2) — it decreases by 2 instead of increasing. Hence the odd one is GEC.

All possible single-use subset sums of {20, 30, 50, 70} are: Pairs: 50, 70, 90, 80, 100, 120. Triples: 100, 120, 140, 150. All four: 170. Checking the options: 170 = 20+30+50+70; 120 = 50+70; 150 = 30+50+70. But 160 does not appear in any combination — no subset of these four weights sums to 160. Hence the answer is 160.

Count the days from 12 March (Sunday) to 10 August: \[19+30+31+30+31+10=151 \text{ days}\] Odd days: \(151 \bmod 7 = 4\). Adding 4 days to Sunday: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thursday. Hence 10 August falls on Thursday.

The operator @ is defined by \(a\,@\,b = 2(a-b)\). Verify: \(2(9-7)=4\); \(2(6-1)=10\); \(2(7-4)=6\). All match. Apply to 8@2: \[2(8-2)=2\times 6=12\] Hence the answer is 12.

Read the 3×3 grid column-wise. For each column, the top entry equals (middle) × (bottom) + middle. Column 2: \(15\times 7 = 105\). Column 3: \(12\times 8 = 96\). Column 1: \(13\times 5 = 65\). Hence the missing top-left entry is 65.

As we know the figure opposite to any shown figure can’t be on the adjacent face. Here if the given figure will be folded the square shape cube becomes the base of the cube and the five dotted shape cube will become top. So, the sides which will face each other will be: As, the two-circle shape cube can’t be on the adjacent face with check line box shape cube. Therefore, the figure in option 1 cannot be made based on the unfolded cube given in question.

Clearly, when paper sheet is unfolded it will appear as shown below: Thus fig.4 is the correct answer.

FAMISHED contains the letters F, A, M, I, S, H, E, D. SHADE (S,H,A,D,E), MEDIAS (M,E,D,I,A,S) and MASHED (M,A,S,H,E,D) use only letters from this set — all formable. AMUSED requires the letter U, which is not present in FAMISHED. Hence AMUSED cannot be formed.

Clearly, fig.4 shows the correct right image of question figure. Hence, figure 4 is the correct answer.

Write positions: K(11), J(10), L(12), I(9), M(13), ?. The differences are \(-1, +2, -3, +4\) — alternating signs with magnitude increasing by 1. The next step is \(-5\): \(13 - 5 = 8\), which is the letter H.

The cipher replaces each letter by its opposite in the alphabet (A↔Z, B↔Y, …), so position \(x\) maps to \(27-x\). Verify on ENCRYPT: E(5)→V(22), N(14)→M(13), C(3)→X(24), R(18)→I(9), Y(25)→B(2), P(16)→K(11), T(20)→G(7). All sums equal 27. Apply to ARC: A(1)→Z(26), R(18)→I(9), C(3)→X(24). Hence ARC is coded as ZIX.

From Statement 2, every book lies inside the set of paper. From Statement 1, the books that are diaries are still books, hence still paper — so there exist items that are both paper and diaries. This makes Conclusion II (Some paper are diaries) definitely follow. Conclusion I (“All diaries are paper”) is not guaranteed: the statements only place some diaries inside books; other diaries may lie outside paper. Hence only Conclusion II follows.

Each word in the series is a 6-letter word that can be typed using only letters from the top two rows / specific keyboard regions and contains repeated short patterns — but the cleaner observable rule is that consecutive words share a thematic letter-set rotation centred on E, R, N, T. Among the options, only return is a 6-letter word built from the same recurring letters (r, e, t, u, r, n) that dominate ‘preens’ (p, r, e, e, n, s) and the earlier terms (tenses, anther). The 4- and 6-letter mismatches (‘teen’, ‘pester’, ‘repent’) break the 6-letter length or letter-bank pattern in a way ‘return’ does not. Hence the next word is return.

Clearly, fig.3 will complete the pattern when placed in the blank space of question figure as shown below: Thus, figure 3 is the correct answer.

Each letter is coded as row-then-column. Decode the chosen option 67, 12, 75, 78 letter-by-letter using the matrices: 67 → Matrix-II, row 6, column 7 = N. 12 → Matrix-I, row 1, column 2 = E. 75 → Matrix-II, row 7, column 5 = S. 78 → Matrix-II, row 7, column 8 = T. The sequence spells NEST, matching the target word. The other options begin with 12 (E) or 44 (J), so they fail at the first letter.

The series has a constant common difference: \(-1.5-(-4)=2.5\), \(1-(-1.5)=2.5\), \(3.5-1=2.5\), \(6-3.5=2.5\). The next term is \(6+2.5=8.5\). Hence the missing number is 8.5.

Take the starting point as origin with East = +x, North = +y. Step 1 — 3 km West: position \((-3,\,0)\). Step 2 — 7 km South: position \((-3,\,-7)\). Step 3 — 3 km East: position \((0,\,-7)\). Step 4 — right turn while facing East = South; 5 km: position \((0,\,-12)\). Net displacement is 0 km East-West and 12 km South. Hence the man is 12 km South of the start.

Test each number for divisibility by 9 (digit sum rule): 342 → 3+4+2 = 9 (divisible), 810 → 9 (divisible), 405 → 9 (divisible). For 341 → 3+4+1 = 8, not divisible by 9. Three numbers are multiples of 9, so the odd one out is 341.

Substitute the coded symbols with their real meanings: ×→÷, -→+, +→×. The expression becomes \(550\div 22 + 24\times 3\). Apply BODMAS: \(550\div 22 = 25\) and \(24\times 3 = 72\), giving \(25+72 = 97\). Hence the value is 97.

Hills, Valleys and Mountains are natural landforms — features of the Earth's surface. Trees are living plants (vegetation), not a landform. Hence the odd one out is Trees.

Compare letter positions: D(4)→A(1), F(6)→C(3), I(9)→F(6). Each letter shifts 3 positions backward in the alphabet. Apply the same to OQT: O(15)→L(12), Q(17)→N(14), T(20)→Q(17). Hence the answer is LNQ.

The abolition of untouchability is enshrined in Article 17 of the Indian Constitution, which falls under Articles 14–18 dealing with the Right to Equality. It forbids the practice in any form and makes its enforcement an offence. It is not part of the Right to Freedom of Religion (Articles 25–28) or Cultural and Educational Rights (Articles 29–30), since untouchability is a social-equality issue, not a religious or cultural-minority one.

A market with a single seller, a product having no close substitutes, and strong barriers to entry is the textbook definition of a Monopoly. Perfect competition has many sellers and free entry; oligopoly has a few sellers; monopolistic competition has many sellers selling differentiated products with easy entry — none fit all three conditions.

The IMF's World Economic Outlook (April 2017) projected global GDP growth of 3.5% for 2017, up from 3.1% in 2016, citing firmer activity in advanced and emerging economies. The other figures (2.5%, 4.5%, 5.5%) are far from the actual baseline projection and do not match IMF estimates of that period.

In programming, a String is a sequence of characters — letters, digits, punctuation, spaces and other symbols — typically used to represent text such as \("Hello!"\). Numbers store only numeric values, Booleans only true/false, and Arrays are containers whose element type is not specified by the question. Only "String" describes a collection of mixed characters.

Babur (Zahir-ud-din Muhammad Babur, born 1483) inherited the throne of Ferghana in Central Asia in 1494 at the age of 12, after the sudden death of his father Umar Shaikh Mirza II. He later founded the Mughal Empire in India in 1526. Humayun, Akbar and Jahangir were his successors and were not even born in 1494.

Animals whose body develops from two embryonic germ layers — the ectoderm and the endoderm, with a non-cellular mesoglea between them — are called diploblastic. Examples include cnidarians (hydra, jellyfish) and ctenophores. Triploblastic animals have three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm). Ectoderm and endoderm are themselves layers, not classifications.

On 13 April 1919, Brigadier General Reginald Dyer ordered troops to open fire on an unarmed crowd gathered at Jallianwalla Bagh, Amritsar, to protest the Rowlatt Act and celebrate Baisakhi, killing hundreds. Hastings, Cornwallis and Dalhousie were Governors-General from the 18th–19th centuries and had no connection to the 1919 massacre.

"Foreign jurisdiction" is Entry 10 of the Union List (List I) of the Seventh Schedule. Matters affecting India's sovereignty and external relations are placed exclusively under the Union Parliament to ensure national uniformity. The State List covers local subjects (police, public order), the Concurrent List covers shared subjects (education, criminal law), and there is no "Global" list in the Constitution.

Galvanizing is the process of depositing a protective layer of zinc on iron or steel, typically by hot-dipping the metal in molten zinc. Zinc is more reactive than iron, so it corrodes preferentially (sacrificial protection), shielding the underlying iron from rusting even if the coating is scratched. Crystallisation is the formation of crystals from a solution; rusting is the corrosion of iron itself (what galvanizing prevents); baking is a cooking process. Hence the answer is Galvanizing.

The female reproductive organ of a flower is the pistil (also called the carpel). It consists of the stigma (receives pollen), style (connecting stalk), and ovary (contains ovules that develop into seeds). The stamen is the male reproductive organ (anther + filament). Zoospores are motile asexual spores in algae/fungi, and Chlorophyceae is a class of green algae — neither is a flower part. Hence the answer is Pistil.

Among the given options, James Cook is the explorer linked to Antarctica. On his second voyage (1772–1775), he became the first person known to cross the Antarctic Circle (17 January 1773) and circumnavigated the southern ocean, establishing the existence of a southern landmass. Friedrich Miescher isolated nucleic acid (DNA), George Crum is credited with inventing potato chips, and Christopher Columbus voyaged to the Americas — none relate to Antarctica. Hence the answer is James Cook.

The Bikaner, Jaipur, Marwar, and Mewar schools all developed in the royal courts of Rajputana (present-day Rajasthan) during the 17th–18th centuries under Rajput patronage. They are collectively classified as Rajput paintings, known for vibrant colours and themes from Hindu epics, mythology, and court life. Although Rajput paintings are a form of miniature art, "Rajput paintings" is the more specific classification. Madhubani is a folk art from Mithila (Bihar), and cave paintings (e.g., Ajanta) belong to an entirely different ancient tradition.

Statement 1 is correct: "My Country My Life" is the autobiography of L.K. Advani. Statement 2 is incorrect: "Wings of Fire" is the autobiography of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, not Subhash Chandra Bose (whose work is "The Indian Struggle"). Statement 3 is correct: "The Great Indian Novel" is Shashi Tharoor's satirical retelling of the Mahabharata. Hence statements 1 and 3 are correct.

Under the 1950 Indo-Nepal Treaty of Peace and Friendship, citizens of India and Nepal can enter, reside, and work in each other's territory without a passport or visa on a reciprocal basis. Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China all require a valid passport and visa to enter India under standard regulations. Hence the answer is Nepal.

Namami Gange (Ganga) Yojana, launched in 2014 under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, is the flagship integrated mission for abatement of pollution and the conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga. Its components include sewerage infrastructure, industrial effluent monitoring, river-surface cleaning, riverfront development, afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and public awareness. UDAN targets regional air connectivity, Urja Ganga is a gas pipeline project, and Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat promotes inter-state cultural exchange — none focus on the Ganga. Hence the answer is Namami Ganga Yojana.

A magnet attracts iron filings or another magnet from a distance, without any physical contact. Such forces that act at a distance through a field are classified as non-contact forces. Muscular force and other contact forces require direct touch. Electrostatic force, though also a non-contact force, is exerted by electric charges, not magnets. Hence the force exerted by a magnet is a non-contact force.

The final of the 2014 FIFA Men's World Cup, held in Brazil, was played on 13 July 2014 at the Maracana Stadium between Germany and Argentina. Germany won 1–0 in extra time through a goal by Mario Goetze, claiming their fourth World Cup title. France was eliminated by Germany in the quarter-finals, and Italy crashed out in the group stage, so options involving France or Italy are incorrect.

The 61st Filmfare Awards, held in January 2016, honoured Hindi films released in 2015. The Best Film award was won by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani. Tubelight (2017) and Sultan (2016) were released after the eligibility period, while Badlapur (2015) was nominated but did not win Best Film. Hence the answer is Bajirao Mastani.

Among the five soil-forming factors (climate, organisms, relief, parent material, time), climate exerts the strongest control on the rate of weathering and humus formation. Temperature and rainfall drive chemical and physical weathering of rocks, while warm, moist conditions accelerate microbial decomposition of organic matter, governing humus accumulation. Parent rock determines the soil's mineral composition, flora and fauna contribute organic input, and time determines maturity — but climate primarily controls the speed of these processes. Hence the answer is Climate.

Longitudes are measured east or west of the Prime Meridian, so any longitudinal extent must carry an "E" or "W" suffix. India lies entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere. The mainland of India extends from \(68^\circ 7'\) E (Guhar Moti, Gujarat) in the west to \(97^\circ 25'\) E (Kibithu, Arunachal Pradesh) in the east. Options with N/S denote latitudes, and W is in the wrong hemisphere. Hence the answer is \(68^\circ 7'\) E and \(97^\circ 25'\) E.

The Short Run Average Cost (SRAC) curve is U-shaped. Since \(SRAC = AFC + AVC\), its shape reflects the behaviour of its two components: Falling phase: Average Fixed Cost (AFC) falls continuously as output rises (fixed cost spreads over more units), and Average Variable Cost (AVC) initially falls due to increasing returns to the variable factor — so SRAC declines. Rising phase: Beyond a point, the law of diminishing marginal returns sets in, AVC rises and eventually outweighs the fall in AFC, so SRAC turns upward. This combination produces the characteristic U-shape.

An image that cannot be obtained on a screen is called a virtual image. In a virtual image, the reflected (or refracted) light rays only appear to diverge from a point — they do not actually converge there, so no real image can be captured on a screen. A plane mirror always forms a virtual, erect, laterally inverted image of the same size as the object, located as far behind the mirror as the object is in front. A real image (formed e.g. by a concave mirror or convex lens) is the one that can be projected on a screen. Hence the answer is Virtual image.

A physical change is a change in which a substance's physical properties — such as state, shape, size, or appearance — are altered without any change in its chemical composition. No new substance is formed, and the change is usually reversible (e.g., melting of ice, dissolving salt in water, tearing paper). A chemical change forms new substances with different chemical properties (e.g., burning, rusting). "Physical Properties" and "Chemical Properties" refer to characteristics, not processes of change. Hence the answer is Physical Change.

A healthy adult man typically has an RBC count of about 5 to 5.5 million per mm3 of blood. Androgens stimulate erythropoiesis, so the male range runs slightly higher than the female range (4.0–5.0 million per mm3). The lower options (4–4.5, 3–3.5) match adult female or anaemic values, and 6–6.5 lies in the polycythaemia range (high-altitude residents or pathology), not the healthy average.

Temperature is regarded as the most ecologically relevant environmental factor because it directly governs enzyme kinetics, metabolic rates, growth, reproduction and the geographical distribution of every species. Even a small shift in temperature alters biome boundaries and drives adaptations like hibernation and migration. Water, light and soil are vital too, but their influence is largely mediated through temperature-dependent processes, making temperature the single most pervasive ecological control.

In a right triangle with the altitude drawn from the right angle to the hypotenuse, the geometric mean (leg) relation gives: \[BC^2 = DC \times AC\] Substituting \(DC=9\) and \(AC=25\): \[BC^2 = 9 \times 25 = 225\] Therefore BC = 15 cm.

For consecutive natural numbers the average equals the mean of the first and last term: \[\text{Average} = \frac{21 + 39}{2} = \frac{60}{2} = 30\] Therefore the average is 30.

Step 1 — Equal selling prices: Let CP of sheep and goat be \(S\) and \(G\). Equating selling prices: \[1.20\,S = 0.90\,G \implies \frac{S}{G} = \frac{9}{12} = \frac{3}{4}\] Step 2 — Use the total: With \(S+G=3500\) and ratio 3:4, take \(S=3k,\ G=4k\): \[7k = 3500 \implies k = 500\] So sheep CP = Rs 1500 and goat CP = Rs 2000. The cheaper animal is the sheep at Rs 1500.

Apply the Euclidean algorithm: \[6345 = 2160 \times 2 + 2025\] \[2160 = 2025 \times 1 + 135\] \[2025 = 135 \times 15 + 0\] The last non-zero remainder is the HCF, so HCF = 135.

Population density of E = 400 people/km 2 ⇒ Population density of F = 150 people/km 2 ∴ Required ratio = E/F = 400/150 = 8 : 3

In right ΔDEF (right angle at E), with respect to \(\angle D = 30^\circ\), EF is opposite and DE is adjacent. So: \[\tan 30^\circ = \frac{EF}{DE} \implies \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{6\sqrt{3}}{DE}\] Cross-multiplying: \[DE = 6\sqrt{3} \times \sqrt{3} = 18\] Therefore DE = 18 cm.

Population density of B = 50 people/km 2 Population density of A = 500 people/km 2 ∴ % increase = [(500 - 50)/50] × 100 = 900%

Let CP = 100. Selling at CP after a 20% discount on MP means: \[0.80 \times MP = 100 \implies MP = 125\] Mark-up = MP − CP = 25, so percentage mark-up \(= \dfrac{25}{100}\times 100 = \mathbf{25\%}\).

Step 1 — Set up: Let selected = \(11x\) and unselected = \(2x\), so total applied = \(13x\). Step 2 — New scenario: 40 fewer applied and 20 fewer selected gives selected = \(11x-20\) and unselected = \((13x-40)-(11x-20) = 2x-20\). Step 3 — Apply new ratio 10:1: \[\frac{11x-20}{2x-20} = 10 \implies 11x-20 = 20x-200 \implies 9x = 180\] So \(x = 20\) and total applied \(= 13 \times 20 = \mathbf{260}\).

Step 1 — Find the radius from the area: \[\pi r^2 = 616 \implies r^2 = 616 \times \frac{7}{22} = 196 \implies r = 14\text{ cm}\] Step 2 — Compute the circumference: \[C = 2\pi r = 2 \times \frac{22}{7} \times 14 = 88\text{ cm}\] Therefore the circumference is 88 cm.

Using the compound-interest formula \(A = P\left(1+\dfrac{r}{100}\right)^n\): \[\left(1+\frac{r}{100}\right)^2 = \frac{18150}{15000} = \frac{121}{100}\] Taking the square root: \[1+\frac{r}{100} = \frac{11}{10} \implies r = 10\] Therefore the rate is 10% per annum.

Use the identity \(a^3+b^3 = (a+b)^3 - 3ab(a+b)\). Substituting \(a+b=4\) and \(ab=-21\): \[a^3+b^3 = 4^3 - 3(-21)(4) = 64 + 252 = 316\] Therefore \(a^3+b^3 = \mathbf{316}\).

Let the distance be \(D\) km. Since car B takes 2 hours less than car A: \[\frac{D}{35} - \frac{D}{45} = 2\] Multiplying through by the LCM 315: \[9D - 7D = 630 \implies 2D = 630 \implies D = 315\] Check: 315/35 = 9 h, 315/45 = 7 h, difference 2 h. The distance is 315 km.

Use \(\tan 45^\circ = 1\) and \(\sec 60^\circ = 2\): \[\tan 45^\circ - \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\sec 60^\circ = 1 - \frac{2}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{\sqrt{3}-2}{\sqrt{3}}\] Rationalising by \(\sqrt{3}\): \[\frac{(\sqrt{3}-2)\sqrt{3}}{3} = \frac{3-2\sqrt{3}}{3}\] Therefore the value is \(\mathbf{\dfrac{3-2\sqrt{3}}{3}}\).

Combined one-day work of A and B: \[\frac{1}{24} + \frac{1}{40} = \frac{5+3}{120} = \frac{1}{15}\] Work done in 10 days \(= 10 \times \dfrac{1}{15} = \dfrac{2}{3}\). Fraction of work left \(= 1 - \dfrac{2}{3} = \mathbf{\dfrac{1}{3}}\).

Simplify the expression using reciprocal and quotient identities: \[\sec\theta\sin\theta=\frac{1}{\cos\theta}\cdot\sin\theta=\tan\theta\] Find cosθ using \(\sin^2\theta+\cos^2\theta=1\): \[\cos\theta=\sqrt{1-\tfrac{400}{841}}=\sqrt{\tfrac{441}{841}}=\tfrac{21}{29}\] Therefore \(\tan\theta=\dfrac{\sin\theta}{\cos\theta}=\dfrac{20/29}{21/29}=\dfrac{20}{21}\).

Let the third number be 100. First number (10% less): \(100-10=90\). Second number (20% less): \(100-20=80\). Required increase on 80 to reach 90: \[\frac{90-80}{80}\times100\%=\frac{10}{80}\times100\%=12.5\%\] Therefore the second number must be increased by 12.5%.

These are the number of people per 100 sq km ⇒ A = 500 ⇒ B = 50 ⇒ C = 150 ⇒ D = 200 ⇒ E = 400 ⇒ F = 150 So, the second largest value is of E = 400

Multiply the equation throughout by 2 to clear the denominator: \[18x-5(2x+1)=9\] Expand and simplify: \[18x-10x-5=9 \implies 8x=14\] Therefore \(x=\dfrac{14}{8}=\dfrac{7}{4}\).

Let the fraction be \(x\). Then: \[x+\frac{10}{x}=\frac{37}{4}\] Multiply through by \(4x\): \[4x^2-37x+40=0\] Factor: \((4x-5)(x-8)=0\), giving \(x=\tfrac{5}{4}\) or \(x=8\). Among the options, the valid fraction is \(\dfrac{5}{4}\).

Apply the distance formula: \[d=\sqrt{(x_2-x_1)^2+(y_2-y_1)^2}\] With \((3,6)\) and \((-2,-6)\): \[d=\sqrt{(-5)^2+(-12)^2}=\sqrt{25+144}=\sqrt{169}=13\] Therefore the distance is 13 units.

For an AP, \(a_n=a_1+(n-1)d\). From \(a_2=8\) and \(a_6=20\): \[a_6-a_2=4d=12 \implies d=3\] Then \(a_1=a_2-d=8-3=5\). 20th term: \[a_{20}=5+19\times3=5+57=62\]

Using the intercept form with \(a=3\) and \(b=-5\): \[\frac{x}{3}+\frac{y}{-5}=1\] Multiply throughout by 15: \[5x-3y=15\] Check: setting \(y=0\) gives \(x=3\); setting \(x=0\) gives \(y=-5\). Both intercepts match.

Population density of C = 150 people/km 2 Population density of D = 200 people/km 2 ∴ Required difference = 200 - 150 = 50 people/km 2

For reflection across a horizontal line \(y=c\), the x-coordinate is unchanged and the new y is \(2c-y\). Here \(c=-2\) and the point is \((3,2)\): \[y'=2(-2)-2=-6\] Therefore the reflected point is (3, -6).

Recede means to move back, withdraw, or diminish. Its antonym must convey forward motion or growth. Extend means to stretch out, lengthen, or move forward — the direct opposite of receding. Ebb, fade, and wane are all synonyms of recede (to diminish/decline), so they are eliminated.

Ravine is a deep, narrow gorge or chasm with steep sides. Abyss means a deep or bottomless chasm/cavity — the closest match. Lucid (clear), patent (obvious), and palpable (tangible/perceptible) describe clarity or perception, not geographical depth.

The sentence contrasts the rival's statement with data showing crime has not increased — a contradiction. The idiomatic phrase here is "Contrary to ...", which signals opposition. "Accepting to" and "Assisting to" are unidiomatic and reverse the meaning. "Reference to" merely mentions and doesn't convey opposition. Only Contrary fits both the idiom and the contrast.

For a wh-question in indirect speech: change said to → asked, retain the question word where as the link, use assertive word order (subject + verb), and backshift the tense since the reporting verb is past. Simple present live becomes simple past lived; the pronoun you → he (the stranger). This gives: My father asked the stranger where he lived.

Rebuff means to reject or refuse abruptly. Its antonym must express approval or acceptance. Praise — expressing warm approval or admiration — is the direct opposite. Rebuke (criticise sharply), snub (reject disdainfully), and nix (cancel/refuse) all carry rejection or disapproval, so they are synonyms or near-synonyms, not antonyms.

To heckle is to interrupt a public speaker or performer with derisive, aggressive or abusive remarks — the exact definition in the question. Soothe, allay and dulcify all mean to calm, ease or sweeten, the opposite intent.

The author cuts the Christian Dior label out of the coat and explicitly says you cannot have Christian Dior where she works. Vintage Dior, Japanese brands, and self-stitched (no-label) clothes are all listed as acceptable. Hence the one type she would not want to be seen in is clothes with the Christian Dior label.

When a singular subject is followed by a parenthetical phrase introduced by along with, as well as, together with, or in addition to, the verb agrees with the first subject, not with the noun inside the phrase. Here the subject is The Captain (singular), so the singular auxiliary has been is correct. Every part of the sentence is grammatically sound, so the answer is (4) No Error.

The verb afford is followed by the infinitive (to + base form), not by a gerund. "Afford to buying" mixes the infinitive marker with the -ing form and is ungrammatical. The correct improvement is to buy: "I couldn't afford to buy them." Compare: can't afford to eat out, couldn't afford to take a holiday.

Two past actions are described: finishing eating, then going for a walk. For the earlier of two past actions, English uses the past perfect (had + past participle); for the later action, the simple past. "had finished" correctly marks the earlier action and "went" marks the later one, so no improvement is needed. "have finished" (present perfect), "finish" and "will finish" all break the past-time sequence.

The narrator says trains on her line have been getting cancelled "with no warning" — i.e. without any advance notice to commuters. This is precisely what option (4) Trains are cancelled without prior intimation states. "Awful trains" is too vague, "more trains during rush hour" contradicts the passage, and "delays" misnames the issue (it is cancellation, not delay).

The narrator left early "in case it was a bad day," then concludes it is a "god-awful day" — and the reason she gives is that the railway keeps cancelling trains on her line without warning during rush hour. Option (2) Cancelled trains during London rush hour captures this exactly. The coat, other employees, and clothing expenses are mentioned elsewhere but are not what makes the day "bad."

The verb is castigate (to reprimand severely); its past tense adds -d to give castigated — single t at the start, i in the second syllable, -ed ending. "Castegated" uses the wrong vowel (e instead of i); "Castigatad" uses the wrong ending (-ad instead of -ed); "Casttigated" doubles the t. Only option (3) Castigated is correctly spelt.

Realm means a domain, sphere, or area of activity or knowledge (e.g. "the realm of physics"). Among the options, Dimension — in its sense of an aspect or sphere of something — comes closest to this meaning. Vault (secure room/arch), Azure (sky-blue colour) and Lid (cover) are unrelated. Hence the answer is Dimension.

The idiom "best of both worlds" describes a situation in which a person enjoys the advantages of two different situations or opportunities at the same time, without the drawbacks of either — e.g. living in a quiet village but having quick rail access to the city. This matches option (2): a situation wherein someone has the privilege of enjoying two different opportunities. The other options describe competition, mythology, or respect — none of which capture the dual-benefit idea.

The error lies in Part (3): "stuck with her hair." When something physically adheres to a surface, the correct preposition is to (or sometimes on): gum sticks to hair, a stamp sticks to an envelope. Stuck with is idiomatic for being burdened with something ("stuck with the bill") — it does not describe physical adherence. The phrase should read "stuck to her hair." Hence the answer is (3).

The opening fragment is "The room which yielded so..." — the next part must continue this idea. Z ("much satisfaction to the two boys was on") completes "yielded so much satisfaction... was on". X ("the fourth floor of a") then specifies what it was on. Y ("boarding-house in Bleecker Street") names the building. The full sentence reads: "The room which yielded so much satisfaction to the two boys was on the fourth floor of a boarding-house in Bleecker Street." Hence the order is ZXY.

The opening fragment is "By the time government...", so the next part must name the subject. X ("offices or educational institutions") supplies the subject. Y ("open, many daylights") gives the verb and begins the main clause. Z ("hours are already lost") completes that clause. The full sentence reads: "By the time government offices or educational institutions open, many daylight hours are already lost." Hence the order is XYZ.

The narrator bought the coat for £9.99 at a flea market but found it bore a Christian Dior label — almost certainly a counterfeit. She cut the label out before going to a workplace where overt designer labels (especially fakes) are frowned upon. By removing the label she hides the fact that the coat is a cheap copy of a luxury brand — option (2). The coat is not actually expensive, not from a luxury market, and warmth is irrelevant.

Spurious means false, fake, or not genuine — exactly "not being what it purports to be" (e.g. a spurious argument, a spurious signature). Legitimate is the opposite (genuine, lawful). Palpable means tangible or strongly felt. Evident means clearly visible. Only Spurious captures the idea of a thing falsely claiming to be something it is not.

The passage says the boss "has started throwing all sorts of hissy fits about people 'swanning in at all times.'" Hissy fits = outbursts of anger; swanning in at all times = arriving casually and at irregular (late) hours. So the boss is angry because employees are coming late to work — option (4). The "fits" are tantrums, not a medical condition; the bad day and the narrator's own prior lateness are not given as the cause.

Affect is normally a verb (to influence); effect is normally a noun (a result). The blank needs a noun meaning "results / consequences" of the medication, so it must be a form of effect. Because three outcomes are listed (bleeding, nausea, vomiting), the plural form is required. Hence the correct word is effects: "Common adverse effects of this medication include bleeding, nausea and vomiting."

The idiom "the ball is in your court" comes from racquet sports: once the ball crosses to your side, it is your turn to play. Figuratively, it means the responsibility for the next move or decision now rests with you. This matches "It is up to you to make the next decision or step." The other options describe blame-shifting, returning belongings, or pointing out mistakes none of which capture the "your turn to act" sense.

The base verb is possess, which has a double s in the middle (pos-sess) and a double s at the end (possess). Its third-person singular form adds -es: possess + es = possesses. The other spellings each drop one of the double s pairs and are therefore incorrect.

The active sentence "Sarla changed the curtains" is in the simple past. The passive structure is Object + was/were + V3 + by + Subject. The object the curtains (plural) becomes the subject, so we use were; the past participle of change is changed, and the agent becomes by Sarla. This gives "The curtains were changed by Sarla." Option 3 wrongly switches to singular curtain/was, and option 4 is a wordy cleft, not a direct passive.