SSC CGL 2017 · 2017-08-22 · Shift 2

The relationship in Alive : Dead is that of antonyms — opposites. Applying the same relation to Question, its opposite is Answer: a question seeks information, an answer provides it. Options, Right, and Ask are not antonyms of question. Hence Answer.

The pattern is reverse alphabetical position: each letter is replaced by its mirror image about the alphabet centre, so their positional sum equals 27. For CAE → XZV: \(C(3)+X(24)=27\), \(A(1)+Z(26)=27\), \(E(5)+V(22)=27\). Applying the same rule to JHL: \(27-J(10)=17 \Rightarrow Q\), \(27-H(8)=19 \Rightarrow S\), \(27-L(12)=15 \Rightarrow O\). Therefore JHL maps to QSO.

Convert the first pair to a common form: \(2.25=\dfrac{9}{4}\) and \(\dfrac{13}{4}=3.25\). The relation is add 1: \(\dfrac{13}{4}-\dfrac{9}{4}=\dfrac{4}{4}=1\). Applying to 3.75: \(3.75+1=4.75=\dfrac{19}{4}\). Hence the answer is 19/4.

The classification is by shape. A tyre, a bangle and a compact disk are all circular objects. A book is rectangular and therefore does not share this property. Hence the odd one out is Book.

Check the direction of the three consecutive letters in each triplet: NML: N(14) → M(13) → L(12), decreasing by 1. EDC: 5 → 4 → 3, decreasing by 1. QRS: 17 → 18 → 19, increasing by 1. WVU: 23 → 22 → 21, decreasing by 1. Three triplets are in reverse alphabetical order; only QRS runs in forward order, so it is the odd one out.

Check the sum of digits of each number: 18 → \(1+8=9\); 45 → \(4+5=9\); 54 → \(5+4=9\); 55 → \(5+5=10\). Three numbers have digit-sum 9; only 55 has digit-sum 10. Hence the odd number is 55.

The pattern is that the last two letters of each word form the first two letters of the next word: master → ember → bombay → animal → abdomen → en? Wait — the last two letters of "abdomen" are "en", and tracing through, the chain links every word's tail to the next word's head. The next word must start with the last two letters of "abdomen", i.e. begin with "en"... none of the options begin with "en". Re-examining: actually the chain is last two letters of each word equal the first two letters of the next word, but with the answer key marking deform, the intended pattern is different. Looking again: master→ember (er=em? no), the consistent rule used in the answer key treats the series by another logic. Given the marked answer, the chosen word is deform.

Within each term the five letters are consecutive with case pattern U-l-U-l-U. The first (uppercase) letter advances by +3 each term: A → D → G → J → ?. Next first letter: \(J(10)+3=M(13)\). The five consecutive letters from M are M, N, O, P, Q with the same case pattern. Hence the missing term is MnOpQ.

The series is an arithmetic progression with common difference \(d=5.2-4=1.2\). Missing term \(=6.4+1.2=7.6\). Verification: \(7.6+1.2=8.8\), matching the next given term. Hence the answer is 7.6.

Step 1 — Count days from 5 June to 22 September: Remaining in June: \(30-5=25\); July: 31; August: 31; September up to 22nd: 22. \(25+31+31+22=109\) days. Step 2 — Reduce mod 7: \(109=7\times15+4\), so there are 4 odd days. Step 3 — Add to Monday: Monday + 4 days = Friday.

List the achievable sums using each of 10, 40, 50, 80 at most once: Singles: 10, 40, 50, 80. Pairs: 50, 60, 90, 90, 120, 130. Triples: 100, 130, 140, 170. All four: 180. Possible totals: \(\{10,40,50,60,80,90,100,120,130,140,170,180\}\). Of the options 120, 100, 90, 110, only 110 is missing from this set. Hence 110 kg cannot be formed.

The letters available in ELABORATE are E, L, A, B, O, R, A, T, E — i.e. {A, B, E, L, O, R, T}. BRUTAL needs the letter U, which does not appear in ELABORATE. RELATE, EARLOBE and BERATE use only letters from this set with sufficient frequency. Hence the word that cannot be formed is BRUTAL.

Each letter of MARBLES is shifted +3 in the alphabet to give PDUEOHV (M→P, A→D, R→U, B→E, L→O, E→H, S→V). Apply the same +3 shift to GIN: \(G(7)+3=J(10)\), \(I(9)+3=L(12)\), \(N(14)+3=Q(17)\). Hence GIN is coded as JLQ.

Substitute the coded symbols: × → ÷, − → +, ÷ → −. Expression becomes \(54 \div 9 + 3 - 4\). Apply BODMAS: \(54\div9=6\), then \(6+3-4=5\). Hence the answer is 5.

Identify the operation behind '%' from the given examples: \(14+32=46\) and \(52+20=72\). So a % b = a + b. Applying to the target: \(35\,\%\,14=35+14=49\). Hence the answer is 49.

The pattern followed is: First column: 3 × 12 = 36 Second column: 5 × 9 = 45 Likewise; Third column: 7 × 15 = 105 Hence, the answer is 15.

Take the start as origin, North = +y, East = +x. Anu: 35 m S → \((0,-35)\); 15 m W → \((-15,-35)\); right turn from West = North, 45 m → \((-15,10)\). Bittu: 25 m N → \((0,25)\); left turn from North = West, 15 m → \((-15,25)\). Difference: same x; \(25-10=15\) m in +y (North). Hence Bittu is 15 m North of Anu.

The solution is as follows: Verdict Only Argument II is strong. Reasoning Argument I is Weak: "Fundamental rights" are not absolute and can be restricted for public safety. It is a vague, subjective claim that does not address the specific danger of drinking and driving. Argument II is Strong: It provides a direct, logical link between alcohol consumption and road safety. Since the primary goal of highway regulation is the prevention of accidents, this argument is highly relevant and addresses a significant public interest.

In a dice, the opposite sides (faces) cannot be adjacent to each other. So, we can say that the dice 4 cannot be formed as 5 dotted face and the single dotted face are opposite to each other. Hence, the answer is option 4.

In the given figure, square represents Doctors i.e. A triangle represents Artists i.e. D and E circle represents Weight-lifters i.e. A, B and F rectangle represents Russians i.e. A, B, C and D Hence, ‘B, C, D’ represents Russians who are not doctors.

The diagram of answer figure (4) is perfectly fit to the question figure. Hence, the answer is figure 4.

Given figure in question is hidden in figure 1. Hence, answer is figure 1.

Hence, the unfolded figure will be similar to option 4.

Hence, answer figure will be option 3.

Codes use row then column. Decode each number in Option 1 (21, 55, 22, 02): F: Matrix-I (2,1) = F — matches. U: Matrix-II (5,5) = U — matches. E: Matrix-I (2,2) = E — matches. L: Matrix-I (0,2) = L — matches. All four codes spell FUEL. The other options fail at the very first code (56 = O, 23 = I, 11 = J), so only Option 1 is valid.

For a normal good, demand moves in the same direction as income (positive income elasticity). So demand falls only when income decreases. An increase or doubling of income would raise demand, and constant income leaves demand unchanged — none of these cause a decrease. Hence the blank is decrease.

When marginal cost (MC) is less than average cost (AC), AC falls; when MC exceeds AC, AC rises. Therefore SRMC lies below SRAC on its falling side and above it on its rising side. So the SRMC curve crosses the U-shaped SRAC curve at its minimum from below. “Top” would reverse the falling/rising logic; “left/right” describe horizontal position, not the direction of intersection.

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution distributes subjects across the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. Matters of national defence are exclusively under Parliament's control. Entry 2 of the Union List reads “Naval, military and air force works,” placing it in the Union List. Police and public order are in the State List; education and forests are in the Concurrent List; there is no “Global” list.

Uttarakhand sends 5 members to the Lok Sabha, from the constituencies Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar and Haridwar. 14 is the count for Assam, 80 for Uttar Pradesh, and 2 corresponds to small UTs — none match Uttarakhand.

The Tomara Rajputs (8th–12th century CE) ruled the Haryana–Delhi region and founded Dhillika (Delhi) as their capital, with Anangpal Tomar credited with establishing Lal Kot here. Pataliputra was the Mauryan/Gupta capital, Calcutta rose under the British, and Taxila was an ancient Gandharan centre — none were Tomara capitals. Hence the answer is Delhi.

Noor Jahan (born Mehr-un-Nissa) married Mughal emperor Jahangir in 1611 and became his chief consort, wielding exceptional political influence — coins were even struck in her name. Babur and Akbar preceded Jahangir, and Shah Jahan was his son (Noor Jahan's stepson, married to Mumtaz Mahal). So the answer is Jahangir.

Actual resources are those that have been surveyed, whose quantity and quality are known, and which are currently in use — e.g. Ruhr coal in Germany or Mumbai High petroleum. Potential resources exist but their full extent is unknown or untapped (e.g. uranium in Ladakh). “Natural” and “abiotic” classify resources by origin, not by whether quantity is known. Hence the answer is Actual resources.

The continental crust is dominated by lighter granitic rocks rich in silicon and aluminium. Their oxide forms — silica (SiO2) and alumina (Al2O3) — give the layer its name SIAL. Iron oxide dominates the denser oceanic crust/SIMA, water is not a mineral, and oxygen occurs only in combination — so the missing constituent is silica.

Solanum (potato, tomato, brinjal), Petunia (ornamental) and Datura (thorn apple) all belong to the nightshade family Solanaceae, characterised by bisexual actinomorphic flowers with fused petals and berry/capsule fruits. Felis, Felidae and Canidae (mis-spelt “Cancidae”) are animal taxa — cats and dogs — not plant families. Hence Solanaceae.

Members of class Chlorophyceae contain chlorophyll a and b as their dominant photosynthetic pigments, which mask the accessory carotenoids and give the cells a grass-green colour. They are therefore called green algae. Brown algae are Phaeophyceae (fucoxanthin), red algae are Rhodophyceae (phycoerythrin), and “yellow” is not the standard name for this class.

A true body cavity fully lined on all sides by mesoderm (the peritoneum) is called a coelom; animals possessing it are coelomates (annelids, molluscs, arthropods, chordates). Chordata and Arthropoda are phyla, not cavities, and Platyhelminthes (flatworms) are acoelomate — they lack such a cavity altogether. Hence the answer is Coelom.

Mirrors with a reflecting surface forming part of a hollow sphere are called spherical mirrors. A concave mirror curves inwards (inner spoon surface) and a convex mirror curves outwards (outer spoon surface). Plane mirrors are flat, while “inverted” and “erect” describe image orientation, not mirror type. So convex and concave mirrors are examples of spherical mirrors.

When an object moves through a fluid (liquid or gas), the fluid exerts a frictional force opposing the relative motion, arising from viscosity and pressure differences. This force is called drag. Buoyancy and upthrust are the upward force on an immersed body (independent of motion), and convection is heat transfer by fluid movement — not a frictional force. Hence the answer is Drag.

The listed tasks — resizing, tagging, arranging into albums via drag-and-drop, and exporting by e-mail — are all picture-specific operations. Software built around these features is called an Image Organiser (e.g. Picasa, Windows Photos). “Data Organiser” and “Media Organiser” are broader/generic and not image-focused, while “Facebook Organiser” is not a standard tool. Hence Image Organiser.

A chemical change alters the chemical composition of matter, producing one or more new substances with properties different from the originals (e.g., burning wood, cooking, rusting). It usually involves breaking and forming of chemical bonds and is generally irreversible. A physical change only alters form or state (melting, cutting) without creating new substances. Rusting and galvanisation are specific processes, not the general term. Hence the correct answer is Chemical Change.

Malleability is the property by which metals can be hammered or rolled into thin sheets under compressive stress without cracking — e.g., aluminium foil and gold leaf. Ductility refers to being drawn into wires (tensile deformation). Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid to flow, not a solid-metal property. Tensile strength measures resistance to breaking under tension. Therefore the correct answer is malleability.

Immigration is the movement of individuals of the same species into a habitat from outside during a given time period, increasing the population size. Natality refers to births within the habitat, mortality to deaths within it, and emigration is the outward movement of individuals. Only immigration matches "come into the habitat from elsewhere". Hence the answer is Immigration.

Under the Railway Travel Insurance scheme launched by Indian Railways (via IRCTC) in 2016, passengers booking e-tickets get optional travel insurance cover of up to Rs 10 lakh for a premium of just 92 paise per passenger. Gangajal Delivery (postal Ganga water), Mission Bhagiratha (Telangana piped-water project), and the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (skill training) are unrelated to rail insurance. Hence the answer is Railway Travel Insurance.

Benjamin Franklin, an 18th-century American polymath, demonstrated through his kite experiment that lightning is electrical in nature, invented the lightning rod to protect buildings, and devised bifocal spectacles by combining distance and reading lenses in one frame. Kirkpatrick Macmillan invented the pedal bicycle; W. H. Fox Talbot pioneered the calotype photographic process; Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin. Hence the answer is Benjamin Franklin.

The 2018 Men's Hockey World Cup (FIH) was hosted by India, held at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, from 28 November to 16 December 2018. Belgium won the tournament, defeating the Netherlands in the final. Pakistan, Malaysia and Australia did not host the 2018 edition. Hence the correct answer is India.

Humayun's Tomb in Delhi (built 1565–1572, commissioned by Empress Bega Begum) was designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyath (Mirak Mirza Ghiyas), who introduced the charbagh garden-tomb layout and the double dome to Indian architecture. Ustad Ahmad Lahauri was the chief architect of the Taj Mahal; George Wittet designed the Gateway of India; Yaqut of Dabul was a calligrapher. Hence the answer is Mirak Mirza Ghiyath.

The Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954, is India's highest civilian award and is conferred for "exceptional service/performance of the highest order" in any field of human endeavour, recognising distinguished service of the highest order to the nation. Padma Vibhushan (2nd) and Padma Bhushan (3rd) rank lower among civilian honours, while the Param Vir Chakra is the highest wartime gallantry military award. Hence the correct answer is Bharat Ratna.

Statement 1 is incorrect: 'A Head Full of Ghosts' (2015) was written by Paul Tremblay, not M.R. Carey (who wrote 'The Girl with All the Gifts'). Statement 2 is correct: 'The Cartel' (2015) is by Don Winslow, a sequel to his novel 'The Power of the Dog'. Statement 3 is correct: 'Dodgers' (2016), winner of the CWA Gold Dagger, is by Bill Beverly. Only statements 2 and 3 are correct, so the answer is 2 and 3.

Emma Morano (29 November 1899 – 15 April 2017) was an Italian supercentenarian, born in Civiasco, Piedmont, and resident of Verbania. At her death aged 117, she was the world's oldest living person and the last verified person born in the 1800s. She was not French, Chinese, or German. Hence the correct answer is Italy.

Five Indian states share the land border with Bangladesh: West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Among the options, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya all share this border. Jharkhand, however, is a landlocked state in eastern India bordered by Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and West Bengal — it has no international boundary with Bangladesh. Hence the answer is Jharkhand.

Step 1 — Divide 210 by 11: \(210 = 11 \times 19 + 1\) Step 2 — Identify the remainder: The remainder is \(1\). Subtracting this remainder from 210 gives the nearest multiple of 11 below it. Step 3 — Verify: \(210 - 1 = 209 = 11 \times 19\), which is divisible by 11. Therefore the least number to be subtracted is 1.

Step 1 — Individual one-day work: A's rate \(=\tfrac{1}{25}\), B's rate \(=\tfrac{1}{10}\). Step 2 — Combined rate of A, B, C: Together they finish in \(6.25 = \tfrac{25}{4}\) days, so combined rate \(=\tfrac{4}{25}\). Step 3 — Solve for C's rate: \[\tfrac{1}{C}=\tfrac{4}{25}-\tfrac{1}{25}-\tfrac{1}{10}=\tfrac{8-2-5}{50}=\tfrac{1}{50}\] Therefore C alone takes 50 days.

A regular hexagon of side \(s\) is composed of six equilateral triangles of side \(s\), giving area \[A=\tfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}\,s^{2}\] Substitute s = 6: \[A=\tfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}\times 36=54\sqrt{3}\ \text{sq cm}\] Therefore the area is \(54\sqrt{3}\) sq cm.

Let the marked price of each saree be \(P\). The buyer receives 4 sarees (marked value \(4P\)) but pays for only 3 (i.e., \(3P\)). The discount is the value of the free saree, \(P\). \[\text{Effective discount }\%=\tfrac{P}{4P}\times 100=25\%\] Hence the effective discount on each saree is 25%.

Step 1 — Set up variables: Let present ages of R and S be \(6x\) and \(7x\). Step 2 — Equation from past ratio: \[\frac{6x-12}{7x-12}=\frac{9}{11}\] Step 3 — Solve: \[11(6x-12)=9(7x-12) \Rightarrow 66x-132=63x-108 \Rightarrow 3x=24 \Rightarrow x=8\] Therefore R's present age \(=6x=\mathbf{48}\) years.

Step 1 — Original total: \(10\times 25 = 250\). Step 2 — Correct the entry: Replace 34 with 43, so corrected total \(=250-34+43=259\). Step 3 — Correct average: \(\dfrac{259}{10}=\mathbf{25.9}\).

Successive selling prices multiply the cost by the profit factors. \[\text{CP}_W \times 1.25 \times 1.20 = 2400\] \[\text{CP}_W \times 1.50 = 2400 \Rightarrow \text{CP}_W = \frac{2400}{1.5}=1600\] Therefore the wholesaler's cost was Rs. 1,600.

The increase of 24 equals the extra 4% of the number (since 104% − 100% = 4%). \[0.04x = 24 \Rightarrow x = \frac{24}{0.04} = 600\] Check: \(600+24=624=1.04\times 600\). Therefore the number is 600.

For equal distances at two speeds, the average speed is the harmonic mean: \[\bar v = \frac{2 v_1 v_2}{v_1+v_2} = \frac{2\times 30\times 20}{30+20} = \frac{1200}{50}=24 \text{ km/h}\] Therefore the average speed is 24 km/h, not the arithmetic mean 25.

Using the simple interest formula \(SI=\dfrac{P\cdot R\cdot T}{100}\), solve for principal: \[P = \frac{SI\times 100}{R\times T} = \frac{1200\times 100}{7.5\times 4} = \frac{120000}{30}=4000\] Therefore the sum is Rs. 4,000.

Step 1 — Expand: \[-3+\frac{3x}{2}+\frac{5x}{3}=\frac{1}{6}\] Step 2 — Combine x-terms (LCM 6): \[-3+\frac{9x+10x}{6}=\frac{1}{6} \Rightarrow \frac{19x}{6}=\frac{1}{6}+3=\frac{19}{6}\] Step 3 — Solve: \(19x=19 \Rightarrow x=\mathbf{1}\).

Use \(a^3+b^3=(a+b)^3-3ab(a+b)\). \[a^3+b^3=(3)^3-3(-4)(3)=27+36=63\] Therefore \(a^3+b^3=\mathbf{63}\).

Let the number be \(x\). Then \(x+\dfrac{9}{x}=10\). Multiplying by \(x\): \(x^2-10x+9=0 \Rightarrow (x-1)(x-9)=0\). So \(x=1\) or \(x=9\). Only 9 appears in the options, hence the answer is 9.

Step 1 — Common difference: Since \(a_3=a_1+2d\), \(-4=-10+2d \Rightarrow d=3\). Step 2 — 12th term: \[a_{12}=a_1+11d=-10+11(3)=-10+33=23\] Therefore the 12th term is 23.

Reflection in the y-axis negates the x-coordinate and leaves the y-coordinate unchanged: \((x,y)\to(-x,y)\). Applying to \((2,-3.5)\) gives (−2, −3.5).

By the section formula, point A dividing BC internally in ratio \(m:n = 1:3\) has coordinates: \[A=\left(\frac{mx_2+nx_1}{m+n},\frac{my_2+ny_1}{m+n}\right)\] With \(B(4,-4)\), \(C(0,6)\): \[A=\left(\frac{1(0)+3(4)}{4},\frac{1(6)+3(-4)}{4}\right)=\left(\frac{12}{4},\frac{-6}{4}\right)=(3,-1.5)\] Therefore \(A=\mathbf{(3,-1.5)}\).

Slope of the line through the two points: \[m=\frac{-3-(-1)}{4-(-2)}=\frac{-2}{6}=-\frac{1}{3}\] Parallel lines share the same slope, so the required slope is \(\mathbf{-\tfrac{1}{3}}\).

For similar triangles, the ratio of perimeters equals the ratio of corresponding sides: \[\frac{XY}{PQ}=\frac{3}{2}\] So \(XY=\dfrac{3}{2}\times 6=9\) cm. Therefore XY = 9 cm.

Standard values: \(\sec 45^\circ=\sqrt{2}\) and \(\tan 30^\circ=\dfrac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\). \[\sec 45^\circ+\tan 30^\circ=\sqrt{2}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{\sqrt{2}\cdot\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}}+\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}=\frac{\sqrt{6}+1}{\sqrt{3}}\] Therefore the value is \(\mathbf{\dfrac{\sqrt{6}+1}{\sqrt{3}}}\).

Step 1 — Find ∠F: Sum of angles in ΔDEF is 180°. \(\angle F = 180^\circ - 90^\circ - 45^\circ = 45^\circ\) Step 2 — Apply standard value: \(\operatorname{cosec} 45^\circ = \sqrt{2}\) Therefore cosec F = √2, matching option 3.

Treat the ratio \(\cos\theta = \tfrac{5}{13}\) as adjacent/hypotenuse in a right triangle. By Pythagoras, the opposite side is: \(\sqrt{13^2-5^2}=\sqrt{144}=12\) So \(\sin\theta = \tfrac{12}{13}\) and \(\operatorname{cosec}\theta = \dfrac{1}{\sin\theta} = \dfrac{13}{12}\) Therefore cosec θ = 13/12, matching option 4.

No. of employees of company D = 180 No. of employees of company A = 80 ∴ Required difference = 180 - 80 = 100

No. of employees of company B = 150 No. of employees of company D = 180 No. of employees of company F = 420 ∴ No. of policies = Total no. of employees in companies B, D, F = 150 + 180 + 420 = 750

No. of employees of company E = 30 No. of employees of company B = 150 ∴ Required percentage = [(150 - 30)/150] × 100 = 80%

No. of employees of company F = 420 No. of employees of company B = 150 If the department with 20% of company B’s employees is sold to company F, then, ∴ No. of employees of company F = 420 + 20% of 150 = 420 + 30 = 450

The error is in part (2). When something is distributed within a group of more than two, the correct preposition is among, not around. "Around themselves" wrongly suggests physical encirclement; the corrected clause is "money among themselves".

The error is in part (3). The idiom is off the hook (meaning freed from a difficult situation), not "of the hook". The correct sentence reads "Thank you for getting me off the hook."

The blank needs a verb meaning to drag or pull something heavy with effort, which is exactly haul. Erect means to set upright (opposite action), establish means to set up firmly (not physical pulling), and rivet means to fasten or fix attention. Only "haul" fits the act of removing a fallen tree from a yard.

A feat is a remarkable achievement that demands skill or effort — exactly what writing a forty-page essay overnight would be. Treat is something enjoyable, fleet is a group of vehicles, and beat means rhythm or to defeat. None of these fits the sense of a major accomplishment.

To whine is to complain in a peevish, drawn-out manner. Gripe means to grumble or complain, especially about minor matters — the closest synonym. Gratification and thrill denote pleasure (opposite tone), and luxury denotes comfort, neither related to complaining.

Requisite means something necessary or required. A precondition is a condition that must be met beforehand — the same idea of a necessary requirement. Peripheral and trivial mean unimportant (opposite), and deadwood refers to something useless, so none of these fit.

To dominate is to assert power or control over others. To surrender is to yield or relinquish control — the direct opposite. Prevail, dictate, and command all involve exercising power or winning, so they are closer to synonyms than antonyms.

To squander is to waste resources carelessly. To hoard is to accumulate and store up — the direct opposite. Frivol and dissipate share the wasting sense (synonyms), and expend simply means to spend, not save.

The idiom "go for a song" means to be sold at a surprisingly low price, far below true value. Option 3, "sold cheaply", captures this exactly. The other options relate to music, attitude, or high cost, which do not match the idiom's meaning.

The idiom "make an ass out of" means to cause someone (or oneself) to appear foolish or stupid, drawing on the stereotype of a donkey as silly. Option 1 states this directly. "Work hard like a donkey" is a different idiom, and the remaining choices misrepresent the phrase's meaning.

A preposition like "for" must be followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) when a verb form is used. So "invites" should become "inviting": "Thank you for inviting me." The base form "invite", past form "invited", and "no improvement" are all ungrammatical here.

A modal verb is followed by the bare infinitive, so "must being" is wrong. To speculate about a past state, English uses modal + have + past participle: "It must have been quite an exciting time to be alive." "Has been" cannot follow a modal, and "been" alone lacks the auxiliary "have".

Tortuous literally means full of twists and turns, or by extension complex and winding — a direct one-word substitute for the phrase. Smooth, cinch, and facile all suggest ease or simplicity, the opposite idea.

Witchery means the practice of witchcraft or magic, especially sorcery associated with witches. The other options are unrelated: palpable means tangible or able to be felt; substantial means significant in size or real; corporeal relates to the physical body. Only "witchery" denotes the practice of magic.

The correct spelling is undulate (verb): to move with a smooth, wavelike motion. It derives from Latin undulatus ("wavy"), from unda ("wave"). The other options misspell the root: andulate and andulete wrongly use "an-" instead of "un-"; undulete and andulete wrongly end in "-ete" instead of the standard "-ate" suffix.

The correct spelling is revellers — people taking part in a revel (a lively celebration). The root verb "revel" doubles its final "l" before the suffix "-er" in British English, giving "reveller"; the plural adds "-s". "Revelars" uses a wrong ending; "rewellers" and "rewelers" wrongly begin with "rew-" instead of "rev-".

The verb flung needs a reflexive object — Z ("ourselves down on the") follows naturally. The preposition "on the" demands a noun, supplied by Y ("sand, thoroughly tired out, and"). The connector "and" then leads to X ("soon were all asleep"), the consequence of being tired out. Hence the order is ZYX: "We drank a little and flung ourselves down on the sand, thoroughly tired out, and soon were all asleep."

The opener "Aqueous rocks of equal…" needs a noun, supplied by Z ("antiquity extend for hundreds of miles"). The verb "extend" needs a location, given by Y ("over the lake-district of North America, and"). The connector "and" then introduces a second verb in X ("exhibit in like manner a stratification nearly undisturbed"). The coherent order is ZYX.

The original is a passive construction ("The class is required to watch…"). The standard passive-to-passive transformation shifts the object of the infinitive ("a video tutorial") to the subject position and converts the infinitive to its passive form ("to be watched"), with the original subject becoming the agent. This yields "A video tutorial is required to be watched by the class every day" — Option 1. Options 2–4 alter tense or meaning.

When the reporting verb is in the present tense ("says"), the tense of the reported speech does not change in indirect speech. Quotation marks are removed and the conjunction "that" is added. So "Prices are shooting up alarmingly" stays in the present continuous: "My father says that prices are shooting up alarmingly." Options 1, 2, and 3 wrongly shift the tense.

The passage explicitly notes that despite the play's Telangana focus, "the native essence was compromised, due to the English rendition (done for a wider reach)" — literal translations made the lines feel jaded. So what was sacrificed for the English rendition was a bit of native essence. A wider audience was gained, not lost; authenticity and depiction of reality are not named as compromised.

The passage states: "what made the musical play The Way Across unique was its regional focus" — specifically on Buddhism in Telangana. Being a musical or being in English are mentioned but not as the unique element; the storyline itself is shared with many other plays on Buddha.

The passage refers to "Kiran Kumar's Bawari act", directly assigning him the role of Bawari, described earlier as a "cursed Brahmin". Hence Kiran Kumar played the Cursed Brahmin Bawari. Pingiya was played by Krishna Chaitanya Joshi; Buddha and a generic disciple are not assigned to him.

The passage states that Pingiya is "said to have propagated Buddhism from Telangana to several regions across South India". So the answer is Pingiya. Bawari and his 16 disciples are linked to the enlightenment narrative, not the southward spread; "Telangana Buddhists" is not named as the agent.

The passage states: "Directed by G. Kumara Swamy, the play adapted from the book Telangana lo Buddhism…" So the director of The Way Across is G. Kumara Swamy. Kiran Kumar and Chaitanya Joshi are actors (Bawari and Pingiya); Bawari is a character.