English Comprehension
Practice Questions & Answers
Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: It is high time you must follow a proper routine.
Select the most appropriate antonym of the given word: OBLITERATE
Choose the most suitable option to replace the highlighted part of the sentence: Had I been aware of the delay, I will start earlier.
A sentence is provided in direct speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding indirect speech: She said, “Finish it right now.”
Select the correct option: The committee issued several directives, none of _______ were implemented.
A sentence is provided in indirect speech. From the four given options, choose the one that most accurately conveys the sentence in its corresponding direct speech: The manager remarked that employees needed to submit their reports by Monday.
Select the correct option: Her interpretation was diametrically ________ to the accepted doctrine.
Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. The key aim of this process is to make items safer to consume by reducing germs and impurities. 2. Food preservation refers to techniques used to keep perishable items from spoiling quickly. 3. These techniques may include drying, freezing, canning, and methods like salting or pickling. 4. Moreover, it helps retain quality, improves storage duration, and reduces overall food waste.
Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: It was not only the scattering of administrative authority across multiple agencies (1)/ that weakened coordinated policy-making, but the rigidity built into intersecting compliance frameworks (2)/ which, though intended to preserve procedural independence, (3)/ end up stalling inter-departmental coordination completely. (4)
Change the following from active to passive: The panel had been reviewing sensitive proposals when the alarm sounded.
According to the passage, India’s first Olympic team gold was achieved at which Games? Passage: India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later—at the 1928 Amsterdam Games—when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record. However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards. In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved—highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—not just hockey and wrestling. Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.
What does the passage identify as the key reason behind India’s poor Olympic outcomes after 1980? Passage: India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later—at the 1928 Amsterdam Games—when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record. However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards. In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved—highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—not just hockey and wrestling. Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.
Which programme is cited in the passage as a major boost to India’s modern Olympic preparation? Passage: India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later—at the 1928 Amsterdam Games—when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record. However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards. In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved—highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—not just hockey and wrestling. Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.
Which development is presented as the most positive shift in India’s Olympic journey in recent times? Passage: India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later—at the 1928 Amsterdam Games—when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record. However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards. In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved—highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—not just hockey and wrestling. Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.
What does the passage suggest about India’s Olympic goals going forward? Passage: India’s association with the Olympics dates back to 1900, when Norman Pritchard, a British-Indian sportsperson, secured two silver medals in athletics. Yet, India’s first true team breakthrough arrived much later—at the 1928 Amsterdam Games—when the men’s hockey squad captured its maiden Olympic gold and announced India’s dominance on the world stage. Thereafter came a celebrated phase in which Indian men’s hockey ruled the Olympics, collecting eight gold medals from 1928 to 1980—an extraordinary record. However, this brilliance did not translate into consistent overall success. After 1980, India experienced a striking medal lull, revealing deeper structural shortcomings such as weak infrastructure, insufficient training systems, and limited grassroots talent identification. Many athletes had to depend heavily on personal grit rather than organized support to reach global standards. In recent decades, though, the story has shifted towards guarded hope. With initiatives like the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) and stronger corporate backing, athletes increasingly receive better coaching, nutrition planning, and mental-conditioning support. Medal counts remain moderate but have improved—highlighted by Neeraj Chopra’s landmark javelin gold at Tokyo 2020. Another encouraging development is the widening of India’s sporting footprint: progress is now visible across badminton, shooting, boxing, athletics, and more—not just hockey and wrestling. Notably, Indian women athletes have also emerged as key contributors in recent Olympic performances. Even so, converting promise into podium finishes still demands sustained funding, scientific sports planning, and a culture that values multiple sports beyond cricket. India’s Olympic identity is still taking shape, but the ambition is unmistakable: to evolve from participation to true powerhouse status.