English I · Quiz 2 · Jan 2026
English I · Quiz 2 · Jan 2026
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Questions and published explanations below are available without starting a test. Some questions may not have a published solution yet.
40 / 40 published solutions
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
The arguments by Aghion and Howitt were based on what principles?
Mathematics
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
The passage explicitly says the economists created a mathematical model and showed through maths how technological change can support growth. Thus mathematics is the stated basis of the model. The other sciences are not the method identified in this excerpt.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The mathematical model and mathematical demonstration are explicitly stated.
B: **Incorrect:** Biology is not the method named.
C: **Incorrect:** Physics is not the method named.
D: **Incorrect:** Chemistry is not the method named.
Question 3 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
What happens when another company invents a better product?
Both companies share profits equally
The old company continues to dominate
The new company replaces the old one and earns profits
The government benefits, not the companies
Published solution
In the model described, a better new product displaces the incumbent, and profits move to the successful innovating company. A patent protects a particular innovation but does not stop another firm inventing something better. Equal profit-sharing or government capture is not stated.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Equal sharing of profits is not the modeled replacement outcome.
B: **Incorrect:** The better entrant displaces the incumbent.
C: **Correct:** This matches the described displacement and profit transfer.
D: **Incorrect:** The passage assigns the profits to the new firm, not only government.
Question 4 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
What is the meaning of the word “incremental”?
Sudden
Gradual
Unplanned
Declining
Published solution
Incremental means progressing by relatively small additions or improvements. The passage contrasts a small actual technological improvement with a large transfer of profits to the new leader. Gradual is the closest offered meaning; incremental does not imply unplanned or declining.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** Sudden does not capture the small-step improvement meaning.
B: **Correct:** Gradual best matches change through small increments.
C: **Incorrect:** Incremental does not mean unplanned.
D: **Incorrect:** An incremental improvement is not a decline.
Question 5 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
According to the passage, what is the purpose of a patent?
To prevent consumers from buying competing products
To grant monopoly rights to a company for its innovation
To stop technological advancement
To increase government control over companies
Published solution
The passage treats a patent as protecting the innovator's product and giving monopoly advantage over that innovation. It does not prevent independent competing innovation or forbid consumers to choose another product. This is the model's simplified account of patent protection, not a claim that patents guarantee permanent market leadership.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** The patent does not prohibit consumers buying a distinct competing product.
B: **Correct:** Protective monopoly rights over the innovation match the account.
C: **Incorrect:** The passage explicitly allows subsequent technological improvement by rivals.
D: **Incorrect:** Increased government control is not the described purpose.
Question 6 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
What is the main goal of the Aghion–Howitt model?
To discourage monopolies in technology
To identify which countries innovate the fastest
To promote government control over innovation
To understand the measures which can determine the optimum R&D level
Published solution
The model examines whether the amount of research and development is socially optimal and what measures can support sustained growth. Its two opposing effects explain why the right policy depends on the economy. It is not primarily a ranking of innovative countries or a blanket demand for intervention.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** Discouraging all monopolies is not the stated overall goal.
B: **Incorrect:** Ranking countries is not the goal described.
C: **Incorrect:** The passage compares policy effects rather than automatically endorsing government control.
D: **Correct:** Understanding measures that reach an optimal R&D level is the stated purpose.
Question 7 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
Why should R&D be subsidised, according to the first trend?
Because society benefits even from outdated technologies
Because politicians give handouts
Because governments control innovation
Because R&D is harmful to the economy
Published solution
The first trend identifies a spillover: society can keep benefiting from an older technology even when its original inventor loses profits to a competitor. Private rewards can therefore understate social value, potentially discouraging beneficial research. Subsidy is offered as a way to counter that underinvestment.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** Continuing social benefits beyond the inventor's profits are the stated rationale.
B: **Incorrect:** Political handouts are not the argument.
C: **Incorrect:** The passage does not say control of innovation itself justifies the subsidy.
D: **Incorrect:** The argument is that R&D is beneficial, not harmful.
Question 8 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
The phrase “rises to the top of the chain” refers to _____.
A company that becomes the industry leader
A company that stops investing in R&D
An innovation which is old
Published solution
Top of the chain describes becoming the leading innovator whose product earns the main profits. The phrase is about market/industry leadership in the model. It does not mean that a company stops researching or that its innovation has become old.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The new successful firm becomes the industry leader.
B: **Incorrect:** Stopping R&D is not implied by the phrase.
C: **Incorrect:** The phrase refers to the leading innovation, not an obsolete one.
Question 9 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
As per the second trend, when can an R&D investment be considered too high?
If companies stop making profit
If patents last too long
If governments overregulate research
If new innovations give very little benefit to society
Published solution
Under the second trend, an innovator may capture large profits by making only a small improvement over an existing technology. The private incentive can then exceed the extra benefit to society, leading to socially excessive research spending. The test is marginal social benefit, not simply whether any company profits.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** The scenario can involve large private profits.
B: **Incorrect:** Patent duration is not the reason supplied for this particular effect.
C: **Incorrect:** Overregulation is not the described mechanism.
D: **Correct:** Small additional social gains relative to investment motivate the excessive-R&D concern.
Question 10 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
What does the term creative destruction mean in the passage?
Innovation that strengthens old companies
Innovation that replaces old technologies
Destruction caused by natural disasters
Reduction of company profits due to taxes
Published solution
Creative destruction combines creation of a better technology with displacement of earlier products or firms. It is creative because innovation adds capability, and destructive because incumbent profits or positions can be lost. Natural disaster and taxation are unrelated mechanisms in these options.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** Incumbents can be displaced rather than necessarily strengthened.
B: **Correct:** Innovation replaces older technologies or their incumbent producers.
C: **Incorrect:** The term is not about natural disaster here.
D: **Incorrect:** Taxes are not the displacement mechanism in the definition.
Question 11 MCQ · 2.0 marks
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions
These two economists took this idea of “creative destruction” — where innovation leads to gains,
but also to the destruction of the incumbents — and created a mathematical model to capture it.
They showed, through maths, how technological advancement leads to sustained growth.
The basic assumption is that economies include companies that do research and development to
create a product that they can patent, thereby creating a monopoly for them and putting them at
the top of the chain. However, a patent can’t stop another company from also investing in R&D
and coming up with a new product. If that new product is better, it will replace the incumbent and
the profits will now flow to the new company.
The model developed by Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt can be used to analyse whether there is an
optimal volume of R&D, and therefore to analyse economic growth in a free market scenario
where there is no political interference. They found that there were two competing trends that
made it difficult to arrive at an answer.
The first trend is that, when a new innovation comes in and replaces another, the benefits from
the replaced technology still continue to flow to society, even if the company that developed it is
no longer making profits from it. In other words, technology that has been outcompeted has more
value for society than for the company that developed it. This makes it imperative that R&D be
subsidised so that companies aren’t discouraged from it.
However, the other competing trend is that when a company comes up with an innovation that
rises to the top of the chain, it starts receiving the bulk of the profits even though the actual
improvement might have been incremental over the older technology. For society, the gain from
this new technology is limited because it is only a relatively small improvement over the older
technology. In such a scenario, investments into R&D might be too high from a societal point of
view. Therefore, under this trend, R&D should not be subsidised.
The answer to the question of how much R&D needs to happen will, of course, vary depending on
the society and the economy in question. However, Mr. Aghion and Mr. Howitt’s theory can be
useful for understanding which measures will be most effective in arriving at the optimum R&D
level for sustained growth.
Source: Economics Nobel Prize 2025: How innovation drives economic growth – The Hindu
Which statement best summarises the two trends in the passage?
Both trends discourage R&D investment
One supports R&D subsidies, the other questions them
Both suggest that R&D should be taxed
Neither trend affects economic growth
Published solution
The first effect supports subsidizing research because social benefits can exceed private rewards. The second questions subsidies because profit capture can exceed the new social improvement. These conflicting forces mean the optimal policy is context-dependent rather than uniformly pro- or anti-subsidy.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** The first trend can encourage support for R&D.
B: **Correct:** This accurately contrasts the two subsidy implications.
C: **Incorrect:** Neither trend is summarized as a universal R&D tax recommendation.
D: **Incorrect:** The whole model concerns growth and the appropriate research level.
Question 12 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Read the excerpt given below and fill in the blanks with those forms of the verbs which best fit the
passage from the options provided. Your chosen answer should maintain the tense consistency of
the excerpt.
In an evil hour, my father had received my letter, containing my eloquent and detailed apology for
declining a place in the firm, and I (i)______summoned home in all haste, his chief ambition being
that I should succeed, not merely to his fortune, but to the views and plans by which he (ii) _____ he
could extend and perpetuate that wealthy inheritance. I (iii) _____ how deeply my father's
happiness was involved, and with something of his own pertinacity, had formed a determination
precisely contrary, not conceiving that I should increase my own happiness by augmenting a
fortune which I (iv) _____ was already sufficient.
My father cut the matter short: when he was my age, his father (v) _____ him out and settled his
legal inheritance on his younger brother, and one of that brother's sons would take my place if I
crossed him any further.
Extracted from: Mee, Arthur, and J. A. Hammerton, editors. The World’s Greatest Books: Vol. VIII —
Fiction.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Find the appropriate verb to fill blank (i).
Was
Am
Will be
Had
Published solution
Summoned is a past participle and the narrator receives the action. The past passive is 'I was summoned home'. Am and will be change time, while had alone would create an active perfect without the required been and would not express this passive meaning.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** Was + summoned forms the correct past passive.
B: **Incorrect:** Am shifts to present.
C: **Incorrect:** Will be shifts to future.
D: **Incorrect:** Had alone cannot form the required passive.
Question 13 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Read the excerpt given below and fill in the blanks with those forms of the verbs which best fit the
passage from the options provided. Your chosen answer should maintain the tense consistency of
the excerpt.
In an evil hour, my father had received my letter, containing my eloquent and detailed apology for
declining a place in the firm, and I (i)______summoned home in all haste, his chief ambition being
that I should succeed, not merely to his fortune, but to the views and plans by which he (ii) _____ he
could extend and perpetuate that wealthy inheritance. I (iii) _____ how deeply my father's
happiness was involved, and with something of his own pertinacity, had formed a determination
precisely contrary, not conceiving that I should increase my own happiness by augmenting a
fortune which I (iv) _____ was already sufficient.
My father cut the matter short: when he was my age, his father (v) _____ him out and settled his
legal inheritance on his younger brother, and one of that brother's sons would take my place if I
crossed him any further.
Extracted from: Mee, Arthur, and J. A. Hammerton, editors. The World’s Greatest Books: Vol. VIII —
Fiction.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Find the appropriate verb form to fill blank (ii).
Imagines
Is imagining
Imagined
Will imagine
Published solution
The father's views are described from the past narrative: 'the views and plans by which he imagined he could extend...' Imagined is the finite simple past. Present and future alternatives do not maintain the surrounding time reference.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Imagines is present.
B: **Incorrect:** Is imagining is present progressive.
C: **Correct:** Imagined maintains the past narrative.
D: **Incorrect:** Will imagine is future.
Question 14 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Read the excerpt given below and fill in the blanks with those forms of the verbs which best fit the
passage from the options provided. Your chosen answer should maintain the tense consistency of
the excerpt.
In an evil hour, my father had received my letter, containing my eloquent and detailed apology for
declining a place in the firm, and I (i)______summoned home in all haste, his chief ambition being
that I should succeed, not merely to his fortune, but to the views and plans by which he (ii) _____ he
could extend and perpetuate that wealthy inheritance. I (iii) _____ how deeply my father's
happiness was involved, and with something of his own pertinacity, had formed a determination
precisely contrary, not conceiving that I should increase my own happiness by augmenting a
fortune which I (iv) _____ was already sufficient.
My father cut the matter short: when he was my age, his father (v) _____ him out and settled his
legal inheritance on his younger brother, and one of that brother's sons would take my place if I
crossed him any further.
Extracted from: Mee, Arthur, and J. A. Hammerton, editors. The World’s Greatest Books: Vol. VIII —
Fiction.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Find the appropriate verb form to fill blank (iii).
Was not understanding
Have not understood
Am not understanding
Did not understand
Published solution
Understand normally expresses a state in this context. The simple-past negative is did not understand: did marks past tense and understand stays in its base form. The present-perfect and present-progressive choices do not match the past story; the past progressive is not the neutral state reading intended.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** The progressive is not the normal stative reading here.
B: **Incorrect:** Present perfect does not match this past-narrative point.
C: **Incorrect:** This is present progressive.
D: **Correct:** Did not + base understand gives the intended past negative.
Question 15 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Read the excerpt given below and fill in the blanks with those forms of the verbs which best fit the
passage from the options provided. Your chosen answer should maintain the tense consistency of
the excerpt.
In an evil hour, my father had received my letter, containing my eloquent and detailed apology for
declining a place in the firm, and I (i)______summoned home in all haste, his chief ambition being
that I should succeed, not merely to his fortune, but to the views and plans by which he (ii) _____ he
could extend and perpetuate that wealthy inheritance. I (iii) _____ how deeply my father's
happiness was involved, and with something of his own pertinacity, had formed a determination
precisely contrary, not conceiving that I should increase my own happiness by augmenting a
fortune which I (iv) _____ was already sufficient.
My father cut the matter short: when he was my age, his father (v) _____ him out and settled his
legal inheritance on his younger brother, and one of that brother's sons would take my place if I
crossed him any further.
Extracted from: Mee, Arthur, and J. A. Hammerton, editors. The World’s Greatest Books: Vol. VIII —
Fiction.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Find the appropriate verb form to fill blank (iv).
Am believing
Believed
Was believing
Will have been believing
Published solution
Believe expresses the narrator's assessment that the fortune was sufficient. Simple-past believed matches the story and the ordinary stative use. The progressive alternatives are not the intended neutral statement of belief, and the future-perfect-progressive form radically changes the time relationship.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** This is present progressive, not the intended past state.
B: **Correct:** Believed is the ordinary past form for this judgement.
C: **Incorrect:** The progressive is not the neutral stative form intended.
D: **Incorrect:** The future-perfect-progressive relationship is unsupported.
Question 16 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Read the excerpt given below and fill in the blanks with those forms of the verbs which best fit the
passage from the options provided. Your chosen answer should maintain the tense consistency of
the excerpt.
In an evil hour, my father had received my letter, containing my eloquent and detailed apology for
declining a place in the firm, and I (i)______summoned home in all haste, his chief ambition being
that I should succeed, not merely to his fortune, but to the views and plans by which he (ii) _____ he
could extend and perpetuate that wealthy inheritance. I (iii) _____ how deeply my father's
happiness was involved, and with something of his own pertinacity, had formed a determination
precisely contrary, not conceiving that I should increase my own happiness by augmenting a
fortune which I (iv) _____ was already sufficient.
My father cut the matter short: when he was my age, his father (v) _____ him out and settled his
legal inheritance on his younger brother, and one of that brother's sons would take my place if I
crossed him any further.
Extracted from: Mee, Arthur, and J. A. Hammerton, editors. The World’s Greatest Books: Vol. VIII —
Fiction.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Find the appropriate verb form to fill blank (v).
Was turning
Is turning
Will turn
Had turned
Published solution
The father recalls something his own father did before the time when he was the narrator's age. Had turned marks that earlier completed past event: 'his father had turned him out'. Present/future alternatives or an ongoing past action do not convey the stated earlier completion.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** Was turning emphasizes an unfinished ongoing event rather than the earlier completed expulsion.
B: **Incorrect:** Is turning is present.
C: **Incorrect:** Will turn is future.
D: **Correct:** Had turned correctly places the event before the recalled past reference point.
Question 17 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blanks in List A with the most appropriate options in List B. There is only one fitting
answer for each blank.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Each of these questions _____ to be answered separately.
Has
Needs
Have
Is
Are
Published solution
Each is singular, so needs agrees: each question needs to be answered. In the intended one-to-one matching, needs fits this requirement statement. Has to would also be grammatical locally, but has is assigned to the flycatcher's possession in the complete matching set. Check both the local grammar and the whole matching exercise rather than treating each blank as isolated.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** Has agrees with a singular subject and can express possession or obligation with to.
B: **Correct:** Needs is singular present and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
C: **Incorrect:** Have agrees with a plural subject and can form have to for obligation.
D: **Incorrect:** Is is singular present be, used for identification.
E: **Incorrect:** Are is plural present be.
Question 18 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blanks in List A with the most appropriate options in List B. There is only one fitting
answer for each blank.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
Yen _____ the currency in Japan.
Has
Needs
Have
Is
Are
Published solution
Yen is the singular name of a currency here. Is links it to the identifying complement the currency in Japan. Check both the local grammar and the whole matching exercise rather than treating each blank as isolated.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** Has agrees with a singular subject and can express possession or obligation with to.
B: **Incorrect:** Needs is singular present and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
C: **Incorrect:** Have agrees with a plural subject and can form have to for obligation.
D: **Correct:** Is is singular present be, used for identification.
E: **Incorrect:** Are is plural present be.
Question 19 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blanks in List A with the most appropriate options in List B. There is only one fitting
answer for each blank.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
The spotted flycatcher ___ a thin, sibilant call.
Has
Needs
Have
Is
Are
Published solution
The spotted flycatcher is singular and possesses a call, so has expresses the intended relation: the flycatcher has a thin call. Check both the local grammar and the whole matching exercise rather than treating each blank as isolated.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** Has agrees with a singular subject and can express possession or obligation with to.
B: **Incorrect:** Needs is singular present and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
C: **Incorrect:** Have agrees with a plural subject and can form have to for obligation.
D: **Incorrect:** Is is singular present be, used for identification.
E: **Incorrect:** Are is plural present be.
Question 20 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blanks in List A with the most appropriate options in List B. There is only one fitting
answer for each blank.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
The nuns in that convent _____ under an oath of silence.
Has
Needs
Have
Is
Are
Published solution
Nuns is plural, and under an oath is a state description. Are supplies the plural linking verb. Check both the local grammar and the whole matching exercise rather than treating each blank as isolated.
**Answer: E.**
A: **Incorrect:** Has agrees with a singular subject and can express possession or obligation with to.
B: **Incorrect:** Needs is singular present and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
C: **Incorrect:** Have agrees with a plural subject and can form have to for obligation.
D: **Incorrect:** Is is singular present be, used for identification.
E: **Correct:** Are is plural present be.
Question 21 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blanks in List A with the most appropriate options in List B. There is only one fitting
answer for each blank.
Based on the above data, answer the given subquestions.
The children _____ to be accompanied on their excursion.
Has
Needs
Have
Is
Are
Published solution
Children is plural, so have to expresses the required accompaniment with correct agreement. Are to is possible in other contexts, but the complete one-to-one matching assigns are to the nuns and have to this obligation statement. Check both the local grammar and the whole matching exercise rather than treating each blank as isolated.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Has agrees with a singular subject and can express possession or obligation with to.
B: **Incorrect:** Needs is singular present and can be followed by a to-infinitive.
C: **Correct:** Have agrees with a plural subject and can form have to for obligation.
D: **Incorrect:** Is is singular present be, used for identification.
E: **Incorrect:** Are is plural present be.
Question 22 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Choose the correct option.
October works for us. Suman will not _________ by then.
Have graduated
Graduating
Published solution
By then sets a future reference point. 'Will not have graduated by then' uses future perfect to say graduation will not yet be complete. Will not graduating is not a complete construction; future progressive would need be graduating and would describe a different aspect.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** Will not have graduated is the correct future-perfect negative.
B: **Incorrect:** Will not graduating lacks the required auxiliary be.
Question 23 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Choose the correct option.
Ravi _______ not been to Europe.
Is
Has
Have
Published solution
The phrase is present perfect: has/have + not + been. Singular Ravi takes has, giving 'Ravi has not been to Europe'. Is not been does not form a standard perfect construction, and have does not agree with the singular subject.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** Is cannot replace the perfect auxiliary here.
B: **Correct:** Has agrees with singular Ravi and forms the present perfect.
C: **Incorrect:** Have does not agree with Ravi.
Question 24 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Nitrogen atoms ___________ around the exoplanet.
Circle
Circling
Cycles
Published solution
Atoms is plural, so the finite simple-present verb is circle without -s. Circling alone is nonfinite and needs an auxiliary, while cycles is a singular form and also not the exact verb intended. 'Nitrogen atoms circle around the exoplanet' is complete.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** Circle is the plural-subject simple present.
B: **Incorrect:** Circling lacks a finite auxiliary.
C: **Incorrect:** Cycles has singular agreement.
Question 25 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Choose the future perfect continuous tense sentence from the following
You will win the exam
Your mother will love you forever
She will have been learning to drive a car for three hours
Will she do it again?
Published solution
Future perfect continuous uses will have been + an -ing verb. 'Will have been learning ... for three hours' looks back at an activity's duration from a future point. The other options use simple future, which does not encode that accumulated duration.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Will win is simple future.
B: **Incorrect:** Will love is simple future.
C: **Correct:** Will have been learning is future perfect continuous.
D: **Incorrect:** Will do is simple future in question form.
Question 26 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Fill in the blank with future perfect progressive tense form.
The workers ________ for a month by the time the deal is made.
Will strike
Will be striking
Will have been striking
Published solution
The sentence measures an ongoing strike's duration up to a future event. Will have been striking combines future reference, accumulated duration and continuous activity. Will strike merely predicts an event, while will be striking says it will be underway without specifying that completed duration.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Simple future does not express the duration accumulated by the deal.
B: **Incorrect:** Future continuous alone does not express the preceding month of duration.
C: **Correct:** Future perfect progressive matches for a month by the future reference point.
Question 27 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Choose the correct option.
Yesterday at nine, I ________ dinner.
Am preparing
Was prepared
Was prepare
Was preparing
Published solution
Yesterday at nine identifies a past moment during the preparation. Past continuous was preparing presents the action as in progress then. Was prepared would be passive or adjectival, and was prepare lacks the required -ing form.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** Am preparing is present progressive.
B: **Incorrect:** Was prepared does not express the subject actively preparing dinner.
C: **Incorrect:** Was must take preparing for the progressive, not base prepare.
D: **Correct:** Was preparing correctly expresses ongoing past action.
Question 28 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Which of the following words has three syllables?
Pencil
Mountain
Banana
School
Published solution
Banana has three syllables, ba-na-na. Pencil and mountain normally have two, while school has one. Count the spoken vowel nuclei rather than assuming a long written word necessarily has more syllables.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Pencil normally has two syllables.
B: **Incorrect:** Mountain normally has two.
C: **Correct:** Banana has three.
D: **Incorrect:** School is monosyllabic.
Question 29 MCQ · 1.0 marks
‘Your physique looks like that of a fitness expert or a sportsman. Could you suggest a trainer for
me?’
Which among the following rightly represent the stress pattern in the underlined words in the
given sentence?
physiQUE, sportsMAN, trainER
physiQUE, SPORTSman, trainER
phySIque, SPORTSman, TRAINer
Published solution
The normal stresses are phySIque, SPORTSman and TRAINer. Physique is stressed on its second syllable, while the compound sportsman and the noun trainer begin with their primary stress. The alternative capitalizations of physique are typographically loose; the decisive errors in A/B are sportsMAN or trainER.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Sportsman and trainer should not receive final-syllable primary stress.
B: **Incorrect:** Trainer is incorrectly stressed on -er.
C: **Correct:** This gives the intended primary stresses for all three.
Question 30 MCQ · 1.0 marks
‘The output of dairy produce has suffered because of large herds of cattle being affected by the deadly
flu. The dairy farm owners will have to take control of the situation to produce the adequate quantity
needed for profit-generation by the end of April.’
Choose the appropriate stress for the two usages of the word ‘produce’ in its given order in the
sentence.
ProDUCE ; PROduce
PROduce ; ProDUCE
PROduce ; PROduce
Published solution
The first produce is a noun meaning dairy products, with the usual first-syllable stress PROduce. The later to produce is a verb meaning generate, with second-syllable stress proDUCE. The exercise tests that noun-verb contrast, not a change in spelling.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** This reverses the usual noun and verb stresses.
B: **Correct:** The noun is PROduce and the verb proDUCE.
C: **Incorrect:** The verb does not take the intended noun stress here.
Question 31 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Which among the following is the correct stress-pattern when ‘conflict ’ functions as a verb?
CONflict
conFLICT
Published solution
As a verb, conflict normally has second-syllable primary stress, conFLICT. The noun has first-syllable CONflict in the standard contrast. Use the grammatical role stated in the question to select the stress.
**Answer: B.**
A: **Incorrect:** This is the ordinary noun stress.
B: **Correct:** This is the ordinary verb stress.
Question 32 MCQ · 1.0 marks
In the plural noun landscapes, the plural marker sounds as ________.
[s]
[z]
[iz]
Published solution
Landscape ends with voiceless /p/. The regular plural ending after a voiceless nonsibilant is /s/, giving landscapes with final /ps/. The earlier voiced sounds elsewhere in the word do not control this ending.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The final /p/ selects /s/.
B: **Incorrect:** /z/ follows a voiced nonsibilant instead.
C: **Incorrect:** /ɪz/ is used after a sibilant.
Question 33 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The plural marker for the words ‘stakeholders’, ‘stockouts’, and ‘networks’ end in ___.
/s/, /s/, and /z/ respectively.
/z/, /z/, and /s/ respectively.
/z/, /s/, and /s/ respectively.
Published solution
Stakeholder ends in a vowel or /r/ depending on accent, a voiced environment, so its plural adds /z/. Stockout ends /t/ and network ends /k/, both voiceless nonsibilants, so their plural endings are /s/. Thus the order is /z/, /s/, /s/.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** Stakeholders needs /z/ and networks needs /s/.
B: **Incorrect:** Stockouts needs /s/, not /z/.
C: **Correct:** All three endings follow the base-final voicing rule.
Question 34 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The plural marker for the words ‘mistakes’, ‘misconceptions’, and ‘oversights’ end in /s/, /z/, and /s/
sound respectively.
True
False
Published solution
Mistake ends in voiceless /k/ and takes /s/. Misconception ends in voiced /n/ and takes /z/. Oversight ends in voiceless /t/ and takes /s/. This yields exactly the proposed /s/,/z/,/s/ sequence, so the statement is true.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The sequence matches all three word-final sound environments.
B: **Incorrect:** The proposed sequence is correct.
Question 35 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Which of the following has an aspirated stop?
Scary
Contemplate
Incorrect
Contemplate and incorrect
Published solution
Contemplate begins with /k/ at the start of a stressed syllable, and incorrect has /k/ at the start of its stressed rect syllable. Both therefore contain an aspirated stop in the intended model. Scary begins /sk/, where preceding /s/ suppresses the usual strong aspiration of /k/.
**Answer: D.**
A: **Incorrect:** The /k/ follows /s/ in the initial cluster and is unaspirated.
B: **Incorrect:** Contemplate has an aspirated stop, but is not the only correct word.
C: **Incorrect:** Incorrect also has an aspirated stressed-onset /k/.
D: **Correct:** Both listed words have the relevant aspirated stop.
Question 36 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Identify whether the sound /p/ in the following word is aspirated or not.
Appearance
Aspirated
Non-aspirated
Published solution
Appearance is stressed on its second syllable, whose onset is /p/. That /p/ is not preceded by /s/, so the ordinary stressed-onset aspiration rule applies. The initial unstressed vowel does not prevent aspiration on the following stressed syllable.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The /p/ begins the stressed syllable and is aspirated.
B: **Incorrect:** The target is in the normal aspiration environment.
Question 37 MCQ · 1.0 marks
Which /p/ sound in the word people is aspirated?
/p/ in the first syllable
/p/ in the second syllable
Both /p/ sounds are aspirated
No /p/ sounds are aspirated
Published solution
People is stressed on its first syllable. The initial /p/ begins that stressed syllable and is aspirated; the later /p/ belongs to the unstressed syllable and does not have the same strong aspirated onset. Aspiration depends on position and stress, not simply the written letter.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The first /p/ is in the stressed onset.
B: **Incorrect:** The second /p/ is not the strongly aspirated target.
C: **Incorrect:** The two stops are in different stress environments.
D: **Incorrect:** The first /p/ does have aspiration in the intended model.
Question 38 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The word ‘aversion’ has _____ syllables.
1
2
3
4
Published solution
Aversion normally has three syllables, a-ver-sion, with stress on ver. The final sion represents one syllable, not one per letter. Reduced vowels in unstressed syllables still contribute to the count.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** The word is not monosyllabic.
B: **Incorrect:** Two omits one spoken syllable.
C: **Correct:** A-ver-sion has three syllables.
D: **Incorrect:** Four overcounts the spoken form.
Question 39 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The word ‘performance’ has _____ syllables.
1
2
3
4
Published solution
Performance has three syllables, per-for-mance, with primary stress on for. Count its vowel nuclei, including the reduced unstressed vowels. The spelling of the last syllable does not add a separate fourth syllable.
**Answer: C.**
A: **Incorrect:** The word is not monosyllabic.
B: **Incorrect:** Two omits a syllable.
C: **Correct:** Per-for-mance gives three syllables.
D: **Incorrect:** Four overcounts the usual form.
Question 40 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The /k/ sound in the word cobbler is aspirated.
True
False
Published solution
Cobbler begins with /k/ at the onset of its stressed first syllable. There is no preceding /s/, so that initial voiceless stop is normally aspirated in the standard pronunciation targeted by this exercise. The statement is therefore true.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The initial stressed-onset /k/ has the expected aspiration.
B: **Incorrect:** The statement correctly identifies the aspiration.
Question 41 MCQ · 1.0 marks
The compound word swimming pool is stressed on the ___________.
First word
Second word
Published solution
Swimming pool is treated as a compound noun with primary stress on the first element, SWIMming pool. The pattern helps distinguish the conventional compound from an independently contrastively stressed phrase. This question asks for the neutral compound stress, not every possible sentence emphasis.
**Answer: A.**
A: **Correct:** The first compound element carries the usual primary stress.
B: **Incorrect:** Second-word stress is not the neutral compound pattern intended.