Reading Comprehension
Direction (1 - 5): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
Philosophy of Education is a label applied to the study of the purpose, process, nature, and ideals of education. It can be considered a branch of both philosophy and education. Education can be defined as the teaching and learning of specific skills, and the imparting of knowledge, judgment, and wisdom, and is something broader than the societal institution of education we often speak of.
Many educationalists consider it a weak and woolly field, too far removed from the practical applications of the real world to be useful. But philosophers dating back to Plato and the Ancient Greeks have given the area much thought and emphasis, and there is little doubt that their work has helped shape the practice of education over the millennia.
Plato is the earliest important educational thinker, and education is an essential element in "The Republic" (his most important work on philosophy and political theory, written around 360 B.C.). In it, he advocates some rather extreme methods: removing children from their mothers' care and raising them as wards of the state, and differentiating children suitable to the various castes, the highest receiving the most education, so that they could act as guardians of the city and care for the less able. He believed that education should be holistic, including facts, skills, physical discipline, music and art. Plato believed that talent and intelligence are not distributed genetically and thus is be found in children born to all classes, although his proposed system of selective public education for an educated minority of the population does not really follow a democratic model.
Aristotle considered human nature, habit and reason to be equally important forces to be cultivated in education, the ultimate aim of which should be to produce good and virtuous citizens. He proposed that teachers lead their students systematically, and that repetition be used as a key tool to develop good habits, unlike Socrates' emphasis on questioning his listeners to bring out their own ideas. He emphasized the balancing of the theoretical and practical aspects of subjects taught, among which he explicitly mentions reading, writing, mathematics, music, physical education, literature, history, and a wide range of sciences, as well as play, which he also considered important.
During the Medieval period, the idea of Perennialism was first formulated by St. Thomas Aquinas in his work "De Magistro". Perennialism holds that one should teach those things deemed to be of everlasting importance to all people everywhere, namely principles and reasoning, not just facts (which are apt to change over time), and that one should teach first about people, not machines or techniques. It was originally religious in nature, and it was only much later that a theory of secular perennialism developed.
During the Renaissance, the French skeptic Michel de Montaigne (1533 - 1592) was one of the first to critically look at education. Unusually for his time, Montaigne was willing to question the conventional wisdom of the period, calling into question the whole edifice of the educational system, and the implicit assumption that university-educated philosophers were necessarily wiser than uneducated farm workers, for example.
1. What is the difference between the approaches of Socrates and Aristotle?

A. Aristotle felt the need for repetition to develop good habits in students; Socrates felt that students need to be constantly questioned B. Aristotle felt the need for rote-learning; Socrates emphasized on dialogic learning C. There was no difference D. Aristotle emphasized on the importance of paying attention to human nature; Socrates emphasized upon science

Answer: Option (A)
2. Why do educationists consider philosophy a ‘weak and woolly’ field?

A. It is not practically applicable B. Its theoretical concepts are easily understood C. It is irrelevant for education D. None of the above

Answer: Option (A)
3. What do you understand by the term ‘Perennialism’, in the context of the given comprehension passage?

A. It refers to something which is of ceaseless importance B. It refers to something which is quite unnecessary C. It refers to something which is abstract and theoretical D. It refers to something which existed in the past and no longer exists now

Answer: Option (A)
4. Were Plato’s beliefs about education democratic?

A. He believed that only the rich have the right to acquire education B. Yes C. He believed that only a select few are meant to attend schools D. He believed that all pupils are not talented

Answer: Option (B)
5. Why did Aquinas propose a model of education which did not lay much emphasis on facts?

A. Facts are not important B. Facts do not lead to holistic education C. Facts change with the changing times D. Facts are frozen in time

Answer: Option (C)
Fill in the Blanks
Direction (1-5): Each of the following sentences is followed by four words or group of words. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate word or group of words.
1. We have not yet fully realized the _________ consequences of the war.

A. happy B. pleasing C. Grim D. exciting

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: War is a negative word and it is synonym with mass destruction, death hence certainly has grim consequences. Happy, Pleasing, exciting all have positive sense; so cannot be linked with war.
2. The Romans were _________ science.

A. bad in B. bad to C. bad for D. bad at

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: Suppose you do not know the exact meaning of all the options. Let us try solving it with critical reasoning approach. Bad for science does not look sense full. Bad to do not suit. Bad in science looks convincing but it is slang, not the right answers. People usually use - I am bad in mathematics but not in science. This is not right as per Standard English. With subjects at is used as a connector.
3. To ___time, please go___ foot and not by bus.

A. spend, with B. kills, towards C. utilize, on D. gain, on

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: A clever way to tackle this question would be to see the second as a prepositional usage. You go on foot. So, our choices narrow down to (c) and (d). Now, would you be utilizing time if you go on foot? Perhaps not. So, (c) is eliminated. If you do something in order to gain the time you do it in order to give yourself enough time. For what? To think of an excuse or a way out of a difficult situation.
4. After a recent mild paralytic attack, his movements are_____ restricted otherwise he is still very active.

A. entirely B. slightly C. nowhere D. frequently

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: Note that the paralytic attack was mild, which gives us the clue that its effect would be slight. This is further substantiated by the second part of the sentence: otherwise, he is still very active means there is some (slight) trouble but not much.
5. Despite his _____ he had to suffer.

A. punishment B. fault C. negligence D. innocence

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: As a matter of rule, who should suffer? The guilty?. But the word despite points to the contrary. Hence, innocence.
Cloze Test
Direction (1-5):It's nearly spring and it's time to grow plants. Of course, not all plants are (1) .........in season. This makes it very (2) ........ . to pick the best plants to grow. The good news is that there are tons of choices. Do you know that plants can grow in nearly every climate? It's true that some plants are picky but most are super (3) ......... and only require water, dirt and of course the sun. This spring is the (4) ......... time to start your own garden. There are three amazing plants that work in every single climate. The first is spinach. Spinach is very easy to grow because it (5) ......... water well and can stand different levels of heat. The second is the carrots. There are many types of carrots you can grow. Most carrots are very quick to grow and also handle all types of climates as well. The third is tomatoes. There are tons of different types of tomatoes. It's easy to find the perfect tomato for any location. Go plant some plants!
1.

A. actually B. today C. currently D. actively E. now

Answer: Option (C)
2.

A. easy B. fun C. stressful D. difficult E. giddy

Answer: Option (D)
3.

A. flexible B. picky C. divine D. cranky E. difficult

Answer: Option (A)
4.

A. worst B. best C. perfect D. better E. fun

Answer: Option (C)
5.

A. losses B. gets rid of C. removes D. shakes E. holds

Answer: Option (E)
Para Jumbles
Direction (1-5): Rearrange the following six sentences A, B, C, D, E, and F in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.
A. The woodcutter thankfully broke off from work and sat down to eat the delicious meal that his wife had sent for him. B. He was in a good mood that particular morning and soon started singing as he swung his axe at the log of wood in front of him. C. After he had eaten his meal and taken rest for a while the woodcutter got back to work. D. The hours passed and the sun became hotter than even and very soon perspiration started breaking out on the woodcutter's hands and face. E. One hot summer's morning a woodcutter was hard at work, chopping wood into small pieces so that he could sell them in the market. F. As it neared afternoon, his wife sent their little son to him with food for the afternoon.
1. Which of the following should be the Fourth sentence after rearrangement?

A. F B. E C. D D. C E. B

Answer: Option (A)
2. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

Answer: Option (E)
3. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. F

Answer: Option (B)
4. Which of the following should be the LAST (SIXTH) sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

Answer: Option (C)
5. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

A. A B. B C. C D. D E. E

Answer: Option (D)

Error Spotting
Direction (1-5): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is 'D'. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).
1. (solve as per the direction is given above)

A. I wonder B. how am I C. to do it D. No error

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: how I am going
2. (solve as per the direction is given above)

A. He is not to blame B. for what has happened C. for he is in no way connected with it. D. No error

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: He is not to be blamed
3. (solve as per the direction is given above)

A. Had you not B. reached in time C. he would have lost all our belongings. D. No error

Answer: Option (C)
Explanation: we would have lost all our belongings
4. (solve as per the direction is given above)

A. The man told to her B. that he had not brought his dog C. out for a walk as he was afraid that it would rain. D. No error

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: The man told her
5. (solve as per the direction is given above)

A. If I am you B. I would have seen to it C. that I won the prize. D. No error

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: If I were you
Paragraph Completion
1. India has the largest number of wild tigers and a conservation infrastructure with a system of connected protected forest areas. ---- It is urgent that India and the world community weigh in on a concerted programme to save the tiger. (A) But tragically, India's tiger population has collapsed. (B) Experts say that according to the latest census, the Indian population of tigers has plummeted dangerously close to the tipping point for the loss of the species. (C) Extinction of the Royal Bengal Tiger, lord of the Indian jungle, would be an irreversible loss to India's heritage and a signal to environmental dangers for the total ecosystem.

A. A and B B. B and C C. A and C D. None of these E. All the three

Answer: Option (E)
Explanation: The first sentence introduces us to the idea of 'protected forest areas for Tigers' in India. Sentence A follows saying in spite of that the tiger population has collapsed. Sentence B follows A as it is an extension of the same idea with statistical data. Sentence C follows B as it warns us of the 'irreversible loss' not only to India but to the total ecosystem. Hence the world community along with India should do something to save the tigers and this is the idea expressed in the last sentence.
2. A fast-paced lifestyle comes with a baggage of various ailments like obesity, cardiovascular problems, etc. ---- Sugar substitutes or artificial sweeteners is the smart way to cut on excess calories of sugar and control your calorie intake. (A) Sugar substitutes offer the sweetness of sugar without adding to the calories or elevating blood sugar. (B) Controlling your calories is the key to fitness as excess calories get converted into fat in your body. (C) You may not have time to exercise, but you can still make changes in your daily lifestyle, like using artificial sweeteners to remain healthy and stay fit.

A. A and B B. B and C C. A and C D. Only A E. All the three

Answer: Option (B)
Explanation: The opening sentence gives a list of ailments caused due to the present day lifestyle. Sentence B follows as it tells us how to avoid these ailments and keep ourselves fit. (i.e our key to fitness.) How to control these excess calories? With the help of exercises. Sentence C follows B as it says how we can stay fit and healthy even without exercises. It is with the help of artificial sweeteners the use of which is being explained further in the last sentence. Hence B and C help it form a complete paragraph.
3. A man's work reveals his personality. ------ But in his book or in his picture the real man delivers himself defenseless. (A) In social intercourse, he gives you the facade that he wishes the world to accept and appreciate. (B) You can only gain true knowledge of him by inferences from little actions, of which he is unconscious, and from fleeting expressions which cross his face unknown to him. (C) Sometimes people carry to such perfection the mask they have assumed that in due course they actually become the person they seem.

A. A and B B. B and C C. Only B D. A and C E. All the three

Answer: Option (A)
Explanation: 'Work' in the first sentence stands for the 'book' or 'picture' mentioned in the last sentence. Yet the use of 'but' implies that something else has to be inserted between the two. Sentence A follows the first sentence as it presents a different side of the writer or the artist. Sentence B is a continuation of A, the idea of how an artist or a writer presents himself. The last sentence follows B as it says, though he pretends in the public, his true nature can be seen in his work.
4. Starfish, sequoias, salamanders and the rest of the earth's residents may seem very diverse, but they are surprisingly similar on the molecular scale. ---- Planets and moons that have hints of liquid water have been ranked high on the list of potential sites for life-detection missions. (A) All species that scientists have studied need liquid water to survive, for example. (B) Further, they all rely on DNA to carry genetic information, and they all use that information to build proteins from the same set of building blocks, known as amino acids. (C) Scientists have long looked to life on the earth to guide their search for life in other worlds.

A. Only A B. A and B C. Only B D. B and C E. All the three

Answer: Option (E)
Explanation: The opening sentence hints at the similarity of the apparently diverse living organisms. Sentence A tell us about this similarity - (i.e.) the need for liquid water. Sentence B also gives us another similarity among these organisms - their dependency on DNA for genetic transfer. Now, the last sentence talks about the possibility of life in other planets and this idea is presented to us in sentence C. Hence, the two given sentences along with all the three statements make a coherent paragraph.
5. Our ancient dances are not just art forms to be pursued by only those who have a special liking for learning them. ----- Flexibility will come to stay even as one age, for the benefits of dance are for a lifetime. (A) The fundamentals of dance are perhaps the best of all forms of physical fitness regimen. (B) Every part of the body gets toned through the artistic jerks which help in keeping the body fit. (C) The rigorous one-hour practice is more than sufficient to keep the practitioner in perfect health and figure.

A. Only A B. Only B C. B and C D. A and C E. Only C

Answer: Option (D)
Explanation: The first sentence says that dances are not just at forms. Then what are they? They are a kind of physical exercise. Hence A follows the opening statement. Statement B repeats whatever is stated already in A and hence is redundant. Statement C becomes essential before the last sentence as it says that 'even as one age' the fitness will remain if they practice dance for an hour every day.
Idioms and Phrases
Direction (1-5):In the following questions four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase italicised and underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of idiom/phrase.
1. The new economic policy is likely to run into rough weather.

A. create problems B. encounter difficulties C. confuse matters D. makes things difficult

Answer: Option (B)
2. The old father brought home the moral of unity by asking each of his sons to break the bundle of sticks

A. emphasized B. voiced C. declared D. suggested

Answer: Option (A)
3. If you give John all your money, you are likely to burn your fingers.

A. be unhappy B. be happy C. suffer D. be ill

Answer: Option (C)
4. I am sure they will fight tooth and nail for their rights.

A. with all their might B. without any other weapon C. resorting to violence D. very cowardly

Answer: Option (A)
5. We were in a hurry. The road being zigzag we had to cut off a corner to reach in time.

A. To cut a portion of the road B. To take a short cut C. To go fast D. To take an alternative route

Answer: Option (B)