Explanatory Notes for VAHO1002101
Explanatory Notes for questions 1 to 35:
1. Bucolic’ means connected with country or village life and
the word that means the same is ‘rustic’.
Choice A: The word “urbane”, which means (1) having the
polish and suavity regarded as characteristic of
sophisticated social life in major cities.(2) reflecting
elegance, sophistication, etc., especially in expression, is
not a synonym of bucolic.
Choice B : Contagious, meaning (1) capable of being
transmitted by bodily contact with an infected person or
object.(2) tending to spread from person to person, is not
related to the word “bucolic”.
Choice C: CORRECT due to the explanation given above.
Choice D : The word cultivated, which means (1) prepared
and used for raising crops; tilled.(2) educated; refined;
cultured, is not a synonym of “bucolic”. Choice (C)
2. Laissez faire is a French expression which Refers to (1) the
theory or system of government that upholds the
autonomous character of the economic order, believing that
government should intervene as little as possible in the
direction of economic affairs. (2) The practice or doctrine of
non-interference in the affairs of others, especially with
reference to individual conduct or freedom of action. While
some dictionaries provide the meaning as choice (A),
others provide it as choice (D). Choice (A) is closest in
meaning to the original French phrase, while choice (D) is
the way the phrase is normally used in modern day English,
in the context of economic policy
Choice A: CORRECT due to the explanation given above.
Choice B: This is not related to the given expression.
Choice C: This option is not related to the given expression.
Choice D: This option is not closest in meaning to the given
expression due to the explanation given above.
Choice (A)
3. ‘Gridlocked’ in the context means becoming powerless to
act in a way that the European Union likes to. The word
that means the same is ‘straitjacketed’. Choice (B)
4. The word that can replace the given phrase is ‘laconic’,
Choice A: CORRECT based on the explanation given
above.
Choice B: This option, although it means concise or terse,
can be ruled out because it has a positive connotation.
Something that is succinct expresses facts or ideas clearly
and in few words.
Choice C: Voluble, which means characterized by a ready
and continuous flow of words; fluent; glib; talkative, is
opposite in meaning to the given definition.
Choice D: Prolix, meaning long and wordy, is also opposite
in meaning to the given definition. Choice (A)
5. ‘Precipitate’ means to make something happen faster and
the opposite would be ‘retard’. If something retards a
process or the development of something, it makes it
happen at a slower pace.
Choice A: Condense, meaning to make more dense or
compact; reduce the volume or extent of something, is not
an antonym of precipitate.
Choice B: CORRECT based on the explanation given at
the beginning.
Choice C: Defray, which means: to bear or pay all or part of
(the costs, expenses, etc.), is not an antonym of precipitate.
Choice D: Coagulate, meaning to change from a fluid into a
thickened mass; curdle; congeal, is also incorrect.
Choice (B)
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6. Option a : Agnostic refers to a person who holds that the
existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential
nature of things are unknown and unknowable, or that
human knowledge is limited to experience.
Option b: Pliant means bending readily; adaptable.
Option c: The word callow means immature or
inexperienced.
Option d: Obstinate means firmly or stubbornly adhering to
one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument,
persuasion, or entreaty.
The antonymous pair is b – d. pliant means easy to
influence or convince while ‘obstinate’ means difficult to
convince. Choice (D)
7. The idiom ‘pull oneself by the bootstraps’ means to improve
one’s situation by one’s own efforts.
Choice A: This does not convey the appropriate meaning of
the given idiom.
Choice B: CORRECT as per the explanation given at the
beginning.
Choice C: This option does not convey the meaning of the
given idiom.
Choice D: This is not the meaning of the given idiom.
Choice (B)
8. The word ‘matter’ can be used in all 4 sentences.
Option (i): This option can only fit in option d.
Option (ii): CORRECT. This option is appropriate in all the
four blanks.
Option (iii): This option can fit in only in option b.
Option (iv): This option is probable only in the second
blank. Choice (D)
9. ‘Promulgate’ means to spread an idea widely. The word
that can substitute it is ‘promote’.
Choice A : Disseminate, meaning to scatter or spread
widely, as though sowing seed; disperse, is not an
appropriate substitute for the given word.
Choice B: The verb appropriate, which means to set apart,
authorize, or legislate for some specific purpose or use, is
inappropriate in the given context.
Choice C: CORRECT. This serves as the best substitute
for the word “promulgate”.
Choice D: Permeate, meaning to be diffused through;
pervade; saturate, is not appropriate in the given context.
Choice (C)
10. The fact that capuchins manage to find ways to live in
almost any kind of habitat shows that they are adaptable
(able to adjust to changing conditions).
Choice A: The word “agility”, which refers to the power of
moving quickly and easily; nimbleness, does not suit the
given context.
Choice B: CORRECT based on the explanation given
above.
Choice C: This option also does not suit the given
description.
Choice D : Resilience, meaning the power or ability to
return to the original form, position, etc., after being bent,
compressed, or stretched; elasticity, does not match with
the given description. Choice (B)
11. The word ‘terminal’ means certain to come to an end. The
word that cannot replace it is ‘lethal’ which means ‘able to
cause death’. The decline is not causing danger, rather it is
the habitat which is causing the decline. The remaining
words can replace terminal. Choice (D)
VAHO1002101.Exp/1
12. The word that can go with all the four words is ‘party’.
‘Party favours’ means small gifts given to children at a
party.
‘Party line’ refers to the official opinions and policies of a
political party.
‘Party spirit’ refers to the sort of mood in which you can
enjoy a party.
‘Party piece’ is something that someone often does to
entertain people at parties, for example singing a particular
song. etc.
Choice A : This word can be associated with the word
“line”.
Choice B : This word can also be associated with the word
“line”.
Choice C : This word forms a compound word with the
word “spirit”.
Choice D : CORRECT based on the explanation given
above. Choice (D)
13. ‘Obfuscation’ is lack of clarity. We must identify that option
which does not convey the same relationship as that
conveyed by the words obfuscation and clarity.
Choice A : Inanity means lack of sagacity (acuteness of
mental discernment and soundness of judgment.).
Choice B : CORRECT. This option does not convey the
same relationship as that conveyed by the capitalized pair
of words. ‘Proclivity’ is the tendency to behave in a
particular way or to like a particular thing and ‘penchant’
also means having a special liking for something or a
tendency to do something.
Choice C : Amiability (friendliness) means lacking hostility
(antagonism).
Choice D : Despondency (gloom; despair) means lacking
exhilaration (liveliness; stimulation). Choice (B)
14. The words that can fit into the first blank are proxy,
substitute and surrogate.
Choice A : The word betrayal cannot go into the blank
because it means the act of cheating.
Choice B : CORRECT. The word proxy (substitute) is apt in
the first blank and the word that can go into the second
blank is entrenched (deep-rooted).
Choice C : Althoguh the word substitute fits into the first
blank, ‘inveterate’ is ruled out because it often goes with
habits or feelings and not symbols.
Choice D : The word “surrogate” (proxy) can fit into the first
blank but ‘cantonal’, which means regional; is ruled out in
the second blank. Choice (B)
15. The words ‘foreign invaders conquered and successively
ruled’ and ‘while’ indicate that the blank requires an
equivalent of ‘ruled by the natives’, which is ‘indigenous’.
Choice A : CORRECT based on the explanation given
above.
Choice B : The Inherent qualities of something are the
necessary and natural parts of it, hence this option is not
suitable in the given blank.
Choice C : This option does not suit the given context
because inborn means “existing from birth” – it is generally
used for natural qualities.
Choice D: ‘Intrinsic’, which means belonging naturally,
essential, does not suit the given context. Choice (A)
16. ‘Dominated’ goes into the blank as it means “having a
commanding or controlling influence over”.
Choice A : CORRECT according to the explanation given
above.
Choice B : To ‘tyrannise’ is to use power over someone, to
threaten them cruelly or unfairly. This option is not
appropriate in the given context.
Choice C : To ‘overrule‘ means to officially decide that a
decision is incorrect. It is generally done by someone in
authority.
Choice D : To ‘bully’ is to frighten or intimidate
Hence (B), (C), and (D) do not suit the above context.
Choice (A)
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17. Passive goes into the third blank as it means “accepting or
allowing what happens without active response resistance.”
Choice A : ‘Untouched’, meaning unaffected does not
convey the meaning intended in the sentence.
Choice B : ‘Unstirred’ , meaning unmoved, can also be
ruled out for the same meaning given for option A.
Choice C : ‘Docile’, which means ‘ready” is contextually
inappropriate.
Choice D : CORRECT. This option matches perfectly with
the meaning intended in the sentence and conveys the
same meaning as the word “unresisting” which precedes
the blank. Choice (D)
18. For this question we must identify that option in which the
usage of the given word is incorrect or inappropriate. The
word ‘repeat’ is wrongly used in Choice (B). It should be…..
‘repeat after her…. ‘ that means to say what she has said.
Choice A : Here, the word “repeat” which is used as a
noun, means an event that is very similar to something that
happened before.
Choice B : CORRECT. The usage of the given word is
incorrect here.
Choice C : Here, the word “repeat” means to say or write
something again or more than once.
Choice D : Here, the word refers to a television or radio
programme that has been broadcast before.
Choice (B)
19. Sentence i: Here, the word ‘seemed’ is appropriate since
the sentence is about the way someone feels. 'Appeared' is
used when we wish to present what someone understands.
Hence, a.
Sentence ii: In this option, 'stirring' is appropriate since the
context indicates (using the words sleepiest of sleepy) that
there was not even the slightest movement. Hence, b.
Sentence iii: Things are 'faint' in visibility, not 'light'. Hence
b.
Sentence iv: A bird floating on lazy wing is one that is
staying aloft by gliding, wings widespread but motionless.
Hence a.
Sentence v : 'but' is appropriate. We use 'but for' in the
sense of reason presented. Hence b.
Thus 'abbab'. Choice (B)
20. ‘So ….that’ is the appropriate subordinating conjunction to
denote the cause and effect relationship explicit in the
sentence.
Choice A : “Too” is not followed by “that”. Hence, this option
is incorrect.
Choice B : “Very” is not followed by “that”.
Choice C: CORRECT. This option is grammatically
consistent.
Choice D “ “So” is followed by “that” and not “so”.
Choice (C)
21. There are errors in both the sentences.
. make fun ‘of’ someone and not ‘at’ someone.
. Japanese should be preceded by ‘the’. The reference
is to the natives of a particular country. Choice (C)
22. Option (D) is the best as there are errors in the rest of the
options
Choice A : The article ‘a’ is missing before ‘devotee’
Choice B : The adverb ‘incessantly’ should be placed after
the object.
Choice C : The definite article ‘the’ should be placed before
‘Almighty’ as it refers to something that is unique.
Choice D : CORRECT. This option is free of grammatical
errors. Choice (D)
23. The grammar points tested in this sentence are the usage
of prepositions and verbs. The errors are in statements b
and d.
 Statement b : The word “beneficial” should be followed by
“to” and not “for”.
Exercise is beneficial to you.
Exercise is beneficial for your health.
Statement d : The word ‘suffering’ should be followed by
“is”. Choice (B)
24. The grammar points tested are on positioning of adverbs,
and punctuation.
Line a has no error. In usage of verbs and line b the adverb
'diligently' is wrongly placed. It obstructs the continuity of
the thought "...train ourselves to lie judiciously...". 'Diligently'
should be placed before 'train'.
Line c has no error. In line d, the auxiliary verb 'will' is
wrongly placed. Since the statement specifies a pre-
requisite (only then), it should read "...only then will we be
worthy dwellers...".
Line e has an error. It needs a comma after 'lies', since the
following portion represents additional information (of
exception to the habit).
The corrected sentences are:
"Therefore, the wise thing is for us to diligently train
ourselves to lie judiciously; ......"
"Only then will we be worthy dwellers ...."
"....where even benign Nature habitually lies, except
when....".
Therefore, choice C is the answer. Choice (C)
25. Option (C) expresses the idea clearly and briefly.
Option (A) is very close to option (C), but is not as concise.
Option (B) is unnecessarily elaborate.
Option C : CORRECT. This is the most concise among all
the options.
Option (D) does not provide all the points clearly. It is
superficial. Choice (C)
26. The error is in part B. Here, it can be understood that the
comparison is between the cleavages of today and the
cleavages of the 1930s. Hence, the pronoun “that” should
be replaced with “those” in order to refer to the cleavages
of the 1930s and to conform to the word “cleavages” which
is a plural noun. The correction is “While today’s ideological
cleavages are not as wide as those of the 1930s….”.
Choice (B)
27. (c) is the beginning of the sentence as it introduces the
idea/view.
(a) follows as the word “would be taking a long
step”…….is a logical connection.
(d) follows a.
(b) has a concluding tone.
Hence cadb. Choice (C)
28. The paragraph explains how mobile devices such as
laptops etc. are becoming increasingly vulnerable to
attacks via web browsers.
Statement 2 : This is the opening statement as it
introduces the topic.
Statement 4 : This statement takes the idea of ‘attacks via
web’ forward and explains how it happens.
Statement 1 : This statement follows (4) as the term
‘malicious’ that is used in (4) is explained here.
Statement 3 : This statement gives more insight into the
topic by providing more details.
Statement 5 : This statement follows 3 as ‘These’ devices
clearly refers to ‘laptops and mobile devices’ mentioned in
(3).
Hence 24135 is the correct sequence. Ans: (24135)
29. The option that best concludes the paragraph is option (C).
Choice A : This option takes the idea forward but doesn’t
conclude, even though it seems like a conclusion.
Choice B : This option strengthens the idea that light is
harmful to animals but it does not conclude the para.
Further, it particularly refers to nocturnal frogs.
Choice C : CORRECT. This option has a concluding tone
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and is in line with ‘. . . grave . . . environmental threat . . .’.
Choice D : This option talks about advancements which
are related to the issue being discussed. It does not
conclude the paragraph. Choice (C)
30. The passage elaborates on how technological change can
lead to divergent beliefs and opinions.
Statement 5: This statement which has a general tone,
begins the paragraph stating that technological change can
alter the costs and benefits of adhering to certain beliefs.
Statement 2: This statement substantiates what is stated in
5 by citing the example of stem cell research.
Statement 3: “It” in this statement refers to “embryonic stem
cell research” mentioned in 2. Therefore, this statement
follows 2 explaining why the Roman Catholic Bishops
oppose stem cell research.
Statement 4: This statement presents a contrast with what
is stated in 3 explaining how some other sections view
stem cell research.
Therefore, statements 5, 2, 3, 4 form a logical sequence.
Statement 1, which conveys a different idea does not
belong to this sequence. Ans: (1)
31. The following are the main points of the paragraph:
(1) If a stimulus encountered in the present is similar to a
painful or an unpleasant memory of the past, the mind
responds by triggering the unpleasant feelings of the
past.
(2) A person’s reaction to the present may not be
congruent with the stimulus encountered in the
present.
The essence of the text is best encapsulated in choice (B).
Choice A: This option provides an example because of
which it is not as concise.
Choice B: CORRECT based on the explanation given at
the beginning.
Choice C: This option talks about the same thing as option
(B) but the word ‘imposed’ means forcing on something and
hence it does not go with the word ‘unconsciously’. Also,
‘our past experiences tend to ….’ is a repetition of the first
sentence and hence there is also a problem of redundancy
in option (C).
Choice D: This option has an advisory tone- “One has to
avoid….” - which cannot be discerned from the paragraph.
Choice (B)
32. The paragraph talks about how the meaning of the word
leisure is misinterpreted and how leisure is perceived now.
Choice 1: CORRECT due to the explanation given above.
Choice 2: It cannot be understood from the paragraph that
leisure has become elusive. Therefore, this option is
incorrect.
Choice 3: It cannot be inferred from the paragraph that
leisure can be obtained only if one works hard.
Choice 4: This option, which merely says that leisure, is
now perceived as a mirage, does not capture the main
essence of what the author intends to convey. Ans: (1)
33. The paragraph states that although insects such as bees
and ants possess a large behavioral repertoire, they are
perceived to be automata which respond to certain external
triggers. This meaning is aptly captured by option 1.
Choice 1: CORRECT due to the explanation given above.
Choice 2: It cannot be understood from the paragraph that
non-human animals are devoid of cognitive skills.
Choice 3: It cannot be inferred from the passage that
insects are asocial beings.
Choice 4: It is not mentioned in the paragraph that it is
scientifically proven that insects possess a large behavioral
repertoire, it is merely an assumption made by the
scientists. Ans: (1)
34. The argument seeks us to explain higher genetic diversity
found in urban Black Widow spiders, despite human
barriers. We need to identify an option that explains this
higher diversity.
Option A: incorrect because if this information is true, then
the spider cannot overcome the barriers and so genetic
diversity should be less.
Option B: correct because if this is true, gene flow will be
less in deserts and more in urban areas, making diversity in
urban populations of Black Widow spider more possible
than that in rural populations of the same species.
Option C: incorrect because this compares Black Widow
spider population in urban areas with the populations of
other spiders in urban areas, not with that of rural
populations.
Option D: incorrect because in this case, genetic diversity
should be the same in both urban and rural populations of
Black Widow spiders.
Thus, the best option is B. Choice (B)
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35. The argument overall concludes that his sculptures, though
simple in shape, are not simplistic and, as per the
requirement of the question, we need to identify a factor
that supports this view.
Option A: incorrect because though his works are
representative, this does not support the view that his
works are 'not simplistic'.
Option B: incorrect because his art forms are not actually
complex.
Option C: correct because if this is true, though his art
forms are simple, the aesthetic appreciation is not simple.
Option D: incorrect because the information given in this
option is not relevant to the conclusion.
Thus, the best form is C Option C. Choice (C)