VARC Test - 5

Out of all the sentences option (C) fits the blank most appropriately as it takes the discussion started in the paragraph further in the most logical manner.

Moreover, usage of the adjective ‘such’ before the word ‘activism’ indicates that the sentence preceding the blank must have a reference of ‘activism’ and the presence of ‘activists’ in the very beginning of the sentence validates it.

The complete paragraph- Fringe elements affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been in the news ever since the party came to power. Activists who pretend to be associated with the Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and the Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh too have had their day in the news. There are two widely held explanations for such activism. First, the “fringe” is encouraged by the party as a strategy to appeal to more extreme elements within the party and to polarise politics. Second, and more specific to the right wing, some believe that these individuals’ provocative actions and remarks are indicative of the government’s tacit support for Hindutva principles.

Option (A) is correct as in the last line the writer talks about finding happiness. In the article, he also talks about acquiring everything and still not being happy and so happiness is a state of mind and is absolutely free is the most logical ending of the passage.

The complete paragraph- What is the meaning and purpose of life?” is probably one of the most important questions that philosophers across the globe have been trying to answers for thousands of years. If you are trying to seek happiness by buying faster cars, bigger houses, fancier phones or trendier clothes, you might never attain happiness as there is no end to this list. Even if you acquire everything you can own on this planet, the next thing you might want is the next planet, and then the next galaxy and so on and so forth. Yet you may not be able to find happiness, fulfilment and peace of mind. Happiness is a state of mind and is absolutely free.

The error lies in part (A) of the sentence.

The omission of the definite article also called a determiner, is very common in writing and speech. 

The article is omitted from the above sentence. It should be placed in before “arteries”. The reason is that the names of ailments and diseases and parts of the body always have the before them. 

For example: Cancer of the lung, hardening of the joints, inflammation of the throat, etc. 

The error is in (A) in which a singular collective noun is preceded by a plural verb (“are”). Even though the noun news ends in s, it is singular and therefore it should be preceded and followed by a singular verb, never a plural verb.

Examples: What’s the news? There’s no news about the college.

A-E, B-F and C-D form grammatically and contextually correct sentences. But none of the given options gives the correct pairing of the phrases.

A-E: ‘National Statistical Commission under the’ suggests that the subsequent part must contain the Chairman of the Commission. Phrase E fulfills the requirement. These two phrases combine to form a meaningful sentence.

B-F: Phrases B and F give the members of the Commission. Therefore these two combine to form a meaningful sentence.

C-D: Phrase C tells that the recommendations of the NSC are given due respect and phrase D tells that recommendations of the NSC are implemented in a way they must be done. This tells that the two phrases are interlinked. When the two combine, a coherent sentence is formed.

Only phrases B and F combine to form grammatically and contextually correct sentence.

B-F: ‘followed their conscience’ forms a perfect link between the two phrases. ‘resigned’ in phrase F corresponds to Principal and Vice-Principal of the college and ‘institution’ refers to HK Arts College. These suggest that the two phrases are interlinked. When the two combine, a coherent sentence is formed.

C-E: form contextually correct sentences, but the error in phrase E makes the sentences grammatically incorrect. ‘bought’ must be replaced with ‘brought’. ‘bought’ is the participle form of verb ‘buy’, whereas ‘brought’ is the participle form of verb ‘bring’. The government of Chimanbhai Patel got ruled out as a consequence of this movement. Thus, ‘brought’ is the correct word here.

Phrases A and D are lone parts of two different sentences. They do not combine to form a meaningful sentence.

The error lies in part (A) of the sentence.

The error in the sentence has to do with the syntax, the wrong syntax leads to a wrong meaning. The correction of the sentence would involve rearranging the syntax of part (A).

The correct sentence be:

He cheated not only his friends but also his parents at home.

Captured: take into one's possession or control by force.

Escaped: break free from confinement or control.

From the meanings of the given words, we can say that the word 'escaped' is the opposite of the meaning of the underlined word 'captured'.

Dispute: argue about (something).

Comply:to act or agree according to an order, set of rules, or request.

Sink: to cause something to fail or be in trouble.

Meliorate- to make better.

According to the meaning of given words, meliorate is opposite meaning.