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HLT- 2

Attempted 0/33 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: Mark the idiom which best fits in the statement.

Her beauty was the reason why everybody called her ______.

  1. Just a bowl of cherries

  2. My better half

  3. Living Doll

  4. Not born yesterday

  5. Sweet Corn


Correct Option: C

Directions: Mark the idiom which best fits in the statement.

By his outstanding performance in the debate competition he actually ______.

  1. had put the cart before the horse

  2. swept the board

  3. made a song and dance about something

  4. took the load off his feet

  5. cast a spell


Correct Option: B

Directions: Mark the idiom which best fits in the statement.

After facing failure many times Suresh became very cautious and started working as if he were ______.

  1. walking on eggs

  2. crying for the moon

  3. at sixes and sevens

  4. going for a song

  5. crying over spilt milk


Correct Option: A

Directions: Mark the idiom which best fits in the statement.

Rohan decided to invest his entire saving on the major project but his father explained to him that it is too risky______.

  1. to keep the body and soul together

  2. to put all the eggs in one basket

  3. to let the chips fall where they may

  4. to sneeze at anything

  5. to beat about the bush


Correct Option: B

Directions: Mark the idiom which best fits in the statement.

His car, sold for just Rs. 9000/-, actually ______.

  1. went for a dance

  2. went Dutch

  3. went for a song

  4. was like walking on eggs

  5. went for free


Correct Option: C

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (iii).

  1. continued

  2. prevailed

  3. resorted

  4. discontinued

  5. purported


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The term ‘resorted’ literally means to turn to for use/ support.The passage further elaborates the measures taken by police to overcome the hindrance of political patronage.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (v).

  1. inspire

  2. demolish

  3. vanquish

  4. eliminate

  5. deflate


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The word demolish cannot be used in reference to criminals, so option (4) eliminate is the best answer. Vanquish is used for enemies.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (i).

  1. social

  2. political

  3. daily

  4. insecure

  5. criminal


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This passage is about policemen and criminals. The first blank talks about patronage (favour) as a barrier for policemen. So the perfect match to fill in is 'political'.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (ii).

  1. entertainers

  2. power

  3. criminals

  4. patrons

  5. lackeys


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The political patronage of ‘criminals’ is a hindrance in the work of police.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (iv).

  1. billow

  2. spate

  3. variety

  4. spout

  5. preponderance


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The best phrasal use is ‘spate’ meaning series / flurry. The number of encounters have increased.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (vii).

  1. glimpsed

  2. relied

  3. believed

  4. destined

  5. looked


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The word relied (depend upon) is the only term among those given as suited to fit in this sentence.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (vi).

  1. acclaimed

  2. based

  3. basked

  4. supposed

  5. announced


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Acclaimed (to greet with loud applause) is not suited to this line, as the mood of the minister hasn't been referred to as jubilant. The word 'announced' suits this sentence.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (xi).

  1. desired

  2. summarized

  3. hurried

  4. exonerated

  5. directed


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

A court always directs individuals or institutions, and does not summarize or adjudicate them.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (x).

  1. Significantly

  2. Momentarily

  3. Permanently

  4. Irrelevantly

  5. Concurrently


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

This sentence makes reference to High Court decision regarding police encounters, so it should begin with the term significantly because this is an important ruling regarding encounters.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (viii).

  1. increase

  2. annihilate

  3. arouse

  4. abrogate

  5. curb


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The sentence has the term ‘continue to be’, so the word annihilated (finished, destroyed completely) can’t be used. The term ‘curb’ is more suited for this sentence.

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E).

Limbaugh lost his job for saying in public (A) what many football fans and analysts have been saying privately for (B) the past couple of seasons and though he pretty much told (C) the truth he had to pay a huge price (D). No error (E)

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

There is no error in the statement.

Directions: The following passage has several numbered blanks with suggestions for the same given after the passage. Select the proper option. Faced with the ..(i).. patronage of ..(ii).. and routine transfers of upright officials, the city police has ..(iii).. to a ..(iv).. of encounters to ..(v).. underworld elements. The rising numbers of deaths in this fashion suggests a knee-jerk response which makes nonsense of the rule of law. Yet the minister in charge of home portfolio has..(vi).. that encounters will continue to be ..(vii).. upon to ..(viii).. lawlessness. It is a different matter that he has been silent about his own party having given tickets to family members of drug ..(ix).. during elections. ..(x).., the Mumbai High Court, while admitting a writ petition on such encounters, has ..(xi).. city police commissioner to file an affidavit.

Read the given passage and fill the blank (ix).

  1. buyers

  2. sellers

  3. makers

  4. traffickers


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Specific term “drug traffickers” is used in respect of those dealing with drugs and selling them.

Directions: The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E).

Jane was by no means (A) popular with the other women, taking far too much upon (B) herself, the strength of her father's rank, and giving herself airs as (C) if she was better (D) than those around her. No error (E)

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Generally the subjunctive 'were' is used instead of "was" after if....'she were better...' 

Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences in the proper sequence to form a coherent paragraph, and then answer the question given below: A. The debt American intellectual growth owes to the revolutionary exiles has never been fully appreciated. B. The seed disseminated by them, though so little understood at the time, has brought a rich harvest. C. It is difficult for the average man to form an adequate conception what strength, energy, and perseverance are necessary to absorb the unfamiliar language, habits, and customs of a new country, without the loss of one's own personality. D. They have at all times held aloft the banner of liberty, thus impregnating the social vitality of the Nation.
E. But very few have succeeding in preserving their European education and culture while at the same time assimilating themselves with American life.

Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The first sentence is A as it presents the topic of the passage. The phrase 'never been fully appreciated' is followed up with the phrase 'so little understood' in sentence B. 'the seed disseminated by them' in B is followed by 'they have at all time' and 'impregnating the social vitality' in D. As C is continuation of idea expressed in E, so E will follow D. Thus, we have ABDEC. 

Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences in the proper sequence to form a coherent paragraph, and then answer the question given below: A. The debt American intellectual growth owes to the revolutionary exiles has never been fully appreciated. B. The seed disseminated by them, though so little understood at the time, has brought a rich harvest. C. It is difficult for the average man to form an adequate conception what strength, energy, and perseverance are necessary to absorb the unfamiliar language, habits, and customs of a new country, without the loss of one's own personality. D. They have at all times held aloft the banner of liberty, thus impregnating the social vitality of the Nation.
E. But very few have succeeding in preserving their European education and culture while at the same time assimilating themselves with American life.

Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The first sentence is A as it presents the topic of the passage. The phrase 'never been fully appreciated' is followed up with the phrase 'so little understood' in sentence B. 'the seed disseminated by them' in B is followed by 'they have at all time' and 'impregnating the social vitality' in D. As C is continuation of idea expressed in E, so E will follow D. Thus, we have ABDEC. 

Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences in the proper sequence to form a coherent paragraph, and then answer the question given below: A. The debt American intellectual growth owes to the revolutionary exiles has never been fully appreciated. B. The seed disseminated by them, though so little understood at the time, has brought a rich harvest.
C. It is difficult for the average man to form an adequate conception what strength, energy, and perseverance are necessary to absorb the unfamiliar language, habits, and customs of a new country, without the loss of one's own personality. D. They have at all times held aloft the banner of liberty, thus impregnating the social vitality of the Nation.
E. But very few have succeeding in preserving their European education and culture while at the same time assimilating themselves with American life.

Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The first sentence is A as it presents the topic of the passage. The phrase 'never been fully appreciated' is followed up with the phrase 'so little understood' in sentence B. 'the seed disseminated by them' in B is followed by 'they have at all time' and 'impregnating the social vitality' in D. As C is continuation of idea expressed in E, so E will follow D. Thus, we have ABDEC. 

Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences in the proper sequence to form a coherent paragraph, and then answer the question given below: A. The debt American intellectual growth owes to the revolutionary exiles has never been fully appreciated. B. The seed disseminated by them, though so little understood at the time, has brought a rich harvest.
C. It is difficult for the average man to form an adequate conception what strength, energy, and perseverance are necessary to absorb the unfamiliar language, habits, and customs of a new country, without the loss of one's own personality. D. They have at all times held aloft the banner of liberty, thus impregnating the social vitality of the Nation.
E. But very few have succeeding in preserving their European education and culture while at the same time assimilating themselves with American life.

Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The first sentence is A as it presents the topic of the passage. The phrase 'never been fully appreciated' is followed up with the phrase 'so little understood' in sentence B. 'the seed disseminated by them' in B is followed by 'they have at all time' and 'impregnating the social vitality' in D. As C is continuation of idea expressed in E, so E will follow D. Thus, we have ABDEC. 

Directions: Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.

I am aware that there are difficulties, quite few of them of his own creation.

  1. quite few of these of his own creation

  2. quite a few of them of his own creation

  3. quite a few of them of their own creation

  4. quite few of them of their own creation


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Error of adjective. 'Few' is negative that indicates insignificant number. But the sense conveyed here is 'some' (a few)

Directions: Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.

The projections prepared in this study imply that growth will continue and result in an even greater share of production.

  1. as growth will continue to result

  2. that growth will continue to result

  3. as growth will continue and would result

  4. that growth will continue and will result


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

'Will continue and will result'. Result is not the consequence of continuation, but of growth.

Directions: Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.

After singing for many musical shows, he tasted success.

  1. Though he sang for many musical shows

  2. After he sang for many musical shows

  3. Since he had sung for many musical shows

  4. After he had sung for many musical shows


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Incorrect tense usage. He tasted success after 'he had sung'.

Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences in the proper sequence to form a coherent paragraph, and then answer the question given below: A. The debt American intellectual growth owes to the revolutionary exiles has never been fully appreciated. B. The seed disseminated by them, though so little understood at the time, has brought a rich harvest.
C. It is difficult for the average man to form an adequate conception what strength, energy, and perseverance are necessary to absorb the unfamiliar language, habits, and customs of a new country, without the loss of one's own personality. D. They have at all times held aloft the banner of liberty, thus impregnating the social vitality of the Nation.
E. But very few have succeeding in preserving their European education and culture while at the same time assimilating themselves with American life.

Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The first sentence is A as it presents the topic of the passage. The phrase 'never been fully appreciated' is followed up with the phrase 'so little understood' in sentence B. 'the seed disseminated by them' in B is followed by 'they have at all time' and 'impregnating the social vitality' in D. As C is continuation of idea expressed in E, so E will follow D. Thus, we have ABDEC. 

Directions: Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.

I have not still read it, but would like to.

  1. Yet I have not read it

  2. I have not read it still

  3. Still I have not read it

  4. I have not yet read it


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The correct phrasal use is 'not yet'.

Directions: Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.

If any one dared to suggest that he or she was not against women but only against reservation, nobody was willing to listen.

  1. If anyone were daring to suggest

  2. It anyone was daring to suggest

  3. If anyone dared suggesting

  4. If anyone dared suggest


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The verb 'dare' is not followed by the preposition 'to'.

Which of the following support(s) the notion of 'aesthetic jumboism'? I. The painting of a sunflower is appreciated more than a painting of a violet. II. Big oxen have been proved to perform better than the dwarfs. III.Tall people are aesthetically pleasing to the eye. IV. A disbelief in the notion that God is in the details. V. All the accolades are reserved for the best; the next best only becomes the also ran.

PASSAGE

There is hardly a composer concerning whom so many erroneous notions are current as concerning Chopin, and of all the histories of music I have seen that very few critics devote to Chopin an amount of space approximately proportionate to his importance. One of the most absurd of the misconceptions is that Chopin's genius was born in full armour, and that it did not pass through several stages of development, like that of other composers. Chopin did display remarkable originality at the very beginning, but the apparent maturity of his first published works is due to the fact that he destroyed his earliest efforts and disowned those works which are known as posthumous, and which may have created confusion in some minds by having received a higher opus number than his last works.
Another misconception regarding Chopin is that his latest works are morbid and unintelligible. The same charge was brought by philistines against the best works of Beethoven, Schumann, and Wagner. The fact is that these last works are of an almost matchless harmonic depth and originality, as superior to his earlier works as Wagner's last music dramas are to his first operas. Schumann was the first to recognize the revolutionary significance of Chopin's style. "Chopin's works," he says, "are cannons buried in flowers;" and in another place he declares that he can see in "Chopin's G minor Nocturne a terrible declaration of war against a whole musical past."
Chopin was quiet and retiring in his personal disposition so much so that his small voice was lost in the din of musical warfare. He warmly defended the principles of the romantic school, if necessary, and had decided opinions of other musicians, especially of the popular pianists of his day who vitiated the public taste with their show pieces; but he generally kept them to himself or confided them only to his friends.
The world is yet to acknowledge that Chopin is one of the very greatest explorers and pioneers in the domain of art. This can be explained by, for want of a better term, aesthetic Jumboism. When the late lamented Jumbo was in New York he attracted so much attention that his colleagues, although but little inferior in size, had "no show" whatever. Everybody crowded around Jumbo, stuffing him with bushels of oranges and apples, while the other elephants were entirely ignored. As elephants are intelligent animals, is it not probable that Pilot, the next in size to Jumbo, went mad and had to be shot because he was jealous of the exclusive attentions bestowed on his rival? In aesthetics, this Jumboism, this exaggerated desire for mammoth dimensions, seems to be a trait of the human mind which it is difficult to eradicate. It cannot be said that the critics of art or literature follow the popular disposition to measure genius with a yard-stick; but in music there seems to be a general tendency to do this. Liszt remarks, apropos, in his work on Chopin: "The value of the sketches made by Chopin's extremely delicate pencil has not yet been acknowledged and emphasized sufficiently. It has become customary in our days to regard as great composers only those who have written at least half a dozen operas, as many oratorios, and several symphonies."

  1. I only

  2. II only

  3. I, II and III

  4. I and III


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

(1). I is correct because it directly follows the notion of aesthetic jumboism. II and V talk of performance, whereas the use of the word - aesthetic means only the form. III doesn't give a comparison. IV is incorrect because we cannot infer the statement that God is in 'bigger things'.

What is the nearest meaning of the word 'cannon' as used in the passage?

PASSAGE

There is hardly a composer concerning whom so many erroneous notions are current as concerning Chopin, and of all the histories of music I have seen that very few critics devote to Chopin an amount of space approximately proportionate to his importance. One of the most absurd of the misconceptions is that Chopin's genius was born in full armour, and that it did not pass through several stages of development, like that of other composers. Chopin did display remarkable originality at the very beginning, but the apparent maturity of his first published works is due to the fact that he destroyed his earliest efforts and disowned those works which are known as posthumous, and which may have created confusion in some minds by having received a higher opus number than his last works.
Another misconception regarding Chopin is that his latest works are morbid and unintelligible. The same charge was brought by philistines against the best works of Beethoven, Schumann, and Wagner. The fact is that these last works are of an almost matchless harmonic depth and originality, as superior to his earlier works as Wagner's last music dramas are to his first operas. Schumann was the first to recognize the revolutionary significance of Chopin's style. "Chopin's works," he says, "are cannons buried in flowers;" and in another place he declares that he can see in "Chopin's G minor Nocturne a terrible declaration of war against a whole musical past."
Chopin was quiet and retiring in his personal disposition so much so that his small voice was lost in the din of musical warfare. He warmly defended the principles of the romantic school, if necessary, and had decided opinions of other musicians, especially of the popular pianists of his day who vitiated the public taste with their show pieces; but he generally kept them to himself or confided them only to his friends.
The world is yet to acknowledge that Chopin is one of the very greatest explorers and pioneers in the domain of art. This can be explained by, for want of a better term, aesthetic Jumboism. When the late lamented Jumbo was in New York he attracted so much attention that his colleagues, although but little inferior in size, had "no show" whatever. Everybody crowded around Jumbo, stuffing him with bushels of oranges and apples, while the other elephants were entirely ignored. As elephants are intelligent animals, is it not probable that Pilot, the next in size to Jumbo, went mad and had to be shot because he was jealous of the exclusive attentions bestowed on his rival? In aesthetics, this Jumboism, this exaggerated desire for mammoth dimensions, seems to be a trait of the human mind which it is difficult to eradicate. It cannot be said that the critics of art or literature follow the popular disposition to measure genius with a yard-stick; but in music there seems to be a general tendency to do this. Liszt remarks, apropos, in his work on Chopin: "The value of the sketches made by Chopin's extremely delicate pencil has not yet been acknowledged and emphasized sufficiently. It has become customary in our days to regard as great composers only those who have written at least half a dozen operas, as many oratorios, and several symphonies."

  1. Gun

  2. Principle

  3. Thorn

  4. Chance


Correct Option: A

What is 'opus number' in the passage?

PASSAGE

There is hardly a composer concerning whom so many erroneous notions are current as concerning Chopin, and of all the histories of music I have seen that very few critics devote to Chopin an amount of space approximately proportionate to his importance. One of the most absurd of the misconceptions is that Chopin's genius was born in full armour, and that it did not pass through several stages of development, like that of other composers. Chopin did display remarkable originality at the very beginning, but the apparent maturity of his first published works is due to the fact that he destroyed his earliest efforts and disowned those works which are known as posthumous, and which may have created confusion in some minds by having received a higher opus number than his last works.
Another misconception regarding Chopin is that his latest works are morbid and unintelligible. The same charge was brought by philistines against the best works of Beethoven, Schumann, and Wagner. The fact is that these last works are of an almost matchless harmonic depth and originality, as superior to his earlier works as Wagner's last music dramas are to his first operas. Schumann was the first to recognize the revolutionary significance of Chopin's style. "Chopin's works," he says, "are cannons buried in flowers;" and in another place he declares that he can see in "Chopin's G minor Nocturne a terrible declaration of war against a whole musical past."
Chopin was quiet and retiring in his personal disposition so much so that his small voice was lost in the din of musical warfare. He warmly defended the principles of the romantic school, if necessary, and had decided opinions of other musicians, especially of the popular pianists of his day who vitiated the public taste with their show pieces; but he generally kept them to himself or confided them only to his friends.
The world is yet to acknowledge that Chopin is one of the very greatest explorers and pioneers in the domain of art. This can be explained by, for want of a better term, aesthetic Jumboism. When the late lamented Jumbo was in New York he attracted so much attention that his colleagues, although but little inferior in size, had "no show" whatever. Everybody crowded around Jumbo, stuffing him with bushels of oranges and apples, while the other elephants were entirely ignored. As elephants are intelligent animals, is it not probable that Pilot, the next in size to Jumbo, went mad and had to be shot because he was jealous of the exclusive attentions bestowed on his rival? In aesthetics, this Jumboism, this exaggerated desire for mammoth dimensions, seems to be a trait of the human mind which it is difficult to eradicate. It cannot be said that the critics of art or literature follow the popular disposition to measure genius with a yard-stick; but in music there seems to be a general tendency to do this. Liszt remarks, apropos, in his work on Chopin: "The value of the sketches made by Chopin's extremely delicate pencil has not yet been acknowledged and emphasized sufficiently. It has become customary in our days to regard as great composers only those who have written at least half a dozen operas, as many oratorios, and several symphonies."

  1. Number in order of composition

  2. Number of the most important composition(s)

  3. Gradation of originality

  4. Number showing more originality than Chopin's last works


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

(2) is correct as it denotes the ranking based not on sequence of compositions, but on the quality or maturity of work. It can be inferred from the lines: 'but the apparent maturity of his first published works … may have created confusion in some minds by having received a higher opus number than his last works'.

According to the passage, what do worldly pleasures lead us to?

PASSAGE
Every potent phenomenon is bound between the law of cause and effect. Though the cause is not visible, effect can be seen. An apple falls due to gravitation but we can’t just perceive it. So this force which is subtle, which is invisible can be felt only when we witness the gross object of this force i.e. the result. Every change that takes place is due to this hidden unseen subtle force. Our body too is an expression of this subtle force. Our body’s birth, growth, decay and death all revolve around this invisible concept. Even our rebirth or reincarnation depends on this subtle force. We gather many ideas, tendencies, desires which initiate a subtle body. When a person dies these feelings lie deep - untouched, undeciphered in the mind. These are stored as impressions in our mind but slowly they rise as physic waves and magnetize new desires. These desires lead to manufacture of a new body. The unfulfilled longing of “worldly pleasure”, the lust or cravings become the cause of rebirth. Till these retain themselves in the body they as a subtle force lead to hundreds of births. So, desires need to be accomplished if one wants to break free of the vicious circle of birth & death.

  1. Worldly pleasures are the gross result of a subtle power.

  2. Unsatisfied desires that hang on before death become the subtle force leading a body to a gross result - rebirth

  3. The ecstatic feeling of completing one's job helps one die a serene death

  4. The worldly pleasure leads to demise of character


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The passage states that incomplete desires lead to rebirth: “The unfulfilled longing of …. cause of rebirth' defines the reason for our rebirth.

What is the central idea of the passage?

PASSAGE
Every potent phenomenon is bound between the law of cause and effect. Though the cause is not visible, effect can be seen. An apple falls due to gravitation but we can’t just perceive it. So this force which is subtle, which is invisible can be felt only when we witness the gross object of this force i.e. the result. Every change that takes place is due to this hidden unseen subtle force. Our body too is an expression of this subtle force. Our body’s birth, growth, decay and death all revolve around this invisible concept. Even our rebirth or reincarnation depends on this subtle force. We gather many ideas, tendencies, desires which initiate a subtle body. When a person dies these feelings lie deep - untouched, undeciphered in the mind. These are stored as impressions in our mind but slowly they rise as physic waves and magnetize new desires. These desires lead to manufacture of a new body. The unfulfilled longing of “worldly pleasure”, the lust or cravings become the cause of rebirth. Till these retain themselves in the body they as a subtle force lead to hundreds of births. So, desires need to be accomplished if one wants to break free of the vicious circle of birth & death.

  1. To determine the cause and effect of a phenomenon

  2. To show the potency of gross result that helps us to understand the invisible powers

  3. To surmise the idea of reincarnation through discussion of subtle force

  4. To discuss how unfulfilled desires lead to progeny


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

“These desires lead to manufacture of a new body. The unfulfilled longing of “worldly pleasure”, the lust or cravings become the cause of rebirth.”

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