There is a lovely story of a tree and a little boy who used to play in its shade. They had become friends. One day, the boy sat leaning against the trunk of the tree, crying. He was hungry. “Eat my fruit” said the kind tree bending down one of its branches. The boy ate the fruit and was happy. The boy grew up. One day, he sat under the tree with an anxious look on his face. “What is the matter?” asked the tree. “I am going to marry and I want a house to live in,” said the young man. “Cut down my branches and build your house,” said the tree. The young man built a house with the branches of the tree. The young man became a sailor. One day, he sat under the tree with a worried look. “What is the matter?” asked the tree. “My captain is a cruel fellow. I want a ship of my own,” said the sailor. “Cut down my trunk and build a ship.” The sailor lost his ship and returned home as a helpless old man. On a cold winter’s day, he stood where the tree once was, leaning on his stick and trembling with cold. “Make a fire of me, and warm yourself” said the stump of the tree. The stump of the unselfish tree burnt in the fire, softly humming a tune.
Q1.Match List I with List II
LIST I: A. The boy was crying; B. The young man was anxious; C. The sailor was worried and; D. The stump of the beautiful, kind and the selfless tree
LIST II: I. wanted to own a ship of his own; II. to marry and wanted a house of his own; III. because he was hungry; IV. burnt in the fire
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. A - IV, B - III, C - II, D - I
B. A - III, B - II, C - I, D - IV ✓
C. A - I, B - III, C - II, D - IV
D. A - II, B - I, C - IV, D - III
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
From the passage: the boy was crying because he was hungry (A-III); the young man was anxious to marry and wanted a house (B-II); the sailor was worried and wanted a ship of his own (C-I); the stump of the selfless tree burnt in the fire (D-IV). So A-III, B-II, C-I, D-IV.
Q2.The two protagonists of the story are ______ (Select the correct option)
A. Both innocent and naive
B. One is intelligent and the other a fool
C. Both cunning and selfish
D. One of them is demanding and greedy, the other always generous, sensitive and supportive ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The boy/man repeatedly demands and takes (fruit, branches, trunk), showing greed, while the tree always gives selflessly and supportively. Hence option D.
Q3.How were the tree and the little boy related to each other ? (Select the correct option)
A. They were close contenders in their race to survive
B. They were very close friends due to their very long association ✓
C. They were colleagues as they work together
D. They were competitors in their need to fulfill their own needs.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The passage explicitly states “They had become friends,” and the relationship spanned from boyhood to old age, a very long association. Hence B.
Q4.The story highlights a typical selfish human nature we are all familiar with. Identify it from the options given below:
A. Compassion and benevolence
B. Conservation of forests
C. Mindless greed to possess more and more wealth ✓
D. Heartless and foolish exploitation of nature
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The man keeps demanding more (house, ship) to satisfy his ever-growing wants — a typical selfish human trait of mindless greed to possess more and more. Hence C.
Q5.“The stump of the unselfish tree burnt in the fire, softly humming a tune.” means: (Select the right options from the given options)
A. Every tree sings when it is burnt.
B. The selfless tree felt no pain even in its acute suffering while dying, caring for others. ✓
C. The frail and wonderful tree tried to forget its pain by humming
D. The tree was a fool and was humming as it did not realize that it was dying
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The 'softly humming a tune' while burning conveys the tree's contentment and selfless joy in giving even to its last — it felt no pain because it cared for others. Hence B.
Q6.How would you define the relationship that the story illustrates. Select the correct answer from the following options.
A. It was a mutual symbiotic relationship.
B. It was a relationship based on deceit and treachery.
C. It was an one sided relationship where the tree loved, cared for and supported the boy till its end. ✓
D. It was a disguised enmity.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The giving is entirely one-sided: the tree gives everything (fruit, branches, trunk, itself) while the boy only takes. So it is a one-sided relationship of selfless love. Hence C.
I must say that, beyond occasionally exposing me to laughter, my constitutional shyness has been of no great disadvantage to me. In fact, I can see that, on the contrary, it has been all to my advantage. My hesitancy in speech, which was once an annoyance, is now a pleasure. Its greatest pleasure has been that it has taught me the economy of words. I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts. And I can now, give myself the certificate that a thoughtless word hardly ever escapes my tongue or pen. I do not recollect ever having had to regret anything in my speech or writing. I have thus been spared many a mishap and waste of time. Experience has taught me that silence is part of the spiritual discipline of a votary of truth. Proneness to exaggerate, to suppress or modify the truth, wittingly or unwittingly, is a natural weakness of man and silence is necessary in order to surmount it. A man of few words will rarely be thoughtless in his speech; he will measure every word.
Q7.The expression, "my constitutional shyness" in the given passage would mean ______ (Select the right answer from the options given below):
A. Shyness mentioned in Article 1 in the Indian Constitution
B. Shyness prescribed as a mark of our democracy in the preamble of our Constitution.
C. The innate and natural shyness in the author ✓
D. A shyness that the author pretends to derive some evil advantages in life.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
“Constitutional” here means belonging to one's basic nature or constitution — i.e., innate, natural shyness in the author. Hence C.
Q8.The author as a matured individual believes that his shy nature brought him ______ (Select the right answer from the options given below):
A. Great advantage in life ✓
B. Unmatched joy and enchantment in life
C. Disadvantage while performing rituals
D. Media coverage
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The author states his shyness “has been all to my advantage” and “of no great disadvantage.” Hence great advantage in life — option A.
Q9.From the options given below, select the one which will appropriately answer the following question:
The author due to his shy nature ______
A. Would aggressively attack any and every crowd around him
B. Worked hard to hide his stammer
C. Naturally formed the habit of restraining his thoughts ✓
D. Became an ascetic.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The passage says “I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts.” Hence C.
Q10.The author claims that ______ (Select the right answer from the options given below):
A. He has rarely even spoken a thoughtless word due to his shy nature ✓
B. He always speaks without thinking because he is shy
C. As a shy individual, he has become prone to nightmares
D. His shy nature helped him become a great cricket player.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The author writes “a thoughtless word hardly ever escapes my tongue or pen.” Hence A.
Q11.From the options given below, select the one which will answer the following question:
Experience has taught the author that ______
A. Silence is better than laughter to stay fit
B. Silence is part of the spiritual discipline ✓
C. Silence is to be avoided at all costs
D. Silence can never be attained by man
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The passage states “Experience has taught me that silence is part of the spiritual discipline of a votary of truth.” Hence B.
Q12.Match List I with List II
LIST I: A. A man of few words will; B. My hesitancy in speech; C. Proneness to exaggerate, modify and suppress that truth; D. My shyness
LIST II: I. rarely be thoughtless in his speech; II. was once an annoyance; III. is a natural weakness in man; IV. occasionally exposed me to laughter
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. A - IV, B - III, C - II, D - I
B. A - II, B - I, C - IV, D - III
C. A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II
D. A - I, B - II, C - III, D - IV ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
From the passage: A man of few words will rarely be thoughtless in his speech (A-I); My hesitancy in speech was once an annoyance (B-II); Proneness to exaggerate/suppress truth is a natural weakness in man (C-III); My shyness occasionally exposed me to laughter (D-IV). Hence A-I, B-II, C-III, D-IV.
Unhappiness and discontent spring not only from poverty. Man is a strange creature, fundamentally different from other animals. He has far horizons, invincible hopes, creative energies, spiritual powers. If they are left undeveloped and unsatisfied, he may have all the comforts which wealth can give, but will still feel that life is not worthwhile. The great humanist writers, Shaw and Wells, Arnold Bennett and Galsworthy, who are regarded as the prophets of the dawn, expose the foibles, inconsistencies and weaknesses of modern life, but they ignore the deeper currents and sometimes misrepresent them. At any rate, they give nothing in their place. In the void left by the removal of tradition, morality and religion, others are putting in vague sentiments of race and power. The modern mind is shaped by Rousseau’s Social Contract, Marx’s Capital, Darwin’s On the Origin of Species and Spengler’s The Decline of the West. The outward chaos and confusion of our life reflect the confusion of our hearts and minds. Constitutions, says Plato, “are but the reflections in the outside world of the values which prevail in men’s minds.” There must be a change in the ideals we cherish, in the values we adopt, before we can give social expression to them. We help to secure the future only to the extent to which we ourselves are changed. What is missing in our age is the soul; there is nothing wrong with the body. We suffer from sickness of spirit. We must discover our roots in the eternal and regain faith in the transcendent truth which will order life, discipline discordant elements, and bring unity and purpose into it. If not, when the floods come and the winds blow and beat upon our houses, it will fall.
Q13.The author implies that if the eternal values and ideals are not regained, then ______ (Select the right option)
A. The world will be flooded
B. The sky will fall
C. The human civilization and society will be ruined forever ✓
D. The earth will get sucked into a black hole
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The closing metaphor — when the floods come and winds beat upon our houses, “it will fall” — implies the collapse/ruin of human civilization and society if eternal values are not regained. Hence C.
Q14.According to the author, the humanist writers have ignored ______ (Select the correct option)
A. The spiritual aspect of life ✓
B. Religion and rituals
C. Cultural progress
D. Material welfare
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The humanist writers “ignore the deeper currents” — i.e., the spiritual/soul dimension of life, which the author says is what is missing. Hence A.
Q15.According to the author, how is man different from other animals? (Select the correct option)
A. Because of his unique power of speech
B. In his hopes, creative-energies and spiritual powers ✓
C. In money and the material achievements of man
D. In his physical prowess
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The passage says man “has far horizons, invincible hopes, creative energies, spiritual powers” — these make him fundamentally different from other animals. Hence B.
Q16.According to the author, unhappiness and discontent spring from ______ Select the right option.
A. Poverty alone
B. Ignorance
C. Poverty along with the moral and spiritual degradation of man ✓
D. Mental turmoil
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The opening line says unhappiness springs “not only from poverty,” and the passage stresses the spiritual/moral void (sickness of spirit). So it is poverty along with moral and spiritual degradation. Hence C.
Q17.Match List I with List II
LIST I: A. The strange creature man; B. Prophets of dawn are; C. The famous book written by Rousseau; D. Our age is missing out on
LIST II: I. Social Contract; II. Spiritual development; III. is fundamentally different from other animals; IV. Shaw and Wells, Arnold and Galsworthy
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. A - III, B - IV, C - I, D - II ✓
B. A - I, B - II, C - III, D - IV
C. A - II, B - III, C - IV, D - I
D. A - IV, B - III, C - II, D - I
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The strange creature man is fundamentally different from other animals (A-III); Prophets of dawn are Shaw and Wells, Arnold and Galsworthy (B-IV); famous book by Rousseau is Social Contract (C-I); our age is missing out on spiritual development/soul (D-II). Hence A-III, B-IV, C-I, D-II.
Q18.Despite enjoying all comforts that wealth can provide, man will still feel incomplete and unhappy, if ______ (Select the right option)
A. He is prevented from mingling in the society
B. His hopes, creative energies and spiritual powers are unsatisfied ✓
C. He is deserted by his friends
D. He had failed to enroll in a Central University in India
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The passage states that if man's hopes, creative energies and spiritual powers “are left undeveloped and unsatisfied, he may have all the comforts which wealth can give, but will still feel that life is not worthwhile.” Hence B.
Q19.From the given options, select the pair of words which carries the same relationship to the given pair of words:
Respect : Regard
A. Stain : Spotless
B. Ruin : Repair
C. Detest : Despite ✓
D. Regret : Rejoice
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Respect and Regard are synonyms. Among the options, Detest and Despise (printed 'Despite') are synonyms (both mean to hate). The others are antonym pairs. Hence C.
Q20.From the given options, select the pair of words which carries the same relationship to the given pair of words:
Dull : Bright
A. Forsake : Discard
B. Lean : Slender
C. Fragile : Delicate
D. Harmony : Discord ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Dull and Bright are antonyms. Harmony and Discord are antonyms; the other options are synonym pairs. Hence D.
Q21.From the given options, select the pair of words which carries the same relationship to the given pair of words:
Happiness : Misery
A. Violent : Wild
B. Construct : Dismantle ✓
C. Deception : Fraud
D. Tranquility : Quietness
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Happiness and Misery are antonyms. Construct and Dismantle are antonyms; the others are synonym pairs. Hence B.
Q22.From the given options, select the pair of words which carries the same relationship to the given pair of words:
Resolute : Determined
A. Appease : Frighten
B. Hinder : Assist
C. Bustle : Motionless
D. Miniature : Small ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Resolute and Determined are synonyms. Miniature and Small are synonyms; the others are antonym pairs. Hence D.
Q23.Rearrange the given groups of words to make a meaningful sentence:
A. a consumer protection drive to educate
B. against using fraudulent means
C. the people about their rights and to warn traders
D. the administration will soon launch
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. D, A, C, B ✓
B. B, C, A, D
C. C, A, B, D
D. D, C, B, A
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Correct order: 'the administration will soon launch (D) a consumer protection drive to educate (A) the people about their rights and to warn traders (C) against using fraudulent means (B).' Hence D, A, C, B = option A.
Q24.Rearrange the given groups of words to make a meaningful sentence:
A. no part of this publication may be
B. in any form without the written permission
C. of the publisher of the book
D. reproduced, stored or transmitted
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. B, A, C, D
B. B, D, A, C
C. A, D, B ,C ✓
D. C, D, A, B
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct order: 'No part of this publication may be (A) reproduced, stored or transmitted (D) in any form without the written permission (B) of the publisher of the book (C).' Hence A, D, B, C = option C.
Q25.Rearrange the given groups of words to make a meaningful sentence:
A. then the world will avert all future wars
B. and agree to obey all the laws
C. if all the nations work together
D. for the common good of mankind
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. D, B, A, C
B. B, C, A, D
C. C, D, B, A ✓
D. A, D, B, C
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Correct order: 'If all the nations work together (C) for the common good of mankind (D) and agree to obey all the laws (B), then the world will avert all future wars (A).' Hence C, D, B, A = option C.
Q26.Rearrange the given groups of words to make a meaningful sentence:
A. for the vehicles carrying food items
B. the Centre has made it mandatory
C. to display all details on the
D. windshield and the rear screen
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
A. D, C, B, A
B. C, B, D, A
C. A, C, D, A,
D. B, A, C, D ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Correct order: 'The Centre has made it mandatory (B) for the vehicles carrying food items (A) to display all details on the (C) windshield and the rear screen (D).' Hence B, A, C, D = option D.
Q27.From the given options, select the one which is similar in meaning to the given word
"NOURISH"
A. Negate
B. Nurture ✓
C. Neglect
D. Native
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
To nourish means to feed/nurture/promote growth. The synonym is Nurture. Hence B.
Q28.From the given options, select the one which is similar in meaning to the given word
"Listless"
A. Lively
B. Brisk
C. Lethargic ✓
D. Enthusiasitc
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Listless means lacking energy or enthusiasm. The synonym is Lethargic. Hence C.
Q29.From the given options, select the one which is similar in meaning to the given word
'Sophisticated'
A. Easy
B. Simple
C. Naive
D. Experienced ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Sophisticated means worldly, refined, experienced (opposite of naive/simple). The closest synonym among the options is Experienced. Hence D.
Q30.From the given options, select the one which is similar in meaning to the given word
Lament
A. Complain
B. Mourn ✓
C. Console
D. Celebrate
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
To lament means to express grief or mourn. The synonym is Mourn. Hence B.
Q31.From the given options, select the correctly spelt word:
A. Diteriorat
B. Detiriorate
C. Deteriorate ✓
D. Detriorate
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The correct spelling is 'Deteriorate'. Hence C.
Q32.From the given options, select the correctly spelt word:
A. Pneumonia ✓
B. Pnenoniya
C. Nemoniya
D. Pnimonia
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
The correct spelling is 'Pneumonia'. Hence A.
Q33.From the given options, select the correctly spelt word:
A. Imergency
B. Amergency
C. Emergency ✓
D. Emorgency
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The correct spelling is 'Emergency'. Hence C.
Q34.From the given options, select the correctly spelt word:
A. Burocrat
B. Beaurocrat
C. Buruekrat
D. Bureaucrat ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The correct spelling is 'Bureaucrat'. Hence D.
Q35.From the given options, select the one which most correctly explains the given expression:
"To smell a rat"
A. To spot rats in a dark room
B. To misunderstand a speaker
C. To suspect a trick or a deceit ✓
D. To get confused
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The idiom 'to smell a rat' means to suspect that something is wrong/deceitful. Hence C.
Q36.From the given options, select the one which most correctly explains the given expression:
"To take a leap in the dark"
A. To perform a secret ritual
B. To jump after the sun has set
C. To do something without being certain of the outcome and result ✓
D. To be afraid of the dark
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
The idiom means to take an action whose outcome is uncertain/risky. Hence C.
Q37.From the given options, select the one which most correctly explains the given expression:
"To pull one's socks up"
A. To depart
B. To make an effort to improve one's performance ✓
C. To try something new and strange
D. To wear a pair of new socks
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The idiom 'to pull one's socks up' means to make an effort to improve one's performance/behaviour. Hence B.
Q38.From the given options, select the one which most correctly explains the given expression:
"To lose face"
A. To feel sad
B. To look angry
C. To be confused
D. To lose respect from others ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The idiom 'to lose face' means to be humiliated or lose respect/reputation. Hence D.
Q39.From the given options, select the one which can replace the given expression:
One who is new and inexperienced in a certain job
A. Versatile
B. Veteran
C. Namesake
D. Novice ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
A novice is a person new to and inexperienced in a job or situation. Hence D.
Q40.From the given options, select the one which can replace the given expression:
One who hates mankind
A. Sadist
B. Narcissist
C. Misanthrope ✓
D. Misologist
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
A misanthrope is one who hates or distrusts mankind. Hence C.
Q41.From the given options, select the one which can replace the given expression:
"Recurring every ten years"
A. Centennial
B. Biennial
C. Decennial ✓
D. Quadrennial
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Decennial means occurring every ten years. (Centennial = every 100 years, Biennial = every 2 years, Quadrennial = every 4 years.) Hence C.
Q42.From the given options, select the one which can replace the given expression:
"Fear of Water"
A. Kleptophobia
B. Hydrophobia ✓
C. Hodophobia
D. Hedonophobia
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Hydrophobia is the fear of water (hydro = water). Hence B.
Q43.From the given options, select the Figure of Speech (Poetic Device) used in the expression:
"Matthew met Michael at the mayor's moor"
A. Simile
B. Personification
C. Metaphor
D. Alliteration ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The repetition of the initial 'm' sound (Matthew, met, Michael, mayor's, moor) is alliteration. Hence D.
Q44.From the given options, select the Figure of Speech (Poetic Device) used in the expression:
"Chandu's uniform fits him like a glove"
A. Personification
B. Simile ✓
C. Metaphor
D. Oxymoron
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
The comparison using 'like' (fits like a glove) is a simile. Hence B.
Q45.From the given options, select the Figure of Speech (Poetic Device) used in the expression:
"Tom and Jerry share a love-hate relationship"
A. Personification
B. Metaphor
C. Oxymoron ✓
D. Simile
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
'Love-hate' combines two contradictory terms, which is an oxymoron. Hence C.
Q46.From the given options, select the Figure of Speech (Poetic Device) used in the expression:
"All the world is a stage"
A. Personification
B. Simile
C. Alliteration
D. Metaphor ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
The world is directly equated with a stage without using 'like'/'as', a direct comparison — a metaphor. Hence D.
Q47.From the given options, select the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word:
"Liability"
A. Money
B. Property
C. Asset ✓
D. Debt
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
A liability is a debt/obligation; its opposite is an asset. Hence C.
Q48.From the given options, select the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word:
"Stringent"
A. Vehement
B. Severe
C. General
D. Lenient ✓
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Stringent means strict/severe; its antonym is Lenient. Hence D.
Q49.From the given options, select the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word:
"Conscientious"
A. Mutual
B. Scrupulous
C. Irresponsible ✓
D. Meticulous
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Conscientious means careful, responsible and diligent; its opposite is Irresponsible. (Scrupulous and Meticulous are synonyms.) Hence C.
Q50.From the given options, select the OPPOSITE in meaning to the given word:
"Perennial"
A. Incessant
B. Seasonal ✓
C. Frequent
D. Common
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Perennial means lasting throughout the year / continual; its opposite is Seasonal (lasting only a season). Hence B.
Original question paper source: National Testing Agency (NTA), CUET (UG) 2022. Reproduced for educational use. Answers & explanations by UniDrill.