Question : Which cultural festival of India, held at Shilpgram, is a ten-day feast of classical dances, folk art and light music?
Option 1: Taj Mahotsav
Option 2: Natyanjali Utsav
Option 3: Nishagandhi Festival
Option 4: Mamallapuram Utsav
Correct Answer: Taj Mahotsav
Solution : The correct answer is Taj Mahotsav.
Every year, the Taj Mahotsav is a 10-day celebration held in Shilpgram, Agra, India, from February 18 to 27. The festival evokes recollections of the Nawabi style that was popular in Uttar Pradesh in the 18th and 19th centuries, in the old Mughal era.
Answer laterQuestion : Who among the following classical poets of the Sultanate period in India popularised Qawwali, a form of music which derived its name from the Arabic word "qaul", meaning "to speak"?
Option 1: Nizamuddin Auliya
Option 2: Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi
Option 3: Amir Khusrau
Option 4: Shams al-Din Muhammad Hafiz
Correct Answer: Amir Khusrau
Solution : The correct answer is Amir Khusrau.
Amir Khusrau, a Sufi saint from Delhi belonging to the Chisti order, is acknowledged for blending Persian, Arabic, Turkish and Indian musical traditions in the late 13th century, giving rise to what we recognise today as Qawwali. The term "sama" persists in Central Asia and Turkey to describe art forms akin to Qawwali. In India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, a Qawwali gathering is formally referred to as Mehfil-e-Sama. Khusrau's contributions have left an enduring impact on the evolution of Qawwali music.
Question : Directions: An office has a total of 95 employees. Each employee participates in one or more of three activities, i.e. music, dance, and skit, during the annual festival. The number of employees participating in only music is 20, whereas 14 participate in only skit, and 17 participate in only dance. A total of 8 employees participate in both music and skit only, 12 employees participate in all three activities, and 15 employees participate in both dance and skit only, whereas 9 employees participate in both music and dance only. Find the total number of employees participating in the skit.
Option 1: 58
Option 2: 47
Option 3: 55
Option 4: 49
Correct Answer: 49
Solution : Given:
Total number of employees = 95.
(I) Number of employees participating in only music = 20
(II) Number of employees participating in only skit =14
(III) Number of employees participating in only dance = 17
(IV) Number of employees participating in both music and skit = 8
(V) Number of employees participating in all three activities =12
(VI) Number of employees participating in both dance and skit = 15
(VII) Number of employees participating in both music and dance = 9
According to the instructions the venn diagram is given below:
Total employees participating in the skit = 14 + 8 + 12 + 15 = 49
So, the employees participating in the skit are equal to 49. Hence, the fourth option is correct.
Question : Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
Culture can be a beautiful thing. There are many aspects that make up one’s culture. Whether it may be the clothing, language, religion, food, traditions, or even music, all aspects play a (1)____ role in making up a person’s culture. I think culture is so important because it does not affect only one person; it affects the (2)____ and also affects the other people around it. I am happy to know my culture and to know where my family (3)____ from. It gives me the sense of being whole and, at the same time, makes me feel (4)____ and different from other people. Different cultures and different people make our country the beautiful melting pot we are (5)_____ to call it.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank number 4.
Option 1: careful
Option 2: evil
Option 3: original
Option 4: helpless
Correct Answer: original
Solution : The most appropriate option is the third option.
Original means coming or being the first in a series, typically forming the basis for what follows. In the context of culture and knowing where one's family comes from, original implies a sense of knowing one's roots, heritage, or ancestral origins. It signifies a connection to the genuine or initial source of one's cultural identity.
The meanings of the other options are as follows:
- Careful means cautious or attentive to potential dangers or risks.
- Evil means morally wrong or malevolent.
- Helpless means unable to act or fend for oneself.
Therefore, the correct answer is original.
Question : Choose the sentence that has a punctuation error:
Option 1: I love to read books, watch movies, and listen to music.
Option 2: My favorite fruits are apples, oranges, and bananas.
Option 3: John, who is my best friend, is coming over tonight.
Option 4: The teacher said "the test is on Monday".
Correct Answer: The teacher said "the test is on Monday".
Solution : The correct answer is option 4; The teacher said "the test is on Monday".
Explanation:
The correct way to punctuate this sentence is: The teacher said, "The test is on Monday."
Question : The debate on religious syncretism in the Bhakti-Sufi tradition focuses on:
Option 1: The fusion of music and dance
Option 2: The blending of different religious beliefs
Option 3: The conflict between science and religion
Option 4: The separation of state and religion
Correct Answer: The blending of different religious beliefs
Solution : The debate on religious syncretism in the Bhakti-Sufi tradition focuses on the blending of different religious beliefs and practices, highlighting the inclusive and integrative nature of the movement.
Question : Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
The concept of motivation focuses on explaining what 'moves' behaviour. In fact, the term (1)_______ is derived from the Latin word 'movere', referring to the movement of activity. Most of our everyday explanation of (2)________ is given in terms of motives. Motives also help in making (3)__________ about behaviour. A person will work hard in school, in sports, in business, in music, and in many other situations, if he/she has a very strong need for (4)__________. Hence, motives are the general states that enable us to make predictions about behaviour in many different situations. In other words, motivation is one of the (5)_________ of behaviour. Instincts, drives, needs, goals, and incentives come under the broad cluster of motivation.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank number (2).
Option 1: behaviour
Option 2: goal
Option 3: incentive
Option 4: motivation
Correct Answer: behaviour
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
The context of the sentence suggests that the concept of motivation is explained in terms of motives, which also play a role in making explanations about behaviour. Therefore, the word "behaviour" fits logically in the sentence, as it refers to the actions or conduct of individuals.
Question : Directions: Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.
Is there any difference between "genius" and "talent" ? We generally feel that a man of genius is in some way higher than a man of talent; and that talented men are more common than genius. This is true, but it is rather vague. Genius implies "very extraordinary gifts or native powers, especially as displayed in original creation, discovery, expression or achievement; phenomenal capacity regarded as relatively independent of instruction and training". Talent, on the other hand, consists of "mental endowments or capacities of superior character; marked mental ability". "Talent" is more the capacity to learn to do a thing well; but "genius" is an inborn inspiration that drives a man to do a thing with original excellence. As Meredith said, "Genius does what it must, and talent does what it can".
Shakespeare in drama and poetry, Isaac Newton in science, Napoleon in war, Beethoven in music, were geniuses; many well-known poets, scientists, generals and musicians have been men of talent.
Question:
What term is used to express the ability to learn to do a thing well?
Option 1: professionalism
Option 2: skillful
Option 3: talented
Option 4: genius
Correct Answer: talented
Solution : Option 3 is the correct answer i.e talented.
Explanation:
As stated in the passage, "Talent" is more the capacity to learn to do a thing well; but "genius" is an inborn inspiration that drives a man to do a thing with original excellence.
So we can say that talent is the ability to learn to do something well.
Question : Which of the following is a form of folk music, mainly belonging to the state of West Bengal?
Option 1: Mando
Option 2: Kajri
Option 3: Baul
Option 4: Lotia
Correct Answer: Baul
Solution : The correct answer is Baul.
The Baul are a mysterious group of minstrels or bards from the Bengal region, which includes Bangladesh, West Bengal, Tripura and the Barak Valley in the Indian state of Assam. They combine aspects of Sahaja and Sufism. Bauls are both a syncretic religious group and a musical tradition.
Question : Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
The concept of motivation focuses on explaining what 'moves' behaviour. In fact, the term (1)_______ is derived from the Latin word 'movere', referring to the movement of activity. Most of our everyday explanation of (2)________ is given in terms of motives. Motives also help in making (3)__________ about behaviour. A person will work hard in school, in sports, in business, in music, and in many other situations, if he/she has a very strong need for (4)__________. Hence, motives are the general states that enable us to make predictions about behaviour in many different situations. In other words, motivation is one of the (5)_________ of behaviour. Instincts, drives, needs, goals, and incentives come under the broad cluster of motivation.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank number (4).
Option 1: achievements
Option 2: motivation
Option 3: desire
Option 4: grow
Correct Answer: achievements
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
In the context provided, the passage discusses how having a strong need for achievements motivates individuals to work hard in various areas such as school, sports, business, and music. "Achievements" refer to the accomplishments or successes that individuals strive for, which can serve as strong motivators for their behaviour. Therefore, "achievements" logically fits in the sentence and completes the meaning.
