Practice Questions

(a) What are you looking at?
(b) What are you thinking of?.

A birds in the hand is worth two in the bush.

The auditorium as well as its premises was crowded with people

The auditorium as well as its premises were crowded with people

The auditorium as well as its premises are crowded with people

The auditorium as well as its premises crowded with people

She is frightened by the suddenness of the light and sound.

The intensity of the light and sound is overwhelming her senses.

She is intrigued by the unfamiliar nature of the light and sound.

Under the waning light of a dim September evening, Elira stepped onto the old railway bridge—a relic from a time long buried. The air shimmered with the scent of rust and pine. Her boots tapped softly against the damp wood, each step echoing into the silence like a memory half-forgotten. This was where it had all ended, and perhaps, where it could begin again.

Years ago, the bridge had witnessed her brother’s disappearance. Officially, it was ruled an accident—a slip, a fall, a body never recovered. But Elira never believed the silence that followed. She had heard the stories: of voices that spoke when the wind was still, of lights flickering beneath the water, of time folding strangely at twilight.

Tonight, as the clock in the distant village struck seven, she waited. Not for ghosts, but for answers.

The first sound—a rhythmic thudding—rose from beneath the planks. Then came the light, dim and green, like algae glowing from the riverbed. Her pulse quickened, not with fear, but recognition. She knelt, placed her palm on the wooden beam, and whispered her brother’s name.

The bridge trembled.

Not from wind, nor footsteps—but from something else entirely. A hush fell over the world. Elira wasn’t sure if she had gone back in time or if time had simply come back for her.

Soft and steady like a distant streetlamp

That it was constructed by a legendary hero.

That it led to a hidden spring with healing properties.

That it was a popular spot for local festivals.

The divide separating two different communities.

Thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves

Ravi was a young boy who lived in a small coastal village. Every morning, before the sun rose, he would accompany his father to the shore to help repair fishing nets. His father was a fisherman, and the sea was both their friend and enemy. It gave them food and livelihood, but during storms, it threatened their lives.

One monsoon morning, as the sky darkened with heavy clouds, Ravi noticed a boat struggling against the fierce waves. Without hesitation, he alerted his father. Together with a few villagers, they pushed their boat into the raging sea to rescue the fishermen. After a long struggle, they managed to bring the men back safely. The entire village praised Ravi for his courage and quick thinking.

This incident changed Ravi’s life. Earlier, he had dreamt of leaving the village to study in the city. But that day, he realized how deeply he was connected to his people and their struggles. He decided to become a marine engineer so that he could design stronger, safer boats for his village. His father, though surprised, supported him wholeheartedly. Ravi’s determination grew stronger each day, fueled by his love for the sea and his community.

The unpredictability and dangers of the ocean.

The courage and teamwork displayed by the rescue team.

The importance of never giving up hope in difficult situations.

They immediately rebuilt the damaged areas.

His father repaired nets and went fishing.

Increased CO2 fertilization effect on crops

Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century. It refers to long-term alterations in temperature, precipitation, wind patterns, and other elements of the Earth’s climate system. Scientific consensus confirms that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, are the primary drivers of recent climate change. These actions release greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing global temperatures to rise.

The impacts of climate change are diverse and far-reaching. Rising sea levels threaten coastal communities, while extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves become more frequent and severe. Changes in rainfall patterns disrupt agriculture, leading to food insecurity in many regions. Additionally, climate change poses risks to biodiversity, as many species struggle to adapt to rapidly shifting environments.

Despite the seriousness of the issue, global efforts are underway to mitigate its effects. The Paris Agreement of 2015 brought nations together with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Strategies to combat climate change include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, protecting forests, and adopting sustainable agricultural practices.

While mitigation is critical, adaptation is equally important. Communities must prepare for unavoidable impacts by building resilient infrastructure, improving water management, and developing early warning systems for natural disasters. Ultimately, addressing climate change requires international cooperation, political will, and active participation from individuals, governments, and organizations worldwide. The choices made today will shape the planet’s future for generations to come.

Providing emergency relief to disaster-stricken areas

Establishing international treaties to limit pollution

Building higher sea walls to protect coastal communities

Conducting a detailed study of local climate change impacts

Increased frequency of extreme weather events

Water vapor and naturally occurring methane

Widespread social unrest and persistent slave revolts.

Continuous external invasions from barbarian tribes.

Severe economic downturns and high unemployment.

The fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 CE is considered one of the most significant turning points in world history. Although the empire had been in decline for centuries, the final collapse resulted from a combination of political instability, economic troubles, military defeats, and external invasions. Politically, Rome suffered from weak leadership, frequent changes of rulers, and corruption in the administration. Economically, heavy taxation, reliance on slave labor, and the devaluation of currency weakened the internal structure. Militarily, Rome faced constant pressure from barbarian groups such as the Visigoths, Vandals, and Huns. The sack of Rome by the Visigoths in 410 CE shocked the empire, and later invasions further eroded its authority. Social changes also played a role; the loyalty of citizens waned, urban life declined, and the gap between rich and poor widened. In the mid-5th century, the powerful general Flavius Aetius managed to repel Attila the Hun, but after his assassination in 454 CE, the empire lacked capable leadership. In 476 CE, the Germanic chieftain Odoacer deposed the last Western Roman emperor, Romulus Augustulus. While the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) survived for nearly another thousand years, the Western Empire’s fall marked the beginning of the European Middle Ages. Historians debate whether this was truly a “fall” or a transformation, as many Roman institutions, laws, and cultural elements persisted under new rulers. Nonetheless, the decline of central authority in Western Europe led to a fragmented political landscape dominated by feudal kingdoms, setting the stage for medieval society.

Excessive military spending and the cost of maintaining a vast empire

Widespread inflation caused by the debasement of coinage

Decline in agricultural output and disrupted trade routes

Frequent barbarian invasions and military defeats

Severe economic inflation and over-taxation

Political instability and widespread corruption

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