AILET Previous Year Answer Key with Solutions - 2021 | CLAT Past Year Papers (2008-2024) PDF Download

 Page 1


A n s w e r K e y
SECTION – A:
ENGLISH
1. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage is about the author ’ s visit to a five-star hotel, where he had a bizarre experience.
Options (b), (c), and (d) are contradictory to the facts mentioned in the passage. From the line,
“an India I was discovering for the first time,” the first option can be deduced.
2. Option (c) is corr ect :
? Accusatory means indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something
wrong.
? Eulogistic means relating to a speech, piece of writing, poem, etc., containing great
praise.
? Censuring means telling someone, in a firm and formal manner , that they have done
something wrong.
? T o char ge someone with a crime is to criminate.
Page 2


A n s w e r K e y
SECTION – A:
ENGLISH
1. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage is about the author ’ s visit to a five-star hotel, where he had a bizarre experience.
Options (b), (c), and (d) are contradictory to the facts mentioned in the passage. From the line,
“an India I was discovering for the first time,” the first option can be deduced.
2. Option (c) is corr ect :
? Accusatory means indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something
wrong.
? Eulogistic means relating to a speech, piece of writing, poem, etc., containing great
praise.
? Censuring means telling someone, in a firm and formal manner , that they have done
something wrong.
? T o char ge someone with a crime is to criminate.
? A denunciation is a public condemnation of someone or something.
Hence, all the given options are synonyms for “accusatory” except eulogistic.
3. Option (b) is corr ect :
Refer to the lines, “I realised that what the elevator buttons had called the twelfth floor was in
fact the second. The gleaming Maurya elevator had merely taken me for a ride and a shorter ride
than I’d imagined.” When the author arrived at the hotel and reached his hotel room, which he
thought was on the 12th floor , in about 6 seconds, he immediately felt proud of the technological
progress his country had made. But since he was jet-lagged at that time, he failed to realise that
he was actually on the 2nd floor . And soon, he realised it was his disillusionment.
4. Option (d) is corr ect :
The passage describes an incident where the author rode an elevator that read "12th floor ," and
later he realised that the floor was indeed the 2nd floor . He felt deluded by reality .
5. Option (c) is corr ect :
The passage does not show any regret regarding anything. There are no feelings of deep
seriousness and sadness; hence, sombre is too stringent a tone to use. Critical is also a strong
word to express the tone of the passage. Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) can be ruled out. The
tone of the passage can be said to be humorous and reflective.
6. Option (b) is corr ect :
The paragraph is about the judicial system. The first blank requires a word that refers to the
personnel who have the right to give a verdict. Prosecutors and defendants are not the ones to
provide settlements or justice to anyone. So, we can easily eliminate them. The word that can fill
in the blank to make the sentence structure correct is juries, which is plural instead of judge
because the helping verb used here is are, which is plural.
7. Option (d) is corr ect :
The sentence tells us that the juries are compensating the plaintif fs. In this case, it won’ t be
illegal. Hence, option (b) is incorrect. Also, the court won’ t be providing personal injury
compensation to the victims, so option (a) is also eliminated. Since settlements are of ficial in
nature while rewards need not be of ficial, the better choice is settlement.
8. Option (a) is corr ect :
The previous sentence indicates that the juries are compensating plaintif fs. The next sentence
tells about the plaintif fs’ suf fering. Hence, the blank needs a negative word. So, options (b) and
(d) are ruled out. W e can be critical of someone without abusing the person. For comments, we
use derogatory .
9. Option (b) is corr ect :
Page 3


A n s w e r K e y
SECTION – A:
ENGLISH
1. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage is about the author ’ s visit to a five-star hotel, where he had a bizarre experience.
Options (b), (c), and (d) are contradictory to the facts mentioned in the passage. From the line,
“an India I was discovering for the first time,” the first option can be deduced.
2. Option (c) is corr ect :
? Accusatory means indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something
wrong.
? Eulogistic means relating to a speech, piece of writing, poem, etc., containing great
praise.
? Censuring means telling someone, in a firm and formal manner , that they have done
something wrong.
? T o char ge someone with a crime is to criminate.
? A denunciation is a public condemnation of someone or something.
Hence, all the given options are synonyms for “accusatory” except eulogistic.
3. Option (b) is corr ect :
Refer to the lines, “I realised that what the elevator buttons had called the twelfth floor was in
fact the second. The gleaming Maurya elevator had merely taken me for a ride and a shorter ride
than I’d imagined.” When the author arrived at the hotel and reached his hotel room, which he
thought was on the 12th floor , in about 6 seconds, he immediately felt proud of the technological
progress his country had made. But since he was jet-lagged at that time, he failed to realise that
he was actually on the 2nd floor . And soon, he realised it was his disillusionment.
4. Option (d) is corr ect :
The passage describes an incident where the author rode an elevator that read "12th floor ," and
later he realised that the floor was indeed the 2nd floor . He felt deluded by reality .
5. Option (c) is corr ect :
The passage does not show any regret regarding anything. There are no feelings of deep
seriousness and sadness; hence, sombre is too stringent a tone to use. Critical is also a strong
word to express the tone of the passage. Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) can be ruled out. The
tone of the passage can be said to be humorous and reflective.
6. Option (b) is corr ect :
The paragraph is about the judicial system. The first blank requires a word that refers to the
personnel who have the right to give a verdict. Prosecutors and defendants are not the ones to
provide settlements or justice to anyone. So, we can easily eliminate them. The word that can fill
in the blank to make the sentence structure correct is juries, which is plural instead of judge
because the helping verb used here is are, which is plural.
7. Option (d) is corr ect :
The sentence tells us that the juries are compensating the plaintif fs. In this case, it won’ t be
illegal. Hence, option (b) is incorrect. Also, the court won’ t be providing personal injury
compensation to the victims, so option (a) is also eliminated. Since settlements are of ficial in
nature while rewards need not be of ficial, the better choice is settlement.
8. Option (a) is corr ect :
The previous sentence indicates that the juries are compensating plaintif fs. The next sentence
tells about the plaintif fs’ suf fering. Hence, the blank needs a negative word. So, options (b) and
(d) are ruled out. W e can be critical of someone without abusing the person. For comments, we
use derogatory .
9. Option (b) is corr ect :
Since the author has already included promotions in the passage, the best word to fill in the
blanks is raises.
10. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage describes a lawsuit. In this context, suits is the only word that fits aptly .
1 1. Option (c) is corr ect :
By looking at the first line, in which the author has mentioned plaintif fs instead of the word’ s
singular form, we can deduce that the passage is talking about a lawsuit filed on behalf of many
victims. A class action lawsuit is a lawsuit filed or defended by an individual acting on behalf of
a group.
12. Option (d) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Impecunious means mendicant, pauper , or poor .
13. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Lugubrious means looking or sounding sad and
dismal. Example: “His face looked even more lugubrious than usual.”
14. Option (b) is corr ect :
Recalcitrant means a person with an obstinately uncooperative attitude. Example: “He was
stif f-necked, recalcitrant, and a troublemaker .”
15. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of migratory words. Per se means by , in, or of itself or
themselves; intrinsically . Example: “Eating chocolate ice cream per se isn’ t terribly unhealthy ,”
the nutritionist told her overweight client.
A priori means in a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.
Example: Religious people have the a priori belief that God exists without any physical proof.
Pro-rata means calculated according to, or as a share of, the fixed rate for a lar ger total amount.
Example: “As the pound has fallen, costs have risen on a pro-rata basis.”
A faux pas is an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation. Example: “‘I was
suddenly sick in the back of their car”—it was years before he could confess his faux pas to
them.”
The given question states that the managers must see themselves as catalysts for problem-solving
and not as problem solvers __. The blank should be filled up with themselves.
16. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of vocabulary . Rhetoric means the art of ef fective or
persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other
Page 4


A n s w e r K e y
SECTION – A:
ENGLISH
1. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage is about the author ’ s visit to a five-star hotel, where he had a bizarre experience.
Options (b), (c), and (d) are contradictory to the facts mentioned in the passage. From the line,
“an India I was discovering for the first time,” the first option can be deduced.
2. Option (c) is corr ect :
? Accusatory means indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something
wrong.
? Eulogistic means relating to a speech, piece of writing, poem, etc., containing great
praise.
? Censuring means telling someone, in a firm and formal manner , that they have done
something wrong.
? T o char ge someone with a crime is to criminate.
? A denunciation is a public condemnation of someone or something.
Hence, all the given options are synonyms for “accusatory” except eulogistic.
3. Option (b) is corr ect :
Refer to the lines, “I realised that what the elevator buttons had called the twelfth floor was in
fact the second. The gleaming Maurya elevator had merely taken me for a ride and a shorter ride
than I’d imagined.” When the author arrived at the hotel and reached his hotel room, which he
thought was on the 12th floor , in about 6 seconds, he immediately felt proud of the technological
progress his country had made. But since he was jet-lagged at that time, he failed to realise that
he was actually on the 2nd floor . And soon, he realised it was his disillusionment.
4. Option (d) is corr ect :
The passage describes an incident where the author rode an elevator that read "12th floor ," and
later he realised that the floor was indeed the 2nd floor . He felt deluded by reality .
5. Option (c) is corr ect :
The passage does not show any regret regarding anything. There are no feelings of deep
seriousness and sadness; hence, sombre is too stringent a tone to use. Critical is also a strong
word to express the tone of the passage. Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) can be ruled out. The
tone of the passage can be said to be humorous and reflective.
6. Option (b) is corr ect :
The paragraph is about the judicial system. The first blank requires a word that refers to the
personnel who have the right to give a verdict. Prosecutors and defendants are not the ones to
provide settlements or justice to anyone. So, we can easily eliminate them. The word that can fill
in the blank to make the sentence structure correct is juries, which is plural instead of judge
because the helping verb used here is are, which is plural.
7. Option (d) is corr ect :
The sentence tells us that the juries are compensating the plaintif fs. In this case, it won’ t be
illegal. Hence, option (b) is incorrect. Also, the court won’ t be providing personal injury
compensation to the victims, so option (a) is also eliminated. Since settlements are of ficial in
nature while rewards need not be of ficial, the better choice is settlement.
8. Option (a) is corr ect :
The previous sentence indicates that the juries are compensating plaintif fs. The next sentence
tells about the plaintif fs’ suf fering. Hence, the blank needs a negative word. So, options (b) and
(d) are ruled out. W e can be critical of someone without abusing the person. For comments, we
use derogatory .
9. Option (b) is corr ect :
Since the author has already included promotions in the passage, the best word to fill in the
blanks is raises.
10. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage describes a lawsuit. In this context, suits is the only word that fits aptly .
1 1. Option (c) is corr ect :
By looking at the first line, in which the author has mentioned plaintif fs instead of the word’ s
singular form, we can deduce that the passage is talking about a lawsuit filed on behalf of many
victims. A class action lawsuit is a lawsuit filed or defended by an individual acting on behalf of
a group.
12. Option (d) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Impecunious means mendicant, pauper , or poor .
13. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Lugubrious means looking or sounding sad and
dismal. Example: “His face looked even more lugubrious than usual.”
14. Option (b) is corr ect :
Recalcitrant means a person with an obstinately uncooperative attitude. Example: “He was
stif f-necked, recalcitrant, and a troublemaker .”
15. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of migratory words. Per se means by , in, or of itself or
themselves; intrinsically . Example: “Eating chocolate ice cream per se isn’ t terribly unhealthy ,”
the nutritionist told her overweight client.
A priori means in a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.
Example: Religious people have the a priori belief that God exists without any physical proof.
Pro-rata means calculated according to, or as a share of, the fixed rate for a lar ger total amount.
Example: “As the pound has fallen, costs have risen on a pro-rata basis.”
A faux pas is an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation. Example: “‘I was
suddenly sick in the back of their car”—it was years before he could confess his faux pas to
them.”
The given question states that the managers must see themselves as catalysts for problem-solving
and not as problem solvers __. The blank should be filled up with themselves.
16. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of vocabulary . Rhetoric means the art of ef fective or
persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other
compositional techniques. Example: “He is using a common figure of speech in rhetoric,
hyperbole.”
Brevity means the concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. Example: “The staf f will
edit manuscripts with a view to brevity and clarity .”
Garrulousness means the quality of being excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
Example: “My pen is no more garrulous than my tongue.”
17. Option (c) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge and vocabulary .
Enthusiast means a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject. Example:
Like jazz enthusiasts, swing fans knew their heroes through records only .
Sloganeer means to employ or invent slogans, typically in a political context. “It is easy to
sloganeer about reconciliation.”
A propagandist means a person who spreads ideas, facts, or allegations deliberately to further a
cause or damage an opposing cause. Example: Y es, this film is propagandist in nature, but it is
also a documentary .
Zealot means a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious,
political, or other ideals. Example: I believe things have gotten out of proportion, and the zealots
have gotten completely out of hand.
18. Option (d) is corr ect :
Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or
feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Example: “The rain poured down on the wedding
guests, indif ferent to their plans.”
A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially dissimilar objects or concepts are
expressly compared with one another through the use of “like” or “as.” Example: Love is like
war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.
The most extreme kind of exaggeration in speech is the literary device known as hyperbole.
As a metaphysical property , analogy is not a mere likeness between diverse objects but a
proportion or relation of object to object. The question divides time using a metaphor from the
past to the future.
19. Option (b) is corr ect.
The "kiss of Judas" is a traitorous action disguised as a show of af fection. The phrase alludes to
the Biblical account of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, who kissed Jesus to identify him to the
authorities arresting him. A "snake in the grass" refers to someone who feigns friendship with the
intent to deceive. A "friend at court" means an ally , patron, or benefactor who is in a position of
authority or influence. Example: "The Secretary of State has expressed his desire for our country
to be a friend at court for the emer ging global superpower ." The meaning of the expression
"fair -weather friend" is a friend who is never around when things get dif ficult in life. Example:
Page 5


A n s w e r K e y
SECTION – A:
ENGLISH
1. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage is about the author ’ s visit to a five-star hotel, where he had a bizarre experience.
Options (b), (c), and (d) are contradictory to the facts mentioned in the passage. From the line,
“an India I was discovering for the first time,” the first option can be deduced.
2. Option (c) is corr ect :
? Accusatory means indicating or suggesting that one believes a person has done something
wrong.
? Eulogistic means relating to a speech, piece of writing, poem, etc., containing great
praise.
? Censuring means telling someone, in a firm and formal manner , that they have done
something wrong.
? T o char ge someone with a crime is to criminate.
? A denunciation is a public condemnation of someone or something.
Hence, all the given options are synonyms for “accusatory” except eulogistic.
3. Option (b) is corr ect :
Refer to the lines, “I realised that what the elevator buttons had called the twelfth floor was in
fact the second. The gleaming Maurya elevator had merely taken me for a ride and a shorter ride
than I’d imagined.” When the author arrived at the hotel and reached his hotel room, which he
thought was on the 12th floor , in about 6 seconds, he immediately felt proud of the technological
progress his country had made. But since he was jet-lagged at that time, he failed to realise that
he was actually on the 2nd floor . And soon, he realised it was his disillusionment.
4. Option (d) is corr ect :
The passage describes an incident where the author rode an elevator that read "12th floor ," and
later he realised that the floor was indeed the 2nd floor . He felt deluded by reality .
5. Option (c) is corr ect :
The passage does not show any regret regarding anything. There are no feelings of deep
seriousness and sadness; hence, sombre is too stringent a tone to use. Critical is also a strong
word to express the tone of the passage. Hence, options (a), (b), and (d) can be ruled out. The
tone of the passage can be said to be humorous and reflective.
6. Option (b) is corr ect :
The paragraph is about the judicial system. The first blank requires a word that refers to the
personnel who have the right to give a verdict. Prosecutors and defendants are not the ones to
provide settlements or justice to anyone. So, we can easily eliminate them. The word that can fill
in the blank to make the sentence structure correct is juries, which is plural instead of judge
because the helping verb used here is are, which is plural.
7. Option (d) is corr ect :
The sentence tells us that the juries are compensating the plaintif fs. In this case, it won’ t be
illegal. Hence, option (b) is incorrect. Also, the court won’ t be providing personal injury
compensation to the victims, so option (a) is also eliminated. Since settlements are of ficial in
nature while rewards need not be of ficial, the better choice is settlement.
8. Option (a) is corr ect :
The previous sentence indicates that the juries are compensating plaintif fs. The next sentence
tells about the plaintif fs’ suf fering. Hence, the blank needs a negative word. So, options (b) and
(d) are ruled out. W e can be critical of someone without abusing the person. For comments, we
use derogatory .
9. Option (b) is corr ect :
Since the author has already included promotions in the passage, the best word to fill in the
blanks is raises.
10. Option (a) is corr ect :
The passage describes a lawsuit. In this context, suits is the only word that fits aptly .
1 1. Option (c) is corr ect :
By looking at the first line, in which the author has mentioned plaintif fs instead of the word’ s
singular form, we can deduce that the passage is talking about a lawsuit filed on behalf of many
victims. A class action lawsuit is a lawsuit filed or defended by an individual acting on behalf of
a group.
12. Option (d) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Impecunious means mendicant, pauper , or poor .
13. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests a student’ s vocabulary . Lugubrious means looking or sounding sad and
dismal. Example: “His face looked even more lugubrious than usual.”
14. Option (b) is corr ect :
Recalcitrant means a person with an obstinately uncooperative attitude. Example: “He was
stif f-necked, recalcitrant, and a troublemaker .”
15. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of migratory words. Per se means by , in, or of itself or
themselves; intrinsically . Example: “Eating chocolate ice cream per se isn’ t terribly unhealthy ,”
the nutritionist told her overweight client.
A priori means in a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.
Example: Religious people have the a priori belief that God exists without any physical proof.
Pro-rata means calculated according to, or as a share of, the fixed rate for a lar ger total amount.
Example: “As the pound has fallen, costs have risen on a pro-rata basis.”
A faux pas is an embarrassing or tactless act or remark in a social situation. Example: “‘I was
suddenly sick in the back of their car”—it was years before he could confess his faux pas to
them.”
The given question states that the managers must see themselves as catalysts for problem-solving
and not as problem solvers __. The blank should be filled up with themselves.
16. Option (a) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge of vocabulary . Rhetoric means the art of ef fective or
persuasive speaking or writing, especially the exploitation of figures of speech and other
compositional techniques. Example: “He is using a common figure of speech in rhetoric,
hyperbole.”
Brevity means the concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. Example: “The staf f will
edit manuscripts with a view to brevity and clarity .”
Garrulousness means the quality of being excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters.
Example: “My pen is no more garrulous than my tongue.”
17. Option (c) is corr ect :
This question tests your knowledge and vocabulary .
Enthusiast means a person who is very interested in a particular activity or subject. Example:
Like jazz enthusiasts, swing fans knew their heroes through records only .
Sloganeer means to employ or invent slogans, typically in a political context. “It is easy to
sloganeer about reconciliation.”
A propagandist means a person who spreads ideas, facts, or allegations deliberately to further a
cause or damage an opposing cause. Example: Y es, this film is propagandist in nature, but it is
also a documentary .
Zealot means a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious,
political, or other ideals. Example: I believe things have gotten out of proportion, and the zealots
have gotten completely out of hand.
18. Option (d) is corr ect :
Personification is a figure of speech in which an idea or thing is given human attributes and/or
feelings or is spoken of as if it were human. Example: “The rain poured down on the wedding
guests, indif ferent to their plans.”
A simile is a figure of speech in which two essentially dissimilar objects or concepts are
expressly compared with one another through the use of “like” or “as.” Example: Love is like
war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.
The most extreme kind of exaggeration in speech is the literary device known as hyperbole.
As a metaphysical property , analogy is not a mere likeness between diverse objects but a
proportion or relation of object to object. The question divides time using a metaphor from the
past to the future.
19. Option (b) is corr ect.
The "kiss of Judas" is a traitorous action disguised as a show of af fection. The phrase alludes to
the Biblical account of the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, who kissed Jesus to identify him to the
authorities arresting him. A "snake in the grass" refers to someone who feigns friendship with the
intent to deceive. A "friend at court" means an ally , patron, or benefactor who is in a position of
authority or influence. Example: "The Secretary of State has expressed his desire for our country
to be a friend at court for the emer ging global superpower ." The meaning of the expression
"fair -weather friend" is a friend who is never around when things get dif ficult in life. Example:
"I’m cleaning the house in my Facebook account this weekend. I’m getting rid of all those
fair -weather friends that don’ t add any value to my life." A "match made in heaven" refers to an
extremely well-suited pairing of people or things; a match that will result in a particularly
positive or successful outcome.
20. Option (c) is corr ect.
"T ry one’ s hand" means to attempt to do something for the first time, as in: "I thought I’d try my
hand at snorkelling." "Make up for (someone or something)" means to atone for or act as
compensation for some unfairness, to act as a substitute for someone. Example: "Nothing can
make up for the loss of a child." "Brush up on" means to refresh the memory , to acquire new
information or skills, or (of a quality or skill) to become better at them. "Mastered the art of"
means to become very adept or proficient in some area, activity , or pursuit. Example: "Y ou have
to master the art of negotiation if you want to succeed in business." Since the person plans to go
abroad, he decides to brush up on his French.
21. Option (d) is corr ect.
Analogy questions are a type of logical reasoning question that test the ability to identify
relationships between pairs of words. A "leaf" is part of a tree. In the same way , "petals" are part
of flowers.
22. Option (a) is corr ect.
Sentence A has an error in the usage of incorrect plural and singular nouns. Instead of ‘bodies’,
the word ‘body’ should have been used because, taken as a whole, ‘a growing body of evidence’
itself represents a pool of evidence. Also, ‘decision’ should have been replaced by its plural
form, ‘decisions,’ because we are referring to a huge range that needs to be represented in the
plural.
23. Option (b) is corr ect.
In sentence B, the use of the present continuous tense is incorrect.
24. Option (a) is corr ect.
The sentence compares two categories of companies, thus the use of a comparative adjective is
required. The correct comparison can be made by completing the sentence with part A.
25. Option (d) is corr ect.
Statement A is incorrect because the inverted comma just before the word ‘discredited’ should be
followed by the closing inverted comma. Statement B is incorrect because the doubly-inverted
comma just before the word ‘what’ should be followed by the closing doubly-inverted comma at
the end of the sentence. Sentence C is incorrect because the word ‘repudiated’ should also have
been put in inverted commas. Sentence D uses all the punctuation correctly .