Note: The questions provided in this document are similar to the questions that were asked in the actual Olympiad exam. So, we recommend you study these for your Olympiad preparation.
Word and Structure Knowledge
Choose the correct option to fill in the Blank. (Question 1 to 7)
Q1: My ______ is going to London for business.
(a) parents
(b) friends
(c) father
(d) cousins
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The sentence indicates that a single person is traveling for business, which suggests a specific relationship.
- Among the options, father is the only one that fits this context as it refers to one individual.
- Parents and friends imply multiple people, while cousins does not specifically indicate a direct relationship.
- Thus, the correct answer is father, as it aligns with the context of the sentence.
Q2: They misplaced ______ suitcase at the train station.
(a) there
(b) they
(c) them
(d) their
View AnswerAns: (d)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is their, which shows possession.
- In this context, their indicates that the suitcase belongs to them.
- The other options do not fit grammatically or contextually in the sentence.
- Using their makes the sentence clear and correct, as it refers to the owners of the suitcase.
Q3: Shivani enjoys ______ the guitar and the piano.
(a) plays
(b) played
(c) play
(d) playing
View AnswerAns: (c)
- In this sentence, the correct form of the verb is needed to match with "likes to." The phrase "likes to" is followed by the base form of the verb.
- The base form of the verb "play" is used after "to," making "play" the correct choice.
- Options (a), (b), and (d) do not fit grammatically in this context.
- Thus, the correct answer is (c) play.
Q4: Ritika ______ seeds in her garden yesterday.
(a) is sowing
(b) was sowing
(c) are sowing
(d) were sowing
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The correct answer is was sowing because it indicates an action that took place in the past.
- Since the sentence mentions "yesterday," it clearly refers to a completed action.
- Options (a), (c), and (d) are incorrect as they do not fit the past tense context of the sentence.
- Thus, "was sowing" is the only option that correctly matches the time frame of the action.
Q5: John’s grandfather is ______ European citizen.
(a) a
(b) an
(c) the
(d) no article
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The correct answer is "a" because we use "a" before words that begin with a consonant sound. In this case, "European" starts with a "yoo" sound, which is a consonant sound.
- Using "an" would be incorrect here since it is used before vowel sounds.
- "The" is not appropriate because it specifies a particular citizen, while the sentence is general.
- "No article" is also incorrect as we need an article to indicate that he is one of many European citizens.
Q6: Mom said that she would be back ______ an hour.
(a) with
(b) within
(c) on
(d) of
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The correct phrase is "back within an hour," which means she will return in less than an hour.
- Using "within" indicates a time limit, showing that the return will happen at some point before the hour is up.
- Other options like "with," "on," and "of" do not fit grammatically or contextually in this sentence.
- Thus, "within" is the only option that correctly conveys the intended meaning.
Q7: Would you prefer to join us ______ remain at home?
(a) or
(b) and
(c) but
(d) because
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is "or". This indicates a choice between two options: joining the group or staying at home.
- Using "and" would imply both actions are happening, which doesn't fit the context.
- "But" suggests a contrast, which is not appropriate here.
- "Because" would introduce a reason, which is also not suitable for this sentence.
Choose the correct option for the underlined Word. (Question 8 to 9)
Q8: Don’t wear shoes inside the house.
(a) Adverb
(b) Preposition
(c) Verb
(d) Noun
View AnswerAns: (b)
The suitable preposition to be used is “inside" because it is used to indicate the location in the inner part or surface of something.
Q9: My uncle donates money to this charity every month.
(a) Noun
(b) Pronoun
(c) Verb
(d) Adjective
View AnswerAns: (a)
The word “charity” is a noun in the given sentence, which means “an organisation that collects money to help people who are poor, sick, etc”.
Choose the part of the sentence that has an error. (Question 10 to 11)
Q10: Rohit goes to the temple with his mother regular.
(a) Rohit goes
(b) to the temple
(c) with his
(d) mother regular.
View AnswerAns: (d)
The correct sentence is: Rohit goes to the temple with his mother regularly.
Q11: This restaurant serves the better Chinese food in the city.
(a) This restaurant
(b) serves the
(c) better Chinese food
(d) in the city.
View AnswerAns: (c)
The correct sentence is: This restaurant serves the best Chinese food in the city.
Q12: Choose the option with the correct spelling.
(a) Coleague
(b) Colleague
(c) Callaegue
(d) Colleaggue
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The correct spelling of the word is Colleague, which refers to a person with whom one works, especially in a profession or business.
- Options (a), (c), and (d) contain misspellings of the word.
- It's important to know the correct spelling to communicate effectively in a professional setting.
- Remember, a colleague is someone you collaborate with, so using the right spelling is essential.
Q13: Choose the option with the correct spelling.
(a) Stategic
(b) Strategick
(c) Strategik
(d) Strategic
View AnswerAns: (d)
- The correct spelling of the word is Strategic, which refers to a plan or method designed to achieve a specific goal.
- Options (a), (b), and (c) contain incorrect spellings that do not represent the standard English usage.
- Understanding the correct spelling is important for effective communication, especially in formal contexts.
- Always double-check spelling to ensure clarity and professionalism in writing.
Q14: Choose the correct synonym of ENCHANTING.
(a) Enlarged
(b) Captivating
(c) Responsive
(d) Boring
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The word enchanting means something that is very charming or delightful.
- The correct synonym is captivating, which also means something that attracts and holds your attention.
- Options like enlarged and boring do not convey the same positive and engaging meaning.
- Thus, captivating is the best choice as it reflects the essence of being enchanting.
Q15: Choose the correct antonym of OUTSKIRTS.
(a) Edge
(b) Boulder
(c) Middle
(d) Costumes
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The term OUTSKIRTS refers to the outer areas or edges of a city or town.
- The correct antonym is MIDDLE, which indicates the central part of something.
- EDGE suggests a boundary, while BOULDER and COSTUMES are unrelated to the concept of location.
- Thus, MIDDLE is the opposite of OUTSKIRTS, as it represents the area that is not on the outskirts.
Reading
Read the Passage and answer the question that follow (Question 16 to 20)
The first woman to travel in space was Soviet cosmonaut, Valentina Tereshkova. She was born on 6 March 1937, in the village of Bolshoye Maslennikovo in central Russia. Her mother was a textile worker, and her father was a tractor driver who was later recognised as a war hero during the Second World War. At the time of his death on the Finnish front, Tereshkova was only two years old.
After leaving school, Tereshkova followed her mother into work at a textile factory. Her first adventure of flying was when she joined a local skydiving and parachutist club. It was her hobby of jumping out of planes that appealed to the Soviets’ space programme committee. On applying to the cosmonaut corps, Tereshkova was eventually chosen from more than 400 other candidates.
Tereshkova received 18 months of severe training with the Soviet Air Force after her selection. These tests studied her abilities to cope physically under the extremes of gravity, as well as handle challenges such as emergency management and the isolation of being in space alone. At the age of 24, she was honourably inducted into the Soviet Air Force. On 16 June 1963, Tereshkova was launched on a solo mission aboard the spacecraft, Vostok 6. She spent more than 70 hours orbiting the Earth, two years after Yuri Gagarin’s first human-crewed flight in space. Tereshkova still holds the title of the youngest and the only woman to have been on a solo space mission.
Today, she holds the position of Deputy Chair for the Committee for International Affairs in Russia. She also remains active within the space community and is quoted as suggesting that she would like to fly to Mars - even if it were a one-way trip.
- Royal Museums Greenwich
Q16: What is the main subject of the passage?
(a) Vostok 6
(b) Bolshoyye
(c) Valentina Tereshkova
(d) Yuri Gagarin
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The passage primarily discusses Valentina Tereshkova, who was the first woman to fly in space.
- It highlights her significant contributions to space exploration and her historic flight aboard Vostok 6.
- While Yuri Gagarin is also mentioned as the first human in space, the focus is on Tereshkova's achievements.
- Thus, the correct answer is Valentina Tereshkova as she is the central figure of the passage.
Q17: Which hobby of Tereshkova impressed the Soviets’ space programme committee?
(a) Jumping out of spaceships
(b) Jumping out of planes
(c) Jumping out of parachutes
(d) Jumping out of rockets
View AnswerAns: (b)
- Tereshkova's hobby of jumping out of planes was particularly impressive to the Soviets' space programme committee.
- This activity demonstrated her courage and ability to handle high-pressure situations, which are essential traits for an astronaut.
- Jumping out of planes requires skill and training, making it a relevant experience for space travel.
- Her adventurous spirit and physical fitness were key factors that contributed to her selection for the space programme.
Q18: Tereshkova still holds the title of the youngest and the only woman to have been on a ______.
(a) solo space mission
(b) crew space mission
(c) double space mission
(d) human-crewed flight
View AnswerAns: (a)
- Valentina Tereshkova is recognized as the youngest woman to travel to space.
- She achieved this during a solo space mission in 1963.
- This mission made her the only woman to have completed such a flight alone.
- Her accomplishment remains significant in the history of space exploration.
Q19: How many hours did Tereshkova spend in orbit around the Earth during her mission?
(a) 75 hours
(b) 72 hours
(c) 78 hours
(d) 70 hours
View AnswerAns: (d)
- Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to fly in space, and her mission lasted a significant amount of time.
- She spent a total of 70 hours orbiting the Earth, which was a remarkable achievement at that time.
- This mission helped pave the way for future female astronauts and contributed to our understanding of space travel.
- Her journey was not just about the duration but also about the impact it had on space exploration.
Q20: In the third paragraph, the term ‘inducted’ refers to ______.
(a) rampant
(b) rescued
(c) admitted
(d) expelled
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The word inducted generally means to admit someone into a group or organization.
- In this context, it suggests that a person was welcomed or accepted into a certain role or position.
- Options like rampant, rescued, and expelled do not convey the same meaning as admitted.
- Thus, the correct answer is (c) admitted as it aligns with the definition of inducted.
Read the Passage and answer the question that follow (Question 21 to 25)
A tiny mouse was born between two bags of corn kernels in a cargo ship’s hold. Her mother had been chased away and had disappeared out-of-view. Frightened, the baby mouse snuggled between the bags and waited. The waves rocked the vessel gently and she soon fell asleep.
A loud horn startled her out of her dreams. The ship stopped, and many voices were heard, along with the footsteps going back and forth.
The baby mouse stood still, her heart pounding like a drum roll, until someone lifted up one of the bags and yelled, “Marcos, hand me the broom. I have found another mouse!” As he turned to look at the mouse again, she had disappeared. She was already making her way out of the ship, scurrying between people’s legs, down the ramp and onto the dock. Someone stepped on her tail, but she managed to escape.
The baby mouse stopped running and looked around. The warm sand felt good under her paws. The salty wind blew gently between her ears, carrying dolphins’ conversations and seagulls’ cries.
The baby mouse could see the ship from far away. She watched as sailors, appearing to be the size of corn kernels, went up and down the ramp, carrying wooden cases and other supplies.
The baby mouse realized how hungry she was. She nibbled on a seaweed and spat it back out. She was lucky enough to find a plump, juicy berry to fill up her minuscule stomach. She lingered a bit longer to watch the sunset, reflecting on the sea in a million colours, and then yawned.
Using a piece of sea sponge as a pillow, the little mouse snuggled in an empty seashell and drifted off to sleep. That was the beginning of her new life as a sea mouse.
- Annie McMahon
Q21: What is the main topic of the passage?
(a) The ocean
(b) The young mouse
(c) Maize grains
(d) Freight vessel
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The passage primarily discusses the young mouse, focusing on its characteristics and experiences.
- It does not delve into the ocean, maize grains, or freight vessels, which are unrelated topics.
- Understanding the main topic helps in grasping the overall message of the passage.
- Identifying the correct answer is crucial for comprehension and analysis of the text.
Q22: Where did the baby mouse come into the world?
(a) On ramp
(b) In a bag
(c) On a cargo ship
(d) In sea
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The baby mouse was born on a cargo ship, which indicates it was likely in a transport environment.
- This setting suggests that the mouse's birth occurred during a journey, possibly affecting its early life.
- Being born in such a location can imply challenges related to survival and adaptation.
- Understanding the environment of the birth can help in studying the behavior and characteristics of the baby mouse.
Q23: What felt pleasant beneath the baby mouse’s feet?
(a) Warm sand
(b) Salty breeze
(c) Ocean waves
(d) Sea sponge
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The baby mouse experienced a comfortable sensation under its paws.
- It was the warm sand that provided this pleasant feeling.
- Other options like salty breeze, ocean waves, and sea sponge do not match the description of what felt good.
- Thus, the correct answer is warm sand as it is soft and soothing for the baby mouse.
Q24: The baby mouse lingered a bit longer to watch the ______.
(a) seagulls
(b) sunrise
(c) seashells
(d) sunset
View AnswerAns: (d)
- The baby mouse stayed to observe the sunset. This is a beautiful time of day when the sun goes down, creating stunning colors in the sky.
- Seagulls, sunrise, and seashells are not what the baby mouse was watching, as the context is about the end of the day.
- Sunset is often associated with calmness and beauty, making it a perfect scene for the baby mouse to enjoy.
Q25: In the passage, the word ‘minuscule’ means ______.
(a) tiny
(b) large
(c) happy
(d) serene
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The word minuscule refers to something that is very small or tiny.
- In this context, it emphasizes the size of an object or concept.
- Options like large, happy, and serene do not relate to the meaning of minuscule.
- Thus, the correct answer is (a) tiny, which accurately captures the essence of the word.
Spoken and Written Expression
Q26: Mike: Everyone is ______ to donate food for the poor.
(a) requests
(b) request
(c) requested
(d) has request
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is requested. This means that everyone is being asked or encouraged to donate food.
- In this context, everyone is treated as a single group, so we use the past participle form requested to indicate that the action of asking has been made.
- Options like requests and request do not fit grammatically in this sentence.
- Thus, the sentence correctly reads: "Everyone is requested to donate food for the poor."
Q27: Will: I am going ______ a swim. Are you coming?
Lucas: Yes, I am.
(a) to
(b) on
(c) for
(d) in
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The correct phrase is "going for a swim." This is a common expression used to indicate the intention to swim.
- Option (a) "to" is incorrect because it does not fit the context of swimming.
- Option (b) "on" is also not used in this context.
- Option (d) "in" does not convey the same meaning as "for" in this situation.
Q28: Smith: Do you believe in supernatural things?
Martin: Yes, I am ______
(a) Yes, I am not
(b) Yes, I don’t
(c) No, I don’t
(d) No, I do
View AnswerAns: (c)
- In this conversation, Martin is responding to Smith's question about belief in the supernatural.
- Martin's answer indicates a negative response, suggesting he does not believe in supernatural things.
- Thus, the correct option is No, I don’t, which aligns with Martin's implied disbelief.
- The other options either contradict his response or do not fit the context of the question.
Q29: Dustin: Have you ______ to school today?
Jane: Yes, I have.
(a) been
(b) gone
(c) go
(d) goes
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is been. This is because the present perfect tense is used here, which requires the past participle form of the verb.
- In this context, "have you been" indicates that the action of going to school has relevance to the present moment.
- Options like "went" and "go" do not fit grammatically in this sentence.
- Thus, the correct answer is (a) been.
Q30: Garima: My bag is as light as a/an ______.
(a) feather
(b) bolt
(c) elephant
(d) bed
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The phrase "as light as a feather" is a common expression used to describe something that is very light.
- In this context, Garima is comparing the weight of her bag to a feather, which is known for its lightness.
- Options like "bolt," "elephant," and "bed" do not represent lightness; in fact, they are typically much heavier.
- Thus, the correct answer is (a) feather, as it accurately conveys the idea of being very light.
Achievers Section
Choose the correct option to fill in the blank. (Question 31 to 32)
Q31: This is the ______ movie I have ever seen.
(a) tame
(b) good
(c) best
(d) worse
View AnswerAns: (c)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is best. This is because the phrase "I have ever seen" indicates a comparison, and best is the superlative form of good.
- Using best shows that among all the movies the speaker has seen, this one stands out as the top choice.
- Other options like tame, good, and worse do not fit the context of expressing the highest quality.
- Thus, the sentence correctly reads: "This is the best movie I have ever seen."
Q32: The baby is sleeping ______.
(a) always
(b) soundly
(c) loudly
(d) almost
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The correct word to fill in the blank is soundly, which means the baby is sleeping deeply and peacefully.
- Always suggests a frequency, which doesn't fit the context of how the baby is sleeping.
- Loudly implies noise, which contradicts the idea of a baby sleeping.
- Almost indicates something is nearly happening, but doesn't describe the quality of sleep.
Q33: Identify the section of the sentence that contains a mistake.
I will be wait for you at the library.
(a) I will
(b) be wait
(c) for you
(d) at the library
View AnswerAns: (b)
- The phrase "be wait" is incorrect. The correct form should be "be waiting".
- In English, we use "waiting" to indicate an ongoing action, while "wait" is the base form.
- Thus, the error lies in the verb form used in this part of the sentence.
- Correcting it to "I will be waiting for you at the library" makes it grammatically correct.
Q34: Choose the correct synonym of MARVELLOUS.
(a) Fantastic
(b) Average
(c) Normal
(d) Materialistic
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The word marvellous means something that is extraordinary or wonderful.
- The correct synonym is fantastic, which also conveys a sense of being amazing or incredible.
- Options like average and normal suggest something that is common or ordinary, which does not match the meaning of marvellous.
- Materialistic refers to a focus on material possessions, which is unrelated to the concept of being marvellous.
Q35: Choose the correct option to complete the conversation.
Mother: I am heading ______ to the market. Take care of yourself.
(a) out
(b) of
(c) up
(d) with
View AnswerAns: (a)
- The phrase "heading out" is commonly used to indicate that someone is going somewhere, in this case, to the market.
- Option (b) "of" does not fit the context of going somewhere.
- Option (c) "up" is not typically used in this context.
- Option (d) "with" does not convey the action of going to a place.