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English I · Qualifier · May 2023

BSHS1001 · 35 questions · 40 marks · 30 min

Answer key Take as mock

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper

BSHS1001 · English I

Qualifier · May 2023

Official Paper

Examination Instructions & Guidelines

Solve on notebook/paper first before checking solutions.
MCQ: Exactly 1 option is correct. Negative marking applies.
Scientific calculator allowed for all calculations.
Official answer key is sealed at the end of this sheet.

Read the passage below, then answer Q1–Q5
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions.
We all seek happiness but few, very few, indeed, get it. We are unhappy partly because we desire much more than what we can hope to attain. Our countless desires are hard to satisfy. And that is what makes us so sad in life.
The secret of happiness lies in the simplification of life. Simple living encourages high thinking. It leads to contentment. Contentment gives us inner wealth, the wealth of the mind and of the soul. A contented man devotes himself to virtues like truth, beauty, love, goodness, kindness, and charity. By pursuing and inculcating their virtues, a man can feel true happiness.
I do not mean that for simplification of life, a man should become an ascetic. The happiness of sadhu is of a negative kind. I want a positive kind of happiness. For this, I must live in the midst of life, faithfully carrying out my responsibilities to my home and my country. But all of this should be done in the spirit of selfless service. A man who wants to lead a happy life, should also make others happy. In making others happy, he will taste real and lasting happiness. There is a kind of joy in serving others with virtuous motives, in sacrificing what one has for the good of others. An act of goodness is in itself an act of happiness.
The secret of perfect happiness lies in renunciation. Wealth may give us joy for a while and fame may provide us with fleeting excitement. But they cannot give us permanent happiness. Kings have everything to make them happy and yet they feel unhappy. It is because they do not practice renunciation.
There is a sense of joy in doing one’s work honestly and efficiently. A research-worker feels joy in conducting research while a journalist in writing. In doing one’s duty sincerely, one feels a peace of mind, which is an important essence of happiness.
It is only by cultivating a spirit of renunciation, self-sacrifice, contentment, and sincere work that one can really be happy. The strings of misfortune spare none, but they will not cow such a person.
Q1MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
What does a contented man do?
1. AHe encounters the strings of misfortunes.
2. BHe gives up bad habits effortlessly.
3. CHe boldly faces the adversities of life.
4. DHe pursues and assimilates the basic virtues of life.
Q2MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Which of the following is the correct chain of things, as mentioned in the passage, leading to happiness?
1. AHigh thinking, simple living, inner wealth, contentment
2. BInner wealth, simple living, contentment, high thinking
3. CSimple living, high thinking, inner wealth, contentment
4. DSimple living, high thinking, contentment, inner wealth
Q3MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
According to the passage, the essence of happiness lies in ______
1. AAvoiding all unfortunate events.
2. BAdopting a simple lifestyle.
3. CMatching one’s abilities with the work undertaken.
4. DWorldly desires.
Q4MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
We are unhappy partly because ______
1. AWe have countless unfulfilled desires.
2. BOur lives have become extremely complicated.
3. CWe have lost moral and spiritual values.
Q5MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE in the context of the passage?
1. AMultiplicity of desires makes us unhappy.
2. BMaking others happy makes one happy.
3. CRenunciation is the result of perfect happiness.
4. DOne feels peace of mind in doing one’s duty sincerely.
Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Which among the following words has a diphthong?
1. ABottle
2. BBoycott
3. CBail
4. DBoth Boycott and Bail
Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Which among the following carry the long vowel /uu/?
1. AThrough
2. BBlue
3. CToo
4. DFlew
5. EAll of these
Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Two consonants next to one another within a syllable make a cluster.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE
Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Which among the following is a word without a diphthong?
1. ALoiter
2. BStew
3. CMaiden
Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Which of the following is NOT an Abstract Noun?
1. AGoodness
2. BYouth
3. CPoverty
4. DParliament
Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 3 times Key ↓
Identify the noun in the following sentence: Working hard can bring you success.
1. AWorking
2. BHard
3. CBring
4. DSuccess
Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate interrogative pronoun. ______ wrote ‘The Canterbury Tales’?
1. AWhose
2. BHow
3. CWho
4. DWhich
Q13MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Don’t ________me you’ve lost your keys again.
1. ASay
2. BTell
3. CSpeak
4. DInform
Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 14 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with an appropriate verb. The teacher, as well as the students, _______responsible for the agitation in the school campus.
1. AAre
2. BIs
3. CShall
4. DWere
Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 8 times Key ↓
Identify the part of speech the underlined word belongs to. She yelled when she hit her toe.
1. AVerb
2. BNoun
3. CConjunction
4. DAdverb
Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
She has not read anything______ Monday.
1. AFor
2. BSince
3. CFrom
4. DOver
Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
What will be the adverb form of ‘suitable’?
1. ASuitabely
2. BSitablly
3. CSuitably
4. DSuited
Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Please look_______ the matter carefully to investigate it properly.
1. AOn
2. BInto
3. CUnder
4. DAgainst
Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 8 times Key ↓
I want to buy _____ laptop computer next week.
1. AA
2. BAn
3. CThe
4. DNo article
Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
The culprit was _____ fined and punished.
1. AAlso
2. BAnd
3. CBut
4. DBoth
Q21MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Identify the underlined part of the sentence. I came across some old books while tidying my room.
1. ASeparable phrasal verb
2. BIn-separable phrasal verb
Q22MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank with the appropriate option. The meaning of the phrasal verb ‘wait on’ is _____________.
1. ATo return a phone call
2. BTo save money
3. CTo serve somebody
4. DTo communicate successfully
Q23MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Pick the right meaning of the following idiom: A dark horse
1. AA person who is slightly eccentric
2. BA person who seems to be stupid
3. CAn unexpected winner
Q24MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Select true or false for the following statement: The idiom ‘cut corners’ means ‘to do something in the fastest and the cheapest way’.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE
Q25MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Choose the correct option. Sudha ________ speak Telugu.
1. AWould
2. BIs
3. CMay
4. DCan
Read the passage below, then answer Q26–Q30
Match Column A with suitable options in Column B. (Hint: Word collocation)
Column A: 1. Land · 2. Moral · 3. Final · 4. Weather · 5. Unanimous
Column B: a) Forecast · b) Decision · c) Acquisition · d) Blow · e) Decay
Q26MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Land ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q27MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Moral ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q28MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Final ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q29MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Weather ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q30MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Unanimous ____
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Read the passage below, then answer Q31–Q35
Read the following telephonic conversation and fill in the blank with appropriate responses:
Harilal: Hello! Is this Nirjeevani Hospital?
Receptionist: Yes. (i) ______________
Harilal: I wanted to know if Dr. Arundhati will be available for consultation.
Receptionist: Yes Ma’am. (ii) ____________ book an appointment?
Harilal: Yes, I want to book an appointment
Receptionist: Please tell me your name and age. Hello! (iii) _____________
(The call gets disconnected)
Harilal: Hello!
Receptionist: Hello! Nirjeevani Hospital.
Harilal: The call got (iv) _____________. My name is Harilal Khan and I am 35 years old.
Receptionist: Could you please (v) ____________
Harilal: Harilal Khan, 35 years.
Receptionist: Alright. Please be here by 10: 00 a.m. Thank you!
Q31MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Complete blank (i) with an appropriate response.
1. AHow may I help you today?
2. BWho’s calling, please?
3. CHello! Are you Narsimh?
Q32MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Complete blank (ii) with an appropriate response.
1. AAre we to
2. BWould you like to
3. CWill you
Q33MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Complete blank (iii) with an appropriate response.
1. APlease ring me later.
2. BAre you there?
3. CI will talk to you later.
Q34MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Which among the following expressions can complete blank (iv)?
1. APut off
2. BCalled off
3. CCut off
Q35MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Which among the following expressions would complete blank (v)?
1. ASpeak up
2. BSpeak out
3. CCall back

Official Key

Master Answer Key & Explanations

Official answer keys from IIT Madras BS past papers. Click any question to review.

Reveal Key

Q1D

Q2D

Q3B

Q4A

Q5C

Q6D

Q7E

Q8A

Q9B

Q10D

Q11D

Q12C

Q13B

Q14B

Q15A

Q16B

Q17C

Q18B

Q19A

Q20D

Q21B

Q22C

Q23C

Q24A

Q25D

Q26C

Q27E

Q28D

Q29A

Q30B

Q31A

Q32B

Q33B

Q34C

Q35A

Questions and answer keys are reproduced from the official IIT Madras BS papers. BTechi is not affiliated with IIT Madras.