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English I · All 2023 papers

BSHS1001 · 70 questions · 80 marks · 2 papers

Answer key

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

BS Degree Programme · Examination & Study Paper

BSHS1001 · English I

All 2023 papers

Official Paper

Examination Instructions & Guidelines

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

Qualifier · September 2023Qualifier

Read the passage below, then answer Q1–Q5
Read the following passage and answer the given subquestions.
When I first visited Gandhi in 1942 at his ashram in Sevagram, in central India, he said, “I will tell you how it happened that I decided to urge the departure of the British. It was in 1917.”
He had gone to the December 1916 annual convention of the Indian National Congress party in Lucknow. There were 2,301 delegates and many visitors. "During the proceedings," Gandhi recounted, “a peasant came up to me looking like any other peasant in India, poor and emaciated, and said, ‘I am Rajkumar Shukla. I am from Champaran, and I want you to come to my district’!’’ Gandhi had never heard of the place. It was in the foothills of the towering Himalayas, near the kingdom of Nepal.
Under an ancient arrangement, the Champaran peasants were sharecroppers. Rajkumar Shukla was one of them. He was illiterate but resolute. He had come to the Congress session to complain about the injustice of the landlord system in Bihar, and somebody had probably said, “Speak to Gandhi.”
Gandhi told Shukla he had an appointment in Cawnpore and was also committed to go to other parts of India. Shukla accompanied him everywhere. Then Gandhi returned to his ashram near Ahmedabad. Shukla followed him to the ashram. For weeks he never left Gandhi’s side.
“Fix a date,” he begged.
Impressed by the sharecropper’s tenacity and story Gandhi said, ‘‘I have to be in Calcutta on such-and-such a date. Come and meet me and take me from there.” Months passed. Shukla was sitting on his haunches at the appointed spot in Calcutta when Gandhi arrived; he waited till Gandhi was free. Then the two of them boarded a train for the city of Patna in Bihar. There Shukla led him to the house of a lawyer named Rajendra Prasad who later became President of the Congress party and of India. Rajendra Prasad was out of town, but the servants knew Shukla as a poor yeoman who pestered their master to help the indigo sharecroppers. So they let him stay on the grounds with his companion, Gandhi, whom they took to be another peasant. But Gandhi was not permitted to draw water from the well lest some drops from his bucket pollute the entire source; how did they know that he was not an untouchable?
Gandhi decided to go first to Muzzafarpur, which was en route to Champaran, to obtain more complete information about conditions than Shukla was capable of imparting. He accordingly sent a telegram to Professor J.B. Kripalani, of the Arts College in Muzzafarpur, whom he had seen at Tagore’s Shantiniketan school. The train arrived at midnight, 15 April 1917. Kripalani was waiting at the station with a large body of students. Gandhi stayed there for two days in the home of Professor Malkani, a teacher in a government school.
- Indigo - Louis Fischer
Q1MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Among the following words, choose the antonym for the word ‘tenacity’.
1. APersistence
2. BDetermination
3. CFirmness
4. DTimidity
Q2MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
What is the meaning of ‘yeoman’?
1. AA farmer who owned and worked on his own land
2. BA person who is the owner of a house
3. CA person who lends money as a business
4. DA person who fits and repairs the pipes
Q3MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
Select true or false for the following statement. Gandhi decided to go first to Muzzafarpur, which was en route to Champaran.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE
Q4MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
To whom did Gandhi send a telegram?
1. ARajendra Prasad
2. BJ.B. Kripalani
3. CRomesh Chunder Dutt
4. DN. R Malkani
Q5MCQ2 Marks·Choose one option
Key ↓
At whose house did Gandhi stay for two days?
1. AProfessor Dutt
2. BProfessor Malkani
3. CProfessor Chowdhury
4. DProfessor Sharma
Read the passage below, then answer Q6–Q10
Read the following telephonic conversation and fill in the blanks with appropriate responses and answer the given subquestions:
Sister: Hi bro, how are you doing?
Brother: Hey sis, (i)_____________________. How about you?
Sister: (ii)_________________. How is your preparation for exams going on?
Brother: Good, but I am really scared for my exams.
Sister:(iii)_______________
Brother: Because I think I am still lacking somewhere.
Sister: Don’t worry dear. You still have a month. You will do a better job!
Brother: (iv)_______________________. But I think I need more guidance.
Sister: For that, you can take coaching from the best institute which will help and guide you.
Brother: Yeah, this seems like the perfect idea. (v)______________________
Sister: There is a good coaching institute. It is called Genius Plus. Try to contact them.
Brother: Thank you, I will contact them immediately.
Q6MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank (i) with an appropriate response?
1. AMy friend is playing a video game with children
2. BMy wife is cooking in the kitchen
3. CI am cool
4. DMy father is working in the corporate sector
Q7MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank (ii) with an appropriate response?
1. AI am perfectly fine
2. BThe dog is playing in the room
3. CThe cats are alright
4. DMom is out for shopping
Q8MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank (iii) with an appropriate response?
1. AWhen is your exam?
2. BWhy so?
3. CWhen are you coming home?
4. DWhy are you going to Chennai?
Q9MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank (iv) with an appropriate response?
1. AGood Morning sis
2. BBye sis
3. CThank you, sis, for your support.
4. DGood night sis
Q10MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 40 times Key ↓
Fill in the blank (v) with an appropriate response?
1. AHow long will you go to the coaching institute?
2. BDo you have any good coaching institutes in mind?
3. CHow long will you stay there in Chennai?
4. DWhen will you come home?
Read the passage below, then answer Q11–Q15
Match Column A with suitable options in Column B. (Hint: Word collocation)
Column A: 1. Sports · 2. Library · 3. Garden · 4. Job · 5. Fishing
Column B: a. Card · b. Offer · c. Equipment · d. Rod · e. Hose
Q11MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Sports___________
1. ACard
2. BOffer
3. CEquipment
4. DRod
5. EHose
Q12MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Library __________
1. ACard
2. BOffer
3. CEquipment
4. DRod
5. EHose
Q13MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Garden ___________
1. ACard
2. BOffer
3. CEquipment
4. DRod
5. EHose
Q14MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Job __________
1. ACard
2. BOffer
3. CEquipment
4. DRod
5. EHose
Q15MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Fishing
1. ACard
2. BOffer
3. CEquipment
4. DRod
5. EHose
Q16MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Identify the type of noun that is highlighted in the sentence. The swimming pool is drained and cleaned every winter.
1. ACollective
2. BAbstract
3. CProper
4. DCompound
Q17MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Select the correct pronoun. This is my letter and that is ________.
1. AYour
2. BYours
3. COur
4. DOurs
Q18MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Which one of the following words is a verb?
1. AUsually
2. BSlowly
3. CPoorly
4. DSolve
Q19MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
Choose the correct option. My new bike is __________ than my old one.
1. AFaster
2. BFast
Q20MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 8 times Key ↓
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word. Amy bought ripe tomatoes at the store.
1. ANoun
2. BAdjective
3. CPronoun
4. DVerb
Q21MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Choose the appropriate option. ________ my opinion, she is a very clever girl.
1. AFor
2. BOf
3. CIn
4. DWith
Q22MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 8 times Key ↓
Choose the appropriate option. Tomorrow will be ________ cold day.
1. AThe
2. BAn
3. CA
4. DNo article
Q23MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Choose the appropriate option. She behaves _______she was the captain of the team.
1. AAs
2. BAs if
3. CThat
4. DNo word needed
Q24MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 8 times Key ↓
They usually spend their holidays in _____mountains.
1. AA
2. BThe
3. CNo article
4. DAn
Q25MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 2 times Key ↓
Select true or false for the following statement. The phrasal verb ‘lay off (something)’ means to ‘to stop doing something.’
1. ATrue
2. BFalse
Q26MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Consider the following sentence: The party was a little slow at first but Kate broke the ice by offering everyone wine and beer. The phrase ‘broke the ice’ means ___.
1. ATo remove the tension at a first meeting
2. BTo tell the truth about something that was kept a secret
Q27MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
The phrase ‘to get out of hand’ means ___________.
1. ATo become difficult to control
2. BTo calm down
Q28MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
He told me that he will stay for a ___.
1. AWeak
2. BWeek
3. CWick
4. DWake
Q29MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 4 times Key ↓
The ___ was unsold in the auction.
1. AWhether
2. BWether
3. CWeather
4. DWither
Q30MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
Choose the word with an “aa” sound from the following.
1. AHoard
2. BBoard
3. CHard
4. DTeeth
Q31MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 5 times Key ↓
Pick the odd one out on the basis of the similarity of sounds: knit, pit, kit, neat
1. AKnit
2. BPit
3. CKit
4. DNeat
Q32MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Which semi-vowel occurs in the transition between the words “go” and “out” in the sentence “go out”?
1. A/w/
2. B/y/
Q33MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Which among the following is a word without a diphthong?
1. ASnout
2. BStout
3. CSport
4. DShout
Q34MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Which among the following is the correct way to read the following phone number: 8637681134?
1. A8637/6811/34
2. B863/768/113/4
3. C86/37/68/11/34
4. DAll of these
Q35MSQ1 Mark·Choose all correct options
Asked 3 times Key ↓
‘Rinku reads quite clearly’. In this sentence which of the following is an adverb?
1. AReads
2. BQuite
3. CClearly
4. DRinku

Qualifier · May 2023Qualifier

Read the passage below, then answer Q36–Q40
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.
Q36MCQ2 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.
Q37MCQ2 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
Q38MCQ2 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.
Q39MCQ2 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.
Q40MCQ2 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.
Q41MCQ1 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
Q42MCQ1 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
Q43MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Two consonants next to one another within a syllable make a cluster.
1. ATRUE
2. BFALSE
Q44MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 6 times Key ↓
Which among the following is a word without a diphthong?
1. ALoiter
2. BStew
3. CMaiden
Q45MCQ1 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
Q46MCQ1 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
Q47MCQ1 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
Q48MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
Don’t ________me you’ve lost your keys again.
1. ASay
2. BTell
3. CSpeak
4. DInform
Q49MCQ1 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
Q50MCQ1 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
Q51MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 7 times Key ↓
She has not read anything______ Monday.
1. AFor
2. BSince
3. CFrom
4. DOver
Q52MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
What will be the adverb form of ‘suitable’?
1. ASuitabely
2. BSitablly
3. CSuitably
4. DSuited
Q53MCQ1 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
Q54MCQ1 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
Q55MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Key ↓
The culprit was _____ fined and punished.
1. AAlso
2. BAnd
3. CBut
4. DBoth
Q56MCQ1 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
Q57MCQ1 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
Q58MCQ1 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
Q59MCQ1 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
Q60MCQ1 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 Q61–Q65
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
Q61MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Land ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q62MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Moral ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q63MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Final ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q64MCQ1 Mark·Choose one option
Asked 15 times Key ↓
Weather ___
1. AForecast
2. BDecision
3. CAcquisition
4. DBlow
5. EDecay
Q65MCQ1 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 Q66–Q70
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!
Q66MCQ1 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?
Q67MCQ1 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
Q68MCQ1 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.
Q69MCQ1 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
Q70MCQ1 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

Q2A

Q3A

Q4B

Q5B

Q6C

Q7A

Q8B

Q9C

Q10B

Q11C

Q12A

Q13E

Q14B

Q15D

Q16D

Q17B

Q18D

Q19A

Q20B

Q21C

Q22C

Q23B

Q24B

Q25A

Q26A

Q27A

Q28B

Q29B

Q30C

Q31D

Q32A

Q33C

Q34D

Q35B, C

Q36D

Q37D

Q38B

Q39A

Q40C

Q41D

Q42E

Q43A

Q44B

Q45D

Q46D

Q47C

Q48B

Q49B

Q50A

Q51B

Q52C

Q53B

Q54A

Q55D

Q56B

Q57C

Q58C

Q59A

Q60D

Q61C

Q62E

Q63D

Q64A

Q65B

Q66A

Q67B

Q68B

Q69C

Q70A

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