Reading Comprehension 03
Reading Comprehension - 03 - Interactive Quiz
Take this interactive quiz with 15 questions. Topic: Reading Comprehension (English Language) Total Questions: 15 Total Marks : 15 Total Time : 12 Minutes Each question carries 1 mark. Negative Marking: -0.25…
Question 1: How is this new system of sending secret messages better than existing systems?
- It uses hairdryers instead of more archaic drying methods which ruined the paper, preventing multiple use of the same paper.
- It does not use messages that are easy to crack, which was a problem with previous systems.
- It makes use of the latest digital technology which is impossible to hack into.
- It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times.
- It makes use of the process of natural evaporation to remove messages which could not be removed previously.
Question 2: Why are hairdryers necessary for the newly invented technique of sending invisible messages?
- Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers
- Because when dried under a hairdryer for half a minute, the paper will break down and hence the message will not be accessible
- Because one of the few ways to read the message is to heat it for a few seconds with a hairdryer
- Because when the message is subjected to the heat from a hairdryer for a minute will the message cease to exist
- Because in order to preserve the message for three months under ambient conditions, it is necessary to expose it to the heat from hairdryers
Question 3: What future plans does the team have for this system of sending hidden messages?
- Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used
- Finding a source of UV light with short wavelength so that the message can be read
- Using lemon juice and hot irons
- Only (a) and (b)
- Implementing time-based imaging technique
Question 4: Which of the following is synonymous with AMBIENT as used in the passage?
- Abominable
- Surrounding
- Akin
- Regular
- Reminiscent
Question 5: Which of the following is opposite in meaning to WIDESPREAD as used in the passage?
- Nonchalant
- Relegated
- Extensive
- Restricted
- Ubiquitous
Question 6: Which of the following statements from the passage tells us that this method is cost…
- The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer.
- The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals.
- So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny.
- All of the above
- However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Question 7: What is the central argument in the final paragraph of the passage?
- Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper.
- Why and how any different approach will surely fail to produce the same result.
- Why and how hairdryers are important to the removal and hence, security of the message.
- Why the paper can last up to months on end before breaking down.
- The properties of UV light.
Question 8: Why do we still need to rely on messages on paper when everything is dependent…
- Because paper is eco-friendly and does not consume electricity unlike digital mediums
- Because the same paper can be used several times
- Digital forums are not as susceptible to breaking down like paper is
- Because this technique uses pure water, which can be used on no other medium but paper
- Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage
Question 9: Why does the passage mention future projections of AC usage up to 2050?
- To show cooling technology is rapidly becoming irrelevant due to climate collapse
- To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency
- To argue that cooling demand will plateau after 2030
- To prove that governments are actively banning new AC units
- To show that AC usage is decreasing in most regions of the world
Question 10: What does the concept of "climate guilt" in the passage imply about individual environmental action?
- People believe small actions like recycling are pointless.
- Personal behaviour alone can completely reverse climate change.
- Most people refuse to change their habits despite knowing the consequences.
- Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed.
- Governments are enforcing strict behavioral guidelines.
Question 11: What can be inferred about older AC models compared to newer ones?
- They are significantly less energy-efficient.
- They are fully carbon-neutral technologies.
- They contribute less to warming because they run less often.
- They are cheaper but environmentally beneficial.
- They are required by law to be replaced after 15 years.
Question 12: Which of the following best sums up the key message in the final paragraph of…
- Technological upgrades alone can solve global warming.
- Only wealthy people are capable of being responsible climate citizens.
- Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure.
- Comfort must always be prioritized above environmental concerns.
- Human behaviour cannot influence climate impact in any meaningful way.
Question 13: Why does the author call air conditioning a "guilty pleasure"?
- It is illegal to use AC during heat waves.
- AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort.
- People enjoy it only because they're pressured by society to stay cool.
- Most people cannot afford to install AC units.
- Air conditioning is outdated compared to older cooling methods.
Question 14: Which of the following is closest in meaning to 'SWELTERING' as used in the passage?
- sultry
- dreary
- frigid
- inhibited
- unbearable
Question 15: Which of the following is opposite in meaning to 'AMELIORATE' as used in the passage?
- contend
- admire
- differentiate
- aggravate
- improve
Reading Comprehension - 03
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Topic: Reading Comprehension (English Language)
Total Questions: 15
Total Marks : 15
Total Time : 12 Minutes
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Question 1
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
How is this new system of sending secret messages better than existing systems?
Correct! The correct answer is D: It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times. The passage states that the new approach uses materials with very low toxicity and allows the paper to be reused up to 30 times.
Meanings of the options:
1. It uses hairdryers instead of more archaic drying methods which ruined the paper, preventing multiple use of the same paper: “uses hairdryers instead of archaic methods” || “पुरानी विधियों के स्थान पर हेयरड्रायर का उपयोग”
2. It does not use messages that are easy to crack, which was a problem with previous systems: “messages are not easy to crack” || “संदेश आसानी से क्रैक नहीं होते”
3. It makes use of the latest digital technology which is impossible to hack into: “uses latest digital technology” || “नवीनतम डिजिटल तकनीक का उपयोग”
4. It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times: “low toxicity and reusable paper” || “कम विषाक्तता और पुन: उपयोग योग्य कागज”
5. It makes use of the process of natural evaporation to remove messages which could not be removed previously: “uses natural evaporation to remove messages” || “संदेश हटाने के लिए प्राकृतिक वाष्पीकरण का उपयोग”
Question 2
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Why are hairdryers necessary for the newly invented technique of sending invisible messages?
Correct! The correct answer is A: Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers. The passage states that the message can last for more than three months without a hairdryer, and heating it for 30 seconds makes it disappear.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers: “messages last 3 months; hairdryers remove them earlier” || “संदेश 3 महीने तक रहते हैं; हेयरड्रायर से पहले हटाए जा सकते हैं”
2. Because when dried under a hairdryer for half a minute, the paper will break down and hence the message will not be accessible: “paper breaks down after 30 seconds” || “30 सेकंड में कागज टूट जाता है”
3. Because one of the few ways to read the message is to heat it for a few seconds with a hairdryer: “heating helps read the message” || “गर्म करने से संदेश पढ़ा जा सकता है”
4. Because when the message is subjected to the heat from a hairdryer for a minute will the message cease to exist: “message disappears after 1 minute” || “1 मिनट में संदेश गायब हो जाता है”
5. Because in order to preserve the message for three months under ambient conditions, it is necessary to expose it to the heat from hairdryers: “heat preserves the message” || “गर्मी से संदेश सुरक्षित रहता है”
Question 3
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
What future plans does the team have for this system of sending hidden messages?
Correct! The correct answer is A: Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used. The passage states that the team believes finding a good substrate to replace filter paper will further improve the cycle numbers.
Meanings of the options:
1. Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used: “find a replacement for filter paper to increase reusability” || “पुन: उपयोग बढ़ाने के लिए फिल्टर पेपर का विकल्प खोजना”
2. Finding a source of UV light with short wavelength so that the message can be read: “find short wavelength UV light” || “शॉर्ट वेवलेंथ यूवी लाइट खोजना”
3. Using lemon juice and hot irons: “using lemon juice and hot irons” || “नींबू का रस और गर्म इस्त्री का उपयोग”
4. Only (a) and (b): “both first and second options” || “केवल (a) और (b)”
5. Implementing time-based imaging technique: “implement time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग तकनीक लागू करना”
Question 4
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Which of the following is synonymous with AMBIENT as used in the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is B: Surrounding. “Ambient” refers to the immediate surroundings of something, and “surrounding” means the same thing.
Meanings of the options:
1. Abominable: “repulsive or detestable” || “घृणित”
2. Surrounding: “the immediate environment or area around something” || “आसपास का”
3. Akin: “similar or related” || “समान”
4. Regular: “usual or normal” || “नियमित”
5. Reminiscent: “reminding of something” || “स्मरण दिलाने वाला”
Question 5
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Which of the following is opposite in meaning to WIDESPREAD as used in the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is D: Restricted. “Widespread” means extending over a large area, and “restricted” means limited, which is the opposite.
Meanings of the options:
1. Nonchalant: “calm and relaxed” || “उदासीन”
2. Relegated: “assigned an inferior position” || “निचले पद पर रखा गया”
3. Extensive: “covering a large area” || “व्यापक”
4. Restricted: “limited” || “प्रतिबंधित/सीमित”
5. Ubiquitous: “commonplace” || “सर्वव्यापी”
Question 6
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Which of the following statements from the passage tells us that this method is cost effective?
Correct! The correct answer is C: So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. This statement tells us how little each printing costs.
Meanings of the options:
1. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer: “describes the process” || “प्रक्रिया का वर्णन”
2. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals: “describes the method” || “विधि का वर्णन”
3. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny: “cost-effective and reusable” || “लागत प्रभावी और पुन: उपयोग योग्य”
4. All of the above: “all statements” || “उपरोक्त सभी”
5. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques: “about time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग के बारे में”
Question 7
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
What is the central argument in the final paragraph of the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is A: Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper. The final paragraph explains that melting the polymer coating allows the structure to be restored after water evaporates, enabling reuse.
Meanings of the options:
1. Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper: “polymer coating enables reuse” || “पॉलिमर कोटिंग पुन: उपयोग को सक्षम बनाती है”
2. Why and how any different approach will surely fail to produce the same result: “other approaches will fail” || “अन्य दृष्टिकोण विफल होंगे”
3. Why and how hairdryers are important to the removal and hence, security of the message: “hairdryers remove messages” || “हेयरड्रायर संदेश हटाते हैं”
4. Why the paper can last up to months on end before breaking down: “paper lasts months” || “कागज महीनों तक चलता है”
5. The properties of UV light: “properties of UV light” || “यूवी प्रकाश के गुण”
Question 8
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.
Why do we still need to rely on messages on paper when everything is dependent on technology today?
Correct! The correct answer is E: Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage. The passage states that paper is still widely used because data leakage is a global problem with digital media.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because paper is eco-friendly and does not consume electricity unlike digital mediums: “paper is eco-friendly” || “कागज पर्यावरण के अनुकूल है”
2. Because the same paper can be used several times: “paper is reusable” || “कागज पुन: उपयोग योग्य है”
3. Digital forums are not as susceptible to breaking down like paper is: “digital is more durable” || “डिजिटल अधिक टिकाऊ है”
4. Because this technique uses pure water, which can be used on no other medium but paper: “pure water only works on paper” || “शुद्ध पानी केवल कागज पर काम करता है”
5. Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage: “paper prevents data leakage” || “कागज डेटा लीक से बचाता है”
Question 9
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
Why does the passage mention future projections of AC usage up to 2050?
Correct! The correct answer is B: To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency. The passage projects tripling AC usage by 2050 to show the worsening climate spiral.
Meanings of the options:
1. To show cooling technology is rapidly becoming irrelevant due to climate collapse: “cooling technology is becoming irrelevant” || “कूलिंग तकनीक अप्रासंगिक हो रही है”
2. To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency: “show long-term environmental effects” || “बढ़ती एसी निर्भरता के दीर्घकालिक पर्यावरणीय परिणाम”
3. To argue that cooling demand will plateau after 2030: “cooling demand will plateau” || “कूलिंग मांग स्थिर हो जाएगी”
4. To prove that governments are actively banning new AC units: “governments are banning AC units” || “सरकारें नई एसी इकाइयों पर प्रतिबंध लगा रही हैं”
5. To show that AC usage is decreasing in most regions of the world: “AC usage is decreasing” || “एसी का उपयोग घट रहा है”
Question 10
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
What does the concept of “climate guilt” in the passage imply about individual environmental action?
Correct! The correct answer is D: Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed. Climate guilt includes personal responsibility and shame even though systemic solutions are also needed.
Meanings of the options:
1. People believe small actions like recycling are pointless: “small actions are useless” || “छोटे कार्य बेकार हैं”
2. Personal behaviour alone can completely reverse climate change: “behaviour alone can reverse climate change” || “अकेले व्यवहार से जलवायु परिवर्तन रोका जा सकता है”
3. Most people refuse to change their habits despite knowing the consequences: “people refuse to change habits” || “लोग आदतें बदलने से इनकार करते हैं”
4. Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed: “feel responsible despite need for systemic solutions” || “व्यवस्थागत समाधानों की आवश्यकता के बावजूद ज़िम्मेदार महसूस करना”
5. Governments are enforcing strict behavioral guidelines: “governments enforce strict guidelines” || “सरकारें सख्त दिशानिर्देश लागू कर रही हैं”
Question 11
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
What can be inferred about older AC models compared to newer ones?
Correct! The correct answer is A: They are significantly less energy-efficient. The passage advises scrapping older models to reduce carbon footprint, implying they are less efficient.
Meanings of the options:
1. They are significantly less energy-efficient: “older models are less efficient” || “पुराने मॉडल कम ऊर्जा कुशल हैं”
2. They are fully carbon-neutral technologies: “fully carbon-neutral” || “पूरी तरह कार्बन-तटस्थ”
3. They contribute less to warming because they run less often: “contribute less to warming” || “गर्मी में कम योगदान”
4. They are cheaper but environmentally beneficial: “cheaper and beneficial” || “सस्ते और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल”
5. They are required by law to be replaced after 15 years: “legally required to be replaced” || “कानूनी रूप से बदलना अनिवार्य”
Question 12
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
Which of the following best sums up the key message in the final paragraph of the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is C: Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure. The final paragraph discusses both system changes (insulation, new models) and behaviour changes (dress codes, thermostats).
Meanings of the options:
1. Technological upgrades alone can solve global warming: “only technology can solve” || “अकेले तकनीकी उन्नयन से समस्या हल हो सकती है”
2. Only wealthy people are capable of being responsible climate citizens: “only wealthy can be responsible” || “केवल अमीर लोग जिम्मेदार हो सकते हैं”
3. Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure: “both behaviour and infrastructure” || “व्यवहार और बुनियादी ढाँचा दोनों”
4. Comfort must always be prioritized above environmental concerns: “comfort above environment” || “आराम को पर्यावरण से ऊपर प्राथमिकता”
5. Human behaviour cannot influence climate impact in any meaningful way: “behaviour has no impact” || “मानव व्यवहार का कोई प्रभाव नहीं”
Question 13
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
Why does the author call air conditioning a “guilty pleasure”?
Correct! The correct answer is B: AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort. “Guilty pleasure” refers to something enjoyable that has negative consequences, here AC’s comfort vs. climate impact.
Meanings of the options:
1. It is illegal to use AC during heat waves: “illegal to use AC” || “हीट वेव में एसी का उपयोग अवैध है”
2. AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort: “AC causes climate change but provides comfort” || “एसी आराम देता है लेकिन जलवायु परिवर्तन में योगदान देता है”
3. People enjoy it only because they’re pressured by society to stay cool: “society pressures people to stay cool” || “समाज दबाव डालता है”
4. Most people cannot afford to install AC units: “people can’t afford AC” || “अधिकांश लोग एसी नहीं खरीद सकते”
5. Air conditioning is outdated compared to older cooling methods: “AC is outdated” || “एसी पुरानी तकनीक है”
Question 14
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
Which of the following is closest in meaning to ‘SWELTERING’ as used in the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is A: sultry. “Sweltering” means uncomfortably hot and humid, and “sultry” is its synonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. sultry: “hot and humid” || “उमस भरा”
2. dreary: “uninteresting and dull” || “नीरस”
3. frigid: “very cold” || “अत्यधिक ठंडा”
4. inhibited: “limited or restrained” || “संकोची”
5. unbearable: “hard to tolerate” || “असहनीय”
Question 15
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.
Which of the following is opposite in meaning to ‘AMELIORATE’ as used in the passage?
Correct! The correct answer is D: aggravate. “Ameliorate” means to make something better, and “aggravate” means to worsen, making it the antonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. contend: “to strongly argue” || “जोर देकर कहना”
2. admire: “to regard with respect” || “प्रशंसा करना”
3. differentiate: “to distinguish between things” || “अंतर करना”
4. aggravate: “to make worse” || “बदतर करना”
5. improve: “to make better” || “सुधारना”
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Question 1 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
1. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.How is this new system of sending secret messages better than existing systems?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is D: It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times. The passage states that the new approach uses materials with very low toxicity and allows the paper to be reused up to 30 times.
Meanings of the options:
1. It uses hairdryers instead of more archaic drying methods which ruined the paper, preventing multiple use of the same paper: “uses hairdryers instead of archaic methods” || “पुरानी विधियों के स्थान पर हेयरड्रायर का उपयोग”
2. It does not use messages that are easy to crack, which was a problem with previous systems: “messages are not easy to crack” || “संदेश आसानी से क्रैक नहीं होते”
3. It makes use of the latest digital technology which is impossible to hack into: “uses latest digital technology” || “नवीनतम डिजिटल तकनीक का उपयोग”
4. It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times: “low toxicity and reusable paper” || “कम विषाक्तता और पुन: उपयोग योग्य कागज”
5. It makes use of the process of natural evaporation to remove messages which could not be removed previously: “uses natural evaporation to remove messages” || “संदेश हटाने के लिए प्राकृतिक वाष्पीकरण का उपयोग”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times. The passage states that the new approach uses materials with very low toxicity and allows the paper to be reused up to 30 times.
Meanings of the options:
1. It uses hairdryers instead of more archaic drying methods which ruined the paper, preventing multiple use of the same paper: “uses hairdryers instead of archaic methods” || “पुरानी विधियों के स्थान पर हेयरड्रायर का उपयोग”
2. It does not use messages that are easy to crack, which was a problem with previous systems: “messages are not easy to crack” || “संदेश आसानी से क्रैक नहीं होते”
3. It makes use of the latest digital technology which is impossible to hack into: “uses latest digital technology” || “नवीनतम डिजिटल तकनीक का उपयोग”
4. It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times: “low toxicity and reusable paper” || “कम विषाक्तता और पुन: उपयोग योग्य कागज”
5. It makes use of the process of natural evaporation to remove messages which could not be removed previously: “uses natural evaporation to remove messages” || “संदेश हटाने के लिए प्राकृतिक वाष्पीकरण का उपयोग”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times. The passage states that the new approach uses materials with very low toxicity and allows the paper to be reused up to 30 times.
Meanings of the options:
1. It uses hairdryers instead of more archaic drying methods which ruined the paper, preventing multiple use of the same paper: “uses hairdryers instead of archaic methods” || “पुरानी विधियों के स्थान पर हेयरड्रायर का उपयोग”
2. It does not use messages that are easy to crack, which was a problem with previous systems: “messages are not easy to crack” || “संदेश आसानी से क्रैक नहीं होते”
3. It makes use of the latest digital technology which is impossible to hack into: “uses latest digital technology” || “नवीनतम डिजिटल तकनीक का उपयोग”
4. It makes use of material with low toxicity and allows for the paper to be reused several times: “low toxicity and reusable paper” || “कम विषाक्तता और पुन: उपयोग योग्य कागज”
5. It makes use of the process of natural evaporation to remove messages which could not be removed previously: “uses natural evaporation to remove messages” || “संदेश हटाने के लिए प्राकृतिक वाष्पीकरण का उपयोग”
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Question 2 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
2. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.Why are hairdryers necessary for the newly invented technique of sending invisible messages?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is A: Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers. The passage states that the message can last for more than three months without a hairdryer, and heating it for 30 seconds makes it disappear.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers: “messages last 3 months; hairdryers remove them earlier” || “संदेश 3 महीने तक रहते हैं; हेयरड्रायर से पहले हटाए जा सकते हैं”
2. Because when dried under a hairdryer for half a minute, the paper will break down and hence the message will not be accessible: “paper breaks down after 30 seconds” || “30 सेकंड में कागज टूट जाता है”
3. Because one of the few ways to read the message is to heat it for a few seconds with a hairdryer: “heating helps read the message” || “गर्म करने से संदेश पढ़ा जा सकता है”
4. Because when the message is subjected to the heat from a hairdryer for a minute will the message cease to exist: “message disappears after 1 minute” || “1 मिनट में संदेश गायब हो जाता है”
5. Because in order to preserve the message for three months under ambient conditions, it is necessary to expose it to the heat from hairdryers: “heat preserves the message” || “गर्मी से संदेश सुरक्षित रहता है”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers. The passage states that the message can last for more than three months without a hairdryer, and heating it for 30 seconds makes it disappear.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers: “messages last 3 months; hairdryers remove them earlier” || “संदेश 3 महीने तक रहते हैं; हेयरड्रायर से पहले हटाए जा सकते हैं”
2. Because when dried under a hairdryer for half a minute, the paper will break down and hence the message will not be accessible: “paper breaks down after 30 seconds” || “30 सेकंड में कागज टूट जाता है”
3. Because one of the few ways to read the message is to heat it for a few seconds with a hairdryer: “heating helps read the message” || “गर्म करने से संदेश पढ़ा जा सकता है”
4. Because when the message is subjected to the heat from a hairdryer for a minute will the message cease to exist: “message disappears after 1 minute” || “1 मिनट में संदेश गायब हो जाता है”
5. Because in order to preserve the message for three months under ambient conditions, it is necessary to expose it to the heat from hairdryers: “heat preserves the message” || “गर्मी से संदेश सुरक्षित रहता है”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers. The passage states that the message can last for more than three months without a hairdryer, and heating it for 30 seconds makes it disappear.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because the messages do not disappear on their own till before 3 months and can be made to disappear earlier with hairdryers: “messages last 3 months; hairdryers remove them earlier” || “संदेश 3 महीने तक रहते हैं; हेयरड्रायर से पहले हटाए जा सकते हैं”
2. Because when dried under a hairdryer for half a minute, the paper will break down and hence the message will not be accessible: “paper breaks down after 30 seconds” || “30 सेकंड में कागज टूट जाता है”
3. Because one of the few ways to read the message is to heat it for a few seconds with a hairdryer: “heating helps read the message” || “गर्म करने से संदेश पढ़ा जा सकता है”
4. Because when the message is subjected to the heat from a hairdryer for a minute will the message cease to exist: “message disappears after 1 minute” || “1 मिनट में संदेश गायब हो जाता है”
5. Because in order to preserve the message for three months under ambient conditions, it is necessary to expose it to the heat from hairdryers: “heat preserves the message” || “गर्मी से संदेश सुरक्षित रहता है”
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Question 3 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
3. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.What future plans does the team have for this system of sending hidden messages?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is A: Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used. The passage states that the team believes finding a good substrate to replace filter paper will further improve the cycle numbers.
Meanings of the options:
1. Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used: “find a replacement for filter paper to increase reusability” || “पुन: उपयोग बढ़ाने के लिए फिल्टर पेपर का विकल्प खोजना”
2. Finding a source of UV light with short wavelength so that the message can be read: “find short wavelength UV light” || “शॉर्ट वेवलेंथ यूवी लाइट खोजना”
3. Using lemon juice and hot irons: “using lemon juice and hot irons” || “नींबू का रस और गर्म इस्त्री का उपयोग”
4. Only (a) and (b): “both first and second options” || “केवल (a) और (b)”
5. Implementing time-based imaging technique: “implement time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग तकनीक लागू करना”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used. The passage states that the team believes finding a good substrate to replace filter paper will further improve the cycle numbers.
Meanings of the options:
1. Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used: “find a replacement for filter paper to increase reusability” || “पुन: उपयोग बढ़ाने के लिए फिल्टर पेपर का विकल्प खोजना”
2. Finding a source of UV light with short wavelength so that the message can be read: “find short wavelength UV light” || “शॉर्ट वेवलेंथ यूवी लाइट खोजना”
3. Using lemon juice and hot irons: “using lemon juice and hot irons” || “नींबू का रस और गर्म इस्त्री का उपयोग”
4. Only (a) and (b): “both first and second options” || “केवल (a) और (b)”
5. Implementing time-based imaging technique: “implement time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग तकनीक लागू करना”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used. The passage states that the team believes finding a good substrate to replace filter paper will further improve the cycle numbers.
Meanings of the options:
1. Finding a substitute for the filter paper that will increase the number of times the same paper can be used: “find a replacement for filter paper to increase reusability” || “पुन: उपयोग बढ़ाने के लिए फिल्टर पेपर का विकल्प खोजना”
2. Finding a source of UV light with short wavelength so that the message can be read: “find short wavelength UV light” || “शॉर्ट वेवलेंथ यूवी लाइट खोजना”
3. Using lemon juice and hot irons: “using lemon juice and hot irons” || “नींबू का रस और गर्म इस्त्री का उपयोग”
4. Only (a) and (b): “both first and second options” || “केवल (a) और (b)”
5. Implementing time-based imaging technique: “implement time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग तकनीक लागू करना”
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Question 4 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
4. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.Which of the following is synonymous with AMBIENT as used in the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is B: Surrounding. “Ambient” refers to the immediate surroundings of something, and “surrounding” means the same thing.
Meanings of the options:
1. Abominable: “repulsive or detestable” || “घृणित”
2. Surrounding: “the immediate environment or area around something” || “आसपास का”
3. Akin: “similar or related” || “समान”
4. Regular: “usual or normal” || “नियमित”
5. Reminiscent: “reminding of something” || “स्मरण दिलाने वाला”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: Surrounding. “Ambient” refers to the immediate surroundings of something, and “surrounding” means the same thing.
Meanings of the options:
1. Abominable: “repulsive or detestable” || “घृणित”
2. Surrounding: “the immediate environment or area around something” || “आसपास का”
3. Akin: “similar or related” || “समान”
4. Regular: “usual or normal” || “नियमित”
5. Reminiscent: “reminding of something” || “स्मरण दिलाने वाला”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: Surrounding. “Ambient” refers to the immediate surroundings of something, and “surrounding” means the same thing.
Meanings of the options:
1. Abominable: “repulsive or detestable” || “घृणित”
2. Surrounding: “the immediate environment or area around something” || “आसपास का”
3. Akin: “similar or related” || “समान”
4. Regular: “usual or normal” || “नियमित”
5. Reminiscent: “reminding of something” || “स्मरण दिलाने वाला”
-
Question 5 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
5. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.Which of the following is opposite in meaning to WIDESPREAD as used in the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is D: Restricted. “Widespread” means extending over a large area, and “restricted” means limited, which is the opposite.
Meanings of the options:
1. Nonchalant: “calm and relaxed” || “उदासीन”
2. Relegated: “assigned an inferior position” || “निचले पद पर रखा गया”
3. Extensive: “covering a large area” || “व्यापक”
4. Restricted: “limited” || “प्रतिबंधित/सीमित”
5. Ubiquitous: “commonplace” || “सर्वव्यापी”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: Restricted. “Widespread” means extending over a large area, and “restricted” means limited, which is the opposite.
Meanings of the options:
1. Nonchalant: “calm and relaxed” || “उदासीन”
2. Relegated: “assigned an inferior position” || “निचले पद पर रखा गया”
3. Extensive: “covering a large area” || “व्यापक”
4. Restricted: “limited” || “प्रतिबंधित/सीमित”
5. Ubiquitous: “commonplace” || “सर्वव्यापी”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: Restricted. “Widespread” means extending over a large area, and “restricted” means limited, which is the opposite.
Meanings of the options:
1. Nonchalant: “calm and relaxed” || “उदासीन”
2. Relegated: “assigned an inferior position” || “निचले पद पर रखा गया”
3. Extensive: “covering a large area” || “व्यापक”
4. Restricted: “limited” || “प्रतिबंधित/सीमित”
5. Ubiquitous: “commonplace” || “सर्वव्यापी”
-
Question 6 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
6. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.Which of the following statements from the passage tells us that this method is cost effective?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is C: So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. This statement tells us how little each printing costs.
Meanings of the options:
1. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer: “describes the process” || “प्रक्रिया का वर्णन”
2. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals: “describes the method” || “विधि का वर्णन”
3. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny: “cost-effective and reusable” || “लागत प्रभावी और पुन: उपयोग योग्य”
4. All of the above: “all statements” || “उपरोक्त सभी”
5. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques: “about time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग के बारे में”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is C: So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. This statement tells us how little each printing costs.
Meanings of the options:
1. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer: “describes the process” || “प्रक्रिया का वर्णन”
2. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals: “describes the method” || “विधि का वर्णन”
3. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny: “cost-effective and reusable” || “लागत प्रभावी और पुन: उपयोग योग्य”
4. All of the above: “all statements” || “उपरोक्त सभी”
5. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques: “about time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग के बारे में”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is C: So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. This statement tells us how little each printing costs.
Meanings of the options:
1. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer: “describes the process” || “प्रक्रिया का वर्णन”
2. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals: “describes the method” || “विधि का वर्णन”
3. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny: “cost-effective and reusable” || “लागत प्रभावी और पुन: उपयोग योग्य”
4. All of the above: “all statements” || “उपरोक्त सभी”
5. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques: “about time-based imaging” || “टाइम-बेस्ड इमेजिंग के बारे में”
-
Question 7 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
7. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.What is the central argument in the final paragraph of the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is A: Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper. The final paragraph explains that melting the polymer coating allows the structure to be restored after water evaporates, enabling reuse.
Meanings of the options:
1. Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper: “polymer coating enables reuse” || “पॉलिमर कोटिंग पुन: उपयोग को सक्षम बनाती है”
2. Why and how any different approach will surely fail to produce the same result: “other approaches will fail” || “अन्य दृष्टिकोण विफल होंगे”
3. Why and how hairdryers are important to the removal and hence, security of the message: “hairdryers remove messages” || “हेयरड्रायर संदेश हटाते हैं”
4. Why the paper can last up to months on end before breaking down: “paper lasts months” || “कागज महीनों तक चलता है”
5. The properties of UV light: “properties of UV light” || “यूवी प्रकाश के गुण”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper. The final paragraph explains that melting the polymer coating allows the structure to be restored after water evaporates, enabling reuse.
Meanings of the options:
1. Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper: “polymer coating enables reuse” || “पॉलिमर कोटिंग पुन: उपयोग को सक्षम बनाती है”
2. Why and how any different approach will surely fail to produce the same result: “other approaches will fail” || “अन्य दृष्टिकोण विफल होंगे”
3. Why and how hairdryers are important to the removal and hence, security of the message: “hairdryers remove messages” || “हेयरड्रायर संदेश हटाते हैं”
4. Why the paper can last up to months on end before breaking down: “paper lasts months” || “कागज महीनों तक चलता है”
5. The properties of UV light: “properties of UV light” || “यूवी प्रकाश के गुण”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper. The final paragraph explains that melting the polymer coating allows the structure to be restored after water evaporates, enabling reuse.
Meanings of the options:
1. Why and how polymer coating is important to the reuse of the paper: “polymer coating enables reuse” || “पॉलिमर कोटिंग पुन: उपयोग को सक्षम बनाती है”
2. Why and how any different approach will surely fail to produce the same result: “other approaches will fail” || “अन्य दृष्टिकोण विफल होंगे”
3. Why and how hairdryers are important to the removal and hence, security of the message: “hairdryers remove messages” || “हेयरड्रायर संदेश हटाते हैं”
4. Why the paper can last up to months on end before breaking down: “paper lasts months” || “कागज महीनों तक चलता है”
5. The properties of UV light: “properties of UV light” || “यूवी प्रकाश के गुण”
-
Question 8 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
8. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Forget lemon juice and hot irons, there is a new way to write and read invisible messages – and it can be used again and again. The approach, developed by researchers in China, involves using water to print messages on paper coated with manganese-containing chemicals. The message, invisible to the naked eye, can be read by shining UV light on the paper. With the use of hot air from a hairdryer, the message can be erased and the paper reused.
Despite digital communications and data security becoming more sophisticated, the study's authors said finding ways to securely send hard copy messages remained important. "Data leakage has become a global problem with terrible consequences including outbreaks of war and severe economic and social issues," they say in the study "Although electronic media have become indispensable in our daily lives, paper is still the most widespread medium for information storage, and many important documents are still paper based."
Writing in the journal Matter, the team say other approaches to "secure printing" include the use of fluorescent inks that can only be seen under UV light. However, they say these have drawbacks, including that they cannot be erased and the paper reused, and are predictable – meaning the messages, once found, can be easily cracked. The team report that they have developed a number of solutions to tackle each of these problems. The new approach involves coating filter paper with a polymer that has manganese-containing chemicals, which can absorb UV light and emit green light, and then printing messages on this paper with pure water using an inkjet printer. The team said the materials have very low toxicity. When the pure water interacts with the manganese-containing chemicals, it disrupts their structure, hence their photoluminescent properties. The upshot is that while the message cannot be seen with the naked eye, it shows up as a dark drawing under short wavelength UV light. If the paper is heated under a hairdryer for about 30 seconds, the message disappears. So far, the researchers have managed to reuse the paper up to 30 times before it breaks down – with each print costing fractions of a penny. "If we can find a good substrate to replace filter paper, we believe the cycle numbers will be further improved," said Dr Yun Ma, the co-author of the study, from Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications. The authors said the message did not simply disappear with evaporation of water in the absence of a hairdryer, and it can last for more than three months under ambient conditions.
One possible explanation, they say, is that it might be necessary to melt the polymer coating to allow the necessary movement for the structure (and hence photoluminescence) of the manganese-containing chemicals to be restored after the water has evaporated. The team also took a different approach, using two manganese-containing inks to print a message and background on a different type of coated filter paper. The message cannot be seen by the naked eye or, importantly, under UV light since the similarity in the inks means both it and the background emit light of a very similar wavelength and intensity under UV illumination. However, the message emits light over a longer period of time than the background, meaning it can be read using time-based imaging techniques.Why do we still need to rely on messages on paper when everything is dependent on technology today?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is E: Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage. The passage states that paper is still widely used because data leakage is a global problem with digital media.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because paper is eco-friendly and does not consume electricity unlike digital mediums: “paper is eco-friendly” || “कागज पर्यावरण के अनुकूल है”
2. Because the same paper can be used several times: “paper is reusable” || “कागज पुन: उपयोग योग्य है”
3. Digital forums are not as susceptible to breaking down like paper is: “digital is more durable” || “डिजिटल अधिक टिकाऊ है”
4. Because this technique uses pure water, which can be used on no other medium but paper: “pure water only works on paper” || “शुद्ध पानी केवल कागज पर काम करता है”
5. Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage: “paper prevents data leakage” || “कागज डेटा लीक से बचाता है”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is E: Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage. The passage states that paper is still widely used because data leakage is a global problem with digital media.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because paper is eco-friendly and does not consume electricity unlike digital mediums: “paper is eco-friendly” || “कागज पर्यावरण के अनुकूल है”
2. Because the same paper can be used several times: “paper is reusable” || “कागज पुन: उपयोग योग्य है”
3. Digital forums are not as susceptible to breaking down like paper is: “digital is more durable” || “डिजिटल अधिक टिकाऊ है”
4. Because this technique uses pure water, which can be used on no other medium but paper: “pure water only works on paper” || “शुद्ध पानी केवल कागज पर काम करता है”
5. Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage: “paper prevents data leakage” || “कागज डेटा लीक से बचाता है”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is E: Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage. The passage states that paper is still widely used because data leakage is a global problem with digital media.
Meanings of the options:
1. Because paper is eco-friendly and does not consume electricity unlike digital mediums: “paper is eco-friendly” || “कागज पर्यावरण के अनुकूल है”
2. Because the same paper can be used several times: “paper is reusable” || “कागज पुन: उपयोग योग्य है”
3. Digital forums are not as susceptible to breaking down like paper is: “digital is more durable” || “डिजिटल अधिक टिकाऊ है”
4. Because this technique uses pure water, which can be used on no other medium but paper: “pure water only works on paper” || “शुद्ध पानी केवल कागज पर काम करता है”
5. Because paper is not susceptible to data leakage: “paper prevents data leakage” || “कागज डेटा लीक से बचाता है”
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Question 9 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
9. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.Why does the passage mention future projections of AC usage up to 2050?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is B: To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency. The passage projects tripling AC usage by 2050 to show the worsening climate spiral.
Meanings of the options:
1. To show cooling technology is rapidly becoming irrelevant due to climate collapse: “cooling technology is becoming irrelevant” || “कूलिंग तकनीक अप्रासंगिक हो रही है”
2. To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency: “show long-term environmental effects” || “बढ़ती एसी निर्भरता के दीर्घकालिक पर्यावरणीय परिणाम”
3. To argue that cooling demand will plateau after 2030: “cooling demand will plateau” || “कूलिंग मांग स्थिर हो जाएगी”
4. To prove that governments are actively banning new AC units: “governments are banning AC units” || “सरकारें नई एसी इकाइयों पर प्रतिबंध लगा रही हैं”
5. To show that AC usage is decreasing in most regions of the world: “AC usage is decreasing” || “एसी का उपयोग घट रहा है”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency. The passage projects tripling AC usage by 2050 to show the worsening climate spiral.
Meanings of the options:
1. To show cooling technology is rapidly becoming irrelevant due to climate collapse: “cooling technology is becoming irrelevant” || “कूलिंग तकनीक अप्रासंगिक हो रही है”
2. To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency: “show long-term environmental effects” || “बढ़ती एसी निर्भरता के दीर्घकालिक पर्यावरणीय परिणाम”
3. To argue that cooling demand will plateau after 2030: “cooling demand will plateau” || “कूलिंग मांग स्थिर हो जाएगी”
4. To prove that governments are actively banning new AC units: “governments are banning AC units” || “सरकारें नई एसी इकाइयों पर प्रतिबंध लगा रही हैं”
5. To show that AC usage is decreasing in most regions of the world: “AC usage is decreasing” || “एसी का उपयोग घट रहा है”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency. The passage projects tripling AC usage by 2050 to show the worsening climate spiral.
Meanings of the options:
1. To show cooling technology is rapidly becoming irrelevant due to climate collapse: “cooling technology is becoming irrelevant” || “कूलिंग तकनीक अप्रासंगिक हो रही है”
2. To illustrate the long-term environmental consequences of growing AC dependency: “show long-term environmental effects” || “बढ़ती एसी निर्भरता के दीर्घकालिक पर्यावरणीय परिणाम”
3. To argue that cooling demand will plateau after 2030: “cooling demand will plateau” || “कूलिंग मांग स्थिर हो जाएगी”
4. To prove that governments are actively banning new AC units: “governments are banning AC units” || “सरकारें नई एसी इकाइयों पर प्रतिबंध लगा रही हैं”
5. To show that AC usage is decreasing in most regions of the world: “AC usage is decreasing” || “एसी का उपयोग घट रहा है”
-
Question 10 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
10. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.What does the concept of “climate guilt” in the passage imply about individual environmental action?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is D: Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed. Climate guilt includes personal responsibility and shame even though systemic solutions are also needed.
Meanings of the options:
1. People believe small actions like recycling are pointless: “small actions are useless” || “छोटे कार्य बेकार हैं”
2. Personal behaviour alone can completely reverse climate change: “behaviour alone can reverse climate change” || “अकेले व्यवहार से जलवायु परिवर्तन रोका जा सकता है”
3. Most people refuse to change their habits despite knowing the consequences: “people refuse to change habits” || “लोग आदतें बदलने से इनकार करते हैं”
4. Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed: “feel responsible despite need for systemic solutions” || “व्यवस्थागत समाधानों की आवश्यकता के बावजूद ज़िम्मेदार महसूस करना”
5. Governments are enforcing strict behavioral guidelines: “governments enforce strict guidelines” || “सरकारें सख्त दिशानिर्देश लागू कर रही हैं”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed. Climate guilt includes personal responsibility and shame even though systemic solutions are also needed.
Meanings of the options:
1. People believe small actions like recycling are pointless: “small actions are useless” || “छोटे कार्य बेकार हैं”
2. Personal behaviour alone can completely reverse climate change: “behaviour alone can reverse climate change” || “अकेले व्यवहार से जलवायु परिवर्तन रोका जा सकता है”
3. Most people refuse to change their habits despite knowing the consequences: “people refuse to change habits” || “लोग आदतें बदलने से इनकार करते हैं”
4. Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed: “feel responsible despite need for systemic solutions” || “व्यवस्थागत समाधानों की आवश्यकता के बावजूद ज़िम्मेदार महसूस करना”
5. Governments are enforcing strict behavioral guidelines: “governments enforce strict guidelines” || “सरकारें सख्त दिशानिर्देश लागू कर रही हैं”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed. Climate guilt includes personal responsibility and shame even though systemic solutions are also needed.
Meanings of the options:
1. People believe small actions like recycling are pointless: “small actions are useless” || “छोटे कार्य बेकार हैं”
2. Personal behaviour alone can completely reverse climate change: “behaviour alone can reverse climate change” || “अकेले व्यवहार से जलवायु परिवर्तन रोका जा सकता है”
3. Most people refuse to change their habits despite knowing the consequences: “people refuse to change habits” || “लोग आदतें बदलने से इनकार करते हैं”
4. Individuals feel responsible for environmental harm even when systemic solutions are needed: “feel responsible despite need for systemic solutions” || “व्यवस्थागत समाधानों की आवश्यकता के बावजूद ज़िम्मेदार महसूस करना”
5. Governments are enforcing strict behavioral guidelines: “governments enforce strict guidelines” || “सरकारें सख्त दिशानिर्देश लागू कर रही हैं”
-
Question 11 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
11. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.What can be inferred about older AC models compared to newer ones?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is A: They are significantly less energy-efficient. The passage advises scrapping older models to reduce carbon footprint, implying they are less efficient.
Meanings of the options:
1. They are significantly less energy-efficient: “older models are less efficient” || “पुराने मॉडल कम ऊर्जा कुशल हैं”
2. They are fully carbon-neutral technologies: “fully carbon-neutral” || “पूरी तरह कार्बन-तटस्थ”
3. They contribute less to warming because they run less often: “contribute less to warming” || “गर्मी में कम योगदान”
4. They are cheaper but environmentally beneficial: “cheaper and beneficial” || “सस्ते और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल”
5. They are required by law to be replaced after 15 years: “legally required to be replaced” || “कानूनी रूप से बदलना अनिवार्य”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: They are significantly less energy-efficient. The passage advises scrapping older models to reduce carbon footprint, implying they are less efficient.
Meanings of the options:
1. They are significantly less energy-efficient: “older models are less efficient” || “पुराने मॉडल कम ऊर्जा कुशल हैं”
2. They are fully carbon-neutral technologies: “fully carbon-neutral” || “पूरी तरह कार्बन-तटस्थ”
3. They contribute less to warming because they run less often: “contribute less to warming” || “गर्मी में कम योगदान”
4. They are cheaper but environmentally beneficial: “cheaper and beneficial” || “सस्ते और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल”
5. They are required by law to be replaced after 15 years: “legally required to be replaced” || “कानूनी रूप से बदलना अनिवार्य”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: They are significantly less energy-efficient. The passage advises scrapping older models to reduce carbon footprint, implying they are less efficient.
Meanings of the options:
1. They are significantly less energy-efficient: “older models are less efficient” || “पुराने मॉडल कम ऊर्जा कुशल हैं”
2. They are fully carbon-neutral technologies: “fully carbon-neutral” || “पूरी तरह कार्बन-तटस्थ”
3. They contribute less to warming because they run less often: “contribute less to warming” || “गर्मी में कम योगदान”
4. They are cheaper but environmentally beneficial: “cheaper and beneficial” || “सस्ते और पर्यावरण के अनुकूल”
5. They are required by law to be replaced after 15 years: “legally required to be replaced” || “कानूनी रूप से बदलना अनिवार्य”
-
Question 12 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
12. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.Which of the following best sums up the key message in the final paragraph of the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is C: Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure. The final paragraph discusses both system changes (insulation, new models) and behaviour changes (dress codes, thermostats).
Meanings of the options:
1. Technological upgrades alone can solve global warming: “only technology can solve” || “अकेले तकनीकी उन्नयन से समस्या हल हो सकती है”
2. Only wealthy people are capable of being responsible climate citizens: “only wealthy can be responsible” || “केवल अमीर लोग जिम्मेदार हो सकते हैं”
3. Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure: “both behaviour and infrastructure” || “व्यवहार और बुनियादी ढाँचा दोनों”
4. Comfort must always be prioritized above environmental concerns: “comfort above environment” || “आराम को पर्यावरण से ऊपर प्राथमिकता”
5. Human behaviour cannot influence climate impact in any meaningful way: “behaviour has no impact” || “मानव व्यवहार का कोई प्रभाव नहीं”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is C: Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure. The final paragraph discusses both system changes (insulation, new models) and behaviour changes (dress codes, thermostats).
Meanings of the options:
1. Technological upgrades alone can solve global warming: “only technology can solve” || “अकेले तकनीकी उन्नयन से समस्या हल हो सकती है”
2. Only wealthy people are capable of being responsible climate citizens: “only wealthy can be responsible” || “केवल अमीर लोग जिम्मेदार हो सकते हैं”
3. Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure: “both behaviour and infrastructure” || “व्यवहार और बुनियादी ढाँचा दोनों”
4. Comfort must always be prioritized above environmental concerns: “comfort above environment” || “आराम को पर्यावरण से ऊपर प्राथमिकता”
5. Human behaviour cannot influence climate impact in any meaningful way: “behaviour has no impact” || “मानव व्यवहार का कोई प्रभाव नहीं”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is C: Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure. The final paragraph discusses both system changes (insulation, new models) and behaviour changes (dress codes, thermostats).
Meanings of the options:
1. Technological upgrades alone can solve global warming: “only technology can solve” || “अकेले तकनीकी उन्नयन से समस्या हल हो सकती है”
2. Only wealthy people are capable of being responsible climate citizens: “only wealthy can be responsible” || “केवल अमीर लोग जिम्मेदार हो सकते हैं”
3. Climate solutions involve both behaviour modifications and improved infrastructure: “both behaviour and infrastructure” || “व्यवहार और बुनियादी ढाँचा दोनों”
4. Comfort must always be prioritized above environmental concerns: “comfort above environment” || “आराम को पर्यावरण से ऊपर प्राथमिकता”
5. Human behaviour cannot influence climate impact in any meaningful way: “behaviour has no impact” || “मानव व्यवहार का कोई प्रभाव नहीं”
-
Question 13 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
13. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.Why does the author call air conditioning a “guilty pleasure”?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is B: AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort. “Guilty pleasure” refers to something enjoyable that has negative consequences, here AC’s comfort vs. climate impact.
Meanings of the options:
1. It is illegal to use AC during heat waves: “illegal to use AC” || “हीट वेव में एसी का उपयोग अवैध है”
2. AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort: “AC causes climate change but provides comfort” || “एसी आराम देता है लेकिन जलवायु परिवर्तन में योगदान देता है”
3. People enjoy it only because they’re pressured by society to stay cool: “society pressures people to stay cool” || “समाज दबाव डालता है”
4. Most people cannot afford to install AC units: “people can’t afford AC” || “अधिकांश लोग एसी नहीं खरीद सकते”
5. Air conditioning is outdated compared to older cooling methods: “AC is outdated” || “एसी पुरानी तकनीक है”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort. “Guilty pleasure” refers to something enjoyable that has negative consequences, here AC’s comfort vs. climate impact.
Meanings of the options:
1. It is illegal to use AC during heat waves: “illegal to use AC” || “हीट वेव में एसी का उपयोग अवैध है”
2. AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort: “AC causes climate change but provides comfort” || “एसी आराम देता है लेकिन जलवायु परिवर्तन में योगदान देता है”
3. People enjoy it only because they’re pressured by society to stay cool: “society pressures people to stay cool” || “समाज दबाव डालता है”
4. Most people cannot afford to install AC units: “people can’t afford AC” || “अधिकांश लोग एसी नहीं खरीद सकते”
5. Air conditioning is outdated compared to older cooling methods: “AC is outdated” || “एसी पुरानी तकनीक है”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is B: AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort. “Guilty pleasure” refers to something enjoyable that has negative consequences, here AC’s comfort vs. climate impact.
Meanings of the options:
1. It is illegal to use AC during heat waves: “illegal to use AC” || “हीट वेव में एसी का उपयोग अवैध है”
2. AC contributes significantly to climate change despite providing comfort: “AC causes climate change but provides comfort” || “एसी आराम देता है लेकिन जलवायु परिवर्तन में योगदान देता है”
3. People enjoy it only because they’re pressured by society to stay cool: “society pressures people to stay cool” || “समाज दबाव डालता है”
4. Most people cannot afford to install AC units: “people can’t afford AC” || “अधिकांश लोग एसी नहीं खरीद सकते”
5. Air conditioning is outdated compared to older cooling methods: “AC is outdated” || “एसी पुरानी तकनीक है”
-
Question 14 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
14. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.Which of the following is closest in meaning to ‘SWELTERING’ as used in the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is A: sultry. “Sweltering” means uncomfortably hot and humid, and “sultry” is its synonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. sultry: “hot and humid” || “उमस भरा”
2. dreary: “uninteresting and dull” || “नीरस”
3. frigid: “very cold” || “अत्यधिक ठंडा”
4. inhibited: “limited or restrained” || “संकोची”
5. unbearable: “hard to tolerate” || “असहनीय”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: sultry. “Sweltering” means uncomfortably hot and humid, and “sultry” is its synonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. sultry: “hot and humid” || “उमस भरा”
2. dreary: “uninteresting and dull” || “नीरस”
3. frigid: “very cold” || “अत्यधिक ठंडा”
4. inhibited: “limited or restrained” || “संकोची”
5. unbearable: “hard to tolerate” || “असहनीय”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is A: sultry. “Sweltering” means uncomfortably hot and humid, and “sultry” is its synonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. sultry: “hot and humid” || “उमस भरा”
2. dreary: “uninteresting and dull” || “नीरस”
3. frigid: “very cold” || “अत्यधिक ठंडा”
4. inhibited: “limited or restrained” || “संकोची”
5. unbearable: “hard to tolerate” || “असहनीय”
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Question 15 of 15Marks: +1 and -0.25
15. Question
Section: English00:00Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow.
Air conditioning is one of our great guilty pleasures. When your town is suffocating under a 100-degree heat dome, there's nothing like the sweet relief that comes from returning home, cranking up the AC, and leaving behind the sweltering outdoor atmosphere for the cooler, crisper indoor one. As the first major heat wave of 2025 bakes the Northeast, South, and Midwest, nearly 150 million Americans are discovering that fact anew.
But air conditioning comes at a high price. The two billion units operating worldwide are responsible for 7% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Program - a figure that is expected to double by 2030 and triple by 2050, when more than five billion units are projected to be in use. This will drive a climate spiral, with increased carbon output pushing global temperatures even higher, leading to still more air conditioning use and still higher temperatures and on and on.
That fact leaves a lot of people feeling guilty over their own AC use. Our grandparents got by with fans, light clothing, drawn shades and cold drinks; even in the face of climate change, couldn't we do the same for at least routine summer heat? AC guilt is only a piece of the larger phenomenon of climate guilt, the responsibility and even shame many people feel if they aren't recycling perfectly, composting regularly, driving minimally, and keeping energy consumption as low as possible. "There are often a lot of emotions that are connected," says Wendy Greenspun, a clinical psychologist who is affiliated with Climate Psychology Alliance North America, an educational nonprofit. "There is sadness, anger, anxiety, fear - lots of different emotions that I put under the umbrella of climate distress. Guilt may be one of those."
Managing all of those emotions - and taking all of the green steps to ameliorate them - can be a considerable lift, and almost no one can claim to be a perfect climate citizen. But when it comes to air conditioning there are plenty of coping measures - ways to keep your use of cooling in check while at the same time accepting that in an increasingly sweltering world, air conditioning is a daily essential.
The most significant - if most expensive - step you can take to reduce the carbon footprint of your air conditioner is to scrap any model you bought 15 years ago or earlier and upgrade to a new one. Architects and designers of apartments and single family homes have a role to play too. Better insulation, for example, can not only keep out the cold in winter, but keep in the cool during summer. Shades and awnings to screen out the sun can help too, as can painting roofs white - instead of the common black tar seen in cities - which reflects away the heat and light that black roofs absorb. A few other simple adaptations can help as well. Businesses like law firms and banks can relax their suit and tie rules during the summer, lightening the load on office air conditioners that have to make the environment cool enough for people wearing dark layers in triple-digit temperatures. Adjusting our own internal thermostats can help too.Which of the following is opposite in meaning to ‘AMELIORATE’ as used in the passage?
Correct
Correct! The correct answer is D: aggravate. “Ameliorate” means to make something better, and “aggravate” means to worsen, making it the antonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. contend: “to strongly argue” || “जोर देकर कहना”
2. admire: “to regard with respect” || “प्रशंसा करना”
3. differentiate: “to distinguish between things” || “अंतर करना”
4. aggravate: “to make worse” || “बदतर करना”
5. improve: “to make better” || “सुधारना”
Incorrect
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: aggravate. “Ameliorate” means to make something better, and “aggravate” means to worsen, making it the antonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. contend: “to strongly argue” || “जोर देकर कहना”
2. admire: “to regard with respect” || “प्रशंसा करना”
3. differentiate: “to distinguish between things” || “अंतर करना”
4. aggravate: “to make worse” || “बदतर करना”
5. improve: “to make better” || “सुधारना”
Unattempted
Incorrect! The correct answer is D: aggravate. “Ameliorate” means to make something better, and “aggravate” means to worsen, making it the antonym.
Meanings of the options:
1. contend: “to strongly argue” || “जोर देकर कहना”
2. admire: “to regard with respect” || “प्रशंसा करना”
3. differentiate: “to distinguish between things” || “अंतर करना”
4. aggravate: “to make worse” || “बदतर करना”
5. improve: “to make better” || “सुधारना”
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