IPM Indore 2023 Question Paper

The passage talks about how European architectural ideas, especially the concept of the villa, were introduced to Lucknow by foreign soldiers, travellers, and adventurers. The Nawabs adopted villas as symbols of their alignment with British power, using them to express both personal and political identity. These villas, often inspired by British country houses, became ideal substitutes for traditional palaces.

Option D embodies the general idea of the passage. The nawabs fancied the British architectural homes, and this fits perfectly with the tone of the passage. 

Option A is unrelated, as nowhere in the passage does it mention the nawabs' private lives. Option B introduces a purely practical reason (ease of construction ), which is also not discussed in the passage. Option C is too vague; "foreignness" is not stated explicitly in the passage, and the general idea revolves around the nawab's affinity for the architectural styles of British houses. 

Hence, option D is the best fit.

The passage outlines the beginnings of Indian poetry in English, highlighting that it originated in Bengal, especially in Calcutta, where the British impact was most prominent. Initially, this practice involved a select group of families in the city, establishing it as an elite and urban occurrence. Gradually, the movement extended to other cities such as Madras and Bombay, yet it has predominantly stayed urban, owing to the elite status of English in India.The sentence in the blank should therefore support or elaborate on the idea that poetry in English was concentrated in Calcutta in the early years; and possibly restricted in scope.

Option B  directly supports the idea that it was an urban phenomenon centered in Calcutta, and gives a concrete detail (a few families) that explains how limited and local the movement was early on; while smoothly setting up the next sentence: “Then, gradually, it moved to other urban centres…”

Option A is a wrong inference and a stretch because the passage does not mention any British decision to promote poetry in Calcutta or to reach a larger audience through it. Option C distracts from the main point and shifts focus to British poetry, which is not the topic. Option D is both logically and factually flawed. None of these ideas are supported by the text as they introduce assumptions that go beyond the scope of the passage.

Hence, option B is the correct choice. 

The passage discusses Charles Correa’s early urban planning, especially his work on Navi Mumbai. He avoided high-rise housing and aimed to create more community-oriented, quasi-rural environments. So the sentence that follows should logically explain or expand on his alternative to high-rises, i.e., what he used instead.

Option B directly explains what he used instead of high-rises (i.e., low-rise housing).

The other options, although they might be true, do not fit well with the logical flow of the passage, and do not directly connect to the previous sentences about house designing. Hence option B is the correct choice. 

For the first blank, we need a verb that implies that the company will not reduce or give up on investing in people. For the second blank, a past-tense verb is required that suggests a favourable action regarding spending. For the third blank, we want a verb that means to support, or reassure employees.

Compromise is the best choice for the first blank, prioritise is the best choice for the second blank, and both reassure and empower can be good choices for the third blank. 

Hence, option C is the best choice. 

For the first blank, we need an adjective that suggests the portraits of Egyptian icons are commonly found throughout old Cairo — something that conveys widespread presence. For the second blank, we need a verb that implies these figures are being honoured or preserved in memory, consistent with the nostalgic tone of the sentence.

Ubiquitous is the best choice for the first blank, as it means “to be present everywhere.” Immortalised is ideal for the second blank, as it conveys that these icons are being preserved and celebrated as lasting symbols of the past.

Hence, option B is the best choice.

For the first blank, we need a word that conveys that dementia, in its early stages, is not easily told apart from normal ageing. For the second blank, we need a word that indicates neither condition can be fully undone, though they can be slowed through healthy habits.

Indistinguishable is the best choice for the first blank, as it means dementia and normal ageing appear very similar early on. Reversible is the best choice for the second blank, as the sentence says these conditions cannot be reversed, only slowed.

Hence, option B is the best choice.

For the first blank, we need a word that indicates the widespread or large-scale nature of modern culture. For the second blank, we need a noun that fits as an example of something whose value can be judged—ideally a human interaction. For the third blank, we need an adverb that reflects how value is assessed, and it should align with a practical or results-based approach.

Global is the best choice for the first blank, as it reflects the worldwide scale of 21st-century culture. Relationship fits the second blank because it is a type of interaction that, in this context, may be judged by its usefulness or output. Pragmatically is ideal for the third blank as it conveys that worth is assessed in realistic, result-oriented terms, matching the tone of the passage.

Hence, option D is the best choice.

For the first blank, we need a noun referring to people who post content online and may be paid to promote products — typically social media influencers (based on the use of the word post).  For the second blank, we need a word that describes the type of posts they are expected to label, which can be inferred to be promotional content. For the third blank, we want a verb that indicates protecting or ensuring customers' well-being, in line with the idea of transparency.

Influencers is the best choice for the first blank. Promotional is the correct fit for the second blank, describing content meant to advertise. Safeguard is ideal for the third blank, as it conveys the idea of protecting customer interests.

Hence, option A is the best choice.

The overall tone of the sentence is serious and mildly uncomfortable, as it discusses the invasion of personal space when working from home and the emotional reaction some people have to it. The sentence ends with “Some people find this very _____ as they like to keep their work and home lives separate.” This clearly indicates a negative emotional reaction — not just a technical inconvenience, but personal discomfort. To understand which words best complete the sentence, we need to consider what kind of ideas the tone is trying to convey.

For the first blank, we need a word that refers to a person’s personal or home life, since the sentence talks about working from home. For the second blank, we need a word that suggests visibility or exposure, as in making your personal life visible to others. For the third blank, we want an adjective that captures the feeling of discomfort or unease caused by this exposure.

Private is the best choice for the first blank, as it directly refers to one’s personal life. Screen is appropriate for the second blank, since video calls often put our personal spaces “on screen.” Disconcerting fits the third blank, as it means unsettling or disturbing, which matches the emotional reaction of people who prefer to keep work and home separate.

Hence, option D is the best choice.

The word cord appears in all four sentences and has multiple meanings. Traditionally, it refers to a thin, flexible length of rope or string, often used for tying or fastening things. It can also have specific meanings depending on context—for example, an umbilical cord in biology, a cord of wood as a unit of measurement for firewood, or a neck cord used to hold objects like keys.

We look at each option one by one . 

Option A: Teenagers may feel a need to cut the umbilical cord tying them to their homes.

Here, cord is used correctly.  Umbilical cord is the correct term for the metaphor of emotional or dependent ties to home.

Option B: The musician would hear a cord in his head and play each note individually.

Here, the word cord is used incorrectly; the correct word should be chord. (A chord in music is a group of notes played together)

Option C: He purchased a cord of wood from the market.

Here, the use of cord is correct, as it is used as a unit of measurement for firewood.

Option D: To keep the key safe, she wore it on a cord around her neck.

Here, the use of cord is correct as well, as cord here means a thin rope or string — appropriate in this context.

Hence, option B is the correct answer.