GATE
ALL Branches
Verbal aptitude
Reading
Comprehension
Lecture No.-One Shot
By: Sapna Ma’am
Topics to be Covered
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic
Topic: Passage 1
The Earth’s climate has undergone many changes in its history, but the
pace of current changes appears to be unprecedented. Rising CO₂ levels
due to anthropogenic activities are closely linked to global warming.
While natural factors have played a role in the past, recent patterns
suggest human actions are the dominant force.
Based on the passage, which of the following best describes the current
climate change?
A. Entirely natural and cyclic
B. Unprecedented and mostly
anthropogenic
C. Similar to past climate cycles
D. Negligible in impact
Topic: Passage 2
Justice is often viewed as a system of fairness, but fairness does
not always lead to justice. For instance, equal distribution of
resources may be fair but may not serve justice if the needs of
individuals vary significantly.
According to the passage, what is the relationship between fairness and
justice?
A. They are the same
B. Justice requires fairness in all cases
C. Fairness does not always result in justice
D. Justice is irrelevant in resource
distribution
Topic: Passage 3
Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast datasets quickly,
uncovering patterns invisible to humans. However, the risk of
bias in training data can lead to flawed conclusions, especially
in high-stakes applications like hiring or policing.
The passage suggests that machine learning systems:
A. Eliminate human bias
B. Can process data but may perpetuate bias
C. Are ideal for decision-making in all areas
D. Always give more accurate results than
humans
Topic: Passage 4
Inflation affects the purchasing power of money. While moderate
inflation can indicate a growing economy, hyperinflation often
destabilizes it. Governments often intervene by adjusting interest
rates to maintain economic balance.
Which of the following can be inferred from the passage?
A. Inflation always benefits the economy
B. Government intervention is unnecessary
C. Interest rates can be used to control inflation
D. Hyperinflation improves purchasing power
Topic: Passage 5
The Industrial Revolution marked a turning point in history. It
not only transformed economies but also led to profound social
changes. Urbanization increased, but so did labor exploitation
and environmental degradation.
Which of the following is NOT a consequence of the Industrial Revolution,
as per the passage?
A. Increased urbanization
B. Labor exploitation
C. Environmental conservation
D. Economic transformation
Topic: Passage 6
Pollinators like bees and butterflies play a vital role in
ecosystem balance. A decline in their population can disrupt
food chains and reduce crop yields. Conservation efforts are
thus essential for sustainable agriculture.
What is the central theme of the passage?
A. Bees produce honey
B. Butterflies are attractive pollinators
C. Pollinators are crucial for agriculture and need conservation
D. Crop yields depend only on soil quality
Topic: Passage 7
Language is more than a tool for communication; it shapes how we
perceive reality. Different languages encode concepts differently,
influencing cognition. For example, some languages have multiple
words for snow, reflecting its importance in those cultures.
According to the passage, language:
A. Has no effect on perception
B. Is only a means of communication
C. Influences thought and perception
D. Is uniform across cultures
Topic: Passage 8
Despite growing awareness of environmental issues, individual action often lags
behind intention. People express concern for climate change but continue to
engage in activities that are clearly detrimental to the environment. This
disparity is often attributed to what psychologists call the 'value-action gap'—the
disconnect between what people value and how they actually behave.
What is the meaning of the word ‘disparity’ in the context above?
A. Agreement
B. Difference
C. Communication
D. Concern
Topic: Passage 9
Innovation rarely thrives in environments that discourage risk. When
failure is punished, rather than seen as a step toward improvement,
creativity is stifled. Organizations that reward experimentation and allow
room for mistakes tend to foster more innovative ideas and long-term
success.
The word ‘stifled’ in the passage is closest in meaning to:
A. Encouraged
B. Opposed
C. Suppressed
D. Celebrated
Topic: Passage 10
Social media has transformed not just the way people communicate, but
also how opinions are shaped. The algorithms that govern content
delivery are often opaque, amplifying voices that align with users’
preferences and reinforcing existing biases. In this echo chamber,
opposing viewpoints are rarely encountered.
The word ‘opaque’ in the context above means:
A. Unclear or not transparent
B. Bright and noticeable
C. Weak or powerless
D. Well-organized
Function Conjunctions / Starters Example
before, after, when,
We’ll start when he
Time/Sequence while, since, until,
arrives.
meanwhile, then, later
for example, for Many animals hibernate.
Examples/Clarification instance, such as, For instance, bears sleep
namely during winter.
indeed, in fact, Indeed, exercise
Emphasis
obviously, undoubtedly improves mental health.
in conclusion, to sum up, To sum up, the benefits
Summary/Conclusion
therefore, thus, finally outweigh the risks.
Function Conjunctions / Starters Example
and, also, in addition, He speaks English and
Addition
moreover, furthermore Spanish.
but, yet, however,
Contrast although, though, on the It’s sunny, but cold.
other hand, in contrast
so, therefore, because,
It rained, so the game
Cause & Effect since, as, thus,
was canceled.
consequently
if, unless, provided that,
Condition You’ll pass if you study.
even if, as long as
like, as, just as, similarly, She runs fast, just as her
Comparison
whereas, while brother does.
Topic: Preposition
Topic: Other Rule
Some verbs describe, reply, explain, complain, talk , listen, write,
say, suggest, propose, speak are followed by ‘To’
❑ They have spoken to me
❑ She said to his friend, ‘why are you sad?’’
❑ He explained everything to me
❑ I will not suggest to you.
Topic: Words not Requiring Preposition
❑ Ask ❑ Describe
❑ Love ❑ Await
❑ Sign ❑ Resemble
❑ Obey ❑ Reach
❑ Investigate ❑ Marry
❑ Enter ❑ Approach
❑ Order ❑ Attach
❑ Discuss ❑ Emphasis
❑ Resign ❑ Comprise
Topic: Words not Requiring Preposition
❑ The police are investigating into the case.
❑ The teacher emphasised of the need of discipline
in life.
❑ I have ordered for her transfer
❑ The principal entered into the class.
❑ Would you sign of this document?
❑ Soni resembles with her mother.
❑ We will discuss about the matter tomorrow.
Topic: Other Rule
Sentences starting with ‘Wh word, This, That, Here and There’
use preposition at the end of the sentence.
❑ Who are you talking to?
❑ What are you talking about?
❑ That's the friend I was talking to.
❑ This is the project I have been working on.
Topic: Fixed Preposition
A preposition that is used with a specific verb, adjective, or noun,
and its usage is often idiomatic and cannot be easily changed
❑ Verb + Preposition: "depend on," "listen to“
❑ Adjective + Preposition: "afraid of," "interested in“
❑ Noun + Preposition: "reason for," "example of"
Topic: Fixed Preposition
A preposition that is used with a specific verb, adjective, or noun,
and its usage is often idiomatic and cannot be easily changed
❑ She depends on her friends for support.
❑ She is interested in learning new languages.
❑ What's the reason for your absence?
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘On’
❑ Base on: The film is based on a novel.
❑ Blame on: Don’t blame it on me.
❑ Comment on: She commented on my dress.
❑ Concentrate on: Concentrate on your studies.
❑ Congratulate on: I congratulated him on his success.
❑ Count on: You can count on me.
❑ Decide on: Decide on your career.
❑ Depend on: We depend on our parents.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘On’
❑ Focus on: Focus on your goals.
❑ Insist on: He insisted on going out.
❑ Rely on: I rely on my friends.
❑ Spend on: He spends money on clothes.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘Over’
❑ Argue over: They argued over money.
❑ Fight over: They fought over a toy.
❑ Quarrel over: Don’t quarrel over petty issues.
❑ Rule over: The king ruled over the country.
❑ Watch over: Watch over the children.
❑ Win over: He won over the crowd.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘In’
❑ Arrive in: He arrived in London. (cities/countries)
❑ Believe in: I believe in God.
❑ Confide in: She confided in me.
❑ Consist in: His strength consists in his will.
❑ Fail in: He failed in maths.
❑ Interested in: I am interested in music.
❑ Involved in: He is involved in politics.
❑ Participate in: Participate in the function.
❑ Persist in: He persisted in his efforts.
❑ Result in: The fight resulted in injuries.
❑ Succeed in: He succeeded in the exam.
❑ Take part in: I took part in the competition.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘Into’
❑ Break into: He broke into the house.
❑ Bump into: I bumped into an old friend.
❑ Divide into: Divide it into parts.
❑ Enter into: Don’t enter into an argument.
❑ Look into: Look into the matter.
❑ Translate into: Translate it into English.
❑ Turn into: The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘To’
❑ Accustomed to: He is accustomed to hard work.
❑ Addicted to: He is addicted to drugs.
❑ Admit to: He admitted to the crime.
❑ Agree to: I agreed to the proposal.
❑ Apologize to: Apologize to your teacher.
❑ Belong to: This bag belongs to me.
❑ Confess to: He confessed to the murder.
❑ Contribute to: He contributed to the fund.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘To’
❑ Devoted to: She is devoted to her work.
❑ Explain to: Explain it to me.
❑ Listen to: Listen to your elders.
❑ Object to: I object to your decision.
❑ Prefer to: I prefer tea to coffee.
❑ Refer to: Don’t refer to the book now.
❑ Reply to: Reply to my question.
❑ Respond to: She didn’t respond to my call.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘To’
❑ Similar to: His dress is similar to mine.
❑ Speak to: Speak to the principal.
❑ Subscribe to: I subscribed to the magazine.
❑ Talk to: Talk to me politely.
❑ Used to: He is used to getting up early.
❑ Write to: Write to your friend.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘For’
❑ Apologize for: He apologized for his mistake.
❑ Apply for: He applied for the job.
❑ Ask for: Ask for help.
❑ Blame for: He blamed me for the accident.
❑ Care for: I don’t care for money.
❑ Excuse for: Excuse me for being late.
❑ Famous for: The city is famous for its food.
❑ Forgive for: Forgive me for my mistake.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘For’
❑ Hope for: I hope for the best.
❑ Look for: I am looking for my keys.
❑ Pay for: I paid for the food.
❑ Prepare for: Prepare for the exam.
❑ Punish for: He was punished for lying.
❑ Responsible for: He is responsible for the work.
❑ Search for: They searched for the child.
❑ Thank for: I thanked him for his help.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘For’
❑ Vote for: I voted for her.
❑ Wait for: Wait for me.
❑ Wish for: Wish for happiness.
❑ Work for: I work for a company.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘Through’
❑ Go through: He went through a lot.
❑ Live through: They lived through the war.
❑ Pass through: We passed through the tunnel.
❑ Run through: He ran through the forest.
❑ See through: I can see through your lies.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘From’
❑ Borrow from: I borrowed a book from him.
❑ Differ from: My opinion differs from yours.
❑ Escape from: He escaped from prison.
❑ Graduate from: She graduated from college.
❑ Hide from: Don’t hide anything from me.
❑ Prevent from: He prevented me from going.
❑ Protect from: Protect your skin from the sun.
❑ Recover from: He recovered from the illness.
❑ Resign from: He resigned from the post.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘From’
❑ Retire from: He retired from service.
❑ Save from: Save me from trouble.
❑ Separate from: He was separated from his
friends.
❑ Suffer from: She suffers from asthma.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘At’
❑ Amazed at: He was amazed at her knowledge.
❑ Angry at: He was angry at his failure.
❑ Annoyed at: She was annoyed at his behavior.
❑ Astonished at: I was astonished at the news.
❑ Bad at: He is bad at mathematics.
❑ Clever at: She is clever at solving puzzles.
❑ Disappointed at: He was disappointed at his result.
❑ Expert at: He is an expert at painting.
❑ Excel at: She excels at dancing.
Topic: Fixed Prepositions with ‘At’
❑ Glance at: He glanced at the watch.
❑ Good at: He is good at playing cricket.
❑ Great at: She is great at making friends.
❑ Guess at: Can you guess at the answer?
❑ Laugh at: Don’t laugh at others.
❑ Look at: Look at the sky.
❑ Stare at: He stared at me.
❑ Surprised at: I was surprised at his behavior.
❑ Throw at: He threw the ball at the dog. (With purpose)
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘With’
❑ Angry with: He is angry with me.
❑ Annoyed with: I am annoyed with him.
❑ Argue with: Don’t argue with your parents.
❑ Begin with: Let’s begin with chapter one.
❑ Bored with: I am bored with this movie.
❑ Busy with: She is busy with work.
❑ Collide with: The car collided with the tree.
❑ Compare with: Compare your answer with mine.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘With’
❑ Compete with: He competed with the champion.
❑ Deal with: I will deal with him.
❑ Disagree with: I disagree with you.
❑ Fight with: He fought with his brother.
❑ Help with: Can you help with the luggage?
❑ Meet with: I met with an accident.
❑ Quarrel with: He quarreled with his friend.
❑ Trust with: I trust you with my secrets.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘By’
❑ Abide by: Abide by the rules.
❑ Accompanied by: He was accompanied by his friend.
❑ Amazed by: I was amazed by the view.
❑ Astonished by: I was astonished by her reply.
❑ Bothered by: I am bothered by the noise.
❑ Confuse by: I am confused by the instructions.
❑ Followed by: The speech was followed by a performance.
❑ Impressed by: I am impressed by your work.
Topic: Fixed Preposition with ‘By’
❑ Inspired by: He was inspired by the leader.
❑ Puzzled by: I was puzzled by the question.
❑ Shocked by: I was shocked by the news.
❑ Surprised by: I was surprised by the gift.
Topic: Preposition
❑ We come at school at ten
❑ We come to school at ten
❑ Can he succeed in business?
❑ Can he succeed at business?
Topic: Preposition
❑ She is good in history.
❑ She is good at history.
❑ This will be useful for me.
❑ This will be useful to me.
Topic: Preposition
❑ A map is useful to find one's way about
❑ A map is useful for finding one's way about.
❑ The pupils are sitting on their desks.
❑ The pupils are sitting -------their desks.
Topic: Kinds of Preposition
Single Word Prepositions Complex
Prepositions that appear Prepositions
like E.g. Up to, owing
E.g. After, before, to, in accordance
in, on, at, with, by, Verb/Adjective
with, in view of, on
inside account of, instead
E.g. Except, pending,
including, near, of
despite
Topic: Classification of Preposition
Prepositions
Preposition Prepositions Other
of Position /
of Time of Direction Prepositions
Place
in, on, for, between, along, across, without, with,
since, at, from, among, amid, against, up, by, off, of,
between, amidst, in, at, down, to, around,
during, after, on, beside, by, towards, for, about,
before, by, under, behind, from, at, on besides,
within, till, over, above, etc. except etc.
until, from etc. below, in front
of etc.
Topic: Tenses
Tenses provide information about the timing and duration
of actions or states.
Topic: Present Tenses
Topic: Past Tenses
Topic: Future Tenses
Topic: Simple Present Tense
S + V1 + O
Rule 1 Examples
❑ John and James deserve praise.
❑ A variety of pleasant item in shop attracts every
consumer.
❑ Our success or our failure largely depends on our
action.
❑ The cost of all necessary good impacts upon all of us.
❑ The price depends on the quality.
Rule 2
Habitual actions / daily routines / present habits are always described in
Simple Present Tense.
KEY WORDS-
Always, usually, often, seldom, never, scarcely generally,
occasionally, sometimes, usually, everyday. every year, daily, etc.
Rule 2 Examples
❑ She works in Mumbai. ( present habit)
❑ We usually play tennis on every weekend.
Rule 3
Universal truth, scientific truth, general truth and permanent
truth are all described using Simple Present Tense.
Two and two make four.
Rule 3 Examples
❑ The heat expands the body.
❑ The earth revolves around the Sun.
❑ Water boils at 100°c“.
❑ If water freezes, it turns into ice.
❑ Man is mortal.
❑ If I eat cheese, it gives me indigestion.
Rule 4
Definite future, future action, fixed future plan, futurity can be described
using Simple Present Tense as these actions have a fixed period and time in
the future.
❑ The movie starts in ten minutes.
Rule 4 Examples
❑Our principal arrives tomorrow. (Fixed / definite future)
❑Our schools begin next morning.
❑The movie starts in ten minutes.
❑The concert starts at 7 pm tomorrow.
Rule 6
Newspaper headlines and Sports commentaries are described in Simple
Present Tense.
Rule 6 Examples
❑ The Government plans to introduce new scheme for women.
❑ ISRO launches a new satellite.
❑ Finally, Rohit hits a six.
❑ The bowler gets a wicket.
Topic: Simple Past Tenses
S + V2 + O
Topic: Simple Past Tenses (S + V2 + O)
Rule 1:
Simple Past Tense describes Past Action,
i.e., an action that happened before the present time and is no longer
happening.
❑ Shakespeare wrote many plays.
❑ My father bought a new car .
❑ Newton discovered the laws of gravitation.
E.g. 1991, yesterday, last month, last year, ago, previous day, last Friday.
Topic: Simple Past Tenses (S + V2 + O)
Rule 2:
Simple Past Tense describes Past Habitual Action / Past Habit,
E.g. Often, always, seldom, daily, everyday, never, occasionally, sometimes,
usually.
Topic: Simple Future Tenses (S + shall/will + V1 + O)
Rule 1:
Simple Future Tense
Prediction Surety
❑ The train will arrive on time.
Prediction ❑ Who will win on Saturday?
❑ The government will pass a new bill.
❑ The wedding will take place on 3rd June.
Surety ❑ The plane will arrive at 8 pm.
❑ The movie will start at 6 pm.
Examples of Future Expression Words (Soon, Later, After, Immediately,
Next, This Upcoming) describing the Future:
❑ I see you later.
❑ I meet them this week.
❑ My book is getting published soon.
Topic: Present Continuous Tense
(S + am/is/are + V4 + O)
Rule 1:
Now, just now, at this moment, at this juncture, at present, presently,
still, these days – describe Present Continuous Actions.
Rule 1(Examples):
❑ Don’t disturb me, I am doing my homework.
❑ The members are discussing this issue now.
❑ These days I am preparing for a competitive exams.
❑ My daughter is reading a newspaper at this moment.
❑ Presently they are working In a multinational company.
Topic: Present Continuous Tense
S + am/is/are + V4 + O
Topic: Past Continuous Tense
S + was/were + V4 + O
Topic: Past Continuous Tense
(S + was/were + V4 + O)
Rule 1:
If an action has happened in the past and during that action, another action
was taking place, then one of the actions is described in Simple Past Tense and
the other one is described in Past Continuous Tense.
Rule 1 (Examples):
❑ We were having dinner when it started raining.
❑ The children were watching a movie when their father entered the room.
Topic: Future Continuous Tense
S + shall be/will be + V4 + O
Topic: Future Continuous Tense
(S + shall be/will be + V4 + O)
Future Continuous Tense describes continuity prediction
of an action.
❑ We will be spending next summer holiday in Spain.
❑ Clara will be flying to Canada tomorrow morning.
❑ Our principal will be addressing all of us next month.
❑ My mother will be cooking tonight.
Stative Verbs can not be written in V4 form
They are not written in any
continuous tense
Topic: Stative Verbs
Topic: Stative Verbs
Topic: Present Perfect Tense
S + have/has + V3 + O
Topic: Present Perfect Tense
(S + have/has + V3 + O)
Rule 1:
Recently completed actions – just, just now, recently, lately, today, up to, since, so
far, for, yet, present, up to now.
Rule 1(Examples):
❑ My brother has just left for the USA.
❑ I have spoken to win three times so far.
❑ The workers ____ hard today in the garden.
a) works b) are working c) have worked d) none.
Topic: Past Perfect Tense
S + had + V3 + O
Topic: Past Perfect Tense
(S + Had + V3 + O)
Rule 1:
If two actions have happened in the past, the one that happened earlier is
described in Past Perfect Tense and the latter is described in Simple Past
Tense.
❑ We had given first aid to the patient before the doctor arrived.
❑ They had desilted the drains before the rain set in.
❑ It had snowed heavily in the mountains before we went there.
Topic: Past Perfect Tense
(S + Had + V3 + O)
Rule 1 Examples
❖ The patient had died before the doctor came. ( )
❖ I saw him before he stopped his car (X)
❖ I had seen him before he stopped the car. ( )
❖ Before he understood anything the robber fled. (X)
❖ Before he understood anything the robber had fled. ( )
Topic: Future Perfect Tense
S + shall have/will have + V3 + O
Topic: Future Perfect Tense
(S + shall have/will have + V3 + O)
The action described in Future Perfect Tense will be completed
in the future.
❑ The sentence must contain the time limit by when the action will be
completed.
❑ (By evening, by tomorrow, by Monday, By 2030, by 6 pm., by now)
Topic: Future Perfect Tense
(S + shall have/will have + V3 + O)
❑ I shall have repaid the home load by 2025.
❑ She will have reached Mumbai by Friday.
❑ Our manager will have submitted our assignments by tomorrow.
❑ The guest lecturer will have finished the topic by evening.
❑ We will have computerized our entire working by next year.
Since and for
S + have been/has been + V4 + O
S + had been + V4 + O
S + will have been + V4 + O
Topic: Present Perfect Continuous Tenses
S + have been/has been + V4 + O
Topic: Past Perfect Continuous Tenses
S + had been/has been + V4 + O
Topic: future Perfect Continuous Tenses
S + shall/will have been/has been
+ V4 + O
Examples:
❑ If it rains, the streets get wet.
❑ If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
❑ You won't succeed unless you work hard.
❑ Even if it rains, the event will still take place indoors.
Conditional Sentences
Conjunction Tense’,’ Modal Auxiliary
OR
Modal Auxiliary Conjunction Tense
Note: One conditional sentence can not have two tense or two
modal auxiliary sentences except for Zero Condition sentences
(Universal Truths) which use both simple present tenses.
Simple Present Tense
Conjunction + simple present tense + modal auxiliary (present)
OR
Modal auxiliary (present) + Conjunction + simple present tense
Simple Present Tense
E.g.
❑ If you accept all terms and conditions, we will confirm the
order.
❑ He will win the race if he practices regularly.
❑ If you give me some money, I will buy a scooter.
❑ In case you waste your time, you may be unsuccessful.
Past condition
Conjunction + Simple Past Tense + M. A.(Past) + V1
OR
M.A.(Past) + V1 + Conjunction + Simple Past Tense
Simple past tense
E.g.
❑ If he smoked less, he wouldn’t develop cancer.
❑ If you told me, I would help you solve it.
❑ Unless she apologized, they might not permit her to enter.
❑ In case she had skills, she could get the job easily.
Past Perfect Tense Condition
Conjunction + Past Perfect Tense + Modal Perfection + V
(had +V3)
OR
Modal Perfection + V3 + Conjunction + Past Perfect Tense
Past Perfect Tense Condition
Modal Perfection:
❑ Would have
❑ Could have
❑ Might have
❑ Should have
❑ Ought to have
Past Perfect Tense Condition
E.g.:
❑ If Dhoni had won the toss, he would have elected to bat.
❑ If farmers had demanded more subsidies, Government would
have given them.
❑ She could have passed the exam if she had studied hard.
2 mins Summary
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