CDS 2026 English & Comprehension Reading Comprehension Previous Year Questions

Passage

As the new century begins, it is becoming evident to urban dwellers, whether in industrial or developing countries, that there is an immanent conflict between the automobile and the city. Urban air pollution, often from automobiles, claims millions of lives. Congestion also takes a direct economic toll in rising costs in time and the use of petrol.

Another cost of cities that are devoted to cars is a psychological one, a deprivation of contact with the natural world — an "asphalt complex". There is a growing body of evidence that there is an innate human need for contact with nature. Both ecologists and psychologists have been aware of this for some time. Ecologists, led by Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson, have formulated the "biophilia hypothesis", which argues that those who are deprived of contact with nature suffer psychologically and that this deprivation leads to a measurable decline in well-being.

Meanwhile psychologists have coined their own term - ecopsychology - in which they make the same argument. Theodore Roszak, a leader in this field, cites a study that documents humans' dependence on nature by looking at the rate of recovery of patients in a hospital in Pennsylvania. Those whose rooms overlooked gardens with grass, trees, flowers, and birds recovered from illnesses more quickly than those who were in rooms overlooking the parking lot.

In this passage, the word 'immanent' is closest in meaning to :

S1: Electric cars produce no exhaust emissions.
S2: However, the electricity to charge them may come from fossil fuel sources.
The second sentence :

S1: Some people doubt that God exists.
S2: Belief in the existence of God is universal.

The second sentence:

S1: Slow and steady wins the race.
S2: Haste makes waste.
The second sentence :

Directions: In this section each item consists of six sentences that comprise a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The sequence of the four sentences in the middle, labelled as P, Q, R, and S, has been jumbled. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four jumbled sentences and mark your response accordingly.

S1 : The word science originates from the Latin verb $Scientia$ meaning "to know".

S6 : By the middle of the twentieth century, science had become a truly international enterprise, with many cultures and countries contributing to its rapid growth.

P : Science, in a broad sense, is as old as the human species.

Q : From the sixteenth century onwards, great strides were also made in science in Europe.

R : The early civilisations of Egypt, India, China, Greece, Mesopotamia and many others made vital contributions to its progress.

S : The Sanskrit word $Vij\tilde{n}ana$ and the Arabic word $Ilm$ convey a similar meaning, namely knowledge.

Choose the correct order of the four middle sentences:

Given the following sentences: S1: Among the momentous watersheds through which human beings have passed since their appearance over 100,000 years ago, none has been more profound in its consequences than the shift to agriculture.

S6: Unfortunately, such transformations disrupted delicate natural balances as humans sought enhanced control over their new modes of subsistence.

P: They did this by purposefully transforming landscapes with their agricultural fields and pastures.

Q: They lived much like the way in which their own hominid predecessors had lived for millions of years, as integral components of the Earth's ecosystems.

R: However, with the invention of practices of agriculture, these new farmers and herders began manipulating their surroundings to an unprecedented degree.

S: Before that, for countless generations, nearly all humans had lived as hunters and gatherers, dwelling together in small, stable, nomadic bands that operated in close harmony with nature.

Which of the following is the most appropriate order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph between S1 and S6?

S1: Research shows exercise improves mood.
S2: A 2022 study links daily walks to reduced depression.

The second sentence:

Passage

As the new century begins, it is becoming evident to urban dwellers, whether in industrial or developing countries, that there is an immanent conflict between the automobile and the city. Urban air pollution, often from automobiles, claims millions of lives. Congestion also takes a direct economic toll in rising costs in time and the use of petrol.

Another cost of cities that are devoted to cars is a psychological one, a deprivation of contact with the natural world — an "asphalt complex". There is a growing body of evidence that there is an innate human need for contact with nature. Both ecologists and psychologists have been aware of this for some time. Ecologists, led by Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson, have formulated the "biophilia hypothesis", which argues that those who are deprived of contact with nature suffer psychologically and that this deprivation leads to a measurable decline in well-being.

Meanwhile psychologists have coined their own term - ecopsychology - in which they make the same argument. Theodore Roszak, a leader in this field, cites a study that documents humans' dependence on nature by looking at the rate of recovery of patients in a hospital in Pennsylvania. Those whose rooms overlooked gardens with grass, trees, flowers, and birds recovered from illnesses more quickly than those who were in rooms overlooking the parking lot.

The passage draws attention to which one among the following ?

S1: Bananas are a good source of potassium.
S2: Doctors often recommend bananas to maintain healthy levels of potassium.
The second sentence :

Passage

As the new century begins, it is becoming evident to urban dwellers, whether in industrial or developing countries, that there is an immanent conflict between the automobile and the city. Urban air pollution, often from automobiles, claims millions of lives. Congestion also takes a direct economic toll in rising costs in time and the use of petrol.

Another cost of cities that are devoted to cars is a psychological one, a deprivation of contact with the natural world — an "asphalt complex". There is a growing body of evidence that there is an innate human need for contact with nature. Both ecologists and psychologists have been aware of this for some time. Ecologists, led by Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson, have formulated the "biophilia hypothesis", which argues that those who are deprived of contact with nature suffer psychologically and that this deprivation leads to a measurable decline in well-being.

Meanwhile psychologists have coined their own term - ecopsychology - in which they make the same argument. Theodore Roszak, a leader in this field, cites a study that documents humans' dependence on nature by looking at the rate of recovery of patients in a hospital in Pennsylvania. Those whose rooms overlooked gardens with grass, trees, flowers, and birds recovered from illnesses more quickly than those who were in rooms overlooking the parking lot.

The "asphalt complex" refers to :

Passage

As the new century begins, it is becoming evident to urban dwellers, whether in industrial or developing countries, that there is an immanent conflict between the automobile and the city. Urban air pollution, often from automobiles, claims millions of lives. Congestion also takes a direct economic toll in rising costs in time and the use of petrol.

Another cost of cities that are devoted to cars is a psychological one, a deprivation of contact with the natural world — an "asphalt complex". There is a growing body of evidence that there is an innate human need for contact with nature. Both ecologists and psychologists have been aware of this for some time. Ecologists, led by Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson, have formulated the "biophilia hypothesis", which argues that those who are deprived of contact with nature suffer psychologically and that this deprivation leads to a measurable decline in well-being.

Meanwhile psychologists have coined their own term - ecopsychology - in which they make the same argument. Theodore Roszak, a leader in this field, cites a study that documents humans' dependence on nature by looking at the rate of recovery of patients in a hospital in Pennsylvania. Those whose rooms overlooked gardens with grass, trees, flowers, and birds recovered from illnesses more quickly than those who were in rooms overlooking the parking lot.

The "biophilia hypothesis":

Passage

As the new century begins, it is becoming evident to urban dwellers, whether in industrial or developing countries, that there is an immanent conflict between the automobile and the city. Urban air pollution, often from automobiles, claims millions of lives. Congestion also takes a direct economic toll in rising costs in time and the use of petrol.

Another cost of cities that are devoted to cars is a psychological one, a deprivation of contact with the natural world — an "asphalt complex". There is a growing body of evidence that there is an innate human need for contact with nature. Both ecologists and psychologists have been aware of this for some time. Ecologists, led by Harvard University biologist E.O. Wilson, have formulated the "biophilia hypothesis", which argues that those who are deprived of contact with nature suffer psychologically and that this deprivation leads to a measurable decline in well-being.

Meanwhile psychologists have coined their own term - ecopsychology - in which they make the same argument. Theodore Roszak, a leader in this field, cites a study that documents humans' dependence on nature by looking at the rate of recovery of patients in a hospital in Pennsylvania. Those whose rooms overlooked gardens with grass, trees, flowers, and birds recovered from illnesses more quickly than those who were in rooms overlooking the parking lot.

Which one of the following includes the most appropriate and relevant set of keywords that match the concept of 'ecopsychology', as given in the passage ?