CUET 2026 English May 26 Shift 1 Question Paper- Download Answer Key and Solution PDF

Concept:
Ventriloquism is the art of speaking in such a way that the sound appears to come from another source, usually a puppet or dummy.
Step 1: Understand the word root.
The word originates from: \[ Latin:\ “venter”\ = belly,\ “loqui”\ =\ to speak \]
Historically, it meant: \[ “speaking\ from\ the\ stomach” \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning
A ventriloquist creates the illusion that:
The voice comes from somewhere else
Another object or puppet is speaking
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (A)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Ventriloquism \rightarrow Throwing\ the\ voice \] Usually associated with puppets and stage performances.

Concept:
Circumlocution refers to using unnecessary or indirect words instead of speaking clearly and briefly.
Step 1: Understand the word origin.
The word comes from: \[ “circum”\ =\ around \]
and \[ “locution”\ =\ speech \]
Thus, it literally means: \[ “speaking\ around\ the\ point” \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
Circumlocution involves:
Using too many words
Speaking indirectly
Avoiding direct expression
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (B)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Circumlocution \rightarrow Indirect\ lengthy\ speech \] Example: Instead of saying “He died,” saying: \[ “He\ passed\ away\ from\ this\ mortal\ world.” \]

Concept:
Taciturnity refers to the quality of being reserved or speaking very little.
Step 1: Understand the related adjective.
The adjective form is: \[ Taciturn \]
meaning: \[ Quiet\ or\ uncommunicative \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
A taciturn person:
Speaks very little
Avoids unnecessary conversation
Is reserved in speech
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (C)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Taciturn \rightarrow Silent / Reserved \] Opposite: \[ Talkative\ or\ loquacious \]

Concept:
A colloquialism is a word or phrase commonly used in informal conversation.
Step 1: Understand colloquial language.
Colloquial language:
Is informal
Is used in daily speech
May vary regionally
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
Examples of colloquial expressions:
“What’s up?”
“Gonna”
“Buddy”
These are informal everyday expressions.
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (C)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Colloquialism \rightarrow Informal\ speech \] Used commonly in conversation rather than formal writing.

Concept:
Correct spelling is important in English vocabulary and grammar.
Step 1: Examine each option carefully.
Cristallize → Incorrect spelling
Crystallise → British variant exists, but standard accepted form here is “Crystallize”
Crystallize → Correct spelling
Crystalize → Missing one “l”
Step 2: Identify the standard correct spelling.
The correctly spelt word is: \[ \boxed{Crystallize} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Crystal\ +\ lize \rightarrow Crystallize \] Watch for double letters in spellings.

Concept:
Subject-verb agreement depends on whether the subject is singular or plural.
Step 1: Identify the subject.
The subject is: \[ The\ fusion\ band \]
“Band” is a collective noun treated as singular here.
Step 2: Identify the tense.
The phrase: \[ since 9 a.m. \]indicates an action continuing from the past to the present.
Hence: \[ Present\ Perfect\ Continuous\ Tense \]
Step 3: Choose correct auxiliary verb.
For singular subject: \[ has\ been \]is correct.
Thus: \[ \boxed{has\ been} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Singular\ Subject \rightarrow has\ been \] \[ Plural\ Subject \rightarrow have\ been \] “Since” usually indicates perfect tense.

Concept:
“Misanthropic” refers to hatred or dislike of people and society.
Step 1: Understand the meaning of misanthropic.
A misanthropic person:
Avoids people
Dislikes society
Is unfriendly toward others
Step 2: Find the opposite meaning.
The opposite of hatred or dislike for people is: \[ Friendly\ and\ social\ behaviour \]
Hence: \[ Sociable \] is the antonym.
Therefore: \[ \boxed{Sociable} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Misanthrope \rightarrow Person\ who\ dislikes\ people \] \[ Sociable \rightarrow Friendly\ and\ social \]

Concept:
Burlesque refers to a humorous or exaggerated imitation intended to entertain or mock.
Step 1: Understand the literary meaning.
Burlesque is commonly used in:
Literature
Drama
Comedy
It exaggerates serious subjects for humorous effect.
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
A burlesque performance or writing is: \[ A\ humorous\ imitation\ or\ parody \]
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (B)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Burlesque \rightarrow Comic\ imitation \] Often used to mock or entertain through exaggeration.

Concept:
Phrasal verbs are combinations of verbs and prepositions/adverbs that create special meanings.
Step 1: Understand the sentence meaning.
The sentence indicates:
She faced many difficulties
Yet she succeeded
Thus, the required phrasal verb should mean: \[ “to\ succeed\ in\ doing\ something\ difficult” \]
Step 2: Analyze the options.
Pull off \(\rightarrow\) Successfully achieve something difficult
Break down \(\rightarrow\) Stop functioning or become emotional
Give away \(\rightarrow\) Donate or reveal
Call out \(\rightarrow\) Shout or summon
Thus: \[ \boxed{Pull\ off} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Pull\ off \rightarrow Achieve\ successfully \] Example: \[ “She\ pulled\ off\ a\ difficult\ performance.” \]

Concept:
Homophones are words that sound similar but have different meanings.
Step 1: Understand the sentence context.
The sentence suggests:
The society was laughed at
Due to pride or excessive self-importance
Step 2: Understand meanings of options.
Vain \(\rightarrow\) Excessively proud
Wane \(\rightarrow\) Decrease gradually
Vein \(\rightarrow\) Blood vessel
Vane \(\rightarrow\) Device showing wind direction
Only “vain” fits the context.
Thus: \[ \boxed{vain} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Vain \rightarrow Proud / Arrogant \] Do not confuse with: \[ Vein \rightarrow Blood\ vessel \]

Concept:
Treacherous describes a person or situation that is deceptive, dangerous, or unreliable.
Step 1: Understand the meaning.
A treacherous person:
Betrays trust
Acts dishonestly
May cause harm unexpectedly
Step 2: Identify the closest meaning.
The best matching option is: \[ Dangerous\ and\ untrustworthy \]
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (B)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Treacherous \rightarrow Deceptive\ and\ dangerous \] Example: \[ “Treacherous\ roads\ during\ snowfall.” \]

Concept:
Tumultuous refers to a situation full of noise, confusion, excitement, or disorder.
Step 1: Understand the word usage.
The word is commonly used for:
Crowds
Events
Emotional situations
Example: \[ “A\ tumultuous\ protest.” \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
The closest meaning is: \[ Noisy\ and\ disorderly \]
Thus: \[ \boxed{Option (B)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Tumultuous \rightarrow Chaotic / Noisy \] Opposite: \[ Calm\ and\ peaceful \]

Concept:
“Benediction” refers to a blessing or expression of good wishes, especially in a religious or formal setting.
Step 1: Understand the word origin.
The word comes from Latin: \[ “bene” = well \] and \[ “dictio” = speaking \]
Thus, it literally means: \[ “speaking\ well\ of\ someone” \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
A benediction is:
A blessing
A prayer for good fortune
A formal expression of goodwill
Hence: \[ \boxed{Formal\ blessing} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Benediction \rightarrow Blessing \] Often used in religious ceremonies or speeches.

Concept:
A misanthrope is a person who dislikes or distrusts other people.
Step 1: Understand the word root.
The word comes from: \[ “misos” = hatred \] and \[ “anthropos” = human \]
Thus: \[ Misanthrope \rightarrow One\ who\ dislikes\ humans \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
A misanthrope:
Avoids society
Distrusts people
Dislikes humankind
Thus: \[ \boxed{Dislikes\ humankind} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Misanthrope \rightarrow Person\ who\ hates/dislikes\ people \] Opposite: \[ Philanthropist \rightarrow Lover\ of\ humanity \]

Concept:
The idiom “to make ducks and drakes of something” means to waste or spend it recklessly.
Step 1: Understand idiomatic usage.
The idiom is commonly used with: \[ money\ or\ resources \]
Example: \[ “He\ made\ ducks\ and\ drakes\ of\ his\ inheritance.” \]
meaning: \[ He\ wasted\ his\ inheritance\ carelessly. \]
Step 2: Identify the correct meaning.
Thus, the idiom means: \[ To\ spend\ money\ carelessly \]
Hence: \[ \boxed{Option (A)} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Ducks\ and\ drakes \rightarrow Waste\ recklessly \] Usually used for careless spending of money.