CUET 2026 English May 26 Shift 2 Question Paper- Download Answer Key and Solution PDF

Step 1: Identify the keyword in the passage.
The passage states: \[ “neighbors\ viewed\ her\ solitary\ lifestyle\ as\ ascetic” \]
Step 2: Understand the meaning of “ascetic.”
“Ascetic” means:
Living a simple life
Practicing self-discipline
Avoiding luxury and comfort
Step 3: Relate it to the grandmother’s lifestyle.
The grandmother:
Lived alone in a small weathered cottage
Led a simple and disciplined life
Did not depend on luxury
Thus, neighbors considered her lifestyle ascetic.
Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{Because\ she\ lived\ a\ severe,\ self-disciplined,\ and\ simple\ life\ alone.} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Ascetic \rightarrow Simple\ and\ self-disciplined\ lifestyle \] Commonly associated with avoiding luxury or excessive comfort.

Step 1: Locate the relevant word in the passage.
The passage says: \[ “if\ not\ dangerously\ precarious\ given\ her\ failing\ health” \]
Step 2: Understand the meaning of “precarious.”
“Precarious” means:
Uncertain
Unsafe
Unstable
Risky or uncomfortable
Step 3: Eliminate other options.
Stoic \(\rightarrow\) Emotionally strong and calm
Transient \(\rightarrow\) Temporary or short-lived
Ascetic \(\rightarrow\) Simple and self-disciplined lifestyle
Only “precarious” matches the required meaning.
Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{Precarious} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Precarious \rightarrow Uncertain\ or\ risky \] Example: \[ “A\ precarious\ financial\ condition.” \]

Step 1: Understand the term related to stamp collection.
A person who:
Collects postage stamps
Studies stamps and postal history is called a: \[ Philatelist \]
Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options.
Ornithologist \(\rightarrow\) Studies birds
Numismatist \(\rightarrow\) Collects/studies coins
Graphologist \(\rightarrow\) Studies handwriting
Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{Philatelist} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Philatelist \rightarrow Stamp collector \] \[ Numismatist \rightarrow Coin\ collector \]

Step 1: Identify the term related to handwriting analysis.
The study and analysis of handwriting is called: \[ Graphology \]
Step 2: Identify the instrument related to heart activity recording.
An instrument that records heart activity is called: \[ Cardiograph \]
Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options.
Numismatics \(\rightarrow\) Study of coins
Ventriloquism \(\rightarrow\) Throwing voice illusion
Stethoscope \(\rightarrow\) Instrument used for listening, not recording
Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{Graphology,\ Cardiograph} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Graphology \rightarrow Handwriting\ analysis \] \[ Cardiograph \rightarrow Records\ heart\ activity \] \[ Stethoscope \rightarrow Used\ for\ listening\ to\ heart\ sounds \]

Step 1: Match “Eloquent.”
“Eloquent” means: Fluent or persuasive in speaking 
Thus: \[ 1 \rightarrow P \]
Step 2: Match “Vivacious.”
“Vivacious” means: Lively, energetic, and animated
Thus: \[ 2 \rightarrow R \]
Step 3: Match “Odious.”
“Odious” means: Extremely unpleasant or hateful 
Thus: \[ 3 \rightarrow Q \]
Step 4: Match “Penchant.”
“Penchant” means: A strong liking or preference 
Thus: \[ 4 \rightarrow S \]
Therefore: \[ \boxed{1-P,\ 2-R,\ 3-Q,\ 4-S} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Eloquent \rightarrow Persuasive\ speaker \] \[ Vivacious \rightarrow Full\ of\ energy \] \[ Penchant \rightarrow Strong\ liking \]

Step 1: Understand the meaning of “Concise.”
“Concise” means:
Brief
Short
Expressed in few words
Step 2: Find the opposite meaning.
The antonym should mean: Using too many words
Step 3: Analyze the options.
Brief \(\rightarrow\) Similar meaning
Loquacious \(\rightarrow\) Talkative person
Verbose / Wordy \(\rightarrow\) Using excessive words
Meticulous \(\rightarrow\) Very careful
Thus, the correct antonym is: \[ \boxed{Verbose / Wordy} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Concise \rightarrow Short\ and\ precise \] \[ Verbose \rightarrow Using\ too\ many\ words \]

Step 1: Examine each spelling carefully.
Maintainance \(\rightarrow\) Incorrect
Maintenance \(\rightarrow\) Correct
Maintenence \(\rightarrow\) Incorrect
Mentenence \(\rightarrow\) Incorrect
Step 2: Identify the correct standard spelling.
The correct spelling is: \[ \boxed{Maintenance} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Maintain \rightarrow Maintenance \] The word contains: \[ “ten”\ and\ not\ “tain”\ after\ “main” \]

Step 1: Fill the first blank.
A cloth used to cover the face is called: \[ Veil \]
Thus, the first blank is: \[ \boxed{veil} \]
Step 2: Fill the second blank.
A loud cry of sorrow or grief is called: \[ Wail \]
Thus, the second blank is: \[ \boxed{wail} \]
Step 3: Fill the third blank.
“Vile” means:  Extremely unpleasant or horrible 
Thus, the third blank is: \[ \boxed{vile} \]
Therefore, the correct sequence is: \[ \boxed{veil, wail, vile} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Veil \rightarrow Face\ covering \] \[ Wail \rightarrow Cry\ loudly \] \[ Vile \rightarrow Extremely\ unpleasant \]

Step 1: Match “Bury the hatchet.”
This idiom means: To make peace or end a conflict 
Thus: \[ 1 \rightarrow R \]
Step 2: Match “Bolt from the blue.”
This idiom means: A sudden and unexpected event
Thus: \[ 2 \rightarrow P \]
Step 3: Match “Spill the beans.”
This idiom means:  To reveal a secret 
Thus: \[ 3 \rightarrow Q \]
Step 4: Match “Apple of discord.”
This idiom means: A cause of dispute or rivalry 
Thus: \[ 4 \rightarrow S \]
Therefore: \[ \boxed{1-R,\ 2-P,\ 3-Q,\ 4-S} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Bury\ the\ hatchet \rightarrow Make\ peace \] \[ Spill\ the\ beans \rightarrow Reveal\ a\ secret \] \[ Bolt\ from\ the\ blue \rightarrow Unexpected shock \]

Step 1: Understand the sentence context.
The sentence suggests that:
The interview board asked deceptive questions
The candidate was fooled or deceived
Step 2: Understand the meanings of the phrasal verbs:
Taken in \(\rightarrow\) Deceived or fooled
Brushed off \(\rightarrow\) Ignored casually
Ironed out \(\rightarrow\) Resolved smoothly
Lashed out \(\rightarrow\) Reacted angrily
Step 3: Choose the most suitable option.
Since the candidate was deceived: \[ \boxed{taken\ in} \] fits perfectly.
Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{taken\ in} \] Quick Tip: Remember: \[ Taken in \rightarrow Fooled\ or\ deceived \] Example: \[ “He\ was\ taken\ in\ by\ the\ scam.” \]