Chapter 01 — Using this guide and reading the paper
Track: common | Study time: 75–100 minutes | Recall task: write the rule before checking the key.
Teaching note
English preparation has two distinct jobs in the AP police examinations. The constable route in the 2026 Rc.91 notification includes objective English at Intermediate standard. The SI route in Rc.81 uses descriptive English at degree standard. Do not prepare for one format as though it were the other. A candidate may use the grammar and comprehension chapters for both; only the response method changes.
The 2026 SI English paper tests understanding, correct usage and writing ability. Its listed task families include short essay, comprehension, précis, letter writing, paragraph/report writing and translation from English to Telugu. That list is the useful boundary for this volume. It is not a promise that every task will appear in each examination. Check the notification for your post code and any later corrigendum before you plan a final revision.
For objective items, identify the smallest tested relation: subject to verb, time to tense, noun sound to article, verb to preposition, sentence to passage evidence. Eliminate options that break that relation. For descriptive tasks, spend a short planning period deciding audience, purpose and order; then write a clear answer and reserve time to edit. The two tracks share language competence but reward different output.
Telugu-medium candidates often know the intended meaning yet translate Telugu word order directly into English. The cure is not to memorise a long list of “rules” without context. Build a sentence from the English subject, finite verb and complements; then check tense, article and preposition. When a phrase seems unfamiliar, ask whether the difficulty is meaning, word order, or a fixed English collocation.
Use the diagnostic in three passes. First answer without a timer and mark the rule you used. Next repeat a parallel set under time. Finally explain why each distractor is wrong. A correct guess is not yet reliable knowledge. Keep an error log with four columns: sentence, exact error, corrected form, reason. Revisit it after one day, one week and three weeks.
Telugu-medium transfer check
Compare the command word with the paper type: an objective item asks you to select; a descriptive prompt asks you to produce. Practise identifying the task before reading options or drafting. Keep a note of which rule or instruction changed your answer.
Retrieval practice
Redo three diagnostic questions without a timer, naming the evidence or language rule. Then answer a different set under a short limit. Explain why one tempting distractor fails; do not count a lucky guess as mastered.
Error-log prompt
Log the exact instruction you missed, such as ‘except’, ‘write in Telugu’ or ‘use the supplied facts’. Record the correction and a new example so the same exam-task error is easier to catch.
Study plate 01. Recall the sequence before you begin the question set.
Chapter 01 practice questions
001. A passage that explains a topic using facts, definitions and steps is called
A. Narrative
B. Sarcastic
C. Expository
D. Descriptive
Key: C | Explanation: An expository passage explains. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
002. The writer's attitude toward a subject is called the
A. Theme
B. Setting
C. Plot
D. Tone
Key: D | Explanation: Tone is the author's attitude. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
003. In reading comprehension, answers should be based on
A. The reader's own knowledge
B. The passage itself
C. The longest option
D. The most popular opinion
Key: B | Explanation: Answers must be supported by the text. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
004. A good title for a passage should
A. Cover the whole passage
B. Use only the first line
C. Be as long as possible
D. Name one small detail
Key: A | Explanation: A title must represent the entire passage. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
005. An inference is
A. A word-for-word copy of a line
B. An opinion unrelated to the text
C. A guess with no support
D. A conclusion drawn from stated information
Key: D | Explanation: An inference is supported by the passage. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
006. Which type of passage mainly tells a story or an event?
A. Argumentative
B. Narrative
C. Scientific
D. Expository
Key: B | Explanation: Narrative passages tell stories or events in time order. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
007. Which type of passage defends a point of view?
A. Argumentative
B. Factual
C. Descriptive
D. Narrative
Key: A | Explanation: Argumentative passages give reasons for a view. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
008. Words like "but" and "however" often give which kind of clue?
A. Rhyme clue
B. Example clue
C. Contrast clue
D. Definition clue
Key: C | Explanation: They show a contrast with a nearby idea. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
009. Options that use "always" or "never" are often
A. Correct
B. Definitions
C. Too extreme
D. Neutral
Key: C | Explanation: Extreme words usually go beyond the passage. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
010. In an "except" question, the best method is to
A. Find three true statements and choose the one left
B. Pick the longest option
C. Ignore the passage
D. Guess the first option
Key: A | Explanation: Three options are supported; the exception is not. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
011. A passage that gives the steps of a process mainly aims to
A. Entertain
B. Inform
C. Mock
D. Persuade
Key: B | Explanation: Giving steps is mainly informing. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
012. "Although he was frugal, his brother spent freely." Here "frugal" means
A. Tall
B. Angry
C. Wasteful
D. Careful with money
Key: D | Explanation: The contrast with "spent freely" shows frugal means thrifty. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
013. "The old library opens for only two hours each evening, yet children queue at its gate before it opens." From this we can infer that the children
A. Have no school
B. Are paid to wait
C. Value the library
D. Dislike the library
Key: C | Explanation: Waiting early shows they value it. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
014. "The minister gave a candid reply and did not hide that the project was late." "Candid" means
A. Honest and open
B. Brief
C. Evasive
D. Angry
Key: A | Explanation: The clue is "did not hide the fact". Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
015. "Many farmers use mobile phones to check weather and market prices. Some say they no longer depend on middlemen for price information." The best title is
A. Cost of Mobile Phones
B. Dangers of Middlemen
C. Weather and Storms
D. Phones Help Farmers Decide
Key: D | Explanation: The passage is about phones helping farmers decide and earn. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
016. "The bus was late again. The conductor shrugged. 'Punctuality,' he said, 'is a rare virtue on this route.'" The conductor's remark is
A. Admiring
B. Sarcastic
C. Neutral
D. Fearful
Key: B | Explanation: He says the opposite of the real situation to mock the delays. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
017. "Sita practised daily for months. On the day of the race she crossed the line first." Which is the safest inference?
A. Practice helped her success
B. She was the youngest runner
C. She trained with a coach
D. She never lost a race
Key: A | Explanation: Only the link between practice and success is supported. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
018. "The shopkeeper kept the shop open late on festival days, as many customers came after dark." Why did he keep it open late?
A. He had no home
B. The law required it
C. He disliked sleep
D. His customers came after dark
Key: D | Explanation: The reason is stated directly. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
019. In the sentence "The river will bear the weight of the boat," the word "bear" means
A. Animal
B. Give birth
C. Carry or support
D. Tolerate
Key: C | Explanation: The context is about holding weight. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
020. In "He paid a fine for parking in the wrong place," the word "fine" means
A. Thin
B. A penalty
C. Pleasant
D. Of good quality
Key: B | Explanation: A fine for wrong parking is a penalty. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
021. "The scientist's claim was dismissed as baseless, since no experiment supported it." "Baseless" means
A. Heavy
B. Famous
C. Complicated
D. Without support
Key: D | Explanation: The clue is "no experiment supported it". Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
022. A title such as "Weather" for a passage about farmers using phones for weather, prices and markets is poor because it is
A. Too funny
B. Too long
C. Too narrow
D. Opposite
Key: C | Explanation: It covers only one detail of the passage. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
023. Which of these is an OPINION?
A. The plan is the best one ever made.
B. The report has three parts.
C. The school opens at nine.
D. The road is five metres wide.
Key: A | Explanation: "Best ever" is a judgement, not a stated fact. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
024. Consider these statements. 1. Tone is the writer's attitude. 2. Topic and tone mean the same thing.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: A | Explanation: Topic is the subject; tone is attitude. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
025. Consider these statements. 1. Context decides which meaning of a word is used. 2. The first dictionary meaning always fits.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: A | Explanation: Context, not the first meaning, decides. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
026. Consider these statements. 1. A good title covers the whole passage. 2. A title built from one small detail is usually too narrow.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: C | Explanation: Both statements are correct. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
027. Read: "Ravi left home early. He reached the station an hour before the train." Consider these statements. 1. Ravi was early. 2. Ravi missed the train.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: A | Explanation: He was early; nothing shows he missed the train. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
028. Read: "The village has a well, a school and a clinic." Consider these statements. 1. The village has a school. 2. The village has a bank.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: A | Explanation: A bank is not mentioned. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
029. Read: "Heavy rains flooded the fields, and the harvest was delayed by a week." Consider these statements. 1. The rain delayed the harvest. 2. The harvest was destroyed.
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Key: A | Explanation: It was delayed, not destroyed. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
030. Match the word with a context clue type.
A. "unfortunately" - definition clue
B. "but" - contrast clue
C. "which means" - contrast clue
D. "for example" - contrast clue
Key: B | Explanation: "But" signals contrast. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
031. Read: "Most birds fly south in winter. The Arctic tern, however, flies from pole to pole." The word "however" shows
A. Example
B. Contrast
C. Cause
D. Time
Key: B | Explanation: "However" introduces a contrast with the rule just given. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
032. Read: "Few people complained about the new rule, yet the council withdrew it." Which inference is best?
A. The rule was loved by all
B. The council was forced by a court
C. Nobody lived in the city
D. The council cared about public feeling or other reasons
Key: D | Explanation: Only a cautious inference is supported; the others add facts. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
033. Read: "The author praises the speed of the new train but warns that the tickets are costly." The author's attitude is
A. Fully admiring
B. Angry
C. Sarcastic
D. Mixed
Key: D | Explanation: He praises one aspect and criticises another. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
034. Read: "The city built more flyovers, and traffic grew heavier than before." Which conclusion is NOT supported?
A. Traffic remained a problem
B. Flyovers caused all the traffic
C. Flyovers did not end heavy traffic
D. Traffic grew after the flyovers
Key: B | Explanation: The passage does not say flyovers caused it. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
035. Read: "Unlike his gregarious sister, Mohan preferred to stay at home with a book." "Gregarious" means
A. Quiet
B. Rich
C. Fond of company
D. Forgetful
Key: C | Explanation: "Unlike" shows that gregarious is the opposite of staying alone. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
036. Read: "It is a pity that the bridge, once a pride of the town, now lies neglected." The tone is
A. Joyful
B. Regretful
C. Humorous
D. Angry
Key: B | Explanation: "It is a pity" shows regret. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
037. Read: "The festival draws crowds, boosts trade and keeps old crafts alive." The main idea is that the festival
A. Is very old
B. Is held in winter
C. Harms local trade
D. Has several benefits
Key: D | Explanation: It lists three benefits. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
038. Read: "The report was lengthy and tedious, and few readers finished it." "Tedious" means
A. Accurate
B. Colourful
C. Boring
D. Brief
Key: C | Explanation: Few finished it, which suggests it was boring. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
039. Which approach saves time when a passage is hard?
A. Pause at each difficult word
B. Read the full sentence and guess from clues
C. Skip the questions
D. Memorise every line
Key: B | Explanation: Context clues usually reveal the meaning. Use the passage as the evidence boundary: choose only an answer directly stated or safely inferred from its wording.
040. Read the passage, then answer.
What change allowed the room to stay open longer?
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. Solar lamps
B. A new building
C. More staff
D. A transport service
Key: A | Explanation: The passage directly says volunteers installed solar lamps.
041. Read the passage, then answer.
Which group showed the largest attendance rise?
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. All teachers
B. Tourists
C. Shop owners
D. Morning workers who were students
Key: D | Explanation: The passage names students who worked in the morning.
042. Read the passage, then answer.
What has the committee not compared?
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. Opening hours
B. The lamps used
C. Examination results
D. Weekly visitor numbers
Key: C | Explanation: Visitor numbers are recorded; examination results have not been compared.
043. Read the passage, then answer.
Which conclusion is supported?
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. Volunteers received salaries
B. Attendance increased after lighting changed
C. Scores certainly improved
D. The room opens all night
Key: B | Explanation: Only increased attendance is stated. No score result is given.
044. Read the passage, then answer.
The tone is best described as
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. Informative and measured
B. Angry
C. Sarcastic
D. Celebratory without qualification
Key: A | Explanation: The writer reports the change and a limitation without exaggeration.
045. Read the passage, then answer.
A suitable title is
The reading room in a coastal town used to close at sunset. After volunteers installed solar lamps, it stayed open for two more hours. Attendance rose most among students who worked in the morning. The committee records weekly visitor numbers but has not yet compared examination results.
A. How to Pass Every Exam
B. The Decline of Coastal Towns
C. A History of Solar Power
D. Light Extends a Reading Room’s Hours
Key: D | Explanation: The title captures the central change and its effect.
046. Read the passage, then answer.
What information is shared daily?
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. Exact yield
B. Soil ownership record
C. Rainfall reading
D. Crop price guarantee
Key: C | Explanation: The first two sentences identify the rainfall reading.
047. Read the passage, then answer.
How do members decide when to irrigate?
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. They wait for a yield guarantee
B. They combine the report with field observations
C. They follow a fixed date only
D. They ask the station to choose a crop
Key: B | Explanation: The passage says they use both sources.
048. Read the passage, then answer.
What limitation is stated?
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. The station does not predict exact farm yield
B. It cannot send a phone reading
C. Members have no fields
D. Rainfall is not measured
Key: A | Explanation: The last sentence gives this limitation.
049. Read the passage, then answer.
The word “alongside” here means
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. Instead of
B. Earlier than
C. Far away from
D. Together with
Key: D | Explanation: The group uses the report together with field observations.
050. Read the passage, then answer.
Which is an unsupported claim?
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. Field observations are considered
B. The group uses phones
C. The station guarantees higher income
D. A daily reading is sent
Key: C | Explanation: No income guarantee appears in the passage.
051. Read the passage, then answer.
The main idea is
A farmer’s group began sharing a small weather station. Members receive a daily rainfall reading on their phones. They use the report alongside their own field observations before deciding when to irrigate. The station does not predict the exact yield of any farm.
A. The group predicts exact production
B. Shared weather data supports irrigation decisions
C. Every crop needs identical water
D. Phones replace all field knowledge
Key: B | Explanation: The passage describes data as one input alongside observation.
052. Read the passage, then answer.
How often is outreach scheduled?
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. Once each week
B. Every day
C. Once each year
D. Only during emergencies
Key: A | Explanation: The clinic reserves one morning each week.
053. Read the passage, then answer.
Who is the outreach intended to help?
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. Only clinic staff
B. Visitors from outside the district
C. People seeking sports coaching
D. People who cannot easily travel
Key: D | Explanation: This purpose is explicitly stated.
054. Read the passage, then answer.
What continues at the main building?
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. Staff training only
B. Nothing
C. Emergency care
D. Weekly village visits
Key: C | Explanation: The clinic continues handling emergencies there.
055. Read the passage, then answer.
How was the arrangement reviewed?
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. Crop estimates
B. Attendance logs and staff feedback
C. A national election
D. A single newspaper review
Key: B | Explanation: Both review inputs are named.
056. Read the passage, then answer.
Which inference is safest?
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. The clinic tried to assess how the arrangement worked
B. Every patient was satisfied
C. Travel became impossible
D. The mobile team replaced the clinic
Key: A | Explanation: The review suggests assessment; it does not prove universal satisfaction.
057. Read the passage, then answer.
A suitable title is
At a district clinic, nurses set aside one morning each week for people who cannot easily travel. A mobile team visits two villages on that day. The clinic still handles emergencies at its main building. The arrangement was reviewed after three months using attendance logs and staff feedback.
A. The End of Emergency Care
B. A Guide to Nursing Exams
C. Three Months Without Records
D. Taking Clinic Services Closer
Key: D | Explanation: The title reflects the weekly village outreach.
058. Read the passage, then answer.
Which details does the catalogue list?
A library catalogue lists books by title, author and subject. A search by subject may return several works by different authors. A reader should check the publication details before borrowing, especially when two books have similar titles. The catalogue helps locate a book; it does not judge its quality.
A. Only the author’s address
B. Reader reviews only
C. Title, author and subject
D. Price, marks and rank
Key: C | Explanation: Those three catalogue fields are directly listed.
059. Read the passage, then answer.
Why check publication details?
A library catalogue lists books by title, author and subject. A search by subject may return several works by different authors. A reader should check the publication details before borrowing, especially when two books have similar titles. The catalogue helps locate a book; it does not judge its quality.
A. Borrowing changes the title
B. Similar titles may refer to different books
C. The catalogue has no subjects
D. All books have the same author
Key: B | Explanation: The passage warns that titles can be similar.
060. Read the passage, then answer.
What does the catalogue help a reader do?
A library catalogue lists books by title, author and subject. A search by subject may return several works by different authors. A reader should check the publication details before borrowing, especially when two books have similar titles. The catalogue helps locate a book; it does not judge its quality.
A. Locate a book
B. Certify its quality
C. Guarantee a correct answer
D. Replace reading
Key: A | Explanation: The final sentence distinguishes locating from judging quality.
061. Read the passage, then answer.
The passage is mainly
A library catalogue lists books by title, author and subject. A search by subject may return several works by different authors. A reader should check the publication details before borrowing, especially when two books have similar titles. The catalogue helps locate a book; it does not judge its quality.
A. Narrative
B. Sarcastic
C. Argumentative
D. Expository
Key: D | Explanation: It explains catalogue use and a limitation.