Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

Manja, or the glass-coated string used for flying kites, not only poses threat to humans, animals and birds but also to trees. A study by the country's oldest botanical garden has revealed that it poses a great threat to trees. But how can a snapped string struck in a tree kill the tree? Apparently, it does so by allying with the creepers in the garden.

A research paper by three scientists of the Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, located in West Bengal's Howrah district, illustrates in detail how the manja, in collusion with climbers, does the damage. "The abandoned, torn kite strings act as an excellent primary supporting platform for the tender climbers, giving easy passage to reach the top of the trees. Lateral branches from the top of the climber and other accessory branches from the ground reaches the top taking support of the first climber, completely covers the treetop, thus inhibiting the penetration of sunlight," says the research paper.

Abandoned, torn kite strings stuck in trees benefits whom?

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

The teacher said, "Nobody can solve the problem."

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph.

Thus, I stand on a

X-hill and watch a labourer
Y-upon the distant railway
Z-striking with his sledge

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph.

Our only enemies were

X-heat, thirst, and flies, but far
Y-from man or beast than that awful trinity
Z-rather would I have faced any danger

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the words/sentence.

To move back and forth or sideways

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

To make amends

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

To go to somebody's head

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word opposite in meaning to the word given.

To avert