Comprehension

Helicopters are very different from airplanes. They can do three things that airplanes cannot do. First, when airplanes move upward, they must also move forward, but helicopters can move straight up without moving ahead. Second, helicopters can fly backward, which airplanes cannot do. Third, helicopters can use their rotors to hover in the air, which is impossible for airplanes. Helicopters can perform actions that airplanes cannot, they are used for different tasks. Since, helicopters can take off without moving forward, they do not need a runway for take off. They are used in congested areas where there is no room for airplanes or in isolated areas, which do not have airports. Because they can hover, they are used on firefighting missions to drop water on fires. They are used in logging operations to lift trees out of forests. Helicopters are used as air ambulances to airlift patients out of situations, which are difficult to reach by conventional ambulances. The police used helicopters to follow suspects on the ground or to search for cars on the ground. Of course, helicopters have military uses because of their design and capabilities. 

Question: 1

The word 'congested' in the passage means

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Congested = crowded, jammed, filled to excess.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • the place is roomy
  • the place has no place
  • the place can be accessed by police vans
  • the place has so much of smoke due to fire
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The question asks for the meaning of the word 'congested,' which is found in the provided passage. Let's examine the excerpt from the passage to understand the context where 'congested' is used:

"Since helicopters can take off without moving forward, they do not need a runway for take off. They are used in congested areas where there is no room for airplanes or in isolated areas, which do not have airports."

In the passage, the word 'congested' refers to areas where there is limited space, and specifically, where there is no room for airplanes. This implies that congested areas are those that are crowded or have insufficient space for specific activities, in this case, airplane operations.

Now, let's analyze each of the options given:

  1. The place is roomy.
    - Incorrect: 'Roomy' suggests that the place has a lot of space, which is the opposite of 'congested.'
  2. The place has no place.
    - Correct: This option implies that there is no available space, which aligns with the meaning of 'congested' as used in the passage.
  3. The place can be accessed by police vans.
    - Incorrect: This is not related to the meaning of 'congested,' which deals with the lack of space rather than accessibility.
  4. The place has so much smoke due to fire.
    - Incorrect: While 'congestion' could imply smoke in other contexts, in this passage, it refers to the lack of space.

Therefore, the correct answer is: the place has no place

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Question: 2

A helicopter can hover while an airplane cannot, according to the passage. 'Hover' in the passage means

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Hover = remain suspended in one place without moving.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • stay at one place in the air
  • move straight up in the air
  • go backward in the air
  • fly sideways
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The question is about understanding the meaning of the word "hover" in the context of helicopters, as mentioned in the given passage. Let's analyze this.

  • Understanding the term "hover": In aviation terms, "hover" refers to the ability to stay in one place in the air without moving in any direction. This is primarily a capability of helicopters due to their rotor design, allowing them to maintain a stable position in the air.
  • Context from the passage: The passage contrasts helicopters with airplanes, highlighting that helicopters can perform certain actions that airplanes cannot. One of these actions is "hovering," which allows helicopters to hold a stationary position in the air.
  • Evaluating the options:
    • stay at one place in the air:
      This directly matches the definition and context provided in the passage regarding "hover." Helicopters can maintain a stationary position, unlike airplanes.
    • move straight up in the air:
      Although helicopters can move straight up, this ability is separate from hovering and not exclusively described by the term "hover."
    • go backward in the air:
      This is another capability of helicopters but does not define "hover."
    • fly sideways:
      While helicopters can maneuver sideways, this is not the definition of hovering as per the context in the passage.

Conclusion: Based on the passage and the options provided, the most accurate meaning of "hover" is stay at one place in the air. This aligns with the helicopter's ability to maintain a fixed position in the air, which is highlighted as distinct from what airplanes can do.

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Question: 3

Point out the grammatical category of the word 'perform' in the passage.

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Verbs show action or state of being.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Noun
  • Verb
  • Adverb
  • Helping verb
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To identify the grammatical category of the word 'perform' in the provided passage, let's analyze its use and meaning within the context. Here is the relevant sentence from the passage:

Helicopters can perform actions that airplanes cannot...

Step-by-Step Analysis:

  1. The word 'perform' is used in the passage to describe what helicopters can do, specifically the actions they undertake. This usage indicates that 'perform' is describing an action.
  2. In English grammar, words that describe actions are categorized as verbs.
  3. To confirm, test if 'perform' meets the criteria of a verb:
    • Does it express an action? Yes, 'perform' describes the execution of actions by helicopters.
    • Can it change form to indicate tense? Yes, 'perform' can become 'performed' (past tense) or 'performing' (present participle), which are typical transformations of verbs.
  4. Given this analysis, 'perform' functions as a verb in the sentence.

Excluding Other Options:

  • Noun: A noun represents a person, place, or thing. 'Perform' does not fit this category as it does not name an entity.
  • Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb. 'Perform' does not provide this modifying function.
  • Helping Verb: Helping verbs assist main verbs. 'Perform' acts independently as the main verb, not as an auxiliary.

Conclusively, based on the analysis, the correct grammatical category for the word 'perform' in the given passage is Verb.

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Question: 4

Why is a helicopter used as an ambulance?

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Always refer back to the passage for answers.
Updated On: Jun 16, 2026
  • Its movement can be manoeuvred easily
  • It crosses all difficulties of traffic
  • It reaches the inaccessible places easily
  • It can fire-fight
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Helicopters are uniquely suited for use as air ambulances due to several key capabilities that distinguish them from fixed-wing aircraft and other vehicles. The statement "It reaches the inaccessible places easily" is the correct reason why helicopters are used as ambulances. Let's explore the reasoning behind this:

  1. Vertical Takeoff and Landing: Unlike airplanes, helicopters can take off and land vertically. This means they do not require a runway and can operate from much smaller spaces, making them ideal for reaching or operating in areas lacking airfield infrastructure.
  2. Hovering Capability: Helicopters can hover in place, allowing them to stay suspended in the air. This is extremely beneficial when rescuing individuals from difficult-to-reach places, such as mountainous terrains, dense forests, or urban environments with heavy congestion.
  3. Manoeuvrability: They can navigate through areas with limited access and adjust their position precisely, which is vital for search and rescue missions, reaching accident sites in complex terrains, or in scenarios where quick access is needed without nearby landing zones.
  4. Emergency Response: Helicopters can quickly respond to emergencies by flying over obstacles and providing timely medical evacuations, which can be critical for saving lives when time is of the essence.

Based on these capabilities, helicopters are a crucial component of medical emergency services, particularly in situations that are inaccessible or challenging for conventional ground-based ambulances. The other options, while stating some capabilities of helicopters, do not primarily address their role as air ambulances in the way the given correct answer ("It reaches the inaccessible places easily") does.

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