Comprehension
‘When were you in Morocco?’ a globetrotter friend excitedly asked me. ‘Never been there, I’m keen to visit it, though,’ I sallied. ‘This is Morocco,’ he said emphatically, pointing to an image on the monitor. ‘This is Punjab,’ I countered. ‘It’s the Grand Mosque of Marakesh,’ he stressed. ‘It’s the Moorish Mosque in Kapurthala,’ I smiled. Our rebuttal session got a tad extended leaving my friend utterly flummoxed and I thought of bailing him out. ‘You’ve been partially accurate all along. The mosque is a replica.’ He was astounded. So are a host of others initially when they see the images of Kapurthala, an erstwhile royal province defined by its architectural grandeur. Their surprise springs not from the verity that a facsimile structure exists, but from the knowledge that it stands in Punjab!
The feisty agrarian land of Punjab has always been shy in boasting about its built heritage, instead letting its overenthusiastic bhangra and scrumptious tandoori chicken do most of the talking. Nonetheless, it does have stunning edifices dotting its landscape and is quite an indulgence for the history-digger. Amongst them all, Kapurthala is definitely the crowning glory. Its lineage dates back to founder, Jassa Singh Ahluwalia, an astute warrior, who played a pivotal role in crushing numerous invasions to become the first leader who consolidated large parts of Punjab. In a way, Jassa Singh laid the path for Punjab’s most exceptional monarch, Maharaja Ranjit Singh, to establish an impregnable Sikh empire years later. 
However, Kapurthala owes its structural legacy to Maharaja Jagatjit Singh. A widely-travelled royal, his voyages allowed him to see exceptional architecture and he chose the blueprint of some of the finest in the world to adorn his State with. That’s how Kapurthala got the Moorish Mosque. Recreated by the French architect, Manteaux, on the pattern of the Koutoubia or Grand Mosque of Marakesh, Morocco’s signature structure, it was erected in 1930 at a cost of ` 4 lakh. Far removed from the Indo-Islamic, marble-domed mosques found around the country, it has instead a brick-work facade, no dome, a flat roofed entrance and, uniquely, a single cuboidal minaret. 
What appealed instantly were the joyous colors that reflected a Mediterranean ambience. I was gripped by a rose pink wall meeting a lemon one round the corner, mustard-colored arches, glazed dark turquoise ridged tiles capping a hexagonal dome or the touch of green in its minaret. The intricate, brick-filigreed minaret is further adorned with a spire which is three copper balls in reducing size, signifying the traditional style of the Almohads, a dynasty that originated in 1121 A.D. with Ibn Tumart, a Berber tribe member of the Atlas Mountains; and by 1149 A.D., it had established its control over Marakesh. The Grand Mosque was built between 1184 and 1199 A.D. Centuries later, the Moorish Mosque in Punjab stood as a splendid link in the six degrees of separation from a passage of history that played out in distant Africa.
Today’s Kapurthala has a reticent charm. In addition to this slice of Morocco, the town is dotted with other European replicas too. I observed a bit of France in the Jagatjit Palace, a close reproduction of the Palace of Versailles, that is now the Sainik School. A touch of Greece came across in the Jagatjit Club that’s designed on the lines of the Acropolis. A bevy of places that completed the impressive line-up were the IndoSaracenic Jhagar Singh War Memorial; Elysee Palace that’s now MGN Public School; the Islamic-patterned former Durbar Hall which at present serves as the District Court; and the Randhir College that was set up in 1856 and named after a former ruler.
Question: 1

Pick out the antonym of ‘impregnable’ as used in the passage

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Vulnerable
  • Courageous
  • Senile
  • Strong
  • Safe
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (A):
Vulnerable

The word "impregnable" means unable to be captured or broken into; invulnerable. Therefore, its antonym would be a word that describes something that *can* be captured or broken into, which is "vulnerable." Vulnerable means susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
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Question: 2

A host of author’s friends were surprised to know

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • That the author visited Morocco and the Grand Mosque of Marakesh
  • That Kapurthala, an erstwhile royal province, has the Grand Mosque of Marakesh
  • That the Grand Mosque of Marakesh is a replica of the Moorish Mosque that stands in Kapurthala
  • That an exact copy of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh stands in Punjab
  • That Punjab is much more than bhangra and tandoori chicken
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (D):
That an exact copy of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh stands in Punjab

The sentence "A host of author's friends were surprised to know" implies that the author revealed something unexpected. The correct answer, "That an exact copy of the Grand Mosque of Marakesh stands in Punjab," presents a surprising fact: the existence of a replica of a significant Moroccan landmark in a region known for different cultural aspects (as mentioned in a different option). This aligns with the initial phrase's intention of introducing an element of surprise, which is the core implication. The other options either mention the location the author visited, a historical fact, or general information. These don't directly present the kind of unexpected information that would surprise the author's friends.
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Question: 3

The passage opens with a/an

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Reproach
  • Denigration
  • Refutation
  • Approval
  • Tiff
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (C):
Refutation

The question asks about the opening of a passage. To determine the correct answer, we need to understand what the options mean in relation to how a passage might begin.

* Refutation: This means a denial of the validity of an opposing argument; the act of proving a statement or theory to be wrong. A passage might open by presenting a point of view and then immediately setting out to disprove it. This is a common and logical way to begin an argument.

* Reproach: This is an expression of disapproval or disappointment. While a passage might contain reproach, it's less likely to be the primary function of its opening. A reproach might follow a statement, not lead into one.

* Denigration: This involves unfairly criticizing someone or something. Similar to reproach, it is not as logical as refutation for the beginning of a passage. It generally needs an existing target to launch against.

* Approval: This is an agreement with an idea or someone's actions. While possible, an entire passage built upon approval is less likely than a refutation. Approval doesn't present an argument, but just states the agreement.

* Tiff: This means a petty quarrel. A passage rarely, if ever, begins with such a thing.

Therefore, because a passage can open with the goal of immediately disproving another idea, the answer 'Refutation' is correct. The other answer options are less suited to be the starting point of a written passage.
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Question: 4

How did Kapurthala get the Moorish Mosque?

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Jassa Singh Ahluwalia got it constructed on the lines of Elysee Palace
  • The French architect, Manteaux, built it as a replica of the Acropolis
  • Ibn Tumart, a Berber tribe member of the Atlas Mountains, constructed it as a close reproduction of the Palace of Versailles
  • Maharaja Ranjit Singh added a special charm to Kapurthala by building the Mosque as a fine representation of Indo-islamic culture
  • Maharaja Jagatjit Singh’s admiration for the architectural wonders made him bring blueprints of some of the finest in the world to adorn the State with
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The Correct Option is

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (E):
Maharaja Jagatjit Singh’s admiration for the architectural wonders made him bring blueprints of some of the finest in the world to adorn the State with

The correct answer is:
Maharaja Jagatjit Singh’s admiration for the architectural wonders made him bring blueprints of some of the finest in the world to adorn the State with


This answer accurately describes the origin of the Moorish Mosque in Kapurthala. Maharaja Jagatjit Singh, the ruler of Kapurthala, was known for his cosmopolitan tastes and admiration for European architecture. He commissioned the construction of the mosque, drawing inspiration from the architectural styles he encountered during his travels. This desire to embellish his state with beautiful and unique structures led to the creation of the Moorish Mosque, reflecting his appreciation for architectural diversity and incorporating design elements from various cultures.

The other options are incorrect because:

- They incorrectly attribute the construction to other individuals or places.
- They describe architectural inspirations that are not relevant to the Moorish Mosque.
- They misrepresent the historical context and the role of Maharaja Jagatjit Singh in the mosque's creation.
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Question: 5

According to the author, Punjab is shy of boasting about

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Its rich cultural diversity
  • Its architectural marvels
  • Its agrarian wealth
  • Its traditional bhangra dance
  • Its typical dish tandoori chicken
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (B):
Its architectural marvels

The question asks what Punjab is shy of boasting about, according to the author. Analyzing the given options, the answer is "Its architectural marvels." The author likely indicates that Punjab doesn't prominently showcase or celebrate its architectural achievements as much as other aspects of its culture. The other options, such as its cultural diversity, agrarian wealth, bhangra dance, and tandoori chicken, are all well-known and often associated with Punjab, implying that the region doesn't shy away from promoting them. Therefore, the lack of emphasis on architectural marvels makes it the most fitting answer.
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