WBCS 2021 previous year paper practice · PYQ-pattern set

WBCS 2021 PYQ-pattern questions

Showing 10 of the 20 PYQ-pattern questions in this set — freshly worded in that year's pattern, not the original questions. Answers and solutions open under each question.

1. Q1 · General Science

   Which vitamin deficiency causes the disease known as Scurvy?

   • A. Vitamin A
   • B. Vitamin B12
   • C. Vitamin C
   • D. Vitamin D
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Scurvy is caused by deficiency of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), leading to symptoms like bleeding gums, weakness, and poor wound healing.

2. Q2 · Indian History

   The Rowlatt Act of 1919 was primarily aimed at:

   • A. Granting limited self-governance to Indian provinces
   • B. Curbing revolutionary activities and allowing detention without trial
   • C. Imposing economic sanctions on Indian businesses
   • D. Establishing separate electorates for Muslims
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The Rowlatt Act of 1919 allowed the British government to imprison suspects without trial and curb civil liberties to suppress revolutionary nationalist activities in India.

3. Q3 · Data Interpretation

   The following table shows the production of rice (in tonnes) in five states over three years: State A: 2020=450, 2021=480, 2022=510 State B: 2020=520, 2021=540, 2022=560 State C: 2020=400, 2021=420, 2022=460 State D: 2020=380, 2021=410, 2022=430 State E: 2020=490, 2021=510, 2022=530 Which state showed the maximum percentage increase in production from 2020 to 2022?

   • A. State A
   • B. State C
   • C. State D
   • D. State E
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   State C: 60/400 = 15%, State A: 60/450 = 13.33%, State D: 50/380 = 13.16%, State E: 40/490 = 8.16%. State C has the highest percentage increase.

4. Q4 · Percentage

   In an examination, 35% of the students failed in Mathematics, 40% failed in English, and 20% failed in both subjects. What percentage of students passed in both subjects?

   • A. 35%
   • B. 40%
   • C. 45%
   • D. 55%
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Students who failed in at least one subject = 35% + 40% - 20% = 55%. Therefore, students who passed in both = 100% - 55% = 45%.

5. Q5 · Mensuration

   The diameter of a cylindrical tank is increased by 50% keeping the height constant. By what percentage does the volume of the cylinder increase?

   • A. 50%
   • B. 125%
   • C. 150%
   • D. 225%
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   Volume = πr²h. If diameter increases by 50%, radius becomes 1.5r. New volume = π(1.5r)²h = 2.25πr²h. Percentage increase = (2.25–1)/1 × 100 = 125%.

6. Q6 · Comprehension

   একটি অনুচ্ছেদে লেখক বলেছেন: 'শিক্ষা মানুষের মনকে আলোকিত করে এবং সমাজকে এগিয়ে নিয়ে যায়।' এই বাক্যের মূল ভাব কী?

   • A. শিক্ষা শুধুমাত্র ব্যক্তিগত উন্নতির জন্য গুরুত্বপূর্ণ
   • B. শিক্ষা ব্যক্তি ও সমাজ উভয়ের উন্নতিতে সহায়ক
   • C. শিক্ষা শুধুমাত্র সামাজিক উন্নয়নের জন্য প্রয়োজনীয়
   • D. শিক্ষা ছাড়া সমাজের অগ্রগতি সম্ভব
   Answer and solution

   Answer: B

   The passage states education enlightens the individual mind and advances society, indicating its dual role in both personal and social development.

7. Q7 · Sentence Correction

   Identify the grammatically CORRECT sentence:

   • A. Neither of the candidates were suitable for the position.
   • B. The number of applicants have increased significantly.
   • C. Each of the officers has submitted their report.
   • D. The committee has approved the new policy unanimously.
   Answer and solution

   Answer: D

   Option D is correct because 'committee' as a collective noun takes singular verb when acting as one unit. Option A is wrong (neither takes singular verb 'was'), B is wrong ('number' takes singular 'has'), and C has pronoun disagreement ('each' is singular, should use 'his/her' not 'their').

8. Q8 · Bengali Literature

   বঙ্কিমচন্দ্র চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের রচনা নয় কোনটি?

   • A. আনন্দমঠ
   • B. দেবী চৌধুরাণী
   • C. পথের পাঁচালী
   • D. কপালকুণ্ডলা
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   পথের পাঁচালী was written by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay, not Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. The other three novels are famous works of Bankim Chandra.

9. Q9 · General Science

   Which vitamin is synthesized in the human body when exposed to sunlight?

   • A. Vitamin A
   • B. Vitamin C
   • C. Vitamin D
   • D. Vitamin E
   Answer and solution

   Answer: C

   Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin upon exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight, which converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3.

10. Q10 · Logical Reasoning

    A clock is set at 9 a.m. and loses 6 minutes every hour. What will be the true time when the clock indicates 6 p.m. on the same day?

    • A. 6:48 p.m.
    • B. 7:12 p.m.
    • C. 7:00 p.m.
    • D. 6:54 p.m.
    Answer and solution

    Answer: C

    In 60 true minutes the clock shows 54 minutes. Clock indicates 540 minutes (9am to 6pm). True time = 540 × (60/54) = 600 minutes = 10 hours after 9am = 7:00 p.m.