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IPU CET practice questions

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Question 1Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In the IPU CET context, which subject area is most commonly tested for candidates seeking admission to engineering programmes?

  1. Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics Correct answer.
  2. Botany and zoology only
  3. Accountancy and business studies
  4. Indian history and civics

Explanation

Engineering aspirants are typically assessed on the core science and mathematics triad of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, since these underpin first-year engineering coursework. Commerce and humanities combinations belong to other programme streams.

Question 2Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A candidate is preparing for the mathematics section of an IPU CET engineering paper. Which topic is most likely to appear as a standard calculus question?

  1. Naming an organic compound
  2. Balancing a ledger account
  3. Evaluation of a definite integral Correct answer.
  4. Interpreting a poem's meter

Explanation

Definite integration is a core calculus topic routinely examined in engineering entrance mathematics sections. The other options belong to commerce, chemistry and literature respectively, so they fall outside the mathematics syllabus.

Question 3Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In the physics portion of an IPU CET engineering paper, a question asks for the SI unit of electric resistance. Which answer is correct?

  1. Farad
  2. Tesla
  3. Ohm Correct answer.
  4. Weber

Explanation

Resistance is measured in ohms, defined as the resistance that permits one ampere when one volt is applied. Farad measures capacitance, tesla measures magnetic flux density and weber measures magnetic flux.

Question 4Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A chemistry question in an IPU CET paper asks for the hybridisation of the carbon atom in a methane molecule. Which option is correct?

  1. sp2
  2. sp
  3. sp3d
  4. sp3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Methane has four equivalent sigma bonds arranged tetrahedrally around carbon, which corresponds to sp3 hybridisation. sp2 and sp describe trigonal planar and linear geometries respectively, while sp3d implies five electron domains.

Question 5Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

Which of the following is the correct expansion of the abbreviation CET as used in the name of the IPU CET examination?

  1. Combined Evaluation Test
  2. Certificate Entrance Training
  3. Central Eligibility Test
  4. Common Entrance Test Correct answer.

Explanation

CET stands for Common Entrance Test, indicating a single examination used for admission across participating programmes. The other expansions do not correspond to the standard meaning used in Indian university admissions.

Question 6Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In the English language section of an IPU CET paper, a candidate must choose the word closest in meaning to 'candid'. Which option is correct?

  1. Frank Correct answer.
  2. Wealthy
  3. Cautious
  4. Hesitant

Explanation

'Candid' means honest and straightforward in expression, so 'frank' is the closest synonym. 'Cautious' and 'hesitant' describe reluctance, while 'wealthy' is unrelated to manner of speech.

Question 7Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A reasoning question in an IPU CET paper presents the series 2, 6, 12, 20, 30 and asks for the next term. Which number continues the pattern?

  1. 40
  2. 38
  3. 42 Correct answer.
  4. 44

Explanation

The terms equal n(n+1) for n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, giving differences 4, 6, 8, 10 and next 12. Adding 12 to 30 gives 42, which also equals 6 multiplied by 7.

Question 8Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In the biology-oriented stream of an IPU CET admission process, which subject is typically included alongside Physics and Chemistry?

  1. Accountancy
  2. Biology Correct answer.
  3. Political science
  4. Engineering drawing

Explanation

Biology-oriented programmes such as those in life sciences and allied health usually require Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Accountancy and political science belong to commerce and humanities streams, and engineering drawing is a technical subject rather than a school science.

Question 9Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A mathematics question in an IPU CET paper asks for the value of the derivative of sin x with respect to x. Which option is correct?

  1. -cos x
  2. tan x
  3. cos x Correct answer.
  4. -sin x

Explanation

The derivative of sin x is cos x, a standard result from first principles. The derivative of cos x is -sin x, so the negative cosine and negative sine options confuse the sign and the function.

Question 10Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A physics question in an IPU CET paper states that a body moves with uniform velocity. Which statement about its acceleration must be true?

  1. Acceleration increases uniformly
  2. Acceleration equals the velocity
  3. Acceleration is zero Correct answer.
  4. Acceleration is constant but non-zero

Explanation

Uniform velocity means both magnitude and direction stay unchanged, so the rate of change of velocity is zero. A constant non-zero acceleration would change the velocity over time, contradicting uniformity.

Question 11Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET chemistry question, which of the following oxides is classified as amphoteric?

  1. CO2
  2. Na2O
  3. CaO
  4. Al2O3 Correct answer.

Explanation

Aluminium oxide reacts with both acids and bases to form salts, which defines amphoteric behaviour. Sodium oxide and calcium oxide are basic oxides, while carbon dioxide is an acidic oxide.

Question 12Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A candidate solving an IPU CET mathematics problem needs the number of ways to arrange the letters of the word 'IPU' in a row. How many distinct arrangements exist?

  1. 1
  2. 3
  3. 6 Correct answer.
  4. 9

Explanation

All three letters of 'IPU' are distinct, so the number of arrangements is 3 factorial, which equals 6. The value 3 would be the count of letters, not of permutations.

Question 13Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A logical reasoning item in an IPU CET paper states that all engineers are graduates and some graduates are researchers. Which conclusion follows necessarily?

  1. All researchers are engineers
  2. All graduates are engineers
  3. No engineer is a researcher
  4. Some graduates are engineers Correct answer.

Explanation

If all engineers are graduates, then the set of engineers lies inside the set of graduates, so at least some graduates are engineers. The other options reverse the relation or assert exclusions that the premises do not support.

Question 14Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET English section, choose the option that correctly fills the blank: 'The committee ____ divided in its opinion on the proposal.'

  1. have
  2. are
  3. was Correct answer.
  4. were being

Explanation

When a collective noun such as 'committee' is treated as a single unit, it takes a singular verb, so 'was' is correct. The other options either use a plural verb or an unnecessary progressive form.

Question 15Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A physics problem in an IPU CET paper involves a body of mass 2 kg accelerated at 3 m/s². What net force acts on the body?

  1. 6 N Correct answer.
  2. 0.67 N
  3. 1.5 N
  4. 5 N

Explanation

Newton's second law gives force as mass multiplied by acceleration, so 2 kg times 3 m/s² equals 6 N. Dividing instead of multiplying produces the incorrect values shown in the other options.

Question 16Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET chemistry question, what is the pH of a solution whose hydrogen ion concentration is 1 × 10⁻³ mol per litre?

  1. 11
  2. 3 Correct answer.
  3. 1
  4. 7

Explanation

pH is the negative logarithm to base ten of the hydrogen ion concentration, so the negative log of 10⁻³ is 3. A value of 11 would correspond to a hydroxide-dominated basic solution, and 7 is neutral.

Question 17Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A candidate must compute the value of the integral of 2x with respect to x from 0 to 2. Which result is correct?

  1. 8
  2. 4 Correct answer.
  3. 0
  4. 2

Explanation

The antiderivative of 2x is x squared, and evaluating it from 0 to 2 gives 4 minus 0, which is 4. Forgetting to square the upper limit yields 2, while squaring before doubling incorrectly gives 8.

Question 18Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET reasoning question, a clock shows 3:00. What is the angle between the hour hand and the minute hand?

  1. 45 degrees
  2. 60 degrees
  3. 90 degrees Correct answer.
  4. 120 degrees

Explanation

Each hour mark on a clock spans 30 degrees, and at 3:00 the hands are three marks apart, giving 90 degrees. The minute hand points at 12 while the hour hand points exactly at 3.

Question 19Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET English section, identify the option that correctly replaces the underlined part: 'She has been working here since three years.'

  1. at three years
  2. from three years
  3. since three years ago
  4. for three years Correct answer.

Explanation

'Since' marks a point in time, while 'for' marks a duration, so 'for three years' is the correct usage. The other options either misuse 'since' with a duration or use prepositions that do not express duration.

Question 20Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A physics question in an IPU CET paper asks for the work done when a force of 10 N displaces an object 2 m in the direction of the force. Which value is correct?

  1. 0 J
  2. 20 J Correct answer.
  3. 5 J
  4. 12 J

Explanation

Work equals force multiplied by displacement when they are parallel, so 10 N times 2 m gives 20 J. Dividing the values or adding them produces the incorrect options listed.

Question 21Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A chemistry item in an IPU CET paper asks which of the following is an example of a heterogeneous mixture.

  1. Salt solution
  2. Air
  3. Sand and water Correct answer.
  4. Brass

Explanation

A heterogeneous mixture has visibly distinct phases, as with sand suspended in water. Salt solution, air and brass are all uniform throughout and therefore homogeneous.

Question 22Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET mathematics question, a line has slope 2 and passes through the point (1, 3). What is its equation in slope-intercept form?

  1. y = 2x + 1 Correct answer.
  2. y = x + 2
  3. y = 2x + 3
  4. y = 3x + 1

Explanation

Using y equals mx plus c with m equal to 2 and the point (1, 3) gives 3 equals 2 plus c, so c equals 1. The resulting equation is y equals 2x plus 1.

Question 23Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A physics question in an IPU CET paper concerns a convex lens of focal length 10 cm with an object placed 20 cm away. Where is the image formed?

  1. 20 cm on the same side as the object
  2. 10 cm on the other side of the lens
  3. Infinity
  4. 20 cm on the other side of the lens Correct answer.

Explanation

With the object at twice the focal length, the lens formula gives an image at twice the focal length on the opposite side, so 20 cm away and real. The image is inverted and the same size as the object.

Question 24Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET chemistry question, which factor most increases the rate of a gaseous reaction according to collision theory?

  1. Lowering the temperature
  2. Increasing the concentration of reactants Correct answer.
  3. Adding an inert gas at constant volume
  4. Increasing the volume of the container

Explanation

Higher reactant concentration raises the number of collisions per unit time, increasing reaction rate. Lowering temperature reduces molecular energy, and adding inert gas at constant volume does not change reactant concentrations.

Question 25Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

A logical reasoning item in an IPU CET paper gives the statements: no reptiles are mammals, and all snakes are reptiles. Which conclusion is valid?

  1. Some snakes are mammals
  2. Some reptiles are mammals
  3. No snakes are mammals Correct answer.
  4. All mammals are snakes

Explanation

Since snakes fall entirely within reptiles and reptiles are disjoint from mammals, snakes cannot be mammals. The remaining options either assert overlap or reverse the class relations.

Question 26Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET English item, a candidate must identify the figure of speech in the phrase 'the wind whispered through the corridors'. Which figure is it?

  1. Metonymy
  2. Hyperbole
  3. Onomatopoeia
  4. Personification Correct answer.

Explanation

Personification gives human attributes to a non-human thing; whispering is a human action transferred to the wind. Onomatopoeia would require a word imitating a sound, hyperbole an exaggeration, and metonymy the substitution of an associated name.

Question 27Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET English question asks for the correct passive form of 'The librarian is arranging the new arrivals.' Which option is correct?

  1. The new arrivals have been arranged by the librarian.
  2. The new arrivals were being arranged by the librarian.
  3. The new arrivals are being arranged by the librarian. Correct answer.
  4. The new arrivals are arranged by the librarian.

Explanation

The present continuous active 'is arranging' becomes 'is being arranged' in the passive, with the object promoted to subject. Tense and aspect must be preserved, so the passive must also be continuous and present.

Question 28Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET reasoning section, a candidate is told that a cube is painted on all faces and then cut into 27 equal smaller cubes. How many of the small cubes have exactly two painted faces?

  1. 8
  2. 12 Correct answer.
  3. 6
  4. 1

Explanation

A 3×3×3 cut leaves one cube on each edge position between corners; a cube has 12 edges, so 12 small cubes carry exactly two painted faces. Corner cubes carry three painted faces and face-centre cubes carry one.

Question 29Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET biology item asks which cell organelle is described as the 'suicidal bag' of the cell because it contains hydrolytic enzymes. Which organelle is meant?

  1. Mitochondrion
  2. Golgi apparatus
  3. Lysosome Correct answer.
  4. Ribosome

Explanation

Lysosomes hold acidic hydrolases that can digest the cell's own components when the membrane ruptures, which earned them the nickname 'suicidal bags'. The other organelles listed have biosynthetic or energy-conversion roles.

Question 30Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET mathematics item on coordinate geometry, a candidate must find the distance between the points (3, 4) and (0, 0). Which value is correct?

  1. 7
  2. 5 Correct answer.
  3. 1
  4. 25

Explanation

The distance formula gives the square root of (3−0)² + (4−0)², that is the square root of 9 + 16, which equals 5. This is the standard 3-4-5 right triangle.

Question 31Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET physics item asks for the SI unit of electric charge expressed in base units. Which option is correct?

  1. ampere second Correct answer.
  2. joule per second
  3. newton per coulomb
  4. volt metre

Explanation

Charge equals current multiplied by time, so one coulomb is one ampere acting for one second. The other combinations describe electric field, potential-related quantities and power respectively.

Question 32Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET chemistry item, a candidate must pick the compound that shows both acidic and basic behaviour in aqueous solution. Which compound qualifies?

  1. Ethanol
  2. Glycine Correct answer.
  3. Acetic acid
  4. Sodium hydroxide

Explanation

Glycine contains both a carboxyl group and an amino group, so it can donate or accept a proton and exists as a zwitterion. The other compounds are either purely acidic, purely basic, or neutral.

Question 33Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET English item asks which word is the correct synonym of 'lucid' as used in the sentence 'The lecturer gave a lucid account of the theory'. Which option fits?

  1. Lengthy
  2. Doubtful
  3. Technical
  4. Clear Correct answer.

Explanation

In this context 'lucid' means easily understood or clear in expression. Lengthy, doubtful and technical do not carry the sense of clarity that the sentence demands.

Question 34Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET mathematics item, a quadratic equation has roots 2 and −5. Which equation has exactly these roots?

  1. x² − 7x + 10 = 0
  2. x² − 3x − 10 = 0
  3. x² + 3x − 10 = 0 Correct answer.
  4. x² + 3x + 10 = 0

Explanation

For roots 2 and −5 the sum is −3 and the product is −10, so the equation is x² − (sum)x + product = 0, giving x² + 3x − 10 = 0. Substituting either root satisfies this equation.

Question 35Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET physics item describes a body thrown vertically upward with speed 20 m/s, taking g as 10 m/s². What maximum height does it reach?

  1. 40 m
  2. 2 m
  3. 10 m
  4. 20 m Correct answer.

Explanation

At the highest point the velocity is zero, so using v² = u² − 2gh gives h = u²/(2g) = 400/20 = 20 m. The time to reach that height would be 2 s, but the question asks for height.

Question 36Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET chemistry item asks how many moles of oxygen gas are produced when 2 moles of potassium chlorate decompose completely by heating. Which value is correct?

  1. 1
  2. 3 Correct answer.
  3. 6
  4. 2

Explanation

The balanced equation is 2KClO₃ → 2KCl + 3O₂, so two moles of chlorate yield three moles of oxygen. The ratio of oxygen to chlorate is 3:2.

Question 37Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET reasoning item, a candidate is asked to complete the analogy: 'Ophthalmologist is to eye as cardiologist is to ____'. Which word completes it?

  1. Brain
  2. Kidney
  3. Heart Correct answer.
  4. Lung

Explanation

The relation is between a medical specialist and the organ that the specialty treats. A cardiologist treats the heart, just as an ophthalmologist treats the eye.

Question 38Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET English item asks which option correctly converts the sentence 'He said, "I will submit the form tomorrow"' into indirect speech.

  1. He says that he would submit the form the next day.
  2. He said that he would submit the form the next day. Correct answer.
  3. He said that he will submit the form tomorrow.
  4. He said that I would submit the form the next day.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past, 'will' shifts to 'would' and 'tomorrow' shifts to 'the next day'. The first person pronoun also changes to match the speaker being reported.

Question 39Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET biology item asks which blood group is called the universal recipient because its red cells carry no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in plasma. Which group is it?

  1. AB positive Correct answer.
  2. B positive
  3. O negative
  4. A negative

Explanation

People with AB blood have both A and B antigens on their red cells and therefore no anti-A or anti-B antibodies in plasma, so they can receive blood from any ABO group. O negative is the universal donor instead.

Question 40Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET mathematics item, a candidate must evaluate the limit of (sin 5x)/x as x approaches zero. Which value is correct?

  1. Undefined
  2. 5 Correct answer.
  3. 0
  4. 1

Explanation

Using the standard limit sin(ax)/x → a as x → 0, the expression tends to 5. The result follows by writing the expression as 5 times sin(5x)/(5x).

Question 41Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET physics item asks for the equivalent resistance of two resistors of 6 Ω and 3 Ω connected in parallel. Which value is correct?

  1. 18 Ω
  2. 9 Ω
  3. 4.5 Ω
  4. 2 Ω Correct answer.

Explanation

For a parallel combination, 1/R = 1/6 + 1/3 = 1/2, so R equals 2 Ω. The equivalent resistance is always smaller than the smallest individual resistance.

Question 42Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET chemistry item asks which of the following sets contains only aromatic compounds. Which set is correct?

  1. Cyclohexene, naphthalene, phenol
  2. Benzene, naphthalene, phenol Correct answer.
  3. Ethene, benzene, aniline
  4. Cyclohexane, benzene, toluene

Explanation

Aromatic compounds must be cyclic, planar, fully conjugated and obey Hückel's rule; benzene, naphthalene and phenol all satisfy this. Cyclohexane and cyclohexene are non-aromatic, and ethene is acyclic.

Question 43Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET logical reasoning item, five students P, Q, R, S and T sit in a row facing north. Q is immediately to the right of P, and T is at the extreme left end. If S sits between Q and R, who occupies the middle seat?

  1. P
  2. S
  3. Q Correct answer.
  4. R

Explanation

With T at the left end, the order P, Q, S, R must follow, giving T, P, Q, S, R across the five seats. The middle position, the third seat, is therefore held by Q.

Question 44Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET mathematics item asks for the value of the derivative of x³ with respect to x at x = 2. Which value is correct?

  1. 3
  2. 6
  3. 8
  4. 12 Correct answer.

Explanation

The derivative of x³ is 3x², and substituting x = 2 gives 3 × 4 = 12. The value 8 is the function itself at x = 2, not its derivative.

Question 45Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET English item, choose the option that best replaces the underlined portion: 'The manager, along with his assistants, ____ attending the conference.'

  1. have been
  2. is Correct answer.
  3. were
  4. are

Explanation

When a singular subject is followed by 'along with', the verb agrees with the first subject, which is 'the manager'. The phrase 'along with his assistants' is parenthetical and does not change the number of the subject.

Question 46Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET biology item asks which process produces genetically identical offspring and is used in agriculture to propagate a desirable variety rapidly. Which process is it?

  1. Meiosis
  2. Hybridisation
  3. Cross-pollination
  4. Vegetative propagation Correct answer.

Explanation

Vegetative propagation is asexual, so the offspring are clones of the parent and retain the desirable traits. Cross-pollination and hybridisation involve recombination and produce variation, while meiosis generates gametes.

Question 47Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET mathematics item, a bag contains 4 red and 6 blue balls, and two balls are drawn without replacement. What is the probability that both are red?

  1. 1/5
  2. 8/45
  3. 4/25
  4. 2/15 Correct answer.

Explanation

The probability is (4/10) × (3/9) = 12/90 = 2/15, since the second draw comes from nine remaining balls. Drawing without replacement lowers the favourable fraction on the second draw.

Question 48Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET physics item asks which phenomenon establishes that light behaves as a transverse wave. Which phenomenon is it?

  1. Interference
  2. Polarisation Correct answer.
  3. Photoelectric emission
  4. Diffraction

Explanation

Only transverse waves can be polarised, because the oscillation is confined to one plane perpendicular to propagation. Diffraction and interference occur for longitudinal waves too, and the photoelectric effect demonstrates particle nature.

Question 49Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

In an IPU CET chemistry item, a candidate must rank the elements Na, Mg, Al and Si in order of increasing first ionisation enthalpy. Which order is correct?

  1. Si < Al < Mg < Na
  2. Na < Mg < Al < Si Correct answer.
  3. Mg < Na < Al < Si
  4. Al < Na < Si < Mg

Explanation

Across period 3 the nuclear charge rises while the added electrons enter the same shell, so ionisation enthalpy generally increases from left to right. Sodium, the most electropositive, loses its electron most easily and silicon holds it most tightly.

Question 50Programme-specific CET subjects (not enumerated in source)

An IPU CET mathematics item asks for the sum of the first 20 terms of the arithmetic progression 3, 7, 11, 15, ... Which value is correct?

  1. 840
  2. 820 Correct answer.
  3. 800
  4. 780

Explanation

Here a = 3 and d = 4, so the twentieth term is 3 + 19 × 4 = 79. The sum is (20/2)(3 + 79) = 10 × 82 = 820.