CUET UG English Booster Test 2-Human Impact -

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CUET UG English Booster Test 2-Human Impact

⏱️ 30 Minutes

❓ 20 Questions

📌 Answers are locked once submitted — results and explanations appear at the end.

CUET UG English Booster Test 2-Human Impact

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QUESTION 1 OF 20

📄 Passage

"Climate change is one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time. Will the West Antarctic ice sheet melt entirely? Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted? Will it be the end of the world as we know it? Maybe. Maybe not. Either way, Antarctica is a crucial element in this debate..."

According to the passage, the potential melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet is a subject of:

Answer Review

📄 Passage

According to the passage, the potential melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet is a subject of:

A Absolute certainty among all scientists

B Hotly contested environmental debate

C Disinterest in the scientific community

D Ancient geological history

💡 Short Explanation

The passage explicitly characterizes climate change as a "hotly contested environmental debate." The melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet is presented as a specific question within this broader, contentious context. There is no mention of scientific certainty or disinterest.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is B. The opening sentence of the passage directly states that climate change is "one of the most hotly contested environmental debates of our time." The text presents the melting of the West Antarctic ice sheet as a speculative, high-stakes question within this ongoing discussion, rather than a settled fact (Option A) or a topic of disinterest (Option C).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The passage uses questions like "Will it...?" and "Maybe," which contradicts the idea of absolute scientific certainty.
Option C → The passage describes the issue as "hotly contested," implying high interest and debate, not disinterest.
Option D → While geological history is relevant to climate, the passage frames this specific issue as a current debate, not a study of ancient history.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: The passage sets a tone of uncertainty and intense debate; matching the specific question to the introductory definition confirms the correct option.

Final Logic: The text labels climate change as a "hotly contested debate," making B the only logical answer.

🧠 Memory Trick

"H.C.D": Hotly Contested Debate regarding climate change.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Climate Change – Page 41

📄 Passage

The passage questions whether which specific ocean current will be disrupted?

A The Drake Passage Current

B The Circumpolar Current

C The Agulhas Current

D The Gulf Stream

💡 Short Explanation

The passage directly asks: "Will the Gulf Stream ocean current be disrupted?" This identifies the specific subject of the inquiry mentioned in the text. Options A, B, and C are not mentioned in the passage.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is D. In the list of inquiries regarding climate change, the author specifically names "the Gulf Stream ocean current." Therefore, Option D is the only one supported by the provided text.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The Drake Passage is related to Antarctica but is not the current mentioned in the context of disruption.
Option B → The Circumpolar Current is a major Antarctic current but was not named in the passage.
Option C → The Agulhas Current is not referenced in this passage.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: By substituting the options into the specific question asked in the passage, only "The Gulf Stream" matches the text exactly.

Final Logic: The passage explicitly names the Gulf Stream as the current in question.

🧠 Memory Trick

"G-G": Gulf Stream = Guessed in the passage.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Environmental Concerns – Page 41

3 Assertion (A): Humans have existed on Earth for 650 million years. Reason (R): Human history is the longest period on the geological clock.

A Both A and R are false

B A is true, R is false

C Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

D A is false, R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Humans have existed for a very short duration (12,000 years), not 650 million years. Human history is actually the shortest period on the geological clock, not the longest.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is A. Assertion (A) is false because humans have only been on Earth for a "paltry" 12,000 years. Reason (R) is also false because, in the scale of Earth's history (which spans billions of years), human history represents a tiny fraction—it is the shortest period, not the longest.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → Assertion A is false, so this is incorrect.
Option C → Both statements are factually incorrect.
Option D → Reason R is also false, making this incorrect.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Identifying "650 million years" and "longest period" as exaggerations helps identify both as false.

Final Logic: Human presence is extremely brief compared to geological time.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Short-Short": Humans = Short time, Short history.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Geological time scale – Page 42

4 In the context of Earth's geological clock, the time humans have been around is described as "a ______ 12,000 years."

A massive

B significant

C paltry

D eternal

💡 Short Explanation

The author uses the word "paltry" to emphasize how brief human existence is compared to Earth's timeline. "Paltry" means insignificant or small.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is C. The author intends to contrast human existence with the vast scale of geological time. Therefore, the adjective used to describe 12,000 years must convey smallness. "Paltry" is the exact word used in the text to signify this tiny amount.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → "Massive" suggests greatness/size, which is the opposite of the author's intent.
Option B → "Significant" implies importance, which doesn't capture the scale contrast intended.
Option D → "Eternal" suggests infinite time, contradicting the context of a short duration.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: The tone requires a word reflecting smallness/brevity.

Final Logic: "Paltry" is the only word fitting the context of a limited timeframe.

🧠 Memory Trick

"P-P": Paltry = Peanut-sized time.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Human Timeline – Page 42

5 By building villages and towns, humans have "etched our dominance over Nature". Here, 'etched' implies:

A Erased completely

B Firmly established or engraved

C Painted lightly

D Forgotten quickly

💡 Short Explanation

"Etched" refers to carving a mark into a surface. In this context, it symbolizes leaving a permanent, visible impact on the landscape.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is B. To "etch" something is to carve or engrave it deeply so it lasts. By building megacities and towns, humans have left a deep, permanent mark on the planet, indicating their dominance.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → "Erased" is the opposite of leaving a mark.
Option C → "Painted lightly" implies something temporary and superficial.
Option D → "Forgotten quickly" contradicts the idea of exerting dominance.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Thinking about what a human does to a landscape when building a city.

Final Logic: Etching is a permanent marking, aligning with "firmly established."

🧠 Memory Trick

"Etch-Engrave": Both start with 'E' and mean to carve deeply.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Human Impact – Page 42

6 Humans have created a ruckus by transitioning from villages to "megacities". What is an antonym for 'megacities'?

A Hamlets

B Metropolises

C Capitals

D Continents

💡 Short Explanation

A megacity is a very large city. A hamlet is a very small settlement.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is A. Since "megacities" represent extremely large urban areas, the antonym must represent a very small settlement. A hamlet is defined as a small settlement or village, making it the clear opposite.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option B → "Metropolises" is a synonym for large cities.
Option C → "Capitals" are often large cities, not opposites.
Option D → "Continents" are massive landmasses, not types of human settlements.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Eliminate larger entities (B, C, D) to find the smallest unit (A).

Final Logic: Hamlets are the smallest form of human settlement, while megacities are the largest.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ham-Mega": Hamlet (small) vs Megacity (big).

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Vocabulary – Page 42

7 Match the causes with their effects based on human resource use.

List I	List II
1. Rapid population increase	a. Global warming
2. Burning fossil fuels	b. Battling with other species
3. Limited resources	c. Increasing temperature
4. Blanket of CO₂	d. Competition

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b

C 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

D 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a

💡 Short Explanation

Population increase leads to battling species for space. Burning fossil fuels leads to global warming. Limited resources create competition. Blanket of CO2 increases temperature.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is C. Linking the items logically: 1 (Population) leads to 'b' (battling for space/resources). 2 (Fossil fuels) causes 'a' (Global warming). 3 (Limited resources) forces 'd' (competition). 4 (Blanket of CO2) results in 'c' (increasing temperatures).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A, B, and D fail to correctly link the specific cause-effect relationships described in the text.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application: Grouping items based on common environmental themes.

Final Logic: Mapping the ecological consequences to their primary human drivers.

🧠 Memory Trick

"1-B, 2-A": Population = Battling, Fuels = Warming.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Resource Depletion – Page 42

8 Which statement is NOT true regarding human consumption patterns in the text?

A Humans battle other species for limited resources.

B There has been a rapid increase in human population.

C Humans have etched their dominance over nature.

D Humans have maintained a perfect ecological balance with other species.

💡 Short Explanation

The text argues that humans have disrupted the environment and forced other species out. It does not claim a "perfect ecological balance."

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is D. The text highlights how humans have exerted dominance, increased rapidly, and consumed resources, which has caused environmental damage. Therefore, claiming a "perfect ecological balance" is the opposite of the author's argument.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → The text mentions fighting other species for space.
Option B → The population explosion is a key theme of the passage.
Option C → The author explicitly mentions "etched our dominance."

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Look for extreme positive phrases like "perfect ecological balance" which contradict the negative tone of the environmental assessment.

Final Logic: The passage focuses on human-caused degradation, making D the false statement.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Perfect=False": The text is about problems, not perfection.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Human-Nature Interaction – Page 42

9 The text refers to the "unmitigated burning of fossil fuels". Which word is the best synonym for 'unmitigated' in this context?

A Occasional

B Mild

C Regulated

D Absolute/Unchecked

💡 Short Explanation

"Unmitigated" means not lessened, without relief, or total/absolute. In the context of pollution, it means "unchecked."

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is D. "Unmitigated" implies something that is absolute, relentless, or without restriction. Therefore, "unchecked" or "absolute" best describes the constant, ongoing burning of fossil fuels described by the author.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → "Occasional" implies rarity, whereas unmitigated implies consistency.
Option B → "Mild" is the opposite of unmitigated intensity.
Option C → "Regulated" suggests control, while unmitigated means lack of control.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Understanding that the author is criticizing the intensity of burning fuels.

Final Logic: "Unmitigated" = constant, heavy usage = unchecked.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Un-mit": Unchecked = Mitigated (negative prefix).

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Vocabulary/Pollution – Page 42

10 If we continue the unmitigated burning of fossil fuels, it creates a blanket of carbon dioxide around the world, which ______

A cools down the atmosphere rapidly.

B slowly but surely increases the average global temperature.

C directly freezes the ocean currents.

D prevents any sunlight from reaching Earth.

💡 Short Explanation

The "blanket" of CO2 acts as a greenhouse gas layer. This traps heat, causing global warming.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is B. Greenhouse gases like CO2 trap solar radiation, leading to a rise in global temperatures. This is the primary mechanism of global warming described in the text.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → CO2 traps heat, it does not cool the Earth.
Option C → It does not cause freezing; it causes heating.
Option D → The blanket traps heat, but sunlight still reaches the Earth.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Eliminate outcomes that are physically impossible in the context of global warming (cooling, freezing).

Final Logic: CO2 is a heat-trapping gas, leading to warming.

🧠 Memory Trick

"CO2 = Blanket": Blanket = Heat = Warming.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Global Warming – Page 42

11 Assertion (A): The blanket of carbon dioxide around the world is increasing global temperatures. Reason (R): It traps heat due to the unmitigated burning of fossil fuels.

A Both A and R are false

B A is true, R is false

C Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

D A is false, R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Assertion (A) is a scientifically recognized fact regarding global warming. Reason (R) explains the process (greenhouse effect) correctly.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is C. Carbon dioxide acts as a heat-trapping blanket in the atmosphere, which leads to increased global temperatures. The emission of these gases is primarily driven by the combustion of fossil fuels, making the reason a direct explanation for the assertion.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A, B, D fail because both statements are accurate and logically connected.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Testing the "Because" test. Does CO2 increase temperature because it traps heat? Yes.

Final Logic: The causal link between fossil fuels, CO2 trapping, and global warming is established.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Traps = Hot": Trapped heat = Hotter planet.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Greenhouse effect – Page 42

12 Arrange to form a meaningful sentence about the global impact: 1. average global temperature 2. increasing the 3. surely 4. is slowly but

A 4, 3, 2, 1

B 1, 2, 4, 3

C 2, 1, 3, 4

D 3, 4, 1, 2

💡 Short Explanation

The sentence structure should be: "[It] is slowly but surely increasing the average global temperature." The segments fit to describe a continuous, progressive process.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is A. The sentence "is slowly but surely increasing the average global temperature" flows grammatically and logically. Placing 4 before 3 ("slowly but surely") and 2 before 1 ("increasing the... temperature") creates a coherent statement.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Other permutations fail to create a grammatically standard English sentence.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Common idiomatic phrase "slowly but surely."

Final Logic: This phrase sets the structure for the rest of the sentence.

🧠 Memory Trick

"4-3": Slowly but surely is a fixed idiom.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Global Warming impact – Page 42

13 Match the future scenarios with their corresponding possibilities debated.

List I	List II
1. West Antarctic ice sheet	a. Disrupt
2. Gulf Stream	b. Melt entirely
3. The world	c. Uncertain
4. End result	d. End as we know it

A 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

B 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

C 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

D 1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c

💡 Short Explanation

Ice sheet (1) may melt (b). Gulf Stream (2) may be disrupted (a). The world (3) might end as we know it (d). The final result (4) is uncertain (c).

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is D. Mapping directly from the passage: 1. West Antarctic ice sheet melts (b), 2. Gulf Stream is disrupted (a), 3. End of the world as we know it (d), 4. The conclusion of all this is uncertain (c).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Other options mismatch the specific outcomes mentioned for these environmental factors.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Option Grouping

Application: Carefully matching each subject to its specific predicted outcome mentioned in the text.

Final Logic: Precision in reading the passage allows for correct mapping.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ice-Melt": Link the object to the verb.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Future Predictions – Page 41

14 The author uses the phrase "Maybe. Maybe not." What does this convey about the future?

A Absolute guarantee

B Ambiguity and uncertainty

C Scientific proof

D Historical fact

💡 Short Explanation

"Maybe" implies a lack of certainty. It indicates that while catastrophes are possible, they are not guaranteed to happen in a specific way.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is B. The phrase "Maybe. Maybe not." explicitly highlights that the future of the climate is not clearly defined. It conveys a sense of doubt and the unpredictable nature of environmental outcomes.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → "Maybe" is the opposite of a guarantee.
Option C → Proof requires certainty, which "maybe" lacks.
Option D → Facts are fixed; the phrase shows the future is currently undetermined.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Analyze the emotional/intellectual weight of the phrase "Maybe. Maybe not."

Final Logic: The phrase equates to "uncertainty."

🧠 Memory Trick

"Maybe = Doubt": Maybe represents the middle ground of uncertainty.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Climate debate – Page 41

15 Which statement is NOT true about Antarctica's pristine environment?

A It has never sustained a human population.

B It remains relatively untouched by human habitats.

C It is heavily industrialized like megacities.

D It is a crucial element in the climate debate.

💡 Short Explanation

Antarctica is known for being pristine and untouched. The passage highlights its scientific value, not industrialization.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is C. Antarctica is described as a "pristine" environment, meaning it is untouched by civilization. It has no cities, no industry, and no permanent human population, which makes "heavily industrialized" an incorrect statement.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Antarctica lacks a indigenous human population.
Option B → It is largely untouched by human interference.
Option D → The passage specifically calls it a "crucial element" in climate debates.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Extreme Word Filter

Application: Identify "heavily industrialized" as a contradiction to the description of Antarctica as "pristine."

Final Logic: Pristine environments, by definition, lack industrialization.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Pristine = Clean": Clean (pristine) != Industrialized (dirty).

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Antarctica's Status – Page 41

16 If we want to study and examine the Earth's past, present and future, ______ is the place to go.

A Gondwana

B Antarctica

C North America

D The Equator

💡 Short Explanation

The author considers Antarctica to be the best location to study the earth's history (due to its ice cores and lack of life/civilization). It preserves the past in its ice.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is B. Antarctica contains ice cores that provide a record of Earth's past climate. Because it is pristine and has not been affected by humans, it is the ideal laboratory for studying how Earth's environment has changed and what the future might hold.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Gondwana is the ancient supercontinent that included Antarctica, but it no longer exists.

Option C and D → These regions are heavily populated and do not preserve the same environmental record as the polar ice.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: Recall the main thesis of the chapter, which focuses on Antarctica as a scientific laboratory.

Final Logic: Antarctica is the "key" to the past, present, and future.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Ice = History": Ice holds history = Antarctica.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Scientific importance – Page 41

17 Match the verbs from the text with their meanings.

List I	List II
1. Heading towards	a. Discover
2. Give back	b. Travel to
3. Find out	c. Step upon
4. Walk on	d. Return a favor

A 1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c

B 1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

C 1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

D 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b

💡 Short Explanation

Heading towards = Travel to. Give back = Return a favor. Find out = Discover. Walk on = Step upon.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is A. The phrasal verbs match their definitions precisely: 1. "Heading towards" means travelling toward a destination (b). 2. "Give back" means returning something or reciprocating (d). 3. "Find out" means to discover information (a). 4. "Walk on" means to step upon a surface (c).

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Other options mix up the definitions, leading to incorrect verb-meaning pairs.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Substitution

Application: Substitute each phrasal verb into a sentence to check if the meaning remains the same.

Final Logic: Direct linguistic mapping of phrasal verbs to their standard definitions.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Find=Discover": Common synonym association.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Phrasal verbs – Page 43

18 The programme offers high school students "inspiring" educational opportunities. Replace 'inspiring'.

A Boring

B Demotivating

C Motivating

D Confusing

💡 Short Explanation

Inspiring means to fill someone with the urge to do or feel something. Motivating is the closest synonym.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is C. "Inspiring" implies encouraging or sparking enthusiasm in someone. "Motivating" carries a very similar meaning, as it encourages someone to take action or pursue a goal.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A → Boring is an antonym for inspiring.
Option B → Demotivating is an antonym.
Option D → Confusing is unrelated to the positive nature of an "inspiring" experience.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Contextual/Tonal Matching

Application: The positive tone of the text regarding educational programs indicates that the synonym must be positive.

Final Logic: Only C is a positive, synonymous word.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Inspire = Motivate": Both mean to encourage growth.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Vocabulary – Page 43

19 Assertion (A): Visually seeing glaciers retreat makes people believe global warming is a hoax. Reason (R): Ice shelves collapsing proves that the earth is rapidly cooling down.

A Both A and R are false

B A is true, R is false

C Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

D A is false, R is true

💡 Short Explanation

Glacial retreat is evidence of global warming, not a hoax. Collapse of ice shelves is evidence of warming, not cooling.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is A. Both statements are false. Glacier retreat is a strong visual indicator that global warming is a real, ongoing threat, not a "hoax." Similarly, ice shelf collapse occurs due to increased temperatures, which proves the planet is warming, not cooling.

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Both A and R describe phenomena that support the reality of climate change, not its opposite.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Elimination

Application: Identify the false premises in both statements immediately.

Final Logic: Scientific consensus confirms climate change is real and warming, contradicting both assertions.

🧠 Memory Trick

"Retreat = Warm": Glaciers retreat when it is hot.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Evidence of Global Warming – Page 43

20 It is easy to be "blasé" about polar ice-caps melting from our comfort zones. What is the antonym of 'blasé'?

A Unconcerned

B Apathetic

C Indifferent

D Passionately concerned

💡 Short Explanation

"Blasé" means indifferent or unconcerned about something due to overexposure or familiarity. The opposite must be someone who cares deeply.

✅ Correct Answer Explanation

The correct answer is D. "Blasé" refers to an attitude of indifference or lack of concern. Therefore, the opposite is someone who is highly interested and cares deeply, which is best captured by "passionately concerned."

❓ Why Other Options Are Incorrect

Option A, B, and C are all synonyms for "blasé," making them incorrect as antonyms.

🎯 Strategy

Used: Odd One Out

Application: Identify that three options are synonyms of the target word, leaving the unique antonym.

Final Logic: Blasé means unconcerned; therefore, the antonym is "concerned."

🧠 Memory Trick

"Blasé = Bored": Bored people are indifferent; passionate people are engaged.

📚 Class XII – Flamingo – Chapter: Journey to the End of the Earth – Topic: Human apathy – Page 43

CUET UG English Booster Test 2-Human Impact

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