CUET English 2025 Mock Test on No-Cost EMI: The Hindu Analysis

The article “Opting for No-Cost EMI to Buy Consumer Durables” by Rohit Chhibbar, published in The Hindu on April 14, 2025, explores the pros and cons of no-cost EMI schemes for purchasing high-ticket consumer durables like gadgets and appliances. This financing option, offered by e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, Flipkart, and TataCLiQ in collaboration with card issuers like SBI Card and HDFC Bank, allows consumers to pay for products in monthly instalments without interest. Unlike regular EMIs, where interest (e.g., 16% on a ₹60,000 refrigerator adds ₹9,600 plus ₹1,728 GST) increases the total cost to ₹71,328, no-cost EMI offsets interest with a merchant discount, reducing the EMI to ₹10,000 over six months, aligning with the product’s actual price of ₹60,000. However, cardholders still pay 18% GST on interest and processing fees, adding costs like ₹1,728 in the example.

Key considerations include choosing a suitable tenure (3-9 months) to match one’s budget, as shorter tenures raise EMI amounts, potentially straining finances. The fine print reveals hidden charges like processing fees and pre-payment penalties, which can negate the “no-cost” appeal. Additionally, EMI transactions often exclude credit card rewards (e.g., losing ₹2,500 cashback on a ₹50,000 purchase), and the entire credit limit is blocked initially, impacting the credit utilisation ratio (CUR) and potentially the credit score, especially for those with low limits.

Despite these pitfalls, no-cost EMIs benefit those unable to pay upfront, offering payment flexibility without cash flow disruption. The author advises weighing benefits against risks, ensuring timely payments to avoid penalties, and verifying card eligibility. Written by the chief business officer of Paisabazaar.com, the article underscores the importance of informed decision-making when opting for such schemes, balancing convenience with financial implications.

10 CUET English Reading Comprehension MCQs

1. What is the primary focus of the article?
   a) Benefits of credit cards
   b) No-cost EMI for consumer durables
   c) Online shopping trends
   d) GST regulations
   Answer: b
2. Who is the author of the article?
   a) Rohit Chhibbar
   b) SBI Card
   c) Paisabazaar
   d) The Hindu
   Answer: a
3. What is the interest rate example given for a regular EMI?
   a) 10%
   b) 12%
   c) 16%
   d) 20%
   Answer: c
4. How much GST is charged on the interest in the refrigerator example?
   a) ₹1,000
   b) ₹1,728
   c) ₹2,000
   d) ₹2,500
   Answer: b
5. What is the typical tenure range for no-cost EMIs?
   a) 1-3 months
   b) 3-9 months
   c) 9-12 months
   d) 12-18 months
   Answer: b
6. What additional cost might apply to no-cost EMIs?
   a) Shipping fees
   b) Processing fees
   c) Insurance
   d) Warranty
   Answer: b
7. Why might credit card rewards be lost with EMIs?
   a) High transaction fees
   b) Exclusion from reward programs
   c) Late payment penalties
   d) Merchant policies
   Answer: b
8. What happens to the credit limit during an EMI purchase?
   a) It increases
   b) It remains unchanged
   c) It is blocked initially
   d) It is canceled
   Answer: c
9. Who collaborates with merchants to offer no-cost EMIs?
   a) Government banks
   b) Card issuers
   c) Insurance companies
   d) Retail stores
   Answer: b
10. What is the author’s final advice?
    a) Avoid EMIs completely
    b) Weigh benefits against pitfalls
    c) Increase credit limits
    d) Pay upfront always
    Answer: b

20 Vocabulary with Antonyms, Synonyms, One-Word Substitutions

1. Financing
   • Synonym: Funding
   • Antonym: Deprivation
   • One-Word Substitution: Capitalization
2. Defer
   • Synonym: Postpone
   • Antonym: Advance
   • One-Word Substitution: Delay
3. Instalments
   • Synonym: Payments
   • Antonym: Lump sum
   • One-Word Substitution: Amortization
4. Offset
   • Synonym: Counterbalance
   • Antonym: Aggravate
   • One-Word Substitution: Compensation
5. Discount
   • Synonym: Reduction
   • Antonym: Surcharge
   • One-Word Substitution: Rebate
6. Tenure
   • Synonym: Duration
   • Antonym: Brevity
   • One-Word Substitution: Term
7. Strategically
   • Synonym: Tactically
   • Antonym: Randomly
   • One-Word Substitution: Deliberately
8. Burden
   • Synonym: Load
   • Antonym: Relief
   • One-Word Substitution: Encumbrance
9. Penalties
   • Synonym: Fines
   • Antonym: Rewards
   • One-Word Substitution: Sanctions
10. Anticipate
    • Synonym: Foresee
    • Antonym: Ignore
    • One-Word Substitution: Predict
11. Eligibility
    • Synonym: Qualification
    • Antonym: Ineligibility
    • One-Word Substitution: Aptitude
12. Utilisation
    • Synonym: Usage
    • Antonym: Neglect
    • One-Word Substitution: Exploitation
13. Impact
    • Synonym: Effect
    • Antonym: Inefficiency
    • One-Word Substitution: Influence
14. Flexibility
    • Synonym: Adaptability
    • Antonym: Rigidity
    • One-Word Substitution: Versatility
15. Disruption
    • Synonym: Disturbance
    • Antonym: Stability
    • One-Word Substitution: Interruption
16. Implications
    • Synonym: Consequences
    • Antonym: Irrelevance
    • One-Word Substitution: Ramifications
17. Informed
    • Synonym: Knowledgeable
    • Antonym: Ignorant
    • One-Word Substitution: Enlightened
18. Balancing
    • Synonym: Equilibrating
    • Antonym: Unbalancing
    • One-Word Substitution: Harmonizing
19. Convenience
    • Synonym: Ease
    • Antonym: Difficulty
    • One-Word Substitution: Comfort
20. Pitfalls
    • Synonym: Traps
    • Antonym: Advantages
    • One-Word Substitution: Hazards

Grammar: Voices & Narration (5 MCQs)

1. Change to Passive Voice: “The merchant offsets the interest.”
   a) The interest is offset by the merchant.
   b) The interest was offset by the merchant.
   c) The merchant is offset by the interest.
   d) The interest has been offset by the merchant.
   Answer: a
2. Change to Active Voice: “The EMI is paid by the cardholder.”
   a) The cardholder pays the EMI.
   b) The cardholder is paying the EMI.
   c) The EMI pays the cardholder.
   d) The cardholder has paid the EMI.
   Answer: a
3. Identify the narration: “He said, ‘I will check the fine print.’”
   a) Direct
   b) Indirect
   c) Passive
   d) Active
   Answer: a
4. Change to Indirect Speech: “She said, ‘The tenure is 6 months.’”
   a) She said that the tenure is 6 months.
   b) She said that the tenure was 6 months.
   c) She says that the tenure is 6 months.
   d) She said that the tenure will be 6 months.
   Answer: b
5. Identify the voice: “The discount was offered by the merchant.”
   a) Active
   b) Passive
   c) Direct
   d) Indirect
   Answer: b

Sentence Correction (5 MCQs)

6. Correct the sentence: “He have to pay the EMI on time.”
   a) He has to pay the EMI on time.
   b) He have paid the EMI on time.
   c) He has pay the EMI on time.
   d) He had to pay the EMI on time.
   Answer: a
7. Correct the sentence: “The no-cost EMI are beneficial for buyers.”
   a) The no-cost EMI is beneficial for buyers.
   b) The no-cost EMI were beneficial for buyers.
   c) The no-cost EMI has been beneficial for buyers.
   d) The no-cost EMI be beneficial for buyers.
   Answer: a
8. Correct the sentence: “She don’t know about the processing fee.”
   a) She doesn’t know about the processing fee.
   b) She don’t knows about the processing fee.
   c) She didn’t know about the processing fee.
   d) She don’t known about the processing fee.
   Answer: a
9. Correct the sentence: “The merchant offer a discount on EMIs.”
   a) The merchant offers a discount on EMIs.
   b) The merchant offered a discount on EMIs.
   c) The merchant offer discounts on EMIs.
   d) The merchant offering a discount on EMIs.
   Answer: a
10. Correct the sentence: “They was unable to pay the tenure early.”
    a) They were unable to pay the tenure early.
    b) They was unable to paid the tenure early.
    c) They were unable to paying the tenure early.
    d) They was unable to paying the tenure early.
    Answer: a

Foreign Words (5 MCQs)

11. What does “ad hoc” mean?
    a) Permanent
    b) For this purpose only
    c) Regular
    d) General
    Answer: b
12. What is the meaning of “bona fide”?
    a) False
    b) In good faith
    c) Temporary
    d) Illegal
    Answer: b
13. What does “de facto” signify?
    a) By law
    b) In fact
    c) By choice
    d) By force
    Answer: b
14. What is the meaning of “status quo”?
    a) Change
    b) Existing state
    c) Future plan
    d) New policy
    Answer: b
15. What does “vis-à-vis” mean?
    a) Against
    b) In relation to
    c) Below
    d) Above
    Answer: b

Writing Skills MCQs (5 MCQs)

16. Which is the best opening for a summary?
    a) I think the article is about…
    b) The article “Opting for No-Cost EMI” discusses…
    c) This is a good article because…
    d) Let me tell you about EMIs…
    Answer: b
17. What should be avoided in formal writing?
    a) Clear structure
    b) Slang words
    c) Proper grammar
    d) Concise sentences
    Answer: b
18. Which is a strong concluding sentence?
    a) I like this article a lot.
    b) Thus, informed decisions are crucial for EMI usage.
    c) The end is here.
    d) More details are needed.
    Answer: b
19. What is the purpose of a topic sentence?
    a) To confuse the reader
    b) To introduce the main idea
    c) To add extra details
    d) To end the paragraph
    Answer: b
20. Which is an effective transition phrase?
    a) Anyway
    b) However
    c) Like
    d) Um
    Answer: b

Idioms & Phrases (5 MCQs)

21. What does “cut corners” mean?
    a) Take shortcuts
    b) Build corners
    c) Spend more
    d) Work hard
    Answer: a
22. What is the meaning of “break the bank”?
    a) Save money
    b) Cost too much
    c) Repair a bank
    d) Earn profit
    Answer: b
23. What does “on the same page” imply?
    a) In agreement
    b) In confusion
    c) In competition
    d) In debt
    Answer: a
24. What is the meaning of “jump the gun”?
    a) Start early
    b) Finish late
    c) Wait patiently
    d) Avoid action
    Answer: a
25. What does “cash flow” refer to?
    a) Money movement
    b) Bank robbery
    c) Fixed deposit
    d) Loan repayment
    Answer: a

Adverbs & Adjectives (5 MCQs)

26. Choose the correct adjective: The plan is ___ feasible.
    a) More
    b) Most
    c) Much
    d) Many
    Answer: b
27. Identify the adverb: She paid the EMI ___.
    a) Quickly
    b) Quick
    c) Quicker
    d) Quickest
    Answer: a
28. Choose the correct adjective: The offer is ___ attractive.
    a) Very
    b) Much
    c) More
    d) Most
    Answer: a
29. Identify the adverb: He responded ___ to the discount.
    a) Enthusiastic
    b) Enthusiastically
    c) Enthusiasm
    d) More enthusiastic
    Answer: b
30. Choose the correct adjective: The tenure is ___ short.
    a) Too
    b) Very
    c) More
    d) Most
    Answer: a

Total 50 MCQs Breakdown

• Reading Comprehension: 10
• Vocabulary: 20 (covered in the 20-word list)
• Grammar (Voices & Narration): 5
• Sentence Correction: 5
• Foreign Words: 5
• Writing Skills: 5
• Idioms & Phrases: 5
• Adverbs & Adjectives: 5