An ideal gas undergoes a four step cycle as shown in the P – V diagram below. During this cycle, heat is absorbed by the gas in

In the path (1) volume of an ideal gas is increasing at constant pressure, $\because \mathrm{V}\propto \mathrm{T}$ dQ is positive (absorbed)

In the path (2) pressure of an ideal gas is decreasing at constant volume,$\because \mathrm{P}\propto \mathrm{T}$ dQ is negative(released)

In the path (3) volume of an ideal gas is decreasing at constant pressure, $\because \mathrm{V}\propto \mathrm{T}$ dQ is negative(released)
In the path (4) pressure of an ideal gas is increasing at constant volume,$\because \mathrm{P}\propto \mathrm{T}$ dQ is positive (absorbed)