NDA-Part-A English General Ability Test (GAT)

MCQs
 Synonyms
Each of the questions below consists of a word printed boldly, followed by four words or phrases
numbered (a) to (d). Choose the numbered word or phrase which is most nearly similar in
meaning to the word printed boldly

1. All these items have been marked down.

(a) reserved
(b) packed up
(c) reduced in price
(d) entered
Ans. (c) reduced in price

The phrasal verb mark ‘something’ down means reducing the price of something, usually in
order to encourage people to buy it.

2. How can you have the effrontery to ask for another loan?

(a) right
(b) impudence
(c) heart
(d) courage
Ans. (b) impudence
Effrontery means insolent or impertinent behaviour. Similarly, impudence has similar meaning.

3. There was a devastating attack on his work.

(a) terrible
(b) casual
(c) unethical
(d) motivated
Ans. (a) terrible
Devastating means something which causes sever shock, distress or grief. Terrible has similar
meaning.

4. The committee conducted an exhaustive inquiry.

(a) time-consuming
(b) complicated
(c) renewed
(d) thorough
Ans. (d) thorough
Exhaustive survey means which considered various aspects and a micro-level. Exhaustive has
similar meaning.

5. He is just laying up a lot of trouble for himself.

(a) clearing
(b) accumulating
(c) accepting
(d) removing
Ans. (b) accumulating
The meaning of laying up has a similar meaning that of accumulating.

6. He fought the demon with all his might.

(a) heaviness
(b) strength
(c) density
(d) popularity

Ans. (b) strength

Might means great and impressive power or strength, especially of a nation, large organization,
or an individual.

7. Devotees believe that God dwells in their hearts.

(a) lives
(b) insists
(c) travels
(d) enters

Ans. (a) lives,Dwell means live in or at a specified place.

8. Not everyone can respond to a difficult question quickly.

(a) discuss
(b) argue
(c) answer
(d) deny
Ans. (c) answer
Primarily, respond means a reaction to something. As the response is against a question, the
answer is – answer.
9. The sage did not want to be bothered with mundane concerns.

(a) worldly
(b) meaningless
(c) trivial
(d) superfluous, Ans. (a) worldly
Mundane means that is of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one.
10. One who rules with unlimited power is called a dictator.

(a) anarchist
(b) autocrat
(c) egoist
(d) sycophant

Ans. (b) autocrat

A dictator is a ruler, who doesn’t give respect to the opinion of his/her subjects. The opposite of
this kind of rule is democracy which is defined as – of the people, for the people and by the
people.

10.Doctors sometimes prescribe cheaper generic drugs instead of more expensive brand

names.
a. general
b. cheap
c. fresh
d. elderly
Ans-a. generic means having the characteristic of a whole group, or
general

11. Windy days are typical of December.

A .characteristic
B. atypical
C. different
D. rare
Ans. (a) characteristic ,
Windy days are characteristic of December.

12. Her moods are as changeable as the weather.

(a) flighty
(b) fixed
(c)lasting
(d)reliable
Ans. (a) flighty
Her moods are as flighty as the weather.

13.Rajesh lived in an remote area.

a. automatic
b. distant
c. savage
d. mean
Ans-b. remote means faraway, or distant
14.If you detest someone or something, you dislike them very

much. a. argue

b. hate
c. discover
d. reveal
Ans-b. to detest means to feel intense or violent dislike, or to hate

15.He drove through the gracious suburbs with the swimming pools and tennis
courts. a. pretty

b. clever
c. pleasant
d. present
Ans-c. gracious means to be pleasant or considerate in social interactions

16.John was banished from England.

a. exile
b. hate
c. fade
d. clean
Ans-a. to banish means to drive out from home or country, or to exile

17.He was jailed for two years for fraud and deception.

a. malcontent
b. argument
c. imposter
d. clown
Ans-c. a fraud is someone who is not what he or she pretends to be, or an
imposter

18.Rajesh described something as Saccharine.

a. leave
b. sweet
c. arid
d. quit Ans-b. saccharine means overly sweet

19.I find it really hard to drag myself out and exercise regularly.

a. sleepy
b. crush
c. proud
d. pull
Ans-d. to drag is to pull, or to cause movement in a direction with applied force
20. Father Whittaker appeared to be in a jovial mood.

a. incredulous
b. merry
c. revolting
d. dizzy
Ans-b. jovial means good humored or merry

21. People have become indifferent to the suffering of others.

a. neutral
b. unkind
c. precious
d. mean
Ans-a. to be indifferent is to be marked by impartiality or to be neutral

22.The scientist developed one model to simulate a full year of the globe's climate.

a. excite

b. imitate
c. trick
d. apelike
Ans. b. to simulate is to assume the outward appearance of, or to imitate

23.He has neither the policies nor the personal charisma to inspire people.

a. ghost
b. force
c. charm
d. courage
Ans-c. charisma is magnetic charm or appeal

24. The purpose of this exercise is not to apportion blame but to solve problems

a. divide
b. decide
c. cut
d. squabble
Ans-a. to apportion is to divide and share out

25.I have no qualms about recommending the same approach to other doctors.

a. distress
b. impunity
c. persevere
d. scruple
Ans-d. a qualm is a feeling of uneasiness about a moral issue, or a scruple
26.People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers.

a. calm
b. curved
c. confused
d. cautious
Ans-d. wary means to be attentive especially to danger, or to be cautious

27.The media distorts reality; it categorizes people as all good or all bad.

a. wrong
b. evil
c. deform
d. harm
Ans-c. to distort means to twist out of a normal state, or to deform

28.ignited
a. Take fire
b. extinguish
c. put out
d. ququench
 Ans-(a) Take fire, extinguish put
out,ququench are antonyms for ignited

29. Something that is sumptuous is grand and obviously very expensive.

a. delirious
b. gorgeous
c. perilous
d. luxuriou
Ans-d. sumptuous means excessively costly, rich, or luxurious

30.His mind reeled at the question.

a. whirl
b. fish
c. hit
d. mistake
Ans- a, one meaning of reel is to move round and round, or to whirl

31.inscrutable
a. difficult
b. mysterious
c. inflexible
d. wary

32. appall
a. delirious
b. covered
c. dismay
d. confuse

33. upright
a. honorable
b. horizontal
c. humble
d. supine

34 reverie
a. palimpsest
b. phantom
c. daydream
d. curio
35. loot
a. destruction
b. waste
c. spoils
d. cavort

36. loquacious
a. talkative . b. thirsty c. beautiful d. complicated

37. chimera
a. chimney b. protest c. illusion d. panache

38. temerity
a. audacity b. fearfulness c. shyness d. stupidity

39.educe
a. demand b. elicit c. ideal d. unlawful

40.nabob
a. bigwig b. doubter c. frolic d. converse

Key 31-40
31b. inscrutable means not easily interpreted or understood, or mysterious

32 c. to appall is to overcome with shock, or to dismay

33a. upright can mean either honorable or vertical; horizontal and supine
are both antonyms of upright

34. c. a reverie means the state of being lost in thought, or a daydream

35c. loot means goods seized in war, or spoils

36 a. loquacious means excessively talkative, or garrulous

37. c. a chimera is a fabrication of the mind, or an illusion

38. a. temerity means unreasonable contempt for danger or

recklessness, or audacity

39. b. to educe means to develop something potential or latent; to elicit

means to draw out something hidden or latent

40.a. a nabob is a person of great wealth or importance, or a bigwig

41.A pall of oily black smoke drifted over the cliff-

top. a. light

b. satiate
c. carry
d. horror
Ans-b. to pall can mean to deprive of pleasure in something by satiating

42. Freedom of the press is sacrosanct.

a. prayer
b. sanctuary
c. pious
d. sacred Ans-d. sacrosanct means the most sacred, or holy
43. Section of society which somehow managed to be louche and fashionable at the same

time.
a. gauche
b. fine
c. brilliant
d. indecent
Ans-d. louche means not reputable, or indecent

44. A stentorian voice is very loud and strong.

a. violent
b. misbegotten
c. loud
d. stealthy
Ans-c. stentorian means loud and is usually used to imply a voice of great
power and range
45.A modest house or other building is not large or expensive

a. attractive
b. clever
c. current
d. humble
Ans-d. modest means to be free of conceit or pretension, or humble

46- The custom of lighting the Olympic flame goes back

centuries. a. dessert

b. habit
c. ethic
d. deliver
Ans-b. A custom means a long-established practice, or a habit

47.Mr. Chesler said foreign military aid was prolonging the war.

a. extend
b. inquire
c. relax
d. wait
Ans-a. to prolong means to lengthen in time, or to extend

48. The guards hustled Harry out of the car.

a. dance
b. hurry
c. busy
d. clean
Ans-b. to hustle means to hurry
49.His solemn little face broke into smiles.

a. amusing
b. harmful
c. speech
d. serious
Ans-d. solemn means marked by grave sobriety, or serious

50.Are you implying that I have something to do with those attacks?"

a. suggest
b. stab
c. thick
d. destroy
Ans-a. to imply means to express indirectly, or to suggest

ANTONYMS
51. OSTRACISE
(a.)amuse (b) welcome
(c) entertain (d) host

52. DENSE
(a.)scarce (b) slim
(c) sparse (d) lean

53. PARSIMONIOUS
(a.)prodigious (b) selfless
(c) extravagant
(d) ostentatious

54. FETTER
(a).restore (b) liberate
(c) exonerate (d) distract

55. HARMONY
a.strife (b) annoyance
(c) cruelty (d) mischief

56. CONCILIATION
(a)dispute (b) irritation
(c) separation (d) confrontation
57. MYTH
(a).truth (b) fact
(c) falsehood (d) story

58. RELUCTANTLY
(a)pleasingly (b) willingly
(c) satisfactorily (d) happily

59. MUTILATE
(a).instruct (b) induct
(c) conduct (d) mend
60. LAMENT
(a.)rejoice (b) rejuvenate
(c) complain (d) cry

61. ANIMOSITY
(a.)love (b) lust
(c) luck (d) loss

62. ALTERCATION
(a.)explanation (b) challenge
(c) compromise (d) oppositio

63. COAX
(a).dull (b) dissuade
(c) active (d) speed

64. ERUDITE
(a.)educated (b) unscholarly
(c) scholarly (d) possessive

65. AFFLUENT
(a).high (b) poor (c)
rare (d) fluent

66. PAROCHIAL
(a).narrow (b) international
(c) global (d) world wide

67. FALLIBLE
(a).unerring (b) reliable
(c) falsehood (d) trustful

68. IMPERTINENT
(a.)arrogance (b) appropriate
(c) respectful (d) modest

69. ROUGH
(a).refined (b) charming
(c) smooth (d) polite

70. RATIFICATION
(a.)disapproval (b) disagreeable
(c) denial (d) disturbing
71. OMIT
(a.)exclude (b) include
(c) undertake (d) add

72. INTEGRATION
(a).unity (b) synthesis
(c) linking (d) fragmentation

73. MINIATURE
a.large (b) small
(c) heavy (d) least

74. EXHAUSTS
(a.)tires (b) empties
(c) invigorates (d) drains

75. DISTANT
(a).far (b) close
(c) imminent (d) along

76. TRANSPARENT
(a) clear (b) ambiguity
(c) opaque (d) crystal

77. ENCOUNTERED
(a) avoided (b) enriched
(c) faced (d) overcome
78. Handy
(a) cumbersome(b) handful
(c) unwieldy (d) heavy

79. ELEGANCE
(a) pride (b) beauty
(c) coarseness (d) vulgarity

80. CAPRICIOUS
(a) firm (b) fickle
(c) indefinite (d) defian

81. EXODUS
(a) influx (b) home-coming
(c) return (d) restoration

82. INQUISITIVE
(a) insincere (b) indifferent
(c) insensitive (d) insulting

83. CANDID
(a) outspoken (b) frank
(c) devious (d) disguised

84. NADIR
(a) modernity (b) zenith
(c) liberty (d) progress

85. CULPABLE
(a) defendable (b) blameless
(c) careless (d) irresponsible

86. FACILITATE
(a) help (b) propogate
(c) hinder (d) reject

87. CRITICISE
(a) finish (b) recommend
(c) commend (d) request

88. CONFORMITY
(a) deviation (b) dilution
(c) distraction (d) diversion

89. AFFIRM
(a) refuse (b) negate
(c) neglect (d) avoid

90. AUTONOMY
(a) slavery
(b) subordination
(c) dependence
(d) submissiveness

91. SURVIVAL
(a) evolution (b) development
(c) creation (d) extinction
92. INSERT
(a) depict (b) extract
(c) defame (d) enhance

93. INCONGRUOUS
(a) conflicting
(b) contradictory
(c) ill-matched
(d) harmonious

94. DEMENTED
(a) sensible (b) sensitive
(c) sensual (d) sensuous

95. IMPROMPTU
(a) prompt (b) forced
(c) premeditated(d) inordinate

96. HOSTILE
(a) friendly (b) sudden
(c) costly (d) unfair

97. BREADTH
(a) shortness (b) narrowness
(c) lightness (d) thickness

98. TIMOROUS
(a) trembling (b) cowardly
(c) bright (d) bold

99. SUBLIME
(a) amusing (b) ludicrous
(c) hilarious (d) mean

100. ECCENTRICITY
(a) normalcy (b) similarity
(c) equality (d) clarity

Key 51-100
51. (b) 52. (c) 53. (c) 54. (b) 55. (a) 56. (d) 57. (b) 58.

(b) 59. (d) 60. (a) 61. (a) 62. (c) 63. (b) 64. (b) 65. (b)

66. (c) 67. (a) 68. (c) 69. (c) 70. (a) 71. (b) 72. (d) 73.

(a) 74. (c) 75. (b) 76. (c) 77. (a) 78. (d) 79. (d) 80. (a)

81. (a) 82. (b) 83. (c) 84. (b) 85. (b) 86. (c) 87. (c) 88.

(a) 89. (a) 90. (c) 91. (d) 92. (b) 93. (d) 94. (a) 95. (c)

96. (a) 97. (b) 98. (d) 99. (b) 100. (a)

COMPREHENSION TEST
PASSAGE–I

Directions (101-110) : In these questions, you have two

brief passages with five questions following each passage.

Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to

each question out of the four alternatives

What one wonders, is the lowest common denomina-tor of Indian culture today. The
attractive Hema Malini!The songs of Vividh Bharati! Or the mouth-watering Masala
Dosa! Delectable as these may be, each yields prideof place to that false symbol of a
new era–the synthetic fi-bre. In less than twenty years, the nylon sari and the terylene
shirt have swept the countryside, penetrated to the farthest corners of the land and
persuaded every com-mon man, woman and child that the key to success in the present
day world lies in artificial fibres : glass nylon, crepe nylon, tery mixes, polysters and
what have you. More than the bicycles, the wristwatch or the transistor radio, syn-thetic
clothes have come to represent the first step away from the village square. The village
lass treasures the flashy nylon sari in her trousseau most dearly; the village youth gets a
great kick out of his cheap terrycot shirt and trousers, the nearest he can approximate to
the expensive synthetic sported by his wealthy citybred contemporaries. And the Neo–
rich craze for ‘phoren’is no- where more apparent than in the price that people will pay
for smuggled, stolen, begged, borrowed secondhand or thrown away synthetics. Alas,
even the unique richness of the traditional tribal costume is being fast eroded by the
deadening uniformity of nylon.

101 The lowest common denominator of the Indian cul- ture

today is
(a) Hema Malini
(b) songs of Vividh Bharati
(c) Masala Dosa
(d) synthetic fibre 102. The synthetic fibre has
(a) always been popular in India.
(b) become popular during the last twenty years.
(c) never been popular in India.
(d) been as popular as other kinds of fibre.
103. The latest symbol of modernity for the rural people is (a)
the bicycle. (b) the wristwatch.
(c) the transistor. (d) the synthetic cloth.
104. The term Neo-rich means (a)
the aristocracy.
(b) the industrialists.
(c) the newly rich people.
(d) the common people.
105. The tone of the passage is
(a) tragic (b) ironic
(c) sombre (d) satiric

PASSAGE-II
Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit
that the English language is in a bad way, but it is generally
assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything
about it. Our civilization is decadent and our lan- guage—
so the argument runs—must inevitably share in the general
collapse. It follows that any struggle against the abuse of
language is a sentimental archaism, like prefer- ring
candles to electric light or handsome cabs to aeroplanes.
Underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language
is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape
for our own purposes. Now it is clear that the decline of a
language must ultimately have political and economic
causes : it is not simply due to the bad influence of this or
that individual writer. But an effect can become a cause,
reinforcing the original cause and producing the same
effect in an intensi- fied form, and so on indefinitely. A man
may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure,
and then fails all the more completely because he drinks. It
is rather the same thing that is happening to the English
language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our
thoughts are fool- ish, but the slovenliness of our language
makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. The point is
that the pro- cess is reversible. Modern English, especially
written En- glish, is full of bad habits which spread by
imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take
the necessary trouble. If one gets rid of these habits, one
can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary
first step towards political regeneration : so that the fight
against bad English is not frivolous and is not the exclusive
con- cern of professional writers.

106. Many people believe that nothing can be done about

the English language because (a) bad habits spread by
imitation.
(b) we live in a decadent civilization.
(c) there are too many bad writers.
(d) people are too lazy to change their bad habits.
107. The author believes that
(a) it’s now too late to do anything about the problem. (b)
language is a natural growth and cannot be shaped for
our own purposes.
(c) the decline in the language can be stopped. (d)
the process of an increasingly bad language can- not
be stopped.
108. The author believes that the first stage towards the
political regeneration of the language would be (a)
taking the necessary trouble to avoid bad habits.
(b) avoiding being frivolous about it.
(c) clear thinking.
(d) for professional writers to help.
109. The author believes that
(a) English is becoming ugly.
(b) bad language habits are inevitable. (c) our thoughts are becoming
uglier because we are making the language uglier.
(d) our civilization is decadent so nothing can be done to
stop the decline of the language.
110. What causes bad language in the end ?
(a) The bad influence of individual writers.
(b) The imitation of bad language habits.
(c) Political and economic causes.
(d) An assumption that nothing can be done about it.

🔑 🔑 key
101. (d) 102. (b) 103. (d) 104. (c)
105. (c) 106. (d) 107. (c) 108. (a)
109. (c) 110. (c)

PASSAGE-IlI
The achievement of science in the twentieth century has
been very great. Its influence can be felt in every sphere of
life. From the small pins and needles to the huge iron sheets
and joints, most of the things we require for our everyday
use, come out of factories where scientific prin- ciples are
utilized for practical ends. Science has enabled man to bring
forces of nature under control and to use them for his own
advantage. It has brought the distant parts of the world
close together. Our knowledge of the universe has been
much widened on account of the untir- ing efforts of the
astronomers like Jeans and Eddington. Remarkable cures
of human diseases have been possible owing to the
discovery of some wonderful medicines.

111. The main idea of the passage is

(a) the impact of science can be felt in every sphere of life
(b) science is an anathema
(c) nothing is beyond the purview of science
(d) science can work miracles

112. The mode of approach is (a)

logical. (b) anatomical.
(c) descriptive. 4) expository.

113. What has enabled man to harness the forces of na- ture
to the advantage of mankind?
(a) Arts. (b) Oratory.
(c) Bravery. (d) Science.

114. Science has proved a great boon for (a)

scientists. (b) artists.
(c) explorers. (d) mankind.

115. The most appropriate title for the passage will be

(a) Science is a curse
(b) Science, a great boon
(c) Achievements of science
(d) None of these

PASSAGE-IV
“Science cannot reduce the magic of a sunset to arith-
metic, nor can it express friendship with a formula” ob-
served the eminent medical researcher, Dr. Lous Orr. He
added, “also beyond science’s mastery of nature are love
and laughter, pain and loneliness and insights into truth and
beauty”. This distancing of science from the human
condition perhaps explains why most foreign tourists visit-
ing Britain flock predictably to see the hallowed homes of
playwrights, writers and poets, but choose to ignore the
habitations where its eminent scientists lived and worked.

116. Why is it that science cannot express friendship with a

formula?
(a) Science and friendship cannot co-exist. (b) It
is abstract term which cannot be grappled by
science.
(c) Friendship is beyond science’s mastery.
(d) Friendship is unknown to scientists. 117. The word magic refers
to (a) evening dusk.
(b) the sunrise.
(c) solar and lunar eclipse.
(d) setting of the sun, with all its beauty.
118. Which of the following are beyond science’s reach, according
to the passage?
(a) Love and laughter, pain and loneliness.
(b) Derivation of a formula.
(c) Complexity of time and tide.
(d) Work of the mind.

119. The verb flock refers to.

(a) tourists in Britain.
(b) local people.
(c) large number of foreign tourists visiting homes of playwrights, writers, poets.
(d) Indian tourists.

120. Why according to the author do tourists prefer to

visit hallowed homes of playwrights, writers and po- ets
rather than visiting the habitation of eminent sci-
entists?
(a) The houses of playwright and writers are well-
decorated and are full of splendour
(b) Science cannot explain human emotions. Hence, people
have a soft corner for those who produce a splendid
display of emotions in their work.
(c) Scientists are loathsome.
(d) Houses of scientists are untidy and not well-pre- served.

PASSAGE V
There are three main groups of oils-animal, vegetable and
mineral. Great quantities of animal oil comes from whales,
those enormous creatures of the sea, which are the
largest of the animals remaining in the world. To pro- tect
the whales from the cold of the Arctic seas, nature has
provided them with a thick covering of fat, called blubber.
When the whale is killed, the blubber is stripped off and
boiled down. It produces a great quantity of oil which can
be made into food for human consumption. A few other
creatures yield oil, but none so much as the whale. The
livers of the cod and halibut, two kinds of fish, yield nour-
ishing oil. Both cod liver oil and halibut oil are given to sick
children and other invalids who need certain vitamins.
Vegetable oil has been known from very old times. No
household can get on without it, for it is used in cooking.
Perfumes may be made from the oils of certain flowers.
Soaps are made from vegetable and animal product and
the oils of certain flowers.

121. The main source of animal oil is (a)

fish. (b) whale.
(c) sea weeds. (d) plants.

122. Vegetable oil is mainly used for (a)

eating. (b) cooking.
(c) frying. (d) lubricating.

123. The ....... of fish yeilds nourishing oil.

(a) liver (b) stomach
(c) eyes (d) head

124. The thick protective covering of fat on a whale is called a (a)

skin. (b) cells.
(c) blubber. (d) fins.

125. ....... are made from vegetable, animal products and

the oils of certain flowers. (a) Perfumes (b) Cosmetics
(c) Cooking medium (d) Soaps

🔑 key
111. (a) 212. (d)
113. (d) 114. (d) 115. (b) 116. (c)
117. (d) 118. (a) 119. (c) 120. (b)
121. (b) 1 22. (b) 123. (a) 124. (c)
125. (d)
IDIOMS/PHRASES
Directions (126-140) : In these questions, four alternatives are given for
the Idiom/Phrase given in bold int the sentence. Choose the alternative
which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase g

126.For his alleged involvement in espio-nage, he is under a cloud these

days.
(a) experiencing cloudy weather
(b) enjoying favourable luck
(c) under suspicion
(d) under observation

127. We have appealed to him again and again; there is no use flogging a dead horse
now.
(a) repeating our request
(b) making him see reason
(c) beating about the bush
(d) wasting time in useless effort

128.. We shouldn’t look down upon the wretched of the earth.

(a) sympathise with
(b) hate intensely
(c) be indifferent to
(d) regard with contempt

129.Because of his misbehaviour, he is bound to face the music.

(a) get finished (b) get reprimanded. (c) feel sorry(d) listen to the music

130.The working of the factory was distru-pted on account of a

token strike by the workers.
(a) total strike (b) carefully planned strike
(c) short strike held as a warning. (d) sudden call of strike

131.. By opposing his proposal he fell

foul of him. (a) quarrel with
(b) felt annoyed with
(c) agreed with
(d) got into trouble with

132Those who work by fits and

starts seldom show good results.
(a) rarely
(b) disinterestedly
(c) irregularly
(d) regularly

133.The new manager thought that

he would give employees enough
rope for the first six months after
which he would check the work
done himself.
(a) many directives and orders
(b) sufficient advice
(c) all the material they needed
(d) enough freedom for action

134.He was all at sea when he began

his new Job.
(a) happy (b) sad
(c) puzzled (d) triumphant

135. The sweeping statement by the

boss left the conscientious workers
disgusted.
(a) rash statement (b) unpremeditated statement
(c) thoughtless statement (d) generalised statement

136. The failure of crops in successive

years put the farmer in a tight corner.
(a) in a closed room
(b) in a small field
(c) in a difficult situation
(d) in a meadow

137. The effort to trace the culprit was a

wild goose chase.
(a) fruitful hunting
(b) futile search
(c) ideal seeking
(d) genuine effort

138. The story does not hold water.

(a) does not deserve appreciation
(b) does not fulfil the requirements (c) cannot be
believed
(d) cannot be valued

139. Raj couldn’t pay the bill, so he

asked the owner to put it on the cuff.
(a) on credit
(b) against his credit card
(c) in his bank account
(d) in his friend’s account

140.His statement is out and out a lie.

(a) totally (b) simply
(c) merely (d) slightly

141.The luxury car that they bought

turned out to be a white elephant.
(a) a rare article
(b) useful mode of transport (c) costly or troublesome
possession
(d) a proud possession

142. If you are fair and square in

your work you will definitely
prosper. (a) active
(b) honest
(c) business like
(d) authoritative

143There is no love lost between

any two neighbouring countries in
the world.
(a) stop loving
(b) not on good terms
(c) forming a group
(d) have good understanding

144 The heavy downpour played havoc

in the coastal area.
(a) caused destruction (b) caused diseases
(c) caused floods (d) caused hardship

145.To have a green thumb means

(a) one’s nails are painted green (b) one is artistic
(c) to have a natural interest in gardening (d) one has a green tattoo on the thumb

🔑 key
126. (c) 127. (d) 128. (d) 129. (b) 130(c) 131(d) 132. (c) 133. (d)
134 (c) 135 (d) 136. (c) 137 (b) 138 (c) 139 (a) 140. (a) 141. (c) 142.
(b) 143. (b) 144 (a) 145. (c)
 CLOZE TEST
Directions (146-155) : In the follow-ing passage,
some of the words have been left out. First read the
passage over and try to understand what it is
about. Then fill in the blanks with thehelp of the
alternatives given.The library, if used properly, is
invaluable in helping you develop discernment. It is
rich 146 information that goes far beyond the

147 of any one textbook or course. 148 your text

book au- thor does not make a particular 149

clear and you feel the need 150 another

description in greater detail 151 in other

words, go to the library and 152 other books on

the subject. By calling 153 two or three writers

dealing with the 154 topic, you will find some 155

of certain

facts. In seeking additional sources, you

will have gained immeasurably, for you
will have seen what several ex- perts
perceive as being particularly important
on a common subject.

146. (a) of (b)for (c)in

(d)with

147 (a)pages (b) limits (c)confines

(d)limitations

148. (a) If (b)While (c)When

(d)Suppose

149. (a)information (b)entry

(c)explanation (d)point

150 (a)for (b)of (c)to

(d)about

151 .(a)or (b)but (c)though

(d)however 152.(a)verify (b)identify
(c)check (d)collect

153.(a) for (b) up (c)forth

(d)upon

154. (a)actual (b)specific

(c)correct (d)same
155. (a)description (b)clarification
(c)explanation (d) evidence

🔑 key
146. (c) 147 (b) 148 (a) 149. (d) 150 (a) 151. (a)
152 (c) 153. (b) 154.(d) 155.(b)
Note : The Parts of Speech have been
used according to the context of the
Passage.
146 (c) in (Prep.) 147. (b) limits (Noun) : the
greatest
or smallest amount of something
that is allowed. 148 (a) If (Conj.)
149 (d) point (Noun) : the
important idea in something that
is said or done 150. (a) for
(Prep.) 151. (a) or (Conj.)
152. (c) check (Verb) : to examine something
to see if it is correct.
153. (b) up (Adj.) 154. (d) same (Adj.) 155. (b)
clarification (Noun) : the ac- tion of making
something clearer or easier to understand

FILL IN THE BLANKS

Directions (156-175) : In these

questions, sentences are given with
blanks to be filled in with an
appropriate word(s). Four alternatives
are suggested for each question.
Choose the correct alternative out of
the four alternatives.
156. The flash of the torch.......a
cobra.
(a) exposed (b) displayed (c)
disclosed (d) revealed

157. He.......himself a stiff drink before

making his statement to the
 police officer. (a) threw (b)
poured (c) filled (d) sipped

158. It was his.......that led him to

penury.
(a) flamboyance. (b) arrogance
(c) extravagance (d) ebullience

159. Gita was known to be

a.......so nobody entrusted any
important work to her. (a) joker
(b) worker (c) shocker (d)
shirker

160. The statue was

so.......that people stared at it in
horror. (a) grotesque (b)
exquisite (c) beatific (d)
cumbersome
161. He was caught red-handed and
could not.......the charges. (a) refute
(b) refuse (c) rebuke (d) revoke

162. Unhappy about the treatment

meted out to her, Shanti.......
demanded justice. (a)
sumptuously (b)
voraciously (c)
spasmodically (d)
vociferously

163. The police sprayed tear

gas.......on the protesters.
(a) indirectly (b) intensively (c)
indifferently (d) indiscriminately

164. We are happy to.......the receipt

of your order No 4071 dated 13.3.96.
(a) admit. (b) accept (c)
acknowledge (d) respond 165.
All jobs are respectable.......of their
nature. (a) irrelevant (b) immaterial
(c) irresponsible (d) irrespective

166. Nadheeka was musing ......

memories of the past.
(a) over (b) about (c) on (d) from

167 The lame boy tried to climb up the

staircase without ...... help.
(a) little (b) any (c) some (d) many

168.Each school has its own set of

rules ......all good pupils should follow
them.
(a) but (b) or (c) so (d) and

169. On my return from a long holiday,

I had to ......with a lot of work.
(a) catch on (b) catch up (c) make
up (d) take up
170. Only one of the boys ......not
done the home-work given
yesterday. (a) have (b) has (c)
can (d) could

171. Hopes of a settlement depends

on the ......of the discussion.
(a) findings (b) outcome (c) break
through (d) resolutions

172. We must avail

ourselves ......every opportunity
that comes ......our way.
(a) of ; in (b) on ; in (c) against ; for
(d) to ; to

173. It is time we ......with determination.

(a) act (b) acted (c) have
acted (d) will act
174. When the thief entered the
house, the inmates ....in the hall.
(a) were slept. (b) were sleeping
(c) slept (d) had been
sleeping

175. 700 men worked for 10 years

to......the Borobudur temple in Java
to its former glory.
(a) restore (b) give (c) create (d) revive

🔑 key
166. (a) 167 (b) 168. (d) 169. (b)
170. (b) 171. (b) 172. (a) 173. (b)
174 (b) 175 (a)

COMMON ERRORS
Directions (176-185) : In thefollowing questions,
some parts of thesentences have errors and some
are correct. Find out which part of asentence has an
error. The numberof that part is the answer. If a
sentenceis free from error, your answer is No error.

176.You must either (a) / be regular

with your studies (b) / and study for
longer period before the ex-
amination. (c) / No error (d)

177. The new taxation rates (a) / announced by the

government (b) /are bound to effect the export
sector. (c) / No error (d)

178.These days, job opportunities arenot as better

(c) / as they used tobe (b) / in the early 70's. (c) / No
error (d)

179. When viewed with his point of view, the (a)

/entire episode assumes (b) / a different colour
altogether. (c) / No error (d)

180.On many occasions (a) / we did helped the poor

(b) / people by way of giving them food to eat and
clothes to put on. (c) / Noerror (d)

181. Unless it is accepted to both theparties, an (a) /

arbitrator would be of no (b) / use to settle this
dispute. (c) / No error (d)
182.Although the manager was keen on getting the
work (a) / done through Sudhir yesterday, (b) / he
tries to avoid it (c) / No error (d)

183. The various consequences of(a) /the

decision taken by the (b) / finance ministry was not
foreseen by the bureaucrats. (c) / No error (d)

184. I never considered him to be aperson who

would (a) / go backon his promise and (b) / then do
not even apologise. (c) / No error (d)

185. Having finished at school (a) /Raghu

thought/ of going toBombay in (b) / search some job.
(c) / No error (d)

🔑 key
176. (c) 177. (c) 178 (a) 179. (a) 180. (b) 181. (a)
182. (c) 183 (c) 184. (c) 185. (c)
 IMPROVEMENT OF SENTENCES
Directions (186-190): In the following questions, a
sentence/part of the sentence is printed in bold.
Below are given alternatives to the bold
sentence/part of the sentence at (a) , (b) and (c)
which may improve the sentence. Choose the
correct alternative. In case no improvement is
needed, your answer is (d) .

186.The train is running late time. (a) after (b)

behind (c) off (d) Noimprovement Ans-(b) ahead of /
behind time: earlier /later than was expected. Hence,
as the sense suggests behind should be used here

187.I made a lecture.

(a) will make (b) gave (c) would make

(d)Noimprovement.
Ans-(b) lecture: a talk that Is given to somebody to
teach about a particular subject as part of a
university or college course.
Hence delivered/gave should be used here.
188.. The room is smoky.
(a) by smokes (b) filled with smoke (c) with smokes
(d) No improvement

Ans- (b) smoky fall of smoke eg.a smoky

atmosphere ; Hence, filled with smoke should be
used here.

189..He did not give me some books. (a) more

(b) any (c) much (d) Noimprovement

Ana-(b) As the sentence shows negative sense,any

should be used heir

190-.We saw one tiger approached to us. (a)

approaching to us (b) approaching us (c)
approaching towards us (d) No improvement

Ans. (b) Here, approaching (Gerund)us should be

used. Use of Preposition to is incorrect.
Jumbled Sentence /Arrangement of
sentences/picking correct sentenses

Directions (191-200) : In these questions, the first

and the last part of the sentences are numbered 1
and 6. The rest of the sentence are split into four
parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts
are not given in their proper order. Read the parts
and find out which of the four combina-tions is
correct.
Then find the correct answer.

191. 1. “Mother do you love me?”,she asked.

P. She then looked into her mother’s tear-filled eyes
out of impatience for a reply.
Q. She kept waiting but her mother did not speak.
R. Then, she understood what words the mother’s
eyes spoke and the reason for her silence.
S. She got no direct reply and grew restless.
6. She climbed slowly on to her mother’s lap.
(a) PRQS (b) QSRP (c) SQPR (d) RQPS.
Ans-. (c)

192. 1. In the early 1920’s, settlers came to Alaska

looking for gold.
P. Today, people use it to get from place to place.
Q. The trail they used to travel inland is known today
as the Iditarod trail.
R. They travelled by boat, to Seward and Krik and
from there by land into the gold fields. S. The
Iditarod trail quickly became a major thorough
fare in Alaska.
6. In the winters, the only means of travel down this
trail is by dog sledge.
(a) PSQR (b) RQSP (c) PQRS (d) QRSP.
Ans-. (b)

193. 1. It was my first day in college. P.

They took me to their room.
Q. As I entered, two seniors approached me.
R. I was happy to follow them.
S. They offered to help me to lo- cate my classroom.
6. There they forced me to part with my
money and the wristwatch. (a) PRQS (b)
RPQS (c) QSRP (d) SPQR Ans-3
194.1. The teacher asked the boys to be
quiet. P. The boys opened their books.
Q. Suddenly there was some noise outside.
R. Then he asked them to open their books.
S. The teacher looked outside.
6. A dog had entered in the school premises.
(a) QSRP (b) PRSQ (c) RPQS (d) SQRP.
Ans- (c)

195.1 A dictionary
P. arranged words Q. about which information R.
containing alphabetically S. is a book
6. is given.
(a)RPQS(b)QRPS (c)SRPQ(d)SPRQ. Ans (c)

196.1. Agriculture
P. cotton for our clothes Q. raw materials like jute R.
and sugarcane for our indus-triesS. gives us food
6. and food for cattle.
(a)SRQP (b)RQPS(c)QPRS (d)SPQR. Ans-(d)
197. 1. Today political freedom P. and the right Q.
however money and all that money R. assures
people equality before law S. to elect their
Government
6. can buy is not fairly distributed.
(a)SPRQ (b)RPSQ (c)QRSP (d)PSRQ. Ans (b)

198.1. By far the most logical step

P. to relieve the housewife ofroutine Q. which can be
programmed R. to carry out standard operations S.
is to provide a robot
6.when switched by the house-wife.
(a) RSPQ (b) PSQR (c) QSPR (d) SRQP. Ans-(b)
199 1. During the reign of the Em-peror Tiberius P.
called Phaedrus Q. an Augustan story teller R.
translated Aesop’s fables into Latin S. in ancient
Rome

6. and also added some tales of his own.

(a) QRPS (b) PQRS (c) SQPR (d) RSPQ.
Ans. (c)

200. 1. The pigeons were used P. as messengers Q.

which were tied R. in the olden days S. to carry
messages
6. to their feet.
(a) PQRS (b) SPRQ (c) PRSQ (d) PRQS.
Ans (c)