ExamBharo · SSC CGL 2016 Tier II — English Language and Comprehension — 12 January 2017 · exambharo.com/previous-year-papers/ssc-cgl-2016-tier-2-english-12-jan/

Question paper · SSC CGL

SSC CGL 2016 Tier II — English Language and Comprehension — 12 January 2017

12 January 2017 · 2:45 PM–4:45 PM163 of the paper’s 200 questions1 per correct answer

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37 questions of the original paper are not included: those that need a figure or formatting we cannot show, that have no answer in the response sheet, or that we could not check against a second copy of the paper.

Questions from the Staff Selection Commission’s paper of 12 January 2017, 2:45 PM–4:45 PM. Each question’s answer is under it, hidden until you open it, and the full answer key is at the end. Take the paper as a timed practice test to be scored.

English Language and Comprehension

1. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. They will (A)/ leave the office at six and (B)/ reach at home by seven. (C)/ No error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
2. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. The new lecturer (A)/ seems to be very popular with (B)/ most of the class. (C)/ No error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (d)
3. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. The museum's revolving doors (A)/ stopped the crooks (B)/ as they jam half way round. (C)/ No error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
4. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. He had no (A)/ accuse for attacking (B)/ that old man. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
5. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Mothers keep on (A)/ to encouraging their children (B)/ to study. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
6. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Mohan wishes (A)/ he will be (B)/ richer. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
7. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. I am not familiar with (A)/ all the important places in this town (B)/ although I had been living here for two years. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
8. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. The receptionist gave us (A)/ much informations (B)/ which we needed. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
9. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Everyday we hear about (A)/ senior citizens being robbed (B)/ and even kill in cold blood. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
10. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Ravi Shankar's performance was given (A)/ a standing ovation by the (B)/ people who has come to hear him. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
11. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. People are wanting (A)/ to see the home team (B)/ win the game. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (a)
12. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. He was elected (A)/ as chairman (B)/ of the college. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
13. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Candidates present in the examination hall (A)/ should make use (B)/ with such opportunities. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
14. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. He said that it was the first time (A)/ that such a trick (B)/ is discovered.(C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
15. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. I saw his (A)/ unbelievably really quite (B)/ delightful cottage. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
16. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. I was shocked (A)/ to see how much my grand mother had aged (B)/ since the last time we visited her. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (d)
17. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. My heart (A)/ is so full (B)/ for words. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
18. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. It is not (A)/ such a pretty place (B)/ that I had expected. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
19. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. The Management Committee (A)/ was divided (B)/ in their opinion. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (b)
20. In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Speech was given (A)/ to man to (B)/ conseal his thoughts. (C)/ No Error (D)
- (a) A
- (b) B
- (c) C
- (d) D
Show answer
Answer: (c)
21. In the following question, sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for the question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. The gate _______ by the watchman on duty.
- (a) opened
- (b) was opened
- (c) were opened
- (d) was Opening
Show answer
Answer: (b)
22. In the following question, sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for the question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. The king was _______ while he was addressing his subjects.
- (a) murdered
- (b) executed
- (c) assassinated
- (d) exterminated
Show answer
Answer: (c)
23. In the following question, sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for the question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. Her parents will never give their _____ to such an unsuitable match.
- (a) acquiescence
- (b) consent
- (c) agreement
- (d) willingness
Show answer
Answer: (b)
24. In the following question, sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for the question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. The authorities would not ______ to the strikers' demands.
- (a) accept
- (b) accede
- (c) accession
- (d) access
Show answer
Answer: (b)
25. In the following question, sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word(s). Four alternatives are suggested for the question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option. They are so ______, they could not put up a tent properly, while camping.
- (a) red
- (b) white
- (c) blue
- (d) green
Show answer
Answer: (d)
26. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word. Mordant
- (a) stupid
- (b) pensive
- (c) senseless
- (d) sarcastic
Show answer
Answer: (d)
27. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word. Pragmatic
- (a) theoretical
- (b) realistic
- (c) perfect
- (d) simple
Show answer
Answer: (b)
28. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given word. Apposite
- (a) kind
- (b) favourable
- (c) eloquent
- (d) appropriate
Show answer
Answer: (d)
29. In the following question, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word. Generous
- (a) stoic
- (b) stingy
- (c) poor
- (d) specific
Show answer
Answer: (b)
30. In the following question, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word. Barren
- (a) oily
- (b) polished
- (c) sorrowful
- (d) fertile
Show answer
Answer: (d)
31. In the following question, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word. Profound
- (a) mysterious
- (b) difficult
- (c) superfluous
- (d) superficial
Show answer
Answer: (d)
32. In the following question, four words are given, out of which only one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.
- (a) Liaison
- (b) Laiseon
- (c) Laision
- (d) Liesion
Show answer
Answer: (a)
33. In the following question, four words are given, out of which only one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.
- (a) Supernumarary
- (b) Supernumerary
- (c) Supernumarery
- (d) Supernumarey
Show answer
Answer: (b)
34. In the following question, four words are given, out of which only one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.
- (a) Hemerhage
- (b) Hemorage
- (c) Hemorrhage
- (d) Hemerrege
Show answer
Answer: (c)
35. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. From stem to stern
- (a) all the way from the front of a ship to the back.
- (b) from the beginning to the end.
- (c) top of a plant to its roots.
- (d) loose pleasantness to become strict.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
36. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Over egg the pudding
- (a) add unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse.
- (b) fill the pudding excessively with egg.
- (c) add details in order to make something more exciting.
- (d) add important details to the content of a story.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
37. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Turn over a new leaf
- (a) change ones behaviour for the better.
- (b) read between the pages of a book.
- (c) do a somersault
- (d) do a new job.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
38. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Take up the hatchet
- (a) behave formally
- (b) pursue a chance
- (c) be caught in a trap
- (d) prepare for or go to war
Show answer
Answer: (d)
39. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. At loose ends
- (a) tie two loose ends of a thread
- (b) keep options open
- (c) in an uncertain situation
- (d) repay debts
Show answer
Answer: (c)
40. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. With might and main
- (a) with full risks
- (b) with full force
- (c) having full confidence
- (d) with full blessings
Show answer
Answer: (b)
41. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Ruffle somebody's feather
- (a) gamble
- (b) escape responsibility
- (c) annoy somebody
- (d) show contempt for
Show answer
Answer: (c)
42. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Cut short
- (a) delete
- (b) praise
- (c) interrupt
- (d) slice into small pieces
Show answer
Answer: (c)
43. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. Bad blood
- (a) war
- (b) ill feeling
- (c) threatening attitude
- (d) in an infected state of being
Show answer
Answer: (b)
44. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/Phrase. A laughing stock
- (a) an object of laughter
- (b) a storehouse of jokes
- (c) an object of desire
- (d) a stock of high value
Show answer
Answer: (a)
PassageFor questions 49–64
In the following question the 1st and the last part of the sentence/passage are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the sentence/ passage is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in their proper order. Read the sentence/passage and find out which of the four combinations is correct. 1.
49. I can't stand here and promise that your future path is going to be wonderful. P. Whatever one feels like doing today is set up as moral. Q. People don't even pretend to care about what is right. R. Instead, it might be very difficult, because our time is different than some other eras in human history. S. If you look around, you can see that, little by little, it is a path leading to our destruction. 6. I am afraid that this legacy of freedom is facing an uncertain future.
- (a) PSRQ
- (b) RQPS
- (c) QSRP
- (d) PQRS
Show answer
Answer: (b)
50. Rose was lonely in the house. P. She was very good at that. Q. She sat all day in a room on the terrace. R. She would sit on the rug and do her reading and writing. S. It was a little room with nothing but a bed and a rug. 6. It was the only thing she had learnt from the convent.
- (a) QRSP
- (b) RSPQ
- (c) QSRP
- (d) PSQR
Show answer
Answer: (c)
51. "As a matter of fact", said the boy modestly,"I'm a spaceman." P. "You can't see it from here." Q. 'From another planet.' R. 'I'm a spaceman', he said again. S. John and George stared at the boy. 6. John gasped, George gave a shout of laughter.
- (a) PSRQ
- (b) QPSR
- (c) RQPS
- (d) SRQP
Show answer
Answer: (d)
52. A poor woman lost her only son. P. He asked her to bring mustard seed from a house where no death had ever taken place. Q. As Buddha wanted her to understand that death is inevitable. R. She could not find such a house. S. She came to Buddha to bring her son back to life. 6. The woman understood the message of Buddha.
- (a) SPQR
- (b) SQPR
- (c) RSPQ
- (d) SRPQ
Show answer
Answer: (b)
53. Don't ask what we are doing this time. P. On other occasions we have time in hand. Q. It is difficult to say if the programme can be put up at all. R. This time we are not only facing a lack of time but of resources as well. S. I am losing confidence gradually, so please see what you can do for us. 6. We don't want to give up trying.
- (a) PRQS
- (b) RQSP
- (c) QSRP
- (d) QRPS
Show answer
Answer: (a)
54. It is now five in the evening. P. And so it will bear away another child. Q. Soon it will be six and it will be time. R. I have to unveil the truth; I have to end the injustices committed by the shadow. S. The shadow will then come in darkness. 6. The shadow must be defeated.
- (a) PSRQ
- (b) SQRP
- (c) QSPR
- (d) PRQS
Show answer
Answer: (c)
55. "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
Show answer
Answer: (c)
56. 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 thoroughfare 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
Show answer
Answer: (b)
57. There was a large gathering at the party. P. I, too wore a brand new gold jacket. Q. My black leather shoes were shining. R. It matched well with my new pair of faded stone washed pants. S. Everybody had put-on new colourful clothes. 6. They had been polished.
- (a) SRPQ
- (b) RPQS
- (c) SPRQ
- (d) PQSR
Show answer
Answer: (c)
58. There was nobody in the market at that time of the night. P. Added to that it had been raining incessantly. Q. The night was darker than usual. R. All shops were closed. S. The atmosphere was heavy. 6. The stars disappeared from the sky and it made the night heavier.
- (a) PQRS
- (b) QPRS
- (c) SRPQ
- (d) RQPS
Show answer
Answer: (b)
59. The fame of Bacon as a creative writer rests mainly on his essays. P. The term is derived from 'essai'. Q. It may be perhaps desirable to write something on 'Essay'. R. 'Essai' means experiment, attempt. S. The essay covers an enormous range of composition. 6. In style the essay is often self revelatory and illustrative.
- (a) PQRS
- (b) QPRS
- (c) RPSQ
- (d) SPRQ
Show answer
Answer: (b)
60. Vinoo was to leave for Hyderabad by the 5 o'clock train. P. Quickly, both got the luggage in and the train began to move. Q. He drove to the station and reached a few minutes before the train was to leave. R. However, Vinoo had a busy schedule on that day and could leave the office only around 4:45 PM. S. He rushed on to the platform and found his friend waiting near their compartment. 6. Vinoo heaved a sigh of relief and settled down to enjoy the journey.
- (a) PQSR
- (b) RSQP
- (c) SQPR
- (d) RQSP
Show answer
Answer: (d)
61. After the firing that evening the street that used to be full of people was completely deserted. P. Nor were any windows open. Q. Suddenly, I detected a movement to my left. R. There was no trace of any human beings, and all doors were firmly closed. S. Surprisingly, even the stray dogs had disappeared. 6. I was so frightened that I ran for my life.
- (a) PSQR
- (b) PQRS
- (c) RPSQ
- (d) RSPQ
Show answer
Answer: (c)
62. Sunita Aralikar's story is incredible but true. P. Fortunately she was pulled out of the tiny grave by her maternal grandfather. Q. Her mother died when she was fifteen days old. R. Her grandfather decided to educate her on his own. S. She was buried alive by her illiterate father the next day. 6. Today Sunita is an author and a well known social activist, fighting against female infanticide.
- (a) PQRS
- (b) SRQP
- (c) QSPR
- (d) PRSQ
Show answer
Answer: (c)
63. 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 locate my classroom. 6. There they forced me to part with my money and the wrist watch.
- (a) PRQS
- (b) RPQS
- (c) QSRP
- (d) SPQR
Show answer
Answer: (c)
64. 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
Show answer
Answer: (c)
65. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. The act of killing a whole group of people, specially a whole race.
- (a) Patricide
- (b) Genocide
- (c) Parricide
- (d) Matricide
Show answer
Answer: (b)
66. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. Animals that can live on land and in water.
- (a) Anthropoid
- (b) Aquatic
- (c) Amphibian
- (d) Marsupial
Show answer
Answer: (c)
67. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. A hater of woman.
- (a) Monarchist
- (b) Misanthrope
- (c) Philanderer
- (d) Misogynist
Show answer
Answer: (d)
68. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. A state where there is no effective government.
- (a) Secular
- (b) Democracy
- (c) Governance
- (d) Anarchy
Show answer
Answer: (d)
69. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. A person who opposes war or use of military force.
- (a) Narcissist
- (b) Fatalist
- (c) Pacifist
- (d) Fascist
Show answer
Answer: (c)
70. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. Substance used in surgery to produce unconsciousness.
- (a) Antiseptic
- (b) Antidote
- (c) Anesthetic
- (d) Cocaine
Show answer
Answer: (c)
71. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. Master of ceremonies
- (a) Ceremonist
- (b) Compere
- (c) Organiser
- (d) Manager
Show answer
Answer: (b)
72. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. A remedy for all diseases.
- (a) Tonic
- (b) Nectar
- (c) Panacea
- (d) Elixir
Show answer
Answer: (c)
73. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. A place for fish or water plants.
- (a) Aviary
- (b) Apiary
- (c) Herbarium
- (d) Aquarium
Show answer
Answer: (d)
74. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. The study of birds is known as
- (a) Ornithology
- (b) Zoology
- (c) Biology
- (d) Anatomy
Show answer
Answer: (a)
75. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. The belief that everyone is equal and should have the same right and opportunities.
- (a) Altruistic
- (b) Egoistic
- (c) Egalitarian
- (d) Octogenarian
Show answer
Answer: (c)
76. In the following question, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. Irresistible craving for alcoholic drinks
- (a) Pyromania
- (b) Dipsomania
- (c) Megalomania
- (d) Kleptomania
Show answer
Answer: (b)
77. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Had she worked hard she would have won the gold medal.
- (a) The gold medal will have been won by her had she worked hard.
- (b) The gold medal would have been won by her had she worked hard.
- (c) The gold medal would have been won by her if she worked hard.
- (d) The gold medal will have been won by her if she worked hard.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
78. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. They cooked the food and sent it to the orphanage.
- (a) The cooked food was sent to the orphanage by them.
- (b) The food was cooked and sent to the orphanage by them.
- (c) The food was sent to the orphanage by them.
- (d) The food was cooked and sent by them.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
79. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The room was cleaned.
- (a) The cleaner cleaned the room.
- (b) The room should be cleaned.
- (c) I cleaned the room.
- (d) Someone cleaned the room.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
80. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Where were they playing the cricket match?
- (a) Where was the cricket match played?
- (b) Where has the cricket match been played?
- (c) Where will the cricket match be played?
- (d) Where was the cricket match being played?
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Answer: (d)
81. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. These things have been left here by an unknown customer.
- (a) An unknown customer leaves these things here.
- (b) An unknown customer has left these things here.
- (c) An unknown customer have left these things here.
- (d) An unknown customer has been left these things here.
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Answer: (b)
82. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The authorities will reward you for your hard work.
- (a) You will be rewarded by the authorities for your hard work.
- (b) You would be rewarded by the authorities for your hard work.
- (c) The authorities will be rewarded by your hard work.
- (d) The authorities would be rewarded by your hard work.
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Answer: (a)
83. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. People felt that the police were corrupt.
- (a) It was felt that the police were corrupt.
- (b) The police were felt to be corrupt.
- (c) It was felt that the police were being corrupt.
- (d) The police were felt being corrupt.
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Answer: (a)
84. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. They found him lying dead on the roadside.
- (a) The roadside found him lying dead.
- (b) He was lying dead found by the roadside.
- (c) Lying by the roadside, he was found dead.
- (d) He was found lying dead by the roadside.
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Answer: (d)
85. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Scientists generally believe that small islands would sink.
- (a) Small islands will sink is generally believed by scientists.
- (b) There is a general belief that small islands would sink.
- (c) Small islands are believed to sink by scientists.
- (d) It is generally believed by scientists that small islands would sink.
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Answer: (d)
86. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Should you ever tell a lie?
- (a) Should a lie be ever told by one?
- (b) Should a lie be ever told by everyone?
- (c) Should a lie be ever told?
- (d) Should a lie ever be told?
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Answer: (c)
87. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The Principal promised the boys a holiday.
- (a) The boys have been promised a holiday by the Principal.
- (b) The boys had been promised a holiday by the Principal.
- (c) The boys were promised a holiday by the Principal.
- (d) The boys are promised a holiday by the Principal.
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Answer: (c)
88. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. A police constable arrested the burglar just before dawn.
- (a) Just before dawn the burglar is arrested by a police constable.
- (b) The burglar was arrested by a police constable just before dawn.
- (c) The burglar is arrested by a police constable just before dawn.
- (d) A police constable was arrested by a burglar just before dawn.
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Answer: (b)
89. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The checker checks the admission tickets at the gate.
- (a) The admission tickets are checked at the gate.
- (b) The admission tickets be checked at the gate.
- (c) The admission tickets will be checked at the gate by the checker.
- (d) The admission tickets were checked at the gate.
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Answer: (a)
90. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. People criticized him for not offering to pay for the damage.
- (a) He has been criticized for not offering to pay for the damage.
- (b) He was criticized for not offering to pay for the damage.
- (c) He is criticized for not offering to pay for the damage.
- (d) He is being criticizing for not offering to pay for the damage.
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Answer: (b)
91. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The police is unduly harassing me.
- (a) I am unduly harassed by the police.
- (b) I was unduly harassed by the police.
- (c) I have being unduly harassed by the police.
- (d) I am being unduly harassed by the police.
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Answer: (d)
92. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Had work been resumed by the labourers before the manager arrived?
- (a) Have the labourers resumed work before the arrival of the manager?
- (b) Had the labourers resumed work before the manager arrived?
- (c) Had they resumed the work before the manager came?
- (d) Had the labourers not resumed work before the manager arrived?
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Answer: (b)
93. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Should you have interrupted me while I was speaking?
- (a) Should I have been interrupted while I was speaking?
- (b) Should I be interrupted while I am speaking?
- (c) Should I have been interrupted by them while I was speaking?
- (d) Should I not be interrupted while I am speaking?
Show answer
Answer: (a)
94. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. Did they pay the clerks their salary on the first day of the month?
- (a) Were the clerks paid their salary on the first day of the month?
- (b) Are the clerks paid then salary on the first day of the month?
- (c) Was the clerk paid his salary on the first day of the month?
- (d) Were the clerks being paid their salary.
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Answer: (a)
95. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. The breakfast will have been finished by eight.
- (a) They will finish the breakfast by eight.
- (b) They will finish the breakfast at eight.
- (c) They will have finished the breakfast by eight.
- (d) They will be finishing the breakfast at eight.
Show answer
Answer: (c)
96. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice. You might have given this information earlier.
- (a) This information might have been given earlier.
- (b) This information could have been given earlier.
- (c) This information was given much earlier.
- (d) This information might be given by you earlier.
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Answer: (a)
119. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. They told us that they had waited at the station for a long time.
- (a) They told us "We waited at the station for a long time".
- (b) They told us "We had been waiting at the station for a long time".
- (c) They told us "We are waiting at the station for a long time".
- (d) They told us "We wait at the station for a long time."
Show answer
Answer: (a)
120. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The boss said to him,"Please tell me what the old man said today."
- (a) The boss requested him to tell him what the old man had said that day.
- (b) The boss requested him to tell him what the old man had said today.
- (c) The boss requested him to tell him what the old man said that day.
- (d) The boss requested him to tell him what the old man said today.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
121. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said,"She had been weeping for an hour."
- (a) He says that she was weeping for an hour.
- (b) He said that she was weeping for an hour.
- (c) He said that she has been weeping for an hour.
- (d) He said that she had been weeping for an hour.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
122. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The teacher said,"Tell me students, what have you learnt from the lectures this week?"
- (a) The teacher asked the students what they learnt from the lectures that week.
- (b) The teacher asked the students to tell him what they learnt from the lectures that week.
- (c) The teacher wanted to know what the students learnt from the lectures that week.
- (d) The teacher asked the students to tell him what they had learnt from the lectures that week.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
123. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. I said to you,"He should not be trusted."
- (a) I said to you do not trust him.
- (b) I told you that he cannot be trusted.
- (c) I told you he shall not be trusted.
- (d) I told you that he should not be trusted.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
124. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The clerk said to the visitor,"Shall I ask these people to wait for you?"
- (a) The clerk asked the visitor if he should ask those people to wait for him.
- (b) The clerk asked the visitor if he shall ask these people to said for him.
- (c) The clerk asked the visitor if he had asked those people to wait for him.
- (d) The clerk told the visitor that he should ask these people to wait for him.
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Answer: (a)
125. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. Robin said to Peg, "Are you listening? Don't be thick."
- (a) Robin asked Peg if he was listening and advised him not to be thick.
- (b) Robin told Peg to listen to him and not to be thick.
- (c) Peg was asked to listen to Robin and not to be thick.
- (d) Robin invited Peg to listen and not to be thick.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
126. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. Mother told me that I should listen to her first and then do anything as I pleased.
- (a) Mother said to me, "I should listen to me first and then do anything I please."
- (b) Mother said to me, "He should listen to her first and then do anything he pleases."
- (c) Mother said to me, "You should listen to me first and then do anything I pleased."
- (d) Mother said to me, "You should listen to me first and then do anything as you please."
Show answer
Answer: (d)
127. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said,"They will be using my car for the trip."
- (a) He said that they would be using my car for the trip.
- (b) He said that they would be using his car for the trip.
- (c) He said that we will be using his car for the trip.
- (d) He said that they will be using my car for the trip.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
128. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The wayfarer said to me, "Do you know the way to the Asiad village?"
- (a) The wayfarer asked me if I did know the way to the Asiad village.
- (b) The wayfarer asked me if I knew the way to the Asiad village.
- (c) The wayfarer asked me if he knew the way to the Asiad village.
- (d) The wayfarer asked me that if I knew the way to the Asiad village.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
129. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He has just said, "My son will be back on Friday."
- (a) He has just said that my son will be back on Friday.
- (b) He has just said that his son will be back on Friday.
- (c) He has just said that his son shall be back on Friday.
- (d) He has just said that his son would have been back next Friday.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
130. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The doctor advised the patients to give up smoking.
- (a) The doctor said to the patients, "Why don't you give up smoking?"
- (b) The doctor said to the patients, "You should give up smoking."
- (c) The doctor said to the patients, "Give up smoking."
- (d) The doctor said to the patient, "I am advising you to give up smoking."
Show answer
Answer: (c)
131. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. She said to me, "What can I do for you dear?"
- (a) She asked me affectionately what could she do for me.
- (b) She asked me affectionately what she could do for me.
- (c) She asked me affectionately what can she do for me.
- (d) She asked me affectionately if she could do anything for me.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
132. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The teacher said to the boys, "Can you sit still and do you work?"
- (a) The teacher told the boys whether they could sit still and do their work.
- (b) The teacher asked the boys can't they sit still and do their work.
- (c) The teacher requested the boys to sit still.
- (d) The teacher asked the boys if they could sit still and do their work.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
133. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. Ritu said to you,"You are looking very pretty."
- (a) Ritu told you that you were looking very pretty.
- (b) Ritu told you that I was looking very pretty.
- (c) Ritu told you that she was looking very pretty.
- (d) Ritu told you that you are looking very pretty.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
134. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said to me, "Please be kind and help me."
- (a) He requested to me to help him kindly.
- (b) He told me to kindly help him.
- (c) He requested me to be kind to help him.
- (d) He requested me to be kind and help him.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
135. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said to Raina,"I cannot marry you now but I shall surely do so next year."
- (a) He told Raina that he cannot marry her now but would surely do so the following year.
- (b) He told her that he could not marry Raina then but would surely marry her next year.
- (c) He told Raina that he could not marry her then but he would surely do so the following year.
- (d) He told Raina that he would not marry her then but would surely do so the next year.
Show answer
Answer: (c)
136. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He told Pawan that they should have tried harder.
- (a) He said to Pawan,"We should have tried harder."
- (b) He said,"Pawan you should have tried harder."
- (c) He said,"Pawan, Don't you think we should have tried harder."
- (d) He said,"Pawan, we had tried harder."
Show answer
Answer: (a)
137. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. They told me that they had been befooled by those men.
- (a) They said to me,"We were befooled by these men."
- (b) They said to me,"They had befooled us."
- (c) They said to me,"We have been befooled by these men."
- (d) They said to me,"We are befooled by these men."
Show answer
Answer: (c)
138. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The spectators applauded the young athlete saying that he had broken all previous records.
- (a) The spectators said to the young athlete,"Bravo! You have broken all records."
- (b) The spectators exclaimed to the young athlete,"You have broken all records."
- (c) The spectators said to the young athlete,"You broke all records."
- (d) The spectators said to the young athlete,"You had broken all records."
Show answer
Answer: (a)
139. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. The master asked the people why they prevented him from going near the tiger.
- (a) The master said to the people,"Why do you prevent me from going near the tiger."
- (b) The master asked the people,"Why do they prevent me from going near the tiger?"
- (c) The master asked the people,"Why are they preventing him from going near the tiger?"
- (d) The master was asking the people,"Why do you prevent me from going near the tiger?"
Show answer
Answer: (a)
140. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. Mr. Rao told Mr. Mehta that he had to go to the town that day.
- (a) Mr. Rao said,"I have to go to the town today."
- (b) Mr. Rao said,"Mr. Mehta I have to go to the town that day."
- (c) Mr. Rao said,"Mr. Mehta, I have to go to the town today."
- (d) Mr. Rao said,"Mr. Mehta I will have to go to the town today."
Show answer
Answer: (c)
141. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said, "Do as you wish, but don't come and ask me for help if you get into difficulties."
- (a) He told me to do as he wished or he wouldn't come and help me if I got into difficulties.
- (b) He told me to do as I wished, but not to go and ask him for help if I got into difficulties.
- (c) He ordered me to do as I wished, but not to go and ask him for help if I got into difficulties.
- (d) He told me that unless I did as I wished he would not come and help me if I got into difficulties.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
142. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. Your father said to me,"I should not have given my daughter such a long rope."
- (a) Your father told me that he had not given his daughter such a long rope.
- (b) Your father told me that he should not have given his daughter such a long rope.
- (c) Your father said that he could not have given his daughter such a long rope.
- (d) Your father told to me that he should not have given his daughter such a long rope.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
143. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. You said,"My parents never liked my accepting any job but I had always wanted to stand on my own feet".
- (a) You regretted that your parents had never liked you accepting any job but you always wanted to stand on your own feet.
- (b) You said that your parents never liked your accepting any job but you always wanted to stand on your own feet.
- (c) You told that your parents never like you accepting any job but you always wanted to stand on your own feet.
- (d) You said that my parents never liked my accepting any job but I had always wanted to stand on my own feet.
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Answer: (b)
144. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. She says,"I keep at an arm's length, all those who try to flatter me."
- (a) She said that she kept at an arms length all those who try to flatter her.
- (b) She exclaims that she keeps at an arm's length all of them who try to flatter her.
- (c) She says that she will keep at an arm's length all thos who flatter her.
- (d) She says that she keeps at an arm's length all those who try to flatter her.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
145. In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best express the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech. He said,"Gandhi ji faced many awkward situations when he was living in South Africa."
- (a) He said that Gandhi ji had faced many awkward stiuations when he was living in South Africa.
- (b) He says that Gandhi ji faced many awkward situations when he was living in South Africa.
- (c) He told that Gandhi ji had faced many awkward situations when he was living in South Africa.
- (d) He said that Gandhi ji had been facing awkward situations when he was living in South Africa.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
PassageFor questions 151–160
In the following passage some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. The conditions ______ which democracy can _______ are _______ to ________ ; but one thing is _______ that democracy is always a slow growth, whereas dictators may _____ to ______ and _______ a new _______ with dramatic success, under _______ conditions.
151. The conditions ______ which democracy can
- (a) by
- (b) for
- (c) under
- (d) at
Show answer
Answer: (c)
152. which democracy can _______
- (a) grow
- (b) end
- (c) rise
- (d) flourish
Show answer
Answer: (d)
154. to ________ ; but one thing is
- (a) examine
- (b) define
- (c) experience
- (d) discuss
Show answer
Answer: (b)
155. but one thing is _______ that democracy is always a slow growth,
- (a) stated
- (b) dictated
- (c) clear
- (d) hazy
Show answer
Answer: (c)
156. whereas dictators may _____
- (a) rise
- (b) jump
- (c) grow
- (d) succeed
Show answer
Answer: (a)
158. and _______ a new
- (a) restart
- (b) establish
- (c) enter
- (d) define
Show answer
Answer: (b)
159. a new _______ with dramatic success
- (a) regime
- (b) state
- (c) era
- (d) epoch
Show answer
Answer: (a)
160. under _______ conditions.
- (a) profitable
- (b) unfavourable
- (c) suitable
- (d) peculiar
Show answer
Answer: (c)
PassageFor questions 161–170
In the following passage some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and choose the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives. We have rich cultural _____ . Its roots go into _____. Ours has never been a closed ______. It has _______ just like a tree, ______ to external ______ but holding its roots _______. But one wonders today whether it will be able to hold its _____. The ______ of our cultural heritage has come under the _____ of western culture.
161. We have rich cultural _____ .
- (a) gift
- (b) treasure
- (c) heritage
- (d) boon
Show answer
Answer: (c)
162. Its roots go into _____.
- (a) pastress
- (b) antiquity
- (c) obscurity
- (d) dignity
Show answer
Answer: (b)
163. Ours has never been a closed ______
- (a) community
- (b) country
- (c) nation
- (d) culture
Show answer
Answer: (d)
164. It has _______ just like a tree,
- (a) grown
- (b) risen
- (c) expanded
- (d) branched
Show answer
Answer: (a)
165. just like a tree, ______ to external
- (a) welcome
- (b) eager
- (c) open
- (d) agreeable
Show answer
Answer: (c)
166. to external ______
- (a) influences
- (b) facts
- (c) modifications
- (d) institutions
Show answer
Answer: (a)
167. but holding its roots _______.
- (a) light
- (b) fast
- (c) hardly
- (d) hard
Show answer
Answer: (b)
169. The ______ of our cultural heritage
- (a) source
- (b) minaret
- (c) altar
- (d) citadel
Show answer
Answer: (d)
170. the _____ of western culture.
- (a) tide
- (b) sway
- (c) current
- (d) wind
Show answer
Answer: (b)
PassageFor questions 171–175
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. When I think of my family's history on the land. I experience a pang of regret. Unlike much of the arid West, where the land has gone virtually unchanged for centuries, my place of origin, western Kansas, has been torn up by agriculture. The flat plains, excellent soil, and sparse but just adequate rainfall permitted farming; therefore farming prevailed, and a good 90% of the original sod prairie is gone. The consequence, in human terms, is that our relationship to our place has always felt primarily mercantile. We used the land and denied, or held at bay, its effect on us. Yet from my earliest childhood, when the most of the Kansas prairie was still intact, I 've known that the land also had a romantic quality. I've felt moved by the expanse of it , enthralled by size. I take pride in my identity as a plains daughter.
171. Which of the following is the most accurate statement of the author's position?
- (a) The presence of the people has enriched the plain's habitat.
- (b) Farming has improved the soil of the plains.
- (c) Farming has chemically polluted the plains.
- (d) Farming has eroded the natural beauty of the plains.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
172. The argument in the paragraph is based primarily on :
- (a) facts of history and statistical studies.
- (b) facts derived from the author's personal observations.
- (c) feelings the author has picked up from personal experience.
- (d) feeling passed down to the authors by ancestors.
Show answer
Answer: (c)
173. From the passage, it may be determined that the word "mercantile" has something to do with
- (a) practicality
- (b) danger
- (c) America
- (d) spirituality
Show answer
Answer: (a)
174. What does the author feel proud about?
- (a) being an American
- (b) being a native of Kansas.
- (c) being able to see the romantic quality of the land.
- (d) the ability to unite well.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
175. What factor changed the entire landscape of Kansas?
- (a) wind
- (b) heat
- (c) agriculture
- (d) flooding
Show answer
Answer: (c)
PassageFor questions 176–177
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. Most economists in the United States seem captivated by the spell of the free market. Consequently, nothing seems good or normal that does not accord with the requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by the seller or, for that matter (for that matter: so far as that is concerned), established by anyone other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious. Accordingly, it requires a major act of will to think of price-fixing (the determination of prices by the seller) as both "normal" and having a valuable economic function.
176. In fact, price-fixing is normal in all industrialized societies because the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixing that it requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large firms will be competing for the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its products for more than its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with full consideration of the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers. What does not seem as not good or normal in the context of this essay?
- (a) the new interest in free market
- (b) being captivated by spell of the free market
- (c) that which does not accord with the requirement of the free market
- (d) the economists who are captivated by the free market
Show answer
Answer: (c)
177. In fact, price-fixing is normal in all industrialized societies because the industrial system itself provides, as an effortless consequence of its own development, the price-fixing that it requires. Modern industrial planning requires and rewards great size. Hence, a comparatively small number of large firms will be competing for the same group of consumers. That each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its products for more than its competitors charge is commonly recognized by advocates of free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with full consideration of the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers. Who, according to the economists, are the right group of people to set the price of a commodity?
- (a) the aggregate of consumers
- (b) the buyers
- (c) the sellers
- (d) the economists
Show answer
Answer: (a)
PassageFor questions 181–185
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. But the war did not cease; though friend and foe alike were almost drowned in blood. It seemed as powerful as eternity, and in time Tony Vassall too went to battle and was killed. The country gave Patience a widow's pension, as well a touching inducement to marry again; she died of grief. Many people died in those days, it was not strange at all. Nathan and his wife got so rich that after the war they died of overeating, and their daughter Olive came into a vast fortune and a Trustee.
181. The writer says war is
- (a) bloodless
- (b) partial
- (c) destructive
- (d) unimportant
Show answer
Answer: (c)
182. In the passage, it is stated that "friend and foe alike were almost drowned in blood." What does it convey?
- (a) friends and enemies forgot their differences.
- (b) both suffered similarly.
- (c) both started liking each other.
- (d) war made people hate each other.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
183. From this passage we learn that Tony Vassal was
- (a) Patience's husband
- (b) a soldier's son
- (c) Nathan's relative
- (d) very successful
Show answer
Answer: (a)
184. "............ as well a touching inducement to marry." Here inducement means
- (a) agreement
- (b) invocation
- (c) reminder
- (d) encouragement
Show answer
Answer: (d)
185. Olive, after her parents' death became
- (a) rich
- (b) honest
- (c) brave
- (d) fat
Show answer
Answer: (a)
PassageFor questions 186–190
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. All art is, in an important sense, an escape. There is a sense in which the capacity to escape from his present experience, to use his accumulated consciousness of the past to project a vision of the future, is man's greatest and distinguishing ability.
186. We must not forget the force of Aristotle's argument that poetry is valuable precisely because it shows men not simply as they are, but as they ought to be or (in terms more sympathetic to us today) as they are capable of becoming. According to the author, all art is
- (a) a reflection of life.
- (b) art
- (c) an escape
- (d) an important sense.
Show answer
Answer: (c)
187. We must not forget the force of Aristotle's argument that poetry is valuable precisely because it shows men not simply as they are, but as they ought to be or (in terms more sympathetic to us today) as they are capable of becoming. The author believes that man's greatest and distinguishing ability is
- (a) his ability to project the future
- (b) his capacity to escape from his present experience
- (c) his consciousness of the past
- (d) None of the above.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
188. We must not forget the force of Aristotle's argument that poetry is valuable precisely because it shows men not simply as they are, but as they ought to be or (in terms more sympathetic to us today) as they are capable of becoming. Aristotle argues that poetry is
- (a) valuable
- (b) an escape
- (c) an art
- (d) All of the above
Show answer
Answer: (a)
189. We must not forget the force of Aristotle's argument that poetry is valuable precisely because it shows men not simply as they are, but as they ought to be or (in terms more sympathetic to us today) as they are capable of becoming. Accordingly to the author ___________ enables him to project a vision of the future
- (a) man's present experience
- (b) man's accumulated consciousness of the past
- (c) man's sympathetic nature
- (d) None of the above.
Show answer
Answer: (b)
190. We must not forget the force of Aristotle's argument that poetry is valuable precisely because it shows men not simply as they are, but as they ought to be or (in terms more sympathetic to us today) as they are capable of becoming. Aristotle's argument support the view that poetry shows
- (a) men not simply as they are
- (b) what men ought to be
- (c) what men are capable of becoming
- (d) All of the above.
Show answer
Answer: (d)
PassageFor questions 191–195
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. To avoid the various foolish opinions to which mankind are prone, no superhuman brain is required. A few simple rules will keep you free, not from all errors, but from silly errors. If the matter is one that can be settled by observation, make the observation yourself. Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men, by the simple device of asking Mrs. Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he counted. Thinking that you know when in fact you do not is a bad mistake, to which we are all prone. I believe myself that hedgehogs eat black beetles, because I have been told that they do; but if I were writing a book on the habits of hedgehogs, I should not commit myself until I had seen one enjoying this diet. Aristotle, however, was less cautious.
191. Ancient and medieval writers knew all about unicorns and salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had never seen one of them. The author portrays mankind as
- (a) superhuman
- (b) by and large ignorant
- (c) intelligent
- (d) ancient
Show answer
Answer: (b)
192. Ancient and medieval writers knew all about unicorns and salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had never seen one of them. According to the author, unicorns and salamanders
- (a) have existed in the past
- (b) are invisible
- (c) caused writers to write strange stories.
- (d) never really existed
Show answer
Answer: (d)
193. Ancient and medieval writers knew all about unicorns and salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had never seen one of them. The author implies that
- (a) he has never seen hedgehogs eating beetles
- (b) hedgehogs eat only black beetles
- (c) they do not eat black beetles
- (d) he is writing a book on hedgehogs.
Show answer
Answer: (a)
194. Ancient and medieval writers knew all about unicorns and salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had never seen one of them. The author is in favour of drawing conclusions on the basis of
- (a) discussion
- (b) consultation
- (c) observation
- (d) reasoning
Show answer
Answer: (c)
195. Ancient and medieval writers knew all about unicorns and salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had never seen one of them. The attitude of the author is
- (a) cultural
- (b) scientific
- (c) cynical
- (d) philosophical
Show answer
Answer: (b)
PassageFor questions 196–200
Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives. In short, to write a good letter you must approach the job in the lightest and most casual way. You must be personal, not abstract. You must not say, 'This is too small a thing to put down'. You must say, 'This is just the sort of small thing we talk about at home.
196. If I tell them this they will see me, as it were they'll hear my voice, they'll know what I'm talking about'. That is the purpose of a letter. Carlyle had the trick to perfection. He is writing from Scotsbrig to his brother Alec in Canada and he begins talking about his mother. Good old Mother, he says, 'she is even now sitting at my back, trying at another table to write you a small word with her own hand; the first time she has tried such a thing for a year past. It is Saturday night, after dark; we are in the east room in a hard, dry evening with a bright fire to our two selves; Jenny and her Barns are 'scouring up things' in the other end of the house; and below stairs the winter operations of the farm go on, in a subdued tone; you can conceive the scene! How simple it is and yet how perfect. Can not you see Alec reading it in his far-off home and his eyes moistening at the picture of his old mother sitting and writing her last message to him on earth? Abstract' in the passage means
- (a) a summary
- (b) not paying attention
- (c) concrete
- (d) not having a physical reality
Show answer
Answer: (d)
197. If I tell them this they will see me, as it were they'll hear my voice, they'll know what I'm talking about'. That is the purpose of a letter. Carlyle had the trick to perfection. He is writing from Scotsbrig to his brother Alec in Canada and he begins talking about his mother. Good old Mother, he says, 'she is even now sitting at my back, trying at another table to write you a small word with her own hand; the first time she has tried such a thing for a year past. It is Saturday night, after dark; we are in the east room in a hard, dry evening with a bright fire to our two selves; Jenny and her Barns are 'scouring up things' in the other end of the house; and below stairs the winter operations of the farm go on, in a subdued tone; you can conceive the scene! How simple it is and yet how perfect. Can not you see Alec reading it in his far-off home and his eyes moistening at the picture of his old mother sitting and writing her last message to him on earth? The recipient of your letter should ________.
- (a) use a lot of imagination.
- (b) know what you are talking about
- (c) get distracted when reading your letter
- (d) find it difficult to understand your letter
Show answer
Answer: (b)
198. If I tell them this they will see me, as it were they'll hear my voice, they'll know what I'm talking about'. That is the purpose of a letter. Carlyle had the trick to perfection. He is writing from Scotsbrig to his brother Alec in Canada and he begins talking about his mother. Good old Mother, he says, 'she is even now sitting at my back, trying at another table to write you a small word with her own hand; the first time she has tried such a thing for a year past. It is Saturday night, after dark; we are in the east room in a hard, dry evening with a bright fire to our two selves; Jenny and her Barns are 'scouring up things' in the other end of the house; and below stairs the winter operations of the farm go on, in a subdued tone; you can conceive the scene! How simple it is and yet how perfect. Can not you see Alec reading it in his far-off home and his eyes moistening at the picture of his old mother sitting and writing her last message to him on earth? Carlyle's mother was ________.
- (a) a regular letter writer
- (b) not confident at letter writing
- (c) always eager to write letters to Alec
- (d) old and enjoyed writing letters
Show answer
Answer: (b)
199. If I tell them this they will see me, as it were they'll hear my voice, they'll know what I'm talking about'. That is the purpose of a letter. Carlyle had the trick to perfection. He is writing from Scotsbrig to his brother Alec in Canada and he begins talking about his mother. Good old Mother, he says, 'she is even now sitting at my back, trying at another table to write you a small word with her own hand; the first time she has tried such a thing for a year past. It is Saturday night, after dark; we are in the east room in a hard, dry evening with a bright fire to our two selves; Jenny and her Barns are 'scouring up things' in the other end of the house; and below stairs the winter operations of the farm go on, in a subdued tone; you can conceive the scene! How simple it is and yet how perfect. Can not you see Alec reading it in his far-off home and his eyes moistening at the picture of his old mother sitting and writing her last message to him on earth? 'Scouring up things' means ________.
- (a) cleaning pans with a small ball of wire or plastic
- (b) to search a place thoroughly in order to find something
- (c) to put something in liquid for a time so that it becomes completely wet
- (d) writing something quickly and carelessly
Show answer
Answer: (b)
200. If I tell them this they will see me, as it were they'll hear my voice, they'll know what I'm talking about'. That is the purpose of a letter. Carlyle had the trick to perfection. He is writing from Scotsbrig to his brother Alec in Canada and he begins talking about his mother. Good old Mother, he says, 'she is even now sitting at my back, trying at another table to write you a small word with her own hand; the first time she has tried such a thing for a year past. It is Saturday night, after dark; we are in the east room in a hard, dry evening with a bright fire to our two selves; Jenny and her Barns are 'scouring up things' in the other end of the house; and below stairs the winter operations of the farm go on, in a subdued tone; you can conceive the scene! How simple it is and yet how perfect. Can not you see Alec reading it in his far-off home and his eyes moistening at the picture of his old mother sitting and writing her last message to him on earth? Subdued tone means _______.
- (a) not very loud
- (b) unusually quiet and possibly unhappy
- (c) not very busy
- (d) not very bright
Show answer
Answer: (a)

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Answer key

Answer key as marked in the Staff Selection Commission’s response sheet. “—” means the sheet did not show it clearly.

English Language and Comprehension

Q 1: (c)
Q 2: (d)
Q 3: (c)
Q 4: (b)
Q 5: (b)
Q 6: (b)
Q 7: (c)
Q 8: (b)
Q 9: (c)
Q 10: (c)
Q 11: (a)
Q 12: (b)
Q 13: (c)
Q 14: (c)
Q 15: (b)
Q 16: (d)
Q 17: (b)
Q 18: (c)
Q 19: (b)
Q 20: (c)
Q 21: (b)
Q 22: (c)
Q 23: (b)
Q 24: (b)
Q 25: (d)
Q 26: (d)
Q 27: (b)
Q 28: (d)
Q 29: (b)
Q 30: (d)
Q 31: (d)
Q 32: (a)
Q 33: (b)
Q 34: (c)
Q 35: (a)
Q 36: (a)
Q 37: (a)
Q 38: (d)
Q 39: (c)
Q 40: (b)
Q 41: (c)
Q 42: (c)
Q 43: (b)
Q 44: (a)
Q 49: (b)
Q 50: (c)
Q 51: (d)
Q 52: (b)
Q 53: (a)
Q 54: (c)
Q 55: (c)
Q 56: (b)
Q 57: (c)
Q 58: (b)
Q 59: (b)
Q 60: (d)
Q 61: (c)
Q 62: (c)
Q 63: (c)
Q 64: (c)
Q 65: (b)
Q 66: (c)
Q 67: (d)
Q 68: (d)
Q 69: (c)
Q 70: (c)
Q 71: (b)
Q 72: (c)
Q 73: (d)
Q 74: (a)
Q 75: (c)
Q 76: (b)
Q 77: (b)
Q 78: (b)
Q 79: (d)
Q 80: (d)
Q 81: (b)
Q 82: (a)
Q 83: (a)
Q 84: (d)
Q 85: (d)
Q 86: (c)
Q 87: (c)
Q 88: (b)
Q 89: (a)
Q 90: (b)
Q 91: (d)
Q 92: (b)
Q 93: (a)
Q 94: (a)
Q 95: (c)
Q 96: (a)
Q 119: (a)
Q 120: (a)
Q 121: (d)
Q 122: (d)
Q 123: (d)
Q 124: (a)
Q 125: (a)
Q 126: (d)
Q 127: (b)
Q 128: (b)
Q 129: (b)
Q 130: (c)
Q 131: (b)
Q 132: (d)
Q 133: (a)
Q 134: (d)
Q 135: (c)
Q 136: (a)
Q 137: (c)
Q 138: (a)
Q 139: (a)
Q 140: (c)
Q 141: (b)
Q 142: (b)
Q 143: (b)
Q 144: (d)
Q 145: (a)
Q 151: (c)
Q 152: (d)
Q 154: (b)
Q 155: (c)
Q 156: (a)
Q 158: (b)
Q 159: (a)
Q 160: (c)
Q 161: (c)
Q 162: (b)
Q 163: (d)
Q 164: (a)
Q 165: (c)
Q 166: (a)
Q 167: (b)
Q 169: (d)
Q 170: (b)
Q 171: (d)
Q 172: (c)
Q 173: (a)
Q 174: (b)
Q 175: (c)
Q 176: (c)
Q 177: (a)
Q 181: (c)
Q 182: (b)
Q 183: (a)
Q 184: (d)
Q 185: (a)
Q 186: (c)
Q 187: (b)
Q 188: (a)
Q 189: (b)
Q 190: (d)
Q 191: (b)
Q 192: (d)
Q 193: (a)
Q 194: (c)
Q 195: (b)
Q 196: (d)
Q 197: (b)
Q 198: (b)
Q 199: (b)
Q 200: (a)