English: Phrase Replacement/ Sentence Improvement Set 99

Directions(1-10): In the following questions, part of each sentence or the entire sentence is in brackets (); beneath each sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Option (A) repeats the original phrasing, the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select Option (A); If not, select one of the other choices.

  1. Four years on, (despite of a lot of noise) , not much progress seems to have been made.
    Despite of a lot of noise
    In spite a lot of noise
    In spite of a lot many noise
    Despite a lot of noise
    Even a lot of noise
    Option D
    Despite is not followed by ‘of’. Also, ‘a lot of noise’ is the correct phrase; lot many is incorrect.
    Option E doesn’t serve the purpose of presenting a contradiction.
    Four years on, despite a lot of noise , not much progress seems to have been made.

     

  2. After some initial Russian defence purchases in the late 1950s, India agreed to buy MiG-21 aircraft in 1961, (facilitated in) technology transfers and mindful of deterring China.
    Facilitated in
    Facilitated by
    Facilitating in
    Facilitating at
    Facilitates at
    Option B
    After some initial Russian defence purchases in the late 1950s, India agreed to buy MiG-21 aircraft in 1961, facilitated by technology transfers and mindful of deterring China.

     

  3. Assam’s demographic changes (dates around to) the introduction of the plantation economy by the colonial state in the 19th century.
    Dates around to
    Date back to
    Dating above to
    Dates back on
    Date up to
    Option B
    We are talking about many changes, thus ‘date’ and not ‘dates’ will be used.
    ‘Date back to’ is a phrasal verb used to indicate the time when something was made or begun at a particular time in the past.
    Assam’s demographic changes date back to the introduction of the plantation economy by the colonial state in the 19th century.

     

  4. Apart from the gigantic scientific consequences, the discovery of life elsewhere (will also be having) profound philosophical, religious and political effects.
    Will also be having
    Would also have
    Would be having
    Shall also have
    Shall be having
    Option B
    The writer talks of a probable consequence that may possibly take place if life is discovered elsewhere.

    Apart from the gigantic scientific consequences, the discovery of life elsewhere would also have profound philosophical, religious and political effects.

     

  5. The rising costs of education and healthcare (as against fluctuating) returns from agriculture have intensified the fault lines in rural areas.
    As against fluctuating
    As with fluctuating
    Whether against fluctuating
    While for fluctuating
    With against fluctuating
    Option A
    As against – a phrase used while comparing or contrasting with other thing.

    The rising costs of education and healthcare as against fluctuating returns from agriculture have intensified the fault lines in rural areas.

     

  6. Panchayati Raj institutions are (entrusted to the execution of all rural upliftment schemes and programs in our country).
    Entrusted with the execution of all rural upliftment schemes and programs in our country
    Entrusted with the execution of all rural uplift schemes and programs in our country
    Entrusted upon the execution of all rural uplift schemes and programs in our country.
    Entrusted within the execution for all rural uplift programs and schemes in our country.
    No correction required
    Option A
    With the verb ‘entrust’, the preposition depends on the subject. A person/institution is entrusted with an issue. The issue is entrusted to a
    person/institution. In this case, the subject is the institution, so the correct preposition is ‘with’. This leaves us with option A and B.
    Now between ‘uplift’ and ‘upliftment’, we need the noun form ‘upliftment’.
    So option B is incorrect as well.
    The correct answer is option A.

     

  7. While Indian manufacturers, like their counterparts elsewhere, (complaint about inexpensive Chinese) products flooding the market, Indian consumers are lapping up everything from cheap Chinese phones and toys to clothes made in China.
    Complains about inexpensive Chinese
    Complaining about inexpensive Chinese
    Complain about inexpensive Chinese
    Complain through inexpensive Chinese
    No correction required
    Option C
    “Complaint” is a noun. But we need a verb here as the plural subject ‘Indian manufacturers’ requires a plural verb to denote the action they are
    doing, which is ‘to complain’.
    ‘Complain through’ is incorrect as one cannot complain through anything.
    Hence, option C is the correct answer.

     

  8. During the dark of night, feelings of sadness and nostalgia (can creep up on you without your knowledge).
    Can be creeping up on you without your knowledge.
    Can creep up on you without any of your knowing
    Creeping up on you without your knowledge
    Can be the creep up on you without your knowledge.
    No correction required
    Option E
    The word ‘creep’ means to move slowly and carefully in order to avoid being heard or noticed.
    Now, the preposition on is correctly used along with the correct form of the verb.
    The sentence is thus correct and no changes are required.
    Option E is the correct answer.

     

  9. The (vilest of the thing that can be done by a person) is to ill-treat dogs and other defenseless animals.
    vile things that can be done by persons.
    vilest things that can be done by a person.
    vilest thing that can be done by a person.
    vile thing that shall be done by a person.
    No correction required.
    Option C

     

  10. The psychological strain that she had to undertake during her training (really prove to be a testing for her mettles).
    really prove to be a test to her mettles
    really proved to be a test of her mettle
    really proved to be the test for her mettles
    really proved to being the test for her mettles
    No correction required
    Option B
    Mettle means a person’s ability to cope well with difficulties; their spirit and resilience. This implies ‘mettle’ is an ability of a person. So, the correct preposition will be ‘of’ indicating possession.
    The use of past perfect auxiliary ‘had’ indicates the use of past tense. This means, we need to use past form of the verb ‘proved’.
    So, the correct replacement is ‘really proved to be a test of her mettle’.
    The correct answer is option B.

     

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