Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam— Set 184

Directions(1-5): The given sentence has been broken up into four different parts. The error, if any, will be in any one part of the sentence. Select the option which contains the part of the sentence which has an error (spelling, grammatical or contextual). If there is no error, choose option E.

1. The RBI rules led to an aggressively (A) / lobbying effort from the United States government and American companies (B) / who said the directive would increase infrastructure costs (C) / and hurt firms’ investment plans. (D) / No error (E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option A
   The adjective form of the noun ‘aggression’ should be used here.

   So the adjective ‘aggressive’ should be used instead of the adverb ‘aggressively’ in order to make the sentence correct.

    

2. The index is a useful tool as it helps identify (A) / the problems as well as the success stories (B) / and provides an opportunity for states to learn (C) / from each other’s successes as well as failures. (D) / No error (E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option D
   The reciprocal pronouns ‘each other’ is used when we refer to two entities and ‘one another’ is used when referring to more than two.

   Here ‘one another’ should be used instead of ‘each other’ in order to make the sentence correct.

    

3. Demand usual picks up (A) / in the second half of (B) / the year due to (C) / the wedding season. (D) / No error (E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option A
   The adverb form of the word ‘usual’ should be used as it qualifies the verb ‘picks up’. So ‘usually’ should be used instead of ‘usual’ in order to make the sentence correct.

    

4. Even India is (A) / feeling the pinches (B) / and it has increasingly (C) / weighed on business confidence. (D) / No error (E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option B
   The correct idiomatic expression is ‘feeling the pinch’ and not ‘feeling the pinches’.

   Feel the pinch (Idiom):

   To have problems with money because you are earning less than before
   

    

5. While the tooth fairy continues to lag ahead (A) / tech developments, there are already piggy bank apps, (B) / ones for pocket money with contactless cards, and (C) / schools use cashless payment systems for lunches and trips. (D) / No error (E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option A
   The expression ‘lag ahead’ is absurd.

   The correct phrasal verb is ‘lag behind’ which means ‘to move at a slower pace than someone or something’

    

Directions(6-10): The following question has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank that best fits in the context of the sentence.

6. The public sector has been called the private sector of politicians, used for creating patronage _____________ and _____________ .
   networks, kickbacks
   buildings, hospitals
   malls, complexes
   relations, assets
   forms, figures
   Option A
   

    

7. If people fail to realize the _____________ of the water crisis India is facing and fail to be _____________ into action then there are bound to be many more Chennais.
   magnitude, recommended
   intensity, galvanized
   weather, forced
   acuteness, ploughed
   behemoth, strewn
   Option B
   

    

8. The internal and concurrent audit system of banks is intended to red _____________ risks in real time, but has failed and must be _____________ up.
   hood, kept
   flag, shored
   dress, developed
   salute, prodded
   dame, given
   Option B
   A red flag (Idiom)

   Meaning: A sign or signal indicating potential, incipient, or imminent danger or trouble.

   E.g.: There are a couple of red flags you need to look out for to make sure your company stays profitable.

   Shored up (Phrasal verb)

   Meaning: to make something stronger by supporting it

   E.g.: The plan will enable his company to shore up its financial position.

    

9. Further, to augment bond market liquidity, corporates need to be encouraged to _____________ exiting bonds under the same International Securities Identification Number, to duly shore up floating _____________ .
   redistribute, stakes
   frame, images
   reissue, stocks
   recirculate, steaks
   expunge, companies
   Option C
   

    

10. Population growth tapers off with _____________ literacy, access to contraception, and social and economic _____________ .
    increased, progress
    decreased, progress
    improved, regress
    stagnant, duress
    mediocre, brevity
    Option A
    The statement wants to convey that population growth will decrease if people become more aware and educated. In the context of the sentence, “increased” or “improved” can fit the first blank and this eliminates options B, D and E. Further, as population growth will also decrease if social and economic conditions are improved, “progress” is the most appropriate choice for the second blank. Thus, option C gets eliminated as well.