Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 260

Directions(1-5): The following question consists of a blank which can be filled with one or more alternatives. Choose the word(s) that correctly fill in the blank and mark the corresponding option as your answer.

1. A brain drain can result from __________ within a nation, the existence of favourable professional opportunities in other countries or from a desire to seek a higher standard of living.
   I. Peace
   II. Tranquillity
   III. Turmoil
   IV. Tumult
   V. Serenity
   VI. Commotion
   III, IV and VI
   Only III
   Both III and V
   Both II and V
   None of these
   Option A
   ‘turmoil’, ‘tumult’ and ‘commotion’ mean ‘a state of great disturbance, confusion, or uncertainty’ which make these words the perfect fit for the blank.

    

2. In contrast to regulated professions such as engineering, law or medicine, there is not a legally required educational __________ or license for economists.

   I. Requirement
   II. Concomitant
   III. Prominence
   IV. Denouement
   V. Prerequisite
   VI. Corollary

   Only I
   Both II and III
   Both I and V
   I, II, III and IV
   All I, II, III, IV, V and VI
   Option C
   ‘requirement’ and ‘prerequisite’ fill in the blank correctly. The words mean ‘a thing that is compulsory; a necessary condition’.
   Concomitant: naturally accompanying or associated
   Prominence: the state of being important, famous, or noticeable
   Denouement: the final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together, and matters are explained or resolved
   Corollary: a proposition that follows from (and is often appended to) one already proved

    

3. Combating drug addiction calls for a slew of __________ responses that help the addict without the fear of ostracization.
   I. Excluded
   II. Banished
   III. Expelled
   IV. Prevented
   V. Calibrated
   VI. Incriminated
   Both I and II
   All the given words fit
   None of the given words fit
   I, II and V
   Only V
   Option E
   ‘calibrated’ means ‘carefully assessed, set or adjusted’, thereby, making option E the correct answer.
   Incriminated- make (someone) appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

    

4. It is important to plant the seed of leadership in the students and when the time is ripe, the seed would root, blossom, and ________.
   I. Dwindle
   II. Decrease
   III. Fructify
   IV. Proliferate
   V. Diminish
   VI. Soothe
   Both II and VI
   Only VI
   Both III and IV
   Only III
   Only I
   Option D
   ‘fructify’ means ‘to make (something) fruitful or productive’, thereby, making option D the correct answer.
   Dwindle- diminish gradually in size, amount, or strength
   Proliferate- increase rapidly in number; multiply

    

5. In warm climate, bees __________ to such an extent that hives proliferate in geometric progression.
   I. Thrive
   II. Flourish
   III. Prosper
   IV. Wither
   V. Decline
   VI. Moribund
   Only II
   I, II and III
   Both II and III
   All the given words fit
   None of the given words fit
   Option B
   ‘thrive’, ‘flourish’ and ‘prosper’ mean ‘(of a living organism) grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly congenial environment’.
   Moribund- decline

    

Directions(6-10): A sentence divided into three parts (I, II and III) is given. There may be an error in one or more parts. Determine the part(s) which requires correction and mark it as your answer.

6. Industrial development is filled our rivers, (I)/ seas and oceans with toxic pollutants, (II)/ which are a major threat to human health. (III)
   Only I
   Both I and II
   Only II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   Option A
   The error in part I of the sentence is the incorrect form of the verb ‘fill’. Here, the most suitable form will be the present continuous tense ‘filling’ as “is” precedes the word which shows that the act is ongoing.

    

7. Her face wore the proud expression of a surgeon, (I)/ which had just performed a difficult operation (II)/ and admitted the public of appreciate her skill. (III)
   Only I
   Both I and II
   Only II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   Option E
   The error in part II of the sentence is that the usage of ‘which’ is incorrect as ‘which’ is used to refer to a group of things previously mentioned when introducing a clause giving further information. The correct pronoun here would be ‘who’ so as to refer to a person.
   The error in part III of the sentence is the use of preposition ‘of’ as it is used to express the relationship between a part and a whole. The correct preposition here would be ‘to’ as it can be used to express an outcome or result.

    

8. It cannot be denied that we can (I)/ afford to spend more above the agricultural sector (II)/ as we have enough funds. (III)
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   Both I and II
   Both II and III
   Option B
   The error lies in the second part of the sentence. You spend money or time ‘on’ something and not above it.

    

9. When she met her favourite iconic writer, she (I)/ try to look calm and collected (II)/ to hide her excitement. (III)
   Only I
   Both I and II
   Only II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   Option C
   The error in part II of the sentence is that the form of the verb ‘try’ is incorrect as the sentence is in past tense. The correct form here would be ‘tried’ which is the past tense form of the verb.

    

10. If anyone had doubts about who is going (I)/ to be the starter at Houston, let me erase those concerns. (II)/ Kyle Allen is going to start, and it’s not even close. (III)
    Only II
    Both I and II
    Both II and III
    Both I and III
    None of these
    Option E
    As the sentence does not indicate a past activity, the present perfect tense is to be used and not the past tense. Thus, ‘had’ needs to be replaced with ‘has’. So, the error is in part I, which is not mentioned in any of the options.