Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 322

Directions(1-3): Choose the word from the following options which is opposite in meaning to the other words

1. .
   Disagreement
   Rapprochement
   Enmity
   Hostility
   Animosity
   Option B
   The meanings of the given words are as follows:
   Disagreement: lack of consensus or approval.
   Rapprochement: (especially in international affairs) an establishment or resumption of harmonious relations.
   Enmity: a state or feeling of active opposition or hostility.
   Hostility: hostile behaviour; unfriendliness or opposition; acts of warfare.
   Animosity: strong hostility.
   Options A, C, D and E are synonymous with each other while option B is opposite in meaning to the given words.
   Therefore, rapprochement is the antonym of all the other words.

    

2. Certainty
   Uncertainty
   Paradox
   Ambiguity
   Incertitude
   Option A
   The meanings of the given words are as follows:
   Certainty: firm conviction that something is the case.
   Uncertainty: the state of not knowing or being definite.
   Paradox: a seemingly absurd or contradictory statement or proposition which when investigated may prove to be well founded or true.
   Ambiguity: the quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
   Incertitude: a state of uncertainty or hesitation.
   Options B, C, D and E are synonymous with each other while option A is opposite in meaning to the given words.
   Therefore, certainty is the antonym of all the other words.

    

3. Fatuity
   Astuteness
   Acumen
   Forethought
   Intelligence
   Option A
   The meanings of the given words are as follows:
   Fatuity: something foolish or stupid.
   Astuteness: of keen penetration or discernment
   Acumen: the ability to make good judgements and take quick decisions.
   Forethought: careful consideration of what will be necessary or may happen in the future.
   Intelligence: the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
   Options B, C, D and E are synonymous with each other while option A is opposite in meaning to the given words.
   Therefore, fatuity is the antonym of all the other words.

    

Directions(4-5): A part of the sentence is given in brackets. Below it alternatives to the underlined part are given which will make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct. Choose the correct alternative.

4. The decision on the Air India divestment was not an easy one to (begin, especially in an election year, however, burning more cash in anticipation that there will be an investor in the future, when the initial sale offer will be a flop), may not be the smartest idea.
   begin in, especially an election year, however, burning more cash in anticipations that there will be an investor in the future, when the initial sale offer will be a flop
   begin with, especially in an election year, however, burning more cash in anticipation that there will be an investor in the future, when the initial sale offer was a flop
   begin, especially in an elections year, however, burning much cash in anticipation than there will be an investor in future, when the initial sale offer was flop
   begin with, especially during a election year, however, burning more cash in anticipation that there shall be an investor in the future, when the initial sale offer will be a flop
   begin, especially while an election year, however, burning more cash in anticipation that there would be investors in future, when the initial sale offer will be a flop
   Option B
   Insert the preposition ‘with’ after the verb ‘begin’ as the verb needs a preposition here, which is missing. Also, the phrase ‘will be a flop’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with ‘was a flop’. The continuation of investment in a project can be considered only if the investment activity has started in the first place. This means the flop show of the initial offer must have already taken place. Thus, the tense of the phrase should be changed to past tense.

    

5. Some of the problems create a vicious cycle where socio – economic disadvantages lead to reduced opportunities for women for participating in the political process, leading to weakened representation which, in turn, retards the process to address those socio – economic disadvantages.
   women to participate in the political process, leading to weakened representation which, in turn, retards the process of addressing those
   women of participating in the political process, leading to weakened representation which, in turn, retards the process to addressing those
   woman for participating in the political process, leading to weakening representation which, in turn, retards the processing on addressing those
   women to participate in the political process, leading to weaken representation which, in turn, retards the process of addressing those
   woman for participate in the political process, leading to weakened representation which, in turn, retards the process for addressing those
   Option A
   If the verb indicates a purpose, an infinitive must be used and if the verb indicates a cause, a gerund must be used. The phrase ‘for participating’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with ‘to participate’, since the sentence is referring to a purpose, infinitive form of verb must be used. Also, the phrase ‘to address’ is incorrect and needs to be replaced with ‘for addressing’ to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Here, the relation between problems and opportunities is being talked about
   and is referring to all the females. So, plural form of ‘woman’ i.e. ‘women’ is correct.

    

Directions: Out of the 3 statements given below, find the statement that is grammatically incorrect.

6. A) Unfortunately these editions, brought out in great haste and often edited by superficial scholars, do not come up to the requirements of modern criticism.
   B) Warfare was carried on with many courteous formalities, and considerable skill was shown in the fortifications.
   C) He is one of those managers who favours increasing the staff.
   Both A and B
   Only B
   Only C
   All A, B and C
   None of these
   Option C
   The sentence C is incorrect because in sentences containing phrases ‘one of those who’ or ‘one of the things that’, a plural verb is required. Note that here the relative pronouns (who, that, which) refer to the plural subject, (in this case “managers), thus, the verb should agree with the subject accordingly.
   The sentences A and B are grammatically and contextually correct. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.

    

Directions (7-8): Out of the 3 statements given below, find the statement that is grammatically correct.

7. A) The story was corroborated by defence witnesses, but he was found guilty and sentenced to death.
   B) Brandon was fortunate to have been raised by two people who cared as much about one another as they cared for him.
   C) Antimonial, bismuth and arsenical compounds were assiduously studied, a direct consequence of their high medicinal importance; mercurial and silver compounds were
   investigated into for the same reason.
   Only A
   Only B
   Only C
   Both A and B
   None of these
   Option A
   Sentence B is incorrect because the sentence talks about two people and the phrase ‘one another’ is used for more number of people. The correct replacement should be ‘each other’, since it is used to refer to two people.
   Sentence C is incorrect because the preposition ‘into’ shouldn’t be used after investigated, for one always ‘investigates something’ and never ‘investigates into’ something.
   Sentence A is in passive voice and is grammatically correct. ‘Corroborate’ means ‘to confirm or give support to(a statement, finding or theory).

    

8. A) The whole project was doomed to failure right from the start.
   B) The fact that Debbie is always late has become a joke among her friends.
   C) The English king, Arthur, is a somewhat shadow
   Only A
   Only B
   Only C
   Both A and B
   None of these
   Option D
   In sentence C, we need to replace ‘shadow’ (noun) by ‘shadowy’ (adjective). To describe a noun (figure), we need an adjective, so the correct answer is option D.

    

Directions(9-10): In the given question, a part of the sentence is given in brackets. Below the sentence, alternatives to the bracketed part are given as (A), (B), (C) and (D), which may help improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative out of the given options. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer will be option (E), i.e., “No correction required”.

9. Interestingly, the PM’s closed-door interaction with top Chinese companies is said to have been very encouraging, and we are (seeing this translated in the ground) as these large enterprises begin to develop their strategies.
   seeing this translated on the ground
   seeing this translated over the ground
   seeing this translated about the ground
   seeing this translated beyond the ground
   No correction required
   Option A
   Something is accomplished on the ground and not in it. The phrase ‘on the ground’ means ‘among the general public; in a place where real, practical work is done’. Option A is the correct answer.

    

10. (Though he was more faster than his opponent on the field), his chances of winning the race was low as he lacked the killer instinct.
    Though he was more faster than his opponent on the
    As he was more faster than his opponent on the
    Though he was more faster from his opponent on the
    Though he was faster than his opponent on the
    Though he was fastest among his opponent on the
    Option D