Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 361

Directions(1-3): In the given question, a statement with a blank has been given, followed by three word out of which more than one can complete the sentence grammatically and contextually. Find the word (s) which can fill the blank appropriately.

  1. The minister was ________________ by the authorities for not paying the taxes.
    I) Hounded
    II) Moved
    III) Pursued
    Only I
    Only II
    Only III
    Both I & II
    Both I & III
    Option E
    Pursued means to follow or chase (someone or something). Hounded means to harass, persecute, or pursue relentlessly. The context of the given sentence implies that because the minister was not paying the taxes, authorities were following him. So, ‘Pursued’ and ‘Hounded’ fit appropriately

     

  2. The family barely ________________ the rigours of the summer, but the winter will present far worse problems.
    I. Relished
    II. Survived
    III. Endured
    Only I
    Only II
    Only III
    Both II & III
    Both I & II
    Option D
    The word ‘rigours’ means harsh and demanding conditions. In this context, the only possible words are ‘survived’ which means manage to keep going in difficult circumstances and ‘endured’ which means to remain in existence; last.

     

  3. Tobacco chewing and smoking has been a ________________ healthcare challenge in many developing countries.
    I. Serious
    II. Sincere
    III. Seldom
    Only II
    Only I
    Only III
    Both I & II
    Both I & III
    Option B

     

  4. Directions(4-7): In the given question, a part of the sentence is printed in bold. Below the sentence, alternatives to the emboldened part are given as (A), (B), (C) and (D), which may help improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative out of the given five options. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer will be option (E), i.e., “No correction required”.

  5. Farmers in north India (no only can help) reduce air pollution but also improve the productivity of their soil.
    only cannot help
    can not only help
    can only not help
    not can only help
    No correction required
    Option B

     

  6. The food regulator (are facing a) barrage of criticism ever since it took a decision over making food fortification illegal.
    had been facing a
    have been facing a
    is facing a
    has been facing a
    No correction required
    Option D

     

  7. The sesame seed may seem like an unlikely (representation for trace) the history of the global food trade, but it is the most apt one.
    representative to tracing
    representative to trace
    represent for tracing
    representative of the trace
    No correction required
    Option B

     

  8. Food with its notions of purity and impurity has and still continues to be a bone of (contention among people from) various castes.
    contention between people of
    contentious among people of
    content among people of
    contention between people from
    No correction required
    Option E

     

  9. Directions(8-10): In the following question, a word is given that is followed by three statements. All these three statements carry the given word. Identify the sentence(s) in which the word fits to make them grammatically correct and meaningful.

  10. Hamper
    I. The Centre’s move to direct oil marketing companies to lower auto fuel price hampers the confidence of oil companies in investments made in India.
    II. Metro Railway services were hampered for 15 minutes on Monday afternoon.
    III. High street retailers, Marks & Spencer and John Lewis & Partners, have also released their own hampers which are far more affordable than the luxury offerings.
    Only I
    Both I and II
    Only III
    Both II and III
    All I, II and III
    Option E
    All the three statements use the word “hamper” in the correct form. In the first and the second sentence, the word has been used as a verb in the present and the past tense respectively. “Hamper” means to cause hindrance. The third sentence uses the word as a noun which means a basket or a container.

     

  11. Tact
    I. The kind judge was tactful when he informed the dancer of her elimination from the show.
    II. They came up with a tactfully to reach their destination in the fastest time possible.
    III. He had an engaging personality and used tact in dealing with his patients.
    Only I
    Only II
    Both I and II
    Both I and III
    All I, II and III
    Option D
    Tact— skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues
    Tactfully— with skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues
    Tactful— having or showing skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.

     

  12. Adage
    I. Despite what that old adage says, I like to have my cake, eat it, and then have another piece.
    II. Among other things, the writer is famous for adaging his philosophical ideals.
    III. Tired of all the same old sayings, he adaged a new thought.
    Only I
    Only II
    Only III
    Both I and II
    Both II and III
    Option A
    “Adage” is a noun which means a proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.

     

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