Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 365

Directions(1-5): In the given question, five words are numbered A, B, C, D and E. The positions of some highlighted words may be incorrect and need to be exchanged with another highlighted to make the sentence correct. Find the words that need to be exchanged.

1. Chernobyl was increasingly(A) a knell(B) for nuclear power, but it grows(C) undoubtedly(D) hard to see it as its death setback(E).
   A-C
   C-D & B-C
   C-E
   A-D & B-E
   No exchange required
   Option D
   Knell means the sound of a bell, especially when rung solemnly for a death or funeral. Using ‘knell’ in position B would mean that the nuclear power was completely scrapped after Chernobyl. We know that this is not true. Chernobyl can be called as a setback, which means a reversal or check in progress. So, B & E should be exchanged. Since, Chernobyl was a one-time event, it cannot be an increasing setback. Since, position A requires an adverb, we will use “undoubtedly”, which is the only adverb among the remaining highlighted words. So, A & D should be exchanged. Hence, the correct answer is D.

    

2. When(A) a few years, that company suffered a serious, adjacent(B) temporary, setback within(C) fire gutted(D) much of the albeit(E) warehouse.
   A-C
   A-C & B-E
   C-E
   A-B & C-E
   No exchange required
   Option B
   “When” is used to point to a single instance in time. “a few years” is long duration and in such cases, “within” is best suited. So, A & C should be exchanged.
   “Adjacent” is an adjective which means next to or adjoining something else, and is not suitable to describe “temporary”. It is best suited in the position E, where it can describe “warehouse”. “Albeit” which means the same as ‘though’ acts as a conjunction in position B. So, B & E should be exchanged. Hence, the correct answer is B.

    

3. Many(A) companies are considering(B) transferring(C) up shop in this country and shutting(D) production to low wage(E) economies.
   A-C
   C-D & B-C
   C-D
   A-B & C-E
   No exchange required
   Option C
   Position C requires a verb, that will form a phrasal verb with “up”. There are three verbs among the highlighted words, ‘consider’, ‘transfer’ & ‘shut’. Of these, only ‘shut up’ is a phrasal verb, which means to stop or cause someone to stop. So, C & D should be exchanged. Hence, the correct answer is C.

    

4. The professor had transferring(A) a method of developed(B) sludge into innoxious(C) materials for bricks(D) and cement at a low(E) cost.
   A-B
   C-D & B-C
   C-E
   A-D & C-E
   No exchange required
   Option A
   “Had” is followed by the past participle form of the verb. Of the remaining highlighted words, only “developed” suits this. So, A & B should be exchanged. Hence, the correct answer is A.

    

5. She was arrived(A) a clean theatre gown and was until(B) allowed(C) to rest then(D) the theatre porter given(E) to collect her.
   A-C
   C-D & B-C
   C-E
   A-E & B-D
   No exchange required
   Option D
   The sentence has two parts separated by “and”. The second part should begin with “then”, to show the order of events. “until” is best suited at position D, where it can tell the duration of her rest. So, B & D should be exchanged. “a clean theatre gown” cannot be arrived. They, however, can be given. So, A & E should be exchanged. Hence, the correct answer is D.

    

Directions(6-10): In this question, two columns I and II and three sentences are given, which are divided into two parts. Column I (A, B and C) consists of first half of each sentence and Column II (D, E and F) consists of second half of each sentence. Match column I with column II, so that the sentences formed are both meaningful and grammatically correct. Choose the option as your answer.

6. I.
   A. The Parliament voted to pass the government’s new withdrawal agreement bill
   B. Given the social market model of the EU, the continent could stand up to the forces of
   C. The toxic partisanship of the previous parliament was to some degree fuelled by close competition for power,
   II.
   D. not just different opinions over the role and scope of government.
   E. at their second reading on Friday afternoon.
   F. the globalised market in a way that a single nation could not.
   B-E and C-F
   A-E, B-F and C-D
   B-F and C-D
   B-F
   A-E and C-F
   Option C
   

    

7. I.
   A. The backlash against the Citizenship Amendment Act shows
   B. The implementation of a national register of citizens (NRC) in the state of Assam, was ostensibly done
   C. After the shock of absorbing what felt like an unadorned expression of a fascistic vision, citizens’ groups, the press and opposition parties
   II.
   D. to uncovering illegal migrants from neighbouring Bangladesh.
   E. begun to raise fundamental objections and point out the bill’s absurd inconsistencies.
   F. that Indians will not accept the party’s distorted vision for their country.
   A – F
   A-E and C-F
   C- E
   A-E, B-F and C-D
   C- D and A- F
   Option A
   

    

8. I.
   A. José Mourinho has said he doesn’t know how to iron –
   B. It always seemed as if his perfectionism made him the sort of man who,
   C. It’s personal preference but I think an
   II.
   D. ironed handkerchief looks nicer.
   E. but when it comes to pressing things properly, he isn’t alone.
   F. although his wealth, would take charge of his own wardrobe.
   B-F and C-E
   A-D and C-D
   C-D and A-F
   C-D
   B- D
   Option D
   

    

9. I.
   A. Over the years, as our palates have become more used to processed foods, it has become habit
   B. Ceviche is one of my favorite ways to prepare and preserve food as it wakes up your mouth
   C. This is our pledge that we will continue to give global heating, wildlife extinction and pollution
   II.
   D. with its punchy flavours and can give tired ingredients a new lease of life.
   E. to ignore the nutrients supplied through natural and organic food which is more beneficial to our bodies.
   F. to peel vegetables, removing their fibrous skins, without checking if we actually need to.
   A-E and B-D
   A-F, A-E and B- D
   B-F
   C- D
   C-D and B-F
   Option B
   

    

10. I.
    A. Intensive agriculture may be nourishing most of the Earth’s inhabitants, and
    B. Nature and technological innovation are tackling these problems head on — and if the solutions they’re offering
    C. Many commonly used herbicides, pesticides and fungicides are now also under pressure
    II.
    D. it’s doing the opposite to earth itself.
    E. are incorporated on a large scale and used together; a new agricultural revolution could be on its way.
    F. to be banned because of their negative effects on the health of humans and wildlife.
    B-E and C-F
    A-E, B-F and C-D
    B-F and C-D
    B-F
    A-E and C-F
    Option A
    

     

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