Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 375

Directions(1-2): A statement with one blank is given below. Choose the set of words from the given options which can be used to fill the given blank.

1. Universities should take their position in society as vehicles of tolerance, benevolence, free speech and __________ and communal violence.
   I. Invigorate politics
   II. The eschewal of discord
   III. Shun conflicts
   Both I and II
   Both I and III
   Both II and III
   All of these
   None of these
   Option C
   Option I: ‘Invigorate’ means to give strength or energy to politics. The part of the statement preceding the blank talks about the positive effects universities can have and the part succeeding the blank talks about communal violence (which is a negative action). This creates inconsistency in both the parts of the statement, as the role of universities will have two contrasting tones if this filler is taken. So, it is inappropriate.
   Option II: ‘Eschewal’ means to keep clear of or abstain from (something disliked, injurious, etc). Discord means a disagreement between people. It means that the universities should steer clear of creating communal violence and unnecessary conflict between people. This suits the tone of the rest of the statement.
   Option III: It refers to persistently avoiding, ignoring, or rejecting any kind of conflict. This suits the tone and the context of the rest of the statement.

    

2. Is its voice strident enough in rallying against the corruption that ___________ of our bureaucratic and administrative system?
   I. Lobbying the fundamental principles
   II. Usurping power
   III. Gnaws at the vitals
   Only I
   Only II
   Only III
   Both I and II
   Both I and III
   Option C
   Option I: “Lobbying” means to seek or to influence a legislator on an issue. It can be positive or negative. So, the option is ambiguous.
   Option II: “Usurping” means to take a position of power or importance illegally or by force. Thus, this option is inappropriate.
   Option III: “Gnaws” means to cause persistent distress or anxiety; bite at or nibble something persistently.

    

Directions(3-5): In each question, a sentence with four words numbered as (1), (2), (3) and (4). These four words may either be misspelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate, if any. The number of that word is your answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (5), ie ‘All Correct’, as your answer.

3. Marie was fortunate(1)/ to have studied(2)/ at the Sorbonne with some of the greatest(3)/ scientists of her day, one of who(4)/ was Pierre Curie./ All correct (5)
   fortunate
   studied
   greatest
   who
   All Correct
   Option D
   ‘Who’ is used to refer to the subject of the sentence. In the given sentence the subject is ‘Marie’ while ‘who’ is being used to refer to another person. The correct pronoun to be used here is ‘whom’ which is used to refer to the object of a verb or preposition.

    

4. Mount Vesuvius, a volcanoes(A)/ located between the ancient(B)/ Italian cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, has received(C)/ much attention because of its frequent and destructive(D)/ eruptions.(E)
   A
   B
   C
   D
   E
   Option A
   There is an error with the noun count in the given sentence. ‘Mount Vesuvius’ is a single volcano and hence instead of the plural ‘volcanoes’ it should be singular.

    

5. The ballet performers had great balance and (syncronisation) leading them to the final of the competition.
   Sincronisation
   Syncronisasion
   Cyncronisation
   Synchronisation
   Psyncronisation
   Option D
   

    

Directions(6-10): The given question has a statement with two words/ phrases in brackets. Choose the most appropriate option from the given alternatives which can help replace the bracketed words to make the statement grammatically and logically correct. If the given sentence is correct as it is, mark ‘no correction required’ as the answer.

6. These brilliant tops steal the spotlight with their (churlish), colourful prints that feature vivid floral designs, aquatic themes and islandinspired (diagrams).
   
   ornament, concept
   esoteric, trope
   ebullient, motifs
   energized, topic
   No correction required
   Option C
   ‘Churlish’ is incorrect as it means rude in a mean-spirited and surly way and hence cannot be used to describe ‘colourful prints’.
   ‘Ebullient’ means cheerful and full of energy and is the correct replacement for the highlighted word. Again, prints on the tops is best described by the word ‘motifs’ which means a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern.

    

7. In the play, Raunak, the protagonist of the story, is (goaded) by his friend to go on an unusual road trip, (overseeing) the dangers as told in a folktale.
   hollered, anticipating
   wagered, prophesying
   challenged, overlooking
   warned, keeping
   No correction required
   Option C
   Oversee- to supervise, to watch over, to manage.
   Goad- provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction.
   Holler- give a loud shout or cry.
   Wager- more formal term for bet.
   ‘Dangers’ are not something that can be managed. Of all the given options only ‘anticipating’ and ‘overlooking’ will fit the second position. Since, it is already a known fact that there are dangers present, so, they are not to be ‘prophesied’.
   Goad means to provoke or annoy (someone) so as to stimulate an action or reaction, which is similar to challenge. So, exchanging these words would not change the meaning of the sentence.

    

8. Ronaldinho had a (relatively) short career but his control over the football made him one of the best footballers the world had (ever) seen.
   Aggressively, Never
   much, even
   perfectly, always
   insensitively, beware
   No correction required
   Option E
   

    

9. Wild elephants can be dangerous, but they are also known for having strong social bonds (amidst) themselves and expressing concern for others (throughout) them.
   Among, Around
   Amongst, Across
   Within, Round
   Between, About
   No correction required
   Option A
   “Amidst” usually means ‘in the middle of’. The ‘social bonds’ are shared by every herd member and is equally shared by all. The appropriate word for this situation is ‘among’ or ‘amongst’.
   ‘Throughout’ means to be in or to every part, but ‘them’ cannot be divide into parts. It is a single entity. ‘Across’, is also similar to ‘throughout’ and cannot be used. ‘Around’ fits the sentence as the bond is formed between a member of the herd with those who surround that member.

    

10. Almond milk is being (enriched) with calcium, which promotes good bone health and (preventing) fractures and osteoporosis.
    enrich, prevent
    enriched, prevents
    enriched, prevented
    enriching, preventing
    No correction required
    Option B
    The milk is already enriched, so the tense should be simple past. “promotes” is a singular noun in the simple present tense. Thus, the other verb should also be in the similar grammatical form. Thus, no other word but “prevents” can be used here.

     

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