Mixed English Questions for upcoming Exam — Set 432

Directions (1-5): A sentence with two blanks is given in which each blank indicates that something has been omitted. Choose the pair of words that best fits into the blank and make the sentence grammatically as well contextually correct.

1. The __________ morning Vauban and his horde of cavalry __________ into the castle grounds as if they were a welcome relief.

   ongoing, walked
   following, replaced
   next, trotted
   succeeded, sprinted
   last, jogged
   Option C
   For, the first blank ‘following’, ‘next’ and ‘last’ are suitable as these words are used to describe the morning that comes after. However, “replaced” cannot fit in the second blank. Similarly, “jogged” is inappropriate for the second blank as a cavalry will ‘march’ into a castle, not “jog”. An army, however, can “trot” inside a castle. Hence, the
   correct answer is C.

    

2. Bones and teeth are made from _________ inorganic compounds, which in their ___________ crystalline and glassy form, are very brittle.
   easy, natural
   complex, regulatory
   unacknowledged, ordinary
   simple, normal
   underrated, rich
   Option D
   ‘Easy’ and ‘underrated’ are not suitable to describe ‘inorganic compounds’. Similarly, “unacknowledged” cannot modify “inorganic compounds” in the given context. So, the answer is either B or D. ‘Regulatory’ is a noun which refers to a rule or a directive made and maintained by an authority. Also, a noun cannot modify another noun. Hence, option D is the most appropriate answer.

    

3. There is a/ an _____________ note of nostalgia in his voice when he looks back on the ___________ years of the family business.
   certain, future
   definite, young
   palpable, impending
   straightforward, initial
   unmistakable, early
   Option E
   One can ‘look back’ (with ‘nostalgia’) only on the past. So, the answer is either D or E. ‘Straightforward’ means straight ahead, in forward direction. It is not suitable to describe an emotion(nostalgia). Hence, the correct answer is option E.

    

4. The mayor’s speech at the Lincoln Theatre was _______ to highlight his plans to ____________ the neighbourhood.
   outline, revitalise
   designed, restore
   tailored, resume
   incline, renovate
   accused, recover
   Option B
   The second blank is preceded by to-infinitive, so the blank will be filled by a verb that could be performed on the neighbourhood. Neighbourhood can be ‘restored’, ‘renovated’ or ‘recovered’. So, the answer could be B, D or E. The first blank requires a verb in the past form, which eliminates option D. A speech cannot be accused to highlight
   something; thus, option E is also incorrect. Option B is the most appropriate answer.

    

5. Owing to a __________ technical hitch, the concert will be starting _________ half an hour late.
   slight, roughly
   little, naturally
   few, similarly
   less, about
   minor, essentially
   Option A
   Technical hitch is not a countable noun, so the answer is either option A, B or E. The second blank gives us a time frame of how delayed the concert will be. ‘Roughly’ can be used to give an approximate time. Hence, the correct answer is A.

    

Directions(6-10): In the given questions, a statement has been divided into five segments, each of which is denoted by (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E). Rearrange all the segments to form a coherent statement.

6. A) the farmers in Haryana
   B) was a health risk, even
   C) for their own family
   D) burning residue
   E) and Punjab do not think that

   ABCDE
   BDACE
   CBDAE
   ECADB
   AEDBC
   Option E
   

    

7. A) the packages were immediately
   B) were appropriately handled
   C) explosive devices and
   D) identified during routine mail
   E) screening procedures as potential
   ABCDE
   ADECB
   CADEB
   DBCEA
   ECDEA
   Option B
   

    

8. A) a government order in Punjab and
   B) than the peak of summer
   C) Haryana requires paddy farmers
   D) closer to the monsoon, rather
   E) to wait for transplantation until
   ACBDE
   ABCDE
   ACEDB
   BDECA
   CEBAD
   Option C
   

    

9. A) frogs often escape the radar
   B) reptiles such as
   C) and amphibians such as
   D) chameleons are famed
   E) for changing their colour
   ACBDE
   ABCDE
   ACEDB
   BDECA
   CEBAD
   Option D
   

    

10. A) defecation in rural India
    B) of the labour market for
    C) latrine pit emptying is one reason
    D) the caste-related complication
    E) why there is so much open
    DBCEA
    DBCAE
    CABDE
    ABCDE
    ABECD
    Option A