Q1RdnokRyOBCPgWrPtzb - RRB RAILWAY EXAM English FULL - 1

Contents
1. Parts of Speech 3
2. English Language Comprehension 22
3. Common Error 45
4. Sentence Correction 58
5. Synonyms & Antonyms 63
6. Idioms & Phrases 69
7. Sentence Arrangement 78
8. Foreign Words & Phrases 82
9. Cloze Test 87
10. Commonly Misspelled English Words 91
ENGLISHLANGUAGE
ANDCOMPREHENSION
PARTS OF SPEECH
1
Language is the major means by which we communicate and interact with others. When we speak or write,
we use words. These words are generally used in groups e.g.: A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
A group of words arranged in a manner which makes a complete sense is called a Sentence. Based on
meaning and sense, the sentence can be classified as :
1. Declarative or assertive 2. Imperative
3. Interrogative 4. Exclamatory
Parts of Speech
Words are classified into different kinds or groups called Parts of Speech according to their use and
function in a sentence. They are eight in number-Noun, Pronoun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb, Preposition,
Conjunction and Interjection.
Noun
The Noun is a word used as the name of a person, place or thing. The word thing includes (i) all objects
that we can see, touch, hear, smell or taste, and (ii) something we can think of but cannot perceive through our
senses. There are five different kinds of noun.
They are :
1. Proper Noun 2. Common Noun
3. Collective Noun 4. Material Noun
5. Abstract Noun.
Kinds of Noun
The following chart will make you familiar with the different kinds of noun :
Noun Nature of Noun Examples
Proper Noun It denotes a particular person, place or thing. Chander, Kolkata, India, the
Ganges, the Gita, etc.
Common Noun It is the name given to any and Table, glass, town, king, book,
every person or thing of the same class or kind. river, country, etc.
Collective Noun It denotes a group or collection of Army, class, host, jury, mob,
crowd, team, parliament, similar individuals or things considered
committee, family, etc. as one complete whole.
Material Noun It denotes the matter or substance Wood, clay, rubber, iron, silver,
gold, cloth, etc.
Abstract Noun It expresses quality, state or action. Truth, love, soul, mind,
greatness, life, poverty,
manhood, pleasure, pain,
honesty, etc.
4 English Language and Comprehension
Pronoun
The repetition of a noun in a sentence or a set of sentences is really boring. So, Grammar prescribes that
instead of repeating the noun, we may use a word (for that noun) called pronoun. This leads us to a precise
definition of Pronoun. The Pronoun is a word that we use instead of a noun.
Many people commit grammatical mistakes because they lack thorough knowledge regarding the use of
pronouns.
The following facts can be stated on the basis of the above definition:
(1) A pronoun must itself be something equivalent to a noun.
(2) As a rule, the pronoun should not be mentioned until the noun has been mentioned.
(3) A pronoun must be of the same number, gender and person as the noun it stands for.
Pronouns have numerous sub-classes. Though there are several features that pronouns have in common
with nouns, yet there are some features which distinguish them from nouns. They are as follows:
(1) They do not admit determiners;
(2) They often have an objective case;
(3) They often have person distinction;
(4) They often have overt gender contrast;
(5) Singular and plural forms are often not morphologically related.
Kinds of Pronouns
I. Personal Pronouns : A pronoun which is used instead of the name of a person is known as a
Personal Pronoun.
Examples I, my, mine, me, we, our, ours, us.(First Person)
Thou, thine, thy, thee.
You, your, yours. (Second Person)
He, his, him, she, her, hers, it, its,
they, their, theirs, them. (Third Person)
II. Reflexive or Emphatic Pronouns : When ‘self’ is added to my, your, him, her, it and selves to
our, your, them, we get Compound Personal Pronouns. When the action done by the subject
turns back (reflects) upon the subject, ‘self’ is added to the pronoun and becomes a Reflexive or
Emphatic pronoun.
Examples 1. I hurt myself
2. He hurt himself.
3. They hurt themselves.
III. Demonstrative Pronouns: The pronouns which are used to point out the objects which they
refer to are called Demonstrative Pronouns.
Examples 1. This is a gift from my father.
2. These are merely excuses.
3. Mumbai mangoes are better than those of Bangalore.
4. That is the fort of Allahabad.
Parts of Speech 5
IV. Indefinite Pronouns : All pronouns which refer to persons or things in a general way and do
not refer to any particular person or thing are called Indefinite Pronouns.
Examples 1. Somebody has stolen my watch.
2. A few escaped unhurt.
3. Did you ask anybody to come?
4. Nobody was there to welcome her.
V. Distributive Pronouns: Each, either, neither are called Distributive Pronouns because they
refer to persons or things-one at a time. For this reason, they are always singular and thus
followed by the verb in singular.
Examples 1. Each of these men received a reward.
2. Either of you can go.
3. Neither of the accusations is true.
VI. Relative Pronouns: A Relative Pronoun refers or relates to some noun going before, which is
called its Antecedent.
Examples 1. I met Hari who used to live here.
2. I have found the pen which I had lost.
3. Here is the book that you lent me.
VII. Interrogative Pronouns: These pronouns are used to ask questions.
Examples 1. Whose book is this?
2. What will all the neighbours say?
3. What do you prefer, tea or coffee?
Note: Interrogative pronouns can also be used in asking indirect questions. Consider the following
examples:
1. I asked who was speaking.
2. Tell me what you have done.
3. Say which you would like best.
Adjective
An Adjective is a word that qualifies or adds something to the meaning of a noun.
1. Madan is a good boy. (Boy of what kind?)
2. He gave me ten bananas. (How many bananas?)
3. We do not like that girl. (Which girl?)
In sentence 1, good tells what kind of boy Madan is.
In sentence 2, ten shows how many bananas he gave me.
In sentence 3, that points out which girl is meant.
Some Facts About Adjectives and their Uses

Adjectives can be used in two ways-attributively and predicatively. When an adjective is
placed just before the noun, its use is Attributive, but when it is used after the noun or pronoun,
the use is called Predicative.
Examples
(i) This is a sweet mango. (Attributive)
(ii) This mango is sweet. (Predicative)
(iii) Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds. (Attributive)
(iv) The judge declared him guilty. (Predicative)
(v) It is a beautiful painting. (Attributive)
(vi) The painting is beautiful. (Predicative)
(vii) Sita is a pretty girl. (Attributive)
(viii) My daughter is pretty. (Predicative)
(ix) Every man is expected to do his duty.
(x) He comes to me every day.
(xi) Every man in this world dies.
(xii) India wants peace in every corner of the world.
4. (1) Oral means by word of mouth.
(2) Verbal means concerned with words.
Examples (i) He threw mean oral abuses.
(ii) There is not much verbal difference between the two statements.
Oral is the opposite of written.
5. (1) Either means one of the two or each of the two.
(2) Neither is the negative of either.
Examples (i) You may buy either of these two chairs. (One of the two)
(ii) Either book will do.
(iii) There are shady trees on either side of the road. (Each)
(iv) I can speak on either side.
(v) He can write with either hand.
(vi) I can speak on neither side.
(vii) Neither of them could speak on the stage.
(viii) He can write with neither hand.
(ix) Neither of the two pens is costly.
6. (1) Sick means slight indisposition.
(2) Ill means unwell, indisposed.
Examples (i) I am feeling sick.
(ii) He has been seriously ill for the past ten days.
Parts of Speech 7
Note: Sick and ill both express the idea of being in bad health, affected with disease etc., but sick
is more commonly used than ill, which is somewhat formal (I am feeling sick. He is ill with the
flu.)
7. (1) Enough is used with both singular and plural number. It conveys the sense of sufficiency.
Examples (i) There is enough sugar in the pot.
(ii) There are enough eggs in the basket.
8. (1) Only means alone of its or their kind; sole.
(2) Nearest means close in distance, time or relation.
It is the superlative of the adjective near.
(3) Next expresses position. It means just before or after in time, space, degree or rank.
Examples (i) Sudha is the only daughter of her parents.
(ii) The nearest shopping complex from our house is two kilometres
away.
(iii) How far is it to the next petrol pump?
(iv) The State Bank of India is the nearest bank.
(v) The next shop is mine.
9. (1) Later expresses late in time.
(2) Latter means second in position or order.
(3) Latest means most recent.
(4) Last means final in position or order.
Note: Later or latter are comparative degrees of late and latest or last are superlative degrees of
late.
Examples (i) The train arrived an hour later than the scheduled time.
(ii) The latter position was better than the former.
(iii) What is the latest news?
(iv) He was the first to come and last to go.
Verb
Verb are words that show action. Every sentence must have a verb. A verb is not always one word. It may be
made up of more than one word.
Auxiliary Verb
The words: am, is, are, was, and were are verb. They are forms of the verb ‘to be’. They are helping
verb called auxiliary verb.
If the subject of a sentence is singular, the verb must be singular. If the subject of a sentence is plural,
the verb must be plural. The verb must agree with the subject in number.
Examples of ‘subjects’ and ‘verbs’ being singular: The man is sleeping. She goes to the
market. The student does his homework every day. The train has arrived.
‘Man’, ‘she’, ‘student’ and ‘train’ are known as subjects. The subjects are all singular. The verb ‘is’,
‘goes’, ‘does’ and ‘has’ are all singular too.
Examples of ‘subjects’ and ‘verbs’ being plural: The men are sleeping. They go to the market. The students
do their homework every day. The trains have arrived.
‘Men’, ‘they’, ‘students’ and ‘trains’ are known as subjects. The subjects are all plural. The verb ‘are’,
‘go’, ‘do’ and ‘have’ are all plural too.
Singular Subject/verb Plural Subject/verb

1st I am do have eat We are do have eat
2nd You are do have eat You are do have eat
3rd He is does has eats They are do have eat
She is does has eats They are do have eat
It is does has eats They are do have eat
Other singular and plural subjects that take on singular and plural verb:
Subjects with words like ‘each’, ‘every’, ‘any’, ‘no’, ‘none’ and ‘nobody’ take on the singular verb.
Examples: Each student is given a pen.
Every child is happy watching the show.
Nobody is allowed to walk on the grass.
Uncountable noun always take singular verb.
Examples: Rice is eaten in many countries.
There is oil on the floor.
Salt is added to make the food taste better.
Subjects with words like ‘both’, ‘all’, ‘many’, ‘some’, ‘several’ and ‘a number of’ take on a plural verb.
Examples: Both of you have to come home early.
All of us want to be happy.
Some of my friends are female.
Two or more subjects joined by ‘and’ always take a plural verb.
Examples: My brother and his friends like to play football.
His father and mother are watching television.
Transitive and Intransitive Verb
The verb which needs an object to make its meaning clear or complete is called a transitive verb.
Example: He feeds a cat. The word ‘cat’ is called the object of the verb ‘feeds’. The object can be a noun or
a pronoun.
The intransitive verb does not need an object but the meaning is clear or complete.
Example: He ran. The verb ‘ran’ does not need an object. She reads every day. (No object) He eats
quickly. (No object)
The Finite Verb
The finite verb changes with the subject. The subject is the person, thing, animal or place we refer to. When
the subject is in the first or second person or is plural, the verb does not change. When the subject is in the third
person or is singular, the verb changes from, say, ‘eat’ to ‘eats’. The verb ‘eat’ is a finite verb. Every sentence
must have a finite verb.
Parts of Speech 9
Subject Singular Subject Plural Subject

First Person I eat We eat
Second Person You eat You eat
Third Person He eats They eat
Third Person She eats They eat
Third Person It eats They eat
The pen/s The pen is The pens are
The elephant/s The elephant does The elephants do not
The house/s The house has The houses have
The Infinitive
The infinitive is a verb that is followed by ‘to’ and does not change with the subject.
Subject Singular Subject Plural Subject

First Person I want to play. We want to play.
Second Person You want to play. You want to play.
Third Person He wants to play. They want to play.
She wants to play. They want to play.
It wants to play. They want to play.
The infinitive can take on an object. For example: He likes to read book. (To read = infinitive; book =
object).
Other usage of verb to remember:

1. When “and” is used to join two nun or Pronoun together, the verb is usually in the plural.
Examples: Beef and mutton are meat.
He and I were classmates.
2. When we use two noun for the same person or thing, the verb should be in the singular.
Examples: My friend and classmate is very helpful.
Bread and butter is his only food.
3. When we use two noun for the same person, we use the article ‘the’ only once and
the verb should be in the singular.
Example: The shopkeeper and owner of the shop is my uncle.
4. When we refer to two different persons, we use the article twice and the verb must be in
the plural.
Example: The shopkeeper and the owner of the shop are my good friends.
5. When we join two nouns and treat them as a whole, the verb is in the singular.
Example: Bread and butter is his usual breakfast.
6. When a noun is a quantity or an amount, it is treated as a whole and the verb is in the singular.
Examples: Ten kilometers is not a long way to travel.
Nowadays, fifty dollars is not a lot of money.
A verb is used in different forms as follow:
Simple Present Tense eat
Simple Past Tense ate
Present Particle is eating
Past Particle has eaten
Future Tense will eat
The Present Tense

1. The Present Simple
(1) Used for a habitual or repeated action, that is, for something that we do always, every day,
often, usually, etc.
Example: He plays football on Sundays.
(2) Used for a general truth or a fact, that is, for something that is true.
Example: Night follows day.
(3) Used for something or an action happening now.
Example: See how she walks.
(4) Used instead of the future tense.
Example: He arrives tomorrow.
(5) Used instead of the past tense, to make something look more real.
Example: The tiger comes; it catches the boy.
(f) Used instead of the present perfect tense.
Example: We hear that the king is dead.
(g) Used to introduce a quotation, that is, to repeat words spoken or written by someone else.
Example: Shakespeare says: “Neither a borrower nor a lender be.”
2. The Present Continuous Tense
(1) Used to show that something is still happening, that is, an action is still going on at the time
of speaking. It shows that the action is not yet complete.
Example: He is writing a letter.
(2) Used instead of the future tense. We usually say the time when this future action will take
place.
Parts of Speech 11
Example: He is going to Japan next week.

(3) Used to use the phrase ‘is going’ which means ‘about to’.
Example: It is going to rain.
(4) Used to show an action which happens many times. We often use ‘always’ with this
expression.
Example: He is always getting into trouble.
3. The Present Perfect Tense
(1) Used to show an action which has just been completed or a past action when the time is not
mentioned. The action may be a recent one or it may be one which happened a long time
ago.
Examples: I have finished reading the book.
There have been many changes in this country.
(2) Used for an action that has been going on from the past until now, that is, something that
happened in the past but is going on still.
Example: I have lived here for ten years.
(3) Used often with ‘just’, ‘already’, ‘recently’, ‘never’, ‘yet’ and (in questions) with ‘ever’.
Examples: I have already told them about the plan
She has never replied to my letter.
Have you ever been to London?
(4) Used often to answer questions which contain a verb in the Present Perfect tense.
Examples: Where have you been? I have been to London to see the Queen.
What have you lost? I have lost all my money.
4. The Present Perfect Continuous Tense
(1) Used for an action just completed or continued up to now.
Example: He has been talking for an hour.
The Past Tense
1. The Past Simple Tense

(1) Used to describe a completed past action when the time of the action is mentioned.
Example: I went to the cinema yesterday.
(2) Used to show for a past action that was completely done in the past.
Example: My mother made a cake and we all ate it.
(3) Used to express a habitual past action.

Example: He always came home late.
2. The Past Continuous Tense
(1) Used for an action that was going on in the past when something else happened.
Example: While they were watching television, the light went out.
(2) Used to show an action that was going on at a certain time in the past.
Example: I was eating my dinner at 7 o’clock last night.
(3) Used for two actions that were going on at the same time in the past.
Example: While his father was reading the newspaper, his mother was cooking.
3. The Past Perfect Tense
(1) Used for an action that was completed before another action took place.
Example: I had left the house before he arrived.
(2) Used in the Indirect or Reported Speech.
Example: “I have read the book”. He said that he had read the book.
4. The Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Used for an action that had been going on in the past before another action occurred in the past.
Example: She had been cooking when we visited her.
The Future Tense

The Future Tense is used to show some action or happening in the future. Future Simple + ‘Going To”.
1. Simple Future Tense is used to show future action or that something will happen in the future.
‘Going to’ is used to express a future action that has been planned in advance.
Example: We are going to Japan next week.
2. Future Continuous Tense is used to show continuous action at some future time.
Example: I shall be seeing both of you tomorrow.
3. Future Perfect Tense is used for an action which will have finished by some future time or date
which is mentioned or before another action has begun.
Examples: I shall have finished this job by seven o’clock.
I shall have finished this job by the time you arrive.
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense. This continuous tense is formed with ‘shall/will have been’
+ a present particle.
Example: I shall have been married for exactly ten years next Saturday.
Parts of Speech 13
EXERCISES
Auxiliary Verb 19. My feet _____ not get tired easily.
A. Fill in the blanks with ‘is’ or ‘are’. 20. Everyone here _____ not know about
1. The rose _____ a beautiful flower. it.
2. His two sons _____ still small. Answers
11. Do 16. does
3. My brother _____ doing his degree at
12. does, do 17. does, do
that university.
13. do 18. do
4. Dogs _____ the most faithful animals.
14. Does 19. does
5. There _____ a lot of ants on the tree.
15. do 20. do
6. That chair _____ comfortable to sit on. C. Fill in the blanks with ‘has’ or ‘have’.
7. The equator _____ an imaginary line 21. He _____ a law degree.
round the earth.
22. They _____ gone to the cinema.
8. The natives of this island _____ a
23. Only one of the students _____ failed
friendly people.
the test.
9. We _____ waiting for the bus.
24. I _____ come here to borrow your
10. _____ your mother sleeping now? book.
Answers
25. “_____ you ever done online banking?”
1. is 6. is
26. “We _____ not done our homework
2. are 7. is
yet.”
3. is 8. are
27. Each of you _____ to pay a dollar.
4. are 9. are
5. are 10. is 28. There _____ been no complaint so far.
29. Does he _____ a bicycle?
B. Fill in the blanks with ‘does’ or ‘do’.
30. What _____ she got to say about this?
11. _____ you know him?
Answers
12. That _____ not mean that I _____ not 21. has 26. have
like her. 22. have 27. have
13. Please _____ not smoke here. 23. has 28. have
14. _____ anybody know the answer? 24. have 29. has
15. They _____ not want to play. 25. Have 30. has
16. It _____ not matter where you put it. D. Choose the correct word for each sentence.
17. He _____ the measuring and we 31. The earth _____ (go, goes) round the
_____ the cutting. sun.
18. Those sheep _____ not belong to that 32. He _____ (go, goes) to school by bus.
farmer. 33. I often _____ (go, goes) to the library.
34. She wants to _____ (go, goes) to the 49. Everyone of the postmen _____ (ride,
library? rides) a bicycle.
35. She does not _____ (go, goes) to the 50. The black dog can _____ (bark, barks)
library? very loudly.
36. Oh, she does _____ (go, goes) to the Answers
library. 41. needs 46. work
37. He often _____ (go, goes) to the 42. drink 47. lives
cinema. 43. like 48. look
38. Every one of us must _____ (go, goes) 44. talk 49. ride
to school. 45. speaks 50. barks
39. Every one of us usually _____ (go, Simple Present Tense
goes) to school early.
Use the Simple Present tense of the words in
40. He too has to _____ (go, goes) to brackets.
school. 1. It _____ (hurt) to know what he said.
Answers 2. I sometimes _____ (play) football with my
31. goes 36. go friends.
32. goes 37. goes 3. My sister _____ (want) to be a teacher.
33. go 38. go 4. We _____ (like) to do our homework
34. go 39. go together.
35. go 40. go 5. His father _____ (smoke) a pipe.
E. Choose the correct word for each sentence. 6. Does your mother _____ (cook) every day?
41. She _____ (read, reads) every day. 7. The train _____ (leave) in an hour.
8. He _____ (wash) his car on Sundays.
42. I _____ (drink, drinks) milk every day.
9. My friend _____ (ride) a bike to work.
43. We _____ (like, likes) to swim.
10. They often _____ (swim) in the river.
44. My neighbours _____ (talk, talks) to Answers
us every day. 1. hurts 6. cook
45. He _____ (speak, speaks) good 2. play 7. leaves
English. 3. wants 8. washes
46. They _____ (work, works) in that 4. like 9. rides
factory. 5. smokes 10. swim
47. One of us _____ (live, lives) near the
hospital. Present Continuous Tense
48. Those deer in the zoo _____ (look, Use the Present Continuous tense of the words
looks) hungry. in brackets.
1. We are too late. The train _____ (leaving).
Parts of Speech 15
2. Look at what he _____ (do). 8. Our baby _____ (sleep) for more than eight
3. My father _____ (go) to Paris next month. hours.
4. She says she _____ (cook) for dinner this 9. I _____ not _____ (choose) the one I want
evening. yet.
5. I think she _____ (write) a letter at the 10. You _____ (not eat) your dinner yet.
moment. Answers
6. Why _____ he _____ (break) up those 1. have not seen 6. have never been
boxes? 2. has taught 7. have just met
7. He _____ (come) on the one o’clock train 3. has already thrown 8. has slept
tomorrow. 4. have, told 9. have, chose
8. They _____ (widen) the road. 5. Have, ever been 10. have not eaten
Present Perfect Continuous Tense
9. One of you _____ always _____ (complain)
about something. Use the Present Perfect Continuous tense of
the words in brackets.
10. Do you not understand what I _____ (say)?
1. They _____ (visit) their parents since they
Answers
shifted out.
1. is leaving 6. is, breaking
2. She _____ (talk) for an hour and when is
2. is doing 7. is comming she going to stop?
3. is going 8. are widening 3. His friends _____ (wait) for him since 7
4. is cooking 9. are, complaing o’clock.
5. is writing 10. am saying 4. What _____ you _____ (do) since this
morning?
Present Perfect Tense 5. I have found it. I _____ (search) for it for
Use the Present Perfect tense of the words in two days.
brackets. 6. He _____ (eat) here for one week and he is
1. We _____ (not see) her since we last met not coming back.
her. 7. We _____ (see) each other regularly since
2. He _____ (teach) us for two years and is we became friends.
still teaching us. 8. Why _____ you _____ (keep) this matter a
secret?
3. She _____ (already throw) away her old
dresses. 9. Her mother _____ (pray) for good luck at
that temple.
4. I _____ already _____ (tell) them to hurry
10. My sister _____ (try) to write a book since
up.
last year.
5. _____ you _____ (be) to see your old uncle? Answers
6. My parents _____ (never be) to London. 1. have been visiting 6. has been eating
7. They _____ (just meet) your brother. 2. has been talking 7. have been seeing
3. have been waiting8. have, been keeping
4. have, been doing 9. has been praying teacher _____ (speak).

5. have been searching 10. has been trying 4. We _____ (play) football when it started to
rain.
Past Simple Tense 5. When I _____ (walk) home, I saw a dog
Use the Past Simple tense of the words in barking at the postman.
brackets. 6. She and her friends _____ (shop) yesterday
1. She _____ (cut) her finger last night. evening.
7. When they arrived, I _____ (bathe).
2. We _____ (go) for a ride and _____ (come)
home late. 8. While one worker _____ (paint), another
_____ (mix) some paint.
3. Her former husband always _____ (drink) 9. What _____ you _____(do) when I was not
heavily. at home?
4. He _____ (lend) me some money last week. 10. They _____ (jog) early this morning.
5. There _____ (are) lots of people at the Answers
party. 1. was waiting
6. My father _____ (lose) his car keys this 2. was swimming
morning. 3. were not listening, was speaking
7. She often_____ (quarrel) with her neighbour. 4. were playing
5. was walking
8. The vagrant _____ (lay) a mat on the
pavement and _____ (sleep) on it. 6. were shopping
7. was bathing
9. I _____ (meet) my uncle on Sunday
8. was painting, was mixing
afternoon.
9. was, doing
10. _____ (can) you please help me carry this? 10. were jogging
Answers
1. cut 6. lost Past Perfect Tense
2. went, came 7. quarrelled Use the Past Perfect tense of the words in
brackets.
3. drank 8. laid, slept
4. lent 9. met 1. After we _____ (see) the movie, we went
5. were 10. Could for a ride.
2. He _____ already _____ (leave) when we
Past Continuous Tense arrived.
3. I _____ just _____ (shut) the door when
Use the Past Continuous tense of the words in
brackets. the telephone rang.
1. While I _____ (wait) for you, I fell asleep. 4. They ate the food that I _____ (buy).
2. He _____ (swim) at 4 o’clock yesterday. 5. She _____ (eat) her lunch when I reached
3. Some students _____ (not listen) while the home.
Parts of Speech 17
6. My father _____ (drink) a glass of milk 3. had been playing

before he slept. 4. Had, trying
7. “I fell down”. He said that he _____ down. 5. had, doing
8. “I cut my finger”. She said that she _____
her finger. Auxiliary Verb
9. I arrived at the cinema after the film _____ Fill in the blanks with ‘was’ or ‘were’.
(start). 1. He _____ here five minutes ago.
10. The train _____ already _____ (go) when 2. This _____ the dress she wore last week.
we reached the station.
3. They _____ still young when their parents
Answers died.
1. had seen
4. One of the eggs _____ broken.
2. has, left
3. had, shut 5. There _____ some oranges on the table.
4. had, bought 6. _____ you tired after the game?
5. had, eaten 7. She _____ not at home when I called.
6. had drunk 8. Yesterday I saw a rainbow as I _____
7. had fallen driving home.
8. had cut 9. We _____ supposed to arrive early but the
9. had started train was late.
10. had, gone 10. Those _____ people who helped the victims.
Answers
Past Perfect Continuous Tense
1. was 6. Were
Use the Past Perfect Continuous tense of the
words in brackets. 2. was 7. was
3. were 8. was
1. She _____ (sleep) before she was woken
by the loud thunder. 4. was 9. were
5. were 10. were
2. The patient _____ (groan) when the doctor
arrived. Kinds of Conjunctions
3. The little boy _____ (play) with fire before
Conjunctions are of two kinds:
he was burnt.
4. _____ you _____ (try) to get me before I 1. Co-ordinating conjunctions
called? 2. Subordinating conjunction
5. What _____ the child _____ (do) before she Co-ordinating Conjunctions
was scolded by her mother?
Answers Definition
1. had been sleeping A co-ordinating conjunction joins together words or
2. had been groaning groups of words of equal rank.
Examples: Examples:
1. He came to me and asked for alms.
a. He was rich but not contented.
2. Birds fly and fish swim. b. He was alright; only he was fatigued.
Explanation Explanation
In the first sentence the conjunction but shows
The above sentences contain two independent
contrast. It is an adversative conjunction. Similarly in
statements of equal rank or importance. Hence the
the second sentence only is an adversative
conjunction joining together these two statements of
conjunction.
clauses of equal rank is called a co-ordinating
conjunction. And, but, for, or, nor, also, either/or,
neither/nor are all examples of co-ordinating Disjunctive or Alternative Conjunction
conjunctions. Definition
Co-ordinating Conjunctions are four kinds:
a. Cumulative or copulative conjunction Disjunctive or alternative conjunction expresses a
b. Adversative conjunction choice between two alternatives.
c. Disjunctive or alternative conjunction Examples:
d. Illative conjunction. a. He must participate or he will be fined.
b. Either you should pay or work for it.
Cumulative or Copulative Conjunction
c. Neither is he hard working nor is he
Definition resourceful.
A cumulative conjunction joins two statements Explanation

of facts. Or, either…or, neither…nor are alternative
Examples: conjunctions because they indicate alternative or
a. He came to me and asked for alms. choice between two things.
b. They were both shocked and grieved to Illative Conjunction

hear the news.
Definition
c. He is misled as well as you.
Illative conjunction expresses an inference.
Explanation Examples:
a. He will be rewarded, for he is trustworthy.
In the first sentence the conjunction and joins two
statements. He came to me, (he) asked for alms. It is b. They are liked, for they are good.
called cumulativeconjunction. Similarly both and and in c. He was guilty; so he was punished.
the second sentence, and as well as in the third Explanation
sentence are cumulative conjunctions.
For and so indicate inference or conclusion; so they
are illative conjunctions.
Adversative Conjunction Note:
Definition Any of the co-ordinating conjunctions, with the
Adversative conjunction expresses opposition or exception of or, nor, may be omitted and its place
contrast between two statements. taken by a comma, semi-colon, or colon.
Parts of Speech 19
Example: Rama went out to play: Hari stayed in Explanation

to work. In the examples above after and before illustrate time.
Subordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunction of Place
Definition Examples:
A subordinating conjunction joins a clause to another 1. You may go wherever you like.
on which it depends for its full meaning. 2. I searched where I was asked to.
Examples: Explanation
1. I shall help you if you need my help. In the examples above wherever and where
2. I read the paper because it interests me. illustrate place.
Subordinating Conjunction of Reason
Explanation
In the first sentence the conjunction if joins the Examples:
principal clause and the subordinate clause. It joins 1. I shall do it because I like it.
two groups of words of unequal rank where one group 2. We did not go out as it was raining.
of words depends on another group of words for its Explanation
complete meaning. So it is called a subordinating
conjunction. Similarly, in the second In the examples above because and as illustrate
sentence because is a subordinating reason.
conjunction. After, because, if, that, though, although, Subordinating Conjunction of Purpose
till, before, unless, as, when, where, while, etc. are all Examples:
subordinating conjunctions. 1. We eat that we may live.
Kinds of Subordinating Conjunctions 2. The farmer manured well so that he might
get a rich crop.
Subordinating conjunctions are of eight types
depending on their meaning. Explanation
In the examples above that and so that illustrate
1. Subordinating conjunction of time.
purpose.
2. Subordinating conjunction of place.
Subordinating Conjunction of Result or
3. Subordinating conjunction of reason.
Consequence
4. Subordinating conjunction of purpose.
5. Subordinating conjunction of result or Examples:
consequence. 1. It was so clear that all could understand it.
6. Subordinating conjunction of condition. 2. It rained so heavily that all tanks breached.
7. Subordinating conjunction of comparison. Explanation
8. Subordinating conjunction of concession. In the examples above that illustrates result or
consequence.
Subordinating Conjunction of Time
Subordinating Conjunction of Condition
Examples:
Examples:
1. We went after you left. 1. You should do it whether you like it or not.
2. It was done before we wanted it. 2. If you agree I shall accompany you.
Explanation ______ the Literary Society.

In the examples above whether and if illustrate (1) as (2) or
condition. (3) and (4) but
(5) None of these
Subordinating Conjunction of Comparison
4. Read over your answers ______ correct all
Examples: mistakes before you pass them up.
1. She is intelligent as we were told. (1) or (2) and
2. You are latter than I. (3) because (4) while
Explanation (5) None of these
5. Keep the food covered ______ the flies will
In the examples above as and than illustrate
comparison. contaminate it.
(1) or (2) and
Subordinating Conjunction of Concession (3) until (4) though
Examples: (5) None of these
1. Though he is ill he has come. 6. ______ he is thin, he is strong.
(1) But
2. He is strong although he is old.
(2) As
Explanation (3) Though
In the examples above though and although (4) Because
illustrate concession. (5) None of these
7. Sudipta ______ phoned ______ wrote after
Parsing of Conjunctions
she left home.
Parsing Model (1) either, or (2) neither, nor
The boy and his friend are here. (3) while, and (4) though, or
And: Co-ordinating conjunction, joining the two (5) None of these
noun boy and his friend. 8. She had an unpleasant experience ______
she was in Thailand.
EXERCISES
(1) but (2) and
1. Receptionists must be able to relay (3) because (4) while
information ______ pass messages (5) None of these
accurately. 9. The committee rejected the proposal ______
(1) or (2) and they did not think it was practical.
(3) but (4) because (1) or (2) but
(5) None of these (3) though (4) because
2. I did not go to the show ______ I had (5) None of these
already seen it.
Answers
(1) until (2) because
(3) so (4) but 1. (2) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (2)
(5) None of these 5. (1) 6. (3) 7. (2) 8. (4)
3. Monica is a member of the Historical Society 9. (4)
Parts of Speech 21
Join the following sentences using the most Answers

suitable conjunctions. Omit any unnecessary
1. We have to go to Port Blair by airplane
words. because we cannot go there by any other
1. We have to go to Port Blair by airplane. We way.
cannot go there by any other way. 2. You will not reach the stadium in time unless
2. You will not reach the stadium in time. You you drive faster.
have to drive faster. 3. The boys are playing in the field although it
3. The boys are playing in the field. The field is flooded.
is flooded. 4. The students were studying in the library
4. The students were studying in the library. when the teacher came in.
The teacher came in. 5. Ranil collects all sorts of coins and puts
5. Ranil collects all sorts of coins. He puts them in his albums.
them in his albums. 6. Although he had walked for eight kilometers,
6. He had walked eight kilometers. He did not he did not fee tired. OR He had walked eight
feel tired. kilometers yet he did not feel tired.
7. Rani cycled very fast. She be bitten by the 7. Rani cycled very fast lest she be bitten by
dog. the dog.
8. The climb up Almora Mountain was a 8. The climb up Almora mountain was a
success. The scouts faced many challenges success even though the scouts faced many
along the way. challenges along the way.
9. He was late for the interview. He was 9. Not only was he late for the interview but
inappropriately dressed for the interview. he was also inappropriately dressed for it.
10. Rubbu was not collected regularly. The place 10. Rubbu was not collected regularly so the
became infested with rats. place became infested with rats. OR Since
Rabbu was not collected regularly, the place
became infested with rats.
22 English Language Comprehension
ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION

2
Difinition of Comprehension Hence, the questions that follow are simple
Comprehension is the ability to read and and basic questions on theme and the facts
understand unfamiliar text matter, to answer questions presented therein.
based on that. You will be presented with passages 3. Argumentative: The argumentative style
drawn from a variety of subject areas, including of writing is where the author supports his
humanities, the sciences, latest happenings in society, viewpoint on an issue by presenting facts
etc. and data which support his viewpoint. Unlike
The questions will be asked you to analyze what the argumentative style, he does not present
is stated in the passage and would have to identify both sides of the issue. The questions that
underlying assumptions and implications. The passage follow are mostly about the author’s tone
length in Bank-Po exam vary from 300-800 words. The and whether he would agree or disagree with
passage may be followed by 3-10 questions to check certain points on the issues as discussed in
the thorough understanding of the contents. The the passage.
questions will be objective type with each question
4. Descriptive/Narrative: When the passage
followed by five answer options out of which the most
appropriate one is to be chosen on the basis of the describes a certain event or phenomenon
information given in the passage. No outside chances are it uses the descriptive style of
information or data should be used while answering writing. In simple words descriptive style
the questions and answers should simply be marked of writing uses story telling format. It is
keeping in mind the author’s viewpoints on the topic. lucid and easy to understand and is usually
followed by easy questions on the main
The passages could be written in the theme or the facts stated in the passage.
following styles
Suggestions
1. Analytical: The analytical way of writing
1. Use only the information given or implied in
usually presents the pros and cons of the
a passage. Do not consider outside
issue at hand. It discusses both sides of the
information, even if it seems more accurate
issue and the author may after analysis,
than the given information.
present his final viewpoint in the end. The
2. You are looking for the best answer, so be
questions are usually asked about the main
sure to read all the choices.
idea and the author’s viewpoint.
3. If you don’t know the answer, try to
2. Discursive: A discursive style of writing is
eliminate some choices and then take an
where the author discusses various aspects
educated guess. 4. Because you may refer
of certain issues in brief and superficially.
English Language Comprehension 23
to the passage, don’t try to memorize an environment which facilitated economic

everything in the passage. 5. Read the advancement on these fronts will amount to
passage focusing on the main point or manipulation of ground realities. The foremost factor
purpose and the structure of the passage. which engineered the growth in India was emergence
of a self-reliant middle class equipped with strong
EXERCISE 1 knowledge base with technical qualifications. They
pursued innovative businesses requiring managerial
Direction : Read the following passages carefully and technical skills in the upcoming sectors like
and answer the questions that follow information technology and other allied fields. Instead
of the traditional industry-led growth path followed
Passage 1 by the west and other developing countries India
Nobel prize winner Joseph E. Stiglitz, described opted for services-led growth which had visible,
“globalisation as a double-edged sword. For those tangible results. In the manufacturing sector,
willing to seize the opportunities and manage technological innovation, low-cost production, ability
globalisation on their own terms, it has provided the to quickly adapt to changes, establishing world class
basis of unprecedented growth.” Taking full R & D facilities etc., greatly helped in successfully
advantage of globalisation India has managed a meeting global competition.
historically unprecedented growth rate for more than The automobile industry is a classic example.
a decade and half. Strong presence of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in
Following the Washington consensus in the last the developed countries occupying senior
quarter of 20th century, international institutions management positions in several multinational
including the World Bank and the International corporations built confidence in Indian managerial
Monetary Fund mounted a sustained campaign to competence and leadership. This promoted MNCs’
push liberalisation of national economies and networking with India (as also in China) with its
privatisation of their public sector. Empirical studies expanding domestic market which in the present
have amply demonstrated that the benefits of the circumstances remained the only viable option for their
globalisation have not been shared by all the countries. sustained growth in future. The success stories of
Even in the same country, the benefits arising out of businesses controlled by NRIs in the western markets
globalisation have not filtered to the various strata of established India’s reputation as dependable and
the population and disparities have widened. Thus, disciplined businessmen. Well established democratic
there are transparent inequalities amongst the political framework, large young population ingrained
countries as also within the same oountry. India is no with absorption capacity of new technologies have
exception to the latter. In most of the poorer countries all created a responsive realisation that India is
in Africa growth rates have not registered any marching ahead.
improvements and the number of people below The initiative largely of its private sector in
poverty line has in some cases doubled. Moreover expanding connectivity by improved
there is reluctance of developed countries in removing telecommunications, low-cost air transportation and
the trade distorting subsidies in agriculture and giving vast press, TV and other media penetration ignited
duty-free market access to the least developed awareness amongst all sections of its people of a bright
countries with very limited exportable products. future and thus radically changed their peroeption,
The issue is how has India reaped benefits of thinking and actions. Furthermore the entire world took
globalisation? To assume that economic, fiscal, trade note of unexploited potentials of India in becoming a
and allied policies initiated by the government created competitive centre of excellence and cost efficiency.
1. According to the author, which of the (2) Automobile

following was primarily responsible for (3) Power industry
India’s growth ? (4) Business Process Outsourcing
(1) Well developed and implemented 6. Which of the following has been a major
economic, fiscal and trade policies disadvantage of globalization?
(2) Detailed microlevel analysis of the (1) The bully tactics of the developed
economy countries
(3) A workforce with managerial rather than (2) Fiscal imbalance of the developing
technical qualifications countries
(4) Serviced-led growth in non-traditional (3) Unequal sharing of the advantage of
sector with strong adaptability to globalisation in the world
change (4) Unequal sharing of the advantage of
2. Which of the following is NOT True globalizing inside the countries
according to the passage? 7. Why Joseph E Stiglitz described
(1) Developed world have been very liberal globalisation as double-edged sword?
to the least developing countries. (1) Because it makes binding on countries
(2) Excessive subsidies given to farm sector to accept the dictates of the World Bank
by the developed countries have and the International Monetary Fund
distorted the international trade. (2) The developed world is dictating terms
(3) Indians have a strong presence in to the rest of the world
Western companies. (3) Unequal benefit sharing among various
(4) India has considerably reduced its cost countries and within the countries
of production. (4) It has impoverished many countries
3. According to the passage, which of the Directions (Q. Nos. 8 to 10) Choose the word
following regions have been the least which is most nearly the same in meaning as the
beneficiary of globalization in the world? word given in bold as used in the passage.
(1) Asian countries
(2) Latin American countries 8. mounted
(3) European countries (1) increased (2) grew
(4) African countries (3) organised (4) climbed
4. Which among the following is the most (5) None of these
plausible reason for India getting benefited 9. tangible
from globalization? (1) valuable (2) complex
(1) Government’s fiscal and trade policies (3) touch (4) concrete
(2) Huge foreign direct investment (5) None of these
(3) India’s strong infrastructure 10. Strata
(4) Emergence of self-reliant middle class (1) layer (2) ground
5. Which of the following industry has been a (3) discrimination (4) smell
success story because adaptability to change (5) None of these
and high standard research & development? Directions (Q. No. 11-13): Choose the word which
(1) Information Technology is most opposite in meaning of the word given in
bold as used in the passage. was global slowdown which had an impact on the
Indian industry. But, in the last few years there has
11. viable
been a tremendous upturn. With the rise of investment
(1) indirect (2) impractical industrial growth has reached double digits or close.
(3) unsatisfied (4) unpleasant However, even during the period when industrial
(5) None of these growth was not that rapid, there is a lot of evidence
12. Ingrained that positive results of the reforms were seen. There
(1) superficial (2) deep-rooted were companies that didn’t look at all internally but
(3) nailed (4) innate instead performed remarkably in the highly competitive
(5) None of these global market. For instance, the software sector’s
13. Empirical performance was outstanding in an almost totally
(1) superstitious global market. Reliance built a world-class refinery.
(2) experiment-based Tatas developed an indigenously designed car. The
(3) metaphysical success of the software sector has created much higher
(4) worldly expectations from and much higher confidence in what
(5) None of these Indian industry can do. On the government’s side it’s
a vindication that liberalization of both domestic and
Answers external policies, including the increased inflow of
Foreign Direct Investment, has created an environment
1. (4) 2. (1) 3. (4) 4. (4) in which industry can do well, has done well and is
5. (2) 6. (5) 7. (3) 8. (3) preparing to do even better. What they need is not
9. (4) 10. (1) 11. (2) 12. (2) sops, but good quality infrastructure. For the 11th Plan
13. (2) an industrial growth rate of around 12% is projected.
It will have methods of developing infrastructure,
Passage 2
which will close the deficit. This can be done through
It is difficult to imagine the extraordinary number increased investment in public sector for those
of controls on Indian industry before 1991. infrastructure areas, which cannot attract private
Entrepreneurs needed permission to invest and could investment, and through efforts to improve private
be penalised for exceeding production capacity. Even participation in different ways of public-private
with the given investment capacity they had, entering participation.
certain areas was prohibited as these were reserved In the early stages of reforms, the liberalization
for the public sector. If they had to import anything, of trade policies and a shift to a market-determined
they required licences. To get these licences was exchange rate had the effect of removing constraints
tough, they had to persuade a bureaucrat that the on agriculture in terms of depressed prices. The
item was required but even so permission was
removal of protection on industry helped to produce
unavailable if somebody was already producing it in
a more level playing field, because the earlier system
India. The impact of the reforms was not
was extremely unfair to agriculture. The lesson to be
instantaneously and permanently wonderful. In India’s
case it began to show after about a year-and-a-half. learnt from the reforms process is to persevere in
After 1993, there came three years of rapid industrial reforming the strategic parts of the economy, which
growth of about 8% or so. But, in the second half of will lead to even higher growth rate. India has to do
the 90s, there was a tapering of industrial growth and better than its current average growth rate of 8% and
investment. After 1997 and the East Asian crisis there ensure that benefits from this higher growth go beyond
industry and urban areas and extend to agriculture.
1. Which of the following is NOT true in the private investment.

context of the passage? (2) Ensuring market-driven exchange rate.
A. India experienced a slowdown in growth (3) Many constraints on agriculture were
during the late 1990s because initially removed.
the economic growth rate was too rapid. (4) All the above
B. There were a few stringent regulations (5) None of these
on Indian industries which kept 5. In lack of market-determined exchange rate
economic growth below 12%. of rupee before 1991, what was the effect
C. Companies did not get import licenses on Indian agriculture?
for goods if they were being (1) It lacked private investment
indigenously produced. (2) Prices of Indian farm products were
(1) Only A (2) Both Band C very low compared to foreign goods.
(3) Productivity of agricultural sector was
(3) Both A and B (4) All A, B and C
very low.
(5) None of these
(4) All the above
2. Which among the following is an example
(5) None of these
of crippling policies of the government for
6. Which of the following industry is an
Indian industries before 1991?
example which instilled much confidence
(1) Government nod was needed for
in Indian industry in the post-liberalisation
producing industrial goods.
period?
(2) The private companies could exceed
(1) Automobile
permitted level of production.
(2) Manufacturing industry
(3) The government had monopoly over
(3) Software
many industries.
(4) Refinery
(4) Import was restricted for private
companies. (5) None of these
(5) None of these 7. Which of the following is NOT TRUE
according to the passage?
3. What is the solution of building
(1) Many world class industries were
infrastructure which does not attract private
established in the post-liberalisation
investment and government has not enough
period.
resources to invest?
(2) Liberalisation was followed in both
(1) Seeking foreign investment
domestic and overseas policies.
(2) Liberalising investment in infrastructure
(3) Before 1991 private companies did not
(3) Promoting public-private partnership
face bureaucratic hassles.
(4) Ensuring market-determined exchange
(4) In the second half of 1990s there was
rate
an industrial slowdown.
4. Which of the following include (s) among
(5) None of these
the measures taken by the government to
liberalise the economy? Directions (Q. No. 8-10) Choose the word which
(1) Many industries which were is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
government monopoly are now open for given in bold as used in the passage.
8. Extraordinary of the two countries. Why and how has China

(1) unusual (2) wonderful managed to outstrip India in agriculture when 25 years
(3) rare (4) beautiful ago the two countries were on par on most
(5) None of these parameters? Both have traditionally been agrarian
economies and over half their populations continue
9. Sop to depend on the land for their livelihood. With large
(1) bribe (2) gift populations and histories of famine India and China
(3) unshaved (4) cream share concern on issues such as food security,
(5) None of these however, while India’s agricultural sector is projected
10. Tapering to grow by about 2.5 percent this year-a slide from the
(1) declining (2) increasing previous year’s growth. China’s has been steadily
(3) enervating (4) spinning growing at between 4 percent and 5 percent over the
(5) None of these last fifteen years. The widest divergence between India
and China is in the profitable horticultural sector with
Directions (Q. No. 11-13) Choose the word which
the production of fruits and vegetables in China
is most opposite in meaning of the word given in leaping from 60 million tonnes in 1980 compared to
bold as used in the passage. India’s 55 million tonnes at the same time, to 450 million
11. attract tonnes in 2003 ahead of India’s corresponding 135
(1) ugly (2) offend million tonnes. China’s added advantage lies in the
more diversified composition of its agricultural sector
(3) push (4) sick
with animal husbandry and fisheries which account
(5) None of these
for close to 45 percent of growth compared to 30
12. Evidence percent for India.
(1) myth (2) proof According to the latest report by Economic
(3) humility (4) sturdiness Advisory council the traditional excuses for India’s
(5) None of these substandard performance in the farm sector are
13. Vindication inadequate since India is placed favourably when
(1) disapproval (2) denial compared to China in terms of quantity of arable land,
(3) substantiation (4) acquittal average farm size, farm mechanization etc. The reasons
(5) None of these for China having outperformed India are threefold :
technological improvements accruing from research
Answers and development (China has over 1000 R & D centers
1. (1) 2. (5) 3. (3) 4. (4) devoted to agriculture), investment in rural
5. (2) 6. (3) 7. (3) 8. (1) infrastructure and an increasingly liberalised
9. (1) 10. (1) 11. (2) 12. (5) agricultural policy moving away from self-sufficiency
to leveraging the competitive advantage with a focus
13. (1)
on “efficiency as much as equity”. Investment in rural
Passage 3 infrastructure, roads, storage facilities, marketing
The wakeup call that China represents to India facilities are also crucial but government support in
is not limited to its showpiece urban centres or that India has been mainly been through subsidies , not
New Delhi hopes India will experience the benefits investment. There has been much debate about
that the Olympic games brought to Beijing. More subsidies and their utility; the opposing view being
pertinent is the comparison of the agricultural sectors that subsidies are against the market reforms and
distort the market as well as reduce resource efficiency. (3) China has adopted a policy of public-
In contrast to the 2046 applications for the registration private participation in R &D in
of new plant varieties in China over the past few years agriculture.
data reveals that despite India having the largest (4) India instead of creating infrastructure
number of agricultural scientists in the world India’s for agriculture funds agriculture through
current research track record is abysmal, equivalent subsidies.
to what number of field crop varieties fell by 50 percent (5) None of these
between 1997 and 2001 despite the fact that there was
sharp and sustained increase in funding. One reason
3. Why China is ahead of India in agricultural
is that majority of the budget is eaten up by staff sector?
salaries with only 3 percent being allotted for research. (1) Strong research and development in
In contrast, most agricultural research centres in China agricultural sector
must use Central Government funding purely for (2) A liberalized agricultural policy
research. (3) Heavy investment in rural infrastructure
Funds relating to salaries and other (4) None of the above
administrative incidentals must be generated by the (5) None of these
centres themselves. The centres and scientists are 4. Which of the following is true regarding the
thus, encouraged to engage in joint ventures with scenario of agriculture in India?
private sector companies to form commercial signoffs (1) India has more arable land and farm
from their research. In fact research staff are now being mechanization.
hired on a contact basis with pay based on (2) India’s plant varieties have considerably
performance and salaries raised proportionately for declined in the recent past.
those who perform well. India needs to learn from
(3) India has a huge reservoir of agricultural
China’s example and adopt a pragmatic approach if it
scientists.
has to meet its targets of the Eleventh Five Year Plan.
(4) All the above
1. Which of the following is/are area/s in which
(5) None of these
China has not outdone India?
5. What is the reason for the poor performance
A. Development of urban infrastructure.
of agriculture in India?
B. Activities allied to agriculture like animal
(1) Most of the fund for research and
husbandry.
development goes to pay salaries to the
C. Successful bids for international
staff.
sporting events
(2) The practice of subsidies has smothered
(1) None (2) Only B
competition and resource efficiency.
(3) Only A
(3) There is lack of market reform in
(4) Both A and C
agriculture.
(5) None of these
(4) Investments in cold storage, roads and
2. Which of the following is not true according marketing facilities are lacking in India.
to the passage?
(5) None of these
(1) China has an edge over India in
horticulture. Directions (Q. Nos. 6 to 8) Choose the word which
(2) India’s research and development in is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
agriculture is stronger than China. printed in bold as used in the passage.
6. Concern There is a story told of a king who lived long

(1) importance (2) regret ago in a country across the sea. He was a very wise
(3) business (4) anxiety king, and spared no efforts to teach his people good
(5) None of these habits. Often he did things which seemed to them
7. Devoted strange and useless; but everything he did, he did to
teach his people to be industrious and careful.
(1) surrendered (2) dedicated
“Nothing good can come to a nation, whose people
(3) established (4) staunch
complain and expect others to fix their problems for
(5) None of these them” he said. “Good things from life come to those
8. Pertinent who take matters into their hands.” One night, while
(1) intense (2) sizeable everyone was asleep, he placed a large stone in the
(3) practical (4) significant middle of the road that led past the place. Then he hid
(5) None of these behind a bush, and waited to see what would happen.
Directions (Q. Nos. 9 to 11): Choose the word First came a farmer with his wagon heavily loaded
which is most opposite in meaning of the word with grain, which he was taking to the mill to be ground.
“Well, whoever saw such carelessness?” he said
given in bold as used in the passage.
crossly, as he turned his wagon and drove around the
9. Pragmatic stone. “Why don’t these lazy people have that stone
(1) sensible (2) efficient taken off from the road? “ And so he went on
(3) idealistic (4) far-sighted complaining about the uselessness of others, but not
(5) None of these touching the stone himself.
10. Inadequate Soon afterwards, a young soldier came singing
(1) dry (2) feeble along the road. The long trail of his cap waved in the
(3) tasty (4) sufficient breeze, and a bright sword hung at his side. He was
thinking of the wonderful bravery he would show in
(5) None of these
the war. The soldier did not see the stone, but struck
11. Divergence his foot against it and went tossing in the dust. He
(1) variant (2) various rose to his feet, shook the dust from his clothes, picked
(3) similar (4) equal up his sword, and complained angrily about the lazy
(5) None of these people who had no more sense than to leave such a
Answers huge stone in the middle of the road. Then he, too,
walked away, not once thinking that he might move it
1. (1) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (4) himself. And so the day passed. Everyone who came
5. (5) 6. (1) 7. (2) 8. (4) by complained and whined because the stone lay on
9. (3) 10. (4) 11. (3) the road, but no one touched it.
Passage 4 At last, just before nightfall, the miller’s daughter
came past. She was a hard-working girl and was very
Directions (1-15): Read the following passage tired because she had been busy since early morning
carefully and answer the questions given below at the mill. But she said to herself, “It is almost dark,
it. Certain words are printed in bold to help you somebody may trip over this stone in the night, and
to locate them while answering some of the perhaps he could be badly hurt. I will move it out of
questions. the way.” So she tugged at the heavy stone.
It was hard to move, but she pulled and pushed,
and lifted until at last she moved it from its place. To (1) Only (1)
her surprise, she found a box underneath. She lifted (2) Only (3)
the box .It was heavy, for it was filled with something. (3) Only (1) and (3)
Upon it was written: This box belong to the one who (4) Only (2)
moved the stone. She opened the lid, and found that (5) None of these
it was filled with gold! The miller’s daughter went home
4. Which of the following adjectives given
with a happy heart. When the farmer, the soldier and
below would best describe the king?
all the others heard what had happened, they gathered
around the spot on the road where the stone had been.
(1) Evil (2) Industrious
They scratched at the dust with their feet, hoping to (3) Lazy (4) Careless
turn up a piece of gold. (5) None of these
“My friends,” said the king, “We often come 5. Why did the people from the country,
across obstacles and burdens our way. We may including the farmer and the solider gather
complain out loud about them or we may choose to around the spot where the stone lay?
walk around them. Alternatively, we can analyse them (1) They were hoping to discover a gold
and find out what they mean. Disappointment is mine.
usually the price of laziness.” Then the wise king (2) They were told that the king was waiting
mounted his horse and rode away. for them at the very spot.
1. Why was the miler’s daughter happy? (3) They were hoping to discover some
(1) She finished all her work at the mill. more gold for themselves.
(2) She won the bet placed by the king. (4) They wanted to make sure that the stone
(3) The king declared her the most was really removed.
industrious persons in his kingdom. (5) None of these
(4) She was rewarded with a box full of 6. Who among the following did not attempt
gold that lay beneath the stone. to move the stone?
(5) None of these (1) The farmer
2. Why did the king place a stone in the middle (2) The miller’s daughter
of the road? (3) The young soldier
(1) He enjoyed troubling others. (1) Only (1) (2) Only (2)
(2) He wanted to watch people trip and fall. (3) Only (3) (4) Only (1) and (3)
(3) He wanted to cover a manhole in the (5) None of these
road. 7. Why did the king hide behind the bush?
(4) He wanted to obstruct people from (1) He wanted to see how his people would
visiting the place. react to the stone.
(5) None of these (2) He was spying on the young soldier.
3. The people completed while passing the road (3) He was not getting sleep.
that led past the palace because (4) He wanted to guard the palace.
(1) there was a huge stone lying on the road. 8. Which of the following statements is true
(2) there was a manhole in the road. of the miller’s daughter according to the
(3) nobody was allowed to shift the stone passage?
on the road. (1) She was a very considerate girl
(2) She was greedy 13. MOUNTED

(3) She misguided the farmer and the young (1) Climbed (2) Took
soldier (3) Tapped (4) Moved
(4) She was very busy and had no time for (5) None of these
others Directions (14-15): Choose the world which is
(5) None of these most OPPOSITE in meaning of the world printed
9. Which of the following statements is true in bold as used in the passage.
of the king according to the passage?
14. CARELESSNESS
(1) He often did useless thing like placing
stone on the road to irritate his people. (1) Negligence (2) Carefulness
(3) Worthiness (4) Harshness
(2) He tried his best to teach his people to
be industrious. (5) None of these
(3) He was responsible for placing the box 15. HARD
of gold beneath the stone. (1) Difficult (2) Light
(1) Only (1) (2) Only (3) (3) Easy (4) Complicated
(3) Only (2) and (3) (5) None of these
(4) Only (2) Answers
(5) None of these
1. (4) 2. (2) 3. (1) 4. (2)
10. Why did the miller’s daughter decide to
5. (3) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (1)
move the stone?
9. (3) 10. (2) 11. (2) 12. (4)
(1) She wanted the gold that lay beneath
13. (1) 14. (2) 15. (3)
the stone.
(2) She was afraid that someone would get Comprehension 5
hurt.
Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage
(3) She knew that the king was watching
carefully and answer the questions given below
her from behind the bush.
it. Certain words have been printed in bold to
(4) The girl loved challenges and wanted to
help you locate them while answering some of
show her strength to the king.
the questions.
(5) None of these
Keshav and Yash lived in neighbouring villages.
Directions (11-1(3): Choose the word which is Once, a fair was held nearby and they set off from
most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word their homes hoping to do some business there. Keshav
printed in bold as used in the passage. filled his sack with cheap cotton, overlaid it with a
11. LOADED layer of fine wool, and set off for the fair. Meanwhile
(1) Completed (2) Filled Yash, collected some old clothes, put a layer of sheer
(3) Secured (4) Adjusted cotton on top and made his way to the fair. Each
(5) None of these stopped to rest under a tree and got to talking. “I have
the finest wool in my sack,” boasted Keshav Not to
12. OFTEN
be outdone, Yash said, “I have cotton of the most
(1) Sometimes (2) Hardly superior quality.”
(3) Rarely (4) Deliberately The two struck a deal. They would exchange
(5) None of these their goods and since wool was more expensive, Yash
would pay Keshav an extra rupee. But Yash had no (1) They thought they could get jobs and
money on him. So after agreeing to pay Keshav later, support themselves
they went home, laughing at each other’s folly. It did (2) They wanted to trade their goods at the
not take them long to discover that they had been fair and earn some money
duped. The next day, Keshav landed at Yash’s house. (3) To sell the produce they had grown for
“You cheat! Give me my rupee at least.” Yash was a handsome profit
untroubled by Keshav’s words, “Of course. But first (4) Being unemployed they thought they
help me find the treasure at the bottom of this well. could entertain people at the fair
We can divide it.” So Keshav went into the well. But
(5) None of these
each time Yash, hauled up the bucket Keshav had
filled, he said, “Oh ! No treasure here. Try again.” 2. What were Keshav and Yash quarrelling
Keshav soon realized he was being used as free labour about ?
to clean the well. So he gave a loud shout, “Here is the (1) The cost of wool
treasure! Watch out it’s heavy !” Yash was amazed (2) The interest on the loan Yash had taken
that there actually was treasure in the well. As soon (3) Dividing the thieves’ treasure equally
as he pulled up the bucket he threw away the rope so (4) The money Yash owed Keshav
that Keshav could not come up. But, what did he find (5) None of these
in the bucket ? Keshav covered in mud ! They began 3. Why were the two men happy despite not
fighting again. Soon it got too dark to continue and going to the fair ?
they left for their homes. (1) They had managed to buy whatever they
But Keshav did not give up easily. He arrived at needed on the way
Yash’s house a few days later. Yash spotted him and (2) They had got a good deal in exchange
told his wife, “I will pretend to be dead. Keshav will
for a rupee
have to give up.” But when Keshav heard Yash’s wife
(3) They had become fast friends and had
wailing, he rushed out to gather the villagers. “My
made a lot of money in the bargain
friend has died. Let’s take his body for cremation.”
Yash’s wife got scared, “Go away. I shall arrange for
(4) Each thought he had got the better deal
cremation myself !” But the villagers thought she was and had swindled the other
too grief stricken. Once they reached the cremation (5) None of these
ground, Keshav told the villagers, “It is getting dark. 4. Why did the villagers gather at Yash’s house?
I shall watch over him during the night.” When the (1) Yash’s wife was very upset seeing
villagers had left, Keshav said to Yash, “Stop Keshav and her husband arguing
pretending. Give me my money !” Now, a gang of (2) To help Yash’s wife carry Yash’s body
thieves came upon them and seeing one figure seated home as night had fallen
on the funeral pyre and another standing next to him (3) To give Yash’s wife the news of her
talking, they assumed them to be ghosts and dropped husband’s death
their bag of stolen goods and left at top speed. The (4) None of these
two, saw the bag full of gold and silver ornaments and (5) All of above
divided it between themselves. Keshav made sure he
5. Why did Yash request Keshav to go down
got an extra gold coin and the account was settled at
last! into the well ?
(1) He knew Keshav was smart and would
1. What made the two young men decide to
clean it thoroughly
visit the fair?
(2) He was in search of treasure that he had (2) The realization that the villagers would
buried soon return
(3) To trick Keshav into cleaning it (3) Someone had discovered their hiding
(4) His wife had refused to help him place
6. Which of the following cannot be said about (4) Their loot had been stolen by other
the two young men ? thieves
(1) They were lazy and made their wives (5) None of these
work. 10. Which of the following is not true in the
(2) They were a match for each other in context of the passage ?
shrewdness. (1) Keshav was persevering by nature
(3) They were dishonest and tried to (2) There was no treasure buried in Yash’s
swindle each other. well
(1) Only (1) (2) Only (1) and (3) (3) Keshav guarded Yash’s body because
(3) Only (2) and (3) he knew thieves lived there
(4) All (1), (2) and (3) (4) Yash’s wife supported her husband in
(5) None of these his crooked dealings
7. Why did Keshav get an extra gold coin from (5) None of these
the thieves’ treasure ? Directions (Q. 11–13): Which of the following is
(1) As payment for digging the well most similar in meaning to the word given in
(2) It was the amount Yash owed Keshav bold as used in the passage ?
for protecting him from the thieves
(3) As repayment of the rupee that Yash 11. Discover
owed him (1) Invent (2) Explore
(4) It was his idea to spend the night at the (3) Locate (4) Realize
cremation ground (5) None of these
(5) None of these 12. Struck
8. What was Keshav’s reaction to Yash’s (1) Reached (2) Impacted
presumed ‘death’ ? (3) Slapped (4) Attacked
(1) He immediately sent for the villagers to (5) None of these
comfort Yash’s wife 13. Top
(2) He was very upset because he realized (1) Height (2) Lid
that he would never recover his money (3) Finest (4) Upper
(3) He paid for all Yash’s funeral (5) None of these
arrangements Directions (Q. 14–15): Which of the following is
(4) He knew Yash was pretending and most opposite in meaning to the word given in
decided to trick him too bold as used in the passage?
(5) None of these
14. Dark
9. What frightened the thieves ? (1) Bright (2) Cheerful
(1) The sight of what they thought were (3) Shadow (4) Fair
the spirits of the dead (5) None of these
15. Free rising but not enough to catch up with the rising
(1) Occupied (2) Paid demand, resulting in an almost vertical escalation in
(3) Captured its price. The number of crude oil futures and options
(4) Busy contracts have also increased manifold which has led
(5) None of these to significant speculation in the oil market. In
comparison, the role of the Organization of Petroleum
Answers Exporting Countries (OPEC) in fixing crude price has
1. (2) 2. (4) 3. (4) 4. (4) considerably weakened. OPEC is often accused of
5. (3) 6. (1) 7. (3) 8. (4) operating as a cartel restricting output thus keeping
9. (1) 10. (3) 11. (4) 12. (1) prices artificially high. It did succeed in setting the
13. (2) 14. (1) 15. (2) price of crude during the 1970s and the first half of the
80s. But, with increased futures trading and contracts,
Comprehension 6 the control of crude pricing has moved from OPEC to
banks and markets that deal with futures trading and
Directions: Read the following passage carefully contracts. It is true that most oil exporting regions of
and answer the questions given below it. Certain the world have remained politically unstable fuelling
words have been printed in bold to help you locate speculation over the price of crude. But there is little
them while answering some of the questions. evidence that the geopolitical uncertainties in west
Goldman Sachs predicted that crude oil price Asia have improved to weaken the price of oil.
would hit $200 and just as it appeared that alternative Threatened by the downward slide of oil price, OPEC
renewable energy had a chance of becoming an has, in fact, announced its decision to curtail output.
economically viable option, the international price of However most oil importers will heave a sigh of
oil fell by over 70%. After hitting the all-time high of relief as they find their oil import bills decline except
$147 a barrel, a month ago, crude oil fell to less than for those who bought options to import oil at prices
$40 a barrel. What explains this sharp decline in the higher than market prices. Exporting nations, on the
international price of oil? There has not been any major other hand, will see their economic prosperity slip.
new discovery of a hitherto unknown source of oil or Relatively low price of crude is also bad news for
gas. The short answer is that the demand does not investments in alternative renewable energy that
have to fall by a very sizeable quantity for the price of cannot compete with cheaper and non-renewable
crude to respond as it did. In the short run, the price sources of energy.
elasticity of demand for crude oil is very low. 1. Why are oil importing countries relieved ?
Conversely, in the short run, even a relatively big (1) Price of crude reached $ 147 not $ 200
change in the price of oil does not immediately lower as was predicted
consumption. It takes months, or years, of high oil (2) Discovery of oil reserves within their
price to inculcate habits of energy conservation. World own territories
crude oil price had remained at over $60 a barrel for (3) Demand for crude has fallen sharply
most of 2005-2007 without making any major dent in (4) There is no need for them to invest huge
demand.
amounts of money in alternative sources
The long answer is more complex. The economic
of energy
slowdown in the US, Europe and Asia along with dollar
depreciation and commodity speculation have all had (5) None of these
some role in the downward descent in the international 2. Which of the following factors is responsible
price of oil. In recent years, the supply of oil has been for rise in speculation in crude oil markets?
A. OPEC has not been able to restrict the (4) Economic depression in oil importing
oil output and control prices countries
B. The supply of oil has been rising to (5) None of these
match demand 6. What led to alternative energy sources being
C. Existence of large number of oil futures considered economically feasible?
and oil contracts (1) The price of oil rose by 70 per cent
(1) Only A while renewable energy sources are
(2) Both A & B cheap
(3) Only C (2) Exorbitant crude oil prices made
(4) All A, B & C alternative energy sources an attractive
(5) None of these option
(3) Expert predictions that the price of oil
3. What does the phrase “the price elasticity
would alternately escalate and plunge
of demand for crude oil is very low” imply?
sharply
(1) When the price rises the demand for
(4) Evidence that no new sources of oil and
crude oil falls immediately gas are available
(2) A small change in demand will result in 7. What does the author want to convey by
a sharp change in the price of crude citing the statistic of 2005-2007 ?
(3) Within a short span of time the price of (1) The prices of crude were rising gradually
crude oil has fluctuated sharply so people were not alarmed
(4) Speculation in oil does not have much (2) The dollar was a strong currency during
of an impact on its price that period
(5) None of these (3) Many people turned to alternative
4. Which of the following is/are TRUE in the renewable energy sources because of
context of the passage? high oil prices
A. The decline in oil prices has benefited (4) If the price of oil is high for a short
all countries time it does not necessarily result in a
B. Renewable energy sources are costlier drop in consumption
than non-renewable ones 8. Which of the following factors is not
C. Lack of availability of alternative responsible for the current drop in oil
renewable energy resulted in rise in prices?
demand for crude (1) Economic crisis in America, European
(1) Only B (2) Both a & B and Asian nations
(3) Both B & C (4) Only C (2) Speculation in oil markets
(5) None of these (3) Weakening of the dollar
5. What has been the impact of the drop in oil (4) All the above are not responsible for the
prices? current drop in oil prices
(1) Exploration for natural gas resources 9. Which of the following is NOT TRUE in
has risen the context of the passage?
(2) The dollar has fallen sharply A. OPEC was established in 1970 to protect
(3) OPEC has decided to restrict its the interests of oil importing countries
production of oil B. When demand for oil exceeds supply
there is a sharp rise in price 15. WEAKEN

C. Today futures trading markets set the (1) Powerful (2) Nourish
oil prices to a large extent (3) Intense (4) Boost
(1) Only A (2) Only C (5) None of these
(3) Both A & C (4) Only B
Answers
(5) None of these
10. Which of the following is the function of 1. (*) 2. (3) 3. (2) 4. (4)
OPEC? 5. (3) 6. (2) 7. (4) 8. (4)
(1) Determining prices of crude oil 9. (4) 10. (1) 11. (4) 12. (3)
(2) Ensuring profits are equally distributed 13. (1) 14. (2) 15. (4)
to all its members Comprehension 7
(3) Monitoring inflation in oil prices and
taking necessary steps to lower it Directions (Q.1-1(5): Read the following passage
(4) Guaranteeing political instability in oil carefully and answer the questions given below-
exporting countries does not impact it. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold
output to help you locate them while answering some of
(5) None of these the questions.
Directions (Q. 11–13): Choose the word which is There are various sectors in India that are to be
most similar in meaning to the word printed in assessed - for their strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats. The total population is over
bold as used in the passage.
1 billion, which will increase to 1.46 billion by 2035 to
11. INCULCATE cross China. The huge population will result in higher
(1) Modify (2) Construct unemployment and deterioration of quality. Literacy
(3) Initiate (4) Fix in India is yet another factor to be discussed.
(5) None of these According to the 1991 Census, 64.8% of the
12. FUELLING population was illiterate. The major downtrend of
(1) Incentive (2) Supplying education is due to child labour, which has spread all
(3) Stimulating (4) Irritating over India, and this should be totally eradicated by
way of surveillance and a good educational system
(5) None of these
implemented properly by the Government.
13. DENT Pollution is one more threat to the environment
(1) Reduction (2) Break and for the country’s prospects. This has been
(3) Tear (4) Breach experienced more in urban areas, mainly in
(5) None of these metropolitan cities. The water pollution by the sewage
Directions (Q. 14–1(5): Choose the word which seepage into the ground water and improper
is most opposite in meaning to the word printed maintenance will lead to various diseases, which in
in bold as used in the passage. turn will affect the next generation. In most of the
cities there is no proper sewage disposal. The
14. CONVERSELY Government has to take effective steps to control
(1) Compatibly (2) Similarly population, which, in turn, will minimize the pollution.
(3) Likely (4) Aligning Poverty questions the entire strength of India’s
(5) None of these political view and minimises the energetic way of
approach. The shortfall of rains, enormous floods, includes road, rail, ports, power and water. The
unexpected famine, drought, earthquake and the recent increased input in infrastructure in India is very limited
tsunami hit the -country in a negative way. The where China’s record is excellent.
proactive approach through effective research and India in earlier days gave more importance to
analytical study helps us to determine the effects in the development of Industry and less importance to
advance. Proper allocation of funds is a prerequisite. other departments. But the scenario has quite changed
In developed countries like the US and Japan, nowadays by allocating a special budget of funds for
precautionary methods are adopted to overcome this, security. This is because of the frightening increase
but it has to be improved a lot in our systems. in terrorism all around the world, especially emerging
Increased population is one of the major reasons after the 9/11 terror attack in the US. In the last ten
for poverty and the Government is unable to allocate years, budget towards the development of military
funds for basic needs to the society. India has nearly forces is higher when compared to others. It shows
400 million people living below the poverty line and that the threat from our neighbouring countries is
90% of active population is in informal economy. The escalating. India has to concentrate more on this
children are forced to work due to their poverty and security factor to wipe out the problem in the way of
differential caste system. They work in match industry cross-border terrorism.
for daily wages, as servants, mechanics, stone- Making India a developed country in 2020 is not
breakers, agricultural workers, etc. To prevent an easy task. India has to keep in check a variety of
child labour existing laws which favour the Anti Child factors in order to progress rapidly. To quote China as
Labour Act should be implemented by the Government all example is that they demolished an old building to
vigorously. construct a very big port to meet future demands, but
More population results in cheap cost by virtue India is still waiting for things to happen. The profits
of the demand-supply concept. Most of the foreign gained by India through various sectors are to be
countries try to utilise this factor by outsourcing their spent for the development and welfare of the country.
business in India with a very low capital. According India’s vision for a brighter path will come true not
to the US, India is a “knowledge pool” with cheap only by mere words or speech, but extra effort is
labour. The major advantage is poor communication needed at all levels to overcome the pitfalls.
and technical skill, which is adaptable to any 1. Which of the following is/are the facility
environment. The cutting-edge skill in IT of our (ies) available to MNCs investing in India?
professionals helps the outsourcing companies to (1) Easy availability of land
commensurate with the needs of the consumers in a (2) Better infrastructure than China
short span. The major competitors for India are China (3) Tax concessions
and Philippines and by the way of an effective (1) Only (3)
communication and expert technical ability, Indians
(2) All (1), (2) and (3)
are ahead of the race. The major metropolitan states
(3) Only (1) and (2)
are targeting the outsourcing field vigorously by
giving various amenities to the outsourcing companies
(4) None of these
like tax concession, allotting land, etc, to start their (5) All of above
businesses in their cities without any hurdles. Thereby 2. Which of the following , according to the
most of the MNCs prefer India as their destinations author, is a result of poverty in India?
and capitalise the resources to maximise their assets. (1) Lack of a robust security system
Infrastructure is another key factor for an outsourcing (2) Child labour and the resulting dearth of
company to start a business in a particular city. It educated youth
(3) Floods, famines and other calamities (2) Only (2)

(4) Rapid increase in population (3) Only (3)
(5) None of these (4) Only (2) and (3)
3. How, according to the author, can the (5) None of these
effects of floods, famines, droughts etc be 6. Which of the following, according to the
minimised? author, is/are a result(s) of increased
(1) By limiting pollution, thereby reducing population in India?
the chances of such event taking place (1) Pollution(2) Poverty
(2) By educating the children about the ill – (3) Unemployment
effects of such calamities who in turn (1) Only (1) (2) Only (1) and (2)
will help during the time of need (3) Only (2) (4) All of above
(3) By following the US system of (5) None of these
providing relief to its citizens 7. Why, according to the author, has the Indian
(4) By allotting proper funds for research Government allotted more funds to,
which can predict the outcome of such strengthen the military forces?
calamities and thus design relief (1) To improve security in order to counter
measures increasing terrorism.
(5) None of these (2) As the security in India over the past
4. Why, according to the author, is India one ten years was grossly inadequate
of the favourite destinations for investment (3) As the US too has strengthened its
by outsourcing companies? military forces after the 9/11 attack
(1) Shorter response time for clients (4) As the Industry is developed enough and
(2) Better technical skills. is not in need of any more funds
(3) Availability of cheap labour. (5) None of these
(1) Only (3) 8. What is the author’s main objective in
(2) All (1), (2) and (3) writing this passage?
(3) Only (2) and (3) (1) To exhort the Government to garner
(4) Only (1) and (2) support from its neighbouring countries
(5) None of these (2) To suggest to the Government to follow
5. Which of the following is/are true in the China’s example blindly, thereby
context of the passage? bringing about rapid development
(1) India leads the way in the amount (3) To highlight the plight of the poor
invested in the development of (4) To bring forth the problems associated
infrastructure. with India’s development and to suggest
(2) Political system in India is not influenced measures to counter them
by poverty. (5) None of these
(3) Indian population would increase by Directions (Q.9-12): Choose the word/group of
approximately 50 per cent in the next words which is most similar in meaning to the
twenty five years. word/group of words printed in bold as used in
(1) Only (1) and (2) the passage.
9. SURVEILLANCE Comprehension 8
(1) spying (2) cameras
(3) security (4) alertness Directions—(Q. 1–15) Read the following passage
(5) None of these carefully and answer the questions given below
it. Certain words/phrases are printed in bold to
10. PREREQUISITE
help you to locate them while answering some of
(1) result (2) association
the questions.
(3) necessity (4) factor
(5) None of these John Maynard Keynes, the trendiest dead
11. PROSPECTS economist of this apocalyptic moment, was the
godfather of government stimulus. Keynes had the
(1) assimilation (2) demand
radical idea that throwing money at recessions through
(3) future (4) brochure
aggressive deficit spending would resuscitate flatlined
(5) None of these
economies- and he wasn’t too particular about where
(5) diagnosis the money was thrown. In the depths of the
12. COMMENSURATE Depression, he suggested that the Treasury could
(1) match (2) extracting “fill old bottles with banknotes, bury them at suitable
(3) contemplating (4) request depths in disused coal mines” then sit back and watch
(5) None of these a money-mining boom create jobs and prosperity. “It
Directions (Q.13-1(5): Choose the word/group of would, indeed, be more sensible to build houses and
words which is most opposite in meaning to the the like, “he wrote, but “the above would be better
word/group of words printed in bold as used in than nothing.”
As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to
the passage.
throw money at the current downturn-a stimulus
13. LIMITED package starting at about $800 billion, plus the second
(1) abundant (2) complete $350 billion chunk of the financial bailout-we all really
(3) flowing (4) inadequate do seem to be Keynesians now. Just about every expert
(5) None of these agrees that pumping $1 trillion into a moribund
14. DIFFERENTIAL economy will rev up the ethereal goods-and-services
(1) solitude (2) homogeneous engine that Keynes called “aggregate demand” and
(3) synonymous (4) unique stimulate at least some shortterm activity, even if it is
(5) None of these all wasted on money pits. But Keynes was also right
that there would be more sensible ways to spend it.
15. VIGOROUSLY
There would also be less sensible ways to spend it. A
(1) simply (2) regularly trillion dollars’ worth of bad ideas-sprawl-inducing
(3) roughly (4) softly highways and bridges to nowhere, ethanol plants and
(5) None of these pipelines that accelerate global warming, tax breaks
(5) leniently for overleveraged McMansion builders and
Answers burdensome new long-term federal entitlements-would
be worse than mere waste. It would be smarter to buy
1. (4) 2. (4) 3. (4) 4. (3) every American an iPod, a set of Ginsu knives and 600
5. (3) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (4) Subway foot-longs.
9. (4) 10. (3) 11. (3) 12. (1) It would be smarter still to throw all that money
13. (1) 14. (2) 15. (4) at things we need to do anyway, which is the goal of
Obama’s upcoming American Recovery and in a phased manner.

Reinvestment Plan. It will include a mix of tax cuts, aid (2) Pumping money very liberally in projects
to beleaguered state and local governments; and that are mandatory.
spending to address needs ranging from food stamps (3) Investing money recklessly in any
to computerized health records to bridge repairs to project regardless of its utility.
broadband network to energy-efficiency retrofits, all (1) (1) only (2) (2) only
designed to save or create 3 million to 4 million jobs (3) (3) only (4) (2) and (3) only
by the end of 2010. Obama has said speed is his top (5) None of these
priority because the faster Washington injects cash
into the financial bloodstream, the better it stands to 2. John M. Keynes was advocate of which of
help avert a multiyear slump with double-digit the following suggestions ?
unemployment and deflation. But he also wants to (1) Spending money recklessly during
use the stimulus to advance his long-term priorities : recessions is suicidal
reducing energy use and carbon emissions, cutting (2) Exorbitant spending during recessions
middle-class taxes, upgrading neglected is likely to boost economy
infrastructure, reining in health-care costs and (3) Aggressive deficit spending is likely to
eventually reducing the budget deficits that exploded be fatal for economic meltdown
under George W. Bush. Obama’s goal is to exploit this (4) Government stimulus to economy may
crisis in the best sense of the word to start pursuing not help because of red-tapism
his vision of a greener, father, more competitive, more (5) None of these
sustainable economy. 3. Obama desires to accelerate the process of
Unfortunately, while 21st century Washington pumping money with utmost rapidity as he
has demonstrated an impressive ability to spend
believes that it would:
money quickly, it has yet to prove that it can spend
(1) Help create reasonably high employment
money wisely. And the chum of a 1 with 12 zeros is
opportunities
already creating a feeding frenzy for the ages.
Lobbyists for shoe companies, zoos, catfish farmers,
(2) Avoid deflation
mall owners, airlines, public broadcasters, car dealers (3) Inject cash into the already troubled
and everyone else who can afford their retainers are economy
lining up for a piece of the stimulus. States that (1) (1) and (2) only
embarked on raucous spending and tax cuttng sprees (2) (2) and (3) only
when they were flush are begging for bailouts now (3) (1) and (3) only
that they’re broke. And politicians are dusting off their (4) All (1) (2) and (3)
unfunded mobster museums, waterslides and other (5) None of these
pet projects for rebranding as shovel-ready 4. Which of the following is TRUE about
infrastructure investments. As Obama’s aides scramble Keynes’ philosophy?
to assemble something effective and transformative (1) Actual spending money during
as well as politically achievable, they acknowledge meltdown is more important than where
the tension between his desires for speed and reform. and on what it is spent
1. Obama’s upcoming American Recovery and (2) Government should be selective in
Reinvestment Plan focuses on which of the approach for spending money during
following? recession
(1) Recovery of all debts from the debtors
(3) Filling old bottles with banknotes and 8. Highways, bridges, ethanol plants, etc. are
burying them is an atrocious proposal considered by the author as—
(4) Creating jobs and prosparity during (1) Reasonably appropriate propositions to
recessions is almost an impracticable spend money on
proposal (2) Measures that affect the environment
(5) None of these adversely
5. What, according to Keynes, is the (3) Imprudent proposals to waste money
“aggregate demand”? on
(1) Goods and Services Sector (4) Tax saving schemes bestowed on
(2) Stimulation of a short-term activity builders
(3) Attempting to rev up the sluggish (5) None of these
economy 9. Which of the following is/are corrective
(4) Pumping one trillion dollars into measure(s) as part of the long term priorities
economy of Obama that was an outcome of his
(5) None of these predecessor’s regime ?
6. According to the author of the passage, food (1) Countering recession through immediate
stamps, bridge repairs, etc. are the projects rescue operations.
that— (2) Reining the budget deficit.
(1) Do not warrant urgent spending as they (3) Creating a more sustainable economy.
have a lower utility value (1) (1) & (2) only
(2) Need the least investment and priority (2) (2) & (3) only
as compared to building houses for the (3) (1) & (3) only
needy (4) No correction required
(3) May not have any favourable impact on (5) None of these
attempts to counter recession Directions—(Q. 10–1(2) Choose the word which
(4) No correction required is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word
(5) None of these printed in bold as used in the passage.
7. The author of the passage calls Barack
Obama and his team as “ Keynesians” 10. Raucous
because— (1) Strident (2) Soft
(1) Barack Obama has been reluctant to (3) Rough (4) Unprecedented
follow Keynes’ philosophy (5) None of these
(2) His team is advising Barack to refrain 11. Beleaguered
from Keynes’ philosophy (1) Carefree (2) Harassed
(3) Barack Obama and his team have (3) Stressful (4) Uneventful
decided to fill old bottles with banknotes (5) None of these
(4) Building houses has been under the 12. Moribund
active consideration of Barack Obama (1) Declining (2) Waning
and his team (3) Thriving (4) Pessimistic
(5) None of these (5) None of these
Directions—(Q. 13–1(5) Choose the word which inflation. To strike a balance between the two
is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word objectives of pushing growth on the one hand and
given in bold as used in the passage. containing inflation on the other; the RBI has all along
followed a policy of “ Controlled Expansion” which
13. Frenzy implies that money supply is expanded to meet only
(1) Passion (2) Expression the genuine requirements of various sectors, taking a
(3) Succession (4) Habit caution that it does not spill over to cause inflation.
(5) None of these 1. Under which act was RBI set up?
14. Apocalyptic (1) Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
(1) Unwelcome (2) Disastrous (2) Reserve Bank of India Natianalizationct,
(3) Risk-free (4) Joyous 1934
(5) None of these (3) Reserve Bank of India Act, 1949
15. Resuscitate (4) Reserve Bank of India Act, 1935
(1) Melt down (2) Devastate (5) None of these
(3) Mislead (4) Deactivate 2. When did the nationalization of RBI take
(5) None of these place?
(1) 1934
Answers
(2) 1935
1. (4) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (2) (2) 1949 (4) 1950
5. (1) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (2) (5) None of these
9. (4) 10. (2) 11. (1) 12. (3) 3. What does the monetary function of RBI
13. (2) 14. (2) 15. (4) include?
Passage 9 (1) control of foreign exchange operations,
(2) acting as banker to the government,
The RBI was established under the Reserve
Bank of India act, 1934 on 1st April 1935. It was (3) banker’s bank, and lender of the last
nationalized on 1 st January, 1949 as per RBI resort
Nationalization Act, 1949.RBI is the central bank of (4) All the above
the country and performs all those functions which (5) None of these
central banks of other countries perform. The 4. What are the non monetary function of RBI
monetary functions of the RBI include control and related to?
regulation of money and credit, control of foreign (1) Control of credit and market
exchange operations, acting as banker to the (2) promotion of a sound banking system
government, banker’s bank, and lender of the last
as a whole
resort. The non-monetary functions of the RBI are
related to the promotion of a sound banking system
(3) lender of the last resort
as a whole. The monetary policy of the RBI has a very (4) government’s banker
important role to play in pushing up growth as this (5) None of these
policy determines the amount of money and credit 5. What policy has RBI followed to keep a
that will become available to various sectors of the balance between the growth and control the
economy. While adopting this policy, it has also to inflation?
keep in mind that money supply doesn’t exceed (1) Controlled inflation
genuine demands of various sectors and lead to (2) Nationalization of the banks
(3) Promoting credit control it carelessly, make our attitude completely

(4) Controlled Expansion misunderstood. A slip of the tongue, the use of an
(5) None of these unusual word, or of an ambiguous word, and so on,
may create an enemy where we had hoped to win a
Directions—(Q. 13–1(5) Choose the word which
friend. Again, different classes of people use different
is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word vocabularies, and the ordinary speech of an educated
given in bold as used in the passage. man may strike an uneducated listener as a pompous.
6. Resort Unwittingly, we may use a word which bears a different
(1) recourse meaning to our listener from what it does to men of
(2) refuge our own class. Thus speech is not a gift to use lightly
(3) misbehavior (4) place without thought, but one which demands careful
(5) None of these handling. Only a fool will express himself alike to all
kinds and conditions of men.
7. Role
(1) routine (2) style 1. Speech can be a curse, because it can
(3) course (4) part (1) reveal our intentions
(2) lead to carelessness
(5) None of these
(3) hurt others
8. Strike
(4) create misunderstanding
(1) execute (2) vex
(5) None of these
(3) burden (4) afflict
2. A slip of tongue means something said
(5) None of these
(1) unintentionally
Answers (2) wrongly by chance
1. (1) 2. (3) 3. (4) 4. (2) (3) without giving proper thought
5. (4) 6. (2) 7. (4) 8. (1) (4) to hurt another person
9. (3) 10. (1) (5) None of these
3. The best way to win a friend is to avoid
Directions—(Q. 9-10) Choose the word which is
……..in speech.
most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed
(1) ambiguity
in bold as used in the passage.
(3) verbosity
9. Perform (3) pomposity (4) irony
(1) rest (2) idle (5) None of these
(3) fail (4) deny 4. While talking to an uneducated person, we
(5) None of these should use
10. Implies (1) polite language (2) ordinary speech
(1) define (2) indicate (3) his vocabulary (4) simple words
(3) corroborate (4) fructify (5) None of these
(5) None of these 5. If one used the same style of language with
Passage 10 everyone, one should sound
Speech is great blessing but it can also be a (1) democratic (ba) foolish
great curse, for while it helps us to make our intentions (3) boring (4) flat
and desire known to our fellows, it can also, if we use (5) None of these
Directions—(Q. 6–7) Choose the word which is (3) colourful (4) boastful
most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word printed (5) None of these
in bold as used in the passage. 9. Slip
6. Ambiguous (1) fall (2) mistake
(1) morbid (2) explicit (3) receipt (4) jump
(2) indicative (4) transparent (5) None of these
(5) None of these 10. Curse
7. Alike (1) compliment
(1) distinct (2) synonymous (2) punishment
(3) homogenous (4) straight (3) anathema
(5) None of these (4) destruction
(5) None of these
Directions—(Q. 8–10) Choose the word which is
most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word Answers
given in bold as used in the passage. 1. (4) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (3)
8. Pompous 5. (2) 6. (2) 7. (1) 8. (4)
(1) modest (2) simple 9. (1) 10. (3)
Common Error
3
1. Articles while one begins with the w sound.
1. Articles: There are three articles in English— Well-known words which begin with a vowel
a, an and the. A and an are called indefinite but take a with them are:
article.The is the definite article. An article is European uniform
placed before a noun. If there is an adjective union unit
before a noun, the article is placed before the universal usual
adjective: useful
a train, a fast train, 4. An: An is used before words beginning with a
an incident, vowel sound:
an unusual incident an umbrellaan opportunity
Note: We can never use a singular count noun an honest boyan honourable person
alone, that is, without a/an/the/my/some/any The letter h in honest and honourable is not
etc. sounded. Common words in English which
2. A/an: Singular count nouns take the indefinite begin with an unsounded h are:
article a/an with them: heir heiress honest
a ball an egg honorary honourable
a dog an elephant hour hourly
Uncountable nouns do not generally take an 5. In abbreviations, if consonants begin with a
article with them. we do not generally say vowel sound, they take an before them:
a milk an M.P. an S.P.
a beauty an M. A.
a wisdom But if consonants begin with a consonant
for milk, beauty, wisdom cannot be counted. sound, they take a before them:
3. We use a with singular countable nouns a Ph.D. a B.Ed.
beginning with a consonant sound: 6. Note the use of a in the following phrases:
a girl a map a pity a shame
a university a union a pleasure a noise
a one-sided affair a rage a nuisance
a one-rupee note a headache a toothache
Note: That the words university, union, and a bad cold in a whisper
one begin with a vowel but no a vowel sound. in a low voice in a loud voice
University and union begin with the yoo sound to be at a loss
7. The definite Article the: The, the definite superlative is intended:

article, is a weakended form of that. It is He is the leader today. (the greatest
pronounced as (di:) when it is preceded by a leader)
vowel sound and as do before a consonant This is just the thing. (the right thing)
sound. In meaning also, it is weaker than that. This is the way to solve this problem.
Instead of pointing out, it defines, (the proper way).
particularises or singles out: 3. even in comparative degrees when
I have read the book you are talking of. (not one of the two items is singled out in
any book but a particular book that is being
preference to the other:
referred to)
He is the moon, the world, (But not:
The artists who came to see me today are quite
He is the finer batsman than others.
accomplished. (not any artists but the ones
who came to see me today)
The correct form would be : He is a
8. In the examples given in § 7, the book and the finer bats man than others.)
artists are particularised by two adjective 4. with things of which there is only one
clauses. In certain cases, a noun's being in our world, or things which are
particular may be clear from the context and it otherwise well known but do not
may not have any defining expression with it. begin with a capital letter:
The is also prefixed to such a noun: the sun, the moon, the world, the
Shut the door. (the door of the room in which equator, the north, the east.
we are sitting) 5. in place of possessive adjectives:
He was brought before the Principal. (The I hit him on the head. (= his head)
Principal of the institution in which he was Disappointment stared him in the
studying) face.( = his face)
The king pardoned him. (the king we are talking 6. With common nouns when one noun
about at the moment) is used to represent the whole class
9. If I am looking at the picture of a room, I can or species:
talk about the ceiling, the floor, because there The horse is a faithful animal.
is only one ceiling and one floor, but I cannot The lion is the king of animals.
talk about the wall if there are more than one
7. With an adjective with a plural
walls in the picture because I would not be
notion to indicate a class of persons:
talking about the only one. I can, however,
The rich should help the poor. (We
talk about the left wall and the right wall because
can say: Rich men should help poor
there is only one left wall and one right wall in
men But not: The rich men should
the picture.
help the poor men.×)
10. More about the: We use the definite article the
8. As an adverb in case of certain
1. with superlatives and the words used
comparatives:
in the superlative sense:
The more we get, the more we want.
the best student in the class
The harder you work, the better it
the Chief Justice
will be.
the Prime Minister
9. To suggest distribution: (= each)
2. when special emphasis almost We can buy oranges by the dozen.
equivalent to the use of the Cloth is sold by the metre.
Use of Articles
Incorrect I have a good news for you.
Correct I have good news for you.
Incorrect The man is a national being.
Correct Man is a national being.
Incorrect The boys leave the school at four o’clock.
Correct The boys leave school at four o’clock.
Incorrect He sent a word that he would come soon.
Correct He sent word that he would come soon.
Incorrect I have read the Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Correct I have read Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Incorrect You cannot set a foot in this house.
Correct You cannot set foot in this house.
Incorrect The envy is an evil passion.
Correct Envy is an evil passion.
Incorrect He has not yet gone to the bed.
Correct He has not yet gone to bed.
Incorrect He is Daniel in judgment.
Correct He is a Daniel in judgment.
Incorrect He made very wise decision.
Exercise 9. —— oranges are sold by ——

Fill in the blanks with a, an or the where dozen.
necessary: 11. Articles with Proper Nouns
1. —— more you read, —— more you 1. Proper nouns, as a rule, do not take
know. articles with them:
2. —— stone hit him on —— head. Shakespeare was a great playwright.
3. —— fox is —— very clever animal. (Shakespeare)
4. Only —— rich can afford —— Samudragupta was a great warrior.
comforts of ——modern times. (Samudragupta)
5. I have —— elder brother and —— 2. But if a proper noun is used as a
younger sister. —— sister is —— common noun, it may take with it
wiser of the two. some article:
6. If you are looking for —— He is a good playwright but not a
entertaining as well as educative Shakespeare. (not as great a
magazine, this is —— magazine for playwright as Shakespeare)
you. Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.
7. —— sun rises in — east and sets in (as great a playwright for India as
—west. Shakespeare is for England)
8. India is a little to —— north of —— 3. We need the definite article the with
equator. the names of:
• Rivers the Ganga, the Yamuna

• Seas and oceans the Red Sea, the Atlantic Ocean
• Mountain ranges the Alps, the Himalayas
• Holy books the Bible, the Ramcharit Manas
• Trains, ships the Himgiri Express, the Ashoka (the name of a ship).
• Newspapers and the Pioneer, magazines the Hindustan Times, the Filmfare,
the portstar
• Well-known monuments the Gateway of India, buildings the Red Fort, the Qutub
Minar
• Countries (if their name contains a common noun) the U.S.A.,
the U.K. (In United States of America, States is a common
noun.)
• Peoples, parties the English, the French, the Indian
• The whole families the Khans, the Kapurs
2. Prepositions (4) In is also used with the future tense

to show the period in which an action
Prepositions of Time
will happen:
A number of prepositions may be used to
in a week; in four hours.
denote time: from Monday; after my return;
(5) In and within.
during the night; till tomorrow; before the bell
In means at the end of; within
rings; a quarter to ten.
means before the end of:
In most cases, it is easy to decide which
I shall be back in a week. (when a
preposition to use. The following prepositions,
week is over)
however, need special attention.
I shall be back within a week.
1. At, on, in
(1) At usually denotes a definite point (before a week is over)
2. By
of time but can also be used for
By refers to a point of future time and denotes
indefinite periods:
the latest time at which an action will be over:
at 7 p.m.; at this moment; (Definite The competition will be over by 6 p.m.
at midnight; point of time) (It should be over before it is 6 p.m., but the
at the end of the class; latest time at which it can be over is 6 p.m.)
at night; at dawn; (indefinite at They will have declared the result by tomorrow
Durga Puja; at Diwali. periods) evening.
(2) On is used with days and dates: 3. For
on Monday; on 1st May; For is used with periods of time to show the
on the annual day; on a May duration of an action. It is mostly used with
afternoon. perfect continuous tenses though it may be
(3) In is used with parts of the day, and found with other tenses as well:
with months, years, seasons: This discussion has been going on for two
in the morning; in September; hours.
in 2004; in winter. I have worked in this office for two years.
For may sometimes be omitted also:
I have been busy the whole morning.(for the The file is on the table.
whole morning) The dog sprang upon the table.
4. Since 8. Above, over
Since marks the point of time at which an Both above and over mean higher than.
action began. It is used only if the action has Sometimes we can use either of them:
continued till the time of speaking; hence it is The flags waved over our heads.
found with perfect continuous tenses. Unlike The flags waved above our heads.
for, it can never be ommitted: But over can also mean coverning, or vertically
She has been teaching in this college since above:
2001. My father put a blanket over me.
A cool breeze has been blowing since morning. There is a fan exactly over the table.
5. From 9. Below, under
From denotes the starting point of an action Both below and under mean lower than and
and is used in all cases except when the action sometimes we can use either of them. But
has continued till the moment of speaking. It under means vertically below. It also has the
is almost invariably used with to or till: idea of contact:
The examination will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 There was a beautiful lake below us in the
a.m. valley.
He was the Chief Minister of the state from His shoes were lying under the table.
1999 to 2002. She put the keys of the wardrobe under her
6. At, in pillow.
(1) At has the idea of an exact point and 10. Into
is, therefore, used with houses, Into denotes movement towards the interior
villages, small towns. In has the idea of something:
of a larger area and is used while He jumped into the well.
speaking of bigger towns, states, One stream flows into another.
countries, etc.: Figuratively: We have entered into an
at Karol Bagh in New Delhi; agreement to export handicrafts to some
at Ambala; in England; European companies.
11. For
at the end; in the middle.
For is used to denote direction when the verb
(2) At conveys the idea of a general
shows the beginning of a movement:
neighbourhood; in conveys the idea
The children leaves for the school at 7 a.m.
of something contained: We shall soon set off for Mumbai.
We say at the table to take our lunch. 12. Against
Please wait for me at the Regal PVR. Against shows pressure or contact:
Turn left at the next crossing. He threw the goods against the wall.
There are two Pepsi bottles in the Prepositions of direction from. Most common
refrigerator. among these are: from, off, out of:
You will find the stapler in the drawer. 13. From
7. On, upon From is used with the point of departure:
On is used while speaking of things at rest; He brought these books from the market.
upon is used with things in motion: He had already gone from home.
Use of Prepositions
Incorrect Though Vivek is young he enjoys listening old songs.
Correct Though Vivek is young he enjoys listening to old songs.
Incorrect He tried to open the can by a can opener.
Correct He tried to open the can with a can opener.
Incorrect Found guilty on murder the accused was sentenced to death.
Correct Found guilty of murder the accused was sentenced to death.
Incorrect He says that he is tired with this work.
Correct He says that he is tired of this work.
3. Common Errors (4) News, summons, innings, wages:
1. Nouns having the same form in singular as 4. Nouns always used as plural
well as in plural (1) Articles of dress: shoes, socks,
(1) Nouns expressing number: two trousers, pyjamas, shorts.
hundred people; three dozen eggs; But a pair of shoes is singular:
four score oranges. Leather shoes are very costly in
But note: scores of organes; hundreds Russia.
of people. A pair of shoes is all I need.
(2) Nouns in expressions like a ten-rupee (2) Names of instruments: scissors,
note; a five-year old child; a five- tongs, bellows, spectacles, shears:
kilometre walk. These scissors are very sharp.
(3) Names of some animals: sheep, deer, My spectacles have been lost.
swine. (3) Other nouns like alms, annals, ashes,
2. Nouns used as singular assets, intestines, thanks, proceeds,
The following nouns are generally used in the spirits, tidings, savings, belongings,
singular: alphabet, bedding, clothing, furniture, contents, credentials, nuptials:
information, luggage, machinery, offspring, The proceeds of this show are being donated
poetry, scenery, physic etc.: to the National Defence Fund.
3. Nouns plural in form but used as singular 5. Nouns Singular in Form but used as Plural
(1) Branches of learning: Mathematics, Cattle, gentry, peasantry, poultry, clergy:
Physics, Mechanics, Statistics The cattle are grazing in the field.
(2) Diseases: Mumps, measles If the peasantry flourish, the country prospers.
(3) Games and sports: Billiards, football, The gentry were found uncooperative.
gymnastics.
6. Nouns with Two Plural Forms which Differ in Meaning
Singular Plural
Brother Brothers (Sons of the same parents)
Cloth Cloths (kinds or pieces of cloth) Clothes (garments)
Genius Geniuses (persons of great talent)
Genii (spirits)
Index Indexes (tables of contents)
Indices (signs used in Algebra)
7. A pronoun must have the same gender, degree of the adjective tall)
number and person as the noun it represents: Mayur is the tallest boy in the class.
The girl has deposited her books at the (Comparison among all the boys of the class,
counter. She is now coming to the library. hence the superlative degree of the adjective
Mohan's son has lost his watch. He needs a tall)
new one. Note: Comparative degree is usually followed
8. When a personal pronoun is used as the object by than; superlative degree takes with it the
of a verb or a preposition, it is placed in the definite article the. See the examples given
objective case: above.
I accused him of theft. 12. Double comparatives and superlatives must
(objects of a Let me do it. verb) not be used.
How long did you wait for me? Incorrect. He is more cleverer than
(object of a preposition) his cousin.
Besides him, Correct. He is cleverer than his
many others voted in my favour cousin.
(object of a preposition)
Incorrect. Mount Everest is the most
9. When a pronoun is used as the complement
of the verb to be, it is placed in the nominative
highest peak in the world.
case: Correct. Mount Everest is the
It is I. In informal conversation, they often say highest peak in the world.
it is me, but if the pronoun is followed by a 13. Other
clause, nominative case must be used: It is I Mercury is heavier than any other metal.
who scored the goal. Mercury is the heaviest of all metals.
10. The pronouns governed by than and as can In the first sentence, mercury is to be excluded
be placed either in the nominative case or in from the metals, with which it is being
the objective case depending upon the compared. In the second sentence it is one of
meaning to be conveyed: them. It would be incorrect to say:
I love you more than he. Mercury is heavier than any metal.
(than he loves you) Mercury is the heaviest of all other metals.
I love you more than him. 14. Comparatives ending in or, superior, inferior,
(than I love him) senior, junior, prior, are followed by to and
You helped me as much as she. not by than. We do not use with them more
(as much as she helped me) also:
You helped me as much as her. He is senior to me by three years.
(as much as you helped her) My pen is superior to yours.
11. Comparison of Adjective 15. Very, much
The comparative degree of an adjective is used (i) Very qualifies adjectives or adverbs
to compare two things, the superlative to in the positive degree, much qualifies
compare more than two things. If no them in the comparative degree:
comparison is implied, we use positive degree: She is a very intelligent girl.
Mayur is a tall boy. (No comparison, hence Today she is looking much weaker
the positive degree of the adjective tall) than usual.
Mayur is taller than Shubham. (Comparison
She runs very fast.
between two persons, hence the comparative
She runs much faster than Soumya. desirable, natural, proper or expected.
(ii) Very is used with present participles It should never be used instead of very
when they are used as adjective; much or much. It is incorrect to say: 'The
is used to modify past participles water is too cold'. Instead, one should
when they have their full verbal say: 'The water is very cold'.
function: (ii) Too preceded by only has a positive
The scenery is very charming. sense:
The foreign policy of the government He is only too glad to meet his friends.
was much criticised in Parliament. (He is extremely glad to meet his
However, if a past participle is used friends.)
purly as an adjective, it is modified (iii) Too much is generally used before a
by very and not by much: noun:
I felt very tired. He takes too much sugar in his tea.
I am very satisfied to see your work. You take too much care of your health.
Other such participle adjectives are: (iv) Too means also:
pleased, surprised, delighted, grieved, Have you been to the party, too?
pained, annoyed, experienced, This, too, is very important.
contented, concerned, disappointed, In speech, we use too more often
interested, worried, bored, shocked, than also.
astonished, excited, etc. 17. Enough
(iii) Very is used with an adjective in the Enough means sufficient and is always used
superlative degree for emphasis: in the positive sense. It is placed after the
He is the very best student in the adjective or adverb but before the noun:
class. He was tall enough to reach the shelf.
By far is used with an adjective in I ran fast enough to overtake her.
the superlative degree to intensify the There isn't enough room to sit down.
meaning: She is by far the most 18. Wrong use or Omission of Prepositions
Make a careful note of the following wrong
beautiful girl in the family.
use of prepositions:
16. Too
A. Where a preposition should not
(i) Too denotes a higher degree than is
have been used
Incorrect Correct
1. I have ordered for dinner. I have ordered dinner.
2. The younger brother resembles to the elder. The younger brother
resembles the elder.
3. I want the police to investigate into the case. I want the police to
investigate the case.
4. He deeply loved with me. He deeply loved me.
5. I reached at Delhi only this morning. I reached Delhi only this
morning.
6. The teacher has not yet entered into the classroom. The teacher has not yet
entered the classroom.
7. Why have you picked up a quarrel with him? Why have you picked a
quarrel with him?
B. Where a preposition should not have been omitted
Incorrect Correct
1. He will not listen what you say. He will not listen to what
you say.
2. Have you disposed the old furniture you Have you disposed of the
wanted to? old furniture you wanted
to?
3. Your fault does not admit any excuse. Your fault does not admit
of any excuse.
4. Could you lend me your pen to write a letter? Could you lend me your
pen to write a letter with?
C. Where a wrong preposition has been used
Incorrect Correct
1. I could not understand why he was angry I could not understand
upon me. why he was
angry with me.
2. Our examination begins from 1st May. Our examination begins on
1st May.
3. You are required to sign with ink. You are required to sign in
ink.
4. I enquired from him where he lived. I enquired of him where
he lived.
D. Make a careful study of the following sentences in which the use of the infinitive is
erroneous and should be replaced by a preposition followed by a gerund or a noun:
Incorrect Correct
1. He insisted to leave immediately. He insisted on leaving
immediately.
2. You should refrain to tell lies. You should refrain from
telling lies.
3. The policeman prevented him to park The policeman prevented
him from his car parking his car there.
4. The invigilator prohibited the student to copy. The invigilator prohibited
the student from copying.
19. That. That should not be used before interrogative adverbs or pronouns in indirect narration:
Incorrect. He asked me that when he could come to see me.
Correct. He asked me when he could come to see me.
20. Since. Since shows 'from which time'. It is preceded by present perfect tense (sometimes present
indefinite tense) and followed by past indefinite tense:

Three months have passed since he last wrote to me.
It is about a month since I met her.
21. Unless, if. Unless means if not. It should not be confused with if:
Incorrect. Unless he does not apologise, he should not be allowed to sit in the class.
Correct. Unless he apologises, he should not be allowed to sit in the class.
22. Lest. Lest means 'in order that ..... not'. It always takes should with it:
Cover your head properly lest you should catch cold.
Note. The clause beginning with lest should not be negative.
Incorrect. Let us catch a taxi lest we should not get late.
Correct. Let us catch a taxi lest we should get late.
MISCELLANEOUS ERRORS INCLUDING AMBIGUITIES AND INDIANISMS
Incorrect Correct
1. I hope you are keeping good health. I hope you are enjoying good health.
2. These days he is enjoying bad health. These days he is keeping bad health.
3. Many homes are lying vacant. Many houses are lying vacant.
4. Are you going to your house straight from Are you going home straight from the office?
the office?
5. The roads of this town are narrow. The streets of this town are narrow.
6. Let us sit in the shadow of the tree. Let us in the shade of the tree.
7. How many individuals were present in the How many persons were
meeting? present in the meeting?
8. He made an interesting lecture. He delivered an interesting lecture.
9. My leg is paining. I am feeling pain in my leg.
10. The captain of our team made four goals. The captain of our team scored four goals.
Use of Noun
Incorrect The clock has struck five hours.
Correct The clock has struck five.
Incorrect There is no place in the hall.
Correct There is no room in the hall.
Incorrect Little thing has been done.
Correct Little has been done.
Incorrect We have an urgent business.
Correct We have an urgent piece of business.
Incorrect He came by the 4:30 o’clock train.
Correct He came by the 4:30 train.
Incorrect He left the place with his belonging goods.
Correct He left the place with his goods.
EXERCISE I required (5)

Directions: In each of the following sentences 11. It is hoped that with the medical fee being
four words or phrases have been underlined. withdrawn (1) and men can be tested (2) and
finally accepted (3) a large number of people
Only one underlined part in each sentence is
will come forward (4), No Correction required
not acceptable in standard English. Pick up (5)
the part (1), (2), (3), (4). If ther is no error the 12. Several guests noticed (1) that Mr. Peter fell
answer is (5). (2) back in his (3) chair and gasping (4) for
1. I have seen as bad or (1) worse scenes of breath, No Correction required (5)
disorder (2) at the English fair than (3) the ones 13. A long (1) life is good if one (2) be (3) happy
in any other (4) Australian mining town, No and has (4) friends, No Correction required (5)
Correction required (5) 14. The entire (1) party is for the (2) Bill, ready (3)
2. This is the third communication (1) we have tostake their (4) political existence, No
sent (2) and we are (3) surprised that we have Correction required (5)
received (4) no answer , No Correction required 15. He has suffered (1) from a similar (2) attack but
(5) milder (3) as that (4) of last year, No Correction
3. The officers are now (1) perfectly (2) happy required (5)
fishing, boating, shooting, playing cricket (3) 16. Our strongest (1) reason for (2) siding with the
and other sports (4) No Correction required (3) communists is because (4) our father is a
(5) communist, No Correction required (5)
4. While in conversation with a (1) high ranking 17. Such starting (1) bargains never (2) have been,
military officer he told me (2) that at the head- neither (3) can be, and never will be (4) offered
quarters (3) nothing was known(4), No again, No Correction required (5)
Correction required (5) 18. The persecutors laid (1) a heavy fine on an old
5. The fear of an impending invasion (1) has more (2) man who, since he was (3) unable to pay,
to do than (2) even the debasing of the soldiers were (4) dragging him to the prison,
coinage (3) with the financial (4) difficulties, No Correction required (5)
No Correction required (5) 19. The proverb means that (1) when (2) you can
6. His assistants have (1) and are still (2) doing do (3) a thing today, do not put it (4) off till
excellent (3) work for the (4) organisation, No tomorrow, No Correction required (5)
Correction required (5) 20. He feels (1) his troubles as much (2) or even
7. There is something more to the (1) fact that more (3) than they (4), No Correction required
the guns have (2) or are about (3) to be sent (5)
abroad (4), No Correction required (5) 21. The red blossoms (1) accented (2) the
8. The (1) deceased lord along with (2) his brother prevailing (3) pink of the house front (4), No
started a (3) business in India. (4), No Correction required (5)
Correction required (5) 22. What an innovation (1) the team received (2)
9. He relieved (1) the monotony of book-peddling as they stepped (3) on to the (4) field, No
(2) by becoming (3) an assistant to a conjuror Correction required (5)
or to other (4) similar engagements, No 23. The sea coast (1) is disappearing under (2) the
Correction required (5) steady erosion (3) of the sea (4), No Correction
10. You have been (1) more able to withstand (2) required (5)
the entreaties (3) than did he (4), No Correction 24. He wishes (1) to tax not only (2) the luxuries
(3) of the rich but also the necessaries (4) of (3) Fussy (4) Ignorant
the poor, No Correction required (5) (5) None of these
25. The two men were not interested (1) in the 6. I rather like the quaint little house at the end of
same thing and the work (2) which each of them the street.
had to do (3) was of different nature (4), No (1) Old (2) Quiet
Correction required (5) (3) Haunted (4) Unusual
ANSWERS (5) None of these
7. Many of the students at the high school
1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (4) 4. (2)
thought the computer club was for nerds.
5. (3) 6. (1) 7. (3) 8. (3)
(1) Dull persons (2) Pranksters
9. (4) 10. (4) 11. (2) 12. (4)
(3) Experts (4) Cheaters
13. (3) 14. (4) 15. (3) 16. (4)
(5) None of these
17. (3) 18. (4) 19. (4) 20. (4)
8. The football coach had a sympathetic
21. (2) 22. (1) 23. (3) 24. (4)
presence, albeit a xommanding one.
25. (4)
(1) Although (2) Further more
EXERCISE II (3) Because (4) Not only
Directions (Q. No. 1-25): In this section you (5) None of these
find a number of sentences, parts of which 9. Some people believe that the world war is
are bold. For each bold part, four or five words/ imminent.
phrases are listed below. Choose the word/ (1) possible (2) Impending
phrase nearest in meaning to the bold part. (3) Likely (4) Certain
1. Indians are likely to be parochial. (5) None of these
(1) Generous 10. There were intermittent power cuts in the city
(2) Narrow-minded. and its suburbs on Sunday.
(3) Brave (4) Short-sighted (1) Prolonged (2) Incoherent
(5) None of these (3) Sporadic (4) Intervening
2. I was discomfited to find the boss in the disco. (5) None of these
(1) irritated (2) uncomfortable 11. I told him that the speaker was a very erudite
(3) embarrassed (4) displeased person.
(5) None of these (1) Boaring (2) Pleasant
3. He spent most of his years debunking (3) Learned (4) Demanding
politicians. (5) None of these
(1) Exposing (2) Cheating 12. The airport authorities have seized a large
(3) Threatening (4) Pacifying consignment of drugs.
(5) None of these
(1) Destroyed (2) Confiscated
4. We arrived safely at the quay and went ashore.
(3) Grasped (4) Stopped
(1) Peninsula (2) Wharf
(3) Target (4) Island (5) None of these
(5) None of these 13. I have serious misgivings about taking up this
5. Editors are known to be pernickety about job.
grammar. (1) Doubts (2) Objections
(1) Spiteful (2) Careless (3) Fears (4) Difficulties
(5) None of these
14. The financial crisis caused the fall of the (1) Snobbish (2) Unnatural
government. (3) Unconventional (4) Ungracious
(1) Brought about (2) Brought forward (5) None of these
(3) Brought down (4) Brought over 21. The pianist played the tune with verve.
(5) None of these (1) Enthusiasm (2) Tenderness
15. The NRIs who are eager to invest in India are (3) Efficiency (4) Depth
discouraged by the archaic rules and (5) None of these
procedures. 22. It is possible that printed books will soon
(1) Earlier (2) Outdated become obsolete.
(1) Boring (2) Inaccessible
(3) Complex (4) Ancient
(3) Unfashionable (4) Out-of-date
(5) None of these
(5) None of these
16. The chief engineer was irritated by their
23. We should emulate the examples of our
perpetual complaints.
teachers.
(1) Trivial (2) Eternal (1) Study (2) Admire
(3) Baseless (4) Repeated (3) Follow (4) Imitate
17. They are carrying out a charade of 24. He never recovered from the loss of his wife.
negotiations with the government. (1) Got by (2) Got over
(1) Series (2) Charter (3) Got aside (4) God rid
(3) Absurd pretence (4) Spate (5) None of these
(5) None of these 25. The poor man stood abashed at the display of
18. The individual's freedom is circums-cribed by wealth.
his responsibility to others. (1) Embarrassed (2) Humiliated
(1) Limited (2) Entangled (3) Surprised (4) Elevated
(3) Destroyed (4) Eroded (5) None of these
(5) None of these ANSWERS
19. The engine has been subjected to exhaustive 1. (2) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (4)
tests. 5. (3) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (1)
(1) Complicated (2) Thorough 9. (2) 10. (3) 11. (3) 12. (2)
(3) Exclusive (4) Compulsory 13. (1) 14. (1) 15. (2) 16. (4)
(5) None of these 17. (3) 18. (1) 19. (2) 20. (4)
20. The guests were offended by his uncouth 21. (1) 22. (4) 23. (3) 24. (2)
behaviour.
25. (1)
Sentence Correction
4
Direction: In each sentence below, a group of (5) None of these
words has been underlined. Below each four 4. Corruption has growth rapidly since the
choices (1), (2), (3) and (4) are given. Pick economic reforms undertaken in India.
out the one which can substitute the (1) Rapid corruption has grown
underlined group of words corrected, without (2) Corruption has grown rapidly
changing the meaning of the sentence. If the (3) Corruption grows rapidly
sentence requires no correction, give (5) as (4) Corruption has been rapidly grown
the answer. (5) None of these
5. Because of his poor score in the examination,
Exercise 1 the teacher has advised him not to refrain from
classes.
1. India hadn’t hardly any of those kind of (1) to not refrain from
international airports. (2) to resort to
(1) had hardly any of those kinds (3) to refrain from
(2) hadn’t hardly any of those kinds (4) to be refrained from
(3) had hardly any of those kind (5) None of these
(4) had scarcely any of that kind 6. What happens to all those aboard the Delhi-
(5) None of these bound train, which derailed last night, is not
2. My parents firmly believed that I would recover known.
my health soon and get the results I would be (1) What happened of
producing before. (2) This is what happens to
(1) would have been producing (3) What is that happens to
(2) would have produced (4) What happened to
(3) had been produced (5) None of these
(4) had been producing 7. Despite of their efforts to scuttle our door-to-
(5) None of these door campaign against inflated electricity bills,
3. Human resources must use to bring back the we managed to emerge victorious.
company in profitable condition. (1) Despite their
(1) must be used to bring (2) Despite of the
(2) must have been using to bring (3) Despite for their
(3) must use having brought (4) Despite off their
(4) must be using to bring (5) None of these
8. The students had been left the auditorium (3) quite different from that of the
before the lecture started. (4) quite differing from the
(1) had been leaving (5) None of these
(2) was left 14. Those who are not efficient can be readily
(3) leaves (4) would leave persuading to work on poor wages.
(5) None of these (1) can be ready persuading
9. Be marvelled at Shah Jahan’s love for (2) can be readily persuaded
architecture and admiring the monuments built (3) could be ready to persuade
by him. (4) can be readily persuasive
(1) admire the monuments being built (5) None of these
(2) admire the monuments built 15. We should realise that the chances of theft
(3) admire the building of monuments may be as great or greater in our homes than in
(4) admired building the monuments a train or on the road.
(5) None of these (1) may be at least as great in our homes as
10. Everything we have so far looked at gives (2) was at least as great as in homes
inconclusive evidence about the extinction of (3) can be as great or greater in our homes
many birds in the region. than
(1) had looked at far giving (4) may be at least as great or greater in
(2) had been looking for giving our homes than
(3) have so far been looked at gives (5) None of these
(4) had so far been looked for given 16. In 2012 Sachin Tendulkar scored twice as many
(5) None of these run against Australia as that had in 2011.
11. Only people who are good at these kind of (1) than he had
activities are eligible to apply for this post. (2) than he did
(1) these kind of activity (3) as he had (4) as he did
(2) this kinds of activity (5) None of these
(3) these kinds of activities 17. The more regularly you attend your classes,
(4) the kind activities like these the more the marks you are likely to obtain.
(5) None of these (1) you are likely to obtain more marks
12. Elimination of subsidies as a consequence of (2) the greater the marks you are likely
globalization has been the subject of heated obtaining
and frequently changing controversy. (3) the more likely you are to obtain the
(1) heating and frequently changed marks
(2) heated and frequent changed (4) the more the marks you are likely
(3) heated- and frequent changes obtaining
(4) heat and frequent changes in (5) None of these
(5) None of these 18. Most of the boys and girls like to see these
13. Some believe that Prakash Jha’s direction is kind of movies.
quite different from the other actors. (1) this kind of movies
(1) quite different from (2) these kind of movie
(2) quite different than the (3) these kinds of movies
(4) this kind of movie 24. Delhi has the largest number of vehicles in
(5) None of these India and hence traffic had become heavy and
19. Because of the changing times, we expect to uncontrollable.
study more than our teachers have. (1) has become heavily
(1) should expect to study more than our (2) had become heavy
teachers (3) have become heavily
(2) are expected to study as much as our (4) has become heavy
teachers study (5) None of these
(3) are expected to study more than our 25. The coal scam and their aftermath have shaked
teachers did up entrenched political-bureaucratic networks
(4) expected to study more than our in New Delhi.
teachers (1) its aftermath has shaken up
(5) None of these (2) their aftermaths have shaked up
20. It is difficult to prevent assault against (3) its aftermath has shook
environment as those that are against animals. (4) their aftermath have shaken up
(1) those against (2) it is against (5) None of these
(3) preventing those against
Exercise 2
(4) it is to prevent those against
(5) None of these 1. Presently he is working in a factory.
21. There is no need of being anxious about him; (1) In present (2) At the present
things will go in positive direction before long. (3) At present (4) At presently
(1) for being anxious of him (5) None of these
(2) to be anxious about him 2. He has sought for an interview of the Chief
(3) for being anxious about him Minister this morning.
(4) to feeling his anxiety (1) an interview by the Chief Minister
(5) None of these (2) an interview with the Chief Minister
22. The success of an army commander depends (3) the interview of the Chief Minister
upon the tact in which he is able to get the (4) an interview from the Chief Minister
best out of his soldiers. (5) None of these
(1) that makes him enabled 3. Can you tell me where does your father live?
(2) in which he enables (1) where your uncle does live
(3) with which he is able (2) whether your uncle does live
(4) in which he has been able (3) where your father lives
(5) None of these (4) where lives your uncle
23. If you have money you misuse and if you don’t (5) None of these
have it you yearn for it. 4. This vegetable has got a different taste - it can
(1) you misuse it when you don’t have gone sour.
(2) you misuse it and if you don’t (1) can go sour (2) had soured
(3) you misuse so that you don’t (3) can have gone sourly
(4) you misuse and if you can’t (4) may have gone sour
5. All the guests enjoyed at the farewell party. (3) had been championed the cause for
(1) enjoyed in (4) had championed the cause for
(2) themselves enjoyed at (5) None of these
(3) enjoyed themselves at 12. The people of Delhi are full aware of the
(4) enjoyed thoroughly at dangers of dengue.
(5) None of these (1) were fully aware into
6. Everyone is requested to keep quite while (2) have been full aware of
lecture is going on. (3) were fully aware of
(1) is requesting to (2) is requested for (4) had been fully aware at
(3) will request to (4) is to request to (5) None of these
(5) None of these 13. To finish a long journey, persistent is needed.
7. The government has accepted the (1) persistence is needful
recommendations to the committee with partial (2) persistence is what one needs
modifications. (3) persistent is what one needs
(1) by the committee for (4) one needs to be persisted
(2) of the committee with (5) None of these
(3) to the committee by 14. Life is much better in small towns rather than
(4) at the committee in crowded cities.
(5) None of these (1) rather than that in crowded cities
8. However intelligent you may be you cannot (2) rather than in crowded cities
take success for granted in today’s fast world. (3) rather crowded cities
(1) you are (2) you could be (4) better than crowded cities
(3) you should be (4) might you be (5) None of these
(5) None of these 15. Last fifteen days he has not been working out
9. Having tired of studied he went out to play and has become sick.
badminton. (1) In the last fifteen days
(1) Having tired with(2) Having tired by (2) Fifteen last days
(3) Being tired of (3) Of the last fifteen days
(4) Having been tiring by (4) For the last fifteen days
10. I have never been hearing from him ever since 16. He is not in a position to use the digital diary
he went to England. given by you to him.
(1) was never heard (1) given to him (2) given by you
(2) have never been heard (3) you gave to him
(3) had never been heard (4) given by him to you
(4) have never heard (5) None of these
(5) None of these 17. He was the man who they determined should
11. Anna Hazare has championed the cause from be the next Chairman.
the poor and honest for the last several years. (1) whom they determined should be
(1) has been championing the cause for (2) who determined them should be
(2) has been championing the cause of (3) whom they should be determined
(4) for whom they determined should be 23. His instructions were so trivial and hence
(5) None of these nobody paid any attention to them.
18. Cutting income tax rates is conducive for (1) so trivial that and hence
expanding the tax net. (2) very trivial and hence so
(1) To cut small savings rates is conducive (3) too trivial to and hence
for (4) very trivial and hence
(2) Cutting small savings rates is conducive (5) None of these
to 24. But for your time of helping, the patient could
(3) Cutting small savings rate is conducive have died in the hospital.
for (1) But for your timely help
(4) Cutting small savings rates are (2) Because of your timely helping
conducive to (3) Despite your time of helping
(5) None of these (4) But your time for helping
19. It is definitely not kind of this attitude that is (5) None of these
required in a joint family. 25. The security forces failed arrived at the venue
(1) one of this kind of attitude before the miscreants sets the fire on the bus.
(2) this kind of attitude (1) set the bus on fire
(3) one of this kinds of attitude (2) setting fife on the bus
(4) kind of these attitudes (3) set fire on the bus
(5) None of these (4) set the fife on to the bus
20. Unless you suggest the proper methods, I (5) None of these
should not be able to solve the problem.
(1) shall not be able ANSWERS
(2) should not be unable Exercise – 1
(3) shall not be unable
(4) should be unable (5) None of these 1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (2)
21. Nothing is so easy than operating a computer, 5. (3) 6. (4) 7. (1) 8. (4)
which itself suggests how to do what. 9. (2) 10. (5) 11. (3) 12. (5)
(1) Nothing is easier as 13. (3) 14. (2) 15. (1) 16. (3)
(2) Nothing is so easy as 17. (5) 18. (4) 19. (3) 20. (2)
(3) Nothing is so easier than 21. (2) 22. (3) 23. (2) 24. (4)
(4) Nothing is more easier than 25. (5)
(5) None of these Exercise – 2
22. Despite being tried his best to driver could 1. (5) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (4)
not negotiate the roundabout and the vehicle
5. (3) 6. (5) 7. (2) 8. (5)
rammed into the wall.
9. (3) 10. (4) 11. (2) 12. (3)
(1) Despite his best trying
(2) Despite of his best trial 13. (2) 14. (2) 15. (4) 16. (3)
(3) In spite of being tried his best 17. (5) 18. (2) 19. (2) 20. (1)
(4) Despite trying his best 21. (2) 22. (4) 23. (4) 24. (1)
(5) None of these 25. (1)
Synonyms & Antonyms

5
Synonyms D
Damage : Loss, harm, injury.
A
Decorate : Adron, embellish.
Abandon : Leave, forsake.
Deformity : Malformation,
Abridge : Shorten, curtail.
disfigurement.
Abundant : Plentiful.
Denounce : Accuse, condemn.
Accumulate : Collect, store.
Diligent : Industrious, persevering.
Adequate : Sufficient.
Divine : Godlike, heavenly.
Adversity : Misfortune.
E
Aggravate : Heighten, intensify.
Earnest : Serious, solemn.
Attack : Assault.
Emergency : Exigency.
Authentic : True.
Exceptional : Unusual, rare.
Awkward : Clumsy.
Extravagant : Wasteful, prodigal,
B
spendthrift.
Behaviour : Demeanour.
F
Bias : Predilection.
False : Untrue, spurious.
Brutal : Savage, cruel.
Fascinate : Charm, enchant.
Brisk : Bright, lively.
Ferocious : Fierce, savage.
C
Fraud : Deceit, trickery.
Callous : Hard, cruel.
G
Calm : Quiet, tranquil.
Geniune : Real.
Casual : Uncertain.
Gigantic : Colossal, great.
Category : Class.
Guilt : Sin, crime.
Cold : Frigid,indifferent,
H
passionless.
Haughty : Arrogant, proud.
Compassion : Pity, sympathy.
Hazardous : Dangerous, risky, perilous.
Concise : Short, brief.
Humility : Modesty, politeness.
Condense : Compress, thicken.
I
Conversant : Familiar.
Illiterate : Unlearned, ignorant.
Crafty : Cunning, sly.
Imperious : Authoritative, dictatorial.
Cruel : Fierce, tyrannical.
Impertinent : Impudent, insolent, Q

shameless. Quaint : Queer, odd, singular.
Inanimate : Lifeless. Queer : Strange, odd.
Inexorable : Relentless, merciless. Questionable : Doubtful.
Irresolute : Undecided, wavering, R
vacillating. Radiant : Bright, brilliant.
J Refined : Elegant.
Jolly : Jovial, merry. Rejoice : Delight.
Judicious : Discreet, prudent. Relevant : Pertinent.
K Renown : Fame, reputation.
Knavery : Fraud. Repudiate : Reject.
L Resistance : Opposition.
Laborious : Assiduous, industrious. Rigid : Stiff, unyielding.
Lament : Grieve, mourn.
Ruinous : Destructive, injurious.
Lethargy : Sluggishness.
S
Liberty : Freedom, independence.
Sacred : Holy, consecrated, pious.
Loathe : Detest, abhor.
Satiate : Satisfy.
Lucky : Fortunate.
Scanty : Slender, meagre.
M
Sensual : Fleshly, carnal.
Magnificent : Splendid, grand.
Shapely : Graceful, elegant.
Marvellous : Wonderful.
Meagre : Small. Solitary : Single, lonely.
Mean : Low, abject. Sombre : Gloomy, dark.
Mighty : Strong, powerful. Specimen : Sample, model.
Misery : Sorrow, distress. Splendid : Magnificent, grand.
N Spurious : False, imaginary.
Nice : Pleasant, agreeable. Stiff : Rigid, stern.
Notable : Remarkable, memorable. Superficial : Shallow.
Notorious : Infamous. Surplus : Excess.
O T
Obliterate : Destory, efface. Talkative : Garrulous.
Obsolete : Antiquated. Temperate : Moderate.
Opportune : Timely. Thankful : Grateful, obliged.
P Thin : Slim, slender.
Pensive : Thoughtful. Thrive : Prosper, flourish.
Perennial : Permanent, perpetual. Tough : Hard, strong, difficult.
Persuade : Induce, urge. Tragic : Sorrowful, distressing.
Plentiful : Abundant. U
Precarious : Risky, dangerous. Ugly : Repulsive.
Pretence : Pretext, excuse. Urbane : Polite, courteous, suave.
Urge : Press, incite. C

Useful : Advantageous. Callous : Soft, tender.
V Care : Neglect.
Vacillatge : Waver Censure : Praise, applaud.
Venerable : Respectable. Chaste : Impure, unchaste.
Vigilance : Watchfulness. Cheap : Dear.
Voracious : Greedy. Cheerful : Gloomy, depressed.
Vulgar : Coarse, crude. Competent : Incompetent.
W Conceal : Reveal.
Wealthy : Rich. Condense : Lengthen, expand.
Wickedness : Evil. Confess : Deny.
Wild : Savage. Create : Destory.
Wretched : Miserable, unfortunate. Credit : Discredit, debit.
Wreck : Ruin, destory. D
Y Danger : Safety.
Yield : Surrender Deep : Shallow.
Yielding : Submissive. Delight : Despleasure, sorrow.
Z Dense : Sparse.
Zeal : Passion. Despair : Hope.
Zenith : Top, summit. Diffident : Confident.
Zest : Enthusiasm. Distant : Near.
E
Antonyms Early : Late.
A Elevation : Depression.
Ability : Disability. Emancipate : Enslave.
Accept : Reject, refuse. Energetic : Weak.
Acquit : Convict. Enthusiasm : Indifference.
Affinity : Aversion. Equality : Inequality.
Ancient : Modern. Explicit : Implicit.
Artificial : Natural. Exterior : Interior.
Attract : Repel. Extrinsic : Intrinsic.
Awkward : Graceful. F
B Fabulous : Actual, real.
Barbarous : Civilized. Failure : Success.
Barren : Fertile. Fickle : Constant.
Base : Noble. Fine : Coarse.
Benevolent : Malevolent. Folly : Wisdom.
Bold : Timid, cowardly. Foreign : Native.
Brutal : Humane, kindly. Fautility : Utility.
G Mild : Harsh, stern.

Gain : Loss. Morbid : Healthy.
Genuine : False. Motion : Rest.
Gloomy : Gay. N
Guilty : Innocent. Natural : Artificial.
H Noble : Base, Ignoble.
Happiness : Sorrow, sadness. Normal : Abnormal.
Help : Hinder. Notorious : Reputable.
Honour : Dishonour, shame. O
Humane : Cruel. Obstinate : Yielding.
Hypocrisy : Sincerity. Offensive : Pleasing, defensive.
I Optional : Compulsory.
Imperative : Optional. Oral : Written.
Increase : Decrease. Outward : Inward.
P
Inhale : Exhale.
Part (n) : Yielding.
Interested : Disinterested.
Part (v) : Join.
Interesting : Uniteresting.
Particular : General.
J
Peace : War.
Joyful : Sad, depressed.
Persuade : Dissuade.
Junior : Senior.
Pleasure : Pain.
Justice : Injustice.
Polite : Impolite, rude.
K
Kind : Cruel. Praise : Condemn, defame.
Knowledge : Ignorance. Precious : Cheap, worthless.
L Pride : Humility.
Lack : Plenty. Prudent : Imprudent.
Legal : Illegal. Punishment : Reward.
Legible : Illegible. Q
Liberty : Slavery. Quick : Slow, tardy.
Light : Heavy. R
Loose : Tight. Raise : Lower.
Love : Hate. Rash : Steady, cautious.
M Rear : Front.
Mad : Sane. Receive : Give.
Malice : Goodwill. Reject : Accept, admit.
Master : Servant. Religious : Secular, irreligious.
Meagre : Plentiful. Remember : Forget.
Merit : Demerit. Rich : Poor, needy.
Rise : Fall.
S Wild : Civilised.
Sacred : Unholy, profane. Y
Satisfaction : Dissatisfaction. Yield : Resist.
Scanty : Plentiful. Youth : Age.
Sensitive : Insensitive. Z
Service : Disservice. Zeal : Indifference.
Sharp : Blunt. Zenith : Nadir.
Silence : Noise.
EXERCISE
Sober : Excited, drunk.
Sophisticated : Naive. Direction: In each of these questions four
Special : Ordinary. words are given denoted by (1), (2), (3) and
Stale : Fresh. (4). Two of the given words are either
Straight : Crooked. synonyms or antonyms. Find out the correct
Superior : Inferior. pair in each question.
Surplus : Deficit.
1. (A) Tranquility (B) Loyalty
Swift : Slow.
(C) Calamity (D) Uproar
T (1) A-C (2) B-D
Tedious : Lively. (3) B-C (4) C-D
Temperate : Intemperate. (5) None of these
Thankful : Thankless. 2. (A) Exorbitant (B) Expenditure
Thrifty : Extravagant. (C) Dear (D) Quest
Timid : Bold. (1) C-D (2) A-B
Tranquil : Agitated. (3) A-D (4) B-C
True : False. (5) None of these
U 3. (A) Opaque (B) Translucent
Ugly : Beautiful. (C) Transparent (D) Submission
Union : Disunion, discord, split. (1) A-D (2) B-D
Urban : Rural. (3) C-A (4) A-B
Usual : Unusual. (5) None of these
V 4. (A) Shallow (B) Morbid
Vain : Modest. (C) Ruin (D) Atrophy
Violent : Gentle.
(1) A-D (2) C-D
(3) A-C (4) A-B
Virtue : Vice.
(5) None of these
Vulgar : Refined.
5. (A) Ecstasy (B) Depression
W
(C) Intoxication (D) Compression
Wane : Wax
(1) A-B (2) B-D
Want : Abundance. (3) B-C (4) C-D
War : Peace. (5) None of these
6. (A) Jovial (B) Sporty (C) Nuptial (D) Quelled

(C) Effusive (D) Frosty (1) A-D (2) A-C
(1) A-D (2) A-C (3) C-D (4) B-C
(3) A-B (4) B-C (5) None of these
(5) None of these 15. (A) Ajar (B) Unlatched
7. (A) Vilification (B) Nullification (C) Airy (D) Extravagant
(C) Denigration (D) Falsification (1) C-D (2) B-C
(1) A-B (2) B-C (3) A-B (4) A-D
(3) A-C (4) B-D (5) None of these
(5) None of these 16. (A) Precious
8. (A) Zenith (B) Ground (B) Prodigious
(C) Space (D) Nadir (C) Nagging
(5) None of these (D) Awesome
(1) A-B (2) C-D (1) A-C (2) C-D
(3) A-C (4) B-D (3) B-D (4) A-B
9. (A) Suave (B) Urbane (5) None of these
(C) Dishevelled (D) Smart 17. (A) Forlorn (B) Senile
(5) None of these (C) Masochist (D) Desolate
(1) A-B (2) B-D (1) B-C
(3) C-D (4) A-D (2) A-B
10. (A) Bliss (B) Pride (3) A-C
(C) Imprudence (D) Euphoria (4) A-D
(1) A-B (2) B-C (5) None of these
(3) B-D (4) A-D 18. (A) Raucous
(5) None of these (B) Rotund
11. (A) Aversion (B) Acquit (C) Subdued
(C) Exonerate (D) Yield (D) Egregious
(1) A-C (2) B-D (1) A-C
(3) C-D (4) B-C (2) B-D
12. (A) Gullible (B) Artificial (3) A-D
(C) Unsuspicious(D) Tragic (4) B-C
(1) C-D (2) B-D (5) None of these
(3) A-C (4) B-C
(5) None of these ANSWERS
13. (A) Thrifty (B) Gorgeous 1. (5) 2. (3) 3. (1) 4. (2)
(C) Deficit (D) Frugal 5. (1) 6. (5) 7. (2) 8. (5)
(1) B-D (2) C-D 9. (1) 10. (4) 11. (4) 12. (3)
(3) A-D (4) B-C 13. (3) 14. (4) 15. (3) 16. (3)
(5) None of these 17. (4) 18. (1)
14. (A) Instant (B) Uxorious
Idioms & Phrases

6
Back out — to withdraw from a promise, contract : I felt grieved when he backed out of his
promise to help me.
Back up — to support; to sustain : He backed up his report with relevant statistics.
Break up — to disperse; to dissolve : The college will break up for the Puja holidays on 25th
October. The meeting will break up after the President has addressed the audience.
Bring up — to rear : Those brought up in adversity are able to cope with life better.
Call forth — to provoke : The minister's views on the disinvestgment policy of the government
called forth a good deal of bitter criticism.
Catch up with — to overtake; to draw level : Last week I had to stay late at the office to catch up
with some pending files.
Come off — to take place : The prize distribution came off on Tuesday last.
— to turn out successful : His speeches at the conference always came off beautifully.
Cry down — to deprecate; to make little of : You must not unneccessarily cry down the conduct
of others.
Drop in — to visit casually : On my way to the college, I dropped in at Mira's place.
Drop out — As the race progressed, many children dropped out.
Fall back — to recede; to retreat : On seeing the armed guards, the civilians fell back.
Fall down — from a higher position to a lower one : The branch gave way and he fell down into
the canal.
Get along — to prosper; to progress; to proceed : Well, doctor, how is your patient getting
along? It is simply impossible to get along with him.
Get on with — to live pleasantly together; to progress : How are you getting on with your
studies?
Go by — to follow : I am sorry to disappoint you but we have to go by the rules.
— to elapse (used of time) : Months have gone by but I have not called upon him.
Hang about — to loiter near a place : Last evening I say your friend hanging about your house.
Hang upon — to depend upon : The success of any venture hangs upon the seriousness with
which it is undertaken.
Keep up with — to keep pace with : You read too fast; I cannot keep up with you.
Knock out — to win by hitting the opponent insensible in a boxing bout : The challenger was
knocked out in two minutes.
Lay By — to put away for future use : She has laid by five thousand rupees to celebrate her
marriage anniversary.
Lay in — to store for future use : Anticipating scarcity of foodgrains, they laid in a good
store of provisions.
Make off with — to run away with : The servant made off with the master's watch.
Makeover — to transfer : He has made over the building to his son.
Make up — to supply what is deficient : You must work hard during the Dussehra holidays
and try to make up your deficiency in English.
— to invent or fabricate : She made up a story to get rid of the visitor.
— to reconcile : They have made up their quarrel and are now getting on quite well.
Pass away — to die : His sister passed away in the early hours of the morning.
Pass by — to disregard; to omit : He did not invite me to his birthday. It appears that he
passed me by.
— to go alongside of : You passed by my house the day before yesterday.
Pick out — to select or choose : The teacher picked out the best student from the class.
Run away — to flee : The little girl took a necklace and ran away.
Run away with — to steal and depart with : The cashier ran away with twenty thousand rupees.
Run off — to break off from control : The dog broke the chain and ran off.
Run over — to drive over : The car ran over the pedestrian as he was crossing the road.
— to flow over : The tant is running over.
Set in — to begin : As soon as rains set in, it beecomes pleasant.
Set up — to establish; to open a new business : He is soon going to set up as a financier.
Speak for — to recommend somebody or to urge somebody's claims : If you speak for me to
the Manager, I am sure he will look at my case favourably.
Speak on — to deliver a lecture on : This evening I am going to speak on the changing
concepts of morality in various ages.
Stand off — to keep at a distance : Would you please stand off? I brook no interference in my
way of work.
Strike for — to stop work for some reason : The labourers have struck for higher wages.
Take after — to resemble : The younger sister takes after the elder one.
Tell against — to prove adverse to; to go against : I am sure these facts are going to tell against
your case.
Throw about — to fling here and there : to leave in disorder : The child threw his books about and
ran off to play.
Throw away — to lose through carelessness : You have thrown away a golden oportunity.
Turn against — to become hostile to : I shall not give up my principles even if the whole world
turns against me.
Turn aside — to deviate; to digress : Never turn aside from the path of virtue.
A dog in the manager: A person who prevents Eighty Six: A certain item is no longer available.
others from enjoying something that is useless to Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away.
him. Elvis has left the building: The show has come
A Fool and his Money are Easily Parted: It’s to an end. It’s all over.
easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money. Ethnic Cleansing: Killing of a certain ethnic or
A House Divided against itself cannot Stand: religious group on a massive scale.
Everyone involved must unify and function together Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining: Be optimistic,
or it will not work out. even difficult times will lead to better days.
A Leopard Can’t Change his Spots: You cannot Excuse my French: Please forgive me for
change who you are. cussing.
Apple of My Eye: Someone who is cherished French Leave: Absence without permission.
above all others. Feeding Frenzy: An aggressive attack on
Black and Blue: To beat mercilessly. someone by a group.
Back Seat Driver: People who criticize from the Field Day: An enjoyable day or circumstance.
sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice Finding Your Feet: To become more comfortable
from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver. in whatever you are doing.
Back to Square One: Having to start all over Finger lickin’ good: A very tasty food or meal.
again. Funny Farm: A mental institutional facility.
Back to the Drawing Board: When an attempt Get Down to Brass Tacks: To become serious
fails and it’s time to start all over. about something.
Close shave: A narrow escape. Get Over it: To move beyond something that is
Can’t Cut the Mustard: Someone who isn’t bothering you.
adequate enough to compete or participate. Go Out on a Limb: Put yourself in a tough
Cast Iron Stomach: Someone who has no position in order to support someone/something.
problems, complications or ill effects with eating Go the Extra Mile: Going above and beyond
anything or drinking anything. whatever is required for the task at hand.
Charley Horse: Stiffness in the leg/A leg cramp. Good Samaritan: Someone who helps others
Chew someone out: Verbally scold someone. when they are in need, with no discussion for
Cry Wolf: Intentionally raise a false alarm. compensation, and no thought of a reward.
Cup of Joe: A cup of coffee. Gut Feeling: A personal intuition you get,
Curiosity Killed the Cat: Being Inquisitive can especially when feel something may not be right.
lead you into a dangerous situation. Haste Makes Waste: Quickly doing things
Cut to the Chase: Leave out all the unnecessary results in a poor ending.
details and just get to the point. He Lost His Head: Angry and overcome by
Dark Horse: One who was previously unknown emotions.
and is now prominent. Head Over Heels: Very excited and/or joyful,
Dead Ringer: 100% identical. A duplicate. especially when in love.
Don’t Put all Your Eggs in One Basket: Do not Hell in a Handbasket: Deteriorating and headed
put all your resources in one possibility. for complete disaster.
Doozy: Something outstanding. High Five: Slapping palms above each others
Down to the Wire: Something that ends at the heads as celebration gesture.
last minute or last few seconds. Hit the Books: To study, especially for a test or
Dry Run: Rehearsal. exam.
Hit the Hay: Go to bed or go to sleep. speech.

Hit the Nail on the Head: Do something exactly Mum’s the word: To keep quiet. To say nothing.
right or say something exactly right. Nest Egg: Savings set aside for future use.
Hit the Sack: Go to bed or go to sleep. Never Bite the Hand that Feeds You: Don’t hurt
Hold Your Horses: Be patient. anyone that helps you.
Icing on the Cake: When you already have it New kid on the block: Someone new to the group
good and get something on top of what you already or area.
have. New York Minute: A minute that seems to go by
Idle Hands are the Devil’s Tools: You are more quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.
likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do. Off on the Wrong Foot: Getting a bad start on a
Its Anyone’s Call: A competition where the relationship or task.
outcome is difficult to judge or predict. Off the Hook: No longer have to deal with a
Ivy League: Since 1954 the Ivy League has been tough situation.
the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Off the Record: Something said in confidence
Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and that the one speaking doesn’t want attributed to him/
Harvard. her.
Jaywalk: Crossing the street (from the middle) On Pins and Needles: Anxious or nervous,
without using the crosswalk. especially in anticipation of something.
Joshing Me: Tricking me. On the Fence: Undecided.
Keep an Eye on Him: You should carefully watch On the Same Page: When multiple people all
him. agree on the same thing.
Lend Me Your Ear: To politely ask for someone’s Out of the Blue: Something that suddenly and
full attention. unexpectedly occurs.
Let Bygones be Bygones: To forget about a Out on a Limb: When someone puts themself in
disagreement or argument. a risky situation.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: To avoid restarting a Out on the Town: To enjoy yourself by going
conflict. out.
Let the Cat out of the Bag: To share a secret that Over my Dead Body: When you absolutely will
wasn’t suppose to be shared. not allow something to happen.
Level playing field: A fair competition where no Pass the Buck: Avoid responsibility by giving
side has an advantage. it to someone else.
Like a chicken with its head cut off: To act in a Pedal to the metal: To go full speed, especially
frenzied manner. while driving a vehicle.
Liquor someone up: To get someone drunk. Pig out: To eat alot and eat it quickly.
Long in the Tooth: Old people (or horses). Queer the pitch: Destroy or ruin a plan.
Loose Cannon: Someone who is unpredictable Raincheck: An offer or deal that is declined right
and can cause damage if not kept in check. now but willing to accept later.
Make no Bones About: To state a fact so there Raining Cats and Dogs: A very loud and noisy
are no doubts or objections. rain storm.
Method to My Madness: Strange or crazy actions Ring Fencing: Separated usual judgement to
that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a guarantee protection, especially project funds.
good reason. Rise and Shine: Time to get out of bed and get
Mumbo Jumbo: Nonsense or meaningless ready for work/school.
Rome was not Built in one Day: If you want Twenty three skidoo: To be turned away.
something to be completely properly, then its going Under the weather: Feeling ill or sick.
to take time. Up a blind alley: Going down a course of action
Rule of Thumb: A rough estimate. that leads to a bad outcome.
Run out of steam: To be completely out of energy. Use Your Loaf: Use your head. Think smart.
Saved by the Bell: Saved at the last possible Van Gogh’s ear for music: Tone deaf.
moment. Variety is the Spice of Life: The more
Scapegoat: Someone else who takes the blame. experiences you try the more exciting life can be.
Scot-free: To escape and not have to pay. Wag the Dog: A diversion away from something
Sick as a Dog: To be very sick (with the flu or a of greater importance.
cold). X marks the spot: A phrase that is said when
Southpaw: Someone who is left-handed. someone finds something he/she has been looking
Spitting Image: The exact likeness or kind. for.
Start from Scratch: To do it all over again from You are What You Eat: In order to stay healthy
the beginning. you must eat healthy foods.
The Ball is in Your Court: It is your decision You can’t Judge a Book by its Cover: Decisions
this time. shouldn’t be made primarily on appearance.
The Best of Both Worlds: There are two choices You can’t Take it With You: Enjoy what you
and you have them both. have and not what you don’t have, since when you
The Last Straw: When one small burden after die you cannot take things (such as money) with you.
another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw Your Guess is as Good as Mine: I have no idea.
is the last small burden that one can take. Zero Tolerance: No crime or law breaking big or
The Whole Nine Yards: Everything. All of it. small will be overlooked.
French Phrases
Here’s a list of French phrases and sayings that are used in English often enough to have become part of the
language. Many of these relate to those French preoccupations, fashion and food.
À la carte On the menu, with each dish priced.
Au naturel Undressed or ‘in a natural state.
Au pair A young foreigner, usually female, who undertakes domestic tasks in
exchange for accommodation.
Au revoir Farewell for the time being. Sometimes given in English in the jokey au
reservoir version.
Avant garde The pioneers or innovators in art in a particular period. Also, a military
term, meaning vanguard oradvance guard.
Belle époque ‘Beautiful era’—the golden age of art and culture in France in the early
20th century.
Bon mot Clever, witty remark.
Bon vivant ‘Good liver’ — a person who enjoys life, especially ‘wine, women and song’.
Bon voyage Have a good trip.
Carte blanche Having free rein to choose whatever course of action you want.
Cause célèbre An issue arousing widespread controversy or debate. An English invention,
rarely used in France.
C’est la vie That’s life or such is life. Often used in disappointed resignation following
some bad fortune.
Cri de coeur ‘Cry of the heart’—a heartfelt cry of anguish.
Cul-de-sac A thoroughfare that is closed at one end—a blind alley. Also, figuratively,
a venture leading to no successful outcome.
Déjà vu The feeling of having seen or experienced something before. Literally
‘already seen’.
De rigueur Obligatory or expected, especially with reference to fashion.
Éminence grise A powerful adviser or decision-maker who operates secretly or unofficially.
Literally ‘grey eminence’.
En masse In a group; all together.
En passant In passing.
En route On the way.
Fait accompli An irreversible action that has happened before those affected by it knew
of its existence.
Faux pas A social blunder, causing embarrassment or loss of reputation. Literally, a
‘false step’.
Force majeure Irresistible force or overwhelming power.
Grand prix The premier events of several sports, especially the races in the Formula I
motor racing championship. Literally, ‘grand prize’.
Haute couture ‘High sewing’—trend-setting high fashion. Also, the collective name for
the leading dressmakers and designers.
Je ne sais quoi An indescribable or inexpressible something. Literally, ‘I know not what’.
Joie de vivre A feeling of healthy enjoyment of life; exuberance, high spirits.
L’esprit de l’escalier This isn’t actually widely adopted into English. I include it here in the hope
that it might become so. It means—thinking of a suitable retort or remark
after the opportunity to make it has passed. Literally, ‘the wit of t h e
staircase’.
Mal de mer Seasickness.
Mardi gras The last day of the Carnival or pre-Lenten season. Literally, ‘Fat Tuesday’,
called Shrove Tuesday in the UK.
Noblesse oblige The responsibility conferred by rank. Literally, ‘noble rank entails
responsibility’.
Nom de guerre A name assumed by individuals engaged in a military enterprise or
espionage, usually in order to conceal their true identity. Literally, ‘war name’.
Nom de plume An assumed name under which a person writes or publishes. Literally, ‘pen
name’.
Objet d’art An ‘art object’.
Papier mâché A material used for sculptural artwork and craftwork. Literally ‘mashed
paper’.
Par excellence Pre-eminently supreme—above all others.
Prêt-à-porter Ready-to-wear clothing.
Quelle horreur What a horrible thing? This is frequently used sardonically, when the
‘horror’ is trivial.
Qu’est-ce que c’est? What is this?
Raison d’être The thing that is central to our existence. Literally, ‘reason for being’.
RSVP Please respond (to my message). Literally the abbreviation of ‘Répondez,
s’il vous plaît’.
Sang-froid Coolness, indifference. Literally, ‘cold blood’.
Savoir-faire Social grace; means know-how in French.
S’il vous plaît Please. Literally, ‘if it pleases you’.
Soupe du jour ‘Soup of the day’ —the soup offered by a restaurant that day.
Tour de force A masterly stroke or feat of strength or skill. Literally, ‘feat of strength’.
Vis-à-vis In a position facing another. Literally ‘face to face’. Often now used in the
sense of ‘in relation to’.
Vive la différence Long live the difference (between male and female).
Vol-auvent A small, light savoury pastry. Literally ‘flight of the wind ’.
Zut alors A general exclamation. Like Sacré bleu, this is more likely to be spoken by
pretend Frenchmen than by real ones.
Latin Phrases
Here’s a list of Latin phrases and sayings that are used in English often enough to have become part of the
language.
A cappella [Music] in church [style], i.e., unaccompanied voices.
A priori From what comes before.
Ad absurdum To the point of absurdity.
Ad hoc For this purpose.
Ad infinitum Without limit-endlessly.
Ad nauseam To a sickening extent.
Alma Mater One’s old school (literally ‘bounteous mother’).
Alter ego Other (alternative) self.
Annus horribilis A horrible year.
Agnus Dei Lamb of God.
Aqua pura Pure water.
Aqua vitae Alcoholic spirit, e.g., brandy/whisky. Literally ‘water of life’.
Ars longa, vita brevis Skill takes time to acquire, but life is short.
Ave Maria Hail Mary.
Carpe diem Seize the day (More literally translated as ‘enjoy the day, pluck it when it
is ripe’).
Caveat emptor Let the buyer beware.
Cogito ergo sum I think, therefore I am.
Corpus Christi The body of Christ.
De facto In fact—in reality.
Dei Gratia By the grace of God.
E Pluribus Unum One from many.
Et cetera (etc.) And the rest.
Et tu, Brute And you, Brutus.
Ex libris ‘Out of the books’, i.e., from the library.

Gloria in excelsis deo Glory to God in the highest.
Habeas corpus You must have the body (in court).
In absentia In one’s absence.
In camera In private chamber.
In flagrante delicto In the act of committing an offence.
In loco parentis In the place of a parent.
In vitro In a test tube (literally ‘in glass’).
Ipso facto By that very fact.
Magnum opus A great work.
Mea culpa My fault.
Modus operandi Mode of operating.
(m.o.)
Nolens volens Willingly or unwillingly (see also, willy-nilly).
Post partum After childbirth.
Praemonitus, Forewarned is forearmed.
praemunitus
Prima facie At first sight; on the face of it.
Pro bono Without charge—for the public good.
Opus Dei The work of God.
Quid pro quo Something for something, i.e., a favour for a favour.
Quo vadis? Where are you going?
Rigor mortis The rigidity of death.
Semper fidelis Always faithful.
Sine qua non Indispensable.
Status quo The current state of affairs.
Sub judice Before a court.
Tempus fugit Time flees.
Terra firma Solid ground.
Urbi et orbi To the city and to the globe.
Veni vidi vici I came, I saw, I conquered.
Vice versa The other way around.
Vivat Regina Long live the queen.
Vox populi The voice of the people.
EXERCISE I (4) remain non-aligned

(5) None of these
Directions (Q. No. 1-15): Select the meaning of the 2. To flog a dead horse
bold Idiom or phrase from the given alternatives. (1) to do interesting things
1. In the organised society of today no individual (2) to try to take work from a weak horse
or nation can plough a lone furrow. (3) to beat a horse that is dead
(1) remain unaffected (4) to revive interest in a subject which is out
(2) do without the help of others of date
(3) survive in isolation (5) None of these
3. To bait the hook to suit the fish (4) Innocent and inexperienced people
(1) to look at things from other person's point (5) None of these
of veiw 11. The ship was about to weigh anchor when the
(2) to catch fish by providing suitable food storm came.
(3) to do things to please others (1) Weigh the anchor
(4) to prepare a box to pack the fish (2) Leave the docking berth
(5) None of these (3) Raise the anchor as a preparation to sail
4. Bed of roses again
(1) very soft bed (2) dull life (4) Drop the anchor
(3) belong to (4) full of joys (5) None of these
(5) None of these 12. I did not know that he was pulling my leg all
5. Black and blue the time.
(1) painting (2) severely (1) complimenting me
(3) together (4) intermix (2) defaming me
(5) None of these (3) degrading me
6. Smell a rat (4) befooling me
(1) to act unfairly (2) to talk boastfully (5) None of these
(3) to have reason to suspect 13. Only the cowards hit below the belt.
(4) to discourage (1) give a crippling blow
(5) None of these (2) hit in the thighs
7. Under duress (3) act unfairly (4) act brutally
(1) under compulsion (2) willingly (5) None of these
(3) to elicit information(4) to demand 14. Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind
(5) None of these (1) A good done to others does not go
8. In the throes of unnoticed
(1) out of the grip (2) Do or say a thing which may bring severe
(2) in the grip of punishment
(3) uncontrolled (3) Prevention is better than cure
(4) in the power of (4) See no evil and do no evil
9. There followed an awkward silence after Salim 15. Anurag has made a laughing stock of the
declared his love to her. braggart:
(1) Uncomfortable silence (1) Foolish (2) Laugh
(2) Embarrassing silence (3) Laughing store-house
(3) Clumsy silence (4) Look ridiculous
(4) A period of embarrassment (5) None of these
(5) None of these
10. Looking at them now, who can imagine that ANSWERS
they were a couple of babes in the wood in
school! 1. (2) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (4)
(1) Children or babies in the forest 5. (2) 6. (3) 7. (1) 8. (2)
(2) Babies made of wood 9. (2) 10. (4) 11. (3) 12. (4)
(3) Babies lost in the wood 13. (3) 14. (2) 15. (4)
Sentence Arrangement
7
EXERCISE 2. A. The Vikings were the terrorists whom
Europe feared the most between the
Direction (Q. No. 1-17): Sentences given in eighth and the twelfth centuries.
each question, when properly sequenced form B. They set out on these voyages of
a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is dangerous adventure because they felt
labelled with letter. Choose the most logical an even more unbearable fear than did
order of sentences from among the given their neighbours who stayed behind.
choices to construct a coherent paragraph. C. For they were tortured by the thought
that their name and reputation might
1. A. 'Electricity' is a subject enumerated in vanish into nothingness.
the Concurrent list, meaning that the D. They managed to brave the seas to
Federal and State legislatures are pillage, ransom, and create havoc from
competent to enact laws on the subject. Constantinople to Lisbon and Dublin,
B. The Constitution of India has even though they carried inside them all
demarcated the legislative competence the usual fears of poor peasants as well
of the Federal and State legislatures in as the loneliness of Scandinavia's long
three different lists. nights.
C. However, a State law cannot override, (1) CDAB (2) CBAD
or be inconsistent with, a Federal law (3) DABC (4) ADBC
and in case of inconsistency, the Federal (5) None of these
law will override the State law. 3. A. Deprived of livelihood and income, they
D. The Union list contains matters within face penury, and as families split up and
the exclusive domain of the Federal spread out, their community bonds
legislature, the State list contains crumble.
matters within the exclusive domain of B. Oddly, all this happens in the name of
the State legislature, and the Concurrent development, and the victim are
list contains subjects on which both the described as beneficiaries.
Federal and the State legislatures are C. Cut off from their most vital resources,
competent to enact laws. those uprooted are then robbed of their
(1) ACBD (2) BDAC history traditions and culture.
(3) DABC (4) BCDA D. Imagine the entire population of the
(5) None of these continent of Australia turned out of their
homes – eighteen million people losing (1) DBCA (2) DCBA

their lands, evicted from their houses. (3) CBAD (4) DCAB
(1) DACB (2) DBAC (5) None of these
(3) ACDB (4) ABDC 7. A. And big was certainly the word at the
(5) None of these Classic ITC Cup held in Bangalore – a
4. A. This chemical compound finds wide total of Rs 75 lakh as prize money!
usage in diversified industries such as B. There are also 12 horses that have,
refectories, ceramics, etc. among them, won 9 derbies and 24
B. Indal developed the requisite technology classics.
in-house at its Belgaum centre. C. Says a champion jockey, "the Cup is a
C. In 1982-83, it started developing special difficult race to win, but where you get
alumina, an import substitute. to ride the best horses."
D. In pursuit of its policy of adding value D. It's called racing's biggest weekend.
to the basic products, Indal has been (1) BACD (2) CDAB
adding value to alumina too. (3) DABC (4) ADCB
(1) BCDA (2) CDAB (5) None of these
(3) CBAD (4) DCAB 8. A. The real clincher, however, is the
(5) None of these compensation package.
5. A. India accorded Most Favoured Nation B. Mulling over a job offer?
(MFN) status to Pakistan long ago. C. The company is bigger and the
B. Matters have hardly improved since designation better.
dialogue was broken off in early 1994. D. Is it several times more – or isn't it?
C. Pakistan is still only talking about giving (1) BCDA (2) BCAD
India MFN status in trade, even though (3) BADC (4) BACD
it is obliged to under the World Trade (5) None of these
Organisation. 9. A. Is it really that complicated?
D. In some ways, they have worsened. B. The fact is, that no sooner have we
(1) CADB (2) BDCA turned a couple of years old, than we
(3) CBDA (4) ACBD are being admonished by grown-ups to
(5) None of these 'stop crying' and 'be a man'.
6. A. However, banks are now allowed to C. Psychologists have been known to wirte
price freely all deposits having a tenure hefty volumes on the subject with titles
of over one year. like 'studies on expressions of feelings
B. Quite unexpectedly; the bank announced by the male species'.
a midterm modification in its monetary D. We just took a trip down memeory lane
policy. and figured it all out pretty quickly.
C. The maximum rate of interest that (1) ABDC (2) BDAC
bankers can now offers on deposits of (3) CADB (4) ABCD
tenure upto a year has been reduced
(5) None of these
from 12% to 11%.
10. A. Small-time sapphire hawkers accost
D. Last fortnight, the Reserve Bank took
bankers by surprise. you, scratching their wares furiously
against little panes of glass to prove that (3) ACBD (4) ABDC
the stones are genuine. (5) None of these
B. In fact, precious rocks are a typically 13. A. Guruji had been undergoing a terrific
Thai success story. strain for over five decades in devoting
C. No visitor to Bangkok can help noticing his body, mind, heart, and soul to the
the Thai gem and jewellery industry. causes of service to humanity and the
D. Hundreds of gem shops are strung like spread of spiritual enlightenment.
a necklace around the big hotels. B. The excessive strain of long tour abroad
(1) DCBA (2) BDAC came as a severe low to his health, but
(3) BACD (4) CADB he still refused to rest, continuing his
(5) None of these studies, talks and writings with unabated
11. A. The sensitivity of the human ear is quite vigour and enthusiasm.
extraordinary, far exceeding that of any C. This had already undermined his health
manmade physical instrument. but he was never one to reserve any
B. It is sensitive to movements of the time or attention to his own well being.
tympanic membrane of as little as one D. In fact it required great vigilance to
billionth of a centimetre, less than the prevent him from giving advice and
diameter of a hydrogen atom. blessings to his devotees and disciples
C. If all other noise could be suppressed, even when he could hardly speak on
account of the strain.
you would even hear the "rustle" of air
(1) ABCD (2) BADC
molecules moving in response to the heat
(3) BDAC
of the atmosphere: you could almost
(4) ACBD
hear the grass grow.
(5) None of these
D. The smallest pressure on the eardrum
14. A. A totally personal agenda will never bring
will produce audible sensation.
about this level of fulfilment because that
(1) BACD (2) DABC
has to result from integration – and not
(3) ABDC (4) BACD
be a substitute for it.
(5) None of these B. One's consciousness then becomes
12. A. Humour gives you the opportunity to centred in the identity of the soul.
exaggerate a point which is presumably C. Realising ourselves and our potential
why it is best remembered. entails becoming a pure reflection and
B. Using humour can be not just the most manifestation of the inner self.
arduous route but the joke may fail to D. Since the soul lives by different laws
cause a flutter. and values, there is a fundamental
C. But a warming here: humour has to be conflict in human nature that must be
funny. resolved if integration and fulfilment is
D. Everyone with a successful humour to be complete.
advertisement agress that they are very (1) DCAB (2) ABCD
careful about the script. (3) CBDA (4) CABD
(1) DCBA (2) ACDB (5) None of these
15. A. Time will be called out not just by D. "Si momentum requires, circumspice".
bartenders but also by gambling (1) BCAD (2) DBAC
machines in the Australian state of (3) DCBA (4) ADCB
Victoria. 17. A. In India, home to 2,500-3, 750 tigers
B. TS Eliot would have got a poem out of (half the world's total), they are being
this. poached at the rate of at least one a day.
C. Natural lighting has also been made B. The threat has, however, sparked off
mandatory in some casmos so that fully another, though smaller, crisis – a spate
addicted punters do not mistake the of recriminations between
fluorescent lighting for some kind conservations organisations.
Alladin's lamp that can summon a Djinn C. As anyone with a letter-box, a TV set
to take care of home and hearth. and an environmental consceience will
D. From July 4, clocks will be fitted to know, the tiger may soon be extinct in
27,500 gambling machines down under the wild.
to remind punters that it's time to return D. It does't take a mathematician to work
home and tend to their familiar out that, if those rates continue, there
obligations. may be no Bengal tigers left outside
(1) DACB (2) DABC zoos, within a decade.
(3) CABD (4) BADC (1) DCBA
(5) None of these (2) CDBA
16. A. Naturally, the committee asumes that (3) CBAD (4) CADB
anybody interested in national heritage (5) None of these
is fluent in Latin.
B. So avers the National Heritage ANSWERS
committee's new report, recalling the
inscription in memory of Sir Christopher
1. (2) 2. (4) 3. (1) 4. (4)
Wren. 5. (4) 6. (1) 7. (3) 8. (2)
C. But for those readers whose classics are 9. (3) 10. (4) 11. (3) 12. (3)
a bit rusty, it translates as: "If you seek 13. (4) 14. (3) 15. (1) 16. (2)
a monument to him, look about you". 17. (4)
Foreign Words & Phrases

8
1. Ab initio (Latin) — From the beginning.
2. Aborigine (Latin) — Native, any of the earliest known inhabitants of a certain region.
3. Actionnaire (French) — Shareholder.
4. Actualite (French) — Real existence; appropriateness.
5. Ad hoc (Latin) — For the special purpose.
6. Ad interim (Latin) — In the meantime; temporary.
7. Ad libitum (Latin) — As one pleases.
8. Ad referendum (Latin) — For further consideration.
9. Ad valorem (Latin) — According to value.
10. A Dio (Italian) — To God;
— Addio! Adieu!
11. Agamemnon (Greek) — The leader of the Greeks in the Trojan war, king of Mycenae.
12. Aide (French) — An assistant, a helper, a mate.
13. Air noble (French) — An air of distinction.
14. Ajax (Latin, Greek) — The Greek hero next to Achilles in the Trojan war.
15. Alectryon (Greek) — A cock.
16. Allah it Allah (Arabian) — There is no God but the God
— the Moslem war cry.
17. Alopecia (Latin, Greek) — Fox mange : a skin disease, which destroys the hair; baldness.
18. Allure (French) — Mien, gait, air.
19. Alpeen (Irish) — A cudgel.
20. Alter ego (Latin) — One’s second self, a very close friend, a representative.
21. Affair d’amour (French) — A love affair.
22. A’la mode (French) — According to the custom; in fashion.
23. Alma Mater (Latin) — Benign mother; A term applied by students to the school, college or
university where they have been educated.
24. Anno Christi (Latin) — In the year of Christ.
25. Anno Dontini (Latin) — In the year of Christ.
26. Ante Meridiem (Latin) — Before noon.
27. Ars longa, vita brevis (Latin)— Art is long, life is short.
28. Au contraire (Latin) — On the contrary.
29. Au revoir (French) — Adieu, until we meet again.
30. Auto (Spanish) — An act, a drama.
31. Bacchus (Latin, Greek) — The god of wine.
32. Basta (Italian) — Enough ! No more !
33. Bastide (French) — A French country house.
34. Beau garcon (French) — A handsome man.
35. Beau jour (French) — Fine day, good times.

36. Beaux-arts (French) — The fine arts.
37. Beneficiare (French) — The person receiving benctits.
38. Bene qui latiut bene vixit (Latin) — He has lived\ell who has lived obscure.
39. Billet-doux (French) — A love letter.
40. Bonn fide (Latin) — In good faith.
41. Bon hoinie (French) — Good nature.
42. Bonjour (French) — Good day; good morning.
43. Bon voyage (French) — A good journey to you.
44. Boutique (French) — A shop. tradesman’s stock.
45. Bourgeoisee (French) — The social class between the aristocracy and the working class; middle
class.
46. Bravo (Italian) — Well done; splendid.
47. Cadre (French) — A frame, a scheme; a list of officers.
48. Cafe (French) — Coffee.
49. Camaraderie (French) — Comrade; Friendly fellowship.
50. Carpe diem (Latin) — Enjoy the present day.
51. Cara sposa (Italian) — Dear wife.
52. Chef (French) — A cook in charge of a kitchen; head cook
53. Chesara’ Sara’ (Italian) — What will be will be.
54. Cognito, ergo sum (Latin) — I think, therefore, I am.
55. Coiffeur (French) — Hair dresser.
56. Contra (Latin) — Against.
57. Corpus (Latin) — The body of a man or animal, especially a dead body.
58. Coup d’etat (French) — Sudden decisive blow in politics.
59. Creme (French) — Cream.
60. Creme de la creme (French)— Cream of the cream; the very best.
61. Danke, Schoon (German) — Many thanks.
62. De bonne grace (French) — With good grace.
63. De facto (Latin) — In fact, actually.
64. De jure (Latin) — In the law; by right.
65. Dei gratin (Latin) — By the grace of God.
66. Deluxe (French) — Luxurious.
67. Dennode (French) — Out of fashion.
68. Desagrement (French) — Something disagreeable.
69. Detenu (French) — A prisoner.
70. Deus ex inachina (Latin) — A character or event brought artificially into the plot of a story or
drama to settle an involved situation.
71. Distrait (French) — Absent minded.
72. Dramatis personae (Latin) — Characters in a drama or a play.
73. Donna e’ mobile (Italian) — Woman is changeable.
74. Duce (Italian) — A leader.
75. Ecce! (Latin) — Behold!
76. Edition deluxe (French) — A splendid and expensive edition of a book.
77. Elegant (French) — A person of fashion.
78. Elite (French) — The best part.
79. En famille (French) — With one’s family; at home; in an informal way.
80. En masse (French) — In a group, universally.

81. En prince (French) — In princely style.
82. En queue (French) — In a string or line.
83. En rapport (French) — In agreement, in accord with.
84. En route (French) — On the way.
85. Entente (French) — An understanding; agreement.
86. Entrepreneur (French) — A business man.
87. En rills (French) — In town, ‘not at home’.
88. Espirit de corps (French) — Group spirit, sense of pride.
89. Errare est liumaru in (Latin)— To err is human.
90. Estancia (Spanish) — A mansion.
91. Ethos (Greek) — Permanent character; in literature and art, chief characteristics of a
work as affecting the intellectual and moral faculties, as opposed to
pathos which appeals to the emotions.
92. Etoile (French) — Star.
93. Et tu, Brute ! (Latin) — You too, Brutus! (Caesar’s exclamation, when he saw his much loved
Brutus amongst the murderers.)
94. Euge! (Latin, Greek) — Well done!
95. Eureka (Meureka) (Greek) — I have found it.
96. Excelsior (Latin) — Higher; (erroneously) upwards.
97. Exceptio confirmat (probat)— The exception proves the rule.
regular (Latin)
98. Ex officio (Latin) — By virtue of his office.
99. Ex post facto (Latin) — After the deed is done; done or made after wards.
100. Extra (Latin) — Beyond, outside the scope of.
101. Fade (French) — To become less distinct.
102. Fait accompli (French) — A thing already done.
103. Fenome (French) — Woman, wife.
104. Festa (Italian) — A festival.
105. Flair (French) — Aptitude; a natural talent or ability.
106. Gallant (French) — Gay, elegant, attentive to ladies.
107. Gens de letters (French) — Literary man.
108. Grand (French) — Great.
109. Heil (German) — Flail!
110. Homo sapiens (Latin) — Mankind; human beings. III. Hotel (French)
— A hotel, a mansion.
112. Id est (Latin) — That is.
113. Ibidem (Latin) — In the same place, thing or case.
114. In camera (Latin) — In the chamber of the judge.
115. In toto (Latin) — In the whole; entirely.
116. Impasse (French) — A deadlock.
117. In memoriam (Latin) — In the memory of.
118. In petto (Italian) — Secretly, not revealed.
119. Inter alia (Latin) — Among other things.
120. Inter alios (Latin) — Among the persons.
121. Kinder (German) — Children.
122. L’allegro (Italian) — The cheerful man.
123. Libra (Latin) — A pound; a unit of weight.

124. Lingua franca (Italian) — Mixed language.
125. Litterateur (French) — A man of letters.
126. Locus Standi (Latin) — A right to interfere.
127. Magnum opus (Latin) — A great work.
128. Malentendu (French) — Misunderstood; poorly conceived.
129. Matinee (French) — Reception or entertainment held in the afternoon.
130. Milieu (French) — Surroundings; environment.
131. Modus (Latin) — Manner, mode.
132. Modus operandi (Latin) — Manner of working.
133. Monsieur (French) — Sir, Mr.
134. Monstre scare (French) — A popular public figure who is considered above criticism.
135. Mon and (French) — My friend.
136. Nil (Latin) — Nothing.
137. Non (Latin) — Not.
138. Octroi (French) — Duties paid at the gate of a city.
139. Oninia vincist labor (Latin)— Labour overcomes all things.
140. Opera (Latin) — Plural of opus. Musical works of a composer numbered in order of
composition or publication.
141. Oil (French) — yes.
142. Par excellence (French) — Eminently, beyond comparison.
143. Par example (Latin) — For example.
144. Persona grata (Latin) — A person who is acceptable or welcome.
145. Postmortem (Latin) — Happening done or made after death.
146. Post (Latin) — After, e.g., afternoon.
147. Pater (Latin) — Father.
148. Potage (French) — Soup.
149. Prima facie (Latin) — On first view.
150. Quantum (Latin) — Quantity, or amount.
151. Quasi (Latin) — As if, seemingly.
152. Regime (French) — Form of government.
153. Resume (French) — An abstract or summary.
154. R.S.V.P. (Reponds si’1 — Reply, if you please, an answer will oblige.
vous plait) (French)
155. Suns souci (French) — Without care.
156. Sine die (Latin) — Without a day being appointed.
157. Status quo (Latin) — The existing state of existing affair.
158. Status quoante (Latin) — The state of affairs existing prior to a given event.
159. Terra incognita (Latin) — An unknown country.
160. Tete-a-tete (French) — A private or intimate conversation between two people.
161. Ultra vires (Latin) — Beyond one’s powers.
162. Via media (Latin) — A middle course.
163. Vice versa (Latin) — The order or relation being reversed, conversely.
164. Vis-a-vis (French) — Opposite; face to face.
165. Viva voce (Latin) — By word of mouth; orally.
166. Vive la (French) — Long live!
Cloze Test
9
Cloze test or Numbered gap is an extensive 4. (1) all (2) about
variation of the sentence completion test. In the (3) what (4) that
given passage candidate are required to make their (5) None of these
choices from the given multiple alternatives for 5. (1) instructed (2) told
each numbered gap. This test evaluates the (3) said (4) remarked
candidates volabulary power and his ability to judge (5) None of these
the overall meaning of a passage even when some 6. (1) persons (2) girls
words are missing. The most common question (3) these (4) them
from this section, several words are omitted from (5) None of these
the sentence. 7. (1) his (2) her
(3) own (4) their
Example 1 (5) None of these
Jo was the first to ..1.. up on christmas 8. (1) and (2) then
norming. ...2… a moment she felt disappointed (3) which (4) but
for no stockings hung from the fire place. ..3.. (5) None of these
She remembered ..4… her mother had ..5.. her 9. (1) rebuke (2) encouragement
the previous evening each of …6… would find a (3) blessings (4) satire
present tucked under their pillow. She slipped (5) None of these
…7… hand under the pillow …8…drew out a 10. (1) gloom (2) joy
crimson coloured rible. Mother had writtern some (3) tears (4) sadness
words of ..9.. inside the book. This quickly brought (5) None of these
a few …10… in Jo’s eyes.
1. (1) run (2) look Answers
(3) wake (4) glance 1. (3) 2. (2) 3. (4) 4. (3)
(5) None of these 5. (2) 6. (4) 7. (2) 8. (1)
2. (1) Just (2) For 9. (3) 10 (3).
(3) At (4) Since
(5) None of these Example 2
3. (1) Since (2) After Billy Arjan Singh was a wildlife enthusiast.
(3) Then (4) Soon Billy’s fight ..1.. hunting put professional shikhar
(5) None of these companies out of jobs. ..2.. his failing health, he
had …3… a writ in the Allahabad High court against there are blanks, each of which has been
…4… in Dudhwa. This is apart from a …5.. battle incearered . These number are printed below
that he …6..to have the oftending railway track the passage and against each five wards are
…7… through dudhwa shifted to …8… its suggested, one of which fits the blank
inhabitants a peaceful …9… The only regret he
appropriately. Find out the appropriate word
had was “there was so much …10… to be done
in each case.
for tigers and so little time:. Billy’s contribution
will always be remembered by mildlife lovers. 1. It is niether the size nor the length of
1. (1) towards (2) for life which makes man …1… The
(3) over (4) against growth of mind and intellect in ..2.. in
(5) None of these proportion to the growth of the human
2. (1)Although (2) despite body. The man may …3… physically
(3) respite (4) frequently the state of a giant, yet he may remain
(5) None of these ..4.. a dwarf. The true worth of man
3. (1) filed (2) given …5… upon his action, dead and
(3) represented (4) forwarded thought. Man is not like a tree. An oak
(5) None of these tree …6.. to a huge size and lives for
4. (1) deforestation (2) pollution hundreds of years, only to ..7.. to the
(3) poaching (4) killing ground withered, dry an leafless ..8.. it
(5) None of these is not in …9… things that …10… is
5. (1) continous (2) persistant sought
(3) permanent (4) relentless 1. (1) human (2) polite
(5) None of these (3) better (4) humble
6. (1) waged (2) conducted (5) None of these
(3) started (4) constituted 2. (1) roughly (2) usually
7. (1) running (2) going (3) ever (4) never
(3) entering (4) standing 3. (1) earn (2) attain
8. (1) have (2) ensure (3) keep (4) grow
(3) pre-occupy (4) demand 4. (1) morally (2) spiritually
9. (1) Existence (2) stay (3) socially (4) intellectually
(3) vacation (4) reunion 5. (1) depends (2) lies
(5) None of these (3) revolves (4) gatheres
10. (1) Wanted (2) appeared (5) None of these
(3) dreamed (4) needed 6. (1) lifts (2) grows
(5) None of these (3) managers (4) raises
EXERCISE (5) None of these
7. (1) decay (2) dwindle
Direction (Q1-10) : In the following passage
(3) disappear (4) fall (3) convenient (4) Evolved

8. (1) log (2) word 3. (1) concomitant (2) Concurrent
(3) pole (4) chip (3) Residuary (4) Elongated
9. (1) big (2) small 4. (1) Established (2) Functional
(3) broad (4) lengthy (3) Mandated (4) Diluted
10. (1) interest (2) value 5. (1) Imparts (2) projects
(3) curiosity (4) perfection (3) contributed (4) develops
6. (1) demarcate (2) Exhibit
Answer (3) function (4) order
1. (1) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (4) (5) None of these
5. (1) 6. (2) 7. (4) 8 (1) 7. (1) sustains (2) manifest
9. (1) 10. (4) (3) advocates (4) rules
2. In the US, the ..1.. of the President and (5) None of these
the congress is fixed. Over the last 8. (1) powerful (2) observed
many decades, there was not been even (3) Announced (4) Proclaimed
a day’s change in the …2… dates of (5) None of these
elections. Even if the President dies, the 9. (1) Necessity (2) proof
Vice-President takes over for the …3.. (3) charge (4) hallmark
period can it be said that democracy is (5) None of these
…4… in the US because of the fixed of 10. (1) shy (2) tall
the chief executive the legislature? On (3) long (4) fiercely
the contrary, it ..5.. a remarkable stability (5) None of these
to governance. In own country, Answer
governments ..6.. from day to-day. Ad
hocism ..7.. the roost. If governments 1 (2) 2. (1) 3. (3) 4. (4)
are so …8… about their survival, how 5. (1) 6 (3) 7. (4) 8. (2)
can they take long-term policy decision? 9. (4) 10. (1)
Undecisim has become the …9… of 3. Contrary to popular belief ..1.. are found
own democratic system. Even the ablest to log behind in many aspects. Quite
leaders fight ..10.. of taking decision, early in ..2.. the differences. Start
lest any controversy weakness the showing up boys talking much ..3.. than
government. girls and have ..4… vocabularies at
1. (1) Eligibility (2) Tenure verbal ability may continue till adulthood.
(3) Responsibility(4) Qualification That in why women are more adept at
(5) None of these learning foreign ..6.. than men are.
2. (1) Projected (2) Ascribed Researches have found remarkable
…7… in the leaders styles of men and
women who ..8.. the corporate ledger. 4. In 1883, Lokmanya Tilak converted the
Men are found to ..9.. more formal Ganpati festival into a national
authoring, which results in law celebration of this public festival
employee morale. On the contrary, throughout Maharashtra. It was ..3.. this
women tend to share power, encourage festival that he could ..4.. public ..5..
participation. And thereby …10… job for the nationalist movement. The
satification. desired …6… of this festival was
1. (1) women (2) children further …7.. by the shivaji festival. It
(3) men (4) adult was inaugurated in of chhatrapati
(5) None of these Shivaji, the greatest Maratha king, in the
2. (1) time (2) birth ..8.. of several thousands people. In the
(3) development (4) life
..9.. the Marathas were ..10.. and this
(5) None of these
helped a lot in mounting an attack on
3. (1) later (2) earlier
the British rule.
(3) timely (4) before
(5) None of these 1. (1) with (2) with standing
4. (1)Bigger (2) fewer (3) against (4) for
(3) longer (4) better 2. (1) early (2) wide
(5) None of these (3) sudden (4) slow
5. (1) advantage (2) drawback 3. (1) indeed (2) exactly
(3) instance (4) superinity (3) through (4) before
(5) None of these 4. (1) inhance (2) demand
6. (1) studies (2) lifestyles (3) control (4) mobilise
(3) affairs (4) languages 5. (1) support (2) grievances
(5) None of these (3) places (4) festival
7. (1) relations (2) similarities 6. (1) decoration (2) publicity
(3) identities (4) differences (3) importance (4) impact
(5) None of these 7. (1) Decided (2) reinforced
8. (1) climb (2) accord (3) displayed (4) manifested
(3) keep (4) lead 8. (1) protest (2) services
(5) None of these (3) presence (4) honour
9. (1) exercise (2) ignore 9. (1) fight (2) beginning
(3) control (4) transfer (3) meantime (4) activity
(5) None of these 10. (1) glorified (2) forbidden
10. (1) Enhance (2) transfer (3) absent (4) reflected
(3) diffuse (4) lessen
(5) None of these Answer
Answer 1. (1) 2. (2) 3. (3) 4. (4)
1 (3) 2. (4) 3. (2) 4. (4) 5. (1) 6. (4) 7. (2) 8. (3)
5. (2) 6 (4) 7. (4) 8. (4) 9. (2) 10. (4)
9. (1) 10. (1)
Commonly Misspelled English Words

10
A
absence, abundance, abbreviate, accessible, accidentally, acclaim, accommodate, accomplish,
accordion, accumulate, achievement, acquaintance, acquire, acquitted, across, address, advertisement,
advice, advise, affect, alleged, amateur, analysis, analyze, annual, apartment, apparatus, apparent,
appearance, arctic, argument, ascend, atheist, athletic, attendance, auxiliary.
B
balloon, barbecue, bargain, basically, beggar, beginning, belief, believe, beneficial, benefit, biscuit,
boundaries, business.
C
calendar, camouflage, candidate, Caribbean, category, cemetery, challenge, changeable, changing,
characteristic, chief, choose, chose, cigarette, climbed, clothes, clothing, cloth, collectible, colonel,
column, coming, commission, committee, commitment, comparative, competent, completely, concede,
conceivable, conceive, condemn, condescend, conscience, conscientious, conscious, consistent,
continuous, controlled, controversial, controversy, convenient, correlate, correspondence, counselor,
courteous, courtesy, criticize, criticism.
D
deceive, defendant, deferred, definitely, definition, dependent, descend, describe, description, desirable,
despair, desperate, develop, dictionary, difference, dilemma, dining, disappearance, disappoint,
disastrous, discipline, disease, dispensable, dissatisfied, dominant, drunkenness.
E
easily, ecstasy, effect, efficiency, eighth, either, eligible, eliminate, embarrass, emperor, encouragement,
enemy, encouraging, entirely, environment, equipped, equivalent, especially, exaggerate, exceed,
excellence, exhaust, existence, existent, expense, experience, experiment, explanation, extremely,
exuberance.
F
facsimile, fallacious, fallacy, familiar, fascinating, feasible, February, fictitious, fiery, finally, financially,
fluorescent, forcibly, foreign, forfeit, formerly, foresee, forty, fourth, fuelling, fulfill, fundamentally.
G
gauge, generally, genius, government, governor, grammar, grievous, guarantee, guardian, guerrilla,
guidance.
H
handkerchief, happily, harass, height, heinous, hemorrhage, heroes, hesitancy, hindrance, hoarse,
hoping, humorous, hygiene, hypocrisy, hypocrite.
I
ideally, idiosyncrasy, ignorance, imaginary, immediately, implement, incidentally, incredible,
independence, independent, indicted, indispensable, inevitable, influential, information, inoculate,
insurance, intelligence, interference, interrupt, introduce, irrelevant, irresistible, island.
J
jealousy, judicial.
K
knowledge.
L
laboratory, laid, later, latter, legitimate, leisure, length, license, lieutenant, lightning, likelihood, likely,
loneliness, loose, lose, losing, lovely, luxury.
M
magazine, maintain, maintenance, manageable, maneuver, manufacture, marriage, mathematics, medicine,
millennium, millionaire, miniature, minuscule, minutes, miscellaneous, mischievous, missile, misspelled,
mortgage, mosquito, mosquitoes, murmur, muscle, mysterious.
N
narrative, naturally, necessary, necessity, neighbour, neutron, ninety, ninth, noticeable, nowadays,
nuisance.
O
obedience, obstacle, occasion, occasionally, occurred, occurrence, official, omission, omit, omitted,
opinion, opponent, opportunity, oppression, optimism, optimistic, orchestra, ordinarily, origin,
outrageous, overrun.
P
pamphlets, parallel, particular, pavilion, peaceable, peculiar, penetrate, perceive, performance,
performance, permanent, permissible, permissible, permitted, perseverance, persistence, personal,
personnel, perspiration, physical, physician, piece, pilgrimage, pitiful, planning, pleasant, portray,
possess, possession, possessive, potato, potatoes, possibility, possible, practically, prairie, precede,
precedence, preceding, preference, preferred, prejudice, preparation, prescription, prevalent, primitive,
principal, principle, privilege, probably, procedure, proceed, profession, professor, prominent, pronounce,
pronunciation, propaganda, psychology, publicly, pursue.
Q
quantity, quarantine, questionnaire, quizzes.
R
realistically, realize, really, recede, receipt, receive, recognize, recommend, reference, referring, relevant,
relieving, religious, remembrance, reminiscence, repetition, representative, resemblance, reservoir,
resistance, restaurant, rheumatism, rhythm, rhythmical, ridiculous, roommate.
S
sacrilegious, sacrifice, safety, salary, satellite, scary, scenery, schedule, secede, secretary, seize, sense,
sentence, separate, separation, sergeant, several, severely, shepherd, shining, siege, similar, simile,
simply, simultaneous, sincerely, skiing, sophomore, souvenir, specifically, specimen, sponsor,
spontaneous, statistics, stopped, strategy, strength, strenuous, stubbornness, studying, subordinate,
subtle, succeed, success, succession, sufficient, supersede, suppress, surprise, surround, susceptible,
suspicious, syllable, symmetrical, synonymous.
T
tangible, technical, technique, temperamental, temperature, tendency, themselves, theories, therefore,
thorough, though, through, tomorrow, tournament, towards, tragedy, transferring, tries, truly, twelfth,
tyranny.
U
unanimous, undoubtedly, unforgettable, unique, unnecessary, until, usable, usage, usually, utilization.
V
vacuum, valuable, vengeance, vigilant, village, villain, violence, visible, vision, virtue, volume.
W
warrant, warriors, weather, Wednesday, weird, wherever, whether, which, wholly, withdrawal, woman,
women, worthwhile, writing.
Y
yacht, yield, young.

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Contents

Some Facts About Adjectives and their Uses

Singular Subject/verb Plural Subject/verb

Subject Singular Subject Plural Subject

Subject Singular Subject Plural Subject

Other usage of verb to remember:

The Present Tense

Example: He is going to Japan next week.

The Past Tense

1. The Past Simple Tense

(3) Used to express a habitual past action.

The Future Tense

4. have, been doing 9. has been praying teacher _____ (speak).

6. My father _____ (drink) a glass of milk 3. had been playing

A cumulative conjunction joins two statements Explanation

b. They were both shocked and grieved to Illative Conjunction

Example: Rama went out to play: Hari stayed in Explanation

Explanation ______ the Literary Society.

Join the following sentences using the most Answers

ENGLISH LANGUAGE COMPREHENSION

to the passage, don’t try to memorize an environment which facilitated economic

1. According to the author, which of the (2) Automobile

1. Which of the following is NOT true in the private investment.

8. Extraordinary of the two countries. Why and how has China

6. Concern There is a story told of a king who lived long

(2) She was greedy 13. MOUNTED

there is a sharp rise in price 15. WEAKEN

(3) Floods, famines and other calamities (2) Only (2)

Obama’s upcoming American Recovery and in a phased manner.

(3) Promoting credit control it carelessly, make our attitude completely

7. The definite Article the: The, the definite superlative is intended:

Exercise 9. —— oranges are sold by ——

• Rivers the Ganga, the Yamuna

2. Prepositions (4) In is also used with the future tense

indefinite tense) and followed by past indefinite tense:

EXERCISE I required (5)

Synonyms & Antonyms

Impertinent : Impudent, insolent, Q

Urge : Press, incite. C

G Mild : Harsh, stern.

6. (A) Jovial (B) Sporty (C) Nuptial (D) Quelled

Idioms & Phrases

Hit the Hay: Go to bed or go to sleep. speech.

Ex libris ‘Out of the books’, i.e., from the library.

EXERCISE I (4) remain non-aligned

homes – eighteen million people losing (1) DBCA (2) DCBA

Foreign Words & Phrases

35. Beau jour (French) — Fine day, good times.

80. En masse (French) — In a group, universally.

123. Libra (Latin) — A pound; a unit of weight.

(3) disappear (4) fall (3) convenient (4) Evolved

Commonly Misspelled English Words

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