ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Directions: In the following questions, each word is followed by five options. Choose the option which is the
closest synonym of the given words. While choosing your answer, keep in mind the finer distinctions in the
meaning and usage of certain words.
1. MANGLE
(a) Misuse (b) Damage (c) Peel (d) Numb (e) Scare

2. FADE
(a) Abuse (b) Shade (c) Discolor (d) Deceive (e) Chase

3. COMMOTION
(a) Movement (b) Anxiety (c) Threat (d) Diversion (e) Disturbance

4. CAUTIOUS
(a) Miserable (b) Dangerous (c) Misleading (d) Alert (e) Fearful

5. RESCUE
(a) Renovation (b) Termination (c) Salvage (d) Weariness (e) Liveliness

Directions: In the following questions, each word is followed by five options. Choose the option which is the
closest antonym of the given words. While choosing your answer, keep in mind the finer distinctions in the
meaning and usage of certain words.
6. EXCEPTIONAL
(a) Ordinary (b) Cheap (c) Mortal (d) Artificial (e) Imaginary

7. MANDATORY
(a) Irritating (b) Optional (c) Essential (d) Influential (e) Desirable

8. DEARTH
(a) Extravagance (b) Abundance (c) Scarcity (d) Agitation (e) Confidence

9. AFFINITY
(a) Apathy (b) Antipathy (c) Empathy (d) Humility (e) Diffidence

10. UNREALISTIC
(a) Natural (b) Visionary (c) Sensible (d) Actual (e) Intelligent

Directions: In the following questions, the first two words are related in a particular manner. You have to
choose a word from the options so that a new pair of words is formed where the relation is the same as that of
the first pair of words. You are required to consider the secondary meaning of certain words while choosing an
answer.
11. Speech : Deliver : : Carnival :
(a) Issue (b) Honor (c) Felicitate (d) Celebrate (e) Convey

12. Wrist : Watch : : Waist :

(a) Anklet (b) Bangle (c) Bracelet (d) Girdle (e) Brooch

13. Flock : Birds : : Bouquet :

(a) Flowers (b) Bees (c) Swarms (d) Petals (e) Leaves

14. Lacustrine : Lakes: : Cuisine :

(a) Forest (b) Hospital (c) Kitchen (d) Coliseum (e) Theatre

15. Tumor : Oncologist : : Skin :

 (a) Otologist (b) Podiatrist (c) Dermatologist (d) Anthropologist (e) Orthodontist

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the words that best fit the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
16. Every nation should be free to _____ its own internal policy without _____.
(a) deny ... pressure (b) present ... exaggeration
(c) determine ... interference (d) strengthen ... influence
(e) realize ... involvement

17. Professionals focus their _____ on fulfilling their responsibilities and achieving results, not on _____ a
particular image.
(a) planning ... devising (b) skills ... obtaining
(c) energies ... portraying (d) abilities ... sketching
(e) leadership ... designing

18. The _____ economic problem facing the world was the _____ between poverty and prosperity.
(a) highest ... disparity (b) largest ... difference
(c) biggest ... division (d) toughest ... distinction
(e) deepest ... gap

19. In a country like India with its immense poverty and income _____, the current tax rates seem _____ and
unjust.
(a) fluctuations ... viable (b) differences ... reasonable
(c) advances ... reliable (d) disparities ... inequitable
(e) variations ... unmanageable

20. The _____ in one's life can easily agitate and affect the mind leaving one in a state of _____ and despair.
(a) upheavals ... hopelessness (b) poignancy ... isolation
(c) prejudice ... buoyancy (d) tolerance ... confusion
(e) convulsion ... jauntiness

Directions: In the following questions, each sentence is divided into four parts (a), (b), (c) and (d). Find out
which part of the sentence contains an error. If there is no error, mark your answer as (e).
21. Dr. Addison has been/(a) trying to develop/(b) a medicine/(c) since the last ten years. /(d) No error (e)

22. The number of vehicles/(a) plying on this/(b) road is more/(c) than the main road. /(d) No error (e)

23. None of the/(a) two contestants/(b) was willing/(c) to withdraw. /(d) No error (e)

24. The policeman/(a) prevented him/(b) to parking his/(c) car there. /(d) No error (e)

25. The job turned out/(a) to be very different to/(b) what he had/(c) thought it to be. /(d) No error (e)

Directions: In each of the following questions, a part of the given sentence has been underlined as this part may
have an error. The first option is the same as the underlined part in the given sentence. Choose this option if you
think that the underlined part has no error. Otherwise, choose the option that rectifies the error in the underlined
part of the given sentence.
26. Galileo said that the earth revolved around the sun.
(a) revolved (b) has revolved
(c) has been revolving (d) revolves
(e) had been revolved

27. After the heavy rains last week, the water in the lake raised another two feet.
(a) raised another two feet (b) rising another two feet
(c) rose another two feet (d) would rise another two feet
(e) will rise another two feet
28. Citizens should be prohibited to smoke in public places.
(a) to smoke (b) against smoking
(c) for smoking (d) from smoking
(e) at smoking

29. The principal cause in an economic recession is the lack of sales, which in turn is due to the lack of
purchasing power among the masses.
(a) in an economic recession is the lack of sales
(b) of an economic recession was the lack of sales
(c) at an economic recession is the lack of sales
(d) of a economic recession is the lack of sales
(e) of an economic recession is the lack of sales

30. Unlike the United States, Japanese unions appear reluctant to organize low -paid workers.
(a) Unlike the United States, Japanese unions appear
(b) Unlike those in the United States, Japanese unions appear
(c) In Japan, unlike the United States, unions appear
(d) Japanese unions, unlike the United States appear
(e) Japanese unions, unlike those in the United States appear

Directions: Choose a suitable one-word substitute for the given phrase from the options under each question.
36. A list of words, especially at the end of a book.
(a) Appendix (b) Index (c) Glossary (d) Bibliography (e) Catalogue

37. A short story often with animal characters conveying a moral.

(a) Tale (b) Fable (c) Narration (d) Dialogue (e) Novel

38. A newly coined word or expression.

(a) Coinage (b) Neologism (c) Vocabulary (d) Malapropism (e) Metaphor

39. A natural home or environment of an organism.

(a) Niche (b) Habitat (c) Quarters (d) Manger (e) Pedestal

40. A person who is responsible for protecting or guarding something.

(a) Dean (b) Guide (c) Warder (d) Supervisor (e) Custodian

Directions: Choose the option that best expresses the meaning of the given idiom/phrase.
41. Most middle class families are feeling the pinch because of the galloping inflation.
(a) Experiencing hardships (b) Hurt deeply
(c) Committing suicides (d) Falling into debts
(e) Falling short of commodities

42. The police were unable to get any information from the detective because his lips were sealed.
(a) He was unable to open his mouth (b) Both his lips were injured
(c) He remained secretive (d) He was a dumb man
(e) His lips were covered with Band-Aid

43. He is always picking holes in every project.

(a) Asking irrelevant questions (b) Suggesting improvements
(c) Finding fault (d) Creating problems
(e) Learning new things

44. We should give a wide berth to bad characters.

(a) Keep away from (b) Publicly condemn
 (c) Not sympathize with (d) Rebuke
(e) Criticize openly
45. He is in the habit of responding at the drop of a hat.
(a) Without delay (b) Thoughtlessly (c) Unfairly (d) Foolishly (e) Kindly

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the words that best fit the meaning of the passage as a whole.
Indian cities __(46)__ as a real estate market, but they also contribute to the rising deficit in housing stock.
The national housing and urban policy 2007 places the housing shortage at 24.7 million units, ninety nine
percent of it __(47)__ to the low income groups. Related to this is the fact that one in every four urban Indians
lives in slums. The slum population in cities such as Mumbai has __(48)__ fifty percent mark. The informal
sector in urban areas has accommodated an increase of 360 percent of 'marginal workers'. The report warns that
such extreme spatial divisions in cities exacerbate __(49)__ and social unrest and divert public and private
resources from productive __(50)__.
46. (a) Flourish (b) Cherish (c) Merge (d) Diminish (e) Heighten

47. (a) Assigns (b) Implements (c) Applies (d) Pertains (e) Goes

48. (a) Grown (b) Proceeded (c) Reached (d) Promoted (e) Produced

49. (a) Popularity (b) Insecurity (c) Trouble (d) Growth (e) Safety

50. (a) Installments (b) Work (c) Investments (d) Power (e) Money
 Reading Comprehension

Directions: Each passage is followed by questions based on its content. Answer the questions on the basis of
what is directly stated in each of the passages or, can be inferred from it.
Passage I
Ironically enough, the very success of Operation Flood, which is to make the cities flush with milk, has
proved its undoing. Farmers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala now have a surplus of
supplies for which there are no takers. Indeed, some experts in the Union Agricultural Ministry are even going
so far as to suggest that the country should export to neighboring countries - Bangladesh, for example, which
imports milk and dairy products. Does this mean that the needs of consumers at home are met? Far from it, the
fact that a dairy technology mission was created to improve the nutritional status of the rural poor speaks for
itself.
The protagonists of Operation Flood argue that the per capita consumption of milk has gone up from 108
gm to 158 gm and an expected 196 gm, when the third phase of the programme comes to an end. But it is clear
that consumption has been limited to the cities and that too to the relatively better off households. Four out of
every ten citizens in larger cities, officially estimated to be living in slums, are unable to afford sufficient milk
for all their needs. Even in Mumbai, the most affluent metropolis, housewives find it difficult to meet their milk
bills because it is priced the highest in the country.
The inadequate intake of milk is thus related to its price. The anomaly should be sufficient to prompt a
thorough revaluation of Operation Flood, which is based on improving technology in the dairy industry to
increase yields though at higher costs. Somewhat like the Green Revolution in cereals, the 'white revolution' has
its share of critics who argue that instead of concentrating on increasing the supply of milk in a few pockets, the
authorities ought to spread the benefits of improved dairying throughout the countryside.
Like the Green Revolution, which demands capital-intensive inputs and energy, Operation Flood requires
genetically superior cattle, which in turn have to be provided with fodder, now in extremely short supply all
over the country. What is more, schemes such as Operation Flood only sharpen the urban-rural divide, instead of
narrowing it, which should surely be the objective of any development scheme.
51. Identify the statement that is true according to the passage.
(a) Certain states in India have excess production of milk
(b) Operation Flood does not operate in Karnataka
(c) The cities in Gujarat produce less milk than the cities in Maharashtra
(d) Certain states are producing excess raw material for milk production
(e) Operation Flood has made Indian cities flush with milk

52. Which of the following is not an outcome of Operation Flood?

(a) The urban areas are benefitted by improved milk supply
(b) Nutritional standard of rural poor has gone down
(c) It has hiked up the price of milk
(d) Milk output has increased in the country
(e) It has improved the per capita milk intake

53. Which of the following is true regarding the price of milk?

(a) It is high because of middlemen
(b) It is high because cost of production is high
(c) It is low because of establishment of co-operatives
(d) It is high only in metropolitan areas
(e) It is low in rural areas

54. What is the charge being levelled against Operation Flood by its critics?
(a) It is benefiting only in certain areas
(b) Milk is being sold at high prices
(c) It is not increasing the milk production
 (d) Milk products have limited export market and hence they are useless
(e) The transport facilities are not up to the mark

55. In the phrase 'urban-rural divide', 'divide' means

(a) Partition (b) Cut off (c) Disagreement (d) Difference (e) Separate

56. It may be inferred from the passage that people living in slums
(a) get half their requirement only (b) get sufficient milk
(c) buy some milk (d) do not buy milk at all
(e) are not affected by milk prices

57. What according to the author should be the main objective of schemes like Operation Flood?
(a) To increase the availability of milk products in urban areas
(b) To make use of surplus inputs available in plenty in the country
(c) To increase the production of milk in rural areas
(d) To cut down the existing urban-rural divide
(e) To create a dairy technology mission to improve the nutritional status of the rural poor

58. The author observes that

(a) Milk needs of the urban group are being met
(b) Six out of ten people in urban areas buy milk
(c) Milk needs of only the affluent people in urban areas are being met
(d) Milk needs of the entire country are being met
(e) The concept of 'white revolution' is widely accepted

Passage II
Two principles are involved in the controversy about the presence of foreign-controlled media in the
country; the free flow of ideas and images across national borders and the need to safeguard the national interest
and preserve cultural autonomy. Both are valid but both are at loggerheads because each has been used to
promote less lofty goals. The first principle conforms to a moral imperative; freedom of expression cannot
rhyme with restrictions imposed by any government. But the free flow rhetoric also clouds the fact that the
powerful Western, and especially American, media can and often do present, subtly or brazenly, news in a
manner which promotes Western political, ideological and strategic interests. Besides, Western entertainment
programmes present lifestyles and values cherished by traditional societies. All this explains why so many
Indian newspapers, magazines and news agenci6 have sought protection from the courts to prevent foreign
publications and news agencies from operating in the country. Their arguments are weak on two counts.
As the bitter debate on a new world information and communication order demonstrated in the late
seventies and early eighties, many of those who resent Western 'invasion' in the information and cultural fields
are no great friends of democracy. Secondly, the threat of such an 'invasion' has been aired by those media
groups in the developing countries who fear that their business interests will be harmed if Western groups,
equipped with large financial and technological resources and superior management skills, are allowed to
operate in the country without let.
The fear is valid but it goes against the gain of the economic reform programme. The presence of foreign
newspapers and television channels will increase competition, which, in .course of time, can only lead to the
upgradation of dynamic Indian newspapers and television channels even while they drive the rest out of the
market. One way to strike a balance between the two antagonistic principles would be to allow foreign media
entry into the country, provided the Indian state treats them on par with the domestic media on all fronts.
On the import of technology, for instance, foreign media cannot be allowed duty concessions denied to
their Indian counterparts. Foreign media will also have to face the legal consequences should they run foul of
Indian laws. Since the government can do precious little in the matter, especially about satellite broadcasts, what
if it should consider attaching the properties of the offending parties? Demands of this kind are bound to be
voiced unless New Delhi makes it clear to the foreign media that they will have to respect Indian
susceptibilities, especially where it concerns the country's integrity and its culture. It may be able to derive some
inspiration from France's successful attempts in the recent GATT to protect its cinematographic industry.
59. What do the Western entertainment programmes present?
(a) News in a subtle or brazen manner
(b) Lifestyles and values cherished by traditional societies
(c) Debates on a new world information
(d) Foreign publications and satellite broadcasts
(e) Political and strategic ideas

60. Which of the following means 'at loggerheads' as used in the passage?
(a) Opposite to each other (b) Unsuited to each other
(c) In league with (d) Unimportant
(e) Out of place

61. Choose a one-word substitute for the phrase 'the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing' as used
in the passage.
(a) Broadcast (b) Debate (c) Rhetoric (d) Upgradation (e) Dynamic

62. How does the entry of foreign media harm local interests?
(a) Different sets of rules were made applicable for foreign media
(b) Economic reform programmes will get a setback
(c) The cultural heritage will be lost
(d) They are better equipped managerially and technologically
(e) The ideals of democratic country will be lost

63. What does the author recommend in case of satellite broadcasts?

(a) GATT should be revoked
(b) India should follow France's model
(c) Duty concessions should be given liberally
(d) India's cultural integrity should be preserved
(e) New Delhi should ignore them completely

64. Pick out the synonym of 'alien' as used in the passage.

(a) Foul (b) Legal (c) Domestic (d) Foreign (e) Superior

65. Which of the following will be the impact of increasing competition?

(a) It will upgrade Indian newspapers and television
(b) The domestic media will not be able to withstand it
(c) The Indian news agencies will seek protection from the court
(d) The foreign media will not be allowed duty concessions on import of technology
(e) The quality of national television programmes will improve

66. The purpose of writing this passage is to

(a) Highlight the exploitation by developed nations
(b) Make the public aware of the technological and managerial superiority of Western media
(c) Criticize foreign media
(d) Discuss the pros and cons of permitting foreign media into our country
(e) Prevent foreign media from entering our country

Passage III
While there is overwhelming evidence that if children are maltreated in the early years, it affects their
brains adversely, the good news is that the reverse is also true: supportive, loving nurture does cause desirable
brain chemistry. In particular, as an important new book, The Compassionate Mind, by the psychologist Paul
Gilbert, explains, levels of the neuropeptide, oxytocin are Critically affected for the better. Its main effect is on
our relationship with other people. While it is not as extreme as ecstasy–which causes strangers to wrap
themselves around each other – it greatly increases feelings of love and affiliation.
Under the influence of oxytocin, natural opioids are released, creating a sense of relaxation. Oxytocin
moderates the fight-flight stress hormone cortisol. People high in oxytocin tend to have well-balanced cortisol
levels, although sometimes both chemicals maybe high if they are fighting it out for what is most needed attack
or relax? Since people with a secure pattern of attachment are much more likely to have had loving, reliable and
supportive parents, this suggests parenting is important in establishing basic levels.
Unstressed mothers who report positive feelings have higher oxytocin levels. These are probably passed to
the baby. Postnatally, mothers with high prenatal levels tune into and bond better with their infants. If they nurse
the child, mothers have more oxytocin and are being less easily thrown into a flap. Animal studies suggest that
oxytocin is important for bonding and creating offspring with high levels. When maternal voles are given a drug
that reduces their oxytocin level, they do less licking, grooming and retrieval of wandering pups. In other
studies, vole mothers, who have previously been observed as not very maternal, produced offspring with low
oxytocin levels.
Such early neglect in humans has also been shown to produce adults with lower levels of oxytocin and
with a greater propensity to emotional distress. Adults who have had good quality early relationships with
parents have higher levels and are also less likely to be psychologically distressed.
67. What is the good news the author talks about?
(a) It is proved that maltreatment affects the brains unfavorably
(b) The release of the new book, The Compassionate Mind
(c) The research proved that caring and fostering is good for growth
(d) The study of Psychology helps in maintaining good relationships with others
(e) All the above

68. What is the function of oxytocin as mentioned in the passage?

(a) It increases the production of cortisol
(b) It purifies the toxic chemicals in the blood
(c) It enhances the quality of early relationships
(d) It moderates the secretion of stress hormone
(e) It increases the appetite of a person

69. The higher oxytocin levels in the body show that people
(a) Are more likely to be emotionally stressed
(b) Are devoid of emotional distress
(c) Have greater inclination to rest
(d) Tend to be aloof
(e) Have high intelligence

70. How do natural opioids affect an individual?

(a) They create a sense of relaxation and ease our mind
(b) They make a person to view everything with suspicion
(c) People get easily frustrated and develop hatred towards others
(d) They show a negative impact on sleep habits
(e) They make the person weak

71. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
(a) The higher the oxytocin, the lower is the stress
(b) Less oxytocin levels show less bonding in animals
(c) People high in oxytocin have well-balanced cortisol levels
(d) Bonding between the mother and the child does not depend on oxytocin levels
(e) Maltreated children's brains are adversely affected

72. What does the phrase 'thrown into a flap' mean?

 (a) Be agitated (b) Be happy (c) Be noisy (d) Be arrogant (e) Be weak

73. Choose from the following pairs of words that are synonyms as used in the passage.
(a) Grooming and Bonding (b) Propensity and Tendency
(c) Ecstasy and Abnormal (d) Emotional and Distressed
(e) Evidence and Importance

74. It can be inferred from the passage that abnormal cortisol levels which diminish brain can be overcome by
I. Loving childhood care II. Regular massages
III. Supportive parenting IV. Support of one's best friend
(a) Both (I) and (III) above (b) Both (I) and (IV) above
(c) Both (II) and (III) above (d) Both (II) and (IV) above
(e) All (I), (II), (III) and (IV) above

75. The passage can be best summarized as

(a) Relationships among people play a vital role
(b) Emotional stress is the root of all evils
(c) Supportive nurturing is good for development
(d) A research common in both humans and animals
(e) Human life is a blend of joys and sorrows