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CONTENTS
CHEMISTRY BIOLOGY
Matter 632-634 Cell : The Unit of Life 682-686
CDS Solved Paper 2020 II 3-39 23. Triangles 248-271 Classification of Plants and Animals 686-690
Atomic Structure 634-636
CDS Solved Paper 2020 I 40-78 24. Quadrilateral and Polygon 272-286 Genetics and Molecular Biology and
Radioactivity 636-637
CDS Solved Paper 2019 II 1-40 25. Circle 287-310 Evolution of Life 691-697
CDS Solved Paper 2019 I 41-82 Chemical Bonding and Redox Reactions 638-640 Plant Morphology and Physiology 697-704
26. Area and Perimeter of Plane figures 311-335
CDS Solved Paper 2018 II 1-37 Gas Laws and Solutions 640-641 Animal Physiology 704-723
27. Surface Area and Volume of solids 336-362
Acids, Bases and Salts 642-643 Human Health and Diseases 723-726
28. Statistics 363-384
MATHEMATICS Chemical Thermodynamics and Applied Biology 726-731
Surface Chemistry 644-645 Practice Exercise 732-750
1. Number System 3-19 GENERAL ENGLISH
2. Sequence and Series 20-24 Electrochemistry 645-647
1. Spotting the Errors 387-434
3. HCF and LCM of Numbers 25-31 Inorganic Chemistry 647-654 GENERAL STUDIES
2. Vocabulary 435-451
4. Decimal Fractions 32-37 Organic Chemistry 654-656 1. History 753-852
3. Synonyms 452-462
2. Geography 853-946
5. Square Roots and Cube Roots 38-46 Man-Made Materials 656-658
4. Antonyms 463-474 3. Indian Polity 947-1005
6. Time and Distance 47-59 Environment and its Pollution 658-659
5. Idioms and Phrases 475-482 4. Indian Economy 1006-1049
7. Time and Work 60-68 Practice Exercise 660-681
6. Sentence Completion 483-499 5. General Knowledge 1050-1092
8. Percentage 69-76
7. Sentence Improvement 500-514
9. Simple Interest 77-82
8. Ordering of Words and Sentences 515-543
10. Compound Interest 83-91
9. Comprehension 544-576
11. Profit and Loss 92-100
12. Ratio and Proportion 101-112
GENERAL SCIENCE
13. Logarithm 113-119
14. Algebraic Operations 120-131
PHYSICS
15. HCF and LCM of Polynomials 132-138 Measurement, Motion, Work,
Energy and Power 579-586
16. Rational Expressions 139-143
Rotational Motion and Gravitation 587-589
17. Linear Equations 144-159
Properties of Matter 590-592
18. Quadratic Equations and Inequalities 160-182
Heat and Thermodynamics 593-596
19. Set Theory 183-193
Oscillations and Waves 596-599
20. Measurements of Angles and
Trigonometric Ratios 194-224 Optics 600-606

21. Height and Distance 225-236 Electric Current 606-609

22. Lines and Angles 237-247 Modern Physics 609-611

Practice Exercise 612-631
Pathf nder
ABOUT THE EXAMINATION
A career in Defence services is the much sought after
occupation today for those young and courageous youths of
the country who are willing to dedicate their lives to defend
the country and its people, the Combined Defence Services
Examination is the first test before they can join one of the
best defence forces in the world i.e. the Indian Armed Forces.
UPSC conducts the Combined Defence Services Exam twice
every year generally in February and August for recruiting
officers for the Indian Military Academy, Naval Academy, Air
Force Academy and Officers Training Academy. Male
candidates can join IMA, Naval and Air Force but for female
candidates OTA in army is available.
The examination comprises of two stages-the first stage
consists of written test and those who qualify the written test
are called for interview by Service Selection Board (SSB) for
Intelligence and Personality Test.
NATIONALITY
A candidate must be either
(i) Indian citizen, or
(ii) A subject of Bhutan, or
(iii) A subject of Nepal, or
(iv) A Tibetan refugee who came over to India before 1st
January, 1962 with the intention of permanently setting
in India, or
(v) A person of Indian origin who has migrated from
Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka and East African countries of
Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia,
Malawi, Zaire and Ethiopia and Vietnam with the
intention of permanently setting in India.
Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (ii),
(iii), (iv) and (v) above shall be a person in whose favour a
certificate of eligibility has been issued by the
Government of India. Certificate of eligibility, will not ,
however, be necessary in the case of candidate who are
Gorkha subjects of Nepal.
AGE LIMIT, SEX AND MARITAL STATUS
(i) For IMA and Indian Naval Academy-unmarried male
candidates having age not less than 18 years
on 1st July and not more than 23 years on 2nd July in
accordance with the year of examination
are eligible.
(ii) For Air Force Academy-male candidates having age not
less than 19 years as on 1st July and not more than 23
SYLLABUS
PAPER I ENGLISH (only real roots to be considered). Simultaneous
linear equations in two unknowns-analytical and
The question paper will be designed to test the
graphical solutions. Simultaneous linear in-
candidates' understanding of English and
equations in two variables and their solutions.
years as on 2nd July in accordance with the year of workman-like use of words. Questions in English are
examination. (upper age relation of upto 26 years for from Synonyms, Antonyms, Reading
Practical problems leading to two simultaneous
linear equations
candidates holding Commercial Pilot License issued by Comprehension, Para jumbles, Error spotting,
or in-equations in two variables or quadratic
DGCA). Jumbled sentences, Sentence connection and till in
equations in one variable and their solutions. Set
(iii) For Officer’s Training Academy-male candidates (married the blanks.
language and set notation, Rational expressions
or unmarried) and female candidates (unmarried and
issueless widows or divorces who have not remarried) and conditional identities, laws of indices.
having age not less than 18 years as on 1st July and not
PAPER II GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
more than 24 years as on 2nd July in accordance with the
General Knowledge, including knowledge of Trigonometry
year of examination are eligible. current events and such matters of everyday Sine x, cosine x, tangent x when 0° < x< 90°. Values
observation and experience in their scientific of sin x, cos x and tan x, for x = 0°, 30°, 45°, 60° and
aspects as may be expected of an educated person 90°. Simple trigonometric identities. Use of
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION who has not made a special study of any scientific trigonometric tables. Simple cases of height and
(i) For IMA/OTA a degree from a recognised university or subject. The paper will also include questions on
equivalent.
distance.
history of India and geography of a nature which
(ii) For Naval Academy degree in engineering from a
candidates should be able to answer without Geometry
recognised university.
special study. Lines and angles, Plane and plane figures
(iii) For Air Force Academy degree from a recognised
university (with Physics and Mathematics at 10+2 level) theorems on
or Bachelor of Engineering. PAPER III ELEMENTARY Properties of angles at a point
Parallel lines
MATHEMATICS
EXAMINATION PATTERN Arithmetic
Sides and angles of a triangle
(i) The written examination will be as follows: Congruency of triangles
Number system-Natural numbers, Integers, Rational Similar triangles
No. of Maximum and real numbers. Concurrence of medians and altitudes
Subject Duration
Questions Marks Fundamental Operations-addition, subtraction, Properties of angles, sides and diagonals of a
English 2 hours 120 100 multiplication, division, square roots, decimal parallelogram, rectangle and square
fractions. Circle and its properties, including tangents and
General
Knowledge 2 hours 120 100
normals
Elementary
Unitary Method Locus point
2 hours 100 100 Time and distance, time and work, percentages,
Mathematics
applications to simple and compound interest,
Mensuration
profit and loss, ratio and proportion, variation. Areas of squares, rectangles, parallelograms,
Note- For admission in OTA, candidates are required to give
only English and General knowledge triangle and circle. Areas of figures,
papers of 200 marks. Elementary Number which can be split up into the figures (Field Book).
One third of the marks will be deducted for each wrong Theory Division algorithm, prime and composite Surface area and volume of cuboids,
answer. numbers, Tests of divisibility by 2, 3, 4, 5, 9 and 11 lateral surface and volume of right circular cones
Multiples and factors, Factorisation Theorem, HCF and cylinders. Surface area and volume of spheres.
(ii) The SSB procedure consists of two stage selection
process. Only those candidates who clear the stage I are and LCM. Evaluation algorithm, logarithms to base
permitted to appear for stage II. 10, laws of logarithm, use of logarithms tables. Statistics
(a) Stage I comprises of Officer Intelligence Rating (OIR) Collection and tabulation of statistical data.
tests and Picture Perception, Description Test (PP and Algebra Graphical representation of frequency polygons,
DT) Basic operations, simple factors, Remainder histograms, bar charts, pie charts, etc. Measures of
(b) Stage II comprises of Interview, Group Testing Officer Theorem, HCF, LCM, Theory of polynomials,
tasks, Psychology Tests and the Conference. These
Central Tendency.
solutions of quadratic equations, relation between
tests are conducted over 4 days.
its roots and coefficients
01
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 387 388 CDS Pathfinder

NOUN
A word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, • Some other examples are as follow
substance or quality is called a Noun. Singular Plural
e.g. Ram, Delhi, Book, Lion, Street, etc. Ox Oxen
Datum Data
Kinds of Noun Medium Media
1. Common Noun It is a name given to every person Stratum Strata
or thing of the same class or kind. Index Indices

SPOTTING e.g. – Boy, girl, fan, chair, etc.

2. Proper Noun Details of a common noun are signified
by proper noun.
e.g. – Amit, Amita, Polar fan, Supreme chair, etc.
Formula
Lacuna
Alumnus
Corrigendum
Formulae
Lacunae
Alumni
Corrigenda

THE ERRORS 3. Material Noun It refers to a material or substance

from which things are made such as silver, gold, iron,
cotton, diamond and plastic.
Erratum
Syllabus
Errata
Syllabi
• Nouns like sheep, deer, offspring, cod, fish, salmon, etc
have the same form in both the numbers.
4. Collective Noun Some nouns refer to groups of
people (e.g. audience, team, committee, government
etc). These are called as Collective Nouns. Rules of Noun
5. Abstract Noun It is the name of a feeling, quality or 1. Articles are not used before material nouns.
a state. e.g. – The leather is used in making shoes. (✗)
e.g. – Feeling Love, fear, hate, anger, respect, – Leather is used in making shoes. (✓)
Generally, 15 to 20 questions based on spotting the errors are asked in CDS exam. In these type of pleasure, etc. 2. Material nouns and abstract nouns are not used in
– Quality Strength, pitch, innocence, gluttony,
questions, the given sentences are divided into three parts with each part marked as (a), (b) and (c). We plural.
judgement, obedience, beauty, etc. e.g. – Cares of the old is necessary. (✗)
have to choose that part as our answer which has error. If there is no error in any part, then we have to
– State Weariness, mercy, birth, death, etc.
choose option (d) as the answer. – Care of the old is necessary. (✓)

Number of Nouns 3. Proper nouns are sometimes used as common nouns.

e.g. – Samudragupta is the Napoleon of India.
There are two kinds of nouns of number, which are as – Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India.
follow
In these two sentences, the proper nouns Napolean
‘Spotting the errors’ or ‘Syntax’ is that part of English language, where the grammatical skills of the candidates are Singular Noun It refers to one (single) person or thing.
and Shakespeare are used as common nouns.
comprehensively tested. Therefore, it can be said to be the most important part of the language proficiency test. e.g. – boy, girl, table, man, etc.
4. Collective nouns usually take a singular verb and are
It is an integrated grammar exercise, so it covers all the grammatical parts. This includes Plural Noun It refers to more than one person or things.
substituted by a singular pronoun.
• Parts of speech • Number, gender, cases and degrees • Confusing words e.g. – boys, girls, tables, men, etc.
e.g. – The jury has given its verdict.
• Sometimes plurals are made by changing the inside
• Uses of tenses • Non-finites • Determiners and articles – The team has performed to its potential.
vowel.
All these areas are to be studied thoroughly to score high in the CDS examination. 5. Collective nouns takes a plural verb and are
Singular Plural
Man Men substituted by a plural pronoun when the group
FORMAT OF THE QUESTIONS Woman Women
members do not behave as a whole but take different
directions.
Each question consists of a complex sentence, which is divided into three parts. One of the parts may contain an error. The Foot Feet
e.g. – The jury is / are divided in its / their
candidate has to spot the error and mark the incorrect option/part. In case, there is no error in the sentence, option (d), Tooth Teeth
decision.
which stands for ‘No error’, needs to be selected. Mouse Mice – The Ministry are much divided in their
An example of this type of question is given below. • Sometimes plurals are made by adding ‘s’ to the opinion regarding the foreign policy.
principal word of a compound noun. e.g.
Direction Which part of the following sentence contains an error? In case there is no error, choose option (d). 6. Collective nouns, even when they denote living
Singular Plural beings, are considered to be of neuter gender.
Question The train should arrive at 7:30 in the morning but it was almost an hour late No error Brother-in-law Brothers-in-law e.g. – India has a big army and it is divided into
(a) (b) (c) (d) Vice-Admiral Vice-Admirals three major divisions.
Ans. (a) In the given sentence, option (a) is given as ‘The train should arrive’ while the correct sentence is ‘The train should have Court Martial Courts Martial 7. Young children and animals are also referred to as
arrived’. Here ‘should arrive’ should be replaced by ‘should have arrived’. So, option (a) has an error. Commander-in-chief Commanders-in-chief neuter gender.
Runner-up Runners-up e.g. – The baby started crying when it was hungry.
Looker-on Lookers-on – The lizard lost its tail when it was frightened.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 389 390 CDS Pathfinder

8. When objects without life are personified, they are 11. The following nouns are used only in plural. v. The words church, house, school, shop are often
considered either masculine or feminine gender. • Names of instruments, which have two parts
Cases of Noun omitted after a possessive case.
forming a kind of pair. Like scissors, spectacles, There are three types of cases of noun, which are as follow e.g. – Yesterday I met my friend at St John’s.
Masculine Gender is used for strength, violence, anger
and vengeance. It is used with Sun, Death, Summer glasses, tongs, etc. vi. The possessive case is chiefly used with the names
and Winter. e.g. – Scissors are / is used to cut.
1. Nominative Case
of living things.
– My pair of spectacles is very expensive. A noun or pronoun is in the nominative case if it is used
e.g. – Nature has taken his vengeance by claiming as the subject of a verb. vii. The possessive case is also used with nouns
lives of 100 persons. In the above sentence, we use singular form ‘is’ as e.g. – Sachin Tendulkar scored a century. denoting time, space or weight.
– The sun, with his brilliance, came out of the the word ‘pair’ is added before the word
Clue Put Who in active sentence and What in passive e.g. – Stone’s throw away distance
clouds. ‘spectacles’.
sentence before the verb to get nominative case. – A minute’s time
• Certain articles of dress as trousers, shorts, jeans,
These sentences emphasise the strong masculine traits – A day’s journey
of nature and the sun i.e. ‘vengeance’ and ‘brilliance’, etc. 2. Objective Case
so the masculine gender ‘his’ is used. e.g. – Jeans are in vogue these days.
• Certain collective nouns (although they are singular
A noun or pronoun is in the objective case if it is used as
the object of a verb.
Confusing Words
Feminine Gender is used for beauty, gentleness and
in form). Police, cattle, gentry, peasantry, clergy, e.g. – Sachin Tendulkar scored a century (Active). Word Meaning Example
gracefulness. It is used with Earth, Moon, Spring,
people, poultry, majority, artillery, infantry, etc. – A century was scored by Sachin Tendulkar
Nature and even for Sun. Advice Singular means an opinion The teacher gave many
e.g. – Police have reached the crime scene. (Passive). or suggestion. pieces of advice to the
e.g. – Nature offers its / her lap to those who seek students before the exam.
– Cattle are grazing in the field. Clue Put What in active sentence and Whom in the
it.
– The sun, with her warmth, provided relief • Certain other nouns are thanks, assets, premises, passive sentence after the subject and the verb to get the Advices Plural (Advices) means The invigilator gave advices
alms, proceeds, contents, refreshments, orders, objective case. information. to the students before the
from the bitter cold. exam.
repairs, requirements, rations, statistics (collection of
In the above sentences, the tender feminine traits of data), credentials, etc.
3. Possessive Case Cloth Singular means unfinished
nature and the sun are revealed, so the feminine gender A noun is said to be in the possessive case if it denotes product. We give cloth to a tailor to
e.g. – Court should make it mandatory for the get the clothes stitched.
(her) is used. possession, authorship, origin, kind, etc.
ministers to declare their assets. Clothes Plural means garments.
9. Units of counting, i.e., pair, dozen, score, hundred, e.g. – Amit’s house is at the back-side.
– Alms were distributed among the beggars.
Colour Singular and plural means Yellow is my favourite
thousand, etc, when used after numbers retain their How is Possessive Case Formed red, green, etc.
singular form. 12. Some plural forms are commonly used in singular colour.
like Mathematics, Statistics, Physics, Economics (All i. By adding’s to a singular noun. Colours (Plural only) implies ‘true A realist sees true colours of
e.g. – Ten pair, Five dozen, Two score, Six hundred, people.
subjects), Gymnastics, News, Innings, Series, Measles, e.g. – Amit’s, Donald’s. personality of someone’.
Three thousand, One lakh, Ten crore, Eight
Rabies, Mumps, Rickets, Summons, Names of Books, ii. By adding’s to plural nouns not ending in s. Force Singular means strength.
million, Ten billion, etc.
etc. Apply force to open the lid.
e.g. – My friend bought two dozen / dozens eggs e.g. – Children’s school, Men’s club. Forces Plural means the military Forces landed at the
from the market. 13. Uncountable nouns are used in the singular forms organisations for air, land
iii. By adding only an apostrophe to a plural noun ending disputed spot on time.
only. Indefinite article (a, an) is not used before and sea.
Here, the quantity is mentioned before the dozen, so in s.
them, nor are they (a, an) used with plural verbs. Content Singular means satisfaction.
we have its singular form. e.g. – Boys’, victims’, pilgrims’. I am content with the
‘Much’ is used in place of ‘Many’ for denoting
e.g. – My friend bought dozens of eggs from the contents of this book.
plurality. iv. By adding only an apostrophe to a singular noun when Contents Plural means parts.
market. there are hissing sounds.
Some of the important nouns of this category are as Light Singular means radiance. There was a light on the
Here, the quantity is not mentioned in the above follow e.g. – Jesus’ blessings, for peace’ sake, for conscience’ ascetic’s face.
sentence, so we use the plural form ‘dozens’. One sake. Lights Singular and plural means Diwali is a festival of lights.
more example is Advice, information, hair, luggage, business, work,
Rules of Possessive Case lamps.
word (promise), mischief, bread, scenery, abuse,
e.g.
vacation, evidence, employment, alphabet, poetry, i. In case of a compound noun, the possessive sign is People Singular is used when we
– Sunil Gavaskar scored thousands of runs in his are talking about masses.
furniture, baggage, trouble, fuel, wheat, rice, attached only to the last word. People of India, Peoples of
cricketing career.
stationary, etc. e.g. – My brother-in-law’s marriage. Peoples Plural means people Europe.
10. In a compound noun, a compound word is not used in e.g. – (a) He gave me an information. (✗) – The Queen-of-England’s residence.
belonging to different
cultures and ethnicities.
plural if a noun does the work of an adjective. He gave me information. (✓)
e.g. – He is pursuing a two year/ years diploma ii. When two or more nouns show joint possession, the Practice Singular means exercise of a
– (b) You should be true to your words. (✗) apostrophe sign is put with the latter only. profession.
It is compulsory for new
course. doctors to practice in
– He is a fifteen year/ years old boy.
You should be true to your word. (✓) e.g. – Dharmendra is Sunny and Bobby’s father. villages for 2 years in the
Practices (Both singular and plural)
– (c) He was punished for committing (✗) beginning of their career.
– I have got a hundred rupee/ rupees note. iii. The words his, hers, its, theirs, yours, ours are possessive means habit.
many mischiefs.
– He ran a five mile/ miles race. and they are not written with the possessive sign. Custom Singular means tradition. One should respect one’s
– They went on a fifteen day/ days tour.
He was punished for committing (✓) e.g. – Neither did his efforts succeed nor your’s / yours. custom and traditions.
much mischief.
iv. The adverb ‘else’ combined with indefinite pronouns Customs Plural means a department. The customs department
(somebody, anybody, etc) is expressed in possessive case seized illegal goods at the
airport.
as ‘somebody else’s’ in place of ‘somebody’s else’.
e.g. – Is it your house? I thought it is somebody’s
else /somebody else’s?
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 391 392 CDS Pathfinder

22. A constellation of stars.

Words Denoting Groups
1. An army of soldiers.
2. An alliance of states, powers, etc.
3. An assembly of representatives.
4. An attendance of servants, persons.
5. An audience of listeners.
6. A band of musicians, followers.
7. A batch of pupils, candidates.
8. A battery of guns.
9. A bench of judges or magistrates.
10. A block of houses, buildings.
11. A body of men, soldiers, police, laws, etc.
12. A brigade of cavalry, infantry or artillery.
13. A bundle of hay.
14. A bouquet of flowers.
15. A board of trustees or directors.
16. A caravan of merchants.
17. A code of laws.
18. A congress of representatives.
19. A century of runs.
20. A cloud of locusts.
21. A cluster of islands.
SPOTTING THE ERRORS
17. The table’s wood (a)/ is infested
23. A course of lectures. with mite (b)/ and I am likely to
dispose it off. (c)/ No error (d)
24. A consignment of goods.
18. I can’t come to you now (a)/
25. A catalogue of books.
because a lot of works (b)/
26. A circle of friends, acquaintances. remains to be done. (c)/ No
error (d)
27. A clan of people.
19. A farmer was leading oxes (a)/
28. A clique of persons (belonging to a body).
to his field for ploughing (b)/
29. A commonwealth of bees.
early in the morning. (c)/ No
30. A concourse of people. error (d)
31. A confederacy of persons, nations, states. 20. My sister-in-laws (a)/who live in
Mumbai (b)/ have come to stay
32. A confederation of persons, powers, states.
with us. (c)/ No error (d)
33. A conference of preachers, delegates.
21. This article (a)/ is not available
34. A congregation of worshippers. (b)/ in any of the shop in the
35. A convoy of ships. market. (c)/No error (d)
36. A corporation of people.
37. A corps of soldiers, volunteers, police.
38. A curriculum of studies.
EXPLANATIONS
39. A crew of sailors. 1. (a) When a person is assigned to a
40. A herd of cattle. new station, he receives his ‘orders’.
This is a set of instructions,
41. An escort of soldiers.
including where to be, when to be
42. A fraction of people (engaged in politics). there etc. So, the correct sentence
43. A family of plants, languages. would be ‘Orders have been issued
……… .’
44. A federation of states.
2. (c) ‘Alphabet’ is the set of letters in
a language. English alphabet has 26
SET 1 letters from A-Z. In the given
sentence, we will use ‘alphabet’
22. The morale of the army (a)/ was
high because the news (b)/
coming from the front are very
encouraging. (c)/ No error (d)
23. A flock of lions (a)/ roamed
about (b)/ fearlessly in the
jungle. (c)/ No error (d)
24. I have done my best; (a)/ the
whole thing is now (b)/ in the
laps of God. (c)/ No error (d)
25. A trained gang of sailors (a)/
was employed (b)/ on the ship.
(c)/ No error (d)
26. Interviews for (a)/ the posts of
lecturers (b)/ will begin from
Monday. (c)/ No error (d)
9. (b) As we know that in a compound
noun, a compound word is not used
in plural if a noun does the work of
an adjective.
In the given sentence, ‘five years old’
is an adjective of noun ‘boys’. So,
‘five year old’ would be used instead
of ‘five years old’.
10. (b) In the given sentence, ‘two
hundred rupees’ is used as an
27. What (a)/ is the criteria (b)/ of
selection in the examination?
(c)/ No error (d)
28. Satyajit Ray, who conceived,
co-authored (a)/ and directed a
number of good films, was (b)/
one of India’s most talented
film-maker. (c)/ No error (d)
29. One of the most (a)/ widespread
bad habit (b)/ is the use of
tobacco. (c)/ No error (d)
30. The books (a)/ that you need
(b)/ are kept on the table. (c)/
No error (d)
18. (b) As ‘work’ is an uncountable
noun, ‘because a lot of work’ would
be used.
19. (a) The plural of ‘ox’ is ‘oxen’. In the
sentence, ‘oxes’ is used instead of
‘oxen’ which is incorrect.
20. (a) The plural of sister-in-law
would be sisters-in-law. So, we
would replace ‘sister-in-laws’ by
‘sisters-in-law’.

ERRORS OF NOUN instead of ‘alphabets’.

Directions (Q.Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
1. Order has been issued (a)/ for his transfer to another
district (b)/ but he has not received them so far. (c)/
No error (d)
2. Although she has studied (a)/ English for almost a
year (b)/ she is yet to learn the alphabets. (c)/ No
error (d)
3. There are two scores of books (a)/ which are lying
(b)/ unused in the library. (c)/ No error (d)
4. Children are prone (a)/ to making mischiefs (b)/ if
they have nothing to do. (c)/ No error (d)
5. Sheeps are economically useful (a)/ and so they are
reared (b)/ in the hills. (c)/ No error (d)
6. I have not gone through (a)/ the letter and so I am
not aware (b)/ of its content. (c)/ No error (d)
7. I shall not attend the meeting (a)/ since I have many
works to complete (b)/ within allotted time. (c)/ No
error (d)
8. You should always be (a)/ true to your words (b)/ if
you are to succeed in life. (c)/ No error (d)
9. It is a pity (a)/ that even five years old boys (b)/
are engaged in hazardous factories. (c)/ No
error (d)
10. I gave him (a)/ two hundred rupees notes (b)/ for
depositing. (c)/ No error (d)
11. It is not my business (a)/ to give an advice to those
(b)/who are not sensible enough to deal with their
own problems. (c)/ No error (d)
12. I don’t think (a)/ it is your house (b)/ It is
somebody’s else. (c)/ No error (d)
13. She misplaced her spectacle (a)/ and is now feeling
(b)/ great difficulty in studying. (c)/ No error (d)
14. Arabian Nights are (a)/ a collection of (b)/ very
interesting episodes of adventure. (c)/ No error (d)
15. I hope to visit (a)/ my uncle only next year (b)/
during summer vacations. (c)/ No error (d)
16. Ration has run out (a)/ and the District Magistrate
(b)/ has been informed. (c)/ No error (d)
3. (a) When a quantity is given before
‘score’ like ‘2’ or ‘5’ etc, ‘score’ is not
used in the plural form. Hence, we
would use ‘score’ in place of ‘scores’
in the given sentence.
4. (b) The word ‘mischief ’ does not
have a plural form. Hence, ‘mischief ’
would be used.
5. (a) The plural of ‘sheep’ is ‘sheep’. In
the given sentence, the word ‘Sheeps’
would be replaced by ‘Sheep’.
6. (c) The word ‘content’ is used in its
plural form ‘contents’ when it is
used to mean ‘something contained’.
So, the given sentence will have
‘contents’ instead of ‘content’.
7. (b) As ‘work’ is an uncountable
noun we need to use ‘much work’
instead of ‘many works’.
8. (b) ‘True to your word’ means
‘promise’. In the given sentence, we
would replace ‘true to your words’
by ‘true to your word’.
adjective of the noun ‘notes’. So, it
should be ‘two hundred rupee’. (For
explanation refer to Ans. 9).
11. (b) As ‘advice’ is an uncountable
noun, the article ‘an’ would not be
used before it.
12. (c) The possessive pronoun in the
given sentence ‘somebody’s else’ is
incorrectly used. Its correct usage
will be ‘somebody else’s’.
13. (a) The correct usage of ‘spectacle’
is ‘spectacles’.
14. (a) The book ‘Arabian Nights’ is a
singular noun. So, ‘are’ would be
replaced by ‘is’.
15. (c) The correct use of ‘vacations’ is
‘vacation’.
16. (a) ‘Rations have run out’ should be
used.
17. (a) ‘The table’s wood’ does not seem
appropriate. It should be replaced by
‘The wood of the table’ which
makes sense.
21. (c) ‘Any’ refers to a number of
things (here shops). So, we would
replace ‘shop’ by ‘shops’.
22. (c) ‘News’ is used as a singular
noun. So, ‘coming from the front is
very encouraging’ would be used.
23. (a) ‘Pride’ is the right word to refer
to a group of lions. So, we would
replace ‘flock’ by ‘pride’.
24. (c) ‘Laps’ is incorrect. It should be
changed to ‘lap’.
25. (a) A group of sailors is called a
crew. So, we would replace ‘gang’ by
‘crew’.
26. (b) ‘Posts’ should be replaced by
‘post’ to make the sentence correct.
27. (b) ‘Criteria’ should be replaced by
‘criterion’ to make the sentence
correct.
28. (c) ‘Film-maker’ should be changed
to ‘film-makers’.
29. (b) ‘One of ’ takes a plural noun. So,
we would change ‘habit’ to ‘habits’.
30. (d) No error.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 393 394 CDS Pathfinder

Case II Same person, the pronoun used for them must Rules of Demonstrative Pronouns
PRONOUN be singular. 1. Do not commit the error of omission by forgetting to
Words used in place of nouns are called pronouns. They are e.g. –It is me / I. [Hint If a single Article is used before the nouns, the use ‘that’ (for plural use ‘those’).
used to avoid the repitition of nouns in a sentence. e.g. I saw – It will be he / him who is going to win.
verb and the pronoun are both singular, because the e.g. – The Mumbai Film Studio is bigger than (✗)
a boy on the roof. He seemed to recognise me. reference is to a singular person only]. Noida.
– Was it her / she who did it for you?
e.g. – The Comptroller and Auditor General – The Mumbai Film Studio is bigger than (✓)
In this example, the pronoun ‘he’ is used instead of repeating 3. If a pronoun is used as the object of the verb or of has / have submitted his / their report. that of Noida.
the noun ‘boy’ which is underlined. a preposition, it should be in the objective case. – The Chairman and the Managing Director
e.g. – He was shouting at I / me. 2. Pronoun ‘it’ comes before the phrase or clause to
has / have submitted his / their report.
Kinds of Pronoun – He was teaching he / him. which it refers, whereas ‘this’ follows the phrase or
clause it refers to.
– The sweets are to be distributed among you,
10. When two or more singular nouns are joined by or,
Personal Pronouns him and me.
either-or or neither-nor, the pronoun and the verb e.g. – This is true that India has won the match. (✗)
This pronoun refers to or is related to the words which are should be singular. – It is true that India has won the match. (✓)
4. Objective case is used after the following words let, e.g. – Either Raj or Amar is doing his duty.
used in place of nouns referring to person.
like, but, etc. Indefinite Pronouns
Personal pronouns have the following characteristics 11. Whenever one singular and one plural noun are used
e.g. – It is no one else but he / him who has When a pronoun refers to a person or a thing in a general
with either-or or neither-nor, the plural noun always
Ist Person : The one(s) speaking (I, me, my, mine, we, us, done the crime. way, but not to any person or thing in particular, it is
comes second. In this case, the verb and the pronoun
our, ours). – He likes me. called indefinite pronoun like any, anyone, none, someone,
both become plural.
2nd Person : The one(s) spoken to (you, your, yours). – Let him come inside. e.g. – Neither Amit nor his friends was / were everyone, everybody, one, etc.
3rd Person : The one(s) spoken about (he, him, his, she, her, 5. Words such as as good as, as well as, as soon as, as present in their house. Rules of Indefinite Pronouns
hers, it, its, they, their, theirs). beautiful as, as intelligent as, etc are followed by 1. One, if used in a sentence, always repeats itself.
12. While writing question tag, the subject and verb must
Nominative nominative case. be according to the main sentence. e.g. – One must respect his / one’s country for his
Objective Case Possessive Case / one’s sake.
Persons Case e.g. – When it comes to providing news, no one is e.g. – Our minister is intelligent, isn’t he?
as good as he. – The boys are not enjoying themselves, are they? – One must obey their / one’s elders.
Singular Plural Singular Plural Singular Plural
– In studies he is as good as he. – They went to Delhi yesterday, didn’t they? 2. When we are not talking specifically about females,
I Person I We Me Us My/Mine Our/Ours
6. 2, 3, 1 Rule The second person should come before only masculine gender is used.
II Person You You You You Your/
Yours
Your/
Yours the third and the third person before the first. This
Reflexive Pronouns e.g. – Everyone was getting ready for his / her
case applies to singular pronouns only. Reflexive pronouns are pronouns that refer back to the show.
III Person subject of the sentence. They end in-‘self’, as in singular – Everyone of the Miss India contestants was
e.g. – I, You and He are good friends. (✗)
Male He  Him  His  form, or-‘selves’ in plural form. getting ready for her show.
   – You, He and I are good friends. (✓)
Female She  They Her  Them Her/Hers  Their/Theirs e.g. – Myself, themselves, yourself, ourselves etc. 3. ‘Either’ is replaced by ‘anyone’ when we are talking
   7. 1, 2, 3 Rule 2, 3, 1 becomes 1, 2, 3 when we are about more than two persons or things. Same is the
Neuter It  It  Its  Rules of Reflexive Pronouns
talking about plural pronouns. case with ‘none’ or ‘neither’.
e.g. – We, You and They will go to the party. 1. The reflexive pronoun is used with the following e.g. – I couldn’t contact either / anyone of the
Rules of Personal Pronouns words absent, avail, apply, enjoy, pride, resign, acquit, three.
– We, You and They will take dinner at
revenge, exert, adapt, adjust, etc.
our/ their / your house. – Anyone of the three can come in.
1. A personal pronoun must be of the same number, e.g. – He absented himself from the class.
gender and person as the noun for which it stands, i.e. – None / Neither of his body parts is
Exception When it comes to confessing something – He acquitted himself admirably in the meeting.
antecedent should agree with the noun. defective.
or committing a crime, 2, 3, 1 gets changed to 1, 2,
e.g. – I am not one of those who believe everything 2. With the following words, reflexive pronouns are not 4. ‘Each other’ should be used in speaking of two
3 for all types of pronouns.
I / they see. used: bathe, break, feed, hide, turn, move, rest, persons or things, ‘one another’ in speaking of more
e.g. – I, you and he will be punished for the qualify, stop, etc.
– Every man must love his / her / their country.
crime. than two persons or things.
– He is one of the best boys that have played e.g. – We bathed in the river. e.g. – We should love one another.
here. 8. When a pronoun stands for a collective noun, it – We fed at the motel.
must be in the neuter gender. But if the collective Relative Pronouns
2. The component of the verb to be (is, am, are, was, noun denotes separation or division, the pronoun 3. A reflexive pronoun cannot be used as a substitute for
were, will, shall), when it is expressed by a pronoun, the subject. This pronoun refers or relates to some noun which comes
used is plural.
should be in the nominative case. e.g. – Amit and I / myself were present on the site. after this pronoun. Besides, it acts as a conjunction also
e.g. – The jury gave its decision unanimously. because it connects two sentences.
To be means – I / Myself will see to it that you do not get
– The jury were divided in their opinion. e.g. – Who, whom, which, where, etc.
Is : He, She, It the job.
9. When two or more nouns are joined by ‘and’, the – He is the boy who has topped the class.
Am : I
pronoun used would be plural. Demonstrative Pronouns Rules of Relative Pronouns
Are : We, You, They
e.g. – Ram and Mohan went to their school. The pronouns that are used to point out the objects to 1. ‘Who’ is used for subject and ‘Whom’ for object.
Was : I, He, She, It
– Suresh and his family members have
Were : We, You, They which they refer are called demonstrative pronouns e.g. – Who are you?
completed their work. like these, that, those, such, it, this, etc. – Whom were you talking to?
Will : You, He, She, It, They
Case I Separate persons, the pronoun used for them e.g. – That is the book I was looking for. – She is the girl who / whom I met in the
Shall : I, We must be plural. train.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
2. The relative pronoun that is preferred to ‘who’ or
‘which’ in the following cases
Case I After adjectives in the superlative degree.
e.g. – It is the best movie which / that I have ever
seen.
– It is the best food which / that I have had
for years.
Case II After the following words all, same, any,
only, nothing, the only, etc.
e.g. – It is the same book which / that I saw in the
market yesterday.
– All that glitters is not gold.
– It is not for nothing that he studied
Psychology.
Case III After the interrogative pronouns, ‘who’ and
‘what’.
e.g. – Who is the girl which / that comes in your
dreams?
– What is it that you want?
Case IV After two antecedents, one denoting a person
and the other denoting an animal or a thing.
e.g. – The man and his dog that had entered the
school were turned out.
3. The relative pronoun should be placed as near as
possible to its antecedent.
e.g. – The office was located in the heart of (✗)
the town which had beautiful interior
decoration.
SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 2
ERRORS OF PRONOUNS
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
1. The master did not know (a)/ who of the servants
(b)/ broke the glass. (c)/ No error (d)
2. The ruling party stood (a)/ for implementation of the
bill (b)/ and was ready to stake their political
existence. (c)/ No error (d)
3. Wherever they go (a)/ the Indians easily adapt to (b)/
local circumstances. (c)/ No error (d)
4. It is not easy for anyone to command (a)/ respect from
one’s friends as well as critics (b)/ as Dr. Neil did for
his integrity and honesty. (c)/ No error (d)
5. Mahatma Gandhi taught us (a)/ that one should
respect (b)/ the religions of others as much as his
own. (c)/ No error (d)
6. He, You and I (a)/ shall manage (b)/ this problem
together. (c)/ No error (d)
7. Was it him (a)/ who got injured (b)/ in an accident
this morning? (c)/ No error (d)
395
– The office, which had beautiful interior (✓)
decoration, was located in the center of the
town.
4. The relative pronoun ‘What’ is used without any
antecedent.
e.g. – I mean that / what I say.
– That / What cannot be cured must be
endured.
5. ‘Whose’ is used to refer to persons only; ‘of which’ is
used while referring to lifeless objects.
e.g. – I have a friend whose father is a doctor.
– I saw a watch, the dial of which was made of
gold.
Interrogative Pronouns
The interrogative pronouns are used for making queries or
asking questions. The pronoun ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘which’
are used as interrogative pronouns.
Rules of Interrogative Pronouns
1. ‘What’ is used in broad sense, while ‘Which’ is used in
the specific sense.
e.g. – What are you doing these days?
– Which institute have you joined for coaching?
2. ‘Which’ is used in place of ‘who’ and ‘what’ when we
are referring to a choice between two or among more
than two things or persons.
e.g. – Of the two brothers who / which is more
intelligent?
– Who / Which is your mother in the crowd?
8. As soon as he (a)/ saw his mother (b)/ he ran to her
and embraced. (c)/ No error (d)
9. Due to me being a newcomer (a)/ I was unable to get
a house (b)/ suitable for my wife and me. (c)/ No
error (d)
10. The audience (a)/ are requested (b)/ to be in its
seats. (c)/ No error (d)
11. A scientist must follow (a)/ his hunches and his data
(b)/ wherever it may lead. (c)/ No error (d)
12. The number of vehicles (a)/ plying on this road (a)/
is more than on the main road. (c)/ No error (d)
13. Being a destitute (a)/ I admitted him (b)/ to an old
people’s home. (c)/ No error (d)
14. One should make (a)/ his best efforts if one wishes to
achieve (b)/ success in this organisation. (c)/ No
error (d)
15. May I (a)/ know who you want (b)/ to see please? (c)/
No error (d)
396
16. Our is the only country (a)/ in
the world that can boast of (b)/
unity in diversity. (c)/ No error
(d)
17. Last summer he went (a)/ to his
uncle’s village (b)/ and enjoyed
very much. (c)/ No error (d)
18. If I were him (a)/ I would have
taught (b)/ those cheats a
lesson. (c)/ No error (d)
19. Those sort of people (a)/ usually
do not (b)/ earn fame in society.
(c)/ No error (d)
20. Had I come (a)/ to know about
his difficulties (b)/ I would have
certainly helped. (c)/ No
error (d)
EXPLANATIONS
1. (b) As the sentence refers to a
choice among more than two
persons (servants), ‘which’ will be
used in place of ‘who’.
2. (c) When a pronoun stands for a
collective noun (‘ruling party’ in the
sentence) it must be in the neuter
gender. Hence, ‘its’ will be used in
place of ‘their’.
3. (b) As the sentence refers to a
particular set of people (Indians), it
will contain a reflexive pronoun
‘themselves’ after ‘adapt’.
4. (b) In this sentence, the pronoun
‘one’s’ is missing before the word
‘critics’. Hence, we will add ‘one’s’
before ‘critics’.
5. (c) The given sentence has an
indefinite pronoun ‘one’. As per the
rule, ‘his’ should be replaced with
‘one’s’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
6. (a) As per the rule, the second
person should come before the third
and the third person comes before
the first. So, the correct order will
be : ‘You, he and I……’
7. (a) As per the rule, the component
of the verb ‘to be’ (was) when
expressed by a pronoun should be in
the nominative case. Hence, ‘him’ in
the sentence will be replaced by
‘he’.
8. (c) The sentence is incomplete as it
does not answer the question
‘whom did he embrace?’ So, we will
add ‘her’ at the end of the sentence.
21. One of them (a)/ forgot to take
their bag (b)/ from the school.
(c)/ No error (d)
22. Civil servants should (a)/ acquit
efficiently (b)/ in the service of
a common man. (c)/ No error (d)
23. Avail every chance that comes
your way (a)/ lest you should
(b)/ repent in the long run. (c)/
No error (d)
24. Let Raj and she (a)/ complete
this job (b)/ as they like to do it.
(c)/ No error (d)
25. It was with great difficulty
(a)/ that each of the brothers
(b)/ could get their share of
property. (c)/ No error (d)
9. (a) The pronoun ‘me’ used in part
(a) of the sentence is incorrect. It
should be replaced by ‘I’.
10. (c) As the sentence refers to living
beings (‘audience’), the pronoun ‘its’
will be replaced by ‘their’.
11. (c) The pronoun ‘it’ is incorrectly
used in the sentence. It should be
replaced by ‘they’ as the sentence
refers to ‘his hunches’ and ‘his data’.
12. (c) The sentence does not have
‘that’ after ‘than’. So, to make the
sentence meaningful ‘that’ should be
added after ‘than’.
13. (a) The sentence does not convey
the intended meaning as it has ‘He’
missing in the beginning. So, the
correct sentence would start as ‘He
being a destitute ......... .’
14. (b) As the sentence begins with an
Indefinite pronoun ‘one’, it should
not have ‘his’ in the sentence.
Hence, we replace ‘his’ by ‘one’s’ to
make the sentence correct.
15. (b) The pronoun ‘who’ would be
replaced by ‘whom’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
16. (a) The reflexive pronoun ‘Ours’ will
be used in the sentence instead of
‘Our’ to make the sentence correct.
17. (c) The reflexive pronoun ‘himself ’
would be used after the word
‘enjoyed’ to make the sentence
meaningful.
CDS Pathfinder
26. Do you know (a)/ whom all (b)/
are inside the room? (c)/ No
error (d)
27. They that run (a)/ after fame
and money (b)/ are likely to be
disappointed. (c)/ No error (d)
28. One should (a)/ take care of
one’s belongings (b)/ himself.
(c)/ No error (d)
29. God helps those (a)/ who helps
(b)/ themselves. (c)/ No error (d)
30. He and her (a)/ went to the
party (b)/ in the hotel. (c)/ No
error (d)
18. (a) The verb ‘were’ when expressed
by a pronoun, it should be in the
nominative case. Hence, ‘he’ would
be used instead of ‘him’.
19. (a) ‘Sort of ’ is incorrect. It should
be replaced by ‘sorts of ’ to make the
sentence correct.
20. (c) The sentence is incomplete as it
does not answer the question
‘helped whom?’. So, we add ‘him’ at
the end of the sentence.
21. (b) ‘Their’ should be replaced by
‘his’ to make the sentence correct.
22. (b) The pronoun ‘themselves’ should
come after ‘acquit’.
23. (a) ‘Yourself of ’ needs to be added
after ‘Avail’ to make the sentence
correct.
24. (a) ‘She’ should be replaced by ‘her’
to make the sentence correct.
25. (c) ‘Each of ’ takes a singular
pronoun. So, ‘their’ should be
replaced by ‘his’.
26. (b) ‘Whom’ should be replaced by
‘who’.
27. (a) ‘They’ needs to be replaced by
‘Those’.
28. (c) ‘Himself ’ should be replaced by
‘oneself ’.
29. (b) ‘Helps’ should be replaced by
‘help’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
30. (a) ‘Her’ would be replaced by ‘she’
to make the sentence error free.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 397
VERB
A verb is a word (such as jump, think, happen or exist) (ii) Modal Auxiliary Verbs
that is usually one of the main parts of a sentence and that Modal auxiliary verb denote the mood/mode of the
expresses an action, an occurence, or a state of being.
subject. They are can, could, may, might, should, used to,
need, dare, etc.
Classification of Verbs
Verbs can be classified as following Tenses
There are three basic tenses : Present, Past and Future.
1. Main Verbs
These can further be divided into the following segments
Main verbs have meanings related to actions, events and
states. Most verbs in English are main verbs. e.g. go, show, 1. Simple The action is mentioned simply. Nothing is
exist, etc. said about whether the action is complete or not.
Main verbs can be divided into two categories; transitive 2. Continuous The action is incomplete or is going on
and intransitive which are as follow at the time of speaking.
(i) Transitive Verbs 3. Perfect The action is finished or complete with
A transitive verb is a verb that can take a direct object. respect to a certain point of time.
4. Perfect Continuous The action is going on
e.g. She played the piano.
continuously over a long period of time and is yet to
be finished.
transitive direct
verb object Simple Present
(He, She, It, Single name — V1 + s, es)
(ii) Intransitive Verbs
(They, you, I, Plurals—V1 )
An Intransitive verb has two characteristics. First, it is an
• To express a habitual action.
action verb expressing a double activity like arrive, go, lie,
sneeze, sit, die, etc. Second, unlike a transitive verb, it will e.g. –He goes for a walk in the morning.
not have a direct object receiving the action. –It rains in winter in Tamil Nadu.
– He often gets late for dinner.
Intransitive verbs have the pattern N + V (Noun + Verb).
The clause is complete without anything else. • To express universal truths.
e.g. – John smiled. e.g. – The sun rises in the East.
– Nothing happened. – Two and two make four.
In exclamatory sentences beginning with ‘here’ and
Here, ‘smiled’ and ‘happened’ are intransitive verbs. •
‘there’, to express what is actually taking place in the
Linking Verbs present.
Some main verbs are called Linking Verbs. These verbs are e.g. – Here he comes!
– There goes the train!
not followed by objects. Instead they are followed by
phrases which give extra information about the subject. • To indicate a future event that is part of a plan or an
Linking verbs include appear, feel, look, seem sound, smell,
arrangement.
taste, become, etc.
e.g. – PM comes to the town next month.
e.g. – A face appeared at the window. – The Indian team goes to England this month.
In this sentence, ‘appeared’ is the linking verb and ‘at the • To introduce quotations.
window’ is the phrase.
e.g. – Gita says, “Give your best and do not worry
for the results”.
2. Auxiliary Verbs – Pope says, “A little knowledge is a dangerous
Auxiliary verbs can be divided into two categories; primary thing”.
and modal auxiliary verbs, which are as follow
(i) Primary Auxiliary Verbs Present Continuous
(Is / Am / Are + V1 + ing)
Primary auxiliary verbs can further be divided as following
i. Verbs ‘to be’ : is, am, are, was, were, will be, shall be • To express an action going on at the time of speaking.
ii. Verbs ‘to have’ : have, has, had e.g. – I am studying in the class.
iii. Verbs ‘to do’ : do, does, did
398 CDS Pathfinder
• To express a temporary action which may not be Present Perfect Continuous
actually happening at the time of speaking.
(Have been/Has been + V1 + ing)
e.g. – I am preparing for the competition.
– I am working on a project. • To express an action which began at sometime in the
past and is still continuing.
• It also represents future action or a definite arrangement
in the near future. e.g. – He is playing since 8 o’clock. (✗)
e.g. – I am going to Mumbai tomorrow.
– He has been playing since 8 o’clock. (✓)
– They have been writing since morning. (✓)
– He is coming tonight.
• When the reference is to a particular obstinate habit, the Simple Past ( V2 )
present continuous is used instead of present simple. An • To indicate an action completed in the past at a definite
adverb, like always, constantly, etc, is also used.
time.
e.g. – It is no use scolding him, he always does / is
e.g. –I did this. (✗)
always doing what is forbidden.
–I have done this. (✓)
• The following verbs are normally used in the present –I did this yesterday. (✓)
simple instead of present continuous
• Denoted by last, ago, yesterday, back, before, formerly,
(a) Verbs of Appearance Look, appear, seem.
any fixed time, etc.
(b) Verbs of Emotion Want, wish, desire, feel, e.g. – We heard a terrifying news last night.
like, love, hate, hope, prefer, etc. – They celebrated the occasion two days ago.
(c) Verbs of Perception See, hear, smell, taste, – He inherited his father’s business after his
notice, recognise, etc. father’s demise.
(d) Verbs of Possession Belong to, consist of, – The train didn’t arrive on time yesterday.
– She didn’t go there in the morning.
contain, own, etc.
• To indicate past habits, indicated generally by the words
(e) Verbs of Thinking Agree, believe, consider,
like often, seldom, never, normally, generally, always,
forget, imagine, know, mind, remember, etc.
frequently, rarely, daily, used to, etc.
Present Perfect (Has / Have + V3 ) e.g. – As a kid, I often went to school on foot.
– My friend frequently visited his hometown in
• It is used to indicate completed activities in the
the past.
immediate past. It is a mixture of present and past. It
– I seldom wrote a cheque even when there was
always implies a strong connection of past with the
balance in my account.
present.
– Whenever I called on him he pretended to be
e.g. – He has just gone out.
ill.
• The most important point is that it is used with the past
– He always carried a stick when he went for a
actions whose time is not given and not definite.
walk.
e.g. – He came here. (✗)
– He has come here. (✓)
• After ‘it is time’.
e.g. It is time Indian cricket team starts / started
–
– He came here yesterday. (✓)
winning test matches.
• It is used with the adverbs like ever, just, recently,
already, yet, so far, of late, lately, by the time, for, etc. The conjunction since denotes present time dating back
●
e.g. – He has already finished the work. to some event. It is therefore, followed by a Simple Past
– Recently, he has started working on a new Tense and preceded by some form of Present Perfect
Tense.
project.
e.g. Many things have happened since I have left the
– I have just seen that film.
school. (✗)
– It is the best book that I have ever read. Many things have happened since I left the
– I have known him for twenty years.
school. (✓)
– He has started coming late lately.
– He hasn’t paid the bill so far.
Past Continuous (Was/Were + V1 + ing )
• It can never be used with the words like last, ago,
• To denote an action going on at some time in the past.
yesterday, before, back, formerly, fixed time, etc.
e.g. – He has come here yesterday. (✗) e.g. When I went to his house, he was playing.
–
– He came here yesterday. (✓) I was studying yesterday.
–
– India has won last year. (✗) • For persistent habits in the past.
– India won last year. (✓) e.g. – He was always mooching around.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
Past Perfect (Had + V3 )
• To describe an action completed before a certain moment
in the past.
e.g. – I met him in New Delhi in 2000. I had
seen him last five years before.
– It had rained yesterday.
– It rained yesterday.
– My friend had come to visit me.
– My friend came to visit me yesterday.
• Past perfect should be used only when we wish to say
one action got completed before the other started. It
should never be used at all in any other sense.
e.g. – I went to Mumbai.
– I had gone to Mumbai
– Ravi had walked two miles by lunch time.
– I had gone to Mumbai when he came to
meet me.
Past Perfect Continuous (Had been + V1 + ing)
• To express an action that began before a certain point of
time in the past and continued upto that time.
e.g. – He had been studying for two hours when his
girlfriend came.
– Tendulkar had been playing for eleven years
when his toe got injured.
• If there is Past tense in the Principal clause, it must be
followed by a Past tense in the Dependent clause. In an
Indirect narration, the Simple Past in the Dependent clause
is changed to Past Perfect, if the Principal clause is in the
Past tense.
e.g. – He told me that he intended to start a
business.
– He told me that he had intended to start a
business.
– He hinted that he tried to save him.
– He hinted that he had tried to save him.
• The exception to the above rule is if some universal,
habitual or generally recognised fact is mentioned in the
Dependent clause, the Present tense must be retained in all
conditions.
e.g. – He told me that the Earth moves round the
Sun.
– His illness convinced me that all men are
mortal.
Simple Future (Shall / Will + V1 )
• To express an action that is still to take place.
e.g. – I shall go for the preparation when I shall
receive the call letter.
– I shall go for the preparation when I
receive the call letter.
399
Future Continuous (Shall be / Will be + V1 + ing)
• To express an action as going on at some time in the
future.
(✓) e.g. – I shall be earning when I shall be 21.
– I shall be earning when I am 21. (✓)
(✗)
(✓) Future Perfect (Shall have / Will have + V3 )
(✗) • To indicate the completion of an action by a certain
(✓) future time.
that e.g. – We shall have completed our syllabus by next
month.
– I shall have done this work by tomorrow.
(✗)
(✗)
Future Perfect Continuous
(✓) (Will have been / Shall have been + V1 + ing)
(✓) • To indicate an action which is in progress over a
period of time and will be in progress at a certain time
in future.
e.g. – Tendulkar will have been playing for India
for 20 years when he completes the age
of 35.
– Time will have been clocking for ages in the
coming moments.
Subject-Verb Agreement
1. If two subjects together express one idea, one being
added to the other for the sake of emphasis or
clarification, the verb is singular. No plurality is left
to exist in such a case.
e.g. – Slow and steady wins the race.
(✗) – Bread and butter is essential for one’s
existence.
(✓)
2. When the plural noun denotes some specific
quantity, distance, time or amount considered as a
(✗) whole, the verb is generally singular.
(✓) e.g. – Six miles is not a long distance for me.
– Ten lakh is equivalent to a million.
3. Two or more singular subjects connected by
‘either-or’, ‘neither-nor’, take a verb in singular
(third person singular verb).
e.g. – Either Vivek or Vimal is absent today.
– He asked me if either of the applicants was
suitable.
– Either you or I shall / will go to the
party.
4. When the subjects joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ are of
different numbers, the verb must be plural and the
(✗) plural subject must be placed next to the verb.
e.g. – Either Amit or his parents are coming to the
(✓) party.
400
5. Any noun qualified by ‘each’ or ‘every’ is followed by
a singular verb. Even if two nouns so qualified are
connected by ‘and’, the verb must still be singular.
e.g. – Each one of these boys has the potential to
(✗)
get selected.
– Every man and woman was filled with joy.
– Every day and each hour teaches us
something.
6. Verb is according to the first subject when they are
connected with ‘and not’, with ‘as well as’, in
addition to, ‘along with’, ‘besides’, ‘like’, ‘together’,
etc.
e.g. – Rahul and not his friend was absent.
– Amit, like his friends, is always late.
– He as well as you is a good boy.
7. When two nouns or pronouns are joined by ‘not
only....but also’, the verb agrees with the second noun
or pronoun.
e.g. – Not only the officer but also the soldiers were
awarded.
8. If the subject is ‘The number of’, the singular verb is
used and the noun is plural.
e.g. – The number of one-dayers played these days
has / have led to the deterioration of the
game.
9. A ‘great many’ is always followed by plural verb and
a plural noun.
e.g. – A great many students have passed this year.
– A great many fish are there in the pond.
10. ‘Many a’ is always followed by a singular verb and a
singular noun.
e.g. – Many a soldier has got medal this year.
– Many a student has passed this year with
flying colours.
11. A singular or a plural verb is used with words as
pains, a lot of, means, variety, plenty, rest, wages,
according to the sense in which they are used.
e.g. – A large number of girls were absent on
account of bad weather.
– The number of admissions has gradually fallen
off.
– A variety of books on the subject are
available.
12. A verb should agree with its subject and not with the
complement. But in the case of sentence beginning
with ‘The’, the verb is according to the
predicate/complement.
CDS Pathfinder
e.g. – Our only guide was the stars.
– The stars were our only guide.
13. In a compound sentence, both auxiliary verbs and
principal verbs should be mentioned separately if
they differ in number, form or voice. In such cases,
one verb cannot act for both the clauses.
e.g. – He has not and will not marry in near (✗)
future.
– He has not married and will not marry (✓)
in near future.
– She is intelligent but her sisters dull. (✗)
– She is intelligent but her sisters are dull. (✓)
14. Use of ‘shall’ and ‘will’.
l
To express simple future action ‘shall’ is used in the
first person, and ‘will’ in the second and third
person.
e.g. – I shall come.
– You will come.
– He will come.
l
Shall is used in the second and third persons to
express Command, Promise, Threat, Determination.
l
Will is used in the first person to express
Willingness, Promise, Threat, Determination.
e.g. – You shall not steal. (Command)
– You shall have a holiday tomorrow.
(Promise)
– You shall be punished for this.
(Threat)
– You shall do it for your country.
(Determination)
– I will send you my book. (Willingness).
– I will try to do better next time. (Promise).
– I will punish you if you do that again.
(Threat).
– I will succeed or die in this attempt.
(Determination).
l
In asking questions ‘shall’ is used in the first person
and ‘will’ in the third person. In the second person,
‘shall’ and ‘will’ are used according to the answer
expected.
e.g. – Shall we go?
– We shall go.
– Will he come tomorrow?
– He will come tomorrow.
– Will you do this for me?
– I will do it for you.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
UNREAL PAST/
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD
A wish, desire, purpose, supposition contrary to fact or
condition is expressed in subjunctive mood.
In subjunctive mood, ‘were’ and ‘had’ are used as the case
may be. The sentence basically goes in the past tense.
e.g. – I wish I had a car.
– I wish I had not met him.
There are three types of conditional clauses. Each kind
contains a different pair of tenses. Here are these
i. Present likely condition
e.g. – I shall go for the preparation when I get the
call letter.
– You will pass if you work hard.
ii. Present unlikely condition
e.g. – If I had a house, I would not have rented
yours.
– If I were there, I would not have let them go.
iii. Past condition
e.g. – If he had studied, he would have got the call
letter last year itself.
– If she had brought money, she could have
bought the jewellery.
• After, ‘as if/as though’.
e.g. He behaves as if he were the owner of this
–
place.
– He came in looking as though he had seen a
ghost.
THE INFINITIVE (To + V1)
Rules of Infinitive
1. In negative sentences, ‘dare not’ and ‘need not’ are
used without to.
e.g. – You dare not to leave India.
– You dare not leave India.
– How dare you fail in the exam?
2. Prepositions ‘but’ and ‘except’ take the infinitive
without to.
e.g. – He did nothing but cry.
– There is no alternative except this offer.
3. Expressions like would rather, had rather, rather than,
had better, as soon as, etc are followed by infinitive
without to.
e.g. – I would rather to go for picnic.
– I would rather go for picnic.
4. The infinitive without to is used after Auxiliary verbs
such as shall, will, can, may, did, should; but ought is
an exception.
e.g. – I should go.
– I ought to go.
401 402 CDS Pathfinder
5. The to of one infinitive can be made to do duty for to
of another infinitive in the sentence, provided that the
SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 3
verbs in the two infinitives are synonymous. If two
separate ideas are better expressed by two infinitives,
to of the latter infinitive should be omitted.
ERRORS OF VERB
e.g. – He helped me to progress and prosper.
Directions (Q.Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
– It lies in my power to succeed or to fail.
6. Do not forget to use the preposition whenever the 1. Each of these players (a)/ have been warned (b)/ 16. He, like the other members (a)/ of his family, were left
infinitive ‘to’ is made to qualify a noun. not to repeat the silly mistake. (c)/ No error (d) shelterless (b)/ as a result of flood in the town. (c)/ No
e.g. – I have no pen to write. (✗) 2. Lime and soda (a)/ is (b)/ a digestive drink. (c)/ No error (d)
– I have no pen to write with. (✓) error (d) 17. Two thirds of the majority (a)/ are needed to pass (b)/
the resolution for the impeachment of the President.
3. The mother as well as her children (a)/ were
THE GERUND (V1 + ing) brought (b)/ to the police station for interrogation. (c)/ No error (d)
(c)/ No error (d) 18. During freedom struggle (a)/ many a patriot (b)/ were
A verb which does the action of a noun. filled with patriotism. (c)/ No error (d)
e.g. – Running tap makes a lot of noise. 4. His benevolence and kindness (a)/ are (b)/ admired
– Smoking isn’t a good habit.
by his friends. (c)/ No error (d) 19. There are a dozen (a)/ of Geography books lying in the
shelf of my personal library (b)/ and you can use them
5. She never has and never will (a)/ allow her only
whenever you like. (c)/ No error (d)
Rules of Gerund son (b)/ to join politics. (c)/ No error (d)
20. The number of amendments of our Constitution (a)/
1. The following words are followed by gerund 6. Intelligence, as well as knowledge of the subject
(a)/ are required to grasp (b)/ the meaning of the have been very large (b)/ during the last fifty years of
Avoid, dislike, enjoy, help (in the sense of avoid), book. (c)/ No error (d) independence. (c)/ No error (d)
mind, prevent, risk, stop, etc. 21. When the dentist came in (a)/ my tooth was stopped
7. Every word and every line (a)/ in the poems of
e.g. – I cannot help looking at you. aching (b)/ out of fear that I might loose my tooth. (c)/
Wordsworth (b)/ sings the blessings of nature. (c)/
– I do not mind going there. No error (d)
No error (d)
2. The following phrases are followed by a gerund 22. One of his many (a)/ good traits that came to my mind
8. So honestly he worked (a)/ that he was rewarded
(b)/ by the chairman of the company. (c)/ No error (b)/ was his modesty. (c)/ No error (d)
Accustomed to, fed-up with, habitual to, addicted to,
is no good, is used to, looking forward to, tired of, is (d) 23. I would like you (a)/ to complete this assignment (b)/
worth, with a view to, owing to, object to, given to, before you will leave for Mumbai. (c)/ No error (d)
9. Four miles (a)/ are not a long distance (b)/ for a
taken to, etc. young person like you. (c)/ No error (d) 24. The teacher was angry (a)/ when he found that (b)/
e.g. – I am accustomed to talking for hours. you are not there. (c)/ No error (d)
10. No sooner he was brought (a)/ here than he began
– I am fed up with his useless accusing.
(b)/ to feel uneasy. (c)/ No error (d) 25. People have a right to criticise (a)/ but at the same
3. A gerund, and not an infinitive is used after such 11. Never I have come across (a)/ a man (b)/ who is time each of them (b)/ have to remember his duty also.
verbs and participles as are followed by their foolish to such an extent. (c)/ No error (d) (c)/ No error (d)
appropriate prepositions.
26. The period of twenty-five years (a)/ have passed (b)/
e.g. – desirous of disqualify from 12. In old age none of the relatives (a)/ are prepared to
come (b)/ to the help of the old and the sick. (c)/ No and still he is without a job. (c)/ No error (d)
– refrain from prevent from
error (d) 27. No one in this world (a)/ can be able to work (b)/
– debar from desist from
(✗) continuously for 10 hours. (c)/ No error (d)
– restrain from prohibit from 13. It were the students (a)/ who wanted the teacher
(✓) – dissuade from abstain from (b)/ to declare holiday. (c)/ No error (d) 28. The chief idea of every traveller (a)/ is to see as many
(✓) objects of interest (b)/ as he possibly could. (c)/ No
– intent on bent on 14. So fast did he drive the motor car (a)/ that even
– keen on aim at the best driver (b)/ could not overtake him. (c)/ No error (d)
– confident of insist on error (d) 29. I could not (a)/ catch the train (b)/ as I was late. (c)/
– persist in succeed in 15. Everyone of the new nursing homes (a)/ coming up No error (d)
– fond of successful in in the urban areas (b)/ need a lot of improvement. 30. A great many tourists (a)/ has visited India (b)/ last
– justified in hesitate in (c)/ No error (d) year. (c)/ No error (d)
– a hope of fortunate in
4. The noun or pronoun governing a gerund must be in
(✗) the possessive case.
(✓) e.g. – Please excuse me being late. (✗)
– Please excuse my being late. (✓)
– I remember him winning the race. (✗)
– I remember his winning the race. (✓)
– I like my friend coming on time. (✗)
– I like my friend’s coming on time. (✓)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 403 404 CDS Pathfinder

EXPLANATIONS ADJECTIVE
1. (b) The phrase ‘Each of ’ takes a singular verb. So, ‘have’ 14. (d) The sentence is correct. An adjective is a word used with a noun or a pronoun to e.g. – Can I buy something from your shop?
would be replaced by ‘has’. 15. (c) ‘Everyone of ’ uses a singular verb. Hence, the verb ‘need’ add something to its meaning. – Can I have some money?
2. (d) There is no error in the sentence. in the given sentence should be replaced by ‘needs’. – Why don’t you take something?
3. (b) The phrase ‘as well as’ takes the verb as per the noun 16. (b) When using ‘like’, the verb in the sentence should agree
Kinds of Adjective
before it. As ‘mother’ is singular, ‘were’ would be changed to with the subject of the sentence i.e. ‘He’. Hence, ‘were’ in
5. Adjectives of Number
‘was’. the given sentence would be replaced by ‘was’.
1. Proper Adjectives It shows how many persons or things are meant or in what
They are derived from proper noun. order a person or thing stands.
4. (b) As per the rule, if two subjects together express one 17. (b) In the given ‘majority’ means a collection of people who
idea, one being added to the other for the sake of emphasis have the same point of view (vote). Therefore, it will be Proper Nouns Proper Adjectives It is of three types, which are as follow
or classification, the verb is singular. Hence, ‘are’ in the considered as a single entity. Hence, It will take a singular India Indian (a) Definite Numeral Adjective These adjectives denote
sentence would be replaced by ‘is’. verb. So, ‘are’ in the given sentence will be replaced by ‘is’. China Chinese exact number or order of persons/things.
5. (a) The verb ‘allowed’ will be added after ‘has’ to make the 18. (c) ‘Many a’ takes a singular verb. So, ‘were’ would be Turkey Turkish e.g. – The first three benches of this class.
sentence grammatically correct. This is because as per the replaced by ‘was’. America American (b) Indefinite Numeral Adjective Few, many, less, more,
rule that in a compound sentence both auxiliary verbs and 19. (a) ‘Is’ would be used in place of ‘are’ as the sentence refers
principal verbs should be mentioned separately if they differ Shakespeare Shakespearian some, any, etc.
to one dozen (‘a dozen’).
in number, form or voice. Use of Less, Little and Fewer
l

20. (b) As the ‘Constitution’ is a single book, ‘have’ would be
6. (b) The phrase ‘as well as’ takes a singular verb. Hence, we
replaced by ‘has’.
would replace ‘are’ in the given sentence by ‘is’ to make it
21. (b) ‘Was’ needs to be replaced by ‘had’ to convey the right
grammatically correct.
meaning of the sentence.
7. (d) The sentence is correct.
22. (c) ‘Was’ should be replaced by ‘is’ as the sentence is in
8. (a) The sentence should start with ‘So honestly did he work present tense.
2. Possessive Adjectives
‘Less’ denotes quantity and ‘fewer’ denotes number.
My, our, your, his, their, her, its are called possessive
e.g. – Not less than / No fewer than 10000 persons
adjectives.
died in the Gujarat earthquake.
3. Adjectives of Quality (c) Distributive Numeral Adjective Each and Every
It shows the traits of a person or a thing. ‘Each’ is used in speaking of two or more things.
l

……’ to make it grammatically correct. e.g. – Flowers were plucked fresh. (✗) The important point is that the things should be
23. (c) We need to remove ‘will’ from the sentence. limited in number.
9. (b) In the sentence ‘four miles’ is some specific distance – Fresh flowers were plucked. (✓)
considered as a whole. Hence, a singular verb ‘is’ would be 24. (c) As the sentence is in past tense, we need to replace ‘are’ ‘Every’ is used in speaking of more than two
l

used instead of ‘are’. by ‘were’. Confusing Words
10. (a) The correct usage of ‘No sooner’ in the sentence will 25. (c) ‘Each of ’ uses a singular verb. So, we should replace Word Meaning
be ‘No sooner was he brought ……’ . ‘have’ by ‘has’ to make the sentence correct.
Verbal It pertains to words.
11. (a) ‘Never I have’ in the given sentence should be replaced 26. (b) ‘25 years’ in the sentence is taken as a whole. So, we
Oral It means mouth.
by ‘Never have I’ to make it grammatically correct. would use ‘has’ in place of ‘have’.
27. (b) ‘Can’ needs to be replaced by ‘would’ to make the Common Shared by all concerned.
12. (b) As per the rule, ‘none of ’ takes a singular verb.
sentence meaningful.
Hence, we would replace ‘are’ by ‘is’ in the given sentence. Mutual In relation to each other.
28. (c) ‘Could’ needs to be replaced by ‘can’.
13. (a) As the students demanded the same thing i.e., declaring
a holiday. So, the students would be taken as a singular 29. (d) No error 4. Adjectives of Quantity
entity. Therefore, ‘were’ in the sentence would be replaced
by ‘was’. 30. (b) ‘A great many’ takes a plural verb. So, we would replace It shows how much of a thing is meant.
‘has’ by ‘have’. e.g. – Any, some, little, etc.
Confusing Words
Word Meaning
Little ‘Little’ has a negative meaning He has little hope of recovery.
and it means hardly any.
A Little ‘A little’ has a positive
meaning. It means some,
though not much.
The little ‘The little’ means not much but The little money Bihar had has
all there is.
Any ‘Any’ is used in negative or/and I shall not buy any material
interrogative sentences.
Some ‘Some’ is used in affirmative
sentences.
However, if the question is a request or a command,
‘some’ replaces any.
Example
His verbal words spoken orally are
more dangerous than his figures
on paper.
It is common to everyone that
India and Pakistan do not share a
very good mutual understanding.
Example
(i. e ., he is not likely to recover).
He has a little hope of
recovery. (i.e. he may possibly
recover).
gone to Jharkhand.
from this shop.
I shall buy something from this
shop.
persons or things, where the things are not limited.
e.g. – Each / Every day is important for someone
or the other.
Confusing Words
Word Meaning Example
Other ‘Other’ means second of the Call the other boy who is with
two. you.
Another ‘Another’ means additional
one.
There is another boy also who
wants to meet you.
6. Exclamatory Adjectives
It is used to express surprise.
e.g. – What an idea!
– What a piece of work!
7. Interrogative Adjectives
These adjectives are used to ask questions.
e.g. – Which picture do you like the most?
8. Demonstrative Adjectives
It points out which person or thing is meant.
e.g. – This boy is intelligent.
• The plural forms ‘these’ and ‘those’ are often wrongly
used with the singular nouns ‘kind of’ and ‘sort of’.
e.g. – These sort /sorts of questions are frequently
asked in the exam.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 405 406 CDS Pathfinder

3. In comparative cases, ‘other’ is used with than. 9. When two adjectives qualify the same noun, both 12. When two adjectives in different degrees of
Comparison of Adjectives e.g. – He is more intelligent than his classmates. (✗) the adjectives should be represented in the same comparison are used in the same sentence, each
1. Positive Degree When only one case is there. – He is more intelligent than his other (✓) degree. should be complete in itself.
e.g. – Meerut is a big city. classmates. e.g. – Taj Mahal is the most beautiful and the most e.g. – He is as good if not better than his (✗)
2. Comparative Degree When two cases are there. – He is stronger than any person in the class. (✗) sought-after place in India. brother.
e.g. – Meerut is bigger than Ghaziabad. – He is stronger than any other person in (✓) – He is the best and honest minister of our (✗) – He is as good as if not better than his (✓)
– She is better than anybody else in the school. the class. time. brother.
– This boy (who has come from outside) (✓) – He is the best and the most honest (✓) 13. Worth + V1 + ing is placed after the same noun it
3. Superlative Degree When more than two cases are
is more intelligent than any other boy in the minister of our time. qualifies.
there.
e.g. – Meerut is the biggest city of West Uttar class. 10. The adjectives ‘little’ and ‘few’ are not made to e.g. – Taj Mahal is a monument worth visiting.
– The Nile is longer than any river in the (✗) – Computer is a commodity worth buying.
Pradesh. qualify the nouns, ‘quantity’ and ‘number’. Instead
– He is the most corrupt politician of all in the world. ‘small’ should be used to qualify these nouns.
country. – The Nile is longer than any other river in (✓) Confusing Words
e.g. – Would you please lend me a few /small
the world. number of books for a month? Word Meaning Example
Confusing Words 4. In superlative cases, other is not used. – I asked him not to waste even a little /small Hard Difficult, tough He studies hard. (i.e. works very hard in
e.g. – Samudragupta was the most powerful of all quantity of food. studies)
Word Meaning Example
Later/ ‘Later’ and ‘latest’ refer to time. Tempest was the last/latest
kings of his time. 11. Do not say ‘two first’ for ‘first two’. Hardly Rarely, a little He hardly studies. (i.e. he rarely studies)
Latter/ ‘Latter’ and ‘last’ refer to play of Shakespeare. 5. Adjectives expressing qualities, that do not have Late Delay
Latest/ position. e.g. – I saw only the two first episodes of the (✗) Lately he is coming late from the office.
What is the last /latest news? different degrees, cannot be compared. serial.
Last Lately Now-a-days
Latter : Former (opposite)
He came latter /later than me. e.g. – Perfect, complete, circular, finish, square, – I saw only the first two episodes of the (✓)
Last : First (opposite) Near Close
Later : Earlier (opposite) The first half of the movie was Although he was near the truck, he nearly
empty, impossible, enough, full, unique, serial. escaped.
Latest : Earliest (opposite) very entertaining but the latter Nearly Almost
wasn’t. wonderful, marvelous, excellent, ultimate.
Elder/ For blood relations only. I am his elder brother.
– This glass is more full than that glass. (✗)
Eldest – I have had more than enough. (✗)
6. Similar things should be compared when we compare
Old/
Older/
For both persons and things. My friend is older than me.
two things. SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 4
Oldest
Farther Geographical distance
(comparative degree). Its
superlative is ‘farthest’.
Mumbai is farther than Gwalior.
(O)
Mumbai is farther than Gwalior
e.g. – The climate of Dehradun is better than
Meerut.
– The climate of Dehradun is better than
(✗)

(✓)
ERRORS OF ADJECTIVE
Further Besides (in addition to) from Meerut. (P) that of Meerut. Directions (Q. Nos. 1-20) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
Kanyakumari is the farthest – The pollution in Delhi is greater than any (✗)
place in the South. (P)
other city in India. 1. There were (a)/ no less than fifty persons (b)/ present 10. She is the best (a)/ and beautiful girl (b)/ of our
I would like to add further in the room. (c)/ No error (d) class. (c)/ No error (d)
meaning to the studies. (P) – The pollution of Delhi is greater than (✓)
that of any other city in India. 2. Few remarks (a)/ that he made were (b)/ offensive to 11. I requested him (a)/ to lend me few books (b)/ that
Nearest It shows distance The nearest post-office is next my friend. (c)/ No error (d) might help me in my studies. (c)/ No error (d)
Next It shows position to the college. 7. The comparative degree is generally followed by
‘than’, but the following comparative adjectives are 3. It is a (a)/ worth watching documentary (b)/ and you 12. He is the tallest (a)/ than anybody (b)/ in the school.
followed by the preposition ‘to’. must not miss it. (c)/ No error (d) (c)/ No error (d)
Rules of Degrees e.g. – Superior, inferior, junior, senior, prefer, 4. Of all the students (a)/ Rita was less worried (b)/ 13. I was surprised (a)/ to see her speak (b)/ with
1. Double comparative and double superlative are not preferable, elder, younger, prior, etc. when the date for the annual examination was somewhat anger. (c)/ No error (d)
used together. – He is senior to me. announced. (c)/ No error (d) 14. My brother is elder (a)/ than me although (b)/ he
e.g. – She is the most prettiest girl. (✗) – I prefer tea to coffee. 5. Even the most perfect person (a)/ in the world is looks younger. (c)/ No error (d)
– She is the prettiest girl. (✓) – The Jallianwala massacre happened prior to the said to have erred (b)/ when there was time to 15. Little care on your part (a)/ would have made you (b)/
perform. (c)/ No error (d)
– This boy is more sweeter than that boy. (✗) Non-Cooperation Movement. more successful than your friend. (c)/ No error (d)
– This boy is sweeter than that boy. (✓) 6. In the opinion of everyone (a)/ she is wiser (b)/ than 16. Privatisation offers the most ideal situation (a)/ for
8. If there is a gradual increase, it is expressed with two
beautiful. (c)/ No error (d) consumers because private sector (b)/ is very
2. The Adjective ending in –er (e.g. wiser) should be comparatives and not with positives.
e.g. – Indian fielding is getting better and better 7. The tiger is (a)/ as swift as (b)/ any animal. (c)/ No conscious of quality. (c)/ No error
used as ‘more wise’ while comparing two qualities of
error (d) 17. She is better than (a)/ any girl that studies (b)/ in
the same person or thing. day-by-day.
e.g. – He is wiser /more wise than strong. – He became more and more intelligent while 8. He had to cut a sorry figure (a)/ when he realised our institute. (c)/ No error (d)
that he had (b)/ no any money in his purse. (c)/ No 18. The latest chapter of this novel (a)/ is the most
– He is more wise /wiser than his brother. studying.
error (d) comprehensive of all (b)/ the chapters in the book.
9. Of the three ministers (a)/ who do you think (b)/ is (c)/ No error (d)
going to prove more successful? (c)/ No error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
19. She was not punished (a)/ though she came (b)/
latter than I. (c)/ No error (d)
20. Neither she is intelligent (a)/ nor hard working (b)/
and still she expects to secure first class. (c)/ No
error (d)
21. It is all the more better (a)/ if you work (b)/ in my
company. (c)/ No error (d)
22. It was bitter cold (a)/ so we preferred (b)/ not to go
out that morning. (c)/ No error (d)
23. No animal (a)/ is as sacred to the Hindus (b)/ as the
cow is. (c)/ No error (d)
24. There is no name (a)/ more glorious than Sardar
Patel (b)/ in the history of India. (c)/ No error (d)
EXPLANATIONS
1. (b) ‘No fewer than’ should be replaced by ‘no less than’ to
make the sentence meaningful.
2. (a) ‘A few’ would be used in the sentence instead of ‘Few’.
3. (b) The usage of ‘worth watching documentary’ is incorrect.
The correct usage will be ‘documentary worth watching.’
4. (b) ‘Least worried’ should be replaced by ‘less worried’ to
make the sentence meaningful.
5. (a) ‘Most perfect’ should be replaced by ‘perfect’ to make
the sentence meaningful.
6. (b) ‘Wiser’ in the given sentence should be replaced by
‘more wise’.
7. (c) To make the sentence grammatically correct, we need to
add ‘other’ after the word ‘any’.
8. (c) The word ‘any’ in the given sentence is not needed. So,
we will delete ‘any’ from the sentence.
9. (c) ‘More successful’ is going to be replaced by ‘most
successful’ to make the sentence meaningful.
10. (b) ‘Beautiful’ should be changed to ‘most beautiful’ to make
the sentence grammatically correct.
11. (b) ‘Few’ means ‘nothing’. So, we will use ‘a few’ in the
given sentence to make it meaningful.
12. (b) ‘Of all’ is used instead of ‘than anybody’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
13. (c) ‘Somewhat’ does not make sense with ‘anger’. So, we
would use ‘some’ instead of ‘somewhat’.
14. (b) ‘Elder to me’ would be the correct usage.
15. (a) ‘Little’ should be replaced by ‘A little’.
16. (a) Adjectives like ‘ideal’ do not have degrees. So, we would
remove ‘most’ from the sentence.
407
25. It very often happens (a)/ that a man who talks most
(b)/ does less. (c)/ No error (d)
26. From all accounts I learn that (a)/ he is the best and
honest member (b)/ of the new cabinet. (c)/ No
error (d)
27. The flood situation (a)/ this year is worst than (b)/
that prevailed in the last year. (c)/ No error (d)
28. Geometry and Drawing (a)/ are more easier than
(b)/ Geography and Social Studies. (c)/No error (d)
29. Of all the friends (a)/ I have had (b)/ he is the most
helpful and less arrogant. (c)/ No error (d)
30. My uncle forbade me (a)/ not to go through (b)/ the
contents of his letter. (c)/ No error (d)
17. (b) ‘Other’ should be added after ‘any’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
18. (a) ‘Latest’ should be replaced by ‘last’ to make the sentence
meaningful.
19. (c) ‘Latter’ should be changed to ‘later’ to make the sentence
correct.
20. (a) ‘Neither is she intelligent’ should be replaced by
‘Neither she is intelligent’.
21. (a) ‘More’ does not go with ‘better’. So, we remove ‘all the
more’ from the sentence.
22. (a) We need to change ‘bitter’ to ‘bitterly’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
23. (a) We should add ‘other’ after ‘No’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
24. (a) We should add ‘other’ after ‘no’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
25. (c) ‘Less’ should be replaced by ‘least’ to make the sentence
correct.
26. (b) ‘Honest’ needs to be changed to ‘most honest’ because
as per the rule all the adjectives in a sentences should be of
the same degree.
27. (b) When two things are compared the comparative degree
is used. So, we would change ‘worst’ to ‘worse’.
28. (b) ‘More’ does not go with ‘easier’. So, we would remove it.
29. (c) ‘Less’ should be replaced by ‘least’ to make the sentence
correct.
30. (b) As two negative words cannot go together. So, we would
remove ‘not’. (‘Forbade’ is also a negative word)
408
ARTICLES
Articles are the members of the determiners family. ‘A, An
and The’ are articles. Articles are used before nouns.
e.g. – My brother is a businessman.
– An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Here, ‘a’ is an article which is used before the noun
(businessman) and ‘an’ is an article which is used before the
noun ‘apple’.
Indefinite Articles
• Indefinite article ‘A’ is used before the words starting with
the consonants.
• Indefinite article ‘An’ is used with the words starting with
the vowel sound. (a, e, i, o, u)
e.g. – An umbrella is kept there.
– A European lives in our colony.
– Meerut has a university.
– An honest and hardworking person always
succeeds in life.
– An hour is left.
– An MA, An SP, An LLB
Use of Indefinite Articles
(a) Before a common noun in singular to suggest the sense
of one.
e.g. – Twelve inches make a foot.
– There is a fan in the room.
– A man is standing on the road.
(b) Before a common noun in singular to suggest the vague
sense of a certain or any.
e.g. – A book is kept there.
(c) To make a common noun of a proper noun.
In this case, both definite and/or indefinite article can be
used according to the case.
e.g. – Ajay is a Sherlok Holmes of our class.
– Samudragupta was the Napoleon of India.
(d) In the sense of each, every or per.
e.g. – The doctor advised the patient to take the
medicine twice a day.
– He studies for two hours a day.
(e) In exclamations before singular countable nouns.
e.g. – What a shot!
– What a beautiful girl!
Definite Article
Use of Definite Article ‘The’
(a) When we speak of a particular person or thing or one
already referred to.
e.g. – The book is kept there.
– The CD of that movie is available in the market.
CDS Pathfinder
– The book you mentioned is available in the
store.
– The pleasant weather is inviting us outside.
(b) Before the names of physical features in Geography.
e.g. – The Himalayas, The Gangas, The Indian
Ocean, etc.
l
However, if the reference is to a Single Island or a
Single Mountain, ‘the’ is not used.
e.g. – The Kanchenjunga is the highest peak of (✗)
the Himalayas in India.
– Kanchenjunga is the highest peak of the (✓)
Himalayas in India.
– The North Andaman is a part of the (✗)
Andaman group of islands.
– North Andaman is a part of the (✓)
Andaman group of islands.
(c) Before common nouns which are names of things
unique or of their kind.
e.g. – The Sun, The Moon, The Earth, The Sky.
(d) Before the names of countries which show
federation.
e.g. – The United States of America, The United
Kingdom, The Republic of Korea, The
Republic of South Africa, etc.
Exception The Netherlands, The Hague
(e) Before the names of religious and mythological
books, newspapers, magazines, journals, etc.
e.g. – The Bible, The India Today, The Times of
India, etc
(f) Before Superlatives.
e.g. – I am the best.
– He is the cleverest.
(g) As an adverb with a comparative.
e.g. – The more, the merrier.
– The sooner, the better.
– The higher you go, the colder it is.
(h) Before terms denoting Nationality, Community and
Castes.
e.g. – The Australians, The Indians, The Hindus,
etc
(i) Before historic events.
e.g. – The Ist Battle of Panipat, The Revolt of
1857, The Quit India Movement, The Gulf
War, etc.
(j) Before musical instruments.
e.g. – I can play the flute very well.
– Ustad Amjad Ali Khan plays the sarod.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
(k) Before an adjective when it represents a class of a
people.
e.g. – The rich should help the poor.
– The old should be respected by the young.
(l) Before a unit of measurement.
e.g. – Cloth is sold by the metre.
– Bananas are sold by the dozen.
(m) Before a common noun to give the force of
superlative.
e.g. – He is the man.
– This is the thing to do.
(n) Before the adjectives ‘same’ and ‘whole’ and after the
adjectives ‘all’ and ‘both’.
e.g. – He is the same person that I saw yesterday.
– The whole class performed splendidly.
– All the boys passed with flying colours.
– Both the friends were present there.
(o) Before a common noun to give it the meaning of an
abstract noun.
e.g. – The moralist in Gandhi revolted against
injustice.
– The judge in him prevailed upon the father and
he sentenced his son to death.
(p) Before various Cups and Trophies.
e.g. – Sri Lanka has won the Asia Cup.
– Almost all countries participate in the
Olympics.
(q) Before comparative degree in case of a choice.
e.g. – He is the stronger of the two friends.
Omission of Articles
(a) Before proper nouns.
e.g. – The New Delhi is the capital of India.
(b) Before material noun and abstract noun used in general
sense.
e.g. – The building is made up of the brick and
the stone.
– The building is made up of brick and stone. (✓))
– I have the love for you.
– I have love for you.
– The care of the old is necessary.
– Care of the old is necessary.
l
However, if the material noun and abstract noun
show some specific cases, article should be used.
e.g. – The stone of Kota is of good quality.
– The love I have for you is unconditional and
infinite.
(c) Before a noun used in its widest sense.
e.g. – The science is a subject based on facts.
– Science is a subject based on facts.
– The man is immortal.
409
–
–
Man is immortal.
The tiger is the national animal of India.
– Tiger is the national animal of India.
(d) Before the noun following ‘kind of’.
e.g. – What kind of a person you are?
– What kind of person you are?
– What kind of a book is it?
– What kind of book is it?
(e) Before uncountable nouns.
e.g. – He gave me advice.
– He passed on information to me.
(f) Before school, college, home, church, temple, sea,
work, bed, table, hospital, market, prison, court.
However, when their purpose is thought of rather
than the actual building, ‘the’ is used.
e.g. – I go to church every Sunday.
– I go to bed early these days.
(g) Before names of diseases.
e.g. – AIDS can be prevented using safety
measures.
– Cancer can be treated if detected early.
(h) Before regular meals except when preceded by an
Adjective.
e.g. – I usually take breakfast at 9 o’clock.
– We should take dinner atleast two hours
before the sleeping time to avoid indigestion.
– They gave us a sumptuous lunch.
(i) Before modes of travel.
e.g. – He will go by air.
– Journey by road takes time.
(j) Before names of relations like uncle, mother, father,
etc.
(✗) e.g. – Uncle will come tomorrow.
– Father is working on a project.
(k) Before adjectives used as nouns signifying a language
(✗)
or colours.
e.g. – He doesn’t know Hindi, but he knows
English.
(✗) – I like red and blue.
(✓)
(l) When two or more descriptive adjectives qualifying
(✗)
the same noun are connected by ‘and’, the Article is
(✓)
used before the first adjective only.
e.g. – It is a Hindi and English Dictionary.
(Here, the dictionary is one).
(m) When two or more adjectives qualify different nouns,
expressed or understood, the Article is used before
each adjective.
e.g. – The inner and the outer wall were both
(✗) strongly defended.
(✓) – He possesses a black dog and a white bitch.
(✗)
410
(✓)
(✗)
SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 5
(✓)
ERRORS OF ARTICLES
(✗)
(✓) Directions (Q. Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
(✗)
(✓) 1. The road (a)/ to famous monument (b)/ passes
through a forest. (c)/ No error (d)
2. Our Housing Society comprises of (a)/ six blocks and
(b)/ thirty three flats in an area of about thousand
sq. metres. (c)/ No error (d)
3. Now that she is living in her own flat, (a)/ she cleans
the windows (b)/ twice a week in the summer and
once a week in the winter. (c)/ No error (d)
4. With little imagination and enterprise, (a)/ the
tournament could have been transformed (b)/ into a
major attraction. (c)/ No error (d)
5. These display (a)/ the (b)/ remarkable variety. (c)/ No
error (d)
6. If you have faith in Almighty (a)/ everything will
turn out (b)/ to be all right. (c)/ No error (d)
7. According to the Bible (a)/ it is meek and humble
(b)/ who shall inherit the Earth. (c)/ No error (d)
8. On my request (a)/ Lalit introduced me to his
friend (b)/ who is singer and a scientist. (c)/ No
error (d)
9. This town isn’t very well known (a)/ and there isn’t
much to see (b)/ so a few tourists come here. (c)/ No
error (d)
10. He took to (a)/ reading Times (b)/ for better
knowledge of the facts. (c)/ No error (d)
11. The accelerating pace of life in our metropolitan
city (a)/ has had the tremendous effect (b)/ on the
culture and life-style of the people. (c)/ No error
(d)
12. Both the civilians (a)/ and armymen (b)/ joined the
First World War. (c)/ No error (d)
13. The school is (a)/ within hundred yards (b)/ from my
house. (c)/ No error (d)
14. The majority of the computer professionals
recommends (a)/ that effective measures (b)/ should
be taken against software piracy. (c)/ No error (d)
15. The famous Dr. Chandra (a)/ is only dentist (b)/ in
our village. (c)/ No error (d)
CDS Pathfinder
16. This candidate lacks (a)/ an experience (b)/ otherwise
he is well qualified. (c)/ No error (d)
17. The person I met (a)/ in the theatre (b)/ was the
playwright himself. (c)/ No error (d)
18. The interviewer asked me (a)/ if I knew that
Kalidas was the greater (b)/ than any other poet.
(c)/ No error (d)
19. The reason we have not been able to pay income
tax (a)/ is due to fact (b)/ that we did not receive
pay on time. (c)/ No error (d)
20. Even now when I see the spot (a)/ I am reminded of
an unique incident (b)/ that took place several
years ago. (c)/ No error (d)
21. My father (a)/was (b)/ an honest and God fearing
man. (c)/ No error (d)
22. Gangotri has special significance (a)/ for the devout
as it is considered as (b)/ the abode of King
Bhagirath who brought the Ganga down to Earth.
(c)/ No error (d)
23. The recent study has indicated that there (a)/ is
perceptible change in (b)/ the attitudes of the
people. (c)/ No error (d)
24. He was fascinated by insects (a)/ and the more he
studied their habits (b)/ greater was his fascination.
(c)/ No error (d)
25. With little patience (a)/ you will be able to (b)/ cross
this hurdle. (c)/ No error (d)
26. My friends insisted (a)/ that I should see the movie
(b)/ from beginning to the end. (c)/ No error (d)
27. Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society;
(a)/ the optimist invents the aeroplane (b)/ the
pessimist parachute. (c)/ No error (d)
28. A friend (a)/ in need is (b)/ the friend indeed. (c)/ No
error (d)
29. Amitabh had (a)/ the cameo (b)/ in the movie. (c)/ No
error (d)
30. The former cricketer (a)/ donated a huge amount (b)/
in charity. (c)/ No error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
EXPLANATIONS
1. (b) The Article ‘the’ should be used before ‘famous’ as the
sentence refers to a particular thing i.e. ‘a famous monument’.
2. (c) Article ‘a’ is used before a common noun to suggest the
sense of ‘one’. Therefore, ‘a’ would be used before ‘thousand sq.
metres’ to suggest that it refers to one thousand square metres.
3. (c) The season e.g., summer, winter, etc are abstract nouns. So,
articles are not used with them. So, we would remove ‘the’
before ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ and change them to ‘summers’ and
‘winters’.
4. (a) ‘Little’ means ‘none or negligible’. Thus, we should use
article ‘a’ before ‘little’ as ‘a little’ means ‘some’.
5. (b) In the given sentence, ‘the’ used with ‘remarkable’ is
incorrect. Instead of ‘the’ we should use the article ‘a’.
6. (a) In the given sentence, the article ‘the’ would come before
‘almighty’. This is done because ‘almighty’ in the given
sentence refers to ‘God’.
7. (b) The given sentence implies to represent a class of people
i.e., ‘the meek’ and ‘the humble’. Therefore, ‘the’ should be used
before the adjectives ‘meek’ and ‘humble’.
8. (c) The article ‘a’ should precede the word ‘singer’.
9. (c) ‘A few’ means some and ‘few’ means ‘hardly any’.
As per the sentence, ‘few’ should be used instead of ‘a few’.
10. (b) In the given sentence, ‘Times’ is the name of a newspaper.
Therefore, it should be written as ‘the Times’ .
11. (b) The sentence is incorrect as ‘the’ is used before the
adjective ‘tremendous’. So, to correct the sentence we would
use ‘a’ instead of ‘the’ before ‘tremendous’.
12. (b) As per the rule, ‘the’ should come before an adjective which
represents a class of people. Therefore, we should add ‘the’
before ‘armymen’.
13. (b) In the given sentence, the article ‘a’ should come before
‘hundred yards’ to convey the meaning that the school is
within one hundred yards from the house.
411
14. (a) The verb ‘recommends’ is used incorrectly. It should
be replaced by ‘recommend’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
15. (b) The sentence wants to emphasise the fact that Dr.
Chandra is the only dentist in the village. So, we would
use ‘the’ before the word ‘only’ to convey the desired
meaning.
16. (b) As per the rule, articles are omitted before abstract
nouns used in general sense. In the given sentence,
‘experience’ is an abstract noun. So, it should not be
preceded by ‘an’.
17. (d) The sentence is correct.
18. (b) ‘The’ should be removed before ‘greater’ to correct
the sentence.
19. (b) ‘The’ should be added before the word ‘fact’.
20. (b) ‘An’ should be replaced by ‘a’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
21. (d) No error
22. (a) The article ‘a’ would come before ‘special’.
23. (b) The article ‘a’ would come before ‘perceptible’.
24. (c) The article ‘the’ would come before the word
‘greater’.
25. (a) As ‘little’ means negligible. So, we would add ‘a’
before ‘little’.
26. (c) Article ‘the’ would come before the word ‘beginning’.
27. (c) ‘The’ should be added before ‘parachute’.
28. (c) ‘A’ should come in place of ‘the’ to make the sentence
correct.
29. (b) ‘The’ should be replaced by ‘a’ to convey the right
meaning of the sentence.
30. (d) No error.
412
ADVERB
An adverb tells more about a verb, an adjective or another
adverb.
e.g. – He is running fast.
Here ‘fast’ is the adverb which tells how he is running.
Kinds of Adverb
1. Adverb of Time Answers the question when, for how
long or how often a certain thing happens.
e.g. – I shall meet you tomorrow.
– We were late by two hours.
– The newspaper arrives daily.
2. Adverb of Place Answers the question where.
e.g. – I shall meet you in the market.
– I shall meet you there.
– We were studying in the institute.
3. Adverb of Manner Answers the question how.
e.g. – He is sitting quietly.
– He is dancing like Hritik Roshan.
4. Adverb of Frequency It tells us how often an action
takes place.
e.g. – Delhi Police is with you, always.
5. Adverb of Degree or Quantity These tell us how
much or in what degree or to what extent.
e.g. – We have studied enough.
– There is something fishy out here.
– There is little doubt of his success.
Rules of Adverbs
1. So and Too They should not be used without their
co-relatives ‘that’ and ‘to’.
e.g. – He is so rich (✗)
– He is so rich that he can buy anything. (✓)
– He is too intelligent (✗)
– He is too intelligent to pass any exam. (✓)
2. Difference between very and much
(a) ‘Very’ is used in positive degree and ‘much’ is
used in comparative degree.
e.g. – He is much intelligent.
– He is very intelligent.
– He is much intelligent than his brother. (✓)
(b) ‘Very’ is used with V1 + ing.
‘Much’ is used with V 3 .
e.g. – The match became much / very
interesting.
– The crowd became much / very interested
in the match.
3. Some words retain their form when they become
adverbs : Fast, first, next, back, ill, better, best, etc.
CDS Pathfinder
4. Adverbs ending in -ly form the comparative by
adding ‘more’ and superlative by adding ‘most’.
e.g. – This work is more beautifully done than that
work.
– The scenery of Kashmir is most lovely of all.
5. Adverbs of manner, place and time are generally
placed after the verb or after the object of the verb.
e.g. – We visited Kashmir last year.
– He is talking on and on.
– He is sitting quietly.
6. MPT RULE If adverbs of manner, place and time
are used in a single sentence, then the sequence
followed is that of MPT.
e.g. – I read the book yesterday meticulously (✗)
at home.
– I read the book meticulously at home (✓)
yesterday.
7. When an adverb modifies an adjective or another
adverb, the adverb comes before it.
e.g. – Her dress was ready nearly. (✗)
– Her dress was nearly ready. (✓)
8. Adverbs of frequency such as always, ever, never,
seldom, frequently, etc, are always placed before the
verb they modify.
e.g. – He sometimes comes late.
– She always looks beautiful.
9. ‘Enough’ is both an Adjective and an Adverb. As an
adverb, it is always placed after the adjective it
modifies. As an adjective it is placed before the noun.
e.g. – He is enough intelligent. (✗)
– He is intelligent enough to win the (✓)
competition.
– He has enough money to spend.
In the last sentence, ‘enough’ is used as an adjective.
10. ‘Only’ and ‘even’ should be placed immediately
before the word intended to modify.
e.g. – I worked only two sums. (✗)
– I only worked two sums. (✓)
11. An adverb can be placed at the beginning of a
(✗) sentence, when it is intended to qualify, not any
(✓) word in particular, but sentence as a whole.
e.g. – Fortunately, he was not present at that time.
– Interestingly, the PM went in the metro.
12. ‘Ever’ is sometimes misused for ‘never’. ‘Seldom or
never’ and ‘seldom if ever’ are both correct, but
‘seldom or ever’ is incorrect. In the same manner,
‘little if anything’ is correct, but ‘little or anything’ is
wrong.
e.g. – He seldom or never passes in the examination
with fair means.
– He seldom if ever parties.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 413 414 CDS Pathfinder

13. ‘Else’ should be followed by ‘but’, and not by ‘than’.

e.g. – It is nothing else than / but his carelessness
which has led to his failure.
– Aishwarya Rai is nothing else but a statue of
beauty.
14. ‘Rather’ and ‘Fairly’ can mean moderately. But ‘fairly’
is used with favourable adjectives and adverbs while
‘rather’ is used with unfavourable adjectives and
adverbs.
e.g. – She is fairly intelligent but my sister is rather
stupid.
– He did fairly well in her exams but his sister
did rather badly.
– He grew up in rather unusual circumstances.
15. ‘Rather’ can also be used when we are correcting
something that we have just said.
e.g. – The process is not a circle but rather a spiral.
16. ‘Rather’ is also used in case of preference–would
rather, had rather, rather than are used to express
preference.
e.g. – I would rather study than sleep.
– I prefer getting up early rather than sleeping
late.
17. We use ‘rather’ before verbs that introduce our
thoughts and feelings, in order to express our opinion
politely, especially when a different opinion has been
expressed.
e.g. – I rather think that he was telling the truth.
– I rather like the decorative effect.
18. Adverb ‘as’ should be used to introduce predicative of
the verbs such as regard, describe, define, treat, view,
know.
e.g. – I regard him as my elder brother.
– The newspapers described the situation as
horrible.
– Biology is defined as the study of nature.
19. Adverb ‘as’ should not be used to introduce
predicative of the verbs such as name, elect, think,
consider, call, appoint, make, choose.
e.g. – He was considered the best dancer of his time.
– He was appointed Governor by the President.
– Saurav Ganguly was chosen the captain.
– He was called dynamic by his mates.
20. Negative Adverbs should not be used with the words
that are already negative in sense. So two negatives in
the same sentence should be avoided. Seldom,
nowhere, never, nothing, hardly, scarcely, neither,
barely, rarely are some of the Adverbs. The verbs in
such category are ‘deny’, ‘forbid’, while the
conjunctions are ‘unless’, ‘until’, ‘lest’ and ‘both’.
e.g. – No one scarcely practises all the exercises. (✗)
– Scarcely anyone practises all the exercises. (✓)
– I rarely went to meet nobody /anybody in my
childhood.
– She hardly knows anything/ nothing about
me.
– He does nothing without ever/ never
consulting me.
– He has denied that he was not going there.
Walk steadily, lest you should not fall.
–
– Both of them are not coming. (✗)
– Neither of them is coming. (✓)
21. Consider the following cases
(a) ‘Coward’, ‘miser’, ‘niggard’, ‘rogue’ are Nouns.
‘Cowardly’, ‘miserly’, ‘niggardly’, ‘roguish’ are
Adjectives.
e.g. An officer is trained never to fight
–
cowardly /in a cowardly manner.
– Although he seems brave, he is actually a
coward.
– It was a sheer cowardly act of violence.
(b) ‘Fast’ retains its form in both Adjective and
Adverb.
e.g. – He is fast (Adjective).
– He is running fast (Adverb).
(c) ‘Direct’ and ‘Directly’ are adverbs. Direct
means straight and Directly means at once.
e.g. – Don’t stop anywhere, return home direct.
– Don’t stop now, return home directly.
(d) ‘Manly’, ‘masterly’, ‘slovenly’, ‘monthly’,
‘weekly’, ‘sickly’, ‘friendly’ are Adjectives and
should not be confused with Adverbs.
e.g. –He is earning fifty thousand rupees
monthly /a month.
He is a friendly old man.
–
22. The use of ‘never’ for ‘not’ is incorrect, because
‘never’ means not ever.
e.g. – I never remember having met him.
– I do not remember ever having met him.
– We met the other day, but he never
referred to the matter.
– We met the other day, but he did not
refer to the matter.
23. No sentence should begin with ‘Due to’. It must be
used after some form of the verb ‘to be’.
e.g. – Due to bad weather, the match was (✗)
abandoned.
– It was due to bad weather, the match was (✓)
abandoned.
24. Cent-per cent It should be hundred per cent.
25. Do the needful It should be do what is necessary.
SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 6
ERRORS OF ADVERB
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
1. Firstly, you should think (a)/ over the meaning of
the words (b)/ and then use them. (c)/ No error (d)
2. The driver tried his best (a)/ to avert the accident
by bringing the car (b)/ to a suddenly stop. (c)/No
error (d)
3. The Sunshine hotel was fully equipped (a)/ to
offer leisure stay (b)/ to its clients. (c)/ No
error (d)
4. The technician reminded them (a)/ to have a
thoroughly cleaning (b)/ of the machine after each
use. (c)/ No error (d)
5. I am (a)/ much glad (b)/ that you have won the
trophy. (c)/ No error (d)
6. He is too coward (a)/ to make it (b)/ happen. (c)/
No error (d)
7. People invent new machines (a)/ when they think
(b)/ different. (c)/ No error (d)
8. A man entered the tavern (a)/ and asked for some
bread and cheese (b)/ with a decided foreign
accent. (c)/ No error (d)
9. Watch how careful (a)/ the sparrow knits the
straws (b)/ into one another to form a nest. (c)/ No
error (d)
10. On hearing the news (a)/ he went directly (b)/ to
the Manager’s room. (c)/ No error (d)
11. They reached home (a)/ safely (b)/ although they
started late. (c)/ No error (d)
12. It is the duty of every citizen (a)/ to do his utmost
to defend (b)/ the hardly won freedom of the
country. (c)/ No error (d)
13. The principal was (a)/ enough kind to (b)/ grant
(✗)
me scholarship. (c)/ No error (d)
(✓)
14. It is nothing else (a)/ than foolishness (b)/ that led
(✗)
to his downfall. (c)/ No error (d)
(✓)
15. The tried travellers were bundled off (a)/ to the nearby
cop house till anyone (b)/ could come and vouch for
their credentials. (c)/ No error (d)
16. I advised my brother to engage two coolies instead of
one (a)/ because the luggage was too much heavy (b)/
for a single coolie to handle. (c)/ No error (d)
17. There is no one else (a)/ whom I esteem (b)/ than your
father. (c)/ No error (d)
18. Although I was (a)/ in Delhi last month (b)/ I never met
him. (c)/ No error (d)
19. When I got (a)/ home I was (b)/ too exhausted. (c)/ No
error (d)
20. I did not know hardly (a)/ anyone in the city (b)/ and so
I felt lonely. (c)/ No error (d)
21. My mother works (a)/ very quicker than (b)/ I at
embroidery. (c)/ No error (d)
22. She is sure a great singer (a)/ and no other singer (b)/
is a match for her. (c)/ No error (d)
23. It is better to be frugal (a)/ but don’t be miser (b)/ in
giving alms. (c)/ No error (d)
24. I refused to (a)/ accompany him because (b)/ I was so
tired. (c)/ No error (d)
25. The student came to the classroom (a)/ lately and was
punished (b)/ by the teacher. (c)/ No error (d)
26. He looks full of energy (a)/ today because he (b)/
soundly slept last night. (c)/ No error (d)
27. She had barely nothing (a)/ to eat when she came (b)/
to me last month. (c)/ No error (d)
28. It had been too cold (a)/ the whole month and we
preferred (b)/ to stay in the plains. (c)/ No error (d)
29. The quickly brown fox (a)/ jumped over (b)/ the lazy
dog. (c)/ No error (d)
30. He slowly (a)/ went to open (b)/ the lock. (c)/ No
error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
EXPLANATIONS
1. (a) ‘Firstly’ is used to introduce a first point or reason. It
does not make sense in the given sentence. So, we would
use ‘First’ instead of ‘Firstly’.
2. (c) ‘Suddenly stop’ in the sentence does not make sense.
Hence, we would change it to ‘sudden stop’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
3. (b) ‘Leisure’ as an adjective and does not make sense in the
sentence. It should be changed to its adverb form i.e.
‘leisurely’.
4. (b) ‘Thoroughly cleaning’ is incorrect. It should be
‘thorough cleaning’.
5. (b) ‘Much’ is used in comparative degree and ‘very’ is used
in positive degree. So, we should use ‘very’ in place of
‘much’ in the given sentence.
6. (d) The sentence is correct.
7. (c) ‘Different’ in the sentence does not convey the right
meaning of the sentence. It must be changed to
‘differently’.
8. (c) ‘Decided’ is incorrect and does not make sense with the
sentence. It should be changed to its adverb form ‘decidedly’.
9. (a) ‘Careful’ in the given sentence should be changed to
‘carefully’ to convey the right meaning of the sentence.
10. (b) ‘Direct’ means straight and ‘directly’ means ‘at once’.
Hence, we would use ‘direct’ in the sentence instead of
‘directly’.
11. (d) The sentence is correct.
12. (c) ‘Hardly won freedom’ means ‘negligibly won freedom’
and does not make sense in the sentence. It should be
changed to ‘hard won freedom’.
13. (b) ‘Enough kind’ does not make sense. It should be
changed to ‘kind enough’.
14. (b) ‘Than’ used in the sentence is incorrect. It should be
changed to ‘but’.
415
15. (b) ‘Anyone’ should be replaced by ‘someone’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
16. (b) ‘Too’ and ‘much’ are not used together. It should be ‘too
heavy’.
17. (b) ‘More’ should be used after ‘esteem’ to make the
sentence meaningful.
18. (c) ‘Never’ in the given sentence should be replaced by ‘did
not’ to make the sentence meaningful.
19. (c) ‘Too’ should be replaced by ‘very’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
20. (a) ‘Did not know’ should be removed and ‘knew’ should be
added after ‘hardly’ to correct the sentence.
21. (b) ‘Very quicker’ should be replaced by ‘quicker’ to make
the sentence correct.
22. (a) ‘Sure’ needs to be changed to its adverb form ‘surely’ to
make the sentence correct.
23. (b) ‘Miser’ needs to be changed to ‘miserly’ to make the
sentence grammatically correct.
24. (c) ‘So’ needs to be replaced by ‘very’ to correct the sentence.
25. (b) ‘Lately’ does not convey the right meaning. It should
be changed to ‘late’.
26. (c) ‘Soundly slept’ needs to be changed to ‘slept soundly’ to
make the sentence meaningful.
27. (a) As per the rule, two negative words cannot be used
together in a sentence. In the given sentence, ‘barely’ and
‘nothing’ are negative words. So, we would replace ‘nothing’
by ‘anything’.
28. (a) ‘Too’ needs to be replaced by ‘very’ to make the
sentence grammatically correct.
29. (a) ‘Quickly ’ does not make sense. So, we replace it by its
adjective form i.e. ‘quick’.
30. (d) No error.
416
CONJUNCTIONS
A conjunction is a part of speech that connects words,
phrases, clauses or sentences.
e.g. – and, but, while, though, although, lest etc.
Rules of Conjunctions
1. ‘Scarcely’ and ‘Hardly’ should be followed by when
and not by than.
e.g. – Scarcely had I started for the institute, when/
than the rain started.
– Hardly had he arrived, when he had to leave
again.
2. ‘No sooner’ is followed by than and not by when.
e.g. – No sooner had I left, than / when the rain
started.
– No sooner did he arrive, then / than he had
to leave.
3. ‘Seldom or never’ and ‘seldom if ever’ are both
correct, but ‘seldom or ever’ is incorrect.
e.g. – He seldom or never goes to see movies in a
theatre.
4. ‘Either-or’, ‘Neither-nor’, ‘not only-but also’,
‘both-and’, ‘whether-or’ etc., should be followed by
the same parts of speech or of the same function.
e.g. – He neither agreed to my proposal nor
to his.
– He agreed neither to my proposal nor
to his.
– Neither he helps his mother by money
nor by other means.
– He helps his mother neither by money
nor by other means.
– He helps his mother not only by money
but also by other means.
5. The conjunctions ‘though’ (or although) and ‘but’ do
the work of setting one statement against another by
way of oppositions or contrast and therefore, the
correlative of ‘though’ is ‘yet’ or a comma (,).
e.g. – Though he worked hard yet he could not top
the class.
6. After the adjective ‘other’ (which is regarded as a
kind of comparative), the only word that can be
correctly used for contrasting one thing with another
is ‘than’. The prepositions from, but, except in such a
connection are wrong.
e.g. – He had no other option but / than to fight.
– He had another reason from / than what he
professed.
– She had no other claim to the post except /
than her good looks.
7. Conjunction ‘that’ is not used in the following cases
(a) Direct narration.
e.g. – He said, “I am smart”.
CDS Pathfinder
(b) Indirect speech, if the sentence is interrogative.
e.g. – He asked who he was.
8. In a ‘not only......but also’ sentence, the verb should
agree with the noun or pronoun mentioned second,
because this is the part being emphasised.
e.g. – Not only the teacher but also the students are
enjoying themselves.
9. ‘Such as’ is used to denote a category, whereas ‘such
that’ emphasises the degree of something by
mentioning its consequences.
e.g. – Yuvraj played such an innings as played by
the best batsman.
– Yuvraj played such an innings that it took the
match away from the opposition.
10. ‘Both’ is followed by and not by as well as. Besides,
both has positive sense and cannot be used in negative
sentences.
e.g. – Both Amit as well as / and his friends are
coming.
– Both Amit and his friends are not coming. (✗)
– Neither Amit nor his friends are coming. (✓)
11. ‘Unless’ means if not and therefore, it should not be
(7) used in a sentence or clause which is already negative.
e.g. – Unless you do not work hard, you will (✗)
(✓) fail.
– Unless you work hard, you will fail. (✓)
(✗)
12. ‘Lest’ expresses a negative sense and therefore cannot
be used with not. ‘Should’ is always used with ‘lest’.
(✓)
e.g. – Walk steadily, lest you should not fall. (✗)
– Walk steadily, lest you should fall. (✓)
(✓)
13. When ‘suppose’ is used in the beginning of a
sentence to denote a command or a request, it is not
followed by if.
e.g. – Suppose if you are caught, what will happen (✗)
to your parents?
– Suppose you are caught, what will happen (✓)
to your parents?
14. Avoid the error of using ‘than’ for ‘from’ after the
adjective different.
e.g. – He took a different role than / from the ones
he has been doing for long.
15. ‘Nothing else’ should be followed by but, not by
than.
e.g. – It is nothing else but/than your carelessness,
that you have failed in the exam.
16. The use of Present tense after as if and as though
should be avoided. [Subjunctive Mood].
e.g. – He looks as if he suspects something. (✗)
– He looks as if he suspected something. (✓)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
SPOTTING THE ERRORS
ERRORS OF CONJUNCTION
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
1. Although they listen to me (a)/
but their actions (b)/ prove
otherwise. (c)/ No error (d)
2. He treats (a)/ us as (b)/ slaves.
(c)/ No error (d)
3. Most of the girls are doing (a)/
their post graduation because
(b)/ they may get good
husbands. (c)/ No error (d)
4. Such was his pronunciation (a)/
as (b)/ I could not understand
him. (c)/ No error (d)
5. He asked (a)/ that who (b)/ I
was. (c)/ No error (d)
6. I am interested (a)/ in such
books (b)/ that are interesting.
(c)/ No error (d)
7. Each member of the alliance
(a)/ agrees to take such action
(b)/ that it deems necessary.
(c)/ No error (d)
8. She looked at him (a)/ in such
distress (b)/ as he had to look
away. (c)/ No error (d)
9. This film is interesting (a)/ and
the previous one (b)/ was
boring. (c)/ No error (d)
10. It is difficult to know (a)/
whether (b)/ you are selected or
not. (c)/ No error (d)
EXPLANATIONS
1. (b) The correlative of ‘Although’ is
‘yet’ and not ‘but’. Hence, we should
remove ‘but’ and use ‘yet’ in place of
it.
2. (d) The sentence is correct.
3. (b) As the sentence starts with
‘Most of ’, ‘because’ will not be used.
We would replace it by ‘so that’.
4. (b) As per the rule, ‘such…that’ is
used for mentioning consequences.
Hence, we would use ‘that’ in place
of ‘as’.
SET 7
11. He has no chance (a)/ than to
start (b)/ his own business. (c)/
No error. (d)
12. They had hardly finished (a)/
their meals that at once (b)/
they resumed their duty. (c)/
No error (d)
13. I don’t know whether (a)/ Raj is
equally (b)/ good as Vimal. (c)/
No error (d)
14. He (a)/ will return (b)/ on either
Monday or Tuesday. (c)/ No
error (d)
15. He is (a)/ not honest and not
(b)/ truthful. (c)/ No error (d)
16. He has no other business (a)/
but to play (b)/ with computers.
(c)/ No error (d)
17. Be smart (a)/ not only in dress
(b)/ and also in action. (c)/ No
error (d)
18. Hardly had I reached the
airport (a)/ where I learned
about (b)/ the powerful bomb
explosion. (c)/ No error (d)
19. My book has been missing (a)/
from my room (b)/ till
yesterday. (c)/ No error (d)
20. The manager of the bank was
busy; (a)/ so he asked them to
come and see him (b)/ between
two to three in the afternoon.
(c)/ No error (d)
5. (b) As per the rule, ‘that’ is not used
in Indirect speech if the sentence is
interrogative. Hence, we would
remove ‘that’ from the sentence.
6. (b) The conjunction ‘such’ is not
needed in the sentence. We need to
delete it from the sentence.
7. (d) The sentence is correct.
8. (c) In the given sentence, ‘that’
would be used in place of ‘as’. (For
explanation refer to Ans. 4)
417
21. No sooner did the Sun set (a)/
than we had ours dinner (b)/
and went to sleep. (c)/ No error
(d)
22. Gunjan asked me (a)/ what was
(b)/ the time. (c)/ No error (d)
23. Rohit took a different route (a)/
than the one (b)/ he usually
takes for going to office. (c)/ No
error (d)
24. Komal looks as if (a)/ she wants
(b)/ to go home. (c)/ No error (d)
25. What would you do (a)/ if you
were (b)/ marooned on an
island? (c)/ No error (d)
26. Both Nilakshi (a)/ as well as
Shivani (b)/ are going to school.
(c)/ No error (d)
27. Koel is not only (a)/ lazy but
also (b)/ insane. (c)/ No error (d)
28. Rakshit seldom (a)/ or ever (b)/
goes to play outside. (c)/ No
error (d)
29. Priya is fair (a)/ but her child
(b)/ are dark coloured. (c)/ No
error (d)
30. Simran had (a)/ another reason
to declare her assets (b)/ from
what she said. (c)/ No error (d)
9. (b) As a comparison is made in the
given sentence, we would use ‘but’
in place of ‘and’.
10. (d) The sentence is correct.
11. (b) We would use ‘but’ in place of
‘than’ as ‘but’ is used for the work of
setting one statement (‘He has no
chance’) against another (‘to start
his own business’).
12. (b) ‘That at once’ needs to be
deleted from the sentence and
should be replaced by ‘when’.
418
13. (b) In the given sentence, ‘as’ should be used in place of
‘equally’ as ‘equally’ is an adverb.
14. (c) ‘on either’ is not the correct usage. As per the rule
‘Either …or’ should be followed by same parts of speech.
Hence, the sentence should be : ‘He will return either on
Monday or on Tuesday.’
15. (b) Instead of using ‘not’ two times in the given sentence,
we should use ‘neither…nor’. So, part (b) would become
‘neither honest nor’.
16. (b) As per the rule, after ‘other’ the only words that can be
correctly used for contrasting one thing with another is
‘than’. Hence, we should use ‘than’ in place of ‘but’.
17. (c) The correct usage is ‘not only …but also’. Hence, we
would use ‘but’ in place of ‘and’.
18. (b) As per the rule, ‘hardly’ should be followed by ‘when’.
Hence, we would use ‘when’ in place of ‘where’.
19. (c) ‘Till’ does not make sense in the sentence. It should be
changed to ‘since’.
20. (c) ‘Between’ takes ‘and’ and not ‘to’. So, we would replace
‘to’ by ‘and’ in the sentence.
PREPOSITION
Preposition is a word that connects a noun, pronoun to
another word, especially to a verb, another noun or an
adjective.
Some Important Prepositions
1. ‘In’ is used for bigger places (towns, cities, countries)
while ‘at’ is used for smaller places.
e.g. – I live at Shastri Nagar in Meerut.
2. In / Into ‘In’ is used in speaking of things at rest.
‘Into’ is used in speaking of things in motion.
e.g. – He is shopping in the market.
– He jumped into the well.
– He is falling in love.
– He is in the office.
– The snake crawled into the hole.
– The cup broke-off into a hundred pieces.
3. ‘On’ denotes position, ‘upon’ denotes movement.
e.g. – The cat is on the table.
– The cat pounced upon the mouse.
4. ‘With’ denotes the ‘instrument’ and ‘by’ denotes the
‘agent’.
e.g. – The letter was written by him with his pen.
– The music was generated by /with a guitar.
– The murder was committed by him with a
pistol.
– The ball was hit by the batsman with his bat.
5. ‘Ago’ refers to past time while ‘before’ denotes
precedence between two events.
e.g. – Long ago, there was a king named Rama.
CDS Pathfinder
21. (b) ‘Ours’ should be replaced by ‘our’ to make the sentence
correct.
22. (d) No error
23. (b) ‘Than’ should be replaced by ‘from’ to make the sentence
correct.
24. (b) As per the rule, the use of present tense should be
avoided after ‘as if ’. Hence, we should change ‘wants’ to
‘wanted’ to make the sentence correct.
25. (d) No error
26. (b) As per the rule, ‘both’ is followed by ‘and’ and not by ‘as
well as’. So, we would replace ‘as well as’ by ‘and’ to make
the sentence correct.
27. (d) No error
28. (b) Usage of ‘seldom or ever’ is incorrect.
29. (c) As ‘child’ is singular, we would replace ‘are’ by ‘is’ to
make the sentence correct.
30. (c) As per the rule, ‘from’ should not be used with ‘another’.
So, we would replace it by ‘than’ to correct the sentence.
– Ram existed before Mahabharata was fought.
– He came before me.
– The train arrived before the scheduled time.
– India achieved independence 69 years ago.
6. ‘Above’ and ‘below’ merely denote position while
‘over’ and ‘under’ also carry a sense of covering or
movement.
e.g. – We live below the roof.
– Sky is above us.
– Train is running under the bridge.
– The train is standing below the bridge.
– The bird is flying over the pond.
– A wire is passing above the building.
– I was wearing two sweaters under the jacket.
l
‘Under’ is used before a noun to indicate that a
person or thing is being affected by something or is
going through a particular process.
e.g.
– I’m rarely under pressure and my co-workers
are always nice to me.
l
‘Under’ can mean junior in ranks.
e.g. – He is under me.
l
If something happens ‘under’ a particular person or
government, it happens when that person or
government is in power.
e.g. – There will be no new taxes under his
leadership.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
l
If someone does something ‘under’ a particular
name, he uses that name instead of his real name.
e.g. – The patient was registered under a false
name.
l
‘Beneath’ has the same meaning as ‘under’, but it is
better to use it for abstract meanings.
e.g. – Beneath the festive mood, there is an
underlying apprehension.
– Everybody thought that she was marrying
beneath her.
– Many find themselves having to take jobs
far beneath them.
7. Difference between ‘on time’, ‘in time’ and ‘in good
time’.
l
‘On time’ signifies absolutely right time, neither
before nor after.
e.g. – The flight is on time.
l
‘In time’ means you are not late for the event.
e.g. – I arrived just in time for my flight.
l
‘In good time’ means with comfortable margin.
e.g. – I arrived at the airport in good time.
8. Difference between at the beginning/at the end and in
the beginning/in the end
l
‘At the beginning’ means literally at the beginning.
e.g. – India scored fast at the beginning of the
match.
l
‘At the end’ means literally at the end.
e.g. – At the end of the book, you’ll find the
bibliography.
l
‘In the beginning’ (or at first) means in the early
stage. It implies that later there was a change.
e.g. – Sachin was nervous in the beginning, later
he settled down.
l
‘In the end’ (or at last) means eventually/after
sometime.
e.g. – At first he was scared, but in the end he
started enjoying.
9. No preposition is placed after the following verbs
when they are used in active voice. Order, request,
reach, attack, resemble, emphasise, accompany, discuss,
investigate, comprise, enter (come into), flee (a place),
join, affect, board, etc.
e.g. – Our forces attacked on the enemy fort.
– We reached at the station on time.
– We ordered for a cup of tea.
– He resembles to his father.
– He accompanies with her wherever she goes.
– The police are investigating into the case.
– The teacher emphasised on morality.
– I don’t want to discuss about the problem
with you.
419
10. Omit ‘to’ after verb of communication such as advise,
tell, ask, beg, command, encourage, request, inform,
order.
e.g. – I advised to him to study hard.
– I commanded to him to leave.
– I ordered to him to bring me something to
eat.
11. ‘Till’ is used in particular time while ‘until’ is used for
indefinite time.
Only ‘until’ is used at the starting of a sentence.
e.g. – We shall work until we fell down.
– We shall work till sunset.
– Till / Until 30, he was a bachelor.
12. ‘Till’ is used for time while ‘upto’ for place.
e.g. – We shall work till 5 pm.
– We walked till /upto the station.
13. The same preposition should not be used with two
words unless it is appropriate to each of them.
e.g. – It is different and inferior to the other. (✗)
– It is different from and inferior to the (✓)
other.
– Her dress does not add but detract from (✗)
her appearance.
– Her dress does not add to but detracts (✓)
from her appearance.
14. ‘Since’ and ‘from’ are used before a noun or phrase
denoting some point of time but whereas ‘since’ is
preceded by a verb in some perfect tense, ‘from’ is
used with other tenses except the perfect tense. For
refers to a period of time, not to a point of time, and
should not be replaced by since or from.
e.g. – I haven’t done anything since yesterday.
– He has been here since nine o’clock.
– I started my shop from 1st January.
– I shall start work from July.
– He will join the office from tomorrow.
– I have been practising for ten days.
15. Regarding the phrases of time, morning, afternoon and
evening are preceded by the preposition ‘in’ whereas
dawn, daybreak, noon, midday and midnight are
preceded by the preposition ‘at’. Besides, when these
time phrases are qualified by ‘last’ or ‘next’, they are
not preceded by any preposition.
e.g. – I like to roam around in the evening.
– I’ll see you at night.
– The sun is hottest at midday.
– I met him last evening.
16. Across / Through
e.g. – Walk across a road and pass through a
tunnel.
420
17. Between/Among ‘Between’ is used while referring to
two persons/things whereas ‘Among’ is used for more
than two.
e.g. – Between the two of you, who is stronger?
– The sweets are to be distributed among ten
friends.
18. Beside/Besides ‘Beside’ means by the side of, whereas
‘Besides’ means in addition to.
e.g. – Besides eating, he is also watching T.V.
– You were sitting beside him.
SPOTTING THE ERRORS SET 8
ERRORS OF PREPOSITION
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-30) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
1. The widely publicised manifesto (a)/ of the new
party is not (b)/ much different than ours. (c)/ No
error (d)
2. I was taken with surprise (a)/ when I saw (b)/ the
glamorous Appu Ghar. (c)/ No error (d)
3. Man needs security (a)/ and leisure (b)/ of free
thinking. (c)/ No error (d)
4. This watch is (a)/ superior and more expensive (b)/
than that. (c)/ No error (d)
5. It was apparent for everyone (a)/ present that if the
patient did not receive (b)/ medical attention fast he
would die. (c)/ No error (d)
6. He knows very well (a)/ what is expected from him
(b)/ but he is not able to fulfil all the expectations.
(c)/ No error (d)
7. My brother has (a)/ ordered for (b)/ a new book. (c)/
No error (d)
8. That Brutus, who was his trusted friend (a)/ had
attacked on him (b)/ caused heart break to Julius
Caesar. (c)/ No error (d)
9. Bhuvan was (a)/ blind with (b)/ one eye. (c)/ No error
(d)
10. The doctor attended (a)/ to (b)/ the patient very
quietly. (c)/ No error (d)
11. I was shocked to hear (a)/ that his father (b)/ died of
an accident. (c)/ No error (d)
12. I must start at dawn (a)/ to reach the station (b)/ in
time. (c)/ No error (d)
13. None could dare (a)/ to encroach (b)/ on his rights.
(c)/ No error (d)
14. The father brought the sweets (a)/ and distributed
them (b)/ between his five children. (c)/ No error (d)
15. Raman developed the habit (a)/ for sleeping late (b)/
when he was staying in the hostel. (c)/ No error (d)
CDS Pathfinder
19. From/Between ‘From’ is normally used with to/till,
whereas ‘Between’ is used with and.
e.g. – He works from nine to six (or nine till six).
– The meeting was scheduled to be held
between 2 pm and 3 pm.
20. Within/In ‘Within’ means before the end of time,
whereas ‘In’ means at the end of time.
e.g. – He will return in five minutes.
– He will return within five minutes.
16. It is the duty of every right thinking citizen (a)/ to
try to make (b)/ the whole world a happier place to
live. (c)/ No error (d)
17. The top-ranking candidates (a)/ will be appointed in
senior jobs (b)/ in good companies. (c)/ No error (d)
18. My niece has been married (a)/ with (b)/ the richest
man of the town. (c)/ No error (d)
19. The venue of examination (a)/ is one mile (b)/ further
up the hill. (c)/ No error (d)
20. The doctor referred the patient (a)/ for the OPD (b)/
without examining him. (c)/ No error (d)
21. On a holiday Madhu prefers (a)/ reading than going
(b)/ out visiting friends. (c)/ No error (d)
22. People who are (a)/ averse with (b)/ hard work
generally do not succeed in life. (c)/ No error (d)
23. Vishal is one year junior (a)/ than (b)/ Madan in our
office. (c)/ No error (d)
24. They walked (a)/ besides (b)/ each other in silence.
(c)/ No error (d)
25. Our Mathematics teacher often emphasises (a)/ on
the need (b)/ for a lot of practice. (c)/ No error (d)
26. Please put away (a)/ the candle before (b)/ you leave.
(c)/ No error (d)
27. All the doctors were puzzled (a)/ on the strange
symptoms (b)/ reported by the patient. (c)/ No
error (d)
28. The detective says that (a)/ there is no chance for
finding (b)/ the person who wrote these letters. (c)/
No error (d)
29. In urban society the social circle is limited (a)/ with
the family but in the village (b)/ it encompasses the
entire village. (c)/ No error (d)
30. Being most loquacious among her brothers and
sisters (a)/ she related a good many tales (b)/ in each
breath. (c)/ No error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 421 422 CDS Pathfinder

SPOTTING THE ERRORS

EXPLANATIONS
1. (c) In formal writing, ‘different from’ is generally preferred, 15. (b) ‘For sleeping late’ does not make sense in the given
COMPLETE EXERCISE
to ‘different than’. Hence, we would replace ‘than’ by ‘from’. sentence. It should be replaced with ‘of sleeping late’.
2. (a) The preposition ‘with’ should be replaced by ‘by’ to 16. (c) The sentence is not complete unless we add ‘in’ after
make the sentence correct. ‘live’. Directions (Q. Nos 1-111) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
3. (c) ‘Security’ and ‘leisure’ are needed ‘for’ free thinking. 17. (b) The correct usage is ‘appointed to’. Hence, we would
1. One of the most (a)/ widespread 16. If the teacher is good, (a)/ the 29. He will be likely (a)/ to leave
Hence, we would replace ‘of ’ by ‘for’. replace ‘in’ by ‘to’. bad habit (b)/ is the use of students will respond (b)/ for the United States (b)/ last
4. (b) The preposition ‘to’ must follow the word ‘superior’ in 18. (b) As per the right usage, ‘you are married to someone’ and tobacco. (c)/ No error (d) positively to them. (c)/ No year to visit his brother. (c)/
the given sentence to make it grammatically correct. not ‘with someone’. Hence, we replace the preposition ‘with’ 2. Recently I visited Kashmir (a)/ error (d) No error (d)
5. (a) The preposition ‘for’ in part (a) of the sentence does not by ‘to’. and found the sceneries (b)/ to be 17. It is not difficult to believe that a 30. The soldiers along with the
make sense. It should be replaced by ‘to’ to make the 19. (a) The preposition ‘of ’ needs to be replaced by ‘for’ to marvellous. (c)/ No error (d) man (a)/ who has lived in this commander (a)/ was
sentence correct. make the sentence grammatically correct. 3. All the furnitures have been (a)/ city for a long time (b)/ he will court-martialled (b)/ for
6. (b) The preposition ‘of ’ should be used instead of ‘from’ in 20. (a) ‘For’ is incorrect. It should be replaced by ‘to’ to make sent to the new house (b)/ located never feel at home anywhere else defying the orders. (c)/ No
the given sentence. the sentence gramatically correct. in a village. (c)/ No error (d) in the world. (c)/ No error (d) error (d)

7. (b) ‘For’ in part (b) of the sentence is not needed. It should 21. (b) ‘Than’ should be replaced by ‘to’ to correct the sentence. 4. The crowd of angry students (a)/
ordered the (b)/ closing of shops.
be deleted. 22. (b) ‘With’ is not used with ‘averse’. So, we replace it by ‘to’.
(c)/ No error (d)
8. (b) The preposition ‘on’ in the sentence is not needed. We 23. (b) ‘Than’ is not the right preposition that should be used
need to delete it to convey the correct meaning of the 5. They left (a)/ their luggages (b)/
with ‘junior’. It should be replaced by ‘to’.
sentence. at the railway station. (c)/ No
24. (b) ‘Besides’ should be replaced by ‘beside’ to correct the error (d)
9. (b) ‘Blind in one eye’ is the correct usage. Hence, we should sentence.
replace ‘with’ by ‘in’. 6. The bus could not (a)/ ascend
25. (b) We need to remove ‘on’ to rectify the sentence. the steep hill (b)/ because it was
10. (d) No error
26. (a) ‘Put away’ does not convey the right meaning. It should in the wrong gears. (c)/ No
11. (c) ‘Of ’ is used when the cause is a disease. In the given error (d)
be changed to ‘put off ’.
sentence, we should use ‘in’ in place of ‘of ’.
27. (b) ‘On’ should be replaced by ‘at’ in order to make the 7. The Indian force (a)/ drove away
12. (d) The sentence is correct. (b)/ the Chinese. (c)/ No error (d)
sentence correct.
13. (c) ‘Upon’ is the right conjunction that should be used with 28. (b) ‘For’ should be replaced by ‘of ’ to make the sentence 8. His mouth watered (a)/ when he
‘rights’. Hence, we replace ‘on’ by ‘upon’. saw (b)/ a bouquet of grapes. (c)/
correct.
14. (c) As per the rule, ‘among’ should be used when more than No error (d)
29. (b) ‘With’ should be replaced by ‘to’ to rectify the sentence.
two persons are involved. Hence, we replace ‘between’ in the 9. My brother-in-laws (a)/ who live
given sentence by ‘among’. 30. (a) ‘Among’ should be replaced by ‘of ’ to rectify the in Mumbai have come (b)/ to stay
sentence. with us. (c)/ No error (d)
10. These kind of shirts (a)/ are
rather expensive (b)/ for him to
buy. (c)/ No error (d)
11. Those sort of people (a)/ usually
do not (b)/ earn fame in society.
(c)/ No error (d)
12. Being a very (a)/ hot day I (b)/
remained indoors. (c)/ No
error (d)
13. Had I come (a)/ to know about
his difficulties (b)/ I would have
certainly helped. (c)/ No error (d)
14. One of them (a)/ forgot to take
their bag (b)/ from the school. (c)/
No error (d)
15. Mr. Sharma, our
representative,(a) / he will attend
the meeting (b)/ on our behalf.
(c)/ No error (d)
18. Each girl was (a)/ given a bunch
of flowers (b)/ which pleased her
very much. (c)/ No error (d)
19. As it was Rajan’s (a)/ first
interview, he dressed him (b)/ in
his most formal suit. (c)/ No
error (d)
20. Gopal and myself (a)/ will take
care of (b)/ the function on
Sunday. (c)/ No error (d)
21. During freedom struggle (a)/
many a patriot (b)/ were filled
with patriotism. (c)/ No error (d)
22. There are a dozen (a)/ of
Geography books lying in the
shelf of my personal library (b)/
and you can use them whenever
you like. (c)/ No error (d)
23. Ramesh has agreed (a)/ to marry
with the girl (b)/ of his parents’s
choice. (c)/ No error (d)
24. Just to the North of India (a)/ is
the Himalayas (b)/ that were
once impregnable. (c)/ No
error (d)
25. She disappeared (a)/ and found
dead (b)/ near a well outside the
village. (c)/ No error (d)
26. I had been (a)/ to Delhi last week
(b)/ to visit my friend. (c)/ No
error (d)
27. Either she or you (a)/ is to blame
(b)/ for the mismanagement of the
domestic affairs. (c)/ No error (d)
28. It were the children (a)/ that
caused a lot of problem to their
parents (b)/ during the long bus
journey. (c)/ No error (d)
31. The pity is that (a)/ no sooner
he had left the place (b)/ than
the fire broke out. (c)/ No
error (d)
32. When he was arriving (a)/ the
party was (b)/ in full swing.
(c)/ No error (d)
33. She was not punished (a)/
though she came (b)/ latter
than I. (c)/ No error (d)
34. She is the best (a)/ and
beautiful girl (b)/ of our class.
(c)/ No error (d)
35. My notes are superior (a)/
than yours although I have
prepared (b)/ them in a hurry.
(c)/ No error (d)
36. Of all other my neighbours
(a)/ he is the kindest (b)/ and
the most considerate. (c)/ No
error (d)
37. The works of Shakespeare (a)/
are more famous (b)/ than any
other English dramatist. (c)/
No error (d)
38. It is all the more better (a)/ if
you work (b)/ in my company.
(c)/ No error (d)
39. A little quantity of sugar (a)/
is required to meet (b)/ the
present demands. (c)/ No
error (d)
40. The Dean wrote that he
constituted a committee of
experts (a)/ comprising five
members (b)/ before the next
meeting took place. (c)/ No
error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
41. He doesn’t need (a)/ your help
because (b)/ he is too intelligent.
(c)/ No error (d)
42. I can’t help to sneeze as (a)/ I
got drenched yesterday (b)/ and
have a bad cold. (c)/ No error (d)
43. I have lived (a)/ from the hand
to the mouth (b)/ for all these
fifty years though nobody knows
it. (c)/ No error (d)
44. As soon as the teacher entered
(a)/ everyone fell (b)/ in a
silence. (c)/ No error (d)
45. As he had taken only a few sips
(a)/ there was still little water
(b)/ left in the glass. (c)/ No
error (d)
46. To perform this experiment (a)/
drop little sugar (b)/ into a glass
of water. (c)/ No error (d)
47. It is written in Gita (a)/ that
God incarnates himself (b)/ in
times of trouble. (c)/ No error (d)
48. Troy was taken by Greeks; (a)/
this formed the basis of a story
(b)/ which has become famous.
(c)/ No error (d)
49. These facts make it very clear
(a)/ that he had hand in the
murder (b)/ though he still
pleads innocence. (c)/ No
error (d)
50. A nationwide survey has
brought up an (a)/ interesting
finding (b)/ regarding infant
mortality rate in India. (c)/ No
error (d)
51. When I got (a)/ home I was (b)/
too exhausted. (c)/ No error (d)
52. Both he as well as his friend (a)/
worked in close harmony (b)/ on
the same project. (c)/ No error
(d)
53. I rarely found something (a)/ in
the movie (b)/ that is worth
remembering. (c)/ No error (d)
54. You have (a)/ acted nobler (b)/
than all of us. (c)/ No error (d)
55. Don’t stop (a)/ anywhere. Go
home (b)/ directly. (c)/ No
error (d)
56. He has no time (a)/ to read
magazines (b)/ and no desire
neither. (c)/ No error (d)
57. He has not seldom (a)/ visited
his parents (b)/ since he left
this place. (c)/ No error (d)
58. It was much hot (a)/ yesterday
and we (b)/ didn’t go out. (c)/
No error (d)
59. I meet him often (a)/ near(b)/
the Town Hall. (c)/ No
error (d)
60. I told her (a)/ as blunt as I
could (b)/ but she was not
convinced. (c)/ No error (d)
61. No sooner did the sun rise (a)/
when we took a hasty breakfast
(b)/ and resumed the journey.
(c)/ No error (d)
62. Because he is physically strong
(a)/ therefore he was selected
(b)/ for the school boxing team.
(c)/ No error (d)
63. The reason for his failure (a)/
is because (b)/ he did not work
hard. (c)/ No error (d)
64. Arjun asked him (a)/ that
which the way was (b)/ to the
post office. (c)/ No error (d)
65. Unless you do not listen to his
advice (a)/ I am not going (b)/
to help you. (c)/ No error (d)
66. How do you say (a)/ that
neither he or Raj has
qualified (b)/ in the
examination ? (c)/ No error (d)
67. We are not sure (a)/ if he is
coming (b)/ to the party. (c)/
No error (d)
68. Sooner than he had arrived
(a)/ his friends arranged a
reception in his honour (b)/ in
the best hotel in the town. (c)/
No error (d)
69. Mrs Dhaka went to Delhi (a)/
because she might (b)/ see
Mrs Rai. (c)/ No error (d)
70. Neither he gave him no
money (a)/ nor he helped him
(b)/ in any way. (c)/ No
error (d)
71. The Monk loved riding and
hunting (a)/ and refused to
conform by rules and
regulations (b)/ of the ancient
monastic order. (c)/ No
error (d)
423
72. A man who always connives (a)/
on the faults of his children (b)/ is
their worst enemy. (c)/ No
error (d)
73. I do not understand (a)/ why (b)/
he is so angry at me. (c)/ No
error (d)
74. I am hearing a lot (a)/ about the
problem (b)/ of AIDS these days.
(c)/ No error (d)
75. Because of his innocence (a)/ he
can not distinguish (b)/ a cheat for
an honest person. (c)/ No error (d)
76. After opening the door we entered
(a)/ into the room (b)/ next to the
kitchen. (c)/ No error (d)
77. As the meeting was (a)/ about to
end (b)/ he insisted to ask several
questions. (c)/ No error (d)
78. The watchman was kind enough
(a)/ to inform us about the
conspiracy (b)/ but declined to
name the person behind it. (c)/ No
error (d)
79. The captain and his wife (a)/ were
invited for the cultural function
(b)/ at my home. (c)/ No error (d)
80. The engineer came out to a novel
solution (a)/ which may even
reduce (b)/ daily energy
consumption. (c)/ No error (d)
81. We are meeting today afternoon
(a)/ to discuss the matter (b)/ and
reach a compromise. (c)/ No
error (d)
82. Either Ram or (a)/ you is
responsible (b)/ for this action. (c)/
No error (d)
83. The student flatly denied (a)/ that
he had copied (b)/ in the
examination hall. (c)/ No error (d)
84. By the time you arrive tomorrow
(a)/ I have finished (b)/ my work.
(c)/ No error (d)
85. The speaker stressed repeatedly
on (a)/ the importance of
improving (b)/ the condition of the
slums. (c)/ No error (d)
86. The captain with the members of
his team (a)/ are returning (b)/
after a fortnight. (c) /No error (d)
87. After returning from (a)/ an
all-India tour (b)/ I had to describe
about it. (c)/ No error (d)
424
88. The teacher asked his students
(a)/ if they had gone through (b)/
either of three chapters included
in the prescribed text. (c)/ No
error (d)
89. Although they are living in the
country (a)/ since they were
married (b)/ they are moving to
the town. (c)/ No error (d)
90. Do you know (a)/ how old were
you (b)/ when you came here? (c)/
No error (d)
91. Whenever a person losses
anything (a)/ the poor folks
around him (b)/ are suspected. (c)/
No error (d)
92. Still impressive is that (a)/ we
achieve this selective attention
(b)/ through our latent ability to
lip read. (c)/ No error (d)
93. As I entered the famous gallery
(a)/ my attention was at once
drawn to the large sculpture in
the corner. (c)/ No error (d)
94. Everyday before (a)/ I start work
for my livelihood (b)/ I do my
prayer. (c)/ No error (d)
95. Pooja went to her friend’s house
at the appointed hour ; but (a)/
she was told (b)/ that her friend
left half an hour earlier. (c) No
error (d)
QUESTIONS FROM
CDS EXAM (2012-2016)
Directions (Q. Nos 1-167) Which part of the given sentences has an error? In case, there is no error, choose option (d).
2012 (I)
1. These are the ideas and ideals
(a)/ which have shaped (b)/ our
economic thought in the past.
(c)/ No error (d)
2. India’s problems are not similar
with (a)/ those of other countries
(b)/ in several ways. (c)/ No
error (d)
3. He had lost a ring in the sand
and (a)/ I helped him search for
it, (b)/ but it was like a look for
a needle in a haystack. (c)/ No
error (d)
96. Rekha is (a)/ enough old (b)/ to
get married. (c)/ No error (d)
97. As far as I am concerned, (a)/ I
shall do everything (b)/ possible
to help you. (c)/ No error (d)
98. The person in the seat of justice
(a)/ should be absolutely partial
(b)/ and not treat his nearest
and dearest with favour. (c)/ No
error (d)
99. Let us congratulate him (a)/ for
his success (b)/ in the
examination. (c)/ No error (d)
100. Many people prefer to travel
(a)/ by the road (b)/ because it
is less expensive. (c)/ No
error (d)
101. She was beside herself in joy
(a)/ when she came to know (b)/
that she had been selected for
the job. (c)/ No error (d)
102. Mother tongue is as natural
(a)/ for the development of a
man’s mind (b)/ as mother's
milk is for the development of
the infant’s body. (c)/ No
error (d)
103. The Prime Minister as well as
his secretary were expected to
(a)/ arrive in Chennai (b)/ on
Saturday morning. (c)/ No
error (d)
4. The Ganges and (a)/ it’s
tributaries constitute (b)/ one of
the largest river-systems in the
world. (c)/ No error (d)
5. The sudden change (a)/ of place
(b)/ effected her health. (c)/ No
error (d)
6. There are a number of people
(a)/ of every class and
nationality (b)/ who doubts the
truth of his statement. (c)/ No
error (d)
7. I like this book because the
writer has explained (a)/ the
CDS Pathfinder
104. The speaker was (a)/ not only
slow (b)/ but also inaudible as
well. (c)/ No error (d)
105. The crowd surged forward (a)/
to have a glimpse (b)/ of their
favourite leader. (c)/ No
error (d)
106. There is a distinctive possibility
(a)/ that he will leave the job
(b)/ once the investigation is
over. (c)/ No error (d)
107. Many a star (a)/ are (b)/
twinkling in the sky. (c)/ No
error (d)
108. We discussed the problem (a)/
so thoroughly that (b)/ I found
it easy to work it out. (c)/ No
error (d)
109. He hesitated to accept the post
(a)/ as he did not think (b)/ that
the salary would not be enough
for a man with a family of
three. (c)/ No error (d)
110. Have you gone through
(a)/either of these three
chapters (b)/ that have been
included in this volume? (c)/ No
error (d)
111. I am learning English (a)/ for
ten years (b)/ without much
effect. (c)/ No error (d)
reasons (b)/ of his failure truly.
(c)/ No error (d)
8. She is very weak in the subject
(a)/ and does not understand
things (b)/ though the teacher
explains her repeatedly. (c)/ No
error (d)
9. The speaker from the Fifth
Avenue, (a)/ who was a rich
banker’s wife, (b)/ was simple and
compassionate. (c)/ No error (d)
10. There was no any piece of paper
(a)/ in my pocket (b)/ as I had
expected. (c)/ No error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
11. Neither the teacher (a)/ or the
student (b)/ is keen on joining the
dance. (c) No error (d)
12. My neighbour Deepak (a)/ is a
person (b)/ that will help anyone.
(c)/ No error (d)
13. I’ll ask that man (a)/ which of the
roads (b)/ are the one we want.
(c)/ No error (d)
14. Now we have banks (a)/ and
people deposit there money there,
(b)/ and draw it out by cheques.
(c)/ No error (d)
15. Apart government agencies, (a)/ a
number of private organisations
too (b)/ have been making use of
satellites. (c)/ No error (d)
16. What sort of a drug is this (a)/
that no one seems to be able to
predict its long-term effects (b)/
with any certainty? (c)/ No
error (d)
17. You will lose (a)/ your dog (b)/ if
you did not tie it up. (c)/ No
error (d)
18. In view of the fact that almost all
varieties of rural games and
sports (a)/ are fast gaining
national importance it is desired
(b)/ that the rules of such games
are strictly adhered to. (c)/ No
error (d)
19. More than one (a)/ workman (b)/
was killed. (c)/ No error (d)
20. The parties disagreed (a)/ on the
two first clauses (b)/ in the
agreement. (c)/ No error (d)
2012 (II)
21. The scientist was seemed (a)/ to
be excited (b)/ over the result of
his experiment. (c)/ No error (d)
22. The student could not answer the
teacher (a)/ when he was asked
to explain (b)/ why he was so late
that day. (c)/ No error (d)
23. John could not come (a)/ to school
(b)/ as he was ill from cold. (c)/
No error (d)
24. Though she has aptitude in
Mathematics (a)/ I won’t allow
her to take it up as a subject of
study for the Master’s Degree (b)/
because I know the labour
involved will tell upon her
health. (c)/ No error (d)
25. I am not familiar with (a)/ all
the important places in this
2013 (I)
town, (b)/ although I have been
living here since two years. (c)/
No error (d)
26. If I would be a millionaire, (a)/
I would not be wasting my time
(b)/ waiting for a bus. (c)/ No
error (d)
27. Until you begin to make a
better use of your time, (a)/
I shall not stop (b)/ finding
fault in you. (c)/ No error (d)
28. Neither of the two boys (a)/ is
sensible (b)/ enough to do this
job. (c)/ No error (d)
29. They left (a)/ their luggages
(b)/ at the railway station.(c)/
No error (d)
30. You will get (a)/all the
informations (b)/if you read
this booklet carefully. (c)/No
error (d)
31. She sang (a)/very well, (b)/ isn’t
it ? (c)/No error (d)
32. He is working (a)/ in a bank in
New Delhi (b)/ for the past
several months. (c)/ No
error (d)
33. There is no question (a)/ of my
failing (b)/ in the examination.
(c)/ No error (d)
34. He is going everyday (a)/ for a
morning walk (b)/ with his
friends and neighbours. (c)/
No error (d)
35. Her relatives could not explain
to us (a)/ why did not she come
for the wedding (b)/ as she was
expected. (c)/ No error (d)
36. He was prevented to accept the
assignment (a)/ because he was
a government employee (b)/
and as such barred from
accepting such assignments.
(c)/ No error (d)
37. If you repeat this mistake, (a)/
I will inform to your father (b)/
and do not blame me then. (c)/
No error (d)
38. Lieutenant Anand was short
and muscular (a)/ with
shoulders that bulged
impressively (b)/ against his
smart uniform. (c)/ No error (d)
425
2013 (II)
39. I should do (a)/ the same (b)/ If I
were in your place. (c)/ No
error (d)
40. He has been suffering (a)/ with
fever (b)/ for the last six weeks.
(c)/ No error (d)
41. The examination begins (a)/
from Monday (b)/ next week. (c)/
No error (d)
42. My father says (a)/ that one
should always be sincere (b)/ to
his duties. (c)/ No error (d)
43. There has been (a)/ a number of
railway accidents (b)/ during the
last month. (c)/ No error (d)
44. Inspite of all efforts to eradicate
malaria (a)/ it still prevalent (b)/
in many parts of India. (c)/ No
error (d)
45. It is only three days ago (a)/
that (b)/ he has arrived. (c)/ No
error (d)
46. He has lost (a)/ all what (b)/ I
gave him. (c)/ No error (d)
47. I have (a)/ no news from him
(b)/ for a long time. (c)/ No
error (d)
48. Mahatma Gandhi’s entire life
(a)/ was one unrelenting
experiment (b)/ with truth. (c)/
No error (d)
49. As the thieves ran out of the
bank (a)/ they got into the
gateway car (b)/ which was
waiting with its engine running.
(c)/ No error (d)
50. He denied that he had not
stolen my purse, (a)/ though I
was quite sure (b)/ that he had.
(c)/ No error (d)
51. The media of films has been
accepted by all (a)/ as the most
powerful force (b)/ that
influences the younger
generation. (c)/ No error (d)
52. The French Embassy employs
him (a)/ regularly (b)/ as he
knows to speak French. (c)/ No
error (d)
53. How is it that neither your
friend Mahesh (a)/ nor his
brother Ramesh (b)/ have
protested against this injustice?
(c)/ No error (d)
426
54. Lack of winter rains (a)/ have
delayed the sowing of (b)/ wheat
crop in this area.(c)/ No error (d)
55. The teacher let the boy off (a)/
with a warning though he (b)/
was convinced with his guilt. (c)/
No error (d)
56. Our first trip was the most
interesting one, (a)/ but
our second one, (b)/ was even
more interesting. (c)/ No
error (d)
57. He has been going to the office
(a)/ for a year now, (b)/ and he
even can’t understand its
working. (c)/ No error (d)
58. He boasts of having visited
Europe many times (a)/ but he
can speak neither English (b)/
nor he can speak French. (c)/
No error (d)
59. Whenever possible, one should
avail the opportunity (a)/ that
come one’s way (b)/ if one wants
to achieve success in life. (c)/ No
error (d)/
60. When my friends came to visit
us (a)/ at the railway station (b)/
they left some of their luggages.
(c)/ No error (d)
61. As an officer (a)/ he not only
was competent (b)/ but also
honest. (c)/ No error (d)
62. If you will come tomorrow (a)/
we can go to the market (b)/ and
do our own shopping
together. (c)/ No error (d)
63. If we exercise regularly (a)/ we
will be (b)/ more healthier. (c)/
No error (d)
64. News travel (a)/ very fast today
(b)/ due to advancement in
technology. (c)/ No error (d)
65. The Chairman made it clear at
the meeting (a)/ that he will not
step down (b)/ from his position
as chairman. (c)/ No error (d)
66. We had (a)/ lot of difficulty (b)/
in finding the way here. (c)/ No
error (d)
67. Just as he was driving along the
road, (a)/ a bus pulled up and
the driver asked him (b)/ if he
has seen a briefcase on the road.
(c)/ No error (d)
68. Experience has taught me (a)/
not to ignore any man, high or
low, (b)/ not to ignore
anything, great or small. (c)/
No error (d)
69. I have spent (a)/ most of my
money, (b)/ so I can travel only
by bus. (c)/ No error (d)
70. When he asked me as to why
(a)/ I had not finished my work
in time, (b)/ I felt confused. (c)/
No error (d)
71. The Foreign Minister said (a)/
there was no use to criticise the
policy of non-alignment (b)/
which had stood the test of
time. (c)/ No error (d)
72. The train should arrive at (a)/
7:30 in the morning (b)/ but it
was almost an hour late. (c)/
No error (d)
2014 (I)
73. He asked her that (a)/ whether
she knew (b)/ what had
happened last week when she
was on leave. (c)/ No error (d)
74. Until you do not go to the
station (a)/ to receive him (b)/ I
can hardly feel at ease. (c)/ No
error (d)
75. I did not know where they were
going (a)/ nor could I
understand (b)/ why had they
left so soon.(c)/ No error (d)
76. The distinguished visitor said
that he had great pleasure to
be with us for some time (a)/
and that the pleasure was all
the greater (b)/ because his
visit afforded him an
opportunity to study the
working of an institution of such
eminence as ours. (c)/ No error (d)
77. Please convey (a)/ my best
wishes (b)/ back to your
parents. (c)/ No error (d)
78. The call of the seas (a)/ have
always (b)/ found an echo in
me. (c)/ No error (d)
79. Hardly I had left home for
Mumbai (a)/ when my son who
is settled in Kolkata
arrived (b)/ without any prior
information. (c)/ No error (d)
CDS Pathfinder
80. Now, it can easily be said (a)/
that the population of this city is
greater (b)/ than any other city
in India. (c)/ No error (d)
81. It is difficult to explain (a)/ why
did Rajagopalachari resigned (b)/
from the Congress in 1940. (c)/
No error (d)
82. The boss reminded them of the
old saying (a)/ that honesty was
the best policy (b)/ and told them
that they had better be honest in
their work. (c)/ No error (d)
83. ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ are (a)/ the
most fascinating adventure story
(b)/ that I have ever read. (c)/ No
error (d)
84. The teenager reassured his
father at the station (a)/ ‘‘Don’t
worry, dad’ (b)/ I will pull on
very nicely at the hostel.’’ (c)/ No
error (d)
85. By the way he’s behaving (a)/
he’ll soon spill the beans (b)/ I’m
afraid. (c)/ No error (d)
86. Most of the developing countries
find it (a)/ difficult to cope up
with the problems (b)/ created by
the sudden impact of
technological progress. (c)/ No
error (d)
87. People blamed him (a)/ for being
(b)/ a coward person. (c)/ No
error (d)
88. We swam up to the drowning
man, caught hold of his clothes
(a)/ before he could go down
again (b)/ and pulled him out,
safe to the shore. (c)/ No error (d)
89. Meena was so tired (a)/ that she
could not hardly (b)/ talk to the
guests for a few minutes. (c)/No
error (d)
90. If I was knowing (a)/ why he was
absent, (b)/ I would have
informed you. (c)/ No error (d)
91. He goes (a)/ to office (b)/ by foot.
(c)/ No error (d)
92. The hundred-rupees notes (a)/
that he gave them for the goods
bought from them looked
genuine (b)/ but later they
reliably learnt that the notes
were all counterfeit. (c)/ No
error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 427 428 CDS Pathfinder

110. The work involved (a)/ is almost 127. The taxi that will take the 143. When the party was over, (a)/ 151. The article offers (a)/ good advice 160. Despite of the increase in air
2014 (II) impossible (b)/ to cope with. (c)/ family to Haridwar (a)/ had to he looked around for the girl to (b)/ whomever must accept it. fares, (a)/ most people still
93. He went to England to work as a No error (d) be ready (b)/ at six the next (b)/ who had come with him. (c)/ No error (d) prefer (b)/ to travel by plane. (c)/
doctor (a)/ but returned back morning. (c)/ No error (d) (c)/ No error (d) No error (d)
(b)/ as he could not endure the 111. There is (a)/ no place (b)/ in this 152. She dislikes (a)/ you being most
compartment. (c)/ No error (d) 128. Employees are expected to (a)/ 144. After we were driving for organised (b)/ than she is. (c)/ No 161. He told the boys that (a)/ if they
weather there. (c)/ No error (d) adhere the rules (b)/ laid down
112. Shakespeare (a)/ is greater than miles (a)/ on the winding road error (d) worked hard, (b)/ they will
94. She inquired whether (a)/ by the management. (c)/ No (b)/ I was suddenly sick. (c)/ surely pass. (c)/ No error (d)
anyone (b)/ has seen (c)/ her (b)/ any poet. (c)/ No error (d) error (d) No error (d)
baby. No error (d) 113. I should (a)/ have preferred (b)/ 129. The owner of the horse (a)/
2016 (I) 162. I shall write (a)/ to you (b)/
to go by myself. (c)/ No error (d) 145. The forecast was for fair (a)/ when I shall reach Chennai. (c)/
95. When I went (a)/ outdoor (b)/ I greedily ask (b)/ too high a 153. This hardly won freedom (a)/
and warm weather (b)/ and No error (d)
found frost everywhere. (c)/ No 114. The minister announced (a)/ price. (c)/ No error (d) should not be lost (b)/ so soon.(c)/
the day dawned dark and 163. Neither of these two documents
error (d) compensation for (b)/ the 130. I convinced (a)/ him to (b)/ see No error (d)
chill. (c)/ No error (d) (a)/ support your claim (b)/ on
96. These are (a)/ his (b)/ conclusion victims from the accident. the play. (c)/ No error (d) 154. I tried to meet the person (a)/
(c)/No error (d) 146. To write, to speak or to act the property. (c)/ No error (d)
remarks. (c)/ No error (d) 131. Some man (a)/ are born (b)/ whom you said (b)/ was looking for
(a)/ seem (b)/ very easy. (c)/ 164. He is school teacher, (a)/ but all
115. The Australian team (a)/ losed great. (c)/ No error (d) me. (c)/ No error (d)
97. The shopkeeper offered either to No error (d) his sons (b)/ are doctors. (c)/ No
exchange (a)/ the goods (b)/ or the match (b)/ yesterday. (c)/ 132. We must sympathise (a)/ for 155. We looked after the thief (a)/ but
No error (d) 147. I have not had tea (a)/ since error (d)
refund the money. (c)/No error (d) others (b)/ in their troubles. (c)/ he was nowhere (b)/ to be found.
(b)/ two days. (c)/ No error 165. His grandfather (a)/ had told
116. He told us (a)/ that (b)/ he has No error (d) (c)/ No error (d)
98. Churchill was (a)/ one of the (d) him that to smoke (b)/ was a
greatest (b)/ war leaders. (c)/ No not read the book. (c)/ No 133. My detailed statement (a)/ is 156. I hoped that the train (a)/ will
error (d) respectively (b)/ submitted. (c)/
148. Beside (a)/ his mother, he has bad habit. (c)/ No error (d)
error (d) arrive on time, (b)/ but it did not.
No error (d) two aunts (b)/ who stay with 166. My book, which (a)/ I gave it to
117. The composition contained (a)/ (c)/ No error (d)
99. We should keep (a)/ such people him. (c)/ No error (d) you yesterday, (b)/ is very
(b)/ at an arm’s length. (c)/ No even not less (b)/ than twenty 134. I am waiting (a)/ for my friend 157. Their all belongings (a)/ were lost
mistakes. (c) /No error (d) (b)/ since this morning. (c)/ No 149. This photograph (a)/ appears interesting. (c)/ No error (d)
error (d) (b)/ in the fire. (c)/ No error (d)
error (d) to be (b)/ the best of the two. 167. I am entirely agreeing with you
100. He did not know (a)/ as much as (c)/ No error (d) 158. He was in the temper (a)/ and
(a)/ but I regret (b)/ I can’t help
(b)/ he claimed he knew. (c)/ No 2015 (I) 135. He is representing (a)/ my
150. Either the operator (a)/or the
refused (b)/ to discuss the matter
you. (c)/ No error (d)
constituency (b)/ for the last five again. (c)/ No error (d)
error (d) 118. The reason for (a)/ his failure is years. (c)/ No error (d) foreman are (b)/ to be blamed
101. That was very dangerous (a)/: because (b)/ he did not work for the accident. (c)/ No error 159. The decorations in your house (a)/
hard. (c)/No error (d)
136. If he hears (a)/ of your conduct are similar (b)/ to his house. (c)/
you might (b)/ have been killed. (b)/ he is to be unhappy. (c)/ No (d)
(c)/ No error (d) 119. Food as well as water (a)/ is No error (d)
error (d)
102. My friend (a)/ is going (b)/ to a necessary (b)/ for life. (c)/ No 137. No sooner he appeared (a)/ on
movie (c)/ every week. No error error (d) the stage than the people (b)/
(d) 120. India is larger than (a)/ any began to cheer loudly. (c)/ No ANSWERS
103. They sit (a)/ at the window (b)/ democracies (b)/ in the world. error (d)
(c)/No error (d) Complete Exercise
and watch the traffic. (c)/ No
error (d) 121. The Judge heard the arguments 2015 (II) 1 b 2 b 3 a 4 a 5 b 6 c 7 a 8 c 9 a 10 a
104. I started early (a)/ for the station (a)/ of the lawyers and found 138. Of all those involved (a)/ with 11 a 12 a 13 d 14 b 15 b 16 c 17 c 18 c 19 b 20 a
lest I (b)/ should not miss the (b)/ that the boy was innocent. the accident (b)/ none was 21 c 22 a 23 b 24 b 25 b 26 d 27 b 28 a 29 a 30 b
train. (c)/ No error (d) (c)/No error (d) seriously injured. (c)/ No
31 b 32 a 33 c 34 b 35 b 36 a 37 c 38 a 39 a 40 a
105. I wanted to see (a)/ that whether 122. I have been living (a)/in Delhi error (d)
they (b)/ had actually read the (b)/ from 1965. (c)/No error (d) 41 c 42 a 43 b 44 c 45 b 46 b 47 a 48 a 49 b 50 a
139. Radar equipments (a)/ that is to
notes. (c)/ No error (d) 123. All scientists agree (a)/ that be used (b)/ for ships must be 51 c 52 a 53 a 54 b 55 c 56 c 57 a 58 a 59 a 60 b
106. They made him treasurer (a)/ there should be (b)/ a total ban installed carefully. (c)/ No 61 b 62 a 63 b 64 b 65 a 66 b 67 d 68 a 69 b 70 a
because they considered (b)/ him on nuclear explosions. (c)/No error (d)
error (d) 71 b 72 b 73 c 74 a 75 c 76 b 77 c 78 b 79 b 80 a
as honest and efficient. (c)/ No 140. New types of electrical circuits
error (d) 124. Such books (a)/ which you read (a)/ has been developed (b)/ by 81 a 82 b 83 d 84 b 85 d 86 b 87 c 88 c 89 a 90 b
107. Having finished the paper early (b)/ are not worth reading. our engineers. (c)/ No error (d) 91 a 92 c 93 d 94 c 95 c 96 b 97 d 98 b 99 b 100 b
(a)/ he came out of the hall (b)/ (c)/No error (d) 141. Recently I visited Kashmir (a)/ 101 a 102 c 103 a 104 c 105 b 106 a 107 b 108 c 109 b 110 b
almost an hour before the bell 125. Tagore was (a)/ one of the and found the sceneries (b)/ to
rang. (c)/ No error (d) 111 a
greatest poet (b)/ that ever be marvellous. (c)/ No error (d)
108. The (a)/ young man (b)/ had no lived. (c)/No error (d) 142. It is of primary importance (a)/
manner. (c)/ No error (d) 126. You may please (a)/ apply for in swimming to learn (b)/ to
109. No news (a)/ are (b)/good news. an advance of salary (b)/ to breathe properly. (c)/ No
(c)/ No error (d) cover costs of transport. (c)/No error (d)
error (d)
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors 429 430 CDS Pathfinder

19. (b) This sentence would contain a 33. (c) ‘Latter’ is not the correct word to 47. (a) ‘Gita’ is a religious book of the
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16)
reflexive pronoun. Hence, ‘him’ in be used as per the sentence. Hence, Hindus. So, as per the rule, it should
1 b 2 a 3 b 4 b 5 b 6 c 7 d 8 d 9 d 10 a the sentence would be replaced by we would use ‘later’ instead of it. be written as ‘the Gita’.
11 b 12 c 13 c 14 b 15 a 16 d 17 c 18 a 19 c 20 b ‘himself ’. 34. (b) As per the rule, when two 48. (a) ‘Greeks’ in the sentence does not
21 a 22 d 23 c 24 a 25 c 26 a 27 c 28 d 29 b 30 b 20. (a) The pronoun ‘myself ’ used in the adjectives qualify the same noun, make sense. It should be written as
sentence is erroneous. Instead of both the adjectives should be ‘the Greeks’ as it intends to mention
31 c 32 a 33 b 34 a 35 b 36 a 37 b 38 d 39 a 40 b represented in the same degree. ‘people of Greece’ in the given
‘myself ’, ‘I’ would be used.
41 b 42 c 43 a 44 b 45 c 46 b 47 b 48 b 49 c 50 a So, we would change ‘beautiful’ in sentence.
21. (c) As per the rule, ‘many a’ takes a the given sentence to ‘the most
51 a 52 c 53 c 54 b 55 c 56 a 57 c 58 c 59 b 60 c 49. (b) To make the sentence correct,
singular verb. So, in the given beautiful’. the article ‘a’ should be added before
61 b 62 a 63 c 64 a 65 b 66 b 67 c 68 c 69 b 70 a sentence we would replace ‘were’ by
35. (b) As per the rule ‘superior’ is ‘hand’.
‘was’ to make it grammatically
71 b 72 a 73 a 74 a 75 c 76 c 77 c 78 b 79 a 80 c followed by preposition ‘to’. So, we 50. (a) ‘Brought up’ means ‘to rear’.
correct. would replace ‘than’ by ‘to’.
81 b 82 b 83 a 84 d 85 a 86 d 87 c 88 a 89 b 90 a Here, it should be changed to
22. (a) In the given sentence, ‘dozen of 36. (a) The word ‘other’ in the given ‘brought out’ which means ‘to make
91 c 92 a 93 b 94 c 95 b 96 c 97 c 98 d 99 c 100 c geography books’ is considered as a sentence is not needed. So, we will (it) public’.
101 b 102 b 103 d 104 c 105 b 106 c 107 b 108 c 109 b 110 c single entity. Hence, the verb ‘are’ in remove it.
the sentence would be replaced by 51. (c) ‘Very’ should be used instead of
111 b 112 c 113 c 114 c 115 b 116 c 117 b 118 b 119 d 120 b 37. (c) ‘Those of ’ would be added before ‘too’ in the given sentence.
‘is’.
‘any other’ dramatist. 52. (a) As per the rule ‘as well as’ is not
121 d 122 c 123 c 124 a 125 b 126 a 127 b 128 b 129 b 130 c 23. (b) ‘With’ is not needed as ‘to marry
38. (a) To make the sentence used in place of ‘and’. Hence, we
131 a 132 b 133 b 134 a 135 a 136 c 137 a 138 b 139 a 140 b the girl’ makes sense. Hence, we
meaningful, we would remove ‘all the replace ‘as well as’ by ‘and’ to make
would remove ‘with’.
141 b 142 a 143 d 144 a 145 c 146 a 147 b 148 a 149 c 150 b more’ from the sentence. the sentence correct.
24. (b) ‘The Himalayas’ are a mountain
151 c 152 b 153 a 154 b 155 a 156 b 157 a 158 a 159 c 160 a 39. (a) As per the rule, the adjectives 53. (a) ‘Something’ is used in a positive
range and hence, should take a ‘little’ and ‘few’ are not made to sense. It should be replaced by
161 c 162 c 163 b 164 a 165 b 166 b 167 a plural verb. Therefore, ‘is’ in the qualify the nouns ‘quantity’ and ‘anything’ in the given sentence to
given sentence would be replaced by ‘number’. Hence, we would use ‘A convey the right meaning.
‘are’. small’ instead of ‘A little’. 54. (b) ‘Nobler’ does not make sense. It
25. (b) In the given sentence, ‘was’ 40. (a) The sentence refers to a past should be replaced by ‘more nobly’ in
would be used after ‘and’. event. Hence, the verb ‘constituted’ the given sentence.
EXPLANATIONS 26. (d) No error.
27. (b) As per the rule, the verb should
should be changed to ‘had
constituted’.
55. (c) ‘Direct’ means ‘straight’ and
‘directly’ means ‘at once’. Therefore,
41. (c) ‘Too’ is not the correct word to we must use ‘direct’ instead of
agree with the pronoun ‘you’. So, ‘is’
be used with ‘intelligent’ in the given ‘directly’ in the given sentence.
would be changed to ‘are’.
Complete Exercise 28. (a) ‘The children’ in the given
sentence. Hence, we would use ‘very’
instead of ‘too’.
56. (c) ‘Neither’ should be replaced by
‘either’ to make the sentence
1. (b) The phrase ‘one of the’ takes a 6. (c) In this sentence, ‘gears’ is used 13. (d) No error. sentence did a common thing meaningful.
42. (a) We should remove ‘to’ and
plural noun. So, ‘bad habit’ should incorrectly. It should be changed to ‘gear’. 14. (b) As the sentence refers to one (action) of troubling their parents.
change ‘sneeze’ to ‘sneezing’ to make 57. (a) ‘Not’ in the given sentence is not
be replaced by ‘bad habits’. person i.e. ‘One of them’ so it So, ‘the children’ would be taken as a
7. (a) The sentence means to convey the the sentence correct. needed. As per the rule two
would have a singular pronoun. single entity (singular) and hence
2. (b) The word ‘scenery’ is always message that the Indian Military drove negatives ‘not’ and ‘seldom’ are not
Hence, we would replace ‘their’ by would take a singular verb i.e. ‘was’. 43. (b) ‘The hand to the mouth’ is
used in a singular form. Hence, in away the Chinese. To convey this used in a single sentence. Hence, we
‘his’ to make the sentence correct. So, ‘was’ would replace ‘were’. incorrect. The correct phrase/idiom
the given sentence, ‘scenery’ should meaning, ‘force’ needs to be changed to would remove ‘not’.
be used in place of ‘sceneries’. ‘forces’. is ‘hand to mouth’ which means ‘to
15. (b) The pronoun ‘he’ in the 29. (a) As the sentence states an event
sentence is not needed. So, we have just enough money to live on 58. (a) ‘Much’ should be replaced by
3. (a) The word ‘furniture’ is always 8. (c) ‘Bouquet’ is used with flowers. For in the past tense (last year), ‘will be’
would remove ‘he’. and nothing extra’. ‘very’ in the sentence to make it
used in a singular form. So, part grapes, we use ‘bunch’. should be replaced by ‘was’.
meaningful.
(a) would become ‘All the 16. (c) The sentence refers to one 30. (b) In the sentences with ‘along 44. (c) As per the rule, articles are not
9. (a) The plural of ‘brother-in-law’ is teacher i.e. singular form. Hence, used before abstract nouns. ‘silence’ 59. (a) As per the rule it should be
furniture has been.’ ‘brothers-in-law’. with’, the verb should agree with the ‘often meet him’ instead of ‘meet
it should accompany a singular in the given sentence is an abstract
4. (a) ‘Mob’ is a ‘group of people first subject. So, ‘was’ would be him often’.
10. (a) The sentence refers to a number of pronoun. Therefore, we will noun. Hence, we would remove ‘a’
with one common thought of chsnged to ‘were’.
shirts. So, the word ‘kind’ must be replace ‘them’ by ‘him’. before ‘silence’. 60. (b) ‘Blunt’ needs to be replaced by
criminal consequence’. Hence, in replaced by ‘kinds’. 17. (c) The pronoun ‘he’ in the 31. (b) ‘He had left’ needs to be changed the adverb ‘bluntly’ to make the
the given sentence, ‘mob’ should be sentence is not needed. So, we to ‘had he left’ to make the sentence 45. (b) ‘Little’ should be replaced by
sentence meaningful.
used in place of ‘crowd’. 11. (a) As the sentence refers to a number of grammatically correct. ‘some’.
would remove ‘it’.
persons i.e. ‘people’, ‘sorts’ will be used 61. (b) ‘No sooner’ is followed by ‘than’
5. (b) The word ‘luggage’ is always 18. (c) ‘Each girl’ means a number of 32. (a) ‘Was arriving’ is not correct as 46. (b) ‘Little sugar’ means ‘no sugar’.
instead of ‘sort’. and not by ‘when’. Hence, we would
used in a singular form. The girls. Hence, the pronoun used per the sentence structure and tense. Hence, to make sense, we would add
replace ‘when’ by ‘than’.
correct sentence would be ‘They 12. (a) The pronoun ‘It’ comes before the for it will be plural. So, ‘them’ It should be change to past tense ‘a’ before ‘little’.
left their luggage……’ phrase or clause to which it refers. So, ‘It’ would replace ‘her’ in the i.e., ‘When he arrived’.
will come at the starting of the sentence. sentence.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
62. (a) The word ‘because’ is not needed
in the sentence. Hence, we would
delete that.
63. (b) ‘Because’ is not needed in the
sentence as the sentence starts with
stating the reason for failure. We
should replace ‘because’ by ‘that’ to
make the sentence correct.
64. (b) ‘That’ is not used in the indirect
speech when the sentence is
interrogative. Hence, we would
remove ‘that’.
65. (a) As per the rule ‘unless’ is not
used with negatives like ‘not’. Hence,
we would remove ‘do not’ from the
sentence.
66. (b) ‘Neither’ is used with ‘nor’.
Hence, we would replace ‘or’ by ‘nor’
in the sentence.
67. (d) No error.
68. (a) Part (a) is incorrect. It should be
rephrased as ‘No sooner had he
arrived than ....... .’
69. (b) ‘Because’ is the incorrect
conjunction used in the sentence. It
should be replaced by ‘so that’.
70. (a) ‘No’ in the sentence should be
removed as it is not needed in the
sentence.
71. (b) The preposition ‘by’ is incorrect.
It should be replaced by ‘to’ to make
the sentence meaningful.
72. (b) The word ‘connive’ is used with
‘at’. Hence, we would replace ‘on’ by
‘at’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
73. (c) The right usage is ‘angry with’
and not ‘angry at’. Hence, we replace
‘at’ by ‘with’ in the sentence.
74. (a) ‘Am hearing’ should be changed
to ‘hear’.
75. (c) ‘Distinguish’ uses the preposition
‘from’. Hence, we would replace ‘for’
by ‘from’.
76. (b) As per the rule, no preposition is
used after ‘enter’, so we would
remove ‘into’ from part (b).
77. (c) ‘To ask’ should be replaced by ‘on
asking’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
78. (b) ‘Inform of ’ means the
information about something and
‘inform about’ means the
information with the details. Hence,
we would use ‘of ’ instead of ‘about’.
79. (b) ‘Invited to’ is the correct usage.
Hence, we would not use ‘for’.
80. (a) ‘Came out with’ is the correct
usage. Hence, we would replace ‘to’
by ‘with’ in the given sentence.
81. (a) ‘Today’ should not be used. It
should be replaced by ‘this’.
82. (b) The verb in the sentence must
agree with ‘you’. Hence, we would
change ‘is’ to ‘are’.
83. (d) The sentence is correct.
84. (b) ‘I have finished’ is incorrect as
per the sentence structure. It should
be changed to ‘I will have finished.’
85. (d) The sentence is correct.
86. (b) The verb in the sentence should
agree with the noun ‘captain’. Hence,
we should change ‘are’ to ‘is’.
87. (c) The word ‘about’ is not needed in
the sentence. Hence, we would
remove ‘about’.
88. (c) ‘Either of ’ is used for two things.
Hence, we would use ‘any of ’ in the
given sentence.
89. (a) ‘Had been’ should be used in
place of ‘are’ to convey the correct
meaning of the sentence.
90. (b) ‘How old were you’ should be
changed into ‘how old you were’ to
make the sentence correct.
91. (a) ‘Losses’ is the incorrect word. It
should be changed to ‘loses’.
92. (c) ‘Through’ is not the right word.
It should be replaced by ‘with’.
93. (d) The sentence is correct.
94. (c) ‘Say’ should be used in place of
‘do’ as ‘do’ is not used with ‘prayer’.
431
95. (c) We need to add ‘had’ before ‘left’
to make the sentence grammatically
correct.
96. (b) ‘Enough old’ should be changed
to ‘old enough’.
97. (d) The sentence is correct.
98. (b) We should use ‘impartial’ in place
of ‘partial’.
99. (b) ‘For’ should be replaced by ‘on’ to
convey the correct meaning of the
sentence.
100. (b) ‘By the road’ is incorrect. We
should use ‘by road’.
101. (a) ‘In’ in the given sentence needs
to be replaced by ‘with’.
102. (c) ‘The’ in the part (c) of the
sentence should be replaced by ‘an’ as
the next word ‘infant’s’ starts with a
vowel.
103. (a) As per the given sentence, the
verb ‘were’ should be replaced by
‘was’ to make the sentence
grammatically correct.
104. (c) ‘As well’ is not needed in the
sentence. Hence, we delete it.
105. (b) The right phrase to use is ‘catch
a glimpse’. Hence, we replace ‘have’
by ‘catch’ in the given sentence.
106. (a) We need to use ‘distinct’ in place
of ‘distinctive’ to make the sentence
meaningful.
107. (b) ‘Many a’ uses a singular verb.
Hence, we replace ‘are’ in the given
sentence by ‘is’.
108. (c) ‘Work it out’ does not convey the
right meaning it should be changed
to ‘work out’.
109. (b) ‘Did not think’ needs to be
replaced by ‘thought’ to make the
sentence correct.
110. (b) ‘Either’ is used two things. For
more than two, we use ‘any’. Hence,
we would replace ‘either’ by ‘any’ to
make the sentence correct.
111. (a) ‘Am’ needs to be replaced by
‘have been’ as the task in the
sentence (‘learning English’) is
continuous.
432
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)
1. (b) Second part of the sentence is in
the past tense and talks about what
happened in the past so in part (b)
‘had’ should replace ‘have’.
2. (a) ‘With’ should be replaced by ‘to’.
3. (b) There is no need to use ‘for’
with search. ‘Search’ itself implies
to search for lost ring in the
sentence.
4. (b) ‘It’s’ should be replaced by ‘its’ to
make the sentence meaningful.
5. (b) For changing the place ‘change
in place’ is better usage than ‘change
of place’. As later one shows the
shift or movement.
6. (c) ‘A number of people’ is plural
and verb-subject agreement should
be there in part (c) of the sentence
so ‘doubt’ will replace ‘doubts’.
7. (d) No error
8. (d) No error
9. (d) No error
10. (a) In this part ‘any’ is a redundant
word and makes the sentence
grammatically wrong. So, we remove
‘any’.
11. (b) Neither –nor combination is a
standard usage. So, we would replace
‘or’ by ‘nor’.
12. (c) ‘That’ should be replaced by ‘who’.
13. (c) Use of one with ‘are’ is not
acceptable in this part. ‘Is’ should
replace by ‘are’.
14. (b) ‘There’ after the word ‘deposit’
should be changed to ‘their’ to
convey the correct meaning.
15. (a) ‘Apart from’ is to be used . Use
of apart does not make any sense
here.
16. (d) No error
17. (c) ‘Do not’ should be used in place
of ‘did not’ to make the sentence
correct.
18. (a) ‘The’ should be added before
varieties to make the sentence
correct.
19. (c) ‘Was’ should be changed to ‘were’
as more than one workman is
involved.
20. (b) ‘Two first’ is inappropriate. A
proper sequence of ‘first two’
should be used to make the
sentence meaningful.
21. (a) Remove ‘was’. Its use is
superfluous.
22. (d) No error
23. (c) It should be ‘suffering from
cold’ or ‘ill with cold’.
24. (a) Use ‘for’ in place of ‘in’.
25. (c) Use ‘for’ in place of ‘since’.
26. (a) Use ‘were’ in place of ‘would
be’.
27. (c) Use ‘with’ in place of ‘in’ as
‘find fault with somebody’ is used.
28. (d) No error
29. (b) Use ‘luggage’ in place of
‘luggages’. Luggage is an
uncountable noun and does not
have a plural form.
30. (b) Use ‘information’ in place of
‘informations’. Information is an
uncountable noun and does not
have a plural form.
31. (c) Part (c) should be changed to
‘didn’t she?’
32. (a) Use ‘has been’ in place of ‘is’
as the sentence mentions a
continuous activity (working in a
bank).
33. (b) ‘Of my failing’ should be
replaced by ‘of me failing’.
34. (a) Use ‘goes’ in place of ‘is
going’.
35. (b) Use ‘she did not’ in place of
‘did not she’ as the sentence is not
an interrogative sentence.
36. (a) Use ‘from accepting’ in place
of ‘to accept’.
37. (b) Remove ‘to’. Its use is
superfluous.
38. (d) No error
39. (a) Use ‘would’ in place of
‘should’.
40. (b) Use ‘from’ in place of ‘with’ as
suffer from something is used.
41. (b) Use ‘on’ in place of ‘from’ as
‘on’ is used to show a day or date.
42. (c) Use ‘one’s in place of ‘his’.
CDS Pathfinder
43. (a) Use ‘have’ in place of ‘has’. ‘A
number of ’ always takes a plural noun
and a plural verb.
44. (b) It would be ‘it is still prevalent’.
45. (c) Remove ‘has’.
46. (b) Use ‘that’ in place of ‘what’.
47. (b) Use ‘of ’ in place of ‘from’.
48. (b) Use ‘an’ in place of ‘one’.
49. (c) Part (c) needs to be changed to
‘which was left with its engine on’.
50. (a) Remove ‘not’ to make the sentence
meaningful.
51. (a) ‘Media’ should be changed to
‘medium’.
52. (c) We would replace ‘knows to’ by
‘can’.
53. (c) Use ‘has’ in place of ‘have’ as
neither takes a singular verb.
54. (b) Use ‘has’ instead of ‘have’.
55. (c) Use ‘of ’ instead of ‘with’ as the verb
‘convinced’ always takes the preposition
‘of ’ after it.
56. (a) We should use ‘much’ in place of
‘the most’.
57. (c) ‘Even’ should be replaced by ‘yet’.
58. (c) Remove ‘he can speak’. It is
superfluous.
59. (b) Replace ‘come’ by ‘comes’ because
the word ‘opportunity’ is singular.
60. (c) Replace ‘luggages’ by ‘items of
luggage’.
61. (b) Use ‘was’ after ‘he’. Part (b) would
become ‘he was not only competent’.
62. (a) Remove ‘will’. In the conditional
sentences, where both the acts are to
take place in future the clause with ‘if ’
is in present indefinite tense.
63. (c) Remove ‘more’. ‘More’ is not used
with an adjective in its comparative
degree.
64. (a) Use ‘travels’ as the noun, ‘News’ is
singular.
65. (b) Replace ‘will’ by ‘would’ as the first
clause is in the past tense.
66. (b) Use ‘a’ before ‘lot of ’.
67. (c) Replace ‘has’ by ‘had’ because the
first clause is in the past indefinite
tense.
GENERAL ENGLISH Spotting the Errors
68. (c) Remove the words ‘not to ignore’
and use ‘nor’.
69. (b) Use ‘the’ before ‘most’. When
the preposition ‘of ’ is used after a
superlative degree adjective like
most, best, greatest, the article ‘the’ is
used before it.
70. (a) Remove ‘as to’.
71. (b) Replace ‘there was no use’ by ‘it
was of no use’ or ‘it was useless’.
72. (a) Replace ‘should’ by ‘was to’.
73. (a) Delete ‘that’. ‘that’ is not used
after asked.
74. (a) Delete ‘do not’. Do not is not
used with until as both are
negatives.
75. (c) Replace ‘why had they’ with ‘why
they had’.
76. (c) Add ‘that of ’ before ‘ours’.
77. (c) Remove ‘back’.
78. (b) Use ‘has’ in place of ‘have’.
79. (a) Replace ‘Hardly I had’ with
‘Hardly had I’.
80. (c) Add ‘that of ’ after than.
81. (b) Delete ‘did’.
82. (b) Write ‘is’ in place of ‘was’ as it is
a proverb.
83. (a) Use ‘is’ in place of ‘are’ as
singular verb is used after the name
of books.
84. (d) No error
85. (a) Replace ‘behaving’ with
‘behaving in’.
86. (d) No error
87. (c) Remove ‘person’ after ‘coward’.
88. (a) Use ‘got hold’ in place of ‘caught
hold’.
89. (b) Remove ‘not’ before ‘hardly’.
90. (a) Use ‘I knew’ in place of ‘I was
knowing’.
91. (c) Use ‘on foot’ in place of ‘by foot’.
92. (a) It should be ‘hundred rupee
notes’ in place of ‘hundred rupee
notes’.
93. (b) Use of ‘back’ is superfluous here.
94. (c) Use ‘had seen’ in place of ‘has
seen’ as the sentence requires past
perfect.
95. (b) ‘Outdoor’ should be replaced by
‘outdoors’.
96. (c) Replace ‘conclusion’ with
‘concluding’.
97. (c) Use ‘to’ before ‘refund’ as
infinitive is required here.
98. (d) No error
99. (c) Remove ‘an’ as it is not required
here.
100. (c) We would use ‘he had claimed’
in place of ‘he claimed’ as here two
past events are given, so prior
should be in past perfect.
101. (b) Use, ‘could’ in place of ‘might’ as
here is speculation about something
that didn’t happen in the sentence.
102. (b) Use ‘goes’ in place of ‘is going’
as habitual verbs are not used in
progressive forms.
103. (d) No error.
104. (c) Remove ‘not’ as ‘lest’ contains a
negative meaning.
105. (b) ‘Whether’ or ‘that’ both are
connectives and we can’t use them
simultaneously. So, we would
remove ‘that’.
106. (c) Remove ‘as’ because ‘consider’
takes no preposition.
107. (b) Use ‘had come’ in place of
‘came’ as here former event should
be in past perfect tense.
108. (c) Use ‘manners’ in place of
‘manner’ as it is always used in
plural.
109. (b) Use ‘is’ in place of ‘are’ as ‘news’
is always treated as singular.
110. (c) Remove ‘with’ as ‘cope’ takes a
preposition only when an object
comes after it.
111. (b) Use ‘room’ in place of ‘place’.
112. (c) Use ‘other’ before ‘poet’ because
here comparative degree is used.
113. (c) Use ‘going’ in place of ‘to go’ as
‘prefer’ always agree with gerund.
114. (c) Use ‘of ’ in place of ‘from’ as
‘victim’ takes the preposition ‘of ’.
115. (b) Use ‘lost’ in place of ‘losed’.
116. (c) Use ‘had’ in place of ‘has’ as
sentence is in Indirect narration.
117. (b) Use of ‘even’ is not required.
Remove ‘even’.
433
118. (b) ‘Because’ is superfluous here.
Starting of the sentence is with
‘reason’ so using ‘because’ is improper
here.
119. (d) No error
120. (b) Use ‘any other democracy’.
121. (d) No error
122. (c) Use ‘since’ in place of ‘from’.
123. (c) Replace ‘total’ by ‘complete’.
‘Total’ is used to show the sum of
individual but ‘complete’ means
‘thorough’.
124. (a) Replace ‘Such’ by ‘The’. ‘Such’ is
used with the noun that has already
been stated earlier for a particular
trait.
125. (b) Replace ‘poet’ by ‘poets’. Phrase
‘one of the’ agrees with plural noun
and singular verb after it.
126. (a) Use of ‘please’ is inappropriate
here. There is no mention of a
request as such in the sentence.
127. (b) Use ‘has to be ready’ in place of
‘had to be ready’
128. (b) Use preposition ‘to’ after adhere.
129. (b) ‘Ask’ should be changed to ‘asked’.
130. (c) ‘Watch’ should be used in place of
‘see’.
131. (a) ‘Some’ always takes a plural
number noun after it. Use ‘men’ in
place of ‘man’.
132. (b) ‘Sympathise’ is followed by ‘with’
and not by ‘for’.
133. (b) ‘Respectively’ is inappropriate
usage. Use ‘respectfully’ in place of it.
134. (a) ‘Have been waiting’ should be
used in place of ‘am waiting’.
135. (a) For a continued action of past to
present, we use present perfect
continuous tense. So, use ‘has been’ in
place of ‘is’.
136. (c) Use ‘will’ in place of ‘is to’
because the sentence reflects a
futuristic approach.
137. (a) Part (a) has error. ‘No sooner had
he appeared’ should be used.
138. (b) ‘With’ should be replaced by ‘in’.
139. (a) ‘Equipment’ is not used in plural
form.
140. (b) ‘Has’ should be replaced by ‘have’
as the subject of the verb is plural.
434
141. (b) ‘Sceneries’ is wrong usage as
‘scenery’ is always singularly used.
142. (a) ‘Utmost’ should be used in place
of ‘primary’ as the importance of
breathing is always most important
rather than primary or secondary.
143. (d) No error
144. (a) Use ‘we had driven for miles’ in
place of ‘we were driving for miles’
145. (c) ‘And’ should be replaced by ‘but’
as the sentence has two
contradictory statements.
146. (a) ‘Or’ should be replaced by ‘and’
because ‘to write, to speak and to
act’ is the combination of actions
that happens together.
147. (b) ‘Since’ should be replaced by ‘for’
because ‘two days’ defines the time
period.
148. (a) ‘Beside’ should be replaced by
‘besides’ because beside means ‘next
to’ and ‘besides’ means ‘except or in
addition to’.
149. (c) ‘The best’ should be replaced by
‘the better’ because there is a
comparison between two objects
(photographs).
150. (b) ‘Are’ should be replaced by ‘is’
because conjunction ‘either or’
connects two subjects, but the verb
depends on the nearer subject.
Here, ‘foreman’ is nearer subject
which is singular.
151. (c) ‘Whomever must accept it’
should be replaced by ‘those who
accept it’ as ‘must’ shows the
compulsion which is wrong to use
in this context.
152. (b) Use ‘you for being more
organised’ Use of than indicates
that comparative degree is required
here.
153. (a) ‘Hardly’ should be replaced by
‘hard’ as hardly does not convey the
right meaning.
154. (b) ‘Who’ should replace ‘whom’ in
the sentence as ‘who’ represents
nominative case and ‘whom’ is used
for objective case.
155. (a) ‘Looked after’ is not to be used
for ‘thief ’, here ‘looked’ should be
followed by ‘for’.
156. (b) ‘Will’ should be replaced by
‘would’ as the sentence is in past
tense.
157. (a) ‘All’ will come before ‘their’.
158. (a) ‘The’ should be removed before
‘temper’ as ‘temper’ is abstract noun
and abstract noun is not used with
articles.
CDS Pathfinder
159. (c) ‘To that of his house’ (Case of
Attribute) should be used in the
sentence.
160. (a) ‘Of ’ should be removed as ‘despite’
is not followed by a preposition.
161. (c) ‘Will’ should be replaced with
‘would’ as the reporting verb is in past
tense.
162. (c) ‘Shall’ should be removed from
this part of sentence because when
the condition is in present, then result
should be in future.
163. (b) ‘Supports’ should be used in place
of ‘support’ as the subjective case
(Neither) is singular.
164. (a) Article ‘a’ should be used before
‘school teacher’ as a countable noun is
always preceded by an article.
165. (b) ‘ To smoke’ should be replaced by
‘smoking’ because here, use of gerund
is more appropriate than infinitive.
166. (b) ‘It to’ should be removed from the
sentence.
167. (a) ‘Agreeing’ is wrong use of ‘agree’,
so it should be replaced with ‘agree’.
Also, ‘am’ is inappropriate. (I entirely
agree with you, but I regret I can’t
help you.)
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary 435 436 CDS Pathfinder

02
VOCABULARY
Synonyms

Antonyms
●
A
A

Aback Taken by surprise

Surprised, thrown off
guard
Relax, Contended
Everyone was taken aback by
Sachin’s decision to quit.

Abandon To leave something and

never return to it
Synonyms Desert, Leave
Antonyms Continue, Carry on
●Railways has abandoned their outer
Abeyance A state of not happening or
being used at present
Synonyms Abandon, Suspension,
Discontinuation
Antonyms Continuation,

●
Resumption
The old generator has been in
abeyance for six months.
Abhor To feel hatred or dislike
Synonyms Detest, Loathe
Antonyms Like, Admire
●The world would be like heaven if
all the people abhor none.
Abide To accept something in
Absurd Ridiculous, Unreasonable
Synonyms Foolish, Ridiculous
Antonyms Reasonable, Genuine
●

●
Political parties indulge in absurd
arguments before the election.
Abut To border upon
Synonyms Adjoin, Lie next to,
Adjacent
Antonyms Far, Opposite
Our land abuts a nature preserve.
Abysmal extremely poor or bad
Synonyms Awful, Terrible
Antonyms Good, Pleasant
●The quality of her work is abysmal.
signal. accordance with
Synonyms Obey, follow Accede To agree
Abase To humiliate
Antonyms Flout, Reject Synonyms Consent, Acceptance
Synonyms Degrade, Disregard,
Dishonour ●Citizens have to abide by the rules. Antonyms Disagree, Refusal, Denial
Regard, Honour, Respect
●The business contract between the
Antonyms Abnegate To give-up; renunciation two parties was acceded successfully.
●Abasing someone is immoral. Synonyms Discard, Reject
Antonym Accept Accentuate To emphasise or to make
Abashed Make someone feel
Abnegating superstitions is noticeable
embarrassed or ashamed ●

advantageous. Synonyms Highlight, Hype

Synonyms Embarrass, Humiliate
Vocabulary comprises one of the most scoring bunch of questions in CDS exam. A sound vocabulary is
Antonyms Unabashed, Undaunted
always anticipated to crack the questions based on synonyms and antonyms. The following chapter gives
●He is abashed of his own mistakes.
you an edge in mastering the words that have importance in the examination.
Abate To make or become less strong
Synonyms Weaken, Lessen
Antonyms Strengthen, Intensify
●We waited for the wind to abate.
Abbreviate To shorten
Vocabulary is a broad concept in itself. One can enhance one’s language skills by acquiring a good hold over vocabulary.
To score high in the CDS exam (English Paper), a candidate should improve his/her vocabulary skills. It helps one in Synonyms To abridge, To curtail
solving questions of Comprehension, Cloze Test, Antonyms and Synonyms etc. Antonyms Lengthen, Enhance
Here, we illustrate some steps to enrich vocabulary. ●The voluminous book was
abbreviated for the convenience of
Step I Identify the Word Whenever we come across a new word in a sentence while reading a textbook, the students.
newspaper or a magazine, we should look up its meaning. This is the best way to enhance one’s vocabulary.
Abdicate To give up power
Suppose you come across a word ‘Antique’ and you don’t know its meaning, you consult a dictionary and
Synonyms Relinquish, Renounce
find its meaning which is ‘old and often valuable’.
Antonyms Accept
Step II Identify the Antonyms of that Word Along with the meaning of a word, its antonyms (words with ●The old king abdicated the throne.
opposite meaning) should also be taken into consideration. A good knowledge of words and their antonyms
is very beneficial from the examination point of view. e.g. Opposite of Antique is modern. Aberrant straying from the right or
normal way
Step III Identify the Synonyms of that Word The knowledge of words that are similar or closer in meaning to a Synonyms Deviant, atypical
word is very useful. It makes a student efficient enough to have a strong sense of the language. Example:
Antonyms Normal, Usual
‘Antique’ can be replaced by Traditional or Ancient. ●Aberrant behaviour can be a sign of
rabies in an animal.
Step IV Form a Proper Sentence This is one of the most important parts in vocabulary building. It serves to
stimulate memory by recalling the words as and when needed, apart from making the proper sense and the
Abet To encourage someone to do
use of words clear. e.g. To be more familiar with a word, we should use it in sentence form. For ‘Antique’ a wrong
proper sentence is ‘People love to purchase antique items.’
Synonyms Assist, Incite, Encourage
Antonyms Demotivate, Prevent
●She abetted the thief in the robbery.
Abound To exist in large numbers or
amounts
Synonyms Plenty, Suffice
Antonyms Scarce, Scanty
●Kiwis abound in New Zealand.
Abrasive Showing little concern for
feeling of others
Synonyms Rude, Annoying,
Unfriendly
Antonyms Pleasant, Friendly
●Abrasive behaviour of employees
may prove harmful to a firm.
Abrogate To end a law, agreement or
custom formally
Synonyms Abandon, Abort
Antonyms Institute, Introduce
●Our country should abrogate
outdated laws.
Abstain Withhold or Refrain
Synonyms Avoid, Cease
Antonyms Do, Continue
●It is worth while to abstain from
intoxicants.
Abstruse Difficult to understand,
obscure.
Synonyms Esoteric, Perplexing
Antonyms Clear, Obvious
●You are not the only one who finds
Enstein’s theory abstruse.
Antonyms Shadowed, Downtrodden
●People often shout to accentuate
their opinion.
Accessible Easy to obtain, approachable
Synonyms Achievable, Acquiresome
Antonyms Remote, Distant
●Everything is accessible with the
Internet.
Accessory A thing which can be
added to something else in order to
make it more useful, versatile or
attractive
Synonyms Adornment, Retrofit
Antonym Subsidiary
● Cellular phones are incomplete
without the accessories.
Acclaim Public approval and praise
Synonyms Praise, Applaud, Cheer
Antonyms Criticise
●Sardar Patel was an acclaimed
leader.
Accolade An award or an expression
of praise.
Synonyms Appreciation, Honour,
Award
Antonym Criticism
●Getting success is a great accolade.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Accord Be harmonious or consistent
Synonyms Concord, Agreement
Antonyms Disagree, Contrast
●The board of directors could not
reach an accord in the annual
meeting.
Accost Approach and address angrily
or aggressively
Synonyms Annoy, Confront
Antonyms Aid, Help
●On the mistake of the son, father
accosted him.
Accrue To increase in number or
amount
Synonyms To collect, To accumulate
Antonyms Disperse, Dwindle
●Crossing for a single run accrued the
score of the team.
Adept Skilful
Synonyms Expert, Efficient
Antonyms Unskilled, Inapt
●It seems that he is adept in
computers.
Adjourn Temporary breaking-off
Synonyms Suspend, Interrupt
Antonyms Carry out, Advance
●He has adjourned his journey.
●The court is adjourned for the day.
Adjunct Something joined or added to
another thing but is not an essential
part of it
Synonyms Supplement, Addition
Antonyms Subtraction, Lessening
The witness of the case has adjuncted
●
a new twist in it.
Adjure To urge solemnly
Synonym Request
Antonym Answer
●On the continuous adjuring of
students, a picnic was arranged.
Admonish To warn
Synonyms Scold, Reprove
Antonyms Allow, Compliment
●The teacher admonished the student
for his insolent behaviour.
Adorn Make more beautiful or
attractive
Synonyms To embellish, To decorate
Antonyms Malign, Deface
● The temple is adorned with flowers.
Adroit Very skilful
Synonyms Expert, Proficient
Antonyms Unskilled, Incompetent
●The showroom needs an adroit
mechanic.
Afflict Affect adversely
Synonyms Suffer, Bother
Antonyms Comfort, Aid
●The flood has greatly afflicted the crops
in this village.
Affluence Having a lot of money
Synonyms Wealth, Prosperity
Antonyms Scarcity, Poverty
●Generally, affluent fathers have spoilt
kids.
Affront An action or remark that causes
outrage or offence
Synonyms Insult, Offence
Antonyms Honour, Compliment
Poor dressing sense often causes affront.
●
Aggrandize Increase power, status or
wealth of
Synonyms Exalt, Boost
Antonyms Abase, Degrade
Its a movie that aggrandizes the bad
●
guys.
Aggravate To make a problem worse
Synonyms Worsen, Compound
Antonyms Soothe, Calm
●The symptoms were aggravated by
drinking alcohol.
Agog very eager or curious to hear or see
something
Synonyms Eager, Impatient
Antonyms Reluctant, Uninterested
●He was all agog on hearing the news of
his promotion.
Altercation A noisy argument or
disagreement, especially in public
Synonyms Quarrel, Bickering
Antonyms Agreement, Harmony
●A general political talk should not lead
to an altercation.
Altruism Disinterested and selfless
concern for the well-being of others.
Synonyms Benevolence,
Humanitarianism
Antonyms Greediness, Meanness
●Mother Teresa is known for her
altruism.
437
Amalgamate To combine to form
a larger group
Synonyms To merge, Combine
Antonyms Separate, Disjoin
● Hutchison and Essar group
amalgamated to form
Hutchison-Essar.
Ambiguous Open to more than
one interpretation, not having one
obvious meaning
Synonyms Unclear, Confusing
Antonyms Clear, Obvious
●Ambiguous answers must be
removed.
Ameliorate Making a situation
better, less painful
Synonyms Mitigate, Improve
Antonyms Worsen, Aggravate
●Government grant is
ameliorating the situation in
the territory.
Amenable Open and responsive
to suggestions
Synonyms Compliant,
Manageable,
Persuadable
Antonyms Stubborn, Rigid,
Non-compliant
● A better way to resolve the
problems is being amenable.
Amicable Friendly behaviour of a
person
Synonyms Friendly,
Good-natured
Antonyms Unfriendly, Hostile
●Noble people are always
amicable.
Annul To make something legally
void
Synonyms Cancel, Abolish,
Invalidate
Antonyms Accept, Validate
●The contract was annulled by
the second party.
Anomaly Deviation from the
standard
Synonyms Oddity, Peculiarity
Antonyms Conformity,
Normality
We do not publish cheap
●
quality books as it is an
anomaly to our policy.
438
Antagonism A strong feeling of
dislike or hatred
Synonyms Hate, Prejudice
Antonyms Love, Affection
●Man cannot be an antagonist as he
has to live in the society.
Antipathy A strong feeling of dislike
Synonyms Aversion, Dislike
Antonyms Affinity, Cordiality
●Pakistan’s antipathy is open to
India.
Antithesis The direct or exact opposite
Synonyms Counterpart, Converse
Antonym Same
●It seems that he has decided to be
in antithesis of my opinion.
Aphorism A short, wise and true
statement
Synonyms Adage, Maxim
Antonyms Nonsense, Absurdity
● “Honesty is the best policy” is a
very practical aphorism.
Aplomb Confidence and style
Synonyms Assurance, Poise
Antonyms Gaucheness,
Discomposure
●Continuous failure had a great
effect on his aplomb.
Apocryphal Well-known but
probably not true
Synonyms Fictitious, Made-up
Antonyms Authentic, Real
●Existence of God is an apocryphal
fact to the people world wide.
Apogee Most successful part of
something
Synonyms The top, Apex
Antonyms Bottom, Base
Romance is the apogee of a
●
relationship.
Appease to make someone pleased or
less angry by giving or saying
something they desire
Synonyms To pacify, Placate
Antonyms Annoy, Irritate
● His appeasing behaviour is always
appreciated.
Append To add something to the end
of a writing
Synonyms Add, Attach
Antonyms Disjoin, Detach
●It is always advisible to append the
hints to a mathematical problem.
Apportion To divide something
among people
Synonyms Distribute, Allocate
Antonyms Keep, Withhold
●The property of the deceased man
was apportioned between his two
sons.
B someone
Babble To talk or say something in a
quick, confused, excited or silly way
Synonyms Chatter, Bumble
Antonyms Quiet, Sense
●He seems to be babbling.
Badger To try to make someone do
something by asking them many
times
Synonyms Pester, Bother, Torment
Antonyms Aid, Delight
●The peon had to be badgered to get
the form signed by the principal.
Baleful Full of evil intentions,
menacing
Synonyms Destructive, Malignant
Antonyms Good, Helping,
Promising
● His baleful behaviour was strange.
Banal Trite; something boring ;
ordinary and not original
Synonyms Common place, Trite,
Boring, Dull
Antonyms Entertaining, Original
●I hate the places that seem banal.
Bane A cause of great distress or
annoyance.
Synonyms Ruin, Destruction
Antonyms Blessing, Boon, Advantage
●Traffic congestion and air pollution
are major banes for Delhi and
Delhiites.
Bashful Tending to feel
uncomfortable with other people and
be embarrassed easily; shy
Synonyms Diffident, Modest, Meek,
Coy, Nervous
Antonyms Open, Confident
●She feels bashful in my company.
Berate To criticize or scold severely
Synonyms Lash out, Tear into,
Abuse
Antonyms Praise, Compliment
●Father berated his son for his
mistakes.
CDS Pathfinder
Bereavement The situation you are in
when a close friend or a family
member has just died
Synonyms Death, Loss
Antonym Happiness
Bereavement caused by my father’s
●
death is immeasurable.
Bestow To give or confer honour to
Synonyms Award, Give, Grant,
Present
Antonyms Deprive, Refuse, Take
●A lot of awards are bestowed upon
him.
Bigotry Intolerance towards those who
hold different opinion from oneself
Synonyms Fanaticism, Prejudice
Antonyms Tolerance, Impartiality
●A deeply ingrained bigotry
prevented her from even considering
the arguments.
Bizarre Strange and difficult to explain
Synonyms Strange, Weird
Antonyms Explainable, Normal
●The bizarre events taking place in
the deserted house led the people to
assume that it was haunted.
Blabber Talk foolishly
Synonyms Chatter, Babble
Antonym Sense
Blabbering is what one can expect
●
from fools.
Bohemian A socially unconventional
person, especially an artist or a writer
Synonym Non-conformist
Antonym Conformist
●The Bohemian attitude is considered
rebellious.
Bolster To support or strengthen
Synonyms Strengthen, Reinforce
Antonyms Discourage, Undermine
●More money is needed to bolster the
industry.
Boor A person who is rude and
does not consider other people’s
feelings
Synonyms Lout, Rogue
Antonyms Civilised, Decent, Modest
● Terrorists are nothing but boors.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Bovine Relating to or affecting
cattle, looking or acting like a cow
Synonyms Cow-like, Cattle-like
●She stared at us with a stupid
bovine expression.
Brag To speak proudly of what you
have done or what you own.
Synonyms Swagger, Boast
Antonym Be modest
●He was bragging about his
success.
Brash Showing too much confidence
and too little respect
Synonyms Arrogant, Brazen
Antonyms Diffident, Meek
●A brash man has less friends.
Bumble To speak or move in a
confused way
Synonyms Lurch, Stumble
Antonyms Efficient, Expert
●Bumbling persons create a doubt
to security.
Bungle To do something badly or
unsuccessfully
Synonyms Mishandle, Mismanage
Antonym Succeed
●He has bungled the whole work.
Buoyant Happy and confident
Synonyms Happy, Joyous
Antonyms Unhappy, Sad
●He was very buoyant about the
visit to Agra.
Burgeon To grow or develop
quickly
Synonyms Expand, Swell
Antonyms Shrink, Contract
●Terrorism is burgeoning across the
border.
Burly A large and strong person
Synonyms Tawny, Gigantic
Antonyms Lean, Thin
There must be a burly man for
●
the role of a demon.
Bustling If a place is bustling, it is
full of busy activity
Synonyms Dashing, Scurrying
Antonyms Quiet, Inactive,
Dormant
● The house, usually bustling with
activity, was strangely silent.
C intelligent decisions.
Cabal A group of people who secretly
work together
Synonyms Clique, Faction
Antonym Individual
He was assassinated by a cabal of
●
aides.
Cache A hidden store of provision,
weapons, treasure; to hide weapons or
other things
Synonyms Hoard, Store
Antonyms Discard, Remove
●People must create a cache of
medicines for emergency.
Cajole To persuade someone to do
something by coaxing or flattery
Synonyms Persuade, Coax
Antonyms Dissuade, Discourage
He knows how to cajole people into
●
doing what he wants.
Calamity An event that brings terrible
loss, lasting distress or severe affliction
Synonyms Tragedy, Catastrophe
Antonyms Blessing, Godsend
●The great calamity was brought to
rest.
Callous Showing or having an
insensitive and cruel disregard for
others.
Synonyms Insensitive; Unsympathetic
Antonyms Sensitive, Sympathetic
●People often think that doctors are
callous.
Calumny A false accusation
Synonyms Defamation, Slander
Antonyms Eulogy, Praise
●He is a victim of calumny.
Camouflage To disguise
Synonyms Hide, Conceal
Antonyms Reveal, Show
●The camouflaged players arrived at
the airport.
Canard A false, report or story
Synonyms Tale, Story
Antonym Truth
●The newspaper was sued for
publishing a canard about a celebrity.
439
Canny Very clever and able to make
Synonyms Clever, Shrewd
Antonyms Uncanny, Daft
● Rohan is a canny card player.
Cantankerous Bad tempered,
argumentative and uncooperative
Synonyms Bad tempered,
Uncooperative
Antonyms Affable, Good-natured
●Children are by nature
cantankerous.
Capacious Having a lot of space
Synonyms Spacious, Open
Antonyms Small, Cramped
●A bunglow is a capacious house to
live-in.
Cardinal Of the greatest importance,
fundamental.
Synonyms Significant, Fundamental
Antonym Unimportant
●Cardinal facts of the case are
hidden.
Careen To go forward quickly while
moving from side to side
Synonyms Lurch, Rock
Antonyms Crawl, Creep
I saw the duck careening through
●
the ponds.
Castigate To criticise severely
Synonyms Rebuke, Chide, Scold
Antonyms Admire, Praise
●Odd behaviour of a person is a
matter of castigation.
Catalyst Stimulus; a person who causes
change by his presence
Synonyms Impetus, Incentive
Antonyms Inhibitor, Preventer
Birbal was a catalyst in the court of
●
Akbar.
Catapult To suddenly put someone
into an important position; to propel
Synonyms Excel, Marshal
Antonyms To recede, Decline
Someone cannot be catapulted to be
●
the chief straight way.
Charismatic Possessing spiritual grace;
inspiring
Synonyms Charming, Fascinating
Antonyms Offensive, Frightening
●Modi is a charismatic leader.
440
Chaste Morally pure or decent
Synonyms Decent, Pure
Antonyms Impure, Indecent
●The chaste conduct of the austere
person commands respect.
Cherubic Good natured
Synonyms Innocent, Angelic
Antonyms Demonic, Devilish
●His behaviour reveals his approach
to be cherubic.
Chide To express mild disapproval of
someone, to scold someone gently
Synonyms Rebuke, Scold
Antonyms Admire, Praise
●Mother chided the son for his rude
behaviour with the guests.
Chronic Happening or existing
frequently or most of the time
Synonyms Persistent, Long
standing
Antonyms Temporary, Mild
●She suffers from chronic pain in
her knees.
Churlish Rude, unfriendly and
unpleasant
Synonyms Arrogant, ill-mannered
Antonyms Gracious, Polite
●Churlish behaviour is his
trademark.
Clout Power and influence
Synonyms Sway, Power
Antonym Powerless
●Hitler was a man of great clout.
Coalesce To grow together or unite
into one; to fuse
Synonyms Fuse, Join
Antonyms Split, Breakup
● The ice-masses coalesced into a
glacier over time.
Cogent Very clear and easy for the
mind to accept and believe
Synonyms Convincing, Compelling
Antonyms Vague, Unconvincing
●His ideas were cogent and sound.
Conciliate To end a disagreement or
someone’s anger by acting in a
friendly way or to slightly change
your opinion
Synonyms Appease, Placate
Antonym Provoke
● The nagging child was conciliated
by the toys.
Concomitant Naturally accompanying
or associated with something
Synonyms Linked, Associated
Antonyms Disassociated, Unlinked
●Loss of memory is a concomitant of
old age.
Concussion Temporary
unconsciousness or confusion caused by
a blow on the head
Synonym Violent shaking
Antonym Consciousness
●The accident caused the man a severe
concussion.
Condone To accept behaviour that is
morally wrong
Synonyms Accept, Allow
Antonyms Condemn, Punish
Parents always condone the fault of
●
children.
Contentious Causing or likely to cause
disagreement
Synonyms Controversial,
Argumentative
Antonym Agreeable
●The contentious issue may obstruct
the development.
Contort To twist or bend out of
normal shape
Synonyms Distort, Twist
Antonyms Straighten, Smooth
●He contorted the instrument by
rough handling.
Contrive To invent or make something
in a clever or unusual way
Synonyms Create, Manufacture
Antonyms Destroy, Ruin
● The Defence Ministry contrived a
plan to tackle cross border terrorism.
Conundrum A confusing and difficult
question or problem
Synonyms Dilemma, Quandary
Antonym Easy-way
●Competitive exams make you face
conundrums.
Convene To call together for a meeting
or activity
Synonyms Summon, Call
Antonyms Disperse, Leave
●We convened at the hotel for a
seminar.
CDS Pathfinder
Convivial (Of an event or
atmosphere) Friendly, lively and
enjoyable
Synonyms Jovial, Pleasant
Antonyms Sad, Unhappy
The President of the club arranged
●
a convivial cocktail party.
Copious Ample, producing much
Synonyms Plentiful, Abudant
Antonyms Scarce, Meager
●The storm produced a copious
amount of rain.
D
Dabble Take part in an activity in a
casual way.
Synonyms Tinker, Dally, Trifle
Antonym Take seriously
●Rita dabbled in many things before
she got married.
Dainty Small and graceful
Synonyms Elegant, Petite
Antonyms Crude, Ugly
The house looks dainty and
●
beautiful.
Dank Unpleasantly moist and cold
Synonyms Wet, Damp
Antonyms Arid, Dry
●He shivered as he entered the dank
room.
Deadlock A situation involving
opposing parties, in which no
progress can be made; stalemate
Synonyms Gridlock, Dilemma
Antonyms Solution, Agreement
●The mediator will help the opposing
parties end the deadlock so the
contract can be signed.
Debacle A complete failure; a crushing
defeat
Synonyms Fiasco, Failure
Antonyms Success, Accomplishment
●He faced a debacle in yesterday’s
game.
Debase To adulterate, to make poor in
quality or of less value
Synonyms Degrade, Devalue
Antonyms Upgrade, Enhance
●Debased commodities are sold in the
market.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Debauch To destroy or damage
something so that it is no longer
considered good or moral.
Synonyms Abase, Corrupt
Antonyms Ennoble, Uplift
●Western culture has debauched
the moral fabric of our society.
Debilitate To make someone very
weak and infirm
Synonyms Cripple, Disable
Antonyms Strengthen, Enable
●The virus debilitates the body’s
immune system.
Decadence Having low moral
standards and behaviour
Synonyms Corruption,
Debauchery
Antonyms Ascent, Decency
●Decadent people are not valued.
Decimate To kill a large number of
(something) or to reduce very
heavily
Synonyms Annihilate, Exterminate
Antonyms Bear, Build, Create
● Population of endangered
animals have been decimated.
Decrepit Worn out or ruined
because of age or neglect
Synonyms Dilapidated, Battered
Antonyms Firm, Healthy
●The building was a decrepit
sample of bricks now.
Defalcate To steal or misuse funds
entrusted to one
Synonyms Embezzle, Loot, Filch
Antonyms Appropriate, Receive
●Public funds are defalcated by
leaders.
Demure (of a woman or her
behaviour) Modest; shy; reserved
Synonyms Meek, Bashful
Antonyms Brazen, Shameless
Her demure nature gets
● ●The man seems to be ebullient on his
everybody’s attention.
Deplore To feel or express strong
condemnation of something
Synonyms Abhor, Denounce
Antonyms Praise, Commend
Public deplored the casual steps
● ●The glass edifice is an architectural
taken by the administration for
the safety of women.
Depravity The state of being morally
bad, or an action that is morally bad.
Synonyms Perversion, Criminality
Antonyms Goodness, Uprightness
●People were shocked by the
depravity of her actions.
Deprecate To criticise or express
disapproval of something
Synonyms Belittle, Detract
Antonyms Approve, Commend
●Everybody deprecated the death of
the charitable man.
Deride To laugh at someone or
something in a way that shows you
think they are stupid or are of no
value.
Synonyms Ridicule, Mock, Disdain
Antonyms Admire, Approve
●He was derided at for his strange
ways.
Desperado A desperate or reckless
person, especially a criminal
Synonyms Bandit, Villain
Antonym Civilised
●Law must punish the desperado.
Despot A ruler who has total power
and often uses it in cruel and unfair
ways.
Synonyms Tyrant, Oppressor
Antonym Democrat
●Hitler was one of the biggest
despots.
Desultory Lacking a plan, purpose
or enthusiasm
Synonyms Aimless, Chaotic
Antonyms Organised, Systematic
●He wandered around, cleaning up
in a desultory way.
Detract Dimish the worth or
value of something
Synonyms Belittle, Decrease
Antonyms Commend, Compliment
●Numerous errors in the book
detracted the reader’s attention.
Devious Showing a skilful use of
underhand tactics to achieve goals
Synonyms Unfair, Fraudulent
Antonyms Honest, Fair
●The minister was a devious
politician.
441
Devolve 1. Transfer of power to a lower
level
2. Pass into a worse state; degenerate
Synonyms Delegate, Pass on
Antonyms Centralize, Improve
● In a democratic system, power is
devolved to the local level.
Diabolic Extremely evil
Synonyms Cruel, Atrocious
Antonyms Kind, Moral
●The police quickly mobilised to track
down the diabolical serial killer.
Diffident Modest or shy because of a lack
of self-confidence
Synonyms Bashful, Meek
Antonyms Bold, Confident
He is too diffident to work in a
●
company.
Disapprobation Strong disapproval,
typically on moral grounds
Synonyms Deprecation, Disapproval
Antonyms Approval, Approbation
Sherry was used to constant
●
disapprobation of critics.
Disconcert to make someone upset;
unsettle
Synonyms Perplex, Baffle, Bewilder
Antonyms Assist, Calm
●The whole experience had disconcerted
him.
E Synonyms Debilitate, Devitalise
Earmark Designate funds or resources for
a particular purpose, procure
Synonyms Attribute, Designate
Antonym Disallocate
●The government earmarked a huge
package for agriculture
Ebullient Very happy and enthusiastic;
exuberant
Synonyms Cheerful, Exuberant
Antonyms Unhappy, Depressed
success.
Edifice A large impressive building; a
system that has been established for a
long time
Synonyms Monument, Building
wonder.
442
Effeminate Womanish; Feminine,
Unmanly
Synonyms Effete, Unmanly
Antonyms Masculine, Manly
He had a high and somewhat
●
effeminate voice.
Effete Weak and Powerless
Synonyms Unmanly, Effeminate
Antonyms Manly, Powerful
●His effete body looks pale.
Effusive Expressing gratitude, approval
or pleasure in a way that shows very
strong feeling
Synonyms Gushing, Unrestrained
Antonyms Restrained, Reserved
● The coach was effusive in praising
Tendulkar.
Emaciated Very thin and weak, usually
because of illness or extreme hunger
Synonyms Thin, Skeletal
Antonyms Chubby, Fat
Chronic diseases make one emaciated.
● ●Someone is spreading fallacious
Embodiment someone or something that
represents a quality or an idea exactly
Synonyms Personification, Incarnation
Antonym Exclusion
●Mother Teresa was often regarded as
the embodiment of selfless devotion to
others.
Enervate to make someone feel weak
and without energy
Antonyms Strengthen, Energise
●We were enervated by the lengthy
discussion.
Enjoin To instruct or urge someone to do
something or behave in a particular way
Synonyms Urge, Command, Insist
Antonyms Obey, follow
●The boss enjoined the workers to do
the best.
Ensconce To make yourself very
comfortable or safe in a place or
position
Synonyms Settle, Install
Antonyms Unsettle, Exhibit
●He ensconced in his new abode there.
Entree Admittance; the right to enter
something
Synonyms Entry, Ingress
Antonyms Exit, Refusal
●Entree to the country club is through
sponsorship.
Entropy Lack of order or
predictability, gradual decline into
disorder
Synonyms Break up, Collapse
Antonyms Improvement, Order
● The mishandling of the situation
led to entropy.
Ephemeral Existing only for a short
time
Synonyms Fleeting, Transient
Antonyms Enduring, Lasting
●Fame in the show business is
ephemeral.
Epoch A long period of time,
especially one in which there are
new advances and great changes
Synonyms Era, Span, Age
●The development of the steam
engine marked an important
epoch in the history of industry.
Equitable Treating everyone fairly
and in the same way.
Synonyms Unbiased, Reasonable
Antonyms Partial, Biased
●He is fighting for a more
equitable distribution of funds.
Excruciating Intensely painful
Synonyms Acute, Agonising
Antonyms Painless, Calm, Easy
●The Uttrakhand disaster was an
excruciating experience for the
victims.
Expatiate Speak or write in detail
Synonyms Expound, Lecture
Antonyms Compress, Abridge
●It is useless to expatiate upon the
beauty of nature to one who is
blind.
F ●Country does not need feckless
Facade The principal front of a
building that faces on to a street or
open space
Synonyms Front, Elevation,
Frontage
Antonyms Rear, Back
●The gallery’s 18th century facade
attracted the visitors.
CDS Pathfinder
Facetious Treating serious issues
deliberately with inappropriate humour
Synonyms Flippant, Frivolous
Antonyms Serious, Formal
●The facetious boy was chided.
Facile 1. Ignoring the true
complexities of an issue; superficial
2. A success which is easily achieved
Synonyms Superficial, Hasty
Antonyms Thorough, Profound
● This problem needs more than just
a facile solution.
Factitious Artificial, not natural
Synonyms Fake, Bogus
Antonyms Natural, Real
His explanations were all factitious.
●
Fallacious Based on a mistaken belief;
misleading
Synonyms Erroneous, False
Antonyms Genuine, True
information.
Fastidious Very attentive to and
concerned about accuracy and details;
very concerned about matters of
cleanliness
Synonyms Painstaking, Meticulous
Antonyms Careless, Sloppy
● His culinary skills are fastidious.
Fatuous Stupid, not correct or not
carefully thought about
Synonyms Silly, Foolish
Antonyms Sensible, Intelligent
●All his reasons appeared fatuous to
me.
Feckless Lacking initiative or strength
of character; irresponsible
Synonyms Useless, Worthless
Antonyms Responsible, Competent
people.
Fecund Very fertile
Synonyms Fertile, Fruitful
Antonyms Unproductive, Infertile
●The soil of the plains is fecund.
Feisty Having or showing exuberance,
strong determination and lack of fear
Synonyms Courageous, Gutsy
Antonyms Cowardly, Dull
● Mountaineering needs feisty people.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Felicity 1. Intense happiness
2. The ability to find appropriate
expressions for one’s thoughts
Synonyms Bliss, Delight,
Eloquence
Antonyms Sorrow, Unhappiness
●Felicity is a bliss to be enjoyed.
Fester (of a problem or negative
feeling) become worse or more
intense, especially through long
term neglect or indifference
Synonyms Smoulder, Aggravate
Antonyms Flourish, Grow
● It is better to express your anger
than let it fester inside you.
Fetid Smelling extremely bad, Foul
Synonyms Smelly, Putrid
Antonyms Aromatic, Perfumed
The carcass of the dog has made
● ●I thought it impolitic to ask any
the surroundings fetid.
Fidelity Honest or lasting support,
Loyalty, Faithfulness
Synonyms Loyalty, Constancy
Antonyms Dishonesty, Infidelity
●Friendship survives on fidelity.
Fiend 1. Cruel, inhuman
2. An enthusiastic or devotee of a
particular thing
Synonyms Barbarian, Ogre
Antonyms Angel, God
● His hands were trembling as if he
was some sort of fiend.
Flack Strong criticism or opposition
Synonyms Criticism, Censure
Antonyms Appraisal, Praise
●Dowry should be a matter of
flack.
Flagrant Too bad to be ignored
Synonyms Heinous, Shameless
Antonyms Magnificent, Wonderful
●The killing of innocent villagers is
an example of flagrant ways of
Maoists.
Foment To cause trouble to develop
Synonyms Incite, Instigate
Antonyms Deter, Discourage
He was accused of fomenting
● Antonyms Rich, Affluent
violence.
Fortitude Courage in pain or adversity
Synonyms Courage, Bravery
Antonyms Cowardice, Fear
●Fortitude makes you a winner.
Frenzied Madly excited or uncontrolled
Synonyms Wild, Frantic
Antonyms Controlled, Calm
●The office was a scene of frenzied
activity this morning.
G Synonyms Dizzy, Light-headed
Gainsay To deny or contradict a fact or
statement
Synonyms Dispute, Oppose
Antonyms Accept, Confirm
● There is no gainsaying the fact that
they have built a great building.
Gall Bold and impudent behaviour
Synonyms Impudence, Insolence
Antonyms Cordiality, Politeness
●After borrowing my car, he had the
gall to complain about its seats.
Gallant 1. Brave; heroic
2. (Of a man) polite and kind towards
woman
Synonyms Valiant, Unafraid
Antonyms Timid, Rude
● Although she lost, she made a gallant
effort.
Garble To make words or messages
unclear and difficult to understand
Synonyms Muddle, Jumble
Antonyms Obvious, Clear
●The terrified child gave a garbled
account of the incident to the police.
Garish Too bright or colourful
Synonyms Gaudy; Bright
Antonyms Dull, Unflashy
●The decoration looked garish.
Gauche Awkward and uncomfortable
with other people, specially because
young and lacking in experience
Synonyms Awkward, Gawky
Antonyms Elegant, Sophisticated
●She had grown from a gauche teenager
to a self assured young woman.
443
Genial Friendly and cheerful
Synonyms Affable, Cordial
Antonyms Hostile, Unfriendly
●His genial outpour surprised me.
Ghastly Unpleasant and shocking
Synonyms Terrible, Horrible
Antonyms Pleasant, Charming
●The scene of the crime looks
ghastly.
Giddy Having a sensation of whirling
and a tendency to fall or stagger.
Antonyms Steady, Sensible
He was walking giddily.
●
Gingerly In a careful or cautious
manner
Synonyms Warily, Cautiously
Antonyms Carelessly, Rashly
He did the work gingerly.
●
Gratify To please someone or to
satisfy a wish or need
Synonyms Please , Gladden
Antonyms Dissatisfy, Displease
● I am gratified by his words.
Grimace To make an expression of
pain, strong dislike, etc in which the
face twists in an ugly way
Synonyms Scowl, Frown
Antonyms Smile
After falling down, he started to
●
stand up grimacing with pain.
Grisly Causing horror or disgust
Synonyms Gruesome, Ghastly
Antonyms Pleasant, Attractive
●The grisly figure made the child
cry.
Grubby Covered with dirt
Synonyms Filthy, Mucky, Grimy
Antonyms Clean, Tidy
●One must clean off grubby hands
before eating.
Gruff (person’s voice) Low and
unfriendly
Synonyms Rough, Hoarse
Antonyms Soft, Mellow
●He speaks in a gruff way, but is
really kind.
444
H way
Habituated Used to something,
especially something unpleasant
Synonyms Accustom, Adapt
Antonyms Avoid, Shun
●Bears can become habituated to people
easily.
Haggard Looking exhausted or unwell,
especially from fatigue, worry or
suffering
Synonyms Drained, Tired
Antonyms Fresh, Healthy
The athletes looked haggard after the
●
race.
Haggle Dispute or bargain persistently
Synonyms Barter, Negotiate
Antonyms Concur, Comply
Customers often haggle with the
●
seller.
Hallowed Very respected and praised
because of great importance or great age
Synonyms Holy, Sacred
Antonyms Cursed, Unholy
The site of the ancient temple is a
●
hallowed ground.
Hapless Having no luck; very
unfortunate
Synonyms Unlucky, Ill-fated
Antonyms Fortunate, Lucky
She plays the hapless heroine who is
●
unlucky in love.
Harrowing Extremely upsetting because
connected with suffering
Synonyms Tortuous, Painful
Antonyms Calming, Comforting
●The harrowing news reached the
village.
Headstrong Very determined to do
what one wants without listening to
others
Synonyms Wilful, Strong-willed
Antonyms Undetermined, Tractable
●Being headstrong by nature, he did
not listen to his wife’s advice.
Heady Having a strong exhilirating
effect
Synonyms Exciting, Thrilling
Antonyms Boring, Dull
● The party seems heady today.
Hector Talk to someone in a bullying
Synonyms Intimidate, Badger
Antonyms Please, Assist
●The senior guy was hectoring the
junior.
Heedless Not giving attention to a
risk or possible difficulty
Synonyms Inattentive, Oblivious
Antonyms Needful, Attentive
● He was driving heedlessly.
Heinous Outrageously evil; horrifying
Synonyms Wicked, Atrocious
Antonyms Admirable, Delightful
●The man is facing charges over his
heinous act.
Herald To be a sign of something
that is going to come or happen soon
Synonyms Indicator, Sign
Antonyms Aforeseen
●The early flowers are heralds of
spring.
Horrendous Shocking; horrible
Synonyms Dreadful, Alarming
Antonyms Pleasing, Wonderful
●Conditions in the refugee camps
were horrendous.
Humane Having or showing
compassion
Synonyms Compassionate, Kind
Antonyms Unkind, Inhumane
It is not humane to treat animals
●
cruelly.
Hypothetical Based on a situation
that is not real, but that might
happen
Synonyms Imaginary, Theoretical
Antonyms Real, Actual
●She described a hypothetical case to
clarify her point.
I ●Everyone laughed the incredulous
Idolatry Very great admiration or
respect for someone, often too great
Synonyms Reverence, Adoration
Antonyms Vilification,
Condemnation
● Newton was revered to the point of
idolatry.
CDS Pathfinder
Impertinent Rude and not showing
respect towards someone older or in
a higher position than you
Synonyms Disrespectful, Rude
Antonyms Polite, Mannered
●Its impertinent to ask strangers
about their private lives.
Implausible Not believable or
realistic
Synonyms Unbelievable, Doubtful
Antonyms Reasonable, Convincing
She’s been making implausible
●
claims.
Impolitic Unwise words or actions
that are likely to cause offence or
problems.
Synonyms Unwise, Imprudent
Antonyms Wise, Prudent
question about her ex.
Improvident Not giving thought to
the future
Synonyms Heedless, Inconsiderate
Antonyms Provident, Farsighted
●He is improvident about his
career.
Inalienable Not subject to being
taken away from or given by the
possessor
Synonyms Absolute, Inviolable
Antonyms Changeable, Alienable
●The group of women wanted
equal inalienable rights as men.
Incorrigible Beyond correction or
change
Synonyms Hardened, Hopeless
Antonyms Correctable, Changeable
●She is an incorrigible chatterbox.
Incredulous Not able or willing to
believe something
Synonyms Mistrustful, Doubtful
Antonyms Believing, Credulous
stories of the old man.
Indigent Very poor
Synonyms Penniless, Destitute
●The heavy losses he incurred
in business rendered him
indigent.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Infallible Incapable of making mistakes
or being wrong
Synonyms Unerring, Flawless
Antonyms Fallible, Erring
●I never claimed to be infallible.
Inimical Harmful or limiting
Synonyms Injurious, Harmful
Antonyms Helpful, Advantageous
●A person with inimical behaviour is
dangerous.
Iniquitous Very unfair or evil
Synonyms Wicked, Sinful
Antonyms Good, Virtuous
This decision seems iniquitous.
●
Innate (of a quality) which you are
born with or which is present naturally
Synonyms Inborn, Ingrained
Antonyms Acquired, Extrinsic
●He is a person with innate wisdom.
Insipid Lacking flavour; weak or
tasteless
Synonyms Bland, Tasteless
Antonyms Tasty, Delicious
● The dinner was insipid.
J
Jabber Talk in a rapid, excited and
often incomprehensible way
Synonyms Prattle, Babble
Antonyms Be silent, Speak clearly
●The train was full of people
jabbering into their mobile phones.
Jaded Not having interest or losing
interest as you have experienced
something too many times.
Synonyms Bored, Tired
Antonyms Fresh, Activated
● Flying is exciting the first time you
do it, but you soon become jaded.
Jaunty Lively in manner or appearence
Synonyms Merry, Cheerful
Antonyms Unhappy, Depressed
●Success makes a person jaunty.
Jinx Bad luck or a person or thing that
brings bad luck
Synonyms Misfortune, Curse
Antonyms Good Luck, Boon
●His luck has been so bad he feels
jinxed.
Jocular Funny or intended to make
someone laugh
Synonyms Funny, Humorous
Antonyms Serious, Depressed
●Someone made a jocular remark
to entertain the gathering.
K progress and lags behind others
Kaput Broken; not working
properly
Synonyms Faulty, Broken
Antonym Operational
●My fridge has gone kaput.
Ken A person’s range of knowledge
or understanding
Synonyms Knowledge, Awareness
Antonym Ignorance
●Politics are beyond my ken.
Kernel The central or most
important part of something
Synonyms Essence, Core
Antonyms Exterior, Periphery
●We are to write the kernel of the
story.
Kindle Arouse or inspire (an
emotion or feeling)
Synonyms Arouse, Rouse, Wake
Antonyms Douse, Put out
●The trip kindled an interest in
travel.
Knave A dishonest man
Synonyms Fraud, Cheat
Antonym Honest
A knave cheated me on the bus.
●
L English literature.
Labile Changing often or easily
Synonyms Adaptable, Reactive
Antonyms Balanced, Unreactive
●Our culture is the most labile of
all.
Laborious Tedious; needing a lot of
time and effort
Synonyms Tough, Arduous
Antonyms Simple, Easy
●The project needs laborious
people.
445
Lackadaisical Lacking enthusiasm and
determination
Synonyms Lazy, Unenthusiastic
Antonyms Enthusiastic, Excited
●Efforts from the man seem
lackadaisical.
Laggard A person who makes slow
Synonyms Loiterer, Lingerer
Antonym Leader
●A laggard can’t win the race of life.
Lambaste To criticise severely
Synonyms Chastise, Castigate
Antonyms Praise, Compliment
His work was lambasted by everyone.
●
Languid Showing or having very little
strength, energy or activity.
Synonyms Enervated, Unenergetic
Antonyms Energetic, Active
● He looked languid after a sleepless
night.
Lassitude A state of physical or mental
weariness
Synonyms Fatigue, Lethargy
Antonyms Freshness, Vigour, Energy
Symptoms of the disease include
●
paleness and lassitude.
Leery Cautious or wary due to realistic
suspicions
Synonym Careful
Antonym Careless
●They were leery of their neighbours.
Leviathan Extremely large and
powerful
Synonyms Titan, Huge
Antonyms Powerless, Tiny
●Shakespeare is the leviathan of
Limber (of a person or body part) Able
to bend and move easily and smoothly
Synonyms Flexible, Nimble
Antonyms Rigid, Stiff
●His whole body is a limber of
muscles.
Limpid Clearly expressed and easily
understood
Synonyms Lucid, Clear
Antonyms Unclear, Unintelligible
●The situation is a limpid one to get
through.
446
Livid Extremely angry
Synonyms Infuriated, Irate
Antonyms Calm, Peaceful
●The boss was livid when yet another
deadline was missed.
M Minatory Expressing or
Macabre Horrible, because concerned
with death
Synonyms Shocking, Gruesome
Antonyms Pleasant, Pleasing
●Even the police were horrified at the
macabre nature of the killings.
Magnanimous Generous or forgiving
Synonyms Benevolent, Charitable
Antonyms Selfish, Mean-spirited
●The king was magnanimous towards
his subjects.
Magnate Successful businessman; tycoon
Synonyms Tycoon, Mogul
Antonyms Pawn, Nobody
Ratan Tata is a business magnate.
●
Maladroit Awkward in movement or
unskilled in behaviour or action
Synonyms Bumbling, Awkward
Antonyms Adroit, Skilful
●She can be a little maladroit in social
situations.
Malodorous Stinking; foul-smelling
Synonyms Noxious, Fetid
Antonyms Aromatic, Fragrant
The malodorous drain is a problem for
●
the locality.
Maverick An unorthodox or
independent minded person
Synonyms Non-conformist,
Dissenter
Antonyms Orthodox, Conformist
He was considered as something of a
●
maverick in the publishing word.
Mellifluous Pleasingly smooth and
musical to hear
Synonyms Harmonious, Mellow
Antonyms Noisy, Cacophonous
She has a rich and mellifluous voice.
●
Mendacious Not truthful; lying
Synonyms Deceitful, Dishonest
Antonyms Truthful, Honest
●All his statements are mendacious.
Miffed Annoyed at someone’s
behaviour towards you
Synonyms Irritated, Angry
Antonyms Pleased
●The miffed employees called up
a strike.
conveying a threat
Synonyms Aggressive,
Threatening
Antonyms Unthreatening
●The minatory situation is under
control.
Minuscule Extremely small
Synonyms Tiny, Minute
Antonyms Huge, Vast
●The minuscule insects are
hidden there in the bush.
Modicum A small amount,
especially of something good
Synonyms Particle, Speck
Antonyms Lot, Entirety
●Only a modicum of skill is
necessary to put the pieces
together.
Modish Fashionable
Synonym Stylish
Antonym Traditional
●The showroom contains a lot of
modish clothes.
Mollify To make someone less
angry
Synonyms Appease, Placate
Antonyms Enrage, Agitate
●All attempts to mollify the
extremists have failed.
Moor Wasteland
Synonyms Upland
Antonyms Cropland
●Government has decided to
gentrify the moor.
N ●He is known for his obdurate
Nadir The worst or lowest point
of something
Synonyms Rock-bottom, Base
Antonyms Zenith, Apex
●He is at the nadir on this
matter.
CDS Pathfinder
Nebulous (especially of ideas) not clear
and having no form
Synonyms Ambiguous, Vague
Antonyms Clear, Certain
●These philosophical concepts can be
nebulous.
Nefarious (especially of activities)
morally bad
Synonyms Heinous, Odious
Antonyms Delightful, Gentle
The man was found to be involved in
●
nefarious activities.
Nettle To annoy or irritate someone
Synonyms Irritate, Irk
Antonyms To please, Calm
●His continuous questions nettled him.
Niggardly ungenerous with money,
time etc; mean
Synonyms Mean, Miserly
Antonyms Generous, Abundant
●Rita is a niggardly woman, so don’t
expect a handout from her.
Nihilism The belief that traditional
morals, ideas, beliefs have no worth or
value
Synonyms Negativity, Cynicism
Antonyms Allowance, Approval
Young generation shows a great deal
●
of nihilistic traditions.
Non-plussed So surprised and confused
that one is unsure how to react.
Synonyms Astonish, Astound
Antonyms Calm, Comfort
●I can’t say why he was non-plussed at
my arrival.
O
Obdurate Not willing to change your
opinion or the way you do something
Synonyms Adamant, Hardened
Antonyms Amenable, Submissive
determination.
Obfuscate To make something more
difficult to understand
Synonyms Obscure, Confuse
Antonyms Clarify, Enlighten
● This explanation has obfuscated
everybody.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Obliterate 1. To destroy completely
2. To remove a thought, feeling or
memory from someone’s mind
Synonyms Demolish, Annihilate
Antonyms Create, Establish
● An explosion obliterated the new
building.
Obnoxious Very unpleasant or rude
Synonyms Repulsive, Offensive,
Disgusting
Antonyms Agreeable, Decent
When she’s in a bad mood she is
●
obnoxious to everyone.
Obstinate Unreasonably determined;
stubborn
Synonyms Adamant, Inflexible
Antonyms Flexible, Amenable
● He can be very obstinate at times.
Obstreperous Difficult to deal with
and noisy
Synonyms Unruly, Boisterous
Antonyms Pacified, Tractable
The executive refused to help the
●
obstreperous clientele.
Obverse Opposite or counterpart of a
fact or truth
Synonyms Complement, Counterpart
Antonyms Reverse, Rear
● The two brothers are of obverse
nature.
Obviate Remove (a need or difficulty);
avoid or prevent something
undesirable
Synonyms Remove, Prevent
Antonyms Support, Allow
A parachute can be used to obviate
●
disaster.
Occult Relating to magical powers and
activities
Synonyms Psychic, Magical
Antonyms Natural, Obvious
●Some books in the library were on
occult subjects.
Offbeat Unusual and strange therefore
surprising or noticeable
Synonyms Bizzare, Unconventional
Antonyms Ordinary, Conventional
●She decided to choose an offbeat
career in fine arts and was
successful.
Onerous Difficult to do or needing a
lot of effort
Synonyms Arduous, Demanding
Antonyms Effortless, Easy
● She found the duties of motherhood
onerous.
Overweening Too proud or confident
in yourself
Synonyms Brash, Haughty
Antonyms Modest, Unassuming
● Nobody wants to be friendly with
overweening people.
Overwrought In a state of being
upset, nervous and worried
Synonyms Frantic, Agitated and
Worried
Antonyms Calm, Collected
●He was in an overwrought state for
weeks after the accident.
P Pejorative Expressing disapproval or
Palliate To reduce the bad effects of
something; To reduce pain without
curing its cause
Synonyms Alleviate, Soothe
Antonyms Aggravate, Agitate
●The medicine palliated the pain of
the patient
Pallid 1. Very pale, in a way that looks
unhealthy and not attractive
2. Showing no enthusiasum or
excitement
Synonyms Anemic, Feeble,
Uninspired
Antonyms Enthusiastic, Hearty,
Strong
●His pallid face reveals the tension.
Pandemonium Wild and noisy
disorder or confusion
Synonyms Disorder, Chaos
Antonyms Calm, Order
Pandemonium reigned in the hall as
●
the election results were announced.
Parched Dried out because of too
much heat.
Synonyms Arid, Scorched
Antonyms Wet, Damp
It was the height of summer and
● ●She has received plaudits for her
the land was parched and brown.
447
Parlous Very bad, dangerous or
uncertain
Synonyms Bad, Dreadful
Antonyms Good, Comfortable
●Relationship between the two
countries have been in a parlous
state for some time.
Parsimonious Very unwilling to
spend money or give something;
stingy
Synonyms Niggardly, Miserly
Antonyms Extravagant, Generous
● Even the parsimonious Deepu went
to the cafe.
Paucity The fact that there is too little
of something
Synonyms Shortage, Dearth
Antonyms Abundance, Sufficiency
Wastage of water can cause its
●
paucity.
suggesting that something is not good
or is of no importance
Synonyms Disparaging, Deprecatory
Antonyms Complimentary, Praising
●Make sure students realise that ‘fat’
is a pejorative word.
Pellucid Very clear in meaning and
easy to understand
Synonyms Comprehensible,
Understandable
Antonyms Complex, Unclear
●The pellucid language of the book
catches the attention of everyone.
Perky Cheerful and lively
Synonyms Bubbly, Lively
Antonyms Depressed, Gloomy
●His perky face looks elegant to
me.
Pesky Causing trouble; Annoying
Synonyms Nettlesome, Troublesome
Antonyms Pleasing, Untroubling
●I’ve been trying to get rid of this
pesky cold.
Plaudits Enthusiastic approval; praise
Synonyms Accolade, Acclaim
Antonyms Blame, Censure
work with homeless people.
448
Plenary 1. Complete; full
2. (of a meeting) To be attended by all
participants, who otherwise meet in
smaller groups
Synonyms Absolute, Complete
Antonyms Incomplete, Limited
● A plenary session of the UN Security
Council was held this month.
Predicament A difficult, unpleasant or
embarassing situation
Synonyms Crisis, Deadlock
Antonyms Advantage, Solution
●I have taken a loan to get out of my
financial predicament.
Prevaricate To avoid telling the truth
or saying exactly what you think
about something
Synonyms Distort, Dodge
Antonyms Confront, Face
●The convict prevaricated before the
court.
Proclivity A strong natural liking for
something or tendency to do
something that is usually bad.
Synonyms Predilection, Predisposition
Antonyms Antipathy, Disinclination
Gambling is his main proclivity.
●
Profligate Wasteful with money and
resources
Synonyms Extravagant, Wasteful
Antonyms Thrifty, Frugal
●She is well-known for her profligate
spending habits.
Q Antonyms
Quagmire 1. An area of soft wet
ground which one sinks into if one
tries and walks on it.
2. An awkward, complex or hazardous
situation.
Synonyms Dilemma, Entanglement
Antonyms Solution, Agreement
● The quagmire he is in seems
unavoidable.
Quail Feel or show fear or
apprehension
Synonyms Blanch, Cringe
Antonyms Calm, Steady
●Students were quailing before the
principal.
Quaint Attractive because of being
unusual and especially old-fashioned
Synonym Bizarre
Antonym Common
●The writer talked about the quaint
customs of the natives.
Quandary A state of not being able
to decide what to do about a
situation in which you are involved.
Synonyms Impasse, Difficulty
Antonyms Solution, Certainty
● The unexpected results of the test
have created a quandary for the
researchers.
Querulous Complaining in an
annoyed way.
Synonyms Petulant, Bemoaning
Antonyms Cheerful, Easy-going
●He is becoming a querulous person
day by day.
Quibble To argue or complain about
small, unimportant things
Synonyms Protest, Argument
Antonyms Approval, Agreement
●There is no point quibbling over a
couple of dollars.
Quip A humorous and clever remark
Synonyms Gag, Gibe
Antonyms Seriousness, Praise
●They traded quips over a beer.
Quisling A person who helps an
enemy who has taken over his
country.
Synonyms Collaborator, Betrayer
The ruler
Supporter, Loyalist
warned all the quislings.
●
Quixotic Having ideas or intentions
that are impressive but not practical.
Synonyms Impractical, Idealistic
Antonyms Practical, Pragmatic
●They had quixotic dreams about
future.
R ●Rashi’s house seemed to be redolent
Rabid Having a very extreme opinion
about or interest in something
Synonyms Crazed, Fanatical
Antonyms Moderate, Liberal
●Amit is a rabid cricket fan.
CDS Pathfinder
Rankle To make someone annoyed or
angry for a long time
Synonyms Anger, Embitter
Antonyms Calm, Comfort
●It still rankles me that she got
promoted and I didn’t.
Raspy Unpleasantly rough
Synonyms Gruff, Hoarse
Antonyms Soothing, Soft
●Her voice was raspy due to yelling
so much.
Ratify To make a treaty, agreement
etc official by signing it or voting for
it.
Synonyms Sanction, Approve
Antonyms Disapprove, Deny
● Project was ratified by the officials.
Ravishing Very beautiful
Synonyms Gorgeous, Stunning
Antonyms Ugly, Hideous
She looked ravishing in her
●
wedding dress.
Recondite (of a subject or knowledge)
Not known by many people and
difficult to understand
Synonyms Obscure, Esoteric
Antonyms Obvious, Simple
● Geochemistry is a recondite subject.
Recoup To get back money that one
has spent or lost
Synonyms Retrieve, Regain
Antonyms Forefeit, Lose
●The gambler recouped his losses in
the next game.
Rectitude The quality of being honest
and morally correct
Synonyms Righteousness, Goodness
Antonyms Infamy, Dishonesty
●Gandhiji was a man of
unquestioned moral rectitude.
Redolent Strongly reminiscent or
suggestive of; fragrant; odorous;
suggestive of an odour
Synonyms Evocative, Suggestive
Antonyms Bland, Unsavoury
with the aroma of flowers.
Reek (v/n) To smell strongly and
unpleasantly; stink
Synonyms Stink, Smell
Antonyms Sweetness, Fragrance
●Her breath reeked of garlic.
GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Renunciation The formal rejection
of something, typically a belief,
claim or course of action
Synonyms Repudiation,
Abandonment
Antonyms Agreement, Allowance
●The company renunciated the
agreement made by them.
Repartee Conversation or speech
characterised by quick, witty
comments or replies
Synonyms Banter, Pleasantry
Antonyms Seriousness, Question
●The two comedians engaged in
witty repartee.
Replete Filled or well supplied
with something
Synonyms Filled, Loaded
Antonyms Lacking, Empty
The book is replete with
●
photographs.
Reprieve To cancel or postpone a
punishment
Synonyms Abatement,
Absolution
Antonyms Charge, Punish
He was sentenced to death but
●
was granted a last minute
reprieve.
Reproach To criticise someone,
especially for not being successful
or not doing what is expected
Synonyms Disgrace, Rebuke
Antonyms Approval,
Commendation
● His mother reproached him for
not eating his dinner.
Repugnant Causing a strong
feeling of dislike or disgust
Synonyms Repulsive, Abhorrent
Antonyms Pleasant, Delightful
● The idea of cheating in an exam
is morally repugnant to me.
S ●Molestation is an obvious sleaze.
Scintillate Emit flashes of light,
sparkle
Synonyms Shine, Gleam
Antonym Dull
●Her scintillating performance on
stage won her accolades.
Scoff To laugh and speak about a
person or idea in a way that shows
you think they are silly or stupid.
Synonyms Belittle, Deride
Antonyms Approve, Compliment
●The critics scoffed at his paintings.
Sententious Trying to appear wise,
clever and important in a way that is
annoying
Synonyms Moralistic,
Self-righteous
Antonym Unimportant
●Due to his sententious and
pompous way of speaking, he
respected by none.
Servitude The state of being under
the control of someone else and of
having no freedom; slavery
Synonyms Bondage, Enslavement
Antonyms Freedom, Mastery
In the past, the majority of women
● Synonyms Giggle, Snigger
were confined to a lifetime of
servitude and poverty.
Sever To put an end to (a connection
or relationship); break off
Synonyms Detach, Disconnect
Antonyms Unite, Connect
I severed myself from my
●
double-faced friends.
Sham Someone or something that is
not what it pretends to be; pretence
Synonyms Fake, Pretend
Antonyms Real, Genuine
●They claimed that the election had
been fair, but really it was a sham.
Skullduggery Secret and dishonest
behaviour
Synonyms Trickery, Fraudulence
Antonym Honesty
●Skullduggery is never appreciated.
Sleaze Activities especially business or
political, of a low moral standard
Synonyms Corrupt, Immoral
Antonyms Moral, Principled
Slipshod Characterised by a lack of
care, thought or organisation; shabby
Synonyms Careless, Disorganised
Antonyms Careful, Meticulous
●She complained that the
carpenter’s work had been
slipshod.
449
Slovenly 1. Untidy and dirty
2. (of a person or action) careless;
excessively casual
Synonyms Messy, Scruffy
Antonyms Tidy, Neat
● Change your slovenly habits right now.
Stalwart 1. Loyal, reliable and
hardworking
Synonyms Staunch, Dependable
Antonyms Non-reliable,
Undependable
● I have a bunch of stalwart friends.
Stodgy Dull and uninspired; lacking
originality or excitement
Synonyms Boring, Dull
Antonyms Interesting, Lively
●The company did not succeed in
shedding its stodgy image.
Stouthearted Brave and determined
Synonyms Fearless, Courageous
Antonyms Timid, Cowardly
The stouthearted soldiers won the battle.
● ●
Stupor A state of near- unconsciousness or
insensibility
Synonyms Coma, Trance
Antonyms Consciousness, Wakefulness
●He was lying under a table in a
drunken stupor.
T Synonyms Lethargic, Inactive
Taint To damage something, especially by
adding something harmful or undesirable
to it
Synonyms Contaminate, Pollute
Antonyms Clean, Improve
A leaky pipe can taint the entire water
●
supply.
Tangible Real or not imaginary; able to be
shown, touched or experienced
Synonyms Palpable, Touchable
Antonyms Intangible, Abstract
●There is no tangible evidence to support
her claim.
Thrifty Using money and other resources
carefully and not wastefully
Synonyms Frugal, Prudent
Antonyms Extravagant, Generous
He is being thrifty in deciding his
● ● Vanity of a person thwarts his path of
budget.
450
Throttle To attack or kill someone by
choking or strangling; strangle
Synonyms Gag, Smother
Antonyms Release, Let go
●A leader was throttled by the
Maoists.
Tirade A long, angry speech of criticism
or accusation
Synonyms Diatribe, Invective
Antonyms Compliment, Praise
●The coach directed a tirade at the
team after the loss.
Titanic Extremely powerful, strong,
important or large
Synonyms Colossal, Gigantic
Antonyms Small, Puny
●A titanic wave let the Titanic sink in.
Titter To give a short, half-suppressed
laugh; giggle
Antonym Cry
He was tittering on his joke.
Toothsome (Especially of food)
attractive or pleasant
Synonyms Tasty, Delicious
Antonyms Unpleasant, Unsavoury
● Pizza is a toothsome food for this
generation.
Torpid Having or showing very little
energy or movement; not active
Antonyms Energetic, Active
●The torpid boy is becoming obese
day-by-day.
Tout 1. To publicise; praise excessively
2. To sell tickets unofficially, usually at
a much higher rate than the official price
Synonyms Laud, Praise
Antonyms Criticise, Blame
● A local car dealership was touting its
wares on the radio.
U V
Ubiquitous Existing everywhere;
omnipresent
Synonyms Universal, Prevasive
Antonyms Rare, Scarce
●Reliance Jio’s advertisements are
ubiquitous.
CDS Pathfinder
Umbrage A feeling of being offended by Vanquish To defeat
what someone had said or done thoroughly
Synonyms Annoyance, Chagrin Synonyms Conquer, Trounce
Antonyms Calmness, Comfort Antonyms Surrender, Yield
Will she take umbrage if she isn’t invited The school team was
● ●
to the party? vanquished in the match.
Unabashed Without any worry about Vaunt Boast about or praise
possible criticism or embarrassment something, especially
Synonyms Brazen, Unashamed excessively
Antonyms Ashamed, Sheepish Synonyms Boast, Brag
Antonyms Deprecate,
●He is an unabashed capitalist.
Condemn
Unassuaged Not soothed or relieved ● Even the noblest of fellows
Synonyms Annoyed, Complaining have been known to vaunt a
Antonyms Contented, Pleased bit.
●The customer is unassuaged with the
Vehement Expressing strong
services.
feelings; forceful, passionate or
intense
Unbridled Not controlled or limited
Synonyms Forceful,
Synonyms Unrestricted, Unrestrained
Antonyms Controlled, Restrained Passionate
The unbridled riot caused a lot of Antonyms Mild, Apathetic
●
damage. ●The proposal has faced
vehement opposition from
Undiscerning Lacking judgement, insight or many people.
taste
Synonyms Obtuse, Indiscriminate Venal Willing to do dishonest
things in return for money
Antonyms Insightful, Perceptive
Synonyms Corrupt, Crooked
● The situation showed undiscerning
character of the lady. Antonyms Honest, Ethical
●The country wants to get rid
Unequivocal Leaving no doubt; of venal leaders.
unambiguous
Venerable Valued and
Synonyms Unambiguous, Absolute
Antonyms Ambiguous, Doubtful
respected because of old age,
long use etc
●The church is unequivocal in its
Synonyms Revered, Esteemed
condemnation of the violence.
Antonyms Dishonourable,
Unexpurgated (of a text) Complete and Disreputable
containing all the original material; ● The Hindu is a venerable
uncensored newspaper.
Synonyms Exhaustive, Entire
Venerate To honour or
Antonyms Censored, Abridged
greatly respect a person or
●Unexpurgated material has been sent for thing
proof-reading now.
Synonyms Respect, Exalt
Antonyms Denounce,
Condemn
● The Ganges is a venerated
river in India.
Verity An important principle
Vanity 1. Excessive pride in or admiration
of one’s own appearance or achievements. or fact that is always true
2. The quality of being worthless or futile Synonyms Accuracy, Veracity
Synonyms Egotism, Conceit Antonyms Falseness,
Falsehood
Antonyms Modesty, Humility
● Revolution of Earth on its
axis is a verity.
progress.

GENERAL ENGLISH Vocabulary
Verve Great energy and enthusiasm
Synonyms Vigour, Enthusiasm
Antonyms Lethargy, Inactivity
●She delivered her speech with
tremendous verve.
Vindicate To clear someone of
blame or suspicion, to prove to be
right or reasonable, to justify
Synonyms Justify, Acquit
Antonyms Blame, Charge
● The investigation vindicated her
complaint about the newspaper.
Virulent 1. (of a disease or poison)
Extremely severe or harmful in its
effects.
2. Full of hate and violent
opposition
Synonyms Fatal, Malicious
Antonyms Harmless, Amicable
● There is a virulent relation
between India and Pakistan these
days.
Vitiate To spoil or impair the
quality or efficiency of something
Synonyms Annihilate, Spoil
Antonyms Fix, Mend
●Mishandling has vitiated the
quality of machines.
Voracious Insatiable appetite for
food, facts/knowledge.
Synonyms Insatiable,
Uncontrollable
Antonyms Satiable, Controllable
●As a child, I had a voracious
appetite for books.
W X
Wallop To strike or hit very hard
Synonyms Bash, Batter
●The peon was walloping the bell
continuously.
Whimper To make a series of low,
feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain
or discontent
Synonyms Sob, Whine
Antonyms Laugh, Chuckle
● The dog that met with the accident
was whimpering in front of the
office.
Whisk To take or move someone or
something somewhere suddenly and
quickly
Synonyms Dart, Dash
Antonyms Drag, Slow
●The sacks of grain were whisked to
the godown for fear of rain.
Whit A very small part or amount
Synonyms Scrap, Bit
Antonyms Lot, Whole
●The child accepted only a whit of
the chocolate.
Wistful Sad and thinking about
something that is impossible or past
Synonyms Contemplative, Nostalgic
Antonyms Cheerful, Happy
●I thought about my childhood days
and grew wistful.
03
451
Xenophobic Extreme dislike or fear of
foreigners, their customs, their religions
etc.
Synonyms Animosity, Chauvinism
Antonyms Tolerance, Impartiality
● Tourist guides cannot be xenophobic.
Y
Yank To pull something with a quick
SYNONYMS
movement
Synonyms Jerk, Tug
Antonym Push
The man yanked at the zip of the bag.
●
Generally, 8-12 questions are asked on synonyms in the CDS exam. The questions can be in a direct
Z format or sentence format. A candidate is expected to have a good vocabulary to solve these questions
correctly.
Zany Strange, surprising or uncontrolled
in an amusing way
Synonyms Bizzare, Eccentric
Antonyms Familiar, Sensible
● His zany behaviour is beyond Synonyms are the words which have a similar meaning to that of a given word.
explanation.
e.g. The synonyms of the word reside is ‘dwell’.
Zest Enthusiasm, eagerness, energy and
Questions on synonyms can be asked directly or in a sentence format in the CDS exam.
interest
Synonyms Enthusiasm, Gutso
Antonyms Apathy, Indifference
1. Direct Format
● His humour added zest to the In this format a word is given and out of the given four options, a word is to be selected which is the nearest in
performance. meaning to the given word.
e.g. Which of the given words is closest in meaning to the word provided?
REMOTE
(a) Automatic (b) Distant (c) Mean (d) Savage
Explanation (b) Remote means located far away and ‘Distant’ also means ‘far away in space or time’. While, Automatic
means done or occurring spontaneously; Mean means intend to convey or refer to and Savage means cruel and
vicious. So, the right synonym for ‘Remote’ is ‘Distant’. Hence, option (b) is the correct choice.
2. Sentence Format
In this format one word of a sentence is underlined or capitalized and out of the given four options, a word is
to be selected which is similar in meaning to the underlined or capitalized word.
e.g. Which of the given words has the same meaning to the word written in capital letters?
Getting a WEAK mobile signal in remote areas is quite common.
(a) Fluctuating (b) Falling (c) Low (d) Distant
Explanation (c) In this sentence ‘Weak’ means ‘Low’ mobile signal. While, Fluctuating (rise and fall); Falling (drop down)
and Distant (far away) have different meanings. Hence, option (c) is the correct choice.
GENERAL ENGLISH Synonyms 453 454 CDS Pathfinder

CHECK YOUR VOCABULARY 48. EXPOSTULATE 62. BUCOLIC Directions (Q. Nos. 76-119) Each of
(a) Protest (b) Agree (a) Urban (b) Foreign the following items consists of a
FIND THE SYNONYM OF GIVEN WORDS (c) Follow (d) Argue (c) Middle-class (d) Rural sentence followed by four words or
49. ABSURD 63. SNARE group of words. Select the synonym
(a) Senseless (b) Clean (a) Trap (b) Rest house of word (occurring in the sentence in
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-75) In the (c) Abrupt (d) Candid (c) Release (d) Alley capital letters) as per the context.
16. NEGLIGIBLE 32. BESPOKE
following items, which of the given (a) Insignificant (b) Arguable (a) Gentle (b) Quiet 50. PHILANTHROPY 64. LITTORAL 76. The engineer ROUGHED OUT
words is closest in meaning to the (c) Careless (d) Dark (c) Tailored (d) Handsome (a) Generosity (b) Perversity (a) Literal his ideas on a piece of paper
words provided. (c) Perjury (d) Flaunting (b) Situated on the shore while he talked.
17. PLACID 33. DIFFIDENT (a) Shaped roughly
1. MODEST 51. TRAIPSE (c) Situated on the mountains
(a) Calm (b) Lazy (a) Apathetic (b) Shy (b) Rejected
(a) Attractive (b) Clever (a) Run (d) Pictoral
(c) Solemn (d) Devious (c) Arrogant (d) Quarrelsome (c) Drew a quick plan
(c) Current (d) Humble (b) Sleep 65. HUBBUB
18. RAKE 34. PROFFER (c) Laze around (a) Calm (b) Network (d) Described inaccurately
2. CUSTOM (a) Thin (b) Scoundrel (a) Mendicant (b) Wastrel (d) Walk or move wearily or (c) Noisy situation (d) A device 77. He fell into an ABYSS of
(a) Dessert (b) Habit (c) Gentleman (d) Shove (c) Predict (d) Tender reluctantly
(c) Ethic (d) Deliver 66. ACCOST despair.
19. DUPE 35. MORDANT 52. MUNIFICENCE (a) To address someone politely (a) Well (b) Deep pit
3. PROLONG (a) Rancher (b) Trick (a) Dead (b) Gruesome (a) Being too proud (b) To demonetise (c) Sea (d) Hollow
(a) Extend (b) Inquire (c) Simpleton (d) Drug (c) Fetid (d) Caustic (b) Being too honest (c) To cheat someone
(c) Relax (d) Wait 78. He had the AUDACITY to
20. STIGMA 36. CHURLISH (c) Being very generous (d) To address someone boldly interrupt the Governor of the
4. HUSTLE (a) Stain (b) Trial (a) Childish (b) Boorish (d) Being very stingy 67. BEGUILING State while the latter was
(a) Dance (b) Hurry (c) Difficulty (d) Holiness (c) Tempestuous (d) Disorderly 53. EMBELLISH (a) Accusing (b) Enchanting addressing a gathering of
(c) Busy (d) Clean (a) Spoil (b) Decorate (c) Surviving (d) Repulsive academicians.
21. RESIDE 37. ANTEDILUVIAN
5. SOLEMN (c) Bother (d) Facilitate 68. SLOBBER (a) Courage (b) Authority
(a) Remain (b) Home (a) Antiquated (b) Parched
(a) Amusing (b) Harmful 54. BASK (a) Sobbing (b) Salivating (c) Foolishness (d) Arrogance
(c) Dwell (d) Sediment (c) Non-sectarian (d) Non-sensical
(c) Speech (d) Serious (a) Lie exposed to warmth and light (c) Revolting (d) Confusing 79. After weeks of FRENETIC
22. COVETOUS 38. PICAYUNE (b) Lie exposed to cold
6. IMPLY (a) Quiet (b) Sneaky (a) Petty (b) Spicy 69. GREGARIOUS activity, the ground was ready
(c) Boast (a) Garrulous (b) Determined for the big match.
(a) Suggest (b) Stab (c) Lurking (d) Greedy (c) Paltry (d) Southern (d) Basket (c) Sociable (d) Aloof (a) Strenuous (b) Hurried
(c) Thick (d) Destroy
23. ABIDE 39. SMITE 55. SKITTISH (c) Excited (d) Hectic
7. RAMBLE 70. REJOINDER
(a) Endure (b) Hate (a) Flee (b) Speck (a) Nervous (b) Confident
(a) Knot (b) Confuse (c) Attendance (d) Live (c) Dirt (d) Strike
(a) A witty reply 80. The students took COPIOUS
(c) Clever (d) Contradicting (b) To rejion after taking leaves notes during the lecture
(c) Wander (d) Wonder
24. SHREWD 40. WINNOW 56. SEAMLESS (c) Strengthen delivered by the visiting
8. BENEFICIAL (a) Intractable (b) Mean (a) Carve (b) Wind (a) Horrid (d) Socialise professor.
(a) Doleful (b) Advantageous (c) Astute (d) Intelligent (c) Weed (d) Carry (b) Smooth and Continuous 71. WHISTLE-BLOWER (a) Extensive (b) Exhaustive
(c) Playful (d) Ignoble (c) Succulent
25. FETTER 41. EXPLOIT (a) A down (b) Informer (c) Bounteous (d) Abounding
9. FLARE (a) Rancid (b) Praise (a) Utilise (b) Alert (d) Rough (c) A maniac (d) Reformer 81. Very few people are
(a) Judicial (b) Temper (c) Hamper (d) Persist (c) Support (d) Neglect 57. INQUITOUS IMPERVIOUS to criticism.
72. TRANCHE
(c) Style (d) Blaze (a) Sinful (b) Remorseful (a) Impenetrable (b) Unaffected
26. FLAGRANT 42. DETRIMENTAL (a) A portion of something,
10. NEGLIGENT (c) Curious (d) Argumentative especially money (c) Unstoppable (d) Unmindful
(a) Vibrant (b) Glaring (a) Demolition (b) Aversion
(a) Pajamas (b) Morbid (c) Vicious (d) Pleasant (c) Beneficial (d) Harmful 58. IMPLODE (b) Waste 82. The policemen kept on
(c) Careless (d) Dark (a) Shake (c) Trance questioning the criminal but
27. MITIGATE 43. SHARP (b) Collapse outwards
11. ALOOF (d) Pit failed to ELICIT the truth.
(a) Relieve (b) Blend (a) Bleakly (b) Bluntly (c) Collapse inwards
(a) Above (b) Tidy (c) Defend (d) Confuse (c) Exactly (d) Blond 73. ANGLING (a) Evoke (b) Wrest
(c) Clever (d) Reserved (d) Soothe (a) Activity of hunting (c) Obtain (d) Extort
28. RAIL 44. CONDEMN 59. IMPUGN (b) Activity of catching rats
12. RESOLVE (a) Scold (b) Push (a) Censure (b) Approve 83. Teaching in universities is now
(a) Praise (b) Custom (c) Activity of catching fish
(a) Turn (b) Puzzle (c) Try (d) Punish (c) Recommend (d) Praise considered a LUCRATIVE job.
(c) Purge (d) Challenge (d) Planning
(c) Decide (d) Want (a) Risky (b) Profitable
29. MELD 45. RELUCTANT 60. BANQUET 74. BLOAT (c) Honourable (d) Undignified
13. CONGREGATE (a) Character (b) Distinction (a) Disinclined (b) Anxious (a) Lunch (a) To become swollen
(a) Worship (b) Gather (c) Blend (d) Firmness (c) Refuse (d) Eager (b) Fast 84. A MENDICANT old man
(b) To shrink
(c) Disturb (d) Hurry (c) Formal evening meal roamed the streets of the town.
30. RALLY 46. INTRICATE (c) To block
14. UTTER (d) Breakfast (a) Punctual (b) Begging
(a) Demonstrate (b) Muster (a) Complicated (b) Simple (d) To revolt
(a) Express (b) Defer (c) Rich (d) Lazy
(c) Course (d) Truly (c) Colourful (d) Good 61. PULVERISE 75. INCARCERATE
(c) Borrow (d) Laugh (a) Celebrate (a) To decorate 85. I do not like RAPACIOUS
31. ABJECT 47. PENURY people.
15. FEARLESS (b) Condemn publically (b) To confine
(a) Indigent (b) Desire (a) Prompous (b) Luxury (a) Hungry (b) Extravagant
(a) Powerful (b) Cowardly (c) Confiscate (c) To kill
(c) Deplorable (d) Extreme (c) Poverty (d) Punitive (c) Greedy (d) Foolish
(c) Brave (d) Careful (d) Reduce to fine particles (d) To demonstrate
GENERAL ENGLISH Synonyms 455 456 CDS Pathfinder

86. The miscreants DESECRATED

the tomb.
97. 450 students were CONFERRED
degrees in the event organised
109. The injection provided a
temporary REPRIEVE from the
QUESTIONS FROM
(a) Decorated
(b) Respected
(c) Built
by the university.
(a) Granted
(c) Arranged
(b) Agreed
(d) Established
pain.
(a) Escape
(c) Submission
(b) Addiction
(d) Increase
CDS EXAM (2012-2016)
(d) Treat with violent disrespect 98. A huge wave SWAMPED the 110. Tenants petitioned their Directions (Q. Nos. 1-106) Each of the following items consists of a sentence followed by four words or group of
87. This variety of guava is canoe. RECALCIRANT landlord to words. Select the synonym of word (occurring in the sentence in capital letters) as per the context.
PROLIFIC. (a) Flood (b) Striked finish repairs to their building.
(a) Bearing Less fruits (c) Destroy (d) Push (a) Hostile 2012 (I) (c) Short-tempered 22. GIVE UP
(b) Bearing no fruits (b) Pleasing (d) Ugly
99. Rahul claimed that his friend 1. I never believed that it was the (a) Abandon (b) Present
(c) Prone to diseases (c) Unwilling to obey signature of the 11. People thronged to pay
had been CONSORTING with AUTHENTIC HOMAGE (c) Lift (d) Scatter
(d) Producing much fruit (d) Irritating Prime Minister. to the departed leader.
the local mafia. 23. SPECIFIC
88. The actor got PEEVISH on (a) Agreeing (b) Spending time 111. A BENIGN lady was hurt in (a) Hand-written (b) Genuine (a) Humility (b) Tribute
(a) Proper (b) Uncommon
asking personal questions (c) Fighting (d) Arguing the accident. (c) Proper (d) Authoritative (c) Obedience (d) Allegiance
(c) Noteworthy (d) Precise
(a) Irritated (b) Happy (a) Rude (b) Insolent 2. Valiant Vicky used to of
BOAST 12. He kept his eyes peeled and his
100. Sakshi was BANISHED to an 24. ERADICATE
(c) Shy (d) Satisfied (c) Tricky (d) Kind his bravery to his beloved wife. ears pricked for some important
uninhabitated island for 6 (a) Put up (b) Remove
89. Painkillers have a months. 112. Lately I have been feeling very (a) Cry (b) Abuse CLUE.
(a) Hint (b) Inkling (c) Soften (d) Suppress
PERNICIOUS effect on the (a) Vacate (b) Estimate HARRIED at work. (c) Hate (d) Brag
organs. (c) Deport (d) Flown (a) Worried (b) Hurt (c) Intimation (d) Signal 25. PROBABLE
3. I can no longer be satisfied
(a) Opposite (b) Harmful (a) Certain (b) Indefinite
101. Rashi is an EXPONENT of free (c) Relaxed (d) Guilty with FICTITIOUS good conduct. 13. The spectators looked at the
(c) Beneficial (d) Calculated (a) Based on facts batsman in AMAZEMENT when he (c) Likely (d) Temporary
thinking. 113. We won’t have discussions with
90. The President of the company (b) Based on imagination hit sixer after sixer. 26. ADHERE
(a) Supporter (b) Opposer them until they ESCHEW
was HECKLED when he (c) Based on works of fiction (a) Shock (b) Wonder (a) Act reluctantly
(c) Patriot (d) Thinker violence.
addressed the gathering. (d) Based on feudal ties (c) Surprise (d) Suspicion (b) Give allegiance
102. The truck JUDDERED to a halt. (a) Give up (b) Take up
(a) Praised (b) Interrupted 4. MASS MURDER is very often a 14. Very few of our batsmen have (c) Waver frequently
(a) Shook (b) Stopped (c) Reduce (d) Criminalise
(c) Empowered (d) Approved result of communal frenzy. any real CONSISTENCY. (d) React promptly
(c) Screeched (d) Came 114. His ruthless accumulation of (a) Patricide (b) Fratricide (a) Constancy (b) Competence 27. INFER
91. The birth of a girl is still wealth stands as a PARADIGM
103. This is another example of big (c) Regicide (d) Genocide (c) Permanence (d) Uniformity (a) Conclude (b) Calculate
regarded as an IMPRECATION. of greed in the business
(a) Blessing (b) Good Omen companies joining together to 5. The two EXECUTIONERS 15. He has an ELECTRIFYING (c) Debate (d) Suggest
STOMP ON small businesses. industry. approached the tree with a red
(c) Curse (d) Austerity presence. 28. HESITATE
(a) Help (b) Promote (a) Supporter (b) Opposer mark on its side.
92. The birds made a TRILLING (c) Model (d) Arbitrer (a) Attractive (b) Fearsome (a) Afraid to talk
(c) Discourage (d) Defeat (a) Executive engineers
noise in the morning. (c) Exciting (d) Disturbing (b) Unwilling to act
115. Soldiers from many different (b) Explorers
(a) Quavering (b) Peculiar 104. My friend KICKED THE (c) Experimenters 16. For better health we must (c) Unwilling to speak
BUCKET when he was 49. countries have been (d) Unable to decide quickly
(c) Pleasant (d) Husky (d) Those who inflict capital REFRAIN from smoking.
(a) Got famous
SUBSUMED into the UN
93. PANTISOCRACY is a form of punishment (a) Dissuade (b) Desist 29. EXPLICIT
(b) Married peace-keeping force.
(a) Government by the Wealthy (c) Prevent (d) Curb (a) Immediate
(c) To die (a) Excluded (b) Included 6. The MAIDEN SPEECH of the
(b) Government by a small group (c) Punished (d) Praised young member of the Lok 17. The article was so well written (b) Plainly stated
(d) Start a new company (c) Marked
of people Sabha was very much that it MERITED careful study.
105. My goal is CONGRUENT with 116. The song had a SOPORIFIC appreciated by the people. (d) Revealing the secret
(c) Government in which all are (a) Deserved (b) Encouraged
my friend’s goal. effect on the child. (a) Farewell speech
equal in social position and (c) Prompted (d) Supported 30. SUFFICIENT
(a) Soothing (b) Short speech
responsibility. (a) Opposite (b) Similar (a) Adequate (b) Complete
(b) Terrific (c) First speech
(c) Different (d) Bigger
(d) Government by the poor
106. He treats her with such
(c) Supreme (d) Speech about women 2012 (II) (c) Full (d) Frugal
94. Garima looked SHRIVELLED (d) Sleep-inducing 18. PROHIBIT 31. REPRESS
DEFERENCE. 7. Please do not INTERFERE (a) Express (b) Impress
after recovering from Malaria. 117. His ALLEGIANCE to the party (a) Forbid (b) Forfeit
(a) Hostility (b) Disrespect with my work. (c) Curb (d) Confuse
(a) Weak (b) Shrunken was suspected from the very (c) Forsake (d) Forbear
(c) Criticism (d) Respect (a) Meddle (b) Help
(c) Glowing (d) Drunken beginning. (c) Object (d) Copy 32. VINDICTIVE
107. Amit made a sharp RIPOSTE. 19. DUBIOUS
95. Lava was being EXTRUDED (a) Servility (b) Obedience (a) Cruel (b) Harsh
(a) Quick and clever remark 8. This job is very TEDIOUS. (a) Dismal (b) Doubtful
from the volcano. (c) Loyalty (d) Passivity (c) Revengeful (d) Rude
(b) Attack (a) Tiresome (b) Dull (c) Derogatory (d) Devilish
(a) Swallowed (b) Cleaned (c) Interesting (d) Exciting
(c) Exit 118. Sympathetic criticism has a 20. ECCENTRIC
(c) Inserted (d) Forced out
(d) Alert SALUTARY effect. 9. She TAKES AFTER her mother. (a) Destructive (b) Deceitful 2013 (II)
96. The stray dog was PUT DOWN (a) Premature (b) Terrible (a) Follows (b) Comes after (c) Conformist (d) Unconventional 33. PAINSTAKING
108. Overeating often leads to
by the residents. (c) Disastrous (d) Beneficial (c) Resembles (d) Imitates (a) Feeling panic
DYSPEPSIA. 21. CONTRADICT
(a) Domesticated 119. His bad behaviour EVOKED (b) Thorough and rigorous
(a) Weight gain 10. He is very intelligent, but (a) Request politely
(b) Set Free punishment. (c) Taking risk
(b) Fatness ILL-FAVOURED by nature. (b) Deny emphatically
(c) Killed (a) Escaped (b) Called for (d) Painful and sorrowful
(c) Vomitting (a) Unlucky (c) Talk abusively
(d) United (c) Produced (d) Summoned
(d) Indigestion (b) Weak in health (d) Contempt
GENERAL ENGLISH Synonyms 457 458 CDS Pathfinder

34. SUBSTANTIAL 52. ODIUM 61. He is A SYCOPHANT who tries 76. MOTIVATION (a) Time-consuming
96. Society cannot depend upon a
(a) Delicate (b) Graceful (a) Illness (b) Hatred to win over politicians. (a) Persuade (b) Emotion (b) Complicated
FANATIC for guidance.
(c) Sensational (d) Significant (c) Oddity (d) Devious (a) A psychologist (c) Ambition (d) Incitement (c) Renewed
(a) Optimist (b) Martyr
(b) An opportunist (d) Thorough
35. INDOLENT 77. RESIDUE (c) Bigot (d) Anarchist
(c) An unscrupulous man 87. He is just LAYING UP a lot of
(a) Cautious
(c) Unintelligent
(b) Lazy
(d) Stubborn
2014 (I) (d) A flatterer
(a) Remainder (b) Nothing
trouble for himself. 97. A busy person cannot waste his
(c) Recede (d) Little time on TRIVIAL issues.
53. She is a woman of STERLING 62. I cannot believe in the (a) Clearing (b) Accumulating
36. VEHEMENTLY 78. PERPETUAL (c) Accepting (d) Removing (a) Unimportant (b) Rude
qualities. VERACITY of his statement.
(a) Devoutly (b) Serenely (a) Perfect (b) Confused (c) Crude (d) Tribal
(a) Interesting (b) Genuine (a) Truth (b) Usefulness 88. He fought the demon with all his
(c) Hysterically (d) Forcefully (c) Never ending (d) Seasonal
(c) Irritating (d) Exciting (c) Sincerity (d) Falsity MIGHT.
37. OBLIVIOUS
54. Although the boys in his class 79. ASSENT (a) Heaviness (b) Strength 2016 (I)
(a) Narrow-minded (b) Daring (a) Climb (b) Confirm (c) Density (d) Popularity 98. AMBIGUOUS
(c) Stubborn (d) Unaware were naughty, he never 2014 (II)
resorted to CORPORAL (c) Answer (d) Agree 89. Devotees believe that God (a) Contrasting (b) Connivance
38. FEIGNED punishment. 63. ASPIRE 80. DEFIANCE DWELLS in their heart. (c) Vague (d) Wilful
(a) Pretended (b) Played (a) Harsh (b) Physical (a) Breathe (b) Stairs (a) Insult (b) Denial (a) Lives (b) Insists
(c) Developed (d) Failed
99. ELUCIDATE
(c) Unjust (d) General (c) Hope for (d) Thorn (c) Degradation (d) Resistance (c) Travels (d) Enters (a) Clarify (b) Calculate
39. PENURY 55. He wanted to MITIGATE his 64. SEQUEL 81. EMANCIPATE 90. Not everyone can RESPOND TO a (c) Summarise (d) Update
(a) Poverty (b) Petty (a) Ending (b) Beginning (a) Liberate (b) Release difficult question quickly.
burdens. 100. MONOTONOUS
(c) Phony (d) Pathetic (c) Continuation (d) Similarity (c) Acquit (d) Unchain (a) Discuss (b) Argue
(a) Lessen (b) Increase (a) Dreary
40. AFFECTATION (c) Postpone (d) Leave 65. PERPETUAL 82. HOSTILITY (c) Answer (d) Deny
(b) Dreadful
(a) Adoration (b) Artificiality (a) Constant (b) Real (a) Hospitality (b) Jealousy 91. The sage did not want to be
56. She adjusted quite well with (c) Single-minded
(c) Appreciation (d) Proficiency (c) Mistaken (d) Painful (c) Enmity (d) Envy bothered with MUNDANE
her husband’s (d) Monologue
41. STIFLE concerns.
IDIOSYNCRASIES. 66. ASSENT (a) Worldly (b) Meaningless 101. KINDLE
(a) Starve (b) Stumble
(c) Smother (d) Stagger
(a) Peculiar habits (a) Despatch (b) Climb 2015 (II) (c) Trivial (d) Superfluous (a) Make fun of (b) Excite
(b) Bad habits (c) Flavour (d) Agreement 83. All these items have been (c) Very kind (d) Kind-hearted
42. BESEECH (c) Weaknesses 92. Mountaineering in bad weather is
67. DEFIANCE MARKED DOWN. 102. PALATIAL
(a) Request (b) Overwhelm (d) Stupid manners DANGEROUS.
(a) Attack (b) Disobedience (a) Reserved (a) Very clean (b) Very special
(c) Bless (d) Promise (a) Threatening (b) Shaky
57. The Deputy Inspector General (c) Protection (d) Shyness (b) Packed up (c) Sense of taste (d) Magnificent
43. STALEMATE (c) Perilous (d) Slippery
made a PERFUNCTORY 68. HOSTILITY (c) Reduced in price 103. TACTFUL
(a) Degeneration (b) Deadlock inspection of the police (d) Entered 93. Stellar groupings tend to be
(a) Kindness (b) Enmity (a) Diplomatic (b) Indifferent
(c) Exhaustion (d) Settlement station. UNLIMITED.
(c) Entertainment (d) Illness 84. How can you have the (c) Intelligent (d) Deceitful
44. IMPROMPTU (a) Thorough and complete EFFRONTERY to ask for (a) Lengthy (b) Heavenly 104. VORACIOUS
(a) Important (b) Impressive (b) Superficial
69. INDIFFERENT (c) Huge (d) Infinite
another loan? (a) Very bad (b) Insatiable
(c) Inspiring (d) Offhand (a) Similar (b) Various
(c) Done as a routine but (a) Right (b) Impudence 94. One who rules with unlimited (c) Stingy (d) Malicious
(c) Unconcerned (d) Shy
45. LUCRATIVE without interest (c) Heart (d) Courage
70. CONDEMN power is called a DICTATOR. 105. STRICTURE
(a) Profitable (b) Important (d) Intensive 85. There was a DEVASTATING (a) Anarchist (b) Autocrat
(a) Censure (b) Approve (a) Strictness (b) Stinging
(c) Challenging (d) Worthwhile 58. The decision to drop the atom attack on his work. (c) Egoist (d) Sychophant (c) Discipline (d) Censure
(c) Qualify (d) Despair (a) Terrible (b) Casual
46. FORTHRIGHT bomb on Hiroshima was a 106. OBEISANCE
(a) Honest and outspoken 71. CONFIDENT (c) Unethical (d) Motivated 95. He was not ready with his
GRAVE one. (a) Homage (b) Pilgrimage
(b) Serious and stubborn (a) Serious (b) Momentous (a) Full (b) Friendly 86. The committee conducted an ANNUAL accounts.
(a) Yearly (b) Important (c) Subjugation (d) Obligation
(c) Strong and brave (c) Instinctive (d) Impulsive (c) Sure (d) Secret EXHAUSTIVE inquiry.
(d) Willing and determined (c) Monthly (d) Permanent
59. A scientist generally carries 72. DEFECT
47. REPRIMAND (a) Truth (b) Deception
(a) Praise (b) Reminder
out his investigations
EMPIRICALLY. (c) Shortcoming (d) Loss ANSWERS
(c) Rebuke (d) Reward 73. JEALOUS
(a) By intuitively
48. PUNCTILIOUS (b) By verbally (a) Envious (b) Happy
Check Your Vocabulary
(a) Serious (b) Careful (c) through written (c) Prisoner (d) Enthusiastic 1 d 2 b 3 a 4 b 5 d 6 a 7 c 8 b 9 d 10 c
(c) Punctual (d) Hardworking communication 11 d 12 c 13 b 14 a 15 c 16 a 17 a 18 b 19 b 20 a
74. TRIP
49. DISCREET (d) By observation and 21 c 22 d 23 a 24 c 25 c 26 b 27 a 28 a 29 c 30 b
(a) Journey (b) Plant
(a) Mature (b) Intelligent experiment 31 d 32 c 33 b 34 d 35 d 36 b 37 a 38 a 39 d 40 c
(c) Design (d) Press
(c) Clever (d) Prudent 41 a 42 d 43 c 44 a 45 a 46 a 47 c 48 d 49 a 50 a
60. He is employed in an 51 d 52 c 53 b 54 a 55 a 56 b 57 a 58 c 59 d 60 c
50. MOMENTOUS ORDNANCE factory. 2015 (I) 61 d 62 d 63 a 64 b 65 c 66 d 67 b 68 b 69 c 70 a
(a) Time-tested (b) Momentary (a) Orthodox 71 b 72 a 73 c 74 a 75 b 76 c 77 b 78 a 79 b 80 b
(c) Very important (d) Hectic (b) Arms and ammunition 75. DEPLORE
(a) Condemn (b) Entreat 81 b 82 a 83 b 84 b 85 c 86 d 87 d 88 a 89 b 90 b
51. PORTEND (c) Electrical and electronic 91 c 92 a 93 c 94 b 95 d 96 c 97 a 98 a 99 b 100 c
(d) Ordinary and common (c) Regret (d) Malign
(a) Profess (b) Portray 101 a 102 a 103 d 104 c 105 b 106 d 107 a 108 d 109 a 110 c
(c) Think (d) Foreshadow 111 d 112 a 113 a 114 c 115 b 116 d 117 c 118 d 119 b
GENERAL ENGLISH Synonyms 459 460 CDS Pathfinder

Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16) 45. (a) Reluctant means unwilling and 70. (a) A reply, especially a witty one is 94. (b) Shrivel means wrinkle or contract.
hesitant. So, ‘disinclined’ is its called as a Rejoinder. So, out of the given options ‘shrunken’
1 b 2 d 3 c 4 d 5 d 6 c 7 a 8 a 9 c 10 d synonym. 71. (b) A person who informs on a is its synonym.
11 b 12 a 13 a 14 a 15 c 16 b 17 a 18 a 19 b 20 d 46. (a) Intricate is ‘complicated’. person or organisation as engaging in 95. (d) Extrude means ‘to force out’.
21 b 22 a 23 d 24 b 25 c 26 b 27 a 28 d 29 b 30 a 47. (c) Penury is the state of being an unlawful or immoral activity is 96. (c) The phrase put down means ‘to
31 c 32 c 33 c 34 d 35 b 36 d 37 d 38 a 39 a 40 b very poor. So, ‘poverty’ is its called a Whistle-blower. kill’.
41 c 42 a 43 b 44 d 45 a 46 a 47 c 48 b 49 d 50 c synonym. 72. (a) ‘A portion of something, 97. (a) Conferred means ‘granted’.
51 d 52 b 53 b 54 b 55 a 56 a 57 b 58 a 59 d 60 b 48. (d) Expostulate means to express especially money’ is called as
Tranche. 98. (a) Swamped means to cover a place
61 d 62 a 63 c 64 c 65 a 66 d 67 b 68 b 69 c 70 a strong disapproval or disagreement. or thing with large amount of water.
71 c 72 c 73 a 74 a 75 a 76 a 77 a 78 c 79 d 80 d Hence, ‘argue’ is its synonym. 73. (c) Angling is ‘activity of catching So, ‘flood’ is its synonym.
49. (a) Absurd means extremely silly, fish’.
81 a 82 c 83 c 84 b 85 a 86 d 87 b 88 b 89 a 90 c 99. (b) Consort is ‘to spend a lot of time
foolish or unreasonable. So, 74. (a) Bloat means ‘to become swollen in the company of a particular group
91 a 92 c 93 d 94 b 95 a 96 c 97 a 98 c 99 a 100 a
‘senseless’ is its synonym. with fluid or gas’. of people, especially people whose
101 b 102 d 103 a 104 b 105 d 106 a
50. (a) Philanthropy is the practice of 75. (b) Incarcerate means ‘to imprison or character is not approved of ’.
giving money and time to help confine’. 100. (c) ‘Deport’ is the synonym of Banish.
make life better for other people. 76. (c) Roughed out is a phrasal verb
So, ‘generosity’ is its synonym. 101. (a) An exponent is a ‘person who
means ‘to draw a rough draft’. So, supports an idea or belief or performs
EXPLANATIONS 51.

Check Your Vocabulary
1. (d) Modest means to be free of
conceit or pretension. So, ‘humble’ is
its synonym.
2. (b) Custom means long established
practice. So, ‘habit’ is its synonym.
3. (a) Prolong means lengthen in time.
So, ‘extend’ is its synonym.
4. (b) Hustle means to move quickly.
So, ‘hurry’ is its synonym.
(d) Solemn means very serious or
5.
formal in manner, behaviour or
expression. So, ‘serious’ is its
synonym.
6. (a) Imply means express indirectly.
So, ‘suggest’ is its synonym.
7. (c) Ramble means move aimlessly
from place to place. So, ‘wander’ is
its synonym.
8. (b) Beneficial means causing benefit.
So, ‘advantageous’ is its synonym.
9. (d) Flare means a fire. So, ‘blaze’ is
its synonym.
10. (c) Negligent means marked by
neglect. So, ‘careless’ is its synonym.
11. (d) Aloof means not friendly. So,
‘reserved’ is its synonym.
12. (c) One meaning of resolve is to
‘decide’.
13. (b) To congregate means ‘to gather
in a group’.
14. (a) To utter means ‘to express in
words’.
15. (c) Fearless means ‘lacking fear or
brave’.
16. (a) Negligible means very small or
unimportant. So, ‘insignificant’ is its
synonym.
17. (a) Placid means free of disturbance.
So, ‘calm’ is its synonym.
18. (b) A rake is a dissolute person. So,
‘scoundrel’ is its synonym.
19. (b) Dupe means deceive. So, ‘trick’ is
its synonym.
(a) Stigma means a mark of shame
20.
or discredit. So, ‘stain’ is its synonym.
21. (c) Reside means occupy a place as
one’s home. So, ‘dwell’ is its synonym.
22. (d) Covetous means having or
showing a great desire to posses
something belonging to someone
else. So, ‘greedy’ is its synonym.
23. (a) Abide means accept or bear
someone or something bad,
unpleasant etc. So, ‘endure’ is its
synonym.
24. (c) Shrewd means having or showing
sharp powers of judgement. So,
‘astute’ is its synonym.
25. (c) Fetter means restrain. So,
‘hamper’ is its synonym.
26. (b) Flagrant means too bad to be
ignored. So, ‘glaring’ is its synonym.
27. (a) Mitigate means to make less
severe or painful. So, ‘relieve’ is its
synonym.
28. (a) Rail means ‘scold in harsh,
abusive language’.
29. (c) Meld means merge. So, ‘blend’ is
its synonym.
30. (b) Rally means ‘muster for a
common purpose’.
31. (d) Abject means extremely bad or
severe. So, ‘extreme’ is its synonym.
32. (c) Bespoke means custom made;
‘tailored’ also means custom-made.
33. (b) Diffident means shy and lacking
in confidence. So, ‘shy’ is its
synonym.
34. (d) Proffer means put something
forward for acceptance. So, ‘tender’ is
its synonym.
35. (d) Mordant means cruel and
criticising in a humorous way. So,
‘caustic’ is its synonym.
36. (b) Churlish means impolite. So,
‘boorish’ is its synonym.
37. (a) Antediluvian means very old or
old-fashioned. So, ‘antiquated’ is its
synonym.
38. (a) Picayune means of little value or
significance. So, ‘petty’ is its
synonym.
39. (d) Smite means ‘to strike heavily
especially with a weapon or the
hand’.
40. (c) Winnow means ‘to get rid of ’,
So, ‘weed’ is its synonym.
41. (a) Exploit means to make full use of
and derive benefit from a resource.
So, ‘utilise’ is its synonym.
42. (d) Detrimental means ‘harmful’.
43. (c) One meaning of sharp is
‘precisely or exactly’.
(a) Condemn means ‘to express
44.
complete disapproval of or censure’.
52.
(d) To traipse means ‘to walk or
move wearily or reluctantly’.
(c) The quality of ‘being very
generous’ is called as Munificence.
53. (b) ‘Decorate’ is synonymous with
Embellish.
54. (a) Bask means ‘to lie exposed to
warmth and light’.
55. (a) Skittish means ‘nervous or
excitable’.
56. (b) Seamless means ‘smooth and
continuous’.
57. (a) Inquitous means grossly unfair
and morally wrong. So, ‘sinful’ is its
synonym.
58. (c) Implode is ‘collapse or cause to
collapse violently inwards’.
59. (d) Impugn is to call into question.
So, ‘challenge’ is its synonym.
60. (c) Banquet stands ‘for an elaborate
and formal evening meal for many
people’.
61. (d) Pulverise means ‘to reduce to
fine particles’.
62. (d) Bucolic is relating to the
pleasant aspects of the country side
and country life. So, ‘rural’ would
be its synonym.
63. (a) To snare is to ‘trap’.
64. (b) Littoral is ‘relating to or situated
on the shore of the sea or a lake’.
65. (c) ‘A busy, noisy situation’ is called
as hubbub.
66. (d) ‘To address someone boldly or
aggressively’ is called as Accost.
67. (b) Beguiling is ‘charming or
enchanting’, often in a deceptive
way.
68. (b) ‘Salivating’ is the synonym of
slobber.
69. (c) Gregarious means ‘sociable’.
77.
‘drew a quick plan’ is its synonym.
(b) Abyss means ‘a deep pit’. 102.
an activity’.
(a) Judder is to ‘shake violently’.
78. (a) Audacity means the rashness or 103. (d) The phrase stomp on means ‘to
brashness to do something. So,
‘courage’ is its synonym.
defeat someone’.
104. (c) The idiom kick the bucket means
79. (b) Frenetic means lots of ‘to die’.
unsystematic activities. So, ‘hurried’ is
the right choice. 105. (b) Congruent means ‘similar to’.
80. (b) Copious means abundant or 106. (d) Deference stands ‘for respect and
politeness’.
plentiful. So, ‘exhaustive’ is its
synonym. 107. (a) ‘A quick and clever remark’ is
called a Riposte.
81. (b) Impervious means not able to be
influenced, hurt or damaged. So, 108. (d) ‘Indigestion’ is related to
‘unaffected’ is its synonym. Dyspepsia.
82. (a) ‘Elicit’ and ‘Evoke’ mean the 109. (a) ‘An escape from a bad situation’ is
called as Reprieve.
same i.e. ‘to cause a particular
response to happen’.
110. (c) Recalcicrant means ‘unwilling to
83. (b) Lucrative and ‘profitable’ both obey’.
mean the same, i.e. ‘attractive and 111. (d) Benign stands for ‘pleasant and
full of profit’.
kind’.
84. (b) Mendicant means a beggar. So, 112. (a) Harried means ‘anxious or
option (b) is the correct answer. worried’ because you have too many
85. (c) Rapacious is synonymous with things to do.
‘greedy’. 113. (a) Eschew means to ‘give up’.
86. (d) Desecrate means ‘treating with
114. (c) Paradigm is a ‘model of
violent disrespect’. something, or a very clear and typical
87. (d) The meaning of ‘Prolific’ is example of something’.
‘producing much fruit and foilage’. 115. (b) Subsume is to ‘include something
88. (a) Getting peevish means ‘to get or someone as part of a larger group’.
irritated’. 116. (d) Soporific means ‘tending to
89. (b) Pernicious means ‘harmful’. induce drowsiness or sleep’.
90. (b) Heckle means ‘to interrupt a 117. (c) Allegiance means ‘loyalty or
public speaker with derisive or commitment to a superior or to a
aggressive comments or abuse’. group or cause’.
91. (c) Imprecation means ‘a curse’. 118. (d) Salutary means having a good or
helpful result especially after
92. (a) Trilling is a ‘quavering or
something unpleasant has happened.
vibratory sound’.
So, ‘beneficial’ is its synonym.
93. (c) Pantisocracy is a form of utopian
social organisation in which all are 119. (b) Evoked means to cause a particular
reaction or response to happen. So,
equal in social position and
responsibility. ‘called for’ is its synonym.
GENERAL ENGLISH Synonyms
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)
1. (b) Meaning of Authentic is
conforming to fact and therefore
worthy of trust, reliance or belief. Its
synonym from the given options is
‘Genuine’.
2. (d) Boast means to speak of (one’s
own achivements possessions etc)
arrogantly adding things that may be
false. ‘Brag’ is also similar in
meaning to it.
3. (b) Meaning of Fictitious–not
genuine or authentic; assumed; false.
From the options, option (b) is the
best option as conduct can be
imaginary.
(d) ‘Genocide’ is the deliberate
4.
killing of a large number of people.
(d) Meaning of Executioner – An
5.
official in charge of carrying out the
death sentence passed upon a
condemned person.
(c) ‘First speech’ is called as Maiden
6.
Speech.
7. (a) Meaning of Interfere – To be or
create a hindrance or obstacle.
So, ‘meddle’ is its synonym.
8. (a) Meaning of Tedious – ‘Tiresome’
by reason of length, slowness or
dullness; boring.
9. (c) Meaning of Takes after and
‘resemble’ is to look same in
appearance, temperament or
character.
10. (d) Ill-favour means repulsive or
unattractive in appearance.
11. (b) Homage means ‘to pay tribute’.
12. (a) Clue means something that
serves to guide or direct in the
solution of a problem or mystery. So,
‘hint’ is its synonym.
13. (a) Amazement is a ‘state of extreme
surprise or wonder or astonishment’.
As per the sentence, option (a)
would be its synonym.
14. (a) Consistency is a ‘harmonious
uniformity or agreement or
constancy among things or parts or
events’. So, option (a) is the right
choice.
15. (c) Both electrifying and exciting
mean ‘causing a surge of excitement’.
16. (b) Refrain means to keep or
prevent oneself from doing or saying
something. It is synonymous with
‘desist’.
17. (a) Merit as a verb means to
earn or to deserve. So, ‘deserved’
is the correct option as its
synonym.
18. (a) Prohibit means to stop
something from being done or
used especially by law. ‘Forbid’ is
most similar in meaning to it.
19. (b) Dubious means not certain
and slightly suspicious about
something. Hence, ‘doubtful’ is its
synonym.
20. (d) Eccentric means considered
by other people to be strange or
unusual. Out of the given
alternatives ‘unconventional’ is
most similar in meaning to it.
21. (b) Contradict means deny the
truth of a statement by asserting
the opposite. Hence, ‘deny
emphatically’ is its synonym.
22. (a) Give up means to stop trying
to do something. Out of the
given alternatives ‘abandon’ is
most similar in meaning to it.
23. (d) Specific means detailed and
exact. Hence, ‘precise’ is its
synonym.
24. (b) Eradicate means to get rid of
something especially something
bad. ‘Remove’ also means the
same.
25. (c) Probable means ‘likely to
happen or to be true’.
26. (b) Adhere means to stick firmly
to something. ‘Give allegiance’
also has the same meaning.
27. (a) Infer means to reach an
opinion or decide that something
is true on the basis of
information that is available.
Hence, ‘conclude’ is its synonym
here.
28. (d) Hesitate means to be worried
about doing something especially
because you are not sure that it
is right or appropriate. Hence,
‘unable to decide quickly’ is its
correct synonym.
29. (b) Explicit means said, done or
shown in an open or direct way.
Hence, ‘plainly stated’ is the right
option.
461
30. (a) ‘Sufficient’ and ‘adequate’ both mean
‘enough for a particular purpose’.
31. (c) Repress means to try not to show an
emotion or a feeling. ‘Curb’ is most
similar in meaning to it.
32. (c) ‘Vindictive and revengeful’ both have
the same meaning i.e. ‘disposed to seek
revenge’.
33. (c) Painstaking means one who is ready
to take pain. Hence, ‘taking risk’ is the
right choice.
34. (d) Substantial means large in amount.
The same is meant by ‘significant’.
35. (b) Indolent means slothful or idle. The
same is meant by ‘lazy’.
36. (d) Vehemently means caused by strong
feelings. The same is meant by
‘forcefully’.
37. (d) Oblivious means not conscious or
aware of. The same is meant by
‘unaware’.
38. (a) Feigned means behaved in a
particular way in order to make other
people believe something that is not
true. The same is meant by ‘pretended’.
39. (a) Penury means the state of being
poor. The same is meant by ‘poverty’.
40. (b) Affectation means not genuine or
natural. The same is meant by
‘artificiality’.
41. (c) Stifle means to suffocate or suppress.
The same is meant by ‘smother’.
42. (a) Beseech means to ask earnestly.
‘Request’ means the same.
43. (b) Stalemate means a situation in
which neither side can make any
progress. ‘Deadlock’ also means the
same.
44. (d) Impromptu means without being
prepared or unrehearsed. ‘Offhand’ is its
synonym.
45. (a) Lucrative means that which yields
great profit. ‘Profitable’ also means the
same.
46. (a) Forthright means saying exactly
what a person thinks, in a clear and
direct way. ‘Honest and outspoken’ also
mean the same.
47. (c) Reprimand means to tell somebody
officially that he/she has done
something wrong. ‘Rebuke’ means ‘to
speak angrily to somebody because
he/she has done something wrong’.
462
48. (b) Punctilious means showing great
attention to detail or correct
behaviour. So, ‘careful’ is its
synonym.
49. (d) Discreet means careful in what
one says and does so as not to cause
embarrassment or difficulty for
somebody. ‘Prudent’ means ‘sensible
and careful when making judgements
and decisions’.
50. (c) Momentous means having great
importance. ‘Very important’ implies
the same.
51. (d) Portend means to give warning
of. ‘Foreshadow’ also means ‘be a
warning or indication of a future
event’.
52. (b) Odium means general dislike or
disapproval. ‘Hatred’ also means the
same.
53. (b) Sterling means ‘genuine or
reliable’ when used for a person.
54. (b) Corporal punishment means
‘physical punishment’.
55. (a) Mitigate means ‘to lessen’.
56. (a) Idiosyncrasies are ‘peculiar
habits’.
57. (b) Perfunctory means done quickly,
without taking care or interest. So,
‘superficial’ is its synonym.
58. (a) Grave means ‘serious’.
59. (d) Empirical means ‘based on
observation or experience’. Hence,
option (d) is its synonym.
60. (b) Ordnance refers to ‘arms and
ammunition’.
61. (d) A Sycophant means ‘a flatterer’.
62. (a) Veracity means ‘truth’.
63. (c) Aspire means longing. So, ‘hope
for’ is its correct synonym.
64. (c) Sequel means follow up. So,
‘continuation’ is its correct synonym.
65. (a) Perpetual means lasting. So,
‘constant’ is its correct synonym
which means ‘continual’.
66. (d) Assent means common view. So,
‘agreement’ is its correct synonym.
67. (b) Defiance means disregard. So,
‘disobedience’ is its correct synonym.
68. (b) Hostility means unfriendliness or
opposition. So, ‘enmity’ is its
synonym.
69. (c) Indifferent means uninterested.
So, ‘unconcerned’ is its correct
synonym.
70. (a) Condemn means blame. So,
‘censure’ is its correct synonym which
means ‘belittle’.
71. (c) ‘Confident and sure’ are
synonyms which mean ‘being
definite’.
72. (c) Defect means imperfection. So,
‘shortcoming’ is its perfect synonym.
73. (a) ‘Jealous and envious’ are
synonyms as they mean ‘unhappy
and angry because someone has
something that you want’.
74. (a) Trip means travelling. So,
‘journey’ is its correct synonym.
75. (a) Both ‘deplore and condemn’ have
the same meaning. They are
synonymous.
76. (a) Both ‘motivation and persuade’
have the same meaning, i.e. ‘the act
of motivating’.
77. (a) Both ‘residue and remainder’
have the same meaning, i.e.
‘whatever left’.
78. (c) Perpetual means ‘never ending’.
79. (d) Both ‘assent and agree’ have the
same meaning, i.e. ‘being in
agreement’.
80. (d) Both ‘defiance and resistance’
have the same meaning, i.e. ‘bold
disobedience’.
81. (a) Both ‘emancipate and liberate’
have the same meaning, i.e. ‘to set
free’.
82. (c) Both ‘hostility and enmity’ have
the same meaning, i.e. ‘ill will’.
83. (c) Both ‘mark down and reduce’
have the same meaning i.e. ‘to lessen’.
84. (b) Both ‘effrontery and impudence’
have the same meaning as ‘insolent
or impertinent behaviour’.
85. (a) Both ‘devastating and terrible’
mean the same, i.e. ‘causing severe
distress or grief ’.
86. (d) Both ‘exhaustive and thorough’
have the same meaning i.e.
‘complete’.
87. (b) Both ‘laying up and
accumulating’ have the same
meaning, i.e. ‘build up’.
88. (b) Both ‘might and strength’ mean
the same, i.e. ‘impressive power’.
89. (a) ‘Dwells and lives’ have the same
meaning which means ‘to live’.
CDS Pathfinder
90. (c) Both ‘respond and answer’ have
the same meaning which means ‘say
something in reply’.
91. (a) Both ‘mundane and worldly’
mean the same, i.e. ‘of this earthly
world rather than a heavenly or
spiritual one’.
92. (c) Both ‘dangerous and perilous’
have the same meaning, i.e. ‘likely to
cause harm or injury’.
93. (d) Both ‘unlimited and infinite’
mean the same, i.e. ‘without any
limit’.
94. (b) Both ‘dictator and autocrat’
mean the same, i.e. ‘a ruler with total
power over a country’.
95. (a) Both ‘annual and yearly’ have the
same meaning as ‘occurring once
every year’.
96. (c) Both ‘fanatic and bigot’ mean the
same, i.e. ‘a person who has very
extreme beliefs’.
97. (a) Both ‘trivial and unimportant’
have the same meaning which means
‘of little value or importance’.
98. (c) Both ‘ambiguous and vague’ have
the same meaning, i.e. ‘not clear’.
99. (a) Both ‘elucidate and clarify’ have
the same meaning which means ‘to
explain something or make
something clear’.
100. (a) Both ‘monotonous and dreary’
have the same meaning which means
‘uninteresting or dull’.
101. (b) Both ‘kindle and excite’ have the
same meaning which means ‘become
impassioned’.
102. (d) Both ‘palatial and magnificent’
have the same meaning which means
very large and impressive.
103. (a) Both ‘tactful and diplomatic’
have the same meaning which means
‘having or showing skill and
sensitivity in dealing with others or
with difficult issues’.
104. (b) Both ‘voracious and insatiable’
have the same meaning ‘needing a
lot of something to be satisfied’.
105. (d) Both ‘stricture and censure’ have
the same meaning which means ‘a
remark or comment, especially an
adverse criticism’.
106. (a) Both ‘obeisance and homage’
have the same meaning, i.e. ‘to
express deep respect’.
04
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms 463 464 CDS Pathfinder

CHECK YOUR VOCABULARY

FIND THE ANTONYM OF GIVEN WORDS
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-75) Each of the 15. PACIFY 31. PERSPICACIOUS
following items consists of a sentence (a) Excite (b) Land (a) Calm (b) Easy
followed by four words or group of (c) Coddle (d) Unhand (c) Dull (d) Winsome
words. Select the antonym of the word
(occurring in the sentence in capital 16. SULLEN 32. ELAN

ANTONYMS
(a) Dirty (b) Cheerful (a) Inelegance (b) Stupidity
letters) as per the context.
(c) Clean (d) Risen (c) Obscure (d) Despair
1. DETAIN
(a) Release (b) Silence
17. ASSURE 33. RECONDITE
(a) Alarm (b) Reassure (a) Manifest (b) Flexible
(c) Forget (d) Prosper
(c) Quiet (d) Unsure (c) Provident (d) Sociable
2. FAMOUS
(a) Boring (b) Poor
18. FALLACIOUS 34. GAINSAY
(a) Perfect (b) Truthful (a) Regret (b) Own
(c) Obscure (d) Untalented
(c) Accidental (d) Disarming (c) Prudent (d) Prude
3. COLOSSAL
(a) Easy (b) Tiny
19. GUMPTION 35. EFFLUVIUM
(a) Seriousness (b) Apathy (a) Land (b) Essential
(c) Graceful (d) Fool
Generally, 8-10 questions are asked on antonyms in the CDS exam. The questions can be asked in a (c) Levity (d) Despair (c) Fragrance (d) Solid
direct format or in a sentence format. The candidate is expected to have a good vocabulary to solve these 4. FLUID
(a) Solid (b) Liquid
20. ECSTASY 36. PARSIMONY
questions. (c) Afraid (d) Decent
(a) Gate (b) Agony (a) Generosity (b) Sinfulness
(c) Languor (d) Fatigue (c) Verbosity (d) Tenderness
5. CONTINUE
(a) Curve (b) Argue
21. ASTUTE 37. TRUCULENT
(a) Distraught (b) Careful (a) Faltering (b) Gentle
(c) Carry (d) Pause
(c) Generous (d) Foolish (c) Facile (d) Submissive
6. LABOUR
(a) Amuse (b) Cat
22. WINSOME 38. SPURIOUS
An Antonym is a word that is directly opposite in meaning to a given word. (a) Dour (b) Attractive (a) Disingenuous (b) Thoughtless
(c) Rest (d) Strive
(c) Mysterious (d) Clever (c) Placid (d) Genuine
e.g. The word ‘Fresh’ has its antonym as ‘Stale’. 7. BRAWNY
(a) Swift (b) Weak
23. DROLL 39. WELTER
Questions on antonyms are asked directly or in a sentence format (a) Forget (b) Charm
(c) Strong (d) Pale (a) Order (b) Freeze
(c) Sedate (d) Absurd
1. Direct Format 8. FICKLE
24. ENIGMATIC
(c) Patron (d) Sustain
(a) Steady (b) Kind 40. ECLAT
In this format a word is given and out of the given four options, a word is to be selected which is (c) Please (d) Finagle
(a) Healthy (b) Watchful
(a) Apathy (b) Dullness
opposite in meaning to the given word. (c) Disastrous (d) Obvious
9. INEPT (c) Silence (d) Disinterest
e.g. Which of the given word is opposite in meaning to the word provided? (a) Clumsy (b) Infer
25. OBTUSE
41. PESSIMISTIC
(a) Slim (b) Acute
DEAD (c) Competent (d) Foolish (a) Indifferent (b) Ascetic
(c) Opaque (d) Thick
(a) Moving (b) Life (c) Alive (d) Deceased 10. PIVOTAL (c) Helpful (d) Hopeful
(a) Turning (b) Wavy
26. OBSEQUIOUS
Explanation (c) ‘Dead’ means no longer alive. To find the antonym of dead, we have to consider its (a) Clear (b) Clever
42. ANALOGOUS
opposite meaning i.e. ‘not dead’ or ‘living’. ‘Alive’ means ‘living or not dead’. So, option (c) is the (c) Unimportant (d) Clear (a) Similar
(c) Domineering (d) Dandified
correct choice. 11. CURSED (b) Uncritical
(a) Swore (b) Pious
27. DOLEFUL (c) Disproportionate
(a) Empty (b) Rich
2. Sentence Format (c) Unfortunate (d) Lucky
(c) Witty (d) Elated
(d) Dissimilar

12. CANDID 43. EVIDENT

In this format one word of a sentence is highlighted and out of the given four options, a word is to 28. WANTON (a) Unnoticeable (b) Observed
(a) Unkind (b) Blunt
be selected which is opposite in meaning to that of the highlighted word. (a) Merciful (b) Repast (c) Seen (d) Calculated
(c) Valid (d) Dishonest
e.g. Which of the given words is the antonym of the word written in capital letters? (c) Brilliant (d) Vicious
13. FLAUNT 44. THICK SKINNED
Shyam ran QUICKLY to catch the bus. (a) Regard (b) Sink
29. BANAL (a) Insensitive (b) Sensitive
(a) Weakly (b) Hurriedly (c) Manly (d) Slowly (a) Sincere (b) Wealthy (c) Resolute (d) Different
(c) Hide (d) Propose
(c) Extraordinary (d) Trustworthy
Explanation (d) Considering the given options, antonym of ‘quickly’ is ‘slowly’. Hence, option (d) is 14. HEAL 45. ELEGANCE
(a) Sew (b) Foot
30. LUGUBRIOUS (a) Balance (b) Savagery
the correct answer. (a) Quick (b) Cheerful
(c) Good (d) Maim (c) Dullness (d) Politeness
(c) Salubrious (d) Dry
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms 465 466 CDS Pathfinder

46. STERN 63. ABSTEMIOUS 78. They spent a DISTURBED 90. The revised pay scale is 103. The drug will have 116. I am HUNGRY for success.
(a) Violent (b) Genial (a) Inveterate (b) Self-Indulgent night after hearing the tragic UNIFORM. PERNICIOUS effect on your (a) Desperate (b) Satisfied
(c) Great (d) Crowded (c) Donor (d) Temperate news. (a) Equal (b) Different health. (c) Fighting (d) Disappointed

47. INCREDIBLE 64. CAPTIOUS (a) Restless (b) Sleepless (c) Opposite (d) Varied (a) Beneficial (b) Prolonged 117. His ARTIFICIAL ways were not
(a) Complaining (b) Devouring (c) Mournful (d) Peaceful (c) Ruinous (d) Poor liked by me.
(a) Hard to believe 91. His URBANE attitude won him
(c) Berating (d) Forgiving (a) Genuine (b) True
(b) Hard to understand 79. RECESSION is a major cause many friends. 104. His BOORISH ways
(c) Believable 65. DYSPHORIC of unemployment. (a) Rude (b) Rustic entertained the group. (c) Convincing (d) Promising
(d) Conspicous (a) Uneasy (b) Unsettled (a) Boom (b) Inflation (c) Violent (d) Indifferent (a) Enthusiastic (b) Funny 118. New policy will AGGRAVATE
(c) Euphoric (d) Laconic (c) Poverty (d) (c) Refined (d) Magical the sufferings of the poor.
48. ERSATZ 92. His friends liked everything
(a) Genuine (b) Artificial 66. THRASONICAL Computerisation about him except his 105. A FRIENDLY dog met us at (a) Increase (b) Decrease
(c) Old (d) Outdated (a) Bragging (b) Modest 80. This cloth is a COARSE of touch. FRUGALITY. farm gate. (c) Sullen (d) Fell off
(c) Sullen (d) Defiant (a) Delicate (b) Rough (a) Short temper (b) Extravagance (a) Hostile (b) Quiet 119. Ours is undoubtedly a MORBID
49. CANTANKEROUS
(a) Bad-tempered(b) Sleepy 67. KERFUFFLE (c) Painful (d) Harsh (c) Shabbiness (d) Outspoken (c) Understanding (d) Helpful society.
(c) Affable (d) Polymath (a) Order (b) Confusion 81. We have CREATED a beautiful 93. We all were shocked to hear 106. His performance was (a) Healthy (b) Wicked
(c) Chaos (d) Sentimental new house from out of the old that SCURRILOUS talks from CAPTIVATING. (c) Sober (d) Pleasant
50. NEOPHYTE
(a) Expert (b) Beginner 68. SATURNINE ruin. this shy guy. (a) Poor (b) Excellent 120. It is not a good idea to REFUTE
(c) Gardener (d) Introvert (a) Gloomy (b) Hasty (a) Destroyed (b) Built (a) Decent (b) Irrelevant (c) Repelling (d) Enthralling the hypothesis without knowing
(c) Cheerful (d) Desultory (c) Constructed (d) Planned (c) Relevant (d) Accurate 107. A VIGILANT constable evaded it in details.
51. REPUDIATE (a) Agree (b) Consent
(a) Embrace (b) Determine
69. FROWARD 82. He finally CONCEDED that he 94. The criminal was DETAINED a possible bomb blast in Delhi.
(a) Easy-going (b) Dastardly was involved in smuggling. by the police. (a) Sleeping (b) Incautious (c) Accept (d) Approve
(c) Think (d) Glorify
(c) Cantankerous (d) Somnolent (a) Admitted (b) Accepted (a) Protected (b) Dismissed (c) Coward (d) Lazy 121. His PROPENSITY for crime is
52. COALESCE (c) Denied (d) Concealed (c) Released (d) Deterred very dangerous.
70. SAPIENT 108. TIMID response from the
(a) Join (b) Divide (a) Interest (b) Disinterest
(a) Foolish (b) Wise 83. The accused emphatically 95. His reasons looked FLIMSY. neighbouring country puts the
(c) Embellish (d) Portray (c) Liking (d) Love
(c) Wasteful (d) Culvert DENIED the charge in the (a) Firm (b) False matter in cold bag.
53. DECOY 71. FOSTER court. (c) Exaggerated (d) Fiction based (a) Audacious (b) Enormous 122. The agreement was RATIFIED
(a) Lure (b) Fight (a) Accepted (b) Agreed (c) Discouraging (d) Delayed by the heads of the states.
(a) Encourage (b) Extol 96. This act of charity from you will
(c) Dissuade (d) Perish (c) Asserted (d) Affirmed (a) Refuted (b) Cancelled
(c) Neglect (d) Blame PURGE all your evils. 109. Please CONFIRM me whether
54. DOLDRUM 84. He wanted to MITIGATE his (a) Clean (b) Put out you are going to the club or (c) Unsettle (d) Destroyed
72. FESTOON
(a) Gloom (b) Depression (a) Decorate (b) Deprive burdens. (c) Promote (d) Reinvent not. 123. Many people try to RESIST the
(c) Stalk (d) Boom (c) Condole (d) Blemish (a) Lessen (b) Increase (a) Inform (b) Deny reforms in the society.
97. Wife was very disturbed by the
55. CAJOLE (c) Postpone (d) Leave (c) Reject (d) Avoid (a) Accept (b) Decide
73. EXHUME ways of NIGGARD husband.
(a) turn off (b) Persuade 85. I never believed that it was the (a) Angry (b) Loving 110. Raju is so TACTFUL that he (c) Move (d) Facilitate
(a) Dig out (b) Bury
(c) Bitter (d) Lament (c) Praise (d) Deny AUTHENTIC signature of the (c) Generous (d) Extravagant would manage the loss. 124. Police Constable was ADAMANT
Prime Minister. (a) Unintelligent (b) Slow on frisking the bollywood hero.
56. BEMOAN 74. NAYSAYER 98. History ABOUNDS in instances
(a) Hand-written (b) Genuine (c) Poor (d) Rough (a) Hesitant (b) Lenient
(a) Crush (b) Applaud (a) Pessimist (b) Introvert of courage.
(c) Lament (d) Ferment (c) Spurious (d) Authoritative (a) Fails (b) Suffices 111. It is a wrong NOTION that (c) Stressing (d) Indecisive
(c) Extrovert (d) Optimist
86. There is no doubt about the (c) Lacks (d) Shines everything depends on luck. 125. I would accept the report but
57. ENSCONCE 75. BESTOW (a) Principle (b) Thinking
(a) Settle (b) Crash (a) Give (b) Grant VERACITY of her statement. 99. First we have to study the first remove AMBIGUITIES.
(a) Truthfulness (b) Falseness (c) Fantasy (d) Law (a) Mistakes (b) Rigidity
(c) Unsettle (d) Torment (c) Withdraw (d) Savage FEASIBILITY of the report.
(c) Legality (d) Validity (a) Suitability (b) Truth 112. He looked ELATED on hearing (c) Certainty (d) Clarity
58. FOMENT the news.
(a) Instigate (b) Push Directions (Q. Nos. 76-129) Each of the 87. It is not possible to get its (c) Impracticality (d) Practicality 126. They criticised the
(a) Depressed (b) Desperate
(c) Solemn (d) Deter following items consists of a sentence LITERAL meaning from the 100. Yuvraj Singh is suffering from a OSTENTATIOUS lifestyle of the
(c) Anxious (d) Exasperated
followed by four words or group of words. sentence. BENIGN cancer. super-rich.
59. FECUND (a) Complex (b) Figurative 113. We should not BELITTLE the (a) Restrained (b) Queer
(a) Fertile (b) Barren Select the antonym of the word (occurring (a) Unfriendly (b) Friendly
in the sentence in capital letters) as per (c) Deep (d) Fictitious value of small things. (c) Slow (d) Haggardly
(c) Ransom (d) Rankle (c) Fatal (d) Malignant
(a) Expand (b) Inflate
the context. 88. You need to have a 101. He is a NOTED figure of film 127. Rasika is an OFFICIOUS girl
60. FUZZY PRAGMATIC approach to solve (c) Praise (d) Extol
and widely disliked by all.
(a) Blurred (b) Dark 76. The COMPLAINANT was not industry.
this puzzle. 114. It is my INNATE desire that (a) Pushy (b) Self-effacing
(c) Clear (d) Daft supportive of providing all facts in (a) Known (b) Unknown
(a) Impractical (b) Cautious you stand first in the class. (c) Critical (d) Dominating
the court. (c) Famous (d) Infamous
61. EARNEST (c) Logical (d) Fast (a) Internal (b) Emotional
(a) Defendant (b) Advocate 102. SAGACIOUS decisions taken at 128. Aaloak is a DISPOMANIAC.
(a) Serious (b) Clever (c) Superficial (d) Illogical
(c) Indulgence (d) Servant 89. Leaders of the party should right time in one’s career has (a) Stupid (b) Eccentric
(c) Calumny (d) Frivolous avoid such PEJORATIVE 115. Robin is the CONFIDANT of
77. Living in a SOLITARY place long effects. (c) Teetotaler (d) Sycophant
62. LACONIC brings in some kind of satisfaction. comments at this crucial time. Major Batra.
(a) Foolish (b) Intelligent 129. It was a BLAND vegetarian dish.
(a) Verbose (b) Brevity (a) Limited (b) Exotic (a) Soothing (b) Encouraging (a) Reveller (b) Secret Partner
(c) Thoughtful (d) Intuitive (a) Hot (b) Tasteless
(c) Brief (d) Constrained (c) Healthy (d) Populous (c) Appreciative (d) Critical (c) Supporter (d) Foe
(c) Heavy (d) Delicious
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms 467 468 CDS Pathfinder

QUESTIONS FROM 34. VAGUE

(a) Clear (b) Pleasant
2013 (II) 63. DOLEFUL
(a) Aggressive (b) Cheerful
47. LAUDATORY
CDS EXAM (2012-2016) (c) Profound (d) Sufficient
(a) Laughable
(c) Abusive
(b) Derogatory
(d) Detriment
(c) Tired
64. SENILITY
(d) Involved

2013 (I) 48. PERTINENT

(a) Virility (b) Laziness
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-101) Each of the following items consists of a sentence followed by four words or group of words. (c) Maturity (d) Exhaustion
35. His partners felt that it was a (a) Eloquent (b) Distant
Select the antonym of the word (occurring in the sentence in capital letters) as per the context. VIABLE business proposition. (c) Relevant (d) Irrelevant 65. UNGAINLY
(a) Enviable (b) Unenviable (a) Quick (b) Short
2012 (I) (a) Dishonour (b) Demolish 49. COLOSSAL
11. Because of the failure of the (c) Inviolable (d) Impracticable (c) Awkward (d) Graceful
(c) Spoil (d) Suffice (a) Fragile (b) Small
1. Poisonous gases emitted from monsoon, there was PAUCITY 36. The usual ADULATION of (c) Colourful (d) Impressive 66. SPORADIC
factories CONTAMINATE the of foodgrains. officers must end. (a) Rare (b) Frequent
50. INDISPENSABLE
air we breathe in. (a) Overflow (b) Inflow 2012 (II) (a) Back-biting (b) Condemnation
(a) Tolerable (b) Superfluous
(c) Sharp (d) Coordinated
(a) Sanctify (b) Invigorate (c) Plenty (d) Glut (c) Flattery (d) Praise
21. PLENTIFUL (c) Expensive (d) Hostile
(c) Taint (d) Purify 12. The evidence against the (a) Handful (b) Rare 37. There is an OBSCURE cave on
51. VINDICTIVE 2014 (I)
2. RECKLESS driving causes accused is CONCLUSIVE. (c) Small (d) Scanty the other side of the hill.
accidents. (a) Powerful (b) Indecisive (a) Well-known (b) Infamous (a) Forgiving (b) Humane 67. Kapil’s bowling yesterday
22. URBANE (c) Polite (d) Liberal proved very COSTLY.
(a) Careful (b) Slow (c) Exclusive (d) Partial (c) Notorious (d) Admired
(a) Elegant (b) Slow (a) Economical (b) Frugal
(c) Good (d) Correct 13. It was a baseless rumour that 38. Her IMPETUOUS behaviour 52. FRIVOLOUS (c) Thrifty (d) Expensive
(c) Crude (d) Foolish
3. He OFTEN went to the theatre. TRIGGERED riots and arson at was attributed to her (a) Amusing (b) Serious
23. FAMOUS (c) Confusing (d) Teasing 68. I cannot see much LIKENESS
(a) Seldom (b) Rarely an unprecedented scale upbringing.
(a) Notorious between the two boys.
(c) Sometimes (d) Occasionally throughout the country. (a) Rash (b) Poised 53. TRANSIENT (a) Enmity (b) Hatred
(a) Choked (b) Tapered off (b) Ignorant
(c) Sluggish (d) Aggressive (a) Lasting (b) Moving (c) Difference (d) Dislike
4. He is FRUGAL in his spending. (c) Completely unknown
(c) Diluted (d) Ignited 39. All these measures will (c) Persistent (d) Abiding
(a) Economical (b) Extravagant (d) Worthless 69. I am still DUBIOUS about that
(c) Miserly (d) Greedy 14. Their careers followed a AUGMENT employment. 54. APPARENT plan.
PARALLEL path. 24. SPURIOUS (a) Diminish (b) Circumscribe (a) Real (b) Significant (a) Certain (b) Doubtful
5. The students expected an (a) Divergent (b) Difficult (a) Genuine (b) Authentic (c) Restrain (d) Constrain (c) Unimportant (d) Vague (c) Docile (d) Faithful
EMINENT scientist to (c) Similar (d) Dissimilar (c) Real (d) Artificial
inaugurate the programme. 40. The two friends were DISTINCT 55. SLACKEN 70. The wise say that life is meant
15. The old man MANIFESTED his 25. SUCCEED in everything; dress manners,
(a) Illustrious (b) Notorious (a) Weaken (b) Intensify not merely to ACCUMULATE
greed at the sight of a huge (a) Achieve (b) Fail hair-style and food-habits.
(c) Intelligent (d) Unknown (c) Quicken (d) Provoke wealth but for self-realisation.
amount of money. (c) Move fast (d) Lose (a) Opposite (b) Different
6. Some of their customs are 56. ZEAL (a) Amass (b) Produce
(a) Displayed (b) Concealed 26. PROUD (c) Uniform (d) Similar
(a) Intolerance (b) Inefficiency (c) Scatter (d) Gather
BARBAROUS. (c) Suppressed (d) Marked (a) Humble (b) Kind 41. The man at the gate had a (c) Senile (d) Apathy 71. He will never TURN DOWN
(a) Civilised (b) Modern 16. The fallen trees BLOCKED our (c) Gentle (d) Decent FORBIDDING appearance. your request.
(c) Polite (d) Praiseworthy passage of freedom from the 57. DEFILE
27. LEISURELY (a) Handsome (b) Lenient (a) Turn up (b) Turn over
7. They are going to EMBARK woods. (c) Filthy (d) Mild (a) Purify (b) Pollute
(a) Idly (b) Lazily (c) Reject (d) Accept
UPON a mountaineering (a) Facilitated (b) Started (c) Disturb (d) Glorify
(c) Foolishly (d) Hurriedly 42. This is a TRIVIAL matter.
expedition. (c) Checked (d) Promoted 58. FORTUITOUS 72. Real happiness does not lie in
28. BARREN (a) Important (b) Small MATERIAL possessions alone.
(a) Launch (b) Analyse 17. He FELL FOUL OF ME when I (c) Easy (d) Difficult (a) Unfortunate (b) Accidental
(a) Wet (b) Rich (a) Physical (b) Essential
(c) Break off (d) Conclude asked him to apologise to his (c) Planned (d) Ludicrous
(c) Fertile (d) Exception 43. Everybody called it a LAVISH (c) Spiritual (d) Manual
8. There has been a gradual teacher. 59. AVERSION
29. CONCEAL party. 73. I was upset by his HOSTILE
FALLING OFF in the quality of (a) Quarrelled with me (a) Promotion (b) Attraction
(a) Reveal (b) Show off (a) Big (b) Wasteful attitude.
(b) Attacked me (c) Hatred (d) Passion
articles manufactured locally. (c) Describe (d) Explain (c) Frugal (d) Expensive
(c) Made friends with me (a) Friendly (b) Negative
(a) Shrinkage (b) Erosion 60. IMPERIOUS
(d) Showed appreciation for me 30. ACCEPTANCE 44. Popular fiction in a sense has (c) Positive (d) Inimical
(c) Improvement (d) Descent (a) Characterless (b) Impermanent
18. The outcome of his mission was (a) Demote (b) Throw in ENRICHED world literature. 74. Ashoka was a MAGNANIMOUS
9. He was deeply DEPRESSED (a) Devalued (b) Undervalued (c) Imperfect (d) Submissive
more REWARDING than he had (c) Rejection (d) Turn in king.
over the news. (c) Depreciated (d) Impoverished
expected. 31. GRACEFUL (a) Small (b) Petty
(a) Satisfied (b) Elated 61. MARVELLOUS
(a) Lucrative (b) Disappointing (a) Awkward (b) Ignorant 45. Her manner has always been (c) Kind (d) Majestic
(c) Impressed (d) Affected (a) Awful
(c) Thrilling (d) Nail-biting (c) Slow (d) Disloyal HOSTILE to him. 75. Mala is always DEFIANT in her
10. Though he had lost the battle, (a) Sincere (b) Friendly (b) Mechanical
19. He wanted to INAUGURATE 32. ATTRACT behaviour.
he decided not to YIELD TO the (c) Fair (d) Good (c) Meaningless
the project right on schedule. (a) Severe (b) Repel (a) Obedient (b) Rebellious
enemy. (d) Unsentimental
(a) Terminate (b) Inculcate (c) Dispel (d) Diminish 46. The speaker was irritated with (c) Meek (d) Friendly
(a) Submit to (c) Facilitate (d) Ameliorate 62. VEXATION
his PUERILE questions. 76. I find his views REPUGNANT.
(b) Persuade 33. PROVOKE (a) Impertinent (b) Serious (a) Comfort (b) Slyness
(c) Resist 20. They decided to EMBELLISH (a) Attract (b) Convince (a) Amiable (b) Repulsive
the dress with imported ribbons. (c) Inane (d) Irrelevant (c) Fright (d) Nervousness
(d) Seek terms with (c) Gratify (d) Pacify (c) Amoral (d) Apolitical
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms 469 470 CDS Pathfinder

2014 (II) 87. COUNTERFEIT 95. SERVITUDE is not helpful for Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16)
(a) Destructive (b) Genuine mental growth.
77. FRESH (a) Disservice (b) Retirement 1 d 2 a 3 b 4 b 5 d 6 a 7 d 8 c 9 b 10 c
(c) Affirm (d) Harmonise
(a) Laden (b) Soft
88. FUSION (c) Freedom (d) Termination 11 c 12 b 13 b 14 a 15 b 16 a 17 c 18 b 19 a 20 c
(c) Sour (d) Stale
(a) Melting (b) Fixture 96. His attitude to poor people is 21 d 22 c 23 c 24 a 25 b 26 a 27 d 28 c 29 a 30 c
78. DENY DEPLORABLE.
(c) Amendment (d) Separation
(a) Accept (b) Accuse 31 a 32 b 33 d 34 a 35 d 36 b 37 a 38 b 39 a 40 d
89. ESCALATE (a) Commendable (b) Miserable
(c) Curse (d) Except
(a) Bring down (b) Isolate (c) Equitable (d) Desirable 41 d 42 a 43 c 44 d 45 b 46 b 47 b 48 d 49 b 50 b
79. CHEERFUL 97. The guest made DEROGATORY
(c) Slope down (d) Reject 51 a 52 b 53 a 54 d 55 b 56 d 57 a 58 c 59 b 60 d
(a) Sad (b) Happy
90. TERMINATE remarks about the food he was
(c) Expensive (d) Careless 61 a 62 a 63 b 64 a 65 d 66 b 67 a 68 c 69 a 70 c
(a) Imitate (b) Interrupt
served.
80. AFFLUENCE (a) Interesting 71 d 72 c 73 a 74 b 75 a 76 a 77 d 78 a 79 a 80 b
(c) Initiate (d) Examine
(a) Continuance (b) Poverty (b) Complimentary
91. GRAVITATE 81 a 82 a 83 c 84 c 85 b 86 a 87 b 88 d 89 a 90 c
(c) Diffidence (d) Insurance (c) Unnecessary
(a) Meditate (d) Cheerful 91 d 92 a 93 a 94 c 95 c 96 a 97 b 98 c 99 b 100 c
81. TIMID
(b) Become serious
(a) Bold (b) Bashful 98. He has an AVERSION to milk. 101 c
(c) Nervous (d) Soft (c) Deteriorate
(a) Dear (b) Loving
(d) Retreat
82. CREATE (c) Liking (d) Pet
(a) Destroy
(c) Satisfy
83. FORBID
(b) Envy
(d) Begin 2015 (II)
92. The officer EXAGGERATED the
99. The PAUCITY of good teachers
is the chief reason for the
present condition of these
EXPLANATIONS
(a) Defy (b) Dislike damage caused by the rowdies. schools.
(c) Permit (d) Understand (a) Underwrote (a) Presence
84. MASTER (b) Condemned (b) Surplus Check Your Vocabulary
(a) Companion (b) Follower (c) Ignored (c) Appointment
(d) Underestimated 1. (a) Detain means hold or keep back. 12. (d) Candid means to be frank or 21. (d) Astute means shrewd or mentally
(c) Slave (d) Boss (d) Retention
Its opposite will be ‘release’ which honest, therefore ‘dishonest’ is its sharp or clever. So, ‘foolish’ is its
93. The speaker was unable to 100. Don’t you think his account of means ‘let go’. opposite. antonym.
2015 (I) PACIFY the crowd. things was MONOTONOUS?
2. (c) Famous means widely known. Its 13. (c) Flaunt means to show off, 22. (a) Winsome means cheerful and
(a) Excite (b) Antagonise (a) Agreeable (b) Acceptable
85. FORBID opposite will be ‘obscure’ which therefore ‘hide’ is its opposite. engaging. Its opposite will be ‘dour’
(c) Threaten (d) Challenge (c) Varied (d) Indecent
(a) Forgive (b) Allow means ‘little known’. 14. (d) Heal means restore to health. which means ‘gloomy or
(c) Refuse (d) Deprive 94. His officer was a very STRICT 101. SPURIOUS drugs can prove to 3. (b) Colossal means incredibly large, Its opposite will be ‘maim’ which sullen’.
person. be fatal.
86. AMBIGUOUS therefore ‘tiny’ is its opposite. means to ‘injure’. 23. (c) Droll means to have a humorous
(a) Pleasant (b) Open hearted (a) Virtuous (b) Inferior
(a) Definite (b) Constant 4. (a) Fluid is a substance that flows. 15. (a) Pacify means soothe or calm, or odd quality. Its opposite will be
(c) Lenient (d) Indifferent (c) Genuine (d) Contemptuous
(c) Shapeless (d) Determined Its opposite will be ‘solid’ as solid therefore ‘excite’ is its opposite. ‘sedate’ which means ‘unruffled or
does not flow. serious’.
16. (b) Sullen means showing a
24. (d) Enigmatic means mysterious or
ANSWERS 5. (d) Continue means to carry on. Its
opposite will be ‘pause’ which means
disagreeable mood or lacking cheer,
therefore ‘cheerful’ is its opposite. obscure, therefore ‘obvious’ is its
‘stop temporarily’. opposite.
Check Your Vocabulary 17. (a) Assure means to make sure by
6. (c) Labour means work. Its opposite removing doubt or worry. Its 25. (b) Obtuse means insensitive or
1 a 2 c 3 b 4 a 5 d 6 c 7 b 8 a 9 c 10 c will be ‘rest’ which means ‘cease opposite will be ‘alarm’ which stupid. Its opposite will be ‘acute’
11 d 12 d 13 c 14 d 15 a 16 b 17 a 18 b 19 b 20 b working’. means ‘to give warning or to arouse which means ‘marked by keen
fear’. perception or shrewd’.
21 d 22 a 23 c 24 d 25 b 26 c 27 d 28 a 29 c 30 b 7. (b) Brawny means muscled or
strong, therefore ‘weak’ is its 18. (b) Fallacious means not true or 26. (c) Obsequious means ‘too eager to
31 c 32 d 33 a 34 b 35 c 36 a 37 b 38 d 39 a 40 b help or obey someone important’. Its
opposite. accurate. So, ‘truthful’ is its
41 d 42 d 43 a 44 b 45 c 46 b 47 c 48 a 49 c 50 a opposite. opposite will be ‘domineering’.
8. (a) Fickle means to lack steadiness,
51 a 52 b 53 c 54 d 55 a 56 b 57 c 58 d 59 b 60 c therefore ‘steady’ is its opposite. 19. (b) Gumption means initiative or 27. (d) Doleful means full of grief or
61 d 62 a 63 b 64 d 65 c 66 b 67 a 68 c 69 a 70 a drive. Its opposite will be ‘apathy’ cheerless. Its opposite will be ‘elated’
9. (c) Inept means to lack competence,
which means ‘a lack of interest or which means ‘very happy and excited’.
71 c 72 d 73 b 74 d 75 c 76 a 77 d 78 d 79 a 80 a therefore ‘competent’ is its opposite.
concern’. 28. (a) One meaning of wanton is
81 a 82 c 83 a 84 b 85 c 86 b 87 b 88 a 89 c 90 d 10. (c) Pivotal means very important or
20. (b) Ecstasy means a state of malicious or merciless, therefore
crucial, therefore ‘unimportant’ is its ‘merciful’ is its opposite.
91 b 92 b 93 a 94 c 95 a 96 c 97 d 98 c 99 c 100 c rapturous delight. Its opposite will
opposite.
101 b 102 a 103 a 104 c 105 a 106 c 107 b 108 a 109 b 110 a be ‘agony’ which means ‘intense 29. (c) Banal means trite or common
11. (d) Cursed means a cause of trouble
pain of mind or body’. place, therefore ‘extraordinary’ is its
111 c 112 a 113 d 114 c 115 d 116 b 117 a 118 b 119 d 120 c or bad luck. So, ‘lucky’ is its opposite.
121 b 122 a 123 a 124 a 125 d 126 d 127 b 128 c 129 d antonym.
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms
30. (b) Lugubrious means mournful
or dismal, therefore ‘cheerful’ is
its opposite.
31. (c) Perspicacious means quick in
noticing, understanding or
judging things accurately
therefore, ‘dull’ is its opposite.
32. (d) Elan means vigorous spirit or
enthusiasm. Its opposite will be
‘despair’ which means ‘an utter
loss of hope’.
33. (a) Recondite means not
understood or known by many
people. Its opposite will be
‘manifest’ which means ‘easily
understood or recognised’.
34. (b) Gainsay means deny. Its
opposite will be ‘own’ which
means ‘to admit’.
35. (c) Effluvium means an offensive
smell. Its opposite will be
‘fragrance’ which means ‘a sweet
or delicate smell’.
36. (a) Parsimony means thrift or
stinginess, therefore ‘generosity’ is
its opposite.
37. (b) Truculent means cruel or
savage, therefore ‘gentle’ is its
opposite.
38. (d) Spurious means lacking
genuine qualities or false,
therefore ‘genuine’ is its opposite.
39. (a) Welter means a state of wild
disorder or turmoil, therefore
‘order’ is its opposite.
40. (b) Eclat means a dazzling effect
or brilliance, therefore ‘dullness’ is
its opposite.
41. (d) Pessimistic is one who tends
to see the worst aspect of things.
So, ‘hopeful’ is its antonym.
42. (d) Analogous is similar in some
way. So, ‘dissimilar’ is its
antonym.
43. (a) Evident means obvious or
noticeable. So, ‘unnoticeable’ is its
antonym.
44. (b) Thick-skinned refers to a
person who does not get upset or
offended by things other people
say. So, ‘sensitive’ is its antonym.
45. (c) Elegance is the quality of
being graceful and stylish in
appearence or manner. So,
‘dullness’ is its antonym.
46. (b) Stern means very serious especially
in an unfriendly way. So, ‘genial’ is its
antonym.
47. (c) Incredible is difficult or impossible
to believe. So, ‘believable’ is its
antonym.
48. (a) Ersatz is artificial or copied from
something else. So, ‘genuine’ is its
antonym.
49. (c) Cantankerous is bad-tempered. So,
‘affable’ is its antonym.
50. (a) Neophyte means novice. So, ‘expert’
is its antonym.
51. (a) Repudiate is to refuse to accept
something or someone as true, good or
reasonable. So, ‘embrace’ is its
antonym.
52. (b) Coalesce means to join. So, option
(b) is its antonym.
53. (c) Decoy is to trick or confuse people
into doing something. Hence, ‘dissuade’
is the opposite word.
54. (d) Doldrum is a state or period of
stagnation or depression. So, ‘boom’ is
its antonym.
55. (a) Cajole means to persuade someone
to do something by sustained waxing.
Hence, ‘turn off ’ is its antonym.
56. (b) Bemoan means to complain or
express sadness about something.
‘Applaud’ would be its opposite.
57. (c) Ensconce means ‘to settle’. So,
option (c) is its antonym.
58. (d) Foment is to instigate. Hence,
‘deter’ is its antonym.
59. (b) Fecund is ‘fertile’. So, option (b) is
its opposite.
60. (c) Fuzzy is hazy or unclear. So, its
opposite is ‘clear’.
61. (d) Earnest stands for serious. So,
‘frivolous’ would be its antonym.
62. (a) Laconic means brief. So, ‘verbose’ is
its opposite.
63. (b) Abstemious means not doing
things that give you pleasure. So,
‘self-indulgent’ would be its antonym.
64. (d) Captious means often expressing
criticisms about matters that are not
important. So, option (d) would be its
antonym.
65. (c) ‘Euphoric’ is the opposite of
‘dysphoric’.
471
66. (b) Thrasonical means bragging. So,
modest is its antonym.
67. (a) Kerfuffle means noise, excitement
and argument. So, ‘order’ would be its
antonym.
68. (c) Saturnine stands for gloomy. So,
‘cheerful’ is its antonym.
69. (a) Froward means difficult to deal
with. So, option (a) is its antonym.
70. (a) Sapient means wise. So, option (a)
is its antonym.
71. (c) Foster is to encourage the
development of something. So,
‘neglect’ is its antonym.
72. (d) Festoon is to decorate. So,
‘blemish’ is its opposite.
73. (b) ‘Bury’ is the opposite of Exhume.
74. (d) Naysayer is a pessimist. So, option
(d) is its antonym.
75. (c) ‘Bestow’ means ‘to give’. So,
‘withdraw’ is its antonym.
76. (a) Complainant is one who lodges a
complaint. Its opposite would be
‘defendant’.
77. (d) Solitary means existing alone. Its
opposite would be ‘populous’.
78. (d) ‘Peaceful’ would be the opposite of
disturbed.
79. (a) Recession is a period of temporary
economic decline during which trade
and industrial activity are reduced. Its
opposite would be ‘boom’.
80. (a) Coarse means rough. Its opposite
is ‘delicate’.
81. (a) ‘Destroyed’ is the opposite of
created.
82. (c) Conceded means to admit or agree
that something is true after first
denying or resisting it. Its opposite is
‘denied’.
83. (a) ‘Accepted’ is the opposite of
denied.
84. (b) Mitigate means to lessen. Its
opposite is ‘increase’.
85. (c) Authentic means genuine. Its
opposite would be ‘spurious’.
86. (b) Veracity means truthfulness. Its
opposite would be ‘falseness’.
87. (b) Literal means original or basic. So,
‘figurative’ is its opposite.
88. (a) Pragmatic means practical. So,
option (a) is its antonym.
472
89. (c) Pejorative means expressing
disapproval or suggesting that
something is not good or is of no
importance. ‘Appreciative’ is its
opposite.
90. (d) Uniform is remaining the same
in all cases and at all times. ‘Varied’
is its antonym.
91. (b) Urbane is courteous and refined
in manner. ‘Rustic’ would be its
correct antonym.
92. (b) Frugality is sparing or
economical as regards money or
food. Its opposite would be
‘extravagance’.
93. (a) Scurrilous means expressing
unfair or false criticism that is likely
to damage someone’s reputation. Its
opposite would be ‘decent’.
94. (c) Detain means to force someone
officially to stay in a place. ‘Released’
would be its opposite.
95. (a) Flimsy means weak and difficult
to believe. Its opposite would be
‘firm’.
96. (c) Purge means to make someone
or something free of something evil
or harmful. So, ‘promote’ would be
its antonym.
97. (d) Niggard is a mean or ungenerous
person. Its opposite would be
‘extravagant’.
98. (c) Abounds means exist in large
numbers or amounts. ‘Lacks’ would
be its antonym.
99. (c) Feasibility means the possibility
that can be made done or achieved,
or is reasonable. ‘Impracticality’
would be its opposite.
100. (c) Benign means not likely to cause
death. ‘Fatal’ would be its opposite.
101. (b) Noted is known by many people
because of particular qualities. Its
opposite would be option (b).
102. (a) Sagacious means having or
showing understanding and the ability
to make good judgements. Option (a)
would be its antonym.
103. (a) Pernicious is having a very
harmful effect or influence. ‘Beneficial’
is its opposite.
104. (c) Boorish is rough and bad
mannered. ‘Refined’ would be its
opposite.
105. (a) ‘Hostile’ means ‘not friendly’. So,
option (a) is the antonym of friendly.
106. (c) Captivating is capable of attracting
and holding interest. Out of the given
options, ‘repelling’ would be its
antonym.
107. (b) Vigilant means watchful. So,
‘incautious’ would be its opposite.
108. (a) Timid means showing a lack of
courage or confidence. ‘Audacious’
would be its antonym.
109. (b) Confirm is to state with assurance
that a report or fact is true. Its
antonym would be ‘deny’.
110. (a) Tactful means having or showing
skill or sensitivity in dealing with
others or with difficult issues. So,
‘unintelligent’ would be its antonym.
111. (c) Notion means a conception of or
belief about something. Out of the
given options, ‘fantasy’ would be its
opposite.
112. (a) Elated is ecstatically happy.
‘Depressed’ would be its antonym.
113. (d) Belittle is to dismiss someone or
something as unimportant. ‘Extol’
would be its opposite.
114. (c) Innate means natural. So,
‘superficial’ would be its opposite.
115. (d) Confidant is a person with whom
one shares a secret or private matter.
So, ‘foe’ is its antonym.
116. (b) As per the given sentence, the
opposite of hungry would be
‘satisfied’.
CDS Pathfinder
117. (a) As per the given sentence, the
opposite of artificial would be
‘genuine’.
118. (b) Aggravate is to make a
problem, injury or offence worse or
more serious. So, ‘decrease’ would
be its antonym.
119. (d) Morbid means too interested in
unpleasant subjects, especially
death. Its opposite would be
‘pleasant’.
120. (c) Refute means to deny or
contradict a statement. Out of the
given options, its opposite would
be ‘accept’.
121. (b) Propensity is the inclination or
natural tendency to behave in a
particular way. Out of the given
options, option (b) ‘disinterest’
would be its antonym.
122. (a) Ratify is to sign or give formal
consent to a treaty, contract etc.
making it officially valid. Its
opposite would be ‘refuted’.
123. (a) Opposite of resist is ‘accept’.
124. (a) Adamant is refusing to be
persuaded or to change one’s mind.
Out of the given options, its
opposite would be ‘hesitant’.
125. (d) Ambiguity is the quality of
being open to more than one
interpretation. Its opposite would
be ‘clarity’.
126. (d) Ostentatious means showy and
flamboyant. Its opposite would be
‘haggardly’.
127. (b) Here officious means
interfering. So, its opposite would
be ‘self-effacing’.
128. (c) Dipsomaniac is one who has an
uncontrollable craving for alcohol.
Its antonym is option (c).
129. (d) Bland means mild-tasting or
insipid. Its antonym is ‘delicious’.
GENERAL ENGLISH Antonyms
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)
1. (d) Meaning of contaminate is to
make impure or unclean by contact
or mixture. So, ‘purify’ is its opposite.
2. (a) Meaning of reckless – ‘heedless
or careless, indifferent to or
disregardful of consequences’. So,
‘careful’ is its opposite.
3. (b) Meaning of often – frequently
or repeatedly. ‘Rarely’ is its antonym.
4. (b) Meaning of frugal – practicing
economy; living without waste;
thrifty. Most opposite meaning is
‘extravagant’.
5. (d) Meaning of eminent is famous
and respected within a particular
sphere. So, ‘unknown’ is its opposite.
6. (a) Meaning of barbarous –
primitive in culture and customs;
uncivilised. So, ‘civilised’ is its
opposite.
7. (d) Meaning of embark upon – to
cause to board a vessel or aircraft.
‘To start or engage in.’ Embark upon
is like the first step and to ‘conclude’
is the most dissimilar in meaning to
it as it is the last step.
8. (c) Meaning of falling off – a
noticeable deterioration in
performance or quality. So,
‘improvement’ is its opposite.
9. (b) Meaning of depressed is low in
spirits; dejected. So, ‘elated’ is its
opposite.
10. (c) Meaning of yield to-is give upto
another; to concede, to surrender. So,
‘resist’ is its antonym.
11. (c) Paucity means small amount of
something, but ‘plenty’ means ‘a large
amount’.
12. (b) Meaning of conclusive – serving
to put an end to doubt, question, or
uncertainty; decisive. So, ‘indecisive’
is its opposite.
13. (b) Meaning of triggered – any
event that sets a course of action in
motion. Meaning of ‘tapered off ’ is
‘block’.
14. (a) Meaning of parallel – one that
closely resembles or is analogous to
another. So, ‘divergent’ would be its
antonym.
15. (b) Meaning of manifest is to show
or demonstrate plainly or reveal. So,
‘concealed’ is its opposite.
16. (a) Meaning of blocked – something
that obstructs; an obstacle. So,
‘facilitated’ is its antonym.
17. (c) Meaning of fall foul of is to have
a dispute with someone. So, its
opposite is option (c).
18. (b) Meaning of rewarding is offering
or likely to offer satisfaction or
gratification. So, its opposite is
option (b).
19. (a) Meaning of inaugurate is to
induct into office by a formal
ceremony. So, ‘terminate’ is its
antonym.
20. (c) Meaning of embellish is to make
beautiful, as by ornamentation;
decorate. So, ‘spoil’ is its antonym.
21. (d) Plentiful means available or
existing in large amounts or numbers.
‘Scanty’ means ‘too little in size or
amount’.
22. (c) Urbane means good at knowing
what to say and how to behave in
social situations. ‘Crude’ means
‘offensive or rude’.
23. (c) Famous means known about by
many people. So ‘completely unknown’
would be its antonym.
24. (a) Spurious means false or fake, but
‘genuine’ means ‘authentic’.
25. (b) Succeed means ‘to achieve
something that you have been trying
to do or get’.
26. (a) Proud means feeling that you are
better and more important than other
people. ‘Humble’ means ‘showing you
do not think that you are as
important as other people think’.
27. (d) Leisurely means ‘done without
hurrying’. So, ‘hurriedly’ is its
antonym.
28. (c) Barren means infertile. So, ‘fertile’
would be its antonym.
29. (a) Conceal means to hide. ‘Reveal’
means ‘to make something known’.
30. (c) Acceptance means the act of
accepting something or agreeing with
something. So, ‘rejection’ would be its
antonym.
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31. (a) Graceful means moving in a
controlled and attractive way.
‘Awkward’ means ‘ungraceful’.
32. (b) ‘Attract and repel’ are clearly
opposite in meaning to each other.
33. (d) Provoke means to say or do
something that annoys somebody or
makes him react angrily. ‘Pacify’
means ‘to make somebody calm and
quiet’.
34. (a) Vague means not clear. So, ‘clear’
would be its antonym.
35. (d) Viable means able to work as
intended or able to succeed. So,
option (d) is its antonym.
36. (b) Adulation means excessive
admiration and praise. So,
‘condemnation’ is its opposite.
37. (a) Obscure means not well-known.
So, ‘well-known’ is its opposite.
38. (b) Impetuous means rash or
impulsive. ‘Poised’ means ‘calm and
confident’.
39. (a) Augment means to increase the
value, size, amount etc. ‘Diminish’
means ‘to become or make something
become smaller, weaker etc’.
40. (d) Distinct here means different. So,
‘similar’ is its antonym.
41. (d) Forbidding means seeming
unfriendly and frightening. ‘Mild’
means ‘gentle and kind’.
42. (a) Trivial means not important or
serious. So, ‘important’ would be its
antonym.
43. (c) Lavish means costing a lot of
money or extravagant. So, ‘frugal’ is its
antonym.
44. (d) Enrich means to improve the
quality. ‘Impoverish’ means ‘to make
something worse in quality’.
45. (b) Hostile means unfriendly or
aggressive. So, ‘friendly’ would be its
antonym.
46. (b) Puerile means silly or childish.
So, ‘serious’ is its antonym.
47. (b) Laudatory, means praising.
‘Derogatory’ means ‘showing a critical
or disrespectful attitude’.
474
48. (d) Pertinent means to the point or
relevant, hence ‘irrelevant’ is its
antonym.
49. (b) Colossal means gigantic or huge.
Hence ‘small’ is its correct antonym.
50. (b) Indispensable means necessary.
‘Superfluous’ means ‘unnecessary’.
51. (a) Vindictive means tending to seek
revenge. Hence, ‘forgiving’ is its
correct antonym.
52. (b) Frivolous means not having any
serious purpose or value. So, ‘serious’
is its antonym.
53. (a) Transient means quickly passing
away. ‘Lasting’ means ‘durable’.
54. (d) Apparent means seeming to exist
or be true. Hence, ‘vague’ is its correct
antonym.
55. (b) Slacken means to make
something less tight or less active.
‘Intensify’ means ‘to make something
greater or stronger’. Hence, it is the
correct antonym of ‘slacken’.
56. (d) Zeal means great energy or
enthusiasm. ‘Apathy’ means ‘the
feeling of not being interested in or
enthusiastic about anything’.
57. (a) Defile means to make dirty or
impure. ‘Purify’ means ‘to remove
dirty or harmful substances from
something’.
58. (c) Fortuitous means happening by
chance i.e. not according to any plan.
So, ‘planned’ is its appropriate
antonym.
59. (b) Aversion means dislike. Hence,
‘attraction’ is proper antonym of
‘aversion’.
60. (d) Imperious means arrogant and
domineering. ‘Submissive’ means
‘meek and unresisting’.
61. (a) Marvellous means very good,
wonderful or excellent. ‘Awful’ means
‘very bad’ or unpleasant. Hence, it is
its correct antonym.
62. (a) Vexation means worry or anger.
So, ‘comfort’ would be its antonym.
63. (b) Doleful means sad or unhappy.
Hence, ‘cheerful’ is its proper
antonym.
64. (a) Senility means weakness due to
old age. ‘Virility’ means ‘vigour or
strength’.
65. (d) Ungainly means awkward,
clumsy or ungraceful. Hence, ‘graceful’
is its proper antonym.
66. (b) Sporadic means occurring
occasionally or in very small numbers.
‘Frequent’ means often occurring,
hence it is its proper antonym.
67. (a) Costly means expensive.
‘Economical’ means ‘inexpensive or
low-priced’.
68. (c) Likeness means resemblence or
similarity. So, ‘difference’ is its most
appropriate opposite.
69. (a) Dubious means doubtful, or
questionable. ‘Certain’ means
‘unquestionable or undoubting’.
70. (c) Accumulate means amass, collect
or gather. ‘Scatter’ means ‘spread or
throw about’.
71. (d) Turn down means reject. So, its
opposite is ‘accept’.
72. (c) Material means of matter or not
spiritual. So, its opposite is ‘spiritual’.
73. (a) Hostile is unfriendly, so its
opposite is ‘friendly’.
74. (b) Magnanimous means nobly
generous. ‘Petty’ means ‘small minded
or ungenerous’.
75. (a) Defiant means disobedient. So,
its opposite is ‘obedient’.
76. (a) Repugnant means extremely,
distasteful or repulsive. ‘Amiable’
means ‘pleasant or likeable’.
77. (d) Fresh means new. So, ‘stale’ is its
correct opposite which means ‘old or
dried’.
78. (a) Deny means to refuse. So,
‘accept’ is its correct opposite which
means ‘to admit’.
79. (a) Cheerful means in a happy
mood. So, ‘sad’ is correct opposite
which means ‘in a dejected mood’.
80. (b) Affluence means wealth. So,
‘poverty’ is its correct opposite which
means ‘penury’.
81. (a) Timid means coward. So, ‘bold’
is its correct antonym which means
‘fearless’.
82. (a) Create means to produce. So,
‘destroy’ is its correct opposite which
means ‘to demolish’.
CDS Pathfinder
83. (c) Forbid means to prohibit an
action. So, ‘permit’ is its correct
opposite which means ‘to allow’.
84. (c) Master means boss or supreme.
So, ‘slave’ is its correct opposite which
means ‘subordinate’.
85. (b) Forbid means restrict. So, its
antonym will be ‘allow’.
86. (a) Ambiguous means having more
than one meaning. So, its antonym
will be ‘definite’.
87. (b) Counterfeit means fake. So, its
correct antonym will be ‘genuine’.
88. (d) Fusion means mixture. So, its
antonym will be ‘separation’.
89. (a) Escalate means to go up. So, its
antonym will be ‘to bring down’.
90. (c) Terminate means to stop. So, its
antonym will be ‘initiate’.
91. (d) Gravitate means attracted to or
pulled to. So, its antonym will be
‘retreat’ which means ‘withdrawal’.
92. (a) Exaggerated means to make or
show something greater than usual.
So, ‘underwrote’ would be its
opposite.
93. (a) Pacify means to make someone
calm and silent, ‘excite’ means ‘to
provoke someone to do something’.
94. (c) Strict means hard or tough in
attitude or action, ‘lenient’ means ‘soft
hearted and friendly’.
95. (c) Servitude means slavery,
‘freedom’ means ‘to make free from all
bonds’.
96. (a) Deplorable means deserving
strong condemnation. ‘Commendable’
means ‘deserving praise’.
97. (b) Derogatory means showing a
critical or disrespectful attitude.
‘Complimentary’ means ‘showing
respect to others or praise someone’.
98. (c) Aversion means strong dislike for
something. ‘Liking’ means ‘a feeling
of fondness for something’.
99. (b) Paucity means small amount of
something. ‘Surplus’ means ‘more than
what is needed’.
100. (c) Monotonous means lacking in
variation. ‘Varied’ means ‘having many
forms or types’.
101. (c) Spurious means false or fake.
‘Genuine’ means ‘authentic’.
05
GENERAL ENGLISH Idioms and Phrases 475 476
Some Important Idioms and Phrases
1. A blessing in disguise Something good that isn’t
recognised at first.
2. A chip on your shoulder To seem angry all the
time because you think you have been treated
unfairly or feel you are not as good as other people.
3. A dime a dozen Anything that is common and easy
to get.
IDIOMS AND PHRASES 4. A doubting Thomas A skeptic who needs physical
or personal evidence in order to believe something.
5. A drop in the bucket A very small part of
something big or whole.
6. A fool and his money are easily parted It’s easy
for a foolish person to lose his/her money.
7. A house divided against itself cannot stand If
the members of a group fight each other, the group
will disintegrate.
8. A leopard can’t change his spots A person’s
character especially if it is bad, will not change,
even if they pretend it has.
9. A penny saved is a penny earned By not
A few questions are asked on idioms and phrases in the CDS exam. In the CDS exam, questions on idioms spending money, you are saving money (little by
and phrases are asked in a sentence format. The candidate is given a sentence in which an idiom or little).
phrase would be underlined. The candidate has to select the meaning of the idiom/phrase by choosing the 10. A picture paints a thousand words A visual
correct option from the given choices. presentation is far more descriptive than words.
11. A piece of cake A task that can be accomplished
very easily.
12. A slap on the wrist A very mild punishment.
13. A taste of your own medicine When you are
mistreated the same way you mistreat others.
14. A toss-up A situation where two or more
Idioms and Phrases form an essential part of any language. They add power, meaning and crispness to our possibilities are equally likely.
everyday expressions, conversations and writings. There is a huge number of idioms, phrases and proverbs in 15. Actions speak louder than words It’s better to
English and we should not hesitate to use them to enhance the beauty of the language. Idioms and phrases
actually do something than just talk about it.
do have an ornamental value but more than that, they are tools which can be used to get the desired impact.
16. Add fuel to the fire Something done to make a bad
Idioms are usually comprised of very few words but encompassed in them is a deep meaning. So, when one situation even worse than it is.
is at a dearth for words, Idioms can easily come to the rescue. We can put forth our thoughts more 17. Against the clock against time; in a great hurry to
effectively and in an impressive manner using them. get something done before a particular time.
The only disadvantage in using them is that in our eagerness and enthusiasm to impress others, we normally 18. All bark and no bite When someone is threatening
do not spend any time in understanding the meaning of the idiom. It is very crucial to do this because using and/or is aggressive but not willing to engage in a
an idiom inappropriately can entirely change the meaning of the sentence or twist the truth. fight.
Idioms add value and power to our expressions, only if we use them accurately and efficiently. 19. All Greek to me Something that is meaningless and
incomprehensible to someone.
20. All in the same boat When everyone is facing the
same challenges.
21. An arm and a leg Very expensive, costing a large
amount of money.
22. Have an axe to grind To have a strong personal
opinion about something that you want people to
accept and that is the reason you do something.
CDS Pathfinder
23. Apple of my eye Someone who is cherished above
all others.
24. Be as high as a kite To feel very happy and
excited.
25. At the drop of a hat Willing to do something
immediately.
26. Back to square one Having to start all over again.
27. Back to the drawing board Back to the beginning
or planning phase after an approach has proved
unsuccessful.
28. Barking up the wrong tree To be wrong about the
reason for something or the way to achieve
something.
29. Beat a dead horse To waste effort on something
when there is no chance of succeeding.
30. Beating around the bush Avoiding the main topic,
not speaking directly about the issue.
31. Bend over backwards To go out of one’s way to do
something for someone.
32. Between a rock and a hard place Stuck between
two very bad options.
33. Bite off more than you can chew To decide or
agree to do more than one can finally accomplish.
34. Bite your tongue To stop yourself from saying
something that you would really like to say.
35. Blood is thicker than water Said to emphasize
that you believe that family connections are always
more important than other types of relationship.
36. Once in a blue moon To do something rarely.
37. Break a leg A superstitious way to say ‘good luck’
without saying ‘good luck’, but rather the opposite.
38. Buy a lemon To purchase a vehicle that constantly
gives problems or stops running after you drive it
away.
39. Can’t cut the mustard Unable to deal with
problems or difficulties.
40. Cast iron stomach Someone who has no problems,
complications or ill effects with eating anything or
drinking anything.
41. Charley horse A cramp in your arm or leg.
42. Chew someone out Verbally scold someone.
43. Chow down To eat something usually quickly,
saying something rude or unpleasant.
44. Close but no cigar To be very near and almost
accomplish a goal, but fall short.
45. Cock and bull story An unbelievable tale.
46. Come hell or high water To decide to do
something no matter what happens.
GENERAL ENGLISH Idioms and Phrases
47. Crack someone up To make someone laugh.
48. Cross your fingers To hope that something
happens the way you want it to.
49. Cry over spilt milk To regret in vain about what
cannot be undone or rectified.
50. Cry wolf Intentionally raise a false alarm.
51. Cup of joe A cup of coffee.
52. Curiosity kills the cat Being inquisitive can lead
you into a dangerous situation.
53. Cut to the chase Leave out all the unnecessary
details and get to the main point.
54. Dark horse Someone who unexpectedly wins a
competition.
55. A dead ringer for someone/ something Someone
or something that looks exactly like someone or
something else.
56. Devil’s advocate Someone who argues against a
cause or position either for the sake of argument or
to help determine its validity.
57. Dog days of summer The hottest days of the
summer season.
58. Don’t count your chickens before they
hatch Don’t make plans based on future events
that might not happen.
59. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth When
someone gives you a gift, accept it graciously.
60. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket To not put
all your resources in one area.
61. Down to the wire Until the last possible moment.
62. Drastic times call for drastic measures When
you are extremely desperate you need to take
extremely desperate actions.
63. Drive someone up the wall To irritate and/or
annoy someone very much.
64. Dropping like flies A large number of people
either falling ill or dying.
65. Dry run Rehearsal; a dummy run or show.
66. Elvis has left the building The show has come to
an end; it’s all over.
67. Ethnic cleansing Killing of a certain ethnic or
religious group on a massive scale.
68. Every cloud has a silver lining There is
something good even in an unpleasant situation.
69. Everything but the kitchen sink Almost
everything imaginable.
70. Feeding frenzy A situation in which people try to
get as much as possible of something, for example
information about an event, especially in an
unpleasant way.
71. Field day A time of great pleasure, activity or
opportunity.
477
72. Finding your feet To become familiar with and
confident in a new situation.
73. Fixed in your ways Not willing or wanting to
change from your normal way of doing something.
74. Flash in the pan Something that happened only
once or for a short time and was not repeated.
75. Flesh and blood The quality of being alive.
76. Foam at the mouth To be extremely angry.
77. From rags to riches To go from being very poor to
being very wealthy.
78. Get down to brass tacks To start talking about
the most important or basic facts of a situation.
79. Get over it To move beyond something that is
bothering you.
80. Get up on the wrong side of the bed To begin
the day feeling unhappy and uncomfortable.
81. Get your walking papers To get fired from a job.
82. Give him the slip To get away from or escape
someone.
83. Go down like a lead balloon To be received badly
by an audience.
84. Go for broke To gamble everything you have.
85. Go out on a limb Put yourself in a tough position
in order to support someone/something.
86. Go the extra mile Going above and beyond
whatever is required for the task at hand.
87. Good Samaritan Someone who helps others when
they are in need, with no discussion for
compensation and no thought of a reward.
88. Great minds think alike Intelligent people think
like each other.
89. Green room The waiting room, especially for those
who are about to go on a TV or radio show.
90. Gut feeling Sense something about a person or
situation, without knowing why, but you’re sure
what you sense is right.
91. Haste makes waste Quickly doing things results
in a poor ending.
92. Have clean hands Be guiltness.
93. He lost his head To be angry and overcome by
emotions.
94. Head over heels To be very excited or joyful,
especially when in love.
95. To be going to hell in a hand basket To be
rapidly deteriorating – on course for disaster.
96. Hit the books To study especially for a test or an
exam.
97. Hit the hay Go to bed or go to sleep.
478
98. Hit the nail on the head Do something exactly
right or say something exactly right.
99. Hit the sack Go to bed or go to sleep.
100. Hold your horses To be patient.
101. Icing on the cake When you already have it good
and get something on top of what you already have.
102. Idle hands are the devil’s tools You are more
likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do.
103. If it’s not one thing, it’s another Used when bad
things keep happening to you.
104. In like Flynn To quickly or easily achieve goal or
gain access to something.
105. In the bag To have something secured.
106. In the buff Nude.
107. In the heat of the moment Overwhelmed by what
is happening in the moment.
108. In your face Characterised by or expressive of bold
and often defiant aggressiveness.
109. It takes two to tango If two people are involved in
a bad situation, both must be responsible.
110. It’s a small world You frequently see the same
people in different places.
111. Its anyone’s call A competition where the outcome
is difficult to judge or predict.
112. Keep an eye on someone To keep someone or
something under careful observation.
113. Keep body and soul together To earn a sufficient
amount of money in order to keep yourself alive.
114. Keep your chin up To remain joyful in a tough
situation.
115. Kick the bucket Die.
116. Knee jerk reaction A quick reaction that doesn’t
allow you time to consider something carefully.
117. Know the ropes Be informed about the details of a
situation or task.
118. Last but not the least An introduction phrase to
let the audience know that the last person or thing
mentioned is no less important than those
introduced before him/her.
119. Lend me your ear To politely ask for someone’s
full attention.
120. Let bygones be bygones To forget about
unpleasant things that have happened in the past.
121. Let sleeping dogs lie Said to warn someone that
they should not talk about a bad situation that most
people have forgotten about.
122. Let the cat out of the bag To share a secret that
wasn’t suppose to be shared.
123. Level playing field A fair competition where no
side has an advantage.
CDS Pathfinder
124. Like a chicken with its head cut off To act in a
frenzied manner.
125. Liquor someone up To get someone drunk.
126. Live high on the hog To live in great comfort with
a lot of money.
127. Long in the tooth To be very old.
128. Loose cannon Someone who behaves in an
uncontrolled or unexpected way and is likely to
cause problems for other people.
129. Make no bones about Having no hesitation in
stating or dealing with something, however
unpleasant or awkward it is.
130. Method to my madness Strange or crazy actions
that appear meaningless but in the end are done for
a good reason.
131. Mumbo jumbo Confusing or meaningless words or
activity.
132. Mum’s the word Used to say that some
information is being kept secret or should be kept
secret.
133. Nest egg Savings set aside for future use.
134. Never bite the hand that feeds you To not hurt
anyone that helps you.
135. New kid on the block Someone new to the group.
136. New York minute A minute that seems to go by
quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.
137. No room to swing a cat An unusually small or
confined space.
138. Not playing with a full deck Not mentally sound;
crazy or mentally deranged.
139. Get off on the wrong foot Getting a bad start on
a relationship or task.
140. Off the hook To escape from a difficult situation.
141. Off the record Not intended to be known publicly
or recorded officially.
142. On pins and needles Anxious or nervous,
especially in anticipation of something.
143. On the fence Undecided about something.
144. Be on the same page To understand or agree with
what is being done or suggested.
145. Out of the blue Something that suddenly and
unexpectedly occurs.
146. Over my dead body When you absolutely will not
allow something to happen.
147. Over the top Too extreme and not suitable, or
demanding too much attention or effort, especially in
an uncontrolled way.
148. Pass the buck To pass the blame; to give the
responsibility to someone else.
GENERAL ENGLISH Idioms and Phrases 479 480 CDS Pathfinder

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

149. Pedal to the metal To make something go forward 172. The whole nine yards Everything; the entire
or increase as fast as possible.
150. Pick up your ears To listen very carefully.
amount.
173. Third time’s a charm After no success the first
COMPLETE EXERCISE
151. A pig in a poke Something that you buy without two times, the third try is a lucky one.
knowing if it is good or not. 174. Tie the knot To get married. Directions (Q. Nos. 1-18) In each of 11. A gala day 19. The boy turned a deaf ear to
152. Pig out To eat a lot and eat it quickly. 175. Until the cows come home For a very long time. the following questions an idiomatic (a) a day of success the pleadings of all his
153. Pipe down To shut-up or be quiet. 176. To make a long story short As a way to avoid a phrase is given followed by four (b) a day of merry-making well-wishers.
long explanation.
alternatives. Choose the alternative (c) an eventful day (a) listened carefully
154. Pull the plug To stop something, to bring that best expresses the meaning of the (d) a day of significance (b) was deadly opposed
something to an end. 177. To steal someone’s thunder To take the credit for expression. (c) posed indifference
something someone else did. 12. Go hot and cold
155. Queer the pitch Destroy or ruin a plan. 1. At one’s wits end (a) get angry (d) did not pay any attention
156. Raining cats and dogs To be raining in great 178. Tongue in cheek If you say something tongue in (a) perplexed (b) explain (b) get irritated 20. We should give a wide berth
amounts. cheek, you intend it to be understood as a joke, (c) clear up (d) enlighten to bad character.
(c) get out of cold
although you might appear to be serious. (a) keep away from
157. Rome was not built in a day If you want 2. Hang together (d) sudden feeling of fear and
something to be completed properly then its going to 179. Turn a blind eye Refuse to acknowledge (a) confirm each other anxiety (b) publical condemn
take time. something you know is real or legitimate. (b) live together 13. Gird up one’s lions (c) give publicity to
180. Twenty three skidoo To leave quickly. (c) hang with each other (a) get ready for a job (d) not sympathise with
158. Rule of thumb A practical and approximate way of (d) go together (b) leave bag and baggage
doing something. 181. Under the weather Feeling ill or sick. 21. Sumit had to look high and
3. Hard boiled (c) hunt for lions low before he could find his
159. Run out of steam To be completely out of energy. 182. Up a blind alley At a dead end; on a route that (a) boiled hard (b) extremely hot (d) a lion cloth scooter key.
160. Saved by the bell When a difficult situation ends leads nowhere. (c) hardened (d) hardly boiled 14. Pocket an insult (a) nowhere (b) always
suddenly before you have to do or say something 183. Van Gogh’s ear for music When referring to a 4. Get cold feet (a) bear insult without protest (c) everywhere (d) somewhere
that you do not want to. singer it implies that he/she is not good and tend to (a) to run for life (b) not to take any action 22. At a party, he is always in
go off key a lot. (b) to get cold (c) sit over a resolution high spirits.
161. Sick as a dog To be very ill.
(c) to be afraid (d) ignore a case (a) talkative
162. Smell a rat To recognise that something is not as 184. Variety is the spice of life New and exciting
experiences make life more interesting. (d) to become discourteous 15. At daggers drawn (b) cheerful
it seems to be or that something dishonest is (a) real cause (b) to be puzzled
happening. 185. Wag the dog To purposely direct the attention from 5. Make no bones about (c) drunk
(a) to make no effort (c) at enmity (d) at friendship (d) uncontrollable
163. Smell something fishy Detecting that something something of greater importance to something of
lesser importance. (b) to admit something readily 16. Blow by blow 23. She rejected his proposal of
isn’t right or someone is being dishonest. (c) to make fuss about (a) Eruptions in quick succession
186. Water under the bridge Anything from the past marriage point blank.
164. Son of a gun A worthless person. (d) to create hindrance from a great volcano
that isn’t significant or important anymore. (a) completely (b) pointedly
6. Turn out crabs (b) Continuously raining with thunders
165. Southpaw Someone who is left-handed. (c) absurdly (d) briefly
187. Wear your heart on your sleeve To openly and (a) end in failure (c) Describe an event as it occurred
166. Spitting image To look extremely similar to freely express your emotions. (b) to be successful in every detail 24. We should guard against our
someone. (c) to bring up crabs (d) A rapid decline of business green-eyed friends.
188. When it rains, it pours Many difficult things
167. Start from scratch To do it all over again from (d) to be victorious leading to its closure (a) rich (b) jealous
happening at the same time.
the beginning. 17. By hook or by crook (c) handsome (d) enthusiastic
189. When pigs fly Something that will never ever 7. Devil’s advocate (a) In a completely insane manner
168. The ball is in your court It is upto you to make happen. (a) an advocate of a Devil 25. Rahul fought tooth and nail to
(b) In whatever way one can save his company.
the next move. (b) an advocate like a Devil
190. Wild and woolly Uncultured and without laws. (c) Being very evil and destructive (a) with weapons
(c) discussion of an Advocate
169. The best of both worlds A situation in which you (d) To be very tenacious (b) as best as he could
can enjoy the advantages of two very different 191. You are what you eat In order to stay healthy you (d) holding a opinion against religion
must eat healthy foods. 18. Chock-a-block (c) using unfair means
things at the same time. 8. Between the devil and the sea (d) with all one’s energy
(a) Filled to capacity
192. You can’t judge a book by its cover You cannot (a) in a fix
170. The bigger they are the harder they fall The (b) Not being able to fulfil one’s 26. The popularity of the yester
judge the quality or character of someone or (b) a Devil in the sea
more powerful and successful people are, the more desires year’s superstar is on the
something just by looking at them. (c) in a worse situation
they suffer when they experience defeat and (c) Blocking somebody’s path to wane.
(d) a compromising situation
disaster. 193. You can’t take it with you When you die you progress
9. Dance attendance on (a) growing more
171. The last straw The final difficulty in a series; the cannot take things such as money or property with (d) Suffocation caused due to living
you. (a) to flatter (b) at its peak
last little burden or problem that causes everything in a congested area
(b) to dance with a partner (c) growing less
to collapse. 194. Your guess is as good as mine Something you say (c) to attend upon Directions (Q. Nos. 19-30) In the (d) at rock bottom
when you do not know the answer to a question. below given questions a word or a
(d) to attend to 27. The sight of the accident
phrase has been underlined in the
10. Go a-begging sentences. Four alternative meaning of made my flesh creep.
(a) to remain unused the same are given in the option (a), (b), (a) worried me
(b) go for begging (c) and (d). Choose the option which is (b) frightened me
(c) beg for going closest in meaning to the underlined (c) confused me
(d) request for something word or phrase. (d) drew my attention
GENERAL ENGLISH Idioms and Phrases
28. He is a queer fish. I have failed
to understand him.
(a) funny person
(b) sensitive person
(c) strange person
(d) quarrelsome person
QUESTIONS FROM
CDS EXAM (2013)
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-15) You are
given four alternative meanings to
each of the following idioms/phrases.
Choose the most appropriate one. In
each of these items a word or a
phrase has been underlined followed
by words or phrases listed (a), (b), (c)
and (d). Choose the most appropriate
word/phrase closest in meaning to the
underlined word or phrase and mark
your Answer sheet accordingly.
2013 (I)
1. He disdained to notice the
insult.
(a) was very proud
(b) refused
(c) was unhappy
(d) was too reluctant
2. He gave an evocative rendering
of his recent poems.
(a) thrilling (b) enchanting
(c) emotional (d) incantatory
3. Expeditious steps should be
taken to complete the work in
two weeks.
(a) Unmerciful and punitive
(b) Strict and forceful
(c) Disciplinary
(d) Prompt and efficient
ANSWERS
Complete Exercise
1 a 2 a 3 c
11 b 12 d 13
21 c 22 b 23
Questions from CDS Exam (2013)
1 b 2 c 3 d
11 a 12 b 13
481 482 CDS Pathfinder
29. His voice gets on my nerves.
(a) makes me sad
(b) irritates me
30. The doctor says that the patient
has turned the corner.
(a) completely recover
EXPLANATIONS
(c) makes me ill (b) become worse
(d) pierces my eardrums (c) passed the crisis Complete Exercise
(d) died
1. (a) At one’s wits end means to be 10. (a) ‘To become or remain unused’, 20. (a) Wide berth means ‘to keep
so upset that you do not know what unclaimed, unfilled or unwanted, distance from something or
to do. So, ‘perplexed’ is its right especially a job or product. somebody’.
meaning.
2. (a) Hang together means to support
11. (b) A gala day means ‘a day of
merry making or a festive occasion’.
21. (c) High and low means
‘everywhere’.
or help one another. So, ‘confirm
each other’ is its right meaning.
3. (c) Hard boiled means not showing
12. (d) Go hot and cold means ‘to
experience a sudden feeling of fear
and anxiety’.
22. (b) High spirits means ‘cheerful’.
23. (a) Point blank means ‘completely
and will not change your decision’.
4. Why did you make that flippant 10. It needs an expert to decipher much emotion, i.e. ‘hardened’. 13. (a) Gird up one’s lions means to 24. (b) Green-eyed means ‘envious or
remark? the secret message sent to the 4. (c) Get cold feet means to suddenly prepare oneself for something jealous’.
(a) highly critical Army Officers during war time. become too frightened to do requiring strength or endurance. So,
(b) not showing deserved respect (a) swindle (b) decode something you had planned to do. option (a) is correct. 25. (d) Tooth and nail means ‘with full
(c) casual (c) make up (d) defy So, ‘to be afraid’ is its right meaning. strength and fury’.
14. (a) Pocket an insult means ‘to bear
(d) indifferent 11. Bana in Sanskrit, Lyly in 26. (c) On the wane means ‘growing less
5. (b) Make no bones about means to insult without any objection’.
5. That is not an occasion to make English and Prasad in Hindi are be honest and open about or to become weak’.
celebrated for their florid style. 15. (c) At daggers drawn means
an impromptu speech. something. So, option (b) is correct. 27. (b) Flesh creep means ‘to get
(a) without preparation (a) ornate (b) rich ‘extreme unfriendliness, i.e. enmity’.
(c) refined (d) rambling 6. (a) Turn out crabs means ‘to end in frightened’.
(b) thoughtless 16. (c) Blow by blow means ‘to describe
failure’. 28. (c) Queer fish means ‘very strange
(c) improper 12. My brother’s zest for the new an event as it occurred in every
(d) long and boring project was infectious. 7. (d) Devil’s advocate is a person ‘who detail’. person’.
(a) greed (b) enthusiasm expresses an opinion that do not
6. The weavers have to do
(c) attraction (d) fascination really hold or is against religion’.
17. (b) By hook or by crook means ‘in 29. (b) On my nerves means ‘to irritate
monotonous work. whatever way one can’. someone’.
(a) autonomous (b) irksome 13. The eyewitness testimony was 8. (a) Between the devil and the sea 18. (a) Chock-a-block means ‘very full 30. (c) Turned the corner means ‘to pass
(c) exhausting (d) repetitive incontrovertible. means ‘to be in a difficult situation of things or people’. the difficult situation or crisis and
(a) disputable (b) debatable
7. There is not a single word that or in a fix’. begin to improve’.
(c) unacceptable (d) unquestionable 19. (d) Deaf ear means ‘not to pay any
is redundant in the report. 9. (d) Dance attendance on means ‘to
(a) unimportant (b) not needed 14. His forthright behaviour shows attention’.
attend to someone’.
(c) bombastic (d) flowery that he is honest but he seems
rude to some people.
8. The country’s economy is
beginning to look up now.
(a) courteous
(c) tactful
(b) straightforward
(d) correct
Questions from CDS Exam (2013)
(a) look clear (b) go down 1. (b) Disdain means ‘to refuse to do 5. (a) Impromptu means ‘without 11. (d) Florid here means having too
15. The minister’s speech was
(c) remain static (d) improve something, because you think that preparation’. much detail. ‘Rambling’ means ‘very
comprehensive and was greatly you are too important to do it’. long’.
9. The old man shows no signs of appreciated. 6. (d) Monotonous means ‘never
infirmity even though he is (a) praiseworthy 2. (c) Evocative means ‘something that changing and therefore, repetitive 12. (b) Zest means ‘enthusiasm’.
eighty years old. (b) full of fine words makes you think of or remember a and boring’.
13. (d) Incontrovertible means ‘not able
(a) lack of firmness (c) covering all aspects strong image or feeling’.
7. (b) Redundant means ‘not needed or to be denied or disputed’.
(b) feebleness (d) understandable useful’.
3. (d) Expeditious means ‘prompt and 14. (b) Forthright means ‘direct and
(c) fickleness
efficient’. 8. (d) Look up means ‘improve’. honest in manner’.
(d) indolence
4. (c) Flippant means ‘showing that 9. (b) Infirmity means ‘weakness’. 15. (c) Comprehensive means ‘including
you don’t take something seriously’.
So, option (c) is correct.
10. (b) Decipher means ‘to find the all or almost all that may be
meaning of something that is concerned’.
difficult to read or understand’.
4 c 5 b 6 a 7 d 8 a 9 d 10 a
a 14 a 15 c 16 c 17 b 18 a 19 d 20 a
a 24 b 25 d 26 c 27 b 28 c 29 b 30 c
4 c 5 a 6 d 7 b 8 d 9 b 10 b
d 14 b 15 c
06
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 484 CDS Pathfinder

SENTENCE COMPLETION EXERCISE

SET 1 SINGLE SENTENCE COMPLETION
Directions (Q.Nos. 1-57) Pick out 10. We are not sure, if their 19. The majority of village folk in
the most effective word from the business is strictly ……… . India are illiterate and ………
given words to fill in the blank to (a) prudent (b) honest superstitious.
make the sentence meaningfully (c) judicious (d) legitimate (a) overtly (b) delicately

SENTENCE complete.
1. The two sisters look so ………
that it is difficult to tell one
from the other.
11. The claims made by the
manufacturer of the product are
so extravagant that only the
……… will accept them on face
(c) stubbornly (d) covertly
20. I must admit that my parents
stood by me in my times of
……… .

COMPLETION (a) same

(c) identical
(b) similar
(d) alike
2. Since one cannot read every
book, one should be content
value.
(a) cynical
(c) rich
(b) gullible
(d) indifferent
12. Justice should be ………
(a) passion
(c) involvement
(b) duress
(d) criticism
21. Even, if it rains all day I will not
be able to ……… my journey.
with making a ……… selection. even-handedly. (a) put by (b) put out
(a) normal (b) standard (a) discharged (c) put off (d) put away
(c) sample (d) judicious (b) performed 22. Help yourself ……… whatever
(c) declared you can use without wasting.
3. Success comes to those, who are
(d) administered
vigilant not to permit ……… (a) with (b) to
from the chosen path. 13. The leader of the opposition (c) in (d) for
Generally, 10 to 15 questions based on sentence completion are asked in CDS exam. The question can be (a) diversion (b) deviation party condemned the communal 23. Indigenous products are now
based on a sentence or paragraph format. The candidate has to choose to fill the blank from the given (c) obstruction (d) alienation riots in ……… terms. comparable ……… imported
(a) unambiguous goods in quality.
options. 4. His actions had ……… pain and
(b) unparliamentary
suffering on thousands of (a) against (b) to
(c) unequivocal
people. (c) than (d) from
(d) uncontrollable
(a) deplored (b) eliminated 24. The Director pointed out in
(c) affected (d) inflicted 14. They should spend less time favour of the manager that the
5. He has good ……… over the ……… about and more with profitability of the plant had
famous world languages. their children. ……… since he had taken over.
Sentence completion comprises of filling up of the gaps given in a particular sentence individually or in a passage. The (a) gallivanting (b) gravitating (a) added (b) arisen
(a) authority (b) expertise
sentence has a blank and is followed by four options. A candidate has to pick the correct option to fill the blank in order (c) frisking (d) flirting (c) increased (d) declined
(c) hold (d) command
to make the sentence meaningful and grammatically correct. 15. The government’s handling of 25. Madan ……… the first prize in
6. The lions in the Gir forest are
A candidate should read the given sentence first and try to deduce the meaning of the statement. After that, the inferred protected as they come under the situation led to ……… this competition.
meaning should be matched with the given options. The closest inferential word is to be selected as the choice. ……… species. violations of human rights. (a) have won (b) win
(a) tumultuous (b) obvious (c) has won (d) is winning
(a) dangerous (b) engendered
Language Skills Required for Sentence Completion (c) enamoured (d) endangered (c) ostensible (d) flagrant
26. In large cities, people are cut
7. People, who have an ……… 16. A bullet ……… his cheek. ……… from nature.
Sentence completion becomes a great ease when a student is well-versed in these areas of languages (a) grazed (b) glazed
reputation are often avoided by (a) down (b) out
• Using correct adjective forms (c) grasped (d) screamed
the rest. (c) off (d) away
• Words followed by prepositions (a) unsteady (b) unsavory 17. The injured man was still 27. As a general rule, politicians do
• Idioms, phrases and phrasal verbs (c) unsafe (d) unsatisfied groggy and could only give a not ……… centre stage.
8. My father was too ……… to ……… account of the accident. (a) foster (b) forbid
• Noun and its forms
push open the heavy door. (a) garish (b) gangling (c) forgive (d) forsake
• Using the correct verb form (c) garbled (d) garrulous
(a) timid (b) faint 28. We cannot go on strike every
Apart from all these, a good command over vocabulary also helps a candidate in solving questions on Sentence (c) feeble (d) faltering 18. The teacher’s counsel had a year. Now, that we have gone
Completion correctly. 9. He does not suffer from any ……… effect on the mischievous on strike we must ……… this
……… disease at all. student’s conduct. issue.
(a) acute (b) chronic (a) memorable (b) salutary (a) canvass (b) cross
(c) temporary (d) irregular (c) sudden (d) forceful (c) clinch (d) culminate
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 485 486 CDS Pathfinder

29. Indications are that the

government is ……… to the
38. The Earth is at present in great
danger of becoming
49. The non-cooperative attitude of
the members can only ……… the SET 2 SENTENCE COMPLETION IN PASSAGE
prospect of granting bonus to uninhabitable because of ……… image of the society.
the striking employees. environmental pollution, which (a) spoil (b) improve
(a) relieved (b) aligned is going on at an incredibly (c) degrade (d) defame Directions (Q. Nos. 1-126) In the following passage at certain points you are given a choice of three words, one of
(c) obliged (d) reconciled rapid pace. which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the word which best fits the meaning of the passage and mark the
50. Our friends are not able to take us corresponding letter viz (a), (b) or (c).
30. I was totally ……… by his line (a) gigantic (b) inhuman in their car; we must make ………
of thinking and could not put (c) stupendous (d) colossal arrangements to go to the airport.
forth any argument. 39. It was indeed unreasonable (a) alternative (b) another
PASSAGE 1
(a) refuted (b) non-plussed ……… him to leave this job and (c) alternate (d) possible The Panchatantra is a compilation of inter-woven series of tales in prose and poetry, mostly animal fables. It was
(c) degraded (d) exhausted start business. 1. (a) compiled in Sanskrit (Hindu) and Pali (Buddhist). The compilation, 2. (a) tributed to Pandit Vishnu Sharma, is
51. Many ……… decisions were taken
(a) in (b) with (b) sampled (b) treated
31. The ……… study on import of at the meeting.
natural gas from Iran through (c) upon (d) of (a) hectic (b) historic (c) labelled (c) attributed
pipeline would be completed 40. Rohit behaves strangely at (c) historical (d) historinic considered by most 3. (a) soldiers to be dated 4. (a) round 3rd century BCE.Through cross border mutations, adaptations
shortly. times and therefore, nobody 52. We had to pay more taxi fare (b) scholars (b) around
(a) natural (b) economic gets ……… with him. because the driver brought us by a (c) sources (c) found
(c) feasibility (d) calculated (a) about (b) through ……… route. and translations, the Panchantantra remains the 5. (a) more popular work of 6. (a) diction, especially 7. (a) between
32. Man is ………, however, he is (c) along (d) up (a) circular (b) circumscribed (b) most (b) literature (b) upon
more in need of mental 41. It was difficult to remove my (c) longest (d) circuitous
(c) host (c) creatures (c) among
companionship than of feet as it had got stuck ……… 53. The team was well trained and
physical companionship. in the mud. storytellers. Tales of this 8. (a) ancient Indian work, the original 9. (a) texts of which is now long lost, portray the origins
strong, but somehow their ………
(a) biological (b) egoistic (a) fairly (b) greatly was low. (b) relevant (b) message
(c) gregarious (d) democratic (c) widely (d) firmly (a) feeling (b) moral (c) gracious (c) branch
33. Shivalal ……… classical music. 42. Due to security reasons, we (c) consciousness (d) morale of the 10. (a) subcontinents language and primitive 11. (a) lifestyle - apart from 12. (a) their objectives, according to its
He always prefers Bhimsen were ……… entry to the 54. The ……… brought against the (b) subcontinent’s (b) freestyle (b) its
Joshi to Asha Bhonsale and assembly hall. ministry was rejected by a vast (c) sub-continent’s (c) profile (c) theirs
Pandit Jasraj to Kumar Sanu. (a) stopped (b) denied majority in the Lower House of
(a) adores (b) cares (c) warned (d) rejected own 13. (a) narrator, to illustrate the primary Hindu 14. (a) principals of nïti the 15. (a) wise conduct of life. The
Parliament.
(c) cultivates (d) apprehends (b) narration (b) principle (b) well
43. ……… the arrival of the police, (a) bill (b) motion
34. He is the best man for this job. nobody went near the victim. (c) decree (d) suit (c) narrative (c) principles (c) wan
He has mental ……… to carry (a) Unless (b) Although Panchatantra 16. (a) consisted of 5 parts, apart from a 17. (a) brief introductory narrative.
55. Owing to the power cut in the
it out. (c) Even (d) Till area, factories are being forced to (b) consisting (b) breif
(a) adroitness (b) durability 44. The car in which the minister ……… men. (c) consists (c) briefly
(c) persuasion (d) predilection was travelling ……… with an (a) throw away (b) send off
35. We still have not given our accident. (c) put off (d) lay off
……… to conduct the survey of (a) hit (b) drove
56. In a changing and ……… PASSAGE 2
natural resources in our state. (c) crashed (d) met I participated last week in a day long festival of ideas and conversation on gender empowerment. It was a 18. (a) panelist
unstructured business
(a) consent (b) request 45. Divya always ……… the environment, creativity and (b) panels
(c) provision (d) projection permission of her father before innovation are being ……… (c) panel
36. His party is solely to be going for movies. demanded of executives. discussion 19. (a) with Sharmila Tagore, moderated by a professor 20. (a) in media studies. The discussion was titled,
blamed for the political ……… (a) seeking (b) seeks (a) highly, extremely (b) while (b) on
in the country. (c) sought (d) seeker (b) progressively, increasingly
(a) revival (c) among (c) of
46. It ……… that Punit will not be (c) increasingly, moderately
(b) degradation selected for the post. (d) excessively, rapidly ‘Taming of the Heroine’. While 21. (a) no of us had been 22. (a) tamed, we had enough 23. (a) storeys to share about
(c) stalemate (a) feels (b) looks (b) either (b) blamed (b) story
(d) devaluation 57. Moreover, a fact finding mission
(c) believes (d) seems ……… by BSN to India in (c) neither (c) tames (c) stories
37. Now, the management 47. Namrata was found to ……… January this year strongly navigating 24. (a) over the boys club in the film 25. (a) industry. Though what stayed with 26. (a) I was a disturbing
graduate can expect to have a the required qualifications for recommended that the French (b) under (b) industrious (b) my
prosperous life on a ……… the job. group should do it alone and not (c) through (c) trust (c) me
income without having to (a) contain (b) disclose hand over ……… to an Indian 27. (a) on hand question by a 28. (a) women in the audience - “Will our 29. (a) being strong hurt our 30. (a) feminine?”
depend on finding a place in (c) posses (d) acquire
family business having to tend Partner.
(b) off (b) woman (b) beings (b) family
48. I purposely ……… meet you (a) organised, papers
the paternal estates. (c) over (c) womans (c) be (c) feminity
during my last visit to (b) constituted, authority
(a) professional
Kashmir. (c) sponsored, power Being feminine is a burden that 31. (a) most women carry, be it a newsreader or a head of 32. (a) states. At all times we
(b) regular
(a) didn’t (b) won’t (d) dispatched, control (b) more (b) stately
(c) meaningful
(d) dependable (c) hadn’t (d) wouldn’t (c) much (c) state
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 487 488 CDS Pathfinder

33. (a) most exhibit our feminity in what we wear and how we 34. (a) behaves. Even more so the 35. (a) motion of beauty it and stumbled. He stopped opposite the child, and the 66. (a) too regarded each other. The dog hesitated for a
(b) must (b) behaved (b) notion (b) to
(c) mostly (c) behave (c) potion (c) two
and what it is to be a 36. (a) woman gets more 37. (a) and more standardised. 67. (a) movement, but he made some little advances with his tail. The child put 68. (a) on his hand and called
(b) women (b) or (b) moments (b) out
(c) man (c) if (c) moment (c) off
69. (a) himself. In an apologetic 70. (a) manner the dog came close, and the two had 71. (a) an interchange of friendly
(b) his (b) mannered (b) a
PASSAGE 3 (c) him (c) manners (c) the
Remember that epic commercial in which an Indian buys the East India Company. He steps out of a long car and
pattings and 72. (a) waggles.
38. (a) survey this long building, which (just so there is no confusion) is emblazoned 39. (a) in the sign ‘East India
(b) waggle.
(b) surveyed (b) with
(c) wag.
(c) surveys (c) on
Company’. An obsequious 40. (a) looks white dude sidles up and 41. (a) asks him, “Sir, Why did you purchase
(b) looking (b) asking PASSAGE 5
(c) looked (c) asked In recent years I’ve come across a number of instances in which students have developed devices and apps to help seniors
42. (a) these company?” And our hero replies,“200 years 43. (a) early, this company purchased my country. Today, I and the disabled. But I was 73. (a) genuine impressed by a creation of a 12 74. (a) years old. Emma Yang was
(b) this (b) earlier (b) genuinely (b) ear
(c) that (c) ago (c) gainly (c) year
purchased this 44. (a) companies.” And then he 45. (a) popped Rajnigandha Pan Masala into 46. (a) he mouth. Clearly 75. (a) one of the recipients of the “Ten under Twenty” 76. (a) renovation awards announced at this year’s CE Week
(b) accompany (b) pops (b) mine (b) ones (b) convocation
(c) company (c) poppy (c) his (c) only (c) innovation
inspired 47. (a) by this brilliant 48. (a) peace of copy, 49. (a) a makers of another pan masala have gone 50. (a) ahead conference 77. (a) on New York. Her creation, called Timeless, is 78. (a) a app that serves to help Alzheimer’s
(b) from (b) pieces (b) an (b) below (b) at (b) an
(c) on (c) piece (c) the (c) beyond (c) in (c) at
and purchased an ex-James Bond to 51. (a) sail their brand of poison to 52. (a) India still foolish enough to aspire 79. (a) patient, their caregivers, and 80. (a) there families. Emma was inspired to create “Timeless” 81. (a) to her
(b) sell (b) Indians (b) patience (b) those (b) by
(c) sold (c) India’s (c) patients (c) their (c) as
53. (a) too the outdated Bond fantasy. The resultant 54. (a) films has all the appeal of the gobi-aloo topped Pizza and frustration in trying to connect with 82. (a) his grandmother who lives in Hong Kong.“When I 83. (a) were 8 years old,
(b) till (b) film (b) hers (b) is
(c) to (c) filmed (c) her (c) was
reminds 55. (a) me somehow of those 56. (a) noble Siberian huskies one sometimes sees being dragged 57. (a) along the my grandmother thought 84. (a) my was 13. And then one day she forgot my 85. (a) birthday. My grandma suffers
(b) my (b) noblest (b) on (b) I (b) birthdays
(c) I (c) nobler (c) upon (c) me (c) berthday
pavement by drivers. 86. (a) with Alzheimer’s disease. She lives in Hong Kong and we live in New York. The 87. (a) distances makes it hard
(b) on (b) distant
(c) from (c) distance
PASSAGE 4 to stay engaged with her’’.
A child was standing on a street corner. He leaned with one shoulder against a high board-fence and swayed the other to
and fro, while kicking carelessly at the gravel. Sunshine beat upon the cobbles, and a 58. (a) lazier summer wind raised
(b) lazy PASSAGE 6
(c) crazy Once there lived a pious Brahmin in a village. He used to 88. (a) perform religious rituals. On one occasion he was
yellow dust which trailed 59. (a) on clouds down the avenue. Clattering trucks moved with indistinctness 60. (a) through (b) performs
(b) in (b) into (c) performing
(c) into (c) along rewarded with a cow by a rich man for his 89. (a) serviced. The Brahmin started to bring the cow to his home. On the
it. The child 61. (a) stand dreamily gazing. After a time a little dark-brown dog came trotting 62. (a) in an intent air (b) servitude
(b) stood (b) with (c) service
(c) stole (c) on way, three rogues saw the Brahmin bringing 90. (a) a cow. They 91. (a) were lazy and wanted to cheat the Brahmin so
down the sidewalk. A short 63. (a) rope was dragging from his 64. (a) nape. Occasionally he trod 65. (a) upon the end of (b) an (b) was
(b) rock (b) head (b) on (c) the (c) her
(c) roll (c) neck (c) in
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 489 490 CDS Pathfinder

that they could 92. (a) took away the cow. They hatched a plan. The first person approached the Brahmin and said,
(b) takes
PASSAGE 9
One day while I was discussing a new strategy to locate the wild dogs, a forest guard at Sariska informed me that about
(c) take 15-16metres to the right of Pandupole road, a Chital lay killed apparently by wild dogs. This was difficult to
”Are you a washer-man that you are pulling a donkey?” The Brahmin was annoyed 93. (a) on being mistaken for a 112. (a) presume because wild dogs usually do not leave 113. (a) behind any kill. They finish it 114. (a) up to the bone.
(b) off (b) believe (b) away (b) over
(c) at (c) know (c) after (c) off
washer-man. He went on. A little later he was met by the second of the rogues. The second person asked him why being Still an examination would 115. (a) prove interesting information and vital clues about the 116. (a) predator. So, I
a brahmin he needed to 94. (a) push a pig. Now, the Brahmin was confused but he went on. Some distance later he was
(b) reveal (b) chital
(b) pulled
(c) involves (c) locator
(c) pull
proceeded in the direction pointed 117. (a) out by the guard, Scanning the area, I 118. (a) found across the dead Chital.
met by the third person who asked him why he was pulling along a wild animal. Now, the Brahmin was 95. (a) totally
(b) to (b) located
(b) total
(c) man-eater (c) came
(c) totaled
The 119. (a) body had been opened but not 120. (a) now eaten. Its owner had 121. (a) probably dressed the dinner
confused and also afraid. He thought that it was a devil animal which took different forms. He ran away leaving the cow (b) corpse (b) yet (b) surely
96. (a) besides. The three 97. (a) tricksters laughed at the Brahmin.
(c) carcass (c) at all (c) really
(b) behind (b) trickers
ready for eating. I looked about for marks and 122. (a) when I found them, the marks 123. (a) frankly indicated the
(c) beside (c) trickster
(b) where (b) openly
(c) which (c) clearly
PASSAGE 7 presence of a canine. But 124. (a) what Jackals or wild dogs? Since, Jackals were active in Sariska independently
At that time, The White House was as serene as a resort hotel out of season. The corridors were 98. (a) striking (b) which
(b) hollow (c) two
(c) empty 125. (a) having Chital-kills, the actual presence, 126. (a) about the wild dogs still remained doubtful.
in the various offices. 99. (a) Quiet gray men on waistcoats talked to one another in low-pitched voices. The only color (b) hunting (b) of
(b) Faded (c) making (c) regarding
(c) Loud
or choler, curiously enough, was provided by the President Eisenhower himself. Apparently, his 100. (a) laughter was Directions (Q. Nos. 127-162) In each of the following passages, there are blanks each of which has been numbered.
(b) curiosity These numbers are given below the passage and against each, some words are suggested, one of which fits the blank
(c) temper
appropriately. Find out the appropriate words.
easily set off; he scowled when he 101. (a) paced the corridors. PASSAGE 10
(b) strolled After months of colder weather, the days get longer, the buds …(127)… in the trees, birds sing and the world …(128)… a
(c) stalked green dress. Spring passes …(129)… summer. Everyone knows that summer will not …(130)… forever. The power of all
the wisest men and women in the world cannot keep it for us. The corn becomes ripe, the leaves turn brown and then
PASSAGE 8 drop to the ground, …(131)… the world changes its green dress for a dress of autumn colours.
Someone 102. (a) pointed at the door. A lady opened it. A stranger was standing at the 103. (a) fence He said, “Madam, 127. (a) fall off (b) take up (c) put off (d) come out
(b) knocked (b) gate 128. (a) looks after (b) puts on (c) carries on (d) comes round
(c) looked (c) compound
129. (a) into (b) by (c) from (d) on
please excuse me for 104. (a) disturbing you. May I ask you something ? I 105. (a) wait by your house everyday on my
130. (a) forego (b) evaluate (c) succumb (d) last
(b) harassing (b) watch
(c) asking (c) pass
131. (a) yet (b) therefore (c) since (d) and

106. (a) office to work, I have 107. (a) decided that every day you hit your son on 108. (a) your head with a loaf of
(b) steps (b) felt (b) his PASSAGE 11
(c) way (c) noticed (c) my Throughout the ages, birds have been a source of wonder to all who have …(132)… their soaring flight or listened to their
sweet song. …(133)… a group, birds are …(134)…, they are the only animals covered …(135)… feathers. This evolutionary
bread.’’ The lady replied, ‘‘Yes, that’s 109. (a) right.’’ The stranger asked, ‘‘ This morning, I saw you 110. (a) feeding
development …(136)… birds from all other animals.
(b) obvious (b) bestowing
(c) surprising (c) hitting 132. (a) verified (b) supported (c) claimed (d) observed
him with a chocolate. Why 111. (a) bread? The lady replied, ‘‘ Today is his birthday. Therefore, I hit him with a sweet 133. (a) Like (b) Just (c) Still (d) As
(b) then 134. (a) unique (b) common (c) mundane (d) indifferent
(c) so 135. (a) by (b) on (c) with (d) as
thing.’’ 136. (a) has been separated (b) separates (c) separated (d) was separated
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 491 492 CDS Pathfinder

PASSAGE 12 148. (a) make

(c) cook
(b) create
(d) prepare
QUESTIONS FROM
A century ago the process of choosing a career was a
much simpler matter than it is today. A boy often
followed in his father’s footsteps. His sister learned the
149. (a) instead
(c) however
(b) from
(d) else CDS EXAM (2012-2016)
household skills that …(137)… her to become a wife and 150. (a) no (b) not
mother. Now-a-days young people grow up in a much free (c) neither (d) either
society …(138)… they enjoy almost unlimited career
opportunities. In recent years there …(139)… an 151. (a) lived (b) else SET 1 SINGLE SENTENCE COMPLETION
enormous increase in the kinds of vocations from which it (c) take/accept/put up with (d) must
is possible to choose. In addition, many of the barriers to 152. (a) chapter (b) lesson Directions (Q.Nos. 1-30) Pick out the most effective 2015 (II)
career opportunity that existed only a few decades ago, (c) teaching (d) power word from the given words to fill in the blank to make 11. We must not …… the real and important advances
such as …(140)… based on sex or religion or ethnic the sentence meaningfully complete. science has made.
origins are …(141)… disappearing.
PASSAGE 14 2013 (I)
(a) oppose
(c) ignore
(b) question
(d) doubt
137. (a) had prepared (b) may prepare
The guitar has a long history. The Ancient Egyptians
(c) was prepared (d) would prepare 1. An accomplice is a partner in ............. 12. These trousers are too long, ..... the length please.
…(153)… simple stringed instruments and the Greeks
138. (a) where (b) when and the Romans also made music …(154)… plucking (a) business (b) crime (a) diminish (b) lessen
(c) why (d) whom strings by their fingers. The first true guitar music came (c) construction (d) gambling (c) curtail (d) reduce
139. (a) had been (b) has been during the 15th …(155)… in Spain. At first it was an 2. A person, who pretends to be what he is not is called 13. ‘‘What did you think of the film?’’ ‘‘……, I didn’t like
(c) will be (d) would have been …(156)… for poor people and travelling musicians, but an ........... it very much.’’
soon rich people all …(157)… Europe were learning to (a) imbiber (b) impresario (a) To be honest (b) Being honest
140. (a) judgement (b) perception play the guitar. (c) imitator (d) imposter (c) To be fair (d) In honesty
(c) goodwill (d) discrimination
The guitar travelled far and fast. When Cortes reached 3. His .......... nature would not let him leave his office 14. He …… in this school since 2010.
141. (a) rapidly (b) incessantly Mexico in the 16th century he had a guitar player before 5 pm. (a) studied
(c) categorically (d) vigilantly …(158)… his soldiers. A century later, the guitar was (a) honest (b) selfish (b) was studying
…(159)… played all over South America. The Spanish (c) unscrupulous (d) conscientious (c) has been studying
Americans made some changes to the instrument and
PASSAGE 13 developed their …(160)… style of playing. 4. The committee’s appeal to the people for money (d) had studied
Once there was an old woman who …(142)… in a shoe. ......... little response. 15. ‘‘His parents died when he was young.’’ ‘‘I think
In North America new …(161)… of music, jazz and
This must have been very cramped and difficult because (a) evoked (b) provided (c) provoked (d) prevented that’s why he has …… problems.’’
living …(143)… a shoe is not very comfortable, I expect. popular music especially, led to new kinds of guitar. In
5. Too many skyscrapers ......... the view along the (a) too many
One day, she went out and there …(144)… some children the modern world there are four main …(162)… of guitar:
beach. (b) so many
playing in the street nearby where she lived. They began the classical, the flamenco, the steel stringed and electric
(a) reveal (b) obstruct (c) any more
shouting …(145)… her. “You silly old woman, why do guitars.
(c) make (d) clear (d) much more
you live in a shoe?”. They shouted and other things like 153. (a) have (b) carried
that. They were very insulting …(146)… the old woman. 6. Though he has several interim plans, his ......... aim 16. ...... if he is willing to fit in with the plans of the
(c) covered (d) played
I don’t know, why the old woman had to live in a shoe, is to become a billionaire. group.
but she …(147)… have been very poor and it was not 154. (a) with (b) before (a) There is no objection to him joining the party
(a) absolute (b) determined
nice to …(148)… fun of the poor woman because she was (c) from (d) by (b) There is no objection on his joining the party
(c) only (d) ultimate
so hard up that she had nowhere …(149)… to live. But 155. (a) century (b) history (c) There is no objection to his joining the party
children can be very cruel sometimes and this case was (c) generation (d) class (d) There was no objection for his joining the party
…(150)… exception. However, on this occasion the old 2014 (I)
156. (a) implements (b) device 17. Having secured the highest marks in the class, ...... .
woman didn’t just …(151)… their insults meekly, but 7. It is necessary to .......... that adequate standards are
(c) gadget (d) instrument (a) the college had offered him a scholarship
became very angry and shouted “I will teach you a maintained. (b) he was offered a scholarship by the college
…(152)…”, she chased them with a cane. 157. (a) around (b) in (a) insure (b) influence (c) a scholarship was offered him by the college
142. (a) make (b) must (c) over (d) about (c) ensure (d) control (d) a college scholarship had been offered to him
(c) lived (d) else 158. (a) without (b) with 8. Many of the city’s narrow streets have been ......... 18. After they …… lunch, the boys ran outside.
143. (a) whether (b) in (c) before (d) in front of (a) distinguished (b) widened (a) have eaten (b) had eaten
(c) despite (d) within 159. (a) creature (b) individual (c) doubled (d) rehabilitated (c) were eating (d) would eat
144. (a) were (b) was (c) over all (d) being 9. Only the Chairman ..... to the proposal to build more 19. As he was …… and had saved enough money,
(c) are (d) had 160. (a) hold (b) have houses. his family escaped misery when he died suddenly.
(c) posses (d) own (a) avoided (b) admitted (a) prudent (b) preparatory
145. (a) below (b) under
(c) prevented (d) objected (c) persistent (d) providential
(c) upon (d) at 161. (a) style (b) kinds/types
(c) category (d) class 10. He hoped to bring the ..... to a satisfactory 20. Some mysteries remain in desert research: especially
146. (a) till (b) to
conclusion. relating to why some regions, once fertile, are now
(c) until (d) based on 162. (a) made of (b) created of (a) quarrel …… .
147. (a) ought to (b) need not (c) kinds/types (d) made up of (b) negotiations (a) blossoming (b) cultivable
(c) might (d) must (c) conflicts (c) barren (d) irrigated
(d) concession
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 493 494 CDS Pathfinder

2016 (I) 26. Socrates was ........ of spreading discontent among 2012 (II)
young men of Athens and of trying to destroy their
21. The mounting pressure was so overwhelming that he faith in the old Gods. PASSAGE 2
ultimately ........ to her wish. (a) rebuked
(a) yielded in (b) gave in (c) cowed in (d) agreed in There has been quite some talk in recent times about the status of women in our society, some of it sentimental and some
(b) disparaged of it, angry. But the status of women 13. (a) can be improved only if we join 14. (a) ourselves earnestly to achieve the
22. Authority ........when it is not supported by the moral (c) accused
(b) shall (b) heads
purity of its user. (d) demonised
(a) prevails (b) entails (c) crumbles (d) waits (c) should (c) hands
27. The robbers fell ........ amongst themselves over the
desired 15. (a) goal. Obviously, it cannot be done merely through 16. (a) enforcing legislation. It requires an intelligent
23. In a developing country like India some industries sharing of the loot.
will have to be brought within public ........ and (a) out (b) through (b) intention. (b) enacting
control, for otherwise rapid growth of the economy (c) off (d) across (c) wish. (c) passing
may be impossible. 28. A really sophisticated person would never be ........ and sympathetic 17. (a) presentation of each others problems and a 18. (a) consent to give up pointless claims
(a) perspective (b) hegemony enough to think that he is always right. (b) understanding (b) co-operation
(c) observation (d) ownership (a) reverent (b) naive (c) vision (c) willingness
24. Gandhi ji conceived of the idea of channelising the (c) articulate (d) humble
19. (a) of superiority. The delicate adjustment can be achieved not 20. (a) by conflict, but by peaceful and dispassionate
powerful currents of the united mass movement so 29. Speeding and blocking are traffic offences which lead (b) about (b) through
as to give the utmost impetus to the national ........ to ........ accidents.
for independence. (c) over (c) from
(a) troublesome (b) final
(a) struggle (b) conflict 21. (a) behaviour, in other words, through frank and courteous 22. (a) discussion. The problem can be solved only
(c) great (d) gruesome
(c) onslaught (d) march (b) confrontation, (b) bargaining.
30. Creative people are often ........ with their own
25. Because of his ........ habits, he could not save much (c) means, (c) argument.
uniqueness.
money. (a) obsessed (b) deranged 23. (a) through mutual understanding and not through insistence on a 24. (a) vital observance of a code of
(a) extravagant (b) frugal (c) unbalanced (d) dissatisfied (b) by (b) hard
(c) unsavoury (d) bad
(c) from (c) rigid
25. (a) agreement. If we truly desire a solution to this 26. (a) difficult problem, we should be prepared for
SET 2 SENTENCE COMPLETION IN PASSAGE (b) conduct.
(c) rights.
(b) doubtful
(c) small
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-149) In the following passage at certain points you are given a choice of three words, one of 27. (a) one compromise. The system cannot be changed overnight. There 28. (a) was a great need for patience in
which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the word which best fits the meaning of the passage and mark the (b) a (b) is
corresponding letter viz (a), (b) or (c). (c) no (c) has been
29. (a) dealing with this complex matter. Problems are 30. (a) immensely solved through the application of 31. (a) brain
2012 (I) (b) handling (b) best (b) wisdom
(c) tackling (c) rarely (c) theory
PASSAGE 1 and certainly not through angry 32. (a) enmity. At every step in our life, we 33. (a) understand, then why should we
According to a report in yesterday’s newspaper 1. (a) once police dog was taken to Raj Bhavan 2. (a) at Monday. (b) hostility. (b) compromise,
(b) a (b) next (c) conflicts. (c) discuss,
(c) new (c) on take up rigid stand in matters which concern us intimately?
This was to trace the 3. (a) killers of the ‘very important horse’ which 4. (a) has reported missing on Sunday. The
(b) dogs (b) were 2013 (II)
(c) police (c) was
dog picked 5. (a) on the scent on some traces of 6. (a) those and ran a few yards before losing the 7. (a) bet. PASSAGE 3
(b) at (b) blood (b) track A young man riding a motor-cycle approached a policeman in a market place and sought his assistance in reaching a
(c) up (c) report (c) game particular locality. The policeman gave him some 34. (a) instructions and the motor-cyclist left. He 35. (a) reached
The police have launched a vigorous 8. (a) search into the whole affair. They have 9. (a) given up the services of a (b) directions (b) came
(b) investigation (b) requisitioned (c) advice (c) went
(c) campaign (c) report back after some time and 36. (a) asked the policeman that he could not 37. (a) find the place. The policeman got the
forensic expert, 10. (a) a fingerprint expert and a photographer. 11. (a) There are now fourteen horses at Raj Bhavan. (b) convinced (b) hit
(b) an (b) We (c) told (c) see
(c) two (c) So 38. (a) idea to help him and agreed to 39. (a) start with the motor-cyclist. On reaching the 40. (a) station the
12. (a) who are kept in a large shed near the gate. (b) inclination (b) go (b) destination
(b) where (c) urge (c) proceed (c) spot
(c) which motor-cyclist left in a hurry leaving the policeman on the road. The policeman was surprised and returned to his spot. A
little later, a senior police officer reached the place and took the policeman to task for dereliction of duty.
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 495 496 CDS Pathfinder

62. (a) exacting their words, emphasising and exaggerating and 63. (a) teaching with their hands. Other people hardly
PASSAGE 4 (b) shaping (b) holding
Picasso is considered by many as the greatest painter of the modern age. There are stories and legends about him.
(c) changing (c) punctuating
Once, on a beach in Southern France, a little boy, obviously sent by his parents, approached Picasso 41. (a) with a
64. (a) adjust their hands at all when they 65. (a) lecture.
(b) by
(b) use (b) unite.
(c) on
(c) wave (c) talk.
sheet of paper and begged for a small autographed drawing. Picasso 42. (a) painted for a moment, then tore up the
(b) thought
2014 (II)
(c) stood
paper, took 43. (a) back colour crayons, drew designs on the boy’s chest 44. (a) near neck and signed his ‘work’ and sent PASSAGE 7
(b) some (b) and We know that the average depth of the sea is about two and a half miles, but in few places it is very deep indeed—over
(c) aside (c) to six miles. The air presses upon our bodies with a weight of about fifteen pounds to the square inch at 66. (a) sea-water
the youngster 45. (a) after to his parents. (b) sea-level
(b) again (c) sea-bed
(c) back We are used to this air pressure and 67. (a) do not notice it. In the sea this 68. (a) weight is doubled at a depth of
(b) did (b) volume
2014 (I) (c) does (c) pressure
thirty-five feet, and it 69. (a) expands at this rate for greater depths. In the great deeps 70. (a) off the Philippine
PASSAGE 5 (b) decreases (b) of
One of the most interesting new books published recently is ‘Spaceship’ by Professor EC Walker. Our Earth he (c) increases (c) on
says 46. (a) is like a spaceship, and all the 400 million people 47. (a) over Earth are passengers on it. And we are Islands, a man would be squeezed and utterly crushed by a pressure of 71. (a) severe tons per square inch. The pressure
(b) have been (b) on (b) several
(c) will be (c) upon (c) sheer
heading 48. (a) about a disaster. The levels of atmospheric pollution 49. (a) increasing in the cities and industrial areas near the ocean floor is 72. (a) such great that, if you were to weigh a piece of wood and 73. (a) measure it to a
(b) to (b) arriving (b) not (b) follow
(c) so (c) lower
(c) towards (c) coming
great depth and then pull it 74. (a) up again it would no longer float, 75. (a) but it would have become waterlogged.
of the world could in time change the weather patterns of the Earth, raising the temperature 50. (a) in the whole
(b) off (b) for
(b) of
(c) down (c) when
(c) for
All the tiny wood cells and cavities 76. (a) should have burst and become filled with water. We 77. (a) know that
planet. If this rose a few 51. (a) degrees the deserts of the world would expand to double their size. The polar ice caps (b) could (b) have known
(b) steps (c) would (c) are knowing
(c) miles animals live at a depth of three miles and more we wonder 78. (a) why this can be. The bodies of animals down
would start melting. If the polar ice caps melted, the 52. (a) water level all over the world would rise 53. (a) in about (b) how
(b) ice (b) by (c) what
(c) sea (c) to 79. (a) here are almost entirely filled with water, and 80. (a) this saves them from being crushed. However, many of
60 m. Professor Walker’s 54. (a) idea is not at all about gloom and doom. He admits that the 55. (a) ideas he describes (b) where (b) these
(c) there (c) thus
(b) thought (b) solutions
81. (a) such animals contain some gases as well, for 82. (a) then they are captured in nets and drawn 83. (a) on the surface
(c) book (c) changes
(b) those (b) since (b) to
could take thousands of years. (c) there (c) when (c) from
these gases expand so much that the animal 84. (a) immediately explodes. Its body is torn to shreds as it 85. (a) bursts.
PASSAGE 6 (b) eventually (b) jumps.
Sometimes, the messages are sent with 56. (a) many accompanying words and we speak in 57. (a) body language alone. (c) actually (c) lands.
(b) few (b) signal
(c) no (c) foreign 2015 (I)
But, what gestures make 58. (a) with body language? Most of us are 59. (a) easy with the common hand gestures.
(b) up (b) familiar
PASSAGE 8
We all like listening to the person who is good 86. (a) on telling stories and he will always be a 87. (a) popular member of
(c) into (c) efficient
(b) at (b) good
Some 60. (a) students cannot talk without using their hands. 61. (a) We reach out as they explain almost (c) by (c) necessary
(b) people (b) Arms any company. The art 88. (a) on good story-telling covers much more than 89. (a) describing up fabulous adventures; it
(c) officers (c) They (b) of (b) making
(c) at (c) showing
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 497 498 CDS Pathfinder

includes telling 90. (a) about the doings of living people or 91. (a) insignificant men and women of the past, He did not 122. (a) as legend says drop cannon balls from the Leaning Tower of Pisa 123. (a) having proved that all
(b) by (b) dead (b) as stories say (b) proving
(c) for (c) famous (c) as people say (c) to prove
92. (a) in your own travels and adventures and 93. (a) experiences about the books you have read 94. (a) either the bodies fall at the 124. (a) same speed, but he did roll balls 125. (a) downside a slope to show that the 126. (a) track
(b) about (b) desires (b) all
(b) equal (b) down over (b) distance
(c) through (c) worries (c) and
(c) similar (c) down (c) path
films you have seen. Practising 95. (a) an art of story-telling can be very 96. (a) useful too. It will help you to
(b) a (b) dangerous a body falls is proportionate 127. (a) to the square of the time it takes to fall. Galileo also noticed the regular
(c) the (c) contagious (b) of
97. (a) listen clearly and logically, to sort out 98. (a) her ideas to express yourself clearly and 99. (a) timidly, to gain and (c) with
(b) remember (b) their (b) effectively, 128. (a) swings of the lamps in Pisa Cathedral; 129. (a) these gave him the idea of the pendulum, a device that
(c) think (c) your (c) bluntly
(b) swinging (b) this
hold the attention 100. (a) at others. It will help you to 101. (a) shake off shyness and self-consciousness, and give (c) swaying (c) those
(b) on (b) lay
enabled him to make the clock a scientific instrument for the first time.
(c) of (c) hit
102. (a) she that feeling of freedom 103. (a) then is so important to 104. (a) success in life.
(b) you (b) what (b) victory 2016 (I)
(c) I (c) which (c) gain
PASSAGE 11
2015 (II) I was engaged in many activities and I wanted a proper reconciliation between my activity and thought. Thought without
130. (a) wish is undeveloped thought. Action without 131. (a) thought is folly. Of course we 132. (a) never act on some
PASSAGE 9 (b) action (b) wish (b) belatedly
What 105. (a) can happen to them after us? This most 106. (a) joyous question continually torments the parents of these (c) idea (c) idea (c) sometimes
(b) will (b) distressing impulse or 133. (a) peaceful urge. If suddenly you throw 134. (a) no brick at me and my 135. (a) hand goes up in front
(c) must (c) distracting (b) uncontrollable (b) an (c) wrist
107. (a) unethical children. So they are mainly interested in 108. (a) providing some kind of vocational training for them. (c) indisputable (c) a (c) finger
(b) unnatural (b) making to 136. (a) stimulate myself, it is an automatic, 137. (a) uncontrollable action and not a result 138. (a) to deliberate thought.
(c) unfortunate (c) giving (b) rescue (b) instinctive (b) in
109. (a) But special schools for such children, spread all 110. (a) above the world, lay emphasis on vocational training. (c) protect (c) impulsive (c) of
(b) Yet (b) under Our living is 139. (a) made by a series of automatic 140. (a) thoughts from morning till night. Anything 141. (a) we do
(c) Hence (c) over (b) conditioned (b) actions (b) I
111. (a) However, they are taught to make paper bags, 112. (a) dubious wall hangings etc. This, of course, is quite (c) developed (c) wishes (c) they
(b) Accordingly, (b) simple outside that common range of 142. (a) thoughts however, has to be 143. (a) proceeded by some measure of thinking.
(c) Similarly, (c) clumsy (b) ideas (b) preceded
113. (a) agreeable and admirable. But what about play and 114. (a) sport. (c) actions (c) followed
(b) astute (b) game. 144. (a) Some more action and thought are 145. (a) developed and integrated, the more effective 146. (a) they become
(c) additional (c) grounds. (b) If (b) allied (b) thoughts
(c) The (c) hostile (c) we
PASSAGE 10 and the happier you 147. (a) appear. There will then be no inner 148. (a) reconciliation between a wish to do something
Galileo used mathematical calculation as well as observation of nature and was the first astronomer to use a telescope. With (b) develop. (b) conflict
an instrument of his own 115. (a) experiment, Galileo observed Jupiter and four of 116. (a) the Moons, the phases of (c) grow. (c) inflict
(b) construction, (b) their and 149. (a) inability to act.
(c) calculation, (c) its (b) probability
Venus and the spots on the Sun. His 117. (a) observing and calculations confirmed that Copernicus and Kepler were (c) plausibility
(b) observations
(c) observed
right. He saw 118. (a) by his own eyes and made other people 119. (a) to see too that the Earth was not the fixed center
(b) from (b) see
(c) with (c) seeing
of 120. (a) an universe as Ptolemy had said. Galileo 121. (a) instead made some important discoveries in mechanics.
(b) a (b) also
(c) the (c) therefore
 499

07
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Completion 500 NDA/NA Pathfinder

ANSWERS
Sentence Completion Exercise
Set 1 - Single Sentence Completion
1 d 2 d 3 b 4 d 5 d 6 d 7 b 8 c 9 b 10 d
11 b 12 a 13 c 14 a 15 d 16 a 17 c 18 b 19 c 20 b
21 c 22 a 23 b 24 c 25 c 26 c 27 d 28 d 29 d 30 b
31 c 32 c 33 a 34 a 35 a 36 b 37 b 38 d 39 d 40 c
41 d 42 b 43 d 44 d 45 b 46 d 47 c 48 a 49 a 50 a

SENTENCE
51 b 52 d 53 d 54 b 55 d 56 b 57 d

Set 2 - Sentence Completion in Passage

1 a 2 c 3 b 4 b 5 b 6 b 7 c 8 a 9 a 10 b

IMPROVEMENT
11 a 12 b 13 c 14 c 15 a 16 c 17 a 18 c 19 a 20 c
21 c 22 a 23 c 24 c 25 a 26 c 27 b 28 b 29 a 30 c
31 a 32 c 33 b 34 c 35 b 36 a 37 a 38 c 39 b 40 b
41 a 42 b 43 c 44 c 45 b 46 c 47 a 48 c 49 c 50 a
51 b 52 b 53 c 54 b 55 a 56 a 57 a 58 b 59 b 60 a
61 b 62 b 63 a 64 c 65 a 66 c 67 c 68 b 69 c 70 a
71 a 72 a 73 b 74 c 75 a 76 c 77 c 78 b 79 c 80 c
81 b 82 c 83 c 84 b 85 a 86 c 87 c 88 a 89 c 90 c
91 a 92 c 93 c 94 c 95 a 96 b 97 a 98 c 99 a 100 c
101 c 102 b 103 b 104 a 105 c 106 c 107 c 108 b 109 a 110 c
111 c 112 b 113 a 114 a 115 b 116 a 117 b 118 c 119 c 120 c Generally, 10 to 15 questions based on sentence improvement are asked in the CDS exam. In these
121 a 122 a 123 c 124 b 125 c 126 b 127 d 128 b 129 a 130 d questions, a part of the given sentences is underlined. Out of the given options, the candidate has to choose
131 d 132 d 133 d 134 a 135 c 136 b 137 d 138 a 139 b 140 d the option which improves the sentence. In case, there is no improvement, option (d) needs to be selected
141 a 142 c 143 b 144 a 145 d 146 b 147 d 148 a 149 d 150 a which stands for ‘No improvement’.
151 c 152 b 153 d 154 d 155 a 156 d 157 c 158 b 159 d 160 d
161 b 162 c

Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16)

Set 1 - Single Sentence Completion Questions based on Sentence Improvement are designed to test a candidate’s knowledge of English
1 b 2 d 3 a 4 a 5 b 6 d 7 c 8 b 9 d 10 b Grammar and Vocabulary simultaneously. In such questions, a sentence is given with a part underlined. For
11 c 12 d 13 a 14 c 15 b 16 c 17 b 18 b 19 a 20 c this part, some alternatives are given below the sentence.
21 b 22 c 23 d 24 a 25 a 26 c 27 a 28 b 29 d 30 d
The candidate has to choose the option which improves the sentence. A sound knowledge of
grammatical rules is highly beneficial in solving such questions.
Set 2 - Sentence Completion in Passage
1 b 2 c 3 a 4 c 5 c 6 b 7 b 8 b 9 b 10 a Direction (Example) Which option improves the underlined part of the given sentence? In case, the sentence
11 a 12 a 13 a 14 c 15 a 16 c 17 b 18 c 19 a 20 a cannot be improved further, choose option (d).
21 c 22 a 23 a 24 c 25 b 26 a 27 b 28 b 29 a 30 b
The girl is wise despite her age.
31 b 32 c 33 b 34 b 35 b 36 c 37 a 38 a 39 b 40 b
41 a 42 b 43 b 44 b 45 c 46 a 47 b 48 c 49 a 50 b
(a) is her (b) than her
51 a 52 c 53 b 54 c 55 c 56 c 57 a 58 b 59 b 60 b (c) for her (d) at her
61 c 62 b 63 c 64 b 65 c 66 b 67 a 68 c 69 c 70 b Explanation (c) In the above sentence, underlined part is ‘despite her’. We have to choose the option which
71 b 72 c 73 c 74 a 75 b 76 c 77 a 78 b 79 c 80 a will improve the sentence. Among the given options, ‘for her’ is best option which improves the
81 b 82 c 83 b 84 a 85 a 86 b 87 a 88 b 89 a 90 a sentence and makes it grammatically correct. The other options are incorrect. Hence, option (c) is
91 c 92 c 93 a 94 c 95 c 96 a 97 c 98 c 99 b 100 c the correct choice.
101 b 102 b 103 c 104 c 105 b 106 b 107 c 108 a 109 c 110 c
111 b 112 b 113 b 114 a 115 b 116 c 117 b 118 c 119 b 120 c
121 b 122 a 123 c 124 a 125 c 126 b 127 a 128 c 129 b 130 b
131 a 132 c 133 b 134 a 135 a 136 c 137 b 138 c 139 b 140 b
141 a 142 c 143 b 144 c 145 b 146 a 147 c 148 b 149 a
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement 502 CDS Pathfinder

IMPROVE THE SENTENCES 23. He sent a word to me that he

would be coming late.
31. The greatest thing in style is to
have a use of metaphor.
41. While crossing the highway, a
five year old child was knocked
(a) sent word (a) knowledge (b) command out by a passing car.
(b) had sent a word (c) need (d) No improvement (a) away
(c) sent words (b) up
(d) No improvement
32. Infact, if it hadn’t been for his (c) down
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-110) Select the option which improves the underlined part of the sentences. In case, there is no invaluable advice on so many
improvement, choose option (d). 24. It became clear that the (d) No improvement
occasions I wouldn’t have
strangers were heading into a achieved anything in life. 42. Every time I go in a lift to my
1. He could not look anything in 8. We were not the wiser for all 15. I will not go to school, if it shall serious disaster. sixth floor apartment, I
(a) remarkable advice
the dark room. this effort to explain the case rain tomorrow. (a) along remember the calm and
(b) valuable advices
(a) look at to us. (a) it would rain tomorrow (b) towards serenity of my ancestral home
(c) priceless suggestion
(b) see (a) none (b) it will rain tomorrow (c) for in the village.
(d) No improvement
(c) see through (b) neither (c) it rains tomorrow (d) No improvement (a) move in a lift
(d) No improvement (c) nevertheless (d) No improvement 33. To get one’s name in the Rowland (b) ascend in a lift
(d) No improvement 25. Fifty kilometres are not a great Ward’s book of hunting records
2. He was fined for careless 16. Why the dinosaurs died out is not distance in these days of fast (c) take a lift
was the hot ambition of every
driving. 9. If I stood alone in defence of known. moving vehicles. (d) No improvement
serious hunter.
(a) got fined truth, and the whole world is (a) it is not known (a) is not a great distance 43. He found a wooden broken
(a) extreme (b) burning
(b) fined banded against me and against (b) the reason is not known (b) is no distance chair in the room.
(c) high (d) No improvement
(c) was to be fined truth, I would fight them all. (c) that is not known (c) aren’t a great distance (a) wooden and broken chair
(d) No improvement (a) will be banded (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
34. I have lived in Delhi since I was (b) broken wooden chair
(b) were banded four.
3. We look forward to hear from 17. He is quite well now, except a slight 26. Whatever to our other (c) broken and wooden chair
(c) banded (a) am living (b) lived
you. cold. problems, we have no (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (c) had lived (d) No improvement
(a) hearing (a) except with a slight cold shortcoming of cheap labour in 44. If the room had been brighter,
(b) have heard 10. During his long discourse, he (b) excepting a slight cold India.
35. My friend was in hospital for a I would have been able to read
(c) listen did not touch that point. (c) except for a slight cold week after an accident.
(a) default for a while before bed time.
(d) No improvement (a) touch upon (d) No improvement (b) deficit (a) through (b) following (a) If the room was brighter
4. When the examinations were (b) touch on 18. His powerful desire brought about (c) scarcity (c) for (d) No improvement (b) If the room are brighter
over Anil and me went to our (c) touch of his downfall. (d) No improvement 36. I want you to clearly understand (c) Had the room been brighter
native town. (d) No improvement (a) His intense desire that matter. (d) No improvement
27. It was indeed a shock for her,
(a) me and Anil 11. He has not and can never be in (b) His desire for power but she has later recovered (a) you clearly to understand 45. Practically, every part of the
(b) Anil and I the good books of his employer (c) His fatal desire from it. (b) you to understand clearly banana tree is used by man.
(c) I and Anil because he lacks honesty. (d) No improvement (a) since (c) to clearly understand you (a) each part
(d) No improvement (a) has not and cannot be 19. If he would have tried, he would (b) then (d) No improvement (b) any part
5. Will you kindly open the (b) has not and can never been have succeeded. (c) afterwards (c) most part
37. If you cross the line, you will be
knot? (c) has not been and can never be (a) is tried (b) was tried (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
disqualified.
(a) untie (d) No improvement (c) had tried (d) No improvement 28. There is dearth of woman (a) cross upon the line 46. Hoping not to be disturbed, I
(b) break 12. This matter admits of no 20. I hope you vividly remember the doctor in our state. We shall (b) cross on the line sat down in my easy chair to
(c) loose excuse. premier of the film when I, my wife have to recruit some from the (c) cross out the line read the book I won as a prize.
(d) No improvement (a) admits to and you were present in the hall. other states. (d) No improvement (a) I had won as a prize
6. Realising the significance of (b) admits from (a) my wife, I and you (a) women doctor (b) I have won as prize
38. No sooner he had returned home
technical education for (c) admits (b) you, I and my wife (b) woman doctors (c) I had to win as a prize
then his mother felt happy.
developing our country, the (d) No improvement (c) my wife, you and I (c) women doctors (d) No improvement
(a) had he returned home when
government laid aside a large 13. You have come here with a (d) No improvement (d) No improvement (b) he had returned home than 47. His father won’t be able to
sum on it during the last view to insult me. 21. With a thundering roar the huge 29. The poor villagers have waited (c) did he return home than leave for Varanasi until they
plan-period. (a) to insulting me rocket soared up from the launching in the bitter cold for more than (d) No improvement have arrived.
(a) laid up (b) of insulting me pad. four hours now. (a) until they arrive
(b) set aside 39. There is no more room for you in
(c) for insulting me (a) flew up (a) have been waiting this compartment. (b) until they will have arrived
(c) laid out (d) No improvement (b) went upwards (b) had waited (c) until they will arrive
(d) No improvement (a) There is no more seat
(c) took off (c) has been waiting (b) There is no more space (d) No improvement
14. For all powers of reason and
7. Other countries have (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
understanding, we know a (c) There is no more accommodation 48. The company goes to great
eradicated this disease ten little about life’s secrets. 22. My opinion for the film is that it 30. Most donors would seriously (d) No improvement length to ensure that
years ago. will bag the national award. protest any effort to extrapolate employees can be comfortable
(a) a little of love secrets 40. Young men and women should get
(a) eradicated (a) opinion to from such limited data. in their work environment.
(b) little about life’s secrets habituated to reading and writing
(b) had eradicated (b) opinion about (a) protest against (a) are comfortable
(c) nothing about life’s secrets about current affairs.
(c) did eradicated (c) opinion on (b) protest at (b) will be comfortable
(d) No improvement (a) used (b) prepared
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (c) protest to (c) should be comfortable
(c) trained (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement 503 504 CDS Pathfinder

49. The reason why he wrote the 58. If you are living near a 66. The dissidents hold a great 75. When it was feared that the 82. Although, India is still by far a 89. Tax-payers are to be conscious of
letter was because he could not market place you should be problem in every political party. serfs might go too far and poor country, it can become their privileges.
contact him over the phone. ready to bear the disturbances (a) cause gain their freedom from rich if its natural and human (a) have to (b) need
(a) why he wrote the letter was since caused by traffic. (b) give serfdom, the protestant resources are fully utilised. (c) ought to (d) No improvement
(b) for which he wrote the letter (a) to bear upon (c) pose leaders joined the princes at (a) few and far between
crushing them.
90. I would have waited for you at the
because (b) to bear with (d) No improvement (b) by and large
(c) to bear away
station if I knew that you would
(c) why he wrote the letter was that (a) into crushing (c) by and by
(d) No improvement
67. Not long back, in Japan, a come.
(d) No improvement mysterious nerve gas affected a (b) in crushing (d) No improvement
(a) had known (b) was knowing
59. I shall not go until I am large number of people. (c) without crushing
50. I shall be grateful to you if you 83. Due to these reasons, we are (c) have known (d) No improvement
invited. (d) No improvement
are of help to me now. (a) effected all in favour of universal 91. No one could explain how a calm
(a) till I am invited (b) infected 76. In India, today many of our compulsory education.
(a) help (b) would help and balanced person like him could
(b) unless I am invited (c) infested intellectuals still talk in terms (a) Out of these reasons
(c) helped (d) No improvement penetrate such a mindless act on
(c) if not I am invited (d) No improvement of the French Revolution and (b) For these reasons
51. Will you lend me few rupees in (d) No improvement the Rights of Man, not his friends.
(c) By these reasons
this hour of need? 68. As she was suffering from high appreciating that much has (a) perpetuate (b) perpetrate
60. I took the cycle which he (d) No improvement
(a) lend me any rupees fever, she could not face the happened since then. (c) precipitate (d) No improvement
bought yesterday. examination. 84. While we would like that all
(b) borrow me a few rupees (a) much has been happening 92. The old man felled some trees in
(a) that he bought yesterday
(c) lend me a few rupees (a) bear Indian children to go to school,
(b) that which he had bought (b) much had happened the garden with hardly no effort at
(d) No improvement (b) suffer we need to ponder why they do
yesterday (c) much might happen all.
(c) take not. (a) hard effort
52. He should move on to the next (c) that he had bought yesterday (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (a) that all the Indian children
point and not harp one string (d) No improvement (b) hardly any effort
77. Our office clock is not so (b) if all the children of India
only. 69. As he is past his teens now, he correct as it should be, it is (c) a hardly any effort
61. If you had attended the (c) all Indian children
(a) harp on string only can look for himself. usually five minutes fast. (d) No improvement
meeting, you would have (d) No improvement
(b) harp only one string benefitted a great deal. (a) after (a) right 93. Five years ago today, I am sitting
(c) harp upon one string only (b) to (b) regular 85. You are warned against
(a) could benefit in a small Japanese car, driving
(d) No improvement (c) around (c) accurate committing the same mistake
(b) would benefit across Poland towards Berlin.
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement again. (a) was sitting
53. Please make it a point to send a (c) benefitted
(a) to commit
letter at my address. (d) No improvement 70. Either he or I am going. 78. You cannot forbid him (b) sat
(b) for committing
(a) on my address (a) he or I are going leaving. (c) have been sitting
62. The cloud of misfortunes (c) against to commit
(b) to my address (b) he is going or I am (d) No improvement
appears to have blown out. (a) he leaving (d) No improvement
(c) in my address (a) over (c) I or he is going (b) his leaving 94. Sumit had told me that he hasn’t
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement 86. The workers are hell bent at
(b) up (c) him to leave done it yet.
getting what is due to them. (a) told (b) tells
54. The demonstration passed off (c) away 71. It will be no good trying to find (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (a) hell bent on getting (c) was telling (d) No improvement
peacefully. an excuse next time. 79. I hope you won’t object to me (b) hell bent for getting
(a) passed out (b) passed away 63. We had nothing to eat since (a) to try to find watching while you work. 95. The record for the biggest tiger
(c) hell bent upon getting
(c) passed on (d) No improvement 8’o clock, this morning. (b) to try finding hunt has not been met since 1911
(a) against me watching (d) No improvement
55. This telephone number is not (a) have had nothing (c) trying finding (b) me to watch when Lord Hardinge, then Viceroy of
(b) has had nothing (d) No improvement 87. He died in the year 1960 at India, shot a tiger that measured 11
existing. (c) to my watching
(c) did have nothing 11pm on 14th July. ft and 6 inches.
(a) has not existed 72. We did not see this movie yet. (d) No improvement
(b) does not exist (d) No improvement (a) on 14th July in the year 1960 (a) improved (b) broken
(a) have seen 80. But in all these cases at 11pm
(c) has not been existing 64. If you are not clear about the (b) have not seen (c) bettered (d) No improvement
conversion from one scale to (b) in the year 1960 on 14th July
(d) No improvement meaning of a word, it is wise (c) has seen another is easy because scales 96. The man ran as quickly as he could
at 11pm
56. Whenever my students come to look into a dictionary. (d) No improvement have well-formulated. to catch the bus.
(a) look for (c) at 11pm on 14th July in the
across new words, I ask them to 73. She says she’s already paid me (a) can be well-formulated (a) quick (b) quicker
(b) look at year 1960
look for them in the dictionary. back, but I can’t remember, so (b) are well-formulated (c) quickest (d) No improvement
(c) look up (d) No improvement
(a) to look it up I’ll have to take her word. (c) well-formulated 97. Are you plan to go to the museum
(d) No improvement 88. The logic of Berlin wall already
(b) to look them up (a) to take her word true (d) No improvement today?
65. They are social insects, living had been undermined but (a) plans to (b) planned to
(c) to look at them (b) to take her at her word 81. The more they earn, more
in communities, regulated by when the news came through (c) planning to (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (c) to take her word for it they spend.
definite laws, each member of (d) No improvement
that the wall itself had been
57. Please remind me of posting these (a) More they earn, more they opened I jumped into a car. 98. The demonetisation with currency
society bearing well-defined
74. The end of the examinations is spend is taking place these days.
letters to my relatives. and separate part in the work (a) had been undermined already
opportunity for celebrating. (b) More they earn, the more (a) demonetising on
(a) by posting of a colony. (b) had already been undermined
(a) chance they spend (b) demonetisation of
(b) to post (a) who are living in communities (c) had been already undermined
(b) moment (c) The more they earn, the (c) demonetisation as
(c) for posting (b) living among a community (d) No improvement
(c) occasion more they spend (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (c) who lives with a community
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement 505 506 CDS Pathfinder

(a) group of beauties

99. Her secret to peace, health and 103. Nupur has been living in
(b) clan of beauties
13. How long do you think Mr Kamal 24. It has been two years since I have 2014 (I)
joy is keeping a balance in Janakpuri for 1988. knew John? seen him last.
everything. (c) swarm of beauties 35. There is no rain in our village
(a) since (a) will know (b) knows (a) when I have seen him
(d) No improvement for the last six months.
(a) secrets to (b) secret of (b) from (c) has known (d) No improvement (b) since I had seen him
(c) secreted to (d) No improvement (c) of 107. It takes skilled negotiations to pull (a) has been
14. I have still to meet a person who (c) since I saw him
(d) No improvement on a deal like that. (b) was
100. There are not many takers on the is perfectly satisfied with his job. (d) No improvement
(c) had been
(a) pull of (b) pull off
newly launched scooter. 104. The humming bird is (a) am still to meet 25. My neighbour is having two cars. (d) No improvement
(c) pull at (d) No improvement
(a) takers of (b) taker of smaller than any bird in (b) am yet to meet
the world. 108. The customer cared professional met (a) is owning (b) has 36. The police investigated into
(c) takers off (d) No improvement (c) might still meet
with an accident. (c) is possessing (d) No improvement the matter.
101. I saw a parliament of owls in the (a) any others bird (d) No improvement
(b) any other bird (a) customer care professionals 26. His flute recitation was highly (a) with the matter
jungle.
(a) flock of owls (c) any other birds (b) customer cares professional
(c) customer care professional
2013 (I) appreciated. (b) at the matter
(c) the matter
(b) herd of owls (d) No improvement (a) flute recital (b) flute play
(d) No improvement 15. She told the children not to stop (d) No improvement
(c) retinue of owls 105. Let’s make the world a (c) flute singing (d) No improvement
the work.
(d) No improvement safest place to live in. 109. It’s the sort of work that calls for a (a) not stopping 27. She must try at making him 37. Ramachandra Murthy and
high level of concentration. (b) don’t stop understand. his family is in Guyana from
102. The actor has played contrast (a) a safety place
(a) call for (b) calls from
(c) not stopping of (a) to make him to understand 1985.
characters in the two films. (b) a safer places
(c) calls off (d) No improvement (b) to make him understand (a) since
(a) contrasted characters (c) a safer place (d) No improvement
110. Rockon-2 is a much watch movie for (c) to make his understanding (b) about
(b) contrasting character (d) No improvement 16. I am not telling that you should
everyone. (d) No improvement (c) on
(c) contrasting characters 106. I saw a bevy of beauties in hunt out people to pursue your
(a) much watched (b) more watch (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement the fashion show. policies. 28. These are your new shoes, aren’t
(c) must watch (d) No improvement (a) asking (b) saying 38. I am living in this town
they?
(c) speaking (d) No improvement since 1980.
(a) isn’t it? (b) is it so?
(a) was living
QUESTIONS FROM 17. He succeeded by dint of hard
work.
(c) are they? (d) No improvement
29. He told to us everything he knew.
(b) shall live
(c) have been living

CDS EXAM (2012-2016) (a) by means of

(c) by virtue of
(b) by doing
(d) No improvement
(a) us everything he knew
(b) us everything he is knowing
(d) No improvement
39. If I was you I should tell
18. You have read that book for ages. (c) us everything he was knowing him the truth.
Directions (Q. Nos.1-139) Select the option which improves the underlined part of the sentences. In case, there is no (a) have been reading (d) No improvement (a) am you
improvement, choose option (d). (b) had read 30. Unless you do not work hard, you (b) were you
(c) will be reading won’t succeed in life. (c) had been you
2012 (II) 5. All, but her, had made an 9. He is unlikely to come to the (d) No improvement (a) cannot work hard (d) No improvement
1. More than one person was killed attempt. party. But if he comes I would 19. The only bit of relief for the (b) will not work hard 40. He is better than any boy in
in the accident. (a) All, but she talk to him. victims has been the increase in (c) work hard the class.
(a) were killed (b) All but her (a) if he would came compensation. (d) No improvement (a) any boys
(b) are killed (c) All, but her (b) if he is to come (a) were (b) all the boys
31. As I am tired, I cannot be able to
(c) have been killed (d) No improvement (c) if he will come (b) have been (c) any other boy
climb this hill now.
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (c) was that they were given (d) No improvement
6. I am used to hard work. (a) can be able
2. Not a word they spoke to the (a) work hard 10. The passengers have formed a (d) No improvement (b) will not be able 41. Anil ought not to tell me
unfortunate wife about it. queue at the booking- counter (c) will not be possible
(b) work hardly 20. He is resembling his father. your secret, but he did.
(a) did they speak much before a train arrives. (d) No improvement
(c) hard working (a) has been resembling (a) to be telling
(a) formed
(b) they will speak (d) No improvement (b) resembles like 32. I should not spend money for (b) tell
(b) have been forming
(c) they had spoken (c) resembles luxuries. (c) to have told
7. Twenty kilometres are not a (c) form
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (a) on luxuries (d) No improvement
great distance in these days of (d) No improvement
3. The poor villagers have waited fast moving vehicles. 21. I am not sure why she is wanting (b) in luxuries 42. If I were him I would have
11. You must complete this work up
in bitter cold for more than four (a) is not a great distance to see him. (c) through luxuries not accepted the offer.
to Sunday.
hours now. (b) is no distance (a) she wants (b) does she want (d) No improvement (a) If I was him
(a) within Sunday
(a) have been waiting (c) aren’t a great distance (b) by Sunday (c) is she wanting (d) No improvement 33. On being asked by the judge if he (b) If I were he
(b) had waited (d) No improvement (c) until Sunday had murdered his wife the (c) If I had he
22. Everybody who finished writing
(c) has been waiting (d) No improvement accused denied the charge. (d) No improvement
8. They were working as usually. can go home.
(d) No improvement (a) refused (b) rebutted
(a) usual 12. If it will rain the match will be (a) had finished (b) have finished 43. What the nation needs is
4. If he had time he will call you. (b) as usual abandoned. (c) has finished (d) No improvement (c) contradicted (d) No improvement people of character.
(a) would have (c) usually (a) If it rains 34. The new headmaster affected (a) are the people of character
23. I wish I can sing as well as you
(b) would have had (d) No improvement (b) If it would rain many changes in the school. (b) are people of character
do.
(c) has (c) If it rained (a) injected (b) effected (c) is a people of character
(a) do (b) could
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (c) inflicted (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
(c) did (d) No improvement
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement
44. We now come to the
important question of where
this great swarm of galaxies
have come from.
(a) have come
(b) has come from
(c) are coming from
(d) No improvement
45. Fewer rainfall means less
traffic accidents, according to
the experts’ report on
highway safety.
(a) Less rainfall means fewer
traffic accidents
(b) Less rainfall means less
traffic accidents
(c) Fewer rainfall means fewer
traffic accidents
(d) No improvement
46. I never saw you at the party
yesterday.
2014 (II)
(a) have not seen
(b) did not see
(c) had never seen
(d) No improvement
47. Ajeet is a bigger scholar than
his brother.
(a) better
(b) smaller
(c) superior
(d) No improvement
48. I did not wait for him
because he went out before I
arrived.
(a) has gone out
(b) had gone out
(c) had been out
(d) No improvement
49. Whenever I saw him, he has
been reading the same novel.
(a) had been reading
(b) read
(c) was reading
(d) No improvement
50. Since, the beginning of the
term, we are spending a lot
of time on poetry.
(a) spent
(b) will spend
(c) have spent
(d) No improvement
51. Your sister cooks well, isn’t
she?
(a) isn’t it?
(b) doesn’t she?
(c) doesn’t it?
(d) No improvement
507 508 CDS Pathfinder
52. Dickens’ novels, like many 60. He asked for the cup of tea. 71. I look forward to meet you in 79. They set a strong guard, lest 91. Young children are not physically
writers, are largely (a) some cup of tea Delhi. anyone could escape. capable to carry these loads.
autobiographical. (b) cup of tea (a) to meeting you (a) would (b) might (a) have to carry these loads
(a) like those of many other writers (c) a cup of tea (b) to meet with you (c) should (d) No improvement (b) of carrying these loads
(b) like so many others (d) No improvement (c) at meeting you (c) carry these loads
(d) No improvement
80. The matter called up an (d) No improvement
(c) like many other novelists
61. Several people saw the thief explanation of his conduct.
(d) No improvement 72. I do not know where has he 92. I enjoyed the ballet by a troupe of
snatch her gold chain. (a) out (b) in
53. She was as pretty as, if not gone. (c) for (d) No improvement Russian dancers.
(a) people have seen
prettier than, any other girl at (a) where had he gone (a) troop (b) trouper
(b) people were seeing 81. The accused refused having
the party. (b) where he has gone (c) trooper (d) No improvement
(c) people must see murdered anybody.
(a) She was very pretty (c) when has he gone 93. The secretary threatened to
(d) No improvement (a) disagreed (b) denied
(b) She was pretty (d) No improvement resign his post.
(c) declaimed (d) No improvement
(c) She was the prettiest 62. We shall not wait for anyone who
73. The teacher taught the (a) from his post (b) to his post
(d) No improvement will arrive late. 82. We cannot trust a man who plays
students that the moon goes (c) for his post (d) No improvement
54. Never I have seen such (a) who arrives late round the earth. false and loose with others.
(b) who arrived late
94. By the time he arrived, everybody
breathtaking scenery! (a) the moon went round the (a) false or loose (b) fast or loose had gone home.
(a) Never have I (b) Ever I have (c) who shall arrive earth (c) fast and loose (d) No improvement (a) when he arrived
(c) I cannot ever (d) No improvement (d) No improvement (b) the moon is going round 83. He is still in vigorous health (b) at which he arrived
63. We had a hard time in the war. the earth (c) by which he arrive
although he is on the right side of
(a) from the war (b) since the war (c) the moon has gone round
(c) during the war (d) No improvement the earth
sixty. (d) No improvement
(a) wrong (b) left
55. I never have and probably never (d) No improvement (c) negative (d) No improvement
will write good letters.
64. He aimed a blow on me. 2015 (II)
(a) at me (b) to me 74. This is the boy that I talked 84. Any English are known for their
(a) I never have written (c) against me (d) No improvement to you about. 95. It’s ten o’clock already. It’s high
(b) I never have wrote practical instincts. time you went home.
(a) who I talked to you about
(c) I never have been writing 65. He waited for her by dinner time. (a) Some (b) Many (a) you had gone (b) you were going
(a) at dinner time
(b) whom I talked to you about (c) The (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (c) which I talked to you about (c) you had been (d) No improvement
(b) till dinner time 85. Fifty miles are a long distance to
56. I think his feet are bigger than (d) No improvement 96. The students are playing
(c) on dinner time walk.
any boy in town. volleyball since 8 am.
(d) No improvement (a) is (b) become
(a) were playing
(a) his feet are bigger than many
66. He does not have the last idea of 2015 (I) (c) be (d) No improvement (b) have playing
boys in town
it. 75. We need honest workers, not 86. Economics today were not what it (c) have been playing
(b) his feet are bigger than no boys
(a) little (b) less people of redoubtable was a century ago. (d) No improvement
in town
(c) least (d) No improvement integrity. (a) are (b) was
(c) his feet are bigger than any 97. Our plans for the trip fell down
67. Born of poor, illiterate farm (a) doubting (c) is (d) No improvement because we had no money.
other boy in town
(d) No improvement workers, Lincoln rose to become (b) doubtful 87. Hearing the news of the accident, (a) off (b) out
the President of the USA. (c) doubtless he broke. (c) through (d) No improvement
57. I haven’t hardly studied for this (a) raised to become (d) No improvement (a) broke down (b) broke up 98. None of these groups has
examination. (b) arose to become
76. I expect every player here to (c) broke out (d) No improvement reported accurately on the
(a) Hardly I have studied (c) risen to become
be conversant at the rules of 88. The speaker asked the audience prevailing situation.
(b) I have hardly studied (d) No improvement
(c) Not hardly I have studied game. to bear upon him for a few (a) have reported (b) was reported
(d) No improvement 68. Gopal is two years older than his (a) on minutes more. (c) has reporting (d) No improvement
brother. (a) on (b) with 99. Among the athletes undergoing
58. As you look across the street, (b) about
(a) than own brother (c) for (d) No improvement training Ramesh was easily the
lighted windows can be seen. (c) with
(b) to his brother better.
(d) No improvement 89. Those men who are false to their
(a) you saw lighted windows (c) by his brother (a) best (b) better
77. There is no alternate, so we friends should be avoided.
(b) lighted windows may be seen (d) No improvement (c) the best (d) No improvement
must leave now. (a) The men
(c) you can see lighted windows 69. The editor regretted that he was (a) altering (b) Men 100. The earth moves round the Sun,
(d) No improvement inable to make use of the article.
(b) alternative (c) Such men isn’t it?
59. Her sister is a nurse and she (a) was disabled (b) was unable
(c) alternation (d) No improvement (a) wasn’t it? (b) hasn’t it?
intends to be one too. (c) was enabled (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement 90. Many people find it difficult to (c) doesn’t it? (d) No improvement
(a) this is the profession she intends 70. He walked softly lest he may
78. If I were you, I would do it make both hands meet. 101. Supposing if he is arrested what
(b) her intention is the same wake the baby. (a) both accounts will he do?
at once.
profession (a) he would wake (a) if he will be arrested
(a) was (b) both hands to mouth
(c) she intending to be a nurse too (b) he waked (c) both ends meet (b) he is arrested
(b) am
(d) No improvement (c) he should wake (d) No improvement (c) if he was arrested
(c) would be
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement 509 510 CDS Pathfinder

102. My students have been interesting (c) with them 131. There is no chance of success 134. Have you ever saw the flower of a 137. Our country can progress
122. This is to certify that I know
in learning French. (d) No improvement unless you do not work hard. pumpkin plant? when only people work hard.
Mr J Mathews since 1970.
(a) have been interested 112. Prior than taking any decisions (a) am knowing (a) unless you work (a) see (b) seeing (a) when people only work hard
(b) are being interesting he always consults his lawyer. (b) had known (b) until your working (c) seen (d) No improvement (b) when people work hard only
(c) have also interesting (a) Prior to (c) have known (c) until you do not work (c) only when people work hard
(d) No improvement (b) Previous to (d) No improvement
135. It is an ancient historical place
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement
(c) Prior as and it once belongs to the
103. Hardly I had fallen asleep, when 132. She has grown too old to do little Pandavas. 138. Wake me up when father
(d) No improvement 123. They took away everything
the bell rang. work. will come.
113. He does not know what the that belonged to him. (a) belonged
(a) I was fallen (b) had I fallen (a) some
(a) that had been belonging (b) belonging (a) comes
(c) I fell asleep (d) No improvement university is.
(b) that belong (b) any (c) belong (b) will have come
104. These days, Radha finds it (a) an (b) a
(c) that has been belonging (c) a little (d) No improvement (c) came
difficult to make both her ends (c) one (d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
meet. 114. The Prime Minister called on the 136. Since we were knowing the correct
President. 124. It was the mother of the girl 133. No one enjoys to deceive his route, we did not worry at all. 139. Do take an umbrella with
(a) both ends meet
(a) by (b) in of whose voice I had family. (a) knew you lest you not do get wet.
(b) both the ends meet
(c) ends meet (c) to (d) No improvement recognised. (a) deceiving (a) lest you should get wet
(b) have known
(d) No improvement (a) whose voice (b) for deceiving (b) lest you should not get wet
115. No sooner did we reach the (c) know
(b) the voice of who (c) deceive (c) lest you might not get wet
105. My mother always asks us to close railway station when it began to (d) No improvement
(c) voice whose (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
the fan when we leave the room. rain. (d) No improvement
(a) on the fan (b) off the fans (a) than (b) and
(c) turn off the fan (d) No improvement (c) while (d) No improvement 125. The Executive Council is
106. If she does not get more high 116. Well-bred children always listen
consisted of ten members.
(a) consists of
ANSWERS
salary, she will resign. to their parents’ advice. (b) comprises of
(a) more higher salary (a) hear to (b) agree
Improve the Sentences
(c) constituted of
(b) high salaries (c) obey (d) No improvement (d) No improvement 1 b 2 d 3 a 4 b 5 a 6 b 7 a 8 a 9 b 10 a
(c) a higher salary 11 c 12 d 13 b 14 b 15 c 16 d 17 c 18 b 19 c 20 c
(d) No improvement 117. We had not met since then, 126. The maid was laying the
neither did I wish to meet him table for dinner. 21 c 22 b 23 a 24 b 25 a 26 c 27 a 28 b 29 a 30 a
107. The parents should not now. (a) setting up 31 a 32 d 33 b 34 a 35 b 36 d 37 d 38 c 39 b 40 a
discriminate from the girl child. (b) lying
(a) never did I wish 41 c 42 c 43 b 44 c 45 d 46 a 47 a 48 a 49 c 50 a
(a) discriminate between
(b) nor did I wish (c) sorting out
(b) discriminate against
(d) No improvement
51 c 52 b 53 b 54 d 55 b 56 b 57 b 58 b 59 b 60 c
(c) did not I wish
(c) discriminate at 61 d 62 a 63 a 64 c 65 d 66 a 67 b 68 c 69 a 70 d
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement 127. We have so arranged the
matters and one of us is 71 a 72 b 73 c 74 c 75 b 76 d 77 c 78 c 79 c 80 a
108. Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ is 118. Even she had taken a taxi, she
would have been late. always on duty. 81 c 82 b 83 b 84 c 85 d 86 a 87 c 88 b 89 c 90 a
another of his greatest works.
(a) Even if she had (a) that one of us 91 a 92 b 93 a 94 a 95 b 96 d 97 c 98 b 99 d 100 a
(a) one of his greatest
(b) Although she had (b) so that one of us
(b) best of his greatest 101 d 102 c 103 a 104 b 105 c 106 d 107 b 108 c 109 d 110 c
(c) such that one of us
(c) greatest of his (c) As if she had
(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement (d) No improvement Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16)
109. Some schools require children to 128. Hardly had we got into the
119. He felt sure of his success, though 1 a 2 a 3 a 4 c 5 a 6 d 7 a 8 b 9 d 10 c
wear black leather expensive forest when it began to rain.
he was beginning to get worried. (a) Hardly we got
shoes. 11 b 12 a 13 c 14 b 15 d 16 b 17 d 18 a 19 d 20 c
(a) his succeed (b) We had hardly got
(a) black expensive leather shoes (b) his successes 21 a 22 c 23 b 24 c 25 b 26 a 27 b 28 d 29 a 30 c
(c) We had got hard
(b) expensive leather black shoes (c) being succeeded 31 b 32 a 33 d 34 b 35 a 36 c 37 a 38 c 39 b 40 c
(d) No improvement
(c) expensive black leather shoes (d) No improvement 41 c 42 b 43 d 44 b 45 a 46 b 47 a 48 b 49 c 50 c
(d) No improvement 129. Each time he felt tired he
lied down. 51 b 52 a 53 d 54 a 55 a 56 c 57 b 58 c 59 d 60 c
110. It is a good thing for him should 2016 (I) (a) lies 61 d 62 a 63 c 64 a 65 b 66 c 67 d 68 d 69 b 70 c
recognise his faults.
120. The police accused him for theft. (b) lays 71 a 72 b 73 d 74 b 75 b 76 c 77 b 78 d 79 c 80 c
(a) that he to recognise his faults
(a) with (b) in (c) lay
(b) him recognising his faults 81 b 82 c 83 a 84 c 85 a 86 c 87 a 88 b 89 a 90 c
(d) No improvement
(c) for him to recognise his faults (c) of (d) No improvement 91 b 92 d 93 a 94 d 95 d 96 c 97 c 98 d 99 c 100 c
(d) No improvement 130. Though it was raining, but I
121. He wanted that I left immediately. 101 b 102 a 103 b 104 a 105 c 106 c 107 b 108 a 109 c 110 c
went out.
111. Some boys speak their (a) I may leave
(a) but yet I 111 b 112 a 113 b 114 d 115 a 116 d 117 b 118 a 119 d 120 c
mother-tongue among one (b) me to leave
(b) I 121 b 122 c 123 d 124 a 125 c 126 d 127 a 128 d 129 c 130 b
another. (c) I leave (c) however I 131 a 132 b 133 a 134 c 135 a 136 a 137 c 138 a 139 a
(a) between them (d) No improvement (d) No improvement
(b) among themselves
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement
Improve the Sentences
1. (b) ‘Look’ does not make sense in
the sentence. It should be changed
to ‘see’.
2. (d) The sentence cannot be
improved further.
3. (a) In the given sentence, ‘to’ is a
preposition, so it should be followed
by a verb in ‘ing’ form. The
improved sentence would be “I look
forward to hearing from you”.
4. (b) ‘Me’ should be replaced by ‘I’ to
make the sentence grammatically
correct.
5. (a) The word ‘untie’ is used with
‘knot’. So, we would replace ‘open’ by
‘untie’.
6. (b) ‘Laid aside’ does not make sense
with ‘money’. It should be replaced
by ‘set aside’.
7. (a) As the sentence is in past tense,
we will use ‘eradicated’ in place of
‘have eradicated’.
8. (a) ‘None the wiser’ is an idiom
which means ‘to still be confused
about something even after it has
been explained to you’. So, we would
replace ‘not’ by ‘ none’.
9. (b) As the verb in the first part of
the sentence is in past tense, we
would change ‘is banded’ to ‘were
banded’ to make the sentence
correct.
10. (a) ‘Touch upon’ makes correct sense
in the given sentence.
11. (c) ‘Has not been and can never be’
should be used as the incident in
the given sentence refers to a
continuous event.
12. (d) No improvement
13. (b) ‘To’ should be replaced by ‘of ’
and ‘insult’ by ‘insulting’ to make the
sentence grammatically correct.
14. (b) ‘Little about life’s secrets’ makes
proper sense with the given sentence
as it means ‘negligible’.
EXPLANATIONS
15. (c) ‘It rains tomorrow’ is a better
substitution and hence, improves the
sentence.
16. (d) The sentence cannot be
improved further.
17. (c) ‘Except for a slight cold’ conveys
the right meaning of the given
sentence.
18. (b) ‘His desire for power’ makes
sense with the given sentence.
19. (c) ‘Had tried’ should be used to
convey the right meaning of the
sentence.
20. (c) The correct sequence should be
3rd person, 2nd person and 1st
person. So, ‘my wife, you and I
would be used.
21. (c) ‘Took off ’ is the right phrase that
should be used with ‘rocket’.
22. (b) ‘Opinion about’ makes the right
sense in the given sentence.
23. (a) The phrase ‘send word to
someone’ means to convey a message
to someone. So, ‘sent a word’ in the
given sentence should be changed to
‘sent word’.
24. (b) ‘Towards’ is the right word to be
used with ‘heading’.
25. (a) ‘Is not a great distance’ should
be used as ‘fifty kilometre’ in the
given sentence is taken as a whole.
26. (c) ‘Scarcity’ is the right word that
should be used in the sentence.
27. (a) The sentence talks about a point
in time (‘It was indeed a shock for
her’). So, we would use ‘since’ in
place of ‘later’.
28. (b) ‘Woman doctors’ should be used
to convey the correct meaning of
the sentence.
29. (a) The sentence refers to a
continuous activity (waiting). So,
‘have been waiting’ should be used.
30. (a) ‘Protest’ does not make sense in
the sentence. It should be replaced
by ‘protest against’.
511
31. (a) ‘Use’ does not convey any
meaning. It should be replaced by
‘knowledge’.
32. (d) No improvement
33. (b) ‘Burning’ goes with ‘ambition’.
Hence, we would replace ‘hot’ by
‘burning’.
34. (a) ‘Am living’ should be used.
35. (b) As one activity in the given
sentence (being in hospital) follows
another (accident), we would use
‘following’.
36. (d) No improvement
37. (d) No improvement
38. (c) ‘No sooner’ is followed by ‘than’.
Hence, we would use ‘did he return
home than’.
39. (b) ‘There is no more space’ would
be more appropriate than ‘There is
no more room’.
40. (a) ‘Used’ can be used in place of
‘habituated’ to improve the sentence.
41. (c) ‘Knocked out’ does not make
sense with the given sentence. ‘out’
should be replaced by ‘down’.
42. (c) ‘Take a lift’ should be used in
place of ‘go in a lift’.
43. (b) ‘Broken wooden chair’ conveys
the right meaning.
44. (c) ‘Had the room been brighter’
makes the sentence grammatically
correct.
45. (d) No improvement
46. (a) The sentence refers to an event
in the past (won as a prize). So, we
would use ‘I had won as a prize’.
47. (a) ‘Until they arrive’ should be used
to make the sentence grammatically
correct.
48. (a) ‘Are comfortable’ should be used
to make the sentence meaningful.
49. (c) ‘Because’ would not be used in
the sentence as it states a reason.
Hence, ‘why he wrote the letter was
that’ would be used.
512
50. (a) ‘Help’ should be used to convey
the right meaning of the sentence.
51. (c) ‘Lend me a few rupees’ should be
used as ‘lend me few rupees’ is
equivalent to no money.
52. (b) ‘Harp only one string’ is an
idiom which means to dwell
tediously and repeatedly upon a
single subject or topic. So, we would
use option (b).
53. (b) ‘To’ should be used in place of
‘at’.
54. (d) ‘Passed off ’ means ‘to happen or
be concluded in a specified way’. So,
we would not make any changes in
the given sentence.
55. (b) ‘Does not exist’ makes the
sentence meaningful.
56. (b) ‘To look them up’ means ‘to find
their meaning’. So, we would use
option (b).
57. (b) ‘To post’ is the right usage. It
should be used in place of ‘of
posting’.
58. (b) ‘To bear with’ means ‘to be
patient with someone or something’.
So, we would us ‘to bear with’.
59. (b) ‘Unless I am invited’ should be
used.
60. (c) ‘That he had bought yesterday’
uses the correct tenses as per the
given sentence.
61. (d) The sentence cannot be
improved further.
62. (a) ‘Blow over’ means ‘to pass away
or subside’. So, we would use ‘over’
in place of ‘out’.
63. (a) ‘Have had nothing’ fits properly
as per the sentence structure.
64. (c) ‘Look up’ means ‘to find’. So,
‘look up’ should be used in place of
‘look into’.
65. (d) The sentence cannot be
improved further.
66. (a) ‘Cause’ should be used in place
of ‘hold’.
67. (b) ‘Infected’ makes sense with the
given sentence.
68. (c) ‘Take’ goes with ‘examination’. So,
we would replace ‘face’ by ‘take’.
CDS Pathfinder
69. (a) ‘After’ should be used in place of
‘for’ to make the sentence
meaningful.
88. (b) ‘Had already been undermined’
fits the sentence properly.
89. (c) ‘Ought to’ improves the sentence.
70. (d) The sentence cannot be
90. (a) ‘Had known’ should be used in
improved further.
71. (a) ‘To try to find’ should be used to
place of ‘knew’ to convey the right
meaning of the sentence.
make the sentence meaningful.
91. (a) ‘Perpeterate’ means ‘to carry out
72. (b) ‘Have not seen’ should be used
or commit a harmful, illegal or
instead of ‘did not see’.
immoral action’. So, it should replace
73. (c) ‘Take someone’s word for it’ ‘penetrate’ in the given sentence.
means to believe what someone says
92. (b) ‘Hardly any effort’ should be
or writes without checking for
used as two negatives ‘hardly’ and
oneself. So, we would use ‘to take
‘no’ are not used together in a
her word for it’.
sentence.
74. (c) ‘Occasion’ is the right word to
93. (a) ‘Was sitting’ should be used.
replace ‘opportunity’ in the given
sentence. 94. (a) ‘Told’ should be used in place of
75. (b) ‘In crushing’ would be used in ‘had told’.
place of ‘at crushing’ to make the 95. (b) ‘Broken’ should be used with the
sentence meaningful. word ‘record’.
76. (d) The sentence cannot be 96. (d) No improvement
improved further.
97. (c) ‘Planning to’ would improve the
77. (c) ‘Accurate’ is the right word when sentence.
time is used.
98. (b) The preposition ‘of ’ is used with
78. (c) ‘Him to leave’ improves the ‘demonetisation’.
sentence.
99. (d) No improvement
79. (c) ‘To my watching’ makes the
100. (a) ‘Takers of ’ conveys the right
sentence meaningful.
meaning of the sentence.
80. (b) ‘Are well-formulated’ should be
101. (d) No improvement
used.
102. (c) ‘Contrasting characters’ improves
81. (c) ‘The more they earn, the more
the sentence.
they spend’ makes the sentence
grammatically correct. 103. (a) ‘Since’ is used when a point of
time is mentioned.
82. (b) ‘By and large’ should replace ‘by
far’ to make the sentence 104. (b) ‘Any other bird’ improves the
meaningful. sentence.
83. (b) ‘For these reasons’ is a suitable 105. (c) ‘A safer place’ makes the sentence
substitution as a sentence should not meaningful.
start with ‘Due’.
106. (d) No improvement
84. (c) ‘All Indian children’ should be
107. (b) ‘Pull off ’ means to succeed in
used in place of ‘that all Indian
doing something difficult or
children to’.
unexpected. So, option (b) improves
85. (d) The sentence cannot be the sentence.
improved further.
108. (c) ‘Customer care professional’
86. (a) ‘Hell bent on getting’ conveys makes sense with the given sentence.
the right meaning of the sentence.
109. (d) No improvement
87. (c) As time is followed by date and
date is followed by year, option (c) 110. (c) ‘Must watch’ improves the
should be used for substituting the sentence.
underlined part.
GENERAL ENGLISH Sentence Improvement
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)
1. (a) A plural verb is required here
and the sentence is in past tense.
So, we would use ‘were killed’ in
place of ‘was killed’.
2. (a) ‘Did they speak’ should be
used.
3. (a) Present perfect continuous
tense should be used here. So, we
would use ‘have been waiting’ in
place of ‘have waited’.
4. (c) In conditional sentences, the
main clause should be in future
tense and the subordinate clause
should be in present tense. So,
‘has’ should be used.
5. (a) ‘All, but she’ improves the
sentence.
6. (d) No improvement
7. (a) When plural nouns explain
specific amount, distance, quantity,
time as whole, the verb should be
singular. So, ‘is not a great
distance’ should be used.
8. (b) ‘As usual’ means in the same
way as what happens most of the
time or in most cases.
9. (d) No improvement
10. (c) The sentence is in present
indefinite tense. So, ‘form’ should
be used.
11. (b) ‘By’ here is used in the sense
not later than the mentioned
time.
12. (a) In conditional sentence, the
subordinate clause should be in
present tense. So, ‘If it rains’
would be used.
13. (c) ‘Has known’ is the appropriate
phrase in the context of the
sentence.
14. (b) ‘Am yet to meet’ is the
appropriate phrase.
15. (d) No improvement
16. (b) ‘Saying’ is the appropriate
word in the context of the
sentence.
17. (d) No improvement
18. (a) Present perfect continuous
tense is required here. So, ‘have
been reading’ should be used.
19. (d) No improvement
20. (c) ‘Resembles’ is the appropriate
choice here.
21. (a) ‘She wants’ is the appropriate
choice.
513 514 CDS Pathfinder
72. (b) ‘Where he has gone’ improves 91. (b) ‘Capable’ is followed by 116. (d) No improvement
the sentence. preposition ‘of ’ and hence, ‘capable 117. (b) ‘Nor did I wish’ should be used
73. (d) No improvement of carrying these loads’ is suitable in place of ‘neither did I wish’ to
22. (c) The sentence is in present tense 50. (c) ‘Have spent’ should be used in replacement.
the given sentence. 74. (b) We use ‘whom’ when an object is make the sentence correct.
and a singular verb is used with
everybody. So, ‘has finished’ should be to be referred in the sentence. So, 92. (d) No improvement 118. (a) ‘ Even if she had’ should be used
51. (b) ‘Doesn’t she?’ should be used in
used. option (b) is appropriate. 93. (a) ‘From his post’ is appropriate in to specify the condition involved in
place of ‘isn’t she?’.
23. (b) In case of an unfulfilled wish, 75. (b) ‘Redoubtable’ is not suitable here. the given sentence. the sentence.
52. (a) Option (a) improves the
‘could’ is used. sentence. ‘doubtful’ suits the sentence. 94. (d) No improvement 119. (d) No improvement
24. (c) The second form of verb is required 53. (d) No improvement 76. (c) ‘Conversant’ is followed by either 95. (d) No improvement 120. (c) ‘Accuse’ is always followed by ‘of ’.
here. So, ‘since I saw him’ should be ‘with’ or ‘in’.
54. (a) ‘Never have I’ is the correct form 96. (c) ‘Have been playing’ will be used 121. (b) ‘Me to leave’ improves the
used. 77. (b) We should use ‘alternative’, which when time reference is given in the sentence.
of inversion.
25. (b) ‘Has’ should be used in place of ‘is means ‘a choice or an option’. sentence.
55. (a) When two clauses are joined by 122. (c) Use ‘have known’ as verbs of
having’. 78. (d) No improvement perception are not used progressively.
a linker which is coordinate, then 97. (c) ‘Fall through’ means ‘fail to
26. (a) ‘Recital’ means a public the different tenses take their 79. (c) ‘Lest’ is always used with ‘should’. happen’. So, option (c) should be 123. (d) No improvement
performance of music or poetry. So, respective structure. So, ‘have written’ 80. (c) See the various phrasal verbs : used.
‘flute recital’ would be used. is appropriate with ‘will write’ as 124. (a) ‘Of ’ is not to be used before
Called up — To start 98. (d) No improvement ‘whose’ here. So, use only ‘whose
27. (b) ‘To make him understand’ improves both are joined by ‘and’.
Called out — To challenge/ 99. (c) ‘ The best’ should be used here. voice’.
the sentence. 56. (c) When an inclusive comparison is To shout
employed, then the noun or pronoun 100. (c) ‘Doesn’t it’ should be used. 125. (c) ‘Constituted of ’ makes the
28. (d) No improvement Called in — To seek sentence meaningful and
is excluded which is the main 101. (b) ‘He is arrested’ alone is enough
29. (a) ‘To’ is not used after ‘tell/told’. comparison element. So, ‘‘his feet are explanation grammatically correct.
to provide the sense here.
30. (c) Two negative words ‘unless’ and ‘do bigger than any other boy in town’’ Called for — To be a requisite/ 126. (d) No improvement
not’ cannot be used together. So, ‘work is appropriate. necessity 102. (a) ‘Have been interested’ gives the
correct replacement in this 127. (a) ‘That one of us’ makes the
hard’ would be used. 57. (b) Two negatives ‘hardly’ and Obviously, ‘called for’ is compliant sentence meaningful.
sentence.
31. (b) ‘Will not be able’ is the appropriate ‘haven’t’ cannot be used in the same with the theme of the sentence.
103. (b) ‘Had I fallen’ is the correct 128. (d) No improvement
phrase in the context of the sentence. sentence. So, we would use option 81. (b) ‘Refused’ is used in the general
(b) to improve the sentence. sense. For accusation, ‘deny’ is used. replacement as we should use the 129. (c) ‘Lay’ is appropriate as ‘lied’ is
32. (a) ‘Spend something on’ is the correct correct form of inversion. used with helping verb.
usage. 58. (c) ‘You can see lighted windows’ 82. (c) ‘Fast and loose’ is an idiom which
improves the sentence. means ‘to treat something without 104. (a) ‘Both ends meet’ is an idiom 130. (b) ‘But’ is not used with ‘though’.
33. (d) No improvement which means to have just enough So, we remove ‘but’.
59. (d) No improvement enough care or attention’.
34. (b) ‘Effected’ is the correct usage. money to pay for the things that
60. (c) ‘A cup of tea’ is appropriate to 83. (a) ‘Wrong side of sixty’ gives the 131. (a) Unless is itself negative so use of
35. (a) ‘Has been’ will be used in place of you need. So, option (a) would be ‘do not’ is superfluous. So, we remove
use in the given sentence. sense of being in a critical age.
‘is’ to improve the sentence. used. ‘do not’.
61. (d) No improvement 84. (c) ‘The’ should be used as ‘The
36. (c) Investigation itself means to look English’ refers to the people of 105. (c) ‘Turn off the fan’ is most 132. (b) Use ‘any’ to show the negativity
62. (a) Correct syntax for a possible suitable.
into. So, ‘the matter’ would be used. England. in a complete manner. Rest of the
condition is :
37. (a) ‘Since’ is used for a point of time. (a) When a plural number/amount is 106. (c) ‘A higher salary’ is suitable here options are of positive sense.
Sub + Shall/Will + V 1 + Relative 85.
to establish a comparison.
38. (c) ‘Have been living’ is the correct Pronoun + V 1 + s/es shown as a whole, then we use 133. (a) ‘Deceiving’ is correct because
usage as per the given sentence. So, ‘who arrives late’ is appropriate. singular verb with it as per 107. (b) ‘Discriminate against’ is suitable after the verb of preception, gerund
subject-verb agreement. So, ‘is’ should as ‘ discriminate’ is followed by is used without preposition.
39. (b) ‘Were’ is used after any subject in 63. (c) ‘During the war’ improves the
sentence. be used. preposition ‘against’. 134. (c) The sentence is in present perfect
the if clause.
64. (a) ‘Blow’ is followed by preposition 86. (c) Some nouns like Economics, 108. (a) ‘One of his greatest’ is the tense, so third form of verb will be
40. (c) ‘Any other boy’ should be used. Mathematics, Politics, News etc. seem
‘at’. correct phrase to be used here. used i.e. seen.
41. (c) After ‘ought to’ ‘have’ is used, so ‘to plural but actually they are singular.
65. (b) When a certain time reference is 109. (c) ‘Expensive black leather shoes’ is 135. (a) Here, sentence is all about past
have told’ should be used. So, with them singular verb is used
to be shown then ‘till’ is used. in the same tense. So, ‘is’ should be the correct order for adjectives tense, so past form of verb will be
42. (b) ‘If I were he’ should be used. qualifying the noun ‘shoes’. used i.e. belonged.
66. (c) Extreme of the negativity is used.
43. (d) No improvement shown by the use of ‘least’. 110. (c) ‘For him to recognise his faults’ 136. (a) ‘Knew’ is most suitable here,
87. (a) ‘Break down’ means ‘to become
44. (b) The singular form ‘has’ is used after distressed or upset’. So, we would use is the correct phrase to be used. instead of ‘were knowing’.
67. (d) No improvement
swarm. option (a). 111. (b) ‘Among themselves’ is correct as 137. (c) Use of ‘only when’ shows the
68. (d) No improvement
45. (a) ‘Less rainfall means fewer traffic 88. (b) The speaker wants the audience ‘Among ’ is used for more than two condition. So, ‘only when people
accidents’ suits the given sentence. 69. (b) ‘Inable’ is a wrong usage. The work hard’ is correct usage.
to tolerate him for sometime. Hence, people.
correct usage is ‘unable’.
46. (b) ‘Did not see’ should be used as per it is suitable to use ‘bear with’. 112. (a) ‘Prior’ is followed by preposition 138. (a) Wrong use of tense (future
the given sentence. 70. (c) ‘Lest’ is always followed by tense), present tense should be used.
‘should’. So, option (c) is appropriate 89. (a) ‘The men’ is suitable usage, so we ‘to’.
47. (a) ‘Better’ should be used instead of would use option (a). So, the correct option is (a) i.e.
here. 113. (b) The article ‘a’ should be used ‘comes’.
‘bigger’. 90. (c) ‘To make both ends meet’ is an before ‘university’.
71. (a) Use V1 + ing with the phrase 139. (a) ‘Should’ is always used with ‘lest’.
48. (b) ‘Had gone out’ should be used as ‘look forward to’. So, ‘to meeting idiom which means ‘to earn just 114. (d) No improvement
per the given sentence. enough to keep the life going on Hence, the correct use is ‘lest you
you’ should be used. 115. (a) ‘No sooner’ agrees with ‘than’. should get wet’.
49. (c) ‘Was reading’ should be used as per properly’. So, we would use option
So, option (a) is suitable.
the given sentence. (c).
08
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 516
Types of Questions
Usually two types of questions are asked in the
exam
TYPE 1
Reordering of words to form a
meaningful sentence
In this type, the initial part of the sentence is
given as a hint. The rest of the sentence is
ORDERING OF WORDS divided into a number of phrases (labelled as P,
Q, R, S) and given in a jumbled form.
The candidate has to rearrange the jumbled parts
of the sentence to form a meaningful sentence.
AND SENTENCES The initial part of the sentence serves as a hint
for arranging the given phrases into a sentence.
Some examples of this type are given below.
Directions (Q. Nos. 1 and 2) In the questions
given below, there is a sentence of which some
parts have been jumbled up. Rearrange these parts
which are labelled as P, Q, R and S to produce a
correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence
Generally, 10 to 15 questions based on ordering of words and sentences are asked in CDS exam. In these
among the alternatives.
questions, the candidate has to rearrange the jumbled words or phrases to make a meaningful sentence
1. P : himself
or paragraph.
Q : a child
R : can usually feed
S : by the age of six months
The correct sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) SRQP
(c) PQRS (d) QRPS
Ordering of words/sentences is a necessary and indispensable part of the CDS examination. The candidates are Explanation (d) The correct sequence is QRPS i.e.
required to place the jumbled words or sentences in proper sequence. A child can usually feed himself by the age of
In some questions, first and the last sentences of a paragraph are given and the candidate is needed to place the six months.
middle sentences in a proper sequence. The sentences should form a coherent order in a logical sequence. 2. The boy
However, in simple questions, you have to arrange a number of jumbled up phrases to form a meaningful P : in the competition
sentence. Q : who was wearing spectacles
R : won many prizes
Arranging the Sentence in Correct Order S : held in our college
The correct sequence is formed when all the sentences are organically linked. A sort of cause-effect relationship is The correct sequence should be
also implicit in such exercises because a sentence will follow another only when the former leads to the latter. (a) PQRS (b) RPSQ
(c) QRPS (d) QPSR
Thus, taking into consideration this aspect, sentences can be easily sequenced.
Explanation (c) The correct sequence is QRPS
Sound knowledge of language, helping verbs and conjunctions enables a candidate to solve these questions easily. i.e. The boy who was wearing spectacles won
many prizes in the competition held in our
Tips for Attempting Questions college.
• Frame the sentences logically to get a meaningful order.
• Rearrangement of sentences should be grammatically correct.
• Use simple and linear approach to frame the sentence to obtain a logical meaning.
CDS Pathfinder
TYPE 2
Reordering of sentences to form a
meaningful paragraph
In this type, the initial and final part of the paragraph is given
and labelled as S1 and S6. The rest of the paragraph is broken
into 4 parts (labelled as P, Q, R, S) and given in a jumbled
form.
The candidate needs to arrange the jumbled parts (P, Q, R, S)
in a way that the resultant paragraph is coherent and
meaningful.
Some examples of this type are given below.
Directions (Q. Nos. 3 and 4) In the questions given below, each
passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences
are given in the beginning. The middle four sentences in each
have been removed and jumbled up. These are labelled as P, Q,
R and S. Find out the proper order of the four sentences.
3. S1 : She said on the phone that she would report for duty
next day.
S6 : Eventually we reported to the police.
P : We waited for few days then we decided to go to her
place.
Q : But she did not.
R : We found it locked.
S : Even after that we waited for her for quite a few days.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) QPSR (c) QPRS (d) SQPR
Explanation (c) The correct sequence is QPRS i.e.
She said on the phone that she would report for duty next day.
But she did not. We waited for few days then we decided to go
to her place. We found it locked. Even after that we waited for
her for quite a few days. Eventually we reported to the police.
4. S1 : Throughout history, man has used energy from the Sun.
S6 : This energy comes from inside atoms.
P : Today, when we burn wood or use electric current, we
are drawing energy.
Q : However, we now have a new supply of energy.
R : All our ordinary life depends on Sun.
S : This has come from the Sun.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) RQPS (c) QSRP (d) PSRQ
Explanation (d) The correct sequence is PSRQ i.e.
Throughout history, man has used energy from the Sun. Today,
when we burn wood or use electric current, we are drawing
energy. This has come from the Sun. All our ordinary life
depends on Sun. However, we now have a new supply of
energy, this energy comes from inside atoms.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 517 518 CDS Pathfinder

ORDERING OF WORDS AND SENTENCES

16. Work is the one thing The proper sequence should be 27. P : to sell uranium, nuclear
COMPLETE EXERCISE P
Q
:
:
and without it
that is necessary
(a) SPRQ
(c) SPQR
(b) PSQR
(d) PSRQ
turbines, fighter planes
Q : to India is now offering
R : to keep the world going 22. P : cricketers fail to zero in on R : the United States which
S : we should all die a reason denied even helicopter nuts
Directions (Q. Nos. 1-55) In the questions given below, there is a sentence of which some parts have been jumbled up. Q : well against a specific and screws
Rearrange these parts which are labelled as P, Q, R and S to produce the correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence The proper sequence should be opposition S : and even Patriot missiles
among the alternatives. (a) QPSR (b) RPQS
(c) SRPQ (d) QRPS
R : for their playing The proper sequence should be
exceptionally (a) RQSP (b) QRPS
1. Little 6. Education is 11. I realised that 17. I read an advertisement that said S : past or present (c) QRSP (d) RQPS
P : that he had been let down P : of the proper sense of P : but seeing my host in this P : posh, air-conditioned
The proper sequence should be 28. Drug abuse
Q : stood by all these years responsibilities mood Q : gentleman of taste (a) SPQR (b) PSQR P : dies down soon after
R : did he realise Q : the first need Q : I deemed it proper to take R : are available for (c) SPRQ (d) PSRQ
leave Q : that follows every expose
S : by a colleague whom he had R : in a citizen S : fully furnished rooms
R : as I had frequently done 23. P : merely managing chaos and R : but the hue and cry
The proper sequence should be S : for the development The proper sequence should be little or
before S : is an increasing vice among
(a) RPSQ (b) RSQP The proper sequence should be S : it had been my intention to (a) PQRS (b) PSRQ Q : the deluge in Mumbai party–hopping elites
(c) QSRP (d) QSPR (a) SQPR (b) QSRP pass the night there (c) PSQR (d) SRPQ showed that
(c) QSPR (d) PQRS The proper sequence should be
2. There was The proper sequence should be 18. It has been established that R : no thought has gone into (a) QPSR (b) QRSP
P : needed for its everyday life 7. It was (a) QPSR (b) QRPS P : Einstein was upgrading the city (c) SRQP (d) SPQR
Q : a time when each family P : in keeping with my mood (c) SPQR (d) SRPQ Q : although a great scientist S : successive State
Governments have been 29. P : and in escaping such
R : for itself most of the things it Q : a soft summer evening 12. It was to be R : weak in arithmetic misfortunes
S : actually produced R : as I walked sedately P : before their school S : right from his school days The proper sequence should be Q : of our friends may be
S : in the direction of new house examination (a) QSPR (b) PRQS invaluable
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be (c) QRPS (d) PSQR
Q : which was due to start (a) SRPQ (b) QPRS R : but many misfortunes which
(a) QRSP (b) RQPS The proper sequence should be
(c) RSPQ (d) QSRP (a) SRPQ (b) QRPS R : the last expedition (c) QPSR (d) RQPS 24. P : giant strides in development threaten us are not inevitable
(c) QPRS (d) SQPR S : in a month Q : so that we make S : the advice and active
3. Then 19. I was
The proper sequence should be R : more and more rational like assistance
P : it struck me 8. With her body P : and stay for few days in
(a) SRQP (b) RQSP Western countries
Q : of course P : dragging her unwilling feet Delhi The proper sequence should be
(c) RPQS (d) SPRQ S : it is high time we become
Q : weak and infirm Q : when my father told me (a) RQSP (b) SPRQ
R : suitable it was 13. They felt safer
R : very excited The proper sequence should be (c) RPSQ (d) SQRP
S : how eminently R : doubled with age
P : to watch the mountain (a) SQRP (b) PRQS 30. P : you are not to destroy or
S : she persisted in her mission S : that I could go with him
The proper sequence should be Q : of more than five miles (c) SRQP (d) PQRS dictate to millions
(a) SPQR (b) QSRP The proper sequence should be R : as they settled down The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) RQSP 25. Compared to Q : born a king’s son
(c) PSRQ (d) QPSR (a) PQRS (b) QPRS S : from a distance
(c) RQPS (d) SRPQ (c) QRSP (d) SPQR P : was an occasion of stately R : or settle your differences
4. The grocer The proper sequence should be pageantry amicably with them
P : did not listen to the protests of 9. When he (a) RPSQ (b) RSQP 20. All such students
Q : the birth of the Republic S : you can only expect to share
customer P : did not know (c) PQSR (d) PRSQ P : get success their fate
R : accompanied by partition
Q : who was in the habit of Q : he was nervous and 14. If you need help Q : who are honest and riots The proper sequence should be
weighing less R : heard the hue and cry at P : promptly and politely hard-working
S : the dawn of independence (a) SRQP (b) QPSR
R : whom he had cheated midnight Q : ask for attendants R : and recognition (c) SPQR (d) QRSP
S : in every walk of life The proper sequence should be
S : with great audacity S : what to do R : to help our customers
(a) QRPS (b) PRQS 31. P : they have thought that it
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be S : who have instructions The proper sequence should be (c) SRQP (d) PQRS would be a very good thing
(a) PRSQ (b) QSPR (a) RQPS (b) QSPR The proper sequence should be (a) SPRQ (b) PRQS
26. P : standing up for their rights Q : whether they worked hard or
(c) QPRS (d) PQSR (c) SQPR (d) PQRS (a) SQPR (b) QPSR (c) QPRS (d) PSRQ
Q : the rebellion may be slow lived quite idly
(c) QSRP (d) SQRP
5. Though he dialled frequently 10. A French woman 21. Quite a few and sporadic R : if everybody had exactly the
P : on telephone P : committed suicide 15. He was so kind and generous P : in the previous years same amount of money
that R : youngsters become the
Q : my brother could not contact Q : where she had put up Q : to large chunks of territory unlikely heroes S : one common mistake that
P : he not only many people have made is this
me R : who had come to Kolkata that India said was its S : but it is happening as
Q : made others do so
R : and had left no information S : by jumping from the balcony R : over the Mc Mohan line, with The proper sequence should be
R : but also The proper sequence should be
S : as I had gone out of office of the hotel China laying claims (a) SPRQ (b) QSRP
S : helped them himself (a) QSRP (b) PRSQ
S : border incursions and clashes (c) PSRQ (d) QRSP
(c) SPQR (d) QSPR
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
had taken place
(a) QPRS (b) SQRP (a) PRQS (b) QSRP (a) PSRQ (b) SPQR
(c) QPSR (d) SPQR (c) RPSQ (d) SRQP (c) PRSQ (d) QPRS
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 519 520 CDS Pathfinder

Q : Since then, a number of

32. We met The proper sequence should be 45. P : the perfect 52. P : apart from this The proper sequence should be
journals devoted entirely to
P : this evening (a) PQRS (b) QPRS Q : is Q : their work has (a) QRSP (b) RSQP
this area of research have
Q : on our way home (c) QRSP (d) RSPQ R : an intuitive one R : basic problem (c) RQSP (d) QRPS
appeared.
R : Mr and Mrs Gupta 39. P : were sent by mistake S : inspiration S : a number of flaws as well R : Before the 1960s, when this 59. S1 : Biological evolution has not
S : and asked them if they would Q : to my father The proper sequence should be was the concern of a small fitted man to any specific
The proper sequence should be
be free R : who was very much (a) PQSR (b) PRQS number of investigators, environment.
(a) PQRS (b) PQSR
The proper sequence should be surprised (c) RPQS (d) SRQP research articles were S 6 : That brilliant sequence of
(c) PSQR (d) SQRP
scattered in various cultural peaks can most
(a) QRPS (b) PQRS S : the clothes that I ordered 53. P : but most men of great
46. P : poetry comes when neurological journals. appropriately be termed the
(c) RQSP (d) RQPS creative power
The proper sequence should be Q : the mind is still S : Brain and cognition is one ascent of man.
33. P : the man (a) SQPR (b) PQSR Q : are not interested in such journal.
R : the greatest motion of becoming rich P : It is by no means a biological
Q : made a complaint (c) PQRS (d) SPQR
S : and body is relaxed The proper sequence should be evolution, but it is a cultural
R : at the police station R : for them a modest
40. P : in the house was kept (a) RQSP (b) QRSP one.
S : whose cycle was stolen The proper sequence should be subsistence
Q : where the key (c) QSPR (d) RSPQ Q : His imagination, his reason,
The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) PQSR S : would suffice
R : nobody seemed to know (c) RPSQ (d) RPQS 57. S1 : A force exists between his emotional subtlety and
(a) PQRS (b) PRSQ The proper sequence should be toughness, make it possible
S : to the main door everybody in the universe.
(c) PSQR (d) RPQS 47. P : clinical trials were designed (a) RSPQ (b) PRSQ for him not to accept the
The proper sequence should be to (c) PQRS (d) PSQR
S 6 : The greater the mass, the
34. P : please equally greater is the Earth’s force of environment but to change.
(a) RQPS (b) QPRS Q : test the efficiency of
Q : share the prize money 54. P : Chief Justice attraction on it. We can call R : And that series of inventions
(c) SQPR (d) RQSP R : the first phase of
R : that all are satisfied Q : Earl Warn was one of this force of attraction as by which man from age by
S : among your friends to make 41. Self taught experts S : the method R : the great activist judges gravity. age has re-shaped his
sure P : expected to go S : of Supreme Court P : Normally, it is very small but environment, is a different
The proper sequence should be
The proper sequence should be Q : through which when the one of the bodies is kind of evolution.
(a) PQRS (b) RSQP The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) PQSR a planet like Earth, the force S : Among the multitude of
R : the escapers (c) RPQS (d) SPQR (a) PSRQ (b) QPSR
(c) QPRS (d) QPSR is considerable. animals which scamper,
S : prepared maps of the country 48. P : to perform (c) QRSP (d) PQRS
Q : It has been investigated by burrow, swim around us, he
35. P : in the middle of The proper sequence should be Q : brains are engineered 55. P : incorporated within himself many scientists including is the only one who is not
Q : he stopped (a) PQRS (b) SQRP knowledge Galileo and Newton.
R : complicated tasks locked into his environment.
R : his speech (c) SRQP (d) PRQS Q : he is fit for the role R : Everything on or near the
S : simple as well as The proper sequence should be
S : to take a glass of water R : if an individual has surface of the Earth is
42. The President The proper sequence should be (a) QPRS (b) SRQP
The proper sequence should be S : and appropriate skills then attracted by the mass of (c) QRSP (d) SQRP
P : a brief vacation at Shimla (a) PQRS (b) SRQP
(a) QRSP (b) PRQS Earth.
Q : is returning from (c) QPRS (d) QPSR The proper sequence should be 60. S1 : Growing up means not only
(c) QPRS (d) PQRS (a) QPSR (b) RQPS S : This gravitational force
R : in order to attend a press 49. P : companies reduce depends on the mass of the getting larger, but also using
36. P : she introduced me at the conference (c) RPSQ (d) QRSP
Q : competition bodies involved. our sense and our brain is to
party become more aware of things
S : with his wife and children R : by acquiring smaller or The proper sequence should be
Q : I had met Directions (Q. Nos. 56-100) In the around us.
R : to a man The proper sequence should be S : rival companies questions given below, each passage (a) PRQS (b) PRSQ
(a) QSRP (b) QPRS (c) QSRP (d) QSPR S6 : In other words, we must
S : the previous night The proper sequence should be consists of six sentences. The first and
(c) SQPR (d) RSQP develop and use our ability
The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) SRQP the sixth sentences are given in the 58. S1: Metals are today being
to reason because the
(a) RPQS (b) PRQS 43. P : they forget (c) QPRS (d) QPSR beginning. The middle four sentences replaced by polymers in many
applications. destruction or the
(c) SPRQ (d) PQRS Q : between defeat and victory in each have been removed and
50. P : and ten kilometres away preservation of the places in
R : that the conditions of welfare jumbled up. These are labelled as P, S6 : Many Indian institutes of
37. P : the nun who was the Q : from Santorin lies which we live depends on us.
have so altered Q, R and S. Find out the proper science and technology run
Principal R : the Crete order of the four sentences. special programmes on P: Not only does he have a
Q : called an assembly S : that there is not much memory but he is able to
S : one hundred 56. S1 : Since the sixties, there has polymer science.
R : of my grand daughter’s difference today think and reason.
The proper sequence should be been an increasing interest in P: Above all, they are cheaper
school The proper sequence should be and easier to process making Q: In this, man differs from all
(a) SRPQ (b) PQSR
(a) PQSR (b) SPQR neurophysiology which deals
S : to announce the result of a them a viable alternative to other animals.
(c) SPRQ (d) QSPR with the neural bases of
fund raising drive (c) RSQP (d) PRSQ metals. R: Before we spray our roadside
51. P : minoan world mental activity and
The proper sequence should be 44. P : of the fingers and thumbs behaviour. Q: Polymers are essentially a plants or turn sewage into
(a) PQRS (b) PRQS Q : the artifacts unearthed our rivers, we should pause
Q : fingerprints are S 6 : So far, the journal has long chain of hydrocarbon
(c) PQSR (d) PSRQ R : so far published the mixture of molecules. to think what the results of
R : the marks made by
38. P : is addressed to Mr. Shah S : do give us precious insights articles including reports and R: Today, polymers as strong as our action are likely to do.
S : the ridges on the ends
Q : this letter which is written in into investigations. metals have been developed. S: This is to say, he is able to
The proper sequence should be plan what he is going to do
Gujarati The proper sequence should be P : It has format which is very S: These have replaced the
(a) PQRS (b) PQSR in the light of his experience
R : who is (a) PQSR (b) SPQR similar to that of brain and traditional chromium- plated
(c) QRSP (d) SPQR before he does it.
S : my father’s best friend (c) QRSP (d) QSPR language, a sister journal. metallic bumpers in cars.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) SPQR
(c) SPRQ (d) QPSR
61. S1 : All the land was covered by
the ocean.
S6 : The God moulded the first
people out of clay according
to his own image and mind.
P: The leading God fought the
monster, killed it and
chopped its body into two
halves.
Q: A terrible monster prevented
the Gods from separating the
land from the water.
R: The God made the sky out of
the upper part of the body
and ornamented it with stars.
S: The God created the Earth
from the lower part, grew
plants on it and populated it
with animals.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PQSR
(c) QPSR (d) QPRS
62. S1 : Payment for imports and
exports is made through a
system called foreign
exchange.
S6 : Another time, it may be
worth eight pesos.
P: The value of the money of
one country in relation to the
money of other countries is
agreed upon.
Q: These rates of exchange vary
from time to time.
R: For instance, an American
dollar or a British pound
sterling is worth certain
amounts in the money of
other countries.
S: Sometimes, a United States
dollar is worth 12 pesos in
Mexico.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS
(c) PRQS (d) RPQS
63. S1 : Jawaharlal Nehru was the
greatest plan-enthusiast.
S 6 : Nehru himself became the
Chairman of the commission.
P : Under Nehru’s advice, the
pre-independent Congress
set-up National Planning
Commission in 1938.
Q : But he forgot that what
could be achieved by force
under the communist
dictatorship of Russia was
not possible under the
democratic set-up of India.
R : He took the idea from Russia
where Five Year Plans
transformed a very backward
country into a top power of
the world.
S : No free government can call
for compulsory sacrifice and
suffering from the whole
people.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) SRQP
(c) QPRS (d) RQSP
64. S1 : What are the causes of our
chronic food shortage?
S6 : This unprecedented growth
can drag us to the doors of
starvation very soon.
P: To feed for these growing
new millions is desperate
task.
Q: Every year, we add more
than a crore of persons to
our population.
R: Despite stupendous efforts by
our government, the
population is growing
unabated.
S: The chief cause is the
population explosion.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) SQPR
(c) QPRS (d) PSQR
65. S1 : There is difference between
Gandhiji’s concept of
secularism and that of
Nehru’s.
S6 : Instead of doing any good,
such secularism can do harm
instead of good.
P: Nehru’s idea of secularism
was equal indifference to all
religions and bothering about
none of them.
Q: According to Gandhiji, all
religions are equally true
and each scripture is worthy
of respect.
R: Such secularism which
means the rejection of all
religions is contrary to our
culture and tradition.
521
S : In Gandhiji’s view, secularism
stands for equal respect for
all religions.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) PSQR
(c) QSPR (d) PRSQ
66. S1 : A ceiling on urban property
S 6 : Since their value would
exceed the ceiling fixed by the
government.
P : no mill-owner could own
factories or mills or plants
Q : and mass circulation papers
R : would mean that
S : no press magnate could own
printing presses
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSRP (b) RPSQ
(c) SRPQ (d) QPSR
67. S1 : This weather-vane often tops
a church spire, tower or high
building.
S6 : The weather-vane can,
however give us some
indication of other.
P: They are only wind-vanes.
Q: Neither alone can tell us
what the weather will be.
R: They are designed to point to
direction from which the wind
is coming.
S: Just as the barometer only
tells us the pressure of air,
the weather-vane tells us the
direction of wind.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PSRQ
(c) PRSQ (d) SPQR
68. S1 : Most of the universities in
the country are now facing
financial crisis.
S6 : The government should
realise this before it is too
late.
P: Cost benefit yardstick thus
should not be applied in the
case of universities.
Q: The current state of affairs
cannot be allowed to continue
for long.
R: Universities cannot be
equated with commercial
enterprises.
S: Proper development of
universities and colleges must
be ensured.
522
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) QSPR
(c) QRSP (d) QPRS
69. S1 : I keep on flapping my big ears
all day.
S 6 : Am I not a smart, intelligent
elephant?
P : They also fear that I will flip
them all away.
Q : But children wonder why I
flap them so.
R : I flap them so to make sure
they are safely there on either
side of my head.
S : But I know what I am doing.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) QPSR
(c) QPRS (d) PSRQ
70. S1 : A father having offered to take
the baby out in a
perambulator, was tempted by
the sunny morning to slip into
a pub for a glass of beer.
S6 : She waited for him,
anticipating the white face and
quivering lips which would
soon appear with the news
that the baby had been
stolen.
P: Indignant at her husband’s
behaviour, she decided to
teach him a lesson.
Q: She wheeled away the pram.
R: A little later, his wife came by,
where to her horror, she
discovered her sleeping baby.
S: Leaving the pram outside, he
disappeared inside the bar.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) RQPS
(c) SPQR (d) PQSR
71. S1 : A gentleman who lived alone
always had two plates placed
on the table at dinner time.
S 6 : In this way, the cat showed
her gratitude to her master.
P : One day just as he sat down
to dine, the cat rushed into
the room.
Q : One plate was for himself and
other was for his cat.
R : She dropped a mouse into her
own plate and another into
her master’s plate.
S : He used to give the cat a piece
of meat from his own plate.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) PSRQ
(c) QRSP (d) RPQS
72. S1 : The study of speech
disorders due to brain
injury suggests that
patients can think without
having adequate control
over their language.
S6 : How they manage to do this
we do not know.
P: But they succeed in playing
games of chess.
Q: Some patients, for example
fail to find the names of
objects presented to them.
R: They can even use the
concepts needed for chess
playing, though they are
unable to express many of
the concepts in ordinary
language.
S: They even find it difficult to
interpret long written
notices.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) RPSQ
(c) QSPR (d) SRPQ
73. S1 : And then Gandhi came.
S 6 : Political freedom took new
shape and then acquired a
new content.
P : Get off the backs of these
peasants and workers, he
told us, all you who live by
their exploitation.
Q : He was like a powerful
current of fresh air, like a
beam of light, like a
whirlwind that upset many
things.
R : He spoke their language
and constantly drew their
attention to their appalling
conditions.
S : He didn’t descent from the
top, he seemed to emerge
from the masses of India.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSRP (b) SRQP
(c) RSQP (d) PRSQ
74. S1 : Ants eat worms, centipedes
and spiders.
S 6 : Some jump, and some give
out a pungent repellent
substance.
CDS Pathfinder
P : They are usually much
quicker than the ant itself.
Q : Nevertheless, these animals
do not make easy game for
ants.
R : Besides, they have an
extraordinary number of
ways of escaping.
S : They also eat larvae and
insect adults such as flies,
moths and spring tails.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) SPRQ
(c) SRRQ (d) SRQP
75. S1 : The future beckons to us.
S 6 : There is no resting for
anyone of us till we redeem
our pledge in full.
P : Infact we have hard work
ahead.
Q : Where do we go and what
shall be our endeavour?
R : We shall also have to fight
and end poverty, ignorance
and disease.
S : It will be to bring freedom
and opportunity to the
common man.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) QPSR
(c) QSRP (d) SRPQ
76. S1 : Once upon a time an ant
lived on the bank of a river.
S 6 : He saved the ant’s life. The
ant was touched.
P : The dove saw the ant
struggling in water in a
helpless condition.
Q : All its efforts to come up are
failed.
R : One day, it suddenly slipped
into water.
S : A dove lived in the tree on
the bank not far from the
spot.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RQSP (b) QRPS
(c) SRPQ (d) PQRS
77. S1 : It is regrettable that there is
widespread corruption in the
country at all levels.
S 6 : This is indeed a tragedy of
great magnitude.
P : So there is hardly anything
that the government can do
about it now.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
Q : And there are graft and other S : For, within minutes the ship
malpractices too. began to sink.
R : The impression that The proper sequence should be
corruption is universal (a) PQSR (b) PRQS
phenomenon persists and the (c) QPRS (d) QPSR
people not cooperate in
81. S1 : The cooperative system of
checking this evil.
doing business is a good
S : Recently, several offenders
way of encouraging ordinary
were brought to book, but
workers to work hard.
they were not given deterrent
punishment. S6 : The main objective is to
maintain the interest of
The proper sequence should be every member of the society
(a) QSRP (b) SQRP
and to ensure that the
(c) RSQP (d) PQSR members participate actively
78. S1 : Smoke oozed up between the in the projects of society.
planks. P: If the society is to be well
S 6 : Most people bore the shock run, it is necessary to
bravely. prevent insincere officials
P : Passengers were told to be being elected to the
ready to quit the ship. committee which is
responsible for the running
Q : The rising gale fanned the
smouldering fire. of business.
Q: They get this from
R : Everyone now knew there
was fire on board. experienced and professional
S : Flames broke out here and workers who are not only
there. familiar with the cooperative
system, but also with
The proper sequence should be
efficient method of doing
(a) SRQP (b) QPSR
business.
(c) RSPQ (d) QSRP
R: To a large extent, many
79. S1 : It was a dark moonless night. cooperative societies need
S 6 : They all seemed to him to be advice and guidance.
poor and ordinary mere S: The capital necessary to start
childish words.
a business venture is
P : He turned over the pages,
obtained by the workers
reading passages here and contributions.
there.
The proper sequence should be
Q : He spread them on the floor.
(a) SQPR (b) PQSR
R : The poet took down his books
(c) SRQP (d) PSRQ
of poems from his shelves.
82. S1 : American private lives may
S : Some of them contained his
seem shallow.
earliest writings which he
S6 : This would not happen in
had almost forgotten.
China, he said.
The proper sequence should be P: Students would walk away
(a) RPQS (b) RQSP with books they had not paid
(c) RSPQ (d) RPSQ
for.
80. S1 : A noise started above their Q: A Chinese journalist
heads. commented on a curious
S 6 : Nearly 200 lives were lost on institution the library.
the fateful day. R: Their public morality,
P : But people did not take it however, impressed visitors.
seriously.
S: But in general, they returned
Q : That was to show everyone them.
that there was something
The proper sequence should be
wrong.
(a) PSQR (b) QPSR
R : It was a dangerous thing to
(c) RQPS (d) RPSQ
do.
523
83. S1 : For sometime in his youth,
Abraham Lincoln was
manager for a shop.
S6 : Never before Lincoln had so
much time for reading as he
had then.
P: Then a chance customer
would come.
Q: Young Lincoln's way of
keeping shop was entirely
unlike anyone else’s.
R: Lincoln would jump up and
attend to his needs and then
revert to his reading.
S: He used to lay full length on
the counter of the shop
eagerly reading a book.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) QSPR
(c) SQRP (d) QPSR
84. S1 : Manisha went shopping one
morning.
S6 : She drove home with an
empty basket.
P: Disappointed she turned
around and returned to the
parking lot.
Q: She got out and walked to
the nearest shop.
R: She drove her car into the
parking lot and stopped.
S: It was there that she realised
that she’d forgotten her purse
at home.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSQP (b) RQSP
(c) PQRS (d) QPRS
85. S1 : Several sub-cities have been
planned around capital.
S 6 : Hopefully, the housing
problem will not be as acute
at present after these
sub-cities are built.
P : Dwarka is the first among
them.
Q : They are expected to alleviate
the problem of housing.
R : It is coming up in the
South-West of capital.
S : It will cater to over one
million people when
completed.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) PRSQ
(c) PQRS (d) QRSP
524
86. S1 : Your letter was big relief.
S 6 : But don’t forget to bring
chocolate for Garima.
P : How did your exams go?
Q : After your result, you must
come here for a week.
R : You hadn’t written for over a
month.
S : I am sure you will come out
with flying colours.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) QRPS
(c) RPSQ (d) PSQP
87. S1 : While crossing a busy road,
we should obey the policeman
on duty.
S 6 : We should never run while
crossing the road.
P : We should always cross the
road at the zebra crossing.
Q : We must look to the signal
lights and cross the road only
when the road is clear.
R : If there are no signal lights
at the crossing, we should
look to the right, then to left
and again the right before
crossing the road.
S : If the road is not clear we
should wait.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) PQRS
(c) RQSP (d) QRPS
88. S1 : As a dramatist, Rabindranath
was not what might be called
a success.
S 6 : Therefore, drama forms the
essential part of the
traditional Indian culture.
P : His dramas were moulded on
the lines of the traditional
Indian village dramas than
the dramas of modern world.
Q : His plays were more a
catalogue of ideas than a
vehicle of the expression of
action.
R : Actually, the drama has
always been the life of Indian
people, as it deals with
legends of Gods and
Goddesses.
S : Although in his short stories
and novels, he was able to
create living and well-defined
characters, he did not seem
to be able to do so in dramas.
CDS Pathfinder
The proper sequence should be Q : Slavery begins when one
(a) SRQP (b) QPSR ceases to feel that restraint
(c) QSPR (d) RSQP and it depends on if the evil
is accepted as good.
89. S1 : The Hound of Baskervilles
R : There is, however, a subtler
was feared by the people of
domination exercised in the
the area.
sphere of ideas by one
S6 : The Hound of Baskervilles culture to another.
remains an unsolved mystery.
S : Political subjection primarily
P: Some people spoke of seeing
means restraint on the outer
a huge, shadowy form of a life of people.
hound at midnight on the
The proper sequence should be
moor.
(a) SPRQ (b) RSQP
Q: But they spoke of it in tones
(c) SPQR (d) RSPQ
of horror.
92. S1 : The city is almost a slum and
R: Nobody had actually seen the
stinks most of time.
hound.
S 6 : But some visitors came away
S: This shadowy form did not
with the unforgettable sight
reveal any detail about the
of young labours scantily
animal.
clad.
The proper sequence should be
P : The slush on the road did not
(a) SPQR (b) SPRQ
deter them.
(c) PSRQ (d) PQRS
Q : The occasional slips and falls
90. S1 : The art of growing old is one were considered a small price
which the passage of time to pay for the trip.
has forced upon my attention.
R : They were excited, fascinated
S 6 : This is not always easy one’s by the sight of fresh snow on
own past is gradually the roads.
increasing weight.
S : Even so, it looked beautiful
P : One of these is undue
to tourists of various
absorption in the past.
categories.
Q : One’s thought must be
The proper sequence should be
directed to the future and to
(a) RQPS (b) QPRS
things about which there is
(c) RSQP (d) SPQR
something to be done.
93. S1 : Politeness is not a quality
R : Psychologically, there are two
possessed by only one nation
dangers to be guarded
or race.
against in old age.
S 6 : In any case, we should not
S : It does not do good to live in
mock at others habits.
memories, in regrets for the
P : One may observe that a man
good old days or in sadness
about friends who are dead. of one nation will remove his
hat or fold his hands by way
The proper sequence should be
of greetings when he meets
(a) QSRP (b) RPQS
someone he knows.
(c) RPSQ (d) QPRS
Q : A man of another country
91. S1 : We speak today of will not to do so.
self-determination in politics.
R : It is a quality to be found
S 6 : Cultural subjection is among all people and nations
ordinarily of an unconscious
in every corner of the Earth.
character and it implies
S : Obviously, each person
slavery from the very start. follows the custom of his
P : So long as one is conscious of particular country.
a restraint, it is possible to
The proper sequence should be
resist it or to near it as a
(a) RPQS (b) RPSQ
necessary evil and to keep
(c) PRQS (d) QPRS
free in spirit.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 525 526 CDS Pathfinder

94. S1 : Advertising affects our lives S 6 : The fox put down its head in Q : I found some buses deserted
everyday. shame and went away.
P : She served the dishes in a
in deep waters.
R : I went from one road to
QUESTIONS FROM
S6 : Not one aspect of American
life is untouched by
advertising,
beaker to the fox. The fox
could not eat it because the
beaker was very high.
another to get a clear
passage to my office. CDS EXAM (2012-2016)
P: Brand names are common S : But to my ill luck, I found
Q : The crane could not eat the the traffic jammed on every
household words.
Q: We start each day using the
dishes because of its long
beak. The next day, it was
road. EXERCISE I (Ordering of Words)
toothpaste, soap and the turn of the crane to host The proper sequence should be Directions (Q. Nos. 1-108) In the questions given below, there is a sentence of which some parts have been jumbled
breakfast foods promoted by the lunch for the fox. (a) PSRQ (b) PRSQ up. Rearrange these parts which are labelled as P, Q, R and S to produce the proper sentence. Choose the proper
advertisers . R : But the fox wanted to show (c) PQSR (d) SPRQ sequence among the alternatives.
R: Ads have made the cars we that he was cleverer than the 99. S1 : Unemployment is a burning
drive signs of our success. crane.
problem of India today.
2012 (I) 6. P : lying dead on the roadside S : I won his confidence
S: Our choices of food, dress, S : So, one day he invited the 1. Coming late, Q : his uncle saw an old man Tho proper sequence should be
S 6 : The incidents of thefts and
and entertainment are crane for dinner and served P : lest R : returning home in the (a) QRSP (b) QPRS
other unsocial acts are due to
swayed by ads. the dishes on a plate. Q : he should disturb the class evening (c) RQSP (d) SQPR
unemployment.
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
P : They do not get proficiency in R : John tiptoed into the room S : with his faithful dog 11. It is believed that
(a) PQRS (b) PRQS (a) PQRS (b) QSRP some technical line. S : which was going on seriously standing beside him P : the tiger
(c) PSQR (d) QPSR (c) RSQP (d) PSQR Q : The result is that our young The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be Q : Mr Saxena
97. S1 : Memories of childhood are men roam about on the (a) PQRS (b) RSPQ (a) PQRS (b) QPSR R : being severely injured in the
95. S1 : There are examinations at (c) QSPR (b) RPQS
unforgettable. roads. (c) RQPS (d) QSPR first encounter
school which a pupil can pass
by cramming the texts. S6 : These and other memories R : Our schools and universities 2. If 7. He was a scholar S : was too terrified to make a
still come on the inner screen produces more job-seeking P : people who commit crimes P : who was adored by all those second attempt at shooting
S6 : Thus, reacting, reflection and
experience are the three of my mind very often. men than the jobs available. Q : they will go on Q : who came close to him The proper sequence should be
stages in gaining spiritual P: I broke my leg and was in S : The young men only want R : committing crimes R : to the last day of his life (a) RPSQ (b) PRSQ
knowledge. plaster for two months. office jobs. S : are not punished S : though not widely known (c) RQSP (d) PSQR
P: But for spiritual knowledge Q: I clearly remember how The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be 12. I felt
mere memory of holy texts everybody in the house was (a) PQRS (b) PSQR (a) PSRQ (b) RPQS P : like a Cold War spy
will be of no use in passing weeping. (a) RQPS (b) RPQS
(c) RSPQ (d) QSPR (c) SRPQ (d) SPQR Q : for a moment
the tests. R: Once my mother loved me (c) RSPQ (d)RSQP
3. P : to cross the broken bridge 8. P : a couple and their teenage R : to whom a critical secret
Q: One can score in them by the very much when I had a bad 100. S1 : Strikes means not to go for
power of memory. accident. Q : not knowing how daughter S : had just been revealed
work.
R : to wade through the river Q : in their one room house in The proper sequence should be
R: A competent guru alone can S: I was four years old when my S 6 : Let the production not suffer.
S : they decided North Delhi (a) PQRS (b) PSQR
provide the necessary grandfather died. P : Strikes are not bad but their
guidance to an earnest The proper sequence should be R : reportedly committed suicide (c) PRSQ (d) QPRS
The proper sequence should be method is bad. on Tuesday night
disciple. (a) PQRS (b) RSQP 13. The dacoit
(a) SQRP (b) SRQP Q : It is a weapon of the weak (c) SRPQ (d) QPSR S : driven by abject poverty
S: What the text says has to be P : many heinous crimes
(c) SPRQ (d) SRPQ against the strong. The proper sequence should be
reflected upon and 4. P : to switch off
R : The worker often resorts to (a) SQPR (b) PSRQ
Q : had committed
experienced by the speaker. 98. S1 : I had not gone far when it Q : the television
began to rain heavily. strikes to highlight their (c) PRSQ (d) SPRQ R : who carried a reward of fifty
The proper sequence should be R : please feel free thousand rupees
S 6 : I could reach my office only demands. 9. One should remember that
(a) RSPQ (b) RSQP S : if you do not like this S : on his head
after three hours of great S : Worker should not go on P : lying at the side of the road
(c) SRPQ (d) QPSR strikes for longer periods. programme
labour. The proper sequence should be
Q : if we find our neighbour
96. S1 : The fox and the crane P : Soon the roads began to The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be (a) PRSQ (b) QPSR
remained friends for a long (a) PQRS (b) QPRS R : unable to move because of a (c) RQPS (d) RSQP
overflow and the traffic got (a) QPRS (b) QSPR
time. (c) SRPQ (d) RSQP broken leg
jammed. (c) QRPS (d) RQPS 14. Although the train was delayed by
S : we should show our
5. The rising prices half an hour
neighbourliness
P : out of gear P : he could not reach the station
The proper sequence should be
Q : have thrown Q : to catch the train
(a) SQPR (b) PQRS
R : important industries (c) QRPS (d) SQRP R : in time
S : many of our S : bound for Delhi
10. P : that he sought my advice
The proper sequence should be Q : to such an extent The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) RSPQ (a) PQRS (b) PRQS
R : even in private domestic
(c) QPSR (d) QPRS (c) QRPS (d) PSQR
matters
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 527 528 CDS Pathfinder

15. When the rain stopped 21. I have read R : and found a group of children 33. It P : the prizes given P : for a man
playing on the road Q : and Q : when he accompanies a lady
P : we set out P : who by some mysterious P : in the news bulletin
laws of her nature S : a little earlier than usual R : had been delivered R : an accepted custom
Q : to stay the night Q : did not feature
Q : in the form of a foul and The proper sequence should be S : I got up to address the S : to open the door
R : where we had planned R : that this matter
poisonous snake (a) QSPR (b) QPSR gathering The proper sequence should be
S : for the next town (c) QRSP (d) PQRS S : was surprising
R : the story of a fairy The proper sequence should be (a) PSQR (b) RPSQ
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
S : was condemned to appear in 27. It must not be imagined (a) SRQP (b) SPQR (c) PSRQ (d) PQRS
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS (a) PSQR (b) RQPS
certain seasons P : that a walking tour, (c) RSQP (d) RQPS 46. We
(c) PRQS (d) PSRQ
The proper sequence should be (c) QSPR (d) SRQP
Q : is merely a better or worse 40. P : The management having P : agreed with
16. Dr Ravi (a) QRSP (b) PQRQ 34. P : don’t stop him
way agreed Q : the manner in which you said
P : has been appointed reader in (c) RQPS (d) RPSQ R : as some would say Q : the workers called off the
the University Q : for an hour it
22. About half of S : of seeing the country strike R : but we objected to
Q : in the recent selections R : if you
P : the blindness of The proper sequence should be R : to increase their wages S : what you said
R : in a Private Degree College S : he will run
Q : vitamin A shortage (a) RPQS (b) PRQS S : and returned to work
S : who was working as a The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
R : is attributed to (c) PQSR (d) PQRS The proper sequence should be
(a) QPSR (b) PQSR (a) PSQR (b) SPQR
lecturer S : children in India (a) PQRS (b) PSRQ
28. It was reported that (c) SQRP (d) SPRQ (c) SPRQ (d) PSRQ
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be (c) PRQS (d) SPQR
P :
the table 47. P : It is a wonder that migratory
(a) PQSR (b) SRPQ (a) QRPS (b) RPSQ 35. P : in the evening 41. All religions are
(c) QPSR (d) SQRP
Q :
belonging to a lady birds
(c) PSRQ (d) SPQR
R :
with three carved legs Q : she went out P : to advance the cause of Q : without ever getting lost
17. The principal has issued a notice 23. What a wonderful thing it is S :
was sold the next day by R : once a week peace
R : always manage to find their
P : will have to vacate the hostel P : the Sun is the source auction S : shopping Q : in a holy partnership home
Q : that those junior doctors Q : of all-power The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be R : justice and freedom S : flying thousands of kilometres
R : if they fail to join duty by R : in some way or the other (a) PRQS (b) QPRS (a) PQRS (b) RQSP S : bound together
The proper sequence should be
Monday next S : to think that (c) PQSR (d) PQRS (c) QPRS (d) SPRQ The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) SPQR
S : who are participating in the The proper sequence should be 29. P : everything was (a) PQRS (b) PRQS
(c) SQRP (d) PSQR
strike Q : after (c) SPQR (d) SQPR
(a) SRPQ (b) PSQR
R : plain sailing
2013 (I) 48. He asked me
The proper sequence should be (c) SQRP (d) PQSR 42. The natives of Caribbean
S : we engaged a guide 36. It was true that P : would telephone him
(a) QSPR (b) RQSP 24. P : it rained and thundered and P : regarded the papaya
(c) PRQS (d) QRSP P : the pet dog Q : as soon as I
the child The proper sequence should be Q : because of its ability
(a) SPQR (b) PQRS Q : would never sleep anywhere R : if I
18. P : as I stood on the mountain Q : who was collecting clothes on R : as a magic tree
(c) SRQP (d) PRQS R : we once had S : reach home
Q : I watched the early Sun the line S : to keep them healthy
R : ran upto his mother 30. The boy S : except on sofa The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
R : burn off the mist that (a) PSQR (b) QPRS
covered the forest S : to save them from getting P : in the Nehru Centenary The proper sequence should be (a) PRSQ (b) PRQS
wet (c) RPQS (d) RPSQ (c) RPQS (d) SRQP
S : on the fifth morning Debate (a) PQRS (b) SPQR
The proper sequence should be Q : is the eldest son of my friend (c) RPQS (d) PRQS 43. The Indian woman wants
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQRP (b) SPQR
(a) PQRS (b) PRQS R : who has won the gold medal 37. Recently, P : in a male dominated society 2013 (II)
(c) PSRQ (d) PQSR S : held in the town hall today
(c) PSQR (d) QSPR P : containing memorable letters Q : as an equal partner 49. The fire
19. The TV News reader announced The proper sequence should be of Churchill R : and it is not too much to P : before any serious damage
that
2012 (II) (a) PQRS (b) QRSP Q : a book demand was done
25. Most of Hitchcock’s films (c) RPSQ (d) SPQR S : her rightful place Q : by volunteers
P : ten people R : has been published
P : were critically acclaimed on 31. P : of paint S : by a reputed publisher The proper sequence should be R : was controlled
Q : when a mad dog
both sides of the Atlantic Q : two coats (a) SRPQ (b) RSQP S : in the godown
R : bit them The proper sequence should be
Q : earning him both fame and R : give (c) SQPR (d) QPSR
S : sustained injuries (a) QRPS (b) QPRS The proper sequence should be
fortune S : the doors (c) PQRS (d) RPQS 44. This is a letter (a) SRQP (b) RSPQ
The proper sequence should be R : and made good money at the The proper sequence should be P : by a young lady (c) RQPS (d) QRSP
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS (a) RSQP (b) PSQR
38. As the situation has changed,
box office Q : who was lately wounded in a 50. Some educationists
(c) RPQS (d) PSQR (c) SPQR (d) RSPQ P : since we last discussed this
S : in no small measure duel P : should not be exposed to
20. P : we were now moving slowly matter
The proper sequence should be 32. P : many of the old sailors R : written passionately Q : believe that
but steadily and had (a) PRQS (b) PRSQ Q : it was best to contact you
Q : say it is unlucky S : wherein she laments the R : young children
Q : no need to stop (c) QPRS (d) QSPR R : it appeared to me
R : to sail on a Friday misfortune of a gentleman
R : our breath S : without losing time S : too much television viewing
26. One monsoon evening S : who are generally The proper sequence should be
S : in order to regain P : the farmer returned from the superstitious The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) RSQP (a) RSPQ (b) QPRS
The proper sequence should be fields The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) PRSQ
(c) RPSQ (d) QPSR (c) QRPS (d) PQRS
(a) PQSR (b) PQRS Q : when the sky was overcast (a) PRSQ (b) PSQR (c) PRQS (d) SPRQ
(c) SPQR (d) QPRS 45. It is
with threatening clouds (c) SRQP (d) PQRS 39. After the awarding speeches
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 529 530 CDS Pathfinder

51. P : Like energy crisis 58. However noble their ends 64. Just as the goodness of movies 69. Seventy-two people 75. The clerk The proper sequence should be
Q : is one of the most talked appear P : like the things which they P : reports PTI P : on the desk (a) PSQR (b) SPRQ
about P : since they make use of represent, Q : were affected by food Q : left the money (c) QPSR (d) PRQS
R : population explosion violence Q : does not consist in being poisoning R : in the safe 81. Boys are
S : topics of the world these days Q : are bound to end up R : so the goodness of music does R : including several women and S : which he should have locked P : on their parents
The proper sequence should be R : all their acts not consist children up Q : invariably dependent
(a) SRQP (b) RQPS S : with untold misery for all S : in its being like the noises we S : of the central part of the city The proper sequence should be R : until they can earn
(c) SPQR (d) PRQS The proper sequence should be know The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) RSPQ S : money to support themselves
52. P : The dog (a) PQRS (b) RQSP (a) SPQR (b) PQRS (c) QPRS (d) QPSR
The proper sequence should be
(c) PRQS (d) RQPS (c) RSPQ (d) RSQP The proper sequence should be
Q : with its customary fondness (a) QPRS (b) PQRS
(a) RSQP (b) QRSP
R : before the master 59. P : When the artist had (c) RPSQ (d) SPRQ 70. The Prime Minister declared that 2014 (II) (c) RPQS (d) QPRS
S : wagged his tail started P : those states
Q : singing a popular song 76. The soldiers 82. The principal said that
The proper sequence should be
R : in chorus
2014 (I) Q : will get all help and aid P : decided to hold out P : those students
(a) PQRS (b) PSRQ R : where family planning
(c) PRSQ (d) QRSP S : everyone in the audience 65. There must be countries now in Q : in the fort Q : would not be permitted to
joined which peasants S : is affected very efficiently R : was killed
53. P : when the driver in front of me enter
The proper sequence should be P : can spend several years in The proper sequence should be S : till the last man among them
Q : slammed on the brakes R : who do not produce
universities (a) PRSQ (b) PQRS
R : I was driving in rush hour (a) RPQS (b) PQRS The proper sequence should be S : identity cards
Q : so that (c) RSPQ (d) QPSR
(c) PQSR (d) RQPS (a) QPSR (b) PQSR
S : without warning The proper sequence should be
60. We know R : a lot of young persons 71. Hardly had my brother descended (c) QRSP (d) SRPQ
The proper sequence should be (a) RSPQ (b) RPSQ
P : that he passed S : are going without substantial from the plane
(a) PQSR (b) RSQP 77. Her friend (c) PRSQ (d) SRPQ
Q : but meals P : when the people
(c) RPQS (d) PQRS P : when she was 83. The doctor remarked that
R : that he sat for the The proper sequence should be Q : waved and cheered
54. When John saw (a) SRQP (b) PQRS R : who had come to receive Q : very ill last year P : lying in bed
examination
P : coming head on (c) SQRP (d) QPSR him R : on Sheila Q : if students are
S : we have not heard
Q : towards him S : from the lounge S : could not attend R : fond of reading
The proper sequence should be 66. Athens
R : a speeding truck The proper sequence should be S : it will be bad for the eyes
(a) PQRS (b) RQSP P : it was also The proper sequence should be
S : he ran for life (a) PRQS (b) PQRS (a) PQRS (b) SRPQ
(c) QSRP (d) SPQR Q : the first democracy in the The proper sequence should be
The proper sequence should be (c) SPQR (d) PRSQ (c) RSPQ (d) RPQS
61. When he knew world (a) PQRS (b) QRSP
(a) RPQS (b) RSPQ
P : he sat down under a tree R : was not only 72. My friend 78. The poems and stories (c) SQRP (d) QRPS
(c) PRSQ (d) PQRS
Q : about what to do next S : an almost perfect democracy P : when he was going to his P : have been taken 84. We saw
55. They decided office
R : and thought for a long The proper sequence should be Q : for this book P : while playing
P : for their friends Q : met with an accident
time (a) RSPQ (b) PQRS R : from a variety of sources Q : with the boys
Q : that afternoon (c) RQPS (d) QPSR R : on his scooter
S : that there was no more S : that have been selected R : that Ram fell down
R : to buy some presents hope S : due to rash driving
S : to go shopping 67. The practice of taking performance The proper sequence should be S : and hurt his leg
The proper sequence should be boosting drugs among athletes The proper sequence should be
The proper sequence should be (a) SQPR (b) RPQS The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) SPRQ (a) PQRS (b) PRQS
(a) QRSP (b) SQRP
P : but checking it is not going to (c) QPSR (d) PQRS (a) RSPQ (b) PQRS
(c) QPSR (d) RSPQ (c) SRQP (d) QSRP
(c) QRPS (d) PQSR be easy 79. The belief (c) RPQS (d) RPSQ
62. He wanted Q : is generally conceded to be 73. Mohan, the son of my friend,
56. P : This is the book P : to reach his place of work P : that the moon has great 85. P : for an hour
unfair P : gave me a set of pens
Q : about influence Q : because it had to wait
Q : who used to travel 20 R : of the detection technology Q : which is very precious
R : that miles Q : still exists with great force R : due to dense fog
S : for the user is generally one R : while working in Japan
S : I told you R : to buy a scooter S : who died in an accident R : over the weather S : the plane couldn’t take off
jump ahead
The proper sequence should be S : for his son The proper sequence should be S : among many people The proper sequence should be
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) PSQR The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) SRPQ The proper sequence should be (a) PQRS (b) RQPS
(a) RSPQ (b) QPSR
(c) SPQR (d) PQRS (a) PQRS (b) QRSP (c) RSPQ (d) SPQR (a) PRQS (b) QPRS (c) QPRS (d) SPQR
(c) QPRS (d) PQRS
57. He said that (c) QSRP (d) RSQP 74. The boy said (c) PQSR (d) QSPR
68. All religions are 86. She complained that
P : two years before 63. They went out P : I am not going to the school 80. There is an old saying in our P : that it took a month
P : to advance the cause of peace
Q : and that he could produce P : in the morning by a bus Q : with my friends in the class country
Q : in a holy partnership Q : to clean it
R : he had passed his examination Q : to spend the day at Bhimli, room P : that soldiers
R : justice and freedom R : the house
S : his certificate R : a famous picnic spot, R : where my teacher scolds Q : not only cover themselves
S : bound together S : was so dirty
The proper sequence should be S : some 25 km away S : me when I want to play with glory on the Earth
(a) SPQR (b) QSRP The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be R : who die for their motherland The proper sequence should be
(c) RPQS (d) PRSQ (a) PQRS (b) QRSP (a) PRQS (b) PQRS (a) PQRS (b) PSQR (a) PQRS (b) SPQR
S : but attain heaven
(c) RSPQ (d) SRQP (c) SQPR (d) SPQR (c) SQPR (d) PRSQ (c) PSQR (d) RSPQ
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 531 532 CDS Pathfinder

Q : entered the village

2015 (I) The proper sequence should be
(a) RQSP (b) SPQR
99. P : to give a definition 105. Man is
R : and stole the property of the
The proper sequence should be
Q : if I were P : a biological being (a) SPQR (b) QRPS
87. When the car passed by (c) RSPQ (d) QPRS villagers
R : I would begin Q : his physical and material (c) RSPQ (d) SRQP
P :
he threw a stone, S : at night
93. In spite of S : like this needs 108. When
Q :
raising dust in the road
P : the poor and hungry people R : confined to The proper sequence should be P : a boy saved her
R :
with all his might The proper sequence should be
Q : made by medical sciences S : not merely (a) QSRP (b) SQPR
S :
and hit the man who was (a) QPRS (b) PQRS Q : by a speeding car
R : the extraordinary progress (c) SPQR (d) QPSR
driving it (c) SRQP (d) RSPQ The proper sequence should be R : at the risk of his life
The proper sequence should be S : often die (a) RSPQ (b) SRQP 107. The opposition members S : a little girl was about to be
100. P : deserve all honour in society P : the ruling of the Speaker
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS The proper sequence should be (c) RPSQ (d) SPRQ run over
(c) RPQS (d) RPSQ Q : in doing their job well
(a) RPSQ (b) RQPS 106. A gang of robbers Q : to protest against The proper sequence should be
R : men of conscience who take
88. A moment comes (c) PQSR (d) RSPQ P : while they were fast asleep R : of the Parliament (a) SPRQ (b) RSQP
pride
P : when we step out from the old S : walked out (c) SQPR (d) QPSR
to the new S : whatever its nature
2016 (I) The proper sequence should be
Q : which comes but rarely in
history 94. P : that it would affect the (a) RQSP (b) QRPS
R : and when the soul of a nation investigation process
Q : they refused
(c) PRSQ (d) SPQR EXERCISE II (Ordering of Sentences)
S : long suppressed, finds 101. P : while some live
utterance R : of these raids saying Directions (Q. Nos. 1-86) In the questions given below, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth
Q : to eat and drink
The proper sequence should be S : to divulge the venues sentences are given in the beginning. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are
R : many do not have enough
(a) QPRS (b) PRSQ The proper sequence should be labelled as P, Q, R and S. Find out the proper order of the four sentences.
(c) QRSP (d) RSQP S : in luxury
(a) PQRS (b) SRPQ
89. She had a blind belief that inside (c) QSRP (d) RPQS The proper sequence should be 2012 (I) S : I found a pressing need for R : They had driven North the
the bag (a) PSRQ (b) PRSQ money of my own. evening before, trying to
95. P : that he already has 1. S1 : The authorities decided to
The proper sequence should be locate the roars of a lion.
P : two or three other children (c) SPQR (d) RQSP streamline the procedure for
Q : buying things (a) SQPR (b) PSQR S : His breath caught—it was a
Q : there were perhaps 102. I believed then admitting students, to the
R : that rich man new course. (c) SRPQ (d) QRPS huge lioness.
R : which the big man carried P : that no matter
S : goes on S 6 : The selection was made from 3. S1 : You ask me what I intend to The proper sequence should be
S : like herself Q : one should always find some
The proper sequence should be the list in the order of do after graduation (a) RQPS (b) RPQS
The proper sequence should be time for exercise (c) RQSP (d) QPSR
(a) QRPS (b) QPSR (a) PSQR (b) RSQP priority. S 6 : That would be a great relief
(c) SQRP (d) RPQS R : and I believe even now P : Those who performed badly to my parents. 5. S1 : In almost all developing
(c) RQSP (d) RQPS
S : the amount of work one has at the interview were countries, estimates indicate
90. He approached the teacher 96. P : The police commissioner P : My ambition is to become an
eliminated. that every six seconds, one
rushed The proper sequence should be engineer.
P : at school child dies and another
Q : the crowd (a) PRQS (b) PSRQ Q : The candidates were first Q : I can complete this course in becomes disabled as a
Q : to know
R : to control (c) RPQS (d) RPSQ required to take a written two years. consequence of diseases that
R : in his studies test.
S : the police force 103. P : I wonder R : But, I am not sure whether I can be prevented with
S : how his son was getting on
R : A list of successful candidates shall get enough marks to immunisation.
The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be Q : whenever I decide to go to at the written test was qualify for admission to an S 6 : After each round of
(a) PQRS (b) PQSR (a) QRSP (b) PQRS the cinema prepared in the ascending engineering college. immunisation during the IIP,
(c) QSRP (d) QSPR (c) PSRQ (d) RSPQ R : with my scooter order of total marks. all computerised data were
S : If I don’t take up
91. I was so angry that 97. P : My brother S : why I always have trouble S : The top fifty among those engineering, I would like to brought up-to-date.
P : if I had met him in the street Q : to attend his friend’s The proper sequence should be who qualified were called for do an MSc in Physics. P : At the start of the
Q : and not waited to ask him wedding an interview. The proper sequence should be programme, local Anganwadi
(a) QSPR (b) QRSP
R : why he had written me an R : is going to Chennai The proper sequence should be centres for pre-school
(c) PSRQ (d) PRSQ (a) PRSQ (b) SQPR
insulting letter (a) QRSP (b) PRSQ children operating as a part
S : tomorrow (c) QSRP (d) RPQS
S : I would have knocked him 104. The bird-catcher (c) SRQP (d) RSQP of the National Integrated
down The proper sequence should be P : by means of snares 4. S1 : In 1974, Mark and Delia Child Development Services
(a) PSQR (b) QPSR 2. S1 : I was only 12 years of age ventured into the Kalahari Scheme were involved in
The proper sequence should be Q : knew all the birds of the then desert to study the ecology of conducting house-to-house
(c) RQPS (d) PRSQ forest
(a) PSQR (b) PQRS S6 : I needed real money. the region. surveys.
(c) SQRP (d) RSQP 98. P : quickly R : by the hundred P: but this was not enough even S 6 : She was moving towards Q : The experiment has been
92. On the contrary Q : he gave orders S : and was accustomed to them from about five metres launched with the objective of
to buy comics or toys.
P : about family planning and its R : to catch the thief capturing the winged away, her head swaying from introducing new and efficient
Q: I earned a couple of dollars
benefits S : to his men creatures by doing chores around the side to side. strategies for large-scale
Q : to all citizens The proper sequence should be The proper sequence should be house. P : He slowly lifted his head and immunisation programmes
R : the government wants surveyed the scene. which, if successful, could be
(a) SPRQ (b) QSRP (a) QPSR (b) QSRP R: I could never buy an airgun
S : to provide information and Q : A soft groan startled Mark. used as models for similar
(c) PSRQ (d) RSPQ (c) PQSR (d) PRQS or a bike in this way.
education endeavours in the future.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
R : Two areas were included in
the IIP : Trilokpuri and
Khanjawala.
S : Between December 1983 and
March 1984, a large-scale
experiment the Intensive
Immunisation Programme
(IIP) was conducted in Delhi.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) RPQS
(c) PQRS (d) SQRP
6. S1 : I will not be able to see you
tomorrow.
S 6 : At any rate I’ll see you later
in the week.
P : There is only a simple
laboratory test to be done.
Q : Once I know what the
diagnosis is, I can contact the
doctor.
R : However, if you like, you can
phone me.
S : We will then follow his
instructions.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPRQ (b) RPQS
(c) SRPQ (d) RQSP
7. S1 : Stalin sent General Zhukov to
assume command in Leningrad
S 6 : The battle for Leningrad was
the fiercest ever fought.
P : True, the city was prepared
for street fighting.
Q : At that time no one knew
whether the city could be
saved.
R : No one knew the answer
S : but would the city’s defences
hold?
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSQP (b) QSPR
(c) QPSR (d) RQPS
8. S1 : Bacteria in the mouth can
cause bad odour and painful
tooth decay.
S 6 : Toothpaste advertisements are
truthful when they advise us
to brush regularly.
P : Children’s eating habits leave
them prone to tooth decay.
Q : They grow in food particles
left between teeth.
R : They often eat sweets and
other items between meals
S : Therefore, regular brushing
after every meal eaten at
home is essential.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQSR (b) QPRS
(c) RSPQ (d) QRPS
9. S1 : The Five Year Plans are
meant for the nation’s
economic development.
S 6 : The most important is,
certainly, failure on the
family planning front.
P : What are the reasons for it?
Q : One way of measuring a
nation’s development is by
finding out how much
progress there has been in
the fight against poverty
R : The reasons are many
S : In India, every Five-Year
Plan ends with more people
coming under the poverty
line.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPQS (b) QSPR
(c) PRSQ (d) SQRP
10. S1 : Man’s growth from
barbarism to civilisation is
supposed to be the theme of
history.
S 6 : In many ways, therefore,
man has not made very
great progress.
P : Strong countries attack and
oppress weaker ones.
Q : But it is difficult to believe
this ideal has been reached.
R : There is ample evidence of
barbarism even today.
S : Individuals too exploit their
fellows.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) RQSP
(c) QRSP (d) RPSQ
11. S1 : Though the Finance
Minister claims that prices
have become stable, facts do
not support his stand.
S6 : This proves that the
government is not properly
informed.
P: What is worse, in some
places it is not available
even at the exorbitant price.
Q: Now it is above ` 10.
R: Sugar is a glaring example
S: A month back its
open-market price was ` 7
per kg.
533
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRQS (b) SRQP
(c) PSRQ (d) RSQP
2012 (II)
12. S1 : A boy tried to discover how
wasps find their way home.
S 6 : These wasps flew straight
home.
P : He carried them two miles
away and let them go.
Q : First, he marked each of a
number of wasps with a
white spot.
R : He then put them into a
paper box.
S : To do this, he carried out a
test on them.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) SRQP
(c) SQRP (d) QPSR
13. S1 : Rivers have played a great
role in our lives.
S 6 : That was how Sindhu was
pronounced by some
foreigners.
P : It is famous as the Indus
valley civilisation.
Q : Communication and trade
depended on the rivers for
centuries.
R : Who does not know that the
very term ‘India’ originated
from Indus?
S : One of the earliest
civilisations of the world
flourished on the river
Sindhu.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) RSPQ
(c) QSPR (d) PRSQ
14. S1 : The next day, Hiralal woke
early
S 6 : He could find nothing inside
them except two letters.
P : Then, he began to take out
the bags containing the silver
coins and the currency notes.
Q : Three of the bags were
empty.
R : After washing his face and
hands, he went back to his
bedroom.
S : Suddenly, his heart seemed
to stop beating.
534
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) RPSQ
(c) PQRS (d) SPQR
15. S1 : My friend had a dog.
S 6 : He took it to the veterinary
hospital.
P : He was very much upset.
Q : Two days later, it returned
home.
R : Its right ear had been torn
off
S : One day, he could not find
the dog anywhere.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPSQ (b) PSQR
(c) SPQR (d) SQRP
16. S1 : A water tap is a device for
turning on and off a flow of
water.
S 6 : The washer is made of a
flexible material such as
rubber or plastic.
P : The metal parts of a water
tap are usually made of
brass because brass resists
corrosion.
Q : The other part is a washer
which is fixed to the bottom
of the rod.
R : One is a rod with a handle
on the top.
S : It has two important parts.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) SRQP
(c) PQSR (d) PRSQ
17. S1 : Now these two types of
courage, physical and moral
are very distinct.
S 6 : Moral courage is a higher
and rarer virtue than
physical courage.
P : I have known many men who
had marked physical courage,
but lacked moral courage.
Q : On the other hand, I’ve seen
men who undoubtedly
possessed moral courage but
were very cautious about
taking physical risks.
R : But I’ve never met a man
with moral courage, who
wouldn’t, when it was really
necessary, face bodily danger.
S : Some of them were in high
places, but they failed to be
great in themselves because
they lacked it.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PSQR
(c) PSRQ (d) QSRP
18. S1 : Forests have an influence on
the climate of a region
S 6 : Thus, we see that forests in a
region often make the climate
cooler.
P : Much of the rain that falls
beneath the trees dissolves
plant food in the soil.
Q : This gives to the air over the
forests a coolness which is felt
by balloonists and aviators
three thousand feet above the
Earth.
R : The plants absorb all the food
and much of the water, but
the rest of the water is
breathed out through the
leaves into the air.
S : This is taken up by the roots
of plants and carried upward
to the leaves.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSRP (b) PSRQ
(c) RSPQ (d) SQPR
19. S1 : Albert Edward did very well
S 6 : He then appointed a manager
to take care of it.
P : He started looking for a place
to open the new shop.
Q : He started his shop with great
enthusiasm.
R : He did so well that he began
to think of opening another
shop.
S : One fine morning, he found it
on a nearby street.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) RSPQ
(c) RPSQ (d) PSRQ
20. S1 : Why do birds migrate in spite
of the heavy loss of life on the
way?
S 6 : The migration of birds thus is
a fascinating study, indeed.
P : But, birds also migrate during
summer.
Q : Primarily, they migrate
during the winter.
R : Also, they cannot endure the
summer heat.
S : And the main reason now is
not hunger but availability of
the nesting sites.
CDS Pathfinder
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPSR (b) PQRS
(c) RSPQ (d) QRPS
21. S1 : Though hard to please and
easily offended, Johnson had
a most humane and
benevolent heart.
S 6 : He got her a job and put her
into a virtuous way of living.
P : There he discovered, she was
one of those wretched
persons who had fallen into
the lowest state of vice,
poverty and disease.
Q : Going home one evening, he
found a poor woman lying in
the street and took her upon
his back and carried her to
his house.
R : Soon, she was restored to
health.
S : Instead of harshly scolding
her, he had taken care her
of with all tenderness.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) SRQP
(c) PRQS (d) QPSR
2013 (I)
22. S1 : Ronald Ross was born in
Almora, in the Himalayas in
1857
S 6 : Manson directed him to an
effective study of the disease
and with his help, Ross
solved the mystery in three
years.
P : He began to feel that he
ought to try to do something
about it.
Q : He was educated in
England and returned to
India as an officer in the
Indian Medical Service.
R : He started to study malaria
and during a vacation to
England, met Patrick
Manson and studied tropical
diseases under him.
S : His medical conscience was
stirred by the appalling
disease and misery with
which he was surrounded in
the course of his work.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) QSPR
(c) PQRS (d) RPSQ
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
23. S1 : Science has turned the world
into one unit.
S 6 : Practically every part of the
world has friendly or hostile
relationship with every other
part.
P : Now-a-days such pleasing
illusions are impossible to
have
Q : Since that time, they have
been coming closer to each
other.
R : Before the 16th century,
America and the Far East
were almost unrelated to
Europe.
S : Augustus in Rome and Han
Emperor in China
simultaneously imagined
themselves masters of the
world.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) RSQP
(c) SRPQ (d) RQSP
24. S1 : Plants need carbon for
building the tissue of their
bodies.
S 6 : Thus, through a complex
process called photosynthesis,
plants receive their require-
ments from the soil and Sun.
P : The breaking up of carbon
dioxide into its components
requires energy, which they
derive from the Sun.
Q : Plants’ other needs of
nutrients are derived from
the soil and water through
their roots.
R : They derive this carbon from
the carbon dioxide in the air.
S : They break up the carbon
dioxide, absorb the carbon
and discharge oxygen into the
air for animals to breathe.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) RSPQ
(c) SQRP (d) PRQS
25. S1 : I searched for my friend all
day.
S 6 : When I woke up, the Sun was
already above the horizon.
P : Although I was weary and
hungry, I was not
discouraged.
Q : I crept in and lay on the
ground with my bag for a
pillow.
R : When midnight came, I felt
that I could not walk much
further.
S : At last I came to a place
where the pavement was
raised and had a hollow
underneath.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) PSQR
(c) RPSQ (d) SRQP
26. S1 : While on a fishing trip last
summer, I watched an
elderly man fishing off the
edge of a dock.
S6 : Cheerfully, the old man
replied, ‘Small frying pan’.
P: ‘Why didn’t you keep the
other big ones?’ I asked
Q: He caught an enormous
trout, but apparently not
satisfied with its size, he
threw it back into the
water.
R: He finally caught a small
pike, threw it into his pail
and smiling happily
prepared to leave.
S: Amazed, I watched him
repeat this performance.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) QSPR
(c) PQSR (d) QPSR
27. S1 : Mr Johnson looked at his
watch.
S 6 : He always says to his
friends at the office : ‘It is
nice to have breakfast in
the morning, but it is nicer
to lie in bed’.
P : He was late as usual, so he
did not have time for
breakfast.
Q : Then he washed and
dressed.
R : He ran all the way to the
station and he arrived there
just in time for the train.
S : It was half past seven and
he got out of bed quickly.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) SQPR
(c) SRQP (d) RSQP
28. S1 : The essence of democracy is
the active participation of
the people in government
affairs.
S 6 : By and large it is the actual
practice of our way of life.
535
P : When the people are active
watchmen and participants,
we have that fertile soil in
which democracy flourishes.
Q : Our democracy is founded
upon a faith in the overall
judgement of the people as a
whole.
R : When the people do not
participate, the spirit of
democracy dies.
S : When the people are honestly
and clearly informed, their
commonsense can be relied
upon to carry the nation safely
through any crisis.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPSQ (b) PRSQ
(c) SPQR (d) PSRQ
29. S1 : Always remember that regular
and frequent practice is
essential if you are to learn to
write well.
S 6 : If you keep your eyes and ears
open, you will find plenty of
things to write about.
P : Even with the most famous
writers, inspiration is rare.
Q : Writing is 99% hard work and
1% inspiration, so the sooner
you get into the habit of
writing, the better.
R : It is no good waiting until you
have an inspiration before you
write.
S : You learn to write by writing.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) RPSQ
(c) SPRQ (d) QPSR
2013 (II)
30. S1 : Her sisters recognised her at
once.
S 6 : As for the young prince, he
found her more lovely and
lovable than ever and insisted
upon marrying her
immediately.
P : She embraced them, telling
them she forgave them with
all her heart.
Q : Then she departed with the
herald to the King’s palace.
R : They were not in the least
surprised, for everybody
believed in fairies and
everybody longed to have a
fairy Godmother.
536
S : She told her whole story to
his Majesty and the royal
family.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSQP (b) QPSR
(c) PQSR (d) PSQR
31. S1 : No daily paper has ever
found its way into this
village.
S 6 : They carry this with them to
the trading centres in the
plains and cities.
P : These travellers come from
distant places.
Q : On their return journey. they
have news from the hills.
R : The only news the
inhabitants get is from
travellers.
S : On their way into the hills
they bring news from distant
plains and cities of India.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQSR (b) RPSQ
(c) QSPR (d) RQPS
32. S1 : A stag was drinking water at
a pool.
S 6 : He was thus caught by the
hunters.
P : He was admiring his shadow
in the water.
Q : All of a sudden, some
hunters came to the pool.
R : From what he saw, he liked
his horns, but he was rather
unhappy about his legs.
S : His legs helped him in
getting away from the
hunters, but his horns were
caught in a bush.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) PQRS
(c) PRQS (d) RPQS
33. S1 : The wise men laughed at
Galileo for presuming to
differ from the great
Aristotle.
S 6 : Both struck the ground
together, as he had asserted
that they would.
P : He then climbed to the top,
carrying with him a ten
pound shot and a one pound
shot.
Q : So, one morning he took
some students and teachers
to the base of the famous
Leaning Tower.
R : Balancing them on the edge
of the tower, he let them fall
together.
S : But Galileo said he could
prove his statement.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) QPSR
(c) PRSQ (d) RSQP
34. S1 : The Earth was initially very
hot and without an
atmosphere.
S 6 : But it contained a lot of
other gases that are
poisonous to us.
P : the atmosphere came from
the emission of gases from
the rocks.
Q : Because it contained no
oxygen.
R : In the course of time it
cooled and acquired an
atmosphere.
S : This early atmosphere was
not one in which we could
have survived.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPSQ (b) PSRQ
(c) SPQR (d) QRPS
35. S1 : When Madhu opened the
living room, an extraordinary
sight met her eyes.
S 6 : Hurrying upstairs, she went
to her dressing table but to
her relief found that the man
had taken only an imitation
diamond necklace.
P : She soon returned home in a
police car with two
policemen.
Q : A strange man was fast
asleep in an armchair.
R : Madhu left the house
immediately and went to the
police station.
S : But it was now too late, the
man had disappeared.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPQS (b) QRPS
(c) PQRS (d) SQRP
36. S1 : When Galileo was young,
people believed that the
Earth was the centre of the
Universe.
S 6 : But time has proved that
Galileo’s view was right.
P : But Galileo began to argue
that it was not so.
Q : This belief was supported by
the state and the Church.
CDS Pathfinder
R : He said that the Earth and
other planets moved round
the Sun.
S : He was imprisoned for
voicing this unorthodox view.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS
(c) QPSR (d) PSRQ
37. S1 : Until the hospital could be
built, there was no surgery
available for the patients.
S6 : After a short time, an
emergency hospital was
created from a rough
fowl-house.
P: But there were disadvantages.
Q: Schweitzer therefore started
his medical treatment in an
open space outside his house.
R: Moreover, there was a storm
almost every evening, when
everything had to be dragged
hurriedly to the shelter of
the verandah.
S: Working in the Sun was very
tiring.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) QPSR
(c) RPSQ (d) PRSQ
38. S1 : In 1739, Nadir Shah, the
mighty king of Iran, invaded
India.
S6 : Another trophy he took with
him was the Peacock Throne
built by Shahjahan.
P: After a stay of two months,
Nadir Shah went back to
Iran.
Q: He defeated the Mughal
army in the battle at Karnal.
R: He took with him immense
wealth as well as the
Kohinoor diamond.
S: This was followed by the
cruel massacre and reckless
plunder of Delhi.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) RQPS
(c) PRQS (d) SPRQ
39. S1 : It was a very pleasant walk
along the banks of the river.
S 6 : It charmed me beyond
measure.
P : The buffalo had huge horns.
Q : A kind of unknown calm and
peace seemed to slide into my
soul.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
R : What delighted me most was
the sight of a little boy
sitting on the last buffalo in
the herd.
S : I saw a herd of buffaloes
swimming across the river.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) QSRP
(c) PQRS (d) RPQS
40. S1 : A reporter is someone who
gathers and writes news.
S 6 : The reporter and the editor
are both called newsmen.
P : An editor is someone who
prepares all the news for
printing in the newspaper.
Q : A reporter cannot do a good
job unless he has a good
understanding of the
requirements of the editor of
his newspaper.
R : The editor decides how
important each news story is
and where it should be
placed.
S : Many editors are former
reporters.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) QRSP
(c) PRQS (d) RSPQ
41. S 1 : Of man’s earliest inventions
we know very little.
S 6 : Once man had fire, he was
the master of all lower
creatures.
P : Man used stick and stone
long before he dared to
middle with fire.
Q : The first was to use a stone
to crack a nut.
R : The next was the use of a
stick to strike an enemy.
S : It was only a step further
that he made a rude weapon
by fastening a stone to the
end of a stick.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QRSP
(c) SPRQ (d) SRQP
42. S1: The detective walked into the
dark room alone.
S 6 : He carefully picked up the
gun making sure not to
smudge the fingerprints.
P : It was later that he found
the gun lying under a chair.
Q : First he felt for the switch
and turned on the light.
R : The furniture was smashed
and the curtains torn.
S : At once he saw the disorder
and confusion in the room.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) PQRS
(c) QSRP (d) RPSQ
43. S1 : Last night I was very tired
and dropped off to sleep.
S 6 : A goat was chewing up my
rose plants.
P : I thought I heard somebody
move outside.
Q : All of a sudden, a slight noise
disturbed my sleep.
R : I got out of bed quietly and
peeped out of the window.
S : I was frightened.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) QSPR
(c) SPQR (d) RSPQ
44. S1 : The parents of Bose wanted
him to become an ICS
Officer.
S 6 : His resignation showed that
his country’s freedom was
more important to him than
his personal ambitions.
P : But his heart was not for
government service.
Q : He studied zealously and got
through the ICS examination
in the fourth rank.
R : Soon he resigned from the
ICS to the bewilderment of
all.
S : Very much against his will,
he was sent to England.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) RPSQ
(c) SQPR (d) PSQR
45. S1 : The train was running fast
and the next station was
nearly an hour ahead.
S6 : She bought four cups of
ice-cream and all of them
became busy with eating.
P: The children were. pestering
their aunt with embarrassing
questions.
Q: The occupants of the first
carriage among others were a
tall girl, a little girl and a
little boy.
R: Luckily an ice-cream vendor
came to the rescue of the
aunt.
S: Their aunt was occupying a
corner seat.
537
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QSPR
(c) RPQS (d) SRQP
46. S1 : One winter afternoon, she
had been buying something
in a little antique shop in
Curzon street.
S 6 : He clasped his hands, he was
so gratified that he could
scarcely speak.
P : Therefore she visited this
shop once again.
Q : It was a shop she always
liked to visit.
R : He beamed whenever she
came in.
S : And the man who kept it was
very fond of serving her.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b)QPSR
(c) PRQS (d) QSPR
47. S1 : My friend Todd owes me a
dollar.
S 6 : I see that I shall never get it
back.
P : Whenever, I meet him, he
does not show any indication
that he owes me a dollar.
Q : My dollar has gone out of his
mind.
R : Thus he meets me in the
same frank friendly way as
always.
S : He has owed it to me for
twelve months, and I fear
there is little prospect of his
ever returning it.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSPQ (b) SQPR
(c) SPRQ (d) RQSP
2014 (I)
48. S1 : The lions used to be widely
distributed in Africa and
Asia.
S 6 : No hunting is permitted in
such reserved areas.
P : There are special forest zones
set aside for wildlife in
various countries.
Q : Indiscriminate killing by
hunters has been the cause
of this drastic fall in their
numbers.
R : Today they are a relatively
rare species.
S : If the species survives at all,
it will be only in national
parks.
538
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSQP (b) SQRP
(c) RQSP (d) SRPQ
49. S1 : The woman who lives a
normal life is able to check the
swelling conceit and egotism of
her menfolk simply because
her outlook is so different.
S 6 : And both ranges of interest
make her what only fools deny
her to be, namely, essentially
practical, her eye is steadily
fixed on the concrete thing and
she mistrusts that chasing of
the wild goose, which is one of
the chief pastimes and delights
of man.
P : She is primarily concerned
with little ordinary things, the
minutiae of talk and behaviour
e.g., on the one hand and with
very big ones, the colossal
elementary facts of life, such
as birth, mating and death on
the other.
Q : The first are personal and
particular, whereas the second,
those enormous facts about life
which women are never
allowed to lose sight of, are, of
course, universal, meaning just
as much in the Fiji Islands as
they do here.
R : Her interests are at once
narrower and wider than those
of men.
S : It is more personal and yet
more impersonal.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQSR (b) PRSQ
(c) SPQR (d) SRPQ
50. S1 : What soda-water is composed
of you may see for yourself if
you watch your glass as it
stands on the table after you
have slaked your first thirst.
S6 : ‘Carbonic acid’ is the old name
for it, but it is more proper to
name it, when it is out of the
water, ‘carbon dioxide’.
P: The liquid is plain water, as
you will find out if you are too
slow about drinking.
Q: You will see that it is
separating into two different
things, a liquid and a gas.
R: The gas is so heavy that you
can fairly drink it from the
glass and it has, as you know,
a tingle-tangle taste.
S : The other is a heavy, sour
and invisible gas that slips
up through the water in
little bubbles and collects in
the empty half of the glass.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) PRQS
(c) QPSR (d) RSPQ
51. S1 : What Martin Luther King,
the peaceful warrior and
his followers suffered, it is
very difficult to describe.
S 6 : For they had taken an oath
to ‘refrain from the violence
of the fist, tongue or heart’.
P : The police used fire hoses
and ferocious dogs to rout
them.
Q : The law courts sent them
to solitary confinement
where not a ray of the Sun
entered.
R : They were abused and
stoned by the mob, slapped
and kicked by the police.
S : They suffered and tolerated
all this without ever lifting
a hand in self defence.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) RPQS
(c) PRSQ (d) QRSP
52. S1 : There are, I think, several
factors that contribute to
wisdom.
S 6 : You have not time to
consider the effect which
your discoveries or
inventions may have
outside the field of
medicine.
P : This has become more
difficult than it used to be
owing to the extent and
complexity of the
specialised knowledge
required of various kinds of
technicians.
Q : Of these I should put first
a sense of proportion: the
capacity to take account of
all the important factors in
a problem and to attach to
each its due weight.
R : The work is difficult and is
likely to absorb the whole
of your intellectual energy.
S : Suppose, e.g., you are
engaged in research in
scientific medicine.
CDS Pathfinder
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPSR (b) QRPS
(c) QSPR (d) QSRP
53. S1 : There were no finger prints
anywhere.
S 6 : These conclusions made the
detectives think that it was a
fake theft.
P : First of all it was impossible
even for a child to enter
through the hole in the roof.
Q : When the investigators tried
to reconstruct the crime, they
came up against facts.
R : Moreover, when the detectives
tried to a silver vase, it was
found to be double the size of
the hole.
S : Again, the size of the hole
was examined by the experts
who said that nothing had
been passed through it.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QPRS
(c) SQRP (d) QRSP
54. S1 : If you want to film a scene in
slow motion, you run the
camera twice as fast as usual,
which sounds ridiculous but
isn’t.
S 6 : On the screen, everything
appears at half the speed at
which the camera recorded it
when it was filmed.
P : If you are filming in slow
motion, however, the camera
runs at twice the normal
speed, yet, in spite of this,
the projector which shows the
film will be run at the normal
speed and this means that
the projector will show the
film at half the speed at
which it was photographed.
Q : This is because the camera
which took the pictures and
the projector which shows
them run at the same speed.
R : When a film camera is
running at normal speed, it
takes twenty-four pictures a
second.
S : When the film is run through
the film-projector, twenty-four
pictures a second appear on
the screen.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) PSQR
(c) SRQP (d) RSQP
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
55. S1 : Great quantities of animal oil
come from whales.
S 6 : A few other creatures also
yield oil.
P : It produces a great quantity
of oil which can be made into
food for human consumption.
Q : These enormous creatures of
the sea are the largest
remaining animals in the
world.
R : When the whale is killed, the
blubber is stripped off and
boiled down.
S : To protect the whales from
the cold of the Arctic seas,
nature has provided it with a
thick covering of fat called
blubber.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) QSRP
(c) PRQS (d) RPQS
56. S1 : The distance between theatre
and reality has stretched so
far that when we come across
a truly contemporary play, it
is a cause for rejoicing.
S 6 : But the question is, have we
forgotten his legacy in
modern India?
P : It searches our collective
psyche like an unrelenting
laser beam.
Q : Most importantly, the play
questions whether religion
and politics can fuse together
in modern India.
R : Gandhiji had both the
spiritual and political
dimensions that we so lack
today.
S : Prasanna’s ‘Gandhiji’ staged
recently by the National
School of Drama is one such
play.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) RSPQ
(c) SPQR (d) RQPS
57. S1 : We who live in the present
day world are proud to call
ourselves civilised.
S 6 : In fact science has added to
our worries.
P : But let us search our hearts
and ask ourselves, ‘Has
science solved our problem?’
Q : Is it because we live and
dress better than our
forefathers?
R : Frankly speaking, the
answer is ‘No’.
S : Of course, we have the
advantages of the
inventions of science which
our ancestors had never
known.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QSPR
(c) PRSQ (d) SPRQ
2014 (II)
58. S1 : There have been many
stories of porpoises saving
human lives.
S6 : Marine scientists point out
that the porpoise’s spirit of
play is responsible for such
incidents.
P : ‘When I got to my feet, no
one was near, but in the
water about 18 feet out a
porpoise was leaping
about.’
Q : One woman was wading
waist deep off the Florida
coast when an undertow
pulled her down.
R : ‘I felt something give me a
terrific shove up on to the
beach’, she says.
S : ‘A man standing nearby
said that the porpoise had
shoved me ashore.’
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) QPRS
(c) QRPS (d) QPSR
59. S1 : Rome, the greatest city of
the ancient world, did not
achieve its glory all of a
sudden.
S6 : Achievement of great
moment cannot be
accomplished without
patient perseverance and a
considerable interval of
time.
P: The same is true of every
great achievement.
Q: We should carry on our
work with patience and
perseverance.
R: It took several years to
build Rome and bring it to
the state of pomp and
splendour.
S: When we wish to do great
thing, we cannot expect
success in a moment.
539
The proper sequence should be
63. S1 : It is generally assumed by
(a) RPSQ (b) PQSR
(c) QSPR (d) SRPQ
60. S1 : The bus stopped.
S6 : Then, his eyes rested with cold
malice on the dog.
P : The conductor came in and took
the fares.
Q : A woman and a man got in
together.
R : The young woman was carrying
a pet dog.
S : They took their seats.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) QSRP
(c) QPSR (d) QSPR
61. S1 : James Watt used the power of
steam to drive machines.
S6 : The jet engine is relatively
more recent.
P : With petrol engines, people
were able to build motor cars
and aeroplanes.
Q : Then, many years later, the
petrol engine was invented.
R : These provided quicker means
of travelling.
S : His invention was used later by
other clever men to give us the
railway engine.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQPR (b) PQRS
64. S1 : There are several tribes in
(c) PSRQ (d) QSRP
62. S1 : A man handed a pair of
trousers to the departmental
store clerk and said, ‘‘I’d like
these altered, please’’.
S6 : Triumphantly he put the
trousers and the receipts on the
counter and said, ‘‘I’d like to
have these altered, please.’’
P : He said that free alteration is
not possible without a receipt.
Q : The man said, ‘‘Okay, I’d like to
return the trousers.’’ The clerk
took them back and returned
the money.
R : The man pushed the money
and said, ‘‘Now I want to buy
them.’’ The clerk put the
trousers in a bag, issued a
65. S1 : I had my eye especially on
receipt and handed him both.
S : The clerk asked for the sales
receipt but after searching his
pockets, the man replied that
he had lost it.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) SPQR
(c) PSRQ (d) PSQR
540
the admirers of democracy
that the right to vote also
confers a right for power
which threatens the very
existence of democracy.
S6 : As a result, the political
scene witnesses endless
dogfights for power which
threatens the very existence
of democracy.
P : These qualities are very rare
and cannot be had for the
wishing.
Q : For the right for power must,
if it is to be useful, be
accompanied by the ability to
exercise it with competence,
wisdom, foresight
and broadmindedness.
R : Yet all those who have the
right to vote believe that
they have them and try by
hook or crook to capture
power.
S : The former has much to
commend it but one cannot
be so sure about the latter.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) SQPR
(c) PRQS (d) RQPS
East Africa.
S6 : All the other tribes were
afraid of them because of
their skill in war.
P : The Masais were famous
fighters.
Q : They used to raid the
neighbouring tribes and carry
away their cattle.
R : They lived on the wide plains
in Southern Kenya and
Northern Tanzania.
S : But the most famous among
them is Masai tribe.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPRQ (b) PRQS
(c) RQSP (d) QRPS
the long jump.
S6 : He turned out to be a German
named Luz Long.
P : Everyone expected me to win
that Olympic event hands
down.
Q : I was in for a surprise.
R : When the time came for the
long jump trials, I was
startled to see a tall boy
hitting the pit at almost 26
feet on his practice leaps.
S : A year before, I had set the
world record of 26 feet 3
inches.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PSQR
(c) PRSQ (d) SRPQ
2015 (I)
66. S1 : While teaching in the class
room, our teacher suddenly
fainted.
S6 : The headmaster at once
sanctioned his leave.
P : The headmaster soon joined
us and spoke to them in a
soft voice.
Q : He was told that the patient
needed complete rest for a
month.
R : He was at once taken to the
hospital.
S : The doctors examined him
with serious faces.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) SPQR
(c) QPSR (d) RSPQ
67. S1 : The colonial powers had a
very simple technique to
rule the world.
S6 : Partition was the
culmination.
P : They lumped tribes and
people together, played one
against the other.
Q : India’s provinces were more
elaborately designed to play
the game of divide and rule.
R : Africa was divided, believe
it or not, on the basis of the
lines of longitude and
latitude.
S : They also purchased the
loyalties of those locals who
were needed as supports for
the colonial presence.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) PSRQ
(c) SPQR (d) RPSQ
68. S1 : The bank opened at 10 : 00
am.
S6 : The safe was empty.
P : The peon opened the safe
and returned the keys to
the manager.
CDS Pathfinder
Q : The manager and the peon
went to the safe in the vault.
R : The manager and the peon
looked into the safe.
S : They were shocked at what
they saw there.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRPS (b) QPRS
(c) SQRP (d) QRSP
69. S1 : The crowd swelled round the
thief.
S6 : They were followed by the
crowd which left the thief
alone.
P : Suddenly he whipped out a
knife from under his shirt.
Q : The thief stood quiet, his head
hung in shame.
R : The two young men holding
him were scared by the sight
of the shining knife.
S : They took to their heels.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) SQPR
(c) SPQR (d) RQSP
70. S1 : The old man wanted to cross
the road.
S6 : Holding him by hand, the
driver helped him to cross the
road.
P : The driver got off and came to
him.
Q : He was fed up and was about
to return.
R : Then a car stopped in front of
him.
S : He waited for a long time.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQRP (b) SPRQ
(c) QRSP (d) PSRQ
71. S1 : The first thing you have to do
is to speak with a strong
foreign accent and speak
broken English.
S6 : Half a dozen people will
immediately overwhelm you
with directions.
P: He will be interested in you
because you are a foreigner
and he will be pleased that he
could figure out what you said.
Q: He will not expect you to be
polite and use elaborate
grammatical phrases.
R: Then every English person to
whom you speak will at once
know that you are a foreigner
and try to understand you and
be ready to help you.
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences
S : If you shout, ‘‘Please!
Charing Cross! Which
way?’’, you will have no
difficulty.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) SRPQ
(c) RQPS (d) RSPQ
72. S1 : When a lamb is born, its
mother may die.
S6 : If a means of a overcoming
this natural tendency is
found, the lives of millions
of lambs can be saved.
P : Thus, there will nearly
always be both motherless
lambs and sheep without
lambs.
Q : However a sheep which has
lost its own lamb will not
feed or look after a
motherless lamb.
R : At the same time, some
new born lambs are too
weak to live.
S : This happens in large flocks
where many sheep give
birth to lambs at the same
time.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQSR (b) RPQS
(c) SRQP (d) SRPQ
73. S1 : People very seldom have
everything they want.
S6 : Our decisions indicate our
scale of preferences and
therefore our priorities.
P : Usually we have to decide
carefully how to spend our
income.
Q : They may all seem
important, but their true
importance can be
measured by deciding which
we are prepared to live
without.
R : When we exercise our
choice, we do so according
to our personal scale of
preferences.
S : In this scale of preferences,
essential commodities come
first, then the kind of
luxuries which helps us to
be comfortable and finally
those non-essentials which
give us personal pleasure.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) PRSQ
(c) QPSR (d) RPQS
74. S1 : On 5th October, 1818, when
young Lincoln was
approaching his 10th year, his
mother Nancy died of fever.
S6 : His total education at school
comprised only about a year
during which he, however,
managed to master reading,
writing, spelling and some
arithmetic.
P : She was illiterate, but she
brought with her several
books, among which were
Pilgrim’s Progress, Sindbad
the Sailor, Robinson Crusoe
and Aesop’s Fables.
Q : Lincoln always acknowledged
this moral and intellectual
debt to his step mother.
R : The following year, his father
married Sarah Bush Johnson,
a widow with three children.
S : These books provided Lincoln
with a mass of knowledge.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPQS (b) PSRQ
(c) RPSQ (d) PSQR
75. S1 : Crude oil obtained from the
field is taken to a refinery for
treatment.
S6 : Lubricating oils of various
grades are obtained last of all.
P : The gas that comes off later is
condensed into paraffin.
Q : This allows substances with
different boiling points to be
separated.
R : The first vapours to rise when
cooled provide the finest
petrol.
S : The commonest form of
treatment is heating.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQRP (b) RSPQ
(c) SRPQ (d) RPQS
2016 (I)
76. S1 : Once upon a time, there was
a king who had a wonderfully
nice garden.
S6 : In the trees lived a
nightingale that sang so
sweetly that all who passed
by stood still and listened.
P : In the middle of the garden,
there was a lovely forest with
tall trees and deep lakes.
541
Q : In this garden were to be seen
the most wonderful flowers
with silver bells tied to them.
R : The garden was so large that
even the gardener himself did
not know where it began and
where it ended.
S : These bells always sounded so
that nobody should pass by
without noticing the flowers.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) SPQR
(c) QSRP (d) QPSR
77. S1 : One of the first things the
learning of a new language
teaches you is that language
comes from the region of the
unconscious.
S6 : The test of how much you
know is : how much can you
say without having to think
how you are going to say it?
P : What is often meant by
‘thinking in a language’ is
really the ability to use it
without thinking about it.
Q : We, grown-up people, have to
filter it through our minds–a
much more laborious process.
R : That is why children learn a
new language so effortlessly :
it comes straight from their
instincts.
S : But we cannot say that we
know a language or know
what we have studied of it,
until we can use it
instinctively.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SQRP (b) RPSQ
(c) PQSR (d) RQSP
78. S1 : For seventeen years she led a
sheltered life in the convent.
S6 : Two years later, she left the
Loreto Convent where she had
spent many happy and useful
years.
P : Her heart went out to the
people living there.
Q : In 1946, she asked for
permission to work in the
slums.
R : Then one day, while she was
returning from an errand, she
saw the slums of Kolkata.
S : She felt she had found her
second vocation, her real
calling.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) RPSQ
(c) RPQS (d) QRPS
542
79. S1 : Good memory is so common
that we regard a man who
does not possess it as
eccentric.
S6 : She wheeled away the
perambulator, picturing to
herself his terror when he
would come out and find the
baby gone.
P : I have heard of a father who
having offered to take the
baby out in a perambulator,
was tempted by the sunny
morning to pause on his
journey and slip into a
public house for a glass of
beer.
Q : A little later, his wife had to
do some shopping which took
her past the public house
where to her horror, she
discovered her sleeping baby.
R : Leaving the perambulator
outside, he disappeared into
the drink shop.
S : Indignant at her husband’s
behaviour, she decided to
teach him a lesson.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PRQS
(c) PSQR (d) PQSR
80. S1 : Human ways of life have
steadily changed.
S6 : Even if we try to do nothing,
we cannot prevent change.
P : Ancient Egypt-Greece-the
Roman Empire - the Dark
Ages and the Middle Ages -
the Renaissance - the age of
modern science and of
modern nations one has
succeeded the other; the
history has never stood still.
Q : About ten thousand years
ago, man lived entirely by
hunting.
R : A settled civilised life only
began when agriculture was
discovered.
S : From that time to this,
civilisation has always been
changing.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) QPSR
(c) QSRP (d) PRSQ
81. S1 : In our youth, we are apt to
think that applause and
publicity constitute success.
S6 : So let us be initiated into the
mysteries of maturity and be
taught how to resist and
spurn the lure of hollow
shows.
P : The man who values the
applause more than his own
effort has not outgrown his
youth.
Q : It is our achievement or work
which wins lasting rewards.
R : But these are only the
84. S1 : Science has already conferred
trappings, the ephemeral
illusions.
S : One should concentrate on
one’s work knowing that
applause will come unsought.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) PSRQ
(c) QPSR (d) RQPS
82. S1 : My office sent an urgent
email asking me to return.
S6 : It was evening before I could
sit and write to my parents
that I would be joining them
soon.
P : I immediately replied
requesting a few days of
grace as I had to book the
return passage, pack and
attend sundry matters before
winding up my establishment
here.
85. S1 : The young traveller gazed out
Q : On the way, I went to the
laundry and made sure I
would get my clothes in time.
R : Then I rushed to the bank,
collected all my money and
made reservations for my
return journey.
S : From the shop next to it, I
bought a couple of trunks to
dump my books and other
odd articles so that I could
send them away in advance.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) PRQS
(c) PRSQ (d) PSRQ
83. S1 : Wordsworth knew the
behaviour of owls in the
night better than most of us
know the ways of black birds
in day time.
S6 : His great poetry owes much
to the night.
P : Out of school, there were no
restrictions on the hours he
kept.
CDS Pathfinder
Q : No poet ever had happier
school days.
R : He would skate by the light of
the stars, snare woodcocks at
dead of night, watch the
sunrise after a log ramble.
S : Throughout life, he was an
inveterate walker by night.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) PSQR
(c) QRPS (d) SQPR
an immense boon on mankind
by the growth of medicine.
S6 : The general death rate in
1948 (10-8) was the lowest
ever recorded up to that date.
P : It has continued ever since
and is still continuing.
Q : In the 18th century, people
expected most of their
children to die before they
were grown-up.
R : In 1920, the infant mortality
rate in England and Wales
was 80 per thousand; in 1948
it was 34 per thousand.
S : Improvement began at the
start of the 19th century,
chiefly owing to vaccination.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RPQS (b) QSPR
(c) SQRP (d) PQSR
into the dismal country with a
face of mingled repulsion and
interest.
S6 : He quickly restored it to his
secret pocket.
P : At intervals, he drew from his
pocket a bulky letter to which
he referred and on the
margins of which he scribbled
some notes.
Q : It was a navy revolver of the
largest size.
R : From the back of his waist, he
produced something which one
would hardly have expected to
find in the possession of so
mild-mannered a man.
S : As he turned it slantwise to
the light, the glint upon the
rims of the copper shells
within the drum showed that
it was fully loaded.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PQRS (b) RPQS
(c) QPRS (d) PRQS
 09
GENERAL ENGLISH Ordering of Words and Sentences 543 544 CDS Pathfinder

ANSWERS
Complete Exercise
1 a 2 d 3 d 4 c 5 c 6 c 7 c 8 c 9 a 10 c
11 d 12 c 13 a 14 c 15 a 16 d 17 b 18 b 19 b 20 c
21 a 22 c 23 a 24 c 25 c 26 a 27 d 28 c 29 c 30 b

COMPREHENSION
31 a 32 d 33 c 34 b 35 c 36 b 37 b 38 b 39 d 40 d
41 b 42 c 43 d 44 c 45 c 46 d 47 c 48 d 49 a 50 b
51 c 52 b 53 c 54 d 55 c 56 a 57 d 58 a 59 c 60 d
61 d 62 c 63 d 64 b 65 a 66 b 67 d 68 a 69 b 70 a
71 a 72 c 73 b 74 a 75 c 76 a 77 a 78 a 79 d 80 c
81 c 82 b 83 b 84 b 85 a 86 c 87 d 88 c 89 c 90 c
91 c 92 d 93 b 94 a 95 d 96 c 97 a 98 b 99 c 100 c

Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)

Exercise I
1 b 2 b 3 d 4 c 5 c 6 c 7 d 8 d 9 a 10 d Around 15 to 20 questions based on comprehension are asked in CDS exam. The questions are based on
11 c 12 d 13 d 14 b 15 d 16 b 17 a 18 c 19 d 20 a the given passages. For tips on how to attempt these questions, read the section below.
21 d 22 c 23 a 24 b 25 a 26 b 27 b 28 a 29 d 30 c
31 a 32 b 33 d 34 c 35 b 36 d 37 b 38 c 39 d 40 c
41 d 42 b 43 c 44 c 45 b 46 d 47 d 48 c 49 a 50 c
51 d 52 b 53 c 54 a 55 b 56 a 57 c 58 b 59 c 60 b
61 b 62 d 63 a 64 a 65 c 66 c 67 b 68 c 69 d 70 a
71 a 72 b 73 b 74 d 75 d 76 b 77 b 78 a 79 d 80 d Comprehension involves a thorough understanding of the given passage consisting of one or more paragraphs. It forms a
very good exercise for intelligent reading and judicious selection. It is meant to test the intelligence of candidates and their
81 d 82 c 83 d 84 a 85 d 86 d 87 b 88 a 89 d 90 b ability to comprehend a given piece of text.
91 a 92 c 93 b 94 c 95 b 96 c 97 d 98 b 99 a 100 a
101 a 102 d 103 c 104 b 105 d 106 a 107 d 108 c Tips for Attempting Comprehension
1. Skim once as rapidly as possible to determine the main idea before you look at the questions. Do not worry about
Exercise II words you do not know at this juncture.
1 a 2 a 3 a 4 a 5 d 6 b 7 c 8 b 9 b 10 a 2. Underline the Words that you do not understand to facilitate a complete understanding of the passage. This will
11 d 12 c 13 c 14 b 15 c 16 b 17 b 18 b 19 c 20 a
help you to locate the words later.
3. Look Through the Questions Carefully You are advised to maintain the order in which the questions appear in
21 d 22 b 23 d 24 b 25 a 26 b 27 b 28 c 29 a 30 c
the test paper. Read intensively the portion relevant to the answer.
31 b 32 c 33 a 34 a 35 b 36 b 37 b 38 a 39 b 40 a
4. Concentrate on the vocabulary items and re-read the portions of the passage containing the words you do not
41 b 42 c 43 b 44 d 45 b 46 b 47 c 48 c 49 a 50 c understand to find out their meanings.
51 b 52 d 53 b 54 a 55 b 56 c 57 b 58 c 59 a 60 b Usually, options are quite tricky or some options are closely related. Therefore, analyse the questions and answer
61 a 62 b 63 b 64 a 65 b 66 d 67 b 68 b 69 a 70 a options carefully before answering.
71 c 72 d 73 b 74 c 75 a 76 c 77 d 78 b 79 b 80 a Answer strictly on the basis of the passage and avoid selecting general answers.
81 d 82 b 83 a 84 b 85 d
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
CHECK YOUR COMPREHENSION SKILL
Directions (Q.Nos. 1-104) Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow.
PASSAGE 1
As society becomes more and more affluent, people
would prefer to work shorter hours at their regular
employment so that they may enjoy longer hours of
leisure during which they can indulge in more
congenial activities. They will not like to waste
their leisure time performing routine domestic
chores, which tend to sap their energy. The idea of
a robot slave which would be capable of performing
many of these monotonous chores is one that will
appeal to many. Already robots are used in mines
and factories to perform tasks which are too risky
for human beings. It takes a lot of research by
dedicated scientists and sufficient financial backing
for a model to be developed to perform a new task.
This in turn depends on the number of people who
feel the need for a robot to perform these specific
tasks.
The problem of designing a robot capable of
performing various routine tasks around the house
is not insurmountable. A domestic robot slave with
its own computer and response mechanism and
source of power, which can be programmed to
perform certain specific tasks, is not an
impossibility.
1. In an affluent society, people prefer to work
shorter hours because
(a) they are lazy
(b) they do not have the strength to work
(c) they want time to carry out other activities
(d) they abhor their work
2. Domestic chores
(a) are welcome by housewives
(b) are too demanding
(c) lead to family discord
(d) are too time consuming
3. Robots are already used in mines and factories to
perform
(a) hazardous tasks
(b) tasks with greater efficiency than human beings
(c) tasks which lead to economy in the operations
(d) tasks which are forbidden by the labour laws
4. Developing a robot capable of performing a new
task
(a) is difficult for the scientists
(b) is impossible for the scientists
(c) requires huge capital
(d) depends on the number of people who require it
545
PASSAGE 2
The energy crisis has been with us for a long time and
will be with us even longer. Whether Arab oil flows freely
or not, it is clear that the world industry cannot be
allowed to depend on so fragile a base. The supply of oil
can be shut off at whim any time. In any case, the oil
wells will run dry in about 30 years. New sources of
energy must be found and this will take time. But it is
not likely to restore that sense of copious energy
availability we had in the past.
5. In the writer’s opinion, the energy crisis
(a) is an outcome of unregulated supply of oil to industries
(b) will subside as soon as the Arab oil begins to flow
again
(c) is very likely to lead to the world war
(d) will remain with us for an almost indefinite period of
time
6. The phrase ‘so fragile a base’ refers to the
(a) current energy crisis in the world
(b) uncertainty about the flow of Arab oil
(c) delay in finding the new energy sources
(d) drying up of the oil wells in future
7. The type of writing in the given passage could be called
(a) official (b) scientific (c) popular (d) political
PASSAGE 3
All who have gone before you have submitted to the stroke
of death. All who come after you shall undergo the same
fate. The great and the good, the prince and the peasant,
the renowned and the obscure travel alike the road which
leads to the grave.
At the moment when you expire, thousands throughout
the world shall with you, be yielding up their breath. Can
that be held to be a great calamity which is common to
you with everything that lives on the Earth, which is an
event as much according to the course of the nature, as it
is that leaves shall fall in autumn or that fruit should
drop from the tree when it is fully ripe.
8. Death is a natural phenomenon because
(a) the moment you die, thousands of people all over the
world die with you
(b) it is as natural as the fall of leaves or fruits from the
trees
(c) many people have died in the past
(d) the great and the good, the prince and the peasant, the
renowned and the obscure, all die
546
9. The author compares death with the fall of the ripe
fruit from a tree to show that death
(a) occurs in nature also
(b) is a kind of fall from a great height
(c) gives freedom from the ordeals of life
(d) occurs with the achievement of fullness
10. Which one of the following sentences shows that
death is a great leveller?
(a) All who come after you shall undergo the same
fate
(b) The great and the good, the prince and the
peasant, the renowned and the obscure travel alike
the road which leads to the grave
(c) At the moment when you expire, thousands
throughout the world shall with you, be yielding up
their breath
(d) All who have gone before you have submitted to
the stroke of death
PASSAGE 4
I was late bloomer and always envied those people
who stood out in high school because I didn’t. I
learned early on though that it’s essential to set
yourself apart from the group. Life is one struggle
after another to succeed, particularly when you’re
starting out. If your biodata is sitting at the bottom of
a pile of junk mail, sometimes a distinctive approach
will get you noticed, especially if the competition is
fierce.
Once my partner Jerry and I asked the other
freelance writers of a TV serial what characters they
hated to write for the most. Everybody said the same
thing–they disliked writing for the minor characters
because they thought that writing for them wouldn’t
help them get other jobs. Jerry and I decided that we
would write scripts for the minor character because
that’s what was needed and we needed to set
ourselves apart.
In the first script, Jerry and I wrote a school-girl falls
in love with a boy in her class. The producers loved
the story. And with that one script, Jerry and I were
no longer just another comedy-writing team.
11. The author is of the opinion that
(a) one should be part of the group
(b) one should be different from others
(c) it is important to do well in high school
(d) one should heed to the advice of the seniors
12. Jerry and the author wrote scripts for the minor
characters
(a) to realise their creative potential
(b) to earn more money
(c) to establish a different image
(d) because they did not have enough work
CDS Pathfinder
13. According to the author,
(a) one should be very meticulous in preparing his biodata
(b) competition in the job-market is very fierce
(c) one should follow a conservative approach in
preparing his biodata
(d) one should try to get noticed by being innovative
14. The author had been
(a) into advertising business
(b) a comedy writer
(c) a music director
(d) a news reader
PASSAGE 5
Wind-power has obvious advantage as it is
non-polluting, causes no ecological imbalance, requires
no throughput fuel and has extremely low gestation
period. After almost a decade of sporadic growth, wind
energy finally seems to be stepping out from shadows of
alternative technology into the commercial mainstream,
worldwide.
Even though, India now has an installed base of just
over 1600 MW, this is nothing compared to countries
such as Germany which meets around 20% of its energy
requirements from wind energy. Wind-power offers
long-term price stability too. Not only are generation
costs of such projects low, the capital expenditure is
comparable to fossil fuel based stations. Wind-power
plants have low operating and maintenance costs.
Long-term economics work out to be quite favourable for
the wind energy. Infact, it is being seen as a solution to
sustainable development. By the end of 2001, the
installed wind-power was almost 25000 MW.
15. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Wind-power plants take a long time to get
commissioned
(b) Maintenance cost of wind-power plants is high
(c) Wind-power plants lead to violent vibrations
(d) Wind-power plants require no fuel
16. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) Installation of wind-power is resisted by
environmentalists
(b) Generation cost of wind-power plants is high
(c) Installation cost of wind-power plants is much higher
than of fossil fuel based plants
(d) Wind-power is now being commercially harnessed
17. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) In Germany, 25000 MW of electricity is generated by
using wind-power
(b) Wind-power plants offer no price stability
(c) Wind-power is economically viable on long-term basis
(d) In America, 20% of the power requirements are met
through wind-power
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
PASSAGE 6
Personally, I have been very fortunate and almost
inevitably, I have received courtesy from my own
countrymen as well as from the English. Even my goalers
and the policemen, from place to place have been kind to
me and much of the bitterness of conflict and the sting of
goal-life has been toned down because of this human
touch. It was not surprising that my own countrymen
should treat me so for I had gained a measure of
notoriety and popularity among them. Even for
Englishmen, I was an individual and not merely one of
the mass and I imagine the fact that I had received my
education in England, brought me nearer to them.
18. The phrase ‘almost inevitably’ in this passage means
(a) without precedence (b) unexpectedly
(c) invariably (d) considerably
19. The writer is of the opinion that the bitterness of
conflict has been toned down because of
(a) the adversary’s courteous behaviour
(b) the adversary’s diplomatic behaviour
(c) his good behaviour
(d) the writer being close to the Englishmen
20. The writer’s own countrymen treated him with love
and regard because of
(a) a human touch in their nature
(b) his good political work
(c) his courage and generosity
(d) his widespread popularity among the masses
PASSAGE 7
English is generally acknowledged to be the world’s most
important language. It is perhaps worth trying to
understand briefly the basis for that evaluation. There
are after all thousands of languages in the world and
each seems to be uniquely important to those who speak
it as their native language, the language they acquired at
their mother’s knee. But there are some objective
standards to judge their relative importance.
One criterion is the number of speakers of the
language. A second is the extent to which a language
is geographically dispersed : in how many continents
and countries is it used or its knowledge necessary? A
third is its functional load : how extensive is the range
of purposes for which it is used? In particular, to what
extent is it the medium for highly valued cultural
manifestations such as science or literature? A fourth
is the economic and political influence of the native
speakers of the language.
21. The author wants to evaluate the importance of the
English language because it is
(a) the language of the Britishers
(b) studied as second language in India
(c) the most important language of the world
(d) used in many countries
547
22. The speakers of every language
(a) consider their language as the most important
(b) do not like other languages
(c) treat all the languages alike
(d) want to learn English
23. The writer’s evaluation of the importance of the
English language is based on
(a) general notions
(b) linguistic assumptions
(c) subjective feelings
(d) objective criteria
PASSAGE 8
The spectre of unemployment is looming large on
almost every graduate with a general purpose degree.
This education has very little relevance to life and
therefore, the young generation is getting frustrated. If
we look deeper into the problems of extremism and
terrorism, perhaps unemployment and frustration of
young people is one of the main reasons for this
malaise. The most dangerous trend is the growing
violence in the human heart. The first task of every
university is to ensure that violence to each other does
not become the new human culture. The sociologists
have a lot to contribute by analysing the thought
processes of the young persons and evolving the
remedial measures.
24. The young generation is getting frustrated because
(a) they have taken general purpose degrees
(b) they remain unemployed
(c) they are drawn to terrorism
(d) there is violence around them
25. Enormous responsibility to comprehend the
problems of young generation lies with
(a) the press and TV media
(b) our political leaders
(c) the sociologists
(d) education administrators
26. The increase in violence in our society is
(a) a sign of revolutionary zeal
(b) the result of modern system of education
(c) the urge to surpass others in life
(d) the result of frustration in life
PASSAGE 9
There is a natural tendency in every animate being to
resent restrictions. If you block the growth of a plant,
it will try to pierce through the blockade. If you
enclose a worm or fish in a glass jar, you will find it
restlessly moving hither and thither to find a way out.
Similarly, if you confine a bird or an animal in a cage
or a room, you will find it gets constantly trying to
break through the cage or the room in a fit of escape.
548
Only when it gets tired or identifies itself with the
environment of the prison, will it get silent. Thus, the
urge to be free is inborn in all animate beings. It gets
suppressed only on its identification with the situation.
The urge to be free is also reason present in inanimate
objects but it is latent and ultimately gets fulfilled. It
is for the very reason that matter constantly changes
its shape. The charge is in a way a fulfilment of that
urge.
27. The natural tendency among the living beings is to
(a) submit to the circumstances
(b) strive for freedom
(c) place restrictions in the way of others
(d) create blockades
28. A worm in a glass jar first tries to
(a) adjust itself
(b) break the jar
(c) move out of it
(d) ignore the change
29. An animal will sit quietly in a cage after it has
(a) eaten well
(b) struggled enough
(c) identified itself with the changed circumstances
(d) given up hope of freedom
30. Matter constantly changes its shape because it
(a) is inanimate
(b) also has an urge to be free
(c) is moulded into different shapes by men
(d) has not soul
PASSAGE 10
At what age should school begin? The answer must
depend upon home, its topography rather than upon its
oral or psychological character. A child who lives on a
farm in the countryside can happily and profitably
spend his time wandering about, watching animals,
reaping, threshing, etc until the time comes when it is
necessary to begin formal instruction. But for the
urban child whose parents live in a cramped
apartment, it is quite otherwise. For him, school is
desirable as an escape into freedom—freedom of
movement, freedom of noise and freedom of
companionship.
31. Topography means the science of
(a) drawing maps
(b) description of features of a place
(c) shooting photographs
(d) description of topics
32. Formal instruction here implies
(a) school discipline
(b) rigid code
(c) regular education at school
(d) disciplined conduct at school
CDS Pathfinder
33. Here the author believes that
(a) a child in a countryside need not have formal
instruction
(b) an urban child likes freedom of all kinds
(c) a countryside child is benefitted by free environment
all over
(d) an urban child must begin formal instruction late
34. The author thinks that the problem as to when the
children should go to school depends rather on the
(a) psychological character of home
(b) moral character of home
(c) topographical character of home
(d) spiritual character of home
PASSAGE 11
If you want your mate to stop guessing about your
feelings and motives, you have to be prepared to reveal
yourself. And in order to reveal yourself, you have to
know yourself profoundly. You can’t talk openly and
honestly with your mate until you have tried being
honest with yourself first. Take time off to be alone.
Use that time not simply to engage in passive
meditation, but to carry on an active inner dialogue
with yourself. Between the person you think you are
and the inner you that operates at gut level.
Communicating with yourself involves revelation,
self-analysis and re-evaluation. Change is impossible
otherwise. No architect in any field will attempt to
make new plans without assessing the present
situation. So too, each of us can and must make an
assessment of our own assets or liabilities.
35. Your mate shall stop guessing about your feelings
when
(a) you are honest (b) you know yourself
(c) he reveals himself to you (d) you talk openly
36. You can talk openly and honestly to your mate only
when you
(a) reveal your emotions and feelings
(b) are honest with him
(c) do not engage yourself in passive meditation
(d) are honest with yourself
37. You should take time off to be alone so that
(a) you talk to yourself
(b) you engage yourself in passive meditation
(c) your motives and feelings are clear
(d) you do not change yourself
38. No architect plans without assessing the present
situation because
(a) each of us can and must make an assessment
(b) self-analysis and re-evaluation are necessary factors
for him
(c) change is impossible otherwise
(d) no assessment of our own assets or liabilities is
possible
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
PASSAGE 12
There is a widely held but mistaken belief that
meetings are for solving the problems and making
the decisions. For a start, the number of people
attending a meeting tends to be inversely
proportional to their collective ability to reach
conclusions and make decisions. And these are the
least important elements. Instead hours are spent
in side issues, playing elaborate games with one
another.
39. According to the author, meetings
(a) are a waste of time
(b) help to solve problems
(c) are a form of playing elaborate games
(d) allow decisions to be made
40. The words that show that many people believe
meetings are important are
(a) widely held (b) collective ability
(c) number of people (d) solving problems
41. The author believes in the sanctity of holding
meetings for
(a) practical value
(b) transactional features
(c) collective opinion
(d) decision-making
PASSAGE 13
My duties in the zoo included feeding the lions.
The popular belief is that lions have sweetness of
character, sagacity and courage. But my
experience with them shattered this so called
myth. Albert, the male, often used to surprise me
by suddenly jumping out against the bars with a
hair-raising cough of wrath. When I leapt in the
air like a startled stag, I am sure he enjoyed his
little joke. Albert had a prodigious appetite and
after hastily snatching the biggest joint of meat,
he would pinch the meat belonging to the lioness
and the cubs.
42. The traditional image of a lion according to the
passage is that
(a) he is intelligent, kind and handsome
(b) he is foolish, short-tempered and dangerous
(c) he is wise, gentle and brave
(d) he is noisy, hungry and wrathful
43. The sentence, “I leapt in the air like a startled
stag” indicates that the writer was
(a) extremely frightened (b) very surprised
(c) quite shocked (d) absolutely delighted
44. The lion in this passage is described as if
(a) he was an unusually cruel beast
(b) he had a personality like a human
(c) he was a beast with a sense of wrath
(d) he had a mind like a monster
549
PASSAGE 14
Attracted by the serenity of the evening, a friend and I
lately went to one of the public walks just near by the city.
Here, we sauntered together for sometime. Then my friend,
stopping suddenly, caught me by the elbow and led me out
of the public walk. I could perceive by the quickness of his
pace and by his frequently looking behind, that he was
attempting to avoid somebody who followed. We now turned
to the right, then to the left, but completely in vain. The
person whom he attempted to escape, gained upon us each
moment. So, that at last we finally stood still, resolving to
face what we could not avoid.
45. The author’s friend took him away from the public walk,
as
(a) the public place was dirty, crowded and noisy
(b) it was impossible to meet their friend
(c) he wanted to avoid a person following them
(d) the public was looking strangely at them
46. The author concludes from his friend’s quick pace and
his frequent looking back
(a) that he was running out of time
(b) that he was worried about reaching home early
(c) that he wanted to escape from a person following him
(d) that he was troubled inwardly
47. His friend caught the author by the elbow
(a) to check the author from falling down
(b) as the author was not in a position to walk on his own
(c) as he was panicked at the sudden appearance of a
person he didn’t like
(d) as he had stepped on a slippery thing
PASSAGE 15
American Indians believed that there were spirits
everywhere in the nature that made grass and the plants
to grow and the wind to blow. Every bird and animal had a
spirit. To obtain some of this mystery power from nature
and to secure the life-long protection of an individual spirit,
every boy and every girl in some tribes spent a night or a
few days and nights, alone in a solitary place believed to be
especially strong in supernatural power. Usually, the
longest vigil was four nights in the plains and five in the
plateau, for these were mystic numbers. Fasting and
thirsting, the child waited for a voice to speak to him.
48. The ceremony of the solitary retreat was observed by
(a) every boy and every girl in all the tribes
(b) every boy and every girl in some tribes
(c) only every girl in some of the tribes
(d) every girl in all the tribes and every boy in some of the
tribes
49. The purpose of the retreat was to
(a) keep a vigil
(b) hear a voice
(c) observe a fast
(d) secure the aid of a spirit for oneself
550
50. The way to perform the vigil was
(a) to chant mystic numbers
(b) to go to the plains or the plateaus
(c) to fast and wait alone
(d) to make it last as long as possible
PASSAGE 16
An 11 year boy walking behind his parents and a
pet dog off England’s highest cliffs, which rise to
230 m at their peak, blown off in a gale to a
height of at least 170 m. The gale drowned out the
boy’s screams while his parents walked on ahead.
They realised what had happened only when the
dog barked furiously at a helicopter flying in the
sky. The pilot of the helicopter displayed
exemplary presence of mind and picked up the boy
from the cliff to the great relief of his parents who
found him alive and kicking.
51. The parents did not hear the boy scream
because
(a) they were far away
(b) of the sound of the gale
(c) of the drone of the helicopter
(d) of the barking of the dog
52. The gale struck the boy while he was
(a) jumping off the cliff
(b) playing with the dog
(c) looking at the helicopter
(d) walking behind his parents
53. The parents discovered the mishap only when
they
(a) saw the helicopter rescuing the boy
(b) heard the dog barking furiously
(c) realised the fury of the gale
(d) noticed the destruction of plants and trees
PASSAGE 17
The dabbawallahas are partly a by-product of
Mumbai’s overcrowding. There was a time when
many men could get home to take their lunch, but
those more comfortable days ended as the city
grew. But the conservatism of married men being
well known, they still wanted home-made lunch.
An Indian loves his lunch as much as anybody
and feels that only his wife can guarantee the
quality, quantity he requires, that restaurant food
is expensive, of poorer quality and is served in
meagre portions.
54. According to the author, the dabbawallahas
(a) are responsible for the overcrowding of Mumbai
(b) often create a lot of problems for the city
(c) have come mostly from rural areas
(d) came into existence as a consequence of
Mumbai’s overcrowding
CDS Pathfinder
55. The past was more comfortable for the people of Mumbai
because
(a) many of them were rich and could afford good food
(b) they could bring home-made food for lunch
(c) many of them could go home to lunch
(d) they could eat their lunch outside
56. Which of the following best describes the author’s
attitude to the dabbawallahas?
(a) objective (b) enthusiastic
(c) appreciative (d) critical
PASSAGE 18
Birds which spend the summer in the higher reaches of
mountains come down during the winter to the lower
foothills or even the plains. This is very common in India
where the mighty Himalayas lie close to the Indo-Gangetic
plain. Birds are punctual too unless they are delayed by
bad weather. We may calculate almost to a day when we
may expect our bird friends to return, carrying winter on
their backs. Some birds make the long journey in easy
stages, stopping to rest on the way. Others fly great
distances without pausing to rest and feed. Some fly by
day, some both by day and by night, but most of them
speed on their way through darkness after the Sun has set.
57. During the winter, common birds in India
(a) move higher towards the mountain
(b) come down to the foothills
(c) travel in the night
(d) remain where they had been staying
58. Birds sometime get delayed in their migration because
(a) they have to take rest and feed
(b) they lack the sense of time
(c) of bad weather
(d) they lose the sense of direction
59. Mostly the birds make their long journey
(a) during the day time (b) at sunrise
(c) at midnight (d) in the darkness
PASSAGE 19
The real reason why I should not like to be in the book
trade for life is that while I was in it I lost my love of
books. A bookseller has to tell lies about books and that
gives him a distaste for them; still worse is the fact that he
lies constantly dusting them and hauling them to and fro.
There was a time when I really loved books–loved the sight
and smell and feel of them, I mean, at least if they were
fifty or more years old. Nothing pleased me quite so much
as to buy a whole lot of them for a few rupees at an
auction.
60. The author lost his love of books
(a) by not reading books for a long time
(b) by being in the book trade for a long time
(c) as he could not get good books to read
(d) as he was prevented from owning and reading books
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
61. What is the most likely reason for a bookseller developing a
distaste for books?
(a) To sell books, he has to tell lies
(b) He has to constantly handle all kinds of bad books
(c) He has to be with books without reading them
(d) He has to satisfy the whims of the customers
62. From the above passage it is clear that the author
(a) liked to read books while working in the bookshop
(b) liked the outward appearance of books, their sight and smell,
more than their contents
(c) liked to buy a lot of books at auctions
(d) never liked books as he had lost love for them
PASSAGE 20
I am convinced that school learning is unnatural and bad for
human beings. In school, we sat on the floor and chorused our
lessons. The teachers were terrible. They would write
something on the board, ask us to take it down and go out to
gossip or to smoke beedies. I was very naughty. I got
punished and thrashed very often. But it did not stop me from
mischief. My family insisted that I should attend school, but
did not scold me when I failed. I barely managed to pass each
year. It was the same story when I joined college. I scraped
through my BA examination. What a relief it was to know that
I need never go into a classroom again!
63. From the passage which one of the following statements
appears to be true?
(a) The teacher used to punish the author everyday
(b) The punishment given by the teachers helped to improve the
behaviour of the author
(c) The punishment did not stop the boy’s mischief
(d) The punishment was so mild that the author enjoyed it
64. ‘I scraped through my BA examination’ means that the
author passed the BA examination
(a) with great difficulty
(b) easily and with credits
(c) using unfair means
(d) only after several attempts
65. Which one of the following statements truly indicates the
author’s opinion about the education system?
(a) The author is appreciative of it
(b) He is highly critical and sarcastic about it
(c) He thinks that it is good but the teachers are bad
(d) He thinks that it is imperfect but can be improved
PASSAGE 21
As probably the least strenuous, safest physical activity,
walking is the most acceptable exercise for the greatest
number of people. Walking at comfortable speed improves the
efficiency of the cardio-respiratory system by stimulating the
lungs and the heart, but at a more gradual rate than most
other forms of exercise. There is evidence that walking may
actually open up narrowed areas in the coronary blood vessels,
lessening chances of a heart attack.
551
For the tense person who smokes a ‘killer’
combination-walking offers added help by
decreasing the abnormally high levels of carbon
monoxide and nicotine in the blood. Walking
may also increase the elasticity of the blood
vessels, decreasing the likelihood that they will
rupture under pressure due to a stroke.
66. Walking is recommended because it
(a) helps to reduce fat
(b) is inexpensive
(c) is not very strenuous
(d) is the only way to digest food
67. The chances of a heart attack are
(a) decreased by walking
(b) completely wiped out by walking
(c) temporarily postponed by walking
(d) unrelated to walking
68. Strokes occur because of
(a) the elasticity of blood vessels
(b) changes in blood pressure
(c) widening of arteries
(d) bursting of blood vessels
PASSAGE 22
There are many ways of sending secret
messages. An interesting method was used by a
Chinese General called Pingyo, approx. 2000
years ago. Pingyo’s army was far from their
homeland. Between the soldiers and home
there were many enemies. But Pingyo sent
letters to his king and the enemy could not
read them. He sent them like this : A strong
messenger was chosen from among the soldiers.
His hair was cut off and a letter was written
on his bald head. Then he was dressed as a
poor farmer and sent home. His journey lasted
many weeks. During this time, his hair grew
and covered the message. The enemy stopped
him many times. He was searched, but the
letter was not found. When he reached the
king’s palace his hair was cut off again and the
letter was read to the king.
69. The messenger was dressed as a poor farmer
as
(a) he could walk fast
(b) farmers are less talkative
(c) the General favoured farmers
(d) a farmer would arouse less suspicion
70. The messenger’s hair was cut off because
(a) a message could be written only on a bald
head
(b) it would make the long journey comfortable
(c) the new hair would cover the message
(d) the bald head would make him look like a
monk
552
71. This method of sending the message was convenient as
(a) the enemy could be cheated easily
(b) it was more economical
(c) the message was sent in person
(d) the message was not known to the messenger
PASSAGE 23
While the lion and the tiger are the focus of special
conservation efforts due to their vastly reduced numbers,
it is the leopard, among the big cats, that may now face
the greater threat from poachers and illegal wildlife
traders. The danger was brought home last year when
sales inspectors stopped and searched a truck in Uttar
Pradesh. They stumbled upon packages of leopard skins
numbered and signed Tsering, the trade name of a major
dealer, who, officers suspected, was planning to smuggle
them out of India via Nepal and Tibet. There were also
claws and other body parts. The leopard is threatened by
exactly the same predators as the tiger by traditional
medicine practitioners in China, Japan and other East
Asian countries. Leopard parts can easily be mistaken for
a tiger’s and are greatly valued by apothecaries.
72. There is fresh reason to pay attention to the reduced
number of
(a) cats (b) tigers
(c) leopards (d) lions
73. The body parts of which animals have medicinal value
in traditional Chinese medicine?
(a) Tigers
(b) Leopards
(c) Lions
(d) All members of the cat family
74. According to the passage, the dangerous groups that
prey on are
(a) sales-inspectors and Tserings
(b) smugglers and truckers
(c) illegal hunters and traditional apothecaries
(d) the police and the customs officials
PASSAGE 24
Pioneering Indian-American actor Sabu, who produced
the 1940 classic The Thief of Baghdad, but could not
make its sequel before his death in 1962, has had his
dream come true 60 years later. All thanks to his
daughter. Two years ago, Sabu’s daughter Jasmine
published Moon Shadow : The Adventures of the Thief of
Baghdad, a tale for adolescent readers in which she
resurrected Abu, The Thief of Baghdad, the character her
father immortalised, who this time rescues the princess
and the kingdom of Basrah from the machinations of
Khaled, a neighbouring king.
CDS Pathfinder
75. After producing the thief of Baghdad, Sabu wanted
to
(a) ensure the success of his daughter as an actress
(b) produce a play on the life of Khaled
(c) produce a sequel to The Thief of Baghdad
(d) retire from his job as a producer
76. In his new incarnation, Abu emerges as
(a) ruthless villain
(b) a benevolent hero
(c) an ardent lover
(d) an ideal king
77. Sabu’s dream has ‘come true’ means
(a) his daughter has acted in a film
(b) his daughter has written a book
(c) Sabu has written a book
(d) his daughter has continued the story of Abu
PASSAGE 25
Why don’t I have a telephone? Not because I pretend
to be wise or pose an unusual. There are two chief
reasons : because I don’t really like the telephone
and because I find I can still work and play, eat,
breathe and sleep without it. Why don’t I like the
telephone? Because I think it is a pest and a
time-waster. It may create unnecessary suspense and
anxiety, as when you wait for an expected call that
doesn’t come or irritating delay as when you keep
ringing a number that is always engaged. As for
speaking in a public telephone booth, that seems to
me really horrible. You would not use it unless you
were in a hurry, you will find other people waiting
before you.
78. The author compares the telephone with a pest
because it is
(a) helpful to us
(b) harmful to us
(c) troublesome and destroys our spirit
(d) small and delicate
79. According to the passage, waiting for an expected
call that does not come, makes you feel
(a) unnecessarily apprehensive
(b) the boredom of waiting
(c) important and proud
(d) nervous and worried
80. Speaking in a public telephone booth is horrible
because
(a) you have to pay for it
(b) you have to talk in the presence of others
(c) you have to wait for your turn as you are in a hurry
(d) it is often out of order
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
PASSAGE 26
There are many types of protein molecules in the body
and each type is specific to its function, e.g. proteins
such as keratin and collagen give strength and
elasticity to hair, as well as to skin and tendons;
haemoglobin and myoglobin are the oxygen-binding
proteins of the blood and the muscle, respectively and
ovalbumin, the crucial protein of egg white is
responsible for setting and foaming properties of eggs.
A particularly important group of proteins known as
enzymes, directs all the body cells chemical reactions.
These reactions provide the basis of every type of cell
activity, including growth, repair the production of
energy and the excretion of waste productions.
81. From the passage, it is clear that there are several
types of proteins which
(a) can create problems in our body
(b) carry out specific tasks
(c) are found in all organisms
(d) have interchangeable functions
82. Proteins are classified according to
(a) the number of molecules
(b) their names
(c) their functions
(d) the part of the body they are found in
83. The function of the enzymes is to
(a) direct chemical reactions in body cells
(b) bind oxygen in the blood
(c) give strength and elasticity to hair
(d) set and form properties of an egg
PASSAGE 27
My father and mother were the complements of each
other. My mother was fragile, my father robust. Her
face was responsive, my father’s impassive. My
mother’s face ripples to emotions as waters to the
wind. My mother was not intellectual. Her natural
propensity was intuitive. Her face illustrated the
saying : Appearances are deceptive, for did not show
the immense strength of her moral convictions. No one
could have inferred from it that she was capable of
such fanaticism as she showed over them.
84. By saying that his mother was the complement of
his father the author suggests that she was
(a) like his father (b) opposed to his father
(c) different from his father (d) indifferent to his father
85. The words her face was responsive mean that
(a) her face clearly showed her feelings
(b) her face was very attractive
(c) her face was passive
(d) one had to look at her face when she spoke
86. The author’s mother held strong views based on
(a) religious scriptures (b) legal provisions
(c) social customs (d) ethical judgements
553
PASSAGE 28
While it is true that there is no law that compels us to
say please or kindly, there is a social practice much
older and much more sacred than any law which
enjoins us to be civil. And the first requirement of
civility is that we should acknowledge a service. Please
or Kindly and Thank you are the small change with
which we pay our way as social being. They are the
little courtesies by which we keep the machine of life
oiled and running sweetly. They put our intercourse
upon the basis of a friendly cooperation and easy give
and take instead of on the basis of superiors dictating
inferiors. It is a very vulgar mind that would wish
command where he can have the service for the asking,
as have it with willingness and good feeling instead of
resentment.
87. According to the author,
(a) we should not say Please as it is against the law
(b) we may or may not say Please according to our mood
(c) to say Please is an outdated custom
(d) we must say Please as it is a civilised custom
88. The writer thinks that
(a) courtesies make life oily and sticky
(b) the lesser the courtesies, the more the frankness in
our life
(c) courtesies make life pleasant
(d) courtesies make life mechanical
89. The writer is of the opinion that
(a) only subordinates should use Please and Thank you
when talking to superiors
(b) friends should use Please and Thank you only
among themselves
(c) Please and Thank you should be used by everybody
(d) Please should be used by inferiors and Thank you
by superiors
PASSAGE 29
It seems to me that we cannot learn too early in life to
respect the privacy of the individual. When my daughter
began to write her memoirs, at the age of four, I decided
that she must have a place to keep them, if only a
section of a bureau drawer or as it happened, a box with
a key. I remembered the agonies of my own childhood
when my sister discovered I was writing poems and
began to tease me by chanting them in public. I tried
desperately to hide the written notebook of poems. No
place in the house seemed secure at all. For a while I
carried it around in the right leg of my trousers until the
elastic broke and the book fell out at the feet of enemy.
90. The author arranged a safe place to keep the
memoirs written by her daughter because he
(a) thought that the memoirs would be lost otherwise
(b) recognised the need for respecting the privacy of her
daughter
(c) decided that the memoirs should not be read by
strangers
(d) knew that the memoirs could fetch a lot of money
554 CDS Pathfinder
Child labour is very harmful for young ones. It hinders
91. The author’s sister caused great agony to him by
their physical, moral and mental development. Though
(a) openly reciting the poems written by the author
many reasons are there for child slavery or child
(b) discovering that the author was in the habit of trafficking but survey says that main cause of child
writing poems labour are high level poverty and lack of access to good
(c) teasing her for the mistakes found in the poems education. Development of the country is directly
(d) warning the author against writing any more poems affected by this crime and child labour is a big reason
of under-development of the country. A financially
92. No place in the house seemed secure enough to keep
developed country provides all circumstances to its
the notebook of poems; so the author citizens that can help in making their new generations
(a) kept it in a bureau drawer
educated and healthy.
(b) kept it in a box with a key
97. Child labour is the biggest concern for
(c) carried it inside the trousers
(a) India (b) Asia
(d) threw it at the feet of the enemy
(c) Europe (d) the whole world
98. Child labour hinders a child’s
PASSAGE 30 (a) mental development (b) physical development
Humming birds are small, colourful birds with (c) moral development (d) All of these
iridescent feathers. Their name comes from the fact
that they flap their wings so fast (about 80 times per
99. The main cause of child labour is
second) that they make a humming noise. Humming (a) slavery (b) affluence
birds can fly right, left, up, down, backwards, and even (c) poverty (d) parent’s punishment
upside down. They are also able to hover by flapping
their wings in a figure-8 pattern. They have a PASSAGE 32
specialized long and tapered bill that is used to obtain
nectar from the center of long, tubular flowers. The There are several things that put most normal people
off birding, or bird-watching. Primary amongst them is
humming bird’s feet are used for perching only, and
are not used for hopping or walking. the alleged requirement that you have to get up at 4
on a freezing winter morning, and traipse knee-deep in
Humming birds primarily eat flower nectar, tree sap, squelchy mud to the nearest swamp, peering through
insects and pollen. The humming bird’s fast breathing the fog with heavy binoculars around your neck. No,
rate, fast heartbeat and high body temperature require they won’t penetrate it and you can safely go back to
that they eat often. They also require an enormous
bed. Most sensible birds will remain tucked in their
amount of food each day. Humming birds have a long razais, heads buried in wings, fast asleep till at least
tongue which they use to lick their food at a rate of up noon in such conditions.
to 13 licks per second. Another turn-off is this business with scientific names.
93. Humming birds get their name due to Top-notch birders (sometimes trying to impress pretty
fledgling birds in their group) will tell you that what
(a) their small size
you’ve seen is Corvus splendens and not a house crow.
(b) their long beak
You can remain as happy describing it as a big black
(c) the humming noise made by them bird with a grey collar, beady eyes and a nasty beak,
(d) their eating habits which behaves like the fellows who ragged you in
94. The word ‘iridescent’ in the passage means school or first-year college.
(a) dark (b) colourful (c) moist (d) glittering 100. In the passage, bird-watching is also referred as
(a) birdling (b) birding (c) birdathon (d) traipsing
95. ‘Bill’ in the passage refers to the humming bird’s
101. A word from the passage that means “walk or move
(a) beak (b) feathers
wearily or reluctantly” is
(c) eyes (d) feet
(a) squelch (b) fledgling (c) ragged (d) traipse
96. Humming birds eat
(a) nectar (b) tree sap 102. Corvus splendens is also called as
(c) insects (d) All of these (a) bird (b) fledgling bird
(c) house crow (d) rat
PASSAGE 31 103. Many people don’t like bird-watching as
(a) they hate birds
The practice of work done by under age child for
(b) they have to get up at 4 am
making his/her family capable to survive in this world
with basic needs is called “Child labour”. This is now (c) they have to get up at 4 pm
(d) they like animals more than birds
the biggest concern for whole world as children are the
future of nation and if a child’s future is healthy, safe 104. The word ‘beady eyes’ means
and secure then automatically nation’s future will be (a) sleepy eyes (b) watchful eyes
bright and successful. (c) squinted eyes (d) tired eyes
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
QUESTIONS FROM
CDS EXAM (2012-2016)
2012 (I)
PASSAGE 1
Our voyage was very prosperous, but I shall not
trouble the reader with a journal of it. The captain
called in at one or two ports and sent in his
long-boat for provisions and fresh water, but I
never went out of the ship till we came into the
Downs, which was on the 3rd day of June, 1706,
about nine months after my escape. I offered to
leave my goods in security for payment of my
freight, but the captain protested he would not
receive one farthing.
We took kind leave of each other, and I made him
promise that he would come to see me at my house
in Redriff. I hired a house and a guide for five
shillings which I borrowed from the captain.
1. When the writer uses the word ‘prosperous’ to
describe the voyage, he means that
(a) it made him rich
(b) it made him healthy
(c) it was very pleasant
(d) it was uneventful
2. On the voyage, the author
(a) left the ship at intervals
(b) was not able to leave the ship because it did not
stop
(c) never left the ship at all
(d) never left the ship till they came into the Downs
3. In the context of the passage, the word
‘provisions’ means
(a) mainly food
(b) mainly security
(c) money
(d) mainly ammunition
4. For the payment of the author’s freight, the
captain
(a) kept his goods as security
(b) refused to accept any money
(c) protested against being paid only a farthing
(d) accepted a sum of money
5. From the passage, it is clear that the captain’s
attitude to the author was
(a) one of hostility
(b) one of indifference
(c) one of extreme friendliness and kindness
(d) one of disgust and irritation
555
PASSAGE 2
What were the early ideas of men about the sky and the
Earth? They naturally believed that the Earth was
motionless, and they also supposed that it was flat. These
two ideas do not surprise us. Children now-a-days think the
same until they are taught differently. How were men to
know that the Earth was a ball circling round the Sun?
They had no telescope for accurate observation. They had
nor travelled round the world. In fact many parts of the
world in those days were unexplored and unknown. They
lived on a kind of flat plate, and that the sky with the Sun
and the Moon and the stars, was a kind of inverted bowl
turning round above them. The Sun, the Moon and the stars
were their lamps for day and night.
6. Unless children are taught differently they think that
(a) the Earth is round and moving
(b) the Sun and the Moon are motionless
(c) the Sun and the Moon are moving
(d) the Sun and the Moon are moving round the Earth
7. The early ideas of man were wrong because
(a) man did not use the telescope
(b) man did not like to travel
(c) man never had the scientific knowledge
(d) man was foolish and lazy
8. What was true for the early man?
(a) The Earth was round and moving
(b) The telescope was accurate
(c) Travelling and exploring were the methods to gain
knowledge
(d) The Sun was motionless
9. What was the main cause of the early man’s wrong
ideas?
(a) Lack of scientific knowledge
(b) Seeing and believing
(c) Lack of desire to know
(d) Lack of desire to observe and explore
PASSAGE 3
The man sat-up in the snow for a moment and struggled
for calmness. Then, he pulled on his gloves by means of his
teeth and got upon his feet. He glanced down at first in
order to assure himself that he was really standing up, for
the absence of sensation in his feet left him unrelated to
the Earth. His erect position in itself started to drive the
webs of suspicion from the dog’s mind and when he spoke
peremptorily, with the sound of whip-lashes in his voice,
the dog rendered its customary allegiance and came to
him.
556
As it came within reaching distance, the man lost his
control. His arms flashed out to the dog and he
experienced genuine surprise when he discovered that
his hands could not clutch, that there was neither bend
nor feeling in the fingers. He had forgotten for the
moment that they were frozen and that they were
freezing more and more. All this happened quickly and
before the animal could get away, he encircled its body
with his arms. He sat down in the snow and in this
fashion held the dog, while it snarled and whined and
struggled.
10. From the passage, which group of words expresses
the effect of snow upon the man’s feet?
(a) With the sound of whip-lashes in his voice
(b) His arms flashed out to the dog
(c) The absence of sensation in his feet left him
unrelated to the Earth
(d) The man sat up in the snow for a moment and
struggled for calmness
11. The statement that the man experienced genuine
surprise when he discovered that his hands could not
clutch means that
(a) the man did not see anything to clutch
(b) the man had nothing to clutch
(c) the man was afraid of the dog
(d) there was neither bend nor feeling in the fingers
12. Which word or group of words shows the exact
condition of being ‘frozen’?
(a) Whip-lashes in his voice
(b) He pulled on his gloves
(c) His hands could not clutch
(d) Lost his control
PASSAGE 4
George was a young man who had gone to the big city
from a small rural community and, in a relatively short
time attained prominence in the business world. His
sudden rise had gone into his head, however, and he
became unbearably conceited.
Eventually, George returned home after a visit, halfway
expecting everyone in town to be at the railway station
to welcome him. Much to his surprise, George saw that
no one, not even his family, was around to meet him
when he descended from the train. He looked very neat
in a new suit and carried a bulky suitcase full of
fashionable clothes.
After a little while, the station master came from his
office and went over to the young fellow. ‘Well, hello
there, George,’ he called out cheerly, ‘Are you going
away?’
13. The station master’s question implied that
(a) he offered help to George in climbing the train
(b) he is known to George very intimately
(c) he is making fun of George
(d) George’s absence from the town was not noticed by
him
CDS Pathfinder
14. George hoped for a big welcome because
(a) of his achievement and success
(b) he is returning home after a very long time
(c) people loved him
(d) his community wanted dynamic leaders like him
15. George’s great expectations are an indication of his
(a) humility (b) optimism
(c) pride (d) love of his community
16. George’s success was most clearly visible in
(a) the station master’s words
(b) his clothes
(c) his being unbearably conceited
(d) the manner in which he was received by the village
PASSAGE 5
The assault on the purity of the environment is the
price that we pay for many of the benefits of modern
technology. For the advantages of automative
transportation we pay a price in smog-induced
diseases; for the powerful effects of new insecticides,
we pay a price in dwindling wildlife and disturbances
in the relation of living things and their
surroundings; for nuclear power, we risk the biological
hazards of radiation. By increasing agricultural
production with fertilizers, we increase water
pollution. The highly developed nations of the world
are not only the immediate beneficiaries of the good
that technology can do, they are also the first victims
of the environmental diseases that technology breeds.
In the past, the environmental effects which
accompanied technological progress were restricted to
a small place and relatively a short time. The new
hazards are neither local nor brief. Modern air
pollution covers vast areas of continents. Radioactive
fall out from nuclear explosions is worldwide.
Radioactive pollutants now on the Earth’s surface will
be found there for generations, and in the case of
carbon 14 for thousands of years.
17. The passage emphasises that modern technology
(a) is totally avoidable
(b) has caused serious hazards to life
(c) has greater effect on developed countries
(d) is the source of the miseries of mankind
18. The harmful effects of modern technology are
(a) widespread but shortlived
(b) widespread and long lasting
(c) local and long lasting
(d) severe but shortlived
19. With reference to the passage, the following
assumptions have been made
1. The widespread use of insecticides has caused
ecological disturbances.
2. Conservation of natural flora and fauna is
impossible in this age of modern technology.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
Which of the assumption(s) given above is/are valid?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
PASSAGE 6
To what extent, though, are modern farming methods
sustainable? There is abundant evidence that a high
price has to be paid to sustain the high rates of food
production achieved by farmed monocultures, e.g. they
offer ideal conditions for the epidemic spread of diseases
such as mastitis brucellosis and swine fever among
livestock and coccidiosis among poultry. Farmed animals
are normally kept at densities far higher than their
species would meet in nature with the result that
disease transmission rates are magnified.
In addition high rates of transmission between herds
occur as animals are sold from one farming enterprise to
another, and it is easy for the farmers themselves, with
mud on their boots and their vehicles, to act as vector of
pests and disease.
20. With reference to the passage, consider the following
statements
1. The modern practices of farming are undesirable for
developing countries.
2. Monoculture practices should be given up to eliminate
disease transmission in animals.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
21. What is the essence of this passage?
(a) Farming is a very costly affair
(b) Farmed animals are kept at higher densities in
monocultures
(c) There is a widespread transmission of animal diseases
now-a-days
(d) Human dependence on monoculture is fragile
2012 (II)
PASSAGE 7
Sit down, the Principal said, but Mr Tagde continued to
stand, gaining courage from his own straight-backed
stance, because he was beginning to feel a little afraid
now. The Principal looked unhappy. He disliked being
forced to perform this sort of an unpleasant task.
‘I wish you would consider withdrawing this report’, he
said. ‘I am sorry, Sir, I cannot do that’, Mr Tagde said.
He was pleased with his unwavering voice and
uncompromising words.
‘It will be a very damaging report if put on record.’
‘It is a factual report on very damaging conduct.’
‘You are asking for the boy’s expulsion from school. Don’t
you think, the punishment is too harsh for a few boyish
pranks’?
557
22. Mr Tagde did not sit down because
(a) he was angry with the Principal
(b) he was in a defiant mood
(c) he did not like the student
(d) he was in a hurry
23. He would not withdraw the report because
(a) he was arrogant and bitter
(b) it was an accurate report
(c) he wanted to create problems for the Principal
(d) he wanted to show his authority
24. The Principal was unhappy because he
(a) did not like to deal with an arrogant person
(b) was angry with Mr Tagde
(c) could not enforce discipline in school
(d) did not want to expel the boy
PASSAGE 8
It was a bitterly cold night, and even at the far end
of the bus, the East wind that raved along the street
cut like a knife. The bus stopped, the two women and
a man got in together and filled the vacant places.
The younger woman was dressed in sealskin and
carried one of those Pekinese dogs that women in
sealskin like to carry in their laps. The conductor
came in and took the fares. Then his eye rested with
cold malice on the beady-eyed toy dog. I saw trouble
brewing. This was the opportunity for which he had
been waiting, and he intended to make the most of
it.
25. The wind that blew on the night was
(a) mild
(b) pleasant
(c) bitter
(d) sharp
26. The younger woman was carrying the dog as
(a) a necessity
(b) a fashion
(c) an expression of provocation
(d) an escort
27. Which of the following statements best describes
the nature of the conductor?
(a) He was dutiful
(b) He was a law-abiding person
(c) He liked dogs
(d) He was unfriendly and malicious
28. ‘It was a bitterly cold night, and even at the far
end of the bus, the East wind that raved along the
street cut like a knife’. This sentence gives us an
idea of
(a) a lonely nightbus journey
(b) an unbearable cold night
(c) the wind at the time that was still and cold
(d) the hardship of author’s journey
558
PASSAGE 9
Before an armed robber locked Mary Graves in the
sweltering trunk of her car, she dialled an emergency
number on her portable telephone and slipped it to her
three years old daughter. Though confused, the little
girl saved the day. She told emergency operators that
her mother was locked in the trunk. Although, she
didn’t know where she was, she provided some
important clues-she could see airplanes and the sky,
according to the transcript of the emergency phone call.
The operator called Tampa International Airport Police,
who searched the top floor of the airport parking garage
where the car was parked. The operator told the girl to
honk, enabling the police to locate the car and free Mrs
Graves.
29. The clues provided by the little girl suggest that the
car was parked
(a) outside but adjacent to the airport
(b) by the main street of the city
(c) at the airport
(d) in a parking garage in the sidelane
30. The passage indicates that the girl was
(a) clever and brave
(b) had the maturity of an adult
(c) coy and shy
(d) worried and excited
31. The girl helped the police trace the car by
(a) shouting loudly (b) making too much din
(c) shrieking frightfully (d) sounding the horn
32. Through the passage, the writer suggests the
importance and utility of
(a) education of little children (b) parking garages
(c) portable telephones (d) airports
PASSAGE 10
For days I trudged from one property dealer to
another, from one ‘to-let’ notice to another with the
estimated advance money tucked safely in the inner
lining of my handbag, but in vain. At one place, they
needed a couple, at another a young man, and at
another they wished to know my employment status.
And I realised that I was a freak called the single
2013 (I)
woman and the job status being nothing more than a
freelance writer with hardly any assignments in hand,
only dreams of making it some day. So, the
dream-house remained far away, gradually turning into
a fantasy.
33. The author ‘trudged from one property dealer to
another’ means that the author
(a) had to walk a lot of distance
(b) had to do a brisk walk to save the time
(c) visited several property dealers without any success
(d) acquired a good knowledge about the property
dealers of that area
CDS Pathfinder
34. According to the passage, the author was
(a) a novelist (b) an independent writer
(c) a publisher of journals (d) an unemployed person
35. Which of the following statements best reflects the
underlying tone of the passage?
(a) People always let out their houses to well employed
persons only
(b) People always let out their houses only to couples
(c) Single jobless woman, find it difficult to rent a house
(d) Women always dream of a house
PASSAGE 11
Martin had many little tricks highly entertaining to his
son. On an evening, returning from the market, he
would buy a paper mask, the head of a hissing dragon.
He would put it on and knock at the door.
On opening the door, the boy would be terrified for a
moment, but only for a moment, for he would soon
remove it and the two would roll with laughter. Tom
would, then, go out with the mask and knock at the
door for his father to open. Martin had to act as if he
was paralysed with fear.
36. Martin played his little tricks because
(a) he was very much interested in them
(b) he wanted to terrify his son
(c) his son got pleasure from them
(d) it was his habit to make tricks
37. Which of the following statements is the most
appropriate description of the mask?
(a) It is a mask looking like a dragon with long tail and
covering the whole body of Martin
(b) It is a mask looking like the head of a dragon with
its tongue hanging out
(c) It is a mask looking like an animal with horns, wings
and a pair of ferocious eyes emitting fire
(d) It is a mask looking like the head of a King Cobra
38. The father and son rolled with laughter after the
(a) father put on the mask (b) opening of the door
(c) son saw the mask (d) father removed the mask
PASSAGE 12
Galileo desired to use his telescope to make more
discoveries in the heavens, but his instrument was too
small. He made another and larger telescope which
magnified eight times and then another which
magnified thirty times and pointed it at the Moon. His
heart leaped with joy, for he saw what no human eye
had ever before seen-ranges of mountains, deep hollows
and broad plains! He turned his telescope on the
planets and found they appeared with disks like the
Moon at a quarter full. He turned it on the Milky Way
and beheld innumerable tiny stars.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
39. Galileo made several telescopes because
(a) he needed all of them to explore the heavens
(b) he wanted to compare the findings obtained from
different telescopes
(c) the earlier ones he made were not powerful enough
(d) only some of them could magnify the stars
40. When Galileo saw what no human eye had ever before
seen he
(a) was overjoyed (b) was shocked
(c) felt humble (d) was very proud
PASSAGE 13
My father was passionate about two things : education
and socialism. He was himself a born teacher. Indeed, he
could never restrain himself from teaching and as a
small boy I was frequently embarrassed by his desire to
instruct everybody-people in railway carriages, for
instance-though I realised even then that it was an
innocent desire, quite free from vanity.
He was equally ready to receive instruction. Education,
to men of his generation and temperament, was
something it has largely ceased to be now-a-days. It was
the great golden gateway to the enchanted realms of the
mind.
41. The author wants us to know that his father
(a) was a school teacher
(b) was an educationist and socialist
(c) used to travel a lot
(d) loved teaching
42. The author often felt embarrassed by the behaviour of
his father because
(a) he taught badly
(b) he taught even at odd places
(c) he wanted to show off his learning
(d) he lost self-control while teaching
43. To the generation of the writer’s father, education was
(a) an old fashioned enterprise
(b) the result of good teaching
(c) an exploration of the world of imagination
(d) one aspect of socialism
44. From the passage, it is clear that the author
(a) loved and admired his father
(b) disapproved his father’s love of teaching
(c) thought of him as vain
(d) considered his father’s education inadequate
PASSAGE 14
We started looking on the ground for blood, hair, or a
drag mark that would lead us to the deer killed by the
tiger. We had proceeded a hundred yards, examining
every foot of the ground and going dead slow, when
Mothi, just as I turned my head to look at him, started
backwards, screaming as he did so.
559
Then, he whipped round and ran for dear life,
beating the air with his hands as if warding off a
swarm of bees and continuing to scream as he ran.
The sudden and piercing scream of a human being in
a jungle where a moment before all has been silent is
terrifying to hear. Instinctively, I knew what had
happened. With his eyes fixed on the ground, looking
for the blood or hair of the kill, Mothi had failed to
see where he was going and had walked towards the
tiger.
45. Mothi and the narrator were scanning the ground
because
(a) they were looking for the tiger
(b) the forest was full of unpleasant surprises
(c) they were trying to discover the tiger’s footprints
(d) they were looking for marks left by the tiger’s prey
46. Mothi began to scream when he
(a) was attacked by a swarm of bees
(b) was frightened by the sight of blood
(c) came face to face with the tiger
(d) stumbled on the tiger
47. In the context of the passage, ‘kill’ means
(a) the act of killing
(b) an animal killed by the tiger
(c) a human being killed by the tiger
(d) a wounded tiger
48. Before Mothi screamed, the jungle was
(a) quiet (b) dark
(c) noisy (d) terrifying
PASSAGE 15
When Ibbotson returned from Pauri, I told him of the
leopard’s habit of going down the road between
Rudraprayag and Golabrai on an average once in
every five days. I convinced him that the only hope I
now had of shooting the man-eater was by sitting over
the road for ten nights, for, the leopard would be
almost certain to use the road at least once during
the period. Ibbotson agreed to my plan reluctantly, for
I had already sat-up many nights and he was afraid
that another ten nights on end would be too much for
me.
49. Ibbotson was reluctant to agree to the narrator’s
plan because he was afraid that
(a) the leopard would kill him
(b) the narrator would become very tired
(c) the narrator would kill the leopard
(d) the leopard might not come
50. The narrator wanted to
(a) shoot the leopard
(b) see the leopard
(c) capture the leopard
(d) frighten the leopard
560
PASSAGE 16
Many poor farmers had been compelled to take up indigo
cultivation, when the British settlers were given the
right to purchase and cultivate land in India. Many
whites, therefore, either acquired land or advanced loans
to poor farmers and pressurised them to forsake the
farming of foodgrains and other cash crops for indigo
cultivation. Indigo export to Europe was lucrative for the
British settlers who held a monopoly of this business.
Within a few years, most of the fertile lands had
undergone forcible indigo cultivation, resulting in a
famine situation in Bengal. When the farmers declined to
cultivate indigo, they were tortured, jailed and even
killed.
51. The poor farmers in Bengal took up indigo cultivation
because
(a) the government encouraged them to do so
(b) it was a money earning crop
(c) they were forced to do so
(d) this was the only crop that would grow in that region
52. British settlers bought land in Bengal in order to
(a) introduce cultivation of cash crops in India
(b) cultivate indigo
(c) settle down in India
(d) promote export business in Bengal
53. Indigo export was profitable for the British settlers
because
(a) they had no competitors
(b) the crop yield was good
(c) they could oppress the farmers
(d) the labour was cheap
PASSAGE 17
The first day out we met our first rhino, two of them
and I had the fright of my life. The pair had our scent
before we spotted them and being bad tempered beasts,
they rushed towards where they thought we were. Now
it just happened that we were about fifty yards to one
side of where they expected to find us-which was just as
well, for I must say I did not like their look. As they
thundered past, we crouched low and let them go. It did
not strike me as a good opportunity for rhino
photography. Anyhow, I was much too frightened to have
been able to hold the camera steady.
54. From the above passage, it appears that rhinos
(a) run away when they see human beings
(b) rush to attack when they smell human scent
(c)
(d)
hide under the bushes at the sight of human beings
stand still if they are not attacked
55. When the author saw a rhino for the first time, he was
(a) excited (b) frightened
(c) charmed (d) surprised
CDS Pathfinder
56. The author could not take the photographs of the
rhinos because
(a) he was too far away from rhinos
(b) he was not carrying a good camera
(c) it did not occur to him that he had a chance to do so
(d) he did not like the look of rhinos
2013 (II)
PASSAGE 18
A well-dressed young man entered a big textile shop
one evening. He was able to draw the attention of the
salesmen who thought him rich and likely to make
heavy purchases. He was shown the superior varieties
of suit lengths and sarees. But after casually
examining them, he kept moving to the next section,
where readymade goods were being sold and further
on to the hosiery section. By then, the salesmen had
begun to doubt his intentions and drew the attention
of the manager.
The manager asked him what exactly he wanted and
he replied that he wanted courteous treatment. He
explained that he had come to the same shop in
casual dress that morning and drawn little attention.
His pride was hurt and he wanted to assert himself.
He had come in good dress only to get decent
treatment, not for getting any textiles. He left
without making any purchase.
57. The young man was well-dressed because
(a) it was his habit to dress well
(b) it was his wedding day
(c) he wanted to meet the manager of the shop
(d) he wanted to impress the salesmen
58. The salesmen in the shop are described as people
who pay attention to
(a) only young men and women
(b) pretty women
(c) only rich customers
(d) regular customers
59. The young man moved away to the hosiery section
because he
(a) was not interested in purchasing anything now
(b) did not like the readymade clothes
(c) wanted better clothes
(d) was restless
60. The manager asked the young man what he
wanted because
(a) he would give him exactly what he was looking for
(b) the salesman had drawn his attention to the
indifferent attitude of the young man
(c) he thought they could do more business with him
that way
(d) he thought the visitor was dissatisfied
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
61. The young man left without making purchases
because he
(a) did not have money
(b) could not find any item of his choice
(c) had come only to make a point about the
indifferent attitude of the salesmen towards casually
dressed customers
(d) decided to come to make the purchases later on
PASSAGE 19
The prisoner awaited his chance. For three solid
years, he had schemed for this opportunity. Now that
escape seemed so near at hand, those three years lost
some of their monotony. But he would never forget
the lashes, the close confinement, low diet and worse
still the mental strain of those black days. Suddenly,
the warden did what he had hoped. He stopped to
unlock the lower padlock.
With a dull thud he slumped forward with keys in his
hands. Swiftly the prisoner seized his keys, unlocked
the cell and ran into the courtyard. It took him four
seconds to reach the rope-ladder secretly placed there
by his accomplices, five more to clamber over the wall,
and three more to jump into the waiting car to be
whisked away to freedom. Even though he was guilty,
the prisoner felt he had paid for his crime, for the
man he had robbed three years ago was still a
millionaire.
62. For what crime had the prisoner been punished?
(a) Murder (b) Arson
(c) Robbery (d) Kidnapping
63. When had the crime been committed?
(a) Just before the escape (b) Three years earlier
(c) Long ago (d) Day earlier
64. Who slumped forward with a dull thud?
(a) The millionaire (b) The warden
(c) The prisoner (d) Prisoner’s accomplice
65. What did the prisoner suffer the most during
imprisonment?
(a) Poor health (b) Mental strain
(c) Physical torture (d) Absence from his family
PASSAGE 20
Nationalism is only a curse when it becomes narrow
and fanatical. Like so many other things available to
man, say, religion, it can easily lead men astray.
Nationalism can lead people into thinking only of
themselves, of their own struggles, of their own
misery. It can also cause a nation to become
suspicious and fearful of its neighbours, to look upon
itself as superior and to become aggressive and it is
when nationalism impels a state to become
expansionist and seek domination over others that it
becomes a positive curse and harmful internationally.
561
66. From the passage, which of the following statements
most correctly reflects the opinion of the author?
(a) Nationalism makes people self-centered and
self-conceited
(b) It helps a nation to become superior to other nations
(c) It regulates international relationships
(d) It helps a nation to expand its territories and become
powerful
67. Which of the following phrases most correctly
suggests the central theme of the passage?
(a) Nationalism and religion
(b) Nationalism as an inspiration for development
(c) Nationalism as a cause of war
(d) Evils of narrow and aggressive nationalism
68. From the passage, which of the following statements
can be assumed to be most likely to be true?
(a) The author believes that nationalism is always a curse
(b) He believes that it is possible for men to misuse religion
(c) He thinks that religion always leads men astray
(d) He pleads for a mix-up of religion and nationalism
PASSAGE 21
Brown and his men, huddling round a fire, ate the last
of the food that Kassim had brought them that day.
Cornelius sat among them, half-asleep. Then, one of the
crew remembered that some tobacco had been left in the
boat, and said he would go and fetch it. He did not
think there was any danger in going to the creek in the
dark. He disappeared down the hillside and a moment
later he was heard climbing into the boat and then
climbing out again.
69. Consider the following statements
1. Brown and Cornelius sat round the fire.
2. Cornelius lay half-asleep at a little distance from the
fire.
3. All the people sat round the fire.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 2 (c) Only 3 (d) 1 and 3
70. One of them disappeared down the hill implies that
(a) the slope of the hill was slippery
(b) he fell from the edge of the hill
(c) there was suddenly a sea beside the hill
(d) he walked down the hill
71. ‘He didn’t think .... in the dark.’ This sentence
actually implies that he
(a) was bold and adventurous
(b) was addicted to smoking
(c) would face some trouble
(d) was the only person who knew where in the boat
tobacco was
72. What does the word ‘huddling’ imply?
(a) Moving around (b) Falling into a slumber
(c) Being close together (d) Merrymaking
562
PASSAGE 22
As soon as I saw the elephant I knew with perfect
certainty that I ought not to shoot him. It is a serious
matter to shoot a working elephant. It is comparable to
destroying a huge and costly piece of machinery and
obviously one ought not to do it if it can possibly be
avoided. And at that distance, peacefully eating, the
elephant looked no more dangerous than a cow.
73. The writer was against shooting the elephant
because
(a) he suspected it to be a wild one and was afraid of it
(b) his heart was full of compassion for animals
(c) he was certain that the elephant was innocent
(d) it would amount to avoidable waste of useful property
74. The author compares the elephant to a costly
machine because
(a) ivory is very expensive
(b) it can do as much work as an expensive machine
(c) elephants look like big machines
(d) elephants and machines have similar prices
75. The elephant looked no more dangerous than a cow
because
(a) it was quietly doing its work
(b) unlike lions, it is a vegetarian animal
(c) its tusks resemble the cow’s horns
(d) cows can be very dangerous sometimes
PASSAGE 23
I was very fond of the old soldier in our little town. He
had only one leg, having lost the other somewhere in
Assam in 1942. He used to tell me about his
adventures. He told me that he had run away from
home to join the army. He had experienced his first
battle in the Libyan desert. Out of his dozens of war
stories, the one I liked best was the one of his escape
from a Japanese prison-of-war camp in Burma. He told
me again and again how he walked two hundred miles
in two weeks. On the way he was bitten on the toe by
a poisonous snake and he had to cut off part of the toe
in order to survive. But by the time he got to an
Indian camp the wound had turned septic and the leg
had to be amputated. He is, however, quite contented
with his lot.
76. The author was very fond of the old soldier because
(a) he had lost one of his legs in war
(b) he used to tell the author about his adventures
2014 (I)
(c) he was contented with his lot
(d) he had been to many countries
77. Why did the old soldier repeatedly tell that he
walked two hundred miles?
(a) He ran way from home to join the army
(b) He had to cross the Libyan desert
(c) He had to escape from a prison-of-war camp
(d) He was a strong soldier
CDS Pathfinder
78. The story of the old soldier that the author liked
most was that about
(a) his running away from home to join the army
(b) his first battle in the Libyan desert
(c) the loss of his leg in Assam
(d) his escape from a Japanese prison-of-war camp
79. The old soldier, according to the author, was
(a) unhappy about his life
(b) satisfied with his lot
(c) angry about his fate
(d) disgusted with his misfortune
80. The soldier’s leg had to be amputated because
(a) he had walked two hundred miles in two weeks
(b) he was wounded in war
(c) the wounded toe turned septic
(d) he was shot in the leg while escaping from the
Japanese camp
PASSAGE 24
A large number of people had come to attend the
meeting to be addressed by the gifted speaker. The
organisers had a difficult time keeping the assembled
people quiet as the meeting did not commence at the
scheduled time.
After some time, the people lost their patience and
began to shout and heckle. The organisers had great
difficulty in assuaging the anger of the crowd when
they were forced to cancel the meeting as the speaker
had to be hospitalised due to sudden illness.
81. What was the actual reason for the organisers to
have a difficult time?
(a) A large number to people had come to the meeting
(b) The organisers could not make proper arrangements
(c) The meeting could not be started in time
(d) The speaker was ill
82. What does the word ‘assuaging’ imply?
(a) Accepting (b) Tolerating
(c) Reducing (d) Removing
83. Further delay resulted in the people
(a) leaving the place
(b) fighting with the organisers
(c) making noise
(d) making the speaker ill
PASSAGE 25
Those responsible for teaching young people have
resorted to a variety of means to make their pupils
learn. The earliest of these was the threat of
punishment. This meant that the pupil who was slow,
careless or inattentive risked either physical
chastisement or the loss of some expected privilege.
Learning was thus associated with fear.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
At a later period, pupils were encouraged to learn
in the hope of some kind of reward. This often took
the form of marks awarded for work done and
sometimes of prizes given at the end of the year to
the best scholar. Such a system appealed to the
competitive spirit, but was just as depressing as the
older system for the slow pupil.
In the 19th century sprang up a new type of
teacher, convinced that learning was worthwhile for
its own sake and that the young pupil’s principal
stimulus should neither be anxiety to avoid a
penalty nor ambition to win a reward, but sheer
desire to learn. Interest, direct or indirect, became
the keyword of instruction.
84. The educational system which caused fear in the
second mind was based on
(a) rewards (b) labour
(c) punishment (d) competition
85. The system based on rewards satisfied all except
(a) the slow pupil
(b) the very intelligent pupil
(c) the laborious pupil
(d) the casual pupil
86. The system which appealed to the competitive
spirit in the pupils was largely based on
(a) punishment (b) marks
(c) chastisement (d) cash prizes
PASSAGE 26
On a surface which is free from obstacles, such as a
clear road or a path, only two or three species of
snakes can hope to catch up with a human being,
even if they are foolish to try. A snake seems to
move very fast but its movements are deceptive. In
spite of the swift, wave-like motions of its body, the
snake crawls along the ground at no more than the
speed of man’s walk. It may, however, have an
advantage inside a jungle, where the progress of a
man is obstructed by thorny bushes. But in such
places, the footsteps of a man are usually more than
enough to warn snakes to keep away. Although they
have no ears of the usual kind, they can feel slight
vibrations on the ground through their bodies, and
thus get an early warning of danger.
87. The snake has an advantage over men inside a
jungle, because there
(a) it can crawl faster
(b) it gets advance warning
(c) man’s movement is obstructed
(d) it is dark inside a jungle
88. What helps the snakes to receive advance
warning is their sensitivity to
(a) obstacles in the path
(b) smell of other beings
(c) sounds made by other beings
(d) movements of other beings
563
PASSAGE 27
This rule of always trying to do things as well as one can
do them has an important bearing upon the problem of
ambition.
No man or woman should be without ambition, which is
the inspiration of activity. But if one allows ambition to
drive one to attempt things which are beyond one’s own
personal capacity, then unhappiness will result. If one
imagines that one can do everything better than other
people, then envy and jealousy, those twin monsters, will
come to sadden one’s days. But if one concentrates one’s
attention upon developing one’s own special capacities, the
things one is best at, then one does not worry over much
if other people are more successful.
89. Which one of the following alternatives brings out the
meaning of ‘to have a bearing upon’ clearly?
(a) To have an effect on
(b) To carry the weight on oneself
(c) To put up with
(d) To decrease friction
90. Which one of the following statements is correct?
(a) There is a close relationship between ambition and
activity
(b) Ambition and activity belong to two different areas
(c) Ambition is useless
(d) Activity is responsible for ambition
91. The statement ‘if one allows ambition to drive one to
attempt things which are beyond one’s own personal
capacity, then unhappiness will result,’ means that
(a) one must always try to do less than one’s capacity
(b) one must always try to do more than one’s capacity
(c) ambition must be consistent with one’s capacity
(d) there should be no ambition at all
92. Which one of the following statements best reflects the
underlying tone of the passage?
(a) One must do everything as well as one can
(b) One must try to be better than others
(c) One must continuously worry about others
(d) One must try beyond one’s capacity to get results
93. Which one of the following statements can be assumed
to be true?
(a) It is good to imagine oneself better than others
(b) One should not imagine oneself always to be better
than others
(c) All persons have equal capacity
(d) One should have more ambition than others
PASSAGE 28
An earthquake comes like a thief in the night, without
warning. It was necessary, therefore to invent
instruments that neither slumbered nor slept. Some
devices were quite simple. One, for instance, consisted of
rods of various lengths and thicknesses which would
stand up on end like ninepins. When a shock came it
shook the rigid table upon which these stood.
564
If it were gentle, only the more unstable rods fell. If it
were severe, they all fell. Thus, the rods by falling and
by the direction in which they fell, recorded for the
slumbering scientist, the strength of a shock that was
too weak to waken him and the direction from which it
came. But, instruments far more delicate than that
were needed if any really serious advance was to be
made.
The ideal to be aimed at was to devise an instrument
that could record with a pen on paper the movements,
of the ground or of the table, as the quake passed by.
While I write my pen moves but the paper keeps still.
With practice, no doubt, I could, in time, learn to write
by holding the pen still while the paper moved.
That sounds a silly suggestion, but that was precisely
the idea adopted in some of the early instruments
(seismometers) for recording earthquake waves. But
when table, penholder and paper are all moving how is
it possible to write legibly? The key to a solution of
that problem lay in an everyday observation. Why does
a person standing in a bus or train tend to fall when a
sudden start is made? It is because his feet move on,
but his head stays still.
94. The passage says that early instruments for
measuring earthquakes were
(a) faulty in design (b) expensive
(c) not sturdy (d) not sensitive enough
95. Why was it necessary to invent instruments to
observe an earthquake?
(a) Because an earthquake comes like a thief in the
night
(b) To make people alert about earthquakes during their
conscious as well as unconscious hours
(c) To prove that we are technically advanced
(d) To experiment with the control of man over nature
96. A simple device which consisted of rods that stood
up on end like ninepins was replaced by a more
sophisticated one because it failed
(a) to measure a gentle earthquake
(b) to measure a severe earthquake
(c) to record the direction of the earthquake
(d) to record the facts with a pen on paper
97. The everyday observation referred to in the passage
relates to
(a) a moving bus or train
(b) the sudden start of a bus
(c) the tendency of a standing person to fall when a
bus or train moves suddenly
(d) people standing in a bus or train
98. The early seismometers adopted the idea that in
order to record the earthquake, it is
(a) the pen that should move just as it moves when we
write on paper
(b) the pen that should stay still and the paper should
move
(c) both pen and paper that should move
(d) neither pen nor paper that should move
CDS Pathfinder
2014 (II)
PASSAGE 29
During the summer I was introduced to the game of
cricket, and I felt my inherent foreignness for the first
time. The ball is far too hard for my taste. Even
during my last games at the school, angry spectators
would shout, ‘‘Butter fingers !’’ But I smiled. Everyone
knew in their hearts that I was going to drop the ball
anyway, and nobody expected me to be able to play the
game.
99. The author first played cricket
(a) as a child in his own country
(b) when he was a school boy
(c) when he was a tourist
(d) when he returned home after his studies
100. “Felt my inherent foreignness” means
(a) felt very strange
(b) felt very interested and excited
(c) enjoyed learning new games
(d) felt my superiority over others
101. Spectators would shout ‘‘Butter fingers’’ when the
author was playing because
(a) he liked butter
(b) his fingers were like those of a lady
(c) he often dropped the ball
(d) he was very good at the game
102. ‘Spectator’ means
(a) glasses
(b) onlookers
(c) watchman
(d) player
PASSAGE 30
How can you improve your reading speed? By taking
off the brakes. You wouldn’t think of driving a car with
the brake on. Yet as a reader you probably have
several brakes slowing you down.
One very common brake is regressing— looking back
every now and then at something already read. It is
like stepping backwards every few metres as you
walk— hardly the way to move ahead quickly.
Regression may arise from a lack of confidence,
vocabulary deficiency, or actually missing a word or
phrase. It makes a long sentence seem even more
complex as the eyes frequently regress.
Eye movement photographs of 12000 readers in
America showed that university students regress an
average of 15 times in reading only 100 words. The
average student of class four was found to look back 20
times. In short, regression consumes one-sixth of your
precious reading time. Release this brake and enjoy a
spurt in reading speed.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
103. In the context of the passage, what does
‘regression’ mean?
(a) Lack of desire to improve the reading speed
(b) Looking back at what is already read
(c) Lack of proper understanding of what one
reads
(d) Comparing the reading speed of school and
university students
104. In order to be a good reader you should
(a) regress whenever necessary
(b) be like a careful driver
(c) not look back frequently while reading
(d) test your vocabulary frequently
105. According to the author reading with regression
is like
(a) driving with poor quality brakes
(b) stepping backwards while walking
(c) using several brakes in order to slow down
(d) making sudden spurts in reading speed
PASSAGE 31
Even in the most primitive societies the great
majority of people satisfy a large part of their
material needs by exchanging goods and services.
Very few people indeed can make for themselves
everything they need—all their food, their clothes,
their housing, their tools. Ever since men started
living in communities, they have been satisfying
their needs by means of specialisation and
exchange, increasingly each individual has
concentrated on what he can do best and has
produced more of the special goods or services in
which he has concentrated, than he can consume
himself. The surplus he has exchanged with other
members of the community, acquiring, in exchange
the things he needs that others have produced.
106. Very few people can satisfy their needs today
by
(a) providing things for themselves
(b) exchanging goods and services
(c) concentrating on what they can do best
(d) individual specialisation
107. Exchange of goods becomes possible only when
(a) there is no specialisation
(b) goods are produced in surplus
(c) primitive societies become modern
(d) individuals make things for themselves
108. Specialisation and exchange began when men
started
(a) big industries
(b) concentrating on their work
(c) producing things for individual use
(d) living in communities
565 566 CDS Pathfinder
109. Exchange of goods and services becomes necessary 2015 (I) 122. The man came to know that
because (a) the blacksmiths were not in their huts
(a) man is a social being PASSAGE 33 (b) the blacksmiths had exchanged their huts
(b) reciprocity is the law of life (c) the blacksmiths were going away
A little man beside me was turning over the pages of a
(c) trade and commerce are means of progress magazine quickly and nervously. Opposite me, there (d) the blacksmiths had not kept their promise
was a young mother who was trying to restrain her
(d) we cannot produce everything we need ourselves
son from making a noise. The boy had obviously grown
weary of waiting. He had placed an ashtray on the PASSAGE 35
PASSAGE 32 floor and was making aeroplane noises as he waved a
pencil in his hands. Near him, an old man was fast
The tigress was a mile away and the ground between her
Soil scientists have shown that the soil teems with millions and us was densely wooded, scattered over with great
asleep, snoring quickly to himself and the boy’s mother
of living things, many of them useful, others harmful. The was afraid that sooner or later her son would wake the rocks and cut up by a number of deep ravines, but she
living things which are useful include earthworms and gentleman up. could cover the distance well within the half-hour—if she
various kinds of bacteria. Earthworms loosen the soil and so wanted to.
115. The noise was made by the
enable air and water to enter it. Bacteria, which are The question I had to decide was, whether or not
(a) old man (b) aeroplane (c) little man (d) boy
microscopic living things breakdown dead plants and I should try to call her. If I called and she heard me,
animals and make humus, or take nitrogen from the air 116. The person who was the least disturbed was the and came while it was still daylight and gave me a
and change it into substances that plants use. (a) observer (b) son (c) old man (d) little man
chance to shoot her, all would be well; on the other
The living things that do harm include other bacteria and 117. The factor common to all the people was that they hand, if she came and did not give me a shot, some of
fungi which cause diseases. Other harmful things are pests were all us would not reach camp, for we had nearly two miles
such as wire worms which feed on the roots of grass and (a) watching a film to go and the path the whole way ran through heavy
other plants. While the farmer can usually keep weeds in (b) waiting for something jungle.
check by careful cultivation, this alone may not protect his
crops from insects, pests and diseases. Now-a-days,
(c) looking at the little boy’s playfulness 123. According to the author,
however, he is much better able to control these enemies. (d) reading magazine (a) the tigress wanted to cover the distance within the
He may plant specially resistant types of seeds or he may 118. Among those present the one who appeared to be the half-hour
keep the pests and diseases in check with chemicals. With most bored was the (b) the tigress did not wish to cover the distance within
better seeds farmers have been able to increase their crop (a) child (b) little man (c) old man (d) mother the half-hour
yields. They can grow crops that ripen more quickly and (c) the tigress actually covered the distance within the
have a stronger resistance to disease, frost or drought. half-hour
110. Scientists who study soil believe that PASSAGE 34 (d) there was a possibility of the tigress covering the
(a) all insects and bacteria are harmful distance within the half-hour
A man had two blacksmiths for his neighbours. Their
(b) only microscopic living things are useful names was Pengu and Shengu. The man was greatly 124. The author says, ‘‘Some of us would not reach
(c) only earthworms are useful troubled by the noise of their hammers. He decided to camp’’, because
(d) not all worms and bacteria are harmful talk to them. The next day, he called both of them and (a) it was two miles away
offered ` 100 each, if they found new huts for (b) the tigress would kill some of them
111. The living things that do harm themselves. They took the money and agreed to find (c) the path is not suitable for walking
(a) break down plants and animals new huts for themselves. The next morning, he woke (d) the ground was scattered over with great rocks
(b) use up the nitrogen from the air up again to the sound of their hammers. He went out
(c) cause diseases in the plants to see why the blacksmiths hadn’t found new huts and 125. The author found it difficult to decide the question
(d) loosen up the soil from air and water he discovered that Pengu and Shengu had kept their because
promise. They had exchanged their huts. (a) he was afraid
112. Farmers are always careful
(b) the tigress was only a mile away
(a) to control insects and fungi that attack plants 119. The man was troubled because
(a) the blacksmiths always fought with each other (c) the ground between them was densely wooded
(b) to encourage pests in the soil
(b) the blacksmiths’ hammers made a lot of noise (d) there was uncertainty about the reaction of the
(c) to eliminate all bacteria from the soil
tigress to his call
(d) to foster all kinds of worms in the earth (c) he was afraid of blacksmiths
(d) the blacksmiths did not do their work properly 126. The time available to the author for shooting the
113. Now-a-days, it is possible to reduce the loss caused by tigress was
pests and harmful bacteria 120. The man gave them money because (a) the whole day (b) one night
(a) with the use of chemical fertilizers (a) the blacksmiths were poor
(c) a few hours (d) 30 minutes
(b) through the development of resistant seeds (b) the blacksmiths had asked him for money
(c) by using weeds as killers (c) he did not want them to make a noise 127. When the author says ‘all would be well’, he means
(a) that they would be able to hide themselves in the
(d) by controlling earthworms (d) he wanted them to find new huts
heavy jungle
114. The farmers today can also select seeds 121. The man went out of his house because (b) that the tigress would run away to the deep ravines
(a) of slow ripening variety (a) he wanted to fight with the blacksmiths (c) that they would be able to shoot her down without
(b) resistant to frost and drought (b) he wanted to ask the blacksmiths to stop the noise difficulty
(c) for economy in costs (c) he wanted to find out why they hadn’t found new huts (d) that they would be able to return in daylight
(d) of lower resistance to disease (d) he wanted his money back from the blacksmiths
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension 567 568 CDS Pathfinder

PASSAGE 36
After lunch, I felt at a loose end and roamed about
the little flat. It suited us well enough when
mother was with me, but now I was by myself, it
was too large and I’d moved the dining room table
into my bedroom. That was now, the only room I
used; it had all the furniture I needed; a brass
bedstead, a dressing table, some cane chairs whose
seats had more or less caved in, a wardrobe with a
tarnished mirror. The rest of the flat was never
used, so I didn’t trouble to look after it.
128. The flat did not really suit him any more
because
(a) the rooms were too small
(b) he was living on his own now
(c) his mother needed too much rooms
(d) the flat itself was too little
129. He did not look after the rest of the flat because
(a) he did not use it
(b) the bedroom was too much large
(c) he needed only the brass bedstead
(d) he had too much furniture
130. ‘‘.............. now I was by myself, it was too large’’.
The word it here refers to the
(a) dining room table (b) dining room
(c) bedroom (d) flat
131. From the passage, we learn that the writer was
(a) scared of living alone in the flat
(b) dissatisfied with the flat
(c) satisfied with the space in his bedroom
(d) an eccentric person
133. According to the passage, most of us prefer films which 141. The painter was able to produce that strange
(a) overwhelm our imagination smile on Mona Lisa’s face by
(b) depict our times (a) delicate changes on the surface of cheeks below
(c) fulfil our secret wishes the eyes
(d) appeal to our reason (b) using bright colours
(c) using a painting knife
134. By watching thrilling adventures in films, we make up
(d) looking constantly at a smiling model while
for the
painting
(a) effectiveness of our desires
142. The author of the above passage has examined
(b) shortcomings in our life
‘Mona Lisa’ from
(c) stimulation of our everyday life
(a) an idealistic angle
(d) influence which we don’t have
(b) an imaginary point of view
135. Film stars present situations (c) a purely artistic angle
(a) which are familiar to us, the city dwellers (d) a scientific and realistic standpoint
(b) which we have seen only in jungles
(c) which we meet everyday at work
(d) which excite us
PASSAGE 39
It is possible to give wedding presents, birthday and
136. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, we are aware
Christmas presents, without any thought of
that we are affection at all, they can be ordered by postcard; but
(a) weak and plain the unbirthday present demands the nicest care. It
(b) both powerful and handsome is therefore the best of all and it is the only kind to
(c) as strong as film heroes which the golden rule of present-giving imperatively
(d) more beautiful than film stars applies. The golden rule which insists that you must
never give to another person anything that you
137. The daily life of students, office-goers and housewives is would not rather keep: nothing that does not cost
(a) full of new adventures you a pang to part from. It would be better if this
(b) the same dull repetition rule governed the choice also of those other three
varieties of gifts, but they can be less exacting.
(c) stimulating to their imagination
(d) very exciting to them 143. The author says that wedding, birthday and
Christmas presents
2015 (II) (a) are always indicators of the giver’s affection
(b) may not always be given with any thought of
PASSAGE 40
People project their mental processes into their
handwriting. They subconsciously shape and organise
their letters, words and lines in ways that directly reflect
their personalities. This explains why not two
handwritings are or even can be alike; the medium is just
too personal. Everyday observation confirms the link
between handwriting and personality, at least in an
elementary way. Precise people construct their words with
care, slowly and exactly; dynamic people dash them off.
Flamboyant people boldly cover half a page with a few
words and a signature, whose size fittingly reflects their
expansive sense of self. Most of us have made such
observations. But it takes a practiced eye to discern the
scores of variations and interpret the subtle interplay of
forces at work in any given handwriting. In fact in
Europe, handwriting analysis known as graphology, now
enjoys scientific acceptance and common use.
148. If you are a showy and colourful person, your
handwriting is likely to be
(a) neat and slow (b) dashing and careless
(c) bold and large (d) legible but small
149. Graphology is
(a) the study of graphs
(b) the analysis of handwriting
(c) a special branch of phonetics
(d) a graphical description of handwriting
150. Handwriting analysis is
(a) not useful to us
(b) an elementary study
(c) an imprecise science

132. ‘‘After lunch I felt at a loose end’’ means PASSAGE 38 affection

(c) are given only to flatter the recipient
(d) a means of studying personality

(a) he had nothing specific to do
(b) had a rope with a loose end
(c) had much work to do
(d) had a feeling of anxiety
PASSAGE 37
The overwhelming vote given by the greater part
of the public has so far been in favour of films
which pass the time easily and satisfy that part of
our imagination which depends on the more
obvious kind of daydreams. We make up for what
we secretly regard as our deficiencies by watching
the stimulating adventures of the other people
who are stronger, more effective, or more beautiful
than we are. The conventional stars act out our
daydreams for us in a constant succession of
exciting situations set in the open spaces, in the
jungles or in the underworld of great cities which
abounds in crime and violence. We would not dare
to be in such situations but the situations are very
exciting to watch since our youth is being spent in
day-to-day routine of school, office or home.
Much rhapsodical nonsense has been written about the 151. According to the author, people are
(d) are given only to fulfil an obligation
‘Mona Lisa’ and her enigmatic smile, and there have been (a) not conscious of what they write
endless speculations as to her character and the meaning of 144. ‘They can be ordered by postcard’ means that (b) aggressive in the nature of their writing
her expression. It is all beside the mark. The truth is that (a) the present may only be a postcard (c) not conscious of the way they write
(b) the present would be an expensive one
the ‘Mona Lisa’ is a study of modeling. Leonardo da Vinci (d) not used to personal writing
had discovered that the expression of smiling is much more (c) the choice does not involve much care
152. The fact that handwriting is related to personality
a matter of modeling of the cheek and of the forms below (d) the present would not be worth giving
(a) has been noticed by most people
the eye than of the change in the line of the lips. It 145. The ‘unbirthday’ present is the best of all because
interested him to produce a smile wholly by these delicate (b) is appreciated by dynamic people
(a) it cannot be ordered by postcard
changes of surface; hence the mysterious expression. (c) is restricted to persons who write carefully
(b) it means giving expensive presents
(d) is known only to graphologists
138. The word ‘rhapsodical’ as used in the passage means (c) its choice needs the utmost care
(a) plain
(c) enthusiastic
(b) unreadable
(d) uniformed
(d) other occasions are better than birthdays for
giving presents
PASSAGE 41
The simplest method of welding two pieces of metal
139. ‘Mona Lisa’ is the name of 146. A ‘golden rule’ is a rule which
together is known as pressure welding. The ends of metal
(a) a beautiful woman who made history in ancient Rome (a) brings profit (b) is very important are heated to a white heat—for iron, the welding
(b) a famous painting (c) is very difficult (d) is very easy
temperature should be about 1300°C— in a flame. At this
(c) the artist’s mistress
147. The writer is of the view that one should give a temperature the metal becomes plastic. The ends are then
(d) an art technique
present that pressed or hammered together and the joint is smoothed
140. The truth about the ‘Mona Lisa’ is that it is a study in (a) one would like to possess oneself off. Care must be taken to ensure that the surfaces are
(a) feminine psychology (b) facial expression (b) one would like to get rid of thoroughly cleaned first, for dirt will weaken the weld.
(c) feminine form (d) modeling Moreover, the heating of iron or steel to a high
(c) cannot be ordered by mail
temperature causes oxidation, and a film of oxide is
(d) is highly expensive and attractive
formed on the heated surfaces.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension 569 570 CDS Pathfinder

For this reason, a flux is applied to the heated metal.
At welding heat, the flux melts, and the oxide
particles are dissolved in it together with any other
impurities which may be present. The metal surfaces
are pressed together, and the flux is squeezed out
from the centre of the weld. A number of different
types of weld may be used, but for fairly thick bars of
metals, a vee-shaped weld should normally be
employed. It is rather stronger than the ordinary butt
weld.
153. The simplest way of welding two pieces of metal
together is
(a) heating the metal
(b) holding it in a flame
(c) coating the metal with plastic
(d) hammering heated pieces
154. Unless the surfaces are cleaned first,
(a) the metal will not take white heat
(b) the resulting weld will be weak
(c) the joint will be rough
(d) the metal will be less plastic
155. When iron is heated to about 1300 degree
centigrade,
(a) flames turn from white to blue
(b) chemical reaction starts
(c) oxide film is found on its surfaces
(d) it turns into steel
156. The flux is used to
(a) make the metal plastic
(b) cool the heated metal
(c) cover up any dirt
(d) dissolve oxide and other impurities
157. For fairly thick bars of metals
(a) a vee-shaped weld should be used
(b) an ordinary butt weld should be used
(c) a number of different types of weld may be used
(d) a pressure weld may be used
2016 (I)
PASSAGE 42
Aristotle, however, was less cautious. Ancient and
medieval writers knew all about unicorns and
salamanders; not one of them thought it necessary to
avoid dogmatic statements about them because he had
never seen one of them.
158. The writer believes that
(a) most people could avoid making foolish mistakes if
they were clever
(b) through observation we could avoid making many
mistakes
(c) Aristotle made many mistakes because he was not
observant
(d) all errors are caused by our own error in thinking
159. With reference to the passage, which one of the
following is the correct statement?
(a) Aristotle was able to avoid the mistake of thinking
that women have fewer teeth than men
(b) Aristotle thought women have fewer teeth than men
(c) Aristotle proved that women have fewer teeth by
counting his wife’s teeth
(d) Aristotle may have thought that women have fewer
teeth because he never had a wife
160. The writer says that if he was writing a book on
hedgehogs,
(a) he would maintain that they eat black beetles
because he had been told so
(b) he would first observe their eating habits
(c) he would think it unnecessary to verify that they ate
black beetles
(d) he would make the statement that they ate black
beetles and later verify it
161. The writer is of the opinion that
(a) unicorns and salamanders were observed by ancient
and medieval writers but were unknown to modern
writers
(b) ancient and medieval writers wrote authoritatively
about unicorns and salamanders though they had
never seen them
(c) unicorns and salamanders do not exist
(d) only those who had observed the habits of unicorns
and salamanders wrote about them
162. A ‘dogmatic statement’ in the context means a
statement which is
163. The man could not buy the handkerchiefs because 168. According to the author, people think that real
progress lies in
(a) he did not like the handkerchiefs
(b) his friend did not allow him to buy them (a) material success and technological growth
(c) the shop did not have any handkerchiefs (b) imitating Western nations
(d) he had no money in the purse (c) having large industries and political power
(d) taking risks and facing temptations
164. When he tried to take out the purse, he discovered
169. According to the author, science and technology
that
should be
(a) it was not there (b) it was lost
(c) it was a new purse (d) it was his friend’s purse (a) tabooed and eliminated from life
(b) used in a controlled and careful manner
(c) encouraged and liberally used
PASSAGE 44 (d) made compulsory in education
A profound terror, increased still by the darkness, the 170. From the passage, one gathers that the Eastern
silence and his waking images, froze his heart within people must
him. He almost felt his hair stand on end, when by (a) appreciate scientific achievements
straining his eyes to their utmost, he perceived (b) build huge industrial organisations
through the shadows two faint yellow lights. At first, (c) avoid being controlled by machines and techniques
he attributed these lights to the reflection of his own of industrial production
pupils, but soon the vivid brilliance of the night aided (d) be fascinated by machines
him gradually to distinguish the objects around him in
the cave, and he beheld a huge animal lying but two 171. According to the author, science and technology are
steps from him. (a) totally harmless
(b) extremely dangerous
165. The opening of the passage suggests that
(c) to be treated as idols
(a) darkness, silence and waking images added to his
already being in profound terror (d) useful, if they are not worshipped blindly
(b) a profound terror increased the waking images in his
frozen heart
(c) the person was frightened by darkness and silence
PASSAGE 46
It is not luck but labour that makes men. Luck, says
(d) a profound terror was caused in him by the silence
and darkness of the night an American writer, is ever waiting for something to
turn up; labour with keen eyes and strong will always
166. When he perceived through the shadows two faint
turns up something. Luck lies in bed and wishes the
lights, postman would bring him news of a legacy; labour
(a) he experienced a great strain turns out at six and with busy pen and ringing
(b) he felt his hair stand upright hammer lays the foundation of competence. Luck
(c) his eyes felt strained to their utmost whines, labour watches. Luck relies on chance; labour
(d) his pupils dilated on character. Luck slips downwards to self-indulgence;
labour strides upwards and aspires to independence.
167. The person in the story The conviction, therefore, is extending that diligence is
(a) imagined that he saw an animal the mother of good luck; in other words, that a man’s
(b) could not recognise the animal success in life will be proportionate to his efforts, to his
(c) saw the animal by chance industry, to his attention to small things.

To avoid the various foolish opinions to which
mankind is prone, no superhuman brain is required. A
few simple rules will keep you, not from all errors, but
from silly errors.
If the matter is one that can be settled by observation,
make the observation yourself. Aristotle could have
avoided the mistake of thinking that women have
fewer teeth than men, by the simple device of asking
Mrs Aristotle to keep her mouth open while he
counted. Thinking that you know, when in fact you do
not, is a bad mistake to which we are all prone.
I believe myself that hedgehogs eat black beetles,
because I have been told that they do; but if I were
writing a book on the habits of hedgehogs, I should
not commit myself until I had seen one enjoying this
diet.
(a) convincing (b) proved
(c) unquestionable (d) doubtful
PASSAGE 43
Since I had nothing better to do, I decided to go to the
market to buy a few handkerchiefs, the old ones had
done vanishing trick. On the way I met an old friend of
mine and I took him to a nearby restaurant for tea and
snacks. Afterwards, I went to the shop and selected a
dozen handkerchiefs. I pulled out my purse to make the
payment and discovered that it was empty; I then
realised that it was not my purse. It was a different
purse altogether. How that happened is still a source of
wonder to me and I refuse to believe that it was the
work of my good old friend, for it was his purse that I
held in my hand.
(d) expected to see the animal
PASSAGE 45
We are tempted to assume that technological progress
is real progress and that material success is the
criterion of civilisation. If the Eastern people become
fascinated by machines and techniques and use them,
as Western nations do, to build huge industrial
organisations and large military establishments, they
will get involved in power politics and drift into the
danger of death. Scientific and technological civilisation
brings great opportunities and great rewards, but also
great risks and temptations. Science and technology
are neither good nor bad. They are not to be tabooed
but tamed and assigned their proper place. They
become dangerous only if they become idols.
172. Which one of the following statements sums up the
meaning of the passage?
(a) Luck waits without exertion but labour exerts without
waiting
(b) Luck waits and complains without working while
labour achieves success although it complains
(c) Luck often ends in defeat but labour produces luck
(d) Luck is self-indulgent but labour is selfless
173. Which one of the following statements is true about
the passage?
(a) Luck is necessary for success
(b) Success depends on hard work and attention to
details
(c) Expectation of good luck always meets with
disappointment
(d) Success is exactly proportionate to hard work only
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension 571 572 CDS Pathfinder

174. ‘‘...... labour turns out at six and with busy pen and
ringing hammer lays the foundation of competence.’’
This statement means
175. The purpose of the exact sciences is to
(a) form opinions about our experience
(b) formulate principles which will help us to exercise
EXPLANATIONS
(a) hard work of all kinds makes people efficient and our personal judgement
skilled
(b) the labour lays the foundation of the building
(c) assert our intellectual superiority Check Your Comprehension Skill
(d) make formal and testable rules which can help verify
(c) the writer and the labourer are the true eyes of the 1. (c) In an affluent society, many people 21. (c) Because English is the most 40. (a) The correct option is (a).
experience
society prefer to work shorter hours because important language of the world.
41. (c) The author believes in the
(d) there is no worker who works so hard as the 176. An exact theory of the universe is they want time to carry out other 22. (a) The speakers of every language sanctity of holding meeting for
labourer who begins his day at six in the morning (a) not desirable (b) improbable activities. consider their language as the collective opinion.
(c) possible (d) yet to be made most important one.
PASSAGE 47 177. In exact sciences,
2. (b) Domestic chores are too
23. (d) The writer’s evaluation of the
42. (c) The traditional image of a lion is
demanding. that he is wise, gentle and brave.
The avowed purpose of the exact sciences is to (a) personal judgements are set aside in favour of a importance of the English
establish complete intellectual control over experience 3. (a) Robots are used in mines and 43. (a) The writer was extremely
mechanical theory language is based on objective
in terms of precise rules which can be formally set out factories to perform the hazardous criteria. frightened so he used this statement.
(b) one does not find answers to all questions and
and empirically tested. Could that ideal be fully tasks.
problems 24. (b) The main reason of frustration 44. (c) The lion is described as a beast
achieved, all truth and all error could henceforth be 4. (d) It depends on the number of
(c) one reposes faith in actual experience is that the young generation is with a sense of wrath.
ascribed to an exact theory of the universe, while we people who require it.
who accept this theory would be relieved of any (d) one interprets the universe according to one’s wish unemployed. 45. (c) The author’s friend took him
occasion for exercising our personal judgement. We 178. Classical mechanics 5. (d) In the writer’s opinion, the energy 25. (c) The enormous responsibility to away from the public walk in order
should only have to follow the rules faithfully. (a) has formulated precise rules based on experience crisis will remain with us for an almost comprehend the problems of the to avoid a person who was following
Classical mechanics approaches this ideal so closely (b) has gained intellectual control over the world indefinite period of time. young generation lies with the them.
that it is often thought to have achieved it. But this sociologists.
leaves out of account the element of personal (c) has formulated an exact theory of the universe 6. (b) ‘So fragile a base’ refers to the 46. (c) Here, option (c) is the correct
(d) just falls short of achieving intellectual control over uncertainty about the flow of Arab oil. 26. (d) The increase in violence in our answer.
judgement involved in applying the formulae of
experience society is the result of frustration
mechanics to the facts of experience. 7. (b) The type of writing in the passage 47. (c) The author was panicked at the
in life.
could be called scientific. sudden appearance of a person
27. (b) Strive for freedom is the
ANSWERS 8. (b) Death is a natural phenomenon correct answer.
which he did not like.
48. (b) The ceremony of the solitary
because it is as natural as the fall of
28. (c) A worm first tries to move out retreat was observed by every boy
Check Your Comprehension Skill leaves or fruits from a tree. of the glass jar.
and every girl in some tribes.
1 c 2 b 3 a 4 d 5 d 6 b 7 b 8 b 9 d 10 b 9. (d) The author wants to show that 29. (c) Here, option (c) is correct.
11 b 12 c 13 d 14 b 15 d 16 d 17 c 18 c 19 d 20 d death occurs with the achievement of 49. (d) The purpose of the retreat was
21 c 22 a 23 d 24 b 25 c 26 d 27 b 28 c 29 c 30 b fullness. 30. (b) Matter constantly changes to secure the aid of a spirit for
31 b 32 c 33 c 34 c 35 d 36 d 37 a 38 c 39 c 40 a shape as it has an urge to be free. oneself.
41 c 42 c 43 a 44 c 45 c 46 c 47 c 48 b 49 d 50 c 10. (b) Here, option (b) is appropriate.
31. (b) Topography deals with the 50. (c) The way to perform the vigil was
51 b 52 d 53 b 54 d 55 c 56 a 57 b 58 c 59 d 60 b 11. (b) Here, the author’s opinion is that description of features of a place.
61 a 62 c 63 c 64 a 65 b 66 c 67 a 68 d 69 d 70 a to fast and wait alone.
one should be different from others.
71 a 72 c 73 a 74 c 75 c 76 b 77 d 78 c 79 d 80 c 32. (c) Formal instruction is about a 51. (b) Because the sound of the boy's
81 b 82 c 83 a 84 c 85 a 86 d 87 d 88 c 89 c 90 b 12. (c) To establish a different image. regular education at school. scream surpassed in the gale.
91 a 92 c 93 c 94 d 95 a 96 d 97 d 98 d 99 c 100 b 13. (d) According to the author, one 33. (c) Here, option (c) is correct.
101 d 102 c 103 b 104 b 52. (d) The boy was walking behind his
should try to get noticed by being parents while he was struck by the
34. (c) Here, option (c) correctly
innovative. explains the statement. gale.
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-16)
14. (b) The author had been a comedy 35. (d) The mate shall stop guessing 53. (b) The parents discovered the
1 c 2 d 3 a 4 b 5 c 6 d 7 a 8 c 9 b 10 c writer.
11 d 12 c 13 d 14 a 15 c 16 b 17 c 18 b 19 a 20 b about your feelings when you talk mishap only when the dog barked
21 c 22 b 23 b 24 d 25 d 26 b 27 d 28 b 29 c 30 a 15. (d) Here, option (d) is correct. openly to him. furiously.
31 d 32 c 33 c 34 b 35 c 36 c 37 b 38 d 39 c 40 a 36. (d) If you are honest with yourself, 54. (d) The dabbawallahas came into
16. (d) Here, option (d) is correct.
41 d 42 b 43 c 44 a 45 d 46 c 47 b 48 a 49 b 50 a you can talk openly and honestly existence as a consequence of
51 c 52 b 53 a 54 b 55 b 56 c 57 d 58 c 59 a 60 b 17. (c) Wind power is economically viable to your mate. Mumbai’s overcrowding.
61 c 62 c 63 b 64 b 65 b 66 a 67 d 68 c 69 b 70 d on long-term basis is the correct
71 a 72 c 73 d 74 b 75 a 76 b 77 d 78 d 79 b 80 c statement. 37. (a) You should take time off to be 55. (c) The people of Mumbai could go
81 c 82 c 83 c 84 c 85 a 86 b 87 c 88 d 89 a 90 a alone so that you can talk to home to take lunch in the past.
91 c 92 a 93 b 94 d 95 a 96 d 97 c 98 b 99 b 100 a 18. (c) The phrase ‘almost inevitably’ yourself.
101 c 102 b 103 b 104 c 105 b 106 a 107 b 108 d 109 d 110 d means invariably. 56. (a) Option (a) i.e. objective is the
38. (c) No architect plans without correct answer.
111 c 112 a 113 b 114 b 115 d 116 c 117 b 118 b 119 b 120 d 19. (d) The bitterness of conflict has been assessing the present situation
121 c 122 b 123 d 124 c 125 d 126 a 127 c 128 b 129 a 130 d toned down because of the writer because change is impossible 57. (b) During the winter, common
131 c 132 a 133 a 134 b 135 d 136 a 137 b 138 c 139 b 140 d being quite close to the Englishmen. otherwise. birds in India come down to the
141 a 142 c 143 b 144 c 145 c 146 b 147 a 148 c 149 b 150 d foothills.
151 c 152 d 153 d 154 b 155 c 156 d 157 a 158 b 159 b 160 b 20. (d) Because the writer was popular 39. (c) According to the author,
161 b 162 c 163 d 164 d 165 a 166 c 167 a 168 a 169 b 170 c among the masses. meetings are a form of playing 58. (c) Because of bad weather birds get
171 d 172 d 173 b 174 a 175 b 176 b 177 a 178 a elaborate games. delayed in migration.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
59. (d) Mostly the birds make their long
journey in the darkness.
60. (b) Option (b) is the correct answer.
61. (a) The likely reason is that in order
to sell books, he has to tell lies.
62. (c) The author liked to buy a lot of
books at auctions.
63. (c) Option (c) is the correct
statement.
64. (a) ‘I scraped through my BA
examination’ means that the author
passed it with great difficulty.
65. (b) He is highly critical and also
sarcastic about it.
66. (c) Walking is recommended as it is
not very strenuous.
67. (a) The chances of a heart attack
are decreased by walking.
68. (d) Strokes occur because of the
bursting of blood vessels.
69. (d) Option (d) is the correct answer.
70. (a) The correct option is (a).
71. (a) The enemy could be cheated
easily.
72. (c) Here, leopards is the right
answer.
73. (a) Tigers body parts have a value in
traditional Chinese medicine.
74. (c) The dangerous groups that prey
on are illegal hunters and traditional
apothecaries.
Questions from CDS Exam (2012-2016)
1. (c) With regard to ‘journey’ it can
be said that a pleasant journey is
being referred here.
2. (d) Option (d) is clearly written and
hence, the obvious choice.
3. (a) Provisions means mainly food
and fresh water.
4. (b) ‘Farthing’ is a unit of money and
in the passage captain was not
willing to receive any money from
the author as a friendly gesture.
Farthing means –A coin formerly
used in Great Britain worth one
fourth of a penny.
5. (c) The passage shows relationship
of author and captain in a positive
light.
75. (c) Sabu wanted to produce a sequel
to the Thief of Baghdad.
76. (b) Abu emerges as a benevolent
hero in his new incarnation.
77. (d) Sabu's dream came true because
his daughter has continued the story
of Abu.
78. (c) The author compares the
telephone with a pest which creates
troubles and destroys our spirit.
79. (d) Waiting for an expected call
makes us feel nervous and worried.
80. (c) Here, option (c) is the corret
answer.
81. (b) There are several types of
proteins which carry out specific
tasks.
82. (c) Proteins are classified according
to their functions.
83. (a) The function of the enzymes is
to direct chemical reactions in body
cells.
84. (c) The author suggests that his
mother was different from his father.
85. (a) It means that her face clearly
showed her feelings.
86. (d) The mother views were based on
ethical judgements strongly.
87. (d) According to the author, we
must say Please as it is a civilised
custom.
88. (c) The writer thinks that courtesies
make life pleasant.
6. (d) The children think that the Sun
and the Moon are moving round the
Earth.
7. (a) The early ideas of man were
wrong as man did not use the
telescope for accurate observations.
8. (c) Option (c) is true with reference
to passage. Travelling and exploring
is given in the passage as methods
for the gaining knowledge.
9. (b) As mentioned in the passage,
“They naturally …. flat”. Believing
naturally means to believe what we
see.
10. (c) Option (c) shows the maximum
effect of snow on the feet of the
author.
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89. (c) Please and Thank you should be
used by everybody.
90. (b) Because the author recognised
the need for respecting the privacy
of her daughter.
91. (a) Openly reciting the poems
written by the author.
92. (c) The correct option is (c) here.
93. (c) Humming birds get their names
due to the humming noise made by
them.
94. (d) Iridescent means glittering.
95. (a) ‘Bill’ in the passage refers to the
humming bird’s beak.
96. (d) Option (d) is the correct answer.
97. (d) Child labour is the biggest
concern for the whole world.
98. (d) Child labour hinders a child’s
physical, mental and moral
development.
99. (c) Poverty is the main cause of
child labour.
100. (b) Bird watching is also referred as
birding.
101. (d) ‘Traipse’ is the correct option.
102. (c) House crow is the right answer.
103. (b) Many people don’t like bird
watching as they have to wake up at
4 am to watch birds.
104. (b) Beady eyes means watchful eyes.
11. (d) The man experienced genuine
surprise when he discovered that his
hands could not clutch, that there
was neither bend nor feeling in the
fingers.
12. (c) The man was unable to clutch
the dog as his hands got frozen.
13. (d) Even though George was not in
town for a long time, station master
who most probably would be the
part of the same small rural
community did not notice his
absence from the village.
14. (a) George was over possessed by
his success and had created the
illusion that everyone in town would
come to receive him as people
usually do for a successful man.
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15. (c) As the passage mentions that his
success went in his head so in all
probability it was the reason of his
inflated expectations. Proper word for
it is ‘pride’.
16. (b) Only thing that can be associated
with his success is his looks with a
new suit and a bulky suitcase.
17. (c) Option (c) is correct.
18. (b) It is clearly found in passage that
‘The new hazards are neither local
nor brief ’.
19. (a) Only option (a).
20. (b) There is no special mention of
developing countries in the passage
regarding farming, it is not given in
passage that modern farming
methods should be given up. Passage
only details the harmful effects of the
monocultures.
21. (c) Option (c) seems to be the point
author wants to make through the
passage linking it with monocultures.
22. (b) Mr Tagde did not sit down
because he was in a defiant mood.
23. (b) He would not withdraw the
report because it was an accurate
report.
24. (d) It can be inferred from the last
sentence of the passage that the
Principal was unhappy because he
did not want to expel the boy.
25. (d) The wind that blew on the night
was sharp.
26. (b) The younger woman was carrying
the dog as a fashion.
27. (d) The conductor was unfriendly
and malicious.
28. (b) The sentence gives us an idea of
an unbearable cold night.
29. (c) Option (c) is correct.
30. (a) The passage clearly indicates that
the girl was clever and brave.
31. (d) Sound the horn is the correct
answer.
32. (c) The writer suggests the
importance and utility of portable
telephones.
33. (c) It means that the author visited
several property dealers without any
success.
34. (b) The author was an independent
writer.
35. (c) Answer can be inferred after
reading the passage that single
jobless woman find it difficult to
rent a house.
36. (c) Martin played his little tricks
because his son got pleasure
from them.
37. (b) It is a mask looking like the
head of a dragon with its tongue
hanging out.
38. (d) The father and son rolled with
laughter after the father removed
the mask.
39. (c) Galelio made several telescopes
as the earlier ones were not
powerful enough.
40. (a) ‘His heart leaped with joy’
means his heart was filled with
happiness of success.
41. (d) The author wants us to know
that his father loved teaching.
42. (b) The author often felt
embarrassed by the behaviour of his
father because he taught even at
odd places.
43. (c) As per the generation of the
writer’s father, education was an
exploration of the world of
imagination.
44. (a) From the passage, it is clear that
the author loved and admired his
father.
45. (d) They were looking for marks
left by the tiger’s prey.
46. (c) Mothi began to scream when he
came face to face with the tiger.
47. (b) In the passage, ‘kill’ means an
animal killed by the tiger.
48. (a) The jungle was quiet before
Mothi screamed.
49. (b) Because he was afraid that the
narrator would become very tired.
50. (a) The narrator wanted to shoot
the leopard.
51. (c) The poor farmers in Bengal
took up indigo cultivation as they
were forced to do so.
52. (b) Britishers started purchasing
land in India and forced Indian
farmers to cultivate indigo.
53. (a) Indigo export was profitable for
the British settlers as they had no
competitors.
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54. (b) The rhinos rush to attack when
they smell human scent.
55. (b) When the author saw the rhino
for the first time, he was frightened.
56. (c) The author could not take the
photographs of the rhinos because
he was frightened and it did not
occur to him that he had a chance
to do so.
57. (d) The young man was well-dressed
because he wanted to impress the
salesmen.
58. (c) The salesmen in the shop are
described as people who pay
attention to only rich customers.
59. (a) The young man moved to the
hosiery section because he was not
interested in purchasing anything.
60. (b) The manager asked the young
man what he wanted because the
salesman had drawn his attention to
the indifferent attitude of the young
man.
61. (c) The young man left without
making purchases because he had
come only to make a point about
the indifferent attitude of the
salesmen towards casually dressed
customers.
62. (c) The prisoner had been punished
for robbery.
63. (b) The crime had been committed
three years earlier.
64. (b) The warden slumped forward
with a dull thud.
65. (b) Option (b) is correct.
66. (a) The author is of the opinion
that nationalism makes people
self-centered and self-conceited.
67. (d) Evils of narrow and aggressive
nationalism incorporates the central
theme of the passage.
68. (c) Option (c) is correct.
69. (b) Cornelius lay half-asleep at a
little distance from the fire.
70. (d) ‘Disappeared down the hill’
means to walk down the hill. Hence,
option (d) is correct.
71. (a) This sentence implies that the
crew member was bold and
adventurous.
72. (c) ‘Huddling’ means ‘being close
together’.
GENERAL ENGLISH Comprehension
73. (d) The writer was against shooting
the elephant because he felt it would
amount to avoidable waste of useful
property.
74. (b) The author compares the elephant
to a costly machine because it can do
as much work as an expensive
machine.
75. (a) The elephant looked no more
dangerous than a cow because it was
quietly doing its work.
76. (b) The author was very fond of the
old soldier as he used to tell him
about his adventures.
77. (d) The soldier repeatedly tells that he
walked two hundred miles because he
emphasised that he was a strong
soldier.
78. (d) The author mentions in the third
line of the passage that he liked the
story of soldier’s escape from a
Japanese prison-of-war camp.
79. (b) The old soldier, according to the
author, was satisfied with his lot.
80. (c) The soldier’s leg had to be
amputated because his wounded toe
turned septic.
81. (c) That the organisers had a difficult
time because the meeting could not be
started on time.
82. (c) The word ‘assuaging’ means to
reduce.
83. (c) Further delay resulted in the
people making noise.
84. (c) The educational system which
caused fear in the second mind was
based on punishment.
85. (a) System based on rewards did not
satisfy the slow pupil.
86. (b) System based on marks appealed
to the competitive spirit in the pupils.
87. (c) Man’s movement is obstructed in a
jungle.
88. (d) Movements of other beings helps
snakes to receive advance warning.
89. (a) Option (a) is the correct choice.
In this context, ‘bearing’ means ‘effect’.
90. (a) There is a close relationship
between ambition and activity.
91. (c) It means that ambition must be
consistent with one’s capacity.
92. (a) The underlying tone of the
passage is that one must do everything
as well as one can.
93. (b) One should not imagine oneself
always to be better than others.
94. (d) The early instruments for
measuring earthquakes were not
sensitive enough.
95. (a) Because earthquake comes like
a thief in the night.
96. (d) To record the facts with a pen
and paper.
97. (c) The tendency of a standing
person to fall when a bus or train
moves.
98. (b) It was presumed that at the
time of earthquake, the pen that we
use to write on a paper should stay
still and the paper should move.
99. (b) The author first played cricket
when he was a school boy.
100. (a) “Felt my inherent foreignness”
means ‘feeling strange’.
101. (c) Spectators would shout “Butter
Fingers” when the author was
playing because the ball slipped
from his hands and dropped.
102. (b) ‘Spectator’ means a person
watching an event i.e., an onlooker.
103. (b) ‘Regression’ means looking back
every now and then at what is
already read.
104. (c) In order to be a good reader
you should not look back
frequently while reading.
105. (b) The author mentions in the
fourth line of the passage that
reading with regression is like
stepping backwards while walking.
106. (a) Very few people can satisfy
their needs today by providing
things for themselves.
107. (b) Exchange of goods becomes
possible only when goods are
produced in surplus.
108. (d) Specialisation and exchange
began when men started living in
communities.
109. (d) Exchange of goods and services
becomes necessary because we
cannot produce everything we need
ourselves.
110. (d) Soil scientists believe that not
all worms and bacteria are harmful.
111. (c) The living things that do harm
cause diseases in the plants.
112. (a) Farmers are always careful to
control insects, fungi and bacteria
that attack plants.
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113. (b) Now-a-days, it is possible to
reduce the loss caused by pests and
harmful bacteria with resistant types
of seeds.
114. (b) The farmers today can also select
seeds resistant to frost and drought.
115. (d) The noise was made by the boy.
116. (c) ‘Fast asleep old man’ suggests
that he was least disturbed.
117. (b) Everybody was waiting for
something.
118. (b) The little man was most bored
because he was turning the pages of
the magazine nervously.
119. (b) The man was troubled as the
blacksmiths’ hammers made a lot of
noise.
120. (d) Money was given to the
blacksmiths to find new huts for
themselves.
121. (c) The man wanted to know why
the blacksmiths hadn’t found new
huts.
122. (b) The man came to know that the
blacksmiths had exchanged their
huts.
123. (d) As per the author, there was a
possibility of the tigress covering the
distance within the half hour.
124. (c) The path to the camp was not
suitable for walking as it ran
through heavy jungle.
125. (d) The author found it difficult to
decide the question as there was
uncertainty about the reaction of the
tigress to his call.
126. (a) Shooting was possible during the
daylight, hence option (a) is suitable
here.
127. (c) When the author said ‘all would
be well’, he meant that they would
be able to shoot her down without
difficulty.
128. (b) The flat did not really suit him
any more as he was living on his
own now.
129. (a) He did not look after the rest of
the flat as he did not use it.
130. (d) Here, ‘it’ refers to ‘the flat’.
131. (c) From the passage, we learn that
the writer was satisfied with the
space in his bedroom.
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132. (a) ‘Feeling at a loose end’ means
‘feeling bored’ or ‘have nothing
specific to do’. Hence, option (a) is
correct.
133. (a) As per the passage, most of us
prefer films which overwhelm our
imagination. It is clear from the first
sentence of the passage.
134. (b) By watching thrilling adventures
we make up for the shortcomings in
our life.
135. (d) Film stars present situations
which excite us.
136. (a) As per the passage, we are aware
that we are weak and plain.
137. (b) The daily life of students,
office-goers and housewives is the
same dull repetition.
138. (c) ‘Rhapsodical’ means ‘enthusiastic’
in the passage.
139. (b) ‘Mona Lisa’ is the name of a
famous painting.
140. (d) ‘Mona Lisa’ is a study in
modeling.
141. (a) It is easily understood by reading
the last two lines of the passage that
the painter discovered the smile on
Mona Lisa’s face by delicate changes
on the surface of cheeks below the
eyes.
142. (c) The passage clearly shows the
artistic angle of the author.
143. (b) ‘may not always be given with any
thought of affection’ is correct as it is
clearly indicated in the first line of
the passage.
144. (c) This statement means that the
choice does not involve much care.
145. (c) Its choice needs the utmost care.
146. (b) A ‘golden rule’ is a rule which is
very important.
147. (a) It is clearly understood from the
passage that you must never give to
another person anything that you
would not rather keep.
148. (c) If you are a showy and colourful
person, your handwriting is likely to
be bold and large.
149. (b) Graphology is the analysis of
handwriting.
150. (d) Handwriting analysis is a
means of studying personality.
151. (c) As per the author, people are
not conscious of how they write.
152. (d) The fact that handwriting is
related to personality is known only
to graphologists.
153. (d) The simplest way of welding
two pieces of metal together is
hammering heated pieces.
154. (b) Unless the surfaces are cleaned
first, the resulting weld will be
weak.
155. (c) When iron is heated to about
1300 degree centigrade, oxide film
is formed on its surfaces.
156. (d) The flux is used to dissolve
oxide and other impurities.
157. (a) For fairly thick bars of metals, a
vee-shaped weld should be used.
158. (b) The writer believes that
through observation we could avoid
making many mistakes because a
few simple rules will keep us not
from all errors, but from silly errors.
159. (b) Aristotle thought women have
fewer teeth than men which can be
inferred from the fourth line of the
passage.
160. (b) The writer says that if he was
writing a book on hedgehogs, he
would first observe their eating
habits.
161. (b) The writer is of the opinion
that ancient and medieval writers
wrote authoritatively about unicorns
and salamanders though they had
never seen them, which is clearly
mentioned in the last lines of the
passage.
162. (c) ‘Dogmatic statement’ means a
statement which is ‘unquestionable’.
163. (d) The man could not buy the
handkerchiefs because he had no
money in the purse.
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164. (d) In the last two lines, it is clearly
written that ‘‘when he tried to take
out the purse, he discovered that it
was his friend’s purse.’’
165. (a) It is clearly stated in the first
line of the passage that profound
terror is increased due to darkness,
silence and waking images.
166. (c) When the writer’s eyes felt
strained to their utmost, he
perceived through the shadows two
faint lights.
167. (a) The person imagined that he
saw an animal.
168. (a) According to the author, people
think that real progress lies in
material success and technological
growth.
169. (b) According to the author, science
and technology should be used in a
controlled and careful manner.
170. (c) The Eastern people should avoid
being controlled by machines and
techniques of industrial production.
171. (d) According to the author, science
and technology are useful, if they are
not worshipped blindly.
172. (d) It can be inferred from the
passage that luck is self-indulgent
but labour is selfless.
173. (b) Success always depends on hard
work and attention to details of
small things.
174. (a) The statement means hard work
of all kinds makes people efficient
and skilled.
175. (b) The purpose of exact sciences is
to formulate principles which will
help us to exercise our personal
judgement.
176. (b) An exact theory of the universe
is ‘improbable’, means all truth and
error are not likely to be true.
177. (a) In exact sciences, we would be
relieved of any occasion for
exercising our personal judgement.
178. (a) Classical mechanics has
formulated precise rules based on
experience.