CUET English Language

Cuet
(Common University
Entrance Test)
For Undergraduate Courses
English Language
(Code: 101)
R.K. Gupta
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Cuet (Common University Entrance Test) for UnderGraduate courses–English Language
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Introduction
National Testing Agency has been entrusted with the responsibility of conducting the Undergraduate
entrance tests for all the Central Universities (CUs) for the academic session 2022–2023. CUET will
provide a single window opportunity to students to seek admission in any of the Central Universities
(CUs) across the country.
The CUET (UG)–2022 will be conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) Mode.
Examination Structure for CUET (UG)–2022: CUET (UG)–2022 will consist of the following four
sections:
 Section IA – 13 Languages
 Section IB – 19 Languages
 Section II – 27 Domain Specific Subjects
 Section III – General Test
Choosing options from each section is not mandatory. Choices should match the requirements of the
desired University.
Broad features of CUET (UG)–2022: Some features of CUET (UG)–2022 are as follows:
Section Subjects/Tests Questions to Question Type Duration

be
Attempted
Section IA– There are 13* different 40 questions to Language to be tested through 45 minutes
Languages languages. Any of these be attempted Reading Comprehension for each
languages may be chosen. out of 50 in each (based on different types of language
language passages–Factual, Literary and
Narrative, [Literary Aptitude and
Vocabulary]
Section IB– There are 19** languages.
Languages Any other language apart
from those offered in
Section I A may be chosen.
Section II– There are 27*** Domain 40 questions to • Input text can be used for 45 minutes
Domain specific subjects being be attempted MCQ Based Questions for each
offered under this section. out of 50 • MCQs based on NCERT Domain
A candidate may choose Class XII syllabus only specific
a maximum of Six (06) • Input text can be used for subjects
Domains as desired by MCQ Based Questions
the applicable University/ • General Knowledge, Current
Section III– Universities. Affairs, General Mental
General For any such under- 60 questions to Ability, Numerical Ability, 60 minutes
Test graduate programme/ be attempted Quantitative Reasoning
programmes being offered out of 75 (Simple application of basic
by Universities where a mathematical concepts
General Test is being used arithmetic/algebra geometry/
for admission. mensuration/stat taught
till Grade 8), Logical and
Analytical Reasoning
* Languages (13): Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Gujarati, Odia, Bengali, Assamese,
Punjabi, English, Hindi and Urdu
** Languages (19): French, Spanish, German, Nepali, Persian, Italian, Arabic, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Konkani,
Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Santhali, Tibetan, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.
*** Domain Specific Subjects (27): 1. Accountancy/Book Keeping; 2. Biology/Biological Studies/ Biotechnology/
Biochemistry; 3. Business Studies; 4. Chemistry; 5. Computer Science/Informatics Practices; 6. Economics/
Business Economics; 7. Engineering Graphics; 8. Entrepreneurship; 9. Geography/Geology; 10. History;
11. Home Science; 12. Knowledge Tradition and Practices of India; 13. Legal Studies; 14. Environmental
Science; 15. Mathematics; 16. Physical Education/NCC/Yoga; 17. Physics; 18. Political Science;
19. Psychology; 20. Sociology; 21. Teaching Aptitude; 22. Agriculture; 23. Mass Media/Mass Communication;
24. Anthropology; 25. Fine Arts/Visual Arts (Sculpture/Painting)/Commercial Arts; 26. Performing Arts–
(i) Dance (Kathak/Bharatnatyam/Oddisi/Kathakali/Kuchipudi/Manipuri (ii) Drama-Theatre (iii) Music
General (Hindustani/Carnatic/Rabindra Sangeet/Percussion/Non-Percussion);
27. Sanskrit [For all Shastri (Shastri 3 years/4 years Honours) Equivalent to B.A./B.A. Honours courses
i.e. Shastri in Veda, Paurohitya (Karmakand), Dharamshastra, Prachin Vyakarana, Navya Vyakarana,
Phalit Jyotish, Siddhant Jyotish, Vastushastra, Sahitya, Puranetihas, Prakrit Bhasha,Prachin Nyaya
Vaisheshik, Sankhya Yoga, Jain Darshan, Mimansa, AdvaitaVedanta, Vishihstadvaita Vedanta, Sarva
Darshan, a candidate may choose Sanskrit as the Domain].
• A candidate can choose a maximum of any 3 languages from Section IA and Section IB taken
together. (One of the languages chosen needs to be in lieu of Domain specific subjects).
• Section II offers 27 subjects, out of which a candidate may choose a maximum of 6 subjects.
• Section III comprises General Test.
• For choosing Languages (up to 3) from Section IA and IB and a maximum of 6 subjects from
Section II and General Test under Section III, the candidate must refer to the requirements of
his/her intended University.
Level of questions for CUET (UG)–2022: All questions in various testing areas will be benchmarked
at the level of Class XII only.
Marking Scheme of Examination

For Multiple Choice Questions: To answer a question, the candidates need to choose one option
corresponding to the correct answer or the most appropriate answer. However, if any anomaly or
discrepancy is found after the process of challenges of the key verification, it shall be addressed in the
following manner:
(i) Correct answer or the most appropriate answer: Five marks (+ 5)
(ii) Any incorrect option marked will be given minus one mark (– 1).
(iii) Unanswered/Marked for Review will be given no mark (0).
(iv) If more than one option is found to be correct then Five marks (+ 5) will be awarded to only
those who have marked any of the correct options.
(v) If all options are found to be correct then Five marks (+ 5) will be awarded to all those who
have attempted the question.
(vi) If none of the options is found correct or a Question is found to be wrong or a Question is
dropped then all candidates who have appeared will be given five marks (+ 5).
Note: Candidates are advised to visit the NTA CUET (UG)–2022 official website https://cuet.samarth.ac.in/, for
latest updates regarding the Examination.
Contents
I. Reading Comprehension ... 1

II. Choosing the Right Word ... 28
III. Synonyms ... 32
IV. Antonyms ... 35
V. Idioms and Phrases ... 38
VI. One Word Substitution ... 42
VII. Spelling Errors ... 45
VIII. Passage Based MCQs ... 48
IX. Reordering Sentences ... 61
X. Sentence Correction ... 67
XI. Spotting Error ... 71
XII. Vocabulary ... 89
XIII. Rearranging the Parts ... 94
XIV. Grammar and Usage ... 100
• Mock Test Paper 1 ... M-1


Answers ... M-43
Syllabus
SYLLABUS FOR L ANGUAGES (IA AND IB)
Note:
There will be one Question Paper which will have 50 questions out of which 40 questions need to be attempted.
SECTION Code Name

Section IA-Languages 101 English Questions from the Language Section will be
(13 Languages) 102 Hindi from the following topics but are not limited to:
103 Assamese 1. Reading Comprehension:
There will be three types of passages (maximum
104 Bengali
300-350 words):
105 Gujarati
106 Kannada (i) Factual
107 Malayalam (ii) Narrative
108 Marathi (iii) Literary
109 Odia
110 Punjabi 2. Verbal Ability
111 Tamil 3. Rearranging the parts
112 Telugu 4. Choosing the correct word
113 Urdu 5. Synonyms and Antonyms
Section IB-Languages 201 Arabic 6. Vocabulary
(20 Languages) 202 Bodo
203 Chinese
204 Dogri
205 French
206 German
207 Italian
208 Japanese
209 Kashmiri
210 Konkani
211 Maithili
212 Manipuri
213 Nepali
214 Persian
215 Russian
216 Santhali
217 Sindhi
218 Spanish
219 Tibetan
220 Sanskrit
English Language
I. Reading Comprehension
The purpose of any English Paper is to test a student’s hold on English language.
Reading comprehension is an important segment of the General English Paper. Reading comprehension
tests:
• your expertise in vocabulary;
• your ability to understand the central ideal of the given passage;
• you ability to understand what the author wants to say through the given passage; and
• your ability to distinguish between the correct option and the other ones.
You should master the art of comprehension and to master this art, you are advised to follow the hints
given below while answering the questions:
1. Read the given passage carefully.
2. Try to understand the general meaning of the passage and sort out the various issues raised in it.
3. Give the passage a second reading to grasp its meaning fully.
4. You may come across some difficult words in the passage. Don’t get upset if you don’t know their literal
meaning. Make a guess and relate them to the preceding and the following sentences. You can guess the
‘idea’ or ‘spirit’ behind these words, if not their exact meaning. It can serve your purpose to grasp the
meaning of the passage.
5. Now read the questions given below the passage carefully, one by one.
6. You will certainly find the correct answers or clues to your questions in different parts of the passage
itself. Underline only those parts which may help you in answering the questions.
7. When you are absolutely clear about the answers, mark them in your answer sheet.
8. Don’t forget to recheck your answers before marking in the answer sheet.
Practice Questions
Directions: Read the passages and answer the questions that follow, choosing the most appropriate option. In case you
find no correct answer, tick (E) as your answer.
Passage 1
1. Why be a teacher? The short answer is easy:
● to witness the diversity of growth in young people and their joy in learning,
● to encourage lifelong learning — both for yourself and for others, and
● to experience the challenge of devising and doing interesting, exciting activities for the young.
There is more to be said about the value of teaching. Consider, for instance, the “young people”
referred to above. In one class, they could be six years olds; in another, they could be sixteen or even
older. They could be rich, poor or somewhere in between. There are all sorts of possibilities. But whoever
the particular students are, they will have potential as human beings — possibly not yet realised — that
1
2 English Language Test for CUET
can contribute to society. A teacher’s job — in fact, a teacher’s privilege — is to help particular “young
people” to realise their potential.
2. As a teacher, you will be able to lay the groundwork for lifelong learning. You will often work with
students long enough to convey a crucial message: there is much in life to learn — more than any
one teacher or school can provide in a lifetime. Whatever you teach, its immensity can be a source
of curiosity, wonder and excitement. Learning, when properly understood, is never-ending, though it
often focuses on short-term, immediate concerns. As a teacher, you will have an advantage not shared
by every member of society the excuse not only to teach valuable knowledge and skills, but to point
students beyond what they will be able to learn from you.
3. Whatever you teach, you will be able to feel the satisfaction of designing and orchestrating complex
activities that communicate new ideas and skills effectively. The challenge is attractive to many teachers,
because that is where they exercise judgment and “artistry” freely and frequently. Teaching will need
you to know how to explain ideas clearly, to present new materials in a sensible sequence and at an
appropriate pace, to point out connections between their new learning and their prior experiences.
4. The complexity of classroom life guarantees that teaching never needs to get boring. Something new
and exciting is bound to occur when you least expect it. A student shows an insight that you never
expected to see — or fails to show one that you were sure he had. After teaching a particular learning
objective several times, you realise that you understand it differently than the first time you taught it.
The job never stays the same; it evolves continually. As long as you keep teaching, you will have a job
with novelty.
1. Which of these BEST describes the organisation of the passage?
A. Comparing and contrasting information from different sources
B. Bringing in personal accounts of different people to make a point
C. Introducing certain points and explaining them in subsequent paragraphs
D. Reminiscing about events that happened in the past to support the details given
E. None of these
2. What are the authors MOST LIKELY referring to when they say “short-term, immediate concerns”?
“Learning, when properly understood, is never-ending, even though it often focuses on short-term,
immediate concerns”. (paragraph 2)
A. The excessive focus on quick memorisation of facts
B. The need to create lesson plans to cater to different grade levels
C. The emphasis on learning concepts with a clear understanding of them
D. The need to have meticulous plans to help students develop self-learning habits
E. None of these
3. What is the meaning of ORCHESTRATING?
“...you will be able to feel the satisfaction of designing and orchestrating complex activities...”.
(paragraph 3)
A. Analysing and evaluating something beforehand
B. Planning and organising something carefully
C. Explaining the difficulty in doing something
D. Introducing something spontaneously
E. None of these
4. What can the teacher ensure about the students by instilling lifelong learning in children?
A. The students share innovative ideas with the teachers in class.
B. The students understand the importance of schools.
C. The students respect their teachers for their roles in shaping their future.
D. The students build confidence to acquire skills and adapt to different challenges in life.
E. None of these
Reading Comprehension 3
5. Which of these conveys the meaning of ARTISTRY as used in the above passage?
“...because that is where they exercise judgment and “artistry” the most freely and frequently”.
(paragraph 3)
A. The ability to follow something exceptionally
B. The ability to create something new and valuable
C. The ability to appreciate something wholeheartedly
D. The ability to criticise something in a constructive manner
E. None of these
6. Which of these options supports the statement?

“A teacher’s job — in fact, a teacher’s privilege — is to help particular ‘young people’ to realise their
potential”. (paragraph 1)
A. As a teacher, you will have an advantage not shared by every member of society... (paragraph 2)
B. Teaching will need you to know how to explain ideas clearly, to present new materials in a
sensible sequence... (paragraph 3)
C. After teaching a particular learning objective several times, you realise that you understand it
differently... (paragraph 4)
D. The job never stays the same; it evolves continually. (paragraph 4)
E. None of these
Direction (Qs 7. & 8.): Choose the MOST SIMILAR word to the one printed in capital letters as used in the passage.
7. POTENTIAL
A. Characteristic B. Ability C. Possibility D. Chance
E. None of these
8. CONTINUALLY
A. Repeatedly B. Intermittently C. Occasionally D. Erratically
E. None of these
Direction (Qs 9. & 10.): Choose the MOST OPPOSITE word to the one printed in capital letters as used in the passage.
9. COMPLEXITY
A. Easiness B. Simplicity C. Patience D. Serenity
E. None of these
10. LIFELONG
A. Short B. Temporary C. Mortality D. Constant
E. None of these
Passage 2
Study on Fake News
1. A 2020 study on misinformation in India by the University of Michigan has noted a rise in the
number of in accurate stories being circulated.
2. The study used 243 unique instances of misinformation from an archive maintained by Tattle Civic
Technology (a Delhi-based news project that aims to make accurate information more accessible
to mobile-first users). The archive represents all the stories that have been debunked by different
fact-checkers.
3. The misinformation that was circulating on social-media apps was classified into several categories
— culture, government, doctored statistics, etc. “There are many reasons: one is pure mischief, people
who enjoy seeing falsehoods — they create, propagate”, said Joyojeet Pal, one of the authors of the study,
while talking about why misinformation is spread. “Another reason is political; driven by those who want
a certain agenda to triumph. And then, there is pure economics. Platforms often use misinformation to
make money by click-baiting people. The more extreme and controversial a piece of news sounds, the
more likely it is that someone will click on it”.
4. Different modes of media are used to relay different kinds of misinformation, shows the study. For
example, misinformation in the “casualty” category relies heavily on visuals, such as video clips, since
the goal is to evoke a physical reaction, often fear or disgust. Misleading statistics use a lot of text to
sound legitimate by offering specifics.
5. Several mainstream media houses, including newspapers and news channels, have put out widely
circulated misinformation, showed the study. Even public figures, by not removing the debunked
misinformation from their social media pages, have contributed to the propagation of false information.
6. The study could not cite clear reasons why mainstream media was sharing misinformation. It hinted
that some may simply be out of poor editorial standards in a competitive media ecosystem. “One thing
that remains clear, however, is that misinformation travels fast”, the authors wrote, “and that news
sources may increase footfalls through deliberate misinformation or click-bait headlines”. Prachi Salve
11. Where did the researchers from Michigan gather the data for their study from?
A. From the news channel B. From the social media app
C. From the classified document D. From the repository of news data
E. None of these
12. Select the information that can be added before paragraph 1 in the passage.
A. The methods by which fake news is spread
B. The different ways in which one can identify fake news
C. A definition and a clear description of what fake news is
D. A list of notable studies done by scholars at the University of Michigan
E. None of these
13. Which of these CANNOT be a reason behind the conduction of a study on misinformation?
A. People easily believe in misinformation without checking for facts.
B. The use of billboards to spread misinformation needs to be banned.
C. There is an increasing urgency to identify the sources of misinformation.
D. Spread of misinformation often disrupts the communal peace in the society.
E. None of these
14. From the bar graph given in the passage, we can infer that the spread of misinformation is __________.
A. exhibiting an upward trend B. showing signs of slowing down
C. following a predetermined trajectory D. going against the conclusions of the study
E. None of these
15. Read the two statements given below and select the option that suitably explains them.
(1) An archive of circulated misinformation is maintained by Tattle Civic Technology.
(2) Tattle Civic Technology wants to make accurate news more accessible.
A. (2) led to (1). B. (1) is the cause of (2).
C. (2) is the source of (1). D. (1) and (2) are independent of each other.
E. None of these
16. Select the option that lists what we can conclude from the text.
(1) Making money by spreading misinformation is rampant.
(2) Newspapers are the main source of spreading misinformation.
(3) Misinformation can be spread in audio, video and textual forms.
(4) The circulation of misinformation has seen a significant increase.
A. (1) and (4) are true. B. (2) and (3) are true.
C. (1), (3) and (4) are true. D. (2), (3) and (4) are true.
E. None of these
17. Which of these sentences uses RELAY in the same manner as it is used in paragraph 4 of the passage?
A. Peter used a relay of horses to pull the wagon up the hill.
B. Malcolm and John set up a relay of buckets to fill the kid's pool quickly.
C. Rhythm intended to relay everything she had learnt to her peers before she resigned.
D. New television transmitters and relay stations have been set up in the neighbourhood.
E. None of these
Direction (Q. 18.): Choose the MOST SIMILAR word to the one printed in capital letters as used in the passage.
18. MISINFORMATION
A. Deception B. Lie C. Fakeness D. Disinformation
E. None of these
Direction (Qs 19. & 20.): Choose the MOST OPPOSITE word to the one printed in capital letters as used in the passage.
19. DELIBERATE
A. Accidental B. Intentional C. Calculated D. Conscious
E. None of these
20. LEGITIMATE
A. Legal B. Unlawful C. Genuine D. Justifiable
E. None of these
Passage 3
We all seek happiness, and there is a good reason why. Happiness does a world of good to us. At work,
happy employees earn more. At home, happy parents make happy children. In a community, happy people
volunteer more, in sports, happy athletes perform better. And most importantly, the Almighty wants His
children to be happy and not miserable.
Habit 1: Giving makes us happy
We all seek happiness, but, happiness is so difficult to find. But three habits can make us happy.
I grew up in a village. Once, one of my uncles came to visit us. He stayed with us for a few days. On the
day of his departure, he slipped a hundred-rupee note into my shirt pocket. He didn’t say a word about it and
left that evening.
A few days later, I discovered the money. In those days, getting hundred rupees was like getting five
thousand rupees today. I was a king overnight! I knew this was a silent act of kindness from my uncle.
When I think about the incident, I see the power of giving anonymously. It has its own grace. Give your
money and your time. Most importantly, give your love.
Habit 2: Cultivate gratitude
Gratitude is the moral memory of mankind. Feeling grateful helps one build better bonds with people. It
makes us generous and increases overall satisfaction in life. A grateful heart is a happy heart.
Habit 3: Live in the present
I once saw a picture of little children performing on stage. All parents had their phones out, recording, not
realising that they were missing the show. The caption on the picture said, “Don’t miss the moment”.
We struggle to live in the present. The moment I try to live in the present, that moment is already gone. It
has become the past. The “present” even before I finish saying the word has become the “past”. So, what does
it mean to live in the “present”?
The “Bhagwad Gita” inspires us to be like the tree that witnesses the ever-flowing water of the river in
front of it, while it is eternally in the present moment. Krishn reminds Arjun that one who is stithapragya,
equanimous, lives in this state. Live in the present that always was, always is, and always will be with you. Live
with the original Source that came with you, that is present with you.
21. According to the passage, how should we give?
A. Foolishly B. Loudly C. Wisely D. Clandestinely
E. None of these
22. What does thankfulness not lead to?
A. Happiness B. Generosity C. Satisfaction D. Frustration
E. None of these
23. How could the parents have lived in the present?
A. If they had not recorded the moments
B. If they had enjoyed the show only
C. If they had tried to live in the present watching the show wholeheartedly
D. If they had captured the moments without watching the show
E. None of these
24. According to Krishn, how can you live in the present?
A. If we are chaotic B. If we are nervous
C. If we are anxious D. If we are calm
E. None of these
25. What is the message not conveyed in the passage?

A. Happiness breeds happiness.
B. Happiness generates generosity.
C. Happiness is difficult to find yet we try to find it.
D. Happiness leads to failure.
E. None of these
26. “When the author discovered money, he became happy”. Why?
A. He had got enough money.
B. Money is important.
C. Sudden discovery of money delighted him.
D. He needed money.
E. None of these
27. What do you infer from the incident of parents and children about people or parents?
A. Parents love their children.
B. Parents want to capture the memories of their children for the future.
C. Parents want to send those recordings to their relatives and friends for the sake of appreciation.
D. People don’t know how to enjoy the current moment by living in it completely.
E. None of these
28. What does the author mean when he says, “Cultivate gratitude”?
A. We are ungrateful.
B. People do a lot for us but we behave indifferently.
C. We should plant gratitude in our barren hearts.
D. Gratefulness makes us great.
E. None of these
29. Giving of what does the author stress?
A. Money B. Time C. Love D. All of these
E. None of these
30. Which quote captures the central idea of the passage?
A. “There is no path to happiness; happiness is the path”. —Buddha
B. “Don’t worry. Be happy”.—Bobby McFerrin
C. “I have chosen to be happy because it’s good for my health”.—Voltaire
D. “Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy”.—Anne Frank
E. None of these
Passage 4
“Who doesn’t know how to cook rice? Cooking rice hardly takes time”, said my father. So, I challenged
myself. I switched from news to YouTube and typed, “How to cook rice?” I took one and a half cups of rice.
Since I didn’t have access to a rice cooker, I put the rice in a big pot. Firstly, the rice has to be washed to get rid
of dust and starch. I thought I won’t be able to drain the rice and that it would fall out of the pot. I observed the
chef as I swirled the rice around and used my dexterous hands to drain it, not once, not twice, but three times.
I looked down at the sink and saw less than 50 grains that made their way out of the pot. Suffice to say, I was
up to the mark.
The video stated that the key to perfect rice is equal amounts of rice and water. I have heard that professionals
don’t need to measure everything; they just know what the right amount is. But as this was my first time in the
kitchen, I decided to experiment by not measuring the water needed for boiling the rice. I wanted the rice to be
firm when bitten, just like pasta. I don’t enjoy the texture of mushy rice. It has to have that chutzpah; it has to
resist my biting power just for a bit before disintegrating.
After what seemed like 10 minutes, all the water disappeared. I went in to give it a good stir. To my surprise,
some of the rice got stuck to the pot. I tried to scrape it off but to no avail. At the same time, there was a burning
smell coming from it. I quickly turned the stove off. “What have you done to the kitchen”? shouted Mother,
while coming towards the kitchen. I managed to ward her off.
Finally, when the time came to taste my creation, I was surprised! It wasn’t bad at all. The rice had the desired
consistency. Sure, a little more salt would’ve been better, but I just added that while eating. The experience was
fairly rewarding and memorable. It taught me a new sense of respect for those who cook food on a regular basis
at home or engage in gourmet creations professionally. (CBSE Sample Question Paper 2020-2021)
31. Father’s question to the narrator, about knowing how to cook rice, was intended to
A. criticise the narrator’s lack of abilities. B. make the process sound simple.
C. encourage the narrator to take up cooking.D.showcase his own expertise in cooking rice.
32. “I switched from news to YouTube …” Pick the option in which the meaning of “switch(ed)” is NOT
the same as it is in the passage.
A. “He switched on the radio to listen to the news while having dinner”.
B. “Forget these diet supplements and switch to yoga, if you want a true sense of well-being”.
C. “Mom switched to reading fiction recently because she was bored with cook-books”.
D. “The company will switch the trucks to other routes to bring down city pollution”.
E. None of these
33. Based on your understanding of the passage, choose the option that lists the correct sequence of the
process.
1. Use water to wash the rice. 2. Repeat the process thrice.
3. Drain the water off. 4. Put rice in a utensil.
5. Swirl the water in and around the rice.
A. 4., 2., 1., 3., 5. B. 1., 3., 2., 5., 4. C. 4., 1., 5., 3., 2. D. 5., 1., 2., 4., 3.
E. None of these
34. “The narrator says that he has dexterous hands. He would have had a problem had it been the
opposite”. NOT BEING dexterous means, being
A. uncomfortable. B. clumsy. C. unclear. D. clueless.
E. None of these
35. Which option represents the correct ratio of water to rice for cooking “perfect rice”?
1 2 3 4
A. Image 1 B. Image 2 C. Image 3 D. Image 4
E. None of these
36. How did mother react to the burning smell?
A. She commented on it. B. She brushed it aside.
C. She enquired about it. D. She handled it.
E. None of these
37. According to the passage, the fact that the narrator risked experimentation, on his maiden attempt in
the kitchen, shows that he was
A. conscientious. B. nervous. C. presumptuous. D. courteous.
E. None of these
38. Pick the option showing the CORRECT use of the word “chutzpah”.
A. It is the court’s duty to dispense chutzpah to everyone irrespective of caste or creed.
B. The speaker may not have much of a stage presence, but you’ve got to admit she’s got chutzpah.
C. I could crack the code easily which proved me to be a chutzpah and I was the only one who could
do so.
D. After his father’s demise, the daughter took over the family’s chutzpah to save it from disaster.
E. None of these
39. Pick the option that correctly states what DID NOT happen after the writer checked on the rice.
A. Turning the stove off B. Being taken aback at the condition of rice
C. Forgetting to scrape the stuck rice D. Smelling the delicious aroma of cooked rice
E. None of these
40. The narrator’s creation was
A. almost perfect to taste. B.way off from what he wanted.
C. overly seasoned. D. quite distasteful.
E. None of these
Passage 5
Academics has always been an essential part of human development. It prepares us to survive in the outside
world and establish an identity of our own. But, is an individual’s development restricted to merely academics?
In India, from an early age, we have been taught that education is limited to the boundaries of academics only;
the idea of getting out into the field, for gaining practical experience, is always considered a hoax. This has
hindered students’ development. But, the truth is that education represents a considerably broader field than
we know of it. Our teaching, from the basics, has been focused on getting good grades and job offers, rather
than being creative and unique.
In the 21st century, the pure academic type of education is slowly paving way for a whole new type. The
paradigm shift in the whole education system is evident. People have now come to understand that education
is a 360 degree activity that should focus on student’s overall development, rather than restricting him/her to
the classroom.
Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom but reinforce or supplement classroom
curriculum, in some way, have become a point of focus today. These activities help in the growth of the child, in
more than one way. Participating in such activities helps youngsters grow mentally, socially and individually.
Intellectual development of a student is developed in the classroom, but for the aesthetic development such
as team-building, character-building, and physical growth, students must step out into the outside world. For
instance, if a student is a part of school football team, he/she will learn team-work and coordination, in a
practical manner, which cannot be taught in the class.
Similarly, in colleges and institutions, there is a need for practical exposure so that the students can
experience the actual working of an industry. In addition, guest lectures are equally important for all-round
development of students. It is a great way for students to gain maximum exposure, as guest speakers talk about
their real-life experiences and not what is there in the textbooks.
Through such events, students are made to participate and coordinate different events wherein, they get
to know how exactly things are managed. Classroom teaching provides the foundation, and co-curricular or
extra-curricular activities provide practical exposure and opportunities to implement what students learn in
the classroom. (CBSE Sample Question Paper 2019-20)
41. Students’ development is hindered by
A. limiting education to academic boundaries.
B. getting out to the field.
C. being creative and unique.
D. gaining practical knowledge.
E. None of these
42. The shift in the education system means
A. to restrict to classroom activities. B. to focus on academic development.
C. to ignore 360 degree activity. D. to focus on overall development.
E. None of these
43. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom DO NOT help in
A. team-work and co-ordination. B. mental and social growth.
C. intellectual development. D. character-building.
E. None of these
44. Guest speakers talk about
A. all-round development. B. their real life experiences.
C. what is in textbooks. D. gaining exposure.
E. None of these
45. Classroom teaching provides
A. practical exposure.
B. opportunities to implement what is learnt in classroom.
C. chance to learn soft skills.
D. the foundation.
E. None of these
46. Life beyond academics facilitates
A. organisational functions. B. creativity.
C. professional fields. D. industrial visits.
E. None of these
47. From earlier times what HAS NOT been the focus of education?
A. The idea of gaining practical experience in field work
B. The idea of gaining bookish knowledge in field work
C. The idea of rote learning
D. The idea of online training
E. None of these
48. Where should students go for aesthetic development?
A. They should confine to the boundaries of their homes.
B. They should get admission in various schools.
C. They should go into the outside world.
D. They should go abroad.
E. None of these
49. What kind of co-curricular activities have become points of focus today?
A. Co-curricular activities that take place inside the classroom have become a point of focus today.
B. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the classroom have become a point of focus today.
C. Co-curricular activities that take place outside the school have become a point of focus today.
D. Co-curricular activities that take place inside the school have become a point of focus today.
E. None of these
50. Why are soft skills difficult to teach in the classroom?
A. Soft skills are difficult to teach in the classroom as they require skilled students.
B. Soft skills are difficult to teach in the classroom as they require practical exposure outside.
C. Soft skills are difficult to teach in the classroom as they themselves are very difficult.
D. Soft skills are difficult to teach in the classroom as they require external atmosphere.
E. None of these
Passage 6
Archaeology is the scientific study of the remains of past human culture. Archaeologists investigate the
lives of early people by studying the objects those people have left behind. Such objects include buildings,
artwork, tools, bones and pottery. Archaeologists may make exciting discoveries, such as a tomb filled with
gold or the ruins of a magnificent temple in the midst of a jungle. However, the discovery of a few stone tools
or grains of hardened corn may reveal even more about early people.
Archaeological research is the chief means to learn about societies that existed before the invention of
writing about 5,000 years ago. It also provides an important supplement to our knowledge of ancient societies
that left written records. In America, archaeology is considered a branch of anthropology, the scientific study of
humanity and human culture. European archaeologists, however, think of their work as closely related to the
field of history. Archaeology differs from history in that historians mainly study the lives of people as recorded
in written documents. Archaeologists look for information about how, where, and when cultures developed.
Like other social scientists, they search for reasons why major changes have occurred in certain cultures. Some
archaeologists try to understand why ancient people stopped hunting and started farming. Others develop
theories about what caused people to build cities and to set up trade routes. In addition, some archaeologists
look for reasons behind the fall of such early civilisations as the Mayas in Central America and the Romans in
Europe.
Archaeologists examine any evidence that can help them explain how people lived in past times. Such
evidence ranges from the ruins of a large city to a few stone flakes left by someone making a stone tool long ago.
The three basic kinds of archaeological evidence are artefacts, features and ecofacts. Artefacts are objects
that were made by people and can be moved without altering their appearance. Artefacts include objects like
arrowheads, pots and beads. Artefacts from a society with a written history may also include clay tablets and
other written records. Features consist mainly of houses, tombs, irrigation canals and other large structures built
by ancient peoples. Unlike artefacts, features cannot be separated from their surroundings without changing
their form. Ecofacts reveal how ancient people responded to their surroundings. (CBSE 2019)
51. The best sources of finding out archaeological facts are
A. artwork, buildings, bones and pottery. B. tombs filled with gold.
C. grains of hardened corn. D. ruins of a magnificent temple.
E. None of these
52. The basic kinds of archaeological evidence are
A. artefacts, features and ecofacts.
B. Mayas and Roman civilisations.
C. cultural developments in written documents.
D. cities and trade routes.
E. None of these
53. An archaeological site is one where

A. tombs and buildings exist. B. archaeological evidence is found.
C. extinct animal bones are located. D. ancient civilisations perished.
E. None of these
54. In America, archaeology is taken as
A. lives of people as recorded in written documents.
B. study of humanity and human culture.
C. closely related to the field of history.
D. written records of ancient people.
E. None of these
55. Archaeologists DO NOT study
A. ancient hunting and farming. B. ancient cities and trade routes.
C. fall of some civilisations. D. weather and climate.
E. None of these
56. Identify the contextual meaning of Invention.
A. Discovery B. Gadget C. Design D. Device
E. None of these
57. What do archaeologists do?
A. Archaeologists study the remains of present human culture.
B. Archaeologists study the remains of current human culture.
C. Archaeologists study the remains of past human culture.
D. Archaeologists study the remains of future human culture.
E. None of these
58. What is an archaeological research?
A. Archaeological research is the chief means to study societies that existed before the invention of
writing.
B. Archaeological research is the secondary means to study societies that existed before the invention
of writing.
C. Archaeological research is the chief means to study societies that are going to exist after the
invention of writing.
D. Archaeological research is the chief means to study societies that are expected to exist during the
invention of writing.
E. None of these
59. What do European archaeologists think of their subject?
A. European archaeologists think that archaeology is distantly related to the field of history.
B. European archaeologists think that archaeology is not related at all to the field of history.
C. European archaeologists think that archaeology is related to the field of history only to some
extent.
D. European archaeologists think that archaeology is closely related to the field of history.
E. None of these
60. Arrowhead is
A. the sharp pointed end of an arrow. B. the sharp pointed beginning of an arrow.
C. the sharp pointed middle end of an arrow.
D. the blunt end of an arrow.
E. None of these
Passage 7
Last spring my wife suggested that I call in a man to look at our lawn mower. It had broken down the
previous summer, and though I promised to repair it, I had never got round to it. I wouldn’t hear of the
suggestion and said that I would fix it myself. One Saturday afternoon I hauled the machine into the garden
and had a close look at it. I was not at all iffy about my skills and observed it as a professional technician
would eye it. I moved all around the machine to analyse its every upgroove and bolt. After an hour’s scrutiny, I
decided to work hands-on on the machine. To me, overall the machine only needed a minor adjustment; a turn
of screw here, a little tightening up there, a drop of oil and it would be as good as new. I did not waste more
time in re-evaluating my decision-making skills and sat down to mend it out. Inevitably, the repair job was not
quite so simple. The mower firmly refused to mow, so I decided to dismantle it. The garden was soon littered
with chunks of metal which had once made up a lawn mower. But I was extremely pleased with myself. I had
traced the cause of the trouble. One of the links in the chain that drives the wheels had broken.
But the mess all around me filled me with fear. For one moment my own decision of getting it repaired
myself troubled me a lot. But the other moment, I despised it and moved ahead all full of confidence. I decided
to go to the market to buy a new chain. But oops! Whom and where to go to? I wasn’t very much aware of the
market too. I quietly called up my servant. Quietly because I did not want to be laughed at, and in no way by
my wife, I gathered the required information from him and got all set to go to the nearby market. I went into
the hardware shop to get a new chain.
After buying a new chain I was faced with the difficult task of putting the parts together again. I was not
surprised to find that the machine still refused to work even after I had reassembled it, for the simple reason
that there were still bits of metal around which did not fit anywhere. I gave up in despair. The weeks passed
and my wife got angry with me when grass grew and our house became surrounded by a jungle. (CBSE 2019C)
61. The passage is about
A. greed. B. honesty. C. satisfaction. D. achievement.
E. None of these
62. The writer planned to fix the _________ himself.
A. electric motor B. lawn mower C. fan D. air fryer
E. None of these
63. The writer was _________ when he started repairing the lawn mower.
A. correct B. wrong C. foolish D. intellectual
E. None of these
64. First the writer thought that the unserviceable mower needed _________.
A. to be laid out in the garden B. a replacement of the old link in the chain
C. tightening of some screws D. dismantling of its parts
65. The writer COULD NOT buy a new chain for the lawn mower because __________.
A. he did not know from where and how to buy it
B. he needed his servant to buy it
C. he needed to gather more information
D. there was no hardware shop in the vicinity
E. None of these
66. After even buying a new chain, the writer _________.
A. fixed the lawn mower B. improved the lawn mower
C. couldn’t do anything with the lawn mower
D. was happy and satisfied
E. None of these
67. What did the writer’s wife suggest him and what did he do?
A. The writer’s wife suggested him to call in a man to look at their broken lawn mower.
B. The writer’s wife suggested him to fix it himself.
C. The writer’s wife suggested him to fix it himself with the help of the servant.
D. The writer’s wife suggested him to call in a man to look at their broken lawn mower but the
owner decided to fix it himself.
E. None of these
68. Why did the writer’s wife get angry with him?
A. The writer’s wife got angry with him as to why he did not take the help of a mechanic.
B. The writer’s wife got angry with him as the machine got in a worse condition.
C. The writer’s wife got angry with him as the grass grew and the house became surrounded by a
jungle.
D. The writer’s wife got angry with him as he had wasted his precious time in fixing the machine
but in vain.
E. None of these
69. What characteristics is the writer expected to possess?
1. Reckless 2. Imaginative 3. Unpractical 4. Impulsive
5. Intelligent 6. Far-sighted
A. 1. and 2. B. 3. and 4. C. 5. and 6. D. 1. to 4.
E. None of these
70. Why was the writer filled with fear?
A. The machine was needed the following day but he could not fix it.
B. He was afraid of his wife.
C. The mess that he created all around him, filled him with fear.
D. He had worsened the machine.
E. None of these
Passage 8
Every morning Ravi gives his brain an extra boost. “I jump onto my stationary bike and cycle for 45 minutes
to work,” says Ravi. “When I get to my desk, my brain is at peak activity for a few hours.” After his mental
focus comes to a halt later in the day, he starts it with another short spell of cycling to be able to run errands.
Exercise is like fertiliser for your brain. All those hours spent on exercising your muscles, create rich capillary
beds not only in leg and hip muscles, but also in your brain. More blood vessels in your brain and muscles
mean more oxygen and nutrients to help them work. When you pedal, you also force more nerve cells to fire.
The result: you double or triple the production of these cells — literally building your brain. You also release
neurotransmitters (the messengers between your brain cells) so all those cells, new and old, can communicate
with each other for better, faster functioning. That’s a pretty profound benefit to cyclists.
This kind of growth is especially important with each passing birthday, because as we age, our brains shrink
and those connections weaken. Exercise restores and protects the brain cells. Neuroscientists say, ‘Adults who
exercise display sharper memory skills, higher concentration levels, more fluid thinking, and greater problem-
solving ability than those who are sedentary.’
Cycling also elevates your mood, relieves anxiety, increases stress resistance, and even banishes the blues.
‘Exercise works in the same way as psychotherapy and antidepressants in the treatment of depression, maybe
better,’ says Dr Manjari. A recent study analysing 26 years to research finds that even some exercise — as little
as 20 to 30 minutes a day—can prevent depression over the long term.
71. Ravi gets his brain to work at peak level by

A. drinking three cups of coffee. B. playing games that need brain activity.
C. cycling on a stationary bike. D. taking tablets to pump up his brain.
E. None of these
72. When nerve cells work during exercise then
A. the body experiences stress. B. the bran is strengthened by multiplying them.
C. you start to lose your temper. D. your stationary cycle starts to beep.
E. None of these
73. Every morning Ravi give his brain
A. an extra rest. B. an extra boost. C. an extra stress. D. an extra exercise play.
E. None of these
74. When he gets to his desk, his brain
A. becomes dull. B. is stressed. C. becomes fatigued. D. is at peak activity.
E. None of these
75. Exercise is like
A. fertiliser to your brain. B. a comforter to your brain.
C. a soothing process. D. a stimuliser to your brain.
E. None of these
76. Select the correct option with reference to Assertion A and Reason B.
Assertion A: Exercise keeps you fit and fine.
Reason B: Lack of exercise is the chief reason of fatal illnesses.
A. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true but R is false.
D. A is false but R is true.
E. None of these
77. ‘Exercise is like fertiliser for your brain.’ Which literary device does the narrator use here?
A. simile B. metaphor C. alliteration D. personification
E. None of these
78. Select the option that shows the correct use of “elevate” as used in the line “Cycling also elevates your
mood…”
A. He has elevated bad taste into an art form.
B. It is important that the injured leg should be elevated.
C. Smoking often elevates blood pressure.
D. The song never failed to elevate his spirits.
E. None of these
79. What is the work of neurotransmitters?
1. While pedalling, neurotransmitters are released.
2. So all those cells, new and old, can communicate with each other for better, faster functioning.
3. While pedalling, neurotransmitters are shrunk.
4. While pedalling, neurotransmitters are grown.
A. 1. and 2. B. 3. and 4. C. 3. and 2. D. 4. and 2.
E. None of these
80. What benefits other than a greater brain activity does one get from cycling?
A. Besides benefiting a greater brain activity, one also makes one delighted.
B. Besides benefiting a greater brain activity, one also elevates one’s mood and relieves anxiety from
cycling.
C. Besides benefiting a greater brain activity, one also spoils one’s mood.
D. Besides benefiting a greater brain activity, one also depresses oneself.
E. None of these
Passage 9
The question, which has baffled many linguists, is—who created grammar?
At first, it would appear that this question is impossible to answer. To find out how grammar is created,
someone needs to be present at the time of a language’s creation, documenting its emergence. Many historical
linguists are able to trace modern complex languages back to earlier languages, but in order to answer the
question of how complex languages are actually formed, the researcher needs to observe how languages are
started from scratch. Amazingly, however, this is possible.
Some of the most recent languages evolved due to the Atlantic slave trade. At that time, slaves from a number
of different ethnicities were forced to work together under coloniser’s rule. Since they had no opportunity to
learn each other’s languages, they developed a make-shift language called a pidgin. Pidgins are strings of
words copied from the language of the landowner. They have little in the way of grammar, and in many cases
it is difficult for a listener to deduce when an event happened, and who did what to whom. Speakers need to
use circumlocution in order to make their meaning understood. Interestingly, however, all it takes for a pidgin
to become a complex language is for a group of children to be exposed to it at the time when they learn their
mother tongue. Slave children did not simply copy the strings of words uttered by their elders, they adapted
their words to create a new, expressive language. Complex grammar systems which emerge from pidgins are
termed Creoles, and they are invented by children.
Further evidence of this can be seen in studying sign languages for the deaf. Sign languages are not simply
a series of gestures; they utilise the same grammatical machinery that is found in spoken languages. Moreover,
there are many different languages used worldwide. The creation of one such language was documented quite
recently in Nicaragua.
Some linguists believe that many of the world’s most established languages were Creoles at first. The
English past tense -ed ending may have evolved from the verb ‘do’. ‘It ended’ may once have been ‘It end-did’.
Therefore, it would appear that even the most widespread languages were partly created by children. Children
appear to have innate grammatical machinery in their brains, which springs to life when they are first trying to
make sense of the world around them. Their minds can serve to create logical, complex structures, even when
there is no grammar present for them to copy.
81. Baffle corresponds to ______.
A. to confuse B. to satisfy C. to please D. to illustrate
E. None of these
82. Grammar is ______.
A. universal B. regional C. provincial D. national
E. None of these
83. Some of the most recent languages evolved due to the ______.
A. American slave trade B. Atlantic slave trade
C. European slave trade D. Asian slave trade
E. None of these
84. It is believed that many of the world’s languages were ______.
A. languages of signs at first B. simple at first
C. Creoles at first D. difficult at first

E. None of these
85. Children seem to have ______.
A. a lot of energy B. a lot of will power
C. a lot of hidden talents D. innate grammatical machinery in their brains
E. None of these
86. Sign languages ARE NOT only ______.
A. a series of gestures B. a development of languages
C. a step in the progress D. a positive progress
E. None of these
87. Widespread is a/an ______.
A. adjective B. noun C. verb D. pronoun
E. None of these
88. Do primitive languages contain some clever grammatical components?
A. No, the primitive languages contain many clever grammatical components.
B. No, the primitive languages do not contain some clever grammatical components.
C. Yes, even the primitive languages do contain some clever grammatical components.
D. Yes, even the primitive languages do not contain some clever grammatical components.
E. None of these
89. What question has baffled many linguists?
A. “Who created grammar?” is the question that has baffled many linguists.
B. “Who developed grammar?” is the question that has baffled many linguists.
C. “Who improved grammar?” is the question that has baffled many linguists.
D. “Who took grammar to everyone?” is the question that has baffled many linguists.
E. None of these
90. How have some of the most recent languages evolved?
A. Some of the most recent languages have evolved due to the American slave trade.
B. Some of the most recent languages have evolved due to the African slave trade.
C. Some of the most recent languages have evolved due to the Atlantic slave trade.
D. Some of the most recent languages have evolved due to the South African slave trade.
E. None of these
Passage 10
Close at hand is a bridge over the River Thames, an admirable vantage ground forus to make a survey. We
are here to consider facts; now we must fix our eyes upon the procession—the procession of the sons of educated
men. There they go, our brothers who have been educated at public schools and universities, mounting those
steps, passing in and out of those doors, ascending those pulpits, preaching, teaching, administering justice,
practising medicine, transacting business, making money. It is a solemn sight always—a procession, like a
caravan crossing a desert....But now, for the past twenty years or so, it is no longer a sight merely, a photograph,
or fresco scrawled upon the walls of time, at which we can look with merely an aesthetic appreciation.
For there, traipsing along at the tail end of the procession, we go ourselves. And that makes a difference. We
who have looked so long at the pageant in books, or from a curtained window watched educated men leaving
the house at about nine-thirty to go to an office, returning to the house at about six-thirty from an office, need
look passively no longer. We too can leave the house, can mount those steps, pass in and out of those doors,...
make money, administer justice.
Nobody will dare contradict us then; we shall be the mouthpieces of the divine spirit—a solemn thought,
is it not? We are here, on the bridge, to ask ourselves certain questions. And they are very important questions;
and we have very little time in which to answer them. The questions that we have to ask and to answer about
that procession during this moment of transition are so important that they may well change the lives of all men
and women for ever. For we have to ask ourselves, here and now, do we wish to join that procession, or don’t
we? On what terms shall we join that procession? Above all, where is it leading us, the procession of educated
men?
As you know from your own experience, and there are facts that prove it, the daughters of educated men
have always done their thinking from hand to mouth; not under green lamps at study tables in the cloisters of
secluded colleges. They have thought while they stirred the pot, while they rocked the cradle. It was thus that
they won us the right to our brand-new sixpence. It falls to us now to go on thinking; how are we to spend that
sixpence? Think we must. Let us think in offices; in omnibuses; while we are standing in the crowd watching
Coronations and Lord Mayor’s Shows; let us think...in the gallery of the House of Commons; in the Law Courts;
let us think at baptisms and marriages and funerals. (adapted from ‘Three Guineas’, Virginia Woolf)
(CBSE 2017)
91. The bridge over the Thames is ______.
A. quite far B. near C. not very far D. close at hand
E. None of these
92. We are watching the procession of ______.
A. educated men B. educated women C. educated old men D. common men
E. None of these
93. The procession looks like a caravan ______.
A. camping in a desert B. crossing a desert C. settled in a desert
D. living in a desert E. None of these
94. We are traipsing along ______.
A. at the front B. in the middle C. at the tail end D. nowhere
E. None of these
95. The daughters of educated men have always done their thinking ______.
A. from their brains B. from hand to month C. from looks
D. from their hearts E. None of these
96. The daughters have thought while ______.
A. they are sleeping B. they are dreaming and playing
C. they stirred the pot and rocked the cradle
D. they are working E. None of these
97. Write a word from para 1, which means a point from which we can watch easily.
A. Vantage B. Pulpit C. Caravan D. Solemn
E. None of these
98. Write a word from para 2 which means ‘walking slowly tired’.
A. Pageant B. Traipsing C. Curtained D. Administer
E. None of these
99. What is Woolf’s idea regarding women in the passage?
A. Woolf’s idea is that now that women have no right to work in various professions, they need to
consider whether they should take advantage of this right and in what capacity.
B. Woolf’s idea is that now women have been deprived of the right to work in various professions.
C. Woolf’s idea is that now that women have the right to work in various professions, they need to
consider whether they should take advantage of this right and in what capacity.
D. Woolf’s idea is that now women have the right to work in various professions.
E. None of these
100. ‘In lines 1-3, Woolf says that the bridge is “an admirable vantage ground for us to make a survey”’.
What does Woolf indicate?
A. The bridge is not good for looking at something (the procession).
B. The bridge is good for looking at something (the procession).
C. The bridge is too high to look at something (the procession).
D. The bridge is too low to look at something (the procession).
E. None of these
Passage 11
I hope you will grow up gentle and good, and never learn bad ways; do your work with a good will, lift
your feet up well when you trot, and never bite or kick even in play”.
I have never forgotten my mother’s advice; I knew she was a wise old horse, and our master thought a great
deal of her. Her name was Duchess, but he often called her Pet.
Our master was a good, kind man. He gave us good food, good lodging, and kind words; he spoke as
kindly to us as he did to his little children. We were all fond of him, and my mother loved him very much.
When she saw him at the gate she would neigh with joy, and trot up to him. He would pat and stroke her and
say, "Well, old Pet, and how is your little Darkie"? I was a dull black, so he called me Darkie; then he would give
me a piece of bread, which was very good, and sometimes he brought a carrot for my mother. All the horses
would come to him, but I think we were his favourites. My mother always took him to the town on a market
day in a light gig.
There was a plowboy, Dick, who sometimes came into our field to pluck blackberries from the hedge. When
he had eaten all he wanted he would have what he called fun with the colts, throwing stones and sticks at them
to make them gallop. We did not much mind him, for we could gallop off; but sometimes a stone would hit and
hurt us.
One day he was at this game, and did not know that the master was in the next field; but he was there,
watching what was going on; over the hedge he jumped, and catching Dick by the arm, he gave him such a box
on the ear as made him roar with the pain and surprise. As soon as we saw the master we trotted up nearer to
see what went on. (‘Black Beauty’ by Anna Sewell)
101. What type of the current passage is?
A. Biographical B. Autobiographical
C. Partly biographical and partly autobiographical
D. Personal
E. None of these
102. Who is telling the story?
A. A lion B. A horse C. A wolf D. An elephant
E. None of these
103. What is the name of the story-teller?
A. Duchess B. Pet C. Dick D. Darkie
E. None of these
104. Identify the literary device used in the following line:
‘…he spoke as kindly to us as he did to his little children.’
A. Metaphor B. Simile C. Personification D. Repetition
E. None of these
105. Why did the master hit the plowboy?

A. He plucked blackberries from the master’s garden.
B. He would have fun with the colts. C. He would physically hurt the colts.
D. He taught the colts run faster. E. None of these
106. Which word sounds the most appropriate for the master in terms of his duties and love towards
his pets?
A. Idle B. Idol C. Ideal D. Idiotic
E. None of these
107. Complete the following:
Master : Pet : Carrot : : Master : Darkie : Bread : : Master : Dick : _____
A. Blackberries B. Colts C. Delight D. Chastisement
E. None of these
108. How did Dick want to hurt the colts?
A. Ecstatically B. Clandestinely C. Publicly D. Compassionately
E. None of these
109. What message does the following line convey?
“…never bite or kick even in play”.
A. Play and enjoy. B. Have fun. C. Play safely. D. Play with yourself.
E. None of these
110. Which part of speech is FAVOURITES used in the second paragraph?
A. Adjective B. Noun C. Verb D. Pronoun
E. None of these
Passage 12
“This week... er... my... er... son died’!
“We shall all die, ...’ says the hunchback with a sigh, wiping his lips after coughing. ‘Come, drive on! drive
on! My friends, I simply cannot stand crawling like this! When will he get us there”?
“Well, you give him a little encouragement ... one in the neck”!
“Do you hear, you old plague? I’ll make you smart. If one stands on ceremony with fellows like you one
may as well walk. Do you hear, you old dragon? Or don’t you care a hang what we say”?
And Iona hears rather than feels a slap on the back of his neck.
“He-he! ... “, he laughs. “Merry gentlemen .... God give you health”!
“Cabman, are you married”? asks one of the tall ones.
“I? He he! Me-er-ry gentlemen. The only wife for me now is the damp earth.... He-ho-ho!.... The grave that
is! .,. Here my son’s dead and I am alive.... It’s a strange thing, death has come in at the wrong door.... Instead of
coming for me it went for my son...”
And Iona turns round to tell them how his son died, but at that point the hunchback gives a faint sigh and
announces that, thank God! they have arrived at last. After taking his twenty kopecks, Iona gazes for a long
while after the revellers, who disappear into a dark entry. Again he is alone and again there is silence for him....
The misery which has been for a brief space eased comes back again and tears his heart more cruelly than ever.
With a look of anxiety and suffering Iona’s eyes stray restlessly among the crowds moving to and fro on both
sides of the street: can he not find among those thousands someone who will listen to him? But the crowds flit
by heedless of him and his misery.... His misery is immense, beyond all bounds.
(‘The Lament’ by Anton Chekhov)
111. Whose son died?

A. The cabman’s B. One of the passengers’
C. The hunchback’s D. No one’s
E. None of these
112. What does the passage not reflect about people?
A. People are sympathetic. B. People are indifferent.
C. People are selfish. D. People are cruel.
E. None of these
113. Why is Iona in pain?
A. Because he has lost his son B. Because he has no one to tell his grief to
C. Because he has lost even his wife D. A. and B.
E. None of these
114. Who is Iona looking for?
A. His lost son
B. Some passengers to get some money
C. Someone who would listen to his dead son’s story
D. He is looking for none.
E. None of these
115. “Instead of coming for me it went for my son”. What does the line reflect about the speaker?
A. His disturbance B. His repentance C. His ecstasy D. His satisfaction
E. None of these
116. What does the protagonist’s condition evoke into readers?
A. Readers’ laughter B. Readers’ sympathy
C. Readers’ kind-heartedness D. Readers’ generosity
E. None of these
117. How does the author present the way of the world through the passage?
A. Through the passenger’s calling Iona by different names
B. Through the passengers’ anger with the driving of the cabman
C. Through the passenger’s lack of interest in the cabman’s story of his dead son
D. Through the passenger’s lack of interest in knowing why the cabman is depressed
E. None of these
118. “The misery … comes back again and tears his heart more cruelly than ever”. Which literary device
is used in this line?
A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Personification D. Alliteration
E. None of these
119. HEEDLESS does not correspond to
A. neglectful. B. reckless. C. unmindful. D. careful.
E. None of these
120. STAND ON CEREMONY corresponds to
A. to behave formally. B. to behave informally.
C. to behave wisely. D. to behave unwisely.
E. None of these
Passage 13
White fingers pulled off the paper. And then a cry of joy; and then a change to tears.
For there lay The Combs—the combs that Della had seen in a shop window and loved for a long time.
Beautiful combs, with jewels, perfect for her beautiful hair. She had known they cost too much for her to buy
them. She had looked at them without the least hope of owning them. And now they were hers, but her hair
was gone.
But she held them to her heart, and at last was able to look up and say: “My hair grows so fast, Jim!”
And then she jumped up and cried, “Oh, oh!”
Jim had not yet seen his beautiful gift. She held it out to him in her open hand. The gold seemed to shine
softly as if with her own warm and loving spirit.
“Isn’t it perfect, Jim? I hunted all over town to find it. You’ll have to look at your watch a hundred times a
day now. Give me your watch. I want to see how they look together.”
Jim sat down and smiled.
“Della,” said he, “let’s put our Christmas gifts away and keep them a while. They’re too nice to use now. I
sold the watch to get the money to buy the combs. And now I think we should have our dinner.”
The magi, as you know, were wise men—wonderfully wise men—who brought gifts to the newborn Christ-
child. They were the first to give Christmas gifts. Being wise, their gifts were doubtless wise ones. And here I
have told you the story of two children who were not wise. Each sold the most valuable thing he owned in order
to buy a gift for the other. But let me speak a last word to the wise of these days: Of all who give gifts, these two
were the most wise. Of all who give and receive gifts, such as they are the most wise. Everywhere they are the
wise ones. They are the magi. (‘The Gift of the Magi’ by O. Henry)
121. “The first line of the passage indicates a sudden transition of emotions”. Which option correctly
justifies this transition?
A. From old to new B. From joy to pain
C. From minor to major D. From comedy to tragedy
E. None of these
122. Where had Della’s hair gone?
A. She had a haircut. B. She had sold her hair.
C. She wore her hair in a bun. D. She had donated.
E. None of these
123. What happened to Jim’s watch?
A. It had been stolen. B. Jim had lost it.
C. Jim had lent it to someone. D. Jim had sold it.
E. None of these
124. Why did Della and Jim sell their valuable possessions?
A. To have some money on Christmas B. To buy gifts to their relatives on Christmas
C. To buy Christmas gifts to each other D. To donate money to the poor on Christmas
E. None of these
125. What is ironic in the passage?
A. Gifts prove to be futile. B. Gifts are not beautiful.
C. Things supposed to be adorned by the gifts have gone.
D. Things sold out were more precious than the gifts.
E. None of these
126. What does selling of hair and watch indicate?

A. Sellers are stupid. B. Sellers are wise.
C. Sellers want to show off. D. Sellers love each other passionately.
E. None of these
127. “The author first calls Della and Jim unwise”. Why?
A. They had sold their valuable possessions.
B. They did not know the value of their possessions.
C. Hair and watch were cheaper than the combs and the watch respectively.
D. Their possessions were matchless as compared to the gifts.
E. None of these
128. “Later the author calls Della and Jim wise”. Why?
A. They realise the value of love over material possessions.
B. They do not fight or argue over the selling of hair and watch.
C. They accept the situation as it is.
D. They don’t while away their precious time in mourning the loss of watch and hair.
E. None of these
129. JOY does not correspond to
A. ecstasy. B. delight. C. elation. D. wretchedness.
E. None of these
130. WARM as used in the passage corresponds to
A. humid. B. lukewarm. C. temperate. D. affectionate.
E. None of these
Passage 14
“Oh, I never heard of such nonsense”, complained Sue, with magnificent scorn. “What have old ivy leaves
to do with your getting well? And you used to love that vine so, you naughty girl. Don’t be a goosey. Why, the
doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well real soon were—let’s see exactly what he said—
he said the chances were ten to one! Why? That’s almost as good a chance as we have in New York when we ride
on the street cars or walk past a new building. Try to take some broth now, and let Sudie go back to her drawing,
so she can sell the editor man with it, and buy port wine for her sick child, and pork chops for her greedy self”.
“You needn’t get any more wine”, said Johnsy, keeping her eyes fixed out the window. “There goes another.
No, I don’t want any broth. That leaves just four. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I’ll go,
too”.
“Johnsy, dear”, said Sue, bending over her, “will you promise me to keep your eyes closed, and not look out
the window until I am done working? I must hand those drawings in by tomorrow. I need the light, or I would
draw the shade down”.
“Couldn’t you draw in the other room”? asked Johnsy, coldly.
“I’d rather be here by you”, said Sue. “Besides, I don’t want you to keep looking at those silly ivy leaves”.
“Tell me as soon as you have finished”, said Johnsy, closing her eyes, and lying white and still as a fallen
statue, “because I want to see the last one fall. I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of thinking. I want to turn loose my
hold on everything, and go sailing down, down, just like one of those poor, tired leaves”.
“Try to sleep”, said Sue. “I must call Behrman up to be my model for the old hermit miner. I’ll not be gone
a minute. Don’t try to move ‘til I come back”. (‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry)
131. What is “nonsense” mentioned in the opening sentences?

A. Johnsy’s loving a vine
B. Johnsy’s comparing the length of her life with that of leaves
C. Johnsy’s thinking that she would never recover
D. Johnsy’s looking at the vine continuously
E. None of these
132. “That leaves just four”. What is the speaker doing?
A. The speaker is counting numbers.
B. The speaker is counting leaves.
C. The speaker is counting how long she has been ill.
D. The speaker is counting the days of her recovery.
E. None of these
133. “I’m tired of waiting”. What is the speaker tired of waiting?
A. Tired of waiting for her recovery B. Tired of waiting for the end of her life
C. Tired of waiting for the last leaf to fall D. Tired of Sue’s working in the light
E. None of these
134. “… like one of those poor, tired leaves”.
Which literary device is used in this sentence?
A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Repetition D. Assonance
E. None of these
135. How has Johnsy’s illness affected her?
A. She has grown sick of it. B. She has grown negative towards life.
C. She wants to stay alone. D. She is reluctant to recover.
E. None of these
136. Which word does scorn as used in the passage correspond to?
A. disrespect B. contempt C. ridicule D. criticism
E. None of these
137. What is Sue going to draw?
A. Scenery B. Animal C. Portrait D. School
E. None of these
138. Which sentence is this?
“Don’t try to move until I come back”.
A. Simple B. Complex C. Complex D. Compound complex
E. None of these
139. Which option makes the correct use of POOR as used in the passage?
A. They were too poor to buy shoes for the kids.
B. They provided food and shelter for the poor.
C. The food was of very poor quality.
D. It’s hungry—the poor little thing.
E. None of these
140. Which part of speech is THIS in “this morning”?
A. Demonstrative pronoun B. Demonstrative Adjective
C. Relative pronoun D. Reflexive pronoun
E. None of these
Passage 15
“Everyone goes to sleep in the afternoon”, complained Suraj. “My father lies down as soon as he’s had his
lunch”.
“Well, the animals also rest in the heat of the day. It is only the tribe of boys who cannot, or will not, rest”.
Sunder Singh placed a large banana leaf over his face to keep away the flies, and was soon snoring gently.
Suraj stood up, looking up and down the railway tracks. Then he began walking back to the village.
The following evening, towards dusk, as the flying foxes swoop silently out of the trees, Suraj made his way
to the watchman’s hut.
It had been a long hot day, but now the earth was cooling, and a light breeze was moving through the trees.
It carried with it the scent of mango blossoms, the promise of rain.
Sunder Singh was waiting for Suraj. He had watered his small garden, and the flowers looked cool and
fresh. A kettle was boiling on a small oil stove.
“I am making tea,” he said. “There is nothing like a glass of hot tea while waiting for a train”.
They drank their tea, listening to the sharp notes of the tailorbird and the noisy chatter of the seven sisters.
As the brief twilight faded, most of the birds fell silent. Sunder Singh lit his oil lamp and said it was time
for him to inspect the tunnel. He moved off towards the tunnel, while Suraj sat on the cot, sipping his tea. In the
dark, the trees seemed to move closer to him. And the nightlife of the forest was conveyed on the breeze—the
sharp call of a barking deer, the cry of a fox, the quaint tonk-tonk of a nightjar. There were some sounds that
Suraj didn’t recognise—sounds that came from the trees, creakings and whisperings, as though the trees were
coming to life, stretching their limbs in the dark, shifting a little, flexing their fingers.
(‘The Tunnel’ by Ruskin Bond)
141. What does the opening line indicate about the “sleeping”?
A. It is business. B. It is a routine. C. It is a habit. D. It is compulsion.
E. None of these
142. Complete the following:
Gently : Harshly : : Flex : : ____ : : Dusk : Dawn
A. Bend B. Loosen C. Contract D. Straighten
E. None of these
143. Identify the literary device used in the following sentence:
“…the trees were coming to life,…”
A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Alliteration D. Personification
E. None of these
144. What do you not feel while reading this line: “In the dark, the trees seemed to move closer to him”?
A. Excited B. Frightened C. Ecstatic D. Uneasy
E. None of these
145. Which option justifies the watchman’s profession?
A. He had watered his small garden.
B. It was time for him to inspect the tunnel.
C. He was making his tea.
D. Sunder Singh placed a large banana leaf over his face to keep away the flies, and was soon
snoring gently.
E. None of these
146. “Trees whisper. Trees creak.” What do trees not do?

A. Rustling B. Waving C. Treading D. Twisting
E. None of these
147. What do “seven sisters” refer to?
A. Seven Indian mountains B. Seven Indian cities
C. Seven Indian rivers D. Seven Indian deserts
E. None of these
148. Which option makes the correct use of SWOOPED as used in the passage?
A. The aircraft swooped down over the buildings.
B. A hawk swooped low over the field.
C. Officers swooped on the vehicles as they left the ferry.
D. Customs officers swooped on several houses last night looking for drugs.
E. None of these
149. KEEP AWAY and MOVE OFF are phrasal verbs. Which of the following is not a phrasal verb?
A. carry back B. carry forward C. carry in D. carry on
E. None of these
150. Which tense has been used in the following sentence?
“He had watered his small garden”.
A. Past indefinite B. Past continuous C. Past perfect D. Past perfect continuous
E. None of these
ANSwers
Passage 1
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (B) 6. (A) 7. (B) 8. (A) 9. (B) 10. (B)
Passage 2
11. (D) 12. (C) 13. (B) 14. (A) 15. (A) 16. (C) 17. (C) 18. (D) 19. (A) 20. (B)
Passage 3
21. (D) 22. (D) 23. (B) 24. (D) 25. (D) 26. (C) 27. (D) 28. (A) 29. (C) 30. (A)
Passage 4
31. (B) 32. (A) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (A) 36. (C) 37. (C) 38. (B) 39. (A) 40. (A)
Passage 5
41. (A) 42. (D) 43. (C) 44. (C) 45. (D) 46. (B) 47. (A) 48. (C) 49. (B) 50. (B)
Passage 6
51. (A) 52. (A) 53. (B) 54. (B) 55. (A) 56. (A) 57. (C) 58. (A) 59. (D) 60. (A)
Passage 7
61. (E) 62. (B) 63. (B) 64. (C) 65. (B) 66. (C) 67. (D) 68. (C) 69. (D) 70. (C)
Passage 8
71. (C) 72. (B) 73. (B) 74. (D) 75. (A) 76. (B) 77. (A) 78. (D) 79. (A) 80. (B)
Passage 9
81. (A) 82. (A) 83. (B) 84. (C) 85. (D) 86. (A) 87. (A) 88. (C) 89. (A) 90. (C)
Passage 10
91. (D) 92. (A) 93. (B) 94. (C) 95. (B) 96. (C) 97. (A) 98. (B) 99. (C) 100. (B)
Passage 11
101. (B) 102. (B) 103. (D) 104. (B) 105. (C) 106. (C) 107. (D) 108. (B) 109. (C) 110. (B)
Passage 12
111. (A) 112. (A) 113. (D) 114. (C) 115. (B) 116. (B) 117. (C) 118. (C) 119. (D) 120. (A)
Passage 13
121. (B) 122. (B) 123. (D) 124. (C) 125. (C) 126. (D) 127. (D) 128. (A) 129. (D) 130. (D)
Passage 14
131. (B) 132. (B) 133. (C) 134. (A) 135. (B) 136. (B) 137. (C) 138. (C) 139. (D) 140. (B)
Passage 15
141. (B) 142. (D) 143. (D) 144. (C) 145. (B) 146. (C) 147. (C) 148. (B) 149. (C) 150. (C)
V. Idioms and Phrases
The knowledge of a good number of phrases/idioms is must to crack the current section of this exam. The
study of the following idioms and phrases will hone your skills to solve the questions of this section.
practice questions
Direction: Select the most appropriate alternative in each 8. The matter of property is a bone of contention
of the following questions: between the two brothers.
1. To look down upon is meant for (A) a matter of agreement
(A) to look front (B) a matter of disagreement
(B) to look down (C) cause of friendship
(C) to treat with contempt (D) cause of love
(D) to look at 9. Henry is working round the clock in order to
2. A black sheep is meant for earn money.
(A) a sheep wearing black wool (A) working continuously for hours
(B) a sheep of black colour (B) working intelligently
(C) a person who has bad reputation in the (C) working to repair the clock
company of people (D) working to reach his office in time
(D) a person who rear black sheep 10. Nothing is verbal in the records, the court
3. ‘Who lives if India dies’ means wants everything in black and white.
(A) Nobody lives if India does not die (A) in written form (B) in the library
(B) Everyone lives if India dies (C) done in details (D) corrected
(C) Nobody lives if India dies 11. In order to get success, the boss has left no
stone unturned.
(D) None of the above
(A) went to the mountains
4. ......... knowledge is a dangerous thing.
(B) went to the sea shore
(A) Little (B) The little
(C) tried every possible course of action
(C) A little (D) A small
(D) did not try anything
5. Correct saying is
12. It was almost impossible to drive, as it was
(A) Do good have good
raining cats and dogs.
(B) Do good have bad (A) raining for cats
(C) Do bad have good (B) the dogs were running
(D) Did good, done good (C) raining heavily
Directions: The following questions (6-50) consist of (D) driving fast
words underlined. Choose the word or phrase that could
13. He wanted to give up smoking as the doctor
best be replaced with the given words.
had advised him not to smoke.
6. The young boy was the apple of everyone’s eye (A) begin
in the family.
(B) discontinue
(A) intelligent (B) liked apples
(C) start afresh
(C) creative (D) very dear
(D) continue for some time
7. The principal of the school is all in all in taking
financial and administrative decisions. 14. 15th of August 1947 is a red-letter day in our
country as we got freedom from foreigners on
(A) most powerful (B) efficient
this day.
(C) unable (D) perfect
(A) a memorable day
(B) a dangerous day
38
Idioms and Phrases 39
(C) an unimportant day (C) unnecessary

(D) a day on which letters are written (D) demanding
15. We should not look down upon the poor, they 24. Football does not interest me, it is not my cup
are also human beings. of tea.
(A) to look in an interesting way (A) very easy
(B) to look respectfully (B) does not suit my taste
(C) to agree with (C) I don’t like
(D) to look in an insulting way (D) I like tea very much
16. Good values and great ideas are going to stay 25. I have tried to do my best, in case of an
for good. They will never die. emergency I will fall back on you.
(A) never (A) fire you
(B) for ever (B) turn to you for help
(C) for a brief period (C) punish you
(D) not for a single moment (D) appreciate you
17. The strike was called off and the pilots returned 26. He always indulges in talk-talk, you should not
to work. believe in what he says.
(A) needed (B) initiated (A) an idle gossip
(C) cancelled (D) invited (B) talk excessively about one’s own business
18. The flag was lowered down when the Prime (C) high sounding talk
Minister of the country passed away. (D) a nonsense talk
(A) crossed the way (B) died 27. Yellow Press is always very popular with the
(C) gave a speech (D) saluted the flag common man.
19. You can not even imagine my miserable (A) a newspaper reporting business news
condition, only the wearer knows where the only
shoe pinches. (B) a newspaper of yellow colour
(A) only I know the truth (C) press owned by the government
(B) we are not sure of anything (D) a sensational newspaper.
(C) only the sufferer knows the real situation 28. He burnt his fingers by interfering in his
(D) only God knows the truth neighbour’s affairs.
20. Whenever Akbar, the Great, needed Birbal’s (A) got himself into trouble
advice, he sent for him. (B) burnt himself
(A) ordered him to come (C) got himself insulted
(B) sent a letter (D) got rebuked
(C) sent a gift for Birbal 29. The secret of success in life is that one should
(D) invited Birbal to dinner take the bull by the horns.
21. Before entering a place of worship, kindly take (A) to examine a point very minutely
off your shoes. (B) to be frank in the expression of one’s
(A) clear (B) repair feelings
(C) wear (D) remove (C) to feel deeply
22. To avoid penalty we should abide by the rules. (D) to face a difficulty courageously
(A) follow (B) avoid 30. Most politicians wait for an opportunity to fish
(C) make (D) deny in troubled waters.
23. The government gave a bailout package to save (A) to be victorious
it from losses. (B) to get into an awkward situation
(A) rescue from a difficulty (C) to catch fish in a village pond
(B) current (D) to make profits when others are in trouble
31. He refused his job without getting another one. (A) Let her cut classes
It was a leap in the dark. (B) Not be so critical
(A) in bad books (C) Pick up after her
(B) a long jump (D) Give her a leave
(C) a thoughtless action 41. John’s father was concerned that his son had
(D) in the end bitten off more than he could chew when he
32. You are sure to win laurels in the field of saw his course load.
literature. (A) Taken too much food
(A) to pay heed to (B) to achieve success (B) Taken on work he could not finish
(C) to reject (D) to value highly (C) Eaten too much
33. Don’t have all your eggs in one basket. (D) Had a mouthful of food
(A) to risk all in a single adventure 42. Their new house cost them an arm and a leg.
(B) to put eggs in one basket (A) Was extremely expensive
(C) to suffer by interfering (B) Made them cut off their arm and leg
(D) to be very busy (C) Had an accident
34. Rupa never works by fits and starts. (D) They had to do manual labour
(A) consistently (B) irregularly 43. Rachel goes out partying once in a blue moon.
(C) in high spirits (D) enthusiastically (A) Every fortnight (B) Every night
35. I am ambitious and never want to rest on my (C) Once a week (D) Rarely
laurels.
44. Roman asked Veronica to throw caution to the
(A) be satisfied (B) be dissatisfied wind and go on a spontaneous trip.
(C) be complacent (D) be good (A) Take a windy journey
36. The casting vote of the chairman clinched the (B) Be very cautious
issue.
(C) Take a risk
(A) closed (B) decided
(D) Consider carefully
(C) finished (D) started
45. Elena decided that come rain or shine, she was
37. “Stop beating around the bush and tell me
going to the football match.
where you were”, Abigail’s mother demanded.
(A) Even if it was too rainy
(A) Avoiding giving a definitive answer
(B) No matter what
(B) Trying to stay busy
(C) Despite the heat
(C) Trimming the bushes
(D) She’ll take weatherly precautions
(D) Beating herself up
46. Everyone says the old man in the next house is
38. Poppy was cutting corners on her monthly
off his rocker.
expenditure to budget for her summer trip.
(A) Fell of his rocking chair
(A) Overspending
(B) Throws rocks
(B) Cutting out templates
(C) Doesn’t have rocks
(C) Trying to save money
(D) Crazy
(D) Working a second job
47. Zaynah told her friends she was completely
39. The rumour mill in the high school was getting
snowed under at work and would not be able
out of hand.
to meet them.
(A) Out of their palm
(A) Busy
(B) Being led outside
(B) Stuck because of snow
(C) Getting inside classes
(C) Snow fell on her
(D) Out of control
(D) Her car got snowed on
40. Mona’s parents asked her teachers to cut her
some slack at school as her grandfather had
recently passed away.
Idioms and Phrases 41
48. Laibah was on cloud nine when she found out (C) Always together
she got the job. (D) Hunting for peas
(A) Elated (B) In a flight 50. The teacher told the class to let sleeping dogs
(C) Dreaming (D) Stargazing lie and move onto the next topic.
49. Rishi’s both dogs—Rio and Dusky—are two (A) Not to pet the dogs and get to class
peas in a pod. (B) Start a new discussion
(A) The have a pea and pod shaped bed (C) Stop discussing the issue
(B) Love eating peas (D) Never disturb sleeping dogs
ANSwers
1. (C) 2. (C) 3. (C) 4. (C) 5. (A) 6. (D) 7. (A) 8. (B) 9. (A) 10. (A)
11. (C) 12. (C) 13. (B) 14. (A) 15. (D) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (B) 19. (C) 20. (A)
21. (D) 22. (A) 23. (B) 24. (C) 25. (B) 26. (A) 27. (C) 28. (A) 29. (D) 30. (D)
31. (C) 32. (B) 33. (A) 34. (B) 35. (A) 36. (B) 37. (A) 38. (C) 39. (D) 40. (B)
41. (B) 42. (A) 43. (D) 44. (C) 45. (B) 46. (D) 47. (A) 48. (A) 49. (C) 50. (C)
IX. Reordering Sentences
Sentences constitute a paragraph. Reading a paragraph sounds interesting but only when its sentences are
ordered properly. So, the order of sentences in a paragraph is very important. Here some paragraphs are given,
which follow no order of sentences. Assess how expert you are at arranging the sentences in a paragraph.
Practice Questions
Direction: In each of the following question-sets, rearrange the sentences in a proper order and answer the questions that
follow each set.
Set I
1. However, the discovery of a few stone tools or grains of hardened corn may reveal even more about
early people.
2. Archaeology is the scientific study of the remains of past human culture.
3. Archaeologists investigate the lives of early people by studying the objects those people have left behind.
4. Archaeologists may make exciting discoveries, such as a tomb filled with gold or the ruins of a magnificent
temple in the midst of a jungle.
5. Such objects include buildings, artwork, tools, bones and pottery.
1. Which sentence should come third in the (C) 3 (D) 4

paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 4. Which sentence should come fourth in the
(C) 3 (D) 4 paragraph?
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
2. Which sentence should come first in the (C) 3 (D) 4
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 5. Which sentence should come last in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
3. Which sentence should come second in the (C) 3 (D) 4
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 2
1. It had broken down the previous summer, and though I promised to repair it, I had never got round to
it.
2. Last spring my wife suggested that I call in a man to look at our lawn mower.
3. I wouldn’t hear of the suggestion and said that I would fix it myself.
4. I was not at all iffy about my skills and observed it as a professional technician would eye it.
5. One Saturday afternoon I hauled the machine into the garden and had a close look at it.
61

paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 9. Which sentence should come third in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
7. Which sentence should come fourth in the (C) 3 (D) 4
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 3
1. After his mental focus comes to a halt later in the day, he starts it with another short spell of cycling to be
able to run errands.
2. Every morning Ravi gives his brain an extra boost.
3. “I jump onto my stationary bike and cycle for 45 minutes to work,” says Ravi.
4. We’re not talking about drinking strong cups of coffee or playing one of those mind-training video
games advertised all over Facebook.
5. “When I get to my desk, my brain is at peak activity for a few hours.”
11. Which sentence should come last in the (C) 3 (D) 4

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 15. Which sentence should come first in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 4
1. By changing word sequences and by adding a range of auxiliary verbs and suffixes, we are able to
communicate tiny variations in meaning.
2. No student of a foreign language needs to be told that grammar is complex.
3. Nor is this complexity inherent to the English language.
4. We can turn a statement into a question, state whether an action has taken place or is soon to take place,
and perform many other word tricks to convey subtle differences in meaning.
5. All languages, even those of so-called ‘primitive’ tribes have clever grammatical components.
Reordering Sentences 63

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 20. Which sentence should come first in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 5
1. While still on level ground, we see in the distance the tall range of the Mount Bogda, abrupt like a
shining prism laid horizontally on the desert surface.
2. The bus rolls out of the dull crossroads of the city, and we are soon in open countryside, with fields of
sunflowers as far as the eye can see, their heads all facing us.
3. We sit in the last row, bumped about but free of stares.
4. Where there is no water, the land reverts to desert.
5. It is over 5,000 metres high, and the peaks are under permanent snow, in powerful contrast to the flat
desert all around.
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 6
1. He ordered that tents be erected on the eastern side for the fighting forces, and a little away on the
western slopes tents be put up for the family members of the officers who had accompanied them.
2. He thought that the very presence of the British on the outskirts of Kittur would terrorise the rulers and
people of Kittur, and that they would lay down their arms.
3. During the afternoon and evening of 20th October, the British soldiers were busy making arrangements
for these camps.
4. He was quite confident that he would be able to crush the revolt in no time.
5. Thackeray reached Kittur along with a small British army force and a few of his officers.

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 7
1. But now it was all so still!.
2. I had to open the door and go in before everybody.
3. Through the window I saw my classmates, already in their places, and M. Hamel walking up and down
with his terrible iron ruler under his arm.
4. I had counted on the commotion to get to my desk without being seen; but, of course, that day everything
had to be as quiet as Sunday morning.
5. Usually, when school began, there was a great bustle, which could be heard out in the street, the opening
and closing of desks, lessons repeated in unison, very loud, with our hands over our ears to understand
better, and the teacher’s great ruler rapping on the table.
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 35. Which sentence should come second in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 8
1. For non-farmers, the month of September can be depressing, when the rainfall is incessant and the
awareness persists that the monsoons will last out till October.
2. The urban population of school-goers and office-goers naturally dislikes the monsoon and its
accompanying problems of landslides, muddy streets and periodic infections.
3. The native belief is that the flowers draw out the rain.
4. One needs to have the heart of a farmer to remain grateful for the watery days, and be able to observe —
from what seems to the inexperienced as a continuous downpour — the many kinds of rain.
5. Some of the commonly known rain-weeks are named after the plants that alternately bloom in August
and September.
Reordering Sentences 65

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2 40. Which sentence should come second in the
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 9
1. Charley wanders down into the third level at Grand Central Station.
2. It is a medium of escape.
3. The easiest way of not facing the harsh realities of life is to avoid, ignore or escape from them.
4. The third level is nothing but the creation of Charley’s mind.
5. People like Charley live in a world of dreams where they can have their ‘wishfulfilment’.

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
Set 10
1. He was famous as ‘The Tiger King’.
2. The Maharaja of Pratibandapuram is the hero of the story.
3. As soon as the Tiger King was born, the chief astrologer predicted that his death would come from a
tiger.
4. At the age of twenty, the Maharaja started out on a tiger hunt.
5. He must be particularly careful with the hundredth tiger.

paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(E) 5 (A) 1 (B) 2
paragraph? (E) 5
(A) 1 (B) 2
ANSwers
1. (E) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (A) 5. (D) 6. (A) 7. (E) 8. (B) 9. (C) 10. (D)
11. (A) 12. (D) 13. (E) 14. (C) 15. (B) 16. (D) 17. (E) 18. (A) 19. (C) 20. (B)
21. (B) 22. (C) 23. (D) 24. (A) 25. (E) 26. (B) 27. (D) 28. (E) 29. (C) 30. (A)
31. (B) 32. (E) 33. (D) 34. (C) 35. (A) 36. (C) 37. (B) 38. (D) 39. (E) 40. (A)
41. (E) 42. (C) 43. (A) 44. (D) 45. (B) 46. (B) 47. (A) 48. (E) 49. (D) 50. (C)
XIV. Grammar and Usage
Practice Questions
Direction: Choose the correct word/words to fill in the blanks correctly. (Passages 1-10)
Passage 1
John Keats was born in London on 31 October 1795, the eldest of Thomas and Frances Jennings Keats’s
four children. Although he died at the age of twenty-five, Keats had perhaps 1.____________ career of any
English poet. He published only fifty-four poems, in three slim volumes and a few magazines. But over his
short development he took on the challenges of a wide range of poetic forms from the sonnet, to the Spenserian
romance, to the Miltonic epic, defining 2. anew their possibilities with his own 3. distinctive fusion of 4. earnest
energy, control of conflicting perspectives and forces, poetic self-consciousness, and, occasionally, dry ironic
wit.
1. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: 3. The word ‘distinctive’ also means:
(A) the most remarkable (A) Instinctive
(B) a remarkable (B) Distinguishable
(C) a more remarkable (C) Indistinguishable
(D) remarkable (D) Extinctive
2. The word ‘anew’ also means: 4. An antonym for the word ‘earnest’ is:
(A) New (B) Old (A) Diligent (B) Frivolous
(C) Again (D) Also (C) Assiduous (D) Fervent
Passage 2
While I was young I lived upon my mother's milk, as I could not eat grass. In the daytime I ran by her
side, and at night I lay down close by her. When it was hot we _________ by the pond in the shade of the trees,
and when it was cold we had a nice warm shed near the grove. As soon as I was old enough to eat grass my
mother used to go out to work in the daytime, and come back in the evening. There were six young colts in the
meadow_______ me; they were older than I was; some were nearly as large as grown-up horses. I used to run
with them, and had great fun; we used to gallop all together round and round the field as hard as we could go.
Sometimes we had rather rough play, for they would frequently bite and kick as well as gallop.
1. The passage is written from the perspective of: 3. Another word for ‘grove’ is:
(A) A child (B) A mare (A) Pond (B) Meadow
(C) A horse (D) A foal (C) Copse (D) Trove
2. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank in 4. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank in
line 2: line 5:
(A) Stood (B) Used to stand (A) Besides (B) Along
(C) Would stand (D) Were standing (C) Even (D) Before
Passage 3
The impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members 1. merits
attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances
including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired 2. attachment, economic hardship,
legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated 3._____ him or her. For children
there is also an 4._______ risk of developing an SUD themselves. Thus, treating only the individual with the
active disease of addiction is limited in effectiveness.
100
Grammar and Usage 101
1. ‘merits’ also means: 3. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank:
(A) Warrants (B) Calibres (A) On (B) With
(C) Values (D) Virtues (C) Against (D) For
2. An antonym for the word ‘attachment’ is: 4. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank:
(A) Fidelity (B) Predilection (A) Increasing (B) Increased
(C) Animosity (D) Reverence (C) Increase (D) Increase in
Passage 4
He did not remember when he had first started to talk aloud when he was by himself. He 1.______ when he
was by himself in the old days and he 2.______ at night sometimes when he was alone 3. steering on his watch
in the 4. smacks or in the turtle boats. He had probably started to talk aloud, when alone, when the boy had left.
But he did not remember. When he and the boy fished together they usually spoke only when it was necessary.
They talked at night or when they were storm-bound by bad weather.
1. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: 3. ‘steering on his watch’ means:
(A) Sung (B) Was singing (A) He was playing on his watch
(C) Had been singing (D) Had sung (B) He was driving
2. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: (C) He was in charge
(A) Sung (D) He was gazing at the sea
(B) Was singing 4. ‘smacks’ means:
(C) Had been singing (A) Sailing boat (B) River
(D) Had sung (C) Fishing point (D) In a problem
Passage 5
Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was 1. afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as
gently as possible the news of her husband’s death. It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences;
2. veiled hints that revealed in half concealing. Her husband’s friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he
who had been in the newspaper office when 3. intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently
Mallard’s name leading the list of “killed.” He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second
telegram, and had 4. hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.
1. ‘afflicted’ also means: 3. ‘intelligence’ here also means:
(A) Affluence (B) Reposed (A) Information (B) Intellect
(C) Comforted (D) Troubled (C) Alert (D) Espionage
2. A synonym for ‘veiled’ is: 4. An antonym for ‘hastened’ is:
(A) Covert (B) Overt (A) Scurried (B) Expedited
(C) Blatant (D) Flagrant (C) Dawdled (D) Scampered
Passage 6
It once occurred to a certain king, that if he 1._________ the right time to begin everything; if he knew
who were the right people to listen to, and whom to avoid; and, above all, if he always knew what was the
most important thing to do, he would never fail in anything he might 2. undertake. And this thought having
occurred to him, he had it 3. proclaimed throughout his kingdom that he would give a great reward to anyone
who would teach him what was the right time for every action, and who 4.____________ necessary people, and
how he might know what was the most important thing to do.
1. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: 3. An antonym for ‘proclaim’ is:
(A) Had always known(B) Always knows (A) Inhibit (B) Exhibit
(C) Always knew (D) Had always knew (C) Promulgate (D) Blazon
2. ‘undertake’ also means: 4. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank:
(A) Forgo (B) Abjure (A) Was most (B) Are the most
(C) Tackle (D) Cede (C) Is most (D) Were the most
Passage 7
Michael Obi’s hopes were fulfilled much earlier than he had expected. He was appointed headmaster of
Ndume Central School in January 1949. It had always been an 1. unprogressive school, so the Mission authorities
decided to send a young and energetic man to run it. Obi accepted this responsibility with enthusiasm. He had
many wonderful ideas and this was an opportunity to put them into practice. He had had 2. sound secondary
school education which designated him a 3. “pivotal teacher” in the official records and set him apart from the
other headmasters in the mission field. He was outspoken in his 4. condemnation of the narrow views of these
older and often less educated ones.
1. ‘unprogressive’ also means: 3. An antonym for ‘pivotal’ is:
(A) Orthodox (B) Unorthodox (A) Focal (B) Climacteric
(C) Nonconformist (D) Unconventional (C) Subsidiary (D) Indispensable
2. ‘sound’ here implies: 4. A synonym for ‘condemnation’ is:
(A) Solvent (B) Ineligible (A) Commendation (B) Acclamation
(C) Reliable (D) Resonate (C) Approbation (D) Censure
Passage 8
She came to the place for the second time. The policeman stared down at her from his horse. The time was
afternoon. The yellow-coloured wall was stretched right along the road. Inside the wall was a large rectangular
three-storey building; its small identical windows looked more like dark 1. apertures. The woman 2._______
a few paces away from the horse. The policeman looked behind him at the windows, then at the woman. He
placed both hands on the 3. pommel of the saddle and closed his eyes. After a while the horse moved. It was
standing halfway down the street. Then, a moment later, it made a half-turn and once again stood itself at
the top of the street. The woman 4._______ two steps forward. The horse bent one of its forelegs, then gently
lowered it. “Sergeant, please, just let me say two words to him.”
1. ‘aperture’ means: 3. ‘pommel’ means:
(A) An opening (B) A close (A) Handle (B) Knob
(C) A latch (D) A door (C) Rope (D) Stick
2. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: 4. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank:
(A) Was standing (B) Was stood (A) Had come (B) Was coming
(C) Stood (D) Had stood (C) Had been coming (D) Came
Passage 9
It was still warm in the late-afternoon sun, and the city noises came 1. muffled through the trees in the park.
She put her book down on the bench, removed her sunglasses, and sighed contentedly. Morton was reading the
Times Magazine section, one arm flung around her shoulder; their three-year-old son, Larry, was playing in the
sandbox: a 2. faint breeze 3. fanned her hair softly against her cheek. It was five-thirty of a Sunday afternoon,
and the small playground, tucked away in a corner of the park, was all but deserted. The swings and seesaws
Grammar and Usage 103
stood motionless and abandoned, the slides were empty, and only in the sandbox two little boys squatted
4. diligently side by side.
1. A synonym for ‘muffled’ is: 3. ‘fanned’ her hair implies:
(A) Cacophonous (B) Reverberating (A) Cooled (B) Intensified
(C) Indistinct (D) Clamorous (C) Freshened (D) Spread
2. ‘faint’ breeze means: 4. An antonym for ‘diligently’ is:
(A) Light (B) Great (A) Meticulously (B) Casually
(C) Strong (D) Quiet (C) Constantly (D) Rigorously
Passage 10
One fine evening, a no less fine government clerk called Ivan Dmitritch Tchervyakov 1._________ in the
second row of the stalls, gazing through an opera glass at the Cloches de Corneville. He gazed and felt at
the acme of bliss. But suddenly.... In stories one so often meets with this “But suddenly.” The authors are
right: life is so full of surprises! But suddenly his face 2. puckered up, his eyes disappeared, his breathing was
3. arrested... he took the opera glass from his eyes, bent over and... 4. “Aptchee!!” he sneezed as you perceive.
It is not reprehensible for anyone to sneeze anywhere. Peasants sneeze and so do police superintendents, and
sometimes even privy councillors. All men sneeze. Tchervyakov was not in the least confused, he wiped his
face with his handkerchief, and like a polite man, looked round to see whether he had disturbed any one by
his sneezing. But then he was overcome with confusion. He saw that an old gentleman sitting in front of him
in the first row of the stalls was carefully wiping his bald head and his neck with his glove and muttering
something to himself. In the old gentleman, Tchervyakov recognised Brizzhalov, a civilian general serving in
the Department of Transport.
1. Choose the correct answer to fill in the blank: 3. ‘arrested’ also means:
(A) had sat (B) had been sitting (A) fastened (B) relaxed
(C) sat (D) was sitting (C) stopped (D) apprehended
2. ‘puckered’ also means: 4. ‘Aptchee’ is:
(A) wrinkled (B) pouted (A) Metaphor (B) Simile
(C) toughened (D) softened (C) Onomatopoeia (D) Personification
ANSwers
Passage 1
1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (B)
Passage 2
1. (D) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (A)
Passage 3
1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (C) 4. (B)
Passage 4
1. (D) 2. (D) 3. (C) 4. (A)
Passage 5
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (C)
Passage 6
1. (C) 2. (C) 3. (A) 4. (D)
Passage 7
1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (C) 4. (D)
Passage 8
1. (A) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (D)
Passage 9
1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (B)
Passage 10
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (C) 4. (C)
Mock Test Paper 4
Here Fifty questions are given. Read the questions carefully and answer any forty from them.
A. Read the passage and answer the questions that follow, choosing the most appropriate option. In case you find no correct
answer, tick (E) as your answer.
“Oh, I never heard of such nonsense”, complained Sue, with magnificent scorn. “What have old ivy leaves
to do with your getting well? And you used to love that vine so, you naughty girl. Don’t be a goosey. Why, the
doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well real soon were—let’s see exactly what he said—
he said the chances were ten to one! Why? That’s almost as good a chance as we have in New York when we ride
on the street cars or walk past a new building. Try to take some broth now, and let Sudie go back to her drawing,
so she can sell the editor man with it, and buy port wine for her sick child, and pork chops for her greedy self”.
“You needn’t get any more wine”, said Johnsy, keeping her eyes fixed out the window. “There goes another.
No, I don’t want any broth. That leaves just four. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I’ll go,
too”.
“Johnsy, dear”, said Sue, bending over her, “will you promise me to keep your eyes closed, and not look out
the window until I am done working? I must hand those drawings in by tomorrow. I need the light, or I would
draw the shade down”.
“Couldn’t you draw in the other room”? asked Johnsy, coldly.
“I’d rather be here by you”, said Sue. “Besides, I don’t want you to keep looking at those silly ivy leaves”.
“Tell me as soon as you have finished”, said Johnsy, closing her eyes, and lying white and still as a fallen
statue, “because I want to see the last one fall. I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of thinking. I want to turn loose my
hold on everything, and go sailing down, down, just like one of those poor, tired leaves”.
“Try to sleep”, said Sue. “I must call Behrman up to be my model for the old hermit miner. I’ll not be gone
a minute. Don’t try to move ‘til I come back”. (‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry)
1. What is “nonsense” mentioned in the opening sentences?
A. Johnsy’s loving a vine
B. Johnsy’s comparing the length of her life with that of leaves
C. Johnsy’s thinking that she would never recover
D. Johnsy’s looking at the vine continuously
E. None of these
2. “That leaves just four”. What is the speaker doing?
A. The speaker is counting numbers.
B. The speaker is counting leaves.
C. The speaker is counting how long she has been ill.
D. The speaker is counting the days of her recovery.
E. None of these
3. “I’m tired of waiting”. What is the speaker tired of waiting?
A. Tired of waiting for her recovery B. Tired of waiting for the end of her life
C. Tired of waiting for the last leaf to fall D. Tired of Sue’s working in the light
E. None of these
M-15
M-16 English Language Test for CUET
4. “… like one of those poor, tired leaves”.

Which literary device is used in this sentence?
A. Simile B. Metaphor C. Repetition D. Assonance
E. None of these
5. How has Johnsy’s illness affected her?
A. She has grown sick of it. B. She has grown negative towards life.
C. She wants to stay alone. D. She is reluctant to recover.
E. None of these
6. Which word does scorn as used in the passage correspond to?
A. disrespect B. contempt C. ridicule D. criticism
E. None of these
7. What is Sue going to draw?
A. Scenery B. Animal C. Portrait D. School
E. None of these
8. Which sentence is this?
“Don’t try to move until I come back”.
A. Simple B. Complex C. Complex D. Compound complex
E. None of these
9. Which option makes the correct use of POOR as used in the passage?
A. They were too poor to buy shoes for the kids.
B. They provided food and shelter for the poor.
C. The food was of very poor quality.
D. It’s hungry—the poor little thing.
E. None of these
10. Which part of speech is THIS in “this morning”?
A. Demonstrative pronoun B. Demonstrative Adjective
C. Relative pronoun D. Reflexive pronoun
E. None of these
B. Complete the following passage by selecting the most 13. Which of these fits gap 3?
suitable word/phrase from each list to fill the corresponding (A) seldom (B) possibly
gap. (C) not (D) occasionally
Critics have often said that space flight has 14. Which of these fits gap 4?
been an .......1....... use of resources that should have (A) renounced (B) renowned
.......…2........ to feeding, clothing and housing people. (C) relevant (D) remarkable
There is, however, no proof that if we had ........3........
been working on space, we would have done anything C. The following questions (15-19) consist of words
of great human value. In fact, research and exploration underlined, followed by four words or phrases. Choose the
have a ........4........ spin-offs, quite apart from the fact word that could best be replaced with the given word or
that they demonstrate that man is alive and insatiably phrase.
curious. 15. When do you propose to hold the next meeting?
11. Which of these fits gap 1? (A) charge (B) suggest
(A) extravagant (B) economical (C) try (D) organize
(C) benevolent (D) appropriate 16. Be careful lest you should bruise your knee
12. Which of these fits gap 2? against the wall.
(A) allotted (B) gone (A) injure (B) hit
(C) devoted (D) reserved (C) strike (D) apply
Mock Test Paper 4 M-17
17. Andrews takes great care in completion of his 27. The flag was lowered down when the Prime
duties. He is a diligent person. Minister of the country passed away.
(A) intelligent (A) crossed the way (B) died
(B) understanding (C) gave a speech (D) saluted the flag
(C) hard working and sincere 28. You can not even imagine my miserable
(D) lazy and insincere condition, only the wearer knows where the
shoe pinches.
18. She does not know much of mathematics. I
think she is incapable of solving this problem. (A) only I know the truth
(A) able (B) expert (B) we are not sure of anything
(C) creative (D) unable (C) only the sufferer knows the real situation
19. A man who is fragile can easily be disturbed by (D) only God knows the truth
others. 29. Whenever Akbar, the Great, needed Birbal’s
(A) delicate and sensitive advice, he sent for him.
(A) ordered him to come
(B) unknown
(B) sent a letter
(C) intelligent
(C) sent a gift for Birbal
(D) foolish and nonsense
(D) invited Birbal to dinner
D. Select the most appropriate alternative in each of the
following questions. F. Select the most appropriate alternative for the given
expressions in each of the following questions.
20. The opposite of ‘wild’ is
30. Regard for others as a principle of action
(A) tame (B) forest
(A) cynicism (B) nepotism
(C) coward (D) small
(C) philanthropy (D) altruism
21. The opposite of ‘unfaithful’ is
31. A disease which spreads by contact
(A) grateful (B) faithful
(A) infectious (B) contagious
(C) disfaithful (D) helpless
(C) contiguous (D) contextual
22. The opposite of ‘slow’ is
32. An animal story with a moral
(A) fast (B) faster
(A) fable (B) tale
(C) fastest (D) gradual
(C) anecdote (D) parable
23. The antonym of ‘lead’ is
33. Change in shape, nature or substance
(A) mislead (B) follow
(A) modulate (B) substitute
(C) go (D) push
(C) remodel (D) transmute
24. The antonym of ‘sympathy’ is
34. A person who believes that God is everything
(A) apathy (B) hate
and everything is God
(C) inapathy (D) zeal
(A) agnostic (B) theist
E. The following questions (25-29) consist of words (C) pantheist (D) pagan
underlined. Choose the word or phrase that could best be
replaced with the given words. G. In the following questions, choose the word with correct
25. Good values and great ideas are going to stay spelling.
for good. They will never die. 35. (A) enormous (B) enterprise
(A) never (C) florist (D) humilliate
(B) for ever 36. (A) treachery (B) bolstor
(C) for a brief period (C) revelation (D) reciprocal
(D) not for a single moment 37. (A) derisive (B) typewriter
26. The strike was called off and the pilots returned (C) relative (D) medisine
to work. 38. (A) betrayet (B) forsaken
(A) needed (B) initiated (C) impetuous (D) recognize
(C) cancelled (D) invited
39. (A) forcast (B) pastime 5. All languages, even those of so-called ‘primitive’
(C) several (D) ridiculous tribes have clever grammatical components.
H. In the following passage numbered blank spaces are left. 44. Which sentence should come third in the
paragraph?
For each blank space four words or phrases (1, 2, 3, 4) are
given. Choose the most suitable word or phrase to fill the (A) 1 (B) 2
corresponding gap. (C) 3 (D) 4
(E) 5
Malnutrition most commonly ___1___ between
the ages of six months and two years. This happens 45. Which sentence should come last in the
paragraph?
in spite of the child’s food requirements being less
than those of ___2___ child. Malnutrition is often (A) 1 (B) 2
attributed to poverty, but it has been found that even (C) 3 (D) 4
in households where adults eat adequate quantities (E) 5
of food, more than 50 per cent of children-under- 46. Which sentence should come second in the
five ___3___ consume enough food. The child’s paragraph?
dependence on someone else to feed ___4___ is (A) 1 (B) 2
primarily responsible for malnutrition. (C) 3 (D) 4
40. Which of these fits gap 4? (E) 5
(A) them (B) him/her 47. Which sentence should come fourth in the
(C) him (D) her paragraph?
41. Which of these fits gap 3? (A) 1 (B) 2
(A) does not (B) need not (C) 3 (D) 4
(C) do not (D) dare not (E) 5
42. Which of these fits gap 1? 48. Which sentence should come first in the
(A) comes (B) in often paragraph?
(C) noticed (D) occurs (A) 1 (B) 2
43. Which of these fits gap 2? (C) 3 (D) 4
(A) a rich (B) a poor (E) 5
(C) an older (D) a smarter J. In each of the following questions, the phrase/word in
bold has to be replaced with the one from the options, which
I. In the following question-set, rearrange the sentences in a
makes the sentence grammatically correct. So, tick (A), (B),
proper order and answer the questions that follow.
(C), or (D) for that phrase/word. If the phrase in bold is
1. By changing word sequences and by adding
correct, mark ‘E’ as your answer.
a range of auxiliary verbs and suffixes, we
are able to communicate tiny variations in 49. He is pass in English.
meaning. (A) is passed (B) has passed
2. No student of a foreign language needs to be (C) passes (D) was pass
told that grammar is complex. (E) No correction required
3. Nor is this complexity inherent to the English 50. My hen has given ten eggs.
language.
(A) has laid (B) has been given
4. We can turn a statement into a question, state
(C) gives (D) lays
whether an action has taken place or is soon
to take place, and perform many other word (E) No correction required
tricks to convey subtle differences in meaning.
Answers
Mock Test Paper 1

1. (C) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (B) 6. (A) 7. (B) 8. (A) 9. (B) 10. (B)
11. (A) 12. (A) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (D) 16. (B) 17. (B) 18. (C) 19. (B) 20. (B)
21. (A) 22. (C) 23. (B) 24. (C) 25. (C) 26. (C) 27. (C) 28. (C) 29. (A) 30. (C)
31. (D) 32. (B) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (B) 36. (C) 37. (A) 38. (B) 39. (C) 40. (D)
41. (D) 42. (D) 43. (B) 44. (E) 45. (B) 46. (C) 47. (A) 48. (D) 49. (C) 50. (B)
Mock Test Paper 2

1. (D) 2. (C) 3. (B) 4. (A) 5. (A) 6. (C) 7. (C) 8. (D) 9. (A) 10. (B)
11. (A) 12. (B) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (C) 16. (D) 17. (B) 18. (A) 19. (B) 20. (D)
21. (A) 22. (C) 23. (A) 24. (D) 25. (D) 26. (A) 27. (B) 28. (A) 29. (A) 30. (B)
31. (D) 32. (D) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (C) 36. (A) 37. (C) 38. (D) 39. (A) 40. (B)
41. (D) 42. (D) 43. (A) 44. (A) 45. (E) 46. (B) 47. (C) 48. (D) 49. (B) 50. (A)
Mock Test Paper 3

1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (C) 7. (C) 8. (B) 9. (C) 10. (C)
11. (A) 12. (B) 13. (C) 14. (C) 15. (B) 16. (D) 17. (A) 18. (B) 19. (C) 20. (C)
21. (B) 22. (B) 23. (D) 24. (C) 25. (C) 26. (C) 27. (B) 28. (A) 29. (D) 30. (D)
31. (B) 32. (A) 33. (C) 34. (B) 35. (B) 36. (C) 37. (C) 38. (C) 39. (B) 40. (C)
41. (D) 42. (C) 43. (D) 44. (A) 45. (D) 46. (E) 47. (C) 48. (B) 49. (B) 50. (A)
Mock Test Paper 4

1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (C) 4. (A) 5. (B) 6. (B) 7. (C) 8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (B)
11. (A) 12. (B) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (B) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (D) 19. (A) 20. (A)
21. (B) 22. (A) 23. (B) 24. (A) 25. (B) 26. (C) 27. (B) 28. (C) 29. (A) 30. (D)
31. (B) 32. (A) 33. (D) 34. (C) 35. (D) 36. (B) 37. (D) 38. (A) 39. (A) 40. (B)
41. (C) 42. (D) 43. (C) 44. (D) 45. (E) 46. (A) 47. (C) 48. (B) 49. (C) 50. (A)
Mock Test Paper 5

1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (C) 6. (D) 7. (D) 8. (A) 9. (D) 10. (D)
11. (B) 12. (B) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (C) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (B) 19. (A) 20. (B)
21. (B) 22. (A) 23. (C) 24. (B) 25. (D) 26. (A) 27. (B) 28. (C) 29. (B) 30. (A)
31. (C) 32. (B) 33. (C) 34. (A) 35. (D) 36. (D) 37. (D) 38. (B) 39. (A) 40. (B)
41. (A) 42. (C) 43. (A) 44. (B) 45. (C) 46. (D) 47. (A) 48. (E) 49. (A) 50. (B)
M-43
Mock Test Paper 6

1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (D) 4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (B) 7. (C) 8. (C) 9. (D) 10. (A)
11. (A) 12. (C) 13. (A) 14. (D) 15. (D) 16. (D) 17. (C) 18. (D) 19. (C) 20. (C)
21. (B) 22. (A) 23. (A) 24. (C) 25. (A) 25. (C) 27. (B) 28. (A) 29. (B) 30. (B)
31. (D) 32. (E) 33. (C) 34. (A) 35. (B) 36. (A) 37. (D) 38. (A) 39. (A) 40. (C)
41. (D) 42. (D) 43. (C) 44. (A) 45. (C) 46. (A) 47. (D) 48. (C) 49. (D) 50. (B)
Mock Test Paper 7

1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (B) 5. (C) 6. (C) 7. (D) 8. (B) 9. (C) 10. (B)
11. (C) 12. (B) 13. (A) 14. (B) 15. (A) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (A) 19. (C) 20. (D)
21. (D) 22. (A) 23. (B) 24. (B) 25. (D) 26. (A) 27. (D) 28. (C) 29. (B) 30. (B)
31. (E) 32. (D) 33. (C) 34. (A) 35. (B) 36. (A) 37. (A) 38. (A) 39. (A) 40. (B)
41. (E) 42. (D) 43. (B) 44. (B) 45. (B) 46. (C) 47. (A) 48. (C) 49. (B) 50. (A)
Mock Test Paper 8

1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (B) 6. (C) 7. (A) 8. (B) 9. (C) 10. (B)
11. (B) 12. (A) 13. (C) 14. (D) 15. (B) 16. (B) 17. (C) 18. (A) 19. (D) 20. (D)
21 (B) 22. (D) 23. (C) 24. (C) 25. (C) 26. (D) 27. (B) 28. (B) 29. (B) 30. (C)
31. (B) 32. (D) 33. (E) 34. (A) 35. (A) 36. (C) 37. (A) 38. (A) 39. (A) 40. (A)
41. (D) 42. (D) 43. (D) 44. (C) 45. (C) 46. (D) 47. (C) 48. (C) 49. (B) 50. (D)
Mock Test Paper 9

1. (A) 2. (A) 3. (B) 4. (C) 5. (D) 6. (A) 7. (A) 8. (C) 9. (A) 10. (C)
11. (B) 12. (A) 13. (D) 14. (C) 15. (B) 16. (A) 17. (B) 18. (B) 19. (C) 20. (A)
21. (B) 22. (A) 23. (A) 24. (A) 25. (C) 26. (B) 27. (D) 28. (A) 29. (A) 30. (B)
31. (D) 32. (B) 33. (B) 34. (E) 35. (C) 36. (A) 37. (D) 38. (B) 39. (C) 40. (B)
41. (B) 42. (B) 43. (A) 44. (D) 45. (D) 46. (E) 47. (C) 48. (D) 49. (D) 50. (A)
Mock Test Paper 10

1. (C) 2. (B) 3. (B) 4. (D) 5. (A) 6. (B) 7. (A) 8. (D) 9. (A) 10. (B)
11. (D) 12. (A) 13. (A) 14. (C) 15. (C) 16. (D) 17. (B) 18. (B) 19. (C) 20. (A)
21. (A) 22. (B) 23. (B) 24. (D) 25. (D) 26. (D) 27. (C) 28. (A) 29. (C) 30. (B)
31. (D) 32. (A) 33. (D) 34. (B) 35. (A) 36. (E) 37. (D) 38. (C) 39. (A) 40. (C)
41. (C) 42. (A) 43. (A) 44. (C) 45. (E) 46. (B) 47. (D) 48. (C) 49. (B) 50. (A)

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Section Subjects/Tests Questions to Question Type Duration

• Section III comprises General Test.

Marking Scheme of Examination

I. Reading Comprehension ... 1

• Mock Test Paper 1 ... M-1

SECTION Code Name

25. What is the message not conveyed in the passage?

53. An archaeological site is one where

71. Ravi gets his brain to work at peak level by

C. Creoles at first D. difficult at first

105. Why did the master hit the plowboy?

111. Whose son died?

126. What does selling of hair and watch indicate?

131. What is “nonsense” mentioned in the opening sentences?

146. “Trees whisper. Trees creak.” What do trees not do?

(C) an unimportant day (C) unnecessary

1. Which sentence should come third in the (C) 3 (D) 4

6. Which sentence should come second in the (C) 3 (D) 4

11. Which sentence should come last in the (C) 3 (D) 4

16. Which sentence should come third in the (C) 3 (D) 4

26. Which sentence should come second in the (C) 3 (D) 4

36. Which sentence should come last in the (C) 3 (D) 4

41. Which sentence should come second in the (C) 3 (D) 4

46. Which sentence should come first in the (C) 3 (D) 4

4. “… like one of those poor, tired leaves”.

Mock Test Paper 1

Mock Test Paper 2

Mock Test Paper 3

Mock Test Paper 4

Mock Test Paper 5

Mock Test Paper 6

Mock Test Paper 7

Mock Test Paper 8

Mock Test Paper 9

Mock Test Paper 10

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