Directions (1-5): In each of the
sentences given in these questions, there are two blanks indicating that
something has been omitted. There are five alternatives given. Choose the one
that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
Q1. The term ‘rare earths’ is in fact a
………… for, paradoxically, the rare-earth elements are in actuality ………., being
present in low concentration in virtually all minerals.
(a) truism, essential
(b) misnomer, ubiquitous
(c) disclaimer, ephemeral
(d) metaphor, ephemeral
(e) symbol, flowing
Q2. According to the 12th-century
cosmolgists, the natural philosopher must strive to ………… a state of detached
objectivity in order to free his capacity for constructing useful hypothesis
from the ………. of unquestioned
assumptions and accepted opinions about nature.
(a) capture, contemplation
(b) achieve, tyranny
(c) imitate, discipline
(d) attain, confusion
(e) obtain, entanglement
Q3. The columnist was very gentle when
he mentioned his friends, but was bitter and even ………. when he discussed people who ………. him.
(a) laconic, infuriated
(b) acerbic, irritated
(c) remorseful, encouraged
(d) militant, distressed
(e) rude, liked
Q4. She conducted the interrogation not
only with dispatch but with …………., being a person who is ………… in manner yet
subtle in discrimination.
(a) elan, enthusiastic
(b) equanimity, abrupt
(c) finesse, expeditious
(d) zeal, doctrinaire
(e) swiftness, slow
Q5. Most people are too ………… in their
own lives to ………… much about the agonies of others.
(a) absorbed, care
(b) concerned, think
(c) indulged, eradicate
(d) involved, console
(e) entangling, worry
Directions (6-15): In the following
passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are
printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested one of
which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
out the appropriate word in each case.
Q6. (a) curbs
(b) guidelines
(c) restrictions
(d) matters
(e) incentives
Q7. (a) illegitimate
(b) difficult
(c) unrealistic
(d) simple
(e) expensive
Q8. (a) increases
(b) lasts
(c) endangers
(d) decreases
(e) perishes
Q9. (a) expect
(b) learn
(c) work
(d) earn
(e) depend
Q10. (a) performance
(b) reliability
(c) strength
(d) training
(e) behaviour
Q11. (a) entitled
(b) entrusted
(c) empowered
(d) subject
(e) exposed
Q12. (a) leaves
(b) encourages
(c) prevents
(d) compels
(e) vitiates
Q13. (a)
attaching
(b) announcing
(c) establishing
(d) donating
(e) relating
Q14. (a)
getting
(b) finding
(c) posing
(d) being
(e) having
Q15. (a) undoubtedly
(b) not
(c) absolutely
(d) just
(e) only
SOLUTIONS:
S1.(b) A ‘misnomer’ is a misapplied or inappropriate term. ‘Ubiquitous’ (adj.) means existing or being everywhere. A ‘disclaimer’ refers to the act of disclaiming or denying a claim and a ‘truism’ is a self-evident obvious truth. None of the options except (b) suits both the blanks of the statement.
S2.(d) Both (b) and (c) may seem appropriate choices at first glance, but it is to be noted that ‘tyranny’ and ‘discipline’ would not suit the context of unquestioned assumptions and accepted opinions about nature.
S3.(b) ‘Acerbic’ (adj.) means ‘sharply or bitterly sever’. ‘Laconic’, option (a), meaning ‘terse’ or ‘concise’, will not suit the first blank. ‘Militant’, in option (d), is too strong a word to be used in the first blank. Though ‘rude’ of (e) will suit the first blank, ‘liked’ will not apply in the context of the meaning conveyed by the sentence.
S4. (a) ‘Elan’ means ‘vivacity’ or ‘animation’. Though ‘finesse’ and ‘zeal’ in options (c) and (d) will suit the first blank of the statement, ‘expeditious’ (‘characterised by promptness’ or ‘quick’) and ‘doctrinaire’ (adj.) (dogmatic about one’s ideas) will not suit the second blank. So option (a) is the answer.
S5.Ans. (a)
S6. Ans. (e)
S7. Ans. (b)
S8. Ans. (d)
S9. Ans. (c)
S10. Ans. (a)
S11. Ans. (a)
S12. Ans. (c)
S13. Ans. (e)
S14. Ans. (d)
S15. Ans. (b)
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English Language Notes for Competitive E...
