English Language Quiz For LIC AAO 2023- 31st January

Directions (1-5): In the following questions, a phrase is given in bold whose meaning can be inferred from one of the highlighted words/phrases of four sentences given below each phrase. Choose the most appropriate meaning of the phrase among the four options that can also be replaced by the given phrase without altering the meaning of the sentence. If none of the sentences conveys the correct meaning, choose (e) i.e., “None of the above” as your answer.

Q1. A dime a dozen
(a) Websites on health and fitness are very common nowadays, but not all of them are accurate and have correct information.
(b) Their piercing war-whoops were blended with the loud beatings of a kind of drum which they had fabricated.
(c) The importance of this invention to the cotton industry of the world cannot be overestimated.
(d) The IMF also does not shy away from helping countries meet their debt service obligations.
(e) None of the above.

Q2. Run-of-the-mill
(a) Every year he adds some fresh decoration, some new and exceptional scene.
(b) He was determined to open a select school for advanced scholars.
(c) All mundane phenomena were inexplicably contorted that night.
(d) There are courses that are foundational and that must therefore be governed by an eclectic aim.
(e) None of the above.

Q3. Man of straw
(a) His presence was hardly noticed at first, so insignificant was the man.
(b) Everybody can’t be as sensible and handsome as we are, you know.
(c) Napoleon, himself a sceptic, was cognizant of this slave philosophy.
(d) As usual he addressed the dog as though he were a sentient being.
(e) None of the above

Q4. High and dry
(a) But the voice was so enfeebled by disease as to be scarcely audible.
(b) Karl has been disabled by a wound in the right arm, and can render no further help.
(c) He was decorated again and given the battlewagon of an ailing four-striper.
(d) They were stranded, as it were, on some reef above a dense void.
(e) None of the above.

Q5. Soft soap
(a) At the lowest mark, the balance will be even, and there’ll be no obligation at all.
(b) The singularity that struck me most about her ladyship was her indifference to flattery.
(c) When I came on to the stage I was always greeted by applause from these young men.
(d) I am deeply impressed with gratitude for the confidence reposed in me.
(e) None of the above.

Directions (6-10): Which of the words/phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below should replace the words/phrases given in bold in the following sentences to make it meaningful and grammatically correct? If the given words perfectly fit into the sentence and do not require any replacement, choose (e) i.e. ‘No replacement required’ as the answer.

Q6. The American College Health Association viewed 100,000 college students at 53 American campuses and fixed that 84 per cent of them feel unable to cope, 79 per cent are energized, 60 per cent feel very sad and more than half are exploiting overwhelming anxiety.

(a)surveyed, found, exhausted, experiencing
(b)checked, raised, limped, doing
(c)examined, predicted, blown, trying
(d)assessed, concluded, lost, neglecting
(e)No replacement required

Q7. There are certain books which when you put them down keep you absolutely still for a while. Apart from making you acutely aware of an alternate reality, they never fail to produce a flash of insight, a spark of intuition that would not occur to you otherwise.

(a)dubious, roughly, wisdom, perception
(b)strict, severely, ignorance, feeling
(c)definite, plainly, guile, smartness
(d)concrete, overtly, sharp, idea
(e)No replacement required

Q8. Although the desirable butterfly has a life span of one or two weeks, or a wondrous flower usually sink within a day, yet each of them fixedly spreads silently the message of cheer unlike humans, quite concern of the chances of their survival even for the all-too-brief period allotted to them.

(a)pretty, expand, explicitly, insensible
(b)engaged, diminish, inevitably, abstract
(c)bewitching, wilts, unfailingly, oblivious
(d)lovely, fade, assuredly, sensitive
(e)No replacement required

Q9. Various other research studies cite that the American first-use option and keeping its weapons on tardy launch mode plays a large role in forcing Russia and China to field a delayed amount of their nuclear forces in a launch-under-attack mode so as to avoid any kind of serving nuclear strike.

(a)show, prompt, sizable, disarming
(b)arrays, rapid, considerable, charming
(c)views, immediate, gross, silky
(d)parade, activate, massive, civil
(e)No replacement required

Q10. The issue of development as underlined in Doha Development Round is important, and that is related to unjustified subsidies given by developed nations, and this can’t be sacrificed. Discussion on Doha Development Round is still pending and that has to be completed.

(a)subject, reasonable, absolved, improbable
(b)source, flimsy, honored, clouded
(c)question, false, revoked, overdue
(d)deal, idle, repudiated, sneaky
(e)No replacement required

Directions (11-15): Pick out the words opposite or nearly so in the meaning of the given words.

Q11. EXTRAVAGANT
(a) Developing
(b) Wonderful
(c) Disappearing
(d) Economical
(e) Real

Q12. VIVID
(a) Protagonist
(b) Uncanny
(c) Evocative
(d) Stifle
(e) Peculiar

Q13. DESULTORY
(a) Isolated
(b) Lacking order
(c) Pertinent
(d) Random
(e) Frequent

Q14. ERUDITE
(a) Aversion
(b) Sleazy
(c) Sagacious
(d) Loquacious
(e) Disheveled

Q15. DEBONAIR
(a)Awkward
(b) Windy
(c) Balmy
(d) Sportive
(e) Stomy

Solutions

S1. Ans. (a)
Sol. The phrase “a dime a dozen” means very common and of no particular value. Thus, among the given four statements, only the first sentence provides the exact meaning of the phrase and at the same time it can be replaced by the given phrase without altering the meaning of the sentence. Hence option (a) is the correct choice.
Fabricated means invented (something) in order to deceive.
Overestimated means formed too high or favourable an estimate of.
Shy away means to move away from or try to avoid something.

S2. Ans. (c)
Sol. The phrase “run-of-the-mill” means lacking unusual or special aspects; ordinary. Thus, among the given four statements, only the third sentence provides the exact meaning of the phrase and the highlighted word can be replaced by the given phrase without altering the meaning of the sentence. Hence option (c) is the correct choice.
Exceptional means unusually good; outstanding.
Select means (of a group of people or things) carefully chosen from a larger number as being the best or most valuable.
Mundane means lacking interest or excitement; dull.
Eclectic means deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

S3. Ans. (a)
Sol. The phrase “man of straw” means someone who has a weak character. Thus, among the given four statements, only the first sentence provides the exact meaning of the phrase and the highlighted word “insignificant” can be replaced by the given phrase without altering the intended meaning of the sentence. Hence option (a) is the correct choice.
Sensible means done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit.
Cognizant means having knowledge or awareness.
Sentient means able to perceive or feel things.

S4. Ans. (d)
Sol. The phrase “high and dry” means without resources or help. Thus, among the given four statements, only the fourth sentence provides the exact meaning of the phrase and the highlighted word “stranded” can be replaced by the given phrase without altering the intended meaning of the sentence. Hence option (d) is the correct choice.
Enfeeble means make weak or feeble.
Disabled means (of a disease, injury, or accident) limit (someone) in their movements, senses, or activities.
Ailing means in poor health.
Stranded means left without the means to move from somewhere.

S5. Ans. (b)
Sol. The phrase “soft soap” means persuasive flattery. Thus, among the given four statements, only the second sentence provides the exact meaning of the phrase and the highlighted word “flattery” can be replaced by the given phrase without altering the intended meaning of the sentence. Hence option (b) is the correct choice.
Obligation means the condition of being morally or legally bound to do something.
Flattery means excessive and insincere praise, given especially to further one’s own interests.
Applause means approval or praise expressed by clapping.
Gratitude means the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

S6. Ans. (a)
Sol. “surveyed, found, exhausted, experiencing” is the most appropriate set of words that should replace the existing ones to make the sentence meaningful. Hence (a) is the correct choice.
Surveyed means looked closely at or examined (someone or something).
Limped means walked with difficulty, typically because of a damaged or stiff leg or foot.
Exhausted means very tired.

S7. Ans. (e)
Sol. The given set of words in the sentence is already correct and does not require any replacement. Hence (e) is the correct choice.
Insight means the capacity to gain an accurate and deep understanding of someone or something.
Intuition means the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning.
Dubious means hesitating or doubting.
Perception means the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses.
Guile means sly or cunning intelligence.
Overtly means without concealment or secrecy; openly.

S8. Ans. (c)
Sol. “bewitching, wilts, unfailingly, oblivious” is the most appropriate set of words that should replace the existing ones to make the sentence meaningful. Hence (c) is the correct choice.
Bewitching means enchanting and delightful (someone).
Wilt means (of a plant, leaf, or flower) become limp through heat, loss of water, or disease; droop.
Unfailingly means in a reliable or unchanging way; always.
Oblivious means not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one.
Explicitly means in a clear and detailed manner, leaving no room for confusion or doubt.
Abstract means existing in thought or as an idea but not having a physical or concrete existence.

S9. Ans. (a)
Sol. “show, prompt, sizable, disarming” is the most appropriate set of words that should replace the existing ones to make the sentence meaningful. Hence (a) is the correct choice.
Prompt means done without delay; immediate.
Disarming means removing the fuse from (a bomb), making it safe.
Tardy means delaying or delayed beyond the right or expected time; late.
Sizable means fairly large.
Gross means (especially of wrongdoing) very obvious and unacceptable.
Parade means display (someone or something) while marching or moving around a place.

S10. Ans. (e)
Sol. The given set of words in the sentence is already correct and does not require any replacement. Hence (e) is the correct choice.
Unjustified means not shown to be right or reasonable.
Absolved means declare (someone) free from guilt, obligation, or punishment.
Improbable means not likely to be true or to happen.
Flimsy means insubstantial and easily damaged.
Revoke means officially cancel (a decree, decision, or promise).
Repudiate means refuse to accept; reject.
Sneaky means furtive; sly.
Overdue means not having arrived, happened, or been done by the expected time.

S11. Ans.(d)
Sol. Economical and extravagant are opposite in meaning.
Extravagant means lacking restraint in spending money or using resources.

S12. Ans.(c)
Sol. Vivid and evocative are similar in meaning.
Vivid means producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.
Evocative means bringing strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

S13. Ans.(c)
Sol. Desultory and pertinent are opposite in meaning.
Desultory means lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.
Pertinent means relevant or applicable to a particular matter; apposite.

S14. Ans.(c)
Sol. Erudite and sagacious are similar in meaning.
Erudite means having or showing great knowledge or learning.
Sagacious means having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgement; wise or shrewd.

S15. Ans.(a)
Sol. Awkward is an antonym of Debonair.
Debonair means (of a man) confident, stylish, and charming.