Directions (1-5): Which of the following phrases (I), (II), or (III) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold letters to make the sentence grammatically correct? Choose the best option among the five given alternatives that reflect the correct use of phrase in the context of the grammatically correct sentence. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark (e) i.e., “No correction required” as the answer.
Q1. The summit between the Indian Prime Minister and the Russian President is now an annual event, the protocol have been agreed upon by Mr. Putin and Manmohan Singh in 2005.
(I) is being agreed upon
(II) being agreed upon
(III) having been agreed upon
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Both (I) and (II) are correct
(c)Both (II) and (III) are correct
(d)All are correct
(e)No correction required
Q2. A comparison of the Putin-Modi summit outcome with the promises made during the 2+2 Dialogue can hardly be a true index of what lied in the future.
(I) be a true index of what lies
(II) become a true index of lying
(III) being a true index of what lies
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Both (I) and (II) are correct
(c)Both (I) and (III) are correct
(d)All are correct
(e)No correction required
Q3. At one level, what is going on in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is a ‘turf war’, a battle of egos between two individuals at the helm.
(I) The battle of egos among
(II) The battles of egos between
(III) a battling of egos between
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Only (II) is correct
(c)Only (III) is correct
(d)Both (I) and (III) are correct
(e)No correction required
Q4. The widening of the tax base is clearly good news for a government which, from the very beginning of its tenure, has declared its intent to improving tax collections.
(I) had declare its intent to improve tax
(II) have declared its intent to improve tax
(III) has declared its intent to improve tax
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Only (II) is correct
(c)Only (III) is correct
(d)Both (I) and (III) are correct
(e)No correction required
Q5. The abrupt replacement of Alok Verma as Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation, albeit as an interim measuring, is the culmination of a series of murky events that must deeply embarrass the Centre.
(I) though as an interim measure
(II) albeit as an interim measure
(III) although are an interim measures
(a)Only (I) is correct
(b)Both (I) and (II) are correct
(c)Both (II) and (III) are correct
(d)All are correct
(e)No correction required
Directions (6-10): In the following questions two columns are given containing three sentences/phrases each. In first column, sentences/phrases are A, B and C and in the second column the sentences/phrases are D, E and F. A sentence/phrase from the first column may or may not connect with another sentence/phrase from the second column to make a grammatically and contextually correct sentence. Each question has five options, four of which display the sequence(s) in which the sentences/phrases can be joined to form a grammatically and contextually correct sentence. If none of the options given forms a correct sentence after combination or none of them connects, mark (e), i.e. “None of the above” as your answer.
Q6.
(a) A-E
(b) B-D
(c) A-F and B-D
(d) B-D and A-E
(e) B-E and C-F
Q7.
(a) A-F
(b) B-D
(c) C-E
(d) A-F, B-E
(e) C-E and B-E
Q8.
(a) A-E
(b) B-E
(c) C-E and B-F
(d) C-D and A-E
(e) B-F
Q9.
(a) A-F
(b) B-F
(c) B-F and A-E
(d) C-F and B-E
(e) None of the Above
Q10.
(a) A-F
(b) B-D
(c) A-F and B-E
(d) C-F and B-E
(e) None of the Above
Directions (11-15): In each of the questions below, there is a word given in bold which is followed by five options. In each of the options, a pair of words is given which is either the pair of synonyms or antonyms or synonym & antonym of the word given in bold. Choose that pair as your answer.
Q11. MURKY
(a) Gloomy: Louring
(b) Cheerless: Culmination
(c) Foggy: Bruise
(d) Dubious: Satirical
(e) Shady: Supine
Q12. ALLURE
(a) Fascinate: Attribute
(b) Beguile: Levee
(c) Repel: Lurid
(d) Captivate: Repel
(e) Intrigue: Prate
Q13. SORDID
(a) Scurvy: Paltry
(b) Sleazy: Ostensible
(c) Vile: Hettle
(d) Both (D) and (E)
(e) Debased: Shoddy
Q14. EBB
(a) Recede: Bovine
(b) Bilk : Dwindle
(c) Abate: Belabor
(d) Intensify : Wane
(e) Diminish: Ardour
Q15. SATANIC
(a) Hellish : Bulwark
(b) Loathsome: Besmirch
(c) Atrocious: Barricade
(d) Odious: Caveat
(e) Heinous: Nefarious
Solutions
S1. Ans.(c)
Sol. Both ‘being agreed upon’ and ‘having been agreed upon’ fit in correctly and make the sentence grammatically correct and meaningful.
S2. Ans.(a)
Sol. Here, ‘be a true index of what lies’ is the correct phrase to be used to make the sentence grammatically correct and contextually meaningful.
S3. Ans.(e)
Sol. The sentence is correct as it is and no correction is required.
S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. Only (III) is correct. ‘Government’ is singular here so ‘has’ will be used. Also, ‘to’ will take first form of the verb, i.e., “to improve”.
S5. Ans.(b)
Sol. Both (I) and (II) are correct. ‘The measure’ here are described as being ‘interim measure.’
S6. Ans.(c)
Sol. Both A-F and B-D make correct sentences.
The suggestion that the Centre’s action against him was meant to protect certain people has led to the charges that he was removed because he was politically inconvenient.
What was perceived as an unseemly internal tussle among top officers of the premier investigating agency has morphed into a full-blown conflict between the Centre and Mr. Verma.
S7. Ans.(c)
Sol. Only C-E makes a contextually correct and meaningful sentence here. “The Supreme Court will address the question whether the ‘interim measure’ amounts to unlawfully curtailing the Director’s tenure.”
S8. Ans.(c)
Sol. Both C-E and B-F make correct sentences.
“Thousands marched at Gateway of India on December 3, 2008, waving banners and shouting slogans.”
“But such were the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks and their aftermath that they jolted us all out of character.”
S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. B-F makes a grammatically and contextually correct sentence here. “The challenges that teachers in these places face are unfathomable, because the challenges these children face in life are unfathomable for most of us.”
S10. Ans.(c)
Sol. Both A-F and B-E make contextually correct and meaningful sentences.
“It has long been assumed that the poor live in unhygienic conditions,do not have access to proper healthcare and are therefore prone to diseases.”
“The latest studies show that socioeconomic inequality is the major determinant of ill-heath among the poor.”
S11. Ans.(a)
Sol. ‘Murky’ means dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist.
Gloomy and Louring are synonyms of murky.
S12. Ans.(d)
Sol. ‘Allure’ means powerfully attract or charm; tempt. “Captivate” is a synonym and “repel” is an antonym of ‘allure’.
S13. Ans.(e)
Sol. “Sordid” means involving immoral or dishonourable actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt. Both “Debased” and “Shoddy” are synonyms of “Sordid”.
S14. Ans.(d)
Sol. Ebb-(of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease. ‘Intensify’ is an antonym and ‘wane’ is a synonym of ebb.
S15. Ans.(e)
Sol. ‘Satanic’ means extremely evil or wicked. ‘Heinous’ and ‘Nefarious’ are synonyms of satanic.