Group B (Gazetted) • General English Paper-I
Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
A)
A new order can be established by radically changing the outlook of people towards it
B)
Adoption of the ideal of trusteeship can minimise possessive instinct
C)
Enforced egalitarianism can be the cause of its own destruction
D)
Idea of new order is to secure maximum material satisfaction
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'A new order can be established by radically changing the outlook of people towards it' (Option A).
Group B (Gazetted) • General English Paper-I
What can you infer from the phrase “root out”?
A)
to destroy something
B)
instill something
C)
find and remove something/ someone
D)
to flatten something
The phrasal verb 'root out' means to search for, find, and completely eliminate or get rid of something (or someone) that is unwanted, harmful, or difficult to locate (e.g., 'to root out corruption'). Therefore, option 'c' is the most accurate definition. Option 'a' (to destroy) is a partial synonym but lacks the essential connotation of searching/finding. Option 'b' (instill) means to introduce or establish something, which is the opposite. Option 'd' (to flatten) is completely unrelated.
Group B (Gazetted) • General English Paper-I
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: All at sea
A)
Something outstanding
B)
Forgive all
C)
State of confusion
D)
Living in Luxury
The idiom 'all at sea' means to be completely lost, bewildered, or in a state of confusion, much like a ship lost at sea without a map or compass. Therefore, option 'c' is the correct meaning. Option 'a' (Something outstanding) refers to something excellent or unresolved. Option 'b' (Forgive all) refers to pardoning someone. Option 'd' (Living in Luxury) refers to a wealthy lifestyle, none of which match the meaning of the idiom.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: She keeps blowing hot and cold and therefore, nobody can befriend her for long.
A)
being unfriendly and critical
B)
trying to cool the situation down and then raking it up again
C)
being good and bad alternately
D)
being friendly at one moment and unfriendly the next
The idiom 'blow hot and cold' means to constantly change one's opinion, attitude, or level of enthusiasm about something or someone. In the context of the sentence, which discusses the difficulty of befriending her, it specifically means being friendly at one moment ('hot') and unfriendly the next ('cold'). Therefore, option 'd' is the correct choice. Option 'a' is incorrect because it only describes a negative state rather than alternating behavior. Option 'b' refers to escalating and de-escalating conflicts, which is not the meaning of the idiom. Option 'c' is too broad and vague compared to the specific behavioral shift described in option 'd'.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: He made my day by telling me how important I was to him.
A)
spoiled my day
B)
made me resentful
C)
gave me great pleasure
D)
displeased me
The idiom 'make someone's day' means to make someone feel very happy or to give them great pleasure, typically through a kind gesture, compliment, or positive event. Therefore, 'gave me great pleasure' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because 'spoiled my day' (option a), 'made me resentful' (option b), and 'displeased me' (option d) all convey negative emotions, which are the opposite of the positive meaning of the idiom.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: Regardless of what her parents said, she wanted to let her hair down that night.
A)
comb her hair
B)
work till late
C)
really enjoy
D)
wash her hair
The idiom 'to let one's hair down' means to behave in a relaxed, uninhibited manner and enjoy oneself. Therefore, 'really enjoy' is the correct meaning in this context. Options 'a' (comb her hair) and 'd' (wash her hair) are incorrect because they interpret the idiom literally. Option 'b' (work till late) is incorrect as it contradicts the idea of relaxing and having fun.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: Do not lose your head in public.
A)
be embarrassed
B)
shave your head
C)
get angry
D)
get a headache
The idiom 'lose one's head' means to lose self-control, panic, or become wild with anger or excitement. In the context of the sentence, 'get angry' is the most appropriate meaning. Option 'a' (be embarrassed) means to feel self-conscious, which is incorrect. Options 'b' (shave your head) and 'd' (get a headache) are incorrect literal interpretations of the word 'head'.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: He has a habit of getting into a row over trivial matters.
A)
seeking the help
B)
picking up a fight
C)
getting a right path
D)
giving unwanted advice
The idiom 'getting into a row' (where 'row' rhymes with 'cow') means to get involved in a noisy argument, quarrel, or dispute. Therefore, 'picking up a fight' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because: 'seeking the help' (option a) means looking for assistance; 'getting a right path' (option c) refers to finding the correct direction or moral way; and 'giving unwanted advice' (option d) means offering unsolicited counsel, none of which align with the meaning of having a quarrel.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: Once the case reached the court, the police washed their hands off it.
A)
dissociated themselves from
B)
seemed eager to continue
C)
waited for a response to
D)
claimed credit for
The idiom 'to wash one's hands of' something means to refuse to have any further involvement with it or to disclaim any responsibility for it. Therefore, 'dissociated themselves from' is the correct meaning. Option 'b' (seemed eager to continue) is the opposite of the idiom's meaning, while options 'c' (waited for a response to) and 'd' (claimed credit for) do not convey the sense of relinquishing responsibility or involvement.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: The secretary had the information at her fingertips.
A)
in a compact disc
B)
not accessible
C)
on her typewriter
D)
readily available
The idiom 'at one's fingertips' means to have information or knowledge readily available, easily accessible, or immediately at hand for use. Therefore, option 'd' is the correct meaning. Options 'a' and 'c' are incorrect because they interpret the phrase literally in terms of physical devices (compact disc and typewriter). Option 'b' is incorrect because it is the exact opposite of the idiom's actual meaning.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: His speech has taken the wind out of my sails.
A)
made me think of the future
B)
made me remember my past
C)
made my words or actions ineffective
D)
made me depressed
The idiom 'to take the wind out of someone's sails' means to make someone lose their confidence, advantage, or momentum, thereby rendering their words, arguments, or actions ineffective. In this context, his speech anticipated or countered the speaker's points, making the speaker's planned actions or words useless. Options 'a' (made me think of the future), 'b' (made me remember my past), and 'd' (made me depressed) do not capture this figurative meaning of losing one's competitive advantage or effectiveness.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: On the issue of marriage, Sarita put her foot down.
A)
got down
B)
walked fast
C)
stood up
D)
was firm
The idiom 'put one's foot down' means to adopt a firm policy, assert one's authority, or refuse to yield on a particular issue. Therefore, 'was firm' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because: 'got down' (a) and 'walked fast' (b) are literal interpretations of physical movement, while 'stood up' (c) means to rise physically or fail to keep an appointment, none of which capture the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: The cops were on their toes throughout the day.
A)
harried
B)
quick
C)
eager
D)
alert
The idiom 'on one's toes' means to be alert, vigilant, and prepared for any eventuality or danger. In the context of the sentence, the cops had to remain highly watchful and ready throughout the day, which is best expressed by the word 'alert' (option d). 'Harried' (option a) means stressed or harassed; 'quick' (option b) refers to speed; and 'eager' (option c) means enthusiastic. None of these capture the sense of active vigilance implied by the idiom.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: The man residing at the corner of the street loves to cry wolf.
A)
To listen eagerly
B)
To give false alarm
C)
To turn pale
D)
To keep off starvation
The idiom 'to cry wolf' means to raise a false alarm or ask for help when it is not needed, which leads to people ignoring genuine calls for help later. This originates from Aesop's famous fable about the shepherd boy who repeatedly lied about a wolf attacking his flock. Therefore, option 'b' is the correct meaning.
- Option 'a' ('To listen eagerly') is incorrect; this is represented by idioms like 'to be all ears'.
- Option 'c' ('To turn pale') is incorrect; it refers to losing color in the face due to fear or illness.
- Option 'd' ('To keep off starvation') is incorrect; this is represented by the idiom 'to keep the wolf from the door'.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: He was out of spirits for a few days after his defeat.
A)
lifeless
B)
uninvolved
C)
gloomy
D)
sober
The idiom 'out of spirits' means to be sad, depressed, or in low spirits. Among the given options, 'gloomy' (option c) is the closest synonym as it means feeling distressed, sad, or depressed. 'Lifeless' (option a) is incorrect because it means dead or lacking vitality. 'Uninvolved' (option b) means not participating in something. 'Sober' (option d) means serious or not under the influence of alcohol, which does not convey the feeling of sadness implied by the idiom.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: Anand has not learnt to cut his coat according to his cloth.
A)
live within his income
B)
improve his tailoring abilities
C)
overcome his problems
D)
wear modest clothes
The idiom 'to cut one's coat according to one's cloth' means to live within one's means or income, adapting one's expenses to one's financial resources. Therefore, option 'a' is the correct choice. Options 'b' and 'd' take the literal meaning of 'cloth' and 'tailoring', which is incorrect for figurative idioms. Option 'c' is too broad and does not capture the specific financial connotation of the phrase.
Group B (Gazetted) • Paper-I
Choose the correct alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase written in Italics: My sincere advice to my maidservant fell on stony ground.
A)
made one stubborn
B)
had little success
C)
was counterproductive
D)
had a strong impact
The idiom 'fall on stony ground' means to be ignored or to fail to have any impact or success, originating from the biblical parable where seeds sown on rocky soil could not take root and grow. Therefore, 'had little success' is the correct meaning. Option 'a' is incorrect because it refers to a state of stubbornness rather than the failure of the advice. Option 'c' is incorrect because 'counterproductive' means having an opposite, negative effect, whereas 'stony ground' implies no effect or failure to thrive. Option 'd' is incorrect as it is the exact opposite of the idiom's meaning.
