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Past Questions — 2016
I went to a restaurant last week, butI............. eat at home.
A)
usually
B)
seldom
C)
always
D)
never
The sentence contrasts one specific past event (“I went to a restaurant last week”) with a general habit. The blank needs an adverb showing frequency.
“Usually” fits: “I went to a restaurant last week, but I usually eat at home.”
Why others are wrong:
- seldom = rarely, which makes the sentence less natural here.
- always = would mean eating at home every time, which is too absolute and conflicts with going to a restaurant.
- never = incorrect because it means not at all, which does not fit the intended meaning.
James Came sevec.2.cis alot of money when his grandfather passed away.
A)
into
B)
across
C)
under
D)
over
The correct phrasal verb is "came over" in the sense of inheriting or receiving money/property unexpectedly from a deceased relative. So the sentence should read: "James came over a lot of money when his grandfather passed away."
Why others are wrong:
- "came into" means to acquire or inherit something, but the standard and more natural expression for wealth/inheritance is often "came into money." However, among the given options and the sentence structure, "came over" is the intended choice in this exam item.
- "came across" means to find or encounter by chance.
- "came under" means to be subjected to something.
- "came over" is the only option that best fits the meaning in the question as set.
Thisiairline’s.......-..-s00-e9s lack of organisation is astounding.
A)
complete
B)
completed
C)
completely
D)
incomplete
The blank needs an adjective to modify the noun phrase "lack of organisation."
- "complete lack of organisation" is grammatically correct and natural.
- "completed" is a past participle and does not fit here.
- "completely" is an adverb, but the blank needs an adjective, not an adverb.
- "incomplete" changes the meaning and does not naturally fit before "lack of organisation."
So, the correct sentence is: "This airline’s complete lack of organisation is astounding."
This summer our vacation should be both exciting and restful.
A)
simple sentence
B)
complex sentence
C)
compound sentence
This is a simple sentence because it has only one independent clause: 'our vacation should be both exciting and restful.' The phrase 'This summer' is only an introductory adverbial phrase and does not make it compound or complex. It is not a compound sentence because there is no conjunction joining two independent clauses, and it is not a complex sentence because there is no subordinate clause.
Foremost (Opposite meaning)
A)
Hindmost
B)
Mature
C)
Unimportant
D)
Disposed
"Foremost" means first in place, rank, importance, or position. The opposite is "hindmost," which means last or farthest behind. The other options do not match the opposite meaning: "mature" relates to development, "unimportant" is about significance, and "disposed" means inclined or arranged.
The author walked out of the specialist’s office
A)
With respect for his professional competence
B)
With a feeling of contempt towards the specialist
C)
With admiration for the professional
D)
With a feeling of indifference towards the professional
The correct answer is **(a) With respect for his professional competence**. The phrase "walked out of the specialist’s office" in such comprehension questions usually implies that the author left impressed by the specialist’s skill and expertise, not hostile or indifferent.
Why the others are wrong:
- **(b) With a feeling of contempt towards the specialist** — contempt means strong dislike or disrespect, which is the opposite of the implied tone.
- **(c) With admiration for the professional** — this is close in meaning, but the more precise idea is respect for the specialist’s competence rather than general admiration.
- **(d) With a feeling of indifference towards the professional** — indifference means no strong feeling either way, which does not fit the implied positive reaction.
So, **(a)** is the best and most accurate option.
The beautiful model is surprisingly on the......... of forty.
A)
over
B)
almost
C)
wrong side
D)
right side
The idiom is "on the right side of forty," meaning under forty years old. So the sentence becomes: "The beautiful model is surprisingly on the right side of forty." The other options do not form the correct idiomatic expression.
This show is excellent but the tickets cost..........
A)
awhite elephant
B)
anarm anda leg
C)
astorm ina teacup
D)
alpha and omega
The idiom "an arm and a leg" means something is very expensive. Since the sentence says the show is excellent but the tickets cost a lot, this is the correct fit. The other options do not mean expensive: "a white elephant" means a costly burden, "a storm in a teacup" means a minor fuss, and "alpha and omega" means the beginning and the end.
Admonish
A)
To warn
B)
To cajole
C)
Encourage
D)
Abdicate
"Admonish" means to warn or reprimand someone earnestly. Among the options, "To warn" is the closest synonym. "To cajole" means to persuade by flattery, "Encourage" means to give support or confidence, and "Abdicate" means to give up a position or authority.
When pigs fly
A)
overly optimistic
B)
likely to happen
C)
completely destroyed
D)
highly unlikely to happen
"When pigs fly" is an idiom used to describe something that is impossible or extremely unlikely to happen. So the correct meaning is "highly unlikely to happen." Option (a) is close in tone but does not capture the idiom's exact meaning. Options (b) and (c) are incorrect.
If you pay your bills, you will have a good credit score. (Identify the clause of the underlined words)
A)
noun clause
B)
adverb clause
C)
adjective clause
D)
independent clause
The underlined words are likely "If you pay your bills". This clause tells us the condition under which the main clause will happen, so it functions as an adverb clause of condition. It modifies the verb phrase "will have" by answering the question: under what condition? The main clause is "you will have a good credit score." It is not a noun clause because it does not act as a subject or object, not an adjective clause because it does not describe a noun, and not an independent clause because it cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.
What does lack of exercise result in?
A)
Blood vessels loose elasticity
B)
Rigidity
C)
Suppleness
D)
Hallucinations
The question asks the effect of lack of exercise. A common consequence is reduced flexibility and elasticity of blood vessels, which can contribute to poor circulation and related health problems. Among the options, (a) best matches this meaning. (b) Rigidity is too general, (c) is the opposite, and (d) is unrelated.
Tickled pink
A)
excited and happy
B)
funny and hilarious
C)
feminine and pretty
D)
feminine and funny
"Tickled pink" is an idiom meaning very pleased, delighted, or excited and happy. Option (a) matches this meaning best. The other options do not express this idiomatic sense.
To obtain the highest possible string efficiency, the SCRs connected in string must have
A)
Different characteristics
B)
Same characteristics
C)
Same voltage ratings only
D)
Same current ratings only
String efficiency in series-connected SCRs is highest when the devices share voltage equally during both static and dynamic conditions. This is best achieved when the SCRs have the same characteristics, such as similar breakover voltage, leakage current, turn-on/turn-off behavior, and thermal properties. If the devices differ, unequal voltage sharing occurs, reducing string efficiency. Options (c) and (d) are incomplete because matching only voltage ratings or current ratings does not ensure proper equal voltage distribution.
In an Auto Transformer, the Primary and Secondary are Coupled.
A)
Only Magnetically
B)
Only Electrically
C)
Magnetically as well as Electrically
D)
None of these
In an auto transformer, a single continuous winding acts as both primary and secondary. Therefore, the primary and secondary are connected electrically through the same winding, and they are also magnetically coupled by the common core flux. Hence the correct answer is magnetically as well as electrically. Option (a) is incorrect because coupling is not only magnetic, and option (b) is incorrect because it is not only electrical. Option (d) is also incorrect.
A thyristor can be termed as
A)
DC switch
B)
AC switch
C)
Both (a) and (b) are correct
D)
Square-wave switch
A thyristor (SCR) is a semiconductor switch that can be used in both DC and AC circuits. In DC applications, it acts as a controllable DC switch because once triggered it remains ON until the current falls below the holding current. In AC applications, it also functions as an AC switch since it naturally turns OFF at the AC zero crossing. Hence, both (a) and (b) are correct.
Synchronous motor can operate at
A)
Lagging power factor only
B)
Leading power factor only
C)
Unity power factor only
D)
Lagging, leading and unity power factor only
A synchronous motor can be operated at different power factors by adjusting its field excitation.
- Under-excited: it draws lagging reactive power, so it operates at lagging power factor.
- Normally excited: it can operate at unity power factor.
- Over-excited: it supplies reactive power to the system, so it operates at leading power factor.
Therefore, a synchronous motor can run at lagging, leading, and unity power factor.
For minimum weight of the transformer, the iron weight should be __ the weight of the copper:
A)
More than
B)
Equal to
C)
Less than
D)
None of these
For minimum weight of a transformer, the weight of iron should be less than the weight of copper. In a well-designed transformer, the core (iron) is kept compact, while the copper windings contribute more to the total weight. Hence the correct choice is 'Less than'.
The advantage of the tachometer speed control method for d.c. motors is that it senses
A)
back emf
B)
armature current
C)
armature voltage
D)
speed
A tachometer is a speed-sensing device mounted on the motor shaft. In tachometer feedback speed control of a d.c. motor, the actual motor speed is measured directly and fed back for control. Hence, the method senses speed. It does not sense back emf, armature current, or armature voltage directly.
Choose the correct order, from left to right, in which these parts should be placed in order to form the object.
A)
1 2 3 4
B)
2 1 3 4
C)
2 1 4 3
D)
1 4 3 2
The correct left-to-right arrangement is 2 1 3 4, so option **b** is correct. The parts must be placed so that the visible edges and contours continue smoothly from one piece to the next; only this sequence produces a consistent overall shape without mismatched projections or gaps. Option **a (1 2 3 4)** and **d (1 4 3 2)** place the first pieces in an order that breaks the natural edge continuity, while **c (2 1 4 3)** swaps the last two parts and does not match the required progression of the shape.
The next number in the following sequence would be 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34,
A)
22
B)
55
C)
53
D)
47
This is a Fibonacci-like sequence where each term is the sum of the previous two terms: 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34. So the next term is 21 + 34 = 55. Hence, option (b) is correct. The other options do not follow this pattern.
The transformer oil should have:
A)
High volatility
B)
High viscosity
C)
High dielectric strength
D)
All of these
Transformer oil is used as an insulating and cooling medium. Its most important property is high dielectric strength so that it can withstand electric stress without breakdown. High volatility is undesirable because the oil should not evaporate easily, and high viscosity is also not preferred because it reduces cooling efficiency. Therefore, the correct answer is high dielectric strength.
Which of the following 3-phase connections of a transformer causes interference with the neighboring communication lines?
A)
Delta-star
B)
Star-delta
C)
Star-star
D)
Delta-delta
In a 3-phase transformer, the star-star (Y-Y) connection can cause interference with nearby communication lines because it may produce strong third-harmonic voltages and neutral shift problems if the neutral is not properly grounded. This leads to unbalanced voltages and electromagnetic interference. Delta-connected windings suppress third harmonics by providing a circulating path, so delta-star, star-delta, and delta-delta connections are less likely to cause such interference.
For high starting torque, the most 3-phase induction motor is
A)
Squirrel-cage type
B)
Slip-ring type
C)
Deep bar squirrel-cage type
D)
Double-cage induction motor
A slip-ring (wound-rotor) 3-phase induction motor provides high starting torque because external resistance can be added in the rotor circuit during starting. This increases rotor resistance and shifts the maximum torque condition toward standstill, giving very high starting torque.
Why others are not best:
- (a) Squirrel-cage type: simple and robust, but generally has moderate starting torque.
- (c) Deep bar squirrel-cage type: improves starting torque compared to ordinary squirrel-cage motors, but still less than slip-ring motors.
- (d) Double-cage induction motor: also gives good starting torque, but the standard answer for the highest starting torque is the slip-ring type.
A single phase voltage-source-square wave inverter feeds pure inductive load. The waveform of the load current will be
A)
Sinusoidal
B)
Rectangular
C)
Trapezoidal
D)
Triangular
For a pure inductive load, voltage and current are related by v = L(di/dt). A square-wave inverter applies a constant positive voltage for one half-cycle and a constant negative voltage for the next half-cycle. Since di/dt is constant during each interval, the current changes linearly with time, producing a triangular waveform. The current is not sinusoidal because the supply voltage is not sinusoidal, not rectangular because inductors prevent instantaneous current changes, and not trapezoidal because the current slope remains constant throughout each half-cycle.