← Junior Engineer
Past Questions
Pick out the sentence that is grammatically or contextually incorrect:
A)
Never keep away from school.
B)
The news of his death is true.
C)
This shirt of yours is very colourful.
D)
All men should love each other.
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. **Option (a): 'Never keep away from school.'** - This sentence is contextually and idiomatically incorrect. While 'keep away' is a valid phrasal verb, it is typically used to warn someone to avoid a dangerous area or a person (e.g., 'Keep away from the edge of the cliff'). When referring to attendance or avoiding school, the correct idiomatic expression is 'stay away from school' or 'be absent from school.' 'Keep away' implies a physical distance maintained for safety or avoidance, whereas 'stay away' is used for avoiding a place or duty.
2. **Option (b): 'The news of his death is true.'** - This is grammatically correct. 'News' is an uncountable noun and always takes a singular verb ('is'), which is correctly applied here.
3. **Option (c): 'This shirt of yours is very colourful.'** - This is grammatically correct. The construction 'noun + of + possessive pronoun' (double possessive) is a standard English structure used for emphasis or clarity.
4. **Option (d): 'All men should love each other.'** - This is grammatically correct. 'All men' is the plural subject, and 'each other' is the correct reciprocal pronoun used for members of a group.
Therefore, option (a) is the incorrect sentence due to the misuse of the phrasal verb 'keep away' in this specific context.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The dog sat on the mat.
A)
preposition
B)
adjective
C)
conjunction
D)
verb
Step-by-step analysis: 1. Identify the underlined word: In the sentence 'The dog sat on the mat', the word 'on' is the target word. 2. Analyze its function: The word 'on' is used to show the spatial relationship between the noun 'dog' (the subject) and the noun 'mat' (the object of the preposition). 3. Define the part of speech: A word that expresses a relationship (usually direction, location, or time) between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence is called a preposition. 4. Evaluate options: (a) Preposition: Correct, as 'on' indicates location. (b) Adjective: Incorrect, as it does not describe a noun. (c) Conjunction: Incorrect, as it does not join two clauses or words. (d) Verb: Incorrect, as it does not express an action (the verb in this sentence is 'sat').
Choose the correct synonym for: volatile
A)
stable
B)
constant
C)
unstable
D)
steady
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the word 'volatile': In a general context, 'volatile' describes something that is liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse. In a chemical context, it refers to a substance that evaporates easily. In both senses, it implies a lack of stability.
2. Evaluating Option (a) 'stable': This is the antonym (opposite) of volatile. A stable substance or situation does not change unexpectedly.
3. Evaluating Option (b) 'constant': This means remaining the same over a period of time. This is also an antonym of volatile.
4. Evaluating Option (c) 'unstable': This means prone to change, fail, or give way; not stable. This directly matches the definition of volatile.
5. Evaluating Option (d) 'steady': This means firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not faltering. This is another antonym of volatile.
Conclusion: Since 'unstable' is the only word that shares the same meaning as 'volatile', it is the correct synonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: modest
A)
unhappy
B)
sullen
C)
gum
D)
conceited
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the target word: 'Modest' means humble, unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities, or not boasting about achievements.
2. Evaluate the options for an antonym (opposite meaning):
- (a) 'unhappy': Refers to a state of sadness; not related to humility or pride.
- (b) 'sullen': Refers to being bad-tempered and sulky; not related to humility.
- (c) 'gum': A noun referring to the tissue around teeth or a sticky substance; completely irrelevant.
- (d) 'conceited': Refers to being excessively proud of oneself; vain. This is the direct opposite of being modest.
3. Conclusion: Since 'modest' is the quality of lacking vanity and 'conceited' is the quality of having excessive vanity, option (d) is the correct antonym.
Pick the correct word to complete the sentence: The man we are looking for is sitting in the park.
A)
who
B)
which
C)
whose
D)
whom
The sentence requires a relative pronoun to refer back to 'The man'. To determine the correct pronoun, we must look at the role the pronoun plays in the relative clause ('___ we are looking for'). In this clause, 'we' is the subject and 'are looking for' is the verb phrase. The person being looked for is the object of the preposition 'for'.
1. 'Who' (Option a) is a subject pronoun. If the man were performing the action, 'who' would be correct.
2. 'Which' (Option b) is used for animals or objects, not people.
3. 'Whose' (Option c) is a possessive pronoun, used to show ownership.
4. 'Whom' (Option d) is the object pronoun. Since the man is the object of the search (we are looking for him), 'whom' is the grammatically correct choice.
Note: In modern spoken English, 'who' is often used in place of 'whom', but in formal competitive examinations and standard grammar, 'whom' is the required answer for the objective case.
Choose the correct word to make a meaningful sentence: They were impressed by his ___ dress.
A)
descent
B)
decent
C)
desent
D)
decant
The sentence requires an adjective to describe the 'dress' that would leave someone 'impressed'.
1. **decent (Option b):** This is the correct word. In this context, 'decent' means conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or proper behavior and appearance (neat, modest, or appropriate). A 'decent dress' is one that is respectable and appropriate, which fits the context of being impressed.
2. **descent (Option a):** This is a noun referring to the act of moving downwards or a person's lineage/ancestry. It cannot be used as an adjective to describe a dress.
3. **desent (Option c):** This is not a valid word in the English language; it is a misspelling.
4. **decant (Option d):** This is a verb meaning to gradually pour liquid from one container into another, typically to remove sediment. It is logically incorrect in this context.
Therefore, 'decent' is the only word that is grammatically and contextually appropriate.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
The narrative was hilarious that we cannot help laughing.
B)
The narrative was hilarious that we could not help laughing.
C)
The narrative was hilarious that we cannot help laugh.
D)
The narrative was hilarious that we could not help laughed.
To solve this question, we must analyze two key grammatical components: Tense Consistency and the Idiomatic Expression 'cannot help'.
1. **Tense Consistency**: The first part of the sentence uses the verb 'was' ('The narrative was hilarious'), which is in the Simple Past Tense. Therefore, the subsequent clause must also be in the past tense to maintain consistency.
- Option (a) and (c) use 'cannot', which is present tense. These are incorrect.
- Option (b) and (d) use 'could not', which is the past tense of 'cannot'. These are grammatically consistent with 'was'.
2. **The Idiom 'Cannot/Could not help'**: In English grammar, the expression 'cannot help' or 'could not help' (meaning to be unable to stop oneself from doing something) is always followed by a **Gerund** (the -ing form of the verb).
- Structure: Subject + cannot/could not help + Verb-ing.
- Option (b) uses 'laughing' (Gerund), which is correct.
- Option (c) uses 'laugh' (Base form), which is incorrect.
- Option (d) uses 'laughed' (Past participle/Past tense), which is incorrect.
Conclusion: Option (b) is the only sentence that maintains past tense consistency and follows the correct idiomatic structure.
Pick out the sentence that is grammatically or contextually incorrect:
A)
The team, along with the coach was celebrating the victory.
B)
Neither the boys nor the girls could come.
C)
There are less people at the funeral than expectation.
D)
She runs faster than her brother.
The sentence in option (c) is grammatically incorrect due to the misuse of 'less'. In English grammar, 'less' is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., less water, less time), whereas 'fewer' is used for countable nouns (e.g., fewer people, fewer books). Since 'people' is a countable noun, the sentence should correctly read: 'There are fewer people at the funeral than expected.'
Analysis of other options:
- Option (a): 'The team, along with the coach was celebrating the victory.' This is correct. When a subject is followed by phrases like 'along with', 'as well as', or 'together with', the verb agrees with the first subject ('The team'), which is singular, thus 'was' is correct.
- Option (b): 'Neither the boys nor the girls could come.' This is correct. In 'neither...nor' constructions, the verb/modal agrees with the closer subject ('the girls'), and 'could' is a modal verb that works for both singular and plural subjects.
- Option (d): 'She runs faster than her brother.' This is a grammatically correct comparative sentence.
Choose the correct word to make a meaningful sentence: You must act upon his ___
A)
counsil
B)
council
C)
councel
D)
counsel
This question tests the ability to distinguish between homophones (words that sound similar but have different meanings and spellings).
1. **Counsel (Option d):** As a noun, it means 'advice' or 'guidance'. As a verb, it means 'to give advice'. In the sentence 'You must act upon his ___', the context requires a word meaning 'advice'. Therefore, 'counsel' is the correct fit.
2. **Council (Option b):** This refers to an official group of people organized to advise, consult, or make decisions (e.g., a city council or a student council). You do not 'act upon' a group of people; you act upon the advice they give.
3. **Counsil (Option a) and Councel (Option c):** These are incorrect spellings and do not exist in the English language.
Conclusion: The sentence requires the word for 'advice', which is spelled 'counsel'.
Pick the correct word to complete the sentence: ___ black cats bring bad luck is just superstition.
A)
The
B)
It is
C)
That
D)
Although
The sentence requires a word that can turn the entire clause 'black cats bring bad luck' into a noun phrase that serves as the subject of the main verb 'is'.
1. **Analysis of the structure**: The main verb of the sentence is 'is'. The predicate is 'just superstition'. Therefore, everything before 'is' must function as the subject.
2. **The role of 'That'**: In this context, 'That' acts as a complementizer introducing a **noun clause** (also known as a content clause). The clause 'That black cats bring bad luck' functions as the singular subject of the sentence.
3. **Evaluating other options**:
- **a. The**: 'The black cats bring bad luck' would make 'black cats' the subject, but then the sentence would have two main verbs ('bring' and 'is') without a conjunction, creating a run-on sentence/grammatical error.
- **b. It is**: 'It is black cats bring bad luck' is grammatically incorrect. While 'It is' can introduce a dummy subject, it would require a 'that' later (e.g., 'It is a superstition that black cats bring bad luck').
- **d. Although**: 'Although' introduces a concessive adverbial clause. If used, the sentence would be 'Although black cats bring bad luck, [something else happens]', leaving the main clause incomplete and the verb 'is' without a proper subject.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Lets eat before we go out.
A)
conjunction
B)
adjective
C)
preposition
D)
interjection
In the sentence 'Lets eat before we go out', the word 'before' is used to connect two clauses: 'Lets eat' (the independent clause) and 'we go out' (the dependent clause). When a word connects clauses or sentences, it functions as a conjunction. Specifically, 'before' here is a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a clause of time.
Why other options are incorrect:
- b. Adjective: An adjective modifies a noun. 'Before' is not describing a noun in this sentence.
- c. Preposition: While 'before' can be a preposition (e.g., 'before the movie'), in this case, it is followed by a subject and a verb ('we go out'), making it a conjunction rather than a preposition.
- d. Interjection: An interjection is a word used to express strong emotion (e.g., 'Wow!', 'Ouch!'), which does not apply here.
One-word substitute for: left side of page in a book
A)
recto
B)
verso
C)
spread
D)
margin
In bookbinding and printing, the terms 'recto' and 'verso' are used to describe the pages of a leaf.
1. **Verso (Option b):** This refers to the back of a leaf, which is the left-hand page of an open book. It is derived from the Latin word meaning 'turned'.
2. **Recto (Option a):** This refers to the front of a leaf, which is the right-hand page of an open book. It is derived from the Latin word meaning 'right' or 'straight'.
3. **Spread (Option c):** This refers to two facing pages of a book viewed as a single unit.
4. **Margin (Option d):** This is the blank space around the edges of the text on a page, not a specific side of the book.
Therefore, the correct one-word substitute for the left side of a page in a book is 'verso'.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Perhaps we’ll see each other today.
A)
verb
B)
adjective
C)
pronoun
D)
adverb
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the underlined word 'Perhaps'. 2. Determine its function in the sentence: 'Perhaps' is used to express uncertainty or possibility regarding the entire statement ('we’ll see each other today'). 3. Identify the part of speech: Words that modify a verb, an adjective, another adverb, or an entire sentence to indicate manner, place, time, frequency, or degree (including probability) are classified as adverbs. Specifically, 'perhaps' is a sentence adverb (or disjunct) that modifies the truth value of the clause. 4. Evaluate other options: (a) Verb: It does not describe an action or state of being. (b) Adjective: It does not modify a noun. (c) Pronoun: It does not replace a noun. Therefore, 'adverb' is the correct classification.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
The cattle is grazing.
B)
The cattle are grazing.
C)
The cattles are grazing.
D)
Cattle is grazing.
The word 'cattle' is a collective noun that is treated as plural in English grammar. It refers to a group of cows, bulls, or steers. Because it is inherently plural, it requires a plural verb ('are') rather than a singular verb ('is'). Additionally, 'cattle' is an uncountable plural noun, meaning it does not take an 's' at the end; therefore, 'cattles' is grammatically incorrect.
Breakdown of options:
- Option (a) is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is' with a plural noun.
- Option (b) is correct because it uses the plural verb 'are' with the plural noun 'cattle'.
- Option (c) is incorrect because 'cattles' is not a valid English word.
- Option (d) is incorrect because it uses the singular verb 'is'.
Select an appropriate verb, preposition and adverb to fill in the blanks: Mary is known ___ for her kindness.
A)
well
B)
better
C)
good
D)
worse
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analysis of the sentence structure: The sentence 'Mary is known ___ for her kindness' requires an adverb to modify the participle/adjective 'known'.
2. Evaluating the options:
- 'well' (Option a): This is an adverb of degree/manner. The phrase 'known well' (or more commonly 'well-known') is a standard English expression meaning widely recognized or famous for a particular quality. It fits grammatically and logically.
- 'better' (Option b): This is a comparative adverb. It would require a comparison (e.g., 'known better than her sister'), which is absent here.
- 'good' (Option c): This is an adjective. Adjectives modify nouns, but here we need to modify the verb/participle 'known'. Using 'good' here is grammatically incorrect.
- 'worse' (Option d): This is a comparative adverb/adjective. Like 'better', it requires a context of comparison or a negative connotation that does not fit the positive context of 'kindness'.
3. Conclusion: 'well' is the only option that correctly modifies 'known' to indicate the extent of her reputation for kindness.
One-word substitute for: to move or walk idly
A)
drag
B)
dawdle
C)
expedite
D)
hinder
The phrase 'to move or walk idly' refers to wasting time or moving slowly and without purpose.
1. **Dawdle (Correct):** To move slowly and waste time; to linger or loiter. This perfectly matches the definition of walking idly.
2. **Drag (Incorrect):** To pull something along the ground or to move slowly due to exhaustion/difficulty, but it does not specifically mean walking idly by choice or habit.
3. **Expedite (Incorrect):** This is the opposite of the required meaning; it means to make a process happen more quickly.
4. **Hinder (Incorrect):** This means to create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction; it refers to an external obstacle rather than the act of walking idly.
Pick out the sentence that is grammatically or contextually incorrect:
A)
The horse and carriage are arriving.
B)
He doesn’t like to be fined.
C)
He is a man of few words.
D)
Only a few girls are as pretty as Rita.
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. **Option (a): 'The horse and carriage are arriving.'** In English grammar, when two nouns are joined by 'and' but represent a single unit or a collective idea (a compound subject), the verb should be singular. 'Horse and carriage' is a common idiomatic phrase referring to a single vehicle unit. Therefore, the correct verb should be 'is' instead of 'are'. Correct sentence: 'The horse and carriage is arriving.'
2. **Option (b): 'He doesn’t like to be fined.'** This is grammatically correct. It uses the present simple tense with a passive infinitive ('to be fined'), meaning he does not like it when someone imposes a fine on him.
3. **Option (c): 'He is a man of few words.'** This is a standard English idiom meaning a person who speaks very little. It is grammatically and contextually correct.
4. **Option (d): 'Only a few girls are as pretty as Rita.'** This is grammatically correct. 'A few' is used with countable nouns (girls), and the comparative structure 'as [adjective] as' is used correctly to compare the girls to Rita.
Conclusion: Option (a) is the incorrect sentence due to a subject-verb agreement error involving a compound noun acting as a single unit.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: The company will upgrade ___ computer system tomorrow.
A)
them
B)
there
C)
its
D)
entirely
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Identify the subject of the sentence: 'The company'. 2. Determine the nature of the subject: 'The company' is a collective noun, which is treated as a singular, neuter entity in this context. 3. Identify the requirement for the blank: The blank precedes the noun phrase 'computer system', indicating that a possessive adjective is needed to show ownership. 4. Evaluate the options: (a) 'them' is an object pronoun; (b) 'there' is an adverb of place; (c) 'its' is the singular possessive adjective for neuter nouns; (d) 'entirely' is an adverb. 5. Conclusion: 'its' is the only grammatically correct choice to show that the computer system belongs to the company.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
He is going to market.
B)
He have gone to the market.
C)
He has gone to market.
D)
He is going to the market.
Step-by-step analysis of the options:
1. **Option (a) 'He is going to market'**: In English grammar, when referring to a specific place of business or a public destination like 'the market', the definite article 'the' is required. While some phrases like 'go to school' or 'go to church' omit the article when referring to the primary purpose of the institution, 'market' generally requires 'the' to be grammatically complete in this context.
2. **Option (b) 'He have gone to the market'**: This is grammatically incorrect due to subject-verb agreement. 'He' is a third-person singular pronoun and requires the singular auxiliary verb 'has', not the plural 'have'.
3. **Option (c) 'He has gone to market'**: While the verb agreement is correct ('He has'), it suffers from the same missing definite article ('the') as option (a).
4. **Option (d) 'He is going to the market'**: This sentence is perfectly correct. It uses the present continuous tense ('is going') correctly with the singular subject 'He', and it correctly uses the definite article 'the' before 'market'.
Choose the meaning of the prepositional phrase: inspite of
A)
instead
B)
however
C)
despite
D)
moreover
The prepositional phrase 'in spite of' is used to introduce a contrast, indicating that something happens even though there is something else that might have prevented it. It is a synonym for the preposition 'despite'.
Step-by-step analysis of options:
- (a) 'instead' is an adverb/preposition meaning 'as an alternative to', which does not match the meaning of 'in spite of'.
- (b) 'however' is a conjunctive adverb used to introduce a contrasting statement, but it is not a prepositional phrase and cannot be used in the same grammatical structure as 'in spite of' (e.g., you cannot say 'however the rain' but you can say 'in spite of the rain').
- (c) 'despite' is a preposition that means 'without being affected by' or 'notwithstanding'. It is the exact synonym for 'in spite of'.
- (d) 'moreover' is a conjunctive adverb used to add further information, meaning 'in addition to', which is the opposite of the contrasting nature of 'in spite of'.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: servile
A)
cunning
B)
bikering
C)
sheepish
D)
assertive
Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the target word. 'Servile' describes someone who is overly submissive, fawning, or behaving like a slave; it implies a lack of self-respect and a tendency to obey others excessively.
Step 2: Evaluate the options to find the opposite meaning:
- (a) Cunning: Means showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit. This is unrelated to submission or dominance.
- (b) Bickering: Means arguing about petty and trivial matters. This is a behavior of conflict, not a personality trait opposite to servility.
- (c) Sheepish: Means showing embarrassment from shame or a lack of confidence. This is actually a synonym or closely related to the submissive nature of being servile.
- (d) Assertive: Means having or showing a confident and forceful personality. An assertive person stands up for their rights and expresses their opinions confidently, which is the direct opposite of being servile.
Conclusion: Since 'servile' is characterized by excessive submission and 'assertive' is characterized by confident self-expression, 'assertive' is the most appropriate antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: implicit
A)
inherent
B)
specific
C)
absolute
D)
implied
Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the target word. 'Implicit' means something that is suggested or understood though not plainly or directly expressed (e.g., an implicit agreement). It can also mean something that is inherent or implied.
Step 2: Evaluate the options to find the opposite meaning.
- (a) inherent: This is a synonym for implicit (something existing in something as a permanent, essential, or characteristic attribute).
- (b) specific: This means clearly defined or identified. In the context of communication or instructions, something 'specific' is explicitly stated and detailed, making it the most appropriate antonym for 'implicit' (which is vague or unstated).
- (c) absolute: This means total or complete; it does not directly contrast with the concept of being implied or unstated.
- (d) implied: This is a direct synonym for implicit.
Step 3: Conclusion. Since 'implicit' refers to that which is not stated directly, 'specific' (or 'explicit') refers to that which is stated clearly and directly. Therefore, 'specific' is the most appropriate antonym among the given choices.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: The children ___ how to play chess.
A)
knowingly
B)
knowing
C)
know
D)
known
Step-by-step reasoning: 1. Analyze the sentence structure: 'The children' is the subject, and 'how to play chess' is the object clause. The sentence is missing a finite verb to complete the predicate. 2. Subject-Verb Agreement: 'The children' is a plural noun. Therefore, the verb must be in its base form (plural form) for the present simple tense. 3. Evaluating options: (a) 'knowingly' is an adverb and cannot function as the main verb. (b) 'knowing' is a present participle/gerund and requires an auxiliary verb (like 'are') to function as a predicate. (c) 'know' is the base form of the verb, which correctly agrees with the plural subject 'children'. (d) 'known' is a past participle and requires an auxiliary verb (like 'have' or 'are') to function as a predicate. Therefore, 'know' is the only grammatically correct choice.
Choose the correct word to make a meaningful sentence: ___ up your arms.
A)
rise
B)
risen
C)
raise
D)
raze
The sentence requires a transitive verb to act upon the object 'your arms'.
1. **Raise (Option c):** This is a transitive verb meaning 'to lift something up'. Since 'your arms' is the direct object being lifted, 'raise' is the grammatically correct choice. The phrase 'raise your arms' is a standard English command.
2. **Rise (Option a):** This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to move upward' or 'to get up'. It does not take a direct object. You cannot 'rise something'; you simply 'rise'. Therefore, 'rise your arms' is grammatically incorrect.
3. **Risen (Option b):** This is the past participle of 'rise'. It requires an auxiliary verb (e.g., 'have risen') and, like 'rise', it is intransitive and cannot take 'your arms' as an object.
4. **Raze (Option d):** This is a homophone of 'raise' but has a completely different meaning: 'to completely destroy a building or town'. It would not make sense in this context.
Choose the meaning of the prepositional phrase: at home in
A)
to be at home
B)
good at
C)
indoor
D)
homely
The phrase 'at home in' is an idiomatic prepositional phrase. While 'at home' literally refers to one's place of residence, the specific idiom 'to be at home in [something]' means to be proficient, skilled, comfortable, or experienced in a particular subject, language, or activity. For example, 'She is at home in quantum physics' means she is very knowledgeable or 'good at' quantum physics.
Analysis of options:
- (a) 'to be at home': This is the literal meaning, not the idiomatic meaning of the phrase 'at home in'.
- (b) 'good at': This correctly captures the idiomatic meaning of proficiency or comfort in a subject.
- (c) 'indoor': This refers to a physical location inside a building and is unrelated to the idiom.
- (d) 'homely': This describes a person or place as simple, cozy, or unattractive, which is unrelated to the phrase's meaning of proficiency.