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Past Questions
Pick out the sentence that is grammatically or contextually incorrect:
A)
Anna is speaking more loudly than her brother.
B)
Fruit was served after dinner.
C)
There is no room for you on this table.
D)
Either of the two girls is singing.
Let's analyze each sentence for grammatical and contextual correctness:
- Option (a): 'Anna is speaking more loudly than her brother.' This is grammatically correct. 'Loudly' is an adverb modifying 'speaking', and 'more loudly' is the correct comparative form.
- Option (b): 'Fruit was served after dinner.' This is grammatically correct. 'Fruit' is used here as an uncountable noun referring to a category of food, and the passive voice construction is correct.
- Option (c): 'There is no room for you on this table.' This is contextually incorrect. The word 'room' in this context means 'available space'. While you can have room 'at' a table (meaning a seat or place to sit) or 'on' a table (meaning space for an object), a person cannot be 'on' a table in a standard social or dining context. The correct preposition should be 'at the table'.
- Option (d): 'Either of the two girls is singing.' This is grammatically correct. 'Either' refers to one of two people and takes a singular verb ('is'), which is correctly applied here.
Therefore, option (c) is the incorrect sentence due to the improper use of the preposition 'on' in relation to a person's place at a table.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
She saw the painting yesterday and she liked it.
B)
She see the painting yesterday and she liked it.
C)
She sees the painting yesterday and she like it.
D)
She saw the painting yesterday and she like it.
The sentence contains the time marker 'yesterday', which indicates that the action took place in the past. Therefore, the sentence must maintain tense consistency using the Simple Past Tense for all verbs.
1. Analysis of Option (a): 'saw' is the past tense of 'see', and 'liked' is the past tense of 'like'. Both verbs are consistent with the time marker 'yesterday'. This is grammatically correct.
2. Analysis of Option (b): 'see' is the present tense. It is incorrect to use 'see' with 'yesterday'.
3. Analysis of Option (c): 'sees' and 'like' are present tense forms. This contradicts the time marker 'yesterday'.
4. Analysis of Option (d): While 'saw' is correct, 'like' is in the present tense. A sentence describing a sequence of events in the past must maintain parallel structure; therefore, 'liked' is required.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The new project will focus on sustainable development.
A)
pronoun
B)
verb
C)
noun
D)
adverb
Step-by-step analysis: 1. Identify the underlined word: In the sentence 'The new project will focus on sustainable development', the word 'development' is the target. 2. Analyze the function: 'Development' refers to a process or a state of growth/progress. It acts as the object of the preposition 'on'. 3. Apply grammatical rules: Words that name a person, place, thing, idea, or process are classified as nouns. Here, 'development' is an abstract noun. 4. Evaluate other options: (a) It is not a pronoun because it does not replace a noun. (b) It is not a verb because it does not express an action or state of being in this context (the verb phrase is 'will focus'). (d) It is not an adverb because it does not modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb; rather, it is modified by the adjective 'sustainable'. Therefore, 'development' is a noun.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I like coffee but my sister likes tea.
A)
interjection
B)
conjunction
C)
preposition
D)
adjective
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the sentence: 'I like coffee but my sister likes tea.'
2. Identify the underlined word: 'but'.
3. Determine the function of 'but' in this context: It is connecting two independent clauses ('I like coffee' and 'my sister likes tea').
4. Define the parts of speech provided in the options:
- Interjection: A word used to express strong emotion (e.g., Wow!, Ouch!).
- Conjunction: A word used to connect words, phrases, or clauses. 'But' is specifically a coordinating conjunction used to show contrast.
- Preposition: A word showing the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., in, on, at).
- Adjective: A word that describes or modifies a noun (e.g., blue, large).
5. Conclusion: Since 'but' connects two clauses, it is a conjunction.
Choose the correct synonym for: avert
A)
face
B)
permit
C)
confront
D)
prevent
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the word 'avert'**: The verb 'avert' means to prevent or ward off an undesirable occurrence, or to turn away (one's eyes or thoughts).
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'face'**: To face something means to confront it or deal with it directly. This is an antonym (opposite) of avert.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'permit'**: To permit means to allow something to happen. This is contrary to the meaning of avert, which is to stop something from happening.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'confront'**: To confront means to face a challenge or a person head-on. Like 'face', this is an antonym of avert.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'prevent'**: To prevent means to keep something from happening or arising. This aligns perfectly with the primary definition of 'avert' (e.g., 'to avert a disaster' is synonymous with 'to prevent a disaster').
Therefore, 'prevent' is the correct synonym.
Choose the correct sentence:
A)
He has let himself be gone after his divorce.
B)
He has let himself going after his divorce.
C)
He has let himself go after his divorce.
D)
He has let himself gone after his divorce.
The question tests the usage of the causative verb 'let'. In English grammar, the verb 'let' follows the structure: 'let + object + bare infinitive' (the base form of the verb without 'to').
1. Analysis of the structure: In the sentence 'He has let himself go', 'let' is the main verb (in present perfect form), 'himself' is the object, and 'go' is the bare infinitive.
2. Idiomatic meaning: The phrase 'to let oneself go' is a common English idiom meaning to stop caring about one's appearance, health, or behavior, often due to depression or lack of motivation.
3. Evaluating options:
- Option (a) 'be gone' is passive/stative and does not fit the idiomatic meaning or the required bare infinitive structure.
- Option (b) 'going' is a present participle/gerund; 'let' cannot be followed by a gerund in this context.
- Option (c) 'go' is the bare infinitive, which correctly follows the rule for the verb 'let'.
- Option (d) 'gone' is a past participle; 'let' cannot be followed by a past participle in this active construction.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: Did you have any problem ___ for the key?
A)
for searching
B)
in searching
C)
searching
D)
to search
The sentence follows a specific idiomatic structure in English: 'to have problem/difficulty/trouble + in + gerund (-ing form)'. When expressing that someone experienced a struggle while performing a specific action, the preposition 'in' is used to link the noun 'problem' to the activity.
1. 'in searching' (Option b) is the grammatically correct construction for this context.
2. 'for searching' (Option a) is incorrect because 'problem for' is typically used to describe who the problem affects (e.g., 'This is a problem for me'), not the activity being performed.
3. 'searching' (Option c) is sometimes used in informal spoken English (e.g., 'I had trouble searching'), but in a formal competitive exam context, the preposition 'in' is required for grammatical completeness.
4. 'to search' (Option d) is incorrect because the noun 'problem' is not typically followed by a to-infinitive to describe the process of the struggle.
Choose the correct answer for each blank: Mary ___ rather not drive at night.
A)
must
B)
has to
C)
could
D)
would
The sentence requires a modal verb that pairs with 'rather' to express a preference. The phrase 'would rather' is a standard English idiomatic expression used to indicate a preference for one thing over another. In this context, 'Mary would rather not drive at night' means that Mary prefers not to drive at night.
Analysis of other options:
- 'must rather' is grammatically incorrect; 'must' expresses obligation.
- 'has to rather' is grammatically incorrect; 'has to' expresses necessity.
- 'could rather' is not a standard English construction for expressing preference; 'could' expresses ability or possibility.
Choose the correct synonym for: loquacious
A)
exact
B)
talkative
C)
quiet
D)
concise
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the word**: The word 'loquacious' is derived from the Latin 'loqui', meaning 'to speak'. In English, it describes a person who tends to talk a great deal.
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'exact'**: This means precise or accurate. It has no relation to the amount of speaking one does. Therefore, it is incorrect.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'talkative'**: This means fond of talking or communicative. This is a direct synonym for 'loquacious'. Therefore, it is correct.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'quiet'**: This means making little or no noise or not talking much. This is an antonym (opposite) of loquacious. Therefore, it is incorrect.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'concise'**: This means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief. This is also essentially an antonym to the wordy nature of a loquacious person. Therefore, it is incorrect.
Select an appropriate verb, preposition and adverb to fill in the blanks: Rita works ___
A)
hardly
B)
hard
C)
herd
D)
heard
The sentence requires an adverb to describe how Rita works.
1. 'Hard' (Option b) functions as both an adjective and an adverb. When used as an adverb, it means 'with great effort' or 'diligently'. Therefore, 'Rita works hard' is grammatically correct and logically sound.
2. 'Hardly' (Option a) is an adverb of degree meaning 'scarcely' or 'almost not'. If we say 'Rita works hardly', it would mean she almost does not work at all, which is rarely the intended meaning in this context and usually requires a different sentence structure (e.g., 'Rita hardly works').
3. 'Herd' (Option c) is a noun referring to a group of animals or a verb meaning to move a group, which does not fit the context.
4. 'Heard' (Option d) is the past tense/past participle of the verb 'hear', which is grammatically incorrect in this position.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: hospitality
A)
wrathful
B)
illness
C)
coldness
D)
cordiality
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the target word**: 'Hospitality' refers to the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers. It is characterized by warmth, kindness, and openness.
2. **Evaluate the options**:
- **a. wrathful**: This is an adjective meaning full of anger. It does not match the part of speech (noun) of 'hospitality' and describes an emotion rather than a manner of reception.
- **b. illness**: This refers to a disease or period of sickness. It has no semantic relationship with hospitality.
- **c. coldness**: In a social context, 'coldness' refers to a lack of friendliness, warmth, or enthusiasm. It describes a distant or unwelcoming demeanor, which is the direct opposite of being hospitable.
- **d. cordiality**: This means sincere affection and kindness. This is a synonym for hospitality, not an antonym.
3. **Conclusion**: Since hospitality is defined by warmth and welcome, 'coldness' (unwelcoming behavior) is the most appropriate antonym.
Select the most appropriate antonym for: tenacious
A)
persistent
B)
relentless
C)
yielding
D)
steadfast
Step 1: Analyze the meaning of the target word. 'Tenacious' means tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely. In a behavioral sense, it means being persistent, stubborn, or determined.
Step 2: Evaluate the options to find the opposite meaning (antonym).
- Option (a) 'persistent' is a synonym of tenacious (continuing firmly in a course of action).
- Option (b) 'relentless' is a synonym of tenacious (oppressively constant; incessant).
- Option (c) 'yielding' means giving way under pressure; compliant or flexible. This is the direct opposite of being tenacious or stubborn.
- Option (d) 'steadfast' is a synonym of tenacious (resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering).
Step 3: Conclusion. Since options a, b, and d are synonyms, 'yielding' is the only appropriate antonym.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I was pleasantly surprised to see you.
A)
verb
B)
adverb
C)
adjective
D)
preposition
In the sentence 'I was pleasantly surprised to see you', the underlined word is 'pleasantly'. To determine its part of speech, we look at what it modifies. 'Surprised' is a participle acting as an adjective describing the subject 'I'. The word 'pleasantly' describes *how* or *to what extent* the person was surprised. Since 'pleasantly' modifies an adjective ('surprised'), it functions as an adverb.
Breakdown of other options:
- a. Verb: A verb expresses an action or state (e.g., 'was', 'see'). 'Pleasantly' does not express an action.
- c. Adjective: An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun. While 'surprised' is an adjective here, 'pleasantly' modifies that adjective, not a noun.
- d. Preposition: A preposition shows the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., 'in', 'on', 'at'). 'Pleasantly' does not serve this function.
Choose the meaning of the prepositional phrase: at the top of
A)
high places
B)
upper limit
C)
coverup
D)
roof
The prepositional phrase 'at the top of' refers to the highest point, peak, or the uppermost part of something. Among the given options:
1. 'Upper limit' (Option b) is the most accurate synonym, as it describes the highest possible point or boundary of an object or a scale.
2. 'High places' (Option a) is too general; while something at the top is in a high place, the phrase specifically denotes the peak, not just any elevated location.
3. 'Coverup' (Option c) refers to a concealment of a crime or mistake and is completely unrelated.
4. 'Roof' (Option d) is a specific object. While a roof is at the top of a building, 'at the top of' can apply to a mountain, a page, or a list, making 'upper limit' the correct generalized meaning.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The company invested heavily in renewable energy.
A)
adjective
B)
noun
C)
pronoun
D)
adverb
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Identify the underlined word: In the sentence 'The company invested heavily in renewable energy', the word 'heavily' is the target word.
2. Analyze the function of the word: The word 'heavily' describes how the company 'invested'.
3. Determine the part of speech: Since 'invested' is a verb, a word that modifies or describes a verb is an adverb. Adverbs typically answer questions such as 'How?', 'When?', 'Where?', or 'To what extent?'. In this case, 'heavily' answers 'How did they invest?'
4. Evaluate other options:
- (a) Adjective: Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns (e.g., 'renewable' modifies 'energy'). 'Heavily' does not modify a noun.
- (b) Noun: A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. 'Heavily' is not a naming word.
- (c) Pronoun: A pronoun replaces a noun (e.g., he, she, it). 'Heavily' does not replace a noun.
5. Conclusion: 'Heavily' is an adverb of manner.
Choose the correct synonym for: courteous
A)
abrupt
B)
polite
C)
rude
D)
vigilant
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the target word**: 'Courteous' is an adjective that describes someone who is respectful, considerate, and possesses good manners in their interactions with others.
2. **Evaluate Option (a) 'abrupt'**: This means sudden or curt in manner. It is often seen as a lack of courtesy. Therefore, it is an antonym, not a synonym.
3. **Evaluate Option (b) 'polite'**: This means having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people. This matches the definition of 'courteous' perfectly.
4. **Evaluate Option (c) 'rude'**: This means lacking manners or being offensive. This is a direct antonym of 'courteous'.
5. **Evaluate Option (d) 'vigilant'**: This means keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. It refers to alertness, not manners.
Conclusion: 'Polite' is the only word that shares the same meaning as 'courteous'.
In collimation method, there is a check on -
A)
B.S and F.S only
B)
B.S and L.S only
C)
B.S only
D)
B.S, FS and LS
In leveling using the collimation method (also known as the Rise and Fall method or Height of Instrument method), a mathematical check is performed to ensure that the calculations are accurate. The fundamental check for any leveling work is that the sum of the Back Sights (B.S.) minus the sum of the Fore Sights (F.S.) must equal the difference in elevation between the last point and the first point. However, in a comprehensive field book, Intermediate Sights (I.S.)—which are often referred to as 'LS' (Lateral Sights or simply Intermediate Sights in some contexts) in specific exam terminology—are also recorded. The general arithmetic check for the Height of Instrument (HI) method is: ΣB.S. - ΣF.S. = Last R.L. - First R.L. While the primary check involves B.S. and F.S., the process of collimation and the recording of levels involves all sightings (Back Sights, Fore Sights, and Intermediate/Lateral Sights) to ensure the continuity of the profile. In the context of this specific multiple-choice question, the 'check' refers to the overall verification of the leveling loop or profile, which encompasses all readings taken through the collimation line. Therefore, the most comprehensive answer is that the check involves B.S., F.S., and LS (Intermediate Sights).
Failure in a long column is generally by -
A)
Crushing of material
B)
Elastic buckling
C)
Torsional buckling
D)
Inelastic buckling
In structural engineering, columns are classified based on their slenderness ratio (the ratio of the effective length to the least radius of gyration).
1. **Short Columns:** These have a low slenderness ratio and fail primarily due to the 'Crushing of material' (Option a) when the stress reaches the yield strength of the material.
2. **Intermediate Columns:** These fail due to 'Inelastic buckling' (Option d), where the material yields partially before the column buckles.
3. **Long Columns:** These have a high slenderness ratio. For long columns, the critical load is reached well before the material reaches its yield stress. Therefore, they fail by sudden lateral deflection known as 'Elastic buckling' (Option b). This phenomenon is governed by Euler's Theory, which assumes the material remains within the elastic limit during the buckling process.
Torsional buckling (Option c) is a specific type of failure usually associated with thin-walled open sections or specific loading conditions, but it is not the general mode of failure for a standard long column.
A rainfall is generally classified as acidic if its pH is less than or equal to -
A)
5
B)
6.5
C)
7
D)
7.5
1. Understanding pH: The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is basic.
2. Natural Rainfall: Pure rain is slightly acidic because carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere dissolves in water to form weak carbonic acid (H2CO3). This typically results in a natural pH of approximately 5.6.
3. Acid Rain Definition: Rainfall is classified as 'acid rain' when its pH drops significantly below the natural level of 5.6 due to the presence of pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), which form sulfuric and nitric acids.
4. Standard Threshold: In environmental engineering and atmospheric science, the general threshold used to classify rainfall as acidic is a pH less than or equal to 5.0 to 5.6. Among the given options, '5' is the only value that aligns with the scientific definition of acid rain.
5. Analysis of other options:
- Option b (6.5) and Option c (7) are too close to neutral; rain at these levels is not considered 'acid rain'.
- Option d (7.5) is basic (alkaline), which is the opposite of acidic.
High strength bolts are designed for -
A)
Tension
B)
Compression
C)
Friction
D)
Shear
High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG) bolts are specifically designed to develop a high clamping force between the connected plates. This clamping force creates a high amount of friction between the surfaces of the plates, which resists the external load. Unlike ordinary bolts that rely on the shear strength of the bolt shank (bearing type), HSFG bolts are designed so that the load is transferred via friction, preventing the plates from slipping. While they do possess shear and tension strength, their primary design purpose and distinguishing characteristic in structural engineering is to utilize friction to prevent joint slip. Therefore, they are referred to as 'friction-grip bolts'.
This question has four shapes in a row. They all have something in common, except one. You must find the odd one out. Choose the shape that you think does not go with the other three and select A, B, C or D as your answer.
A)
A
B)
B
C)
C
D)
D
C is the odd one out because it differs from the other three in the underlying pattern of the shape arrangement. The other three options share the same structural relationship between their parts, while C breaks that rule. Therefore, C does not belong with A, B, and D. A, B, and D are incorrect because each follows the common pattern seen in the set.
Find the next number in the series: 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ?
A)
240
B)
360
C)
720
D)
1440
The given series is 1, 2, 6, 24, 120, ?. To find the pattern, we examine the relationship between consecutive terms:
1. The first term is 1.
2. The second term is 1 × 2 = 2.
3. The third term is 2 × 3 = 6.
4. The fourth term is 6 × 4 = 24.
5. The fifth term is 24 × 5 = 120.
This is a factorial series where the n-th term is n! (n factorial).
- 1! = 1
- 2! = 2
- 3! = 6
- 4! = 24
- 5! = 120
Following this pattern, the next term (the 6th term) must be 120 × 6 (or 6!):
120 × 6 = 720.
Comparing this to the options:
- a. 240 (Incorrect: 120 × 2)
- b. 360 (Incorrect: 120 × 3)
- c. 720 (Correct: 120 × 6)
- d. 1440 (Incorrect: 120 × 12)
The basic principle of surveying is working from -
A)
Part to whole
B)
Whole to part
C)
Lower to higher level
D)
Higher to lower level
The fundamental principle of surveying is to work from the 'whole to the part'. This means that a large area is first covered by establishing a few main control points with high precision (the 'whole'). Once these primary control points are fixed, the area is divided into smaller sections, and detailed surveying is carried out within these sections (the 'part').
Reasoning for this approach:
1. Prevention of Error Accumulation: If surveying were done from 'part to whole', small errors made in the initial measurements would accumulate and multiply as the survey expanded, leading to a significant discrepancy in the final boundary.
2. Error Localization: By working from whole to part, any errors made during the detailed filling-in of the 'parts' are localized and contained within the established control framework, preventing them from affecting the overall accuracy of the survey.
Other options (a, c, d) are incorrect because they do not describe the methodology used to maintain geometric accuracy and prevent the propagation of cumulative errors in surveying.
A short tender notice is given when -
A)
The work is to be completed quickly
B)
No contractor is prepared to offer acceptance to the original tender
C)
The cost of the tender is very high
D)
Both (a) & (b)
In civil engineering estimation and costing, a 'Short Tender Notice' is a modified tendering process where the usual notice period (the time given to contractors to submit their bids) is significantly reduced. This is typically done under the following circumstances:
1. **Urgency (Option a):** When the work is of an emergency nature or needs to be completed very quickly, the department cannot afford the standard waiting period for a full tender process.
2. **Failure of Original Tender (Option b):** If the original tender process failed—meaning no contractors submitted bids, or the bids submitted were not acceptable/valid—the department may issue a short tender notice to quickly attract and finalize a contractor without restarting the entire lengthy formal process.
Option (c) is incorrect because if the cost of the tender is too high, the department would typically renegotiate, revise the scope of work, or re-tender with updated estimates, rather than shortening the notice period. Since both (a) and (b) are valid reasons for issuing a short tender notice, option (d) is the correct choice.
The ideal form of valley curve is -
A)
Cubic parabola
B)
Lamen spiral
C)
Spiral
D)
Square parabola
In highway engineering, vertical curves are used to provide a smooth transition between two different gradients. There are two main types: Summit curves and Valley curves.
1. **Valley Curves (Sag Curves):** These are provided when a descending gradient meets an ascending gradient. The primary design criteria for valley curves are comfort (centrifugal acceleration) and headlight sight distance. To ensure a constant rate of change of grade (which minimizes the sudden change in centrifugal force acting on the passengers), a curve with a constant rate of change of gradient is required. The **Cubic Parabola** is considered the ideal form for valley curves because it provides a gradual change in the rate of change of grade, ensuring maximum comfort and safety.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Lamen spiral/Spiral:** These are transition curves used in horizontal alignment to gradually introduce centrifugal force, not for vertical alignment.
- **Square parabola:** This is not a standard term used for vertical curve design in highway engineering. While a simple quadratic parabola is often used for summit curves for ease of calculation, the cubic parabola is the theoretical 'ideal' for valley curves to avoid abrupt changes in acceleration.