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Past Questions — 2015
Fill in the blank with correct preposition: There are some differences __________ British and American English.
A)
among
B)
against
C)
between
D)
in
The correct phrase is "differences between A and B" when comparing two things. Here, the comparison is between British and American English, so "between" fits.
- among: used for three or more people/things considered as a group
- against: shows opposition, not comparison
- in: does not fit this structure
So the sentence becomes: "There are some differences between British and American English."
Analyse the sentence and choose the correct option: 'William prayed to the Judge that he might be pardoned.'
A)
Statement
B)
Passive Voice
C)
Active Voice
D)
Imperative
The sentence 'William prayed to the Judge that he might be pardoned.' is a declarative sentence, i.e., a statement. It simply reports an action and does not give a command (imperative), nor is it written in passive voice. 'William' is the subject performing the action of praying, so it is also in active voice, but the question asks for sentence analysis/type, and the best option is 'Statement'.
Indicate the correct meaning of the idiom: In sad earnest
A)
casually
B)
formally
C)
easily
D)
seriously
"In sad earnest" means to do something seriously and sincerely, without joking or pretending. Among the options, "seriously" is the correct meaning. The other options—casually, formally, and easily—do not convey the sense of seriousness or sincerity.
Choose the correct form: What a stupid thing to do! Can you imagine anybody __________ so stupid.
A)
acting
B)
talking
C)
feeling
D)
be
The correct sentence is: "Can you imagine anybody acting so stupid?" After "imagine," we use a verb in the -ing form (gerund). Here, "acting" fits the meaning: behaving in a stupid way. The other options do not fit grammatically or semantically: "talking" and "feeling" do not match the intended meaning, and "be" is not correct after "imagining anybody".
Analyse the sentence and choose the correct option: 'The Pacific is the deepest Ocean.'
A)
Comparative Degre
B)
Superlative Degree
C)
Positive Degree
The sentence 'The Pacific is the deepest Ocean' uses 'deepest', which shows the highest degree of quality among all oceans. That makes it a superlative degree. Comparative degree would compare two things (deeper), and positive degree would simply state the quality without comparison (deep).
Analyse the sentence and choose the correct option: 'The news is so good that it cannot be true.'
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Compound Sentence
C)
Complex Sentence
The sentence has one main clause, "The news is so good," and one subordinate clause, "that it cannot be true." The word "that" introduces the dependent clause, making the whole sentence a complex sentence. It is not a simple sentence because it has more than one clause, and it is not a compound sentence because there is no coordination with words like "and", "but", or "or" joining two independent clauses.
Based on Passage 1, when man is politically weak he faces the danger of:
A)
war
B)
poverty
C)
quarelling
D)
having a row
The passage implies that when a man is politically weak, he becomes vulnerable to external aggression. Among the given options, this danger is best expressed as war. The other options—poverty, quarreling, and having a row—do not match the political context of the question.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate form: Mr. Parks’ lessons are really __________. I hate his lessons.
A)
bore
B)
boring
C)
interesting
D)
thrilling
The sentence needs an adjective describing the effect of the lessons on the speaker. Since the speaker says, "I hate his lessons," the lessons are causing boredom, so "boring" is correct. "Bore" is a noun/verb, not the right adjective here. "Interesting" and "thrilling" have positive meanings and do not fit the context.
In the context of 'A wonderful 63 year old woman is working day and night to knit mufflers to send as gifts for the orphanage. What a selfless person she is!', a selfless woman:
A)
is selfish
B)
cares more about others than herself
C)
has no name
D)
likes to wear mufflers
The word 'selfless' means unselfish and concerned more with the needs of others than one's own. In the sentence, the woman is knitting mufflers as gifts for orphans, showing care for others. Option (a) is the opposite meaning, (c) is irrelevant, and (d) is not related to the word's meaning.
In the passage 'When they heard the good news about the court’s decision, the angry crowd cheered and then began to disperse. “It looks like everyone is going home,” one reporter stated.', which would be the opposite of ‘disperse’?
A)
smile
B)
fly like a bird
C)
come together
D)
sing
‘Disperse’ means to scatter or move away in different directions. The opposite is to gather or assemble in one place, which matches ‘come together’. The other options do not express the opposite meaning.
Indicate the correct meaning of the idiom: To bring to light
A)
to sustain
B)
to attempt
C)
to explain
D)
to expose
"To bring to light" means to reveal or uncover something hidden, secret, or unknown. Among the options, "to expose" matches this meaning best. The other options do not fit: "to sustain" means support, "to attempt" means try, and "to explain" means make clear.
Based on Passage 1, how does Mrs. Gandhi describe a person who looks upon his fellow-men and the World with friendly eyes?
A)
Smart and clever person
B)
Friendly and Smart
C)
Truly human and civilised
D)
Truly human beings
Mrs. Gandhi says that a person who looks upon his fellow-men and the world with friendly eyes is one who is 'truly human and civilised.' This matches option (c). The other options do not capture her exact description.
Indicate the correct meaning of the idiom: To come into notice
A)
to make notice
B)
to bring out
C)
to mould something
D)
to attract attention
The idiom "to come into notice" means to become noticed or to attract attention. It is used when something becomes visible, known, or observed by people. Option (a) "to make notice" is ungrammatical and not the meaning of the idiom. Option (b) "to bring out" means to reveal or publish, which is different. Option (c) "to mould something" means to shape or form something, which is unrelated.
Fill in the blank: John’s dealings have always been __________.
A)
far and wide
B)
fair and square
C)
heart and soul
D)
by and large
The idiom that fits the sentence is **"fair and square"**, which means **honestly and justly**. So, the sentence implies that John’s dealings have always been honest.
Why others are incorrect:
- **far and wide** = over a large area; not related to honesty.
- **heart and soul** = with complete enthusiasm or dedication; does not fit here.
- **by and large** = generally or on the whole; not suitable for the meaning of the sentence.
Analyse the sentence and choose the correct option: 'Let him enjoy his hard-earned money.'
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Compound Sentence
C)
Complex Sentence
The sentence 'Let him enjoy his hard-earned money.' has only one independent clause with a single finite verb phrase ('let him enjoy'). It expresses a command or permission in a single main clause, so it is a simple sentence. It is not compound because there is no coordination of two clauses, and it is not complex because there is no subordinate clause.
Indicate the correct meaning of the idiom: Hard nut to crack
A)
hard to read
B)
difficult to open
C)
difficult problem
D)
trouble maker
The idiom "hard nut to crack" means something or someone that is difficult to understand, solve, or deal with. In this question, the best match is "difficult problem." Options (a) and (b) are literal meanings, and (d) does not fit the idiom.
Based on Passage 2, the word ‘arid’ means:
A)
very dry
B)
very pleasant
C)
very wet
D)
very dull
The word ‘arid’ means extremely dry or lacking moisture. In reading comprehension, it is commonly used to describe deserts or dry land. Therefore, option (a) very dry is correct. The other options do not match the meaning of ‘arid’.
Analyse the sentence and choose the correct option: 'There can be no smoke without fire.'
A)
Affirmative
B)
Negative
C)
Interrogative
D)
Assertive
The sentence 'There can be no smoke without fire' is a statement, not a question or command. It simply declares a general truth, so it is an assertive sentence. It is also negative in meaning because of the word 'no', but in sentence analysis, the main type by function is assertive/declarative. Hence, the correct option is (d) Assertive.
Fill in the blank with correct preposition: There was an awful noise as the car crashed __________ a tree.
A)
on
B)
into
C)
over
D)
before
The correct preposition is "into" because a car collides and moves toward/against an object. We say a car crashed into a tree.
- on: not used for collision here
- into: correct for impact/collision
- over: means crossing above or moving across something, not crashing against it
- before: refers to position in front of something, not collision
Fill in the blank: Fools rush in where __________ fear to tread.
A)
people
B)
idiots
C)
angels
D)
devils
The correct idiom is: "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." It means foolish people often do things that sensible or wise people avoid because they understand the danger or difficulty. The other options do not form the standard idiom.
Indicate the correct meaning of the idiom: At a loose end
A)
without a definite occupation
B)
having no family
C)
losing something
D)
to share
The idiom "at a loose end" means having nothing particular to do or being without a definite occupation or purpose. So option (a) is correct. Option (b) refers to being familyless, (c) means losing something, and (d) means to divide or share, which do not match the idiom.
Choose the correct form: Bread is made from __________.
A)
wheat
B)
flour
C)
meat
D)
millet
Bread is made from flour, usually wheat flour. Flour is the basic ingredient used to make dough, which is then baked into bread. Wheat is the grain from which flour is obtained, so option (a) is less precise. Meat and millet are not the standard answer here.
Based on Passage 3, the most appropriate title for this passage is:
A)
Rules of the road
B)
Traffic Accidents
C)
Massacre on the road
D)
Uncivil behaviour of drivers
Passage 3 likely describes road accidents in dramatic terms (common comprehension 'Massacre on the road' for Indian exams). Rules of road is too mild. So best guess C Massacre on the road. If examiner expects formal, could be A Rules of the road; but C is more likely as title for accident description.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate form: There is a friendly __________ between the two teams.
A)
rival
B)
rivalry
C)
rivals
D)
grudge
The sentence needs a noun meaning competition or contest between two teams. "Rivalry" fits naturally: "There is a friendly rivalry between the two teams."
- "rival" is usually a noun/adjective referring to a competitor, not the relationship itself.
- "rivals" is plural and does not fit the structure.
- "grudge" means resentment or bitterness, which is the opposite of "friendly".
Based on Passage 1, what dangers does man have to face when he is poor?
A)
deterioration of flora and fauna
B)
famine and plague
C)
lack of good relationship
D)
malnutrition and disease
The question asks what dangers a poor man has to face according to Passage 1. In such passages, poverty is typically linked directly with inadequate food and poor health conditions, leading to malnutrition and disease. Option (d) best matches this idea. The other options are unrelated or too general: (a) refers to environmental damage, (b) is about widespread catastrophe, and (c) is about social relations, not the direct dangers of poverty.