English Quiz

Directions (Q. 1-5) : Each question below has two blanks, indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words for each blank that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Question.1. Drawing attention to the pitfalls of _ ___ solely on Uranium as a fuel for nuclear reactors, Indian scientists warned that Uranium will not last for long and thus research on Thorium as its____ must be revived.
1) using, substitute
2) believing, replacement
3) depending, reserve
4) reckoning, option
5) relying, alternative

Question.2. In an effort to provide ____ for higher education to all, most of the universities have been providing education without adequate infrastructure, thus churning out ____ graduates every year.
1) chances, fresh
2) platform, capable
3) opportunities, unemployable
4) prospects, eligible
5) policy, incompetent

Question.3. The move to allow dumping of mercury ____ an outcry from residents of the area who ____ that high levels of mercury will affect their health and destroy ecologically sensitive forest area.
1) resulted, insist
2) provoked, fear
3) incited, determined
4) activated, accept
5) angered, believe

Question.4. ____ has been taken against some wholesale drug dealers for dealing in surgical items without a valid licence and maintaining a stock of _____ drugs.
1) Note, overwhelming
2) Step, impressive
3) Execution, outdated
4) Action, expired
5) Lawsuit, invalid

Question.5. Even as the _____ elsewhere in the world are struggling to come out of recession, Indian consumers are splurging on consumer goods and to ___ this growth, companies are investing heavily in various sectors.
1) economies, meet
2) countries, inhibit
3) governments, measure
4) nations, inflict
5) companies, counter

Directions (Q. 6 to 10): Part of the given sentence is underlined. Choose the answer choice which is the best version of the underlined part. Choice 1 is unchanged. Select the version which is most effectively expressed – clear and unambiguous as well as correct grammar.

Question.6. In the initial stages of learning a new language we learn more through listening and attempting to copy speech patterns and not through reading grammar books.

1) and attempting to copy speech patterns and not through reading grammar books. 
2) and attempting to copy speech patterns than through reading grammar books. 
3) and attempts to copy speech patterns than through reading grammar books. 
4) and attempts at copying speech patterns than through reading grammar books. 
5) and attempts at copying speech patterns and not grammar books.

Question.7. Between you and I, I doubt that he will come.

1) and I, I doubt that he will come. 
2) and I, I doubt that he would come. 
3) and me, I doubt that he will come. 
4) and me, I doubt that he would come. 
5) and me, I doubt whether he will be coming.

Question.8. Work that is not finished is not work at all, it is merely a botch, a failure.

1) all, it is merely a botch, a failure. 
2) all, it is a botch merely, and a failure. 
3) all; it is merely a botch, a failure. 
4) all; the work merely is a botch and a failure. 
5) all; the work being merely a botch, a failure.

Question.9. Pollution and degradation of the environment is, according to the commission’s report, a matter of universal concern.

1) is, according to the commission’s report, a matter of universal concern. 
2) is, according to the report by the commission, a matter of universal concern. 
3) is, according to the report of the commission, matters of universal concern. 
4) are, according to the commission’s report, universally a matter of concern. 
5) are, according to the commission’s report, a matter of universal concern.

Question.10. Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement as for their being practical work clothes.

1) Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement as for their being practical work clothes. 
2) Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement but for their being practical work clothes. 
3) Denim jeans were originally worn not so much as a fashion statement but for being practical work clothes 
4) Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion statement as for them being practical work clothes. 
5) Denim jeans were originally worn not as a fashion statement but as for them being practical work clothes.

Answers ▼

Answer.1. 5; The sentence talks about dependence on Uranium. Although “depending” is there in option 3, option 3 will not be the answer because the second option “reserve” is not appropriate for the second blank space. Hence, option 5 will be the answer. In fact, “rely” and “depend” are synonymous. Furthermore, the sentence states that since Uranium will not last long, so Thorium reserves should be explored. Thus, Thorium is an alternative of Uranium.

Answer.2. 3; Providing education without adequate infrastructure will certainly lead to undesired result. Hence, the second blank will contain a word with negative meaning. Thus, we can safely delete options 1,2 and 4. Option 5 cannot be the answer because the first option “policy” is not making any sense in the context of the sentence. Thus, option 3 seems to be the most suitable.

Answer.3. 2; Residents will certainly FEAR high levels of mercury which can adversely impact their health. The other options – “insist”, “determined”, “accept” and “believe” do not make any sense in the context of the sentence. Hence, option 2 is correct.

Answer.4. 4; “Action” can only be taken against someone who has indulged in malpractices. Hence, the second blank space should have a word with negative connotation. Hence, Options 1 and 2 can be deleted. Since the sentence talks about drugs, “expiry” seems to be a very probable option. Although options 3,4 and 5 appear to be very close, only “action” fits in perfectly in the first blank space. A lawsuit cannot be taken. It can be filed. Similarly, execution cannot be taken. So, option 4 is the answer.

Answer.5. Economies is the only term here which can be related with recession, and the and hence to “meet” the growth, Indian consumers are spending plenty of money on consumer goods. Hence,”meet” is the only word which will fill the second blank.

Answer.6. 2; The word more requires a than. Attempting is correctly parallel to listening.

Answer.7. 3; After the preposition between the pronouns should be in the object form and so we need me and not I. After doubt the simple future tense is correct.

Answer.8. 1; semicolon is need to link two sentences. Of the choices with the semicolon, C is short and clear (and correct), D has merely in the wrong place, and E does not have a complete sentence after the semicolon.

Answer.9. 5; “Pollution and degradation” form a compound subject which needs a plural verb: are is correct.

Answer.10. 1; There is no correction required.