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General English and Verbal Reasoning Test 2

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Directions: The sentence below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Each occupation has its own ________; bankers, lawyers and computer professionals, for example all use among themselves a _________ that outsiders find difficult to follow.

  1. merits, incidents

  2. disadvantages, methods

  3. rewards, endearment

  4. jargon, language

  5. problems, fundamentals


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

We are talking about a means of communication here which cannot be understood by outsiders. Hence, option 4 is correct.

Directions: The sentence below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Biological clocks are of __________ adaptive value to animals since they _____________ nervous and physiological functions of the body.

  1. immense, assumes

  2. great, regulate

  3. ultimate, created

  4. high, engulfs

  5. no, governs


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

From the sentence, we can see that both 'immense' and 'great' are correct for the first blank. Options 3 (ultimate) and 4 (high) do not fit. 'Clocks' can regulate or adjust but cannot assume. So, option 2 is correct.

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

Open debates would be of immense help to thinkers and social scientists in their attempts to formulate their point of view on the critical question of ________.

  1. society

  2. mortality

  3. morality

  4. civilization

  5. death


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Out of the given options, only morality is debatable and open to varied interpretation.

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

The U.S. money for Syrian ________ figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005.

  1. literary

  2. governmental

  3. administrative

  4. revolutionary

  5. scholarly


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

(4) conveys a logical continuation of the idea expressed in the sentence. After freezing political ties with a nation, U.S. would fund only the opposition or ‘revolutionary’ figures.

Directions: The following question consists of a single sentence with one blank only. You are given five words as answer choices and from the five choices you have to pick up the one that will make the sentence meaningfully complete.

The ________ should ensure that those who manage to break out of the vicious cycle are able to sustain their upward momentum.

  1. measures

  2. laxities

  3. constraints

  4. restrictions

  5. conditions


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

‘Measures’ conveys a positive initiative that would allow upward momentum.

Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.

The whole point of democracy is to give people a way to place the system of governance where it can do the least ________.

  1. benefit

  2. utility

  3. impact

  4. damage

  5. impression


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence cynically observes that the system of governance should be placed where it can do the 'least' damage. The usage of the word 'least' implies that only a negative quality is fitting for the blank.

Directions: The sentence below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The two artists _______ markedly in their temperaments, one was reserved and courteous, while the other was __________ and boastful.

  1. changed, irritable

  2. similar, jovial

  3. differed, rude

  4. appeared, funny

  5. addressed, ill-tempered


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Since the two temperaments mentioned in the sentence are different, the first blank has to be 'differed'.

Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.

The richer children are able to buy education, while the poor cannot. So, the richer children do better in exams, creating the illusion that they are a meritocracy, when in fact they are merely ________.

  1. aristocracy

  2. privileged

  3. nobility

  4. intelligent

  5. deluded


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentence implies that the rich can afford to buy education; so they are privileged, not necessarily more intelligent.

Directions: The sentence below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Despite a growing _________ that a lot needs to be done to help those without clean water, a _______ says that more than 34 million people die every year of water borne diseases.

  1. interest, reason

  2. recognition, report

  3. fantasy, review

  4. authority, legend

  5. turbulence, logic


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentence clearly states that more and more people are becoming aware or are recognising the need for helping those without clean water. So, 'recognition' is the correct answer for first blank. The figures given in the latter part of sentence can be a part of a report but not of reason/logic/legend/review. So, option 2 is the correct answer.

Directions: The sentence below has two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Choose the set of words that best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Many people believed that spices help ___________ food; however nutritionists found that most spices were __________ of having any effect on growth of microbes present in the food.

  1. preserve, incapable

  2. produce, impossible

  3. save, preventive

  4. spoil, probable

  5. protect, deprived


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

'Growth of microbes' is the key phrase. To prevent this, generally different methods of preservation are followed and one such method is the use of spices. So, the correct word for first blank has to be 'preserve'. For the second blank, 'incapable' is correct as the nutritionists have found that it is otherwise.

Directions: Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

His open ________ nature quickly won him ________ wherever he went.

  1. pompous, gratitude

  2. gregarious, chums

  3. shrewd, awe

  4. inane, mercy

  5. newfangled, applause


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Open can be taken as a key word in this sentence as it shows gregarious nature. And through this quality, friends (chums) can be won. So, the answer is (2).

Directions: Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The ingenuous appearance of the young sales manager belied his _________ negotiating skills, so that buyers were often floored by his _______________.

  1. sharp, approach

  2. innovative, ingenuity

  3. keen, debonairness

  4. clever, failures

  5. canny, acumen


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The ingenuous or innocent appearance belies the (opposite of innocent) skills so that the buyers get deceived. A close study of all the options makes option (5) the best.

Directions: Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

She is a Czech ________, who as a child ____ with her family to Canada.

  1. denizen, cooped

  2. salvationist, dashed

  3. citizen, played

  4. expatriate, fled

  5. burgher, gushed


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

It is clear from the passage that somebody went from one country to the other. The best suited option is (4).

Directions: Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

The ___________ has not yet succeeded in bringing about ____________ to the battle-ridden northern territory.

  1. etiquette, manners

  2. orthodoxy, armistice

  3. propaganda, turmoil

  4. accord, tranquillity

  5. adjuration, halt


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence is about a positive action that has not yet brought something positive to the battle-ridden territory. So, the best given option is (4).

Directions: Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

They are actually aware of the _________ of any mass protest at this __________ stage, when the nation is at war.

  1. indispensability, grave

  2. futility, captious

  3. calamity, irascible

  4. detonation, awkward

  5. backlash, crucial


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentence tells about a war condition where protest is futile. And the only option that suits in the blanks well is (2).

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ix).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. more

  2. inadequate

  3. significant

  4. inferior

  5. resistant


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Option (3) is correct. The deterioration by use of chemical fertilisers has been significant. Other options are incorrect.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (vi).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. improving

  2. declining

  3. better

  4. simplifying

  5. defective


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option (2) is correct. Robbing indicates that we are being deprived of something. So, it results in 'declining' health etc.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (i).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. yield

  2. number

  3. amount

  4. deficiency

  5. strength


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'Body's nutrient requirement' indicates the correct word for the blank. Nutrients cannot be counted...so, number is not correct. Deficiency and strength are out of context. Yield is produce/return. So, the correct option is amount....'reasonable amount'.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (vii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. yields

  2. fertilisers

  3. chemicals

  4. quality

  5. soil


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option (1) is correct. The single minded focus is on increasing the produce, i.e. the yield. The other options are not the focus of agriculture.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iv).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. pesticides

  2. plants

  3. food

  4. soil

  5. crop


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option (4) is correct. Roots will pull elements from the soil. Other options are incorrect.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (ii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. grow

  2. specify

  3. inhabit

  4. contain

  5. cultivate


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The words chemical intensive farming indicate a negative flow in the sentence. The food obtained from this kind of farming does not contain same amount of nutrients as in the food cultivated during times of our ancestors.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (v).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. increased

  2. absorbed

  3. added

  4. killed

  5. wounded


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option (5) is correct. Negative aspects of chemical fertilisers is being discussed. The chemical bombardment will 'kill' the micro-organisms.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (x).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. improved

  2. unnoticed

  3. eradicated

  4. alarming

  5. unaware


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option (2) is correct. Use of but indicates that though loss is significant, it has gone unnoticed.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (iii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. growing

  2. eaten

  3. suffering

  4. arising

  5. rising


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Option (1) is correct. Plants grow with help of chemical fertilisers. No other option is suitable.

Find out the appropriate word and fill blank (viii).

Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. Choose the option out of the five words/phrases which fits the blank appropriately.

When we sit down for a meal of market-bought products, we like to think we're getting a reasonable __(i)__ of the body's nutrient requirements, but studies show that because of our chemical intensive farming, the food that we have, does not__(ii)__ the vital nutrients that our ancestors enjoyed.
Plants __(iii)__ with the help of soluble chemical fertilisers get lazy and do not develop the deep, healthy root systems that pull additional elements out of the__(iv)__. In addition, the micro-organisms that break down organic matter and minerals to be taken up by plant roots are __(v)__ by chemical bombardment and violent mechanised manipulation of their environment. Essentially, we're getting robbed, and having to pay for it in __(vi)__ health, energy, longevity, and advancing medical bills.
Unfortunately, agriculture's single-minded focus on increasing __(vii)__ at any cost over the last half-century created a blind spot where rapid __(viii)__ of the nutritional quality of our food has occurred. This decline has been observed to be quite __(ix)__ in some crops but has sadly gone largely __(x)__ by scientists, farmers, government and consumers.

  1. immigration

  2. improvement

  3. return

  4. deterioration

  5. progression


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option (4) is correct. Since focus of agriculture has been increasing yield, chemical fertilisers were used for this. As a result this overrode any concern for quality of food. The quality deteriorated. So, option 4 is the correct answer.

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