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Verbal Ability (Mixed)

Description: Model questions that may be asked in various competitive examinations
Number of Questions: 25
Created by:
Tags: English MBA Bank PO Error Identification Analogies Synonyms/Meanings Synonyms Letter M
Attempted 0/25 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: The sentence given below has been divided into three parts (1), (2) and (3). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, indicate (4) as your answer.

  1. In the olden days

  2. people believed that

  3. the earth was stationery

  4. No error


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Error of vocabulary usage. The sentence implies that 'the earth was static, or not movable; fixed or still'. For this, we need adjective 'stationary', rather than the noun 'stationery' that means 'riting materials; specif., paper and envelopes used for letters'.

 

Directions: The sentence given below has been divided into three parts (1), (2) and (3). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, indicate (4) as your answer.

  1. When I stayed in the Guest House,

  2. I find the caretaker

  3. too officious and meddlesome

  4. No error


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

If the principal clause is in the past tense, the subsidiary cluase must also be in the past. 'Stayed' should be followed by 'found'.

Directions: The sentence given below has been divided into three parts (1), (2) and (3). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, indicate (4) as your answer.

  1. He was a reverent

  2. old gentleman with a tall stature

  3. and a flowing beard

  4. No error


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

THe sentence implies that the old man is highly respected. So, replace adjective 'reverent' with 'revered'. 'Reverent' means to show respect towrds someone, while 'revered' means 'to fetch other's respect'.

Directions: The sentence given below has been divided into three parts (1), (2) and (3). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, indicate (4) as your answer.

  1. In 1942, the Congress working Committee took

  2. the momentous decision that

  3. a Quit India Movement should be started

  4. No error


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence is perfectly correct. Momentous decision means very important decision.

Directions: Choose a suitable synonym for the underlined word.

He fumbled in his pockets for his key.

  1. he put his keys in the pocket

  2. he groped clumsily in search of the keys

  3. he acted hesitantly

  4. none of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Fumble means to search (for a thing) by feeling about awkwardly with the hands; grope clumsily. Hence, option 2.  

Directions: In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below the sentence are given three possible substitutions labelled (1), (2) and (3) for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, indicate that as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

She is enough old to understand the consequences of her action.

  1. old enough

  2. too old

  3. so old

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation. 'Enough old' is an incorrect usage. The sentence implies that she is 'sufficient enough'. For this the correct usage is 'old enough'.

Directions: In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below the sentence are given three possible substitutions labelled (1), (2) and (3) for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, indicate that as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

I am sure you may secure good marks, if you had not wasted your time foolishly.

  1. would have secured

  2. must secure

  3. might secure

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation. Case of past perfect tense. Auxilary 'had' takes 'would have', rather than taking 'may'.

Directions: Choose a suitable synonym for the underlined word.

His driving tends to be rather erratic.

  1. inconsistent

  2. predictable

  3. steady

  4. erroneous


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Erratic means having no fixed course or purpose; irregular; random; wandering; deviating from the normal, conventional, or customary course. Option 1 is nearest in meaning.  

Directions: In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below the sentence are given three possible substitutions labelled (1), (2) and (3) for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, indicate that as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

Please don't hesitate to avail of this opportunity to go abroad for higher education.

  1. avail yourself of

  2. avail yourself by

  3. avail by

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Some words like 'avail' take reflexive pronoun. 'Avail of' as a prepositional usage is correct as it means 'to take advantage of (an opportunity, etc.); utilize'.  

Directions: Choose a suitable antonym for the underlined word.

He was sanguine about winning her confidence.

  1. hopeful

  2. positive

  3. doubtful

  4. eager


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Sanguine means cheerful and confident; optimistic; hopeful. On contrary, doubtful means 'in doubt; not clear or definite; ambiguous'.

 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

Scientists are on the ________ of a major breakthrough in cancer treatment.

  1. periphery

  2. threshold

  3. gateway

  4. frontier


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option 1 and 4 are incorrect and irrelevant here. Option 2 i.e. 'threshold' means 'the entrance or beginning point of something'. The sentence implies the same, and hence it is the right answer.

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

You should seek his opinion; he has a/an ________ knowledge of the subject.

  1. apprehensive

  2. comprehensible

  3. comprehensive

  4. conceivable


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Generally we seek opinion of the person who has 'vast and deep' knowledge. The sentence implies the same. Thus, 'comprehensive' is the right option as it means 'dealing with all or many of the relevant details; including much; inclusive'.

Directions: The sentence given below has been divided into three parts (1), (2) and (3). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there is no error, indicate (4) as your answer.

  1. I shall not waive my right to this house

  2. if you promise

  3. to allot a bigger one to me later

  4. No error


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentence implies the conditionality. Here, 'if' should be replaced by 'unless'.

Directions: Choose a suitable antonym for the underlined word.

His style of writing is very verbose.

  1. wordy

  2. rambling

  3. concise

  4. exaggerated


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Verbose means using or containing too many words; wordy; long-winded; prolix. On contrary, 'concise' means brief and to the point; short and clear.

 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

I was taken aback when our hostess whisked away our unfinished meal in an _______ manner.

  1. official

  2. officious

  3. friendly

  4. None of these


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Case of vocabulary usage. Here we need a promising adjective. 'Officious manner' means ready to serve; obliging.  

Directions: In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below the sentence are given three possible substitutions labelled (1), (2) and (3) for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, indicate that as your answer. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence indicate (4) as your answer.

We have received no calls from him since he had gone to London.

  1. he went to London

  2. he has gone to London

  3. he had been gone to London

  4. No improvement


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of sentence formation in present perfect tense. In such cases, we use second form of the verb (if required) without any auxilary or modal.

Directions: Choose a suitable antonym for the underlined word.

Another confrontation between the two countries seems imminent.

  1. at hand

  2. distant

  3. pending

  4. just round the corner


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Imminent means likely to happen without delay; impending; threatening. Distant means widely separated; far apart or far away in space or time.

 

Directions: Choose a suitable synonym for the underlined word.

The ointment alleviated the pain and she soon started feeling better.

  1. avoided

  2. removed

  3. mitigated

  4. cancelled


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Alleviate means to make less hard to bear; lighten or relieve (pain, suffering, etc). Mitigate means the same.  

Directions: Choose a suitable antonym for the underlined word.

Only industrious people will succeed in life.

  1. hard-working

  2. assiduous

  3. indolent

  4. busy


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Industrious mans skillful or clever; characterized by earnest, steady effort; hard-working; diligent. Indolent means disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy.

 

Directions: Choose a suitable antonym for the underlined word.

His ingenuous nature made him popular among his friends.

  1. frank and open

  2. dishonest

  3. haughty

  4. kind


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Ingenuous means frank; open; candid. Its opposite word is 'dishonest'.

 

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

Her enthusiasm is quite _______.

  1. contagious

  2. contiguous

  3. transferable

  4. pleasant


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Enthusiams is a positive connotation word. So we need a word with the same connotation. Contagious means spread by direct or indirect contact; communicable.  

Directions: Choose a suitable synonym for the underlined word.

His remarks caused great offense.

  1. anger or resentment

  2. attack

  3. legal or moral crime

  4. insult


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Offense means the act of breaking a law; sin or crime; transgression; the act of creating resentment, hurt feelings, displeasure, etc. Thus, option 1.  

Directions: In the following question, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below the sentence are given three possible substitutions labelled (1), (2) and (3) for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, indicate that as your answer. If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (4) as your answer.

The four-wheeler sector in the automobile industry comprises of cars, jeeps and commercial vehicles.

  1. comprises

  2. combines of

  3. compose

  4. No improvement needed


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Error of prepositional usage and redundancy. 'Comprise of' is an incorrect usage. 'Comprise' means 'to include; contain; to consist of; be composed of'.

Directions: Choose a suitable synonym for the underlined word.

He proved his mettle by facing the situation with supreme tact and confidence.

  1. persistence

  2. stamina and strength

  3. courage and endurance

  4. heroism


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Meetle means quality of character or temperament; esp., high quality of character; spirit; courage; ardor. Thus, option 3.  

Directions: Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word.

Under the Indian constitution, the role of the President is largely ________.

  1. significant

  2. insignificant

  3. ceremonial

  4. honorary


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

As we know that the President of India is a titular head of the govt, so 'ceremonial' is the right choice. It means 'of, for, or consisting of ceremony; ritual; formal'.

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