0

Diction and Idiomatic Phrasal Usage (Mod)

Description: Diction & Idiomatic-phrasal usage (Mod)
Number of Questions: 15
Created by:
Tags: Diction & Idiomatic-phrasal usage (Mod) Idioms and Phrases
Attempted 0/15 Correct 0 Score 0

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

He continued his singing, dancing and acting in plays since his school and college years but gradually got more and more involved in social work.

  1. since his school and college years but gradually got

  2. since his school and college years and gradually got

  3. throughout his school and college years but gradually got

  4. for his school and college years but gradually gots

  5. through his school and college years but gradually got


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The sentence has error of preposition. Use of 'since' is inappropriate here; it should be 'throughout'. This option corrects the error.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The White Cat, that we called it, lived at the back of a shelf at the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all over.

  1. that we called it, lived at the back of a shelf at the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all over.

  2. what we called it, lived at the back of a shelf at the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all over.

  3. as we called it, lived at the back of a shelf in the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all of the time.

  4. as we called it, lived at the back of a shelf at the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all over.

  5. That is what we called it, lived at the back of a shelf at the darkest end of the inside attic which is nearly dark all over the time.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence uses the pronoun 'that' to introduce the clause 'we called it'. This option uses the correct conjunction 'as'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Not only speech enables man to handle and pass on more complicated ideas, it also enables him to accumulate them.

  1. Not only speech enables man to handle and pass on

  2. Not only does speech enable man to handle and pass on

  3. Not only is speech enabling man to handle and pass on

  4. Not only speech enables man to handle and pass off

  5. Not only speech enables a man to handle and pass on


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The sentences beginning with negative words ought to use auxiliaries before the subject, as in the case of an interrogative sentence. The error is rectified by the introduction of 'does' in option (B).

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

In the early last century, villagers in India used firewood for cooking as well as lighting, doing it without electricity and cooking gas

  1. In the early last century, villagers in India used firewood for cooking as well as lighting, doing it without electricity and cooking gas

  2. In the last early century, villagers in India use firewood for cooking as well as lighting, did it without electricity and cooking gas

  3. In the last early century, villagers in India used firewood for cooking as well as lighting, doing without having electricity and cooking gas

  4. In the early last century, villagers in India used firewood for cooking as well as lighting, making do without electricity and cooking gas

  5. Indian villagers' used firewood for both cooking as well as lighting; making do without electricity and cooking gas


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

uses 'making do' to convey managing without having something; removes the ambiguous referent 'it'

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Mahatma Gandhi, in shunning violence, and managing to convince his followers, earned the grudging respect of the British.

  1. Mahatma Gandhi, in shunning violence, and managing to convince his followers,

  2. By shunning violence, Mahatma Gandhi also managed to convince his followers to do the same, and he

  3. By shunning violence, which he managed to convince his followers to do also, Mahatma Gandhi

  4. By shunning violence, and having managed to convince his followers also to do so, Mahatma Gandhi

  5. By shunning violence himself, and by managing to convince his followers also to do the same, Mahatma Gandhi


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The option removes the Error of Parallelism and completes the sentence by answering: 'convince his followers' to do what?

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The psychological consultant told the team that crippling fear of failure was holding them back.

  1. that crippling fear of failure was

  2. that the crippling fear of failure was what was

  3. that crippling the fear of failure was

  4. that the fear of failure was crippling and was

  5. the crippling failure was causing fear and was


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The option is unambiguous and is parallel in structure. What is crippling is the fear of failure.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

The immigration of the family from the mother country occurred at an early day when the settlements in New England were infrequent and weak.

  1. The immigration of the family from the mother country occurred at an early day when the settlements in New England were infrequent and weak.

  2. The immigration of the family from the mother-country occurred at an early stage when the settlements in New England were in frequent and weak.

  3. The emigration of the family from the mother country occurred at an early stage when settlements in New England were infrequent and weak.

  4. The emigration of the family occurred at an early date from their mother land when the settlements in New England were not frequent and weak.

  5. The emigration of the family to the motherland occurred from New England when the settlements were infrequent and were weak.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The sentence has error of diction and error of inappropriate expression. Immigration is to come into a new country to settle there, but the sentence implies that people were leaving their country, so the correct word is 'emigration'. And 'early day' is incorrect expression in the context. This option corrects both the errors. 

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

According to statistics released last year, despite a decrease in unemployment, the number of people considering themselves poor increased nearly by 20 percent.

  1. considering themselves poor increased nearly by 20 percent

  2. considering themselves poor has increased nearly by 20 percentconsidering themselves poor has increased nearly by 20 percent

  3. who consider themselves poor increased by nearly 20 percent

  4. considering themselves poor showed a nearly 20 percent increase

  5. who considered themselves poor increased nearly by 20 percent


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The option removes the redundant use of the 'ing' form of verb. Also, the option removes the error of misplaced adverb by correct placement of 'nearly'. Here it denotes increase in the number of people calling themselves poor.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

With the intention to eat into the market share of Unilever, P&G has started giving free samples of Ariel to users of Surf; the formula of the detergent has been tweaked to give unparalleled brightness, and that is what it is.

  1. the formula of the detergent has been tweaked to give unparalleled brightness, and that is what it is

  2. the detergent has been tweaked to give unparalleled brightness, and that is what it is

  3. the formula of the detergent has been tweaked to give unparalleled brightness, and the detergent does

  4. the formula having been tweaked to give unparalleled brightness, and the detergent does

  5. to give unparalleled brightness, the formula of the detergent has been tweaked, and it does


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The option removes the error by referring to the formula of the detergent, and the detergent separately. And 'the detergent does' clearly refers to 'give unparalleled brightness'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Cellular Jail, built in 1896, was a highly controversial structure, because its construction had been approved by the British monarch, it was, nevertheless, allowed to stand.

  1. because its construction had been approved by the British monarch, it was, nevertheless, allowed to stand

  2. because its construction had been approved by the British monarch, it was, nevertheless, allowed to remain standing

  3. but it was, nevertheless, allowed to stand, its construction having been approved by the British monarch

  4. nevertheless, it was allowed to stand because its construction had been approved by the British monarch

  5. but it was, nevertheless, allowed to stand, as its construction had been approved by the British monarch


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The option removes the error of missing contrast by introducing 'but'. Also, it refers to the approval by the British Monarch in Past Perfect tense.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Usage of 'Dirty Energy', electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times environmental degradation as compared to hydro-electric power generation, caused Facebook to be targeted by Greenpeace, an environmental protection group.

  1. Usage of 'Dirty Energy', electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times environmental degradation as compared to hydro-electric power generation, caused Facebook to be targeted by Greenpeace, an environmental protection group.

  2. Usage of 'Dirty Energy' by Facebook, electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times environmental degradation as compared to hydro-electric power generation, caused Greenpeace, an environmental protection group, to target it.

  3. Facebook's usage of 'Dirty Energy', electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times environmental degradation as compared to hydro-electric power generation, caused it to be targeted by Greenpeace, an environmental protection group.

  4. Greenpeace, an environmental protection group, targeted usage of 'Dirty Energy' by Facebook, electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times environmental degradation as compared to hydro-electric power generation.

  5. Greenpeace, targeted Facebook for the usage of 'Dirty Energy', electricity generated by burning coal, which causes ten times as much environmental degradation as hydro-electric power generation.


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

The option removes the ambiguity found in the original sentence; the action now comes from Greenpeace to Facebook.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Agricultural scientists have noticed an increase in Stem Borer infestation in Indian coffee plants, the pattern consistent with findings reported from other countries in South Asia.

  1. Agricultural scientists have noticed an increase in Stem Borer infestation in Indian coffee plants, the pattern consistent with findings reported from other countries in South Asia.

  2. Agricultural scientists have noticed an increase in Stem Borer infestation in coffee plants in India, a finding consistent with the pattern reported from other countries in South Asia.

  3. An increase in Stem Borer infestation in coffee plants, a finding consistent with the pattern reported from other countries in South Asia, has been reported by agricultural scientists in India.

  4. In India, Stem Borer infestation in coffee plants has been reported by agricultural scientists, a finding consistent with the pattern reported from other countries in South Asia.

  5. A finding consistent with the pattern reported from other countries in South Asia has been reported by Indian agricultural scientists reporting an increase in Stem Borer infestation in coffee plants.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The option removes the error of unidiomatic usage by referring to 'coffee plants in India'. Also, here pattern is being formed by the reported findings, not the other way around.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

You will be sorry by the time I have finished you up.

  1. by the time I have finished you up.

  2. by the time I have finished with you.

  3. by the time I have finished up with you.

  4. by the time I have finished you off.

  5. by the time I have finished you.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

This option corrects the error of phrasal verb by replacing 'finish up' by 'finish with', which means 'to complete an action or to end relations with'.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Scientists are still a long way of a cure for AIDS.

  1. Scientists are still a long way of a cure for AIDS.

  2. Scientists still are a long way of a cure for AIDS.

  3. Scientists are still a long way from a cure for AIDS.

  4. Scientists are still a long way off a cure for AIDS.

  5. Scientists are still a long way to find a cure for AIDS.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The sentence bears error of incorrect idiomatic usage. The correct idiom is 'a long way off', which means very far. The option rectifies this error.

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose one of the others.

Mother Nature helps us survive in this world; something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen - and expects nothing in return.

  1. something as simple as a tree provides us with so much - food, shade, wood and oxygen

  2. something simple as a tree provides us with so much: food shade, wood and oxygen

  3. something simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:

  4. something as simple as a tree provides us with so much; food, shade, wood and oxygen:

  5. something like tree which simply provides us with - food, shade, wood and oxygen


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The sentence is correct as given.

- Hide questions