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Diction and Idiomatic Phrasal Usage (E)

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

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select option (5).

  1. He was disciplined

  2. in his actions such as

  3. in the case of being late

  4. for an appointment

  5. No error


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

One is disciplined for his/her actions.

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is error, select option (5).

  1. It makes honest public life impossible,

  2. as every politician tries to benefit

  3. his family on the

  4. expense of the state

  5. No error


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

'At the expense'

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 rules that should govern them are laid; the absence of children and their excessive numbers are both mentioned.

  1. The rules that should govern them are laid

  2. The rules that govern them should be laid down

  3. The rules which should govern them are laid

  4. The rules which should govern them were laid

  5. The rules that should govern them are laid down


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Rules are laid 'down'. This option rectifies the error by inserting 'down' after laid.

Directions: The following sentence has been split into four parts. One of the parts may have an error of grammar or syntax. Select the part having the error. If there is no error, select option (5).

  1. In contrast of the prevailing opinion

  2. the manager places the blame

  3. for the fire on the negligence

  4. on the part of the managers


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

In contrast to…`

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.

She found the subject difficult at first, but now she is really getting off her stride.

  1. but now she is really getting off her stride.

  2. but now she really is getting off her stride.

  3. but now she is really getting into her stride.

  4. but now she is really getting on her stride.

  5. but now she is really getting at her stride.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

This part bears error of use of incorrect idiom. This option corrects idiomatic error by using 'getting into one's stride', which means 'settle into a fast, confident and steady pace'.

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 given assignment is a cake walk for me as he is well trained enough to handle the scientific procedures.

  1. The given assignment is a cake walk for me as he is well trained enough to handle the scientific procedures.

  2. The given assignment is a cakewalk for me as he is well trained to handle the scientific procedures.

  3. The given assignment is a walk through the cake for me as he is well trained enough to handle the scientific procedures.

  4. The given assignment is a cake's walk for me as he is well trained enough to handle the scientific procedures.

  5. The given assignment is a cakewalk for me as he is well trained enough to handle the scientifically procedures.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option (2) is grammatically the most correct option. (1) and (4) are incorrect because of wrong usage of 'cakewalk' (which means a very easy task). (3)  is incorrect because of incorrect phrasal usage 'walk through the cake'. (5) is incorrect because 'scientifically' has been wrongly used. Correct usage is 'scientific procedures'.

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 terrorists threatened the forces to back of or else they will shoot the hostages.

  1. The terrorists threatened the forces to back of or else they will shoot the hostages.

  2. The terrorists threatened the forces to back off or else they would shoot the hostages.

  3. The terrorists threatened the forces to back it off or else they will shoot the hostages.

  4. The terrorists threatened the forces to back off or else they will shoot hostages.

  5. The terrorists threatened the forces to back off or else he will shoot the hostages.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Option (2) is grammatically the most correct option. (1) and (3) are incorrect because 'back off' is the correct phrasal usage. (4) is incorrect because of missing article (the) to point out the noun (hostages). (5) is incorrect because of pronoun agreement violation. ('he' - a singular pronoun cannot refer to a plural antecedent - 'terrorists')

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.

Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking after a blue dress for the wedding.

  1. Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking after a blue dress for the wedding.

  2. Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking up for a blue dress for the wedding.

  3. Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking out for a blue dress for the wedding.

  4. Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking into a blue dress for the wedding.

  5. Next week, I have to attend my cousin's marriage. I'm looking for a blue dress for the wedding.


Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Option (5) is grammatically the most correct option as 'look for' means 'trying to find'.

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.

Martina's habit to shop round before finally making a purchase is really irritating but at the same time helps her in saving money, studying features and getting the best deal.

  1. Martina's habit to shop round before finally making a purchase is really irritating but at the same time helps her in saving money, studying features and getting the best deal.

  2. Martina's habit to shop round before finally making a purchase is really irritable but at the same time helps her in saving money, studying features and getting the best deal.

  3. Martina's habit to shop around before finally making a purchase is really irritating but at the same time help her in saving money, studying features and getting the best deal.

  4. Martina's habit to shop around before finally making a purchase is really irritating but at the same time helps her in saving money, studying features and getting the best deal.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option (4) is grammatically the most correct option. (1) and (2) are incorrect because of wrong phrasal usage. (Correct usage is 'shop around' which means 'comparing prices'). In (3) phrasal usage is corrected but another error of violation of subject verb agreement is introduced. ('the same time help her…' be replaced with 'the same time helps her…'). (5) is incorrect because of error of misplaced modifier. 'before making a final purchase' changes the entire meaning of the sentence (it means before making the last purchase during the shopping process).

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 Board Directors of 'Techniques' has chosen to recruit MBAs with experience rather than hire fresh MBAs as Sales Managers.

  1. has chosen to recruit MBAs with experience rather than hire

  2. has chosen recruiting MBAs with experience rather than hiring

  3. have chosen to recruit experienced MBAs instead of hiring

  4. have chosen to recruit MBAs with experience rather than hire

  5. have chosen recruiting MBAs with experience instead of hiring


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The sentence contains no error. Note that the right answer doesn't have to be the best anywhere, but only best among the available options. Although 'hire' seems repetitive of 'recruit', no other option dispenses with the use of 'hire'.

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.

While I was about to catch a bus, I ran out an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chatted for a long time.

  1. While I was about to catch a bus, I ran out an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chatted for a long time.

  2. While I was about to catch a bus, I ran over an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chat for a long time.

  3. While I was about to catch a bus, I ran through an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chat for a long time.

  4. While I was about to catch a bus, I ran into an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chatted for a long time.

  5. While I was about to catch a bus, I ran an old school-friend at the bus stop and we chatted for a long time.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Option (4) is grammatically the most correct option as 'ran into' means 'meeting someone unexpectedly'.

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.

Tax incentive to the salaried class has lead to a boom in the sale of residential apartment complexes; so abundant has capital been for residential real estate that builders regularly scout the country for suitable sites.

  1. so abundant has capital been for residential real estate that

  2. capital has been so abundant for residential real estate, so that

  3. the abundance of capital for residential real estate has been such

  4. such has the abundance of capital been for residential real estate that

  5. therefore, the abundance of capital for residential real estate has meant that


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The construction so abundant has capital been... that correctly and clearly expresses the relationship between the abundance of capital and the builders' response.

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 Police have hiked the penalty for drunk driving as part of their endeavor to reduce accidents during festival season.

  1. The Police have hiked the penalty for drunk driving as part of their endeavor to reduce accidents during festival season.

  2. The Police has hiked the penalty for drunk driving as part of its endeavor to reduce accidents during festival season.

  3. As a part of its endeavor to reduce accidents during festive season, the police has hiked the penalty for drunken driving.

  4. As a part of their endeavor to reduce accidents during festive season, the police have hiked the penalty for drunken driving.

  5. The penalty for drunken driving has been hiked by the police as a part of their endeavor to reduce accidents during festive season.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The option uses idiomatically and grammatically correct 'drunken driving'.

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.

Giant Squid, a deep-ocean dwelling squid in the family Architeuthidae, lives at depths up to one km, where it was long thought that it was immune from human intervention.

  1. was long thought that it was immune from

  2. was long thought to have become immune from

  3. was long thought as being immune to

  4. was long thought to be immune to

  5. was long thought to have been immune to


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Correct; compact sentence without any ambiguity; removes error of incorrect word usage by using 'immune to'

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.

A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered as an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  1. A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered as an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  2. Considered to be an essential spice by most Asians, turmeric is a perennial shrub that contains curcumin, virtually unavailable outside India.

  3. A perennial shrub called turmeric contains curcumin and is considered an essential spice by most Asians, though it is virtually unavailable outside India.

  4. Most Asians consider turmeric, a perennial shrub which contains curcumin, as an essential spice virtually unavailable outside India.

  5. Though virtually unavailable outside India, most Asians consider turmeric, a perennial shrub that contains curcumin, an essential spice.


Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Correct; removes idiomatic error by using 'considered + noun (essential spice)

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