Directions(1-5): In the given question, a word has been mentioned and there are three ways in which the word has been used in either similar or different ways. You are required to check which of the sentences have correctly used the highlighted word, and mark that as your answer.
1. Bolt I. A bolt of lightning pierced the angry black clouds, and Ms. Niharika moved away from the edge of the porch. II. Seeing an unidentified figure in the dark, all the kids bolted down the stairs. III. A surge in the crowd behind him bolted him forwards.

A. Only I B. Only I and III C. Only I and II D. Only III E. All are correct

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Sentence I. A bolt of lightning pierced the angry black clouds, and Ms. Nirahika moved away from the edge of the porch. Here, the word ‘bolt’ is used as ‘a jagged white flash of lightning’ and is correct. Sentence II. Seeing an unidentified figure in the dark, all the kids bolted down the stairs. In this sentence, ‘bolt’ has been used as a verb which means ‘to move or run away suddenly in an attempt to escape’ and is correct as well.
2. Square I. Mr. Batra wanted to make sure we were square with the court’s decision and not subject to a lawsuit. II. After the party, Mohan and Meera decided to square up the bill. III. We had been as a square with the Startup as any Venture Capitalist could be.

A. Only II B. Only I and II C. Only I and III D. Only I E. All are correct

Answer: Option E
Explanation: Sentence I. Mr. Batra wanted to make sure we were square with the court’s decision and not subject to a lawsuit. Here, the word ‘square’ means ‘compatible or in agreement’ and is absolutely correct. Sentence II. After the party, Mohan and Meera decided to square up the bill. In the above sentence, the verb ‘square’ means ‘to settle or pay (a bill or debt)’ and is correct as well. Sentence III. We had been as a square with the Startup as any Venture Capitalist could be. In this sentence, the adjective ‘square’ means ‘fair and honest’ and is correct too.
3. Scale I. The government is planning a new salary scale for all professors of universities run by the UP government. II. We cannot track them in the mortal world until they use a substantial scale of magic. III. No one could have foreseen the scale of the disaster.

A. Only II B. Only I and II C. Only III D. Only I and III E. All are correct

Answer: Option D
Explanation: Sentence I. The government is planning a new salary scale for all professors of universities run by the UP government. The sentence above is absolutely correct as the word ‘scale’ here refers to ‘a graduated range of values forming a standard system for measuring or grading something’. Sentence III. No one could have foreseen the scale of the disaster. The sentence with the word ‘scale’ is absolutely correct. Here, the word ‘scale’ refers to ‘the relative size, extent or magnitude of something’.
4. Subscribe I. They decided to subscribe to the new magazine instead of the famous and popular one in the market. II. We are of the opinion that we cannot subscribe to the new theory III. I decided to subscribe to him since he is my superior.

A. Only I B. Only II C. Both I and II D. Both I and III E. All the above

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Sentence I: They decided to subscribe to the new magazine instead of the famous and popular one in the market. Here ‘subscribe’ means to buy regularly against a monthly or yearly fee Sentence II: We are of the opinion that we cannot subscribe to the new theory. Here, ‘subscribe’ refers to the feeling of an agreement with a view or opinion.
5. Vulnerable I. The students were in a vulnerable position since they did not have any other alternative. II. The new home is meant for vulnerable youths and adults who are in need of love and care. III. Sachin Tendulkar saw India off from that vulnerable position to a thumping victory over the world champion Australia in the Tri-nation tournament.

A. Both I and III B. Only III C. Both II and III D. Only II E. All the above

Answer: Option E
Explanation: Sentence I: The students in a vulnerable position since they did not have any other alternative. Here, the word ‘vulnerable’ has been used in the sense that the students were exposed to the possibility of being attached or harmed, physically or emotionally. Sentence II: The new home is meant for vulnerable youths and adults who are in need of love and care. Here, the word ‘vulnerable’ means people with a very weak bent of mind and in need of special attention and care. Sentence III: Sachin Tendulkar saw India off from that vulnerable position to a thumping victory over the world champion Australia in the Tri-nation tournament. ‘Vulnerable’ refers to weak here. It means India was in a weak position initially from where they cruised to victory thanks to Sachin Tendulkar.

Directions(1-5): Identify the words that are similar in meaning to the phrase in bold. If none of option conveys the correct meaning, mark (E) as your answer. The options do not necessarily need to be grammatically correct.
1. Privatization goes against the grain of their principle of opposition to private ownership of industry

A. Normal B. Abnormal C. In sync D. Disparaging E. None of the above

Answer: Option B
Explanation: Against the grain: If something goes against the grain, it is difficult to accept because it is very different from what is considered normal or natural.
2. The government is dragging its feet on measures to reduce pollution.

A. Prepone something B. Show enthusiasm C. Delay something D. Deteriorating situation E. None of the above

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Dragging one’s feet- If you drag your feet, you delay a decision or participate without any real enthusiasm.
3. After several disappointments, everything seems to be coming up roses for the tennis player this year.

A. Successful B. Disappointment C. Negative D. Failure E. None of the above

Answer: Option A
Explanation: Coming up roses: If things come up roses, the end result is successful or positive, even if there were difficult times.
4. Funny how you can get a bee in your bonnet about the most unlikely matters.

A. Speak succinctly B. Stay up C. Go wild D. Obsessed with an idea E. None of the above

Answer: Option D
Explanation: A bee in your bonnet: To talk incessantly about something one thinks is important.
5. It was hoped that the testimony of the witnesses would shed light on the causes of the accident.

A. Question B. Justify C. Explain D. Illuminate E. None of the above

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Shed light: If you shed light on something, you help to explain it or make it easier to understand.

Directions(1-5): Identify the words that are similar in meaning to the phrase QUOTED. If none of the options conveys the correct meaning, mark (E) as your answer. The options do not necessarily need to be grammatically correct.
1. The GST is ”the elephant in the room” in the sense that nobody knows which way it is going.

A. The topic in vogue B. The issue being avoided C. More than one issue D. Something that causes confusion E. An urgent appeal

Answer: Option B
2. I hate to ”rain on your parade” , but lots of people have tried that strategy and it hasn’t worked yet.

A. To get emotional B. To motivate someone C. To discourage someone D. To make a mistake E. None of the above

Answer: Option C
3. Her much-awaited return to the game last weekend was ”put on ice” for the time being.

A. Preserve something B. Behave in a cold manner C. Failure D. Postpone something E. Pre-pone something

Answer: Option D
4. He was upset to find his previously friendly colleagues ”giving him the cold shoulder”.

A. Disappointed B. Best behavior C. Shun someone D. Blind anger E. Deliberate denial

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Give someone the cold shoulder: Ignore someone
5. Comparing America’s economic growth to that of India’s is like ”comparing apples to oranges”.

A. Find differences between two similar things. B. Find similarities between two different things. C. Compare notes and statistics D. Identical in nature E. None of the above

Answer: Option B