Direction (1-3): In the following questions, the sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option.
Q1. Most of the houses in rural Assam are built on stilts to _______ floods and earthquakes.

A. succumb to B. withstand C. capitulate D. lapse

Answer: Option B
Explanation: Withstand: remain undamaged or unaffected by; resist. Lapse: pass gradually into (an inferior state or condition).
Q2. Surveying the spectacular scenery from the Indian side, even as we dipped our toes in its cold waters, was __________, to say the least.

A. choleric B. orgulous C. exhilarating D. chronic

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Orgulous: haughty. Exhilarating: making one feel very happy, animated, or elated; thrilling.
Q3. Formulation of the Common National Standards was _________ to standardize facilities and services that would be available to tourists.

A. insipid B. insinuative C. imperative D. impertinent

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Insipid: lacking flavor; weak or tasteless. Insinuative: provoking a change of outlook and especially gradual doubt and suspicion. Imperative: of vital importance; crucial. Impertinent: not showing proper respect; rude.
Direction (4-5): Improve the bracketed part of the sentence
Q4. There are many articles to mark the 50th anniversaries of (the man’s landing on moon) and the redefining act of bank nationalization in India.

A. the man’s landing on the moon B. man’s landing on moon C. man’s landing on the moon D. No improvement

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Option C is correct as the usage of article ‘the’ is used appropriately here. In the given context, ‘man’ has been used in a general sense and hence won’t take definite article ‘the’ before it while with the names of unique objects definite article ‘the’ is used e.g. ‘the earth, the sun, the moon’.
Q5. (It should not hamper) the free flow of information and the blooming of diverse and contrarian ideas.

A. It should not have hamper B. It should not be hamper C. It should not hampering D. No improvement

Answer: Option D

Direction (1-2): In the following questions, out of the given four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase.
Q1. Set tongues wagging

A. Be easy to pronounce B. Encourage gossip C. To be curious D. Wait eagerly

Answer: Option B
Explanation: Set tongues wagging: to cause people to start gossiping.
Q2. Up for grabs

A. To live in pleasure B. To be doubtful C. To be prepared to answer all the questions D. In total chaos

Answer: Option D
Explanation: Up for grabs: in total chaos.
Direction (3-5): In the following questions, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active voice.
Q3. The seawater eventually corroded the pillars of the bridge.

A. Eventually the pillars of the bridge are being corroded by the seawater. B. Eventually the pillars of the bridge have been corroded by the seawater. C. The pillars of the bridge were eventually corroded by the seawater. D. The pillars of the bridge have been eventually corroded by the seawater.

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Passive Voice ‘The pillars of the bridge were eventually corroded by the seawater.’
Q4. Some farmers raise sugarcane in Kerala.

A. Sugarcane is raised by some farmers in Kerala. B. Sugarcane was raised by some farmers in Kerala. C. Sugarcane was being raised by some farmers in Kerala. D. Sugarcane has been raised by some farmers in Kerala.

Answer: Option A
Explanation: Passive Voice ‘Sugarcane is raised by some farmers in Kerala.’
Q5. Does she like English literature?

A. Is liking of English literature done by her? B. Is English literature liked by her? C. She likes English literature, doesn’t she? D. Are English’s literature liked by her?

Answer: Option B
Explanation: Passive Voice ‘Is English literature liked by her?’.

Direction (1-2): In the following questions, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free from error, select ‘No Error’.
Q1. They are winding down their (A)/ overseas operation because (B)/ it is losing money.(C)/ No Error(D)

A. A B. B C. C D. D

Answer: Option D
Explanation: No Error Wind down: draw or bring gradually to a close.
Q2. The G.M of the company (A) / dispensed the (B) / Manager’s services (C) / No error (D)

A. A B. B C. C D. D

Answer: Option B
Explanation: ‘Dispense with something/somebody (idiom): to stop using something/somebody.
Direction (3-5): In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the phrase.
Q3. Fear of dust

A. Amaxophobia B. Amathophobia C. Agateophobia D. Ambulophobia

Answer: Option B
Explanation: Amaxophobia: fear of riding in a car. Amathophobia: Fear of dust. Agateophobia: fear of insanity. Ambulophobia: fear of walking.
Q4. Craze for stamp collecting

A. Teutomania B. Tomomania C. Tulipomania D. Timbromania

Answer: Option D
Explanation: Tomomania: irrational predilection for performing surgery Teutomania: obsession with Teutonic or German things. Tulipomania: obsession with tulips. Timbromania: craze for stamp collecting.
Q5. Mania for making purchases

A. Onomamania B. Onomatomania C. Oniomania D. Opiomania

Answer: Option C
Explanation: Onomamania: mania for names. Onomatomania: irresistible desire to repeat certain words. Oniomania: mania for making purchases. Opiomania: craving for opium.