English Usage Test 38

Clue for first blank comes from the phrase 'it won't read history', which implies that Americans are satisfied to the full by reading history textbooks. (1) and (3) both fits our prediction for first blank. 'Disguised' seems to replace the second blank instead of 'ordained' (commanded or established by law) as American public would read history textbooks only if they have a general title, i.e. disguised under different title. Hence, (3) is the answer.

'Don't forget' in the sentence emphasizes on the negative aspect of the blank. This implies that the literary style that was acceptable in 1850 might be not so important today. Thus, 'experienced' in (1) and 'developed' in (4) are ruled out. 'Turgid' means using or characterized by high-sounding but unimportant or meaningless language, which fits our prediction. Hence, (2) is the answer.

'Debating points of Christian doctrine' gives clue for first blank, which in turn is an explanation to the blank. Thus, 'theological' (the study of religious doctrines and matters of divinity) in (2) fits our blank. Moreover, 'acuteness' (intensity, severity) replaces the second blank as it gives sense to the sentence. Hence, (2) is the answer. 

The first missing word has been elaborated in the second part of the sentence as 'permitting us to do by degree'. Among the choices imperceptible, gradualism, identification, and fanaticism for this word, it is 'imperceptible' and 'gradualism', which has a nexus to do something by degrees. 'Balk at' refers to irritate or to frustate, which gives no sense to the sentence whereas 'gradualism' with 'shrink from' (meaning avoid completely) completes a meaningful sentence, confirming the correctness of this choice. Hence, (2) is the answer.

The clue for first blank is found in latter part of the sentence as this is an explanation to the first part. 'Pushed up' and 'accumulated a mass' signifies that a volcano built a mountain and not collapsed it as we would have thought. As 'built' is one of our options, hence (4) is the answer.

There are several ways of analyzing this item. First, the overall structure is that of a thought-extender. The second blank must explain the results or consequence of the first blank. Additionally, we can rely on key words such as 'unjustly' and 'libelous' to learn that the action of the magazine was wrong. On this basis, we can eliminate (3), since there is nothing wrong with extolling. We can also rule out 'confront' (to face ) as it is not coherent with the sentence. Then, we should eliminate (4) because they do not explain the natural consequences of the judge's ruling. (2), however, does the job. The judge ruled that the article had wrongly damaged the architect's reputation, so, he ordered the magazine to make amends by retracting what it had printed. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Word plastic as used in reference to young pupils means impressionable minds. So, usage (1) is correct. 'Plastic art' refers to arts involving shaping or modeling. In sentence (3), plastic word is used for artificial or unoriginal food. In sentence (4), the sentence is grammatically incorrect. Instead, the correct sentence is 'your plastic manners won't work here'. This marks option (4) as the one having incorrect usage.

The use of the phrase 'like many eighteenth-century scholars who lived by cultivating those in power' in beginning of the sentence means that Walton also cultivated (meaning made friends with) those in power. His relationship with the high and the mighty must therefore have been one of involvement or familiarity. So, from the point of view of the second missing word, only (2) and (3) are the possible choices. His peers (meaning colleagues) would have naturally resented his closeness to the powerful persons. So, if he had wanted to neutralize (meaning nullify) their resentment, he must have made some propitiatory (meaning conciliating), and not enigmatic (meaning puzzling) gestures towards them. So, from the point of the view of the appropriateness of the first missing word, it is (3) and not (2), that is the answer.
Salutary means promoting health.
Quixotic means an impractical or an idealistic person.

Option (2) is too narrow and exaggerates Juliette's persistence. Option (3) is off the point. While it is true that she did travel, it is not the main idea of the story. While option (4) may be true, it is not the main focus of the passage. The correct answer is therefore (1).

Options (2), (3) and (4) are perfectly valid usage for word argue. But the form of argue as used in sentence (1), 'argumenting' is incorrect as there is no such word as argumenting. Instead correct sentence would be 'he has an argumentative nature'. This marks option (1) as required answer.

The expression 'at a pinch' as used in option (2) is correct and is used to mean if completely necessary. In option (3), the most common usage of word pinch has been given which refers to a squeeze made by fingers and thumb on a surface. In option (4), pinch refers to the experience or effects of poverty. In option (1), neither the sentence make any sense nor the correct form of word pinch has been used which instead should have been 'pinched'. Therefore, option with incorrect usage of given word is option (1).

Let's scrutinize each option:
(1) The statements - 'though billed….. job done' suggests that the problem of America's coastal water can be solved only if the Congress takes some concrete regulatory initiatives, instead of proposing the idea of more research - as the report submitted by Congressional Commission suggests. Hence, (1) is the answer.
(2) In light of above discussion and referring to same statements as in (1), option (2) can be ruled out.
(3) This option is true but it highlights the report, which is not the main idea of the passage. Hence, (3) can be ruled out.
(D) This option is again true according to the passage but it deviates from the central theme of the passage. It cites only the problem. Therefore, (4) is ruled out.
Hence, (1) is the answer.

The meaning of word 'plaintive' is sad or mournful and as used in sentence (1), it is quite irrelevant instead the word 'plain' would suffice the meaning as required in this sentence. This marks option (1) as the one, which has the incorrect usage.

The sector making progress been referenced in sentence A is given in sentence C as manufacturing, infrastructure and commercial sector. Therefore, CA shall form a part of logical sequence. Now, as per the given option, only option (2) gives us such an order. Therefore, it can be marked as the correct answer.

The passage emphasizes that books and ideas can help propel us towards the non-conceptual i.e. they would prove to be useful through our journey on this land and would show us the right path to seek our ultimate aim i.e. heaven. As option (4) is cogent with this explanation hence, it is the answer.
Option (1) is ambiguous according to the passage, as the passage emphasizes on the discovery of such pathway by reading spiritual books, hence (1) is ruled out.
Option (2) is contrary to the passage (first sentence of the second paragraph provides the clue), hence, it is ruled out.
Option (3) is true but it is very narrow (Refer first paragraph), hence it is ruled out.
So, option (4) is the answer.

In sentence 1, illusions have been referred as errors in perception and in sentence D, this error has been detailed. Therefore, D shall be a part of logical sequence. This possibility is available with us only in option (1) that can be marked as correct answer.

Contemporary Hindu activists or politicians have been reffered in both sentences C as well as 6, making use of the martyrs. Similarly, logic relates both sentences A and 1. Thus, looking at various suitable order, we can only find option (3) providing us one, therefore, it is the correct answer.

Sentence A describes the first novel by Carson Mc Cullers and C gives us her second novel, therefore, logically A should be followed by C. Therefore, (4) can be marked as correct answer.

Sentences 1 and D, both give list of different ingredients used to make ice cream. Therefore, logic allows us to use the two as a pair. This helps to mark D as first sentence in the sequence. Only option (2) fits this prediction, hence, it is the correct answer.

Option (1) ABE
A → 26^th January is Sunday, 21^st January is Monday.
B → January is Thursday, 19^th January is Saturday.
None of these dates given in sentence A and sentence B matches with each other. So, we can say that they do not belong to same year. Sentence E says that dates A and B belong to two different years, though it is not completely correct but it is valid in partial, so, this is most valid among all the given answers as correct answer. Rest all the options either contradict each other or they are irrelevant. Therefore, they cannot be considered.

Option (3) CEF
C → Vitamins prevent deficiency diseases.
E → Regular consumption of vitamins is essential.
F → Vitamins are important ingredients of a balanced diet.
Though a new concept 'balanced diet' has been introduced in sentence F but logically it is related to first two sentences by virtue of keyword vitamin existing in all three sentences.
On the other hand, for option (4) FBD
F → Vitamins are important ingredients of balanced diet.
B → However, a balanced diet does not consist of vitamins only.
D → Proteins too are ingredients in a balanced diet.
Though these three sentences has a keyword 'Balanced Diet' relating but a specific example of protein as important part of the balanced diet is too big of consumption, than one we did in previous case. This implies option (3) is the correct answer.

For usage 'a', 'That loud music will distract you from studying', one can easily see that meaning 1 'To draw attention away from, to sidetrack' is a suitable meaning. This marks out (1) and (2) as incorrect options for our answer. Among both options (3) and (4), usage 'b' has been given as matched to the meaning 3, for usage 'd', easily one can see the word 'distraction' has been used to term as an amusement. Thus, option (4) is correct answer.

Option (B) BFC
B → Students good at science are good at maths.
F → Suresh is definitely a good science student.
Students good at science are also good at maths. Second sentence vehemently asserts that Suresh is good at science. So logical interpretation of these two is, Suresh is good at Maths. This marks sentence C a correct logical assertion. This marks option (2) as correct answer.

For usage 'a', 'we still have a lot to do', the suitable meaning is provided in 3. For usage 'b', 'we employed someone to do the roof', the suitable meaning is given in 4 'to arrange or fix' as to do roof means to fix the roof. For usage 'c', 'How should I do the steak?', it implies to cook the disk called 'steak'. Therefore, the meaning suited to it is in 2. So, among the given options, only option (4) suits our all the given inferences.

Option (3) BDF
B → A witty man is an intelligent man.
D → A witty man can be sarcastic.
First sentence asserts a witty man being intelligent. Second sentence provides idea that witty man can be sarcastic, this implies that some witty men can be sarcastic. These two combine to tell us that some intelligent men can be sarcastic. This is the exact sentence provided in sentence F. This marks option (3) a valid sequence of sentences, and therefore, it is correct answer.