Verbal Ability (Practice test)

Which of the following best replaces the word 'they' in sentence (7)?

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

What is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence no. (5) below?

is laid upon political than upon academic

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

Which of the following best replaces the word 'assailed' in sentence (2)?

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

He (A) hit the ball (B) which (C) glanced over the goal post (D) into the net. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

He became a fisherman and (A) took to (B) the life (C) like a (D) duck in water. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) You will repent for (B) your imprudence (C) someday when (D) it is too late. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Women’s groups have been (B) formed to ensure that no child (C) should be left without (D) access to elementary education. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

The door (A) is locked (B) from inside; someone (C) must have been (D) inside the room. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

Fashion and dress are also (A) a manifestation of public and private customs; (B) so (C) for that reason we (D) must give them particular attention. (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

(A) Would you (B) like to go to school (D) by school bus or by your (D) own vehicle? (E) No error

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

It was difficult (A) to find any one trustworthy enough to take charge of (B) so important a person (C) on so long and (D) dangerous a journey. (E) No error

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

The fire of knowledge kindled by science has already burnt many dogmas and beliefs, held sacred by the superstition of the past, which stood in the way of truth-seeking minds.

Directions: The following question tests your ability to recognize grammar and usage errors. The sentence contains either a single error or no error at all. No sentence contains more than one error. The error, if there is one, is underlined and lettered. If the sentence contains an error, select the one underlined part that must be changed to make the sentence correct. If the sentence is correct, select choice (E). In choosing answers follow the requirements of standard written English.

I have (A) an unshaken conviction that the highest art of the teacher is (B) manifested in the awakening of as much an interest (C) that to make the pupil an eager learner (D) forever after. (E) No error

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Attached to this application is an affidavit form and three sheets of blank paper.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Were the politicians to assess themselves honestly, they would find that they have lost their credibility.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Observing the changes in economy sweeping through the world it can be seen that they are spontaneous.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Of all the frauds practiced by mercenary dealers, there is none more reprehensible, and at the same time the most prevalent, than the adulteration of the various articles of food.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

The practice is now applied to almost every commodity which can be classed among either the necessaries or the luxuries of life.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

The spurious articles are made up so skillfully as to baffle the discrimination of the most experienced judges.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

The smooth passage of the Insurance Bill through the House is the best news which the country has have in recent years.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank all the workers without whose co-operation, the rally wouldn't be a success.

Directions: The following sentence tests correctness and effectiveness of expression. Part of the sentence or the entire sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Choice (1) repeats the original phrasing; the other four choices are different. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice (1). If not, select one of the other choices.

Having passed the examination, the college awarded him the best student medal.

What is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence no. (12) below?

there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

What is the best way to combine sentences no. (9) and (10)?

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

Which sentence would be the most appropriate to precede sentence (1)?

Directions: Read the passage and select the best answer for the question:

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence, they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally, they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians.
(9) But, we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.