Railway Apprentice Exam - English Section

Here, lengthen is the correct option, as it implies to make the content greater in length. To contract is to decrease in size, stretch is to make something long or wider without tearing or breaking, and to reduce is to make something smaller or less in amount, degree or size.

Here, timidity is the correct antonym, as it implies someone lacking in self-assurance, courage or bravery. Modesty is the quality or state of being unassuming in the estimation of one's abilities. Humility is the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance and arrogance is the quality of being arrogant.

Here, careless is the correct option, as it implies not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors. Indifferent is having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned. Ignorant is lacking knowledge or awareness in general and observant is someone who is quick to notice or perceive things.

Here, disrespect is the correct option, as it implies showing a lack of respect or courtesy to someone. Cherish is protect and care someone lovingly. Dislike is a feeling of distaste or hostility. Denounce is to publically declare to be wrong or evil.

Here, mannerly is the correct option, as it implies having or showing good manners. Blunt is abrupt in address or manner, gross is someone very rude or coarse and charming is someone who is very pleasant or attractive.

(d) is the correct option as this sentence has no error. This sentence contains two subjects 'principal' and 'teachers'. Because they are joined by the correlative conjunction 'neither/nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to 'teachers', which is plural. The plural verb 'were' is therefore correct.

Here, (a) is incorrect as there is no subject – verb agreement here. Here, ‘is’ is a singular verb and ‘reasons’ is a plural subject. In place of ‘is’, ‘are’ should be used. Only then will the plural verb ‘are’ be in agreement with the plural subject ‘reasons’.

Here, (c) is incorrect. The sentence compares the development in urban areas as compared to the rural areas, not their development. In this sentence, a short phrase, 'that of' would have made the comparison clear. Thus, the correct sentence will read, “The reporter questioned the development in urban areas compared to that of rural areas”.

Here, (c) is incorrect, as ‘between’ is the incorrect preposition used. The correct is ‘among’. ‘Between’ is used to distinguish between two things, whereas 'among' is used for more than two things.

Here, ‘since’ is the correct option, as it is used in the period after a or from a specified time in the past. 

Here, ‘against’ is the correct option.

Here, ‘off’ is the correct option, as it is used to indicate moving away and often down from. ‘At’ is used for expressing a location or arrival in a particular place or position, ‘of’ is used in expressing the relationship between a part and a whole and ‘by’ is used in identifying the agent performing an action.

Here, ‘until’ is the correct option, as it is used to do something before a certain period of time or up to that period time. ‘During’ is used to imply the course or duration of a period of time. ‘By’ is the correct option, as it is used to indicate the means of achieving something. ‘Between’ is used to imply at, into or across the space separating the two objects, region, or points in time.

Here, (c) is incorrect. The sentence lists the activities, which Sania did at the party – ate pasta, drank coke and was dancing salsa, which are all verbs and all verbs in a sentence must agree in tense and number. Here, the sentence contains two singular simple past tense (ate and drank), but one singular past progressive verb (was dancing). But, the verbs should all match. So, the correct should be, ‘danced’, instead of ‘was dancing’.

Here, (b) is incorrect. This sentence uses two pronouns – one and they. Here, when using ‘one’ as a pronoun referring to an unspecified person, the only acceptable match is ‘one’, and not ‘they’. So, the correct sentence should be, “ If one decides to over-speed for fun, one must be willing to pay the penalty”.

Here, (d) is the correct option as the sentence has no error. Here, there is a list of places – like the store, the museum and the church, which are all singular nouns. Whatever grammatical form is applied to one item is applied to all items. There is grammatical consistency in the sentence. Thus, it is a correct sentence.

Here, (b) is incorrect.  Here, the correlative conjunction joining the subjects is "either/or". The verb must therefore agree with the subject closest to it, which is "leader", a singular noun. But, here the singular noun is not in agreement with the plural verb, ”are”. Thus, the proper verb form is the singular "is".

Here, (c) is incorrect. In this sentence, there are a list of infinitive verbs – race cars, swim and fast motorcycles. With infinitives, the word ‘to’ must either go only before the first verb in the list or before every verb in the list. So, accordingly the correct sentence should be, “Being a youngster, he likes to race, swim and ride fast motorcycles.

Here, (c) is incorrect. Here, any list of activities (which the boys did) must be written in the same grammatical form. Whatever grammatical form is applied to one item is applied to all items. But, here running and biking end with “ing”, but hiked ends with “ed”. So, the correct would be,” running, biking and hiking”.

Here, short is the correct synonym of brief, as it implies lasting or taking a small amount of time. Abrupt implies sudden and unexpected, crisp implies pleasingly firm and fresh and small implies a size that is less than normal or usual.

Here, feasible is the correct synonym of viable, as it implies something possible and practical to do easily or conveniently. Beneficial is something resulting in favourable or advantageous results, rational is based on or in accordance with reason or logic and usable is something able or fit to be used.

Here, rebellion is the correct synonym of coup as it implies an act of armed resistance to an established government or leader. Revolution implies an overthrow and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed. Achievement implies a thing done successfully with effort, skill, or courage and deed implies an action that is performed intentionally or consciously.

Here, chaos is the correct synonym, as it implies complete disorder and confusion. Anxiety refers to a strong desire or concern to do something or for something to happen. Agitation implies a state of anxiety or nervous excitement and harmony implies internal calm or tranquility.

Here, usually is the correct synonym, as it implies under normal conditions. Eternally implies something that lasts forever, steadily implies doing something unfaltering and perpetually implies something continuing forever or everlasting.

Here, prohibit is the correct option, as it implies to forbid an action by the authority or law. To urge is to try earnestly or persistently to persuade someone to do something. To permit is to officially allow someone to do something and an advice is an opinion or recommendation offered, as a guide to action, conducts, etc.

Here, promptness is the correct synonym of alacrity, as it implies an act that is carried out or performed without delay. Apathy is the lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting. Alertness is the state of active attention by high sensory awareness, such as being watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency and haste is doing something quickly, often carelessly.

Here, unwanted is the correct synonym of outcast, as it implies no longer desired. Fugitive is someone who has escaped from captivity or is in hiding, friend is a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection and a refugee is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Here, ‘correct’ is the correct option, as it implies something free from error. Valid implies reasonable or cogent, precise implies something marked by exactness and accuracy of expression or detail and genuine implies something authentic.

Here, effortless is the correct option, as it implies some work not requiring physical or mental exertion. Difficult is something needing much effort or skill to accomplish, helpful is someone or something useful and laborious is something that requires considerable time and effort.

Here, praise is the correct antonym of defamation, as it implies the expression of approval or admiration for someone or something. Slur is an insinuation or allegation about someone that is likely to insult them or damage their reputation. Slander is the action or crime of making a false spoken statement damaging to a person's reputation. Obloquy refers to a strong public condemnation.

Here, ungrateful is the correct option, as it implies a person who is not feeling or showing gratitude. Dissatisfied is a person who is not content or happy with someone or something, selfish is a person lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure. Careless is a person who is not giving sufficient attention or thought to avoiding harm or errors.

Here, decent is the correct option, as it implies someone conforming with generally accepted standards of respectable or moral behaviour. Vulgar is someone lacking sophistication or good taste, bawdy is humorously indecent talk or writing and polite is having or showing behaviour that is respectful and considerate of other people.

Here, calm is the correct option, as it implies not showing or feeling nervousness, anger, or other strong emotions. Inactive is not engaging in or involving any or much physical activity, agitated is feeling or appearing troubled or nervous and humble is having or showing a modest or low estimate of one's importance.

Here, must is the correct option, as it is a modal verb indicating that somebody is compelled to do something because of a rule or law, or that is necessary or advisable to do something. Might is used to indicate the possibility that something is true or will happen in the future. Would is used to express the sense of will in reported speech or when referring to an event that has not happened yet. Could is used to express possibility.

Here, might is the correct option, as it is used to indicate the possibility that something is true or will happen in the future. Must is a modal verb indicating that somebody is compelled to do something because of a rule or law, or that is necessary or advisable to do something. Will is used to indicate future time, polite questions or requests, etc. Would is used to express the sense of will in reported speech or when referring to an event that has not happened yet.

Here, may is the correct option, as it is used to indicate that something could be true or could have happened, or will possibly happen. Should is used in expressing desirability, would is used to express the sense of will in reported speech or when referring to an event that has not happened yet and will is used to indicate future time, polite questions or requests, etc.

Here, away is the correct antonym, as it implies something that is at a distance from a particular place or person. Apart is something that is separated by a specified distance in time or space. Remote is a place situated far from the main centres of population and bordering is the part or edge of a surface or area that forms its outer boundary.

To cut a swath is to cause a lot of destruction, death, or harm in a particular place. In this context the violent cyclone causes destruction. To cut a deal is to make an arrangement. To cut a break is to to allow someone a reprieve from the consequences of an action. To cut a rug is to dance very well.

Here, shall is the correct option, as it is used to express obligation even with third-person or second-person constructions. Can is used as a simple present participle, might is used to indicate the possibility that something is true or will happen in the future and may is used to indicate that something could be true or could have happened or will possibly happen.

Here, must is the correct option, as it is a modal verb indicating that somebody is compelled to do something because of a rule or law, or that is necessary or advisable to do something. Might is used to indicate the possibility that something is true or will happen in the future. Should is used in expressing desirability, and may is used to indicate that something could be true or could have happened, or will possibly happen.

The meaning of the idiom long shot is a low probability or likelihood of something happening. In this context this idea seems like a low probability but might still be a solution. Long term means being in effect for a long duration. A long face is a gloomy expression; long gone means dead.

Here, fly by night is the correct option as it implies unreliable or untrustworthy, especially in business or financial matters. Flying away implies to take flight and depart. Eg: The owl hooted one last hoot and flew away. Flying blind implies flying without being able to see and using instruments only. Flying off the handle implies to become suddenly enraged.

Here, ‘in’ is the correct preposition, as it is used for expressing a period of time during which an event happens or a situation remains the case. ‘At’ is used for expressing location or arrival in a particular place, or position, ‘by’ is used to indicate the means of achieving something, and ‘into’ is used to imply the movement towards or inside something.

Here, ‘above’ is the correct option, as it is used to refer in or a higher place. ‘On’, as a preposition of time is used for days and dates, ‘by’ is used to indicate the means of achieving something. ‘About’ is used in identifying the agent performing an action.

To make a clean break means to break away from something completely or to leave something behind. In this context it is better to break away from the past completely. To have a clean sheet means that a sporting team has managed to keep its opponents from scoring any goals or points during a match. To make a clean sweep means an overwhelming victory. A clean slate means a fresh start.

Here, ‘of’ is the correct option, as it is used in expressing the relationship between a part and a whole. ‘By’ is used in identifying the agent performing an action, ‘at’ is used for expressing location or arrival in a particular place or position, ‘off’ is used to indicate moving away, and often down from.

Here, ‘into’ is the correct option, as into is used to imply the movement towards or inside something. ‘By’ is used in identifying the agent performing an action, ‘for’ is used as a function word to indicate purpose, intended goal etc. ‘Off’ is used to indicate moving away and often down from.

A blind dog in a meat market means out of control. In this context the drunk is staggering out of control. Blind leading the blind is a situation where people who themselves do not know anything are teaching others. Turning a blind eye means ignoring something. Blind luck means being very lucky.

Here, ‘at’ is the correct option, as it is used in expressing location or arrival in a particular place, position or expressing the time when an event takes place. ‘During’ is used to imply the course or duration of a period of time. ‘On’, as a preposition of time is used for days and dates. ‘In’, as a preposition of time is used for months, years, centuries and long periods.

Here, misanthrope is the correct option. Misogynist is a person who dislikes, despises, or is strongly prejudiced against women. Misologist is a person who hates or dislikes reasoning or argument, and misandrist is a person who hates men.

Here, omnipotent is the correct option. Omniscient is someone who knows everything. Omni directional is something receiving or transmitting signals in all directions. Omni patient is someone who is capable of enduring all things.

Here, ‘during’ is the correct option as it is used to imply the course or duration of a period of time. ‘Between’ is used to imply at, into or across the space separating the two objects, region or points in time. ‘Into’ is used to imply the movement towards or inside something and ‘until’ is used to imply something before a certain time.

Here, diocese is the correct option. Cathedral is the principal church of a diocese, with which the bishop is officially associated. Convent is a Christian community of nuns living together under monastic vows and monastery is a place where monks live as a secluded community.

Here, patriot is the correct option. Revolutionary is a person who is engaged in or promoting political revolution, a martyr is a person who sacrifices his life for a cause, and soldier is a person who serves in an army.

Here, importer is the correct option. An exporter is a person who sends goods to other countries legally for trade or sale. A smuggler is a person who imports or exports goods for trade or sale without paying lawful customs charges or duties, and conman is a person who cheats or tricks someone by means of a confidence trick.

Here, embezzlement is the correct option. Pilferage is the act of stealing small quantities or articles. Robbery is the act of unlawfully taking the property of another by the use of violence or intimidation and extortion is the crime of obtaining money or some other thing of value by the abuse of one's office or authority.

The fifth sentence of the passage says – ‘the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the first raising operation of GSLV flight GSAT-14 communication satellite.’ The later sentences refer to the satellite with the pronoun ‘it’.

The first sentence of the passage refers to ‘Human exploration’. This indicates all the explorations made by man not just in space, and not just by Indian Space agencies.

Option 4 is correct because the answer is given in the second sentence of the passage. ‘It has moved from planet to planet, ..............possibility of a life.’

The passage mentions the answer by saying –‘ a feat that put India in the exclusive club of’ the preposition ‘of’ indicates that the other countries are already part of this exclusive club, and India is the latest to join it.