IEO Mock Test - English Language Proficiency

Question 1 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

What does the author mean by the expression 'fixing the meaning of the words we use'?

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

If our thoughts are to be clear and we are to succeed in communicating them to other people, we must have some method of fixing the meaning of the words we use. When we use a word whose meaning is not certain, we may well be asked to define it. There is a useful traditional device for doing this by indicating the class to which it belongs, and also the particular property which distinguishes it from all other members of the same class. Thus, we may define a whale as a marine animal that spouts. “Marine animal” in this definition indicates the general class to which the whale belongs, and spouts indicate the particular property that distinguishes whales from other such marine animals as fish, seals, jellyfish and lobsters. In the same way, we can define an even number as a finite integer divisible by two or democracy as a system of government in which the people themselves rule.

There are other ways of course of indicating the meaning of words. We may for example, find it hard to make a suitable definition of the word ‘animal’, so we say that an animal is such a thing as a rabbit, dog, fish or goat. Similarly, we may say that religion is such a system as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This way of indicating the meaning of a term by enumerating examples of what it includes is obviously of limited utility. If we indicated our use of the word animal as above, our hearers might, for example be doubtful whether a sea anemone or a slug was to be included in the class of animals. It is however, a useful way of supplementing a definition, if the definition itself is definite without being easily understandable. Failure of an attempt at definition to serve its purpose may result from giving it a distinguishing mark which either does not belong to all the things the definition intends to include, or does belong to some members of the same general class which the definition intends to exclude.

Getting tough with people who always ask for definitions
Using definitions to help people build up their vocabulary
Organising words for proper communication
Using definitions to help people express their thoughts

Question 2 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

A definition needs to be supplemented with examples when

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

If our thoughts are to be clear and we are to succeed in communicating them to other people, we must have some method of fixing the meaning of the words we use. When we use a word whose meaning is not certain, we may well be asked to define it. There is a useful traditional device for doing this by indicating the class to which it belongs, and also the particular property which distinguishes it from all other members of the same class. Thus, we may define a whale as a marine animal that spouts. “Marine animal” in this definition indicates the general class to which the whale belongs, and spouts indicate the particular property that distinguishes whales from other such marine animals as fish, seals, jellyfish and lobsters. In the same way, we can define an even number as a finite integer divisible by two or democracy as a system of government in which the people themselves rule.

There are other ways of course of indicating the meaning of words. We may for example, find it hard to make a suitable definition of the word ‘animal’, so we say that an animal is such a thing as a rabbit, dog, fish or goat. Similarly, we may say that religion is such a system as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This way of indicating the meaning of a term by enumerating examples of what it includes is obviously of limited utility. If we indicated our use of the word animal as above, our hearers might, for example be doubtful whether a sea anemone or a slug was to be included in the class of animals. It is however, a useful way of supplementing a definition, if the definition itself is definite without being easily understandable. Failure of an attempt at definition to serve its purpose may result from giving it a distinguishing mark which either does not belong to all the things the definition intends to include, or does belong to some members of the same general class which the definition intends to exclude.

the definition itself is definite
the definition itself is definite but still difficult to comprehend
the definition uses an inappropriate distinguishing mark
a listener demands more examples for clarity

Question 3 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

The expression 'we may well be asked' used in the first paragraph means that

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

If our thoughts are to be clear and we are to succeed in communicating them to other people, we must have some method of fixing the meaning of the words we use. When we use a word whose meaning is not certain, we may well be asked to define it. There is a useful traditional device for doing this by indicating the class to which it belongs, and also the particular property which distinguishes it from all other members of the same class. Thus, we may define a whale as a marine animal that spouts. “Marine animal” in this definition indicates the general class to which the whale belongs, and spouts indicate the particular property that distinguishes whales from other such marine animals as fish, seals, jellyfish and lobsters. In the same way, we can define an even number as a finite integer divisible by two or democracy as a system of government in which the people themselves rule.

There are other ways of course of indicating the meaning of words. We may for example, find it hard to make a suitable definition of the word ‘animal’, so we say that an animal is such a thing as a rabbit, dog, fish or goat. Similarly, we may say that religion is such a system as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This way of indicating the meaning of a term by enumerating examples of what it includes is obviously of limited utility. If we indicated our use of the word animal as above, our hearers might, for example be doubtful whether a sea anemone or a slug was to be included in the class of animals. It is however, a useful way of supplementing a definition, if the definition itself is definite without being easily understandable. Failure of an attempt at definition to serve its purpose may result from giving it a distinguishing mark which either does not belong to all the things the definition intends to include, or does belong to some members of the same general class which the definition intends to exclude.

it is quite likely that we will be asked
we cannot escape being asked
the listener is always justified to ask us
it is incredible that we will be asked

Question 4 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

The word used in the passage that can be a synonym of 'count' is

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

If our thoughts are to be clear and we are to succeed in communicating them to other people, we must have some method of fixing the meaning of the words we use. When we use a word whose meaning is not certain, we may well be asked to define it. There is a useful traditional device for doing this by indicating the class to which it belongs, and also the particular property which distinguishes it from all other members of the same class. Thus, we may define a whale as a marine animal that spouts. “Marine animal” in this definition indicates the general class to which the whale belongs, and spouts indicate the particular property that distinguishes whales from other such marine animals as fish, seals, jellyfish and lobsters. In the same way, we can define an even number as a finite integer divisible by two or democracy as a system of government in which the people themselves rule.

There are other ways of course of indicating the meaning of words. We may for example, find it hard to make a suitable definition of the word ‘animal’, so we say that an animal is such a thing as a rabbit, dog, fish or goat. Similarly, we may say that religion is such a system as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This way of indicating the meaning of a term by enumerating examples of what it includes is obviously of limited utility. If we indicated our use of the word animal as above, our hearers might, for example be doubtful whether a sea anemone or a slug was to be included in the class of animals. It is however, a useful way of supplementing a definition, if the definition itself is definite without being easily understandable. Failure of an attempt at definition to serve its purpose may result from giving it a distinguishing mark which either does not belong to all the things the definition intends to include, or does belong to some members of the same general class which the definition intends to exclude.

indicate
distinguish
spout
enumerate

Question 5 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

According to the author, which of the following is a disadvantage of defining by enumerating?

Directions: Read the following passage to answer the given question.

If our thoughts are to be clear and we are to succeed in communicating them to other people, we must have some method of fixing the meaning of the words we use. When we use a word whose meaning is not certain, we may well be asked to define it. There is a useful traditional device for doing this by indicating the class to which it belongs, and also the particular property which distinguishes it from all other members of the same class. Thus, we may define a whale as a marine animal that spouts. “Marine animal” in this definition indicates the general class to which the whale belongs, and spouts indicate the particular property that distinguishes whales from other such marine animals as fish, seals, jellyfish and lobsters. In the same way, we can define an even number as a finite integer divisible by two or democracy as a system of government in which the people themselves rule.

There are other ways of course of indicating the meaning of words. We may for example, find it hard to make a suitable definition of the word ‘animal’, so we say that an animal is such a thing as a rabbit, dog, fish or goat. Similarly, we may say that religion is such a system as Christianity, Islam, Judaism and Buddhism. This way of indicating the meaning of a term by enumerating examples of what it includes is obviously of limited utility. If we indicated our use of the word animal as above, our hearers might, for example be doubtful whether a sea anemone or a slug was to be included in the class of animals. It is however, a useful way of supplementing a definition, if the definition itself is definite without being easily understandable. Failure of an attempt at definition to serve its purpose may result from giving it a distinguishing mark which either does not belong to all the things the definition intends to include, or does belong to some members of the same general class which the definition intends to exclude.

The items listed may not all share similar characteristics.
Enumeration may leave doubts in the mind of the speaker.
The properties and examples enumerated may not be all inclusive.
Many important members of the group may be left out while enumerating.

Question 6 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Select the most appropriate verb from and fill in the blank.

Wisdom as well as cleverness always _________.

pay
pays
hurt
hurts

Question 7 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the word from the options which is similar in meaning to the given word.

Fluctuation

Resolution
Stubbornes
Variation
Dilution
Concentration

Question 8 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to the given word.

Irk

To scold
To make a wry face
To urge
To annoy

Question 9 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to the given word.

Elude

To evade
To omit or leave out
To make mention of
To deceive

Question 10 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to the given word.

Compound

To emphasise
To confuse
To put together
To compress

Question 11 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the word or phrase which is nearest in meaning to the given word.

Submerge

To walk on
To sink
To appear
To join together

Question 12 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill up the blank with the appropriate modal verb.

_________ you like to have dinner with me?

May
Would
Can
Do

Question 13 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank.

Nowadays they are at _______ drawn though they were friends once.

swords
daggers
knives
spears

Question 14 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank.

_______ by people's perception, it seems that democracy has succeeded in India.

Making
Planned
Going
Like

Question 15 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank.

Family planning is essential for curbing the rapid ________ in population.

spurt
augmentation
spread
increase

Question 16 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct option.

He suffered heavy losses, yet he was rolling ________ wealth.

with
for
from
in

Question 17 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct option.

Your conduct smacks ________ recklessness.

of
with
in
from

Question 18 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the correct option.

Such remarks are certainly derogatory _________ your reputation.

of
on
with
to

Question 19 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable link word:

You're not leaving this place ________ you've completed the work assigned to you.

since
if
until
unless

Question 20 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable link word:

__________ they were playing in the ground, they saw a snake coming out of the grass.

Since
If
For
While

Question 21 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable link word:

He will join the job only ___________ the employer offers him a six-figure salary.

since
if
and
while

Question 22 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable link word:

The country is facing a slowdown in economic growth ________ the poor supply of electricity.

because of
since
as
when

Question 23 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Match the two parts of a conversation.

I'm thinking about taking a walk. How's the weather outside?

It a bit chilly. You should wear a light jacket and maybe a cap too.
It's a bit chilly. You should wear a light jacket and maybe a cap too.
It's a bit chilled. You should wear a light jacket and maybe a cap to.
It's but chilly. You should wear a light jacket and maybe a cap too.

Question 24 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Match the two parts of a conversation.

The internet is amazing. You can be anywhere, anytime.

You are right. Yesterday I surfed China's website and saw the Great Wall. It felt so real.
You is right. Yesterday I surfed China's website and saw the Great Wall. It felt so real.
You are right. Yesterday I surfed china's website and saw the great wall. It felt so real.
You are right. Yesterday I surfed China's website and see the Great Wall. It felt so real.

Question 25 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Match the two parts of a conversation.

Hey, your coffee tastes different. Did you add something different to it?

Yes, I sprinkled lots cinnamon. I love its sweet and aromatic flavour.
Yes, I sprinkle some cinnamon. I love its sweat and aromatic flavour.
Yes, I sprinkle some cinnamon. I love it's sweet and aromatic flavour.
Yes, I sprinkled some cinnamon. I love its sweet and aromatic flavour.

Question 26 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Match the two parts of a conversation.

Sometimes the news is so boring. It puts me to sleep.

I agree. I finding it boring most of the time.
I agree. I find it boring most of the time.
I agree. I found it boring most at the time.
I agree. I find it bore most of the time.

Question 27 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Match the two parts of a conversation.

She is a really good singer, but not pretty at all.

What difference does that make? Singers are supposed to sound good.
What different does that make? Singers are suppose to sound good.
What difference does that make? Singers are supposed to look good.
What different does that make? Singers are supposed to sound good.

Question 28 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Fill in the blank with the suitable link word:

The village was devastated ___________ the heavy rain.

since
as
when
due to

Question 29 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the correct form of the verb and fill in the blank.

When I visited him, he ___________ bedridden for two months.

was
had been
has been
had

Question 30 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the correct form of the verb and fill in the blank.

I will call you when dinner __________ ready.

is
was
will be
would be

Question 31 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Choose the correct form of the verb and fill in the blank.

By that time, I ___________ in this college for ten years.

shall be teaching
shall have been teaching
shall teach
should be teaching

Question 32 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Supply the most appropriate word(s) after the verb (in bold italics) in the following sentence, so that the combination of the verb and the supplied word becomes a proper phrasal verb.

We did not let anything detract us ________ our enjoyable journey to Shimla.

of
off
from
for

Question 33 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: Supply the most appropriate word(s) after the verb (in bold italics) in the following sentence, so that the combination of the verb and the supplied word becomes a proper phrasal verb.

After some time, her anger died _____.

off
out
back
down

Question 34 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (iv) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

perform
reform
revive
clear

Question 35 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (viii) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

asserted
declared
voiced
waged

Question 36 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (v) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

insists
subsists
consists
persists

Question 37 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (i) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

From
With
Till
Since

Question 38 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given passage?

Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the question that follows. Certain words/phrases have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering the question.

There was once a poor farmer who went to the money-lender's house and asked him the secret of becoming rich. The money-lender piously told the farmer that riches came from God and he should ask him.

The simple farmer set out to find God. On his way, he found a poor man sitting under a tree. The poor man asked him about his journey and the farmer told him that he was going to find God! The poor man smiled and said, "I am God! What do you want of me?" The farmer told him the whole story, and God, taking pity on him, gave him a conch shell, and showed him how to blow it in a particular way, saying, “Just remember, whatever you wish for, you have only to blow the conch this way, and your wish will be fulfilled. Only have a care of that money-lender, for even magic is not proof against his wiles!"

The farmer went back to his village, rejoicing. The money-lender noticed his high spirits at once and went over to the farmer's house, and congratulated him on his good fortune . The farmer told him the whole story—everything except the secret of blowing the conch.

Nevertheless, the money-lender was determined to have the conch by hook or by crook, and waited for a favorable opportunity and stole the conch.

He tried blowing the conch in every conceivable way but had to give it up as a bad job. So, he went back to the farmer, and said, "I've got your conch, but it is of no use to either of us. Everything is at a stand-still unless we make a bargain. I will give you back your conch, and never interfere with your using it, on one condition, which is this, whatever you get from it, I am to get double."

The farmer refused the bargain but the wily money-lender persuaded him; "You will have your share! What does it matter to you if I am rich or poor?" So, though it went sorely against the grain to be of any benefit to a money-lender, the farmer was forced to yield and the knowledge of this fact so preyed upon the farmer's mind day and night, that he had no satisfaction out of anything.

There came a very dry season, - so dry that the farmer's crops withered for want of rain. Then he blew his conch, and wished for a well to water them, but the money-lender got two! This was too much for him to stand; and he brooded over it, till at last a bright idea came into his head. He seized the conch, blew it loudly, and cried out, "Oh, God! I wish to be blind of one eye!" And so he was, in a twinkling. But the money-lender became completely blind. He fell into his new well and drowned.

The Revenge of The Farmer
A Blind Money-Lender
The Farmer and The Money-Lender
The Money-Lender Who Guided The Farmer
The Conch Shell of Wishes

Question 39 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (x) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

accepted
expected
affected
admitted

Question 40 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (ix) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

on
at
with
from

Question 41 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (vi) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

arrangement
function
growth
behaviour

Question 42 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Directions: In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blank (ii) with the help of the alternatives given.

It is difficult to find a person who would put a good word for the kind of bureaucracy we have in India. Incidentally, things may now be seen as coming to a head. ...(i)... the attainment of independence, India has ...(ii)... from time to time several high power ...(iii)... or commissions to ...(iv)... the administration. In spite of all this, the impression ...(v)... that the Indian variety of bureaucracy has been slow and slothful. The fact is that the ...(vi)... of bureaucracy happens to be ...(vii)... the same all over the world. Even in the USA, presidents have ...(viii)... a great deal of concern ...(ix)... the manner in which bureaucracy has been functioning at various levels. In spite of all this, extensive changes cannot be ...(x)... in the near future.

arranged
appointed
framed
selected

Question 43 Multiple Choice (Single Answer)

Which of the following statements is NOT true according to the passage?