Word Usage and Vocabulary Practice

Of all these options, (3) depicts incorrect usage of ‘vein’, as it reflects “approached” in this sentence, which is not one of its meanings. Rephrase the sentence by restoring vein (a temporary attitude) in place of attitude, which will be the correct sentence. “Vein” in (1) and (5) means a streak or tendency, in (2), a seam of a different mineral running through a rock and in (4), it emphasizes a source of a particular characteristic. Hence, (3) is the answer.

“Comprise” as used in (1), (2), (4) and (5) means to consist of or be composed of. But ‘comprise’ in (2) is incorrect as there is a general rule – a whole comprises its parts (not the other way around). The correct sentence would be to replace it with “constituted”. “Comprise” in (3) means to be made up of. Hence, (2) is the incorrect usage of comprise and is the answer.

‘Perverse’ as used in option (1) is correct as it means to do something unacceptable, unreasonable deliberately, and in option (3), it means wrongfully self-willed, or stubborn. ‘Perversion’ in (4) and (5) implies a distortion. But in option (2) the sentence should read, ‘By lying, he was accused of perverting the course of justice’. Hence, option (2) is the answer.

Option (1) is incorrect as the correct preposition is ‘up’, not ‘on’, which shall make the correct sentence read as: ‘Can you firm up on your holiday dates so the rest of staff can plan theirs?’

In sentence (5), the noun ‘naivety’ should replace incorrect usage: ‘naïvery’. Rest all options represent correct usage.

(1) is correct usage of word ‘rope’, which has been used here as a verb meaning to tie together with a rope. (2) has used the word ‘rope’ to depict capital punishment – death by hanging. In option (4), the expression means virtually knocking the opponent out. (3) has used the term to depict freedom of action, which might bring on his/her own downfall. In the context of organization, the word rope is used to refer to procedures or methods, which therefore cannot be tied. Therefore, (3) is incorrect usage.

The word ‘Adjudication’ refers to act of adjudicating of or deciding justice. So among the given options, the most appropriate is illustration given in sentence (3), umpire deciding proceedings in a match.

Term ‘operative’ is used to refer to a spy, so it is correct as used in option (1) but in option (2) the noun ‘operation’ should have been used instead of ‘operative’. This marks (2) as our required answer choice.

The usage of the term in options (1), (2) and (5) is a formal word meaning ‘to weaken’, dilute or reduce in size. In sentence (3), the term attenuate implies ‘make thin’. In option (4), the expression should have been ‘attenuated limbs’. Therefore, option (4) is an example of incorrect usage.

Filter in (1) is used correctly as a device to block out certain electrical or sound waves. Option (2) implies that the guests trickled (to move, come, go etc little by little) to the reception room after the speech, which is the correct usage.
‘Filter’ in (3) is incorrect. It should actually be ‘filtrate’ (a part of a substance that has passed through a filtering mechanism) that is in the beaker. ‘Filtered out’ in (4) means to become known, and is correct. ‘Filtered out’ in (5) means to keep out. Hence, (3) is the required answer.

In options (1) and (2), the usage given is correct, meaning ‘to release, to declare not guilty’. In sentence D the usage of acquits implies ‘to act or behave in a certain way’. In option (5), the expression means getting free of a burden. In option (3), the usage is incorrect, because the correct word to be used is ‘conduct’. Therefore, the incorrect usage as given in this question is option (3).

In sentence (3), the meaning of the term ‘nerve’ is strength, which is not quite correct in the context.  Therefore, correct answer is option (3).

The 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), the word is used for artificial or unoriginal food. Plastic money (5) means credit cards etc. In sentence (4), the correct sentence should be, ‘your plastic manners won’t work here’. This marks option (4) as the one having incorrect usage.

‘Pigeonhole’ is a term used for one of a series of small compartments for papers or letters. This marks option (1) correct. The word pigeon-toed, as used in option (2), refers to the condition of body in which a person’s toes are turned inwards. As used in option (3), pigeonholed implies postponed. Pigeon in (5) means gullible. Pigeon-toed cannot be used to refer to non-physical attributes. This implies option (4) as the required answer choice

'Juice' and 'extract' apply only to C. On the other hand, 'basics' and 'crux' do not apply to C. But essence could be a summary or distilled extract.

'Canter' is a small gallop 9 (as of a horse); 'cantor' is a singer.
'Chili' is red pepper pod; 'chilly' is wintry.
'Hackle' is neck hair (as of a cock); 'heckle' is verbal harassment.
'Heresy' is opposition to dogma; hearsay is something heard.

 <span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa="">'Beckon' is to summon by gesture; 'beacon' is a signal of light.<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa="">'Carat' is a unit of weight (200 mg); 'karat' is a measure of purity (parts out of 24)<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa="">'Canvas' is a type of cloth; 'canvass' is to seek votes.<span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial;mso-fareast-font-family:"Times" new="" roman";mso-ansi-language:en-us;mso-fareast-language:en-us;mso-bidi-language:ar-sa="">'Burrow' is a hole in the ground' borough is a township or a residential area. 

“Scale” in (4) is correct, which means a series of musical notes in a fixed order. “Scale” in (1) means to climb up, which is the correct usage. Option (2) depicts incorrect usage of “scale” as we can never scale our attitudes. When “scale” is used with “model” as in (3), it means concerning the ratio of a model to the actual size of what it represents, thereby depicting its correct usage. Option (5) depicts scale to the equitable measurements. Hence, (2) is the answer.

A person cannot be 'shorn' or 'put off' his tasks or powers/authority. Also, 'sign off' is done by a person, not to a person. But a person can be stripped off his task/power and authority and the government can also strip flab (sagging fat or excess) off an enterprise.

For usage 'a': 'She is such an indefatigable young child that no body can pass her without giving here a smile'; the suitable meaning is in 4, 'Energetic'. Thus either option (1) or option (3) is correct. Both these options match 1b as a pair. For usage 'c': 'Nelson Mandela is known as the indefatigable opponent of racial discrimination', suitable meaning is given in 3. This helps us mark option (3) as the correct answer.

For usage 'a', 'The explosion lacerated through the hotel', there are two meanings which suit; 2 and 3, but the word twisting (in 3) can't be in relation to hotel. Thus 2a shall be part of any logical sequences. In usage 'b', one can infer that lacerated is used in relation to the health of a person. This marks 1b to be another part of the logical sequencing. This is available in option (3), and, therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.

For usage 'a', meanings 2 as well as 4 can be used. For usage 'c', the term 'silly' can be related to meaning 1. For usage 'd', 'Nag persistently' is suitable to describe antics of mother. Thereby appropriate option to answer this question is option (5).

The suffering implied in 'tormented' and the ghastliness implied in 'macabre' find application only in C. 'Dreary' and 'desultory' (dry, dull or unfocused) do not apply to images (A, D) or faces (C). 'Sullied' applies eminently to A, B and D, and vaguely to C (in the sense of discoloured/drained with fear).

'Exhort' is to encourage and 'exhume' is to dig out something buried (even symbolically). The latter can be vaguely applied in the case of usage C, but the former finds no application. Nor does 'retort' (quick and sharp - often bitter reply) find an application. 'Extract' and 'extort' have similar meanings except that the latter involves an element of coercion that the former does not have. 'Extort' will find logical application only in D, whereas 'extract' can be applied to all of these.

Only living beings can be intelligent (not room). Also, intelligence cannot be a negative trait to be clubbed with 'witless'. Nor can 'mournful' be. 'Mournful' replies cannot be music to the listener's ears, though in a way, dumb replies can be music to the ears of a rival.