English Grammar and Usage

Over the _________ of the sirens, you could still hear the hoarse ______ of his voice.

Directions for questions:
Each sentence below has one or two blanks, each blank indicating that something has been omitted. Beneath the sentence are five words or sets of words labeled A through E. Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.

Example:
After having a _________ journey, we had a ___________ food.
(A) persistent, musty                                          (B) frightful, terrific
(C) congenial, palatable                                      (D) tiresome, common
(E) expedition, brisk

Directions: Complete the story by filling the blank with a suitable article.

After a few days the slave was caught and was ordered to be thrown before a hungry lion. On the fixed day the lion was let loose on ________ slave. Luckily, it was the same lion. The lion recognised the slave and began to lick the slave's feet. Seeing this, the people were surprised. Then, the slave told them the whole story.

Directions: Complete the story by filling the blank with a suitable article.

Once a slave, who was very sick of his cruel master, ran away from his master’s house to _______ forest. There he saw a lion crying with pain. The lion sat down before him. The lion held out his paw. There was a big thorn in it. The slave drew it out and dressed the wound. Then, they became friends.

Directions: Read the passage and fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

A farmer had four sons who always quarrelled ________ themselves. The farmer’s advice had no effect on them. Once he thought of a plan to teach them a lesson. He asked them to bring a bundle of sticks. He asked them to break the bundle but none of them could do so.

Directions: Read the passage and fill in the blank with a suitable preposition.

The farmer asked them to untie the bundle. The sons did so. Then, the farmer divided the sticks between them and asked them to break the sticks. Now, each __________ the sons could break the sticks easily. The farmer advised them that if they wanted to remain safe, they should be united like the bundle of sticks.

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

When I was a small girl, my grandpa used to tell me the story of an honest wood cutter who was rewarded with gold, silver and iron axes by God Mercury. But these days, situation has changed totally. Neither do we have honest wood cutters nor such gods. By saying this, I do not mean that it does not pay to be honest. But, what I mean to say is that people have become hard hearted, selfish and feelingless. We have to make efforts to curb the vices; otherwise, the world will be doomed and we shall be left in a lurch.

Situations have changed totally because now there are __________.

Directions: Read the passage below and answer the question that follows.

On the banks of the sacred Ganges a crocodile chanced to be. Near the place where a clever monkey lived up in a mango tree. Very soon the croc and the monkey, came close and became friends. The croc, with the monkey on his back went cruising where the river ends.

The relationship between the crocodile and the monkey was ________.

Directions: Based on the given notes, complete the biography to present a report.

VIRENDER SEHWAG

Birth : 20^th October, 1978 in delhi Nickname : Viru Bating style : Right-handed batsman Achievements : First ever Indian to score 300 runs in a test

Virender Sehwag whose nickname is Viru, ____________ on 20^th October, 1978. He was educated in Delhi. He scored 300 runs in a test match.

Which of the following options best fits gap 16?

Directions: Read the passage and find the correct form of the missing word or phrase to complete it.

Music industry executives -----13---- recently expressed concern that the easy access to free digital recordings will dampen the willingness of customers to purchase music, but this concern is unwarranted. As recorded music became widely available in the form of LP’s and later cassette tapes and CDs, people ----------14------- to attend concerts and live music venues. Given that other recorded formats ---------15------- people to stop paying for musical entertainment, it is unlikely that the availability of digital recordings------16-------- customers to cease making  music purchases.

Which of the following options best fits gap 13?

Directions: Read the passage and find the correct form of the missing word or phrase to complete it.

Music industry executives -----13---- recently expressed concern that the easy access to free digital recordings will dampen the willingness of customers to purchase music, but this concern is unwarranted. As recorded music became widely available in the form of LP’s and later cassette tapes and CDs, people ----------14------- to attend concerts and live music venues. Given that other recorded formats ---------15------- people to stop paying for musical entertainment, it is unlikely that the availability of digital recordings------16-------- customers to cease making  music purchases.

Which of the following options best fits gap 14?

Directions: Read the passage and find the correct form of the missing word or phrase to complete it.

Music industry executives -----13---- recently expressed concern that the easy access to free digital recordings will dampen the willingness of customers to purchase music, but this concern is unwarranted. As recorded music became widely available in the form of LP’s and later cassette tapes and CDs, people ----------14------- to attend concerts and live music venues. Given that other recorded formats ---------15------- people to stop paying for musical entertainment, it is unlikely that the availability of digital recordings------16-------- customers to cease making  music purchases.

Which of the following options best fits gap 24?

Directions: Complete the passage by filling the most suitable option from each list.

Human to human blood transfusions in the nineteenth century were plagued by two major problems: first, the necessity of transfusing blood as soon as it was drawn and second the occasionally fatal reactions, often accompanied by fever or nausea, which afflicted many patients. Rudimentary anticoagulants were developed as early as 1860, solving the first obstacle. Later advances in the blood analysis revealed not only that there are blood groups with which donors may be incompatible but also that white blood cells-----------24------ new blood from even seemingly suitable donors.

Which of the options best fits gap 17?

Directions: Fill in the gaps to make meaningful sentences.

Telephone and data networks, both private and public, provide speech or data communication -----15----two points. These two points -------16-------------at fixed locations, or if the network includes one or more switching points, any user may be able to access any other user. The network then, offered together with the associated service, is known as the value added network. Most VAN operators -----17----a combination of private lines, spare capacity on public or private networks to provide the basic network.

Which is the best option that fits gap 23?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.

Which is the best option that fits gap 24?

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

One might think of an ocean as a bottomless sink but its capacity as (21) receptacle for wastes is limited. Oceanic pollution is caused by ship generated discharges of oil and petroleum products, noxious liquids, packaged dangerous goods, garbage etc.

The fate of the pollutant is determined by oceanic currents and the (22) turbulence of the sea. Migrating birds caught in the oil slicks --------23--------their power of flight. Employment of detergents to clean the oil slicks ---------24-----to be harmful to marine life. Paper wastes and cellulose are non- biodegradable in the oceans and their presence affects light penetration as a result of which marine phytocomposition takes place.