English Language

Vocabulary Usage

161 Questions
All Wrong Sense of a Multiple-Meaning Word 59 Confusable Near-Homophone 44 Wrong Word Class for the Slot 23 Collocation Mismatch 22

Vocabulary Usage Questions

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

REVERBERATE

  1. Footsteps reverberate through the empty hall.

  2. Our ears rang with the reverberation of the explosion.

  3. The shock of the bank collapse reverberated in financial circles.

  4. Newspapers are full of the reverberations of the police probe.

  5. The booming guns reverberated through the precincts.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

‘Reverberate’ as used in options (1) and (2) is correct meaning to echo or sound again and again. In options (3) and (4) is also correct meaning repercussions. There is no such meaning of ‘reverberation’ as in option (5), therefore marking it incorrect as the answer. Instead the sentence should read: ‘Sound of the booming guns reverberated through the precincts’.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

INFLICT

  1. Tornadoes regularly inflict severe damage in the USA.

  2. The infliction of corporal punishment in schools is forbidden.

  3. The commander inflicted the villagers with heavy taxation.

  4. Don't inflict yourself on your aunt as she is sick today
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

“Inflict” as in options (1), (2), (3) and (5) means to cause suffering or unpleasantness. This implies we can “inflict” something unpleasant on or upon a person as in (1) and (2) but we cannot, correctly, inflict” a person with anything as in (3), which makes it incorrect. “Inflict” in (4) means to impose a burden, especially by forcing your presence on someone.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

CROWN

  1. The colonies revolted against the Crown.

  2. He was crowned the Order of the Sacred Treasure by the Emperor of Japan.

  3. Mr. Jenkins crowned his performance with a show-stealing display on the musical glasses.

  4. A wonderful flower wreath crowned her head.

  5. The crowns kowtowed to the orders of the Residents.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In the second sentence 'Order' means a group of people upon whom a government or sovereign has formally conferred honor for unusual service or merit. Therefore, the verb should be awarded. Crowned means enthrone. Hence, (2) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

ARTICULATE

  1. He is an articulate speaker.

  2. Pay attention to the articulate of each syllable.

  3. An articulated truck can turn quite sharply.

  4. It is important to articulate each word carefully.

  5. If you try to articulate, you will get the correct spellings.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The word used in option (2) is not correct. Instead the word should be ‘articulation’, meaning ‘to pronounce words distinctly’. Therefore, option (2) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

DELIVER

  1. Indians are bound by the statutory requirement to deliver their income tax by 31st March every year.

  2. The courier man delivered the package this morning.

  3. Lennox delivered a punch that knocked Tyson out of the challenge.

  4. You will find it difficult to deliver on your commitment.

  5. August 15th was the day of our deliverance from the English yoke.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) depicts the incorrect usage of ‘deliver’. Income tax is not delivered but is filed or registered. ‘Delivered’ in (2) means to distribute; in option (3) it means to strike(a blow); and in option (4), it means to give forth, or express in words; make. In option (5) it means to set free or liberate.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

DRIFT

  1. That argument has caused a drift between the two families.

  2. His actions nevertheless suggest certain openness to the positivist drift to the times.

  3. The boat had drifted away into the night.

  4. Did you get the drift of his argument?

  5. The government has been following a policy of drift.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): The word in (1) should be 'rift', not 'drift'. Hence (1) is answer. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

AMALGAMATE

  1. Small businesses amalgamate to form a large company.

  2. The dentist filled the cavity in my tooth with amalgamation.

  3. The population is an amalgamation of many races.

  4. The two schools have amalgamated into one institution.

  5. Let's amalgamate the two units to enjoy the benefits of scale.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The usage of word 'amalgamate' in option (2) is incorrect. Meaning of the word 'amalgam' is soft mixture or combination to fill in cavities. So option (2) is the required answer choice.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

FLURRY

  1. The ministers got swept up in a flurry of debates.

  2. Slaughtering of goats creates a flurry in Tiruchi.

  3. The members of the Royal party were so flurried, that they did not hear the splash.

  4. He had to close the window against the flurry of snow.

  5. After an initial flurry the buyers settled down.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (2): From this option it can be inferred that the act caused a violent agitation. Although flurry also implies a kind of agitation, this kind of violent agitation is termed as 'a flare up'. The correct expression is 'lead to a flare up'. Hence, (2) is answer. 

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

POCKET

  1. The speaker asked the audience to put their hands into their pockets and support the charity.

  2. Pocket all the lines given to you.

  3. He pocketed his pride and apologized.

  4. Those two are always together and live in each other's pockets.

  5. There are pockets of resistance here and there.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

For option (1) the expression implies to give money, especially generously. For option (3), the expression used is 'to conceal or hold back the feeling'. For option (4), the expression implied is 'to be too dependent on each other'. For option (2) 'pocket all the lines given to you' is grammatically correct, but we pocket physical things like cash, money, etc. and not abstract quantities. Thus option (2) is incorrect usage of the term pocket.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

PAPER

  1. Often the full house on opening nights brings in no profit because it's full of paper.

  2. The old man has a dry paper skin.

  3. The rise in the value of its shares has given the company a huge paper profit.

  4. They tried to paper over the cracks in their marriage by a show of public affection.

  5. Take the needle out of the paper.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In option (1), the term 'paper' has been used as slang to denote people who come to watch theatre on free tickets or without paying, so the given usage is correct. In option (2) the meaning implied is 'thin or flimsy like paper', but instead of the noun paper the term required was the adjective 'papery'. 'Paper profit' as implied by sentence (3) refers to expression 'in theory rather than in practice'. In option (4), 'paper over the cracks' implies to attempt to hide disagreement or friction. In option (5), paper means a wrapper. Thus incorrect usage as can be inferred from the above explanation is option (2).

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

NEST

  1. The tree was full of nesting beavers.

  2. Over the years she built up a nest egg for her retirement.

  3. We have a nest of three tables of different sizes, which fit one on top of another.

  4. The neighbours said that the shelter for the homeless was a nesting for the thieves.

  5. Where have you built up your nest?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The usage as implied in option (1) refers to a structure in which a bird lays its eggs and rears its chicks. In option (2) the term ‘nest egg’ is used to refer to money saved for future use. In option (3) ‘nest’ denotes group of objects, which are designed in such a way to fit in each other. In option (5) nest means a dwelling. In option (4) either the expression should have been ‘nesting ground for the thieves’ or ‘nest of thieves’, which implies a secret, protected place, especially one used by criminals.

Multiple choice

Directions: Find the statement where the given word hasn't been used correctly.

FIST

  1. The demonstrators punched the air with their fists.

  2. Proudly, he waved a fist of money for the waiter.

  3. Now, boys, no fisticuffs if you please.

  4. The knuckles showed white on his clenched fist.

  5. He fisted the bulb of onion and ate it raw.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option (2): In option (2), 'fistful of money' should replace 'fist of money'. Thus (2) is the incorrect usage of the term fist. 

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are four sentences. The sentences have pairs of words/phrases that are italicized and highlighted. Select the most appropriate word or phrase to form grammatically and syntactically correct sentences. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.

The talcum was coarse (A) / course (B) enough to have caused skin rashes.

The speaker was contemptible (A) / contemptuous (B) and dismissive in his demeanour.

The disk (A) / disc (B) for the discus throw was flat and heavy.

The wise maintain a discreet (A) / discrete (B) distance from all public controversies.

  1. BAAB

  2. ABBA

  3. ABAB

  4. BBBA

  5. ABAA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

(5) 'Coarse' is rough; 'course' is path. 'Contemptible' is condemnable; 'contemptuous is arrogant. 'Disk' is something plate-like' 'disc' is specifically a phonograph. 'Discreet' is prudent'; 'discrete' is separated.

Multiple choice

Directions: Pick the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

CROW

  1. A crow is a scavenger bird.

  2. I live in Bhopal, about 5 miles, as the crow flies from Mandideep.

  3. When people achieve success after a long toil, they crow with delight.

  4. Early in the morning the cocks crow.

  5. The opposition had to eat crow and withdraw the accusations.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A crow is a scavenger. Error: redundancy in the expression ‘scavenger bird’

Multiple choice

Directions: Pick the statement where the given word hasn’t been used correctly.

ASH

  1. The wood used to make the cabinet is ash.

  2. His illness had given his face an ashen look.

  3. He wanted us to scatter his ashes over the sea.

  4. The ashen looks told the whole story.

  5. The cinder was burnt to ashes.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) doesn’t seem to make sense, and the student shall be prompted to mark it as an incorrect usage of the term 'ash'. But, the word ‘ash’ here refers to a tree of genus fraxinus. So, it is perfectly correct. Option (5) is marked incorrect because of the word ‘cinder’, which means wood or coal ash.