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.

AGGREGATE

  1. The aggregation of all his marks was 418.

  2. Granite is an aggregate.

  3. The builders used an aggregate of sand and rock fragments.

  4. In the aggregate, we have done well this year.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of term 'aggregation' used in sentence given in option (1) is a group or mass of distinct things or individuals. Instead of word 'aggregation' one should use 'aggregate' to make sense. This marks option (1) our answer.

Multiple choice

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

MALICE

  1. He was motivated by malice when he set out to harass his ex-wife.

  2. The saintly man bears no maliciousness.

  3. It was with malice thought that he bought a gun and lay in wait for the manager who had sacked him.

  4. The malicious woman falsely accused him of child abuse.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of term 'Malice' as primarily used is active ill will, evil intent or desire to harm. It is in this context, the word has been used in all the given sentences. In option (2), the sentence is grammatically incorrect because of sage of term 'maliciousness' which instead should have been 'malice', the meaning of term is same but usage incorrect.

Multiple choice

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

INITIATIVE

  1. She showed great initiative in helping the accident victims.

  2. Don't ask me what to do, use your own initiative.

  3. If we delay engaging the enemy, we will lose the initiative.

  4. We are launching a new peace initiation.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of term 'initiative' as used in option (1) and (2) is the ability and enterprise to do what needs to be done. The meaning as used in option (4) is 'the power or right to take action'. In option (4) instead of word 'initiation' one should use word 'initiative'. The incorrect sentence as given in this pair of sentences is in option (4).

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.I. The commandant of the 2nd corpse (A) / corps (B) has put his troops on high alert. II. The company stands to loose (A) / lose (B) its monopolistic position in the market. III. The pilot had to take emergency landing and the plain (A) / plane (B) taken to the hangar. IV. It is our national duty to cast (A)/ caste (B) our vote at the time of national elections.

  1. BBAB

  2. BABB

  3. ABBA

  4. BBAA

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

I. Corps is a body of soldiers; corpse is a dead body.

II. Lose is the verb form of loss; loose is not tight.

III. The pilot took emergency landing for the plane; plain is flat or clear. IV. Votes are cast; caste is an ethnic sub-group.
Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.

I. It took sustained struggle to free India from the British yolk (A)/ yoke (B). II. The prices soar (A) / sore (B) and the poor bear the brunt. III. The geo stationary (A) / stationery (B) satellites revolve at the speed of Earth's rotation. IV. Hold the reins (A)/ reigns (B) tight.

  1. AAAB

  2. AAAA

  3. ABAA

  4. BAAA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

I. Yoke is a harness indicating control by others; yolk is the yellow of an egg.

II. Soar is to rise; sore is something that gives pain or sadness.

III. Stationary is unmoving; stationery is writing material. IV. Reins are controls; reign is governance.
Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.

I. The bootlegger has been proving illusive (A) / elusive (B) for the police. II. Man could even have evolved from a gorilla (A) / guerrilla (B). III. You were expected to fair (A) / fare (B) much better than you did. IV. Tell me the direct route (A)/ rout (B) from here to the grain market.

  1. ABBA

  2. BABA

  3. ABBB

  4. BBAA

  5. AABA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

I. Illusive is something that is an allusion; elusive is somebody or something we are not able to catch.

II. Gorilla is an ape; guerrilla is a type of underground warfare.
III. Fare is to do; fair is a festival or something just. IV. Route is a way; rout is defeat.
Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.

I. You have been pestering me with your demand continuously (A) / continually (B) for the whole week. II. Thanks for your compliment (A) / complement (B). III. The cloth is quite coarse (A) / course (B) and does not serve my purpose. IV. The slopes are awash with fir (A)/ fur (B) trees in bloom.

  1. AAAB

  2. BAAA

  3. ABAA

  4. AAAA

  5. BABA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

I.  Continuously is without break; continually is intermittently.

II. Compliment is praise; complement is a type of supplement.
III. Coarse is rough; course is a path IV. Fir is a type of tree; fur is a type of animal skin.
Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.I. The principal illicited (A) / elicited (B) police protection against vandalism. II. He rose to the rank of a kernel (A) / colonel (B) before he retired from the army. III. The novel is a classical (A) / classic (B) and I recommend that you read it. IV. The aisle (A)/ isle (B) is far removed from the mainland.

  1. BBAB

  2. BBBA

  3. BABB

  4. ABBB

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

I. Illicit is illegal; elicit is to seek.

II. Kernel is the centre part of a nut; colonel is a military rank.

III. Classical is traditional; classic is a class apart.   IV. Aisle is a passage; isle is a tiny island.
Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are three / four sentences. Each sentence has 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.I. The guava is no less healthful (A) / healthy (B) than the apple. II. There is no precedence (A) / precedent (B) to support your claim. III. The flight of stares (A) / stairs (B) leads to the terrace garden. IV. Troops (A)/ troupes (B) are being deployed afresh in the border region.

  1. ABBB

  2. BBBA

  3. BABA

  4. ABAA

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

I. Something that aids health is healthful; healthy is robust.

II. Precedence is preference; precedent is a past example of occurrence.

III. Stairs are a type of ladder; stare is to gaze intently. IV. Troops are fighting forces; troupes are groups of artists.
Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence with four words printed in bold is given. These are numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4. One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in context of the sentence. Find out the one wrongly spelt or with inappropriate usage. If all the words are correctly spelt and also appropriate in context of the sentence, mark 5, i.e. “All Correct” as the answer.

The rampaging (1) inflation effects (2) the commoner (3) the most. (4) All correct (5)

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

affecvts or impacts

Multiple choice

Directions: In this question, a sentence with four words printed in bold is given. These are numbered as 1, 2, 3, and 4. One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in context of the sentence. Find out the one wrongly spelt or with inappropriate usage. If all the words are correctly spelt and also appropriate in context of the sentence, mark 5, i.e. “All Correct” as the answer.

The party speaker (1) expressed regrets (2) on behalf of his party for the uncalled (3) hateful remark of the party functionary. (4) All correct (5)

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

spokesman

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

  1. Tornadoes regularly inflict severe damage in 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) and (3) 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. Hence, (3) is the answer.

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

  1. Women comprise more than half the country's population.

  2. The three American divisions comprised General Truscott's VIth Corps.

  3. The league comprises fourteen teams all told.

  4. The complete set of reference books comprises six volumes.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Comprise' as used in (1), (2) and (4) means to consist of or composed of. But 'comprise' in (4) 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 it is the answer.

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

  1. Elephants range over vast areas in search of food.

  2. The teacher was impressed by the boy's ranging interests.

  3. Police marksmen practice at the rifle range.

  4. Because of man's encroachment on its limited range, the panda is threatened with extinction in the wild.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Range' as used in (1) is correct as it means to wander or rave, which gives cogent meaning to the sentence. Option (2) highlights incorrect usage of 'ranging' as it makes no sense. Instead, it should be - The teacher was impressed by the range of the boy's interacts. ('Range' here means an extent or scope). In (3), 'range' depicts an area for target shooting and in (4), it means the area or region in which a plant or animal species is found. Hence, (2) is the answer.