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: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate. Evade

  1. Ironically, the VDIS of 1997, encouraged people to evade taxes.

  2. The Finance Minster tends to evade questions on disinvestment.

  3. Why do you evade me always?

  4. Oh God! Happiness always evades me.

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

Why do you always evade me? Error-position of the adverb-always

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

God

  1. Some religious fundamentalists try to play God in a common man's life.

  2. I wish God, you have a bright future.

  3. God willing, we shall win.

  4. For God's sake tell me your name.

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

I wish to God, you have a bright future. Error-Wrong phrasal usage-wish God is wrong.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

Even

  1. The train was not even half full, even so, I did not get the reservation.

  2. Reliance Industries will break even in the next quarter.

  3. Since I have paid you the final installment, I am even with you.

  4. The cricket match between India and Pakistan was even game.

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

Was an even game. Error-Article omitted.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

Precipitate

  1. If the price of LPG goes up in the domestic market, it will precipitate inflation.

  2. The precipitate decision made by the CEO has jeopardized the future of the organization.

  3. The mountain ranges of the Himalayas have a precipitate slope.

  4. A war at this time will precipitate the crisis.

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

Have a precipitous slope. Error-wrong usage of the word precipitate.

Multiple choice

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

AFFIRM

  1. We affirm to our loyalty.

  2. His speech was an affirmation of the truth of the report.

  3. If you agree, give an affirmative answer.

  4. Because of our company's policy of affirmative action towards women, we have several managerial positions.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

In sentence (A), one can very easily see that the sentence should be either of the form “We affirm to you our loyalty' or 'We affirm our loyalty'. The existence of keyword 'to' is incorrect.

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

  1. Will their engagement become officialized?

  2. <div align="justify">The bishop officiated at the society wedding.

  3. Officialdom seems to dictate the way we live.

  4. We have been invited to an official dinner at the town hall.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The term 'officialise' as used in sentence A is incorrect because there is no such term. The correct sentence shall be when will their engagement become official?' Therefore, the required option in this question is option (1).

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

  1. High altitudes attenuate the oxygen content of the air.

  2. We noticed the attenuation of the radio signal.

  3. Watch, the glass-bowler attenuates the glass into a long thread.

  4. The skinny boy had attenuating limbs.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The usage of term as implied in option (1) and (2) is a formal word meaning to weaken, dilute or reduce in size and grammatically the two sentences are correct. In sentence (3) the term attenuate implies 'make thin'. In option (4), the usage is correct but sentence is grammatically incorrect because instead of expression 'attenuating limbs' should have been 'attenuated limbs'. Therefore, option (4) is example of incorrect usage.

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

  1. Offers of money can corrupt public servants.

  2. The evil person enjoys corrupting teenagers.

  3. The French don't approve of their language corruption.

  4. The battlefield was filled with the stench of corruption.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning implied in sentence (1) of term 'corrupt' is to cause to become dishonest. The meaning implied in sentence (2) is 'immorality especially sexually'. In sentence (4), the usage of term 'corrupt' denotes a formal word for decay. In sentence (3), we have a problem. 'Language corruption' expression doesn't seem that correct or valid instead it should have been 'French don't approve of their language being corrupted'. Therefore, option (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: For the word given above the table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (1, 2, 3, 4) with their corresponding usage on the right (A, B, C, D). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usage correctly matched.

ADHEREMeaning| Usage| | 1. to stick firmly| (A) You must adhere to all the rules.| | 2. glue or other substance used for sticking objects together| (B) He is an adherent of the religious sect.| | 3. to abide by, heed or keep to| (C) Tiles adhere to the wall.| | 4. a follower or supporter| (D) Contact adhesive is known for its strong adhesion.|
  1. 1. D
    2. B
    3. A
    4. C
  2. 1. C
    2. B
    3. D
    4. A
  3. 1. C
    2. D
    3. A
    4. B
  4. 1. A
    2. B
    3. D
    4. C
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The usage (A), 'You must adhere to all rules' can be termed as to stick firmly or to abide i.e. either (1) or (3). This automatically deletes option (2) from answers. Now, (B) 'He is an adherent to the religions sect', only has ussage of (4) 'follower or supporter'. This combination is provided only in option (3). This marks it as correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate. 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.

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: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

Scrape

  1. He hurriedly scraped a note before he ran to his car.

  2. They scraped a letter into the stone.

  3. She had scraped together enough money for college.

  4. She fell down and scraped her knee.

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

The process of writing quickly without any attention to detail is scribbling and not scraping. Hence (1) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

Flurry

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

  2. Slaughtering of goats creates a flurry in Tiruchi.

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

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

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

From option (2), 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 the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate.

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?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

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

Multiple choice

Directions: In the following question, the word in bold is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of word is incorrect or inappropriate. Point

  1. Her resignation letter was short and to the point.

  2. Her point was well taken by the interview panel.

  3. There is no point in going over it once again.

  4. Though he is a politician, tact is not one of his strong point.

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

As a politician, he must have some strong points and tact if not one of them. So 'points' would be the correct grammatical usage in this context. Hence (4) is the correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: A sentence with four words is given below. These are lettered as (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these four words may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence. Find out the word which is wrongly spelt or inappropriate if any. The letter of that word is your answer. If all the words are correctly spelt and also appropriate in the context of the sentence, mark (E) i.e., 'All correct' as your answer.

Salaries (A) of bank employees (B) are likely (C) to go above (D) by ten percent. All correct (E)

  1. (A)

  2. (B)

  3. (C)

  4. (D)

  5. (E)
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Go above by ten percent' is incorrect usage. We say 'go up by', 'increase by', or 'rise by' when referring to percentage increases. 'Above' is inappropriate in this context as it suggests position rather than change.