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: 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.

KEELMeaning| Usage| | 1. punishing someone by dragging him under the keel of the boat.| a. Governments should keep their economy on an even keel.| | 2. to rebuke harshly | b. The boat could keel over in this gale. | | 3. to capsize, to fall over| c. My father will keelhaul me if he sees my room.| | 4. steady, well balanced | d. Keelhauling used to be a common punishment for sailors. |
  1. 1. d
    2. c
    3. b
    4. a
  2. 1. c
    2. b
    3. d
    4. a
  3. 1. a
    2. d
    3. c
    4. b
  4. 1. c
    2. d
    3. a
    4. b
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(i)         'boat' matches 'd' ('sailors')         (ii)        'rebuke matches 'c' (keelhaul) (iii)       'capsize' matches 'b'      (iv)       'steady' matches 'a' (even keel) Hence, answer is option (1).

Multiple choice
Directions: Find 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 shed was burnt in ashes.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1) doesn't seem to make sense, and some might be prompted to mark it incorrect usage of term ash. But the word 'ash' here refers to a variety of tree of genus fraxinus. So, it is perfectly correct. Options (2) and (3) can easily be marked as correct options. Option (4) is marked incorrect because of word 'in' instead of 'to'.

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 cut the waiter.

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

  4. The knuckles showed white on his clenched fist.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Option B uses 'fist' incorrectly - it should say 'fistful of money' to mean a handful. 'Fist' refers to the closed hand itself, not a quantity. Options A, C, and D all use 'fist' correctly to refer to the closed hand or plural 'fists'. 'Fisticuffs' (option C) is a valid word meaning fist-fighting.

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

  1. The tree was full of nesting weavers.

  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.
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 (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.

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

In option (1), the term paper has been used to mean complimentary (i.e. free!) tickets, so the given usage is correct. In option (2), the meaning implied is thin or flimsy like paper but instead of paper, the term required was papery. Thus, sentence depicts the incorrect usage of paper. Paper profit as implied by sentence (3) refers to expression in theory rather than in practice. In option (4), paper over the cracks imply an attempt to hide disagreement or friction. Thus, incorrect usage can be inferred from above explanation is option (2). 

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

For option (1), the expression of pocket 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 theoretically, we packet physical things like cash, money, etc. and not abstract quantities. Thus, option (2) is incorrect usage of term pocket.

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

  1. Young pupils have very plastic minds.

  2. Pottery is a plastic art.

  3. Plastic food often looks more appetizing than real food.

  4. Your manners of plastic won't work here.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

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), plastic word is used for artificial or unoriginal food. In sentence (4), the sentence is grammatically incorrect. Instead, the correct sentence is 'your plastic manners won't work here'. This marks option (4) as the one having incorrect usage.

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

  1. He has an argumenting nature.

  2. It won't help to argue the toss, as you can't change things.

  3. He argued me out of resigning my job.

  4. It is arguable whether she actually said that.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Options (2), (3) and (4) are perfectly valid usage for word argue. But the form of argue as used in sentence (1), 'argumenting' is incorrect as there is no such word as argumenting. Instead correct sentence would be 'he has an argumentative nature'. This marks option (1) as required answer.

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

  1. I was pinch about the money I had.

  2. I can get by with five hours sleep at a pinch.

  3. The pinch left a bruise on her arm.

  4. In the recession, many people felt the pinch.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The expression 'at a pinch' as used in option (2) is correct and is used to mean if completely necessary. In option (3), the most common usage of word pinch has been given which refers to a squeeze made by fingers and thumb on a surface. In option (4), pinch refers to the experience or effects of poverty. In option (1), neither the sentence make any sense nor the correct form of word pinch has been used which instead should have been 'pinched'. Therefore, option with incorrect usage of given word is option (1).

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

  1. It was plaintive that he is the culprit.

  2. If we are going to be business partners, there will have to be plain dealing between us.

  3. I don't want to go out with you, do I make myself plain?

  4. She liked her blunt, plain-spoken boss.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The meaning of word 'plaintive' is sad or mournful and as used in sentence (1), it is quite irrelevant instead the word 'plain' would suffice the meaning as required in this sentence. This marks option (1) as the one, which has the incorrect usage.

Multiple choice

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

Normal

  1. Wearing a uniform to school is a norm in India.

  2. The production normal in this clothing factory is 100 garments.

  3. The peace treaty resulted in normalization of relations between the countries.

  4. A good grammar explains normative language practice.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In option (2), instead of word 'normal', word 'normally' should have been used . This marks out the mistake in option (2). Therefore, option (2) is the answer.

Multiple choice

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

PLACE

  1. Your comments place me in an awkward position.

  2. This is not placed for here.

  3. It's your place to make a speech at the dinner.

  4. We have enough cutleries for six place settings.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

As used in option (1), place implies to put in a particular position. As given in option (3), 'your place' means your right or duty. 'Place settings' as given in option (3) refer to an arrangement of knife, fork, etc. The sentence as given in option (2) is completely incorrect.

Multiple choice

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

PIGEON

  1. Please put these letters into this pigeonhole.

  2. You can see by the way he stands that he is pigeon-toed.

  3. We didn't have time to discuss the matter at the meeting, so, it has been pigeonholed until the next meeting.

  4. She felt that she had been pigeon-toed as a troublemaker.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Pigeonhole' is a term used for one of a series of small compartments for papers or letters. This reasoning marks option (1) correct. The word pigeon-toed as used in option (2) refers to condition of body in which person's toes are turned inwards. As used in option (3), pigeonholed implies postponed. As given earlier, pigeon-toed can't be used to refer to non-physical attribute. This implies option (4) as required answer choice.

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.

PRECINCT

Meaning| Usage| | 1. an area enclosed by a boundary| a. The speed limit is strictly enforced in the city

and its precincts.

| | 2. an area reserved for a specific use| b. The theft was investigated by detectives from

the 21st precinct.

| | 3. the area surrounding a particular place | c. The center of town has become a shopping

precinct.

| | 4. in the USA, a district of a city, country, etc.| d. The cathedral precinct includes the old

graveyard.

|
  1. 1. d
    2. c
    3. a
    4. b
  2. 1. d
    2. b
    3. a
    4. c
  3. 1. b
    2. d
    3. a
    4. c
  4. 1. c
    2. a
    3. d
    4. b
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(D) statement, the cathedral precinct including the graveyard, means that graveyard is in the boundary of cathedral. So, d statement matches with 1. (C) statement talks about centre to town becoming a shopping precinct. That means, it is being used specifically for shopping, it closely matches the idea in 2. The combination of 1 with (D) and 2 with (C) is present only in option choice (1), hence, it is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions- In this Section you find a number of sentences, parts of which are bold. You may also find only a group of words, which is bold. For each bold part, four words/phrases are listed below. Choose the word/phrases nearest in meaning to the bold part.

I told him that the speaker was a very erudite person.

  1. Boring

  2. Pleasant

  3. Learned

  4. Demanding
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'erudite' is an adjective used to describe someone who has or shows great knowledge or learning. 'Learned' is its closest synonym among the choices provided.