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 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.

There were intermittent power cuts in the city and its suburbs on Sunday.

  1. Prolonged

  2. Incoherent

  3. Sporadic

  4. Intervening

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

Something that is 'intermittent' occurs at irregular intervals and is not continuous. 'Sporadic' is a synonym that also describes things occurring at scattered or irregular intervals.

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.

Some people believe that the third world war is imminent.

  1. Possible

  2. Impending

  3. Likely

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

The word 'imminent' describes something that is about to happen, especially something unpleasant. 'Impending' is a direct synonym used for events that are looming or approaching.

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 have serious misgivings about taking up this job.

  1. Doubts

  2. Objections

  3. Fears

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

A 'misgiving' is a feeling of doubt, distrust, or apprehension about a future event. 'Doubts' is the most accurate synonym in this context.

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.

The airport authorities have seized a large consignment of drugs.

  1. Destroyed

  2. Confiscate

  3. Grasped

  4. Stopped

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

To 'seize' something in this context means to take legal possession of it, usually by an authority. 'Confiscate' is the appropriate synonym, although the option lacks the past participle ending '-d' to match the tense perfectly.

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.

Her husband is a very convivial person.

  1. Healthy

  2. Energetic

  3. Intelligent

  4. Cheerful

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

The adjective 'convivial' describes a person who is friendly, lively, and enjoyable to be around. 'Cheerful' is the closest synonym among the options provided.

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.

He made a very perspicacious analysis of the problem.

  1. Faulty

  2. Discerning

  3. Cumbersome

  4. Quick

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

A 'perspicacious' person has a ready insight into and understanding of things. 'Discerning' is the correct synonym, as it refers to having or showing good judgment.

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.

The evidence produced so far does not warrant the conclusion that the driver was negligent.

  1. Justify

  2. Deserv7e

  3. Contain

  4. Contradict

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

In this context, 'warrant' means to justify or provide grounds for a conclusion. 'Justify' is the most appropriate synonym.

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.

The engine has been subjected to exhaustive tests.

  1. Complicated

  2. Through

  3. Exclusive

  4. Compulsory

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

The word 'exhaustive' means including all elements or aspects; fully comprehensive. 'Thorough' is the intended synonym, though it appears as 'Through' due to a typo in the options.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are four sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words/phrases marked as ‘A’ and ‘B’ that are italicised or highlighted. Select the most appropriate word or phrase in each case to form grammatically and syntactically correct sentences. Then, from the options that follow, choose the correct one.

(i) Children of the people living in slum areas (A) wonder (B) wander here and there and they neither study nor do any productive work. (ii) Do not (A) put off (B) put on what you can do today. (iii) The father fell (A) of (B) off the horse and hurt his right toe. (iv) The patient has been given medicine and his fever will (A) abate (B) abet soon.

  1. AABA

  2. BABA

  3. BBAB

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

In sentence (i) the correct option is (B) because wander refers to moving from place to place without a purpose, whereas wonder refers to a miracle or other cause of intense admiration.

In sentence (ii) the correct option is (A) because put off refers to delaying or postponing something, whereas put on refers to cover the body or a part of the body with clothing.

In sentence (iii) the correct option is (B) because off refers to separation between two points whereas of refers to indicate the person or thing affected by something.

In sentence (iv) the correct option is (A) because abate refers to lessening or making something lessen gradually, whereas abet refers to assisting somebody to do something.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the sentence given below four words which are numbered (1),(2),(3)and (4) have been printed in bold type, one of which may be either inappropriate in the context or the sentence or wrongly spelt. The number of that word is the answer. If all the four words are appropriate and also correctly spelt, mark (5) i.e. all correct as the answer.

Since (1) when did (2) been a writer become a (3) career choice, with appropriate (4)degree courses and pecking orders?(5) No error.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

 'Been' should be 'being'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the sentence given below four words which are numbered (1),(2),(3)and (4) have been printed in bold type, one of which may be either inappropriate in the context or the sentence or wrongly spelt. The number of that word is the answer. If all the four words are appropriate and also correctly spelt, mark (5) i.e. all correct as the answer.

A frame of (1) beautiful pictures (2) are (3) hung on the (4) terrace of the house. (5) All correct.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

Delete 'are', replace with 'is'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the sentence given below four words which are numbered (1),(2),(3)and (4) have been printed in bold type, one of which may be either inappropriate in the context or the sentence or wrongly spelt. The number of that word is the answer. If all the four words are appropriate and also correctly spelt, mark (5) i.e. all correct as the answer.

(1) Despite of repeated (2) warnings your son (3) has been taking cigarettes without having any (4) sense of fear. (5) All correct.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

 The syntax is 'Despite repeated warnings..' or 'Inspite of .....'.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the sentence given below four words which are numbered (1),(2),(3)and (4) have been printed in bold type, one of which may be either inappropriate in the context or the sentence or wrongly spelt. The number of that word is the answer. If all the four words are appropriate and also correctly spelt, mark (5) i.e. all correct as the answer.

I was taken (1) aback when a ten (2) year old boy told me that he (3) knew to (4) operate a revolver. (5) All correct.

  1. (1)

  2. (2)

  3. (3)

  4. (4)

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

 The phrase should be in present simple tense, i.e 'knows to'.

Multiple choice

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

ROPE

  1. The mountaineers were roped together.

  2. The rope is still in use as a form of capital punishment.

  3. If you give him enough rope, he’ll soon come a cropper.

  4. He’s worked here for many years and can therefore tie all ropes of the organisation.

  5. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is the correct usage of ‘Rope’, meaning tied together with a rope. (2) depicts capital punishment – death by hanging. (3) is to allow someone enough freedom of action to bring on his/her own downfall. In the context of an organisation, the word rope used to refer to procedures or methods is inappropriate. Therefore, (4) is an incorrect usage.

Multiple choice

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

CONVENTIONAL

  1. It was a very convention film.

  2. The bride was conventionally dressed in a red saree.

  3. There are strict conventions governing the buying and selling of shares.

  4. Convention dictates how cutlery should be laid on a table.

  5. All are correct.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(2) is valid, as the term 'conventionally' is used to refer following of established or generally accepted customs of society. (3) and (4) have usage of the word conventional as the noun convention, which means routine, customary practices. (1) is incorrect because the word has been used as a noun where it should have been an adjective. 'It was a very conventional film.'