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 question, there are 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. (A) The carpentry jobs have come to a halt in absence of the (A) augur / (B) auger. (B) The (A) cannons / (B) canons of propriety require that you do it. (C) Okay! Now that we know the why of it, what about the (A) prognosis / (B) diagnosis? (D) Don't (A) splutter / (B) splatter the walls with ink.

  1. BBAB

  2. ABBB

  3. ABAB

  4. BBBA

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

 'Augur' is an occasion or omen; auger a tool bit.Cannon is a big gun; canon is a principle.Diagnosis is to find out what and why; prognosis is to find the way ahead.Splatter is to splash; splutter is to hiss or stutter.  

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are 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. (A) The (A) reticent / (B) taciturn boy doesn't want to mix up with strangers. (B) The (A) exceptionable / (B) exceptional behavior of the old choleric has been viewed seriously by everyone concerned. (C) I am simply (A) uninterested / (B) disinterested in your cock and bull story. (D) The landlord died intestate leaving the (A) descendants / (B) descendents to settle the property dispute at their own.

  1. BBAA

  2. ABAA

  3. ABAB

  4. AABA

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

 One who is less social is reticent.Exceptionable is what we can take exception to; exceptional is highly positive.Not interested is uninterested; disinterested is not having a vested interest. Descendants are offspring; descendents are coming down. 

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are four sentences. The sentences have pairs of words/phrases that are italicised 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.

(A) The (A) prodigal / (B) prodigious son of the millionaire is spoilt for choice. (B) (A) prescribing / (B) proscribing the video may lead to bootlegging. (C) The (A) sere / (B) sear vegetation begs watering or removal. (D) The (A) verbal / (B) oral instructions will simply not do and will obviously not be carried out.

  1. BBAB

  2. ABBA

  3. ABBB

  4. BBBA

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

 Prodigal is lavish; prodigious is large.

Multiple choice

Directions: In the question, there are 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. (A) Those that ultimately get selected are (A) beside / (B) besides themselves with joy. (B) The lady with the black purse is a (A) confidant / (B) confidante of the aged politician. (C) The gentleman is quite (A) equable / (B) equitable and is not likely to lose his head on small provocations. (D) Having received (A) waiver / (B) waver from appearing for written test, the candidate believed she was almost through.

  1. AAAB

  2. ABBA

  3. ABAB

  4. BBBA

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

 'Beside themselves with joy' is idiomatic; besides is in addition to. A female confidant is a confidante. Equable is not being overly bothered; equitable is just and equal. Exemption is waiver; waver is from 'wave' ( a hand). 

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

EVADE

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

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

  3. Why do you evade me always?

  4. Oh God! Happiness always evades me.

  5. The thief evaded the police.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The verb ‘evade’ is inappropriate in the context and should be replaced by ‘avoid’. Hence, option (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

DOUBT

  1. The weather looks very doubtful.

  2. When I told him what had happened, he looked at me doubtfully.

  3. It’s scarcely doubtful she will recover completely.

  4. Her husband is a rather doubtful character

  5. The adverse outcome is beyond doubt.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

“Doubtful” (adj) in (1) is correct as it implies the uncertainty of the weather. “Doubtfully” (adj) in (2) is correct as it means to question, to disbelieve. “Scarcely” in (3) functions much like not or never and is regarded as making a sentence negative, hence shows the incorrect usage of “doubt”, and is also grammatically incorrect. Possibly dishonest or disreputable is the meaning of “doubtful character” in (4), which is correct. (5) means the outcome cannot be doubted. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

ALIEN

  1. We pulled out the alien vegetable.

  2. Fighting is alien to her nature.

  3. His behaviour will alien him from the family.

  4. Her opinions caused her alienation from her friends.

  5. With the pleasant know-how it is well nigh impossible to communicate with the aliens; that is if there are any.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Alien' in sentence (1) means foreign, belonging to another country or region. In sentence (2), it means out of   harmony. In sentences (3) and (4), it means to cause a rift between people; to become estranged from but 'alien' as used in (3) doesn't depict the correct verb form, which would be 'alienate'. Hence, (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

EVEN

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

  5. Why don't the two brothers even out their differences across the table?
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In option (4), the correct sentence would read as, 'The cricket match between India and Pakistan was an even game'. Article omitted before 'even'.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

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. He pressed the trigger at point of close range.

  5. Though he is a politician, tact is not one of his strong points.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The correct phrase is point blank range. Hence, (4) is correct answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not 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. You are responsible for my initiative.

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

Meaning of the term ‘initiative’ in options (1) and (2) is the ability and enterprise to do what needs to be done. The meaning as used in options (3) and (4) is ‘the power or right to take action’. In option (5), the word ‘initiative’ is incorrectly used as you can’t hold somebody else responsible for your own initiative. The incorrect usage is option (5) and is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

INTEREST

  1. He could solve the complex mathematical problems easily, so interested was he.

  2. The United States had an interest in giving military aid because it provided jobs for American workers.

  3. The polka dots added interest to the scarf that otherwise would have appeared bland.

  4. His selfish interests ruined his relationship with her.

  5. An interested party can't be the judge.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

'So interested was he' in option (1) should read, 'He could solve complex mathematical problems easily with interest', where it implies curiosity about something. 'Interest' as used in option (2) means an advantage, welfare; in option (3), it means fascinating; in option (4), it means personal influence; and in option (5) it means 'having a stake'. Hence, option (1) is the required incorrect answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

PAY

  1. You pay through the stomach for imported sports car.

  2. The factory had to pay off many workers diving the recession.

  3. It pays to keep on the right side of the boss.

  4. The firm has ten workers in their pay.

  5. It is payback time for the mischief mongers.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct expression is ‘pay through the nose’ and not ‘pay through the stomach’ as given in option (1). Therefore, option (1) is the statement in which given word has not been used correctly.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

SATURATE

  1. Racing was cancelled because of the saturation of the course after the heavy rain.

  2. Van Gogh’s paintings are so vivid because he used saturated colour.

  3. The murder trial received saturation coverage in the media.

  4. Art and history in Rome must saturate.

  5. The landlord was saturated by the peasantry in Holi colours.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

“Saturation” in (1) and (5) means to soak or make very wet, thus (1) depicts correct usage of the word. When reference to colour is made as in (2), it means deepest or most intense in colour, without white, and hence, “saturated” in (2) is correct. In (3), “saturation” means overwhelming, most intense, which gives sense to the sentence. “Saturate” in (4) has not been used correctly. It should read: Rome is saturated in history and arts (“Saturate” means to be full of). Hence, (4) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not been used correctly.

ELEMENT

  1. The gods of the aborigines were basically depiction of the different elements in nature.

  2. Advertisement is one of the elements in a marketing plan.

  3. Roger had no element of the danger the chemical posed.

  4. The element of surprise could be one of our best weapons.

  5. You can't fight the elements, after all.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

'Element' as used in options (1) is correct as it implies any of the four substances (earth, air, fire, and water) formerly believed to constitute all physical matter. Option (2) also depicts correct usage of 'element' as it means a component part or quality, often one that is basic or essential and option (4) means a determining factor, thereby marking it correct. In (5), elements mean forces of nature. (3) should use inkling or hint in place of element. Hence, option (3) is the answer.

Multiple choice

Directions: Choose the sentence in which the word given below has not 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.

  5. The aggregate doesn’t gel with the sectional score.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Meaning of the term ‘aggregation’ in option (1) is a group or mass of distinct things or individuals. Instead of the word ‘aggregation’ one should use ‘aggregate’ to make sense. This marks option (1) as our answer.