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.

PLUME

  1. An ostrich plume decorated her hat.

  2. He plumed himself on being promoted.

  3. Plume yourself for the problem.

  4. A plume of smoke rose into the air in a small column.

  5. The peacock has a rather heavy plumage.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

There are only two meanings associated with the word 'plume' as used normally. They are 'feather' and 'to pride oneself'. Sentences (1), (2), (4) and (5) can easily be seen implying the above two meanings. but the usage in option (3) doesn't make sense. Therefore, option (3) marks incorrect usage for the given word.

Multiple choice

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

ADVANTAGE

  1. He is always striving to gain an advantage over others.

  2. Being able to speak French is advantageous in Europe.

  3. He used his speed to advantage in the game.

  4. I'm afraid you have the advantage of me, have we met before?

  5. You can't take advantage of me in this fashion.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

'Advantage' as used in (1) and (2) indicates a benefit or a favourable position, but advantageous (adj) in (2) is grammatically incorrect. The correct usage would be to replace the adjective with the noun form: Being able to speak French is an advantage in Europe. Advantage in (3) and (5) is to make good use of and 'have the advantage of' in (4) means that you seem to recognize me but I don't know you. Hence, (2) is the incorrect answer.

Multiple choice

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

ACCENT

  1. Give me an accent to the work you are doing.

  2. We accent the word 'bullock' on the first syllable.

  3. Bright colors accentuate the pattern of this material.

  4. Her red belt provided a bright accent on the plain white dress.

  5. The dome of the Taj has a classical accent.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(2) gives example of usage of term accent to reflect access. The word 'accentuate' in option (3) refers to the meaning emphasis or stress generally. (4) is also correct as the word has been used to mean strongly contrasting detail. (5) means classical feature of a work of art (1) doesn't make much sense, and, thereby is incorrect.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of four sentences. Each sentence has a pair 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.

The fetid (A) / feted (B) smell coming out of the drain was unbearable.

It is fairly certain that the nomination will be fair (A) / fare (B) and just.

The fowl (A) / foul (B) are prone to H5N1 viral attack.

He agreed to forgo (A) / forego (B) his claims to the property chafed.

  1. BBAB

  2. ABBA

  3. AAAB

  4. BABA

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

Option (5): In option (5) all the words are used aptly. 'Fetid' is a foul smell; 'feted' is honored. 'Fair' is just; 'fare' is perform or rental. 'Fowl' is a bird. 'Forgo' is to give up; 'forego' is coming before. 

Multiple choice

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

Nanny

  1. We employed a nanny to look after the child.

  2. Don't nannite the child, give him some independence.

  3. A teenage boy doesn't want nannying.

  4. A nanny goat is the feminine of a billy goat.

  5. Nannies ought to have a spirit of motherhood.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The different forms in which the term 'nanny' can be used - meaning a child's nurse, or being protective toward someone or a female goat - are nanny, nannying or nanny goat. There is no such word as nannite, so this marks option (2) exhibiting incorrect usage. Therefore, option (2) is the required answer.

Multiple choice

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

PARADE

  1. She likes to parade her wealth.

  2. Visitors enjoy strolling along the parade on the seafront.

  3. There's quite a parading at smart weddings.

  4. New dresses and hairstyles are on parade at the dance.

  5. Don't try to parade your riches.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Usage of the word parade, as implied in sentences (1) and (5) is to show off. The usage implied in sentence (2), is a public place where one can walk leisurely like market, park, row of shops, etc. In sentence (4) the word is used to mean display. In sentence (3) the word used 'parading' is incorrect form of parade. Thus option (3) is the required answer.

Multiple choice

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

AVENUE

  1. They stroll down the shady avenue.

  2. Their avenue is hard work.

  3. We must explore every avenue open to us in an effort to solve the problem.

  4. Hard work is the avenue to success.

  5. The bungalow is along the 5th avenue.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

(1) and (5) are correct usages of the term 'avenue' to signify a road or path with trees on either side. Usage of 'avenue' in (3) and (4) is to depict a way of doing or getting something done. (2) is incorrect as the word has been used to mean strength or positive trait which does not mean avenue.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of four sentences. Each sentence has a pair 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.

In spite of (A) / despite (B) all the encumbrances, he came out with flying colours.

What disturbs (A) / perturbs (B) me most is why such a gentle dog should have bitten the stranger.

I am uninterested (A) / disinterested (B) in your story and shall not be taken in this time.

Could you tell me who invented (A) / discovered (B) the telescope?

  1. BBAB

  2. ABBA

  3. ABAB

  4. BBBA

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

(5) 'In spite of' reflects positive effort; 'despite' reflects 'encumbrances. 'Disturb' is physical; 'perturb' is mental. 'Uninterested' is not interested; 'disinterested' is impartial. Something new is 'invented'; something existing but not known is 'discovered'.

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 in managerial position.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Option (1): In sentence (1) 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: For the word given at the top of 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 five possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usage correctly matched. CHICANERY

Meaning | Usage | | 1. Mislead by concealing the truth | (A) The thief was so good at chicanery that he could rob any one even in broad daylight. | | 2. Take away money or valuables | (B) Politicians resorting to chicanery during election campaign is not uncommon now a days. | | 3. Cheat someone | (C) Ramu was known for chicanery, as he always used to evade the principal after making trouble in the campus. | | 4. Escape blame by lying | (D) Now a days businessmen are so good at chicanery that the customers end up paying a higher price for a low quality product. |
  1. 1. b
    2. c
    3. a
    4. d
  2. 1. b
    2. c
    3. d
    4. a
  3. 1. b
    2. d
    3. a
    4. c
  4. 1. b
    2. a
    3. d
    4. c
  5. 1. b
    2. a
    3. c
    4. d
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The usage 'a' of chicanery describes the thief being so skilled at chicanery, that he could rob anyone in daylight. So the only meanings that suit this usage are '2' and '3'. Suitable usages for 'b', are in 1 and 3. Now looking at answer choices, our options are (3) and (4). Now for usage d, 3 is the correct meaning and not 2. Thus option (4) is correct.

Multiple choice

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

ORACLE

  1. Her oracular comments have all come true.

  2. My mechanic is an oracle on engine troubles.

  3. Tourists still visit the site of the oracle at Delphi in Greece.

  4. She was promoted by working the oracular and making friends with the manager.

  5. Some people do believe in the oracle.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

In option (1) the meaning of term ‘oracular’ is prophetic. In option (2) the term oracle has been used to describe a wise person. In option (3), the usage is to denote a place where such prophetic advice is given. In option (5) oracle means prophetic revelation. In sentence (4) the meaning is ‘to achieve something by scheming or manipulation’,

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of four sentences. Each sentence has a pair 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.

The factory affluent A/effluent B ought to be treated before discharge. Sometimes the police elicits A/extorts B the information under duress. He maintains his calm and equability A/equitability B under all circumstances. The circumstances are exiguous A/exigent B and demanding.

  1. ABBB

  2. BBAB

  3. AAAB

  4. AABA

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

Option (2): In (2), all the words are used suitably. 'Affluent' is rich; 'effluent' is factory waste. One 'elicits' through persuasion; one 'extorts' through coercion. 'Equability' is equanimity; 'equitability' is fairness. 'Exiguous' is scanty; 'exigent' is demanding. Hence, (2) is the correct answer. 

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of 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.

The horse cantered (A) / cantored (B) to a stop. The taste of chili (A) / chilly (B) is acrid. He was hackled (A) / heckled (B) by the unruly mob on his way back home. We must not go by heresy (A) / hearsay (B) and must verify the facts before we act.

  1. ABBB

  2. ABAB

  3. AAAB

  4. AABA

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

'Canter' is a small gallop 9 (as of a horse); 'cantor' is a singer. 'Chili' is red pepper pod; 'chilly' is wintry. 'Hackle' is neck hair (as of a cock); 'heckle' is verbal harassment. 'Heresy' is opposition to dogma; hearsay is something heard.

Multiple choice

Directions: The question has a set of 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.

The politician has always considered the constituency as his pocket burrow (A) / borough (B), and has not made much effort to nurse it. The sage beaconed (A) / beckoned (B) to the devotee to come near. The diamond weighs 6 carat (A) / karat (B) and the gold ring is 23 carat (A) / karat (B) gold. Canvas (A) / canvass (B) cloth is very sturdy and long-lasting.

  1. ABBAB

  2. ABABB

  3. AAABB

  4. BBABA

  5. ABBAA
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

 'Beckon' is to summon by gesture; 'beacon' is a signal of light.'Carat' is a unit of weight (200 mg); 'karat' is a measure of purity (parts out of 24)'Canvas' is a type of cloth; 'canvass' is to seek votes.'Burrow' is a hole in the ground' borough is a township or a residential area. 

Multiple choice

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

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

Option (3): This option reflects incorrect usage of the word. Correct usage: “have a precipitous slope”.