Indruction:
English holds some features unique to it besides being the core part of testing, the biggest problem with objective General English part is it doesn't follow a fixed syllabus.It also changes the pattern of questions from time to time. Even if it focuses on a particular area of testing, the level of question varies a lot much, when it is compared to any other part of evaluation. In clearer terms, the basic syllabus can be categorized like Vocabulary, Reading comprehension and Functional Grammar. These areas are very vast and they demand much time to have a
clear understanding. One of such areas and a must-question type is 'cloze test'
What is a Cloze Test?
Cloze Test is a complicated fill in the blanks question type. In a normal fill in the blanks question, you have one sentence with one or two blanks. However, in a Cloze Test, you get one whole paragraph with multiple blanks. In SSC CGLE Tier I, you will be given one cloze test—a short paragraph with 5 blanks.
Yet, it is important because 5 questions out of a total of 25 questions in the English Language section is 20% of the total weightage for English. The good thing about Cloze Test is that, if you are well-prepared, you can get all the answers right and that too within a short time as compared to other questions. That means you should prepare seriously for Cloze Test. Cloze Test in SSC CGLE is a combination of Vocabulary, Grammar and Reading Comprehension. Yes, sometimes, the blanks test you on Grammar concepts too.
How to prepare for Cloze Test?
Of course, because words are given as options, your vocabulary must be pretty good. But you should also focus on the usage of words as Cloze Test is an advanced test of vocabulary. Similarly, you must learn to apply the rules of grammar. Most importantly, you must be good at Reading Comprehension because only if you understand the paragraph in a Cloze Test, can you deal with questions successfully.
Step1: READ THE PASSAGE LIKE RC
Read all the sentences in the paragraph without looking at the blanks or options. First, try to understand the Topic, Main Idea or Main focus and Supporting Ideas. Then check if the context is positive or negative, what the tone of the author is. These will help you to easily select and eliminate options.
Step 2: THINK OF THE ANSWER WORD ON YOUR OWN FIRST
Go to the first blank and read the sentence once again. Also, read the sentences before and after. Now, based on your understanding from Step 1, try to think of a possible answer word for the blank. You should use ideas from the sentence with the blank, and other context clues for this. This may appear difficult, but with practice, you can do this easily. Let’s take an example:
Read the following sentence and try to guess the answer word on your own.
Even after working hard for three months, Rahul did not .... the test. Now, based on “hard work’’ in the first part of the sentence and “did not” in the second part, you must have thought of “pass”. This is your answer word. With such a word in mind, you should now go to Step 3.
Step 3: SELECT THE ANSWER BASED ON STEP 2:
Go to the choices for the blank and select the answer based on your answer word. The correct answer will be an exact synonym of your answer word or a word that is similar. But what if there is no synonym or a similar word? Then go to Step 4.
Step 4: ELIMINATE OPTIONS: In case there is no synonym of your answer word, then eliminate options based on the context. You must be careful while eliminating options because mistakes can happen. The reason for eliminating options can be a) different tone, b) irrelevant to the context, c) different form of the word (such as verb instead of noun), wrong preposition after the blank (such as “to” instead of “for”), etc. In case the blank is testing you on Grammar concepts, you apply your knowledge of Grammar to get the correct answer. If you prepare and practice well and follow the above steps, you will surely get all the answers to a Cloze Test correct.
Example
Directions: In the following passage some words have been deleted. Fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Select the most appropriate option for each blank. Communication plays a ...(1)... role in the
overall development of a person. It can be learnt by our ...(2)... efforts. Today, success in our professional life depends on our ...(3)... to read, write and speak well which results in effective communication. Barriers ...(4)... communication hinder the communication process. It is very important to ...(5)... these barriers so that the transmission of the message can be smooth.
Step1: On reading the paragraph, we understand that the topic is communication. The main focus of the passage seems to be the importance of communication and barriers to communication. The tone of the passage is positive about communication.
Step 2: The phrases, “overall development” and “success in our professional life” in the following sentences tell us that the paragraph is about the importance of learning communication. The word “role” after the first blank indicates that the first blank should be filled in with a relevant and positive word. The word that comes to our mind is “important”, right?
Step 3:
1. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1
1) better 2) total 3) vital 4) lifeless
Explanation: Among the options, only “vital” (3) is similar in meaning to our answer word. Therefore, we should select answer option 3.
Answer: 3
Step 4:
Option 1 “better” is comparative, but there is no comparison in the sentence.
Options 2 is clearly irrelevant. Option 4 is negative in tone. In the final analysis, the best option, therefore, is 3 “vital”.
2. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 2
1. unclear 2. conscious 3. contradictory 4. important
Explanation: The word “efforts” after the 2nd blank indicates that we need a positive word to refer to efforts that can help us to learn communication. Options 1 “unclear” and 3 “contradictory” are negative; therefore, eliminated. Option 4 “important” does not make any logical sense. Efforts cannot be important. They can be sincere, conscious etc. Therefore, the best option is 2 “conscious”.
Answer: 2
3. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 3.
1. variety 2. agility 3. facility 4. ability
Explanation: Before Blank 3, the part “success…depends on our”, indicates that we are talking about something that is connected to us. After the blank, the part “to read, write and speak” indicate that it has to be “ability” because reading, writing and speaking are abilities. Therefore, option 4 “ability” is the answer. Options 1 and 3 are irrelevant. Option 2 “agility” means “ability to move quickly and easily”. This is also irrelevant.
Answer: 4
4. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 4.
1. against 2. by 3. to 4. from
Explanation: Blank 4 comes in a noun phrase “Barriers .... communication”. A look at the options tells us that it is a preposition question. The only preposition that makes sense in the context and is standard in usage is “to”. “Barriers to communication” are “barriers that hinder communication”. We do not say “against”, “by” or “from” in such a phrase.
Answer: 3
5. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 5
1. strengthen 2. overcome 3. create 4. succeed
Explanation: Note that blank (5) needs a verb. As per the last sentence, this action should be done to “barriers” so that “the transmission of the message can be smooth”. Because barriers are obstacles, they should be removed or overcome. Therefore, option 2 “overcome” is correct. Options 1 “strengthen” and option 3 “create” are doing the opposite. They will make communication bad. Option 4 “succeed” is positive, but not used with barriers.
Answer: 2
Directions (Qs. 1 - 5): In the following passage,some of the words have been left out, each of which is indicated by a number. Find the suitable word from the option given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningful.
While the reasons for travelling are many, we must not forget that it can be a ....(1).... experience. Travelling is an experience that can teach us so many things that you cannot possibly learn while living at home. ....(2)...., it teaches you how to make new friends. The world is full of people ....(3).... love interacting. You get to make friends when you travel to new places and spend quality time with them. Moreover, it also helps you enhance your social skills. After that, travelling is great for learning new skills. For instance, going to mountain regions teaches you how to trek. Similarly, going to beaches helps you learn scuba ....(4).... or surfing. You can also enjoy the beauty of nature when you travel.Similarly, you get to explore nature like never before and ....(5).... the earth’s beauty. Travelling also helps us understand people.
1. A) Refreshing B) Refreshed
C) Refresher D) Refreshen
E) None of the above
2. A) Kindly B) Firstly C) After
D) Therefore E) Before
3. A) Where B) For C) Who
D) In E) Atmost
4. A) Riding B) Hiding C) Chasing
D) Diving E) Climbing
5. A) Discover B) Invent C) Control
D) Forecast E) Foremost
Explanation:
1-A; Out of the given options 'Refreshing' is the most appropriate choice. The "-ing" form is used in progressive verb tenses with auxiliary verbs (helping verbs).
Ex: Working on the new project was a refreshing change.
2-B; Out of the given options 'firstly' is the most appropriate choice. We use 'firstly' in speech or writing when we want to give a reason, make a point, or mention an item that will be followed by others connected with it.
3-C; Out of the given options ''who" is the most appropriate choice. We use who when referring to people or when we want to know the person.
4-D; Out of the given options ''diving" is the most appropriate choice. Diving means the sport or activity of swimming or exploring underwater.
5-A; Out of the given options ''discover" is the most appropriate choice. Discover means to find unexpectedly or during a search.
Directions (Qs. 6 - 10): In the following passage, some of the words have been left out, each of which is indicated by a number. Find the suitable word from the option given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningful.
It is very difficult to ....(6).... the area that the internet covers. Also, every second million people remain connected to it with any problem or issue. Apart from that, just like all things the internet also has some good and bad ....(7).... in the lives of people. So the first thing which we have to do is learn about the good and bad effects of the internet. Good effects of the internet mean all those things that the internet makes possible. Also, these things make our life easier and safer. Bad effects of the internet mean all those things that we can no longer do because of the internet. Also, these things ....(8).... trouble for oneself and others too. You can access any corner of the world. Also, it is very easy to use and manage. In today’s world, we cannot imagine our life without it. From the time it first came into existence until now the internet has completed a long journey. Also, ....(9).... this journey, the internet has adopted many things and became more user-friendly and interactive. Besides, every big and small thing is available on the internet and articles or material that you require can be obtainable ....(10).... the internet.
6. A) Estimate B) Consider C) Around
D) Approximately E) Finally
7. A) Adverse B) Effects C) Presence
D) Thing E) None of the above
8. A) Create B) Relate C) Cause
D) Control E) None of the above
9. A) About B) Around C) For
D) During E) None of the above
10. A) About B) Around C) To
D) For E) From
Explanation:
6-A; Out of the given options ''estimate" is the most appropriate choice. Estimate means roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of.
Ex: "The aim is to estimate the effects of macroeconomic policy on the economy".
7-B; Out of the given options ''effects" is the most appropriate choice. Effect means a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause.
Ex: "The Prime Minister effected many policy changes".
8-C; Out of the given options ''Cause" is the most appropriate choice. Cause means a person or thing that gives rise to an action, phenomenon, or condition.
Ex: "She devoted her whole adult life to the cause of deaf people".
9-D; Out of the given options ''during" is the most appropriate choice. During means throughout the course or duration of (a period of time).
Ex: "the restaurant is open during the day".
10-E; Out of the given options ''from" is the most appropriate choice. We use "from" to refer to the place where someone or something starts or originates.
Ex: "The show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m"
Directions (Qs. 11 - 15): In the following passage, some of the words have been left out,each of which is indicated by a number. Find the suitable word from the option given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningful.
Global Warming is a term almost everyone is ....(11).... with. But, its meaning is still not clear to most of us. So, Global warming refers to the gradual rise in the overall temperature of the atmosphere of the Earth. There are various activities taking place which have been increasing the temperature gradually. Global warming is ....(12).... our ice glaciers rapidly. This is ....(13).... harmful to the earth as well as humans. It is quite challenging to control global warming; however, it is not unmanageable. The first step in solving any problem is identifying the cause of the problem. Therefore, we need to first understand the causes of global warming that will help us ....(14).... further in solving it. In this essay on Global Warming, we will see the causes and solutions of Global warming.Global warming has become a ....(15).... problem which needs undivided attention. It is not happening because of a single cause but several causes. These causes are both natural as well as manmade. The natural causes include the release of greenhouse gases which are not able to escape from earth, causing the temperature to increase.
11. A) Understanding B) Familiar
C) Remember D) Worried
E) None of the above
12. A) Icing B) Floating
C) Melting D) Condensing
E) Heating
13. A) Extremely B) Closely C) Relatively
D) Truly E) None of the above
14. A) Move B) Go on C) Later on
D) Proceed E) None of the above
15. A) Grave B) Sole C) High
D) Clear E) None of the above
Explanation:
11-B; Out of the given options ''Familiar" is the most appropriate choice. Familiar means well known from long or close association.
Ex: "Their faces will be familiar to many of you"
12-C; Out of the given options ''Melting" is the most appropriate choice. Melting means becoming liquefied by heat.
Ex: "The film will feature a car chase across a melting glacier. "
13-A; Out of the given options ''extremely" is the most appropriate choice. "Extremely" is an adverb. Adverbs are words that answer the questions when, where, and how, for example, recently, never, below, slowly, frankly.Typically, adverbs end in -ly though there are a few adjectives that take this ending too, such as lovely, friendly, lonely. Adverbs can be used to modify an adjective or an entire sentence.
14-D; Out of the given options ''proceed" is
the most appropriate choice.
Proceed means move forward.
Ex: "From court, proceed over Bridge"
15-A; Out of the given options ''Grave" is the
most appropriate choice.
Grave is used as an allusive term for death.
Ex: "life beyond the grave".
Directions (Qs. 16 - 20): In the following passage, some of the words have been left out, each of which is indicated by a number. Find the suitable word from the option given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningful. Education is an ....(16).... part of our lives. We are nothing without knowledge, and education is what separates us from others. The main step to acquiring education is enrolling oneself in a school. School serves as the first learning place for ....(17).... of the people. Similarly, it is the first spark in receiving an education. We have all been to school and we have loved each and every moment we have spent ....(18).... there as those were the building blocks of our lives. A school is a place where students are taught the fundamentals of life, as well as how to grow and survive in life. It instils in us values and principles that serve as the foundation for a child’s development. School is the second home where we spend most of our time. ....(19).... all, it gives me a platform to do better in life and also builds my personality. I feel blessed to study in one of the most prestigious and esteemed schools in the city. In addition, school has a lot of assets which makes us feel fortunate to be a ....(20).... of it. From kindergarten through primary and secondary school, and subsequently, to faculty, school is a place where we always study, grow, and establish ourselves, socialize, be a friend, help others, and love and be loved.
16. A) Essential B) Grave
C) Integral D) Adorable
E) None of the above
17. A) Few B) Most C) More
D) Number E) None of the above
18. A) Over B) Under C) Beneath
D) Across E) None of the above
19. A) Foremost B) First C) Under
D) Above E) None of the above
20. A) Moment B) Tradition
C) Integrity D) Part
E) None of the above
Explanation:
16-A; Out of the given options ''Essential" is the most appropriate choice. Essential means absolutely necessary; extremely important.
Ex: "It is essential to keep up-to-date records".
17-B; Out of the given options ''Most" is the most appropriate choice. 'Most' is used before a noun as a determiner to speak in general. The plural form is used when speaking in general about countable items or people (Most people enjoy a vacation in the tropics).
18-A; Out of the given options ''Over" is the most appropriate choice. We can use "over" as an adverb to talk about movement above something or someone.
Ex: We were sitting in the garden and a huge flock of geese flew over.
19-D; Out of the given options ''Above" is the most appropriate choice. We use "above all" to indicate that the thing you are mentioning is the most important point.
20-D; Out of the given options ''Part" is the most appropriate choice. A part is two words: a is an article and part is a noun synonymous with piece. A part is frequently seen in the company of the preposition "of".
Exercise - 1
Directions - Each passage has ten blanks and ten questions. you have to fill in the blanks with right words choosing from the options given for each question.
Childhood is a time where there are --1-responsibilities to make life difficult. If a child -2-- good parents, he is fed, looked --3-- and loved. Whatever he may do. It is improbable that he will ever again in his life --4-- given so much without having to do anything --5-- return. In addition, life is always --6-- new things to the child. A child finds --7-- in playing in the rain or in the snow. His first visit --8-- the seaside is a marvellous adventure. But a child has pains; he is not so free to do as he wishes; he is continuously being --9-- not to do things or is being --10--. His life is therefore not perfectly happy.
1. 1) few 2) little 3) many 4) lots 5) too many
2. 1) have 2) has 3) had 4) is 5) was
3. 1) about 2) over 3) after 4) around 5) above
4. 1) be 2) was 3) were 4) has 5) had
5. 1) for 2) in 3) over 4) from 5) on
6. 1) doing 2) giving 3) taking 4) making 5) presenting
7. 1) wet 2) dry 3) pleasure 4) pain 5) inviting
8. 1) to 2) from 3) at 4) on 5) over
9. 1) found 2) forbidden 3) asked 4) ordered 5) appealed
10. 1) played 2) gifted 3) punished 4) rewarded 5) remained
Answers: 1-1 2-2 3-3 4-1 5-2 6-5 7-3 8-1 9-2 10-3.
Exercise - 2
Any regular viewer of programmes on television will certainly have some reservations about commercials. When television shows are --1-- good, the commercials that --2-- them are a disgrace. One of the many bad --3-- of commercials is their loudness. They seem --4-- as loud as the programme and the viewer is almost --5-- they come on. Any attempt --6-conversation during commercials is futile. Commercials also take up too much time and -7-- too often. The impression one --8-- gets is that the shows are sandwiched in --9-- long
periods of advertising all of it the same. Often commercials --10-- a show at a particular time is inappropriate.
1. 1) unreasonably 2) timely 3) untimely 4) reasonably 5) rationally
2. 1) accompany 2) arrive 3) attain 4) allow 5) admit
3. 1) things 2) features 3) sounds 4) scenes 5) reels
4. 1) singularly 2) seasonally 3) twice 4) two 5) three
5. 1) deafened 2) blinded 3) dubbed 4) fainted 5) feigned
6. 1) about 2) at 3) on 4) over 5) for
7. 1) repeat 2) reported 3) reproduced 4) remade 5) are repeated
8. 1) rarely 2) seldom 3) usually 4) never 5) always
9. 1) between 2) among 3) to 4) on 5) from
10. 1) end 2) begin 3) start 4) interrupt 5) conclude
Answers: 1-4 2-1 3-2 4-3 5-1 6-2 7-5 8-3 9-1 10-4
Exercise - 3
All forms of art have developed from religion --1-- religious services. This is also true -2-- writing poetry developed from the --3-- sung in --4-- of the early gods or from incantations sung --5-- bring rain or victory in battle. Plays -6-- from the dances --7-- in --8-- of gods. The novel has developed from the stories --9-about gods. A novel is a story that is based --10-- real life.
1. 1) or 2) by 3) for 4) from 5) to
2. 1) on 2) in 3) with 4) from 5) for
3. 1) stories 2) rhymes 3) lines 4) notes 5) history
4. 1) presence 2) absence 3) name 4) praise 5) price
5. 1) while 2) who 3) when 4) where 5) which
6. 1) put up 2) evolved 3) set up 4) end up 5) pull up
7. 1) performed 2) purchased 3) petitioned 4) produced 5) plotted
8. 1) house 2) hut 3) hour 4) honour 5) hate
9. 1) made 2) pitted 3) plotted 4) telling 5) told
10. 1) in 2) on 3) over 4) for 5) of
Answers: 1-1 2-3 3-2 4-4 5-5 6-2 7-1 8-4 9-5 10-2.
Exercise - 4
There is an enemy beneath our --1--. He recognizes no national boundaries, no --2-- parties. Everyone in the world is --3-- by him. The enemy is the earth itself. The --4-- of a quake is greater than --5-- man himself can produce. But --6-- scientists are directing more of their --7-into finding some way of --8-- earthquakes and it is possible that at --9-- time in the near future --10-- will have discovered a means of protecting it from them.
1. 1) self 2) shadow 3) feet 4) nails 5) cots
2. 1) political 2) marriage 3) wedding 4) travelling 5) legal
3. 1) affected 2) dominated 3) threatened 4) terrorized 5) terminated
4. 1) steem 2) streams 3) sites 4) strength 5) strong
5. 1) anything 2) something 3) nothing 4) bad things 5) new things
6. 1) yesterday 2) today 3) tomorrow 4) everyday 5) anyday
7. 1) money 2) time 3) labs 4) efforts 5) energy
8. 1) shaking 2) combating 3) clubbing 4) joining 5) correcting
9. 1) any 2) no 3) all 4) little 5) some
10. 1) scientists 2) politicians 3) people 4) parties 5) scholars
Answers: 1-3 2-1 3-3 4-4 5-1 6-2 7-4 8-2 9-5 10-1.
Exercise - 5
The true elixir of life near to our hands is the commonest of all liquids, plain water. It has --1-- a role of vast significance in --2-- the course of the earth's history and --3-- to play the leading role in the --4-- of life on the surface of our --5--. Indeed, there is nothing here which --6-- so much to the beauty of the --7-as water, be it just a little --8-- trickling over the rocks or a --9-- pond by the way side where animals --10-- their thirst.
1. 1) taken 2) played 3) directed 4) accepted 5) ordered
2. 1) shaping 2) sharing 3) recording 4) writing 5) scripting
3. 1) decides 2) continues 3) prepares 4) refuges 5) conceals
4. 1) motion 2) monitoring 3) movement 4) mending 5) moving
5. 1) plan 2) play 3) party 4) planet 5) star
6. 1) amounts 2) attracts 3) adds 4) removes 5) records
7. 1) hamlets 2) harbours 3) hearts 4) ghats 5) humanbeings
8. 1) sea 2) stream 3) street 4) leak 5) lake
9. 1) huge 2) small 3) little 4) dwarf 5) diminutive
10. 1) swim 2) drown 3) quench 4) wallow 5) drive
Answers: 1-2 2-1 3-2 4-3 5-4 6-3 7-5 8-2 9-1 10-3.
Exercise - 6
The word 'ticket' is --1-- to every language in India. --2-- those who are actively --3-- in the political process --4--, a ticket as a permission to --5-- an election as a candidate --6-- a political party. The --7-- if elected, sits in the --8-- assembly or any other --9-- for which he/she contests as a --10-- of the party.
1. 1) common 2) strange 3) popular 4) famous 5) new
2. 1) but 2) so 3) thus 4) hence 5) yet
3. 1) leading 2) lending 3) lagging 4) logging 5) lamenting
4. 1) lock 2) lend 3) look 4) limit 5) lead
5. 1) comment 2) commit 3) contest 4) call 5) cancel
6. 1) by 2) with 3) on 4) for 5) off
7. 1) worker 2) donor 3) labour 4) owner 5) leader
8. 1) legislative 2) village 3) town 4) district 5) party
9. 1) school 2) institute 3) college 4) university 5) committee
10. 1) student 2) teacher 3) politician 4) representative 5) reporter
Answers: 1-1 2-2 3-1 4-3 5-3 6-4 7-5 8-1 9-2 10-4.
Exercise - 7
The solar has been a complicated wonder for astronomers. This is a --1-- to which we may never have the exact answer. Man has wondered --2-- the age of earth --3-- ancient times. There were all kinds of --4-- that seemed to have the --5--. But Man couldn't begin to --6-- about the question scientifically until about 400 years -7--. When it was proved that the --8-- revolved round the sun and earth was a --9-- of our solar system, then scientists knew where to --10--.
1. 1) question 2) problem 3) matter 4) topic 5) argument
2. 1) by 2) for 3) about 4) from 5) to
3. 1) since 2) for 3) from 4) till 5) to
4. 1) ideas 2) thoughts 3) stories 4) questions 5) arguments
5. 1) origin 2) solution 3) query 4) answer 5) doubt
6. 1) guess 2) argue 3) agree 4) accept 5) think
7. 1) before 2) ago 3) after 4) upto 5) from
8. 1) we 2) all 3) moon 4) earth 5) sun
9. 1) parent 2) owner 3) tenant 4) worker 5) part
10. 1) end 2) stop 3) begin 4) sleep 5) think
Answers: 1-1 2-3 3-1 4-3 5-4 6-5 7-2 8-4 9-5 10-3.
Exercise - 8
Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life. Ayurveda was quite ...(1)... in India in the past. Unfortunately, it has been ...(2)... since independence. The government of India is, therefore, making serious efforts to revive Ayurveda. Thanks to these efforts, Ayurveda is once again ready to ...(3)... in the health and medical care system. The government has given Ayurveda top ...(4)... to ensure that it transforms into a modern health and medical system. It is hoped that Ayurveda helps the government’s fight ...(5)... deadly diseases such as COVID-19.
1. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1
1) unusual 2) commonsensical 3) prevalent 4) trivial
2. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 2
1) popularized 2) neglected 3) simplified 4) enslaved
3. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 3
1) shock 2) contribute 3) complicate 4) participate
4. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 4
1) weight 2) clarity 3) priority 4) level
5. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 5
1) in 2) between 3) for 4) against
Key: 1 - 3; 2 - 2; 3 - 4; 4 - 3; 5 - 4.
Exercise - 9
Since COVID-19’s arrival in the world, a lot of never-before-seen changes have been occurring across the world. The deadly disease has put many countries in lockdown. The field of sports is one of the most active. However, because of the lockdown, sports have been ...(1)... affected. Usually, participation in sports
and exercise is regarded as ...(2)... , but it is now being avoided because of the virus. All professional football and cricket leagues have ...(3)... their matches. This is to avoid large crowds, which are well-known to be infectious ...(4)... Otherwise, the on-field players will be at as much ...(5)... as the spectators.
1. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 1
1) slightly 2) significantly 3) barely 4) hardly
2. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 2
1) monetary 2) muscular 3) rewarding 4) hazardous
3. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 3
1) moved 2) promoted 3) counselled 4) rescheduled
4. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 4
1) hazards 2) assemblies 3) puddles 4) diseases
5. Select the most appropriate option for blank No. 5
1) risk 2) safety 3) captivation 4) exhaustion
Key: 1 - 2; 2 - 3; 3 - 4; 4 - 1; 5 - 1.
Directions (Qs. 1-10): In the following passages some words have been left out. Read the passages carefully and choose the correct answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
Passage-1 Did humans really ..1.. from apes? A recent article, a ..2.. in genome research published in Nature Journal shows that may not be the case. The sea sponges share almost 70 percent of human genes. Why do sea sponges share almost 70 percent of human genes? What does that have to do to understand a stealth ..3.. between humans and extraterrestrial origin? The answer lies in the sea floor. According to Jack McClintock, in his article “This Is Your Ancestor,” in the genetic tree based on genome analysis sponge was really the base of animal ..4.., and just above it were the cnidarians, such as jellyfish, anemones, and corals. They, like the sponge, have a saclike body form. They developed tentacles and an opening like a mouth at one end. But there were other forms of life lower down the line of descent that scientists might not have ..5.. Suddenly, they made sense.
1. a) develop b) originate c) descend d) ascend
2. a) discovery b) development c) progress d) breakthrough
3. a) connection b) division c) split d) foible
4. a) lineage b) history c) heredity d) clan
5. a) penetrated b) expected c) decided d) articulated
Passage-2 The whistleblower behind the Panama Papers broke their silence on Friday to explain in detail how the ..6.. of off-shore tax havens drove them to the biggest data leak in history. The source, whose identity and gender remain a secret, ..7.. being a spy. The whistleblower said the leak of 11.5 m documents from the Panamanian law firm Mossack Fouseca had ..8.. a “new, encouraging global debate”, thanks to the ..9.. last month of stories by an international ..10.. of newspapers, including the Guardian
6. a) advantages b) benefits c) privileges d) injustices
7. a) refused b) declined c) denied d) challenged
8. a) fired b) facilitated c) triggered d) started
9. a) announcement b) publication c) exposure d) disclosure
10. a) association b) consortium c) forum d) collaboration
Key With Explanations
1-c; ‘Descend’ means to be inherited or transmitted, as through succeeding generations of a family. Hence, it fits well in the blank.
2-d; ‘Breakthrough’ refers to a signif icant advance, development, achievement in a particular field or situation. In the given sentence it is used for the advancement in information about the descent of humans.
3-a; The passage talks about the commonality between sea sponges and humans. So, the blank will take ‘connection’ to make the sentence grammatically correct.
4-a; ‘Lineage’ refers to lineal descent from an ancestor. Hence, it fits the blank. 5-b; The sentence refers to the line of descent that was beyond the expectations of scientists. Hence, ‘expected’ fits the blank.
6-d; The whistleblowers did not gain any advantages or benefits. So options (a) and (b) are eliminated like wise they did not acquire any privileges and hence option (c) is eliminated. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.
7-c; The whistleblower was not a spy. Refused and declined in this context are grammatically and semantically wrong. ‘Challenged’ is completely meaningless. Hence, options (a), (b) and (d) are wrong. The correct answer is option (c).
8-c; ‘Started’, ‘fired’ and ‘facilitated’ can all fit in. But they lack the intensity of ‘triggered’. When you pull a trigger you can set off anything from a small pistol to a huge bomb. The debate set of f by the leak is huge. Hence, option (c) is the right answer.
9-b; Stories are not ‘announced’, ‘exposed’ or ‘disclosed’ in newspapers. They are published. Hence, option (b) is the right answer.
10-b; ‘Consortium’ means ‘Association’ but is restricted, to companies, banks etc. ‘Forum ‘and ‘Collaboration’ do not fit in. Hence the correct answer is option (b).
Directions (Qs. 1 - 5): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These members are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate words. A farmer said to his wife, “You are .... (1) .... You work slowly and lethargically. You waste your time." The wife was angry ....(2).... the words of her husband. She said to her husband, “You are wrong. Stay at home tomorrow. I will go to the field. I will do your work there. Will you do my work at home here?" The farmer said happily, “Very well. I will do your work back at home." The wife said, "Milk the cow. ....(3).... the pigs. Wash the utensils. Take care of our hen. Spin the yarn." The woman went to the field. The farmer stayed back at home. He took a vessel and went to the cow to milk it. He tried to milk the cow. He received a good kick. He then went to the pig's ....(4).... He hit his head against the beam. He went to feed the hen. He forgot to spin. The wife returned from the field when it was evening. The farmer ....(5).... his head in shame. Thereafter he did not find fault with his wife. They lived happily together for a long time.
1. Which of the following words is used in blank (1) according to the para?
A) Lazy B) Energetic C) Criminal
D) Pathetic E) Ferocious
Sol: Lazy: unwilling to work or use energy.
Energetic: showing or involving great activity or vitality.
Criminal: a person who has committed a crime.
Pathetic: arousing pity, especially through vulnerability or sadness.
Ferocious: savagely fierce, cruel, or violent. So, lazy is the only word suitable according to the paragraph.
Ans: A
2. Which of the following is used in blank (2) according to the paragraph?
A) In B) At C) For
D) Of E) None of the above
Sol: Usage of "in": Use "in" when something is located inside of a defined space. It could be a flat space, like a yard, or a three-dimensional space, like a box, house, or car. The space does not need to be closed on all sides (“There is water IN the glass”). Usage of "At": "At"means 'in the same place as someone or something' or 'accompanying'. Usage of "For": For is a preposition which is used with a period to say how long something goes on. Ex: "Simon has been sleeping for 8 hours." "We waited for 30 minutes outside your house." Usage of "of": Of is a preposition that indicates relationships between other words, such as belonging, things made of other things, things that contain other things, or a point of reckoning.
Ans: B
3. Which of the following words is used in blank (3) according to the paragraph?
A) Give B) Provide C) Feed
D) Supply E) None of the above
Sol: Give: freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone).
Provide: make available for use; supply.
Feed: give food to.
Supply: make (something needed or wanted) available to someone; provide.
Ans: C
4. Which of the following words is suitable in blank (4)?
A) Stable B) Aviary C) Hive
D) Sty E) None of the above
Sol: Stable: A stable is a building in which horses are kept.
Aviary: A place where birds are kept.
Hive: A hive is an enclosed structure in which bees stay.
Sty: A sty or pigsty is a small-scale outdoor enclosure for raising domestic pigs as livestock.
Ans: D
5. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (5)?
A) Hung B) Harassed C) Went
D) Motioned E) None of the above.
Sol: Hung: emotionally confused or disturbed.
Harassed: feeling or looking strained as a result of having too many demands made on one.
Went: move from one place to another; travel.
Motioned: direct or command (someone) with a movement of the hand or head.
Ans: A
Directions (Qs. 1 - 5): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These members are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate words. India is mainly an agricultural economy. Agricultural activities ....(1).... about 50% of the economy. Agriculture involves growing and selling of crops, poultry, fishing, cattle rearing, and animal husbandry. People in India earn their livelihood by involving themselves in many of these activities. These activities are ....(2).... to our economy. The Indian economy has seen major growth in the last few decades. The credit for this boom largely goes to the service sector. Agriculture and ....(3).... activities have also been improvised to match the global standards and the export of various food products has seen an upward trend thereby adding to the economic growth. The industrial sector does not lag behind a bit. A number of new large scale, as well as small scale industries, have been set up in ....(4).... times and these have also proved to have a positive impact on the Indian economy. Majority of the working Indian population was and is still engaged in the agriculture sector. Growing crops, fishing, poultry and animal husbandry were among the tasks undertaken by them. They ....(5).... handicraft items that were losing their charm with the introduction of the industrial goods. The demand for these goods began to decline. The agricultural activities also did not pay enough.
1. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (1)?
A) Contribute B) Attribute C) Status
D) Content E) Save
2. Which of the following is suitable for blank (2)?
A) Adorable B) Vital C) Normal
D) Compact E) Adverse
3. Which of the following is suitable for blank (3)?
A) Accomplished B) Accompanied
C) Associated D) Aligned E) Arranged
4. Which of the following is suitable for blank (4)?
A) Coming B) Past C) Latest
D) Recent E) Trending
5. Which of the following is suitable for blank (5)?
A) Manufactured B) Repaired
C) Prepared D) Modified E) Joined
Key: 1-A 2-B 3-C 4-D 5-A
Directions (Qs. 6 - 10): In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These members are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate words. Kamalesh was orphaned at a very .... (6) .... age. He lost both of his parents because his family was ....(7).... poor to afford any kind of treatment. He was deeply affected by this and suffered a lot. He had to face many difficulties throughout his childhood. He had no ray of hope. Then, He decided to work hard and ....(8).... on his own feet. Along with his studies he did a part-time job in a restaurant and earned enough money in order to ....(9).... his studies. Being a brilliant student since his childhood, everywhere he earned scholarships and later he managed to get admission in a good medical college, which is a very famous college. He is now a ....(10).... doctor and helps poor patients for free without taking a single penny. This shows that one can survive every adverse condition. Determination and hard work lead to success in life.
6. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (6)?
A) Youth B) Early C) Childhood
D) Childish E) Recent
Sol: The sentence mentions that the boy became an orphan when he was very young thus, the word in the blank must be an adjective to describe the ‘age’. ‘Early’ seems suitable here.
Youth: the time of life when one is young
Early: happening or done before the usual or expected time.
Childhood: the state or period of being a child.
Childish: of, like, or appropriate to a child. Recent: having happened, begun, or been done not long ago
Ans: B
7. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (7)?
A) Too B) Little C) Ample D) So E) Some
Sol: The passage tries to mention that the boy’s family was so poor that they could not afford the treatment. The word in the blank also tries to convey the same. ‘Little’ and ‘some’ are opposite to what is required in the sentence. ‘Ample’ is contextually incorrect too. ‘So’ is contextually incorrect because it must have been used with ‘that’ to convey the desired meaning. Thus, ‘too’ will be the suitable word here.
Little: to a small extent.
So: to such a great extent.
Too: to a higher degree than is desirable, permissible, or possible
Some: to some extentAmple: enough or more than enough
Ans: A
8. Which of the following words is used to complete the sentence in blank (8)?
A) Firm B) Stand C) Strong
D) Establish E) None of the above
Sol: The sentence implies that the boy wanted to work hard and become independent and successful. Thus, ‘stand’ must be used in the sentence as the phrase ‘stand on his own feet’ refers to ‘be or become independent.’
Ans: B
9. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (9)?
A) Do B) Practice C) Follow
D) Pursue E) Proceed
Sol: The sentence implies that Kamalesh did the job and had enough money so that he could continue his studies. ‘Pursue study’ would mean that Kamalesh continued his studies. All other words are contextually incorrect. Do: perform Practice: perform an activity in order to improve Follow: go or come after
Pursue: continue or proceed along Proceed: begin a course of action.
Ans: D
10. Which of the following words is suitable for blank (10) ?
A) Valuable B) Know C) Worth
D) Respected E) Merit
Sol: The passage implies that Kamalesh became a very successful doctor and treated the poor patients.
The blank requires an adjective to define the noun ‘doctor’. ‘Respected’ is the only adjective here, so it is the correct word.
Valuable: worth a great deal of money.
Know: be aware of through observation
Respected: admired deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Worth: the level at which someone or something deserves to be valued or rated.
Merit: the quality of being particularly good or worthy
Ans: D
