Common Error (Articles,
Prepositions)
1.
Articles: There are three articles in English—a, an and the. A and an are
called indefinite article.The is the definite article. An article is placed
before a noun. If there is an adjective before a noun, the article is placed
before the adjective:
a train,
a fast train,
an incident,
an unusual incident
Note: We can never use a singular count noun alone, that is, without a/an/the/my/some/any etc.
a fast train,
an incident,
an unusual incident
Note: We can never use a singular count noun alone, that is, without a/an/the/my/some/any etc.
2. A/an:
Singular count nouns take the indefinite article a/an with them:
a ball
an egg
a dog
an elephant
an egg
a dog
an elephant
Uncount
nouns do not generally take an article with them. we do not generally say
a milk
a beauty
a wisdom
for milk, beauty, wisdom cannot be counted.
a beauty
a wisdom
for milk, beauty, wisdom cannot be counted.
3. We use
a with singular count nouns beginning with a consonant sound:
a girl
a map
a university
a union
a one-sided affair
a one-rupee note
a map
a university
a union
a one-sided affair
a one-rupee note
Note: That
the words university, union, and one begin with a vowel but no a vowel sound.
University and union begin with the yoo sound while one begins with the w
sound.
Well-known words which begin with a vowel but take a with them are:
Well-known words which begin with a vowel but take a with them are:
European
uniform
union
unit
universal
usual
useful
eau-de-cologne
uniform
union
unit
universal
usual
useful
eau-de-cologne
4. An: An
is used before words beginning with a vowel sound:
an umbrella
an opportunity
an honest boy
an honourable person
an opportunity
an honest boy
an honourable person
The letter
h in honest and honourable is not sounded. Common words in English which begin
with an unsounded h are:
heir
heiress
honest
honorary
honourable
hour
hourly
heiress
honest
honorary
honourable
hour
hourly
5. In
abbreviations, if consonants begin with a vowel sound, they take an before
them:
an M.P.
an S.P.
an S.P.
But if
consonants begin with a consonant sound, they take a before them:
a Ph.D.
a B.Ed.
a B.Ed.
6. Note
the use of a in the following phrases:
a pity a shame
a pleasure a noise
a rage a nuisance
a headache a toothache
a bad cold in a whisper
in a low voice in a loud voice
to be at a loss
a pleasure a noise
a rage a nuisance
a headache a toothache
a bad cold in a whisper
in a low voice in a loud voice
to be at a loss
7. The
definite Article the:
The, the definite article, is a weakended form of that. It is pronounced as
(di:) when it preceded a vowel sound and as do before a consonant sound. In
meaning also, it is weaker than that. Instead of pointing out, it defines,
particularises or singles out:
I have read the book you are talking of. (not any book but a particular book that is being referred to)
The artists who came to seem me today are quite accomplished. (not any artists but the ones who came to see me today)
I have read the book you are talking of. (not any book but a particular book that is being referred to)
The artists who came to seem me today are quite accomplished. (not any artists but the ones who came to see me today)
8. In the
examples given in § 7, the book and the
artists are particularised by two adjective clauses. In certain cases, a noun's
being particular may be clear from the context and it may not have any defining
expression with it. The is also prefixed to such a noun:
Shut the door. (the door of the room in which we are sitting)
He was brought before the Principal. (The Principal of the institution in which he was studying)
The king pardoned him. (the king we are talking about at the moment)
Shut the door. (the door of the room in which we are sitting)
He was brought before the Principal. (The Principal of the institution in which he was studying)
The king pardoned him. (the king we are talking about at the moment)
9. If I am
looking at the
picture of a room, I can talk about the ceiling, the floor, because there is
only one ceiling and one floor, but I cannot talk about the wall if there are
more than one walls in the picture because I would not be talking about the
only one. I can, however, talk about the left wall and the right wall because
there is only one left wall and one right wall in the picture.
10. More
about the: We use the definite article the
- with superlatives and the words
used in the superlative sense:
the best student in the class
the Chief Justice
the Prime Minister - when special emphasis almost
equivalent to the use of the superlative is intended:
He is the leader today. (the greatest leader)
This is just the thing. (the right thing)
This is the way to solve this problem. (the proper way). - even in comparative degrees
when one of the two items is singled out in preference to the other:
He is the moon, the world, (But not: He is the finer batsman than others. The correct form would be : He is a finer bats man than others.) - with things of which there is
only one in our world, or things which are otherwise well known but do not
begin with a capital letter:
the sun, the moon, the world, the equator, the north, the east. - in place of possessive
adjectives:
I hit him on the head. (= his head) Disappointment stared him in the face.( = his face) - with common nouns when one noun
is used to represent the whole class or species:
The horse is a faithful animal.
The lion is the king of animals. - with an adjective with a plural
notion to indicate a class of persons:
The rich should help the poor. (We can say: Rich men should help poor men But not: The rich men should help the poor men.×) - as an adverb in case of certain
comparatives:
The more we get, the more we want.
The harder you work, the better it will be. - to suggest distribution: (= each)
We can buy oranges by the dozen.
Cloth is sold by the metre.
Exercise
Fill in
the blanks with a, an or the where necessary:
1. —— more you read, —— more you
know.
2. —— stone hit him on —— head.
3. —— fox is —— very clever animal.
4. Only —— rich can afford ——comforts of ——modern times.
5. I have —— elder brother and —— younger sister. —— sister is —— wiser of the two.
6. If you are looking for —— entertaining as well as educative magazine, this is —— magazine for you.
7. —— sun rises in — east and sets in —west.
8. India is a little to —— north of —— equator.
9. —— oranges are sold by —— dozen.
2. —— stone hit him on —— head.
3. —— fox is —— very clever animal.
4. Only —— rich can afford ——comforts of ——modern times.
5. I have —— elder brother and —— younger sister. —— sister is —— wiser of the two.
6. If you are looking for —— entertaining as well as educative magazine, this is —— magazine for you.
7. —— sun rises in — east and sets in —west.
8. India is a little to —— north of —— equator.
9. —— oranges are sold by —— dozen.
11.
Articles with Proper Nouns
1. Proper
nouns, as a rule, do not take articles with them:
Shakespeare was a great playwright. (Shakespeare)
Samudragupta was a great warrior. (Samudragupta)
Shakespeare was a great playwright. (Shakespeare)
Samudragupta was a great warrior. (Samudragupta)
2. But if
a proper noun is used as a common noun, it may take with it some article:
He is a good playwright but not a Shakespeare. (not as great a playwright as Shakespeare)
Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India. (as great a playwright for India as Shakespeare is for England)
He is a good playwright but not a Shakespeare. (not as great a playwright as Shakespeare)
Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India. (as great a playwright for India as Shakespeare is for England)
3. We need
the definite article the with the names of:
• Rivers the Ganga, the Yamuna
• Seas and oceans the Red Sea, the
Atlantic Ocean
• Mountain ranges the Alps, the Himalayas
• Holy books the Bible, the
Ramcharit Manas
• Trains, ships the Himgiri Express,
the Ashoka (the name of a ship).
• Newspapers and the Pioneer, magazines
the Hindustan Times, the Filmfare, the portstar
• Well-known the Gateway of
India, buildings the Red Fort, the Qutub Minar
• Countries (if their name
contains a common noun) the U.S.A.,
the U.K. (In United
States of America, States is a common noun.)
• Peoples, parties the English, the French,
the Whigs
• The whole families the Khans, the Kapurs
Prepositions
Prepositions
Prepositions
of Time
A number of prepositions may be used to denote time: from Monday; after my return; during the night; till tomorrow; before the bell rings; a quarter to ten. In most cases, it is easy to decide which preposition to use. The following prepositions, however, need special attention.
A number of prepositions may be used to denote time: from Monday; after my return; during the night; till tomorrow; before the bell rings; a quarter to ten. In most cases, it is easy to decide which preposition to use. The following prepositions, however, need special attention.
1. At, on,
in
- At usually denotes a definite
point of time but can also be used for indefinite periods:
at 7 p.m.; at this moment; (Definite at midnight; point of time)
at the end of the class;
at night; at dawn; (indefinite at Durga Puja; at Diwali. periods) - On is used with days and dates:
on Monday; on 1st May;
on the annual day; on a May afternoon. - In is used with parts of the
day, and with months, years, seasons:
in the morning; in September;
in 2004; in winter. - In is also used with the future
tense to show the period in which an action will happen:
in a week; in four hours. - In and within. In means at the
end of; within means before the end of:
I shall be back in a week. (when a week is over)
I shall be back within a week. (before a week is over)
2. By
By refers to a point of future time
and denotes the latest time at which an action will be over:
The competition will be over by 6 p.m.
(It should be over before it is 6 p.m., but the latest time at which it can be over is 6 p.m.)
They will have declared the result by tomorrow evening.
The competition will be over by 6 p.m.
(It should be over before it is 6 p.m., but the latest time at which it can be over is 6 p.m.)
They will have declared the result by tomorrow evening.
3. For
For is used with periods of time to
show the duration of an action. It is mostly used with perfect continuous
tenses though it may be found with other tenses as well:
This discussion has been going on for two hours.
I have worked in this office for two years.
For may sometimes be omitted also:
I have been busy the whole morning.(for the whole morning)
This discussion has been going on for two hours.
I have worked in this office for two years.
For may sometimes be omitted also:
I have been busy the whole morning.(for the whole morning)
4. Since
Since marks the point of time at
which an action began. It is used only if the action has continued till the
time of speaking; hence it is found with perfect continuous tenses. Unlike for,
it can never be ommitted:
She has been teaching in this college since 2001.
A cool breeze has been blowing since morning.
She has been teaching in this college since 2001.
A cool breeze has been blowing since morning.
5. From
From denotes the starting point of
an action and is used in all cases except when the action has continued till
the moment of speaking. It is almost invariably used with to or till:
The examination will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
He was the Chief Minister of the state from 1999 to 2002.
The examination will be held from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
He was the Chief Minister of the state from 1999 to 2002.
6. At, in
- At has the idea of an exact
point and is, therefore, used with houses, villages, small towns. In has
the idea of a larger area and is used while speaking of bigger towns,
states, countries, etc.:
at Karol Bagh in New Delhi;
at Ambala; in England;
at the end; in the middle. - At conveys the idea of a
general neighbourhood; in conveys the idea of something contained:
We say at the table to take our lunch.
Please wait for me at the Regal PVR.
Turn left at the next crossing.
There are two Pepsi bottles in the refrigerator.
You will find the stapler in the drawer.
7. On,
upon
On is used while speaking of things
at rest; upon is used with things in motion:
The file is on the table.
The dog sprang upon the table.
The file is on the table.
The dog sprang upon the table.
8. Above,
over
Both above and over mean higher
than. Sometimes we can use either of them:
The flags waved over our heads.
The flags waved above our heads.
But over can also mean coverning, or vertically above:
My father put a blanket over me.
There is a fan exactly over the table.
The flags waved over our heads.
The flags waved above our heads.
But over can also mean coverning, or vertically above:
My father put a blanket over me.
There is a fan exactly over the table.
9. Below,
under
Both below and under mean lower than
and sometimes we can use either of them. But under means vertically below. It
also has the idea of contact:
There was a beautiful lake below us in the valley.
His shoes were lying under the table.
She put the keys of the wardrobe under her pillow.
There was a beautiful lake below us in the valley.
His shoes were lying under the table.
She put the keys of the wardrobe under her pillow.
10. Into
Into denotes movement towards the
interior of something:
He jumped into the well.
One stream flows into another.
Figuratively: We have entered into an agreement to export handicrafts to some European countries.
He jumped into the well.
One stream flows into another.
Figuratively: We have entered into an agreement to export handicrafts to some European countries.
11. For
For is used to denote direction when
the verb shows the beginning of a movement:
The children leaves for the school at 7 a.m.
We shall soon set off for Mumbai.
The children leaves for the school at 7 a.m.
We shall soon set off for Mumbai.
12.
Against
Against shows pressure or contact:
He threw the goods against the wall.
Prepositions of direction from. Most common among these are: from, off, out of:
He threw the goods against the wall.
Prepositions of direction from. Most common among these are: from, off, out of:
13. From
From is used with the point of
departure:
He brought these books from the market.
He had already gone from home.
He brought these books from the market.
He had already gone from home.
14. Out of
It is the opposite of into. It means
from the interior of:
He took a few books out of the Cupboard.
He took a few books out of the Cupboard.
EXERCISE------
Common Error (MCQ )
Directions:
Select the correct word or phrase to complete a grammatical and idiomatic
sentence.
1.
Agriculture in America has — industrial progress.
(1) kept pace with (2) kept paces along
(3) kept its pace for
(4) kept pace together with
(5) None of these
(1) kept pace with (2) kept paces along
(3) kept its pace for
(4) kept pace together with
(5) None of these
2.
He is — if he does not meet this situation boldly.
(1) unworthy of his salt
(2) not worth his salt
(3) not of worth to his salt
(4) not worth of the salt
(5) None of these
(1) unworthy of his salt
(2) not worth his salt
(3) not of worth to his salt
(4) not worth of the salt
(5) None of these
3.
I know I have a copy of the book you need, but at the moment, I can't — it.
(1) lay my hands on (2) lie my hand
(3) lay my fingers on (4) lay my hands to
(5) None of these
(1) lay my hands on (2) lie my hand
(3) lay my fingers on (4) lay my hands to
(5) None of these
4.
Due to industrial recession, retrenchment of jobs is — in big and small units
alike.
(1) order for the day (2) the daily order
(3) the order of the day (4) the order every day
(5) None of these
(1) order for the day (2) the daily order
(3) the order of the day (4) the order every day
(5) None of these
5.
It is due to lack of careful advance planning that your scheme has
(1) come upon grief (2) come out with grief
(3) come to grief (4) come in grief.
(5) None of these
(1) come upon grief (2) come out with grief
(3) come to grief (4) come in grief.
(5) None of these
Directions:
In each of these questions, a sentence has been divided into four parts and
marked (1), (2), (3) (4) and (5). One of these parts contains a mistake in
grammar, idiom or syntax. Identify that part and mark it as the answer.
6.
(1) She was as pretty
(2) if not prettier than
(3) any other girl who had come
(4) to participate in the meeting
(5) None of these
(2) if not prettier than
(3) any other girl who had come
(4) to participate in the meeting
(5) None of these
7.
(1) If one reads the newspaper regularly
(2) you will be surprised at the improvement
(3) in your overall reading skills
(4) from day to day.
(5) None of these
(2) you will be surprised at the improvement
(3) in your overall reading skills
(4) from day to day.
(5) None of these
8.
(1) After finding the problem,
(2) the mechanic cleaned the carburettor,
(3) started the engine
(4) and found it working smoothly
(5) None of these
(2) the mechanic cleaned the carburettor,
(3) started the engine
(4) and found it working smoothly
(5) None of these
9.
(1) The only people in the theatre
(2) on that stormy night
(3) were the staff of the theatre
(4) and me (5) None of these
(2) on that stormy night
(3) were the staff of the theatre
(4) and me (5) None of these
10. (1) She was wearing a wig that was
(2) far more attractive than
(3) the other women who had
(4) their natural hair
(5) None of these
(2) far more attractive than
(3) the other women who had
(4) their natural hair
(5) None of these
One-Word Substitution
A person who is out to destroy all government and order Anarchist
Government by the people Democracy
The whole mass of air surrounding the earth Atmosphere
One who is not sure of the existence of God Agnostic
A medicine which prevents infection by killing germs Antiseptic
One who does something not professionally but for pleasure Amateur
A statement open to more than one interpretation Ambiguous
One who makes an official examination of accounts Auditor
Marrying more than one wife or more than one husband at a time Polygamy
The science that studies plants Botany
The science which studies natural processes of living things Biology
People working together in the same office or department Colleagues
The state of remaining unmarried Celibacy
The action of bringing into completion Consummation
To give one's authority to another Delegate
Study of the relation of living things to environment Ecology
The action of looking within or into one's own mind Introspection
One incapable of being tired Indefatigable
A letter, poem, etc. whose author is unknown Anonymous
Work for which no salary is paid Honorary
One who looks at the bright side of things Optimist
One who cannot read or write Illiterate
A game or battle in which neither party wins Draw
Holding established opinions Orthodox
Hater of women Misogynist
The study of the origin and physical and cultural development of mankind Anthropology
The science which studies the crust of the earth Geology
The science which studies animals Zoology
EXERCISE--------
One-Word Substitution (MCQ )
1. A house for storing grains(1) Cellar
(2) Store
(3) Godown
(4) Granary
(5) None of these
2. A name adopted by an author in his writings
(1) Title
(2) Nomenclature
(3) Nickname
(4) Pseudonym
(5) None of these
3. Through which light cannot pass
(1) Dull
(2) Dark
(3) Obscure
(4) Opaque
(5) None of these
4. Stealing from the writings of others
(1) Copyright
(2) Reframing
(3) Reproducing
(4) Plagiarism
(5) None of these
5. A short stay at a place
(1) Halt
(2) Interlude
(3) Intermission
(4) Sojourn
(5) None of these
6. Constant effort to achieve something
(1) Perseverance
(2) Attempt
(3) Enthusiasm
(4) Vigour
(5) None of these
7. A person not sure of the existence of God
(1) Theist
(2) Atheist
(3) Agnostic
(4) Cynic
(5) None of these
8. Design made by putting together coloured pieces of glass or stones
(1) Oleograph
(2) Mosaic
(3) Tracery
(4) Relief
(5) None of these
9. A person who travels to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion
(1) Hermit
(2) Pilgrim
(3) Saint
(4) Merchant
(5) None of these
10. Food which agrees with one's taste
(1) Pungent
(2) Palatable
(3) Sensuous
(4) Edible
(5) None of these
(2) Palatable
(3) Sensuous
(4) Edible
(5) None of these
Antonyms & Synonyms
Synonyms
A
- Abandon : Leave, forsake.
- Abridge : Shorten, curtail.
- Abundant : Plentiful.
B
- Behaviour : Demeanour.
- Bias : Predilection.
- Brutal : Savage, cruel.
C
- Callous : Hard, cruel.
- Calm : Quiet, tranquil.
- Casual : Uncertain.
D
- Damage : Loss, harm, injury.
- Decorate : Adron, embellish.
- Deformity : Malformation, disfigurement.
E
- Earnest : Serious, solemn.
- Emergency : Exigency.
- Exceptional : Unusual, rare.
F
- False : Untrue, spurious.
- Fascinate : Charm, enchant.
- Ferocious : Fierce, savage.
G
- Geniune : Real.
- Gigantic : Colossal, great.
- Guilt : Sin, crime.
H
- Haughty : Arrogant, proud.
- Hazardous : Dangerous, risky, perilous.
- Humility : Modesty, politeness.
I
- Illiterate : Unlearned, ignorant.
- Imperious : Authoritative, dictatorial.
- Impertinent : Impudent, insolent, shameless.
J
- Jolly : Jovial, merry.
- Judicious : Discreet, prudent.
K
- Knavery : Fraud.
L
- Laborious : Assiduous, industrious.
- Lament : Grieve, mourn.
- Lethargy : Sluggishness.
M
- Magnificent : Splendid, grand.
- Marvellous : Wonderful.
- Meagre : Small.
N
- Nice : Pleasant, agreeable.
- Notable : Remarkable, memorable.
- Notorious : Infamous.
O
- Obliterate : Destory, efface.
- Obsolete : Antiquated.
- Opportune : Timely.
P
- Pensive : Thoughtful.
- Perennial : Permanent, perpetual.
- Persuade : Induce, urge.
Q
- Quaint : Queer, odd, singular.
- Queer : Strange, odd.
- Questionable : Doubtful.
R
- Radiant : Bright, brilliant.
- Refined : Elegant.
- Rejoice : Delight.
S
- Sacred : Holy, consecrated, pious.
- Satiate : Satisfy.
- Scanty : Slender, meagre.
T
- Talkative : Garrulous.
- Temperate : Moderate.
- Thankful : Grateful, obliged.
U
- Ugly : Repulsive.
- Urbane : Polite, courteous, suave.
- Urge : Press, incite.
V
- Vacillatge : Waver
- Venerable : Respectable.
- Vigilance : Watchfulness.
W
- Wealthy : Rich.
- Wickedness : Evil.
- Wild : Savage.
Y
- Yield : Surrender
- Yielding : Submissive.
Z
- Zeal : Passion.
- Zenith : Top, summit.
Antonyms
A
Ability : Disability.
Accept : Reject, refuse.
Acquit : Convict.
Accept : Reject, refuse.
Acquit : Convict.
B
Barbarous : Civilized.
Barren : Fertile.
Base : Noble.
Barren : Fertile.
Base : Noble.
C
Callous : Soft, tender.
Care : Neglect.
Censure : Praise, applaud.
Care : Neglect.
Censure : Praise, applaud.
D
Danger : Safety.
Deep : Shallow.
Delight : Despleasure, sorrow.
Deep : Shallow.
Delight : Despleasure, sorrow.
E
Early : Late.
Elevation : Depression.
Emancipate : Enslave.
Elevation : Depression.
Emancipate : Enslave.
F
Fabulous : Actual, real.
Failure : Success.
Fickle : Constant.
Failure : Success.
Fickle : Constant.
G
Gain : Loss.
Genuine : False.
Gloomy : Gay.
Genuine : False.
Gloomy : Gay.
H
Happiness : Sorrow, sadness.
Help : Hinder.
Honour : Dishonour, shame.
Help : Hinder.
Honour : Dishonour, shame.
I
Imperative : Optional.
Increase : Decrease.
Inhale : Exhale.
Increase : Decrease.
Inhale : Exhale.
J
Joyful : Sad, depressed.
Junior : Senior.
Justice : Injustice.
Junior : Senior.
Justice : Injustice.
K
Kind : Cruel.
Knowledge : Ignorance.
Knowledge : Ignorance.
L
Lack : Plenty.
Legal : Illegal.
Legible : Illegible.
Legal : Illegal.
Legible : Illegible.
M
Mad : Sane.
Malice : Goodwill.
Master : Servant.
Malice : Goodwill.
Master : Servant.
N
Natural : Artificial.
Noble : Base, Ignoble.
Normal : Abnormal.
Noble : Base, Ignoble.
Normal : Abnormal.
O
Obstinate : Yielding.
Offensive : Pleasing, defensive.
Optional : Compulsory.
Offensive : Pleasing, defensive.
Optional : Compulsory.
P
Part (n) : Yielding.
Part (v) : Join.
Particular : General.
Part (v) : Join.
Particular : General.
Q
Quick : Slow, tardy.
R
Raise : Lower.
Rash : Steady, cautious.
Rear : Front.
Rash : Steady, cautious.
Rear : Front.
S
Sacred : Unholy, profane.
Satisfaction : Dissatisfaction.
Scanty : Plentiful.
Satisfaction : Dissatisfaction.
Scanty : Plentiful.
T
Tedious : Lively.
Temperate : Intemperate.
Thankful : Thankless.
Temperate : Intemperate.
Thankful : Thankless.
U
Ugly : Beautiful.
Union : Disunion, discord, split.
Urban : Rural.
Union : Disunion, discord, split.
Urban : Rural.
V
Vain : Modest.
Violent : Gentle.
Virtue : Vice.
Violent : Gentle.
Virtue : Vice.
W
Wane : Wax
Want : Abundance.
War : Peace.
Want : Abundance.
War : Peace.
Y
Yield : Resist.
Youth : Age.
Youth : Age.
Z
Zeal : Indifference.
Zenith : Nadir.
Zenith : Nadir.
EXERCISE-------
Antonyms & Synonyms (MCQ )
Directions (Q. No. 1-10): In this section each item consists of a word or a phrase which is bold in the sentence given. It is followed by four words or phares. Selecte the word or phrase which is closest to the opposite in meaning of the bold word or phrase.1. The world media has tended to focus far more upon occasional discord than on our spectacular achievements.
(1) Tranquillity
(2) Harmony
(3) Failure
(4) Confusion
(5) None of these
2. The evidence Indira gave in support of her theory was quite copious.
(1) Unsatisfactory
(2) Unconvincing
(3) Poor
(4) Scanty
(5) None of these
3. Self-reproach is not always very good thing.
(1) Self-esteem
(2) Self-assurance
(3) Self-justification
(4) Self-satisfaction
(5) None of these
4. The dictator quelled the uprising.
(1) Fostered
(2) Defended
(3) Supported
(4) Fomented
(5) None of these
5. The drug gave him instant relief from pain.
(1) Final
(2) Complete
(3) Genuine
(4) Delayed
(5) None of these
6. His radical views made him unpopular.
(1) Conservative
(2) Narrow
(3) Outmoded
(4) Childish
(5) None of these
7. The Indian cricketers put up a dismal performance in Australia.
(1) Cheerful
(2) Spirited
(3) Bright
(4) Memorable
(5) None of these
8. He was poor and arrogant.
(1) Modest
(2) Obedient
(3) Timid
(4) Earnest
(5) None of these
9. The injection was given to the patient to alleviate the pain.
(1) Elevate
(2) Sharpen
(3) Aggravate
(4) Promote
(5) None of these
10. There is quite tenuous evidence for it.
(1) Substantial
(2) Enough
(3) Reasonable
(4) Ample
(5) None of these
Idioms and Phrases
Back out — to withdraw from a promise,
contract : I felt grieved when he backed out of his promise to help me.
Back up — to support; to sustain : He
backed up his report with relevant statistics.
Bear upon — to be relevant to : This argument
does not bear upon the subject under discussion.
Blow up — to explode : The mine blew up and
all the labourers working inside were killed.
— to reprimand or scold : If you continue to be negligent, the teacher will blow you up.
— to reprimand or scold : If you continue to be negligent, the teacher will blow you up.
Break down — of a car; a piece of machinery;
to go wrong so that it will not function : The car broke down on our way to
Mumbai.
— to collapse; to succumb to uncontrollable weeping : She broke down completely on hearing the news of her husband's death.
— to succumb to a nervous collapse through overwork or worry : He worked so hard that his health broke down near the examination.
— to collapse; to succumb to uncontrollable weeping : She broke down completely on hearing the news of her husband's death.
— to succumb to a nervous collapse through overwork or worry : He worked so hard that his health broke down near the examination.
Break off — to end; to discontinue; to desist
: We had to break off our conversation when he arrived. She broke off in the
middle of the story. She did not like his nature and broke off the engagement.
Break up — to disperse; to dissolve : The
college will break up for the Puja holidays on 25th October. The meeting will
break up after the President has addressed the audience.
Bring up — to rear : Those brought up in
adversity are able to cope with life better.
Call forth — to provoke : The minister's views
on the disinvestment policy of the government called forth a good deal of
bitter criticism.
Call out — to shout : I called out to him
but he disappeared in the dark.
— to announce by calling or shouting : The Manager called out to the peon that he was being immediately fired.
— to announce by calling or shouting : The Manager called out to the peon that he was being immediately fired.
Call upon — to order; to require : I was
unfortunately called upon to give evidence against him.
Carry on — to continue : If you carry on
working hard, your business will soon flourish.
— to manage : He carried on his business so well that he soon amassed a huge fortune.
— to manage : He carried on his business so well that he soon amassed a huge fortune.
Cast away — to throw aside : You must cast
away all your apprehensions and accept the offer.
Catch up
with — to overtake; to draw level : Last
week I had to stay late at the office to catch up with some pending files.
Come off — to take place : The prize
distribution came off on Tuesday last.
— to turn out successful : His speeches at the conference always came off beautifully.
— to turn out successful : His speeches at the conference always came off beautifully.
Cry down — to deprecate; to make little of :
You must not unneccessarily cry down the conduct of others.
Cry out
against — to complain loudly against : The
opposition parties cried out against the fast pace of the globalisation of the
Indian economy.
Cut out — designed for : Your were cut out
to be a lecturer in a college.
Drop in — to visit casually : On my way to
the college, I dropped in at Mira's place.
Drop out — As the race progressed, many
children dropped out.
Fall back — to recede; to retreat : On seeing
the armed guards, the civilians fell back.
Fall down — from a higher position to a lower
one : The branch gave way and he fell down into the canal.
Fall off — to withdraw; to drop off : Some of
our subscribers have fallen off. Friends fall off in adversity.
Fall under — to come under : This colony does
not fall under my jurisdiction.
Get along — to prosper; to progress; to
proceed : Well, doctor, how is your patient getting along? It is simply
impossible to get along with him.
Get on
with — to live pleasantly together; to
progress : How are you getting on with your studies?
Get into — to be involved in : It is easy to
get into scandals but hard to come out unscathed.
Give in — to surrender; to yield : I gave
into her repeated requests and accepted the offer.
Give over — not to do any longer : It is time
you gave over pretending that you have access to the Prime Minister.
Go after — to follow; to pursue : The
policeman went after the thief but the latter managed to escape in the dark of
the night.
Go down — to be accepted : The terrorist
attack on WTC will go down in history as one of the worst acts of terrorism.
Go without
— to remain without : he is so poor
that sometimes he has to go without food.
Go by — to follow : I am sorry to
disappoint you but we have to go by the rules.
— to elapse (used of time) : Months have gone by but I have not called upon him.
— to elapse (used of time) : Months have gone by but I have not called upon him.
Hang about — to loiter near a place : Last
evening I say your friend hanging about your house.
Hang upon — to depend upon : The success of
any venture hangs upon the seriousness with which it is undertaken.
Hold out — to endure; to refuse to yield :
How long can you hold out against starvation?
— to continue : Sugar stocks are not likely to hold out very long.
— to offer : She held out her hand to the Prince.
— to continue : Sugar stocks are not likely to hold out very long.
— to offer : She held out her hand to the Prince.
Hold to — abide by : Whatever resistance
there might be, I will hold to my decision.
Keep off — to ward off : His stern looks
keep off the flatterers.
— to maintain : They have been trying to keep up their standard of living though there has been a considerable decline in their income.
— to maintain : They have been trying to keep up their standard of living though there has been a considerable decline in their income.
Keep up
with — to keep pace with : You read too
fast; I cannot keep up with you.
Knock out — to win by hitting the opponent
insensible in a boxing bout : The challenger was knocked out in two minutes.
EXERCISE-------
Idioms and Phrases (MCQ )
1. Anurag has made a laughing stock of the braggart:(1) Foolish
(2) Laugh
(3) Laughing store-house
(4) Look ridiculous
(5) none of these
2. The two women are so jealous that at the drop of a hat they start insulting each other:
(1) When hat falls
(2) When any one drops a hat
(3) For no reason at all
(4) One every occasion
(5) none of these
3. To bite the dust
(1) To be defeated in battle
(2) To learn a lesson
(3) To be ashmed of
(4) To work very hard (5) none of these
4. Between the devil and the deep sea
(1) in a dilemma
(2) a man who is drowing
(3) to be evil-tempered
(4) a deep sea diver
(5) none of these
5. His oily tongue has won him promotion.
(1) flattery
(2) soft speech
(3) word power
(4) fluency in speech
(5) none of these
6. He cannot win the election, it is a wild goose chase.
(1) useless effort
(2) good effort
(3) desperate effort
(4) baseless effort
(5) none of these
7. The casting vote of the chairman clinched the issue.
(1) decided
(2) started
(3) finished
(4) closed
(5) none of these
8. He cannot make both ends meet.
(1) control affairs
(2) earn enough
(3) work hard
(4) manage the business
(5) none of these
9. He is in the habit of chewing the cud.
(1) forgeting things
(2) accusing others
(3) to muse on
(4) crying over split milk
(5) none of these
Sentence Correction (MCQ )
1. The adaptation of mammals to almost all possible
(1)
modes of life parallels the reptiles in the
(2)
Mesozoic time, and except for greater intelligence,
(3)
the mammals do not seem to have done much better than corresponding reptilian
(4)
forms. No error
(5)
2. Sancho ran as fast as he could walk to help his
(1) (2)
master whom he found lying on the ground and
(3)
not able to stir, such a blow he and Rozinante
(4)
had received. No error
(5)
3. As Caesar loved me, I wept for him, as he was fortunate I rejoice at it. No error
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
4. The people of Orleans, when they first saw her in their city thought she was an angel. No error
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
5. Chemical compounds with barium, cobalt and strontium are responsible to many of the vivid colour in fireworks. No error
(1) (2) (3)
2. A. Guruji had been undergoing a terrific strain for over
five decades in devoting his body, mind, heart, and soul to the causes of
service to humanity and the spread of spiritual enlightenment. B. The excessive strain of long tour abroad came as a severe low to his health, but he still refused to rest, continuing his studies, talks and writings with unabated vigour and enthusiasm.
C. This had already undermined his health but he was never one to reserve any time or attention to his own well being.
D. In fact it required great vigilance to prevent him from giving advice and blessings to his devotees and disciples even when he could hardly speak on account of the strain.
(1) ABCD
(2) BADC
(3) BDAC
(4) ACBD
(5) None of these
3. A. A totally personal agenda will never bring about this level of fulfillment because that has to result from integration – and not be a substitute for it.
B. One's consciousness then becomes centred in the identity of the soul.
C. Realising ourselves and our potential entails becoming a pure reflection and manifestation of the inner self.
D. Since the soul lives by different laws and values, there is a fundamental conflict in human nature that must be resolved if integration and fulfilment is to be complete.
(1) DCAB
(2) ABCD
(3) CBDA
(4) CABD
(5) None of these
4. A. Time will be called out not just by bartenders but also by gambling machines in the Australian state of Victoria.
B. TS Eliot would have got a poem out of this.
C. Natural lighting has also been made mandatory in some casmos so that fully addicted punters do not mistake the fluorescent lighting for some kind Alladin's lamp that can summon a Djinn to take care of home and hearth.
D. From July 4, clocks will be fitted to 27,500 gambling machines down under to remind punters that it's time to return home and tend to their familiar obligations.
(1) DACB
(2) DABC
(3) CABD
(4) BADC
(5) None of these
5. A. Naturally, the committee assumes that anybody interested in national heritage is fluent in Latin.
B. So avers the National Heritage committee's new report, recalling the inscription in memory of Sir Christopher Wren.
C. But for those readers whose classics are a bit rusty, it translates as: "If you seek a monument to him, look about you".
D. "Si momentum requires, circumstance".
(1) BCAD
(2) DBAC
(3) DCBA
(4) ADCB
(5) None of these
6. A. In India, home to 2,500-3, 750 tigers (half the world's total), they are being poached at the rate of at least one a day.
B. The threat has, however, sparked off another, though smaller, crisis – a spate of recriminations between conservations organisations.
C. As anyone with a letter-box, a TV set and an environmental consceience will know, the tiger may soon be extinct in the wild.
D. It does't take a mathematician to work out that, if those rates continue, there may be no Bengal tigers left outside zoos, within a decade.
(1) DCBA
(2) CDBA
(3) CBAD
(4) CADB
(5) None of these
7. A. Malignancies were diagnosed in three family members on the basis of this abnormality and then surgically removed.
B. It appears to be the first instance in which this specific abnormality – in this case an exchange of material between the chromosomes number three and eight in all cells of the person's body – has been traced from generation to generation and thus permitted identification of cancer patients before they had any symptoms.
C. An inherited genetic abnormality has been linked to a specific type of kidney cancer in a family in which ten members were affected over three generations.
D. The discovery by scientists at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, USA, provides a potentially important clue to the origin of at least some cancers.
(1) DCAB
(2) CBDA
(3) ABCD
(4) DABC
(5) None of these
8. A. In what has since become the first, legendary tale of computer forensics, Dr. Stoll spent a year of meticulous work tracking and recording the hacker's movements.
B. This was an intriguing problem for Clifford Stoll.
C. In August 1986, an astronomer at the University of California, noticed a 75 percent discrepancy in the accounts for a computer in his library.
D. When he investigated, he found that somebody had broken into his computer and used it for a short time without permission just enough to unbalance the accounts.
(1) CABD
(2) CBDA
(3) CBAD
(4) CDBA
(5) None of these
9. A. A curved titanium plate with five tiny screws would hold the bone in place and help reform the damaged margin of the eye.
B. Deftly, he replaced the wedge of bone in Tenneh's face.
C. Intravenous antibiotics would take care of any lingering infection.
D. When he'd eliminated most of the diseased tissue, he stopped.
(1) ABCD
(2) DCAB
(3) DCBA
(4) ACBD
(5) None of these
2. PROLOGUE : NOVEL
(1) preamble : constitution
(2) sketch : drawing
(3) movement : symphony
(4) index : book
(5) None of these
3. EXPAND : VOLUME
(1) ascent : flight
(2) proliferate : number
(3) bend : flexibility
(4) cool : temperature
(5) None of these
4. RUST : CORROSION
(1) vapour : flammability
(2) dew : condensation
(3) crystal : purification
(4) solution : precipitation
(5) None of these
5. CLAIM : LEGITIMATED
(1) hypothesis : confirmed
(2) verdict : appealed
(3) counterargument : doubted
(4) proposition : repeated
(5) None of these
6. CRIME : PUNISHMENT
(1) lawyer : judge
(2) court : room
(3) accused : defendant
(4) homicide : penalty
(5) None of these
7. NUTS : BOLTS
(1) nitty : gritty
(2) bare : feet
(3) naked : clothed
(4) hard : soft
(5) None of these
8. BEE : HONEY
(1) wolf : cub
(2) spider : web
(3) goat : cheese
(4) ant : hill
(5) None of these
9. TRANSISTOR : RADIO
(1) sound : stereo
(2) sand : grains
(3) awl : wrench
(4) cement : driveway
(5) None of these
2. Which of the following can be said about Ruchira?
(1) She used to spy on her neighbours because she didn't trust them.
(2) She was at home because she was studying.
(3) She did not speak to her neighbours because they did not own property.
(1) None
(2) Only (2)
(3) Both (1) & (2)
(4) Only (3)
(5) All of these
3. How did the new young neighbour spend her days?
(1) She was busy writing letters to Ruchira.
(2) She used to daydream about her past experiences.
(3) She would attend to the needs of the widow.
(4) She spent her time learning to read and write.
(5) None of these
4. Why was the young neighbour prevented from sitting on the terrace?
(1) She used to while away her time instead of working
(2) The old woman could no longer keep an eye on her.
(3) She had not finished writing the letter she was asked to.
(4) She had been writing a letter which she wasn't supposed to.
(5) None of these
5. What was the major argument in the house about?
(1) There were too many people living there, which resulted in arguments.
(2) The young girl was insisting on attending college.
(3) The young girl had been wasting her time instead of working.
(4) The old woman did not guard the young girl closely.
(5) None of these
6. Which of the following is TRUE in the context of the passage?
(1) The young girl was very devout and prayed everyday.
(2) Only two letters were exchanged between the two girls.
(3) The new young neighbour was a servant.
(4) The afternoon was a time to relax for everyone.
(5) None of these
7. Why did the young girl wish that the letter would not reach its destination?
(1) She was going away and would not be able to see if her neighbour was glad to receive it.
(2) She was afraid that it would lead to a quarrel between the two families.
(3) She was afraid that her neighbour would be angry when she received her letter.
(1) None
(2) Only (1)
(3) Only (3)
(4) Both (2) & (3)
(5) All of these
Directions (Q.8-10): Choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in meaning as the world printed in bold as used in the passage.
8. Hindrance
(1) handicapped
(2) delay
(3) interruption
(4) difficult
(5) None of these
9. Offered
(1) forward
(2) willing
(3) volunteered
(4) provided
(5) None of these
10. Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word piled as used in the passage.
(1) low
(2) empty
(3) blank
(4) nothing
(5) None of these
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