CDS 2019 English Question Paper -1

FILL IN THE BLANK

Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space and four words or group of words are given after the sentence. Select the word or group of words you consider the and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet most appropriate for the blank space accordingly.

How we ____ to ageing is a choice we must make wisely.

(a) respond

(b) absolve

(d) overlook

Complementary medicine ___ fewer risks, since it is used along with standard remedies, often to lessen side-effects and enhance feelings of well-being.

(a) reacts

(b) releases

(d) carries

Stress may____ fertility in men and women.

(a) engage

(b) reduce

(d) deduce

The Football match had to be ____ because of the weather.

(a) called on

(b) called off

(d) called over

Nobody believed Ram at first but he ____ to be right.

(a) came out

(b) carried out

(d) turned out

How are you ____ in your new job ? Are you enjoying it ?

(a) keeping on

(b) going on

(d) carrying on

We live____ a tower block. Our apartment is on the fifteenth floor.

(a) at

(b) in

(d) above

You were going to apply for the job, and then you decided not to. So what ____ ?

(a) put you off

(b) put you out

(d) turned you away

____ it was raining, he went out without a raincoat.

(a) Even

(b) Since

(d) Although

I parked my car in a no-parking zone, but I ______ it.

(a) came up with

(b) got away with

(d) got on with

SYNONYMS

Directions : Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words/group of words. Select the option that is the nearest in meaning to the Bold word and mark your response on your Answer Sheet accordingly.

A provocative message had been doing rounds on social media to instigate the mob against migrants.

(a) dexterous

(b) inflammatory

(d) prudent

The differences include increase in mean temperature and heavy precipitation in several regions.

(a) drought

(b) oasis

(d) snowing

The portal will help victims and complainants to anonymously report cyber crime.

(a) incognito

(b) directly

(d) in situ

He is suffering from a terminal disease.

(a) sublunary

(b) terrific

(0 chronic

(d) incurable

Doctors are reluctant to take rural postings despite big salary offers.

(a) disinclined

(b) eager

(d) unrepentant

The authorities have reprimanded the subordinate officer for violating the protocol.

(a) extolled

(b) purported

(d) required an apology

For Gandhiji, India’s religious and linguistic diversity was an asset, not a liability,

(a) obligation

(b) advantage

(d) reinforcement

How hysterical he is !

(a) berserk

(b) inconsistent

(d) insincere

Mahesh is mostly prejudiced in his political opinion.

(a) objectionable

(b) predatory

(d) intimate

Do not indulge in tautology.

(a) truth telling

(b) prolixity

(d) telepathic conversation

ANTONYMS

Directions : Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words. Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the Bold word and mark your response on your Answer Sheet accordingly.

His religious views are rather fanatical.

(a) bigoted

(b) rabid

(d) militant

Religious fundamentalists often consider the followers of other religions to be heretics.

(a) dissenter

(b) believer

(d) apostate

According to G B Shaw, men have become inert. Therefore, life force has chosen women to perform its functions.

(a) lively

(b) quiescent

(d) apathetic

Some of the men are highly misanthropic.

(a) anti-social

(b) philosophic

(d) philanthropic

The teacher was a very profound man.

(a) sincere

(b) erudite

(d) superficial

His hand-writing is readable.

(a) well-written

(b) decipherable

(d) comprehensible

Mohan is his steadfast friend.

(a) committed

(b) unwavering

(d) unreliable

Radha often goes tempestuous while debating.

(a) calm

(b) violent

(d) vehement

The thief had very vital information to pass on to the police,

(a) crucial

(b) inessential

(d) fundamental

His lectures are often wordy and pointless.

(a) diffuse

(b) concise

(d) voluble

ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE

Directions: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.

the prize money(P)/ for refusing her(Q)/ Pepsico was ordered(R)/ to compensate the woman(S)

(a) R S Q P

(b) S P Q R

(d) Q R S P

trade operating from a colony(P)/ held a meeting(Q)/ demanding a probe into the illegal drug(R)/ the residents of the city(S)

(a) Q R S P

(b) SPQR

(d) R S Q P

the university authorities cancelled the ongoing students’ union election and (P)/following students’ unrest on campus(Q)/ closed till further orders(R)/ declared the institution(S)

(a) Q R S P

(b) Q P S R

(d) R S Q P

brushed past the latter’s pet dog(P)/ stabbed to death by a man(Q)/ after his vehicle accidentally(R)/ a cargo van driver was allegedly(S)

(a) Q R S P

(b) Q P S R

(d) S Q P R

an earthquake and tsunami(P)/ the disaster mitigation agency(Q)/ said that the death toll from(R)/ in Indonesia has crossed 1500(S)

(a) P Q S R

(b) RPSQ

(d) Q R P S

scientists say they have developed a new(P)/ illnesses such as heart disease and cancer(Q)/

DNA tool that uses machine learning to accurately(R)/ predict people’s height and assess their risk for serious(S)

(a) P R S Q

(b) RPSQ

(d) Q R P S

a rare evergreen tree in the Southern Western Ghats(P)/ researchers have found that(Q)/ common white-footed ants are the best pollinators of(R)/ bees might be the best known pollinators but(S)

(a) P R S Q

(b) S Q R P

(d) P Q R S

say from their forties onwards(P)/ it is thus a good idea(Q)/ and continue to exercise early enough(R)/ for senior citizens to start(S)

(a) P R S Q

(b) QRSP

(d) P 0 R S

scientists have determined(P)/ injury in animals and humans(Q)that is linked to the severity of spinal cord(R)/ a gene signature(S)

(a) P S R Q

(b) Q R P S

(d) P Q R S

like a muscle and repeating the process(P)/ and stable reading circuit(Q) helps the child build a strong(R)/ the brain works(S)

(a) Q S R P

(b) S P R Q

(d) RQPS

ORDERING OF SENTENCES

Directions: In this section each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences arc given in the beginning as SI and S6, The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark your response accordingly on the Answer Sheet.

SI : He no longer dreamed of storms, nor of women, nor of great occur-rences, nor of great fish, nor fights, nor contests of strength, nor of his wife.

S6: He urinated outside the shack and then went up the road to wake the boy.

P ; 1 le never dreamed about the boy.

Q : He only dreamed of places and of the lions on the beach now.

R : He simply woke, looked out through the open door at the moon and unrolled his trousers and put them on.

S : They played like young cats in the dusk and he loved them as he loved the boy.

The correct sequence should be

(a) R Q P S

(b) S R Q P

(d) P R S Q

SI : We do not know, after 60 years of education, how to protect ourselves against epidemics like cholera and plague.

S6: This is the disastrous result of the system under which we are educated.

P : If our doctors could have started learning medicine at an earlier age, they would not make such a poor show as they do.

Q : 1 have seen hundreds of homes. I cannot say that I have found any evidence in them of knowledge of hygiene.

R : I consider it a very serious blot on the state of our education that our doctors have not found it possible to eradicate these diseases.

S : I have the greatest doubt whether our graduates know what one should do in case one is bitten by a snake.

The correct sequence should be

(a) R Q S P

(b) PRQS

(d) P Q S R

S1: The weak have no place here, in this life or in any other life. Weakness leads to slavery.

S6: This is the great fact: strength is life, weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery : weakness is death.

P : They dare not approach us, they have no power to get a hold on us, until the mind is weakened.

Q : Weakness leads to all kinds of misery, physical and mental. Weakness is death.

R : But they cannot harm us unless we become weak, until the body is ready and predisposed to receive them.

S : There are hundreds of thousands of microbes surrounding us.

The correct sequence should be

(a) P Q R S

(b) P R Q S

(d) Q S R P

SI : The Nobel Prize for Economics in 2018 was awarded to Paul Romer and William Nordhaus for their work in two separate areas : economic growth and environmental economics respectively.

S6: Among recent winners of Nobel Prize in Economics, it’s hard to think of one issue which is more topical and relevant to India.

P : But there is a common thread in their work.

Q : In economic jargon it’s termed as externality.

R : Productive activity often has spillovers, meaning that it can impact an unrelated party.

S : Romer and Nordhaus both studied the impact of externalities and came up with profound insights and economic models.

The correct sequence should be

(a) P Q R S

(b) P R Q S

(d) Q S R P

SI : India’s museums tend to be dreary experiences.

S6 : Because it’s better to attract crowds than dust.

P : Even the Louvre that attracted an eye-popping 8-1 million visitors last year compared to India’s 10-1S million foreign tourists, has hooked up with Beyonce and Jay-Z for promotion, where they take a selfie with Mona Lisa.

Q : Our museums need to get cool too.

R : A change of approach is clearly called for.

S : Troops of restless schoolchildren are often the most frequent visitors, endlessly being told to lower their voices and not touch the art.

The correct sequence should be

(a) P Q R S

(b) P R S Q

(d) Q S R P

SI : A decade ago UN recognised that rape can constitute a war crime and a constitutive act of genocide.

S6: The fact that these two peace laureates come from two different nations underlines that this problem has been widespread, from Rwanda to Myanmar.

P : This year’s Nobel peace prize has been awarded to two exceptional individuals for their fight to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war.

Q : Denis Mukwege is a doctor who has spent decades treating rape survivors in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where a long civil war has repeatedly witnessed the horror of mass rapes.

R : Nadia Murad is herself a survivor of sexual war crimes, perpetuated by IS against the Yazidis.

S : Today she campaigns tirelessly to put those IS leaders in the dock in international courts.

The correct sequence should be

(a) PQRS

(b) PRQS

(d) Q R S P

SI: Few scientists manage to break down the walls of the so-called ivory tower of academia and touch and inspire people who may not otherwise be interested in science.

S6: Not many would have survived this, let alone excelled in the manner he did.

P : Stephen Hawking was one of these few.

Q : Around this time he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, an incurable motor neuron disease, and given two years to live.

R : Judging by the odds he faced as a young graduate student of physics at Cambridge University, nothing could have been a more remote possibility.

S : When he was about 20 years old, he got the shattering news that he could not work with the great Fred Hoyle for his PhD, as he had aspired to.

The correct sequence should be

(a) P Q S R

(b) PRQS

(d) P R S Q

SI : The climate question presents a leapfrog era for India’s development paradigm.

S6: This presents a good template for India, building on its existing plans to introduce electric mobility through buses first, and cars by 2030.

P : It is aimed at achieving a shift to sustainable fuels, getting cities to commit to eco-friendly mobility and delivering more walkable communities, all of which will improve the quality of urban life.

Q : At the Bonn conference, a new Transport Decarbonisation Alliance has been declared.

R ; This has to be resolutely pursued, breaking down the barriers to wider adoption of rooftop solar energy at every level and implementing net metering systems for all categories of consumers.

S : Already, the country has chalked out an ambitious policy on renewable energy, hoping to generate 175 gigawatts of power from green sources by 2022.

The correct sequence should be

(a) S R Q P

(b) S P R Q

(d) Q R S P

SI: The dawn of the information age opened up great opportunities for the beneficial use of data.

S6: To some, in this era of Big Data analytics and automated, algorithm- based processing of zettabytes of information, the fear that their persona! data may be unprotected may conjure up visions of a dystopian world in which individual liberties are compromised,

P : But it is the conflict between the massive scope for progress provided by the digital era and the fear of loss of individual autonomy that is foregrounded in any debates about data protection laws.

Q : It also enhanced the perils of unregulated and arbitrary use of personal data.

R : It is against this backdrop that the White Paper made public to elicit views from the public on the shape and substance of a comprehensive data protection law assumes significance.

S : Unauthorised leaks, hacking and other cyber crimes have rendered data bases vulnerable.

The correct sequence should be

(a) SQRP

(b) Q P R S

(d) QSPR

SI : In a globalised world, no country can hope to impose tariffs without affecting its own economic interests.

S6: The ongoing trade war also threatens the rules-based global trade order which has managed to amicably handle trade disputes between countries for decades.

P : So both the U.S. and China, which have blamed each other for the ongoing trade war, are doing no good to their own economic fortunes by engaging in this tit-for- tat tariff battle,

Q : Apart from disadvantaging its consumers, who will have to pay higher prices for certain goods, tariffs will also disrupt the supply chain of producers who rely on foreign imports.

R : China, which is fighting an economic slowdown, will be equally affected,

S : The minutes of the U.S. Federal Reserve June policy meeting show that economic uncertainty due to the trade war is already affecting private investment in the U.S., with many investors deciding to scale back or delay their investment plans.

The correct sequence should be

(a) S Q P R

(b) QPS R

(d) P S R Q

COMPREHENSION

Directions: In this section you have few short passages. After each passage, you will find some items based on the passage. First, read a passage and answer the items based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only.

Passage – I

From 1600 to 1757 the East India Company’s role in India was that of a trading corporation which brought goods or precious metals into India and exchanged them for Indian goods like textiles and spices, which it sold abroad. Its profits came primarily from the sale of Indian goods abroad. Naturally, it tried constantly to open new markets for Indian goods in Britain and other countries. Thereby, it increased the export of Indian manufacturers, and thus encouraged their production. This is the reason why Indian rulers tolerated and even encouraged the establishment of the Company’s factories in India. But, from the very beginning, the British manufacturers were jealous of the popularity that India textiles enjoyed in Britain. All of a sudden, dress fashions changed and light cotton textiles began to replace the coarse woolens of the English. Before, the author of the famous novel, Robinson Crusoe, complained that Indian cloth had “crept into our houses, our closets and bed chambers; curtains, cushions, chairs, and at last beds themselves were nothing but calicos or India stuffs”. The British manufacturers put pressure on their government to restrict and prohibit the sale of Indian goods in England. By 1720, laws had been passed forbidding the wear or use of printed or dyed cotton cloth. In 1760 a lady had to pay a fine of 200 for possessing an imported handkerchief ! Moreover, heavy duties were imposed on the import of plain cloth. Other European countries, except Holland, also either prohibited the import of Indian cloth or imposed heavy import duties. In spite of these laws, however, Indian silk and cotton textiles still held their own in foreign markets, until the middle of the eighteenth century when the English textile industry began to develop on the basis of new and advanced technology.

The East India Company was encouraging the export of Indian manufacturers because

(a) it was a philanthropic trading corporation

(b) it wanted Indian manufacturers to prosper in trade and commerce

(d) it feared Indian Kings who would not permit them trade in India

The people of England used Indian cloths because

(a) they loved foreign and imported clothes

(b) the Indian textile was light cotton

(d) the Indian cloths could be easily transported

What did the British manufacturer do to compete with the Indian manufacturers ?

(a) They pressurized the government to levy heavy duties on export of Indian clothes

(b) They pressurized the government to levy heavy duties on import of Indian clothes

(d) They lowered the prices of the Britain made textile

Which source is cited by the author to argue that Indian textile was in huge demand in 18th century England ?

(a) The archival source

(b) The scientific source

(d) The literary source

“New and advanced technology” in the paragraph refers to

(a) the French Revolution

(b) the Glorious Revolution of England

(d) the beginning of colonialism

Passage – II

Zimbabwe’s prolonged political crisis reached the boiling point earlier this month when President Robert Mugabe dismissed the Vice-President, Kmmerson Mnangagwa. A battle to succeed the 93-year-old liberation hero-turned President had already been brewing within the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF), with the old guard backing Mr Mnangagwa, himself a freedom fighter, and ‘Generation 40’, a grouping of younger leaders supporting Mr. Mugabe’s 52-year-old wife, Grace. Ms. Mugabe, known for her extravagant lifestyle and interfering ways, has been vocal in recent months about her political ambitions. Mr. Mugabe was seen to have endorsed her when on November 6 he dismissed Mr. Mnangagwa. But Mr. Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980, erred on two counts : he underestimated the deep connections Mr Mnangagwa has within the establishment and overestimated his own power in a system he has helped shape. In the good old days, Mr. Mugabe was able to rule with an iron grip. But those days are gone. Age and health problems have weakened his hold on power, while there is a groundswell of anger among the public over economic mismanagement So when he turned against a man long seen by the establishment as his successor, Mr. Mugabe left little doubt that he was acting from a position of political weakness. This gave the security forces the confidence to turn against him and make it clear they didn’t want a Mugabe dynasty. The military doesn’t want to call its action a coup d’etat, for obvious reasons. A coup would attract international condemnation, even sanctions. But it is certain that the army chief, Gen. Constantino Chiwenga, is in charge, His plan, as it emerges, is to force Mr Mugabe to resign and install a transitional government, perhaps under Mr. Mnangagwa, until elections are held.

In the paragraph, who has been called liberation hero ?

(a) Constantino Chiwenga

(b) Emmerson Mnangagwa

(d) Army Chief

Mrs. Mugabe is supported by

(a) Mr. Mnangagwa

(b) Mr. Mugabe

(d) Zanu-PF

Mr. Mugabe’s political weakness became apparent when

(a) he endorsed his wife

(b) he turned against the army

(d) he dismissed Mr. Mnangagwa

Passage – III

Over-eating is one of the most wonderful practices among those who think that they can afford it. In fact, authorities say that nearly all who can get as much as they desire, over-eat to their disadvantage. This class of people could save a great more food than they can save by missing one meal per week and at the same time they could improve their health, A heavy meal at night, the so-called ‘”dinner”, is the fashion with many and often is taken shortly before retiring. It is unnecessary and could be forgone, not only once a week but daily without loss of strength. From three to five hours are needed to digest food. While sleeping, this food not being required to give energy for work, is in many cases converted into excess fat, giving rise to over-weight. The evening meal should be light, taken three or four hours before retiring. This prevents over-eating, conserves energy and reduces the cost of food.

The security forces of Zimbabwe staged a coup against the President because

(a) they wanted Mrs. Mugabe as the President

(b) they were aware of Mugabe’s failing wealth

(d) they did not want a Mugabe dynasty

Why does the military not want to call it a coup d’etat ?

(a) Because coup is immoral

(b) Because coup is illegal

(d) Because it would make the public revolt

Why should those who over-eat refrain from doing so ?

(a) Because over-eating leads to loss of wealth

(b) Because over-eating is bad for health

(d) Because over-eating is immoral and unhealthy

Over-eating is more prevalent among

(a) the rich

(b) the poor

(d) the bourgeoisie

The writer is asking the readers

(a) to skip the heavy dinner and take light evening meal instead

(b) to stop eating anything at night

(d) to eat food before the sunset

What is the most appropriate time for having evening meal ?

(a) An hour after the sunset

(b) Three or four hours before sleeping

(d) Just before sleeping

According to the passage, how many times a day should we have food ?

(a) Three times

(b) Two times

(d) Has not been specified

According to the passage, people overeat

(a) because they can afford to

(b) because they are hungry

(d) because they have to conserve energy

Passage – IV

Much has been said of the common ground of religious unity, I am not going just now to venture my own theory. But if anyone here hopes that this unity will come by the triumph of any one of the religions and the destruction of the others, to him I say, “Brother, yours is an impossible hope.” Do I wish that the Christian would become Hindu ? God forbid. Do 1 wish that the Hindu or Buddhist would become Christian ? God forbid.

The seed is put in the ground, and earth and air and water are placed around it. Docs the seed become the earth, or the air, or the water ? No. It becomes a plant. It develops after the law of its own growth, assimilates the air, the earth, and the water, converts them into plant substance, and grows into a plant.

Similar is the case with religion. The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to become a Christian. But each must assimilate the spirit of the others and yet preserve his individuality and grow according to his own law of growth.

If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world, it is this ; it has proved to the world that holiness, purity and charity arc not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the otherst I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written in spite of resistance : “Help and not fight,” “Assimilation and not Destruction/’ “Harmony and Peace and not Dissension.”

According to the author of the passage, people should

(a) change their religions

(b) follow their religions and persuade others to follow it

(d) disrespect other religions

The Parliament of Religions is

(a) a Christian organization

(b) a Buddhist organization

(d) a platform for discussion about every religion of the world

What docs the author think about those who dream about the exclusive survival of their own religions and the destruction of the others ?

(a) He hates them

(b) He desires to imprison them

(d) He praises them

According to the passage, what is “impossible hope” ?

(a) One day, all the people of the world will follow only one religion

(b) One day, there will be no religion

(d) Banner of every religion will soon be written

SPOTTING ERRORS

Directions : Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled as (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter i.e.,(a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

Except for few days(a)/ in a year during the monsoon(b)/ the river cannot flow on its own.(c)/No error (d)

Being apprised with our approach,(a)/ the whole neighbourhood(b)/ came out to meet the minister(c)/ No error.(d)

The celebrated grammarian Patanjali(a)/ was(b)/ a contemporary to Pushyamitta Sunga.(c)/No error.(d)

His appeal for funds(a)/ met(b)/ a poor response.(c)/ No error.(d)

Buddhism teaches that(a)/ freedom from desires(b)/ will lead to escape suffering.(c)/ No error.(d)

This hardly won liberty(a)/ was not to be(b)/ lightly abandoned.(c)/ No error.(d)

My friend said(a)/ he never remembered(b)/ having read a more enjoyable book. (c)/No error,(d)

With a population of over one billion,(a)/ India is second most populous country(b)/in the world after China.(c)/ No error.(d)

There are hundred of superstitions (a)/which survive(b)/ in the various parts of the country,(c)/ No error.(d)

It is(a)/ in the temperate countries of northern Europe(b)/ that the beneficial effects of cold is most manifest.(c)/ No error.(d)

The effects of female employment(a)/ on gender equality(b)/now appear to be trickling at the next generation.(c)/ No error.(d)

Since the 15 minutes that she drives,(a)/ she confesses that she feels like(b)/ a woman with wings.(c)/No error.(d)

India won(a)/ by an innings(b)/ and three runs.(c)/ No error.(d)

Each one(a)/ of these chairs(b)/ are broken.(c)/ No error.(d)

Few creature(a)/ outwit(b)/ the fox in Aesop’s Fables.(c)/ No error.(d)

Anywhere in the world(a)/ when there is conflict(b)/ women and children suffer the most(c)/

No error.(d)

The man is(a)/ the foundational director(b)/ of this company.(c)/ No error.(d)

Parents of LGBT community members(a)/ are coming in(b)/ with a little help from NGOs.(c)/ No error.(d)

To love one art form is great(a)/ but to be able to appreciate another(b)/ and find lateral connections are priceless.(c)/ No error.(d)

Female literacy rate has gone up by 11%(a)/ in the past decade as opposed to(b)/ a 3% increase in male literacy.(c)/ No error.(d)

CLOZE COMPREHENSION

Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four words or group of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

CLOZE COMPREHENSION – I

The question whether war is ever justified, and if so under what circumstances, is one which has been forcing itself___

(a) upon

(b) on

(d) over

the attention of all thoughtful men. On this question I find myself in the somewhat____

(a) delightful

(b) painful

(d) lovely

position of holding that no single one of the combatants is justified in the present war, while not taking the extreme Tolstoyan view that war is under all circumstances a____

(a) duty.

(b) obligation.

(d) crime.

Opinions on such a subject as war are the outcome of

(a) feeling

(b) sentiment

(d) patriotism

rather than of thought: given a man’s emotional temperament, his convictions,

(a) however

(b) as well as

(d) despite

on war in general, and on any particular war which may occur during his lifetime, can be _.

(a) thought

(b) intimated

(d) held

with tolerable certainty. The arguments used will be mere reinforcements to convictions otherwise reached. The fundamental facts in this as in all ethical

(a) questions

(b) answers

(d) experiences

are feelings; all that thought can do is to clarify and systematize the expression of those feelings, and it is such clarifying and systematizing of my own feelings that I wish to

(a) engage

(b) praise

(d) commend

in the present article. In fact, the question of rights and wrongs of a particular war is generally (a) considered

(b) observed

(d) opined

from a juridical or quasi-juridical

(a) possibility,

(b) formula.

(d) standpoint,

CLOZE COMPREHENSION – II

The Nobel Prize for Chemistry this year is a tribute to the power of

(a) evolution.

(b) devolution.

(d) involution.

The laureates harnessed evolution and used it in the

(a) microscope

(b) field

(cj market

(d) laboratory

with amazing results. Frances H. Arnold, an American who was given one-half of the prize, used ‘directed evolution’ to

(a) inhibit

(b) synthesize

(d) hold back

variants of naturally occurring enzymes that could be used to

(a) constitute

(b) sink

(d) resolve

biofuels and pharmaceuticals. The other half went to George IJ. Smith, also of the U.S., and Sir Gregory P. Winter, from the U.K., who evolved antibodies to autoimmune diseases and even metastatic cancer through a process called phage display.

(a) combat

(b) support

(d) invite

IDIOMS AND PHRASES

Directions : Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings to each. Choose the response (a), (b), (c) or (d) which is the most appropriate expression.

A match made in heaven

(a) a marriage that is solemnized formally

(b) a marriage that is unsuccessful

(d) a marriage of convenience

A culture vulture

(a) someone who is very keen to experience art and literature

(b) someone who wants to defend ancient culture

(d) someone who looks at her/his culture critically

A death blow

(a) to be nearly dead

(b) to be deeply afraid of death

(d) an action or event which causes something to end or fail

The jewel in the crown

(a) someone who has many skills

(b) something that one wants

(d) the jewel in the crown of the king

To live in a fool’s paradise

(a) to live a life that is dishonest

(b) to be happy because you will not accept how bad a situation really is

(d) to enjoy yourself by spending a lot of money

A rotten apple

(a) to remove something which is rotten

(b) one bad person in a group of good people

(d) a disorganized person with bad habits

To vote with your feet

(a) to show that you do not support something

(b) to replace something important

(d) to express a particular opinion

Verbal diarrhoea

(a) to be sick

(b) to talk too much

(d) to be a good orator

To sail close to the wind

(a) to pretend to be something that you arc not

(b) to be in some unpleasant situation

(d) to do something that is dangerous

A double entendre

(a) to look at someone OT something twice

(b) a situation in which you cannot succeed

(d) something that causes both advantages and problems

To cut your own throat

(a) to stop doing something

(b) to do something because you are angry

(d) to allow someone to do something

Cook the books

(a) to record false information in the accounts of an organization

(b) to do something that spoils someone’s plan

(d) to be very angry

Change your tune

(a) to listen to good music

(b) to do things that you are not willing to

(d) to pretend to be very friendly

Blue blood

(a) to swallow poison

(b) to be overly interested in someone

(d) to belong to a family of the highest social class

Cut the crap

(a) an impolite way of telling someone to stop saying things that are not true

(b) to stop needing someone else to look after you

(d) to upset someone by criticizing them