MODEL QUESTIONS
 
 Directions (Q.1-5): Rearrange the following five sentences A, B, C, D and E in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then ans-wer the questions given below them.
 A.    For instance, if we measure the room temperature continuously and plot its graph with time on X-axis and temperature on the Y-axis, we get a continuous wave-form, which is an analog signal. Analog is always continuous.
 B.    The absence or presence of something can be used to plot a digital signal.
 C.    An analog signal is a conti-nuously varying signal, similar to a sinusoidal waveform.
 D.    Any signal can be classified into one of the two types: analog and digital.
 E.    In contrast, a digital signal takes the form of pulses, where we have something or nothing.
 1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after re-arrangement?  
     1) A    2) B    3) C    4) D    5) E
 2. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after re-arrangement?  
     1) A    2) B    3) C    4) D    5) E
 3. Which of the following should be the FOURTH sentence after re-arrangement?  
     1) A    2) B    3) C    4) D    5) E
 4. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after re-arrangement?  
     1) A    2) B    3) C    4) D    5) E
 5. Which of the following should be the SECOND sentence after re-arrangement?  
     1) A    2) B    3) C    4) D    5) E
 
 Directions (Q.6-15): Each sentence is given in five parts, read to find out whether there is any grammatical error or idiomatic error in any part. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5) (Ignore errors of punctuation, if any.)
 6. We have received many (1)/ of the letters from customers (2)/ asking us to extend (3)/  the deadline to repay their loans. (4)/ No error (5)
 7. Since I had lived there (1)/ for many years the villagers (2)/ were very comfortable talked (3)/ to me about their problems. (4)/ No error (5)
 8. We have been under (1)/ a lot of pressure to (2)/ open fifty new stores (3)/ by the ending of the year. (4)/ No error (5)
 9.  The company is in debt (1)/ and has been unable (2)/ to pay their employees' salaries (3)/ for the past six months. (4)/ No error (5)
 10. This is turned out to be (1)/ one of our most successful projects (2)/ and we have made quite (3)/ a large profit from it. (4)/ No error (5)
 11. Senior citizens prefer (1)/ banks which (2)/ branches are located (3)/ near their homes. (4)/ No error (5)
 12. We shall be calling a meeting (1)/ next week to assess (2)/ the causes of frequently (3)/ delays in infrastructure projects. (4)/ No error (5)
 13. After graduating from college (1)/ having an engineering degree (2)/ he received a job offer (3)/ from a reputed company. (4)/ No error (5)
 14. One of the important lesson (1)/ he taught me was to save (2)/ at least thirty per cent (3)/ of my gross income. (4)/ No error (5)
 15. Due to the financial crisis (1)/ the price of food grains (2)/  has risen sharply (3)/ over the past few months. (4)/ No error (5)
 
 Directions (Q.16-20): Which of the phrases (1), (2), (3) and (4) given below should replace the phrase given in bold in the following sentences to make the sentence grammatically meaningful and correct? If the sentence is correct as it is and 'No correction is required', mark (5) as the answer.
 16. In these circumstances, they will not be able to meet the assign target to them.  
     1) targeted assignment
     2) assigned target
     3) assigning of target
     4) target assigned
     5) No correction required
 17. Banks must be ensured that 18 per cent of their loans are given to the agricultural sector.  
     1) are ensured
     2) have to ensure
     3) being ensured
     4) should be ensured
     5) No correction required
 18. The government has announced several initiatives benefiting to factory workers.  
     1) beneficial
     2) for benefiting to
     3) which will benefit
     4) benefited to
     5) No correction required
 19. A date for the committee meeting to discuss the details of the proposal has yet to be decided.  
     1) will be yet decided
     2)  is been decided yet
     3)  have not been still decided
     4)  is not yet been decided
     5) No correction required
 20. With the raining heavily the multi-storey office building was badly damaged and collapsed.
     1) Owing to the heavy rains
     2) Because of raining heavily
     3) Since heavily it rained
     4) In raining heavily
     5) No correction required
 
 Directions (Q. 21-25): Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words have been printed in bold to help you locate them while answering some of the questions.
   I opened the bag and packed the boots in; and then, just as I was going to close it, a horrible idea occurred to me. Had I packed my toothbrush? I don't know how it is, but I never do know whether I've packed my toothbrush. My tooth-brush is a thing that haunts me when I'm travelling and makes my life a misery. I dream that I haven't packed it and wake up in a cold per-spiration and get out of bed and hunt for it. And, in the morning, I pack it before I have used it and it is always the last thing I turn out of the bag; and then I repack and forget it, and have to rush upstairs for it at the last moment and carry it to the railway station, wrapped up in my pocket handkerchief.
 21. When he was going to close the bag, the idea that occurred to him was ___
     1) unpleasant     2) sad
     3) fantastic     4) amusing
     5) distributing
 22. What makes his life miserable whenever he undertakes travelling?
     1) Going to railway station
     2) Forgetting the toothbrush
     3) Packing his bag
     4) Bad dreams
     5) Sleeping
 23. His toothbrush is finally ___
     1) in his bag
     2) in his bed
     3) in his handkerchief
     4) lost
     5) in his purse
 24. What is the doubt he got?
     1) About his packing
     2) Regarding his boots
     3) Regarding his clothes
     4) Regarding his ticket
     5) Whether he packed his toothbrush or not
 25. He opened the bag and packed his __
     1) boots    2) luggage
     3) socks    4) comb
     5) toothbrush
 
 Directions (Q. 26-28): Choose the word which is MOST SIMILAR in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
 26. Horrible
     1)  Pleasant    2) Terrible
     3) Calm    4) Serene
     5) Pure
 27. Haunt
     1) Bother    2) Meager
     3) Broader    4) Scanty
     5) Doubt
 28. Misery
     1) Happy    2) Joyous
     3) Melancholy
     4) Jubilant    5) Merry
 
 Directions (Q. 29-30): Choose the word which is MOST OPPOSITE in meaning to the word printed in bold as used in the passage.
 29. Wake
     1) Rouse    2) Arouse
     3) Awake    4) Asleep
     5) Alert
 30. Wrap
     1) Drape    2) Enclose
     3) Bind    4) Envelop
     5) Expose


 Sentence completion is a tricky and important part in every competitive examination. Let us see what kind of strategies you can use to master sentence completion. When it comes to sentence completion, the word that does not appear is the key to the meaning of the sentence. The words that appear offer clues to the missing word. If you can find out how the words that appear are connected, you can find the correct answer. This means that you must know more than just the meaning of the words involved. You must also understand the logic of the sentence. Follow this procedure:
 
 1.    Read the entire sentence saying 'blank' for the blank(s).
 2.    This gives you an overall sense of the meaning of the sentence and helps you figure out how the parts of the sentence relate to each other.
 3.    If an answer occurs to you before you even look at the choices, you may have a synonym for the answer or the answer itself.
 4.    Pay special attention to structure words- but, although, however, yet, even though-because they are key to forming the logical structure of the sentence.
 5.    Be sure your choice is both logical and grammatically correct.
 
 Tips:
 1.    If you don't know some words use elimination.
 2.    Eliminate one or more of the choices as definitely wrong.
 3.    Remember, you'd rather look for reasons to eliminate choices than look for reasons to justify a correct answer.
 4.    While answering dual blanks both words in the choice must be correct in order for you to pick it - if one choice is wrong, the whole choice is wrong. So if you can eliminate a choice based on one of the words, it doesn't matter even if you don't know the other word!
 5.    Guess the answer choice.
 6.    Guessing from context is the appropriate way as words can best be understood in context.
 PRACTICE SET
 PRACTICE SET
 
 1.    She hadn't eaten all day, and by the time she got home she was -------.
     a. blighted    b. brazen
     c. ravenous    d. ostentatious
     e. blissful
 2.    The movie offended many of the parents of its younger viewers by including unnecessary ------- in the dialogue.
     a. vulgarity    b. verbosity
     c. vocalizations    d. garishness
     e. tonality
 3.    His neighbors found his ------- manner bossy and irritating, and they stopped inviting him to backyard barbeques.
     a. insentient    b. magisterial
     c. soothing    d. restorative
     e. modest
 4.    Pramod is always ------- about showing up for work because he feels that tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility.
     a. Legible        b. Tolerable
     c. Punctual    d. Literal
     e. Belligerent
 5.    Being able to afford this luxury car will ------- getting a better paying job.
     a. maximize    b. recombinant
     c. reiterate    d. necessitate
     e. reciprocate
 6.    Shakespeare, a(n) ------- writer, entertained audiences by writing many tragic and comic plays.
     a. numeric    b. obstinate
     c. dutiful        d. prolific
     e. generic
 7.    I had the ------- experience of sitting next to an over-talkative passenger on my flight home from Germany.
     a. satisfactory    b. commendable
     c. galling        d. acceptable
     e. acute
 8.    After making ------- remarks to the President, the reporter was not invited to return to the pressroom.
     a. hospitable    b. itinerant
     c. enterprising    d. chivalrous
     e. irreverent
 9.    Her ------- display of tears at work did not impress her new boss, who felt she should try to control her emotions.
     a. maudlin    b. meritorious
     c. precarious    d. plausible
     e. schematic
 10.    It is difficult to believe that charging 30% on an outstanding credit card balance isn't -------!
     a. bankruptcy    b. usury
     c. novice        d. kleptomania
     e. flagrancy
 11.    The ------- weather patterns of the tropical island meant tourists had to carry both umbrellas and sunglasses.
     a. impertinent    b. supplicant
     c. preeminent    d. illustrative
     e. kaleidoscopic
 12.    The city council formed a committee to simplify several dozen ------- city ordinances that were unnecessarily complicated and out-of-date.
     a. feckless    b. empirical
     c. byzantine    d. slovenly
     e. pedantic
 13.    After a brief and violent ------- that ousted the president, the General declared himself the dictator of the country.
     a. Nuance        b. Coup
     c. Solicitation    d. Upbraiding
     e. Lament
 14.    Most people felt the punishment was far too ------- for the crime: what the culprit did was so despicable, even -------, as to warrant a far more severe reprimand.
     a. permissive ... dormant
     b. regal ... august
     c. tolerant ... pompous
     d. draconian ... nefarious
     e. lenient ... heinous
 15.    All of the features added to the new model of the automobile seemed totally ------- and did not add anything of import or practicality to the car.
     a. obnoxious    b. superfluous
     c. pretentious    d. mundane
     e. prescient
 16.    Though the play was only two hours long, it was so ------- that it seemed to last eons.
     a. erroneous    b. tedious
     c. enthralling    d. enigmatic
     e. tantalizing
 17.    One might think that a great actor's death would be surrounded by much -------, but the man actually died in -------.
     a. equanimity… obeisance
     b. publicity… obscurity
     c. fanfare… scandal
     d. balderdash… uncertainty
     e. surprise… penitence
 18.    My neighbor is both ------- and -------; he keeps himself and has great fear of anyone who isn't from our town.
     a. callous… predisposed
     b. misanthropic… tolerant
     c. insular… xenophobic
     d. ignorant… biased
     e. prejudiced… obstinate
 19.    Practical applications of computer programs are ------- and include sorting numbers, maintaining records, and directing email.
     a. restricted    b. infrequent
     c. widespread    d. enormous
     e. holistic
 20.    Almost all measures of the efficiency of a government are linked to national economic ------- and to the prosperity of the public.
     a. derogation    b. ennui
     c. physiognomy    d. proficiency
     e. fusillade
 21.    He was raised in a ------- religious home, and so he found ------- in prayer and personal meditation.
     a. zealously --- confusion
     b. obsessively --- distraction
     c. devoutly --- peace
     d. retentive --- enjoyment
     e. compassionate --- anger
 22.    One of the most effective ways to resolve conflict is to seek an outside mediator, someone who can hear both sides of the argument and attempt to ------- the angered parties.
     a. inflame        b. pacify
     c. outwit        d. bolster
     e. entice
 23.    Almost every nation in the world has a holiday to ------- its birth, and the U.S. A is no exception.
     a. disparage    b. sacrifice
     c. malign        d. worship
     e. observe
 24.    The helicopter ------- over the scene of the accident and lingered at a low altitude.
     a. soared        b. hovered
     c. excelled    d. collided
     e. stormed
 25.    Harish's mother and father both had to ------- him from his sleep because he had slept through his alarm.
     a. fluctuate    b. deliver
     c. lull        d. tremble
     e. rouse
 
  Answers:    1) c; 2) a; 3) b; 4) c; 5) d; 6) d; 7) c; 8) e; 9) a; 10) b; 11) e;
 12) c; 13) b; 14) e; 15) b; 16) b; 17) b; 18) c; 19) e; 20) d; 21) c; 22) b; 23) e; 24) b; 25) e


 . LALITHA BAI
 Associate Professor in English, Hyderabad.
 
 WORD CHOICE
 In addition to idiomatic expressions that we have learnt in the last session, the English language also has many common sentence constructions. It is equally important to have knowledge in this area as every competitive examination contains questions based on this section. Let us learn a few common sentence constructions.
 
 Not Only . . . But Also:
 The expression not only . . . but also means "in addition to." Bear in mind that the words following the two separate phrases, not only and but also, must be the same parts of speech. If not only is followed by an adjective, then but also must be followed by an adjective as well. If the parts of speech are different, then the sentence construction is flawed. Also, if the expression itself appears in any altered form, such as not only . . . and, then the construction is incorrect.
 A typical sentence construction using the expression not only . . . but also looks like the following:
 Subject + verb + not only + (noun/ adjective/ adverb/ prepositional phrase) + but also + (noun/ adjective/ adverb/ prepositional phrase):
 Harish is not only artistic but also scholarly.
     adjective     adjective
 
 No Sooner:
 If the expression no sooner appears at the beginning of a sentence, an auxiliary appears immediately after it and the word than introduces the second clause. The auxiliary is a form of the verb do, have or be used along with a main verb, like the have in have made. :
 No sooner had the rain started than it stopped.
 
 Already and Yet:
 The word already indicates that a sentence has a positive meaning. The word yet is used to create a negative meaning. :     Smith has already finished work on his project.
 Smith hasn't finished working on his project yet.
 
 So and Too:
 To describe how two subjects perform or receive the same action, use affirmative agreement, in which the conjunction and is followed by a simple statement that includes either the word so or the word too. The word order of the statement differs depending on whether we use so or too. :     Jim is a professor, and John is too.
     Jim is a professor, and so is John.
 Both sentences mean that Jim and John are professors.
 
 Either and Neither:
 In order to indicate that the two subjects mentioned in the sentence have not done something, the words either and neither are used instead of the words so and too. : I didn't see Jones this morning, and Jack didn't either.
     I didn't see Jones this morning, and neither did Jack.
 These two sentences mean that both the speaker and Jack did not see Jones this morning.
 
 Because and Because of:
 The word because and the phrase because of show cause and effect. The cause is shown immediately after the word because or the phrase because of. : Smitha quit her job because she was admitted to the university.
     Smitha quit her job because of her admission to the university.
 Both sentences mean that Smitha was admitted to the university, and the result was that she quit her job. We can also reverse the word order of either sentence:
 Because she was admitted to the university, Smitha quit her job.
 Because of her admission to the university, Smitha quit her job.
 
 The Reason . . . That:
 The phrase the reason . . . that also indicates cause and effect. The phrase the reason is used as the subject of the sentence, as shown in the following example:
 The reason she quit her job was that she was admitted to the university.
 , Stop and Forget:
 Certain words are followed by the infinitive or a verb + ing. The words remember, stop and forget can be followed by either, with a difference in meaning.: Jane remembered to call her doctor.
 This sentence means that Jane remembered it was necessary to call her doctor, and she called him.
 Example:Jane remembered calling her doctor.
 This sentence means that Jane remembered that she had called her doctor in the past.
 
 Let and Help:
 The words let and help create a different meaning than the verbs have, get or make. Let means allow, help means assist.: The professor let the students leave early.
 This means that the professor allowed the students to leave early.: The professor helped his daughter write the essay.
 This means that the professor assisted his daughter in writing the essay.
 
 Used To and Be Used To:
 The phrase used to and be used to have different meanings. The basic difference between used to and be used to is that used to involves a past custom or habit and be used to involves a current custom or habit.: Vrinda used to swim every day.
 The above sentence means that in the past, Vrinda swam every day.: Vrinda is used to swimming every day.
 This means that Vrinda is currently accustomed to swimming every day.
 
 Despite/ In Spite of:
 The word despite and the word in spite of mean the same thing, but the former cannot be used with of and the latter must appear with all three words. : Despite her lack of training, she is very knowledgeable.
 In spite of her lack of training, she is very knowledgeable.
 , Even though and Though:
 The words Although, Even though and Though mean the same as despite and in spite of, but they are used differently because they cannot be followed by a noun or noun phrase alone. Each must be followed by a clause.
 Example:Although she lacks training, she is
     Clause
                very knowledgeable.
 
 
 Practice test
 
 The following sentences are incorrect, rewrite the sentences correctly.
 1.I prefer either to read or going hiking.
 2.The lecture was not only very long but also it was very dull.
 3.The train proceeded neither quickly nor was it smooth.
 4.They went swimming, although the coldness of the water.
 5.I enjoy the course because of the professor is a good teacher.
 6.Although my warning, they went ahead with their plan.
 7.The price of oranges is high, because frost damage.
 .We packed a lunch, lest we knew we would soon be hungry.
 9.We must hurry, so that we will be late.
 10.She is neither kind nor has patience.
 :
 1.I prefer either to read or to go hiking.
 2.The lecture was not only very long but also very dull.
 3.The train proceeded neither quickly nor smoothly.
 4.They went swimming, despite the coldness of the water.
 5.I enjoy the course because the professor is a good teacher.
 6.Despite my warning, they went ahead with their plan.
 7.The price of oranges is high, because of frost damage.
 8.We packed a lunch, for we knew we would soon be hungry.
 9.We must hurry, or else we will be late.
 10.She is neither kind nor patient.
 
 Paying attention to the expressions used in the following sentences, fill in the blanks with the words and, but also, however, nor, or, than, then, until, nevertheless, since and when, as appropriate.
 1.I have both respect ____ admiration for him.
 2.Hardly had I finished reading over the problem, ____ the answer leapt to my mind.
 3.It will rain either today ____ tomorrow.
 4.He could not decide whether to tell the truth ____ keep silent.
 5.It was not only a beautiful day, ____ the first day of Spring.
 6.If you follow the instructions, ____ you should have no difficulty.
 7.He is neither proud ____ haughty.
 8.We should either walk quickly ____ take the tram.
 9.I had scarcely sat down ____ the telephone rang.
 10.What with one thing ____ another, it was very late by the time we left the house.
 11.No sooner had I opened my eyes, ____ I remembered where I was.
 12.Scarcely had I heard the news, ____ my friend arrived.
 13.I do not know whether he has seen the movie before ____ not.
 14.I would rather wait here ____ risk missing the bus.
 15.She could find the book neither at the library, ____ at the bookstore.
 16.No sooner had I opened the window, ____ a butterfly flew into the room.
 17.The crowd was both large ____ enthusiastic.
 18.He kept reading ____ he fell asleep.
 19.They have known her ____ she was a child.
 20.They got off the train. ____ they began to search for a hotel.
 21.You should either eat less, ____ exercise more.
 22.He is not only talented, ____ charming.
 23.They visited many stores; ____, they could not find what they were looking for.
 24.I was worried; ____ , I was determined not to show it.
 25.Continue along Queen Street. ____ turn left.
 :
 . and 2. when 3. or 4. or
 . but also 6. then 7. nor 8. or 9. when
 . and 11. than 12. when 13. or 14. than 15. nor 16. than 17. and 18. until 19. since
 . then 21. or 22. but also 23. however 24. nevertheless 25. then