Free English Usage - 02 Practice Test - CAT
Question 1
In each question, there are four sentences: Each sentence has pairs of words / phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrase(s) to form a correct sentence. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
(A)To argue that military victory bestow [A] / bestows [B] legitimacy is to say that might is right, and that ends justify means[A] / the means [B] to longstanding western taboos.
(B)The credibility of the Anglo – U.S. Media suffered a slow but steady [A] / slow and steady [B] erosion on their Iraq coverage.
(C)Limca Book of Records represents the world record breaking achievements [A] / world record breaking achievements [B] of more than a billion Indians and is the only record book of its kind in India.
(D)Many companies in the segment expect higher proportion of their sales [A] / a higher proportion of their sales [B] to come through the organized retail chains.
SOLUTION
Solution : B
option B
‘Military victory’ takes the singular verb ‘bestows.’ In the next part ‘the means’ is correct as we are talking of the particular/definite means that are adopted. ‘A slow and steady’ is correct as we are here referring to one such erosion. Achievements are the specific ones that are referred to hence the definite article ‘the’ should be used. ‘A higher proportion’ is correct. Hence BBAAB
Question 2
In each question, there are four sentences: Each sentence has pairs of words / phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrase(s) to form a correct sentence. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
A. When the Bangalore International Airport gets commissioned, probably in May, the current phase in [A] / of [B] airport infrastructure expansion will be complete [A] / will complete [B].
B. The substance of Hilary Clinton’s proposals on mortgages, like that of her health care plan,suggest [A] / suggests [B] a strong progressive sensibility.
C. The law, which goes into effect on August 1, is intended to strengthen [A] / strengthening [B] an existing set of antitrust regulations.
D. Large format retail stores give [A] / gave [B] enough space to display the entire range of their products that is not possible in small multi-brand outlets.
SOLUTION
Solution : C
In the first part ‘phrase’ of’ is correct and in the latter part ‘will be complete’ is correct as it has to be in the passive. It cannot complete itself. The subject in this sentence 'substance’ will take a singular verb, hence ‘suggests’ is acceptable. ‘Intended’ should be followed by an infinitive ‘to strengthen.’ As the later part of the sentence 4 is in the present tense ‘give’ which is in the present tense is more suitable. Hence BABAA.
option C
Question 3
In each question, there are four sentences: Each sentence has pairs of words / phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrase(s) to form a correct sentence. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
(A) The US has acted in a timely manner by swift [A] / swiftly [B] lowering interest rates and to give [A] / giving [B] fiscal stimulus to the economy.
(B) Workers in the unorganized sector will also cover [A] / be covered [B] under the health insurance scheme expected to come into effect from April 1, 2008.
(C) The government may soon make the filing of annual information return compulsory not just to buy [A] / for buying [B] but also for selling of shares beyond a particular value.
(D) People have started [A] / started [B] living in it for a year now, relegating past and future to a back seat.
SOLUTION
Solution : A
option A
The adverb ‘swiftly’ modifies the ‘verb’ lowering, hence it is more suitable. To have parallelism in the construction, ‘lowering interest rates’ should be followed by ‘giving fiscal stimulus.’ ‘Be covered’ is correct in sentence 2 for it has to be passive. In 3 as ‘for selling’ is used in the later part of the sentence hence ‘for buying’ should be preferred in the previous part. In sentence 4 we are talking about something related to the present ‘now’ so the present perfect tense ‘have started’ should be preferred. Hence BBBBA is correct.
Question 4
In each question, there are four sentences: Each sentence has pairs of words / phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words / phrase(s) select the most appropriate word(s) / phrase(s) to form a correct sentence. Then, from the options given, choose the best one.
(A)Apart from looking through [A] / at [B] the system and the curriculum, the authorities must review the teaching methods and [A] / but [B] help the teachers to adapt themselves to the changing environment.
(B)More than the curriculum, it is the rigid systems of examination and ranking that has made school education so [A] / as [B] stressful.
(C)This is of course not the first time that the presumed virtues of complex financial products have been questioned in the developed worlds nor [A] / or [B], for that matter, in India.
(D)Dupont’s lark needs flat scrubland but [A] / though [B] in Spain much of this has been used for construction of buildings.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
option D
In this context looking at is correct. ‘Apart from’ should be followed by ‘and’ not ‘but.’ ‘As stressful’ must show some kind of comparison. Here there is no comparison, hence, ‘so stressful’ is acceptable ‘Neither . . . nor . . .’ are co-ordinating conjunctions therefore one cannot be used without the other. Hence ‘or’ is suitable. In sentence 4 a contrast is shown, hence ‘but’ is more suitable. Hence BAABA.
Question 5
In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.
A. The history of Modern Industry’s performance, which is marginal at best, may be an indication of solvency problems that will occur in the future.
B. Modern industry’s history of marginal performance may indicate solvency problems in the future.
C. The history of marginal performance of Modern Industry may indicate future solvency problems.
D. Modern Industry’s history of performance, which is marginal at best, may indicate future solvency problems.
E. None of these.
SOLUTION
Solution : C
C precise and to the point. Others are vague, confusing or too wordy.
Question 6
In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.
A. On the whole food front one may say that we can enjoy festivals in the consciousness that though some things are dear, the basic foods are better in quality and still low in price.
B. We can enjoy festivals knowing that though some things are dear, the basic foods are of better quality and still low in price.
C. Although we know that some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals because the basic foods are better in quality and low in price.
D. On the whole food front, although some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals as the basic foods are of better quality and quite cheap.
E. None of these.
SOLUTION
Solution : B
Option B is the correct answer.
Question 7
In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.
A. The dull are likely to have a limited conceptual grasp.
B. It is unlikely that the dull would have adequate conceptual grasp.
C. The dull are not likely to grasp concepts easily.
D. It is unlikely that the dull can grasp concepts easily.
E. None of these.
SOLUTION
Solution : C
Option C is the most concise and clear.
Question 8
Given are sets of three sentences. One, two or all the sentences may have error(s) of grammar or syntax or Standard English usage. Identify only the sentences that are incorrect
A. What I have been able to imply from this article is that mathematics is at the root of most physicalsciences.
B. Many of the most energetic students end up as under-achievers in life because of the lack offocus on their goals.
C. None of those little naughty boys have turned up today.
SOLUTION
Solution : E
Option (e)
‘Imply’ in (1) should be replaced by ‘infer’. ‘None of’ should be followed by singular verb ‘has’ and notplural verb ‘have’. Therefore, (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer: (5)
Question 9
Given are sets of three sentences. One, two or all the sentences may have error(s) of grammar or syntax or Standard English usage. Identify only the sentences that are incorrect
A. What I have been able to imply from this article is that mathematics is at the root of most physical Sciences.
B. Many of the most energetic students end up as under-achievers in life because of the lack of focus on their goals.
C. None of those little naughty boys have turned up today.
SOLUTION
Solution : E
option (e)
‘Imply’ in (1) should be replaced by ‘infer’. ‘None of’ should be followed by singular verb ‘has’ and not plural verb ‘have’. Therefore, (A) and (C) are incorrect. Answer: (E)
Question 10
Given are sets of three sentences. One, two or all the sentences may have error(s) of grammar or syntax or Standard English usage. Identify only the sentences that are incorrect.
A. Everybody spoke up in unison for their rights.
B. One has to reckon with the fact that he is ultimately responsible for his own deeds.
C. Let me tell you this is not simply possible.
SOLUTION
Solution : E
option (e)
All the sentences are incorrect. ‘Everybody’ should be followed by singular verb and not ‘their’, which is plural. Similarly, ‘One’ should be followed by the pronoun ‘one is’ and not ‘he’, (C) is awkward due to the incorrect usage of modifier ‘not’. Answer: (E)
Question 11
Given are sets of three sentences. One, two or all the sentences may have error(s) of grammar or syntax or Standard English usage. Identify only the sentences that are incorrect.
A. None except her and her father arrived at the venue in time.
B. Either you, or your brother or sister ought to have informed me.
C. Neither the students nor their teacher or the school came forward to tender an apology.
SOLUTION
Solution : B
option (c)
The usage of neither is incorrect in this sentence. Neither can be followed by ‘or’ or ‘nor’, but as per the rules of parallelism nor cannot be substituted the next time by ‘or’. Answer: is opton (B)
Question 12
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E.Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. I’ve been in Delhi for four days now
B. and so far the stay had been uneventful,
C. barring a stray incident
D. where I walked into a lamppost then walked around Connaught Place
E. with a bloody nose.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
option D should read as ‘in which I walked into . . .’ or ‘when I walked into . . . .’
option D
Question 13
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E . Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. I’ve been in Delhi for four days now
B. and so far the stay had been uneventful,
C. barring a stray incident
D. where I walked into a lamppost then walked around Connaught Place
E. with a bloody nose.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
option D should read as ‘in which I walked into . . .’ or ‘when I walked into . . . .’
option D
Question 14
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E . Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. To be citizen is to possess the rights
B. enshrined in our constitution,
C. and equally, the obligation of duty.
D. When one citizen upholds an individual right for another,
E. the enacts his duty to himself.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
(d) the preposition for should be corrected to of ‘right of another’, rather than ‘right for another’
option D
Question 15
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E . Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. The analyses of data collected shows no evidence
B. that the vaccine increased the risk
C. of any serious complications,
D. according to the federal
E. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SOLUTION
Solution : A
Subject – verb agreement problem in option A. The analyses (of data) is plural, hence the verb in fragment A should be is show and not shows. We may also correct the sentence by retaining the verb shows and changing analyses to analysis (singular) – the error in either case is in fragment A.
option A
Question 16
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E . Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. This study takes its place alongside earlier research showing
B. that kids who are allowed to serve their own food
C. take smaller portions than they would typically be served
D. and ate 25 percentage less, and that kids tend to eat more
E. when the portions on their plates have been double.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
25 percentage less is erroneous – 25 percent less is correct usage. Use the word “percent” with numbers; use “percentage” without using a number. For example: 50 percent children, and a considerable percentage of children.
option D
Question 17
In the following questions, there are sentences or parts of sentences labeled A, B, C, D and E . Choose for your answer the fragment that carries an error. Ignore punctuation errors if any.
A. A growing body of evidence is supporting the “use-it-or-lose-it” hypothesis of aging well.
B. It says staying mentally active helps keep the brain in shape.
C. So far, research has focused on reading,
D. crossword puzzles,
E. and learning languages.
SOLUTION
Solution : D
Parallelism error.Reading, learning languages are in ing form, but crossword puzzles (a noun) is not parallel. It should be changed to doing crossword puzzles. We can also make the sentence parallel by changing it to : focused on books, crossword puzzles, and languages. Then the error will be in two fragments. Hence it is not possible to work the question that way.
option D