New Pattern English

Direction (1-15): In each problem below, either part or the whole sentence is underlined. Below the sentences are different ways of writing the underlined part. Answer choice (A) repeats the original; the other answers vary. If you think that the original phrasing is best, choose (A). otherwise choose other given options.

Q1. During the summer of 2001, when it looked like parts of New Delhi and Mumbai were going to run short of water, many businesses and homes were affected by the stringent restrictions on the use of water.

(a) it looked like parts of New Delhi and Mumbai were going to run

(b) It looked as if parts of New Delhi and Mumbai would have run

(c) It appeared that parts of new Delhi and Mumbai would run

(d) appearances were that parts of New Delhi and Mumbai would run

(e) it was the appearance that parts of New Delhi and Mumbai would be running

Q2. Before the independence of India the books of Dr P.K. Yadav presented a fundamental challenge to the accepted ideas of race relations that, two generations later, will be true of the writings of the radical writers of the 1970s.   

(a)  that, two generations later, will be true of

(b) that, two generations later, would be true of 

(c) as, two generation latter, would be true off 

(d) as, two generations later, would be true of 

(e) just in way that, two generations later, did

Q3. For the reason that diesel was relatively cheap and Rs. 3.00 per litre in 1960s, the average Indian came to view unfettered, inexpensive driving as a right rather than a lucky privilege.

(a) For the reason that diesel was relatively cheap and

(b) Because diesel was relatively cheapest

(c) Due to the fact the gasoline was relatively inexpensive

(d) In that diesel was a relatively inexpensive

(e) Because diesel was relatively cheap

Q4. The political masters of the healthcare system have not listened to professional health planners because it has not been profitable for them to do that thing.

(a) has not been profitable for them to do that thing

(b) has not been profitable for them to do so

(c) has been unprofitable for them to do that thing

(d) has been profitable for them to do so

(e) doing so had not been profitable for them

Q5. Because of the efforts of Dr Rajendra Prasad and other advocates of the “soft” path of solar energy, the economics of nuclear power are being more closely examined now than ever before.

(a) being more closely examined now than ever before 

(b) being attached more vigorously than ever before

(c) open to closer examination than they ever were before

(d) more closely examined than before

(e) more examined than they ever were before now

Q6. Most bacterial populations grown in controlled conditions will quickly expand to limit the food supply, produce toxic waste products that inhibit further growth, and reach an equilibrium state within a relatively short time.

(a) produce toxic waste products that inhibit further growth, and reached an equilibrium state within a relatively short time

(b) will have produced toxic waste products that inhibit further growth and also will reach an equilibrium state within a relatively short time

(c) will then produce a toxic waste product that inhibits further growth and thus reached an equilibrium state in a very short time

(d) produce toxic waste products that inhibit further growth and reach equilibrium

(e) produce toxic waste products that inhibit further growth, and reach an equilibrium state in a fairly prompt way

Q7. A little known danger of potent hallucinogens such as lysergic acid diethylamide-25 is that not only is the user immediately disoriented, but also he will experience significant ego suppression for a period of three weeks as well.

(a) but also he will experience significant ego suppression for a period of three weeks as well

(b) but also he will experience significant ego suppression for a period of three weeks

(c) but also there will be a three-week period of ego suppression as well

(d) but the ego is suppressed for a period of three weeks as well

(e) but for user’s ego is suppressed for a period of three weeks in addition

Q8. Many people mistakenly believe that the body’s nutritional requirements remain the same regardless of the quantity and form of other nutrients ingested, physical activity and emotional state.

(a) regardless of the quantity and form of other nutrients ingested, physical activity and emotional state

(b) regardless of the other nutrients, physical activity and emotional state.

(c) regardless of the quantity of nutrients or physical exercise or emotional excitation

(d) regardless of the quantity or form of nutrients or physical exercise and emotional statement

(e) regardless of the quantity or form of other nutrients ingested, physical activity or emotional state

Q9. Measuring the brainwaves of human beings while they are engaged in different types of thought hopefully will enable neuropsychologists to better understand the relationship between the structures of the brain and thinking.

(a) hopefully will enable

(b) hopefully might enable

(c) will, it is hoped, enable

(d) would hopefully enable

(e) will, it is to be hoped at all, enable

Q10. It appears from a study of the detailed grammar of the Vedic Indians that their system of assigning tenses is very different from that of English or other European languages.

(a) It appears from a study of the detailed grammar of the Vedic Indians that their system

(b) It seems that study of the Vedic Indians indicates that their system

(c) A detailed study of the grammar of the Vedic Indians language indicates that its system

(d) Detailed study of Vedic Indians reveals that their system

(e) The Vedic Indians have a system

Q11. While everyone continues to hope for their survival, it is unlikely that the astronauts could have made it back to the shelter before the power plant exploded.

(a) have made it back to the shelter before the power plant exploded

(b) were making it back to the shelter before the power plant exploded

(c) were able to make it to the shelter before the power plant explodes

(d) have been able to make it back to the shelter before the power plant will explode

(e) could have made it to the shelter before the power plant explosion would have destroyed them

Q12. By the time peace and happiness will have come to the planet, many lives will be wasted.

(a) will have come to the planet, many lives will be wasted

(b) come to the planet, many lives will have been wasted

(c) will have come to the planet, many lives will have been wasted

(d) shall have come to the planet, many lives shall be wasted

(e) would have come to the planet, many lives would have been wasted

Q13. It could be argued that the most significant virtue of a popular democracy is not the right to participate in the selection of leaders, but rather that it affirms our importance in the scheme of things.

(a) but rather that it affirms

(b) but rather that it is an affirmation of

(c) but rather it’s affirmation in terms of

(d) but instead of that, its affirming that

(e) affirming rather

Q14. Long popular among the connoisseurs of Indian music, Ravi Shankar first impressed Western listeners with his phenomenal technical virtuosity, but they soon came to appreciate his music as an artful expression of an older culture’s musical insight.

(a) but they soon came to appreciate his music as an artful

(b) but it soon occurred that they appreciated his artful music as an

(c) but soon this was surpassed by an appreciation of it as an artful

(d) which was soon surpassed by an even deeper appreciation of it as an artful

(e) soon surpassed by an artful appreciation of an

Q15. Primarily accomplished through the use of the electron microscope, researchers have recently vastly increased their knowledge of the process of cell division.

(a) Primarily accomplished through the use of the electron microscope

(b) Through the competent use of advanced electron microscope

(c) Primarily through the use of electron microscopy

(d) In the large sense through the use of the electron microscope

(e) In the main, particularly through the use of electron microscope

Solutions

S1. Ans.(c)

Sol. It appeared that parts of new Delhi and Mumbai would run. Pronoun it will be used, appeared is more appropriate word then looked.

S2. Ans.(d)

Sol. as, two generations later, would be true of. ‘as’ is correct.

S3. Ans.(e)

Sol. ‘Because diesel was relatively cheap’ this is correct word order given the cause and effect nature of the given question statement.

S4. Ans.(b)

Sol. has not been profitable for them to do so. The end part of this phrase ‘to do so’ completes the meaning and gives us the hint. Hence

S5. Ans.(a)

Sol. The underlined/bold part is correct itself, hence the option (A).

S6. Ans.(d)

Sol. produce toxic waste products that inhibit further growth and reach equilibrium. Option D is more concise; the underlined/bold part is verbose. Hence option D is correct choice.

S7. Ans.(b)

Sol. but also he will experience significant ego suppression for a period of three weeks. The last part ‘as well” is not required to complete the conveyed meaning. Hence option B is correct choice. 

S8. Ans.(e)

Sol. regardless of the quantity or form of other nutrients ingested, physical activity or emotional state. Connector ‘or’ will be used in place of ‘and’. Option E is correct word order.   

S9. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘will, it is hoped, enable’ this is correct word choice.

S10. Ans.(c)

Sol. A detailed study of the grammar of the Vedic Indians language indicates that its system. This is correct word order and grammatical correct sentence structure.

S11. Ans.(a)

Sol. have made it back to the shelter before the power plant exploded. The given bold/underlined part is correct, hence option A is correct choice.

S12. Ans.(b)

Sol. come to the planet, many lives will have been wasted. In first part, simple present tense will be used, hence option B is correct choice.

S13. Ans.(b)

Sol. but rather that it is an affirmation of. Option B is correct word order.

S14. Ans.(a)

Sol. but they soon came to appreciate his music as an artful. The given bold part is correct.

S15. Ans.(c)

Sol. Primarily through the use of electron microscopy. This is better sentence structure, concise and completes the idea. Hence option C is correct choice.

New Pattern English

Directions (1-5): In the following Questions, there are four sentences. Each sentence has pairs of words/phrases that are italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted word(s)/phrase(s), select the most appropriate word(s)/phrase(s) to form correct sentences. Then choose the best option.

Q1. (i) Several pages of the book have come loose [A]/lose [B].
(ii) I am totally uninterested [A]/disinterested [B] in grammar. It’s boring.
(iii) Almost every decade someone or the other comes out with the prophecy [A]/prophesy [B] that the world is going to end.
(iv) I loath [A]/loathe [B] to admit that I was totally jealous.
(a) AAAB
(b) ABAB
(c) BABA
(d) BBAB
(e) BBBB

Q2. (i) The film was boring except for the special effects [A]/affects [B].
(ii) She must realize that she is eighteen and past [A]/passed [B] playing with dolls.
(iii) She is not anymore financially dependent [A]/dependant [B] on her husband.
(iv) She raised an intent for more stationary [A]/stationery [B] for the office.
(a) BBAB
(b) ABAB
(c) AABB
(d) AAAB
(e) BBBB

Q3. (i) The storm wreaked [A]/wrecked [B] havoc along the coast.
(ii) Though humorous his repartees are often mordent [A]/mordant [B].
(iii) Accessory [A]/Excess [B] minerals are disregarded by petrologists while classifying rocks.
(iv) I hope we have good whether [A]/weather [B] during our trip
(a) ABAB
(b) ABBA
(c) BABA
(d) BAAB
(e) BBBB

Q4. (i) She did not look overly [A]/overtly [B] at the customer till she had established herself comfortably on the chair.
(ii) By persisting in his efforts against failure he has shown his ability [A]/capacity [B] to persevere.
(iii) The closure of the company effected [A]/affected [B] the workers adversely.
(iv) I am not sure if [A]/whether [B] I should take the CAT this year or the next.
(a) ABAB
(b) ABBA
(c) BABB
(d) BAAB
(e) BBBB

Q5. (i) It is important to cite [A]/site [B] as many examples as possible in your answer.
(ii) Each batch in our classes is comprised [A]/composed [B] of 25 students and not more.
(iii) Persistent questioning by the lawyer failed to elicit [A]/illicit [B] a clear answer from the accused.
(iv) The professor could imply [A]/infer [B] that the students had not understood his explanation.
(a) ABAB
(b) ABAA
(c) BAAB
(d) BABA
(e) BBBB


Directions (6-15): In each of the following questions, a statement and five choices are given. Select from among the choices, the most logical complement and mark its number as your answer.

Q6. Electricity is the backbone of industrial development
(a) Many of our new electric projects are lying abandoned.
(b) The authorities are exploring the possibility of starting non-conventional energy sources.
(c) Reliable and uninterrupted power is a prerequisite for development.
(d) People demand some urgent measures to improve the situation.
(e) Hydroelectric projects are unable to meet the demand.

Q7. Our country is rapidly becoming a consumer nation.
(a) The nation must stand on its own legs.
(b) For financial progress we must reduce import and increase export.
(c) We want to become financially strong.
(d) We are not yet Independent because we depend on other countries in certain fields.
(e) India must become self – sufficient and reduce importing goods.

Q8. Children find it difficult to get admission to primary schools as demand exceeds supply.
(a) The government is against starting new schools.
(b) Primary education has been declared compulsory.
(c) The government schools offer better education than the private schools.
(d) The private sector is exerting influence upon the ruling party to recommend the opening of new schools.
(e) The private schools make the most of the situation and charge hefty fees.

Q9. The C.B.I. presented an incriminating report about the minister’s foreign connection.
(a) The Newspapers published a lot of nonsense.
(b) The court ordered a judicial enquiry into the whole affair.
(c) People believe all sorts of hearsay without going into their merits.
(d) The party-connection emboldens everybody to do whatever he likes.
(e) The C. B. I need to look into all aspects before arresting a senior politician.

Q10. The author’s new book was widely accepted by the common people but it angered those in power.
(a) The book was acclaimed for the political criticism it contained.
(b) The author has employed all his power of observation to prepare the book.
(c) People in the Gulf countries arranged a number of meetings to welcome him.
(d) To secure a valid passport the author had to force a lot of political intervention.
(e) The author’s new book is not available in any of the book shops.

Q11. Given the environmentally conscious times we live in; renewable energy has always been seen as an ideal source of power.
(a) Indian consumers have to pay exorbitant amounts towards electricity bills.
(b) Renewable energy sources are more cost effective compared to conventional sources.
(c) As India basks in sunlight throughout the year, solar energy systems are very feasible.
(d) Solar energy is ideally suited for villages.
(e) Why can’t Indian Government harness wind energy?

Q12. The Indian System is witnessing the rise of freshly generated wealth which are legitimate earnings.
(a) The boom in the software sector contributes to a great extent to the economic prosperity of the country.
(b) The software boom is changing the profile of the country in the new millennium.
(c) Although India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, the specter of huge government expenditure looms large.
(d) The country’s demographic profile would change with the list of rich households going up.
(e) The country’s economic progress depends only on the literate population.

Q13. Medical experts argue that the effects of iodine deficiency are too debilitating to leave its consumption to choice.
(a) Insufficient intake of micro nutrients by an expectant mother is the cause of underdeveloped brain in an unborn baby.
(b) Some political leaders argue that the consumption of iodized salt is a matter of personal choice.
(c) According to Medical experts the serious health hazard of iodine deficiency can be overcome by the consumption of iodized salt.
(d) Not all regions of the country are iodine deficient.
(e) To be healthy we need a balanced diet.

Q14. The earthquake rendered many people homeless.
(a) Builders of several apartments were penalized by the government.
(b) Several non-governmental organizations came forward to help the quake victims.
(c) The earthquake was so sudden that people were caught unawares.
(d) The intensity of the earth quake was so severe that there was large scale devastation.
(e) The aftershocks of the earthquake are adding to their problems.

Q15. Government run schools across the country are introducing English language to children at an earlier stage than before.
(a) English is an international language and we cannot ignore it.
(b) There has been a proliferation of English language teaching institutes in urban India.
(c) There has been a steady increase in the use of English over the years.
(d) Indian elite always hankered after English education for their children.
(e) Teaching English has been made compulsory in all schools by the Department of Education.

SOLUTIONS
S1. Ans.(a)
Sol. loathe-feel intense dislike or disgust for., loath-reluctant; unwilling. , loose- not firmly or tightly fixed in place; detached or able to be detached. hence 'loose' is the correct word.
prophecy (NOUN)-a prediction of what will happen in the future.

S2. Ans.(d)
Sol. Effect is a noun and affect is a verb, hence effect is correct word in the given context.
stationery -writing and other office materials., stationary-not moving or not intended to be moved. Hence stationery is correct word and gives us the hint to correct option.

S3. Ans.(a)
Sol. wreaked-cause (a large amount of damage or harm).
mordant-(especially of humour) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting.

S4. Ans.(c)
Sol. overtly-without concealment or secrecy; openly. In third sentence “affect” is used as a verb, hence correct choice.

S5. Ans.(a)
Sol. elicit -evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone.
illicit-forbidden by law, rules, or custom.
  
S6. Ans.(c)
Sol. Reliable and uninterrupted power is a prerequisite for development. Other options do not follow the idea expressed in the question statement logically. Either they distort the message or introduce new idea.

S7. Ans.(b)
Sol. For financial progress we must reduce import and increase export. Other options do not follow the idea expressed in the question statement logically. Either they distort the message or introduce new idea.

S8. Ans.(e)
Sol. Since demand is higher than supply in schools for admission, the private schools make the most of the situation and charge hefty fees.

S9. Ans.(b)
Sol. The court ordered a judicial enquiry into the whole affair. Since report was submitted to the court hence judge ordered an enquiry into the case. Hence option C logically follow course of action.

S10. Ans.(a)
Sol. the book was acclaimed for the political criticism it contained.

S11. Ans.(b)
Sol. Renewable energy sources are more cost effective compared to conventional sources.

S12. Ans.(a)
Sol. The boom in the software sector contributes to a great extent to the economic prosperity of the country.

S13. Ans.(c)
Sol. According to Medical experts the serious health hazard of iodine deficiency can be overcome by the consumption of iodized salt.

S14. Ans.(b)
Sol. Several non-governmental organizations came forward to help the quake victims. First the earthquake happened, then the organizations came forward to help.  Hence option B is logical complement.

S15. Ans.(e)
Sol. Teaching English has been made compulsory in all schools by the Department of Education.

Error Detection

Directions (1-15): Each of the following sentences are divided into parts, which are marked A, B, C and D. One of these parts may contain an error or may not be acceptable in standard written communication. Mark that part as your answer. (Ignore punctuation error if any)

Q1. Have you read in the Hindustan Times that Kapil Dev’s shoulder was broken while playing the final Test against Pakistan.

(a) Have you 

(b) read in the 

(c) Hindustan Times that Kapil Dev’s shoulder 

(d) was broken while playing 

(e) No error

Q2. Between you and I, I am convinced that this painting by Neetu shows greater artistry than that of Reshma.

(a) Between you and I, 

(b) I am convinced 

(c) that this painting by Neetu shows greater 

(d) artistry than that 

(e) No error

Q3. Being that you are interested in the outcome of the election, let us wait till the final tally has been made.

(a) Being that 

(b) you are interested in the 

(c) outcome of the election, let us wait till 

(d) the final tally has been 

(e) No error

Q4. Since it was an unusually warm day, the dog laid under the tree all afternoon. 

(a) Since it 

(b) was an unusually 

(c) warm day, the dog laid under 

(d) the tree all afternoon.

(e) No error

Q5. Neither Rakesh nor Rahul, presented their papers before the deadline for doing so.

(a) Neither 

(b) Rakesh nor 

(c) Rahul, presented their 

(d) papers before the deadline for doing 

(e) No error

Q6. A recent poll has indicated that Binny is considered brighter than any student in the class.

(a) A recent 

(b) poll has indicated 

(c) that Binny is considered 

(d) brighter than any student 

(e) No error

Q7. The question arises as to who should go out today – you or me.

(a) The question 

(b) arises as to who 

(c) should go out 

(d) today – you or me.

(e) No error

Q8. The company is planning a training programme for their senior officers sometime in December.

(a) The company is planning 

(b) a training 

(c) programme for their 

(d) senior officers sometime 

(e) No error

Q9. There was only a loaf of bread and two bottles of milk in the refrigerator when we came back after a weekend in Manali.

(a) There was only 

(b) a loaf of bread and two bottles of milk in the 

(c) refrigerator when 

(d) we came back 

(e) No error

Q10. Neither the old man nor his children knows what to do about the problem.

(a) Neither 

(b) the old man nor his 

(c) children knows 

(d) what to do about the 

(e) No error

Q11. Because of the recent strike in the mills, less men will be recruited in the coming season.

(a) Because of 

(b) the recent strike in the 

(c) mills, less men 

(d) will be recruited in the coming 

(e) No error

Q12. No sooner had he entered the hall when the lights went out and everybody began to scream.

(a) No sooner 

(b) had he entered 

(c) the hall when the 

(d) lights went out and everybody began 

(e) No error

Q13. The repetition of these sounds stir the emotions.

(a) The repetition 

(b) of these 

(c) sounds stir 

(d) the emotions.

(e) No error

Q14. Unemployment as well as poverty influence the votes.

(a) Unemployment 

(b) as well as 

(c) poverty influence 

(d) the votes.

(e) No error

Q15. Tonsillitis is among those diseases that is curable.

(a) Tonsillitis 

(b) is 

(c) among those 

(d) diseases that is curable.

(e) No error

Solutions

S1. Ans.(d)

Sol. ‘… was broken while he was playing the …’

Add the word he was to make the meaning clear. Otherwise it gives the impression that shoulder was playing.

S2. Ans.(a)

Sol. ‘Between you and me’

The object of the preposition between must be an objective case form (me and not I).

S3. Ans.(a)

Sol. ‘Since you are interested …’

Being that is not used in place of since or because.

S4. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… the dog lay under …’

The past tense of the verb lie is lay, and not laid.

S5. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… presented his papers before …’

Singular antecedent (Rakesh and Rahul) joined by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ are referred to by singular pronoun (his).

S6. Ans.(d)

Sol. ‘… brighter than any other student …’ is the correction.

S7. Ans.(d)

Sol. ‘… who should go out today, you or I …’

S8. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… training programme for its …’

A singular pronoun-adjective (its, not their) must be used to refer to a collective noun (company) when the member of the collective noun are considered a unit.

S9. Ans.(a)

Sol. ‘There were only …’

The subject of the sentence is plural (a bread and bottles).

Therefore, the verb must be plural (were, not was). Here the word there is not the subject.

S10. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… children know …’

If one of the two antecedents joined by or or nor is singular and the other is plural, the pronoun agrees with the one nearer (‘children’ in this sentence).

S11. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… fewer men will be recruited …’

Less denotes amount or degree and fewer denotes number.

S12. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘… the hall than the light ….’

S13. Ans.(c)

Sol. Stirs in place of stir.

The subjects ‘repetition’ is singular, hence ‘stirs’ a singular verb.

S14. Ans.(c)

Sol. ‘influences’ should be used in place of ‘influence’.

Two subjects joined by as well as take singular verb.

S15. Ans.(d)

Sol. ‘are curable’ is correct in place of ‘is curable’.

A relative pronoun (that, who, which) used as a subject takes on a singular or plural verb to accord with its antecedent. Here ‘that’ is referring to diseases that are curable.