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CDS Exam Solved Papers - 2011- I Paper II: General English

Paper II: General English

COMPREHENSION

Directions: (For the 20 items which follow): In this Section you have four short passages. After each passage, you will find some questions based on the passage. First, read a passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinions of the author only.

PASSAGE I

Literature and history are twin sisters, inseparable. In the days of our own grandfathers, and. for many generations before them, the basis of education was the Greek and Roman classics for the educated, and the Bible for all. In the classical authors and in the Bible, history and literature were closely intervolved, and it is that circumstance which made the old form of education so stimulating to the thought and imagination of our ancestors. To read the classical authors and to read the Bible was to read at once the history and the literature of the three greatest races of the ancient world. No doubt the classics and the Bible were read in a manner we now consider uncritical but they were read according to the best tenets of the time and formed a great humanistic education. Today the study both of the classics and of the Bible has dwindled to small proportions. What has taken their place? To some extent the vacuum has been filled by a more correct knowledge of history and a wider range of literature. But I fear that the greater part of it has been filled up with rubbish.

1. Which of the following statements best reflects the underlying tone of the passage?

(a) Literature and history are mutually exclusive
(b) Literature and history are complementary to each other
(c) The study of literature is meaning less without any knowledge of history.
(d) Literature and history are inseparably linked together in the classics and the Bible

2. The author of the above passage says that in the past the basis of education for all people, irrespective of their intellectual calibre, was

(a) Greek and Roman classics
(b) The Bible
(c) A correct knowledge of history
(d) A wider range of literature

3. The author of the above passage says that the classics and the Bible were read by his ancestors

(a) methodically and with discretion.
(b) in a manner that broadened their view of life
(c) with great emphasis on their literary values
(d) without critical discrimination but in the light of their humanistic culture

4. According to the author of the above passage, the old form of education, based on the study of the classics and of the Bible, has

(a) succeeded in creating interest in history
(b) laid the basis of human civilization
(c) had a gradual decline in our time
(d) been rejuvenated in the context of modern education

5. The author of the above passage fears that the greater part of the vacuum created by lack of interest in the classics and the Bible has been filled up by(a) a richer sense of history

(b) a wider range of literature worthless ideas
(d) a new philosophy of life

PASSAGE II

During his early days as editor of the popular magazine, Saturday Evening Post. George Lorimer did much of the reading of unsolicited stories. This meant endless hours of sitting at the desk, pouring over big stacks of manuscripts, trying to decide which were worthy, of publication and which were not Lorimer became an expert at making these decisions. One day he received a huffy letter from a would be writer who had a complaint. “Last week you rejected my story,” she wrote. “I am positive you did not read it, because, as a test, I pasted together pages 14, 15 and 16. The manuscript came back with the pages still pasted. There is no question in my mind but that you are a sham and a disgrace to your profession.” Lorimer’s reply was succinct : “Madam, at breakfast when I crack open an egg, I don’t have to eat the whole egg to know it is bad.”

6. Lorimer did much reading of the stories

(a) if they were the solicited ones
(b) when they appeared to be bad
(c) when they were from women writers
(d) when they came unsolicited

7. Lorimer was a good editor becaus

(a) his reply to the angry writer was polite
(b) he apologized for rejecting the story without reading it
(c) he could find the worth of a story with a little effort
(d) he was prompt in writing letters

8. The lady wrote a huffy letter because

(a) her story was rejected
(b) her story was rejected unread
(c) her story was rejected although it was good
(d) Lorimer was biased in his decision

9. Lorimer’s reply was

(a) irrelevant (b) rude
(c) witty (d) funny

10. Lorimer read the stories.

(a) because he enjoyed reading them
(b) in order to publish them
(c) only to find fault with them
(d) in order to review them

PASSAGE III

As the tortoise tucks its feet and head inside the shell and will not come out even though you may break the shell into pieces, even so the character of the man who has control over his motives and organs, is unchangeably established. He controls his own inner forces, and nothing can draw them out against his will. By this continuous reflex of good thoughts and good impressions moving over the surface of the mind, the tendency to do good becomes strong, and in consequence, we are able to control the Indriyas or sense organs.

11. The author uses the phrase ‘inner forces’ in this passage. Which of the following would be its most correct meaning in the context ?

(a) Emotional disturbances in man
(b) Strength of the internal organs
(c) Forces produced by sense organs
(d) Reflection of the intellect

12. Which of the following statements would illustrate the metaphor in the passage ?

(a) Man is slow moving and slow witted
(b) A man of character refuses to be influenced by outside compulsions against his will
(c) Man confines himself to a life of isolation
(d) Man cannot have a good character or strong will

13. Which of the following statements may be assumed to reflect the central theme of the passage ?

(a) Good thoughts lead to the control of the sense organs
(b) Control of the sense organs leads to good thoughts
(c) Character though established may be disturbed by outside forces
(d) No man can achieve success in destroying the inner forces

14. Which of the following statements would be most correct in explaining the metaphorical meaning of ‘break the shell into pieces?

(a) Destruction of the human body
(b) Breaking of the physical environment of man
(c) Attempt to destroy man’s character
(d) Inflicting physical and mental agony on man

15. The passage consists of two long sentences and a short one. The purpose of this style could be to suggest that

(a) it is impossible for man to attain perfection of character
(b) the attainment of perfect character is the result of a long process of mental discipline
(c) the whole life process is clumsy
(d) there is a lot of confusion in our understanding of sense organs, character, etc.

PASSAGE IV

One of the most serious problems confronting our country is that of a fast growing population. In fact, it is at the root of many other problems. At the moment, thanks to planning, we are able to produce food and cloth sufficient for our people and even in some excess. But if the population continues to grow at this rate, it will not be long before the surplus turns into a bare minimum and even a deficit. The position in regard to accommodation is even now, far from satisfactory in spite of our efforts.

16. “It is at the root of many other problems” means that

(a) it is found along with many other problems
(b) it is caused by many other problems
(c) it gives rise to many other problems
(d) it is buried under many other problems

17. The present satisfactory position in regard to food and cloth is due to

(a) the fact that the population has been controlled
(b) our good luck
(c) good rainfall
(d) our economic planning

18. If the population of India continues to increase at this rate the situation in regard to food and cloth

(a) is likely to remain the same
(b) is likely to. become less satisfactory
(c) is likely to improve
(d) is likely to vary up and down

19. The situation in respect of accommodation

(a) is less than satisfactory
(b) is quite satisfactory
(c) is improving rapidly
(d) is the result of total neglect

20. At present Indians have

(a) more provision for cloth than accommodation
(b) more provision for accommodation than cloth
(c) abundance of cloth and accommo-dation
(d) scarcity of cloth and accommodation

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ORDERING OF SENTENCES

Directions: (For the following 8 items): In the following items each passage consists of six sentences. The first and, the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as (S1) and (S.). The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.

21. S1 : Einstein was very simple in his ways of life and indifferent to his astounding fame.
S6 : So they went back to the Queen and informed her that he had not come by the train.

P : They could never imagine that this shabby man would be Einstein himself.
Q : Once the queen of Belgium invited him to Brussels.
R : The officials also expected to see somebody who would appear to be rich and aristocratic before them.
S : When he got down from the train at Brussels, he could not think that there were actually many gorgeously dressed officials to receive him at the station.

The proper sequence should be

(a) P R S Q
(b) R Q P S
(c) Q S R P
(d) S P R Q

22. S1 : Jagdish was tired after the long walk through the thick jungle.
S6 : Here, to his satisfaction, he found that there were hardly any mosquitoes.

P : As night fell he came to a swampy place near a lake, where he decided to camp.
Q : At last, in despair, he sprang into the branches of a nearby tree and climbed to the top.
R : But the place was so full of mosquitoes that he found it impossible to sleep.
S : He spread a blanket on the ground and stretched himself out on it.

The proper sequence should be

(a) P S R Q
(b) P R S Q
(c) P S Q R
(d) P Q R S

23. S1 : What kind of India are we working for and what kind of world ?
S6 : Some small part of that dream has come true, but not in the manner I had imagined and so much still remains.

P : Surely not if there has been any truth in us and in our professions.
Q : Here in this city of Allahabad my boyhood and youth were spent in dreaming dreams and seeing visions of India’s future.
R : Was there any real substance in those dreams, or were they merely the fancies of a fevered brain ?
S : Are hatred and violence and fear and communalism and narrow provincialism to mould our future ?

The proper sequence should be

(a) P Q R S
(b) Q R S P
(c) S P Q R
(d) S Q R P

24. S1 : Pasteur began his fruitful scientific investigations when he was Professor of Chemistry at Strasburg.
S6 : The pasteurization process which he prescribed for wine and beer is used now to safeguard milk too.

P : He also found how germs causing changes in materials could be controlled by heat.
Q : He made a thorough study of the wine industry in France.
R : He thus saved the wine industry from ruin by his work.
S : After careful and extensive investigation he produced the germ theory of fermentation.

The proper sequence should be

(a) P Q R S
(b) Q P S R
(c) S Q P R
(d) Q S P R

25. S1 : In democratic countries men are equal before law, and have a voice in deciding how and by whom they shall be governed.
S6 : And they live like this not for fun, but because they arc too poor to afford another room.

P : While some few people live in luxury, many have not even enough to drink and wear.
Q : But with respect to the sharing of money which means the sharing of food and clothing, and houses and books and so on the system is still very unfair.
R : There are many families of five or six persons who live in a single room; they sleep and dress and wash and eat their meals; in this same room they are born; and in this same they die.
S : Even in the finest of world’s cities thousands of people live in dreadful surroundings.

The proper sequence should be

(a) Q R S P
(b) S R P Q
(c) Q P S R
(d) P Q R S

26. S1 : Mental disability, whether mental retardation or any other developmental disability, is not the same as mental illness.
S6 : And the earlier the better.

P : A person with mental disability can certainly be helped to improve, but mainly in childhood.
Q : But mental disability has no cure.
R : Mental illness has an identifiable cause and may be cured.
S : Not the best doctors nor all the medicines in the world can cure mental disability.

The proper sequense should be

(a) P S Q R
(b) Q P R S
(c) R Q S P
(d) S R P Q

27. S1 : A devastating earthquake had hit Mexico city.
S6 : The condition of 1000 others was reported unsafe.

P : Fifty more were later judged dangerously close to falling.
Q : The quake’s force was measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale.
R : In four chaotic minutes, an estimated 250 buildings collapsed in downtown Mexico city.
S : It was the world’s most severe quake since the quake in Chile last March.

The proper sequence should be

(a) S R P Q
(b) Q S R P
(c) P Q S R
(d) R P Q S

28. S1 : Undoubtedly, science has done wonders.
S6 : Thus, science, which was once considered a destructive power only, in war, must be recognized as one also in its apparently constructive activities during peace.

P : But in giving such an answer, our attention must not be taken up entirely. by the danger from nuclear weapons and chemical warfare.
Q : The honest answer has to be, “Not always”.
R : But has it stopped with wonders which are beneficial to mankind ?
S : There is far greater real danger from the damage to the environment arising from the so called peaceful uses of science.

The proper sequence should be

(a) R Q P S
(b) S P Q R
(c) S R P Q
(d) P Q R S

ANTONYMS

Directions (For the following 20 items): Each item in this section consists of a word or group of words in capital letters followed by four words or groups of words. Select the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in capital letter.

29. DIMINISH

(a) Enkindle
(b) Increase
(c) Produce
(d) Arouse

30. HAMPERED

(a) Facilitated
(b) Prompted
(c) Relieved
(d) Instigated

31. EQUANIMITY

(a) Sorrow
(b) Discontentment
(c) Agitation
(d) Silence

32. SPURIOUS

(a) Fresh
(b) Modern
(c) Genuine
(d) Interesting

33. THREW COLD WATER ON

(a) Supported
(b) Defeated
(c) Amended
(d) Modified

34. AGGRAVATED

(a) Increased
(b) Mitigated
(c) Aggregated
(d) Magnified

35. DEFICIT

(a) Surplus
(b) Sufficiency
(c) Luxury
(d) Explicit

36. LENGTHEN

(a) Protract
(b) Brighten
(c) Abandon
(d) Shorten

37. CRUELTY

(a) Love
(b) Efficiency
(c) Heroism
(d) Kindness

38. FREQUENTLY

(a) Habitually
(b) Commonly
(c) Usually
(d) Rarely

39. HOSTILE

(a) Dogmatic
(b) Easy going
(c) Steady
(d) Friendly

40. PUBLIC HONOUR

(a) Accusation
(b) Punishment
(c) Ignominy
(d) Criticism

41. SUBTLE

(a) Distant
(b) Gross
(c) Plain
(d) Higher

42. TAME

(a) Wild
(b) Clean
(c) Dangerous
(d) Active

43. DECLINED

(a) Inclined
(b) Liked
(c) Agreed
(d) Prepared

44. ILL AT EASE

(a) Easy to deal with
(b) Comfortable
(c) Chronically ill
(d) Strong

45. COMPLEX

(a) Ordinary
(b) Simple
(c) Common
(d) Compound

46. ABOLISHED

(a) Continued
(b) Established
(c) Encouraged
(d) Revived

47. OFFENCE

(a) Preference
(b) Vengeance
(c) Defence
(d) Negligence

48. IRREMEDIABLE

(a) That which can be avoided
(b) Incurable
(c) Profitable
(d) That which can be corrected

SPOTTING ERRORS

Directions: (For the 25 items which follow): Each question in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b), and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your answer in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your answer should be indicated as (d).

49. Everybody, (a) it must be admitted, (b) has their ups and downs. (c) No error. (d)

50. When the thief broke into their house, (a) they raised a hue and cry (b) and the thief caught immediately by the people. (c) No error. (d)

51. I have tried (a) to meet him several times; (b) he isn’t never at home. (c) No error. (d)

52. This house is (a) (b) mine. No error. (c) (d)

53. He is proficient in Hindi (a) and can speak English, (b) but he does not know to read and write English. (c)No error.(d)

54. Every woman in the world (a) fervently hopes that their child (b) will he a normal and healthy baby. (c) No error (d)

55. Neither of them (a) send their papers (b) in time for the last seminar. (c) No error. (d)

56. There is not many traffic (a) along the street (b) where I live. (c) No error. (d)

57. The front page story was about a schoolgirl, (a) that had hurt herself. (b) while saving a child in an accident. (c) No error. (d)

58. He took leave of four days.(a) (b) (c)No error.(d)

59. The police arrived and discovered (a) a large number of hoarded sugar (b) in his shop. (c) No error. (d)

60. Raju doesn’t come to our house because our dog barks at him (a) and licks him (b) although I have often told him not to afraid of it. (c) No error. (d)

6l. Running across the playground, my pen fell in the mud; (a) fortunately, I noticed it (b) and picked it up. No error. (c) (d)

62. The last thing that the fond mother (a) gave her only son (b) was his blessing. (c) No error. (d)

63. To his innovative ideas and practices in farming (a) he was given , (b) the Krishi Pandit Award last year. (c) No error. (d)

64. As a dramatist, (a) Shaw is superior than (b) any other twentieth century writer. (c) No error. (d)

65. Molly-speaks, (a) French well, (b) isn’t it ? (c) No error. (d)

66. Mutton is more hard (a) to digest (b) than vegetables. (c) No error. (d)

67. I have found that he is (a) neither willing (b) or capable. (c) No error. (d)

68. For times immemorial, (a) sea shells have been used by man (b) in many ways. No error. (c) (d)

69. He will not listen (a) (b) what you say No error. (c) (d)

70. I hav e done my best; (a) the whole thing is now (b) in the hands of the Gods. (c) No error. (d)

71. Oh for God sake (a) leave me alone (b) and go away from here. (c) No error. (d)

72. This is a strange world (a) where each one pursues their own golden bubble (b) and laughs at others for doing the same. (c) No error. (d)

73. Each of the boys were to blame (a) (b) for the accident. (c) Noo error. (d)

ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE

Directions: (For the 25 items which follow): In the following items, some parts of the sentence have been jumbled up. You are required to rearrange these parts which are labelled P, Q, R and S to produce, the correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence and mark in your Answer Sheet accordingly.

74. If you buy the economy pack the manufacturers, wanting to promote the sales P which is quite cheap Q have devised a number of schemes R and to ensure clearance of stocks. S
The correct sequence should be

(a) Q P S R
(b) P Q R S
(c) R S Q P
(d) Q R S P

75. Happiness does not consist in rank or position, P it is a state of mind Q who are contended R available to those S