CDS Exam Solved Papers - 2012-II- Paper II: General English

Paper II : General English

COMPREHENSION

Direction (Qs. 1 to 17): In this section, there are five short passages. Each passage is followed by questions based on the passage. Read each passage and answer the questions that follow:

PASSAGE-I

“Sit down”, the Principal said, but Mr. Tagde continued to stand, gaining courage from his own straight-backed stance, because he was beginning to feel a little afraid now.
The Principal looked unhappy. He disliked being forced to perform this sort of an unpleasant task. “I wish you would consider withdrawing this report’’, he said.
“I am sorry, Sir, I cannot do that’’ Mr. Tagde said. He pleased with his unwavering voice and uncompromising words.
“It will be a very damaging report if put on record’’.
“It is a factual report on very damaging conduct’’.
“You are asking for the boy’s expulsion from school. Don’t you think the punishment is too harsh for a few boyish pranks’’?

1. Mr. Tagde did not sit down because

A. He was angry with the Prinicpal
B. He was in a defiant mood
C. He did not like the student
D. He was in a hurry

2. He would not withdraw the report because

A. He was arrogant and bitter
B. It was an accurate report
C. He wanted to create problems for the Principal
D. He wanted to show his authority

3. The Principal was unhappy because he

a. Did not like to deal with an arrogant person
b. Was angry with Mr. Tagde
c. Could not enforce discipline in school
d. Did not want to expel the boy

PASSAGE-II

It was a bitterly cold high, and even at the far end of the bus the east wind that raved along the street cut like a knife. The bus stopped, the two women and a man got in together and filled the vacant places. The younger woman was dressed in sealskin and carried one of those Pekinese dogs that women in sealskin like to carry in their laps. The conductor came in and took the fares. Then his eye rested with cold malice on the beady-eyed toy dog. I saw trouble brewing. This was the opportunity for which he had been waiting, and he intended to make the most of it.

4. The wind that blew on the night was

A. Mild
B. Pleasant
C. Bitter
D. Sharp

5. The younger was carrying the dog as

A. A necessity
B. A fashion
C. An expression of provocation
D. An escort

6. Which of the following statements best describes the nature of the conductor?

A. He was dutiful
B. He was a law-abiding person
C. He liked dogs
D. He was unfriendly and malicious

7. “It was s bitterly cold night, and even at the far end of the bus the east wind that raved along the street cut like a knife’’. This sentence given us an idea of

A. A lonely night-bus Journey
B. An unbearable cold night
C. The wind at the time that was still and cold
D. The hardship of author’s Journey\

PASSAGE-III

Before an armed robber locked Mary Graves in the sweltering trunk of her car, she dialed an emergency number on her portable telephone and slipped it to her three-year old daughter. Though confused, the little girl saved the day. She told emergency operators that her mother was locked in the truck. Although she didn’t know where she was, she provided some important clues: She could see airplanes and the sky, according to the transcript of the emergency phone call. The operator called Tampa international airport police, who searched the top floor of the airport parking garage where the car was parked. The operator told the girl to honk, enabling the police to locate the car and tree Mrs. Graves.

8. The clues provided by the little girl suggest that the car was parked

A. Outside but adjacent to the airport
B. By the main street of the city
C. At the airport
D. In a parking garage in the side-lane

9. The passage indicates that the girl was

A. Clever and brave
B. Had the maturity of an adult
C. Copy and shy
D. Worried and excited

10. The girl helped the police trace the car by

A. Shouting loudly
B. Making too much din
C. Shrieking frightfully
D. Sounding the horn

11. Through the passage, the writer suggests the importance and utility of

A. Education of little children
B. Parking garages
C. Protable telephones
D. Airports

PASSAGE-IV

For days I trudged from one property-dealer to another, form one “‘to-let’’ notice to another, with the estimated advance money tucked safely in the inner lining of my handbag, but in vain. At one place they needed a couple, at another a young man, ant at another they wished to know my employment status. And I realized that I was a freak called the single woman and the job status being nothing more than a freelance writer with hardly any assignments in hand, only dreams of making it someday. So the dream-house remain bed far away, gradually turning into a fantasy.

12. The author “trudged from one property-dealer to another” means that the another

A. Had to walk a lot of distance
B. Had to do a brisk walk to save the time
C. Visited several property – dealers without any success
D. Acquired a good knowledge about was property –dealers of that area

13. According to the passage, the author was

A. A novelist
B. An independent writer
C. A publisher of Journals
D. An unemployed person

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

A. People always let out their houses to well employed persons only
B. People always let out their houses only to couples
C. Single jobless women find it difficult to rent a house
D. Women always dream of a house

PASSAGE-V

Martin had many little tricks highly entertaining to his son. On an evening, returning from the market, he would buy a paper mask, the head of a hissing dragon. He would put it on and knock at the door. On opening the door, the boy would be terrified for a moment, but only for a moment, for he would soon remove it and the two would roll with laughter. Tom would, then, go out with the mask and knock at the door for his father to open. Martin had to act as if he was paralysed with fear.

15. Martin played his little tricks because

A. He was very much interested in them
B. He wanted to terrify his son
C. His son got pleasure from them
D. It was his habit to make tricks

16. Which of the following statements is the most appropriate description of the mask?

A. It is mask looking like a dragon with long tail and covering the whole body of Martin
B. It is a mask looking like the head of a dragon with its tongue hanging out
C. It is a mask looking like an animal with horns, wings and a pair of ferocious eyes emitting fire
D. It is mask looking like the head of a king cobra

17. The father and son rolled with laughter after the

A. Father put on the mask
B. Opening of the door
C. Son saw the mask
D. Father removed the mask

SPOTTING ERRORS

Directions (Qs. 18 to 35): Each question in this section has a sentence with three parts labeled A, B and C. Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any 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, you answer should be indicated as D.

18. The scientist was seemed (A)/ to be excited (B)/over the result of his experiment. (C)/ No error (D).

19. The student could not answer the teacher (A)/ when he was asked to explain (B)/ why he was so late that day. (C)/ No error. (D).

20. John could not come (A)/ to school (B)/ as he was ill from cold. (C)/ No error (D).

21. Though she has aptitude in Mathematics (A)/ I won’t allow her to take it up as a subject of study for the Master’s degree (B)/ because I know the labour involved will tell upon her health. (C)/ No error (D).

22. I am not familiar with (A)/ all the important places in this town, (B)/ although I have been living here since two years. (C)/ No error (D).

23. If I would be a millionaire, (A)/ I would not be wasting my time (B)/ waiting for a bus. (C)/ No error (D).

24. Until you begin to make a better use of your time, (A)/ I shall not stop (B)/ finding fault in you. (C)/ No error (D).

25. Neither of the two boys (A)/ is sensible (B)/ enough to do this job. (C)/ No error (D).

26. They left (A)/ their luggages (B)/ at the railway station. (C)/ No error (D)

27. You will get (A)/ all the information’s (B)/ if you read this booklet carefully. (C)/ No error (D).

28. She sang (A)/ in very well, (B)/ isn’t it? (C)/ No error (D).

29. He is working (A)/ in a bank in New Delhi (B)/ for the past several months. (C)/ No error (D).

30. There is no question (A)/ of my failing (B)/ in the examination. (C)/ No error (D).\

31. He is going every (A)/ for the wedding (B)/ as she was expected. (C)/ No error (D).

32. He relatives could not explain to us (A)/ why did not she come for the wedding (B)/ as she was expected. (c)/ No error (D).

33. He was prevented to accept the assignment (A)/ because he was a government employee (B)/ and as such barred from accepting such assignments. (C)/ No error (D).

34. If you repeat this mistake, (A)/ I will inform to your father (B)/ and do not blame me then. (C)/ No. error (D).

35. Lieutenant Anand was short and muscular (A)/ with shoulders that bulged impressive (B)/ against his smart uniform. (C)/ No error (D).

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SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT

Directions (Qs. 36 to 49): Look at the bold part of each sentence, three possible situations for the bold and underline part are given. If one of them A, B or c is better than the bold part, indicate your response on the Answer sheet against the corresponding letter A, B or C. if none of these substitutions improves the sentence, indicate D as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a “No improvement” response will be signified by the letter D.

36. More than one person was killed in the accident.

A. Were killed
B. Are killed
C. Have been killed
D. No improvement

37. Not a word they spoke to the unfortunate wife about it.

A. Did they speak
B. They will speak
C. They had spoken
D. No improvement

38. The poor villages have waited in bitter cold for more than four hours now.

A. Have been waiting
B. Had waited
C. Has been waiting
D. No improvement

39. If he had time he will call you.

A. Would have
B. Would have had
C. Has
D. No improvement

40. All, but her, had made an attempt

A. All, but she
B. All but her
C. All, but her
D. No improvement

41. I am used to hard work.

A. Work hard
B. Work hardly
C. Hard working
D. No improvement

42. Twenty kilometers are not a great distance in these days of fast moving vehicles.

A. Is not a great distance
B. Is no distance
C. Aren’t a great distance
D. No improvement\

43. They were working as usually.

A. Usual
B. As usual
C. Usually
D. No improvement

44. He is unlikely to come to the party. But if he come I would talk to him.

A. If he would come
B. If he is to come
C. If he will come
D. No improvement

45. The passengers have formed queue at the booking-counter much before a train arrives.

A. Formed
B. Have been forming
C. Form
D. No improvement

46. You must complete this work up to Sunday.

A. Within Sunday
B. By Sunday
C. Until Sunday
D. No improvement

47. If it will rain, the match will be abandoned.

A. If it rains
B. By Sunday
C. Until Sunday
D. No improvement

48. How long do you think Mr. Kamal knew John?

A. Will know
B. Knows
C. Has known
D. No improvement

49. I have still to meet a person who is perfectly satisfied with his job

A. Am still to meet
B. Am yet to meet
C. Might still meet
D. No improvement

ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE

Direction (Qs. 50 to 60): each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labeled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequence namely A, B, C and D. You are required the jumbled parts of the sentence and select the correct sequence.

50. Most of Hitchock’s films were critically acclaimed on both sides of the Atlantic/(P) earning him both fame and fortune/(Q) and made good money at the box office/(R) in no small measure/ (S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. PRQS
B. PRSQ
C. QPRS
D. QSPR

51. One monsoon evening, the farmer returned from the fields/(P) when the sky was overcast with threatening clouds/(Q) and found a group of children playing on the road/(R) a little earlier than usual/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. QSPR
B. QPSR
C. QRSP
D. PQRS

52. It must not be imagined that a walking tour,/ (P) is merely a better or worse way/(Q) as some would say/(R) of seeing the country/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. RPQS
B. PRQS
C. PQSR
D. PQRS

53. It was reported that the table/(P) belonging to a lady/(Q) with three carved legs/(R) was sold the next day by auction/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. PRQS
B. QPRS
C. SRQP
D. PQRS

54. Everything was/(P) after/(Q) plain sailing/(R) we engaged a guide/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. SPQR
B. PQRS
C. SRQP
D. PRQS

55. The boy in the Nehru Centenary Debate/(P) id the eldest son of my friends/(Q) who has won the gold medal/(R) held in the Town hall today/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. PQRS
B. QRSP
C. SPQR
D. RSPQ

56. Of paint/(P) two coals/(Q) give/(R) the doors/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. RSQP
B. PSQR
C. SPQR
D. RSPQ

57. Many of old sailors/(P) say it is unlucky/(Q) to sail on a Friday/(R) who are generally superstitious/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. PRSQ
B. RSQR
C. SRQP
D. PQRS

58. It, in the news bulletin/(P) did not feature/(Q) that this matter/(R) was suprising/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. PRSQ
B. PSQR
C. SRQP
D. PQRS

59. Don’t stop him/(P) did not feature/(Q) if you/(R) he will run/(S).

The correct sequence should be :

A. QPSR
B. PQSR
C. SQRP
D. SPRQ

60. In the evenings/(P) she want out/(Q) once a week/(R) shopping/(S).

A. PQRS
B. RQSP
C. QPRS
D. SPRQ

ORDERING OF SENTENCE

Directions (Qs. 61 to 70): In the following items, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed an jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R and S. You are requested to find out the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.

61. S1 : A boy tried to discover how wasps find their way home.

S6 : These wasps flew straight home.

P : He carried them two miles away and let them go.
Q : First, he marked each of a number of wasps with a white spot.
R : He then put them into a paper box.
S : To do this he carried out a test on them.

The correct sequence should be :

A. PSQR
B. SRQP
C. SQRP
D. QPSR

62. S1 : River have played a great role in our lives.

S6 : That was how Sindhu was pronounced by some foreigners.

P : It is famous as the Indus valley civilization.
Q : Communication and trade depended on the rivers for centuries.
R : Who does not know that the very term India originated from Indus?
S : One of the earliest civilizations of the world flourished on the river Sindhu.

The correct sequence should be :

A. SRQP
B. RSPQ
C. QSPR
D. PRSQ

63. S1 : The next day Hiralal woke early.

S6 : He could find nothing inside them except two letters.

P : Then he began to take out the bags containing the silver coins and the currency notes.
Q : Three of the bags were empty.
R : After washing his face and hands he went back to his bedroom.
S : Suddenly his heart seemed to stop beating.

The correct sequence should be :

A. QSPR
B. RPSQ
C. PQRS
D. SPQR

64. S1 : My friend had a dog.

S6 : He took it to the veterinary hospital.

P : He was very much upset.
Q : Two days later it returned home.
R : Its right ear had been torn off.
S : One day he could not find the dog anywhere.

The correct sequence should be :

A. RPSQ
B. PSQR
C. SPQR
D. SQRP

65. S1 : A water tap is a device for turning on and off a flow of water.

S6 : The washer is made of a flexible material such as rubber or plastic.

P : The metal parts of a water tap are usually made of brass because brass resists corrosion.
Q : The other part is a washer which is fixed to the bottom of the rod.
R : One is a rod with a handle on the top.
S : It was two important parts.

The correct sequence should be :

A. PQRS
B. SRQP
C. PQSR
D. PRSQ

66. S1: Now these types of courage, physical and moral, are very distinct.

S6 : Moral courage is a higher and rarer virtue than physical courage.

P : I have known many men who had marked physical courage, but lacked moral courage.
Q : On the other hand, I’ve seen men who undoubtedly possessed moral courage but very cautions about taking physical risks.
R : But I’ve never met a man with moral courage, who wouldn’t, when it was really necessary, face bodily danger.
S : Some of them were in high places but they failed to be great in themselves because they lacked it.

The proper sequence should be :

A. PQRS
B. PSQR
C. PSRQ
D. QSRP

67. S1 : forests have an influence on the climate of a region

S6 : Thus we see that forests in a region often make the climate cooler.

P : Much of the rain that falls beneath the trees dissolves plant food in the soil.
Q : This gives to the air over the forests a coolness which is felt by balloonists and aviators three thousand feet above the earth.
R : The plants absorb all the food and much of the water, but the rest of the water is breathed out through the leaves into the air.
S : This is taken up by the roots of plants and carried upward to the leaves.

The proper sequence should be :

A. QSRP
B. PSRQ
C. RSPQ
D. SQPR

68. S1 : Albert Edward did very well.

S6 : He then appointed a manager to take care of it.

P : He started looking for a place to open the new shop.
Q : He started his stop with great enthusiasm.
R : He did so well that he began to think of opening another shop.
S : One fine morning he found it on a nearby street.

The proper sequence should be :

A. PQRS
B. RSPQ
C. RPSQ
D. PSRQ

69. S1 : Why do birds migrate in spite of the heavy loss of life of the way?

S6 : The migration of birds thus is a fascinating study, indeed.

P : But birds also migration during summer.
Q : primarily they migrate during the summer.
R : Also they cannot endure the summer heat.
S : And the main reason now is not hunger but availability of the nesting sites.

The proper sequence should be :

A. QPSR
B. PQRS
C. RSPQ
D. QRPS

70. S1 : Though hard to please and easily offended, Johnson had a most humane and benevolent heart

S6 : He got her a job put her into a virtuous way of living

P : There he discovered she was one of those wretched persons who had fallen into the lowest state of vice, poverty and disease.
Q : Going home one evening, he found a poor woman lying in the street and took her upon his back and carried her to his house.
R : Soon she was restored to health.
S : Instead of harshly scolding her, he had her taken care of with all tenderness.

The proper sequence should be :

A. PQRS
B. SRQP
C. PRQS
D. QPSR

SELECTING WORDS

Directions (Qs. 71 to 91): In the following passage, at certain points you are given a choice of three words in a bracket, one of which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the best word from each bracket. Mark the letter, viz, A, B or C relating to this word on your Answer Sheet. Examples Y and Z have been solved for you.

Y. The A. boy was in the school in Shimla
B. horse
C. dog
Z. A. She was homesick
B. It
C. He

Explanation: Out of the list given in item Y, only boy is the correct answer because usually a boy, and not a horse or a dog, attends school. So A is to be marked on the Answer Sheet for item Y. A boy is usually referred to as “he’’, so for item Z, the letter C is the correct answer. Notice that to solve this kind of items you have to read the preceding or succeeding sentences of the given passage.

PASSAGE

There has been quite some talk in recent times about the status of woman in our society, some of it sentimental and some of it sentimental and some of it, angry. But the status of women...(71)... be improved only if we join ...(72)... earnestly to achieve the desired ...(73)... Obviously, it cannot be done merely through ...(74)... legislation. It requires an intelligent and sympathetic ...(75)... of each others’ problems and a ...(76)... to give up pointless claims ...(77)... superiority. The delicate adjustment can be achieved not ...(78)... conflict but by peaceful and dispassionate ...(79)... in order words, through frank and courteous ...(80)... The problem can be solved only ...(81)... mutual understanding, and not through insistence on a ...(82)... observance ...(83)... If we truly desire a solution to this ...(84)... problem, we should be prepared for ...(85)... compromise. The system cannot be changed overnight. There ...(86)... a great need for patience in ...(87)... with this complex matter. Problem are ...(88)... solved through the application of ...(89)... and certainly not through angry ...(90)... At every step in our life we ...(91)... then why should we take up rigid stand in matters which concern us intimately?

71. A. Can
B. Shall
C. Should

72. A. Ourselves
B. Heals
C. Hands

73. A. Goal
B. Intention
C. Wish

74. A. Enforcing
B. Enacting
C. Passing

75. A. Presentation
B. Understanding
C. Vision

76. A. consent
B. Co-operation
C. Willingness

77. A. Of
B. About
C. Over

78. A. By
B. Through
C. From

79. A. Behavior
B. Confrontation
C. Means

80. A. Discussion
B. Bargaining
C. Argument

81. A. Through
B. By
C. From

82. A. vital
B. hard
C. rigid

83. A. Agreement
B. Conduct
C. Rights

84. A. Difficult
B. Doubtful
C. Small

85. A. One
B. A
C. No

86. A. was
B. is
C. has been

87. A. dealing
B. handing
C. tacking

88. A. Immensely
B. Best
C. rarely

89. A. brain
B. Wisdom
C. theory

90. A. Enmity
B. hostility
C. Conflicts

91. A. Understand
B. Compromise
C. Discuss

ANTONYMS

Directions (Qs. 92 to 105): Each item in this section consists of a word in capital letters followed by four words or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most opposite in meaning to the word in capital letters.

92. PLENTIFUL

A. Handful
B. Rare
C. Small
D. Scanty

93. URBANE

A. Elegant
B. Slow
C. Crude
D. Foolish

94. FAMOUS

A. Notorious
B. Ignorant
C. Completely unknown
D. Worthless

95. SPURIOUS

A. Genuine
B. Authentic
C. Real
D. Artificial

96. SUCCEED

A. Achieve
B. Fail
C. Move fast
D. Lose

97. PROUD

A. Humble
B. Kind
C. Gentle
D. Decent

98. LEISURELY

A. Idly
B. Lazily
C. Foolishly
D. Hurriedly

99. BARREN

A. Wet
B. Rich
C. Fertile
D. Explain

100. CONCEAL

A. Reveal
B. Show off
C. Describe
D. Explain

101. ACCEPTANCE

A. Demote
B. Throw in
C. Rejection
D. Turn in

102. GRACEFUL

A. Awkward
B. ignorant
C. Slow
D. Disloyal

103. ATTRACT

A. Severe
B. Repel
C. Dispel
D. Diminish

104. PROVOKE

A. Attract
B. Convince
C. Gratify
D. Pacify

105. VAGUE

A. clear
B. Pleasant
C. Profound
D. sufficient

SYNONYMS

Direction (Qs. 106 to 120): Each item in this section consists of a word or a group of words in capital letters followed by four words or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most similar in meaning to the word or words in capital letters. \

106. PROHIBIT

A. Forbid
B. Forfeit
C. Forsake
D. Forbear

107. DUBIOUS

A. Dismal
B. doubtful
C. Derogatory
D. Devilish

108. ECCENTRIC

A. Destructive
B. Deceitful
C. Conformist
D. Unconventional

109. CONTRADICT

A. Request politely
B. Deny emphatically
C. Talk abusively
D. Contempt

110. GIVE UP

A. Abandon
B. Present
C. Lift
D. Scatter

111. SPECIFIC

A. Proper
B. Uncommon
C. Noteworthy
D. Precise

112. ERADICATE

A. Put up
B. Remove
C. Soften
D. Suppress

113. PROBABLE

A. Certain
B. Indefinite
C. Likely
D. Temporary

114. ADHERE

A. Act reluctantly
B. Give allegiance
C. Waver Frequently
D. React promptly

115. INFER

A. conclude
B. Calculate
C. Debate
D. Suggest

116. HISITATE

A. afraid to talk
B. Unwilling to act
C. Unwilling to
D. Unable to decide quickly

117. EXPLICIT

A. Immediate
B. plainly stated
C. marked
D. Revealing the secret

118. SUFFICIENT

A. Adequate
B. complete
C. Full
D. Frugal

119. REPRESS

A. Express
B. Impress
C. Curb
D. Confuse

120. VINDICTIVE

A. Cruel
B. harsh
C. Revengeful
D. Rude

ANSWER

1. (B) 2. (B) 3. (D) 4. (D) 5. (B) 6. (D) 7. (B) 8. (A) 9. (A) 10. (D)
11. (C) 12. (C) 13. (B) 14. (C) 15. (C) 16. (B) 17. (D) 18. (A) 19. (D) 20. (C)
21. (A) 22. (C) 23. (A) 24. (C) 25. (D) 26. (B) 27. (B) 28. (C) 29. (A) 30. (D)
31. (A) 32. (B) 33. (A) 34. (B) 35. (B) 36. (A) 37. (D) 38. (A) 39. (C) 40. (A)
41. (D) 42. (A) 43. (B) 44. (B) 45. (C) 46. (B) 47. (A) 48. (C) 49. (A) 50. (B)
51. (B) 52. (C) 53. (A) 54. (D) 55. (C) 56. (A) 57. (B) 58. (D) 59. (C) 60. (B)
61. (C) 62. (C) 63. (B) 64. (C) 65. (B) 66. (B) 67. (B) 68. (C) 69. (D) 70. (D)
71. (A) 72. (C) 73. (A) 74. (B) 75. (B) 76. (C) 77. (A) 78. (A) 79. (A) 80. (A)
81. (A) 82. (C) 83. (B) 84. (A) 85. (B) 86. (B) 87. (A) 88. (B) 89. (B) 90. (C)
91. (B) 92. (D) 93. (D) 94. (C) 95. (A) 96. (B) 97. (A) 98. (D) 99. (C) 100. (A)
101. (C) 102. (A) 103. (B) 104. (D) 105. (A) 106. (A) 107. (B) 108. (D) 109. (B) 110. (A)
111. (D) 112. (B) 113. (C) 114. (B) 115. (A) 116. (D) 117. (B) 118. (A) 119. (C) 120. (C)

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