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www.gradestack.com/ssc Directions ( 1-15) : In the following questions, a part of the sentence is in bold. Below are given alternatives to the bold part at (a), (b) and (c) which may improve the sentence Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, your answer is (d). 1. The traveler commanded of the peasant he

would tell him the way to the nearest village. (a) exclaimed of the peasant if he would (b) enquired of the peasant if he could (c) replied of the peasant whether he will (d) No improvement

2. As I am new to the place I felt like a fish in water. (a) felt like a fish in the water (b) felt like a fish with water (c) felt like a fish out of water (d) No improvement

3. The flood – affected people are looking forward with the visit of the Governor. (a) looking forward to (b) looking forward on (c) looking forward for (d) No improvement.

4. He is fond of saving money. (a)hoarding (b) not spending (c) spending carefully (d)No improvement

5. He comes often to our house. (a) come often (b) often comes (c) often come (d) No improvement

6. It is Monday today, can’t it? (a) amn’t it (b) couldn’t it (c) isn’t it (d) No improvement

7. I naively assumed that I would be paid in the work. (a) for the work (b) for works (c) into the work (d) No improvement

8. The planet should be visible through the nake eye. (a) with the nake eye (b) to the naked eye (c) the naked eye (d) No improvement

9. They are good customers who always pay in the nail. (a) on the nail (b) with the nail (c) without the nail (d) No improvement

10. He is not noted in his sense of humour. (a) for (b) with (c) on (d) No improvement

11. I feel quite nostalgia with the place where I grew up. (a) nostalgia for (b) nostalgic for (c) nostalgia in (d) No improvement

12. I was sorry not to had seen them. (a) not to have (b) not to has

(c) had (d) No improvement 13. The ostentation reason of his absence was illness.

(a) The ostensible reason in (b) The ostensible reason for (c) The ostensible reasons for (d) No improvement

14. Her moods oscillated from depression and elation. (a) between (b) among (c) into (d) No improvement

15. Some designs are better to others. (a) best than others (b) better than another (c) better than others (d) No improvement

Directions (16-25): In the following questions, groups of four words are given. In each group, one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word. 16. (a) excution (b) excitment

(c) expedition (d) extrection 17. (a) externel (b) extrovort

(c) introvert (d) exect 18. (a) expact (b) impact

(c) exite (d) impect 19. (a) intruisting (b) interesting

(c) intersting (d) entertening 20. (a) supremecy (b) suppressor

(c) surfiet (d) surrendor 21. (a) spectacular (b) spactroscope

(c) spinache (d) splandid 22. (a) sacrosant (b) sacrificeal

(c) sacrilege (d) sabotege 23. (a) discription (b) discretion

(c) dessemination (d) dessertation 24. (a) occurence (b) occassion

(c) occupancy (d) octogenarean 25. (a) humorous (b) humanetarianism

(c) hulabaloo (d) hurrecane Directions (26-35): In the following questions, sentences are given with blanks to be filled in with appropriate word (s). Four alternatives are suggested for each question. Choose the correct alternative out of the four. 26. The little girl was knocked down by a speeding car

and she lost her ___________ immediately (a) conscience (b) conscientious (c) conscious (d) consciousness

27. They have had to put ______the football match because of snow (a) of (b) off (c) up (d) on

28. She found a few good cards in a shop and she bought ___________ cards last night

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(a) those (b) that (c) them (d) this

29. Ten miles __________ a long way to walk (a) are (b) is (c) are being (d) are not

30. The mechanic ___________ the vehicle since this morning. (a) repaired (b) repairing (c) has been repairing (d) will be repairing

31. I complemented him ___________ his success in the examination (a) at (b) on (c) about (d) for

32. Security arrangements have been tightened up in all ___________ areas (a) sensible (b) sensual (c) sensitive (d) sensational

33. The dramatist must cater ___________ the taste of the audience (a) to (b) over (c) into (d) for

34. Suitable steps are taken to bring _______the cost of living (a) up (b) over (c) on (d) down

35. If I had worked hare, I___________ very high marks in the examination (a) Scored (b) would score (c) Could score (d) would have scored

Direction (36-55): Some of the sentences have errors and some are correct. Find out which part of a sentence has an error. If a sentence is free from errors, blacken the rectangle corresponding to (D0 in the answer sheet. 36. The BJP lost 2010 election(a)/because its

politics(b)/ was poor(c) No error(d). 37. During our conversations(a)/ I realized that (b)/ we

met before (c)/ No error(d) 38. When I was child (a)/ we were making (b)/our own

amusements(c) / No error (d). 39. She told me (a)/that her father was ill(b)/since

Christmas (c)/No error(d). 40. The visitor asked me (a)/when my interest (b)/for

social work had begun(c)/No error (d). 41. The child does not (a)/ resemble to (b)/ either of his

parents (c)/No error (d). 42. An 18 yrs. Old teenager (a)/ was arrested (b)/

yesterday in Kolkata(c)/ No error (d). 43. Their dad had a crash (a)/ and their car (b)/ felt into

the sea(c) No error (d). 44. Do you think (a)/you could explain me(b)/ this

paragraph(c) / No error (d).

45. Both he as well as his friend(a)/ worked in close harmony (b)/ on the same project (c)/ No error. (d)

46. Many people prefer to travel (a)/by the road (b)/ because it is less expensive (c)/ No error(d).

47. The crowed surged forward(a)/ to have a glimpse (b)/ of their favourite leader (c)/ No error.

48. Let s congratulate him(a)/on his success (b)/ in the examination (c)/ No error (d).

49. I am going (a)/ to participate in the two miles race (b)/ tomorrow morning (c)/ No error (d).

50. The some and substance(a)/ of his speech(b) were essentially positive (c)/ No error (d).

51. Inflation and shortages (a)/have made it very difficult for him (b)/ to make his both ends meet (c)/ no error (d).

52. The East has left (a)/ its influence (b)/ on west (c)/ No error (d).

53. It has been such a wonderful evening (a)/ I look forward to meet you again (b) after the vacations (c)/ No error(d).

54. Literature remains the interest of minority(a)/ and the majority has chosen to ignore those aspects of language (b)/ which, at school they were told to value highly (c)/ No error (d).

55. There has always been (a)/ some form of terrorism (b)/but there has not always been terrorists (c)/ No error (d).

Directions (56-60): One word is mis-spelt. Find out the mis-spelt word. 56. (a) lieutenant (b) inanimat

(c) legging (d) lemma 57. (a) manganese (b) manoeuvre

(c) mammography (d) mannana 58. (a) pasdedeus (b) resisteence

(c) photomontage (d) phylum 59. (a) physique (b) quizzical

(c) collaborator (d) quotidiean 60. (a) interrogative (b) retaliation

(c) staggered (d) tercentenary Directions (61-70): Out the four alternatives choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence. 61. Talking in sleep

(a) somniloquism (b) somnambulism (c) hallucination (d) obsession

62. Study of mankind (a) anthropology (b) pathology (c) physiology (d) philogy

63. One who deserts his religion (a) Deserter (b) fanatic (c) turn coat (d) apostate

64. One who possesses many talents -

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(a) Versatile (b) gifted (c) exceptional (d) nubile

65. A word no longer in use (a) Exotie (b) archaic (c) obsolete (d) ancient

66. One who travels from place to place (a) Itinerant (b) mendicant (c) passenger (d) tramp

67. Unwilling follow or obey rules: (a) Receptive (b) recalcitrant (c) Egotist (d) egoist

68. The state of being poor (a) Poorness (b) penniless (c) penury (d) Pentecost

69. The scientific study of the punishment of criminals and the operation paiscons

(a) Criminology (b) penology (c) numerology (d) phenomenology

70. A place that is extremely beautiful and where everything seems perfect

(a) Shangria (b) utopia (c) rendezvous (d) Shawnee

Directions (71-80): Choose the word opposite in meaning to the word given in bold. 71. CONCILIATION

(a) disputed (b) irritation (c) separation (d) confrontation

72. MYTH (a) truthful (b) fact (c) falsehood (d) story

73. RELUCTANTLY (a) pleasingly (b) willingly (c) satisfactorily (d) happily

74. MUTILATE (a) instruct (b) induct (c) conduct (d) mend

75. BEMOAN (a) rejoice (b) rejuvenate (c) complain (d) cry

76. STIMULATE (a) agitate (b) deliver (c) dishearten (d) choose

77. URGE (a) enlarge (b) dampen (c) accuse (d) disobey

78. SPUR (a) gentleness (b) intensity (c) ruthlessness (d) curb

79. VIGOUR (a) attraction (b) emancipation (c) recollection (d) weakness

80. INGENUITY

(a) softness (b) dishonesty (c) cruelty (d) clumsiness

Directions: (81–90): Out of the four altenrative, choose the one which expresses the right meaning of the word given in bold. 81. SPLENDOUR

(a) magnificence (b) admiration (c) happiness (d) awe

82. INCEPTION (a) initiative (b) begin (c) initial (d) origin

83. COLOSSAL (a) famous (b) vigorous (c) energetic (d) enormous

84. PARADOX (a) Paradise (b) question (c) puzzle (d) challenge

85. PROLIFERATE (a) proliterate (b) prohibit (c) stipulate (d) reproduce

86. INVARIABLE (a) automatic (b) instinctive (c) unintentional (d) constant

87. RETRIBUTION (a) concern (b) dispersal (c) argument (d) punishment

88. REPUGNANT (a) mocking (b) scornful (c) rational (d) hateful

89. MUNDANE (a) ordinary (b) senseless (c) bad- tempered (d) derisive

90. PROMISCUITY (a) solitude (b) debauchery (c) insulation (d) delivery

Directions (91-110): In the following questions, a sentence has been given in Active Voice/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/ Active Voice that is your answer. 91. He was congratulated by his teacher on his brilliant

success in the recent examination (a) His teacher congratulated him on his brilliant success in the recent examination. (b) His teacher congratulated him for his success in the examination (c) His teacher congratulated him on his success (d) His teacher congratulated him.

92. People speak English all over the world. (a) English is spoken all over the world. (b) English was spoken all over the world. (c) English was spoken by people.

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(d) English is spoken by people. 93. Who gave you permission to enter?

(a) By whom were you given permission to enter? (b) By whom was you given permission to enter? (c) By whom you were given permission to enter? (d) By whom given you permission to enter?

94. The Principal has granted him a scholarship. (a) A scholarship has granted to him by the

Principal. (b) He has been granted a scholarship by the

Principal. (c) He has granted a scholarship by the Principal. (d) A scholarship was granted to him by the

Principal. 95. The principal kept the staff members waiting.

(a) The staff members are kept waiting for the principal. (b) The staff members were kept waiting by the principal. (c) The staff members were waiting for the

principal. (d) The staff members were being kept waiting by the principal.

96. Somebody told me that there had been an explosion in the Town Hall. (a) I was told by somebody about the explosion in the Town Hall. (b) I was told about the explosion in the Town Hall. (c) I was informed that there was an explosion in the Town Hall. (d) I was told by somebody that there had been an explosion in the Town Hall.

97. Must we cut this tree? (a) Must this tree will cut? (b) Must this tree be

cut? (c) Must this tree was cut? (d) Must this tree is cut?

98. You will be well looked after. (a) They will look after you well. (b) They can look after you well. (c) They may look after you well. (d) They shall look after you well.

99. Didn’t they tell you to be here by six O clock ? (a) Weren’t you told to be here by six O’clock ? (b)Haven’t they told you to be here by six O'clock ? (c) You were expected to be here by six O’clock ? (d) They expected you to be here by six O'clock ?

100. Don't touch this switch. (a) This switch does not be touched. (b) This switch must not be touched. (c) This switch don’t be touched. (d) This switch need not be touched.

101. I advise you not to smoke.

(a) You are advised to smoke. (b) You are advise not to smoke. (c) You were advised not to smoke. (d) You are advised not to smoke.

102. Stand up on the bench. (a) You are ordered to stand up on the bench. (b) You ordered to stand up on the bench. (c) You are ordering to stand up on the bench. (d) You have been ordered to stand up on the

bench. 103. Do they like their teachers?

(a) Have their teachers liked by them? (b) Are their teachers liked by them? (c) Are their teachers liking by them? (d) Are their teachers liked them?

104. Brutus stabbed Caesar. (a) Brutus was stabbed by Caesar. (b) Brutus has been stabbed by Caesar. (c)Caesar was stabbed by Brutus. (d) Caesar would be stabbed by Brutus.

105. Did they win the match? (a) Was the match being by them? (b) Will the match be won by them? (c) Was the match won them? (d) Was the match won by them?

106. Did you grow vegetables? (a) Were vegetables grown by them? (b) Were vegetables grown by you? (c) Were vegetables being grown by you? (d) Vegetables were grown by you?

107. Is he running a race? (a) Is a race run by him ? (b) Is a race being run by him? (c) Is a race being run for him? (d) Is a race being run him?

108. Were they singing songs? (a) Were songs been sung by them? (b) Were songs been sung by them? (c) Had songs been sung by them? (d)Were songs being sung by them?

109. What does this word mean? (a) What is meant by this word? (b) What is meant this word? (c) What was meant by this word? (d) What meant this word?

110. Why do you blame us? (a) Why are we blamed you? (b) Why are we blamed by you? (c) Why are we blaming by you? (d) Why were we blamed by you?

Directions: 111 to 135, in the following passages some of the words have been left out. Read the passages

www.gradestack.com/ssc carefully and choose the correct answer to each question out of the four alternatives and fill in the blanks.

PASSAGE - I The presence of certain (111) makes friendship a special (112) . A (113) friend is consistent and honest. A (114) is not (115) to give an honest (116) and does not say things for the sake of getting (117) . A friend provides companionship and continuous (118). There is no room for pride, (119) or rivalry in (120) . 111. (a) qualities (b) qualify

(c) frequencies (d) degrees 112. (a) hardship (b) courtship

(c) scholarship (d) relationship 113. (a) true (b) truth

(c) truthful (d) truly 114. (a) befriend (b) friendship

(c) friend (d) friendly 115. (a) fear (b) afraid

(c) fright (d) fret 116. (a) opinion (b) concern

(c) dominion (d) suggestion 117. (a) approval (b) approve

(c) appear (d) disapproval 118. (a) support (b) supportive

(c) suppress (d) provide 119. (a) jeopardize (b) jealously

(c) humility (d) open-mindedness 120. (a) friendship (b) friendly

(c) befriend (d) courtship PASSAGE - II

Whenever I (121) at the moon, my heart (122) with pleasure. I wish I had (123) to fly up to the moon. I know if I could (124) to become an (125) , I would be. able to go to the moon. Special equipment and a (126) training are required to go to the moon. I would have to wear a special 127 along with a gas-mask for (128) . My space shuttle would be equipped with (129) cameras and other scientific (130). 121. (a) looked (b) saw

(c) viewed (d) gaze 122. (a) fills (b) filled

(c) field (d) feels 123. (a) hands (b) wings

(c) legs (d) feelers 124. (a) grow up (b) mow

(c) blow (d) show 125. (a) astrology (b) astronomy

(c) astronaut (d) aristocrat 126. (a) special (b) ordinary

(c) common (d) natural 127. (a) trousers (b) spacecraft

(c) space-suit (d) space formula

128. (a) breadth (b) breathing (c) bathing (d) breathe

129. (a) sensitive (b) touchy (c) primitive (d) decorative

130. (a) accessory (b) things (c) intuition (d) gadgets

PASSAGE - III Tennis is a game that gives one plenty of exercise; it develops (131) of eye and limb and (132) the brain too into (133). A few sets of tennis keep one physically and (134) fit. But for the indoors, chess is the . queen of games. People say chess is a (135) game because only two can play. 131. (a) movement (b) swiftness

(c) quickness (d) agility 132. (a) commands (b) asks

(c) signals (d) calls 133. (a) response (b) play

(c) work (d) action 134. (a) intellectually (b) emotionally

(c) mentally (d) logically 135. (a) selfish (b) mean

(c) carefree (d) careless Directions (136-150): In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/ phrase in bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/ phrase. 136. She is a fair-weather friend.

(a) a good friend (b) a friend who meets difficulties calmly (c) one who deserts you in difficulties (d) a favourable friend

137. To die in harness means to die while (a) riding a horse (b) in a stable (c) in a uniform (d) still in service

138. To keep under wraps means to keep something (a) covered (b) protected (c) unpacked (d) secret

139. After independence Indian agriculture rose like a phoenix due to the Green Revolution. (a) with a new life (b) with a start (c) with royal gait (d) with vengeance

140. His failure at the election has been a sore point with him for a long time (a) something which hurts (b) something that brings fear to (c) something memorable for (d) something pleasurable to

141. The student is on the verge of breakdown. (a) on the brink of (b) at the outset of (c) in the midst of (d) at the risk of

www.gradestack.com/ssc 142. My repeated attempts to get refund from the

civic authorities were of no avail. (a) unsuccessful (b) postponed (c) useless (d) delayed

143. He was progressing by leaps and bounds because of his hard work (a) rapidly (b) slowly (c) peacefully (d) strongly

144. To emerge out of thin air means to (a) appear suddenly (b) descend gradually (c) fall down quickly (d) enter from space

145. The news of the accident came as a bolt from the blue. (a) something unexpected (b) something unpleasant (c) something horrible (d) something unexpected and unpleasant

146. I am not agree with him on any proposal. He is in the habit of making a meal of anything. (a) to take more trouble over something (b) to depreciate something unduly (c) to have given a remarkable duty (d) to fail to manage the situation

147. Though he was clarified satisfactorily, the matter of fact was that his proposal was laughed out of the court. (a) to take undue liberty with (b) to be out of one’s senses (c) to laugh without permission (d) to dismiss something casually

148. His miseries are not the spell of God, but he has been actually hoisted with his own petard. (a) to act recklessly (b) to have a permanent effect (c) to show maturity in doing anything (d) to be harmed by ones’ own action

149. If you have given me a back dated cheque, I would have rejected and made a hash of the same. (a) to dismiss one peremptorily (b) to go mad (c) not to make any effort to help others (d) to do something so badly that it is spoilt completely

150. Her younger son was a rascal by nature. thus he always appeared to be a thorn in her side. (a) a constant source of annoyance (b) a man disturbed in mind (c) a conceited person (d) a person unable to find a genuine path

Direction (151-170): In the following questions, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect form, Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which

best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct form. 151. I said, "I am happy in the village."

(a) I said that he was happy in the village (b) I said that she was not happy in the village (c) I said that I was happy in the village (d) I said that I am happy in the village

152. You said, "We are learning our lesson." (a) You said that your were learning your lesson (b) You said that you are learning your lesson (c) You said that you were learning our lesson (d) You said that you had learnt your lesson

153. He said, "I am not to blame." (a) He said that he is not to blame (b) He said that I was not to blame (c) He said that you were not to blame (d) He said that he was not to blame

154. She said, "I do not care for him." (a)She said that she does not care for him (b) She said that she did not care for him (c) She said that she did not cared for him (d) She said that she would not care for him

155. They said, "We trust in God." (a) They said that they trusted in God (b) They said that we trusted in God (c) They said that they trusted into God (d) They said that they had trusted in God

156. I said to him, "You are always late." (a) I told him that he is always late (b) I told him that you were always late (c) I told him that he was always late (d) I told him that he was being always late

157. You said to me, "You may go." (a) You told me that I might go (b) You told me that he might go (c) You told me that she might go (d) You told me that I might gone

158. Sheela said to us. "You must work hard," (a) Sheela told us that we must be work hard (b) Sheela told us that we must work hard (c) Sheela told us that we must be working hard (d) Sheela told us that we must have worked hard

159. Ram said to me, "Sita does not like meat." (a) Ram told me that Sita did not liking meat (b) Ram told me that Sita had not liked meat (c) Ram told me that Sita did not like meat (d) Ram said me that Sita did not like meat

160. I siad to him, "He must not tell lies". (a) I told him that he must not tell lies (b) I told him that he should not tell lies (c) I told him that he would not tell lies (d) I told him that he could not tell lies

www.gradestack.com/ssc 161. Manohar said "Alas ! I am undone."

(a) Manohar exclaimed wild sorrow that he was undone (b) Manohar exclaimed with surprise that he was undone (c) Manohar said that he was undone sorrowfully (d) Manohar exclaimed with sorrow that he was not done

162. Hari says, "Sita is ill." (a) Hari says to Sita that she is ill (b) Hari syas to her that Sita is ill (c) Hari says that Sita is ill (d) Hari says to Sita that you are ill

163. She said, "I have to play a match." (a) She said that I had to play a match (b) She said that she had to play the match (c) She said that she had played a match (d) She said that she had to play a match

164. He said, "I am a student. I have studied for three years."

(a) He said he was a student. He added that he had studied for three years (b) He said that he was a student. He added that he had studied for three years. (c) He said that he was a student and studied for three years (d) He said that he was a student because he had studied for three years

165. He said to me, "you are going to the cinema, arn't you?" (a) He asked me whether I was going to the cinema (b) He asked me whether I was going to the cinema and added arn't you (c) He asked me if I was going to the cinema (d) He asked me are you going to the cinema

166. They said to the Principal, "Let us go home," (a) They requested the Principal to allow to go

home (b) They informed the Principal that let they go home (c) They requested the Principal to allow them to go home (d) They reported the Principal to let them go home

167. He said to me, "Please wait here till I return." (a) He requested him wait there till he returned (b) He requested him to wait here till he returned (c) He requested him to wait there till he returned (d) He requested him to wait there till he returns

168. He said that after the class he had had to return home. (a) He said, "After the class I have to return home."

(b) He said, "After the class I have had to return home." (c) He said, "After the class I had to return home." (d) He said, "After, the class I had have to return home."

169. He said, "Thank you." (a) He said to thank me (b) He wished to thank him (c) He told thank you (d) He thanked me

170. Briju said to Amarjeet, "Let us go out for a walk." (a) Briju proposed to Amarjeet that they should go out for a walk (b) Briju proposed to Amarjeet that we should go out for a walk (c) Briju advised Amarjeet to let us go out for a walk (d) None of the above

Directions (171-200): in the following questions, you have eight brief passage with 5/10 questions following each passage. Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

Passage – I In the world, have we made health an end in itself? We have forgotten that health is really a means to enable a person to do his work and do it well. A lot of modern medicine is concerned with promotion of good health. Many patients as well as many physicians pay very little attention to health; but very much attention to health makes some people imagine that they are ill. Our great concern with health is shown by the medical columns in newspaper, the health articles in popular magazines and the popularity of the television programme and all those books on medicine we talk about health all the time. Yet for the most only result is more people with imaginary illnesses. The healthy man should not be wasting any time talking about health, he should be using health for work, the work he does and the work that good health makes possible. 171. Modern medicine is primarily concerned with

(a) promotion of good health (b) people suffering from imaginary illnesses (c) people suffering from real illnesses (d) increased efficiency in work

172. A healthy man should be concerned with (a) his work which good health makes possible (b) looking after his health (c) his health which makes work possible (d) talking about health

173. Talking about health all the time makes people (a) always suffer from imaginary illnesses (b) sometimes suffer from imaginary illnesses

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(c) rarely suffer from imaginary illnesses (d) often suffer from imaginary illnesses

174. The passage suggests that (a) health is an end in itself (b) health is a blessing (c) health is only means to an end (d) we should not talk about health

175. The passage tells us (a) how medicines should be manufactured (b) what a healthy man should or should not do (c) what the television programmes should be about (d) how best to imagine illnesses

Passage – II Time was when people looked heavenward and prayed, “Ye Gods, given us rain, keep drought away,” Today there are those who pray. “Give us rain, keep EI Nino away.” El Nino and its atmospheric equivalent, called the Southern Oscillation, are together referred to as ENSO, and are household words today. Meteorologists organize it as often being responsible for natural disaster worldwide. But this wisdom dawned only after countries suffered, first from the lack of knowledge, and then from the lack of coordination between policy making and the advance in scientific knowledge. Put simply, El Nino is a weather event restricted to certain tropical shores, epically the Peruvian coast. The event has diametrically opposite impacts on the land and sea. The Peruvian shore is a desert. But every few years, an unusually warm ocean current – El Nino – warms up the normally cold surface-waters of the Peruvian coast, causing very heavy rains in the early half of the year. And then, miraculously, the desert is matted green. Crops like cotton, coconuts and banana grow on the other wise stubbornly barren land. These are the Peruvians’ anos de adundencia or years of abundance. The current had come to be termed El Nino, or the Christ Child because it usually appears as an enhancement if a mildly warm current that normally occurs here around every Christmas. But this boon on land is accompanied by oceanic disasters. Normally, the waters off the South American coast are among the most productive in the world because of a constant up swelling of nutrient rich cold waters from the ocean depths. During an El Nino, however waters are stirred up only from near the surface. The nutrient-crunch pushes down primary production, disrupting the food chain. Many marine species, including anchoveta (anchovies) temporarily disappear. This is just one damming effect of El Nino. Over the years its full impact has been studied and what the Peruvians once regarded as manna, is now seen as a major threat.

176. Meteorologist took time to understand El Nino because (a) It was neither a disaster nor a boon for the people living in desert areas. (b) They recognized it as an atmospheric equivalent and hence called it Southern Oscillation. (c) They suffered from lack of knowledge about El Nino as they were not scientifically advanced. (d) All of the above.

177. El Nino in a layman language is (a) a natural disaster (b) Southern Oscillation (c) a weather event (d) None of the above

178. What are the two types of landscapes that are effected by El Nino? (a) Coastal areas and sea (b) Tropical shores and land (c) Deserts and oceans (d) All of the above

179. Which word in Para 3 is the antonym for – ‘Fertile’? (a) matted (b) abundance (c) barren (d) None of the above

180. What, according to the author, is a positive effect of El Nino? (a) It causes change in atmosphere. (b) It results in vegetation of barren lands. (c) It comes around Christmas. (d) It is regarded as manna.

181. How can we say the El Nino proves to be a boon for South American Coast? (a) It causes and up swelling of rich nutrients making it the most productive in the world. (b) It causes the destruction of many marine species such as anchoveta. (c) It warms up normally cold surface waters off causing heavy rains. (d) It enhances warm currents around every Christmas.

182. The ‘years of abundance’ is when (a) El Nino occurs during Christmas (b) The deserts are matted green (c) Marine species is destroyed (d) None of the above

183. The phrase, ‘damning effect’ means (a) negative effects (b) destructive effects (c) full effects (d) disrupting effects

184. People today, pray to God to keep (a) rains and droughts away (b) drought away (c) El Nino away (d) El Nino and droughts away

185. The word which means – ‘equal in value, power and meaning’ is

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(a) unusual (b) current (c) equivalent (d) appear

PASSAGE- III Most authorities agree that St. dentine is “the lover’s saint”. However, some writer s are inclined believe that no such person existed, sough there appears to be proof that was a Christian Bishop and that he suffered martyrdom under the Roman Emperor Claudius on February 14, 271 (A.D.) The story is that Emperor Claudius issued a decree forbidding marriage, Married men disliked leaving their farnilies to go to war and they did not make good soldiers, according to the Emperor's notion. Since good soldiers were needed, he decided that marriage had i be abolished. The good priest Valentine heard this and was sad. He invited young lovers to come to him and secretly got them married. The emperor learnt of this and had Valentine put in prison, here the “friend of lovers’’ languished d died martyr to love. The Church made him a Saint and allotted the day of this death February 14, to him. So it not surprising that youngsters in tome made this day a special one in honour of the Saint; St. Valentine’s Day came to be known as "the day for rue lovers." Three Egyptian words will tell us more about the customs of Valentine’s Day than all the falsehoods concerning Saint. In Engyptian language, Va or Fa means “to bear”, Len is “the name”, or “to name”. Then means to determine”. Thus the day or Valentine is that which determines whose name shall be borne by each person in this mode of marriage by drawing lots. The custom points to the time when chance, rather than choice, was the law. Marriage is still said to be a lottery. The custom of sending caricatures on Valentine’s Day is probably based on asserting the freedom of choice, and making a mock of chance. If one decides to entertain people at a supper or dinner on Valentine’s Day, the decoration and even the food should follow the spirit of the day. Invitations are usually heart-shaped-a custom that originated with the first manufactured Valentines which were usually in the shape of hearts-darted through with arrows. 186. The writer means that St. Valentine actually

lived. Which of the following statements best reveal the meaning ? (a) Most authorities agree that St. Valentine was known as “the lovers’ saint.” (b) Valentine was put in prison and he died a martyr to love. (c) There appears to be proof that he was a Christian Bishop in the 3rd century

(d) Some writers are inclined to believe that no such person existed

187. Married men did not make good soldiers because (a) they did not want to leave their families. (b) they did not like to go to war, (c) their families did not want them to go to war. (d) the emperor abolished their marriage.

188. Valentine was made a Saint by (a) Emperor Claudius (b) Married Men (c) Young Lovers (d) Roman Church

189. Valentine was called a martyr to love because (a) He was young lover married (b)he got me young lovers married (c) he died for the sake of young lovers (d) the King put him in prison

190. The first manufactured Valentines were usually heart-shaped. The word 'Valentine' here refers to (a) St. Valentine (b) Invitation cards (c) Egyptian word (d) Fourteenth February

PASSAGE-IV The ease with which democratic Governments have given way to authoritarian regimes in one Asian Country after another has made many persons ask in despair whether the parliamentary system based on the Western model is suited to under- developed countries. People who do not know how to read and write, they argue, can hardly know how to vote. Popular elections often bring incompetent men to the top, they contend, and the division of party spoils and breeds corruption. What is worse, the system of perpetual party warfare obstructs the business of Government. They point to the dismal results of the last ten years. The pace of social and economic change has been far too slow and the Governments in most of the underdeveloped countries have failed to come to grip with the problems which face the people. What they say is no doubt true to some extent but it is pertinent to remember that every alternative to democracy, while it in no way guarantees greater integrity or efficiency in the administration, lacks even the saving merit of regimes which, based on the suffrage of the people, leave it to the people to find,, out, by trial and error, who is their best friend. The people can peacefully get rid of a democratic Government which has failed to keep its promise, they can overthrow a dictatorial regime only through a violent revolution. 191. Democratic Governments have given way to

authoritarian regimes in several Asian Countries because (a) Asians are under eloped (b)Asians like powerful leaders

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(c) Asians cannot read and write and can hardly know how to vote (d) Asians have not been able to adapt themselves to the Western Parliamentary system

192. Popular elections (a) Breed corruption (b) Stop the work of the Government (c) Result in a division of parties (d) Bring incompetent and unprincipled men to power

193. In the last ten years, the Governments in the underdeveloped countries (a) produced impressive results (b) failed because they could not face the people (c) neglected social and economic problems (d) were too incompetent to speed up social and economic change

194. Every alternative to democracy (a) is based on the suffering of the people (b) enables people to find out their best friend (c) lacks the safeguard of being peacefully overthrown by the people if it does not fulfill its promises . (d) lacks the saving merit of integrity and efficiency

195. A democratic form of Government is superior to a dictatorial one because (a) it makes people protest in a raised voice (b) people can protest against its injustices, and even overthrow it peacefully (c) people can only suffer in silence (d) the tyranny of a regime is responsible to itself.

PASSAGE-V When flowers bloom in the lush bamboo plantations in the hills of the northeast, the tribesmen are thrown into a state of panic. The rare phenomenon of the flowering of a dwarf sized bamboo species triggers a boom in the rat population. They devour the crops in nearby farmlands. The result is famine. The mauve-coloured flowers sprouting in the hill-slopes in the sprawling Seppa valley in east Kameng district, Arunachal Pradesh, are a palpable threat to the State Government. The worries are justified, if the catastrophe caused by the flowering of a bamboo species named Mau in Mizoram in 1959 is anything to go by Rodents had multiplied in millions during the flowering of bamboos and ravaged the crops in the foothills. The flowering of the bamboo species in Arunachal Pradesh was first noticed in September this year. The depredations by the rats in the paddy, maize and millet fields from Bhaluk- pong on the Assam border to Seppa valley in the north were reported soon. As the agriculture department rushed its field-staff to the

affected areas to fight the rampaging rodents with rat- traps and zinc phosphate, fresh alarms were sounded with flowering reported from the Tezu circle.According to the local MLA much of the crops in Kameng had been destroyed by October. The State Veterinary Minister also confirmed the reports of a near-famine condition in that inaccessible district. The rats, feeding on the flower seedlings, continue to multiply. Till today, 33,000 rats, of the 26 varieties in the State have been trapped with the help of indigenous devices. The Chief Minister has sent an SOS to the Centre for both supplies and expertise in combating the rat menace. 196. In the opening passage (2nd sentence) the

phrase 'triggers a boom' means (a) brings about a change (b) causes an increase (c)causes an upheaval (d) starts an exodus

197. The destruction in Bhalukpong was reported, according to the passage (a) in September (b)in August (c) in October (d) in November

198. A near-famine condition was reported (a) in the Seppa valley (b) in Kameng (c) in the Tezu circle (d) at Bhalukpong

199. The flowering of the bamboo made the people (a) cautious (b) hungry (c) anxious (d) panicky

200. What is the writer's attitude to the tribal people's problem ? (a) Sympathetic (b) Critical (c) Harsh (d) Neutral

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