ENGLISH SET PAPER FOR UPCOMING EXAMS STAFF SELECTION COMMISSION

PART-I ::  ENGLISH LANGUAGE
 Directions (Qs. 1?15) : Read the following passage
carefully and answer the questions given below it.  Certain
words/phrases are printed in bold to help you to locate them
while answering some of the questions.
  The wise old Wazir was Famous for his judgement and people
came to him for justice from all parts of the country. 
One-day two men came to his court and claimed ownership of
an extraordinarily good-looking horse.  It was a black
beauty indeed.  One of the men was tall, very well dressed
and soft-spoken.  The other one was just the opposite.  Each
of them said that the horse was his.  The Wazir heard them
patiently and asked them to leave the horse and come to him
next morning.  Both the men came the next morning.  The
Wazir asked his soldiers to give the horse to the tall man
and to arrest the other man.  The tall man wanted to know
how the Wazir had learnt the truth.  ?Very simple?, said he,
?Firstly, a man of your appearance and manners could not
have been the thief.  Still, I wanted to be sure, just after
you had left the court.  I asked one of my soldiers to leave
the horse free and to see whom it followed.  It went after
you.  This hint was enough for me.?
1. Which of the following best describes the other man?
 (A) Ill-dressed, short-statured, loud-voice
 (B) Tall, ill-dressed, courteous
 (C) Not well-dressed, short but good mannered
 (D) Thin, poorly-built, harsh in expression
 Ans: ( A ) Ill-dressed, short-statured, loud-voice
  
2. The Wazir discovered the real owner of the horse---
 (A) by arresting the other man
 (B) from the appearance and good manners of the tall man
 (C) by knowing whom the horse followed
 (D) by leaving the horse free
 Ans: ( C ) by knowing whom the horse followed
  
3. With the Wazir?s wisdom, the tall man was--
 (A) consoled
 (B) impressed
 (C) undecided
 (D) confused
 Ans: ( B ) impressed
  
4. People came to the Wazir from all places because he was ---
 (A) a wise judge
 (B) very famous
 (C) an old judge
 (D) an old Wazir
 Ans: ( A ) a wise judge
  
5. The story proves that ---
 (A) the court soldiers were very smart
 (B) the judge was quite old
 (C) the horse was very clever
 (D) the judge was indeed quite intelligent 
 Ans: ( D ) the judge was indeed quite intelligent
  
 Directions (Qs. 6?10) : Which of the following is most
nearly the same in meaning as the word/group of words as
printed in bold as used in the passage?
6. Claimed
 (A) Demanded as a right
 (B) Promised
 (C) Declared
 (D) Possessed
 Ans: ( A ) Demanded as a right
  
7. Followed
 (A) Pursued
 (B) Owned
 (C) Went after
 (D) Interrupted
 Ans: ( C ) Went after
  
8. Hint
 (A) Advice
 (B) Clue
 (C) Truth
 (D) Nod
 Ans: ( B ) Clue
  
9. Patiently
 (A) Politely
 (B) Willingly
 (C) Sufficiently
 (D) Calmly
 Ans: ( D ) Calmly
  
10. Still
 (A) However
 (B) Calm
 (C) Quiet
 (D) Though
 Ans: ( A ) However
  
 Directions (Qs. 11?15) : Which of the following is most
opposite in meaning of the word printed in bold as used in
the passage ?
11. Extraordinarily
 (A) Exceptionally
 (B) Unusually
 (C) Exactly
 (D) Plainly
 Ans: ( D ) Plainly
  
12. Sure
 (A) Promising 
 (B) Definite 
 (C) Unfaithful
 (D) Uncertain
 Ans: ( B ) Definite
  
13. Famous
 (A) Gentle
 (B) Notorious
 (C) Easily known
 (D) Widely known
 Ans: ( B ) Notorious
  
14. Arrest
 (A) Trap
 (B) Imprison
 (C) Catch attention
 (D) Release
 Ans: ( D ) Release
  
15. Enough
 (A) Inadequate
 (B) Sufficient
 (C) Understandable
 (D) Scarce
 Ans: ( D ) Scarce
  
 Directions (Qs. 16?25) : There is a mistake in each of the
following sentences.  Find out the part in which the mistake
occurs.
16. (A) The travel / (B) across the sandy desert / (C) was
an exhausting one / (D) for the caravan.
 Ans: ( A ) 
  
17. (A) No sooner did / (B) he announce the / (C) tour the
children / (D) screamed with great joy.
 Ans: ( C ) 
  
18. (A) His only / (B) frame to claim is that / (C) he is
the son of / (D) a rich man.
 Ans: ( B ) 
  
19. (A) It did not / (B) take me very long / (C) to size up
my / (D) fellow interviewees.
 Ans: ( C ) 
  
20. (A) I am pleased to sanction / (B) one special increment
/ (C) to all the employees / (D) with this month.
 Ans: ( D ) 
  
21. (A) I will put on / (B) a note in this regard / (C) for
your consideration / (D) and necessary decision.
 Ans: ( A ) 
  
22. (A) If the teacher / (B) is good the students / (C) will
respond / (D) positively to them.
 Ans: ( D ) 
  
23. (A) Rajesh has collected / (B) all the necessary
documents / (C) and have written a good paper / (D) for his
conference.
 Ans: ( C ) 
  
24. (A) The old chap / (B) who lives in the little / (C) hut
on the beach / (D) seems to be a real odd bird.
 Ans: ( D ) 
  
25. (A) I have been racking / (B) my brain all the days to
remember / (C) the name of the agency / (D) that Sheila
recommended.
 Ans: ( B ) 
  
 Directions (Qs. 26?35) : Give one word for each of the
following utterances :
26. A person who does not believe in any religion--
 (A) Philatelist
 (B) Rationaslist
 (C) Atheist
 (D) Pagan
 Ans: ( D ) Pagan
  
27. A post without remuneration--
 (A) Voluntary
 (B) Sinecure
 (C) Honorary
 (D) Involuntary
 Ans: ( C ) Honorary
  
28. A person who rules without consulting the opinion of
others--
 (A) Democrat
 (B) Bureaucrat
 (C) Autocrat
 (D) Fanatic
 Ans: ( C ) Autocrat
  
29. Through which light cannot pass--
 (A) Dull
 (B) Dark
 (C) Obscure
 (D) Opaque
 Ans: ( D ) Opaque
  
30. A person who brings goods illegally into the country--
 (A) Exporter
 (B) Importer
 (C) Smuggler
 (D) Imposter 
 Ans: ( C ) Smuggler
  
31. A person who has just started learning--
 (A) Foreman
 (B) Accomplice
 (C) Novice
 (D) Apprentice
 Ans: ( C ) Novice
  
32. A person interested in reading books and nothing else--
 (A) Student
 (B) Book worm
 (C) Scholar
 (D) Book keeper
 Ans: ( B ) Book worm
  
33. One who resides in a country of which he is not citizen--
 (A) Alien
 (B) Native
 (C) Foreigner
 (D) Prodigal
 Ans: ( A ) Alien
  
34. Anything which destroys the effect of poison--
 (A) Serum
 (B) Antiseptic
 (C) Seramycin
 (D) Antidote
 Ans: ( D ) Antidote
  
35. A cure for all diseases--
 (A) Excorcism
 (B) Incantation
 (C) Panacca
 (D) Antibiotic
 Ans: ( C ) Panacca
  
 Directions (Qs. 36?40) : In the following items there is a
word odd in one respect or another from the rest.   Identify
such words.
36. (A) Goal
 (B) Guile
 (C) Gall
 (D) Whole
 Ans: ( D ) Whole
  
37. (A) Whole
 (B) Full
 (C) Fool
 (D) Complete
 Ans: ( C ) Fool
 
38. (A) On
 (B) Upon
 (C) Than
 (D) Over
 Ans: ( C ) Than
  
39. (A) Bring
 (B) Going
 (C) Coming
 (D) Rinning
 Ans: ( A ) Bring
  
40. (A) A
 (B) An
 (C) The
 (D) That
 Ans: ( D ) That
  
 Directions (Qs. 41?45) : In each question below four words
are given.  One of which is correctly spelt.  Choose the
word with correct spelling.
41. (A) Disguise
 (B) Desguise
 (C) Disguese
 (D) Disgiuse
 Ans: ( A ) Disguise
  
42. (A) Buccaner
 (B) Buccanner
 (C) Bucaneer
 (D) Buccaneer
 Ans: ( D ) Buccaneer
  
43. (A) Experence
 (B) Experince
 (C) Experience
 (D) Exparience
 Ans: ( C ) Experience
  
44. (A) Pionear
 (B) Pioneer
 (C) Pyoneer
 (D) Pienear
 Ans: ( B ) Pioneer
  
45. (A) Achievement
 (B) Achievment
 (C) Acheivement
 (D) Achivement
 Ans: ( A ) Achievement
  
 Directions (Qs. 46?55) : In each of the following passages,
there are blanks each of which has been numbered.  These
numbers are printed below the passage and against each. 
Some words are suggested, one of which fits the blank
appropriately.  Find out the appropriate words.
 PASSAGE :
We will be crushed if civil ?(46)? is started.  It will be
?(47)? to the clock.  The technique of ?(48)? against it has
been ?(49)?   We may have to wait ?(50)? a year or more for
a suitable ?(51)? to be created.   Any hasty ?(52)? may
result in complete ?(53)? Labour troubles will ?(54)? to
violence and there will be ?(55)? discord. 
46. (A) riot
 (B) disturbance
 (C) war
 (D) disobedience
 Ans: ( D ) disobedience
  
47. (A) damage
 (B) reversal
 (C) setback
 (D) rewinding
 Ans: ( C ) setback
  
48. (A) defence
 (B) protection
 (C) fighting
 (D) guarding
 Ans: ( C ) fighting
  
49. (A) learnt
 (B) practised
 (C) rehearsed
 (D) perfected
 Ans: ( D ) perfected
  
50. (A) at least
 (B) minimum
 (C) for
 (D) approximately
 Ans: ( A ) at least
  
51. (A) condition
 (B) climate
 (C) atmosphere
 (D) weather
 Ans: ( B ) climate
  
52. (A) decision
 (B) work
 (C) deed
 (D) action
 Ans: ( D ) action
  
53. (A) demoralization
 (B) doom
 (C) disobedience
 (D) disaster
 Ans: ( D ) disaster
  
54. (A) draw
 (B) take
 (C) lead
 (D) grow
 Ans: ( C ) lead
  
55. (A) labour
 (B) communal
 (C) religious
 (D) community
 Ans: ( B ) communal
  
 Directions (Qs. 56?60) : In each question below four words
are given, one of which is wrongly spelt.  Find out that
word the spelling of which is wrong.
56. (A) Merriment
 (B) Meridean
 (C) Marauder
 (D) Morose
 Ans: ( B ) Meridean
  
57. (A) Neightingale
 (B) Nectar
 (C) Notion
 (D) Nickel
 Ans: ( A ) Neightingale
  
58. (A) Forsake
 (B) Finance
 (C) Former
 (D) Flevour
 Ans: ( D ) Flevour
  
59. (A) Romance
 (B) Receipt
 (C) Racket
 (D) Resticate
 Ans: ( D ) Resticate
  
60. (A) Pirate
 (B) Pesimist
 (C) Patriot
 (D) Passion
 Ans: ( B ) Pesimist
  
 Direction (Qs. 61?65) : Rearrange the given six sentences
(a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) in the proper sequence so as
o form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions
given below them.
 (a) Miss Sullivan arrived at the Keller home when Helen was
seven.
(b) The deaf and blind Helen learned to communicate verbally.
(c) But eventually, Miss Sullivan?s effort was rewarded.
(d) Before Helen Keller was two years old, she lost her
sight and her hearing.
(e) Miss Sullivan worked closely with Helen, her new student.
(f) At times, the teacher became frustrated. 
61. Which sentence should come first in the sequence ?
 (A) a
 (B) b
 (C) c
 (D) d
 Ans: ( D ) d
  
62. Which sentence should come last in the sequence ?
 (A) b
 (B) c
 (C) d
 (D) e
 Ans: ( A ) b
  
63. Which sentence should come fourth in the sequence ?
 (A) c
 (B) d
 (C) e
 (D) f
 Ans: ( D ) f
  
64. Which sentence should come third in the sequence ?
 (A) c
 (B) d
 (C) e
 (D) f
 Ans: ( C ) e
  
65. Which sentence should come second in the sequence ?
 (A) a
 (B) b
 (C) d
 (D) e
 Ans: ( A ) a
  
 Directions (Qs. 66-75) : Pick out the most effective word
from the given words to fill in the blank to make the
sentence meaningfully complete.
66. We will be ??????? her on Friday at Madan?s house.
 (A) talking
 (B) taking
 (C) meet
 (D) seeing
 Ans: ( D ) seeing
  
67. We will be late if we ???? not leave now.
 (A) will
 (B) shall
 (C) do
 (D) did
 Ans: ( C ) do
  
68. Much against her wishes, Munni?s father ???? her to give
up studies.
 (A) requested
 (B) encouraged
 (C) adviced
 (D) compelled
 Ans: ( D ) compelled
  
69. Mr. Ashoka said that it was all that he ???? collect
from him.
 (A) shall
 (B) could
 (C) will
 (D) may
 Ans: ( B ) could
  
70. The Governor of the State is going to ???? away the
prizes to the winners.
 (A) given
 (B) giving
 (C) gave
 (D) give
 Ans: ( D ) give
  
71. They were grateful for ???? bread we gave them.
 (A) a
 (B) an
 (C) the
 (D) some
 Ans: ( C ) the
  
72. We decided to stay at ???? hotel in the center of the town.
 (A) a
 (B) an
 (C) the
 (D) some
 Ans: ( A ) a
  
73. It is ???? pleasure to do business with such an
efficient organization.
 (A) a
 (B) some
 (C) the
 (D) any
 Ans: ( A ) a
  
74. The guide knows ???? way.
 (A) a
 (B) an
 (C) the
 (D) any
 Ans: ( C ) the
  
75. I first met him ???? year ago.
 (A) a
 (B) an
 (C) the
 (D) very
 Ans: ( A ) a
  
 Directions (Qs. 76?80) : In the following sentences a blank
is given.  Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition. 
76. Anju?s marriage ???? Manoj was tumultuous.
 (A) of
 (B) with
 (C) between
 (D) to
 Ans: ( B ) with
  
77. The examinee could guess ???? the answer correctly.
 (A) with
 (B) of
 (C) about
 (D) at
 Ans: ( D ) at
  
78. He has reigned himself ???? fate.
 (A) in
 (B) into
 (C) for
 (D) to
 Ans: ( D ) to
  
79. He persisted ???? saying so.
 (A) on
 (B) in
 (C) with
 (D) over
 Ans: ( B ) in
  
80. You must remember this lesson word ???? word.
 (A) by
 (B) to
 (C) on
 (D) for
 Ans: ( D ) for
  
 Directions (Qs. 81?85) : In the following questions, the
first and the last sentences of the passage are numbered 1
and 6.   The rest of the passage is split into four parts
named P, Q, R and S.  These four parts are not given in
their proper order.  Read the passage and find out which of
the four combinations is correct.  Then find the correct
answer and indicate it.
81. 1. Diwali is the feat of lights.
P. Even the house of the poorest has a few candles burning.
Q. On this night, thousands of lamps are lit in every town.
R. It is celebrated in every part of the country.
S. All the houses, shops and buildings are illuminated with
earthen lamps or candles.
6. Young and old, rich and poor?all enjoy a holiday.
 (A) P R Q S
 (B) Q P R S
 (C) S Q P R
 (D) R Q S P
 Ans: ( D ) R Q S P
  
82. 1. Smoke oozed up between the planks.
P. Passengers were told to be ready to quit the ship.
Q. The rising gale fanned the smouldering fire.
R. Every one now knew there was a fire on board.
S. Flames broke out here and there.
6. Most people bore the smoke bravely.
 (A) Q P S R
 (B) Q S R P
 (C) R S P Q
 (D) S R Q P
 Ans: ( D ) S R Q P
  
83. 1. It is very easy to acquire bad habits.
P. If we do not continue to do it, we feel unhappy.
Q. The more we do a thing, the more we tend to like doing it.
R. The force of habit should be fought against.
S. This is called the force of habit.
6. Even good things should be done from time to time only.
 (A) P S Q R
 (B) Q P S R
 (C) R P S Q
 (D) S Q R P
 Ans: ( B ) Q P S R
  
84. 1. Once upon a time an ant lived on the blank of a river.
P. The dove saw the ant struggling in water in a helpless
condition.
Q. All its efforts to come up failed.
R. One day it suddenly slipped into the water.
S. A dove lived in a tree on the bank not far from the spot.
6. She was touched.
 (A) P Q R S
 (B) Q R P S
 (C) R Q S P
 (D) S R P Q
 Ans: ( C ) R Q S P
  
85. 1. We and all other animals breathe in and breathe out
air all the time.
P. If we stop breathing we die.
Q. It is because of this fact that we are able to live.
R. It is called the atmosphere.
S. All parts of the earth are surrounded by air.
6. It is a part of the earth.
 (A) P Q R S
 (B) P R Q S
 (C) Q P S R
 (D) S R Q P
 Ans: ( C ) Q P S R
  
 Directions (Qs. 86?95) : Each of the following
idioms/phrases is followed by some alternatives.  Choose the
one which best expresses its meaning.
86. To keep one?s head
 (A) To be agile and active
 (B) To keep calm
 (C) To think coherently
 (D) None of these
 Ans: ( B ) To keep calm
  
87. To give up the ghost
 (A) To suffer
 (B) To fight evil forces
 (C) To die
 (D) To become rational
 Ans: ( C ) To die
  
88. To smell a rat
 (A) To detect bad smell
 (B) To misunderstand
 (C) To suspect a trick or deceit
 (D) To see hidden meaning
 Ans: ( C ) To suspect a trick or deceit
  
89. To get cold feet
 (A) To run for life
 (B) To fall sick
 (C) To be afraid
 (D) To become discourteous 
 Ans: ( C ) To be afraid
  
90. Something up one?s sleeve
 (A) A secret plan
 (B) A grand idea
 (C) A profitable plan
 (D) Something important 
 Ans: ( A ) A secret plan
  
91. To see red
 (A) To be very angry
 (B) To victimise someone
 (C) To find fault with
 (D) To criticise others
 Ans: ( C ) To find fault with
  
92. Hard-Pressed
 (A) Bewilde red
 (B) Insulted
 (C) Hard discipline
 (D) In difficulties
 Ans: ( D ) In difficulties
  
93. In a jiffy
 (A) In a moment
 (B) In a hurry
 (C) Immediately
 (D) In a funny mood
 Ans: ( A ) In a moment
  
94. To cool one?s heels
 (A) To rest for sometime
 (B) To give no importance to someone
 (C) To remain in a comfortable position
 (D) To be kept waiting for sometime
 Ans: ( D ) To be kept waiting for sometime
  
95. Spick and span
 (A) Neat and clean
 (B) Out spoken
 (C) A ready-made thing
 (D) Garrulous
 Ans: ( A ) Neat and clean
  
 Directions (Qs. 96?100) : The words of a readable sentence
are jumbled.  Each word has a number.   Choose the right
choice of numbers which represents the correct arrangement
of the sentence. 
96. 1. Solomon 2. for 3. was
4. wisdom 5. famous 6. his  
 (A) 1 3 5 2 6 4
 (B) 4 2 1 3 6 5
 (C) 1 5 3 2 4 6 
 (D) 4 1 2 5 6 3
 Ans: ( A ) 1 3 5 2 6 4
  
97. 1. of 2. the 3. gift
4. wisdom 5. is 6. heaven
 (A) 6 2 3 4 1 5
 (B) 6 5 2 3 1 4
 (C) 2 4 5 6 1 3
 (D) 4 5 2 3 1 6
 Ans: ( D ) 4 5 2 3 1 6
  
98. 1. hearing 2. promise 3. a
4. I 5. fair 6. you
 (A) 6 2 3 1 5 4
 (B) 4 2 6 3 5 1
 (C) 3 4 1 2 6 5
 (D) 2 1 4 6 5 3
 Ans: ( B ) 4 2 6 3 5 1
  
99. 1. a 2. slight 3. cold
4. has 5. child 6. that  
 (A) 1 2 5 4 3 6
 (B) 2 3 1 5 4 6
 (C) 6 5 4 1 2 3
 (D) 2 4 3 6 1 5
 Ans: ( C ) 6 5 4 1 2 3
  
100. 1. cross 2. child 3. a
4. is 5. liked 6. not  
 (A) 3 1 2 6 4 5
 (B) 3 1 2 4 6 5
 (C) 2 1 5 3 6 4
 (D) 5 2 1 3 4 6
 Ans: ( B ) 3 1 2 4 6 5