Here are some sample questions on English language which will be helpful in preparing competitive exams such as Probationary Officers' Test, SSC Exams etc..
Directions (Q1, 2, 3): Choose the word which most nearly the SAME in meaning as the word given in CAPITALS as used in the passage.
1. SCALE
Choose the right option
[A] Balance
[B] Proportion
[C] Quantity
[D] Steep
[E] Trace
2. ENVIABLE
Choose the right option
[A] Miserable
[B] Disappointing
[C] Insurmountable
[D] Pessimistic
[E] Admirable
3. SIPID
Choose the right option
[A] Flavoured
[B] Stupid
[c] Beautiful
[D] Rude
[E] None of these
Directions (Q. 4, 5): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word given in CAPITALS as used in the passage.
4. DEPENDABLE
Choose the right option
[A] Independent
[B] Creditable
[C] Unreliable
[D] Unapproachable
[E] Incongruent
5. FRAGILE
Choose the right option
[A] weak
[B] Perfect
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Robust
[E] Delicate
Directions (Q. 6-10): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any will be one part of the sentence. The number of that part of the sentence is the answer. If there is no error the answer is (5). (Ignore the error of punctuation, if any.)
6. (1) Unfortunately there is / (2) a loss of / (3) communications between / (4) me and my parents./ (5) No error
7. (1) Heavy clothings are / (2) essential if / (3) one is not to die / (4) from exposure to the cold. / (5) No error
8. (1) The directives in the holy books thus lay / (2) emphasis on the need to / (3) avoid get caught on / (4)the stranglehold of worldly attractions / (5) No error
9. (1) An effective criminal law / (2) is required for / (3) effective implementation of / (4) rules of law / (5)No error
10. (1) You must list in detail / (2) all your qualifications / (3) and experiences / (4) in your application./ (5) No error
Directions (Q. 11-15): In each of the following sentences there are two blank spaces.Below there are five pairs of words denoted by A, B, C, D, and E. Find out which pair of words can be filled up in the blanks in the sentence in the same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
11. A _______ is known for his _______.
Choose the right option
[A] hypocrite, honesty
[B] braggart, modesty
[C] altruist, truthfulness
[D] mercenary, sincerity
[E] philanthropist, benevolence
12. One _______ by which we may estimate the character of a man in public office is his _______.
Choose the right option
[A] hyperbole, intuition
[B] criterion, integrity
[C] amenity, civility
[D] unwary, irritable
[E] specious, misanthropic
13. Because of his _______ honesty, employers tolerated his _______ outbursts and did not fire him.
Choose the right option
[A] rapacious, amenable
[B] unwavering, irascible
[C] amiable, regular
[D] unwary, irritable
[E] specious, misanthropic
14. The _______ law of increase old age pensions was passed to _______ the hardship of the elderly voters in the state.
Choose the right option
[A] auspicious, mollify
[B] expedient, alleviate
[C] equivocal, aggravate
[D] exemplary, condone
[E] notorious, assuage
15. When I listened to his _______ arguments, all my doubts were _______ and I was forced to agree with his point of view.
Choose the right option1. SCALE
Choose the right option
[A] Balance
[B] Proportion
[C] Quantity
[D] Steep
[E] Trace
2. ENVIABLE
Choose the right option
[A] Miserable
[B] Disappointing
[C] Insurmountable
[D] Pessimistic
[E] Admirable
3. SIPID
Choose the right option
[A] Flavoured
[B] Stupid
[c] Beautiful
[D] Rude
[E] None of these
Directions (Q. 4, 5): Choose the word which is most OPPOSITE in meaning of the word given in CAPITALS as used in the passage.
4. DEPENDABLE
Choose the right option
[A] Independent
[B] Creditable
[C] Unreliable
[D] Unapproachable
[E] Incongruent
5. FRAGILE
Choose the right option
[A] weak
[B] Perfect
[C] Vulnerable
[D] Robust
[E] Delicate
Directions (Q. 6-10): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any will be one part of the sentence. The number of that part of the sentence is the answer. If there is no error the answer is (5). (Ignore the error of punctuation, if any.)
6. (1) Unfortunately there is / (2) a loss of / (3) communications between / (4) me and my parents./ (5) No error
7. (1) Heavy clothings are / (2) essential if / (3) one is not to die / (4) from exposure to the cold. / (5) No error
8. (1) The directives in the holy books thus lay / (2) emphasis on the need to / (3) avoid get caught on / (4)the stranglehold of worldly attractions / (5) No error
9. (1) An effective criminal law / (2) is required for / (3) effective implementation of / (4) rules of law / (5)No error
10. (1) You must list in detail / (2) all your qualifications / (3) and experiences / (4) in your application./ (5) No error
Directions (Q. 11-15): In each of the following sentences there are two blank spaces.Below there are five pairs of words denoted by A, B, C, D, and E. Find out which pair of words can be filled up in the blanks in the sentence in the same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
11. A _______ is known for his _______.
Choose the right option
[A] hypocrite, honesty
[B] braggart, modesty
[C] altruist, truthfulness
[D] mercenary, sincerity
[E] philanthropist, benevolence
12. One _______ by which we may estimate the character of a man in public office is his _______.
Choose the right option
[A] hyperbole, intuition
[B] criterion, integrity
[C] amenity, civility
[D] unwary, irritable
[E] specious, misanthropic
13. Because of his _______ honesty, employers tolerated his _______ outbursts and did not fire him.
Choose the right option
[A] rapacious, amenable
[B] unwavering, irascible
[C] amiable, regular
[D] unwary, irritable
[E] specious, misanthropic
14. The _______ law of increase old age pensions was passed to _______ the hardship of the elderly voters in the state.
Choose the right option
[A] auspicious, mollify
[B] expedient, alleviate
[C] equivocal, aggravate
[D] exemplary, condone
[E] notorious, assuage
15. When I listened to his _______ arguments, all my doubts were _______ and I was forced to agree with his point of view.
[A] competent, compelled
[B] congruent, confirmed
[C] cogent, dispelled
[D] forceful, repelled
[E] fluent, ignored
Directions (Q. 16-20): Which of the following phrases 1, 2, 3, and 4 given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the sentence either correct or phrased in different words?
16. No caring for the family, Dhanraj wanted to gather roses only.
Choose the right option
[A] wanted to paint a rosy picture of the past
[B] make safe investment
[C] wanted to start the business of roses
[D] wanted to seek all enjoyments of life
[E] None of these
17. After the successful performance of the great actor was over, there was thunderstruck applause.
Choose the right option
[A] fearful
[B] cheerful
[C] decisive
[D] thunderous
[E] No correction required
18. We might not be able to change the situation quickly, but we should continue our efforts in that direction.
Choose the right option
[A] could not be
[B] had not been
[C] would not
[D] did not
[E] No correction required
19. The monograph, which was published three years ago, would suggest that by 2001 there will be 73 million TV sets in India.
Choose the right option
[A] has been suggesting
[B] would have suggested
[C] will suggest
[D] had suggested
[E] No correction required
20. Some of the African have been enmeshed in an inescapable debt trap.
Choose the right option
[A] entangled
[B] hit
[C] struck
[D] ensured
[E] No correction required
