S.S.C. Section Officers (Commercial Audit) Exam., 2009

English 

(Held on 14-6-2009) 

Directions—(Q. 1–10) Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence and indicate it by choosing the appropriate alternative.

1. That which would burn easily.
(A) Incendiary
(B) Incantatory
(C) Inflammable
(D) Incandescent
Ans : (C)

2. Place of gathering for public discussion.
(A) Platform
(B) Dias
(C) Stage
(D) Forum
Ans : (D)

3. An addition to the end of a letter.
(A) Post script
(B) Prelude
(C) Post natal
(D) Post mortem
Ans : (A)

4. Young cow that has not yet had a calf.
(A) Cowlet
(B) Colt
(C) Ewe
(D) Heifer
Ans : (D)

5. A mournful song (or poem) for the dead.
(A) Ballad
(B) Dirge
(C) Ode
(D) Lyric
Ans : (B)


6. The dead skin cast off by a snake.
(A) Bough
(B) Slough
(C) Peeling
(D) Borough
Ans : (B)

7. Science dealing with bird life.
(A) Zymology
(B) Ornithology
(C) Etymology
(D) Philology
Ans : (B)

8. One who is from 60 to 69 years old.
(A) Sexton
(B) Sexologist
(C) Sexagenarian
(D) Sextuplet
Ans : (C)

9. Someone who keeps bees.
(A) Apiarist
(B) Horticulturist
(C) Ornithologist
(D) Pathologist
Ans : (A)

10. Speaking one’s thoughts aloud to oneself.
(A) Apostrophise
(B) Memorise
(C) Soliloquize
(D) Solemnise
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 11–15) In the following questions, groups of four words are given. In each group, one word is wrongly spelt. Find the misspelt word and indicate your correct response.

11. (A) Unaccompanied
(B) Unaccustomed
(C) Unadopted
(D) Unaloyed
Ans : (D)

12. (A) Boutique
(B) Physique
(C) Opaque
(D) Obleeque
Ans : (D)

13. (A) Admitting
(B) Budgetting
(C) Preferring
(D) Travelling
Ans : (B)

14. (A) Torpedoes
(B) Mosquitoes
(C) Pianoes
(D) Tomatoes
Ans : (C)

15. (A) Malignity
(B) Malodorus
(C) Malfeasance
(D) Malevolent
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 16–20) In the following questions, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase bold in the sentence. Choose the alternative which BEST EXPRESSES the meaning of the idiom/phrase and indicate your correct alternative.

16. When the boy was put into a boarding school, he quickly fell into line without his usual tantrums and indisciplined behaviour.
(A) stood in a line
(B) turned straight
(C) failed to behave properly
(D) became orderly
Ans : (D)

17. By his virtuous life, he has made amends for his past actions.
(A) repented for
(B) compensated for
(C) forgotten about
(D) suffered for
Ans : (A)

18. He read for the bar.
(A) studied to become a barrister
(B) studied to become a barman
(C) studied to become a judge
(D) studied to become a courtier
Ans : (A)

19. In the field of social service, the Parsis bear the palm.
(A) are the leaders
(B) are the donors
(C) are pre-eminent
(D) are reformers
Ans : (C)

20. He is always trying to curry favour with his boss and does not even maintain his selfrespect.
(A) get obligation from
(B) pick up quarrel with
(C) flatter
(D) take undue advantage from
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 21–30) In the following questions, a part of the sentence is 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) and indicate your correct response.

21. How are you going to have your car painted?
I am going to have it red painted.
(A) paint it red
(B) have it painted red
(C) paint red
(D) No improvement
Ans : (B)

22. He is one who gives money or helps others who has been instrumental in the upliftment of many poverty stricken people.
(A) a philosopher
(B) a philatelist
(C) a philanthropist
(D) No improvement
Ans : (C)

23. The job wasn’t interesting, but on the contrary it was wellpaid.
(A) on the whole
(B) on the other side
(C) on the other hand
(D) No improvement
Ans : (A)

24. When those whom he had injured accused him of being a charlatan, he retorted curtly that he had never been a quack.
(A) libertine
(B) sycophant
(C) plagiarist
(D) No improvement
Ans : (D)

25. The postman comes twice a day, don’t he ?
(A) doesn’t he
(B) does he
(C) do he
(D) No improvement
Ans : (A)

26. My boy-friend won me at tennis.
(A) succeeded me
(B) outran me
(C) beat me
(D) No improvement
Ans : (C)

27. It was mere affection that stopped him from beating his son.
(A) great
(B) much
(C) filial
(D) No improvement
Ans : (C)

28. The British superiority all over Africa and Asia collapsed in the first half of the twentieth century.
(A) domicile
(B) residence
(C) dominion
(D) No improvement
Ans : (C)

29. Did you finish the work yet ?
(A) Had you finished
(B) Haven’t you finished
(C) Would you finish
(D) No improvement
Ans : (B)

30. I’ll tell you as soon as I’ll know.(A) I would know
(B) I can know
(C) I know
(D) No improvement
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 31–35) 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 Voice/Active Voice and indicate your correct alterntive.

31. This train carries goods from Delhi to Bombay.
(A) This train is carried by goods from Delhi to Bombay.
(B) The goods carry this train from Delhi to Bombay.
(C) Goods are carried by this train from Delhi to Bombay.
(D) The train carried the goods from Delhi to Bombay.
Ans : (C)

32. The news of the success of a poor candidate in the elections surprised him.
(A) He was surprised by the news of the success of a poor candidate in the elections.
(B) He was surprised with the news of the success of a poor candidate in the elections.
(C) He was surprised as a result of the news of the success of a poor candidate in the elections.
(D) He was surprised at the news of the success of a poor candidate in the elections.
Ans : (D)

33. Finish the work in time.
(A) Let the work be finished in time.
(B) Let the work be finished in time by us.
(C) Let the work be finished by him in time.
(D) Let me finish the work in time.
Ans : (A)

34. God helps those who help themselves.
(A) Those who help themselves must be helped by God.
(B) Those who help themselves are helped by God.
(C) Let those who help themselves are helped by God.
(D) Let those who help themselves be helped by God.
Ans : (B)

35. Can you recite this poem ?
(A) This poem can be recited by you.
(B) You are requested to recite this poem.
(C) Would this poem be recited by you ?
(D) Can this poem be recited by you ?
Ans : (D)

Directions—(Q. 36–40) In the following questions first and the last parts of the sentence passage are following questions, numbered (1) and (6). The rest of the sentence/ passage is split into four parts and named (P), (Q), (R) and (S). These four parts are not given in their proper order. Read the sentence/ passage and find out which of the four combinations is correct and indicate your correct alternative.

36. 1. For thousands of millions of years the Moon has been going round the Earth.
P. However, some of them will still be going round the Earth thousands of years from now.
Q. These artificial satellites are very much smaller than the Moon.
R. Today, however, the Earth has many other satellites, all made by man.
S. During this time, the Moon has been the only satellite of the Earth.
6. Artificial satellites do not fall because they are going too fast to do so.
(A) P R S Q
(B) Q S R P
(C) S R P Q
(D) S R Q P
Ans : (D)

37. 1. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the peak of Mount Everest in 1953.
P. While a Nepalese and a Japanese climber have done it three times, the Italian climber Reinhold Messner
has done it twice.
Q. Some 164 men and women mountaineers from 21 nations have made the ascent.
R. The mountain still continues to enthral.
S. Since then, there has been a succession of climbs.
6. Those wanting to climb Everest must file an application, with the Nepal Tourism Ministry.
(A) P Q R S
(B) S R Q P
(C) S Q P R
(D) S P R Q
Ans : (C)

38. 1. There is a lot of luck in drilling for oil.
P. The samples of soil are examined for traces of oil.
Q. The drill may just miss the oil although it is near.
R. Sometimes, it may strike oil at a fairly high level.
S. When the drill goes down it brings up soil.
6. If they are disappointed at one place, the drillers go to another.
(A) Q P R S
(B) Q R S P
(C) P S R Q
(D) S R Q P
Ans : (C)

39. 1. India is a very old country with a great past.
P. Since August 1947, she had been in a position to pursue her own foreign policy.
Q. But it is a new country also, with new urges and new desires.
R. But even so, she could not forget the lesson of her great leader.
S. She was limited by the realities of the situation which she could not ignore or overcome.
6. She tried to adapt theory to reality.
(A) P Q R S
(B) Q P S R
(C) S R P Q
(D) R S P Q
Ans : (B)

40. 1. Of all the living creatures on the earth, insects are the most plentiful.
P. In some countries, they are farmers greatest enemy.
Q. Locusts are perhaps the most dangerous of all, for they will eat almost any green plant and leave cultivated lands bare.
R. Some varieties are very useful to man, like bees from which we get honey and wax, and silkworms which supply us with silk.
S. Other varieties, however, are extremely harmful and do a great amount of damage, especially to crops.
6. Common flies, cockroaches, termites, mosquitoes and lice are some other insects harmful to man.
(A) P S R Q
(B) S R P Q
(C) R S Q P
(D) Q S R P
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 41–50) In the following questions, some of the sentences have errors and some have none. Find out which part of a sentence has an error and indicate corresponding to the appropriate letter (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, indicate corresponding to the letter (D).

41. Honesty always has and (A) / will always be (B) / a great virtue. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (A)

42. It was irony (A) / that while he was trying to help his neighbours (B) / his own house was burnt to the ground. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (A)

43. If we can work (A) / slow and steady (B) / we can finish by noon. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (B)

44. Besides his children (A) / there were present (B) / his nephews and nieces. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (A)

45. How do you manage to speak (A) / to her with (B) / so great patience. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (C)

46. He not only cheated (A) / his friends, (B) / but also his parents. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (A)

47. By this time next year (A) / Ramesh will take (B) / his university degree. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (B)

48. I slept (A) / rather late (B) / last night. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (A)

49. If I saved some money every month (A) / I would be able to buy a vehicle of my choice (B) / in no time. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (C)

50. When I read his book (A) / I implied from it (B) / that he never understood women. (C) No error (D)
Ans : (B)

Directions—(Q. 51–55) In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which BEST EXPRESSES the meaning of the given bold word in CAPITAL LETTERS and indicate your correct alternative.

51. IMPAIR
(A) Weaken
(B) Couple
(C) Double
(D) Repair
Ans : (A)

52. MOROSE(A) Genial
(B) Gentle
(C) Gloomy
(D) Idle
Ans : (C)

53. INUNDATION
(A) Drought
(B) Imposition
(C) Flood
(D) Snowfall
Ans : (C)

54. PRISTINE
(A) Novel
(B) Strange
(C) Contemporary
(D) Original
Ans : (D)

55. EFFIGY(A) Proxy
(B) Duplicate
(C) Dummy
(D) Replica
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 56–60) In the following questions, out of the four alternatives, choose the one OPPOSITE in meaning to the given bold word in CAPITAL LETTERS and indicate your correct alternative.

56. AMELIORATE(A) Decay
(B) Decline
(C) Worsen
(D) Destroy
Ans : (C)

57. VINDICTIVE
(A) Careless
(B) Forgiving
(C) Heedless
(D) Refined
Ans : (B)

58. CAMARADERIE
(A) Curiosity
(B) Ferocity
(C) Impetuosity
(D) Animosity
Ans : (D)

59. DEVOUR
(A) Vomit
(B) Reject
(C) Emit
(D) Eject
Ans : (A)

60. FALLIBLE(A) Virtuous
(B) Honest
(C) Perfect
(D) Humble
Ans : (C)

Directions—(Q. 61–70) In these questions, in the following passage, some of the words have been left out and the blanks have been numbered from 61 to 70. First read the passage over and try to understand what it is about. Then fill in the blanks with the help of the alternatives given. Indicate your correct alternative.

The inevitable effect of mechanical production is uniformity, and although uniformity may lead to monotony, it need not lack beauty. In fact, modern improvement in popular …(61)… is mainly the result of better design …(62)… standardised, goods; and the average …(63)… is buying better design goods, because those goods are …(64)…, because the problem of taste has been …(65)… for him. Good taste is not always …(66)… and most people manage to get …(67)… without it. It is fortunate therefore, that so many of the …(68)… of life are now chosen for us by …(69)…. Even among luxuries, the margin for …(70)… taste is constantly being reduced.

61. (A) craft
(B) technology
(C) ideas
(D) taste
Ans : (D)

62. (A) on
(B) of
(C) in
(D) for
Ans : (B)

63. (A) shopper
(B) client
(C) man
(D) businessman
Ans : (A)

64. (A) gaudy
(B) accessible
(C) reliable
(D) durable
Ans : (A)

65. (A) tackled
(B) simplified
(C) resolved
(D) solved
Ans : (C)

66. (A) genuine
(B) laboured
(C) impulsive
(D) inborn
Ans : (D)

67. (A) ahead
(B) along
(C) through
(D) around
Ans : (C)

68. (A) amenities
(B) comforts
(C) luxuries
(D) necessities
Ans : (A)

69. (A) connoisseurs
(B) artists
(C) experts
(D) scientists
Ans : (A)

70. (A) local
(B) particular
(C) impersonal
(D) personal
Ans : (D)

Directions—(Q. 71–75) In the following questions, you have a brief passage with five questions following the passage. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and indicate your correct alternative.

Comprehension Passage
No one can seriously pretend to remain unaffected by advertisements. it is impossible to turn a blind eye to the solicitous overtures to buy this or that article that fill our streets, newspapers and magazines. Even in the sanctity of our living rooms, advertisers are waiting to pounce on their helpless victims as they tune into their favourite radio or television programmes. In time, no matter how hard we resist, clever little tunes and catch-phrases seep into our subconscious minds and stay there. Though they seem so varied, all these advertisements have one thing in common; they make strong appeals to our emotions.

71. The word ‘sanctity’ means—
(A) sacredness
(B) privacy
(C) privilege
(D) security
Ans : (B)

72. Which one of the following lines best expresses the meaning of the first sentence in the passage ?
(A) All men are influenced by advertisements
(B) Most men are influenced by advertisements
(C) Some men are not influenced by advertisements
(D) Advertisements cannot influence everybody
Ans : (A)

73. To turn a blind eye — its opposite meaning is to—
(A) perceive
(B) view
(C) visualise
(D) sight
Ans : (A)

74. The ‘helpless victims’ are the—
(A) public
(B) spectators
(C) audience
(D) sellers
Ans : (A)

75. Advertisements are successful when we respond to them—
(A) Intellectually
(B) Blindly
(C) Helplessly
(D) Emotionally
Ans : (D)