(English Language)

• Exam Name: Section Officer (Audit)
• Conducted By: Staff Selection Commission (SSC)
• Conducted On: November 30, 2008
• Maximum Marks: 200
• Time Allowed: 2 Hours

Paper I - ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Directions: In Question Nos. 1 to 10, some of the sentences have errors and some have none. Find out which part of a sentence has an error and choose the option corresponding to the appropriate letter (A, B, C). If there is no error mark (D) as your answer.

1. A moment delay/would have proved costly/ in the situation./No error.
2. Ram disappointed his mother/ as he did not/ write to her very often./No error.
3. After you will return/ from Chennai/ I will come and see you./ No error.
4. Scenes from the film / had to be censured/ before it was released./ No error.
5. When my sister was ill/ I went to the hospital/ on alternative days./ No error.
6 The beautiful/ surrounding of the place/ enchanted me./ No error.
7. No Porter being available/ he carried/ all his luggages himself./ No error.
8 He will not be able/ to cope up with/ the pressure of work./ No error.
9. Lasers are/ indispensable tools/ for the delicate eyes surgery./ No error.
10. I take great pleasure/ to welcome you/ to this institution./ No error.

Directions: In Question Nos. 11 to 15, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which expresses the right meaning of the given.
11. Indignation
(A) hatred
(B) anger
(C) disapproval
(D) contempt

12. Acronym
(A) A word with two or more meanings
(B) A word of new coinage
(C) A word formed by the initial letters of words
(D) A word of picturesque effect

13. Meticulous
(A) interfere
(B) courage
(C) agreement
(D) careful

14. Rescind
(A) change
(B) revoke
(C) repeat
(D) reconsider

15. Antipathy
(A) dishonesty
(B) disturbance
(C) demonstration (D) dislike

Directions: In Question Nos. 16 to 20, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
16. APPARENT
(A) Illegible
(B) Hidden
(C) Mysterious
(D) Remote

17. ALIEN
(A) Native
(B) Domiciled
(C) Natural
(D) Resident
18. FUTILE

(A) upright
(B) costly
(C) eminent
(D) worthy

19. AUDACIOUS
(A) meek
(B) cowardly
(C) mild
(D) gentle

20. ARROGANT
(A) simple
(B) timid
(C) civilized
(D) modest

Directions: In Question Nos. 21 to 30, sentences are given with blanks to be filled in with an appropriate and suitable word.
21. The food that an average Indian eats has been found to be deficient _____ vitamins and proteins.
(A) of
(B) from
(C) with
(D) in

22. The patient is _____ of stomachache.
(A) suffering
(B) experiencing
(C) complaining
(D) afflicting

23. A good teacher should _____ responses from the students.
(A) elicit
(B) provoke
(C) command
(D) infer

24. Had he taken his degree five years ago he _____ got a promotion by now.
(A) might
(B) would have
(C) will be
(D) was

25. There will be a rush for seats when the train
(A) will arrive
(B) arrived
(C) is arriving
(D) arrives

26. He drove the car very fast _____
(A) Did he?
(B) Does he?
(C) Didn't he?
(D) Was he?

27. He _____ wants to succeed in life must be prepared to work hard.
(A) whoever
(B) whom
(C) who
(D) whose

28. It is time you _____ home.
(A) go
(B) went
(C) come
(D) reach

29. _____ a walk in the morning will improve your health.
(A) Going to
(B) Go to
(C) Go for
(D) Going for

30. Government must _____ the rise in prices.
(A) cheque
(B) check
(C) cease
(D) seize

Directions: In Question Nos. 31 to 40, four alternatives are given for the underlined or given idiom/phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the underlined or given idiom/phrase.
31. The bus had a close shave as its driver swerved to the right a split second before the on-coming truck could run into it.
(A) serious accident
(B) close collision
(C) narrow escape
(D) deep dent

32. Fits and starts
(A) slowly
(B) not regularly
(C) continuously
(D) quickly

33. When the Inspector entered the class some of the students shook in their shoes.
(A) stamped the ground with their shoes
(B) showed signs of anger
(C) trembled with fear
(D) stood up to salute

34. In high spirits
(A) full of hope and enthusiasm
(B) under tremendous stress
(C) under the influence of liquor
(D) mentally deranged

35. He amassed his wealth through sharp practices.
(A) dishonest means
(B) illegal means
(C) intelligent decisions
(D) quick decisions

36. He is not in the good books of his boss.
(A) a lover of good books
(B) in favour with
(C) not of the same opinion as
(D) as good as

37. The officer is fed up with the complaints made against the clerk.
(A) annoyed
(B) disgusted
(C) pleased
(D) satisfied

38. A white elephant,
(A) a rare species of elephants
(B) an expensive gift
(C) a costly but useless possession
(D) a worthless thing

39. Ins and outs
(A) entry and exit points
(B) full details
(C) tactical moves
(D) complexity of character

40. All his ventures went to the winds.
(A) dissipated
(B) spread all over
(C) got speed of the winds
(D) became well-known

Directions: In Question Nos. 41 to 50, out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence.
41. Government by a ruler who has unlimited power.
(A) Despotism
(B) Autocracy
(C) Monarchy
(D) Anarchy

42. An occasion of great importance
(A) exemplary
(B) momentous
(C) herculean
(D) grandiose

43. A person who is always hopeful and look: upon the brighter side of things
(A) florist
(B) artist
(C) theist
(D) optimist

44. Place of burial
(A) cave
(B) church
(C) synagogue
(D) cemetry

45. To have a very high opinion of oneself
(A) exaggeration
(B) adulation
(C) abundance
(D) conceited

46. One who believes in giving equal opportunity to women in all fields
(A) Fanatic
(B) Misogynist
(C) Philanderer
(D) Feminist

47. Inability to sleep
(A) hysteria
(B) insomnia
(C) aphasia
(D) amnesia

48. One who is given to pleasures of the flesh.
(A) terrestrian
(B) epicurean
(C) celestial
(D) pedestrian

49. A tank where fish or water plants are kept
(A) Aquarium
(B) Sanatorium
(C) Nursery
(D) Aviary

50. A person who never takes alcoholic drinks
(A) teetotaller
(B) alcoholic
(C) addict
(D) bagpiper

Directions: In Question Nos. 51 to 55, four words are given in each question, out of which only one word is wrongly spelt.
51.
(A) poignant
(B) relevent
(C) prevalent
(D) malignant

52.
(A) seize
(B) achieve
(C) wierd
(D) leisure

53.
(A) repent
(B) serpent
(C) flagrent
(D) reverent

54. (A) dining
(B) shining
(C) determining
(D) begining

55.
(A) vendetta
(B) verisimilitude
(C) vicarious
(D) vociferrate

Directions: In Question Nos. 56 to 65, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below are given alternatives to the underlined 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.

56. He was weary of failure, Didn't he?
(A) Isn't he?
(B) Wasn't he?
(C) Doesn't he?
(D) No improvement

57. What you have been doing since the work  shop last month?
(A) have you done
(B) you have done
(C) have you been doing
(D) No improvement

58. Keats says the idea very well in his poems.
(A) speaks
(B) describes
(C) expresses
(D) No improvement

59. The enemy soldiers went back hastily.
(A) returned
(B) retreated
(C) retrenched
(D) No improvement

60. No sooner had the teacher entered the room and the boys rushed to their seats.
(A) when
(B) than
(C) but
(D) No improvement

61. We have already disposed our old house.
(A) disposed off
(B) disposed out
(C) disposed of
(D) No improvement

62. We can buy anything in this shop, Can we?
(A) Isn't it?
(B) Can't we?
(C) Don't we?
(D) No improvement

63. If I had followed your advice, I would not regret today.
(A) will not regret
(B) had not regretted
(C) would not have regretted
(D) No improvement

64. Somebody must be made to answer for the securities scam.
(A) to
(B) after
(C) upon
(D) No improvement

65. Corruption is the most serious problem in India.
(A) the more serious
(B) the seriouser
(C) serious
(D) No improvement

Directions: In Question Nos. 66 to 70, a sentence has been given in Active/Passive Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested below, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive/Active Voice.
66. The cat is running after the rat.
(A) The rat was being run after by the cat
(B) The rat is being run after by the cat
(C) The rat is run after by the cat
(D) The cat is being run after by the rat

67. English is spoken all over the world.
(A) All over the world English speaks
(B) English speaks all over the world
(C) The whole world speaks English
(D) People speak English all over the world

68. The boys elected Mohan captain.
(A) The boys were elected captain by Mohan
(B) Mohan is elected captain by the boys
(C) Mohan was elected captain by the boys
(D) Mohan and the boys elected the captain

69. They threw away the Rubbish.
(A) The Rubbish will be thrown away
(B) The Rubbish was being thrown away
(C) The Rubbish was thrown away
(D) The Rubbish thrown away

70. Let him see the picture.
(A) Let the picture be seen by him
(B) The picture is seen by him
(C) Let him the picture be seen
(D) The picture is seen by him

Directions: In Question Nos. 71 to 80, the first and the last parts of the sentence are numbered 1 and 6. The rest of the sentence is split into four Parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are not given in their proper order. Read the parts and find out which of the four combinations s correct. Then find the correct answer.
71.
1. There was a lamp hanging on the wall
P. Then he picked a lot of jewels off the trees in the garden
Q. He put the lamp inside his shirt
R. He put them in his pockets
S. Aladdin climbed a ladder and took down the lamp
6. Then he put more jewels inside his shirt on top of the lamp.
(A) PRQS
(B) RSPQ
(C) SQPR
(D) QSRP

72.
1. Gopal and Sheela felt very bored one evening
P. Gopal wanted to stay on for the next show
Q. So they decided to go to the cinema
R. They reached the theatre in time for the interval
S. On the way there was a traffic jam
6. But Sheela wanted to return home
(A) PSQR
(B) SQPR
(C) QSRP
(D) SQRP

73.
1. Ferdinand rose up to receive the messenger
P. At the end of his account he was moved to tears
Q. He fell on his knees and thanked him
R. He made him sit on a level with himself
S. He listened to the circumstantial account of his voyage
6. It was a great conquest the Almighty gave to a sovereign.
(A) RPSQ
(B) RSPQ
(C) QPRS
(D) PKSQ

74.
1. In order to judge the inside of others, study your own
P. and though one has one prevailing passion
Q. for, men, in general are very much alike
R. yet their operations are very much the same
S. and another has another
6. and whatever engages or disgusts, pleases or offends you in others, will engage, disgust, please or offend others in you.
(A) QPSR
(B) PQRS
(C) RQPS
(D) PRQS

75.
1. Paucity of funds
P. universities cannot make
Q. essentials like books
R. sufficient expenditure on
S. ordains that the
6. journals and equipment.
(A) QPRS
(B) SPRQ
(C) PQRS
(D) QSRP

76.
1. The symptoms of
P. and certain other changes
Q. what is popularly called
R. serious forgetfulness, confusion
S 'serility include
6. in personality behaviour.
(A) QSRP
(B) PQRS
(C) SRQP
(D) QPSR

77.
1. When they heard the bell P. out of his clothes
Q. as quickly
R. every boy scrambled
S. and got into bed
6. as possible.
(A) QRPS
(B) PSQR
(C) RQSP
(D) RPS.Q

78.
1. Thirty years from now
P. and industry will be scarce
Q. almost half of the people
R. that water for drinking, farming
S. then living may find
6. according to a study by Dr. S. Posten.
(A) SPQR
(B) SRPQ
(C) QSRP
(D) QSPR

79.
1. A good cry can be a
P. bring relief from anxiety
Q. prevent a headache or
R. and it might even
S. healthy way to
6. other physical consequence
(A) SRQP
(B) SRPQ
(C) SPRQ
(D) SPQR

80.
1. Long, long, time ago
P. who lived with his three wives
Q. in a country called Kosala
R. there ruled a noble king
S. and four sons
6. beautiful, graceful and well versed in all shastras.
(A) PQRS
(B) SPQR
(C) RQPS
(D) QRSP

Directions: In the following passage (Question Nos. 81 to 90), some of the words have been left out. 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.

Cloze Passage
Scientists have developed an electronic circuit that 81 the wiring of the human brain in some ways - an achievement that 82 revolu-tionalise computer science and 83 understanding of how nature's most powerful 84 works. The 85 built on a 86 chip the size of a finger nail, is 87 from the thinking machines of science-fiction. For one thing it cannot 88 , the way the 89 can. But researchers say it could 90 in better speech and object recognition by computers.
81.
(A) imitates
(B) mimics
(C) limits
(D) expands

82.
(A) shall
(B) ought
(C) could
(D) have

83.
(A) exceed
(B) improve
(C) impair
(D) develop

84.
(A) processor
(B) electronic system
(C) circuit
(D) brain

85.
(A) computer
(B) monitor
(C) system
(D) circuit

86.
(A) silicon
(B) minute
(C) big
(D) brown

87.
(A) for
(B) above
(C) beyond
(D) far

88.
(A) equate
(B) teach
(C) learn
(D) recognise

89.
(A) computer
(B) processor
(C) chip
(D) brain

90.
(A) yield
(B) give
(C) respond
(D) result
Directions: In Question Nos. 91 to 100, you have two brief passages with five questions following each passage. Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.

PASSAGE - I
For any activity, discipline is the key word. It should begin with the self, then be extended to the family, neighbours, environment, workplace, society and the nation at large. It is from society that inspiration is drawn. Systems and institutions should provide the inspiration to society through performance which in turn will provide leaders, capable of rebuilding and restructuring society into a strong nation. The nationalists' spirit then becomes infectious.
91. What is the key word for Activity according to the passage?
(A) Active Discipline
(B) Key Discipline
(C) Self Discipline
(D) Discipline

92. According to the passage Discipline should begin
(A) with the self
(B) with the self, family and neighbours
(C) with the self, family, neighbours and environment
(D) with the self, family, workplace, society

93. According to the passage, where do we draw inspiration from?
(A) Society
(B) Society and nation
(C) Environment
(D) Nothing in particular

94. According to the passage, a good leader should be capable of
(A) rebuilding a nation the way he/she likes
(B) rebuilding and restructuring society into a strong nation
(C) building a national consensus
(D) rebuilding and structuring a nation

95. What is the meaning of the word 'infectious in the passage?
(A) dangerous
(B) spreading to everyone
(C) spreading to everyone by germs
(D) give disease

PASSAGE -II
A 23-year-old British woman was yesterday sentenced to six months in jail for leaving her two-year-old daughter home alone eight-hours-a-day, five days a week for a year while she went to work. The young mother from the central town of Warwick initially hired a babysitter, when she landed a job in a travel agency but eventually reached the point when she could no longer afford the facility, prosecutors said. The woman then started leaving the child home by herself, providing it with food and toys and removing all potentially dangerous objects from its reach. At first the mother came home at lunch time but had to stop because her daughter threw tantrums every time she left to go back to work.
The mother, who was not identified, told the court, 'If I had money I would not have done it. It was a case of that or not keeping my job and living on benefit.
The judge, Mr. Harrison Hall, however said 'Having had a child, the absolute priority is to look after it. There must be an alternative to leaving a child alone all day, a thing you would not do even to a dog.

96. The young mother had to work in the office
(A) 40 hours a week
(B) 8 hours a week
(C) 48 hours a week
(D) all the seven days a week

97. The word Facility' in sentence refers to
(A) her job in the travel agency
(B) living in a well furnished apartment
(C) getting adequate salary
(D) employing someone to look after the child

98- The mother stopped coming home for lunch because
(A) her house was far away from the office
(B) she was not able to control her angry baby
(C) she had to work extra hours to earn more
(D) she was not interested in looking after the baby

99. The sentence 'If I had money, I would not have done it means
(A) I had money and so I did not leave the baby alone
(B) I had money and so I left the baby alone
(C) I had no money and so I left the baby alone
(D) I had no money and so I did not leave the baby alone

100. Which one of the following statements about the judge Mr. Harrison Hall is correct?
(A) He can tolerate cruelty to children but not to animals
(B) He can tolerate cruelty to animals but not to children
(C) He can tolerate cruelty both to children and animals
(D) He can tolerate cruelty neither to children nor to animals .