Government Jobs Exam Preparation — SSC, UPSC, Bank, Railway

Q.31 Hard English Comprehension

Read: 'The researcher's findings, which contradicted prevailing orthodoxy, were initially met with skepticism by the establishment, though subsequent corroborating studies vindicated her conclusions.' What is the overall tone?

A Pessimistic

B Vindication after initial doubt

C Sarcastic

D Entirely negative

Correct Answer: B. Vindication after initial doubt

Explanation:

The sentence describes initial skepticism ('met with skepticism') followed by validation ('vindicated her conclusions'). The tone traces a journey from doubt to vindication.

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Q.32 Hard English Comprehension

Choose the option that best paraphrases: 'The government's ambivalent stance on climate policy has left stakeholders in a quandary.'

A The government clearly supports strong climate action, satisfying all stakeholders.

B The government's unclear, mixed position on climate policy has confused interested parties.

C The government opposes all climate initiatives, disappointing environmentalists.

D Stakeholders have independently questioned the government's climate policies.

Correct Answer: B. The government's unclear, mixed position on climate policy has confused interested parties.

Explanation:

'Ambivalent' means having mixed or conflicting feelings. 'Quandary' means confusion. Option B captures both meanings accurately.

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Q.33 Hard English Comprehension

Read: 'Contemporary discourse often conflates correlation with causation, a conflation that misleads policymakers and the public alike.' Which logical fallacy is being described?

A Ad hominem

B Hasty generalization

C False cause and effect

D Straw man argument

Correct Answer: C. False cause and effect

Explanation:

The passage describes assuming that correlation (two things occurring together) proves causation (one causes the other). This is the false cause and effect fallacy.

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Q.34 Hard English Comprehension

Identify the error: 'The data shows that students are performing good in mathematics.'

A 'data' should be 'datum'

B 'good' should be 'well'

C 'shows' should be 'show'

D No error

Correct Answer: B. 'good' should be 'well'

Explanation:

After the verb 'performing', an adverb is needed, not an adjective. 'Well' (adverb) is correct, not 'good' (adjective).

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Q.35 Hard English Comprehension

What is the meaning of 'Perspicacious'?

A Sweaty or moist

B Having keen insight or understanding

C Transparent and clear

D Struggling to breathe

Correct Answer: B. Having keen insight or understanding

Explanation:

Perspicacious means having acute mental perception and understanding. It refers to intellectual sharpness.

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Q.36 Hard English Comprehension

Identify the correct sentence structure:

A Neither the teacher nor the students was aware of the sudden inspection.

B Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the sudden inspection.

C Neither the teachers nor the student was aware of the sudden inspection.

D Neither the teacher or the students were aware of the sudden inspection.

Correct Answer: B. Neither the teacher nor the students were aware of the sudden inspection.

Explanation:

When 'neither...nor' connects plural subjects (teacher, students), plural verb 'were' is used. The nearest subject to the verb is plural.

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Q.37 Hard English Comprehension

Identify the correct use of 'imply' vs 'infer' in the sentence:

A The manager inferred that workers should work faster.

B The manager implied that workers should work faster.

C The manager inferred that we understand her instructions.

D The employee implied the boss about the delay.

Correct Answer: B. The manager implied that workers should work faster.

Explanation:

Imply means to suggest indirectly; infer means to draw a conclusion. The manager 'implies' (suggests), and workers 'infer' (conclude).

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Q.38 Hard English Comprehension

Identify the error: 'The data shows that the company's profit has increased significantly in the last quarter.'

A 'shows' should be 'show'

B 'has' should be 'have'

C No error

D 'significantly' should be 'significant'

Correct Answer: C. No error

Explanation:

Although 'data' is technically plural (plural of datum), in modern English it's treated as singular in most contexts. The sentence is correct.

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Q.39 Hard English Comprehension

Identify the correct use of 'amount' vs 'number':

A A large amount of students attended the seminar.

B A large number of students attended the seminar.

C A large amount of attendees attended the seminar.

D A large number of luggage was carried.

Correct Answer: B. A large number of students attended the seminar.

Explanation:

'Number' is used for countable nouns (students), 'amount' for uncountable nouns (time, money, luggage is uncountable).

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Q.40 Hard English Comprehension

Choose the best word to fill the blank: 'His _____ nature made it difficult for colleagues to work with him consistently.'

A Fastidious

B Capricious

C Meticulous

D Prudent

Correct Answer: B. Capricious

Explanation:

Capricious (unpredictably changeable) fits the context of inconsistent behavior. Fastidious and meticulous suggest careful attention. Prudent means wise, none fitting as well as capricious.

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