MPSC Stenographer 2018: Higher Grade Stenographer (English), Gr-B, General Administration Department (Non Gazzetted), Question paper
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1. Pick out the sentence with adjective clause :
(a) It is certain that he will succeed.
(b) Pearl will examine a patient.
(c) I met a man I had already known.
(d) He is the man who is honest.
Answer options :
(1) (a) only (2) @) only (3) (c) only (4) (4 and ( 4 only
2. Future generations will observe 'Independence Day' as a red letter day.
The underlined phrase is nearest in meaning to :
(1) an auspicious day (2) a revolutionary day
(3) a day of revolt (4) a day of get together
3. Match the following correctly :
(a) Break bread with (i) to remove feelings of awkwardness
@) Break new ground (ii) to escape with a violent effort
(c) Break the ice (iii) to eat a meal with
(d) Break away (iv) to do something new
Answer options :
(1) (a)-(ui), @)-(iv),(c)-(i), (d)-(ii)
(2) (a)-@), @)-(iv),(c)-(ii),(4-(i)
(3) (a)-(iv),(b)-(iu), (c)-(i), (dl-(u)
(4) (a)-@), (b)-(E),(c)-(~), (dl-(i)
4. Pick out the correct exclamatory form of the given sentence.
I was very careful.
(1) How careful I was ! (2) How I was careful !
(3) What a careful I was ! (4) How was I carefuI !
5. Which of the alternatives is not a complex sentence ?
(1) 1 went because I was invited.
(2) They always talk who never think.
(3) He trudged on, though he was tired.
(4) Listen carefuIly and take notes.
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6. In the following the question choose the word which is the most appropriate to fill in the
blank.
Artists must be , otherwise they just repeat what they see or hear.
(1) creator (2) creative (3) critic (4) creativity
7. Convert the following sentence into indirect speech :
She said, "What a lovely scene it is!"
(1) She said that what a lovely scene.
(2) She said that it was a very lovely scene there.
(3) She explained that what a lovely scene it is.
(4) She exclaimed that it was a very lovely scene.
8. Pick out the error in the following sentence :
She didn't yet see the Queen.
(a) Didn't (b) Yet (c) The (d) See
Answer options :
(1) (a) O*Y (2) (b) only (3) (a) and (4 (4) (c) and (4
9. We must save money for a rainy day.
The underlined phrase means :
(1) rainy season (2) a time of adversity
(3) a time of prosperity (4) a wonderful day
10. Idenhfy the underlined clause in the following sentence.
He detests writing letters.
(1) Infinitival (2) Gerundial (3) Adverbial (4) Adjectival
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11. Pick out the correct verb forms to fill in the blanks in the following sentence.
When I home, my children
(1) Get, will be playing (2) Got, will be playing
(3) Get, are playing (4) Got, are playing
12. Hunting tigers is a favourite sport in this country. Identify the type of phrase underlined.
(1) Gerundial (2) Adjectival (3) Infinitive (4) Prepositional
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13. Idenhfy the grammatically correct sentence :
(i) I was wishing I was a bird.
(ii) I wish I was a bird.
(iii) I wish I were a bird.
(iv) I wished I was a bird.
Answer options :
(1) Only (i) is correct (2) Only (ii) is correct
(3) Only (iii) is correct (4) Only (iv) is correct
14. He always quarrelled with his elder brother, they could never see eye to eye with each
other.
The underlined phrase means :
(1) Face directly (2) Look at each other
(3) agree (4) Face to Face
15. Which part in the following sentence has an error in it ?
Will I give you the newspaper ?
(1) Give (2) Will
(3) The (4) None of the above
16. Idenhfy the superlative form of the following adjective.
"Tiny"
(1) Tinier (2) Most tiny (3) More tiny (4) Tiniest
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17. Identify the meaning of underlined words from the following :
He sowed the seeds and fed the sow.
(1) Plant, a female Pig (2) Plant, cut
(3) Plant, watered (4) Plant, cultivate
18. Identify the error in the given sentence
If there is no error choose No Error.
One should do his duty well N~ E~~~~
P Q R
(1) p (2) Q (3) R (4) No Error
19. Identify from the following which is not the adverbial clause of condition.
(1) If taxes were lowered, unemployment would not fall.
(2) Call any time tomorrow when it's convenient.
(3) Unless we have their full co-operation, we cannot succeed.
(4) I will be hanged if I will.
20. My mother recently
Pick out the correct alternative to complete the sentence.
(1) have - come (2) has - come
(3) has been - come (4) is - come
21. Pick out the correct sentence out of the given alternatives.
(1) Students must either wear hats or caps.
(2) Students must wear hats or either caps.
(3) Either students must wear hats or caps.
(4) Students must wear either hats or caps.
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22. Choose the correct passive voice of the following.
Chemical reaction produces fire.
(1) Fire has been produced by chemical reaction.
(2) Fire is produced by chemical reaction.
(3) Fire was produced by chemical reaction.
(4) Fire had been produced by chemical reaction.
23. Which of the following answers is an antonym of the word - "gentle"?
(1) mild (2) aggressive (3) soft-spoken (4) large
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24. Pick out the sentence containing an Adjective clause in it.
(1) There is no meaning in what you say.
(2) What he said was hue.
(3) The reason why I did it is obvious.
(4) No one knows who he is.
25. His father said, "What are you doing ?"
The correct transformation of the sentence in the reported speech is
(1) His father asked what you are doing.
(2) His father said what was he doing.
(3) His father searched what he was doing.
(4) His father asked what he was doing.
26. Pick out the correct sentence out of the alternatives.
(1) He is an ascetic in neither theory nor practice.
(2) He is an ascetic in neither theory or practice.
(3) Neither he is an ascetic in theory nor practices.
(4) He is an ascetic neither in theory nor practice.
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27. Fill in the blank in the following sentence with the word in brackets with appropriate
prefix.
"This is not an (curable) discase," said the doctor.
(1) incurable (2) uncurable (3) recurable (4) undercurable
28. Choose the word which best expresses the meaning of the @en word.
RECKLESS
(1) Courageous (2) Rash (3) Bold (4) Daring
29 Pick out the correct sentence out of the alternatives :
(1) I would rather you can go by air (2) I would rather you go by air
(3) I would rather you went by air (4) 1 will rather you went by air
30. Which of the sentence pairs given below is not correctly matched ?
(a) When can their glory fade 7 (i) Their glory can never fade.
@) Was he not a villain to do such a deed? (ii) He was a villain to do such a deed.
(c) How can man die better than facing (iii) Man can die better than facing fearful
fearful odds ? odds.
(d) What though we happen to be late ? (iv) It does not matter much though we
happen to be late.
Answer options :
31. Pick out the compound sentence from the following :
(a) Speak, or you will die.
@) He has written a letter to get money.
(c) I knvw that she is a good lady.
(d) She is ill, so she will not come.
Answer options :
(1) (a) and @) only (2) (b) and (c) only
(3) (c) and (d) only (4) (a) and (d) only
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32. Identify simple sentence/s in the given sentences.
(a) His courage won him honour.
@) The moon was bright and we could see our way.
(c) I both thanked him and rewarded him.
(d) The hour to prepare the lesson has arrived.
Answer options :
(1) (a) o d y (2) @) O ~ Y
(3) (a) and (d) , (4) None of the above
33. In the following question choose the word which is the exact OPPOSITE of the given
word.
COMMISSIONED
(1) Started (2) Closed (3) Finished (4) Terrnina ted
34. Rewrite the following sentence correctly :
Tom bought last week a new bike.
(1) Last week a new bike Tom bought.
(2) Tom last week bought a new bike.
(3) Tom bought a new bike last week.
(4) Tom bought last week a new bike.
35. Pick out the correct indirect narration of the sentence.
The teacher said to the student, "Where do you live ?"
(1) The teacher asked the student that where do you live.
(2) The teacher asked the student where he lived.
(3) The teacher asked the student where did he lived.
(4) The teacher asked the student that where he lived.
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36. Which of the alternatives correctly describes the underlined part in the following
sentence ?
That you should say so surprises me.
(1) Adjective Clause (2) Noun Clause
(3) Adverb Clause (4) None of the above
37. What is the relative status of clauses in a compound sentence ?
(1) Equal (2) Inequal
(3) Indifferent (4) None of the above
38. Identify the underlined part of speech in the following sentence :
She runs very fast.
(1) adverb phrase (2) prepositional phrase
(3) noun phrase (4) verb phrase
39. What word means beautdul, honest and is also a bazaar ?
(1) Fare (2) Fair (3) Fire (4) Fear
40. Use the correct tense form of the verb given in the bracket in the following sentence :
She noticed me _ (enter) her house.
(1) to enter (2) entering (3) has entered (4) is entering
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Read the passage and choose the best alternative. Q. Nos. 41 to 45 :
Executive coaching is an in-depth professional intervention which enhances managerial
functioning through multiple interactions with key executives, one-on-one or in groups.
Coaching is most effective when it includes senior level officials, as it then helps change
mindsets, and influence behaviour throughout their organizations. It is customised to the specific
needs of employees, is based on - the job experience, has direct application to work situations
and thrives on the feed-back of participants. The exercise involves continual guidance, follow-
ups and learning.
Shyam Viswanthan, Chief Executive, Corporate Education, Grow Talent, defines executive
coaching as, "The process of helping an executive 'develop' by turning his day-to-day work
situations into learning opportunities, in a planned manner - and by helping him reflect on the
learning to become more capable than he previously was."
However, misconceptions about this kind of coaching still persist, says Aanal Bhagwati,
Principal Consultant, Human Capital Management, Ahmedabad, "In our counhy coaching is
looked at in a very negative manner. It is often kept a secret, which goes against its prime
objective."
Executive coaching usually involves three parties - the coach, the coached and the client
(or employer), who pays for the service. It is different from conventional training, which often
does not have long-term benefits, and also the mentors hired do not feel the responsibility to
execute the core values. "The executive coach supports the coached over an extended period
till he has acquired the competencies required for his job."
"Executive coaching does not involve any fixed pattern or methodology of training. It is
tailored to the needs and the objectives of a client.." The content of coaching is not predetermined
and does not follow a fixed programme. It is decided by the coached. It is said that the coached
decides the agenda, and the coach guides him or her.
Some main elements of coaching include "Active Listening, Powerful Questions, and Direct
Communication."
The coach need not be from the same functional area. A good coach always promotes the
ski11 to ask the right question at the right time that helps in finding the perfect path.
Coaching a leader can help change his style and behaviour and this can further enhance
the effectiveness of his team. This method is also brneficial for small and budding companies to
move ahead and grow in a well-planned manner. "Coaching helps an executive reflect on his
performance in a specific area with the assistance of an informed, objective coach. The focus is
not only on using the knowledge and skills but also on reviewing attitude and approach."
The concept to executive coaching is not new to the world. It has flourished in the US and
produced magnificent outcome. However, in our country, coaching is still in its formative
stages. It needs to be understood that coaching is not always a remedial measure but more of a
developmental technique. The experience of the US and European corporate shows that executive
coaching delivers a better return on investment than other investments in capacity building.
Research indicates a spectacular improvement in performance after coaching. A more
intensive use of coaching will be a cost-effective way to improve the competitiveness of Indian
corporate in global markets.
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Choose from the given alternatives the best answer.
41. According to the writer of the passage executive coaching means :
(1) The training given to the executive of an organization.
(2) The process of helping an executive develop by t u n ~ g
his or her day-to-day situations
into learning opportunities.
(3) Multiple interactions with key executives.
(4) Professional intervention which enhances managerial functioning of the executives.
42. An effective, executive coaching does not involve :
(1) a pre-determined content
(2) any fixed pattern or methodology of training
(3) only knowledge and skill to be imparted
(4) any one of the above
43. Element of coaching include :
(1) active listening
(2) powerful questioi~sand answers
(3) direct communication between the coach and the coached
(4) all above
44. Choose from the following words the word which conveys nearly the same meaning as
the given word used in the passage.
'SPECTACULAR'
(1) daring (2) impressive (3) dazzling (4) splendid
45. Choose from the following words the word which is nearly the opposite in meaning to the
given word used in the passage.
PERFORMANCE
(1) failure (2) unfulfilment
(3) inefficiency (4) non-functioning
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Read the following passage and answer the questions given below it. Q. Nos. 46 to 50 :
She told Matthew the story the next morning. Matthew was confounded and puzzled;
he could not so quickly lose faith in Anne but he had to admit that circumstances were against
her.
"Well now, what are you going to do about it ?" Matthew asked forlornly, feeling secretly
thankful that Marilla and not he had to deal with the situation.
"She'll stay in her room until she confesses," said Marilla grimly. "Then we'll see. Perhaps
we'll be able to find the brooch if she'll only tell where she took it; but in any case she'll have to
be severely punished, Matthew."
Anne steadfastly refused to confess. She persisted in asserting that she had not taken the
brooch. The child had evidently been crying and Marilla felt a pang of pity which she sternly
repressed.
"You'll stay in this room until you confess, Anne. You can make up your mind to that,"
she said firmly.
"But the picnic is tomorrow, Marilla," cried Anne. "You won't keep me from going to
that, will you ? You'll just let me out for the afternoon, won't you ? Then I'll stay here as long
as you like AFTERWARDS cheerfully. But I MUST go to the picnic."
"You'll not go to picnics nor anywhere else until you've confessed, Anne."
"Oh, Marilla," gasped Anne.
But Marilla had gone out and shut the door.
46. The passage is about
(1) brooch (2) Anne's guilt/innocence
(3) a picnic (4) Marilla's love for Anne
47. I Must go to the picnic.
The underlined word denotes.
(1) Willingness (2) compulsion (3) obligation (4) a great desire
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48. John sbongly and consistently asserted his opinion.
Pick out the correct alternative in place of the underlined part.
(1) sternly (2) steadfastly (3) evidently (4) grimly
49. (i) Anne was ready to confess.
(ii) Anne was more concerned about the picnic than the lost brooch.
Pick out the correct sentence.
(1) Only (i) is correct (2) Only (ii) is correct
(3) Both (i) and (ii) are correct (4) Both (i) and (ii) are incorrect
50. Anne wanted to
(1) go for a picnic (2) go to her friend
(3) sleep in the room (4) confess her folly
51. A song always has :
(1) Music (2) Coreograph (3) Words (4) Light effects
52. Three of the following four are alike in certain way and so form a group. Which is the one
that does not belong to that group ?
(1) 357 (2) 797 (3) 153 (4) 246
53. Shyama has cows and buffaloes. 24 buffaloes are milking at present and these constitute
three-fourths of the total number of buffaloes and the total number of buffaloes are
two-thirds of the total number of animals that she owns. How many cows Shyama
owns ?
(1) 16 (2) 32 (3) 48 (4) 24
54. Which one is different from the rest ?
(1) QPNM (2) EDBA (3) MLIH (4) VUSR
55. Identify the odd group of letters from the following :
ACEG, BDFH, CEGH, RTVX
(1) ACEG (2) BDFH (3) CEGH (4) RTVX
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56. Find out correct sequential number.
1, 121, 441, ? .
(1) 484 (2) 562 (3) 561 (4) 961
57. If in a certain code 'TABLE' is written as 'WDEOH' then how will 'SANDAL' be written
in the same code ?
(1) UDQEDO (2) VDQGDO (3) WDQHDO (4) UCOECN
58. Which one of the groups of letters is different from the rest ?
(1) PRT (2) KMO (3) BDF (4) CEH
59. Which one is different from the rest ?
(1) HJL (2) PRU (3) MOQ (4) EGI
60. Study the scales and select the values of ratio F : H : A
.. In the question below is given statement followed by two assumptions numbered I and 11.
An assumption is something supposed to be or taken for granted. You have to consider
the statement and assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit in the
statement.
Statement : If you want to ask anything about this case, you can contact the lawyer
of our company.
Assumptions : I All companies hire a lawyer of their own.
I1 The company's lawyer is aware about the case.
Answer options :
(1) Only I is implicit (2) Only I1 is implicit
(3) Both I and I1 are implicit (4) Neither I nor I1 is implicit
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62. Town A is to the East of town B. Town C is to the South of town A. Town C is towards
which direction of town B ?
(1) East (2) West (3) North (4) South
63. Father's age is '5' yrs. more than twice of his son's age. Mother's age is twice of son's age.
Total of mother's and father's age is 85 yrs. Then will be the age of the son.
(1) 10 yrs. (2) 20 yrs. (3) 22.5 yrs. (4) 15 yrs.
64. In one examination student gets 4 marks for right answer and loses 1 mark for wrong
answer. Maneesh solved 50 questions and scored 90 marks. Then how many questions
were wrongly answered by him ?
(1) 22 (2) 12 (3) 24 (4) 8
65. If one is walking towards North in the evening his or her shadow will get casted to his or
her right hand side.
(1) Nwer (2) Often
(3) Always (4) Sometimes
66. In the question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered
I and 11. An assumption is something supposed to be or taken for granted. You have to
consider the statement and assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit
in the statement.
Statement : 'All are invited to musical programme. It is free' - an announcement in
newspaper.
Assumptions : I Very few readers read announcement in newspaper.
I1 People do not attend musical programme which is free.
Answer options :
(1) Only I is implicit (2) Only 11 is implicit
(3) Both 1 and I1 are implicit (4) Neither I nor I1 is implicit
67. Rearrange the given letters and form a word. Identify the category in which it fits.
TVOEIL
(1) colour (2) fruit (3) flower (4) vegetable
68. If the sequence of English alphabets is written in reverse order. Which would be 6'l'letter
to the left of the 5'l' letter from right ?
(1) K (2) L (3) J (4) A
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69. In the question below are given statements followed by two conclusions numbered
I and 11. You have to take the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at
variance from commonly known facts. Read all the conclusions and then decide which of
the given conclusions logically follow from the given statements disregarding commonly
known facts.
Statements : Some books are pencils.
All pencils are boxes.
All boxes are benches.
Conclusions : I Some benches are pencils.
I1 Some benches are boxes.
Answer options :
(1) Only conclusion I follows (2) Only conclusion I1 follows
(3) Either conclusion I or I1 follows (4) Both conclusions I and I1 follows
70. Solve :
71. Complete the following number series :
5, 9, 13, 17, -.
(1) 21 (2) 23 (3) 25 (4) 27
72. Identify an odd number from the following :
17, 21, 29, 37
(1) 17 (2) 21 (3) 29 (4) 37
73. Identify the odd group of letters from the following :
AEBF, IMJN, SWTX, MQNS
(1) MQNS (2) IMJN (3) SWTX (4) AEBF
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74. Study the relationship between numbers given outside bracket and complete the second
set of numbers.
222 (448) 334
384 ( ?) 552
(1) 276 (2) 168 (3) 672 (4) 336
76. Which one is different from the rest ?
(1) EB (2) OL (3) QM
77. Find the correct sequential diagram from the following :
78. Letter is to envelop as water is to
(1) vapour (2) drop (3) flow (4) glass
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79. Complete the series :
1, 25 ; 3, 24 ; 5, 23 ; 7, 22 ; 9, 21 ;
(1) 15, 16 (2) 11, 20 (3) 15, 18 (4) 11, 21
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80. Choose logical alternative for replacing question marks.
(1) 24 and Z (2) 28 and Z (3) 24 and Y (4) 28 and Y
81. Choose the option that is antonym of the word written in capital.
AMASS
(1) store (2) hide (3) remove (4) scatter
82. Identify the odd group of letters from the following :
AZBY, CXDW, FUGT, HRQP
(1) AZBY (2) HRQP (3) CXDW (4) FUGT
83. Choose correct alternative and complete the diagram.
84. Which number is the seventh part of a quarter of the third part of half 840 ?
(1) 5 (2) 15 (3) 25 (4) 35
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86. A person have some cows and some ducks. When he asked, how many cows you have
then he answered total number of legs of animals are 24 more than twice of their heads.
Then how many cows he has ?
87. In the question below is given a statement followed by two assumptions numbered
I and 11. An assumption is something supposed to be or taken for granted. You have to
consider the statement and assumptions and decide which of the assumptions is implicit
in the statement ?
Statement : Put your money in locker and call everybody gentleman.
Assumptions : I Money kept in locker can not be stolen.
I1 Stealing is crime
Answer options :
(1) 01dy I is implicit (2) Only 11 is implicit
(3) Both I and 11 are implicit (4) Neither I nor 11 is implicit
88. Smita is younger than Geeta; Meena is older than Smita. Then what conclusion will be
hue ?
(1) Geeta and Meena are of same age.
(2) Meena is oIder than Geeta.
(3) Meena is younger than Geeta.
(4) Smita is younger than Meena and Geeta.
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89. Below are given two statements and they are followed by two conclusions that are
numbered I and 11. You have to consider these statements to be true and then decide
which of the conclusion/s logcally follow/s from the two given statements.
Statements : Some lillies are butterflies.
All butterflies are leaves.
Conclusions : 1. All leaves are butterflies.
11. Some lillies are leaves.
Answer options :
(1) Only conclusion I follows
(2) Only conclusion 11 follows
(3) Either conclusion I or 11 follows
(4) Neither conclusion I nor 11 follows
90. 'PR' is related to 'UW' in the same way as 'CM' is related to :
(1) RH (2) 1s (3) GQ (4)
91. The numbers in the following question are written according to certain pattern row-wise
or column-wise. Identify the pattern and find the missing number accordingly.
(1) 25 (2) 20 (3) 22 (4) 23
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92. In the question below are given statements followed by two conclusions numbered
I and 11. You have to take the given statements to be true even if they seem to be at
variance from commonly known facts. Read all the conclusions and then decide which of
the given conclusions logcally follow from the given statements disregarding commonly
known facts.
Statements : All cats are dogs.
No dog is rabbit.
Some rabbits are rats.
Conclusions : 1 Some dogs are cats.
I1 Some rats are dogs.
Answer options :
(1) Only conclusion I follows (2) Only conclusion I1 follows
(3) Either conclusion I or I1 follows (4) Both conclusions I and I1 follows
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Source: Maharashtra Public Service Commission. Question paper published by Maharashtra Public Service Commission.