UKPSC AE 2013: Uttarakhand Assistant Engineer (AE) Exam, AE GENERAL ENGLISH
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GENERAL ENGLISH
1. Fill in the blank space by picking out the correct preposition from the choices given
below:-
She sat next the Prime Minister in the V.I.P. enclosure.
(a) in (b) on
(c) for (d) to
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verbs given below :-
The new Principal has many changes.
(a) brought down (b) brought for
(c) brought out (d) brought about
3. Insert the appropriate proposition in the following sentence out of the given options :-
You must dispense his services.
(a) of (b) in
(c) at (d) with
4. Fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verbs given below :-
He had promised to come but he never
(a) turned up (b) turned over
(c) turned out (d) turned away
5. Which is the correct meaning of the idiom :-
'Turn a deaf ear to'.
(a) Not listen to (b) Not audible
(c) Disregard (d) Unknown
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6. Select the correct preposition from the options given below :-
I have been working four hours now.
(a) by (b) for
(c) from (d) with
7. Which is the correct meaning of the idiom
'To take stock of'.
(a) To buy things (b) To keep things
(c) To survey (d) To store
8. Supply the appropriate verb in agreement with its subject :-
The captain with all his soldiers waiting for the orders.
(a) am (b) are
(c) have (d) is
9. Fill in the correct preposition :-
The moon doesn't shine its own light.
(a) by (b) to
(c) for (d) about
10. Give the correct option :-
The portrait was painted a famous artist who flourished the
sixteenth century.
(a) to, at (b) in, to
(c) by, in (d) for, at
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11. Which is the correct meaning of the idiom :-
'A wild goose chase'.
(a) Utterly confused (b) A vain attempt
(c) To spend money wildly (d) To incite quarrel
12. Supply the appropriate verb in agreement with its subject :-
None so deaf as those who will not hear.
(a) is (b) are
(c) have (d) has
13. Complete the sentence with the correct choice
The new computer system next month.
(a) will installed (b) is be installed
(c) is being installed (d) is been installed
14. Among the following sentences find out the sentence with wrong subject-verb agreement:-
(a) Either Abdul or Rahim has stolen the watch.
(b) Neither he nor I was there.
(c) Neither praise nor blame seems to affect him.
(d) Each day and each hour bring its duty.
15. 'To eat humble pie' means :-
(a) To apologize humbly (b) To eat humbly
(c) To devour (d) To eat everything
16. Choose the correct opion for the underlined part :-
No sooner he had arrived home than he was asked to start on another journey.
(a) has he arrived (b) he has arrived
(c) had he arrived (d) No change
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17. Complete the following sentence :-
Either my own son or those children all the flowers.
(a) has picked (b) have picked
(c) picked (d) have been picked
18. Change the following into an assertive sentence :-
How pretty is this baby!
(a) This baby is very pretty. (b) How is this baby pretty?
(c) This baby is how pretty? (d) This baby is not pretty.
19. Supply the appropriate verb in agreement with its subject :-
Six miles a long distance.
(a) are (b) have
(c) is (d) were
20. Fill in the blank space by picking out the correct phrasal verb given below the sentence :-
He agreed to my orders.
(a) carry away (b) carry out
(c) carry on (d) carry off
21. Change the following sentence into passive voice :-
What caused this accident?
(a) What was this accident caused by?
(b) This accident is caused by what?
(c) You caused this accident.
(d) Who caused this accident?
22: Complete the following sentence :-
Mr. Shashi Nandan and Mr. Hemwati Nandan to move the resolution.
(a) are (b) is
(c) shall (d) will
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23. Choose the assertive form of the following sentence
0 that she were living to this day!
(a) I wish that she were living to this day.
(b) She wished to live this day.
(c) They were living to this day.
(d) She were living to that day.
24. Choose the Assertive form of the following sentence
How cute she is!
(a) She is not cute. (b) She is cute.
(c) She is very cute. (d) Is she cute?
25. Choose the option showing the superlative degree of the following sentence :-
No other flower is as sweet as the rose.
(a) The rose is the sweetest of all flowers.
(b) Rose is a sweet flower.
(c) Other flowers are as sweet as rose.
(d) None of the above.
26. Supply the appropriate modal
She to obey her elders.
(a) can (b) could
(c) might (d) ought
27. Choose the passive voice form of the following sentence :-
Our grandmother told as stories.
(a) We were told stories by our grandmother.
(b) Grandmother tells us stories.
(c) Stories told by grandmother.
(d) None of these.
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28. From the options given below, pick the simple sentence form of the following sentence :-
The man who wrote this book was a teacher.
(a) The man who has written this book was a teacher.
(b) The man who wrote this book is a teacher.
(c) The writer of this book was a teacher.
(d) The man was a teacher who wrote this book.
29. Supply the appropriate modal :-
Walk fast lest you miss the train.
(a) may (b) will
(c) should (d) can
30. Change the following sentence into passive voice :-
Call the waiter on duty.
(a) Let the waiter on duty be called. (b) Waiter should be called on duty.
(c) Call on the waiter on duty. (d) You should call the waiter on duty.
31. Fill in the blank by choosing the correct one from (a), (b), (c) or (d) :-
All the candidates will a test on Friday.
(a) appear at (b) give
(c) take (d) try
32. Spot the segment containing an error in the following sentence
The best way to (1) / learn an musical instrument (2) / is to find (3) /
an enthusiastic teacher (4).
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
33. Spot the segment containing an error in the following segment :-
Everyone says (1) / that he's (2) / now enormous (3) / rich (4).
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
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34. Spot the segment containing an error in the following sentence
We are not in (1) / a sufficiently strong enough (2) / financial position (3) /
to cut taxes (4).
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
35. Complete the following sentence by choosing the correct option :-
The murderer
(a) was caught and hung. (b) was caught and hanged.
(c) caught and hanged. (d) caught and was hung.
36. Spot the segment containing an error in the following sentence :-
He plays (I) I the guitar (2) I remarkable good (3) / for his age (4).
(a) (I) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
37. Complete the following sentence choosing the appropriate phrase :-
We a desk to write a letter.
(a) seat on (b) sit on
(c) seat at (d) sit at
38. Spot the segment containing an error in the following sentence :-
Can 1(1) / have one (2) / little (3) / more rice (4)?
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
39. Spot the segment containing an error in the following sentence :-
The party was (1) / excellent, and I'd (2) / like to thank (3)!
all the concerned people (4).
(a) (1) (b) (2)
(c) (3) (d) (4)
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40. Point out the correct negative interchange of the following affirmative sentence:-
I found that book very interesting.
(a) I did not found that book very interesting.
(b) I found that book uninteresting.
(c) I did not find that book very uninteresting.
(d) I did not find that book very interesting.
Questions 4 1-60. Passages for comprehension.
Note : Read the passage below and then answer the questions which follow it :-
Sometimes we went off the road and on a path through the pine forest. The floor of the forest
was soft to walk on; the frost did not harden it as it did the road. But we did not mind the
hardness of the road because we had nails in the soles and heels. Nails bit on the frozen ruts
and with nailed boots it was good walking on the road and invigorating. It was lovely walking
in the woods.
41. 'Frozen ruts' means:-
(a) Very cold roads.
(b) Wheel marks in which frost had become hard.
(c) The road covered with frost.
(d) Hard road covered with snow.
42. Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option from those given below. :-
The floor of the forest was soft because
(a) the forest did not harden it on account of trees.
(b) the travellers were wearing boots.
(c) the shoes had nails on their soles and heels.
(d) they enjoyed walking in the woods.
43. Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option from those given below :-
We did not mind the hardness of the road because
(a) we had nailed boots on.
(b) it was good walking on the road.
(c) the walk was refreshing.
(d) the nails bit on the frozen road.
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44. Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option from those given below :-
We found great joy on account of
(a) wearing nailed boots.
(b) the good long walk on the road.
(c) walking occasionally through the forest.
(d) walking on frost with nailed boots on.
45. Complete the sentence with the most appropriate option from those given below :-
Sometimes we walked through the fine forest as
(a) the path was unaffected by the frost.
(b) it was good walking with nails in the boots.
(c) the walk was invigorating.
(d) it was sheer joy to walk in the forest.
Read the passage below and then answer the questions which follow it :-
He saw nothing, he had no knife or sharp instrument. The grating of the window was of iron
and he had too often assured himself of its solidity. His furniture consisted of a bed, a chair,
a table, a pail and ajug. The bed had iron clamps, but they were screwed to the wall and it
would have required a screwdriver to take them off.
Dantes had but one resource which was to break the jug and with one of the sharp fragments
attack the wall. He let the jug fall on the floor and it broke into pieces. He concealed two or
three of the sharpest fragments in his bed, leaving the rest on the floor. The breaking of the
jug was too natural an accident to excite suspicion, and the next morning gaoler went
grumblingly to fetch another, without giving himself the trouble to remove the fragments.
Dantes heard joyfully the key grate in the lock as guard departed from the storeroom.
46. Complete the following sentence by selecting the appropriate option :-
Dantes was in
(a) a hostel (b) a dining room
(c) an army barracks (d) a prison
47. Complete the following sentence by selecting the appropriate option :-
Dantes heard the key grate in the lock when the
(a) cell door was shut (b) cell door was opened
(c) storeroom was opened (d) storeroom was shut
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48. Complete the following sentence by selecting the appropriate option :-
The guard left the fragments because he
(a) didn't notice them (b) wished to punish Dantes
(c) was too lazy to bother (d) wanted Dantes to clean up
49. Complete the following sentence by selecting the appropriate option
Dantes probably broke the jug
(a) in the morning (b) during the night
(c) after breakfast (d) at exactly 3 P.M.
50. Complete the following sentence by selecting the appropriate option :-
Dantes was planning to
(a) carve his name (b) make his escape
(c) tease the guard (d) call for breakfast
Note: Read the following passage and ansWer the questions given at its end:
Globalization, liberalization and free market are some of the most significant modem trends
in economy. Most economists in our country seem to be captivated by the spell of the free
market. Consequently, nothing seems good or normal that does not accord with the
requirements of the free market. A price that is determined by the seller or, for that matter,
established by anyone, other than the aggregate of consumers seems pernicious. Accordingly,
it requires a major act of will to think of price-fixing as both normal and having a valuable
economic function. In fact, price-fixing is normal in the industrialized societies because
the industrial system itself provides, an effortless consequence of its own development, the
price-fixing that it requires. Modem industrial planning requires and rewards great size.
Hence, a small number of large firms will be competing for the same group of consumers
that each large firm will act with consideration of its own needs and thus avoid selling its
products for more than its competitors charge is commonly recognized by the advocates of
free-market economic theories. But each large firm will also act with full consideration of
the needs that it has in common with the other large firms competing for the same customers.
Each large firm will thus avoid significant price-cutting, because price-cutting will be
prejudicial to the common interest in a stable demand for products. Most economists do
not see price-fixing when it occurs because they expect it to be brought about by a number
of explicit agreements among large firms; it is not.
Moreover, those ecOnomists who argue that allowing the free-market to operate without
interference is the most efficient method of establishing prices have not considered the
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economics of non-socialist countries. Most of these economies employ intentional price-
fixing by cartel and informal price-fixing by agreements covering the members of an industry
are common place. Were there something peculiarly efficient about the free market and
inefficient about price-fixing, the countries that have avoided the first and used the second
would have suffered drastically in their economic development. There is no indication that
they have.
Socialist industry also works within a framework of controlled prices. In the early 1970's the
Soviet Union began to give firms and industries some flexibility in adjusting prices that a
more informal evolution has accorded the capitalist system. Economists in the U.S.A. have
hailed the change as a return to the free-market. But the then Soviet firms were not in favour
of the prices established by a free-market over which they excercised little influence; rather,
Soviet firms acquired some power to fix prices.
51. Which of the following statements I, II and! or III is/are true in the context of the information
given in the passage?
The information in the passage is helpful to
I Know some of the ways in which prices can be fixed.
II Identify the products for which price-fixing can be more benificial.
III Differentiate between the economies of various countries.
(a) Only I (b) Only II
(c) Only III (d) Only I and II
52. Considering the literal meaning and connotations of the words used in the passage, the author's
attitude towards "most economists" can best be described as :-
(a) Derogatory and antagonistic (b) Impartial and unbiased
(c) Spiteful and envious (d) Critical and condescending
53. The author feels that price fixed by seller seems pernicious because :-
(a) People don't have faith in large firms.
(b) People don't want the Government to fix prices.
(c) Most economists believe that consumers should determine prices.
(d) Most economists believe that no one group should determine prices.
54. The author's primany objective of writing the passage seems to be :-
(a) To explain the methodology of fixing prices to stablize free-market.
(b) To advocate that price-fixing is un-avoidable and it is beneficial to the economy of
any industrialised society.
(c) To create awareness among the general public regarding combating price-fixing by
large firms.
(d) To prove that price-fixing and free-market are compatible and mutually beneficial
to industrialised societies.
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55. According to the passage, price-fixing in non-socialist countries is generally
(a) intentional and widespread (b) illegitimate and beneficial
(c) conservative and inflexible (d) legitimate and innovative
56. What was the result of the then Soviet Union's change in economic policy in the 1970's?
(a) They showed greater profits.
(b) They had less control over the free market.
(c) They were able to adjust to techno-advancement.
(d) They acquired some authority to fix prices.
57. The author's primary concern seems to be to :-
(a) Summarize confliciting view points.
(b) Make people aware of recent discoveries.
(c) Criticize a point of view.
(d) Predict the probable result of a practice.
58. Which of the following statement(s) about the Socialist Industry is/are false?
I It works under price-restrictions.
II It has no authority to determine prices.
III It hails the strategy of price-fixing, as a major deviation.
(a) Only I is false (b) Only I and II are false
(c) II and III are false (d) Only III is false
59. Give the opposite of the following word which occurs in the passage
'Pernicious'
(a) Harmful (b) Deadly
(c) Prornotive (d) Extravagant
60. Select the word which has almost a similar meaning of the following word from the passage:-
'Advocates'
(a) Lawyers (b) Experts
(c) Recommends (d) Supporter
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61. Of the media listed below, which is generally not used for intra organizational or internal
communication :-
(a) Memo (b) E-mail
(c) Letter (d) Telephone call
62. Which of the following initiates the process of communication?
(a) Sender (b) Decoder
(c) Receiver (d) Medium
63. Compared to e-mail, instant messaging :-
(a) Is slower and more complicated to use.
(b) Has not caught on in the business community.
(c) Is much faster, but costlier as well.
(d) Offers greater speed and is less susceptible to privacy problems.
64. Find out the word nearest in meaning to the following word Inadvertant
(a) Insufficient (b) Inaccurate
(c) Unintentional (d) Something that cannot be proved
65. Find out the word nearest in meaning to the following word : Ex Post facto
(a) Bonafide (b) Retroactive
(c) Ex worker (d) Beyond the factor
66. Which of the following is the Indirect form of the following sentence
The doctor asked the patient, "Did you eat anything this morning?"
(a) The doctor asked the patient whether you ate anything in the morning.
(b) The doctor asked the patient if he had eaten something in this morning.
(c) The doctor asked the patient if he ate anything that morning.
(d) The doctor asked the patient whether he had eaten anything that morning.
67; Choose the correct Indirect form of the following sentence :-
He said, "Oh! That's a nuisance."
(a) He exclaimed that it was a nuisance. (b) He told that it is a nuisance.
(c) He asked me it was a nuisance. (d) He said to me it is a nuisance.
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68. Choose the correct Indirect form of the following sentence
"Hurry up", he said to his servant, "do not waste time ."
(a) Hurry up and do not waste time he said to his servants.
(b) He asked his servant to hurry up and not to waste time.
(c) He said to his servant that he should hurry up and should not waste time.
(d) None of these.
69. Choose the correct Indirect form of the following sentence
He said, "Let us wait for the award."
(a) He asked that let us wait for the award.
(b) He said that let us wait for the award.
(c) He proposed that they should wait for the award.
(d) He requested that let us wait for the award.
70. Which of the following is the Direct form of the following sentence
He asked Rama to go with him.
(a) He requested Rama, "Come with him."
(b) He asked Rama, " Come with he".
(c) He told Rama, " Come with him".
(d) He said to Rama, "Come with me."
71. Find the part which has an error
By the time (1)! we reached the classroom (2)! the first lesson has almost ended (3)!
No error(4).
(a) I (b) 2
(c) 3 (d) 4
72. Four parts of a sentence are given. Arrange them in the proper order
(A) Mr. Simon, however, tried
(B) across effectively
(C) and failed to get the message
(D) to answer in English
(a) ADCB (b) CDBA
(c) BADC (d) BDCA
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73. Complete the conditional sentence choosing the correct option out of the following
Unless he asks me,
(a) I shall help him (b) I shall not help him
(c) I should help him (d) I would help him
74. Fill in the blanks :-
If I a millionaire I generously.
(a) were, would donate (b) am, will donate
(c) had been, will give (d) None of these
75. Fill in the blanks
He said he not come unless he me.
(a) would, heard (b) would, hears
(c) has, had heard (d) None of these
76. Find the correct sequence of the following parts to form a meaningful sentence :-
fellow/accept/by/eatables or drinks/passengers/offered/never
(a) Never accept eatables or drinks offered by fellow passengers.
(b) Fellow never accept eatables or thinks offered by passengers.
(c) Eatables or drinks offered by fellow passengers never accept.
(d) Offered by fellow passengers never accept eatables or drinks.
77. Find a single word substitute for the following:-
One who is unable to pay one's debt.
(a) Infallible (b) Insolvent
(c) Recluse (d) Invincible
78. Choose the correct verb :-
It is fourteen years since I him.
(a) have seen (b) saw
(c) had seen (d) None of these
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79. Select the right pair of words to be filled in the blanks to make the sentence meaningful :-
Our latest battle plan some proj ects at saving the
earth's biological diversity.
(a) finishes, stirring (b) covers, aimed
(c) finances, looking (d) encloses, looked
80. Fill in the blanks :-
If he a year older, he be eligible for the post.
(a) were, would (b) would, were
(c) had been, will (d) None of these
81. Choose the correct verb
Churchill, the statesman and the writer no more.
(a) is (b) are
(c) was (d) do
82. Find out the sentence with correct order of words from the following :-
(a) He refused with a frown face his on relieve beggar the to.
(b) The beggar lame face on relieve with a frown to refused he.
(c) He refused to relieve the lame beggar with a frown on his face.
(d) He relieved the refused beggar with a frown on his face.
83. Fill in the blanks :-
If water it to ice.
(a) froze, will turn (b) had frozen, turns
(c) will freeze, will turn (d) freezes, turns
84. One who leads an austere life is called
(a) agnostic (b) altruist
(c) amateur (d) ascetic
85. Use one word for :-
A person who thinks positively about life and things.
(a) Optimist (b) Pessimist
(c) Practical (d) None of the above
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86. Find the correct sequence of the following parts to form a meaningful sentence :-
0. It was obvious
p. made by him
Q. submitted to him
R. from the comments
S. on the draft proposal
T. that he was not satisfied with the proposal
(a) OQRSPT (b) OSQRPT
(c) ORPSTQ (dl) OPSRQT
87. Choose the correct verb
The introduction of reforms not liked by him.
(a) was (b) were
(c) has (d) are
88. Give one word for :-
Of one's own free will,
(a) Unanimous (b) Anarchist
(c) Voluntary (d) Colleagues
89. Fill in the blanks :-
He lunch at 12.30 p.m. yesterday but he it at 2 p.m. today.
(a) was having, had been having (b) had, will have
(c) did not have, having (d) None of these
90. What is the synonym of 'morale'?
(a) Confidence (b) Character
(c) Behaviour (d) Expression
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91. Find the correct sequence of the following parts to form a meaningful sentence :-
0. It is well known that
P. youngsters in the cities and the villages
Q. the effect
R. of the cinema
S. is very bad on
(a) OQSPR (b) OQRSP
(c) OPQRS (d) OQRPS
92. Choose the option that can be substituted for the given wordlphrase :-
A speech delivered without preparation.
(a) Straight forward (b) Extempore
(c) Verbose (d) Maiden
93. The antonym of the word 'prosperity' is
(a) Scarcity (b) Paucity
(c) Perspicacity (d) Adversity
94. Insert an appropriate Homonym,
She is in the art of painting.
(a) adapt (b) adept
(c) adopt (d) adipt
95. Choose the correct preposition :-
The public is cautioned pickpockets.
(a) by (b) against
(c) for (d) with
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96. Fill in the blanks
She her mother.
(a) takes off (b) runs through
(c) runs out (d) takes after
97. The synonym of the word 'paucity' is :-
(a) Adversity (b) Scarcity
(c) Purity (d) Flattery
98. Fill in the blank by choosing (a), (b), (c) or (d) :-
Do you think the crops will well this year?
(a) be (b) turn on
(c) turn into (d) turn out
99. The antonym of the word 'Pragmatic' is
(a) Angry (b) Unpractical
(c) Experimental (d) Deceitful
100. Select the right answer :-
'Run into' means -
(a) Run quickly (b) Make a mistake
(c) Postpone (d) Meet by chance
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Source: Uttarakhand Public Service Commission. Question paper published by Uttarakhand Public Service Commission.