ACE Academy

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MISCELLANEOUS

GENERAL ENGLISH
MISCELLANEOUS
2011

SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT
Directions (For the ten items which follow):
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible
substitutions for the under lined part. If one of them, i.e., (a), (b) or (c) is better than the
underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a),
(b) or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the
Answer Sheet. Thus a No improvement response will be signified by the letter (d).
01. The patient has since been discharged.
(a) since has been
(b) has been since

(c) is since

02. That was not quite all what I did during the holidays.
(a) that
(b) which
(c) how

(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement

03. Since he had studied very hard, Remesh had little hope of passing his examination.
(a) Despite
(b) although
(c) However (d) No improvement
04. He wants to buy a new shirt as he has no money.
(a) since
(b) but
(c) because

(d) No improvement

05. The speaker tried to work round the emotions of his audience.
(a) off
(b) up
(c) through
(d) No improvement
06. He wants to stop me from going there by playing about my fears.
(a) upon
(b) over
(c) round
(d) No improvement
07. If I were in the hospital, would you visit me?
(a) will you visit me?
(b) are you visiting me?
(c) you will visit me?
(d) No improvement
08. I think its getting very late, you have better hurry up.
(a) had better
(b) will better
(c) would better
(d) No improvement
09. I dont want to take on too much of your time.
(a) take
(b) take up
(c) take away (d) No improvement
10. Its obvious that they are trying to cheat, isnt it?

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(a) are they ?

GENERAL ENGLISH
(b) arent they?

(c) is it?

ACE
(d) No improvement

01. d 02. a 03. b 04. b 05. b 06. a 07. d 08. a 09. a 10. d

2010
No Question has appeared
2009
Directions (For the ten items which follow):
Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible
substitutions for the under lined part. If one of them, i.e., (a), (b) or (c) is better than the
underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a),
(b) or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the
Answer Sheet. Thus a No improvement response will be signified by the letter (d).
01. The patient has since been discharged.
(a) since has been
(b) has been since

(c) is since

02. That was not quite all what I did during the holidays.
(a) that
(b) which
(c) how

(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement

03. Since he had studied very hard, Remesh had little hope of passing his examination.
(a) Despite
(b) although
(c) However (d) No improvement
04. He wants to buy a new shirt as he has no money.
(a) since
(b) but
(c) because

(d) No improvement

05. The speaker tried to work round the emotions of his audience.
(a) off
(b) up
(c) through
(d) No improvement
06. He wants to stop me from going there by playing about my fears.
(a) upon
(b) over
(c) round
(d) No improvement
07. If I were in the hospital, would you visit me?
(a) will you visit me?
(b) are you visiting me?
(c) you will visit me?
(d) No improvement
08. I think its getting very late, you have better hurry up.
(a) had better
(b) will better
(c) would better
(d) No improvement
09. I dont want to take on too much of your time.
(a) take
(b) take up
(c) take away (d) No improvement

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10. Its obvious that they are trying to cheat, isnt it?
(a) are they ?
(b) arent they?
(c) is it?

1. d

2. a

3. b

4. b

5. b

6. a

7. d

(d) No improvement

8. a

9. a

10. d

2009
Directions (For the 8 items which follow):
In the following items, some parts of the sentence have been jumbled up. You are
required to rearrange these parts which are labelled (P), (Q), (R) and (S) to produce the
correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence and mark in your Answer Sheet
accordingly.
Example Z has been solved for you.
is very bad on children of cinema
Z. It is well-known that The effect
(Q)
(R)
(P)
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) P S R Q
(b) S P Q R

(c) S R P Q

(d) Q S R P

Explanation: The proper way of writing the sentence is It is well-known that the effect of
cinema on children is very bad. This is indicated by the sequence P S R Q and so (a) is
the correct answer.
to let the target market know about it
01. to produce a product
(P)
(Q)
but it is equally important
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) R P S Q
(b) R P Q S
(c) P R Q S

it is not just enough

(R)

(d) P R S Q

02. There is who might in this respect be helpful one person

(P)
(Q)
(R)
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) Q R S P
(b) P Q R S
(c) S P R Q
(d) R S P Q
03. to his beloved wife Anjuman Bano he took the name of Shah Jahan
(Q)
(P)
when Khurram became emperor and gave the title of Mumtaz Mahal
(R)
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) Q R P S
(b) R Q S P
(c) R Q P S
(d) Q R S P
04. with whom he had a close friendship he and his wife traveled to France
(P)
(Q)
accompanied by his wifes step sister where they joined Louis
(R)
(S)

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GENERAL ENGLISH

The correct sequence should be

(a) R S Q P
(b) Q P S R

(c) Q R P S

(d) R Q S P

05. Finding me absent for the purpose of stealing my watch there

(P)
the servant of my neighbour entered my bedroom
(R)
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) Q R S P
(b) Q R P S

ACE

(c) R Q P S

a lad of thirteen
(Q)

(d) R Q S P

06. Rakesh took the winding track up the mountain of the green valley below
(P)
(Q)
he saw a marvellous sight and once he reached the top
(R)
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) R Q P S
(b) P S R Q
(c) P R S Q
(d) P S Q R
07. Mohen was forced to leave studies
(P)
after his fathers death
(S)
The correct sequence should be
(a) P Q R S
(b) P Q S R
08. sincere and devoted to duty
(P)

to support his family

(Q)

(c) S P R Q

its citizens are

(Q)

and take up a job

(R)

(d) S P Q R

on how much
(R)

the success and failures of a country depend largely

(P)
The correct sequence should be
(a) P Q R S
(b) Q R S P
Keys for 2009:
01.a 02.d 03.b

04.d

05.d

(c) R P S Q
06.b

07.c

(d) S R P Q

08.d

2008

ORDERING OF SENTENCES Directions (For the 10 items which follow):

In the following items, each passage consists of six sentences. The first sentence (S1) and final
sentence (S6) are given in the beginning. The middle four sentences in each have been removed
and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the correct
sequence of the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
Example X has been solved for you.
01. S1 : The first aeroplanes were fragile and clumsy.
S6 : In those days people considered flight in an aeroplane to be a miracle

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P : When they took off they would not fly very high
Q : They also broke down frequently
R: It was difficult for them to take off
S : They flew slowly and only in the vicinity of the airfield
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) R - P - S Q
(b) S - Q - R P
(c) R -Q- S P

(d) S - P R - Q

02. S1 : Lions usually live in a family partiescalled prides.

S6 : They actack man only when they are wounded or otherwise aroused.
P : Wild lions are not normally a menance to man.
Q : A pride is commonly made up of a lion,two lionesses and cubs.
R : Sometimes pigs and other animals are also killed by them.
S : They usually prey on zebras and antelopes.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) P - S - R Q
(b) Q - R - S P
(c) P - R - S Q

(d) Q - S - R - P

03. S1 : Not long ago television was a rarity.

S6: Only a few people understand the technology behind it.
P: It has become a means of entertainment and information.
Q: Yet nowadays there is one in virtually every home.
R: But most of us do not know much about how an image appears on the television screen
S: We have grown used to it.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) P - R - Q S
(b) Q - S - P R
(c) P - S- Q R

(d) Q - R - P - S

04. S1: I have know in my own life, in my own experience, people who were hating one another
on account of their religious views.
S6: We are the inheritors of a great world heritage.
P: They try to find out whatever is of value in them.
Q: You will find that other religions are studies with sympathy and respect by those who do
not adhere to them
R: All that has changed today.
S: The classics of the whole world form the classics of every human being.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) P - S - R Q
(b) R - Q - P S
(c) P - - R S
05. S1: Javert was a strong, upright and just man.
S6: So he took the only way out for him-he killed himself.
P: But now his life was turned upside down.
Q: It was his safe world of rules.
R: He would help no one, and he helped noone.
S: He did not want favours from a thief.

(d) R - S - P - Q

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Which one of the following is the correct sequence?

(a) Q - P -S R
(b) S - R -Q P
(c) Q - R -S P
(d) S - P - Q - R
06. S1: Nowadays we pay a great deal of attention to pure air, open windows and garden cities.
S6: Pasteurised milk is milk which has been treated in this way.
P: Another useful discovery of Pasteurs was the process, now called, pasteurization.
Q: Pasteur was one of the first to show how necessary all these are if we are to fight against
germs and disease.
R: Pasteur helped them by showing that by heating win or milk to a temperature of 60 degree
Centrigrade, the germs were madeharmless.
S: Some wine-growers were troubled by a germ which has turned their win sour.
Which one of the following is the correctsequence?
(a) R - S -P Q
(b) Q- P - S R
(c) R - P - S Q

(d) Q- S - P - R

07. S1: Scientist have found that any train running on wheels cannot go faster than 300
kilometres an hour.
S6: Japanese engineers are, therefore, planning another kind of train, a magnetic train
without, wheels, which would also float above the ground.
P: One way of building such trains has already been tried out
Q: If we want trains which can go still faster we must build them without wheels.
R: But it would not be possible to run them on the Tokaido line because in same tunnels there
would not be enough air to support them
S: Here, the whole train floats above the ground on top of a cushion of air created by
powerful fans.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) Q-P-S-R
(b) S-R-Q-P
(c) Q-R-S-P

(d) S-P-Q-R

08. S1: Newspapers are the cheapest medium of information today.

S6: Consequently, 50 percent of our population is denied across to information vital for the
functionaries of a democracy.
P: If you cannot buy a paper, you can go to a public library.
Q: And yet newspapers do not reach nearly fifty percent of our population.
R: They are also easily available to everybody
S: It is because people are illiterate.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) R-S-Q-P
(b) Q-P-R-S
(c) R-P-Q-S
(d) Q-S-R-P .
09. S1: Social isolation, overcrowding, the competitiveness of our society and several other
factors are responsible for stress.
S6: Yet some other get totally depressed andoften much worried.
P: In England we refer to competition insociety as the rat-race.
Q: All of us react to that rat-race in differentways.
R: But some of us get very much tried andbored every easily.
S: The pressures on all of us are very great because speed and competition have become part

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of every day life.

Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) R-P-Q-S
(b) SQP-R
(c) RQP-S

(d) S-PQ-R

10. S1: It is true that a few women have opportunities to work outside the home.
S6: If women stop doing this work there would be havoc in the public life.
P: Women do much work all the time within the house.
Q: This work could be termed as socially productive labour.
R: It consists of cooking, washing, cleaning, fetching fuel and water etc.
S: This work is crucial to the survival of society.
Which one of the following is the correct sequence?
(a) P-Q-R-S

(b) R-S-PQ

(c) P-S-RQ

(d) R-Q-PS

Keys for 2007:

01.a

02.d

03.b

04.b

05.b

06.b

07.a

08.c

09.d

10.c

2007

Directions:
For each of the following eight items, select the word / group of words that is closest in meaning
to the underlined portion of the given sentence.
01. A conscientious worker is always admired by his superior officers.
(a) Smart
(b) Sincere
(c) Extrovert

(d) Reticent

02. Amit was cut to the quick when he learnt that his brother had cheated him.
(a) Flummoxed
(b) Become unconscious
(c)Felt guilty
(d) Was deeply hurt
03. Romila is not easily pleased by anything.
(a) Fastidious
(b) Thrifty

(c) Profligate

(d) Swanky

04. The host of the party did not like the gratuitous remarks made by one of the guests.
(a) Personal
(b) Critical
(c) Uncalled for
(d) Flattering
05. His brother is leading a sequestered life.
(a) Secluded
(b) Unhealthy

(c) Disreputable

(d) Marked by affluence

06. The Chief Executive Officer is known for his martinet approach.
(a) A style marked by indifference
(b) A style marked by empathy
(c) a style marked by strict discipline
(d) A style marked b innovative management practices
07. Shobits parsimonious nature is known to all his friends.
(a) Selfish
(b) Miserly
(c) Vindictive
08. After the event, the manager looked knackered.

(d) Indecisive

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(a) Satisfied
Keys for 2007:
01.b 02.d 03.a

(b) Delighted

04.c

05.a

06.c

ACE

(c) Tired

07.b

(d) Wiser

08.c

2006

Directions:
In each of the following questions, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words.
Select the pair out of these four choice that best expresses a relationship similar to that
expressed in the original pair.
01. EVENTS: CONTEMPORANEOUS ::
(a) Measure : Temporary
(b) Objects : Adjacent
(c) Steps
: Repetitive
(d) Times : Victories
02. PUNISHMENT : MITIGATE ::
(a) Mandate : Execute
(c) Sentence : Commute
03. SKULDUGGERY : SWINDLER ::
(a) Chicanery : Trickster
(c) Quandary : Craven

(b) Wealth : Aggregate

(d) Fine : Collect
(b) Forgery : Speculator
(d) Surgery : Quack

04. MINATORY : THREATEN ::

(a) Salutary : Greet
(c) Mandatory : Complete

(b) Defamatory : Publicize

(d) Laudatory : Praise

05. RAMSHACKLE : SOUNDNESS ::

(a) Humdrum : Monotony
(c) Flimsy : Transparency

(b) Garbled : Clarity

(d) Steadfast : Speed

06. DISPASSIONATE : PARTISANSHIP : :

(a) Disconsolate : Sorrow
(b) Ardent : Involvement
(c) Enthusiastic : Zealousness
(d) Intemperate : Moderation
07. LAUGH : GUFFAW ::
(a) Drink : Sip
(b) Quarrel : Squabble
Keys for 2006:
01.b 02.c 03.a

04.d

05.b

06.d

(c) Cough : Sneeze

(d) Deluge : Tickle

07.b

2006

IDIOMS
Directions:
Each question below consists of a phrase/idiom in capital letters, followed by four groups of
words. Select the group of words that is most similar in meaning to the phrase/idiom in capital
letters.
01. TO READ THE RIOT ACT
(a) To instigate a crowd
(b) To declare authoritatively that something must stop
(c) To offer something as an explanation or excuse (d) To train fresh recruits

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02. RAISE SOMEBODYS HACKLES

(a) To prepare somebody for a tough encounter
(c) To provide support to someone in need

(b) To bribe somebody

(d) To make somebody angry

03. HEDGE ONES BETS

(a) To prepare for an examination
(b) To protect oneself by not committing to one course of action
(c) To plan ones career
(d) To pluck up courage to propose to somebody for marriage
04. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM
(a) Navigational controls used in a ship (b) Important members of a political party
(c) Various unimportant objects (d) Procedural rules to be followed in an organization
05. RED HERRING
(a) Red carpet treatment
(b) A new automobile
(c) The latest fashion
(d) An argument to divert attention
06. TO TAKE A RAIN-CHECK
(a) To analyse a problem deeply
(b) To politely decline an offer
(c) To prepare for all possible contingencies (d) To indulge in wasteful expenditure
07. BRING HOME THE BACON
(a) To attract clientele
(b) To achieve something successfully
(c) To take up a new job
(d) To purchase a new house
08. GORDIAN KNOT
(a) Utmost hatred for someone
(c) Close family ties
Keys for 2006:
01.b 02.d 03.b 04.c 05.d
Directions

(b) An exercise in mountaineering

(d) A seemingly impossible problem
06.b

07.b

08.d

2005

In each of the following Seven items, a related pair of words is followed by four pairs of words:
(a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the pair that best expresses a relationship similar to that expressed in
the original pair.
01. Gullible : Duped
(a) Architect : Blueprint
(c) Malleable : Moulded

(b) Miser : Penurious

(d) Articulate : Silenced

02. Eulogy : Blame

(a) Impulsive : Reflection
(c) Tirade : Abuse

(b) Testimony : Court

(d) Benediction : Curse

03. Rout : Defeat

(a) Celebrity : Wealthy
(c) Testify : Witness

(b) Ovation : Applause

(d) Tepid : Temperance

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04. Skinflint : Stingy

(a) Diehard : Stubborn
(c) Wicked : Survive

(b) Braggart : Carefree

(d) Wrathful : Ire

05. Indolent : Work

(a) Decisive : Act
(c) Taciturn : Speak

(b) Intolerable : Defect

(d) Confide : Tell

06. Fire : Ashes

(a) Road : Vehicles
(c) Water : Waves

(b) Event : Memories

(d) Confide : Tell

07. Fox : Cunning

(a) Beaver : Industrious
(c) Dismiss : Jury

(b) Dog : Playful

(d) Diehard : Quit

Keys for 2005:

01.c 02.d 03.b

04.d

05.c

06.b

07.b

2005

FILL IN THE BLANKS

Directions :
Each of the following nine sentences or groups of sentences has a blank space and four groups of
words are given after the sentence(s). Out of these four choices, select the group of words which
you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and mark your choice on the Answer
Sheet.
01. The Film was really boring. It was ________ Ive ever seen.
(a) most boring film
(b) the more boring film
(c) a most boring
(d) the most boring film
02. The examination was quite east ______ we expected.
(a) more easy that
(b) more easy than

(c) easier than (d) easier as

03. Krishnan told me about his new job, ________ very much.
(a) that hes enjoying
(b) which hes enjoying
(c) hes enjoying
(d) hes enjoying it
04. I dont like stories ______ have unhappy endings.
(a) those
(b) that
(c) who
05. It was a great party _________ enjoyed it.
(a) Everybody
(b) All
(c) who

(d) who so ever

(d) Everybody out of us

06. It look us quite a long time to get here. It was _________journey.

(a) three hour
(b) a three hour
(c) a three hours

(d) the three hours

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07. What time _________ on television?

(a) are the news
(b) is news

(c) is the news

(d) is it news

08. We visited ______________

(a) Canada and United States
(b) the Canada and the United States
(c) Canada and the United States
(d) the Canada and United States
09. A friend of mine phoned __________ me to a party.
(a) of inviting
(b) to invite
(c) for inviting
(d) for to invite
Keys for 2005:
01.d 02.c 03.b

04.b

05.a

06.b

07.c

08.c

09.b

2004

Directions:

In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. In each of these
blank spaces, four words or groups of words (a), (b),(c) and (d) are suggested one of which fits
the blank most appropriately. Find out the most appropriate word or group of words.
01. Desire and action are often coordinated in that desire may
(a) dampen
(b) arouse
(c) hinder
02. The person to an action or that desire may
(a) be inferred
(b) be derived
(c) result

(d)indulge
(d) be ceased

03. From the action. If P is seen as trying to do X, it is often inferred that P desires X. However,
desire and action are not. _______________ coordinated. The person
(a) deliberately
(b) negatively
(c) invariably
(d) hopefully
04. may desire X without
(a) wanting

____________
(b) exhibiting

(c) supporting

(d) engaging

05. in any action directed towards the attainment of X. This event happens when X appears
_____________ or when the other effects resulting from the action
(a) manageable
(b) unattainable
(c) valuable
(d) approachable
06. ______________ to attain X are sufficiently undesirable as to
(a) incidental
(b) necessary
(c) detrimental

(d) hostile

07. ______________ desire for X. Sometimes, of course, no action is

(a) express
(b) reciprocate
(c) negate

(d) damage

08. necessary; the desire may or may not be ______________

(a) criticized
(b) hypothesized
(c) realized

(d) verbalized

Keys for 2004:

01.b 02.c 03.c

04.d

05.b

06.b

07.a

08.c

Sentence Improvement
2003

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Directions:
In this section, seven sentences are given. Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below
each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b)
or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the
corresponding letter (a), (b) or (c). If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, indicate (d)
as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a No improvement response will be signified by
the letter (d). Examples R and S have been solved for you.
R. The young child sung a very sweet song.
(a) singed the
(b) singed
(c) sang a
(d) No improvement
S. I have already read this book twice.
(a) I already twice have read this book.
(c) I have twice already read this book.

(b) I twice have already read this book.

(d) No improvement

Explanation:
R. For item R, the correct sentence should read, The young child sang a very sweet song.
c is therefore, the correct answer.
S. Item S is a correct sentence. None of the changes suggested will improve it. d is
therefore, the correct answer.
01. Let this accident be an object lesson in the dangers of drinking and driving.
(a) object lessons for the dangers
(b) object lessons of the dangers
(c) object lesson with the dangers
(d) No improvement
02. Under his apparent nonchalance he is as nervous and excited as the rest of us.
(a) Beneath his apparent
(b) With his apparent
(c) Because of his apparent
(d) No improvement
03. He went through the motions of welcoming his wifes friends but then quickly left the
room.
(a) in the motions of welcoming
(b) over the motions of welcoming
(c) through the motions over welcoming
(d) No improvement
04. Manys the promise that have been broken.
(a) promise those have been broken
(b) promise that has been broken
(c) promises that have been broken
(d) No improvement
05. Her new house is certainly out of the ordinary.
(a) home is certainly out of the ordinarily
(b) house is certainly not ordinary
(c) house is certainly outside the ordinary
(d) No improvement
06. His rough manners were rather putting-off.
(a) were putting-off rather
(b) were off-putting rather
(c) were rather off-putting
(d) No improvement
07. His reply was taken half seriously, half in jest.
(a) half in seriousness, half in jest
(b) half seriously, half jestly
(c) both half seriously and in jest
(d) No improvement
Keys for 2003:
01.c 02.b 03.d 04.b 05.d 06.c 07.d

2002

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Sentence Improvement
01. I would have been sure to catch the flight unless I had reached in time.
(a) if I would reach in time
(b) had I reached in time
(c) if I reached in time
(d) No improvement
02. Even his best friends gave him the cold shoulder.
(a) gave him a cold shoulder
(b) showed him the cold shoulder
(c) turned the cold shoulder on him
(d) No improvement
03. This was a dangerous method of securing popular support.
(a) soliciting
(b) extracting
(c) expecting
04. This has been done in disregard for my instructions.
(a) of disregard to
(b) in disregard of
(c) in disregard to

(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement

05. The speaker congratulated me for my being elected as Member of Parliament.

(a) at
(b) in
(c) on
(d) No improvement
06. I will look you up next next time I am in Mumbai.
(a) look you through (b) look you over (c) look you around (d) No improvement
07. I havent have a holiday for six months.
(a) didnt have
(b) havent had
(c) do not have

(d) improvement

08. I never thought that I would be writing poems.

(a) would write
(b) will write
(c) will be writing
improvement

(d) No

09. By the time the report is published next year, no one will be interested in what scandalous
claims it has made.
(a) it is making
(b) it will make
(c) it makes
(d) No improvement
10. Early in this month, relative of ours, who was traveling by car along with his wife, was hit
by a lorry at Mathura.
(a) Earlier in this month
(b) Early this month
(c) Early during this month
(d) No improvement
Keys for 2002:
01.b 02.d 03.d

04.b

05.c

06.d

SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT

07.b

08.a

09.c

10.b

2001

01. If you have some doubts, please let me know.

(a) a few
(b) few

(c) any

(d) No improvement

02. Leave my arm, please.

(a) Give up

(c) Release

(d) No improvement

(c) attend to

(d) No improvement

(b) Let go

03. May I request you to see my testimonials?

(a) look at
(b) see through

72
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ACE

04. Malaria, being earlier confined to a few pocket of migrant workers, is now spreading in
the national capital.
(a) being confined
(b) earlier having been confined
(c) earlier confined
(d) No improvement
05. Scarcely he entered the room when the phone rang.
(a) scarcely had he entered
(b) scarcely he had entered
(c) Scarcely he was entering
(d) No improvement
06. It was a drawn game; neither of the teams were able to score a goal.
(a) was
(b) is
(c) are
(d) No improvement
07. The death of his father was prior than that of his mother.
(a) from
(b) to
(c) for

(d) No improvement

08. I look forward to meet you during the coming festival.

(a) for meeting
(b) to meeting
(c) at meeting

(d) No improvement

09. From times immemorial Ganga is providing water to millions of our countrymen.
(a) has been providing
(b) has been providing
(c) has provided
(d) No improvement
10. We cannot trust a fellow who plays false and loose with others.
(a) false or loose (b) fast or loose
(c) fast and loose
(d) No improvement
Keys for 2001:
01.c 02.b 03.b

04.b

05.a

06.a

Sentence Improvement

07.b

08.b

09.a

10.c

2000

01. She tried to shake him up but he continued to pester her.

(a) away
(b) of
(c) off

(d) No improvement

02. Scarcely had she left the place than the children arrived.
(a) had she left the place and
(c) she had left the place than
03. I dislike him interrupting me so rudely.
(a) his interrupting
(c) his interruption of

(b) had she left the place when

(d) No improvement
(b) he interrupting
(d) No improvement

04. I wonder whether he has finished the work still.

(a) he has yet finished the work
(b) he has finished the work yet
(c) he has still finished the work
(d) No improvement
05. It being bad weather, the repainting of the building was completed before the agreed date.
(a) It being a
(b) Inspite of being a

ACE Academy
73

MISCELLANEOUS

(c) Inspite of the

(d) No improvement

06. If this book is neither mine nor yours, it must be somebodys else.
(a) somebodys
(b) somebody else
(c) somebody elses
(d) No improvement
07. Anju is not so stupid as she looks, she is?
(a) Isnt it?
(b) is she?

(c) does she?

(d) No improvement

08. To have acquainted with him, I could easily understand why he had done it.
(a) To be acquainted
(b) Having acquainted
(c) Being acquainted
(d) No improvement
09. With a view to detect any weapon carried by a passenger, sensitive machines are used at
airports.
(a) detect all weapons
(b) detecting all weapons
(c) detecting any weapon
(d) No improvement
10. If the school had been destroyed we would have to go home.
(a) would go home
(b) would have had to go home
(c) should go home
(d) No improvement
Keys for 2000:
01.c 02.b 03.a 04.b 05.c 06.c 07.b 08.b 09.c 10.b

Sentence Improvement

1999

01. If he would have stolen money, he would have done wrong.

(a) had stolen
(b) would steal
(c) stole
02. You seem to be enough rich to buy anything you like.
(a) too rich
(b) very rich
(c) rich enough

(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement

03. If I accepted his invitation, ten years ago, I would have become a millionaire by now.
(a) If I was to accept
(b) If I were to accept
(c) If I did accept (d) No improvement
04. Yesterday I have received a legal notice from the Bank for repayment of the loan I had
taken from them
(a) I did receive
(b) I had received
(c) I received
(d) No improvement
05. The Desais soon got used to live in the country
(a) were used to live
(b) got used to living

(c) had used to live

06. That department has been done away with two years ago.
(a) was done
(b) had done
(c) has done

(d) No improvement

(d) No improvement

07. Every night, I am in the habit of hearing the news on the Radio.
(a) hearing about
(b) listening
(c) listening to
(d) No improvement
08. If he will discharge his duties sincerely, he will not come to any harm.
(a) has been discharging
(b) discharges (c) has discharged (d) No improvement.

74
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GENERAL ENGLISH

ACE

09. The early national movement succeeded to arouse among the people the feeling that they
belonged to one common nation the Indian nation.
(a) in arousing
(b) at arounding
(c) for arousing
(d) No improvement
10. She is quite well now, except a slight cold.
(a) except with a light cold
(b) excepting a slight cold
(c) except for a slight cold
(d) No improvement.
Keys for 1999:
01.a 02.c 03.b

04.c

05.d

06.b

07.c

08.b

09.a

10.c

1998

Sentence Improvement

01. If I have reached there by this time tomorrow, I will write to you immediately.
(a) reached
(b) reach
(c) an reaching
(d) No improvement
02. Please ask your son to turn off the radio so that it is not quit so loud.
(a) in
(b) back
(c) down

(d) No improvement

03. He said that when I have worked for him for six months I would get a pay rise.
(a) had worked
(b) have had worked (c) did work (d) No improvement
04. I am looking forward to joining your organization.
(a) join
(b) join in
(c) down
(d) No improvement
05. You are not the first man to have committed such an error; many a man has committed it
before
(a) have committed
(b) had committed
(c) committed (d) No improvement
06. Both sexes are influenced by broadly held beliefs about appropriate male and female
behavior
(a) squarely
(b) strongly
(c) widely
(d) No improvement
07. As the parites failed to reach any agreement, the meeting broke through.
(a) broke out
(b) broke away
(c) broke up (d) No improvement
08. My friend met me, unexpectedly, when I looked for a taxi, desperately.
(a) had looked
(b) was looking
(c) had been looking (d) No improvement
09. Her learning makes up words her want of beauty
(a) for
(b) to
(c) against

(d) No improvement

10. If he got his enemy in this hand, he would have crushed him to death.
(a) has got
(b) was getting
(c) had got
(d) No improvement
Keys for 1998:
01.b 02.c 03.a

04.a

Sentence Improvement

05.b

06.b

07.a

08.b

09.a

10.c

1997

01. Scientific humanism claims itself to be an ethical philosophy and aims to the realization of
maximum peace and happiness in the world.
(a) on
(b) at
(c) for
(d) No improvement

ACE Academy
75

MISCELLANEOUS

02. I will give you a ring after I would have reached home tomorrow.
(a) reach
(b) reached
(c) will reach

(d) No improvement

03. Often projects are evaluated by outsiders in order to justify continual funding or political
support.
(a) Continued
(b) Continuous
(c) Constant
(d) No improvement
04. She could easily have secured the First rank if she might have devoted a little more time to
her studies.
(a) could have
(b) has
(c) had
(d) No improvement
05. He is very smart to think of an ingenious lie like that.
(a) too smart
(b) so much smart
(c) smart enough

(d) No improvement

06. It is time the government of our state had banned smoking in public places.
(a) has banned
(b) banned
(c) bans
(d) No improvement
07. There were heated arguments over the issue, but in the end reason counted.
(a) survived
(b) persisted
(c) prevailed
(d) No improvement
08. Big cars will have disappeared from the market by the time the manufactures have learnt
fuel economy.
(a) learn
(b) had learned
(c) will learn
(d) No improvement
09. I have seen all what is to see in the city.
(a) there
(b) it
(c) which
10. This book has run through three editions already.
(a) over
(b) in
(c) into
Keys for 1997:
01.b 02.c 03.d 04.c 05.c 06.b 07.c 08.a

Sentence Improvement

(d) No improvement
(d) No improvement
09.c

10.b

1996

01. He has not and can never be in the good books of his employer because he lacks honesty.
(a) has not and cannot be
(b) has not and can never been
(c) has not been can never be
(d) No improvement
02. The logic of the Berlin Wall already had been undermined, but when the news came
through that the Wall itself had been opened I jumped into a car.
(a) had been undermined already
(b) had been already been undermined
(c) had been already undermined
(d) No improvement
03. Other countries have eradicated this disease ten years ago.
(a) eradicated
(b) had eradicated
(c) did eradicated

(d) No improvement

04. We were not the wiser for all his effort to explain the case to us.
(a) none
(b) neither
(c) nevertheless
(d) No improvement
05. If stood alone in defense to truth, and the whole world is banded against me and against
truth, I would fight them all.

76
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GENERAL ENGLISH

(a) will be banded

(b) were banded

ACE

(c) banded

(d) No improvement

06. During his long discourse, he did not touch that point.
(a) touch upon
(b) touch on
(c) touch of
(d) No improvement
07. He died in the year 1960 at 11 p.m. on 14 July.
(a) on 14 July in the year 1960 at 11 p.m.
(b) in the year 1960 on 14 July at 11 p.m.
(c) at 11 p.m. on 14 July in the year 1960
(d) No improvement
08. For all our powers of reason and understanding we know a little about lifes secrets.
(a) a little of lifes secrets
(b) little about lifes secrets
(c) nothing about lifes secrets.
(d) No improvement
09. You have come here with a view to insult me.
(a) to insulting me
(b) on insulting me
10. This matter admits of no excuse.
(a) admits to
(b) admits from
Keys for 1996:
01.c 02.a 03.d

04.c

05.b

06.d

(c) for insulting me (d) No improvement

(c) admits

07.c

08.d

(d) No improvement

09.a

10.d

1995

Sentences Improvement
01. Scarcely had the propel retired then the earthquake shook the whole area.
(a) that
(b) when
(c) while
(d) No improvement
02. The river has overflown its banks on account of the flood.
(a) has overflowed
(b) overflew
(c) had overflown
03. Susheela availed herself of all the leave to her credit.
(a) availed of
(b) availed
(c) availed for

(d) No improvement

(d) No improvement

04. By the time of programme gets under way you would know the joy of having planned it.
(a) will have known
(b) had known
(c) could know
(d) No improvement
05. He asked me what I am doing.
(a) that what I was doing
(c) what was I doing
06. We have read that book, havent we?
(a) isnt it?
(b) didnt we?

(b) what I was doing

(d) No improvement
(c) have we?

(d) No improvement

07. If only I knew earlier I would have sent a telegram.

(a) I had known earlier
(b) I know earlier
(c) I had been knowing earlier
(d) No improvement
08. I never in all my life have heard such nonsense!
(a) I have never heard in all my life
(b) Never in all my life have I heard
(c) Never I have heard in all my life
(d) No improvement.
09. The doctor is not sure whether the patient died from cholera or of over-eating
(a) of cholera or of over-eating
(b) of cholera or because of over-eating
(c) from cholera or from over-eating
(d) No improvement

ACE Academy
77

MISCELLANEOUS

10. You can make alternative arrangements if you are going to be on leave
(a) alternating
(b) altering
(c) alternative
(d) No improvement.
Keys for 1995:
01.b 02.b 03.d

04.a

05.b

06.d

07.a

08.a

09.b

10.d

1994

Sentence Improvement
01. More than one person was skilled in the accident.
(a) were killed
(b) are killed
(c) have been killed

(d) No improvement

02. Not a word they spoke to the unfortunate wife about it.
(a) did they speak
(b) they will speak
(c) they had spoken
(d) No improvement
03. The poor villagers have waited in the bitter cold for more than four hours now.
(a) have been waiting
(b) had waited
(c) has been waiting
(d) No improvement
04. If he had time he will call you.
(a) would have
(b) would have had
05. All, but her, time he will call you
(a) All, but she
(b) All but her

(c) has

(d) No improvement

(c) All, but her

(d) No improvement

06. His powerful desire brought about his downfall.

(a) His intense desire
(b) His desire for power
(c) His fatal desire
(d) No improvement
07. I am used to had work.
(a) work hard

(b) work hardly

(c) hard working

(d) No improvement

08. Twenty kilometers are not a great distance in these days of fast moving vehicles.
(a) is not a great distance
(b) is no distance
(c) arent a great distance
(d) No improvement
09. There is dearth of woman doctor is our state. We shall have to recruit some from the other
states.
(a) women doctor
(b) woman doctors
(c) women doctors (d) No improvement
10. It was indeed a shock for her, but she has later recovered from it.
(a) since
(b) then
(c) afterward
Keys for 1994:
01.d 02.a 03.a

04.c

05.c

06.a

07.c

08.a

09.c

(d) No improvement

10.d

1993

Sentence Improvement
01. In the modern world it is difficult to live through ones ideals.
(a) to live up to
(b) to live by
(c) to live for
02. My boy friend Cyril doesnt like the idea of me learning to ride.
(a) me to learn riding
(b) my learning to ride

(d) No improvement

78
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GENERAL ENGLISH

(c) my learning riding

ACE

(d) No improvement

03. It is a common belief that familiarity dispenses with the necessity of politeness
(a) dispenses without (b) dispenses from
(c) dispenses of
(d) No improvement
04. Every human advance carries with it not only automatic benefits but also a new
responsibility, and we must remain constantly aware for the dangers that lie in the
possible misuse of our enormous skills.
(a) aware about
(b) aware of
(c) aware to
(d) No improvement
05. Lets buy a new sari with the annual bonus, can we?
(a) cant we
(b) shall we
(c) dont we
(d) No improvement
06. None of the guests were introduced to the bride.
(a) was introduced
(b) introduced (c) have been introduced

(d) No improvement

07. The patients are waiting for the arrival of the doctor for the last two hours.
(a) were waiting
(b) have been waiting
(c) waiting
(d) No improvement
08. He makes friends with all kinds of people
(a) makes friends
(b) makes friendship
(c) made friendship
(d) No improvement
09. The rule of chess require that one made only one move at a time
(a) makes
(b) make
(c) will make
(d) No improvement
10. Even more than my father was she intolerant of demonstrativeness and the wearing gones
heart on his sleeve.
(a) on her sleeve
(b) on one sleeve
(c) on the sleeve (d) No improvement
Keys for 1993:
01.b 02.b 03.d

04.b

05.a

06.a

07.b

08.b

09.c

10.b

1992
Directions: Look at the italicized part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three
possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them (a), (b) or (c) is better than the
Italicised part, indicate your response against the corresponding letter (a), (b) or (c). If none of
the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response.
01. I object to be treated like this
(a) to being treated
(b) be treated
(c) to have been treated
(d) no improvement
02. I have still to meet a person who is satisfied with what he has got?
(a) am still to meet
(b) yet to meet
(c) still have to meet
03. If it will rain, I will be in trouble
(a) it rains (b) it would rain
(c) it rained

(d) no improvement

(d) no improvement

04. These labourers are working here since morning

(a) were working
(b) have been working
(c) had been working
(d) no improvement
05. The passengers have formed a queue in front of booking counter much before the train
arrived

ACE Academy
79
(a) formed

MISCELLANEOUS
(b) had formed

(c) form

(d) no improvement

06. He is unlikely to come today, if he comes I would talk to him

(a) he would come
(b) he will come
(c) he has come
07. He was admitted to boys school
(a) boy
(b) boys
(c) boys

(d) no improvement
(d) no improvement

08. How long do you think Mr. Kamal known Johan?

(a) knows
(b) will know
(c) has known

(d) mo improvement

09. They are working as usually

(a) as usual
(b) usual

(c) usually

(d) no improvement

10. He insisted he was innocent

(a) insisted on that(b) insisted that

(c) insists that

(d) no improvemet

Keys for 1992:

01.a 02.b 03.a

07.d

04.b

05.a

06.d

08.c

09.a

10.a

1991

01. Your sister well, isnt she?

(a) Isnt it?
(b) Doesnt

(c) Doesnt

02. I never saw you at the party yesterday.

(a) Havent seen
(b) Didnt see

(d) No improvement

(c) Have spent

(d) No improvement

03. Since the beginning of the term, we are spending a lot of time on poetry.
(a) Spent
(b) Will spend
(c) Have spent
(d) No improvement
04. Never I have seen such a scene.
(a) Have I
(b) Had I
(c) I was
(d) No improvement
05. When was as pretty as, if not prettier than any other girls in the party.
(a) Prettier
(b) The prettiest
(c) As prettier as
(d) No improvement
06. I was bigger in seniority than his friend.
(a) Superior
(b) Better
(c) Higher

(d) No improvement

07. I could not see him as he went out when I arrived.

(a) has gone
(b) had gone
(c) had been gone

(d) No improvement

08. What struck one most was their kindness.

(a) What stroke one most
(c) What stroke one most

(b) What struck one more

(d) No improvement

Keys for 1991:

01.b 02.b 03.d

08.a

04.d

05.a

06.d

07.d