ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

WORD USAGE QUESTIONS

Directions: In the questions below, a word has been highlighted above and used in the
sentences below the same. You have to identify the sentence in which the given word has
not been properly used.

AL
1. Ubiquitous

NS
a. Smartphones have become ubiquitous in modern society, with nearly everyone owning one and
using it for various daily tasks.

b. The use of email for communication has become so ubiquitous in the workplace that it has
largely replaced traditional written memos.

way people commute.

A BA
c. The convenience of ride-sharing apps has made them ubiquitous in urban areas, changing the

A. Only b

B. Only a
SH

C. Both a and c

D. Only c
MI

E. All a, b, and c
NI

2. Usurp

a. The city council voted unanimously to usurp permission for the construction of a new public
park in the neighborhood.

b. The ambitious general plotted to usurp the throne and take control of the kingdom.

c. It's essential to uphold democratic principles and prevent any attempts to usurp the rights of
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

the citizens.

A. Only a

B. Both a and c

C. Only c

D. Both b and c.

E. All of A, b and c.

AL
NS
3. Eloquent

a. Her eloquent speech at the conference moved the audience to tears, as she passionately
conveyed the importance of humanitarian aid in times of crisis.

distant lands and bygone eras.

BA
b. The writer's eloquent prose painted vivid images in the minds of readers, transporting them to

c. Overwhelmed by emotion, he became eloquent and struggled to express his feelings during the
heartfelt eulogy at the funeral.
A
SH

A. Only b

B. Only a

C. Both a and b
MI

D. Only c

E. All a, b, and c
NI

4. Quixotic

a.In the face of limited time and resources, the team adopted a quixotic approach, focusing on the
most critical tasks to ensure the project's successful completion.

b. His quixotic dream of establishing a utopian society in the remote wilderness led him on an
adventurous journey filled with challenges and idealistic pursuits.
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

c. The government's quixotic response to the crisis involved a combination of immediate relief
efforts and long-term policy changes.

A. Only b

B. Only a

C. Both a and b

D. Only c

AL
E. All a, b, and c

NS
5. Sycophant

a. The sycophant constantly flattered the manager, hoping to gain favor and secure a promotion, but

BA
their insincere praise was transparent to others in the office.

b. The leader surrounded himself with sycophants who never dared to challenge his decisions,
leading to a lack of diversity in viewpoints

c. In a healthy workplace, constructive criticism is valued over sycophantic praise.

A
SH

A. Only b

B. Only a

C. Both a and b
MI

D. Only c

E. All a, b, and c
NI

6. Austere

a. Her austere personality and warm smile made her the most approachable person in the office,
and she was always ready to help her colleagues with a cheerful attitude.
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

b. His austere nature made him a favorite among his classmates, as he was always willing to lend a
helping hand and share a joke.

c. Her austere demeanor and no-nonsense approach to leadership earned her the reputation of
being a strict but effective manager in the organization.

A. Only b

B. Only a

AL
C. Both a and b

D. Only c

E. All a, b, and c

NS
7. Aplomb
BA
a. Despite the challenging interview questions, she answered with great aplomb, showcasing her
confidence and poise under pressure.

b. Her aplomb attempt at dancing during the elegant ball drew a few polite smiles, but it was clear
A
she was out of her element in such refined company.

c. The CEO's ability to navigate complex mergers and acquisitions with aplomb contributed to the
SH

company's success and growth.

A. Only b
MI

B. Only a

C. Both a and c

D. Only c
NI

E. All a, b, and c

8. Benevolent
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

a. Her benevolent words left a lasting emotional scar on him, causing him to rethink their friendship.

b. The benevolent billionaire donated a substantial portion of his wealth to fund educational
programs for underprivileged children in the community.

c. The benevolent actions of the local animal shelter staff, who tirelessly cared for and found loving
homes for abandoned pets, warmed the hearts of the entire town.

AL
A. Only b

B. Only a

C. Both a and c

NS
D. Both b and c

E. All a, b, and c

9. Serendipity
BA
a. Despite the serendipity of losing her job, she remained optimistic and determined to find new
A
opportunities to pursue her passions and support her family.
SH

b. The sudden serendipity of a flat tire on their road trip couldn't dampen their spirits, as they
turned it into an unplanned adventure, exploring a charming nearby town while waiting for repairs.

c. Their chance encounter at the coffee shop was a stroke of serendipity, leading to a deep and
unexpected connection between two strangers who would later become lifelong friends.
MI

A. Only c

B. Only a
NI

C. Both a and c

D. Both b and c

E. All a, b, and c
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

10. Capitulate

a. After days of resistance, the enemy forces had no choice but to capitulate and surrender,
bringing an end to the long and bitter conflict.

b. Despite their initial determination to stay on strike, the workers eventually had to capitulate to the
company's terms in order to avoid losing their jobs and livelihoods.

c. Faced with mounting pressure from the creditors, the debtor had no option but to capitulate to
their demands and agree to a repayment plan.

AL
A. Only c

B. Only a

NS
C. Both a and c

D. Both b and c

E. All a, b, and c
A BA
SH
MI
NI
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

ANSWER

1.Ans: E

Explanation: Ubiquitous- Present, appearing, or found everywhere.

2.Ans: D

AL
Explanation:

Usurp: to take somebody’s position and/or power without having the right to do this.

NS
Option b and c are appropriate with the context.

Option a: The city council voted unanimously to grant permission for the construction of a new
public park in the neighborhood. BA
Grant: (officially) give somebody what he/she has asked for.

3.Ans: C
A
Explanation: Eloquent- Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.

Option C- Overwhelmed by emotion, he became inarticulate and struggled to express his feelings
SH

during the heartfelt eulogy at the funeral.

Inarticulate- not able to express ideas and feelings clearly.

MI

4.Ans: A

Explanation: Quixotic- Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical.

NI

Option A- In the face of limited time and resources, the team adopted a pragmatic approach,
focusing on the most critical tasks to ensure the project's successful completion.

Option C- The government's pragmatic response to the crisis involved a combination of

immediate relief efforts and long-term policy changes.

Pragmatic- dealing with problems in a practical way rather than by following ideas or principles.
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

5.Ans: E

Explanation: Sycophant- A person who acts overly obedient or attentive to someone important to
gain advantage.

6.Ans: D

Explanation: Austere- Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

Option A- Her genial personality and warm smile made her the most approachable person in the

AL
office, and she was always ready to help her colleagues with a cheerful attitude.

Option B- His genial nature made him a favorite among his classmates, as he was always willing
to lend a helping hand and share a joke.

NS
Genial- pleasant and friendly

7.Ans: C
BA
Explanation: Aplomb- Self-confidence or assurance, especially when in a demanding situation.

Option B- Her gauche attempt at dancing during the elegant ball drew a few polite smiles, but it
was clear she was out of her element in such refined company.
A
Gauche- unsophisticated and socially awkward.
SH

8.Ans: D

Explanation: Benevolent- kind, friendly and helpful to others.

MI

Unkind- unpleasant and not friendly

Option A- Her unkind words left a lasting emotional scar on him, causing him to rethink their
friendship.
NI

9.Ans: A

Explanation: Serendipity- the occurrence of fortunate and unexpected events or discoveries by

chance.

Option A- Despite the misfortune of losing her job, she remained optimistic and determined to find
new opportunities to pursue her passions and support her family.
ENGLISH WITH NIMISHA BANSAL

Option B- The sudden misfortune of a flat tire on their road trip couldn't dampen their spirits, as
they turned it into an unplanned adventure, exploring a charming nearby town while waiting for
repairs.

Misfortune- bad luck or disaster.

10. Ans: E

Explanation: Capitulate- To surrender or give in to an opponent or authority.

AL
NS
A BA
SH
MI
NI