CDS (I) 2021, English question paper

120 questions · 100 marks · 120 minutes · +0.83 per correct answer, -0.28 per wrong one

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Directions: find error among three underlined parts or no error
1 $He had been doing the job of a physician during the 1990s.$
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2 $He said that he preferred coffee than tea.$
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3 $All that glitters are not gold.$
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4 $A species is considered endangered when it is in a very high risk of extinction in the world.$
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5 $Our greatest glory is not in never falling but in rising every time we fell.$
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6 $Language is an essential modes of communication and every language matters in communication.$
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7 $The matter was been resolved after long deliberations among the members of the team.$
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8 $Care has been taken to ensure safety and security of the participants in the event.$
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9 $Indian film industry is considered to be one of the symbol of cultural and social life.$
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10 $It is still true that the Indian economy is dependent on monsoon.$
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Directions: choose the correct meaning of the idiom/phrase
11 $Be in eclipse$
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12 $Ways and means$
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13 $Up in arms$
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14 $Big ticket$
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15 $Bolt from the blue$
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16 $Be a law unto yourself$
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17 $Spiff up$
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18 $Run wild$
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19 $Wind down$
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20 $Mellow out$
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Directions: In this section you have two short passages. After each passage, you will find some items based on the passage. Read the passages and answer the items based on them. You are required to select your answers based on the content of the passage and opinion of the author only. Passage – I Conventional education makes independent thinking extremely difficult. Conformity leads to mediocrity. To be different from the group or to resist environment is not easy and is often risky as long as we worship success. The urge to be successful, which is the pursuit of reward whether in the materials or in the so-called spiritual sphere, the search for inward or outward security, the desire for comfort – this whole process smothers discontent, put an end to spontaneity and breed fear; and fear blocks the intelligent understanding of life. With increasing age, dullness of mind and heart sets in. In seeking comfort, we generally find a quiet corner in life where there is a minimum of conflict, and then we are afraid to step out of that seclusion. This fear of life, this fear of struggle and of a new experience, kills in us the spirit of adventure; our whole upbringing and education have made us afraid to be different from our neighbour, afraid to think contrary to the established pattern of society, falsely respectful of authority and tradition. Fortunately, there are a few who are in earnest, who are willing to examine our human problems without the prejudice of the right or of the left; but in the vast majority of us, there is no real spirit of discontent, or revolt. When we yield uncomprehendingly to environment, any spirit of revolt that may have had died down, and our responsibilities soon put an end to it.
21 $Why does conventional education make independent thinking extremely difficult?$
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22 $Worshipping success leads to$
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23 $Why do most people want to find a quiet corner in life?$
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24 $Which word in the passage means 'bias'?$
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25 $The word "uncomprehendingly" in the passage means$
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Directions: In this section you have two short passages. After each passage, you will find some items based on the passage. Read the passages and answer the items based on them. You are required to select your answers based on the content of the passage and opinion of the author only. Passage – II Noise is a common problem in both urban and rural areas, traffic noise in particular. Trees and shrubs are not only visually attractive but also can make effective noise barriers. Therefore when space permits we have to plant more trees and shrubs in areas where there is noise problem. By doing this noise can be reduced by six decibels over a distance of 30 metres. The only thing we have to keep in mind is that the planting should be particularly dense; the trees which have dense foliage and relatively vertical orientation of arrangements should be planted. It will completely screen the source of noise. If there is any gap in barrier it will still allow noise to penetrate. Single layer of trees is worthless as a noise barrier. Due to inter-reflection, multi-rows of trees are more effective. The planted trees must be taller. We can reduce noise level by 1·5 decibels with each additional 3 feet of tree height. When the opportunity to use trees is restricted a combination of shrubs and tall grass can be used. Instead of tarmac or gravel surfaces soft grass ground cover is preferable. It will absorb noise rather than reflect it. Rows of trees, shrubs, crotons, ground covering plants, climbers and their flowers not only reduce noise and provide a beautiful backyard they also help block wind, provide shade, and absorb traffic pollution.
26 $What distance a good number of trees can cover in reducing noise?$
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27 $Trees can reduce noise only when$
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28 $'Single layer of trees is worthless as a noise barrier.' Why?$
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29 $Higher the trees$
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30 $How do shrubs and tall grass reduce noise?$
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Directions: rearrange jumbled parts P Q R S of the sentence
31 $P: consideration for others Q: for self-gratification R: freedom does not mean the opportunity S: or the setting aside of$
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32 $P: of any kind Q: to freedom and intelligence R: domination or compulsion S: is a direct hindrance$
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33 $P: enough potassium, Q: banana provides R: from various sugars S: and sustained energy$
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34 $P: of great trouble Q: this is a time R: the world to the maximum S: as one virus threatens$
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35 $P: are of the opinion Q: some archaeologists R: and that everybody enjoyed equal status S: that Harappan society had no rulers,$
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36 $P: in the same locality Q: marriage within a unit R: endogamy refers to S: or a group living$
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37 $P: when steam engines Q: dominated industrialization R: coal was the main source S: of energy in the initial stages,$
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38 $P: from the scientists? Q: is the information R: that comes S: how important$
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39 $P: brought on by destructive pests Q: humans have suffered R: frustration and food losses S: since earliest times,$
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40 $P: most spectacular gold coins Q: some of the R: the Gupta rulers in India S: were issued by$
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Directions: order four middle sentences between fixed S1 and S6
41 $S1: Man has progressed with science and technology. S6: What was difficult and impossible is now easy and possible. P: He is on the road to conquer other planets. Q: Now with scientific knowledge and technical know-how he has done what was impossible. R: Hitherto he had been backward. S: He has reached the moon.$
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42 $S1: We drink more water during summers. S6: There are variations in weather conditions during different seasons. P: On the other hand in north-eastern states, winters are mild except in the hills. Q: Because in North India, both the seasons have extreme weather conditions. R: School clothes during the summer is different from the winter. S: Why do you wear lighter clothes during summers and heavy woollen clothes during the winter in north India?$
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43 $S1: Policy, like many other terms, is a complex concept. S6: Public policy is the outcome of the struggle between government and powerful groups. P: It is form of government control usually expressed in a law, a legislation, a regulation or an order. Q: Public policy is what a government chooses as guidance for action. R: A policy may be general or specific, broad or narrow, simple or complex, public or private, written or unwritten. S: It takes different forms.$
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44 $S1: The dhoti kurta is a traditional lungi-type garment worn by men in India. S6: Gandhi ji usually wore a simple shawl with his dhoti. P: It is commonly worn with a loose long tunic. Q: This he started wearing after he abandoned his western attire of pants and shirt. R: A dhoti, made of homespun khadi cotton cloth, was the garment favoured by Gandhi ji. S: The dhoti is rectangular piece of unstitched cloth, around five yards long, wrapped around the midriff and tucked between the legs.$
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45 $S1: Languages in contact with each other cause change. S6: Changes often occur first in informal and casual language. P: The increasing use of English in many parts of the world affect both local languages and English. Q: Language contact has long been recognised as a major engine of change. R: This gives rise to new, hybrid language varieties. S: A historical example is that of Danish and English which led to a major shift in the vocabulary and grammar of English.$
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46 $S1: Urbanisation in India has become an important and irreversible process. S6: As per the Census of India 2011, the urban population is increasing rapidly. P: The 2030 development agenda of the United Nations has emphasised the role of sustainable cities for making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Q: This shows that India is in the midst of transition from a predominantly rural to a quasi-urban society. R: The process of urbanisation has been characterized by a dramatic increase in the number of large cities. S: It is an important determinant of national economic growth and poverty reduction.$
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47 $S1: Ethics is a branch of philosophy concerned with the distinction between right and wrong (morals) and the ultimate worth of actions or things (values). S6: But values can be either inherent or conferred. P: For many philosophers, only humans are moral agents, being capable of acting morally or immorally. Q: Environmental ethics asks about the moral relationships between humans and the world around us. R: Ethics evaluated the relationship, rules, principles or codes that require or forbid certain conduct. S: Value is a measure of the worth of something.$
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48 $S1: The Constitution of India, introduced on 26 January 1950, laid down certain basic principles and values. S6: The Constitution guaranteed all citizens equality before the law and equality of opportunity in government employment. P: It was also to be a federation with demarcation of spheres of action between the Union Government and the State Governments. Q: India was to be a secular and democratic republic with a parliamentary system based on adult franchise. R: These include: freedom of speech and expression, freedom to assemble peacefully etc. S: It guaranteed all Indian citizens certain fundamental rights.$
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49 $S1: The National Health Policy 2017 envisages creation of a digital health technology eco-system. S6: Secondly, offering financial protection up to ₹5 lakhs per year per family for the deprived 10 crores plus households. P: Ayushman Bharat comprising twin missions is set to transform the nation's health system. Q: This will also foster a linkage across public and private health-care. R: The policy aims at developing an integrated health information system that serves the need of all stakeholder and improves efficiency, transparency. S: This will be carried out by operationalising firstly 1.5 lakh health and wellness centres offering preventive and primary care.$
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50 $S1: Ecology, history and geography determine the distribution of organisms. S6: Others prefer to interpret biogeographical history through vicariance (range-splitting) events. P: Some historical biogeographers are interested in finding centre-of-origins. Q: Most species distributions result from a combination of all these factors. R: But biogeographers tend to specialise in ecological aspects (ecological biography or historical aspects). S: Ecological biogeographers are interested in the effects of environmental factors.$
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Directions: select the most appropriate word(s) for the blank
51 $He said that he _______ when he lost all his investment in the stock market.$
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52 $The man in black thought that he was _______ selected for the team to play at the national level.$
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53 $When she _______ her friend after a period of two decades her throat choked.$
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54 $The portrait of the lady conveys _______ it appears.$
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55 $A biography is _______ person's life history.$
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56 $She told me that she _______ her degree by 2023.$
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57 $What is the name of the person _______ daughter married your cousin last year.$
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58 $The world is changing _______ that the rich become richer and the poor become poorer.$
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59 $Had I been informed beforehand, I _______ it to the celebrations.$
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60 $Indian perspective of life informs that leading a life of greed _______ in unhappiness.$
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Directions: opposite in meaning to the underlined word
61 $His arguments are not valid. People consider it bombastic .$
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62 $The decision was absurd for many of the members of the team.$
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63 $Relatives of deceased have been informed about the accident.$
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64 $At last she was able to get some solace as the matter has been resolved amicably.$
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65 $Twenty first century has turned out to be a century of problems contrary to the thinking that it would be a better time.$
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66 $The poet said that poetry is a spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.$
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67 $Language is an instrument for asserting one's identity, attitude and perspective.$
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68 $He has been exonerated as he tendered an apology.$
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69 $Persuasion is essential for people to work as a team.$
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70 $Every habitat has some distinctive vegetation which defines the eco-system.$
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Directions: Each of the following sentences in this section has a blank space with four words or group of words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider the most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. Passage It sounds like ___(71)___ great idea. People getting instantly excited when they hear ___(72)___ phrase ‘education for peace’ or the title of a course that calls itself ‘peace Education’. About a decade ago, I proposed such ___(73)___ course in my institute. The idea of a course ___(74)___ ‘peace education’ had occurred to me on the way back from one of the neighbouring countries where I met students of class IX. I could not find ___(75)___ difference ___(76)___ Indian students and their counterparts in the other country on peace ___(77)___ living together. It made me think that if one learns to live with a conflict, life grows across it like grass ___(78)___ trees. The arguments and stances children took demonstrated ___(79)___ peace comes from understanding a conflict well, not necessarily ___(80)___ solving it.
71 $Blank (71): "It sounds like ____ great idea. People getting instantly excited ..."$
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72 $Blank (72): "... when they hear ____ phrase 'education for peace' or the title ..."$
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73 $Blank (73): "... a course that calls itself 'peace Education'. About a decade ago, I proposed such ____ course in my institute."$
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74 $Blank (74): "... The idea of a course ____ 'peace education' had occurred to me on the way back from ..."$
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75 $Blank (75): "... one of the neighbouring countries where I met students of class IX. I could not find ____ difference ..."$
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76 $Blank (76): "... I could not find any difference ____ Indian students and their counterparts in the other country ..."$
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77 $Blank (77): "... their counterparts in the other country on peace ____ living together. It made me think ..."$
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78 $Blank (78): "... if one learns to live with a conflict, life grows across it like grass ____ trees. The arguments and stances ..."$
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79 $Blank (79): "... children took demonstrated ____ peace comes from understanding a conflict well ..."$
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80 $Blank (80): "... peace comes from understanding a conflict well, not necessarily ____ solving it."$
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Directions: nearest in meaning to the underlined word
81 $Having got excited she opened up the Pandora's Box which led to lot of commotion .$
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82 $The inherent danger in the problem is that it would lead to many more problems.$
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83 $The officer was reprimanded by the court for delaying the case.$
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84 $Some people think that their strength is perpetual .$
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85 $One's actions exemplify one's attitude and values.$
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86 $The crux of the issue was that there was no evidence to prove the accused guilty of the act.$
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87 $Each child develops his/her competency based on the contexts and the inputs for learning.$
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88 $He appears to be very haughty, but he is a humble person.$
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89 $The newly appointed secretary is industrious .$
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90 $The indignant attitude of the speaker made the groups unhappy.$
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Directions: part of speech of the underlined word
91 $The preacher said, "No one is above the all powerful"$
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92 $The most beautiful seven monkeys of the landlord were taken for a stroll.$
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93 $Alas! He has been defeated.$
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94 $The man who is in the green shift is the chief of the day.$
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95 $He has been living in the jungle for long and he knows all the animals here.$
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96 $They have been driving since early morning.$
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97 $This time we woke up to the virus related diseases.$
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98 $Love your neighbour as thyself .$
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99 $Ravi won the match with a huge margin.$
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100 $There was an exultation in the group.$
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Directions: complete the sentence with the correct alternative
101 $Sheela has been at the receiving end _______$
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102 $Elam has no other option _______$
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103 $Although the group has been acquitted _______$
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104 $Unless you fulfil the essential qualifications _______$
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105 $The company's bid for the contract is rejected _______$
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106 $I could not sleep _______$
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107 $She married him _______$
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108 $I will come to meet you _______$
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109 $If you had planned the work well _______$
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110 $You can use my computer _______$
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Directions: select the most appropriate preposition or determiner
111 $Don't go _______ the wind, you will face the music later.$
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112 $He has been considered _______ honest contestant in the competition.$
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113 $Don't read _______ the lines. Read the lines.$
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114 $The village possesses _______ scenic beauty.$
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115 $He is all out to blame everyone _______ his mistakes.$
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116 $This is _______ unique system of governance where everyone is the government.$
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117 $I will take care _______ myself. You don't bother about me.$
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118 $She is considered _______ nightingale of the college for her melodious voice.$
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119 $The room is a bit dark. Could you please turn _______ the light?$
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120 $Don't walk so fast! I can't keep _______ with you.$
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