PYQ Vault

CDS (II) 2023, English question paper

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

Every question in the order it was set, free to read. Tap an option to check it, or open the answer and worked solution. Answers open as you go; sign in free to keep opening them.

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  1. Directions: part of speech of the underlined word
    1
    The artist pranced around the stage singing enthusiastically.

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  2. 2
    Put the fork and knife in the cutlery box.

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  3. 3
    She came slowly up to the main door.

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  4. 4
    Oh no! I am getting late for the function.

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  5. 5
    They are all going to attend the function.

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  6. 6
    The sun shone through the dull grey clouds.

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  7. 7
    The Principal is presiding over the meeting.

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  8. 8
    Cash machines permit people to withdraw money at any time.

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  9. 9
    The novel is loosely based on his childhood in England.

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  10. 10
    Since children have so much homework to do their playtime is very limited.

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  11. Directions: select the most appropriate option for the blank
    11
    Another version of the play based on the text was re-enacted successfully after the prosecution and eventual _______ of enacting the play in public theatre by the Government.

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  12. 12
    Ravi remembers the year when there was a _______ flood.

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  13. 13
    Davis is not sure whether he should _______ the forest guest house after dark.

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  14. 14
    They _______ as responsible people do during the difficult situation.

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  15. 15
    Criminal law has taken long _______ in facilitating access to justice for women by making various provisions.

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  16. 16
    Many laws have been made to deal with the problems of _______ against women.

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  17. 17
    A person purchasing goods and services for commercial purposes will also not come under the _______ of this act.

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  18. 18
    The emergence of a sovereign Indian nation was _______ on the notion of equality.

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  19. 19
    In Manipur, the most important piece of literary work that continues to _______ a sense of patriotism is 'Khongjom Parva'.

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  20. 20
    Women's autobiographies in the post-Independence period can be seen as _______ of their literary interest.

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  21. Directions: re-arrange jumbled parts P, Q, R, S
    21
    P: was gradually engulfing the society with its concomitant Q: one could not overlook the diminishing religiosity which R: while plays with mythological content continued to be in vogue S: implication for the stage from the third decade of the twentieth century

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  22. 22
    P: defends private property, emphasizes the virtues of competition Q: but also as an ideology in its own right, specifically one that R: and suggests that general prosperity will result from the pursuit of self-interest S: capitalism, for instance, is sometimes treated not merely as an economic system

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  23. 23
    P: the equality provisions in the Constitution Q: nor are they confined to individuals as bearers of rights R: are not merely anti-discriminatory, based on the assumption of neutrality S: of the state towards all citizens

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  24. 24
    P: learning-teaching process continued seamlessly Q: but it took it in its stride, pulling through enough R: innovations to ensure that the S: the pandemic year was a challenge for the university

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  25. 25
    P: proscribed at the slightest hint of any seditious intent Q: the Dramatic Performances Act effectively marked the end of direct R: political activism what little had been demonstrated S: in the Bengali public theatre although some plays continued to be

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  26. 26
    P: moderation and compromise may mean that multiparty Q: a final problem is that the tendency towards R: are unable to offer clear ideological alternatives S: systems are so dominated by the political centre that they

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  27. 27
    P: even after an offence has been committed Q: provisions for women still is dependent on the observations R: of the rules of procedure and evidence by the implementing agencies S: the criminal justice administration with all its favourable

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  28. 28
    P: similar contents to earn more revenues Q: the theatre management appreciated R: the popularity of such themes S: and emphasised staging plays with

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  29. 29
    P: the supreme court in its majesty Q: Article 21 which deals with the right to life R: and magnanimity has expounded S: profoundly the semantic sweep of

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  30. 30
    P: of unpopular policies or a discredited leader or government Q: one of these is that in focussing on the legitimacy of a political R: in which political authority is challenged as a result S: regime or system of rule tells us little about the circumstances

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  31. Directions: meaning of the underlined idiom/phrase
    31
    I always preferred to study Physics and Mathematics, now choosing Economics and Literature for further studies is another kettle of fish.

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  32. 32
    He criticised the participants for sitting on the fence and not contributing in finalising the report.

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  33. 33
    He strained every nerve to understand the discourse on Philosophy.

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  34. 34
    When it comes to using technology, she is completely at sea.

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  35. 35
    He is not a great scholar but he has the gift of the gab.

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  36. 36
    This car belonged to Ravi, but recently it changed hands.

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  37. 37
    He turned down the new assignment; he felt that he already had too many irons in the fire.

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  38. 38
    Something should be done to stop the brain drain of Indian scientists to other countries.

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  39. 39
    I just need to take rest and then I'll be as right as rain.

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  40. 40
    It is all Greek to me.

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  41. Directions: find error in three underlined parts or No error
    41
    You should read the newspaper regularly to be update with current affairs.

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  42. 42
    Our grandparents will be visited by us this weekend.

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  43. 43
    However, the task is from done, particularly in ensuring equity in the distribution of quality education.

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  44. 44
    Looking ahead, the university is expunging revenue generation opportunities to add more facilities for students and staff.

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  45. 45
    If you are interested in applying for the job, your application must received by Friday.

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  46. 46
    Perhaps the biggest threat today is the impact of climate change on food systems and livelihoods of poor farmers.

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  47. 47
    In such a volatile global environment, it is heartening that India demonstrated admirable resilience and achieved robust recovery.

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  48. 48
    Write an email to your friend expressing you regret for not being able to attend his birthday party.

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  49. 49
    Migrating elephant herds appear like West Bengal so much that they spend more time here than in the neighbouring states from where they cross over.

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  50. 50
    Trucked neatly under the pile of clothes in the cupboard are the letters written by my mother to my father thirty years ago.

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  51. Directions: word nearest in meaning to the underlined word
    51
    His views on the matter are utopian.

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  52. 52
    The shortage of funds will render nugatory the implementation of reform policies.

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  53. 53
    He first convulsed and then collapsed on the floor.

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  54. 54
    We must not become complacent about the progress of the technology.

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  55. 55
    The employees rejected the derisory pay offer.

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  56. 56
    They successfully defused the situation.

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  57. 57
    The business floundered during the pandemic.

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  58. 58
    His speeches were models of brevity.

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  59. 59
    He was too obtuse to understand the merits of the case.

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  60. 60
    No one knew what transpired during the meeting.

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  61. Directions: order middle sentences P, Q, R, S between S1 and S6
    61
    S1: Mutations are random changes to the base sequence of genes. S6: Several mutations must occur in the same cell for it to become a tumour cell. P: This is why mutations in them can result in uncontrolled cell division and therefore tumour formation. Q: The few genes that can become cancer-causing after mutating are known as oncogenes. R: Most genes do not cause cancer if they mutate. S: In a normal cell oncogenes are involved in the control of cell cycle and cell division.

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  62. 62
    S1: For most people, writing is an everyday occurrence. S6: Nearly all the document types that we use in our daily lives can be created in a word processor. P: A word processing software provides a general set of tools for entering, editing and formatting text. Q: Many application programs have been developed to make writing easier and smooth operation. R: One such most popular program is Word Processor. S: When computers have affected our life styles and work patterns, this activity is also not left out.

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  63. 63
    S1: Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighbourhood subdivision etc. S6: Depending on the social networking website, many of these online community members share a common interest such as hobbies, religion, or politics. P: Although social networking is possible in person, especially in universities, high schools or in the workplace, it is most popular online. Q: When it comes to online social networking, websites are commonly used. R: These websites are known as social sites. S: Social networking websites function like an online community of Internet users.

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  64. 64
    S1: The principles of enterprise capitalism have been extended far beyond the USA through the impact of economic globalisation. S6: Such pressures have helped to shape what is sometimes called the 'new' political economy. P: Strong downward pressure has also been exerted on public spending, and particularly welfare budgets. Q: Moreover the need to promote product and labour flexibility has often led to trade union activity. R: Globalisation has promoted marketisation in a variety of ways. S: Governments reduce tax levels in the hope of attracting 'inward' investment.

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  65. 65
    S1: Traditional songs and music form the identity of the tribal culture. S6: These tribal songs, on one hand, glorified their hero and on the other, inspired their fellow tribesman to participate in the freedom struggle. P: The tribal area of Chhatisgarh always resonated with the sound of traditional tribal songs and music. Q: They reflect tribals' natural spirit, unconditional love, and innate energy at every stage of their life. R: Initially, the tribal songs in their dialects, reverberated with the rebellion of their area, and then with the movement that was prevalent in the country. S: The forest areas and tribal settlements of Chhatisgarh, began the revolt against the British at the very beginning of the freedom struggle, much before the urban areas.

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  66. 66
    S1: The social group wider than the family in the social structure of the Gond community is the clan. S6: It is only the male who automatically takes the patronymic on birth, preserves it till death and it is carried forward by his children. P: The members of the clan believed that they have been descended from a common ancestor. Q: The clan among the Gonds is a unilateral group consisted of family members of which bear the same clan-name. R: The clan being patrilineal — a man passes on his clan name to his children. S: The Gonds use the term 'Pari' to express their group.

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  67. 67
    S1: The equatorial zone is generally an area of abundant precipitation (over 200 centimetres annually). S6: It is to be noted that a larger part of the precipitation in this region falls as heavy intermittent convective showers accompanied by thunder and lightning. P: The ascending air currents become intensified locally in the tropical storms that produce abundant precipitation in the Caribbean, the southwest Pacific Ocean, the Indian Ocean and the China Sea. Q: Over the land areas, most of the precipitation occurs from the thunderstorms that are very frequent and active in the equatorial regions. R: This high level of precipitation is due to the equatorial belt's high temperature, high humidity and highly unstable air. S: The trade winds from both the hemispheres converge and give rise to a general upward motion of air.

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  68. 68
    S1: The period branded as the era of the Industrial Revolution was essentially a period of transformation. S6: This wage was however, not enough to keep the worker properly clothed or fed and thus, the Industrial Revolution could not solve the problem of distribution. P: A definite polarisation of industrial society between two main classes — capitalists and workers — was visible. Q: It marked the beginning of the final phase of the broader transformation from feudalism to capitalism and capitalism made its presence felt all over the Europe. R: Actual production in the factories was done by the workers but the workers had very little and so for survival, they were required to continuously sell this labour power for wages. S: In the capitalist mode of production the factories and heavy machineries were owned and controlled by the capitalist class.

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  69. 69
    S1: There exists a close relationship between meteorology and climatology. S6: First, the meteorological aspect of this discipline examines the process of gain and loss of heat energy by the air layer near the ground, keeping in view the fact that the basic principles apply at any place on the globe. Second, climatological aspect of the discipline examines the global pattern of thermal environment. P: In other words, it is concerned with the study of the characteristics and behaviour of the atmosphere. Q: The function of climatology is two-fold. R: Climatology, on the other hand, is concerned with the discussion of the component elements of climate as well as the factors which determine and control its distribution. S: Meteorology, the physics of the lower atmosphere, studies the individual phenomenon of the atmosphere.

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  70. 70
    S1: Europe was going through a political, social, economic, and cultural transformation in the eighteenth century. S6: Great Britain emerged victorious in the contest for colonial supremacy in Europe and from that moment Britain concentrated more on her colonial possessions. P: Thereafter, the European continent had been free from bloody conflicts for about three decades. Q: This century saw far reaching changes which were to leave behind an enduring legacy. R: However, the Treaty of Paris could not bring peace to Europe forever. S: The Treaty of Paris (1763) brought an end to the Seven Years War.

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  71. Directions: word opposite in meaning to the underlined word
    71
    American Independence was a great blow to the invincible image of Great Britain.

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  72. 72
    The first step in precipitation is condensation.

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  73. 73
    This ushered in a large-scale social, economic, and political transformation.

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  74. 74
    The writer obfuscated the real issue with small details.

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  75. 75
    The horror and abomination of the system of Sati in India was condemned thoroughly.

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  76. 76
    He was rebuked for his infraction of the discipline.

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  77. 77
    It is the general reaction of some people to denounce any new proposal by enthusiastic professionals.

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  78. 78
    The emperor as a centralised entity indisputably went beyond regional conflicts and fostered a certain mode of elite culture.

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  79. 79
    For the aspiring East India Company that looked at every opportunity for expansion and self-aggrandisement, the century had to be projected as one of instability.

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  80. 80
    There was a combination of agrarian colonising tendencies with the assertion of local landlord power that was able to assimilate pioneer peasants.

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  81. 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 Objectives, ideology, programmes, leadership, and organisation are important ___(81)___ of social movements. They are interdependent, ___(82)___ each other. The objectives of the movement change from ___(83)___ articular local issues to broad aims ___(84)___ social transformation. Sometimes a movement which begins with broad objectives may in the process get ___(85)___ with one or two particular issues. Ideology also ___(86)___ change. It provides direction for evolving strategies and programmes; and also keeps the participants together by developing feelings of ‘we-ness’. Various strategies and programmes are evolved to ___(87)___ the people. They ___(88)___ the movement for a long period. Leadership ___(89)___ initiates or emerges in the course of the growth of the movement plays a crucial role in ___(90)___ ideology and objectives, evolving strategies and programmes and maintaining the spirit of the participant.
    81
    Blank (81): "... are important _______ of social movements."

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  82. 82
    Blank (82): "They are interdependent, _______ each other."

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  83. 83
    Blank (83): "... change from _______ [particular] local issues to broad aims ..."

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  84. 84
    Blank (84): "... to broad aims _______ social transformation."

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  85. 85
    Blank (85): "... may in the process get _______ with one or two particular issues."

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  86. 86
    Blank (86): "Ideology also _______ change. It provides direction for evolving strategies ..."

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  87. 87
    Blank (87): "Various strategies and programmes are evolved to _______ the people."

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  88. 88
    Blank (88): "They _______ the movement for a long period."

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  89. 89
    Blank (89): "Leadership _______ initiates or emerges in the course of the growth of the movement ..."

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  90. 90
    Blank (90): "... plays a crucial role in _______ ideology and objectives, evolving strategies and programmes ..."

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  91. Directions: select the most appropriate preposition for the blank
    91
    He persevered _______ difficulties.

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  92. 92
    He walked slowly _______ his bandaged leg.

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  93. 93
    He accepted the car _______ his claim for ₹50,000.

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  94. 94
    I'll phone you sometime _______ the afternoon.

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  95. 95
    He raised several questions _______ the future of the organisation.

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  96. 96
    He is the gentleman whose name is written _______ the board.

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  97. 97
    _______ his negligence the company suffered a heavy loss.

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  98. 98
    _______ the resistance offered by the culprit, he was arrested by the police.

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  99. 99
    _______ his illness, he could not finish the work on time.

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  100. 100
    _______ rope ladders they scaled the wall.

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  101. Directions: complete the incomplete sentence
    101
    He is diligent; therefore _______

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  102. 102
    A bomb went off in the city centre, but fortunately _______

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  103. 103
    Each of the scholars _______

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  104. 104
    He asked whether either of the brothers _______

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  105. 105
    One cannot be too careful of _______

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  106. 106
    The applicant is the native of this country, so he has the right _______

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  107. 107
    No sooner had he returned _______

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  108. 108
    Fortunately the news _______

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  109. 109
    When I was on holiday, _______

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  110. 110
    I got up very early, _______

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  111. Directions: answer from the passage Passage – I What is truth ? said jesting Pilate, and would not stay for an answer. Certainly there be, that delight in giddiness, and count it a bondage to fix a belief; affecting free-will in thinking, as well as in acting. And though the sects of philosophers of that kind be gone, yet there remain certain discoursing wits, which are of the same veins, though there be not so much blood in them, as was in those of the ancients. But it is not only the difficulty and labour, which men take in finding out of truth, nor again, that when it is found, it imposeth upon man’s thoughts, that doth bring lies in favour; but a natural though corrupt love of the lie itself. One of the later school of the Grecians, examineth matter, and is at a stand to think what should be in it, that men should love lies; where neither they make for pleasure as with poets, nor for advantage, as with the merchants; but for the lie’s sake. But I cannot tell; this same truth, is a naked, and open day-light, that doth not show the masks, and mummeries, and triumphs, of the world, half so stately and daintily as candle-lights. Truth may perhaps come to the price of a pearl, that showeth best by day; but it will not rise to the price of a diamond, or carbuncle, that showeth best in varied lights. A mixture of a lie doth ever add pleasure. Doth any man doubt, that if there were taken out of men’s minds, vain opinions, flattering hopes, false valuations, imaginations as one would, and the like, but it would leave the minds, of a number of men, poor shrunken things, full of melancholy and indisposition, and unpleasing to themselves ?
    111
    What is the writer's idea of 'truth' in the paragraph?

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  112. 112
    Why do men love lies?

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  113. 113
    Which metaphor is used in the passage to compare the value of truth and lies?

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  114. 114
    What literary device does the author use when he says, "truth is naked"?

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  115. 115
    What would happen if truths were not mixed with lies?

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  116. Directions: answer from the passage Passage – II The ‘law’ is an enterprise that seeks to rule us all from cradle to the grave, whether as constitution confronting custom, or as custom confronting constitution, and often indeed as the diverse combinatory prowess of both. The very notion of enterprise suggests risk-taking i.e., risk as a site for both opportunity as well as failure for regulation or felicitation of approved social conduct. At the same moment, this coupling of the constitutional and custom is at the outset designed to pluralise the notion of legal literacy, a message yet to be fully constructed and conveyed co-equally to those who govern us and those who would resist domination. As citizens, we are supposed to know the law made by the state, whether we intend to obey it or break it. As members of cultural and religious communities, we also need to know the norms that define our membership of these collectives. Often, our identity and obligations as members of a political society and of diverse memberships within cultural and religious communities constitute spheres of peaceful coexistence. Often, too these collide. To decide what obligations ought to have precedence, each one of us in collision situations has to know a great deal about the law of the state and that constituting community and identity other than the political. Literacy in state law is important but never enough for an understanding of multiple sources of obligations that constantly press upon us. This invites engagement with many difficult questions including what we may want to mean by literacy, law, domination, and resistance. Further, the question always is : how far do resources of legal literacy endow us with resources of justice for all and care of self and care for others ?
    116
    According to the author, legal literacy

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  117. 117
    As a citizen one is supposed to

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  118. 118
    The above passage deals in

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  119. 119
    According to the writer 'diverse combinatory prowess' means

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  120. 120
    Which among the following is closest in meaning to the word 'resistance'?

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