Practice Questions

A Glutton is a person who consumes food or drink in excessive amounts, often driven by an insatiable appetite rather than actual hunger. The term implies a lack of self-restraint and is frequently used to describe someone who overindulges habitually. In a broader sense, it can also refer to someone who has a limitless capacity for something else, such as a "glutton for punishment." To distinguish it from the other options: a Fatalist is someone who believes all events are predetermined by fate; a Sycophant is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important to gain an advantage (a "yes-man"); and a Misogamist is someone who hates or strongly opposes the institution of marriage.

Exclusion refers to the act of keeping someone out or preventing them from entering or being part of a group, place, or activity. In the context of the sentence, it describes the social act of barring individuals from the collective "common group," which is why it is synonymous with Prohibition (the act of forbidding or debarring something). To differentiate from the other choices: Submission refers to the act of yielding to a superior force or authority; Admission is the exact opposite of exclusion, meaning the process of allowing someone to enter; and Inclination refers to a person's natural tendency or urge to act or feel in a particular way. Therefore, only "Prohibition" captures the sense of a forced barrier or rejection that "Exclusion" implies in a societal framework.

An Acrobat is a person who performs spectacular and daring gymnastic feats, such as tightrope walking, tumbling, or trapeze acts, often in a circus or athletic competition. The term implies a high level of physical balance, agility, and coordination. To clarify why the other options are incorrect: an Addict is someone who is physically or mentally dependent on a particular substance or activity; an Adonis is a term used to describe an extremely handsome young man (derived from Greek mythology); and an Advocate is a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause, policy, or individual. Thus, "Acrobat" is the only term that specifically describes a performer of physical, gymnastic stunts.

The idiom "the gift of the gab" refers to a natural talent for speaking in a way that is eloquent, persuasive, and engaging. A person with this "gift" can express their ideas clearly and charismatically, often making them very effective in fields like law, politics, or sales. The word "gab" is an informal term for conversation or chatter, so having the "gift" of it implies a superior command over language and social interaction. To rule out the other options: "just at the last moment" is described by the idiom at the eleventh hour; a "life full of quarrels" might be described as leading a cat-and-dog life; and something "impossible" could be referred to as a tall order or crying for the moon.

The ability to speak easily and confidently

The error lies in the use of a double negative. The word "forbade" (the past tense of forbid) is inherently negative, meaning "to command someone not to do something." In English grammar, when a negative verb like forbid, prohibit, or prevent is used, it should not be followed by the word "not" in the subordinate clause, as the two negatives would technically cancel each other out or create a redundant, confusing structure. To correct the sentence, it should simply read: "She forbade him to enter that room." This correctly conveys that he was ordered to stay out. Using "not" after "forbade" is a common trap in competitive exams designed to test your understanding of redundant expressions.

The sentence describes a general truth or a recurring trend in the modern world: as technology improves, consumers naturally want better products. In English grammar, general facts, habits, and universal truths are expressed using the Simple Present Tense. Since the subject "consumers" is plural, the base form of the verb (demand) is required to maintain subject-verb agreement. Option B ("might demand") suggests uncertainty, which doesn't fit the factual tone of the sentence. Option C ("has demanded") is grammatically incorrect because "has" is singular while "consumers" is plural. Option D ("were demanding") uses the past continuous tense, which implies a temporary action that happened in the past, rather than an ongoing reality of the technological era.

In the English language, the word "flies" is a homonym, meaning it can function as both a verb (to move through the air) and a noun (a specific type of insect). In the sentence "There are so many flies on the food," the word is used as a plural noun identifying the common two-winged insects often attracted to food sources. Option A describes the verb form of the word, while Option C describes a general movement, neither of which fits the grammatical structure of the sentence where "flies" is the subject being counted. Option B is factually related to what flies might carry, but it is not the literal definition of the word itself. Therefore, "Insects with wings" is the only definition that correctly identifies the noun used in the sentence.

In this context, the sentence refers to the share belonging to a single, average individual within a country. To show this relationship of "belonging" or "ownership" over the share of goods and services, we must use the possessive case. In English grammar, the possessive form of a singular noun is created by adding an apostrophe followed by the letter 's' ('s). Therefore, "average person's share" correctly indicates the portion attributed to one typical person. Option A ("person") is a simple noun that lacks the necessary possessive connection to the word "share." Option C ("persons'") is the possessive form for a plural group, which contradicts the use of the singular modifier "average." Option D ("per son") is a misspelling that splits a single word into two, making it structurally incorrect.

In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in
each blank.
The standard of living of any country means the average (1)________ share of the goods and services which the country produces. A
country’s standard of living, therefore, (2)________ first and foremost on its capacity to produce wealth. ‘Wealth’, in this sense, is not
money, for we do not live (3)________ money but on things that money (4)________ buy; ‘goods’ such as food and clothing and
‘services’ such as transport and entertainment. A country’s capacity to produce wealth depends upon many factors, most of which
have an effect on one another. Wealth depends to a great extent (5)________ a country’s natural resources, such as coal, gold and
other minerals, water supply and so on.

The sentence describes a universal economic principle: that a nation's standard of living is fundamentally linked to its ability to generate wealth. In English grammar, general truths, scientific facts, and logical conclusions are expressed using the Simple Present Tense. Furthermore, the subject of the sentence, "A country’s standard of living," is a singular noun phrase. According to the rules of subject-verb agreement, a singular subject requires a singular verb form (usually ending in -s or -es). Therefore, "depends" is the only choice that fits both the factual nature of the statement and the grammatical requirements of the subject. Option A ("depended") is in the past tense, which would incorrectly imply this is no longer true; Option C ("depending") is a participle that requires an auxiliary verb; and Option D ("dependent") is an adjective that would require a "to be" verb (is) to function correctly in this structure.

The choice of the word "on" is determined by the grammatical rule of fixed prepositions. In English, the verb "live" is followed by the preposition "on" when referring to the source of sustenance or the means by which someone supports themselves (e.g., "living on a small income" or "living on fruits"). In this specific sentence, the author is creating a contrast between living on money versus living on the things that money can buy. The parallel structure of the sentence—"we do not live on money but on things..."—demands that the same preposition be used in both parts to maintain logical consistency. Option A ("into"), Option B ("by"), and Option C ("in") do not form the correct idiomatic expression required to describe the basic means of survival or support in this economic context.

The sentence discusses the functional relationship between money and the items it is used to acquire. The word "can" is a modal verb used to express ability or possibility. In this context, the author is explaining that we do not live on the physical currency itself, but on the goods and services that money has the power or potential to purchase. Option A ("ought") and Option D ("should") are used to express moral obligation or advice, which does not fit an objective economic description. Option C ("must") implies a strict necessity or a logical certainty that is too forceful for this general explanation. Therefore, "can" is the most natural fit as it describes the inherent capability of money to be exchanged for things like food, clothing, and entertainment.

The choice of the word "upon" is governed by the rules of fixed prepositions associated with the verb "depend." In English, the standard idiomatic construction is "depend on" or "depend upon." While both are grammatically correct and interchangeable, "upon" is often preferred in more formal or academic writing to indicate a relationship of reliance or causality. In this sentence, the author is explaining that a country's wealth is contingent on its natural resources. Option A ("over"), Option C ("with"), and Option D ("in") do not form a correct phrasal verb with "depend" in this context and would lead to an ungrammatical sentence. Using "upon" maintains the formal tone established at the beginning of the passage and correctly links the concept of wealth to its foundational factors.

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