In each of the following questions, a word has been used in sentences in 4 different ways. Choose the option corresponding to the sentence in which the usage of the word is incorrect or in appropriate.
| 1. SLAM | Easy |
| A. I heard the door slammed behind him B. She slammed down the phone angrily C. She slammed his face hard D. The car skidded and slammed into a tree |
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
Slap is a blow, especially one given with the open hand, or with something broad and flat while slam is a sudden impact or blow.
Therefore in Option C, ‘slapped’ is more appropriate than ‘slammed’.
| 2. STOP | Easy |
| A. The car stopped at the traffic lights B. Shantaram immediately stopped what he was doing C. We need more laws to stop pollution D. He is stopped by law from holding a license |
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Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Stop means to prevent (an outcome), whereas prohibit means to forbid, disallow, or proscribe officially.
| 3. TIME | Easy |
| A. I can remember very few times when we had to cancel due to ill-health B. This is the first time that I have been to London C. The train arrived right on time D. The changing seasons mark the passing of time |
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Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Time is (uncountable) the inevitable progression into the future with the passing of present events into the past while Occasion is a favourable opportunity; a convenient or timely chance.
When we talk about nouns that cannot be counted, we make use of words such as some, much, little, any, etc. Uncountable nouns are not applicable with words like many or few. It is simply because many and few refer to things that are countable, while the others refer to incalculable elements.
| 4. SOMBRE | Easy |
| A. He was dressed in sombre shades of grey and black B. Paul was in a sombre mood C. The year ended on a sombre note D. He is on the sombre position of not having to worry about money |
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Answer: Option D
Explanation:
Sombre means having or conveying a feeling of deep seriousness and sadness.
Therefore, it does not make sense to associate Sombre with a person who has a lot of money. Such a person can be assumed to be happy i.e., the opposite of sombre.
| 5. CALL | Easy |
| A. She paid him a call from the phone near her home B. I will call you tomorrow evening at 7 PM C. Vikram decided to call a meeting to discuss the trade fair D. She felt the call of Religion early in her life |
View Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
Option A is incorrect because “paid him a call” is used in the context of visiting someone (“paid a visit”) and not when one makes a phone call.
| 6. HAPPEN | Medium |
| A. Accept it, mistakes will happen B. It happened on a system that worked C. I promise nothing will happen to you D. If so happens I am going your way |
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Sentence B should have been “it happened upon”.
| 7. GUT | Medium |
| A. The fire gutted the building B. The prisoner’s letters were gutted by heavy censorship C. The famous star spills his gut in his autobiography D. Climbing that cliff takes a lot of guts |
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Answer: Option C
Explanation:
The correct phrase is ‘spills his guts’.
| 8. EARN | Medium |
| A. His fair dealing earned our confidence B. She earned the reputation as a hard worker C. A savings account that earns interest on deposited funds, is a good investment D. He earned a mention in the news |
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Answer: Option B
Explanation:
Option B has a preposition error and should be ‘reputation of’ and not ‘reputation as’.
| 9. ROUND | Difficult |
| A. A round of tear gas shells was fired to disperse the crowd B. I met her round the corner C. The doctor is on a hospital round D. I shall not come round to admitting it |
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Answer: Option D
Explanation:
The correct phrase is ‘come around’ and not ‘come round’.
| 10. HAND | Difficult |
| A. I have my hand full, I cannot do it today B. The minister visited the jail to see the breach at first hand C. The situation is getting out of hand here! D. When the roof of my house was blown away, he was willing to lend me a hand |
View Answer
Answer: Option A
Explanation:
The correct phrase is ‘have my hands full’ and not ‘have my hand full’.