Daily English Practice Test - Set 3

1)   Pick the word/phrase closest in meaning to the given word:

Hyperbole


a. Exaggeration
b. Flaw
c. Overly Active
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Exaggeration

Explanation:
(a) is the correct choice because hyperbole is an exaggeration or incorrect surmise. This differs from flaw which means fault and overly active as too energetic. None of the above is also a wrong choice for this question. Hyperbole is derived from a Greek word for over casting and it implies exaggerated statements which are not meant to be taken seriously.


2)   The given sentence have been divided into parts out of which a part may contain grammatical error. Choose the part which has grammatical error or else choose ‘No error’ as your answer.

There was a new project (a)/ very single day (b)/ for the company trainees (c)/ at the office headquarters (d).


a. a
b. b
c. c
d. d
e. No error
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: b

Explanation:
(b) Is: very single day
Should be: every single day

E is missing from every.
Very means to the extreme while every means each. Very is not the correct usage here therefore.


3)   In the sentence given below a part is underlined and for that part options are given. Choose the most suitable option that can replace the underlined part.

He was not bothered about putting up with appearances because he was leaving the company soon.


a. Pushing up with
b. Pulling up with
c. Keeping up with
d. Meeting up with
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Keeping up with

Explanation:
The right choice is (c) because you keep up with appearances. This is an English phrase. For example: She kept up with appearances because she was desperate for recognition at the office.
Putting in an appearance is another English phrase Note that appearances cannot be met, pushed or pulled hence these three options are wrong.


4)   There are two sentences. Each sentence has a blank in it. Five options are given below the sentence pair. Choose the option that fits both the blanks.

1. He had pinned his hopes ___ false promises.
2. She went __ to win the competition.


a. At
b. On
c. Under
d. After
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: On

Explanation:
Hopes have to be pinned on something, rather than at, under or after. Similarly, winning the competition is something she went on to do (Past Continuous Tense). Hence choice (b) is right


5)   Complete the following sentences with the most appropriate words/phrases with reference to grammar, idioms, proverbs and syntax.

Birds of feather ______________


a. fly together
b. flock together
c. dance together
d. tweet together
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: flock together

Explanation:
The correct idiom is “Birds of feather flock together.” Flying is something birds do in groups or single units. Birds cannot dance and tweet together always. But when it comes to gathering, birds of the same species can generally be found in a group. Ornithologists deem there is safety in numbers for this avian species while on land if they flock together. The idiom was coined by William Turner in 1545.


6)   In the question below, there is a sentence with jumbled up parts. Rearrange these parts, which are labelled A, B, C and D to produce the correct sentence. Choose the proper sequence.

a. She danced with joy
b. that she had topped
c. when she found out
d. the board examination.

Correct Sequence:


a. abcd
b. abdc
c. acbd
d. bcda
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: acbd

Explanation:
She was dancing with joy at some positive news (i.e topping the board exams). While the former is the subject of the sentence, the latter is the predicate.


7)   Choose the correct alternative which can be substituted for the below given word/ sentence.

Person who is two faced


a. Janus faced
b. Sincere
c. Versatile
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Janus faced

Explanation:
Janus faced means someone who has two faces and is deceitful and insincere. Such a person has polarities and contrasts. Janus was actually a ancient God with two faces, hence the term two faced or Janus faced.


8)   In the following question, an idiom or proverb has been underlined. Choose its correct meaning in the given context from the alternatives given below.

i was hoping against hope that she would agree to my proposal.


a. Hoping for something
b. Hoping against something
c. Hoping without any/little chance of success
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Hoping without any/little chance of success

Explanation:
When you hope against hope, you are someone who believes and holds onto certain principles. Where there is no hope, if you were to still try hard, that would be hoping against hope.i.e hope with none/very little likelihood of success.


9)   Pick the word/phrase most nearly opposite in meaning.

Achilles Heels


a. Strengths
b. Weaknesses
c. Flaws
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Strengths

Explanation:
Achilles was the Greek hero during the Trojan war and said to be immune in every other part of the body except the heel. This is because his mother Thetis held him by the heels (the only part that remained dry) while dipping him in the immortality granting River Styx to protect him after she found out he was going to die young. Achilles died when an arrow struck his heel. The phrase Achilles heels means a person’s point of weakness. So (a) or strengths is the correct answer.


10)   Choose the pair of words which have a relationship similar to that between the given pair of words:

Management: CEO


a. Journalism: Managing Editor
b. Office: Clerk
c. Hospital: Paramedic
d. None of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Journalism: Managing Editor

Explanation:
CEO heads the management. Similarly, the managing editor heads a team of journalists. But a clerk does not head the office. Similarly, a paramedic is not the head of the department of the hospital’s sections. So (a) is the correct choice.