Back Home
Persistent Timer

English Usage

Q.No: 1
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for question Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences.


A. It was a tough situation and Manasi was taking pains to make it better.
B. Slowly her efforts gave fruit and things started improving.
C. Everyone complemented her for her good work.
D. She was very happy and thanked everyone

A
A
B
D
C
B and C
D
A and C
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B is wrong because efforts ‘bear fruit’ and not ‘give fruit’. Sentence C is incorrect because ‘complimented’ should have been used, comple mented means ‘something that completes, makes up a whole’.
Q.No: 2
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for question: Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences.


A. Harish told Raj to plead guilty.
B. Raj pleaded guilty of stealing money from the shop.
C. The court found Raj guilty of all the crimes he was charged with.
D. He was sentenced for three years in jail

A
A and C
B
B and D
C
A, C, and D
D
B, C, and D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B is wrong because you don’t plead ‘guilty of’ but plead ‘guilty to’ a crime. Sentence D is wrong because one gets ‘sentenced to’ prison.
Q.No: 3
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for question: Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences.


A. Last Sunday, Archana had nothing to do.
B. After waking up, she lay on the bed thinking of what to do.
C. At 11 o' clock she took shower and got ready.
D. She spent most of the day shopping

A
B and C
B
C
C
A and B
D
B, C, and D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B is incorrect because the correct usage of its last part would be - 'thinking what to do'. Sentence C is wrong because the article 'a' should precede 'shower'.
Q.No: 4
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for questions 90 to 92: In each question, the word at the top of the table is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the options in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.


BOLT

Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The correct usage would have been - 'he bolted for the gate'.
Q.No: 5
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for questions 90 to 92: In each question, the word at the top of the table is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the options in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.


FALLOUT

A
1
B
2
C
3
D
4
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Option (d) is incorrect. The correct phrase will be 'understand the performance'.
Q.No: 6
Test Name : CAT Paper 2004

Directions for questions 90 to 92: In each question, the word at the top of the table is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the options in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.


PASSING

Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The usage of 'passing her ' is inappropriate, one can simply say 'passing on the road ' or ' passing by '.
Q.No: 7
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each question consists of four sentences on a topic. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. When virtuoso teams begin their work, individuals are in and group consensus is out.
B. As project progresses, however, the individual stars harness themselves to the product of the group.
C. Sooner or later, the members break through their own egocentrism and become a plurality with single-minded focus on the goal.
D. In short, they morph into a powerful team with a shared identity.

A
A&C
B
A&D
C
B&D
D
A, C&D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 8
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each question consists of four sentences on a topic. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. Large reductions in the ozone layer, which sits about 15-30 km above the Earth, take place each winter over the polar regions, especially the Antarctic, as low temperatures allow the formation of stratospheric clouds that assist chemical reactions breaking down ozone.
B. Industrial chemicals containing chlorine and bromine have been blamed for thinning the layer because they attack the ozone molecules, making them to break apart.
C. Many an offending chemicals have now been banned.
D. It will still take several decades before these substances have disappeared from the atmosphere.

A
D
B
B&D
C
A&D
D
A&C
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 9
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each question consists of four sentences on a topic. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. The balance of power will shift to the East as China and India evolve.
B. Rarely the economic ascent of two still relatively poor nations has been watched with such a mixture of awe, opportunism, and trepidation.
C. Postwar era witnessed economic miracles in Japan and South Korea, but neither was populous enough to power worldwide growth or change the game in a complete spectrum of industries.
D. China and India, by contrast, posses the weight and dynamism to transform the 21st-century global economy.

A
A, B&C
B
A&D
C
C
D
C&D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 10
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each question consists of four sentences on a topic. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).

A. People have good reason to care about the welfare of animals.
B. Ever since Enlightenment, their treatment has been seen as a measure of mankind's humanity.
C. It is no coincidence that William Wilberforce and Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton, two leaders of the movement to abolish the slave trade, helped found the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1820s.
D. An increasing number of people go further: mankind has a duty not to cause pain to animals that have the capacity to suffer.

A
A&D
B
B
C
A&C
D
C&D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 11
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each of the following questions has a paragraph with one italicized word that does not make sense. Choose the most appropriate replacement for that word from the options given below the paragraph.

Intelligent design derives from an early 19th-century explanation of the natural world given by an English clergyman, William Paley. Paley was the populariser of the famous watchmaker analogy. Proponents of intelligent design are crupping Paley's argument with a new gloss from molecular biology.

A
destroying
B
testing
C
resurrecting
D
questioning
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 12
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each of the following questions has a paragraph with one italicized word that does not make sense. Choose the most appropriate replacement for that word from the options given below the paragraph.

Women squat, heads covered, beside huge piles of limp fodder and blunk oil lamps, and just about all the cows in the three towns converge upon this spot. Sinners, supplicants and yes, even scallywags hand over a few coins for a crack at redemption and a handful of grass.

A
shining
B
bright
C
sputtering
D
effulgent
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 13
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each of the following questions has a paragraph with one italicized word that does not make sense. Choose the most appropriate replacement for that word from the options given below the paragraph.

It is klang to a sensitive traveler who walks through this great town, when he sees the streets, the roads and cabin doors crowded with beggars, mostly women, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags and importuning every passenger for alms.

A
amusing
B
irritating
C
disgusting
D
distressing
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 14
Test Name : CAT Paper 2005
Each of the following questions has a paragraph with one italicized word that does not make sense. Choose the most appropriate replacement for that word from the options given below the paragraph.

Or there is the most fingummy diplomatic note on record: when Philip of Macedon wrote to the Spartans that, if he came within their borders, he would leave not one stone of their city, they wrote back the one word – “If”.

A
witty
B
rude
C
simple
D
terse
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Q.No: 15
Test Name : CAT Paper 2007

In each question, there are five sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage. Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. When I returned to home, I began to read.
B. everything I could get my hand on about Israel.
C. That same year Israel's Jewish Agency sent
D. a Shaliach a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis.
E. I became one of his most active devotees.

A
C & E
B
C only
C
E only
D
B, C & E
E
C, D & E
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
C and E
In (A) 'to' is redundant.
In (B) 'hands on about Israel'.
In (D) a Shaliach, a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis.
Q.No: 16
Test Name : CAT Paper 2007

Directions for Questions 54 to 56: In each question, there are five sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage. Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. So once an economy is actually in recession,
B. the authorities can, in principle, move the economy
C. out of slump - assuming hypothetically
D. that they know how to - by a temporary stimuli.
E. In the longer term, however, such polices have no affect on the overall behaviour of the economy.

A
A, B & E
B
B, C & E
C
C & D
D
E only
E
B only
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
B only
In (A) ‘into’ should be used in place of ‘in’
In (C) the article is missing before the word ‘slump’
In (D) the singular form ‘stimulus’ should be used in place of ‘stimuli’
In (E) ‘effect’ should be used in place of ‘affect’
Q.No: 17
Test Name : CAT Paper 2007

Directions for Questions 54 to 56: In each question, there are five sentences or parts of sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage. Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. It is sometimes told that democratic
B. government originated in the city-states
C. of ancient Greece. Democratic ideals have been handed to us from that time.
D. In truth, however, this is an unhelpful assertion.
E. The Greeks gave us the word, hence did not provide us with a model.

A
A, B & D
B
B, C & D
C
B & D
D
B only
E
D only
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
B and D
In (A) ‘said’ should be used instead of ‘told’
In (C) ‘handed down to’ should be used in place of ‘handed to’
In (E) a subject is required after ‘hence’
Q.No: 18
Test Name : CAT Paper 2008

In each of the following questions there are sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation, and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. In 1849, a poor Bavarian imigrant named Levi Strauss
B. landed in San Francisco, California,
C. at the invitation of his brother-in-law David Stern
D. owner of dry goods business.
E. This dry goods business would later became known as Levi Strauss & Company.

A
B only
B
B and C
C
A and B
D
A only
E
A, B and D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence A is incorrect as the spelling of ‘imigrant’ is not correct , should be ‘immigrant’. Sentence D is incorrect because of a missing article and should be ‘ the owner of a dry goods ….’. Sentence E is incorrect and should be ‘….. would later be known as…..’. Sentence C is incorrect. We require a comma between ‘brother-in-law’ and ‘David Stern’.
Q.No: 19
Test Name : CAT Paper 2008

Directions for Questions 51 to 54: In each of the following questions there are sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. In response to the allegations and condemnation pouring in,
B. Nike implemented comprehensive changes in their labour policy.
C. Perhaps. sensing the rising tide of global labour concerns,
D. from the public would become a prominent media issue,
E. Nike sought to be a industry leader in employee relations.

A
D and E
B
D only
C
A and E
D
A and D
E
B, C and E
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B should be’….its labour policy’ because the subject is Nike and we can’t substitute it with the plural pronoun ‘their’. Sentence C should be ‘Perhaps sensing that the rising tide…’ as without ‘that’ the sentence structure is incomplete. Sentence E should be ‘ ….an industry..’ as the word industry begins with a vowel so the appropriate article is ‘an’.
Q.No: 20
Test Name : CAT Paper 2008

In the following question, there are sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. Charges and countercharges mean nothing.
B. to the few million who have lost their home.
C. The nightmare is far from over, for the government
D. is still unable to reach hundreds who are marooned.
E. The death count have just begun.

A
A only
B
C only
C
A and C
D
A, C and D
E
D only
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B should be ‘…few millions…. ’Sentence D should be … reach the hundreds who are marooned.. Sentence E is incorrect as per subject verb agreement and should be ‘…death count has begun’.
Q.No: 21
Test Name : CAT Paper 2008

In the following question, there are sentences that form a paragraph. Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.


A. I did not know what to make of you.
B. Because you'd lived in India, I associate you more with my parents than with me.
C. And yet you were unlike my cousins in Calcutta, who seem so innocent and obedient when I visited them.
D. You were not curious about me in the least.
E. Although you did make effort to meet me.

A
A only
B
A and B
C
A and E
D
D only
E
A and D
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Sentence B has tense inconsistency, it should be '-I associated you-'. Sentence C has a similar error and should be '-.who seemed-'. Sentence D has an error of modifier placement and should be '-not in the least curious..' Sentence E has a missing article, should be'-you did make an effort-'.
Q.No: 22
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
A feasibility survey has now
B
been completed in India to establish
C
a network of felicitate contacts
D
between small and medium enterprises.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The correct usage would be, ‘a network to facilitate contacts’.
Q.No: 23
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
Privatization generally represents
B
an ideological response
C
to the perceived problem
D
in the public sector.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The correct phrase would be, ‘to the perceived problems’.
Q.No: 24
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
The Indian government’s choice
B
of the EEC as a partner
C
stem from the fact
D
that the community is the most important market for India.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘The Indian Government’s choice’ is a singular noun and should have a singular verb ‘stems’.
Q.No: 25
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
A person who earns a
B
few thousand rupees
C
and decides to save
D
many of it must be a miser.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The correct quantifier to be used here is ‘most’.
Q.No: 26
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
Had you been in my
B
position, you were definitely
C
shown your displeasure
D
at the turn of events.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Here we should use the verb in past participle, i.e. ‘you would have’ as we are talking about an unreal past condition.
Q.No: 27
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
I definitely disagree
B
with the position that
C
requires that money
D
is a key motivator.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Requires’ should be replaced with ‘assumes’.
Q.No: 28
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
This has slowed the progress
B
of reforms in many countries
C
because the choice of either of the extreme
D
positions inevitably invite criticism.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The noun ‘choice’ is singular and should be followed by a singular verb ‘invites’.
Q.No: 29
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
Gavaskar was a great batsman who
B
having played more than 100
C
test matches, he then decided
D
to call it a day.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
We already have a subject ‘who’ for the verb ‘decided’, so ‘he then’ is wrongly used here.
Q.No: 30
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
When we sold of all our
B
furniture, crockery and
C
other household goods,
D
the room looked bare.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Of’ should be replaced with ‘off’.
Q.No: 31
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
In the history of mankind
B
it has always been
C
minority which have been
D
able to change the world.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Here minorities are being treated as a specific group and should therefore be preceded by ‘the’.
Q.No: 32
Test Name : CAT Paper 1991
Q12 to 22 : Each sentence below has been broken up into four parts sequentially (a, b, c, d). Choose that part which contains a mistake.

NA

A
Management education is
B
becoming highly sought after
C
by aspiring ambitious students
D
because of high demand in the job market.
E
NA
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Aspiring’ cannot be used as an adjective for students here, as those who are studying management are already students.
Q.No: 33
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990
Questions 6 to 10: Choose from among the given alternatives the one which will be a suitable substitute for the underlined expression in each of the following.

The marriage of the princess with the commoner caused a furore among the royalty.

A
mesalliance
B
misalliance
C
elopement
D
romance
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Misalliance refers to an alliance between people not normally looked upon as suitable for each other.
Q.No: 34
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990
Questions 6 to 10: Choose from among the given alternatives the one which will be a suitable substitute for the underlined expression in each of the following.

The victim’s involuntary responses to stimulus proved that he was still living.

A
reactions
B
reflexes
C
feedback
D
communication
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Reflexes’ implies a movement made in response to something.
Q.No: 35
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990
Questions 6 to 10: Choose from among the given alternatives the one which will be a suitable substitute for the underlined expression in each of the following.

The art and science of good eating and drinking is now a lost art.

A
Gastronomy
B
Osteopathy
C
Gluttony
D
Cooking
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The art and science of good eating and drinking is called gastronomy.
Q.No: 36
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990
Questions 6 to 10: Choose from among the given alternatives the one which will be a suitable substitute for the underlined expression in each of the following.

The thrilling narrative caused the hair on the skin to stand erect.

A
tension
B
horrification
C
terror
D
horror
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Horror’ as a noun can mean an enjoyable feeling of fear from listening to a story or from watching a movie, and is thus different from ‘terror’, which cannot be enjoyable.
Q.No: 37
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990
Questions 6 to 10: Choose from among the given alternatives the one which will be a suitable substitute for the underlined expression in each of the following.

The body of Macedonian infantry drawn up in close order was like a formidable castle of steel.

A
phalanx
B
phagocyte
C
phenomenon
D
phaeton
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Phalanx’ means a number of people standing close together for a specific purpose.
Q.No: 38
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
The history of Modern Industry’s performance, which is marginal at best, may be an indication of solvency problems that will occur in the future.
B
Modern industry’s history of marginal performance may indicate solvency problems in the future.
C
The history of marginal performance of Modern Industry may indicate future solvency problems.
D
Modern Industry’s history of performance, which is marginal at best, may indicate future solvency problems.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Here “marginal performance” has to be emphasized. The sentence in option (c) does that most convincingly. In option (b), using “of” after the possessive makes the sentence awkward. Option (a) and (d) talk about the marginal nature of performance as additional information rather than foregrounding it.
Q.No: 39
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
On the whole food front one may say that we can enjoy festivals in the consciousness that though some things are dear, the basic foods are better in quality and still low in price.
B
We can enjoy festivals knowing that though some things are clear, the basic foods are of better quality and still low in price.
C
Although we know that some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals because the basic foods are better in quality and low in price.
D
On the whole food front, although some things are dear, we can still enjoy festivals as the basic foods are of better quality and quite cheap.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The constructions in (a) and (d) are wordy and awkward. The use of the concessive clause in (c) (Although we know that some things are dear) clearly communicates why we can still enjoy festivals.
Q.No: 40
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
The dull are likely to have a limited conceptual grasp.
B
It is unlikely that the dull would have adequate conceptual grasp.
C
The dull are not likely to grasp concepts easily.
D
It is unlikely that the dull can grasp concepts easily.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Choice (c) uses the simplest and most concise words. ‘Conceptual grasp’ is incomplete and needs to be followed by a preposition and an object.
Q.No: 41
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
I request you to kindly deliver to me a tin of milk powder.
B
Could you please send me a tin of milk powder?
C
May I request you to please send me a tin of milk powder?
D
Can I have milk powder sent to me please?
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
Choice (b) uses the appropriate degree of politeness. Choice (d) is wrong as it does not tell how much milk powder is required. Others are overtly polite.
Q.No: 42
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
There is no question of it not being possible to freeze you to death and wake you up as and when you want.
B
There is no question of it not being possible to freeze you to death and wake you up whenever you want.
C
Undoubtedly, it should be possible to freeze you to death and wake you up whenever you want.
D
Undoubtedly, it should be possible to freeze you to death and wake you up when you want.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Whenever’ implies at any time, hence (c) is a better choice than (d). Other choices are unnecessarily wordy.
Q.No: 43
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
Finally, there will be unexpected, unanticipated implicational consequences of this development concerning human life.
B
This development concerning human life will finally have unanticipated consequences.
C
This development concerning human life will finally have unexpected and unanticipated implications.
D
This development concerning human life will finally have unexpected implications.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
‘Unexpected’ and ‘unanticipated’ are synonyms, so using both in a sentence is redundant. Moreover ‘consequence’ is a better word to suggest the result of something on something else.
Q.No: 44
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
His definition of reality has first to be made coincident with the point of view adopted by the author whom he is discussing.
B
His definition of reality has first to be made coincident with the point of view adopted by the author who he is discussing.
C
His definition has to first agree with the point of view adopted by the author he is discussing.
D
His definition of reality has first to coincide with the point of view adopted by the author he is discussing.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The appropriate idiomatic use is ‘definition should agree with’.
Q.No: 45
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
I should be very much obliged if you could be kind enough to send me the required material.
B
I should be much obliged if you could send me the required material.
C
I should be very much obliged if you could kindly send me the required material.
D
I should be grateful and very much obliged if you could kindly send me the required material.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
“Much obliged’ serves the same purpose as ‘very much obliged’ and is thus preferable.
Q.No: 46
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
I am sorry, a prior engagement prevents me from joining you at dinner on Monday.
B
I regret to say that I am very sorry that a previous engagement will prevent me from joining you at dinner on Monday.
C
I regret to inform you that because of a previous engagement I will be prevented from joining you at dinner on Monday.
D
I am sorry to say that I am unable to join you at dinner on Monday because of a prior engagement.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
The sentence in (a) features a comma splice error. A comma has been used to connect two independent clauses. (b) and (c) feature awkward sentence constructions. In sentence (d) the simple present tense is used to talk about a future event/ schedule.
Q.No: 47
Test Name : CAT Paper 1990

Questions 21 to 30: In each of the questions below, there are four statements which express the same idea. Choose the alternative that is most concise and clear.

A
Looking back, our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.
B
Looking at it with hindsight our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.
C
On hindsight we find that our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.
D
On hindsight, our inability to confirm speakers gave us the maximum headaches.
Answer key/Solution
Solution:
“Looking back’ is the correct idiomatic usage. It means “remembering” or “reflecting” something.
Solution:
Sentence B is wrong because efforts ‘bear fruit’ and not ‘give fruit’. Sentence C is incorrect because ‘complimented’ should have been used, comple mented means ‘something that completes, makes up a whole’.

Solution:
Sentence B is wrong because you don’t plead ‘guilty of’ but plead ‘guilty to’ a crime. Sentence D is wrong because one gets ‘sentenced to’ prison.

Solution:
Sentence B is incorrect because the correct usage of its last part would be - 'thinking what to do'. Sentence C is wrong because the article 'a' should precede 'shower'.

Solution:
The correct usage would have been - 'he bolted for the gate'.

Solution:
Option (d) is incorrect. The correct phrase will be 'understand the performance'.

Solution:
The usage of 'passing her ' is inappropriate, one can simply say 'passing on the road ' or ' passing by '.

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:

Solution:
C and E
In (A) 'to' is redundant.
In (B) 'hands on about Israel'.
In (D) a Shaliach, a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis.

Solution:
B only
In (A) ‘into’ should be used in place of ‘in’
In (C) the article is missing before the word ‘slump’
In (D) the singular form ‘stimulus’ should be used in place of ‘stimuli’
In (E) ‘effect’ should be used in place of ‘affect’

Solution:
B and D
In (A) ‘said’ should be used instead of ‘told’
In (C) ‘handed down to’ should be used in place of ‘handed to’
In (E) a subject is required after ‘hence’

Solution:
Sentence A is incorrect as the spelling of ‘imigrant’ is not correct , should be ‘immigrant’. Sentence D is incorrect because of a missing article and should be ‘ the owner of a dry goods ….’. Sentence E is incorrect and should be ‘….. would later be known as…..’. Sentence C is incorrect. We require a comma between ‘brother-in-law’ and ‘David Stern’.

Solution:
Sentence B should be’….its labour policy’ because the subject is Nike and we can’t substitute it with the plural pronoun ‘their’. Sentence C should be ‘Perhaps sensing that the rising tide…’ as without ‘that’ the sentence structure is incomplete. Sentence E should be ‘ ….an industry..’ as the word industry begins with a vowel so the appropriate article is ‘an’.

Solution:
Sentence B should be ‘…few millions…. ’Sentence D should be … reach the hundreds who are marooned.. Sentence E is incorrect as per subject verb agreement and should be ‘…death count has begun’.

Solution:
Sentence B has tense inconsistency, it should be '-I associated you-'. Sentence C has a similar error and should be '-.who seemed-'. Sentence D has an error of modifier placement and should be '-not in the least curious..' Sentence E has a missing article, should be'-you did make an effort-'.

Solution:
The correct usage would be, ‘a network to facilitate contacts’.

Solution:
The correct phrase would be, ‘to the perceived problems’.

Solution:
‘The Indian Government’s choice’ is a singular noun and should have a singular verb ‘stems’.

Solution:
The correct quantifier to be used here is ‘most’.

Solution:
Here we should use the verb in past participle, i.e. ‘you would have’ as we are talking about an unreal past condition.

Solution:
‘Requires’ should be replaced with ‘assumes’.

Solution:
The noun ‘choice’ is singular and should be followed by a singular verb ‘invites’.

Solution:
We already have a subject ‘who’ for the verb ‘decided’, so ‘he then’ is wrongly used here.

Solution:
‘Of’ should be replaced with ‘off’.

Solution:
Here minorities are being treated as a specific group and should therefore be preceded by ‘the’.

Solution:
‘Aspiring’ cannot be used as an adjective for students here, as those who are studying management are already students.

Solution:
Misalliance refers to an alliance between people not normally looked upon as suitable for each other.

Solution:
‘Reflexes’ implies a movement made in response to something.

Solution:
The art and science of good eating and drinking is called gastronomy.

Solution:
‘Horror’ as a noun can mean an enjoyable feeling of fear from listening to a story or from watching a movie, and is thus different from ‘terror’, which cannot be enjoyable.

Solution:
‘Phalanx’ means a number of people standing close together for a specific purpose.

Solution:
Here “marginal performance” has to be emphasized. The sentence in option (c) does that most convincingly. In option (b), using “of” after the possessive makes the sentence awkward. Option (a) and (d) talk about the marginal nature of performance as additional information rather than foregrounding it.

Solution:
The constructions in (a) and (d) are wordy and awkward. The use of the concessive clause in (c) (Although we know that some things are dear) clearly communicates why we can still enjoy festivals.

Solution:
Choice (c) uses the simplest and most concise words. ‘Conceptual grasp’ is incomplete and needs to be followed by a preposition and an object.

Solution:
Choice (b) uses the appropriate degree of politeness. Choice (d) is wrong as it does not tell how much milk powder is required. Others are overtly polite.

Solution:
‘Whenever’ implies at any time, hence (c) is a better choice than (d). Other choices are unnecessarily wordy.

Solution:
‘Unexpected’ and ‘unanticipated’ are synonyms, so using both in a sentence is redundant. Moreover ‘consequence’ is a better word to suggest the result of something on something else.

Solution:
The appropriate idiomatic use is ‘definition should agree with’.

Solution:
“Much obliged’ serves the same purpose as ‘very much obliged’ and is thus preferable.

Solution:
The sentence in (a) features a comma splice error. A comma has been used to connect two independent clauses. (b) and (c) feature awkward sentence constructions. In sentence (d) the simple present tense is used to talk about a future event/ schedule.

Solution:
“Looking back’ is the correct idiomatic usage. It means “remembering” or “reflecting” something.

logo

© 2025 CL Educate Ltd. All rights reserved.