SSC Mock Test -1 "General English"
Directions: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. Certain words are given in bold to help you to locate them while answering some of the questions.
Recent advances in science and technology have made it possible for geneticists to find out abnormalities in the unborn foetus and take remedial action to rectify some defects which would otherwise prove to be fatal to the child. Though genetic engineering is still at its infancy, scientists can now predict with greater accuracy a genetic disorder. It is not yet an exact science since they are not in a position to predict when exactly a genetic disorder will set in. While they have not yet been able to change the genetic order of the gene in germs, they are optimistic and are holding out that in the near future they might be successful in achieving this feat. They have, however, acquired the ability in manipulating tissue cells. However, genetic misinformation can sometimes be damaging for it may adversely affect people psychologically. Genetic information may lead to a tendency to brand some people as inferiors. Genetic information can therefore be abused and its application in deciding the sex of the foetus and its subsequent abortion is now hotly debated on ethical lines. But on this issue geneticists cannot be squarely blamed though this charge has often been levelled at them. It is mainly a societal problem. At present genetic engineering is a costly process of detecting disorders but scientists hope to reduce the costs when technology becomes more advanced. This is why much progress in this area has been possible in scientifically advanced and rich countries like the USA, UK and Japan. It remains to be seen if in the future this science will lead to the development of a race of supermen or will be able to obliterate disease from this world.
1. Which of the following, according of genetics in becoming an exact science?
(A) Technicians will not be able to determine the time when genetic disorder will set in
(B) Technicians have not been able to manipulate germ cells.
(a) A only (b) B only
(c) Both A and B
(d) Either A or B
2. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘squarely’ as used in the passage?
(a) rigidly
(b) firmly
(c) directly
(d) at right angle
3. Which of the following is not true, according to the passage?
(a) Society is not affected by the research in genetic engineering.
(b) Genetic engineers are not able to say some things with certainty.
(c) If genetic information is not properly handled, it will create problems.
(d) Manipulation of genes is presently done only in tissue cell.
4. According to the author, the present state of knowledge about heredity has made geneticists.
(a) introspective
(b) accusative
(c) arrogant
(d) optimistic
5. What is the tone of the author in the last sentence of the passage?
(a) resignation
(b) cautious
(c) relief
(d) concern
6. Which of the following is not true of the genetic engineering movement?
(a) Possibility of abuse
(b) It is confronted by ethical problems.
(c) Increased tendency to manipulate gene cells.
(d) Acquired ability to detect genetics disorders in unborn babies.
7. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘feat’ as used in the passage?
(a) process
(b) focus
(c) fact
(d) goal
8. Why, according to the author, is genetic misinformation severely damaging.
(A) The cost involved is very high.
(B) Some people are unjustly branded as inferior.
(a) A only (b) B only
(c) Both A and B
(d) Neither A nor B
9. In the passage, ‘abused’ means
(a) insulted
(b) talked about
(c) killed
(d) misused
10. At present genetic engineering can rectify all genetic disorder, is it?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) It can do so only in some cases
(d) Cannot be said
11. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the phrase ‘holding out’ as used in the passage?
(a) catching
(b) expounding
(c) substaining
(d) restraining
12. According to the passage, the question of abortion is
(a) ignored
(b) hotly debated
(c) unanswered
(d) left to the scientists to decide
13. Which of the following is true regarding the reasons for progress in genetic engineering?
(a) It has become popular to abort female foetuses.
(b) Human beings are extremely interested in heredity.
(c) Economically sound and scientifically advanced countries can provide the infrastructure for such research.
(d) Poor countries desperately need genetic information.
14. Which of the following is the same in meaning as the word ‘obliterate’ as used in the passage?
(a) wipe off
(b) eradicate
(c) give birth to
(d) wipe out
15. Which of the following is the opposite in meaning to the word ‘charge’ as used in the passage?
(a) calm
(b) disturb
(c) discharge
(d) settle
Directions: Read each sentence to find out if there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer.
16. Governments and business must reduce (a)/ its own energy use (b)/ and promote conservation (c)/ to their citizens and employees. (d)
17. If the allegations (a)/ made against him (b)/ are found to be true (c)/ he could face rigorous imprisonment. (d)
18. Having acquired some experience (a)/ she is no longer (b)/ one of those who believes (c)/ very explanation she is given. (d)
19. On discovering that (a)/ it was a forgery (b)/ he torn up the agreement (c)/ he had signed. (d)
20. With regard to implementation the (a)/ details of the proposal (b)/ the committee was divided (c)/ in its opinion. (d)
Directions: In the following passage there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each five words have been suggested, one of which fills the blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate words in each case.
Amid rumours of the government planning a crackdown on stock speculation, the Shanghai stock index 61 8.8 per cent of February 27th, its 62 one day drop in a decade. 63 usual for China’s stock markets, investors in New York’s equity markets saw this and sent the Dow Jones industrial index down more than 400 points. The drop in New York’s index in turn 64 fear in markets across Asia the following day and suddenly stock indexes across the world 65. This chain reaction plainly 66 the increasingly 67 place that China now occupies in the minds of global investors. Its extraordinary economic run has been the key reason for 68 demand for everything from copper to cars much to the 69 of multinational and Chinese investors alike. But while investors are right about China’s growing economic importance to the world they are still confused about how to 70 a decline in Chinese stocks.
21. (a) plunged
(b) fallen
(c) triggered
(d) gained
22. (a) substantial
(b) significant
(c) dismal
(d) biggest
23. (a) However
(b) Being
(c) Despite
(d) Because
24. (a) heighten
(b) fuelled
(c) predicted
(d) ignored
25. (a) stumble
(b) corrected
(c) tumble
(d) stabilised
26. (a) reflect
(b) strengthened
(c) caused
(d) demonstrated
27. (a) privileged
(b) prominent
(c) tangible
(d) feasible
28. (a) variable
(b) risen
(c) fallen
(d) soaring.
29. (a) risk
(b) detriment
(c) benefit
(d) impact
30. (a) interpret
(b) deal
(c) cope
(d) welcome
Directions: Which of the phrases (a), (b), (c) and (d) given below each sentence should replace the phrase printed in bold type to make the sentence grammatically correct?
31. Many employees are hesitate to volunteer for assignments in a foreign country because of language and cultural issues.
(a) hesitated to volunteer
(b) hesitant to volunteer
(c) hesitating volunteer
(d) hesitatingly volunteer
32. Salaries in state owned enterprises today have to be in line on prevailing market rates in order to reduce turnover.
(a) been on line with
(b) to be aligned on
(c) been in line for
(d) to be in line with
33. As a member of the Cabinet, Alyar had the opportunity to observe debates and see which they were resolved.
(a) about they being resolved
(b) that it was resolved
(c) to its resolution
(d) how they were resolved
34. The Board has inability to provide any proper strategy to out do the competition.
(a) not being able to provide
(b) has been unable to provide
(c) cannot provide for
(d) is being unable to provide
35. Did the court not intervened the matter many students would have been denied admission.
(a) Because the court intervened in
(b) Until the court had intervened
(c) Had the court not intervened in
(d) If the court intervened between
36. Budget hotels are being set up across the country to provide travellers with accommodation at reasonable rates.
(a) are to be set in
(b) will be set up
(c) have been setting up around
(d) were set up through
37. Directly the meeting commenced then the Board called for the Chairman’s resignation.
(a) No sooner had the meeting commenced than
(b) As soon as the meeting commenced when
(c) Hardly did the meeting commence
(d) Soon after the .meeting commences that
38. The Director said that he did not want to see neither of the student who had failed and ordered them to leave.
(a) none of the students
(b) one of the student
(c) each of the student
(d) any of the student
39. He was determined in completing the project despite opposition from the union.
(a) on completing
(b) to complete
(c) for completion
(d) No correction required.
40. In his speech he failed to emphasize the only great reason why Government programmes have not benefited the poor.
(a) greatest reason why
(b) only greatest reason
(c) only greatest reason for
(d) No correction required
Directions: In each question below a sentence with four words printed in bold type is given. These are numbered as (a), (b), (c) and (d). One of these four words printed in bold may be either wrongly spelt or inappropriate in the context of the sentence.
41. The organization preferred (a)/ to hire locale (b)/ population as they understood the language (c)/ and customer preferences. (d)/ All correct. (5)
42. In our opinion the existing (a)/ assessment (b)/ system required immediate (c)/ revision. (d)
43. In responds (a)/ to the advertisement a sizeable (b)/ number of candidates have submitted (c)/ their applications. (d)
44. There is no guarantee (a)/ that if this model is adopted (b)/ the entire (c)/ All correct. (d)
45. With this unique (a)/initiative (b)/ the company hopes to sustain (c)/ its current (d)/ growth rate.
Directions: In each of the following sentences there are two blank spaces. Below each five pairs of words have been denoted by numbers (a), (b), (c),and (d). Find out which pair of words can be filled up in the blanks in the sentence in the same sequence to make the sentence meaningfully complete.
46. Mr. Srinivasan is ___ to become Chairman of the group ____ the retirement of his father.
(a) set, following
(b) voted, subsequent
(c) selected, despite
(d) approved, because
(5) decided, after.
47. ___ to your error the ___ consignment has been delayed by a week.
(a) According, important
(b) Duly, urgent
(c) Owing, entire
(d) Added, crucial
48. On account of the ___ in sales the software firm has achieved an eight per cent ___ in net profit.
(a) surge, fall
(b) increase, rise
(c) decline, slope
(d) hike, loss
49. We are proud to say that today ___ 26 per cent of our total accounts are ___ by women and senior citizens.
(a) approximate, held
(b) nearly, authorised
(c) over, maintain
(d) above, open
50. The company has _____ special training to employees on _____ to trade online.
(a) announced, benefits
(b) offered, course
(c) imparted, risks
(d) sanction, skills
ANSWERS
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (b) 6. (c) 7. (5) 8. (b) 9. (d) 10. (c) 11. (b) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (b) 15. (c)
16. (b) 17. (d) 18. (c) 19. (c) 20. (a) 21. (a) 22. (d) 23. (d) 24. (b) 25. (c) 26. (d) 27. (b) 28. (5) 29. (c) 30. (a)
31. (b) 32. (d) 33. (d) 34. (c) 35. (c) 36. (5) 37. (a) 38. (d) 39. (b) 40. (d) 41. (b) 42. (a) 43. (a) 44. (5) 45. (d) 46. (a) 47. (c) 48. (b) 49. (5) 50. (c