You are on page 1of 11

WPSWPS- 2

Weekly Practice Sheet- 2 English


Total number of questions 100 changes that will cause a dramatic decline in the potential labour force in rich countries, and a rise in those relying on pensions and health care. In most industrialized countries, employment is concentrated in a narrow age range, so a decline in the labour force will cause a decline in production- and make us less well off. This problem will hit even China so we need to start talking about raising the retirement age, increasing immigration from developing nations, and reforming labour markets. When we over-worry about some things, we forget other, possibly much more important issues. In the West, we worry about the use of pesticides in crop creation. This has somehow become a rallying issue for environmentalists. But indoor air pollution poses a much greater environmental problem. The fumes from cooking indoors with firewood and dung will kill more than 1.5 million people this year. Many will be children. We could combat the problem relatively cheaply and efficiently by getting improved cooking devices (such as cookers with a flue) and clean fuel to those who need them, and by encouraging fuel drying, stove and chimney maintenance, and the use of pot lids to conserve heat, we could keep vulnerable children away from the smoke. The biggest concern about our planet right now is, of course climate change. This is a serious problem that requires is a serious response. However, our blinkered focus on reducing carbon emissions has led us to look in the wrong place for answers to other challenges. Losses from weather disasters are increasing, but the reason isnt climate change-as many of us assume- but demographics. More people with more belongings live closer to harms way. Whats worse is that many governments are doing little to prepare for hurricanes, earthquakes, or floods. They dont do

Directions: Read the following passage and then answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage only. Passage: Since time immemorial, people have been worried about the earths future. We once believed that the sky would fall. More recently we worried that the planet might freeze, and then that technology would grind to a halt because of a computer bug that was supposed to be unleashed at the turn of the millennium. Those fears melted away, but today the world has many real, pressing problems. Think about the environment, governance economics, health, or population and youll find plenty of reasons to worry. Unfortunately, however, we tend to focus on just some of the planets biggest issues, and we get a distorted view of the world as a result. Deforestation is a challenge that has attracted alarming headlines, celebrity firepower and widespread anxiety. It seems surprising then to learn that deforestation is a diminishing problem. The solution wasnt found in condemnation from the west of practices of developing countries, or in protests by well-meaning environmentalists, but in economic growth. Developed countries generally increase their forested areas, because they can afford to do so. Developing countries generally decrease deforestation and support reforestation. The best thing we can do is help undeveloped nations get richer, faster. Some challenges fail to ignite widespread concern. We should probably worry a lot more than we do about demographic

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
enough to discourage people from living in foolhardy locations, and response plans are often poor. The narrow focus of the climate debate on emissions reductions, has worked against a clear focus of reducing vulnerability. The United Nations Framework Convention has refused to fund disaster preparedness efforts unless states demonstrate exactly how the disasters they feared were linked to climate change. According to a recent RAND study, the United States funding for disaster loss reduction research in 2003 amounted to about $127 million only 7% of the amount invested in climate change research for that year. Climate change policies are not the best way to reduce the effects of weather disasters. During the 2004 hurricane season, the Dominican Republic, which has invested in hurricane shelters and emergency evacuation networks, suffered fewer that ten deaths. In neighbouring Haiti, which wasnt prepared 2,000 lives were lost. Why is disaster vulnerability so low on the list of global development priorities? Like the rest of us, governments tend to focus their attention on a small number of planetary problems. Every dollar they spend on change research, for example, is money not being spent on disaster loss reduction research. After all, while there is no shortage of ideas for resolving the big issues, governments and international organizations do have limited money. It would be wrong to pretend that we can do everything at once. There is no harm in worrying about the planet. But we should be sure to look at the full picture, so that we know what to worry about first. 1. The author most probably is which of the following? (a) A social scientist (b) A sociologist (c) An environmentalist (d) A behavioural scientist 2. According to the writer, which of these problems are given more importance than they are worth? I. Deforestation II. Indoor pollution III. Pesticides in crop creation IV. A possible decline in labour force (a) I and II (b) I and III (c) III and IV (d) II and IV 3. According to the passage, our tendency to focus on just some of the biggest problems of the planet at the cost of more important problems results in which of the following? (a) We get alarming headlines and widespread anxiety. (b) We waste a lot of money on research (c) We get a distorted picture of the world. (d) Developing nations are unable to get rich faster. 4. According to the passage, what is the truth about deforestation? (a) It is a non-existent problem hyped up by environmentalists and celebrities. (b) It requires more attention that we are currently according to it. (c) It may create drastic demographic changes affecting labour power. (d) It can easily be arrested or reversed by concentrating on economic development. 5. It can be inferred from the passage that.......... I. China is likely to experience a decline in production in the near future.

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
II. The biggest concern about climate should be the immediate reduction in carbon emissions. III. Use of pesticides in crop creation causes fewer deaths than indoor pollution. IV. The major concern in climate change research today is minimizing its damages. (a) I only (b) II , III and IV (c) III only (d) II and IV 6. According to the writer, which of the following is the real reason for the increasing losses from weather disasters? (a) People are unaware of the serious consequences of climate change. (b) More money is spent in research than in preventive measures. (c) The vulnerable areas are not identified with accuracy. (d) The vulnerable areas are heavily populated. 7. Which of the following is the best title for the passage? (a) Climate change and misplaced priorities. (b) Climate change and disaster loss reduction research (c) Prioritizing what we are worrying about. (d) Development-the panacea for the planets worries. Passage: Cubism is a highly influential visual arts style of the 20th century that was created principally by the artists Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque in Paris between 1907 and 1914. The cubist style emphasized the flat, two dimensional surface of the picture plane, rejecting the traditional techniques of perspective, foreshortening, modelling, and chiaroscuro, and refuting timehonoured theories that art should imitate nature. Cubist painters were not bound to copying from texture, colour, and space; instead, they presented a new reality in paintings that depicted radically fragmented objects. Cubism derived its name from remarks that were made by the critic Louis Vauxcelles, who derisively described Braques 1908 work houses at LEstaque as being composed of cubes. In Braques painting, the volumes of the houses, the cylindrical forms of the trees, and the tan-and green colour scheme are reminiscent of Paul Cezannes landscapes, which deeply inspired the Cubists in their first stage of development (until 1909). It was, however, Les Demoiselles dAvignon, painted by Picasso in 1907, that presaged the new style; in this work, the forms of five female nudes become fractured, angular shapes. As in Cezannes art, perspective is rendered through colour, with the warm reddish-browns advancing and the cool blues receding. The movements development from 1910 to 1912 is often referred to as Analytical Cubism. During this period, the work of Picasso and Braque became so similar that their paintings are almost indistinguishable. Analytical Cubist paintings by both artists show the breaking down, or analysis of form. Picasso and Braque favoured right-angle and straight-line construction, though occasionally some areas of their paintings appear sculptural, as in Picassos Girl with a Mandolin (1910). They simplified their colour schemes to a nearly monochromatic scale (hues of tan, brown gray, cream, green, or blue were preferred) in order not to distract the viewer from the artists primary interest the structure of form itself. The monochromatic colour scheme was suited to the interest-the structure of form itself. The monochromatic colour

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
scheme was suited to the presentation of complex, multiple views of the object, which was reduced to overlapping opaque and transparent planes. These planes appear to move beyond the surface of the canvas rather than painting, growing larger as they diffuse towards the edges of the canvas, as in Picassos portrait of Ambroise Vollard (1909-10). In their work from this period, Picasso and Braque frequently combined representational motifs with letters; their favourite motifs were musical instruments, bottles, pitchers, glasses newspapers and the human face and figure. Interest in this subject matter continued after 1912, during the phase generally identified as Synthetic Cubism. Works of this phase emphasize the combination or synthesis, of forms in the picture. Colour assumes a strong role in these works; shapes, while remaining fragmented and flat, are larger and more decorative. Smooth and rough surface may be contrasted with one another, and frequently foreign materials, such as newspapers and tobacco wrappers, are pasted on the canvas in combination with painted areas. This technique, known as collage, further emphasizes the differences in texture and, at the same time, poses the question of what is reality and what is illusion. 8. According to the passage, how did Cubism get its name? (a) Because cubist paintings emphasised the two dimensional picture plane. (b) Because Cubists presented objects in fragmented form and in geometrical pattern. (c) Because Cubists presented form through lines and angles. (d) Because of a ridiculing comment of an art critic who used the term cubes to describe the paintings. 9. The contextual meaning of the word Sculptural is closest to which of the following? (a) Three dimensional (b) Two dimensional (c) Abstract (d) Figurative 10. Which of the following is the chief concern of the passage? (a) History of Cubism in art. (b) Importance of Cubism in visual arts. (c) Origin and development of Cubism (d) Overview of Cubism in art. 11. Which of the following are we unlikely to find in a Cubist painting? (a) Light and shadows. (b) Geometrical Shapes. (c) Fragmented colour scheme. (d) Monochromatic colour scheme. 12. According the passage how did Cezanne render perspective in his painting? (a) By fracturing the object into several fragments. (b) By using geometrical patterns of lines and angles. (c) By presenting multiple views of the object through fragmentation. (d) By emphasizing colour-reddish brown for emphasis and blues for fading- effects. 13. According to the writer, why did the analytical Cubists resort to a simplified, nearly monochromatic colour scheme? I. In order that the objects structure is emphasized. II. In order that the colours did not distract the viewer. III. Because it was the primary interest of the painter.

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
IV. In order that the painter could present complex multiple views of the object. (a) I and IV (b) I, II and III (c) II , III and IV (d) I, III and IV 14. According to the passage, how does Synthetic Cubism differ from Analytical Cubism? (a) In its stress on colours. (b) In its flat and fragmented objects. (c) In its use of foreign materials. (d) A and C 17. (a) It creates new and essential needs for mankind (b) It is opposed to the basic essentials of life (c) It is complementary to a raised standard of living (d) It is responsible for mans love of comfort and happiness. What does increased use of technology imply? (a) An advance stage in human civilization (b) A backward step in human culture (c) Unnecessary comfort and happiness for mankind (d) Mens zest for more and more work. What does the author suggest? (a) Man will gradually rise above his present stage in civilization (b) Man will gradually settle down to the same stage with fewer hours of work (c) Man will gradually raise his standard of living by working longer hours (d) Man will gradually earn a given standard of living with the help of technology.

Passage: A civilization proceeds in the direction of technology; it passes the point of supplying all the basic essentials of life, food, shelter clothes, and warmth. Then we are faced with a choice between using technology to provide and fulfil needs which have hitherto been regarded as unnecessary or, on the other hand using technology to reduce the number of hours of work which a man must do in order to earn a given standard of living. In other words, we either raise our standard of living above that necessary for comfort and happiness or we leave it at this level and work shorter hours. I shall take it as axiomatic that mankind has, by that time chosen the latter alternative. The men will be working shortly and shorter hours in their paid employment. 15. Then we are faced with a choice, what does then refer to? (a) When autonomous takes over many aspects of human life (b) The present state of civilization (c) The past stage of civilization (d) After having provided the basic essentials of life. What does the passage suggest about the use of technology?

18.

Directions: In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives, choose the one which is nearest in meaning to the italicised part of the sentence. 19. My philosophy lecturer is unfailingly bombastic. (a) Pompous (b) Impressive (c) Impressionistic (d) Sensitive in the use of words The scheme failed for want of adequate funds. (a) Required (b) Recommended

20.

16.

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
(c) Sufficient (d) Necessary 21. Ramlal is quite parsimonious by nature. (a) Cruel (b) Miserly (c) Prodigal (d) Haughty He tried to mollify my hurt feelings. (a) Arouse (b) Ignore (c) Soften (d) Suppress A rupture in the relationship of the two brothers is quite apparent. (a)Gap (b) Damage (c) Break (d) Breach The Court had to reprieve the hanging of the condemned prisoner. (a) Pardon (b) Forgive (c) Forego (d) Delay Some people enjoy hobnobbing with the rich and famous. (a) Associating (a) Chatting (b) Conspiring (c) Living He was a contemplative person. (a)Thoughtful (b) Careless (c) Over-zealous (d) Mischievous The intrepid mountaineers who scaled the peak in winter should be specially congratulated. (a) Bold (b) Courageous 28. (c) Vigorous (d) Brave The manager was not present at the inception of the programme. (a) Beginning (b) Conclusion (c) Demonstration (d) Rejection

22.

Directions: In each of the following question, choose the word similar in meaning to the given word. 29. Exiguous (a) Tall (b) Large (c) Wide (d) Scanty 30. Ingest (a) Enrage (b) Invigorate (c) To absorb (d) Burn Up Completely 31. Nadir (a) Asylum (b) Heaven (c) Depth (d) Nebulous 32. Somnambulistic (a) Sleepwalking (b) Ghost Dancing (c) Womens group activity (d) Colourful scenario 33. Sombre (a) Causing Sleep (b) Squalid (c) Gloomy (d) Complacent Directions: In each of the following question, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word. 34. Hindrance (a) Agreement

23.

24.

25.

26.

27.

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
(b) Cooperation (c) Persuasion (d) Aid 43. 35. Placate (a) Embroil (b) Antagonize (c) Amuse (d) Pacify 44. 36. Frailty (a) Emaciation (b) Strength (c) Health (d) Boldness 45. 37. Munificent (a) Miserly (b) Faulty (c) Perplexing (d) Rudimentary 46. 38. Catapult (a) Reach great heights (b) Downfall (c) Caterpillar (d) Gaining 47. 39. Enigmatic (a) Industrious (b) Mysterious (c) Enthusiastic (d) Straightforward 48. 40. Piquant (a) Jovial (b) Merry (c) Blunt (d) Rigorous 41. Obliquity (a) Thin (b) Frank (c) Self-righteous (d) Conformity 42. Exonerate (a) Compel (b) Accuse (c) Imprison (d) Boldness Liberalism (a) Humanism (b) Dynamism (c) Sectarianism (d) Totalitarianism Malice (a) Honour (b) Ecstasy (c) Goodwill (d) Happiness Commodious (a) Limited (b) Expensive (c) Numerous (d) Leisurely Mammoth (a) Dull (b) Weak (c) Tiny (d) Bright Kill (a) Azure (b) Relief (c) Execute (d) Animate Pertinent (a) Indifferent (b) Detached (c) Determined (d) Irrelevant

Directions: Pick out the most effective word from the given words to fill in the blanks. 49. Macbeth is a tragedy of a man who was .......... with great qualities. (a) Possessed (b) Empowered (c) Privileged (d) Endowed

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
56. 50. His logic .......... everyone, including the experts. (a) Teased (b) Defied (c) Surprised (d) Confounded It is not fair to cast ......... on honest and innocent persons. (a) Aspiration (b) Aspersions (c) Inspiration (d) Adulation This book is about a man who .......... his family and went to live in the Himalayas. (a) Exiled (b) Deserted (c) Banished (d) Expelled I will write a letter to you tentatively .......... the dates of the programme. (a) Involving (b) Urging (c) Guiding (d) Indicating The word gharana points to the........ concept of stylistic individuality and handing down of tradition within family confines. (a) Joint (b) Conflicting (c) Dual (d) Contradictory The criminals managed to escape from policemen ............ vigil over them. (a) Taking (b) Putting (c) Guarding (d) Keeping 57. The government is certain to .......... the publication of any details of this fraudulent research (a) Retain (b) Restrict (c) Delay (d) Prohibit I do not think the evidence you have heard .......... your opinion. (a) Promotes (b) Accuses (c) Commits (d) Warrants He .......... his shoes till they shone. (a) Brushed (b) Scrubbed (c) Shined (d) Polished

51.

52.

58.

53.

Direction: In each of the following passages, there are blanks, some words are suggested, one of which fits the blank appropriately. Find out the appropriate words. Passage: The fact is that democracy is the only .......... system that can preserve the Indian entity, constitute its whole beyond the sum of the various fragments that go into its making and .......... its invaluable genius of stumbling along .......... a humane order. If democracy in India is done .......... with, India itself will .......... in the morass of the various particularities that .......... it. Universal adult .......... and a periodic .......... of the popular mandate .......... by the government is .......... for democracy and hence Indias integrity. 59. (a) viable (b) Fundamental (c) Possible (d) Acceptable (a) Suggest (b) Promote

54.

55.

60.

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
(c) Encourage (d) Inspire 61. (a) With (b) Towards (c) To (d) For (a) Off (b) Up (c) Away (d) Out (a) Vanish (b) Sink (c) Surrender (d) Finish (a) Form (b) Define (c) Outline (d) Constitute (a)Sensibility (b) Education (c) Participation (d) Franchise (a) Survey (b) Appearance (c) Action (d) Renewal (a) Obtained (b) Gained (c) Secured (d) Reserved (a) Dispensable (b) Indispensable (c) Obvious (d) Desirable Directions: In each of the following questions, find out which part of the sentence has an error. If there is no mistake, the answer is No error. 69. (a) He says that (b) he has a car (c) beside a scooter (d) No error 70. (a) I found it difficult (b) to remove (c) the chewing gum that (d) no error

62.

71. (a) My answer (b) is different (c) than yours. (d) no error. 72. (a) All the players (b) except Sam (c) were present (d) no error 73. (a) It proves (b) year after year (c) that when it comes into judging new writing (d) we are on a slippery ground 74. (a) Young children should not sit close (b) to the TV set (c) as it affects on their eyes (d) no error 75. (a) The child freed himself (b) from his fathers hold (c) and ran on the road (d) no error 76. (a) Without a moments hesitation. (b) the Principal agreed to write (c) a foreword to my book. (d) no error 77. (a) To gain reputation among your clients (b) you ought to finish (c) every assignment you undertake (d) within the stipulated deadline 78. (a) Children often (b) start quarrel on LegalEdge 2011

63.

64.

65.

66.

67.

68.

Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
(c) petty issues (d) no error Directions: Choose the suitable word to be put on the other side from the given alternatives 79. Pain : Ache : : Lazy : .......... (a) Illness (b) Lethargic (c) Arid (d) Damp 80. Arguing : Litigation : : Courting : .......... (a) Judiciary (b) Adjudication (c) Romance (d) Arbitration 81. India : Asia : : England : .......... (a) Europe (b) South America (c) Asia (d) Africa 82. Guest : Invitation : : .......... : Summons (a) Police (b) Witness (c) Complainant (d) Prosecution 83. Thermal : Hydel : : Coal : (a) Hydrometer (b) Water (c) Tydal (d) Energy 84. Ogle : Eyes : : Manoeuvre : (a) Fingers (b) Human Beings (c) Minds (d) Hands 85. Purloin : Steal : : Nebulous : (a) Frustating (b) Scanty (c) Dishonest (d) Vague

86. Engineer : Cab (a) Shepherd : Flock (b) Passenger : Taxi (c) Sailor : Cabin (d) Driver : Wheel 87. Astronomy : Astrology (a) Symbolism : Superstition (b) Geology : Geometry (c) Magic : Science (d) Chemistry : Alchemy 88. Portfolio : Securities (a) Bottle : Capsules (b) Carpenter : Furniture (c) Classroom : Students (d) Bridge : River 89. Soup : Dessert (a) River : Island (b) Sunlight : Twilight (c) Bow : Arrow (d) Forest : Sea 90. Thread : Cotton (a) Beans : Coffee (b) Cloth : Shirt (c) Noodles : Flour (d) Vegetables : Soup Directions: In each of the following question, an idiomatic expressional proverb has been given, followed by some alternatives. Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given idiom/proverb. 91. All Agog (a) Everybody (b) All ready (c) Restless (d) Almighty 92. To frame a person (a) To befool someone (b) To make one appear guilty (c) To praise someone (d) A narrow escape

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

WPSWPS- 2
(c) To keep on talking (d) To keep on insulting

93. To hold something in leash. (a) To restrain (b) To disappoint (c) To dismiss (d) To discourage 94. To be at logger heads (a) To have tough encounter (b) To be at enmity or strife (c) To face stiff opposition (d) To tax ones mind and body 95. A snake in the grass (a) Secret or hidden enemy (b) Unforeseen happening (c) Unrecognisable danger (d) Irreliable person 96. Hobsons choice (a) Feeling of insecurity (b) Accept or leave the offer (c) Feeling of strength (d) Excellent choice 97. To cast pearls before a swine (a) To spend recklessly (b) To spend a lot of money on the upkeep of domestic hogs (c) To waste money over trifles (d) To offer to a person a thing which he cannot appreciate. 98. To be at daggers drawn (a) To be frightened (b) To be ready to face danger (c) To threaten one (d) To be bitter enemy 99. A ladys man (a) A woman-tailor (b) A lover of womans company (c) A man working as per a ladys directions (d) A timid husband 100. Harp on (a) To comment (b) To criticise

LegalEdge 2011
Replication or other unauthorized use of this material is prohibited by the copyright laws of India

You might also like