Directions (1-2): In each of the questions, four alternatives are given for the Idiom/Phrase. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the Idiom/Phrase and click the button corresponding to it.

Q1. To beat about the bush

(a) To try to win favours

(b) To talk well

(c) To talk about relevant things

(d) To talk about irrelevant things

Q2. Maiden speech

(a) Bachelor's speech

(b) First speech

(c) Last speech

(d) Extempore speech

Directions (3-5): Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentences and click the button corresponding to it.

Q3. A place where money is coined.

(a) Bank

(b) Mint

(c) Firm

(d) Parliament

Q4. The process by means of which plants and animals breathe.

(a) Respiration

(b) Germination

(c) Absorption

(d) Transpiration

Q5. One who sneers at the aims and beliefs of his fellow men.

(a) Critic

(b) Connoisseur

(c) Pedant

(d) Cynic

Directions (6-10): A sentence/a part of the sentence is in bold. Four alternatives are given to the bold part which will improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative and click the button corresponding to it. In case no improvement is needed, click the button corresponding to “No improvement”.

Q6. He started at the bottom rung of the ladder and then gained success.

(a) bottom rung of the stair

(b) lower rung of the ladder

(c) lower rung of the stair

(d) No improvement

Q7. The judge gave the verdict against the Government.

(a) pronounced

(b) desired

(c) sentenced

(d) No improvement

Q8. The fire service personnel put off the fire with much difficulty.

(a) put on

(b) put out

(c) put away

(d) No improvement

Q9. He has the irritating habit of playing his own trumpet all the time.

(a) blowing his own trumpet

(b) pumping his own trumpet

(c) bringing up his own trumpet

(d) No improvement

Q10. His illness means he must resign his chairmanship impromptu.

(a) fast

(b) forthwith

(c) earliest

(d) No improvement

Directions (11-15): A passage is given with 5 questions following it. Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives and click the button corresponding to it.

There is a growing parallel between India and Europe in terms of language policy and challenges of maintaining a balance between regional languages, minority languages and the rising demand for English.

The EU’s language policy promotes multinationalism and the idea that every EU citizen should learn and speak at least two foreign languages in addition to their mother tongue. In practice, the foreign language curriculum in European countries is dominated now by the need to learn English. So the de facto policy is that children should, in addition to the language of their member state, learn English and one other European language. English has become not only the language of business across Europe, but also the corporate language of many French, German, Dutch and Spanish enterprises.

The trend across Europe is for schools to begin teaching English in Class I, treating it as a basic skill rather than a foreign language. This trend began in earnest only after 2000. However, the methods to teach English are diverse an increasingly popular trend is towards bilingual schools, which teach through more than one language medium.

Q11. There is a parallel between India and Europe as regards

(a) language policy

(b) trade policy

(c) foreign policy

(d) cultural policy

Q12. According to the passage, the foreign language policy in the EU aims to foster.

(a) English

(b) Multilingualism

(c) Bilingualism

(d) Only native language

Q13. The passage says that the rising demand for English in the EU is because of

(a) immigrants

(b) emigrants

(c) Government policy

(d) trade and commerce

Q14. EU schools regard English as

(a) a foreign language

(b) a difficult language

(c) a basic skill

(d) an adult skill

Q15. In Europe, the usual pattern is that

(a) children should study English late in life

(b) children should start learning English from class I

(c) children may not study English when they are at school

(d) children ought to study English just as a lingua franca

Solutions

S1. Ans.(d)

Sol. To beat about the bush-discuss a matter without coming to the point.

S2. Ans.(b)

Sol. maiden speech: a person's first speech

S3. Ans.(b)

Sol. Mint-A place where the coins of a country are manufactured by authority of the government.

S4. Ans.(a)

Sol. respiration-a process in living organisms involving the production of energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances.

S5. Ans.(d)

Sol. Cynic-a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honourable or unselfish reasons.

S6. Ans.(d)

Sol. "bottom rung of the ladder" is correct expression. hence no improvement is required.

S7. Ans.(a)

Sol. pronounced-to announce authoritatively or officially.

S8. Ans.(b)

Sol. put out-to extinguish something on fire.

S9. Ans.(a)

Sol. blow your own trumpet: to tell other people how good and successful you are.

S10. Ans.(b)

Sol. forthwith: (especially in official use) immediately; without delay.

impromptu: done without being planned or rehearsed. Hence, Impromptu is incorrect word in the given context.

S11. Ans.(a)

Sol. According to the passage, there is a parallel between India and Europe as regards language policy.

S12. Ans.(b)

Sol. According to the passage, the foreign language policy in the EU aims to foster "Multilingualism".

S13. Ans.(d)

Sol. The passage says that the rising demand for English in the EU is because of "trade and commerce".

S14. Ans.(c)

Sol. According to the passage, EU schools regard English as "a basic skill".

S15. Ans.(b)

Sol. In Europe, the usual pattern is that children should start learning English from class I.