Directions (1-5): Out of the four alternatives, choose the one which can be substituted for the given words/sentence.

Q1. To make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory.
(a) Ameliorate
(b) Befall
(c) Ensue
(d) Transpire

Ans.(a)

Sol. Ameliorate: to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory.

Q2. Baby carriage.
(a) Hurl
(b) Terrain
(c) Perambulator
(d) Arena

Ans.(c)

Sol. Perambulator:  baby carriage.

Q3. A rise in pitch at the end usually of a declarative sentence, especially if habitual.
(a) Dome
(b) Showground
(c) Hoarse
(d) Uptalk

Ans.(d)

Sol. Uptalk: a rise in pitch at the end usually of a declarative sentence, especially if habitual.

Q4. Of or relating to the interconnection of global and local issues, factors, etc.
(a) Locality
(b) Glocal
(c) Vicinity
(d) Raucous

Ans.(b)

Sol. Glocal: of or relating to the interconnection of global and local issues, factors, etc.

Q5. A festive celebration or entertainment.
(a) Loiter
(b) Doddle
(c) Dally
(d) Fete

Ans.(d)

Sol. Fete: a festive celebration or entertainment.

Directions (6-10): Read the following passage carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four given alternatives.

With wild spaces shrinking, large carnivores such as leopards frequenting human-dominated landscapes is becoming more common. However, a recent study shows that increased use of such landscapes by leopards does not necessarily translate into more leopard attacks in those areas. India is no stranger to human-leopard conflict, be it in Maharashtra’s sugar cane fields or the tea gardens of Valparai in Tamil Nadu or even in some parts of northeast India. 352 leopard attacks occurred in West Bengal's Gorumara Wildlife Division in Jalpaiguri district alone between 2009 and 2016. While the Division is spread across 2,500 square kilometres (sqkm), almost half of these attacks occurred in an area within it which measured a mere 630 sqkm. Aritra Kshettry, of the Wildlife Conservation Society-India, National Centre for Biological Sciences and the first author of the paper, and his colleagues examined the 171 records of leopard attacks across Gorumara’s forests, tea estates, villages and agricultural fields. Speaking to victims to ascertain leopard attack patterns, the team also quantified indirect signs to see how the large cats use different habitats and whether attacks correspond to the areas that they use more frequently. The results showed that leopards used all the 34 tea estates in the area and some forest patches, both with dense ground vegetation, much more than agricultural fields or human-dominated areas. More than 90% of the leopard attacks occurred in tea estates.

Q6. The results showed that leopards used
(a) most of the rural people.
(b) victims to ascertain their pattern of attacks.
(c) all the thirty four tea estates in the area and some forest patches.
(d) some parts of northeast India.

Ans.(c)

Sol.  The results showed that leopards used all the 34 tea estates in the area and some forest patches, both with dense ground vegetation, much more than agricultural fields or human-dominated areas. 

Q7. A recent study shows that increased use of such landscapes by leopards
(a) has always been in news since 2009.
(b) has been decreasing for past ten years.
(c) has changed from human dominated areas to vegetation cover especially tea estates.
(d) does not necessarily translate into more leopard attacks in those areas.

Ans.(d)

Sol. However, a recent study shows that increased use of such landscapes by leopards does not necessarily translate into more leopard attacks in those areas.

Q8. Aritra Kshettry and his colleagues examined
(a) large carnivores such as leopards frequenting human-dominated landscapes is becoming more common.
(b) the one hundred seventy one records of leopard attacks across Gorumara’s forests, tea estates, villages and agricultural fields.
(c) more leopard attacks in those areas.
(d) Maharashtra’s sugar cane fields.

Ans.(b)

Sol. Aritra Kshettry, of the Wildlife Conservation Society-India, National Centre for Biological Sciences and the first author of the paper, and his colleagues examined the 171 records of leopard attacks across Gorumara’s forests, tea estates, villages and agricultural fields.

Q9. Three hundred fifty-two leopard attacks occurred in
(a) Maharashtra’s sugar cane fields.
(b) Tea gardens of Valparai in Tamil Nadu.
(c) West Bengal's Gorumara Wildlife Division.
(d) Wildlife Conservation Society-India, National Centre for Biological Sciences.

Ans.(c)

Sol. 352 leopard attacks occurred in West Bengal's Gorumara Wildlife Division in Jalpaiguri district alone between 2009 and 2016.

Q10. The results showed that leopards used
(a) gardens of Valparai in Tamil Nadu or even in some parts of northeast India.
(b) many parts of Southern India as compared to Northern parts.
(c)  tea estates in the area and some forest patches much more than agricultural fields or human-dominated areas.
(d) humans more than other animals.

Ans.(c)

Sol. The results showed that leopards used all the 34 tea estates in the area and some forest patches, both with dense ground vegetation, much more than agricultural fields or human-dominated areas.

Directions (11-15): In the following questions a word is given and followed by four alternatives. Select the alternative that conveys the same meaning as the word/phrase given.

Q11. Prelapsarian
(a) noting or pertaining to an era occurring between 230 and 65 million years ago.
(b) a person or thing that repeats.
(c) a person who has been convicted and sentenced for one crime, and later for another; recidivist.
(d) characteristic of or pertaining to any innocent or carefree period.

Ans.(d)

Sol. Prelapsarian: characteristic of or pertaining to any innocent or carefree period.

Q12. Aegis
(a) protection; support.
(b) anything serving to catch or ensnare.
(c) affectionate concern for the well-being of others.
(d) highly unusual or unconventional; extravagant; remarkable.

Ans.(a)

Sol. Aegis: protection; support.

Q13. Humblebrag
(a) to act trickily; seek an advantage by trickery.
(b) courteously respectful towards those perceived as higher in class or authority.
(c) a statement intended as a boast or brag but disguised by a humble apology, complaint, etc.
(d) of, relating to, or characteristic of a snob.

Ans.(c)

Sol. Humblebrag: a statement intended as a boast or brag but disguised by a humble apology, complaint, etc.

Q14. Expostulate
(a) to claim or assume the existence or truth of, especially as a basis for reasoning or arguing.
(b) to explain or make reason for a personally held theory.
(c) to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate.
(d) to add details in writing, speaking, etc.; give additional or fuller treatment.

Ans.(c)

Sol. Expostulate: to reason earnestly with someone against something that person intends to do or has done; remonstrate.

Q15. Sibylline
(a) mysterious; cryptic.
(b) a substance obtained by mining, as ore.
(c) semi-transparent or translucent.
(d) having or showing well-bred feeling, taste, etc.

Ans.(a)

Sol. Sibylline: mysterious; cryptic.