English Questions

Read the following passage carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to the question out of the four alternatives.

The man who is perpetually hesitating which of the two things he will do first, will do neither. The man who resolves, but suffers his resolution to be changed by the first counter-suggestion of a friend, - who fluctuates from opinion to opinion, from plan to plan, and veers like a weather-cock to every point of the compass, with every breath of caprice that blows-can never accomplish anything great or useful. Instead of being progressive in any thing, he will be at best stationary, and more probably retrograde in all. It is only the man who first consults wisely, then resolves firmly, and then executes his purpose with flexible perseverance, undismayed by those petty difficulties which daunt a weaker spirit that can advance to eminence in any line. Take your course wisely, but firmly; and having taken it, hold upon it with heroic resolution, and the Alps and Pyrenees will sink before you.

What is the meaning of "retrograde" in the passage?

In the following question, a word has been written in four different ways out of which only one is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word.

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

Chink in one's armour

In the following passage, some of the words have been left out. Read the passage carefully and select the correct answer for the given blank out of the four alternatives.

The very ___________________ of apologizing and forgiveness _________________ the importance of memory and the vitality of the community as a link between past, present and future. It ________________ the question of the responsibility ______________ the past and its injustices. Somehow for many politicians, the past is a different country for _________________ they have no responsibility.

It ________________ the question

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which is the best substitute of the phrase.
Just punishment for wrong doing

In the following questions, the sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option.
Language, they say, is the _____ through which human beings perceive the world. If so, English is perhaps the most _____ lens through which to see animals. It has _____ a cross eyed view of birds, beasts, fish and fowl. The very word “animal” can _____ the brutish and the sensual. Animal _____ imply baseness and vulgarity.
Animal _____ imply baseness and vulgarity.

In the following question, a sentence has been given in Direct/Indirect speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect/Direct speech.

She asked Ravi, "What is worrying you?"

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement".

They loaded their ships with spices and silks and (returns) with the summer monsoon.