Cat Grammar and English Usage: 1999—2006

Posted on the 21 November 2014 by Aritrasen

1. CAT-Nov 2006(Questions Nil; Marks Nil/ 100)
2. CAT-Nov 2005(Questions 1 to 7; Marks 11/ 50)
Sub-section I-A: Questions carry one mark each
Directions for Questions 1 to 3: In each question, the word at the top is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is incorrect or inappropriate.1.   HAND1.   I have my hand full, I cannot do it today.2.   The minister visited the jail to see the breach at first hand.3.   The situation is getting out of hand here!4.   When the roof of my house was blown away, he was willing to lend me a hand.2.   FOR1.   He has a great eye for detail.2.   We are waiting for the day.3.   I can’t bear for her to be angry.4.   It couldn’t be done for ever.3.   NEAR
  1. I got there just after you left—a near miss.
  2. She and her near friend left early.
  3. The war led to a near doubling of oil prices.
  4. They came near to tears seeing the plight of the victims.

Sub-section I-B: Questions carry two marks each
Directions for Questions 4 to 7: Each question consists of four sentences on a topic. Some sentences are grammatically incorrect or inappropriate. Select the option that indicates the grammatically correct and appropriate sentence(s).
4.   A.  The balance of power will shift to the East as China and India evolve.B   Rarely the economic ascent of two still relatively poor nations has been watched with such a mixture of awe, opportunism, and trepidation.C.   Postwar era witnessed economic miracles in Japan and South Korea, but neither was populous enough to power worldwide growth or change the game in a complete spectrum of industries.D.   China and India, by contrast, possess the weight and dynamism to transform the 21st century  global economy.
1.   A, B & C     2.   A & D   3.   C   4.   C & D
5.   A.   People have good reason to care about the welfare of animals.B.   Ever since Enlightenment, their treatment has been seen as a measure of mankind’s humanity.C.   It is no coincidence that William Wilberforce and Sir Thomas Foxwell Buxton, two leaders of the movement to abolish the slave trade, helped found the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1820s.D.   An increasing number of people go further: mankind has a duty not to cause pain to animals that have the capacity to suffer.
1.   A & D   2.   B   3.   A & C   4.   C & D
6.   A.  When virtuoso teams begin their work, individuals are in and group consensus is out.B.   As project progresses, however, the individual stars harness themselves to the product of the group.C.   Sooner or later, the members break through their own egocentrism and become a plurality with single-minded focus on the goal.   D.   In short, they morph into a powerful team with a shared identity.
1.   A & C   2.   A & D   3.   B & D   4.   A, C & D
7.   A.   Large reductions in the ozone layer, which sits about 15-30 km above the Earth, take place each winter over the polar regions, especially the Antarctic, as low temperatures allow the formation of stratospheric clouds that assist chemical reactions breaking down ozone.B.   Industrial chemicals containing chlorine and bromine have been blamed for thinning the layer because they attack the ozone molecules, making them to break down.C.   Many an offending chemicals have now been banned.D.   It will still take several decades before these substances have disappeared from the atmosphere.
1.   D   2.   B & D   3.   A & D   4.   A & C
3. CAT-Nov 2004(Questions 8 to 16; Marks 9/ 50)
Sub-section I-A: Questions carry one mark each
Directions for Questions 8 to10: In each question, the word at the top is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.8.   BOLT    1.   The shopkeeper showed us a bolt of fine silk.2.   As he could not move, he made a bolt for the gate.   3.   Could you please bolt the door?4.   The thief was arrested before he could bolt from the scene of the crime.9.   PASSING1.   She did not have passing marks in mathematics.2.   The mad woman was cursing everybody passing her on the road.3.   At the birthday party all the children enjoyed a game of passing the parcel.4.   A passing taxi was stopped to rush the accident victim to the hospital.10.  FALLOUT1.    Nagasakisuffered from the fallout of nuclear radiation.2.    People believed that the political fallout of the scandal would be insignificant.3.    Who can predict the environmental fallout of the WTO agreements?4.    The headmaster could not understand the fallout of several of his good students at the public examination.
Directions for Questions 11 to 13: Identify the incorrect sentence or sentences.
11.   A.   Harish told Raj to plead guilty. B.   Raj pleaded guilty of stealing money from the shop.C   The court found Raj guilty of all the crimes he was charged with.D.   He was sentenced for three years in jail.
1.  A and C   2.  B and D   3.  A,C, and D   4.  B,C, and D
12.   A.   Last Sunday, Archana had nothing to do.B.   After waking up, she lay on the bed thinking of what to do.
  1. At 11 o’clock she took shower and got ready.
  2. She spent most of the day shopping.

1.  B and C   2.  C     3.  A and B   4.  B,C, and D
13. A.  It was a tough situation and Manasi was taking pains to make it better.B.   Slowly her efforts gave fruit and things started improving.C.   Everyone complemented her for her good work.D.   She was very happy and thanked everyone for their help.
1.  A   2.  D   3.  B and C   4.  A and C
Directions for Questions 14 to 16: Each statement has a part missing. Choose the best option from the four options given below the statement to make up the missing part.
14. The ancient Egyptians believed ______________ so that when these objects were magically reanimated through the correct rituals, they would be able to function correctly. 1.   that it was essential that things they portrayed must have every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible2.   it was essential for things they portray to have had every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,3.   it was essential that the things they portrayed had every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible,4.   that when they portrayed things, it should have every relevant feature shown as clearly as possible
15.   Archaeologists believe that the pieces of red-ware pottery excavated recently near Bhavnagarand ________ shed light on a hitherto dark 600-year period in the Harappan history of Gujarat.1.   estimated with a reasonable certainty as being about 3400 years old,2.   are estimated reasonably certain to be about 3400 years old3.   estimated at about 3400 years old with reasonable certainty,4.   estimated with reasonable certainty to be about 3400 years old
16.   Many people suggest ___________ and still others would like to convince people not to buy pirated cassettes.1.   to bring down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidence of music piracy, others advocate strong legal action against the offenders,2.   bringing down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidents of music piracy, others are advocating strong legal action against offenders,3.   bringing down audiocassette prices to reduce the incidence of music piracy, others advocate strong legal action against offenders,4.   audiocassette prices to be brought down to reduce incidence of music piracy, others advocate that strong legal action must be taken against offenders,
4. CAT-Feb 2004(Questions 17 to 21; Marks 5/ 50)
Directions for Questions 17 to 21: In each question, the word at the top is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.

17.   HELP

  1.  This syrup will help your cold.
  2.  I can’t help the color of my skin.
  3.  Ranjit may help himself with the beer in the fridge.
  4.  Do you really expect me to help you out with cash?
18.   PAPER1.   Your suggestions look great on the paper, but are absolutely impractical.2.   Do you know how many trees are felled to make a truckload of paper?3.   So far I have been able to paper over the disagreements among my brothers.4.   Dr. Malek will read a paper on criminalization of politics.19.   SERVICE1.   Customers have to service themselves at the canteen.2.   It’s a service lift; don’t get into it.3.   I’m not making enough even to service the loan.4.   Jyoti’s husband has been on active service for three months.20.   REASON1.   Your stand is beyond all reason.2.   Has she given you any reason for her resignation?3.   There is little reason in your pompous advice.4.   How do you deal with a friend who doesn’t listen to reason.21.  BUSINESS1.   I want to do an MBA before going into business.2.   My wife runs profitable business in this suburb.3.   If we advertise we will get twice as much business as we have now.4.   How you spend your money is as much my business as yours.
5.CAT-Nov 2003(Subsequently Cancelled)(Questions 22 to 31; Marks 10/ 50)
Directions for Questions 22 to 26: In each question, the word at the top is used in four different ways, numbered 1 to 4. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is INCORRECT or INAPPROPRIATE.
22.   SORT1.   What sort of cheese do you use in pizza?2.   Farmers of all sort attended the rally.3.   They serve tea of a sort on these trains.4.   Let’s sort these boys into four groups.23. DISTINCT1.    He is distinct about what is right and what is wrong.2.    Mars became distinct on the horizon in the month of August.3.    The distinct strains of Ravi’s violin could be heard above the general din.4.    Ghoshbabu’s is a distinct case of water rising above its own level.24. HOST1.    If you host the party, who will foot the bill?2.    Kerala’s forests are host to a range of snakes.3.    Ranchiwill play the host to the next national film festival.4.    A virus has infected the host computer.25. IMPLICATION1.    Everyone appreciated the headmaster’s implication in raising flood relief in the village.2.    This letter will lead to the implication of several industrialists in the share market scam.3.    Several members of the audience missed the implication of the minister’s promise.4.    Death, by implication, is the only solution the poem offers the reader.26. BUNDLE   1.    The newborn baby was a bundle of joy for the family.   2.    Mobile operators are offering a bundle of additional benefits.   3.    He made a bundle in the share market.   4.    It was sheer luck that brought a bundle of boy-scouts to where I was lying wounded.
Directions for Questions 27 to 31: In each of the questions, four different ways of presenting an idea are given. Choose the one that conforms most closely to Standard English usage.
27.   1.   From the sixteenth century onwards, people started feeling disdainful and self-conscious about  their body and its products that led to a heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulations.2.   The heightened focus on controlling the body and emotions comes from disdain and self-consciousness about the body and its products, found in the sixteenth century.3.   From the sixteenth century onwards, a growing disdain for and self-consciousness about the   body and its products took hold, leading to a heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulation. 4.   The heightened focus on emotional and bodily regulations started from the sixteenth century onwards, when people felt disdain and self-consciousness about the body and its products.
28.   1.   The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something that somebody else sold to somebody else for more than its cost.
  1. The running of large businesses consists of getting somebody to sell something that somebody else made for more than it cost.
  2. The running of large businesses consists of getting somebody to make something that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.
  3. The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something else that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs.

29.  1.    We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.
  1. We are forced to falling back on the fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.
  2. We are forced to fall back on fatalism as explanations of irrational events.
  3. We are forced to fall back to fatalism as an explanation of irrational events.

30.  1.    Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable for itself but also as a service to the nation.
  1. Creativity in any field is not regarded only as valuable on its own, but also as a service to the nation.
  2. Creativity, in any field, is not only regarded as valuable, but also as a service to the nation.
  3. Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable in itself but also as a service to the nation.

31.  1.    If precision of thought had facilitated precision of behaviour, and if reflection had preceded action, it would be ideal for humans.
  1. It would be ideal for humans if reflection preceded action and precision of thought facilitated precision of behavior.
  2. It would be ideal for humans if precedence of reflection was followed by action and precision of thought, by precise behavior.
  3. It would have been ideal for humans, if precise action and behavior preceded precise reflection.

6. CAT-Nov 2002(Questions 32 to 35; Marks 4/ 50)
Directions for Questions 32 to 35: In each of the questions below, four different ways of writing a sentence are indicated. Choose the best way of writing the sentence.
32.  1.    A symbiotic relationship develops among the contractors, bureaucracy and the politicians, and by a   large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated by underhand deals.2.   A symbiotic relationship develops among contractors, bureaucracy and politicians, and costs are artificially escalated with a large number of devices and black money is generated through underhand deals.3.   A symbiotic relationship develops among contractors, bureaucracy and the politicians, and by a large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated on underhand deals.4.   A symbiotic relationship develops among the contractors, bureaucracy and politicians, and by a large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated by underhand deals.
33.  1.    The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is that it is not always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.2.   The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not that it is always a bad thing, it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.3.   The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not that it is always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.4.   The main problem with the notion of price discrimination is not it is always a bad thing, but that it is the monopolist who has the power to decide who is charged what price.
34.  1.    The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create difference of prices at which goods are traded on the world market and their price within a local market.2.   The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference of prices at which goods are traded with the world market and their prices in the local market.3.   The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference between prices at which goods are traded on the world market and their prices within a local market.4.   The distinctive feature of tariffs and export subsidies is that they create a difference across prices at which goods are traded with the world market and their prices within a local market.
35.  1.    Any action of government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourage excessive hedging.2.    Any action by government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourage excessive gambling.3.   Any action by government to reduce the systemic risk inherent due to financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourages excessive hedging.4.   Any action of government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourages excessive gambling.
7. CAT-Dec 2001(Questions Nil; Marks Nil/ 50)
8. CAT-Dec 2000(Questions Nil; Marks Nil/ 55)
9. CAT-Dec 1999(Questions 36 to 43; Marks 8/ 55)
Directions for Questions 36 to 43: In each of the following sentences, a part of the sentence is underlined. Beneath each sentence, four different ways of phrasing the underlined part are indicated. Choose the best alternative from among the four.
36.  His mother made great sacrifices to educate him, moving house on three occasions, and severing the thread on her loom’s shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to  persevere.1.   severing the thread on her loom’s shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.2.   severed the thread on her loom’s shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need to persevere.3.   severed the thread on her loom’s shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons to make him understand the need for persevering.4.   severing the thread on her loom’s shuttle whenever Mencius neglected his lessons, to make him understand the need to persevere.
37.  The MP rose up to say that, in her opinion, she thought the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed on unanimously. 1.   rose to say that she thought the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed2.   rose up to say that, the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed on3.   rose to say that, in her opinion, she thought the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed 4.   rose to say that, in her opinion, the Women’s Reservation Bill should be passed on 
38.  Bacon believes that the medical profession should be permitted to ease and quicken death where the end would otherwise only delay for a few days and at the cost of great pain.1.   be delayed by a few days and2.   be delayed for a few days and3.   be otherwise only delayed for a few days and4.   otherwise only delay for a few days and
39. Many of these environmentalists proclaim to save nothing less than the planet itself.1.   to save nothing lesser than2.   that they are saving nothing lesser than3.   to save nothing less than4.   that they save nothing less than
40.  If you are on a three-month software design project and, in two weeks, you’ve put together a programme that solves part of the problem, show it to your boss without delay.1.   and, you’ve put together a programme that solves part of the problem in two weeks2.   and, in two weeks, you’ve put together a programme that solves part of the problem3.   and, you’ve put together a programme that has solved part of the problem in two weeks4.   and, in two weeks you put together a programme that solved only part of the problem
41.  It was us who had left before he arrived.
  1. we who had left before time he had arrived.
  2. us who had went before he arrived.
  3. us who had went before had arrived.
  4. we who had left before he arrived.

42.  Mr. Pillai, the president of the union and who is also a member of the community group, will be in charge of the negotiations.
  1. since he is a member of the community group
  2. also being a member of the community group
  3. a member of the community group
  4. , in addition, who is a member of the community group

43.  Since the advent of cable television, at the beginning of this decade, the entertainment industry took a giant stride forward in the country.1.   this decade saw the entertainment industry taking2.   this decade, the entertainment industry has taken3.   this decade, the entertainment industry had taken 4.   this decade, the entertainment industry took
ANSWER KEY
1.     (1)     2.     (3)     3.     (2)   4.      (2)   5.   (1) 6.     (2)     7.      (1)    8.    (2)    9.     (1)    10.   (4)   11.   (2)      12.   (2)   13.   (3)   14.   (3)   15.   (4)   16.   (3)   17.   (3)   18.   (1)   19.   (1)   20.   (2)   21.   (2)   22.   (4)   23.    (1)     24.    (3)     25.    (1)     26.     (4)     27.     (3)     28.    (3) 29.     (1)     30.    (4)    31.     (2)     32.    (2) 33.   (3)   34.   (3)   35.   (2)   36.    (1)   37.   (1)   38.   (3)   39.   (4)   40.   (2)     41.   (4)        42.   (3)       43.    (2)
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