FILL IN THE BLANKS -- 60 QUESTIONS

In the following passages, some of the words have been left out, each of which is indicated by a number.  Find the suitable word from the options given against each number and fill up the blanks with appropriate words to make the paragraph meaningfully complete.

The Union Government has decided to ____1____ a research centre for the steel industry. According to a SAIL release, the Minister for _Mines & Steel announced this at a function at the Indian Institute of Metals in Pune last ___2_____. The centre will spearhead research under the proposed 'Steel Research & Technology Mission of India' (SRTMI) to promote collaborative programmes in the ____3_____. It is envisaged that the research will be done in priority areas covering best usage of available raw materials, conservation of natural resources, minimize emissions leading to innovations and development of design.  The Minister also talked about forming special purpose vehicles (SPVs) with iron ore rich states for ______4_______ of the clearance procedures for mining projects to augment investment in the steel sector. The role of SPVs will be to ____5_____land and obtain all necessary environment and forest clearances. NMDC Ltd will spearhead in creating these SPVs.

Choices:

1.a) Close                    b) Set up                     c) Clear                       d) Finalize    e) format

2.a) Summer               b) Occasion                 c) Week                      d) Function     e) month

3.a) Sector                  b) Business                 c) Area                                    d) Arena          e) ground

4. a) Clearing  b) Closing                   c)De-bottle necking    d) Starting       e) opening

5.a) Sell                      b) Buy                         c) Allot                       d) Acquire       e) throw

If everyone in India rises to the Prime Minister’s challenge to usher in a spotlessly clean India in the next few years, the logistical implications will be mind-boggling.  Hopefully, civic agencies all over the country are gearing up for such an eventuality well in advance, unlike their lackadaisical (6) to the annual monsoon deluge precautions.  For even without India being primed to take up the broom revolution, garbage dumps and landfill sites do not take (7) to fill up and overflow.  It is only to be expected, therefore, that if a billion-plus Indians sweep into action, there will be more trash and garbage in need of disposal than ever before.  Apart from the sheer volume of equipment needed for such large-scale operations, is there even space enough for the hygienic disposal of the combined (8) of mass clean-up acts?

If garbage is not to become a competing industry for space, logically, the prevention of waste creation should be deemed the most urgent pre-emptive step.  Apart from the absolutely essential waste – if indeed such a term is feasible –generated every day by the average Indian, the (9) must then be on minimizing superfluous rubbish.  Hopefully, the government has already initiated research on how to move (10) on the matter and a relevant ancillary campaign will be duly launched soon.

6. a) movementb) approach               c) access                     d) avenue                    e) path

7. a) space       b) labour                     c) period                     d) long                        e) more

8. a) detritus   b) rubble                     c) effect                      d) problems    e) solutions

9. a) limelight b) attitude       c) focus           d) target                      e) spotlight

10. a) forth      b) onward        c) later            d) forward                   e) past

Indian culture is rich and (11) and as a result unique in its very own way. Our manners, way of communicating with one another, etc are one of the important components of our culture. Even though we have accepted modern means of living, improved our lifestyle, our values and beliefs still remain unchanged. A person can change his way of clothing, way of eating and living but the rich values in a person always (12) unchanged because they are deeply rooted within our hearts, mind body and soul which we receive from our culture. Indian culture (13) guests as god and serves them and takes care of them  as if they are a part and parcel of the family itself. Even though we don’t have anything to eat, the guests are never left hungry and are always looked after by the members of the family. Elders and the respect for elders is a major component  in Indian culture. Elders are the (14) force for any family and hence the love and respect for elders comes from (15)  and is not artificial. An (16) takes blessings from his elders by touching their feet. Elders drill and pass on the Indian culture. All people are alike and respecting one another is one’s duty. In foreign countries the relation (17) the boss and the  employee is like a (18) and is purely monetary whereas in Indian culture the relation between the boss and the employee is more like homely relations unlike foreign countries. Helpful nature is another (19) feature in our Indian culture. Right from our early days of childhood we are taught to help one another (20) help and distress, if not in monetary then at least in kind or non-monetary ways, Indian culture tells us to multiply and distribute joy and happiness and share sadness and pain. It tells us that by all this we can develop co-operation and better living amongst ourselves and subsequently make this world a better place to live in . Even though India is a country of various religions and castes our culture tells us just one thing ‘ phirbhidilhaiHindustani”

11.         a) Diverse                              b) averse                                 c) poor

d) reconciliatory                   e) reverse

12.         a) remains                             b) remain                                c) remaining

              d) reverent                             e) reformed              

13.         a) ill-treat                              b) deals in                               c) treats

              d) treated                               e) behave

14.         a) diversive                           b) driven                                 c) devastating

              d) deriving                            e) driving

15.         a) within                                b) surrounding                                    c) proximity

              d) outside                              e) outsourcing

16.         a) individual                          b) illiterate                              c) enriched

              d) elder                                  e) individuals

17.         a) among                               b) with                                                c) between

              d) of                                       e) in

18.         a) master                               b) zamindar                            c) owner

              d) warden                              e) employer

19.         a) strike                                 b) striking                               c) negative

              d) damnable                          e) horrifying

20.         a) for need                             b) needful                               c) in need of

              d) for want of                        e) required

Currently, ICCI Bank is the only bank in India to have (21) NFC cards.  Since the concept is new, RBI has asked banks to (22) to their customers how the technology works, its use as well as risks while issuing contactless, or NFC, cards.

(23) away with the second (24) of authentication could increase risks for both the cardholder and the merchant.  Industry experts believe that in case of a (25) transaction, the liability will fall on the merchant.  He will have to prove that the transaction was made by the cardholder by (26) the customer’s signature on the payment slip.  However, the issuing banks have been (27) by the RBI to set the limit of liability.

The current move doesn’t cover mobile-based NFC payment.  Apple Pay is a mobile payment and digital wallet service using NFC technology—it allows payments using Iphone6, iphone6Plus and Apple Watch-(28) devices.  Startups like iKaaz and ePaisa are (29) about infrastructure developments RBI’s move would bring and hope it to gradually (30) scope for such transactions.

21.    a) launched        b) barraged                 c) cast             d) held             e) discharged

22.    a) perplex           b) mystify                   c) explain        d) describe      e) interpret

23.    a) Going             b) Doing                      c) Moving       d) Running      e) Getting

24.    a) time               b) step                         c) standard      d) layer           e) coating

25.    a) fraudulent      b) crooked                   c) deceptive    d) open            e) sincere

26.    a) lending           b) making                   c) keeping       d) copying       e) providing

27.    a) okayed           b) commissioned        c) authorized   d) enabled       e) entitled

28.    a) compatible     b) consistent               c) congenial    d) congruent   e) proper

29.    a) promising      b) rejecting                 c) denying       d) optimistic   e) realistic

30.    a) shorten           b) enlarge                    c) search         d) increase      e) expand 

            The second 31 of the Oslo peace process, 32 by an agreement signed by PLO chairman Arafat and foreign minister of Israel Shimon Peres on Oct 24 at Taba, begins with the 33 of self rule on the West Bank. The 34 to the terms and references of the agreement have been 35. While its critics have 36 both Arafat and the Israeli Govt of selling 37 their respective national interests, the supporters have called it another historical step towards 38 of the Palestinian State.

            But it is 39 that the constituency of peace can be extended only by generating an economic 40 of peace.

31.       a) term                        b) point           c) match          d) phase          e) game

32.       a) celebrated   b) marked       c) occasioned d) established e) focused

33.       a) incidence    b) event           c) expansion   d) formation   e) comedy

34.       a) remarks       b) comments   c) anticipation            d) reactions     e) passes

35.       a) conflicting b) different     c) true             d) free             e) contagious

36.       a) praised        b) accused       c) maligned     d) instigated    e) declared

37.       a) away           b) off               c) up                d) through       e) out

38.       a) foundation b) laying         c) making        d) discovery    e) unification

39.       a) imperative b) true                         c) assumed      d) mandatory e) necessary

40.       a share             b) reward        c) dividend      d) bonus          e) accompaniment.

            Baldness has long been a 41 subject among those no longer 42 flourishing heads of hair. But being bald is now in 43, according to one image consultant who is 44 claims by psychologists that bald men feel 45 and are less likely to succeed in life than their 46 colleagues. In recent years, some celebrities have gone out of their way to 47their baldness, including Graham Gooch, Elton John and Bruce Forsyth, Others seem quite happy to be bald; in fact, baldness 48 them. Sean Connery, one of Britain’s sexiest men, is a 49example. Lack of hair has no 50 the success of other screen stars such as Bruce Willis and John Malkovich.

41.       a) romantic                 b) controversial                      c) finicky        d) bristly

            e) glaring

42.       a) wearing                   b) brandishing                        c) exposing     d) sporting

            e) shining

43.       a) currency                  b) toto                         c) vogue          d)  practice

            e) detail

44.       a) fighting                   b) cracking                  c) supporting d) disputing

            e) counting

45.       a) macho                     b) comfortable                        c) angry           d) unattractive

            e) hypothetical

46.       a) hairy                       b) feathery                  c) hirsute         d) darker

            e) fairer

47.       a) ignore                     b) underplay               c) cover           d) expose

            e) show

48.       a) splits                       b) becomes                 c) annoys        d) decorates   

e) adorns

49.       a) certain                     b) flimsy                     c) minor          d) prime

            e) clear

50.       a) felt                          b) occupied                 c) established d) antagonised

            e) affected

Tibet, distant and inaccessible, has always been 51 in mystery. 52 by mountains on three sides – the Himalayas to the south, the Karakoram range to the west, and Kunlun and Tangla ranges in the north – visitors 53 recently were not allowed into the country. So when we were told by friends in Kathmandu that we could visit Tibet, we did not 54.

We got our back packs 55 and camped at the Shangrilla hotel at Kathmandu for our Chinese visas for Tibet, now an56 region of China. At 6.00 am on Jun 17, we gathered at the travel agency in Kathmandu. My daughter Meghna and I were 57 of a group of seven. Among our companions, there was a cheerful American of Chinese 58. We were excited and full of 59, 60 with books and maps of Tibet.

51.       a) covered       b) cloaked       c) protected     d) silent                       e) sitting

52.       a) Hidden        b) Flanked       c) Kept                        d) Situated      e) Pursued

53.       a) of                b)upto             c) until                        d) still             e) very

54.       a) think                       b) decide         c) care             d) hesitate       e) agree

55.       a) launched     b) heavy          c) ready           d) first             e) right

56.       a) inaccessible            b) empty         c) autonomous            d) altitudinous            e) oceanic

57.       a) afraid          b) part             c) informed     d) summit       e) team

58.       a) root             b) colour         c) model          d) origin          e) ascent

59.       a) hope                        b) anguish       c) expectation d) revolt          e) laziness

60.       a) guided         b) armed         c) laden           d) troubled      e) abreast

ANSWERS

1. b)  The choices close and clear do not fit the context or the meaning of the passage. Hence the final choice is narrowed down to either setup or finalize. Since the minister is announcing it, it would have already been finalized.   Choice e) is not relevant. Hence the appropriate choice is setup.

2. c) The choice function is inappropriate to the meaning of the passage. The choice summer cannot be chosen, as it would not take so long to commence the project. The choice occasion seems to be vague and does not refer to any particular time, during which the function is held.  Choice e) is not relevant. Hence the appropriate choice is week.

3. a) The choice business is not relevant. The choice area refers to a location or a department and might seem appropriate. The choice arena refers to a place of activity or scene and is not appropriate. Among the other choices area and sector, the best suited answer is sector.  Choice e) is not relevant. Hence the correct choice is sector.

4. c) The choices clearing and closing are not relevant to the structure of the passage. The third choice starting does not go very well with the structure of the sentence.   Choice e) is not relevant. Hence the correct choice is de-bottle necking, which also conveys the meaning of the sentence.

5. d)  The choices sell and buy are not applicable to the context of the passage. The choice allot also is not so close to the passage, as the land will be allotted only by the Government and not the SPV for the project. Choice e) is not relevant.     Hence the correct choice is acquire and this choice also goes well with the meaning of the passage

6. (b)     7.(d)     8.(a)     9.(c)      10.(d)11. (a)    12. (b)    13. (c)    14. (e)   15. (a)

16. (a)    17. (c)    18. (a)    19. (b)    20. (c)    21. (a)    22. (c)    23. (b)    24. (d)    25. (a)  

 26. (e)    27. (c)    28. (a)    29. (d)    30. (e)    31. (d)    32. (b)    33. (c)    34. (d)    35. (a)   

36. (b)    37. (e)    38. (c)     39. (a)    40. (c)    41. (d)    42. (d)    43. (c)    44. (d)    45. (d)   

46.(c)  47. (c)    48. (b)    49. (d)        50. (e)    51. (b)    52. (b)    53. (c)    54. (d)    55. (c)   

56. (c) 57. (b)    58. (d)    59. (c)    60. (b)