Practice English tests for UPSC, MBA and Bank Exams

Verbal Ability Test 1

In the following questions sentences are given with blanks to be filled in with an appropriate word. Four alternatives are suggested for each question. Choose the best alternative.

1. Boswell’s Life of Samuel Johnson is considered to be the greatest ------------------ ever written.

a) novel
b) autobiography
c) biography
d) fiction

2. A light rain ---------------- to the humidity.

a) supplemented
b) added
c) increased
d) complemented

3. It is his ------------------ nature which made him continue where many a lesser mortal would have given up.

a) divine
b) good
c) unfortunate
d) stubborn

4. The suspect was taken to the court but the ------------------ revealed nothing.

a) questions
b) inquiry
c) interrogation
d) probe

5. Raj made blasphemous statements on the religious leaders and was ----------------.

a) excommunicated
b) applauded
c) praised
d) criticized

6. He is so ----------------- to light that he never leaves the house without sun glasses.

a) sensitive
b) fond
c) afraid
d) insensitive

7. Her spectacles simply would not rest on the -------------------- of her nose.

a) arch
b) tip
c) bridge
d) top

8. Alice pulled a ------------------- face when she was told that she could not go to the cinema.

a) round
b) long
c) short
d) big

9. His films are a class -------------------- themselves.

a) in
b) by
c) for
d) among

10. He ------------------- through the nose for his inability to take prompt action.

a) said
b) paid
c) saw
d) got

11. John had ------------------ such heavy debts that nothing short of a miracle could save him from bankruptcy.

a) caused
b) earned
c) incurred
d) accumulated

12. The tyrant ----------------- everyone whom he regarded as a rival.

a) killed
b) exterminated
c) massacred
d) slaughtered

13. The accused protested that his hands were ----------------

a) washed
b) filthy
c) clean
d) injured

14. I don’t think it is wise to ----------------- the judiciary with more powers.

a) arm
b) give
c) expand
d) enhance

15. In his address to the teachers, the Vice Chancellor ---------------- certain measures being taken to improve the quality of higher education.

a) demanded
b) directed
c) highlighted
d) advised

16. The armed forces swung into action and soon cordoned -------------- the entire area.

a) out
b) over
c) of
d) off

17. It was a bumpy journey ----------------- we all slept soundly.

a) because
b) since
c) hence
d) yet

18. The lights went out and the whole city ----------------- into darkness.

a) spread
b) plunged
c) merged
d) deep

19. The eminent lawyer ------------------- his success to his father’s guidance.

a) contributes
b) accounts
c) attributes
d) counts on

20. No doubt he has achieved much, but I cannot give him credit for all that he boasts -------------.

a) of
b) for
c) to
d) with

21. Engineers have not yet been able to successfully ---------------- the power of sunlight for the production of electricity.

a) control
b) harness
c) generate
d) regulate

22. The series of violent incidents have succeeded in --------------------- the attention of authorities.

a) taking
b) inviting
c) dividing
d) drawing

23. What we need to ------------- is an export oriented economic structure.

a) prepare
b) develop
c) achieve
d) attain

24. He is hell bent ----------------- making trouble.

a) of
b) on
c) at
d) in

25. What matters most in extremely ------------------ situations like this is the ability to make speedy decisions.

a) hard
b) unlikely
c) complex
d) impossible

Answers