Previous Years CAT English Section

1.) A. 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. B. 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. C. 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. D. 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. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 3 This is a simple question of parallelism, not that it is ...but that it is. 2.) A. 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. B. 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. C. 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. D. A symbiotic relationship develops among the contractors, bureaucracy and politicians, and by large number of devices costs are artificially escalated and black money is generated by underhand deals. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answers: 2 You generate money through deals, and not by deals or on deals. The two factors escalated costs and black money are lucidly given in (2). 3.) A. 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. B. The distinctive feature of tarriffs 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. C. 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. D. The distinctive feature of tarriffs 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. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 3 We always have to use the conjunction between to compare prices at two levels. 4.) A. 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. B. 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. C. Any action by government to reduce the systemic risk inherent in financial markets will also reduce the risks that private operators perceive and thereby encourages excessive gambling. D. 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. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 2 Reduce and encourage will make a parallel construction. Action is taken by someone, not of someone. 5.) A. The running of large businesses consist of getting somebody to make something that somebody else sold to somebody else for more than its cost. B. The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to make something that somebody else will sell to somebody else for more than it costs. C. The running of a large business consists of getting somebody to sell something that somebody else made for more than it cost.

D. 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. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answers: 2 Running consists has singular subject-verb agreement. Again, more than it costs is the right diction. 6.). A. 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. B. 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. C. 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. D. 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. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 3 B and D have inappropriate temporal references. A is also wrong as products did not lead to the heightened focus. C is the answer as the second and third part of the sentence when put together is complete by itself. 7.) A. We are forced to fall back on fatalism as an explanation of irrational events. B. We are forced to falling back on the fatalism as an explanation of irrational events. C. We are forced to fall back on fatalism as explanations of irrational events. D. We are forced to fall back to fatalism as an explanation of irrational events. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 1 Improper use as in falling back and explanations rule out B and C. Fall back on is the right prepositional phrase and thus A is right. 8.) A. Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable for itself but also as a service to the nation. B. Creativity in any field is not regarded only as valuable on its own, but also as a service to the nation. C. Creativity, in any field, is not only regarded as valuable, but also as a service to the nation. D. Creativity in any field is regarded not only as valuable in itself but also as a service to the nation. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 4 is regarded should go together. Valuable in itself is the right expression. Not only as but also as has parallel construction. 9.) A. If precision of thought had facilitated precision of behaviour, and if reflection had preceded action, it would be ideal for humans. B. It would be ideal for humans if reflection preceded action and precision of thought facilitated precision of behaviour. C. It would be ideal for humans if precedence of reflection was followed by action and precision of thought, by precise behaviour. D. It would have been ideal for humans, if precise action and behaviour preceded precise reflection. 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D Answer: 2 it would be ideal expresses a satisfactory proposition. Reflection should precede action, and thought should facilitate behavior. 10.) 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. Answer: 4 bundle of boy-scouts is incorrect usage. The correct usage is a group of boy-scouts. 11.) Distinct 1 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 Ravis violin could be heard above the general din. 4 Ghosh babus is a distinct case of water rising above its own level.

Answer: 1 He is clear about what is would have been a better expression. The correct usage is clear about certain things. 12.) Implication 1 Everyone appreciated the headmasters implication in raising flood relief in the village. 2 This letter will lead to the implication of several industrialists in the market scam. 3 Several members of the audience missed the implication of the ministers promise. 4 Death, by implication, is the only solution the poem offers the reader. Answer: 1 appreciated the headmasters gesture of raising is the correct expression, implication implies negativity. 13.) Host 1 If you host the party, who will foot the bill? 2 Keralas forests are host to a range of snakes 3 Ranchi will play the host to the next national film festival. 4 A virus has infected the host computer. Answer: 3 Ranchi will play the host to is incorrect. The correct sentence should be Ranchi will host the next national film festival. 14.) Sort 1 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 Lets sort these boys into four groups. Answer: 2 Farmers of all sorts is the correct expression. 15.). Help 1. This syrup will help you cold. 2. I cant help the colour 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. Answer: 1 Its always suggestions look great on paper. 16.) Paper 1. Your suggestions look great on the paper, but are absolutely impractical. 2. Do you know how many trees are killed 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. Answer: 1 It should be serve themselves in stead of service themselves. 17.) Service 1. Customers have to service themselves at this canteen. 2. Its a service lift; dont get into it. 3. Im not making enough even to service the loan. 4. Jyotis husband has been on active service for three months. Answer: 4 The correct phrase is listen to reason and not listen to a reason. 18.) Reason 1. 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 doesnt listen to a reason? Answer: 2 The phrase profitable business should be a profitable business. 19.) Business 1. 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. Answer: 1 The first part talks about how punctuation should be. The second part gives reasons for it. If punctuation makes the reader least conscious then it should be least obtruding.

20.) 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 (1) A (2) D (3) B and C (4) A and C Answer: 3 Sentence B is wrong because efforts bear fruit and not give fruit. Sentence C is incorrect because complimented should have been used, complemented means something that completes, makes up a whole. 21.) 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 Answer: 2 Sentence B is wrong because you dont plead guilty of but plead guilty to a crime. Sentence D is wrong because one gets sentenced to prison. 22.) A. Last Sunday, Archana had nothing to do. B. After waking up, she lay on the bed thinking of what to do. C. At 11 o clock she took shower and got ready. D. She spent most of the day shopping (1) B and C (2) C (3) A and B (4) B, C, and D Answer: 1 Sentence B is incorrect because the correct usage of its last part would be thinking what to do. Sentence C is wrong because the article a should precede shower. 23.) 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. Answer: The correct usage would have been he bolted for the gate. 24.) FALLOUT (1) Nagasaki suffered from the fallout of nuclear radiation. (2) People believed that the political fallout of the scandal would be insigficant. (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. Answer: 4 Fallout does not mean failure. It refers to consequence or argument. 25.) PASSING (1) 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 victims to the hospital. Answer: 2 The usage of passing her is inappropriate, one can simply say passing on the road or passing by . 26.) 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. Answer: 2 Option (2) talks about a near friend. There is nothing like a near friend. It should have been close friend 27.) Hand (1) 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. Answer: 1 It should have been I have my hands full. 28.) For (1) He has a great eye for detail. (2) We are waiting for the day. (3) I cant bear for her to be angry. (4) It couldnt be done for ever. Answer: 3 It should have been I cant bear her being angry. 29.) The cricket council that was [A] / were [B] elected last March is [A] are [B] at sixes and sevens over new rules. The critics censored [A] / censured [B] the new movie because of its social unacceptability. Amits explanation for missing the meeting was credulous [A] I credible [B]. She coughed discreetly [A] / discretely [B] to announce her presence. (1) BBAAA (2) AAABA (3) BBBBA (4) AABBA (5) BBBAA Answer: 4 AABBA Cricket Council is a collective noun so it takes a singular verb. The reference is made to a group as a whole and not to an individual. Censure implies harsh criticism. Censor means to put a ban on something objectionable. Credible means capable of being believed. Credulous means tending to believe without evidence. Discretely means distinct whereas discreetly means to carefully avoid social embarrassment or distress;tactful. 30.) The further [A] / farther [B] he pushed himself, the more disillusioned he grew. For the crowds it was more of a historical [A] / historic [B] event; for their leader, it was just another day. The old man has a healthy distrust [A] / mistrust [B] for all new technology. This film is based on a real [A] I true [B] story. One suspects that the compliment [A] / complement [B] was backhanded. (1) BABAB (2) ABBBA (3) BAABA (4) BBAAB (5) ABABA Answer: 5 ABABA Farther is used specifically for physical distance. Further is not used in the physical context and is used to indicate something of a greater degree or extent. Historical is something pertaining to history while historic is something significant. Distrust means having a sense of fear anticipation of discomfort of danger whereas mistrust is believing that a particular party has a hidden agenda. True means not false or not fictional while real means existing or occurring in the physical world. Compliment means a remark or an act expressing respect or admiration. Complement means a person or thing that completes something 31.) Regrettably [A] / Regretfully [B] I have to decline your invitation. I am drawn to the poetic, sensual [A] / sensuous [B] quality of her paintings. He was besides [A] / beside [B] himself with rage when I told him what I had done. After brushing against a stationary [A] / stationery [B] truck my car turned turtle. As the water began to rise over [A] / above [B] the danger mark, the signs of an imminent flood were clear. (1) BAABA (2) BBBAB (3) AAABA (4) BBAAB (5) BABAB Answer: 2 BBBAB Regretfully would refer to the subject I. Sensual is more related to sense organs (bodily). Sensuous is aesthetically appealing to the senses. Beside oneself means overwhelmed. For example: Beside oneself with grief Stationary means something that is at rest. Stationery means any writing material Over refers to a more symbolic sense whereas above confirms with the idea of crossing the physical mark

32.) A. When I returned to home, I began to read B. everything I could get my hand on about Israel. C. That same year Israels Jewish Agency sent D. a Shaliach a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis. E. I became one of his most active devotees. (1) C & E (2) C only (3) E only (4) B, C & E (5) C, D & E Answer: 1 C and E In (A) to is redundant. In (B) hands on about Israel. In (D) a Shaliach, a sort of recruiter to Minneapolis. 33.) A. So once an economy is actually in a recession, B. the authorities can, in principle, move the economy C. out of slump - assuming hypothetically D. that they know how to - by a temporary stimuli. E. In the longer term, however, such polices have no affect on the overall behaviour of the economy. (1) A, B & E (2) B, C & E (3) C & D (4) E only (5) B only Answer: 5 B only In (A) into should be used in place of in In (C) the article is missing before the word slump In (D) the singular form stimulus should be used in place of stimuli In (E) effect should be used in place of affect 34.) A. It is sometimes told that democratic B. government originated in the city-states C. of ancient Greece. Democratic ideals have been handed to us from that time. D. In truth, however, this is an unhelpful assertion. E. The Greeks gave us the word, hence did not provide us with a model. (1) A, B & D (2) B, C & D (3) B & D (4) B only (5) D only Answer: 3 B and D In (A) said should be used instead of told. In (C) handed down to should be used in place of handed to. In (E) a subject is required after hence. Another way of correcting (E) is to replace hence by but. 35.) A. In 1849, a poor Bavarian imigrant named Levi Strauss B. landed in San Francisco, California, C. at the invitation of his brother-in-law David Stern D. owner of dry goods business. E. This dry goods business would later became known as Levi Strauss & Company. 1.)B only (2) B and C (3) A and B (4) A only (5) A, B and D Answer: 1 Sentence A is incorrect as the spelling of imigrant is not correct , should be immigrant. Sentence D is incorrect because of a missing article and should be the owner of a dry goods .. Sentence E is incorrect and should be .. would later be known as... Sentence C is incorrect. We require a comma between brother-in-law and David Stern. 36.) A. In response to the allegations and condemnation pouring in, B. Nike implemented comprehensive changes in their labour policy. C. Perhaps. sensing the rising tide of global labour concerns, D. from the public would become a prominent media issue, E. Nike sought to be a industry leader in employee relations. (1) D and E (2) D only (3) A and E (4) A and D (5) B, C and E Answer: 4 Sentence B should be.its labour policy because the subject is Nike and we cant substitute it with the plural pronoun their. Sentence C should be Perhaps sensing that the rising tide as without that the sentence structure is incomplete. Sentence E should be .an industry.. as the word industry begins with a vowel so the appropriate article is an. 37.) A. Charges and countercharges mean nothing B. to the few million who have lost their home.

C. The nightmare is far from over, for the government D. is still unable to reach hundreds who are marooned. E. The death count have just begun. (1) A only (2) C only (3) A and C (4) A, C and D

(5) D only

Answer: 3 Sentence B should be few millions. Sentence D should be reach the hundreds who are marooned.. Sentence E is incorrect as per subject verb agreement and should be death count has begun. 38.) A. I did not know what to make of you. B. Because youd lived in India, I associate you more with my parents than with me. C. And yet you were unlike my cousins in Calcutta, who seem so innocent and obedient when I visited them. D. You were not curious about me in the least. E. Although you did make effort to meet me. (1) A only (2) A and B (3) A and E (4) D only (5) A and D Answer: 1 Sentence B has tense inconsistency, it should be I associated you. Sentence C has a similar error and should be .who seemed. Sentence D has an error of modifier placement and should be not in the least curious.. Sentence E has a missing article, should beyou did make an effort. 39.) Anita wore a beautiful broach (A)/brooch (B) on the lapel of her jacket. If you want to complain about the amenities in your neighbourhood, please meet your councillor(A)/counsellor(B). I would like your advice(A)/advise(B) on which job I should choose. The last scene provided a climactic(A)/climatic(B) ending to the film. Jeans that flair(A)/flare(B) at the bottom are in fashion these days. (1) BABAA (2) BABAB (3) BAAAB (4) ABABA (5) BAABA Answer: 3 In option (1) Anita wore a brooch is the correct option. As broach means to mention and suggest for the first time. While brooch means a clasp or an ornament. In the second sentence one has to meet a councillor to complain about neighbourhood amenities as a councillor draws from the word council - which is responsible for keeping the county in order. A counsellor is one who helps you take an informed decision about one or more of your concerns, therefore councillor is the right option here. In the third sentence advice has to take the noun form and not the verb form, therefore advice is the right option. When Mr. Raymond advises people, he gives them advice. Climactic refers to climax, while climatic to weather conditions, therefore climactic is the right option. Flair refers to a natural talent; it is commonplace to say that one has a flair for writing. Flare means to spread gradually outward, as the end of a trumpet, the bottom of a wide skirt, or the sides of a ship. Therefore, BAAAB (3) is the right option. 40.) The cake had lots of currents(A)/currants(B) and nuts in it. If you engage in such exceptional(A)/exceptionable(B) behaviour, I will be forced to punish you. He has the same capacity as an adult to consent(A)/assent(B) to surgical treatment. The minister is obliged (A)/compelled(B) to report regularly to a parliamentary board. His analysis of the situation is far too sanguine(A)/genuine(B). (1) BBABA (2) BBAAA (3) BBBBA (4) ABBAB (5) BABAB Answer: 2 Currents refer to prevailing or flowing, while currants are deciduous shrubs; therefore B is the right option. In the second sentence, exceptional means unusual or extraordinary. While, exceptionable means objectionable. Assent means to concur to or subscribe to. While consent means to agree, comply or yield. In the third sentence obliged refers to bind morally or legally, as by a promise or contract. While, compelled refers to being forced. Therefore, A is the correct option. Sanguine refers to being cheerfully optimistic, far too in the sentence provides the cue to choose option A. While genuine refers to authenticity and is usually not used with far too. Therefore BBAAA (2) is the right option. 41) She managed to bite back the ironic(A)/caustic(B) retort on the tip of her tongue. He gave an impassioned and valid(A)/cogent(B) plea for judicial reform. I am not adverse(A)/averse(B) to helping out. The coup(A)/coup(B) broke away as the train climbed the hill. They heard the bells peeling(A)/pealing(B) far and wide. (1) BBABA (2) BBBAB (3) BAABB (4) ABBAA (5) BBBBA

Answer: 2 Caustic refers to severely critical or sarcastic, while ironic draws from irony which refers to the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Therefore B is the correct option.Cogent refers to clear, or an incisive presentation.While valid refers to being sound. And, being impassionate usually does not necessitate being valid. Averse means having a strong feeling of opposition, or antipathy. While adverse refers to something being unfavourable. Therefore B is the correct option. Coup is a clever action or accomplishment. A coup is the end compartment in a European railroad car. Therefore, A is the correct option. Peal refers to a ringing of a set of bells, especially a change or set of changes rung on bells. While, peel refers to that which is peeled from something, as a piece of the skin or rind of a fruit. Therefore, B is the right option. Therefore, BBBAB (2) is the right option. 42.) We were not successful in defusing(A)/diffusing(B) the Gurus ideas. The students baited(A)/bated(B) the instructor with irrelevant questions. The hoard(A)/horde(B) rushed into the campus. The prisoners interment(A)/interment(B) came to an end with his early release. The hockey team could not deal with his unsociable(A)/unsocial(B) tendencies. (1) BABBA (2) BBABB (3) BABAA (4) ABBAB (5) AABBA Answer: 1 Defusing means to remove the fuse from a bomb, mine etc. Diffuse means to spread or scatter widely or disseminate. Therefore B is the right option. Baited means to entice, especially by trickery or strategy. While, bated means to lessen or diminish; abate. Therefore, A is the right option. In sentence three hoard refers to a supply or accumulation that is hidden or carefully guarded for preservation. While, horde refers to a large group, mass or crowd. Therefore B is the correct option. In sentence four interment refers to burial, while internment refers to restrict to or confine within prescribed limits. Therefore B is the correct option. In sentence five unsociable refers to showing, or marked by a disinclination to friendly social relations; withdrawn and unsocial comes close in meaning to unsociable and is used more specifically when talking about predispositions or tendencies. Therefore, your answer choice should have corresponded with the options in the previous sentences treating these two words as synonyms. Therefore BABBA (1) is the correct answer.