Solved Past Papers of English Composition

1971
Use the following words in at least two senses, either as a verb or as a
noun, or as an adjective or as both:

1. Clear

As a Verb: please clear your table.

As an adjective: his hand writing is very clear.

2. Face

Verb: we should face the difficulties with courage.

Adjective: he has a round face.

3. Energy

Noun: You should use energy for right cause.

Adjective: you should use energy drink to improve your health.

4. Value

Verb: we value your contribution to our organization.

Noun: What is the true value of this company's shares.

5. Build

Verb: Taj MAhal was built by Shah Jahan.

Noun: he has a strong build.

1973
Each of the following words has more than one meaning. Choose any
five of them and by using them in at least two sentences each
indicates what these different meanings are:

1. Report

This news report is baseless.

India reportedly supplied arms to the terrorists.

2. Ruler

King Arthur was a just ruler.

You should use the ruler to draw the line.

3. Point

Khalar kahar is a famous picnic point.

The teacher pointed out the errors in his essay

Do not waste my time and get to the point.

4. Wear

He wears neat and clean clothes.

The boys were tired and worn out after a long walk.

5. Glasses

He wears black glasses.

Please arrange the plates and glasses on the table.

6. Vessel

This vessel is filled with liquid.

7. Stage

He is a very good stage actor.

Pakistan is passing through a critical stage.

8. Spirit
 He used spirit to clean the wound.

They played the game in its true spirit.

1980
Write brief definitions of the following ten words:

• Munificent:

A very generous person

• Rapacious:

Excessively grasping; plundering

• Jeopardize:

Endanger, imperil, put at risk

• Fatuous:

Foolish, inane

• Edify:

Instruct, correct morally

• Esoteric:

Hard to understand, known only to the chosen few

• Impasse:

Predicament, from which there is no escape

• Incongruous:

Lacking harmony, absurdity

• Docile:

Obedient, easily managed

• Repercussions:
 Reaction; reverberation

Correct the spelling of the following ten words:

• Occurance: occurrence
• Esctacy: ecstasy
• Drunkeness: drunkenness
• Irrisistible: Irresistible
• Supercede: supersede
• Embarrasing: embarrassing
• Dissapoint: disappoint
• Occasional: occasional
• Indespensible: indispensable
• Preservance: perseverance

1983

Check and write the word or phrase you believe is nearest to the
meaning of any ten of the following words:

• Moratorium: a) large tomb. b) Waiting period. c) security for

debt. d) funeral house

• Prolific: a) skilful. b) Fruitful. c) wordy. d) spread out.

• Bi-partisan: a) narrow
minded. b) progressive. c) Representing two parties. d) divided.

• Unequivocal:
a) careless. b) Unmistakable. c) variable. d) uncomparable.

• Covenant: a) prayer. b) debate. c) garden. d) Agreement.

• Tentative: a) expedient. b) nominal. c) provisional.

• Demographic: relating the study of:

 o Government
o Demons
o Communications
o Population

• Sonar: apparatus to:

o Detect something in the air
o Locate objects under water
o Measure rain
o Anticipate earthquake

• Progeny: a) a genius. b) Offspring. c) ancestors. d) growth.

• Empirical: a) relay on theory. b) Based on

experience. c) having vision of power. d) disdainful.

• Polarize: a) chill. b) To separate into opposing

extremes. c) slant. d) cause to be freely movable.

• Apolitical: a) conservative. b) rude. c) Non-political. d) radical.

• Plenary: a) timely. b) combined. c) florid. d) Full.

• Entourage:
a) decorators. b) Tourist. c) attendant. d) adversaries.

• Diagnosis: a) identification of an illness. b) prophecy. c) plan.

d) likeness

• Nucleus: a) core. b) outer part. c) inedible nut. d) quality.

Complete the following:

Much ado about a thing

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel

To put the horse before the cart

Birds of the same weather flock together

A stitch in time saves nine

Barking dog seldom bites

Sweet are the uses of adversities

Eternal vigilance is the pride of liberty

A burnt child dreads the fire

One man's poison is another man's meat and drink

1985
Use any five of the following phrases in your own sentences so as to
make their meaning clear:

• Ab initio:

This order has no legal bases. Therefore it is void ab initio

• Bona fides:

After the court's decision his name was entered in the college rolls and he
became a bona fide student of the institution.

• En bloc: all together

When the teacher beat a student all the boys left the class in a protest en
bloc.

• Ex parte: to give decision without listening to other party

No one appeared for the respondents. The Magistrate had no option but to
decide the case ex parte.

• Sine die: Without fixing any future date

 They did not fix any future date and postpone the marriage sine die.

• Status quo: same conditions, atmosphere etc

The King was against any reforms. He preferred status quo.

• Ad valorum: on the basis of value

The customs duty is charged ad valorum. Therefore, the value and not the
quantity is relevant for the calculation of duty.

• Alter ego: a second self

The hero of this story is a second self of the author. He uses alter ego to
describe his own life.

Describe the meaning of any five of the following foreign phrases:

• Prima facie:

Because he was caught running from the crime scene the police believed
him to be guilty prima facie.

• Ex post facto: after an incident or act

The owner instructed the manager to manage business in the absence. He

promised to give ex post facto approval oh his actions, when he eturned.

• Fait accompli: written by God

When the Germans were defeated they were mercilessly persecuted. They
considered that persecution a fait accompli.

• Vis-à-vis:

• Modus operandi: mode of operation

The thief used to dress as a gentleman and deceived people. This modus
operandi helped him rob more than fifty people.

• Aide memoire: document serving as an aide to memory

The Secretary General of United Nations has been asked to prepare an

aide memoire of the proceedings of Security Council.

• Laissez faire: a doctrine opposing Government interference in

economic affairs beyond the minimum necessary for the maintenance
of peace and property right.
 • Au revoir: good bye till we meet agian

Complete any five of the following sentences supplying the missing

word or phrase in each:

• He wondered __how__ he has lost his money.

• Her father knew that she __would not__ disobey him.
• When Ahmed saw me coming he _ran away__.
• Don’t imagine you can get away ___with it__.
• He puts up __for____ almost anything.
• I have applied __for___ a new job.
• Her parents strongly object __to_ travelling alone.
• As soon as the plane had refueled ___it took off___.
• ___If___ you take this medicine you will feel better.
• A car with a good engine can go _faster__.

Given below are a number of key words. Select any five and indicate the
word or phrase you believe is nearest in meaning to the key word:

• Foible: a) witty report b) petty lie c) personal weakness

• Premise: a) assumption b) outline c) commitment

• Sacrosanct: a) peaceful b) sacred c) mundane d) painful

• Calumny: a) misfortune b) praise c) quietness d) slander

• Viable: a) credible b) questionable c) workable d) vital

• Decorum: a) style of decoration b) innocence c) social

conformity d) modesty

• Touchstone: a) goal post b) worry bead c) magic

jewel d) standard or criterion
 • Sheepish:
a) embarrassed b) confirming c) cowardly d) unfortunate

Given below are a number of key words. Select any three and indicate
the word or phrase you believe is nearest in meaning to the key word:

• Domesticate: a) to turn native b) be exclusive c) cut

claws d) tame

• Antics: a) expectation b) temper c) string games d) absurd

behavior

• Recapitulate: a) to surrender b) be
indecisive c) summarise d) retract

• Hypothetical: a) philosophical b) truce c) assumed d) volatile

• Data: a) ideas b) belief c) point of origin d) information

• Era: a) disaster b) cycle c) period of history d) curious event

• Trait: a) a narrow enclosure b) strong point c) distinguishing

feature d) footprint

For each of the phrases at the left, write in your answer book the word
closest in meaning to the phrase from the four words given on the right

• Clear away: a) clean b) empty c) remove d) finish

• Break down: a) collapse b) enter c) cut off d) begin

• Keep up: a) restrain b) control c) continue d) arrive

 • Turn out: a) refuse b) start c) produce d) arrive

• See over: a) examine b) repair c) discover d) enquire

Given below are a number of key words. Select any five and indicate the
word you believe is nearest in meaning to the key word:

• Perturb: a) to upset b) to cause doubt c) to burden d) to test

• Wry: a) twisted b) sad c) witty d) suffering

• Ferret: a) to search b) to trap c) to hide d) to flee

• Pallid: a) weak b) pale c) dull d) scared

• Intrepid: a) fearless b) cowardly c) dull d) fool hardy

• Reprisal: a) surprise b) award c) revision d) retaliation

• Viable: a) wavering b) divided c) capable of living d) fading

• Resurgent: a) revolutionary b) fertile c) rising again d) fading

Indicate the meaning of any five of the following:

• Brag: Boast excessively

• Antiquarian: pertaining to antiquaries such as antiquarian

literature
 • Input: to contribute

• Prodigal: expending money, spendthrift

• Bibliophile: lover of book

• Nostalgia: home sickness, longing

• Output: out come, result

• Feedback:

• Agrarian: pertaining to land or its cultivation

1997
Re arrange the following in pairs of synonyms:

• Garrulous talk active

• Near Imminent

• Obstruct Impede

• Egoistic Selfish

• Wealthy Affluent

• Filch Steal
 • Assess Estimate

• Tempting Enticing

• Ponder Meditate

• Augment Increase

2004
Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters:

• Archipelago: a) reef b) glacier c) cluster of islands d) lagoon

• Piazza: a) cheese dish b) veranda c) public square d) style or

dash

• Baklava: a) stringed instrument b) dessert c) whirling

dance d) gratuity

• Ionic: a) Indian stone monument b) Greek

architecture c) roman sculpture d) Mediterranean sea

• Cicerone: a) teacher b) literary classic c) chaperone d) guide

Pick the one most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word:

Desiccate: a) lengthen b) hallow c) exonerate d) saturate e) anesthetize

 2. Apotheosis: a) departure from tradition b) impatience with
stupidity c) demotion from glory d) surrender to impulse e) cause to grief

3. Spunk: a) success b) timidity c) growing awareness d) loss or

prestige e) lack of intelligence

4. Cavil: a) discern b) disclose c) introduce d) flatter e) commend

5. Raucous:
a) orderly b) absorbent c) buoyant d) mellifluous e) contentious

2005
Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters:

• Anathema: a) curse b) cure c) anemia d) asthma

• Torpor: a) fever b) lethargy c) taciturn d) torrid

• Touchstone: a) criterion b) gold c) character d) characteristics

• Sequester a) eliminate b) finalize c) sedate d) isolate

• Dénouement:
a) denunciation b) dormancy c) termination d) explanation

Pick the most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word:

• Deleterious: a) nourishing b) injurious c) vital d) fatal

• Valedictory: a) farewell b) final c) hopeful d) parting

• Sedentary: a) afraid b) loyal c) active d) torpid

 • Turbid: a) muddy b) clear c) invariable d) improbable

• Phlegmatic: a) dull b) active c) lymphatic d) frigid

2006
Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters:

• Finicky: a) unstable b) troubled c) fussy d) unpleasant

• Samizdat: a) underground press b) secret police c) twirling

jig d) large metal tea urn

• Veld: a) arctic wasteland b) European plains c) southern

African grassland d) deep valley

4. Cajun: a) French-canadian descendant b) American Indian c) native of

the everglades d) early inhabitant of the bahama islands

5. Loggia: a) pathway b) marsh c) gallery d) carriage

Pick the most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word:

• Captious: a) tolerant b) capable c) winning d) recollected

• Penchant: a) dislike b) attitude c) imminence d) distance

• Putative:
a) powerful b) colonial c) undisputed d) unremarkable

• Facsimile: a) imitation b) model c) mutation d) pattern

• Larceny:
a) appropriation b) peculation c) purloining d) indemnification
2007
Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters (Do only five). Extra attempt of any part of the question will not be
considered:

• Lacunae: a) tiny marine life b) shallow water c) local

dialect d) missing parts

• Paroxysm: a) moral lesson b) sudden

outburst c) contradiction d) pallid imitation

• Grotto: a) statue b) cavern c) neighborhood d) type of moth

• Fetter: a) rot b) to restrain c) make better d) enable to fly

• Stoicism: a) indifference b) boldness c) deep

affection d) patient endurance

• Succulent: a) edible b) parched c) generous d) mature

• Malediction:
a) compliment b) summary c) perfume d) awkwardness

Pick the most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word:

• Twine: a) straighten b) continue c) unravel d) detach

• Frugal: a) prodigal b) intemperate c) extravagant d) profuse

• Gawky: a) neat b) handy c) graceful d) handsome

 • Capricious: a) firm b) decided c) inflexible d) constant

• Congeal: a) liquefy b) mollify c) harden d) solidify

2009
Choose the word that is nearly similar in meaning to the word in capital
letters. (Do only five). Extra attempt of any part of the question will not
be considered:

• Obscure: a) unclear b) doubtful

• Amiable: a) obnoxious b) affable

• Hoodwink: a) delude b) avoid

• Guileful: a) honourable b) disingenuous

• Obsession: a) fixed ideas b) delusion

• Radical: a) innate b) moderate

• Presumptive: a) credible b) timid

Pick the most nearly opposite in meaning to the capitalized word:

• Presentable: a) unable b) scruffy c) suitable d) personable

• Salvation: a) escape b) starvation c) doom d) rescue

• Plain: a) clean b) distinct c) ambiguous d) frugal

 • Odious: a) porus b) charming c) horrid d) offensive

• Inflame: a) calm b) anger c ) excite d) kindle

Pair of Word
Repeated
Years
complement, compliment
6
1976, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1993,2008
ingenious, ingenuous
6
1972, 1975, 1977, 1985, 1991, 2006
persecute, prosecute
5
1982, 2001, 2006, 2008, 2009
virtual, virtuous
4
1975, 1982, 1989, 2008
allusion, illusion
3
1979, 1981, 1983
apposite, opposite
3
1977, 1981, 2005
collision, collusion
3
1979, 1989, 2001
complacent, complaisant
3
1976, 1977, 2001
emigrant, immigrant
3
1985, 1987, 2006
facilitate, felicitate
3
1986, 1989, 1991
fain, feign
3
2001, 2004, 2006
judicial, judicious
3
1977, 1985, 2005
veracity, voracity
3
1982, 2006, 2008
appraise, apprise
2
1981, 1996
ascent, assent
2
1987, 1992
bare, bear
2
1977, 1978
canvas, canvass
2
1981, 2005
conscious, conscientious
2
1989, 1991
considerable, considerate
2
1975, 1988
continual, continuous
2
1981, 1987
council, counsel
2
1980, 2005
custom, habit
2
1987, 1988
deference, difference
2
1985, 1989
differ, defer
2
1988, 1993
disease, decease
2
1977, 1991
exceptional, exceptionable
2
1982, 2008
excite, incite
2
1981, 2008
hoard, horde
2
2003, 2009
humiliation, humility
2
1978, 1989
mitigate, alleviate
2
1982, 2008
momentary, momentous
2
1975, 1992
popular, populace
2
1982, 2008
precede, proceed
2
1983, 1986
prescribe, proscribe
2
1987, 2001
queue, cue
2
1993, 2000
temporal, temporary
2
1978, 2007
wreck, wreak
2
1989, 2006
access, excess
1
accident, incident
1
acculturate, acclimitise
1
adapt, adopt
1
addict, edict
1
adjourn, postpone
1
affection, affectation
1
affluence, effluence
1
all, awl
1
allusive, elusive
1
altar, alter
1
altogether, all together
1
ambiguous, ambivalent
1
amiable, amicable
1
amoral, immoral
1
antic, antique
1
ardour, odour
1
artist, artisan
1
artist, artiste
1
ascent, accent
1
aspire, expire
1
atheist, agnostic
1
auger, augur
1
avenge, revenge
 1
aviary, apiary
1
bad, badly
1
ballot, ballet
1
banned, band
1
barbarism, barbarity
1
barred, bard
1
below, beneath
1
berth, birth
1
beside, besides
1
boy, buoy
1
briefing, debriefing
1
brooch, broach
1
cannon, ???
1
cannon, canon
1
career, carrier
1
caret, carat
1
cast, caste
1
casual, causal
1
cease, seize
1
cession, session
1
choice, preference
1
choral, coral
1
cite, site
1
compare, contrast
1
conduct, character
1
confidant, confidante
1
confident, confidant
1
conquer, concur
1
conscious, conscience
1
consciousness, conscientiousness
1
conspiracy, plot
1
contemptible, contemptuous
1
corporal, corporeal
1
corps, corpse
1
decay, spoil
1
deduce, imply
1
deface, efface
1
degrade, denigrate
1
demense, mean
1
deprecate, depreciate
1
diary, dairy
1
differ from, differ with
1
disclosure, exposure
1
discrete, discreet
1
distinct, distinctive
1
dual, duel
1
due, dew
1
eligible, illegible
1
emigrate, immigrate
1
eminent, imminent
1
eminent, prominent
1
enviable, envious
1
envy, jealousy
1
epoch, epic
1
euphemistic, euphuistic
1
expedient, expeditious
1
fair, fare
 1
fallow, fellow
1
fantastic, fanatical
1
farther, further
1
feet, feat
1
flatter, flutter
1
functional, dysfunctional
1
gate, gait
1
ghostly, ghastly
1
grateful, gratified
1
hew, hue
1
honourable, honorary
1
ignore, neglect
1
illusion, delusion
1
imaginary, imaginative
1
imperial, imperious
1
invade, attack
1
jewry, jury
1
knead, need
1
ladylike, ladyship
1
layout, outlay
1
libel, liable
1
loath, loathe
1
loose, lose
1
luxuriant, luxurious
1
male, mail
1
mean, mien
1
moat, mote
1
naughty, knotty
1
negligent, negligible
1
observation, observance
1
occulude, occult
1
official, officious
1
opinion, judgement
1
outbreak, breakout
1
par, at a par
1
peculiar, particular
1
placable, placeable
1
politician, statesman
1
portly, comely
1
pour, pore
1
practical, practicable
1
precipitate, precipitous
1
premier, premiere
1
president, precedent
1
punctual, punctilious
1
quarts, quartz
1
raze, raise
1
resources, recourse
1
respectfully, respectively
1
restive, restless
1
revel, reveal
1
revolt, mutiny
1
right, rite
1
rightful, righteous
1
rigorous, vigorus
1
route, rout
1
salutary, salubrious
 1
setup, set upon
1
shall, will
1
simulation, dissimulation
1
sink, drown
1
state, government
1
superficial, superfluous
1
table, brand
1
trifling, trivial
1
uninterested, disinterested
1
urban, urbane
1
veil, vale
1
venal, venial
1
verbal, verbose
1
voke, yolk
1
wave, waive
1
weather, wether
1
whether, weather
1
wreck, reak
1
wretch, retch
1
yew, eue
1