Grammar, Usage & Correction - Previous Year CAT/MBA Questions
The best way to prepare for Grammar, Usage & Correction is by going through the previous year Grammar, Usage & Correction cat questions. Here we bring you all previous year Grammar, Usage & Correction cat questions along with detailed solutions.
Click here for previous year questions of other topics.
It would be best if you clear your concepts before you practice previous year Grammar, Usage & Correction cat questions.
Use the following table:
Below given (a) and (b) explain the meaning/synonym of two words from the above table. Identify the correct matching option from the choices given below :
(a) happening suddenly for brief periods of time but not regular or continuous
(b) Impostor; Fraud; Quack
1. (a) — (ii); (b) — (ix)
2. (a) — (v); (b) — (xii)
3. (a) — (x); (b) — (vi)
4. (a) - (xv); (b) — (xiii)
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
"Spasmodic" means occurring or done in brief, irregular bursts. Thus, it matches with (a).
"Charlatan" refers to a person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skill. Thus, it matches with (b).
Hence, the answer is option D.
Workspace:
Match each word in the left hand column with description in the right hand column which best describes its meaning/synonym:
Choose the correct option.
1. (a) - (i); (b) - (iii); (c) - (ii); (d) - (v); (e) - (iv)
2. (a) - (iii); (b) - (i); (c) - (ii); (d) - (iv); (e) - (v)
3. (a) - (ii); (b) - (v); (c) - (iv); (d) - (iii); (e) - (i)
4. (a) - (iv); (b) - (ii); (c) - (v); (d) - (i); (e) - (iii)
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
To "Aggrandize" means to increase the wealth or status of someone. Thus, it matches with (ii).
"Foolhardy" behaviour refers to reckless behaviour. Thus, it matches with (v).
"Obsequious" means being obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree. Thus, it matches with (iv).
"Nonplus" means surprised or confused. Thus, it matches with (iii).
"Propitious" means giving or indicating a good chance of success. Thus, it matches with (i).
Hence, the answer is option C.
Workspace:
Direction: Identify the appropriate meaning for the given root word:
Root word: Put (as in dispute/input)
1. Think
2. Pour
3: Knowledge
4. Contribute
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
To "dispute" means to disagree about someone's ideas/thoughts.
To give your "input" means to express your thoughts.
Thus, the best meaning of the given roots word is "Think"
Hence, the answer is option A.
Workspace:
Direction: Find the most appropriate word from the given options, which best describes the meaning provided in the question.
Meaning: The study of elections
1. Campanology
2. Psephology
3. Paleology
4. Ecclesiology
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
"Psephology" refers to the statistical study of elections and trends in voting.
Hence, the answer is option B.
Workspace:
Direction: Identify the appropriate meaning for the given root word:
Root word: xyl (as in xylophone)
1. Wood
2. Strings
3. Many
4. Input
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The root word comes from the Greek "Xýlon", meaning “wood”.
Hence, the answer is option A.
Workspace:
Use the following table:
Below given (a) and (b) explain the meaning/synonym of two words from the above table. Identify the correct matching option from the choices given below :
(a) Parody; Caricature; Ridicule
(b) Clot; Thicken; Coalesce
1. (a) - (i); (b) - (ii)
2. (a) - (vii); (b) - (i)
3. (a) - (iv); (b) - (viii)
4. (a) - (xii); (b) - (xv)
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
"Burlesque" means an absurd or comically exaggerated imitation of something. Thus, it matches with (a).
"Coagulate" means to clot. Thus, it matches with (b).
Hence, the answer is option B.
Workspace:
Direction: Find the most appropriate word from the given options, which best describes the meaning provided in the question.
Meaning: Cheap or inferior goods
1. Perspicuous
2. Perspicacious
3. Schlock
4. Cornucopia
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
a. Perspicuous: clearly expressed and easily understood.
b. Perspicacious: having a ready insight into and understanding of things.
c. Schlock: cheap or inferior goods or material
d. Cornucopia: an abundant supply
Hence, the answer is option C.
Workspace:
Use the following table:
Complete the crossword using words from the above table. There are more words than required.
Hints:
Across: (a) Strange or ugly in a way that’s not natural
(b) Narrow-minded; Provincial; Insular
Down: (a) Absolute; Genuine; Authentic; Actual
(b) Humorous; Light-hearted; Flippant
(c) a piece of writing or speech praising somebody/something
Choose the correct option :
1. Across : (a) - (i); (b) - (ix);
Down : (a) - (ii); (b) - (xiv); (c) - (vi)
2. Across : (a) - (viii); (b) - (iv);
Down : (a) - (iii); (b) - (xiii); (c) - (xiv)
3. Across : (a) - (viii); (b) - (v);
Down : (a) - (ii); (b) - (xi); (c) - (xiv)
4. Across : (a) - (vii); (b) - (v);
Down : (a) - (x); (b) - (xi); (c) - (xii)
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
Across:
(a) Strange or ugly in a way that’s not natural = Grotesque
(b) Narrow-minded; Provincial; Insular = Parochial
Down:
(a) Absolute; Genuine; Authentic; Actual = Veritable
(b) Humorous; Light-hearted; Flippant = Facetious
(c) a piece of writing or speech praising somebody/something = Panegyric
Hence, the answer is option C.
Workspace:
Direction: Identify the appropriate meaning for the given root word:
Root word: Somn(as in Somniloquy)
1. Multiple
2. More than two
3. Sleep
4. Star
- (a)
1
- (b)
2
- (c)
3
- (d)
4
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The root word "Somn" means "Sleep".
Hence, the answer is option C.
Workspace:
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition.
The peasant refused to grovel ___________ the feet of his master.
- (a)
on
- (b)
by
- (c)
upon
- (d)
at
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The idiom ‘to grovel at one’s feet’ means ‘to humble or abase oneself, as in making apologies or showing respect’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition.
Only the blood-stained road was a witness _____________ his assassination.
- (a)
at
- (b)
on
- (c)
over
- (d)
to
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
One can be a witness to an event or happening. [1], [2] and [3] are grammatically incorrect.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
He failed in spite of his best efforts
- (a)
Adjective phrase
- (b)
Adverb phrase
- (c)
Noun Phrase
- (d)
Adverb clause
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
An adverb clause like an adverb modifies a verb, adjective clause or other adverb clause in a sentence. It modifies (describes) the situation in main clause in terms of “time, frequency (how often), cause and effect, contrast, condition, intensity (to what extent).” In this question the underlined part is answering what happened in spite of his best efforts i.e. ‘he failed’. Hence the underlined part is an adverb phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
How to find the way to the ruins is the question.
- (a)
Adjective phrase
- (b)
Adverb phrase
- (c)
Noun Phrase
- (d)
adverb clause
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
A noun phrase can serve as a subject, direct object, or complement, which always follows a linking verb.The phrase here is acting as an answer to ‘the question’ in the sentence.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
Since you have already decided, who do you ask my opinion?
- (a)
Adjective phrase
- (b)
Adverb phrase
- (c)
Noun Phrase
- (d)
Adverb clause
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
Since they are dependent clauses, they must have a subordinating conjunction to connect them to the other clause. Here,”since” is the subordinating conjunction. Also, Adverb Clause has a subject and a verb in it, which is the case in this question.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
The poor debtor intended to pay back every penny of the money.
- (a)
Adjective phrase
- (b)
Adverb phrase
- (c)
Noun Phrase
- (d)
Adverb clause
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
A noun phrase includes a noun (a person, place, or thing) and the modifiers either before or after which distinguish it. The phrase is modifying the word ‘intended’ to do ‘what’ thereby making it a noun phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Read the sentences below carefully and identify the nature of phrase/clause used in the underlined section of the sentences.
The plan has the virtue of committing us to nothing.
- (a)
Adjective phrase
- (b)
Adverb phrase
- (c)
Noun Phrase
- (d)
Adverb clause
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The phrase modifies virtue which is a noun, making it an adjective phrase.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Insert commas wherever necessary in the following sentences and identify the words sequentially after which commas will be inserted.
In the old Persian stories Turan the land of darkness is opposed to Iran in the land of light.
- (a)
Turan, darkness, Iran
- (b)
stories, Turan, darkness, opposed, Iran
- (c)
stories, Turan, darkness, Iran
- (d)
stories, darkness, opposed
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The correct sentence would be “In the old Persian stories, Turan, the land of darkness, is opposed to Iran, in the land of light.”
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Insert commas wherever necessary in the following sentences and identify the words sequentially after which commas will be inserted.
When he was a boy Franklin who afterward became a distinguished statesman and philosopher learned his trade in the printing office of his brother who published a paper in Boston.
- (a)
boy, Franklin, philosopher, brother
- (b)
boy, Franklin, afterward, philosopher, brother
- (c)
boy, Franklin, afterward, office, paper
- (d)
boy, Franklin, philosopher, paper
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The correct sentence would be “When he was a boy, Franklin, who afterward became a distinguished statesman and philosopher, learned his trade in the printing office of his brother, who published a paper in Boston.”
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Carefully read the statements below:
- Chatterjee loves books; therefore, he reads them all the time.
- Chatterjee loves books. Therefore, he reads them all the time.
- Chatterjee loves books and, therefore, reads them all the time.
Which of the above statement(s) is (are) correct in grammar and meaning?
- (a)
1 only
- (b)
2 only
- (c)
1 and 2 only
- (d)
2 and 3 only
- (e)
1,2 and 3
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
All the sentences are grammatically correct.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
The MBA (1) is hardly a prerequisite for success, but it (2) certainly helps (3), and it has been getting more important (4) in recent years. Most (5) MBA programs equip their graduates to understand how (6) to deal with many of the important questions that their organizations will need to tackle (7) over time, and (8) that they will face in their careers.
The above italicized numbered words will be correctly represented by the following parts of speech:
- (a)
1-Noun, 2-Pronoun, 3-Adverb, 4-Adjective, 5-Adjective, 8-Conjunction
- (b)
1-Noun, 3-Adjective, 4-Adjective, 6-Adverb, 7-Adverb, 8-Article
- (c)
1-Noun, 2-Pronoun, 4-Adjective, 7-Adverb, 8-Conjunction
- (d)
2-Pronoun, 3-Verb, 4-Adverb, 6-Adverb, 8-Article
- (e)
2-Pronoun, 3-Verb, 4-Adjective, 7-Verb, 8-Conjunction
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
The first word “MBA” refers to a course and can be classified as a noun.
The word “it” is a pronoun that refers to MBA.
The third word “helps” refers to an action and can hence be termed as a verb. This eliminates options 1 and 2.
The word “important” acts an adjective that describes the need for an MBA qualification. This eliminates option 4.
The word “how” describes the action of dealing with many of the important organizational and career issues, making it an adverb.
The word “tackle” implies the action of dealing with issues and hence, can be classified as a verb. This eliminates option 3.
“And” is a conjunction that joins two or more clauses. This vindicates option 5.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Which of the following is the correct form of expression for the underlined part of the sentence below?
Patna is not only the capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the oldest cities in the world and the largest city in the state.
- (a)
capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the oldest
- (b)
capital of Bihar, nevertheless also one of the oldest
- (c)
Bihar’s capital city, and it is also one of the older
- (d)
Bihar’s capital city, but it is also one of the older
- (e)
capital of Bihar, but it is also one of the older.
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
Option 2 can be eliminated due to the presence of “nevertheless” which hints towards a contradiction where none exists.
The presence of the definite article “the” before the underlined part eliminates options 3 and 4 which begin with the proper noun “Bihar”.
Option 5 can be eliminated since it uses the comparative form of the adjective “old” rather than the superlative form which ought to be used since Patna is not being compared to any other city.
Therefore, option 1 alone is a grammatically correct.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
For the underlined part of the given sentence, choose the option that is grammatically correct, effective and reduces ambiguity and redundancy.
Many of the workers currently deployed on the assembly line, hope for the exchanging of their routine jobs for new assignments that are interesting.
- (a)
for the exchanging of their routine jobs for new assignments that are interesting
- (b)
for exchanging routine jobs for new assignments that will interest them
- (c)
to exchange their routine jobs for new assignments that will be new and interesting
- (d)
to exchange their routine jobs for new and interesting assignments
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
Options 1 and 2 can be eliminated, since they use the preposition “for”. The workers 'hope to exchange...' would be correct construction.
Option 3 is incorrect, because it contains a redundancy: “...new assignments that will be new...”.
Option 4 is correct, since it contains the correct preposition “to” and has no redundancies.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
For the underlined part of the given sentence, choose the option that is grammatically correct, effective and reduces ambiguity and redundancy.
Saundarya’s Skin Nourishing cream sold 5 lakh packs last quarter, 20% more than their Face Wash did and nearly five times as much as their Anti-Ageing cream sales.
- (a)
their Face Wash did nearly five times as much as their Anti-Ageing cream sales
- (b)
their Face Wash sold nearly five times as much as Anti-Ageing cream sales
- (c)
their Face Wash and nearly five times more than their Anti-Ageing cream
- (d)
their Face Wash did nearly five times what Anti-Ageing cream sales were
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
Option 1 is incorrect, since it has an error in parallelism: “Face Wash did” ends in a verb while “Anti-Ageing cream sales” ends in a noun.
Option 2 is incorrect, since it has an error in parallelism: “Face Wash sold” ends in a verb while “Anti-Ageing cream sales” ends in a noun. Also, it is missing the possessive pronoun “their” before Anti-Ageing cream sales.
Option 3 is correct, since the two parts of the sentence are parallel (both nouns).
Option 4 is incorrect, since it is missing the possessive pronoun “their” before Anti-Ageing cream sales were.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
The first and last parts of the sentence are marked 1 and 6. The rest of the sentence is split into five parts and marked i, ii, iii, iv and v. These five parts are not given in their proper order. From the options given, please choose the most appropriate order to form a coherent, logical and grammatically correct sentence.
1. Having started
i. In less time than it takes
ii. More than half of your capital
iii. With just $5.8 million
iv. You squandered
v. In seed financing
6. To soft boil an egg
- (a)
1, iii, iv, ii, v, i, 6
- (b)
1, iii, v, iv, i, ii, 6
- (c)
1, i, v, iii, iv, ii, 6
- (d)
1, iii, v, iv, ii, i, 6
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
We can immediately eliminate option 3, since sentence fragment i cannot logically follow sentence 1.
Option 1 has the thread iv-ii-v which reads as 'you squandered more than half of your capital in seed financing'. This is illogical, because we do not say that a person “squanders” (meaning to waste in a reckless and foolish manner) money in a business. Eliminate this option.
Option 2 does not contain the crucial link of iv-ii: 'you squandered more than half your capital'. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Option 4 reads as 'Having started with just $5.8 million in seed financing you squandered more than half of your capital in less time than it takes to soft boil an egg'. This is logical.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Select the option which is grammatically correct.
- (a)
I forgot tat they are coming today.
- (b)
I met her more frequently than I meet you.
- (c)
This course is challenging and an inspiration.
- (d)
She is confident to speak English within six month.
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
Statement A is incorrect because of a tense error. The correct sentence should be 'I forgot that they were coming today.'
Statement B is correct. When the subordinate clause starts with the conjunction “than”, any tense can be used in the subordinate clause- even if the principal clause uses the past tense.
Statement C is incorrect because of an error in parallelism. The adjective “challenging” should be balanced with an adjective 'inspiring' or the noun “inspiration” should be balanced with the noun 'challenge'.
Statement D is incorrect because of a prepositional error. The preposition “to” is erroneously used in this sentence. The correct sentence should be 'She is confident of speaking in English within six months' / 'She is confident of being able to speak in English within six months'.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Feedback
Help us build a Free and Comprehensive Preparation portal for various competitive exams by providing us your valuable feedback about Apti4All and how it can be improved.