Fill in the blanks - Previous Year CAT/MBA Questions
You can practice all previous year OMET questions from the topic Fill in the blanks. This will help you understand the type of questions asked in OMET. It would be best if you clear your concepts before you practice previous year OMET questions.
Carefully read the paragraph below:
A map is a useful metaphor for our brain when talking about _______ because at its most basic level our brain __________to be our atlas of sorts, a system of routes _______to navigate us toward just one destination: staying alive!
From the options below, choose the set that MOST appropriately fills up the blanks.
- A.
Perception, evolved, designed
- B.
Understanding, progressed, shaped
- C.
Connections, changed, molded
- D.
Design, developed, shaped
- E.
Comprehension, metamorphosed, designed
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
The first blank needs a word that means "the way it is understood" so from the options it can be either perception, understanding or comprehension. In the second blank, the word we require is one that means develop, but as it concerns the human brain, it will make more sense to use the word evolve (gradually develop).
Hence, option 1.
Workspace:
Carefully read the paragraph below:
__________, medicine has been operated by trial and error, in other words, __________. We know by now that there can be entirely_________ connections between symptoms and treatment, and some medications succeed in medical trials for mere random reasons.
From the options below, choose the one that MOST appropriately fills up the blanks.
- A.
Formerly, randomly, accidental
- B.
Traditionally, analytically, casual
- C.
Initially, statistically, unexpected
- D.
Periodically, logically, arbitrary
- E.
Historically, arbitrarily, fortuitous
Answer: Option E
Explanation :
The first blank requires a word that refers to the events of the past; the best-suited word is "historically".
In the second blank, we need a word that goes with the idea of random choices; here, both "random" and "arbitrarily" are well suited.
The third blank requires a word that means by chance or luck, "fortuitous" is the best fit here.
Hence, option 5.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the options.
In _______________ of international matters, there is always an element of risk in _______________ one might do.
- A.
case; whatever
- B.
spite; whatever
- C.
many; doing
- D.
spite; whichever
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
“In spite of” does not make any sense in the given sentence. Eliminate [2] and [4]. In the second blank ‘whatever’ fits correctly.
Hence, the correct answer is option1.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the options.
Sunita’s ______________ in athletics yielded rich ___________________ as she got a scholarship.
- A.
performance; money
- B.
excellence; dividends
- C.
won; appreciation
- D.
failure; appointment
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
[3] and [4] are grammatically incorrect. The first word of both [1] and [2] can fit in the first blank.
However, only ‘dividends’ can fit in the second blank.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
In 1942, the French writer Albert Camus composed an essay, ‘The Myth of Sisyphus’. It draws on the Greek fable of a man condemned to roll a rock up a mountain only to have it roll back down under its own weight, a ______ that lasts for eternity. Camus argues that this image ______ the human condition in a world where we can no longer make sense of events; but instead of committing suicide, we should ______ ourselves to this ‘elusive feeling of absurdity’ and bear it as best we can. In this sense, Sisyphus is the ideal hero.
Consider the following words:
- surrender
- choice
- symbolises
- quandary
- attune
- option
- reconcile
- depicts
Which of the following options is the most appropriate sequence that best fits the blanks in the above paragraph?
- A.
4, 2, 6
- B.
4, 3, 7
- C.
2, 3, 1
- D.
4, 5, 1
- E.
2, 5, 7
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
As per the paragraph, even though the rock rolls back down the mountain under its own weight, Sisyphus is condemned to roll it back up. Thus only ‘quandary’ which means ‘a circumstance that presents problems difficult to solve’ or ‘dilemma’ correctly fits the first blank. Camus is comparing this image of the rolling stone with that of the human condition in this world – so it’s like a metaphor. Thus ‘symbolises’ which means ‘represent in the manner of symbol’ correctly fits the second blank. ‘Depicts’ which means ‘represents by drawing, sculpture, painting, etc.’ is incorrect in the second blank. Camus further maintains that we should accept this feeling of absurdity and continue to live in the best way we can. Thus ‘reconcile’ which means ‘to accept or be resigned to something not desired’ correctly fits the third blank. Thus the correct sequence is – 4, 3, 7.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
From the given pair of words select the most appropriate pair that fills the gaps and makes the sentence more meaningful.
Despite being the …………….partner in the relationship, the franchiser does not always have all the ………….
- A.
Sincere……………limitations
- B.
authoritative……………legalities
- C.
dominant……………advantages
- D.
active……………losses
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The word ‘despite’ is the key to solving this question correctly. In this case, it means that though the franchiser does the work, he does not get his dues. Thus option 1 is incorrect as it says that the franchiser does not have all the limitation though ‘sincere’ fits the first blank. Negate it. Option 2 contradicts itself as if the franchiser has the ‘authority’ he will also have the ‘legalities’ to go along with it. Thus option 2 can also be negated. Option 3 correctly fits both the blanks contextually. Retain it. Option 4 again changes the meaning of the sentence. Negate it.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
With large classes, it is difficult for teachers to ………..regular essay type questions for homework because……….long answers would take too much time.
- A.
consider……….writing
- B.
revalue……….concise
- C.
pursue………..feeling
- D.
handle…………weighing
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Since the teacher is giving essays as homework, she does have to write it. Negate option 1. ‘Concise’ means ‘in a few words’. Thus ‘concise long answer’ is contextually incorrect. Negate option 2. Since teachers cannot ‘feel’ long answers, option 3 is also negated. Only option 4 correctly fits the blanks contextually.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
‘Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrel’, says Johnson. In the modern world where the cunning selfish people……………and the hard working, conscientious people……………. The quotation holds good.
- A.
dominate…………suppress
- B.
thrive…………………suffer
- C.
enjoy………………….mutilate
- D.
empower…………..subjected
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
As per the given sentence, in the modern world, cunning and selfish people enjoy all the benefits by displaying ‘false’ patriotism while ‘conscientious’ people are unable to do so due to which they are left behind. Though option 1 looks correct, we need to use ‘are suppressed’ to make the sentence grammatically correct. Negate it. Option 2 correctly fits both the blanks. Retain it. ‘Mutilate’ means ‘injure’ by damaging parts and does not fit the sentence contextually. Negate it. ‘Empower’ does not fit the first blank grammatically. In order to make it grammatically correct, it should be ‘are empowered’. Thus 4 can be negated.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Read the following statements carefully:
The payoff from ________ in education is so ______ and _______ that it is almost ________ as a predictor of economic change over a five to ten year period.
Fill in the blanks meaningfully, in the above statement, from the following options.
- A.
Expenditure, small, insignificant, irrelevant
- B.
Productivity, small, erratic, useless
- C.
Expenditure, fast, significant, powerful
- D.
Investment, slow, erratic, useless
- E.
Investment, slow, predictable, irrelevant
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
The first three options are eliminated as payoff is usually derived from “investment” and not “expenditure” or “productivity”. If the payoff is “slow and predictable”, it cannot be an irrelevant predictor of economic change. Thus, [5] is eliminated. Also, if data is “erratic”, meaning “inconsistent” or “uncertain”, it is useless in predicting anything.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the following paragraph carefully and answer the question that follows:
The Lannisters had ______ gold than the Tyrells until the Lannister army sacked Highgarden and took the Tyrell fortune to pay back the Iron Bank. On the other hand, the Northern army has
______ than 10,000 men and therefore, Jon needs to bend the knee to Daenerys. What happens in the story next is dependent on George R. Martin, the writer of the series. For ______, he has not written anything further and we hope George R. Martin will get around to finishing the book _______. But as it happens, ________, book releases are delayed.
Fill in the blanks meaningfully, in the above paragraph, from the following options.
- A.
less, fewer, some time, sometime, sometimes
- B.
fewer, less, sometime, some time, sometimes
- C.
less, fewer, sometime, some time, sometimes
- D.
fewer, less, sometimes, sometime, some time
- E.
fewer, less, some time, sometime, sometimes
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
According to the rules of usage, “fewer” is used when discussing countable things, while “less” is used for singular mass nouns. For example, you can have fewer ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but less salt, money, honesty, or gold. Had the first blank been followed by “grams of gold”, “fewer” would have been an appropriate choice. Thus, [1] and [3] are to be retained. In the third blank, we have to choose between “sometime” and “some time”. “Sometime” means “at some point” or “former”. “Some time” means “a period of time”. From the sentence, it is clear that George R. Martin has not worked on the book for “some time”. Thus, [1] is the only option remaining with us. Similarly, in the fourth blank, “sometime” is the most appropriate.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
The serious study of popular films by critics is regularly credited with having rendered obsolete a once-dominant view that popular mainstream films are inherently inferior to art films. Yet the change of attitude may be somewhat _________ Although, it is now academically respectable to analyse popular films, the fact that many critics feel compelled to rationalize their own _________ action movies or mass-market fiction reveals, perhaps unwittingly, their continued _________ the old hierarchy of popular and art films.
Consider the following words:
- unproductive
- not appreciated
- overstated
- penchant for
- dislike for
- investment in
- exposure to
Which of the following options is the most appropriate sequence that would meaningfully fit the blanks in the above paragraph?
- A.
1, 5, 6
- B.
3, 2, 7
- C.
3, 4, 6
- D.
4, 5, 6
- E.
6, 3, 1
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The second sentence/line in the passage can be completed by either “unproductive” or “overstated”. But the following sentence (third) questions the perception of change of attitudes contained in the second sentence/line. The serious study of popular films by critics implies that the critics are compelled to rationalize their ―”penchant for” and hence, 3 will be followed by 4. By rationalizing their penchant for popular films, they unwittingly reveal their continued investment in the categorization of popular and art films. Hence, the appropriate sequence of words should start with 3 follow it with 4 and then by 6.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
In the following passage, fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word from the options provided.
Come October and you are burnt by the mid-day Sun. The storm and the sizzle is particularly __70__ as it comes after the relatively cool monsoon months. Though it is hot and muggy, that does not prevent people from coming out on the streets to __71__ the traditional festivals. And it must be shopping time also, colourfully decorated showrooms are __72__ the passerby to let his hair down, splurge and take a __73__ of gifts home for family. After all, the New Year is just around.
- A.
traumatic
- B.
pleasant
- C.
sultry
- D.
fantastic
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
The words hot and muggy are used to describe the weather and they have a negative connotation. Hence, options 2 and 4 can be eliminated as they have positive connotation.
Option 1 can be eliminated as “traumatic” is a very strong word to be used in the context. “Sultry” is apt as it is also used to describe the weather.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
In the following passage, fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word from the options provided.
Come October and you are burnt by the mid-day Sun. The storm and the sizzle is particularly __70__ as it comes after the relatively cool monsoon months. Though it is hot and muggy, that does not prevent people from coming out on the streets to __71__ the traditional festivals. And it must be shopping time also, colourfully decorated showrooms are __72__ the passerby to let his hair down, splurge and take a __73__ of gifts home for family. After all, the New Year is just around.
- A.
herald
- B.
moot
- C.
invite
- D.
boycott
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
Options 1 and 4 can be eliminated as “moot” means ‘subject to debate’ and “boycott” is ‘to avoid’. Both the words do not make the sentence meaningful.
In option 3, usage of “invite” makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.
In option 1, “herald” means ‘thing viewed as a sign that something is about to happen’ and points at the traditional festivals.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
In the following passage, fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word from the options provided.
Come October and you are burnt by the mid-day Sun. The storm and the sizzle is particularly __70__ as it comes after the relatively cool monsoon months. Though it is hot and muggy, that does not prevent people from coming out on the streets to __71__ the traditional festivals. And it must be shopping time also, colourfully decorated showrooms are __72__ the passerby to let his hair down, splurge and take a __73__ of gifts home for family. After all, the New Year is just around.
- A.
drawing
- B.
exhorting
- C.
fascinating
- D.
pursuing
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
In option 1, usage of “drawing” in the sentence makes the sentence incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Thus, it can be eliminated.
In option 3, usage of “fascinating” in the sentence makes the sentence illogical.
In option 4, “pursuing” means ‘to follow or chase’ and logically, colourfully decorated showrooms cannot pursue a passerby. Thus, it can be eliminated.
In option 2, “exhorting” means ‘to strongly encourage’ and since the stores were colourfully decorated, they turned out to be urging passersby to splurge.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
In the following passage, fill in the blank spaces with the most appropriate word from the options provided.
Come October and you are burnt by the mid-day Sun. The storm and the sizzle is particularly __70__ as it comes after the relatively cool monsoon months. Though it is hot and muggy, that does not prevent people from coming out on the streets to __71__ the traditional festivals. And it must be shopping time also, colourfully decorated showrooms are __72__ the passerby to let his hair down, splurge and take a __73__ of gifts home for family. After all, the New Year is just around.
- A.
token
- B.
list
- C.
bagful
- D.
placement
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
Options 1 and 4 can be directly eliminated as their usage makes the sentence grammatically incorrect.
Option 2 can be eliminated as it makes the sentence incorrect.
In option 3, “bagful of gifts” refers to number of gifts. This aptly fits in the blank.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Peter has suggested to me that the _____________ of highly systematic and _____________ planning techniques may have led to a substantial _____________ in firms’ notions of what is likely to happen in the future, and thus to a _____________ in the incidence of mistakes, especially on the part of the _____________modern corporations.
- A.
progressive development, exact, decline, decrease, tiny
- B.
progress deterioration, exact, increase, decrease, tiny
- C.
progressive development, precise, improvement, reduction, large
- D.
progressive deterioration, precise, increase, decrease, large
- E.
gradual growth, exact, increase, decline, large
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
“Exact” does not make for a favourable adjective as far as describing the “planning techniques” is concerned. This eliminates options 1, 2 and 5.
Between options 3 and 4, the nouns “improvement” and “reduction” make for a better fit with the “firms' notions” and “incidents of mistakes”. “Increase in firms' notions” does not make sense logically.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Clinical practitioners _____________ integrated mindfulness _____________ treatment of _____________ host of emotional and behavioural disorders, _____________ borderline personality disorder, major depression, chronic pain, or eating disorders. Number of such practitioners _____________ increased substantially.
- A.
have, in the, a, but, such
- B.
have, in the, the, like, have
- C.
were, for, a, like, has
- D.
have, for, a, like, has
- E.
could, in the, the, such as, have
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
The plural verb “have” makes for the most grammatically correct fit for the first blank from the options given. This eliminates options 3 and 5.
The verb in the last blank must attribute to the singular subject “number” and not “practitioners”. Thus, the correct verb to use is “has”. Eliminate options 1 and 2.
Integration of “mindfulness” therefore, has to be “for” the “treatment of a host of emotional and behavioral disorders.”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Ontologies are _____________ equated with taxonomic hierarchies of classes, class definitions, and _____________ subsumption relation, _____________ ontologies need not be limited to _____________ forms.
- A.
often, a, but, such
- B.
often, the, yet, such
- C.
frequently, a, yet, such
- D.
often, a, yet, these
- E.
often, the, but, these
Answer: Option E
Explanation :
The “subsumption relation” refers to a definite entity. Hence, it must take the definite article “the”. This eliminates options 1, 3 and 4.
A demonstrative pronoun is required to attribute to the forms of “hierarchies of classes, class definitions and the subsumption relation”. Thus, the correct pronoun to use would be “these”. Eliminate option 2 with “such”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Mrs. Kapoor hovered around the patient in a display of great _______.
- A.
Solicititude
- B.
Chivalry
- C.
Solicitude
- D.
Chivelry
Answer: Option C
Explanation :
“Chivalry' is formal and courteous behaviour. “Solicitude” is 'having concern or care'. In the given context, solicitude fits better.
The correct spelling is the one given in option 3.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Whenever she asked the doctor how long she had left to live, he would dive off into long-winded explanations about the incertainties inherent in medicines, and eventually tail off as if he had forgotten her original question altogether; it was the worst form of _______ she’d ever come across.
- A.
Prevarication
- B.
Insinuation
- C.
Preambulation
- D.
Abrogation
Answer: Option A
Explanation :
The doctor dodged the patient's question and hence “prevarication” meaning 'avoidance; moving away from the whole truth', fits in the sentence.
“Insinuation” is 'an indirect suggestion or hint'.
“Perambulation” is 'to walk or travel about'.
“Abrogation” is 'to abolish, annul, repeal'.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the word or phrase that completes the idiom correctly in the given sentences.
The bigger they come, _______ they fall, or so it is said.
- A.
the greater
- B.
the harder
- C.
the more
- D.
the less
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
Using the adverb 'great' to describe a fall would make the sentence illogical. Option 1 can be eliminated on that basis.
An apt adverb to describe a “fall” from among the given options would be option 2 'hard', as it describes the impact of the fall.
Options 3 and 4 can be eliminated on the basis that an adverb/adjective of the comparative degree is required to maintain parallelism in the sentence.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the word or phrase that completes the idiom correctly in the given sentences.
You almost frightened the life _______ me.
- A.
from
- B.
of
- C.
into
- D.
out of
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Option 4 “out of” helps in completing the idiom 'to frighten the life out of someone', which means 'to make someone very frightened'.
The rest of the options do not help in completing the idioms and can be eliminated on that basis.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
For each of the questions below, select the word that fits well in all the four given sentences.
i. The Bill _______________________ reduction in electoral expenses.
ii. The plan ___________________ ten percent growth in production.
iii. The budget ____________________ a two-fold increase in this year’s turnover.
iv. The company __________________ a good production year due to better harvest.
- A.
seeks
- B.
envisages
- C.
hopes
- D.
demands
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
All of the statements are in the future tense. Only “envisages” which means 'to contemplate; visualize' fits in all the blanks grammatically and logically. “Seeks” does not fit into the fourth blank. Eliminate option 1.
The verb “hopes” needs to be used in combination with the preposition “for” in order for the statements to be grammatically correct. Eliminate option 3.
The verb “demands” needs to be used in combination with an article in order for the statements to be grammatically correct. Eliminate option 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
For each of the questions below, select the word that fits well in all the four given sentences.
i. We _______________ the room with an electric heater.
ii. His mother _______________________ lunch for all his friends.
iii. The will ______________________ the each child will receive half of the money.
iv.He __________________________ for his family by working overtime.
- A.
prepared
- B.
equipped
- C.
arranged
- D.
provided
Answer: Option D
Explanation :
Only “provided” fits into all of the blanks contextually and logically.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
It _____________ not look like a great deal today, but back then it was a coup: no man before ___________ to import tea directly into Ireland.
The option that will best fill the blanks in the above sentences would be:
- A.
may, has dared
- B.
may, had dared
- C.
might, have dared
- D.
might, have ever dared
- E.
may, ever dared
Answer: Option B
Explanation :
Options 1, 3 and 4 use the present tense whereas the sentence clearly requires a past tense, indicated by ‘but back then’. Option 5 with “ever”, meaning ‘at all times; always’ becomes erroneous as it is placed after the word “before”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
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