Vocabulary - Previous Year CAT/MBA Questions
The best way to prepare for Vocabulary is by going through the previous year Vocabulary omet questions. Here we bring you all previous year Vocabulary omet questions along with detailed solutions.
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It would be best if you clear your concepts before you practice previous year Vocabulary omet questions.
Who could resist the idea of remembering everything they wanted to, without trying? Learning would be made easy, exams a ______ and you would never forget where you left your keys. And memory-related disorders like Alzheimer’s would have met their match. So, it is of little surprise that scientists have turned their attention to ways of ______ human memory using techniques that ______, supplement or even mimic parts of the brain. The immediate goal is to treat memory disorders, but the idea of a memory ______ for everyday life is gaining ground.
Fill in the blanks in the above paragraph, with the best option from among the following:
- (a)
breeze; exploring; simulate; aid
- (b)
routine; expanding; invigorate; crutch
- (c)
joy; augmenting; awaken; crutch
- (d)
routine; expanding; trigger; support
- (e)
breeze; enhancing; stimulate; prosthesis
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
As per the paragraph, since we will remember everything we learnt, giving exams would become very easy. Thus only ‘breeze’ can fit the first blank as it means ‘an easy task’. ‘Joy’ cannot fit the first blank as even though one remembers everything, nobody likes giving exams. Thus only options 1 and 5 can be retained. Since humans will have to remember everything, their memory needs to be increased. Thus only ‘enhancing’ which means ‘raising to a higher degree’ correctly fits the second blank. ‘Exploring’ means ‘examining’ and does not fit the second blank contextually. In the third blank, ‘simulate’ means ‘creating a model or linking of something’ while ‘stimulate’ means ‘encourage’. Thus only the latter fits the third blank. In the fourth blank, ‘aid’ means ‘help’ while ‘prosthesis’ means ‘an external device that supplements a part of the body’. Thus only ‘aid’ fits the last blank.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Verbose
- (b)
Taciturn
- (c)
Rational
- (d)
Alluring
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The word that can be formed from the given letters is LOQUACIOUS which means ‘talkative’. ‘Verbose’ means ‘using too many words’ and is a synonym of the given word. Retain option 1. ‘Taciturn’ means ‘habitually silent’ or ‘uncommunicative’. Thus it is the antonym of the given word and can be negated. ‘Rational’ is also not a synonym of ‘loquacious’ and can be negated. ‘Alluring’ means ‘very attractive’ or ‘charming’ and is not related to the given word. Thus option 4 can also be negated.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Innocent
- (b)
Tarried
- (c)
Gruesome
- (d)
Pleasing
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The word that can be formed from the given letters is MACABRE which means ‘gruesome’ or ‘horrible’. Thus ‘innocent’ or ‘pleasing’ cannot be the synonyms of the given word. So options 1 and 4 can be negated. ‘Tarried’ means ‘delayed’ and is not a synonym of ‘macabre’. Thus option B can also be negated. ‘Gruesome’ means ‘ghastly’ or ‘horrible’ and is a synonym of the given word.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Spiteful
- (b)
Careless
- (c)
Ignorant
- (d)
Fussy
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The word that can be formed from the given letters is PERNICKTEY which means ‘fussy’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Match the words in column 1 with their appropriate meaning in column 2.
- (a)
1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
- (b)
1-b, 2-d, 3-a, 4-c
- (c)
1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
- (d)
1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The correct match is 1-c, 2-d, 3-a, 4-b.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Match the words in column 1 with their appropriate meaning in column 2.
- (a)
1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
- (b)
1-b, 2-a, 3-d, 4-c
- (c)
1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
- (d)
1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The correct match is 1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
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
Text 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:
Which of the following sentences contains correct and meaningful usage of the underlined words?
- (a)
Vikram’s approach to the problem was unique from Harpreet’s, and he hadn’t expected no criticism from her.
- (b)
Vikram’s approach to the problem was different from Harpreet’s, but he hadn’t expected no criticism from her.
- (c)
Vikram’s approach to the problem was different from Harpreet’s, but he had expected no criticism from her.
- (d)
Vikram’s approach to the problem was unique from Harpreet’s, further he hadn’t expected no criticism from her.
- (e)
Vikram’s approach to the problem was different from Harpreet’s, and he had expected no criticism from her.
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
“Difference” is a point or way in which people or things are not the same. “Unique” is being the only one of its kind. As “unique” means unlike anything else, it cannot be used for comparison. Thus, [1] and [5] are eliminated. From the context, it is clear that though Vikram’s approach was different from that of Harpreet, he was expecting no criticism from her. Thus, ‘but’ expresses the contrast between the expectation of Vikram and the actual outcome. Thus, [5] which uses ‘and’ as a conjunction is eliminated. If we assume the double negation (“hadn’t expected no criticism from her) in [2] to be fair and true, the placement of “but” causes a problem as there is no contrasting elements in the statement. If there was “and” in place of “but”, [2] would have been correct. Thus, the correct usage of words occurs only in [3].
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Read the following statements carefully:
Though he thought of himself as a/an ______ person, his boss's abusive behaviour made him talk back. However, as he engaged in a/an _______ with his boss, all he got in response was a/an
_______, which only filled him with _____
Fill in the blanks meaningfully, in the above statement, from the following options:
- (a)
nonchalant, remonstration, philippic, ennui
- (b)
insouciant, philippic, remonstration, ennui
- (c)
philippic, remonstration, ennui, insouciance
- (d)
ennui, philippic, insouciance, remonstration
- (e)
nonchalant, ennui, philippic, remonstration
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
‘Nonchalant’ or ‘insouciant’ refers to someone who is feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed. ‘Philippic’ means ‘a bitter attack or denunciation’. ‘Ennui’ means a ‘feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement’. Thus only, ‘nonchalant’ or ‘insouciant’ can be used to describe a person as ‘Ennui’ and ‘Philippic’ are feelings. Thus, [3] and [4] are eliminated. Similarly, one cannot indulge in ‘Ennui’ or ‘Philippic’ with one’s boss. ‘Remonstration’ means saying or pleading in protest, objection, or disapproval. It fits the second blank perfectly. Hence, [2] and [5] are eliminated. ‘Philippic’ and ‘Ennui’ fit the third and fourth blanks perfectly.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Match the prefix and suffix with its meaning
- (a)
a)-(i), b)-(iii), c)-(ii), d)-(v), e)-(iv)
- (b)
a)-(i), b)-(ii), c)-(iii), d)-(v), e)-(iv)
- (c)
a)-(iv), b)-(v), c)-(iii), d)-(ii), e)-(i)
- (d)
None of the above
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
‘ation’ indicates an action, process or state, ‘trans’ means across, beyond or through, ‘ship’ means a position or a title, ‘ambi’ means both and around and ‘ose’ means full of or abounding end.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Embarrassing Situation
- (b)
An official license
- (c)
Charming, pleasant
- (d)
Completely sealed, isolated
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The given letters form the word “hermetic” meaning ‘complete and airtight’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Denounce
- (b)
Sincere
- (c)
Enlighten
- (d)
Confound
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The given letters form the word “elucidate” meaning ‘make something clear’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Create a word using all the given letters from the jumbled letters and identify its appropriate meaning
- (a)
Doubtful
- (b)
Interesting
- (c)
Haughty
- (d)
Foremost
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
The given letters form the word “piquant” meaning ‘pleasantly stimulating or exciting to the mind’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
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
Text 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:
Choose the option with all the correct words and their correct accent (underlined syllable) that fits the blanks.
The suspension of the captain may _________ the number of spectators, who turn up for this match.
Transportation costs will directly _________ the cost of retail goods.
Grandmother’s advancing age could _________ her ability to take care of the house.
She _________ a Texan accent throughout the interview.
- (a)
affect, effect, effect, effected
- (b)
affect, effect, affect, affected
- (c)
affect, affect, affect, affected
- (d)
effect, affect, effect, effected
- (e)
effect, affect, effect, affected
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
In all these words, the emphasis is on the second syllable ―fect. Hence, options with first part emphasised are wrong. This makes 3 as the right answer. Further, generally, affect is used as verb, while effect is used as noun.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Use the words in the table below to solve the questions.
Complete the crossword using the words from the above table. There are more words than required
Hint:
1 – Across: native to or confined to a certain region; 1 – Down: balance of forces or interests; 2: inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true; 3: attempting to avoid confrontation or anger, calming or conciliatory; 4: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly
- (a)
1 – Across – ix); 1 – Down – i); 2 – xvi); 3 – xi); 4 – vi)
- (b)
1 – Across – iv); 1 – Down – v); 2 – xiv); 3 – xi); 4 – xvii)
- (c)
1 – Across – xv); 1 – Down – i); 2 – vi); 3 – iii); 4 – xvii)
- (d)
1 – Across – xii); 1 – Down – xiv); 2 – v); 3 - ii); 4 – xi)
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
(xv) “Endemic” means ‘belonging exclusively or confined to a particular place’ and fits in blank 1-Across.
(i) “Equipoise” means ‘balance of forces or interests’ and fits in blank 1-Down.
(vi) “Dogmatic” means ‘inclined to lay down principles as undeniably true’ and fits in blank 2.
(xvii) “Encomium” means ‘a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly’ and fits in blank 4.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
The question has explained the meaning of two words from the above table. Identify the correct matching words from the table
a) A formal expression of praise
b) Take up the cause, support
- (a)
a)-ii); b)-xvi)
- (b)
a)-xvii); b)-ix)
- (c)
a)-ii); b)-viii)
- (d)
a)-iii); b)-vii)
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
(xvii)“Encomium” means ‘a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly’.
(ix)“Espouse” means ‘adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life)’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
The question has explained the meaning of two words from the above table. Identify the correct matching words from the table.
a) Devoid of cheer or comfort, dreary
b) Stubbornly preserving, doggedness
- (a)
(1) a) vii); b)-xiv)
- (b)
a)- vi); b)-xiv)
- (c)
a)-x); b)-iv)
- (d)
None of the above
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
(vii) “Tedious” means ‘long and tiresome’.
(xiv) “Tenacity” means ‘the quality or fact of being very determined stubborn or relentless’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
The question has explained the meaning of two words from the above table. Identify the correct matching words from the table.
a) Having a softening or soothing effect
b) Verbal abuse, defamation
- (a)
a)-xii); b)-ii)
- (b)
a)-xvii); b)-iv)
- (c)
a)-iii); b)-xviii)
- (d)
a)-iii); b)-ix)
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
(iii) “Emollient” means ‘having the quality of softening or soothing the skin’.
(xviii) “Obloquy” means ‘strong public condemnation’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Etymological description of the ‘word’ is given in each question. Identify the origin /source of the ‘word’
Debutante (noun)
The origin of the word dates back to early Nineteenth Century. The word is used to describe a female stage actor making her first public performance.
- (a)
Portuguese
- (b)
Italian
- (c)
Greek
- (d)
French
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The origin of “Debutante” is French.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Etymological description of the ‘word’ is given in each question. Identify the origin /source of the ‘word’
Obvious (adjective)
It means “frequently met with”. The origin of the word comes from obvius “that is in the way, presenting itself readily, open, exposed, commonplace,” also from obviam (adv.) “in the way”, from ob “against” + viam, accusative of via “way”, meaning “plain to see, evident” is first recorded in 1630.
- (a)
Latin
- (b)
German
- (c)
Hebrew
- (d)
Italian
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The origin of “Obvious” is Latin.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Etymological description of the ‘word’ is given in each question. Identify the origin /source of the ‘word’
Soccer (noun)
The origin of the word dates back to 1889 (socca), later 1891 (socker), 1895 (soccer); originally university slang from a shortened from of Assoc., abbreviation of Association in Football Association.
- (a)
French
- (b)
English
- (c)
Arabic
- (d)
Italian
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
The origin of “Soccer” is English.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Four words are given in each question, out of which one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.
- (a)
Danseus
- (b)
Dansueses
- (c)
Densuace
- (d)
Danseuse
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The correctly spelt word is Danseuse.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Four words are given in each question, out of which one word is correctly spelt. Find the correctly spelt word.
- (a)
Norcoctic
- (b)
Permentant
- (c)
Pesimist
- (d)
Acoustic
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
The correctly spelt word is Acoustic
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Fill up the blanks with appropriate word (idiom/colloquial) given in the options.
Mark is always eager to argue about how this business should be run. He seems to have a real _________ on his shoulder about it.
- (a)
Head
- (b)
Score
- (c)
Chip
- (d)
Bluebird
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The idiom “a real chip on his shoulder” refers to the act of holding a grudge or grievance that readily provokes disputation.
And according to the sentence, Mark is always eager to argue which points to option 3.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
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