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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Fill up the blanks with appropriate word (idiom/colloquial) given in the options.
Vishnu thought the last problem on the test was a real __________. It was much harder and more complex than any of the previous problems.
- (a)
Doozy
- (b)
Whooper
- (c)
Carp
- (d)
Snafu
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
Option 1 - “Doozy” means ‘something outstanding or unique of its kind’ and aptly describes the nature of the “last problem” being discussed in the sentence.
Option 2 - “Whooper” means ‘a large white Old World swan’ and has no relevance in the given context.
Option 3 - “Carp” means ‘a deep-bodied freshwater fish’ and can be directly eliminated.
Option 4 - “Snafu” means ‘a confused or chaotic state’ and here, the last sum is said to be complex and not chaotic. Thus, it can be eliminated.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Fill up the blanks with appropriate word (idiom/colloquial) given in the options.
I used to be kind of a _______ when I was little, but I lost most of the weight in my teenage years.
- (a)
Runt
- (b)
Beanpole
- (c)
Doughboy
- (d)
Punk
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
Option 1 - “Runt” means ‘a small pig or other animal, especially the smallest in a litter’ and can be directly eliminated.
Option 2 - “Beanpole” is ‘a stick for supporting bean plants’ and can be eliminated.
Option 4 - “Punk” means ‘a worthless person’ and can be eliminated as the sentence refers to the weight of the person and not his worth.
Option 3 - “Doughboy” is colloquially used to refer to a rounded body.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Choose the best pronunciation of the word, Sobriquet, from the following options:
- (a)
soh-bruh-key
- (b)
sub-rry-ka
- (c)
sob-bee-ri-kwet
- (d)
soub-rick-kaat
- (e)
Sobb-rik-kwet
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
The correct pronunciation of the word “sobriquet” is 'soh-bruh-key'.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
The subject of this book is knavery, skullduggery, cheating, betrayal, unfairness, crime, sneakiness, malingering, cutting corner, immorality, dishonesty, betrayal, graft, wickedness, and sin.
Which of the following options best captures ALL the italicized words above?
- (a)
Aggressive behaviours
- (b)
Illegal behaviours
- (c)
Deviant behaviours
- (d)
Banned behaviours
- (e)
Vetoed behaviours
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
None of the actions can be categorized under aggressive behaviours as one cannot be sure if they are an outcome of “aggression”.
Option 2 encompasses only “crime”. So, eliminate option 2.
Option 3 correctly describes the set of actions as being against the society norms.
Option 4 with “banned behaviours” and option 5 with “vetoed behaviours” do not describe every subject of the book.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Which of the following is not a term of ‘disapproval’?
- (a)
infantile
- (b)
charlatan
- (c)
imbecile
- (d)
childlike
- (e)
awful
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
“Infantile” means 'displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity'.
“Charlatan” means 'person who pretends to special knowledge or skill that he or she does not possess'.
“Imbecile” means 'a very foolish or stupid person'.
“Awful” means 'very bad or unpleasant'.
All the four words indicate a sense of disapproval or express a negative opinion.
So we can eliminate options 1, 2, 3 and 5.
“Childlike” means 'having the good qualities, such as innocence, associated with a child'. Having good qualities indicates a sense of approval and expresses a positive opinion.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Read the four sentences given below:
He is the most ______ of the speakers to address us today.
The belief in ______ justice is the essence of his talk.
This hall would have been full but for the _____ rain.
Many in the audience have achieved _____ in their respective fields.
Which of the following sequence of words would most appropriately fit the blanks?
- (a)
i. Eminent, ii. Imminent, ii. Immanent, iv. Eminence
- (b)
i. Immanent, ii. Imminent, iii. Imminence, iv. Eminence
- (c)
i. Eminent, ii. Immanent, iii. Imminent, iv. Eminence
- (d)
i. Eminent, ii. Immanent, iii. Imminent, iv. Imminence
- (e)
i. Immanent, ii. Imminence, iii. Eminent, iv. Eminence
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
“Eminent” meaning “famous and respected within a particular sphere.” clearly fits sentence i describing a famous speaker.
“Immanent” means “existing or operating within” clearly fits sentence ii describing the person's belief in a certain type of justice.
“Imminent” meaning “about to happen” clearly fits sentence iii describing the expected rain.
“Eminence” meaning “fame or acknowledged superiority within a particular sphere” clearly fits sentence iv expressing the attainments of the persons in the audience.
The above combination is stated in option 3. So, eliminate options 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Six words are given below
Cacophonic
Cacographic
Calamitous
Catastrophic
Contraindicative
Cataclysmic
Which of the above words have similar meanings?
- (a)
IV & VI only
- (b)
I, II & V only
- (c)
II, V & VI only
- (d)
III, IV & VI only
- (e)
III, IV, V & VI only
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
“Calamitous” means 'Causing or involving calamity'.
“Catastrophic” means 'involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering'.
“Cataclysmic” means 'causing sudden and violent upheaval'.
Rest of the words are invalid since they have unrelated meanings. So, eliminate options 1, 2, 3 and 5.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Identify the correct sequence of words would most that aptly fit the blanks in the following passage.
It is _____ (i) _____ that the accused had _____ (ii) _____ _____ (iii) _____ from all criminal activities by adopting the _____ (iv) _____ of a sanyasi. However, despite repeated requests from the counsel for prosecution, the court has _____ (v) _____ a lie detector to ascertain the truth.
- (a)
(i) inferred, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) deportment, (v) prescribed
- (b)
(i) inferred, (ii) forged, (iii) parting, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
- (c)
(i) implied, (ii) faked, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
- (d)
(i) implied, (ii) feigned, (iii) separation, (iv) demeanour, (v) proscribed
- (e)
(i) inferred, (ii) faked, (iii) cessation, (iv) deportment, (v) proscribed
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The sentence says that it is speculated that the accused is faking his separation from criminal activities. However, the repeated requests from the counsel to validate the speculations using a lie detector are being rejected by the court.
“Inferred” correctly fits the first blank indicating the speculation.
“Faked” correctly fits the second blank given the tone of the passage.
“Separation” correctly fits the third blank expressing the central idea of the passage.
“Demeanour” correctly fits the fourth blank indicating the accused conducting himself with the bearing of a sanyasi..
“Proscribed” meaning “forbid, especially by law” correctly fits the fifth blank justifying the usage of “despite” in the sentence to bring out two contrasting ideas.
Thus, eliminate options 1, 2, 4 and 5.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Which of the above ‘related words’ on the right – hand side are correctly matched with ‘words’ on the left – hand side?
- (a)
i – b, ii – d, iii – c, iv –a
- (b)
i – a, ii – d, iii – b, iv –c
- (c)
i – a, ii – d, iii – c, iv –b
- (d)
i – d, ii – b, iii – a, iv –c
- (e)
i – b, ii – a, iii – c, iv –d
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
“Counterpane” refers to a “bed”, since it is a form of bedspread.
“Dungeon” refers to a “cell”.
“Guillotine” refers to an “execution”, since it is a machine used for beheading people.
“Shroud” refers to a “burial”, since it is a garment in which a dead person is wrapped.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
The defense proposes to show that the incident that the prosecution so _________ rejects as __________ did indeed take place.
- (a)
blithely, undesirable
- (b)
cavalierly, apocryphal
- (c)
vehemently, factual
- (d)
persuasively, pointless
- (e)
convincingly, inevitable
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
One may infer through examination of the statement that the defense went on to prove what the prosecution rejected by indicating that the said incident did take place. The prosecution is not likely to reject an incident as “undesirable”, “pointless” or “inevitable”.
“Cavalierly” meaning 'haughty; disdainful' describes the manner of rejection of the prosecution.
In comparison to “factual”, “apocryphal” meaning 'of questionable authenticity' fits appropriately with respect to the prosecution in the second blank.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate option that follows:
Not just the absence of ____________ , but also the presence of ____________ and honesty is required to bind up the nation’s wound.
- (a)
retribution, camaraderie
- (b)
guilt, religion
- (c)
crime, religion
- (d)
love, austerity
- (e)
recrimination, insight
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
The first blank with “absence” preceding it, needs a word with a negative connotation while the second blank, which must be used in combination with “honesty” must be positive in connotation.
“Retribution” referring to 'punishment or vengeance' would be necessary in overcoming the nation's wrongs and thus, binding up the “nation's wound”. “Camaraderie” meaning 'a spirit of familiarity and trust existing between friends' is nearly synonymous with “honesty” and would amount to redundancy. This eliminates option 1.
“Religion” does not fit in the context logically. Eliminate options 2 and 3.
Option 4 is ruled out as “love” has a positive connotation.
“Recrimination” meaning 'wrongdoing' and “insight” fit in logically and contextually.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Match the words in column 1 with their appropriate meaning in column 2.
- (a)
i-b, ii-a, iii-d, iv-c
- (b)
i-c, ii-b, iii-d, iv-a
- (c)
i-c, ii-d, iii-b, iv-a
- (d)
i-b, ii-c, iii-a, iv-d
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
The meanings of the words are as follows:
Note: Although the question paper says “anthromorphous”, the correct term is 'anthropomorphous'
Anthropomorphous - resembling or made to resemble a human form
Anachronistic - an error in chronology in which a person, object, event, etc., is assigned a date or period other than the correct one.
Anthology - a book or other collection of selected writings by various authors.
Ascension - to move, climb, or go upward.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Match the words in column 1 with their appropriate meaning in column 2.
- (a)
i-d, ii-c, iii-a, iv-b
- (b)
i-c, ii-a, iii-d, iv-b
- (c)
i-a, ii-b, iii-c, iv-d
- (d)
None of the above
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
The correct combinations are as follows:
Cacology – Poor diction or poor choice of words
Ethology – Study of human character
Misology – Hatred of reasoning
Cryology – Study of snow and ice
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
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
Text 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:
Ravindra Dubey was guilty of embezzlement. It means that Ravindra Dubey
- (a)
did not pay his bills.
- (b)
misappropriated assets he was entrusted with.
- (c)
engaged in circulating black money in the economy.
- (d)
cheated on his spouse.
- (e)
misreported educational qualification.
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
The meaning of “embezzlement” is ‘to take (money, for example) for one's own use in violation of a trust’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
Which word is the opposite of the word ‘hypothesize’?
- (a)
posit
- (b)
propose
- (c)
conjecture
- (d)
refute
- (e)
speculate
Answer: Option D
Text Explanation :
“Hypothesize” means ‘to speculate or anticipate; to assume by hypothesis’.
Options 1, 2, 3 and 5 are synonyms of the word.
“Refute” means ‘To deny the accuracy or truth of’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 4.
Workspace:
Concurrence means all of the following except:
- (a)
Agreement
- (b)
Accord
- (c)
Consensus
- (d)
Coincidence
- (e)
Harmony
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
Concurrence is synonymous with options 1, 2, 3 and 4. Harmony is a synonym of accord and consensus, however, it is not a synonym of concurrence.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Fill in the blanks with the most appropriate word/set of words from the given options.
Not wanting to present an unwanted optimistic picture in the board meeting, the CEO estimated the sales growth _____________.
The option that will best fill the blank in the above sentence would be:
- (a)
strictly
- (b)
liberally
- (c)
fancifully
- (d)
pessimistically
- (e)
conservatively
Answer: Option E
Text Explanation :
The CEO did not want to give a rosy picture of the sales growth nor would a strict or pessimistic picture help in motivating the team. “Conservatively” fits in well in this context. It means ‘cautiously or moderately’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 5.
Workspace:
Which of the following is an oxymoron?
- (a)
She accepted it, as the kind cruelty of a surgeon’s knife
- (b)
The camel is the ship of the desert
- (c)
Art lies in concealing art
- (d)
Death lays his icy hands on Kings
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
An oxymoron is a figure of speech/an epigrammatic effect, by which contradictory terms are used in conjunction: living death; fiend angelica. This is seen in sentence A with 'kind cruelty'.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Identify antonyms for the following words.
Risible:
- (a)
serious
- (b)
amusing
- (c)
ludicrous
- (d)
ridiculous
Answer: Option A
Text Explanation :
Risible means ‘capable of laughing or disposed to laugh’. Its antonym is “serious”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 1.
Workspace:
Identify antonyms for the following words.
Tenebrous:
- (a)
dark
- (b)
truthful
- (c)
bright
- (d)
quarrelsome
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
Tenebrous means to ‘shut off from the light; hard to understand’.
Its antonym is “bright”.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
Which of the following cannot be termed as an ‘oxymoron’?
- (a)
a living death
- (b)
conspicuous by one’s absence
- (c)
the sound of music
- (d)
deafening silence
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
An Oxymoron is a rhetorical figure of speech where incongruous, contradictory terms are combined. All the options except 'the sound of music' have a contradictory hue to them.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
In the following question, a sentence has been broken up into parts, and the parts have been scrambled and numbered. Choose the correct order of these parts from the alternatives 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- (a)
1 3 5 2 4 6 8 7
- (b)
8 6 7 1 4 2 3 5
- (c)
4 2 3 5 8 6 7 1
- (d)
5 3 7 1 8 4 2 6
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
Only 'Overhead' makes a meaningful word.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
In the following question, a sentence has been broken up into parts, and the parts have been scrambled and numbered. Choose the correct order of these parts from the alternatives 1, 2, 3 and 4.
- (a)
1 5 10 7 8 6 9 4 3 2
- (b)
6 3 2 1 8 7 4 9 10 5
- (c)
9 8 5 1 0 2 4 3 1 7 6
- (d)
10 6 7 3 1 8 5 4 2 9
Answer: Option B
Text Explanation :
Only sequence 6, 3, 2, 1, 8, 7, 4, 9, 10, 5 makes a meaningful word.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Workspace:
In each question, certain words are highlighted in the sentences. Mark the option which is synonymous to the highlighted word or words.
The book did not get much acclaim because of its pedantic style of writing.
- (a)
radical
- (b)
dogmatic
- (c)
esoteric
- (d)
applicative
Answer: Option C
Text Explanation :
“Pedantic” means “characterized by a narrow concern for book learning , formal rules or minute details.”
‘Radical’ means 1) ‘of or going to the root or origin; fundamental’ and 2) ‘extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional norms.’
‘Dogmatic’ means ‘characterized by an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles.’
‘Esoteric’ means ‘understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest.’
‘Applicative’ means ‘usable or capable of being used’.
From the above meanings ‘Esoteric’ comes closest to ‘Pedantic’.
Hence, the correct answer is option 3.
Workspace:
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