CDS ENGLISH PAPER 2 DEFENCE DIRECT EDUCATION

HINTS & SOLUTION

1. (d) Scientists who study soil believe that 17. (a) Replace ‘beside’ with ‘besides’.
not all worms and bacteria are harmful.
18. (d) No error.
Some are useful as they help in mixing up
of nitrogen and air in the soil, while some 19. (a) ‘The books which you read are not
help break down the decayed matter. worth reading’ is the correct sentence.
2. (c) The harmful pests and bacteria causes 20. (c) ‘I did not know where they were going
diseases in the plants. nor could I understand why they had left so
soon’ is the correct sentence.
3. (a) While farming, the farmers makes sure
to avoid the weeds and pests that attack 21. (c) As we can see that R is the beginning
plants. of the sentence but there are two options
starting with R. Now, Q followed by P
4. (b) With the advent in farming methods
does not make much sense, 'should display
and technology, resistant seeds which fight
round about a huge building or palace'.
weeds and pests are easily available that
Thus the correct answer is (c) and the
help farmers in controlling the loss caused
sequence becomes "A good garden laid out
by them.
on a magnificent scale round about a huge
5. (b) Nowadays, farmers can grow crops that building or palace should display fresh
ripen quickly and are resistant to frost, beauties every month".
drought, disease.
22. (b) As we can see that R is the beginning
6. (c) of the sentence but there are two options
starting with it. Now, P followed by Q does
7. (b)Graphology is the study of handwriting.
not make much sense, 'had finally paid off
8. (d)
on drawing after drawing'. Thus the correct
9. (c) answer is (b) and the proper sequence is
"The long gruelling hours working
10. (d)
tirelessly on drawing after drawing
11. (c) Replace 'are' with 'is' painting after painting had finally paid
off".
12. (c) Replace ‘with’ with ‘in’.
23. (b) As we can see that r is the beginning of
13. (c) There is incorrect use of conjunction
the sentence and there is only option
‘unless’ in the underlined part (c). It should
starting with it. Thus, the proper sequence
be replaced with ‘if’ to make the sentence
becomes "Bringing the light from behind a
correct and meaningful.
curtain he held it in such a manner that it
14. (c) There is unnecessary use of pronoun fell slantwise on her face".
‘he’ in the underlined part (c). It should be
24. (c) As we can see that Q makes the most
omitted to make the sentence correct.
sensible beginning of the sentence and
there are two options starting with Q. Now
R followed by S does not make much sense
15. (d) The sentence is grammatically correct, 'at the door when someone knocked'.
hence, it does not require any correction.
25. (d) As we can see that P makes the most
16. (b) The verb 'spend' should be replaced sensible beginning of the sentence and
with' spending' to make the sentence there is only option starting with it.
grammatically correct.

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26. (b) We intend to shift to Bombay with our Gathering roses only, without taking care
family which consists of three persons. of parents is not a good quality in any
child. The best option is to seek all
27. (b) Although he watered the plants
enjoyments of life.
regularly and put manure in them, they did
not grow well. 38. (a) make a mountain out of a molehill : to
make an unimportant matter seem
28. (d) The correct sequence is PSQR.
important.
29. (b) This question too applies the same logic Bhanu is always making mountains out of
as 'he knew' must be followed by 'that' molehills. The best option is exaggerate a
which is part S. This leaves us with options minor problem.
A and B. Part R 'and thought......' must be
39. (c) a man of letters : a man who is devoted
only after a part that already speaks of an
to literary/scholarly pursuits.
action which is part P 'sat under the tree'.
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was a man of letters.
Thus, P precedes R. Also, the adverbial
The best option is a literary person
phrase in Q must be placed in the end.
40. (c) To take French Leave : to leave work
30. (a) As we can see that Q is most
without asking permission first.
appropriate beginning of the sentence and
The best option is absenting oneself
no other option starts with it. Therefore,
without permission
the proper sequence is "If I were to give a
definition I would begin like this". 41. (c) The proper sequence should be "It was
a bitterly cold night and even at the far end
31. (c) under a cloud : under a suspicion
of the bus the wind cut like a knife. The bus
32. (d) flogging a dead horse : wasting your stopped, and two women and a man got in
effort by trying to do something that is no together and filled the vacant places. The
longer possible conductor came in and took the fares. The
younger of the two women was dressed in
33. (b) helter-skelter : done in a hurry and in a
sealskin and carried one of those little
way that lacks unity Clothes were scattered
Pekinese dogs that women like to carry in
helter-skelter. The best option is in
their laps. Then his eyes tested with cold
disorderly haste.
malice on the beady-eyed little dog. I saw
trouble brewing."
34. (c) to play to the gallery : to behave in an
exaggerated way to attract people's 42. (d) The correct option is PQRS
attention.
43. (d) So, the proper sequence should be
Abhay is a competent actor, but he has a
"Many things about Konark seem
tendency to play to the gallery. The best
shrouded in mystery. Long before the
option is to seek to win approval.
temple was built, sometime in the 13th
35. (d) take thee at thy word : believe someone century, Konark was one of the five holiest
truly places in Orissa. It is, of course, a religious
I told my friend, “I take thee at thy word.” shrine. But here there also seems to be a
The best option is truly believe you. great emphasis on purely human grandeur.
Why was it built? King Narasimha
36. (b) yeoman’s service : very useful work
probably had it built as much as a
We should all put in yeoman’s service to
memorial to himself as he did in honour of
achieve success. The best option is
the Sun-God."
excellent work.
44. (a) The correct option is RQSP
37. (c) to gather roses only : to seek all the
enjoyments of life

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45. (a) The correct sequence is – Man's growth S1 because it talks about what happened
from barbarism to civilization is supposed after the bank was open i.e the manager
to be the theme of history. But it is difficult and peon went to the safe in the vault. Next
to believe this ideal has been reached. sentence should be P because in
There is ample evidence of barbarism even continuation, it describes that the manager
today. Strong countries attack and oppress asked the peon to open the safe. What
weaker ones. Individuals to exploit their happened next is described in sentence R
fellows. In many ways, therefore, man has where the peon and manager look into the
not made very great progress. open safe. The sentence S and S6 are in
continuation and thus last sentence should
46. (a) The correct sequence is RQPS. The
be S.
sentence S1 talks about that Mark and
Delia ventured into the desert to study the 50. (d) Q will be the first sentence as it gives
ecology of that region. The next sentence the reason why Gandhi remained in college
should be R because it tells the directions for only part of the year. When we look at
that the two have taken to find roar of a the options, we see that only option (d)
lion. The next sentence should be Q starts with Q. hence, option (d) is the
because it tells that he heard a soft groan answer, thereby, making QPSR the correct
that startled him. After listening the roar, sequence.
he lifted his head to survey the scene. The
51. (a) reversal (Noun) : opposite of what it
next sentence thus should be P. The last
was. Look at the sentence : The
sentence S is in sync with S6 and talks
government suffered a total reversal of
about lioness that was standing in front and
fortune(s) last year. Here, reversal is the
coming towards them
right usage.
47. (b) After the first sentence, the
52. (b) bring out : to produce something; to
conversation reflects back to the 16th
publish something. Look at the sentence:
century so option R follows. After this
The band have just brought out their
sentence Q should follow as it tells how
second album.
nations started coming closer to each other.
Then S should follow as it contrasts the 53. (a) the ball is in your/ somebody’s court :
situation with an example where Romans It is your responsibility to take action next.
and Hans believed themselves to be a Here, your court is the right usage.
global leader. Last comes P where it is
54. (a) remark : something that you say or
concluded that such illusions cannot exist
write which expresses an opinion about
today.
something. Here, remarked is the right
48. (a) In s the sentence simply says that we usage.
learn to write by writing. Then comes
55. (a) in collaboration with : the act of
option R which supports previous sentence
working with another person.
by saying that we should not wait to write
Look at the sentence: She wrote the book
in hope of an inspiration. Then comes P
in collaboration with one of her friends.
which further supports the argument
Here, collaboration is the right option.
saying that even famous writers don't sit
idle in search of an inspiration. Q gives 56. (b) Preposition by is the right option.
statistical proof for the above sentences.
57. (b) Subject + has/ have + been + V-ing is
49. (b) The sentence S1 talks about that the the right structure. Hence, deteriorating is
bank opened at 10 am. All the other the right option.
sentences talk about peon, manager and
safe. Of all the sentences, Q should follow

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58. (b) Before a gerund, possessive case (his) 70. (a) The word Commiseration means to feel
...... should be used. or express sorrow or sympathy for;
empathize with; pity.
59. (d) Beside = by the side of
71. (a) The word Nadir means an extreme state
60. (b) Accede (Verb) = agree to demand,
of adversity; the lowest point of anything;
request or treaty; assume an office.
zenith is the opposite.
61. (a) The word Innocuous means not
72. (b)The word Ostentation means
harmful or injurious; harmless.
pretentious or conspicuous show, as of
62. (b) The word Cursory means going rapidly wealth or importance; display intended to
over something, without noticing details; impress others.
hence the synonym Quick is the correct
73. (b) The word Obsequious means obedient
answer.
or attentive to an excessive or servile
63. (b) Punctilious means scrupulous or degree. Dignified is the proper farthest
careful. Serious means grave. Careful word.
means cautious. Punctual means on time.
74. (d) The word Denigrate means to speak
Hardworking means diligent.
damagingly of; criticize in a derogatory
64. (c) Deplore means feel or express strong manner, sully, defame; hence the antonym
condemnation of. Its synonym is regret Praise is the correct answer.
meaning feel sad, repentant, or
75. (a) Defile means pollute or corrupt. Purify
disappointed over something that one has
means cleanse. Disturb means bother.
done or failed to do. Losing heart means
Glorify means worship.
being discouraged. Entreat means to urge
and malign means hurtful 76. (a) Vexation means displeasure. Comfort
means soothe. Slyness means cunning.
65. (a) 'Obeisance' means the fact of obeying
Fright means fear. Nervousness means
or respecting someone. 'homage' means
anxiety.
expressing special honour or respect to
someone. Therefore, 'homage' is the most 77. (d) Apparent means evident. Real means
similar synonym of 'Obeisance'. genuine. Significant means important.
Unimportant means insignificant. Vague
66. (a) Penury means poverty. Poverty is same
means unclear.
as penury. Petty means little, phony means
fake. Pathetic means wretched. 78. (a) Adulation means praise. Therefore
option (c) and (d) can be excluded.
67. (c)‘Pall’ means ‘to become less
Condemnation means to blame publicly.
interesting’
However, option a back- biting is the
68. (b) Imperceptibly: Hard to sense, faint perfect antonym for adulation as it means
(a) Extremely: Intensely to speak bad about.
(b) Invisibly: Out of sight
79. (b) Ill at ease: Awkward, embarrassed, and
(c) Inconceivably: Beyond reason,
uneasy
unbelievable.
(a) Easy to deal with: Uncomplicated, Not
(d) Intensely: deeply, strongly Most
difficult
similar word is invisibly
(b) Comfortable: relax, untroubled
69. (a)‘Pecuniary’ means ‘pertaining to (c) Chronically ill: confirmed, habitual
money’ (d) Strong: forceful, powerful
Most nearly opposite is Comfortable.

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80. (c) The word Plausible means having an 98. (d) Insouciant. The correct spelling of the
appearance of truth or reason; seemingly word is "Insouciant."
worthy of approval or acceptance; likely.
99. (a) Enervate. The correct spelling of the
Unlikely is the right antonym.
word is "Enervate."
81. (b)"Behind" shows the relationship
100. (b) Syzygy. The correct spelling of the
between "cat" and "cur
word is "Syzygy."
82. (b)"Across" shows the relationship
101. (b) The correct combination uses
between "ran" and "field," making it a
"although" to show the contrast between
preposition.
her age and her wisdom
83. (b)"Met" is an action performed by the 102. (a) The correct combination uses "so" to
committee, making it a verb. show the cause and effect relationship.
84. (a)"Between" shows the relationship 103. (a) The correct combination uses "so" to
between "choose" and "two options," show the cause and effect relationship.
making it a preposition.
104. (b) The correct combination uses
85. (a) "Recklessly" describes how he drove "despite" and "because" to indicate the
the car, making it an adverb. contrast and reason.
86. (d) "Promptly" describes when they 105. (d) The correct combination uses
responded, making it an adverb. "although" to show the contrast between
87. (c) "Discussion" is the subject of the his effort and the outcome.
sentence, making it a noun. 106. (b)The correct combination uses
"although" to show the contrast between
88. (b) "Diligently" describes how she worked,
the project's difficulty and her success.
making it an adverb.
107. (b) The correct combination uses "despite"
89. (d) "Swiftly" describes how they reacted,
making it an adverb. to show the contrast between the practice
and the performance.
90. (b) "Ultimately" describes when the
108. (d) The correct combination uses
decision was made, making it an adverb.
"although" to show the contrast between
91. (a) Serendipity. The correct spelling of the the duration of work and his continued
word is "Serendipity." love for the job.
92. (b) Exquisite. The correct spelling of the
109. (b) The correct combination uses "despite"
word is "Exquisite."
to show the contrast between her learning
93. (b) Conscientious. The correct spelling of ability and her struggle with complex
the word is "Conscientious." problems.
94. (a) Prevaricate. The correct spelling of the 110. (b) The correct combination uses "despite"
word is "Prevaricate." to show the contrast between the
experiment's outcome and the insights
95. (a) Ubiquitous. The correct spelling of the
word is "Ubiquitous." gained.

96. (a) Connoisseur. The correct spelling of 111. (d) The direct speech "I am sorry for what
the word is "Connoisseur." I did" changes to "she was sorry for what
she had done" in reported speech to
97. (d) Ostentatious. The correct spelling of maintain the tense consistency.
the word is "Ostentatious."

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112. (b) "Will" changes to "would" in reported 117. (d) Conditional sentences remain the same
speech when the reporting verb is in the but require adjustment of pronouns to
past tense. maintain the meaning in reported speech.
113. (c) "Can" changes to "could" and "next 118. (c) Exclamatory sentences in direct speech
week" changes to "the following week" in are reported with a statement in indirect
reported speech. speech.
114. (b) "Have been working" changes to "had 119. (a) "Will" changes to "would" in reported
been working" and "this" changes to "that" speech.
in reported speech.
115. (a) "Will be launching" changes to "would
120. (a) "Am considering" changes to "was
be launching" and "next month" changes to
considering" in reported speech.
"the following month" in reported speech.
116. (c) "Didn’t attend" changes to "hadn’t
attended" and "yesterday" changes to "the
day before" in reported speech.