General English MCQs
Topic Notes: General English
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
601
The ______ nature of her illness meant that she had good days and bad days, making it difficult to plan anything.
Answer:
intermittent
Rule: Vocabulary of Time/Occurrence. Having 'good days and bad days' means the illness is not constant but stops and starts. 'Intermittent' means occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady. This word accurately describes the nature of the illness. Option (a) 'chronic' means long-lasting. Option (b) 'acute' means severe and sudden. Option (c) 'ephemeral' means lasting for a very short time. None of these capture the stop-start pattern.
602
The ______ of the old building was a sad sight for the local residents who had many fond memories associated with it.
Answer:
demolition
Rule: Vocabulary of Building/Destruction. A 'sad sight' implies that something negative was happening to the building. 'Demolition' is the action or process of demolishing or tearing down a building. This would be a sad event for people with fond memories. Options (a) 'construction', (b) 'renovation', and (d) 'preservation' are all positive actions that residents would likely be happy about.
603
His ______ arguments were so convincing that the board of directors quickly approved his proposal.
Answer:
cogent
Rule: Vocabulary of Argumentation. Arguments that are 'convincing' and lead to a proposal's approval must be clear, logical, and persuasive. 'Cogent' means (of an argument or case) clear, logical, and convincing. This is the perfect adjective. Options (a) 'tenuous' (weak), (b) 'specious' (superficially plausible, but actually wrong), and (d) 'fallacious' (based on a mistaken belief) all describe bad arguments.
604
The ancient tribe performed a complex ritual to ______ their gods and ensure a bountiful harvest.
Answer:
propitiate
Rule: Vocabulary - Religious/Ritual Context. The purpose of a ritual to ensure a 'bountiful harvest' is to please or win the favor of the gods. 'Propitiate' means to win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them. This is the precise term for this religious action. Options (a) 'antagonize', (b) 'offend', and (d) 'provoke' all mean to anger or annoy, which would be counterproductive to getting a good harvest.
605
The company's marketing campaign was a ______ failure, resulting in a significant drop in sales.
Answer:
dismal
Rule: Adjectives of Success/Failure. The result was a 'significant drop in sales', indicating the failure was very bad. 'Dismal' means depressing; dreary or causing a mood of gloom. A 'dismal failure' is a common expression for a very bad and depressing failure. While 'resounding', 'spectacular', and 'colossal' can be used with 'failure' to mean a very big failure, 'dismal' also carries the connotation of a depressing outcome, which fits the context of dropping sales.
606
The detective was known for his ______ attention to detail, which helped him solve the most complex cases.
Answer:
meticulous
Rule: Vocabulary for Qualities. Solving 'the most complex cases' requires very careful and precise work. 'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise. This word perfectly describes the detective's quality. Options (a) 'cursory' (hasty), (b) 'negligent' (careless), and (d) 'sloppy' (careless) are all antonyms and would describe a poor detective.
607
The president's speech was an attempt to ______ the fears of the nation during a time of crisis.
Answer:
allay
Rule: Verbs of Emotion. During a crisis, a leader's goal is to calm or reduce public fear. 'Allay' means to diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, or worry). This is the correct verb for reducing fears. Options (a) 'provoke', (c) 'generate', and (d) 'incite' all mean to cause or stir up fears, which is the opposite of a leader's responsibility in a crisis.
608
She has an ______ appetite for knowledge, constantly reading books and taking online courses.
Answer:
insatiable
Rule: Vocabulary of Desire. 'Constantly reading books and taking online courses' indicates a desire for knowledge that is never satisfied. 'Insatiable' means (of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy. This is the perfect adjective to describe her appetite for knowledge. Option (a) 'insipid' means lacking flavor or interest. Option (c) 'indifferent' means having no interest. Option (d) 'inadequate' means insufficient.
609
The ______ of the new software was its intuitive user interface, which made it easy for beginners to learn.
Answer:
hallmark
Rule: Vocabulary of Features. An 'intuitive user interface' that is 'easy for beginners' is a key, positive, and distinguishing feature of the software. A 'hallmark' is a distinctive feature. This word correctly identifies the interface as the software's most notable quality. Options (a) 'drawback', (b) 'detriment', and (d) 'flaw' are all negative words for a disadvantage or fault.
610
The two nations, long-time adversaries, finally agreed to ______ diplomatic relations.
Answer:
normalize
Rule: Vocabulary of Diplomacy. When 'adversaries' agree to something, it is usually a step towards peace or regular interaction. 'Normalize' relations is a specific diplomatic term that means to resume normal, friendly relations between countries. This is the correct choice. Options (a) 'sever', (b) 'suspend', and (d) 'disrupt' are all actions that would worsen or end diplomatic relations.