Fill in the blanks with the correct verb:
1. The project ____________ for want of funds.
a) withered away
b) got strangled
c) was progressing
d) digressing
Answer: a)
2. Jake has a short attention span and it is very easy for him to _______ from the issue at hand.
a) garner
b) covert
c) digress
d) quagmire
Answer: c)
3. Roger ________ Robert to give him all his marbles.
a) coveted
b) coerced
c) disguised
d) instigate
Answer: b)
4. The rumours _____________ in the college seemed to instigate tension among students, creating a hostile atmosphere that the college management needed to address promptly.
a) circulating
b) rotating
c) revolving
d) wandering
Answer: a)
5. The well-known athlete who had earlier decided to __________ the new sports drink, later on, changed his mind on ethical grounds.
a) buster
b) muster
c) endorse
d) enervate
Answer: c)
6. She has always been an iconoclast who challenged and _________ the rigid mindset of the society.
a) subverted
b) subdued
c) submerged
d) felicitated
Answer: a)
7. Rebecca Patterson came _________ in a black and white jumpsuit to the fund-raising event.
a) accoutred
b) accredited
c) adorned
d) shrouded
Answer: a)
8. Jasper was ____________ for writing on the walls of his kindergarten school with his crayons.
a) admonished
b) rebuked
c) chided
d) all of these
Answer: d)
9. The secret cell ________ the spy after he was caught.
a) defied
b) admonished
c) repudiated
d) plagiarised
Answer: c)
10. The investors were __________ into investing huge sums of money by giving lucrative offers.
a) beguiled
b) eluded
c) exuberated
d) exterminated
Answer: a)
11. Fill in the blank with an appropriate modal verb:
It's a hospital. You ____________ smoke. (CREST 2023-24)
a) wouldn't
b) couldn't
c) mustn't
d) may not
Answer: c)
12. The scientist's groundbreaking research aims to _________ new insights into the complexities of genetic mutations.
a) obscure
b) illuminate
c) misconstrue
d) trivialise
Answer: b)
13. To _________ economic growth, the government introduced a series of tax reforms and incentives for businesses.
a) hinder
b) stifle
c) stimulate
d) suppress
Answer: c)
14. The historian was able to _________ previously unknown facts about the ancient civilisation through meticulous research and excavation.
a) uncover
b) obscure
c) fabricate
d) distort
Answer: a)
15. The company had to _________ its business model to adapt to the rapidly changing market conditions and consumer preferences.
a) adhere
b) stagnate
c) reject
d) adjust
Answer: d)
16. The novelist uses rich, descriptive language to _________ the emotions and struggles of the characters, making the story more engaging for readers.
a) evoke
b) suppress
c) conceal
d) diminish
Answer: a)
17. The new policy was designed to _________ the rights of workers and ensure fair treatment in the workplace.
a) undermine
b) protect
c) exploit
d) disregard
Answer: b)
18. To _________ the risks associated with investment, it is important to diversify your portfolio across different asset classes.
a) maximize
b) magnify
c) mitigate
d) exacerbate
Answer: c)
19. The diplomat worked tirelessly to _________ a peaceful resolution to the conflict, engaging in talks with all parties involved.
a) instigate
b) negotiate
c) provoke
d) escalate
Answer: b)
20. The professor's lecture was intended to _________ students' understanding of complex philosophical concepts through clear examples and discussions.
a) obscure
b) confuse
c) undermine
d) enhance
Answer: d)
