OLT -5

Instructions (Q.1 to Q.7): You are given four options. One of them improves the sentence by correcting
grammar, punctuation, word choice, or sentence structure. Choose the option that best improves the
sentence.
1. People in this country annually spend more than a billion dollars a year on prescription drugs, and for
most patients, the medicines have only marginal effects, if any, on symptoms and do nothing to stop the
underlying disease process that eats away at the brain. (Accenture)
A. annually spend more than a billion dollars a year on prescription drugs, and for most patients, the
medicines have only marginal effects, if any, on symptoms, and do nothing
B. spends more than a billion dollars a year on prescription drugs, but for most patients, the medicines
have only marginal effects, if any, on symptoms, and do nothing
C. annually spends more than a billion dollars a year on prescription drugs, but for most patients, the
medicines have only marginal effects, if any, on symptoms, and do nothing
D. annually spends more than a billion dollars on prescription drugs, but for most patients, the medicines
have only marginal effects, if any, on symptoms, and are doing nothing
Answer – B
Hint: “Medicines... do nothing” (plural), not “does.” “Spend... but” contrasts ideas better than “and.”

2. The Cricket Board has constituted a three-member committee to investigate the case of the missing
batsman who fled the team hotel in Amsterdam to go to London and has subsequently applied for political
asylum there. ( Wipro )
A. to investigate the case of the missing batsman who fled the team hotel in Amsterdam to go to London
and has subsequently applied for political asylum there.
B. for investigating the case of the missing batsman, who fled the team hotel in Amsterdam to go to London
and subsequently applied for political asylum there.
C. to investigate the case of the missing batsman, having fled the team hotel in Amsterdam to go to London
and subsequently applying for political asylum there.
D. to investigate the case of the missing batsman, who fled the team hotel in Amsterdam to go to London
and subsequently applied for political asylum there.
Answer – D
Hint: Correct relative clause “who fled... and applied...” matches “batsman.”

3. The banned Rebel Party today dismissed allegations levelled by the opposition members on the nexus
between them and the dissidents, saying that they did not have any relations with the dissidents.
(Cognigent)
A. on the nexus between them and the dissidents, saying that they did not have any relations with the
dissidents.
B. on the nexus between it and the dissidents, saying that they did not have any relations with the dissidents.
C. on the nexus between it and the dissidents, saying that it did not have any relations with the dissidents.
D. about the nexus between them and the dissidents, saying that it did not have any relations with the
dissidents.
Answer – C
Hint: “Party” is singular → use “it did not,” not “they.”

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4. Indonesia's Mount Merapi volcano has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading
to the declaration of an emergency in the country. (Tech Mahindra)
A. has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the declaration of an emergency
in the country
B. has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the declaration of an emergency
in the country.
C. has killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, which has led to the declaration of an
emergency in the country.
D. had killed 191 people since it began erupting late last month, leading to the declaration of an emergency
in the country.
Answer – A
Hint: Correct tense: “has killed” since the action began in the past and continues.

5. It's very important for CEOs, board members, and other nonfinancial executives to internalize the
principles of value creation because doing it allows them to make independent, courageous, and even
unpopular business decisions. ( Wipro )
A. Because doing it allows them to make independent, courageous, and even unpopular business
decisions
B. because doing that allows them to make independent, courageous, but even unpopular, business
decisions
C. because doing so allows them to make independent, courageous, and even unpopular business
decisions
D. because doing so allows him to make independent, courageous, and even unpopular business
decisions
Answer – C
Hint: “Doing so” is correct usage. “Doing it” is vague.

6. Empirical analysis of specific acquisition strategies offers limited insight, largely because of the wide
variety of types and sizes of acquisitions and due to the lack of an objective way to classify them by strategy.
(Accenture)
A. offers limited insight, largely because of the wide variety of types and sizes of acquisitions and due to
the lack of an objective way to classify them by
B. offer limited insight, largely due to the wide variety of types and sizes of acquisitions, and also
due to the lack of an objective way to classify these acquisitions by
C. offers limited insight, largely because of the wide variety of types and sizes of acquisitions and the lack
of an objective way to classify these acquisitions by
D. offers limited insight, largely because of the wide variety of types and sizes of acquisitions and the lack
of an objective way to classify these acquisitions by
Answer – D
Hint: “Analysis” is singular → “offers.” Option D has a consistent sentence structure.
7. Companies, investors, and governments must relearn the guiding principles of value creation if they are
to defend against future economic crises. (Tech Mahindra)
A. Companies, investors, and governments must relearn the guiding principles of value creation if they are
to defend against future economic crises.
B. Companies, investors, along with governments, must relearn the guiding principles of value creation if
it is to defend against future economic crises.
C. Companies, as well as investors and governments, must relearn the guiding principles of value creation
if they are to defend from future economic crises.

DEPARTMENT OF COMPUTER ENGINEERING & APPLICATIONS, Institute of Engineering & Technology

D. Companies, investors, and governments must relearn the guiding principles of value creation if they are
to defend from future economic crises.
Answer – A
Hint: Correct subject-verb agreement and idiomatic phrasing.
Instructions (Q.8 to Q.10): Fill in the blank with the most appropriate option.
8. There have been many complaints ....... your behavior. ( Wipro )
(a) With (b) of (c) about (d) for
Answer-c
Hint: “Complaints about” is the standard collocation.
9. The trouble ....... my mother-in-law is that she doesn't listen to anybody. (Cognigent)
(a) with (b) about (c) for (d) between
Answer-a
Hint: “The trouble with someone” is idiomatic.
10. I'm tired of cooking every night. Let's eat out ....... a change. (Accenture)
(a) on (b) for (c) to (d) in
Answer-b
Hint: “For a change” is a fixed expression.
Instructions (Q.11 to Q.15): Read the given passage carefully and thoroughly. Choose the most
appropriate option to answer the questions based on the passage.
The first and decisive step in the expansion of Europe Overseal was the conquest of the Atlantic Ocean.
That the nation to achieve this should be Portugal was the logical outcome of her geographical position and
her history. Placed on the extreme margin of the old, classical Mediterranean world and facing the
untraversed ocean, Portugal could adapt and develop the knowledge and experience of the past to meet the
challenge of the unknown. From the seamen of Genoa and Venice, they had learned the organization and
conduct of a mercantile marine and from Jewish astronomers and mapmakers the rudiments of navigation
Largely excluded from the share in Mediterranean commerce, at a time when her population was making
heavy demands on her resources, Portugal turned southwards and westwards for opportunities of trade and
commerce. But ocean navigation was not the same as navigating the land-locked Mediterranean. The
earliest of the band had neither the benefit of sailing directions nor traditional lore. Even the familiar
heavenly constellations had been left behind. The challenge was formidable. (Tech
Mahindra)

11. According to the passage, the most important step in the expansion of European Power was:
(a) The emergence of Portugal as a power.
(b) The growth of Mediterranean commerce
(c) The contact of Europeans with Jewish astronomers
(d) The conquest of the Atlantic Ocean
Answer: D (Conquest of the Atlantic Ocean)
Hint: The first line states this directly.

12. The earliest group of Portuguese navigators going across the Atlantic did not find the venture.
(a) different from land-locked navigation
(b) more difficult than coastal navigation
(c) easy and comfortable
(d) challenging and demanding
Answer: D (challenging and demanding)
Hint: No maps, no constellations — it was not easy.

13. The Portuguese sailors were ready to explore the world by sea because they:

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(a) knew about many countries
(b) had rich patrons to finance them
(c) were prepared for the hazards of a sea voyage
(d) We were in touch with seamen from Genoa and Venice
Answer: C (prepared for hazards)
Hint: The passage discusses their readiness and learning.
14. The most important advantage that Portugal had was its:
(a) geographical location
(b) contact with the Arabs
(c) contact with Genoa and Venice
(d) cultural history
Answer: A (Geographical location)
Hint: The First few lines emphasize this.

15. Portugal was motivated to pioneer ocean navigation because:

(a) It was encouraged by other European powers
(b) It faced strong rivals in land-based trade
(c) It collaborated with Venetian merchants
(d) Its limited resources could not support its growing population.
Answer: D (Limited resources and growing population)
Hint: The Passage mentions turning to sea due to domestic strain.

Instructions (Q.16 to Q.20): Replace the given phrase or description with the most suitable single word
from the options.
16. A statement that seems self-contradictory but is true ( Wipro )
A) Riddle B) Paradox C) Dilemma D) Hypothesis
Answer: B (Paradox)
Hint: Think of phrases like “less is more” — they appear contradictory but reveal deeper truths.
17. Government by the wealthy (Accenture)
A) Plutocracy B) Aristocracy C) Oligarchy D) Democracy
Answer: A (Plutocracy)
Hint: The root "pluto-" refers to wealth (like in "Pluto, god of wealth" in mythology). A system
ruled by the rich.
18. Fear of confined spaces (Cognigent)
A) Agoraphobia B) Claustrophobia C) Xenophobia D) Acrophobia
Answer: B (Claustrophobia)
Hint: “Claus-” relates to closed spaces, and “-phobia” means fear. This is common in elevators or
small rooms.
19. One who lives in solitude (Accenture)
A) Hermit B) Recluse C) Loner D) Monk
Answer: B (Recluse)
Hint: Someone who closes themselves off from society, often avoiding social contact.
20. A record of events year by year (Infosys)
A) Timeline B) Memoir C) Diary D) Chronicle
Answer: D (Chronicle)
Hint: “Chrono-” means time. A chronicle arranges events in the order they happened, like a
historical diary.

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