English (Précis & Composition)
FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATION FOR RECRUITMENT TO POSTS IN BS-17
UNDER THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
English (Précis & Composition)
2014
Q 1. Choose the world that is nearly most similar in meaning.
1) APROPOS
(a) Regarding
(b) Unexpected
(c) Misspoken
(d) Idea
Answer (a)
Explanation: The word “apropos” has several meanings, including “pertaining to,” “with respect to,” “regarding,” “concerning,” “appropriate”
2) BULWARK
(a) Conundrum
(b) Festival
(c) Rampart
(d) Confuse
Answer (c)
Explanation: bulwark Meaning – Comes from German bole, “plank,” and werc, “work,” and originally meant “rampart made out of planks or tree trunks. “the inner-city ring road follows the line of the ancient bulwarks :wall, rampart, fortification, parapet, stockade, palisade, barricade, embankment, earthwork, breastwork, berm; Latin vallum
3) EPITOME
(a) Volume
(b) Essence
(c) Summit
(d) Deliverance
Answer (b)
Explanation: (the epitome of) a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type:
Example sentences for Epitome
She looked the epitome of elegance and good taste
His lifestyle was the epitome of unsustainable living.
Remember that epitome ends -tome.
4) REGURGITATE
(a) Assimilate
(b) Reproduce
(c) Exemplify
(d) Study
Answer (b)
Explanation: Synonyms: regurgitate, reproduce
Definition: repeat after memorization
Example sentences for Regurgitate
For the exam, you must be able to regurgitate the information
5) PLUTOCRAT
(a) Magnate
(b) Priest
(c) Judge
(d) Astronaut
Answer (a)
Explanation: Plutocrat (noun)} (also: magnate, dives) rich person, magnate, capitalist, tycoon, nabob, millionaire, billionaire, multimillionaire, nouveau riche
Example sentences for Plutocrat
Plutocracy tradesmen become cunning enough to be more fastidious than their customers
6) INEBRIATE
(a) Dreamy
(b) Stupefied
(c) Unsteady
(d) Drunken
Answer (d)
Explanation: (Often as adjective inebriated) Make (someone) drunk; intoxicate: I got mildly inebriated
7) PRODIGIOUS
(a) Unacceptable
(b) Phenomenal
(c) Discouraging
(d) Vain
Answer (b)
Explanation: Prodigious is defined as something very big or powerful, or something extraordinary.
Example sentences for Prodigious
The legal costs involved in this enormous litigation could be prodigious.
8) NUANCE
(a) New word
(b) Sense
(c) Interpretation
(d) Subtle meaning
Answer (d)
Explanation: Nuance Meaning a subtle distinction or variation
A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation.
Example sentences for Nuance
Even when you turn it down low you won’t miss one nuance.
Now, he stops frequently to take in every nuance, even in practice rounds.
9) CANNY
(a) Obstinate
(b) Handsome
(c) Clever
(d) Stout
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Canny Meaning – showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others; “a cagey lawyer”; “too clever to be sound” or having or showing shrewdness and good judgment, especially in money or business matters:
Example sentences for Canny
He has found some canny ways to tempt them to settle.
Canny governments can work with the grain of this psychology.
10) SONORUS
(a) Loud
(b) Heavy
(c) Sleepy
(d) Bright
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Sonorus Meaning Having a sound that is deep, loud, and pleasant
Latin sonorus; akin to Latin sonus sound First Known Use: 1611
Example sentences for Sonorus
He has a deep, sonorous voice.
(b) Choose the world that is nearly most opposite in meaning.
11) EXTENUATE
(a) Alleviate
(b) Preclude
(c) Worsen
(d) Subdue
Answer: (c)
EXTENUATE means to lessen the seriousness of an offense by offering excuses. Think of the phrase “extenuating circumstances.” The opposite is to WORSEN.
12) INADVERTENT
(a) Accidental
(b) Disingenuous
(c) Forthright
(d) Calculated
Answer: (d)
INADVERTENT means unintentional, without forethought. And CALCULATED means premeditated, with forethought.
Example sentences for INADVERTENT
Is anyone being disadvantaged, through exclusion, however inadvertent?
Inadvertent error on my part frankly leaves me feeling sick.
Inadvertent breach of his personal license conditions.
Inadvertent injection of drugs into the arterial circulation may result in vascular spasm with loss of tissue due to anoxia.
13) ORNATE
(a) Spartan
(b) Blemished
(c) Sturdy
(d) Counterfeit
Answer: (a)
Ornate Meaning means adorned or decorated with complicated patterns or shapes
Example sentences for Ornate
The second letter was longer, and written in his own small and ornate handwriting
14) FLAGITIOUS
(a) Cardinal
(b) Mercenary
(c) Meritorious
(d) Askew
Answer: (c)
Flagitious Meaning: (of a person or their actions) criminal; villainous.
Example sentences for Flagitious:
He was arrested and charged with spousal abuse because of his flagitious behavior.
15) MALEDICTION
(a) Blessing
(b) Termination
(c) Parochial
(d) Simian
Answer: (a)
MALEDICTION means denunciation.
First Known Use: 14th century
Antonyms: blessing, benediction, benison,
Example sentences for MALEDICTION
I said: Because you have invoked curse and hurled malediction upon both of them
16) BRUSQUE
(a) Gold
(b) Opulent
(c) Gracious
(d) Suspect
Answer: (c)
Brusque meaning (curt, rude) is the opposite of Gracious (Comity)
Example sentences for Brusque
The officers are often, perhaps usually, brusque to the point of rudeness.
17) VERDANT
(a) Dishonest
(b) Suspicious
(c) Moldy
(d) Arid
Answer: (d)
VERDANT Meaning: (of countryside) green with grass or other rich vegetation: verdant valleys
18) EPICUREAN
(a) Ascetic
(b) Slovenly
(c) Imprecision
(d) Providential
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Epicurean: Meaning involving an appreciation of fine food and drink: of or relating to an epicure or (epicurean) a person devoted to sensual enjoyment, especially that derived from fine food and drink
Opposite Word of epicurean: ascetic
Example sentences for Epicurean
Delicious epicurean delights are prepared daily from scratch by culinary arts students and expert chefs.
The epicurean enjoyed every course of the long feast.
19) QUIESCENT
(a) Active
(b) Dormant
(c) Weak
(d) Unconcerned
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Quiescent Meaning: not active, medical: not now developing or causing symptoms, marked by inactivity or repose: tranquilly at rest
First Known Use: 1605
Example sentences for Quiescent:
These years seem relatively quiescent in terms of UFO activity.
20) LOQUACIOUS
(a) Reticent
(b) Talkative
(c) Garrulous
(d) Verbose
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Loquacious Meaning: a person that talks a lot; talkative, tending to talk a great deal; talkative.
First Known Use: 1663
Remember that loquacious ends with -cious.
Example sentences for Loquacious:
After the defeat people were more loquacious
Recognizing the fact she had the habit of being rather loquacious, Marium fought to hold her tongue during the meeting.
