NDA / NA ENGLISH

QUESTION PAPER
National Defence Academy /
Naval Academy II 2018
Time : 40 Minutes Total Marks : 200

Important Instructions :
1. This Test contains 50 items (questions). Each item comprises four responses (answers). You will select the response which
you want to mark on the Answer Sheet. In case, you feel that there is more than one correct response, mark the response which
you consider the best. In any case, choose ONLY ONE response for each item.
2. You have to mark all your responses ONLY on the separate Answer Sheet provided.
3. All items carry equal marks.
4. Before you proceed to mark in the Answer Sheet the response to various items in the Test Booklet, you have to fill in some
particulars in the Answer Sheet as per instructions.
5. Penalty for wrong answers :
THERE WILL BE PENALTY FOR WRONG ANSWERS MARKED BY A CANDIDATE IN THE OBJECTIVE TYPE
QUESTION PAPERS.
(i) There are four alternatives for the answer to every question. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given
by the candidate, one·third of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty.
(ii) If a candidate gives more than one answer, it will be treated as a wrong answer even if one of the given answers happens
to be correct and there will be same penalty as above to that question.
(iii) If a question is left blank, i.e., no answer is given by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

Spotting Errors 5. We often hear people say

(a)
Directions : (Q. 1–5) Each item in this section has
that most human beings have not evolved
a sentence with three underlined parts labelled
(a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out (b)
whether there is any error in any underlined part or grow up enough to stick to truth or non-
and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet violence. No error
against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c) (d)
(c). If you find no error, your response should be
indicated as (d). Synonyms

1. He appears to be a honest man. No error Directions : (Q. 6–10) Each item in this section
(a) (b) (c) (d) consists of a sentence with an underlined word
2. One of the members expressed doubt if followed by four words or groups of words. Select
(a) (b) the word or group of words that is nearest in
meaning to the underlined word and mark your
the Minister was an atheist. No error
response in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
(c) (d)
6. The Industrial Revolution saw a massive rise in
3. This view has been taken
the population of Europe.
(a)
(a) enormous (b) erroneous
by one of the ablest persons
(c) hazardous (d) perilous
(b)
7. I had some deepest convictions reflected in my
who has written on this subject. No error work.
(c) (d) (a) ideas and opinions (b) firm beliefs
4. Slow and steady owns the race, (c) prejudices (d) biases
(a) (b) 8. This boy is very timid.
as the wise would say. No error (a) courageous (b) shy
(c) (d) (c) clever (d) dull
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (II) 81
9. My friend is as stubborn as a mule. But the Quick Man on the front seat said in a big
(a) observant (b) obnoxious whisper to the people near him, “He-had-it-up-his-
(c) obstinate (d) corpulent sleeve.”
10. His behaviour was deliberately provocative. Then the people nodded brightly at the Quick Man
(a) exciting desire (b) infuriating and said, “Oh, of course”; and everybody whispered
(c) pitiable (d) creating frustration round the hall, “He-had-it-up-his-sleeve.”
“My next trick,” said the conjuror, “is the famous
Antonyms Hindostanee rings. You will notice that the rings are
Directions : (Q. 11–15) Each item in this section apparently separate; at a blow they all join (clang,
consists of a sentence with an underlined word clang, clang) -Presto!”
followed by four words or groups of words. Select There was a general buzz of stupefaction till the
the word or group of words that is opposite in Quick Man was heard to whisper, “He must-have-
meaning to the underlined word and mark your had-another-lot-up-his-sleeve.”
response in your Answer Sheet accordingly. Again everybody nodded and whispered, “The-
11. Too many cooks spoil the broth. rings-were-up-his-sleeve.”
(a) tarnish (b) wreck The brow of the conjuror was clouded with a
(c) embellish (d) upset gathering frown.
12. He is biased against the students from cities. “I will now”, he continued, “show you a most
(a) open (b) prejudiced amusing trick by which I am enabled to take any
(c) liked (d) impartial number of eggs from a hat. Will some gentleman
13. It is easy to be an orthodox. kindly lend me his hat ? Ah, thank you -presto!”
(a) idolatrous (b) intelligent He extracted seventeen eggs, and for thirty-five
(c) malignant (d) heterodox seconds the audience began to think that he was
14. Permit me to present you with a book. wonderful. Then the Quick Man whispered along
(a) allow (b) enclose the front bench, “He has-a-hen-his-sleeve,” and all
(c) prohibit (d) persuade the people whispered it on. “He-has-a-lot-of-hens-
up-his-sleeve.”
15. None but the brave deserves the fair. The egg trick was ruined.
(a) ugly person (b) coward It went on like that all through. It transpired from
(c) jealous person (d) weak person the whispers of the Quick Man that the conjuror
must have concealed up his sleeve, in addition to
Comprehension the rings, hens, and fish, several packs of cards, a
Directions : (Q. 16–20) In this section, you have loaf of bread, a doll’s cradle, a live guinea pig, a
two short passages. After each passage, you will fifty-cent piece, and a rocking chair.
find some items based on the passage. First, read a 16. “The brow of the conjuror was clouded with a
passage and answer the items based on it and mark gathering frown.” The sentence means that the
your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. conjuror
You are required to select your answers based on (a) was very pleased (b) was very sad
the contents of the passage and opinion of the (c) was rather angry (c) was very afraid
author only. 17. “The egg trick was ruined” This means that
“Now ladies and gentleman,” said the conjuror, (a) eggs were all broken
“having shown you that the cloth is absolutely (b) people were unconvinced
empty, I will proceed to take from it a bowl of (c) conjuror was disappointed
goldfish. Presto!” (d) the trick could not be performed
All around the hall people were saying, “Oh how
wonderful ! How does he do it ?”
82 Oswaal NDA/NA Year-wise Solved Papers

18. According to the Quick Man, the conjuror 21. Magda had not been out much lately because
(a) had everything bought for production (a) she had not been keeping well
(b) produced things with the magic he knew (b) she was busy with her studies
(c) had things in the large sleeves of his coat (c) the weather had been unpleasant
(d) created an illusion of things with his magic (d) her sister had come over to stay
19. The author believes that the Quick Man was 22. Magda was not going back home yet because
really (a) it had been raining heavily
(a) foolish (b) clever (b) her sister was coming over
(c) wrong (d) right (c) her studies were not completed
20. The conjuror extracted seventeen eggs from (d) she was not feeling well
the hat of 23. Mrs. Smiles says, “You’re looking forward to
(a) the Quick Man that.” This means, Magda was___ her sister’s
(b) his own arrival.
(c) one gentleman from the audience (a) expecting with pleasure
(d) None of the above (b) preparing hard for
Directions : (Q. 21–25) Read the following (c) thinking greatly about
conversation and answer the questions given (d) watching with joy
below it. 24. Magda’s sister was coming to
Magda : 
Good morning, Mrs. Smiles. It’s (a) visit her sister
wet, isn’t it ? (b) help Mrs. Smiles
Mrs. Smiles : 
Yes, it is, isn’t it ? How are you (c) settle down in England
today ? All right ? You haven’t been (d) pursue her studies
studying too hard, have you ? You 25. Mrs. Smiles and Magda are
look a bit pale. (a) classmates (b) school friends
Magda : I don’t, do I ? Well, I haven’t been (c) neighbours (d) sisters-in-law
out much lately. I don’t like this
weather a bit. Why, we haven’t had Fill in the Blanks
a dry day for weeks, have we ? Directions : (Q. 26–35) Each of the following
Mrs. Smiles : 
No, I don’t think we have, Let’s sentences in this section has a blank space and
see, you’ll be going back home next four words or groups of words given after the
month, won’t you ? sentence. Select whichever word or group of
Magda : Oh no, I’m not going back yet. My words you consider most appropriate for the blank
sister’s coming over first. space and indicate your response on the Answer
Mrs. Smiles : Oh, is she ? You’re looking forward Sheet accordingly.
to that, I expect. How long is it since 26. We fail to understand your reasons for ___ the
you saw her ? college without completing the degree.
(a) attending (b) joining
Magda : Nearly a year now. Yes, I am looking
forward to it very much. (c) leaving (d) refusing
27. She ______ her energy and started shouting
Mrs. Smiles : She’s coming over here to study ?
only when she heard the noise of bulldozers
Magda : 
Yes, that’s right. I shan’t go back and cranes.
home until she’s settled down. I (a) checked (b) conserved
don’t think I ought to, ought I ?
(c) maintained (d) controlled
Mrs. Smiles : 
Well, no, she’s younger than you 28. The British___all over Africa and Asia collapsed
are, is she ? in the first half of the twentieth century.
Magda : Yes, she’s only eighteen. (a) hegemony (b) domicile
(c) residence (d) inheritance
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (II) 83
29. The football match has to be___ because of the (c) to act very carefully
weather. (d) to invite danger
(a) called off (b) continued 39. To be in a fix
(c) put off (d) turned off (a) receive strong criticism
30. If I were rich, ___ a lot. (b) to support oneself
(a) I’ll travel (b) I can travel (c) to fix problems
(c) I would travel (d) I travelled (d) to be in a difficult situation
31. They apologized ___ me for what happened. 40. To fish in troubled waters
(a) to (b) at (a) to borrow money
(c) for (d) with (b) to steal belongings of
32. If you are tired of swimming, just___ for a (c) to get benefit in bad situation
while. (d) to extend a helping hand
(a) struggle (b) stroke
(c) float (d) streak Ordering of Sentences
33. He had ____ spoken for two minutes when Directions : (Q. 41–45) Each of the following items
there was a commotion in the crowd. in this section consists of a sentence the parts of
(a) even (b) hardly which have been jumbled. These parts have been
(c) often (d) little labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence
34. I would not commit myself ___ that course of are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You
action. are required to rearrange the jumbled parts of the
(a) of (b) to sentence and mark your response on the Answer
(c) by (d) with Sheet accordingly.
35. The soldiers waiting to go into battle for the 41. Domestic fires in Indian villages
first time were full of ____. P. as the heat is dispersed
(a) apprehension (b) consideration Q. an unhealthy smoke accumulates in
(c) anticipation (d) frivolity unventilated houses
R. are wasteful
Idioms and Phrases S. lit in Chulhas
Directions : (Q. 36–40) Given below are some idioms The correct sequence should be
/phrases followed by four alternative meanings to (a) PQSR (b) PQRS
each. Choose the response (a), (b), (c), or (d) which (c) SPQR (d) SRPQ
is the most appropriate meaning and mark your 42. Bold rocks near at hand
response on the Answer Sheet accordingly. P. makes a fine forest for the imagination
36. A red-letter day Q. than distant Alps
(a) a trivial day R. are more inspiring
(b) a very important or significant day S. and the thick fern upon a heath
(c) a day of bloodshed and violence The correct sequence should be
(d) a mourning day (a) QRSP (b) RSQP
37. The gift of the gab (c) RQSP (d) SRQP
(a) ability to speak easily and confidently 43. Newton discovered that
(b) ability to spoil something P. due to the gravitational pull
(c) ability to sell things Q. of the earth
(d) gift from a sacred institution R. the apple falls
38. Walk a tightrope S. on the ground
(a) to be forced to leave your job The correct sequence should be
(b) to be ready to fall (a) QPRS (b) RSPQ
(c) QSPR (d) SQRP
84 Oswaal NDA/NA Year-wise Solved Papers

44. The knocking 45. The history of mankind is

P. were still in the house P. and steady progress
Q. for some time Q. continuous change
R. although the echoes of it R. the history of
S. ceased S. from barbarism to refinement
The correct sequence should be The correct sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) SQRP (a) PQRS (b) RQPS
(c) PQSR (d) RSPQ (c) QSPR (d) SQRP

Cloze Comprehension

Directions : (Q. 46–50) In the following passage there are some blank spaces with four words or groups of
words given. Select whichever word or group of words you consider most appropriate for the blank space
and indicate your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.
The honeybee is a very unusual kind of insect.__ 46. (a) Unlike other insects which live
(b) Similar to
(c) With
(d) Like
alone, the honeybee lives as a / an ___ 47. (a) group   of a community, These bees live
(b) individual
(c) member
(d) troop
together in what is known as a bee ___ 48. (a) house. The head of the bees is called the
(b) home.
(c) army.
(d) colony.
queen bee. She is __ 49. (a) heaviest than the rest of the bees. Her main
task
(b) heavier
(c) largest
(d) larger
is to ___ 50. (a) lay eggs.
(b) hatch
(c) make
(d) bear
SOLVED PAPER - 2018 (II) 85

Answers
Q No Answer Key Topic Name Chapter Name
1 (c) Article Spotting errors
2 (b) Redundancy Spotting errors
3 (c) Subject-verb Agreement Spotting errors
4 (b) Idioms Spotting errors
5 (c) Parallelism Spotting errors
6 (a) Vocabulary Synonyms
7 (b) Vocabulary Synonyms
8 (b) Vocabulary Synonyms
9 (c) Vocabulary Synonyms
10 (a) Vocabulary Synonyms
11 (c) Vocabulary Antonyms
12 (d) Vocabulary Antonyms
13 (d) Vocabulary Antonyms
14 (c) Vocabulary Antonyms
15 (b) Vocabulary Antonyms
16 (c) Meaning of a Phrase Reading Comprehension
17 (b) Meaning of a Phrase Reading Comprehension
18 (c) Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension
19 (a) Fill up Reading Comprehension
20 (c) Fill up Reading Comprehension
21 (c) Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension
22 (b) Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension
23 (a) Fill up Reading Comprehension
24 (d) Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension
25 (c) Sentence Completion Reading Comprehension
26 (c) Verb Fill in the blanks
27 (b) Verb Fill in the blanks
28 (a) Noun Fill in the blanks
29 (a) Verb Fill in the blanks
30 (c) Conditionals Fill in the blanks
31 (a) Prepositions Fill in the blanks
32 (c) Conditionals Fill in the blanks
33 (b) Adverb Fill in the blanks
34 (b) Prepositions Fill in the blanks
35 (a) Correct Word Fill in the blanks
36 (b) Vocabulary Idioms and phrases
37 (a) Vocabulary Idioms and phrases
38 (c) Vocabulary Idioms and phrases
39 (d) Vocabulary Idioms and phrases
40 (c) Vocabulary Idioms and phrases
86 Oswaal NDA/NA Year-wise Solved Papers

Q No Answer Key Topic Name Chapter Name

41 (d) Para jumble Ordering sentences
42 (c) Para jumble Ordering sentences
43 (b) Para jumble Ordering sentences
44 (a) Para jumble Ordering sentences
45 (b) Para jumble Ordering sentences
46 (a) Prepositions Cloze test
47 (c) Noun Cloze test
48 (d) Noun Cloze test
49 (d) Adjectives Cloze test
50 (a) Verb Cloze test