Word Usage — CAT Previous-Year Questions
18 previous-year questions on Word Usage from CAT, with full solutions. Practise free — check answers as you go; sign in to save your progress.
Word Usage · CAT PYQs
In each question, there are five sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words that is italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
Anita wore a beautiful broach(A)/brooch(B) on the lapel of her jacket.
If you want to complain about the amenities in your neighbourhood, please meet your councillor(A)/counselor(B).
I would like your advice(A)/advise(B) on which job I should choose.
The last scene provided a climactic(A)/climatic(B) ending to the film.
Jeans that flair(A)/flare(B) at the bottom are in fashion these days.
In each question, there are five sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words that is italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
The cake had lots of currents(A)/currants(B) and nuts in it.
If you engage in such exceptional(A)/exceptionable(B) behaviour, I will be forced to punish you.
He has the same capacity as an adult to consent(A)/assent(B) to surgical treatment.
The minister is obliged(A)/compelled(B) to report regularly to a parliamentary board.
His analysis of the situation is far too sanguine(A)/genuine(B).
In each question, there are five sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words that is italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
She managed to bite back the ironic(A)/caustic(B) retort on the tip of her tongue.
He gave an impassioned and valid(A)/cogent(B) plea for judicial reform.
I am not adverse(A)/averse(B) to helping out.
The coupé(A)/coup(B) broke away as the train climbed the hill.
They heard the bells peeling(A)/pealing(B) far and wide.
In each question, there are five sentences. Each sentence has a pair of words that is italicized and highlighted. From the italicized and highlighted words, select the most appropriate words (A or B) to form correct sentences. The sentences are followed by options that indicate the words, which may be selected to correctly complete the set of sentences. From the options given, choose the most appropriate one.
We were not successful in defusing(A)/diffusing(B) the Guru’s ideas.
The students baited(A)/bated(B) the instructor with irrelevant questions.
The hoard(A)/horde(B) rushed into the campus.
The prisoner’s interment(A)/internment(B) came to an end with his early release.
The hockey team could not deal with his unsociable(A)/unsocial(B) tendencies.
Each question has a base word that is used in the options given below. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is inappropriate.
Reason
Each question has a base word that is used in the options given below. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is inappropriate.
Paper
Each question has a base word that is used in the options given below. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is inappropriate.
Business
Each question has a base word that is used in the options given below. Choose the option in which the usage of the word is inappropriate.
Service
Fill the gaps in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each gap. The right words are the ones used by the author. Be guided by the author's overall style and meaning when you choose the answers.
In a large company, ______1______ people is about as common as using a gun or a switch-blade to ______2_______ an argument. As a result, most managers have little or no experience of firing people, and they find it emotionally automatic, as result, they often delay the act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will prolong a bad marriage. And when the firing is done, it's often done clumsily, with far worse side effects than are necessary.
Do the world-class software organizations have a different way of firing people? No. But they do the deed swiftly, humanely, and professionally.
The key point here is to view the fired employee as a "failed product" and to ask how the process ______3_______ such a phenomenon in the first place.
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages most closely matched.
MEASURE
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A | Size of quality found by measuring | E | A measure was instituted to prevent outsider from entering the campus |
| B | Vessel of standard capacity | F | Sheila was asked to measure each item that was delivered. |
| C | Suitable action | G | The measure of the cricket pitch was 22 yards. |
| D | Ascertain extent or quality | H | Ratnesh used a measure to take out one litre of oil. |
Fill the gaps in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each gap. The right words are the ones used by the author. Be guided by the author's overall style and meaning when you choose the answers.
In a large company, ______1______ people is about as common as using a gun or a switch-blade to ______2_______ an argument. As a result, most managers have little or no experience of firing people, and they find it emotionally automatic, as result, they often delay the act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will prolong a bad marriage. And when the firing is done, it's often done clumsily, with far worse side effects than are necessary.
Do the world-class software organizations have a different way of firing people? No. But they do the deed swiftly, humanely, and professionally.
The key point here is to view the fired employee as a "failed product" and to ask how the process ______3_______ such a phenomenon in the first place.
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages most closely matched.
BOUND
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A | Obliged, constrained | E | Dinesh felt bound to walk out when the discussion turned to kickbacks. |
| B | Limiting, value | F | Bulleted by contradictory forces he was bound to lose his mind. |
| C | Move in a specified direction | G | Vidya's story strains the bounds of |
| D | Destined or certain to be | H | Bound for a career in law, Jyoti was reluctant to study Milton. |
Fill the gaps in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each gap. The right words are the ones used by the author. Be guided by the author's overall style and meaning when you choose the answers.
In a large company, ______1______ people is about as common as using a gun or a switch-blade to ______2_______ an argument. As a result, most managers have little or no experience of firing people, and they find it emotionally automatic, as result, they often delay the act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will prolong a bad marriage. And when the firing is done, it's often done clumsily, with far worse side effects than are necessary.
Do the world-class software organizations have a different way of firing people? No. But they do the deed swiftly, humanely, and professionally.
The key point here is to view the fired employee as a "failed product" and to ask how the process ______3_______ such a phenomenon in the first place.
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages most closely matched.
CATCH
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A | Capture | E | All her friends agreed that Prasad was a good catch. |
| B | Grasp with senses or mind | F | The proposal sounds very good but where is the catch? |
| C | Deception | G | Hussain tries to catch the spirit of India in this painting. |
| D | Thing or person worth trapping | H | Sorry, I couldn't catch you. |
Fill the gaps in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each gap. The right words are the ones used by the author. Be guided by the author's overall style and meaning when you choose the answers.
In a large company, ______1______ people is about as common as using a gun or a switch-blade to ______2_______ an argument. As a result, most managers have little or no experience of firing people, and they find it emotionally automatic, as result, they often delay the act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will prolong a bad marriage. And when the firing is done, it's often done clumsily, with far worse side effects than are necessary.
Do the world-class software organizations have a different way of firing people? No. But they do the deed swiftly, humanely, and professionally.
The key point here is to view the fired employee as a "failed product" and to ask how the process ______3_______ such a phenomenon in the first place.
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages most closely matched.
DEAL
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A | Manage,attend to | E | Dinesh insisted on dealing the cards. |
| B | Stock, sell | F | This contract deals with handmade cards. |
| C | Give out to a number of people | G | My brother deals in cards. |
| D | Be concerned with | H | I decided not to deal with handmade cards. |
Fill the gaps in the passage below with the most appropriate word from the options given for each gap. The right words are the ones used by the author. Be guided by the author's overall style and meaning when you choose the answers.
In a large company, ______1______ people is about as common as using a gun or a switch-blade to ______2_______ an argument. As a result, most managers have little or no experience of firing people, and they find it emotionally automatic, as result, they often delay the act interminably, much as an unhappy spouse will prolong a bad marriage. And when the firing is done, it's often done clumsily, with far worse side effects than are necessary.
Do the world-class software organizations have a different way of firing people? No. But they do the deed swiftly, humanely, and professionally.
The key point here is to view the fired employee as a "failed product" and to ask how the process ______3_______ such a phenomenon in the first place.
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages most closely matched.
TURN
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A | Change of form | E | The much hyped concert turned out to be a damp squib |
| B | Change orientation or direction | F | The apprehended criminal was turned into the corps. |
| C | To send or let go | G | The new school building has been turned into a museum. |
| D | Outcome | H | Vikas turned his face from right to left |
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages correctly matched.
Exceed
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A. | To extend outside of or enlarge beyond used chiefly in strictly physical phenomena. | E. | The mercy of God exceeds our finite minds. |
| B. | To be greater than or superior to | F. | Their accomplishments exceeded pur expectation. |
| C. | Be beyond the comprehension of | G. | He exceeded his authority when he paid his brother's gambling debts with money from the trust. |
| D. | To go beyond a limit set by (as an authority or privilege) | H. | If this rain keeps up, the river will exceed its banks by morning. |
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages correctly matched.
Infer
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A. | To derive by reasoning or implication | E. | We see smoke and infer fire. |
| B. | To surmise | F. | Given some utterance, a listener may infer from it all sorts of things which neither the utterance noe the utterer implied. |
| C. | To point out | G. | I waited all day to meet him. From this you, can infer my zeal to see him. |
| D. | To hint | H. | She did not take part in the debate except to ask a question inferring that she was not interested in the debate. |
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages correctly matched.
Mellow
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A. | Adequately and properly aged so as to be free of harshness. | E. | He has mellowed with age. |
| B. | Freed from rashness of youth | F. | The tones of the old violin were mellow. |
| C. | Of soft and loamy consistency | G. | Some wines are mellow. |
| D. | Rich and full but free from stridency | H. | Mellow soil is found in the Gangetic plains. |
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages correctly matched.
Relief
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A. | Removal or lightening of something distressing | E. | A ceremony follows the relief of a sentry after the morning shift. |
| B. | Aid in the form of necessities for the indigent | F. | It was a relief to take off the tight shoes. |
| C. | Diversion | G. | The only relief I get is by playing cards. |
| D. | Release from the performance of duty. | H. | Disaster relief was offered to the victims. |
For the word given at the top of each table, match the dictionary definitions on the left (A,B,C,D) with their corresponding usage on the right (E,F,G,H). Out of the four possibilities given in the boxes below the table, select the one that has all the definitions and their usages correctly matched.
Purge
| Dictionary Definition | Usage | ||
| A. | Remove a stigma from the name of | E. | The opposition was purged after the coup. |
| B. | Make a clean sweep by removing whatever is superflows, foreign | F. | The committee heard his attempt to purge himself of a charge of heresy. |
| C. | Get rid of | G. | Drugs that purge the bowels are often bad for the brain. |
| D. | To cause evacuation of | H. | It is recommended to purge water by distillation. |