Match up Exercise May 30

Read the sentences carefully and then through contextual analysis match the usage of the highlighted word with its meaning.

	Usage of highlighted word		Meaning
A	Suddenly taxpayers, like astute consumers everywhere, had questions about the quality of government that we pay for.	1	Loosing energy or vigor, drooping
B	When the mood turns sullen, nothing government does appears right.	2	Gloomy, sad
C	The primary conduit between the two countries is effectively investment and tourism.	3	An authoritative declaration
D	This would brighten up this season when we are all wilting in the heat and desperately looking for subjects to lighten up your day.	4	a passage, duct
E	Those living in glass houses should not throw stones could be a dictum that Team Anna should take note of.	5	Marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
F	And what to say of the unspeakable arrogance of entitled MPs who believe their lives would be incomplete without red beacons atop their government-issued cars (paid, of course, by our taxes), a move that was swiftly nixed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.	6	To hate, detest
G	Much as I abhor the dictatorial manner in which Modi functions, I was rather startled that Joshi’s growing popularity in Gujarat would make Modi so nervous so as to reveal this big chink in his armour.	7	Rejected, denied
H	Much as I abhor the dictatorial manner in which Modi functions, I was rather startled that Joshi’s growing popularity in Gujarat would make Modi so nervous so as to reveal this big chink in his armour.	8	The message that is intended, expressed or signified
I	It was obvious to me even then that neither Gaikar nor Thackeray understood the import of their respective claims.	9	Alarmed, surprised

Match up Exercise May 28, 2012

Read the sentences carefully and then through contextual analysis match the usage of the highlighted word with its meaning.

	Usage of highlighted word		Meaning
A	Over the years we have been degenerating into a people who may, only in a very superficial and mechanical manner, be called more educated but are really more petty and bigoted.	1	elaborate or extravagant; florid; showy
B	Nicolas Sarkozy's defeat may partly be the result of his excessively flamboyant style and arrogance.	2	In a manner lacking vigor or force
C	Prince Vasili always spoke languidly, like an actor repeating a stale part.	3	Gloomy, depressed
D	She suddenly paused, smiling at her own impetuosity.	4	unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion
E	May in Ayemenem is a hot, brooding month.	5	Rashness, Impulsiveness
F	I observed the signs of impending doom not because I was so much more perceptive than the others at the firm, but simply because I spent the most time with the man.	6	To seize and hold by force
G	That Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to that country this weekend will be the first State visit by an Indian leader in a quarter of a century is a testament to the parlous state of Indo-Myanmar relations.	7	Boldness, Guts, Commonsense
H	But its backing of the military was also half-hearted and China usurped the benefits that might have flowed from embracing the generals.	8	About to happen, imminent
I	It's hardly likely that the Centre will have the gumption to set up a constitutional review committee for J&K.	9	Perilous; dangerous

Cloze Test May 28, 2012

Read the paragraph carefully and then identify which word has been replaced from which blank. The list of words has been provided below.

Perhaps the saddest thing was that he had also lost his focus in the courtroom. Where he would once __1__ all those present with an __2__ and airtight closing argument, he now __3__ on for hours, __4__ about obscure cases that had little or no bearing on the matter before the Court. Where once he would react gracefully to the objections of opposing counsel, he now displayed a biting __5__ that severely tested the patience of judges, who had earlier viewed him as a legal genius. Simply put, Julian's spark of life had begun to __6__

Choose from: A) flicker B) eloquent C) dazzle D) droned E) rambling F) sarcasm.

Match up Exercise May 26, 2012

Read the sentences carefully and then through contextual analysis match the usage of the highlighted word with its meaning.

	Usage of highlighted word		Meaning
A	At last, some sense is dawning on India's telecom policymakers.	1	Persuading by flattery
B	One inane idea after another emanating from the states convulses the central government.	2	relating to punishment
C	The prime ministers of India, by comparison, have been people of some dignity and seriousness, but are timid governors and increasingly rule by cajoling, begging and surrendering.	3	show the form or outline of, draw a line
D	It shows the absurdity of archaic laws that have long passed their time but are still in our midst, turning everyday occurrences into penal offences.	4	Dictatorial, autocratic
E	Laws should delineate right from wrong in step with the times.	5	beginning to appear or develop; emerging.
F	It's time we filled cracks in our legal world through which citizens often fall into a morass of private persecution, dressed as public prosecution.	6	threatening or suggesting evil or harm
G	The implications of the despotic reign   by an elected 'autocracy', with a sinister design to undermine the collective will of the people, will be felt by successive governments once the Congress is booted out of power.	7	Shake, twist, contort with pain or shock
H	The implications of the despotic reign   by an elected 'autocracy', with a sinister design to undermine the collective will of the people, will be felt by successive governments once the Congress is booted out of power.	8	Foolish, fatuous
I	One inane idea after another emanating from the states convulses the central government.	9	a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot; marsh

Match up Exercise May 25, 2012

Read the sentences carefully and then through contextual analysis match the usage of the highlighted word with its meaning.

	Usage of highlighted word		Meaning
A	The capitalists filch subsidised grain and sugar from the public distribution system and sell it in the open market.	1	Add impurities
B	They wallow in tax evasion and black money.	2	Steal
C	Businessmen may adulterate their products, but don't politicians constantly adulterate their supposed policies and principles?	3	Discouraging through fear
D	In March, I accepted a daunting assignment: to lecture college students in Pune on The Morality of Capitalism.	4	Delight greatly in
E	Uncertainty, which is anathema for global markets, is in this case a severe understatement.	5	The ability to recover quickly
F	In the past week, we have had one head of the finance minister's group, Jean-Claude Juncker of Luxembourg, openly lambasting his peers for "threatening Greece" on a daily basis,	6	a detested person or thing
G	However, the more optimistic outlook seems more due to the much improved external economic environment from last year, and not because of inherent resilience.	7	to beat or scold severely

Cloze Test May 21, 2012

Read the paragraph carefully and then identify which word has been replaced from which blank. The list of words has been provided below.

After years of economic pain, Americans remain an optimistic lot, though they define the American dream not in terms of __1__ and luxury cars but as something more __2__ — a home, a college degree, financial security and enough left over for a few extras like dining out, according to a study by the Pew Center on the States’ Economic Mobility Project. That financial security usually requires a steady full-time job with benefits, something that has become __3__ to find, particularly for men and for those without a college degree. While women continue to make _4__ into prestigious, high-wage professions dominated by men, more men are reaching for the dream in __5__ occupations that their fathers might never have considered.

Choose from: A) basic, B)  female-dominated, C) mansions, D) harder, E) inroads

Match up Exercise May 19, 2012

Read the sentences carefully and then through contextual analysis match the usage of the highlighted word with its meaning.

	Usage of highlighted word		Meaning
A	To the government's discomfiture, this incipient stagflation is also not serving to reduce the pressures on the balance of payments front.	1	A sudden short burst, as of energy, or growth.
B	In the event, despite exports having held their own in 2011-12, the current account deficit has burgeoned.	2	just starting to be or happen; beginning
C	The RBI is wary about stoking inflation by reducing rates to spur growth.	3	To grow or develop rapidly.
D	That is the lesson the government must glean when seeing its own image in the European mirror.	4	advertize in strongly positive terms
E	That only aggravated the problem, leading to a worsening of the recession, increased unemployment and a larger number of defaults	5	to put coal or other fuel on (a fire)
F	As Europe descends into an ever-deepening crisis, the much-touted Indian growth story also seems to be nearing its end.	6	To collect bit by bit
G	With the government committed to raising the prices of oil in line with the spurt in international prices, this problem will only worsen.	7	To make worse or more troublesome.