Competitive English Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Competitive English facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Choose the SYNONYM of 'AMBIGUOUS'. → Vague
2. Mike asked me, "Did you see the Cricket match on the television last night?" → Mike asked me whether I had see the Cricket match on television the earlier night
3. Choose the SYNONYM of 'SPURIOUS'. → Fake
4. Choose the correct meaning of 'VERBOSE'. → Using more words than needed
5. Did the sun rise in the East, the young child asked her mother? → The little girl asked her mother if the sun rose in the East
6. The term 'FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE' in a passage refers to: → Language that uses figures of speech like metaphors and similes, not meant literally
7. Which sentence is grammatically CORRECT? → He doesn't know the answer.
8. The authorities ______ an investigation into the financial misconduct at the firm. → launched
9. What does the idiom 'BITE THE BULLET' mean? → To endure a painful or difficult situation
10. She ______ a living by teaching English online to international students. → makes
11. Which sentence is CORRECT? → He is senior to me.
12. Choose the appropriate passive voice for the provided sentence. We carefully examined the plan. → The plan has been looked at carefully
13. The construction project was completed ______ schedule, impressing the investors. → ahead of
14. The word 'RESILIENT' most closely means: → Able to recover quickly from difficulties
15. What is the meaning of 'ALOOF'? → Not friendly or forthcoming; distant
16. 'CAUSE AND EFFECT' in a passage describes: → The relationship between an event (cause) and the result it produces (effect)
17. What does 'SUMMARIZING' a passage mean? → Restating the main points briefly in your own words
18. What is the ANTONYM of 'METICULOUS'? → Careless
19. She mentioned her brother's upcoming nuptials. → She said, "My brother is getting married."
20. Choose the appropriate passive voice for the provided sentence. During the inter-college cricket tournament, our team scored 350 runs. → 350 runs were scored by our team in the Inter-college Cricket Tournament
21. The word 'EPHEMERAL' means: → Short-lived or transitory
22. Identify the error in: 'Each of the boys have done their homework.' → have done their homework
23. Identify the error in: 'Despite of his efforts, he failed.' → Despite of
24. What is the purpose of a 'SUPPORTING DETAIL' in a passage? → To provide evidence, examples, or explanation that backs up the main idea
25. Will you have the suit done by tomorrow evening, the tailor asked him. → The tailor asked him if he would have the suit ready by the next evening
26. Choose the SYNONYM of 'SERENE'. → Peaceful
27. I am unable to assist you at this time because of my own difficulties, he added. → He said that he could not help me at present because he was himself in difficulty
28. What does 'OSTENTATIOUS' mean? → Designed to impress; showy
29. Why don't you go today? she said to him. → She asked him why he did not go that day.
30. What does 'LOQUACIOUS' mean? → Tending to talk a great deal