AFCAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Choose the word that is most nearly SIMILAR in meaning to 'CONCISE'.
- Verbose
- Succinct (Correct answer)
- Ambiguous
- Elaborate
Correct answer: Succinct
The word 'concise' means giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words; brief but comprehensive. 'Succinct' has a very similar meaning, referring to something expressed clearly and briefly. Therefore, 'succinct' is the most nearly similar in meaning to 'concise'.
Question 2: Select the correctly punctuated sentence.
- The cadets trained hard, they hoped to excel.
- The cadets trained hard; they hoped to excel. (Correct answer)
- The cadets trained hard they hoped to excel.
- The cadets, trained hard; they hoped to excel.
Correct answer: The cadets trained hard; they hoped to excel.
A semicolon (;) is used to connect two independent clauses that are closely related in meaning but could stand alone as separate sentences. In option B, 'The cadets trained hard' and 'they hoped to excel' are both complete sentences, and the semicolon correctly joins them to show a close relationship without using a coordinating conjunction like 'and' or 'but'.
Question 3: Fill in the blank: The pilot acted with ____ when faced with the emergency.
- Apathy
- Alacrity (Correct answer)
- Lethargy
- Indolence
Correct answer: Alacrity
'Alacrity' means brisk and cheerful readiness or eagerness. In the context of an emergency, acting with alacrity suggests the pilot responded quickly and with enthusiasm or willingness. The other options (Apathy, Lethargy, Indolence) all imply a lack of interest or energy, which would be inappropriate in an emergency.
Question 4: Identify the ANTONYM of ‘OBSOLETE’.
- Archaic
- Novel (Correct answer)
- Antique
- Defunct
Correct answer: Novel
'Obsolete' means no longer produced or used; out of date. The antonym would be a word meaning new or current. 'Novel' means new and original, or unusual, making it the best antonym for 'obsolete'. The other options (Archaic, Antique, Defunct) are synonyms or related terms for 'obsolete'.
Question 5: Choose the option that BEST completes the sentence: If the weather ___ better, we could have completed the sortie.
- was
- were
- had been (Correct answer)
- has been
Correct answer: had been
This sentence uses the third conditional structure, which describes a hypothetical situation in the past and its hypothetical result. The structure is 'If + past perfect (had + past participle), would have + past participle'. Therefore, 'had been' correctly completes the 'if' clause, indicating a past condition that did not happen.
Question 6: In the passage, the phrase 'silver lining' is used to convey ____.
- A disadvantage
- An optimistic aspect (Correct answer)
- A hidden cost
- An inevitable outcome
Correct answer: An optimistic aspect
The idiom 'silver lining' refers to a hopeful or comforting aspect of an otherwise difficult or unhappy situation. It implies finding a positive side or an optimistic outlook even when things seem bad. Therefore, it is used to convey an optimistic aspect.
Question 7: Which of the following sentences is in PASSIVE voice?
- The engineers conducted the test.
- The test was conducted by the engineers. (Correct answer)
- The engineers are conducting the test.
- Conduct the test, engineers!
Correct answer: The test was conducted by the engineers.
In a passive voice sentence, the subject receives the action rather than performing it. The structure typically involves a form of the verb 'to be' followed by the past participle of the main verb, often with a 'by' phrase indicating the agent. In option B, 'The test' (subject) 'was conducted' (form of 'to be' + past participle) 'by the engineers' (agent), clearly demonstrating the passive voice.
Question 8: Choose the correctly spelled word.
- Acommodate
- Accommodate (Correct answer)
- Accomodate
- Acommadate
Correct answer: Accommodate
The word "accommodate" is frequently misspelled. The correct spelling includes two 'c's and two 'm's. This adheres to standard English orthography, making option B the only correct choice among the given alternatives.
Question 9: From the passage, it can be inferred that the author’s primary purpose is to ____.
- Narrate a personal anecdote
- Persuade readers to adopt a viewpoint (Correct answer)
- Present statistical data only
- Criticize literary techniques
Correct answer: Persuade readers to adopt a viewpoint
When an author's primary purpose is to persuade, they typically present arguments, evidence, and rhetorical strategies aimed at convincing the reader to agree with a particular stance or take a specific action. Unlike merely narrating or presenting data, persuasion involves actively influencing the reader's opinion or viewpoint. The term "inferred" suggests looking beyond explicit statements to the underlying intent, which in this context points to influencing the reader.
AFCAT Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension
Choose the word that is most nearly SIMILAR in meaning to 'CONCISE'.