Alagappa University 2008 B.A English for Competitive s - - Question Paper

No error

f Usually he went to college by bus, but this week, he is going by

A    B    C    D

bike. No error D E

g. The boy needed an one rupee coin to make a phone call from

A    B    CD

the public booth. No error

D    E

h The child was afraid about the barking dogs which can bite him.

ABC    D

No error E

Frame your own sentences to distinguish the meanings of any FIVE pairs of words:    (5 x 2=10)

top. Attempt any FIVE of the following:

a.    Device

a. Decide b. Plan c. Devote d. Vices

b.    Complacent

a. Complaining b. Complement c. Pleased d. Displeased

c.    Fatal

a. Deadly b. Fateful c. Forceful d. Devoted

d.    Comprehensive

a. Complimenting b. Considerate c. Extensive d. Partly

e.    Homogenous

a. Same b. Different c. Distinct d. Homely.

f Sophisticated

a. Indecent b. Decent c. Solicited d. Dedicated

g.    Persuade

a. Peruse b. Permit c. Compel d. Deviate

h.    Condescened

a. Stoop b. Condense c. Continue d. Ascend

Complete any FIVE of the following sentences by choosing the correct one from the alternatives given:    (5x1 = 5)

a. Gods are said to be

a. Mortal b. Immortal c. Immoral d. Moral

b. The political leader paid a_to the dead scientist.

a. Tribute b. Ransom c. Reward d. Respect

c. The glass articles are very

a. Tough b. Fragile c. Coarse d. Beautiful

d. India is a_country because it gives equal importance to

all religions.

a. Secular b. Religious c. Democratic d. Communist

e. This writer is a_because all his wives deserted him.

a. Misanthrope b. Philogynist c. Misologist d. Misogynist

f The principal wanted to_the files before taking a final decision.

a. Go ahead b. Go through c. Get through d. Go forward

g. The box was so heavy that the boy_lift it.

a. Will not b. Could not c. Would not d. Did not

h Ten miles_not very difficult to walk.

a. Is b. Are c. Were d. May

Rearrange the jumbled sentences in the following passage. The first sentence (s 1) and the sixth sentence (s6) are in proper order. The other sentences in between have been jumbled and marked P, Q, R

and S. Write them in order.

SI. A simile is a definite expres sion of likeness between different objects or events.

P. First the two objects compared must be different in kind.

Q. It consists in placing two different things side by side and comparing them with regard to some feature common to both.

R. In this simile, the girl is compared with a Nightingale - two very different objects but alike in singing and thus there are two essential elements in a simile.

S. For example, The girl sang like a Nightingale.

S 6. Secondly, the point of resemblance between the two different objects compared must be distinctly stated.

(25 Marks)

Write a paragraph on ONE of the following in about 100 words. (5)

a.    Any domestic function you attended.

b.    Indian politics today

c.    Problems of women in a co - educational institution

Driving down a tree - lined avenue with the sun flickering through the trunks at a certain rhythm can be very disturbing. There is a record of a cyclist who passed out on several occassions while travelling home down such an avenue. In his case the momentary unconsciousness stopped him from pedalling, so he slowed down to a speed at which the flicker no longer affected him and came round in time to save himself from falling. But a motor car has more momentum, and the chances are that it would keep going at the critical speed and influence the driver long enough to make him lose control altogether. There is no way of knowing how many fatal crashes have occurred in this way.

In another case, a man found that every time he went to the cinema he would suddenly find that he was consumed by an overwhelming desire to strangle the person sitting next to him. On one occassion he even to his senses to discover that he had his hands clutched around his neighbours throat. When he was tested, it was found that he developed violent limb j erking when the flicker was s et at twenty -four cycles per second, which is exactly the rhythm of film recorded at twenty - four frames a second.

The implications of this discovery are enormous. Everyday we are exposed to flicker in some way and run the risk of illness or fatel fits. The flash rate of fluorescent lights at 100 to 120 per second is too high for convulsions, but who knows what effect it may be having on those exposed to it for many hours each day?

i) Choose the response that best reflects the meaning of the text:

(4x1 = 4)

1. Walter was interested in the reactions of

a. Epileptics    b. Cyclists

c. Normal people d. Motorists

2. When the experiment was going on it was noticed that people began to have strange feelings.

a.    The experiment was stopped

b.    The flicker was matched with their brain rhythm

c. Afeedback circuit was used

d. They were allowed to have an epileptic fit

3. Flicker is likely to affect car drivers more than cyclists because

a. Cars cannot slow down in time

b. Cars can slow down in time

c.    The rhythm of flicker is faster for cyclists

d.    Cyclists cannot go fast enough to be affected.

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4. The man in the cinema wanted to strangle his neighbour because

a.    The film was very violent

b.    He did not like his neighbour

c.    He responded to the flicker of the film.

d.    He was mentally unsound

ii) State whether the following statement are true or false:

(6x1 = 6)

1.    Walter examined p eople who were subj ect to fits.

2.    When they began to have a convulsion he stopped the experiment

3.    Most people do not respond to flashing lights.

4.    The cyclist fell off his bycycle.

5.    Drivers are affected veiy suddenly by flicker.

6.    The man went to the cinema becaus e he enj oyed strangling people.

Section - D    (15 Marks)

Use any FIVE of the following phrasal verbs in sentences of your own:    (5x1 = 5)

a. Look into b. Make out c. Run after d. Put up with

e. Turn out f. Strike off g. Work out h. Give up

i. Go as troy j. Get rid of

11. Correct any FIVE of the following sentences:

a.    She wanted him to return back quickly.

b.    The taste of the mangoes are very good.

c.    The principal and the secretary is on leave.

d.    He needed an one rupee coin to make a phone call.

e.    My scissors is blunt and so I asked for a pair of scissors, f    A large number of students is good at sports.

g.    A team of players are coming here to day.

h    Neither Sita nor her sisters is going out now.

12. Transcribe the following sentences phonetically:    (5x1 = 5)

a.    Sit down please.

b.    Whats your name?

c.    Thanks a lot.

d.    Are you ready now?

e.    What a fantastic sight!

(20 Marks)

13. Name the currencies of any FIVE of the countries: (5x1 = 5)

b. Britain c. Russia d. Iran

e. Singapore f Malaysia g. Canada h New Zealand.

14. Write the capitals of any FIVE countries:

b. Westlndies c. China

g. Sri Lanka h Afghanistan

15. Expand any FIVE of the following:

16. Read carefully the following poem and answer the questions:

(5x1 = 5)

In Madurai, city of temples and poets Who sang of cities and temples:

Every summer A river dries to a trickle In the sand,

Baring the sand ribs,

Straw and womens hair Clogging the water gates At the rusty bars Under the bridges with patches Of repair all over them.

a.    Which is the river referred to here?

b.    How does the river look in summer?

c.    How does the bridge look?

d.    Why do the bars look rusty?

e.    With which object does the poet compare the sand?

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12    AF - 6212 A