Directions (1-5): For each question is given a sentence or a group of sentences with four highlighted words and a blank. Among the four highlighted words, two words needs to be interchanged to make the sentence grammatically and contextually correct. Choose the option which mentions the correct interchange along with the correct word which could fill the blank.

Q1. The nature of the (1) resources in different settings, however, (2) depends on leadership, the quality and strength of local institutions, (3) response deployed and the ability to deliver _____________ and meaningful messages regarding (4) behavioural change.

(a) 1-4, neutralise

(b) 1-3, straightforward

(c) 2-4, ambiguous

(d) 3-4, emission

(e) 1-2, apprehend

Q2. Compassion and (1) threats forms of support by (2) different kinds of non-state actors have been amply _____________ across the world, with people enduring personal (3) structured to life to assist the most (4) vulnerable.

(a) 1-3, demonstrated

(b) 2-3, infiltrated

(c) 2-4, subjugated

(d) 1-3, fabricated

(e) 2-3, elevated

Q3. It should be the (1) norm in many sectors and people could work from home at least half the time, thus (2) domestic travel needs, (3) reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and _____________ child care and other (4) reducing services.

(a) 2-3, commencing

(b) 1-3, insights

(c) 1-4, bewildering

(d) 2-4, simplifying

(e) 2-3, soft

Q4. (1) Vocabulary I have had in recent days with _____________ in Beijing and Shanghai have (2) painted a picture of what this world may look like, a world where all those new words and phrases that have now become a part of our (3) conversations – nucleic acid testing, social/physical distancing, and temperature screening – are becoming an (4) integral part of day-to-day life.

(a) 1-2, coterie

(b) 3-4, clique

(c) 1-3, acquaintances

(d) 1-2, commotion

(e) 2-3, cabals

Q5. While the (1) outbreak media is painting a medical _____________, sections of the Indian media fear that (2) reporting the Central and State governments’ (3) specious image management during this extraordinary viral (4) global will come with consequences.

(a) 2-4, attenuation

(b) 3-4, dived

(c) 1-3, ablution

(d) 1-4, apocalypse

(e)  2-3, drawn

S1. Ans. (b)

Apprehend- arrest (someone) for a crime. Ambiguous- not clear or decided. The positions of the words “resources” and “response” are incorrect. Hence swapping the words in the positions (1) and (3) will frame a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence. Therefore, option (b) is the most suitable answer choice.

S2. Ans. (a)

Sol. The position of the words ‘threats’ and ‘structured’ is wrong. Hence swapping the words in the positions (1) and (3) will frame a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence. Subjugated means bring under domination or control, especially by conquest.

Infiltrated means gradually permeate or become a part of.

So, the option (a) is the correct answer.

S3. Ans. (d)

Sol. The presence of the word ‘domestic’ at (2) and ‘reducing’ at (4) is making the sentence grammatically & contextually incorrect and incoherent. Upon interchanging the words at (2) and (4), we get a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence.

Bewildering means confusing or perplexing.

Hence, the option (d) is the correct answer.

S4. Ans. (c)

Sol. The position of the word ‘vocabulary’ at (1) and ‘conversations’ at (3) is making the sentence grammatically and contextually incorrect. Upon interchanging them, we get a grammatically and contextually correct sentence.

Now, for the blank, the information presented in the passage suggests that the sentence is talking about the neologism during the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic. The word acquaintances means “knowledge or experience of something.” hence it is the most suitable word to fill the given blank.

Clique/coterie- a small close-knit group of people who do not readily allow others to join them.

Cabals- a secret political clique or faction.

Hence, the option (c) is the correct answer.

S5. Ans. (d)

Sol. The position of the word ‘outbreak’ at (1) and ‘global’ at (4) is grammatically incorrect. Upon interchanging the words at (1) and (4), we would get a grammatically correct and contextually meaningful sentence. So, the correct interchange would be 1-4.

Attenuation means the reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.

Ablution means an act of washing oneself.

Apocalypse means an event involving destruction or damage on a catastrophic scale.

From above, it could be understood that the word ‘Apocalypse’ has a meaning which satisfies the contextual requirement imposed on the blank.