The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) organizes Combined Defense Service (CDS) Examination. Through CDS Exam, candidates get admission to the courses at Indian Military Academy, Indian Naval Academy, Air Force Academy and Officers Training Academy.
UPSC organizes CDS Exam twice in a year. The CDS Exam (I) 2017 was conducted in February 2017. While the notification for the CDS (II) 2017 will be released by the UPSC on 9 August 2017 and the exam will take place on 19 November 2017.
The exam will consist of three papers – Elementary Mathematics, English and General Knowledge. The three papers will be of 100 marks each.
For the benefit of CDS (II) Exam 2017 aspirants, Jagran Josh is providing you the CDS Exam (I) 2015 English Question Paper as well as the official answer key as given by the UPSC. It helps the aspirants in understanding the difficulty level of questions. Accordingly, aspirants are supposed to prepare their study plan.
Directions: Each question in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts Labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part and indicate your response in the Answer sheet against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
1. The reason for his failure is because he did not work hard. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
2. Food as well as water is necessary for life. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
3. India is larger than any democracies in the world. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
4. The Judge heard the arguments of the lawyers and found that the boy was innocent
(a) (b) (c)
No error
(d)
Answer. D
5. I have lived in Delhi from 1965 No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
6. All scientists agree that there should be a total ban on nuclear explosions No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
7. Such books which you read are not worth reading. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
8. Tagore was one of the greatest poet that ever lived. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
9. You may please apply for an advance of salary to cover costs of transport. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
10. The taxi that will take the family to Haridwar had to be ready at six the next, morning.
(a) (b) (c)
No error.
(d)
Answer. B
11. Employees are expected to adhere, the rules laid down by the management. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
12. The owner of the house greedily ask to high a price. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
13. I convinced him to see the play. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
14. Some man are born great. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
15. We must sympathise for others in their troubles. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
16. My detailed statement is respectively submitted. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
17. I am waiting for my friend since this morning. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
18. He is representing my constituency for the last five years. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
19. If he hears of your conduct he is to be unhappy. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
20. No sooner he appeared on the stage than the people began to cheer loudly. No error.
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
SYNONYMS
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a word in capital letters followed by four words as (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the original word and mark the correct response as (a), (b), (c) or (d) as the case may be, in your Answer Sheet.
21. DEPLORE
(a) lose heart
(b) entreat
(c) regret
(d) malign
Answer. C
22. MOTIVATION
(a) inducement
(b) emotion
(c) ambition
(d) incitement
Answer. A
23. RESIDUE
(a) remainder
(b) nothing
(c) recede
(d) little
Answer. A
24. PERPETUAL
(a) perfect
(b) confused
(c) never ending
(d) seasonal
Answer. C
25. ASSENT
(a) climb
(b) confirm
(c) answer
(d) agree
Answer. D
26. DEFIANCE
(a) insult
(b) denial
(c) degradation
(d) resistance
Answer. D
27. EMANCIPATE
(a) liberate
(b) release
(c) acquit
(d) unchain
Answer. A
28. HOSTILITY
(a) hospitality
(b) jealousy
(c) enmity
(d) envy
Answer. C
ANTONYMS
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a word in capital letters followed by four words or phrases as (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select the word or phrase which is nearly opposite to the meaning of the original Word and mark the correct response as (a), (b), (c) or (d) as the case may be, in your Answer Sheet.
29. FORBID
(a) forgive
(b) allow
(c) refuse
(d) deprive
Answer. B
30. AMBIGUOUS
(a) definite
(b) constant
(c) shapeless
(d) determined
Answer. A
31. COUNTERFEIT
(a) destructive
(b) genuine
(c) affirm
(d) harmonize
Answer. B
32. FUSION
(a) melting
(b) fixture
(c) amendment
(d) separation
Answer. D
33. ESCALATE
(a) bring down
(b) isolate
(c) slope down
(d) reject
Answer. A
34. TERMINATE
(a) imitate
(b) interrupt
(c) initiate
(d) examine
Answer. C
35. GRAVITATE
(a) meditate
(b) become serious
(c) deteriorate
(d) retreat
Answer. D
WORD SUBSTITUTION
Directions: For the expression which has been underlined in each of the following sentences, choose the response (a), (b), (c) or (d) which most nearly expresses its meaning.
36. Moralists are usually persons who abstain from alcoholic drinks.
(a) teetotallers
(b) ascetics
(c) pedants
(d) celibates
Answer. A
37. The chairman is quick to find fault and is hard to please.
(a) frivolous
(b) facetious
(c) fastidious
(d) ferocious
Answer. C
38. Scriptural injunctions should not be opposed or treated with contempt.
(a) flouted
(b) flounced
(c) floundered
(d) flaunted
Answer. A
39. A fortress on a commanding height for defense of a city is called
(a) citadel
(b) metropolis
(c) megapolis
(d) headquarters
Answer. A
40. Nostalgia is
(a) anxiety about future
(b) feeling of insecurity
(c) longing for a period in the past
(d) an allergy to certain foods
Answer. C
SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT
Directions: Look at the underlined part of each sentence. Below each sentence are given three possible substitutions for the underlined part. If one of them is better than the underlined part, mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet. If none of the substitutions improve the sentence, mark (d) on your Answer Sheet.
41. We need honest workers, not people of redoubtable integrity.
(a) doubting
(b) doubtful
(c) doubtless
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
42. I expect every player here to be conversant at the rules of game.
(a) on
(b) about
(c) with
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
43. There is no alternate, so we must leave now.
(a) altering
(b) alternative
(c) alternation
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
44. If I were you, I would do it at once.
(a) was
(b) am
(c) would be
(d) No improvement
Answer. D
45. They set a strong guard, lest any one could escape.
(a) would
(b) might
(c) should
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
46. The matter called up an explanation of his conduct.
(a) out
(b) in
(c) for
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
47. The accused refused having murdered anybody.
(a) disagreed
(b) denied
(c) declaimed
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
48. We cannot trust a man who plays false and loose with others.
(a) false or loose
(b) fast or loose
(c) fast and loose
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
49. He is still in vigorous health although he is on the right side of sixty.
(a) wrong
(b) left
(c) negative
(d) No improvement
Answer. A
50. Any English are known for their practical instincts.
(a) Some
(b) Many
(c) The
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
51. Fifty miles are a long distance to walk.
(a) is
(b) become
(c) be
(d) No improvement
Answer. A
52. Economics today were not what it was a century ago.
(a) are
(b) was
(c) is
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
53. Hearing the news of the accident, he broke.
(a) broke down
(b) broke up
(c) broke out
(d) No improvement
Answer. A
54. The speaker asked the audience to bear upon him for a few minutes more.
(a) on
(b) with
(c) for
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
55. Those men as are false to their friends should be avoided.
(a) The men
(b) Men
(c) Such men
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
56. Many people find it difficult to make both hands meet.
(a) both accounts
(b) both hands to mouth
(c) both ends meet
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
57. Young children are not physically capable to carry these loads.
(a) have to carry these loads
(b) of carrying these loads
(c) carry these loads
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
58. I enjoyed the ballet by a troupe of Russian dancers.
(a) troop
(b) trouper
(c) trooper
(d) No improvement
Answer. D
59. The secretary threatened to resign his post.
(a) from his post
(b) to his post
(c) for his post
(d) No improvement
Answer. A
60. By the time he arrived, everybody had gone home.
(a) when he arrived
(b) at which he arrived
(c) by which he arrive
(d) No improvement
Answer. D
ORDERING OF WORDS IN A SENTENCE
Directions: In each of the items in this section there is a sentence of which some parts have been jumbled up. You are required to rearrange these parts which are labelled P, Q, R and S, to produce the correct sentence. Choose the correct sequence and mark in your Answer Sheet accordingly.
61. When the car passed by he threw a stone, raising dust in the road with all his might
P Q R
and hit the man who was driving it
S
The proper sequence should be :
(a) PQRS
(b) QPRS
(c) RPQS
(d) RPSQ
Answer. B
62. A moment comes when we step out from the old to the new which comes but rarely in history
P Q
and when the soul of a nation long suppressed, finds utterance
R S
The proper sequence should be :
(a) QPRS
(b) PRSQ
(c) QRSP
(d) RSQP
Answer. A
63. She had a blind belief that inside the bag two or three other children there were perhaps
P Q
which the big man carried like herself
R S
The proper sequence should be :
(a) QRPS
(b) QPSR
(c) RQSP
(d) RQPS
Answer. D
64. He approached the teacher at school to know in his studies how his son was getting on
P Q R S
The proper sequence should be :
(a) PQRS
(b) PQSR
(c) QSRP
(d) QSPR
Answer. C
65. I was so angry that if I had met him in the street and not waited to ask him
P Q
why he had written me an insulting letter I would have knocked him down
R S
The proper sequence should be:
(a) PSQR
(b) PQRS
(c) SQRP
(d) RSQP
Answer. A
66. On the contrary, about family planning and its benefits to all citizens the Government wants
P Q R
to provide information and education
S
The proper sequence should be:
(a) RQSP
(b) SPQR
(c) RSPQ
(d) QPRS
Answer. C
67. In spite of the poor and hungry people made by medical sciences the extraordinary progress
P Q R
often die
S
The proper sequence should be :
(a) RPSQ
(b) RQPS
(c) PQSR
(d) RSPQ
Answer. B
SELECTING WORDS
Directions: In the following passage at certain points you are given a choice of three words marked (a), (b) and (c), one of which fits the meaning of the passage. Choose the best word out of the three. Mark the letter, viz., (a), (b) or (c), relating to this word on your Answer Sheet. Examples K and L have been solved for you.
K L
The (a) boy was in the school in Simla. (a) She was homesick.
(b) horse (b) It
(c) dog (c) He
Explanation : Out of the list given in item K, only 'boy' is the correct answer because usually, a boy, and not a horse or a dog, attends school. So `(a)' is to be marked on the Answer Sheet for item K. A boy is usually referred to as 'he', so for item L, (c)' is the correct answer. Notice that to solve the first item K, you have to read the rest of the sentence and then see what fits best.
PASSAGE
ANSWERS
| 68. | C | 78. | C |
| 69. | B | 79. | A |
| 70. | A | 80. | C |
| 71. | B | 81. | C |
| 72. | B | 82. | B |
| 73. | A | 83. | C |
| 74. | C | 84. | A |
| 75. | B | 85. | B |
| 76. | A | 86. | C |
| 77. | C | 87. | A |
COMPREHENSION
Directions: In this section you have five short passages. After each passage, you will find some questions based on the passage. First, read a passage and answer the questions based on it. You are required to select your answers based on the contents of the passage and opinion of the author only.
PASSAGE—I
A little man beside me was turning over the pages of a magazine quickly and nervously. Opposite me there was a young mother who was trying to restrain her son from making a noise. The boy had obviously grown weary of waiting. He had placed an ashtray on the floor and was making aeroplane-noises as he waved a pencil in his hands. Near him, an old man was fast asleep, snoring quickly to himself and the boy's mother was afraid that sooner or later her son would wake the gentleman up.
88. The noise was made by
(a) the old man
(b) the aeroplane
(c) the little man
(d) the boy
Answer. D
89. The person who was the least disturbed was the
(a) observer
(b) son
(c) old man
(d) little man
Answer. C
90. The factor common to all the people was that they were all
(a) watching a film
(b) waiting for something
(c) looking at the little boy's playfulness
(d) reading magazine
Answer. B
91. Among those present the one who appeared to be the most bored was the
(a) child
(b) little man
(c) old man
(d) mother
Answer. A
PASSAGE II
A man had two blacksmiths for his neighbours. Their names were Pengu and Shengu. The man was greatly troubled by the noise of their hammers. He decided to talk to them. The next day he called both of them and offered Rs. 100 each, if they found new huts for themselves. They took the money and agreed to find new huts for themselves. The next morning he woke up again to the sound of their hammers. He went out to see why the blacksmiths hadn't found new huts and he discovered that Pengu and Shengu had kept their promise. They had exchanged their huts.
92. The man was troubled because
(a) the blacksmiths always fought with each others
(b) the blacksmiths' hammers made a lot of noise
(c) he was afraid of blacksmiths
(d) the blacksmiths did not do their work properly
Answer. B
93. The man gave them money because
(a) the blacksmiths were poor
(b) the blacksmiths had asked him for money
(c) he did not want them to make a noise
(d) he wanted them to find new huts
Answer. D
94. The man went out of his house because
(a) he wanted to fight with the blacksmiths
(b) he wanted to ask the blacksmiths to stop the noise
(c) he wanted to find out why they hadn't found new huts
(d) he wanted his money back from the blacksmiths
Answer. C
95. The man came to know that
(a) the blacksmiths were not in their huts
(b) the blacksmiths had exchanged huts
(c) the blacksmiths were going away
(d) the blacksmiths had not kept their promise
Answer. B
PASSAGE—II
The tigress was a mile away and the ground between her and us was densely wooded, scattered over with great rocks and cut up by a number of deep ravines, but she could cover the distance well within the half-hour — if she wanted to. The question I had to decide was, whether or not I should try to call her. If I called and she heard me, and came while it was still daylight and gave me a chance to shoot her, all would be well; on the other hand, if she came and did not give me a shot, some of us would not reach camp, for we had nearly two miles to go and the path the whole way ran through heavy jungle.
96. According to the author
(a) the tigress wanted to cover the distance within the half-hour
(b) the tigress did not wish to cover the distance within the half-hour
(c) the tigress actually covered the distance within the half-hour
(d) there was a possibility of the tigress covering the distance within the half-hour
Answer. D
97. The author says, "Some of us would not reach camp", because
(a) it was two miles away
(b) the tigress would kill some of them
(c) the path is not suitable for walking
(d) the ground was scattered over with great rocks
Answer. B
98. The author found it difficult to decide the question because
(a) he was afraid
(b) the tigress was only a mile away
(c) the ground between them was densely wooded
(d) there was uncertainty about the reaction of the tigress to his call
Answer. D
99. The time available to the author for shooting the tigress was
(a) the whole day
(b) one night
(c) a few hours
(d) thirty minutes
Answer. D
100. When the author says 'all would be well', he means
(a) that they would be able to hide themselves in the heavy jungle
(b) that the tigress would run away to the deep ravines
(c) that they would be able to shoot her down without difficulty
(d) that they would be able to return in daylight
Answer. C
PASSAGE—IV
After lunch, I felt at a loose end and roamed about the little flat. It suited us well enough when mother was with me, but now I was by myself it was too large and I'd moved the dining room table into my bedroom. That was now the only room I used ; it had all the furniture I needed; a brass bedstead, a dressing table, some cane chairs whose seats had more or less caved in, a wardrobe with a tarnished mirror. The rest of the flat was never used, so I didn't trouble to look after it.
101. The flat did not really suit him any more because
(a) the rooms were too small
(b) he was living on his own now
(c) his mother needed too much rooms
(d) the flat itself was too little
Answer. B
102. He did not look after the rest of the flat because
(a) he did not use it
(b) the bedroom was much too large
(c) he needed only the brass bedstead
(d) he had too much furniture
Answer. A
103. “... now I was by myself it was too large". The word it here refers to
(a) the dining room table
(b) the dining room
(c) the bedroom
(d) the flat
Answer. D
104. From the passage we learn that the writer was
(a) scared of living alone in the flat
(b) dissatisfied with the flat
(c) satisfied with the space in his bedroom
(d) an eccentric person
Answer. C
105. "After lunch I felt at a loose end" means
(a) he had nothing specific to do
(b) had a rope with a loose end
(c) had much work to do
(d) had a feeling of anxiety
Answer. A
PASSAGE —V
The overwhelming vote given by the greater part of the public has so far been in favour of films which pass the time easily and satisfy that part of our imagination which depends on the more obvious kind of daydreams. We make up for what we secretly regard as our deficiencies by watching the stimulating adventures of the other people who are stronger, more effective, or more beautiful than we are. The conventional stars act out our daydreams for us in a constant succession of exciting situations set in the open spaces, in the jungles or in the underworld of great cities which abounds in crime and violence. We would not dare to be in such situations but the situations are very exciting to watch since our youth is being spent in day-to-day routine of school, office or home.
106. According to the passage, most of us prefer films which
(a) overwhelm our imagination
(b) depict our times
(c) fulfil our secret wishes
(d) appeal to our reason
Answer. C
107. By watching thrilling adventures in films we make up for
(a) the effectiveness of our desires
(b) the shortcomings in our life
(c) the stimulation of our everyday life
(d) the influence which we don't have
Answer. B
108. Film stars present situations
(a) which are familiar to us, the city
(b) dwellers which we have seen only in
(c) jungles which we meet everyday at work
(d) which excite us
Answer. D
109. Whether we admit it to ourselves or not, we are aware that
(a) we are weak and plain
(b) we are both powerful and handsome
(c) we are as strong as film heroes
(d) we are more beautiful than film stars
Answer. A
110. The daily life of students, office-goers and housewives is
(a) full of new adventures
(b) the same dull repetition
(c) stimulating to their imagination
(d) very exciting to them
Answer. B
ORDERING OF SENTENCES
Directions: in this section, each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S I and 56. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark your response accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
111. S1 : While teaching in the class-room, our teacher suddenly fainted.
S6 : The headmaster at once sanctioned his leave.
P : The headmaster soon joined spoke to them in a soft voice.
Q : He was told that the patient complete rest for a month.
R : He was at once taken to the hospital.
S : The doctors examined him with serious faces.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) P Q R S
(b) S P Q R
(c) Q P S R
(d) R S P Q
Answer. D
112. S1 : The colonial powers had a very simple technique to rule the world.
S6 : Partition was the culmination.
P : They lumped tribes and people together, played one against the other.
Q : India's provinces were more elaborately designed to play the game of divide and rule.
R : Africa was divided, believe it or not, on the basis of the lines of longitude and latitude.
S : They also purchased the loyalties of those locals who were needed as supports for the colonial presence.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) P R S Q
(b) P S R Q
(c) S P Q R
(d) R P S Q
Answer. B
113. S1 : The bank opened at 10.00 a.m.
S6 : The safe was empty.
P : The peon opened the safe and returned the keys to the manager.
Q : The manager and the peon went to the safe in the vault.
R : The manager and the peon looked into the safe.
S : They were shocked at what they saw there.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) Q R P S
(b) Q P R S
(c) S Q R P
(d) Q R S P
Answer. B
114. S1 : The crowd swelled round the thief.
S6 : They were followed by the crowd winch left the thief alone.
P : Suddenly he whipped out a knife from under his shirt.
Q : The thief stood quiet, his head hung in shame.
R : The two young men holding him were scared by the sight of the shining knife.
S : They took to their heels.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) Q P R S
(b) S Q P R
(c) S P Q R
(d) R Q S P
Answer. A
115. S1 : The old man wanted to cross the road.
S6 : Holding him by hand the driver helped him to cross the road.
P : The driver got off and came to him.
Q : He was fed up and was about to return.
R : Then a car stopped in front of him.
S : He waited for a long time.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) S Q R P
(b) S P R Q
(c) Q R S P
(d) P S R Q
Answer. A
116. S1 : The first thing you have to do is to speak with a strong foreign accent and speak broken English.
S6 : Half a dozen people will immediately overwhelm you with directions.
P : He will be interested in you because you are a foreigner and he will be pleased that he could figure out what you said.
Q : He will not expect you to be polite and use elaborate grammatical phrases.
R : Then every English person to whom you speak will at once know that you are a foreigner and try to understand you and be ready to help you.
S : If you shout, “Please! Charing Cross! Which way?” you will have no difficulty.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) S R Q P
(b) S R P Q
(c) R Q P S
(d) R S P Q
Answer. C
117. S1 : When a lamb is born its mother may die.
S6 : If a means of overcoming this natural tendency is found, the lives of millions of lambs can be saved.
P : Thus there will nearly always he both motherless lambs and sheep without lambs.
Q : however a sheep which has lost its own lamb will not feed or look after a motherless Iamb.
R : At the same time some new born lambs are too weak to live.
S : This happens in large flocks where many sheep give birth to lambs at the same time.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) P Q S R
(b) R P Q S
(c) S R Q P
(d) S R P Q
Answer. D
118. S1 : People very seldom have everything they want.
S6 : Our decisions indicate our scale of preferences and therefore our priorities.
P : Usually we have to decide carefully how to spend our income.
Q : They may all seem important, but their true importance can be measured by deciding which we are prepared to live without.
R : When we exercise our choice, we do so according to our personal scale of preferences.
S : In this scale of preferences essential commodities come first, then the kind of luxuries which help us to be comfortable, and finally those non-essentials which give us personal pleasure.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) P S Q R
(b) P R S Q
(c) Q P S R
(d) R P Q S
Answer. B
119. S1 : On 5th October 1818, when young Lincoln was approaching his tenth year, his mother Nancy died of fever.
S6 : His total education at school comprised only about a year during which he, however, managed to master reading, writing, spelling and some arithmetic.
P : She was illiterate, but she brought with her several books, among which were Pilgrim's Progress, Sindbad the Sailor, Robinson Crusoe and Aesop's Fables.
Q : Lincoln always acknowledged this moral and intellectual debt to his step mother.
R : The following year, his father married Sarah Bush Johnson, a widow with three children.
S : These books provided Lincoln with a mass of knowledge.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) R P Q S
(b) P S R Q
(c) R P S Q
(d) P S Q R
Answer. C
120. S1 : Crude oil obtained from the field is taken to a refinery for treatment.
S6 : Lubricating oils of various grades are obtained last of all.
P : The gas that comes off later is condensed into paraffin.
Q : This allows substances with different boiling points to be separated.
R : The first vapours to rise when cooled provide the finest petrol.
S : The commonest form of treatment is heating.
The proper sequence should be:
(a) S Q R P
(b) R S P Q
(c) S R P Q
(d) R P Q S
Answer. A
