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 (II) 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.
SPOTTING ERRORS
Directions: Each item 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. Of all those involved with the accident none was seriously injured. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
2. Radar equipments that is to be used for ships must be installed carefully. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
3. New types of electrical circuits has been developed by our engineers. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
4. Recently I visited Kashmir and found the sceneries to be marvellous. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
5. It is of primary importance in swimming to learn to breathe properly. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
6. When the party was over, he looked around for the girl who had come with him. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
7. After we were driving for miles on the winding road I was suddenly sick. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
8. The forecast was for fair and warm weather and the day dawned dark and chill. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
9. To write, to speak or to act seems very easy. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. D
10. I have not had tea since two days. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
11. Beside his mother he has two aunts who stay with him. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. A
12. This photograph appears to be the best of the two. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
13. Either the operator or the foreman are to blame for the accident. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. B
14. The article offers good advice to whomever must accept it. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
Answer. C
15. She dislikes you being most organized than she is. No error
(a) (b) (c) (d)
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 – 1
Answers
| 16. |
B |
26. |
B |
36. |
C |
| 17. |
B |
27. |
C |
37. |
B |
| 18. |
C |
28. |
B |
38. |
A |
| 19. |
A |
29. |
C |
39. |
B |
| 20. |
C |
30. |
B |
40. |
B |
| 21. |
C |
31. |
C |
|
|
| 22. |
B |
32. |
B |
||
| 23. |
B |
33. |
A |
||
| 24. |
A |
34. |
C |
||
| 25. |
A |
35. |
A |
||
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 (a), (b) or (c) is better than the underlined part, indicate your response on the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter (a), (b) or (c). If none of the substitutions improves the sentence, indicate (d) as your response on the Answer Sheet. Thus a "No improvement" response will be signified by the letter (d).
41. It's ten o'clock already. It's high time you went home.
(a) you had gone
(b) you were going
(c) you had been
(d) No Improvement
Answer. D
42. The students are playing volley-ball since 8 A.M.
(a) were playing
(b) have playing
(c) have been playing
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
43. Our plans for the trip fell down because we had no money.
(a) off
(b) out
(c) through
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
44. None of these groups has reported accurately on the prevailing situation.
(a) have reported
(b) was reported
(c) has reporting
(d) No Improvement
Answer. D
45. Among the athletes undergoing training Ramesh was easily the better.
(a) best
(b) better
(c) the best
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
46. The earth moves round the sun, isn't it?
(a) wasn't it?
(b) hasn't it?
(c) doesn't it?
(d) No improvement
Answer. C
47. Supposing if he is arrested what will he do?
(a) if he will be arrested
(b) he is arrested
(c) if he was arrested
(d) No Improvement
Answer. B
48. My students have been interesting in learning French.
(a) have been interested
(b) are being interesting
(c) have also interesting
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
49. Hardly I had fallen asleep, when the bell rang.
(a) I was fallen
(b) had I fallen
(c) I fell asleep
(d) No improvement
Answer. B
50. These days, Radha finds it difficult to make both her ends meet.
(a) both ends meet
(b) both the ends meet
(c) ends meet
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
51. My mother always asks us to close the fan when we leave the room.
(a) on the fan
(b) off the fans
(c) turn off the fan
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
52. If she does not get more high salary, she will resign.
(a) more higher salary
(b) high salaries
(c) a higher salary
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
53. The parents should not discriminate from the girl child.
(a) discriminate between
(b) discriminate against
(c) discriminate at
(d) No Improvement
Answer. B
54. Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' is another of his greatest works.
(a) one of his greatest
(b) best of his greatest
(c) greatest of his
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
55. Some schools require children to wear black leather expensive shoes.
(a) black expensive leather shoes
(b) expensive leather black shoes
(c) expensive black leather shoes
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
56. It is a good thing for him should recognize his faults.
(a) that he to recognise his faults
(b) him recognizing his faults
(c) for him to recognize his faults
(d) No Improvement
Answer. C
57. Some boys speak their mother-tongue among one another.
(a) between them
(b) among themselves
(c) with them
(d) No Improvement
Answer. B
58. Prior than taking any decisions he always consults his lawyer.
(a) Prior to
(b) Previous to
(c) Prior as
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
59. He does not know what the university is.
(a) an
(b) a
(c) one
(d) No Improvement
Answer. B
60. The Prime Minister called on the President.
(a) by
(b) in
(c) to
(d) No Improvement
Answer. D
61. No sooner did we reach the railway station when it began to rain.
(a) than
(b) and
(c) while
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
62. Well-bred children always listen to their parents' advice.
(a) hear to
(b) agree
(c) obey
(d) No Improvement
Answer. D
63. We had not met since then, neither did I wish to meet him now.
(a) never did I wish
(b) nor did I wish
(c) did not I wish
(d) No Improvement
Answer. B
64. Even she had taken a taxi, she would have been late.
(a) Even if she had
(b) Although she had
(c) As if she had
(d) No Improvement
Answer. A
65. He felt sure of his success, though he was beginning to get worried.
(a) his succeed
(b) his successes
(c) being succeeded
(d) No Improvement
Answer. D
COMPREHENSION
Directions: In this section there are four 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
Much rhapsodical nonsense has been written about the "Mona Lisa” and her enigmatic smile, and there have been endless speculations as to her character and the meaning of her expression. It is all beside the mark. The truth is that the "Mona Lisa" is a study of modeling. Leonardo da Vinci had discovered that the expression of smiling is much more a matter of modeling of the cheek and of the forms below the eye than of the change in the line of the lips. It interested him to produce a smile wholly by these delicate changes of surface; hence the mysterious expression.
66. The word rhapsodical as used in the passage means
(a) plain
(b) unreadable
(c) enthusiastic
(d) uniformed
Answer. C
67. "Mona Lisa" is the name of
(a) a beautiful woman who made history in ancient Rome
(b) a famous painting
(c) the artist's mistress
(d) an art technique
Answer. B
68. The truth about the "Mona Lisa" is that it is a study in
(a) feminine psychology
(b) facial expression
(c) feminine form
(d) modeling
Answer. D
69. The painter was able to produce that strange smile on Mona Lisa's face by
(a) delicate changes on the surface of cheeks below the eyes
(b) using bright colours
(c) using a painting knife
(d) looking constantly at a smiling model while painting
Answer. A
70. The author of the above passage has examined 'Mona Lisa' from
(a) an idealistic angle
(b) an imaginary point of view
(c) a purely artistic angle
(d) a scientific and realistic standpoint
Answer. D
Passage-II
It is possible to give wedding presents, birthday and Christmas presents, without any thought of affection at all, they can be ordered by postcard; but the unbirthday present demands the nicest care. It is therefore the best of all, and it is the only kind to which the golden rule of present-giving imperatively applies - the golden rule which insists that you must never give to another person anything that you would not rather keep: nothing that does not cost you a pang to part from. It would be better if this rule governed the choice also of those other three varieties of gifts, but they can be less exacting.
71. The author says that wedding, birthday and - Christmas presents
(a) are always indicators of the giver's affection
(b) may not always be given with any thought of affection
(c) are given only to flatter the recipient
(d) are given only to fulfil an obligation
Answer. B
72. 'They can be ordered by postcard' means that
(a) the present may only be a postcard
(b) the present would be an expensive one
(c) the choice does not involve much care
(d) the present would not be worth giving
Answer. C
73. The 'unbirthday' present is the best of all because
(a) it cannot be ordered by postcard
(b) it means giving expensive presents
(c) its choice needs the utmost care
(d) other occasions are better than birthdays for giving presents
Answer. C
74. A 'golden rule' is a rule which
(a) brings profit
(b) is very important
(c) is very difficult
(d) is very easy
Answer. B
75. The writer is of the view that one should give a present that
(a) one would like to possess oneself
(b) one would like to get rid of
(c) cannot be ordered by mail
(d) is highly expensive and attractive
Answer. A
Passage-III
People project their mental processes into their handwriting. They subconsciously shape and organise their letters, words and lines in ways that directly reflect their personalities. This explains why no two handwritings are - or even can be - alike; the medium is just too personal. Everyday observation confirms the link between handwriting and personality, at least in an elementary way. Precise people construct their words with care, slowly and exactly; dynamic people dash them off. Flamboyant people boldly cover half a page with a few words and a signature, whose size fittingly reflects their expansive sense of self. Most of us have made such observations. But it takes a practiced eye to discern the scores of variations and interpret the subtle interplay of forces at work in any given handwriting. In fact in Europe, handwriting analysis known as graphology, now enjoys scientific acceptance and common use.
76. If you are a showy and colourful person, your handwriting is likely to be
(a) neat and slow
(b) dashing and careless
(c) bold and large
(d) legible but small
Answer. C
77. Graphology is
(a) the study of graphs
(b) the analysis of handwriting
(c) a special branch of phonetics
(d) a graphical description of handwriting
Answer. B
78. Handwriting analysis is
(a) not useful to us
(b) an elementary study
(c) an imprecise science
(d) a means of studying personality
Answer. D
79. According to the author, people are:
(a) not conscious of what they write
(b) aggressive in the nature of their writing
(c) not conscious of the way they write
(d) not used to personal writing
Answer. C
80. The fact that handwriting is related to personality
(a) has been noticed by most people
(b) is appreciated by dynamic people
(c) is restricted to persons who write carefully
(d) is known only to graphologists
Answer. A
Passage-IV
The simplest method of welding two pieces of metal together is known as pressure welding. The ends of metal are heated to a white heat — for iron, the welding temperature should be about 1300°C — in a flame. At this temperature the metal becomes plastic. The ends are then pressed or hammered together, and the joint is smoothed off. Care must be taken to ensure that the surfaces are thoroughly clean first, for dirt will weaken the weld. Moreover, the heating of iron or steel to a high temperature cause oxidation, and a film of oxide is formed on the heated surfaces. For this reason, a flux is applied to the heated metal. At welding heat, the flux melts, and the oxide particles are dissolved in it together with any other impurities which may be present. The metal surfaces are pressed together, and the flux is squeezed out from the centre of the weld. A number of different types of weld may be used, but for fairly thick bars of metals, a vee-shaped weld should normally be employed. It is rather stronger than the ordinary butt weld.
81. The simplest way of welding two pieces of metal together is
(a) heating the metal
(b) holding it in a flame
(c) coating the metal with plastic
(d) hammering heated pieces
Answer. D
82. Unless the surfaces are cleaned first
(a) the metal will not take white heat
(b) the resulting weld will be weak
(c) the joint will be rough
(d) the metal will be less plastic
Answer. B
83. When iron is heated to about 1300 degree centigrade
(a) flames turn from white to blue
(b) chemical reaction starts
(c) oxide film is found on its surfaces
(d) it turns into steel
Answer. C
84. The flux is used to
(a) make the metal plastic
(b) cool the heated metal
(c) cover up any dirt
(d) dissolve oxide and other impurities
Answer. D
85. For fairly thick bars of metals
(a) a vee shaped weld should be used
(b) ordinary butt weld should be used
(c) a number of different types of weld may be used
(d) a pressure weld may be used
Answer. A
SYNONYMS
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most similar in meaning to the underlined word.
86. All these items have been marked down.
(a) reserved
(b) packed up
(c) reduced in price
(d) entered
Answer. C
87. How can you have the effrontery to ask for another loan?
(a) right
(b) impudence
(c) heart
(d) courage
Answer. B
88. There was a devastating attack on his work.
(a) terrible
(b) casual
(c) unethical
(d) motivated
Answer. A
89. The committee conducted an exhaustive inquiry.
(a) time-consuming
(b) complicated
(c) renewed
(d) thorough
Answer. D
90, He is just laying up a lot of trouble for himself.
(a) clearing
(b) accumulating
(c) accepting
(d) removing
Answer. B
91. He fought the demon with all his might.
(a) heaviness
(b) strength
(c) density
(d) popularity
Answer. B
92. Devotees believe that God dwells in their heart.
(a) lives
(b) insists
(c) travels
(d) enters
Answer. A
93. Not everyone can respond to a difficult question quickly.
(a) discuss
(b) argue
(c)answer
(d) deny
Answer. C
94. The sage did not want to be bothered with mundane concerns.
(a) worldly
(b) meaningless
(c) trivial
(d) superfluous
Answer. A
95. Mountaineering in bad weather is dangerous.
(a) threatening
(b) shaky
(c) perilous
(d) slippery
Answer. C
96. Stellar groupings tend to be unlimited.
(a) lengthy
(b) heavenly
(c) huge
(d) infinite
Answer. D
97. One who rules with unlimited power is called a dictator.
(a) anarchist
(b) autocrat
(c) egoist
(d) sychophant
Answer. B
98. He was not ready with his annual accounts.
(a) yearly
(b) important
(c) monthly
(d) permanent
Answer. A
99. Society cannot depend upon a fanatic for guidance.
(a) optimist
(b) martyr
(c) bigot
(d) anarchist
Answer. C
100. A busy person cannot waste his time on trivial issues.
(a) unimportant
(b) rude
(c) crude
(d) tribal
Answer. A
ANTONYMS
Directions: Each item in this section consists of a sentence with an underlined word followed by four words or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the underlined word.
101. The officer exaggerated the damage caused by the rowdies.
(a) underwrote
(b) condemned
(c) ignored
(d) underestimated
Answer. D
102. The speaker was unable to pacify the crowd.
(a) excite
(b) antagonize
(c) threaten
(d) challenge
Answer. A
103. His officer was a very strict person.
(a) pleasant
(b) open hearted
(c) lenient
(d) indifferent
Answer. C
104. Servitude is not helpful for mental growth.
(a) Disservice
(b) Retirement
(c) Freedom
(d) Termination
Answer. C
105. His attitude to poor people is deplorable.
(a) commendable
(b) miserable
(c) equitable
(d) desirable
Answer. A
106. The guest made derogatory remarks about the food he was served.
(a) interesting
(b) complimentary
(c) unnecessary
(d) cheerful
Answer. B
107. He has an aversion to milk.
(a) dear
(b) loving
(c) liking
(d) pet
Answer. C
108. The paucity of good teachers is the chief reason for the present condition of these schools.
(a) presence
(b) surplus
(c) appointment
(d) retention
Answer. B
109. Don't you think his account of things was - monotonous?
(a) agreeable
(b) acceptable
(c) varied
(d) indecent
Answer. C
110. Spurious drugs can prove to be fatal.
(a) Virtuous
(b) Inferior
(c) Genuine
(d) Contemptuous
Answer. C
FILL IN THE BLANKS
Directions: Each of the following sentences has a blank space and four words are given below it. Select the word you consider most appropriate for the blank space and indicate your choice on the Answer Sheet.
111. We must not _________the real and important advances science has made.
(a) oppose
(b) question
(c) ignore
(d) doubt
Answer. C
112. These trousers are too long, __________ the length please.
(a) diminish
(b) lessen
(c) curtail
(d) reduce
Answer. D
113. "What did you think of the film?" " _______, I didn't like it very much."
(a) To be honest
(b) Being honest
(c) To be fair
(d) In honesty
Answer. A
114. He _______ in this school since 2010.
(a) studied
(b) was studying
(c) has been studying
(d) had studied
Answer. C
115. "His parents died when he was young." "I think that's why he has _________ problems."
(a) too many
(b) so many
(c) any more
(d) much more
Answer. B
116. _______ if he is willing to fit in with the plans of the group.
(a) There is no objection to him joining the party
(b) There is no objection on his joining the party
(c) There is no objection to his joining the PAY
(d) There was no objection for his joining the party
Answer. C
117. Having secured the highest marks in the class, ________.
(a) the college had offered him a scholarship
(b) he was offered a scholarship by the college
(c) a scholarship was offered him by the college
(d) a college scholarship had been offered to him
Answer. B
118. After they ________ lunch, the boys ran outside.
(a) have eaten
(b) had eaten
(c) were eating
(d) would eat
Answer. B
119. As he was ___________ and had saved enough money, his family escaped misery when he died suddenly.
(a) prudent
(b) preparatory
(c) persistent
(d) providential
Answer. A
120. Some mysteries remain in desert research : especially relating to why some regions, once fertile, are now _______.
(a) blossoming
(b) cultivable
(c) barren
(d) irrigated
Answer. C
