Free Verbal Ability questions with answers for MBA CET

Grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, para jumbles, odd sentence out and critical reasoning - the verbal questions asked in MBA CET and other management entrance exams. These 102 questions are also useful for CAT, MAT and ATMA. Tap “Show answer” under any question for the correct option and the explanation.

Question 61
Which of these sentences is/are incorrect? A. What is bred in the bone will not wear out of the flesh. B. He was so annoyed on been contradicted. C. It is not for such as they, to dictate us. D. There never had arise a great man who has not been misunderstood.
- (A)Only C
- (B)Only B, C and D
- (C)All are incorrect.
- (D)Only A and D
- (E)Only D
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) All are incorrect.
A: the proverb is 'What is bred in the bone will not come out of the flesh', so A is wrong. B: should be 'annoyed at being contradicted'. C: should be 'to dictate to us'. D: should be 'There never has arisen a great man...'. All four are incorrect.
Question 62
Which of these sentences is/are correct? A. The army had to suffer terrible privations due to the war. B. He was as tired as he could scarcely stand. C. The most exquisitely work of literary art exhibits a certain crudeness and coarseness. D. Education and poverty are the most pressing issues for our country.
- (A)Only B and C
- (B)Only A, C and D
- (C)Only A and D
- (D)Only A and B
- (E)Only D
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Only A and D
A is correct. B is wrong: 'so tired that he could scarcely stand' (not 'as tired as'). C is wrong: 'most exquisite' (an adjective, not 'exquisitely') should be used. D is correct. So only A and D are correct.
Question 63
Which of these sentences is/are correct? A. Do not be idle, lest you come to ruins. B. As he had not paid his bid, following his electricity was cut off. C. Giving up wrong pleasure is not self-sacrifice but self-culture. D. There were doors all around the hall, but they were all locked.
- (A)Only D
- (B)Only A, B and C
- (C)Only A and D
- (D)Only C and D
- (E)All are correct
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (D) Only C and D
A: 'lest you come to ruins' is wrong (it should be 'lest you come to ruin'). B is wrong: 'following his electricity was cut off' should read 'his electricity was cut off' (or 'the next day his electricity was cut off'). C ('Giving up wrong pleasure is not self-sacrifice but self-culture') is correct. D is correct. So only C and D are correct.
Question 64
In the sentence, the three parts in square brackets may contain errors. Options (A), (B) and (C) below give a replacement for each of the three parts, in order. One, two, all three or none of them may be correct. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose 'No correction required'. [As less of] 5 percent of the total fleet of cars in Norway are electric at present, the country's transport minister calls it 'realistic' [expectation] an end to sales of new cars [power] fossil fuels by 2025. A. Though less than-to expect-powered by B. Since approximately- an expectation- controlling C. Although not even- to envisage- fuelled by
- (A)Only(A) &(C)
- (B)All (A), (B) & (C)
- (C)Only (A) & (B)
- (D)Only (A)
- (E)No correction required
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Correct answer: (A) Only(A) &(C)
The sentence should read: 'Though less than 5 percent of the cars in Norway are electric at present, the transport minister calls it realistic to expect an end to sales of new cars powered by fossil fuels by 2025.' (A) gives exactly that. (C) also works: 'Although not even 5 percent ... realistic to envisage an end to sales of new cars fuelled by fossil fuels.' (B) 'Since approximately ...' does not give the contrast the sentence needs and 'controlling' changes the meaning. Only A and C are correct.
Question 65
To some audiences, orchestral conductors seemingly to dramatically wave their arms with no discernible effect on the music, whereas really, conductors undergo rigorous conservatory training, followed by further feedback on the job when their climb the career ladder. A. merely- in reality- in their climb up B. seem to- in fact- as they climb up C. will- actually- while their climb
- (A)Only(C)
- (B)All (A), (B) & (C)
- (C)Only(A) & (B)
- (D)Only (A)
- (E)No correction required
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Only(A) & (B)
(A) 'conductors merely wave their arms ... whereas in reality ... in their climb up the career ladder' is grammatical and keeps the contrast between how the audience sees conductors and what they really do. Correct. (B) 'seem to dramatically wave ... in fact ... as they climb up' is correct and is the most natural fix. (C) 'will' changes the meaning, and 'while their climb' has no verb, so the clause is ungrammatical. Wrong. Only (A) and (B) are correct.
Question 66
In the sentence, the three parts in square brackets may contain errors. Options (A), (B) and (C) below give a replacement for each of the three parts, in order. One, two, all three or none of them may be correct. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose 'No correction required'. [Like] roads, which have well-established rules, lane markings and traffic signals to guide autonomous vehicle [being use], the pavements running alongside those roads are what roboticists [known to] "unstructured environments". A. While -in use of- called B. Unlike- using those- refer to C. Although- being in use- speak of
- (A)Only(B)
- (B)All (A), (B) & (C)
- (C)Only(A) & (B)
- (D)Only (C)
- (E)No correction required
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) Only(B)
The sentence should read: 'Unlike roads, which have well-established rules, lane markings and traffic signals to guide autonomous vehicles using those, the pavements ... are what roboticists refer to as unstructured environments.' The sentence contrasts roads with pavements, so 'Unlike' is needed. (A) 'in use of' and 'called' are wrong forms, and (C) 'Although' and 'speak of' do not fit. Only B is correct.
Question 67
Infrastructure is a tricky business. When it comes to public infrastructure projects, the benefits are long term but the costs are short term. ( ). So an elected leader gets al! the fink from those who oppose this while elephant/blot on the landscape but none of the praise for the reduced traffic jams or cheaper power that ensue. Private investors are happy to own infrastructure projects once they are up and running and delivering reliable yields, they are less keen on financing Greenfield projects with all the risks that go with them.
- (A)The politician that authorises the project is rarely the same one that opens it.
- (B)Infrastructure can have positive externalities that are not captured by investors but will benefit society (the building of the internet or America's interstate highway system, for example).
- (C)Far too many projects get build and the overall returns are disappointing.
- (D)All the given options fit.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (A) The politician that authorises the project is rarely the same one that opens it.
The sentence after the blank begins 'So an elected leader gets all the flak ... but none of the praise for the reduced traffic jams or cheaper power that ensue'. That follows from (A): the politician who authorises the project is rarely the one who opens it, so the benefits arrive after the leader has left. (B) is about externalities that investors do not capture and (C) is about projects giving disappointing returns. Neither leads to the leader getting the flak without the praise.
Question 68
Which of the following sentences does not contribute to the main idea of the paragraph? A. Industry automation has started causing disruption in the labor market. B. Textile and footwear industry that were considered non-susceptible to computerization are being taken under control by the computers. C. Given the current trends there will be an immediate slump in enrolment in courses as Nano-technology, robotics, biotechnology etc. observed among college students. D. Computers have already replaced jobs which are easy to automate. E. It is predicted that harder domains will also be captured during the next wave of computerization.
- (A)A
- (B)C
- (C)E
- (D)D
- (E)All contribute to the main idea
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Correct answer: (B) C
A, B, D and E all describe how automation and computers are taking over jobs. C talks about a slump in enrolment in technical courses, which shifts the topic from jobs to education, so it does not contribute to the main idea.
Question 69
Which of the following sentences does not contribute to the main idea of the paragraph? A. Animals to protect themselves from predators resort to blending in with certain aspects of environment. B. Mimicry of their surroundings among animals is common to maintain the continuity of their species. C. Adaptation provides animals with better chance of survival. D. Camouflage is used some animals as a tool for hunting. E. Adaptive tools are maintained and evolved by means of natural selection.
- (A)E
- (B)D
- (C)A
- (D)C
- (E)All contribute to the main idea
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Correct answer: (A) E
A to D are about how animals use camouflage, blending in and adaptation to survive (protection, mimicry and hunting). E moves to how adaptive tools are maintained through natural selection, which is a different idea.
Question 70
Which of the following sentences does not contribute to the main idea of the paragraph? A. Voting is not only a right but also the responsibility of each and every citizen. B. The person elected will help decide policies on a plethora of issues such as health condition, corruption etc. C. Awareness among citizens about their responsibilities as a voter should be cultivated. D. By casting their vote citizens elect the person who would assure the power of governance and help transform their condition of living. E. Seats are won or lost by a single vote thereby making the person casting his vote more responsible.
- (A)C
- (B)D
- (C)B
- (D)E
- (E)All contribute to the main idea
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Correct answer: (C) B
The paragraph is about voting being a right and a responsibility of citizens. A, C, D and E all deal with the voter's duty and the weight of a single vote. B talks about the policies the elected person will decide, which is about the representative's later work and not about why the citizen should vote, so it does not contribute to the main idea.
Question 71
Which of the following sentences does not contribute to the main idea of the paragraph? A. Sports instil or infuse a sporting spirit to take up the heavy burden of life in a lighter vein. B. The necessity of sports is felt to be so great in life that there is ample justification in its favour. C. Sports and games are the right avenues to channelize the energy and vitality of students. D. Government has taken a decision to ensure 50 percent reservation in colleges and hospitals in the state. E. The greatest educational value of the sports and games is to provide stimulation to study.
- (A)C
- (B)D
- (C)B
- (D)A
- (E)All contribute to the main idea
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Correct answer: (B) D
All the sentences are about the value of sports and games. D is about government reservation in colleges and hospitals and has nothing to do with sports.
Question 72
Which of the following sentences does not contribute to the main idea of the paragraph? A. Free market boosts effectiveness and efficiency in the production of goods and services. B. Consumers are provided with various options of goods and services in a free market economy. C. Free market makes consumers apparently believe that they influence the production in an economy. D. Better awareness among consumers regarding options results in stable demand and supply. E. Wastage in production of goods and services does not occur due to the stability of supply.
- (A)C
- (B)E
- (C)D
- (D)B
- (E)All contribute to the main idea
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Correct answer: (A) C
The paragraph builds a case for the free market. A: efficiency. B: choice for consumers. D: informed consumers give stable demand and supply. E: that stability reduces wastage. C says consumers only 'apparently believe' they influence production, which is a doubtful note that breaks the positive line of argument, so C does not contribute to the main idea.
Question 73
In the sentence, the three parts in square brackets may contain errors. Options (A), (B) and (C) below give a replacement for each of the three parts, in order. One, two, all three or none of them may be correct. If the sentence is correct as it is, choose 'No correction required'. Having seen Greece [consistently fail] to meet previous bail-out targets, the IMF thinks the European Commission's forecasts are [too rosy], and that, [without relief], Greece's debt will balloon after 2030. A. consistency In failing- most rosy- no relief B. consistent failure- overly optimistic- unless relief C. consistently falling- very rosy- being relieved
- (A)Only (A)
- (B)All (A), (B) & (C)
- (C)Only(A)&(B)
- (D)Only(C)
- (E)No correction required
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (E) No correction required
The sentence is already correct. The alternatives introduce errors ('consistency in failing', 'most rosy', 'being relieved', 'consistently falling'). No correction is required.
Question 74
Find the option(s) that are either most nearly the SAME in meaning as, or the OPPOSITE of, the word in capitals. EMANCIPATE A. enslave B. loiter C. conjecture D. assumption
- (A)Only B
- (B)Only B, C and D
- (C)Only C and D
- (D)Only A and C
- (E)Only A
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (E) Only A
EMANCIPATE means to set free. 'Enslave' is its opposite. Loiter, conjecture and assumption are neither similar nor opposite in meaning. So only A.
Question 75
Find the option(s) that are either most nearly the SAME in meaning as, or the OPPOSITE of, the word in capitals. DRUDGE A. foreboding B. toiler C. prod D. menial
- (A)Only B
- (B)Only B and D
- (C)Only A, C and D
- (D)Only A and B
- (E)Only C
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Only B and D
A drudge is a person who does hard, boring work. 'Toiler' and 'menial' are close in meaning. 'Foreboding' and 'prod' are not.
Question 76
Find the option(s) that are either most nearly the SAME in meaning as, or the OPPOSITE of, the word in capitals. LUDICROUS A. absurd B. lavishness C. farcical D. laughable
- (A)Only B
- (B)Only A, C and D
- (C)Only B and C
- (D)Only D
- (E)Only A and D
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Only A, C and D
'Ludicrous' means absurd or laughable. 'Absurd', 'farcical' and 'laughable' mean the same, while 'lavishness' means something different.
Question 77
Choose the word closest in meaning to "mitigate".
- (A)Intensify
- (B)Alleviate
- (C)Conceal
- (D)Postpone
- (E)Replicate
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) Alleviate
'Mitigate' means to make something less severe - closest in meaning to 'alleviate'.
Question 78
Choose the word opposite in meaning to "transient".
- (A)Temporary
- (B)Fleeting
- (C)Enduring
- (D)Uncertain
- (E)Irregular
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Enduring
'Transient' means temporary or short-lived; its opposite is 'enduring' (lasting).
Question 79
Choose the word that best fits the sentence: The committee rejected the proposal because its financial assumptions were too ______ to support a long-term investment decision.
- (A)robust
- (B)speculative
- (C)transparent
- (D)conclusive
- (E)methodical
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (B) speculative
'Speculative' (based on guesswork rather than solid evidence) fits an assumption too uncertain to support a long-term investment decision.
Question 80
Choose the correctly spelt word.
- (A)Accomodation
- (B)Accommmodation
- (C)Accommodation
- (D)Acommodation
- (E)Accomodationn
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: (C) Accommodation
'Accommodation' - with double 'c' and double 'm' - is the correct spelling.

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