SECOND SEMESTER ENGLISH GENERAL PAPER-

CRITICAL THINKING, ACADEMIC WRITING AND PRESENTATION SKILLS

Common for Private Registration to BA (Faculty of Language & Literature, Social Science) &
BCom Programme. Also for BCom(CA), BCom(TT), BFT, BCA, BSc (CS), BBA & BTS

1. A person with good critical thinking makes:

a) A good observer b) a good decision maker c) a biased thinker d) best philosopher

2. Relying on observable facts and going beyond individual preferences to arrive at a conclusion
is called:

a) Egocentrism b) judgement c) reasoning d) social brainwashing

3. The claim that supports the principal claim in an argument is called:

a) Opinion b) conclusion c) premise d) inductive analogy

4. In an inductive argument:

a) Conclusion is 100% true when the premises are true

b) We look for probability of the conclusion to be true from true premises

c) There is strict relation between the premise and the conclusion

d) Conclusion can be true when the premises are wrong

5. She met with an accident that day because she was wearing that Red sari is an example of

a) Common cause fallacy b) Coincidence c) Unqualified generalization d) Post hoc fallacy

6. The fallacy of division

a) Results from syntactic ambiguity

b) Results from attributing the properties of the part to the whole

c) Results from the argument that an event y must inevitably follow from event x

d) Results from attributing properties of the whole to its parts

7. All flowers are red. Rose is a flower. The conclusion that follows is:
a) All flowers are roses b) rose is a flower c) rose is red d) none of the above

8. Which among the following is the core discourse in the development of Research Papers?

a) Statement of facts b) Identification of topic c) Confirmation d) Refutation

9. A Newspaper Heading reads like this: Recession leaves America jobless is an example of

a) Impediment to accuracy b) Impediment to clarity c) Impediment to relevance d) None of

these

10. You must go for jogging every day to reduce your fat deposits says a man suffering from
obesity. This is an example of

a) Non sequitur b) Tu quoque c) Ad hominem d) Ignoratio elenchi

11. Which of the following is the characteristic of a reliable research source?

a) A source that is objective b) A source that is not credible

c) A source that is detailed, authentic and relates directly to your subject.

d) A source without a recognized publisher

12. Which information among the following should be recorded from an electronic source in
note- making?

a) Details of all URL accessed during the search

b) Details of every page referred

c) Date assigned in the source

d) Printouts of every search material

13. Which among the following is right while making a summary?

a) Evaluate and write up a critical summary of the whole source.

b) Remain objective and make it in your own words.

c) If needed summary can be made longer then the source used.

d) You can include your own opinions and evaluation if necessary.

14. You should neither condense nor distort the original information and ideas of a given source
when you are

a) Paraphrasing b) Summarizing c) Writing a Thesis / Research Paper

d) All of the above.

15. When you use a direct quotation:

a) The text must be in quotes and has to be indented.

b) The words you add to the quote should be in another quote.

c) The words you exclude from the quote should be in brackets.

d) The words you add to the quote should be in brackets.

16. Which of the following is/are not a useful tip in note-making?

A) Intelligent and effective listening/reading is important in note-making.

B) Take down everything that your lecturer/source gives because everything he says is
important.

C) Have a clear idea of what to look for; sort and record notes precisely.

D) Random jotting of points and obscure abbreviations in notes are needed to save your time.

a) A only b) B only c) B and D d) B and C

17. Which among the following is the correct MLA citation?

a) Sharma, V. (2010). Fundamentals of Computer Science. New Delhi: Tata McGraw.

b) Sharma, V. 2010, Fundamentals of Computer Science, New Delhi: Tata McGraw.

c) Sharma, V. Fundamentals of Computer Science. New Delhi: Tata McGraw, 2010.

d) Sharma, V. Fundamentals of Computer Science, New Delhi: Tata McGraw. 2010.

18. Which of the following rules are to be used with end-text citation?

a) If citation has more than one author their names appear in reverse order.

b) Name of publisher comes before place of publication.

c) Titles of articles from newspapers are not italicized and are included within quotes.

d) In citation of an article date of publication comes after page no.

19. Choose the correct MLA citation:

a) Salinger, Jerome David. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1951.
b) Salinger, Jerome David, The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and Company: 1951

c) Salinger, Jerome David. The Catcher in the Rye. (1951), Boston: Little, Brown and
Company.

d) Salinger, Jerome David. The Catcher in the Rye. (1951), Boston: Little, Brown and
Company.

20. Among the following choose appripriate MLA citation of a web source:

a) The Robinson Crusoe Story. Tobermorey.com, 22 March 2012, Accessed on 10 June 2012 <
http://www.tobermorey.com >.

b) The Robinson Crusoe Story. Tobermorey.com. Accessed on 10 June 2012, 22 March 2012 <
http://www.tobermorey.com >

c) The Robinson Crusoe Story. Tobermorey.com. 22 March 2012. Accessed on 10 June 2012 <
http://www.tobermorey.com >.

d) The Robinson Crusoe Story. Tobermorey.com. Accessed on 10 June 2012, 22 March 2012.
http://www.tobermorey.com

21. A plagiarist is one who:

a) Is good at active experimentation; therefore takes risks and easily gets things done.

b) Has a knack for abstract conceptualization, logical analysis of ideas and systematic planning.

c) uses someone elses ideas without crediting the source.

d) Detect plagiarism.

22. Structure of writing is an important point in the process of writing. Structuring is:

a) The way a writer puts words together.

b) The order in which you arrange the material to support the main point.

c) The arrangement of sentences and paragraphs in pages.

d) Checking and revising the correctness of matter.

23. People today has no time nor are there the same intimate relations! We have ceased to
contrive opportunities to bring men together, and spare time for even our loved ones. The
mischief with us is that we have lost what we had with the result that our life has become
joyless. - Prof. J.N. Walsh
Identify the tone of the author?

a) Critical b) pessimistic c) humorous d) cynical

24. Identify the controlling idea of the above writing?

a) Diminishing intimate sociability

b) Increasing social inequality

c) We do not wish to incur expenditure merely to set people together

d) People meet and contact only for business or political purpose.

25. Which among the four is not a characteristic of effective thesis title?

a) It should be an effective indicator of the sale

b) It should be captivating and impressive

c) It should be written in sublime literary jargons

d) It should be precise and clear

26. Which of the following is not the characteristic of a catchy introduction?

a) Which contains the materials to establish and develop the subject of the work.

b) Which sets the tone of the entire essay.

c) Which either states or move towards the thesis.

d) Which guides the audience into the subject.

27. In writing an essay the topic sentence in a paragraph must contain:

a) a logical connection that connects to the conclusion

b) the controlling idea you are going to elaborate in that paragraph

c) a sentence structure or sentence pattern for dramatic effect

d) a hint to the point you are to explain in the following paragraphs

28. Find the cue word in the extract that signals a contrast or change in what has been said:

The past decade witnessed a surge in Tourism Developments; conversely we face serious
infrastructure shortcomings which have brought unsatisfactory tourist experiences and a
breakdown of ecosystems capacity to absorb tourists.
a)breakdown b) conversely c) shortcomings d) absorb

29. Find the cue word in the extract that shows an emphasis or stress in what has been said:

The main objective of the agricultural price policy in India is to provide an inducement to the
producer for adopting improved technology and for maximum production.

a) Inducement b) provide c) main objective d) maximum production

30. Which one of the following is/are not an effective concluding technique?

A) Make audience cautious or issue a warning to end essay

B) Apologize for if you have made any mistakes

C) Write a moral for the audience to think upon

D) Suggestions and recommendations can be given in conclusion

a) B only b) B and C c) A only d) A and B

31. Editing, Proof-reading and trimming your essay is a strategy of

a) Avoiding pitfalls b) Revising c) Polishing d) none of the above

32. __________ is not a strategy of polishing.

a) Rethink the draft b) Re-read revised draft

c) Eliminate wordiness d) Insert cue words.

33. Insert correct punctuation needed:

i) Paul the apostle was beheaded in the reign of Nero

a) Paul, the apostle was beheaded in the reign of Nero.

b) Paul the apostle, was beheaded in the reign of Nero

c) Paul, the apostle, was beheaded in the reign of Nero.

d) Paul the apostle was beheaded, in the reign of Nero

ii) Go then said the aunt and dance winter away

a) Go then said aunt and dance winter away.

b) Go then, said aunt, and dance winter away.

c) Go then, said aunt, and dance winter away.

d) Go then, said aunt, and dance winter away.

34. Insert correct punctuation needed:

i) He was a brave large hearted man and we all honoured him

a) He was a brave large-hearted man; and we all honoured him.

b) He was a brave large-hearted man, and we all honoured him.

c) He was a brave, large-hearted man and we all honoured him.

d) He was a brave, large-hearted man; and we all honoured him.

35. In a sentence the is used before:

a) Nouns that starts with a consonant sound

b) A specific noun

c) Nouns that begins with a vowel sound

d) Nouns which are not specific

36. Articles are omitted:

A) Before names of people

B) Before continents, countries, cities.

C) Before names of individual mountains

D) With superlatives

a) C and D b) D only c) A, Band C d) All of the above

37. Complete the following with suitable articles:

i) Man, thou art ____ wonderful animal.

a) One b) is c) a d) be

ii) I brought____ horse, _____ ox and ____ buffalo.

a) One, a, a b) a, an, a c) a, and, the d) the, a, a

iii) ____ dinner we had at _____ Tourist hotel was very nice
a) The, the b) that, the c) the, that d) a, a

38. Correct the sentences by inserting or deleting suitable articles from the following:

i) Ganga is a sacred river

a) The Ganga is a sacred river.

b) Ganga is the sacred river.

c) Ganga is sacred river.

d) Ganga a sacred river.

ii) We go to the church on Sundays.

a) We go church on Sundays.

b) We go the church on Sundays.

c) We go to church on Sundays.

d) We go to the church a Sundays.

39. From the following identify a collective noun:

a) Herd b) Girl c) City d) Parent

40. Find out the prepositions from the following:

i) The cat jumped off the chair

a) The b) chair c) off d) jumped

41. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:

i) ____ last month I have seen him but once

a) By b) At c) Since d) In

ii) He started _____ six _____ the morning

a) Of, by b) Out, at c) At, in d) by, In

42. Which is the correct rule of subject- verb agreement in the following?

a) If in an either/or or neither/nor sentence one of the subject is I, then use it second and
with am
b) In sentence with either or neither as subject, always use plural verbs

c) In a sentence with pants as noun, use singular verb

d) When the subject is a sum of money, use a plural verb

43. Complete the following using appropriate Phrasal verbs:

i) She was working hard to complete it, but at last she _____

a) Act up b) Run into c) Get over d) gave up

ii) We were surprised when Vidhya ______ from Mumbai for the function

a) ran off b) turned up c) ran d) turned over

iii) I just _____ Mr. Varma

a) ran into b) drop in c) show up d) nail down

44. Modals will and would are

A) Advisability modals b) Intention modals c) Necessity modals d) Possibility modals

45. Choose the correct alternative:

i) I dont think I _____ be able to go

a) will b) can c) should d) had

ii) He said I _____use his telephone at any time

a) should b) ought c) can d) will

iii) I thought he _____ be at home

a) can b) shall c) might d) had

46. Irregular verbs:

a) Are verbs which takes s endings

b) Are verbs which takes d endings

c) Are verbs which does not takes d endings

d) Are verbs which does not takes s endings

47. If I had written the exam, I would have scored better is a:

a) First conditional sentence b) Zero conditional sentence c) Third conditional sentence

d) Second conditional sentence

48. Complete the following choosing correct options:

i. If you work hard,(in first conditional)

a) You will get an increment

b) You would get an increment

49. Complete the sentence in Zero conditional:

i. You eat the medicine,

a) You will be cured

b) You get cured

50. Fill in the blanks with words having negative prefixes

i) You have dressed _______

a) properly b) perfectly c) well d) improperly

ii) His presence is a ________ to everyone.

a) curse b) boon c) hopeful d) discomfort

iii) The meeting was _________

a) unorganized b) well organized c) authorized d) meaningless

51. Use appropriate word with prefixes/ suffixes in the following:

i) Dont ______ him

a) estimate b) under estimate c) unlikely d) hit

ii) Mumbai is the ________ hub of India

a) Commercial b) conservative c) collective d) controlling

iii) From this time _____ he became _______ _______

a) on, continuously, desperate b) onwards, habitually, depressed

c) after, consciously, alone d) afterwards, habitually, antisocial

52. An Adverb is:

a) A word that links verb with rest of the sentence

b) A word which modifies an adjective and another verb

c) A word not used as adjectives

d) A word not used to show variations of time

53. Insert given adverbs in their normal position:

i) She goes to the cinema (seldom)

a) Seldom she goes to the cinema.

b) She goes seldom to the cinema.

c) She goes to the cinema seldom.

d) She seldom goes to the cinema.

54. A relative pronoun is called:

a) Personal pronoun b) Distributive pronoun c) Emphatic pronoun d) Conjunctive pronoun

55. Add Relative pronoun in the following sentences:

i) I met Hari ____ had just returned

a) he b) and c) who d) whom

ii) They all gave evidence _____ one another

a) for b) by c) to strike d) against

56. Change the following sentences into passive voice:

i) Some boys where helping the wounded man.

a) The wounded man was being helped by some boys.

b) The boys helped a wounded man.

c) The boys was helping the wounded man

d) The wounded man is helped by some boys

57. Which is the correct statement about active/passive voices?

a) Active voice is used when a person or thing performing an action is not so important as person
or thing acted upon

b) Passive voice is used when you want to emphasize the result more than the cause

c) The person denoted by the subject acts in the passive voice

d) Active voice is preferable to excessive use of I and we

58. A Correlative Conjunction:

a) Joins equal parts of a group of words

b) Joins words, phrases, clauses.

c) Joins independent clauses with dependent clauses in complex sentences

d) Acts as connectives between clauses of a sentence

59. Point out Conjunctions from the following and state whether they are Coordinating or
Subordinating;

i) I cannot give you any money, for I have none

a) Any, coordinating b) none, subordinating

c) For, coordinating d) give, subordinating

ii) Since you say so, I must believe it

a) so, coordinating b) so, subordinating

c) I, subordinating d) since, subordinating

iii) I did not come because you did not call me

a) did not, subordinating b) because, subordinating

c) I, subordinating d) come, subordinating

iv) He will be sure to come if you invite him

a) If, subordinating b) come, subordinating

c) To, coordinating d) be, coordinating

60. Fill in the blanks with appropriate conjunctions:

i) Is his name Sen ______ Guptha?

a) Rao b) the c) or d) but also

ii) He will not come ______ it rains

a) Soon b) because c) not only d) why

iii) He lost his balance _____ he fell from the bicycle

a) Why b) for c) rather d) so

iv) He visited ______ Agra, ______ Delhi.

a) not only, but also b) the, the

c) to, for d)not, but

61. Convert the following questions into Embedded questions:

i) Whose is this book?

a) Could you tell me, whose book is this?

b) Is this someones book?

ii) What was it all about?

a) What is this all about?

b) Can you tell me, what it was all about?

iii) Who spoke to you last night?

a) Do you remember who spoke to you last night?

b) Is that you spoke yester night?

62. Which of the following are Acronyms?

A) N.B. B) NASA C) FAX D) p.m.

a) A only b) B and C c) C only d) B and D

63. Which one is correct?

a) Leave your answer sheets on the table, Teacher said.

b) Thomas was born on 20 November, 1989, in Kenya.

c) She took half a days leave.

d) Of course her project was the best.

64. Which one is incorrect?

a) Please bring your passport size photo along with the materials we have asked (application
form and DD).

b) Joseph Hellers Catch 22 is an excellent book.

c) He never said a word about that incident, look he comes!

d) My daughter-in-law is a Brahmin.

65. Find the correct order of the formal letter:

a) Address of sender, receivers address, date, subject, salutation, body of the letter, closing,
signature.

b) Senders address, date, receivers address, subject, salutation, body of the letter, closing,
signature.

c) Receivers address, senders address, date, subject, salutation, body of the letter, closing,
signature.

d) Receivers address, date, senders address, salutation, subject, body of the letter, closing,
signature.

66. Choose proper salutation and complimentary close for a formal letter:

a) Dear + title + surname, Yours truly

b) Respected+ title+ first name, Yours Truly

c) Respected+ title+ first name, Yours Sincerely

d) Dear+ title+ surname, Yours sincerely

67. When you write a letter to the editor:

a) Do not bother about name and address

b) Be precise and clear about your response and address of the sender is not required

c) Threaten him on the consequences he must face on publishing that particular news

d) Your response must not be delayed

68. When you are applying for a job:

a) Prepare the CV first and attach it after the covering letter

b) Your Resume comes first and then the covering letter

c) Never make alterations in your Bio data

d) You make impression by making your Resume lengthy

69. While preparing your CV:

a) Job objective gives first impression of the applicant, write one or two paragraphs with perfect
details.

b) Educational qualifications should be written in ascending order

c) Educational qualifications should be written in descending order

d) Fresh graduates should mention their experience as NA (not applicable)

70._________ is not a principle of writing a covering letter:

a) Concreteness b) convenience c) coherence d) emphasis

71. Which is incorrect while writing the covering letter?

a) Dont use vague or indistinct terms

b) Dont sound formal

c) Dont write too many I, me, my

d) None of the above

72. A typical seminar paper contains:

a) Title, your name, abstract, acknowledgement, text, reference

b) Title, your name, abstract, acknowledgement, text, reference, abbreviations

c) Title, your name, abstract, text, reference

d) Your name, title, abstract, text, reference

73. In a Project Report Acknowledgement appears:

a) In between Abstract and Table of contents

b) After Table of contents

c) In between Approval of organizational and faculty guides

d) After certificate of approval

74. In below mentioned statements which are/is correct about a Project proposal:

A) Project proposal should be based on your interest and working ability

B) It requires a certificate of authenticity from the institute concerned

C) It is necessary for enhancing quality and scope of your project

D) Project proposal will enhance suggestions from expert panel

a) B and D b) A and D c) A only d) C and D

75. Which is wrong about an abstract of summer Project Report?

a) Word limit should be strictly observed

b) Abstract should be a maximum of two pages in single space

c) It should be clear and precise about the topic, scope, conclusion etc...

d) Emphasis should be on scope and method

76. An official notice should:

a) Be printed in capital letters and not exceed 250 words

b) Bear official stamp and official letterhead

c) Be impressive and if needed add your opinion and comments

d) Use a white paper of A4 size

77. While filling your application form which of the following must be observed:

a) Do not overwrite; use only white ink for correction

b) Always remember to self-attach the document and photograph

c) Name and address of the applicant must be in capital letters else in small letters

d) It is advisable to fill in a dummy form first

78. Minutes are:

a) Official document that is shared with all the people attending the meeting in advance
b) Official document which proposes the main points to be discussed in the meeting

c) Official document on discussion and decisions made at the meeting

d) Official notice that helps the attendees to designate the time, place and venue of the meeting

79. Which one is not a characteristic of Narration in essays?

a) Narration can be of real-life, public, civic or academic events

b) Narrative structure is non linear

c) The controlling idea is the significance of the event

d) The narrative maintains a consistent point of view

80. In descriptive essay you:

a) Observe and record a rough idea of the subject

b) Decide whether you want to share factual information or minute detailing of subject based on
your audience

c) Follow a clear order and abstract description

d) Maintain a nonlinear structure

81. Which of the following describes a chain reaction map in cause/ effect essays?

a) Water in rivers and seas evaporates and form rain clouds, they melts and rains.

b) Road accidents are caused by harsh driving, lack of traffic signals, negligence of traffic rules
and over speeding.

c) Drastic climatic variations now a day affects health of people, agriculture and atmosphere.

d) All of the above

82. For an examination you are asked to write an essay on Educational system in your country
over world standards. Effective pattern to be adopt in writing is:

a) Cause/ effect pattern b) descriptive pattern c) argument pattern d) compare/ contrast pattern

83. Which among the following is incorrect about compare/ contrast pattern?

a) Focus on the subject b) dont bother about audience c) use cue words d) indicate whether you
are going to develop similarities or differences or both

84. An argumentative essay is:

a) An emotionally heated exchange or a debate on a subject

b) Writing of reasonable claim and persuading audience to agree with it

c) Coming up with a statement and you argue both for and against

d) You compel the audience to agree with your opinion on a controversial topic

85. You should not choose an argument subject on:

a) Controversies b) political issues c) beliefs d) social events

86. In an argument you should:

a) Avoid reasonable subjects and claims

b) Acknowledge the opposition

c) Not use cause/ effect strategy

d) Shoot yourself in the foot by choosing the best topic

87. Which among the following is not a soft skill of presentation?

a) Overcoming nervousness b) Voice projection c) tone maintenance d) Body language

88. The fundamental principle of effective communication is;

a) Transmission of message clearly and audibly

b) Messages go back and forth between sender and receiver

c) Choose appropriate medium for communication

d) Grab the attention of the receiver at the beginning

89. Which among the following is not an effective practice while speaking in a formal setting?

a) Try introducing every new point with efficient as an adjective

b) Give brief sum up at the end of every section

c) Do not drag your presentation

d) Never repeat things already said

90. When you are addressing a global audience, a good medium is:

a) Lecturing + Translation b) Handouts c) Video presentation d) Workshop

91. A flip chart is:

a) Paper on which details of the programs are charted in a meeting

b) A sketch of informations which is helpful during the talk

c) A visual aid for a group of 100 150 persons

d) All of the above

92. Which presentation strategy is best for professional presentations?

a) Lecture + Workshops b) PowerPoint Presentation c) OHP d) Questionnaires and Group

Discussion

93. Which of the following does not help you to give a clear presentation?

a) Your rapport with the audience

b) Maintain a distance from audience

c) Use language appropriate for the audience

d) Have in- depth knowledge on the topic

94. While attending an Interview, you must not;

A) Ask striking questions to the interviewer

B) Comment on or ask about any media reports on the company

C) Initiate the interview

D) Ignore the questions put across

a) C and D b) A and B c) B and D d) A and C

95. After the interview you must;

A) Close the door when you leave

B) When you get up to leave drag back the chair to its position

C) Before you leave give a firm handshake as it shows your confidence

D) Thank the interview board before you leave

a) B and D b) D Only c) A and D d) C and D

96. In an Interview you should not:

a) Move closer to the other person

b) Lean forward slightly in your chair

c) Have your arms crossed

d) Change your facial expressions

97. Group discussion is not:

a) A form of spontaneous conversation

b) Formal

c) Where examiner is silent observer

d) A debate

98. Among the procedures given below one which is not included in procedure of Group
Discussion:

A) Sometimes candidates themselves select the topic

b) When discussion forwards, examiner goes into the background

c) Candidates are seated in a row

d) If the group is large they have to wear the number tag

99. To be a successful member in Group Discussion:

a) You must dominate other members throughout

b) You must argue and contradict every point raised during the discussion

c) Speaking is important not listening

d) Know how to convince your opponent

100. During Group Discussion:

a) Do not blow hot and cold when you are criticized

b) Make the whole section a monologue

c) Interrupt whenever you hear a wrong argument from the other side
d) Shower mockery on your opponent.

ANSWER KEYS

1. b, 2.c, 3.c, 4.b, 5.d, 6.d, 7.c, 8.c, 9.a, 10.b, 11.c, 12.c, 13.b, 14.a, 15.d, 16.c, 17.c,

18.c, 19.a, 20.c, 21.c, 22.b, 23.d, 24.a, 25.c, 26.a, 27.b, 28.b, 29.c, 30.b, 31.c, 32.a,

33.i)d, ii)b , 34.i)d , 35.b, 36.c, 37.i)c, ii) b ii)a, 38.i)a, ii)c,39.a, 40.i)c, 41.i).c), ii).c)

42.a, 43.i)d, ii)b, iii)a, 44.b, 45.i)a, ii)c, iii) c, 46.c, 47.c, 48.i)a, 49.i)b,

50.i)d, ii) d, iii) a, 51.i)b, ii)a, iii)b , 52.b, 53.i)d, 54.d 55.i)c, ii)d.56.i)a, 57.b, 58.b,

59.i)c, ii)d, iii) b, iv)a , 60.i)c, ii) b, iii )a, 61.i)a, ii)b, iii) a ,

62.d, 63.d, 64.c, 65.b, 66.d, 67.d, 68.a, 69.b, 70.b, 71.b, 72.c, 73.a, 74.d,

75.d, 76.b, 77.d, 78.c, 79.b, 80.b, 81.a, 82.d, 83.b, 84.b, 85.c, 86.b, 87.c,

88.b, 89.d, 90.c, 91.b, 92.b, 93.b, 94.a, 95.d, 96.c, 97.b, 98.c, 99.d, 100.a.