(Paper) CLAT UG Question Paper 2014 : English Including Comprehension

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(Paper) Previous Year Question Paper (BA LLB) - 2014

Section - I : English Comprehension

1) A vote………….. of proposed at the end of the meeting.

(A) thanks were
(B) thank was
(C) thanks had been
(D) thanks was

2) During the recession many companies will. ……… lay off workers.

(A) be forced to
(B) have the force to
(C) forcefully
(D) be forced into

3) She has good. ……….. over the famous foreign languages.

(A) expertise
(B) command
(C) control
(D) authority

4) The Chairman pointed out in favour of the manager that the profitability of the industrial plant had ……. since he took over the administration.

(A) arisen
(B) declined
(C) added
(D) increased

5) When the examinations were over………… went to Paris.

(A) me and Rohan
(B) I and Rohan
(C) Rohan and me
(D) Rohan and I

6) Let’s go forawalk……………?

(A) can we
(B) shall we
(C) cant’ we I
(D) shouldn’t we

7) Had Anil been on time he ………… missed the train.

(A) would not have been
(B) had not
(C) will not have
(D) would not have

8) The most alarming fact is that infection is spreading ……. the state and reaching villages and small towns.

(A) over
(B) across
(C) far
(D) from

9) In big cities people are . …. cut from nature.

(A) off
(B) down
(C) away
(D) out

10) The dissidents . ……. a great problem in every political party.

(A) give
(B) cause
(C) pose
(D) hold


11) (a) Payment for imports and exports is made through a system called foreign exchange. The value of the money of one country in relation to the money of other countries is agreed upon.
(b) The rates of exchange vary from time to time.
(c) For example. an American dollar or a British pound sterling is worth certain amounts in the money of other countries.
(d) Sometimes a US dollar is worth 60 rupees in India.

(A) abcd
(B) bacd
(C) acbd
(D) cabd

12) (a) When a dictionary is being edited. a lexicographer collects all the alphabetically arranged citation slips for a particular word.
(b) The moment a new word is coined. it usually enters the spoken language.
(c) The dictionary takes note of it and makes a note of it on a citation slip.
(d) The word then passes from the realm of hearing to the realm of writing.

(A) abcd
(B) acbd
(C) bacd
(D) Other

13) (a) The impression that corruption is a universal phenomenon persists and the people do not co-operate in checking this evil.
(b) So there is hardly anything that the government can do about it now.
(c) It is regrettable that there is a widespread corruption in the country at all levels.
(d) Recently several offenders were brought to book. but they were not given deterrent punishment.

(A) cdab
(B) adbc
(C) adcb
(D) cbad

14) (a) In all social affairs convention prescribes more or less generally accepted rules of behaviour.
(b) Of course, there is nothing absolute about conventions.
(c) They vary from country to country, from age to age.
(d) Convention has a necessary part to play in the life of everyone.

(A) abcd
(B) adbc
(C) dacb
(D) dabc

15) (a) In fact. only recently there have been serious studies to find out how many of us actually have nightmares.
(b) Now that is changing.
(c) The study of nightmares has been curiously neglected.
(d) While results so far are inconclusive, it seems fair to say that at least half the population has occasional nightmares.

(A) cadb
(B) abdc
(C) adcb
(D) cbad

Directions for Questions 16 to 20: Given below are a few foreign language phrases which are commonly used. Choose the correct meaning for each of the phrases.

16) Ex officio

(A) By virtue of previously held position
(B) Former official
(C) By virtue of office
(D) Outside the office

17) Ultra Vires

(A) Within powers
(B) Full powers
(C) Near powers
(D) Beyond powers

18) Quid pro quo

(A) Something for nothing
(B) Something for something
(C) Everything for something
(D) Something for everything

19) Inter vivos

(A) between the living
(B) among the living and the dead
(C) between the dead
(D) among the (lead and the living)

20) Corpus juris

(A) body of judges
(B) group of jurists
(C) body of law
(D) knowledge of law


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Directions for Questions 21 to 25: Select the word that is spelt CORRECTLY.

21) Which of the following spellings is correct?

(A) Concensus
(B) Consencus
(C) Consenssus
(D) Consensus

22) Which of the following spellings is correct?

(A) Procede
(B) Proceed
(C) Proceede
(D) Proced

23) Which of the following spellings is correct?

(A) Accommodate
(B) Acommodate
(C) Accomodate
(D) Acomodate

24) Which of the following spellings is correct „for a page at the beginning of a book?

(A) Foreward
(B) Forword
(C) Forworde
(D) Foreword

25) Which of the following spellings is correct„?

(A) Arguement
(B) Argument
(C) Arguemant
(D) Arguemint

Directions for Questions 26 to 30: Choose the explanation that best reflects the spirit of the idiom/proverb/phrase given in each question.

26) To make clean breast of:

(A) To tell the truth about something
(B) To gain prominence
(C) To destroy before it blooms
(D) To praise oneself

27) A man of straw:

(A) A creditable man
(B) A very active man
(C) A man of no or little substance
(D) An unreasonable man

28) A wild-goose chase:

(A) A wise search
(B) A fruitful search
(C) A worthwhile hunt
(D) A futile pursuit

29) Put on the market:

(A) To offer for sale
(B) Alongside the market
(C) Already purchased
(D) None of the above

30) To meet someone halfway:

(A) To show that you are prepared to strain your relationship with someone
(B) To compromise with someone
(C) Confrontation
(D) Incongruity

Directions for Questions 31 to 40: The questions in this section are based on a single passage. The questions are to be answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the passage. Kindly note that more than one of the choices may conceivably answer some of the questions. However, you are to choose the most appropriate answer; that is, the response that most accurately and completely answers the question.

The spread of education in society is at the foundation of success in countries that are latecomers to development. In the quest for development, primary education is absolutely essential because it creates the base. But higher education is just as important, for it provides the cutting edge. And universities are the lif‟e-blood of higher education. Islands of excellence in professional education. such as Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), are valuable complements but-cannot be substitutes for universities which provide educational opportunities for people at large. There can be no doubt that higher education has made a significant contribution to economic development, social progress and political democracy in independent India. It is a source of dynamism for the economy. It has created social opportunities for people. It has fostered the vibrant democracy in our polity. It has provided a beginning for the creation of a knowledge society. But it would be a mistake to focus on its strengths alone. It has weaknesses that are a cause for serious concern.

There is, in fact, a quiet crisis in higher education in India that runs deep. It is not yet discernible simply because there are pockets of excellence. an enormous reservoir of talented young people and an intense competition in the admissions process. And. in some important spheres. We continue to reap the benefits of what was sown in higher education 50 years ago by the founding fathers of the Republic. The reality is that we have miles to go. The proportion of our population, in the age group 18-24. that enters the world of higher education is around 7 per cent, which is only one-half the average for Asia. The opportunities for higher education, in terms of the number of places in universities. are simply not enough in relation to our needs. What is more, the quality of higher education in most of our universities requires substantial improvement.

It is clear that the system of higher education in India faces serious challenges. It needs a systematic overhaul, so that we can educate much larger numbers without diluting academic standards. This is imperative because the transformation of economy and society in the 21st century would depend, in significant part, on the spread and the quality of education among our people, particularly in the sphere of higher education. It is only an inclusive society that can provide the foundations for a knowledge society.

The challenges that confront higher education in India are clear. It needs a massive expansion of opportunities for higher education. to 1500 universities nationwide, that would enable India to attain a gross enrolment ratio of at least 15 per cent by 2015. It is just as important to raise the average quality of higher education in every sphere. At the same time. it is essential to create institutions that are exemplars of excellence at par with the best in the world. In the pursuit of these objectives, providing people with access to higher education in a socially inclusive manner is imperative. The realisation of these objectives, combined with access, would not only develop the skills and capabilities we need for the economy but would also help transform India into a knowledge economy and society.

31) The principal focus of the passage is:

(A) Primary education
(B) Intermediate education
(C) Higher education
(D) Entire education system

32) The style of the passage can be best described as:

(A) Academic
(B) Critical and analytical
(C) Comparative
(D) None of the above

33) What kind of society can provide the foundation for a knowledge society?

(A) Elite society
(B) Contracted society
(C) Exclusive society
(D) Inclusive society

34) According to the passage. which one of the following is INCORRECT?

(A) There are no quality institutes providing excellent professional education in India
(B) Not many people go for higher education in India
(C) Education is the basis of success
(D) All the above options are correct

35) According to the passage, the current state of affairs of higher education in India is:

(A) Satisfactory
(B) Excellent, and there is no need of any expansion of opportunities for higher education
(C) Not good enough, and there is a need of expansion of opportunities for higher education besides creating institutions and universities that are models of excellence
(D) Not explained in the passage

36) According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a challenge that confronts higher education in lndia?

(A) Expanding opportunities for higher education
(B) Creating institutions and universities that are exemplars of excellence
(C) Substantial improvement in the quality of higher education in most of our universities
(D) Getting into World University Rankings

37) According to the passage. which of the following is CORRECT?

(A) Primary education is very important
(B) Universities are the life-blood of higher education
(D) All the above propositions are correct

38) Should the entire university system in India be modelled on premier institutes, such as, IITs and IIMs. providing professional education„?

(A) Yes
(B) For sure
(C) No
(D) The passage is silent on this question

39) What is the antonym of the expression „cutting edge„?

(A) Conventional
(B) Avant-garde
(C) Advanced
(D) Contemporary

40) What is the meaning of the word „discemible?

(A) Unobtrusive
(B) Noticeable
(C) Unremarkable
(D) Inconspicuous


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Answer Key:

1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (b) 9. (a) 10. (b) 11. (c) 12.(d) 13.(a) 14. (d) 15. (d) 16. (c) 17. (d) 18. (b) 19. (a) 20. (c) 21. (d) 22. (b) 23.(a) 24. (d) 25. (b) 26. (a) 27. (c) 28. (d) 29. (a) 30. (b) 31. (c) 32. (b) 33.(d) 34. (a) 35. (c) 36. (d) 37. (d) 38. (c) 39 (a) 40. (b)

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