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Previous-year paper · 30 questions
IPMAT Indore 2021
Verbal Ability
Read the passage or information below
From ancient Rome up to the Victorian era, a training in logic and rhetoric was meant to help privileged young men recognise spurious arguments and facts. Times have changed, but contemporary Italy is determined that its youth are prepared, as their ancient counterparts were, to engage meaningfully with the present-day version of the Forum - social media. At the end of October, 8,000 Italian schools will teach their students how to spot fake news through a programme developed with the help of journalists as well as tech giants Google and Facebook. In Israel, the University of Haifa is launching a course titled “Fake News”.
The purpose of these courses is to ensure that public debate, particularly during election campaigns, is not hijacked by vested interests. Since the US presidential election in 2016, the spectre of Russia and its use of online propaganda has loomed large over public discourse in the West. In other parts of the world too, doctored images and blatant lies have been published by “news” websites. Given the speed with which information is shared online, the damage is already done by the time a fake story is exposed. The voters of tomorrow certainly need to be armed with the ability to sift bare facts from motivated fiction. The effects of social media on the formation of opinion, however, go far beyond fake news.
Traditional or legacy media is ordered by a need for balance. A newspaper, for example, has sections that deal with politics, crime, sports, the arts et al. There is, at least in principle, an attempt to tell both sides of a story in each report. On social media, the only editor is the user herself. Algorithms ensure that people see more of what they “like”, that biases are reinforced rather than countered. Fake news is certainly a crucial aspect of online propaganda. But for young citizens to form opinions based on multiple viewpoints, they need to consciously seek out more than they are comfortable with
Question 1
The writer of the passage suggests that
- A.
the purpose of education in early times was very different from what it is now.
- B.
there are similarities in the aims of education in early times and those of today.
- C.
the purpose of education in early times was to help students attain a position of privilege
- D.
as times have changed the basis of education has expanded.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 2
The passage points out that an important difference between traditional media and social media is that
- A.
social media reaches more people.
- B.
traditional media tries to present different points of view.
- C.
social media is more balanced in its reports.
- D.
it is easier to spread fake stories through traditional media.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 3
Social media is dangerous in its ability to influence opinion in readers through
- A.
its choice of news items which are presented.
- B.
its balanced reporting of wide-ranging stories.
- C.
its ability to guide the reader to motivated conclusions.
- D.
the creation of interest by using dubious facts.
View answer
Correct answer: A
Question 4
Vested interests' (Para 2) means
- A.
hidden purposes.
- B.
popular interests.
- C.
self-serving intentions
- D.
profitable motives.
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 5
The antonym for 'spurious' (Para 1) is
- A.
inferior.
- B.
incisive.
- C.
dubious.
- D.
genuine
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 6
The writer of the passage calls social media 'the present-day version of the Roman Forum' because it is a space for
- A.
carrying out political propaganda.
- B.
discussing ideas.
- C.
nurturing political ambitions.
- D.
spreading spurious arguments.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 7
The impatient and intolerant mother made every effort to _______.
- A.
domineer her children
- B.
dominate the child's lives
- C.
denominate her children.
- D.
dominion her children
View answer
Correct answer: A
Question 8
To avoid the ecological issues, scientists and government agencies consider how sustainable development _______.
- A.
effects the citizen.
- B.
affects the citizen.
- C.
is affective to the citizen
- D.
is affectionate to the citizen.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 9
I now have more productive time during the day because I keep the office gossips _______.
- A.
a foot away.
- B.
at arm's length
- C.
at bay's length
- D.
out of harm's way.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 10
We need to cut down on our expenses, so that we are able to _______.
- A.
make ends meet
- B.
tie up the loose ends
- C.
be more philanthropic.
- D.
be tax compliant.
View answer
Correct answer: A
Question 11
A portion of the house collapsed because the contractor _______.
- A.
short-changed places
- B.
cut corners
- C.
bit the bullet
- D.
made a fortune
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 12
Our team has won every single match that they have played since January. They seem to be _______.
- A.
rolling in luck.
- B.
rolling in money.
- C.
on a roll.
- D.
on a roller coaster.
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 13
Other politicians may have claims to seniority over their peers, based upon their accomplishments and their ability to lead campaigns, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortex, who is often described as merely being a junior member of the House of Representatives, has an unparalleled seniority over all of them by virtue of her prowess in social media management.
- A.
as merely being a junior member of the House of Representatives
- B.
as being a merely junior member of the House of Representatives
- C.
for merely being a junior member of the House of Representatives
- D.
as a mere junior member of the House of Representatives
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 14
Although the coastal city of Kundapur was once home to a flourishing maritime trade, their economy has been dependent in more recent years on the cotton textile and sugar industries.
- A.
it's economy had depended in more recent years
- B.
its economy lias in more recent years depended
- C.
the economy having in more recent years depended
- D.
its economy has depended in more recent years
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 15
Due to the progress in the field of modern medicine and advances in nutrition and hygiene, less people die every year from infectious diseases then ever before.
- A.
fewer people die every year from infectious diseases then ever before.
- B.
less people die every year from infectious diseases then ever before.
- C.
fewer people die every year from infectious diseases than ever before.
- D.
every year, fewer people die from infectious diseases than have ever before.
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 16
Captive breeding has helped revive wildlife such as the Eurasian beaver, the cheetah and the Arabian Onyx. Several species have been reintroduced into locations in order that the ecological balance is restored. When herbivorous bandicoots were set free in the wild, they dug the ground and redistributed dry leaves and branches, reducing the chance of bush fires. But some predators may overhunt or threaten other vulnerable species. _________.
- A.
Hence, wildlife conservationists should revive more of herbivorous animals and enrich the ecosystems.
- B.
Conservation of carnivorous animals is complex and could be dangerous to so many other vulnerable species.
- C.
The revival of the ecosystem therefore, depends on the eating habits of the animals introduced therein.
- D.
Therefore, all species must be revived and allowed to live in forests regardless of their being carnivorous.
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 17
Postponed from last year, the Tokyo Olympics are set to begin this year. The locals are wary, the athletes are anxious, training sessions are truncated, and restrictions are extensive. _________. Yet Japan, in many ways is seen as a safe choice, because of its past experience of hosting big events. It has an impeccable reputation for discipline and the ability to deliver the goods.
- A.
The Japanese are anxious but ready to welcome the athletes.
- B.
The shadow of the pandemic looms large over the Tokyo Olympics.
- C.
The International Olympic Committee has fully supported the Tokyo games.
- D.
Japan is going through an economic recession and could run out of funds.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 18
When we think about listening, we tend to assume that it is basically the same as hearing; this is a _________ because it leads us to believe that effective listening is _________. As a result, we make little effort to learn, or develop listening skills and thereby __________ a vital communication function.
- A.
blunder, spontaneous, forget
- B.
fallacy, impulsive, ignore
- C.
mistake, natural, reject
- D.
misconception, instinctive, neglect
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 19
As vaccination rates rise and governments relax their pandemic_______ , the recovery of the event ecosystem is happening faster than expected. Event management___________ see the number of events and event attendance reaching and potentially____________ pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
- A.
regulations, professionals, surpassing
- B.
monitoring, experts, confounding
- C.
resolutions, practitioners, reducing
- D.
systems, masters, exceeding
View answer
Correct answer: A
Question 20
This ________,__________man was actually the __________manager the company ever had.
- A.
assiduous, ludicrous, most able
- B.
assiduous, analytical, best
- C.
well-groomed, assertive, compassionate
- D.
kind-hearted, thoughtful, friendly
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 21
The best strategy to give an ________ is to deliver it orally as well as in _________ It is also important to _________ the employee's achievements in the same manner.
- A.
approval, awards, promote
- B.
indictment, memos, realise
- C.
appraisal, writing, recognise
- D.
appreciation, increments, advertise
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 22
The Aravalli range is the oldest_______ geological feature anywhere in the world. These were once tall mountains, possibly as high as the Himalayas. Over hundreds of millions of years these tall mountains have been______ to low hills and ridges. Yet, these diminutive hills have been_________ to many important events in Indian history.
- A.
existing, reduced, sentinel
- B.
prevailing, destroyed, testament
- C.
surviving, eroded, witness
- D.
continuing, broken down, observers
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 23
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
- A.
Naturally, the fauna of the region varies with climatic changes.
- B.
Some plants adapt themselves to a variety of climatic conditions.
- C.
When the last tree dies in the climactic scene, the message in the movie becomes clear
- D.
The climactic changes from summer to winter affected the moods of the hero of the film.
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 24
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
- A.
The lives of the little princes in the large castle in the rich city were luxurious
- B.
The rooms were adorned with luxuriant trimmings of gold, silk and velvet.
- C.
They were handsome men who were distinguished by their luxuriant, golden tresses
- D.
The cruise ship was of medium size, but the suites were very luxurious.
View answer
Correct answer: B
Question 25
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
- A.
The king was under intensive pressure to protect the borders of his vast empire
- B.
The subject's loathing of the cruel emperor was intense
- C.
Without intensive study, it is difficult for most students to get admitted into any course
- D.
The intense debate between states led to the resolution of issues across the border.
View answer
Correct answer: A
Question 26
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
- A.
We called a mechanic to appraise the car before we bought it.
- B.
The principal called a meeting to apprise the school's governing board of the progress made by all the students in the past year
- C.
At the end of each practice session, the teacher trainees are expected to appraise their own performance
- D.
The soldiers returned to the camp to appraise the commanding officer of the enemy's location.
View answer
Correct answer: D
Question 27
One of the statements below contains a word used incorrectly. Choose the option which has the incorrect or inappropriate usage of the word.
- A.
The young girl said, "I now request our chief guest to come forward for the lighting of the lamp."
- B.
I just read that two men who took shelter under a tall tree during a thunderstorm were struck by lightning.
- C.
I believe that skin lightning products have a lot of undesirable side effects
- D.
The young girl helped her mother carry some of the groceries home, thereby lightening her heavy load.
View answer
Correct answer: C
Question 28
The sentences given below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the most logical order and enter the sequence of numbers in the space provided, for e.g., 1234.
- In the past, companies with international aspirations simply familiarised themselves with any differences in the legal system or in the procedures used in the day-to-day business of import and export.
- Modern trade, however, demands more from companies.
- Today, the company seeking international success must also understand the people who live and work in countries they deal with, how they think, behave and do business.
- To succeed in today's global market place, it is essential to learn as much as possible about the conditions in overseas markets.
View answer
Correct answer: 4123
Question 29
The sentences given below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the most logical order and enter the sequence of numbers in the space provided, for e.g., 1234.
- It mentions a video on TikTok that questioned an influencer's possible views on the Israel-Palestine crisis.
- Social media has given us the expectation that every video, every tweet needs to be irreproachable and encompass the lived experiences of the audience.
- Should celebs always have a take, asks an article in a magazine.
- "Do you guys even care about the issue or do you care about influencers caring about the issue?"
View answer
Correct answer: 2314
Question 30
The sentences given below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the most logical order and enter the sequence of numbers in the space provided, for e.g., 1234.
- In a recent incident, villagers in a tea estate were shocked to find a leopard cub in a trench.
- The cub was then taken to the area where she was discovered and reunited with her mother.
- The 12,500 leopards in India stray into villages due to their shrinking habitat.
- The wildlife vet examined and declared it to be uninjured but dehydrated.
View answer
Correct answer: 3142
Question and solution source: Afterboards. Sample and dropped questions retain their source labels.
