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UPPSC 2024 — English Language Questions with Answers

All 14 English Language previous-year questions from UPPSC 2024, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.English Language

   Fill in the blank with the correct option. We ___________ ourselves to the circumstances.

   • a)Adept
   • b)Adopt
   • c)Adapt
   • d)None of the above

   Explanation: 'Adapt' means to adjust or modify oneself to new conditions or circumstances, which is the correct verb to complete the sentence.

2. Q2.English Language

   Find out the synonym for the italicised word given in the following sentence. He was filled with remorse for the action.

   • a)revulsion
   • b)despair
   • c)repentance
   • d)regret

   Explanation: 'Remorse' means deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. 'Repentance' is defined as sincere regret or remorse, making it the most accurate synonym among the choices.

3. Q3.English Language

   Which of the following is the correct passive form of the following? “What has cut the tree?”

   • a)By whom has the tree been cut?
   • b)By whom was the tree cut by?
   • c)Who has the tree been cut?
   • d)By whom was the tree cut?

   Explanation: The active sentence 'What has cut the tree?' is in the Present Perfect tense. To convert it to passive voice, 'What' (acting as subject) changes to 'By whom,' and the verb structure becomes 'has been + past participle.'

4. Q4.English Language

   Change into direct form: I said to him, “How do you know this?”

   • a)I asked him that how he knew that.
   • b)I asked him how he knew that.
   • c)I asked him how I knew that.
   • d)I asked him ho I knew that.

   Explanation: When converting an interrogative direct speech sentence starting with a 'wh-word' to indirect speech, the reporting verb changes to 'asked', the 'wh-word' acts as the conjunction, and the sentence structure becomes assertive, with the tense shifted to the past.

5. Q5.English Language

   Choose the correct option to find out the meaning of the idiom given below: “To end in smoke”.

   • a)To have no result; to come to nothing
   • b)To find out the result in the end
   • c)To come to an end
   • d)To find out the smoke

   Explanation: The idiom 'to end in smoke' means that an effort or plan comes to nothing, or fails to produce any tangible result.

6. Q6.English Language

   What is the meaning of the idiom, 'Blow one's own horn'?

   • a)To be the devil's advocate
   • b)To announce self defeat
   • c)To boast about oneself
   • d)To suddenly become very angry

   Explanation: The idiom 'to blow one's own horn' means to boast or brag about one's own accomplishments or qualities.

7. Q7.English Language

   Choose the correct antonym of the following word. Gloomy

   • a)Cheerful
   • b)Boring
   • c)Straight
   • d)None of the above

   Explanation: 'Gloomy' refers to a state of being dark, depressing, or pessimistic. Its direct antonym is 'cheerful', which means happy and optimistic.

8. Q8.English Language

   Select the word which is opposite in meaning of the following: Indiscreet

   • a)Honest
   • b)Stupid
   • c)Reliable
   • d)Prudent

   Explanation: 'Indiscreet' means lacking discretion or prudence, often revealing private information. Its antonym is 'prudent', which means acting with careful thought and wisdom, especially regarding the future.

9. Q9.English Language

   The art of beautiful handwriting is known as:

   • a)Designing
   • b)Orthography
   • c)Calligraphy
   • d)Stenography

   Explanation: 'Calligraphy' is specifically defined as the art of beautiful handwriting, often involving decorative lettering.

10. Q10.English Language

    Choose the correct alternative which replaces the given statement/sentence: “Anything written in a letter after it is signed”.

    • a)Manuscript
    • b)Postdiction
    • c)Postscript
    • d)Corrigendum

    Explanation: A 'postscript' is an additional remark at the end of a letter, after the signature.

11. Q11.English Language

    Which among the following is a correctly spelt word?

    • a)Obliterate
    • b)Obleturate
    • c)Obletterate
    • d)Obliterait

    Explanation: The correct spelling of the word is 'Obliterate', meaning to destroy utterly; wipe out.

12. Q12.English Language

    Fill in the blanks with the correct options. “__________” he worked, __________ he failed.

    • a)Hardly; when
    • b)Other; than
    • c)No sooner; than
    • d)Though; yet

    Explanation: The correlative conjunction pair 'Though...yet' is used to express a contrast or concession. It means 'despite the fact that...'.

13. Q13.English Language

    Fill in the blank with the correct option. __________ one of the boys was in the playground.

    • a)Neither
    • b)Either
    • c)Every
    • d)All

    Explanation: 'Every one of the boys' is a correct and common construction meaning 'each boy individually'. It takes a singular verb ('was').

14. Q14.English Language

    Find the correct sentence.

    • a)He is rich enough to starve.
    • b)He is too rich and he starve.
    • c)He is too rich to starve.
    • d)He is too rich not to starve.

    Explanation: The 'too...to' construction expresses a negative consequence. 'He is too rich to starve' means he is so rich that he cannot starve.