SOLVED PAPER 2021 (CDS) (II) (English)

Total Questions: 120

1. (Questions 1-10) Given below are some idioms/phrases followed by four alternative meanings to each. Choose the most appropriate answer from among (a), (b), (c) or (d).

Forty winks

Correct Answer: (d) A short sleep during the day
Solution:

The idiom ‘forty winks’ means a short sleep or nap, especially during daytime.

2. Life in the raw

Correct Answer: (a) Life in its natural, unembellished state
Solution:

The idiom ‘life in the raw’ means life in its unnatural, unembellished state.

3. A paper tiger

Correct Answer: (a) A person or thing that appears threatening but is ineffectual
Solution:

The idiom ‘a paper tiger’ refers to someone who seems powerful and dangerous at the first glance, but is actually powerless and harmless.

4. Penny-wise and pound-foolish

Correct Answer: (b) Careful about small amounts but careless about large amounts
Solution:

The idiom ‘penny-wise and pound-foolish’ means to be careful about small amounts but not about large amounts.

5. Pin back your ears

Correct Answer: (a) To listen carefully to something
Solution:

The idiom ‘pin back your ears’ means to listen carefully to something.

6. Turncoat

Correct Answer: (b) Someone who deserts one group to join another
Solution:

‘Turncoat’ refers to someone who switches to an opposite side. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.

7. Say your piece

Correct Answer: (d) Express your opinion
Solution:

The idiom ‘say your piece’ means to state your opinions.

8. Top-notch

Correct Answer: (c) Of highest possible quality
Solution:

‘Top-notch’ means that something is of very high standard or quality.

9. Under the table

Correct Answer: (d) Making or receiving payments surreptitiously
Solution:

The idiom ‘under the table’ means to do something secretly because it is illegal. Hence, option (d) is the correct answer.

10. At the drop of a hat

Correct Answer: (b) Suddenly and without much thought
Solution:

The idiom ‘at the drop of a hat’ means immediately and without any thought. Hence, option (b) is the correct answer.