Dear PaGaLGuy readers, English Comprehension and English Language skills form an integral part of a number of competitive examinations, such as the SSC CGL, SSC CHSL exams, Banking Entrance exams, UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination, MBA entrance exams, Combined Defence Service Examination, etc. Given the importance of this section, we bring you this English Language Quiz to help you practise and improve your English language skills.

This quiz has questions from the SSC Combined Higher Secondary (10 + 2) level exam held in November 2012. Solve this quiz and leave your responses/ answers in the comments section below. We will soon let you know the correct answers!

In these questions, out of four alternatives, choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.

1. Innate 

(a) Acquired                     (b) Natural

(c) Inborn                         (d) Unusual

2. Reprisal

(a) Forgiveness                 (b) Relief

(c) Exemption                   (d) Relaxation

3. Hegemony 

(a) Control                        (b) Leadership

(c) Subordination             (d) Discipline

In the sentences below, four alternatives are given for the idiom/phrase underlined in the sentence. Choose the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase.

4. I told the students to buckle down this semester.

(a) take it easy                 (b) drop a subject

(c) work seriously            (c) go for a vacation

5. People are always critical. One needs to have a thick skin to cope with criticism.

(a) be disinterested          (b) be bold

(c) be unaffected              (d) be insensitive

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