Weekly Vocabulary Test, 27 June – 04 July 2026
✓ Vocabulary Sources: Weekly EditorialWords PDFs
✓ Total Questions: 150
✓ Difficulty: Advanced / Tough
✓ Estimated Time: 90 Minutes
Covers:
✓ Advanced Vocabulary MCQs
✓ Contextual Vocabulary
✓ Synonyms
✓ Antonyms
✓ Idioms & Phrases
✓ Phrasal Verbs
✓ One Word Substitution
✓ Fill in the Blanks
✓ Word Formation
✓ Spotting the Error
✓ Spelling Challenge
✓ Advanced Cloze Test
Start Test ↓
SECTION A/10: ADVANCED VOCABULARY MASTERY
1. In geopolitical terms, how does the provided text differentiate a “middle power” from a “superpower”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A middle power is an emerging power wielding significant influence but lacks global dominating capacity.
💡 Explanation: A middle power is defined as a sovereign state that is not a superpower but still wields significant regional or intermediate influence.
2. Based on the given definitions, which attribute strictly defines a “living martyr”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A person who sacrifices or suffers greatly for a cause while remaining alive.
💡 Explanation: The text specifically notes a living martyr is a heroic survivor and devoted sufferer who remains alive.
3. Why is the “Strait of Hormuz” referred to as a strategic “choke point”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. It is a vital strait forming the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean.
💡 Explanation: The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial choke point for global energy transport connecting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
4. What distinguishes a “notifiable disease” according to the provided text?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. It is required by law to be reported to government authorities for monitoring.
💡 Explanation: A notifiable disease is legally mandated to be reported to public health authorities for tracking and control.
5. According to the political definition provided, the “rule of law” entails:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The political ideal that all citizens and institutions are accountable to the same laws.
💡 Explanation: Rule of law ensures legal supremacy, fair justice, and equality before the law for everyone.
6. How are “fundamental rights” described in the context of Supreme Court recognition?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Rights that require a high degree of protection from government encroachment.
💡 Explanation: The text defines fundamental rights as basic human rights requiring high protection from government interference.
7. The term “Global South” primarily refers to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Developing nations with less advanced economic structures, mostly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
💡 Explanation: The Global South denotes third-world countries, emerging economies, and less industrialized nations.
8. What capability defines “Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. AI systems that can learn, understand, and apply intelligence across a broad range of tasks at or beyond the human cognitive level.
💡 Explanation: AGI is hypothetical human-level AI capable of advanced machine intelligence across broad tasks.
9. A “demographic dividend” is primarily triggered by:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Growing numbers of people in the workforce relative to the number of dependents.
💡 Explanation: It represents a boost in economic productivity resulting from a youth bulge and workforce advantage.
10. A “civilisational state” claims to represent:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. A distinct overarching civilization and culturally defining nation.
💡 Explanation: A civilisational state asserts its identity based on a foundational civilization rather than just borders or language.
11. In the context of the text, “Reforms 3.0” aims to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Accelerate growth and technological advancement as the third generation of economic reforms.
💡 Explanation: Reforms 3.0 represents next-gen policies aiming to accelerate India’s growth and technological progress.
12. The “Golden Crescent” is historically known as:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. An illicit drug-producing region in Southwest Asia comprising Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Iran.
💡 Explanation: The Golden Crescent is historically the world’s leading source of illicit opium and heroin.
13. The strategy of “MILDEC (Military Deception)” is executed to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Mislead adversary decision-makers regarding military capabilities or intentions.
💡 Explanation: MILDEC involves deliberate actions (tactical trickery, subterfuge) to deceive the enemy for strategic advantage.
14. What does “Schedule H2” mandate in the Indian regulatory framework?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Specific traceability measures, like barcodes or QR codes, on designated drug packaging.
💡 Explanation: Schedule H2 ensures drug authenticity through mandatory traceability measures like QR codes.
15. The idiom “WhatsApp moment” is used metaphorically to describe:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A transformative point of rapid, disruptive mainstream tech adoption.
💡 Explanation: It describes a breakthrough event, tipping point, or paradigm shift in technology adoption.
16. The “Hindu rate of growth” refers to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The low, stagnant annual growth rate (around 3.5%) of the socialist Indian economy before 1991.
💡 Explanation: It is a coined term describing the historically sluggish economic growth of pre-liberalisation India.
17. What does the phrase “once-blank cheque starts to float” metaphorically express?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The loss of unconditional support or unlimited leeway in a relationship.
💡 Explanation: It implies that previously limitless financial or political backing has now become restricted and accountable.
18. “What’s good for the goose is good for the geese” implies:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. What is beneficial for one person/group should apply equally to another similar group.
💡 Explanation: The phrase advocates for equal treatment, same standards, and fairness.
19. If someone is “caught in the middle”, they are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Trapped between two opposing sides or situations.
💡 Explanation: Caught in the middle means sandwiched, entangled, or wedged between conflicting forces.
20. The principle of “buyer beware” emphasizes that:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. The buyer alone is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods.
💡 Explanation: Buyer beware (caveat emptor) places the burden of due diligence entirely on the purchaser.
21. In the context of economic history, what characterized “Reforms 2.0” in India?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The creation of digital public infrastructure like Aadhaar and widespread digital connectivity.
💡 Explanation: Reforms 2.0 refers to the second generation of structural changes focused on digital formalisation.
22. What does the “Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)” primarily show?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Trends in both the manufacturing and services sectors derived from monthly surveys.
💡 Explanation: PMI is an economic indicator based on surveys that shows trends in manufacturing and services.
23. “Input tax credit (ITC)” allows businesses to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Reduce their tax liability when selling products by claiming credit for tax paid on purchases.
💡 Explanation: Under the GST system, ITC allows a reduction in tax liability based on previously paid taxes.
24. What is the composition and purpose of a “carrier group”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A naval fleet consisting of an aircraft carrier and escort vessels deployed for power projection.
💡 Explanation: A carrier group (or naval strike group) is a heavily armed fleet built around an aircraft carrier.
25. The “core sector index” measures the production output of:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Eight foundational industries crucial to the overall economy.
💡 Explanation: It is a statistical gauge tracking the output of foundational industries like coal, steel, and cement.
26. The “BoP crisis, 1991” in India was fundamentally a severe crisis caused by:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. An acute shortage of foreign exchange reserves leaving the country unable to meet international payment obligations.
💡 Explanation: The Balance of Payments crisis forced India to pledge gold and initiate sweeping 1991 liberalisation.
27. In the context of AI, what is a “GPU” heavily used for?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A specialized circuit rapidly manipulating memory to accelerate complex parallel computations.
💡 Explanation: A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a computing chip/accelerator crucial for AI training.
28. Which countries historically comprise the “Golden Triangle”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Myanmar, Laos, Thailand.
💡 Explanation: The Golden Triangle is a major illicit drug-producing region in Southeast Asia involving these three countries.
29. As defined in the text, “Operation Sindoor” refers to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A cross-border military operation launched by India in Pakistan in 2025.
💡 Explanation: The text specifically defines Operation Sindoor as a military retaliation for the Pahalgam terrorist attack.
30. What is the primary purpose of the “EU AI Act”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. To classify AI systems by risk and impose strict transparency, safety, and accountability requirements.
💡 Explanation: The EU AI Act is a landmark legal framework enacted to strictly regulate European AI deployment based on risk.
SECTION B/10: ADVANCED SYNONYMS
31. Choose the closest synonym for the operational term “MILDEC”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Subterfuge
💡 Explanation: MILDEC stands for military deception, synonymous with tactical trickery and subterfuge.
32. Choose the closest synonym for “communicable”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Transmissible
💡 Explanation: A communicable disease is infectious, contagious, or transmissible.
33. Choose the closest synonym for the phrasal verb “brush aside”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Disregard
💡 Explanation: To brush aside means to disregard, ignore, dismiss, or pass over.
34. Choose the closest synonym for “devolve into”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Degenerate
💡 Explanation: To devolve into means to degenerate, deteriorate into, or descend into a worse state.
35. Choose the closest synonym for “harp on”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Belabour
💡 Explanation: To harp on means to talk continuously about, dwell on, repeat, or belabour a point.
36. Choose the closest synonym for “impinge upon”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Encroach
💡 Explanation: To impinge upon means to encroach on, intrude on, infringe, or negatively affect.
37. Choose the closest synonym for “lay down”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Stipulate
💡 Explanation: To lay down means to establish, stipulate, prescribe, or dictate.
38. Choose the closest synonym for “make out” as used in a legal or argumentative context.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Substantiate
💡 Explanation: To make out (a claim) means to manage to establish, successfully prove, demonstrate, or substantiate.
39. Choose the closest synonym for “opine on”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Weigh in on
💡 Explanation: To opine on means to state as one’s formal opinion, declare, express a view, or weigh in on.
40. Choose the closest synonym for “rake in”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Accumulate
💡 Explanation: To rake in means to earn, make, or collect a large amount of money easily; gather or accumulate.
41. Choose the closest synonym for “scale up”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Boost
💡 Explanation: To scale up means to increase, expand, enlarge, boost, or step up.
42. Choose the closest synonym for “shoot down”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Blast out of the sky
💡 Explanation: To shoot down means to destroy, bring down, gun down, or blast out of the sky.
43. Choose the closest synonym for “strip of”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Rob of
💡 Explanation: To strip of means to remove an attribute, deprive of, deny, rob of, or clear of.
44. Choose the closest synonym for “translate into”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Transfigure
💡 Explanation: To translate into means to change, transform, transfigure, convert, or result in.
45. Choose the closest synonym for “turn against”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Rebel against
💡 Explanation: To turn against means to become hostile to, oppose, rebel against, or defy.
46. Choose the closest synonym for “weigh against”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Juxtapose
💡 Explanation: To weigh against means to evaluate against, balance against, compare with, or juxtapose.
47. Choose the closest synonym for “work out”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Devise
💡 Explanation: To work out means to devise, formulate, figure out, develop, plan, or construct.
48. Choose the closest synonym for “out of thin air”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Spontaneously
💡 Explanation: Out of thin air means out of nowhere, as if by magic, from nothing, or spontaneously.
49. Choose the closest synonym for “pay heed to”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Attend to
💡 Explanation: To pay heed to means to give attention or careful consideration to; consider, notice, or attend to.
50. Choose the closest synonym for “in pursuit of”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Chasing
💡 Explanation: In pursuit of means searching for, seeking, chasing, or aiming at.
SECTION C/10: ADVANCED ANTONYMS
51. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “communicable”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Non-contagious
💡 Explanation: Communicable implies something is infectious or contagious. Therefore, non-contagious is the direct opposite.
52. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “brush aside”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Pay heed to
💡 Explanation: To brush aside is to dismiss or ignore, whereas paying heed to involves giving careful attention.
53. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “devolve into”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Upgrade
💡 Explanation: Devolve into means to degenerate or reduce to a worse state. Upgrade represents elevation to a superior state.
54. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “lock into”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Withdraw from
💡 Explanation: To lock into means to commit to an inflexible situation. Withdrawing represents gaining freedom from that trap.
55. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “scale up”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Slow down
💡 Explanation: To scale up means to increase or step up. Slowing down indicates a reduction in speed or rate.
56. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “strip of”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Provide
💡 Explanation: Stripping of means removing an attribute or robbing. Providing or bestowing is the antonym.
57. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “turn against”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Support
💡 Explanation: Turning against involves hostility and opposition, whereas supporting signifies backing or advocating.
58. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “behind the curve”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Leading the trend
💡 Explanation: Behind the curve implies lagging in adapting. Leading the trend or being ahead of the curve is the exact opposite.
59. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “behind closed doors”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Publicly
💡 Explanation: Behind closed doors refers to taking place secretly or without public knowledge. Publicly is the antonym.
60. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “hold water”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Be absurd
💡 Explanation: If a claim holds water, it is valid, sound, and makes sense. If it is absurd, it is fallacious and invalid.
61. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “make clear”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Obscure
💡 Explanation: To make clear is to elucidate or clarify. To obscure is to make unclear or muddy the facts.
62. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “out of thin air”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Carefully planned
💡 Explanation: Out of thin air means from nothing or spontaneously. Carefully planned indicates a methodical, established origin.
63. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “take the lead”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Take a backseat
💡 Explanation: Taking the lead means guiding and acting first, whereas taking a backseat means voluntarily relinquishing leadership.
64. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “close the gap”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Widen the divide
💡 Explanation: Closing the gap reduces the difference between two things, whereas widening the divide increases it.
65. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “concede ground”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Stand firm
💡 Explanation: Conceding ground means retreating or giving up territory. Standing firm involves resisting and holding one’s position.
66. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “distance oneself from”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Associate with
💡 Explanation: To distance oneself from means to break away or reject. To associate with signifies aligning or connecting.
67. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “give pause”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Encourage to proceed
💡 Explanation: To give pause means to cause hesitation. Encouraging to proceed removes that hesitation.
68. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “in ample measure”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Insufficiently
💡 Explanation: In ample measure means abundantly and extensively. Insufficiently indicates a lack or scarcity.
69. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “pull in opposite directions”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Align towards a common goal
💡 Explanation: Pulling in opposite directions means having conflicting goals. Aligning means working harmoniously toward the same end.
70. Choose the most appropriate antonym for “remain to be seen”.
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Be known definitively
💡 Explanation: Remain to be seen means uncertain or pending. Being definitively known is its absolute opposite.
SECTION D/10: IDIOMS & PHRASES CHALLENGE
71. If a geopolitical event is “a cause for concern”, it is considered:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. A point of apprehension or source of stress.
💡 Explanation: “A cause for concern” denotes grounds for anxiety, worry, or apprehension.
72. The phrase “all the more” is used to indicate:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Increasingly, further, or even more to a greater extent.
💡 Explanation: “All the more” means something is now even more critical or occurs to a greater extent.
73. When two policies are “at odds” with each other, they are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. In conflict, disagreement, or opposing.
💡 Explanation: “At odds” means to be contrary, opposing, or in disagreement.
74. Standing “at the crossroads” signifies:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Being at a critical, decisive point where a crucial decision must be made.
💡 Explanation: “At the crossroads” represents a watershed moment demanding a turning point decision.
75. Having massive resources “at the disposal of” an agency means the resources are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Available for use whenever needed, accessible, and ready.
💡 Explanation: “At the disposal of” means resources are ready for use, at hand, and accessible.
76. If profits are achieved “at the expense of” the workforce, it means they are achieved:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. To the detriment of or by sacrificing the workforce.
💡 Explanation: “At the expense of” means causing damage to, sacrificing, or acting to the detriment of someone.
77. Setting boundaries “at the outset of” negotiations means setting them:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. At the beginning, initially, or from the commencement.
💡 Explanation: “At the outset of” translates to at the start of or from the commencement.
78. If an irony is “lost on” an audience, it means it is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Not noticed, not understood, or ignored by them.
💡 Explanation: “Be lost on” means overlooked by, missed by, or not appreciated by someone.
79. The idiom “by all means” expresses that an action should happen:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Certainly, definitely, absolutely, whatever happens.
💡 Explanation: “By all means” is an emphatic phrase meaning without fail, positively, or certainly.
80. Which scenario best demonstrates “by contrast”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. The tech sector grew rapidly; in opposition, manufacturing saw a decline.
💡 Explanation: “By contrast” is used to show a comparison indicating an opposite or alternative situation.
81. A sudden surge in inflation serves as a “cause for consternation”, implying it is a reason for:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Sudden and unexpected feelings of worry, dismay, or alarm.
💡 Explanation: “Consternation” refers to dismay or sudden anxiety; thus, a cause for alarm or distress.
82. “Contrary to popular belief” indicates that the reality is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Conflicting with, opposed to, or clashing with the belief.
💡 Explanation: “Contrary to” means in opposition to or clashing with.
83. When a speaker uses the phrase “dare I say”, they are indicating that their next statement is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. About to be controversial, bold, or excessively risky.
💡 Explanation: “Dare I say” is used to venture a bold, potentially controversial suggestion.
84. The phrase “even if” is used to convey:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Despite the possibility that, or irrespective of whether.
💡 Explanation: “Even if” means supposing that or although a certain condition exists.
85. If a crisis reaches “far beyond” the domestic market, it impacts areas:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Much more than, well past, or to a much greater extent than that market.
💡 Explanation: “Far beyond” indicates a much greater extent or well past a specific boundary.
86. A threat that is “far more” sophisticated implies it is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Significantly more, considerably more, or a lot more sophisticated.
💡 Explanation: “Far more” intensifies the adjective, meaning significantly or considerably more.
87. A political party that “finds itself on the back foot” is in a position that is:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Defensive, disadvantageous, often due to an unexpected setback.
💡 Explanation: Being on the back foot refers to a defensive, disadvantaged stance facing criticism or setbacks.
88. An existential threat originating “from within” means it comes:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. From the inside of a group, organization, or country rather than externally.
💡 Explanation: “From within” designates internal origins rather than external forces.
89. The phrase “in doing so” translates to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Thereby, thus, or consequently by this action.
💡 Explanation: “In doing so” refers to the direct consequence or action triggered by a preceding action.
90. If severe economic sanctions are, “in effect”, a complete embargo, this means they are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Practically, virtually, essentially, or effectively an embargo.
💡 Explanation: “In effect” describes what something virtually or essentially amounts to in practice.
SECTION E/10: PHRASAL VERBS CHALLENGE
91. Renewable energy sources now “account for” a significant portion of electricity. Here, “account for” means:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Constitute, comprise, make up
💡 Explanation: “Account for” in this context means to form, comprise, or make up a specific portion.
92. The disruption will only “add to” the inflationary pressures. “Add to” implies:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Increase, amplify, augment
💡 Explanation: “Add to” implies boosting or amplifying an existing condition.
93. The government aims to “build into” the new policy a robust mechanism. This means to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Incorporate, integrate, embed
💡 Explanation: “Build into” means to weave into, implant, or seamlessly integrate into a structure.
94. Diplomatic trust is best “built through” consistent dialogue. This translates to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Created, developed, or established via
💡 Explanation: “Build through” means to construct or form by means of a specific process.
95. The station was forced to “carry on” the propaganda. In this context, it means:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Broadcast, publish, feature
💡 Explanation: Based on the specific PDF definition, “carry on” regarding television means to broadcast or feature.
96. The space agency managed to “carry through” its ambitious mission, meaning to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Complete, fulfil, successfully execute
💡 Explanation: “Carry through” signifies realizing, accomplishing, or fulfilling an objective.
97. The rate hike did not “come as” a surprise. “Come as” means:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Be perceived, received, or regarded in a particular way
💡 Explanation: “Come as” describes how something appears, emerges, or is perceived by others.
98. The guidelines have “come under” severe criticism. This means they are:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Subjected to, liable to, facing
💡 Explanation: “Come under” means to fall under, face, or be subjected to (often criticism or scrutiny).
99. The territorial dispute is expected to “come up” for an official hearing. Meaning:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Appear or become available for consideration
💡 Explanation: “Come up” means to surface, emerge, or be presented to a court/tribunal for consideration.
100. Stagnant wages “coupled with” high living costs triggered strikes. This means:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: D. Combined with, integrated with, linked with
💡 Explanation: “Couple with” implies linking or combining multiple factors together.
101. The nation decided to “embark upon” a comprehensive energy transition. This translates to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Start, begin, initiate, commence
💡 Explanation: “Embark upon” refers to launching into or setting about a major new project.
102. Non-state actors continue to “engage in” cyber warfare. This means they:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Participate in, take part in, undertake
💡 Explanation: “Engage in” signifies being involved in, participating, or actively taking part in an activity.
103. One cannot “equate” rapid expansion “with” equitable distribution. This implies:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Regard as the same as, liken to, compare to
💡 Explanation: “Equate with” means to treat two things as equivalent or directly comparable.
104. The global summit will strictly “focus on” mitigating cyber threats. Meaning to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Concentrate attention or effort on, zero in on
💡 Explanation: “Focus on” denotes emphasizing, prioritizing, or zeroing in on a particular subject.
105. The government decided to “go ahead” with the controversial reforms. Meaning to:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Proceed, progress, move forward
💡 Explanation: “Go ahead” indicates moving forward, continuing, or progressing with an action.
SECTION F/10: ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION
106. The foundational body of the Panchayat Raj System, comprising all adult members registered as voters in a village panchayat area, is termed:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Gram Sabha
💡 Explanation: A gram sabha serves as the grassroots village assembly and foundation of the Panchayat Raj.
107. A hypothetical class of AI systems that can learn and apply intelligence across a broad range of tasks at or beyond human capacity is known as:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)
💡 Explanation: AGI refers to advanced machine intelligence mimicking or exceeding broad human-level cognition.
108. An economic indicator derived from monthly surveys measuring trends in both manufacturing and services sectors is the:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI)
💡 Explanation: The PMI relies on monthly corporate surveys to gauge trends across the economy.
109. The total monetary value of all finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period is defined as:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
💡 Explanation: GDP represents the national income and total value of finished goods and services within borders.
110. A country claiming to represent not just historical territory but a distinct overarching civilization is referred to as a:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Civilisational State
💡 Explanation: A civilisational state is a foundational state defining its nation culturally through a distinct overarching civilization.
111. A revered figure who suffers greatly or sacrifices for a cause while remaining alive is termed a:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Living Martyr
💡 Explanation: A living martyr is a heroic survivor or devoted sufferer serving as a living symbol of sacrifice.
112. The wealthy and highly industrialized nations of the world, primarily located in North America and Europe, constitute the:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Global North
💡 Explanation: The Global North denotes the developed world, advanced economies, and high-income countries.
113. A registered illness that is required by law to be reported to public health authorities is classified as a:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. Notifiable Disease
💡 Explanation: A notifiable disease must legally be reported for strict governmental monitoring and control.
114. The political ideal that ensures legal supremacy and fair justice by making all citizens and institutions accountable to the same laws is known as:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Rule of Law
💡 Explanation: The rule of law establishes constitutionalism, ensuring everyone is subject to equal justice.
115. A workforce advantage leading to a boost in economic productivity, occurring when the number of working people grows relative to dependents, is called:
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Demographic Dividend
💡 Explanation: This youth bulge benefit provides nations with an immense economic productivity boost.
SECTION G/10: FILL IN THE BLANKS
116. “Emerging economies are rightfully demanding a _______ in upcoming global climate policy negotiations.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. seat at the table
💡 Explanation: A “seat at the table” denotes active representation and a position of influence in high-level decision-making.
117. “The federal disaster relief agency has significant state resources _______ to mitigate the unfolding crisis.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. at its disposal
💡 Explanation: “At its disposal” means accessible and ready for the agency to use whenever needed.
118. “The volatile geopolitical climate makes transparent diplomatic engagement _______ essential.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. all the more
💡 Explanation: “All the more” highlights that the engagement is increasingly or even more essential due to the climate.
119. “The massive tech corporation achieved record quarterly profits entirely _______ its heavily exploited workforce.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. at the expense of
💡 Explanation: “At the expense of” means the profits were gained by sacrificing or causing detriment to the workforce.
120. “Traditional legislative bodies are consistently _______ when it comes to regulating generative artificial intelligence.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. behind the curve
💡 Explanation: “Behind the curve” implies trailing behind or lagging in adapting to rapid technological advancements.
121. “The bitter irony of the wealthy elite preaching about economic austerity was not _______ the struggling working class.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. lost on
💡 Explanation: “Not lost on” means the working class fully understood and did not overlook the bitter irony.
122. “The new diplomatic approach adopted by the foreign ministry is highly unconventional and, _______, excessively risky.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. dare I say
💡 Explanation: “Dare I say” is used to venture a bold or controversial opinion about the risks.
123. “The unpredictable global pandemic managed to _______ to independent small businesses worldwide.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. deal a harsh hand
💡 Explanation: “Deal a harsh hand” means imposing a specific set of harsh constraints or conditions on entities.
124. “Unchecked and highly funded corporate lobbying can easily _______ of the entire democratic legislative process.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. make a mockery
💡 Explanation: “Make a mockery of” implies turning the legislative process into something foolish, absurd, or completely ineffective.
125. “Financial critics who focus only on the initial capital costs completely _______ of investing in long-term renewable infrastructure.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. miss the point
💡 Explanation: “Miss the point” means failing to understand the primary purpose or essential part of the investment.
126. “The sudden, unexpected collapse of the major financial institution is _______ a systemic catastrophe for the global market.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. nothing less than
💡 Explanation: “Nothing less than” is used to emphasize exactly how extreme or significant the catastrophe is.
127. “Supreme Court judicial appointments must be made purely _______ to ensure the absolute integrity of the legal system.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. on merit
💡 Explanation: “On merit” indicates the appointments are deservedly based on an individual’s ability, quality, or worth.
128. “As severe economic pressures finally mount, the political establishment’s _______, forcing genuine fiscal accountability.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. once-blank cheque starts to float
💡 Explanation: This metaphor implies the establishment is losing its unconditional support and unlimited financial leeway.
129. “The fragile newly formed coalition government struggled to legislate as its diverse ideological factions continued to _______.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. pull in opposite directions
💡 Explanation: Factions pulling in opposite directions means they have conflicting goals that counteract each other.
130. “If corporate bailouts are justified during a crisis, then _______, meaning ordinary citizens deserve direct financial relief as well.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. what’s good for the goose is good for the geese
💡 Explanation: This idiom asserts that what is beneficial or fair for one group must equally apply to another.
SECTION H/10: WORD FORMATION
131. Which of the following represents the noun form derived from the verb “devolve” (as in “devolve into”)?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Devolution
💡 Explanation: “Devolution” is the noun form indicating the descent or degeneration into a lower state.
132. Based on the synonymous meaning of “lay down” (stipulate), what is its noun form?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. Stipulation
💡 Explanation: “Stipulation” refers to a formal requirement or condition laid down in an agreement.
133. The idiom “write the cheque” signifies to “subsidize” a project. What is the noun form representing this act?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Subsidization
💡 Explanation: “Subsidization” (or subsidisation) is the noun describing the act of providing direct financial funding.
134. “Accountability” is repeatedly highlighted as a requirement. What is the corresponding adjective form?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Accountable
💡 Explanation: “Accountable” is the adjective meaning required or expected to justify actions or decisions.
135. “MILDEC” stands for Military Deception. What is the adjective form of “deception”?
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. Deceptive
💡 Explanation: “Deceptive” is the adjective form indicating the nature of tactical trickery and misleading actions.
SECTION I/10: SPOTTING THE ERROR
136. Spot the error: “The sudden disruption in global shipping lanes will only add with the existing inflationary pressures.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. only add with the
💡 Explanation: The correct phrasal verb from the text is “add to”, meaning to augment or increase.
137. Spot the error: “The administration cannot simply brush away the valid concerns raised by international human rights watchdogs.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. brush away the valid
💡 Explanation: The correct phrasal verb per the provided PDF is “brush aside”, which means to disregard or ignore.
138. Spot the error: “The state television channel was forced to carry out the regime’s continuous political propaganda.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. carry out the regime’s
💡 Explanation: To broadcast or publish propaganda requires the phrasal verb “carry on” based on the definition list, not carry out.
139. Spot the error: “The newly introduced digital media guidelines have come below severe criticism from free speech advocates.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. come below severe criticism
💡 Explanation: The appropriate phrasal verb is “come under”, which means to be subjected to or fall under scrutiny/criticism.
140. Spot the error: “What started as a peaceful diplomatic negotiation threatened to devolving into a full-scale trade war.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. threatened to devolving into
💡 Explanation: The infinitive form must be used after “to”. It should be “to devolve into”.
141. Spot the error: “Several non-state actors continue to engage on sophisticated cyber warfare against critical national infrastructure.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. continue to engage on
💡 Explanation: The correct preposition to pair with engage for participation is “engage in”.
142. Spot the error: “One cannot simply equate rapid economic expansion for an equitable distribution of national wealth.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. for an equitable distribution
💡 Explanation: The verb equate is followed by the preposition “with” (equate with), not “for”.
143. Spot the error: “It is deeply concerning to see such human rights violations go in despite mounting international condemnation.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. rights violations go in
💡 Explanation: The correct phrasal verb for “happen” or “transpire” is “go on”, not “go in”.
144. Spot the error: “The opposition continues to harp at the current administration’s failure to curb retail food inflation.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. to harp at the
💡 Explanation: The correct phrasal verb meaning to dwell on continuously is “harp on”, not “harp at”.
145. Spot the error: “Corporate monopolies often hide under complex legal structures to evade regulatory accountability.”
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. hide under complex legal
💡 Explanation: The designated phrasal verb in the text meaning to use as a shield is “hide behind”.
SECTION J/10: ADVANCED CLOZE TEST
Directions: Read the passage below and fill in the blanks (146-150) using the most appropriate vocabulary from the supplied EditorialWords PDFs.
The sudden, seamless integration of generative AI across enterprise software is widely being described as the tech industry’s new (146) _______. However, traditional legislative bodies are consistently (147) _______ when it comes to regulating this dynamic space. The European Union wants to aggressively (148) _______ in legislating generative artificial intelligence globally through strict frameworks. Meanwhile, public agencies must be exceptionally careful not to inadvertently (149) _______ expensive, inflexible vendor contracts. The ruling administration ultimately had to (150) _______ fierce legislative resistance to pass the critical infrastructure bill governing these advanced technologies.
146. Choose the correct phrase for blank (146).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. WhatsApp moment
💡 Explanation: A “WhatsApp moment” signifies a breakthrough, paradigm-shifting tipping point of rapid mainstream adoption.
147. Choose the correct phrase for blank (147).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: C. behind the curve
💡 Explanation: “Behind the curve” implies that legislative bodies are lagging behind in adapting to tech advancements.
148. Choose the correct phrase for blank (148).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. take the lead
💡 Explanation: To “take the lead” means to guide, spearhead, and act as the primary group directing legislation.
149. Choose the correct phrase for blank (149).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: A. lock into
💡 Explanation: “Lock into” means committing to an inflexible arrangement or vendor from which withdrawal is difficult.
150. Choose the correct phrase for blank (150).
✓ Check Answer
✓ Correct Answer: B. plow through
💡 Explanation: To “plow through” means to forcefully and persistently push through difficult opposition or resistance.
Test Completed
You have completed this week’s EditorialWords Advanced Vocabulary Challenge.