18th NTRCA Written Exam Question Solution

Part One – Grammar

1. Use the right form of verbs in the brackets:

(a) While I (walk) in the field, I saw him running.

• Answer: was walking

(b) Everybody (wish) to be happy.

• Answer: wishes

(c) If I had a cow, I (get) pure milk.

• Answer: would get

(d) We reached the station after the train (come).

• Answer: had come

(e) Scarcely he (enter) the classroom when the teacher came.

• Answer: had he entered

2. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions:

(a) He assigned the task ___ me.

• Answer: to

(b) His action is contrary ___ his words.

• Answer: to

(c) She was exempted ___ the fine.

• Answer: from

(d) Over eating tells ___ health.

• Answer: on

(e) She takes ___ her mother.

• Answer: after

3. Transform the following sentences as directed:

(a) It does not matter if I fail. (Interrogative)

• Answer: Does it matter if I fail?

(b) I care very little what he says about me. (Negative)

• Answer: I do not care much about what he says about me.

(c) There is no mystery so great as misery. (Comparative)

• Answer: Misery is greater than any mystery.

(d) I am sure of her success in the examination. (Complex)

• Answer: I am sure that she will succeed in the examination.

(e) I was annoyed, still I kept quiet. (Simple)

• Answer: Despite being annoyed, I kept quiet.

4. Make sentences with the following idioms and phrases:

(a) make both ends meet;

• Answer: Despite his low salary, he tries to make both ends meet.

(b) on the wane;

• Answer: His influence in the company is on the wane.

(c) rank and file;

• Answer: The rank and file of the organization are dissatisfied with the new policies.

(d) turn a deaf ear to;

• Answer: She decided to turn a deaf ear to the rumors.

(e) wild goose chase.

• Answer: Searching for the missing document was like a wild goose chase.

Part Two – Translation

5. Translate the following passage into English:

Part Three – Reading

6(A) Choose the correct answer from the following alternatives:

(i) How many characters are there in the text?

• Answer: (c) three

(ii) The leaves will shake, lose from the trees and fall in ___.

• Answer: (b) autumn

(iii) What does the ‘pasture’ mean?

• Answer: (b) grassy

(iv) "You will live, secure and safe"—here 'secure' is a/an ___.

• Answer: (c) adjective

(v) What is the antonym of 'enjoy'?

• Answer: (c) loathe

6(B) Answer the following questions:

(i) What emotions does the speaker convey towards Wilber in the passage?

• Answer: The speaker conveys emotions of hope, assurance, and protection towards Wilber.

(ii) What will happen in autumn?

• Answer: In autumn, the leaves will shake, lose from the trees and fall, days will shorten and grow cold, and winter will come.

(iii) What do the "frozen world" and "these precious days" mean in the passage?

• Answer: The "frozen world" refers to winter, and "these precious days" refer to the present and upcoming days of warmth and activity before winter.

(iv) What sense do the imageries of changing seasons, melting ice, returning birds, and awakening frogs convey to you?

• Answer: These imageries convey a sense of natural cycles, renewal, and the continuity of life.

(v) Write the theme of the passage in three sentences?

• Answer: The passage emphasizes the beauty and continuity of nature through the changing seasons. It highlights the assurance of future security and the joys of experiencing natural phenomena. The speaker reflects on the tranquility and promise of life’s cycles.