UPSC Mains ENGLISH-COMPULSORY 2011

Write an essay in about 300 words on any one of the following: (a) The predicaments of Democracy. (b) In India when inflation rises governance stalls. (c)- Modern world's fears about nuclear energy. (d) Information Technology transforming the Indian society. (e) Inventions generate necessity.

Read carefully the passage below and write your answers to the questions that follow in clear, correct and concise language :

Where does the world get water from?

What is the national problem relating to our rivers?

What are the benefits of afforestation?

What is fundamental for human welfare?

What are the advantages of preventing soil erosion?

Make a precis of the following passage in about 204 words. It is not necessary to suggest a title. Failure to write within the word limit may result in deduction of marks. The precis must be written on the separate precis sheets provided, which must then be fastened securely inside the answer-book.

Rewrite the following sentences, after making necessary corrections: 1. Saints desire nothing the society. 2. I regret at the delay in doing this. 3. I congratulate you for your success. 4. Ram as well as Mohan have gone. 5. He has passed order on my application. 6. He is more intelligent than any boy. 7. What will be ensued on this? 8. This is high time that we should change the bike. 9. I did nothing but laughed. 10. I informed him, "Leave the room."

Supply the missing words: 1. The wages of sin death. 2. I trust God. 3. I have no fondness music. 4. I have no doubt your honesty. 5. I am conscious my duties.

Use the correct forms of the verbs in brackets: 1. I remember her when she was a little girl. (SEE) 2. You will twenty-four hours to consider your decision. (GIVE) 3. Can you hear what he ? (SAY)

Write the opposites of the following: 1. Notorious 2. Legitimate 3. Responsible 4. Satisfaction 5. Promotion

Rewrite the following sentences removing 'too ..... to': 1. He is too honest to steal. 2. He is too weak to run. 3. She is too shy to sing. 4. He was too shocked to speak. 5. The matter will be too complicated to resolve.

Rewrite the following sentences using 'It' in the beginning as a subject: 1. To scold the boys would be foolish. 2. Smoking is bad for him. 3. To call after ten was unusual for him. 4. Keeping the windows open on the roadside does not look decent. 5. To play games on Sundays is not allowed.

Combine each pair of sentences using one of the words: 'nor', 'and', 'but', 'if' or 'when'. Use each word only once: 1. He turned pale. He saw me. 2. They are poor. You consider their bank balance. 3. She wanted to make a speech. She did not know how to begin. 4. He took a pen. He started writing. 5. She doesn't like Rakesh, She doesn't like Mohini.

Change the narration of the following sentences: 1. The teacher said to me, "Why are you late?" 2. He said that his mother was just then absent from home. 3. A wrote to B, "Your letter reached me here early this morning." 4. Ramesh requested his sister, "Please keep my things ready when I return from my trip tomorrow." 5. He said, "What a strange man you are!"

Rewrite the following sentences using the passive voice structure: 1. He gave her a book to read. 2. Even a child can handle this machine. 3. Who has put the book on the shelf? 4. Everyone rejected the bold idea. 5. Ramesh is driving Sunita's car.