Most Asked English Topics for NDA 2 2024 Written Exam

As per its official exam calendar, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will conduct the NDA 2 2024 written exam on 1st September 2024. The NDA exam provides a golden opportunity for young defence aspirants to join the Indian Armed Forces for officer-cadre roles. There are two papers in the NDA written exam; Mathematics and General Ability Test (GAT). English is an important part of the GAT paper in the NDA written exam. This comprehensive blog will discuss the most asked English topics for the NDA 2 2024 written exam. Read on to learn more about the most expected questions based on the latest trends in the NDA exam.

List of the most asked English topics for NDA

Based on the latest trends, we have identified the following topics that are important for the upcoming NDA written exam.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Idioms and Phrases
Spotting Errors
Fill in the Blanks
Ordering of words in a sentence
Usage of paired words
Comprehension (passage)
Cloze Test
Sentence Completion
Word Classes

Most of the above topics are directly related to English vocabulary. Hence, a strong vocabulary knowledge can help you score adequate marks in the English part of the NDA GAT paper. Apart from vocabulary, ‘usage of paired words’ is another important topic. It includes questions like finding out the meanings of homophones such as ‘Plane’ and ‘Plain’ and ‘Pail’ and ‘Pale’, etc. Reading comprehension is another important topic that includes a passage followed by a set of related questions. Recognition of parts of speech is also an important topic in the English part of the GAT paper in the NDA written exam.

Synonyms

He gave a dazzling performance at the opera.

(a) Brilliant

(b) Dismal

(d) Puerile

Brilliant: This is the synonym here. “Brilliant” means exceptionally clever or talented, which fits with “dazzling” as both suggest excellence and impressiveness.

Dismal: This means bleak or depressing. It is not a synonym for “dazzling.”

Pathetic: This means arousing pity, often due to being inadequate or inferior. It is not synonymous with “dazzling.”

Puerile: This means childish or trivial. It is not a synonym for “dazzling.”

She rebuffed all suggestions from her friends.

(a) Took

(b) Rejected

(d) Granted

Rejected: This is the synonym here. “Rejected” means to dismiss or refuse something, which aligns with “rebuffed” as both imply turning down or refusing.

Took: This means to accept or receive something, which is the opposite of “rebuffed.”

Criticized: This means to express disapproval or to judge harshly. While “rebuffed” might involve some criticism, it specifically means to reject.

Granted: This means to give or allow something. It is not synonymous with “rebuffed.”

Antonyms

Mohan was living in a deplorable condition.

(a) Reprehensible

(b) Opprobrious

(d) Commendable

Deplorable – Commendable (antonym)

Deplorable means deserving strong condemnation or being shockingly bad.

Commendable means deserving praise or admiration.

Reprehensible: deserving condemnation or criticism.

Opprobrious: expressing criticism or scorn.

Despicable: deserving hatred and contempt.

Their new colour scheme is hideous.

(a) Appalling

(b) Beautiful

(d) Macabre

Hideous – Beautiful (antonym)

Hideous means extremely ugly or unpleasant.

Beautiful means pleasing the senses or mind aesthetically.

Appalling: causing shock or dismay; horrific.

Grotesque: comically or repulsively ugly or distorted.

Macabre: disturbing and horrifying because of involvement with or depiction of death and injury.

Idioms and Phrases

1. Life in the fast lane

(a) To lead a selfless life

(b) To have a happy life without complaints

(d) An exciting and eventful lifestyle

This idiom refers to living a life that is full of activity, excitement, and adventure, often with a fast pace and high energy. Hence, option (d) is correct.

Be bad news

(a) Feelings of hate

(b) Someone who believes in a dishonest way

(d) To be ill

This phrase means being someone who brings trouble or problems, or someone who is seen as undesirable or problematic. Hence, option (c) is correct.

Spotting Errors

Over long periods of time, (a) layers of sediments builds up (b) to a height of a few kilometers. (c) No Error (d)

The error is in part (b). It should be “build” in place of “builds” to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Columbus made his (a) first voyage from Europe to America (b) on 1492 (c) No Error (d)

The error is in part (c). It should be “in” in place of “on” to make the sentence grammatically correct.

Ordering of words in a sentence

(P) an epoch that was imbued

(Q) for its people the start of

(R) with a new vision

(S) India’s Independence represented

(a) SQPR

(b) QRPS

(d) RQSP

The correct sentence should be: “India’s Independence represented for its people the start of an epoch that was imbued with a new vision.” The right option is SQPR.

(P) science and mathematics exhibition

(Q) for a discussion on the forthcoming

(R) to be present before the Principal

(S) all students have been instructed

(a) SQPR

(b) RPQS

(b) QPRS

The correct sentence should be: “All students have been instructed to be present before the Principal for a discussion on the forthcoming science and mathematics exhibition.” The right option is SRQP.

Cloze Test

The Earth’s climate is ________________ (a) passionately / (b) continually / (c) deadly / (d) thoughtfully changing and evolving. Some of ________________ (a) these / (b) those / (c) this / (d) that changes have been due to natural causes but others can be attributed to ___________ (a) practical / (b) geological / (c) human / (d) animal activities such as deforestation, emissions from industry and transport, etc.

Among the given alternatives, ‘continually’ fits the first blank; ‘these’ fits the second blank; and ‘human’ fits the third blank.

Sentence Completion

He paused _____________

(a) With a few moments.

(b) For a few moments.

(d) Into a few moments.

He paused for a few moments.

I dislike films ______________

(a) Who have sad endings.

(b) That have sad endings.

(d) Whom have sad endings.

I dislike films that have sad endings.

Word Classes

He dry-cleaned my coat nicely.

(a) Adjective

(b) Adverb

(d) Conjunction

Here ‘nicely’ is an adverb.

2. The situation is beyond our control.

(a) Adjective

(b) Adverb

(d) Preposition

In the given sentence, ‘beyond’ acts as a preposition.

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