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NTS NAT practice questions

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Question 1English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'ample'.

  1. Breakable
  2. Plentiful Correct answer.
  3. Expensive
  4. Insufficient

Explanation

'Ample' describes something that is more than enough in quantity or size, so 'plentiful' is the closest synonym. The remaining choices refer to shortage, cost or fragility, none of which belongs to the core meaning of the word.

Question 2English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'generous'.

  1. Wealthy
  2. Cheerful
  3. Stingy Correct answer.
  4. Kind

Explanation

A generous person gives freely, so its antonym is 'stingy', meaning unwilling to give or spend. Kindness is a related positive quality rather than an opposite, and wealth or cheerfulness say nothing about willingness to give.

Question 3English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

A person who writes books is called a(n) ___.

  1. Editor
  2. Publisher
  3. Author Correct answer.
  4. Critic

Explanation

An 'author' is the person who composes or writes a book. A critic judges works, a publisher produces and distributes them, and an editor revises text prepared by someone else.

Question 4English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Which word is spelled correctly?

  1. Recieve
  2. Necessary Correct answer.
  3. Definately
  4. Seperate

Explanation

'Necessary' has one 'c' followed by a double 's'. The other spellings break standard rules: 'receive' follows i-before-e-except-after-c, 'separate' keeps 'par' in the middle, and 'definitely' has no 'a' after the 't'.

Question 5English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The prefix in the word 'misunderstand' means:

  1. Wrongly Correct answer.
  2. Together
  3. Before
  4. Again

Explanation

The prefix 'mis-' carries the idea of error or wrongness, so to misunderstand is to understand wrongly. 'Re-' means again, 'pre-' means before, and 'co-' or 'con-' means together.

Question 6English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The desert was so arid that almost nothing grew there. In this sentence, 'arid' most nearly means:

  1. Dry Correct answer.
  2. Cold
  3. Crowded
  4. Fertile

Explanation

The context clue 'almost nothing grew there' points to a lack of water, so 'arid' means dry. A fertile place would support abundant growth, and neither crowding nor coldness explains the absence of plants.

Question 7English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'She has ___ three gold medals.'

  1. one
  2. worn
  3. won Correct answer.
  4. own

Explanation

The sentence needs the past participle of the verb 'win', which is 'won'. The other items are pronounced similarly but belong to different meanings or word classes.

Question 8English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Hand is to glove as foot is to ___.

  1. Sock Correct answer.
  2. Leg
  3. Toe
  4. Ground

Explanation

The relationship is between a body part and the garment worn on it: a glove covers the hand, just as a sock covers the foot. Leg and toe are body parts, and ground is a surface rather than a garment.

Question 9English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Author is to novel as composer is to ___.

  1. Piano
  2. Symphony Correct answer.
  3. Audience
  4. Orchestra

Explanation

The pair shows creator and the work created: an author writes a novel, and a composer writes a symphony. The other choices are an instrument, a group of performers and listeners, none of which is a created work.

Question 10English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' means:

  1. To reveal a secret Correct answer.
  2. To act carelessly
  3. To create confusion
  4. To free a trapped animal

Explanation

This idiom means to disclose something that was meant to be kept hidden. It is used figuratively, so the literal reading about an animal is not the intended meaning.

Question 11English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The root 'bene-' in the word 'benefactor' means:

  1. Time
  2. Life
  3. Good Correct answer.
  4. Evil

Explanation

'Bene-' comes from Latin meaning well or good, so a benefactor is one who does good. The root for evil is 'mal-', for time is 'chron-', and for life is 'bio-'.

Question 12English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The committee's report was so ___ that few readers could follow its reasoning.

  1. cogent
  2. lucid
  3. opaque Correct answer.
  4. orderly

Explanation

The clause 'few readers could follow its reasoning' requires a word meaning unclear or hard to understand, which is 'opaque'. The other three choices all suggest clarity or logic, which would contradict the sentence.

Question 13English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence: 'The new medicine had no ___ on the patient.'

  1. effort
  2. afford
  3. effect Correct answer.
  4. affect

Explanation

The sentence needs a noun after 'no', and 'effect' is the noun meaning a result or influence. 'Affect' is normally a verb meaning to influence, while 'effort' and 'afford' do not fit the meaning at all.

Question 14English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Which word is the odd one out?

  1. Marble Correct answer.
  2. Iron
  3. Aluminium
  4. Zinc

Explanation

Aluminium, iron and zinc are all metals, while marble is a form of stone. The odd word is therefore the one that does not belong to the metal category.

Question 15English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

In a certain code, CAT is written as DBU. How is DOG written in the same code?

  1. CNF
  2. FQH
  3. EPH Correct answer.
  4. DPH

Explanation

Each letter is moved one step forward in the alphabet: C to D, A to B and T to U. Applying the same rule to DOG gives E, P and H, that is EPH.

Question 16English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The editor read the manuscript ___, marking every error.

  1. carelessly
  2. briefly
  3. hurriedly
  4. closely Correct answer.

Explanation

The detail 'marking every error' shows the reading was careful and attentive, so 'closely' fits. The other adverbs suggest speed, neglect or shortness of time, all of which conflict with spotting every error.

Question 17English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

'To put off' a meeting means to:

  1. Attend it
  2. Postpone it Correct answer.
  3. Shorten it
  4. Cancel it

Explanation

The phrasal verb 'put off' means to delay something to a later time, that is, to postpone it. Cancelling ends the meeting entirely, and attending or shortening describe different actions.

Question 18English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

A person who can speak many languages is called a:

  1. Translator
  2. Orator
  3. Polyglot Correct answer.
  4. Linguist

Explanation

A 'polyglot' is someone who knows or uses several languages. A linguist studies language as a subject, a translator converts text between languages, and an orator is a skilled public speaker.

Question 19English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best replaces 'candid' in the sentence: 'She gave a candid account of her mistakes.'

  1. cautious
  2. honest Correct answer.
  3. lengthy
  4. bitter

Explanation

'Candid' means frank and truthful, so 'honest' preserves the meaning of the sentence. 'Lengthy' and 'bitter' describe size or tone, and 'cautious' suggests guardedness, the opposite of frankness.

Question 20English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word closest in meaning to 'tenacious'.

  1. Fragile
  2. Persistent Correct answer.
  3. Timid
  4. Intermittent

Explanation

'Tenacious' describes someone who holds firmly to a purpose and does not give up, so 'persistent' is the closest match. Fragile, intermittent and timid describe weakness, irregularity or shyness, none of which captures holding on firmly.

Question 21English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The word 'ephemeral' most nearly means:

  1. Brief Correct answer.
  2. Widespread
  3. Artificial
  4. Sacred

Explanation

'Ephemeral' describes something that lasts for a very short time, so 'brief' is the closest match. Widespread, sacred and artificial describe extent, reverence or origin, none of which relates to duration.

Question 22English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'prodigal'.

  1. Frugal Correct answer.
  2. Wealthy
  3. Extravagant
  4. Generous

Explanation

'Prodigal' means wastefully extravagant with money, so its opposite is 'frugal', meaning thrifty and economical. 'Extravagant' is a synonym rather than an opposite, and wealth or generosity do not measure thrift.

Question 23English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Her argument was so ___ that even her critics conceded its force.

  1. verbose
  2. superficial
  3. cogent Correct answer.
  4. tentative

Explanation

Since even critics admitted the argument's force, the missing word must mean convincing and logically strong, which is 'cogent'. 'Superficial' and 'tentative' suggest weakness or hesitation, and 'verbose' refers to wordiness rather than persuasive power.

Question 24English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Complete the letter series: AZ, BY, CX, ___

  1. DW Correct answer.
  2. EW
  3. DX
  4. DV

Explanation

The first letters advance forwards through the alphabet (A, B, C, D) while the second letters move backwards (Z, Y, X, W). The next pair is therefore DW.

Question 25English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The root 'loqu' in the word 'loquacious' means:

  1. Speech Correct answer.
  2. Water
  3. Fear
  4. Light

Explanation

'Loqu' comes from Latin meaning to speak, so 'loquacious' means talkative. The root for light is 'luc' or 'lum', for fear is 'phob', and for water is 'aqua' or 'hydr'.

Question 26English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word closest in meaning to the quoted word: "The teacher praised the pupil for her 'diligent' work throughout the term."

  1. hardworking Correct answer.
  2. careless
  3. forgetful
  4. talkative

Explanation

Diligent describes someone who works with steady, careful effort, so a diligent pupil is hardworking. The sentence's praise confirms a positive quality of effort rather than a personality trait like chattiness.

Question 27English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

BIRD is to NEST as BEE is to ___.

  1. hive Correct answer.
  2. flower
  3. honey
  4. sting

Explanation

The first pair links a creature to the place where it lives, since a bird dwells in a nest. The matching word must therefore be the bee's dwelling place, which is a hive.

Question 28English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'scarce'.

  1. plentiful Correct answer.
  2. costly
  3. rare
  4. tiny

Explanation

Scarce means available only in short supply, so its opposite must mean available in large amounts. 'Plentiful' is the only option that expresses abundance.

Question 29English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

A person who writes an account of someone else's life is called a:

  1. calligrapher
  2. biographer Correct answer.
  3. botanist
  4. bibliographer

Explanation

The combining form 'bio-' means life and '-grapher' means writer, so a biographer writes about a life, specifically another person's. The related term 'autobiography' would apply only when someone writes about their own life.

Question 30English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "Although the prosecution produced many witnesses, the evidence linking the accused to the theft remained ___ , resting on a single unverified document."

  1. ample
  2. tenuous Correct answer.
  3. robust
  4. conclusive

Explanation

The contrast signalled by 'although' plus 'a single unverified document' shows that the link between accused and theft was weak. 'Tenuous' means slight or flimsy, which fits that weakness exactly.

Question 31English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The idiom 'to bite the bullet' means to:

  1. speak without thinking
  2. break a promise
  3. endure pain bravely Correct answer.
  4. avoid a hard decision

Explanation

The idiom comes from the image of a wounded soldier biting on a bullet while undergoing treatment without anaesthetic, so it means facing something painful with courage instead of avoiding it.

Question 32English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

In the word 'malnutrition', the prefix 'mal-' means:

  1. small
  2. before
  3. many
  4. bad Correct answer.

Explanation

'Mal-' comes from Latin meaning 'bad' or 'wrong', so malnutrition is poor or faulty nourishment. The same prefix appears in words such as malfunction and malice.

Question 33English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

THERMOMETER is to TEMPERATURE as BAROMETER is to ___.

  1. humidity
  2. altitude
  3. pressure Correct answer.
  4. rainfall

Explanation

The first pair names an instrument and the quantity it measures, since a thermometer measures temperature. A barometer likewise measures atmospheric pressure.

Question 34English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: "Neither of the two answers ___ correct."

  1. is Correct answer.
  2. are
  3. were
  4. be

Explanation

'Neither' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it takes a singular verb, and the present tense 'is' agrees with it. Although 'two answers' follows, the grammatical subject is still 'neither'.

Question 35English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

All poets are dreamers. All dreamers are readers. Which conclusion must be true?

  1. All readers are poets.
  2. All poets are readers. Correct answer.
  3. No poets are readers.
  4. All dreamers are poets.

Explanation

The statements form a chain: poets are included in dreamers, and dreamers are included in readers, so poets must be included in readers. The other options either reverse the direction of the inclusion or contradict it.

Question 36English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The scientist's findings were later ___ by three independent laboratories, which obtained exactly the same results."

  1. contradicted
  2. ignored
  3. corroborated Correct answer.
  4. fabricated

Explanation

The clause about independent laboratories obtaining the same results shows the findings were confirmed. 'Corroborated' means supported or confirmed by further evidence, which matches that meaning.

Question 37English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word most nearly opposite in meaning to 'frugal'.

  1. careful
  2. thrifty
  3. modest
  4. extravagant Correct answer.

Explanation

Frugal describes a person who is sparing and economical with money or resources. Its opposite must describe wasteful or excessive spending, which is the meaning of 'extravagant'.

Question 38English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

In the words 'ambivalent' and 'ambidextrous', the prefix 'ambi-' means:

  1. before
  2. both Correct answer.
  3. against
  4. around

Explanation

'Ambi-' comes from Latin meaning 'both' or 'on both sides': an ambidextrous person uses both hands well, and an ambivalent person holds both of two opposing feelings at once.

Question 39English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

The word 'sanction' is sometimes called a contronym because it can mean both:

  1. 'praise' and 'criticize'
  2. 'divide' and 'join'
  3. 'begin' and 'conclude'
  4. 'approve' and 'penalize' Correct answer.

Explanation

A contronym is a single word with two opposite senses. 'Sanction' as a verb means to authorize or approve, while as a noun it means a penalty imposed for breaking a rule, so the two senses pull in opposite directions.

Question 40English Language, Vocabulary and Verbal Reasoning

Choose the word that best completes the sentence: "The minister's statement was so ___ that supporters heard a firm promise while critics heard a clear refusal."

  1. emphatic
  2. equivocal Correct answer.
  3. candid
  4. unequivocal

Explanation

The two groups draw opposite meanings from one statement, which shows that the wording was open to more than one interpretation. 'Equivocal' describes language that can be understood in two ways.

Question 41Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

A jacket marked at Rs 2,400 is sold at a 15% discount. What is the selling price?

  1. Rs 360
  2. Rs 2,760
  3. Rs 2,040 Correct answer.
  4. Rs 2,250

Explanation

The discount is 15% of 2,400, which equals Rs 360, so the selling price is 2,400 − 360 = Rs 2,040. Equivalently, the buyer pays 85% of the marked price.

Question 42Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

Rs 1,800 is divided between Ali and Bilal in the ratio 4 : 5. How much does Bilal receive?

  1. Rs 900
  2. Rs 800
  3. Rs 1,200
  4. Rs 1,000 Correct answer.

Explanation

The ratio has 4 + 5 = 9 equal parts, so one part is 1,800 ÷ 9 = Rs 200. Bilal takes 5 parts, that is 5 × 200 = Rs 1,000.

Question 43Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

The average of five numbers is 24. Four of the numbers are 18, 21, 27 and 32. What is the fifth number?

  1. 22 Correct answer.
  2. 20
  3. 24
  4. 21

Explanation

The total of the five numbers is 5 × 24 = 120. The four known numbers add to 98, so the fifth number is 120 − 98 = 22.

Question 44Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

Find the simple interest on Rs 5,000 at 8% per annum for 3 years.

  1. Rs 400
  2. Rs 1,200 Correct answer.
  3. Rs 800
  4. Rs 1,600

Explanation

Simple interest is calculated on the original principal only, using I = (P × R × T)/100. Here I = (5,000 × 8 × 3)/100 = Rs 1,200.

Question 45Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

What is 3/5 of 2/9 of 450?

  1. 120
  2. 90
  3. 150
  4. 60 Correct answer.

Explanation

Take 2/9 of 450 first, which is 100, then take 3/5 of 100, which is 60. In a single step, (3/5) × (2/9) × 450 = 60.

Question 46Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

The HCF of two numbers is 6 and their LCM is 72. If one of the numbers is 24, what is the other number?

  1. 18 Correct answer.
  2. 12
  3. 24
  4. 36

Explanation

For any two positive integers, HCF × LCM equals their product. The product here is 6 × 72 = 432, so the other number is 432 ÷ 24 = 18.

Question 47Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

If 4x − 7 = 2x + 9, what is the value of x?

  1. 16
  2. 8 Correct answer.
  3. 4
  4. 1

Explanation

Subtract 2x from both sides to obtain 2x − 7 = 9, then add 7 to both sides to obtain 2x = 16, giving x = 8.

Question 48Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

Find the next term in the series: 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, ...

  1. 72
  2. 90
  3. 96 Correct answer.
  4. 84

Explanation

Each term is double the term before it: 3 × 2 = 6, 6 × 2 = 12, and so on up to 48. The next term is therefore 48 × 2 = 96.

Question 49Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

In a test a student scored 55% and failed by 24 marks. The pass mark is 67%. What is the total number of marks in the test?

  1. 200 Correct answer.
  2. 300
  3. 150
  4. 240

Explanation

The student is short of the pass mark by 67% − 55% = 12% of the total, and this shortfall is 24 marks. The total is therefore 24 ÷ 0.12 = 200 marks.

Question 50Quantitative Reasoning and Mathematics

A shopkeeper buys an article for Rs 480 and sells it for Rs 552. What is his profit percentage?

  1. 15% Correct answer.
  2. 18%
  3. 20%
  4. 12%

Explanation

Profit = 552 − 480 = Rs 72. Profit percentage is calculated on the cost price, so it is (72 ÷ 480) × 100 = 15%.