The English section of NDA (National Defence Academy) and CDS (Combined Defence Services) exams is a crucial arena where candidates’ language skills are put to the test. Among the relatively recent additions to this section, the “Usage of Paired Words” has gained prominence. In this article, we’ll explore the significance of this topic, effective preparation strategies, and tips for solving questions accurately.

Directions: In the following questions a pair of similar sounding words is provided. You are required to select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Q) Principal and Principle

(a)Principal means belief system and Principle means head of an educational institution

(b)Principal means head of an educational institution and Principle means original sum on which interest is charged

(c)Principle means moral rule and Principal means head of an educational institution

(d)Principal means original sum on which interest is charged and Principle means head of an educational institution

Ans. (c)

Q) Plane and Plain

(a)Plane means a flat surface and Plain means something that flies

(b)Plane means the flat surface and Plain means not elaborate

(c)Plane means something that flies and Plain means flat surface

(d)Plane means not elaborate and Plain means flat surface

Ans. (b)

Q) Pail and Pale

(a)Pale means inferior or unimpressive and Pail means faded

(b)Pale means faded or light in shade and Pail means inferior or unimpressive

(c)Pale means faded or light in shade and Pail means a bucket

(d)Pale means a bucket and Pail means inferior or unimpressive

Ans. (c)

Q) Metal and Mettle

(a)Metal is a hard shiny material that is a good conductor and Mettle means malleable metal

(b)Metal is a hard shiny material that is a good conductor and Mettle means metallic substance

(c)Metal means mental resilience and Mettle is a hard shiny material that is a good conductor

(d)Metal is a hard shiny material that is a good conductor and Mettle means mental resilience

Ans. (d)

Q) Hail and Hale

(a)Hail means pellets of frozen rain and Hale means wind storm

(b)Hail means pellets of frozen rain and Hale means strong and healthy

(c)Hail means pellets of frozen rain and Hale means to greet with enthusiastic approval

(d)Hail means strong and healthy and Hale means pellets of frozen rain

Ans. (b)

Q) Conscious and Conscience

(a)Conscious means sense of right and wrong and Conscience means awareness about something

(b)Conscious means alert and Conscience means presence of mind

(c)Conscious means intent and Conscience means unprincipled action

(d)Conscious means aware and Conscience means sense of right and wrong

Ans. (d)

Q) Dissent and Descent

(a)Dissent means having ideas different from general beliefs or official position and Descent means movement towards a lower place

(b)Dissent means having ideas different from general beliefs or official position and Descent means being of acceptable standard

(c)Dissent means being of acceptable standard and Descent means movement towards a lower place

(d)Dissent means being of acceptable standard and Descent means having ideas different from general beliefs or official position

Ans. (a)

Q) Devise and Device

(a)Device means to determine and Devise means a piece of equipment meant for accomplishing a specific task

(b)Device means finding a new way to do something and Devise means to determine

(c)Device means a piece of equipment meant for accomplishing a specific task and Devise means finding a new way to do something

(d)Device means finding a new way to do something and Devise means a piece of equipment meant for accomplishing a specific task

Ans. (c)

Q) Discrete and Discreet

(a)Discrete means separate and distinct categories of objects and Discreet means misuse of authority

(b)Discrete means separate and distinct categories of objects and Discreet means maintaining confidentiality

(c)Discrete means being careful in what one says or does and Discreet means separate and distinct categories of objects

(d)Discrete means misuse of authority and Discreet means being careful in what one says or does

Ans. (b)

Q) Eminent and Imminent

(a)Eminent means important and famous and Imminent means something about to happen

(b)Eminent means something unpleasant about to happen and Imminent means important and famous person

(c)Eminent means important and famous person and Imminent means inherent or existing within

(d)Eminent means inherent or existing within and Imminent means something about to happen

Ans. (a)

Q) Chord and Cord

(a)Cord means notes played together on stringed instrument and Chord means a thick string

(b)Chord means notes played together on stringed instrument and Cord means small bed for babies

(c)Chord means notes played together on stringed instrument and Cord means a thick string

(d)Chord means small bed for babies and Cord means a thick string

Ans. (c)

Q) Correlation and Corollary

(a)Correlation means relationship between companies and Corollary means roster

(b)Correlation means relationship and Corollary means consequence

(c)Correlation means consequence and Corollary means relationship

(d)Correlation means interdependence and Corollary means coronation

Ans. (b)

Q) Demur and Demure

(a)Demur means to be proud and Demure means modest

(b)Demur means to dance and Demure means to marry

(c)Demur means modest and Demure means to hesitate

(d)Demur means to hesitate and Demure means modest

Ans. (d)

Q) Discomfit and Discomfort

(a)Discomfit means to embarrass someone and Discomfort means uncomfortable

(b)Discomfit means ill-fitting and Discomfort means uncomfortable

(c)Discomfit means ill-fitting and Discomfort means feeling embarrassed

(d)Discomfit means uncomfortable and Discomfort means to embarrass someone

Ans. (a)

Q) Disperse and Disburse

(a)Disperse means to flow and Disburse means to annoy someone

(b)Disperse means to scatter and Disburse means to borrow money

(c)Disperse means to scatter and Disburse means to lend money

(d)Disperse means to scatter and Disburse means to pay

Ans. (d)

For more questions, check out NDA-CDS 1 2024 Exam English Live – Usage of Paired Words – Class 2

Understanding the Significance

The “Usage of Paired Words” segment evaluates candidates on their ability to discern between similar-sounding words that often cause confusion. The importance of this topic cannot be overstated, as officers in the armed forces must communicate precisely, avoiding any misinterpretations that could compromise missions.

**1. Enhanced Communication Precision

Military operations demand clear and precise communication. The usage of paired words, such as “compliment” and “complement,” “principal” and “principle,” requires candidates to grasp subtle linguistic nuances. Excelling in this area ensures candidates can convey messages with absolute accuracy, a critical skill for officers in the defence forces.

**2. Mitigating Ambiguity in Instructions

Ambiguity in communication can have severe consequences, especially in military contexts where instructions must be unequivocal. Candidates who have mastered the usage of paired words exhibit an ability to eliminate potential misunderstandings by selecting the most appropriate words for a given scenario.

**3. Adherence to Professional Standards

The armed forces uphold the highest standards of professionalism. Proper language usage is integral to maintaining these standards. A candidate’s proficiency in choosing the correct paired words reflects attention to detail and a commitment to linguistic accuracy—attributes indispensable for representing the military institution with honor and integrity.

Strategies for Preparation

1. Create a Comprehensive Word List: Compile a list of commonly confused word pairs, including their meanings and contexts. Regularly review and expand this list to solidify your understanding.
2. Contextual Practice: Engage in exercises and practice questions that present paired words in context. Understanding the nuances of their usage in various scenarios will enhance your ability to make informed choices.
3. Utilize Study Materials: Take advantage of study materials specifically designed for the “Usage of Paired Words” topic. This can include textbooks, online resources, and practice tests that focus on this area.

Tips for Effective Problem Solving

1. Analyze the Context: Carefully analyze the context in which the paired words are presented. Consider the overall meaning of the sentence and how each word fits into the intended message.
2. Eliminate Incorrect Options: Sometimes, identifying incorrect pairs is as crucial as recognizing the correct ones. Use the process of elimination to increase your chances of selecting the right answer.
3. Practice Under Time Constraints: In exam scenarios, time is of the essence. Practice solving paired word questions under timed conditions to improve your ability to make quick yet accurate decisions.

In conclusion, the “Usage of Paired Words” topic is a significant addition to the English section of NDA and CDS exams. By focusing on precision, clarity, and adherence to professional standards, candidates can navigate this area successfully. Diligent preparation, combined with strategic practice, will undoubtedly enhance language skills and contribute to overall success in defence competitive exams.