“Placate” means to make someone less angry or hostile. Its direct opposite is to “antagonize,” which means to cause someone to become hostile.
7. A room or building is cramped when it is :
(A) too small for the people or things in it.
(B) not big enough for the people or things in it.
(C) luxurious and stylish.
(D) very expensive and grand.
Answer:
(B) not big enough for the people or things in it.
Explanation:
The definition of “cramped” is feeling uncomfortably confined or restricted due to a lack of space. Option B defines this perfectly.
8. Due to bad weather the number of ships crossing the channel last week ____________ very small.
(A) are being
(B) are
(C) were
(D) was
Answer:
(D) was
Explanation:
In English grammar, the phrase “the number of” always takes a singular verb (unlike “a number of,” which takes a plural verb). Therefore, the singular past tense “was” is correct.
9. He ____________ in this remote colony since August 1989.
(A) is living
(B) has been living
(C) has lived
(D) continues to live
Answer:
(B) has been living
Explanation:
The preposition “since” combined with a specific point in time in the past requires the use of the present perfect continuous tense (“has been living”) to describe an ongoing action.
10. Neither my sister nor my brother ____________ at home today.
(A) are
(B) were
(C) is
(D) aren’t
Answer:
(C) is
Explanation:
When two singular subjects are connected by “neither/nor,” the verb must be singular. Thus, “is” is the correct choice.
