CHAPTER 60

VOCABULARY
"Weary Lawyers come to courts with their endless tongues".
—Lawyers in Queens Bench
"Even as there are Laws of poetry, so there is poetry in Law".
—Joseph L. Baron

Acrimonious - bitter in temper

In your preparation for the LL.B. Entrance Test, your
success hinges on your familiarity with as many words as Acronym - word from initial letters of other words
possible and your ability to put this knowledge to a Actuate - motivate to act in particular way
practical use. For one, there will be direct questions onAcumen - ability to make good judgments and take quick
word-meanings. This knowledge will also be crucial for decisions
the various comprehension passages, where, a few key Adduce - to give as proof
words may hold the meaning of an entire paragraph.
Adjacent - next to, or adjoining something else
There are some everlasting benefits in possessing a large
vocabulary. Mental horizons widen, the word-view Adjoin - be next to and joined with
expands. The thinking apparatus becomes more versatile Adjournment - to defer the proceedings to another day
and efficient. Adjudicate - to act as judge and give decision
Following is the word list. Adjure - to state on oath
A Adverse - acting in contrary direction
Abactinal - remote causes Advocate - support or speak in favour of
Abactor - a cattle thief Aesthetic - pertaining to beauty
Abandon - to desert Affect - to have an influence on
Abase - to degrade Affidavit - voluntary written statement signed, sworn or
affirmed
Abash - to disconnect
Affluence - inflow and increasing wealth
Abate - to lessen
Aforementioned - said or written before
Abdicate - to forsake, give up
Aggrandize - to make or seem to make greater
Abduct - to take away Agoraphobia - extreme or irrational fear of open or public
Abhor - to hate, or think with disgust Abjure - to places
solemnly/renounce Abnegate - renounce or reject Agrarian - relating to farming
Abominate - to dislike Alert - fully awake and ready to act
Abort - undergo the operation of foetus or remain Alias - fictitious name, a false or assumed name
undeveloped Alienate - to cause a person to become unfriendly or
Abrade - to corrode, erode indifferent
Abrogate - repeal or do away with Absolve - to Allay - diminish or end
pronounce free of guilt Abstruse - difficult to Allegation - statement against a person which he
understand undertakes to prove
Accentuate - make more noticeable or prominent Altercation - a heated dispute
Acclimatize - praise enthusiastically and publicly Altruist - one who dedicates his life to helping others
Acclivity - upward slope Accord - to grant, to allow Amass - to collect or pile up
Accused - a person against whom allegation of offence is Ameliorate - to improve
made Amiable - inspiring friendliness
Analogy - reasoning from parallel cases

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864 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Anatomy - structure of a body Budget-a statement of income and expenditure prepared

Annals - historical accounts beforehand for a particular period
Anthropology - study of mankind Buffer - devise against deadening impact
Antonym - a word opposite in meaning to another word Bullion - valued by weight
Anxiety - an emotional condition of fear and uncertainty Bureaucracy - government of hierarchy of officials
Apex - the highest point Burgeon-begin to grow rapidly, bud, sprout
Apology - regretful acknowledgment for an offence Bye-law - a rule made by company or local authority for
Apostasy - abandoning of faith Archives - place where its members
records are kept Arrears - what remains not done, Bye-product - produce in the course of making some
outstanding debts Arson - crime of setting fire to other product
By law - separate entry
another's property Articulate - expressing oneself
fluently and coherently Ascetic - one who leads a lonely, c
austere existence Astronomy - a study of stars, planets Cabal - a group or council united for some secret purpose
etc. Calumny - making of false and defamatory statements
Atheist - one who does not believe in God about someone
Attempt - the act of trying, preparing Campaign - series of planned activities to win votes
Attribute - consider something as the result of Canvass - to solicit votes, opinions etc.
something else Capitulate - to surrender especially on stated conditions
Autobiography - story of one's life, self-written story Caprice - unaccountable change of mind or conduct,
Autopsy - dissection of a corpse to determine the cause whim
of death Carp - to complain constantly
Axiomatic - principle accepted as self-evident Aye - For Cataclysm - violent change or upheaval
ever Caustic - able to burn or destroy by chemical action
Azoic - Without life Cavalier - lack of respect for somebody
Chaperone - older woman in charge of young unmarried
B woman
Baas - master (used by a black South African addressing Charnel - place where corpses are deposited
a white American Chivalrous - attentive and courteous to women
Bane - cause of ruin or trouble Chronological - in order of time
Barrier - something that prevents movement Barter - Circumstances - conditions associated with an event or
exchange goods for other goods or services Benefactor - person
one who confers a favour Classify - to arrange in classes or groups
Benevolent - wishing to do good Cloy - to over-indulge with an initially pleasing thing
Bicameral - having two legislative chambers Colleague - a partner or associate working in the same
Biennial - every two years profession
Bigamy - legal crime of having more than one spouse Collide - to come together violently
Biography - story of man's life Colloquial - suitable for every day conversation
Biologist - who studies all living organism-plant or Collusion - a secret agreement for a dishonest reason
animal Complex - something difficult to understand or explain
Biopsy - microscopic examination of living tissue Compromise - agreement reached by mutual consent
Confession - admission or self-expression of the
Blasphemy - impious speech, profane abuse of anything
involvement in a crime
sacred
Consent - to give permission
Blunder - to make foolish mistakes
Conspire - to act together to one end
Bold - confident and daring Conspiracy - act of conspire
Borstal - institution where young offenders are kept
Breach - breaking of a rule or agreement Broach - bring D
up for discussion Death - cessation of life; state of being dead Death-
Brothel - house of ill fame sentence - punishment or penalty of hanging of a convict
Brusque - abrupt in manner, unexpected till his last breath or cessation of life
 Vocabulary 865

Defence - resisting or protection from allegation or attack Euthanasia - painless killing form incurable disease
Deficit - condition of spending more than you have Evoke - to call forth
Delicacy - a rare and choice kind of food Denizen - Evolve - to develop gradually
inhabitant or occupant of a place Devitalize - to reprive Exacting - making great demands
of vigour or life Dichotomy - division into two parts Exaggerate - to make something seem bigger than it is
Dilapidated - in a state of disrepair Dilate - speak or Excerpt - a short extract from a film or piece of music or
write at length writing
Dipsomania - morbid compulsion for alcoholic Excoriate - to strip the skin of
beverages Exculpate - to free from blame
Dowry - property that a woman brings to her husband Exempt - to excuse from responsibility others are subject
at marriage to
Ex-facie - apparent or reasonable to the fact
E Exigency - situation making extremely urgent demands
Eager - excited by desire Expurgate - to remove matter regarded as obseene or
Earmark - to set aside for a special purpose unsuitable from test or account
Ecclesiastical - pertaining to the church Echelon - Extenuate - to lessen the seriousness of guilt or an
particular level in an organization Eclectic - made up of offence by reference to a mitigating factor
elements from a variety of source Egoist - one who is Extraneous - irrelevant or unrelated to the subject
interested solely in his own welfare Egomaniac - person Extrovert - one whose personality is turned outwards E-
insanely convicted of his selfimportance zine - a journal available in electronic form
Egotist - one who constantly talks about himself
F
Emanate - to come out from
Fabian - avoiding battle
Embody - give concrete form to
Facade - face of a building
Emphasize - to put force or stress on something Enclave
Fallacious - tending to mislead
- distinct unit surrounded by foreign territory Fallible - capable of erring, likely to make an error Fame
Encyclopaedia - compendium of knowledge Endemic - - the condition of being known or talked about Flexible -
restricted to a given area easily bent without breaking Flippant - treating serious
Enforce - to cause something to be obeyed Enfranchise - things lightly
to give the right to vote Engender - to bring into being Flout - openly disregard
Enormity - great wickedness, monstrous offence Forensic - relating to or denoting application of scientific
Entangle - get caught or involved in complicated methods and techniques to the investigation of
circumstances crime
Entitle - to give right to Foster - to help with the growth and development of an
Entity - something that exists independently idea
Epithet - word or phrase characterizing a person or Frank - showing thoughts and feelings clearly
thing Fundamental duties - basic duties to perform certain
Epitome - a summary of the whole acts
Epitomize - to stand for the whole, be a perfect example Fundamental rights - basic rights or privileges Funk - a
of
state of fear
Epoch - a period of time in history
Equivocating - playing it safe, saying yes and no at the G
same time, use of ambiguous or evasive language Gaff - one's private accommodation
Era - period of time marked by certain historical events Gain - to obtain something
Esoteric - meant for a chosen few Genocide - killing of a race or nation
Establish - to settle in a position Eugenics - science of Germane - relevant or pertinent to a subject under
better births consideration
Gestation - period of carrying in womb before birth
Goods - things which have worth or are valuable
866 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Gratuity - money given in recognition of service Injunction - court order restraining from wrongful act
Gregarious - liking to be with other people Innate - existing from birth
Guild - organization of persons with common interests Innovation - something new that is introduced
Guilty - a person having committed a specified or Insatiable - that cannot be satisfied
implied offence Insidious - tending to trap or mislead Insult - hurt a
Gynaecologist - doctor specializing in female person's feelings
physiological functions and diseases Insurgent - one who revolts against established
Gyny - combining form denoting a female woman
authority
H Intangible - that cannot be touched
Habile - competent Interpolate - to change by inserting new material
Hegemony - dominance of authority Intransigent - refusing to compromise
Heresy - belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious Intrepid - a person who is entirely fearless Invade - to
doctrine enter in great numbers to attack Invective - violent
Heterosexual - pertaining to love for opposite sex
attack in words
Hierarchy - a ranking system ordered according to
status or authority Inveigh - to complain bitterly
Hoax - deceive by way of practical joke Invent - to create something not already existing
Homicide - killing of a human being Inveterate - victim of firmly fixed habits
Homosexual - pertaining to love for the same sex Ironical - contrary to what was expected
Huddle - to crowd together Irrational - not rational
Husbandry - cultivation and care of plants and animals Irrecognizable - unrecognizable
Hypothesis - supposition made as basis for reasoning
Hysteresis - lagging of an effect behind the cause of the
effect
J
Jail - a prison; to imprison
I Jettison - to throw overboard, discard, abandon
Iceni - an ancient British tribe Joie de vivre - joy of living
Iconoclast - one who is violently against established Judgement - sentence of court of justice
beliefs Juggernaut - massive destructive force
Idiosyncrasy - view or feeling peculiar to a person Jurat - an official memorandum at the end of affidavit
Ignominious - disgraceful and humiliating, shameful Juridical - pertaining to law
Imbroglio - confused or complicated situation Jurisprudence - knowledge of law Justice -
Imitate - to copy something administration of law Juxtapose - to put side by side
Imply - to indicate by indirect statement Impress - to
have a strong influence on Impunity - freedom from K
punishment Inalienable - unable to be taken away Kidnap - to steal a human being for ransom
Inarticulate - confused and incoherent in speech Kleptomania - irresistible urge to steal Knowledge -
Incendiarism - malicious burning of another's property range of a person's information Kosher - pure or clean
Incipient - happen or develop as per jewish
Indefatigable - a person who has boundless energy, Kotwal - Magistrate of law
tireless
L
Independent - not controlled by another
Laconic - brief and pithy in speech, concise, terse
Inert - without power to move or resist
Inevitable - something that is sure to happen Landmark - an event that marks a turning point Law - a
Infamy - bad reputation rule or set of rules recognized in a community Lecher - a
Infanticide - killing of a baby man who behaves lewdly and lustfully Legendary -
Infringe - to encroach upon from an old story
Inherent - belonging by nature to, existing as natural Lethal - sufficient to cause death
part of something Libel - false statement damaging a person's reputation
Literally - corresponding word for word to the original
 Vocabulary 867

Loath - to dislike strongly Locus - a place or locality Lok O

Sabha - lower House of Indian Parliament Oaf - an idiot
Oath - a vow to tell the truth
M
Obeisance - gesture of respect
Macabre - gruesome or ghostly
Obliterate - to destroy or erase
Magistrate - official who administers law
Magnanimous - a person who is generous, noble and Obscure - hard to see, not well-known
Obstetrician - doctor who specializes in pregnancy,
forgiving
delivering babies
Maintenance - provision enough to sustain life Martinet
Odyssey - long adventurous journey
- a person who insists on complete and blind obedience Officious - asserting authority or interfering in an
Martyr - person who undergoes death for a great cause annoyingly domineering way
Matinee - performed in the afternoon Ombudsman - who looks into complaints against public
Matriarch - venerable and powerful old woman Mature authorities
- to be fully grown, to be ready for use Megalomania - Omnipresent - present at all places at the same time
morbid delusions of one's importance Melancholy - Omniscient - possessor of infinite knowledge Operation
deep and long lasting sadness Meticulously - in a - act of surgery performed on a patient Opinion - belief
careful and detailed manner Misanthrope - one who based on grounds short of proof Optician - dealer in
hates humanity Misleading - causing a wrong optical goods, grinder of optical lenses
impression Misnomer - name wrongly applied Optometrist - practitioner who prescribes and fits glasses
Misogamist - one who hates marriage, one who hates
Opulence - lavish expenditure of wealth
women
Moll - gangster's female companion Ornithology - study of birds
Monogamy - custom of one marriage at a time Orthopedist - doctor who specializes in bones
Moribund - at point of death Oscillate - move or swing back and forth at a regular
Motley - composed of many elements speed
Myriad - very large number Ossification - scientific process to turn into bone
Mythical - a person or thing that is imagined or Ostracize - exclude from society
invented Outburst -anything that breaks out suddenly
Mythus - scheme of events Overlapping - one thing covering part of another thing
N Override - to set aside
Nad - snatch
P
Naik - governor or lord
Palmanism - two voters from opposite sides
Nascent - coming into being
Negotiate - confer with view to compromise or Panacea - a remedy for all perceived
agreement Pandemonium - lot of noise and confusion
Nepotism - favouritism to relatives Neurosis - an Paradox - seemingly absurd though perhaps true
emotional disturbance Nocturnal - pertaining to night statement
Nominal - in name only, very small amount Nostalgia - Parole - conditional liberation of a prisoner
longing for the past Pathos - something which arouses pity
Notorious - well-known for something bad Novelty - Patronize - treat with an apparent kindness which
betrays a feeling of superiority
something new or unusual Nuptial - pertaining to
marriage Pecuniary - relating to money
Nymphomania - incessant desire of a female for sexual Penury - living in dire poverty
intercourse Perceive - to become aware of
Nys - is not Perjury - a false statement after an oath to tell the truth
Perpendicular - at an angle of 90 degrees
Perquisite - something in addition to regular pay
868 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Perspicacious - having a ready insight into and S

understanding a thing Sacrament - a solemn oath
Perverse - deviating from what is considered normal Sagacious - showing good judgment, discerning Saturate
Poll - a survey of public opinion - to fill completely
Polygamy - social custom of plurality of marriage Post- Scenery - the general appearance of a place
mortem - examination of a corpse to determine cause of Scrupulously - done very carefully, paying attention to
death detail
Predict - to say in advance Sedition - conduct or language inciting to rebellion
Predominantly - having more strength than others Segregate - to separate from others
Prerequisite - something needed for performing a Sibling - children having parents in common
function Simile - figure of speech comparing two unlike things
Pressing - requiring immediate attention Sophistry - misleading but clever reasoning Stain - a
Prevail - to gain victory over something, prove more mark that doesn't wash out
powerful Stalk - to move quietly and cautiously
Prognosis - knowing beforehand, especially of the likely Stigma - mark of disgrace
course of a disease or ailment Subtle - difficult to perceive or describe
Proliferate - to increase in number Succinct - clearly and briefly stated
Promise - statement forming the basis of an agreement Supernatural - that cannot be explained by physical laws
Promulgate - to announce openly Supplicate - to ask humbly
Propound - to present for discussion Prorate - to divide Suppress - to keep from public knowledge
proportionately Survey - to take a general view
Psychopath - insane person who cannot distinguish fact Suspicious - foreboding that something bad is about to
from fancy happen
Psychosomatic - physical illness springing from the Sycophant - a servile flatterer
mind Syllogism - conclusion based on two premises
Psychotic - a mentally unbalanced person Puzzling - Sympathetic - sharing the pain of other people
hard to understand Synchronize - make happen at the same time
Pygmy - a member of short statured human races
Synchronous - occurring simultaneously
Synchysis - confusion of meaning due to unusual
Q
Query - an inquiry arrangement
Question-hour - first hour of every sitting in two Houses T
of Parliament
Tacit - implied without being expressed directly Taciturn
Quid pro quo - something for something Quixotic -
- disinclined to conversation
impractically idealistic or fanciful Quorum - whole body
of the Justices Tactful - skilful in dealing with other people
Tactic - means of accomplishing a purpose
R Telepathic - thought transference without use of material
Racket - extorting money by illegal interference medium
Ravenous - extremely eager for gratification Tentative - done as a trial to see what might happen
Recapitulate - to repeat the main points Theocracy - rule by priests
Refrain - to stop from doing something Regicide - killing Theology - study of religion
of a king Theory - an explanation of a general principle
Reincarnation - return to life Titular - relating to title
Release - to set free Touching - arousing strong emotion
Reprisal - act of retaliation Toxic - pertaining to poison
Restore - bring back to the original condition Retroactive Trace - find by investigation
- having retrospective effect Retrospective - applying to Travesty - ridiculous representation
past Trial - an examination in a court of law
Rumor - a statement that may not be true Ryot - a Tropical - around the equator
peasant or tenant
 Vocabulary 869

Tyro - a beginner in a field Vivacious - full of life

Tyty - promptly Vocation - an occupation or profession demanding
dedication
u Void - containing nothing
Ugly - offensive to the site or other sense
Ulterior - lying beyond what is seen W
Wankle - unstable
Unanimous - all of one mind or opinion
Warehouse - a building for storing goods
Unconscionable - completely without conscience, not
Warn - to inform someone of possible danger
right or reasonable
Warranty - accepting responsibility for repairs needed
Unique - only one of its type
Wary - notice of impending danger
Unquenchable - not able to be satisfied
Will - a person's written declaration of intention of
Untenable - unable to be defended
disposal of his property after his death
Urbane - person who is smooth, polished and cultured
Withdraw - to take away
Urchin - a mischievous child Withhold - to refuse to give
V Witness - person giving evidence
Vacant - unoccupied Witness box - enclosure in which a witness stands
Vacillate - wave between different opinions or actions Woe - misery
Vandalism - deliberate destruction of private property
Vanguard - leading position of a movement
X
Xenophobia - morbid dislike of foreigners
Vegetate - to be a victim of mental or intellectual
Xerox - a copying process
stagnation
X-ray - electromagnetic radiation of short wavelength
Venal - open to corruption
Xystus - ancient history
Vendetta - a prolonged bitter quarrel with or campaign
against someone Y
Venerate - to show deep respect Yammer - loud and sustained noise
Verify - to test the truth of Yappy - a young aspiring professional
Veritable - rightly so called
Vernacular - native language of region Z
Versatile - a person who can do many things skillfully Zap - to strike, to destroy
Vicarious - liability without direct participation Zenith - highest point
Vicissitude - change of circumstances Zero-hour - time after question hour in both Houses of
Parliament
Vindicate - to clear from blame or suspicion
Zetetic - proceeding by inquiry
Virago - a loud-mouthed, quarrelsome woman Zillah - an administrative district
Virtue - inherent power Zillion - an extremely large
Vitality - life and strength
Vitiate - impair quality or efficiency of
 CHAPTER 61

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

ON VOCABULARY
the word
Directions (Questions 1-21): Choose 7. Tedious
analogous or nearest in meaning. (a) tiresome
1. Dialectic (b) boring
(a) constructive (c) enthralling
(b) instructive (d) both (a) and (b) above.
(c) argumentative 8. Adept
(d) destructive. (a) skilful
2. Obsequious (b) perspective
(a) servile (c) wealthy
(b) poor (d) animate.
(c) cheerful 9. Callous
(d) sullen. (a) immature
3. Legitimate (b) whimsical
(a) Lawful (c) corrosive
(b) Correct (d) unfeeling.
(c) Rightful 10. Diffidence
(d) Possessive. (a) discourage
4. Abominable (b) humility
(a) Sloppy (c) harmful
(b) Flattering (d) defection.
(c) Attractive 11. Enigmatic
(d) Detestable. (a) perplexing
5. Puerility (b) weak
(a) Insincerity (c) dynamic
(b) Childishness (d) heavenly.
(c) Falsehood 12. Mitigate
(d) Inaccuracy. (a) ease
6. Incredible (b) imperfect
(a) Surprising (c) cruel
(b) Interesting (d) damaged.
(c) Disgusting 13. Riparian
(d) Unbelievable. (a) horses
(b) riverbanks
870
 Multiple Choice Questions on Vocabulary 871

(c) religious belief (c) Engaged in circulating black money in the

(d) hunting. economy
D.U. LL.B., 2014 (d) Misreported educational qualification
14. Assimilate D.U. LL.B., 2014
Directions: (Q. 22-25): Choose the word which best
(a) absorb
expresses the meaning of the underlined word in the
(b) collect
sentence.
(c) disperse
(d) condense. 22. He spent his whole life caught up in mundane matters.
(a) worldly
15. De facto (b) foolish
(a) old (c) inconsequential
(b) actual (d) criminal
(c) beginning
23. Smart people are often good at camouflaging their real
(d) factual.
character.
16. Covenant (a) projecting
(a) objective (b) displaying
(b) meeting (c) hiding
(c) agreement (d) revealing
(d) reform. 24. The old woman lives alone in a dilapidated house
17. Diabolism (a) shabby
(a) sorcery (b) decayed
(c) ugly
(b) omnivorus
(d) broken.
(c) vertical
(d) rationalism. 25. The habit of squandering money should not be
encouraged
18. Absolute (a) wasting
(a) formality (b) hoarding
(b) full (c) donating
(c) complete (d) stealing.
(d) fit. Directions (Qs. 26-30): For each of the following words
19. Impeccable below, a context is provided. From the alternatives given,
(a) Remarkable pick the word or phrase that is closest in meaning in the
(b) Unbelievable given context.
(c) Flawless 26. Alphanumeric: The inclusion of alphanumeric
(d) Displeasing features in cellular phones has made sending SMSs
very convenient.
20. EQESTRIAN—relates to
(a) using only alphabets
(a) birds (b) using digital codes
(b) tourism (c) using OSCOLA
(c) horses (d) using both letters and numerals.
(d) water sports NLU Delhi, 2015
D.U. LL.B., 2014 27. Oligarchy: Mrigank argued that all political parties,
21. Mr. Handsome was guilty of embezzlement. It means including those which profess democratic values
that Mr. Handsome become the instruments of their leaders who
(a) Did not pay his bills eventually become a self-interested and selfsatisfied
(b) Misappropriated the funds, money or assets he oligarchy.
was entrusted with
872 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

(a) rule of a mob or crowd 33. (a) assault

(b) small group of people: having control of state (b) extortion
(c) an iron-rule of democrats (c) sub-poena
(d) a socialist rule of activists.
(d) battery.
NLU Delhi, 2015
NLU Delhi, 2015
28. Perestroika: In the 1980's, the "state socialist"
tradition became totally discredited as Gorbachev's 34. (a) barrister
programme of perestroika revealed the fundamental (b) attorney
failures of the planned economies of the Communist (c) juror
bloc. (d) advocate.
(a) closing off all entries NLU Delhi, 2015
(b) manifesto of failure
35. Stay away from the touristy Pioneer Square historic
(c) opening up
district and most of its cheeseball clubs, at least on
(d) nagging policies.
nights and weekends.
NLU Delhi, 2015
29. Bequeath: In consequences, they bequeathed to their Choose the meaning of the word cheeseball.
follower no clear vision of the economics of (a) Expensive
socialism, that is state ownership and planning the (b) Notorious
means of production, distribution and exchange, (c) Inferior in quality
and others had to advocate market socialism, the (d) Stylish.
state regulation of capital rather than state NLU Delhi, 2017
ownership of planning. 36. She's also an up-and-coming fiction writer with a
(a) hand down or pass on penchant for the dark and surreal.
(b) a powerful will of the people Choose the meaning of the word surreal.
(c) a method of governing (a) Bizarre
(d) to give in promise. (b) Haunting
NLU Delhi, 2015 (c) Edgy
30. Redundancy: Communication is a subtle, complex (d) Satanic.
and continuously fluctuating process, affected by a NLU Delhi, 2017
multitude of factors both external and internal, and Directions (Qs. 37-38): Choose the most appropriate
two such elements are noise and redundancy. option to replace the expression in the brackets:
(a) that part of message that is predictable or
37. Ramesh was noble man who always feared law. He
conventional
was arrested on (false and exaggerated) charges.
(b) that word or phrase which is surprising
(a) Law-abiding
(c) that meaning of a word which is sparingly used
(b) trumped-up
(d) that message which has no clear meaning.
(c) mistaken
NLU Delhi, 2015
(d) free-and-clear.
Directions (Qs. 31 to 34): In the following questions,
D.U. LL.B., 2017
choose the word which is odd one out
38. Risham never bothered about right and wrong in his
life. He often teamed with others to do petty crimes.
He was charged with (disobeying the orders of the
31. (a) bedlam judge) when he was late for court.
(b) anarchy (a) disturbing the peace
(c) anatomise (b) contempt of court
(d) insurrection. (c) contributory negligence
NLU Delhi, 2015 (d) vicarious liability.
32. (a) miscreant D.U. LL.B., 2017
(b) defendant
(c) accused
(d) plaintiff
NLU Delhi, 2015
 Multiple Choice Questions on Vocabulary 873

ANSWERS*
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON VOCABULARY
1. (c) 9. (d) 17. (a) 25. (a) 33. (c)
2. (a) 10. (b) 18. (c) 26. (b) 34. (c)
3. (a) 11. (a) 19. (c) 27. (b) 35. (c)
4. (d) 12. (a) 20. (c) 28. (c) 36. (a)
5. (b) 13. (b) 21. (b) 29. (a) 37. (b)
6. (d) 14. (a) 22. (a) 30. (a) 38. (b)
7. (d) 15. (b) 23. (c) 31- (c)
8. (a) 16. (c) 24. (b) 32. (d)

The answers are suggestive. Kindly verify from the basic documents, statutes, textbooks, or your mentors in
case of doubts.

873
 CHAPTER 62

SYNONYMS
Words similar in meaning to a given word e.g.,
Abac - a monogram Aback - Egoist - self-centered, self-conceited
backwardness Abacus - a counting frame Elaborate - explain, discuss Encroach -
Abandon - desert, forsake Abdicate - give infringe, trespass Enmity - hostile, hate
up, relinquish Abnormal - unnatural, Entice - allure, attract Envy - jealousy,
unusual Absolute - unrestricted, ill-will
unconditioned Abundant - ample, Extraneous - unrelated, unconnected
plentiful, enough Accede - enter, give in, Fabricate - construct forge Failure -
submit Ambition - aspiration, zeal default, lack of success Fair - spotless,
Amnesty - pardon, excuse, forgive unblemished Fatigue - exhaustion,
Astonish - amaze, surprise Axiom - truth, tiredness Flexible - variable,
maxim changeable Fraudulent - dishonest,
Benevolent - generous, charitable human deceptive Furious - angry, wild Futile
Bogus - sham, counterfeit Brave - - useless, hopeless Gallant - brave,
courageous, daring Brutal - savage, cruel bold Gamer - collect, gather Gay -
Calm - impassive, peaceful Cancel -annul, happy, jolly
write off Chaste - pure, virgin Claim - Generous - noble, liberal Gratification
demand, require Conceal - hide, cover - satisfaction, enjoyment Grief -
Confer - admit, agree Convict - culprit, sorrow, distress Grumble - utter, emit,
criminal Crazy - mad, insane let out Hamper - block, obstruct Hasty
Dawn - appear, sunrise, begin - speedy, rapid Havoc - ruin,
Deadly - fatal, lethal destruction Heterogenous - different,
Deceit - fraud, cheating Defend - protect, diverse Hoax - dupe, befool
support Deliberate - knowingly done, Horrible - dreadful, frightful
intentional Delinquent - culprit, criminal Humorous - amusing, comical Idolise -
Detest - abhor, dislike Diligence - care, adore, worship Illustrious -
industry Divert - turnaside, deviate Easy - distinguished, eminent Impassioned -
moderate, convenient Ebb - decay, decline fervent, fanatical Implicit - implied,
Echo - reverberation, imitation Ecstacy - inferred Impure - dirty, unchaste
enhancement, rapture Incapable - incompetent, unable
Incense - ensafe, anger
Industrious - diligent, hard-working
Inevitable - unavoidable, certain

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 Synonyms 875

Instigate - arouse, misguide Interesting - alluring, Queer - strange, odd

fascinating Jargon - lingo, shoptalk Jolly - Delight, happy Quirk - twist
Justify - defend, exonerate Juxtaposition - closeness, Radiant - brilliant, bright Raffle - gift, present, give
nearness Keen - penetrating, piercing Lacerate - tear, Ramshackle - dilapidated, rickety Rash - incautious,
mayfle Lasting - permanent, continuing Latent - hidden, hasty Reasonable - cheap, fair Relinquish - abandon
concealed Lax - vague, loose Lethargy - torpid, stopper Repudiate - disclaim
Liable - accountable Limpsid - clear, pure Loathe - Salacious - obscene, foul
despise, abhor Lucid - plain, clear Mad - crazy Secret - confidential, unrevealed
Marvellous - wonderful Monotonous - tiresome, Sedition - incitement, insurgence Stag - spy, monitor,
unvaried Myth - legend supervise Tidy - neat
Narrow - thin, slender Nuisance - annoyance Nullify - Trifling - trivial, frivolous
abolish Nuptial - marriage Oath - pledge Tyranny - despotism, autocracy Unblemished - spotless,
Objectionable - offensive, undesirable Obscene - clean Undulation - vibration
indecent, filthy Urbane - polite, civic
Outrage - insult Pious - holy Pragmatic - empirical Urgent - priority
Providential - fortunate, lucky Quandary - dilemma; Vague - obscure, bignous
plight Venue - a meeting place, location for an event Verbal -
words other than things
Vigilant - cautious, alert Weak - feeble
Wordy - verbose
Worldly - earthly, carnal Yield - surrender, submit Zeal -
eagerness, passion Zest - enthusiasm, gusto Zonam -
needy
Zymurgy - a branch of chemistry Zythum - ancient
writer
 CHAPTER 63

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

ON SYNONYMS
[FROM CLAT, NLU DELHI AND D.U. LL.B. EXAMS]
Directions (Qs. 1 and 2): Choose the word that is Choose the synonym of the word gingerly.
nearest in meaning to the given word. (a) roughly
1. Abrogate (b) assiduously
(a) Revoke informally (c) rashly
(d) carelessly.
(b) Revoke formally
NLU Delhi, 2017 Ans. (b);
(c) Accept informally
(d) Accept formally 7. Select the word closely related to buttress.
D.U. LL.B., 2018 Ans. (b) (a) Negate
(b) Buttering
2. Extol
(c) Mock
(a) Glorify
(d) Strengthen.
(b) Dishonour D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
(c) Provoke
(d) Announce 8. Select the word closely related to platitude.
D.U. LL.B., 2018 (a) Trite remark
Ans. (a) (b) Concerned feeling
Directions (Qs. 3-5): Choose the option closest to (c) Disdainful attitude
the Capitalized word. (d) Protest.
3. ANNIHILATE D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (a)
(a) devastate 9. Select the word most closely related to buttress:
(b) delay (a) Obliterate
(c) investigate (b) Confuse
(d) retaliate. (c) Overlook
CLAT, 2018 Ans. (a) (d) Support.
D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
4. FACILITATE
(a) lend Direction (Qs. 10-12): Choose the option closest in
(b) share meaning to the Capitalized word.
(c) support 10. GRANDIOSE
(a) imposing
(d) serve.
(b) unpretentious
CLAT, 2018 Ans. (c) (c) boring
5. CAMPAIGN (d) lanky.
(a) lobby CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a
(b) run
11. SPRY
(c) agree (a) doubtful
(d) work. (b) nimble
CLAT, 2018 Ans.
6. It was marvellous to see how gingerly, the little
beasts footed it in such places.
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 Previous Years Questions on Synonyms K77

(c) prognosticate 18. INUNDATE: The popular star had so many fans that
(d) leave. his office was inundated with calls and letters on his
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (b) birthday.
12. FUDGE (a) Immersed
(a) to sweeten (b) Flooded
(b) smear (c) Crowded
(c) irritate (d) Overwhelmed
(d) falsify. D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (b)
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d)
19. IMPROMPTU: He has the gift of the gab and even
Directions (Qs. 13 to 17): In the following questions,
his impromptu speeches receive thunderous
choose the word which is most nearly the SAME in
applause.
meaning to the Bold word. (a) Extempore
13. Aphorism (b) Erroneous
(a) Prune (c) Instinctive
(b) Wither (d) Voluntary
(c) Aphis D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (a)
(d) Proverb Directions (Qs. 20 to 37): Choose the word which is
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d) most nearly the SAME in meaning to the bold word from
the given options.

14. Passe 20. Gospels

(a) Rude (a) Chitchat
(b) Old - fashioned (b) A teaching or doctrine of a religious teacher
(c) Modern (c) Rumour
(d) Chic (d) Guidance.
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (b)
CLAT, 2013 Ans. (b)
15. Vituperation
(a) Moisture 21. Vogue
(b) Parallel (a) Uncertain
(c) Malediction (b) Out-dated
(e) Recover (c) The prevailing fashion or style
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (c) (d) Journey.
16. Qualm CLAT, 2013 Ans. (c)
(a) Concavity 22. Shrewd
(b) Amplitude
(a) Erudite
(c) Misgiving
(b) Profound
(d) Repute
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (c) (c) August
(d) Artful.
17. Horrendous D.U., LL.B., 2013 Ans. (d)
(a) Beautiful
(b) Coherent 23. Aberration
(c) Support (a) Deviation
(d) Dreadful (b) Embarrassment
D.U LL.B., 2014 Ans. (d) (c) Abhorrence
Directions: (Question Nos. 18 and 19) In each question, (d) Absence.
a word with its contextual usage is provided. Pick the NLU, Delhi, 2013 . Ans. (a)
word from among the alternatives that is the most 24. Potpourri
appropriate substitute for the question word in the given (a) Medley
context and mark its number as your answer.
(b) Dose
(c) Weird
(d) Overabundance.
NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (a)
878 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

25. Imposture (c) reference

(a) Claim (d) collection.
(b) Status CLAT, 2012 Ans. (d)
(c) Destruction 32. Vague
(d) Deception. (a) Inadequate
NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (d) (b) Insignificant
(c) Nebulous
26. Parley
(d) Meaningless.
(a) Discuss
D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (b)
(b) Deliver
(c) Sweeten 33. Fatigue
(d) Race (a) Sleepy
NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (a) (b) Weariness
(c) Drowsiness
27. Lethargy (d) Sweating.
(a) serenity D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (b)
(b) listlessness
(c) impassivity 34. Debonair
(d) laxity. (a) Confident
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (d) (b) Elegant
(c) Charming
28. Emaciated (d) Stylish.
(a) tall D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (b)
(b) languid 35. Carve
(c) very thin (a) Acquire
(d) wise. (b) Cover
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (c) (c) Drive
(d) Engrave.
29. Latent
(a) concealed D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (d)
(b) apparent 36.His speech was nothing but a string of platitudes
(c) lethargic (a) grant statements
(d) prompt. (b) stereo-typed statements
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (a) (c) noble sentiments
(d) humorous anecdotes.
30. Sporadic
NLU, Delhi, 2012 Ans. (b)
(a) epidemic
(b) whirling 37.Lynch
(c) occasional (a) Hang
(d) stagnant. (b) Madden
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (c) (c) Killed
(d) Shoot.
31. Compendium
NLU, Delhi, 2012 Ans. (c)
(a) summary
(b) index
 CHAPTER 64

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

ON SYNONYMS
1. Harbinger (c) prison
(a) messenger (d) rumour.
(b) steward 9. Innuendo
(c) forerunner (a) enquiry
(d) pilot. (b) indirect reference
2. Profane (c) innovation
(a) artistic (d) inorganic.
(b) clean 10. Debonair
(c) concealment (a) bed-ridden
(d) blasphemous. (b) candid
3. Craven (c) elegant
(a) greedy (d) thrifty.
(b) cowardly 11. Unscathed
(c) flattering (a) unstinting
(d) restless. (b) unsociable
4. Sanguine (c) unspeakable
(a) patriotic (d) unharmed.
(b) picturesque 12. Ferret
(c) optimistic (a) steal
(d) secular. (b) search
5. Egregious (c) forget
(a) affluent (d) fight.
(b) outrageous 13. Cavil
(c) redundant (a) to play
(d) expensive. (b) to complain
6. Imperiousness (c) to prepare
(a) fame (d) to cut a joke.
(b) arrogance 14. Prevaricate
(c) vacuum (a) to evade
(d) impenetrability. (b) to work hard
7. Protagonist (c) to steal
(a) talented child (d) to demonstrate.
(b) reserved person 15. Chauvinism
(c) leading character (a) blind patriotism
(d) fearless. (b) defeatism
8. Canard (c) political trickery
(a) story (d) obstinacy.
(b) humid
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880 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

(c) interest paid

16. Swathe
(a) To soothe (d) feeble.
(b) To wrap 26. Loath
(c) To sweep (a) tired
(d) To wash. (b) unwilling
17. Quibble (c) sickly
(a) to deny (d) spirited.
(b) to tremble 27. Insipid
(c) to evade truth (a) quick
(d) to examine. (b) tasteless
18. Philanderer (c) dirty
(a) time waster (d) diluted.
(b) spend thrift 28. Quaint
(c) male flirt (a) separate
(d) wanderer. (b) unusual
19. Abeyance (c) stout
(a) abstinence (d) weak.
(b) temporary suspension 29. Sanguine
(c) hatred (a) smile
(d) memory. (b) tempting
20. Quintessence (c) confident
(a) over fussiness (d) juicy.
(b) good taste 30. Embargo
(c) purest part (a) imposition of duty
(d) vanity. (b) suspension of trade
21. Prodigal (c) clear out
(a) abusive (d) promoted.
(b) extravagant 31. Hackneyed
(c) gifted (a) common
(d) modest. (b) novel
22. Diaphanous (c) troublesome
(a) cylindrical (d) problematic.
(b) almost transparent 32. Serene
(c) complicated (a) sweet
(d) steep climb. (b) melodious
23. Vaunt (c) beautiful
(a) boast (d) mild.
(b) desire 33. Dreary
(c) ineptitude (a) cheerful
(d) joke. (b) cheerless
24. Colloquial (c) hard
(a) erroneous (d) difficult.
(b) traditional 34. Beseech
(c) conversational (a) represent
(d) ancient. (b) look forward
25. Lien (c) pray
(a) stock (d) search.
(b) legal claim
 Multiple Choice Questions on Synonyms 881

35. Styloid (c) assemblage

(a) beautiful (d) persistent.
(b) slender 45. Bountiful
(c) stupid (a) munificent
(d) stylish. (b) scare
36. Gullible (c) limited
(a) large (d) petty.
(b) callous 46. Contagious
(c) credulous (a) consummate
(d) confrontable. (b) contaminate
37. Grandeur (c) infeasible
(a) splendor (d) infectious.
(b) fantastic 47. Corroborate
(c) simple (a) corrosive
(d) splendid. (b) confirm
38. Behoof (c) corrigendum
(a) benefit (d) interesting.
(b) fool-proof 48. Dexterity
(c) behaviour (a) disadvantage
(d) loop-hole. (b) exclusion
39. Ligature (c) dimmer
(a) legal aid (d) skill.
(b) bandage 49. Exalt
(c) bad remark (a) fresh
(d) puncture. (b) open
40. Abstruse (c) old fashioned
(a) profound (d) frustrated.
(b) suspended 50. Frozen
(c) exciting • (a) soft
(d) hidden. (b) cool
41. Alacrity (c) ice
(a) deep suspicion (d) hard.
(b) fear 51. Gigantic
(c) sympathetic understanding
(a) very small
(d) willingness. (b) tiny
42. Altitude (c) enormous
(a) behaviour
(d) mediocre.
(b) height
52. Horrendous
(c) position
(a) beautiful
(d) ambition.
(b) coherent
43. Amiable
(c) dreadful
(a) envious (d) support.
(b) good natured
53. Huff
(c) helpful
(a) to treat with arrogance
(d) kind-hearted.
(b) pride
44. Assiduous
(c) light
(a) ambition
(d) petty.
(b) remitting
882 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

54. Idiosyncrasy (c) to excel

(a) eccentricity (d) to exclude.
(b) preposterous 64. Propinquity
(c) affectionate gesture (a) ancient history
(d) tormenting. (b) ornament
55. Interpret (c) proximity
(a) explain (d) dishonesty.
(b) hide 65. Provoke
(c) obstruct (a) incline
(d) support. (b) persuade
56. Jovial (c) encourage
(a) quantity (d) instigate.
(b) mirthful 66. Quip
(c) gloomy (a) witticism
(d) stupid. (b) silly
57. Knave (c) quash
(a) hero (d) require.
(b) errant 67. Recrimination
(c) signify (a) charge
(d) dishonest person. (b) counter-charge
58. Luminous (c) move
(a) resplendent (d) counter-move.
(b) dark 68. Repent
(c) ludicrous (a) grieve
(d) provoking. (b) admit
59. Moderate (c) confers
(a) reasonable (d) ignore.
(b) extreme 69. Stupendous
(c) radical (a) colossal
(d) modesty. (b) limited
60. Nimble (c) ordinary
(a) clumsy (d) uninteresting.
(b) quick 70. Trivial
(c) open (a) customary
(d) frank. (b) frivolous
61. Obfuscate (c) truss
(a) clarify (d) momentous.
(b) profuse 71. Usual
(a) customary
(c) confuse
(d) change. (b) opposite
(c) irregular
62. Obstinate
(d) voluminous.
(a) apparent
72. Verbose
(b) unyielding
(a) vent
(c) to surpass
(b) laconic
(d) to exclude. (c) talkative
63. Overawe (d) suspense.
(a) to intimidate
(b) to surpass
 Multiple Choice Questions on Synonyms 883

73. Virulent 80. Shriek

(a) an infectious agent (a) dreadful sound
(b) intensely noxious (b) sharp scream
(c) benevolent (c) hue and cry
(d) forgive. (d) disco music.
74. Whimsical 81. PIOUS
(a) notional (a) Historic
(b) handsome (b) Devout
(c) humourous (c) Multiple
(d) commotion. (d) Fortunate
75. Forge 82. ORDAIN
(a) Create (a) Arrange
(b) Counterfeit (b) Command
(c) Fake (c) Contribute
(d) Falsify. (d) Settle
76. Decimate 83. LATITUDE
(a) Destroy (e) Scope
(b) Divide (f) Segment
(c) Augment (g) Globule
(d) Vacate. (a) Legislature
77. Sway 84. MORTIFY
(a) Fluctuate (a) Make a cavity
(b) influence (b) Displease
(c) govern (c) Humiliate
(d) dependence. (d) Relapse
78. Core 85. Calamity
(a) centre (a) Almighty
(b) heart (b) Climate
(c) adequate (c) Calm
(d) essential. (d) Catastrophe
79. Stress 86. Attribute
(a) highlight (a) Pay tribute
(b) strain (b) Attend
(c) taxing (c) Belonging
(d) tension. (d) Give applause.
 ANSWERS*
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON SYNONYMS
1. (c) 19. (b) 36. (c) 53. (a) 70. (b)
2. (d) 20. (c) 37. (a) 54. (a) 71. (a)
3. (b) 21. (b) 38. (a) 55. (a) 72. (c)
4. (c) 22. (b) 39. (b) 56. (b) 73. (b)
5. (b) 23. (a) 40. (d) 57. (d) 74. (c)
6. (b) 24. (c) 41. (d) 58. (a) 75. (a)
7. (c) 25. (b) 42. (b) 59. (a) 76. (a)
8. (d) 26. (b) 43. (b) 60. (b) 77. (b)
9. (b) 27. (b) 44. (d) 61. (c) 78. (d)
10. (c) 28. (b) 45. (a) 62. (b) 79. (a)
11. (d) 29. (c) 46. (d) 63. (a) 80. (b)
12. (b) 30. (b) 47. (b) 64. (c) 81. (b)
13. (b) 31. (a) 48. (d) 65. (d) 82. (b)
14. (a) 32. (d) 49. (b) 66. (a) 83. (b)
15. (a) 33. (b) 50. (c) 67. (b) 84. (c)
16. (b) 34. (c) 51. (c) 68. (a) 85. (d)
17. (c) 35. (b) 52. (c) 69. (a) 86. (c)
18. (c)

* The answers are suggestive. Kindly verify from the basic documents, statutes,
textbooks, or your mento case of doubts.

884
 CHAPTER 65

ANTONYMS
Words opposite in meaning to a given word e.g.

Abase - to increase Ability -

inability Abrupt - gradual
Absurd - rational Accord -
dissent Accumulate - scatter
Acquitted - convicted Adhere
- disregard Advance - retreat
Affirmative - negative Agile -
inactive Agony - ecstasy
Alien - native Amass - to
separate Anger - forbearance
Antipathy - bondness
Arrogant - humble Attractive
- repulsive Autonomy -
dependence Barren - fertile
Base - apex Before - after
Belittle - praise Bequeath -
withhold Blessing - curse
Elegance - ugliness
Carping - acquiescent Cause -
- Enemy - ally
effect Celibacy - matrimony
Exactly - approximately Exonerate - blame Explicit - implicit Fabled
Cheap - expensive Conceal -
- existent Fickle - constant Flexible - rigid Forlorn - happy Fragile -
reveal Condemn - acquit
Confine - release Courageous robust Frail - strong Frugal - lavish Galare - few Generous - selfish
- timid Credible - dubious Genuine - fake Gracious - churlish Grief-Joy Guile - truth Guilt -
Creepy - inoffensive innocence Hatred - Love
Deleterious - beneficial Hinder - encourage Humble - Proud Humility - arrogance Illusion -
Dependable - unreliable reality Include - exclude Infinite - bounded Insensitive - sensitive
Depressing - uplifting Isolable - joint Intellect - inanity Kind - cruel Leap - fall Legal - illegal
Diligent - lazy Eager - Lend - borrow Lenient - strict Limber - unbending Magnificent -
reluctant poorness Malevolence - kindness Meagre - bountiful
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886 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Sagacious (wise) - foolish Salvage -

Mild - harsh
lose Selfish - generous Slander -
Monogamy - polygamy Morose
commendation Smooth - rough
- cheerful
Subjugate - liberate Sulky - cheerful
Mysterious - clear Naive -
Superficial - deep Sweet - acrid,
Urbane
bitter Tease - mollify Tedious -
Near - remote
exciting Thaw - breeze Torment -
Objective - subjective Obstinate -
please Tough - easy Tragedy -
enrich
comedy Unanimity - disagreement
Obvious - hidden Unbiased - biased, prejudiced
Opponent - ally Opposite - same Ungainly - graceful Universal -
Overlapping - different Panic - regional
serenity/normal Persuade - Unsavoury - delicious, prejudiced
dissuade Perverse - agreeable Vague - clear Valour - cowardice
Pillory (condemn) - appreciate Verse - prose Waggish -
Polite - rude unhumorous Wild - tame
Prejudicial - harmless Proud - Win - loose Wisdom - foolishness
humble Zabeta - an arbitrary tariff
Queer - common Quiet - noisy
Rare - common Rear - front
Refined - boorish Religions -
secular Retrospective -
prospective Robust - feeble
Sacred - profane
 CHAPTER 66

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

ON ANTONYMS
[FROM CLAT, NLU DELHI AND D.U. LL.B. EXAMS]
1. Cashed up, aspirational and a marketer's dream, 6. ARCHAIC:
the hoi polloi are on the march, writes Bridie (a) Novel
Smith. (b) Somber
Choose the antonym of the word hoi polloi. (c) Soft
(a) Middle class (d) Archeological finding.
(b) Aristocracy D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (a)
(c) Masses 7. ARBITRARY:
(d) Working class. (a) Customary
Ans. (b)
NLU Delhi, 2017 (b) Mediate
2. There's a lot in life that can leave you nonplussed. (c) Legitimate
Choose the antonym of the word nonplussed. (d) Desperate.
(a) dumbfound D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (c)
(b) disconcert 8. AFFABLE:
(c) astound (a) Friendly
(d) unperturbed. (b) Surly
NLU Delhi, 2017 Ans. (d) (c) Winsome
Direction (Qs. 3-4): Choose the word that is most (d) Livid.
nearly opposite in meaning to the given word. D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (b)
3. MUTABILITY 9. ADULATE:
(a) calculable (a) Moderate
(b) movable (b) Admire
(c) tenacity (c) Lambaste
(d) fragility. (d) Adulterate.
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (c) D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (c)
4. CREDULOUS 10. RECANT:
(a) movable (a) Noisy
(b) imaginable (b) Militarise
(c) ardent (c) Reuse
(d) skeptical. (d) Assert.
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (d) D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
Direction (Qs. 5 to 11): Choose the most 11. EXCORIATE:
appropriate word that is nearly opposite in meaning to (a) Diminish
the given word. (b) Excommunicate
5. CORROBORATE: (c) Abandon
(a) Deny (d) Acclaim.
(b) Differentiate D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
(c) Affirm Direction (Qs. 12 to 16): For the word a contextual
(d) Create artificially. sentence is given. Pick the word from the alternatives
D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (a) given that is most inappropriate in the given context.
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888 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

12. SPECIOUS: A specious argument is not simply a false (c) valuable

one but one that has the ring of truth. (d) dishonourable.
(a) Deceitful D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (b)
(b) Fallacious 19. What is the opposite of "Audacity"?
(c) Credible (a) cowardice
(d) Deceptive
(b) patricide
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (c)
(c) bravado
13. OBVIATE: The new mass transit system may obviate (d) admonition.
the need for the use of personal cars. D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (a) i
(a) Prevent In the following questions, choose the word which is
(b) Forestall most nearly the OPPOSITE in meaning to the bold word
(c) Preclude and mark it in the Answer Sheet.
(d) Bolster.
20. Ambiguity
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d)
(a) Lucidity
14. DISUSE: Some words fall into disuse as technology (b) Basal
makes objects obsolete. (c) Dull
(a) Prevalent (d) Necessity
(b) Discarded NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (a
(c) Obliterated
(d) Unfashionable. 21. Antidote
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a) (a) Medicine
(b) Poison
15. PARSIMONIOUS: The evidence was constructed (c) Anodyne
from every parsimonious scraps of information. (d) Amity
(a) Prevalent NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (b«
(b) Penurious
(c) Thrifty 22. Which is NOT a synonym for 'accumulation'?
(d) Altruistic. (a) Collection
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d) (b) Conglomeration
(c) Assemblage
16. FACETOUS: When I suggested that war is a method (d) Collagen
of controlling population, my father remarked that I NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d
was being facetious.
(a) Jovian 23. Which is NOT a synonym for 'incline'?
(b) Jovial (a) Trenchant
(c) Jocular (b) Slope
(d) Joking. (c) Acclivity
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a) (d) Gradient
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (a
17. What is the opposite of "Hapless"?
(a) kind 24. What is the opposite of Progressive?
(b) significant (a) Conservative
(c) lucky (b) Prolegomenon
(c) distinct. (c) Proclamation
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (c) (d) Proscriptive
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (al
18. What is the opposite of "Worthy"?
(a) ugly 25. What is not the opposite of Abet
(b) undeserving (a) Solace
(b) Hinder
(c) Impede
(d) Deter
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (a
 Previous Years Questions on Antonyms 889

26. What is the opposite of Sedate 31. Predilection

(a) Excite (a) Antipathy
(b) Shy (b) Ignorance
(c) Mobile (c) Dissonance
(d) Inebriate (d) Disharmony.
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (a) NLU Delhi, 2013 Ans. (a)
27. What is the opposite of Lascivious? 32. Impalpable
(a) Manifest (a) Visible
(b) Devout (b) Audible
(c) Whip (c) Tangible
(d) Chaste (d) Fearless
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (d) NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (c)
28. Passionate 33. Parochial
(a) Dispassionate (a) Dogmatic
(b) Non-passionate (b) Dominant
(c) Unpassionate (c) Cosmopolitan
(d) None of the above. (d) Niggardly.
D.U. LL.B., 2013 Ans. (a) NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (c)
29. Hypothesize 34. My first speech was a fiasco.
(a) Posit (a) success
(b) Conjecture (b) disaster
(c) Refute (c) fun
(d) Speculate. (d) joy.
D.U. LL.B., 2013 Ans. (c) NLU, Delhi/ 2012 Ans. (a)
30. Protean 35. Perennial
(a) Versatile (a) Frequent
(b) Amateur (b) Regular
(c) Dull (c) Lasting
(d) Cautious. (d) Rare.
NLU Delhi, 2013 Ans. (c) NLU, Delhi, 2012 Ans. (d)
 CHAPTER 67
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
ON ANTONYMS
1. Consanguine 8. Callous
(a) of different kind (a) careful
(b) invisible (b) matured
(c) urbane (c) inexperienced
(d) untenanted. (d) sympathetic.
2. Plethora 9. Felicitous
(a) scarcity (a) jealous
(b) prevention (b) inapt
(c) prejudice (c) demanding
(d) generosity. (d) inaccessible.
3. Comely 10. Cynosure
(a) spacious (a) abomination
(b) protected (b) picturesque
(c) huge (c) mundane
(d) serene. (d) fertile.
4. Inimical 11. Puerile
(a) exact (a) upright
(b) supportive (b) peripheral
(c) flexible (c) mature
(d) spineless. (d) steadfast.
5. Blithesome 12. Proclivity
(a) graceful (a) speed
(b) sullen (b) weakness
(c) adventurous (c) disgust
(d) mammoth. (d) disinclination.
6. Senile 13. Plebeian
(a) suspicious (a) dispassionate
(b) mentally alert (b) tolerant
(c) corrupt (c) elite
(d) affluent. (d) pliable.
7. Exiguous 14. Egress
(a) emergent (a) inlet
(b) lack of aggression
(b) surfeit
(c) hardworking (c) understandable
(d) extrovert. (d) calm.

890
 Multiple Choice Questions on Antonyms 891

15. Sporadic (c) scorn

(a) intentional (d) traitor.
(b) frightful Dastard
25.
(c) continuous (a) decadent
(d) typical. (b) coward
16. Copious (c) legitimate
(a) imitable (d) dauntless.
(b) unprecedented 26. Nullify
(c) shaky (a) impress
(d) shortage. (b) ratify
17. Mendacious (c) seclude
(d) astound.
(a) truthful
27. Plethora
(b) fully explained
(a) piety
(c) feeble
(b) paucity
(d) uncomplicated.
(c) chagrin
18. Parochial
(d) rude.
(a) open-minded
Judicious
(b) temporary
28. (a) rash
(c) irrelevant
(b) desirable
(d) disinclination.
(c) painful
19. Squander
(d) rude.
(a) whisper Homogeneous
(b) conserve 29. (a) tactful
(c) import (b) motley
(d) export. (c) incisive
20. Lucid (d) demonstrative.
(a) unintelligible Desultory
(b) morose 30. (a) random
(c) verbose (b) methodical
(d) prolix. (c) aimless
21. Rally (d) lacking.
(a) refute Laconic
(b) belittle 31. (a) bucolic
(c) forget (b) prolific
(d) disband. (c) profligate
22. Contamination (d) prolix.
Erudite
(a) purification
32. (a) unimaginative
(b) forgetfulness
(b) ignorant
(c) prejudice
(c) immature
(d) exonerate.
(d) professional.
23. Proximate
Venal
(a) distant (a) friendly
(b) near 33.
(b) intolerable
(c) non-transferable (c) principled
(d) insincere. (d) sober.
24. Fetter
(a) liberate
(b) imprison
892 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

34. Compendious (c) mobile

(a) profound (d) inebriate.
(b) inflated 44. Worthy
(c) simple (a) ugly
(d) enlarged. (b) undeserving
35. Equable (c) valuable
(a) temperamental (d) dishonourable.
(b) equitable 45. Lascivious
(c) equilibrium (a) manifest
(d) equivalence. (b) devout
36. Gifted (c) whip
(a) afforded (d) chaste.
(b) inept 46. Hapless
(c) strengthened (a) kind
(d) busted. (b) significant
37. Irritable (c) lucky
(a) cheerful (d) distinct.
(b) trouble 47. Integral
(c) irrefutable (a) unimportant
(d) grandiose. (b) independent
38. Summoned (c) essential
(a) met (d) major.
(b) dismissed 48. Audacity
(c) rejected (a) cowardice
(d) reached. (b) patricide
39. Progressive (c) bravado
(a) conservative (d) quivering.
(b) prolegomenon 49. Elevation
(c) proclamation (a) deflation
(d) proscriptive. (b) depreciation
40. Curtail (c) depression
(a) criticise (d) appreciation.
(b) renounce 50. Profane
(c) forbid (a) energy
(d) increase. 0?) pious
41. Abrogate (c) world
(a) enact (d) spurious.
0?) entice 51. Deficiency
(c) disinfect (a) deficit
(d) tarnish. (b) efficiency
42. Abet (c) abundance
(a) prevent (d) profit.
(b) solace 52. Nefarious
(c) risk (a) wicked
(d) pacify. (b) reprehensible
43. Sedate (c) pious
(a) excited (d) coherent.
(b) shy
 Multiple Choice Questions on Antonyms 893

53. Sacrosanct 57. Massive

(a) religious (a) Meager
(b) sanctimonious (b) Tiny
(c) sacramental (c) Dim
(d) unholy. (d) Inadequate.
54. Progressed 58. Ceased
(a) stopped (a) Released
(b) passed (b) Embarked
(c) failed (c) Started
(d) waited. (d) Ended.
55. Defendant 59. Untenable
(a) claimant (a) viable
(b) opposite party (b) unsound
(c) plaintiff (c) consistent
(d) clerk. (d) superior.
56. Inevitably 60. Empty
(a) Unexpectedly (a) full
(b) Silently (b) objective
(c) Unavoidably (c) meaningful
(d) Forcefully. (d) occupied.

(For Answers see next page)

 ANSWERS*
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON ANTONYMS
1. (a) 13. (c) 25. (d) 37. (a) 49. (c)
2. (a) 14. (a) 26.. (b) 38. (b) 50. (b)
3. (c) 15. (c) 27. (b) 39. (a) 51. (C)
4. (b) 16. (d) 28. (a) 40. (d) 52. (c)
5. (b) 17. (a) 29. (b) 41. (a) 53. (d)
6. (b) 18. (a) 30. (b) 42. (a) 54. (a)
7. (b) 19. (b) 31. (d) 43. (a) 55. (c)
8. (a) 20. (a) 32. (b) 44. (b) 56. (a)
9. (b) 21. (d) 33. (c) 45. (d) 57. (b)
10. (c) 22. (a) 34. (d) 46. (c) 58. (c)
11. (c) 23. (a) 35. (a) 47. (b) 59. (a)
12. (d) 24. (a) 36. (b) 48. (a) 60. (c)

* The answers are suggestive. Kindly verify from the basic documents, statutes, textbooks, or your mentors
case of doubts.

894
 CHAPTER 68
SPELLINGS (COMMON-ERROR WORDS)
"There must be no departure from the words of law."
—Sir Edward Coke
"A right which goes unrecognised by anybody is not worth very much."
—Simone Weil
This is a list of words which are particularly prone to achieve aching
being misspelt. The more you know, the better it will be for
you. Going through the list, you will learn something, even acknowledgement
if you are a fairly good speller. But if you are a mediocre, or
acme
a poor speller, then a mastery of this list could be a life-time
acoustics
investment.
Following is the list of few words which are commonly acquaint
misspelt. acquire
acquitted, acquitting (set free)
acreage
abac across
abacus address
abdicate adroit
abhorrence, abhorrent (loathing) abolishment adjacent
abominable (loathsome) administrator
aborigines admirable
abridgeable, abridgement (shorten) admissible
abscess (collection of pus) admitting
absence adolescent
abstained adorable
abstinence, abstinent (refrain) advantageous
abundance, abundant adversary
abysmal (bottomless) advertise, advertisement, advertiser, advertising
accede advisable, advise, adviser, advising
accelerate, accelerator adverse
acceptable aegis
accessible (within reach) aesthetics
accidentally affable (courteous)
acclaim (hail) affect
accommodate, accommodation affidavit
accomplish, accomplishment
aggravate
accordion
aggregate
accost (solicit)
aggressive
accoutre, accouter
aggrieved
accrue (increase)
agnate
accumulate
agree, agreeable, agreement
alibi

895
alienate
allege
allegiance (loyalty)
alleviate
allot, allotment, allotted, allotting
allude (make indirect reference to)
allure (entice)
already
although
amiable (friendly)
amicable
amnesty
among
amount
analysis, analyst, analytic, analyze
anarchist
ancestor
ancient
ancillary
annual
annulled, annulling, annulment anoint
anonymous
antecede, antecedence, antecedent
apocryphal (of doubtful authenticity)
apostasy (abandonment of religion)
appall (dismay)
apparatus
appearance
applicable
appreciable
apprehension
apprise
arguable, arguing, argument
arrangement
arrival
assassin, assassination
assess, assessment
assist, assistant
athlete, athletic
attach
attendance, attendant
attorney
audible
aviator
awful
awkward

B
bachelor balloon
 Spellings (Common-Error Words) 897

chastise, chastising (punish) cheerful contemptible

chief contractible
choose contributor
chord controlled
chose convalescent (recovering from sickness)
chow mein convertible
chrysanthemum convincible
cinnamon coolly
circumcise copyright
classifiable, classify correctable
codeine correlative
coercible corroborate, corrodible
coincidentally corruptible
collaborate council
collapsible counsel, counseled (advise)
collectible counterfeit (forged)
colossal (huge) courageous
combustible courtesy
coming coyly, coyness
commendable credible
commentary, commentator cried, crier, cries
commitment, committed committee criticism
communicable culpable (blameworthy)
comparable, comparative, comparison curvaceous
compatible
compelled D
competition debatable
complexion deceit, deceitful, deceive, deceiver, deceiving
comprehensible decisions, decisiveness
comprehension (understanding) defence, defencible
comprise (include) defendant
compromise deference, deferment
concede (grant) conceit, conceited deficient
conceive, conceived definite, definitely
concurred, concurrence, concurrent deign (condescend)
confectionery delay
conference delectable (delightful)
conferred delicate, delegate
confidence, confident demagogue (political agitator)
confusion demonstrable
connoisseur (person with good taste and judgment) denounce
conqueror dependable, dependence, dependent

conscience, conscientious deplorable (lamentable)

depositor
conscious
descendant
consensus
describable, describe, description
conspirator contagion, contagious
desiccated (dry)
desirable, desiring, desirous
despair
desperate
despicable (contemptible)
despise, despising
destroy
detectable
deterred, deterrence, deterrent
development
device, devicing (scheme)
dialect
dialysis
diaries
diatribe (bitter criticism)
dictionary
difference, different
diffidence, diffident
digestible
dilemma (choice between equally unwelcome
possibilities)
dilettante (lover of fine arts)
diminution
disadvantageous
disagree, disagreeable, disagreement
disappear
disappoint, disappointed
disapprove
discernible (perceive)
discipline
discriminate
disguise
dishevelled (unkempt; untidy)
dismissible
dispelling
dispensable
dissatisfy, dissatisfied
dissertation
dissimilar
dissipate, dissipation
distill
distributor
divide, divisible
domicile
drunkenness
drying, dryly, dryness
duly
dumbfound (non-plus; confound)
dungeon (subterranean cell for prisoners)
durable
dysentery

E
echoes
ecstasy (exalted state of feeling)
 Spellings (Common-Error Words) 899

expansible expelled, expelling gestation

expendable expense explicable guilty
expressible expungeable extraordinary glamorous
exuberant (lavish) glamour
F fabricator gneiss
Fahrenheit fallacy favourite feasible gorgeous
(practicable) February feign (pretend) gossiper
fiance, fiancee fiat, feat fiduciary field government
fierce fiery financier flagellate, grammar
flagellation, flagellating flexible flies, grateful
flying focusing foray forcible foreign, grayer
foreigner forensic foreword (preface) grief, grieve, grievous
forfeit formidable fortunately forty guarantee
forward fourteen franchise freight friend,
gullible
friendly, friendship frolicked, frolicker,
frolicking, frolicsome (merry-making) H
fulfil, fulfilled haemorrhage
handkerchief
G gaiety,
harass, harassment
gaily gauge genealogy
hare-brained
hatable
hazard
hearsay (gossip)
height
heinous
heresy (opinion contrary to accepted belief)
heroes
heterogeneous
hierarchy
hippopotamus
holiday
honorary
hoping
horrible
hospitable
humorous
hygiene
hypocrisy

I
identify
idiosyncrasy
illiterate
immaculate
immediately
immensely
imitate
immunize
impatient impeach
900 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

impeccable (faultless) insatiable (that cannot be satisfied)

impenetrable inscrutable
impetus inseparable insistence, insistent install
implacable (not appeasable) instalment
impostor (swindler) instill
impracticable insuperable
impregnable intangible (that cannot be touched)
impressible intelligible (that can be understood)
improvise, improvising intercede
inadmissible interchangeable interested
inadvertence, inadvertent (unintentional) intermittence, intermittent inveigh (speak
inaudible violently) inveigle (entice; tempt) inventor
incense (make angry) inventory investigator investor
incidentally invincible (unconquerable)
incise inviolable (not to be violated) irascible (hot-
incompatible tempered)
incomprehensible iridescent (showing rainbow like colours)
inconceivable irrefutable
incorrigible (incurably bad) irrelevant
incredible (unbelievable) irreligion, irreligious irreparable
incurring irresistible irrevocable
indefatigable (unwearying) irritable isobathe, isobath
indelible (permanent)
independence J
indescribable jabber jazz jeopardy jewel, jeweller,
indestructible jewellery judgement, judgment jurassic
indicator jury justifiable
indispensable (necessary)
indomitable (unyielding)
K
kernel
inducible
keys khaki
inedible
kibitzer
ineffable (unutterable)
kidnap, kidnapped, kidnapper, kidnapping
inefficient
knoll
ineligible
inequitable (unfair; unjust) knowledge
ineradicable
inevitable (unavoidable)
inexorable (relentless)
infallible (incapable of erring)
inference (deduction)
inflammable
inflexible
inhabitable
inheritor
inimitable (that which cannot be imitated)
innocuous (harmless)
innuendo, innuendoes
innumerable
inoculate
inoperable
 L
ladies
laid
languor (soft or tender mood)
lascivious (lustful)
lazy, lazier, laziest, lazily, laziness
learner
legible
legitimate
leisure
liaison (connection; illicit sexual relationship) libel,
libeler, libeling (false defamatory statement) libretti
license
licentious (immoral in sexual relationship)
lieutenant
likable
liquefaction, liquefied, liquefy, liquefying
liquor
livable
livelier, liveliest
loath (disinclined)
loathe (regard with disgust)
lodgement
loneliness, lonely
lovable
luscious (voluptuously attractive)

M
macabre (grim)
magnificent
maintain, maintenance
ma la fide
manageable
maneuver
manifesto (public declaration of policy)
manufacture
marquee
marriageable
marvellous (astonishing; extraordinary) massacre
(general slaughter) mathematics
measurement
medicine
merchandise
merely
merited
metallic
mezzanine
millennium
millionaire
902 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

omniscience, omniscient opportunity plausible (seemingly true)

oppress, oppression played
opulence, opulent (wealthy) playwright
orator pleasurable
organize plebeian (of common people)
politicking (engaged in political activity)
orifice
porous
oscillate, oscillation, oscillating ostensible (on
portable
appearance) outrageous possess, possession
possible
potatoes
practice, practiced
P prayer
panicked, panicking, panicky precede, preceding, predecessor
paradigm predictable
paraffin prefer, preference, preferred
parallel pregnable
paralysis, paralytic, paralyze prejudice, prejudiced, prejudicial (a judgment or opinion
pardonable formed beforehand or without due examination)
paring premise (a proposition assumed for after-reasoning)
parliament preparation
prepossessing (to pre-occupy)
particularly
prescience, prescient (fore-knowledge; foresight)
passable
prescription
pastime presentable
patient presume, presumable, presumptuous (to take as true
patrolling without proof)
peaceable presumption
pedagogue pretense (false show)
pediatrics prevaricate (to deviate)
penitence, penitent (repentant) priest
perceivable, perceive principal-principle
perfectible prisoner
perishable privilege (an advantage enjoyed)
permissible prize, prise
procedure (a mode of preceding)
perseverance
proceed
persistence, persistent (to continue steadfastly)
procrastinate (to defer)
personable producible
perspiration profession
pervert (sexual) professor
petulance, petulant (showing peevish impatience; proficient (well-skilled)
irritation) profitable, profited, profiteer
phenomenal, phenomenon prognosis (a forecast)
Philippines prohibited (forbidden)
picnic, picnicked, picnicker, picnicking prominent
pidgin (any combination and distortion of two pronounceable, pronunciation
languages as a means of communication) prophecies, prophecy (a prediction)
piece prophesied, prophesy, prophesying (to utter prophecies)
pier
pigeon
plaintiff (one who commences a suit against another)
planning
 Spellings (Common-Error Words) 903

protector ridiculous (absurd)

protein risible (inclined to laugh) riveted, riveter
protuberant (bulging out) runner
provable
S
provincial
sabbath (among the Jews, Saturday, set apart for rest
psychoanalysis, psychoanalyst, psychoanalytic, from work)
psychoanalyze sacrilege, sacrilegious (profanation of anything holy)
publicly salable
purify salvageable (save)
pursue, pursuit sapphire
putative satellite
putrefaction, putrefied, putrefy, putrefying (decay) sceptic, sceptical, scepticism (doubtful)
scintillate, scintillation, scintillating (sparkling)
Q secede (to withdraw from)
questionnaire, questioner secondary
queue secretary
quizzed, quizzes, quizzing sedate, cedate
quotient (the number of times one quantity is contained seducible (allure)
in another) seismic (liability to earthquakes)
R seize, seizure (to take possession of)
rampage, rampageous (to storm; rush wildly) seller
rarefaction, rarefied, rarefy, rarefying (to make less sensible, sensitive
dense) sentence
rarely separable, separate
really sergeant
recede serviceable
receipt, receive, receiver, receiving severity
recognise sheikh
recommend, recommended shellacked, shellacking (having a shell)
reconnaissance (a preliminary survey) sheriff
recurrent, recurrence shield (guard)
reducible shriek
refer, reference, referred shyly, shyness
regretted, regretting siege (beleaguer)
reign (rule) sieve
relevance, relevant signalled
reliable simplified
relief, relieve sincerely
religion, religious sinecure (an office without work)
reparable (capable of being mended) sizable
repellent skies
repentance, repentant
skill, skilful
repetition
sleight (dexterity)
replaceable
smooth
reprehensible (blameworthy)
sobbed
repressible (restrain)
sociable (fond of others' company)
resistance, resistant, resistible
responsible soldier (military man)
resuscitate (to bring back to life) sophomore (a second year student)
reversible sovereign, sovereignty (supreme and independent
revise, revising power)
rhapsody (an ecstatic utterance of feeling) spaghetti
rhinoceros spectator
rhythm speculator
904 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

spongy trafficked, trafficker

spryly, spryness tragedy
staccato (with each note separate) tranquillity (calm)
stationary (still), stationery (writing material) traumatic
steadily transmissible
stiletto (a dagger with a narrow blade) travelled
stimulus (anything that arouses action) travesty (ridiculously inadequate representation)
stony trespass, trespasser (to enter unlawfully upon another'
stopping land)
strait-jacket (anything which restricts the freedom of tried
movement) trueness
strength truly
stubborn, stubbornness (obstinate) tryst
stupefaction, stupefied, stupefy, stupefying (stun) Tuesday
subsistence (providing bare necessities of living) twelfth
succeed tyrannical, tyrannize, tyranny (oppression)
succumb
suddenness u
sufferer umbrageous (shady) unanimous
sufficient unconscionable (unscrupulous)
superintendence, superintendent unconscious (unaware)
supersede (override) unconvincingly
supervise, supervising, supervisor undiscernible
support undoubtedly
suppose unfriendly
suppress, suppressible universal
surfeit (overfulness) unmistakable, unmistakably
surmise (conjecture) unnavigable
surprise, surprising (take unaware) unnecessary
survivor unparalleled
susceptible (prone; impressionable) unrepentant
suspense (tense uncertainty) unresistant
sustenance (maintenance) unskilful
swimmer until
sycophant (servile flatterer) uranium
synagogue usable, using utopianism
synonymous (having the same meaning)
V
T vacillate, vacillation, vacillating
tangible (capable of being touched) tariff vacuous
temperament vacuum
temporary valleys, valuable (having worth)
tendency vanilla
terrible variable (changeable)
thief veil (a covering)
threshold (place of entering) vein
titillate, titillation, titillating (to stimulate gently) tobacco venture
tolerable veto, vetoes (an authoritative prohibition)
tomatoes vicarious
tonsillitis vice versa
torpedo (to wreck) vicious
traceable victuals
tractable vigilance
 Spellings (Common-Error Words) 905

vigour, vigorous (vital force) vilify (to disparage) villain

(evil-doer) xavier xenophobia xerography x-ray xylem
vinegar
vis-a-vis
viscera (abdominal organs)
visible
visitor
volatile Y
vulnerable (open to successful attack) yahoo
yarn, yearn
W yeoman (as in 'yeoman service' which means powerful
walloped aid)
walnut yield
wanton yoke, yok
way, wax youthful
weary, wearied, weariness (tiresome; tedious)
Wednesday z
weigh, weight zamindar
weir zeal
weird (peculiar; odd) zebra
welcome zenith
welfare zenner, zener
wholly (completely) wield (control; manage) wilful zincky (looking like zinc) zip-zipp
(done intentionally) wintry zodiac
witchcraft, wicheraft withhold (to keep back) woollen, zombie
woolly worry, worrying zone
worship, worshipper, worshipping writer zoom
wryly, wryness (twisted) Zoroastrianism
zymnasium zymology zythum
 CHAPTER 69

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

ON SPELLINGS
[FROM CLAT, NLU DELHI AND D.U. LL.B. EXAMS]
Choose the correct spellings in options given below. 8. (a) Gratetious
1. (a) Renumaration (b) Gratuitus
(b) Remunaration (c) Gratuitous
(c) Remuneration (d) Gratitious.
(d) Renumeration. CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c) 9. (a) Moretorium
2. (a) Gallows (b) Moratorium
(b) Gllows (c) Moratarium
(c) Gellows (d) Maratorium.
(d) Ghallows. CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a)
10. (a) Abeyence
3. (a) Blashphemy (b) Abhayence
(b) Blasphemy (c) Abheyance
(c) Blasphamy (d) Abeyance.
(d) Bleshphemy. CLAT, 2017 Ans. (d)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b) 11. (a) deceeve
4. (a) Accomedation (b) decieve
(b) Accomadation (c) diecieve
(c) Accommedation (d) deceive.
(d) Accommodation. CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (d) 12. (a) collaborat
5. (a) Hypothecation (b) colaborate
(b) Hyphothecation (c) collaborate
(c) Hypthacation (d) collaborate.
(d) Hypathecation. CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a) 13. (a) sacrilegious
6. (a) Anulment (b) saereligious
(b) Annulmant (c) sacrilegiuos
(c) Annulment (d) sacribegous.
(d) Annulement. CLAT, 2016 Ans. (a)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
14. (a) berrister
7. (a) Interrogation (b) berister
(b) Interagation (c) barisster
(c) Interogation (d) barrister
(d) Interogetion. CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a)
906
 Previous Years Questions on Spellings 907

15. (a) integrity (c) entrepenur

(b) intigerity
(d) enteruepeur.
(c) integerety
(d) integerity. CLAT, 2013 Ans. (b)
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (a 23. (a) onomaetopoeia
16. Which of the following spellings is correct? (b) onomoatopoeia
(a) Concensus (c) onomatopoeia
(b) Consencus (d) onomatapoeia.
(c) Consenssus CLAT, 2013
(d) Consensus Ans. (c)
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (d) 24. (a) hemorhage
17. Which of the following spellings is correct? (b) haemorhhage
(a) Procede (c) haemorrhage
(b) Proceed (d) hemoorhage.
(c) Proceede CLAT, 2013 Ans. (c)
(d) Proced
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (b) 25. (a) dylexsia
(b) dyslexia
18. Which of the following spellings is correct?
(a) Accommodate (c) dislexia
(b) Acommodate (d) disleesia.
(c) Accomodate CLAT, 2013 Ans. (b)
(d) Acomodate
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (a) 26. (a) Benidiction
(b) Solicitude
19. Which of the following spellings is correct 'for a page (c) Psycophancy
at the beginning of a book?
(a) Foreward (d) Intution.
(b) Forword D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (b)
(c) Forworde 27. (a) Amiable
(d) Foreword
(b) Aly
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (d)
(c) Alow
20. Which of the following spellings is correct? (d) Alot.
(a) Arguement
D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (a)
(b) Argument
(c) Arguemant 28. (a) Bonny
(d) Arguemint (b) Boaste
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (b)
(c) Bounc
21. (a) paraphernalia
(b) paraphrenalia (d) Bridl.
(c) parapherenalia D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (a)
(d) paraphrennalia. 29. (a) Outwit
CLAT, 2013 Ans. (a)
(b) Outskarts
22. (a) enterprenuep
(b) entrepreneur (c) Overcaste
(d) Overhal.
D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (a)

30. (a) Haggard

(b) Hagle
(c) Halmark
(d) Hampar. D.U. LL.B, 2012 Ans. (a)
 CHAPTER 70
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON WRONGLY
SPELT WORDS OR INAPPROPRIATE WORDS
Directions (Qs. 1-60): In each question below, 18. (a) offence
two words which are numbered (a) and (b) have been (b) offense
printed, one of which may be wrongly spelt. The 19. (a) acommodate
number of that word is the answer. Find the wrongly (b) accommodate
spelt word. 20. (a) truely
1. (a) aberant (b) truly
(b) aberrant 21. (a) ecstacy
2. (a) indispensible (b) ecstasy
(b) indispensable 22. (a) Philippines
3. (a) arguement (b) Phillipines
(b) argument 23. (a) inadvertant
4. (a) abett (b) inadvertent
(b) abet 24. (a) villian
(b) villain
5. (a) coolly
25. (a) newstand
(b) cooly
(b) newsstand
6. (a) occurrance 26. (a) privilidge
(b) occurrence (b) privilege
7. (a) alright 27. (a) embarassment
(b) all right (b) embarrassment
8. (a) sieze 28. (a) Proffesor
(b) seize (b) Professor
9. (a) heros 29. (a) quizzed
(b) heroes (b) quized
10. (a) mathematics 30. (a) vaccum
(b) mathamatics (b) vacuum
11. (a) occassional 31. (a) inoculate
(b) occasional (b) innoculate
12. (a) kidnapped 32. (a) definitely
(b) definately
(b) kidnaped
33. (a) incidentally
13. (a) Lawyar
(b) incidently
(b) Lawyer
34. (a) discriminate
14. (a) canceled (b) descriminate
(b) cancelled 35. (a) balloon
15. (a) niece (b) baloon
(b) neice 36. (a) grammar
16. (a) dictionery (b) grammer
(b) dictionary
17. (a) threshold
(b) threshhold
908
 Multiple Choice Questions on Wrongly Spelt Words or Inappropriate Words 909

37. (a) parallel 61. (a) vacum

(b) paralell (b) manoeuvre
38. (a) suddenness (c) reluctent
(b) suddeness (d) burocracy.
39. (a) noticeable 62. (a) diffidence
(b) noticable (b) rabit
40. (a) insistent
(c) rinty
(b) insistant
(d) avenu.
41. (a) coroborate
63. (a) perepheral
(b) corroborate
42. (a) irresistable (b) peripheral
(b) irresistible (c) perepherel
43. (a) tyrannise (d) periphiral.
(b) tyrannize 64. (a) ceremonial
44. (a) liesure (b) ceremoneal
(b) leisure (c) ceremonal
45. (a) holliday (d) ceromonial.
(b) holiday 65. (a) feasibale
46. (a) passtime (b) feasible
(b) pastime (c) fascieble
47. (a) comittee (d) feaseble.
(b) committee 66. (a) erroniously
48. (a) greivous
(b) erroneusly
(b) grievous
(c) erronoeously
49. (a) tarrif
(d) erroniosly.
(b) tariff
50. (a) complainant 67. (a) agrement
(b) complenant (b) aggrement
51. (a) confes (c) agreement
(b) confess (d) agremint.
52. (a) deceased 68. (a) Gregarious
(b) deseased (b) Gragerious
53. (a) inquiry (c) Gragarious
(b) inqiry (d) Grigareous.
54. (a) terorism 69. (a) Etiquete
(b) terrorism (b) Ettiquete
55. (a) warant (c) Etiquette
(b) warrant (d) Ettiquette
56. (a) relevent 70. (a) Diarhoea
(b) relevant (b) Diarheoa
57. (a) wierd (c) Diarrheoa
(b) weird (d) Diarrhoea
58. (a) flagrent
71. (a) Embarrassment
(b) flagrant
59. (a) begining (b) Embarassment
(b) beginning (c) Embarrasment
60. (a) vociferrate (d) Emberressment
(b) vociferate Directions (Qs. 72-96): In each question below,
Directions (Qs. 61-71): In each question below, four four words which are numbered (a), (b), (c) and (d)
words which are numbered (a), (b), (c) and (d) have been have been printed, one of which may be wrongly
printed, one of which is correctly spelt. The number of spelt. The number of that word is answer. Find the
that word is answer. Find the correctly spelt word. wrongly spelt word.
72. (a) Pionear
(b) Neighbour
910 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

(c) Harmony (c) Performence

(d) Propriety. (d) Incidentally.
73. (a) Instantly 85. (a) Futility
(b) Comfortable (b) Seperation
(c) Enforcement (c) Embarrassment
(d) Wisedom. (d) Positively.
74. (a) Enhance 86. (a) Turnament
(b) Assumption (b) Enhancement
(c) Vehical (c) Amazingly
(d) Prisoner. (d) Continuation.
75. (a) Noteworthy 87. (a) Barricade
(b) Pecular (b) Checkmate
(c) Priority (c) Equilibrium
(d) Triangular. (d) Accesible.
76. (a) Viollence 88. (a) Providential
(b) Heredity (b) Sattelite
(c) Conclusion (c) Precedence
(d) Engagement. (d) Sweetmeat.
77. (a) Launch 89. (a) Cacophony
(b) Exacerbate
(b) Kitchen
(c) Particuler
(c) Remember
(d) Flammable.
(d) Agressive.
90. (a) Intervention
78. (a) Unforgettable
(b) Ludicrous
(b) Mercilessly
(c) Brutality (c) Nymphomaniac
(d) Passimism.
(d) Unscruplous.
91. (a) Planatarium
79. (a) Opposite
(b) Ridiculous
(b) Suddenly
(c) Severance
(c) Brodcast
(d) Traverse.
(d) Knowledge
(e) Loudspeaker. 92. (a) Frequently
80. (a) Direction (b) Orientation
(b) Behaviour (c) Aspiretion
(c) Destructive (d) Consequence.
(d) Advantege. 93. (a) Effective
81. (a) Surroundings (b) Information
(c) Considerable
(b) Requirement
(d) Fluied.
(c) Composition
(d) Magnatism. 94. (a) Performence
82. (a) Adventure (b) Flexible
(b) Demonstration (c) Evaluation
(d) Behaviour.
(c) Environment
(d) Innosent. 95. (a) Particular
(b) Independent
83. (a) Immitation
(c) Receive
(b) Dependable
(d) Speculete.
(c) Miniature
(d) Qualitative. 96. (a) Education
84. (a) Lucrative (b) Essential
(b) Ancestral (c) Acquier
(d) Register.

(For Answers see next page)

 ANSWERS*
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON WRONGLY
SPELT WORD OR INAPPROPRIATE WORDS
1. (a) 21. (a) 40. (b) 59. (a) 78. (d)
2. (a) 22. (b) 41. (a) 60. (a) 79. (c)
3. (b) 23. (a) 42. (a) 61. (b) 80. (d)
4. (a) 24. (a) 43. (a) 62. (a) 81. (d)
5. (b) 25. (a) 44. (a) 63. (b) 82. (d)
6. (a) 26. (a) 45. (a) 64. (a) 83. (a)
7. (b) 27. (a) 46. (a) 65. (b) 84. (c)
8. (a) 28. (a) 47. (a) 66. (c) 85. (b)
9. (a) 29. (b) 48. (a) 67. (c) 86. (a)
10. (b) 30. (a) 49. (a) 68. (a) 87. (d)
11. (a) 31. (b) 50. (b) 69. (c) 88. (b)
12. (b) 32. (b) 51. (a) 70. (d) 89. (c)
13. (a) 33. (b) 52. (b) 71. (a) 90. (d)
14. (a) 34. (b) 53. (b) 72. (a) 91. (a)
15. (b) 35. (b) 54. (a) 73. (d) 92. (c)
16. (a) 36. (b) 55. (a) 74. (c) 93. (d)
17. (b) 37. (b) 56. (a) 75. (b) 94. (a)
18. (b) 38. (b) 57. (a) 76. (a) 95. (d)
19. (a) 39. (b) 58. (a) 77. (d) 96. (c)
20. (a)

* The answers are suggestive. Kindly verify from the basic documents, statutes, textbooks, or your
mentors in case of doubts.
911
 CHAPTER 71

WORDS AND PHRASES OF

FOREIGN ORIGIN
"The Globe is not yet divided, hence the law has its universal link to
vibrate all the species upon it."
—Hidden Agenda
"Sometimes it is seemed that the law exceeds
its geographical boundaries."
—Anonymous

A Ad nauseam - To a disgusting extent.

A List - A list of share-holders at the time of winding up Ad quern - To whom.
of company. Ad referendum - For further consideration.
A coelo usque centrum - From the heavens to the centre Ad rem - To the point.
of earth. Ad valorem - According to the value; value added price.
A contrario sensue - In the opposite sense. Ad vindictam publicam - For the maintenance and
A fortiori - With stronger reason. defence of the public interest.
A jure suo cadunt - They fall from their right. Addenda - List of additions.
A pari - Equally, in like manner. Adversus - Against.
A posteriori - From the effect to the cause. Aequitas - Equity.
A priori - From the cause to the effect. Aequitas est aequalitas - Equity is equality.
Ab agendo - Unable to act. Affinitas - Relationship by marriage.
Ab antiquo - From olden times. Alia - Other things.
Ab initio - From the very beginning. [CLAT 2009] Alias - Otherwise called.
Ab invito - By or from an unwilling party. Alibi - Elsewhere the accused's contention of his not
Acta publica - Things of general knowledge and Concern. having committed the crime, of which he is
Actio - An action. suspected, usually by proving that he could not
Actio in personam - A personal action seeking redress have committed it. [CLAT 2009]
against a particular individual. Alieni juris - Dependent upon the power of another, j
Actio in rem - An action for the recovery of the every Alienus - Belonging to another.
thing. Allegatio falsi - The Statement of what is untrue.
Actus animi - An act of the mind; intention. Ambiguitas latens - Latent ambiguity; not apparent on
Actus rea - Physical involvement in crime. the face of the deed.
Actus reus - The physical acts involving or constituting Ambiguitas - Ambiguity; doubtful.
occurrence of crime. Ambiguitas patens - Patent ambiguity.
Ad arbitrium - At will.
Amicus curiae - Literally 'friend of court'. The name is
Ad curiam - At a Court.
given to a lawyer appointed by a court to represent
Ad hoc - For a particular purpose.
a poor litigant.
Ad idem - Of the same mind; agreed.
Amicus humani generis - A friend to the human race; a
Ad infinitum - For ever.
philanthropist.
Ad interim - In the meantime, meanwhile.
Animo - With the intention.
Ad Largum - At large; used in the following and other
Animo furandi - With an intention of stealing.
expressions : title at large, common at large, assize at
Animus - Mind; design; will; Intention.
large, verdict at large, to vouch at large.

912
 Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 913

Animus attestandi - The intention of attesting. Causa causae causantis - A proximate but not an
Animus deserendi - The intention of deserting. immediate cause.
Animus domini - The intention of possession and Causa causans - The immediate cause, the last link in the
ownership by entry or user. chain of causation.
Ante - Before. Causa celebre - A celebrated case.
Ante natul - Pertaining to conditions previous to birth. Causa Patet - The reason is obvious.
Ante nuptial - Occurring before marriage. Causa sine qua non - Factors essential to the occurring of
Asyla - Place of refugees. event.
Au fait - Conversant with. Caveat - An order which says "let him beware". Warning.
Audi alteram partem - Hear the other side. Caveat emptor - Let the buyer beware.
Autrefois - A person cannot be tried for the same offence Caveat venditor - Let the seller beware.
twice. Caveat viator - Let the traveller beware.
Autrefois acquit - Formerly acquitted. Censure - A reprimand from a superior.
Autrefois convict - Formerly convicted. Certiorari - An order of a higher court which quashes the
Avizandum - To be looked into or considered. decision of a lower court because it is based on
Avulsio - Violent separation of property. irregular legal procedure.
B Civiliter mortuus - Civilly dead; dead to civil rights.
B List - List of persons who have ceased to be shareholders Collegium - A Corporate body.
of a winding company. Commune forum - The common forum.
Bellum - Hostile meeting between two persons. Compensatio injuriarum - The compensation of wrongs.
Bene - Legally; in proper form. Compos mentis - Of sound mind.
Beneficium Competentiae - The benefit of a competence. Consensus ad idem - Agreement as to the same thing.
Bona - Goods; property possessions. Consensus facit jus - Consent makes law.
Bona confiscata - Goods Confiscated by sovereign Consortium vitae - Cohabitation.
authority. Contea bonos mores - Against good morals.
Bona fide - In good faith, honestly. [CLAT 2008] Contra libertatem matrimonii - Against freedom of
Bona gestura - Good behaviour. marriage.
Bona gratia - Out of goodwill; voluntarily. Contra pacem - Against the peace.
Bona immobilia - Immovable property; lands. Coram - In the presence of.
Bona mobilia - Movable effects and goods. Coram non judice - Before one who is not a competent
Bona peritura - Perishable goods. judge.
Bona Vacantia - Goods that do not have an owner. Corpus delicti - The substance of the crime.
Generally they go to the finder. Coup d'etat - Violent or illegal change.
Bonorum possessor - Possessor of goods. Coup d'grace - Finishing stroke.
Brevitatis causa - For the sake of brevity. Crimina Extraordinaria -Extraordinary crimes.
Brevi manu - Without legal warrant Culpa - Wrongful default.
Cum effectu - With effect.
c Cum omni causa - With every profit and advantage.
Cadit quaestio - The dispute falls to ground. Cum suo onere - With its burden.
Caeteris paribus - Other things being equal. Curator - A custodian; a keeper.
Capax doli - Capable of wrong doing; able to commit Cursus - Course or procedure or practice of court.
fraud.
Carte blanche - Full discretionary power. [CLAT 2012] D
Carte fide - In good faith; honestly. Damnosa - Injurious.
Casus incogitati - Circumstances unthought of. Damnum - Loss; damage.
Casus omissus - A matter which should have been, but Damnum absque injuria - Damage inflicted without legal
has not been, provided for in a statute or in statutory wrong.
rules. Damnum infectum - Damage not yet occasioned, but
apprehended.
914 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Damnum injuria datum - Damage or injury culpably E

inflicted. E contra - On the contrary.
De causa in causam - From one cause to another. E converse - Conversely.
De die in diem - From day to day; daily. Edict - A statute; an ordinance or command.
De dolo malo - Concerning fraud. Ejusdem generis - Of the same kind or nature; the rule
De facto - By means of fact. that where particular words are followed by general
De hors - Outside the scope of. words, the general words are limited to the same
De jure - By virtue of law. [CLAT 2008, 2012] kind as the particular words.
De jure Communi - According to the provision of the Ejusdem negotii - Of the same transaction.
common law. Emeritus - Retired after long service.
De novo - Anew. Emptor - A buyer or purchaser.
De rigore juris - By strict law. En bloc - All at the same time.
De verbo in verbum - Word for word. En masse - In a body.
Debitum - A debt. En route - On the way.
Debitum reale - A real debt; a debt affecting lands, as Enixa voluntas - Anxious wish; earnest desire.
opposed to that which is merely a personal Eo ipso - By the thing itself.
obligation. Eo nomine - By that very name.
Decree nisi - A conditional decree, not absolute. Erratum - Error.
Defectus - Defect; default. Error calculi - A mistake or error in the calculation.
Defunctus - Dead. Esprit de corps - Regard for honour of body one belongs
Dei gratia - By God's grace. to.
Delegatio - Delegation. Et cetera (etc.) - And so forth; and so on.
Deo volente - If nothing prevents. Ex animo - Willingly; intentionally.
Dies - A day. Ex auditu - From hearsay.
Dies juridicus - Days for legal purposes or judicial Ex bono et aequo - According to what is right and just.
proceedings. Ex certa scientia - From certain knowledge.
Dies legitimus - A lawful day. Ex comitate - By courtesy.
Dies non juridicus - A non-juridical day. Ex contractu - Arising out of contract.
Doli capax - Capable of crime. Ex curia - Out of court.
Doli incapax - Incapable of crime. Ex debito justitiae - On account of justice.
Dolo Circumventus - Overreached/concluded by fraud. Ex debito justitive - Prayer is grantable.
Dolus - Fraud; deceit. Ex debito naturali - Arising from natural obligation.
Dominium - Right of absolute ownership. Ex delicto - Arising out of wrong.
Donatio - A gift. Ex done - As a gift.
Donatio mortis causa - A donation made in the view of, Ex facie - In the light of what is apparent.
and to take effect after, the donor's death. Ex gratia - Payment made as a favour, without any legal
Donatio velata - A veiled gift. obligation.
Droit administrative - It is an ordinance or process where Ex officio - Formerly holding of office.
law courts are deprived of their jurisdiction in Ex parte - An order granted after hearing one party only
administrative matters and council determines the in the absence of another party.
administrative matters. Ex post facto - Acting retrospectively, by a subsequent
Droit Civils - Civil or private rights. act; retrospectively.
Dubii Juris - Of doubtful law; an unsettled point. Ex propositio - Intentionally; of design.
Durante - During. Ex quasi contractu - Arising as if from a contract.
Durante absentia - During absence. Ex re - Arising out of the transaction or the circumstances.
Durante bene placito - During good pleasure. Ex tempore - Without preparation; by lapse of time.
Durante furore - While the insanity endures. Exempli gratia (e.g.) - For examp
Durante vita - During life. Exilium - Exile.
Durior - Indefinite period. Expressio falsi - A false state *r er:
 Words.and Phrases of Foreign Origin 915

Exterus - A foreigner or alien; one born abroad. The Genus - A general class or division comprising several
opposite of civis. species.
Extra commercium - Beyond commerce, e.g., rivers. Germanus - A brother; descended of the same stock.
Extra jus - Beyond the law. Gestis pro haerede - Behaviour as heir.
Extra legem - Out of the law's protection. Glossa - An explanation or interpretation.
Extra territorium judicis - Beyond the territorial Gradus - A degree of relationship.
jurisdiction of the judge. Gratis - Free; without reward.
Extra vires - Beyond powers. Gratis dictum - Mere assertion.
Extrimis probatis - Extremely presumed.
H
F Habeas corpus - A court order which requires a person
Faciendo de jure - Bound by law. who has been illegally detained beyond 24 hours to
Factio testamenti -The power of making a testament.
be produced before the Court.
Factum - An act or deed.
Habili modo - In the manner competent.
Factum imprestabile - An act that can not be performed;
Haeredes - Heirs.
an impossibility.
Haereditas - An inheritance; succession.
Factum probantia - Facts which are given in evidence to
Haereditas ab intestato - Succession from an intestate.
prove other facts in issue.
Haeres fiduciarius - An heir in trust; a trustee.
Fait accompli - A thing already done.
Falsa demonstratio - Erroneous description of a person or Hoc loco - In this place.
thing. Hoc nomine - In this name.
Faux pas - Tactless mistake. Hoc ordine - In this order.
Feme sole - .An unmarried woman. Homicidium in rixa - Manslaughter committed in a
Ferae naturae - Of a wild nature. quarrel.
Fiat - Let it be done. Honeste vivere - To live honourably, or morally.
Fiat ut petitur - Let it be done or prayed for. Honoris causa - As mark of esteem.
Fictio - A fiction. Hospiticide - The killing of a guest or host.
Fictio juris - A fiction of law. Hotch-potch - A mixture of property in order to secure an
Fit occupantis - It becomes the property of the person equable division amongst children.
who first appropriates or takes possession.
Flagrante delicto - In the commission of the offence. I
Foeticide - The killing of a foetus. Ibi idem (ibid) - In the same place, book or page.
Force majeure - Irresistible compulsion; beyond one's Ignorantia facti - Ignorance of a fact.
control. Ignorantia juris - Ignorance of the law.
Fortis - Strong and sound. Illicitum collegium - An unlawful corporation or
Forum - A place of jurisdiction; a court of justice. company.
Forum competens - A competent court. Impromptu - Readily.
Forum non competens - An incompetent court. In arbitrium judicis - In the discretion or pleasure of the
Forum sequitor reum - The Court follows the defendant. judge.
Fraus legis - A fraud upon law. In autre droit - In another's right, i.e., in a representative
Frustra - Without effect; in vain; uselessly. capacity.
Functus officio - Having discharged his duty. In causa - In the cause or process.
Furandi animus - The intention of stealing. In curia - In open court.
Furtum - Theft. In custodia legis - In the custody of the law.
Furtram Furore punitor - Insane is punished for his In extenso - At full length.
insane deeds only. In facto proprio - Concerning a persons's own act.
In forma delicti - In the form or character of a delict.
G In forma pauperis - In the character of a pauper.
Gardia - Custody. In futuro - In the future.
Generalia non derogant - General statement do not In hoc statu - In this position; in the present state of
derogate special statement. matters.
In jure - In law; in right.
916 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

In jure proprio - In one's own right. Ipse dixit - He said it himself, i.e., there is no other
In lieu of - In place of. authority for it. His mere word.
In limine - On the threshold. Ipso facto - By reason of that fact.
In limine judicii - At the outset of the suit. Ipso jure - By the law itself; by the mere operation of law.
In loco parentis - In the place of a parent. Is qui omnino desipite - Man of void of reason.
In memoriam - In memory of. Iter - Importing a right of way.
In mora - In delay; in default.
In pais - In the country. J
In pari causa - In a similar case. Jactus lafilli - Mode of civil law for interpreting
In pari delicto - Where both parties are equally in fault. prescription.
In pari materia - Where two enactments have a common Judicia summaria - Actions entitled to summary
purpose in an analogous case. discussion and decision.
In pari passu - On equal footing. Jura fixa - Immovable/heritable right.
In pendente - In suspense. Jure officii - By right of office.
In personam - An act, proceeding or right done or directed Juris privati - Of private right.
against or with reference to a specific person, as Juris publici - Of public right.
opposed to in rem. Jurisprudentia - Jurisprudence; a knowledge of the law.
In propria persona - In one's own person or behalf.
Jus - It means law; right.
In public vindictam - For vindicating public right, or
Jus actionis - A right of action.
public justice.
Jus ad - The right to a subject; a personal right.
In publica custodia - In the public custody.
Jus civile - The civil law.
In re - In the matter of.
In re aliena - In another's affair or property. jus gentium - The law of nations; International law.
In re propria - In one's own business or affairs. Jus in re - A right in a thing; a real right.
Jus naturale - The law that nature has taught all living
In rem - An act, proceeding or right available against the things (Justinian); the law continued by right reason,
world at large, as opposed to in personam. common to nature and to man; the principles
In rigore juris - According to strict law. deducible from the jus gentium (Roman law) (The
In situ - In its original situation. law of nature).
In suo - In reference to one's own affairs. Jus representationis - The right of representation.
In toto - Wholly. Jus sibi dicere - To take the law into one's own hand.
Inchoatum - Inchoate; imperfect; incomplete. Jus tertii - The right of a third part}’.
Incrementa - Additions. Jus utendi fruendi - The right of using and enjoying.
Indemnis - Free of loss or damage; harmless. Justitia - Justice.
Infamia juris - Disgrace on conviction for crime. Justo tempore - At the right time; in due time.
Infra - Below.
Infra furorem - During insanity. L
Injuria - A legal wrong. Laesio pietatis - Breach of duty.
Innuendo - An innocent looking statement which has a Laissez-faire - Doctrine of non-interference by State in
hidden defamatory meaning. working of market etc.
Inter alia - Among other things. Lata culpa - Gross neglects.
Inter conjuges - Between spouses. Legatum - A legacy.
Inter se - Amongst themselves. Legatum universitatis - A universal legacy; legacy of the
Inter vivos - Made between people who are alive. testator's whole estate.
Interim - Meanwhile; in the meantime. Legitima modo - In the manner prescribed by law.
Interim dominus - Proprietor in the meantime. Legitima potestas - The lawful power.
Intestate - Dying without leaving a Will. Legitima remedia - The lawful remedies.
Intra vires - Within power (as opposed to 'ultra vires' Legitimum tempus restitutionis - The legal period for
which is beyond power). restitution.
Inverso ordine - Erroneously; contrary to rule. Legitimus - Lawful; legitimate.
Invito - Without the assent or consent.
Ipse - He himself.
 Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 917

Legum Beccalaurius (LL.B.) - Bechelor of laws. Mala prohibita - A wrongful act because it is a prohibited
Legum Majister (LL.M.) - Master of laws. act.
Levis - Light; slight; trifling. Malfeasance - The doing of an unlawful act e.g., a trespass.
Levis culpa - Slight fault or neglect. Malitia - Express malice; actual evil design.
Lex - Statute. Malitia capitalis - Deadly malice; bitter and deep rooted
Lex apparens - Apparent or manifest law. malice.
Lex communis - The common law. Malus animus - Bad intention.
Lex contractus - The law of the contract. Mandamus - We command; a command of court to an
Lex domicilii - The law of the domicile. authority to do something.
Lex fori - The law of the court in which the case is tried. Manu opera - Stolen goods recovered from a thief who is
Lex loci - The law of a place. caught stealing.
Lex loci actus - The law of the place where the act was Matrimonium - A marriage that conforms strictly to the
performed. formal requirements under law.
Lex loci contractus - The law of the place where a contract Mens rea - Guilty mind. The criminal intention of accused
is made. to commit a crime.
Lex loci delictus - The law of the place where the crime
Mesne - Intermediate.
took place.
Mesne Profits - Damages payable by trespassers who
Lex loci solutionis - The law of the place where the money
have stayed in possession after their right to occupy
is to be paid or the obligation fulfilled.
land has ended.
Lex naturale - Natural law.
Metus causa - Through fear.
Lex non scripta - Unwritten law.
Lex scripta - Written law, Statute law. Minutiae - Trifles.
Liberatio nominis - The discharge of a debt. Minutio - Reduction, diminution.
Licentia - License; liberty; permission. Mobilia -Movable things.
Licitum - Lawful, permitted by law. Modus - Manner or mode.
Lis - A suit, action, controversy, or dispute. Modus operandi - Mode of operating.
Lis alibi pendens - A suit pending elsewhere. Modus probandi - Mode of proving.
Lis pendens - A pending suit. Modus transferendi dominii - The form of transference of
Literatim - Letter by letter. property.
Litigare - To litigate; to carry on a suit. Modus vacandi - The manner in, or the act by which the
Litis - Of a suit. property became ownerless or unoccupied.
Litis contestation - Contestation of suit. Modus vivendi - Compromise pending settlement of
Locus contractus - The place of the contract. dispute.
Locus delicti - The place where an offence takes place. Mora - Undue or culpable delay.
Locus rei sitae - The place where the subject is situated. Moratorium - A legal authorisation to a debtor to
Locus standi - Right to be heard in court. postpone payment for a certain time.
Longa possessio - Long possession. Mortis causa - By reason of or in contemplation of death.
Lucratus - Enriched; gained. Mortus est - He is dead.
Luito cum persona - Let him pay. Municipum - A free, or privileged town enjoying the right
of local self-government.
M Mutatis mutandis - With necessary changes being made.
Magna Carta - Great charter. Mutua petitio - A counter-claim.
Magna culpa dolus est - Great neglect is equivalent to Mutuum - A contract of loan.
fraud.
Mala demonstratio - Erroneous description. N
Mala fide - Bad faith. Natura negotia - Nature of issue.
Mala in se - Acts bad or wrong in themselves. Nec manifestum - Not manifest.
Mala praxis - Malpractice; lack of skill in one's profession. Necessitas - Necessity; a force, power, or influence which
compels one to act against his Will.
918 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Necessitas vincit legem - Necessity overcomes law. Obligatio ex delicto/meleficio - An obligation arising out
Necessitate juris - By necessity of law. of a tort.
Nemo - No one, nobody. Obligatio literarum - An obligation constituted by
Nemo est supra leges - No one is above the laws. writing; a written contract.
Nexus realis - A real bond. Obreptio - The obtaining of a thing by fraud.
Nisi - Ineffective unless person affected fails to show Officium - An office.
cause. Omni exceptione major - Beyond all exception.
Nocumentum - A nuisance. Onus - A burden; a load.
Nolens volens - Whether willing or unwilling. Onus probandi - Burden of proof. The most prominent
Nomine - By the name of. canon of evidence is, that the point in issue to be
Nomine damni - In the name of damage. proved by the party who asserts the affirmative.
Non assumpsit - He did not promise. Op. cit. - The book previously cited.
Non bis in idem - Not twice for the same. Optima fide - In the best faith.
Non compos mentis - Not of sound mind. Ordo - Order.
Non constat - It is not clear or evident. Overt - Clear; open.
Non entia - Things having no existence.
Non obstante - Notwithstanding. P
Non sequitur - It does not follow. Pacta dant legem contractui - Stipulation of parties to
Non sui juris - Not his own master. constitute law.
Non utendo - By non-usage. Pacta sunt servanda - Contracts are to be kept/ respected.
Pactum - A bargain or agreement.
Noscitur a sociis -Meaning of a word can be gathered
Pactum illicitum - An illegal pact.
from context.
Panacea - A remedy for all diseases.
Nota bene (NB) - Take notice.
Par excellence - Eminently.
Nova causa obligationis - A new ground of obligation.
Parens patrice - Protector of rights.
Nova debita - New debts.
Pari causa - With equal right; upon equal footing.
Novatio - Novation.
Pari delicto - Both parties are equally at fault.
Novus actus interveniens - A new act intervening.
Pari materia - Analogous cause.
Noxa caput sequitur - Punishment is personal.
Pari passu - Equally, without preference.
Nubilis - Marriageable.
Pars contractus - Port of the contract.
Nuda possessio - Bare or mere possession.
Parte inaudita - One side/party being unheard.
Nudum officium - The bare office or character, without
Passim - In various places.
any of the emoluments or advantages.
Pendente lite - While litigation is pending.
Nudum pactum - A nude contract i.e., unenforceable. Penuria testium - A scarcity of witness.
Nulla persona - Not a person. Per - As stated by.
Nullius in bonis - The property of no one. Per annum - By the year.
Nullius juris - Of no legal force. Per capita - Individually.
Nuptiales tabulae - Marriage Tables. Per curiam - By the court.
O Per incuriam - A mistaken decision by a court, through
want of care; by oversight.
Ob contingentiam - On account of similarity.
Per mensem - By the month.
Ob turpem causam - On account of an immoral
Per se - By itself; intrinsically.
consideration.
Per subsequens matrimonium - By subsequent marriage.
Obit sine prole - Died without issue.
Per universitatem - Regarded as a whole; in its entirety.
Obiter - By the way; incidentally.
Periculosus - Dangerous; perilous.
Obiter dicta - See obiter dictum.
Persona grata - An acceptable person in diplomatic
Obiter dictum - Judge's opinion expressed casually, not
binding, see obiter dicta above, plural of obiter parlance.
dictum
Obligatio ex contractu - An obligation arising from a
contract.
 Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 919

Persona non grata - An unacceptable person. Q

Personae miserabiles - Poor or destitute people; such as Qua - With respect to.
widow, orphans etc.,. Quadrans - The fourth part of a whole; a quarter.
Placitum nominatum - The day appointed for a criminal Quae - Things which.
to appear and plead and make his reference. Quae plura - Of what more.
Pleno jure - With full right. Quae sapiunt delictum - Which partake of the character
Poena arbitraria - Arbitrary punishments. of delict.
Poena ordinaria - Ordinary or usual punishments. Quae sequuntur personam - Which follow the person.
Portio legitima - Legal portion. Quaere - A question; a query; a moot question.
Possessio bona fide - Possession in good faith. Quaestio vexata - A moot point; a vexed question.
Possessio mala fide - Possession in bad faith. Quaestio voluntatis - A question of intention.
Potestas - Power; authority; domination. Quantum - How much; the extent.
Praepositus - A person in authority. Quantum et quale - How much and of what kind.
Praesumptio - A presumption. Quantum meruit - As much as he or she has earned.
Praesumptio juris - A legal presumption. Quantum valeat - Whatever value it may have.
Praesumptio Juris et de jure - Irrebutable presumption of Quare - For what reason; on what account.
Law.
Quasi - As it were analogous to.
Pretium - The price; cost; value.
Quasi ex contractu - Arising as if from contract.
Pretium periculi - The Price of the risk; the premium on a
Quasi ex delicto - Arising as if from delict.
policy of insurance.
Quasi-contract - From the conduct of a party a contract
Prima facie - On the first view. [CLAT 2008]
comes into or infered.
Primo loco - In the first place.
Quasi-judicial - Sharing of qualities of and approximating
Pro - In behalf of; for; on account of.
to what is judicial, essentially judicial in character
Pro and con - For and against.
but not within the judicial power or function nor
Pro bono publico - For the good of the public.
belonging to the judiciary as constitutionally
Pro confesso - As having Confessed.
defined.
Pro et contra - For and against.
Qui cedit foro - One who stops payment, or becomes
Pro gravitate admissi - According to the gravity of the
bankrupt.
offence.
Qui vult decipi decipiatur - Let him be deceived who
Pro privatio commodo - For private convenience.
wishes to be deceived.
Pro rata - In proportion. [CLAT 2009]
Pro tanto - To that extent. Quid juravit - What he has sworn.
Pro tempore - For the time being. Quid juris - What is the law.
Probatio prout de jure - A proof according to law. Quid pro quo - Something for something.
Probatio viva - Living proof; that is, proof by the mouth, Quo animo - With what intention or motive.
of the living witness. Quo jure - By what right or title.
Probatum est - It is proved. Quo warranto - An order by court or any authority in the
Prbcuratio - Agency; the management of another's affair form of writ, by which any person who occupies an
under his authority and in his behalf. independent substantive public office or franchise or
Proprio jure - By one's own proper right. liberty, is asked to show by what right he claims it.
Prout de jure - According to law. Quoad civilia - As regards civil rights and benefits.
Puberes - Minors. Quoad mobilia - As regards movables.
Publica X indicta - The defence or protection of the public Quoad reliquum - As regards the remainder or balance.
interest. Quoad sacra - As regards sacred things.
Punctum temporis - Point of time. Quoad ultra - As regards the rest.
Quoad valorem - As regards the value.
Quod fuit concessum - Which was granted.
Quod non fuit negatum - Which was not denied.
Quod recuperet - That he recovers.
920 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Quod vide (q.v.) - Which see. in issue as to introduce it, explain its nature, or form
Quorum - Sufficient number to proceed to business. in connection with it as one continuous transaction.
Quota - A certain proportional part or share. Res integra - A point which must be decided on principle.
Quovis tempore - At whatever time. Res inter allios - A matter between strangers.
Res ipsa loquitur - The thing speaks for itself.
R Res judicata - A case already decided.
Raison d'etre - Reason for the existence of a thing.
Res litigiosa - A subject which has been rendered
[CLAT 2012]
litigious.
Rapina - Robbery.
Res non est integra - The matter is not entire or complete.
Rapprochement - Restoration of harmonious relations.
Res nullius - A thing which has no owner.
Ratihabitio - Ratification.
Res perit suo demino - Loss falls on owner.
Ratio decidendi - The reasoning of a judicial decision or
Res universitatis - Things of a community.
a principle laid down in a case by court.
Respondeat - Let him answer.
Ratio legis - The reason for occasion of a law.
Respondeat ouster - Let him answer further.
Ratio scientiae - The reason or ground of knowledge.
Respondeat superior - Let the principal be held
Ratione - By reason; On account.
responsible.
Ratione contractus - By reason of the Contract.
Responsa prudentuim - The answers of the learned in
Ratione delicti - On account of the delict.
law. The opinions and decisions of learned lawyers,
Ratione privilegii - By reason of the privilege.
forming part of the Roman laws.
Ratione suspecti judicis - On account of the judge being
Responsio - An answer.
suspected.
Re - In the matter of. Restitutio - Restitution.
Rebus integris - Matters being complete. Restitutio in integrum - Restitution to the original
Rebus sic stantibus - In the existing state of matters. condition.
Receptator - A receiver of stolen goods. Retenta possessione - Possession being retained.
Rectus in curia - To be right in the law. Retraxit - Has withdrawn; a voluntary renunciation by a
Recuperatio - A recovery obtained consequent to a plaintiff of his suit.
judgment of court of a thing wrongfully detained. Retro - Back; backward; behind.
Recusatio testis - Rejection of a witness, on the ground of Reus - Defender; defendant.
incompetency. Rex - King.
Regalia - Royal rights pertaining to the Crown. Rex Nunquam moritur - King never dies.
Regula - A rule. Rigor juris - Strictness of law.
Regula generalis - A general rule promulgated by the Rustica et urbana - Rural or urban.
courts to regulate their practice.
Regula regulans - The governing rule.
s
Sacramenta puberum sunt servanda - Oaths of minors.
Remedium extraordinarium - An extraordinary remedy.
Sacrilegium - The stealing of sacred things.
Remissio injuriae - Condonation; Forgiveness of the
Sanctio - That part of law by which a penalty was
offence.
ordained against those who violate it.
Remotis testibus - The witness being absent.
Scientio - Knowledge; information.
Renovatio - A renewal.
Scripto - By writing.
Res - A thing; an object.
Res aliena - The property or subject belonging to another. Se defendendo - In self-defence.
Res alienari prohibita - A thing which cannot be Secundam norman legis - According to the rule of law.
alienated. Secundum - According to; in favour of.
Res derelicta - Property that has been abandoned by its Sedato animo - With settled intention.
owner. Sententia voluntatis - The purpose or determination of
Res gestae - The facts surrounding or accompanying a the will.
transaction which is the subject of legal proceedings; Servitium - Service.
or facts so connected with a fact Servitium militare - Military service.
 Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 921

Servitus - A servitude; an easement. T

Servitus luminum - The servitude of lights. Talis qualis - Such as it is.
Simplex dictum - Simple averment without proof. Tam facti quam animi - In deed as well as in intention.
Simpliciter - Simply; of its own force; without any
Tanquam dominus - As owner.
addition.
Tanquam interim dominus - As the temporary owner.
Since fraude - Without fraud; honestly; in good faith.
Tanquam optimum maximum - At its best and fullest.
Sine - Without.
Tempestive - At the proper time.
Sine a die - Indefinitely. [CLAT 2008]
Sine animo revertendi - Without intention of returning. Tempre litigare - To litigate rashly and without
Sine qua non - Indispensable condition or qualification. reasonable ground.
Socius criminus - An associate in the commission of the Tempus continuum - Time running on without
crime. interruption.
Solatium - Compensation; Consolation; indemnification. Tempus deliberandi - Time for deliberation.
Solo ani—.o - By a mere intention or design. Tempus utile - Time which can be used for exercising
Spes - Fkpe legal rights.
Spes recuperandi - The hope of recapture or regaining Terminus a quo - The starting point; the point from
possession. which.
Spes successionis - Mere hope of succeeding to properp. Terminus ad quern - The finishing point.
Stare decisis - The principle that decisions of courts in pre Testatio mentis - The expression of a testator's Will or
:ous cases must be followed in subsequent cases : mind.
similar nature. Titulo singular! - By a singular title.
Status quo - T? maintain the present state of affairs. Titulo universalai - By an universal title.
[CLAT, 2008] Tota re perspecta - The whole matter being considered.
Statute - Act of Parliament Toto genere - Entirely; in every respect.
Stricti juris - According to strict right. Turpis - Immoral; unlawful.
Sub curia - Under law. Turpis arbiter - A bribed or corrupt judge.
Sub judice - Lnder judicial consideration or in course of Turpis causa - A base or vile consideration on which no
trial. action can be founded, the maxim being Ex turpi
Sub silentio - Under silence. causa non oritur actis.
Subpoena - Under a penalty; an order of a court to a pens Turpis contractus - An immoral contract.
n. to appear and give evidence before it. Turpis persona - An infamous person.
Sui - of himself. Turpitudo - Immorality; turpitude.
Sui generis - The only one of its kind. Tutor ad litem - A person appointed by the court to
Sui juris - A person who can validly contract and bind protect the interest of a minor in an action to which
himself by legal obligation. he is called as a party.
Suo moto - On its own.
Tutorio nominee - In the name or character of tutor.
Suo nomire - In one's own name.
Tutus accessus non fuit - No safe access.
Suo periculo - At one's own peril or risk.
Suo sponte - Of one's own free Will, Voluntarily. U
Suppressia veri - Withholding of information; the
Uberior Titulus - Unlimited title.
suppression or concealment of the truth.
Uberrimae fide - Of the utmost good faith.
Supra - Above. Ubi - Where; When.
Supra citatum - Above cited.
Ubi supra - At the place above referred to.
Surrogatum - A thing substituted for another.
Ulterius concilium - Further argument; further
Synopsis - A view of the whole together.
consideration.
Ultima - The last; remotest.
Ultima ratio - The final argument; the last resort.
Ultima voluntas - The last Will.
Ultimum - The extreme.
Ultimum supplicium - The extreme punishment.
Ultimus haeres - Last heir.
Ultra - Beyond; Opposite of infra.
922 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Ultra petitia - Beyond things demanded. Volens - Willing.

Ultra valorem - Beyond the value. Volte face - To face about.
Ultra vires - Outside the powers of. Vox signata - A marked word; a technics' -:
Una voce - With one Voice; Unanimously. Vulgo quaesiti - In civil law, it is called bastards
Universitas - The whole; a corporation aggregate. frequently.
Universum jus - The entire right.
Uno actu - In a single act; by one and the same act. W
Ut supra - As above. Wade hearing - Pretrial hearing.
Utitur Jure Suo - Exercise of one's own right. Wadset - A pledge.
V Waga - A measure of weight.
Wager - Consideration in form of money.
Vacantia bona - Goods unclaimed or without an owner.
Waif - Stolen article.
Valeat quantum - For whatever value it may have.
Waivery - Putting a woman outside the protection of
Venditio generis - A sale of goods of a class or kind.
law.
Venditio speciei - A sale of a specific thing. Wardpenny - Money paid for service.
Verbatim et literatim - Word for word and letter for Wyte - Immunity from amercement.
letter.
Veredictum - Verdict. X
Versus - Against.
Xenodochium - Publicly licensed inn.
Vertis - Truth; Verity.
Xylon - A mode of punishment in Greece.
Vexata question - A disputed question.
Via actionis - By means of an action.
Y
Via juris - By means of law or legal process.
Vice versa - Conversely. [CLAT 2009] Yea and nay - In old records.
Vide - Refer to; consult. Yeoman - An attendant in court
Vide infra - See below. York - A mode of custom
Vide supra - See above.
Vires - Authority, Power. Z
Vis major - Irresistible force. Zanzibar - A British Protectorate under commonwealth
Vis major naturae - The superior force of nature. law.
Viva voce - Orally. Zetetic - Proceeding in inquiry.
Void - Of no legal effect. Zygnomic - Relating to or involving in.
Void ab initio - Void from the very beginning. Zygocephalum - A measure of land.
Zygostate- A law officer.

"Under current law, it is a crime for a

private citizen to lie to a government official,
but not for the government
to lie to the people."
—Donald M. Fraser
 CHAPTER 72

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS ON WORDS

AND PHRASES OF FOREIGN ORIGIN
[FROM CLAT, NLU DELHI AND D.U. LL.B. EXAMS]
Direct: ons Qs. 1-64): Legal phrases are followed by (c) Law among Nations
four mean mgs. Choose the most appropriate option. (d) Global justice.
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
1. Autrefois convict 7. Bona vacantia
<a Formerly convicted (a) Vacant land
(b) Ek urtful conviction (c FaSed (b) Order of the court for eviction
prosecution (di Tc be convicted. (c) Goods that have no owner
CLAT, 20!" Ans. (a) (d) Vacant building.
2. Lis peudens CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
(a Facts of case proved 8. 'Sine die' means
(b i Dee ded case (a) Adjourned for the day and scheduled to meet next day
(c) Pendmg suit again
(d? No legal issues involved. (b) Adjourned for the day and meet a fter one week
CLAT, 201" Ans. (c) (c) Adjourned without fixing any date for the
next meeting
3. Faux pas (d) Adjourned for the day and meet after one month.
(a) Passage of time CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
(b) Cheatmg
(c) Pa _s.r£ for a while 9. Per incuriam
(a) Mistaken decision
(d) Tactiess mistake.
(b) Supremacy of law
CLAT, 2017
Ans. (d)
4. 'PioKtaai Temp oris' means (c) Mistaken identity
(a) Temp: rary position (d) Supremacy of the Constitution.
(b) Point of time CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a)
(c) Functional authority 10. Lex loci
(d) Timely assistance. (a) Italian laws
CLAT, 201" Ans. (b) (b) Domestic laws
5. Pari passu (c) Latin regulations
(a) Or. ar. unequal status (d) Law of a place.
(b) Supremacy of law CLAT, 2017 Ans. (d)
(c) Diverse nature 11. Matus animus
(d) On equal footing. (a) Bad intention
CLAT, 2017
Ans. (d) (b) Animal farm
6. 'Jus Gentium' means (c) Good intention
(a) Global administrative law (d) Physical force.
(b) Law of Societies CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a)
923
924 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

12. 'Animus posssidendi' means (c) An opinion given by the court not necessary for
(a) Intent to contract the decision.
(b) Intention to harm (d) Direction by a judge.
(c) Intention to return CLAT, 2016 Ans. (c)
(d) Intention to possess.
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (d) 20. 'audi alteram partem’ means
(a) Not connected to facts
13. Caveat venditor
(b) Following the substantive law
(a) Manufacturer beware (c) A transferee cannot retransfer
(b) Buyer beware
(d) Giving opportunity of hearing of the other side.
(c) Seller beware
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
(d) Transporter beware.
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c) 21. 'persona non grata' means
(a) Non-performance of promise
14. 'Turpis arbiter' means
(b) Non-person
(a) Inefficient lawyer
(c) An unacceptable person
(b) Corrupt judge
(d) Ungrateful person.
(c) Inefficient judge CLAT, 2016 Ans. (c)
(d) Corrupt prosecutor.
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b) 22. 'Us pendens' means
(a) Awaited information
15. In pari delicto (b) On the basis of evidence
(a) Where the petitioner is at fault
(c) Decision awaited
(b) Where both parties to a dispute are equally at
(d) A pending suit.
fault
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
(c) Where the lawyer is at fault
(d) Where the judge is at fault. 23. "Amicus curiae" refers to
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b) (a) Friend of the court
(b) Amicable settlement out of court
(c) Case pending in a court
(d) None of the above.
D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (a)
16. "Amicus curiae" means:
(a) One of the judges of the court 24. Give the meaning of quid pro quo
(b) One among the expert witnesses in a case (a) quit the job
(b) favourable opinion
(c) A friend of the court
(c) revenge
(d) One among the parties to the dispute. (d) something in return.
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (c) D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (d)
17. "Ab initio" means: 25. 'Persona non grata' means
(a) in defence of a comment (a) An unwelcome person
(b) from the beginning (b) Personal favour which is illegal
(c) in continuation with (c) Prisoners of war
(d) Person not eligible for subsidies or grants.
(d) in connection with the future.
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (a)
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (b)
18. "Faux pas" mean's:
(a) expected to happen
(b) social blunder
(c) fake identity
(d) false. 26. The maxim "de minimus non curat lex" means
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (b) (a) Law would not take action in serious matter
(b) Law would not take action on small and trifling
19. 'obiter dicta' means matter
(a) Basis of judicial decision. (c) Law does not ignore any act which causes the
slightest harm
(b) Judgment of a court in the case before it.
 Previous Years Questions on Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 925

(d) Law would take action in small and trifling 34. Quantum ramifactus
act. (a) The amount of damage suffered
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (b) (b) The amount of damage caused
(c) The amount of damage paid
27. Ex officio (d) The amount of damage received.
(a) By virtue of previously held position CLAT, 2013 Ans. (a)

(b) Former official 35. Corpus delicti

(c) By virtue of office (a) Fake evidence of an offence
Ans. (c)
(d) Outside the office CLAT, 2014 (b) Hearsay evidence of an offence
(c) Lack of evidence of an offence
28. Ultra Vires (d) An evidence which constitute an offence.
(a) Within powers CLAT, 2013 Ans. (d)
(b) Full powers
36. Vis-a-vis
(c) Near powers (a) Direct
(d) Beyond powers CLAT, 2014 (b) Opposite
Ans. (d) (c) Face-to-face
29. Quid pro quo (d) Agree.
(a) Something for nothing CLAT, 2013 Ans. (c)

(bi Something for something 37. Carte blanche

(ci Every thing for something (a) Complete authority
(d Something for everything (b) Issue the warrant
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (b) (c) No authority
30. Inter vivos (d) Lack of authority.
CLAT, 2013 Ans. (a)
(a i Betw een the living
(b) Among the living and the dead 38. Mala fide
(c) Between the dead (a) generous
(d) Air ng the dead and the living (b) bad intention
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (a) (c) trustworthy
(d) genuine.
31. Corpus iuris Ans. (b)
CLAT, 2012
(a) Bod;.- of judges
39. Tabula rasa
(b) Group of jurists
(a) clean slate
(c) Body of law (b) agitated
(d) Knowledge of law CLAT, 2014 (c) deprived
Ans. (c) (d) creative
32. 'Ultra Vires’ is a term used for: CLAT, 2012 Ans. (a)
(a) A document corrupted by virus 40. Carte blanche
(b) An act beyond the authority of law (a) slavery
(c) An act authorised by law (b) complete discretion
(d) An illegal act (c) anarchy
D.U. LL.B.. 2014 Ans. (b) (d) dependent.
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (b)
33. El Dorado
41. De jure
(a) An imaginary place
(a) illegal
(b) High altitude (b) heir
(c) A literary man (c) concerning law
(d) A country full of gold and precious stones. (d) forbidden.
CLAT, 2013 Ans. (a) CLAT, 2012 Ans. (c)
926 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

42. Raison d'etre 45. The phrase 'de facto' means

(a) logical conclusion (a) all the facts
(b) reason for existence (b) all the facts and figures
(c) free choice (c) bona fide
(d) dubious argument. (d) for all practical purposes.
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (b) D.U. LL.B., 2012, 2009 (d)
43. What does the phrase "lex est norma recti" mean? 46. What is the term used for the r -. r — laid down in a
-
(a) Law is a rule of right judgment?
(b) Law rules the rights
(a) Obiter dicta
(c) Law is a rule of State
(b) Ratio decidendi
(d) Law follows equity.
D.U. LL.B., 2012 Ans. (a) (c) Jus cogens
(d) Interpretation.
44. What is the meaning of this Latin phrase "audi D.U. LL.B., 2012 Mss. (b)
alteram partem"?
(a) No one shall be judge in his own cause 47. The term sine die means
(b) No one shall be condemned unheard (a) Indefinitely
(c) Rights are associated with duties (b) Inadequate
(d) None of the above. (c) Signature by a person on dear- .
D.U. LL.B., 2012 Ans. (b) (d) Continuously.
D.U. LL.B., 2012 Kas. (a)
 CHAPTER 73

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON WORDS

AND PHRASES OF FOREIGN ORIGIN
1. vox populi means 8. Ultra vires means
(a) a famous personality (a) beyond the powers
(b) popular opinion (b) within the powers
(c) a very popular drama (c) according to law
(d) group of people. (d) none of the above.
2. Amicus Curiae means
9. Caveat means
(a) an old man
(a) a warning
(b) name given to the poorman
(c) friend of court or lawyer appointed by a court (b) an injunction
(d) a litigant before the court. (c) writ
3. Ratio decidendi means (d) certiorari.
(a) a judicial decision 10. Caveat emptor means
(b) part of the judgment which possesses authority (a) let the buyer beware
(c) any observation made by the court which goes (b) let the seller beware
beyond the requirement of the case (c) let the traveller beware
(d) an observation made by a judge. (d) let the children beware.
4. Obiter dicta means 11. Caveat vendilator means
(a) remarks of a judge which are made casually and (a) let the seller beware
are not relevant to the case (b) let the buyer beware
(b) part of the judgment which possesses authority
(c) let the company beware
(c) observation made by a Tribunal
(d) None of the above.
(d) None of the above.
5. Res subjudice means 12. Ejusdem generis means
(a) the case has been decided by a court (a) retired after longtime
(b) the case decided by a lower court could be (b) of the same kind or nature
appealed to a higher court (c) formally holding the office
(c) A case has been dismissed by a court (d) out of court.
(d) the case is pending before a court. 13. Uberrimae fides means
6. Ipso facto means (a) in good faith
(a) in place of (b) in bad faith
(b) by reason of that fact (c) in good company
(c) by the same source (d) None of these.
(d) by the way.
7. Intra vires means 14. Malfeasance means
(a) within the powers (a) wrong doing
(b) outside the powers (b) misfortune
(c) within the scope of the fundamental rights (c) by the order
(d) regular. (d) None of these.
15. Bona fide means
(a) in good faith
(b) in bad faith

927
928 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

(c) in good behaviour (c) forever

(d) in bad behaviour. (d) always.
16. Lex talionis means 26. Ad Valorem
(a) the law of the place (a) according to quality
(b) the law of the forum (b) according to value
(c) unwritten law (c) according to nature
(d) the law of retaliation. (d) according to time.
17. Innuendo means 27. Ad interim
(a) enquiry (a) in the meantime
(b) indirect reference (b) in the pastime
(c) innovation (c) in between
(d) inorganic. (d) in action.
18. Quid pro quo means 28. Sine qua non
(a) evidence (a) an indispensable requisite
(b) favourable opinion (b) an dispensable requisite
(c) revenge (c) an dispensable condition
(d) something in return. (d) an dispensable qualification
19. Ex gratia 29. Lex fori
(a) very grateful (a) the law of the forum or court
(b) payment made out generosity (b) the law of the country
(c) extraordinary (c) the law of nature
(d) before retirement. (d) the law of God.
20. Perjure 30. Status quo
(a) to confess (a) the state in which things are
(b) to deny (b) the past state of affair
(c) to hide (c) to maintain past state of affair
(d) to lie. (d) to maintain future state of affa r
21. Subpoena 31. Volte face
(a) punishment (a) to not face
(b) summons (b) to face about
(c) delay (c) to remain absent
(d) ban. (d) to remain present.
22. Fait Accompli 32. Inter vivos
(a) co-accused (a) between dead persons
(b) co-conspirator (b) between living persons
(c) accomplished fact (c) between child
(d) supplicable. (d) between human beings.
23. Tour-de-force 33. Modus operandi
(a) masterpiece (a) way of doing something
(b) riche (b) manner of theft
(c) traffic (c) way of doing theft
(d) discourse. (d) way of worship.
24. De facto 34. Ex facie
(a) actual (a) in the light of what is not apparent
(b) factual (b) in the light of what is apparent
(c) initial (c) to lose the right
(d) beginning. (d) to lose the property.
25. Sine Die 35. Force majeure
(a) indefinitely (a) superior power
(b) definitely (b) inferior power
 Multiple Choice Questions on Words and Phrases of Foreign Origin 929

(c) weak power (c) alliance invited

(d) finite power. (d) all the above.
36. Mutatis Mutandis 45. Ex post facto
(a) with unnecessary changes (a) by a subsequent act
(b) with necessary changes (b) by virtue of an office
(c) without any change (c) in itself
(d) with change. (d) not complete.
37. Pro bono publico 46. Subjudice
(a) for private good (a) under consideration of court of law
(b) for public good (b) beyond jurisdiction of court
(c) for country's good (c) dual view
(d) for elder person's good. (d) same court.
47 means'outside the power of law'
38. Tete-a-tete
(a) Ultra valorem
(a) a public conversation
(b) Ultra vires
(b) a friend's conversation
(c) Ut supra
(c) a private conversation
(d) Ut infra
(d) a family conversation.
48. Given in Column 1 are some Latin phrases
39. Coup d' etat commonly used in English. Their meaning are
(a) a change of government given in Column 2. Match the phrase in Column 1
(b) an abrupt change of government by force with its correct meaning in Column 2:
(c) attack on a county
(d) formation of a new government.
40. In curia
(a) in open court Column 1 Column 2
(b) ■ in closed court i. Caveat Emptor A. That is to say
(c) in trial court ii..
Quid Pro Quo B. In the same place
(d) in High Court. iii.
Videlicet C. Let the buyer beware
41. Match the following iv.Ibidem D. One thing for another
i ii iii iv
I. Interlocutory (A) By the fact (a) C D A B
II. Ultra vires (B) Not final (b) B A C D
III. Intravires (C) Beyond powers (c) D C B A
(d) A B D C
IV. Ipso Facto (D) Within powers
(a) I-A II-B III-C IV-D 49 The term laissez-faire means a political theory
(b) I-A II-C III-D IV-B where
(c) I-B II-C III-D IV-A (a) Government does nothing to control the
(d) I-C II-D III-B IV-A economy
42. The meaning of the term 'quasi' is (b) Government does everything to control the
economy
(a) as if it were
(c) Market is regulated by, private parties
(b) null
(c) void (d) Market is controlled by regulating bodies.
(d) quashed. 50. Parliament is adjourned sine die means which of the
following
43. Force majeure refers to
(a) The Parliament will meet after a recess
(a) forced labour
(b) It will meet again for discussing some urgent
(b) an inevitable event
issue
(c) majority force
(d) democracy. (c) The Parliament will meet after a fresh
election
44. What does inter alia refer to?
(d) It will meet again only when the speaker
(a) among other things
convenes it.
(b) interested in aliens

(For Answers see next page)

930 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

ANSWERS*
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS ON WORDS
AND PHRASES OF FOREIGN ORIGIN
1- (b) 11. (a) 21. (b) 31. (b) 41. (c)
2- (c) 12. (b) 22. (c) 32. (b) 42. (a)
3- (b) 13. (a) 23. (a) 33. (a) 43. (b)
4. (a) 14. (a) 24. (a) 34. (b) 44. (a)
5- (d) 15. (a) 25. (a) 35. (a) 45. (a)
6. (b) 16. (d) 26. (b) 36. (b) 46. (a)
-7. (a) 17. (b) 27. (a) 37. (b) 47. (b)
8. (a) 18. (d) 28. (a) 38. (c) 48. (a)
9. (a) 19. (b) 29. (a) 39. (b) 49. (a)
10. (a) 20. (d) 30. (a) 40. (a) 50. (d)

* The answers are suggestive. Kindly verify from the basic documents, statutes, textbooks, or your mentors in
case of doubts.

930
 CHAPTER 74

COMPREHENSION
"Surely the Almighty must observe the principles of English common law and
consider a man innocent until proved guilty."
—Sir Winston S. Churchill
"We ourselves of the present age, chose our common law, and consented to the most ancient Acts of Parliament,
for we lived in our ancestors 1000 years ago, and those ancestors are still living in us."
—Sir Robert Atkyns
As a lawyer, every case you get, will require a lot of they must contain everything you need to answer the
reading. You will have to read the law. You will have to questions.
read commentaries on the law. You will have to read the Now let us read the passage:
cases for and against you. On an average, for every case, "The question whether the conduct complained of
you will be required to read 200 - 300 pages. Initially you constitutes cruelty and the like for divorce purposes is
will get one case in a month, but soon enough a time will determined primarily by its effect upon the particular
come when you will start getting 3-4 cases per day. In person complaining of the acts. The question is not
other words, the more successful you will become in this whether the conduct would be cruel to a reasonable
profession, the more you will be required to read. Thus, person or a person of average normal sensibilities, but
one skill you must start developing is reading fast and whether it would have that effect on the aggrieved
with a clear understanding. spouse. That which may be cruel to one person may be
There are two kinds of reading: One is when you laughed off by another, and what may not be cruel under
read to educate yourself in some specific area. Here you one set of circumstances may be extreme cruelty under
must necessarily be slow, for you must imbibe every another set of circumstances."
concept. The second kind of reading is when you are Three questions are asked on the passage:
looking for answers to specific queries in your mind. 1. The chief concern of this passage is
Then you skim through the pages, till you find something (a) to define cruelty
of interest, which you read carefully. This process is (b) to define marital cruelty
logically much faster. It is the second kind of reading that (c) to define cruelty by standards of a reasonable
is mostly done by the lawyers. The good news is that it is man
exactly this kind of reading which you must do for your (d) to evaluate the objective effect of cruelty on a
comprehension questions. married spouse.
A typical comprehension question has a passage. 2. According to the author, cruelty is—
You are expected to read it, and then answer questions (a) subjective to the aggrieved spouse
on the basis of what is stated or implied in that passage. (b) objectively determinable
Mainly, three types of questions are asked: (c) condemnable
(1) main idea in the passage (d) punishable
(2) some specific details 3. Is the aggrieved spouse a reasonable person
(3) ideas that can be logically inferred from the according to the author?
passage. (a) yes
The trick is to read the questions and choices before (b) no
you start reading the passage. Then draw a list of queries (c) the author makes no comment on it
which you have. Now when you read the passage, you (d) none of the above
are a directed reader. You are looking for certain things,
which you will invariably find because, in the very
nature of comprehension passages,

931
932 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

Now let us draw a list of queries: During these hard days, I have been comforted by
1. What is the chief concern of the author? her Majesty, my mother and by my family. The ministers
2. How is cruelty to be determined? of the Crown, and in particular, Mr. Baldwin, the Prime
3. Whether author says aggrieved spouse, is, or, is Minister, have always treated me with full consideration.
not, a reasonable person? There has never been any constitutional difference
1. (b) Obviously, the author's chief concern is to between me and them, and between me and Parliament.
define marital cruelty for divorce purposes. Bred in the constitutional tradition by my father, I should
2. (a) The author says that this cruelty is to be never have allowed any such issue to arise.
determined by the subjective effect on the Ever since I was Prince of Wales, and later on when
aggrieved spouse. He also gives an example to I occupied the throne, I have been treated with the
make this point. greatest kindness by all classes of the people wherever I
3. (c) The author is not concerned whether the have lived or journeyed throughout the empire. For that
aggrieved spouse is a reasonable person or not. I am very grateful.
He, therefore, makes no assumptions either I now quit altogether public affairs and I lay down
way. He does not comment on that. my burden. It may be some time before I return to my
If, the point has been made, see how you do on this native land, but I shall always follow the fortunes of the
passage: British race and empire with profound interest, and if at
" At long last I am able to say a few words of my any time in the future I can be found of service to His
own. I have never wanted to withhold anything, but until Majesty in a private station, I shall not fail.
now it has not been constitutionally possible for me to And now, we all have a new King. I wish him and
speak. you, his people, happiness and prosperity with all my
A few hours ago, I discharged my last duty as King heart. God bless you all! God save the King !"
and Emperor, and now that I have been succeeded by my 1. What is the chief concern of the author ?
brother, the Duke of York, my first words must be to (a) to reassure
declare my allegiance to him. This I do with all my heart. (b) to bid goodbye
You all know the reasons which have impelled me (c) to proclaim allegiance
to renounce the throne. But I want you to understand that (d) to praise those who helped him.
in making up my mind I did not forget the country or the 2. The country to which the author belongs is
empire, which, as Prince of Wales and lately as King, I (a) America
have for twenty-five years tried to serve. (b) France
But you must believe me when I tell you that I have (c) England
found it impossible to carry the heavy burden of (d) India.
responsibility and to discharge my duties as King as I 3. Why is the person going away ?
would wish to do without the help and support of the (a) rebellion
woman I love. . (b) public disgrace
And I want you to know that the decision I have (c) family problem
made has been mine and mine alone. This was a thing I (d) something to do with a woman.
had to judge entirely for myself. The other person most 4. What was the person before he became the King?
nearly concerned has tried up to the last to persuade me (a) Duke of York
to take a different course. (b) Prince of Wales
I have made this, the most serious decision of my (c) Prime Minister
life, only upon the single thought of what would, in the (d) His Majesty.
end, be best for all. 5. What could the passage best be described as?
This decision has been made less difficult to me by (a) a sad piece
the sure knowledge that my brother, with his long (b) an abdication address
training in the public affairs of this country and with his (c) a speech
fine qualities, will be able to take my place forthwith (d) an obituary.
without interruption or injury to the life and progress of
the empire. And he has one matchless blessing, enjoyed
by so many of you, and not bestowed on me - a happy
home with his wife and children.
 Comprehension 933

Answers to above 4. (b) The person was Prince of Wales. This is stated
1. (a) The chief concern of the author is to reassure in the third last paragraph.
the people that even though the king has 5. (b) The passage appears to be a speech of a
abdicated, the empire is in good hands. king who has given up the throne. This is
2. (c) There are enough hints to that effect, and technically called an abdication address.
that is also expressly stated in the second last If you made your query list, you should have
paragraph. completed these questions in 7 minutes, which is also an
3. (d) The person's going away has something to do ideal time. The more you practice direct and speedy
with a woman. reading, the better it is.
 CHAPTER 75

PREVIOUS YEARS QUESTIONS

ON COMPREHENSION
[FROM CLAT, NLU DELHI AND D.U. LL.B. EXAMS]

Directions (Qs. 1-3): In the paragraph below there are unexpected. A Dutch academic was one of the first
five sentences. In each sentence there are pairs of persons to propose an (A) influential (B) dire theory
highlighted words (A, B). Select the most appropriate of cultural (A) diversity (B) division.
words to form correct sentences. Then from the options (a) ABABA
given select the correct option. (b) ABBAA
1. Internationally high rise walls serve as street (A) (c) AABBA
paintings (B) canvasses. In Delhi and Gurgaon artists (d) ABABB.
have (A) earmarked (B) earmark a district and after CLAT, 2018 Ans. (b)
civic authority (A) compliance, (B) grant Directions (Qs. 1 -4): Read the following passage
transformed it into a throbbing art district. A walk carefully and choose the best answer to each question out
through the (A) instalment (B) installations for of the four alternatives.
public interaction is (A) instituted (B) envisaged. It is Civil and political rights and socio-economic rights
hoped that this will discourage defiling city's public do not exist in a state of antagonism. The conditions
places. necessary for realising or fulfilling socio-economic rights
(a) ABABB do not postulate the subversion of political freedom. The
(b) BABAB reason for this is simple. Socio-economic entitlements
(c) BAABB must yield true benefits to those for whom they are
(d) ABABA. intended. This can be achieved by eliminating rent-
CLAT, 2018 Ans. (c) seeking behaviour and by preventing the capture of
social welfare benefits by persons who are not entitled to
2. Pie charts are another extremely effective (A) visual them. Capture of social welfare benefits can be obviated
(B) graph presentation of data. They show what only when political systems are transparent and when
proportions make up a whole. Each segment should there is a free flow of information Opacity ensures benefit
be (A) cleared (B) differentiated by shading, cross- to those who monopolize scarce economic resources. On
hatching or colour and should be (A) labelled (B) the other hand, conditions where civil and political
articulated horizontally. (A) Initially (B) freedoms flourish ensure that governmental policies are
Conventionally, the largest slice begins at the 12 subject to critique and assessment. It is this scrutiny
o'clock position then slices are sequenced clockwise which sub-serves the purpose of ensuring that socio-
in (A) descending (B) clarified positions. economic benefits actually permeate to the
(a) ABABA underprivileged for whom they are meant. Conditions of
(b) BBABA freedom and a vibrant assertion of civil and political
(c) BABBA rights promote a constant review of the justness of socio-
(d) BAABA. economic programmes and of their effectiveness in
CLAT, 2018 Ans. (a) addressing deprivation and want. Scrutiny of public
3. One of the predictable difficulties you can expect to affairs is founded upon the existence of freedom. Hence
(A) encounter (B) counter when you go to a different civil and political rights and sociao-ecnomic rights are
country to study or work is language. But difficulties complementary and not mutually exclusive.
may also result from (A) culture (B) cultural 1. According to the passage, assertion of rights
differences, which are often less (A) conscious (B)
obvious at first and can be (a) is frowned upon
(b) must be discouraged

934
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 935

(c promotes just social policies Like all complex international agreements, the WTO was
(d> is desirable a product of a series of trade-offs between principal actors
D.L LL.B., 2018 Ans. (c) and groups. For the United States, which did not want a
new organization, the disputed settlement part of the
2. Which of the following statements best conveys the WTO package achieved its long-standing goal of a more
idea of the passage?
effective and more legal dispute settlement system. For
1. Civil and political rights and social and the Europeans, who by the 1990s had come to view GATT
economic rights are opposed to each other. dispute settlement less in political terms add more as a
2. Political freedom must be compromised to regime of legal obligations, the WTO package was
realize rights. acceptable as a means to discipline the resort to unilateral
3. Existence of criticism of government is a proof measures by the United States. Countries like Canada and
of vibrant assertion of civil and political other middle and smaller trading partners were attracted
rights. by the expansion of a rule-based system and by the
symbolic value of a trade organization, both of which
4. Transparency ensures equitable distribution
inherently support the weak against the strong. The
of resources.
developing countries were attracted due to the provisions
(a) 2 and 4 banning unilateral measures. Finally, and perhaps most
(b) 1 and 2 important, many countries at the Uruguay Round came to
(c) 1 and 3 put a higher priority on the export gains than on the
(d) 3 and 4 import losses that the negotiation would produce, and
they came to associate the WTO and a rule-based system
D.U. LL.B., 2018 Ans. (d)
with those gains. This reasoning - replicated in many
3. According to the passage capture of social benefits. countries - was contained in U. S. Ambassador Kantor's
(a) ensures accountability defence of the WTO, and it announced to a recognition
(b) must be discouraged to ensure equitable that international trade and its benefits cannot be enjoyed
distribution of resources unless trading nations accept the discipline of a negotiated
(c) is an evil necessity rule-based environment.
A second factor in the creation of the WTO was
(d) should be encouraged to maintain free flow of
pressure from lawyers and the legal process. The dispute
information
settlement system of the WTO was seen as a victory of
D.U. LL.B., 2018 Ans. (b) legalists but the matter went deeper than that. The GATT,
4. 'Opacity7 means: and the WTO, are contract organizations based on rules,
(a) Ostensible and it is inevitable that an organization creating a further
rule will in turn be influenced by legal process. Robert
(b) Transparent
Hudee has written of the 'momentum of legal
(c) Unclear development', but what is this precisely? Legal
(d) Opal like development can be defined as promotion of the technical
D.U. LL.B., 2018 Ans. (c) legal values of consistency, clarity (or certainty) and
Directions (Qs. 1-5): Read the given passage carefully effectiveness; these are values that those responsible for
and choose the most appropriate option to the questions administering any legal system will seek to maximize. As
given below. it played out in the WTO, consistency meant integrating
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) was created under one roof the whole lot of separate agreements
in the early 1990s as a component of the Uruguay Round signed under GATT auspices; clarity meant removing
negotiation. However, it could have been negotiated as ambiguities about the powers of contracting parties to
part of the Tokyo Round of the 1970s, since negotiation make certain decisions or to undertake waivers; and
was an attempt at a 'constitutional reform' of the General effectiveness meant eliminating exceptions arising out of
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Or it could have grandfather-rights and resolving defects in dispute
been put off to the future, as the US government wanted. settlement procedures and institutional provisions.
What factors led to the creation of the WTO in the early Concern for these values is inherent in any rule-based
1990s? system of cooperation, since without these value rules
One factor was the pattern of multilateral bargaining would be meaningless in the first place, therefore, create
that developed late in the Uruguay Round. their own incentive for fulfilment.
936 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

The moment of legal development has occurred in 2. What would be the closest reason why WTO was not
other institutions besides the GATT, most notably in the formed in 1970s?
European Union (EU). Over the past two decades the (a) The Tokyo Round negotiations was an attempt
European Court of Justice (ECJ) has consistently rendered at constitutional reform.
decisions that have expanded incrementally the EU's (b) The US government did not like it.
internal market, in which the doctrine of 'mutual (c) Lawyers did not work for the dispute settlement
recognition' handed down in Cassis de Dijon case in 1979 system.
was a key turning point. The court is now widely (d) Important players did not find it in their best
recognized as a major player in European integration, interest to do so.
even though arguably such a strong role was not CLAT, 2017 Ans. (d)
originally envisaged in the Treaty of Rome, which
3. The most likely reason for the acceptance of the WTO
initiated the current European Union. One means the
Court used to expand integration was the 'teleological package by nations was that
method of interpretation', whereby the actions of member (a) They recognized the need for a rule-based
states were evaluated against 'the accomplishment of the environment to protect the benefits of increased
most elementary goals set forth in the Preamble to the trade.
(Rome) treaty. The teleological method represents an (b) Its rule-based system leads to export gains.
effort to keep current policies consistent with slated goals, (c) It has the means to prevent the US from taking
and it is analogous to the effort in GATT to keep unilateral measures.
contracting party trade practices consistent with slated (d) It settles disputes more legally and more
rules. In both cases legal concerns and procedures are an effectively.
independent force for further cooperation. CLAT, 2017 Ans. (a)
In the large part the WTO was an exercise in 4. According to the passage, WTO promoted the
consolidation. In the context of a trade negotiation that technical legal values partly through
created a near-revolutionary expansion of international (a) Rules that create their own incentive for
trade rules, the formation of the WTO was a deeply fulfilment.
conservative act needed to ensure that the benefits of the (b) Ambiguities about the powers of contracting
new rules would not be lost. The WTO was all about parties to make certain decisions.
institutional structure and dispute settlement: these are (c) Integrating under one roof the agreements
the concerns of conservatives and not revolutionaries,
signed under GATT.
that is why lawyers and legalists took the lead on these
(d) Grandfather-rights exceptions and defects in
issues. The WTO codified the GATT institutional practice
dispute settlement procedures.
that had developed by custom over three decades, and it
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (c)
incorporated a new dispute settlement system that was
necessary to keep both old and new rules from becoming 5. In the statement '... it amounted to a recognition that
a sham. Both the international structure and the dispute international trade and its benefits cannot be enjoyed
settlement system were necessary to preserve and unless trading nations accept the discipline of a
enhance the integrity of the multilateral trade regime that negotiated rule-based environment', it refers to
had been built incrementally from the 1940s to the 1990s. (a) The higher priority on export gains placed by
1. In the method of interpretation of the European many countries at the Uruguay Round.
Court of Justice (b) The export gains many countries came to
(a) Current policies need to be consistent with associate with a rule-based system.
stated goals. (c) Ambassador Kantor's defence of the WTO.
(b) Actions against member states needed to be (d) The provision of a rule-based system by the
evaluated against the said community goals. WTO.
(c) Contracting party trade practices need to be CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b)
consistent with stated rules. Directions (Questions 1-9): Read the following
(d) Enunciation of the most elementary community passage carefully and choose the best answer to each
goals needed to be emphasized. question out of the four alternatives given.
CLAT, 2017 Ans. (b) Legislation is the prime source of law and consists in
the declaration of legal rules by a competent
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 937

authority. A parliamentary legislature frames new laws, 3. Judicial precedent is associated mainly with
such as Acts of Parliament, and amends or repeals old jurisdictions based on .......................
laws. Legislature may delegate law- making powers to (a) Continental law
lower bodies. Delegated legislation may be open to (b) Canon law
challenge for irregularity of process; and the legislature (c) English Common law
usually has the right to withdraw delegated powers if it (d) Civil law.
sees fit. Most legislatures have their powers restricted by D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (c)
the nation's Constitution, and Montesquieu's theory of
4. To which of the following court, though now non-
the separation of powers typically restricts a legislature's
operational, does equity owe its origin?
powers to legislation. Although the legislature has the
power to legislate, it is the courts who have the power to (a) Curia Regis
interpret statutes. Similarly, although parliaments have (b) House of Lords
the power to legislate, it is usually the executive who (c) Privy Council
decides on the legislative programme. Judicial precedent (d) Court of Chancery.
is based on the doctrine of stare decisis, and mostly D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (d)
associated with jurisdictions based on the English 5. Who may delegate law-making powers to lower
Common Law, but the concept has been adopted in part bodies?
by Civil Law systems. Precedent is the accumulated (a) Executive
principles of law derived from centuries of decisions. (b) Judiciary
Judgments passed by judges in important cases are (c) Convention
recorded and become significant source of law. A judicial (d) Legislature.
precedent is a judgment or decision of a court of law cited D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (d)
as an authority for deciding a similar state of fact in the
6. A judgment of a court of law cited as an authority is
same manner or on the same principle or by analogy.
useful for deciding a later case which has
Equity is the case law developed by the Court of
Chancery which is now defunct. Equity prevails over
(a) a fundamental similarity in the area of dispute
common law, but its application is discretionary. Equity's
(b) a similar state of fact
main achievements are: trusts, charities, probate, and
equitable remedies. The Judicature Reforms in the 1870s (c) the same parties before the court
effected a procedural fusion of the two bodies of law, (d) its origin in the same place.
ending their institutional separation. The reforms did not D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (b)
effect any substantive fusion, however. Judicial or 7. Which two areas of law were amalgamated in the
academic reasoning which assumes the contrary has been later part of nineteenth century?
described as a “fusion fallacy". A custom as a law is not (a) Equity and custom
written, but is a rule whereby if a practice can be shown (b) Common law and equity
to have existed for a very long time, such as "since time (c) Common law and civil law
immemorial", it becomes a source of law. (d) Civil law and equity.
1. The doctrine of stare decisis is associated with D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (b)
8. A practice which has been followed for a very long
period of time becomes a source of law as

(a) Judicial Precedent (a) legislation

(b) equity
(b) Delegated Legislation
(c) precedent
(c) Customs
(d) custom.
(d) Legislation.
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (d)
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (a)
9. Probate is one of the contributions of
2. Who has the supreme power to interpret statutes?
(a) Parliament
(b) Court
(c) Legislature
(d) Executive.
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (b) (a) Equity
938 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

(b) Common law construction of the world's first atomic bomb. All
(c) Customary law this while, Einstein had the impression that the
(d) Civil law. bomb would be used to protect the world from the
D.U. LL.B., 2017 Ans. (a) Nazis.
Direction for Questions 1 to 10: Read the given passage But in 1945, when Hiroshima was bombed to end
carefully and answer the questions given after the World War II, Einstein was deeply grieved and he
passage: regretted his endorsement of the need for nuclear
research.
1. Often, we passionately pursue matters that in the
6. He also stated that had he known that the Germans
future appear to be contradictory to our real
would be unsuccessful in making the atomic bomb,
intention or nature; and triumph is followed by
he would have probably never recommended
remorse or regret. There are numerous examples of
making one. In 1947, Einstein began working for the
such a trend in the annals of history and
cause of disarmament. But, Einstein's name still
contemporary life.
continues to be linked with the bomb.
2. Alfred Nobel was the son of Immanuel Nobel, an Man's fluctuating thoughts, changing opinions,
inventor who experimented extensively with varying opportunities keep the mind in a state of
explosives. Alfred too carried out research and flux. Hence, the paradox of life: its certain that
experiments with a large range of chemicals; he nothing is certain in life.
found new methods to blast rocks for the
construction of roads and bridges: he was engaged 1. The Manhattan project was initiated
(a) in honour of Einstein.
in the development of technology and different
(b) to carry out nuclear research.
weapons; his life revolved around rockets and
(c) to protect the Nazis.
cannons and gun powder. The ingenuity of the
(d) to bomb Hiroshima.
scientist brought him enough wealth to buy the
Bofors armament plant in Sweden. CLAT, 2016 Ans. (b)
2. In paragraph, 4 the word 'accomplished' means
3. Paradoxically, Nobel's life was a busy one yet he was
lonely; and as he grew older, he began suffering
(a) made an effort to do something
from guilt of having invented the dynamite that was
(b) won awards
being used for destructive purposes. He set aside a
(c) worked hard
huge part of his wealth to institute Nobel Prizes.
(d) completed successfully.
Besides honouring men and women for their
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
extraordinary achievements in physics, chemistry,
medicine and literature, he wished to honour people 3. In the fifth paragraph, the word 'endorsement' means
who worked for the promotion of peace. (a) making a promise to do something.
(b) expressing one's regret.
4. It's strange that the very man whose name was closely (c) expressing one's opposition.
connected with explosives and inventions that (d) expressing one's approval or support.
helped in waging wars willed a large part of his CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d)
earnings for the people who work for the promotion
4. Working with arms and ammunition helped Alfred
of peace and the benefit of mankind. The Nobel
to amass.
Peace Prize is intended for a person who has
(a) Wealth
accomplished the best work for fraternity among
(b) enemies
nations, for abolition or reduction of war and for
promotion of peace. (c) Popularity
(d) intelligence.
5. Another example that comes to one's mind is that of CLAT, 2016 Ans. (a)
Albert Einstein. In 1939, fearing that the Nazis 5. The paradox, 'it's certain that nothing is certain in life',
would win the race to build the world's first atomic indicates the writer's
bomb, Einstein urged President Franklin D (a) persuasive nature
Roosevelt to launch an American programme on (b) scientific mind
nuclear research. The matter was considered and a (c) hatred for scientists
project called the Manhattan Project was initiated.
The project involved intense nuclear research the
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 939

(d) analytical mind. market. This article brings together an interesting body of
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d) research that seeks to understand and explain the types of
6. Immanuel's interest in dynamites influenced changes that have accrued in the structure of rural labour
Alfred's inclination for working. markets over the last few decades.
(a) with explosives The 1980s were characterised by an explosion of the
(b) for humanity rural labour force, slow employment growth in
(c) with contradiction agriculture and a rise in the share of non-agricultural
(d) for the Nobel Peace Prize. employment. The decade was also characterized by a
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (a) growing casualisation of the work force (for a relative rise
7. One of the paradoxes in Alfred's life was that he was. in casual employment as opposed to regular
(a) lonely yet rich employment).
(b) occupied yet lonely At the same time, it was a period when agricultural
(c) intelligent yet lonely wages increased in real terms and when income poverty
(d) hard working but a failure. declined. There was what may be called "the tension
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (b) between the estimated decline in poverty on the one
8. The passage is. hand, and the slow growth of agricultural employment
(a) an argumentative essay and increased casualisation of the labour force on the
(b) a process essay other". Some of the trends in the development of rural
(c) an expository essay labour over for this period are a source of concern. These
(d) a descriptive essay. include, as Radhakrishnan and Sharma note, the
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d) continuous widening of the gap between labour
9. Einstein had the impression that the Germans productivity in agricultural and non-agricultural
would. occupations, the burgeoning mass of rural casual workers
(a) be unsuccessful in making the atomic bomb. who have no social security safety net, and the increasing
(b) bomb Hiroshima. number of women employed at very low wages in
(c) be successful in making the world's first atomic agriculture. Another matter for concern, one that emerges
bomb. from a desegregation of data on rural unemployment by
(d) work for humanity. age groups, is that the incidence of unemployment is
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (c) higher for persons in the age group of 15-29 than for any
10. Alfred established the Nobel Prizes to. other age group in other words, unemployment is
(a) use his wealth for hard working people. typically high among new entrants to the workforce.
(b) honour only those people who are intelligent. In her review of trends in wages, employment and
(c) remind people of his achievements. poverty, Sheila Bhalla shows that the real wages of
(d) ease his guilt and promote work for the agricultural labourers stagnated from the time of
betterment of mankind. independence to the mid 1970s and then began to rise in
CLAT, 2016 Ans. (d) all parts of the country. This was also the period in which
the incidence of rural poverty began to decline. The rise
Directions (Qs. 1 to 9): Read the following passage
in wages was not limited to the more prosperous
carefully and then answer the questions that follow.
agricultural zones, and Bhalla argues that the movement
Rural manual workers comprise the single largest in real wages was co-related with the increase in the share
occupational category in India. In 1991, according to the of non-agricultural employment in total employment. As
National Commission on Rural Labour, 60 percent of the wages in non-agricultural work are typically higher than
workers in rural India were manual workers and they wages in agriculture, the expansion of non-farm work
numbered more than 160 million. The changes in the could also explain some of the decline in rural poverty. In
working and living conditions of rural labourers are thus the 1990s, the improvement in real wages and the decline
central to changes in the welfare of the rural population in poverty were reversed while agricultural employment
and of the country as a whole. The structure and working expanded. Economic development all over the world has
of rural labour markets in India is complex; as is well been associated with a rise in the share of employment in
known, there is great diversity across regions and across the secondary and tertiary sectors of the economy and a
segments of the labour fall in the share of the agricultural sector. In India,
changes in the composition of the rural workforce in the
1990s points to a "structural retrogression".
940 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

1. Give an appropriate title to the passage in number, now apportioned the existing
(a) The complex labour markets in India agricultural sector wealth, getting richer
(b) Matters of concern in rural agriculture individually
(c) The agricultural and non-agricultural sectors: NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (d)
Changing perspective 5. What is the most important problem in understanding
(d) The Changing Structure of Rural labour market. the condition of rural labour markets in India?
NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (d) (a) The rural labour markets are uneconomic in
2. The author does not say nature
(a) In 1991, about 3/5 of the workers in rural India (b) The rural labour markets are ven’ complex and
were manual workers there exists great diversity across regions and
(b) The decade of 1980s was characterised by a across segments of such markets
relative rise in casual employment as opposed (c) The rural labourers are a reticent lot; not
to regular employment forthcoming with their problems, not very open
(c) There is no gender bias among workers in to suggestions on how to improve their lifestyle
agriculture sector (d) They are lazy and want doles from the
(d) Wages in agricultural employment have been government without undertaking any viable
lesser than those in non-agricultural productive activities.
employment in the 1990s NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (b)
NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (c)
6. What sort of tension exists between the decline of
3. Why is the increasing gap between labour poverty and the slow growth of agricultural
productivity in agricultural and non-agricultural employment and the increased casualisation of the
occupations a cause of concern, according to labour force?
Radhakrishnan and Sharma? (a) A decline in rural poverty is only possible when
(a) This would increase the wages of agricultural there is increased agricultural employment and
sector lower casualisation of the labour force
(b) This would lead to pressure on both the (b) The tension exists in the fact that an increased
agricultural and non-agricultural sectors as casualisation of the labour force would increase
whichever sector expands at the expense of the poverty
other, there would be increased labour pressure (c) When there is a decline in poverty there should
on that sector and lesser economic development be faster growth of agricultural employment
in the other and the decreased casualisation of the labour
(c) This would indirectly mean a pressure on force
agricultural sector in terms of higher wages (d) Both (b) and (c).
(d) This would indirectly mean a pressure on non- NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (a)
agricultural sector in terms of higher wages
NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (b) 7. What sort of passage is this?
(a) Political
4. How does Bhalla explain the fact that the real wages (b) Social commentary
of agricultural labourers began to rise in all parts of (c) Economic
the country after mid-70s? (d) Philosophical.
(a) Economic development increased for both the NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (c)
sectors across the world
(b) Economic liberalization in India led to the 8. The author does not say which of the following
development of the agricultural sector statements in the passage?
(c) The agricultural labourers became rich due to (a) The National Commission on Rural Labour
successive good crops during the time of Green gives data on the activities of rural labourers in
Revolution India
(d) There was a mass outflow of agricultural (b) Economic development basically means a rise
labourers into the non-agricultural sectors and in the share employment in the agricultural
the remaining labourers, who were lesser
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 941

sector at the expense of the secondary and the contributions to x-ray technology, storage batteries and
tertiary sectors motion pictures (movies). Edison was a prolific inventor,
(c) In India, employment was higher among the holding 1,093 US patents in his name, as well as many
new entrants to the workforce in the 1980s patents in the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
(d) Real wages of the agricultural labourers started 10. As per the above paragraph, which of the following
showing an upward trend from the 1970s. was the first accomplishment of Thomas Edison?
NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (b) (a) Inventing tin foil
9. Why are changes in the working and living (b) Inventing an improved stock ticker
conditions of rural manual workers of utmost (c) Inventing the light bulb
significance to the country as a whole? (d) Inventing an improved x-ray.
(a) Rural workers migrate a lot to the cities, adding D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (b)
to the already burgeoning population of these
places and so any improvement in their living 11. A phonograph is most similar to
conditions which would stall this trend would (a) A record player
benefit (b) A walkie-talkie
(b) The rural workers live in abject poverty and a (c) A television
change in their working and living conditions is (d) A microphone.
therefore very crucial D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (a)
(c) They form the bulk of the rural workers and so 12. In which state did Thomas Edison not live?
any change in their living standards augurs (a) Michigan
well for the country as a whole (b) New York
(d) Both (a) and (b). (c) Ohio
NLU Delhi, 2016 Ans. (c) (d) Massachusetts.
Directions (Qs. 10-16): Read the following passage D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
carefully and choose the most appropriate answer to each 13. Which of the following describes Morse Code most
question out of the four alternatives given. appropriately?
Thomas Edison was born in 1847 in Milan, Ohio. He (a) A system of clicks that stand for current
was nicknamed "Al" at an early age. At age 11, Edison (b) A system of clicks that stand for letters
moved to Michigan where he spent the remainder of his (c) A system of clicks that stand for words
childhood. Thomas Edison struggled at school, but (d) A system of clicks that stands for signals.
learned to love reading and conducting experiments from D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (b)
his mother who taught him at home. At age 15, Edison
14. Who is a "mucker"?
became a "tramp telegrapher", sending and receiving
(a) Someone from Thomas Edison's family
messages via Morse code, an electronically-conveyed
(b) Someone from another country
alphabet using different clicks for each letter. In 1870,
(c) Someone from another country hoping to make
Edison moved to New York City and improved the stock
a fortune in America
ticker. He soon formed his own company that
(d) Someone from another country hoping to find
manufactured the new stock tickers. He also began
a home in America
working on the telegraph, and invented a version that
D.U. LL.B., Ans. (c)
could send four messages at once. Edison then moved
with his family to New Jersey where he started his 15. Which of the following is not included in Thomas
famous laboratory. In 1877, Edison, with help from Edison's inventions?
"muckers", individuals from around the world looking to (a) The first phonograph
make fortunes in America, invented the phonograph. The (b) The improved stock ticker
phonograph was a machine that recorded and played (c) A power system that could deliver electricity to
back sounds. In 1878, Edison invented the light bulb as homes
well as the power grid system, which could generate (d) The first storage battery.
electricity and deliver it to homes through a network of D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (d)
wires. He subsequently started the Edison Electric Light
Company in October of 1878. Edison continued to invent
or improve products and make significant
942 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

16. How many patents Edison registered worldwide? to be tolerated in the same way as an inexcisable wart.
(a) 1093 The high expropriatory rates taxation, the licensing laws,
(b) More than 1093 the reservation of whole swathes of industry for the
(c) 957 public sector, and the granting of monopolies to the
(d) None of the above. public sector firms were the principle manifestations of
D.U. LL.B., 2016 Ans. (b) this attitude. The government forgot that before wealth
Directions (Qs. No. 17 to 26): In view of the passage could be distributed, it had to be created.
given below. Choose the best option for question. The government forgot that it itself could not create,
When talks come to how India has done for itself in but only squander wealth. Some of the manifestations of
50 years of Independence, the world has nothing but the old attitude have changed. Tax rates have fallen.
praise for our success in remaining a democracy. On Licensing has been all but abolished. And the gates of
other fronts, the applause is less loud. In absolute terms, global trade have been opened wide. But most of these
India has not done too badly, of course, life expectancy changes were first by circumstances partly by the foreign
has increased. So has literacy. Industry, which was barely exchange bankruptcy of 1991 and the recognition that the
a fledging has grown tremendously. And as far as government could no longer muster the funds to support
agriculture is concerned, India has been transformed the public sector, leave alone expand it. Whether the
from a country perpetually on the edge of starvation into attitude of the government itself, or that to more than
a success story held up for others to emulate. But these handful of ministers, has changed, is open to question. In
are competitive times when change is rapid, and to walk many other ways, however, the government has not
slowly when the rest of the world is running is almost as changed one with. Business still has to negotiate a welter
bad as standing still on walking backwards. of negotiations. Transparency is still a longer way off.
Compared with large chunks of what was then the And there is no exit policy. In defending the existing
developing world South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, policy, politicians betray an inability to see beyond their
Thailand, Indonesia, China and what was till lately a noses. A no-exit policy for labour is equivalent to a no-
separate Hong Kong-India has fared abysmally. It began entry policy for new business. If one industry is not
with a far better infrastructure than most of these allowed to retrench labour, other industries will think a
countries had. It suffered hardly or not at all during the hundred times before employing new labour. In other
Second World War. It had advantages like an English ways too, the government hurts industries.
speaking elite, quality scientific manpower (including a Public sector monopolies like the department of
Nobel laureate and others who could be ranked among telecommunications and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.
the world's best) and excellent business acumen. Yet, make it possible for Indian business to operate only at a
today, when countries are ranked according to their cost several times that of their counterparts abroad. The
global competitiveness, it is tiny Singapore that figures at infrastructure is in a shambles partly because it is unable
the top. Hong Kong is an export powerhouse. So is to formulate a sufficiently remunerative policy for
Taiwan. If a symbol were needed of how far we have private business, and partly because it does not have the
fallen back, note that while Korean Cielos are sold in stomach to change market rates for sen ices. After a burst
India, no one is South Korea is rushing to buy an Indian of activity in the early nineties, the government is
car. The reasons list themselves. Topmost is economic dragging its feet. At the rate it is going, it will be another
isolationism. fifty years before the government realizes that a pro-
The government discouraged imports and business policy is the best pro-people policy. By then of
encouraged self-sufficiency. Whatever the aim was, the course, the world would have moved even farther ahead.
result was the creation of a totally inefficient industry 17. The writer's attitude towards the Government
that failed to keep pace with global trends and, therefore, is ...........
became absolutely uncompetitive. Only when the trade (a) critical
gates were opened a little did this become apparent. The (b) ironical
years since then have been spent in merely trying to catch (c) sarcastic
up. That the government actually sheltered its (d) derisive.
industrialists from foreign competition is a little strange. CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a)
For in all other respects, it operated under the conviction
that businessmen were little more than crooks how were 18. The writer is surprised at the Government's
to be prevented from entering the most important areas attitude towards its industrialists because ..............
of the economy, how were to be hamstrung in as many (a) the government did not need to protect its
ways as possible, how were industrialists
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 943

(b) the issue of competition was non-existent (c) encouragement of exports

(c) the government looked upon its industrialists (d) discouragement of exports.
as crooks CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a)
(d) the attitude was a conundrum.
25. The example of the Korean Cielo has been
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (c)
presented to highlight..........
19. The Government was compelled to open the (a) India's lack of stature in the international
economy due to.... market
(a) pressure from international market (b) India's poor performance in the international
(b) pressure from domestic market market
(c) foreign change bankruptcy and paucity of (c) India's lack of credibility in the international
funds with the government market
(d) All of the above. (d) India's disrepute in the international market.
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (c) CLAT, 2015 Ans. (b)
20. The writer ends the passage on a note of ........ 26. According to the writer .....
(a) cautious optimism (a) India's politicians are myopic in their vision of
(b) pessimism the country's requirements
(c) optimism (b) India's politicians are busy lining their pockets
(d) pragmatism. (c) India's politicians are not conversant with the
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (b) needs of the present scenario
(d) All of the above.
21. According to the writer India should have
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a)
performed better than the other Asian nations
because ........ Directions (Qs. 27 to 28): Four alternative summaries
(a) it had adequate infrastructure are given the text. Choose the option that best captures
(b) it had better infrastructure the essence of the text.
(c) it had better politicians who could take the 27. Some decisions will be fairly obvious "no- brainers".
required decisions Your bank account is low, but you have a two-week
(d) All of the above. vacation coming up and you want to get away to
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (b) some place warm to relax with your family. Will you
22. India was in better condition than the other Asian accept your in-laws' offer of free use of their Florida
nations because.... beach front condo? Sure. You like your employer
(a) it did not face the ravages of the Second World and feel ready to move forward in your career. Will
War you step in for your boss for three weeks while she
(b) it had an English speaking populace and good attends a professional development course? Of
business sense course.
(c) it had enough wealth through its exports
(d) Both (a) and (b) above.
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d)
23. The major reasons for India's poor performance
is ......... A. Some decisions are obvious under certain
(a) economic isolationism circumstances. You may, for example, readily
(b) economic mismanagement accept a relative's offer of free holiday
(c) inefficient industry accommodation. Or step in for your boss
(d) All of these. when she is away.
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a) B. Some decisions are no-brainers. You need not
think when making them. Examples are
24. One of the factors of the government's condo offers from inlaws and job offers from
projectionist policy was ........... bosses when your bank account is low or boss
(a) encouragement of imports is away.
(b) discouragement of imports C. Easy decisions are called "no-brainers"
because they do not require any cerebral
activity. Examples such as accepting free
holiday accommodation abound in our lives
944 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

D. Accepting an offer from in-laws when you are when you are busy. He serenades his beloved when she
short on funds and want a holiday is a no- is ill. He asks a man who has just lost money by paying a
brainer. Another no-brainer is taking the bill for a friend to pay a bill for him. He invites a friend to
boss's job when she is away. go for a ride just after the friend has finished a long car
(a) A trip. He is eager to offer sendees which are not wanted,
(b) B but which cannot be politely refused. If he is present at an
(c) C arbitration, he stirs up dissension between the two
(d) D. parties, who were really anxious to agree. Such is the
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a) unreasonable man.
29. The unreasonable man tends to
28. Physically, inertia is a feeling that you just can't
(a) entertain women
move; mentally, it is a sluggish mind. Even if you try
(b) be a successful arbitrator when dissenting
to be sensitive, if your mind is sluggish, you just
parties are anxious to agree
don't feel anything intensely. You may even see a
tragedy enacted in front of your eyes and not be able (c) be helpful when solicited
to respond meaningfully. You may see one person (d) tell a long story to people who have heard it
exploiting another, one group persecuting another, many times before.
and not be able to get angry. Your energy is frozen. CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d)
You are not deliberately refusing to act; you just 30. The unreasonable man tends to
don't have the capacity. (a) bring a higher bidder to a salesman who has just
A. Inertia makes your body and mind sluggish. closed a deal
They become insensitive to tragedies, (b) disclose confidential information to others
exploitation, and persecution because it (c) sing the praise of the bride when he goes to a
freezes your energy and decapitates it. wedding
B. When you have inertia you don't act although (d) sleep late and rise early.
you see one person exploiting another or one CLAT, 2015 Ans. (a)
group persecuting another. You don't get Directions (Qs. 31 to 36): The questions in this section
angry because you are incapable. are based on the passage. The questions are to be
C. Inertia is of two types - physical and mental. answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the
Physical inertia restricts bodily movements. passage. For some of the questions, more than one of the
Mental inertia prevents response to events choices could conceivably answer the question. However,
enacted in front of your eyes. you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response
D. Physical inertia stops your body from that most accurately and completely answers the
moving; mental inertia freezes your energy questions.
and stops your mind from responding The Constitution of the United States protects both
meaningfully to events, even tragedies, in property rights and freedom of speech. At times these
front of you. rights conflict. Resolution then requires a determination
(a) A as to the type of property involved. If the property is
(b) B private and not open to the general public, the owner may
(c) C absolutely deny the exercise of the right of free speech
(d) D. thereon. On the other hand, if public land is at issue, the
CLAT, 2015 Ans. (d) First Amendment protections of expression are
Directions (Qs. 29-30): Answer the question based on applicable. However, the exercise of free speech thereon
the following information. Indicate which of the is not absolute. Rather it is necessary to determine the
statements given with that particular question consistent appropriateness of the forum. This requires that
with the description of unreasonable man in the passage consideration be given to a number of factors including:
below. character and normal use of the property, the extent to
Unreasonableness is a tendency to do socially which it is open to the public and the number and types
permissible things at the wrong time. The unreasonable of persons who frequent it if the forum is clearly public or
man is the sort of person who comes to confide in you clearly private, the resolution of the greater of rights is
relatively straight forward.
In the area of t/uflsi-public property, balancing these
rights has produced a dilemma. This is the
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 945

situation when a private owner permits the general public (c) a religious order soliciting funds and converts
to use his property. When persons seek to us the land for in the swimming pool area of a condominium
passing out handbills or picketing, how is a conflict (d) a candidate for mayor handing out flyers in
between property rights and freedom of expression front of his opponent's headquarters.
resolved? NLU Delhi, 2015 Ans. (c)
The precept that a private properly owner
33. According to the passage, an owner's freedom to
surrenders his rights in proportion to the extent to which
deny freedom of speech on his property is
he opens up his property to the public is not new. In 1675,
determined by all of the following EXCEPT
Lord Chief Justice Hale wrote that when private property (a) whether or not the land is open to the public
is "affected with a public interest, it ceases to be private." (b) the nature of and the usual use of the property
Throughout the development of Anglo- American law, (c) the type of persons who frequents the land
the individual has never possessed absolute dominion (d) the nature of character of the owner.
over property. Land clothed with a public interest when NLU Delhi, 2015 Ans. (d)
the owner devotes his property to a use in which the
public has an interest. In support of this position the 34. We can infer from the passage that the author
chairman of the board of the Wide Lake Shopping Centre believes that shopping malls in America
in Columbia, Maryland said: (a) should be in the service of the people who
The only real purpose and justification of any of frequent them
these centres is to serve the people in the area - not the (b) have a right to prohibit distribution of
merchants, not the developers, not the architects. The advertising handbills
success or failure of a regional shopping centre will be (c) have a right to control any distributed materials
measured by what it does for the people it seeks to serve. (d) should permit any charitable solicitations.
These doctrines should be applied when NLU Delhi, 2015 Ans. (a)
accommodation must be made between a shopping 35. According to the passage, the idea that a property
centre owners private property rights and the public's owner's rights decline as the property is more used
right to free expression. It is hoped that when the Court is by the general public
asked to balance these conflicting rights it will keep in (a) is peculiar to recent Supreme Court decisions
mind what Justice Black said in 1945: (b) is attested by a three-hundred-year-old opinion
"When wTe balance the constitutional rights of (c) conflicts with the idea that property affected
owners of property against those of the people to enjoy with a public interest ceases to be private
(First Amendment) freedom(s) ........we remain mindful (d) is now universally accepted in Great Britain and
of the fact that the latter occupy a preferred position." in Canada.
31. In which one of the following cases would the Ans. (b)
owner of the property probably be most free to 36. All other things being equal, the courts must
restrict the freedom of speech? (a) favour First Amendment rights over property
(a) an amusement park attended by five million rights
people each year owned by a multinational (b) favour property rights over First Amendment
company rights
(b) a small grocery shopping mall owned by a (c) treat property rights and First Amendment
husband and wife rights equally
(c) an enclosed shopping mall owned by a single (d) protect property rights of the owners.
woman
NLU Delhi, 2015 ' Ans. (a)
(d) an eight-unit residential apartment building
owned by a large real estate company. Directions (Qs. 37 to 46): Read the passage given
NLU Delhi, 2015 below and answer the following questions:
Ans. (d)
Once upon a time, there was a royal elephant which
32. A conflict between property rights and freedom of used to reside in the premises of the king's palace. The
speech might arise in all of the following situations, elephant was very dear to the king, so he was well-fed
EXCEPT and well treated. There was also a Dog who lived near the
(a) protestors carrying signs outside a cinema in an Elephant's shed. He was very weak
enclosed shopping mall
(b) a disgruntled employee passing out leaflets in
front of a hairdresser's salon
946 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

and skinny. He was always fascinated by the smell of rich asked, "How can we bring back my Elephant's friend and
sweet rice being fed to the royal elephant. One day, the make him happy again?" The Minister suggested, "Your
Dog could no longer resist the aroma of the rice and Majesty, make a declaration that whoever has the dog that
somehow managed to sneak into the Elephant's shed. He used to live at the royal Elephant's shed will be
ate the grains of sweet rice that fell from the Elephant's penalized". The King did the same and the man who had
mouth. He liked the rice so much, that he started going taken the dog, instantly turned him loose when he heard
there daily to eat the rice. For days, the huge Elephant the proclamation. As soon as he was freed, the Dog ran
didn't notice the small dog as he was busy enjoying the back as fast as he could to the Elephant's shed. The
delicious food. Gradually, the dog grew bigger and Elephant was so delighted to see the Dog that he picked
stronger eating such rich food. Finally the Elephant his friend up with his trunk and swung him back and
noticed him and allowed him access to the food. The forth. The Dog wagged his tail, while the Elephant's eyes
Elephant enjoyed the company of the Dog and started sparkled with happiness. The King was content to see the
sharing his food with him. They also started spending Elephant happy once again and rewarded the Minister for
time with each other and soon became good friends. They his wise judgment.
ate together, slept together and played together. While 37. What was the Minister's diagnosis of the Elephant's
playing, the Elephant would hold the Dog in his trunk condition?
and swing him back and forth. Soon neither of them was (a) The Elephant hated his keeper
happy without the other. They became great friends and (b) The Elephant was lonely
didn't want to be separated from each other. (c) The Elephant was starving
Then one day, a man saw the Dog and asked the (d) The Elephant had hurt his leg and was in pain.
Elephant-keeper, "I w’ant to buy this Dog. What price do
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (b)
you want for it?" The Elephant keeper didn't own the Dog
but sold it and extracted a sum of money from this deal. 38. What method did the Minister suggest to the King to
The man took the Dog to his home village, which was get back the Dog?
quite far away. The King's Elephant became very sad after (a) To declare that whoever had that particular Dog
this incident. He missed his friend a lot and started would be punished
neglecting everything. He didn't want to do anything (b) To keep a bowl of rice for the dog in the
without his dear friend, so he stopped eating, drinking Elephant's shed so that he could be lured back
and even bathing. Finally, the Elephant-keeper reported to the palace
this to the King; however he didn't mention anything (c) To command the Elephant keeper to look for the
about the Dog. The King had a wise minister, who was Dog in the village
known for his keen understanding of animals. The King (d) To persuade the Elephant to call out to the Dog.
ordered the minister, "Go to the Elephant's shed and find D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (a)
out the reason for the Elephant's condition". The
39. Why had the Elephant become very sad?
intelligent minister went to the Elephant's shed and found
(a) He no longer got his daily bowl of rice
the Elephant very sad. He examined the Elephant and
(b) He was unhappy with the King for having sold
asked the Elephant keeper, "There is nothing wrong with
this Elephant's body, then why does he look so sad? I the Dog
think this Elephant is grief stricken, possibly due to the (c) He missed his friend the Dog
loss of a dear friend. (d) He was sold to an unknown man by his keeper.
Do you know if this Elephant shared a close D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (c)
friendship with anyone? The Elephant-keeper said, 40. What did the Elephant-keeper do to the Dog?
"There was a Dog who used to eat, sleep and play with (a) He sold the Dog to an unknown man for a price
the Elephant. He was taken by a stranger three days ago". (b) He hit the Dog as the Dog was eating the
The minister went back to the King and said, "Your Elephant's food
majesty, in my opinion, the royal Elephant is not sick, but (c) He killed the Dog
he is lonesome without his dear friend, the Dog". The (d) He complained to the King about the Dog.
King said, "You're right, friendship is one of the most D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (a)
wonderful things of life. Do you know where that Dog
is?" The Minister replied, "Elephant keeper has informed
me that a stranger took him away and he doesn't know
his whereabouts". The King
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 947

41. Which of the following would be the most Directions (Qs: 47 to 56): The questions in this section
appropriate title for the passage? are based on a single passage. The questions are to be
(a) Friends and Enemies answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the
(b) The King and the Minister passage. Kindly note that more than one of the choices
(c) The Elephant-keeper may conceivably answer some of the questions.
(d) The Bond of Friendship. However, you are to choose the most appropriate answer;
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (d) that is, the response that most accurately and completely
42. Why was the Elephant taken care of? answers the question.
(a) He was a very loyal Elephant The spread of education in society is at the
(b) He was the strongest Elephant in the Kingdom foundation of success in countries that are latecomers to
(c) He was weak and the King had a lot of development. In the quest for development, primary
sympathy for him education is absolutely essential because it creates the
(d) None of these. base. But higher education is just as important, for it
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (d) provides the cutting edge. And universities are the life-
blood of higher education. Islands of excellence in
43. Why did the Dog start going to the Elephant's shed professional education, such as Indian Institutes of
every day? Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management
(a) He liked the Elephant a lot and wanted to (IIMs), are valuable complements but cannot be
become friends with him substitutes for universities which provide educational
(b) He was being fed by the King everyday opportunities for people at large.
(c) He was fond of the Elephant's shed There can be no doubt that higher education has
(d) He liked the taste of the rice being fed to the made a significant contribution to economic
Elephant. development, social progress and political democracy in
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (d) independent India. It is a source of dynamism for the
44. What did the Dog do once he was set free? economy. It has created social opportunities for people. It
(a) He ate rice to his heart's content has fostered the vibrant democracy in our polity. It has
(b) He thanked the King for his kindness provided a beginning for the creation of a knowledge
(c) He ran away from the Kingdom to a place society. But it would be a mistake to focus on its strengths
faraway alone. It has weaknesses that are a cause for serious
(d) He ran back to his friend the Elephant. concern.
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (d) There is, in fact, a quiet crisis in higher education in
India that runs deep. It is not yet discernible simply
45. What of the following can definitely be said about because there are pockets of excellence, an enormous
the Elephant keeper? reservoir of talented young people and an intense
(1) He was greedy competition in the admissions process. And, in some
(2) He was insensitive important spheres, we continue to reap the benefits of
(3) He was brave what "was sown in higher education 50 years ago by the
(a) Only (1)
founding fathers of the Republic. The reality is that we
(b) Only (2)
have miles to go The proportion of our population, in the
(c) Only (1) and (2)
age group 18-24, that enters the world of higher education
(d) Only (2) and (3).
is around 7 per cent, which is only one-half the average
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (c)
for Asia. The opportunities for higher education, in terms
46. Seeing the Elephant happy the King rewarded the: of the number of places in universities, are simply not
(a) Minister enough in relation to our needs. What is more, the quality
(b) Dog of higher education in most of our universities requires
(c) elephant-keeper substantial improvement.
(d) Owner of Dog. It is clear that the system of higher education in India
D.U. LL.B., 2015 Ans. (a) faces serious challenges. It needs a systematic overhaul,
so that we can educate much larger numbers without
diluting academic standards. This is imperative because
the transformation of economy and society in the 21st
century would depend, in significant part, on the spread
and the quality of education among our
948 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

people, particularly in the sphere of higher education. It is (a) Satisfactory

only an inclusive society that can provide the foundations (b) Excellent, and there is no need of any expansion
for a knowledge society. of opportunities for higher education
The challenges that confront higher education in (c) Not good enough, and there is a need of
India are clear. It needs a massive expansion of expansion of opportunities for higher
opportunities for higher education, to 1500 universities education, besides creating institutions and
nationwide, that would enable India to attain a gross universities that are models of excellence
enrolment ratio of at least 15 per cent by 2015. It is just as (d) Not explained in the passage.
important to raise the average quality of higher education CLAT, 2014 Ans. (c)
in every sphere. At the same time, it is essential to create 52. According to the passage, which of the following is
institutions that are exemplars of excellence at par with NOT a challenge that confronts higher education in
the best in the world. In the pursuit of these objectives, India?
providing people with access to higher education in a (a) Expanding opportunities for higher education
socially inclusive manner is imperative, The realisation of (b) Creating institutions and universities that are
these objectives, combined with access, would not only exemplars of excellence
develop the skills and capabilities we need for the (c) Substantial improvement in the quality of
economy but would also help transform India into a higher education in most of our universities
knowledge economy and society. (d) Getting into World University Rankings.
47. The principal focus of the passage is: CLAT, 2014 Ans. (d)
(a) Primary education
(b) Intermediate education 53. According to the passage, which of the following is
(c) Higher education CORRECT?
(d) Entire education system. (a) Primary education is very important
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (c) (b) Universities are the life-blood of higher
education
48. The style of the passage can be best described as:
(c) Transformation of economy and society in the
(a) Academic
21st century would depend, in significant part,
(b) Critical and analytical
on the spread and the quality of education
(c) Comparative
among our people, particularly in the sphere of
(d) None of the above.
higher education
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (b)
(d) All the above propositions are correct.
49. What kind of society can provide the foundation for CLAT, 2014 Ans. (d)
a knowledge society?
54. Should the entire university system in India be
(a) Elite society
modelled on premier institutes, such as, IITs and
(b) Contracted society
IIMs, providing professional education?
(c) Exclusive society
(a) Yes
(d) Inclusive society.
(b) For sure
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (d)
(c) No
50. According to the passage, which one of the following (d) The passage is silent on this question.
is INCORRECT? CLAT, 2014 Ans. (c)
(a) There are no quality institutes providing
55. What is the antonym of the expression 'cutting edge?
excellent professional education in India
(a) Conventional
(b) Not many people go for higher education in
(b) Avant-garde
India
(c) Education is the basis of success (c) Advanced
(d) All the above options are correct. (d) Contemporary.
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (a) CLAT, 2014 Ans. (a)

51. According to the passage, the current state of affairs 56. What is the meaning of the word 'discernible'?
of higher education in India is; (a) Unobtrusive
(b) Noticeable
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 949

(c) Unremarkable vicarious criminal liability; prosecute killers for murder,

(d) Inconspicuous. not non-killers; increase punishment for the underlying
CLAT, 2014 Ans. (b) felony as a real deterrent; and initiate legislative
Directions (Qs. 57-63): The questions in this section modifications. With the unstable history of the felony -
are based on the passage. The questions are to be murder rule, including its abandonment by many
answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the jurisdictions in this country, the felony - murder rule is
passage. For some of the questions, more than one of the dying a slow but certain death.
choices could conceivably answer the question. However, 57. Which one of the following best states the central idea
you are to choose the best answer; that is, the response of the passage?
that most accurately and completely answers the (a) The felony - murder rule should be abolished.
questions. (b) Some jurisdictions are about to abandon the
Under very early common law, all felonies were felony - murder rule.
punishable by death. The perpetrators of the felony were (c) The felony - murder rule can be unfair.
hanged whether or not a homicide had been committed (d) Supreme Court of the United States.
during the felony. Later, however, some felonies were NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (a)
declared to be non-capital offences. The common law 58. The felony - murder rule was developed in order to
courts, in need of a deterrent to the use of deadly force in (a) Deter felonies
the course of these non-capital felonies, developed the (b) Deter murders
"felony-murder" rule. The first formal statement of the (c) Deter deadly force in felonies
rule stated: "Any killing by one in the commission of a (d) Extend the definition of murder to any
felony is guilty of murder." The killing was a murder malicious act resulting in death.
whether intentional or unintentional, accidental or NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (c)
mistaken. The usual requirement of malice was
eliminated and the only criminal intent necessary was the 59. Arguments in favour of the felony murder rule may
intent to commit the particular underlying felony. All include all of the following EXCEPT
participants in the felony were guilty of murder-actual (a) We can infer that anyone undertaking a
killer and non-killer confederates, dangerous felony demonstrates an indifference
Proponents of the rule argued that it was justified to human life.
because the felony demonstrated a lack of concern for (b) If the punishment for the use of deadly force
human life by the commission of a violent and dangerous whether intended or not is the same criminals
felony and that the crime was murder either because of a will be less likely to use deadly force.
conclusive presumption of malice or simplv by force of (c) Because a life has been taken, the crime is
statutory definition. murder by force of statutory definition.
Opponents of the rule describe it as a highly artificial (d) The victim of murder may be an accomplice of
concept and "an enigma wrapped in a riddle." Thev are the felony.
quick to point out that the rule has been abandoned in NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d)
England where it originated, abolished in India, severely
60. According to the passage, opponents of the felony -
restricted in Canada and a number of other
murder rule have raised all of the following
commonwealth countries, is unknown in continental
objections to the statute EXCEPT
Europe, and abandoned in Michigan. In reality, the real
(a) The felony - murder rule results in murder
strength of the opponents' criticism stems from the bizarre
prosecutions of defendants who have not
and of times unfair results achieved when the felony -
murder rule is applied mechanically. Defendants have committed murder.
been convicted under the rule where the killing was (b) The felony - murder rule assigns a criminal
purely accidental, or the killing took place after the felony liability vicariously.
during the later flight from the scene; or a third party (c) The felony - murder rule is based upon a
killed another (police officer killed a citizen or vice versa; presumption of malice even if death is wholly
or a victim died of a heart attack 15-20 minutes after the accidental.
robbery was over; or the person killed was an accomplice (d) The felony - murder rule deters the use of
in the felony). deadly force in non-capital felonies.
Attacks on the rule have come from all directions NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d)
with basically the same demand - re-evaluate and
abandon the archaic legal fiction; restrict and limit
950 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

61. In which of the following situations would the monuments were left only half-carved. Nobody knows
defendant NOT be liable to the charge of murder why Rano Raraku was abandoned. It is thought that the
under the felony - murder rule? statures were carved by the ancestors of the modem
(a) In escaping from an unsuccessful attempt to rob Polynesian inhabitants. But the purpose of the statues
a bank, the defendant crashes his car, killing an and the reason they were abandoned remain mysteries.
innocent pedestrian in another city. 64. Who named the island "Easter Island"?
(b) A bank security officer, pursuing the defendant (a) An Indian explorer
after a robbery, falls down a flight of stairs and (b) A Dutch explorer
suffers serious permanent brain and spinal cord (c) The original inhabitants
injuries. (d) Rano Raraku
(c) The driver of the escape car, who has not D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (b)
entered the bank, crashes the car killing the
65.
Who was Jacob Roggeveen?
armed gunman who committed the robbery,
(a) A European who found the island
(d) A bank teller, locked safely in the bank vault by (b) An explorer who named the island
the robber, has a stroke and dies. (c) A person who carved several statues
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (b) (d) Both (a) & (b) are correct
62. According to the passage, the decline of support for D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (d)
the felony - murder rule is indicted by the
66. What are moai?
abandoning of the rule in all of the following
(a) Ancestors of the current inhabitants
locations EXCEPT
(b) Quarries on the island
(a) Continental Europe
(c) Statues on the island
(b) India
(d) Volcanic ashes
(c) England
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (c)
(d) Canada.
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d) 67. Why isn't the exact number of statues known?
(a) The island is too big to explore
63. The author believes that the felony - murder rule is
(b) Statues are still being found
(a) Unconstitutional
(c) Some statues were taken away
(b) Bizarre and unfair
(d) None of the above.
(c) A serviceable rule unfairly attacked by the
D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (b)
"intelligentsia"
(d) An unfair equating of intent to commit a felony 68. What are the statues made of?
and intent to commit murder (a) Uncompressed volcanic ash
NLU Delhi, 2014 Ans. (d) (b) Tuff
Directions (Qs. 64-70): Read the passage given below (c) Clay
and answer questions (d) Sedimentary rocks
One of South America's mysteries is Easter Island. D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (b)
Easter Island, also called Rapa Nui and Isla de Pascua, 69. Why the quarry where the compressed volcanic ash
3,600 km (2,237 mi) west of Chile, is a volcanic island with was found abandoned?
an interesting and partly unknown history. The island (a) Nobody knows about it
was named by the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen (b) Because the quarry became empty
because he encountered it on Easter Sunday 1722. He was (c) Because of a curse
the first European to find the island. The official name of (d) Because of water logging
the island, Isla de Pascua, means Easter Island in Spanish. D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (a)
This island is famous because of the approximately 887
huge statues which were found there. The statues consist 70. Rano Raraku is:
of heads and complete torsos, the largest of which weighs (a) The name of the Dutch explorer
84 tons! These monuments, called moai, were carved out (b) The name of an Indian warrior
of compressed volcanic ash, called tuff. Which was found (c) The name of a place in Easter Island
at a quarry at a place called Rano Raraku. Statues are still (d) The name of a place in Vanuatu Islands
being found. Some of the D.U. LL.B., 2014 Ans. (c)
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 951

Directions (Q. Nos. 71 to 80): Read the given passage 73. What did the ruling class in the Christian Era
carefully and attempt the questions that follow and shade think of the poor man?
the appropriate answer in the space provided for it on the (a) That he is the beloved of God
OMR answersheet. (b) That he deserves all sympathy of the rich
It is an old saying that knowledge is power. (c) That he should be strong and lord over
Education is an instrument which imparts knowledge others
and, therefore, indirectly controls power. Therefore, ever (d) That he is meant for serving the rich.
since the dawn of our civilisation, persons in power have Ans. (d)
always tried to supervise or control education. It has been
74. Who controlled the institution of education
handmaid of the ruling class. During the Christian era,
during the Christian Era?
the ecclesiastics controlled the institution of education
(a) The secular leaders of society
and diffused among the people the gospel of the Bible
(b) The church and the priests
and religious teachings. These gospels and teachings
(c) The monarchs
were no other than a philosophy for the maintenance of
(d) The common people.
the existing society. It taught the poor man to be meek
Ans. (b)
and to earn his bread with the sweat of his brow, while
the priests and the landlords lived in luxury and fought 75. What does the word "infallibility" mean?
duels for the slightest offence. During the Renaissance, (a) That every man is open to error
education passed more from the clutches of the priest (b) Sensitivity
into the hands of the prince. In other words, it became (c) The virtue of not making mistake
more secular. Under the control of the monarch, (d) That some divine power is responsible for
education began to devise and preach the infallibility of determining the fate of the man.
its masters, the monarch or king. It also invented and Ans. (c)
supported fantastic theories like "The Divine Right 76. What do you mean by the "sweat of his brow"?
Theory" and that the king can do no wrong, etc. With the (a) Very hard work
advent of the industrial revolution, education took a (b) The tiny droplets of sweat on the forehead
different turn and had to please the new masters. It now (c) The wrinkles visible on the forehead
no longer remained the privilege of the baron class, but (d) The sign of innocence.
was thrown open to the new rich merchant class of the Ans. (a)
society. The philosophy which was in vogue during this
period was that of "Laissez Faire" restricting the function 77. What does the policy of "Laissez Faire" stand
of the state to a mere keeping of laws and order while on for?
the other hand, in practice the law of the jungle prevailed (a) Individual freedom in the economic field
in the form of free competition and the survival of the (b) State control over law and order in society
fittest. (c) Joint control of the means of production by
71. What does the theory "Divine Right of King" the state and private enterprise
stipulate? (d) Decontrol over law and order by the ruling
(a) The kings are God class.
(b) That the right of governing is conferred upon Ans. (d)
the kings by God 78. Which of the following describes the writer?
(c) They have the right to be worshipped like Gods (a) Concerned
by their subjects (b) Unconcerned
(d) That the right of kings are divine and therefore (c) Aggressive
sacred. (d) Frustrated.
Ans. (b) Ans. (a)
72. Who controlled education during the Renaissance? 79. Choose the correct synonym out of the four
(a) The common people choices given:
(b) The prince Gospels
(c) The church and the priests (a) Chitchat
(d) None of the above. (b) A teaching or doctrine of a religious
(c) Rumour
(d) Guidance.

Ans. (b) Ans. (b)

952 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

80. Choose the correct synonym out of the four choices — that a Will is invalid for lack of proper witnessing - has
given: been clearly established, and the legality of the rule is not
Vogue in question, application of that rule precludes from
(a) Uncertain consideration substantive arguments in favour of the
(b) Out-dated Will's validity or enforcement.
(c) The prevailing fashion or style Legal scholars in England and the United States have
(d) Journey. long bemused themselves with extreme examples of
CLAT, 2013 Ans. (c) formal and substantive reasoning. On the one hand,
Direction (Q. Nos. 81 to 86): The questions in this formal reasoning in England has led to wooden
section are based on the passage. The questions are to be interpretations of statutes and an unwillingness to
answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the develop the common law through judicial activism. On
passage. For some of the questions, more than one of the the other hand, freewheeling substantive reasoning in the
choices could conceivably answer the question. United States has resulted in statutory interpretations so
However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the liberal that the texts of some statutes have been ignored.
response that most accurately and completely answers 81. Which one of the following best describes the content
the question. of the passage as a whole?
Although the legal systems of England and the (a) An analysis of similarities and differences
United States are superficially similar, they differ between the legal systems of England and the
profoundly in their approaches to and uses of legal United States
reasons: Substantive reasons are more common than (b) A re-evaluation of two legal systems with the
formal reasons in the United States, whereas in England use of examples
the reverse is true. This distinction reflects a difference in (c) A contrast between the types of reasons
the visions of law that prevails in the two countries. In embodied in the United States and English legal
England, the law has traditionally been viewed as a systems
system of rules; the United States favours a vision of law (d) An explanation of how two distinct visions of
as an outward expression of community's sense of right the law shaped the development of legal
and justice. Substantive reasons, as applied to law, are reasoning.
based on moral, economic, political and other Ans. (c)
considerations. These reasons are found both In the law" 82. It can be inferred from the passage that English
and "outside the law" so to speak. Substantive reasons judges would like to find the veterans group
inform the content of a large part of the law: discussed in the second paragraph guilty of
Constitutions, statutes, contracts, verdicts, and the like. violating the statute because
Consider, for example, a statute providing that "no (a) not to do so would encourage others to act as
vehicles shall be taken into public parks." Suppose that the group did
no specific rationales or purposes were explicitly written (b) not to do so would be to violate the substantive
into the statute, but that it was clear (from its legislative reasons underlying the law
history) that the substantive purpose of the statute was to (c) the veterans failed to comply with the
ensure quiet and safety in the park. Now suppose that a substantive purpose of the statute
veterans' group mounts a World War II jeep (in running (d) the veterans failed to comply with the
order but without a battery) as a war memorial on a stipulated requirements of the statute.
concrete slab in the park, and charges are brought against Ans. (d)
its members. Most judges in the United States would find
the defendants not guilty because what they did had no 83. From the discussion of Wills in the third paragraph it
adverse effect on park's quiet and safety. can be inferred that substantive arguments as to the
Formal reasons are different in that they frequently validity of a Will might be considered under which
prevent substantive reasons from coming into play, even one of the following circumstances?
when substantive reasons are explicitly incorporated into (a) The legal rule that a Will be witnessed in
the law at hand. For example, when a document fails to writing does not stipulate the format of the Will
comply with stipulated requirements, the court may (b) The legal rule requiring that a Will be witnessed
render the document legally ineffective. A Will requiring stipulates that the Will must be witnessed in
written witness may be declared null and void and, writing by two people
therefore, unenforceable for the formal reason that the
requirement was not observed. Once the legal rule
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 953

(c) The legal rule requiring that a Will be witnessed give-your best as Indians have always been considered
in writing stipulates that the witnessing must intelligent, hardworking, talented and spiritual. Indians
be done in the presence of a judge have always excelled in a competitive working
(d) A judge rules that the law can be interpreted to environment and working overseas was something many
allow for a verbal witness to a Will in a case Indians desired but few achieved till the information
involving a medical emergency. technology boom opened several whitecollar job
Ans. (d) opportunities for them in global markets. However,
84. Which one of the following best describes the securing employment abroad may be an achievement but
function of the last paragraph of the passage? retaining it; is quite a challenge as a professional required
(a) It presents the consequences of extreme constant demonstration of professionalism and exacting
interpretations of the two types of legal reasons standards of competence. Then, there is this challenge of
discussed by the author working in an alien environment coupled with numerous
(b) It shows how legal scholars can incorrectly use other variables like culture, people, work ethics, local
extreme examples to support their views regulations, etc. that one is expected to cope up with to be
(c) It corrects inaccuracies in legal scholars' view of successful on the job. Change, thus, becomes inevitable as
the nature of two types of legal systems one moves into a new work environment and the best
(d) It suggests how characterisations of the two way to tackle change is to be prepared for it and adapt to
types of legal reasons can become convoluted it rapidly. Let us dwell on some key factors that could be
and inaccurate. useful when adapting to a foreign environment.
Ans. (a) Each country is a mix of cultural and social
85. The author of the passage suggests that in English influences that make it unique. Religious belief, way of
law a substantive interpretation of a legal rule might speaking and behaviour, customs and traditions would
be warranted under which one of the following all come across as very different. Also, home sickness and
circumstances? loneliness, all aspects of life and livelihood appear
(a) Social conditions have changed to the extent confusing, alien and difficult to comprehend. Privacy is
that to continue to enforce the rule would be to highly valued in most countries which tends to translate
decide contrary to present-day social norms into loneliness for most expatriates. One should
(b) The composition of the legislature has changed experience the new culture and try different forms of
to the extent that to enforce the rule would be entertainment and make friends among people coming
contrary to the views of the majority in the from different cultural backgrounds. When you start
present legislative assembly work it is a good idea to be observant. Absorb as much as
(c) The legality of the rule is in question and its you can about systems in the organization and adjust
enforcement is open to judicial interpretation accordingly.
(d) Individuals who have violated the legal rule Must you speak the language of the country you are
argue that application of the rule would lead to in? Yes, you should be at least conversational. Coworkers
unfair judicial interpretations. want to speak their own language and will not be entirely
Ans. (c) comfortable if they cannot understand you. Even within
the same language English, pronunciation can be a
86. The author of the passage makes use of all of the problem.
following in presenting the discussion of the English Westerners are particular about time so always
and the United States legal systems except make sure that you stick to time for meetings, attending
(a) Comparison and contrast offices and even social gatherings. Superiors at work and
(b) Generalisation seniors are addressed by their first name. 'Sir' and
(c) Explication of terms 'Madam' are not much in vogue. Mix with a wide variety
(d) A chronology of historical developments. of people. Respect others' cultural background and keep
NLU, Delhi, 2013 Ans. (d) clear of racist or sexist remarks and beliefs. Adapt to the
Directions (Q. Nos. 87 to 96): Read the passage given local culture and traditions and be aware of the local
below and answer questions. favourites they are good social conversation breakers.
Working overseas is always a challenge for any Layoffs may be a stigma in India since it is relatively
professional and if you are an Indian, always strive to unheard of in white-collar jobs but the term job security'
does not exist in developed world. Accept this as a part
of the work hazard and do not let it affect
954 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

your performance. Keep updating skills and knowledge (c) You are busy with your work
constantly so that current skills are readily accepted in (d) Privacy is highly valued is most countries.
the job market, if you need to move on. Cost of medical Ans. (d)
services can prove to be prohibitive. Opt for health
93. Health insurance is a must in a foreign land because:
insurance cover at all time. If you travel a lot, consider
(a) Medical expenses are high
travel and household insurance too. It is useful to be
(b) You can fall ill very often
registered with the nearest Indian mission so that you can
(c) You can save some money
be easily reached in case of an eventuality.
(d) None of the above.
87. An appropriate title for the passage is:
Ans. (a)
(a) "Higher studies in foreign countries"
(b) "The problems of getting a job abroad" 94. What are the challenges in retaining an employment
(c) "Why Indians should not go abroad" abroad?
(d) "How Indians can be successful in a foreign (a) Professionalism, competence and working in an
country." alien culture
Ans. (d) (b) Cost of living and loneliness
(c) Lack of facilities in the offices
88. While taking up a job in a foreign country, one (d) Sexual harassment.
should: Ans. (a)
(a) Be ready to face the change in culture
(b) Be willing to try different varieties of food
(c) Be conversational in the language of the
country 95. What is the main theme of the passage?
(d) All of the above. (a) Job opportunities in foreign countries
Ans. (a) (b) How you can enjoy a holiday abroad
89. According to the passage, Indians have been (c) The importance of being an NRI
successful overseas because: (d) Challenges for working overseas.
(a) India is a poor nation Ans. (d)
(b) There is no job opportunity in India 96. The best way to tackle change is:
(c) Indians are lazy in their own land (a) by avoiding it
(d) Indians are considered intelligent, (b) be prepared for it and adapt to it rapidly
hardworking, talented and spiritual. (c) by changing places
Ans. (d) (d) All of the above.
90. When you go meet Westerners, you must stick to D.U. LL.B., 2013 Ans. (b)
time because: Directions (Q. Nos. 97 to 106): Read the given passage
(a) Westerners are particular about time carefully and attempt the questions that follow.
(b) Westerners are busy people The work which Gandhiji had taken up was not only
(c) To show that Indians always stick to time regarding the achievement of political freedom but also
(d) None of the above. the establishment of a new social order based on truth
Ans. (a) and non-violence, unity and peace, equality and
91. 'Job Security' does not exist in developed world. universal brotherhood and maximum freedom for all.
So you must be prepared to move on by: This unfinished part of his experiment was perhaps even
(a) Looking for jobs elsewhere more difficult to achieve than the achievement of political
(b) Updating skills and knowledge freedom. In the political struggle, the fight was against a
(c) Returning to India foreign power and all one could do was either join it or
(d) Feel miserable and fight with the management. wish it success and give it his/her moral support. In
Ans. (b) establishing a social order on this pattern, there was a
strong possibility of a conflict arising between diverse
92. In the early stages one tends to get lonely in a foreign groups and classes of our own people. Experience shows
country because: that man values his possessions even more than his life
(a) Foreigners are hostile towards Indians because in the former he sees the means for perpetuation
(b) Indians are not friendly people and survival of his descendants even after his body is
reduced to ashes. A new order cannot be established
without radically changing the
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 955

mind and attitude of men towards property and, at some (c) Only his possession helps him earn love and
stage or the other, the 'haves' have to yield place to the respect from his descendants
'have-nots'. We have seen, in our time, attempts to (d) Through his possessions he can preserve his
achieve a kind of egalitarian society and the picture of it name even after his death.
after it was achieved. But this was done, by and large, Ans. (d)
through the use of physical force.
99. According to the passage, which was the unfinished
In the ultimate analysis it is difficult, if not
part of Gandhi's experiment?
impossible, to say that the instinct to possess has been
(a) Educating people to avoid class conflict
rooted out or that it will not reappear in an even worse
(b) Achieving total political freedom for the
form under a different guise. It may even be that, like a
country
gas kept confined within containers under great
(c) Establishment of an egalitarian society
pressure, or water held back by a big dam, once the
(d) Radically changing the mind and attitude of
barrier breaks, the reaction will one day sweep back with
men towards truth and non-violence.
a violence equal in extent and intensity to what was used
Ans. (c)
to establish and maintain the outward egalitarian form.
This enforced egalitarianism contains, in its bosom, the 100. Which of the following statements is 'not true' in the
seed of its own destruction. context of the passage?
The root cause of class conflict is possessiveness or (a) True egalitarianism can be achieved by giving
the acquisitive instinct. So long as the ideal that is to be up one's possessions under compulsion
achieved is one of securing the maximum material (b) Man values his life more than his possessions
satisfaction, possessiveness is neither suppressed nor (c) Possessive instinct is a natural desire of human
eliminated but grows on what it feeds. Nor does it cease beings
to be possessiveness, whether it is confined to only a few (d) In the political struggle, the fight was against
or is shared by many. alien rule.
If egalitarianism is to endure, it has to be based not Ans. (b)
on the possession of the maximum material goods by a 101. According to the passage, true egalitarianism will
few or by all but on voluntary, enlightened renunciation last only if
of those goods which cannot be shared by others or can (a) It is thrust upon people
be enjoyed only at the expense of others. This calls for (b) It is based on truth and non-violence
substitution of material values by purely spiritual ones. (c) People inculcate spiritual values instead of
The paradise of material satisfaction, which is sometimes material values
equated with progress these days, neither spells peace (d) 'Haves' and 'have-nots' live together peacefully.
nor progress. Mahatma Gandhi has shown us how the Ans. (c)
acquisitive instinct inherent in man can be transmuted by
the adoption of the ideal of trusteeship by those who 102. According to the passage, people ultimately
'have' for the benefit of all those who 'have not' so that, overturn a social order .........
instead of leading to exploitation and conflict, it would (a) which is based on coercion and oppression
become a means and incentive for the amelioration and (b) which does not satisfy their basic needs
progress of society respectively. (c) which is based upon conciliation and
97. According to the passage, egalitarianism will not rapprochement
survive if (d) which is not congenital to the spiritual values of
(a) It is based on voluntary renunciation the people.
(b) It is achieved by resorting to physical force Ans. (a)
(c) Underprivileged people are not involved in its 103. According to the passage, the root cause of class
establishment conflict is
(d) People's outlook towards it is not radically (a) The paradise of material satisfaction
changed. (b) Dominant inherent acquisitive instinct in man
Ans. (d) (c) Exploitation of the 'have-nots' by the 'haves'
98. According to the passage, why does man value his (d) A Social order where the unprivileged are not a
possessions more than his life? part of the establishment.
(a) He has inherent desire to share his possession Ans. (b)
with others.
(b) He is endowed with the possessive instinct
956 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

104. Which of the following statements is 'not true' in the group's deliberations need to be confident that they are
context of the passage? members in good standing and that the others will
(a) A new order can be established by radically continue to value their role in the group, whether or not
changing the outlook of people towards it they agree about a particular issue under discussion. As
(b) Adoption of the ideal of trusteeship can members of a group feel more accepted by the others,
minimize possessive instinct they acquire greater freedom to say what they really
(c) Enforced egalitarianism can be the cause of its think, becoming less likely to use deceitful arguments or
own destruction to play it safe by dancing around the issues with vapid or
(d) Ideal of new order is to secure maximum conventional comments. Typically, then, the more
material satisfaction. cohesive a group becomes, the less its members will
Ans. (d) deliberately censor what they say out of fear of being
punished socially for antagonizing their fellow members.
105. Which of the following conclusions can be deduced
But group cohesiveness can have pitfalls as well:
from the passage?
while the members of a highly cohesive group can feel
(a) A social order based on truth and nonviolence
much freer to deviate from the majority, their desire for
alone can help the achievement of political
genuine concurrence on every important issue often
freedom
inclines them not to use this freedom. In a highly cohesive
(b) After establishing the social order of Gandhiji's
group of decision-makers, the danger is not that
pattern, the possibility of a conflict between
individuals will conceal objections they harbour
different classes of society will hardly exist
regarding a proposal favoured by the majority, but that
(c) It is difficult to change the mind and attitude of
they will think the proposal is a good one without
men towards property
attempting to carry out a critical scrutiny that could
(d) In an egalitarian society, material satisfaction
reveal grounds for strong objections. Members may then
can be enjoyed only at the expense of others.
decide that any misgivings they feel are not worth
Ans. (b)
pursuing— that the benefit of any doubt should be given
106. According to the passage, what does "adoption of
to the group consensus. In this way, they may fall victim
the ideal of trusteeship" mean?
to a syndrome known as "groupthink", which one
(a) Equating peace and progress with material
psychologist concerned with collective decisionmaking
satisfaction
has defined as "a deterioration of mental efficiency,
(b) Adoption of the ideal by the 'haves' for the
reality testing, and moral judgment that results from in-
benefit of 'have-nots'
group pressures".
(c) Voluntary enlightened remuneration of the
Based on analyses of major fiascos of international
possessive instinct by the privileged class
diplomacy and military decision-making, researchers
(d) Substitution of spiritual values by material ones
have identified groupthink behaviour as a recurring
by those who live in the paradise of material
pattern that involves several factors: overestimation of
satisfaction.
the group's power and morality, manifested, for example,
CLAT, 2012 Ans. (b)
in an illusion of invulnerability, which creates excessive
Directions (Q. Nos. 107 to 111): The questions in this
optimism; closed-mindedness to warnings of problems
section are based on the passage. The questions are to be
and to alternative viewpoints; and unwarranted
answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the
pressures toward uniformity, including self-censorship
passage. For some of the questions, more than one of the
with respect to doubts about the group's reasoning and a
choices could conceivably answer the question.
concomitant shared illusion of unanimity concerning
However, you are to choose the best answer; that is, the
group decisions. Cohesiveness of the decision-making
response that most accurately and completely answers
group is an essential antecedent condition for this
the questions.
syndrome but not a sufficient one, so it is important to
In principle, a cohesive group—one whose members
work toward identifying the additional factors that
generally agree with one another and support one
determine whether group cohesiveness will deteriorate
another's judgments—can do a much better job at
into groupthink or allow for effective decision-making.
decision-making than it could if it were noncohesive.
When cohesiveness is low or lacking entirely, compliance 107. Why does the author thinks that the cohesive group
out of fear of recrimination is likely to be strongest. To can do a much better job at decisionmaking than it
overcome this fear, participants in the could if it were non-cohesive?
 Previous Years Questions on Comprehension 957

(a) The members of a highly cohesive group can (b) indicates that the group's cohesiveness was
feel much freer to deviate from the majority. coupled with some other factor to produce a
(b) Individuals will not conceal objections they groupthink fiasco.
harbour regarding a proposal favoured by the (c) provides no evidence that groupthink played a
majority role in the group's decision.
(c) Participants in the group's deliberations are (d) provides evidence that groupthink can develop
confident that they are members in good even in some groups that do not demonstrate
standing and that the others will continue to an "illusion of unanimity".
value their role in the group, whether or not Ans. (b)
they agree about a particular issue under 110. The passage mentions which one of the following as
discussion a component of groupthink?
(d) All of the above. (a) unjustified suspicions among group members
Ans. (d) regarding an adversary's intentions
108. Which one of the following most accurately (b) strong belief that the group's decisions are right
expresses the main point of the passage? (c) group members working under unusually high
(a) Despite its value in encouraging frank stress, leading to illusions of invulnerability
discussions, high cohesion can lead to a (d) the deliberate use of vapid, cliched arguments.
debilitating type of group decision making Ans. (b)
called groupthink.
111. It can be inferred from the passage that both the
(b) Group members can guard against groupthink
author of the passage and the researchers mentioned
if they have a good understanding of the critical
in the passage would be most likely to agree with
role played by cohesion.
which one of the following statements about
(c) Groupthink is a dysfunctional collective
groupthink?
decision-making pattern that can occur in
(a) Groupthink occurs in all strongly cohesive
diplomacy and military affairs
groups, but its contribution to collective
(d) Low cohesion in groups is sometimes desirable
decision-making is not fully understood
when higher cohesion involves a risk of
(b) The casual factors that transform group
groupthink behaviour.
cohesion into groupthink are unique to each
Ans. (a)
case
109. A group of closely associated colleagues has made a (c) The continued study of cohesiveness of groups
disastrous diplomatic decision after a series of is probably fruitless for determining what
meetings marked by disagreement over conflicting factors elicit groupthink.
alternatives. It can be inferred from the passage that (d) On balance, groupthink cannot be expected to
the author would be most likely to say that this have a beneficial effect in a group's decision-
scenario making.
(a) provides evidence of chronic indecision, thus, NLU, Delhi, 2012 Ans. (a)
indicating a weak level of cohesion in general
 CHAPTER 76

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

ON COMPREHENSION
(NANI A. PALKHIVALA: A LIFE— war was on and written examinations were being held in
M.V. KAMATH) Delhi. In the 1940s, the ICS held a fascination for bright
The years passed too quickly. In 1940 Nani finished young students for whom it was the ultimate career.
his BA with honors in English, and in 1942 his MA with Though Nani seldom spoke about it in his later years, the
honors in the same subject. In these exams he could not apparently treated the Civil Service Examination as
complete his papers because the writer's cramp that was something of a challenge. Nargesh, too, was very keen
to haunt him for the rest of his life had begun to appear. that he take his ICS papers. Accustomed to standing first
For the first LL.B, examination he was given writer. The in whatever studies he undertook, and winning prizes,
person sent for the morning paper was so incompetent medals and scholarships almost as a habit, Nani no doubt
that Nani refused to continue with him and came out of felt that he could top the list of successful candidates even
the examination hall exasperated. Nargesh immediately in the Civil Service Examination, if only he had a chance
contacted the Vice-Chancellor of the University, who to appear for it. Nani made two attempts, says Behram.
directed the supervisor at the examination centre to allow The first time, he was disqualified in the preliminary
Nargesh herself to substitute. Another writer was sent for physical test. Thereupon he regularly did a lot of exercise
the afternoon paper and those to follow. He continued to to build up his body. Next time, he was declared
be with Nani during all the subsequent examinations— physically fit, but an epidemic broke out in Delhi and,
second LL.B., Advocate AS and Advocate OS. considering the anxiety of his dear ones, he did not send
An interesting anecdote is recounted by Jayasheela his application form for the written examination, for
Badami who was told about it by her cousin Kishore which a time limit had been set. It did indeed seem that
Nanavaty. Justice P.S. Badami, Jayasheela's father, was limit expired, the venue for the examination was moved
one of the examiners for law exams. Once, while he was from Delhi to Bombay on account of the epidemic.
correcting paper, he asked Kishore to have a look at one The net result was that Nani could not make it to the
paper, and commented that it was extremely well ICS. It did not bother Nani's father, Ardeshir, who
written, well focused, accurate and in proper order. He wanted his son to be a lawyer. Ardeshir used to say:
said he thought the student deserved to be ranked 'Become a lawyer, my son, you are cut out for law'. The
number one and that he would time him full marks for father saw that Nani had a sharp, analytical, incisive
the paper. Since the answer book did not bear the name mind that put him a cut above ordinary mortals. He could
of the examinee, Kishore, a curious youngster, see that a as a lawyer Nani would grow in status and
memorized the seat number to check if up at a later date. reputation. Nani was later to say: 'My father was of the
When the results were published, Kishore looked for the view that 1 would not enjoy being anybody's servant—
name matching the seat number. He found the name not even the Government's—and he though that I would
Nani Palkhivala. do well in the legal profession.' The father knew his son's
On completing his BA, Nani's desire was to be a mind better than the son himself. In the end what the
college lecturer. It went well with his taste for literature, Civil Service lost, the legal profession gained.
and his professors had given him all the encouragement 1. Nargesh had to write Nani's remaining paper because
he needed. He even applied for a lecturer's post, but (a) for the first LL.B, examination Nani was given a
another lady candidate was equally well-qualified and writer
had the teaching experience too, which Nani did not (b) Nani refused the rewriter's help as per the
have. So he did not get selected. instructions of the Vice-Chancellor
After his MA, Nani wanted to join the Indian Civil
Service (ICS). This was around 1942, when the

958
 Multiple Choice Questions on Comprehension 959

(c) the writer was not efficient enough to meet the (c) Sudden inability to write
requirements of Nani (d) Inability to sit and speak.
(d) writer's cramp started to appear in the exam. 9. Find a word in the passage which means— 'greatly
2. Kishore got off the seat number by heart because irritated'
(a) Justice P.S. Badami commented that it was an (a) Exasperated
extremely well written paper (b) Subsequent
(b) Kishore was interested to know who the (c) Fascination
candidate was who deserved to be ranked (d) None of the above.
number one 10. Find a word in the passage which means—'a sudden,
(c) Jayasheela Badami was told about it by Kishore widespread: occurrence of something undesirable.'
Nanavaty (a) Epidemic
(d) the answer book was well written, well focused, (b) Anecdote
accurate and in proper order. (c) Mortals
3. Nani could not get into the field of teaching because (d) Incisive.
(a) Nani's desire went well with his taste for (LORD ATKINS-GEOFFREY LEWIS)
literature TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES
(b) his professors had given him all the Sir, I venture to think that the division of war
encouragement criminals in Professor Goodhart's letter published on
(c) he had applied for the post of lecturer with December 22 is possibly fallacious. He refers to those who
another lady candidate commit acts "in violation of existing State that those laws
(d) he did not have any experience of teaching that recognize war as a justification for some acts, those that
the lady had. are not so justified by the laws of the invaded State
4. Nani did not become a civil servant because remaining criminal. I would not venture a decided
(a) he always found it very challenging opinion upon this statement of the law; but I doubt
(b) a time limit was set for the writing of exams whether it could be maintained.
(c) Nani appeared for the exam twice Invading armies come not under the law of the
(d) None of the above. invaded country, but against it. They owe it no allegiance
5. How many times did Nani give a physical test? and they receive no corresponding protection, tests which
(a) once have been stated by legal authorities to have weight in
(b) twice such matters. Are they subject to all the laws—police
(c) many laws, for instance or to the laws as to civil obligations?
(d) None of the above. Could a member of the invading forces be sued for
6. This passage gives an account of Nani's trespass or conversion of goods or use and occupation of
(a) experience of appearing for examinations land in a tribunal of the invaded country either if
(b) establishment of a career functioning during the invasion or after the peace? I
(c) personality and character hesitate to affirm that either British or American soldiers
(d) None of the above. can be made liable criminally or civilly by existing Fascist
7. Ardeshir wanted his one to be a lawyer because courts in Italy in respect of such acts as those courts may
(a) Nani had failed in the ICS examination deem not justified by war.
(b) he knew his some would be able to get eminence But even if the proposition stated could be
as a lawyer supported, it is a matter for the grave consideration of the
(c) the legal profession, according to him, was Allied Powers whether war criminals should be tried in
better than the civil service accordance with it. It involves that the punishment of
(d) Nani was entirely comfortable with the these crimes depends upon the separate provisions of the
opportunities in the field of law. penal laws of each invaded State. Procedure, evidence, an
8. In this passage, the phrase 'writer's cramp' means appeal introduce varying conditions as to delay and
(a) A trophy given to somebody possibly conviction; while in some countries, as I
understand, capital punishment has been abolished.
(b) A habit
Moreover, if there is to be a fixed venue, there may be real
difficulties in administering
960 Guide to LL.B. Entrance Examination

justice for the crime may have taken place in one country and Americans should concern themselves only with the
while the whiteness may be, and often will be, in another, trials of those charged with having committed crimes
and there will be no power of compelling attendance. The against their own nationals. The conscience of the whole
accused may have a genuine plea of alibi or mistaken civilized world has been aroused by these barbarities and
identity dependent on the production of witnesses we all concerned in seeing that the criminals should be
abroad. It must be possible' in proper cases to change the brought to justice. I do not believe that even a small
venue. Another very important factor in the trial of these minority of British or American people would wish to
crimes is the plea of superior orders. The effect to be stand aside at the trial of German, Japanese, or other
given to it may very it the existing laws of the countries barbarians for crimes against, for instance, the Jews in
in question. It seems probable that it must be treated Europe. They would not if they could; but they could not
uniformly by a rule laid down by the Allied Powers. if they would.
A further difficulty in the way of trying war Your, and (c) ATKIN
criminals in accordance with the existing laws of the 11. What is the gist of Lord Atkin's letter?
country in which the crimes are committed is that it (a) War criminals should be brought to justice
provides no remedy for crimes committed in the country (b) War criminals should be treated with
of the enemy, and possibly lawful by the law of that compassion
country. We hear of terrible iniquities practiced in (c) To contradict the law against war criminals
Germany, Bulgaria, and elsewhere; the crimes against (d) War criminals should be set free.
Jews in the various enemy countries would pass
unpunished. The offences 1 mention do not appear to be 12. There may be difficulties in administering justice
considering that
those mentioned by the Professor in his first category,
(a) there may be no possibility of a fixed venue
which seems to be confined to those whose policy has
brought on this war. If I may express a personal opinion, (b) witnesses are at great distances from the
it is that the trial and punishment of these war criminal accused
should remain under the control of the Allied Powers. (c) intentional procedures are cumbersome
There is a danger lest we approach the subject in too (d) no power of compelling attendance exists with
legalistic mood. The crimes of which somehow the all parties.
barbarian enemy have been guilty transcend all domestic 13. Who is the prominent figure in the passage?
laws. They are offences against the conscience of civilized (a) Professor Goodhart
humanity. What is desired is not revenge, but a (b) Lord Acton
vindication of civilities to be achieved by imposing (c) Lord Atkin
retribution on the criminals so as to ensure so far as (d) Mr. Scrulton.
possible that in no war in the future shall like horrors be 14. How does Lord Atkin define 'crime'?
perpetrated. I hold that the Allied Powers should name (a) Violation of a state's existing laws
the black crimes for which they demand punishment— (b) Violation of proposed state laws
the wholesale murder of men, women, and children, (c) Transgressions
whiter hostages or not; the deportation of whole races of (d) Acts of violence.
people; the carrying off into brothels of captive women. 15. The author wants a vindication of civilization so as
The matter to be determined is whether particular
(a) to ensure stoppage of all horrors
persons accused are guilty of those crimes.
(b) by foisting an act of just punishment on
This should be determined by tribunals, courts—
criminals
call them what you will—consisting of just person who,
(c) to arouse the consciences of human being
on the material before them, will say whether they ware
(d) All of the above.
honestly satisfied that those persons are guilty or not. I
would have no technical rules of procedure or evidence, 16. Which are the enemy countries stated in the
and the extreme penalty should be death, to be mitigated passage?
as the tribunal might decide. By all means try them if (a) Bulgaria, and Germany
possible, as the Powers seem to have decided in Moscow, (b) Germany and England
in the country of the crime; but the tribunals will have to (c) England and Holland
be what the allied decide, which does not exclude making (d) Bulgaria and England.
national tribunals international ad hoc. Contrary to the
Professor's view, I think that there is very little to be said
for his suggesting that the British
 Multiple Choice Questions on Comprehension 961

17. Does Lord Atkin agree with Professor Goodhart's establish a lecture to enable the common people of
letter? England to realize the privileges they enjoy in law in
(a) Yes comparison with other European peoples and to
(b) No recognize the obligations attaching thereto. This lecture
(c) To a certain extent was given at Senate. House, London University, in
(d) To a large extent. October and November 1949 and was entitled 'Freedom
18. Find a word from the passage which means 'to be under the Law'. Denning sets the stage by saying:
brave enough to say something that might be Whenever one of the King's judges takes his seat,
criticized'. there is one application which by long tradition has
(a) Endeavour priority over all others. Counsel has but to say 'My Lord,
(b) Sue I have an application which concerns the liberty of the
(c) Venture subject' and forthwith the judge will put all matters aside
(d) Hesitate. and hear it first.
19. The word 'fallacious' means Denning raises a number of questions that form a
(a) not relevant constant theme in all his writing; personal freedom;
(b) besides the point freedom of mind and conscience; justice between man the
(c) not the truth State; the power of the Executive. This lecture, published
(d) without malice. by the Trust, ran into many impressions and proved far
20. By the word 'mitigated' we mean a penalty can be the most popular of any of the Hamlyn lectures. Lord
(a) increased in intensity Jowitt was Lord Chancellor at the time and wrote
(b) approved by higher authorities reprimanding him, saying that judges should not write
(c) disapproved by higher authorities books. Denning said that he was induced to do it because
(d) decreased in intensity. one of the Government departments did not like what he
(LORD DENNING: A BIOGRAPHY— had said.
EDMUND HEWARD) After this lecture Denning found himself much in
A busy barrister has little time for writing. Dennign's demand at universities and his lectures and addresses to
first efforts were editing legal text-books. In 1929, six students were brought together and published in 1953 in
years after his call to the Bar, he was one of the two a book entitled The Changing Law. The reason given by
assistant editors of Smith's Leading Cases. His job was to Denning for the title was that many people think that the
rewrite and bring top to date the notes on certain law is certain and can only be changed by Parliament. He
specified commercial cases. Editing a textbook is no easy said:
matter. In one as old as 'Smith' it was particularly The truth is that the law is often uncertain and it is
difficult. The editor has to decide where the law has been continually being changed, or perhaps I should say
changed since the last edition and a good deal of developed by the judges ........... If the common law is to
rewriting is necessary. But editing a legal textbook does retain its place as the greatest system of law the world has
give the editor the opportunity of restating the law. In ever seen, it cannot stand still while everything else
1935, it was good experience for a common law barrister. moves on. It must develop too. It must adapt itself to new
He ales wrote six articles on legal subjects for the Law conditions.
Quarterly Review between 1925 and 1949. The titles for these lectures were: 'The Spirit of
When at the Bar Denning made no speeches, save in British Constitution'; 'The Rule of Law in the Welfare
court, nor did he give any lectures. Even after he become State'; 'The Changing Civil Law'; 'The Rights of Women';
a judge it was for years before he gave a lecture. Then he 'The Influence of Religions'. These subject were of general
was invited to speak to law students at Queen's concern at the time; the encroachment of the State on the
University, Belfast, it was only after he became a member rights of the individual, the rights of women and changes
of the Court of Appeal that he was in demand as a in the civil law. Young audiences heard his views on how
lecturer. The first important public lecture was given the law should develop.
under the auspices of 'Hamlyn Trust" established under In 1954 Denning went as Nuffield visitor to the
the Will of Miss Hamlyn of Torquay. She died in 1941 and Universities of the Union of South Africa under the
came from an old Devon family, her father having auspices of the British Council to give his first overseas
practiced as a solicitor in Torque for many years. She gave lecture. In 1955 he visited Canada and the United. States
the residue of her estate to of America. In 1955 these addresses were collected
together and published under the title The Road to
Justice. The individual lecture were; 'The Road to Justice.',
'The Just Judge', 'The Honest Lawyer', 'The