CBSE Class 9 English IEO Olympiad MCQs with Answers Set A

WORD AND STRUCTURE KNOWLEDGE

FOR QUESTIONS 1 TO 18, CHOOSE THE BEST WORD TO COMPLETE EACH SENTENCE.

1. Mr. Neel _________ to the “Booker-2014” shortlist.
A. pulls on
B. runs off
C. makes it
D. falls in
Answer : C

2. Mr. Mukherjee _________ selected for his second novel published in May, this year.
A. should being
B. had been
C. have been
D. must be
Answer : B

3. We _________ without any doubt that our climate is changing.
A. feel
B. are seeing
C. are knowing
D. can say
Answer : D

4. More _________ devices could link people’s brains directly to the internet.
A. helpful
B. forward
C. advanced
D. new
Answer : C

5. Oceans have become more acidic than ever, _________?
A. is it
B. isn’t it
C. haven’t they
D. aren’t they
Answer : C

6. I have known her _________ twenty years.
A. in
B. since
C. from
D. for
Answer : D

7. The Supreme Court reserves verdict _________ coal blocks.
A. from
B. in
C. on
D. for
Answer : C

8. They didn’t agree, _________ they said nothing.
A. for
B. although
C. since
D. yet
Answer : D

9. You can _________ write coherently nor legibly.
A. only
B. neither
C. either
D. also
Answer : B

10. They can rent a house, but they probably won’t _________.
A. wish it
B. do so
C. do the same
D. hire
Answer : B

11. Learning to write computer programs has _________ never been more valuable.
A. rarely
B. mostly
C. probably
D. usually
Answer : C

12. The ____________ between power production and consumption is widening.
A. width
B. line
C. space
D. gap
Answer : D

13. A company needs to be ____________ in terms of technology and worldwide trends.
A. careful
B. forward looking
C. alert
D. thinking aloud
Answer : B

14. Rain has _________ normal life of citizens in Jammu and Kashmir.
A. sunk
B. showered
C. struck
D. battered
Answer : D

15. She was _________ whether to answer the phone or not.
A. thinking
B. unprepared
C. doubtful
D. uncertain
Answer : D

16. Hopes for an / a _________ Ebola vaccine have been raised.
A. reactive
B. affective
C. infective
D. effective
Answer : D

17. The truck turned over on the highway, but _________, no one was hurt.
A. gladly
B. fortunately
C. frightfully
D. gratefully
Answer : B

18. Most students prefer science _________ mathematics.
A. then
B. than
C. to
D. as
Answer : C

FOR QUESTIONS 19 TO 21, CHOOSE THE ODD WORD OUT.

19.
A. Correlation
B. Interdependence
C. Link
D. Interlocutor
Answer : D

20.
A. Outage
B. Power
C. Cessation
D. Breakdown
Answer : B

21.
A. Initiate
B. Assimilate
C. Incorporate
D. Consolidate
Answer : A

READING

FOR QUESTIONS 22 TO 26, READ THE PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW.

We share not just jokes, laughter and our innermost secrets with our friends; we are also genetically similar to our friends.
A US study published in the proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences analyzed 1.5 million markers of gene variation from 1,932 people. The genetic makeup of pairs of unrelated friends was compared with pairs of unrelated strangers. Close friends shared about 1 percent of the same gene variants. In other words, unrelated friends had as much genetic similarity as fourth cousins or people who share great-great-great grandparents.
Most people don’t even know who their fourth cousins are! Yet, we somehow, among a myriad of possibilities, manage to select as friends, the people, who resemble our kin.
Friends are most similar in genes that affect the sense of smell and most different in genes that control immunity or ability to protect against diseases.
A difference in immune system genes is also seen in spouses and may have an evolutionary explanationhaving the genes to fight different infections reduces the risk of epidemics or spread of diseases. The social aspect may explain why human evolution appears to have progressed faster in the last 30,000 years. This gives us a deeper account of the origins of friendship. Not only do we form ties with people superficially like ourselves, but also with people, who are like us on a deep genetic level.

22. The investigation examined _________.
A. 1.5 million gene variations
B. 1,932 people
C. 1 percent of close friends
D. 30,000 years of evolution
Answer : A

23. This gives us a deeper account of the origins of friendship. ‘This’ refers to _________.
A. the explanation
B. the social aspect
C. human evolution
D. the progress
Answer : A

24. We closely associate with people who are _________ like us.
A. casually
B. flimsily
C. frivolously
D. outwardly
Answer : D

25. The study compared _________.
A. related friends with strangers
B. unrelated friends with unrelated strangers
C. relatives with strangers
D. fourth cousins with friends
Answer : B

26. An appropriate title would be “_________.”
A. Evolutionary Explanations
B. The Role of Genes
C. The Origins of Friendship
D. Ties that Last
Answer : D

FOR QUE S T IONS 27 TO 31 , READ THE PASSAGE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW.
One of the many mysteries of Stonehenge may have been solved, not because of a scientific breakthrough or painstaking research, but after a maintenance team’s hosepipe turned out to be a little short.
Archaeologists have long argued over whether the ancient monument was once a perfect circle or if it was always, as it is now, an incomplete ring.
When a hosepipe used to keep the grass green in hot spells failed to reach a broken part of the circle, unsightly brown patches began to appear. Custodian Tim Daw fretted over the blemishes when he realized they matched the spots where stones would probably have stood if the monument had been a complete circle.
Daw said it was a “light bulb moment”. “I was standing on the public path looking at the grass near the stones and thinking we needed to find a longer hosepipe to get the parched patches to green up,” he said.
The marks were where archaeologists had looked without success for signs that there had been stone holes. “I called my colleague over and he saw them and realized their possible significance as well. Not being archaeologists, we called in the professionals.”
Aerial photographs were hurriedly commissioned (before the rains and removed the brown patches) and the scorch marks on the western side of Wiltshire site, south-west England, were mapped.
Some of the brown patches indeed tallied with where stones would have stood, if the circle was complete.
Other brown patches corresponded to recorded archaeological excavations, including trenches dug by the engineer William Gowland in 1901. That some of the patches matched the site of the trenches supports the theory that they indicate disturbed ground.
The conclusions have been detailed in a report by Daw and published in the latest edition of the journal
‘Antiquity’.
The report points out that, despite being one of the most intensively explored prehistoric monuments, Stonehenge continues to hold surprises. It also highlights the value of continually surveying the site from the ground and air. Susan Greaney, senior properties historian for English Heritage, said the accidental discovery was “really significant”.

27. The caretaker was disturbed when he became aware that _________.
A. the water pipe was not long enough
B. the water could not reach all parts of the incomplete circle
C. unpleasant dark spots had appeared
D. the dark marks matched the stone holes
Answer : D

28. I called my colleague over and he saw them ......
Them, refers to the _________.
A. signs
B. archaeologists
C. stone holes
D. discoloration
Answer : A

29. The marks of the stone holes indicate that Stonehenge was _________.
A. what is at present
B. exactly what it is now
C. an incomplete circle
D. a complete circle
Answer : D

30. Stonehenge has been repeatedly investigated because _________.
A. many new things can come to light
B. it is a very old monument
C. it has many unsolved secrets
D. ongoing viewing is necessary
Answer : C

31. The expression “light bulb moment” means a moment of _________.
A. sudden proof
B. sudden knowledge
C. sudden light
D. sudden realization
Answer : D

SPOKEN AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION

FOR QUESTIONS 32 TO 35, CHOOSE THE BEST REPLY TO COMPLETE EACH CONVERSATION. 

32. Bela : ‘Do you agree with me?’
Bittu : ‘_________’
A. No.
B. I’m afraid, I don’t.
C. Why should I?
D. Not at all.
Answer : B

33. Guest: ‘Can I help?’
Hostess: ‘_________’
A. Why should you?
B. Oh no, you cannot.
C. Thanks. Everything’s done.
D. You won’t understand.
Answer : C

34. Preeti : ‘Ma’am, as you’re in Mumbai, can I meet you somewhere?’
Ma’am : ‘_________.’
A. No, you cannot
B. I’m sorry, I’m busy
C. Another time. Not now
D. I’m very busy
Answer : B

35. Hostess : ‘Would you like a glass of water?’
Guest : ‘_________’
A. Can I have lime juice?
B. No. I’m not thirsty.
C. No, thank you!
D. No.
Answer : C

FOR QUESTIONS 3 6 TO 4 0 , CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION TO FILL IN THE BLANKS.

Reporter : Why has Britain made computer coding a _____(36)_____ subject for children in schools from the age of five?
Official : Children are not learning the _____
(37)_____ they need to compete in the 21st century. 
The ability to code and program a computer is _____(38)_____ if you want to be a _____(39)_____.
But, if you want to use them as a _____(40)_____ rather than a passive consumer of other people’s technology, you need to be able to code yourself.

36.
A. required
B. compulsory
C. must
D. forced
Answer : B

37.
A. arts
B. talents
C. knacks
D. skills
Answer : D

38.
A. essence
B. importance
C. essential
D. obligatory
Answer : C

39.
A. determiner
B. constructor
C. builder
D. developer
Answer : D

40.
A. weapon
B. tool
C. design
D. product
Answer : B

FOR QUESTIONS 41 TO 45, READ THE LETTER AND CHOOSE THE APPROPRIATE OPTION.

Dear Meher,
I would like to _____(41)_____ what I’ve been trying to tell you from the very _____(42)_____.
I will help you with a reading list and help you _____(43)_____ an experimental situation, but
I will not be able to go _____(44)_____ your written drafts, as I am going to be _____(45)_____ town, this being my holiday month.
Best Wishes
Dr. Fanny

41.
A. make sure
B. clarify
C. make certain
D. describe
Answer : B

42.
A. first
B. start
C. beginning
D. starting
Answer : C

43.
A. compose
B. put on
C. frame
D. set up
Answer : D

44.
A. with
B. from
C. on with
D. through
Answer : D

45.
A. into
B. about
C. out of
D. on
Answer : C

ACHIEVERS SECTION

FOR QUESTIONS 46 AND 47, CHOOSE THE BEST WORD TO COMPLETE THE SENTENCE.

46. This bed ____________ would serve the purpose of both sofa as well as a cot in a normal bedroom.
A. valuable
B. imaginable
C. inspirational
D. multifunctional
Answer : D

47. The ____________ of literacy is such that it cantake you pla ces.
A. role
B. power
C. meaning
D. play
Answer : B

FOR QUESTIONS 48 TO 50, READ THE TEXT AND CHOOSE THE RIGHT OPTION TO FILL IN THE BLANKS.

Malaika Goel, a 16-year-old policeman’s daughter from Rajasthan, has been a passionate shooter since the age of 10.
Her dedication paid off when she won the 10m air pistol silver at this year’s Commonwealth
Games. “I have so much to learn and improve,”
she said. “Abhinav Bindra is my _____(48)_____.”
There is a long way to go to _____(49)_____ myself. And, with the Chinese and Koreans around, the competition in Incheon will be much_____(50)_____.

48.
A. goal
B. ideal
C. target
D. dream
Answer : B

49.
A. organize
B. introduce
C. settle
D. establish
Answer : D

50.
A. stiff
B. strong
C. tougher
D. rougher
Answer : C