Hindustan Construction Company Ltd Aptitude-English

                              Hindustan Construction Co Ltd Placement Paper

English Language

1.Directions for Q.1 to Q.7: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions given below it. 

Though the US prides itself on being a leader in the world community, a recent report shows that it lags far behind other industrialized countries in meeting the needs of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. The US has a higher infant mortallity rate, a higher portion of low birth weight babies, a smaller portion of babies immunized against childhood diseases and a much higher rate of adolescent Pregnancies. These findings are described as a ‘quiet crisis’ requiring immediate and far-reaching action, appeared in a report prepared by a task force of educators, doctors, politicians and business people. According to the report one- fourth of the Nation’s 12 million infant and toddlers live in poverty. As many as half confront risk factors that could harm their ability to develop intellectually, physically and socially. Child immunisations are too low, more children are born into poverty, more are in sub-standard care while their parents work and more are being raised by single parents. When taken together, these and other risk factors can lead to educational and health problems that are much harder and more costly to reverse. The crisis begins in the womb with unplanned parent-hood. Women with unplanned pregnancies are less likely to seek pre-natal care. In the US 80% of teenage pregnancies and 56% of all pregnancies are unplanned. The problems continue after birth where unplanned pregnancies and unstable partnerships often go hand in hand. Since 1950. the number of single parent families has nearly tripled. More than 25% of all births today are the unmarried mothers. As the number of single parent families grows and more women enter the work force, infant and toddlers are increasingly in the care of people other than their parents. More disturbingly, recent statistics show that American parents are increasingly neglecting or abusing their children. In only four years from 1987-1991, the number of children in foster care increased by over 50%. Babies under the age of one are the fastest growing category of children entering foster care, The crisis affects children under the age of three most severely the report says. Yes, it is this period-from infancy through pre-school years that sets the stage for a child’s future.Read the following factors X, Y and Z and decide which one or two of them is/are responsible for the physical, intellectual and social under development of infants in the US. X-Illiteracy of parents Y-Lack of parental care Z-Poverty 
A.only X
B.only Y
C.only Z
D.both Y and Z

2.An increasing number of infants in the US are in foster care on account of an increasing number of 
A.employed couples who are required to stay apart
B.women getting divorced and abondoning their babies
C.women becoming economically independent
D.single parent families with the female member

3.The number of children born to married mothers in the US is approximately how many times the number of children born to unwed mothers? 
A.3.0 times
B.1.5 times
C.3.5 times
D.2.0 times

4.The task force report seems to be based on the data pertaining to the period : 
A.1987 to 1991
B.1987 onwards till date
C.1950 to 1991
D.1950 onwards till date

5.Children born out of unplanned pregnancies are highly vulnerable because: 
A.they are mostly malnourished
B.they are less likely to receive pre-natal care
C.their parents are mostly poor
D.they are raised by single parents

6.The main focus of the passage is on the plight of: 
A.teenage mothers
B.unwed mothers
C.low birth weight babies
D.none of these

7.Children falling in which age group are most severelly affected by the ‘quiet crisis’? 
A.Below 1 year
B.Below 3 years
C.Between 1 and 3 years
D.Between 2 and 3 years

8.Directions for Q. 8 to Q. 11: In each of the following questions out of the given alternatives, choose the synonym of the given word.

SUSTAIN: 
A.Support
B.Allow
C.Receive
D.Believe

9..ASCFND: 
A.Leap
B.Deviate
C.Mount
D.Grow

10.ECONOMIC: 
A.Profitable
B.Reduce
C.Minimise
D.Accumulate

11.STUPID: 
A.Incapable
B.Disobedient
C.Insane
D.Silly

12.Directions for Q. 12 to Q. 15: In each of the following questions, out of the given alternatives, choose the antonyms of the given words.

ACCURACY: 
A.Right
B.Correct
C.Faulty
D.True

13.INSERTION: 
A.Substitution
B.Extraction
C.Increment
D.Addition

14.DENSITY: 
A.Thickness
B.Kindness
C.Thinness
D.Toughness

15.AMNESTY: 
A.Gift
B.Punishment
C.Reward
D.Crowd

16.Directions for Q.16 to Q.20: In each of the following questions, fill in the blanks with the correct word from the given options. He is elder……… me. 
A.from
B.to
C.by
D.than

17.Although he is lame………he can walk fast. 
A.but
B.yet
C.as
D.still

18.Distribute these sweets…….. the poor students of this school. 
A.among
B.between
C.from
D.by

19.She is……. M.B.A. 
A.the
B.a
C.at
D.an

20.He ……..to office daily. 
A.going
B.go
C.goes
D.went

21.Directions for Q.21 to Q.25: Complete the following sentences with the help of given options. No one can do this job without ………. 
A.him
B.own
C.our
D.any

22 ………. is doubtful whether he will come. 
A.It
B.That
C.Its
D.Their

23.Neither Mohan nor his sister has done……. lesson. 
A.those
B.own
C.other
D.her

24.There is no rose……… hasn’t a thorn. 
A.whom
B.but
C.as
D.which

25………. are your pencils. 
A.This
B.That
C.Those
D.It