INFOSYS PLACEMENT PAPER

Section I: Arithmetic reasoning & Analytical thinking

25 Min

Direction for question 1 to 4: Refer to the following data and answer the questions that follow:

Rating of importance of certain factors to production is given on a scale of 0 to 100, country wise.

These factors comprise the ‘Production Rating Factor (PRF)’ of a country. The weights of these factors contribution to PRF are:

1. PRF for which country is the highest?

a. USA

b. UK

c. Germany

d. Japan

2. The PRF for India is

a.60   b.56   c.72   d.64

3. If the PRF for UK should be made equal to the PRF for USA, to how much should the training for plant maintenance be increased?

a. 88.33   b. 88.00   c. 87.33   d. 89

4. In the PRF for India which factor makes the highest effective contribution?

a. Plant maintenance

b. Technology

c. After sales service 

d. Training

Direction for question 5: Refer to the following data and answer the questions that follow:

5. Number of female students studying Management is what percentage of the total student population?

a. 27   b. 7   c. 25   d. 17

Directions for questions 6 to 10: Each question contains six statements followed by four sets of combinations of three. Choose the set in which the statements are logically related.

5. Number of female students studying Management is what percentage of the total student population?

a. 27    b.7    c.25    d.17

Directions for questions 6 to 10: Each question contains six statements followed by four sets o combinations of three. Choose the set in which the statements are logically related.

6. A. Good people are educated.

B. Some girls are bad.

C. Ram is good.

D. Ram and Lata are friends.

E. Ram is educated.

F. Lata is an educated girl.

a. BCE          b. ACE

c. DEF          d. ADF

7. A. Good managers are intuitive.

B. Some managers are women. 

C. Supriya is intuitive.

D. Supriya is a woman.

E. Some women are intuitive. F. Supriya is a good manager.

a. BCE          b. ABD

c. AFC         d. ADF

8. A. All crows are birds.

B. All birds are black. 

C. All crows are black.

D. All crows have beaks. 

E. All crows lay eggs.

F. All birds have claws.

a. ABC        b. BCD

c. ADE       d. DEF

9. A. Iran and Iraq are members of the UN.

B. Not all members of the UN are friends. C. Iran and Iraq are neighbours.

D. Some UN members are friends. E. Iran and Iraq are not friends.

F. All neighbours are not friends.

a. AEB        b. ABD      c. CDF      d. AEF

10.A. Shyam won a lottery.

B. Shyam lost in a chess game.

C. One need not be intelligent to win a lottery

D. Shyam may not be intelligent.

E. One need not be intelligent to win a chess game.

F. Shyam plays chess.

a. BEF         b. ACD

c. BDE        d. BDF

Directions for questions 11 to 15: Each question is followed by two statements, I and II. Mark the answer as

1. If the question can be answered by using one of the statements alone, but cannot be answered using the other statement alone.

2. If the question can be answered by using either statement alone

3. If the question can be answered by using both statements together, but cannot be answered using either statement alone.

4. If the question cannot be answered even by using both statements together

11.What percentage of the population of a village comprises of married males? c

I. 4/7 of the population comprises of females.

II. There are 300 unmarried males.

12.What is the value of the two digit number m? d

I. The difference between the 2 digits is 3.

II. The sum of the two digits is 5

13.What is the digit in the unit’s place of a number with 2 digits? c

I. The sum of the digits of the number is 16.

II. If the digits are interchanged, the number remains the same.

14.Is the average cost of 60 items greater than Rs.25? b

I. Two-fifth of them cost Rs. 30 each

II. One-third of them cost Rs 40 each.

15.If x < y < z are odd integers, are they consecutive odd integers? a

I. 2x< 4

II. y is the average of x and z

Section II: Mathematical critical reasoning & Logical reasoning

35 min


1. If NEVER – DRIVE = RIDE; what is the numerical value of N+E+V+E+R? (Given that value of E is 3)

a. 26 b. 25 c. 27 d. None

2. A passenger train covers the distance between stations X and Y, 50 minutes faster than a goods train. The distance between X and Y is 25 km. If the average speed of the passenger train is 60kmph, find the average speed of the goods train?

a. 50/3 m/s 

b. 40/3 m/s 

c. 50/9 m/s 

d. 20 m/s

3. Find the next alphabet pair in the series.

IF, DH, BD, _.

a. LM           b. AB 

c. FG            d. None

4. A boy has 7 different toys. In how many ways he can choose one or more toys?

a. 128          b. 129 

c. 127          d. 5040

5. ADD + ADD = SUB. What is the value of SUB?

a. 998          b. 908 

c. 910          d. None

Directions for questions 6 to 7: Read the given information and answer questions based on it:

Rotoract club of XYZ University is organizing a dancing competition. There are 8 dancers-

Ram, Shyam, Ghanshyam, Radheshyam, Naresh, Suresh, Mahesh and Jignesh. These dancers will

be ranked from one, the best dancer, to eight, the worst dancer. The top five dancers will

receive awards. The following conditions apply;

– Naresh is a better- ranked dancer than Mahesh.

– If Ghanshyam is awarded a prize. then Shyam ranks higher than Suresh, though both receive

prizes.

– Radheshyam is ranked either first or fifth.

– Radheshyam is a better-ranked dancer than Suresh

6. Which of the following must be true?

a. If Radheshyam ranks 1st then Suresh ranks 3rd

b. If Ghanshyam ranks 3rd then Radheshyam ranks 1st

c. If Radheshyam ranks 5th then Naresh ranks 2nd

d. If Mahesh does not receive a prize then Ghanshyam does.

e. If Jignesh ranks 4th then Suresh ranks 3rd

7. Which of the following, if substituted for the rule that if Ghanshyam is awarded a prize, then Shyam ranks higher than Suresh, though both receives prizes, would have the same effect on the placement of all the dancers?

a. If Shyam and Suresh both receive prizes, then Suresh must rank higher than Shyam.

b. Suresh must rank higher than Shyam unless Ghanshyam receives a prize.

 c. If Suresh ranks higher than Shyam or if either of them do not receive a prize then Ghanshyam cannot receive a prize.

 d. If Ghanshyam receives a prize then both Suresh and Shyam must also receive prizes and Suresh cannot be placed 1st or 2nd

8. In selling an article for Rs.86 there is a gain of 54%. The gain by selling that for Rs.84 is(approx)

a. 55%           b. 50% 

c. 48%            d. 46%

9. Find the next number in the series.

8, 24, 76, ___ , 688, 2064

a. 225 b. 228 c. 485 d. 488

10.In what ratio must a grocer mix two varieties of pulses costing Rs.17 and Rs. 25 per kg respectively so as to get a mixture worth Rs. 18.50 kg?

a. 3:14             b. 13:3 

c. 15:3              d. 1:3

Section III: Verbal aptitude 35 min

Directions for questions 1 to 5: Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow.

Satyagraha is fundamentally a way of life, which guides the modes of political activism undertaken by the followers of its principle (or satyagrahi’s). On a personal front it involves a life committed to truth, chastity, non-attachment and hard-work. On the political front, satyagraha involves utilisation of non- violent measures to curb the opponent, and ideally to convert him rather than to coerce him into submission. A satyagrahi wants to make the evil- doers see the evil that they are indulging into, and realize their injustice. In an ideal way, it involves transforming them into acceptance of the right, and if that fails to come around, then at least to stop them from obstructing the right. Picketing, non- cooperation, peaceful marches and meetings, along with a peaceful disobedience of the laws of the land were typical modes of resistance adopted by satyagraha. Reverence to the opposition was one of the unique features of the satyagraha preached by Gandhi. Under no circumstance, should the opposition or the flag of the opposition be insulted in a Satyagraha movement. Resistance on the part of the authorities would be expected, but a true

Satyagrahi had to bear all hardships, including physical assault with patience, not ever stooping to anger, and to defend the faith even at the cost of life. Gandhi believed that the Satyagrahis had to be extremely strong in inner strength and moral courage in order to do that, and also r realized that could not be achieved unless the Satyagrahis maintained a pure and simple life. He made his own life a veritable example of his teachings, and also turned his ashram at Sabarmati as a haven for individuals who chose to maintain a life based on his teachings. Non- violence of all forms were to be resisted and refrained from Abuses and swearing were strictly prohibited and all forms of abstinence from sensual pleasures were highly advocated. Hard labor was an integral part of Satyagraha. Everyone was meant to work for his or her food and the clothes. Khadi developed as the very mark of nationalism, and simple life became the order of the day. Absolute secularism and eradication of every shade of untouchability were also distinct characteristics of satyagraha. It was only in such a way, Gandhi believed, that the Indians would be strong enough to tread the paths of a truly non- violent revolution.

Gandhi achieved success in the revolutions he led in South Africa by following the path of Satyagraha. He had an innate belief that it would succeed in India too. In fact, Gandhi had an innate belief that it would be the only effective way to fight the powerful British, because two centuries of colonial rule has financially and morally emasculated India to such a degree, that any other form of resistance was bound to fail. Gandhi’s satyagraha methods had few takers in his early years at the

Indian National Congress. However, under the able guidance of Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi’s method gradually gained acceptance. Gandhi shot into political prominence by successfully employing methods of Satyagraha at the indigo planters revolution at Champaran in Bihar. The same method was repeated with similar results at Kheda in Gujarat against the raised taxes from the British authorities. Satyagraha became the foundation of the non-cooperation movement of 1920, following the infamous Rowlatt Act. Non- cooperation movement ended unceremoniously with the Chauri Chaura incident. However, it was during the Civil Disobedience movement that Gandhi re-introduced satyagraha in a big way. His peaceful denial of government rules started with the celebrated Dandi march and the making of salt on 12th March 1930, defying the British Salt Law that prohibited the making of salt without government permission. Although ridiculed in the early years by a majority of the Western and particularly British press, the true power of satyagraha was soon realised by the British government, as all government endeavors and enterprises were in doldrums following mass boycott from Indians. Gandhi’s satyagraha reached the pinnacle of success, and Indian Nationalist movement reached a feverish pitch, forcing the government to initiate procedures towards the Gandhi-Irwin pact, followed by the second round table conference, where Gandhi gave one of his greatest speeches exposing the evils of the British rule and endorsing the methods of satyagraha.

Satyagraha by that time has gained wide popularity, and there were committed satyagrahis all over the country. Quit India Movement reclaimed the ideals of satyagraha, which finally went a long in securing Indian independence.

1. According to the author what is satyagraha?

a. A process of fighting against the laws aggressively.

b. Hunger strike done by people for gaining freedom.

c. A peaceful denial of government laws which were framed against our country and its people.

d. Includes peaceful marches and meetings to create awareness about freedom.

2. It is inferred from the passage that?

a. Satyagraha gained its acceptance by the support of Indian national congress.

b. Gandhiji had made his trip to south africa to make the freedom struggle more effective.

c. Satyagraha became the foundation for Indian freedom struggle.

d. Gandhiji believed satyagraha would be the only effective way to fight the powerful British.


3. The author says that a satyagrahi

a. Need to be physically strong so a satyagrahi must be a male.

b. Need to face lot of hardships so sathagrahi must be unmarried.

c. Must defend the faith even at the cost of life.

d. Must be an origin of Bihar or Gujarat.

4. Which of the following is true according to the above passage?

a. Sathyagraha served as pure way but was not followed by many because the followers had to face hardships throughout.

b. Indians suffered a lot because almost all were sathyagrahi’s and so as a result they decided to

quit sathyagraha movement.

c. Gandhi’s satyagraha gained wide popularity at the very beginning of it in India.

d. Gandhiji wanted the Satyagrahis to be extremely strong.


5. Choose a suitable title for the above passage.

a. satyagraha , way of life

b. Satyagraha in the Indian National Movement

c. satyagraha, peaceful disobedience of laws.

d. distinct characteristics of satyagraha

Directions for questions 6 and 10: Read the given passage and answer the questions asked.

The majority of successful senior managers do not closely follow the classical rational model of first clarifying goals, assessing the problem, formulating options, estimating likelihoods of success, making a decision, and only then taking action to implement the decision. Rather, in their day-by-day tactical maneuvers, these senior executives rely on what is vaguely termed “intuition” t mmanage a network of interrelated problems that require them to deal with ambiguity, inconsistency, novelty, and surprise; and to integrate action into the process to thinking.

Generations of writers on management have recognized that some practicing managers rely heavily on intuition. In general, however, such writers display a poor grasp of what intuition is. Some see it as the opposite of rationality: others view it as an excuse for capriciousness. Isenberg’s recent research on the cognitive processes of senior managers reveals that managers’ intuition is neither of these. Rather, senior managers use intuition in at least five distinct ways. First, they intuitively sense when a problem exists. Second, managers rely on intuition to perform well-learned behavior patterns rapidly. This intuition is not arbitrary or irrational, but is based on years of painstaking practice and hands-on experience that build skills. A third function of intuition is to synthesize isolated bits of data and practice into an integrated picture, often in an “Aha!” experience. Fourth, some managers use intuition as a check on the results of morerational analysis. Most senior executives are familiar with the formal decision analysis models and tools, and those who use such systematic methods for reaching decisions are occasionally leery of solutions suggested by these methods which run counter to their sense of the correct course of action. Finally, managers can use intuition to bypass in-depth analysis and move rapidly to engender a plausible solution. Used in this way, intuition is an almost instantaneous cognitive process in which a manager recognizes familiar patterns.

One of the implications of the intuitive style of executive management is that “thinking” is inseparable from acting. Since managers often “know” what is right before they can analyze and explain it, they frequently act first and explain later. Analysis is inextricably tied to action in thinking/acting cycles, in which managers develop thoughts about their companies and organizations not by analyzing a problematic situation and then acting, but by acting and analyzing in close concert. Given the great uncertainty of many of the management issues that they face, senior managers often instigate a course of action simply to learn more about an issue. They then use the results of the action to develop a more complete understanding of the issue. One implication of thinking/acting cycles is that action is often part of defining the problem, not just of implementing the solution.

6. According to the passage, senior managers use intuition in all of the following ways EXCEPT to

a. speed up of the creation of a solution to a problem

b. identify a problem

c. bring together disparate facts d. stipulate clear goals

7. The passage suggests which of the following about the “writers on management” mentioned in line 12?

a. They have criticized managers for not following the classical rational model of decision analysis.

b. They have not based their analyses on a sufficiently large sample of actual managers.

c. They have relied in drawing their conclusions on what managers say rather than on what managers do.

d. They have misunderstood how managers use intuition in making business decisions.


8. Which of the following best exemplifies “an ‘Aha!’ experience” as it is presented in the passage?

a. Manager risks taking an action whose outcome is unpredictable to discover whether the action changes the problem at hand.

b. A manager performs well-learned and familiar behavior patterns in creative and uncharacteristic ways to solve a problem.

c. A manager suddenly connects seemingly unrelated facts and experiences to create a pattern relevant to the problem at hand.

d. A manager rapidly identifies the methodology used to compile data yielded by systematic analysis.


9. According to the passage, the classical model of decision analysis includes all of the following EXCEPT

a. Evaluation of a problem.

b. Creation of possible solutions to a problem.

c. Establishment of clear goals to be reached by the decision.

d. Action undertaken in order to discover more information about a problem.

10. It can be inferred from the passage that which of the following would most probably be one major difference in behavior between Manager X, who uses intuition to reach decisions, and Manager Y, who uses only formal decision analysis?

a. Manager X analyzes first and then acts; Manager Y does not.

b. Manager X checks possible solutions to a problem by systematic analysis; Manager Y does not.

c. Manager X takes action in order to arrive at the solution to a problem; Manager Y does not.

d. Manager Y draws on years of hands-on experience in creating a solution to a problem; Manager X does not.

Directions for questions 11 and 18: Fill in the blanks with the best alternative:

11. Avian influenza ______________ threat than anyone ever thought.

a. may be more bigger and more complex

b. may be a bigger and more complex

c. may be a more complex and more bigger

d. may have been the bigger and more complex

12. Spreading rumours is a risky thing to do; it is _____________.

a. like playing with fire

b. all water under the bridge

c. armed to the teeth

d. plain as a pikestaff

13. Sometimes nothing is shown on the screen because the batsman was a key batsman and getting out at that stage _______________ for that team.

a. has made life very difficult

b. makes life very difficult

c. would have made life very difficult

d. made difficulty

14. Paying attention to visual stimuli is important in the development of object recognition, and _______________ memory, motor skills and other key abilities.

a. is also needed towards the development in

b. is also needed for the development of

c. is also needed to the developing of

d. also needs to develop

15. Despite the ____ of time, space, and history, human societies the world over have confronted the same existential problems and have come to remarkably ____ solutions, differing only in superficial details.

a. Continuity – identical

b. Uniformity – diverse

c. Actualities – varied

d. Contingencies – similar


16. Although he was known to be extremely ____ in his public behavior, scholars have discovered that his diaries were written with uncommon ____.

a. reserved – frankness

b. polite – tenderness

c. modest – lucidity

d. reticent – vagueness

17. If the state government’s latest budget problems were ____, it would not be useful to employ them as ____ examples in the effort to avoid the inevitable effects of short sighted fiscal planning in the future.

a. Typical – representative

b. Exceptional – aberrant

c. Anomalous – illuminating

d. Solvable – insignificant

18. Just as some writers have ____ the capacity of language to express meaning, Giacometti ____ the failure of art to convey reality.

a. scoffed at – abjured

b. demonstrated – exemplified

c. denied – refuted

d. None of the above

Directions for questions 19 and 24:

Read the paragraphs given and choose the best option that suits the question asked.

19.When parents allow their children to spend a large amount of time watching television, those children see many more images of violence than do children who watch very little TV. The more violent images a child sees, the more violent that child will become. The more violent a child is, the more likely the child is to commit crimes as an adult.

If the statements in the passage above are true, which of the following must also be true?

a. If parents did not allow their children to watch TV, juvenile delinquency would be unlikely.

b. No child will develop an aversion to violence if he or she is permitted to watch TV.

c. The more parents try to discourage their children from watching TV; the more likely those children are to become criminals.

d. If a child sees more images of violence on TV, the likelihood of that child committing crimes as an adult increases.


20.Many adults, no matter what their age, respond to adversity by seeking advice only from their parents. Consciously they regress to psychological state of childhood dependence inw Which the parent is seen as the only source of wisdom and comfort. Adults, who do not regress to this childhood mode, turn for advice in adversity only to other loved ones- a spouse or a best friend whom they perceive and relate to as peers.

If all the above statements are true, which of the following must be true?

a. Adults who do suffer adversity look only to their parents for advice.

b. No adults seek advice in adversity from total strangers

c. Adults who seek advice in adversity from their parents do not expect to receive wisdom and comfort.

d. Adults who regress to a state of childhood dependence lose touch with their parents.

21.University systems that use graduation rates to determine which campuses are allotted additional funds, are acting counter to their stated goals. The universities say they are trying to raise academic standards, yet they are actually encouraging campuses to graduate students regardless of achievement.

Which of the following, if true, would help tov validate the approach taken by the university systems mentioned above?

a. Graduation rates for university systems with this policy are among the highest in the nation, but the graduates from these systems score poorly on the tests of basic skills.

b. The campuses that need the additional funds the most are the ones that have the lowest graduation rates.

c. The new funds will be allotted for facility upgrades, not new faculty positions or pay increases for staff.

d. Graduation examinations currently exist that require every graduate at each university to demonstrate minimum levels of achievement.


22.A recent study has concluded that, contrary to the claims of those trying to ban cigarette advertisements altogether, cigarette ads placed on billboards and in magazines have little tonNo effect on the smoking habits of smokers who view the ads.

According to the study:

a. People do not switch cigarette brands based on their exposure to cigarette ads on

billboards and magazines.

b. Cigarette ads on billboards and magazines do not encourage non smokers to take up the

habit.

c. Banning cigarette ads altogether will encourage people to give up smoking.

d. People are consciously aware of all the reasons they choose to smoke.


23.The Environmental Protection Agency must respond to the hazard to children’s health posed by exposure to asbestos fibers released in the air in school classrooms. Since it is impossible to close school buildings, the best plan would be to initiate programs that mandate the immediate removal of asbestos from all the school buildings that are found to contain asbestos, regardless of whether or not the buildings are in use.

Which of the following, if true, is the strongest reason for the Environmental Protection

Agency not to follow the plan outlined above?

a. The techniques available for removing asbestos often increase the level of airborne asbestos.

b. Schools are places where asbestos is especially likely to be released into the air by the action of the occupants.

c. Children exposed to airborne asbestos run a greater risk of developing cancer than do adults exposed to airborne asbestos.

d. The cost of removing asbestos varies from school to school, depending on accessibility and the quantity of asbestos to be removed.

e. It is impossible to determine with any degree of certainty if and when construction materials that contain asbestos will break down and release asbestos fibers into the air.

24.Aedes albopictus, a variety of mosquito that has recently established itself in the southeastern United States, is less widespread than the indigenous swamp mosquito. Both the swamp mosquito and A. albopictus can carry viruses that are sometimes fatal to humans, but A.a albopictus is a greater danger to public health.

Each of the following, if true, provides additional information that strengthens the judgment given about the danger to public health EXCEPT:

a. Unlike the swamp mosquito, A. albopictus originated in Asia, and larvae of it were not observed in the United States before the mid-1980’s.

b. Unlike the swamp mosquito, A. albopictus tends to spend most of its adult life near human habitation.

c. Unlike swamp mosquito larvae, A. albopictus larvae survive in flower pots, tin cans, and many small household objects that hold a little water.

d. In comparison with the swamp mosquito, A. albopictus hosts a much wider variety of viruses known to cause serious diseases in humans.

Directions for questions 25 and 32:

Choose the option that is the best alternative for the underlined phrase in the sentence:

25. Even in the best circumstances, fierce competition from larger, more established companies make it difficult for small concerns to broaden their customer bases.

a. make it difficult for small concerned to

b. make it difficult for the concerned small

c. makes it difficult for small concerns

d. makes them difficult to the small concern

26.Unemployment does not have the same dire consequences today as it had in the 1930s when most of the unemployed were primary breadwinners.

a. than it had been in the 1930s

b. than it was in the 1930s

c. as it would be in the 1930s

d. as it did in the 1930s

27.A “calendar stick” carved centuries ago by the Winnebago tribe may provide the first evidence that the North American Indians have developed advanced full-year calendars basing them on systematic astronomical observation.

a. that the North American Indians have developed advanced full-year calendars basing them

b. of the North American Indians who have developed advanced full-year calendars and based themc. of the development of advanced full-year calendars by North American Indians, basing them

d. that the North American Indians developed advanced full-year calendars based


28.A 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump into the Great Lakes.

a. reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump

b. reduced the phosphate amount that municipalities had been dumping

c. reduces the phosphate amount municipalities have been allowed to dump

d. reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump


29.A collection of 38 poems by Phillis Wheatley, a slave, was published in the 1770’s, the first book by a Black woman and it was only the second published by an American woman.

a. it was only the second published by an American woman.

 b. it was only the second that an American woman published.

c. the second one only published by an American woman.

d. only the second published by an American woman.


30.A common disability in test pilots is hearing impairment, a consequence of sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time.

a. a consequence of sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time

b. a consequence from sitting for long periods of time too near to large jet engines

c. a consequence which resulted from sitting too close to large jet engines for long periods of time

d. damaged from sitting too near to large jet engines for long periods of time

31.A controversial figure throughout most of his public life, the Black leader Marcus Garvey advocated that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom.

a. that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized the possibility of freedom

b. that some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him

c. that some Blacks return to Africa which was the land which symbolized the possibility of freedom to him

d. some Black’s returning to Africa which was the land that to him symbolized the possibility of freedom

32.A fire in an enclosed space burns with the aid of reflected radiation that preheats the fuel, making ignition much easier and flames spreading more quickly.

a. flames spreading

b. flame spreads

c. flames are caused to spread

d. causing flames to spread

Directions for questions 33 and 34: Identify which part has error in it.

33.I have been living (A)/ in this city (B)/since last several years (C)/ but have never experienced any problems.(D)

34.I found this key (A)/while digging in the backyard.(B)/ I don’t know (C)/who it belonged to.(D)


Directions for questions 35 to 40

Identify the part of a sentence that has an error in it.

35.

a. The ship

b. laden with merchandise

c. got drowned in the Atlantic ocean 

d. No error

36.

a. I could not put up in the restaurant

b. because the charges

c. were exorbitant 

d. No error

37.

a. Having received your message

b. this evening, we are writing 

c. to thank you for the same

d. No error

38.

a. She couldn’t but help

b. Shedding tears at the plight of the villagers

c. Rendered homeless by a devastating cyclone.

d. No error

39.

a. Most of the members at the meeting felt

b. that the group appointed for investigating the case

c. were not competent to do the job efficiently

d. No error

40.

a. Please try to understand

b. that the dispute on this issue is between my boss and myself,

c. and concerns nobody else. 

d. got in trouble.