High Court Assistant — 2015 — Official Paper — Kerala PSC PYQ Practice with Answers

Correct answer (Option C):\nThe word 'Avow' means to declare or assert something openly or positively. In contrast, 'Gainsay', 'Deny', and 'Oppose' all convey meanings related to contradiction, refusal, or declaration that something is untrue. Therefore, 'Avow' is the antonym of the other three words and is the odd one out.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOptions A, B, and D are synonyms that represent the act of rejecting or disagreeing with a statement.\n\nStudy tip:\nVocabulary questions often test groups of synonyms and antonyms. Grouping words by semantic meaning helps identify the odd one quickly.

Correct answer (Option B):\nThe correct matching of words with their meanings or synonyms is as follows:\n- propensity maps to disposition (iii)\n- washing maps to ablution (iv)\n- harangue maps to tirade (v)\n- ambulation maps to walking (i)\nThis gives the pattern a-iii, b-iv, c-v, d-i, which aligns perfectly with Option B.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOptions A, C, and D pair the words incorrectly (for example, mapping propensity to ablution or ambulation to embodiment).\n\nStudy tip:\nIn matching questions, identify the most certain pair first (such as ambulation to walking) to eliminate incorrect choices instantly.

Correct answer (Option A):\n'Inter alia' is a Latin phrase that translates literally to 'among other things'. It is commonly used in legal, academic, and formal writing to indicate that there are other items, facts, or examples besides the ones explicitly mentioned.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOption B and D incorrectly reference enemies. Option C, while close in conversational context, does not represent the precise, literal translation of the phrase.\n\nStudy tip:\nLatin terms are frequently used in legal documents and High Court exams. Maintain a running list of common phrases like inter alia, prima facie, and amicus curiae.

Correct answer (Option A):\nThe word 'argument' is spelled correctly. Note that it lacks an 'e' after the 'u' (unlike the base word 'argue').\n\nWhy others are wrong:\n- Option B is wrong because it should be spelled 'idiosyncrasy' (ending in -sy, not -cy).\n- Option C is often considered correct in some regional dictionaries but standard British English prefers 'irresistible' with an 'i' or it can be a double key issue; however, 'accommodation' in Option D is definitely misspelled due to a missing second 'm' (should be accommodation).\n\nStudy tip:\nPay close attention to silent letters, dropped vowels during suffix addition, and doubled consonants.

Correct answer (Option C):\nA gerund is a noun formed from a verb by adding the suffix '-ing' (the present participle form). It represents an action functioning as a subject or object in a sentence, such as 'Swimming is fun'.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOption A modifies verbs or adjectives. Option B expresses necessity or possibility. Option D replaces a noun.\n\nStudy tip:\nUnderstand the structural and functional difference between participial adjectives (e.g., the crying baby) and gerunds functioning as nouns.