CDS 2026 English & Comprehension Vocabulary Previous Year Questions

Indolent :

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given words from the options provided

Mealy-mouthed

Which one of the following most nearly means "mealy-mouthed"?

Select the option that is nearest in meaning to the underlined word in
the given sentences.

It is $\underline{ingenuous}$ to suppose that money did not play a part in his decision.

Affect and Effect

Select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words.

Invoke and Revoke

Select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words.

The advertisements were all posted in a $\underline{conspicuous}$ place.

To say that the pandemic is done and dusted with would be an $\underline{understatement}$.

Select the option nearest in meaning to the underlined word.

Deleterious :

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given words from the options provided

His academic papers often are viewed as being $\underline{ponderous}$. Choose the best meaning of the underlined word "ponderous".

Hold the fort
Choose the meaning of the idiom "Hold the fort".

Hard and Hardly

Select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words.

The $\underline{abstruse}$ style of the speaker left the students disinterested and fidgety.

Equivocate :

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given words from the options provided

More than meets the eye
Choose the meaning of the idiom "More than meets the eye".

Social media trends are $\underline{ephemeral}$.
Directions: Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word in the given sentence.
Choose the antonym of "ephemeral".

Ramesh has a $\underline{tempestuous}$ relationship with his neighbours.
Directions: Select the option that is opposite in meaning to the underlined word in the given sentence.
Choose the antonym of "tempestuous".

Obsequious :

Select the most appropriate meaning of the given words from the options provided

What he got by way of a settlement was a $\underline{pittance}$. Choose the best meaning of the underlined word "pittance".

Be under a cloud
Choose the meaning of the idiom "Be under a cloud".

It's all Greek to me
Choose the meaning of the idiom "It's all Greek to me".