Direction: In these questions, you have two brief passages with five questions following each passage. Read the passages carefully and choose the best answer to each question out of the four alternatives.
PASSAGE
Most people who bother with the matter at all would admit that the English language is in a bad way, but it is generally assumed that we cannot by conscious action do anything about it. Our civilization is decadent and our language—so the argument runs—must inevitably share in the general collapse. It follows that any struggle against the abuse of language is a sentimental archaism, like preferring candles to electric light or handsome cabs to aeroplanes. Underneath this lies the half-conscious belief that language is a natural growth and not an instrument which we shape for our own purposes. Now it is clear that the decline of a language must ultimately have political and economic causes : it is not simply due to the bad influence of this or that individual writer. But an effect can become a cause, reinforcing the original cause and producing the same effect in an intensified form, and so on indefinitely. A man may take to drink because he feels himself to be a failure, and then fails all the more completely because he drinks. It is rather the same thing that is happening to the English language. It becomes ugly and inaccurate because our thoughts are foolish, but the slovenliness of our language makes it easier for us to have foolish thoughts. The point is that the process is reversible. Modern English, especially written English, is full of bad habits which spread by imitation and which can be avoided if one is willing to take the necessary trouble. If one gets rid of these habits, one can think more clearly, and to think clearly is a necessary first step towards political regeneration : so that the fight against bad English is not frivolous and is not the exclusive concern of professional writers.
SOME IMPORTANT WORDS
decadent : having or showing low standards, especially moral ones, and an interest only in pleasure and enjoyment rather than serious things.
collapse : to fall down/to break down suddenly.
archaism : a very old word or phrase that is no longer used.
reinforcing : making a feeling. an idea, etc. stronger.
intensified : increased in degree or strength.
indefinitely : for a period of time with no fixed limit
slovenliness : carelessness, untidiness or dirtiness in appearance or habits
regeneration : making to develop and grow strong again
frivolous : silly or amusing behaviour.