There has been a gradual falling off in the quality of articles manufactured locally.
(a) shrinkage
(b) erosion
(c) improvement
(d) descent

He was deeply depressed over the news.
(a) satisfied
(b) elated
(c) impressed
(d) affected

Though he had lost the battle, he decided not to yield to the enemy.
(a) submit to
(b) persuade
(c) resist
(d) seek terms with

Because of the failure of the monsoon, there was paucity of foodgrains.
(a) overflow
(b) inflow
(c) plenty
(d) glut

The evidence against the accused is conclusive.
(a) powerful
(b) indecisive
(c) exclusive
(d) partial

It was a baseless rumour that triggered riots and arson at an unprecedented scale throughout the country.
(a) choked
(b) tapered off
(c) diluted
(d) ignited

Their careers followed a parallel path.
(a) divergent
(b) difficult
(c) similar
(d) dissimilar

The old man manifested his greed at the sight of a huge amount of money.
(a) displayed
(b) concealed
(c) suppressed
(d) marked

The fallen trees blocked our passage to freedom from the wood.
(a) facilitated
(b) started
(c) checked
(d) promoted

He fell foul of me when I asked him to apologise to his teacher.
(a) quarrelled with me
(b) attacked me
(c) made friends with me
(d) showed appreciation for me

The outcome of his mission was more rewarding than he had expected.
(a) lucrative
(b) disappointing
(c) thrilling
(d) nail-biting