WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2023
3. Choose the word that best replaces the italicized words in the given sentence— In earlier times, rebels were executed for killing the king. (A) homicide (B) regicide (C) parricide (D) fratricide
Explanation: (B) regicide is the correct answer. The root word reg- comes from the Latin word for king (rex/regis), and the suffix -cide means the act of killing. Other Options:
- Homicide: The killing of a human being (homo-).
- Parricide: The killing of a parent or other near relative (parri-).
- Fratricide: The killing of one’s brother or sister (fratri-).
8. Identify the incorrect pair (A) Kidney diseases — urologist (B) Blood-related diseases — haematologist (C) Diseases of the stomach — gastroenterologist (D) Various types of cancer — oncologist
Explanation: (A) Kidney diseases — urologist is the incorrect pair (and thus the correct answer to select). A medical doctor who specializes specifically in kidney diseases and kidney function is a Nephrologist. A urologist treats diseases of the broader urinary tract and the male reproductive system. Other Options (These are all correctly paired):
- Haematologist: Haema- means blood.
- Gastroenterologist: Gastro- means stomach, and entero- means intestines.
- Oncologist: Onco- refers to tumors/masses.
17. Who is a ‘psephologist’? (A) Someone who specializes in statistical studies of voting patterns in elections. (B) Someone who specializes in a certain branch of neuropsychology. (C) Someone who specializes in a certain branch of astrophysics. (D) Someone who practises Freudian psychoanalysis.
Explanation: (A) is the correct answer. The word comes from the Greek word psephos, which means “pebble.” In ancient Greece, citizens used to drop pebbles into urns to cast their votes. Therefore, a psephologist analyzes elections and voting trends.
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2022
An Obstetrician deals with (A) Child disease (B) Liver disease (C) Pregnancy & childbirth (D) Nerve disease
Explanation: (C) Pregnancy & childbirth is the correct answer. An obstetrician specializes in maternity care. Other Options:
- Child disease: Dealt with by a Pediatrician.
- Liver disease: Dealt with by a Hepatologist.
- Nerve disease: Dealt with by a Neurologist.
Give the one-word substitution of: One who talks continuously (A) Voracious (B) Impecunious (C) Loquacious (D) Avaricious
Explanation: (C) Loquacious is the correct answer. The Latin root loqu- means to talk or speak. Other Options:
- Voracious: Wanting or devouring great quantities of food (or information, e.g., a voracious reader).
- Impecunious: Having little or no money; poor.
- Avaricious: Having or showing an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
Give the one-word substitution of: Creature having both male and female organs (A) Sodomite (B) Homosexual (C) Masochist (D) Hermaphrodite
Explanation: (D) Hermaphrodite is the correct biological term for an organism that has complete or partial reproductive organs and produces gametes normally associated with both male and female sexes (common in many plants and invertebrates). Other Options:
- Masochist: Someone who derives sexual gratification or pleasure from their own pain or humiliation. (The others are unrelated sexual orientations/historical terms).
WBCS Preliminary Question Paper – 2021
3. Choose the right word for love of oneself. (A) Hedonism
(B) Masochism
(C) Narcissism
(D) Sadism
Explanation: (C) Narcissism is the correct answer. The term comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus, a hunter who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. It means excessive interest in or admiration of oneself. Other Options:
- Hedonism: The pursuit of pleasure; the ethical theory that pleasure is the highest good.
- Sadism: Deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others (the opposite of Masochism).
10. The word ‘claustrophobia’ means (A) fear of darkness
(B) fear of crowds
(C) fear of confined spaces
(D) fear of water
Explanation: (C) fear of confined spaces is the correct answer. Claustrum is Latin for a shut-in place, and phobia means fear. Other Options:
- Fear of darkness: Nyctophobia.
- Fear of crowds: Enochlophobia (or Agoraphobia for crowded, public spaces).
- Fear of water: Hydrophobia or Aquaphobia.
25. A place where bees are kept _____ (A) Aviary
(B) Abattoir
(C) Granary
(D) Apiary
Explanation: (D) Apiary is the correct answer. The Latin word for bee is apis. Other Options:
- Aviary: A large enclosure for confining birds (Latin avis = bird).
- Abattoir: A slaughterhouse.
- Granary: A storehouse for threshed grain.
