CAT Questions | CAT Word Usage Questions

The question is from CAT Word Usage. Word Usage for Verbal Ability for CAT. Word Usage questions that appear in the verbal section of CAT look for the correct usage of words in a sentence. Have a look at this question from Word Usage. Solve CAT Questions from Word Usage to get more practice and 2IIMs CAT questions bank provides you with CAT questions that can help you gear for CAT Exam .

Question 5: In 1993, the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and in 1994 it set up a second international tribunal to try the perpetrators (A)/propagandists (B) of the Rwandan genocide.

Critics claimed that the tribunals were established to show (A)/cover (B) America's and Europe's shameful reluctance to intervene.

Perhaps, but it is also true that western powers had never before reached for such a fig leaf (A)/red herring(B).

Despite (A)/With regard to (B) slow beginnings, heavy expense and many delays, both tribunals are bold attempts at implementing international humanitarian law.

1. ABAA
2. BABB
3. AABB
4. BBAA

Explanatory Answer

Method of solving this CAT Question from Word Usage:

Sentence 1- In 1993, the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and in 1994 it set up a second international tribunal to try the perpetrators (A)/ propagandists (B) of the Rwandan genocide.

Clearly, the right word here is perpetrators, not propagandists.

Sentence 2- Critics claimed that the tribunals were established to show (A)/cover (B) America's and Europe's shameful reluctance to intervene.

The tribunals could not have been established to show “shameful reluctance to intervene�, so the obvious choice here is cover.

Sentence 3- Perhaps, but it is also true that western powers had never before reached for such a fig leaf (A)/red herring (B).

The idiom fig leaf refers to something designed to cover up what is considered indecent or indecorous. Red herring is an idiom that is used to refer to a misleading clue or a diversion.

The correct choice in this case is fig leaf. The “reaching for� bit of this sentence also points to this choice.

Sentence 4- Despite (A)/ With regard to (B) slow beginnings, heavy expense and many delays, both tribunals are bold attempts at implementing international humanitarian law.

Clearly, the right choice here is despite.

Hence, the answer is ABAA

Choice A is the correct answer.