CUET 2026 May 19 Shift 1 English Question Paper is available for download here. NTA is conducting the CUET 2026 exam from 11th May to 31st May.

  • CUET 2026 English exam consists of 50 questions for 250 marks to be attempted in 60 minutes.
  • As per the marking scheme, 5 marks are awarded for each correct answer, and 1 mark is deducted for incorrect answer.

Candidates can download CUET 2026 May 19 Shift 1 English Question Paper with Answer Key and Solution PDF from links provided below.

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CUET 2026 English May 19 Shift 1 Question Paper with Solution PDF

CUET May 19 Shift 1 English Question Paper 2026 Download PDF Check Solutions


Question 1:

Despite losing his job, he managed to \hspace{2cm} by doing small freelance projects.

  • (a) white elephant
  • (b) eke out a living
  • (c) at sixes and sevens
  • (d) Fabian policy

Question 2:

Hobson’s choice means:

  • (a) A difficult puzzle
  • (b) No real choice at all
  • (c) A secret agreement
  • (d) Extreme happiness

Question 3:

After the sudden resignation of the manager, the entire office was \hspace{2cm}.

  • (a) white elephant
  • (b) at sixes and sevens
  • (c) eke out
  • (d) break through

Question 4:

The abandoned airport project became a \hspace{2cm} for the government.

  • (a) white elephant
  • (b) cortege
  • (c) discourse
  • (d) brevity

Question 5:

A long procession, especially for a funeral, is called a:

  • (a) philistine
  • (b) cortege
  • (c) itinerary
  • (d) discourse

Question 6:

Choose the pair of antonyms.

  • (a) adroit – skillful
  • (b) verbose – lengthy
  • (c) corpulent – emaciated
  • (d) philately – stamp collection

Question 7:

An \hspace{2cm} speaker can explain difficult ideas very clearly and skillfully.

  • (a) itinerant
  • (b) adroit
  • (c) emaciated
  • (d) cantankerous
Correct Answer: (b) adroit
View Solution



Step 1: Understanding the Concept:

This context requires selecting a descriptive adjective that characterizes a person's speaking ability, specifically their skillfulness and clarity when handling complex topics. The missing vocabulary word must denote high competence, cleverness, or dexterity in performance.


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let's evaluate the definitions of all four options to find the correct match:
Itinerant: Traveling from place to place. This describes a physical movement pattern, not a communication skill.
Adroit (Correct): Clever, adept, or highly skillful in using the hands or mind. When used to describe a speaker, it means they are exceptionally skilled at structuring arguments and explaining complex points smoothly.
Emaciated: Abnormally thin or weak, especially because of illness or a lack of food. This is a physical condition and is completely irrelevant here.
Cantankerous: Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative. A cantankerous speaker would be hostile rather than clear and skillful.

Therefore, "adroit" is the only adjective that logically and grammatically fits the blank to complete the description.


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct word to fill the blank is option (b). Quick Tip: To remember "adroit," think of the word "add right." An adroit person adds the right skills to any task to get it done cleverly and smoothly!


Question 8:

“Brevity” means:

  • (a) Loudness
  • (b) Intelligence
  • (c) Shortness in speech or writing
  • (d) Confusion

Question 9:

The professor’s explanation was so \hspace{2cm} that students lost interest quickly.

  • (a) verbose
  • (b) adroit
  • (c) taciturn
  • (d) concise

Question 10:

A person who travels from place to place is known as:

  • (a) itinerant
  • (b) emaciated
  • (c) sagacious
  • (d) corpulent

CUET UG 2026 Exam Pattern

Parameter Details
Exam Name Common University Entrance Test (CUET UG) 2026
Conducting Body National Testing Agency (NTA)
Exam Mode Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Exam Duration 60 minutes per test
Total Sections 3 (Languages, Domain Subjects, General Test)
Question Type Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Questions per Test 50 questions (all compulsory)
Marking Scheme +5 for correct, -1 for incorrect
Maximum Marks 250 marks per test
Maximum Subject Choices 5 subjects in total
Syllabus Base Class 12 NCERT (mainly for Domain Subjects)

CUET UG 2026 Paper Analysis