CDS 2026 (I) English, question 1

Topic: Vocabulary and word usage

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Directions · Q1 to Q10

In the following items, a pair of words is provided. You are required to select the option that most appropriately describes the meaning of both the words and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Q1

Pontoon and Platoon

  1. (a) Pontoon means a wooden platform and Platoon means a bamboo structure
  2. (b) Pontoon means a group of soldiers and Platoon means a series of bunkers
  3. (c) Pontoon means a temporary bridge and Platoon means a group of soldiersCorrect answer
  4. (d) Pontoon means a group of people and Platoon means a temporary bridge

Solution.

Answer: (c) Pontoon means a temporary bridge and Platoon means a group of soldiers

  1. A pontoon is a flat-bottomed float used to support a temporary floating bridge, and the word is also used for the bridge itself.
  2. A platoon is a military unit made up of soldiers.
  3. Only (c) gets both associations right.