My father strained every nerve to enable me to get settled in life.

• worked very hard
• spent a huge amount
• tried all tricks
• bribed several person

I did not know that he was pulling my leg all the time.

• befooling me
• degrading me
• defaming me
• complimenting me

The police fired at random at the violent crowd and several person lost their lives.

• pointedly
• aimlessly
• willingly
• intentionally

Some people now wonder whether we just pay the lip service or genuinely subscribe to democracy.

• pay oral tribute
• attach no value
• remain indifferent
• show only outward respect

Seema is a little hard of hearing.

• inaudible
• deaf
• disinterested
• insensitive

He has reached present position in his job through elbow grease.

• his persistent fighting
• his good connections
• flattering his superiors
• his hard work

He was a king who ruled his subjects with a high hand.

• oppressively
• kindly
• conveniently
• sympathetically

Discipline is on the wane in school and colleges these days.

• increasing
• declining
• spreading
• spiralling

Eloquent lamentations regarding the fate of flora and fauna are certain to be rendered a cry in the wilderness.

• a cry in vain
• an unpleasant situation
• a cry with laughter
• a laughter having no end

The new economic policy is likely to run into rough weather.

• make things difficult
• confuse matters
• encounter difficulties
• create problems