NDA (I) 2021 General Ability Test · Question 43 of 149

Correct — C, terrifying. The blank describes 'experience' — the thing that causes fear — so the '-ing' adjective 'terrifying' is right ('a terrifying experience'). 'Everybody was shocked' confirms the experience produced fear in people.

• (a)terrified — The '-ed' form describes the people who feel the fear ('the crowd was terrified'), not the experience that causes it.
• (b)horrified — Also an '-ed' (feeler) adjective; it describes those affected, not the experience itself.
• (d)denouncing — 'Denouncing' means publicly condemning, which does not fit an 'experience' that shocked everybody.

'-ed' versus '-ing' participial adjectives: use the '-ing' form to describe the thing that causes an emotion.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The roller-coaster ride was absolutely ______.

  • (a)thrilled
  • (b)thrilling
  • (c)thrill
  • (d)thrills

  Answer(b) thrilling — the ride causes the excitement, so use the '-ing' form.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  The passengers were ______ when the plane hit turbulence.

  • (a)frightening
  • (b)frightened
  • (c)fright
  • (d)frights

  Answer(b) frightened — the passengers feel the fear, so use the '-ed' form.