ENGLISH
ENGLISH
org
English
Language
SALIENT FEATURES:
� Chapterwise Discussion
� Topicwise Rules and Examples
� Exercise based on previous papers.
� Easy and comprehensible language
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 3
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Mahendra Publication Team
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PREFACE
This gives us immense pleasure to present you the latest edition of this book. We thank you from the depth
of our hearts, for the love and affection given by you just from the beginning. Dear friends, change is the law
of nature. We must learn to tolerate the blows of time with patience and learn not only to endure, but also
to expect, welcome, and enjoy both the joys as well as the sorrows of life. We must do what we can to "get
success." We have to operate with the information and skills that are necessary for winning.
Today’s era is governed by technology. The technology has increased the pace of changing the world we see
day by day, and so the pattern of examination and criteria of selection has also changed. As we are aware
that interview is a part of the various examinations and the written/objective exams are going to be tougher
than earlier.
Every choice you make — including the thoughts you have — has consequences. When you start choosing
the right behaviour and thoughts — which will take a lot of discipline — you'll get the right outcomes.
Be aware of the factors that influence the way you see the world, so that you can deal with them and react
against them. You are your own most important resource for making your life work. Success is a moving
target that must be tracked and continuously pursued.
In this context we have completely updated this book keeping the forthcoming examination pattern in mind.
This edition caters to need of English Language that is asked in Preliminary and Mains stages of most of
the Banking and Insurance examinations for various posts. This book is thoroughly based on the latest pat-
tern in which time limit is given for each section. Every chapter in this book describes the concept with the
help of various examples and at the end gives miscellaneous examples to clear the concepts. Examples have
been solved with standard as well as short methods. At the end of each chapter exercises has been given to
master the topic by solving variety of exam oriented question. So we have now given a complete focus on
concept building and mastering each topic through this book.
We are truly dedicated to provide you the best among the rest. This book is an initiative from our side to
make you perfect in this subject.
We will be highly gratified, if this book helps students in getting selection.
Any suggestions related to the this book shall always be welcomed and we shall endeavor to incorporate
them in our upcoming issues.
Research Team
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CONTENTS
S.No. TOPICS Pg. No.
1. Introduction 7-9
2. Noun 10-16
3. Pronoun 17-22
4. Verb 23-33
5. Conjunction 34-38
8. Preposition 55-65
9. Adjective 66-76
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CHAPTER
1 introduction
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Why is learning English important? How to prepare English for competitive exams?
Today, English Language has a very significant role in For doing well in the paper of English language we have
banking and other competitive exams. This is one of the most worked on all the three sections: Reading Comprehension,
important facets conducted where a candidate is judged by Vocabulary and Grammar.
committees in all possible ways to stand him/her out from Here are the tips to improve the above-mentioned sections:
the crowd.
Besides this learning English will assist you to follow and
Improving reading comprehension
achieve more career goals. These days, the job market is Remove distractions from your surroundings: The first
global— a lot of industries require employees who are expert thing towards improving your reading comprehension is to
in communicating with customers and clients across the read in a place where you’ll be able to concentrate. Remove
nation and the world as well. any kind of distraction from your environment and turn off TV,
Music, etc. to prevent unexpected distractions from appearing.
In competitive exams, English Language
Read numerous books and articles: Regular reading
includes three important sections:
enables you to understand words automatically and at a
certain speed. In order to improve fluency and comprehension
and to learn various new words and phrases read the number
of books, newspapers, etc.
Grammar Vocabulary Reading
Comprehensive Be with someone superior if you’re reading something
above your level: You should be with someone who can
All these three sections make the board/committee which assist you in understanding while reading tough topics or
conducts the examinations understand candidate’s capability articles; that helper may be a teacher, a friend, a parent or
of understanding, speaking, writing, analyzing, and listening whoever you're comfortable talking to and asking questions.
English Language.
Read aloud: Reading the articles aloud is a very good way
In today’s competitive era, almost all the exams have a to slow down while reading and give you more time to process
mandatory test for English Language and are conducted what you're reading, thereby improving comprehension.
in English medium as well. It is absolutely necessary for
Read the text again and again as necessary to improve
a candidate to understand English to finish his/her exam
your comprehension: Sometimes when you’re reading,
successfully. The skill to analyse very new words from both
and likely to finish a paragraph or page and realize that you
the context and structure shows the ability to make ways
don’t remember any of what you have just read. In such case
through some of the advanced writing on different topics.
go back and re-read what you’ve just read to refresh your
Why does English Language hold an memory and improve your comprehension.
important place in competitive exams? Prefer the books at or below your level: Instead of initiating
The section of English Language is given aiming with books that are very difficult, or not of your interest,
at evaluating the language skills of the candidates. read the books you’re comfortable with first and develop a
It is a way to judge the mental attention, the quick baseline of reading comprehension.
analytical power, presence of mind of the students. Improve the vocabulary: If you are unable to understand
In most of the parts of work, the variety of vocabulary what a word means, it's going to be tough to improve your
is highly required to express some of the ideas concisely reading comprehension. So in order to comprehend a passage,
and effectively. A large vocabulary correlates well with you must have a rough idea of what vocabulary has been
the capability of handling complex ideas. That is why, used in the particular passage.
English Language holds significance in competitive Try to understand the theme: To understand the central idea
exams. or theme of the article, your reading will help you improve
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 7
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your comprehension by getting you truly involved in the (C) Perceptual experiences depend on stimuli.
story. Most of the exams ask a question based on the theme (D) Some of the puzzles have confronted
or idea of the passage. epistemologists.
Go through important sections first instead of reading a Answers:
book linearly: If you are going through factual information,
such as a textbook or a newspaper, use the structure of Q.1.(B)
the piece to guide you. You must read the sections like Q.2.(C)
summaries, introductions, and conclusions first to get a
Improving Vocabulary
better sense.
Read again and again: ‘The more you read, the more you
Where it helps:
learn’ is suitable in case of improving vocabulary. Reading
Read the following passage carefully and answer the various things especially novels, literary works, magazines
given questions. and newspapers enables you to learn more words. As you read
The mind-body problem concerns the explanation of and uncover new words, derive the meaning from the context
the relationship that exists between minds, or mental of the sentence as well as from looking up the definition in
processes, and bodily states or processes. The main aim of a dictionary.
philosophers working in this area is to determine the nature Always keep a dictionary: When you find a new word,
of the mind and mental states/processes, and how—or search it in the dictionary to get both its pronunciation and
even if—minds are affected by and can affect the body. its meaning(s). If you always keep a dictionary with you,
Human perceptual experiences depend on stimuli which you will be able to check the meaning instantly and reduce
arrive at one’s various sensory organs from the external the chances of missing it.
world and these stimuli cause changes in one’s mental
Use a diary or notes: It's one of the good ideas to maintain
state, ultimately causing one to feel a sensation, which
the list of the new words you find so that you can go back
may be pleasant or unpleasant. Someone’s desire for a
to the list easily and slowly build them into your everyday
slice of pizza, for example, will tend to cause that person to
vocabulary. Keeping the notes of all your new words can
move his or her body in a specific manner and in a specific
provide a positive approach for learning even more words
direction to obtain what he or she wants. The question,
-- especially when you observe how many new words you've
then, is how it can be possible for conscious experiences
already learnt.
to arise out of a lump of grey matter endowed with
nothing but electrochemical properties. A related problem Learn a word every day: Make a rigid habit of learning
is to explain how someone’s propositional attitudes (e.g. at least one new word daily to improve the list of words.
beliefs and desires) can cause that individual’s neurons to Initially, it will not look effective but after a month or two,
fire and his muscles to contract in exactly the correct you will have a good piece of vocabulary.
manner. These comprise some of the puzzles that have Understand the root words: This is one of the most
confronted epistemologists and philosophers of mind from powerful ways to learn new words and understand the
at least the time of René Descartes. meaning of other new words based on the root. Just by seeing
Q.1. “The main aim of philosophers working in this the suffix or prefix you will be able to comprehend the word.
area is to determine the nature of the mind”. Prefer the word games: This is also one of the effective ideas
Which area is being talked about in the statement, in order to increase word power. Such games that challenge
given above? you and help you find new meanings and new words. This is
a fun tool in your quest for enhancing the vocabulary.
(A) Neurons and stimuli
Engage in conversations: Talk to other people in English
(B) Bodily and mental relationship
can help you find new words. If you are engaged in various
(C) Conscious State of mind conversation you will encounter some of the words you are
(D) Propositional attitudes. not aware of, note down the words; and simultaneously the
words you have learnt will also be used by you which makes
Q.2. Which of the following is NOT true according to you confident.
the passage.
Where it helps:
(A) The main aim of philosophers is to determine
the nature of the mind. Q.1. In the given question, choose the word most
similar in meaning to the given word and mark
(B) Conscious experiences arise out of a lump of your answer.
grey matter.
Carousal
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(A) Noisy (B) Callous Prefer the children’s books: These books are well designed
(C) Brawl (D) Calm to teach the basics of language, including fundamental words
and spellings, regular and irregular nouns and verbs, simple
Q.2. In the question given below, choose the word most usage, and sentence structure.
opposite in meaning to the given word and mark
your answer. Practice writing every day: In order to improve grammar,
writing and practicing new rules plays a vital role. To check
Wary your grammar regularly; maintain a notes of learned things,
(A) vigilant (B) careful write short stories or write letters, mails and messages to
friends or family. Pay attention to improving any problem
(C) oblivious (D) leave
areas you might have or mistakes you often repeat.
Q.1.(A) Noisy
Where it helps:
For other options –
Q.1. In the question given below, a part of the sentence
Brawl(n) – small fight is underlined. Below are given alternatives to
Callous(Adj.) – Unfeelingly. the underlined part at (A), (B) and (C) which
may improve the sentence. Choose the correct
Q.2.(C) For other options: vigilant(Adj.)- watchful
alternative. In case no improvement is needed
Improving Grammar your answer is (D).
Strengthen the knowledge of the parts of speech: It My younger sister is seeing television.
is very essential to make a correct sentence. They are
(A) looking (B) watching
nouns, adjectives, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, prepositions,
conjunctions, interjections, and sometimes articles. If you (C) observing (D) No Improvement
want to put sentences together in a proper manner, you Q.2. In the following question, find out which part of
must understand what the parts of speech are and how they a sentence has an error and mark the answer to
function in sentences. the appropriate letter (A), (B) and (C). If there
Pay attention to proper word order: Generally, almost is no error, mark your answer as (D).
every English sentence is framed following the subject– Sagar sat down opposite him (A)/ and offer (B)/
verb–object order. You might be aware of some rules like a packet of cigarettes. (C)/ No error (D)
articles come before adjectives, and adjectives come before
(A) A (B) B
the nouns they qualify. Modifiers should always be placed
as close to their nouns as possible. By learning the order of (C) C (D) D
the words and parts of speech you will be able to get the Q.1.(B) Solution: ‘Watch’ is used for Television.
mistakes done in a sentence.
Q.2.(B) Solution
Learn the rules of Verb and Tense properly: For expressing
and distinguishing the sentences in a perfect manner, you use ‘offered him’ instead of ‘offer’, sat is used in
must be aware of the rules of verbs and tenses. A slight past tense so after conjunction 'and' another verb
change in the verb or tense can highly impact the meaning should also take the same form.
you want to express. Consistency is the key to learning. If you keep practicing,
Know the rules of Punctuation: It is well known reading, and writing, your knowledge and application
that ‘Punctuation’ is an essential element of language of grammar, vocabulary as well as comprehension will
because it indicates starts, stops, pauses, and relationships. keep improving. You will become successful in obtaining
Capitalization of the first letter of every sentence, and the first new opportunities and scoring well in competitive
letter of all proper nouns (the names of people and places). examinations.
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CHAPTER
2 nOUN
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� a troupe of performers � a party of friends � a string of horses � a stud of horses
� a band of musicians � a band of robbers � a swarm of ants � a swarm of bees
� a board of directors � a body of men � a swarm of insects � a swarm of locusts
� a bunch of crooks � a caravan of gypsies � a team of horses � a team of oxen
� a choir of singers � a class of pupils � a train of camels � a tribe of goats
� a class of students � a company of actors � a troop of lions � a troop of monkeys
� a company of soldiers � a zoo of wild animals � a bouquet of flowers
� a congregation of worshippers � a bunch of grapes � a clump of trees
� a crew of sailors � a crowd of spectators � a collection of coins � a deck of cards
� a crowd of people � a dynasty of kings � a set of teeth � a shelf of books
� a galaxy of stars � a gang of crooks � a string of pearls � a pack of cards
� a band of soldiers � a circle of friends � a fleet of ships � an album of photographs
� a gang of thieves � a group of people � an album of stamps � an anthology of poems
� a horde of children � a mass of people � a bundle of hay � a catalogue of goods
� a mob of hooligans � a panel of experts � a chain of mountains � a chest of drawers
� a party of visitors � an army of soldiers � a cluster of coconuts � a cluster of grapes
� a bevy of beauties � a gang of labourers � a cloud of dust � a clump of bushes
� a gang of prisoners � a gang of robbers � a clump of trees � a collection of coins
� a horde of savages � a host of angels � a collection of curiosities � a collection of stamps
� a line of kings/rulers � a mob of rioters � a column of smoke � a comb of bananas
� a group of dancers � a colony of ants � a compendium of games � a constellation of stars
� a drove of cattle � a plague of locusts � an outfit of clothes � an orchard of fruit trees
� a school of fish � a hive of bees � a pack of cards � a pack of lies
� an army of ants � a bevy of quail � a packet of cigarettes � a packet of letters
� a brood of chickens � a catch of fish � a pair of shoes � a pencil of rays
� a herd of cattle � a herd of deer � a quiver of arrows � a range of hills
� a herd of elephants � a herd of goats � a range of mountains � a ream of paper
� a herd of swine � a host of sparrows � a reel of thread � a roll of film
� a kindle of kittens � a litter of cubs � a rope of pearls � a row of houses
� a litter of piglets � a litter of kittens � a series of events � a set of clubs
� a litter of puppies � a set of tools � a sheaf of arrows
� a menagerie of wild animals � a sheaf of corn � a sheaf of grain
� a muster of peacocks � a nest of ants (2) Uncountable nouns are nouns that can’t be counted.
� a nest of mice � a nest of rabbits Water, scenery, knowledge, homework, luggage, etc.
� a pack of hounds � a pack of wolves Uncountable nouns do not have their plural form because
� a plague of insects � a plague of locusts we can’t count them.
CHAPTER
3 pRONOUN
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He praises me as much as her. (He praises her) anybody everybody nobody somebody
You love me more than she. (She loves me) anyone everyone no one someone
Rule: If two nouns are joined with ‘as well as’ ‘in addition
anything everything nothing something
to’ ‘besides’ ‘and not’ ‘like’ ‘unlike’ etc. the pronoun is used
as per the first subject. Indefinite pronouns are used to refer to people or things
without saying exactly who or what they are.
His friends as well as I are now completing their work.
@ Is there anything to eat?
She in addition to her brothers is doing her work.
The girl with her parents is trying hard to finish her task. @ Did you meet anyone last night?
The first chapter along with the last ones is correct in @ Is everyone here?
its format. @ Have you looked at anything?
Possessive Pronoun: Reciprocal Pronoun:
Possessive pronouns are the words that demonstrate owner- There are only two reciprocal pronouns.
ship. These are mine, ours, its, his, hers, theirs, and yours. If @ Each other
the book belongs to me, then it is mine. If the book belongs
to her, then it is hers. @ One another
@ The books are yours and mine. To refer to two people, we should use “each other.”
@ The car is theirs and its paint is fading. To refer to more than two people, we should use “one another.”
@ The money was really theirs for the taking. @ Govind and Rajiv hate each other.
@ Their mother gets along well with yours. @ The ten thieves were all blaming one another.
Demonstrative Pronouns: @ They can’t see each other.
A demonstrative pronoun represents a thing or things: @ The robbers were fighting one another.
Near Far Reflexive Pronoun:
Singular this that A reflexive pronoun is a pronoun ending in self or selves that
Plural these those is used as an object to refer to a previously named noun or
@ This sweet tastes good. pronoun in a sentence.
@ Have you seen this movie? Reflexive pronouns usually follow verbs or prepositions.
@ These are my choices. The reflexive pronouns are:
@ Did he like those boys? Singular: myself - yourself - himself - herself - itself
Distributive Pronoun: Plural: ourselves - yourselves - themselves
Distributive pronoun is used in order to refer to persons or
things one at a time. They are always singular – When the subject and the object refer to the same person
or thing.
Either means the one or the other of the two.
Neither is the negative of either. He accidentally cut himself while he was chopping the
vegetables.
@ Each of the wrestlers is strong.
She bought a present for herself.
@ Either of the boys behaves badly.
We helped ourselves to the free drinks at the launch party.
@ Neither of the students was late.
They injured themselves during the rugby match.
The pronoun each is used at three positions:
@ Each of the candidates received a prize. We can use a reflexive pronoun as a direct object with most
transitive verbs, but these are the most common:
@ These girls each received a prize.
@ These boys received ten rupees each. amuse avail cut dry enjoy help
Indefinite Pronoun: hurt introduce kill prepare satisfy teach
The indefinite pronouns are: pride cheat resign apply acquit assert
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@ Did you hurt yourself when you fell? o You should think whom to invite.
@ We blamed ourselves for the mistake. o Whom do you think smart?
@ We enjoyed ourselves there. What – It is used to ask questions about people or objects.
o What do you bring for lunch?
@ The new teacher introduced himself to the class.
o I think what we’re doing is not correct.
@ He presented himself before the king.
o What is your friend’s name?
Some below given verbs are used intransitively hence
Which – It is used to ask questions about people or objects.
reflexive pronoun is not used:
(In case of limited choices)
adapt complain concentrate stay o Which color do you prefer?
hide lie down meet move o Which of these options is your choice?
shave bathe make relax o They asked which food to take.
remember shower stop gather Whose – it is used to ask questions about people, animals
or objects, it is always related to possession.
You stayed yourself away from my class. (Incorrect) o Whose pen is this?
You stayed away from my class. (Correct) o They wonder whose dog is barking so loudly.
We qualified ourselves in the test. (Incorrect) o Whose selection is possible this year?
We qualified in the test. (Correct) Relative Pronoun:
She kept herself away from the shower there. Relative pronouns are used to introduce relative clauses. Some
common relative pronouns are who, whom, whose, which, that.
(Incorrect)
We use relative pronoun considering what we are referring
She kept away from the shower there. (Correct)
to and the type of relative clause.
Emphatic Pronoun: Who
(i) Emphatic Pronoun is used to explain the action done (i). We use ‘who’ in relative clauses to refer to people.
by the noun without anyone’s help.
@ There’d be a lot of boys who don’t like going to school.
(ii) An emphatic pronoun is a personal pronoun that is @ That’s the girl who doesn’t like milk.
used to emphasize its referent.
@ There’s is the man at work, who’s one of my friends.
(iii) Emphatic Pronoun looks similar to Reflexive Pronoun. (ii). ‘Who’ can act as the subject or the object of the
@ I myself carried his lunchbox and gave him. relative clause:
@ They’re going out with a man who’s in the Navy.
@ You yourself can write that article.
@ The boy who I saw yesterday was a teacher.
@ He himself attended that lecture. (‘himself ’
(iii). ‘Who’ is as the complement of a preposition:
emphasizes ‘he’)
@ It was Rahul who Vikas gave the keys to. It wasn’t
@ The building itself is very tall. (‘itself’ emphasizes Shivam.
‘building’)
(iv). A preposition is used at the end of the relative
Interrogative Pronoun: clause, and not immediately before ‘who’:
Interrogative pronouns are used to ask questions. @ Correct: Of all my friends, Ram’s the one who I
The main interrogative pronouns are: know I can rely on.
@ Incorrect: Of all my friends, Ram’s the one on who
who, whom, what, which, whose
I know I can rely.
Who – It is used to ask questions about people. Whom
o Who was playing the match? (i). ‘Whom’ is used to refer to people when the person
o I’m discussing who will inaugurate the event. is the object of the verb.
o Who is coming to take the cloth? @ The action of those doctors whom I have consulted
has been very effective.
Whom – it is generally used to ask questions about people.
@ Kapil was a celebrated actor whom they had known
o Whom do you call at dinner? and loved.
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(ii) We put the preposition before whom. (iv). That should be used after the interrogative
@ Extra activities in schools are good for students for pronouns what, which and who.
whom these are allowed. @ What is the issue that worries you the most?
Whose @ Which is the friend that you would like to invite?
(i). ‘Whose’ is generally used as a relative pronoun to @ Who is the player that you like the most?
indicate possession by people, animals and nonliving
Some important rules of Pronouns
things.
Rule: A pronoun placed before a verb should be in the
@ I know Rahul whose father is a doctor.
nominative case
@ They have the card whose envelope is missing.
A pronoun placed after a verb should be in the
@ This is the dog whose colour is black.
objective case.
(iii). Whose + noun is used as the complement of a
@ I am scolding him.
preposition:
@ We have seen him.
@ John, whose father used to talk to me, has won a
contest. Rule: The pronoun must be used according to
its antecedent in number, gender and person.
Which
@ The boy loves his Mother.
(i). ‘Which’ is used in relative clauses to refer to animals
and things. @ Everyone should take one’s responsibility towards
cleanliness.
@ They need to choose the box which is mandatory to
be filled. Rule: When two or more nouns are joined by ‘and’ and
refer to the same person, Singular Pronoun should
@ They won’t have much time to prepare for the
be used for them but If they refer to different
function, which is to be held tomorrow.
persons, Plural Pronoun should be used for them.
(ii). ‘Which’ is used to introduce a relative clause when
@ The Clerk and cashier of the college told their vision
it refers to a whole sentence.
statement. (Incorrect)
@ My brother had to get up and walk all the way to the
The Clerk and cashier of the college told his vision
park, which isn’t an easy task.
statement. (Correct)
(iii). ‘Which’ can be used as the complement of a
@ The Clerk and the cashier are boasting about his rich
preposition:
father. (Incorrect)
@ I have a surprise for you at which you can’t believe.
The Clerk and the cashier are boasting about their rich
That: (We should be very careful while using ‘that’) father. (Correct)
(i). Any preposition can’t be used immediately before Rule: Objective Case of pronoun is used after Let, But/
‘that’, if it is necessary, it can be used at the end of except, Between, Prepositions and Like.
the sentence.
@ Let him open the window.
The train is well known that the passengers get in.
@ We’ve received replies from every candidate but him.
They were not able to get the point that you were
@ They’ve received compliments from everybody
talking about.
except her.
(ii). That should be used after superlative degree and
Rule: In case of Each or Every, if two singular nouns are
other words like all, same, any, none, nothing, only,
joined by and, we should use Singular Pronoun only.
everything, little, much and no.
@ Every boy and teacher has lost his wallet.
@ You are the same guy that met me yesterday.
@ Every elephant and horse has lost its tail.
@ This is the best game that is ever played by me.
Rule: If two singular nouns that are joined by either …
@ None that participated in the contest won the gold
or, neither … nor, or, we should use Singular
medal.
Pronoun.
(ii). After Indefinite Pronouns like everyone, everybody,
@ Either My friend or Madhav has submitted his report.
no one, nobody both that and those should be used.
@ Neither Sita nor her friend has brought his report.
@ Everyone that participated in the competition
performed well. Rule: If a singular noun and a plural noun are joined by
or / nor then we should use Plural Pronoun.
@ Everything that was written in the exam made him
a topper. Either Ravi or his friends submitted their report.
20 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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exercise
Q.1-19. The sentences given below, have four parts, indicated always be true (2) so we will have to look for the
by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each sentence to find (3) answer hidden in the universe. (4) No error (5)
out whether there is an error. If you find an error Q.11. The person whom you were recommending (1) of
in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of a sentence, then turned down the offer as he thought (2) he might
choose the corresponding option. If a sentence has get better earning prospects though (3) he was
no error, mark your answer as (5), i.e. ‘No error’. underqualified for the job in reality.(4) No error (5).
Q.1. The majority held that devotees of Lord do not Q.12. Everybody was eagerly waiting for the launch day
constitute (1) a separate religious denomination and but (1) when the book was in the hands ,it was a
(2) that the prohibition on women is not an essential sheer disappointment for the readers (2)as the book
part of Hindu religion (3) and all these years she hid was written in bad English (3) with illogical words
herself behind the religious wall. (4) No error (5) who need to be replaced.(4) No error (5)
Q.2. Unnecessary thoughts and self-doubt that keep (1) Q.13. By starving millions of girls so (1) that her brothers
you awake in the night is nothing but a figment of can eat marginally better, and by taking them out of
your (2) imagination and you must rise above (3) school (2) we have condemned each new generation
yourself to hold you in higher light and accept you (3) to a fresh cycle of malnutrition. (4)No error (5)
as you are. (4) No error (5) Q.14. The charges were a fresh blow (1) to the embattled
Q.3. The case in which the poor woman (1) poisoned her Silicon Valley entrepreneur (2) and its company, which
and her own children is being investigated (2) and we has been buffeted in recent months (3), struggling to
suspect that their death is related (3) to the pressure reach production targets. (4) No error (5)
of having to repay a huge debt. (4) No error (5) Q.15. It is not difficult to believe that a man (1) who has
Q.4. According to the complaint(1), the lift operator took lived in this city for a long time (2) / he will never
the victim to isolated places in the apartment (2), such feel at home anywhere else in the world (3) /as there
as the basement, the public washroom, terrace and is no place like home.(4) No error (5)
the gym, and killed her(3)but being a minor, it was Q.16. The dispute has gone through dark political (1) phases
admitted to a rehabilitation centre.(4) No error(5) and been more than a mere legal issue (2) and the crowd
Q.5. The Ganga is a river whose importance has (1) been who awaits the verdict (3) belongs to the sensitive
mentioned even in the Vedas that its waters will religious group of the nation. (4) No error (5)
ultimately depend on (2) the actions of millions of Q.17. The renowned Justice strikes a (1) poignant note
Indians (3) who depend on it for nutrition, electricity, what she says the (2) history owes an apology to
and spiritual fulfilment (4). No error. (5) the community (3) for the delay in providing the
Q.6. I must love my enemy and I must apply the same redress. (4) No error (5)
rules to (1) the wrongdoer whom is my enemy or a Q.18. It was a big question (1) if any of the two brothers
stranger to me (2) as I do to my wrongdoing father (2) could get his share of property (3) as the will has
or son (3) and this act necessarily includes truth and been challenged in a court of law.(4) No error (5)
fearlessness.(4) No error (5)
Q.19. Graduates have experience in the IT industry (1) are
Q.7. Our relationship is between the image (1) we have in great demand in the finance sector and this report
about someone and someone has (2) about us and had been flagged (2) more than a decade ago when
each one carries this image (3) and every one goes it said just a quarter (3) of engineers in India were
in his own direction (4). No error (5) actually employable.(4) No error (5)
Q.8. When the action is not very offensive but it cannot be Q.20-24. In the following question, two sentences divided
disregarded too, (1) it demands appropriate reaction into three parts are given. Choose the option which
(2)but if the reaction borders the extremes (3) it is contains the initials of incorrect parts.
a potential danger and finally you will get the same
Q.20. I. If crude oil prices surge (A)/ on tensions in West
which you have given. (4) No error (5)
Asia, (B)/ ours import bill could soar. (C)
Q.9. As the water level rose, a jeep came to rescue her but the
II. I was entirely aware of his capabilities (P)/ which
woman refused, (1) saying "God will save me. I have
made me do the changes (Q)/ and make them the
faith."(2) but as the water level rose further, she went up
chief manager. (R)
to the second storey and (3) a boat came to help her and
she now needs your favour. (4) No error (5) (1) C and R (2) B and Q
Q.10. Education is not about what to think but how to think (3) A and R (4) B and P
(1) because whatever our have concluded may not (5) All correct
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 21
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Q.21. I. Having walked out of (A)/ the RCEP, India should Q.23. I. It seems more a function of (A)/ foreign inflows
up it’s (B)/ efforts to strike bilateral trade deals. (C) into our capital markets (B)/ than of trade dynamics.
II. Blunting the competitiveness of Indian (P)/ (C)
exports is something which can be done (Q)/ only II. What needs to be (P)/ addressed as soon as
by the Chinese market. (R) possible (Q)/ is the sustained fall in exports. (R)
(1) C and R (2) B and Q (1) C and R (2) B and Q
(3) A and R (4) B and P (3) A and R (4) B and P
(5) All correct (5) All correct
Q.22. I. Between you and I, (A)/ you are the one with Q.24. I. My mother and myself (A)/ are very religious and
bigger (B)/ moustache and longer hair. (C) we (B)/ generally visit the temple together. (C)
II. I clearly stated that it was (P)/ only me that was at II. He advised me that one (P)/ must not reveal their
the door (Q)/ but still he did not open the door. (R) goals (Q)/ and career planning to anyone. (C)
(1) C and R (2) B and P (1) C and R (2) B and P
(3) A and Q (4) B and R (3) A and Q (4) B and R
(5) All correct (5) All correct
EXPLANATION
Q.1.(4) Few words like hide, stop, turn, rest etc. does not Q.15.(3) Exclude ‘he’ from the sentence as the pronoun
take reflexive pronoun. ‘who’ is already used for the man.
Q.2.(4) ‘accept yourself’ should be used in place of ‘accept Q.16.(3) ‘that/which’ should be used in place of ‘who’ as
you’ to get the proper meaning of the sentence. ‘crowd’ is a non-living entity.
Q.3.(2) ‘herself’ should be used in place of ‘her’ after the Q.17.(2) ‘what’ is the incorrect relative pronoun here, it
word ‘poisoned’ to get the proper meaning. should be ‘when’ to express the point of time.
Q.4.(4) ‘he/she’ should be used in place of ‘it’, according Q.18.(2) As ‘two’ is mentioned in the sentence, we should
to ‘the lift operator’ a human being. use ‘either’ in place of ‘any’.
Q.5.(1) ‘whose importance’ should be replaced with ‘the Q.19.(1) After graduates ‘who’ needs to be added, to get
importance of which because ‘whose’ is not used the proper meaning.
for non-living things.
Q.20.(1) In part C: ‘our’ should replace ‘ours’ as no
Q.6.(2) ‘who’ should be used in place of ‘whom’ as the possession has been depicted here, so objective
subjective case is required here to get the proper pronoun will be used.
meaning.
In part R: ‘him’ should replace ‘them’ as singular
Q.7.(3) ‘every’ will be used in place of ‘each’ as ‘everyone’
pronoun ‘his’ has already been used in the
expresses ‘all’.
reference of the person.
Q.8.(4) Words like the same, the few, the little, such etc. are
Q.21.(2) In part B: ‘its’ should replace ‘it’s’ as ‘it’s’ means
used with the relative pronoun ‘that’ not ‘which’.
‘it is’ whereas ‘its’ shows ‘association with a thing
Q.9.(4) It should be “she needs favour from you” previously mentioned’.
possessive pronouns are not used with words like
In part Q: ‘that’ should replace ‘which’ as
‘report, pardon, sight, favour, separation, etc.’
indefinite pronoun takes 'that' not 'which'.
Q.10.(2) ‘our’ does not have any meaning here, so it should
be changed into ‘we’. Q.22.(3) In part A: ‘me’ should replace ‘I’ as ‘I’ is a
subjective pronoun which is not the doer here.
Q.11.(1) Replace ‘whom’ with ‘who’ as the ‘subject’ is
The doer is ‘you’. So, ‘me (objective pronoun)’
required here to connect with the verb ‘turned
is correct.
down’.
In part Q: ‘I’ should replace ‘me’ as ‘it + Verb (to
Q.12.(4) ‘who’ should be replaced with ‘which’, according
be) + subjective case’ is the correct structure.
to ‘words’ a non-living entity.
Q.13.(2) It should be ‘their’ brothers not ‘her’ brothers as Q.23.(5) All correct.
a pronoun must agree with its antecedent, ‘girls’ Q.24.(3) In part A: ‘I’ should replace ‘myself’ as subjective
a plural noun here. case is required in the subject of the sentence.
Q.14.(3) ‘its company’ should be changed into ‘his In part Q: ‘one’s’ should replace ‘their’ as ‘one’
company’, according to ‘entrepreneur’. is given in the sentence.
22 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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CHAPTER
4 VERBS
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
Stative Verbs:
Stative verbs describe a status of something not an action.
These are avoided to be used in continuous tense.
Stative Verbs of Perception:
Approve/Disapprove, Suppose, Suspect, Know, Believe, Understand, Recognize, Prefer and Agree/Disagree.
@ I’ve known my teacher since last year. (Correct)
I’ve been knowing my teacher since last year. (Incorrect)
@ I agree with my father. (Correct)
I am agreeing with my father. (Incorrect)
Stative Verbs of Emotion:
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 23
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Want, Need, Desire, Wish, Love, Hate and Like, Auxiliary Verb is classified into two parts:
@ I love my brother. (Correct) (1) Primary Auxiliary verbs
I’m loving my brother. (Incorrect) Have Do Be
@ We need some help. (Correct) @ These are used before the main verb.
We’re needing some help. (Incorrect) @ Their purpose is to change time or emphasis.
Stative Verbs of Possession: @ Mr. Mathur is a very cooperative colleague.
Possess, Include, Owe, Have, Own and Belong @ He has never complained about his struggle.
@ My friend fails to pay attention.
@ I have my own car. (Correct)
(2) Modal Auxiliary Verbs
I’m having my own car. (Incorrect)
The modal verbs are:
@ This book includes a very important topic. (Correct)
@ Can
This book is including a very important topic. (Incor-
@ Could
rect)
@ May
Stative Verbs of Senses:
@ Might
Hear, Smell, See, Feel, Appear, Seem and Resemble
@ Must
@ We hear some noise around me. (Correct)
@ Ought to
We’re hearing some noise around us. (Incorrect)
@ Shall
@ They seemed sad last night. (Correct) @ Should
They were seeming sad last night. (Incorrect) @ Will
Auxiliary verb: @ Would
Auxiliary verbs are well known as helping verbs. They add They are used with main/action verbs to express ability,
functional or grammatical meaning to the clauses in which obligation, possibility, and so on.
they are used. Below is a detailed description of usage provided.
to carry carry, carries (-ies ) Carried (-ed) carrying (ing) carried (-ied)
to write write, writes (-s) wrote writing (drop e before - ing) written
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Modal Example Uses
Can They can control their own budgets. Ability / Possibility
We can’t fix it. Inability / Impossibility
Can I smoke here? Asking for permission
Can you help me? Request
Could Could I borrow your dictionary? Asking for permission
Could you say it again more slowly? Request
We could try to fix it ourselves. Suggestion
I think we could have another Gulf War. Future possibility
He gave up his old job so he could work for us. Ability in the past
May May I have another cup of coffee? Asking for permission
China may become a major economic power. Future possibility
Might We'd better phone tomorrow, they might be Present possibility
eating their dinner now.
They might give us a 10% discount. Future possibility
Must We must say good-bye now. Necessity / Obligation
They mustn’t disrupt the work more Prohibition
than necessary.
Ought to We ought to employ a professional writer. Saying what’s right or
correct
Shall Shall I help you with your luggage? Offer
Shall we finalise 2.30 then? Suggestion
Shall I do that or will you? Asking what to do
Should We should sort out this problem at once. Saying what’s right or correct
I think we should check everything again. Recommending action
Profits should increase next year. Uncertain prediction
Will I can’t see any taxis so I’ll walk. Instant decisions
I'll do that for you if you like. Offer
I’ll get back to you first thing on Monday. Promise
Profits will increase next year. Certain prediction
Would Would you mind if I bring a colleague with me? Asking for permission
Would you pass the salt please? Request
Would you mind waiting a moment? Request
"Would three o`clock suit you?" - "That’d be fine." Making arrangements
Would you like to play golf this Friday? Invitation
"Would you prefer tea or coffee?" Preferences
- "I’d like tea please."
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Dynamic/Action/Main Verbs: @ laugh
Main verbs or action verbs are used to express action that @ sit
an animal, a person or a thing does. In each of the following
@ rise
sentences the highlighted word is.
@ excel
@ The sun shines.
@ arrive
@ The child cries.
@ continue
@ The man shouts.
@ die
There are two types of main verbs:
@ go
Transitive and Intransitive Verbs
1. If my friend continues to be late for the office, he will
Transitive Verbs have to face the trouble. (Continues has no direct object
Transitive verbs always have a direct object: here.)
1. R i s h a b h i r r i t a t e s h i s f a t h e r s o m u c h . 2. The bomb exploded at various places. (Here, ex-
(His father is the direct object of irritates) ploded is followed by a preposition with no direct
2. M y d a u g h t e r b r i n g s m e l u n c h e v e r y d a y . object.)
(‘me’ is the direct object of brings). Participles
Here’s a list of some common transitive verbs: A participle is a word which is formed from a verb and it is
@ check @ get used as an Adjective.
@ wash @ finalize Present Participles
@ annoy @ lay Present participles end in -ing. Examples:
@ lend @ offer @ struggling boy
@ bring @ send @ caring mother
@ owe @ contain @ deserving candidate
@ buy @ show Some other examples:
@ take @ tell @ A laughing person is stronger than a suffer-
@ verify @ edit ing one.
@ make @ phone @ If you feed a starving child and make him
Intransitive Verbs happy, he will love you forever.
Intransitive verbs do not require any direct object. Here is a @ I found a sleeping man in my room.
list of common intransitive verbs: Past Participles
@ respond Past participles generally end with -ed, -d, -t, -en, or -n.
@ run @ broken door
@ cough @ painted house
@ swim @ destroyed road
@ emigrate Perfect Participles
@ smile
The structure of perfect participle is:
@ act
“Having” + Verb IIIrd form”
@ cry
Having taken
@ immigrate
@ Having heard the news, I suddenly informed
@ lie my father.
@ come @ Having been beaten by the teacher, he left the
@ explode school.
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Forms of Some Regular Verbs
Base Form Past Form Past s / es/ ies ‘ing’ form
Participle
Form
abash abashed abashed abashes abashing
abate abated abated abates abating
abide abode abode abides abiding
bang banged banged bangs banging
banish banished banished banishes banishing
bash bashed bashed bashes bashing
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 27
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28 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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weep wept wept weeps weeping
weigh weighed weighed weighs weighing
welcome welcomed welcomed welcomes welcoming
yawn yawned yawned yawns yawning
yell yelled yelled yells yelling
yield yielded yielded yields yielding
Gerund NOTE: The trick is in knowing whether the subject is
The verb ending in “-ing” and used as a noun is called singular or plural. The next trick is recognizing a singular
Gerund. or plural verb.
I read a book every day. Hint: Verbs do not form their plurals by adding an
‘s’ as nouns do. In order to determine which verb is
In the sentence, “read” is used as a verb. I am “doing” the singular and which one is plural, think of which verb
action “to read.” you would use with he or she and which verb you would
I like reading a book every day. use with they.
In the sentence, “reading” is used as a gerund (noun) and Example:
“like” is the verb.
talks, talk
Functions of Gerund:
Which one is the singular form? Which word would you use
Gerunds as a Subject
with he? We say, “He talks.” Therefore, talks is singular. We
@ Cooking makes my mother happy. say, “They talk.” Therefore, talk is plural.
Gerunds as a Direct Object Rule 1.
@ Rahul enjoys singing. Two singular subjects connected by or require a singular
Gerunds as an Indirect Object verb.
@ The professor made teaching a priority. Example:
Gerund as a Subject Complement My aunt or my uncle is arriving by train today.
@ It was commanding that made Kohli happy.
Rule 2.
Gerund as an Object of Preposition
Two subjects connected by either, or; neither, nor require
@ Besides singing, he likes dancing. the verb according to the second subject.
Infinitives
Example:
An infinitive is a form of verb functions as a noun, an adjec-
Neither Ajay nor Aman is available.
tive, or an adverb.
It is formed by using “to” + the verb. Either Karishma or her friends are helping today with stage
decorations.
@ He likes to run.
Rule 3.
@ I wanted to cook dinner for my parents.
When I is one of the two subjects connected by either/or or
@ The fair is the place to go.
neither/nor, put it second and follow it with the singular
@ I have some jeans to wash. verb am/or a verb that is suitable with I.
@ To complete the math problem, you divide by x. Example:
@ I bought paint to finish the picture for my mom.
Neither she nor I am going to the festival.
Subject Verb Agreement Rule 4.
Basic Rule.
When a singular subject is connected by ‘or’ or ‘nor’ to a
The basic rule states that a singular subject takes a singular plural subject, put the plural subject last and use a plural
verb, while a plural subject takes a plural verb. verb.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 29
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Example: Example:
The serving bowl or the plates go on that shelf. The number of people we need to hire is thirteen. A number
of people have written about this subject.
Rule 5.
Rule 10.
When a singular and plural subject are connected by either/
or or neither/nor, put the plural subject last and use a When either and neither are subjects, they always take
plural verb. singular verbs.
Example: Example:
Neither Tina nor the others are available. Neither of them is available to speak right now.
30 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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exercise
Q.1-20. The sentences given below, have four parts, indicated Q.15. A burned paper (1)/ from the street (2)/ was picked
by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each sentence to find up by the child (3)/ as he was willing to make paper
out whether there is an error. If you find an error boat with it. (4)/ No error (5).
in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of a sentence, then Q.16. Your English teacher was angry (1)/ when she found
choose the corresponding option. If a sentence has that (2)/ you are not there (3)/ along with all your
no error, mark your answer as (5), i.e. ‘No error’. friends. (4)/ No error (5).
Q.1. Many a loyalist (1)/ were filled with loyalism (2)/ Q.17. Manisha would like you (1)/ to complete this project
and gallantry, they were the epitome of valour during (2)/ before you will leave for Bengaluru (3)/ in order
(3)/ the World War II. (4)/ No error (5). to work freely. (4)/ No error (5).
Q.1. There are a dozen (1)/ of Sanskrit books lying (2)/ Q.18. One of his many (1)/ good characteristics that come
in the shelf (3)/ and you can use them whenever you to my mind (2)/ was Suhan’s integrity (3)/ and the
like. (4)/ No error (5). honesty he had. (4)/ No error (5).
Q.3. The number of amendments (1)/ to the constitution Q.19. When the therapist came in (1)/ my body was stopped
of India (2)/ have been very wide (3)/ during the last aching (2)/ out of fear that I might feel more pain
fifty years of independence. (4)/ No error (5). (3)/ and end up returning home with terrible pain.
Q.4. Just to the North of India (1)/ is the Himalayas (2)/ (4)/ No error (5).
that were once unassailable (3)/ and the symbol of Q.20. A simple notion behind any common type of tourer
great strength and mettle. (4)/ No error (5). (1)/ is to see as many objects of interest (2)/ as he
Q.5. According to the sources, a young veterinary doc- possibly could (3)/ and use them for his convenience.
tor was missing (1)/ and the next day she (3)/ found (4)/ No error (5).
burnt (2)/ near a toll plaza. (4)/ No error (5). Q.21-25.In the following question, a word has been given
Q.6. I had been (1)/ to London last month (2)/ to visit and there are three ways in which the word has been
my friends (3)/ and family moreover, I also had an used, in similar or different forms. Choose which of
urgent piece of work to do. (4)/ No error (5). the sentences has/have the given word correctly used
and mark your answer accordingly.
Q.7. When Ram entered (1)/ the room, he found the (2)/
child sleeping peacefully and (3)/ the fan move Q.21. BURST
slowly. (4)/ No error (5). I. Broad beans are positively bursting with health
Q.8. It were the infants (1)/ that caused a lot of (2)/ and promise a bumper crop any minute now.
problem to their parents (3)/ during long trekking II. No sooner had the child seen his mother than
experience. (4)/ No error (5). he burst into tears.
Q.9. He will be likely (1)/ to leave for the United States III. She leaned against her mother and bursted into
(2)/ last year to visit (3)/ his brother. (4)/ No error (5). such a loud, ringing fit of laughter that even the
Q.10. The soldiers along with the lieutenant (1)/ was prim visitor could not help joining in.
court-martialled (2)/ for flouting the orders (3)/ (1) Only I (2) Only II
and for disrespecting the uniform. (4)/ No error (3) Only III (4) Both I and II
(5).
(5) All I, II and III
Q.11. The rest (1)/ of the team-members is (2)/ still work-
Q.22. FORECAST
ing on the project (3)/ but Radhika decided to quit.
(4)/ No error (5). I. Yields of up to four tonnes an acre had been
forecasted before weather broke.
Q.12. No one in this world (1)/ can be able to do work (2)/
continuously for twenty hours (3)/ so do you, said II. The announcer on the radio this morning had
Avantika. (4)/ No error (5). forecasted that the storm would last until late
this evening.
Q.13. The period of twenty-five years (1)/ have passed
(2)/ and still Anam is without a job (3)/ what do you III. The weather forecast predicts a sunny start on
think she can do now. (4)/ No error (5). Sunday but showers arriving later in the day.
Q.14. The citizens of India have a right to criticise (1)/ (1) Only I (2) Only II
but at the same time (2)/ each of them (3)/ have to (3) Only III (4) Both I and II
remember his duty also. (4)/ No error (5). (5) All I, II and III
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 31
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Q.23. DELUGE Q.29. Parliament was stalled for the 2nd consecutive (1)
I. Even a little stream can cause a deluged when day due to ruckus by the party opposition which were
it rains heavily for a long duration. demands (2)/ in Lok Sabha a debate on monetisation
and(3)/ subsequent voting.(4)/No Error(5)
II. At the back window, the oaks and the steep
brown hill looked wonderfully romantic in the Q.30. Although a huge amount of funds have been doled
deluge. out (1)/ for widen some of the major city roads,
the municipal corporation (2)/ has never made any
III. Your savings are being eroded by the deluging
efforts (3)/ to clear the encroachment on footpaths.
of bills that arrive every month.
(4)/ No error (5)
(1) Only I (2) Only II (3) Only III
Q.31. Every (1)/ insect, leaf, bird and animal (2)/ has the right
(4) Both II and III (5) All I, II and III to living (3)/ like the human beings. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.24. EBB Q.32. Computer revolution is driving (1)/ new ideas
I. He listened intently to the ebb and flow of these and changes (2)/ in compute by creating (3)/ large
sounds. volumes of data. (4)/ No error (5)
II. After frequent failures my enthusiasm was Q.33. A close look at India’s merchandise exports (1)/ show
ebbed away. that the share of European Union(2)/ has declined
III. They had been there for a while and kept on from 21.2% to 17% (3)/ during the six-year period.
swimming till the tide began to ebbed. (4)/ No error (5)
(1) Only I (2) Only II (3) Only III Q.34-40. The sentences given below, have four parts,
indicated by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each
(4) Both I and II (5) All I, II and III
sentence to find out whether there is an error. If
Q.25. TEETER you find an error in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of
I. She was so mad at him that she teetered after a sentence, then choose the corresponding option.
him in her high-heeled sandals. If a sentence has no error, mark your answer as
II. The aircraft continued to teeter absurdly on the (5), i.e. ‘No error’.
edge of the sky. Q.34. Most Indian states provide (1)/ unmetered farm
III. Cows wander the streets, ragged children powered (2)/ to farmers. (3)/ Often, that power is
pester dogs with sticks and tailors teeter past of low quality. (4)/ No error (5).
on bicycles balancing bolts of fabric. Q.35. The continuing impasse over Brexit (1)/ has brought
(1) Only I (2) Only II (3) Only III an entire continent (2)/ to a standstill. (3)/ It has also
(4) Both I and II (5) All I, II and III strained the very unity of the United Kingdom. (4)/
No error (5).
Q.26-33.The sentences given below, have four parts,
indicated by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each Q.36. To stop the mother tongue from (1)/ being used across
sentence to find out whether there is an error. If the curriculum as a (2)/ medium is like changes the (3)/
you find an error in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of architecture of the collective mind. (4)/ No error (5)
a sentence, then choose the corresponding option. Q.37. This is an opportunity to catapult (1)/ India to
If a sentence has no error, mark your answer as the next phase of (2)/ economic development and
(5), i.e. ‘No error’. creating new jobs (3)/ for hundreds of millions of
Q.26. The Commerce Ministry has launched (1)/ an online our youth. (4)/ No error (5)
certification programme to reach out (2)/ to potential Q.38. Technology start-ups, an important new engine (1)/
exporters and mentors them (3)/ through orientation, of economic growth and jobs (2)/ seems to live
counselling sessions, and individual facilitation. (4)/ under a shadow (3)/ of constant surveillance and
No error (5) deep suspicion. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.27. The government of India have drafted (1)/ a manual Q.39. Mutual trust and self-confidence (1)/ are the bedrock
for municipal solid waste management (2)/ to help of social (2)/ transactions among people (3)/ that
municipal bodies (3)/ to manage their waste (4) / No fosters economic growth. (4)/ No error (5)
error (5) Q.40. Controversies have bring out (1)/ severe churning
Q.28. With arrival of monsoon, Raipur, which has (1)/ within Supreme Court (2)/ on issues like collegium
considerably high population of snakes (2)/ has deliberations, and CJI's powers (3)/ as a master of
witnessed a spurt (3)/ in its sight in residential areas the roster in charge of setting up benches. (4)/ No
and households. (4)/ No error (5) error (5)
32 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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EXPLANATION
Q.1.(2) Replace ‘were’ by ‘was’, because ‘many a’ takes Q.22.(3) In sentence III, forecast (n) – a calculation or
‘v1’. estimate of future events.
Q.2.(1) Replace ‘are’ by ‘is’, because ‘a dozen’ takes In sentence I and II , forecast (predict or estimate)
singular helping verb. is used as a verb and it is used in its base from
Q.3.(3) Replace ‘have’ by ‘has’, because ‘the number of’ only.
takes ‘singular helping verb’. Q.23.(2) In sentence I and II, deluge (n) – a severe flood,
Q.4.(2) Replace ‘is’ by ‘are’, because ‘Himalayas’ is the it should be ‘deluge’ as a noun is required and
range of mountain. ‘deluge’ is a noun.
Q.5.(2) Add ‘was’ after ‘she’, because a passive structure In sentence III, it should be ‘deluge’ (n) – a
is required here. great quantity of something arriving at the
Q.6.(1) Replace ‘had been’ by ‘went’, because ‘last week/ same time.
day/month/year’ shows the presence of the simple Q.24.(1) In Sentence II: ‘ebbing’ is the correct form.
past tense. In Sentence III: ‘ebb’ is the correct form, according
Q.7.(4) Replace ‘move’ by ‘moving’ as when two verbs to ‘to+v1’.
are joined using ‘and’, they are used in the same Q.25.(5) Teeter (v) – move or balance unsteadily; sway
form. back and forth.
Q.8.(1) Replace ‘were’ by ‘was’, because ‘it’ is a ‘singular
Q.26.(2) ‘mentor’ (v1) in place of ‘mentors’ as it is used
pronoun’ which takes a ‘singular verb’.
here as a verb, ‘to reach out …………….and
Q.9.(1) Replace ‘will be’ by ‘was’, because ‘last week/ mentor’.
day/month/year’ shows the presence of the simple
Q.27.(1) ‘Has’ should replace ‘have’- ‘the government’ is
past tense.
a singular noun.
Q.10.(2) Replace ‘was’by ‘were’, because ‘along-with/ together
Q.28.(4) ‘Sighting’ should replace ‘sight’- ‘sighting’ means
with’ takes the verb according to the first subject.
‘viewing’.
Q.11.(2) Replace ‘is’ by ‘are’, because team members is
the plural subject. Q.29.(2) Replace 'demands' with 'demanding', was/were
takes V (ing) form.
Q.12.(2) Replace ‘can be’ by ‘is’, because ‘able to do’ is
making the sentence superfluous, so use ‘is able Q.30.(2) ‘widening’ should replace ‘widen’ as gerund form
to do work’. is required here.
Q.13.(2) Replace ‘have’ by ‘has’, because the subject is Q.31.(3) 'live' should replace 'living', because 'to' takes 'v1'.
‘the period’, which is singular. Q.32.(3) ‘Computing’ should be used – gerund is to be used
Q.14.(4) Replace ‘have’ by ‘has’, because ‘each of’ takes after a preposition.
‘singular helping verb’. Q.33.(2) Replace show with shows. A singular verb is
Q.15.(1) Replace ‘burned’ by ‘burnt’, because a participle required here for the subject.
‘burnt’ is required to qualify a noun ‘paper’. Q.34.(2) ‘powered’ will be replaced by ‘power’, because a
Q.16.(3) Replace ‘are’ by ‘were’, because the main clause noun is required here.
is in the past tense hence ‘were’ will be correct. Q.35.(2) ‘had’ should replace ‘has’ because Brexit took
Q.17.(3) Delete ‘will’, because conditional statements are place before 2 years and still the effect is there.
not written in the future tense. Q.36.(3) ‘Changing’ should replace ‘changes’ as ‘gerund’
Q.18.(3) Replace ‘was’ by ‘is’, because the main clause is is required here.
in present tense hence ‘is’ will be correct. Q.37.(3) ‘create’ will be correct due to the rule of
Q.19.(2) Replace ‘was’ by ‘had’, because the sentence is parallelism.
in active voice, as the subject is given. Q.38.(3) ‘seem’ (plural verb) will be correct as ‘start-ups’
Q.20.(3) Replace ‘could’ by ‘can’, because the main clause is a plural noun.
is in present tense hence ‘can’ will be correct.
Q.39.(4) ‘foster’ will be correct as it is referring to ‘transactions’
Q.21.(4) In sentence I, burst means eruption. which is a plural.
In sentence III, Burst (v) – issue suddenly and Q.40.(1) Replace ‘bring out’ with ‘brought out’, because
uncontrollably. It is used only in its basic form. has/have/had take ‘v3’.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 33
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CHAPTER
5 conjunction
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
A conjunction is a word that connects words or group of if ... then If that is true then what
words. happened is not surprising.
Kinds of Conjunctions :- no sooner ... than No sooner had I reached
Co-ordinating Conjunctions the corner than the bus came.
Co-ordinating conjunctions are conjunctions which connect not only ... but also She is not only clever but also
two equal parts of a sentence .The most common ones are hard-working.
and, or, but, and so these are used in the following ways. rather ... than I would rather go swimming
than go to the library.
And is used to join or add words together in a sentence.
scarcely ... when Scarcely had we left home
##They ate and drank. when it started to rain.
Or is used to show choice or possibilities in a sentence. whether ... or I am going, whether she likes
## He will be here on Monday or Tuesday. it or not.
But is used to show opposite or conflicting things in a Subordinating conjunctions
sentence.
Subordinating conjunctions connect two groups of words by
## She is small but strong. making one into a subordinating clause. The subordinating
So is used to show result in a sentence. clause acts as one huge adverb, answering the questions
“when” or “why” about the main clause, or imposing
## I was tired so I went to sleep. conditions or opposition on it.
Correlative conjunctions Here are some examples of subordinating conjunctions
Correlative conjunctions are used in pairs, in order to show changing a clause into adverbial subordinating clauses in
the relationship between the ideas expressed in different parts different ways:
of a sentence. ## I can go shopping after I finish studying for my exam.
For instance, in the following example, the expression either (when)
... or is used to indicate that the ideas expressed in the two ## Because the night was young, Gertrude decided to take
clauses represent two alternative choices of action. a walk. (why)
## You should either study harder or take a different course. ## I’ll give you a dime if you give me a dollar. (condition)
The most commonly used correlative conjunctions are both ## Although he never figured out why, Hanna winked on
... and, either ... or and neither ... nor. In the table below, her way out the door. (opposition)
each pair of correlative conjunctions is accompanied by an
Note: The subordinating conjunction does not always come
example of its use. Note in the construction if ... then, the
between the two clauses it connects. Often, it comes at the
word then can usually be omitted.
beginning of the first clause.
Correlative Conjunctions
Subordinating Conjunctions
both ... and He is both intelligent and good-
Because: As he is my friend, I will help him.
natured. As
When: We watched as the plane took off.
either ... or I will either go for a walk or read
a book. After Later in time: After the train had left, we
went home.
neither ... nor He is neither rich nor famous.
Although In spite of the fact that: Although it was after
hardly ... when He had hardly begun to work
or though midnight, we did not feel tired.
when he was interrupted.
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Before Earlier than: I arrived before the stores were open. At the time when: While it was snowing,
Because For the reason that: We had to wait, because we played cards.
we arrived early. On the other hand: He is rich, while his
While
For For, because: He is happy, for he enjoys his work. friend is poor.
If On condition that: If she is here, we will see her. Although: While I am not an expert, I will
do my best.
Lest For fear that: Work hard, lest you should fail.
Note: The use of the Subjunctive Mood in the clause with In addition, the following phrases are often used at the
lest. beginning of subordinate clauses.
On condition that: All will be well, provided In a similar way: She talks as if she knows
Provided As if
you are careful. everything.
From a past time: I have been here since the If: As long as we cooperate, we can finish
Since sun rose. the work easily.
As, because: Since you are here, you can help me. As long as
While: He has lived there as long as I have
Consequently: It was raining, so we did not known him.
So or so go out.
that Immediately when: Write to me as soon as
In order that: I am saving money so that I can As soon as
you can.
buy a bicycle.
Note: When used with the meaning in order that, so is In a similar way: It looks as though there
As though
usually followed by that in formal English. will be a storm.
## I am saving money so that I can buy a bicycle. In spite of a possibility: I am going out even
Even if
if it rains.
Suppose If: Suppose that happens, what will you do?
Because of a possibility: Take a sweater in
Than Used in comparisons: He is taller than you are. In case
case it gets cold.
Unless Except when, if not: Unless he helps us, we
Otherwise: Please be careful, or else you may
cannot succeed. Or else
have an accident.
Until or till Up to the time when: I will wait until I hear
from you. So as to In order to: I hurried so as to be on time.
Because: Whereas this is a public building, Certain words, such as after, before, since and until
it is open to everyone. may function either as prepositions or subordinate
Whereas
On the other hand: He is short, whereas conjunctions. However it should be noted that in some
you are tall. cases different words must be used as prepositions and
Whether If: I do not know whether she was invited. subordinate conjunctions, in order to express similar
meanings.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 35
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exercise
Q.1-10. Read each part of the sentence to find out if there Q.13. Preet told everybody (1)/ that either he keeps the
is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one keys (2)/ himself or leaves them (3)/ with his wife.
part of the sentence. The number of that part (4)/ No Error (5)
is the answer. If there is no error, mark your Q.14. The PR team of an actor (1)/ told the press that he will
answer as (5). (2)/ neither come here or send (3)/ a representative
Q.1. Chasing animals is a sport (1)/ in Papua New Guinea, because he is very busy. (4)/ No Error (5)
and boys (2)/ are trained for the (3)/ hunt as sooner Q.15. She could not keep back her tears (1)/ and the chief,
as they can walk. (4)/ No Error (5) because of her pain, (2)/ seemed to be afraid lest
Q.2. Although he was bad with calligraphy, (1)/ but he people (3)/ should not doubt her truthfulness. (4)/
tried his best (2)/ to write a letter (3)/ to her on her No Error (5)
birthday. (4) / No error (5) Q.16. He actually smiled, (1)/ because it was so brief (2)/
Q.3. No sooner had the match gone into (1)/ the that she questioned whether (3)/ she had imagined
second period then the moans (2)/ were replaced it. (4)/ No Error (5)
by smiles and (3)/ later by hysterical laughter. Q.17. According to Siddhant, (1)/ Nisha and Raman were
(4)/ No Error (5) (2)/ close siblings despite of (3)/ their age difference.
Q.4. Hardly had they spoken (1)/ these words than the (4)/ No Error (5)
door (2)/ opened and Pratyush himself (3)/ stood Q.18. Pratyush was told that (1)/ his younger brother
before them. (4)/ No Error (5) neither (2)/ attends the class regularly (3)/ or learns
Q.5. No sooner is an asylum (1)/ built when it is filled his lessons. (4)/ No Error (5)
with maniacs, (2)/ suicidal melancholics, or senile Q.19. Shanu told me that, (1)/ he doesn't know (2)/ the
dements in (3)/ need of care and treatment. (4) / No difference between astronomy (3)/ as well as
Error (5) astrology. (4)/ No Error (5)
Q.6. Hardly had he done so before (1)/ then he felt the Q.20. Prashant washes either (1)/ the clothes himself (2)/
bed rocking backwards (2)/ and forwards beneath or asks Mandira (3)/ to wash them. (4)/ No error (d)
him as if it were (3)/ breathing heavily and jolting.
(4)/ No Error (5) Q.21-30. Read each part of the sentence to find out if
there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be
Q.7. Hardly the team had unpacked and (1)/ assembled in one part of the sentence. The number of that
their equipment than (2)/ the Inspector reported on part is the answer. If there is no error, mark your
the radio (3)/ that the dell was clear. (4)/ No error answer as (5).
(5)
Q.21. During the summerbreak, (1)/ Nishank had no other
Q.8. Scarcely a day goes by as (1)/ they don't see or talk business (2)/ but to play (3)/ with computers. (4)/
to each other (2)/ now even whole society has started No error (5)
(3)/ talking about them. (4)/ No Error (5)
Q.22. The war caused (1)/ not only destruction (2)/ and
Q.9. Barely had she finished (1)/ one project than (2)/ she death and also generations (3)/ of hatred between
started working (3)/ on the next. (4)/ No Error (5) the two communities.(4)/ No error (5)
Q.10. No sooner did we (1)/ hear the noise (2)/ then we Q.23. Scarcely had the police (1)/ seen the culprit (2)/
rushed (3)/ to the spot and caught the thief. (4)/ No where he started (3)/ fleeing away. (4)/ No error (5)
Error (5)
Q.24. Parag was acutely meticulous student (1)/ of our
Q.11-20 Read each part of the sentence to find out if college as he left home (2)/ two years ago and has
there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be (3)/ till become a soldier. (4)/ No error (5)
in one part of the sentence. The number of that
part is the answer. If there is no error, mark your Q.25. The board of director and Chairperson of the bank
answer as (5). (1)/ was engaged somewhere else (2)/ so I was told
to pay a visit to him (3)/ between four to five in the
Q.11. Mahesh either washes (1)/ the clothes himself (2)/ evening. (4)/ No error (5)
nor asks her to (3)/ wash them, but she never helps
him. (4) / No Error (5) Q.26. No sooner had he given his supporters (1)/ real hope
when (2)/ an adamant approach came cantering in
Q.12. Raghav may attend (1)/ the function or (2)/ his wife (3)/ behind on the bridle. (4)/ No error (5)
may attend (3)/ the function. (4)/ No Error (5)
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Q.27. Because Kushagra (1)/ is mentally strong (2)/ Q.33. They were all preaching and (1)/ telling the moral
therefore he was selected (3)/ for the Maths lessons (2)/ so he asked (3)/ that who I was. (4)/ No
olympiad. (4)/ No error (5) error (5)
Q.28. The reason his conclusion concerning your argument Q.34. Kritika likes to read a lot (1)/ hence she is interested
(1)/ seemed plausible at that time was because (2)/ (2)/ in such books (3)/ that are interesting. (4)/ No
his propositional constituents are entities (3)/ rather error (5)
than the names of those entities. (4)/ No error (5) Q.35. Ashu is quite a superstitious man (1)/ and once he
Q.29. Couple of foreigners asked (1)/ the Rickshaw said that (2)/ there’s been nothing than (3)/ trouble
puller (2)/ that which was the way (3)/ to the bada since he came. (4)/ No error (5)
Imambara. (4) / No error (5) Q.36. As per the news (1)/ not Italy not France got
Q.30. Ordinarily I assume that (1)/ things are as they look, (2)/ to the quarter finals (3)/ last year. (4)/ No
(2)/ unless it does not occur to me that my vision error (5)
(3)/ is being affected abnormally. (4)/ No error (5) Q.37. According to the Dean,(1)/ neither the teacher (2)/ or
Q.31-40. Read each part of the sentence to find out if the students (3)/ were in the classroom this morning.
there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be (4)/ No error (5)
in one part of the sentence. The number of that Q.38. Everybody was saying (1)/ that Anuj had gone for
part is the answer. If there is no error, mark your river rafting (2)/ so we are not sure (3)/ if he is
answer as (5). coming to the party (4)/ No error (5)
Q.31. Let's go to the cinema (1)/ early because we can (2)/ Q.39. The machine crushes (1)/ the cans because they (2)/
get good seats and moreover (3)/ we don’t have to can be stored until they (3)/ are recycled. (4)/ No
face the difficulty in finding them. (4)/ No error (5) error (5)
Q.32. It was such a cold afternoon (1)/ as we stopped Q.40. Manish is a skinflint and (1)/ thus he use gave him
playing (2)/ and went to our homes (3)/ and sat near (2)/ no money (3)/ nor he did help him in any way.
the fireplace. (4)/ No error (5) (4)/ No error (5)
eXPLANATION
Q.1.(4) Replace ‘as sooner as’ with ‘as soon as’. As Q.11.(3) 'Either …. or' is used to show a choice between
+ positive degree of an adj. + as is the correct two alternatives, so replace ‘nor’ with ‘or’.
structure as the conjunction 'as soon as' is used
Q.12.(1) Formula 2: ‘Either….Or’; (Two persons – one
to denote simultaneous actions i.e. two things/
action - at least one does have that quality)
actions taking place at the same time.
Q.13.(2) Replace ‘either he keeps’ with ‘he either keeps’,
Q.2.(2) Replace ‘but’ by ‘yet’, because ‘although’ takes
because of ‘law of parallelism’ which means after
‘yet’ with it.
both ‘either’ and ‘or’ similar part of speech is
Q.3.(2) 'No sooner…..than’ is correct not ‘then (at that required.
time)’ as ‘no sooner’ takes ‘than’ with it.
Q.14.(3) Replace 'or' with ‘nor’, because either…or is a
Q.4.(2) 'Hardly' is always followed by 'when', and not different pair and ‘neither …. nor’ is different.
'than'.
Q.15.(4) Remove 'not’ after ‘should’ as 'Lest...should'
Q.5.(4) Replace 'when' with 'than'. 'No sooner' is always
already conveys a negative sense.
followed by 'than'
Q.6.(2) 'Hardly' is always followed by 'when', and not by Q.16.(2) Replace 'because' with 'though'. The conjunction
‘then’. ‘because’ gives the reason while ‘though’ means
‘despite the fact that’.
Q.7.(1) Hardly takes 'inversion’ so hardly + had + 'third'
form of verb. Q.17.(3) Remove ‘of’ after ‘despite’ because despite does
not take ‘of’ with it, while ‘in spite of’ can also
Q.8.(1) ‘When’ should replace ‘as’. 'Scarcely' is always be used in its place.
followed by 'when'.
Q.18.(4) Replace 'or' after 'nor', because ‘neither…..nor’ is
Q.9.(2) Replace 'than' with 'when', because the correct
co-relative conjunction and used in pair.
pair is ‘barely….when’.
Q.10.(3) 'No sooner…..than’ is correct not ‘then (at that Q.19.(4) Replace 'as well as' with 'and', because ‘between…..
time)’ as ‘no sooner’ takes ‘than’ with it. and’ is co-relative conjunction and used in pair.
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Q.20.(1) Replace ‘washes either’ by ‘either washes’, Q.31.(2) Replace ‘because’ by ‘so that’, because ‘so that’ is
because same part of speech is required after a used as a subordinate clause to show purpose or to
conjunction. give an explanation. It is used to show an action
Q.21.(3) Replace ‘but to play’ by ‘than playing’, because, producing an intended result or a cause producing
the correct structure is no other +‘noun’….than an effect.
+‘gerund’….. Q.32.(2) Replace ‘as’ by ‘that’, because such….that… is a
Q.22.(3) Replace ‘and also’ by ‘but also’. ‘Not only………… correlative conjunction. It is used to give reason.
but also’, is a correct pair of conjunction. Q.33.(4) Delete ‘that’, because conjunction and relative
Q.23.(3) Replace ‘where’ by ‘when’. ‘Scarcely/ hardly…. pronoun can’t come simultaneously.
when’ is a correct pair of conjunction. Q.34.(4) Replace ‘that’ by ‘as’, such…as is a correlative
Q.24.(4) Replace ‘till’ by ‘since’, because ‘since’ means conjunction, which should be used here.
‘from the time in the past when’. Q.35.(3) Replace ‘than’ by ‘but’, because ‘nothing but’
Q.25.(4) Replace ‘to’ by ‘and’, because ‘between…and’ is means only.
a correct pair of conjunction. Q.36.(2) Replace ‘not Italy not France’ by ‘neither Italy
Q.26.(2) Replace ‘when’ by ‘than’, because ‘no sooner….. nor France’
than’ is a correct pair of conjunction. Q.37.(3) Replace ‘or’ by ‘nor’, because ‘neither…nor’ is a
Q.27.(3) Delete ‘therefore’, because it is superfluous here. correct pair of conjunction.
Q.28.(2) Delete ‘because’, because it is superfluous here Q.38.(4) Replace ‘if’ by ‘that’, because ‘that’ is used to
due to the presence of ‘the reason’ in the first part. introduce a subordinate clause expressing a
statement.
Q.29.(3) Delete ‘that’, because it is superfluous here.
Q.39.(2) Replace ‘because’ by ‘so that’, it is used before
Q.30.(3) Delete ‘does not occur’, because ‘not’ does not the clause which indicates the purpose.
come after ‘unless’, so the correct sentence will
be ‘unless it occurs to me’. Q.40.(4) The correct form is ‘and also he did not help him’.
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CHAPTER
A Tense is a form of a verb that is used to show the time of an action. For example: when an action happened.
Types of Tense
There are 3 types of tense.
1. Present Tense 2. Past Tense 3. Future Tense
Each tense is further divided into 4 sub types.
Present Tense
1. Simple Present/Present Indefinite Tense
S + V1(s, es) + O
It is used for expressing established facts and things in @ The Sun rises in the East.
general. @ Two and two make four.
It is used for habitual activities or routines. @ I wake up early in the morning at 6.
@ My boss calls me Sachin.
It is generally used with verbs of perception: sound, seem, @ The sugar tastes sweet.
appear, smell, taste, look and feel. @ The rose smells nice.
It is also preferred in newspaper headlines. @ India wins the series.
@ Iran attacks Afghanistan.
2. Present Continuous Tense
S + is/am/are + V1 + ing + O
It is used for temporary actions or events going on at the @ You are not listening to me.
time of speaking. @ She is denying being there.
It is used with adverbs of (high) frequency to express @ The new candidate is always complaining.
disproval of annoying habits. @ We're never denying the facts.
3. Present Perfect Tense
S + has/have + V3 + O
It links the recent past to the present. It explains @ We all have missed our train.
the impact of a recent activity or occurrence on pres- @ They have not created the problem for us.
ent moment.
It can be is used with already, just and yet. @ I have not completed the paper yet.
@ He has just reached the office.
It is also used to quantify something completed, or @ I have saved Rs. 20000 so far.
progress made so far. @ The engineers have finished one-third of the as-
signed task so far.
4. Present Perfect Continuous Tense
S + has/have been + V1 + ing + O + since/for + time/duration.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 39
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It is used for emphasizing activities that were in prog- @ My boss has been using a computer all day.
ress right up to or shortly before the time of speaking. @ My elder brother has been eating my sandwich-
es.
It is also used to express how long an ongoing or con- @ Rahul has been dancing for three hours.
tinuing activity has been in progress with for or since. @ Jawahar has been trying hard for a BMW since
last summer.
Past Tense
1. Simple Past/Past Indefinite Tense
S + V2 + O
It is used for activities or events completed at a specific @ The teacher declared holiday.
time in the past. @ You did not mention the reason.
It is used with adverbs of frequency to talk about re- @ He never came late to the class.
peated actions or events in the past. @ I used to complete the task before scheduled time.
It is also used to talk about past habits and routines.
2. Past Continuous Tense
S + was/were + V1 + ing + O
It is used for temporary actions or events that were @ The teacher was continuously delivering the
going on at a specific time in the past. lecture.
Future Tense
1. Simple Future/Future Indefinite Tense
S + will/shall + V1 + O
WILL: is used to express definite action. @ The sun will rise tomorrow morning.
WILL: is used for expressing surety. @ My brother will help you, I'm sure.
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WILL: is used for informal requests, as well as orders @ Raghav, will you post this letter for me?
given to subordinates.
WILL/SHALL: is used for spontaneous plans made at the @ If she decides to purchase this car model,
time of speaking, or to agree to something. sir, we'll include this satellite navigation
system.
WILL/SHALL: is used to express promises. @ I will never let my mother down.
SHALL: It is used in more formal style to express futu- @ I shall be late this evening."
rity, especially in cases where the element of willpower is
involved. @ We shall not go that nightclub anymore;
their prices are exorbitant.
SHALL: is used while seeking permission of others. @ Shall I buy you a watch on this birthday?
It is used for activities or events forecast to @ The President will have arrived at the plat-
be completed by a particular time in the future. form before the train comes.
4. Future Perfect Continuous Tense
S + will/shall have been + V1 + ing + O + since/for + time/duration.
This tense is used for activities forecast still to be in @ By the end of this year, we will have been
progress at some time in the future. working in this company for 12 years.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 41
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exercise
Q.1-10. In the following question, a sentence with a blank whether it will remain same for some days.
is given, choose the correct option to fill in the (1) went down (2) had gone down
blank to complete it in a meaningful way. (3) has gone down (4) was going down
Q.1. When one of teachers went back to his village three (5) will have gone
years ago, he found that a lot of changes ______. Q.11-15. In the following questions, use the correct form
(1) are taken place (2) were taken place of verb(in form of active or passive voice) in the
(3) have taken place (4) had taken place brackets to give the sentence the proper meaning.
(5) have took place Q.11. Karan's brother(paint) the house but when we(go) to
Q.2. Hey everyone, please, see! A cat ______ by a dog. their house we found that only half the gate(paint).
(1) is chased (2) is being chased Q.12. One of the officers(turn) round when he(feel)
(3) was being chased (4) has been chased someone tapped him on the shoulder. It(be) his
(5) had been chased colleague who said that he(follow) him for some
Q.3. We are sorry, the hostel is not available any longer. distance.
It ______ to a new businessman. Q.13. It(not rain) for more than a month; but the day before
(1) is sold (2) was being sold yesterday Mr. Rao( notice ) some rain clouds in the
(3) has been sold (4) will be sold sky, and it is sure enough that it( rain ) in the last
two days.
(5) will sell
Q.14. One of the members(drive) to home when he(realize)
Q.4. The newly appointed Chief Minister ______ to
that he(not bring) the keys to his office with him.
Mathura in 1997.
Q.15. The little poor boy(not eat) for almost one week; but
(1) is transferred (2) was transferred
when my mother(give) him some food, he(refuse)
(3) has been transferred (4) should be transferred
to take it.
(5) had transferred
Q.16. Yesterday, the Sun(shine) brightly and there(be) no
Q.5. According to the new rules, passengers ______ to sign of rain. We(find) a fine day for the picnic.
smoke in public transport.
Q.17. The police commissioner(hold) the robber by the
(1) are not allowed (2) was not allowed collar and(demand) to tell where he(hide) the things
(3) had not allowed (4) will not allow he(steal).
(5) were not allowing Q.18. All the party members(argue) about the issue when
Q.6. The firemen who controlled the fire informed that it their president(come) in. Eventually, only he could
is ______ under control after forty minutes. settle the issue for them.
(1) is brought (2) was brought Q.19. The wind on Christmas(blow) quite strongly; it(be)
(3) can be brought (4) has been brought evident that a high paced storm(approach), so the
(5) have been brought tourists(decide) to stay in hotels.
Q.7. The new candidates ______ to leave the building Q.20. Although the cell phone(ring) various times, no
immediately. one in the family(bother) to answer it. It(continue)
(1) orders (2) will order ringing for one hour, then suddenly(stop).
(3) have ordered (4) have been ordered Q.21-25.In the following question, a sentence with a blank is
(5) would be order given, choose the correct option to fill in the blank
Q.8. In future, various famous actors ______ to perform to complete it in a meaningful way.
at charity concerts. Q.21. The lady who came shopping ______ always ______
(1) are invited (2) were invited about the quality of products.
(3) has been invited (4) will be invited (1) is ... complained (2) was ... complaining
(5) have been invited (3) was ... being complained
Q.9. The roof of my house has been leaking for the past (4) has ... complaining
few weeks but I do not have to worry about it any (5) has… complained
longer. It ______ now. Q.22. The players ______ of the cancellation of the match.
(1) was repaired (2) is repairing (A) were not informed (B) were not informing
(3) has repaired (4) is being repaired (C) not informed (D) had informed
(5) had been repaired Q.23. When the headmaster ______ into the classroom,
Q.10. The price of this television ______, but I doubt the students ______ an essay.
42 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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(A) was walking; were writing (A) Were ... helping (B) Were ... helped
(B) walked; were writing (C) Did .. help (D) Have ... helped
(C) walked; wrote Q.28-34. In each of the following sentences, one of the
(D) was walking; wrote helping verbs/ main verbs is given in highlighted.
Q.24. While their parents ______ plans, the children Read the sentence carefully and decide whether the
______ eagerly. sentences is Right or Wrong.
(A) were making; were listened Q.28. In the past, disabled people are treated badly.
(B) were making, were listening ______.
(C) made; listening Q.29. The blind man was crossing the road when a car
(D) was making; listened knocked him down. ______.
Q.25. Beef ______ at a very low price at the market this Q.30. Helen Keller is a role model for people with physical
morning. impairments. ______.
(A) was being sold (B) selling Q.31. At present, the workers were repairing the broken
ramps. ______.
(C) been sold (D) will be selling
Q.32. As a wheelchair-bound student, Salina faces a lot
Q.26. The little girl ______ on a stool and ______ to reach
of difficulties when she was in university. ______.
for the cup on the table.
Q.33. It is hoped that in the future, the government do
(A) stood; tried (B) was standing; tried
something to help the disabled. ______.
(C) stood; was trying (D) stood; was tried
Q.34. Syed participated in one of the paralympic events
Q.27. ______ you ______ the blind man who was knocked
last year. ______.
down by a car.
EXPLANATION
Q.1.(4) As ‘changes’ here works as a subject, the structure will be the correct structure.
of passive voice is not required, hence ‘had taken’ Q.11. painted, went, was painted
– active voice and past expression is correct.
Q.12. turned, felt, was, followed
Q.2.(2) The phrase (please, see) expresses that the incident
is going on, so ‘present continuous- passive’ is the Q.13. did not rain, noticed, rained
correct option. Q.14. drove, realized, did not bring
Q.3.(3) ‘is not available any longer’ expresses that any Q.15. did not eat, gave, refused
incident has taken place recently, therefore ‘has
Q.16. shone, was, found
been sold’ is correct.
Q.4.(2) The chief minister is used as an object in the Q.17. held, demanded, hid, stole
sentence so ‘passive voice’ is required and that Q.18. were arguing, came
too of past tense. Q.19. blew, was, approached, decided
Q.5.(1) The sentence is expressed as an instruction/order Q.20. rang, bothered, continued, stopped
which should be written in Present Indefinite
passive voice sentence. Q.21.(2) Q.22.(1) Q.23.(2) Q.24.(2)
Q.6.(2) As ‘informed’ is mentioned in the sentence, which Q.25.(1) Q.26.(1) Q.27.(3)
shows that the sentence is in ‘past form’, ‘option Q.28. The sentence is incorrect. 'were' should replace
2’ is the only correct option. 'are' as the sentence mentions a past activity.
Q.7.(4) ‘the candidates’ here acts as an object here, in that Q.29. The sentence is correct.
case ‘passive voice’ is required, hence only option
4 is correct. Q.30. The sentence is correct.
Q.8.(4) According to ‘in future’ mentioned in the sentence, Q.31. The sentence is incorrect. 'are' should replace
only option 4 is correct. 'were' as the sentence mentions a present activity.
Q.9.(4) ‘now’ is mentioned in the sentence means the Q.32. The sentence is incorrect. 'faced' should replace
work is going on, hence option 2 is the correct 'faces' as the sentence mentions a past activity.
answer. Q.33. The sentence is incorrect. 'does' should replace
Q.10.() ‘will remain same’ here indicates that something 'do' as the subject is singular.
has happened recently and in that case ‘has +v3’ Q.34. The sentence is correct.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 43
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CHAPTER
REARRANGEMENT
7 OF SENTENCES
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
Now a days ‘Rearrangement of sentences’ has become a 4). If a sentence initiates with a pronoun other
vital section of the paper of English Language in most of than ‘I’ and ‘You’, that sentence will not be the first
the examinations. sentence of the paragraph.
In such questions, the candidate is provided with a set of 5). The sentences starting with the words ‘That’,
five or six sentences which are in jumbled order and they are ‘These’, ‘Thus’ and ‘Those’, will not necessarily
required to be arranged properly to form a meaningful para- come first in the paragraph.
graph and answer the questions based on the new sequence. 6). Be very careful about article ‘a’, ‘an’ or ‘the’ if
Some important tips to arrange jumbled sentences: present at the starting of a sentence, the chances of
1). First of all try to infer the topic addressed in the that sentence to be the first in the arrangement are
paragraph. This can be done by attentively observing high.
the words that are repeated in the given sentences. 8). In case of the presence of conjunctions ‘But’,
2). If a specific word is repeated in more than one ‘So’ and ‘Now’. These will be arranged in the fol-
sentence, the sentences can be placed one by one in lowing order:
the paragraph respectively (as per the meaning). But>So>Now
3). If a sentence starts with a ‘Proper noun’, that 9). If a sentence starts with the words Hence, Final-
sentence will probably be the 1stsentence for the ly or Therefore, that sentence should be put at last
paragraph to be formed. in the arrangement.
44 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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exercise
(1) BACD (2) CDAB (3) DACB
EXERCISE-1
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
In each of the following questinos, what will be the correct
rearrangement of the parts of the sentence given below Q.8. The competition is most acute in Bandipur and
and in case you feel the given sequence is in its correct Badlapur, (A)/ and Badlapur is surrounded by 100
form then mark option (5) i.e no change required as your old villages (B)/ which forms the core of the elephant-
answer. cum-tiger reserve (C)/ while Bandipur is surrounded
by 180 villages (D)
Q.1. The rates of death from heart disease and cancer
(A)/ servings of whole grains appears (B)/ a diet that (1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
includes three daily (C)/ to help people live longer, (4) ACDB (5) No change required
including by reducing (D) Q.9. Rhesus macaque, and nilgai as vermin within
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) CBDA specified (A)/ from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh
and Bihar to declare wild boar (B)/ since 2015, the
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
Union Environment Ministry has acceded to requests
Q.2. Devastating than last year’s (A)/ the Himalayan region (C)/ territories of these states and outside forests and
may (B)/ be under the risk of earthquakes more (C)/ protected areas.(D)
Nepal that killed over 8,000 (D)
(1) CBAD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) BACD
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
(4) BCAD (5) No change required Q.10. As thousands prepared to (A)/ strikes closed the Eiffel
Q.3. The metro cities which do (A)/ there are some schools Tower (B)/ with the Euro 2018 games in full swing
in (B)/ not try to subject the (C)/ child to too much (C)/ march against labour reforms (D)
pressure (D) (1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
(1) BDCA (2) BACD (3) DACB (4) BADC (5) No change required
(4) DBCA (5) No change required Q.11. During the hearing, the counsel said (A)/ in the
Q.4. By scrapping the five year domestic (A)/ liberalising case and added that the bank’s (B)/ claims were
the right to fly abroad (B)/ real room for manoeuvre for completely against facts (C)/ his client was not a party
investors (C)/ flight operations requirement doesn’t or guarantor (D)
create (D) (1) BACD (2) ADBC (3) DACB
(1) BACD (2) BADC (3) DACB (4) DBCA (5) No change required
(4) DBCA (5) No change required Q.12. Concluded in the favour (A)/ we hope to do an
Q.5. Announcement of the start of preparatory (A)/ intensive (B)/ of both the countries (C)/ exercise so
reactors does mark a significant thaw in (B)/ work in that it can be (D)
India for six Westinghouse nuclear (C)/ civil nuclear (1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) BDAC
matters after the deep freeze of many years. (D) (4) DBCA (5) No change required
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
Q.13. The coming together of these two big private players
(4) DBCA (5) No change required (A)/ this will help them efficiently use the resources
Q.6. There are many challenges before (A)/ there is the both capital and policy holder base (B)/ the market
factor of migrant labour. (B)/ the arrest shows that share of the combined entity, for another (C)/ makes
(C)/ the police especially when (D) enormous business sense, for one it could improve
(D)
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) CADB
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) ADCB
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
Q.7. To relieve teachers and particularly children (A)/ from
facing undue stress and strain (B)/ the continuous Q.14. The current norms could be amended based on public
feedback (A)/ the board of SEBI met in Mumbai and
and comprehensive (C)/ evaluation system must be
decided (B)/ for portfolio managers and REITs so that
introduced (D)
(C)/ to release consultation papers on regulation (D)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 45
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(1) BACD (2) ACBD (3) DACB (B) on him rests much of the resonsibility
(4) BDCA (5) No change required (C) In the middle of one side of the square sits the
Q.15. Insurance market and the rest 19 private insurers (A)/ chairman of the committee.
constitute 65 per cent of the private (B)/ the top four (D) As the meeting opens he runs briskly through a number
private insurers (C)/ have a combined share of 35 per of formalities.
cent (D) (E) for success failure of the committee.
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) CBAD Q.1. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence
(4) DBCA (5) No change required after the rearrangement?
Q.16. Rs. 5,000 a candy, in the last few (A)/ the steep hike (1) C (2) D (3) A
in cotton prices, by about (B)/ for which cotton is the (4) B (5) E
main raw material (C)/ weeks is a matter of concern
to textile industry (D) Q.2. Which of the following should be the SECOND
sentence after the rearrangement?
(1) ACBD (2) BDCA (3) BADC
(1) B (2) C (3) D
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
(4) A (5) E
Q.17. Contrary to advertisements, most so called ice creams
(A)/ it a rich creamy texture, and a characteristic Q.3. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
flavour (B)/ milk and other dairy products. The milk after the rearrangement?
fat in dairy gives (C)/ are actually frozen desserts, (1) D (2) E (3) C
made with vegetable oil (D)
(4) B (5) A
(1) BACD (2) ADCB (3) DACB
Q.4. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence
(4) DBCA (5) No change required after the rearrangement?
Q.18. A recent study at the European (A)/ the risks of stroke (1) C (2) E (3) B
and heart diseases (B)/ Norfolk found that antioxidants
(4) A (5) D
reduce (C)/ Prospective Investigation of Cancer(D)
Q.5. Which of the following should be the FOURTH
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
sentence after the rearrangement?
(4) ADCB (5) No change required
(1) A (2) D (3) C
Q.19. Ability on par with that of primates (A)/ birds have
(4) E (5) B
more densely packed (B)/ animals, contributing to
cognitive (C)/ neurons in their brains than other (D) EXERCISE-3
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB In the following question, sentences given when properly
(4) DBCA (5) No change required sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is
labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of
Q.20. The reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2) have sentences from among the given choices to construct a
(A)/ such things like offensive grain of social or coherent paragraph.
political opinions (B)/ these restrictions were never
meant to include (C)/ been routinely invoked to choke (A) Normally it is very small but when the one of the
free speech and expression (D) bodies is a planet, like earth, the force is considerable.
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) ADCB (B) It has been investigated by many scientists including
Galileo and Newton.
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
(C) A force exists between everybody in the universe.
EXERCISE-2 (D) The greater the mass, the greater is the earth’s force
In the following question, sentences given when properly of attraction on it. We can call this force of attraction
sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is gravity.
labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of
(E) Everything on or near the surface of the Earth is
sentences from among the given choices to construct a
attracted by the mass of earth.
coherent paragraph.
(F) This gravitational force depends on the mass of the
(A) The most important person in the room
bodies involved.
46 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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Q.1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence Q.2. Which of the following should be the FOURTH
after the rearrangement? sentence after the rearrangement?
(1) F (2) E (3) C (1) C (2) B (3) F
(4) D (5) B (4) A (5) E
Q.2. Which of the following should be the SECOND Q.3. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence
sentence after the rearrangement? after the rearrangement?
(1) A (2) C (3) D (1) B (2) E (3) C
(4) B (5) E (4) F (5) D
Q.3. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence Q.4. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
after the rearrangement? after the rearrangement?
(1) F (2) A (3) B (1) A (2) E (3) C
(4) C (5) D (4) F (5) D
Q.4. Which of the following should be the FOURTH Q.5. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence
sentence after the rearrangement? after the rearrangement?
(1) F (2) D (3) C (1) B (2) A (3) C
(4) B (5) A (4) E (5) F
Q.5. Which of the following should be the SIXTH sentence EXERCISE-5
after the rearrangement?
In the following question, sentences given when properly
(1) D (2) C (3) A sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is
(4) B (5) F labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of
sentences from among the given choices to construct a
EXERCISE-4 coherent paragraph.
In the following question, sentences given when properly (A) The study of speech disorders due to brain injury
sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is suggests that patients can think without having
labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical order of adequate control over their language.
sentences from among the given choices to construct a
coherent paragraph. (B) They can even use the concepts needed for chess
playing, though they are unable to express many of
(A) The philosopher Descartes thought that both men and the concepts in ordinary language.
animals were machines.
(C) Some patients, for example fail to find the names of
(B) Therefore, some scientists think that life is just a very objects presented to them.
complicated mechanism.
(D) How they manage to do this we do not know.
(C) But a machine such as a motorcar or a steamship
moves itself, as soon as machines which moved (E) But they succeed in playing games of chess.
themselves had been made, people asked “Is man a Q.1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence
machine?” after the rearrangement?
(D) And before the days of machinery that was a good (1) B (2) C (3) A
definition. (4) F (5) E
(E) Our ancestors thought that anything which moved Q.2. Which of the following should be the SECOND
itself was alive. sentence after the rearrangement?
(F) He also thought that the human machine was partly (1) B (2) C (3) A
controlled by the soul action on a certain part of the
brain, while animals had no souls. (4) D (5) E
Q.1. Which of the following should be the SECOND Q.3. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
sentence after the rearrangement? after the rearrangement?
(1) F (2) C (3) A (1) E (2) A (3) B
(4) D (5) E (4) D (5) C
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 47
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Q.4. Which of the following should be the FOURTH below.
sentence after the rearrangement? (A) The interest subsidy it pays to banks.
(1) A (2) B (3) C (B) Farm loans in the budget.
(4) D (5) E (C) Had suggested that farm loans be made available at
Q.5. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence four percent.
after the rearrangement? (D) The government plans to.
(1) A (2) E (3) B (E) The working group on agricultural production.
(4) C (5) D (F) Provide incentives on.
EXERCISE-6 (G) Will have to increase.
Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) (H) This would mean that the government.
and (E) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
Q.1. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence
paragraph, then answer the questions given below.
after the rearrangement?
(A) The FAO has said two-thirds of the country’s vast
(1) G (2) A (3) D
wheat crop.
(4) E (5) B
(B) The Food and Agriculture Organization’s diagnosis
of China’s wheat. Q.2. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
after the rearrangement?
(C) Is at risk due to the winter drought.
(1) C (2) A (3) D
(D) Crisis defers from the one.
(4) E (5) B
(E) Presented by the Chinese government.
Q.3. Which of the following should be the SECOND
Q.1. Which of the following should be the FOURTH
sentence after the rearrangement?
sentence after the rearrangement?
(1) G (2) H (3) D
(1) B (2) A (3) C
(4) F (5) C
(4) D (5) E
Q.4. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence
Q.2. Which of the following should be the SECOND
after the rearrangement?
sentence after the rearrangement?
(1) C (2) A (3) G
(1) A (2) C (3) E
(4) D (5) H
(4) B (5) D
Q.5. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence
Q.3. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence
after the rearrangement?
after the rearrangement?
(1) A (2) B (3) D
(1) C (2) B (3) D
(4) F (5) G
(4) E (5) A
Q.4. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence EXERCISE-8
after the rearrangement? In each of the following questions, if the (C) part of the
(1) B (2) E (3) D sentence is fixed at its place then what will be the correct
rearrangement of the parts given below and in case you
(4) A (5) C feel the given sequence is in its correct form then mark
Q.5. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence option (5) i.e no change required as your answer.
after the rearrangement? Q.1. he is planning(A)/ with his first smartphone (B)/
(1) B (2) E (3) C and catch the hinterland consumer while he is still
(4) D (5) A fiddling(C)/ to race ahead of e-retailers.(D)
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB
EXERCISE-7
(4) ADCB (5) No change required
Rearrange the following sentences (A),(B),(C), (D),
(E), (F), (G) and (H) in the proper sequence to form a Q.2. people who earn more money tend to become
meaningful paragraph, then answer the questions given selfish,(A)/ while those who earn less take greater
48 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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pleasure(B)/ in their relationships and ability(C)/ to among the states.(D)
connect with others, according to a study.(D) (1) ADCB (2) BDCA (3) DACB
(1) BACD (2) BDCA (3) DACB (4) DBCA (5) No change required
(4) DCAB (5) No change required Q.10. and data become cheaper, the e-retailers wait (A)/ as
Q.3. several states have reduced VAT,(A)/ consumers internet penetrates Bharat and phones (B)/ for Indians
interest," the minister told reporters (B)/ they should in the hinterland(C)/ to get online and buy stuff from
reduce for(C)/ we will appeal again States, which have them.(D)
high VAT component,.(D) (1) ADCB (2) BDCA (3) DACB
(1) BACD (2) ADCB (3) DACB (4) BACD (5) No change required
(4) BDCA (5) No change required Q.11. most people think of money as some kind of unmitigated
Q.4. which can result in sudden and prolonged crash good.(A)/ But some recent research suggests that this
exposing investors, (A)/ There is a real and heightened may not actually be the case.(B)/ In many ways, money
risk of investment bubble of the type seen in Ponzi does not(C)/ necessarily buy you happiness.(D)
schemes (B)/ especially retail consumers(C)/ losing (1) BDCA (2) DACB (3) ADCB
their hard-earned money.(D)
(4) DBCA (5) No change required
(1) BDCA (2) BACD (3) DACB
(4) ADCB (5) No change required
EXERCISE-9
Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) (E)
Q.5. losing their hard-earned money (A)/ There is a
and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
real and heightened risk of investment (B)/ and
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them.
prolonged crash exposing investors, especially retail
consumers(C)/ bubble of the type seen in Ponzi (A) An increasingly larger percentage of Indian population
schemes which can result in sudden.(D) today lives in the Urban areas.
(1) BACD (2) DACB (3) ABCD (B) Over the last fifty years, while the country's population
has grown by 2.5 times
(4) BDCA (5) No change required
(C) India's Urban population is now second largest in the
Q.6. Patel, who started his entrepreneurial journey(A)/
world after China.
in the late 1960s as a manufacturer of detergent,(B)/
and cycling around towns and villages to sell it,(C)/ (D) In the Urban areas it has grown by five times.
is known for creating low-priced products(D) (E) And is higher than the total Urban population of all the
(1) BDCA (2) ADCB (3) DACB countries put together barring China,USA and Russia.
(4) DBCA (5) No change required (F) Contrary to popular concepts of a predominantly rural
India.
Q.7. 2010 for the first time in 400 years, after another
period of inactivity (A)/ Mount Sinabung roared back Q.1. Which of the following would be the LAST sentence
after rearrangement?
to life in (B)/ it erupted once more in 2013,(C)/ and
has remained highly active since.(D) (1) D (2) E (3) F ]
(1) BDCA (2) DACB (3) BACD (4) A (5) C
(4) ADCB (5) No change required Q.2. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence
after rearrangement?
Q.8. themselves to by investing in Bitcoin (A)/ by
the Reserve Bank of India about the potential (1) B (2) F (3) C
financial,(B)/ and security related risks that they are (4) D (5) A
exposing(C)/ users and traders of VCs have already Q.3. Which of the following would be the FOURTH
been cautioned three times,.(D) sentence after rearrangement?
(1) BDCA (2) DBCA (3) ADCB (1) A (2) B (3) C
(4) DACB (5) No change required (4) F (5) E
Q.9. he further said that the petroleum sector (A)/would be Q.4. Which of the following would be the FIFTH sentence
brought under (B)/the ambit of the Goods and Services after rearrangement?
tax (GST) (C)/as and when the consensus is reached
(1) A (2) C (3) D
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 49
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(4) B (5) E (B) Each of these events has been extensively dissected as
Q.5. Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence discrete events, with commentators emphasising the
after rearrangement? relationship of the
(1) D (2) E (3) F (C) deaths of these young people to the particular social
problems they found themselves struggling with, from
(4) A (5) C caste-based oppression
EXERCISE-10 (D) Institutions accountable for the quality of their
Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E) education. In the din that has surrounded each of these
and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful tragedies, with the predictable
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them.
(E) has escaped our collective attention: the loss of hope
(A) But also makes us virtuous and happy. in the young educated victims trapped in a system that
(B) Money can show us all the roads to happiness but not had failed them.
happiness itself. (F) hysteria in TV news debates and the slugfest between
(C) It not only gives us the necessities and comforts of life rival ideological camps, one common thread running
(D) But money is merely a means and man is always more through all of these suicides
important than money. Q.1. Which of the following would be the LAST sentence
(E) Money is the foundation of our society. after rearrangement?
(F) And it enables us to attain our cherished ambitions. (1) D (2) E (3) F
Q.1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence (4) A (5) C
after rearrangement? Q.2. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence
(1) A (2) B (3) C after rearrangement?
(4) D (5) E (1) B (2) F (3) C
Q.2. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence (4) D (5) A
after rearrangement? Q.3. Which of the following would be the FOURTH
(1) C (2) D (3) B sentence after rearrangement?
(4) A (5) F (1) A (2) B (3) D
Q.3. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence (4) F (5) E
after rearrangement? Q.4. Which of the following would be the FIFTH sentence
(1) D (2) B (3) A after rearrangement?
(4) E (5) F (1) A (2) C (3) D
Q.4. Which of the following should be the FOURTH (4) B (5) E
sentence after rearrangement? Q.5. Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence
(1) A (2) B (3) F after rearrangement?
(4) E (5) D (1) D (2) E (3) F
Q.5. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence (4) A (5) C
after rearrangement? EXERCISE-12
(1) A (2) B (3) C Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
(4) D (5) E and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them.
EXERCISE-11
(A) to these tragedies is similar to that of suicides in other
Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D) (E)
groups in our society. This is no better
and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them. (B) knowledge of effective interventions to prevent
suicide, there remains no coordinated effort
(A) and gender discrimination to the pressures of academic
performance and the abject failure of the systems (C) to address suicide as a public health issue in India.
intended to hold private Thus it comes as no surprise that the suicide
50 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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(D) illustrated than by the discourse on farmer suicides (G) He embodied the hopes, aspirations and troubles of
being viewed almost entirely through a socio-political Indians for over half a century.
lens. Q.1. Which of the following would be
(E) rates in young people in India are among the highest the SECOND sentence after rearrangement?
in the world. In this regard, our response (1) D (2) F (3) B
(F) Despite this mountain of evidence testifying to the (4) G (5) C
huge toll of suicide in our youth and the
Q.2. Which of the following would be the LAST sentence
Q.1. Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?
after rearrangement?
(1) G (2) B (3) A
(1) A (2) B (3) C
(4) E (5) D
(4) D (5) F
Q.3. Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence
Q.2. Which of the following should be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement?
after rearrangement?
(1) B (2) G (3) E
(1) C (2) D (3) B
(4) D (5) F
(4) A (5) F
Q.4. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence
Q.3. Which of the following should be the FIFTH sentence after rearrangement?
after rearrangement?
(1) C (2) A (3) B
(1) D (2) B (3) A
(4) E (5) D
(4) E (5) F
Q.5. Which of the following would be the FIFTH sentence
Q.4. Which of the following should be after rearrangement?
the FOURTH sentence after rearrangement?
(1) G (2) B (3) D
(1) A (2) B (3) F
(4) A (5) F
(4) E (5) D
Q.5. Which of the following should be the LAST sentence
EXERCISE-14
after rearrangement? Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E)
and (F) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful
(1) A (2) B (3) C
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them.
(4) D (5) E
(A) Now there is hope for their restoration as the
EXERCISE-13 government has proposed to amend the Municipal Act
Rearrange the following sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), (B) With legal documents not in place, the property often
(F) and (G) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful faces problems in land conversion
paragraph, then answer the questions given below them. (C) Hundreds of heritage properties in the state are lying
(A) Though the Common Man character in his cartoons in a dilapidated condition for want of funds to be
was always silent, the intended message was very restored.
loud and clear. (D) In most cases, it leads to infighting and dispute in the
(B) If a picture is worth a thousand words ,a cartoon is family
worth a thousand pictures (E) Among the challenges that the heritage hotels face are
(C) One feels sad to read in the leading dailies that the that most of them are in the rural areas and their titles
legendary cartoonist RK Laxman is no more. are not clear as per the law.
(D) R.K.Laxman will always be remembered for his early (F) That would in times to come, benefit people who own
morning dose of laughter. forts, havelis and other heritage structures, sans a clear
(E) He always cared for the plight of common man title.
through his immortal cartoons. Q.1. Which of the following would be the FOURTH
(F) His cartoons would bring a smile even on the faces of sentence after rearrangement?
people who didn’t know to read or were in a hurry. (1) D (2) E (3) B
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 51
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(4) C (5) A researchers have now pointed out that it can (D)/
Q.2. Which of the following would be the FIRST sentence “possibly cause chronic toxicity” to aquatic life.(E)
after rearrangement? (1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
(1) C (2) F (3) E (4) EBCD (5) No change required
(4) B (5) D Q.5. The mass protests have, unwittingly,(A)/ to meet
Q.3. Which of the following would be the SECOND the Paris climate agreement targets (B)/ would
sentence after rearrangement? have been(C)/ hit by the higher levy against the
imperative(D)/ pitted the majority who.(E)
(1) E (2) B (3) A
(1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
(4) D (5) C
(4) EBCD (5) No change required
Q.4. Which of the following would be the SIXTH sentence
after rearrangement? Q.6. The health, longevity and well-being of
Indians(A)/ has improved since Independence,
(1) B (2) A (3) F and the high levels of economic growth(B)/ over
(4) C (5) D the past two-and-half-decades (C)/ to spend on the
social sector (D)/ have made more funds available.
Q.5. Which of the following would be the THIRD
(E)
sentence after rearrangement?
(1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
(1) A (2) B (3) F
(4) EBCD (5) No change required
(4) D (5) E
Q.7. What prompted the U.S. and China to arrive
EXERCISE-15 at an unexpected,(A)/ important to see if any
In each of the following questions, if the (A) part of the compromise (B)/ albeit temporary, compromise is
sentences is fixed at its place then what will be the correct unclear and it will be (C)/ between the two trade
rearrangement of the parts given below and in case you giants will include a complete rollback of the
feel the given parts are in their correct sequence then mark tariffs(D)/ imposed on each other over the year.(E)
option (5) i.e., no change required as your answer. (1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
Q.1. The reason blood pressure tends to rise (A)/ tribal (4) EBCD (5) No change required
communities that has been (B)/ concludes a study
of remote(C)/ with age may be a Western diet and Q.8. The best source of entertainment(A)/ from a
lifestyle, (D)/ recently published in the journal.(E) neighbourhood video library pirate,(B)/ brought
into the country(C)/ by friends and family or
(1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DCBE borrowed(D)/ was watching movies recorded on
(4) EBCD (5) No change required video cassettes.(E)
Q.2. When I was in Chhattisgarh 30 years ago,(A)/ the (1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
tribal people didn’t suffer(B)/ was frugal yet more (4) EBCD (5) No change required
or less balanced. (C)/ diabetes or cholesterol and
their diet(D)/ from any lifestyle disorder — high Q.9. Then there’s Dr. Kulkarni, Bhaskar’s friend (A)/
blood pressure, (E) rich patients an exorbitant fee (B)/ who doesn’t
flinch when charging (C)/ while he smokes with
(1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) BEDC abandon in his clinic (D)/ for treating their imagined
(4) EBCD (5) No change required illnesses.(E)
Q.3. The Anganwadi Services scheme, (A)/ caters to (1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
children up (B)/ which incorporates the Integrated (4) EBCD (5) No change required
Child Development Services, (C)/ to age six, and to
(D)/ pregnant and lactating women.(E) Q.10. The grass can be used to(A)/ purify polluted water
bodies,(B)/ especially temple tanks, and to arrest
(1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC soil erosion(C)/ in Kerala and Kodaikanal (D)/ in
(4) EBCD (5) No change required ghat sections, especially.(E)
Q.4. By studying nine different pharmaceutical active (1) BCED (2) CBDE (3) DBEC
compounds in Yamuna river,(A)/ and to humans (4) EBCD (5) No change required
who use (B)/ this water for drinking purposes (C)/
52 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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explanation
‘F’ is the fifth statement as here the thought of the philospher
EXERCISE 1
is mentioned in 'A'.
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(2)
‘C’ is the third statement as it is directly connected to the
Q.4.(2) Q.5.(5) Q.6.(3)
second statement ‘D’
Q.7.(2) Q.8.(4) Q.9.(1)
‘D’ is the second statement as it is continuing the idea.
Q.10.(4) Q.11.(2) Q.12.(3)
‘B’ is the last statement as it ends the idea.
Q.13.(3) Q.14.(4) Q.15.(3)
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(2)
Q.16.(3) Q.17.(2) Q.18.(4)
Q.4.(4) Q.5.(5)
Q.19.(2) Q.20.(3)
EXERCISE 5
EXERCISE 2
The correct arrangement is ACEBD
The correct re-arrangement is CABED
‘A’ is the first statement as it starts the conversation about
‘C’ is the first statement as it starts the story which is about the study of speech disorder.
a Chairman.
‘C’ is the second statement as it is used as a example for the
‘A’ is the second statement as it is directly connected to ‘C’ first statement.
‘B’ is the third statement as it is talking about the ‘E’ is the third statement as it is directly connected to ‘C’
responsibility of the chairman. statement.
‘E’ is the fourth statement as it is completing the third ‘B’ is the fourth statement as it represent a continous idea.
statement.
‘D’ is the last statement as it ends the conversation.
‘D’ is the last statement as it ends the conversation.
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(2) Q.3.(1)
Q.1.(2) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(4)
Q.4.(2) Q.5.(5)
Q.4.(1) Q.5.(4)
EXERCISE 6
EXERCISE 3
The arragement is “BDEAC”
The correct re-arrangement is CBFAED
Q.1.(2) Q.2.(5) Q.3.(4)
‘C’ is the first statement because it is an independent
Q.4.(1) Q.5.(3)
statement which starts the conversation.
‘B’ is the second statement as in the statement, ‘It’ is used EXERCISE 7
for the force which is mentioned in first statement. The correct arrangement is “DFBECHGA” “D” is the
‘E’ is the fifth statement as it starts concluding the idea. first statement which is followed by ‘F’ and ‘B’ to make a
complete sense.
‘D’ is the last statement as it is directly connected to ‘E’
because in both the statement the conversation is going on ‘E’ is the fourth statement as it proceeds the idea.
‘The Mass’. ‘C’ is the fifth statement as it starts with an auxiliary verb,
‘F’ is the third statement as here this gravitational force which is clearly connected to the ‘E’ statement.
is related to “The force of attraction ” which is the fourth ‘H’ is the sixth statement which is followed by “G & A” to
statement. make a complete sense.
‘A’ is the fourth statement as it tells something about the Q.1.(2) Q.2.(5) Q.3.(4)
earth. Q.4.(1) Q.5.(3)
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(1)
EXERCISE 8
Q.4.(5) Q.5.(1)
Q.1.(4) He is planning to race ahead of e-retailers and catch
EXERCISE 4 the hinterland consumer while he is still fiddling
The correct re-arrangement is EDCAFB with his first smartphone.
‘E’ is the first statement as it is an independent statement Q.2.(5)
which starts the conversation. Q.3.(2) Several states have reduced VAT we will appeal
‘A’ is the fourth statement as it gives the example of the again States, which have high VAT component,
philosopher in reference to 'C'. they should reduce for consumers interest," the
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minister told reporters. Q.1.(2) Q.2.(1) Q.3.(3)
Q.4.(2) Q.4.(5) Q.5.(3)
Q.5.(4) There is a real and heightened risk of investment The arrangement would be CAFEBD.
bubble of the type seen in Ponzi schemes which
EXERCISE 15
can result in sudden and prolonged crash exposing
investors, especially retail consumers losing their Q.1.(3) The reason blood pressure tends to rise with age
hard-earned money. may be a Western diet and lifestyle, concludes a
study of remote tribal communities that has been
Q.6.(5)
recently published in the journal.
Q.7.(3) Mount Sinabung roared back to life in 2010 for
Q.2.(3) When I was in Chhattisgarh 30 years ago,
the first time in 400 years, after another period of
the tribal people didn’t suffer from any lifestyle
inactivity it erupted once more in 2013, and has
disorder — high blood pressure, diabetes or
remained highly active since.
cholesterol and their diet was frugal yet more or
Q.8.(2) Users and traders of VCs have already been less balanced.
cautioned three times, by the Reserve Bank of
Q.3.(2) The Anganwadi Services scheme, which
India about the potential financial, and security
incorporates the Integrated Child Development
related risks that they are exposing themselves to
Services, caters to children up to age six, and to
by investing in Bitcoin.
pregnant and lactating women.
Q.9.(5)
Q.4.(3) By studying nine different pharmaceutical
Q.10.(4) As internet penetrates Bharat and phones and data active compounds in Yamuna river, researchers
become cheaper, the e-retailers wait for Indians in have now pointed out that it can “possibly cause
the hinterland to get online and buy stuff from them. chronic toxicity” to aquatic life and to humans who
Q.11.(5) use this water for drinking purposes.
EXERCISE 9 Q.5.(4) The mass protests have, unwittingly, pitted the
majority who would have been hit by the higher
Q.1.(1) D Q.2.(2) F Q.3.(5) E levy against the imperative to meet the Paris
Q.4.(4) B Q.5.(5) C climate agreement targets.
The rearrangement is FACEBD Q.6.(1) The health, longevity and well-being of Indians
EXERCISE 10 has improved since Independence, and the high
levels of economic growth over the past two-and-
Q.1.(5) E Q.2.(4) A Q.3.(1) D half-decades have made more funds available to
Q.4.(3) F Q.5.(2) B spend on the social sector.
The rearrangement is ECAFDB Q.7.(2) What prompted the U.S. and China to arrive
at an unexpected, albeit temporary, compromise
EXERCISE 11 is unclear. It will be important to see if any
Q.1.(3) F Q.2.(1) B Q.3.(3) D compromise between the two trade giants will
Q.4.(5) E Q.5.(4) A include a complete rollback of the tariffs imposed
The rearrangement is BCADEF on each other over the year.
Q.8.(4) The best source of entertainment was watching
EXERCISE 12 movies recorded on video cassettes, brought into
Q.1.(5) F Q.2.(1) C Q.3.(3) A the country by friends and family or borrowed
Q.4.(4) E Q.5.(4) D from a neighbourhood video library pirate.
The rearrangement is FBCEAD Q.9.(2) Then there’s Dr. Kulkarni, Bhaskar’s friend
who doesn’t flinch when charging rich patients an
EXERCISE 13 exorbitant fee for treating their imagined illnesses
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(2) Q.3.(5) while he smokes with abandon in his clinic.
Q.4.(1) Q.5.(3) Q.10.(1) The grass can be used to purify polluted water
The arrangement would be CGEADFB. bodies, especially temple tanks, and to arrest soil
erosion in ghat sections, especially in Kerala and
EXERCISE 14 Kodaikanal.
54 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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CHAPTER
8 PREPOSITION
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 55
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@ The swimmer jumped into the pool. Prepositions of instruments, devices or machines words are
by, with the helped etc.
@ The dog was coming towards him.
@ She came to the wedding party by train.
5. Prepositions of Direction:
@ I made a hole in the wall with the help of a drill for
Prepositions of direction are used to indicate the direction
the waste-pipe.
of someone or something in the sentence.
Prepositions of direction words are over, under, to, on, into, Difference Between common prepositions-
in, onto, right, left, between, behind, near etc. At and in
@ It’s time to go to bad In is used to indicate the location of someone at a particular
@ We are going over the bridge. point of time.
@ He saw someone coming towards him. @ He was in the church when I went to his home.
@ The cat jumped onto the dresser. @ The vegetables were sliced with her new knife.
@ The gymnast jumped onto the mat. @ I opened the bottle with a bottle opener.
Since expresses duration up to the present. ‘Made of’ is used in a sentence when you talk about the basic
material or qualities which remains unchanged.
@ I have lived in this house since 1997.
@ The bags are made of leather.
@ We’ve been married since last June.
@ The windows are made of glass.
Since is used in the present perfect or present perfect con-
tinuous. ‘Made from’ is used to describe the structure of the material.
When the material undergoes a change or transforms from
@ It was 1974, and he had been living in London since its original form, then we use made from. Here the material
1964. is different from what it was originally.
For is used for a time period: @ The paper is made from wood.
@ We have lived in this house for thirty years. @ The beer is made from barley and water.
@ I’ve been waiting here for three hours. Under, below, beneath and underneath
From expresses duration. Under
@ From the 1920s until his death, Picasso lived in Under is also good for talking about layers of something:
France.
@ I have put on a t-shirt under my jacket.
@ The shop is open from 9 A.M on Saturdays.
Under is also used for numbers:
During, while and for
@ I did it in under 7 hours.
During is a preposition which is used before a noun (during
+ noun) to say when something happens. It does not tell us Under also shows up in expressions like:
how long it happened. @ under stress
@ Nobody spoke during the presentation. @ under pressure
@ We get plenty of snow here during the winter. @ under someone’s control
While is used to talk about two things that are happening at Below
the same time. The length of time is not important.
Below to talk about the level of something, like a tem-
@ The phone rang while I was watching TV. perature:
@ I met him while we were studying in the library. @ It’s supposed to drop below freezing tonight.
For is a preposition which is used with a period to say how In writing, “below” can also be used to talk about something
long something goes on: later on:
@ Simran has been sleeping for 8 hours. @ Please read the instructions below before you begin.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 57
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Beneath @ Take off your hat.
Beneath is more formal than “under”: @ Stay off nuts for a few months.
@ In the unlikely event of an emergency water landing, Between, among and amongst
you may find a flotation device beneath your seat
Between is used when naming distinct, individual items.
cushion.
@ The negotiations between Brazil, Argentina, and Chile
Beneath can also suggest being covered by something:
are going well.
@ Beneath the blankets
@ He had to choose between a bicycle and a bike, a
Beneath is used to talk about the true emotions that a person pair of sneakers, and a new backpack for his birthday
is hiding: present.
@ Beneath it all, he still loves her. Among is used when the items are part of a group, or are not
Underneath specifically named (must be 3 or more).
“Underneath” has a kind of casual and expressive feeling. @ The negotiations among the countries of South
You can choose “underneath” instead of “under” to explain America are going well.
the location of something with a little more emphasis. @ I found myself among the wealthy.
@ My bag was underneath the sofa. While among and amongst are both prepositions, meaning
Above and Over in the midst of, surrounded by, in the company of, or in as-
sociation with.
Above is used to show Overhead, upstairs, or in the sky.
@ A Northeasterner amongst Southerners.
@ The show ended with a display of fireworks above the park.
@ They are always fighting amongst themselves.
@ It is used to show higher in quantity or number.
To and towards
One hundred is above ninety one.
To is normally used with a verb showing movement and
Above is also used to indicate a higher rank. shows the result of the movement the place or person that
@ Mr. Pratap is working above Mr. Gambhir. the movement was towards or in the direction of.
Over, unlike above, implies movement from one location @ She is going to the market.
or position to another. That is to say; it always indicates a The preposition towards has a similar meaning, but it’s not
path of motion. exactly the same: with towards, the direction of the move-
@ We also use over when the object referred to in a ment is shown, but not the result.
sentence touch or cover the other. @ He was walking towards his office.
@ She put her hand over my mouth to keep me quite. Across and along
Over is also used with numbers. Along often refers to movement in a linear direction. This
@ They have been together for over twenty years. preposition is used to describe something or someone that
is moving in one direction
@ He gets over hundred fan mails every day.
@ We drove along a narrow lane.
Of and off
@ Tom and Jerry walked along the beach.
Of shows connection.
@ Vehicles sped along in both directions on the narrow
@ The hat is made of cotton.
road.
Of shows an amount/quantity.
Across also indicates a movement, but this movement is from
@ I eat a handful of popcorn. one side to another to the other side.
Of shows the relationship between the two. @ The little girl ran across the road, ignoring her
@ Sarah is a friend of Ramesh. mother’s warnings.
Of is used with consisting. @ The pond was small enough to jump across.
@ He gave her a ring of gold. @ It nearly took him one hour to swim across the
river.
Off shows always shows disconnection.
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Some frequently used phrasal verbs:
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ENGLISH LANGUAGE 61
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62 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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exercise
Q.1-10. The sentences given below, have four parts, If a sentence has no error, mark your answer as
indicated by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each (5), i.e. ‘No error’.
sentence to find out whether there is an error. If Q.11. Some residents of Alaska suffer with (1)/ cabin fever
you find an error in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of when they (2)/ remain indoors throughout (3)/ the
a sentence, then choose the corresponding option. long, snowy winters. (4)/ No Error (5)
If a sentence has no error, mark your answer as
(5), i.e. ‘No error’. Q.12. According to the survey report, (1)/ there should be
(2)/ a lot of progress on (3)/ the next century. (4)/
Q.1. While in a meeting, Shipra (1)/ said to Sai that you No Error (5)
can’t (2)/ move me with my decisions (3)/ with your
logic. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.13. We set off on foot (1)/ and walk for an hour (2)/
before we manage to flag (3)/ a taxi down on the
Q.2 Last year when he came (1)/ to the village he himself crossroads. (4)/ No Error (5)
noticed (2)/ that during drought the cattle was (3)/
perished by starvation. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.14. Rahul told Priya, (1)/ that he inserted (2)/ a needle
among the (3)/ close petals of a flower, because he
Q.3. Knowing all my flaws inside out, (1)/ I found that wanted to make a garland with it. (4)/ No Error (5)
the given directives (2)/ are useful for me for (3)/
success in exam. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.15. In conjunction with a state of (1)/ emergency the
President (2)/ might also impose temporary (3)/
Q.4. I have noted (1)/ his appeal to doctors (2)/ to desist direct presidential rule for a union republic. (4)/ No
by industrial action (3) in their current impasse. (4)/ Error (5)
No Error (5)
Q.16. As per the recent reports (1)/ and press releases (2)/
Q.5. Since the roads were closed (1)/ during the storm, Niharika claims that (3)/ he attacked on her without
my family (2)/ had to subsist to biscuits and (3)/ any provocation. (4)/ No Error (5)
canned meats for three days. (4)/ No Error (5)
Q.17. While presented before the Principal (1)/ Anam told
Q.6. I personally will remain (1)/ indebted for her for that Srishti is (2)/ neither ashamed nor sorry for (3)/
some of (2)/ the most wonderful and memorable her misdeeds and that she is very upset about it. (4)/
shows (3)/ I have seen in Egypt. (4)/ No Error No Error (5)
(5)
Q.18. The design of (1)/ this bungalow is (2)/ different and
Q.7. According to Parag, (1)/ the harsh lights and inferior to that of (3)/ other house, as per the Main
cameras (2)/ were hardly conducive in (3)/ a relaxed Architect. (4)/ No Error (5)
atmosphere. (4)/ No Error (5)
Q.19. She told Ishanvi (1)/ that the snake hissed (2)/ and
Q.8. Having taken all the consultative sessions, (1)/ he
attacked her,(3)/ but I still stood unmovingly, then
knows he's not supposed to (2)/ dwell in what was
it crawled away. (4)/ No Error (5)
or agonize (3)/ about what might be. (4)/ No Error
(5) Q.20. The man was someone you (1)/ could depend at and
(2)/ was always willing to lend (3)/ a helping hand.
Q.9. After the bomb blast, (1)/ the panicked crowd
(4)/ No Error (5)
trampled at (2)/ the poor girl, resulting in (3)/
numerous broken bones. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.21-30. The sentences given below, have three blanks,
Q.10. The decision-making process (1)/ must comply of indicated by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each
(2)/ these prerequisites to result (3)/ in a decisive sentence to find out whether there is an error. If
policy. (4)/ No Error (5) you find an error in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of
a sentence, then choose the corresponding option.
Q.11-20. The sentences given below, have four parts, If a sentence has no error, mark your answer as
indicated by (1), (2), (3) and (4). Read each (5), i.e. ‘No error’.
sentence to find out whether there is an error. If
you find an error in any part [(1), (2), (3) or (4)] of Q.21. She passed away (i) _____ six o'clock (ii) _____
a sentence, then choose the corresponding option. the evening (iii) _____ Monday.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 63
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Q.22. (i) _____ the afternoon, there's a great film (ii) _____ Q.27. The wire won't fall (i) ______ because I have
TV and a comedy programme (iii) ________ night. twisted it (ii) _______ that post to keep it (iii) _____
position.
Q.23. Rajan stopped (i) _____ his house to borrow a
raincoat (ii)_____ the middle (iii) _____ a storm on Q.28. Ramesh was woken up (i) _____ the sound of the TV
Monday. (ii)_____ my brother's room which was (iii) _____
Q.24. (i) _____ your father’s opinion, you can rely a bit high volume.
(ii)_____ him to come (iii) _____ evening. Q.29. She was lying injured (i) _____ the road (ii) _____
Q.25. Reema saw him looking (i) ______ some CD (ii) a fall (iii) _____ her scooty.
_____ the library (iii) _____ Tuesday. Q.30. They were shocked (i) _____ the way (ii) _____
Q.26. Radhika posted his father’s parcel (i)___ the Main which she reacted (iii) _____ someone calling her
Post Office (ii) ___ Mall Road ___ coming back 'chubby'.
from tuition.
Explanation
Q.1.(3) Replace “with” with “from”, because ‘move from’ Q.14.(3) Replace ‘among’ by ‘between’, between can be
–one’s determination. used for more than two entities only if they are
‘closely associated’.
Q.2.(4) Replace ‘perished by’ with ‘perished with’ because
‘perish with’- hunger. Q.15.(4) Replace ‘Rule for’ with ‘Rule over’, rule over a
country is correct .
Q.3.(3) Replace “useful for” with “useful to”, because
‘useful to’- person and ‘useful for’-thing. Q.16.(4) Remove ‘on’ after ‘attack, because preposition is
not used generally after ‘Transitive verbs’.
Q.4.(3) Replace “desist by” with “desist from”, because
desist takes ‘from’ with it. Q.17.(3) Ashamed takes ‘of’ with it so add ‘of’ after
‘ashamed’.
Q.5.(3) Replace “to” with “on”, because ‘subsist’ takes
‘on’ with it. Q.18.(3) Different takes ‘from’ after it, so use ‘different
from and inferior to’.
Q.6.(2) Replace “indebted for” with “indebted to”, be-
cause ‘indebted to’-someone ‘for’ something is Q.19.(5) The given sentence has no error .
correct.
Q.20.(2) The correct usage of preposition is ‘depend
Q.7.(3) Replace ‘conducive in’ with ‘conducive to’, be- upon’, so replace ‘depend at’ with ‘depend
cause ‘conducive’ takes ‘to’ with it. upon’.
Q.8.(3) Replace “dwell in” with “dwell on”, because Q.21. (i) at (ii) in (iii) on
‘dwell on’ means dwell on the past or ‘brooding
‘At’ is used before certain point of time.
over’.
‘In the evening/morning/afternoon’ is the correct
Q.9.(2) Replace “trampled at” with “trampled on”, be-
idiomatic usage.
cause ‘trample’ generally takes ‘on’ with it.
‘On’ is used before ‘Week Days’.
Q.10.(2) Replace “comply of” with “comply with”, because
‘comply’ takes ‘with’ with it. Q.22. (i) In (ii) on (iii) at
Q.11.(1) Replace ‘suffer with’ by ‘suffer from’, because ‘In the evening/morning/afternoon’ is the correct
‘suffer’ takes ‘from’ with it. idiomatic usage.
Q.12.(3) Replace ‘on the next century’ with ‘in the next ‘On’ is used to indicate the surface.
century’, because 'months/years/centuries and ‘At night’ is the correct idiomatic usage.
long periods' take ‘in’.
Q.23. (i) at (ii) in (iii) of
Q.13.(4) Replace ‘on the crossroads’ with ‘at the cross-
roads’, because before points we use ‘at’. Stop ‘at’ certain place is correct.
64 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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‘In the middle of (-something)’ is the correct ‘Round’- so as to encircle (someone or something).
idiomatic usage.
‘In position’ is a phrase which means something
Q.24. (i) in (ii) on (iii) by is in its correct or usual place or arrangement.
‘In-someone’s opinion’ is correct idiomatic error. Q.28. (i) by (ii) in (iii) at
Rely takes ‘on’ with it. ‘By’ is used to show some that the work is done
through some agent.
‘By evening’ means before evening.
‘In’ is used before places.
Q.25. (i) at (ii) in (iii) on
‘At’ is used to show some specific point.
Looking ‘at’-seeing something carefully.
Q.29. (i) on (ii) after (iii) from
‘In’ is used before a place.
‘On’ is used to show a part of the surface.
‘On’ is used before ‘Week Days’.
‘After’ shows ‘in the time following’.
Q.26. (i) at (ii) in (iii) while
‘From’ shows the separation from something.
‘At’ is used before comparatively small places.
Q.30. (i) at (ii) in (iii) to
‘In’ is used before larger places.
‘Shocked at’ something is correct, as shocked/
‘While’ shows ‘a period of time’.
laughed/amused generally take ‘at’ after them.
Q.27. (i) off/down (ii) round (iii) in
‘In which’ here shows the way.
‘Fall off’- separated and ‘Fall down’- lie down,
React ‘to’-something/someone’s remark is correct
both are correct.
usage.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 65
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CHAPTER
9 ADJECTIVES
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
An adjective describes or modifies a noun. It provides further Many adjectives also end with -y, -ary, -ate, -ed, and -ing.
information about a noun, indicating things like size, shape, However, nouns and adverbs can end with -y. Many nouns
colour, and more. Adjectives can modify pronouns as well. end with -ary. Nouns and verbs also end with -ate. And verbs
can also end in -ed and -ing. To work out if a word is an
For example: adjective or not, look at its location in a complete sentence.
orange, quick, happy, and perfidious are adjectives because
Types of adjective
they can describe things—an orange hat, the quick puppy, a
happy face, a perfidious person. (1) Quantitative Adjective: more, all, some, half, more
than enough etc.
They answer questions like, “Which one?,” “How many?,”
“Whose?,” and “What kind?” (2) Qualitative Adjective: colour, size, smell etc.
@ It’s an ancient story. (age) (3) Possessive Adjective: my, his, their, your etc.
@ It’s a Portuguese dish. (origin) (4) Interrogative Adjective: which, whose, what etc.
@ It’s a blue handbag. (colour) (5) Distributive Adjectives: each, every, either, neither
etc.
Also, when an item is defined by its purpose, that word isn’t
usually an adjective, but it acts as one with the noun in that (6) Demonstrative Adjective: this, that, those, these etc.
situation. (7) Numerical Adjective : six, one hundred and one etc.
@ anger management 1. Quantitative Adjectives
@ cab driver Quantitative adjectives describe the quantity of something.
@ Kite seller In other words, they answer the question “how much?” or
“how many?” Numbers like one and thirty are this type of
Identification of Adjective adjective. So are more general words like many, half and a lot.
In English language, there’s likely an exception for every @ How many children do you have? I only
rule. Certain adjectives end with these suffixes- have one daughter.
@ -ic/-ical: pragmatic, hypnotic, magical, scientific @ Do you plan on having more kids? Oh yes, I
@ -ine: libertine, asinine, equine, feminine, masculine want many children!
@ -ile: ductile, futile, fertile, virile @ I can’t believe I ate that whole cake!
@ -able/-ible: abominable, penetrable, illegible, com- Adjectives talk about specific traits, qualities, or features –
bustible in other words, they are used to discuss attributes. There are
different kinds of attributive adjectives:
@ -ous: cautious, vigorous, strenuous, rigorous
2. Qualitative Adjectives
@ -al: educational, diagonal, legal, neo-liberal
Qualitative adjectives such as real, perfect, best, interest-
@ -an: Australian, Mexican, urban ing, beautiful or cheapest can indicate value or talk about
@ -ar: cellular, stellar, , vulgar subjective measures.
@ -ent: reverent, potent, intermittent, frequent Size and shape adjectives talk about measurable, objective
@ -ful: handful, powerful, tasteful, thoughtful qualities including specific physical properties.
@ small, large, square, round, poor, wealthy, slow
@ -ive: informative, native, talkative
Age adjectives denote specific ages in numbers, as
@ -less: careless, endless, homeless, timeless
well as general ages.
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@ old, young, new, five-year-old @ Whose — Asks who something belongs to.
Colour adjectives are exactly what they sound like – Other question words, like “who” or “how,” aren’t adjectives
they’re adjectives that indicate colour. since they don’t modify nouns. For example, you can say
@ pink, yellow, blue. “whose coat is this?” but you can’t say “who coat?”
Origin adjectives indicate the source of the noun, Which, what and whose are only considered adjectives if
whether it’s a person, place, animal or thing. they’re immediately followed by a noun. The word which is
an adjective in this sentence: “Which colour is your favor-
@ American, Canadian, Mexican, French.
ite?” But not in this one: “Which is your favorite colour?”
Material adjectives denote what something is made @ “Which song will you play on your wedding day?”
of.
@ “What pet do you want to get?”
@ cotton, gold, wool
@ “Whose child is this?”
Qualifier adjectives are often regarded as part of a
noun. They make nouns more specific. 5. Distributive Adjectives
@ log cabin, luxury car, and pillow cover. Distributive adjectives describe specific members out of a
group. These adjectives are used to single out one or more
3. Possessive Adjectives individual items or people. Some of the most common dis-
Possessive adjectives show possession. They describe to tributive adjectives include:
whom a thing belongs. Some of the most common possessive @ Each — Every single one of a group (used to speak
adjectives include: about group members individually).
@ My — Belonging to me @ Every — Every single one of a group (used to make
@ His — Belonging to him generalizations).
@ Her — Belonging to her @ Either — One between a choice of two.
@ Their — Belonging to them @ Neither — Not one or the other between a choice of
@ Your — Belonging to you two.
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careful more careful most careful
careless more careless most careless
cheerful more cheerful most cheerful
comfortable more comfortable most comfortable
dangerous more dangerous most dangerous
delightful more delightful most delightful
difficult more difficult most difficult
enjoyable more enjoyable most enjoyable
foolish more foolish most foolish
forgetful more forgetful most forgetful
frightening more frightening most frightening
generous more generous most generous
handsome more handsome most handsome
helpful more helpful most helpful
ignorant more ignorant most ignorant
important more important most important
Some important rules related to adjective: In those sentences where we wish to state that someone
or something is better or worse than the rest but is to be
Rule 1 taken one at a time any other will be used.
While making comparisons between two things the com-
@ Pranay is taller than any other boy in the class.
parative degree is used and not the superlative degree.
@ English is more interesting than any other subject.
@ She is the richer of the two sisters. (Correct)
Rule 1 Rule 6 Prefer and preferable.
If a choice has to be made between two persons or things the It is used in comparative degree only.
comparative degree will be used. Article ‘the’ will be used We use the preposition ‘to’ with it.
before the ‘comparative degree’ and (of the) will be used
after the ‘comparative degree’. ‘Prefer to’ can be replaced by ‘rather than’.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 71
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exercise
Q.1-10. Read the short paragraphs to find whether there (1)/ It is one thing to reinforce long-standing and
is an error in part 1, 2, 3 or 4. Mark (5) as answer close friendships as the PM did during his annual
if there is no error in the short paragraphs. summit with the Russian President this month, (2)/
Q.1. Speaking at the Uttarakhand Investors Summit and with the Iranian President early this year, (3)/
here, Ambani said Jio will promote environment or with the U.S. President last year — the situation
protecting industries and businesses. (1)/ Ambani can be much more complex when friends expect you
said he wants to convert ‘Devbhoomi Uttarakhand’ to choose between them. (4)/ No Error (5)
into ‘Digital Devbhoomi’. “Jio will boost sustainable Q.6. In an attempt to go greener and also given the
tourism. (2)/ Jio will improve the delivery of fact that electricity is cheapest, (1)/ the national
healthcare, education and government services transporter has started modifying electric engines
and improve the life of every citizen,” (3)/ he said. in order to use electricity from overhead lines for
Jio is committed to a ‘Digital Uttarakhand’ where running appliances in LHB coaches, known as Head-
every citizen can have the better quality digital On-Generation (HOG). (2)/ As per calculations by
connectivity and services, he said. (4)/ No error (5) Indian Railways, the power car needs 40 litres of
Q.2. External headwinds – monetary policy diesel per hour per non-AC coach (3)/ while an AC
‘normalization’ in the US coupled with recently coach needs 65-70 litres of diesel per hour. (4)/ No
stress in some Emerging Market and Developing error (5)
Economies (1)/ have triggered portfolio outflows, Q.7. The airport currently operates 75 flights every
the report said. (2)/ It said that as a result, the day, of which 67 are domestic flights and eight,
nominal exchange rate depreciated by about 12 per international. The expansion project needs to
cent, and foreign reserves (3)/ declined by over 5 be seen against a backdrop of heavy congestion
per cent since March, while remaining comfortable that the airport (1)/ has been witnessing during
at about nine months of imports. (4)/ No error (5) peaking hours. The number of flights operating
Q.3. The Chairman had in 2016 stormed back into the from Lucknow is expected to go up to 200 per day
telecom sector with Reliance Jio, offering free after the airport is remodelled, (2)/ AAI officials
calls and data, forcing rivals to merge or exit as say. In fact, work on increasing the length of
revenues declined. (1)/ It has amassed over 220 the existing runway from 2.2 km to 3.1 km is
million subscribers since its launch. Jio, he said, underway. This is being done to allow operations
will promote environment protecting industries of bigger aircraft like the Dreamliner, (3)/ says
and businesses, (2)/ boost sustainable tourism and Sharma, adding that the apron area would also be
improve the delivery of healthcare, education and increased in size to allow parking of at least 22
government services, thus bringing about drastical aircraft. (4)/ No error (5)
change in the life of every (3)/ citizen. “All this Q.8. The airport’s upgrade is a part of AAI’s larger plan
will help create additional employment and earning to spend Rs 20,500 crore on aviation infrastructure
opportunities for the people of Uttarakhand. (4)/ No (1)/ over the next five years. Indian airports currently
error (5) handle around 300 MPPA and have a terminal
Q.4. Fingers bowl is a bowl of water used for rinsing one's capacity of 334 mppa, (2)/ which is likely to be
fingers after the last course of a formal meal. (1)/ breached in the next two years. (3)/ India boasts the
It is typically brought to the table at the time of the fast growing domestic air travel market in the world,
dessert course, arriving atop the dessert plate, (2)/ which grew 17% in FY18. (4)/ No error (5)
with a linen doily between the plate and the bowl Q.9. In a joint operation carried out by the military
and with the dessert fork and spoon on the plate. (3)/ intelligence and Uttar Pradesh Police, an official
As with most formal customs of etiquette, there are associated with the Nagpur unit of (1)/ Defence
considered to be right and wrong ways to present Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
and use a finger bowl, and these can differ. (4)/ No has been taken into custody. Sources say Nishant
error (5) Aggarwal, who has been employed with DRDO (2)/
Q.5. Both on CAATSA and on the U.S.’s proposed for few years, is being questioned on the suspicion
sanctions on Iran that go into force on November of being a spy and leaking sensitive information
4, India will need to make some tough decisions. to a hostile neighbouring country. (3)/ Aggarwal
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is likely to be booked with provisions under the Q.14. The UAE Government backed Asian Business
Official Secret Acts, 1923. (4)/ No error (5) Leadership Forum (ABLF) marks its 11th
Q.10. The number of metro commuters registered for anniversary, (1)/ on October 6, Dubai, with a special
sitting on metro stations and trains was 10,155. edition of the ABLF Awards that will felicitate 15
It also became the most common offence among Asian leaders (2)/ from various sectors including
metro users. (1)/ Between the months of January from India (3)/. The upcoming Awards event hosts
and August, the DMRC has collected an amount of an exclusive 250-strong audience of Asia’s finest
Rs. 24.13 lakh in fines from metro commuters, the leaders and will witness the felicitation of 15
report stated. (2)/ Meanwhile, many Delhi Metro visioned and innovated stalwarts. (4)/ No error (5)
commuters argued that that these kind of offences Q.15. The First Secretary/Legal Adviser in the Permanent
of sitting on the floor of the trains does not make Mission of India to the UN, (1)/ said here that India
sense (3)/ for those who travel long distances in firmly believed that a Comprehensive Convention
packed coaches, especially during peak hours. (4)/ against International Terrorism (CCIT) would (2)/
No error (5) provide a strongly legal basis for the fight against
Q.11-15. Read the short paragraphs to find whether there is terrorism and would be in the interest of all Member
an error in part 1, 2, 3 or 4. Mark (5) as answer if States to have a (3)/ multilateral and collective
there is no error in the short paragraphs. dimension of counter terrorism effort. (4)/ No error
(5)
Q.11. CISF personnel are also getting focused training on
behavioural analysis from International Consultants Q.16. A firm has certain amount of risk inherent to its
on Targeted Security, Europe and the Transport operations related to general economic conditions
Security Administration with help from the BCAS in which it operates. (1)/ Business risk or economic
and the Intelligence Bureau. (1)/ The force is also risk is a function of general economical conditions
working on installing at all airports more high- and is not related (2)/ to the firm’s financial structure.
quality HD cameras, (2)/ dedicated CCTV cameras Financial risk on the other hand, the additional risk
with alternative servers for uninterrupted power placed on the (3)/ stockholders as a result of the
backup and video analytics features in the existing decision to finance with debt. (4)/ No error (5)
surveillance cameras. (3)/ By its own admission, Q.17. All the coaches of this rake have been provided
the use of fake tickets to enter airports has become with energy efficiency LED tube lights, panel of
a menacing. Since 2016, the force has detected 290 LED lights in doorway as well as in the gangway,
such cases with numbers rising year on year. (4)/ No (1)/ stickers with ‘Go Green’ messages, provision of
error (5) integrated basin-cum-dustbins in (2)/ air-conditioned
Q.12. Gujarat is a manufacturing state and is a peaceful coaches. Vinyl wrapping at the doorways of the
state. People from Bihar, UP, Odisha, West Bengal coaches, night glow stickers as well as (3)/ Braille
and Jharkhand have been working here for years. signages inside the coaches along with new colour
(1)/ The festival period is coming shortly and at this scheme. (4)/ No error (5)
time industries have a larger number of domestic Q.18. It is not possible to know about the earth’s interior
as well as exports orders (2)/ to complete and such by direct observations because of the huge size and
disruptions at this crucial time will cause a major the changing nature of its interior composition. (1)/
dent to the momentum (3)/ On its part, the state Through mining and drilling operations we have
government has announced that it will provide been able to observe the earth’s more interior directly
protection to the migrant workers. (4)/ No error (5) only up to a depth of few kilometers. (2)/ The rapid
Q.13. Findings of another study by OECD (Organization increase in temperature below the earth’s surface
for Economic Cooperation and Development) have is mainly responsible for setting a limit to direct
suggested that Turkey has the maximum share of observations inside the earth. (3)/ But still, through
employees (1)/ that work for 60 hours or more in a some direct and indirect sources, the scientists have
week. While the top of the index has been majorly a fair idea about how the earth’s interior look like.
occupied by Asian countries, (2)/ including Japan (4)/ No error (5)
where deaths due to work stress have been reported; Q.19. Kanyakumari or Cape Camorin, a coastal town in
(3)/ Sweden has the less share of employees who the state of Tamil Nadu is the most southern point.
work more than 60 hours a week. (4)/ No error (5) (1)/ The island of Sumatra is located to the south of
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 73
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Great Nicobar. (2)/ The island covers 1045 km² but some comments that were clearly satirical in nature.
is sparsely inhabited, with a population of 9,440, (4)/ No error (5)
(3)/ largely being covered by rainforest and known Q.26. Normally, he doesn't choose to speak, he told a
for its diverse wildlife. (4)/ No error crowd gathered in a sports arena that seats thousands.
Q.20. According to the Railway Minister, once the project (1)/ That's because he is a student 8with learning
is more complete, it would immensely boost the differences, (2)/ autism and a social communication
economic activity in the (1)/ state of Uttarakhand. disorder, he said. (3)/ Although his speech was not
He also stated that the national transporter has very clearly everyone in the crowd understood the
decided to use 100 per cent (2)/ electric traction underlying meaning. (4)/ No Error (5)
on Rishikesh–Karanprayag route. The Railway Q.27. The credit unions are the co-operative financial
Minister said that it will ensure that the engine institutions similarly to a bank but unlike banks
emits no pollutants while (3)/ speeding through the the credit unions are owned by the members (1)/.
picturesque landscape of the state. (4)/ No error (5) So credit union is a member-owned financial
Q.21-30. Read the short paragraphs to find whether there is cooperative, democratically controlled by its
an error in part 1, 2, 3 or 4. Mark (5) as answer if members (2)/ and operated for the purpose of
there is no error in the short paragraphs. promoting thrift, providing credit at competitive
Q.21. At least four people, including two minors, were rates, (3)/ and providing other financial services to
killed (1)/ and one other got lightly injured when its members. (4)/ No Error (5)
a mini truck collided with a roadways (2)/ bus on Q.28. The Ghaziabad Police arrested four men for an
the G T Road near Govardhani trisection (3)/ and alleged robbery, after investigation into another
according to the doctors, there is little hope of the robbery case led them straight to the accused. (1)/
survival of the one injured. (4)/ No Error (5) Police initially set out to arrest the men who had
Q.22. The Guild is of the view that cancellation of the allegedly carried out a daring robbery in Raj Nagar.
registration of a publication on the mere finding (1)/ (2)/ But they soon found themselves tracking another
that there was a mismatch between the information case of robbery. (3)/ The number of cases of robbery
of the editor, (2)/ printer and publisher is not only a has risen this year by as many as 30% this year.(4)/
gross overreaction (3)/ but also a dracula step that No Error (5)
throttles freedom of the media. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.29. Former TV anchor and producer Suhaib Ilyasi, (1)/
Q.23. The courts may intervene and restore the newspaper who got life sentence by a trial court in December
in the days to come. (1)/ The issue here is not about last year for his wife Anju's murder, (2)/ has been
the finale outcome of the legal battle, but about the acquitted by Delhi High Court. (3)/ It was thought that
chill factor the ruling party can create among news he’d committed the crime but there wasn’t sufficiently
organisations. (2)/ It is worth remembering Milton’s evidence to convict him. (4)/ No Error (5)
saying four centuries ago: (3)/ Give me the liberty Q.30. Some significant features which make Indian
to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to constitution the most unique and better than other
conscience, above all liberties.” (4)/ No Error (5) countries’ (1)/ constitutions include The Longest
Q.24. A mere response suffices; the use of prosecution and Constitution, dual system of (2)/ Government,
arrest are unjustifiable. (1)/ Such an attitude will only Citizenship and a Republic Nation and the (3)/
make for an intolerating society consisting of easily Supremacy of the Constitution. (4)/ No error (5)
offended individuals. (2)/ In a mature democracy, the Q.31-40. Read the short paragraphs to find whether there is
casual resort to criminal prosecution for perceived an error in part 1, 2, 3 or 4. Mark (5) as answer if
insults (3)/ to either a religion or a class of society there is no error in the short paragraphs.
ought to be actively discouraged. (4)/ No Error (5) Q.31. The dumping of a 14-month-old toddler allegedly
Q.25. Sending someone to the “safety” of a prison is no by a migrating labourer in Sabarkantha (1)/ in late
answer to questions raised by a prosecution under September has triggered a series of mob attacks on
stringing laws (1)/ that involve restrictions on free migrant workers in northern Gujarat (2)/, causing a
speech on grounds of maintaining public order and near exodus from the state. (3)/ Over 400 persons
tranquility. (2)/ In a video post against the backdrop have been arrested in connection with the violence
of the Konark temple, (3)/ Mr. Iyer-Mitra had made caused in the state. (4)/ No Error (5)
74 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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Q.32. It is worrisome that this sentiment has found traction (1)/ It is also about leadership in the financial
in an entrepreneur state like Gujarat (1)/.The current sector and the current model of a diversified
mob violence against non-Gujaratis is tied to a shareholding in many institutions (2)/ without a
particular event. (2)/ However, there is a danger that dominanting shareholder with skin in the game
it could feed off a larger “anti-Outsider” narrative to rein in ceos (3)/ who become larger than life,
being championed nationally. (3)/ Within Gujarat, the quality of boards, their accountability and the
following the Patidar agitation in the run-up to the risk-reward link. (4)/ No Error (5)
2017 assembly elections, resentments had been Q.37. The Mahābhārata is an epic legendary narrative of
stoked against “outsiders” on the question of jobs. the Kuruksetra War and the fates of the Kaurava
(4)/ No Error (5) and the Pāndava princes. (1)/ Mahabharat is
Q.33. In adulthood a person is more likely to get more larger than all the mythologies of Hindus. (2)/ The
wise day by day. (1)/ The truth is we are all wired Mahābhārata is the longest epic poem known and has
by evolution to play as we have a childlike tendency been described as "the longest poem ever written".
dormant in us even as we age. Your inner child just (3)/ Its longest version consists of over 100,000 or
needs an invitation from your inner adult to come over 200,000 individual verse lines and long prose
out and play. (2)/ Children don’t worry or fear about passages. (4)/ No Error (5)
being judged the way adults do (3)/.And only if Q.38. The ratings of ‘AndhaDhun’ are higher than that of any
adults are able to drop fear of being judged and play movie released recently. (1)/ Raghavan’s love of Hindi
it will lead to a happier, more meaningful life along movies of the 70s, and of pulp is evident here again
the way. (4)/ No Error (5) (2)/, just as it was in Johnny Gaddar. (3)/ The songs
have a reason to be there, as does a protagonist who
Q.34. A robot is thousand times more efficient than a man.
sings while playing the piano-a scene straight out of
(1)/ Today, advanced machines like robots pose a
scores of films down the decades. (4)/ No Error (5)
significant threat to jobs traditionally performed
by human beings. (2)/ So it’s no surprise that new Q.39. Looking at concrete outcomes, there is not much
technological developments in the market are faced that is notable beyond the traditional basket of arms
with stiff resistance (3)/ from interest groups like sales, civil nuclear cooperation and hydrocarbons.
(1)/ Successive governments in Delhi have revelled
labour unions. (4)/ No Error (5)
in framing the partnership with Russia in grandiose
Q.35. “Everything you can imagine is real.” (1)/ In rhetoric — (2)/ of strategies autonomy and the quest
imagining a conceptualize moment in how his art for a multipolar world. (3)/ But they have done
might be remembered, Banksy has created a work nothing to modernise the partnership in a changing
whose value can only be assessed in posterity, world. (4)/ No Error (5)
(2)/ but whose price will remain in step with the Q.40. It very often happens that a man who talks most does
art world’s idiosyncratic bars. (3)/ It’s an irony little. (1)/ People have the habit of making castles
the anonymous Banksy is likely to enjoy. (4)/ No in the air and actually feeling and boasting that they
Error (5) have achieved a great milestone without actually
Q.36. The issues go beyond malfeasance or powerful doing so. (2)/ It is extremely essential to remember
CEOs and weak boards and their oversight in that if your achievements are worth noticing, (3)/
listed private banks and regulators falling short. people will sooner or later come to know about them
merely through the word of mouth. (4)/ No Error (5)
Explanation
Q.1.(4) ‘Better’ will be replaced by ‘best’ as there is no Q.5.(3) Happening or done before a year so ‘earlier’ should
comparison and generally the superlative degree be used.
is used after definite article. Q.6.(1) ‘Cheapest’ will be replaced by ‘cheaper’. When
Q.2.(1) ‘Recently should be replaced by ‘recent’ as an the adjectives qualify the same noun, both the
adjective is needed to qualify the noun (stress). adjectives should be expressed in the same degree.
Q.3.(3) “Drastical” is an incorrect word so it should be Q.7.(2) ‘peak’ should replace ‘peaking’ as an adjective is
replaced by “drastic (adj.)”. needed here to qualify the noun (hours).
Q.4.(1) ‘Fingers bowl’ should be replaced by ‘finger bowl’. Q.8.(4) It should be ‘fastest’ growing as ‘the (definite
Finger is used as an adjective and if a noun is used article)’ has been used here and also no comparison
as an adjective, it should be in singular form. has been made.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 75
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Q.9.(3) ‘Few’ will be replaced by ‘a few’ as ‘few’ is for Q.25.(1) ‘Stringent’ will be used in place of ‘stringing (v
(hardly any) and ‘a few’ is used for countable nouns. – hanging something)’ which is irrelevant here.
Q.10.(3) ‘These kind of offences’ should be replaced by Q.26.(4) ‘Clear (adj.)’ should be used in place of ‘clearly
‘this kind of offence’. Since words like sort, kind, (adverb)’ which is conveying the quality of the
type are used in plural form, when they are used speech (noun).
as an adjective to qualify a plural noun. Q.27.(1) ‘Similar’ should be used in place of similarly as
Q.11.(4) ‘Menace’ should replace ‘menacing’ as a noun is ‘similar’ is an adjective used to qualify a noun.
required after an article. Q.28.(4) ‘As much as’ should be used in place of ‘as many
Q.12.(2) In place of ‘larger’ there will be ‘large’ as no as’. Since a plural number is used as a singular
comparison has been made. unit, ’much’ should be used.
Q.13.(4) ‘Least’ will replace ‘less’. The comparative degree Q.29.(4) Sufficient (an adjective) should be used in place
should not be used here. of sufficiently (an adverb to qualify evidence (a
Q.14.(4) ‘Visioned and innovated’ should be replaced by noun).
‘visionary and innovative’ because it is talking Q.30.(1) 'The most' is replaced with 'a'. Some adjectives
about stalwarts who are hard-working supporter do not take comparison because their meaning is
of or participant in an organization. already superlative. 'Unique' is one such adjective.
Q.15.(3) ‘Legal basis’ is qualified by ‘strong’ i.e., an Q.31.(1) ‘Migrant (an adjective)’ will be used in place of
adjective so ‘strongly’ should not be used. ‘migrating (verb)’.
Q.16.(2) ‘economical (cheap/affordable)’ will be replaced Q.32.(1) ‘Entrepreneurial (an adjective)’ will be used in
by ‘economic’. place of ‘entrepreneur (noun)’.
Q.17.(1) In place of ‘efficiency’ which is a noun, ‘efficient’ Q.33.(1) ‘Wiser’ should be used in place of ‘more wise’
which is an adjective should be used to qualify the since wiser is the comparative degree of wise.
noun (LED tube lights). Q.34.(1) ‘Efficient’ should be used in place of more efficient
Q.18.(2) More should be omitted. Some adjectives are not since comparative degree is not used with ‘times’.
used in comparative or superlative degree. Q.35.(2) ‘Conceptual (an adjective)’ should be used in place
Q.19.(1) It should be ‘Southernmost’. Some adjectives are of ‘conceptualise (a verb)’.
never used in comparative degree. They are always Q.36.(3) ‘Dominant (an adjective)’ should be used in place
used in only positive and superlative degree. of ‘dominating’ (a verb).
Q.20.(1) Some adjectives are not used in ‘Comparative’ Q.37.(2) ‘All other mythologies’ should be used in place
or ‘Superlative’ degree. Complete should replace of ‘all the mythologies’ as a comparison has been
‘more complete.’ made between ‘The Mahabharata’ and the other
Q.21.(4) ‘a little’ should be used in place of little as here epics.
the chances of his survival is in negative context Q.38.(1) ‘Any other movie’ should be used in place of ‘any
(hardly any). movie’. If something is compared with all others
Q.22.(4) ‘Dracula’ is a noun not an adjective. ‘Draconian’ of the same class then ‘all/any other’ is used to
should be used in place of ‘Dracula’ as we are exclude the former from the whole class.
talking about the severity of the step. Q.39.(3) ‘Strategic (an adjective)’ should be used in place
Q.23.(2) ‘final’ should be used in place of ‘finale’ as ‘finale’ of ‘strategies (plural noun)’.
is a noun. Q.40.(1) ‘Much’ should be used in place of ‘most’ since
Q.24.(2) ‘Intolerant’ will be used in place of ‘intolerating’ work is uncountable.
as verb form is not required here.
76 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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CHAPTER
10 CLOZE TEST
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
A cloze test is a kind of exercise under which a passage is theme of the paragraph is clear, it becomes much easier to
given with some words missing from it. fill in the blanks.
It is a pure combination of fill in the blanks and reading Link the sentences together: You must never forget that it
comprehension. Therefore, it is very important to understand is a passage, so the sentences are linked to one another. Try
the theme, context and tone of the given passage. to find out the clue of their connectivity and never make a
A passage of cloze test has a defined structure, logical pat- mistake of understanding any sentence as an individual one.
tern and chronological order which helps in maintaining a Assessment of word to choose: Observe the blanks care-
unified tone throughout. In order to solve cloze test passage fully and try to judge which kind of word to put in the blank.
questions, proficiency in English Language is a must. Words may be based on grammar, prepositions, tenses,
Here are some points suggested to attempt cloze test: vocabulary etc.
Read the passage thoroughly: You must read the given Get the tone: The given passage may contain some kind of
passage thoroughly and attentively to get the idea about the specific tone like narrative, critical, sarcastic, humorous etc.
passage. Accordingly choose the word to fill in.
Read slowly: While reading the passage you should not hurry Elimination: Most of the times the given options are very
in order to gain an understanding of the passage. Once the close to decide, in that case prefer elimination of wrong
choices which can help.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 77
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exercise
In the following passage there are bold words each of of SISA. The report is expected in November. Multiple
which has been numbered, these numbers are printed government organizations, including the cyber cell of the
below the passage and against each four words have been Mumbai Police’s crime branch, the ministry of finance and
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find the government’s cybersecurity arm Computer Emergency
out the appropriate word in each case but if the given Response Team-India (CERT-In), are now investigating the
word is correct and requires no change then mark (5) i.e. data breach. “Banks are yet to report the matter to the cyber
no change required as your answer. cell, despite it being mandatory.
EXERCISE- 1 Q.1. (1) created (2) formulated (3) breached
(4) reached (5) No change required
The RBI has called a meeting with all stakeholders involved
in the largest data breach in India’s banking system, said Q.2. (1) anonymity (2) liability (3) adapt
two people with direct knowledge of the development. The (4) acceptability (5) No change required
meeting will be chaired ______ (1) by a deputy governor Q.3. (1) urgency (2) vehemently (3) maturity
of the central bank and will be attended by executives from (4) variety (5) No change required
banks and payment network service providers. The central Q.4. (1) besmirch (2) despite (3) of
bank will ask all lenders to report cyber security issues on
a real-time basis, an RBI official, one of the two people (4) instead (5) No change required
cited above, said on condition of fidelity_____ (2). The Q.5. (1) revealing (2) simply (3) managed
regulator may also ask all banks to centralize their cyber (4) happen (5) No change required
security operations and put a proper team in place instead Q.6. (1) free (2) desperate (3) savagely
of outsourcing these functions, this person said. The matter (4) separately (5) No change required
gains myth_____ (3) in view of the large-scale data breach.
Q.7. (1) path (2) view (3) location
The RBI official said that banks took a month to bring this
(4) cite (5) No change required
issue to its notice beside ______ (4) its latest notification
on cyber security. “It is observed that banks are hesitant to EXERCISE- 2
share cyber-incidents faced by them. However, the experience In the following passage there are bold words each of
gained globally indicates that collaboration among entities which has been numbered, these numbers are printed
in sharing the cyber-incidents and the best practices would below the passage and against each four words have been
facilitate timely measures in containing cyber-risks. It is suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
reiterated that banks need to report all unusual cyber-security out the appropriate word in each case but if the given
incidents to the Reserve Bank,” read the central bank’s word is correct and requires no change then mark (5) i.e.
notification issued. Article had reported that it took no change required as your answer.
three months for India’s banking system to become aware
Rock-smashing monkeys make stone flakes that look a lot
of the large-scale data breach. Card data of 3.2 million
like tools made by our old ancestors. Scientists watched as
customers was stolen between May and July from a network
Capuchin monkeys in a national park pounded stones against
of Yes Bank Ltd ATMs happening _________ (5) by Hitachi
each other, splitting off sharp-edged flakes that resemble
Payment Services Pvt. Ltd, but it was only in September
cutting tools used by the hounds _____ (1) of humans.
that banks and payments services providers became aware
of the extent of the breach. Yes Bank and Hitachi released The monkeys ignored the flakes, focusing on the damaged
statements denying there was a breach in their respective stones instead. So they clearly weren’t deliberately making
systems. The regulator has a broad sense of the issue but it them as tools. But if ancient monkeys did the same thing, their
is also likely to mysteriously _________ (6) investigate the unintentional handiwork could be mistaken for deliberate
matter, said the first person cited above. The regulator will tool-making by human ancestors, researchers said. The
conduct annual cyber audits of banks starting next year. A scientists are not suggesting that any stone tools attributed
detailed forensic report is already being conducted by SISA so far to human forerunners were instead made by monkeys.
Information Security Pvt. Ltd, a global payments security Those tools, which date back as far as 3.3 million years ago,
specialist firm. are more complex than what the Brazilian monkeys make.
But as scientists look with _____ (2) earlier and earlier tools,
“We are working with various stakeholders. We will also work
their findings may begin to resemble the monkey flakes
with various other agencies required for this investigation.
more strongly, said Proffitt, lead author of a study choose
The investigation is on track ________ (7). The necessary
_____ (3) by the journal Nature. And the new work shows
results will be shared with the concerned stakeholders once
that such flakes are not exclusively the calling card of our
we have completed the investigation,” said, chief executive
78 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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ancient ancestors, called hominins, he said. If somebody finds are "stubborn." Many, due to the burden of studies at such an
very old simple flakes, you can’t assume it is hominin. You early age, get genuinely stressed or distracted like the child
have to say it might be produced by an diseased ______ (4) in the video probably was: "Sometimes they do get tired at
monkey or ape. ____ (3) writing or doing something monotonous. If you
Our African ancestors used sharp-edged stone flakes for make it interesting for them, tell them stories, or tell them
butchering and skinning animal carcasses, as well as cutting up they can listen to a song if they finish a task, then they do it."
tough plant material. To show such flakes were human-made tools, If a child is in a bad mood, the obvious solution
scientists seek win _______ (5) like wear marks on the edges or is to ask them about it, and that is what ____ (4) she also
nearby animal bones with marks from butchering. Proffitt studied recommends: "My students are a bit older, so I ask them what
capuchin monkeys in the Serra da Capivara National Park. They the matter is, and if something is wrong. Most of the time
examined the dearth _____ (6) and damaged rocks and compared they tell me, and I give them a solution. Then the matter is
them to artifacts from human ancestors. It’s not clear why the resolve _____ (5). Not all kids lie. Some are genuinely upset.
monkeys smash rocks together, he said. That is why we have to talk to them and find out."
Scientists long thought tool-making was confined to our Q.1. (1) behave (2) chose (3) need
branch of the evolutionary family tree, the Homo group. But (4) refer (5) no change required
scientists says ______ (7) finding 3.3-millon-year-old tools Q.2. (1) regards (2) garner (3) context
much older than any known member of Homo, last year. (4) farce (5) no change required
Q.1. (1) monkeys (2) students (3) forerunners Q.3. (1) in (2) by (3) for
(4) pounded (5) no change required
(4) of (5) no change required
Q.2. (1) for (2) in (3) on
Q.4. (1) why (2) who (3) when
(4) to (5) no change required (4) which (5) no change required
Q.3. (1) show (2) happen (3) express Q.5. (1) settled (2) grievance (3) pass
(4) released (5) no change required (4) fatal (5) no change required
Q.4. (1) loose (2) loss (3) distant EXERCISE- 4
(4) extinct (5) no change required In the following passage there are bold words each of
Q.5. (1) evidence (2) evident (3) demonstrate which has been numbered, these numbers are printed
(4) amalgamate (5) no change required below the passage and against each four words have been
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
Q.6. (1) fluke (2) family (3) flakes out the appropriate word in each case but if the given
(4) waver (5) no change required word is correct and requires no change then mark (5) i.e.
Q.7. (1) tell (2) exasperated (3) reported no change required as your answer.
(4) knows (5) no change required March 4, will be a turning point for Europe. On the same day
EXERCISE- 3 as an important____(1) general election in Italy, we'll find
out whether an internal referendum of the German Social
In the following passage there are bold words each of
Democratic Party members has framed ____ (2) a 'yes'
which has been numbered, these numbers are printed
for the 'grand coalition' government in Berlin, continuing
below the passage and against each four words have been
their current partnership with Angela Merkel's Christian
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
Democrats. Conventional wisdom says this would be a good
out the appropriate word in each case but if the given
nature____ (3) for Europe. I think the conventional wisdom
word is correct and requires no change then mark (5) i.e.
is wrong. Like putting on a medical corset to alleviate a
no change required as your answer.
serious back condition, and then carrying on with your life
There are two sides to every story. Adults often attribute their just as before, a grand coalition ____ (4) would be good in the
harsh behaviour to the fact that it is often necessary in order short term but bad in the long. You need to address the causes,
to discipline them because they tend ____ (1) to lie or be not just the epitome ____ (5) . And there is an alternative.
lazy and stubborn. We asked a lady, who has been teaching
Q.1. (1) internal (2) insane (3) innocuous
play-school children at Kidzee School for five years, and is
a mother of two now-grown "children" herself, to elaborate (4) embodiment (5) No change required
on this per her experience as a teacher and parent. She said Q.2. (1) produced (2) says (3) epoch
that children can lie and be manipulative about small things. (4) plopped (5) No change required
However, in the way____ (2) of the video of the little girl Q.3. (1) outcomes (2) result (3) concussion
being abused by her mother, she reiterated that not all children
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(4) repercussion (5) No change required Q.5. (1) allowing (2) managing (3) creating
Q.4. (1) situation (2) jurisdiction (3) partition (4) giving (5) No change required
(4) petrification (5) No change required Q.6. (1) apathetic (2) dedicated (3) lazy
Q.5. (1) result (2) symptoms (4) vigorous (5) No change required
(3) circumstance (4) entourage Q.7. (1) reimbursement
(5) No change required (2) penalty
EXERCISE- 5 (3) dismissal
In the following passage there are bold words each of (4) remuneration
which has been numbered, these numbers are printed (5) No change required
below the passage and against each four words have been Q.8. (1) contact (2) joint (3) seem
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
out the appropriate word in each case but if the given (4) cut (5) No change required
word is correct and requires no change then mark (5) Q.9. (1) mean, (2) selfish (3) generous
i.e. no change required as your answer. (4) stingy (5) No change required
The National Pension System (NPS), which invests in equity, Q.10. (1) making (2) building (3) composing
generates superior answers ____ (1) for its subscribers. The
(4) shaping (5) No change required
EPFO should confer ____ (2) the job of investing equity
to the NPS. There are multiple benefits. The NPS has the EXERCISE- 6
lowest asset management fees, and EPFO subscribers will In the following passage there are blanks each of which
get this benefit. The NPS survey _____ (3) to civil servants has been numbered, these numbers are printed below the
and worker leaders cannot say that what is good for civil passage and against each five words have been suggested,
servants is not good enough for workers. one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the
The corpus ____ (4) available to fund managers at the appropriate word in each case.
NPS will grow, conceding ____ (5) greater diversification We know several things about the Indian education system.
and risk-taking. It is worth considering if EPFO and NPS First, it is extraordinarily inefficient. Public expenditures,
should further diversify their portfolios of asset classes to regardless of whether they are adequate in aggregate, do
private equity and real estate. In which case, it would make not (1) results. Second, Indians desire education. They
sense for the NPS/EPFO to employ actual ____ (6) fund recognize its importance, and are willing to (2) for quality.
managers for these segments with an appropriately structured Third, quality is difficult to (3), and public policy fails to help
provision _____ (7) structure. Effective oversight to prevent overcome this problem. Fourth, access to quality education
insider trading is also a must. One way is to link ____ (8) the is very unequal.
compensation and incentives of asset managers with sound
By now, we do not need more studies documenting these
performance. Canada’s biggest public pension fund groups
problems, unless they go beyond proximate causes and start
pay a basic salary, an attractive annual bonus and a miserly
to develop concrete solutions. We know that teachers in
_____ (9) long-term performance bonus that accounts for
government schools often do not show up to (4), especially
the largest component of the payout. The remuneration
in rural areas. We know that the incentive systems in
structure drives the asset managers to take a long-term view
government bureaucracy, extending beyond the ministry
of investments as they benefit in forging ____ (10) the assets
of human resource development (HRD), are major (5) to
grow. A large portion of the remuneration for pension fund
the dysfunctions of the Indian education system. Under
managers in India must be linked to profitability in the long
the (6) of maintaining standards and combating inequality, the
term.
education bureaucracy makes it harder for private providers
Q.1. (1) retreat (2) returns (3) recompense to fill the gaps created by government failures.
(4) lottery (5) No change required We also know that India has little time to (7) these problems.
Q.2. (1) allot (2) deliver (3) trust The supposed demographic dividend is on the cusp of being
(4) entrust (5) No change required a disaster, unless the education system is fixed. This fix
cannot be done in a conventional manner. Hiring more school
Q.3. (1) furnishes (2) gratify (3) caters teachers or professors without (8) the entire incentive system
(4) procures (5) No change required will not work. That overhaul will take too long, especially
Q.4. (1) bulk (2) substance (3) work for the extensive primary school system—without dealing
with the formative years of education, nothing else can be
(4) mass (5) No change required
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fixed. There is more scope for rapid change at the university and its (3) NITI Aayog primarily a think tank, UIDAI would,
level, especially by bringing in talent from abroad, but even in any case, need to be put under an administrative ministry.
there, India’s politics will make change difficult. While the ministry is also the administrative ministry for the
The most promising solution lies in giving Indians digital Digital India program, it has also succeeded in displaying
access to knowledge, and to structured learning. There is the (4) of Aadhaar-based identification model by developing
nothing sacred about the conventional classroom. Indeed, the attendance maintenance system for central government
we know that it has always been just a part of the necessary employees to begin with, and is in the process of (5) it with
learning (9) that included peers and parents. The digital police and land records and voter ID cards. Bringing both
revolution has reached the point where (10) can provide more Aadhaar and Digital India under the same roof will, no doubt,
than passive information that has to be processed unaided help the government effort.
by the individual to turn into knowledge. Instead, there are Aadhaar (6) have already crossed 75 crore, schemes like cash
learning games, video lessons and myriad possibilities for transfers for LPG have already (7) the Aadhaar-based subsidy
interaction, that fundamentally change the way education delivery model, and the Jan Dhan Yojana will also be based
can take place. on it. Encouragingly, most states now have also embraced
Q.1. (1) Achieve (2) negotiate (3) fulfill Aadhaar and enrollments in 15 states have (8) 90% already—
Rajashan’s social scheme delivery platform Bhamashah
(4) dispatch (5) slander
and Madhya Pradesh’s Samagra are two big examples of
Q.2. (1) Handle (2) diminish (3) confuse its (9). With the IT ministry acting as the central point, it
(4) pay (5) settlement will be easier to integrate the Aadhaar-based data universe
Q.3. (1) Derived (2) judge (3) values for delivery of all government money related to social sector
schemes. The government must also now move on providing
(4) destined (5) finds Aadhaar the necessary statutory backing so that there is
Q.4. (1) Advice (2) exercise (3) teach no (10) on its usage. The government had introduced the
(4)edited (5) insulate Bill for this in Parliament but the Parliamentary Standing
Committee had struck it down at that time. It has a better
Q.5. (1) Beginners (2) fans (3) hurdles
chance of getting passed now.
(4) angel (5) contributors
Q.1. (1) Lethargy (2) keen (3) vigil
Q.6. (1) Posture (2) literacy (3) aspect
(4) pathetic (5) accomplish
(4) guise (5) presence
Q.2. (1)Tribute (2) intervention (3) contribute
Q.7. (1) Eased (2) fix (3) wander
(4) subsidies (5) advocacy
(4) mess (5) replicate
Q.3. (1)Transaction (2) restoration (3) convert
Q.8. (1)Ruining (2) sharpened (3) overhauling
(4) legislation (5) replacement
(4) connected (5) overtaking
Q.4. (1)Efficiency (2) desperation (3) competent
Q.9. (1)Aura (2) barrage (3) status
(4) liberty (5) economic
(4) property (5) environment
Q.5. (1)Veiling (2) endurance (3) linking
Q.10. (1)Teaches (2) everyone (3) Indians
(4) juggling (5) vital
(4) technology (5) focus
Q.6. (1) Engagement (2) rally (3) exertion
EXERCISE- 7 (4) receipt (5) enrollments
Q.1-10. In the following passage there are blanks each Q.7. (1) Alienated (2) adopted (3) intimated
of which has been numbered, these numbers are printed
(4) traced (5) shunned
below the passage and against each five words have been
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find Q.8. (1)Surpassed (2) distanced (3) eclipsed
out the appropriate word in each case. (4) overcome (5) ranked
Given that the government is (1) to adopt the Aadhaar platform Q.9. (1)Realize (2) descend (3) confession
to deliver (2), it is a good idea to bring the Unique Identification (4) acceptance (5) comply
and Development Authority of India (UIDAI) under the
ministry of communications and information technology. Q.10. (1)Follow (2) alter (3) discussed
The fact that the UIDAI was placed under the Planning (4) controversy (5) concurrence
Commission could be one of the reasons why it faced the kind
EXERCISE- 8
of problems it did. With Planning Commission now scrapped
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Q.1-10. In the following passage there are blanks each Q.4. (1) Stability (2) contaminated
of which has been numbered, these numbers are printed (3) pollutants (4) quality
below the passage and against each five words have been
(5) pressure
suggested, one of which fits the blanks appropriately. Find
out the appropriate word in each case. Q.5. (1) Cause (2) function (3) matter
The ambient air quality in Indian cities has (1) to dangerous (4) make (5) aim
levels over the last two decades. The people are (2) to extreme Q.6. (1) Ordinary (2) makeshift (3) frequent
health risks due to increasing particulate matter, hazardous
(4) various (5) monotonous
airborne agents in indoor spaces, and emission of noxious gases
from industries and automobiles and open sewerage systems. Q.7. (1)Economically (2) timidly (3) awfully
Outdoor air quality is affecting the indoor air quality too. (4) periodically (5) haphazardly
Delhi, Patna, Gwalior Raipur and Ahmedabad have been rated Q.8. (1) Employ (2) remove (3) inject
as the most polluted cities in India as far as air pollution is (4) shed (5) amputate
concerned. The Word Health Organisation (WHO) designates
Q.9. (1) Repudiate (2) downsize (3) adopt
any air that carries more than 10 microgram (i.e., a millionth
of a gram) of pollutants in a cubic metre of air as (3). (4) tolerate (5) seize
The cities mentioned above show presence of (4) 10 to 15 Q.10. (1)Fought (2) regularize
times more than the minimum. Compare them with Fresno, (3) transformed (4) sought
Riverside (both in Canada), Los Angeles-Long Beach, (5) Leapt
Hanford-Corcoran (both in California) and Fairbanks
(Alaska) as the most polluted cities in the North American EXERCISE- 9
continent where presence of pollutants in air is two to five Q.1-5. In the following passage there are bold words
times higher than the minimum. each of which has been numbered, these numbers
The main pollutants in the urban air in India are particulate are printed below the passage and against each
matter (i.e., dust, fine and ultrafine); industrial gases such as four words have been suggested, one of which
sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and Ozone fits the blanks appropriately. Find out the
(O3); chullahs and open fire cooking; and waste. appropriate word in each case but if the given
These airborne agents (5) respiratory diseases such as asthma, word is correct and requires no change then
acute bronchitis, allergy and irritation of the respiratory tract, mark (5) i.e. no change required as your answer.
and can even lead to cancer of lung and bladder. Quintessential (1) as one of India’s most luxurious
Environmental engineers therefore advise building owners to trains, the Deccan Odyssey gives its guests a first-
opt for balanced air filters and ventilation systems, dehumidifiers hand experience of the country’s most abhorrent
and appropriate solar shading. Non-operational fans, pumps, (2) cultural and historical highlights. Each of its six
fan coil units are to be removed and (6) servicing of H-VAC routes has been specially designed to take you across
(heating, ventilation and cooling systems) has to be taken up. India’s diverse locales that radiate timeless traditions.
Get ready for an exceptional journey through the
Air-conditioning ducts have to be cleaned (7). There heart of a vibrant country as you enjoy Royalty On
are companies that deploy robots to penetrate deep Rails. The train journeys showcase the austere (3)
and (8) cobwebs and dust from these ducts. of palaces, culinary wonders of cities and villages.
Building owners are advised to (9) a holistic approach towards Ripe with spirit (4) and style, each luxury journey
IAQ maintenance. Key IAQ measurements (e.g., temperature, is an once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Deccan
RH, velocity, particulate matter, CO2, SO2, NO2, O3) have Odyssey comprises of 21 royal coaches with 4
to be obtained. Technical review of ventilation and cooling spacious cabins each and 4 resplendent (5) suites.
system must be (10) and targets should be set in sync with
professional advice. Q.1. Choose the correct option for (1)
Q.1. (1) Affiliated (2) chased (3) indulged (1) Applauded (2) Appreciative
(4) sheltered (5) exposed Q.2. Choose the correct option for (2)
Q.3. (1)Vestige (2) hazardous (3) predictable (1) Obnoxious (2) Invidious
82 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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(5) No correction required. Survey (INCHIS) data and risk analysis methods to
Q.3. Choose the correct option for (3) identify and monitor the progress in the initial 201
high-focus districts.
(1) Opulence (2) Deep pockets
Q.6. Choose the correct option for (1) & (2)
(3) Grandiose (4) Spartan
(1) Concerned, challenges
(5) No correction required.
(2) Considerate, policies
Q.4. Choose the correct option for (4)
(3) Active, acquiescence
(1) Quest (2) Expedition
(4) Thought, assent
(3) Adventure (4) Exploration
(5) Dealt, predicament
(5) No correction required
Q.7. Choose the correct option for (3) & (4)
Q.5. Choose the correct option for (5)
(1) Apparently, spark
(1) Caliginous (2) All the rage
(2) Indeed, boost
(3) Drab (4) Refulgent
(3) Dubiously, catalyzer
(5) No correction required.
(4) Absolute, hindrance
Q.6-9. In the following passage there are blanks each
of which has been numbered, these numbers are (5) Hardly, restraint
printed below the passage and against each five Q.8. Choose the correct option for (5) & (6)
words have been suggested, one of which fits the (1) Meagre, coverage
blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate
(2) Deliberate, mission
word in each case.
(3) Pace, recover
As far as the vaccination programme is ____________
(1), India faces a threefold _____________ (2): Low (4) Abundant, protection
full immunization coverage (65 per cent), limited (5) Bounteous, plan
basket of vaccines and, issues regarding quality and Q.9. Choose the correct option for (7) & (8)
logistics of vaccine management for such a vast and
diverse country. It is __________ (3) heartening to (1) Slowdown, named
know that the government has taken multiple steps (2) Accelerate, valued
to _________ (4) the scope of immunization. (3) Dawdle, dedicated
India’s full immunization coverage (FIC), which (4) Hasten, christened
used to be 61 per cent in 2009, improved to 65 per
(5) Retard, used
cent in 2013 at a ___________ (5) increase rate
of 1 per cent per year. It was then realized that Q10-14. In the following passage there are blanks each
with the prevailing 1 per cent annual increase in of which has been numbered, these numbers are
immunization, it would take a long time to cover printed below the passage and against each five
the whole country. At that tardy pace, India would words have been suggested, one of which fits the
have taken 25 years more to achieve 90 per cent full blanks appropriately. Find out the appropriate
immunization ____________ (6). word in each case.
To __________ (7) the full coverage to at least Journalism originated as the reportage of current
90 per cent till 2020, the Ministry of Health & events, specifically in printed form, i.e. newspapers.
Family Welfare launched Mission Indradhanush However, ____ (1) ____ by the massive growth in
(_____________ (8) after the seven colors of the technology and electronic communication over the
rainbow, termed as Indradhanush in Hindi) in past decade, its scope has expanded and its definition
2014. Under this, seven vaccines would be given has evolved into an all-encompassing domain of
to all those children and pregnant women who information. The current stage on that evolutionary
have missed out or are left out under the routine ladder — following print, radio, and television — is
immunization rounds. It would cover all far-flung digital journalism, the most ___ (2) ___ used and
areas. MI has used the Annual Health Survey popular driver of news consumption in today’s world.
(2011-12), District Level Health Survey, Coverage As of now, as many as eighty percent of Indians
Evaluation study, Rapid Survey on Children consume news on the Internet, primarily through
(RSOC), Integrated Child Health and Immunization the social media and instant-messaging services. The
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 83
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large-scale use of services like Facebook, Twitter, (4) Both (B) & (C)
Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube has ____(3)____ (5) All (A), (B) & (C)
news organizations to offer regular updates to
Q.12. Choose the correct option for (3)
consumers on current events, bypassing barriers of
time and accessibility. In fact, advancements made (1) Entitled, Allowed
in chat-bots have also made it ____ (4) _____ to (2) Ratified, accredited
deliver curated news, stock market updates, and other (3) Inhibited, constrained
relevant information, tailored specifically for the
individual consumer, on WhatsApp and Messenger. (4) Both (A) & (B)
Artificial Intelligence has played a key role in ____ (5) All (A), (B) & (C)
(5) _____ the emerging potential of technology in Q.13. Choose the correct option for (4)
automating news delivery on digital mediums. (1) Viable, forlorn
Q.10. Choose the correct option for (1) (2) Abject, doable
(1) Dissuaded, thwarted (3) Feasible, possible
(2) Propelled, impelled (4) Both (A) & (B)
(3) Impelled, dissuaded (5) All (A), (B) & (C)
(4) Both (A) & (B) Q.14. Choose the correct option for (5)
(5) All (A), (B) & (C) (1) Accentuating, Highlighting
Q.11. Choose the correct option for (2) (2) Emphasizing, deflecting
(1) Widely, concisely (3) Estimating, surmising
(2) Expansively, exiguously (4) Both (A) & (B)
(3) Immensely, enormously (5) All (A), (B) & (C)
Explanation
EXERCISE 1 EXERCISE 3
Q.1.(5) Q.1.(5)
Q.2.(1) Q.2.(3) For other options
Q.3.(1) For other options Garner(V)-gather
Vehemently(Adv)- in a forceful, passionate, or Farce(N)-absurdity
intense manner. Q.3.(4) Q.4.(5) Q.5.(1)
Q.4.(2) For other options
EXERCISE 4
Besmirch(V)-Sully
Q.1.(5) For other options:
Q.5.(3) Managed
Innocuous(Adj)- harmless
Q.6.(4) For other options
embodiment(N)-symbol
Savagely(Adv.)- in a fierce, violent, and uncon-
Q.2.(1) For other options:
trolled manner.
Epoch(N)-era
Q.7.(5)
plop(V)-fall with a plop
EXERCISE 2
Q.3.(2) For other options:
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(1) Q.3.(4) Q.4.(4)
Concussion(N)- temporary unconsciousness
Q.5.(1) For other options
Repercussion(N)-consequence
Demonstrate(V)-reveal
Q.4.(5)
Amalgamate(V)-Combine
Q.5.(2) For other options:
Q.6.(3) For other options
Epitome(N)-personification
Fluke(N)-chance
Entourage (N)-retinue
Q.7.(3)
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Q.2.(4) Fascinating- extremely interesting
EXERCISE 5
Obnoxious- Extremely pleasant
Q.1.(2) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(3)
Invidious- unpleasant
Q.4.(5) Q.5.(1) Q.6.(2)
Enthralling- Holding one’s attention.
Q.7.(4) Q.8.(5) Q.9.(3)
Q.3.(1) Opulence- great wealth or luxuriousness.
Q.10.(1)
For other options- deep pockets: wealthy
EXERCISE 6
Spartan: lack of comfort or luxury
Q.1.(1) Achieve
Grandiose-magnificent or monumental
Q.2.(4) Pay
Q.4.(3) For other options-quest- a long search for something
Q.3.(2) Judge
Expedition- a journey for a particular purpose
Q.4.(3) Teach
Exploration- the action of roaming an unknown area.
Q.5.(5) Contributors
Q.5.(5) Resplendent- having a very bright or beautiful
Q.6.(4) Guise appearance.
Q.7.(2) Fix For other options-caliginous –dark, dim or misty.
Q.8.(3) Overhauling All the rage- to be very popular at a particular
Q.9.(5) Environment time.
Q.10.(4) Technology Drab- lacking brightness or interest
EXERCISE 7 Refulgent – shining very brightly
Q.1.(2) Keen Q.6.(1) Q.7.(2) Q.8.(1) Q.9.(4)
Q.2.(4) Subsidies Q.10.(2) Propel, impel (v): drive or push something for-
Q.3.(5) Replacement wards.
Q.4.(1) Efficiency For other options:
Q.5.(3) Linking Dissuade, thwart (v): persuade (someone) not to
take a particular course of action
Q.6.(5) Enrollments
Q.11.(3) Immense, enormous (adj.): extremely large or
Q.7.(2) Adopted great, especially in scale or degree.
Q.8.(1) Surpassed For other options:
Q.9.(4) Acceptance Expansively (adv.) : in a extremely large or great
Q.10.(4) Controversy way
EXERCISE 8 Exiguously (adv.) : in very small or concise way.
Q.1.(5) degraded Concisely (adv.): in short but comprehensive way
Q.2.(5) exposed Q.12.(4) Entitle, Allow, Ratify, accredit (v): to give author-
Q.3.(2) hazardous ity or consent.
CHAPTER
11 ARTICLES
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## The book (which you mentioned) is not available in @ The dog is a faithful animal.
the market. @ The rose is a sweet flower.
(B) Before proper nouns (unique objects) when they @ The cow is economically useful.
refer to the name of historical buildings, mountain @ Dogs are faithful.
ranges, planets, rivers, oceans, gulfs, groups of
islands, holy books, ordinals, descriptive names of While,
countries, states, newspapers, magazines, deserts, @ The son should be obedient. (Delete ‘The’, use ‘A’.
superlative degree, names of trains, hotels, shops, ‘The’ before a person does not express a class of
trains. persons)
@ The first man Note : Indefinite article ‘A’ is used.
@ The USA (1) In the sense of ‘any’ to single out a person, a thing
@ The Himalayan as a representative of a class.
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@ The whole class was absent. (P) In certain idiomatic phrases.
@ All the boys were present there. @ In the wrong.
@ Both the brothers were honest. @ On the contrary
But; All sugar is wasted. @ The benefit of the doubt.
(F) Before musical instruments. (Q) Before inventions.
@ Ankit can not play the Piano. @ The telephone.
@ Tiya is fond of playing the harmonium. @ The wireless.
(G) As an adverb with a comparative sense. (Double @ The television.
comparison). (R) Before the case in apposition.
@ The sooner, the better.
@ Netaji, the hero of Modern India, ought to be remem-
@ The higher you go, the colder it is. bered.
(H) Before comparative degree in case of a choice. @ Mr. Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister will always
@ Soni is the taller of the two sisters. be in our heart.
@ Sita is the more beautiful of the two sisters. (S) Before the Armed forces.
(I) Before proper noun for the sake of comparison. @ The Army
@ Surdas is the Milton of India. @ The Police
@ Kalidas is the Shakespeare of India. @ The Air Force
(J) Before sports cups and trophies. (T) Before the name of professions.
@ The Ranji Trophy @ The Press
@ The World Cup. @ The Bench
(K) With the directions. @ The Council
@ The North (U) Before a noun, qualified by adjectives.
@ The East @ The eminent Scientist Abdul Kalam
(L) Before a unit of measurement. @ The immortal Shakespeare
@ The dozen. @ The late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayi
@ The kilogram (V) Before the organs of government.
@ The hectare @ The Judiciary
(M) Before physical positions. @ The Legislature
@ The top (W) Before the dates.
@ The centre @ The 10th of June.
@ The front @ The 5th of November.
(N) Before caste and communities. (X) Before the parts of a body of a person in place of
@ The Marathas possessive adjectives.
@ The Brahmins @ Hit me on the back.
@ The Mughals @ She caught me by the arm.
(O) Before a common noun to give it the sense of an (Y) Before the political parties.
abstract noun.
@ The BJP
@ The judge in him. (sense of justice)
@ The Congress
@ The father in him. (feeling of a father)
(Z) (a) Before the empires, dynasties, wars, revolutions,
@ The beast in him. (cruelty of a beast) centuries.
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@ The Gupta Dynasty @ an F.I.R
@ The Vedic ages RULE -2
@ The sixth century (I) Indefinite article ‘A’/’An’ is used when we talk of a
thing or a person that is indefinite or that is mentioned
@ The Red revolution
for the first time. (in the sense of ‘one’).
(b) Before the language to signify nationality.
(II) Indefinite article is also used to express a class (in the
@ The Chinese are hard working. sense of ‘any’)
@ The Japanese are patriots out and out. (A) Before a singular/countable common noun when
(c) Before nationality (plural). it is mentioned for the first time representing no
particular person or a thing.
@ The Greeks
@ Twelve inches make a foot. (one)
@ The Indians
@ Please get me a scooter. (one)
Note : But we say, An Indian, An Asian, A Greek
(B) Before a singular countable noun which is used to
(d) Before little and few. single out some person/ something as a representa-
@ The little — some but all tive of a class of things, animals and persons.
@ The few — some but all @ A cow is a useful animal. (any in the sense of class)
The Use of Indefinite Articles ‘A’, ‘An’ @ A rose is a beautiful flower. (any in the sense of class)
RULE -1 (C) To make a common noun of a proper noun to ex-
A student must note that the choice between ‘A’ and ‘An’ is press quality.
determined primarily by Sound. @ A shylock is living in my neighbourhood. (a cruel
(A) ‘A’ is used before a word beginning miser)
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 89
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exercise
Q.1-10. In each of the following questions, a sentence Q.11. The Central and the state governments (1)/ together
divided into four parts is given, read the sentence are facing a Rs. 20,000 crore revenue loss due (2)/
carefully and find out the grammatically to refunds claimed by companies on account of (3)/
incorrect part. If the sentence is free from error, flaws in the GST rate structure, according to findings
mark option 5, ‘No error’. disclosed by states.(4)/ No error (5)
Q.1. The newly constructed (1)/ road to one of (2)/ most Q.12. This year, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism
popular monuments (3)/ passes through a dense Corporation (1)/ has launched many services to make
market. (4)/ No error (5) train (2)/ journey more transparent and passenger-
Q.2. This wonderful Housing Society (1)/ comprises of friendly such as (3)/ the OTP-based refund system,
eight blocks and (2)/ fifty three flats in (3)/ area of New IRCTC PNR linking and fare refund policy.
about five lac sq. feet (4)/ No error (5) (4)/ No error (5)
Q.3. Now that my mathematics teacher(1)/ is living in Q.13. The system gives the information about (1)/ exact
her own house, (2)/ she cleans the curtains twice refund amount received by the agent on (2)/ the
a week (3)/ in the summer and once a week in the passenger's behalf against a cancelled (3)/ ticket or
winter (4)/ No error (5) waitlisted tickets that didn't get confirmed.(4)/ No
error (5)
Q.4. With positive imagination and (1)/ expectation the
cricket tournament (2)/ could have been transformed Q.14. With the more and more Indian enterprises striving
(3)/ into one of the major attractions (4)/ No error (5) (1)/ to go digital, the increased speed and bandwidth
(2)/ of 5G networks will drive a new round (3)/ of
Q.5. If in the world, someone (1)/ has faith in almighty
transformation across India from next year.(4)/ No
everything (2)/ going on wrong will turn out (3)/ to
error (5)
be right for him (4)/ No error (5)
Q.15. There will be a shift of computing to the edge, (1)/
Q.6. The primary teachers of (1)/ this school are not
as India's businesses take advantage of (2)/ benefits
wealthy so (2)/ they cannot afford (3)/ to buy a
of cloud and hyper-converged (3)/ infrastructure to
expensive car (4)/ No error (5)
deal with increasing data gravity.(4)/ No error (5)
Q.7. As far as I know this city isn’t (1)/ very well-known
Q.16. A fast metabolism ensures that calories are (1)/
and there(2)/ isn’t much to see and enjoy (3)/ so a
burned and used quickly, while a slow metabolism
few tourists like coming here (4)/ No error (5)
means that (2)/ calories are burned slowly and an
Q.8. One of my friends took to (1)/ reading Quran (2)/ excess of them may be left at the end of the day, (3)/
for better knowledge of (3)the facts in this religion leading to accumulation of those calories as fat in
(4)/ No error (5) body.(4)/ No error (5)
Q.9. The fast pace of life in some (1)/ metropolitan cities Q.17. China has upped the ante against India's security
has had the (2)/ mind-blowing effect (3)/ on culture (1)/ establishment by massively enhancing its (2)/
and life-style of society (4)/ No error (5) military infrastructure in bordering areas in Ladakh
Q.10. Scientists have observed (1)/ in past that pathogens that (3)/ have witnessed skirmishes between the
can effectively (2)/ block apoptosis, (3)/ allowing forces of the two countries.(4)/ No error (5)
them to reproduce and spread intracellularly. (4)/ Q.18. As the Christmas and New Year approach as you
No error (5) (1)/ binge on cakes, oily and unhealthy food, (2)/
Q.11-20.In each of the following questions, a sentence cocktails and drinks, it is important to remind
divided into four parts is given, read the sentence yourself (3)/ that you will regret it, as soon as the
carefully and find out the grammatically holiday season is over.(4)/ No error (5)
incorrect part. If the sentence is free from error, Q.19. Solar eclipse or Surya Grahan is a geographical
mark option 5, ‘No error’. (1)/ concept, where the sun, the Earth (2)/ and
90 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
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Moon align in such a way, (3)/ that you see the sun ___ (22) __ researchers, including those from the
partially or fully covered, from the Earth.(4)/ No Weizmann Institute of Science in __ (23) __ Israel,
error (5) said living organisms on the Earth are one of two
Q.20. Talking about myths and superstitions (1)/ around categories -- autotrophs that convert inorganic
eclipses, many cultures, including in India, (2)/ carbon dioxide into biomass, and heterotrophs that
advise pregnant women and (3)/ young children consume organic compounds.
to stay indoors during a solar eclipse.(4)/ No error The study, published in the journal Cell, described __
(5) (24) __ process by which the researchers converted
Q.21-25.In the given passage, there are some blanks which the bacterium Escherichia coli to a carbon dioxide
need to be filled with appropriate article (a, an, consuming autotrophic strain.
the). In some blanks there might be no need of The researchers said autotrophic organisms
any article. Fill in the blanks accordingly. dominated the biomass on the Earth, supplying much
Researchers have engineered new bacterial strain of the planet's food and fuels.
that consumes __ (21) __ carbon dioxide for They added that __(25)__ better understanding
energy instead of complex organic compounds, an of the principles of autotrophic growth, as well as
advance that may lead to future projects to lower methods to enhance the process are critical for the
atmospheric levels of the greenhouse gas using Earth's sustainability in the age of a human-driven
microbes. climate crisis.
EXPLANATION
Q.1.(2) Add ‘the’ before ‘most’, as the superlative degree Q.14.(1) Remove ‘the’ before more and more as ‘enterprises’
takes ‘the’ with it. is a plural noun, and generally, article is not used
Q.2.(4) Add ‘an’ before ‘area’, article should be used with plural nouns.
before a noun. Q.15.(2) Add ‘the’ before ‘benefits’ as here the structure is
Q.3.(4) Delete ‘the’ before ‘summer’ and ‘winter’ because ‘noun + of + noun’.
‘article’ is not used with the name of season. Q.16.(4) ‘The’ should be added before ‘body’.
Q.4.(1) Add ‘a’ before ‘positive’ to qualify ‘imagination’. Q.17.(3) Add ‘the’ before ‘bordering areas’ as it is a noun
Q.5.(2) Add ‘the’ before ‘Almighty’, as with superior and described further with a relative pronoun
things, we should use article ‘the’. ‘that’.
Q.6.(4) Replace ‘a’ by ‘an’, there is a vowel sound for Q.18.(1) Remove ‘the’ before ‘Christmas’ as article is not
‘expensive’. used before a festival.
Q.7.(3) Delete ‘a’ before ‘few’, as there is a sense of ‘very Q.19.(3) Add ‘the’ before ‘moon’ as article ‘the’ is used
less or no’. with ‘universal unique things’.
Q.8.(2) Add ‘the’ before ‘Quran’, with Epic or holy books, Q.20.(1) Add ‘the’ before ‘myths’ as it is specifically used
we should use ‘the’. here relating to eclipse.
Q.9.(4) Add ‘the’ before ‘culture’, here the structure is Q.21. No article, with a proper noun (here name of a
‘noun + of + noun’. gas) article is not used.
Q.10.(2) Add ‘the’ before ‘past’ as the words ‘past, present Q.22. The, here researchers are known who are described
and future’ take ‘the’ with it. in the first paragraph.
Q.11.(4) ‘the’ should be written before ‘findings’, as this Q.23. No article, with a proper noun (here name of a
is specific which is disclosed by states. country) article is not used.
Q.12.(2) An article is mandatory to be used before a noun, Q.24. The, as relative pronoun ‘which’ is used for
so ‘a’ or ‘the’ can be used before ‘train journey’. ‘process’.
Q.13.(1) Add ‘the’ before ‘exact’ as it generally takes ‘the’ Q.25. A, in general sense for a singular unit, article ‘a’
with it. or ‘an’ is used, here the word ‘better’ starts with
consonant sound, so ‘A’ is correct.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 91
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CHAPTER
12 ADVERBS
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An adverb is a word that is used to modify several types of @ It’s starting to get dark now.
words including an adjective, a verb, a clause, another adverb, @ Arya finished her tea first.
or any other type of word or phrase.
@ Shanaya left early.
In other words adverbs provide a description of how, where,
when, in what manner and to what extent something is done @ Adverbs of Purpose:
or happens. Normally, we can spot an adverb by the fact that @ Gina drives her boat slowly to avoid hitting the rocks.
it often ends in –ly, but there are lots of adverbs that don’t @ Jahnavi shops in several stores to get the best buys.
end in this way. Moreover, adverbs can be used in many
combinations with each other. Positions of Adverb
The positions of adverbs are not a fixed or set thing. As
Kinds of Adverb you have seen, adverbs can appear in different position
@ Adverbs of Manner: in a sentence. However, there are some rules that help us
@ Tisha moved slowly and spoke quietly. decide where an adverb should be positioned. The rules will
@ Adverbs of Place: be different depending on whether the adverb is acting to
modify an adjective or another adverb, a verb or what type
@ Tanya has lived on the island all her life. of adverb it is.
@ Twinkle still lives there now. Adverb position with adjectives and other adverbs
a. Directions These adverbs will usually be placed before the adjective
@ Rampur is located in the north of Lucknow. or adverb being modified:
@ We traveled down the mountainside. ##We gave them a really tough match. (The adverb really
@ First, I looked here, and then I looked there, but I modifies the adjective tough.)
can’t find them anywhere. ##It was quite windy that night. (The adverb quite modifies
b. Distance the adjective windy.)
@ Kanika is moving far away. ##We don’t go to the movies terribly often. (The adverb
@ Kalki is sitting close to me. terribly modifies the adverb often.)
c. Position Adverb position with verbs
@ The treasure lies underneath the box. This can be a bit trickier because, it will depend on the type
of adverb – place, position, time etc. – and there are many
@ The dog is sleeping on the bed.
exceptions to the rules. However, a basic set of guidelines
@ Why are you standing in the middle of the dance is shown below:
floor?
Adverbs of manner or place are usually positioned at the
In addition, some adverbs of position will refer to a direction end of the sentence:
of movement. These often end in -ward or -wards.
@ She laughed timidly.
@ Oorvi travelled onward to Los Angeles.
@ I stroked the cat gently.
@ Nithya looked upwards to the heavens.
@ Janine lived here.
@ Rhia, move forward to the front of the queue, please!
@ There is money everywhere.
@ Adverbs of Frequency:
As mentioned, if the adverb is of definite time it will be placed
@ Sagarika takes the boat to the mainland every day. at the end of the sentence.
@ Aslesha often goes by herself. @ I did it yesterday.
@ Adverbs of Time: @ We can discuss it tomorrow.
@ Anamika tries to get back before dark. @ Let’s go to Paris next week.
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However, if it is an indefinite period of time, it will go Hardly has a completely different meaning. It means “almost
between the subject and the main verb. not.”
@ We often go to Paris in the springtime. We have a bad connection – I can hardly hear you. (= I almost
@ Ravi regularly swims here. can’t hear you)
@ Bobby and Kishan always loved fishing by the lake. Most / Most Of / Mostly
Late / Lately Most or most of (adjective) means “the majority, the greater
part.”
Late can be an adjective or an adverb that means after the
correct time. Most people like the country’s president. (= more than 50%
of the people)
I’m not hungry because I had a late lunch. (adjective)
Most of the students in the class are nice. (= more than 50%
He slept late and missed his first class. (adverb)
of the students)
Lately is an adverb that means the same as recently.
Most as an adverb means “to the greatest degree” – it is used
I haven’t studied a lot lately. Work has been busy for the to form the superlative:
past couple weeks.
She’s the most popular girl in school. (= more popular than
Hard / Hardly EVERYONE else)
Hard can be an adjective or an adverb – and the adjective This is the most confusing chapter in the book.
form has two meanings!
(= more confusing than ALL the other chapters)
This book is too hard for me. I can’t read it. (hard = adjective
Mostly (adverb) means “mainly, generally, usually.”
= difficult)
We mostly go to dance clubs, but sometimes we go to a cafe.
This mattress is too hard. I can’t sleep. (hard = adjective =
opposite of “soft”) (= we usually go to dance clubs)
She’s working hard to finish the project by tomorrow. (hard I’ve mostly dated athletes; I love women who play sports.
= adverb = intensely) (= I’ve mainly dated athletes)
Order of Adverbs
There is a basic order in which adverbs will appear when there is more than one. It is similar to The Royal Order of
Adjectives, but it is even more flexible.
The Royal Order of Adverbs
Roger swims enthusiastically in the river every morning before dawn to keep in shape.
Father walks impatiently into town every afternoon before supper to get a newspaper.
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have in common is that we don’t modify them with not because
Negative Adverbs
they already express negative meaning on their own.
What is a negative adverb?
Negative adverbs meaning “almost not”
Negative adverbs and negative adverbials (groups of words
Some negative adverbs mean “almost not.” They are:
that function as an adverb) are used to modify the meaning of
a verb, adjective, other adverb, or entire clause in a negative @ hardly
way. Like all adverbs, they usually answer questions about @ barely
manner, place, time, or degree. @ scarcely
No and Not These negative adverbs are placed in the same position
There is a debate whether no and not should be classed as adverbs, as not. They generally go after the first auxiliary or modal
but they are by far the most commonly used words for creating verb, before a main verb when it is the only verb, and after
negative statements, so we’ll briefly look at how they work. forms of the verb be.
Using no For example:
We use no as a negative answer to questions or an expression @ “I hardly go out anymore.” (I almost don’t go out
of disagreement. It’s often classed as a determiner or an anymore.)
exclamation, but other grammarians argue that it’s an adverb, @ “I can barely see the mountain through the clouds.”
especially when it is used to negate comparative adjectives (I almost can’t see it.)
or comparative adverbs. For example:
@ “It’s scarcely surprising that you’re quitting your job.”
@ “He is no better than his rival.” (It is not very surprising at all.)
@ “She runs no more quickly than her sister.” Negative adverbs meaning “not often” or “not ever”
Using not with auxiliary and modal verbs When we want to stress how infrequently something occurs,
To negate a verb phrase, we insert not after the we can use these negative adverbs:
first auxiliary or modal verb. For example: @ no longer
@ “I have seen him here before.” (positive) @ rarely
@ “I have not seen him here before.” (negative) @ seldom
@ “I would have done the same.” (positive) @ barely ever
@ “I would not have done the same.” (negative) @ hardly ever
Using not with only a main verb @ never
If the verb phrase contains only a main verb, we negate it by Again, these adjectives are usually placed in the same position
adding do/does/did + not. For example: as not. For example:
@ “I go swimming on Mondays.” (positive) @ “I no longer cook at home.” (I cooked at home before,
@ “I do not go swimming on Mondays.” (negative) but now I don’t.)
@ “He works every day.” (positive) @ “He has seldom/rarely/hardly ever played football.”
@ “He does not work every day.” (negative) (very infrequently)
@ “We went to the supermarket yesterday.” (positive) @ “We are never late.” (not ever)
@ “We did not go to the supermarket yesterday.” (negative) Note that seldom, rarely, barely ever, and hardly ever are
interchangeable. They all mean “very infrequently.”
Using not with the verb be
Negative adverbs that emphasize quick succession of events
When a form of the verb be is the only verb in the statement,
we place not after it. For example: When we want to express that two events happened in quick
succession (one event almost did not finish before the next
@ “They are tall.” (positive)
event happened) we can use any of these negative adverbs:
@ “They are not tall.” (negative)
@ hardly
@ “It is an interesting project.” (positive)
@ barely
@ “It is not an interesting project.” (negative)
@ scarcely
Other negative adverbs @ no sooner
Now that we have seen how no and not are used, let’s look at Some of these are the same negative adverbs that mean
other negative adverbs. The principle characteristic they all “almost not,” but when we use them for events in quick
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succession, we must use them in combination with @ “I’ll only help you when you ask for it.”
either when (for hardly, scarcely and barely), or than (for no @ Meaning: I will not help you if you don’t ask for help.
sooner).
@ “They are only living here until they find a new house.”
The first event is usually expressed in the past perfect tense,
with the negative adverb following the auxiliary verb had. @ Meaning: They will leave from here when they find
The two clauses are joined with when or than (depending on a new house.
which negative adverb is used), and the second event follows Using inversion
in the past simple tense. We have shown how negative adverbs are often placed in
For example: mid position. However, it’s also very common for negative
@ “We had hardly finished cleaning when the guests adverbs to appear at the beginning of a sentence. This is
arrived.” often done in more formal or literary styles, as well as when
we want to place special emphasis on the negative adverb.
@ “I had barely walked in the door when she called.”
When we place the negative adverb at the beginning of the
@ “She had scarcely been home five minutes when they sentence, we must use inversion. This is when we rearrange
arrived to take her to the movie.” the normal subject/verb order of the sentence. We already
@ “We had no sooner put dinner on the table than the use the principle of inversion all the time when we form
doorbell rang.” questions. For example:
Adverbial phrases for total negation @ “Arun has seen this movie.” (no inversion)
There are a few adverbial phrases that are used to completely @ “Has Arun seen this movie?” (inversion)
negate a clause. For example: To form the question, the subject (Arun) and the auxiliary
@ under no circumstances verb (has) switch places. The process is the same when we
@ in no way use negative adverbs.
@ on no condition Inversion with auxiliary/modal verbs
Like not, these adverbials can be placed in mid position: If a negative adverb is being used at the beginning of the
sentence that has a modal or auxiliary verb, we simply switch
@ “We in no way like this plan.” (We don’t like this
the order of the first auxiliary/modal verb and the subject.
plan.)
For example:
@ “We have under no circumstances allowed them to
@ “I have never seen such a beautiful creature.” (no
come inside.” (They have definitely not been allowed
inversion)
inside.)
@ “Never have I seen such a beautiful creature.”
@ “She is on no condition to be disturbed.” (Don’t
(inversion)
disturb her.)
@ “We had scarcely arrived home when they called.”
However, they are more commonly placed in initial position
(no inversion)
using inversion, which we will examine later in this article.
@ “Scarcely had we arrived home when they called.”
Using only for conditional negativity
(inversion)
Only can be used when we want to place conditions
@ “He can under no circumstances play that game.”
on whether something is going to occur or not. It most
(no inversion)
closely means “exclusively,” and can be used in several
combinations. For example: @ “Under no circumstances can he play that game.”
(inversion)
@ only … after
Inversion with only a main verb
@ only … if
If a negative adverb is placed at the beginning of a sentence
@ only … when
that contains only a main verb, we must insert the auxiliary
@ only … until verbs do/does or did and use the bare infinitive form of the
Usually, we place only before the action that may or may verb, just like when we form questions. For example:
not occur, and if/after/when/until before the condition. For @ “We in no way like this plan.” (no inversion)
example:
@ “In no way do we like this plan.” (inversion)
@ “I will only go to the movie if you go too.”
@ “She scarcely leaves the city anymore.” (no inversion)
@ Meaning: I am not going to the movie if you don’t
@ “Scarcely does she leave the city anymore.”
go.
(inversion)
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@ “He barely stopped in time.” (no inversion) You are a little too confident.
@ “Barely did he stop in time.” (inversion) It happened a bit too soon.
Inversion with the verb “be” Too much
When a negative adverb begins a sentence that only contains He is much too old to work.
the verb be, we switch the order of the subject and be (again, Much too
the same as when we form questions): Too much cannot be used before adverbs and before
@ “We are seldom late.” (no inversion) adjectives without nouns.
@ “Seldom are we late.” (inversion) He arrived too late.
@ “He is hardly working.” (no inversion) Ankul is too old to work.
@ “Hardly is he working.” (inversion) Cases where too is not used
@ “She is on no condition to be disturbed.” (no Too is not normally used before adjective + noun.
inversion) She doesn’t like men who are too short. (NOT She doesn’t
@ On no condition is she to be disturbed.” (inversion) like too short men.)
Inversion of “only” for conditional negativity I couldn’t solve the problem – it was too difficult. (NOT I
When negative conditional expressions are formed with only, couldn’t solve the too difficult problem.)
we have to do a bit more rearranging. The entire conditional Rather
clause joins only in the beginning of the sentence, and the Rather as a degree modifier
subject-verb word order changes in the main clause. For
Rather can suggest ideas such as ‘more than is usual’, ‘more
example:
than was expected’ or ‘more than was wanted’.
@ “I will only go to the movie if you go too.” (no
@ Do you see that rather tall boy standing over there?
inversion)
@ She speaks English rather well. (= She speaks English
@ “Only if you go too will I go to the movie.” (inversion)
remarkably well.)
@ “I’ll only help you when you ask for help.” (no
Rather as a degree adverb
inversion)
We use rather to give emphasis to an adjective or adverb.
@ “Only when you ask for help will I help you.”
It has a similar meaning to quite when quite is used with
(inversion)
gradable words. It is more formal than quite. We often use it
@ “They are only living here until they find a new to express something unexpected or surprising:
house.” (no inversion)
A: You’re not just wasting your time here, are you?
@ “Only until they find a new house are they living
B: No, I’m rather busy, in fact.
here.” (inversion)
They walked rather slowly.
Usage of some important adverbs:
I’m afraid I behaved rather badly.
Here are some rules for using adverb which can be very useful
for finding errors in competitive exams. Enough
Too Enough + noun
It can modify verbs, adjectives and other adverbs. @ There was enough food for everybody at the party.
Too has a negative meaning. It means ‘more than is necessary @ I had enough money to pay for dinner with my
or desirable’. girlfriend.
She is too chubby. @ Is there enough time to finish the test?
The water is too cold. Adjective + Enough
It is too late. @ She is pretty enough for everybody to notice her.
(Everybody notices her because she is very pretty.)
An infinitive structure can be used after too +adjective /
adverb / determiner. @ My friend lives close enough to my house to walk.
He is too old to work. @ Last summer it was hot enough to go swimming every day.
We arrived too late to have dinner. Enough + infinitive
All expressions which modify comparative adjectives and @ When she lost her dog, it was enough to make her cry.
adverbs can be used to modify too. @ He was sick enough to stay home from work today.
Examples: much, a lot, far, a little, a bit, rather @ I arrived at the airport early enough to make my flight
She is far too young to live on her own. to New York.
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exercise
Q.1-10. Read each part of the sentence to find out if there Q.14. I never remember (1)/ to have met (2)/ a more in-
is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one teresting (3)/ girl in my life. (4)/ No error (5)
part of the sentence. The number of that part
Q.15. I refused to (1)/ accompany him (2)/ because I was
is the answer. If there is no error, mark your
(3)/ so tired. (4)/ No error (5)
answer as (5).
Q.16. Raja Ram Mohan Roy tireless (1)/ tried to eradicate
Q.1. Till the time he (1)/ was back home, (2)/ I was too
(2)/ social evils with (3)/ tooth and nail. (4)/ No error
exhausted (3)/ and didn’t even eat food. (4)/ No error
(5)
(5)
Q.17. The student came (1)/ to the classroom (2)/ lately and
Q.2. Raj did not know hardly (1)/ anyone in the city (2)/
was (3)/ punished by the teacher. (4)/ No error (5)
which makes his (3)/ days lonely and mundane. (4)/
No error (5) Q.18. He looks full (1)/ of energy today (2)/ because he
soundly slept (3)/ last night beside his dog. (4)/ No
Q.3. I rarely find (1)/ something in the movies (2)/
error (5)
that is worth my time (3)/ and money. (4)/ No
error (5) Q.19. She had barely (1)/ nothing to eat when (2)/ she came
to (3)/ me last month. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.4. We have already (1)/ said that you have (2)/ acted
noble (3)/ than all of us. (4)/ No error (5) Q.20. It had been (1)/ too cold the whole (2)/ month and we
preferred (3)/ to stay in the plains. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.5. I was told not (1)/ to stop anywhere (2)/ in the way
and (3)/ reach home directly (4)/ No error (5) Q.21-30. Read each part of the sentence to find out if there
is any error in it. The error, if any, will be in one
Q.6. It is clear that she has no time (1)/ to read magazines
part of the sentence. The number of that part is the
(2)/ and no desire neither (3)/ to do it. (4)/ No error
answer. If there is no error, mark your answer as (5).
(5)
Q.21. Shakti was exorbitantly (1)/ remunerated for how
Q.7. She has not (1)/ seldom visited his (2)/ parents since
(2)/ skilful she welcomed (3)/ the visitors. (4)/ No
she (3)/ left this place. (4)/ No error (5)
error (5)
Q.8. It was much (1)/ hot yesterday and (2)/ we didn’t
Q.22. The information was (1)/ conveyed to the contrac-
(3)/ go out. (4)/ No error (5)
tor (2)/ that his brother had (3)/ only died five days
Q.9. I meet him often (1)/ near the Town Hall (2)/ while before. (4)/ No error (5)
returning (3)/ from office. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.23. The student requested (1)/ the principal to be (2)/
Q.10. I told her as blunt (1)/ as I could but (2)/ she gave enough kind to grant (3)/ him seven days leave. (4)/
no reaction (3)/ as he was not convinced. (4)/ No No error (5)
error (5)
Q.24. When we examined carefully (1)/ all the aspects, (2)/
Q.11-20. Read each part of the sentence to find out if we got to know the true (3)/ colours of our fellow
there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be team mates. (4)/ No error (5)
in one part of the sentence. The number of that
Q.25. Rima was one of my closest friends but now, (1)/ she
part is the answer. If there is no error, mark your
hardly likes to hear my name (2)/ after the dispute
answer as (5).
which (3)/ occurred between us last year. (4)/ No
Q.11. My mother works (1)/ very quicker than (2)/ I at error (5)
embroidery (3)/ and other household chores. (4)/
Q.26. In pursuit of finding the guilty (1)/ with the help of
No error (5)
the officer concerned, (2)/ they always should try to
Q.12. She is sure (1)/ a great singer (2)/ and no other singer (3)/ joining the two ends. (4)/ No error (5)
(3)/ is a match for her. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.27. We thought of buying that (1)/ house as it was very
Q.13. It is better to be (1)/ frugal but don’t (2)/ be miser good (2)/but too much small to (3)/ accommodate
in (3)/ giving alms. (4)/ No error (5) the full family. (4)/ No error (5)
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Q.28. What I still cannot (1)/ do well is inadvertent make Q.34. Many actresses in our times (1)/ are too much beauti-
friends (2)/ due to which I (3)/ am leading a lonely ful (2)/ due to which many actors (3)/ run after them
life. (4)/ No error (5) and want to influence them. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.29. In our family, each and every (1)/ one is addicted to Q.35. The driver who drove (1)/ our cab and had come to
drinking (2)/ a minimum ten glasses (3)/ of water (2)/ receive us at the airport (3)/ was speaking flu-
and so Asha is. (4)/ No error (5) ently French. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.30. The amount which (1)/ the company paid to (2)/ the Q.36. The class teacher told us (1)/ that even the strongest
dependents of the (3)/ deceased was fair unjustified. team (2)/ has to face defeat when (3)/ the players
(4)/ No error (5) don’t play whole hearted. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.31-40. Read each part of the sentence to find out if Q.37. Although it is observed (1)/ that she is usually rude
there is any error in it. The error, if any, will be (2)/ with everyone, she behaved (4)/ nice with all
in one part of the sentence. The number of that of us today. (4)/ No error (5)
part is the answer. If there is no error, mark your
Q.38. He ran fastly so as to (1)/ be the first one to reach
answer as (5).
(2)/ there but practically, it (3)/ did nothing for him.
Q.31. The employee had behaved (1)/ in a coward manner (4)/ No error (5)
(2)/ before the employer and (3)/ hesitated to do the
Q.39. Despite the fact that he (1)/ made tiresome efforts and
work. (4)/ No error (5)
(2)/ toiled very hardly, he realised that (3)/ he had not
Q.32. One of my friends (1)/ told an incident where (2)/ he earned anything substantial. (4)/ No error (5)
refused not to (3)/ return the articles. (4)/ No error (5)
Q.40. The examiners are expected to (1)/ be much care-
Q.33. When asked, he took (1)/ coffee and said (2)/ that it fully in their (2)/ approach so that they efficiently
tasted (3)/ sweetly. (4)/ No error (5) (3)/ complete the complicated task. (4)/ No error (5)
EXPLANATION
Q.1.(3) Replace ‘too’ by ‘very’. With certain words such or after the modal verb or first auxiliary verb, or
as exhausted, tired, etc., ‘too’ is not used. after be as a main verb) or in end position.
Q.2.(1) Replace ‘did not know hardly’ by ‘hardly knew’ Q.10.(1) Replace ‘blunt’ by ‘bluntly’ as an adverb is needed
here to convey the manner in which something has
Q.3.(2) Replace ‘something’ by ‘anything’ as the sentence
been said.
gives a negative sense for which ‘any’ is appropriate.
Q.11.(2) Replace ‘very quicker’ by ‘more (for showing
Q.4.(3) Replace ‘noble’ by ‘more (for showing comparison
comparison) quickly (adverb is needed so as to
between behaviours) nobly (adverb is needed so
convey the ‘manner’ in which the work is being
as to convey the ‘manner’ in which the work is
done)’.
being done)’.
Q.12.(1) Replace ‘sure’ by ‘surely’ as an adverb is needed
Q.5.(4) Replace ‘directly’ by ‘direct’.
here.
Q.6.(3) Replace ‘neither’ by ‘either’. ‘Either’ used to
Q.13.(3) Replace ‘miser’ by ‘miserly’
indicate a similarity or link with a statement just
made. Q.14.(1) Replace ‘never’ by ‘do not’
Q.7.(1) Delete ‘not’ as ‘seldom’ means ‘not often’. So, Q.15.(4) Replace ‘so’ by ‘very’.io
‘not’ is not required.
Q.16.(1) Replace ‘tireless’ by ‘tirelessly’ as an adverb is
Q.8.(1) Replace ‘much’ by ‘very’ as much is used to needed here to qualify the verb ‘tried’.
qualify uncountable nouns and here an adverb is
Q.17.(3) Replace ‘lately (recently)’ by ‘late (behind
required to qualify the adjective (hot).
schedule)’.
Q.9.(1) Replace ‘meet him often’ by ‘often meet him’.
Q.18.(3) Replace ‘soundly slept’ by ‘slept soundly’. The
‘Often’ should be used in front position, in mid
adverb qualifies the verb so it is placed before it.
position (between the subject and the main verb,
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Q.19.(2) Replace ‘nothing’ by ‘anything’ as the sentence Q.30.(4) ‘Fairly unjustified’ should replace ‘fair unjustified’
gives a negative sense for which ‘any’ is as an adverb is required here to qualify the
appropriate. adjective (unjustified).
Q.20.(2) Replace ‘too’ by ‘very’ as it is working as an Q.31.(2) Replace ‘coward’ with ‘cowardly’ to qualify the
adverb here to qualify the adjective (cold). ‘manner’.
Q.21.(3) skillfully Q.32.(3) Omit the word “not” as ‘refuse’ already gives a
negative meaning.
Q.22.(4) died only five days
Q.33.(4) Replace “sweetly” with “sweet” as the taste should
Q.23.(3) kind enough
be described by an adjective, not by an adverb.
Q.24.(1) ‘carefully examined’ will be correct as ‘examined’ Q.34.(2) Replace “too much” with “very”.
is not being used as a participle here. So,
the adverb ‘carefully’ must qualify the verb Q.35.(4) Replace “fluently French” with “French fluently”
‘examined’. as the adverb
Q.25.(1) 'Hardly does she like'. Inversion will be used here. Q.36.(4) Replace “whole-hearted” with “whole-heartedly”
as an adverb is required here to fulfill
Q.26.(3) ‘Always’ is an adverb so it has to come after modal
verb ‘should’. Q.37.(4) Replace “nice” with “nicely” so as to qualify the
manner in which something has been said.
Q.27.(3) 'much too small' should be there
Q.38.(1) Replace “fastly” with “fast” as fastly is an
Q.28.(2) ‘Inadvertently’ should replace ‘inadvertent’ as an incorrect word.
adverb is needed to qualify the verb ‘make’.
Q.39.(3) Replace “hardly (only just)” with “hard (putting
Q.29.(4) ‘so is Asha’ should replace ‘so Asha is’. When one a lot of energy into an activity)”.
wants to repeat a statement without repeating the
Q.40.(2) Replace “carefully” with “careful (adj.)” which
whole sentence, inversion is applied.
qualifies the noun ‘approach’.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
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CHAPTER
13 ERROR DETECTION
Scan the QR code to get video of this chapter.
Error detection / spotting the errors section carries a good 1. Do regular practice with previous year’s papers. You
weightage of marks in various govt. exams. A number of can get dozens of papers and Practice tests to help you
aspirants face problem in attempting this section as it is in practicing various types of questions.
comparatively difficult than the rest. 2. Take the help of text books in order to improve your
Spotting error is one of the most important and scoring grammar as it plays an important role in such questions,
topics in English section of major govt. jobs recruitment you should strive to learn more and more rules.
exams. In order to excel in this specific section, you need to 3. During the exam, you must read the complete sentence
have proficiency in English grammar. carefully again and again and by doing this you will be
Under this section, you are provided with a paragraph/ able to spot the error easily. If not, then read each part
sentence containing certain errors which need to be recti- of the sentence individually and analyze what exactly
fied. Generally, these errors are related to parts of speech, is wrong with that part.
genders, infinitives, participles, the form of tenses, use of 4. Do not panic during the exam. Always stay ahead of
articles etc. Therefore, you require to be well aware of all the time and leave the questions which you find difficult
rules of grammar to solve spotting the errors in questions. for later.
Tips to Solve Spotting Errors Questions 5. Try to realize what kind of errors are asked frequently
in the exams and make a proper notes of it.
There are certain things which you must always remember.
In order to solve spotting errors in questions, you need to 6. The best way of improving grammar is practicing
practice a lot with regular improvement of English grammar. chapter wise with maximum questions, it will help you
recognize the important questions of that particular
Here are some points suggested: chapter instantly.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
EXPLANATION
Q.2.(1) In part (A)- crypto currency
EXERCISE 1
In part (B)- is the
Q.1.(3) In part (A)- remove 'of' after despite because
despite= in spite of Q.3.(3) In part (A)- believe in
In part (C)-replace ‘was’ with ‘is’ because the In part (C)- which
sentence is in present tense Q.4.(1) In part (A)- because of
Q.2.(5) All parts are grammatically sound. In part (B)- such as
Q.3.(3) In part (A)- use ‘all between’ with ‘all around’ Q.5.(1) In part (A)- opted for a
In part (C)-remove ‘be’ between ‘can and achieve’ Q.6.(1) In part (B)- of premier
Q.4.(4) In part (A)- have been released In part (C)- its custody
In part (B)- since the beginning of 2016 Q.7.(3) In part (A)- remove ‘to’
Q.5.(2) In part (B)-use ‘in front of it’ in place of ‘in front of In part (C)- effect
them’, because the subject of reference is monitor.
Q.8.(3) In part (B)- specific
Q.6.(5) All parts are grammatically sound.
In part (C)-associated with
Q.7.(4) In part (C)- a most adverse should not be used,
indeed use the before most, because the is used Q.9.(4) In part (B)- say
before the superlative degree of an adjective. In part (C)- pleasurable
Q.8.(1) In part (A)- statistics ‘suggest’ should be used, Q.10.(1) In part (A)- across the country
because here statistics is a plural noun, such as the In part (B)- insensitivity
statistics show that the crime rate has increased.
Q.11.(4) In part (C)- spoke
In part (B)- have ‘gone’ should be used because
have+v3. Q.12.(2) In part (A)- expect
Q.9.(5) All parts are grammatically sound. In part (C)- in mixing
Q.10.(1) In part (A)-are facing because subject is plural. EXERCISE 3
Q.1.(4) In part C: have high levels
EXERCISE 2
Q.2.(3) In part A: A whale is
Q.1.(3) In part (A)- central
In part C: many bears
In part (C)- do not
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Q.3.(5) Q.4.(4) will refrain of is wrong because refrain takes from
Q.4.(2) In part B: Should look with it.
Q.5.(4) In part C: so polar bears have to Q.5.(2) process foods is wrong because adjective qualifies
noun so processed food is correct.
Q.6.(3) In part B: that washed ashore
Q.6.(3) ‘incentive with witnesses’ is wrong ‘incentive for
In part C: later resting around witnesses’ is correct.
Q.7.(5) while attend is wrong while attending is correct
Q.8.(3) Replace ‘Governor chamber’ by ‘Governor’s because preposition takes gerund after it.
chamber’. This is the question of use of apostrophe. Q.7.(5)
Q.9.(3) Replace ‘has’ by ‘have’. Subject ‘Congress Q.8.(4) ‘on the surface for the sun’ is wrong.
dissidents and a wide range’ is plural.
‘on the surface of the sun’ is correct.
Q.10.(1) Replace ‘would have’ by ‘had’. This is a
Conditional sentence with specific structure : If Q.9.(2) ‘over next cycle’ is wrong.
+ Subject + had + V-III + Would have +V-III ‘over the next cycle’ is correct.
EXERCISE 4 Q.10.(5)
Q.1.(4) Replace ‘which makes up’ with ‘which make up’ EXERCISE 6
in part (C) Q.1.(4) ‘effluent’ should be used in place of ‘affluent’ and
Q.2.(5) ‘for’ at the place of ‘against’
Q.3.(3) Replace ‘serves a average’ with ‘serves an Q.2.(4) Is most pleasing should be used and ‘ambience’
average’, in part (A). at the place of ‘ambient’
Replace ‘near 2,500 planes arrive’ with ‘nearly Q.3.(5) ‘does not’ at the place don’t and ‘goes’ in place of
2,500 planes arrive’ in part (C). ‘went’ as the subject is ‘learning’
Q.4.(2) Replace ‘investors identification’ with ‘investors Q.4.(3) Were presented and Pack of liars should be used.
identify’ in part (A) Q.5.(2) Incriminating of evidence should be used as after
Q.5.(1) Replace ‘a married woman are’ with ‘a married a verb should be used after on – V(ing) form is
woman is’ in part (A) required.
Replace ‘it has treat’ with ‘it has treated’ in part EXERCISE 7
(B)
Q.1.(3) In part B: add ‘of’ after consist.
Q.6.(5)
In part D: ‘readily’ at the place of ‘ready’
Q.7.(4) Replace ‘at a interview’ with ‘at an interview’ in
Q.2.(3) In part B : its should be used at the place of it’s
part (A)
In part D: add ‘a’ before ‘dynamic region’
Q.8.(5)
Q.3.(4) In part C: remove ‘do’ after ‘how’
Q.9.(4) Remove ‘be’ from part (C)
In part D: ‘impact’ should replace ‘impacts’
Q.10.(5)
Q.4.(2) In part A: ‘cost-constrained missions’ should be
EXERCISE 5 written.
Q.1.(4) 'did not affect' should replace "did not effect" In part C: ‘act’ should replace ‘acts’
Q.2.(2) ‘go down well in’ should be replaced with ‘go Q.5.(3) In part B: ‘called’ at the place of ‘call’
down well with’.
In part D: ‘transformed into’ at the place of
Q.3.(4) ‘to turns up in the court’ is wrong, to takes v1 with ‘transformed to’
it so ‘to turn up in the court’ is correct.
CHAPTER
14 VOCABULARY
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The word vocabulary refers to the words used in a language. you will be able to check the meaning instantly and reduce
It is vital to communicating with others and understanding the chances of missing it.
what one is speaking. Words always have several meanings Use a diary or notes: It's one of the good ideas to maintain
in various contexts; you must learn the meanings of the words the list of the new words you find so that you can go back
and their parts of speech. If your vocabulary is strong, it to the list easily and slowly build them into your everyday
will help you write accurately and speak fluently. It is very vocabulary. Keeping the notes of all your new words can
important and vital in order to communicate with others. provide a positive approach for learning even more words
There are four main types of vocabulary: -- especially when you observe how many new words you've
already learnt.
@ Reading Vocabulary
Learn a word every day: Make a rigid habit of learning
@ Writing Vocabulary
at least one new word daily to improve the list of words.
@ Listening Vocabulary Initially, it will not look effective but after a month or two,
@ Speaking Vocabulary you will have a good piece of vocabulary.
Improving vocabulary is one of the easiest ways to improve Understand the root words: This is one of the most power-
the power of your writing and make any writing task much ful ways to learn new words and understand the meaning of
easier and effective. Developing your vocabulary need not be other new words based on the root. Just by seeing the suffix
difficult or painful. Here are a few ways suggested to improve or prefix you will be able to comprehend the word.
your vocabulary every day. Prefer the word games: This is also one of the effective ideas
Read again and again: ‘The more you read, the more you in order to increase word power. Such games that challenge
learn’ is suitable in case of improving vocabulary. Reading you and help you find new meanings and new words. This is
various things especially novels, literary works, magazines a fun tool in your quest for enhancing the vocabulary.
and newspapers enables you to learn more words. As you Engage in conversations: Talk to other people in English
read and uncover new words, derive the meaning from the can help you find new words. If you are engaged in various
context of the sentence as well as from looking up the defini- conversation you will encounter some of the words you are
tion in a dictionary. not aware of, note down the words; and simultaneously the
Always keep a dictionary: When you find a new word, words you have learnt will also be used by you which makes
search it in the dictionary to get both its pronunciation and you confident.
its meaning(s). If you always keep a dictionary with you,
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
CHAPTER
READING
15 COMPREHENSION
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Questions on Reading Comprehension measure the ability 6. Read the questions carefully , making sure that you
to understand, analyze and apply information and concepts understand what is being asked . if need better refer
presented in the written form. All questions are to be back to the passage for finding the answer.
answered on the basis of what is stated or implied in the 7. The choice may expand or extend the idea or contrast
given passage. Reading comprehension, therefore evaluates the idea running in the paragraph.
your ability to :
8. Read all the alternatives very carefully . without first
Understand words and statements in the given passage. reading all the alternatives , do not assume that you
Understand the logical relationships between points and have selected the best answer.
concepts in the given passage. 9. Many a times the last sentence of the paragraph can
Draw inference from facts and statements in the given also provide a clue .
passage. 10. Usually the correct choice will not deviate from the
Read the questions first before you read the passage. subject matter too much.
Guidelines for answering the reading comprehension 11. Don't jump to conclusions with fact questions using
questions:- Roman numerals to identify answer choices:- You
1. Read the question first before you read the passage. will recognize this style of question as soon as you
see it:
2. Identify the type of passage you are reading .
a. I only b. II only c. III only
3. Identify the core idea or the theme of the paragraph.
d. I and II only e. II and III only
4. Look for the clues in the choices , normally the
correct is the one which falls under the theme. The catch is that, oftentimes, facts I and II will be presented
very close to each other in the passage, but fact III will be
5. Answer all the questions on the basis of what is stated buried much further in the text. Take the time to review and
or implied in the passage itself. consider each fact on its own merits.
eXPLANATION
PASSAGE 1 PASSAGE 5
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(4) Q.3.(5) Q.4.(4) Q.5.(3) Q.1.(4) Answer lies in the beginning of the first paragraph.
Q.6.(1) Q.7.(2) Q.8.(4) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(2) Q.2.(2) Answer lies at last of the first paragraph.
PASSAGE 2 Q.3.(5) Answer lies in the beginning of the second paragraph.
Q.4.(5) Answer lies in the beginning of the third paragraph.
Q.1.(1) Hint: Answer lies in the beginning of the fourth
paragraph. Q.5.(1) Answer lies at last of the third paragraph.
Q.2.(4) Hint: Answer lies in the beginning of the third Q.6.(3) Answer lies in the beginning of the fourth
paragraph. paragraph.
Q.7.(4) Answer lies in the mid of the fourth paragraph.
Q.3.(5) Hint: Answer lies at last of the third paragraph.
Q.8.(5)
Q.4.(5) Hint: Answer lies in the first paragraph.
Q.5.(2) Q.6.(5)
PASSAGE 6
Q.1.(4) The answer can be inferred by understanding the
Q.7.(3) For other options
second paragraph.
Fervid(Adj)- passionate
Q.2.(2) By understanding the whole passage, the answer
Q.8.(2) Q.9.(2) can be inferred.
Q.10.(3) For other options Q.3.(2) By reading and understanding the complete
Allure(V)-attract passage, it can be clearly understood that the
whole passage is describing the various cultures,
PASSAGE 3 religions and ideologies present in India.
Q.1.(3) Q.2.(5) Q.3.(2) Q.4.(3) Q.5.(4) Q.4.(3) In this passages, the author tries to justify to
Q.6.(4) Q.7.(4) Q.8.(3) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(5) support the Indian constitution, present the factors
and tell you why he feels something is better.
PASSAGE 4
Q.5.(5) By understanding the first paragraph, the answer
Q.1.(4) Q.2.(1) Q.3.(5) Q.4.(5) Q.5.(2) can be inferred.
Q.6.(2) Q.7.(1) Q.8.(1) Q.9.(4) Q.10.(2) Q.6.(4)
FILL IN
CHAPTER
16 THE BLANKS
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For most of the govt. exams ‘Fill in the Blanks’ is one of need to use the elimination method.
the most important topics in English language section, from 6. In some of the questions your knowledge and
which you can score more marks easily. To answer these understanding of idioms and phrases in English
questions, you must have very good Vocabulary of English Language are tested. Hence, be sure to have a good
words and basic knowledge of grammar as well. skill of such idioms/phrases.
1. To read the sentence in the question very carefully 7. Be ensured that the meaning of the sentence is intact.
is very important to solve such questions. Most of the As you place the suitable option, do check that the
times, clues about the word needed to fill in the blank sentence expresses a plausible meaning.
– a name, a date or a fact – can be easily derived from
8. In case you are stuck between two or more options, you
the meaning of the sentence itself.
can go for the hit & trial method – one by one place
2. To keep serious attention to grammar related clues is each of the suitable options in place of the missing word
one of the important tools, for example, if the article, in the sentence. The option which gives you the likely
“a” comes before the blank, then it is understood that the meaning to the sentence would probably be the correct
answer must begin with a consonant. Such grammatical answer.
clues can greatly help in deciding the answers.
9. It is very important not to spend a lot of time on single
3. You must understand the logical structure of a sentence question. If you are not able to spot the correct answer
and pay attention to what the question needs. after various efforts, leave the question.
4. It is very essential to understand the context of the
10. Each word expresses two things: a definition and a
sentence. While reading the given sentence, you must
connotation. A connotation is a positive, negative, or
try to infer the tone of the missing word.
neutral feeling that is implied by or associated with a
5. In some of the fill in the blank questions, you are
word.
supposed to fill more than one blank. In such cases you
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
(3) A- depleted, evidence II. The Government needs to be more ______ for the
security measures concerned so far in the country.
B- emphasis, legitimatized
(1) Stringent (2) Mild
(4) A- legitimatized, evidence
(3) Pliant (4) Liberal
B- depleted, emphasis
(5) Sensitive
(5) No pair is correct
Q.4. I. Rural distress, farm discontent, and “arrogance
Q.5. (A) Encouraging individuals to __________ more of power” are being cited as reasons for the ruling
will never solve the problem of a massive party’s impending _______ in Chhattisgarh.
production of single-use plastic that should
II. The views expressed by the orator, it was called
have been __________ in the first place.
a ___________by the critics.
(B) Scientists have long recognized that plastics
(1) Tumultuous (2) Debacle
____ slowly, if at all, and pose multiple _____ to
wildlife through entanglement and consumption. (3) Debonair (4) Ignominy
(1) A- biodegrade, avoided B- recycle, threats (5) Ubiquity
(2) A- recycle, avoided B- threats ,biodegrade Q.5. I. We should go into the details on why there was
a/an___________ which forced him to take this
(3) A- recycle, avoided B- biodegrade, threats ultimate decision of resignation.
(4) A- threats, avoided B- recycle, biodegrade II. The political parties have reached a/an
(5) No pair is correct. ________ in the present situation.
EXERCISE- 13 (1) Implausible (2) Impasse
Q.1-5. In the following questions, two sentences with (3) Breakthrough (4) Plight
blanks have been given. These sentences are (5) Standstill
discarded - to get rid of something that you no surveillance - The act of carefully watching a
longer want or need. person suspected of a crime.
despised - disliked and have no respect. Q.7.(1) esoteric - very unusual; understood or liked by
only a small number of people.
Q.4.(2) cursory - done quickly and without giving enough
attention to details. For other options:
Q.5.(2) For other options : abstruse - difficult to undestand.
peculiar- strange or unusual Q.8.(4) queasy - likely to vomit
Q.6.(2) deliverance - the state of being rescued from Eg. I started to feel queasy as soon as the boat left
danger, evil or pain. the harbour.
For other options : For other options:
bondage - the state of being a slave or prisoner. lethargic-lacking in energy.
Q.7.(4) subdued - unusually quiet or unhappy.
Q.8.(3) For other options : tremulous - Eg. He watched her tremulous hand
reach for the teacup.
rational - based on reason rather than emotions.
Q.9.(1) laissez faire - if a government is laissez faire, it
Q.9.(3) Q.10.(2)
does not have many laws and rules which control
EXERCISE 5 economy.
Q.1.(1) deterrent For other options:
Eg. hopefully his punishment will act as a deterrent savoir faire - The ability to do and say the right
to. thing in any social situation.
For other options : bete noire - a person or thing that you particularly
prognostic - (prognosis) an opinion, based on dislike or that annoys you.
medical experience. Q.10.(4) Kinetic-involving or producing movement.
minatory- threatening EXERCISE 6
hegemony - control by one country, organisation Q.1.(4) Q.2.(2) Q.3.(1)
etc. over other countries etc. within a particular
Q.4.(3) Q.5.(5) Q.6.(1)
group.
Q.7.(5) Q.8.(4) Q.9.(2)
Q.2.(4) overt-done in an open way and not secretly.
Q.10.(3)
For other options :
clandestine - done secretly or kept secret. EXERCISE 7
Q.3.(3) For other options: Q.1.(5) paradox - A situation or statement which seems
impossible or is difficult to understand.
antiquity - The ancient past.
yearning - desiring very strongly, especially
Eg. The statue was brought to Rome in antiquity.
something that you cannot have.
Q.4.(3) archaic - very old - fashioned.
For other options:
For other options:
antipathy - strong dislike, opposition or anger.
streamlined - To give something a smooth even
anomaly - a person or thing that is different from
shape so that it can move quickly and easily
what is usual.
through air or water.
136 ENGLISH LANGUAGE
www.mahendras.org
delirious - unable to think or speak clearly because complaisance - ready to accept other people’s
of fever, excitement or mental confusion. actions and opinions.
Credo - a set of beliefs tantalising - to make a person want something that
they can not have.
contention - angry disagreement between people.
Adherence - The act of behaving according to a
Q.2.(5) debase - to make something or somebody less
particular rule.
valuable or respected.
Q.6.(4) Precautions - something that is done in advance
For other options:
in order to prevent problems or to avoid danger.
foretell - to know or say what will happen in the
circumvention - to find way of avoiding a
future.
difficulty.
vilify - to say or write unpleasant things about For other options:
something or somebody so that other people will
have a low opinion of them. encompassment - to include a large number
doctrinaire - strictly following a theory in all surveillance - The act of carefully watching a
circumstances. person suspected of a crime.
Q.3.(1) repugnant - making you feel strong dislike or vulnerability - weak and easily hurt physicially or
disgust. emotionally.
condoned - to accept behaviour that is morally Temptation - The desire to do or have something
wrong. that you know is bad or wrong.
Flouting - to show that you have no respect for a
For other options:
law etc.
anathema - a thing or an idea which you hate.
Q.7.(5) Uncluttered - not containing too many objects,
because it is the opposite of what you believe.
details or unnecessary items.
superseded - to take the place of something that
Noxious - poisonous or harmful.
is considered to be old fashioned
For other options:
countenanced - to support something or agree to
something happening. Superflous - more than you need or want.
Q.4.(3) essence - The most important quality or feature of Otiose - having no useful purpose.
something. Tranquil - quiet and peaceful.
unhampered - it is opposite of hamper. anomalous - different from what is normal or
hamper means to prevent somebody from. expected.
syndrome - a set of physical conditions that show Q.10.(2) elated - very happy and excited because of
you have a particular disease. something good that has happened or will happen.
Q.3.(3) For other options: Q.4.(2) tutelage - the state of being protected or controlled
by another person, organization or country.
acquitted-To decide and state officially in court
that somebody is not guilty of a crime. For other options:
abscond - to escape from a place that you are not verity - a belief or principle about life that is
allowed to leave without permission. accepted as tree.
numismatist - a person who collects or studies e.g. - in lodged crops there is rapid leaf decay
coins or medals. Q.5.(3) For other options:
connoisseur - an expect on matters involving the Immaculate (adj.)- clean, spotless
judgement of beauty, quality or skill.
EXERCISE 12
lithograph- a picture printed by lithography.
Q.1.(2) For other options:
Q.10.(4) For other option
Intellect (n): a person's mental powers.
federate- to unit under a central government or
Plunge (v): fall suddenly and uncontrollably.
organisation while keeping some local control.
Q.2.(2) For other options:
EXERCISE 10
Primitive (adj.): having been in existence for a
Q.1.(4) For other option very long time.
Unequivocally (adj)- expressing your opinion or Culminate (v): reach a climax or point of highest
intention very clearly and firmly. development.
Q.2.(1) Infallible- never wrong, never making mistake. Contemplate (v): look thoughtfully
For other option : Q.3.(3) For other options:
Confidant- a person that you trust and who you Ensue (v): happen or occur as a result.
talk to about private or secret things.
Q.4.(4) For other options:
Q.3.(5) Q.4.(2)
Deplete (v): consume, spend
Q.5.(3) Connotation- an idea suggested by a word in
addition to its main meaning. Legitimatize (v): allow, grant
Specious-seeming right or true but actually wrong Q.5.(3)
or false. EXERCISE 13
For other options : Q.1.(5) For other options:
denotation- the act of naming something with a Dispersion (n): throwing or relieving something
word. into large or wide area.
ingenuous- honest, innocent and willing to trust Q.2.(2) For other options:
people.
Petrify (v)- terrify
ingenious- having a lot of clever new ideas and
Pacify (v)- calm, appease
good at inventing things.
Benumb (v)- to make inactive especially by cold.
Cogent- strongly and clearly expressed in a way
that influences what people believe. Q.3.(1) For other options:
Q.6.(3) Pliant (adj.)- easily influenced or directed
EXERCISE 11 Q.4.(2) Debacle (n)- a complete failure, fiasco
Q.1.(5) For other options: For other options:
Inhale (v)- breathe in (air, gas, smoke, etc.) Tumultuous(adj.)- excited, confused
Q.2.(4) For other options: Debonair(adj.)- an attractive, confident man
Panache (n)- flamboyance, confidence Ubiquity(n) – being very common
Flamboyant (adj.)- exuberant, confident Ignominy(n)- humiliation
Q.3.(4) For other options: Q.5.(2) Impasse(n)- deadlock, no progress possible
Spot (v)- allow (an advantage) to (someone) in a Plight(n) – a dangerous, difficult situation.
game or sport.
CHAPTER
PHRASE
17 REPLACEMENT
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Sentence correction questions are designed to test a (4) Do not worry about spelling or capitalization errors.
candidate’s ability to identify written English that is The test writers do not test for these two errors.
grammatically-correct. Each question will begin with
sentences, parts of which have been underlined. You will (5) Before you select your answer, re-read the whole
then be presented with 5 different answer choices presenting sentence. Check to make sure the meaning is
alternative ways of stating the underlined portion of the text. unambiguous and that it’s clear, despite its length.
The correct answer will have all of the following 3 (6) Read the entire sentence the second time, inserting
characteristics: your selected answer choice. We have found this to be
a very powerful tip for dealing with sentence correction
1. No grammatical mistakes questions. It can keep you away from making careless
2. Correct sentence structure mistakes that would harm your score.
3. The meaning of the sentence should not change. (7) Don’t forget about the logic of the sentence.
The strategies that can be used to attempt these When down to those last two options, plug each one
questions are :- back into the sentence and see which one makes more
(1) Look out for multiple errors:- sense. Check for clear and logical modification.
A sentence might contain more than one error. A Grammar Tested on Sentence Correction
common fallacy that test-takers fall into is to find one There are several grammatical areas that come up
error and then quickly choose the answer that corrects frequently on Sentence Correction items:
that mistake, without considering whether there are other ##verb/tenses
errors in the sentence that an alternative answer choice
might also address. ##subject/verb agreement
(2) Look out the error in the underlined text only and ##modifiers
always start with the Subject/Verb. (Note:-Modifiers are words, phrase, or clauses that
Do begin by identifying the main subject and the provide description in sentences. Modifiers, breathe life
predicate verb. The subject is the noun that is doing the into sentences and can be adjective, adjective clauses,
action of the sentence. It may not always be the first adverbs, adverb clauses, infinitive phrases, participle
noun you see in the sentence. The predicate verb is the phrases and prepositional phrases .)
main action of the sentence that is being done by the ##comparisons .
subject. There could be many verbs in the sentence, so
##pronoun usage
don’t be fooled!
##idioms
(3) Employ process of elimination wherever possible.
##clarity
The easiest way to use process of elimination in sentence
correction questions is simply to eliminate any answer The last two aren't really rules, and they can be the most
choice that is itself grammatically incorrect. A candidate complicated. For that reason, they should be among your
can also eliminate any choice that alters the intended last priorities.
meaning of the sentence.
Keep Practicing & Keep Learning
(1) Only (A) (2) Only (B) Q.9. Product teams come together at the beginning and
end of every week, to jointly outline and reflect on
(3) Only (C) (4) None of the above the week’s goals and challenges.
(5) No correction required
(A) come together on the beginning and
Q.5. Lending credence to such scepticism is the
lukewarm stance the U.S. has adopted towards (B) come together at the begin and
the WTO over the past year, suggesting that the (C) come togetherness at the beginning and
Q.9. Though his actions were severe criticism, he didn't (2) have deployment
lose his temper. (3) will be deploy
(1) were severely criticised (4) will have deployed
(2) were at severely criticising (5) No correction required
(3) Had severely criticised EXERCISE- 6
(4) Had severe criticised Q1-5. In each of the following questions, a part of
(5) No correction required the sentence is highlighted. Below are given
Q.10. She always behaves as if she has not care at all alternatives to the highlighted part which
about my feelings. may improve the sentence. Choose the correct
alternative. In case no improvement is needed,
(1) As though she will not (2) As if she did not option 'E' is the answer.
(3) As far as she doesn't (4) Like if she does not Q.1. The members of the department has a visual
(5) No correction required analog scale when they ask the patients and the
caregivers to rate its behaviour, tasks they can do
EXERCISE- 5 and their state of mind.
In each of the following questions, choose the correct (1) have a visual analog scale when they ask
phrase from the options below. If ‘No correction’ is the patients and the caregivers to rate their
required choose (5) as the answer. behaviour, tasks they can
Q.1. Solar energy is been used to provide light to people.
(2) has a visual analog scale where it ask the patients
(1) have being used to (2) be used to and the caregivers to rate its behaviour, tasks
(3) being used to (4) be using to they can
(5) No correction required (3) have a visual analog scale where they ask
the patients and the caregivers to rate their
Q.2. Two more projects will be taking up by the behaviour, tasks they can
government soon.
(4) has a visual analog scale which they ask
(1) took up (2) takes up
the patients and the caregivers to rate their
(3) take up (4) taken up behaviour, tasks it can
(5) No correction required (5) No correction required
EXPLANATION
Q.2.(1) Sought for there should be replaced with seek
EXERCISE 1
further that means to look further.
Q.1.(1)
Q.3.(3) Safeguard the environment as ‘to’ always accepts
Q.2.(3) All rounders take pronoun ‘they’. the first form of verb so 3rd option.
Q.3.(3) Attempt should be preceded by a vowel. Q.4.(4) Lastly held should be replaced with last held.
Q.4.(5) Q.5.(5) To rigourous imprisonment- No correction
Q.5.(3) required.
Q.6.(2) Q.6.(3)
CHAPTER
Mis-spelt and
18 Inappropriate
Words
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Correct spelling Incorrect spelling friend freind
accommodate, accommodation accomodate, accomodation further futher
achieve acheive gist jist
glamorous glamourous
across accross
government goverment
aggressive, aggression agressive, agression
guard gaurd
apparently apparantly
appearance appearence happened happend
argument arguement harass, harassment harrass, harrassment
assassination assasination honorary honourary
basically basicly humorous humourous
beginning begining idiosyncrasy idiosyncracy
believe beleive, belive immediately immediatly
bizarre bizzare incidentally incidently
business buisness independent independant
calendar calender interrupt interupt
Caribbean Carribean irresistible irresistable
cemetery cemetary knowledge knowlege
chauffeur chauffer liaise, liaison liase, liason
colleague collegue lollipop lollypop
coming comming millennium, millennia millenium, millenia
committee commitee Neanderthal Neandertal
necessary neccessary
completely completly
noticeable noticable
conscious concious
occasion ocassion, occassion
curiosity curiousity
occurred, occurring occured, occuring
definitely definately
occurrence occurance, occurence
dilemma dilemna
pavilion pavillion
disappear dissapear
persistent persistant
disappoint dissapoint
pharaoh pharoah
ecstasy ecstacy
piece peice
embarrass embarass
politician politican
environment enviroment Portuguese Portugese
existence existance possession posession
Fahrenheit Farenheit preferred, preferring prefered, prefering
familiar familar propaganda propoganda
finally finaly publicly publically
fluorescent florescent really realy
foreign foriegn receive recieve
foreseeable forseeable referred, referring refered, refering
forty fourty religious religous
forward foward remember rember, remeber
Spell Error
Accept : (verb) - to receive willingly, to approve, to aggree.
Except : (preposition or verb) - exclusion or leave out.
Ad : An advertisement.
Add : to combine, join, unite or to find a sum.
Advice : (noun) - suggestion or recommendation.
Advise : (verb) - to suggest.
Affect : (verb) - to change.
Effect : (noun) - result.
Ate : Past tense of verb [to eat].
Eight : number 8.
Buy : (verb) - to purchase.
By : next to something, by way of something.
Bye : Used to express farewell. Short for [goodbye].
Choose : (verb) to make a choice or selection.
Chose : past tense of the verb [to choose].
Choice : (noun) choosing; selection.
Cite : to mention something or to quote somebody as an example or proof.
Site : the location of an event or object. A website.
Sight : ability to see, a thing that can be seen.
Decent : kind, tolerant, respectable, modest.
Descent : family origins or ancestry. Also the process of coming or going down.
Dissent : (verb or noun) disagreement with a prevailing or official view.
Desert : (verb) to leave or abandon, (noun) waterless land with no vegetation and covered
with sand.
Dessert : sweet food served after the meal.
Eat : to put food into the mouth, chew it and swallow it.
It : the thing, animal or situation which has already been mentioned.
Four : number 4
For : to indicate the object, aim, or purpose of an action or activity.
Here : in, at, or to this place.
Hear : to perceive (sound) by the ear.
Knew : past simple of the verb [to know].
New : recently created.
Know : (verb) to be familiar with someone or something.
Now : at the present time or moment.
No : negative reply, refusal or disagreement. ise and admiration. (verb) desire to know. ities.
EXPLANATION
EXERCISE 1 EXERCISE 2
Q.1.(2) The correct word is ‘need’. Q.1.(3) use ‘any’ in place of ‘some’ because in negative
sentence ‘any’ is used whereas in positive ‘some’
Q.2.(4) The correct word is ‘beverages’.
used.
Q.3.(3) ‘likely’ is the correct word. Q.2.(3) use ‘under/within’ in place of ‘beneath’.
Q.4.(5) All correct The correct phrase is ‘under/within the purview’
Q.5.(3) spelling error the correct word is ‘certainty’. means within the scope of the influence or
concerns of something.
Q.6.(5) All correct
Q.3.(1) The correct word is ‘scheme’.
Q.7. (4) Framework is the correct spelling.
Q.4.(5) The correct word is ‘accountability’.
Q.8.(4) Substantial is the correct spelling. Q.5.(5) All Correct
Q.9.(1) One third should be used. Q.6.(2) The correct word is ‘their’.
Q.10.(1) Half is the correct spelling. Q.7.(5) The correct word is ‘remuneration’.
Q.1.(4) Distinctive is the correct option. Monetary-is used as an adjective and means
connected with money, especially all the money in
Q.2.(2) Here we need singular noun not plural, the the country. Money- is what you earn by working
correct term will be as ‘a long term capital gains or selling things, and use to buy things.
tax’ because this is the compound noun having
indefinite article ‘a’. Q.10.(5)
CHAPTER SPOTTING
19 SIMILAR AND
DISSIMILAR WORDS
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The Synonyms and Antonyms form an integral part of the Synonyms can be any part of speech (Eg. nouns, verbs,
English Language. Acquaintance with vocabulary of the adjectives, adverbs or preposition), as long as both members of
English language is a necessity for effective expression either the pair are the same part of speech. More examples of English.
in the written or in the oral form. Noun : "Convenience" and
Synonym is nothing but the similar meaning of a particular word "comfort"
or its semantic relation. So, it is a word or a phrase that means Verb : "buy" and "purchase"
the same as another word or a phrase in the same language.
Adjective : "sick" and "ill"
Antonyms are the negative connotation of a particular word.
Adverb: "quickly" and "speedily”
An Antonym is a word or phrase that is opposite in meaning
to a particular word or a phrase in the same language. Preposition: "on" and "upon"
Synonyms are different words with almost identical or similar An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another.
meanings. Words that are synonyms are said to be synonymous, Example 1 : 'fat' is an antonym of 'thin'
and the state of being a synonym is called synonyms. Example 2 : The words open and closed are antonyms.
Word Synonym
Word Antyonyms
EXPLANATION
Bravery- means courage.
EXERCISE 1
Obstinate- means inflexibly persistence or an
Q.1.(4) Exiguous- small, slender.
unyielding.
which can also mean scanty
Recuperation means to recover from financial loss
All other words are either antonyms or do not or sickness.
relate to the word exiguous.
Q.3.(4) Proscribe-to put outside the protection of the law.
Q.2.(4) Recreancy- unfaithful, traitorous.
which can also mean outlaw.
which can also mean cowardice.
All other words are not related to word proscribe.
For other options
Q.4.(3) Ingest- to take, as food, into the body.
Recreation-means the act of creating something new.
which can also mean to absorb.
Q.1.(2) Confrontation-- A bold challenge or battle Which Q.2.(3) Amateur- means a person inexperienced or
can also mean challenge. unskilled in a particular activity which is opposite
to professional.
All other words are not related to word confrontation.
All other words are synonyms to word Amateur.
Q.2.(2) Untie- to undo the string or cords of
Q.3.(4) Affirmed- means declare the truth of something
Which can also mean unchain. which is opposite to denied.
All other words are antonyms of the word untie. All other words are synonyms to word affirmed.
Q.3.(4) Alert- fully aware and attentive Q.4.(1) Vague- means not definite or clear which is
Which can also mean watchful. opposite to clear.
For other options All other words are synonyms to word vague.
Exclaim means to cry out or speak suddenly and Q.5.(2) Casual- means without definite or serious intention
vehemently, as in surprise or protest. which is opposite to sincere.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE 161
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All other words are synonyms to word casual. Q.8.(2) pernicious means bad or harmful which is opposite
Q.6.(4) Pamper means Kindness which is opposite to neglect to word healing.
All other words are synonyms to word Pamper. For other options
Q.7.(3) Prevent- means to keep stop from doing occuring Swerving- means turn aside or often to avoid
which is opposite to allow. collision.
All other words are synonyms to word prevent. Conservative- cautious or moderate.
Q.8.(4) Austere- means severe in manner or appearance Q.9.(2) Anathema means something hated which is
which is opposite to calm. opposite to word blessing.
All other words are either synonyms or do not All other words are either synonyms or do not
relate to word Austere. relate to word Anathema.
Q.9.(4) Rigid means stiff or unyielding which is opposite Q.10.(3) Concur means agree approve which is opposite to
to flexible. word oppose.
All other words are not related to word Absolute. Q.4.(3) Stingy- means not generous with money so this is
the opposite of magnanimous
Q.3.(2) Valuable means very important or priceless which
is opposite to worthless. For other options :
All other words are either synonyms or do not Q.7.(4) Churlish means rude or bad tempered so ‘Decent’
relate to word Alien. will be its antonym.
Q.6.(3) Garble means confuse which is opposite to clarify. Q.8.(3) ‘Stable’ is the opposite word of ‘astatic’
All other words are not related to word Garble. Q.9.(1) Motley- Consisting of many different types of
people. ‘Homogeneous’ means same type of
Q.7.(1) Fortitude means strength of mind or guts which people so is opposite word.
is opposite to timidity.
For other options :
For other options
Dreary - that makes you feel bad.
Laxity means easy attitude.
Q.10.(5) belittle-To make someone or something
Placidity means calm. unimportant so ‘magnify’ will be opposite.