Question 1

In the following English grammar question on voice, choose the correct passive form of the sentence: Marketing professionals play a major role in the development of business sectors.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This problem checks your ability to convert an active sentence in simple present tense into passive voice without disrupting its general truth meaning. The given sentence is Marketing professionals play a major role in the development of business sectors. In active voice, the sentence states a fact about what marketing professionals do. The passive version should highlight the role itself while keeping the statement as a general truth about business sectors. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: Marketing professionals play a major role in the development of business sectors. Subject: marketing professionals. Verb: play (simple present). Object: a major role. Complement: in the development of business sectors. Task: Choose the passive-voice option that preserves the tense and general meaning. Concept / Approach: When changing from active to passive in simple present tense, the structure subject + play + object becomes object + is/are + played (by + subject). Here, the object is a major role, which is singular and therefore requires is in passive voice. The agent phrase by the marketing professionals may be included to keep the doer visible. The rest of the information, in the development of business sectors, remains as a prepositional phrase describing where the role is important. Thus the passive sentence A major role is played by the marketing professionals in the development of business sectors correctly reflects the original statement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the object in the active sentence: a major role. Step 2: Make this object the subject in the passive sentence: A major role ... Step 3: Convert the simple present verb play into passive form is played, matching the singular subject a major role. Step 4: Add the agent phrase by the marketing professionals after the verb. Step 5: Preserve the complement in the development of business sectors to complete the meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Check by re-converting the passive sentence back into active voice: From A major role is played by the marketing professionals in the development of business sectors you can derive Marketing professionals play a major role in the development of business sectors. The tense remains simple present and the meaning about who plays the role and in what context is fully preserved. This confirms that option A is the correct passive form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (A major role is being played by the marketing professionals...) uses present continuous is being played, which suggests an ongoing temporary process rather than a timeless general truth. Option C (...a major role was played...) shifts the statement into simple past, implying that this role existed only in the past. Option D (...has been played...) introduces present perfect, again changing the time reference and aspect. Option E (...would be played...) makes the sentence hypothetical or conditional, which is different from the factual statement in the original. Common Pitfalls: Many learners change tense unconsciously when they see passive forms, especially by adding being or using perfect tenses. However, in general truth statements and definitions, simple present is usually the most appropriate tense. Another pitfall is incorrect subject–verb agreement in the passive sentence; here, the singular subject a major role must be followed by is played, not are played. Always confirm that the passive sentence can be converted back to the original active sentence with no loss of meaning. Final Answer: The correct passive-voice version is A major role is played by the marketing professionals in the development of business sectors.

Question 2

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is told her teacher: The student told her teacher to explain the passage. Choose the best replacement for the underlined words, or select No improvement if the sentence is already c…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question belongs to the sentence improvement type, where a specific part of the sentence is underlined and you must choose a better alternative. The original sentence is The student told her teacher to explain the passage. The underlined part told her teacher is grammatically possible, but it does not express the nuance of a polite request that a student normally makes to a teacher. The objective here is to pick the most appropriate verb that collocates naturally with the situation of asking a teacher to do something. Given Data / Assumptions: Full sentence: The student told her teacher to explain the passage. Underlined segment: told her teacher. Alternatives: asked her teacher, said to her teacher, conveyed to her teacher, No improvement, requested to her teacher. Context: A student wants the teacher to clarify or explain a passage. Concept / Approach: In English, we normally use ask when one person wants another person to do something. We say The student asked her teacher to explain the passage, not told her teacher to explain the passage, because tell suggests giving a command rather than making a polite request. The verb ask also correctly takes an indirect object and an infinitive: asked + person + to + verb. Therefore, asked her teacher is the most natural and accurate replacement. Other suggested verbs either lack the sense of request or combine incorrectly with the structure of the sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that the student is not ordering the teacher but politely requesting an explanation. Step 2: Recall that the normal verb used for such requests is ask, not tell. Step 3: Check the grammar pattern: asked + her teacher + to explain the passage. Step 4: Substitute the underlined part with asked her teacher, giving the improved sentence: The student asked her teacher to explain the passage. Verification / Alternative check: Compare the improved sentence with the original: The student asked her teacher to explain the passage clearly expresses a polite request. It sounds natural in everyday English. If we tried to maintain told, we would normally say The student told her teacher that she did not understand the passage, which is a different structure and a different meaning. Thus asked her teacher is a clear improvement both in usage and in politeness. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (said to her teacher) is incorrect in this structure. We usually use say to talk about words spoken, but the normal pattern is said to her teacher that..., not said to her teacher to explain the passage. Option C (conveyed to her teacher) suggests passing on a message, not making a direct request, and the pattern conveyed to her teacher to explain is unnatural. Option D (No improvement) is wrong because told her teacher does not convey the polite-request meaning as well as asked. Option E (requested to her teacher) is grammatically incorrect, because request does not usually take the preposition to before a person; we say requested her teacher or made a request to her teacher, not requested to her teacher. Common Pitfalls: Many learners assume that tell and say can always replace ask, but these verbs have different patterns and meanings. Tell often takes a that clause or a direct object and implies giving information or instructions. Ask, on the other hand, is the normal verb when you want someone to do something and works well with infinitive constructions like ask someone to do something. Also, avoid mixing up request patterns; request is more formal and is usually a noun in request for help or a verb followed by an object, not by to before the person. Final Answer: The best improvement is asked her teacher, giving the sentence: The student asked her teacher to explain the passage.

Question 3

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is cooked a conspiracy: Ram cooked a conspiracy to cheat Abdul. Choose the best replacement, or select no improvement if the sentence is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your knowledge of idiomatic expressions in English. The sentence given is Ram cooked a conspiracy to cheat Abdul, where the underlined part cooked a conspiracy is unnatural. In English, certain verbs commonly collocate with specific nouns. Conspiracy is one such noun that normally appears with the verb hatch. The task is to choose the option that forms a natural and idiomatic phrase with conspiracy while accurately conveying the idea of secretly planning something wrong. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Ram cooked a conspiracy to cheat Abdul. Underlined part: cooked a conspiracy. Alternatives: cultivated, hatched, fabricated, no improvement, planned. Context: Ram is secretly planning a dishonest act against Abdul. Concept / Approach: The standard idiom in English is hatch a conspiracy or hatch a plot, which means to plan something secretly, usually for a harmful or unfair purpose. While cook up a scheme or cook up a story is idiomatic, cooked a conspiracy is not a standard or accepted collocation. Among the given options, hatched fits best because it directly forms the common expression hatched a conspiracy. Other verbs either have different typical objects or shift the meaning slightly away from the recognised idiom used in exams and formal English. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the target noun conspiracy and recall common verbs that collocate with it. Step 2: Recognise that the idiomatic phrase is hatch a conspiracy, meaning to plan secretly. Step 3: Compare the options and choose hatched, which combines naturally with conspiracy. Step 4: Rewrite the sentence as Ram hatched a conspiracy to cheat Abdul, which now sounds natural and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: We can test the improved sentence by checking it against common usage: Many newspapers and books use expressions like He hatched a conspiracy to overthrow the king or They hatched a conspiracy against their boss. The structure Ram hatched a conspiracy to cheat Abdul follows this pattern exactly. In contrast, Ram cooked a conspiracy is not a recognised phrase in standard English. Therefore, hatched clearly improves both correctness and naturalness. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (cultivated) is used with things like habits, relationships, or land (cultivated a habit, cultivated a friendship), not with conspiracy. Option C (fabricated) usually collocates with story, evidence, or lie (fabricated a story), and while it suggests dishonesty, fabricated a conspiracy is not the normal phrase. Option D (no improvement) is wrong because cooked a conspiracy is awkward and non-idiomatic. Option E (planned), although grammatical, is too general and does not give the precise idiomatic expression that competitive exams often expect; the standard phrase taught and tested is hatched a conspiracy. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes rely only on literal dictionary meanings and ignore common collocations. Cook is sometimes used metaphorically in cook up a plan, so cooked a conspiracy may sound acceptable at first glance, but it is not standard exam English. Similarly, verbs like fabricate or cultivate might appear tempting due to their associations with creating or developing something, but they do not match the set phrase needed here. To perform well in sentence improvement tasks, you should pay attention to verbs that regularly pair with certain nouns and memorise frequent idioms such as hatch a plot, commit a crime, bear a grudge, and so on. Final Answer: The correct improvement is hatched, giving the sentence: Ram hatched a conspiracy to cheat Abdul.

Question 4

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is tone-deaf: Raja is a bad singer, he is tone-deaf. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the expression is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question checks your familiarity with the idiomatic expression tone-deaf. The sentence given is Raja is a bad singer, he is tone-deaf. The underlined expression tone-deaf is used to explain why Raja is a bad singer. Your job is to decide whether this term is correct in this context or whether another option would make the sentence more appropriate. Many candidates confuse tone-deaf with other kinds of deafness, so examiners use such questions to test vocabulary and collocation. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Raja is a bad singer, he is tone-deaf. Underlined segment: tone-deaf. Options: stone-deaf, deaf, tune-deaf, No improvement, hard of hearing. Context: The sentence is describing Raja's poor singing ability and his inability to recognise musical notes correctly. Concept / Approach: The expression tone-deaf has a specific meaning in everyday English: it describes a person who cannot accurately perceive musical pitch. Such a person finds it difficult to sing in tune or recognise when notes are off-key. This is exactly the kind of problem that would make someone a bad singer. Therefore, tone-deaf is the correct idiomatic term here. Stone-deaf or deaf refer to a serious loss of hearing in general, not specifically to musical pitch. Tune-deaf is not a standard expression, and hard of hearing typically describes partial hearing loss, not musical insensitivity. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the intended meaning: Raja is a bad singer because he cannot recognise or reproduce musical tones correctly. Step 2: Recall the idiom tone-deaf, which precisely describes someone who cannot distinguish musical pitches well. Step 3: Compare this with other options and see that they describe general hearing loss, not musical insensitivity. Step 4: Conclude that the existing expression tone-deaf is already correct and that No improvement should be chosen. Verification / Alternative check: Check the alternatives in context: Raja is a bad singer, he is stone-deaf would suggest he hears almost nothing at all, which is different from being unable to sing in tune. Raja is a bad singer, he is deaf is both harsh and inaccurate because the sentence focuses on singing ability, not general hearing. Tone-deaf, on the other hand, is frequently used in descriptions of people who cannot carry a tune. This confirms that the original phrase fits the context perfectly and should not be changed. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (stone-deaf) is usually used for someone who is completely or almost completely deaf, not just a poor singer. Option B (deaf) again refers to general hearing loss and not specifically to musical pitch. Option C (tune-deaf) is not a standard term in English; the accepted expression is tone-deaf. Option E (hard of hearing) describes people who have some difficulty hearing, usually due to medical or age-related reasons, and is not specifically linked to poor singing. Therefore, all these alternatives miss the precise musical sense that tone-deaf carries. Common Pitfalls: Learners often assume that any form of deaf connected with music is appropriate, but idiomatic English is more precise. It is important to remember specific expressions like tone-deaf for musical pitch problems, colour-blind for difficulties distinguishing colours, and so on. Another pitfall is to over-correct sentences that are already idiomatically perfect. In sentence improvement questions, No improvement is sometimes intentionally the right answer, so you should always consider it seriously rather than assuming that something must be wrong. Final Answer: The expression is already correct, so the right choice is No improvement. The sentence should remain: Raja is a bad singer, he is tone-deaf.

Question 5

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is continuously: Whether we realise or not we are continuously making choices every moment of our lives. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the sentence is alr…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your understanding of adverb usage and nuance in English. The sentence is Whether we realise or not we are continuously making choices every moment of our lives. The underlined adverb continuously sounds close to what is intended, but the exam is asking whether there is a more natural word in this context. The idea is that at all moments in life we are always making choices, not necessarily in an unbroken physical sequence, but as a regular, ongoing fact of life. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Whether we realise or not we are continuously making choices every moment of our lives. Underlined word: continuously. Options: comprehensively, comparatively, constantly, No improvement, repeatedly. Intended meaning: We are always making choices throughout our lives. Concept / Approach: The adverb constantly is the most natural choice here because it expresses the idea of something happening very often or all the time over a period. Continuously emphasises without stopping or without any break, which is more suitable for physical processes like a machine running continuously. In human life, we may have brief pauses between choices, but as a general truth, we can say we are constantly making choices. Therefore constantly better matches the philosophical statement being made. The other options do not convey the intended meaning about frequency or ongoing nature. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the intended idea: at every stage or very frequently in life, we make choices, whether we notice it or not. Step 2: Compare the nuances of continuously and constantly. Step 3: Recognise that constantly means happening regularly or all the time in a general sense, which suits life choices. Step 4: Replace continuously with constantly to get: Whether we realise or not we are constantly making choices every moment of our lives. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence aloud: Whether we realise or not we are constantly making choices every moment of our lives. It sounds natural and fluent, and the meaning is clear: at all times we face decisions. If we keep continuously, the sentence still makes sense, but it suggests an unbroken chain without even a moment's gap, which is less idiomatic when speaking about everyday choices. Thus constantly is stylistically superior and closer to what a native speaker would choose in this philosophical context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (comprehensively) refers to doing something completely or in a detailed way, but it does not describe frequency, so it does not fit here. Option B (comparatively) is used when comparing one thing to another, again irrelevant to the idea of ongoing choices. Option D (No improvement) is not the best choice because continuously is not as natural in this abstract, life-philosophy statement as constantly. Option E (repeatedly) means again and again, but usually with clear separate events; it does not capture the sense of an almost uninterrupted flow of decisions throughout life. Common Pitfalls: Many learners treat continuously and constantly as exact synonyms, but their typical uses differ. Continuously is often used for literal, physical continuity (a continuously flowing stream, a machine working continuously), while constantly is more common for habits and general truths (constantly worrying, constantly changing weather). In exam questions, subtle differences like this are crucial. To avoid mistakes, pay attention not only to dictionary meanings but also to how words are commonly used in sentences. Final Answer: The best improvement is constantly, giving: Whether we realise or not we are constantly making choices every moment of our lives.

Question 6

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is since he has known them, began to quickly swim: One night they sank through the shiny water, and for the first time since he has known them, began to quickly swim. Choose the bes…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question examines two aspects of good English usage at the same time: correct tense choice with since and natural adverb placement. The sentence reads One night they sank through the shiny water, and for the first time since he has known them, began to quickly swim. The underlined part since he has known them, began to quickly swim is slightly awkward and contains a tense mismatch. The clause describes a past event, and since is used to refer to a period extending up to that past point, so the verb form must match a past time frame, not present perfect. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: One night they sank through the shiny water, and for the first time since he has known them, began to quickly swim. Underlined segment: since he has known them, began to quickly swim. Options involve different tense forms and word orders. Context: The narrator is describing a particular night in the past when something new happened after a long acquaintance. Concept / Approach: When we use since to refer to a period leading up to a past time point, the correct tense in narrative writing is usually past perfect: since he had known them. This tells us that his knowing them started earlier and continued up to that night. The phrase began to swim quickly is also more natural than began to quickly swim, because splitting the infinitive in this context is less idiomatic in formal writing. Therefore, the best improvement is he had known them, began to swim quickly, which corrects the tense and smooths the word order. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the main time frame: One night they sank..., a clear past narrative. Step 2: Note that the clause for the first time since he has known them should relate to that past moment, so has known is not appropriate. Step 3: Replace has known with past perfect had known to indicate a state continuing up to that point in the past. Step 4: Adjust the word order began to swim quickly, which sounds more natural than began to quickly swim in formal exam English. Step 5: Choose the option that combines both improvements: he had known them, began to swim quickly. Verification / Alternative check: Re-read the improved sentence: One night they sank through the shiny water, and for the first time since he had known them, began to swim quickly. Now the tense sequence is logical: the state of knowing them (past perfect) extends up to that particular night, and the new action began to swim quickly is in simple past, matching sank. This creates a smooth, coherent narrative. The present perfect form has known would typically be used if we were speaking from the present about an ongoing relationship (since he has known them, they have always...), which is not the case here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B (he have known them, begin to quickly swim) is clearly ungrammatical: have should be has or had, and begin does not fit the past narrative. Option C (he knew them, began to swim quickly) uses simple past knew, which is possible but weaker than past perfect in marking the prior state; exam patterns usually prefer past perfect after since in such storytelling contexts. Option D (No improvement) is incorrect because has known conflicts with the past narrative and to quickly swim is less natural. Option E (he had known them, begun to quickly swim) wrongly changes began to begun, which breaks the simple past structure, and also retains the less preferred to quickly swim order. Common Pitfalls: Many learners misuse present perfect (has known) when the viewpoint is clearly in the past. Another common issue is ignoring subtle improvements in word order, such as placing adverbs after the verb phrase rather than splitting the infinitive. While split infinitives are not always wrong in modern English, exam standards still tend to favour more traditional patterns like swim quickly. Paying careful attention to the narrative time frame and to smooth, conventional phrasing will help you choose the best improvement in such questions. Final Answer: The correct improvement is he had known them, began to swim quickly., giving: One night they sank through the shiny water, and for the first time since he had known them, began to swim quickly.

Question 7

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is here and there: Having run here and there in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the phrase is alrea…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question focuses on choosing the most vivid and idiomatic phrase to describe disorganised movement caused by strong emotion. The sentence is Having run here and there in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs. The underlined phrase here and there is understandable but does not fully capture the sense of frantic, chaotic running that the context suggests. The options provide several idiomatic alternatives, and you must choose the one that best fits the tone of anger and confusion. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Having run here and there in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs. Underlined phrase: here and there. Options: to and fro, helter-skelter, far and wide, No improvement, round and round. Context: A person is overcome by rage, moving restlessly before collapsing into defeat. Concept / Approach: Helter-skelter is an idiomatic expression that means in a confused, disorderly, or hurried way. It is often used to describe chaotic movement, especially under emotional stress. To and fro suggests movement back and forth in a more regular pattern, far and wide is used mainly for searching or spreading over a large area, and round and round implies circular motion. Here and there is vague and weak for this intense emotional context. Therefore, helter-skelter is the most expressive and appropriate choice to show emotional turmoil and lack of direction. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the emotional situation: he is in rage, then ends up defeated and sobbing. Step 2: Recognise that his running is likely frantic and confused rather than calm or regular. Step 3: Compare options and recall that helter-skelter means in a disorderly and hasty manner, matching the emotional tone. Step 4: Replace here and there with helter-skelter to form: Having run helter-skelter in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: Having run helter-skelter in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs. The phrase helter-skelter immediately creates a stronger image of wild, purposeless movement driven by anger. In contrast, Having run here and there in rage sounds flat and less descriptive. To and fro would suggest a regular, almost controlled pacing rather than chaotic running. This confirms that helter-skelter most effectively conveys the intended scene. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (to and fro) implies movement back and forth along a line, often in thought or mild agitation, but not necessarily the violent confusion suggested by rage. Option C (far and wide) is usually used for searching or spreading over a broad region and does not describe emotional restlessness. Option D (No improvement) is not ideal because here and there is too weak and non-idiomatic for the dramatic context. Option E (round and round) would suggest running in circles, which is not clearly implied in the sentence and might even make the image comical rather than serious. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes pick No improvement simply because the original phrase is grammatically correct, forgetting that improvement questions test not just grammar but also style and idiomatic usage. Another pitfall is choosing to and fro because it is a familiar expression, without reflecting on whether it captures the emotional intensity of rage. To avoid such mistakes, always match the emotional tone and imagery of the sentence with the most expressive and appropriate idiom available in the options. Final Answer: The best improvement is helter-skelter, giving: Having run helter-skelter in rage, he stood defeated, his cries suppressed into sobs.

Question 8

In the following sentence improvement question, the entire proverb Forewarned is forearmed is underlined. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the proverb is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question revolves around a well-known English proverb used exactly as it appears in standard usage: Forewarned is forearmed. The entire proverb is underlined, and you are asked to decide if it needs improvement. Proverb questions test whether you recognise fixed expressions in English that should not be altered. The sentence as given is conventional and idiomatic, so any attempt to change it will most likely damage the proverb's accepted form. Given Data / Assumptions: Underlined proverb: Forewarned is forearmed. Options suggest alternative wordings like For warned is forearmed or Before warned is forearmed. Context: The proverb means that if you are warned in advance about a danger or problem, you are better prepared to face it. Concept / Approach: Forewarned is forearmed is a fixed proverb in English. The prefix fore means before, so forewarned literally means warned beforehand, and forearmed means armed beforehand. The rhythm, clarity, and compactness of this proverb are the result of long usage. Changing forewarned to for warned or before warned would not only be grammatically wrong but also destroy the established proverb. In sentence improvement tasks involving proverbs, the safest approach is to check whether the proverb is already correct; if it is, choose No improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise the expression Forewarned is forearmed as a common English proverb. Step 2: Recall its meaning: being informed about a danger in advance helps you prepare and protect yourself. Step 3: Examine the options and see that each alternative either breaks the word formation (for armed) or misuses prepositions like for or before. Step 4: Conclude that the original proverb is already correct and needs no change. Verification / Alternative check: If you compare Forewarned is forearmed with other well-known proverbs like Prevention is better than cure or A stitch in time saves nine, you will notice that they all have a fixed structure. Replacements like Before warned is forearmed sound unnatural and are not found in reputable dictionaries or literature. Thus, any deviation from the standard form is clearly wrong. Since the original matches the proverb exactly, No improvement is the most accurate choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (For warned is forearmed.) wrongly splits forewarned into for warned, losing both the prefix and the original meaning. Option B (Before warned is forearmed.) is ungrammatical and makes no sense as a proverb. Option C (Forewarned is for armed.) incorrectly splits forearmed into for armed and spoils the word play on fore. Option E (Being warned is being armed.) paraphrases the idea but is not the standard proverb and is therefore not acceptable in a sentence improvement task that focuses on fixed expressions. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates mistakenly believe that every underlined part must have an error and therefore choose a changed form even when the proverb is already correct. Others may be unfamiliar with the word fore and think that for or before is more appropriate. To avoid such mistakes, make a habit of learning common English proverbs and their exact wording. When you recognise a proverb that matches the standard form, consider No improvement as a strong candidate. Final Answer: The proverb is already correct, so the right choice is No improvement. The sentence Forewarned is forearmed should remain unchanged.

Question 9

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is second to one: Usain Bolt is second to one as an athlete. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the phrase is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question focuses on a very common English idiom: second to none. The sentence reads Usain Bolt is second to one as an athlete, with second to one underlined. The intention is to say that Usain Bolt is the best and that no other athlete is above him. The phrase second to one, however, suggests that one person is still ahead of him, which contradicts this idea. You must choose the idiom that correctly expresses that no one is better than Usain Bolt as an athlete. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Usain Bolt is second to one as an athlete. Underlined phrase: second to one. Options: second to no one, second to none, none of second, No improvement, second to everyone. Intended meaning: Usain Bolt is the best; nobody is superior to him in athletics. Concept / Approach: The fixed idiom in English for expressing that something or someone is the best is second to none. It literally means that there is no one to whom the person or thing is second in rank. Second to one would mean that there is exactly one person ahead, so the subject is in second place, which is not the intended praise. Second to no one is close in meaning but not the standard set phrase. Therefore, second to none is the most idiomatic and correct improvement to show Usain Bolt's unmatched excellence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the intended compliment: Usain Bolt is unmatched as an athlete. Step 2: Recall the idiom second to none, which conveys that no one is better. Step 3: Compare second to one, which wrongly suggests he is behind one other athlete. Step 4: Choose second to none as the idiomatic replacement and rewrite the sentence as Usain Bolt is second to none as an athlete. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: Usain Bolt is second to none as an athlete. This clearly means he is at the very top. In contrast, Usain Bolt is second to one as an athlete would be interpreted as he is only in second place, which is a much weaker compliment. Second to no one is understandable but less common than the compact, widely recognised idiom second to none. Exam questions almost always expect the standard idiom that appears in dictionaries and textbooks, so second to none is preferred. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (second to no one) is close in sense but is not the classic idiom; exam-oriented English typically prefers second to none. Option C (none of second) is ungrammatical and meaningless. Option D (No improvement) is clearly wrong, because second to one expresses the opposite of what is intended. Option E (second to everyone) suggests he is below all other athletes, which is the exact opposite of the intended praise. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes misremember idioms, especially when numbers are involved, and produce variations like second to no one or second than none. Exams are strict about such expressions and usually accept only the standard, established form. Another pitfall is not thinking through the literal meaning of the phrase; if you do, you will see that second to one cannot logically mean the best. Always check whether a phrase you choose truly matches the intended meaning in both literal and idiomatic senses. Final Answer: The correct improvement is second to none, giving: Usain Bolt is second to none as an athlete.

Question 10

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is had had suffered an injury: He spoke as though his throat had had suffered an injury. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the sentence is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement item tests your grasp of tense and auxiliary verb usage. The sentence reads He spoke as though his throat had had suffered an injury, with had had suffered an injury underlined. The intention is to suggest that his voice sounded like that of someone whose throat had suffered an injury in the past. However, the combination had had suffered is incorrect and redundant. You must choose the correct auxiliary form that works with suffered to express a past perfect sense if needed. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: He spoke as though his throat had had suffered an injury. Underlined part: had had suffered an injury. Options: has had, had, would have, No improvement, had been. Context: The as though clause compares his manner of speaking to a situation in which his throat had suffered an injury earlier. Concept / Approach: In the clause his throat had suffered an injury, had is the auxiliary for past perfect, and suffered is the past participle of suffer. Adding another had before suffered is incorrect because had had suffered mixes a double perfect that does not make sense here. We simply need one auxiliary had followed by the past participle suffered. Also, in as though clauses referring to an unreal or unlikely condition in the past, the past perfect is appropriate. So the natural correction is had suffered an injury, not had had suffered an injury. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the structure needed in the as though clause: his throat had suffered an injury (past perfect). Step 2: Notice that had had suffered is an incorrect double auxiliary and must be simplified. Step 3: Retain only one auxiliary had followed by the past participle suffered. Step 4: Replace the underlined part with had, giving: He spoke as though his throat had suffered an injury. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: He spoke as though his throat had suffered an injury. This now flows smoothly and clearly indicates a past condition that explains his strange voice. The comparison is hypothetical or imaginative, consistent with as though. If we kept the original form He spoke as though his throat had had suffered an injury, the sentence would sound grammatically broken and redundant, as English does not stack had had before a past participle in this way. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (has had) would give his throat has had suffered an injury, which is ungrammatical; even if we tried has had an injury, it would not match the as though structure for a past condition. Option C (would have) would require would have suffered to be correct, but the given phrase forces would have suffered an injury, changing the tense and mode; it also does not match the typical pattern after as though when describing a past, unreal state. Option D (No improvement) is wrong because had had suffered is clearly an error. Option E (had been) would produce his throat had been an injury or had been suffered an injury, both of which are ungrammatical or unnatural. Common Pitfalls: A common source of confusion is the sequence had had in English, which is legitimate in constructions like He had had a cold earlier. However, that pattern involves had + had as a main verb, not had + had + past participle. In this sentence, suffered is already the past participle, so only one auxiliary had is required. Another pitfall is overcomplicating the as though clause; remember that you usually use simple past or past perfect after as though or as if to talk about unreal or hypothetical situations. Final Answer: The correct improvement is had, resulting in: He spoke as though his throat had suffered an injury.

Question 11

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is All the family members of his: All the family members of his are in Ernakulam. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the phrase is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your ability to recognise and correct redundancy in English noun phrases. The sentence given is All the family members of his are in Ernakulam, with All the family members of his underlined. The phrase is somewhat clumsy and repetitive, because of his already indicates possession. There are simpler and more natural ways to say the same thing in English, and the options offer several corrected structures. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: All the family members of his are in Ernakulam. Underlined phrase: All the family members of his. Options: All the members of his family, All his family members, All of his family members, No improvement, All family members of him. Meaning: Every member of his family is in Ernakulam. Concept / Approach: In English, we generally avoid redundant constructions like family members of his when a more compact possessive phrase is available. The most natural patterns are All his family members or All the members of his family. Both are grammatically correct, but All his family members is shorter and more idiomatic. The option All of his family members is also acceptable but slightly wordier. The phrase of his is sometimes used after indefinite pronouns (a friend of his), but with all and a clear noun, his family members reads much better. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the redundancy in the original phrase All the family members of his. Step 2: Consider smoother alternatives that use the possessive adjective his directly before the noun. Step 3: Recognise that All his family members is concise, natural, and preserves the meaning. Step 4: Replace the underlined phrase and read the full sentence: All his family members are in Ernakulam. Verification / Alternative check: Compare the improved sentence All his family members are in Ernakulam with the original. Both clearly state that every member of his family is located in Ernakulam. However, the improved version is smoother and avoids the awkward of his after a full noun phrase. All the members of his family are in Ernakulam would also be acceptable, but exams usually prefer the shorter, more direct All his family members are in Ernakulam when such an option is available. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (All the members of his family) is grammatically correct and quite natural, but Option B is even more concise, and exam keys often select the neatest form when multiple correct answers exist. Option C (All of his family members) is also acceptable, but the word of is unnecessary; All his family members is simpler. Option D (No improvement) is not ideal because the original phrase All the family members of his is verbose and slightly awkward. Option E (All family members of him) is incorrect; of him is not a natural possessive structure with family members in this context. Common Pitfalls: Students often get used to patterns like a friend of his and then overextend them, creating of his structures even when they are not needed. Another pitfall is assuming that if a phrase is grammatically legal, it cannot be improved stylistically. Sentence improvement questions frequently target redundancy and unnatural phrasing rather than outright errors. To do well, you should look for the option that is not only correct but also the most natural and concise. Final Answer: The best improvement is All his family members, giving: All his family members are in Ernakulam.

Question 12

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is not triumph but the breakdown: We are withnessing not triumph but the breakdown of democracy. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the phrase is already corre…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question examines parallelism and article usage in English. The sentence is We are withnessing not triumph but the breakdown of democracy, with not triumph but the breakdown underlined. Ignoring the spelling mistake in withnessing (which should be witnessing), the test focuses on whether the two contrasted nouns triumph and breakdown are treated in a grammatically parallel way. Article usage can make the structure more balanced and formal. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: We are withnessing not triumph but the breakdown of democracy. Underlined phrase: not triumph but the breakdown. Options: not the triumph but breakdown, not the triumph but the breakdown, note triumph but breakdown, No improvement, not triumph and not breakdown. Meaning: We are seeing the opposite of triumph; we are seeing the breakdown of democracy. Concept / Approach: In English, when we contrast two parallel ideas with not...but..., we often use similar structures on both sides. The phrase not triumph but the breakdown is slightly unbalanced because triumph appears without an article, while the breakdown has one. A more symmetrical form is not the triumph but the breakdown, where both nouns take the article the. This structure emphasises that what we are witnessing is not the expected triumph of democracy, but rather its breakdown. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the two contrasted nouns: triumph and breakdown of democracy. Step 2: Note that only breakdown is preceded by the article the, which creates a mild imbalance. Step 3: Add the article the before triumph as well, giving not the triumph but the breakdown. Step 4: Choose the option that exactly matches this balanced structure. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: We are witnessing not the triumph but the breakdown of democracy. Now, both triumph and breakdown are presented as specific outcomes, and the parallelism is clear. The message becomes more forceful: what we expected (the triumph of democracy) has not happened; instead, we see its breakdown. The original version with not triumph but the breakdown is understandable but slightly less polished in formal writing. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (not the triumph but breakdown) reverses the imbalance: now triumph has an article but breakdown does not, so parallelism is still not achieved. Option C (note triumph but breakdown) contains a spelling error (note instead of not) and is therefore clearly wrong. Option D (No improvement) ignores the chance to make the structure more symmetrical and elegant. Option E (not triumph and not breakdown) changes the meaning, suggesting that neither triumph nor breakdown is being witnessed, which contradicts the intended sense that breakdown, not triumph, is what we see. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes focus only on obvious spelling issues like withnessing and overlook subtler stylistic improvements such as parallel article usage. However, sentence improvement questions often assume minor errors like spelling while targeting a deeper grammatical or stylistic point. Another pitfall is to treat not...but... as a fixed pattern that does not allow modifications, but in fact, each side of the contrast must still follow normal grammar, including article use and parallel structure. Final Answer: The best improvement is not the triumph but the breakdown, giving: We are witnessing not the triumph but the breakdown of democracy.

Question 13

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined expression is Woe betide: Woe betide the youngster who is less than respectful. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the expression is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks whether you recognise the fixed expression Woe betide in English. The sentence is Woe betide the youngster who is less than respectful, and the underlined expression is Woe betide. This archaic but still understood phrase is used to warn that something bad will happen to someone who behaves in a particular way. Your task is to decide whether this expression is correct or needs improvement. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: Woe betide the youngster who is less than respectful. Underlined expression: Woe betide. Options: Woes beside, Woe beside, Woes betide, No improvement, Woe be tied. Meaning: Let misfortune fall upon the youngster who is less than respectful. Concept / Approach: Woe betide is a standard and idiomatic expression in English. It literally means may trouble or misfortune come to someone. It often appears with a strong warning tone, especially in formal or literary contexts. None of the alternative spellings or phrases given in the options (Woes beside, Woe beside, Woes betide, Woe be tied) are correct expressions. Therefore, the original wording is already right and should not be changed. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise Woe betide as a fixed phrase meaning may misfortune come to... Step 2: Analyse the sentence: Woe betide the youngster who is less than respectful is a warning that disrespectful youngsters will face consequences. Step 3: Compare each option to see whether it forms a known idiom or a meaningful phrase. Step 4: Conclude that only the original Woe betide is a correct and established expression. Verification / Alternative check: Think of similar uses in literature or speech, such as Woe betide anyone who breaks this rule. These uses confirm that Woe betide is the accepted and meaningful expression. If you replace it with Woes beside, the result becomes nonsense: Woes beside the youngster does not communicate a clear meaning and is ungrammatical. Woe be tied is sometimes misheard or jokingly used but is not standard English and is not appropriate for exam purposes. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (Woes beside) is grammatically incorrect and does not form a recognised expression. Option B (Woe beside) again fails to convey the idea of misfortune falling on someone; beside is the wrong preposition here. Option C (Woes betide) wrongly makes woe plural and sounds unnatural. Option E (Woe be tied) is a playful or mistaken version that is not accepted in standard written English and does not carry the established meaning of the warning idiom. Common Pitfalls: Because Woe betide is slightly old-fashioned, some candidates assume it must be incorrect and try to replace it with something more modern-looking. Others may be confused by the spelling and think that be tied is intended. However, exams often test knowledge of such fixed, slightly archaic expressions. When you encounter a phrase that you recognise from reading or that appears in dictionaries as an idiom, you should strongly consider choosing No improvement if the grammar and meaning are both sound. Final Answer: The expression is already correct, so the right choice is No improvement. The sentence remains: Woe betide the youngster who is less than respectful.

Question 14

In the following sentence improvement question, the underlined part is within a stone's throw: My office is within a stone's throw from the university. Choose the best replacement, or select No improvement if the phrase is already correct.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the correct use of a common distance-related idiom: at a stone's throw. The sentence is My office is within a stone's throw from the university, and within a stone's throw is underlined. The intended meaning is that the office is very close to the university. While the phrase within a stone's throw is sometimes heard, the more standard and widely accepted form in exam English is at a stone's throw from a place. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence: My office is within a stone's throw from the university. Underlined phrase: within a stone's throw. Options: in a stone's throw, within a stone throw, at a stone's throw, No improvement, beyond a stone's throw. Meaning: The office is very near the university. Concept / Approach: The idiomatic expression usually taught and tested is at a stone's throw from, meaning at a very short distance from. The preposition at works with stone's throw to form a set phrase, and from introduces the reference location. Within a stone's throw is less common and, combined with from, sounds slightly awkward in formal writing. Also, a stone throw (without the possessive apostrophe s) in option B is incorrect. Therefore, at a stone's throw fits the standard pattern best. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the idiom: a stone's throw, meaning a short distance. Step 2: Recall the common prepositional phrase at a stone's throw from, used to describe proximity. Step 3: Compare this to the slightly awkward within a stone's throw from. Step 4: Choose at a stone's throw as the replacement and read the improved sentence: My office is at a stone's throw from the university. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved version aloud: My office is at a stone's throw from the university clearly communicates that the office is very close to the university. The phrase at a stone's throw from is the one you will frequently find in example sentences and language guides. In contrast, My office is within a stone's throw from the university is understandable but sounds slightly off to trained ears, as within is more often paired with of in such expressions (within a stone's throw of), which is not one of the options. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A (in a stone's throw) is unidiomatic; we do not normally say in a stone's throw to describe distance. Option B (within a stone throw) drops the necessary possessive s and therefore breaks the noun phrase; it should be stone's throw, not stone throw. Option D (No improvement) is not ideal because the given combination within ... from is less standard than at ... from in exam contexts. Option E (beyond a stone's throw) reverses the meaning, suggesting that the office is not very close, which does not match the likely intention of the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes pay attention only to vocabulary and not to the specific prepositions that complete an idiom. However, prepositions are crucial in fixed phrases like at a distance, in the vicinity, and at a stone's throw from. Another pitfall is to assume that if a phrase is understandable, it must be the best choice. In competitive exams, the standard, textbook version of an idiom is preferred even if slight variations are used informally in speech. Final Answer: The best improvement is at a stone's throw, giving: My office is at a stone's throw from the university.

Question 15

In the following English grammar question, a sentence is given in which a part is underlined. Four alternatives are provided for the underlined words. Choose the option that best improves the sentence. If no improvement is required, choose the optio…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This grammar question tests the correct use and position of a reflexive or emphatic pronoun in a simple English sentence. The aim is to express clearly that the subject personally saw the thief, using natural, standard English word order that appears often in competitive examinations and formal writing tasks. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: Herself saw the thief. The underlined part is the clause containing the word "Herself". We must choose the alternative that produces a grammatically correct and idiomatic sentence. The context is a statement in the past about a person who personally witnessed a thief. Concept / Approach: In English, reflexive pronouns like "myself", "yourself", and "herself" are used either as objects of a verb or preposition, or as emphatic pronouns to stress a subject. When used for emphasis, the pronoun normally follows the subject: "She herself saw the thief." Starting a sentence with "Herself" without an explicit subject is ungrammatical in standard English and sounds incomplete or fragmented. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the subject that performs the action. Here the implied subject is "she".Recognise that the intention is to emphasise that this subject personally saw the thief.In English, an emphatic pronoun is placed after the subject: "She herself".Place the verb after the subject and emphatic pronoun: "She herself saw the thief."Check that tense, word order, and meaning are all correct and natural. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence aloud: "She herself saw the thief." It now has an explicit subject ("She"), correctly uses "herself" as an emphatic pronoun, and maintains the simple past verb "saw". The meaning is clear and unambiguous, and the sentence fits standard formal usage found in exam passages and grammar books. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "Herself she saw the thief." places "Herself" awkwardly at the beginning and then repeats "she", creating an incorrect and clumsy structure. Option C: "Herself she see the thief." has the same word order problem and also an incorrect verb form "see" instead of "saw" for past time. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because the original sentence without "she" is clearly ungrammatical. Common Pitfalls: Many learners try to begin sentences with a reflexive pronoun because they translate directly from their first language or because they want to add emphasis. However, in English the subject still needs to be stated clearly, and emphasis is shown by placing the reflexive pronoun after that subject. Another common error is mixing emphatic and reflexive use without understanding their function, which leads to strange or incomplete sentences. Final Answer: The correct improved sentence is She herself saw the thief.

Question 16

In this English grammar sentence improvement question, you are given a future time expression and must choose the option that best completes the sentence "My parents ______ Delhi by Monday next" in standard, natural English. Select the option that g…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests correct usage of English future tenses, especially the future perfect tense with a time expression introduced by the preposition "by". Competitive exams frequently check whether candidates can distinguish between simple future, progressive, and future perfect forms in sentences describing an action that will be completed before a specific future point in time. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence frame: My parents ______ Delhi by Monday next. The meaning suggests that a journey will be completed before or not later than "Monday next". We must choose from several tense forms of the verb phrase. The context is a prediction about a completed future event. Concept / Approach: When we talk about an action that will already be finished before a specified time in the future, English uses the future perfect tense "will have + past participle". The phrase "by Monday next" signals a deadline in the future, so the correct grammatical choice is "will have reached". Simple future "will reach" is also possible in casual speech, but examinations often expect the precise future perfect form when "by" plus a future time point is used. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the future point in time: "Monday next".Notice that the action (reaching Delhi) is expected to be completed before or not later than that day.Recall the structure of the future perfect tense: will have + past participle.Apply this pattern to the verb "reach": will have reached.Insert it into the sentence: "My parents will have reached Delhi by Monday next." Verification / Alternative check: Read the complete sentence: "My parents will have reached Delhi by Monday next." It clearly states that at some time before or by Monday, the journey will already be over. This fits the common pattern of future perfect usage found in grammar references and matches the meaning suggested by the preposition "by". Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "are reaching" uses the present continuous and is incorrect with the future deadline "by Monday next" in this neutral statement. Option C: "were reaching" is a past continuous form and does not match the future reference. Option D: "No improvement" keeps "will reach", which is not the best tense with "by Monday next" from an examination perspective, because it does not emphasize completedness as clearly as "will have reached". Common Pitfalls: Learners often use simple future with every future time expression and ignore the special meaning of "by". They may also confuse present continuous used for planned future actions with the more precise future perfect used for completion before a deadline. Remember that future perfect is preferred when you want to highlight that something will already be finished before a specific point in future time. Final Answer: The correct improvement is will have reached, giving the sentence "My parents will have reached Delhi by Monday next."

Question 17

In this English sentence improvement question, you must select the best version of the sentence "I think so she will come to the party" so that it becomes grammatically correct and sounds natural in standard English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on correcting an everyday English sentence by removing unnecessary words and fixing the normal word order. Examinations often test whether candidates can recognise redundant or misplaced words such as "so" when used wrongly in clauses like "I think so she will come". Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: I think so she will come to the party. The speaker wants to express a simple opinion about the likelihood of someone coming to a party. The task is to pick the option that gives a natural and grammatically correct sentence. The tone is neutral, and the tense is simple present combined with simple future. Concept / Approach: In English, "I think" is often followed directly by a clause beginning with "that", which can be omitted in informal speech: "I think (that) she will come to the party." The word "so" is used differently. It can stand in for an entire clause, as in "I think so", but when the clause itself is stated ("she will come to the party"), "so" is not used before it. In addition, continuous forms like "I am thinking she will come" are far less natural for a simple opinion about the future. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the core meaning: the speaker believes she will come to the party.Recognise that "I think" introduces a noun clause giving the content of the thought.Remove the unnecessary "so", because the clause "she will come to the party" is explicitly stated.Use the normal pattern: "I think (that) she will come to the party."Confirm that the resulting sentence is clear, grammatically correct, and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: The improved sentence "I think she will come to the party." reads smoothly and expresses the idea in standard English. It follows the familiar pattern "I think + clause", which is widely used in spoken and written language and appears in grammar books as the standard structure for expressing opinions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "So I think she will come to the party." changes the sentence into a different structure where "So" connects to a previous idea and is not directly improving the given faulty sentence. Option B: "I am thinking she will come to the party." is grammatically possible but sounds unnatural for a simple, settled opinion and is not the expected exam answer. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because "I think so she will come to the party." is not standard English usage. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes overuse the word "so" in English due to influence from their first language or from phrases like "I think so". It is important to remember that "I think so" stands by itself, while "I think she will come" directly states the content of the thought. Confusing these patterns leads to sentences that sound odd to native speakers. Final Answer: The correct improvement is I think she will come to the party.

Question 18

In this English proverb based sentence improvement question, you must choose the correct form of the well known saying "Old habits die hard" to replace the incorrect sentence "Old habit die hardly".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests knowledge of a common English proverb and the correct use of adverbs and adjectives with the verb "die". The sentence "Old habit die hardly" contains errors in both number and word choice. Examinations frequently use proverbs and fixed expressions because they reveal whether a learner recognises natural set phrases in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Incorrect sentence: Old habit die hardly. The intended meaning is that habits which have existed for a long time are difficult to change. We must choose an option that matches the standard proverb. The correct answer must sound natural and preserve the intended idea. Concept / Approach: The standard proverb in English is "Old habits die hard." In this expression, "habits" is plural, matching the generic idea of all habits, and "hard" functions as an adverb meaning "with difficulty". The word "hardly" means "scarcely" or "almost not", which is quite different in meaning and does not fit here. Recognising the fixed proverb helps you quickly identify the correct form in the options given. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall the actual proverb used in everyday English: "Old habits die hard."Check the noun: it should be plural "habits" when speaking generally.Check the adverb: "hard" is used to mean "with great difficulty".Reject "hardly" because it means "scarcely" and changes the meaning.Select the option that matches the proverb exactly: "Old habits die hard." Verification / Alternative check: When you read "Old habits die hard.", it clearly conveys that changing a long standing habit takes a lot of effort and is not easy. This exact phrase appears in dictionaries of proverbs and in many reading passages. It is therefore the correct standard expression to use in the sentence improvement question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "Old habits die hardly." uses "hardly" incorrectly. It suggests that old habits almost never die, which is not the established proverb and is grammatically awkward. Option C: "Older habits die too hard." is not a standard idiom and adds "too", which is unnecessary and sounds unnatural. Option D: "No improvement" is wrong because the original sentence has clear grammatical and idiomatic errors. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse "hard" and "hardly". "Hard" can mean "with effort" or "difficult" when used with verbs, while "hardly" usually has the meaning "almost not". In proverb questions, it is also a mistake to modify or partially remember fixed phrases. When in doubt, check if the expression appears in standard reference sources or if you have seen it many times in the same form. Final Answer: The correct improved sentence is Old habits die hard.

Question 19

In this phrasal verb sentence improvement question, you must correct the sentence "The burglar broke in the shop last night" by choosing the option that uses the proper phrasal verb and preposition after "broke".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the correct use of the English phrasal verb "break into" in the context of burglary. Competitive examinations frequently include items based on phrasal verbs because the correct choice of preposition changes the meaning and shows whether the candidate understands idiomatic usage rather than translating word by word. Given Data / Assumptions: Incorrect sentence: The burglar broke in the shop last night. The context is a criminal act where a burglar entered a shop illegally. The underlined part involves the words following "broke". We must select the phrasal verb that is standard in English for this situation. Concept / Approach: In English, when someone enters a building illegally, especially to steal, the usual expression is "break into" a place. The phrasal verb "break into" is followed directly by the object: "break into the shop", "break into the house". The phrase "broke in the shop" is incorrect because "break in" as an intransitive verb normally does not take a direct object like "the shop" without a preposition. The preposition "into" is therefore necessary to complete the standard pattern. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the action: a burglar entered a shop illegally at night.Recall the common phrasal verb used for this meaning: "break into".Notice that "broke in the shop" lacks the preposition "into" and sounds unnatural.Insert the correct phrase: "The burglar broke into the shop last night."Check that the tense (broke), preposition (into), and object (the shop) are all correct and natural. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: "The burglar broke into the shop last night." This matches the kind of sentence you see in news reports and textbooks describing theft. The verb "broke" in simple past plus "into" and a place name clearly conveys the meaning of forced, illegal entry. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "broke" alone is incomplete because it does not show where the burglar went; it needs a preposition and object. Option B: "broke through" suggests physically breaking through a barrier like a wall or crowd, but it still sounds odd without a suitable object and is not the standard phrase for burglary. Option D: "No improvement" is incorrect because the original wording "broke in the shop" is not standard English for this meaning. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse "break in" and "break into". "Break in" can be used as an intransitive verb, as in "Burglars often break in at night", where there is no direct object. However, when we name the place, the preposition "into" must be included. Remember that many phrasal verbs change meaning depending on whether a preposition or object is present. Final Answer: The correct improvement is broke into, giving the full sentence "The burglar broke into the shop last night."

Question 20

In this idiomatic expression sentence improvement question, you must decide whether the phrase "see through his tricks" is correctly used in the sentence "Nida was too clever to see through his tricks", and choose the most appropriate alternative if…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of the English idiom "see through someone or something", which means to detect deception or realise that someone is trying to trick you. The sentence "Nida was too clever to see through his tricks" contains this idiom, and you must decide whether it is already correct or if one of the alternative phrases is better. Given Data / Assumptions: Sentence given: Nida was too clever to see through his tricks. The underlined part is the phrase "see through his tricks". The context suggests that Nida is clever enough not to be fooled. We assume the exam is mainly testing idiomatic use of the phrasal verb "see through". Concept / Approach: The idiom "see through" a person or a trick means to recognise the truth behind an attempt to deceive. For example, "She could see through his lies" or "They saw through the clever marketing." Therefore "see through his tricks" is a correct and natural expression meaning that Nida recognises his tricks for what they are. The combination with "too clever" is slightly stylistic, but the key part of the test is the idiom itself, which is correctly used with "through". Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the core meaning: Nida is clever and is not easily deceived.Recall that "see through" means to detect or expose a trick or lie.Check that the object of the phrasal verb is appropriate: "his tricks" fits naturally.Compare this idiom with the alternatives "see his tricks", "see into his tricks", and "see over his tricks".Recognise that only "see through his tricks" is a standard idiom in English. Verification / Alternative check: If we rewrite the sentence as "Nida was clever enough to see through his tricks", the meaning becomes absolutely clear: she recognises his tricks and therefore will not be misled. This confirms that "see through" is the correct expression and that no change to the idiom is needed in the answer choices. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A: "see his tricks" is grammatically possible but loses the idiomatic sense of detecting deception and simply means to observe the tricks. Option B: "see into his tricks" is not a standard phrase and sounds unnatural. Option C: "see over his tricks" has no recognised idiomatic meaning in this context. Option D: "No improvement" is correct because the idiom "see through his tricks" is already appropriate. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes assume that any phrase offered in options must replace the original underlined words. However, in many exam questions the best choice is "No improvement" when the underlined phrase is already correct. It is also easy to confuse idioms like "see through", "see into", and "see over" if you try to guess from literal meanings rather than from remembered usage in authentic examples. Final Answer: The sentence is already correct, so the right choice is No improvement for the phrase "see through his tricks".

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