Question 1

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: The Centre cannot afford to procrastinate any further (at) framing rules to regulate the trading and use o…

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question examines your understanding of which prepositions combine naturally with the verb procrastinate. The sentence talks about delay in framing rules to regulate bitcoin and other virtual currencies. The bracketed preposition at must be evaluated to see whether it is idiomatic or whether a different preposition is normally used after procrastinate in modern English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The Centre cannot afford to procrastinate any further at framing rules to regulate the trading and use of bitcoin and other virtual currencies. The bracketed preposition is at. Options: on, under, of, No improvement. We assume the intended meaning is that the Centre must not delay any longer in the task of framing rules. Concept / Approach: In natural English, people procrastinate over or on a task, idea or decision. Procrastinate at is not a standard collocation. Therefore, the correct preposition should be on in this context: procrastinate on framing rules. Under and of do not fit the pattern either. So replacing at with on gives a smooth and idiomatic sentence that conveys the intended meaning clearly. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Isolate the key verb phrase: procrastinate any further plus preposition plus gerund framing rules.Step 2: Recall that we commonly say procrastinate on doing something or procrastinate over doing something.Step 3: Recognise that at sounds unnatural after procrastinate and is not used in standard exam level English.Step 4: Substitute on in place of at and read the sentence: The Centre cannot afford to procrastinate any further on framing rules to regulate the trading and use of bitcoin and other virtual currencies. This now feels natural and correct.Step 5: Check under and of and observe that procrastinate under or procrastinate of framing rules has no recognised idiomatic use. Therefore, on is the only option that improves the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Compare with similar structures: Many students procrastinate on starting their assignments, and The committee has procrastinated on making a final decision. In each case, on introduces the task or decision being delayed. Using at, under, or of would make these sentences sound incorrect. Because framing rules is exactly the sort of task one can procrastinate on, the same preposition should be used here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Under is generally used with nouns like investigation or pressure and not with procrastinate. Of typically marks possession or relation and does not follow procrastinate when introducing an activity. No improvement would keep the non standard at framing rules, which is not how native speakers express this idea in formal writing. Therefore, all other options fail to capture the verb preposition pattern correctly. Common Pitfalls: Preposition choice is often influenced by the learner first language, leading to direct translations that do not match English collocations. A reliable way to improve in this area is to read editorial style articles and notice which prepositions consistently follow common verbs like depend, insist, and procrastinate. Building a mental list of these combinations will make questions like this much easier. Final Answer: The correct improvement is to replace at with on, so option A is correct.

Question 2

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: The telecom sector is the backbone to the Digital India vision and it deserves an (enabled) regulatory env…

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question focuses on choosing the correct adjective to describe the type of regulatory environment that the telecom sector deserves. The current bracketed word enabled sounds awkward in this context. You must select the form that accurately expresses the idea of regulation that actively supports and facilitates growth. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The telecom sector is the backbone to the Digital India vision and it deserves an enabled regulatory environment. The bracketed word is enabled. Options: enabling, enable, able, No improvement. We assume the intended meaning is that the regulatory environment should be supportive and facilitative, not simply one that has been enabled by someone else. Concept / Approach: Enabled is the past participle of enable and usually describes something that has been made able by an external agent. In policy language, however, the usual expression is enabling environment, meaning an environment that enables or facilitates growth and innovation. Therefore, the correct adjective here is enabling. This describes the nature of the regulatory environment itself as supportive, rather than merely indicating that someone enabled it in the past. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the desired quality of the regulatory environment: it should actively help the telecom sector to grow and serve as the backbone of the Digital India vision.Step 2: Recall that in development and policy documents, phrases like enabling policy framework and enabling ecosystem are standard.Step 3: Replace enabled with enabling and read the sentence again: it deserves an enabling regulatory environment, which now sounds natural and matches policy writing style.Step 4: Consider enable, which is a bare verb form and cannot be used directly before a noun as an adjective in this way.Step 5: Consider able, which describes the capability of a person or thing, not the role of an environment in facilitating growth. Therefore, enabling is the only option that improves the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Check similar expressions: Governments aim to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurship, and The reforms are designed to build an enabling framework for investment. In both cases, enabling describes an environment that helps other activities succeed. Substituting enabled in these sentences would make them sound odd. The same pattern applies to the sentence about the telecom sector, confirming that enabling is preferred. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Enabled focuses on the fact that something has been made able by someone else, which is not the intended emphasis here. It would be more appropriate in a sentence like This feature is enabled by default in the software. Enable is a verb and cannot stand directly before regulatory environment as an adjective. Able suggests capability but not a supportive or facilitative role. It is used for people or entities that can do something, such as an able administrator, not for the environment or framework itself. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse participle adjectives like enabling and enabled, especially when both forms look similar. The key is to remember that enabling usually describes something that helps others, while enabled describes something that has been given capability. In policy and economic contexts, enabling environment is a standard phrase that you should recognise and use in questions like this. Final Answer: The bracketed word enabled should be replaced with enabling, so option A is correct.

Question 3

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: The Chairman (send in) all the right signals and we can only hope that his trip will result in rich divide…

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement item tests your understanding of both verb tense and correct phrasal verb choice. The sentence talks about what the Chairman has already done: he has communicated or projected certain signals. The bracketed phrase send in is wrong in both tense and idiomatic choice. You need to select the option that best describes this completed action. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The Chairman send in all the right signals and we can only hope that his trip will result in rich dividends. The bracketed part is send in. Options: send out, sent of, sent out, No improvement. We assume that the sentence reports a past action with consequences for the future. Concept / Approach: Two corrections are needed. First, the tense should be past because the Chairman has already given the signals, so sent is required rather than send. Second, the correct phrasal verb is send out signals, not send in signals. To send out signals means to project or communicate certain messages or indications. The combination sent out therefore fixes both the tense error and the collocation error, making option C the correct choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the time reference. The sentence uses we can only hope that his trip will result in rich dividends, which implies that the signalling has already happened.Step 2: Recognise that the main clause describing the Chairman action should therefore use the past tense.Step 3: Recall the standard expression send out signals, meaning to convey messages, for example The central bank sent out clear signals about future interest rates.Step 4: Combine these two observations to obtain sent out as the correct verb phrase.Step 5: Eliminate send out (present tense), sent of (incorrect preposition) and No improvement (which would leave both tense and phrasal verb wrong). Thus, sent out is the correct improvement. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the bracketed part with each option and read the sentence. With sent out, the sentence becomes The Chairman sent out all the right signals and we can only hope that his trip will result in rich dividends, which is grammatically correct and idiomatic. With send out, there is a tense mismatch between send and will result. With sent of, the phrase sent of signals has no standard meaning. Keeping send in is clearly wrong, since send in usually refers to submitting something and not to communicating public signals. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Send out fails to match the past time frame. Sent of uses an incorrect preposition and is not a recognised collocation. No improvement is also incorrect, because send in all the right signals is ungrammatical and unidiomatic. The phrasal verb send in is used for sending in an application or report, not for projecting signals to markets or observers. Common Pitfalls: It is easy to focus only on the preposition and miss the tense error, or to focus only on tense and ignore the phrasal verb. Sentence improvement questions often combine two small errors in one phrase to require a more careful check. The safest approach is to scan for both correct time reference and natural verb plus preposition combinations before making a choice. Final Answer: The correct improved phrase is sent out, so option C is correct.

Question 4

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: Bull markets, John Templeton said, are born on pessimism, grow on scepticism, mature on optimism and (die …

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests familiarity with a famous quotation about market cycles and also checks preposition choice. The quote describes how bull markets progress from pessimism to scepticism to optimism and finally to euphoria. The bracketed phrase die for euphoria is not the standard form of the quote and is not idiomatic English. You must pick the preposition that correctly completes the expression. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: Bull markets, John Templeton said, are born on pessimism, grow on scepticism, mature on optimism and die for euphoria. The bracketed part is die for. Options: die on, die at, die above, No improvement. We assume the sentence intends to reproduce the well known pattern born on, grow on, mature on, die on. Concept / Approach: In the original and widely quoted version, the phrase is die on euphoria. The preposition on is used consistently throughout: born on pessimism, grow on scepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria. Using for changes the meaning, suggesting that markets die for the sake of euphoria, which is not intended. At and above do not fit the established idiom and disrupt the parallel structure. Therefore, die on is the correct improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Observe the pattern in the earlier parts of the sentence: born on, grow on, mature on.Step 2: Recognise that to maintain parallel structure, the same preposition on should follow die as well.Step 3: Replace die for with die on and read the full sequence: born on pessimism, grow on scepticism, mature on optimism and die on euphoria, which now sounds balanced and idiomatic.Step 4: Consider die at and die above and see that they break the established pattern and do not match the metaphor.Step 5: Conclude that die on is the only option that both preserves the quote and maintains correct prepositional parallelism. Verification / Alternative check: Parallel structure is a strong cue in sentence correction. When three phrases use on, and the fourth suddenly uses for, it is very likely that the fourth is incorrect. Moreover, financial writers and exam preparation materials typically quote this aphorism with on in all four parts. Substituting die on for die for restores that well known form, confirming that die on is correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Die for suggests purpose or cause, as in soldiers die for their country, which is not what the metaphor intends. Die at and die above do not appear in any standard version of the quotation and do not convey the sense of a market cycle ending in a particular emotional state. No improvement is also wrong because it would keep a non standard and stylistically jarring preposition. Common Pitfalls: Test takers sometimes focus only on individual phrases and ignore patterns across a sentence. This question is designed to reward those who notice that on appears three times already and that a different preposition breaks symmetry without any clear reason. When you see repeated structures, it is usually safe to suspect that any break in the pattern is an error unless there is a strong contextual justification. Final Answer: The bracketed phrase die for should be corrected to die on to match the standard quotation and maintain parallel structure, so option A is correct.

Question 5

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct option. If no improvement is required, select "No improvement".   Sentence: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (has decreed) that all MF schemes must adopt the Total R…

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question checks subject verb agreement and tense for a regulatory action by SEBI. The bracketed phrase has decreed expresses that SEBI has made a formal order in the recent past with continuing relevance. You need to decide whether this phrase is correct or whether one of the alternatives improves the sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The full sentence is: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has decreed that all MF schemes must adopt the Total Return variants of their chosen benchmarks to measure and disclose their performance. The bracketed part is has decreed. Options: is decree, have decreed, has decreeing, No improvement. The subject SEBI is a singular institutional body. Concept / Approach: Has decreed is present perfect tense with a singular auxiliary has and past participle decreed. It fits well when describing a formal decision taken by a single authority with ongoing effect. The verb decree means to order officially. Because SEBI is singular, has is correct; have would be used with a plural subject. Is decree and has decreeing are ungrammatical in standard English. Therefore, the original has decreed is already correct and needs no improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). Although it represents many people, it functions as a single institution and takes a singular verb.Step 2: Note that the sentence reports a formal order that has been made and still applies, which suits the present perfect tense has decreed.Step 3: Check subject verb agreement: singular SEBI plus singular auxiliary has is correct.Step 4: Examine have decreed; this would be appropriate only if the subject were plural, such as the authorities have decreed.Step 5: Eliminate is decree and has decreeing, both of which are grammatically incorrect forms. Thus, the original phrase has decreed should be retained, making No improvement the correct option. Verification / Alternative check: Read the sentence using each option. With has decreed, the sentence flows naturally: SEBI has decreed that all MF schemes must adopt the Total Return variants. With have decreed, there is a clash between the plural verb have and the singular subject SEBI. With is decree or has decreeing, the structure breaks completely because decree is not used properly as a noun in this position, and decreeing is not the right participle form after has in this context. This confirms that the original is best. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Is decree attempts to use is plus a base form verb or noun and does not form a valid predicate in this sentence. Have decreed fails the subject verb agreement rule because SEBI is treated as singular in Indian English usage. Has decreeing is an incorrect combination; if decreeing were used, it would require a different structure, such as SEBI, decreeing that..., which is not how the sentence is framed. Therefore, none of these options improves on has decreed. Common Pitfalls: Some learners assume that any long institutional name is plural and automatically choose have to agree with it. However, regulatory bodies like SEBI, RBI, or the Election Commission are grammatically singular when treated as single entities. It is important to separate the idea of many members from the grammatical rule that a named organisation usually takes a singular verb in such contexts. Final Answer: The phrase has decreed is already correct, so the best choice is No improvement, and option D is correct.

Question 6

In this sentence improvement item, choose the correct phrasal verb to replace the bracketed expression "(drop in)" in the sentence "It is revealing that the gender divide in cognition levels worsens with rise in age, as girls are often compelled to …

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Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your understanding of English phrasal verbs in a social context related to girls leaving school. The original sentence describes how the gender divide in cognition levels worsens as girls are forced to leave education early. The bracketed expression "drop in" is not the correct phrasal verb for leaving school permanently, so you must select the most appropriate alternative that fits both grammar and meaning. Given Data / Assumptions: The base sentence talks about girls being compelled to leave school for various reasons. The bracketed phrase is "drop in of school". We need a phrasal verb that means stop attending school or leave education. The options are "drop at", "drop out", "drop of", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: In standard English, the phrasal verb "drop out" is used when someone leaves a course, college, or school before completion. The fixed expression is "drop out of school", not "drop in of school". The phrase "drop in" means to visit briefly or informally, which is the opposite of what the sentence wants to say. Therefore, you must choose the option that gives the correct phrasal verb and fits smoothly into the sentence about girls leaving school. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the intended meaning: girls are forced to leave school before completing their education. Step 2: Recall the idiomatic expression "drop out of school" used in education contexts. Step 3: Replace the bracketed "drop in" with "drop out" to form "compelled to drop out of school". Step 4: Check that the full sentence now reads clearly and naturally. Step 5: Confirm that no other option expresses the correct meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: "It is revealing that the gender divide in cognition levels worsens with rise in age, as girls are often compelled to drop out of school for a variety of reasons." This sounds natural and is a common way to talk about educational discontinuation. If you try "drop at", "drop of", or keep "drop in", the sentence either becomes ungrammatical or changes meaning to something unnatural. Only "drop out" gives the standard expression used in education and social discussions. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Drop at" does not exist as a phrasal verb in this sense and cannot mean leaving school. "Drop of" is grammatically incorrect here and does not form a recognised phrasal verb related to education. "No improvement" would keep "drop in", which actually means to visit briefly and is the opposite of leaving school. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to focus only on the preposition "of" and ignore the verb itself. In phrasal verbs, both the verb and the particle together create meaning, so "drop out" must be learned as a single unit. Another trap is to think "drop in" sounds nice and short, but it is used for informal visits, not permanent withdrawal from education. Remember the fixed pattern "drop out of school" for exam questions and real life usage. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "drop out", giving the sentence: girls are often compelled to drop out of school for a variety of reasons.

Question 7

In this sentence improvement item, choose the correct phrase to replace the bracketed expression "(locked at)" in the sentence about privatising the airline and freeing funds for education and health.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of common English collocations used in economic and policy discussions. The sentence describes a proposal to privatise an airline and free funds for education and health that are currently tied up in the public sector. The bracketed phrase "locked at" is not idiomatic, so you must choose the option that correctly expresses the idea that funds are stuck or unavailable for other uses. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence talks about a compelling case for privatising an airline. The key idea is freeing funds that are currently not available for education and health. The bracketed phrase is "locked at". Options include "locked of", "locked on", "locked up", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: In economic and everyday English, the phrase "locked up" is used to describe capital or funds that are tied up in a particular asset or investment and cannot be easily used elsewhere. Expressions such as "capital locked up in real estate" or "funds locked up in loss making public sector units" are very common. The phrase "locked at" does not carry this meaning and is therefore incorrect. You have to select the option that gives the standard collocation for money that is stuck in a particular place. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the meaning: funds are not free; they are tied into the airline. Step 2: Recall the common phrase "locked up funds" used in financial contexts. Step 3: Replace "locked at" with "locked up" to create "freeing locked up funds". Step 4: Read the full sentence with this phrase to ensure it sounds natural. Step 5: Verify that no other option gives the correct financial meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Insert each option into the sentence and test: "freeing locked of funds" is ungrammatical; "freeing locked on funds" does not convey that money is stuck; "freeing locked up funds" clearly suggests releasing money that is tied up in the airline. The version with "locked up" also matches how newspapers and economic analysts typically write about public assets and privatisation. Therefore, "locked up" is the only acceptable improvement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Locked of" is grammatically wrong; the preposition "of" cannot follow "locked" in this structure. "Locked on" suggests a focus or attention fixed on something, not funds tied into an asset. "No improvement" is incorrect because "locked at" is not idiomatic and does not express the idea of funds being tied up. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes try to guess based on the preposition alone, without thinking of complete expressions used in real financial language. A good strategy is to learn typical collocations such as "tied up capital", "locked up funds", and "frozen assets". Once you recognise "locked up" as a standard phrase, it becomes easy to pick it over unnatural combinations like "locked at". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "locked up", giving the sentence: privatising the airline and freeing locked up funds for education and health.

Question 8

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed verb "(became)" in the sentence about how the idea of the impossible is relevant for an individual who doubts certain accomplishments.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks your understanding of verb tense consistency in general statements about human behaviour. The sentence talks about an abstract idea, the idea of the impossible, and explains how it is relevant when we consider an individual who might think some achievements are impossible. Because the sentence expresses a general truth and not a one time past event, the verb in brackets must match the overall present time frame of the statement. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence describes a general concept, not a specific moment in history. The clause after the bracket uses present tense: "when we come to the individual". The bracketed verb is "became". Options include "becoming", "becomes", "was became", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: General truths and ongoing realities are usually expressed in the simple present tense. The sentence describes how the idea of the impossible relates to individuals in general, and the clause "when we come to the individual" clearly uses simple present. To keep the tense consistent, the verb that links the idea and its relevance should also be simple present, namely "becomes". The past form "became" would be appropriate only if the entire description were placed in a specific past context, which is not the case here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the time frame of the main sentence; note the phrase "when we come to the individual". Step 2: Recognise that this clause talks about any individual and therefore expresses a general truth. Step 3: Choose the present tense form "becomes" to match this general time frame. Step 4: Replace "became" with "becomes" so the idea of the impossible becomes more relevant. Step 5: Read the full sentence to check for smooth and logical tense consistency. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: "This idea of the impossible becomes even more relevant when we come to the individual, who might consider certain accomplishments impossible without realising that with persistent effort and determination they could be achieved." All main verbs that express general truths are now in simple present: "becomes", "come", "might consider", "could be achieved" expresses possibility. If you use "became" instead, you would create a confusing mix of past and present, which is not stylistically or grammatically ideal for exam English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Becoming" would need a different structure, such as "This idea of the impossible is becoming more relevant", which is not given. "Was became" is grammatically incorrect because it combines an auxiliary with a past form in a way that does not exist in standard English. "No improvement" would keep "became" and leave the tense inconsistent with the present time reference in the rest of the sentence. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes think that any formal sentence sounds better in past tense, even when the topic is a general principle. A useful habit is to check for adverbs or clauses that indicate time, such as "now", "today", or present time verbs like "come". When these markers suggest an ongoing truth, simple present forms like "is" or "becomes" are usually correct. Always align the bracketed verb with the main time frame of the sentence. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "becomes", making the sentence tense consistent for a general truth.

Question 9

In this sentence improvement item, choose the correct preposition to replace the bracketed word "(on)" in the sentence "Once you emerge as an individual, it is important to realise that your freedom has an impact on others."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the correct preposition used with the noun "impact" in modern English. The sentence explains that an individual's freedom influences other people, and the phrase "impact on others" is already a very common and natural combination. You need to decide whether the bracketed preposition "on" should be changed or left as it is. Given Data / Assumptions: Base sentence: "Once you emerge as an individual, it is important to realise that your freedom has an impact on others." The bracketed word is "on". The idea is that personal freedom influences other people. Options offer alternative prepositions or no improvement. Concept / Approach: In standard English, the most common pattern is "have an impact on something or someone". Examples include "technology has an impact on society" and "pollution has an impact on health". The preposition "on" expresses the target that is affected. Prepositions such as "at", "for", or "in" do not collocate with "impact" in this sense. Therefore, the original expression "impact on others" is already correct and requires no change. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the noun and preposition pair: "impact on". Step 2: Recall typical collocations from reading and listening: "impact on the environment", "impact on the economy". Step 3: Compare with alternatives such as "impact at", "impact for", or "impact in" and notice that they are not standard. Step 4: Conclude that the original combination "impact on others" is correct. Step 5: Choose "No improvement" as the best option. Verification / Alternative check: Try substituting each option in the sentence. "Impact at others" sounds completely wrong; "impact for others" changes the sense to doing something for their benefit; "impact in others" is not used in this context. Only "impact on others" matches the normal pattern in dictionaries and formal writing. If you consult articles on ethics and personal freedom, you will repeatedly see phrases like "the impact on society" rather than any other prepositional pattern. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "At" usually suggests direction towards a point, as in "look at" or "throw at", which does not fit with "impact" as a noun. "For" indicates purpose or benefit, for example "a gift for you", but the sentence is about influence, not benefit or purpose. "In" is used for location inside something, such as "in a box" or "in trouble", and does not match the fixed expression "impact on". Common Pitfalls: A frequent source of error is overthinking and changing phrases that are already correct in an attempt to make them sound more complex. In sentence improvement questions, always check whether the original phrase matches common usage. If it does, "No improvement" is often the safest and most accurate choice. Learning fixed pairs like "effect on", "influence on", and "impact on" will help you answer many similar questions quickly. Final Answer: The original phrase "impact on others" is correct, so the best answer is "No improvement".

Question 10

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed word "(inspite)" in the sentence "Our destiny is always and only in our own hands, inspite all apparent evidence which may indicate otherwise."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your knowledge of the correct form of a very common contrast word used in formal English. The sentence talks about personal destiny remaining in our hands, even when evidence seems to suggest otherwise. The bracketed form "inspite" is a frequent spelling and usage error, and your task is to choose the correct alternative that fits naturally before "all apparent evidence". Given Data / Assumptions: Original segment: "inspite all apparent evidence which may indicate otherwise". The intended meaning is similar to "in spite of all apparent evidence". Options include "despite in", "despite of", "despite", and "No improvement". We need a single word or phrase that introduces contrast correctly. Concept / Approach: Standard English uses "despite" as a single word meaning almost the same as "in spite of". It is followed directly by a noun or noun phrase, such as "despite the rain" or "despite all evidence". The incorrect one word form "inspite" is not used in formal writing. Similarly, "despite of" is wrong because "of" already appears in the phrase "in spite of". In this question, "despite" followed immediately by "all apparent evidence" gives exactly the formal, concise expression we need. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recognise that "inspite" is a wrong or non standard form. Step 2: Recall that there are two correct contrast forms: "despite" and "in spite of". Step 3: Note that the sentence structure requires a word directly before "all apparent evidence". Step 4: Choose "despite" so the phrase becomes "despite all apparent evidence". Step 5: Confirm that this version is concise, formal, and grammatically correct. Verification / Alternative check: Try inserting each option into the sentence. "Despite in all apparent evidence" is clearly incorrect because it contains two prepositions in a row. "Despite of all apparent evidence" is also wrong, as "of" does not follow "despite". Leaving "inspite" unchanged keeps the error. Only "despite all apparent evidence" matches the forms taught in grammar books and used in newspapers, academic writing, and competitive exam passages. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Despite in" mixes two prepositions and never occurs as a fixed expression. "Despite of" incorrectly combines "despite" with "of" and is considered wrong in standard English. "No improvement" cannot be correct because "inspite" is not an accepted spelling or form; the correct phrase is "in spite of". Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse "despite" and "in spite of" and sometimes create hybrid forms like "despite of" or "inspite". A simple rule is to remember that "despite" stands alone and is never followed by "of", while "in spite of" is a three word expression that always includes "of". When you need a single word before a noun phrase, "despite" is usually the right choice. When you want to use a multi word phrase, use "in spite of". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "despite", giving the phrase "despite all apparent evidence which may indicate otherwise".

Question 11

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed word "(underlied)" in the sentence about seeing the divine consciousness present in everything.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines correct word form choice, especially the difference between verb forms and adjectives. The sentence explains a spiritual principle: that love involves seeing divine consciousness present beneath everything. The bracketed word "underlied" is not the natural form to describe something that lies beneath as a continuous reality. You need the adjective that expresses an ongoing underlying presence. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence talks about "the divine consciousness in everything". The bracketed form is "underlied". The idea is that this divine consciousness lies beneath all appearances. Options are "underlying", "underlay", "underlie", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: In English, "underlying" is commonly used as an adjective meaning basic, fundamental, or lying beneath the surface. We speak of "underlying causes", "underlying principles", or "underlying reality". The form "underlied" is a rare past tense that is not normally used in such spiritual or philosophical contexts. "Underlie" is a verb, not an adjective. To modify "divine consciousness" directly, we need the adjective "underlying", which neatly expresses the idea that this consciousness is the base layer of everything. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the grammatical role of the bracketed word; it directly modifies "divine consciousness". Step 2: Recognise that a describing word is required here, so an adjective is needed. Step 3: Recall that "underlying" is the standard adjective meaning basic or fundamental. Step 4: Replace "underlied" with "underlying" to form "the underlying divine consciousness". Step 5: Read the sentence again to confirm that it now sounds natural and meaningful. Verification / Alternative check: The corrected sentence reads: "The real principle behind love is to see the underlying divine consciousness in everything." This matches standard philosophical and spiritual writing. On the other hand, "the underlay divine consciousness" is wrong because "underlay" is a past tense verb or a noun in other contexts. "The underlie divine consciousness" is ungrammatical. Leaving "underlied" unchanged keeps an unnatural, rarely used form that does not function properly as an adjective. Only "underlying" fits both grammar and meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Underlay" is either a past tense verb or a noun used in contexts like carpets and flooring, not as an adjective describing consciousness. "Underlie" is a base form verb and cannot directly modify a noun without additional structure. "No improvement" would keep "underlied", which is not the standard adjective needed in this position. Common Pitfalls: Learners often recognise the root "underlie" but do not recall the correct adjective form "underlying". It is useful to memorise common adjective forms used in abstract contexts: "underlying principle", "prevailing belief", "pervasive influence". When you see a noun like "consciousness" that needs a descriptive word before it, always check whether the option you choose is an adjective, not a verb or a rare past form. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "underlying", giving the phrase "to see the underlying divine consciousness in everything".

Question 12

In this sentence improvement item, decide whether the bracketed verb phrase "(have developed)" in the sentence about scientists creating an "organ-on-a-chip" platform needs any change.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on subject verb agreement and correct present perfect usage in scientific reporting. The sentence states that scientists have created a particular research platform called an "organ-on-a-chip" to study drug transport across the human placental barrier. You must decide whether the bracketed verb phrase "have developed" is already correct or needs to be changed. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: "Scientists" which is clearly plural. Bracketed verb phrase: "have developed". The sentence describes a completed recent action with present relevance. Options: "have develop", "has developed", "is develop", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: For plural subjects in the present perfect tense, English uses "have" plus the past participle of the main verb. With the plural subject "Scientists", the correct structure is "have developed". The form "has developed" would be used with a singular subject such as "The team has developed". The phrase "have develop" is wrong because "develop" must be in past participle form "developed" after "have". "Is develop" is also incorrect because a form of "be" does not combine with a base verb in this way for completed actions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject "Scientists" and note that it is plural. Step 2: Recognise that the tense expresses a completed action relevant to the present, so present perfect is appropriate. Step 3: Recall the pattern for plural subjects in present perfect: "have" plus past participle. Step 4: Confirm that "developed" is the correct past participle of "develop". Step 5: Conclude that the original phrase "have developed" is already correct and requires no change. Verification / Alternative check: Read the full sentence: "Scientists have developed an organ-on-a-chip platform to study how drugs are transported across the human placental barrier." This is exactly the structure used in scientific news articles to present new research. If we try "Scientists has developed", subject verb agreement breaks. "Scientists have develop" is ungrammatical because the main verb is not in past participle form. "Scientists is develop" is completely incorrect for a completed action. Therefore, the only correct choice is to leave the phrase unchanged. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Have develop" lacks the required past participle and is incorrect in present perfect tense. "Has developed" disagrees with the plural subject "Scientists" and should only be used with a singular subject. "Is develop" mixes present continuous and base verb in a way that is not acceptable in English. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes become confused by the combination of helping verbs and main verbs in perfect tenses. A good habit is to always pair "have" or "has" with a past participle form such as "developed", "completed", or "studied". Also, keep in mind that plural subjects like "scientists" or "researchers" always take "have", while singular subjects like "a scientist" take "has". This quick mental check will help avoid common subject verb agreement mistakes. Final Answer: The original phrase "have developed" is correct for the plural subject "Scientists", so the best answer is "No improvement".

Question 13

In this sentence improvement item, choose the correct verb form to replace the bracketed phrase "(have done)" in the sentence "I have done my exercises when Keshav came to see me."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of past perfect tense in a narrative about two events in the past. The sentence describes a situation where a person completed their exercises before Keshav arrived. To show clearly which action happened first, English uses the past perfect tense for the earlier action and simple past for the later one. The bracketed verb phrase "have done" does not match this pattern when combined with "came". Given Data / Assumptions: Earlier action: finishing exercises. Later action: Keshav came to see the speaker. Bracketed phrase: "have done". Options: "had done", "done", "doing", "No improvement". Concept / Approach: When two actions in the past are related and one clearly happened before the other, the earlier action is often expressed in past perfect tense using "had" plus past participle. The later action takes simple past. In this case, the exercises were completed before Keshav arrived, so the correct structure is "I had done my exercises when Keshav came to see me". The present perfect "have done" is used when there is a connection to the present, which is not the case here because both events are in the past. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the time of each action: doing exercises first, Keshav coming afterward. Step 2: Notice that the verb "came" is in simple past. Step 3: Apply the rule for sequencing: use past perfect "had done" for the earlier completed action. Step 4: Replace "have done" with "had done" to get "I had done my exercises when Keshav came to see me". Step 5: Check that the sentence now clearly shows the order of events. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence slowly: the reader first understands that the exercises were already complete and then sees that Keshav arrived. If you keep "have done", you mix present perfect with simple past, which is not standard when both actions are clearly in the past. The options "done" and "doing" on their own are grammatically incomplete or incorrect in this position. Only "had done" fits the correct tense sequence used in exam level English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Done" alone would require an auxiliary verb such as "have", and on its own it does not form a complete predicate here. "Doing" is a present participle and would lead to a different structure like "I was doing my exercises when Keshav came", which changes the meaning. "No improvement" keeps "have done", which improperly mixes present perfect with a clearly past time reference in the same clause pair. Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to overuse present perfect because it looks sophisticated. However, present perfect is best reserved for situations that link past actions with the present. When describing a sequence of past events, especially in stories or reports, always check whether one action happened before another. If it did, consider using past perfect for the earlier action, as in "had finished", "had left", or "had done". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "had done", giving the sentence "I had done my exercises when Keshav came to see me".

Question 14

In this sentence improvement item, decide whether the bracketed word "(than)" in the sentence about drawing on more natural experiments than just comparisons among continents needs any change.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines your ability to recognise correct comparative structures. The sentence talks about a student of human history drawing on many more natural experiments than just comparisons among the five inhabited continents. The bracketed word "than" links the comparison between "natural experiments" and "comparisons among continents". You must decide whether this word is already correct or should be replaced. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: "many more natural experiments than just comparisons among the five inhabited continents". The comparison is between two types of evidence: natural experiments and simple comparisons. Bracketed word: "than". Options: "to", "of", "for", and "no improvement". Concept / Approach: In English, "more" as a comparative normally pairs with "than" to connect two elements. Examples include "more books than magazines" and "more evidence than speculation". In the given sentence, "many more natural experiments than just comparisons" is an entirely correct comparative structure. Changing "than" to "to", "of", or "for" would break this structure and make the sentence ungrammatical or unnatural. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the comparative word "more" in the phrase "many more natural experiments". Step 2: Note that the sentence is comparing natural experiments with "just comparisons among the five inhabited continents". Step 3: Recall that comparative adjectives and adverbs usually take "than" to introduce the second element of comparison. Step 4: Confirm that "than just comparisons" is the correct form. Step 5: Choose "no improvement" because the original usage is already correct. Verification / Alternative check: Test each alternative in the sentence. "More natural experiments to just comparisons" sounds incorrect and confuses the relationship between the elements. "More natural experiments of just comparisons" and "more natural experiments for just comparisons" are also wrong, because they replace a comparative connector with prepositions that change the meaning. Only "more natural experiments than just comparisons" keeps the standard comparative link between two types of evidence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "To" might be used after "prefer" or "superior", but it does not function as the comparative connector for "more". "Of" is used for possession or classification, as in "one of the continents", not for connecting comparative items after "more". "For" indicates purpose or benefit, which does not match the structure of a direct comparison here. Common Pitfalls: Sometimes learners overthink simple comparative patterns and attempt to change prepositions that are already correct. A useful rule is to leave "more ... than ..." alone unless there is a very clear error elsewhere. When you see "more" or "less" followed by a second element of comparison, "than" is normally the correct and necessary connector. Recognising these fixed patterns allows you to confidently select "no improvement" when appropriate. Final Answer: The word "than" is correctly used in the comparative structure, so the best answer is "no improvement".

Question 15

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed adjective "(embarrassed)" in the sentence about our biological knowledge of common animals being slight.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests precise vocabulary use and correct word form choice. The sentence comments that our biological knowledge of some very common animals is extremely small and that this is something we should be ashamed of. The phrase "embarrassed slight" is grammatically wrong and stylistically awkward. You must choose the adverb or adjective that correctly modifies "slight" and expresses that the smallness of knowledge is shameful. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence structure is "knowledge is ... slight". The bracketed form is "embarrassed". The writer wants to say that the knowledge is so slight that it should cause embarrassment. Options: "embarrass", "embarrassingly", "embarrassing", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: The adjective "slight" can be modified by an adverb to show degree or add emotional colour. The adverb "embarrassingly" describes how slight the knowledge is in a way that implies shame. So "embarrassingly slight" means "so slight that it is embarrassing". The word "embarrassed" is a past participle that describes how a person feels, not the degree of smallness of something abstract. "Embarrassing" is an adjective but would normally modify a situation or fact rather than a degree word like "slight". Therefore, the natural and frequently used collocation in English is "embarrassingly slight". Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify that "slight" is an adjective describing the degree of knowledge. Step 2: Recognise that an adverb is needed before "slight" to describe the manner or extent. Step 3: Recall the common expression "embarrassingly slight" used to criticise low levels of knowledge. Step 4: Replace "embarrassed" with "embarrassingly" to form "embarrassingly slight". Step 5: Read the full sentence to ensure it now sounds natural and idiomatic. Verification / Alternative check: The improved sentence reads: "Our biological knowledge of even some of the commonest animals is embarrassingly slight and it is here that zoos can be of inestimable value in amassing information." This version clearly communicates that we should feel ashamed of how little we know. If you try "embarrassed slight", the phrase is grammatically incorrect; "embarrassing slight" is unusual and not the established collocation. The bare verb "embarrass" cannot stand before "slight" in this way. Only "embarrassingly slight" matches standard usage in educated English. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Embarrass" is a base verb form and cannot function directly as a modifier of "slight". "Embarrassing" is an adjective and would normally directly describe a situation, as in "an embarrassing mistake", not the degree word "slight". "No improvement" keeps "embarrassed slight", which is wrong because "embarrassed" usually describes people, not abstract nouns like "knowledge" in this way. Common Pitfalls: Learners often confuse whether to use "-ed" or "-ing" forms and forget about the adverb "-ly" forms. A helpful tip is to check what kind of word follows. If it is an adjective like "slight", you usually need an adverb such as "highly", "extremely", or "embarrassingly". Memorising frequent pairings like "embarrassingly low", "surprisingly high", and "remarkably small" will make similar questions easier. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "embarrassingly", giving the phrase "embarrassingly slight".

Question 16

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed word "(much)" in the sentence "Woodrow Wilson said that the free enterprise system is the much efficient economic system."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives. The sentence quotes Woodrow Wilson describing the free enterprise system as the most effective type of economic system. The bracketed word "much" before "efficient" is incorrect because the structure clearly calls for a superlative form. You must choose the option that correctly completes the superlative expression. Given Data / Assumptions: Structure: "the ... efficient economic system". Bracketed word: "much". The idea is to say that free enterprise is at the top level of efficiency compared with other systems. Options: "most", "many", "mere", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: In English, we use "most" before a long adjective to form the superlative: "the most efficient", "the most productive", "the most important". The definite article "the" before "much" in the original sentence signals that a superlative form is expected, not a simple intensifier. "Much efficient" on its own would be wrong, and "the much efficient" is even more unnatural. To express that something is at the highest degree compared with others, "the most efficient" is the correct phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Notice the pattern "the ... efficient economic system", which points to a superlative structure. Step 2: Recall that superlatives of long adjectives are formed with "the most" plus the adjective. Step 3: Replace "much" with "most" to form "the most efficient economic system". Step 4: Check that the sentence now clearly states that free enterprise is the top option among systems. Step 5: Verify that the other options cannot produce a correct superlative construction. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: "Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the economic market when he said that the free enterprise system is the most efficient economic system." This is the standard way to express a strong opinion of superiority. "The many efficient economic system" is wrong because "many" does not form comparatives or superlatives. "The mere efficient economic system" changes the meaning entirely to "only efficient", not "most efficient". Leaving "much" unchanged keeps a phrase that native speakers would never use in this context. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Many" is used to express quantity, as in "many systems", and cannot be used before an adjective to form a superlative. "Mere" means "only" or "nothing more than", which would weaken the statement instead of expressing superiority. "No improvement" keeps an incorrect structure that fails to convey the idea of highest degree efficiently. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse "more" and "most" and may think that "much" can be used as a general intensifier before any adjective. In reality, "much" is often used with comparatives like "much more efficient" but not directly in a superlative pattern with "the". The quick rule is: use "the most" before longer adjectives when you want to express "the best" or "the highest degree". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "most", giving the phrase "the most efficient economic system".

Question 17

In this sentence improvement item, choose the correct preposition to replace the bracketed word "(on)" in the sentence about Japan’s feudal overlords finding themselves in financial difficulty.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question focuses on the correct preposition used with the noun "stress" when describing financial difficulty. The sentence refers to feudal overlords in Japan who were facing financial pressure. The bracketed preposition "on" in the phrase "on financial stress" does not fit standard English usage, so you must select a better alternative that expresses being in a state of difficulty or pressure. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence describes historical figures facing money related pressure. The bracketed phrase is "on financial stress". We want to say that they were suffering from this stress. Options are "of", "for", "under", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: In idiomatic English, we often use the preposition "under" with nouns like "stress", "pressure", or "attack" to indicate that someone is experiencing them. Expressions such as "under financial stress", "under pressure", and "under strain" are very common. The combination "on financial stress" is not used. "Of" would suggest belonging, and "for" suggests purpose, neither of which fits the context. Therefore, "under financial stress" is the correct phrase to describe their condition. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the collocation needed for "financial stress". Step 2: Recall common expressions: "under stress", "under great pressure", "under financial strain". Step 3: Replace "on" with "under" to form "under financial stress". Step 4: Read the sentence again to check for natural flow and correctness. Step 5: Reject prepositions that do not form standard pairs with "stress". Verification / Alternative check: The corrected sentence reads: "In the eighteenth century, Japan's feudal overlords, from the shogun to the humblest samurai, found themselves under financial stress." This matches typical historical and economic writing. If you try "of financial stress", it sounds awkward and incomplete. "For financial stress" does not convey the state they were in. Leaving "on" unchanged keeps a non standard phrase. Only "under financial stress" clearly and idiomatically conveys that they were suffering from financial pressure. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Of" usually indicates possession or origin and would require a different sentence pattern. "For" expresses purpose or benefit, as in "for education", and is not used to describe a state of being stressed. "No improvement" would keep "on financial stress", which is not a recognised English collocation. Common Pitfalls: A frequent error in preposition questions is to focus only on the literal meaning of the word and ignore fixed phrases that native speakers use. A good strategy is to memorise common patterns such as "under stress", "in debt", "at risk", "on duty", and so on. Recognising "under stress" and "under pressure" as fixed expressions makes it easy to select "under" in this question. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "under", giving the phrase "under financial stress".

Question 18

In this sentence improvement item, decide whether the bracketed verb phrase "(has become)" in the sentence about feminist criticism turning into a political discourse needs any change.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the correct use of present perfect tense to describe a development that has taken place over time. The sentence states that feminist criticism has transformed into a political discourse and a critical theoretical practice. The bracketed phrase "has become" must be evaluated to see whether it correctly expresses this change that has relevance in the present. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: "The feminist criticism", treated as a singular abstract concept. Bracketed verb phrase: "has become". The sentence talks about a transformation that has occurred and still matters. Options: "have becoming", "has became", "became", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: Present perfect tense for a singular subject uses "has" plus the past participle. The past participle of "become" is "become" itself, not "became". Therefore "has become" is grammatically correct. It also suits the meaning, because the development of feminist criticism into a political discourse began in the past and continues to define its role now. The alternative "became" is simple past and would remove the sense of ongoing relevance, while "has became" is simply incorrect in form. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the subject "The feminist criticism" as singular. Step 2: Recall the rule: singular subject plus present perfect uses "has" and a past participle. Step 3: Note that "become" has the same form for base, past participle, and sometimes past, but the simple past in this verb family is normally "became". Step 4: Confirm that "has become" is the correct present perfect form. Step 5: Conclude that no change is needed and select "No improvement". Verification / Alternative check: Read the sentence with the given verb phrase: "The feminist criticism has become a political discourse; a critical and theoretical practice committed to the struggle against patriarchy and sexism." This is exactly how academic writing describes intellectual movements that have evolved over time. Using "became" would imply a completed event in the past without highlighting current continuity. "Has became" is ungrammatical, and "have becoming" does not follow any standard pattern. Thus, the original phrase is both grammatically and stylistically appropriate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Have becoming" is incorrect because "have" should be followed by a past participle, not a present participle. "Has became" mixes a correct auxiliary with the wrong verb form; "became" is not a past participle. "Became" alone is simple past and loses the sense of a development that still matters in the present. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes become confused by irregular verbs whose past participle is not clearly different from the simple past. A good habit is to memorise verbs like "come", "become", and "run" along with their correct perfect forms: "has come", "has become", "has run". Checking a reliable list of irregular verbs will help confirm these patterns. In exam settings, combinations like "has became" should always alert you as incorrect. Final Answer: The phrase "has become" is already correct, so the best choice is "No improvement".

Question 19

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed word "(numbered)" in the sentence about ant communities sometimes having up to five hundred individuals.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question deals with choosing the correct non finite verb form to describe a characteristic of a subject. The sentence explains that communities of ants can sometimes be very large, with as many as five hundred individuals, and then comments on their peaceful behaviour. The bracketed word "numbered" does not fit smoothly into the descriptive structure, so you need to select a better form that links the number information to the subject "communities of ants". Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: "The communities of ants". Bracketed word: "numbered". The phrase is "sometimes very large, numbered even up to 500 individuals". Options: "number", "numerous", "numbering", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: When we want to add extra information about the size of a group, we often use the present participle "numbering" after a comma, for example "the crowd, numbering nearly ten thousand" or "a team, numbering twelve players". This form functions like a reduced relative clause "which numbers". The past form "numbered" would be used in a full clause such as "the communities were numbered up to 500", which is not the intended structure. The adjective "numerous" does not directly introduce the specific figure "500 individuals". Therefore, "numbering" is the correct choice here. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Observe that the phrase after the comma provides extra descriptive information about the subject. Step 2: Recall the common pattern "subject, numbering X individuals", which summarises group size. Step 3: Replace "numbered" with "numbering" so the sentence reads "communities of ants are sometimes very large, numbering even up to 500 individuals". Step 4: Check that the new structure flows naturally and correctly associates the number with the subject. Step 5: Verify that other options do not fit the grammatical pattern or the intended meaning. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: "The communities of ants are sometimes very large, numbering even up to 500 individuals, and it is a lesson to us that no one has ever yet seen a quarrel between any two ants belonging to the same community." This flows like a standard descriptive sentence. "Number even up to 500 individuals" would require a different structure, such as "may number up to 500 individuals". "Numerous even up to 500 individuals" is ungrammatical. Leaving "numbered" keeps an awkward, incomplete form after the comma. So "numbering" is the only option that creates a smooth, correct participial phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Number" as a base verb form would generally need an auxiliary, and "are sometimes very large, number even up to 500" does not work. "Numerous" is an adjective meaning "many", used directly before a noun, as in "numerous individuals", not before "even up to 500 individuals". "No improvement" would retain "numbered even up to 500 individuals", which is clumsy and incomplete in this context. Common Pitfalls: Learners often hesitate between "-ed" and "-ing" forms after a comma when giving additional information. A helpful rule is that if the phrase describes an ongoing characteristic of the subject, the "-ing" form is usually more appropriate, as in "standing at the corner", "consisting of three parts", or "numbering five hundred". The "-ed" form is more often used in passive constructions with explicit auxiliaries, such as "was numbered", "was painted", or "was closed". Final Answer: The correct improvement is "numbering", giving the phrase "numbering even up to 500 individuals".

Question 20

In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed phrase "(flair on)" in the sentence about higher crude oil prices and the risk of a future price spiral.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests your understanding of the difference between similar sounding words and the correct idiom used in economic commentary. The sentence explains that higher crude oil prices have provided a fiscal boost but warns that any future sharp rise could trigger a price spiral with negative effects. The bracketed phrase "flair on" is incorrect in both spelling and structure. You need to pick the phrasal verb that describes a sudden increase in prices. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence discusses crude oil prices and their movement over time. The bracketed phrase is "flair on". The intended meaning is a sudden, sharp rise in prices in the future. Options: "flair in", "flare at", "flare up", and "No improvement". Concept / Approach: The noun "flair" means natural talent, while the verb "flare" describes something that suddenly becomes more intense, such as "tensions flare" or "prices flare up". The standard phrasal verb for sudden increase is "flare up". In economic contexts, people say "if prices flare up again" or "a flare up in inflation". The phrase "flair on" is doubly wrong: it uses the wrong word and the wrong preposition. The correct choice is "flare up", which precisely matches the idea of a sudden upward movement. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Distinguish between "flair" (talent) and "flare" (sudden intensification). Step 2: Recognise that the sentence is about prices rising suddenly, not about talent or style. Step 3: Recall the phrasal verb "flare up" used for sudden increases or outbreaks. Step 4: Replace "flair on" with "flare up" so the phrase becomes "any flare up going forward". Step 5: Confirm that the new expression fits both the economic context and normal English usage. Verification / Alternative check: Read the improved sentence: "Higher crude oil prices have doubtlessly provided a significant fiscal boost in the past several months, although any flare up going forward can lead to a price spiral that would have other untoward consequences as well." This clearly warns about a sudden jump in prices. "Flair in" would suggest talent in something and is not related to prices. "Flare at" is not a standard expression for price movements. Leaving "flair on" keeps a spelling error and a wrong preposition. Why Other Options Are Wrong: "Flair in" is incorrect because "flair" refers to talent, not price behaviour, and "in" does not improve the meaning. "Flare at" is not an idiom used for describing financial or commodity markets. "No improvement" would keep a phrase that wrongly combines "flair" with "on" and does not express the intended meaning of a sudden price jump. Common Pitfalls: Many learners confuse "flair" and "flare" because they sound similar. A useful memory aid is to associate "flair" with "talent" and style, as in "artistic flair", and "flare" with fire or sudden light, as in "a flare of anger" or "tensions flare up". When you see a context of prices, conflicts, or diseases increasing suddenly, "flare up" is usually the correct choice. Always link word choice to context, not just sound. Final Answer: The correct improvement is "flare up", giving the phrase "any flare up going forward can lead to a price spiral".

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