Question 1

Improve the bracketed part of the sentence by choosing the correct question tag: Virat bats very well, (didn't he)?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests the use of correct question tags in English grammar. Question tags are short questions added to the end of a statement in order to confirm or check information. They require careful attention to tense, auxiliary verb, and subject. Here the main clause is Virat bats very well, and the bracketed part shows an incorrect tag that has to be improved by choosing the most suitable option. Given Data / Assumptions: The main clause is in the simple present tense: Virat bats very well. The subject is Virat, which is a third person singular noun. The main verb bats is an ordinary action verb with the s form used in the present tense. The given tag in brackets is did not he, which we know is not correct for this tense. The task is to match the correct auxiliary and pronoun with the main clause. Concept / Approach: In English, question tags follow a clear pattern. For a positive statement in the simple present tense with a lexical verb, we use do or does in the negative form in the tag. The pronoun in the tag must agree with the subject of the main clause. Because Virat is a third person singular subject like he, the correct auxiliary for simple present is does. Since the statement is positive, the tag has to be negative. Therefore the correct tag is does not he, commonly written as does not he in full or does not he in contracted form. Options that use is, was, or do not match this rule. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the tense of the main verb bats. It is simple present. Step 2: Identify the subject Virat and match it with the pronoun he. Step 3: For a simple present statement with a main verb, choose do or does as auxiliary in the tag. Step 4: Because the subject is third person singular, select does as the auxiliary. Step 5: The statement Virat bats very well is positive, so the question tag must be negative, giving does not he. Step 6: Compare with options and pick does not he as the correct improvement. Verification / Alternative check: If we read the full sentence, Virat bats very well, does not he, it clearly follows the standard structure: positive statement plus negative tag. The subject pronoun in the tag is he, which correctly refers back to Virat. The auxiliary does matches the simple present tense with third person singular subject. This confirms that the chosen option follows accepted grammatical rules for question tags. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A uses is not it, which is used mainly after statements with the verb be or after general ideas, not after an action verb in the simple present. Option C uses was not it, which is past tense and uses the wrong pronoun. Option D suggests no improvement, but we know the original tag did not he is wrong because the auxiliary does must be used with a third person singular subject in the present tense. Option E repeats the incorrect tag from the question, so it cannot be accepted as an improvement. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse do and does in question tags, especially when the main verb already has the s form. Another common mistake is to use is it after any statement, ignoring the real tense and verb of the sentence. Some learners also forget to match the polarity of the tag correctly, using a positive tag after a positive statement. Careful identification of tense, auxiliary, subject, and positivity or negativity of the main clause helps avoid these errors. Final Answer: The correct tag is doesn't he, so the improved sentence is: Virat bats very well, does not he.

Question 2

In the following question, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom: "Add fuel to the fire".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idioms are fixed expressions whose meanings cannot be understood simply by translating each individual word. The phrase add fuel to the fire is a common English idiom that appears in news reports, conversations, and competitive examinations. Understanding this idiom helps readers interpret situations where someone unintentionally or deliberately makes a tense or bad situation even worse. Given Data / Assumptions: The idiom given is add fuel to the fire. The task is to select the option that best captures the figurative meaning, not the literal act of pouring fuel into flames. We assume the context of a dispute, problem, or tense situation where some action or remark influences events. The alternatives describe different effects on situations, and only one matches the idiomatic use that exam setters usually expect. Concept / Approach: Literally, fuel makes a fire burn more strongly by providing extra energy. When this image is transferred to human situations, the idiom add fuel to the fire means to make an already bad, tense, or emotional situation even more intense. This may happen when someone says something provocative in an argument, reveals new negative information, or takes a step that increases anger, suspicion, or conflict. Therefore the correct meaning is to cause a situation to become worse or more heated, not to solve or reduce the problem. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall that fuel strengthens and enlarges a real fire when more of it is added. Step 2: Transfer this image to a social or emotional context such as a quarrel. Step 3: Understand that adding fuel stands for adding remarks or actions that increase intensity. Step 4: Relate this to the idea of worsening or intensifying a bad situation. Step 5: Among the options, choose the one that clearly means to cause the situation to become worse. Verification / Alternative check: In typical usage, we say remarks like His rude comment only added fuel to the fire, indicating that the comment worsened an ongoing dispute. We never use the idiom to mean improvement or escape from problems. Therefore the explanation cause a situation to become worse is consistent with common collocations and real life examples. This supports the selected option as the standard meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, go from one bad situation to another, suggests change from one problem to a different problem, which is a different idiom, often expressed as out of the frying pan into the fire. Option B, a cause becomes stronger when more people join, refers to support or backing and is not related to worsening conflict. Option C only describes physical fire behaviour and ignores the figurative meaning. Option E, prevent a quarrel from breaking out, is the opposite of the idea of increasing intensity. Therefore these alternatives do not capture the idiom's sense. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes mistakenly link the idiom to the idea of simply continuing a situation rather than intensifying it. Others confuse it with phrases about changing from one problem to another. It is important to picture the literal image of pouring more fuel on a flame to remember that the idiom refers to making anger, trouble, or conflict more serious. Practising with short example sentences helps fix the correct meaning in memory. Final Answer: The idiom add fuel to the fire means cause a situation to become worse.

Question 3

Select the antonym (word opposite in meaning) of the adjective "outlandish".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Vocabulary questions on antonyms check whether the learner can identify a word with the opposite meaning to the one given. In this question, the focus word is outlandish, which is frequently used in English to describe unusual or bizarre behaviour, ideas, or clothing. Selecting the correct opposite helps to develop a precise sense of shades of meaning among similar adjectives. Given Data / Assumptions: The target adjective is outlandish. The options include droll, kinky, common, grotesque, and one more simple descriptive word. We assume a general context where outlandish describes something that is very strange, unconventional, or noticeably odd. The task is to find a word that expresses a normal or usual quality, which would be the opposite of this idea. Concept / Approach: Outlandish means very strange, odd, or unconventional. It often suggests something so unusual that it almost seems to come from another land or world. The antonym should therefore convey a sense of normality, ordinariness, or familiarity. When we compare the options, words that again describe strange or humorous behaviour will not work as opposites. Only a word that indicates something usual or widely accepted will qualify as a true antonym. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the meaning of outlandish as extremely strange, odd, or bizarre. Step 2: List in mind some possible opposites such as normal, usual, ordinary, or common. Step 3: Examine each option and mentally substitute it into sentences where outlandish is used. Step 4: Notice that common fits naturally as a contrast to unusual or strange. Step 5: Confirm that common clearly points to something widely seen and therefore not outlandish. Verification / Alternative check: Consider the sentence He wore an outlandish hat that shocked everyone. If we reverse the idea, we can say He wore a common hat that nobody noticed. The contrast is clear and sounds natural. On the other hand, using any of the other options would still keep the idea of strangeness rather than reverse it. This confirms that common is the correct antonym in the list given in the question. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, droll, means amusing in an odd way and still carries the idea of something unusual, not ordinary. Option B, kinky, informally means strange or unnatural in behaviour or taste, which is again close to outlandish rather than opposite. Option D, grotesque, refers to something ugly and distorted, usually more extreme in strangeness and therefore similar in feel. Any additional descriptive option that suggests unusualness is also incorrect. Only common properly conveys usual or ordinary and stands opposite to the sense of outlandish. Common Pitfalls: Students may mistakenly look for a synonym rather than an antonym, especially when several options seem to have a similar strange flavour. Some may be attracted to droll because it is less strong than grotesque, but it does not reverse the meaning. Carefully underlining the instruction select the antonym before reading the options is a useful habit. Building pairs of opposite adjectives like normal versus outlandish improves word power and exam performance. Final Answer: The antonym of outlandish is common.

Question 4

In the following question on voice, the sentence is given in Active voice. Choose the option that best expresses the same idea in Passive voice: "The Marathas surrendered their fort to the Mughals after the war."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Questions on Active and Passive voice test a learner's ability to change the focus of a sentence from the doer of an action to the receiver of the action or object, while keeping the meaning, tense, and time expressions intact. Here the sentence describes an important historical event involving the Marathas and the Mughals. The candidate must identify the option that correctly converts the Active voice sentence into its Passive voice equivalent. Given Data / Assumptions: The original sentence is: The Marathas surrendered their fort to the Mughals after the war. The subject is The Marathas, the verb is surrendered, and the object is their fort. The indirect object or beneficiary of the action is the Mughals. The time expression after the war appears at the end. The tense is simple past. In Passive voice, the object their fort must become the subject, and the agent the Marathas can appear in a by phrase if needed. Concept / Approach: To change from Active to Passive in the simple past, we use the form was or were plus the past participle of the main verb. The object of the original sentence becomes the subject in the Passive sentence. The agent can be introduced with by if it is important to mention. Time expressions and prepositional phrases should remain unchanged or nearly unchanged in meaning. Also, the Passive version should not introduce any extra compulsion or change of event sequence which was not present in the original sentence. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify subject, verb, and object in the Active sentence: subject The Marathas, verb surrendered, object their fort, and receiver to the Mughals. Step 2: Move the object their fort into the subject position in the Passive sentence. Step 3: Put the verb in Passive form: was surrendered, because fort is singular and the tense is simple past. Step 4: Introduce the original subject with by, giving by the Marathas. Step 5: Keep the phrase to the Mughals after the agent, and keep after the war at the end of the sentence. Step 6: Combine all parts to get: Their fort was surrendered by the Marathas to the Mughals after the war. Verification / Alternative check: Compare the meaning of both versions. Both show that the Marathas were the ones who surrendered and that the fort changed hands in favour of the Mughals after the war. The tense, the participants, and the sequence of events remain the same. The only difference is the focus: the Passive sentence focuses on their fort rather than on the Marathas. This confirms that the transformation preserves the original idea correctly. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A introduces the phrase had to surrender, which adds compulsion or obligation and changes the meaning. Option B suggests that the Mughals took the fort after the war, which shifts focus and structure rather than giving a direct Passive transformation. Option D repeats the original Active voice sentence with a small change in word order and so is not a transformation at all. Option E is a loose paraphrase that describes the result but does not maintain the clear grammatical relationship needed in an exam question on voice. Common Pitfalls: Students often forget to keep the tense correct when forming Passive sentences, accidentally using is surrendered instead of was surrendered for a past action. Others omit the agent or include extra meaning that was not in the original sentence. Many learners also choose a paraphrase that looks similar but is not a strict Active to Passive conversion. When answering such items, first identify subject, verb, object, and tense, and then mechanically apply the Passive pattern while keeping all other information unchanged. Final Answer: The correct Passive voice sentence is Their fort was surrendered by the Marathas to the Mughals after the war.

Question 5

Select the correctly spelt English word from the following options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling questions test a candidate's familiarity with standard English vocabulary and the correct arrangement of letters in common words. In many competitive exams, a single correctly spelt word is hidden among distractors that contain typical spelling errors. This question requires careful observation and some prior exposure to written English, especially to words related to mathematics and social science. Given Data / Assumptions: The options given are femenism, acesses, permuted, vacuols, and one more slightly altered spelling. The candidate must identify the word that follows standard dictionary spelling. The options imitate real words such as feminism, accesses, permuted, and vacuoles. We assume that the test taker may have seen at least some of these words in textbooks or articles, which can help in spotting incorrect letter patterns. Concept / Approach: To answer correctly, it helps to separate each option and mentally match it with known words. Femenism looks like a misspelt form of feminism, where the vowel e has been used incorrectly. Acesses seems to be a wrong attempt at accesses, where the double c is missing. Vacuols is close to vacuoles, a biological term, but with letters omitted. The word permuted, however, is a valid English word from mathematics and combinatorics, meaning rearranged or changed in order. It matches standard spelling rules and is found in dictionaries. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Compare femenism with the known term feminism and notice the wrong vowel arrangement. Step 2: Compare acesses with accesses and see that the double c is missing, so it is incorrect. Step 3: Look at permuted and recall that it is the correct past form of the verb permute, used in mathematics and statistics. Step 4: Observe vacuols and remember that the correct biological term is vacuoles, with an extra e and correct plural ending. Step 5: Conclude that permuted is the only option that matches standard English spelling. Verification / Alternative check: If we consult a standard dictionary or recall usage from textbooks, we easily find permute and permuted as correct words. The other forms either do not appear at all or appear only in error lists. This double check through memory or dictionary logic confirms that permuted is correctly spelt. Therefore it is safe to select option C in an exam situation. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, femenism, incorrectly uses e in place of i and fails to represent the widely used term feminism. Option B, acesses, leaves out one c and breaks the pattern ac plus cess that is seen in access, accessable, and accessible. Option D, vacuols, omits e and changes the plural ending of vacuole, which normally becomes vacuoles. Any extra variant that slightly changes vowels or consonant doubling is also unacceptable because spelling questions require the exact standard form. Common Pitfalls: Candidates sometimes overthink such questions and suspect correct looking options simply because they seem easy. Another error is to be misled by pronunciation and forget that English spelling often preserves silent letters or doubled consonants. A useful strategy is to read widely and notice the written form of common academic words so that in an exam, your visual memory of the word helps you immediately reject incorrectly spelt distractors. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is permuted.

Question 6

Rearrange the parts of the sentence in the correct order: Amartya Sen lays claim P - to a history of writing Q - some of the finest research papers R - that have been published.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sentence rearrangement questions check a learner's ability to understand sentence structure, logical flow, and correct order of clauses or phrases. In exams, such questions are presented in the form of parts labelled P, Q, and R which must be arranged to produce a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. Here the subject is Amartya Sen, a well known economist, and the sentence talks about his claim to a history of research writing. Given Data / Assumptions: The fixed opening is Amartya Sen lays claim. The jumbled segments are P - to a history of writing, Q - some of the finest research papers, and R - that have been published. We must place these segments so that the sentence reads naturally and expresses a complete idea. We assume normal modern English usage in which lays claim is followed by a suitable prepositional phrase and then by the thing claimed. Concept / Approach: The expression lays claim is commonly followed by the preposition to, and then by the object of the claim. Therefore the first segment after the fixed opening should begin with to. This points strongly towards P. Once that is placed, we must see what Amartya Sen is claiming. He is claiming a history of writing something, which is further explained by Q and R. Q presents the object some of the finest research papers, and R adds a relative clause that have been published. The natural order is to introduce the general category first and then add the relative clause that have been published, which describes the papers. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Start with the fixed part: Amartya Sen lays claim. Step 2: Identify that lays claim must be followed by the preposition to, so choose P: to a history of writing. Step 3: Ask what kind of history of writing is being described. The phrase some of the finest research papers fits as the object of writing, so place Q next. Step 4: Finally, attach the relative clause that have been published as R to describe these research papers. Step 5: The complete sentence becomes: Amartya Sen lays claim to a history of writing some of the finest research papers that have been published. Verification / Alternative check: If we try any other order, the sentence either becomes ungrammatical or illogical. For example, starting with Q after lays claim gives lays claim some of the finest research papers, which lacks a preposition and sounds incorrect. Placing R immediately after lays claim would produce lays claim that have been published, which also fails to connect properly. Only the order PQR produces a smooth, meaningful sentence with correct preposition usage and logical descriptive flow. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, QRP, starts with some of the finest research papers after lays claim, ignoring the required preposition to. Option C, RQP, begins the description with a relative clause that has no clear noun to refer to. Option D, QPR, splits the object from its descriptive clause in an unnatural way. Option E, PRQ, places that have been published immediately after to a history of writing, which breaks the connection between writing and some of the finest research papers. None of these alternatives yields a correct, fluent sentence. Common Pitfalls: Students may overlook the importance of prepositions that follow fixed expressions like lay claim to, agree with, or depend on. Others may try to arrange segments only by meaning and forget that relative clauses like that have been published must come after the noun they describe. A systematic approach is to find connectors such as prepositions and relative pronouns, then match them to the words they logically govern. Practising this technique makes sentence rearrangement questions far easier to handle. Final Answer: The correct order of parts is PQR, giving the sentence: Amartya Sen lays claim to a history of writing some of the finest research papers that have been published.

Question 7

Select the correctly spelt English word from the following options.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Spelling based questions present a group of words that look similar but only one matches the standard spelling found in dictionaries and textbooks. Such items test careful observation and familiarity with common vocabulary, including abstract nouns and everyday terms. The word eternity is a frequently used noun in literature and conversation, referring to an endless period of time. Given Data / Assumptions: The answer choices include variants that resemble real words such as aerobics, choosers, battered, and eternity. We assume that the candidate has seen at least some of these words correctly written in books or articles. The task is to identify which of the options is spelled exactly according to standard English usage, without extra or missing letters. Concept / Approach: To solve spelling questions, it is helpful to silently pronounce each option and then compare the visual pattern with known correct spellings. Arobics seems to be an incorrect variant of aerobics, where the first vowel sequence has been reduced. Chosers appears to omit one o from choosers. Batered looks like a mistaken version of battered, with a missing t. Eternity, however, is a common abstract noun consisting of the root etern plus the suffix ity, and appears in expression like for all eternity. This matches the expected spelling and pattern. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify arobics as an error because the known word is aerobics, with ae at the beginning. Step 2: Identify chosers as incorrect since the correct form is choosers with double o. Step 3: Recognize batered as a wrong form of battered, which normally contains double t after the vowel. Step 4: Look at eternity and recall its meaning of endless time and its standard spelling e t e r n i t y. Step 5: Confirm that eternity matches standard usage and select it as the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: If we mentally place these words in short sentences, only eternity appears natural and familiar: The memory will last for eternity. The other words look strange because we usually see them as aerobics, choosers, and battered in written English. This simple context test reinforces the conclusion that eternity is the only correctly spelt option among those given. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A omits the correct vowel combination and therefore fails to represent the standard form aerobics. Option B leaves out one o and breaks the root choose that appears in chooser and choosers. Option C drops one t from battered, leading to an incorrect consonant pattern. Any additional variant that alters the known structure of a common word is also unsuitable. Examinations demand the exact spelling used in reputable dictionaries, so these altered forms cannot be accepted. Common Pitfalls: Learners may rely too heavily on pronunciation and overlook silent letters or double consonants that appear in the written form. Sometimes candidates suspect the correct option because it looks too simple compared to obviously distorted distractors. A good habit is to read a variety of English materials and pay attention to the printed form of words, especially those with prefixes and suffixes. Over time, this visual memory of correct spelling makes such questions quick and reliable to answer. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is eternity.

Question 8

Out of the four alternatives, choose the one word which best substitutes the given phrase: "The punishment of being kept in school after hours."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One word substitution questions require the learner to replace a given phrase or description with a single precise term. This builds vocabulary and reduces wordiness in expression. In the context of schools, certain disciplinary actions have specific names. Knowing these terms helps in understanding school rules, novels, and administrative language that mention punishments or corrective measures. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase to be replaced is: the punishment of being kept in school after hours. This clearly refers to a formal or informal penalty used in many educational institutions where a student must remain at school after regular classes. The options list different nouns and verbs. Our task is to pick the term that specifically refers to this educational punishment and not to some unrelated concept such as pretending or mixing. Concept / Approach: In English, the standard word for the punishment of being kept back at school beyond normal hours is detention. Many students are familiar with the phrase get detention. It precisely matches the idea described. We should examine whether any other option carries this meaning or whether they belong to different semantic fields. Only the term detention regularly appears in school conduct rules and parent teacher communications to describe this kind of disciplinary action. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Restate the phrase: a school punishment where a student is required to stay after official school time. Step 2: Recall any standard English term used for this practice. Step 3: Identify detention as the commonly used word for this punishment. Step 4: Check whether any alternative option describes the same idea. Notice that none do. Step 5: Select detention as the one word substitute for the given phrase. Verification / Alternative check: In school handbooks and disciplinary policies, we often see statements such as Students who arrive late three times will receive detention for one hour after school. This usage directly matches the description in the question. The word is strongly associated with educational institutions and after hours punishment. No other choice in the list is used in this way. This confirms that detention is the accurate and accepted term. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, pretension, relates to behaviour that is artificial or pretended, and has nothing to do with school punishment. Option B, isolate, is a verb meaning to separate from others, not a noun naming a specific type of penalty. Option D, blender, is a kitchen appliance used to mix foods and is clearly unrelated. Option E, exclusion, can mean keeping someone out, but it does not specifically convey the idea of making a student stay back in school after hours as punishment. Therefore these words are either in the wrong part of speech or do not capture the intended meaning. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may guess from partial similarity of sound or general negativity without matching the phrase carefully. Others may forget that in one word substitution questions the grammatical category of the answer should usually match the function of the phrase, which here is a noun phrase. Knowing a range of school related vocabulary such as suspension, expulsion, detention, and warning helps avoid confusion and improves performance in vocabulary sections. Final Answer: The one word substitute for the punishment of being kept in school after hours is Detention.

Question 9

In the following question, select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom: "A slap on the wrist".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Idiomatic expressions often describe situations through vivid physical images that have a figurative meaning in everyday use. The phrase a slap on the wrist appears in commentaries about crime, discipline, and public policy, especially when a penalty is considered too light. Understanding this idiom helps readers interpret criticism about inadequate punishments in news articles and discussions. Given Data / Assumptions: The idiom in question is a slap on the wrist. The answer choices describe different types of punishment and reactions, ranging from mild to severe. We assume that the literal image is of a light, quick slap on a person's wrist rather than a serious act of violence. The task is to map this image to its established figurative meaning in English. Concept / Approach: Literally, a slap on the wrist is a small, quick physical action that may sting slightly but does not cause major harm. The idiom has developed from this idea to refer to a punishment that is very light compared to the seriousness of the offence. When people say that a criminal received only a slap on the wrist, they mean the penalty was mild and not harsh enough. Therefore, the best explanation among the options is a mild punishment rather than something severe or directed at the wrong person. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Visualize the literal action of gently slapping someone on the wrist. Step 2: Recognize that this action is small and not extremely painful, so it does not represent heavy punishment. Step 3: Recall typical contexts where journalists say The judge gave him only a slap on the wrist. Step 4: Understand that such usage signals dissatisfaction about the lightness of the penalty. Step 5: Choose the option that directly states this idea of a mild or lenient punishment. Verification / Alternative check: If we place the idiom in a sample sentence, the meaning becomes clearer: For such a serious fraud, the fine he received was just a slap on the wrist. It would be strange to interpret this as punishing the wrong person or hitting where it hurts most. Instead, the sentence clearly criticizes the insufficiently strong response. This rechecking through context supports the choice of a mild punishment as the correct meaning. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, punishing the wrong person, refers to misplaced blame and is not connected to the strength of the punishment. Option C, to hit someone where it hurts the most, suggests a deeply damaging action, which is the opposite of the lightness implied by the idiom. Option D, to threaten someone, talks about warnings rather than actual penalties. Option E, a very severe sentence, directly contradicts the idiom's usual criticism of leniency. Hence, these options do not align with standard English usage. Common Pitfalls: Some learners may misinterpret the word slap and think only of anger or aggression, missing the important qualifier on the wrist, which suggests a small, symbolic act. Others might confuse the phrase with idioms about serious punishment. It is helpful to learn idioms in short example sentences and pay attention to the overall tone: a slap on the wrist is used when speakers feel that justice has not been strict enough. Final Answer: The idiom a slap on the wrist means a mild punishment.

Question 10

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that improves the underlined part; if no improvement is needed, select "No improvement": After a hard days work, I just want to go home.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Sentence improvement questions test the learner's command of grammar, usage, and idiomatic expressions in English. In this item, the focus is on correct possessive form and a very common phrase used in everyday speech and writing. Such questions are frequent in competitive exams because they quickly show whether a candidate notices small but important grammatical details like the placement of the apostrophe. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence given is: After a hard days work, I just want to go home. The underlined part is hard days work, and the options suggest different versions: hard day's work, hard days' work, hard day work, and so on. The basic idea is that a day of work was hard, and we must choose the most natural and grammatically correct way to express this. Concept / Approach: In English, when one noun is used in a possessive sense before another noun, we often use the apostrophe s structure. The meaning here is the work of a hard day or the work belonging to a hard day. The standard expression used by native speakers is a hard day's work, where the singular noun day takes apostrophe s to show that the work is strongly associated with that day. The plural form days' would suggest many days, which does not match the phrase a hard day's work. Similarly, leaving out the apostrophe is incorrect because it fails to show the possessive relationship. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the intended meaning: work done during a single hard day. Step 2: Recognize that day is singular in this context, introduced by the article a. Step 3: Apply the rule for possessive singular nouns: add apostrophe s to day, giving day's. Step 4: Form the complete phrase: a hard day's work. Step 5: Compare all options and choose the one that matches this standard phrase. Verification / Alternative check: The expression a hard day's work is familiar and widely used in English. We can test it in a new sentence: He felt very tired after a hard day's work. This sentence sounds perfectly natural. On the other hand, after a hard days work looks wrong because no possessive marker is present, and after a hard days' work wrongly uses the plural possessive with a single day. These quick checks confirm that hard day's work is the correct improvement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option B, hard days' work, uses the plural possessive, which would require a phrase like after several hard days' work. It does not match the article a in the sentence. Option C, hard day work, lacks the apostrophe and does not represent standard idiomatic use. Option D, no improvement, keeps the original error and fails to mark the possessive relationship. Option E, hard working day, changes the meaning and the structure of the noun phrase, and it is not the usual idiom used to talk about the effort spent on one day of work. Common Pitfalls: Many learners feel unsure about where to place the apostrophe when expressing time related quantities such as a day's work, a month's salary, or two weeks' notice. Remember that with singular units we use apostrophe s, and with plural units already ending in s we place the apostrophe after the s. Practising these patterns with common time nouns helps avoid errors in exams and in practical communication. Final Answer: The correct improvement is hard day's work, so the sentence should read: After a hard day's work, I just want to go home.

Question 11

In the following sentence, one part may contain an error. Identify the part with the error; if there is no error, select "No Error": No sooner did I come out of my home to go to market (1) / when it started raining heavily (2) / which drenched me co…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting questions train candidates to detect common grammatical mistakes in English sentences. They often focus on fixed expressions, conjunctions, and word pairs that must be used together. In this sentence, the structure begins with No sooner, which belongs to a well known correlative pair in English grammar. Recognising the correct partner word for No sooner is the key to solving the question. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence given is: No sooner did I come out of my home to go to market (1) / when it started raining heavily (2) / which drenched me completely. (3) / No Error (4). We are told that exactly one part may contain an error. The focus is on the combination No sooner did, followed by another clause introduced by a conjunction. We assume standard formal English usage as expected in competitive examinations. Concept / Approach: The correlative conjunction pattern with No sooner in English requires the pairing No sooner... than..., not No sooner... when.... The structure is: No sooner did or had subject verb, than subject verb. Therefore, after the first clause No sooner did I come out of my home to go to market, the second clause must begin with than, not when. This is a fixed pattern tested frequently, and using when here counts as a grammatical error. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the expression No sooner at the beginning of the sentence. Step 2: Recall that the correct correlative pair is No sooner... than. Step 3: Observe the first clause: did I come out of my home to go to market, which is correctly formed with inversion. Step 4: Notice that the second clause in part 2 starts with when, which does not match the required pattern. Step 5: Conclude that part 2 contains the error and that when should be replaced by than. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite the sentence with the correction: No sooner did I come out of my home to go to market than it started raining heavily, which drenched me completely. This version sounds natural and follows established grammatical rules. If we keep when instead of than, the sentence sounds awkward and incorrect in formal written English. This comparison confirms that the error lies in part 2 and that the correct conjunction should be than. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 1 correctly uses the auxiliary did with inversion after No sooner, matching standard usage. Part 3, which drenched me completely, is a proper relative clause describing the effect of the heavy rain. Part 4 is only the label No Error for the entire sentence and is not itself erroneous. Therefore, only part 2 contains a genuine grammatical problem, making option B the correct choice. Common Pitfalls: Students often confuse structures like No sooner... than, Hardly or scarcely... when, and Barely... when. Each of these fixed pairs has a particular partner conjunction. Mixing them leads to errors such as No sooner... when or Hardly... than. A practical method is to memorise small pattern cards: No sooner... than, Hardly or Scarcely... when or before. When answering exam questions, quickly check whether the correct pair has been used. Final Answer: The error is in part 2; the conjunction when should be replaced by than to complete the correct pattern No sooner... than.

Question 12

In the following sentence, one part may contain an error. Identify the part with the error; if the sentence is correct, select "No Error": Unless you don't obey (1) / your elders you (2) / will not succeed in your life. (3) / No Error (4).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests understanding of conditional clauses, especially the combination of the conjunction unless with negative expressions. Examinations frequently include such items because learners often use double negatives unintentionally. Correct handling of unless helps produce clear and concise conditional sentences in English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: Unless you do not obey (1) / your elders you (2) / will not succeed in your life. (3) / No Error (4). Segment 1 contains the expression Unless you do not obey. We assume that the intended meaning is that obedience to elders is a necessary condition for success, and the sentence should express that clearly, without unnecessary or confusing negatives. Concept / Approach: Unless itself carries a negative idea and can usually be replaced by if not. Therefore, combining unless with another explicit negative like do not often creates a double negative and results in a meaning that is different from what is intended. The expression Unless you do not obey literally suggests that if you obey, you will not succeed, which is the opposite of the intended meaning. To express the idea correctly, we must write Unless you obey your elders, you will not succeed in your life. Here unless introduces a positive verb form obey, and the result clause shows the negative consequence if the condition is not met. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Rewrite unless as if not to check the meaning: If you do not obey your elders, you will not succeed in your life. Step 2: Compare this with the original which has Unless you do not obey. This combination produces confusion. Step 3: Remove the extra negative do not after unless to align the condition with the intended sense. Step 4: The corrected first part becomes Unless you obey. Step 5: Conclude that part 1 contains the error because of the unnecessary negative do not. Verification / Alternative check: The corrected sentence reads: Unless you obey your elders you will not succeed in your life. If we convert unless to if not, we get If you do not obey your elders, you will not succeed in your life, which clearly matches the intended message. This confirms that the corrected form expresses the requirement of obedience accurately. The original structure Unless you do not obey reverses the meaning and is therefore incorrect. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 2, your elders you, correctly places the object and the subject of the main clause. Part 3, will not succeed in your life, is a standard future tense clause expressing the consequence. Part 4, No Error, is only a label and is not itself in the sentence. Since only part 1 misuses the negative with unless, option A is the only correct choice for the location of the error. Common Pitfalls: Many learners mistakenly think that both unless and if not can be used with additional negatives, leading to structures like Unless you do not work hard, you will fail. This form actually suggests that working hard causes failure, which is not usually intended. Remember that unless is already negative, so it is generally followed by a positive verb form. Checking the sentence by replacing unless with if not is an effective technique to catch and correct double negatives in conditionals. Final Answer: The error is in part 1; the phrase should be Unless you obey, not Unless you do not obey.

Question 13

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that improves the underlined part; if no improvement is needed, select "No improvement": The police had to break the door to get in.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question focuses on the correct use of phrasal verbs with break. Phrasal verbs often have meanings that are not obvious from the base verb alone and must be learned as fixed combinations. Here the situation describes what the police did to a door in order to enter a place, a common scene in crime reports and action descriptions. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The police had to break the door to get in. The underlined phrase is break the door, and the options include break up, break in, break down, and so on. We assume that the door was closed or locked in a way that required forceful action so that the police could enter the building or room. Concept / Approach: In English, the idiomatic expression for using force to destroy the structure of a door and open it is break down the door. The phrasal verb break down when used with objects like doors, gates, or barriers means to damage or destroy them so that they no longer block entry. Break in, on the other hand, normally means to enter illegally or by force, and is intransitive in this sense or used with into. Break up means to end a relationship or disperse a gathering, not to physically destroy a door. Therefore, the most appropriate and idiomatic replacement is break down. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the action described: the police needed to use force on the door to enter. Step 2: Recall the phrasal verb break down which is used with doors and barriers. Step 3: Test the phrase The police had to break down the door to get in and note that it sounds natural and correct. Step 4: Compare with break up the door, break in the door, and see that these combinations are not standard. Step 5: Select break down as the correct improvement for the underlined part. Verification / Alternative check: Newspaper articles often contain sentences like The fire brigade had to break down the door to rescue the occupants. This confirms that break down the door is the standard collocation. If we try The police had to break in the door, the phrase sounds awkward, because break in used for entering should be followed by into the house, not the door as object. Thus, checking real usage patterns supports the choice of break down. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, break up, is used for ending relationships, dismantling groups, or dividing something into pieces, not specifically for forcing a door open. Option B, break in, is commonly intransitive in the sense of entering illegally and would normally appear as break into the house, not break the door. Option D, No improvement, keeps the less idiomatic phrase break the door and misses the more precise phrasal verb. Option E, break open, is possible but less standard in exam keys than the very typical break down the door, and the question clearly expects recognition of the phrasal verb break down. Common Pitfalls: Learners may ignore the subtle differences between phrasal verbs and simply rely on the base verb, in this case break. However, competitive exams often require knowledge of the exact preposition or particle that forms a natural expression. It is helpful to study phrasal verbs in groups with examples, such as break down a door, break in on a conversation, break out of prison, and break up a meeting. This builds a strong foundation for sentence improvement questions. Final Answer: The correct improvement is to break down, so the sentence should read: The police had to break down the door to get in.

Question 14

A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the alternative that improves the underlined part; if no improvement is needed, select "No improvement": The trade union is hell bent at getting its demands fulfilled.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks familiarity with a common English expression and the correct preposition that follows it. Sentence improvement items often focus on such fixed combinations because they reveal whether a candidate has read enough authentic English to recognise natural patterns. The phrase hell bent is an idiomatic adjective phrase that takes a specific preposition when followed by a gerund or noun. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: The trade union is hell bent at getting its demands fulfilled. The underlined words are hell bent at, and the answer choices provide several prepositions, including in, about, on, and so on. The meaning is that the trade union is very determined to have its demands accepted, and the structure must show strong determination plus the goal. Concept / Approach: In standard English, the fixed expression is hell bent on something, meaning extremely determined or stubbornly committed to achieving a particular aim. When this expression is followed by a gerund or noun phrase, on is the preposition normally used. The combinations hell bent at, hell bent in, or hell bent about are not idiomatic and sound wrong to a native speaker. Therefore, to make the sentence both grammatical and natural, we must replace at with on. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the descriptive phrase hell bent, which expresses strong determination. Step 2: Recall the standard collocation hell bent on doing something. Step 3: Notice that the sentence currently uses hell bent at, which does not match the known pattern. Step 4: Replace at with on to produce hell bent on getting its demands fulfilled. Step 5: Read the full sentence to confirm that it now sounds natural and correct. Verification / Alternative check: Consider similar sentences: He is hell bent on winning the match, or They are hell bent on destroying the evidence. In each case, on introduces the goal of the determination. If we substitute at, the phrases feel wrong and unnatural. Applying this pattern back to the original exam sentence confirms that hell bent on is the expected form and that the correction is valid. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, hell bent in, is not a recognised collocation in English and does not link naturally with getting its demands fulfilled. Option B, hell bent about, expresses a vague feeling rather than focused determination on a task. Option D, No improvement, would keep the incorrect at and therefore is not acceptable. Option E, hell bent for, is occasionally seen in older or dialectal usage but is not the standard modern form and is not the answer expected in a competitive examination setting. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes treat prepositions as interchangeable, assuming that any small word after an adjective will work. However, many English expressions are fixed combinations that must be learned by exposure and practice. Memorising short chunks like interested in, good at, capable of, and hell bent on is much more useful than memorising isolated preposition rules. Using such chunks in your own sentences will make the patterns feel natural and reduce errors in exams. Final Answer: The correct improvement is hell bent on, so the sentence should read: The trade union is hell bent on getting its demands fulfilled.

Question 15

In the following sentence, one part may contain an error. Identify the part with the error; if the sentence is correct, select "No error": A. He was not allowed B. for the teacher C. to read in a low voice D. no error.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error spotting items often focus on prepositions and agents in passive constructions. In English, phrases like was allowed are frequently followed by the preposition by when introducing the person who grants permission or imposes restriction. Recognising the difference between for and by in this role is essential for accurate sentence construction. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is divided into parts: A. He was not allowed B. for the teacher C. to read in a low voice D. no error. Part B uses the phrase for the teacher as if it introduced the agent of the action. The intended meaning is that the teacher did not allow him to read in a low voice. We assume a standard passive structure where the person denying permission is mentioned. Concept / Approach: When we use a passive verb like was allowed or was punished and wish to mention the person who performs the action or makes the decision, we introduce that person with by, not for. The structure is was not allowed by the teacher, which correctly identifies the teacher as the agent. The preposition for usually indicates benefit or purpose, as in This is for the teacher, and does not fit the agent role in a passive sentence. Therefore, the preposition in part B is grammatically incorrect. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Identify the passive verb phrase was not allowed in part A. Step 2: Recognise that the next phrase for the teacher is supposed to name the person who did not allow him. Step 3: Recall the rule that the agent in a passive sentence is introduced by the preposition by. Step 4: Replace for with by to form the correct phrase by the teacher. Step 5: Conclude that the error lies in part B, where the wrong preposition for was used. Verification / Alternative check: The corrected sentence reads: He was not allowed by the teacher to read in a low voice. If we change this to the active voice, it becomes: The teacher did not allow him to read in a low voice. Here, the teacher is clearly the doer of the action, and in the passive version the preposition by is normal. The expression for the teacher, by contrast, suggests that something is intended for the teacher, not that the teacher is the one who allows or forbids. This comparison confirms that part B is wrong and should be corrected to by the teacher. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part A, He was not allowed, is a correct passive form. Part C, to read in a low voice, is a proper infinitive phrase describing what action is not allowed. Part D, no error, is only a label and does not form part of the sentence itself. Since only the preposition in part B is inappropriate, option B is the right choice as the location of the grammatical error. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes confuse by and for, especially when translating directly from their first language. They may also omit the agent in passive constructions altogether and thus become unsure which preposition to use when the agent is added. A good practice is to mentally convert passive sentences to active form and identify the subject clearly. Then, when turning back to the passive, use by to introduce that subject if it must be mentioned. Final Answer: The error is in part B; the phrase should be by the teacher, not for the teacher.

Question 16

The following sentence has a blank. Choose the most appropriate word or phrase to complete it: I was _____________ paying the toll tax.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Fill in the blank questions test a learner's knowledge of collocations and the precise meanings of related words. In this item, the sentence describes a situation where someone does not have to pay a toll tax. The goal is to choose the verb phrase that correctly matches this meaning and forms a natural expression in English. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: I was _____________ paying the toll tax. The options include free from, exonerated from, exempted from, exposed to, and another distractor. We assume that the speaker is explaining that due to some rule or condition, they did not need to pay the tax that others were paying. Concept / Approach: The key idea is that of official or legal freedom from a duty or payment. The verb exempt and the adjective exempted are used for situations in which a person or group is not required to do something that is normally compulsory, such as paying tax or attending a course. The standard collocation is exempted from paying a tax or fee. Exonerated, on the other hand, is used mostly in legal contexts to mean cleared from blame or accusation, not freed from a payment. Free from is more general and often refers to absence of something unpleasant, like free from disease. Exposed to means subjected to something, usually harmful, and therefore cannot fit the intended meaning. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the meaning as I did not have to pay the toll tax due to some rule. Step 2: Recall that the verb exempt or the past participle exempted is used when a duty or charge does not apply to someone. Step 3: Match this with the preposition from, forming exempted from paying. Step 4: Compare other options and note that they either change the meaning or do not collocate with paying a tax. Step 5: Select exempted from as the most appropriate completion of the sentence. Verification / Alternative check: We can test the collocation in a new sentence: Vehicles belonging to emergency services are exempted from paying toll tax. This is exactly how official notifications are often worded. In contrast, exonerated from paying toll tax sounds unusual, because exonerate usually refers to crimes or accusations. The phrase free from paying toll tax is also uncommon as a formal statement. These contrasts confirm that exempted from is the correct and idiomatic choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, free from, can be followed by a noun like worry or pollution, but is not the usual phrase for official non payment of charges. Option B, exonerated from, deals with removal of blame or guilt and is not used for routine financial obligations. Option D, exposed to, carries the completely different meaning of being subjected to or open to something harmful. Option E, excused to, is grammatically awkward and uses the wrong preposition. None of these reflect the typical phrasing of exemption from tax payments. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose exonerated from because they associate both exemption and exoneration with freedom from something, but they overlook the specific context of taxes and charges. A good strategy is to remember that exempted from is used with duties and fees, while exonerated from is used with allegations or crimes. Regular reading of notices, legal forms, and government instructions familiarises learners with these standard expressions. Final Answer: The correct completion is exempted from, so the sentence reads: I was exempted from paying the toll tax.

Question 17

The following sentence has a blank. Choose the most appropriate word to complete it: Health is too important to be ___________.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This fill in the blank question tests understanding of word meanings and their suitability in a particular context. The sentence talks about the importance of health, a common theme in moral and value based statements. The missing word must express the idea that health should not be ignored or treated carelessly. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is: Health is too important to be ___________. The options are discarded, disposed, neglected, detested, and wasted. We assume the intended sense is that health is valuable and should be taken care of, not ignored. The word we choose should naturally follow the verb be and describe something that might happen wrongly to health if people are careless. Concept / Approach: The verb neglect means to fail to give proper attention or care to something. When we say health should not be neglected, we mean that one must pay attention to diet, exercise, and rest. The other options do not fit as well. Discarded means thrown away like useless material. Disposed normally appears in the phrase disposed of for waste or in inclined or willing to as in disposed to help. Detested means hated strongly, which does not match the usual moral message. Wasted can be used with time or resources, but in this specific sentence pattern, neglected is the most accurate and idiomatic choice. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Understand the message: health is very valuable and must receive care and attention. Step 2: Recall the verb neglect, which means to ignore care or fail to give proper attention. Step 3: Fit it into the sentence: Health is too important to be neglected. Step 4: Check other options and see that discarded and disposed sound wrong when talking about health. Step 5: Confirm that neglected conveys the intended warning against carelessness. Verification / Alternative check: Health campaigns frequently use expressions like Do not neglect your health or You should never neglect regular medical check ups. These phrases are widely used and widely understood. Substituting discarded or detested into such sentences would sound illogical. This consistency of usage in public health messages supports neglected as the correct completion of the exam sentence. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, discarded, literally refers to throwing something away, which might apply to objects, not to health as an ongoing condition. Option B, disposed, usually appears with of to describe getting rid of waste, or as an adjective in positively disposed. Option D, detested, suggests strong hatred, which is not the point here; the sentence is about carelessness, not emotion. Option E, wasted, could fit in some constructions, but too important to be wasted is more natural with resources like money or time rather than health in this simple moral statement. Neglected clearly expresses the idea that health should not be ignored. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may rush and choose discarded because they link it loosely with not valuing something, but grammatical and collocational checks show that neglected is more precise. Others may be confused by the presence of several negative sounding words and fail to think about which one is actually used with health in real life contexts. To avoid such errors, always imagine a few real world sentences with each option and see which one sounds most natural. Final Answer: The correct completion is neglected, so the sentence reads: Health is too important to be neglected.

Question 18

In the following question on idioms, choose the alternative that best expresses the meaning of the word "Catnap".

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: English contains many informal terms for different types of sleep. One such term is catnap, which appears in magazines, conversation, and even health advice columns. Understanding these words helps readers interpret descriptions of daily routines and lifestyles more accurately. This question asks for the best explanation of the term catnap among the options given. Given Data / Assumptions: The word provided is catnap. The options describe different kinds of rest and sleep, including rest, fitful sleep, long sleep, short sleep, and another variation. We assume that the test taker has encountered the everyday expression take a catnap, which usually refers to a brief period of sleep taken during the day to refresh oneself. Concept / Approach: A catnap is a very short, light sleep, often taken while sitting or lying down for a limited time, such as ten or twenty minutes. It is not a full night’s sleep and not necessarily disturbed or restless. The image compares a person’s sleep to the way a cat dozes lightly, waking up quickly. Therefore, the option that best captures this sense is short sleep. While fitful sleep involves repeated waking and unrest, it does not have to be short. Rest is broader and may not include actual sleep. Long sleep is clearly the opposite of what the word suggests. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the common phrase take a catnap meaning to sleep briefly. Step 2: Note that a catnap emphasises short duration rather than depth or quality of sleep. Step 3: Compare this idea with each option and check which one highlights briefness. Step 4: Identify short sleep as the choice that clearly captures duration and matches usage. Step 5: Select short sleep as the correct meaning of catnap. Verification / Alternative check: Example sentences support this meaning: After lunch he took a quick catnap in his chair, or She relies on short catnaps during long flights. In each sentence, catnap refers to a brief period of sleep, often used as a power nap. None of these examples indicate a long sleep or restless tossing and turning. This context based check confirms that the option short sleep matches conventional use. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, rest, can mean relaxation without sleep, so it is too general and does not reflect the specific idea of actual sleep. Option B, fitful sleep, emphasises disturbed quality, not length, and may last for hours. Option C, long sleep, is the direct opposite of the short nap that catnap signifies. Option E, sleep with dreams, adds an element that is not part of the idiom's meaning and could apply to any sleep. Therefore, only short sleep fits both everyday usage and the imagery behind the term catnap. Common Pitfalls: Students may confuse catnap with general rest or think the word suggests broken or uneasy sleep because of the image of alert cats. It is important to focus on the feature that dictionaries and common usage highlight: the brief duration. Learning groups of related terms like nap, doze, snooze, and slumber, along with their typical contexts, helps build a more precise vocabulary and avoid mistakes in such questions. Final Answer: The word catnap means short sleep.

Question 19

Out of the four alternatives, choose the one word which can be substituted for the phrase: "A person who is working in the same institution."

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: One word substitution questions check the learner's ability to replace descriptive phrases with precise nouns. In professional and academic environments, it is useful to know the correct term for people who share a workplace or institution with us. This question focuses on the common relationship between two persons working in the same organisation. Given Data / Assumptions: The phrase to be replaced is: a person who is working in the same institution. The answer options include guide, collector, captain, colleague, and another general term. We assume that the institution could be a company, school, college, or other organisation, and that the relationship described is between people who are connected by their common workplace rather than by rank or friendship alone. Concept / Approach: The standard English word for a person who works with you in the same office, department, or institution is colleague. This term is neutral regarding rank and can refer to peers, seniors, or juniors as long as they share professional association within the same organisation or field. The other options name specific roles or unrelated positions that do not capture the general idea of working in the same institution. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Focus on the key idea in the phrase: working in the same institution. Step 2: Recall that colleague is used for people connected by a shared workplace or profession. Step 3: Compare each option and reject those that indicate particular jobs like collector or captain. Step 4: Notice that guide refers to someone who shows the way or explains things, not necessarily a co worker. Step 5: Select colleague as the one word that exactly matches the description given. Verification / Alternative check: Common sentences confirm this usage: She discussed the project with her colleagues at the university, or He and his colleagues work in the same bank. In each case, colleague simply refers to another person working in the same institution or field. The term does not indicate any special function like guiding tourists or collecting revenue. This consistent pattern in everyday professional language supports the choice of colleague as the correct substitution. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option A, guide, normally refers to a person who leads or directs others, such as a tour guide, and does not imply working in the same institution. Option B, collector, is a specific job title used for officials who collect revenue or items, not a general co worker term. Option C, captain, refers to a leader of a team, ship, or group, and again does not necessarily share equal institutional status. Option E, fellow, can be used informally for someone of the same kind, but it does not precisely capture the sense of shared employment within an institution. Colleague is the exact professional term that matches the definition. Common Pitfalls: Some candidates may be tempted by fellow because it sounds similar to expressions like fellow student or fellow worker, but in one word substitution questions the exam usually expects the most precise and widely accepted term. To improve performance, learners should create small lists of professional relationship words such as colleague, subordinate, superior, associate, and partner, along with their typical contexts. Final Answer: The one word substitute for a person who is working in the same institution is Colleague.

Question 20

In English vocabulary, choose the one-word substitution for the phrase: to give money to agents for securing sales.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This English vocabulary question checks your knowledge of one-word substitutions that are very common in business and commerce. Competitive exams often test whether a candidate can connect a simple everyday phrase such as "to give money to agents for securing sales" with the precise technical term used in professional communication. Understanding such words helps in reading contracts, marketing material, and organizational policies with clarity. Given Data / Assumptions: - The task is to find a single English word for the phrase "to give money to agents for securing sales". - Four options are given: Salary, Commission, Fee, and Incentive. - The context is a business or sales environment where agents help generate revenue. Concept / Approach: The key idea is to understand how money is typically paid in different professional situations. A salary is a fixed regular payment, a fee is a charge for a specific service, an incentive is a reward to motivate, and a commission is usually a percentage of the sales value given to agents or intermediaries. By matching the phrase to these core meanings, we can identify the most accurate one-word substitution. Step-by-Step Solution: 1. Focus on the phrase "give money to agents for securing sales" and notice that the payment depends on sales made. 2. Recall that "commission" in business refers to money paid to an agent, often as a percentage of the value of what they sell. 3. Compare this with "salary", which is fixed, and "fee", which is usually a one-time charge for a service. 4. Recognize that "incentive" is a general motivational reward, not specifically tied to acting as an agent. 5. Therefore, the precise one-word substitution is "Commission". Verification / Alternative check: You can verify this by thinking of common real life usage: sales agents in real estate, insurance, or stockbroking are said to work "on commission". If they sell more, their commission increases. Dictionaries also define commission as a sum, often a percentage, allowed to salespeople or agents for their services. This aligns perfectly with the idea of giving money to agents for sales. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Salary: This is a fixed regular payment, usually monthly, given to employees regardless of the exact amount of sales. Fee: This is a payment for a service such as consultation, tuition, or professional advice, not specifically tied to commission based selling. Incentive: This is a broad term for anything that motivates performance and may be extra rewards, but it is not the standard technical term for money paid to agents on sales. Common Pitfalls: Learners frequently confuse "commission" with "incentive" or "bonus" because all of them involve extra money. However, commission is tied directly to each sale or to the total sales value, while incentives may be given as occasional rewards. Some also think of salary because many employees work in sales, but salary is not calculated per sale. Being aware of these distinctions is important for precise usage in exams and professional communication. Final Answer: The correct one-word substitution for the phrase "to give money to agents for securing sales" is Commission.

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