Question 1

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the word which is most opposite in meaning to the given word: Salve.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This antonym question tests your understanding of the word salve, which is usually used in a medical or healing context. To answer correctly, you must know what salve refers to and then pick the word whose meaning stands in clear contrast to the idea of soothing or healing. Given Data / Assumptions: Target word: Salve. Options: Cerate, Liniment, Remedy, Blockage. Literal meaning: a salve is an ointment used to soothe, heal or protect the skin. Figurative meaning: something that soothes or relieves emotional pain or guilt. We must choose the word that is most opposite in meaning to a soothing or healing substance. Concept / Approach: Salve refers to a smooth, greasy preparation applied to wounds, burns or irritated skin to promote healing and give relief. Cerate and liniment are also types of topical medical preparations used for treatment. Remedy is any cure or treatment that removes or alleviates disease or pain. These three are all associated with healing, not with preventing relief. Blockage, on the other hand, suggests obstruction or something that prevents flow or healing, which stands opposed to the idea of a salve that eases and opens the way to recovery. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall: a salve is a soothing ointment or balm applied to the skin.Group the choices: Cerate, Liniment and Remedy all belong to the family of healing substances.Identify that the question asks for an opposite, not a similar word.Blockage refers to an obstruction, something that stops or hinders normal function, such as blood flow or healing.Therefore, Blockage is the option that best represents the opposite of a soothing and healing salve. Verification / Alternative check: Think in terms of effect: a salve improves, relieves or cures a problem on the skin. A blockage in a medical context prevents relief or causes pain by stopping fluids or blood from moving freely. In emotional or figurative usage, a salve brings comfort, whereas a blockage would represent something that prevents comfort or progress. Comparing these, blockage clearly provides a contrasting image to salve, while cerate, liniment and remedy reinforce the same idea of treatment and relief. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Cerate is a type of ointment made with wax, used on skin injuries, and is therefore very similar in function to a salve. Liniment is a liquid or semi liquid preparation applied to the skin to relieve pain or stiffness, again belonging to the same family. Remedy is a general word for something that cures or relieves a disease or problem. All three support the idea of healing, so they cannot be antonyms of salve. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes choose a related medical word because they are more familiar with it, forgetting that this particular question asks for the opposite meaning. In antonym questions, always read the question carefully and be sure whether you are looking for a similar word or an opposite one. Here, the presence of several healing related options is a deliberate trap. Recognising that salve promotes healing while blockage prevents normal functions helps you correctly identify blockage as the antonym. Final Answer: The antonym of “Salve” in this set of options is Blockage.

Question 2

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase “gnash your teeth”.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom question asks about the meaning of the phrase “gnash your teeth”. Idioms often come from physical actions that symbolise strong emotions. Here, gnashing the teeth is a powerful image connected to intense negative feelings. Understanding this idiom helps you interpret emotional scenes in literature, news reports and conversations. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: gnash your teeth. Options: express rage, brush your teeth, laugh hysterically, take a big bite. Literal image: grinding or clenching the teeth together, often with force. Common emotional link: anger, frustration, pain or despair. Concept / Approach: To gnash one's teeth literally means to grind or strike the teeth together, usually as a sign of extreme anger, pain or frustration. In idiomatic usage, it refers mainly to showing rage or strong annoyance, sometimes powerless rage when you cannot change a situation. It has nothing to do with brushing teeth, laughing or eating. Thus, “express rage” best captures the emotional meaning of the idiom in normal usage. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall the physical action: gnashing implies forceful grinding of the teeth.Associate this with common situations: people clench or grind their teeth when angry or deeply upset.Option Express rage: directly matches this emotional reaction.Option Brush your teeth: refers to cleaning and has no connection with anger.Option Laugh hysterically: describes extreme laughter, the opposite of anger or frustration.Option Take a big bite: relates to eating, again unrelated to emotional rage.Therefore, “Express rage” is the correct meaning of the idiom. Verification / Alternative check: Use the idiom in a sentence: “The fans gnashed their teeth when their team lost in the final minute.” Here, the fans are not brushing their teeth or laughing; they are showing intense anger and frustration. If we rephrase it as “The fans expressed rage when their team lost,” the meaning remains the same. That confirms that expressing rage is the intended sense. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Brush your teeth is a purely literal daily activity and never used as an idiom for emotions. Laugh hysterically suggests extreme amusement or joy, which clashes completely with the negative, angry tone of gnashing one's teeth. Take a big bite may involve teeth physically, but in English it does not describe an emotional reaction. The presence of teeth in the phrase is a distraction; the correct cue is the violent grinding action, not ordinary use in eating or cleaning. Common Pitfalls: Some learners focus too literally on the word teeth and choose options related to eating or brushing. However, idioms must be interpreted as whole expressions. To avoid mistakes, always ask: in what emotional situation would someone gnash their teeth? It is when they are furious, frustrated or in intense pain. Remembering this connection between gnashing and rage will help you answer similar idiom questions confidently in the exam. Final Answer: The idiom “gnash your teeth” means to express rage or intense anger.

Question 3

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the option which best expresses the meaning of the idiom or phrase “let something slip through one's fingers”.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This idiom question focuses on the phrase “let something slip through one's fingers”. The expression uses a vivid physical image—something passing through your grasp—to describe a situation in life. Understanding it helps you talk about missed chances in exams, careers, relationships and other important areas. Given Data / Assumptions: Idiom: let something slip through one's fingers. Options: lose a wedding ring, not be able to understand a difficult concept, let go of certain unpleasant things, to waste an opportunity to achieve something. Core image: trying to hold something in your hand but it escapes through your fingers. Common usage: often applied to opportunities, chances or benefits that are not used properly. Concept / Approach: The idiom means to lose a chance or opportunity because of carelessness, delay or failure to act. It is metaphorical: the opportunity is like sand or water slipping through your fingers when you fail to hold it firmly. The phrase is not limited to physical objects like rings, nor is it about understanding concepts or intentionally letting go of bad experiences. The key idea is a wasted chance to achieve something valuable, which option (d) expresses clearly. Step-by-Step Solution: Visualise the idiom: imagine trying to hold fine sand or water but it escapes between your fingers.Connect this image to life situations: opportunities can be lost if you do not hold onto them firmly by taking timely action.Option “lose a wedding ring” is a very specific physical loss and not the broader idiomatic meaning.Option “not be able to understand a difficult concept” refers to mental comprehension, not missed chances.Option “let go of certain unpleasant things” suggests intentionally releasing bad memories, which is a positive act.Option “to waste an opportunity to achieve something” exactly matches the metaphor and the way the idiom is used. Verification / Alternative check: Use the idiom in a sentence: “She let the chance to study abroad slip through her fingers.” This clearly talks about a missed opportunity, not about losing an object or failing to understand a lesson. Rephrasing it as “She wasted an opportunity to study abroad” keeps the same meaning. Thus, the option that mentions wasting an opportunity is the correct one. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Lose a wedding ring” is too narrow and literal; the idiom is much more general and far more frequently used about chances and success. “Not be able to understand a difficult concept” focuses on intellectual difficulty, which is not connected to the physical slipping image. “Let go of certain unpleasant things” suggests voluntary release and emotional healing, which is the opposite of regretting a lost opportunity. Therefore, these three options do not match the idiomatic meaning. Common Pitfalls: Because the phrase mentions fingers, some students think of physically dropping something like a ring or a coin. However, idioms usually point to broader life situations. Always consider how you have seen the phrase used in sentences and whether it is applied to objects or to chances. In newspapers and motivational talks, “slipped through my fingers” almost always refers to missed opportunities. Keeping this in mind will help you select the correct explanation in exams. Final Answer: The idiom “let something slip through one's fingers” means to waste an opportunity to achieve something.

Question 4

In the following question, the sentence has a part given in brackets. Choose the alternative which best improves the bracketed part; if no improvement is required, select “no improvement”: What would you like (to do it) for your birthday?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question tests your understanding of correct infinitive usage in everyday English. The sentence is about plans for a birthday, and the part in brackets contains an extra pronoun that makes the phrase ungrammatical. You must choose the option that forms a natural and correct expression with “would you like”. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: “What would you like (to do it) for your birthday?” We must replace “to do it” with a grammatically correct and idiomatic alternative. Options: to do, doing, does, no improvement. Common patterns: “What would you like to do for your birthday?” is the standard question form. Concept / Approach: The verb like in such polite questions is usually followed by an infinitive without an extra object pronoun: would you like to do, would you like to eat, would you like to go. The pronoun it is unnecessary and incorrect here because the verb do already refers to the activity for the birthday. Therefore, “to do” alone is the right phrase. “Doing” changes the structure and sounds less natural in this polite question, and “does” is the wrong verb form. “No improvement” cannot be correct because “to do it” is not standard English in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the core structure: “What would you like … for your birthday?”Recall common usage: we normally ask “What would you like to do for your birthday?”Recognise that the extra pronoun “it” in “to do it” has no clear reference and makes the phrase clumsy.Compare with the options: “to do” matches the standard pattern “would you like to do + activity”.Eliminate “doing”, “does” and “no improvement” because they do not produce a natural, grammatically correct sentence. Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: “What would you like to do for your birthday?” This sounds exactly like what a native speaker would ask when planning a celebration. If we keep “to do it”, we get “What would you like to do it for your birthday?”, which is clearly wrong. Replacing with “doing” gives “What would you like doing for your birthday?”, which is awkward and uncommon. “What would you like does” is grammatically impossible. Thus, “to do” is clearly the best improvement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Doing is the -ing form that usually follows verbs like enjoy, avoid or consider, as in “What do you enjoy doing?”, but with “would you like”, the infinitive is more natural and polite. Does is the present tense form of do for he/she/it, which does not fit here at all. “No improvement” would leave the incorrect phrase “to do it” in place, which exam grammar rules do not accept in this structure. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes carry over the pronoun it from other sentences like “I will do it tomorrow” and mistakenly add it in places where the activity itself is already understood from context. With general questions about preferences, such as “What would you like to do?”, we do not add it unless we refer to a specific thing already mentioned. Remember that in polite questions with would you like, the simple infinitive to do is almost always correct when asking about activities. Final Answer: The correct improvement is to do, so the sentence should read: “What would you like to do for your birthday?”

Question 5

In the following question, the sentence has a part given in brackets. Choose the alternative which best improves the bracketed part; if no improvement is required, select “no improvement”: You must (be mistake).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence improvement question checks your ability to use the correct verb form and pattern after the modal verb must. The sentence is expressing a strong logical conclusion that someone is wrong about something. You need to pick the grammatically correct way of saying this in English. Given Data / Assumptions: Original sentence: “You must (be mistake).” We must improve “be mistake” so that the full sentence is natural and correct. Options: be mistakenly, be mistaken, be mistook, no improvement. Common usage: “You must be mistaken” is a standard expression meaning “I am sure you are wrong.” Concept / Approach: After modal verbs like must, we use the base form of a verb or an appropriate complement. In this context, we need an adjective describing the subject you. The correct adjective derived from the noun mistake is mistaken, meaning wrong in one's judgment or belief. Therefore, “You must be mistaken” is the correct form. “Be mistakenly” uses an adverb incorrectly, “be mistook” mixes tenses and forms, and “be mistake” is ungrammatical because mistake is a noun, not an adjective. Step-by-Step Solution: Recognise that must expresses strong logical probability or conclusion: “I am sure that …”.The phrase “You must be …” is followed by an adjective describing the state of the subject.Mistaken is the correct adjective meaning wrong, as in “I was mistaken.”Thus, “You must be mistaken” is the natural and grammatically correct expression.Eliminate the options that use incorrect word forms: mistakenly (adverb), mistook (past tense verb), or the original “be mistake” (noun). Verification / Alternative check: Read the corrected sentence: “You must be mistaken.” This clearly means that the speaker believes the other person is wrong about something. It is a standard polite formula in English. If we say “You must be mistakenly”, the sentence becomes incomplete and incorrect because an adverb cannot serve as the complement of be. “You must be mistook” mixes the structure and does not follow normal grammar rules. Keeping “You must be mistake” is plainly wrong because mistake is a noun in this position, not an adjective. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Be mistakenly” is incorrect because mistakenly is an adverb and cannot describe the subject directly after be. It would need a structure like “You must have spoken mistakenly,” where it modifies a verb, not be. “Be mistook” tries to use the past tense of the verb mistake as a complement, which does not fit after be. “No improvement” leaves the ungrammatical phrase “be mistake” untouched. Therefore, these options cannot be correct in a standard English grammar test. Common Pitfalls: When learners see the noun mistake, they sometimes try to attach it directly after be, but English typically requires the adjective mistaken to describe a person who is wrong. Remember pairs like mistake (noun) vs mistaken (adjective), hope (noun/verb) vs hopeful (adjective), and care (noun/verb) vs careful (adjective). In this specific modal pattern, “must be mistaken” is a fixed, very common phrase that you should recognise instantly in exams. Final Answer: The correct improvement is be mistaken, so the full sentence should read: “You must be mistaken.”

Question 6

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one-word substitute that best expresses the meaning of the given phrase: Complete with regard to every detail.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question tests your knowledge of descriptive adjectives used to talk about the quality of work or examination. The phrase “complete with regard to every detail” describes a very careful and detailed approach. You must select the word that accurately sums up this idea in a single term. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: Complete with regard to every detail. Options: Thorough, Lackadaisical, Lax, Cursory. The phrase suggests careful attention to all parts, leaving nothing out. We assume we are describing a person's work, investigation or examination of something. Concept / Approach: Thorough means done with great care and completeness, paying attention to every detail. It is the standard adjective for work that is detailed, careful and exhaustive. The other options describe the opposite quality: lackadaisical, lax and cursory all suggest carelessness, superficiality or insufficient attention. Therefore, thorough is the only word that matches the positive, detailed meaning of the given phrase. Step-by-Step Solution: Focus on the key idea: “complete with regard to every detail” = nothing important is skipped.Recall the meaning of thorough: careful, detailed, and complete in all aspects.Check Lackadaisical: means lazy, lacking enthusiasm and effort.Check Lax: means not strict, careless, or loose in attitude and control.Check Cursory: means done quickly and superficially, without attention to detail.Only Thorough expresses the careful, detailed and complete nature described in the phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Replace the phrase with each option in a sentence: “The inspector carried out a complete, detailed check of the equipment.” Changing this to “a thorough check” preserves the meaning. If we say “a lackadaisical check”, “a lax check” or “a cursory check”, we imply that the check was careless or superficial, the opposite of what the original phrase describes. This confirms that thorough is the correct one word substitute. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Lackadaisical suggests a lazy, half hearted approach that leaves many details unchecked. Lax indicates weakness in control or enforcement, not detailed completeness. Cursory explicitly means quick and not thorough, making it a near antonym of thorough. Since the question asks for a word meaning complete with regard to every detail, any word implying carelessness must be rejected. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes confuse cursory with curious or similar sounding words, thinking it might be positive. However, cursory always carries a negative sense of superficiality. To avoid confusion, remember the pair thorough vs cursory as opposites: thorough = detailed and complete; cursory = quick and incomplete. With this in mind, it becomes easy to recognise thorough as the best match for “complete with regard to every detail.” Final Answer: The one word substitute for “complete with regard to every detail” is Thorough.

Question 7

In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the one-word substitute that best expresses the meaning of the given phrase: The faculty or power of using one's will.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This one word substitution question deals with a psychological and philosophical term that describes the mental power behind making choices. The phrase “the faculty or power of using one's will” refers to the inner ability to decide and act intentionally. You must pick the technical word that captures this idea accurately. Given Data / Assumptions: Phrase: The faculty or power of using one's will. Options: Antagonism, Aversion, Rejection, Volition. We are talking about willpower and choosing, not about feelings of dislike or conflict. The desired word is often used in psychology, law and philosophy. Concept / Approach: Volition is the faculty or power of using one's will. It refers to the act of making a conscious choice or decision. Antagonism means active hostility or opposition, aversion means strong dislike, and rejection means refusal to accept something. All three are about negative attitudes, not about the neutral or positive power to choose. Volition alone matches the phrase by directly referring to deliberate, willing action. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the key elements in the phrase: “faculty or power” and “using one's will”.Recall that the technical term for willpower or the act of willing is volition.Check Antagonism: this describes hostility or opposition to someone or something.Check Aversion: this means strong dislike or unwillingness towards something.Check Rejection: this is the act of refusing to accept or agree.Only Volition refers to the internal power to choose and act according to one's will. Verification / Alternative check: Use the word volition in an example: “He signed the contract of his own volition,” meaning he signed it by his own free will, without force. This exactly reflects “use of one's will.” If we try to substitute antagonism, aversion or rejection, the sentence becomes nonsensical: “of his own antagonism” or “of his own rejection” do not express the idea of freely choosing. This confirms that volition is the correct one word substitute. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Antagonism focuses on conflict and animosity, not on choice or will. Aversion refers to a strong feeling of dislike or avoidance, which is not the same as the power to choose. Rejection is an outward act of refusing, not the inner faculty that allows a person to make any decision, whether yes or no. The question is concerned with the capability of willing, not with particular emotional attitudes, so these options must be eliminated. Common Pitfalls: Because aversion and rejection are common words, students sometimes select them out of familiarity. However, one word substitution questions frequently use slightly technical vocabulary. When you see references to will, choice or free decision, remember volition as the precise term. Building mental links like “voluntary, volunteer, volition” (all connected to will) helps you recall this word accurately in competitive exams. Final Answer: The one word substitute for “the faculty or power of using one's will” is Volition.

Question 8

In the following question, four words are given, out of which one word is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word from the options given.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question asks you to identify the correctly spelt form of a slightly advanced verb. The word is often used in art, literature and analysis to describe placing things side by side for comparison. Recognising its correct spelling helps you write accurately in academic and competitive exam contexts. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: jukstapose, jaxtapuse, juxtapose, jaxtapose. We must select the spelling that matches standard English usage. The target word is the verb that means “to place side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.” We assume familiarity with the root form of the word from reading or vocabulary lists. Concept / Approach: The correct spelling of the word is juxtapose. It begins with the letters j u x t a and ends with pose. The incorrect forms in the options add or substitute letters, creating non standard spellings. Spelling questions often test your memory of such slightly unusual sequences of letters. Knowing that juxtapose is derived from the Latin root for “next to” helps fix the spelling in your mind. Step-by-Step Solution: Recall the correct word meaning to place two things side by side: juxtapose.Spell it mentally: j u x t a p o s e.Compare each option: “jukstapose” uses k instead of x and is wrong.“Jaxtapuse” and “jaxtapose” start with j a x rather than j u x and are incorrect; “puse” instead of “pose” is also wrong.“Juxtapose” matches the standard spelling exactly. Verification / Alternative check: Think of common phrases: “to juxtapose two ideas,” “juxtaposed images in a collage,” and “a striking juxtaposition of colours.” In all such contexts, dictionaries and textbooks consistently use juxtapose. None of the other offered spellings appears in standard English references. If you search your memory of reading, you are likely to have seen juxtapose only in this correct form. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Jukstapose” incorrectly changes the x to k, which is not acceptable in standard spelling. “Jaxtapuse” has two errors: a instead of u after j, and use instead of ose at the end. “Jaxtapose” also replaces the u with a and therefore breaks the correct pattern juxta-, which appears in related words like juxtaglomerular. In competitive exams, even a single wrong letter makes the whole word incorrect, so these alternatives must be rejected. Common Pitfalls: Because juxtapose is not an everyday word, many test takers rely on phonetic guessing and get trapped by options that sound similar. However, English spelling often follows roots rather than pure sound. The root juxta means “next to,” as in juxtaposition. Remembering this root helps you fix the correct initial letters j u x t a in your mind. With practice, you will recognise juxtapose instantly as the right spelling in such questions. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is juxtapose.

Question 9

In the following question, four words are given, out of which one word is correctly spelt. Select the correctly spelt word from the options given.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This spelling question asks you to identify the correct spelling of a common English noun related to fun and enjoyment. Even simple words are sometimes confused when extra letters are inserted or vowels are misplaced. Examiners often deliberately create such near miss options to test your careful observation. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: amusemant, ammusement, ammusemant, amusement. We must select the standard spelling used in dictionaries and everyday writing. The word means something that entertains or makes people laugh and enjoy themselves. Concept / Approach: The correct spelling is amusement: a m u s e m e n t. It comes from the verb amuse plus the suffix ment. The incorrect options add extra m's or change e to a in the final syllables. Recognising the base verb amuse and the common suffix ment helps you quickly identify and reject wrong variations. Step-by-Step Solution: Start from the verb amuse, spelt a m u s e.Add the noun forming suffix ment: m e n t.Combine them to get amusement: a m u s e m e n t.Check each option: “amusemant” wrongly uses a instead of e before the final nt.“Ammusement” and “ammusemant” add an extra m after a, which is incorrect.“Amusement” matches the correct base + suffix spelling exactly. Verification / Alternative check: Think of common phrases: “for your amusement,” “an amusement park,” “to provide amusement for the children.” All of these use the spelling amusement. You are unlikely to have seen the other versions in any book or newspaper. This real world exposure is a reliable guide in multiple choice spelling questions: the form that looks and feels most familiar from reading is usually correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: “Amusemant” changes the vowel pattern in the final syllable from ement to emant, which does not follow normal English suffix usage. “Ammusement” and “ammusemant” incorrectly double the m in the root, which is not done in the verb amuse. These spellings may look plausible at first glance, but they do not match the standard formation of nouns from verbs using the ment suffix. Common Pitfalls: Students often get confused by doubled consonants and swapped vowels because they read quickly under exam pressure. A good strategy is to mentally separate common suffixes like ment, ness, tion and sion. Once you know that the suffix here should be ment, you can focus only on the root amuse and check that it remains unchanged. This immediately eliminates the options with extra m and the options that alter the vowel before nt, allowing you to choose amusement confidently. Final Answer: The correctly spelt word is amusement.

Question 10

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentence fragments X, Y and Z. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the fragments to form a coherent sentence: Evidently it was too X - of a deadly-looking cobra or Y - two …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a sentence arrangement (reordering) question that gives parts of a single sentence labelled X, Y and Z. Your task is to choose the order that produces a grammatically correct and logically meaningful sentence describing a dry place with very little wildlife and only a deadly looking cobra or two. These questions test both your grammar instincts and your ability to reconstruct narrative flow. Given Data / Assumptions: Full prompt: “Evidently it was too X - of a deadly-looking cobra or Y - two we saw no reptiles Z - dry for game, and with the exception.” Fragments: X: of a deadly-looking cobra or Y: two we saw no reptiles Z: dry for game, and with the exception The introductory words “Evidently it was too …” are fixed at the beginning. We must find the order of X, Y, Z that yields a natural English sentence. Concept / Approach: The intended complete sentence is: “Evidently it was too dry for game, and with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two we saw no reptiles.” This sentence first states that the place was too dry for animals (“game”) and then adds that, apart from one or two cobras, no other reptiles were seen. To reconstruct this, the fragment about dryness (Z) must come immediately after “too”, and the phrase “with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two” must be formed by joining Z, X and Y in that order: Z X Y. Step-by-Step Solution: Start with the fixed beginning: “Evidently it was too …”Identify which fragment can logically follow “too”: “dry for game” is clearly the phrase that fits, so Z should come first.Attach Z to the beginning: “Evidently it was too dry for game, and with the exception …”Next, form the phrase “with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two we saw no reptiles.” For this, X (“of a deadly-looking cobra or”) must follow “with the exception”.Finally, Y (“two we saw no reptiles”) completes the expression “cobra or two we saw no reptiles.”Thus, the correct order of fragments is Z X Y, which is represented by option ZXY. Verification / Alternative check: Construct the full sentence using Z X Y: “Evidently it was too dry for game, and with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two we saw no reptiles.” This sentence is grammatically correct and tells a clear story: the place was so dry that there were no animals, except for one or two cobras. If we try other orders, such as XZY or YZX, the result is either ungrammatical or illogical, with fragments left hanging or the phrase “with the exception” not followed by a proper “of …” phrase. Why Other Options Are Wrong: YZX would place Y immediately after the opening, leading to “too two we saw no reptiles,” which is incorrect grammar. YXZ and XZY similarly create broken, unnatural phrases such as “with the exception two we saw no reptiles of a deadly-looking cobra,” which is not proper English. Only ZXY allows “too dry for game” to follow “too” and “with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two” to follow naturally afterwards. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes ignore fixed expressions like “too dry for game” and “with the exception of” and instead focus only on superficial matching of words like cobra or reptiles. A good strategy in such questions is to first identify clearly recognisable phrases (idiomatic or grammatical units) and build the sentence around them. Here, spotting “dry for game” and “with the exception of” leads quickly to Z and then X. This makes it much easier to place Y last and choose ZXY confidently. Final Answer: The most logical order of the fragments is ZXY, giving the sentence: “Evidently it was too dry for game, and with the exception of a deadly-looking cobra or two we saw no reptiles.”

Question 11

The question below consists of a set of labelled sentence fragments X, Y and Z. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the fragments to form a coherent sentence: Some of these X - height of more than Y - 2000 feet above the …

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence arrangement question requires you to reorder the fragments X, Y and Z to produce a meaningful description of rocks and their height. The resulting sentence should be grammatically correct and logically describe some rocks that rise to a height of more than 2000 feet above sea level. Given Data / Assumptions: Prompt: “Some of these X - height of more than Y - 2000 feet above the sea Z - rocks rise to the.” Fragments: X: height of more than Y: 2000 feet above the sea Z: rocks rise to the The opening phrase “Some of these” is fixed at the beginning. We must choose an order that yields a clear, natural English sentence. Concept / Approach: The intended full sentence is: “Some of these rocks rise to the height of more than 2000 feet above the sea.” To achieve this, “Some of these” must be followed by Z (“rocks rise to the”), then by X (“height of more than”), and finally by Y (“2000 feet above the sea”). This order respects both normal subject verb object structure and the standard way we talk about measurements in English: rise to the height of more than 2000 feet above the sea. Step-by-Step Solution: Begin with the given start: “Some of these …”Ask what the subject is: it should be “rocks”, so the next fragment must be Z: “Some of these rocks rise to the …”After “rise to the”, we expect a phrase that begins with height of more than, so X should come next.Attach X: “Some of these rocks rise to the height of more than …”Finally, complete the measurement using Y: “2000 feet above the sea.”Thus, the correct order is Z X Y, which corresponds to option ZXY. Verification / Alternative check: Read the reconstructed sentence: “Some of these rocks rise to the height of more than 2000 feet above the sea.” The sentence is grammatically sound and communicates a clear idea about the elevation of the rocks. If we try alternative orders, such as YZX or XZY, we get broken phrases like “Some of these 2000 feet above the sea rocks rise to the height of more than,” which is obviously incorrect and unnatural. Why Other Options Are Wrong: YZX would give “Some of these 2000 feet above the sea rocks rise to the height of more than,” which misplaces the measurement fragment and disrupts sentence flow. YXZ and XZY similarly create awkward structures where the verb phrase “rocks rise to the” is not placed directly after the subject “Some of these rocks,” or the measurement fragments are disordered, breaking the natural pattern “height of more than 2000 feet above the sea.” Only ZXY respects both grammar and meaning. Common Pitfalls: In such questions, students often try to start directly with numerical fragments because numbers stand out visually. However, English sentences usually follow a subject + verb + complement pattern. Always identify the subject (rocks), the main verb phrase (rise to the) and then attach measurement phrases logically. Recognising common collocations like “height of more than 2000 feet above the sea” also guides you towards the correct order ZXY. Final Answer: The most logical order of the fragments is ZXY, forming the sentence: “Some of these rocks rise to the height of more than 2000 feet above the sea.”

Question 12

In the following question, a sentence is given in Active voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive voice: I will wash the car every Sunday.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This voice change question tests your ability to convert a sentence from Active to Passive while preserving tense, meaning and adverbial phrase order. The original sentence uses the future tense and includes a time expression “every Sunday.” The correct passive sentence must keep the future meaning and the idea of a regular action on Sundays. Given Data / Assumptions: Active sentence: “I will wash the car every Sunday.” Subject: I. Verb: will wash (simple future tense). Object: the car. Adverbial phrase of time: every Sunday. We must transform this into Passive voice while keeping the same tense and sense. Concept / Approach: To change from Active to Passive, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. The structure of simple future in the passive is will be + past participle of the main verb. The agent (the original subject) is introduced with by if it is necessary to mention it. Therefore, “I will wash the car every Sunday” becomes “The car will be washed by me every Sunday.” This keeps the same tense, the same meaning and the regular time expression. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the object in the active sentence: the car. This will become the subject in the passive sentence.Keep the tense: will wash (simple future) changes to will be washed in the passive.Place the new subject first: “The car will be washed …”Add the agent if needed: by me, since the original subject is I.Retain the time expression at the end: every Sunday.Final passive form: “The car will be washed by me every Sunday.” Verification / Alternative check: Compare the meanings: The active sentence states that in the future, on every Sunday, the speaker will perform the action of washing the car. The passive sentence states that in the future, on every Sunday, the car will receive the action of washing, with the agent me clearly mentioned. Both sentences refer to the same action, time and participant, but they differ only in voice. Thus, the passive transformation is accurate. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Option “The car is washed by me every Sunday” changes the tense from future to simple present and therefore does not match the original. Options “Every Sunday by me the car is to be washed” and “Every Sunday by myself the car is to be washed” use an unnatural word order and shift the meaning towards obligation rather than a simple future routine. They also sound awkward in normal English. Only “The car will be washed by me every Sunday” correctly preserves tense, meaning and natural word order. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes change the tense while converting to passive, especially when handling future sentences or adding modal verbs. A safe rule is to keep will in the passive form as will be + past participle. Also remember that the time expression (every Sunday) can stay either at the end or at the very beginning, but typical exam answers usually keep it at the end to minimise confusion. In this question, the cleanest and most standard passive form is “The car will be washed by me every Sunday.” Final Answer: The correct Passive voice form is: The car will be washed by me every Sunday.

Question 13

In the following question, a sentence is given in Direct speech. Out of the four alternatives suggested, select the one which best expresses the same sentence in Indirect (reported) speech: The watchman said, “Thief! Thief! Catch him!”

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Introduction / Context: This Direct/Indirect speech question asks you to convert an excited, imperative exclamation into a calm, reported form. The watchman is shouting to people nearby, asking them to act immediately. In indirect speech, we must preserve the command to catch the thief while changing the direct words into a reported structure with an infinitive. Given Data / Assumptions: Direct speech: “The watchman said, ‘Thief! Thief! Catch him!’” The watchman is addressing a group of people (the crowd) and giving them an urgent command. We need reported speech that captures the instruction to catch the thief. Standard reported imperatives use verbs like told, ordered or shouted + to + verb. Concept / Approach: In reported speech, an imperative sentence (a request, order or command) is usually reported using an infinitive structure: subject + reporting verb + object + to + base verb. Here, the watchman is shouting an order to catch the thief. Therefore, we can express this as “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.” The repeated word “Thief! Thief!” provides urgency but does not need to be copied exactly in reported speech; instead, the main action command is summarised properly. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the speaker: the watchman.Identify the addressee: the crowd (people around), though not stated directly in the original, it is implied.Recognise the sentence type: an imperative command “Catch him!” combined with exclamations “Thief! Thief!”Choose an appropriate reporting verb: shouted is suitable because the watchman is raising his voice in alarm.Form the reported structure: “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.” Verification / Alternative check: Check that the reported sentence conveys the same essential meaning: someone (the watchman) loudly asked the people around him to catch a thief. The words “Thief! Thief!” are summarised by mentioning “catch the thief.” This is a natural and accepted way of reporting such an exclamation. The grammar is also correct: shouted to the crowd + to catch the thief fits the “reporting verb + to-infinitive” pattern for commands. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Options (b), (c) and (d) mostly keep the direct words with only minor changes to punctuation, which means they are still very close to direct speech rather than proper reported speech. They do not use the to + verb structure and do not fully integrate the command into a single reported clause. Moreover, they sound awkward, as if the writer has simply inserted commas around the direct quotes instead of properly reporting them. Only option (a) transforms the speech into a smooth indirect form that would appear in formal writing or in exam keys. Common Pitfalls: Many learners try to preserve every word from the direct speech, such as repeating “Thief! Thief!” inside the reported statement. However, reported speech usually summarises repeated exclamations and focuses on the main command or information. In imperative reporting, always think of patterns like: He shouted to them to run, She told me to wait, They ordered the soldiers to advance. Applying the same structure here leads naturally to “The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.” Final Answer: The correct Indirect speech form is: The watchman shouted to the crowd to catch the thief.

Question 14

Read the passage carefully and then answer the following question by selecting the best option out of the four alternatives: There's more than the 101-seater dining table at the Falaknuma Palace that is awe-inspiring. The library done in rosewood an…

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Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question is based on a descriptive passage about the Falaknuma Palace library and the appointment of its librarian, Asif Husain Arastu. You are asked to identify which statement about Mr Arastu is false according to the information given in the passage. Such questions test your ability to distinguish explicitly stated facts from details that have not been mentioned or that contradict the text. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage describes the Falaknuma Palace library, its design and its history without a librarian. It introduces Asif Husain Arastu, who becomes the librarian after a long search. We are told that he belongs to the family that owned the famous A A Husain book store in Abids. We are told that historian Anuradha Naik, his friend, pointed out the requirement at the library, which led to his appointment. We are not told that he is related to the Nizam's family; only the book collection belongs to the Nizam's family. We must identify which option contradicts or misrepresents these details. Concept / Approach: To find the false statement, we check each option directly against the passage. If the passage confirms the statement, it is true. If the passage either denies it or gives information that makes it unlikely, the statement is false. We know Mr Arastu becomes the librarian, belongs to a bookseller's family and is a friend of historian Anuradha Naik. Nowhere does the passage state that he is a descendent of the Nizam's family; it only says that the Nizam's family collected the books in the library. Therefore, calling him a descendent of the Nizam's family is false. Step-by-Step Solution: Re read the sentence: “For years the palace had no librarian … That is until they found Asif Husain Arastu …” This confirms he did become the librarian.Note: “who belongs to the family that owned the famous A A Husain book store in Abids.” This shows his family background is linked to a bookstore, not to the Nizam's lineage.Observe: “So when his friend and historian Anuradha Naik pointed out the palace's requirement at the library, Husain was delighted.” This confirms that Anuradha Naik is his friend.Recall: The passage states that the treasure trove of books was collected by the Nizam's family, but does not connect Mr Arastu by blood to that family.Therefore, the statement that he was a descendent of the Nizam's family is not supported and is false. Verification / Alternative check: Go through each option carefully: (b) “He was the librarian at the Falaknuma Palace” is directly confirmed by the line about his first day as librarian. (c) “He owned a book store” is a slight exaggeration: the passage actually says he belongs to the family that owned the store, which implies a family connection with ownership; exams generally accept this as essentially true in such contexts. (d) “He was a friend of Anuradha Naik” is confirmed by “his friend and historian Anuradha Naik.” Only (a) claims he was a descendent of the Nizam's family, which the passage never mentions and which conflicts with the separate identities of the Nizam's family and the A A Husain book store family. Why Other Options Are Wrong (as answers): Option (b) cannot be the false one because the passage explicitly names him as the librarian and even describes his first day. Option (c) captures his connection to the famous bookstore family; although strictly it says his family owned it, competitive exams typically treat this as an acceptable paraphrase. Option (d) clearly matches the text describing Anuradha Naik as his friend. Thus, these options are all supported by the passage and cannot be considered false in this context. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes misread ownership or family relationships and get confused between the Nizam's family (who collected the books) and Mr Arastu's family (who owned the bookstore). It is crucial to keep track of who owns what: the palace library collection belongs to the Nizam's family, while the bookstore belongs to Mr Arastu's family. Mixing these two families can lead to the wrong answer. Always note names and possessives carefully when handling reading comprehension questions. Final Answer: The false statement about Mr Arastu is: He was a descendent of the Nizam's family.

Question 15

Read the passage carefully and then answer the following question by selecting the best option out of the four alternatives: There's more than the 101-seater dining table at the Falaknuma Palace that is awe-inspiring. The library done in rosewood an…

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Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question focuses on a specific factual detail from the passage describing the Falaknuma Palace library. You are asked to recall what kind of wood was used for the carvings in the high roof of the library. Such questions test close reading and attention to descriptive details, not deep interpretation. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage describes the library as being done in rosewood and mahogany. It mentions “the walnut carved high roof,” indicating a special feature of the ceiling. It states that this high roof is supposedly an imitation of the one at Windsor Castle. We must identify which wood specifically relates to the carved high roof, not just any wood used in the library. Options: Rosewood, Mahogany, Sandalwood, Walnut. Concept / Approach: The key is to distinguish between the different woods used in the library. The general interior is described as being done in rosewood and mahogany, but the roof is described separately as “the walnut carved high roof.” Thus, rosewood and mahogany apply to the overall finishing, while walnut refers specifically to the carved structure of the roof. Sandalwood is not mentioned at all. Therefore, the correct answer is walnut. Step-by-Step Solution: Locate the relevant lines in the passage: “The library done in rosewood and mahogany … and the walnut carved high roof.”Note the structure: the furniture and overall work use rosewood and mahogany, but the phrase “walnut carved high roof” singles out walnut as the wood for the roof carvings.Check each option: Rosewood and Mahogany are present in the passage but linked to the general library interior, not specifically to the carved roof.Sandalwood is not mentioned anywhere in the passage.Walnut directly appears in the expression “walnut carved high roof,” making it the correct answer. Verification / Alternative check: Reconstruct the sentence describing the library: “The library done in rosewood and mahogany is a place that will force anyone to pause, if only to admire the fine original polish, the furniture and the walnut carved high roof.” Here, the author lists three things to admire: the polish, the furniture and the walnut carved high roof. The deliberate repetition of wood types—rosewood, mahogany, walnut—means each is associated with different parts: general finishing, furniture and roof. Thus, when the question asks about the roof carvings, walnut is the precise answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Rosewood and Mahogany describe the general woodwork and the furniture in the library but are not used in the phrase about the carved roof. Choosing them would show a failure to notice the specific detail in the passage. Sandalwood is not mentioned at all and is therefore an impossible answer if you rely only on the text. Only walnut appears directly linked with the high roof and its carvings. Common Pitfalls: In descriptive passages, exam setters often mention several similar items such as multiple kinds of wood, colours or names. Students who read too quickly may remember only one or two items and choose them incorrectly. A useful strategy is to pay special attention to phrases where the author repeats a word pattern, such as “the walnut carved high roof,” which clearly stands out. Underlining or mentally marking such distinctive phrases while reading helps you answer factual questions like this accurately. Final Answer: The carvings in the high roof of the library were made of Walnut wood.

Question 16

Read the passage about the Taj Falaknuma Palace library carefully and answer the following: On his very first day as librarian, which author wrote the reference book titled "How to paint grass" that Asif Husain found?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This reading comprehension question is based on a descriptive passage about the Taj Falaknuma Palace library and the new librarian, Asif Husain. The aim is to check whether the learner can identify a specific factual detail from the passage, namely the name of the author of a particular reference book mentioned in the narrative. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage describes the 101 seater dining table and the impressive library at the Falaknuma Palace. The library is done in rosewood and mahogany and has a high roof that imitates the one at Windsor Castle. The palace could not find a suitable librarian for many years until they appointed Asif Husain Arastu. On his first day as librarian, Asif Husain discovered a reference book titled "How to paint grass". The passage clearly states that this book is by Alfred East. Concept / Approach: This is a direct factual detail question. The correct method is to locate the relevant sentence in the passage and carefully read the exact wording. There is no inference or deep interpretation required. Good strategy involves scanning for the key phrase "How to paint grass" and then noting the author name that appears immediately with this title. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the entire passage once to understand the overall setting of the Falaknuma Palace and its library. Step 2: Identify the portion of the passage that mentions the first day of work for the librarian, Asif Husain. Step 3: Focus on the sentence that states he found a reference book titled "How to paint grass". Step 4: Observe the exact wording that follows this title. The passage clearly says that the book is "by Alfred East". Step 5: Compare this name with the options given in the question and choose the option that matches exactly. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, a student can reread the sentence around the book title and check whether any other author is linked with this specific title. No other writer in the passage is associated with "How to paint grass". Mark Twain and Charles Dickens are famous authors, but the passage does not connect them to this book. Anuradha Naik is mentioned as a historian friend who points out the requirement for a librarian, not as the author of the reference book. Thus, Alfred East is confirmed as the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Alfred East: This matches the passage exactly and is therefore correct, not wrong. Anuradha Naik: She is a historian friend who informs Asif about the library vacancy, not the author of "How to paint grass". Mark Twain: A well known American writer, but his name does not appear connected to this reference book in the passage. Charles Dickens: Another famous author of English literature, but the passage does not mention him at all in relation to the Falaknuma Palace library. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes guess based on familiarity with names instead of checking the passage. Seeing well known authors like Mark Twain or Charles Dickens may tempt a student to choose them even though the passage does not connect them with the book. Another mistake is confusing the historian, Anuradha Naik, with the author because both names appear close together in the text. Careful reading and attention to the phrase "by Alfred East" prevent these errors. Final Answer: The author of the book "How to paint grass" mentioned in the passage is Alfred East.

Question 17

Read the passage about the Falaknuma Palace library carefully and answer: According to the passage, whose family collected the books that are preserved in this palace library over several decades?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks careful reading of a factual detail in a comprehension passage about the Falaknuma Palace library. The passage not only describes the architecture and atmosphere of the library but also mentions the origin of its valuable collection of books. The learner must identify which group is responsible for building this collection over many years. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage describes a library in the Falaknuma Palace with rosewood and mahogany interiors and a high roof. The palace did not have a suitable librarian for many years. The narrative explains that the library contains a treasure trove of books. The text clearly states that these books were collected over several decades by the family of the Nizam. Several other names are mentioned, such as Asif Husain Arastu and historian Anuradha Naik, but they are associated with other roles. Concept / Approach: The concept tested here is the ability to pick out a specific fact from a descriptive passage. The correct approach is to scan for key phrases like "treasure trove of books" and "collected by" and then note the subject of that sentence. Comprehension questions of this type reward accurate attention to the exact wording rather than background knowledge or assumptions about historical institutions. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Read the entire passage once to understand the overall description of the palace and its library. Step 2: Locate the sentence that talks about the treasure trove of books stored in the library. Step 3: Identify the words that describe who collected these books and over what period of time. Step 4: Note that the passage attributes the collection of books to the Nizam family over several decades. Step 5: Compare each option with this information and select the one that matches the description exactly. Verification / Alternative check: A quick verification method is to check how each option is mentioned in the passage. Hyderabad University is not mentioned at all in the text. The historian Anuradha Naik is described as the person who told Asif Husain about the requirement of a librarian. Asif Husain Arastu is appointed as the librarian, but there is no statement that he collected the books. Only the family of the Nizam is linked directly with the long term accumulation of the library collection. This cross check confirms the correct answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Hyderabad University: The passage does not mention this institution anywhere, so it cannot be responsible for the library collection described. Mrs Anuradha Naik: She is mentioned as a historian friend who informs Asif Husain about the vacancy, not as a collector of books. The Nizam's Family: This matches the text exactly and is the correct answer, not a wrong option. Mr Asif Husain Arastu: He is appointed as the librarian to manage the existing collection; the passage does not say that he collected the books over decades. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes assume that a librarian collects all the books or that a historian who recommends a librarian also builds the collection. These are real world guesses, not facts from the passage. Another common error is to select an option that sounds prestigious, such as a university, even though it is never mentioned. In standardized examinations, it is essential to base the answer strictly on the given passage and not on guesses or outside knowledge. Final Answer: According to the passage, the books in the Falaknuma Palace library were collected by the Nizam's Family.

Question 18

Read the passage about the Falaknuma Palace library carefully and answer: According to the description, which part of the palace is said to imitate the Windsor Castle?

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question asks the learner to focus on a specific descriptive detail from the passage about the Falaknuma Palace. The text highlights several impressive features of the palace, and one of them is directly compared with the famous Windsor Castle. The task is to recall which architectural element is said to be an imitation of the Windsor Castle feature. Given Data / Assumptions: The passage states that the library is done in rosewood and mahogany. It mentions fine original polish, furniture, and a walnut carved high roof. The passage then notes that this high roof is supposedly an imitation of the one at Windsor Castle. Other parts of the palace, such as the large banquet hall and the 101 seater dining table, are described but not linked to Windsor Castle. Concept / Approach: This reading comprehension item checks for careful attention to descriptive wording. Examinations often include such questions to differentiate between casual reading and accurate detail oriented reading. The correct strategy is to recall or re locate the exact sentence that mentions Windsor Castle and then identify the noun phrase that it qualifies. This is a direct lookup, not an inference based on general knowledge of palaces or castles. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Recall the passage segment that lists the features of the library, such as the polish, furniture, and high roof. Step 2: Focus on the sentence that continues after describing the walnut carved high roof. Step 3: Observe that the text says that this high roof is supposedly an imitation of the one at Windsor Castle. Step 4: Recognise that the high roof is a structural part of the library, that is, the roof. Step 5: Match this understanding with the given options and select the one that explicitly refers to the library roof. Verification / Alternative check: To verify, one can check every option against the passage. The 101 seater dining table is mentioned as awe inspiring, but there is no statement that it imitates Windsor Castle. The banquet hall size is compared to the library, but again, no comparison with Windsor Castle is made. The text praises the furniture but does not say it copies Windsor Castle. Only the high roof, which is part of the library structure, is said to be an imitation of the roof at Windsor Castle. Therefore, "the library's roof" is the only accurate answer. Why Other Options Are Wrong: 101-seater dining table: Although impressive, the passage does not link it with Windsor Castle, so this is incorrect. The library's roof: This is correct, because the walnut carved high roof is described as an imitation of the one at Windsor Castle. The banquet hall: The hall is used as a reference for size comparison, not for any resemblance to Windsor Castle. The library's furniture: The furniture is admired, but the passage does not compare it to anything at Windsor Castle. Common Pitfalls: Students sometimes misremember which feature is associated with which description. Because several elements are described close together in the text, a learner may incorrectly attach the Windsor Castle reference to the grand dining table or the overall hall. To avoid this, it is important to read carefully and note which exact noun is described as an imitation. Misreading due to hurry is the main pitfall in such questions. Final Answer: The part of the palace that imitates a feature of Windsor Castle is the library's roof.

Question 19

In the following sentence, a part of the sentence may contain an error. Identify the part that has an error and select the correct option. If the sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. The lady was knocked down (1) / by a speeding car (2) /…

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Introduction / Context: This is a standard English grammar error spotting question. Learners must identify which part of the sentence contains a grammatical or usage error. The sentence describes an accident involving a lady and a speeding car. The key focus is on the correct use of prepositions and phrases to show when the accident occurred in relation to her action of crossing the road. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is divided into four parts, labelled (1), (2), (3), and (4). Part (1): "The lady was knocked down" Part (2): "by a speeding car" Part (3): "upon crossing the road." Part (4): "No Error" The structure aims to express that the lady was hit while she was crossing the road. Concept / Approach: The main concept here is correct idiomatic usage in English. Native and standard usage prefers "while crossing the road" rather than "upon crossing the road" in this context. The preposition "upon" usually suggests immediacy after completion of an action, not the action in progress. To describe an accident that happened during the act of crossing, the progressive idea "while crossing the road" is more precise and natural. Therefore, the error lies in the phrase used in part (3). Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part (1) "The lady was knocked down". This is grammatically correct and clearly states the action. Step 2: Examine part (2) "by a speeding car". This correctly uses the preposition "by" with a passive verb to indicate the agent of the action. Step 3: Examine part (3) "upon crossing the road." The phrase sounds awkward for describing an accident happening during the act of crossing. Step 4: Replace the phrase mentally with "while crossing the road", which clearly expresses that the accident took place during the crossing. Step 5: Conclude that part (3) contains the error and therefore select option 3 as the answer. Verification / Alternative check: A quick test is to read the sentence aloud after correcting part (3): "The lady was knocked down by a speeding car while crossing the road." This sounds natural and is standard English usage. In contrast, "upon crossing the road" usually implies that she finished crossing and then something happened immediately afterward, which is not the intended meaning. Parts (1) and (2) are structurally correct and do not require any changes. Thus, only part (3) is faulty. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 1: "The lady was knocked down" is a correct passive voice construction with no grammatical error. Part 2: "by a speeding car" properly introduces the agent of the action in passive voice. Part 3: "upon crossing the road." is incorrect in this context and should be replaced with "while crossing the road". Part 4: "No Error" cannot be selected because we have clearly identified an error in part (3). Common Pitfalls: A common mistake is to overlook subtle differences between similar prepositions such as "upon" and "while" or to assume that any formal sounding phrase must be correct. Students may also be distracted by the passive voice and look for errors in parts (1) or (2), even though those parts are standard. Paying attention to idiomatic usage and the exact intended time relation between actions is crucial in such questions. Final Answer: The error lies in part (3), so the correct choice is 3.

Question 20

In the following sentence, a part of the sentence may contain an error. Identify the part that has an error and select the correct option. If the sentence is free from error, select 'No Error'. Grandfather led (1) / a peaceful life after his (2) / r…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This grammar question asks the learner to determine whether the given sentence contains any grammatical or usage error. The sentence describes a grandfather who lived a peaceful life after retiring from the army. The learner must check verb forms, articles, prepositions, and word order in each part of the sentence and then decide whether any part is incorrect or whether the sentence is completely correct as written. Given Data / Assumptions: Part (1): "Grandfather led" Part (2): "a peaceful life after his" Part (3): "retirement from the army." Part (4): "No Error" The intended meaning is that after leaving service in the army, the grandfather lived a calm and peaceful life. Concept / Approach: The main grammatical points here include the correct past tense of the verb "lead", the use of the article "a", and the phrase "retirement from the army". The past tense of "lead" is spelled "led", which is correctly used. The phrase "a peaceful life" is standard. The expression "after his retirement from the army" is also idiomatic and grammatically correct. Therefore, none of the three numbered parts contain an error, and the correct answer is the "No Error" option. Step-by-Step Solution: Step 1: Examine part (1) "Grandfather led". The subject "Grandfather" is singular, and "led" is the correct past tense of "lead". This part is correct. Step 2: Examine part (2) "a peaceful life after his". The article "a" fits correctly before the noun phrase "peaceful life". The phrase "after his" appropriately introduces the time reference linked to his retirement. Step 3: Examine part (3) "retirement from the army." The preposition "from" is correctly used after "retirement", and "the army" is correctly preceded by the definite article. Step 4: Since no error has been found in any of the three numbered parts, the only correct choice is "No Error" in part (4). Verification / Alternative check: An easy way to verify is to read the full sentence smoothly: "Grandfather led a peaceful life after his retirement from the army." The sentence is clear and natural in terms of tense, article use, and preposition choice. There is no awkwardness or grammatical fault when the sentence is read aloud. If one tries to change any part, the sentence either remains similar in meaning or becomes less idiomatic, which indicates that the original is already correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Part 1: "Grandfather led" is correct; the spelling "led" accurately represents the past tense of "lead". Part 2: "a peaceful life after his" is properly constructed, with a suitable article and phrase order. Part 3: "retirement from the army." uses an appropriate preposition and article. Part 4: "No Error" correctly reflects that the entire sentence is grammatically sound. Common Pitfalls: Some learners might overthink and search for errors where none exist. Others may confuse the spelling of "led" with "lead" in the past tense or think that "retirement from the army" should be changed, even though it is a standard expression. A key exam skill is recognising when a sentence is actually correct and confidently choosing the "No Error" option without trying to force a correction. Final Answer: There is no error in the sentence, so the correct choice is 4 (No Error).

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