Error spotting (parallel interrogatives): Identify the erroneous segment (A/B/C) — mark D if there is no error — 'Were you / given a choice / or you had to do it? / No error.' Ensure parallel auxiliaries across coordinated questions.
Verbal Ability
Spotting Errors
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
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AWere you
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Bgiven a choice
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Cor you had to do it?
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DNo error.
Answer
Correct Answer: Were you
Explanation
Given data
- (A) Were you
- (B) given a choice
- (C) or you had to do it?
Concept/Approach: Parallel structure in questionsCoordinate questions must align auxiliaries: either both with 'were' (passive) or both with 'did' (simple past).
Step-by-step correction (choosing a consistent pattern)1) Make both halves simple-past: 'Did you have a choice, or did you have to do it?' (changes Part A).2) Alternatively, keep passive: 'Were you given a choice, or were you forced to do it?' (changes Part C).
Why Part A is flaggedExam keys often select one segment; revising Part A to 'Did you have a choice…' produces full parallelism without altering Part C's lexical items.
Final AnswerA — For parallelism, prefer 'Did you have a choice, or did you have to do it?'