Question 1

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the part with an error or “No error”). Sentence: The interviewer asked the actress / how could she / manage to attain fame / in a short period.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests word order in indirect questions. Identify the segment with the incorrect inversion. Given Data / Assumptions: Reporting verb “asked” introduces an embedded question. Indirect questions take normal subject–verb order, not question inversion. Concept / Approach: Direct: “How could she manage…?” Indirect: “asked how she could manage…”. Inversion (auxiliary before subject) is used only in direct questions, not after reporting verbs. Step-by-Step Solution: A: “The interviewer asked the actress” — correct reporting clause.B: “how could she” — incorrect inversion in an indirect question; should be “how she could.”C: “manage to attain fame” — idiomatic and correct.D: “in a short period.” — acceptable time phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “The interviewer asked the actress how she could manage to attain fame in a short period.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, C, and D are fine; only B contains the inversion error. Common Pitfalls: Carrying over direct-question word order into reported speech. Final Answer: how could she

Question 2

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the part with an error or “No error”). Sentence: I cannot / make from / what you are saying / about him.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks idiomatic phrasal-verb usage. Choose the incorrect fragment or “No error.” Given Data / Assumptions: The intended idiom is “make out” meaning “understand.” “Make from” is used for material composition (e.g., “made from wood”), not comprehension. Concept / Approach: Match the phrasal verb to intended meaning: “cannot make out what …” is correct; “make from” is a different meaning and collocation. Step-by-Step Solution: A: “I cannot” — correct auxiliary + negation.B: “make from” — incorrect collocation; should be “make out.”C: “what you are saying” — correct noun clause.D: “about him.” — correct prepositional phrase. Verification / Alternative check: Rewritten correctly: “I cannot make out what you are saying about him.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: Only B breaks the idiom; A, C, and D are grammatically appropriate. Common Pitfalls: Confusing phrasal verbs (“make up,” “make from,” “make out”) with distinct meanings. Final Answer: make from

Question 3

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the part with an error or “No error”). Sentence: He has a scheme / of his own which he thinks / more preferable to / that of any other person.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item targets redundancy with adjectives that already carry a comparative sense. Choose the erroneous fragment. Given Data / Assumptions: “Preferable” inherently compares and must not be used with “more.” Correct construction is “preferable to …”. Concept / Approach: Avoid double comparison (e.g., “more preferable,” “most preferable”). Use the base comparative adjective alone with the correct preposition. Step-by-Step Solution: A: “He has a scheme” — correct.B: “of his own which he thinks” — correct relative structure.C: “more preferable to” — incorrect due to redundancy; should be “preferable to.”D: “that of any other person.” — correct comparative reference. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected: “He has a scheme of his own which he thinks preferable to that of any other person.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are fine. Only C violates comparison rules. Common Pitfalls: Using “more preferable,” “most preferable,” which are nonstandard redundancies. Final Answer: more preferable to

Question 4

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is an error-spotting task. You must identify the part of the sentence that contains a grammatical or usage error. If all parts are acceptable in contemporary written English, select ‘‘No error.’’ Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is intended as a courteous closing line, such as in an email or message. Elliptical closings (without an explicit subject and finite verb) are acceptable in such contexts. “Look forward to” requires a noun or gerund (verb + ing) after the preposition “to.” Concept / Approach: Check common problem areas: verb patterns after prepositions, pronoun case, and whether fragments are acceptable as closings. In professional correspondence, phrases like “Looking forward to hearing from you” are idiomatic and correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Check A: “Looking forward” functions as an elliptical opening for a closing remark; the implied subject and auxiliary are understood (I am / We are looking forward...). This is idiomatic.Check B: “to seeing” correctly uses a gerund after the preposition “to” (look forward to + gerund/noun).Check C: “you” is the correct object pronoun.Check D: “soon.” is a proper adverb of time; punctuation is fine. Verification / Alternative check: The full, non-elliptical version would be: “I am looking forward to seeing you soon.” The shortened version used in closings is standard and correct. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B/C/D are acceptable and do not introduce a grammatical error here. Common Pitfalls: Assuming that every sentence must have an explicit subject and finite verb. In email closings and notes, elliptical structures are widely accepted and grammatically defensible. Final Answer: No error.

Question 5

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: The historian has been working on the project from last 12 years.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests correct preposition and time expression with perfect/progressive tenses. English requires particular prepositions with time spans depending on whether we refer to a starting point or a duration. Given Data / Assumptions: Tense used is present perfect progressive: “has been working”. Time span mentioned is “last 12 years,” a duration (length of time), not a starting point. The intended meaning is “for the last 12 years.” Concept / Approach: Use “for” + duration (for two hours, for three weeks). Use “since” + starting point (since 2012, since last June). “From” is not used with present perfect to mark duration; it would require a paired “to” (from X to Y) or a different construction. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify tense: “has been working” correctly matches an activity continuing up to now.Determine whether the time phrase is a duration or a point: “last 12 years” is a duration.Apply rule: with duration, use “for” → “for the last 12 years.”Locate the erroneous segment: Option D “from last 12 years.” Verification / Alternative check: Correct sentence: “The historian has been working on the project for the last 12 years.” A valid alternative with a starting point would be “since 2012/2013,” etc. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Noun phrase is fine. B: Present perfect progressive is appropriate. C: Prepositional phrase “on the project” is correct collocation. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “from” with “for.” “From” typically pairs with “to/till/until,” not with an open-ended duration in perfect tenses. Final Answer: from last 12 years.

Question 6

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: You should inform your superiors about all those events which are directly related to your work.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The task is to spot any grammatical or usage error in a complete sentence. Focus areas include verb patterns, preposition choice, relative clauses, and adverb placement. Given Data / Assumptions: The verb is “inform,” which typically takes a direct object plus a prepositional phrase: “inform someone about something.” A defining relative clause “which are directly related to your work” modifies “events.” Adverb “directly” modifies the participial adjective “related.” Concept / Approach: Check each chunk for standard collocations and clause structure. “Inform + person + about + thing” is correct. “Which are” for a defining clause is acceptable in formal English; “that are” would also be fine. Step-by-Step Solution: A: “You should inform” — modal + base form is correct.B: “your superiors about” — “inform superiors about …” is the expected pattern.C: “all those events which are” — a grammatically valid relative clause head.D: “directly related to your work.” — adverb placement and prepositional phrase are correct. Verification / Alternative check: Alternative phrasing (“that are directly related…”) is equally correct; choosing “which” does not introduce an error here. Why Other Options Are Wrong: No segment A–D contains a grammatical mistake or faulty collocation. Common Pitfalls: Believing “which” cannot be used in restrictive clauses. In formal British and international English, “which” is acceptable; American style often prefers “that,” but “which” is not wrong. Final Answer: No error.

Question 7

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: We now look forward for some great achievements which to some extent can restore the country's prest…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This problem checks knowledge of fixed prepositional patterns and redundancy. The phrasal verb “look forward to” requires the preposition “to,” not “for.” Given Data / Assumptions: “Look forward to” must be followed by a noun or a gerund. Other parts of the sentence are stylistically acceptable, though “once again” may be redundant with “restore.” Concept / Approach: Identify the collocation error first, then review remaining segments for grammar. Even if additional style improvements are possible, error-spotting focuses on the clearly incorrect chunk. Step-by-Step Solution: A: “look forward for” — incorrect. The correct form is “look forward to.”B: “some great achievements” — correct noun phrase.C: “which to some extent” — acceptable as a limiting adverbial.D: “can restore the country’s prestige once again.” — grammatically fine; “once again” is redundant with “restore,” but redundancy is not always the tested error. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “We now look forward to some great achievements which, to some extent, can restore the country’s prestige.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: B, C, and D do not contain a clear grammatical error; A does. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “look forward to” with verbs that take “for.” Remember: “to” here is a preposition, so it takes a gerund or noun afterward. Final Answer: We now look forward for

Question 8

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: No sooner the clock strike six than all the employees rushed out of office.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This classic pattern tests the correlative construction “No sooner … than …” and the requirement of subject–auxiliary inversion with “did” in the first clause when the main verb is in simple past. Given Data / Assumptions: The intended meaning: immediately after the clock struck six, employees rushed out. With “No sooner,” the correct form is: “No sooner did + subject + base verb … than … + past action.” Concept / Approach: Inversion is mandatory after negative adverbials placed at the beginning (“No sooner,” “Not only,” “Rarely,” etc.). Also check the verb form after the auxiliary. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify structure: “No sooner the clock strike six than …” lacks the auxiliary “did” and fails inversion.Correct pattern: “No sooner did the clock strike six than …”Verb form: After “did,” the main verb must be base form “strike,” but in idiomatic narrative we often use “struck” without “did.” With the correlative pattern, use “did + strike.”Locate error: Segment A “No sooner the” signals the missing “did the.” Verification / Alternative check: Fully corrected sentence: “No sooner did the clock strike six than all the employees rushed out of the office.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: B: Contains “strike” with “than,” which becomes correct once “did the” is supplied earlier. C/D: Grammatically acceptable phrases. Common Pitfalls: Placing “did” after the subject (“No sooner the clock did strike…”), or using past form after “did” (“did struck”)—both are incorrect. Final Answer: No sooner the

Question 9

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: We play tennis together every morning since last June.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests tense selection with “since.” When an action started in the past and continues to the present, English requires the present perfect (often progressive), not the simple present. Given Data / Assumptions: “Since last June” gives a starting point in the past. The action (playing tennis together) continues up to now. The habitual adverbial “every morning” is compatible with a present perfect progressive describing an ongoing routine. Concept / Approach: Use “have/has been + -ing” (present perfect progressive) with “since + point in time.” Use “for + duration” if a length of time is specified. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify trigger: “since last June.”Required tense: present perfect progressive → “have been playing.”Locate error: Segment A “We play” should be “We have been playing.”Other segments (B–D) are compatible with the corrected tense. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “We have been playing tennis together every morning since last June.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: B/C: Phrasal content is fine. D: The preposition “since” is correct because it introduces a point in time. Common Pitfalls: Overusing the simple present with “since.” Remember: “since/for” with continuity to the present typically demands a perfect aspect. Final Answer: We play

Question 10

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: Don't go by his appearance; he is capable at doing any work without any hesitation.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks the correct preposition after “capable.” Some adjectives require fixed prepositions, and “capable” is one of them. Given Data / Assumptions: The adjective is “capable.” The structure used is “capable at doing …,” which is suspect. The intended meaning is possession of ability or competence. Concept / Approach: The fixed preposition with “capable” is “of,” followed by a gerund or noun: “capable of doing something.” “Capable at” is incorrect in standard English. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the adjective-preposition pattern: “capable of.”Spot the error: Segment B uses “capable at.”Check remaining segments for correctness: C and D are acceptable phrases. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “Don’t go by his appearance; he is capable of doing any work without any hesitation.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: “Don’t go by his appearance;” is idiomatic and correctly punctuated with a semicolon. C/D: Grammatically sound. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “capable of” with “good at.” We say “good at doing X” but “capable of doing X.” Final Answer: he is capable at

Question 11

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: Even at the planning stage Rajesh was quite sure, that the scheme was binding to fail.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests correct idiomatic expression and punctuation around a that-clause. The phrase should be “bound to fail,” not “binding to fail.” Given Data / Assumptions: “Be bound to + verb” expresses inevitability or strong likelihood. Placing a comma before a restrictive “that”-clause is generally incorrect. Concept / Approach: Identify the idiom first, then check punctuation. Only one segment is to be marked as the error; the principal, unambiguous error here is the misuse “binding to fail.” Step-by-Step Solution: A: Prepositional phrase is fine.B: “was quite sure,” — the comma is stylistically questionable before a restrictive “that”-clause, but many tests prioritize the lexical error instead.C: “that the scheme was” — correct introductory clause.D: “binding to fail.” — incorrect idiom; it must be “bound to fail.” Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “Even at the planning stage Rajesh was quite sure that the scheme was bound to fail.” (Comma before “that” removed.) Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/C are correct. B contains a debatable comma, but the core grammar/idiom error is clearly in D. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “binding” (as a noun/adjective meaning “obligatory,” “fastening”) with the idiomatic “bound to + verb.” Final Answer: binding to fail.

Question 12

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: Our school is making every possible effort to provide best facilities and personal attention for eac…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question examines article usage with superlatives and preposition choice with “attention.” The sentence aims to speak about the highest standard of facilities provided by the school. Given Data / Assumptions: With superlative adjectives, English normally uses the definite article “the.” “Attention” to a person or thing typically takes the preposition “to.” Concept / Approach: Identify the superlative structure: “best facilities.” This requires “the best facilities.” Also consider improving “attention for each child” to “attention to each child,” though the test demands selection of one erroneous segment; the most explicit error is the missing article before “best.” Step-by-Step Solution: A/B: Fine; progressive aspect with a present-time plan is acceptable.C: “to provide best facilities” — missing the definite article. Correct: “to provide the best facilities.”D: “and personal attention for each child.” — better as “personal attention to each child,” but many tests focus on the superlative article error in C. Verification / Alternative check: Corrected sentence: “Our school is making every possible effort to provide the best facilities and personal attention to each child.” Why Other Options Are Wrong: A/B: Grammatically sound. D: While “to” is preferable to “for,” the primary, unambiguous error is in C. Common Pitfalls: Omitting “the” before superlatives and using “for” where “to” is idiomatic with “attention.” Final Answer: to provide best facilities

Question 13

English grammar — Spot the error (choose the segment that contains a grammatical error; choose ‘‘No error.’’ if the sentence is correct).  Sentence: In my opinion the balance sheet exhibits a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the bank.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence mirrors the standard auditor’s formulation: “a true and fair view.” The task is to identify any grammatical or usage error among the segments or confirm that none exists. Given Data / Assumptions: “In my opinion” is a conventional hedge in professional statements. “Exhibits” is an acceptable reporting verb for documents and reports. “A true and fair view of the state of affairs of the bank” is established, idiomatic professional phrasing. Concept / Approach: Check for article usage, noun–verb agreement, and prepositional structure. All are standard here. Step-by-Step Solution: A: Prepositional opener is correct.B: Subject–verb agreement holds; “balance sheet” (singular) with “exhibits.”C: Article “a” properly introduces the compound complement “true and fair view.”D: Prepositional chain “of the state of affairs of the bank” is formal but correct. Verification / Alternative check: Alternative verbs like “presents” or “shows” would also be correct; however, “exhibits” is not incorrect. Why Other Options Are Wrong: No segment (A–D) contains a grammatical or idiomatic error for standard business English. Common Pitfalls: Overediting fixed professional collocations. The phrase “true and fair view” is an established term of art in auditing. Final Answer: No error.

Question 14

Spot the grammatical error in the sentence. Select the part (A–D) that contains an error; if the sentence is correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: At last the rain ceased and the sky was cleared by clouds and lightning.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error-spotting questions often test common preposition choices. Here, the clause describes the sky becoming free of something. In standard English, we say that a place or surface is ‘‘cleared of’’ unwanted things, not ‘‘cleared by’’ them. Given Data / Assumptions: The event is complete: ‘‘the rain ceased.’’ Target phrase: ‘‘the sky was cleared by clouds and lightning.’’ Intended meaning: the sky became free of clouds and lightning. Concept / Approach: Use the pattern ‘‘clear + object + of + unwanted items.’’ Examples: ‘‘clear the desk of papers,’’ ‘‘the sky cleared of clouds.’’ The preposition ‘‘by’’ after a passive verb introduces the agent (who performs an action). Clouds are not the agents clearing the sky; they are the things removed. Hence ‘‘of’’ is required. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify verb–preposition pair: ‘‘was cleared by’’ → should be ‘‘was cleared of.’’Apply to both items: ‘‘… cleared of clouds and lightning.’’Final corrected sentence: ‘‘At last the rain ceased and the sky was cleared of clouds and lightning.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: ‘‘Clouds and lightning cleared the sky’’ would suggest they acted as agents, which is illogical. Therefore ‘‘of’’ is the only idiomatic choice. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Grammatically sound opening. B: Passive auxiliary ‘‘was’’ is fine. D: Completes the list; the error is already in C. Common Pitfalls: Confusing ‘‘cleared of’’ (removal) with ‘‘cleared by’’ (agent). The latter drastically changes the logic of the clause. Final Answer: cleared by clouds

Question 15

Spot the grammatical error in the sentence. Select the part (A–D) that contains an error; if correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: In the last week I tell him to come in time but he still comes late every day.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks tense consistency. Time expressions like ‘‘last week’’ or ‘‘in the last week’’ anchor an action in the past and require a past-tense verb (or present perfect with ‘‘for/in the last week’’ depending on meaning). The sentence incorrectly uses simple present ‘‘tell.’’ Given Data / Assumptions: Time marker: ‘‘In the last week’’ indicates a past period already completed. Main clause verb: ‘‘I tell him to come’’ (present simple). Ongoing result: ‘‘he still comes late every day’’ (habitual present). Concept / Approach: When a specific past period is referenced, use simple past: ‘‘I told him.’’ If the intention is repeated actions over a continuing recent period, present perfect is better: ‘‘I have told him.’’ Both are more grammatical than ‘‘I tell him’’ with ‘‘last week.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Match tense to time marker: change ‘‘tell’’ → ‘‘told’’ (or ‘‘have told’’ if continuity is intended).Keep the habit clause: ‘‘he still comes late every day’’ is acceptable.Possible correction: ‘‘In the last week I told him to come on time, but he still comes late every day.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Replace the adverbial with ‘‘every day’’; then present ‘‘tell’’ might work. With ‘‘last week,’’ native usage clearly demands past reference. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, C, and D are structurally fine; B alone mismatches tense with the time expression. Common Pitfalls: Ignoring time adverbials; mixing present and past within one clause without reason. Final Answer: I tell him to come

Question 16

Spot the grammatical/usage error. Select the part (A–D) that contains an error; if correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: You may not always get whatever you deserve but that does not belittle the importance for your work.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests correct preposition after ‘‘importance.’’ In English, we normally say ‘‘the importance of something,’’ not ‘‘importance for something’’ when we mean inherent value. Given Data / Assumptions: Main clause: ‘‘does not belittle the importance …’’ Prepositional phrase used: ‘‘for your work.’’ Intended meaning: your work remains important. Concept / Approach: Use ‘‘importance of + noun/gerund’’ to state intrinsic value. ‘‘Importance for’’ is used more rarely, typically to mean ‘‘importance for a purpose/for someone.’’ Here the general, standard phrasing is ‘‘importance of your work.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Identify head noun: ‘‘importance’’.Select idiomatic preposition: switch ‘‘for’’ → ‘‘of’’.Corrected version: ‘‘… does not belittle the importance of your work.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Test with similar nouns: ‘‘value of your work,’’ ‘‘significance of your work’’—all take ‘‘of.’’ Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–C read naturally; only D contains the preposition error. Common Pitfalls: Overgeneralizing ‘‘for’’ after abstract nouns; many such nouns prefer fixed prepositions. Final Answer: the importance for your work.

Question 17

Find the part containing the error; if the sentence is correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: When I stood up spontaneously and questioned the speaker; someone commented that it was a boldly step.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks adjective vs. adverb usage before a noun. We use adjectives to modify nouns; adverbs modify verbs/adjectives/other adverbs. Given Data / Assumptions: Noun phrase: ‘‘a … step’’ requires an adjective before ‘‘step.’’ Given word: ‘‘boldly’’ (adverb) is used attributively. Minor punctuation issue: a semicolon after a dependent clause is also awkward but not offered as an option separate from B. Concept / Approach: Use the adjective ‘‘bold’’ before ‘‘step.’’ The adverb ‘‘boldly’’ would be correct if it modified a verb, e.g., ‘‘He spoke boldly.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Identify modifier type: before a noun → adjective required.Replace ‘‘boldly’’ with ‘‘bold.’’Corrected phrase: ‘‘… it was a bold step.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Try switching the noun: ‘‘a quickly decision’’ vs ‘‘a quick decision’’—the former sounds wrong for the same reason. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A and C are fine. B has a punctuation quirk, but the clear grammatical error targeted here is in D (word form). Common Pitfalls: Using adverbs where adjectives are required; ignoring part-of-speech roles in noun phrases. Final Answer: it was a boldly step.

Question 18

Identify the erroneous segment; choose ‘‘No error’’ if the sentence is correct. Sentence: The Head of the Department along with his colleagues are coming to attend the conference which is scheduled this afternoon.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Subject–verb agreement is tested here. Phrases like ‘‘along with,’’ ‘‘together with,’’ or ‘‘as well as’’ do not change the number of the subject; agreement is with the head noun. Given Data / Assumptions: Head subject: ‘‘The Head of the Department’’ (singular). Parenthetical addition: ‘‘along with his colleagues’’ (does not affect number). Verb used: ‘‘are coming’’ (plural). Concept / Approach: Keep the verb singular to match the singular head subject: ‘‘is coming.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Locate head noun: ‘‘Head …’’ is singular.Ignore the interrupter ‘‘along with …’’ for agreement.Correct verb: ‘‘is coming to attend.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Remove the parenthetical phrase: ‘‘The Head of the Department are coming …’’ clearly sounds wrong; ‘‘is coming’’ fits. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, C, and D are grammatically fine; only B mismatches number. Common Pitfalls: Attraction error: letting a nearby plural noun (‘‘colleagues’’) pull the verb into plural. Final Answer: are coming to attend

Question 19

Spot the error; if the sentence is correct, select ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: From over last five years I have been trying my best to convince him but without success.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item checks correct preposition choice in duration phrases. For periods of time, English prefers ‘‘for’’ (or simply ‘‘over’’), not ‘‘from over.’’ Given Data / Assumptions: Duration intended: more than five years up to now. Tense: present perfect progressive ‘‘have been trying’’—appropriate for ongoing action. Lead phrase: ‘‘From over last five years’’ is non-idiomatic. Concept / Approach: Use one of the idiomatic frames: ‘‘for the last five years,’’ ‘‘over the last five years,’’ or ‘‘for over five years.’’ Do not combine ‘‘from’’ with ‘‘over’’ in this context. Step-by-Step Solution: Choose correct preposition: replace ‘‘From over’’ with ‘‘For the’’ or ‘‘Over the.’’Keep perfect progressive: ‘‘I have been trying …’’ remains correct.Corrected version: ‘‘For the last five years I have been trying my best to convince him, but without success.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Substitute other durations: ‘‘for three days,’’ ‘‘over the past month’’—none take ‘‘from over.’’ Why Other Options Are Wrong: B–D are fine and idiomatic with the corrected opener. Common Pitfalls: Stacking multiple prepositions; forgetting the definite article ‘‘the’’ in ‘‘the last five years.’’ Final Answer: From over last five years

Question 20

Find the erroneous segment; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: The patient recover so fast that the expert doctors also were surprised.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The test targets verb form and agreement. The subject ‘‘The patient’’ is singular; the verb must agree and the tense should align with the context (past event surprising the doctors). Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: singular (‘‘patient’’). Context: completed action signaled by ‘‘were surprised’’ (past). Verb given: ‘‘recover’’ (base form). Concept / Approach: Two acceptable corrections exist depending on the intended time: simple past ‘‘recovered’’ for a completed event, or present simple ‘‘recovers’’ for a habitual truth. The presence of ‘‘were surprised’’ strongly suggests a particular incident in the past; therefore ‘‘recovered’’ fits best. Step-by-Step Solution: Match number and tense: change ‘‘recover’’ → ‘‘recovered.’’Keep the result clause unchanged: ‘‘… so fast that … were surprised.’’Correct version: ‘‘The patient recovered so fast that the expert doctors were surprised.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Try the present: ‘‘The patient recovers so fast that … were surprised’’—tense clash appears. Past ‘‘recovered’’ solves it. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B–D are grammatical once A is fixed. Common Pitfalls: Leaving the verb in base form after a singular subject; ignoring the time frame implied elsewhere in the sentence. Final Answer: The patient recover

Spotting Errors Questions