Question 1

Spot the error in the sentence; select ‘‘No error’’ if none. Sentence: Naren could not decide as to which course he should do after obtaining his Degree.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item probes idiomatic verb–object collocation. We normally ‘‘take’’ or ‘‘pursue’’ a course; we do not ‘‘do’’ a course in formal English. Given Data / Assumptions: Main verb choice at issue: ‘‘do’’ with ‘‘course.’’ Decision context: choosing a course after graduation. Concept / Approach: Use verbs that collocate with ‘‘course’’ in academic English: ‘‘take a course,’’ ‘‘pursue a course,’’ ‘‘enrol on a course’’ (BrE) or ‘‘enroll in a course’’ (AmE). Therefore the phrase should be ‘‘which course he should take.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Identify non-idiomatic collocation: ‘‘do a course.’’Replace with idiomatic verb: ‘‘take’’ or ‘‘pursue.’’Correct version: ‘‘… decide which course he should take after obtaining his degree.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Search your own usage: we say ‘‘I am taking a course in …’’ rather than ‘‘I am doing a course’’ in formal contexts. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are acceptable (‘‘as to’’ is a bit wordy but not wrong); C is the clear collocation error. Common Pitfalls: Transferring informal or regional phrases (‘‘do a course’’) into standard written English; capitalizing common nouns like ‘‘degree’’—better lower-case unless part of a proper name. Final Answer: course he should do

Question 2

Identify the erroneous segment; choose ‘‘No error’’ if the sentence is correct. Sentence: Due to certain inevitable circumstances the scheduled programme had to be postponed indefinite but the members could not be informed.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The sentence tests adjective vs. adverb form. After a passive verb phrase ‘‘had to be postponed,’’ we need an adverb to modify the manner or extent of postponement: ‘‘indefinitely,’’ not ‘‘indefinite.’’ Given Data / Assumptions: Verb phrase: ‘‘had to be postponed’’ (passive). Word used: ‘‘indefinite’’ (adjective) following the verb. Intended meaning: the postponement has no fixed end time. Concept / Approach: Adjectives modify nouns; adverbs modify verbs. Here the verb ‘‘postponed’’ needs an adverb of manner/time: ‘‘indefinitely.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Change word class: ‘‘indefinite’’ → ‘‘indefinitely.’’Keep the rest of the clause intact.Correct version: ‘‘… had to be postponed indefinitely …’’ Verification / Alternative check: Substitute another adverb: ‘‘postponed temporarily/permanently’’—both are adverbs following the passive verb. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are grammatically fine; the clear form error is in C. Common Pitfalls: Forgetting to convert adjectives to ‘‘-ly’’ adverbs after verbs; overusing ‘‘due to’’—‘‘because of’’ is often smoother, but not incorrect here. Final Answer: postponed indefinite

Question 3

Spot the error in the sentence; select ‘‘No error’’ if none. Sentence: The mission provides able service to all the needy people in this area during last few years.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This tests the correct time expression with present-tense statements. The phrase ‘‘during last few years’’ is missing the definite article and clashes with the simple present ‘‘provides’’ if the idea is ongoing from past to present. Given Data / Assumptions: Main clause uses simple present: ‘‘The mission provides …’’ (general truth/habit). Time phrase: ‘‘during last few years’’ (should be ‘‘during the last few years’’ or better ‘‘for the last few years’’ with present perfect). Concept / Approach: Two fixes are possible: (1) Keep simple present and remove the bounded past phrase; (2) keep the time span and switch to present perfect with the correct article: ‘‘has provided … for the last few years.’’ Within the given options, the error lies in D. Step-by-Step Solution: Insert the article: ‘‘the last few years.’’Prefer the perfect for duration up to now: ‘‘has provided … for the last few years.’’Corrected version (minimal to match the option): ‘‘… during the last few years.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Compare: ‘‘for the last three years, we have helped …’’—note article + present perfect pairing for continuity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–C are acceptable in structure; D contains the clearest grammatical issue (missing ‘‘the’’; tense alignment is a secondary improvement not represented in options). Common Pitfalls: Dropping articles in fixed time expressions; mixing duration phrases with simple present. Final Answer: during last few years.

Question 4

Spot the grammatical error in the sentence. Select the part (A–D) that contains an error; if the sentence is correct as written, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: The success of our efforts depend upon the number of people who actually use the new meth…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This is a subject–verb agreement question. We must decide whether the finite verb agrees in number with its subject and whether any other phrase creates an error. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject phrase: ‘‘The success of our efforts’’ (singular head noun ‘‘success’’). Verb phrase given: ‘‘depend upon’’ (plural form). Prepositional phrase: ‘‘of our efforts’’ does not change subject number. Concept / Approach: The finite verb must agree with the head of the subject noun phrase. Intervening prepositional phrases and relative clauses do not change number. Therefore, a singular subject requires a singular verb. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the head noun: head = ‘‘success’’ (singular).Check the verb: supplied verb = ‘‘depend’’ (plural).Correct form: ‘‘depends’’ (singular) to agree with ‘‘success’’.Recast: ‘‘The success of our efforts depends upon the number of people who actually use the new methods.’’ Verification / Alternative check: If we invert the sentence to test agreement: ‘‘Success depends…’’ sounds correct; ‘‘Success depend…’’ sounds wrong—confirming the error. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Noun phrase is fine. C: Relative clause ‘‘who actually use…’’ correctly refers to plural ‘‘people’’. D: Phrase is idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: Allowing the plural object of the preposition (‘‘efforts’’) to mislead the verb choice. Final Answer: depend upon the

Question 5

Spot the grammatical/idiomatic error. Select the part (A–D) that contains an error; if the sentence is correct, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: I will put on a note in this regard for your consideration and necessary decision.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item checks idiomatic verb–preposition usage in formal office English. Given Data / Assumptions: The speaker intends to forward or submit a note for consideration and a decision. Phrasal choices include ‘‘put up’’ a note (submit) or ‘‘put in’’ a note (submit/enter), not ‘‘put on’’. Concept / Approach: In administrative usage, ‘‘put up a note’’ means to submit it to a superior for orders. ‘‘Put on’’ is incorrect in this sense and collocates instead with clothing, devices, or performances. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify intended meaning: submit a note.Check phrasal verb: ‘‘put on’’ ≠ submit; correct is ‘‘put up’’ (or ‘‘put in’’).Corrected sentence: ‘‘I will put up a note in this regard for your consideration and necessary decision.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Replace with a clear verb: ‘‘I will submit a note…’’ confirms that ‘‘put on’’ is wrong but ‘‘put up’’ matches intended function. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B: Noun phrase is fine. C: Standard office phrase. D: ‘‘necessary decision’’ is conventional in file noting. Common Pitfalls: Over-generalizing ‘‘put on’’ to any context; confusing ‘‘put up a notice’’ with ‘‘put up a note’’ (both acceptable in different senses). Final Answer: I will put on

Question 6

Find the erroneous part in the sentence; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: By arresting the local criminals and encouraging good people we can end hostilities of that area.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The task is to check prepositional choice and idiomatic expression in a geopolitical context. Given Data / Assumptions: Verb: ‘‘end’’ collocates with ‘‘hostilities’’. Preposition following ‘‘hostilities’’ usually marks location with ‘‘in’’ rather than possession with ‘‘of’’ when referring to a region. Concept / Approach: Use ‘‘hostilities in [area/region]’’ to indicate where unrest occurs. ‘‘Hostilities of that area’’ incorrectly suggests possession rather than location. Step-by-Step Solution: Check collocation: ‘‘end hostilities’’ is correct.Check preposition: replace ‘‘of’’ with ‘‘in’’ to mark place.Recast: ‘‘…we can end hostilities in that area.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Parallel examples: ‘‘violence in the city,’’ ‘‘unrest in the region’’—all take ‘‘in’’ for place. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, C: Grammatically fine and idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: Using ‘‘of’’ with abstract nouns where a locative preposition is required. Final Answer: hostilities of that area.

Question 7

Identify the part containing an error; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: Schools in that area which had English as a medium of instruction as the majority there spoke English.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence tests article usage with a unique attribute and overall clause completeness. Given Data / Assumptions: ‘‘medium of instruction’’ refers to a unique institutional attribute in a school (generally takes the definite article). ‘‘as’’ introduces a reason clause and is acceptable as ‘‘because’’. Concept / Approach: When referencing a specific, unique institutional feature, the definite article is preferred: ‘‘the medium of instruction’’ not ‘‘a medium of instruction,’’ because each school typically has one designated medium. Step-by-Step Solution: Locate article before ‘‘medium’’: supplied article = ‘‘a’’.Correct to ‘‘the’’ to denote a unique, specified medium.Minimal recast: ‘‘…which had English as the medium of instruction as (because) the majority there spoke English.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Compare: ‘‘the language of instruction,’’ ‘‘the head of department’’—unique roles take ‘‘the’’. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Acceptable as relative-clause start. C: Noun phrase is fine once the article is corrected in B. D: ‘‘as’’ meaning ‘‘because’’ is idiomatic. Common Pitfalls: Overusing the indefinite article with unique institutional nouns. Final Answer: had English as a

Question 8

Detect the erroneous segment; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: I have had to work at the fountain for almost ten hours before it could start functioning well.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks prepositional choice with the verb ‘‘work’’ when the meaning is ‘‘repair/operate on a device’’ rather than ‘‘work at a location.’’ Given Data / Assumptions: Intended sense: The speaker spent time repairing/setting right a machine (‘‘fountain’’). With ‘‘work’’ + object meaning ‘‘make operational,’’ the idiomatic preposition is ‘‘on’’ (work on a machine). Concept / Approach: ‘‘Work at’’ typically marks a place of employment or general activity at a site. ‘‘Work on’’ marks the object of repair/improvement. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify sense: repair/bring to working order.Replace preposition: ‘‘at’’ → ‘‘on’’.Corrected sentence: ‘‘I have had to work on the fountain for almost ten hours before it could start functioning well.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Parallel: ‘‘work on the engine/computer/elevator,’’ not ‘‘work at the engine.’’ Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Perfect present construction is fine. C–D: Time and result clauses are grammatical. Common Pitfalls: Using ‘‘at’’ by default with any noun after ‘‘work’’ irrespective of meaning. Final Answer: at the fountain for almost

Question 9

Choose the part containing an error; if the sentence is correct, pick ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: We admired the way he had completed all his work and appreciating the method adopted by him.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This tests parallel structure in coordinated verb phrases. Given Data / Assumptions: First coordinated part uses a finite clause after ‘‘admired the way…’’ Second coordinated part should match the verb form/structure. Concept / Approach: When two actions are coordinated with ‘‘and,’’ maintain parallel form. Here, ‘‘admired the way he had completed…’’ should pair with ‘‘and appreciated the method adopted by him,’’ not the non-parallel participle ‘‘appreciating.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Identify forms: ‘‘admired’’ (finite past) + ‘‘appreciating’’ (present participle) → mismatch.Make parallel: ‘‘admired… and appreciated…’’Correct version: ‘‘We admired the way he had completed all his work and appreciated the method adopted by him.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Read aloud test: switching to another finite verb makes the coordination smooth and balanced. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, D: Grammatically and semantically fine. Common Pitfalls: Mixing finite verbs with participial phrases in tight coordination. Final Answer: and appreciating the method

Question 10

Mark the part with an error; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: Had I come to know about his difficulties would have certainly helped.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question checks conditional inversion and the necessity of an explicit subject in the main clause. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence is a third-conditional type expressing a counterfactual past condition. Inverted conditional ‘‘Had I come…’’ is acceptable for ‘‘If I had come…’’ The main clause must include the subject ‘‘I’’. Concept / Approach: Conditionals with inversion drop ‘‘if’’ and invert auxiliary + subject in the condition clause only. The result clause remains uninverted and must contain a subject. Step-by-Step Solution: Condition clause: ‘‘Had I come to know…’’ = correct inversion.Result clause supplied: ‘‘would have certainly helped’’ (missing subject).Correct form: ‘‘…I would have certainly helped.’’ Verification / Alternative check: Restore ‘‘if’’: ‘‘If I had come to know…, I would have certainly helped.’’ Both clauses now look complete. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–C: Grammatically fine; problem lies in the main clause. Common Pitfalls: Omitting the pronoun in the main clause after using an inverted if-clause. Final Answer: would have certainly helped.

Question 11

Choose the erroneous part; if none, pick ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: Whatever he was today is only because of his mother who was a renowned scientist.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item tests tense consistency when referring to the subject’s present status and its cause. Given Data / Assumptions: Adverb of time: ‘‘today’’ clearly anchors the clause in the present. The cause (mother’s influence) may be in the past, but the subject’s state is present. Concept / Approach: Use present tense with ‘‘today’’ to denote the person’s current status: ‘‘Whatever he is today…’’ Past tense would contradict the time reference. Step-by-Step Solution: Spot mismatch: ‘‘Whatever he was’’ + ‘‘today’’ → inconsistent.Correct form: ‘‘Whatever he is today is only because of his mother who was a renowned scientist.’’Note: Past ‘‘was’’ for the mother is fine if she is no longer alive/active; the main correction is ‘‘was’’ → ‘‘is’’ in the opening clause. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: ‘‘His present standing is because of…’’—confirms present tense is required. Why Other Options Are Wrong: B–D: These parts are consistent once A is corrected. Common Pitfalls: Letting a past-causes frame drag the present-status verb into the past. Final Answer: Whatever he was

Question 12

Identify the part with an error; if none, select ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: No girl in her troupe is so sprightly as your daughter.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This checks degree-of-comparison idiom with negative constructions. Given Data / Assumptions: Structure used: ‘‘No + noun + is so + adjective + as + comparator.’’ Goal: state that the comparator (‘‘your daughter’’) exceeds all others in the set. Concept / Approach: In negative contexts, the idiom ‘‘so … as’’ is standard: ‘‘No other athlete is so fast as X.’’ The affirmative counterpart uses ‘‘as … as’’ (e.g., ‘‘She is as sprightly as…’’). Thus, ‘‘so sprightly as’’ is correct with ‘‘No girl…’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Check polarity: ‘‘No girl’’ makes the clause negative.Apply idiom: negative → ‘‘so … as’’ is acceptable and idiomatic.Confirm agreement and article usage: all fine. Verification / Alternative check: Equivalent rewording: ‘‘Your daughter is sprightlier than any girl in her troupe.’’ Meaning is preserved. Why Other Options Are Wrong: They are not erroneous; each part fits the correct idiom and grammar. Common Pitfalls: Assuming ‘‘as … as’’ is mandatory everywhere; with negatives, ‘‘so … as’’ is also correct and often preferred. Final Answer: No error.

Question 13

Find the erroneous segment; if none, choose ‘‘No error.’’ Sentence: The Trust has succeeded admirably in raising money for its future programmes.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This sentence tests standard collocations and prepositional usage in formal English. Given Data / Assumptions: Verb phrase: ‘‘has succeeded admirably’’ is grammatical and idiomatic. Gerund phrase: ‘‘in raising’’ correctly follows ‘‘succeeded in + -ing’’. Object and prepositional phrase: ‘‘money for its future programmes’’ is standard. Concept / Approach: Check each collocation: ‘‘succeed in doing’’ is the correct pattern; adverb placement before the prepositional phrase is fine; possessive pronoun ‘‘its’’ agrees with singular collective ‘‘Trust.’’ Step-by-Step Solution: Confirm verb–preposition pattern: ‘‘succeeded in’’ ✔Confirm adverb placement: ‘‘succeeded admirably’’ ✔Confirm object/preposition chain: ‘‘raising money for its future programmes’’ ✔ Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: ‘‘The Trust has done an admirable job of raising funds for upcoming programmes.’’ No grammatical conflicts arise. Why Other Options Are Wrong: There is no error in A–D; therefore, the correct choice is ‘‘No error.’’ Common Pitfalls: Mistaking correct collocations (‘‘succeed in + -ing’’) for errors or misplacing the adverb. Final Answer: No error.

Question 14

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “The committee is thankful to Shri Desai for preparing not only the main report but also for preparing the agenda notes an…

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Error-spotting questions test precision in grammar and style. This sentence checks your understanding of parallelism in correlative constructions, especially “not only … but also …”. Getting the structure right avoids redundancy and maintains balance between the paired parts of a sentence. Given Data / Assumptions: The sentence thanks Shri Desai for preparing several documents. The correlative pair used is “not only … but also …”. We must locate the exact segment that breaks correct parallel structure. Concept / Approach: When using “not only … but also …”, the grammatical form following each part should be parallel. If a preposition or verb (e.g., “for preparing”) appears before “not only”, it should not be repeated after “but also” unless the first is omitted to maintain symmetry. Concise, non-redundant phrasing improves clarity. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the head structure: “thankful … for preparing [A] not only … but also … [B]”.Segment B repeats “for preparing”, creating “for preparing … but also for preparing …”.Correct parallelism is: “for preparing not only the main report but also the agenda notes and minutes.”Therefore the error lies in the segment “but also for preparing”. Verification / Alternative check: Rewrite to confirm: “The committee is thankful … for preparing not only the main report but also the agenda notes and minutes.” This reads smoothly and avoids duplication. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A: Grammatically fine as a subject–complement chunk.B: Correct lead-in to “not only”.D: Correct object phrase.E: Incorrect because an error does exist in C. Common Pitfalls: Repeating prepositions or verbs in paired structures; forgetting that “not only … but also …” demands parallel grammatical forms. Final Answer: but also for preparing

Question 15

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “Motivating employees with traditional authority and financial incentives have become increasingly difficult.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This error-spotting item tests subject–verb agreement when the subject is a gerund phrase. In English, a gerund phrase (verb-ing used as a noun) is singular and therefore typically takes a singular verb form. Given Data / Assumptions: The full subject is “Motivating employees with traditional authority and financial incentives”. The predicate uses “have become”, a plural verb form. We must check whether the head of the subject is singular or plural. Concept / Approach: A gerund phrase functions as a singular noun (e.g., “Running is fun”). Modifiers within the gerund phrase (e.g., prepositional phrases like “with … incentives”) do not change the number of the head noun. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify the grammatical head: “Motivating …” is a gerund functioning as a singular subject.Match the verb to a singular subject: “has become”, not “have become”.Therefore, the error is in the segment “incentives have become”. It should read “incentives has become” only if “incentives” were the subject, but it is not. The correct overall clause is “Motivating … has become increasingly difficult.” Verification / Alternative check: Replace the subject with a simple singular noun: “Activity has become difficult.” This confirms the singular agreement. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A and B are modifiers of the gerund; they are fine.D is a correct adverbial complement.E is wrong because an agreement error exists in C. Common Pitfalls: Being distracted by plural-looking nouns inside a gerund phrase and mistakenly using a plural verb. Final Answer: incentives have become

Question 16

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “We have observed that many good programmes suffer of shortage of funds and other resources.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item checks idiomatic preposition choice with the verb “suffer”. In standard usage, “suffer from” is followed by a condition or deficiency. Using “of” after “suffer” is non-idiomatic in this sense. Given Data / Assumptions: Clause: “programmes suffer … shortage of funds”. We need the correct preposition after “suffer”. “Shortage” is a countable/uncountable noun often used with the article “a” when singular (“a shortage”). Concept / Approach: Use “suffer from + noun/condition”: “suffer from a shortage of funds”. Alternative structures: “face a shortage of funds”, “are short of funds”. Step-by-Step Solution: Spot the non-idiomatic phrase “suffer of shortage”.Replace with the idiomatic form: “suffer from a shortage”.The corrected sentence becomes: “We have observed that many good programmes suffer from a shortage of funds and other resources.” Verification / Alternative check: Check corpus-like intuition: “suffer from flu”, “suffer from lack of …” all take “from”. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A and B are grammatically fine.D completes the object phrase correctly.E is a general label and not a segment; the actual errant segment is C. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “suffer from” with “suffer” + direct object (“suffer hardship”), where no preposition is used. Final Answer: suffer of shortage

Question 17

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “If the teacher is good the students will respond positively to them.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: The goal is to detect a pronoun–antecedent agreement error. The singular antecedent “teacher” must be matched by an appropriate singular pronoun or the sentence must be rephrased to avoid the pronoun altogether. Given Data / Assumptions: Antecedent: “the teacher” (singular). Pronoun used: “them” (plural). Style allows either singular pronouns (him/her) or recasting to a plural antecedent for “they/them”. Concept / Approach: Traditional grammar: singular antecedent needs a singular pronoun (“him”/“her”). Alternative: modern singular “they” is accepted in many contexts, but tests like this typically expect classical agreement. Another fix is to make the antecedent plural: “If teachers are good, students will respond positively to them.” Step-by-Step Solution: Locate mismatch: “teacher” (singular) vs. “them” (plural).Correct options: “respond positively to him/her” or recast: “Students will respond positively.”Therefore the error is in segment D: “positively to them.” Verification / Alternative check: Revised sentence: “If the teacher is good, the students will respond positively to him or her.” Agreement is restored. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–C are structurally fine.E is wrong because there is indeed an agreement error. Common Pitfalls: Overusing “they/them” with singular antecedents on exams that expect traditional concord; forgetting commas after introductory “if”-clauses (stylistic, not the tested error here). Final Answer: positively to them.

Question 18

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “The apparently obvious solutions to most of his problems were overlook by many of his friends.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question targets verb form with passive voice. In passive constructions, the auxiliary “be” must be followed by the past participle (V3), not the base form (V1) or simple past (V2) incorrectly placed. Given Data / Assumptions: Subject: “solutions” (plural). Auxiliary: “were” (past of “be”, plural). Main verb given: “overlook” (base form) — inappropriate after “were”. Concept / Approach: Passive voice formula: be + past participle. Therefore, “were overlooked” is correct. Step-by-Step Solution: Identify passive: “were … by many of his friends”.Apply rule: change “overlook” to “overlooked”.Correct sentence: “The apparently obvious solutions … were overlooked by many of his friends.” Verification / Alternative check: Try active voice: “Many of his friends overlooked the solutions.” Active uses simple past; passive must use past participle. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A, B, and D are well-formed as modifiers and object of the preposition.E is wrong—an error exists in C. Common Pitfalls: Dropping the -ed in passive; confusing “overlook” (ignore) with “overlooked” (past participle). Final Answer: were overlook by

Question 19

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “Such rules do not apply to you and I.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This tests case after a preposition. Pronouns following prepositions must be in objective case (me, him, her, us, them), not subject case (I, he, she, we, they). Coordination (X and Y) does not change this rule. Given Data / Assumptions: Preposition: “to”. Object phrase: “you and I”. Required: objective case for both pronouns. Concept / Approach: After “to”, use “me”: “to me”. Therefore, “to you and me” is correct. Politeness conventions (placing the other person first) do not affect case. Step-by-Step Solution: Spot the preposition: “apply to …”.Replace “I” with “me”: “apply to you and me”.Re-check the rest: all other segments are fine. Verification / Alternative check: Test each pronoun alone: “apply to I” (wrong) vs. “apply to me” (correct). This confirms the error. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–C are grammatically correct.E is incorrect since D contains the error. Common Pitfalls: Overcorrecting to “you and I” in all contexts; remember case depends on function, not politeness. Final Answer: you and I

Question 20

English grammar – Spot the error (choose the segment with the mistake; if there is no mistake, choose ‘‘No error’’). Sentence: “Do not trouble yourself about writing to me unless you are quite in the humour for it.”

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: At first glance the sentence may look unusual because of the phrase “in the humour”, which is a British-English expression equivalent to “in the mood”. Error-spotting items often include archaisms or regional variants that are still grammatically correct to test whether candidates can distinguish true errors from unfamiliar but acceptable usage. Given Data / Assumptions: Imperative construction: “Do not trouble yourself … unless …”. Gerund phrase: “about writing to me”. Conditional clause: “unless you are quite in the humour for it.” Concept / Approach: “Trouble yourself about …” is idiomatic and acceptable. “Unless” correctly introduces a negative condition. “In the humour” in BrE = “in the mood”; it takes the definite article “the”. Step-by-Step Solution: Check each segment for grammar: subject implied (you) in imperatives; negation “do not” is correct.Prepositional phrase “about writing to me” correctly uses a gerund.“Unless you are quite in the humour for it” is grammatical; “quite” is an adverb of degree modifying the prepositional complement. Verification / Alternative check: Paraphrase: “Don’t bother writing unless you really feel like it.” The meaning is clear and the structure sound. Why Other Options Are Wrong: A–D are all grammatically acceptable; none contains an error.Therefore, the correct choice is “No error”. Common Pitfalls: Treating unfamiliar BrE expressions as errors; changing correct gerund structures to infinitives without reason. Final Answer: No error.

Spotting Errors Questions