English Grammar (Sakshi)

Parts Of Speech
Nouns: Action: Laughter, theft, movement,

A noun is a word used as the name judgment, hatred etc.
of a person, place or thing. State: Childhood, boyhood, youth,
Ex: Queen, Ramu, Sirisha, slavery, sleep, sickness, death,
Hyderabad, Chair. poverty etc.
Proper Noun: The proper noun is Material nouns: Material Nouns are
the name of a person; place or thing the names of metals.
proper here means one's own. Ex: Gold, silver, iron, copper, tin,
Ex: Ashoka was a wise king. The wood etc.
noun Ashoka refers to a particular Except abstract nouns, all the other
king, but the noun king might be nouns are usually known as
applied to any other king as well as Concrete nouns, as they have form,
to Ashoka. So we call Ashoka proper shape weight while the abstract
noun and king a common noun. nouns don't as they can't be seen,
touched or weighed but only can be
Common Noun: Common Noun is felt.
a name given in common to every
person, or thing of the same kind or Pronouns:
class. A pronoun is a word used instead of
Ex: Sita is a good girl. Here Sita is a a noun. It is of 7 kinds.
proper noun while girl is a common
noun. 1. Personal Pronouns: They refer
to persons either first or second or
Collective Noun: A collective noun third person. (I, We, You, He, She,
is name of a number or collection of It and They)
persons or things taken together and Ex: I saw her. He met me. They
spoken of as one whole. asked you for us. Words in bold are
Ex: The French army was defeated Personal Pronouns.
at Waterloo. Here the army is
collective Noun. 2. Reflexive and Emphatic
Pronouns: When self is added to
Abstract Noun: An abstract noun is my, your, him, her, it and selves to
usually the name of a quality, action, our, your, them, we get Personal
or state considered apart from the Pronouns. They are Reflexive
object to which it belongs. pronouns when the done by the
Quality: Goodness, kindness, subject turns back (reflects) upon the
whiteness, darkness, hardness, subject.
brightness, honesty, wisdom and Ex: I hurt myself.
bravery etc. She hurt herself.
We hurt ourselves. All were drowned in the recent
They hurt themselves. accident.
You can notice that these pronouns Some are born great.
are as the objects of the verb and Nobody was there to help the old
refer to the same persons denoted by woman.
the Subjects of the verbs. Love is like a ghost everybody talks
but few have seen it.
Emphatic Pronouns Ex: What is everybody's business is
I will do it myself. nobody's business.
I myself saw her do it.
You yourself can best explain. 5. Distributive Pronouns: Each,
They themselves admitted their either, neither are called Distributive
guilt. Pronouns because they refer to
persons or things one at a time. For
3. Demonstrative Pronouns: They this reason, they are always singular
point out the objects to which they and as such followed by the verb in
refer, and are therefore called the singular.
Demonstrative Pronouns. This, that, Each is used to denote every one of
these, those, such are demonstrative a number of persons or things taken
pronouns. singly.
Ex: This is a present from my girl Either means the one or the other of
friend. two. Neither means 'not the one nor
These are merely excuses. the other of the two. It is the
Both cars are good, but this is better negative of either. Hence neither and
than that. either should be used only in
Bombay mangoes are better than speaking of two persons or things.
those of Bangalore. (Not 'than When more than two are spoken of,
Bangalore'). 'any, no one, none' should be used.
Ex: Each of the boys gets a prize.
4. Indefinite Pronouns: They refer Either of these roads leads to the
to persons or things in a general college.
way, but don't refer to any person or Neither of the accusations is true.
thing in particular. These are called
Indefinite Pronouns. 6. Relative Pronouns: Who,
Some such pronouns are: One, whose, whom, that, which are
None, They, all, some, somebody, called Relative Pronouns. They refer
nobody, few, many, others, to or relate to some noun going
anybody, everybody, everyone and before which is called its
so on. Antecedent. They join sentences like
Ex: One hardly knows what to do. a conjunction does. So they are also
One must love one's country. known as Conjunctive pronouns.
They say that he has lost heavily. Ex: I met Hari. Hari had just
arrived.
I have found the pen. I had lost the Linking verbs:
pen. John is funny.
Here is the book. You lent me the The novel became a best seller.
book. The soup smelled wonderful.
The above three pairs of sentences
can be joined like this with the help The important characteristic of all
of relative pronouns. verbs is that verbs (and only verbs)
I met Hari who had just arrived. have tenses; present, past and future.
I have found the pen which I had Unless a word can be used in the
lost. present, past and future tense, it is
Here is the book that you lent me. not a verb - no exception whatever.
Verbs come in two types: regular
7. Interrogative Pronouns: Who, and irregular.
whose, what are interrogative
pronouns. Though they are similar in Regular verbs form their past tenses
form to Relative Pronouns, the work in an absolutely regular way by
which they do is different. They are adding ed, d.
used for asking questions and are Ex: Remember, remembered and
therefore called Interrogative remembered.
pronouns.
Ex: Who is there? Irregular verbs form their past tense
Who are you? in some other irregular way, often
Of whom do you speak? by changing the vowel of the verb.
Whose is this book? Ex: Go, went, gone
Which is the house? Parts of Speech
Which do you prefer, tea or coffee? Postal Assistants Special
What is the matter? Adjectives:
What do you want? An adjective is a word used to
What will all the neighbours say? describe a noun.
Ex: Beautiful house
Verbs: Tall man
The traditional definition of a verb is An awful noise
"a word used to express action or That dreadful old man
describe a state of being". As the Five golden rings
definition implies, there are two
different types of verbs: Action Adverbs:
verbs and Linking verbs that Adverbs are words that modify
describe the subjects. Here are some verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
examples. By far the most common use of
Action verbs: adverbs is to modify verbs, so we
John laughed. will deal with them first.
Jane wrote a novel.
Mom made some soup.
Adverbs that modify verbs: beneath, beside, between, beyond
Ex: They parked the truck etc
yesterday.
They loaded the truck there. 3. Phrasal prepositions: according
They drove the truck carefully. to, agreeably to, along with, away
They use the truck frequently. from, because of, by dint of, by
means of, by reason of, by way of,
Adverbs that modify Adjectives: by virtue of, for the sake of, in
Ex: A completely false statement. accordance with, in addition to, on
Some rather unusual ideas behalf of, in case of, in comparison
A terribly hot afternoon. to, in course of, in favour of, in the
event of, in lieu of, in order to, in
Adverbs that modify other place of, in reference to, in regard to,
adverbs: in spite of, on account of, owing to,
Ex: I always answer my calls very with a view to, with an eye to, with
promptly. reference to, with regard to etc.
The students answered the questions
quite easily. 4. Double prepositions: Where one
He fought rather fiercely with his preposition doesn't serve the
problems. purpose, there more than one
I did even worse on the test than I preposition may be used depending
had expected. on the contextual necessity.
Prepositions: Ex: She looked at me from above

A preposition is a word which shows her glasses.
the relation between the noun or I heard someone moving from
pronoun and other words in the behind the curtain.
sentence. There heard a feeble voice from
Ex: The boy is in the room within the well.
The book is on the table. Can anybody from among you
answer this?
Kinds of prepositions:
1. Simple prepositions: for, in, at, 5. Disguised prepositions: Some
to, by, from, of, off, on through, till, prepositions are disguised or in
after, before, with. another form giving the
prepositional meaning.
2. Compound prepositions: about, Ex: He went a (=on) hunting.
above, across, amidst, around etc It's ten O'clock by my watch.
they are formed by prefixing a (=on) They get a thousand a (=per) day.
before a Noun, an Adjective, or an
Adverb; or by prefixing be (=by)
before a noun, an Adjective or an
Adverb; as, before, behind, below,
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Conjunctions: He can't attend duty because he is

A conjunction is a word which joins ill.
words, phrases, clauses or sentences Though he is poor, he is honest.
to complete their meaning. Unless you work hard, you can't
Ex: They reached the station but it reach your goal.
was too late.
He put on his shoes because he was Interjections:
going for a run. An interjection is a word that
This is the tree that was planted by a expresses some sudden feeling or
foreigner (Relative pronoun) emotion.
This how he does his work (Relative ☞ Aah - This is used as a call for
adverb) help or when someone is scared
She came and stayed with me for ☞ Boo - Used to scare someone or
two days (Conjunction) to voice disapproval
☞ Eh - This is used when you
Kinds of conjunctions: didn't hear or understand what
1. Coordinating conjunctions: someone said
They join together clauses of equal
☞ Eww - Ahows dislike or disgust
rank. Such conjunctions are: and,
but, for, or, nor, also, either…or, ☞ Hmm - This can mean you are
neither…nor; they form coordinate thinking or hesitating
clauses that are often found in ☞ Jeez - Could mean you can't
compound sentences. believe something, or you are
Ex: He came out and locked the exasperated
door. ☞ Ooh-la-la - A slightly comical
She is fair but forty. way to refer to something as
You must do it or undergo the fancy or special
result. ☞ Oops - An exclamation people
use when they accidentally do
2. Subordinating conjunctions: something
They connect a subordinate clause to ☞ Phew - This expresses relief or
the main or principal clause. These that you are glad something is
conjunctions form subordinate over
clauses that are found in complex ☞ Whoa - This can show surprise
sentences. Subordinate means 'in the or amazement
control of or in the authority of'. ☞ Yahoo - Expresses joy or
They are: after, before, because, if, happiness
that, though, although, till, unless,
☞ Yeah - This shows a very
as, when, where, while etc.
strong affirmation or approval
Ex: Resume your work after you
have taken a little rest. ☞ Yoo-hoo - This is used to get
Finish all your work before you go someone's attention and is
home. usually used by women
☞ Zing - This is similar to a rim 11) The sea is very stormy.

shot used in comic acts and 12) The Sikhs fought bravely.
emphasizes a clever statement 13) Do you know how to play
or comeback billiards?
14) My God! I forgot my purse at
Ex: Ahh, that feels wonderful. the restaurant.
Alas! I'm lost in the wilderness. 15) Work hard or you will fail.
Bah! That was a total waste of time. 16) I must not forget to take my
Bless you; I couldn't have done it medicine.
without you. 17) Have you taken my mobile
It's time for me to go. Cheerio! phone?
Congrats! You finally got your 18) She writes all her letters very
Master's degree. carefully.
Crikey! Do you ever think before 19) I will be waiting for you at the
you speak? bus stop.
Gesundheit! Are you starting to get a 20) If it rains, the match will be
cold? cancelled.
Good grief! Why are you wearing Answers
shorts in the winter?
Oh dear! I don't know what to do 1) Adjective 2) Verb
about this mess. 3) Preposition 4) Noun
Shoot! I forgot my brother's 5) Conjunction 6) Interjection
birthday. 7) Pronoun 8) Adverb
Well, duh! That was a stupid thing 9) Preposition 10) Noun
to do!
11) Adjective 12) Adverb
Practice Questions 13) Noun 14) Interjection
Identify the part of speech of the 15) Conjunction 16) Verb
bolded words: 17) Pronoun 18) Adverb
1) He carried a large umbrella. 19) Preposition 20) Conjunction
2) We travelled by train.
3) They did not comply with his
request.
4) Attitude is everything.
5) Though they ran fast, they
missed the bus.
6) Alas! We have been defeated.
7) The book which he gave me
was interesting.
8) He often makes mistakes.
9) Jawaharlal Nehru was fond of
children.
10) Virtue has its own reward.
Prepositions
A Preposition is a word used or placed before a noun or pronoun. It shows the
relation between the noun and something else. A preposition is followed by a
"noun". It is never followed by a verb. Knowledge of prepositions is vital as it is
a very important area on which questions will be asked in all competitive
examinations. Prepositions can be studied under three categories. 1. Simple
Prepositions. 2. Compound prepositions and 3. Phrase Prepositions.
Simple prepositions:
Examples: of, in, to, till, at, by, for, from, off, out, with, etc.
Compound prepositions:
Examples: beside, within, above, about, across, without, between, etc.
Phrase prepositions:
Examples: in course of, in favour of, in case of, according to, by reason of, in
the event of, owing to, away from, in compliance with, with reference to,
instead of, with an eye to, in comparison to, because of, etc.
Prepositions Showing Time

1. at, in
At is used with a definite point of time in mind.
E.g. Jim goes to the office at eight.
She will come at noon.
In is generally used to denote a specific time, period, month, year.

E.g. I play in the evening.
2. on, by
On is used with days and dates.
E.g. Mahatma Gandhi was born on 2nd October.
English class is on every Wednesday.
By refers to the latest time by which an action will be over.

E.g. The meeting will be over by 3 p.m.
3. for, since
For denotes a period of time and is used with the perfect continuous tense.
E.g. I have been working for the last ten years.
She has been waiting for two hours.
Since indicates point of time. It indicates continuity.
E.g. India has been independent since

1947.
4. from
From refers to the starting point of an action.
E.g. Raju is joining the firm from the 1st of June.
Prepositions Showing Position

1. at, in
At refers to an exact point.
E.g. He lives at Amberpet.
In refers to a big area.

E.g. He lives in Hyderabad.
2. between, among
Between is used to distinguish two persons and things.
E.g. There was a quarrel between the two sisters.
Among is used for more than two persons or things.
E.g. The food is distributed among the boys in the class.
3. amongst
Amongst is also used with more than two persons or things but is always used
before a vowel.
E.g. Divide the oranges amongst us.
4. above, below:
Above is used for higher than.
E.g. The Aeroplane is flying above the clouds.
Below is used for lower than.

E.g. His output is below ours.
5. under, beneath
Under is used for vertically below.
E.g. We sit under the tree when we have no class.
Beneath shows a lower position.

E.g. She married beneath her.
Prepositions showing direction

1. To is used to indicate movement from one place to another.
E.g. The children go to school every morning.
2. Towards points out particular direction.

E.g. The lion ran towards the hunter.
3. Into indicates a movement inside something.

E.g. The cat jumped into the well.
4. At indicates aim.
E.g. The hunter aimed at the bird.
5. For denotes direction.

E.g. I shall start for Gwalior today.
6. Along shows the same line.

E.g. I walked along the shore.
7. Across means from one side.

E.g. I ran across the street.
8. From refers to a point of departure.

E.g. We feel unhappy when we depart from our parents.
9. Before denotes face- to-face.

E.g. He was standing before his wife.
10. Behind means at the back of someone or something.

E.g. My son stood behind me.
11. After refers to a sequence.

E.g. The boy came running after the mother.
12. Beside means by the side of.

E.g. John is the person standing beside the window.
13. As a preposition, besides means in addition to.

E.g. Besides the administrators, the teachers were allowed to state their views.
Words taking more than one preposition

A large number of words are always followed by a fixed preposition.
Example: insist on; instead of; prevent from; But certain words take several
prepositions according to the change in meaning of the word. Here is a select
list of such words starting with the letter 'A'.
1. Accompany
A. By (for living being).
The Prime Minister was accompanied by the members of his Cabinet.
B. With (subtle things).

His lecture was accompanied with subtle analysis of concepts.
2. Accountable
A. To (an authority or a person).
Should the police be more accountable to the public?
B. For (action).
He is accountable for his deeds and misdeeds.
3. Angry
A. At (a thing).
Angry demonstrators jeered at the President.
B. With (a person).
I am angry with Shyam.
C. For (for a cause).

He is angry with me for keeping him waiting.
4. Annoyed
A. With (a person).
I was annoyed with him because he kept interrupting.
B. At (something).
He is annoyed with his friend at his laziness.
5. Answerable
A. To (a Person).
I am answerable to the government for any decision I make.
B. For (something).
We are answerable to our parents for our conduct.
6. Appeal
A. To (person).
The police are appealing to the public for any information about the murder
victim.
B. For (thing).
They are appealing for funds to build a new church.
7. Blind
A. Of (Physical).
He is blind of one eye.
B. To (mental).
She seems blind to his faults.
8. Communicate
A. With (to make correspondence).
We can now communicate instantly with people on the other side of the world.
B. To (to convey).
Has the news been communicated to the staff yet?
9. Compare
A. With (similar things).
Shakespeare is compared with Kalidasa.
B. To (dissimilar things).
Life is compared to a battle.
10. Compete
A. With (person).
It's difficult for a small supermarket to compete with the big supermarkets.
B. For (a thing).
The two athletes are competing for the gold medal.
11. Complain
A. To (person).
If the service was so bad why didn't you complain to the manager?
B. Against (a Person).
He complained to the Master against Sunder.
C. About (a thing).
Lots of people have complained about the noise.
12. Confer
A. On (to give).
The President conferred the title of Bharat Ratna on him.
B. With (a person).
I should like some time to confer with my lawyer.
13. Die
A. Of (disease).
He died of cancer.
B. From (a cause).
He died from hunger.
C. By (sword or violence).
He died by a sword.
14. Differ
A. With (person).
I beg to differ with you on that point.
B. From (things).
His views differ considerably from those of his parents.
15. Disqualified
A. From (action).
He's been disqualified from driving for a year.
B. For (post or thing).

He was disqualified for the post of Police Inspector.
16. Entrust
A. With (in case of a person).
Two senior officials have been entrusted with organizing the auction.
B. To (in case of thing).
I cannot entrust my money to him
17. Familiar
A. With (person).
He doesn't like to be too familiar with his staff.
B. To (subject).
I am familiar to German language.
18. Fight
A. With (Person).
We fought with the English.
B. For (thing).
We fought with the English for freedom.
19. Grateful
A. To (Person).
I am grateful to Ram.
B. For (thing).
I'm so grateful (to you) for all that you've done.
20. Heir
A. Of (descendant).
A son is usually the heir of the father.
B. To (thing).
The Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the throne.
21. Indebted
A. To (person).
I am indebted to my friend.
B. For (thing).
I am indebted to my friend for his help.
22. Indignant
A. With (person).
He was indignant with his friends.
B. A (thing).
The teacher was indignant at his carelessness.
23. Live
A. On (to exist).
A man lives on food.
B. By (to depend on, to believe in).

For several years she lived by begging.
24. Part
A. From (persons).
To be parted from him even for two days made her sad.
B. With (things).
He cannot part with his money.
25. Responsible
A. To (person).
He was responsible to the boss.
B. For (thing).
Last month's bad weather was responsible for the crop failure.
26. Taste
A. Of (experience).
Now you will have a taste of new work.
B. For (interest).
I have no taste for athletics.
27. Tired
A. Of (mental).
I'm so tired of doing the same job, day after day.
B. With (physical).
I am tired with working for five hours continuously.
Some important prepositions:
A
Abound with Absolve from Abstain from
According to Accordance with Accuse of
Accustomed to Acquaint with Acquit of
Admit to Averse to Affiliate to/with
Afflict with Afraid of Agree to/on
Aim at Allegation about Allude to
Alternate with Alternative to Appear for
Apply to Appreciation of Apprise of
Approximate to Arraign against Arrest in
Ashamed of Aspire to Associate with
Assure of Attribute to Averse from
B
Begin on Belief in Bereft of
Beset with Beware of Blink at
Blow down Boast of Break off
Bungle over Busy with Busy in
C
Compatible with Comply with Complain of
Compliment on Compared of Concur in
Condole with Conducive to Confer on
Confirmation of Confirm to Congratulate on
Conscious of Contiguity with Converge on
Convict of Cope with Correspond with
Cost of Credit with Cure of
D
Deal with Debar from Decide on
Deliberate on Delight in Depart to
Depend on Deprive of Derive from
Derogate from Desist from Despair of
Detrimental to Devoid of Differ from
Difficulty in Different of Disagree with
Disgusted with Discourse with Dispose of
Dissociate from Divest of Divide into
Dressed in Due to
E
Effort in Election to Embroil in
Emphasis on Employ in Endow with
Enlarge on Engage in Entrust to
Entrust (somebody) with Essential to Expostulate with
Extend to
F
Fed up with Fill with (enthusiasm) in (a form)
Fire at (when not hit)/on Focus on Forbid to
Fraught with Fritter in Full of
G
Give to Glad of Grapple with
Good at Gratitude for Guilty of
H
Hanker after Hostility to/ in/on hand (in possession of)
I
Identical with Impose on Incur on
Indict for Indifferent to Indulge in

Infatuated with Infect with Infest with
Information on Ingratiate (oneself) with
Inquire into (matter)/ of (person) / about / after (thing) Insensible to
Insist on Interest in Intimate to
Intoxicate with Intrigue with Intrude on
Invest with (power)/ in (bank) Investigation of
Involve in
J
Jealous of Jeer at Jump at
Just to
K
Key of (the doo-r)/ at (a problem) Knock at
L
Lash at Lay siege to Leave for
Level against Live on Long for
Look at/ to Lure into
M
Married to Meddle with Meeting for
N
Neglect of/in Nominated to Noted for
O
Oblivious of Operate on Opinion on
Overcome with Owing to (not after a noun)
P
Pay a call on Persevere in Persist in
Plan for Plead for Pleased with
Prefer to Preference for Present with
Prevent from Preventive for Priority to
Probe into Prohibit from Proud of
Provide with Put out/ off
R
Recoil from Reconcile to Remand to
Remonstrate with Repent of Replete with
Reply to Research on Resolve on/ to
Responsibility of
S
Sail for Satiate with Satisfied with
Sentence to Shoot at Sick of
Side with Sparing of Square with
Stickler for Stricture on Subsist on
Subversive of Succeed in Sue for
Superior to Supply with Sure of
Surprised at Susceptible to Suspect of
Sympathize with Sympathy for
T
Take up Temper with Taste of/ for
Tear off/ up Testify to Thank for
Throw at Tinker at Tire of
Trace to Trample on Translate into
Try to
U
Unequal to (the task)
V
Vest with / in View with Vote for (a candidate)
W
Wait for Ways of Wide of
Wish for Witness of Wonder at
Write in / with
Practice Test
1. Nobody wanted to work _____ New Year's Day.

A) on B) in C) at D) through E) by
2. I met him _____ the afternoon.

A) by B) in C) on D) to E) for
3. I did things differently _____ the New Year.

A) on B) at C) in D) by E) to
4. My dog used to be scared _____ night.

A) on B) in C) to D) at E) for
5. You could not go shopping ____ working hours.

A) on B) for C) at D) to E) in
6. He had breakfast _____ eight o' clock.

A) in B) at C) on D) to E) under
7. She made a very good plan ____ once.

A) in B) on C) at D) since E) by
8. Many of Europe's great cathedrals were built ___ the Middle Ages.
A) on B) at C) to D) in E) since
9. He wrote again ____ four weeks time.

A) on B) for C) at D) to E) in
10. One of the policemen was killed _____ a knife.

A) by B) at C) how D) as E) with
11. How long have you been here _____?

A) for B) since C) at D) on E) between
12. I will be back again on Tuesday. I should be all right again _____ then.
A) by B) at C) on D) in E) with
13. I came _____ vain.

A) on B) at C) in D) through E) with
14. If you are _____ doubt do not hesitate to contact me.

A) on B) at C) by D) to E) in
15. The Indian railway workers have been _____ strike for two weeks now.
A) on B) in C) at D) by E) to
16. Rewrite the important parts of the letter _____ bold, will you?
A) in B) on C) at D) with E) to
17. Currently many countries in the world are _____ war.

A) in B) on C) at D) by E) to
18. I really enjoyed the party. All _____ all it was a successful one.
A) at B) on C) by D) with E) in
19. I know it was not an accident. You did it _____ purpose.

A) on B) in C) at D) with E) to
20. I saw it _____ TV.

A) on B) in C) to D) with E) by
21. He had to repent _____what he had done.

A) at B) of C) over D) for E) in
22. A good judge never gropes ____ the conclusion.

A) to B) at C) on D) for E) with
23. She thought that her father was not happy _____ her.
A) with B) about C) for D) at E) over
24. A study mind triumphs ____ difficulties.

A) in B) over C) at D) with E) against
25. Religious leaders should not delve _____ politics.

A) in B) With C) at D) into E) for
26. My voice reverberated _____ the walls of the castle.

A) with B) from C) in D) on E) at
27. She hates being late. She is always _____ time.

A) on B) in C) at D) to E) from
28. How many kilometers are there _____ Paris and London?
A) from B) to C) between D) through E) for
29. It is only _____ you and me. Keep it confidential.

A) at B) in C) among D) between E) on
30. They were _____ themselves with joy when they heard the baby had been
born.
A) beside B) at C) through D) without E) in
31. We did not arrive ___ time to say goodbye. They had already left.
A) in B) on C) at D) by E) for
32. He grew up _____ drug addicts. No wonder he became one.

A) in B) between C) among D) at E) on
33. Take this medicine and you will get rid _____ the bad cold.
A) from B) over C) at D) of E) in
34. Which of her books have you got, _____ this one?
A) beside B) without C) apart D) besides E) for
35. Did you come all this way _____ foot?

A) on B) in C) at D) by E) for
36. _____ when have you lived in this town?

A) For B) during C) since D) without E) on
37. I rang him _____ Friday.

A) In B) to C) since D) on E) for
38. I spent a lot of money _____ my holiday.

A) On B) in C) for D) at E) about
39. I paid the phone bill _____ March.

A) On B) in C) at D) behind E) for
ANSWERS
1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D 5. E 6. B
7. C 8. D 9. E 10. E 11. A 12. A
13. C 14. E 15. A 16. A 17. C 18. E
19. A 20. A 21. D 22. D 23. A 24. B
25) D 26) B 27) A 28) C 29) D 30) A
31) A 32) C 33) D 34) D 35) A 36) C
37) D 38) A 39) B
Articles
The correct use of articles is one of the most difficult points in English
grammar. Changing one article for another, or leaving one out, can cause
misunderstanding. For example, if you say ‘I like English’ you mean ‘The
English Language’ but if you say ‘I like the English’, you mean ‘the English
people’. See how much difference the simple word makes! Here we have three
typical words ‘the’, ‘a’, ‘an’ called articles.
The is called the Definite Article because it refers to a particular person, place
or thing.
Ex: Give me the brown book.
A or an is called the Indefinite Article because it leaves indefinite the person,

place or thing referred to.
Ex: Give me a brown book.
Give me an umbrella.
We use ‘a’ before:

1) A word beginning with a consonant sound:
Ex: A boy, a girl, a man, a woman, a cat, a dog, a horse, a pen.
2) A word beginning with a vowel which has a Y (yoo - consonant) sound.
Ex: a union, a useful article, a uniform, a European, a eulogy (high praise),
a ewe (female sheep) etc.,
3) A word beginning with a vowel which has a W (consonant) sound.
Ex: A one rupee note, a one eyed beggar, a one-sided argument, a one-way
road etc.
We use ‘an’ before:

1) A word beginning with a vowel which doesn’t have a Y or W sound.
Ex: an orange, an umbrella, an urgent piece of work, an inn, an eel, an
apple, an urn.
2) A silent ‘h’: an hour, an honor, an hotel (‘h’ followed by an unstressed
syllable and ‘a’ before the stressed syllable - a hall), an heir, an historical
novel (but a history lesson).
3) A consonant in an abbreviation which begins with a vowel sound
Ex: an M.A., an M.Sc., an M.P., an ‘L’ board, an S.I., but a B.A., a B.Sc.,
The use of the Indefinite Article

The Indefinite Article is used
1. In its original meaning of one:
Ex: There are three feet in a yard.
It needs a hundred rupees.
Not a hair of his head can be touched.
2. In the sense of a certain:

Ex: I met a magician last week.
An uncle of yours asked about you.
A book was taken by the boy.
A train was on the platform.
3. Before a common noun in the singular to denote a class:

Ex: A tiger is fierce (all tigers).
A cow is a holy animal (all cows).
A rose is a beautiful flower (all roses).
A dog is faithful (all dogs).
4. In the sense of the same:

Ex: Birds of a feather flock together.
They were of a size.
Our shirts are of a size.
5. Before a name to indicate that the person is known to the speaker by name
only:
Ex: A Mr. Smith is on line.
A Miss Lily has come for you, dad.
(A Mr. Smith means ‘a man called Smith’ and implies that he is a stranger to
the speaker. ‘Mr. Smith’ without a, implies that the speaker knows Mr. Smith or
knows of his existence).
6. With a proper noun used as a common noun:

Ex: He thinks he is a Napoleon. (a great general)
A Daniel has come to judgment. (a wise and upright judge)
7. Before the name of a profession, a trade, an occupation, a class, and a

religion:
Ex: a clerk, a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, a farmer, a Hindu, a Muslim.
8. Before the numbers, dozen, score, gross, hundred, thousand and million:
Ex: I ordered a thousand sheets of paper. She bought a dozen pencils.
9. With plurals used as singulars:

Ex: an amends, a means, an innings, a gallows, a barracks, a shambles, but
news.
10. In expressions of price, speed, ratio, etc., where it means ‘every’:

Ex: a rupee, a dozen, sixty miles an hour, four times a day.
11. In exclamations before singular, countable nouns:

Ex: What a hot day!, What a pretty girl!, Such a pity!
12. To avoid ambiguity:

Ex: A black and a white kitten (Two kittens, one white and the other black).
A black and white kitten (one kitten, whose colours are black and white).
13. In apposition phrases, where the noun is being explained:

Ex: Tagore an Indian poet wrote ‘Gitanjali’.
14. With few and little in a positive sense. These adjectives are used without
the indefinite article in a negative sense:
Ex: My brother has a few friends (some).
My brother has few friends. (Not many).
I have a little time (some).
I have little time. (Not much).
15. In certain phrases before singular nouns:

Ex: I have seen many an accident.
He dislikes such a statement.
The use of the Definite Article

The Definite Article ‘the’ is used
1. To point out a thing known or already referred to:
Ex: One night a wolf fell in with a dog.
The goat was all skin and bones, while the dog was as fat as he could be.
2. Before nouns of which there is only one:

Ex: the sun, the moon, the sea, the ocean, the earth, the sky, the world.
3. Before a noun which, by reason of locality, can represent only one

particular thing:
Ex: Mary is in the garden (i.e., the garden of this house).
He was ill and sent for the doctor (i.e., his own doctor)
4. Before a common noun made definite by the addition of a phrase or

clauses:
Ex: The boy who won the race.
The man on the donkey.
The book that I bought.
5. Before a singular noun which stands for a whole class:

Ex: The lion is ferocious (lions’ as a class).
The cow is sacred to the Hindus (cows as a class).
6. Before superlative use as nouns:

Ex: This is the most any man can do.
It is the worst for a long time.
7. Before a superlative adjective if the adjective qualifies a noun directly or( it

is) followed by of:
Ex: Everest is the highest mountain in the world.
Sita is the shortest girl in the class.
We are the best of friends.
8. Before adjectives used as nouns to express an abstract idea or a quality:

Ex: The good lives on after a man has died.
A poet is constantly searching for the beautiful in life.
9. Before adjectives used as nouns to denote a whole class:

Ex: The rich should help the poor.
This adventure is for the young.
10. Before ordinal numbers in titles:

Ex: Pope John the twenty first
King George the sixth.
11. Before common nouns followed by a proper noun:

Ex: The River Godavari is in spate.
The novel ‘War and Peace’ is a master-piece.
12. Before a proper noun when it is used as a common noun:

Ex: Kalidasa is the Shakespeare of India (the greatest dramatist).
Bombay is the Manchester of India (the biggest cloth-producing centre).
13. Before a proper noun only when it is qualified by an adjective:

Ex: The great Shivaji.
The immortal Shakespeare.
The wise Solomon.
The famous Napoleon.
14. Before the names of certain well-known books:

Ex: The Vedas, The Bible, The Koran, The Ramayana.
15. Before the names of musical instruments in such contexts as the following:
Ex: He plays the violin, but I play the trumpet. Do you play the piano?
16. Before trades and professions following a proper noun:

Ex: Byron, the Poet
Newton, the Scientist
Dr. Hero, the eminent Surgeon.
17. Before plural proper names:

Ex: the Johnsons; the Smiths; the Tagores.
18. Before the names of ships, trains, aero planes, rockets, etc.:
Ex: the Golden Arrow; the Vaijayanti; the Gnat; the Krishna Express.
19. Before the names of shops, hotels, inns, restaurants, theatres, clubs:
Ex: the Savoy; the King’s Restaurant; the Princess Theatre; The Lion’s Club;
the Astro Hotel.
20. before the names of gulfs, rivers, seas, oceans, chains of mountains, groups
of islands, plural names of countries or where the type of government is
mentioned, and some provinces:
Ex: The Persian Gulf, the Ganges, the Thames, the Black sea, the Red sea, the
Indian Ocean, the Pacific, the Himalayas, the Alps, the Andaman, the West
Indies, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Indian Republic, the
United Provinces, the Punjab, the Deccan.
21. Before districts when the noun which originally accompanies the proper
noun has been dropped:
Ex: the Sahara (desert), the Gobi (desert), the Crimea (peninsula) etc.
22. Before countries and districts from which the adjective has been dropped:
Ex: the (Belgian) Congo, the (Anglo-Egyptian) Sudan, and the (Austrian)
Tyrol.
23. When the initials are used:

Ex: the U.S.A., the U.S.S.R., the U.N., the W.H.O., the I.A.S., the U.P.S.C., the
S.R.
24. Before a noun to give the force of a superlative:

Ex: This is the book on the subject. (i.e., the best book).
This is the man for the job. (i.e., the best man).
25. Adverbially in such sentences as:

Ex: the fewer, the better; the more, the merrier; the more they have, the more
they want or the less they spend.
Omission of the Article

The article is not used:
1. Before proper nouns:
Ex: India is a great country.
Tagore wrote verses in Bengali.
2. Before titles followed by a proper noun:

Ex: President Kennedy was assassinated.
Doctor Hahnemann invented Homoeopathy.
Elizabeth II became Queen of England after the death of her father.
3. Before common nouns in the plural number used in a general sense:

Ex: Boys are generally naughty (general). Dogs are faithful animals (general).
4. Before common nouns in the singular number used in their widest sense:
Ex: Man is mortal.
Woman is man’s companion in life.
Science tries to discover the laws of nature.
5. Before material nouns used in a general sense:

Ex: Gold is a valuable metal (material general).
Cotton is cultivated on a large scale in India (material general).
But the gold in my ring is too soft (material-particular).
6. Before abstract nouns used in a general sense:

Ex: Wisdom is the gift of heaven (Abstract-general).
Honesty is the best policy (abstract general).
But The Wisdom of Solomon is well known (Abstract noun particularized)
The honesty of those boys is gratifying (abstract noun emphasized)
7. Before the names of sciences, etc., when they are used in a general sense:
Ex: Mathematics is a very interesting subject.
Logic is not taught in all schools.
Do you learn history at school?
8. Before superlative adjectives and adverbs used predicatively:

Ex: He knows best (adverb-superlative of ‘Swell’)
That is best (adjective-superlative of ‘good’).
9. Before a noun in the possessive case, i.e., before the person or thing
possessed:
Ex: the girl’s aunt
the boy’s uncle.
10. Before a noun preceded by a possessive adjective:

Ex: my book, my pen.
11. Before places of assembly such as church, school, market, exchange,

person, college, hospital, university, etc., when these places are visited for
their primary purpose:
Ex: We go to school (to study), to market (to sell or buy), to church (to pray),
to prison (as a punishment).
But when these places are visited for any other purpose, the article is used:
Ex: You will get a bus at the church.
I went to the school to see the headmaster.
He returned from the prison, where he had been visiting his brother.
12. In certain verbal phrases:

Ex: to catch fire; to take breath; to give battle; to send word; to give ear; to
leave school; to set sail; to lose heart; to set foot; to leave home,
13. In certain prepositional phrases:

Ex: in hand, at home, in bed, in debt, at school, by day, by night, at sunrise, at
sunset, at night, at interest, on earth, in heaven, by land, by sea, by train, by
boat, by name, on horseback, on foot, at dinner, at table, in love, in court,
for money.
14. Before names of meals, unless specially qualified:

Ex: Dinner is ready. We can talk it over at lunch, but will you bring in the tea?
(i.e., the tea we are waiting for).
15. Before names of seasons:

Ex: Winter is the best time for reading.
16. Before a few nouns denoting time, especially in connection with school
life:
Ex: term, break, prayers, hall (dinner), preparation. The same applies to day,
night, morning, evening dawn, twilight, dusk, when used in an abstract or
general sense, and in some prepositional adjuncts: Come Ionic during
break, will you? Term was drawing to a close. We always got up at dawn.
17. Before nouns like day, the names of the days of the week, night, week,
month, year, preceded by next or last, except sometimes when starting
from a point of time in the past or future:
Ex: I propose to meet him next Sunday. I met him at a concert last week. But:
The next day she was still feeling weak and giddy.
18. Before concrete nouns like Heaven, Hell, Paradise, Parliament, and
Congress:
Ex: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Fate had decided otherwise.
19. Before uncle, mother, aunt, etc.:

Ex: Father is angry, Uncle is cross with us, Mother is kind.
20. Before ‘home’ when it means the home of the speaker, or the person
spoken to:
Ex: Go home, Stay at home.
Practice Test
1. I had_________ sandwich and _________ apple for breakfast.

2. ______________ cow is _________ useful animal.
3. Sonal is _______________ intelligent girl.
4. Only _____________ Wordsworth can write such a poem.
5. Pour the milk into ________ utensil.
6. It was ___________ extremely difficult problem.
7. We will leave after __________ hour.
8. I am yet to meet _____________ European.
9. This is ____________ humble beginning.
10. The children are busy making ___________ x’mas card.
11. Sharan is ______________ NCC officer.
12. Rabindranath Tagore was _________ great poet.

13. The students are going to enact __________ one-act play.
14. ____________ Triangle has three sides.
15. About _____________ hundred houses were damaged.
16. Sujatha is ___________ M.L.A.
17. John is _____________ handsome boy.
18. What ______________ beautiful painting!
19. India is ___________ SAARC country.
20. He is ______________ University professor.
21. He is _________________ habitual drunkard.
22. _________ Mr. Shyam wishes to speak to you.
23. ______________ rich are not always happy.
24. Can you shut ____________ door, please?
25. The girl is _____________ Orphan.
26. He has been suffering for __________ last two days.
27. Krishna went to ____________ rescue of Aruba.
28. He was ____________ first man to arrive.
29. He called from ________ distance.
30. He is playing on __________ table.
31. __________ earth revolves around _______ sun.
32. Sita is __________ tallest of _________ two girls.
33. ________bridge has been built across _______ river Godavari.
34. Sri Lanka is ___________ Island.
35. Kalidas is __________ Shakespeare of India.
36. Have you read ______________ Quran ?
37. Let us take _____________ vacation.
38. ____________ Himalayas are to ________ North of India.
39. This is __________ place for our picnic.
40. Bananas were sold at twenty rupees ___________ dozen.
41. She is listening ______________ radio.
42. The captain of the sinking ship sent ______________ SOS.
43. _______________ West Indies is ____________ group of islands.
44. ________________ Prime Minster is going to visit _________ USA next
month.
45. See how ________________ blue sky looks!
46. Not _____________ word was spoken by anyone.
47. I’ve _____________ breakfast at 8 o’clock.
48. ___________________ Ganga is a Holy river.

49. What _________________ unique idea!
50. Mount Everest is ________________ tallest mountain in the world.
51. Ravi goes to ___________ College on foot.
52. Sohan is suffering from ____________ measles.
53. _____________ man is mortal.
54. He has received _____________ excellent education.
55. Yesterday was _______________ hottest day of the year.
56. Mrs.Ram Murty is __________ teacher.
57. _____________ sugar is bad for your teeth.
58. He has __________ MBBS degree.
59. He knows how to speak ______________ French.
60. We have just completed ____________ ninth chapter.
61. She studied ___________ MA in English.
62. They go to ____________ church every Sunday.
63. She went to live in ___________ Nepal.
64. Let us form __________ union.
65. The higher you claim ____________ cooler you feel.
66. ______________ number of students are absent today.
67. _____________ gold is a precious metal.
68. The ship sailed across __________ Indian Ocean.
69. Have you read _________ Times of India?
70. Sai Charan is ____________ First son of Mr. & Mrs. Sastry
Answers
1) a, an 2) the, a 3) an 4) a
5)a 6) an 7) an 8) a
9) a 10) an 11) an 12) a
13) a 14) a 15) a 16) an
17) a 18) a 19) a 20) a
21) a 22) no article 23) the 24) the
25) an 26) the 27) the 28) the
29) a 30) the 31) the, the 32) the, the
33) a, the 34) an 35) the 36) the
37) a 38) the, the 39) the 40) a

41) the 42) an 43) the, a 44) the, the
45) the 46) a 47) no article 48) the
49) a 50) the 51) no article 52) no article
53) no article 54) an 55) the 56) a
57) no article 58) an 59) no article 60) The
61) an 62) no article 63) no article 64) a
65) the 66) a 67) no article 68) the
69) the 70) the
Tenses
Tenses are forms of a verb that show the time, continuance or completion of an
action or a state that is expressed in connection with the moment at which a
statement is made about it. The following tenses are commonly used:
Present Tenses:
• Simple Present Tense
• Present continuous Tense
• Present Perfect Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense
Past Tenses:
• Simple Past Tense
• Past Continuous Tense
• Past Perfect Tense
• Past Perfect Continuous Tense
Future Tenses:
• Simple Future Tense
• Future Continuous Tense
• Future Perfect Tense
• Future Perfect Continuous Tense
Simple Present Tense

The Simple Present is used:
1) To express a habitual action
Ex: He drinks tea every morning.
I get up every day at five o’clock.
My watch keeps good time.
2) To express general truths

Ex: The sun rises in the east.
Honey is sweet.
Fortune favours the brave.
3) In exclamatory sentences beginning with here and there, to express what

is actually taking place in the present.
Ex: Here comes the bus!
There she goes.
4) In vivid narrative, as a substitute for the Simple Past.

Ex: Sohrab now rushes forward and deals a heavy blow to Rustum.
Immediately the Sultan hurries to his capital.
5) To indicate a future event that is part of a plan or arrangement.

Ex: We go to Bombay next week.
They leave tor London by the next mail.
We sail for America next Saturday.
When does the college reopen?
Note: also the other uses of the Simple Present Tense.

1) It is used to introduce quotations
Ex: Keats says, ‘A thing of beauty is a joy for ever’.
2) It is used, instead of the Simple Future Tense, in clauses of time and of

condition.
Ex: I shall wait till you finish your lunch.
If it rains we shall get late.
3) As in broadcast commentaries on sporting events, the Simple Present is

used, instead of the Present Continuous; to I describe activities in progress
where there is stress on the succession of happenings rather than on the
duration.
4) The Simple Present is used, instead of the Present Continuous, with the
type of verbs mentioned below. We must say, for example, ‘I see the
sunrise’, not ‘I am seeing the sunrise’.
a) Verbs of perception, e.g. see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.
b) Verbs of emotion, e.g. want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate,
hope, refuse, prefer.
c) Verbs of thinking, e.g. think, suppose, believe, agree, consider, trust,
remember, forget, know, understand, imagine, mean, mind.
Present Continuous Tense

The Present Continuous is used
1) For an action going on at the time of speaking
Ex: She is singing (now).
The boys are playing hockey.
2) For a temporary action which may not be actually happening at the time
of speaking
Ex: I am reading ‘David Copperfield’ (but I am not reading at this moment).
3) For an action that is planned or arranged to take place in the near

future
Ex: I am going to the cinema tonight.
My uncle is arriving tomorrow.
• The following verbs, on account of their meaning, are not normally used in
the continuous form:
1) Verbs of perception, e.g. see, hear, smell, notice, recognize.
2) Verbs of appearing, e.g., appear, look, seem.
3) Verbs of emotion, e.g. want, wish, desire, feel, like, love, hate, hope,
refuse, prefer.
4) Verbs of thinking, e.g., think, suppose believe, agree, consider, trust,
remember, forget, know, understand, imagine, mean, mind.
5) have (=possess), own, possess, belong to, contain’, consist of, be
(except when used in the passive).
These verbs are used in the Simple Present. They may, however, be used in the
continuous tenses with a change of meaning.
Ex: I am thinking of (=considering the idea of) going to America.
Mr. Singh is minding (=looking after) the baby while his wife is out
shopping.
Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect is used
1) To indicate completed activities in the immediate past.
Ex: He has just gone out.
It has just struck ten.
2) To express past actions whose time is not given and not definite.
Ex: Have you read ‘Gulliver’s Travels’?
I have never known him to be angry.
Mr. Hari has been to Japan.
3) To describe past events when we think more of their effect in the present
than of the action itself.
Ex: “Gopi has eaten all the biscuits (i.e., there aren’t any left for you).
I have cut my finger (and it is bleeding now).
I have finished my work (=now I am free).
4) To denote an action beginning at some time in the past and continuing up

to the present moment.
Ex: I have known him for a long time.
He has been ill since last week.
We have lived here for ten years.
We haven’t seen Padma for several months.
• The following adverbs (or adverb phrases) can be used with the Present
Perfect: just, often, never, ever (in questions only), so far, till now, yet (in
negatives and questions), already, since—phrases, for—phrases, today, this
week, this month, etc.
Note: The Present Perfect is never used with adverbs of past time. We should
not say, for example, ‘He has gone to Rajahmundry yesterday’. In such cases
the Simple Past should be used (‘He went to Rajahmundry yesterday’).
Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The Present Perfect Continuous is used for an action which began at some
time in the past and is continuing.
Ex: He has been sleeping for five hours (and is still sleeping).
They have been building the bridge for several months.
They have been playing since four o’clock.
This tense is sometimes used for an action already finished. In such cases, the
continuity of the activity is emphasized as an explanation of something.
Ex: ‘Why are your clothes so wet’?’, — ’I have been watering the garden’.
Simple Past Tense

The Simple Past is used to indicate an action completed in the past. It often
occurs with adverbs or adverb phrases of past time.
Ex: The steamer sailed yesterday.
I received his letter a week ago.
She left school last year.
Sometimes this tense is used without an adverb of time. In such cases the time
may be either implied or indicated by the context.
Ex: I learnt Hindi in Nagpur.
I didn’t sleep well (i.e., last night).
Babar defeated Rana Sanga at Kanwaha.
The Simple Past is also used for past habits

Ex: He studied many hours every day.
She always carried an umbrella.
Past Continuous Tense

The Past Continuous is used to denote an action going on at some time in the
past. The time of the action may or may not be indicated.
Ex: We were listening to the radio all evening.
It was getting darker.
The light went out while I was reading.
When I saw him, he was playing chess.
This tense is also used, with always, continually, etc., for persistent habits in the
past.
Ex: He was always grumbling.
Past Perfect Tense

The Past Perfect describes an action completed before a certain moment in
the past.
Ex: I met him in New Delhi in 1970.
I had seen him last five years before.
If two actions happened in the past, it may be necessary to show which action
happened earlier than the other. The Past Perfect is mainly used in such
situations. The Simple Past is used in one clause and the Past Perfect in the
other.
Ex: When I reached the station, the train had started (so I couldn’t get ‘into the
train).
I had done my exercise when Hari came to see me.
I had written the letter before he arrived.
Past Perfect Continuous Tense

The Past Perfect Continuous is used for an action that began before a certain
point in the past and continued up to that time.
Ex: At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months.
When Mr. Mukerji came to the school in 1965, Mr. Anand had already
been teaching there for five years.
Simple Future Tense

The Simple Future is used for an action that has still to take place.
Ex: I shall see him tomorrow.
Tomorrow will be Sunday.
Note: The Simple Future Tense generally expresses pure or colourless future.
When the future is coloured with intention, the going to\infinitive construction
is preferred.
Ex: ‘He is going to build a new house.’
Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous represents an action as going on at some time in
future time.
Ex: I shall be reading the paper then.
When I get home, my children will be playing.
This tense is also used for future events that are planned.
Ex: I’ll be staying here till Sunday.
He will be meeting us next week.
Future Perfect Tense

The Future Perfect is used to indicate the completion of an action by a certain
future time.
Ex: I shall have written my exercise by that time.

Before you go to see him, he will have left the place.
Future Perfect Continuous Tense

The Future Perfect Continuous indicates an action represented as being in
progress over a period of time that will end in the future.
Ex: By next July, we shall have been living here for four years.
When he gets his degree, he will have been studying at Oxford for four
years.
Examples
1. She is taking milk daily

A. She takes milk daily
2. They are working in our factory since 1990

A. They have been working in our factory since 1990
4. They have left for Rajahmundry yesterday

A. They left for Rajahmundry yesterday
5. I shall call you when my friend will arrive.

A. I shall call you when my friend arrives.
6. He was late so he is scolded by the teacher

A. He was late so he was scolded by the teacher
7. The criminal was hung two days ago

A. The criminal was hanged two days ago
8. We can’t help listen to them

A. We can’t help listening to them
9. Don’t get off the bus until it will stop

A. Don’t get off the bus until it stops
10. The house is belonging to me.

A. The house belongs to me.
11. I’ve bought this book a week ago

A. I bought this book a week ago
12. One won’t rise high in life unless he will work hard
A. One won’t rise high in life unless one works hard
13. Much water has flown under the bridge.

A. Much water has flowed under the bridge.
14. Bhaskar have a factory in Kakinada.

A. Bhaskar has a factory in Kakinada.
15. My brother arriving tomorrow

A. My brother is arriving tomorrow
16. The bell rang while I talking to my friend

A. The bell rang while I was talking to my friend
17. I am absent yesterday

A. I was absent yesterday
18. I am waiting here for three hours.

A. I have been waiting here for three hours.
19. Birds flies in the sky

A. Birds fly in the sky
20. She is not seen since yesterday

A. She has not been seen since yesterday
21. Either he or I has to suffer.

A. Either he or I have to suffer.
22. There is plenty of books in Sastry’s library

A. There are plenty of books in Sastry’s library
23. The great thinker and reformer are dead

A. The great thinker and reformer is dead
24. The number of honest people are small

A. The number of honest people is small
25. Half the crop has been destroyed

A. Half of the crop has been destroyed
26. One of the girls have got the prize

A. One of the girls has got the prize
27. Many a fool think so

A. Many a fool thinks so
28. Bread and butter are complete food

A. Bread and butter is complete food
29. Time and tide wait for none.

A. Time and tide waits for none.
30. Economics are a difficult subject

A. Economics is a difficult subject
31. I and He have lifted the box

A. He and I have lifted the box
32. The students of this college talks well

A. The students of this college talk well
33. His knowledge of grammar intricacies are vast

A. His knowledge of grammar intricacies is vast
34. The committee have issued its report

A. The committee has issued its report
35. No news are good news

A. No news is good news
36. English as well as French are taught here

A. English as well as French is taught here
37. Every boy and every girl were given a certificate

A. Every boy and every girl was given a certificate
38. Some of the ink have spilt on the table

A. Some of the ink has spilt on the table
39. The bell is being ringing now.

A. The bell is being rung now.
40. Where the book was found?

A. Where was the book found?
41. You are requested to not smoke here

A. you are requested not to smoke here
42. Penicillin discovered Alexander Fleming

A. Penicillin was discovered by Alexander Fleming
43. The bangle broken by her

A. The bangle was broken by her
44. Where are my luggages?

A. Where is my luggage?
45. The furnitures in his home are imported from China

A. The furniture in his home is imported from China
46. Measles have broken out in the area

A. Measles has broken out in the area
47. Physics are my favourite subject

A. Physics is my favourite subject
48. His savings is huge

A. His savings are huge
49. She bought ten dozens apples

A. She bought ten dozen apples
50. The two Father-in-Laws met to discuss the arrangements

A. The two Fathers-in-Law met to discuss the arrangements
51. He is my cousin brother

A. He is my cousin.
52. Gopi is running fifteen

A. Gopi is fifteen (or) Gopi is fifteen years old.
53. She is my father’s sister’s daughter

A. She is the daughter of my father’s sister
54. This is my friend’s Bhaskar’s car

A. This is my friend Bhaskar’s car
55. I and Bhaskar attended the meeting

A. Bhaskar and I attended the meeting
56. The Students enjoyed a lot

A. The Students enjoyed themselves a lot
57. Sriram is more cleverer than Bhaskar

A. Sriram is cleverer than Bhaskar
58. Raghu is most tallest boy in the college

A. Raghu is the tallest boy in the college
59. This is the most perfect dress for you.

A. This is the perfect dress for you.
60. The pollution in Hyderabad is worse than Delhi.

A. The pollution in Hyderabad is worse than that of Delhi.
61. The umpire is the least person to leave the ground.

A. The umpire is the last person to leave the ground.
62. What is the last score?

A. What is the latest score?
63. Ravi is the boy who came latest

A. Ravi is the boy who came last
64. This is the last fashion in our shop.

A. This is the latest fashion in our shop.
65. There are less girls than boys in the class

A. There are fewer girls than boys in the class
66. There is not much fish in the river

A. There are not more fish in the river
67. They have formed an union.

A. They have formed a union.
68. I wish to eat a ice cream.

A. I wish to eat an ice cream.
69. The man is mortal.

A. Man is mortal.
70. That is one rupee note

A. That is a one rupee note
71. I am a M.A but my brother is a B.A

A. I am an M.A but my brother is a B.A
72. The Washington D.C is the capital of U.S.A.

A. Washington D.C is the capital of U.S.A.
73. The secretary and the correspondent is in the meeting.

A. The secretary and the correspondent are in the meeting.
74. Try to not be one of these at the workplace

A. Try not to be one of these at the workplace
75. She is having a house.

A. She has a house.
76. He has suffered from cold

A. He has suffered from a cold
77. Don’t make noise

A. Don’t make a noise
78. Why she is crying?

A. Why is she crying?
79. He said that he is busy.

A. He said that he was busy.
80. He entered the studio

A. He entered into the studio
81. He entered an agreement

A. He entered into an agreement
82. I don’t agree with your proposal.

A. I don’t agree to your proposal.
83. I agree to you in this matter

A. I agree with you in this matter
84. We can’t avoid speak to her.

A. We can’t avoid speaking to her.
85. I requested her wait for me.

A. I requested her to wait for me.
86. I suggest you to go for the interview.

A. I suggest that you should go for the interview.
87. He did his homework, isn’t he?

A. He did his homework, didn’t he?
88. Let’s go to a film, don’t we?

A. Let’s go to a film, shall we?
89. She likes tea, do she?

A. she likes tea, doesn’t she?
90. The boy has lost the way, didn’t he?

A. The boy has lost the way, hasn’t he?
91. She drives fastly.

A. She drives fast.
92. Translate this in English.

A. Translate this into English.
93. I know him more better than you

A. I know him better than you
94. He is awaiting for you

A. He is awaiting you
95. I will meet you on the Monday

A. I will meet you on Monday
96. He came on yesterday

A. He came yesterday
97. The computer is superior than that

A. The computer is superior to that
98. She used to sing on every morning

A. She used to sing every morning
99. I go to school by walk

A. I go to school on foot.
100. He considers me as his guru

A. He considers me his guru
101. They named the baby as pinky.

A. They named the baby as pinky.
102. I will tell to him about this.

A. I will tell him about this.
103. My House is besides the temple

A. My House is beside the temple
104. He gave the child money beside food.

A. He gave the child money besides food.
105. Beside Ravi, Raghu and Ram are going to picnic.

A. Besides Ravi, Raghu and Ram are going to picnic.
106. Why are you angry to him?

A. Why are you angry with him?
107. I am suffering with fever now.

A. I am suffering from fever now.
108. Though he is poor but he is honest

A. Though he is poor he is honest
109. As you are my friend, so I don’t do that.

A. As you are my friend, I don’t do that.
110. He gave her good advices

A. He gave her good advice or good pieces of advice.
111. As I was getting into the bus, my purse has been stolen
A. As I was getting into the bus, my purse had been stolen
112. I can’t come as I have a work to do.

A. I can’t come as I have work to do.
113. This is the house which I live.

A. This is the house which I live in.
114. This is the chair that Mahatma Gandhi sat

A. This is the chair that Mahatma Gandhi sat on
115. No sooner he did come on to the platform, when the police caught him.
A. No sooner did he come on to the platform, than the police caught him.
116. I am familiar on this case

A. I am familiar with this case
117. He is living here since 1990.

A. He has been living here since 1990.
118. I sent him five hundreds rupees.

A. I sent him five hundred rupees.
119. I didn’t attend to the meeting

A. I didn’t attend meeting
120. Kamala having finished the exam, she left the hall
A. Having finished the exam kamala left the hall
121. Being a rainy day, I stayed indoors.

A. It Being a rainy day, I stayed indoors.
122. The father with his colleagues have left for a hour.
A. The father with his colleagues has left for a hour.
123. Radha as well as Aparna have left for Delhi.

A. Radha as well as Aparna has left for Delhi.
124. Please write your name with ink.

A. Please write your name with in ink.
125. She is the youngest of the two sisters.

A. She is the younger of the two sisters.
126. The office works from ten and four

A. The office works from ten to four
127. You can meet the principal between two six

A. You can meet the principal between two and six
128. He is loving his family

A. He loves his family
129. This factory is not belonging to them.

A. This factory does not belong them.
130. One must love his country.

A. One must love one’s country.
Practice Bits
I.
1) Sushma ______________ to college every day. (go)
2) The river ______________ under the bridge. (flow)
3) The children ______________ in the garden. (be)
4) What ______________ this machine do? (do)
5) Birds ______________ in the sky. (fly)
6) A thing of beauty ______________ a joy forever. (he)
7) The match ______________ at 9 o’ clock. (start)
8) He ______________ tea every morning. (drink)
9) The earth ______________ around the sun. (revolve)
10) We ______________ watching movies. (like)
II.
1) I ______________ to you about him. (speak)
2) Rajiv ______________ for Bangalore yesterday. (leave)
3) Venu ______________ the letter a week ago. (receive)
4) Kalpana ______________ Spanish in schiool. (learn)
5) Irene ______________ the Taj Mahal when she ______________to Agra
last year .(see, go)
6) Bharat __________ the entrance exam well. (write)
7) They __________ a ballet at Ravindra Bharathi. (perform)
8) After he _________ his home work, he went out with his friends. (do)
9) I __________ cricket every morning last year. (play)
10) Vivek __________ me a year ago. (meet)
III.
1) Teja __________ him tomorrow. (meet)
2) They __________ this car for sure. (sell)
3) If you run, the police __________ you. (suspect)
4) Neena __________ the report by Monday. (submit)
5) Gouri __________ a dance next week. (perform)
6) We __________ as soon as you are ready. (leave)
7) The boys __________ the game by five o’ clock. (finish)
8) I __________ a cake for you. (bake)
9) Abdul Kalam __________ Hyderabad soon. (visit)
10) If Sonam invites me I __________ the party. (attend)
IV.
1) Look, the old man _________ across the street. (walk)
2) They __________ the programme now. (watch)
3) Mother __________ my favourite dish for lunch. (make)
4) Take an umbrella with you. It __________ .(rain)
5) Divya __________ because she lost her purse. (cry)
6) The students __________ for their exams which begin tomorrow. (prepare)
7) Shriya cannot talk to you because she __________ her home work. (do)
8) The children __________ in the water. (play)
9) What __________ you __________ about? (talk)
10) The beggar __________ for alms. (beg)
V.
1) While I __________ a letter, I heard a loud sound. (write)
2) When I last saw him he __________ chess. (play)
3) Meenal __________ when the phone rang. (study)
4) When Sita reached home, the children __________ T.V. (watch)
5) Sandeep jumped off the train while it __________ . (move)

6) They __________ the old wall when it collapsed. (paint)
7) The little boy __________ when the mosquito bit him on the cheek. (sleep)
8) I spilt coffee on my book while I __________ it (read)
9) He __________ from fever even before he left for Delhi. (read)
10) The travelers __________ amongst themselves when the police arrived
(fight)
VI.
1) By the time I go home, my children __________ . (sleep)
2) I __________ in Chennai for a week. (stay)
3) They __________ next week for the Municipal Election. (vote)
4) This time tomorrow we __________ on the beach in Singapore. (sit)
5) Please don’t disturb me tomorrow. I _________ the IPL match on T.V.
(watch)
6) He _________ us next week. (meet)
7) They _________ a party next month to celebrate their silver wedding
anniversary. (host)
8) We _________ into our new house next week. (shift)
9) He _________ in Hyderabad tomorrow morning. (arrive)
10) My neighbour _________ my dog for a walk every day when I am away.
(take)
VII.
1) Ashish _________ all the biscuits. (eat)
2) I _________ my home work. (finish)
3) She _________ her finger. (cut)
4) Chetan _________ just _________ out for lunch. (go)
5) The clock _________ just _________ twelve. (strike)
6) I _________ him for a long time. (know)

7) _________ you _________ my wallet ? (see)
8) Mr. Martin _________ a book on English grammar. (write)
9) Rahul _________ disobedient. (be)
10) The holidays are over. Schools _________ . (reopen)
VIII.
1) The match _________ by the time I reached the stadium. (start)
2) The train _________ the platform by the time we reached the station.
(leave)
3) I would not have missed the interview if my flight _________ on time.
(be)
4) The thief _________ by the time the police arrived. (escape)
5) I _________ already _________ my lawyer before I lodged the complaint.
(consult)
6) Even though he _________ for the exams, he failed. (prepare)
7) I went to my friend’s house at nine, but he _________ already _________
out. (go)
8) By the time Anushka turned twenty-nine, she _________ a novel.
(published)
9) When I reached the airport I realised that I _________ my ticket at home.
(forget)
10) If we _________ of your arrival we would have met you. (know)
IX.
1) He _________ a house by the end of next year. (build)
2) She _________ in hospital for 6 months by the end of July. (be)
3) The Prime Minister _________ 5 years in office by March. (complete)
4) Let us leave at 5 p.m. I _________ my exercise by then. (finished)
5) He _________ by the time you reach. (leave)
X.
1) Tripura _________ for three hours. (dance)
2) The boys _________ football since four o’ clock. (play)
3) Sheela _________ the violin for two years now. (practice)
4) They _________ the bridge for several months. (build)
5) My clothes are wet because I _________ the garden. (water)
XI.
1) At the time of his transfer, he _________ in that office for ten years.
(work)
2) Sunil _________ in Latur for three years before the earthquake occurred.
(live)
3) In the morning I found that it _________ the whole night. (rain)
4) I knew that he _________ the horse for many days. (ride)
5) The company _________ to sell out its shares and wind up when the court
intervened. (try)
XII.
1) By the end of this month, we _________ here for 25 years. (work)
2) She _________ for eight months by the end of this year. (travel)
3) They _________ in Vijayawada for five years by the end of 2011. (live)
4) I _________ in this college for twenty years by the end of February this
year. (teach)
5) Sachin Tendulkar _________ for India for twenty years by 2010. (play)
XIII.
1) What _________ the price of this pen? (be)
2) We _________ till you are ready. (wait)

3) The sun _________ in the east. (rise)
4) They _________ this house since 2009. (build)
5) Water _________ at 100o C. (boil)
6) They _________ the bus yesterday. (miss)
7) The journalist _________ the Chief Minister now. (interview)
8) The train _________ the platform an hour ago. (leave)
9) Don’t disturb the boy. He _________ his home work. (do)
10) She _________ when her husband came home. (cook)
11) It _________ since 10 o’ clock. (rain)
12) She _________ for Delhi tomorrow. (leave)
13) I _________ to college last week to collect my hall ticket. (go)
14) College _________ on 15th June. (reopen)
15) Ravi _________ a film these days. (direct)
16) He _________ for a walk every morning. (go)
17) A triangle _________ three sides. (have)
18) While we _________ in the fields, we _________ a snake. (walk, see)
19) They _________ married for twenty years by the end of this year. (be)
20) Supriya _________ this watch in Japan a year ago. (buy)
Answers
I (1) goes (2) flows (3) are (4) does
(5) fly (6) is (7) starts (8) drinks
(9) revolves (10) like
II (1) spoke (2) left (3) received (4) learnt
(5) saw/went (6) wrote (7) performed (8) did
(9) played (10) met
III (1) will meet (2) will sell (3) will suspect (4) will submit
(5) will perform (6) shall leave (7) will finish (8) shall bake
(9) will visit (10) shall attend

IV (1) is walking (2) are watching (3) is making (4) is raining
(5) is crying (6) are preparing (7) is doing (8) are playing
(9) are you talking (10) is begging
V (1) was writing (2) was playing (3) was studying
(4) were watching (5) was moving (6) were painting
(7) was sleeping (8) was reading (9) was suffering
(10) were fighting
VI (1) will be sleeping (2) shall/will be staying
(3) will be voting (4) shall/will be sitting
(5) shall/will be watching (6) will be meeting
(7) will be hosting (8) shall/will be shifting
(9) will be arriving (10) will be taking
VII (1) has eaten (2) have finished (3) has cut
(4) has just gone (5) has just struck (6) have known
(7) have you seen (8) has written (9) has been
(10) have reopened
VIII (1) had started (2) had left (3) had been
(4) had escaped (5) had already consulted (6) had prepared
(7) had already gone (8) had published (9) had forgotten
(10) had known
IX (1) will have built (2) will have been
(3) will have completed (4) shall have finished
(5) will have left
X (1) has been dancing (2) have been playing
(3) has been practicing (4) have been building
(5) have been watering
XI (1) had been working (2) had been living
(3) had been raining (4) had been riding
(5) had been trying

XII (1) will have been working (2) will have been travelling
(3) will have been living (4) shall have been teaching
(5) will have been playing
XIII (1) is (2) will wait/shall wait
(3) rises (4) have been building
(5) boils (6) missed
(7) is interviewing (8) left
(9) is doing (10) was cooking
(11) has been raining
(12) leaves/will leave/is leaving/will be leaving
(13) went (14) will reopen/reopens (15) is directing
(16) goes (17) has (18) were walking, saw
(19) will have been (20) bought
Antonyms
A Approve × Disapprove,
Abandon × Keep Censure
Abbreviate × Lengthen, Arrive × Depart, Leave
Increase Arrogant × Humble, Modest
Ability × Incompetence, Artificial × Real, Authentic,
Inability Natural
Able × Incapable Autonomy × Dependence
Abundant × Scanty, Aware × Ignorant
Insufficient
Absolute × Limited B
Accurate × Wrong Banal × Original
Achieve × Fail Belittle × Exaggerate
Active × Lethargic, Idle, Benign × Malevolent
Sluggish Bent × Straight
Accustomed × Unusual Bravery × Cowardice
Acquitted × Convicted Build × Destroy,
Adamant × Maneuverable, Demolish
Yielding
Adequate × Insufficient, C
Sparse Capacious × Limited
Adjourn × Recommence, Chaos × Lawlessness
Continue Commissioned × Terminated
Advocate × Oppose Comply × Challenge
Adaptable × Rigid Concede × Refuse
Adherent × Enemy Condense × Expand
Afraid × Courageous, Confess × Deny
Brave Conformity × Deviation
Affluence × Poverty Culpable × Blameless
Aggressive × Passive, Peaceful
Aid × Hinder D
Alien × Native Defiance × Obedience
Ambiguous × Explicit Demon × Angel
Amicable × Hostile Density × Rarity
Amateur × Professional Diffidence × Boldness
Ambitious × Lazy, Indifferent Diminish × Increase
Annoy × Please Divisive × Unifying
Antagonize × Soothe, Docile × Unmanageable
Tranquilize Doubtful × Certain
Apparent × Hidden, Obscure Dreary × Cheerful
Dwindle × Increase
Eerie × Cheerful
I
E Immense × Tiny, Small
Elude × Pursue Impasse × Breakthrough
Embellish × Disfigure Indiscreet × Prudent
Eminent × Inferior Industrious × Indolent
Enormous × Tiny Inquisitive × Unconcerned
Epilogue × Prelude Insipid × Tasty
Equanimity × Excitement
Essential × Extra L
Exodus × Influx Larceny × Stealing
Evasive × Honest Lend × Borrow
Expand × Condense Lethal × Fatal
Extravagance × Economical Loquacious × Reticent
Extricate × Entangle Liability × Assets
Lucid × Obscure
F
Familiar × Strange M
Fervent × Dispassionate Malicious × Kind
Fickle × Steadfast Meandering × Straight
Flagitious × Innocent Meticulous × Slovenly
Flimsy × Firm Minion × Master
Florid × Pale
Fraudulent × Genuine N
Fresh × Stale Nadir × Zenith
Frugal × Extravagant Niggardly × Generous
G O
Goblin × Angel Obeying × Ordering
Graceful × Awkward Obscure × Explicit
Gratuity × Wages Opulent × Modest
Gregarious × Lonely Optimist × Pessimist
Gullible × Incredulous
P
H Patchy × Uniform
Hirsute × Bald Perennial × Rare
Hostility × Friendliness Perspicuity × Vagueness
Hapless × Fortunate Pertinent × Irrelevant
Hindrance × Aid Preliminary × Final
Honorary × Paid Provocation × Pacification
Haphazard × Deliberate
Hollow × Solid Q
Hypocritical × Sincere Quiescent × Active
R Y
Relinquish × Possess Yin × Yang
Repress × Liberate Young × Old
Remiss × Dutiful Yonder × Near
Repel × Attract
Revealed × Concealed Z
Error! Bookmark not defined.Zenith
S × NadirError!
Sacrosanct × Unholy Bookmark not defined.
Seethe × Freeze Error! Bookmark not defined.Zip ×
Shrink × Expand Unzip
Skeptic × Doubter
Startled × Relaxed
Stationary × Mobile
Steadfast × Wavering
Practice Test
Stringent × Lenient Choose the word which is nearly
Subservient × Dignified opposite in meaning to the given
Sublime × Inferior word.
Suppress × Encourage 1. OBEY
a) Attract b) Disobey
T c) Repel d) Diffuse
Tangible × Ethereal
Transparent × Opaque 2. ALLEVIATION
Treacherous × Faithful a) Lessening b) Magnification
c) Intensify d) Aggravation
U
Urbane × Discourteous 3. TRANSPARENT
a) Translucent b) Vague
V c) Blind d) Opaque
Vanity × Humility
Vanish × Appear 4. VIRTUOUS
Verity × Falsehood a) Vicious b) Vulgar
Victorious × Defeated c) Miserly d) Insincere
Violent × Gentle
Virtuous × Wicked 5. CYNICAL
Virtue × Vice a) Mature b) eccentric
Voluntary × Compulsory c) Native d) crazy
W 6. MALEVOLENT
War × Peace a) Kindly b) Vacuous
Wax × Wane c) Ambivalent d) Primitive
Wisdom × Folly, Stupidity
7. ERUDITE
a) Ignorant b) Unknown c) Advance d) Want

c) Illiterate d) Unfamiliar
8. MOROSE 18. IMPECUNIOUS

a) Healthy b) Gloomy a) Wealthy b) Cautious
c) Haggard d) Cheerful c) Hungry d) Tardy
9. ANTIPATHY 19. HEARTFELT

a) Indifference b) Willingness a) Loving b) Insincere
c) Fondness d) Liking c) Unhealthy d) Humorous
10. CHURLISH 20. IMPARTIAL

a) Young b) Cultured a) Hostile b) Biased
c) Cowardly d) Accommodate c) Dislike d) Worried
11. DESULTORY 21. LUMINOUS

a) Methodical b) Random a) Clear b) Dim
c) Aimless d) Indiscriminate c) Brittle d) Clever
12. PAROCHIAL 22. AWE

a) Broad-minded a) Borrow b) Shallow
b) Contradictory c) Low d) Contempt
c) Paranoid
d) Overriding 23. PIT
a) Group b) Peak
13. FICKLE c) Select d) Marry
a) Belligerent b) Constant
c) Disinterest d) Proud 24. ROTUND
a) Round b) Unimportant
14. DISGRUNTLED c) Thin d) Dull
a) Contended b) Detached
c) Obedient d) Vigorous 25. TALENT
a) Ungrateful b) Silent
15. VIBRANT c) Show d) Inability
a) Feel b) Occasional
c) Pale d) Shabby 26. COMMON
a) Strange b) Uneasy
16. FORBIDDING c) Quick d) Fast
a) Declaring b) Forcing
c) Exposing d) Inviting 27. BRAZEN
a) Bashful b) Boisterous
17. WITHDRAW c) Noisy d) Heated
a) Reduce b) Need
28. EXPECT 39. ZENITH

a) Attend b) Regret a) Worst b) Apex
c) Despair d) Loathe c) Nadir d) Past
29. MALODOROUS 40. GERMANE
a) Acrid b) Pungent a) Irrelevant b) Indifferent
c) Fragrant d) Delicious c) Impartial d) Improvident
30. EXPOUND 41. IRASCIBLE

a) Besmirch b) Confuse a) Determined b) Placid
c) Confine d) Condemn c) Reasonable d) Pliant
31. PIQUE 42. APPROBATE

a) Value b) Gully a) Ingratitude b) Condemn
c) Smooth d) Soothe c) Dissatisfaction d) Master
32. ABATE 43. SUPERCILIOUS

a) Free b) Augment a) Unimportant b) Relevant
c) Provoke d) Wane c) Serious d) Meek
33. DEARTH 44. IMPROVIDENT

a) Lack b) Poverty a) Cautious b) Fortunate
c) Abundance d) Foreign c) Proven d) Intelligent
34. PEAKED 45. DEMUR

a) Tired b) Arrogant a) Embrace b) Crude
c) Pointy d) Ruddy c) Boisterous d) Falter
35. ABRIDGE 46. FATUOUS

a) Shorten b) Extend a) Crafty b) Frugal
c) Stress d) Easy c) Sensible d) Inane
36. KINDLE 47. QUIESCENT

a) Smother b) Detest a) Lackadaisical b) Active
c) Enemy d) Discourage c) Dull d) Prescient
37. MEAGER 48. SARTORIAL

a) Kind b) Generous a) Cheerful b) Sincere
c) Thoughtful d) Copious c) Inelegant d) Homespun
38. PHILISTINE 49. SAPIENT

a) Novice b) Intellectual a) Hunched b) Strong
c) Pious d) Debutante c) Simple d) Simian
50. MATUTINAL
a) Paternal b) Crepuscular
c) Maritime d) Marsupial
Answers
1) b 2) d 3) d 4) a
5) a 6) a 7) a 8) d
9) c 10) b 11) a 12) a
13) b 14) a 15) c 16) d
17) c 18) a 19) b 20) b
21) b 22) d 23) b 24) c
25) d 26) a 27) a 28) c
29) c 30) b 31) d 32) b
33) c 34) d 35) b 36) a
37) d 38) b 39) a 40) a
41) b 42) b 43) d 44) a
45) a 46) c 47) b 48) a
49) c 50) b
Synonyms
A Apogee = Climax
Abandon = Discard, Vacate Apologist = Defender
Abdicate = Renounce Apothegm = Adage
Abhor = Hate, Loathe Applaud = Praise
Abide = Endure Appoint = Nominate
Abnegation = Self denial Apportion = Divide
Abortive = Unsuccessful, Apprehension = Fear
Futile Approbation = Approval
Abrade = Wear off Apropos = Opportune
Abrogate = Abolish Aptitude = Natural ability
Absolve = Forgive Archaic = Ancient,
Abundance = Wealth Outdated
Accede = Consent Arid = Dry
Accolade = Praise Arrogant = Haughty, Proud
Accomplice = Abettor Ascend = Mount
Acumen = Cleverness Ascending = Rising
Adequate = Sufficient Assiduous = Hardworking,
Admit = Confess Diligent
Adversity = Misfortune Assimilate = Absorb
Aegis = Sponsorship Astute = Shrewd
Affable = Friendly, Audacity = Boldness
Amicable Auspicious = Favorable
Affect = Cultivate Aver = State
Affluent = Rich, Awful = Dreadful
Prosperous
Allegations = Charges B
Alleviate = Lightened Baffle = Foiled
Allure = Entice, Banish = Exile
Fascinate Banquet = Feast
Ambiguous = Confusing Barter = Exchange
Ameliorate = Improve Bashful = Timid, Shy
Amenable = Agreeable, Be sized = Destroyed
Favorable Beneficial = Advantageous
Amicable = Friendly Benevolence = Kindness
Annihilate = Destroy Benevolent = Generous, Kind
Bespoke = Tailored Combat = Fight

Bilateral = Reciprocal Come round = Recover
Bluster = Anger Command = Instruct
Bogus = False, Fake Commiserate = Sympathies
Brazen = Shameless Complacent = Self-satisfied
Bristle = Seethe Complement = To Complete
Brutality = Ruthlessness Conciliate = Appease
Buffet = Strike Concise = Brief
Confirm = Verify
C Congregate = Gather
Calamity = Disaster Conscientious = Careful
Callous = Unfeeling Console = Comfort
Calumny = Slander Consolidate = Unite
Candid = Frank, Construe = Interpret
Out spoken Contiguous = Adjoining
Candid = Straight Convivial = Cheerful
Forward Corner = Trap
Capitulate = Surrender Corroborate = Confirmed
Capricious = Unpredictable, Courteous = Polite
Uncertain Covetous = Greedy
Castigate = Criticize, Coward = Renegade
Chastise, Coy = Shy
Punishment Coy = Sweet
Catalogue = List Crazy = Mad, Insane
Catastrophe = Disaster Credentials = Trustworthiness
Ceremonial = Formal Credible = Believable
Chaotic = Disorderly Crucial = Critical,
Charisma = Charm Decisive
Chaste = Pure, Virgin Culmination = Realization
Chimera = Illusion Curry = Flatter
Chronic = Persistent Curtail = Shorten
Clemency = Mercy, Custom = Habit
Forgiveness
Clue = Hint D
Coalition = Alliance Dainty = Tasteful
Colossal = Enormous Debacle = Collapse
Colossus = Towering Decadent = Declining
Decimate = Destroy Distinction = Different

Decorum = Etiquette Distort = Deform
Decrepitude = Feebleness, Doleful = Mournful
Weakness Dormant = Inactive
Defection = Desertion Drizzle = Sprinkle
Defer = Postpone, Drowsy = Sleepy
Adjourn Drudgery = Labour
Deference = Respect Dubious = Doubtful
Deferential = Respectful Dulcet = Sweet
Deft = Skilful Duplication = Copying
Deify = Worship Dynamic = Active
Delectable = Delightful
Delegate = Representative E
Delineate = Portray Eccentric = Peculiar
Demise = Death Edge = Force
Deplete = Exhaust Edict = Essence
Deplorable = lamentable, Educe = Elicit
Regrettable Elastic = Flexible
Derelict = Careless Elevate = Hoist
Dereliction = Abandon Elucidate = Explain
Destitute = Extremely Poor Elude = Escape
Destitution = Poverty Emancipate = Liberate, Free
Detest = Hate Eminent = Well known
Detrimental = Harmful Emulate = Imitate
Deviate = Differ Enchant = Fascinate,
Diffident = Shy Charm
Diffuse = Scatter Encomium = Praise
Dilate = Widen Enigma = My story,
Dilemma = Confusion Puzzle
Diligent = Hard-working Entangle = Involve
Diligent = Industrious Enthusiasm = Zeal
Dire = Urgent Entreat = Request
Discrete = Distinct Envious = Jealous
Discrimination = Good judgment Epitome = Essence
Disdain = Contempt Equanimity = Calm
Dispassionate = Impartial Equanimity = Composure
Dissipate = Scatter, Waste
Eradicate = Eliminate, Facile = Easy

Uproot Fallacious = Misleading
Erratic = Irregular Fanaticism = Bigotry
Erroneously = Wrongly Feeble = Helpless, Infirm
Error = Blunder Ferry = Transport
Erudite = Learned, Fertile = Fruitful
Scholarly Fervor = Intensity,
Eulogy = Praise Passion
Evolve = Develop Feud = Argument,
Exclusive = Sole Dispute
Exhaustive = Comprehensive Filth = Dirt, Squalor
Exhort = Urge Foray = Maraud
Exigent = Urgent Foul = Dirty
Exile = Expatriation Frivolous = Inconsequential,
Exonerate = Declared Trivial
Innocent Frugal = Prudent, Saving
Exonerate = Acquit, Release Frugality = Economy
Exorbitant = Excessive
Expertise = Mastery G
Expiation = Atonement Gambit = Trick
Explication = Explanation Garnish = Adorn
Explicit = Clear Genial = Kind
Exploit = Feat Germane = Relevant
Explore = Examine Goad = Provoke, Badger
Expose = Reveal Glib = Smooth
Expostulate = Protest Gratify = Pacify
Extinct = Non-existent Greed = Avarice,
Extol = Praise Longing
Extraneous = Irrelevant Grumble = Grouse
Extravagant = Lavish Guile = Cunning, Deceit
Extravaganza = Spectacular Gullible = Credulous,
show Unsuspicious
Extrovert = Talkative
Exultant = Jubilant H
Harbinger = Forerunner
F Hinder = Check
Fable = Tale
I Prognosis = Forecast
Impetuous = Rash
Indict = Accuse R
Insolvent = Bankrupt Range = Expanse
Intimidate = Bluff Resilient = Flexible
Invidious = Unpopular Restraint = Restriction
Revise = Alter
K Ribald = Vulgar
Kin = Relative
S
L Sanguine = Hopeful
Lament = Complain Serene = Calm
Laud = Praise Staid = Sedate
Lucidity = Clarity Sterile = Barren
Lynch = Kill Stringent = Strict
Stubborn = Obstinate
M
Massacre = Slaughter T
Mendacious = False Taciturnity = Reserve
Mirth = Merriment Tedious = Tiresome
N Terrific = Excellent
Nemesis = Punishment Triumph = Victory
Niggard = Miser Tyranny = Cruelty
O U
Obfuscate = Confuse Uncouth = Rough
Obligatory = Required
Obscene = Indecent V
Obverse = Opposite Vent = Opening
Overstrung = Sensitive Vestige = Evidence
Voracious = Greedy
P
Pertinacious = Determined W
Pilfer = Steal Wary = vigilant
Pious = Devout Whim = Fancy
Pivotal = Crucial
Predict = Foretell
Z d) Transmit
Zest = Gusto
8. GROTESQUE
Practice Test a) Boring b) Gripping
Select the word or group of words c) Monstrous d) Obnoxious
that is most similar in meaning to
the word in capital letters. 9. PERTINENT
1. BEMOAN a) Dependable b) Relevant
a) Lament b) Pacify c) Remarkable d) Sensible
c) Request d) Imagine
10. ESCALATE
2. PROSAIC a) Rise b) Diminish
a) Dull and ordinary c) Roll on d) Spiral
b) Slow and steady
c) Grand 11. FLIPPANT
d) Precious a) Disrespectful b) Polite
c) Serious d) Wrong
3. ELOQUENT
a) Ambiguous b) Graceful 12. ALACRITY
c) Fluent d) Productive a) Cleanliness b) Cleverness
c) Eagerness d) Reluctance
4. FRAIL
a) Astute b) Delicate 13. BLEMISHES
c) Foolish d) Immature a) Qualities b) Faults
c) Bruises d) Vices
5. DERELICT
a) Derogatory b) Depressing 14. INCESSANT
c) Ramshackle d) Sluggish a) Uncertain b) Ceaseless
c) Unshaken d) Successive
6. INJUNCTION
a) Embargo b) Injustice 15. CRYPTIC
c) Ruling d) Reproach a) Elaborate b) Obscure
c) A warning d) Cautionary
7. IMPLORE
a) Entreat 16. CLEMENCY
b) Put into Practice a) Harshness b) Mercy
c) Interfere c) Stiffness d) Seriousness
17. ABOMINABLE 26. REMOTE

a) Disgusting a) Automatic b) Distant
b) Lovable c) Savage d) Mean
c) Abusive
27. DETEST
d) Undisciplined a) Argue b) Hate
c) Discover d) Reveal
18. SCOWL
a) Scar b) Frown 28. GRACIOUS
c) Pimple d) Smile a) Pretty b) Clever
c) Pleasant d) Present
19. EXONERATE
29. PREDICT
a) Absolve b) Implicate a) Foretell b) Decide
c) Exempt d) Entangle c) Prevent d) Discover
20. ARRAIGN 30. KIN

a) Punish b) Pardon a) Exult b) twist
c) Summon d) Indict c) Friend d) Relative
31. PENSIVE
21. SKIRMISH a) Oppressed b) Caged
a) Fight b) Contact c) Thoughtful d) Happy
c) Enmity d) Relations
22. GAUCHE 32. BANISH
a) Vain b) Tactless a) Exile b) Hate
c) Fade d) Clean
c) Rich d) Polished
33. FRAUD
23. ABORTIVE a) Malcontent b) Argument
a) Futile b) Unyielding c) Imposter d) Clown
c) Effective d) Methodical
34. SACCHARINE
24. SALUBRIOUS a) Leave b) Sweet
c) Arid d) Quit
a) Healthy b) Outdoor
c) Spacious d) Luxurious 35. DRAG
a) Sleepy b) Crush
25. CANTANKEROUS c) Proud d) Pull
a) Talkative b) Aggressive
c) Quarrelsome d) Obedient 36. JOVIAL
a) Incredulous b) Merry
c) Revolting d) Dizzy 47. INSCRUTABLE

a) Difficult b) Mysterious
37. INDIFFERENT c) Inflexible d) Wary
a) Neutral b) Unkind
c) Precious d) Mean 48. APPALL
a) Delirious b) Covered
38. SIMULATE c) Dismay d) Confuse
a) Excite b) Imitate
c) Trick d) Apelike 49. UPRIGHT
a) Honorable b) Horizontal
39. CHARISMA c) Humble d) Supine
a) Ghost b) Force
c) Charm d) Courage 50. REVERIE
a) Palimpsest b) Phantom
40. APPORTION c) Daydream d) Curio
a) Divide b) Decide
c) Cut d) Squabble 51. LOOT
a) Destruction b) Waste
41. GENERIC c) Spoils d) Cavort
a) General b) Cheap
c) Fresh d) Elderly 52. LOQUACIOUS
a) Talkative b) Thirsty
42. QUALM c) Beautiful d) Complicated
a) Distress b) Impunity
c) Persevere d) Scruple 53. CHIMERA
a) Chimney b) Protest
43. WARY c) Illusion d) Panache
a) Calm b) Curved
c) Confused d) Cautious 54. TEMERITY
a) Audacity b) Fearfulness
44. DISTORT c) Shyness d) Stupidity
a) Wrong b) Evil
c) Deform d) Harm 55. EDUCE
a) Demand b) Elicit
45. SUMPTUOUS c) Ideal d) Unlawful
a) Delirious b) Gorgeous
c) Perilous d) Luxurious 56. NABOB
a) Bigwig b) Doubter
46. REEL c) Frolic d) Converse
a) Whirl b) Fish
c) Hit d) Mistake 57. PALL
a) Light b) Satiate
c) Carry d) Horror
58. SACROSANCT
a) Prayer b) Sanctuary
c) Pious d) Sacred
59. LOUCHE
a) Gauche b) Fine
c) Brilliant d) Indecent
60. STENTORIAN
a) Violent b) Misbegotten
c) Loud d) Stealthy
KEY
Answers
1) a 2) a 3) c 4) b
5) c 6) a 7) a 8) c
9) b 10) a 11) a 12) c
13) b 14) b 15) b 16) b
17) a 18) b 19) a 20) d
21) a 22) b 23) a 24) a
25) c 26) b 27) b 28) c
29) a 30) d 31) c 32) a
33) c 34) b 35) d 36) b
37) a 38) b 39) c 40) a
41) a 42) d 43) d 44) c
45) d 46) a 47) b 48) c
49) a 50) c 51) c 52) a
53) c 54) a 55) b 56) a
57) b 58) d 59) d 60) c
Active and Passive Voice

There are two special forms for verbs called voice:
1. Active voice
2. Passive voice
The active voice is the "normal" voice. This is the voice that we use most of the time.
You are probably already familiar with the active voice. In the active voice,
the object receives the action of the verb:
Ex: Cats eat fish
The passive voice is less usual. In the passive voice, the subject receives the action of the
verb:
Ex: Fish are eaten by cats
Look at the following sentences:

Sunanda wrote a novel.
A novel was written by Sunanda.
In the first sentence the subject, Sunanda, performs the action and the verb wrote, is said
to be in the active voice. In the second sentence the subject is a novel, and the verb, ‘was
written’ is said to be in the passive voice.
A verb is in the active voice when it tells what the subject does;
It is in the passive voice when it tells what the subject suffers.
We know that only a verb used transitively can take an object; therefore, only a transitive
verb has two voices, the active and the passive. A verb that has an object of its own is
called transitive verb and if it has two, it is then known as ditransitive. So it is sometimes
possible for two passive forms of a ditransitive verb.
Ex: I sent her a message. (AV)
A message was sent (to) her by me or she was sent a message by me (PV)
The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive verb:
Subject verb object

Active Everybody drinks water.
Passive Water is drunk by everybody.
1) The passive voice is formed by putting the verb ‘to be’ into the appropriate tense
and adding the past participle (V3 - the third form of a finite verb)
Tense Active voice Passive Voice
Simple present I keep I am kept
Present continuous I am keeping I am being kept
Simple Past I kept I was kept
Past Continuous I was keeping I was being kept
Present Perfect I have kept I have been kept
Past Perfect I had kept I had been kept
Simple Future I shall keep I shall be kept
2) Study the following sentences:

Active Passive
Farmers grow crops. Crops are grown by farmers.
He explained the lesson. The lesson was explained by him.
Cats kill rats Rats are killed by cats.
We notice that when a sentence is changed from active to Passive, the object of the active
voice becomes the subject of the passive.
3) Let us examine the following sentences:

Active Passive
Shaw wrote this play. This play was written by Shaw.
The postman is collecting letters. Letters are being collected by the postman.
We see that in the passive voice the agent, when mentioned, is preceded, by the
preposition by’.
4) Let us look at the following:

Active Passive
People always admire this picture. This picture is always admired.
Someone has stolen my books. My books have been stolen.
People speak English all over the world. English is spoken all over the world.
We notice that when the subject in the active voice is vague or unknown, it remains
unexpressed in the passive voice.
5) Study the following sentences:

Active Passive
1) Krishna gave me a book a) I was given a book by Krishna
b) A book was given (to) me by Krishna
2) Who taught you English? a) By who were you taught English?

b) By whom was English taught to you?
We notice that when a verb in the active voice has an indirect as well as a direct object,
either of them can become the subject of the passive voice. But it is more usual in English
to make the personal (indirect) object the subject of the passive voice.
6) When we wish to turn an imperative, active into the passive, we have to make use of
a paraphrase, using the verb let:
Active Passive
Tell him to go. Let him be told to go.
Saddle the horse. Let the horse be saddled.
Dispatch the letter. Let the letter be dispatched.
Uses of the Passive Voice

The passive construction is used:
1) If the active subject is not known, so that an active construction is impossible :
Ex: My purse has been stolen (I do not know by whom).
She was tempted to buy.
The plane was lost somewhere in the hills.
2) When the subject in the active voice is unmistakably clear from the context:
Ex: He was sent to prison for three years (by the judge).
She was dismissed (by her mistress). Mistakes are always committed.
3) If we do not want to mention the active subject, we then use the impersonal passive
construction, with ‘It’ as the subject of the passive verb.
Ex: It is said that there will be a great crowd (somebody said so)
It is believed that the prisoner is not guilty (believed by people in general).
It is rumored that the government proposes to introduce tax on agricultural income
(some people have spread the rumour).
It is feared that there are no survivors.
4) If we take a great interest in the sufferer than in the doer of the action:
Ex: Mary was punished by her father.
The ship was wrecked in a storm.
Convert the following sentences from Active Voice into Passive Voice
I. Present Tense:
1) Sadiq repairs the radio.
2) Sneha writes novels.
3) John teaches us English.
4) We accept good news.
5) They sell radios.
II. Present Continuous Tense:

1) Sarita is singing a song.
2) The boys are making kites.
3) Rajitha is taking the dog for a walk.
4) The students are watching a dance programme.
5) The government is building houses for the poor.
III. Present Perfect:

1) The woodcutter has cut the tree.
2) R.K. Narayan has written many novels.
3) The children have burst the balloons.
4) Anuradha has painted these pictures.
5) Rajini has given me a present.
IV. Past Tense:

1) She broke the glass.
2) He built two houses.
3) Pratap took some photographs.
4) The cat killed the mouse.
5) His teacher praised him.
V. Past Continuous Tense:

1) Pratima was singing a song.
2) The carpenters were making chairs.
3) The lion was chasing the deer.
4) The teacher was teaching the children.
5) Sohail was writing a letter to his father.
VI. Past Perfect Tense:

1) He had sent the parcel.
2) Jim Corbett had killed many tigers.

3) The fishermen had caught many fish.
4) Kamala had finished the work.
5) The seawater had damaged some of the cargo.
VII. Future Tense:

1) I shall punish you.
2) He will send the tickets tomorrow.
3) He will give you the instructions.
4) They will look into your case.
5) They will finish the work in a week.
VIII. Future Perfect Tense:

1) They will have completed the work by tomorrow.
2) By next year, they will have constructed the house.
3) They will have written a few books on this subject by next year.
4) They will have planted saplings in the fields by the time we return.
5) I shall have finished my homework by the time you wake up.
IX. Interrogative Sentences:

1) Does he play cricket?
2) Has he invited you to dinner?
3) Where did he find the pen?
4) Can he lift this box?
5) Who wrote the Gitanjali?
X. Imperative Sentences:
1) Tell her to wait here.
2) Close all the gates at once.
3) Help the poor.
4) Kindly grant me a week’s leave.
5) Let him finish the job now.
XI. Turn the following sentences from the Active Voice to Passive Voice.
1) Who wrote this poem?
2) They chose him their leader.
3) Thieves broke into the house.
4) People believe that dreams come true.
5) When will they finish the work?
6) Can they solve the problem?
7) She requested him to give her some money.
8) Take your medicine on time.
9) The news alarmed us.
10) We elected him Chairman.

11) They kept me waiting.
12) He gave her a ring.
13) Watt invented the steam engine.
14) One finds horses everywhere.
15) The manager will give you a ticket.
16) Declare the result.
17) Please help the poor man.
18) Why has he punished the innocent boy?
19) You must work for success.
20) The judge found him guilty of murder.
Answers
I. Present Tense:
1) The radio is repaired by Sadiq.
2) Novels are written by Sneha.
3) English is taught to us by John/ We are taught English by John.
4) Good news is expected (by us).
5) Radios are sold by them.
II. Present Continuous Tense:

1) A song is being sung by Sarita.
2) Kites are being made by the boys.
3) The dog is being taken for a walk by Rajitha.
4) A dance programme is being watched by the students.
5) Houses are being built by the government for the poor.
III. Present Perfect:

1) The tree has been cut by the woodcutter.
2) Many novels have been written by R.K. Narayan.
3) The balloons have been burst by the children.
4) These pictures have been painted by Anuradha.
5) A present has been given to me by Rajini/J have been given a present by Rajini.
IV. Past Tense:

1) The glass was broken by her.
2) Two houses were built by him.
3) Some photographs were taken by Pratap.
4) The mouse was killed by the cat.
5) He was praised by his teacher.
V. Past Continuous Tense:

1) A song was being sung by Pratima.
2) Chairs were being made by the carpenters.
3) The deer was being chased by the lion.
4) The children were being taught by the teacher.
5) A letter was being written by Sohail to his father.
VI. Past Perfect Tense:

1) The parcel had been sent by him.
2) Many tigers had been killed by Jim Corbett.
3) Many fish had been caught by the fisherman.
4) The work had been finished by Kamala.
5) Some of the cargo had been damaged by the seawater.
VII. Future Tense:

1) You will be punished by me.
2) The tickets will be sent by him tomorrow.
3) The instructions will be given to you by him/You will be given the instructions by
him.
4) Your case will be looked into. (by them)
5) The work will be finished in a week. (by them)
VIII. Future Perfect Tense:

1) The work will have been completed by them by tomorrow.
2) The house will have been constructed by them by next year.
3) A few books on this subject will have been written by them by next year.
4) Saplings will have been planted in the fields by them by the time we return.
5) My homework will have been finished by me by the time you wake up.
IX. Interrogative Sentences:

1) Is cricket played by him?
2) Have you been invited to dinner by him?
3) Where was the pen found by him?
4) Can this box be lifted by him?
5) By whom was the Gitanjali written?
X. Imperative Sentences:
1) He told let her wait here.
2) Let all the gates be closed at once.
3) Let the poor be helped.
4) You are requested to grant me a week’s leave.
5) Let the job be finished by him now.
XI. Passive Forms:

1) By whom was this poem written?
2) He was chosen their leader.
3) The house was broken into. (by thieves)
4) It is believed that dreams come true. (by people)
5) When will the work be finished?
6) Can the problem be solved?
7) He was requested to give her some money.
8) Medicine must be taken on time.
9) We were alarmed by the news.
10) He was elected Chairman. (by them)
11) I was kept waiting. (by them)
12) She was given a ring by him/A ring was given to her by him.
13) The steam engine was invented by Watt.
14) Horses are found everywhere.
15) You will be given ticket by the manager/A ticket will be given to you by the
manager.
16) Let the result be declared.
17) You are requested to help the poor man.
18) Why has the innocent boy been punished by him?
19) Success must be worked for.
20) He was found guilty of murder. (By the judge)
Direct and Indirect Speech

There two ways to convey a message of a person, or the words spoken by a person to
other person.
1. Direct speech
2. Indirect speech
Suppose your friend whose name is John tells you in school, “I will give you a pen”. You
come to home and you want to tell your brother what your friend told you. There are two
ways to tell him.
We may report the words of a speaker in two ways:

I) We may quote his actual words. This is called Direct Speech.
ii) We may report what he said without quoting his exact words. This is called Indirect
(or Reported) Speech.
Direct: Rama said, “I am very busy now.”

Indirect: Rama said that he was very busy then.
It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact
words of the speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not.
It will be further noticed that in changing the above Direct Speech into Indirect certain
changes have been made.
Thus,
i) We have used the conjunction ‘that’ before the Indirect statement.
ii) The pronoun ‘I’ is changed to ‘he’. (The Pronoun is changed in Person.)
iii) The verb ‘am’ is changed to ‘was’. (Present Tense is changed to Past.)
iv) The adverb ‘now’ is changed to ‘then’.
Rules for changing Direct Speech into Indirect:

When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all Present tenses of the Direct
are changed into the corresponding Past Tenses.
Thus:
a) A simple present becomes a simple past.
Direct: He said, “I am unwell.”
Indirect: He said (that) he was unwell.
b) A present continuous becomes a past continuous.

Direct: He said, “My master is writing letters.”
Indirect: He said (that) his master was writing letters,
c) A present perfect becomes a past perfect.

Direct: He said, “I have passed the examination.”
Indirect: He said (that) he had passed the examination.
Note: The ‘shall’ of the Future Tense is changed into should. The ‘will’ of the Future
Tense is changed into would or should.
As a rule, the simple past in the Direct becomes the past perfect in the Indirect.
Direct: He said, “The horse died in the night.”
Indirect: He said that the horse had died in the night.
If the reporting verb is in the Present Tense, the tenses of the Direct Speech do not
change. For example, we may rewrite the above examples, putting the reporting verb in
the Present Tense, thus:
• He says he is unwell.
• He has just said his master is writing letters.
• He says he has passed the examination.
• He says the horse died in the night.
The pronouns of the Direct Speech are changed, where necessary, so that their relations
with the reporter and his hearer, rather than with the original speaker, are indicated. To be
a little clearer, the change of pronouns can be explained like this. The pronouns of the
first person are changed to the pronouns of the same person as the subject of the reporting
verb.
She said, “I am busy” (Direct)
She said that she was busy (Indirect)
I said, “I am busy” (Direct)
I said that I was busy (Indirect)
You said, “I am busy” (Direct)
You said that you were busy (Indirect)
He said, “I am busy” (Direct)
He said that he was busy (Indirect)
They said, “We are busy” (Direct)
They said that they were busy (Indirect)

We said, “We are busy” (Direct)
We said that we were busy (Indirect)
The pronouns of second person are changed to the pronouns of the same person as the
object of the reporting verb.
Observe the following examples:

Direct : He said to me, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : He told me that he didn’t believe me
Direct : She said to him, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : She told him that she didn’t believe him
Direct : I said to him, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : I told him that I didn’t believe him.
Direct : I said to you, “I don’t believe you.”
Indirect : I told you that I didn’t believe you.
Words expressing nearness in time or place are generally changed into words expressing
distance.
Thus:
Now becomes then to-day becomes that day
Here becomes there to-morrow becomes the next day
Ago becomes before yesterday becomes the day before
Thus becomes so last night becomes the night before
Direct: He said, “I am glad to be here this evening.”

Indirect: He said that he was glad to be there that evening.
The changes do not occur if the speech is reported during the same period or at the same
place;
Ex: Direct: He says, “I am glad to be here this evening.”
Indirect: He says he is glad to be here this evening.
Similarly, this and these are changed to that and those unless the thing pointed out is
near at hand at the time of reporting the speech.
Questions:
In reporting questions, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some such verbs as asked,
inquired, wanted to know, interrogated etc.
When the question is not introduced by an interrogative word, the reporting verb is
followed by whether or if.
Direct : He said to me, “What are you doing?”
Indirect : He asked me what I was doing.
Direct : “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
Indirect : The stranger enquired where I live.
Direct : The policeman said to us, “Where are you going?”
Indirect : The policeman enquired where we were going.
Direct : He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
Indirect : He asked them/me whether they/I would listen to such a man.
Direct : “Do you suppose you know better than your own father?”
Jeered his angry mother.
Indirect : His angry mother jeered and asked whether he supposed that he knew
better than his own father.
Commands and Requests:

In reporting commands and requests, the Indirect speech is introduced by some verb
expressing command or request, and the Imperative mood is changed into the Infinitive.
Direct : Rama said to Arjun, “Go away,”
Indirect : Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
Direct : He said to him, “Please wait here till I return.”
Indirect : He requested him to wait there till he returned.
Direct : “Call the first witness.” said the judge,
Indirect : The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
Direct : He shouted, “Let me go.”
Indirect : He shouted to them to let him go.
Direct : He said, “Be quiet and listen to my words.”
Indirect : He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.
Exclamations and Wishes

In reporting exclamations and wishes the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verb
expressing exclamation or wish.
Direct. He said, “Alas! I am undone,”
Indirect. He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct : Alice said, “How clever I am!”

Indirect : Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Direct : He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
Indirect : He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Direct : “So help me Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again.”
Indirect : He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.
Change the following into direct speech or indirect speech

I.
1) He said, “The earth moves round the sun”.
2) They said, “A bad carpenter quarrels with his tools”.
3) The teacher said, “The sun rises in the east”.
4) The boys said, “Oil floats on water”.
5) She said, “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush”.
II.
1) She said, “I am very poor”.
2) He said, “We are in the playground”.
3) Mohit said, “I don’t believe you”.
4) John said to Mary, “You are innocent”.
5) My father said to me, “They are late”.
III.
1) She said, “It may rain”.
2) The boy said, “I can do it”.
3) He said to me, “I shall meet your father”.
4) Joseph said, “I will go home soon”.
5) She said, “I can’t agree with you”.
6) Raman said, “I have a problem”.
7) The officer said to the clerk, “You must do it”.
8) Balu said, “I don’t drink coffee”.
9) Geeta said, “Rajashree will not lie”.
10) Vidya said, “Sachin has a car”.
IV.
1) The boy said, “I am doing my homework”.
2) Ravi said, “I have met your brother”.
3) Seetha said, “I waited for Ramu till 10 o’ clock”.

4) Rahim said, “John will have met the governor”.
5) He said, “It is time I went to bed”.
6) Radha said, “I was watching T.V.”
7) He said, “I have bought a watch for you”.
8) Sunita said, “I have been working on this novel for five years”.
9) My father said to me, “You have done your work well”.
10) Mohan said to me, “I met Suresh in Mumbai”.
11) Abhinav said, “I have not stolen the necklace”.
12) The villager said to the stranger, “I have never seen you”.
13) Srinivas said, “I am reading a novel”.
14) Shahid said, “My father went to Guntur yesterday”.
15) He said, “The children are having a bath now”.
V
1) He said to me, “Who lives in this house”?
2) “Do you know when she will go home?” I said to him.
3) Ramesh said to me, “How are you feeling?”
4) She said, “Can you help me?”
5) I said to him, “What are you doing here today?”
6) My friend said, “Is Mr. Rao on leave?”
7) Sumitra said, “Shall I switch on the fan?”
8) She said, “Why didn’t he come?”
9) Nirmala said to her friend, “Which magazines do you usually read?”
10) He said, “Will you listen to such a man?”
VI
1) Rama said to Arjun, “Go away”.
2) He said to him, “Please wait here till I return”.
3) “Call the first witness”, said the Judge.
4) “Open fire”, the officer said to the soldiers.
5) My friend said, “Lets sing together”.
6) Mary’s father said to the Principal, “Please pardon my daughter”.
7) They said to us, “Grow more trees”.
8) The doctor said, “You must exercise every day”.
9) He said, “Sit down”.
10) The manager said to the clerk, “Don’t come late”.
VII
1) “May you live long”, she said.
2) He said, “How beautiful the garden is!”
3) He said, “Alas! I am undone”.
4) “Many happy returns of the day”, said Mohsin.
5) Harsha said to Susheela, “Good Morning”.
6) He said, “Bravo! You have been well”.
7) She said, “My God! I am ruined”.
8) He said, “May your daughter recover soon”.
9) “So help me, Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again”.
10) Alice said, “How clever I am!”
Answer
I.
1) He said that the earth moves round the sun.
2) They said that a bad carpenter quarrels with his tools.
3) The teacher said that the sun rises in the east.
4) The boys said that oil floats on water.
5) She said that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.
II.
1) She said that she was very poor.
2) He said that they were in the playground.
3) Mohit said that he didn’t believe me.
4) John told Mary that she was innocent.
5) My father told me that they were late.
III.
1) She said that it might rain.
2) The boy said that he could do it.
3) He told me that he would meet my father.
4) Joseph said that he would go home soon.
5) She said that she couldn’t agree with me.
6) Raman said that he had a problem.
7) The officer told the clerk that he had to do it.
8) Balu said that he didn’t drink coffee.
9) Geeta said that Rajashree would not lie.
10) Vidya said that Sachin had a car.
IV.
1) The boy said that he was doing his homework.
2) Ravi said that he had met my brother.
3) Seetha said that she had waited for Ramu till 10 o’ clock.
4) Rahim said that John would have met the governor.
5) He said that it was time he went to bed.
6) Radha said that she had been watching T.V.
7) He said that he had bought a watch for me.
8) Sunita said that she had been working on that novel for five years.
9) My father told me that I had done my work well.
10) Mohan told me that he had met Suresh in Mumbai.
11) Abhinav said that he had not stolen the necklace.
12) The villager told the stranger that he had never seen him.
13) Srinivas said that he was reading a novel.
14) Shahid said that his father had gone to Guntur the previous day.
15) He said that the children were having a bath then.
V.
1) He asked me who lived in that house.
2) I asked him if he knew when she would go home.
3) Ramesh asked me how I was feeling.
4) She asked me if I could help her.
5) I asked him what he was doing there that day.
6) My friend asked if Mr. Rao was on leave.
7) Sumitra asked whether she should switch on the fan.
8) She wondered why he didn’t come.
9) Nirmala asked her friend which magazines she usually read.
10) He asked them whether they would listen to such a man.
VI.
1) Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
2) He requested him to wait there till he returned.
3) The Judge commanded/ordered them to call the first witness.
4) The officer ordered/commanded the soldiers to open fire.
5) My friend suggested/proposed that we should sing together.
6) Mary’s father requested/begged the Principal to pardon his daughter.

7) They urged us to grow more trees.
8) The doctor advised me to exercise every day.
9) He asked me to sit down.
10) The manager advised/warned the clerk not to come late.
VII.
1) She wished/prayed that I might live long.
2) He exclaimed that the garden was very beautiful.
3) He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
4) Mohsin wished him/her many happy returns of the day.
5) Harsha wished Susheela good morning.
6) He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
7) She exclaimed bitterly that she was ruined.
8) He prayed/hoped that my daughter might recover soon.
9) He called upon Heaven to witness his resolution to never steal again.
10) Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Degrees of Comparison
Degrees of Comparison are used when we compare one person or one thing with
another.
There are three Degrees of Comparison in English.

1. Positive degree.
2. Comparative degree.
3. Superlative degree.
Positive dark tall useful

Comparative darker taller more useful
Superlative darkest tallest most useful
There are two ways of forming the comparative and the superlative:
1) By adding er, est to the positive:
Small smaller smallest
tall taller tallest
2) By means of more and most:

Difficult more difficult most difficult
I
A) When an adjective of one syllable ends in two consonants or in a single consonant
preceded by two vowels, er and est are added:
Positive Comparative Superlative
long longer longest
sweet sweeter sweetest
B) When an adjective of one syllable ends in a single consonant preceded by a short

vowel, the consonant is doubled before er, and est:
Hot hotter hottest
Fat fatter fattest
C) When an adjective of one syllable ends in e, only r and st are added:

Brave braver bravest
Wise wiser wisest
D) When an adjective of one syllable ends in y preceded by a consonant, we change the

‘y’ into i before adding er, est:
Happy happier happiest
Merry merrier merriest
Exception: shy, shyer, shyest
E) But is the final Y is preceded by a vowel, we simply add er, est:

Gay gayer gayest
Grey greyer greyest
F) Adjectives of two syllables ending in er, le, y and ow generally form their
comparative and superlative in the same way as the adjectives of one syllable:
clever cleverer cleverest
noble nobler noblest
happy happier happiest
mellow mellower mellowest
II. Adjectives of more than two syllables, and many adjectives of two syllables, form
the comparative and superlative by means of more and most.
Awful more awful most awful
Careful more careful most careful
Beautiful more beautiful most beautiful
We can change the degrees of comparison of adjectives and adverbs, without changing
the meaning of the sentences.
Examine the following examples:
1) Positive : I am not so/as tall as he.
Comparative : He is taller than I
2) Positive : He is as dull as an ass.

Comparative : An ass is not duller than he is.
3) Superlative : London is the biggest city in the world.

Comparative : London is bigger than any other city in the world.
Positive : No other city in the world is so big as London.
4) Superlative : Subhas Bose was one of the greatest Patriots of India.

Comparative : Subhas Bose was greater than most (many) other patriots of India.
Positive : Very few patriots of India were so great as Subhas Bose.
5) Positive : Some girls in the class are at least as beautiful as Sita.

Comparative : Sita is not more beautiful than some other girls in the class Or
Some girls in the class are not less beautiful than Sita.
Superlative : Sita is not the most beautiful of all the girls in the Class.
Bits for practice

1) This summer is _________ than the previous summer. (hot)
2) Harsha is the _________ boy in the class. (intelligent)
3) Her doll is _________ than yours. (pretty)
4) Name the _________ city in the world. (big)
5) He is the _________ friend I have. (good)
6) Iron is _________ than any other metal. (useful)
7) Ram’s work is bad, Hari’s is _________, but Govind’s work is the _________. (bad)
8) Silver is _________ than gold. (cheap)
9) The Eiffel Tower is _________ than the Qutub Minar. (tall)
10) Akbar was the _________ Mughal Emperor. (great)
11) Prevention is _________ than cure. (good)
12) Mathematics is the _________ subject. (difficult)
13) Apples are _________ than oranges. (Costly)
14) Mr. Sharma is the _________ person I have ever seen. (fat)
15) This suitcase is _________ than that one. (heavy)
16) The number of boys present was _________ than the number of girls present in the
class. (many)
17) Sita was the _________ tired of them all. (little)
18) Rohan’s house is the _________ from college. (far)
19) Have you heard the _________ news? (late)
20) He is the _________ member in the Rajya Sabha. (old)
Answers
1) hotter 2) most intelligent 3) prettier 4) biggest
5) best 6) more useful 7) worse, worst 8) cheaper
9) taller 10) greatest 11) better 12) most difficult
13) costlier 14) fattest 15) heavier 16) more than
17) least 18) farthest 19) latest 20) oldest
Write answers to the following as directed

Exercise I:
1) Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world. (Use ‘higher than’)
2) ‘Shakuntula’ is better than any other drama in Sanskrit. (Use ‘as good as’)
3) No other town in Malaysia is as old as Malacca (use ‘the oldest’)
4) The lion is the most ferocious animal. (Use ‘as ferocious as’)
5) He is richer than all other men in the village. (Use ‘the richest’)
Exercise II:
1) Very few animals are as useful as the cow. (Use ‘the most useful’)
2) Latif is more hardworking than most other boys. (Use ‘as hard working as’)
3) Ashoka was one of the most powerful emperors. (Use ‘more powerful than’)
4) India is hotter than most other countries. (Use ‘the hottest’)
5) Very few poets are as great as Keats. (Use ‘greater than’)
Exercise III:
1) Silver is not as precious as gold. (Use ‘more precious than’)
2) The pen is mightier than the sword. (Use ‘not as mighty as’)
3) A deer runs faster than a horse. (Use ‘not fast as’)
4) Your knife is not as sharp as mine. (Use ‘sharper than’)
5) A foolish friend is not as good as a wise enemy. (Use ‘better than’)
Exercise IV:
1) Sharukh Khan is not greater than Dilip Kumar. (Use ‘as great as’)
2) My house is at least as big as yours. (Use ‘not bigger than’)
3) The Taj Mahal is at least as famous as the Statue of Liberty. (Use ‘not more famous
than’)
4) Sanjeev is not fatter than Veeru. (Use ‘as fat as’)
5) This tree is as old as that tree. (Use ‘not older than’)
Exercise V:
1) Tennyson is not greater than some other poets. (Use ‘not the greatest)
2) Some boys are at least as industrious as Suresh (use ‘not more industrious than’)
3) This is not the best college in the city. (use ‘as good as’)
4) Rohan is not the dullest boy in the class. (Use ‘not duller than’)
5) Some students are at least as clever as Rani. (Use ‘not the cleverest’)
Answers
Exercise I:
1) Mount Everest is higher than any other peak in the world.
2) No other drama in Sanskrit is as good as Shakunthala.
3) Malacca is the oldest town in Malaysia.
4) No other animal is as ferocious as the lion.
5) He is the richest man in the village.
Exercise II:
1) The cow is one of the most useful animals.
2) Very few boys are as hard working as Latif.
3) Ashoka was more powerful than many other emperors.
4) India is one of the hottest countries.
5) Keats is greater than many other poets.
Exercise III:
1) Gold is more precious than silver.
2) The sword is not as mighty as the pen.
3) A horse doesn’t run as fast as a deer.
4) My knife is sharper than yours.
5) A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.
Exercise IV:
1) Dileep Kumar is not as great as Sharukh Khan.
2) Your house is not bigger than mine.
3) The Statue of Liberty is not more famous than the Taj Mahal.
4) Veeru is as fat as Sanjeev.
5) That tree is not older than this tree.
Exercise V:
1) Tennyson is not the greatest poet.
2) Suresh is not more industrious tha some other boys.
3) Some colleges in the city are at least as good as this.
4) Rohan is not duller than some other boys in the class.
5) Rani is not the cleverest student.
Idiomatic Expressions
Idiom means language peculiar to a Meaning: To take on a task that is
people or community or a class. It is the way too big.
expression in the usage of a language
that is peculiar to itself either ☞ Beat A Dead Horse
grammatically or in having a meaning Meaning: To force an issue that
that can't be derived from the conjoined has already ended.
meanings of its words.
Phrasal verbs or idioms may consist ☞ Cross Your Fingers
with prepositions, pairs of adverbs, pairs Meaning: to hope that things will
of verbs / nouns / adjectives and many happen in the way you want them
more. to.
Example:
Let me have a glass of 'Adam's ale'. ☞ Cry over Spilt Milk
'Adam's ale' means water. Meaning: When you complain
'Kick the bucket' means to die. about a loss from the past.
This definition has nothing to do with
the individual meaning of each of the
☞ Don't count your chickens before
words used in this expression. Given
they hatch
below is the list of a few commonly
Meaning: Don't rely on it until
used idiomatic expressions.
you're sure of it.
☞ A Chip on Your Shoulder
Meaning: Being upset for
☞ Don't Put All Your Eggs in One
something that happened in the
Basket
past.
Meaning: Do not put all your
resources in one possibility.
☞ A Taste of Your Own Medicine
Meaning: When you are mistreated
☞ Drive someone up the Wall
the same way you mistreat others.
Meaning: To irritate and/or annoy
very much.
☞ An Arm and A Leg
☞ Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining
Meaning: Very expensive. A large
Meaning: Be optimistic, even
amount of money.
difficult times will lead to better
days.
☞ Back to Square One
Meaning: Having to start all over
☞ Go the Extra Mile
again.
Meaning: Going above and beyond
whatever is required for the task at
☞ Bite Off More Than You Can
hand.
Chew
☞ Have an Axe to Grind ☞ By the skin of one's teeth

Meaning: To have a dispute with Meaning: To just manage to do it
someone.
☞ Keep one's nose to the grindstone
☞ Hold Your Horses Meaning: To work hard for a long
Meaning: Be patient. period of time
☞ Icing on the Cake ☞ Make a mountain out of a mole

Meaning: When you already have hill
it good and get something on top of Meaning: To make an unimportant
what you already have. matter seem important
☞ Let Bygones Be Bygones ☞ Wet behind the ears

Meaning: To forget about a Meaning: Young and without
disagreement or argument. much experience
☞ Pulling Your Leg Some of the most important Idioms:

Meaning: Tricking someone as a ☞ The bare bones of something: The
joke. basic facts of something.
Ex: The bare bones of the air crash
☞ Raining Cats and Dogs have not yet come into light.
Meaning: A very loud and noisy
rain storm. ☞ Bare your soul to somebody: To
tell somebody your deepest and
☞ Smell Something Fishy most private feelings.
Meaning: Detecting that something Ex: An ideal husband shouldn't bare his
isn't right and there might be a soul especially to his wife.
reason for it.
☞ Ad nauseam: To talk about
☞ The Ball is in Your Court something that it becomes very
Meaning: It is your decision this boring.
time. Ex: She talks ad nauseam about how
brilliant her children are.
☞ The Best of Both Worlds
Meaning: There are two choices ☞ Albatross around or round one's
and you have them both. neck: Something that keeps
causing your problems and stops
☞ Beat around the bush you from being successful.
Meaning: To talk about for a long Ex: The air line that he founded is now
time without coming to the main an albatross around his neck
point. making losses of several hundreds
of thousands a year.
☞ Have an axe to grind: To have a ☞ A little bird told me something:

personal; often selfish, reason for To say that you know something
being involved in something. but you will not say how you found
Ex: I have no axe to grind. I just want out.
to help you. Ex: A little bird told me that you have
got engaged.
☞ Bark up the wrong tree: To
attempt to do the wrong thing in the ☞ Amiss: Wrong, not as it should be.
wrong way from the wrong Ex: She sensed that something was
direction. amiss and called the police.
Ex: He didn't know that he was barking
up the wrong tree when he tried to ☞ What the doctor ordered: The
influence the judge for bail. very thing that is needed. To be
exactly what is wanted or needed.
☞ Full of beans: Full of energy and Ex: At this moment, a cup of tea is just
very cheerful. what the doctor ordered.
Ex: She has been ill but she is full of
beans. ☞ be like a dog with a bone: To
refuse to stop thinking about or
☞ At someone's beck and call: talking about a subject.
Always ready to carry out Ex: On the subject of belt shops, the
someone's order or wishes. liquor king is like a dog with a
Ex: He has always plenty of men at his bone.
beck and call ('Beck' is another
form of 'beckon') ☞ The dog days: The hottest days of
summer.
☞ A bed of roses: An easy or a Ex: The sale of air coolers rises during
comfortable place, job, path etc. the dog days.
Ex: The path to success is never a bed
of roses. ☞ A doubting Thomas: A person
who refuses to believe something
☞ Better off: Happier, improved, without having in controvertible
more successful (goes with "with or proof; a sceptic. (Skeptic is US)
without") Ex: Being the president of a party, he
Ex: He would be better off starting with shouldn't always be a doubting
something simpler. Thomas.
☞ Have a bee in one's bonnet: To Choose the correct alternative from

have an idea which has become too the given options
fixed in one's mind. 1. "Dead tired" means ___.
Ex: He has a bee in his bonnet about a. no longer living
going to America. b. very tired
c. someone doesn't have long to live 9. If it's a "feather in your cap" it

means it's ___
2. A "dime a dozen" means ___. a. a problem
a. it is expensive b. cowardly
b. something is unusual c. an honour
c. something is easy to get
10. The "gift of the gab" means you
3. A man "after my own heart" are ___
means ___. a. experienced
a. liking the same things as me b. very intelligent
b. looks like me c. skilled in talking
c. follows me
11. "In the nick of time" means ___
4. "He didn't bat an eye" means the a. too late
same as ___. b. on time
a. he didn't see c. in time
b. he wasn't happy
c. he didn't show surprise 12. "Once in a blue moon" is ___
a. often
5. To put the "cart before the horse" b. sometimes
means ___. c. rarely
a. to plan ahead
b. that you can't do something 13. If you "see eye to eye" with
c. to do things in the wrong order someone, you ___ them.
a. oppose
6. A "pain in the neck" means b. encourage
something is ___. c. agree with
a. unusual
b. bothersome 14. To go "through thick or thin" is
c. difficult to see to ___
a. lose a lot of weight
7. To "make up your mind" means to b. get married
___. c. have many kinds of experiences
a. decide
b. be confused 15. If you are "no spring chicken"
c. be efficient you ___
a. are inexperienced
8. To "face the music" means ___. b. aren't energetic
a. accept your punishment c. aren't young
b. listen carefully
c. ask a lot of questions 16. To "nip it in the bud" means to
___
a. prevent it at the start
b. encourage something 2. To keep one's temper

c. expect greatness from it a) To be in good mood
b) To preserve ones energy
17. To "nail it down" means to ___
c) To be angry
a. start it
b. finalize it d) To be aloof from
c. talk about it e) No correction required
3. To play second fiddle

18. In this "neck of the woods" is ___
a. the way we do something a) To be happy
b. around here b) To reduce importance of one's
c. the way things were senior
c) To support the role and view of
Answers another person
d) To do back seat driving
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. C 5. C
e) No correction required
6. B 7. A 8. A 9. C 10. C
4. Action is the glorious principle of
11. B 12. C 13. C 14. C 15. C life and the one that saves man
16. A 17. B 18. B from _____.
a) The use of faculties, physical or
mental
Practice Test b) Stagnation and unhappiness
c) The sorrow of fellow beings
Directions: which of the phrases
d) The prerequisites of happiness
(a), (b), (c) and (d) given below
each sentence should replace the e) No correction required
phrase printed in bold type to make 5. Being the head of a large family it
the sentence grammatically correct?
difficult to keep his head above
If the sentence is correct as it is,
mark (e) i.e. No correction required water.
as the answer. a) To take rest
1. Why do you wish to tread on the b) To work properly
toes? c) To avoid quarrel
a) To give offence to them d) To keep out of debt
b) To treat them indifferently e) No correction required
c) To follow them grudgingly
6. To leave someone in the lurch
d) To be kicked by them
a) To come to compromise with
someone
b) Constant source of annoyance to
someone b) Taken after

c) To put someone at ease c) Being taken up
d) to leave someone at a time when d) Taken up at
they need you to stay and help them e) No correction required
11. As the maestro lifted his baton the
7. And really the only reason you theatre was so still you could hear
were there was because you had a _____.
bone to pick with him. a) His heartbeat
a) You wanted to have a discussion b) A pin drop
with him c) Bird wings
b) You wanted to chat d) Drum beating
c) You wanted to talk e) No correction required
d) You wanted to have an argument
12. I don't agree with you, but your
with him
idea certainly gives me food _____.
a) For fun
8. He doesn't really go around with b) For consideration
many people because he is a bit a c) For thought
lone wolf. d) For thinking
a) Single person e) No correction required
b) Lonely person
13. Look, I will pay you back. Would
c) Unhappy person
you please call the _____.
d) Simple person
a) Hunters off
b) Tigers off
9. I don't honestly think he is capable c) Dogs off
of being polite as the leopard never d) Apes off
changes his spots. e) No correction required
a) Always complain
14. Just a moment... I've got the answer
b) Differ in opinion
on the _____ of my tongue.
c) Never change
a) Top
d) Shout
b) back
c) Tip
10. The issue was taken before the d) Front
Municipal Corporation meeting last e) No correction required
week.
a) Taking place at
15. I'm afraid Chess isn't my cup of c) Be outspoken

_____. d) Resist from making controversial
a) Tea statement
b) Coffee e) No correction required
c) Wine
20. He has rejoined after a week and
d) Java
looks run down.
e) Milk
a) Cheerful and bubbly
16. I think I understand the nuts and b) Weak and tired
_____ of the operation. c) Active and energetic
a) Screws d) Busy and preoccupied
b) Hammer e) No correction required
c) Nails
21. To hit the nail on the head
d) Bolts
a) To do the right thing
b) To destroy one's reputation
17. Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said c) Announce one's fixed views
that. I guess I really put my _____ d) To teach someone a lesson
in my mouth. e) None of these
a) Foot
22. All these promises these politicians
b) Hand
make are just _____ in the sky.
c) Elbow
a) Pie
d) Knee
b) Ocean
c) Music
18. I'll be back in the twinkling of d) Rags
_____. e) No correction required
a) An eye
23. The small amount of money
b) A Lighting bolt
donated is just a _____ in the ocean
c) A smile
compared to the large sum of
d) A laugh
money needed.
a) Spot
19. He is plain, simple and sincere b) Drop
man. He will always call a spade a c) Speck
spade. d) Sea
a) Find meaning or purpose in your e) None of the above
action
b) Avoid controversial situations
24. They had had a dispute yesterday.

That's why she gave him the cold
_____.
a) Arm
b) Hand
c) Shoulder
d) Music
e) None of the above
25. He has been successful in his life.

He went from _____ to riches.
a) Rags
b) Shoulder
c) Colours
d) Poor
Answers
1) a 2) a 3) c 4) b 5) d
6) d 7) d 8) b 9) c 10) d
11) b 12) c 13) c 14) c 15) a
16) d 17) a 18) a 19) c 20) b
21) a 22) a 23) b 24) c 25) a
Spotting the Error &

Correction of Sentences
The most common areas in the Either Grandpa or my sisters are
sentence correction section which going to the park. (Correct)
are required to be polished
include: sentence structure errors, Either my sisters or Grandpa are
subject-verb agreement errors, going to the park. (Incorrect)
verb tense errors, preposition Either my sisters or Grandpa is
errors, pronoun errors and going to the park. (Correct)
idiomatic errors.
Note: In the last two sentences
Sentence Correction Tips the verb must be decided based on
First look carefully at the given the closest subject, if the closest
sentence. subject is plural verb must be
Check for subject - verb plural and if the closest subject is
agreement, if the subject is singular, verb must be singular.
singular verb should be singular
and if the subject is plural verb As far as verb tense errors are
must satisfy it. concerned non-native speakers
Example: A bouquet of roses generally make two frequent
lend colour and fragrance to the errors with irregular verbs. They
room. (Incorrect) either add an incorrect 'ed' to the
A bouquet of roses lends colour end of an irregular verb or
and fragrance to the room. accidentally interchange the
(Correct) simple past and past participle.
Observe the sentence given
My dog always growl at the below:
postman. (Incorrect) Example: Jack feeled like
My dog always growls at the swimming yesterday, so he putted
postman. (Correct) his bathing suit and drived to the
pool.
Either Grandpa or my sisters is Observe the wrong usage of the
going to the park. (Incorrect) verbs 'feeled', 'putted' and 'drived'
which should be used as 'felt', Check for preposition errors.

'put' and 'drove'. There are 2 major rules when it
comes to the use of prepositions.
Apart from paying attention to 1. The first major rule deals with
verb forms another point to bear preposition choice. Certain
in mind is not to switch from one prepositions must follow
tense to another unless the timing certain words, and the correct
of an action demands. Keep verb preposition must be used to
tense consistent in sentences. Do make relationships between
not change tenses when there is words in the sentences clear.
no time change for the action. 2. The second major rule deals
Example: During the movie, John with the prepositions place in
stood up and then drops his the sentence. Prepositions must
popcorn. (Incorrect) be followed by nouns, and
During the movie, John stood up prepositions can only go on the
and then dropped his popcorn. end of the sentence in certain
(Correct) situations.
Example: This material is
When Mary walks into a room, superior than that. (Incorrect)
everyone will stare. (Incorrect) This material is superior to that.
When Mary walks into a room, (Correct)
everyone stares. (Correct)
She married to/with her boss.
Note: In the first sentence since (Incorrect)
there is no indication that the She married her boss. (Correct)
actions happened apart from one
another; there is no reason to shift This resembles to that.
the tense of the second verb. (Incorrect)
In the second example Mary This resembles that. (Correct)
walks into a room at times. The
action is habitual present. The • Whenever you use a pronoun,
second action happens when the make sure that it has the same
first one does. Therefore, the person, number, and gender as
second verb should be used in its antecedent.
present as well.
• See the word, "which," when describes a countable quantity,

"which" introduces a clause like people; "less" describes an
(called an adjective clause), uncountable quantity, like
make sure that the clause sugar).
introduced by "which" Example:
immediately follows the noun There are less pieces of cheese on
idea it modifies. Just as an this plate. (Incorrect)
adjective must describe a noun, There are fewer pieces of cheese
so an adjective clause must on this plate. (Correct)
describe a noun.
Example: There are less crows in
It is I who is sorry. (Incorrect) Hyderabad than there used to be.
It is I who am sorry. (Correct) (Incorrect)
There are fewer crows in
Note: When who refers to a Hyderabad than there used to be.
personal pronoun (I, you, he, she, (Correct)
we, they), it takes the verb that
agrees with that pronoun. In future, there will be less coins
Example: in circulation. (Incorrect)
Please give it to John or myself. In future, there will be fewer
(Incorrect) coins in circulation. (Correct)
Please give it to John or me.
(Correct) • Make sure that the items
compared make sense while
Note: Don't use myself unless the using the words "as," "than,"
pronoun I or me precedes it in the and "like".
sentence.
Practice test
• If a sentence is about some
sort of numerical quantity (ex. Directions: Read each sentence
"the percentage of illiterates in to find out whether there is any
Mahaboobnagar" or "the grammatical error or idiomatic
number of women studying error in it. The error if any will be
Sanskrit") check for idio-matic in one part of the sentence. The
errors (remember: "fewer" number of that part will be the
answer. If there is no error, mark 8. Look, it's (1)/ nearly

(5) as your answer. (Ignore midnight. (2)/ It's almost time
punctuation errors if any.) (3)/ we went. (4)/ No Error (5)
9. Medicine should (1)/not be

1. I went to(1)/ the library to get
placed (2)/ with in reach (3)/
(2)/ as many information(3)/as
of small children. (4)/ No
I could.(4)/ No Error (5)
Error (5)
2. It wasn't until (1)/ she saw the
10. You should (1)/ not do it (2)/
smirk (2)/ on his face that
because it is (3)/ almost the
Anny noticed (3)/ he was just
rules.(4)/ No Error (5)
putting her leg. (4)/ No Error
(5) 11. The mother (1)/ divided the
(2)/ birthday cake (3)/
3. Both of the (1)/ bicycles (2)/
between the children at the
in the garage (3)/ is broken.
party. (4)/ No Error (5)
(4)/ No Error (5)
12. The tourist hired (1)/ a car in
4. Few of (1)/ the suggestions
order (2)/ to travel round (3)/
(2)/ sounds (3)/ reasonable to
the countryside, sightseeing.
me. (4)/ No Error (5)
(4)/ No Error (5)
5. The soccer player (1)/ was
13. The salesman did not have
ejected because (2)/ he had
(1)/ to pay for his car (2)/ as it
done something (3)/ that was
was provided by (3)/ his
without the rules. (4)/ No
company's expense. (4)/ No
Error (5)
Error (5)
6. She's the kind (1)/ of girl who
14. She is (1)/ rather old-
knows (2)/ everything about
fashioned (2)/ and below (3)/
(3)/ everyone. (4) / No Error
the times. (4)/ No Error (5)
(5)
15. I have got some tea, (1)/ but I
7. Ramesh is (1)/ as tall if not,
do (2)/ not have (3)/ a sugar.
(2)/ taller (3)/ than Mahesh.
(4) / No Error (5)
(4)/ No Error (5)
16. She cooks, (1)/ washes dishes, 23. The notes (1)/ were pinned up
(2)/ does her homework (3)/ (2)/ to the (3)/ classroom wall.
and then relaxing. (4)/ No (4)/ No error (5)
Error (5)
24. Do you know (1)/ anybody
17. The man who has (1)/ whose (2)/ going to U.S.A.
committed such a serious (2)/ (3)/ in the next few days? (4)/
crime must get the mostly (3)/ No error (5)
severe punishment. (4)/ No
25. She has (1)/ got longer (2)/
Error (5)
hair then (3)/ I have. (4)/ No
18. He never(1)/ has and ever (2)/ error (5)
will take such (3)/ strong
measures. (4)/ No error(5) Answers
19. Technology must (1)/ use to 1. (3) I went to the library to get
(2)/ feed the forces (3)/ of as much information as I
change. (4)/ No error (5) could. The word information
is an uncountable noun and
20. Anyone interested (1)/ in the should be used with much not
use of computers (2)/ can with many.
learn much if you have (3)/
access to a personal computer. 2. (4) 'Pulling your leg' is an
(4)/ No error (5) idiomatic expression which
means just joking.
21. Despite of their differences
(1)/ on matters of principles,
3. (4) The subject "both" is
(2)/ they all agree on (3)/ the
always plural.
demand of hike in salary. (4)/
No error (5)
4. (3) The correct response is
22. Mr. Mathews, (1)/ a 'sound'. The subject, "few," is
schoolmaster (2)/ has been got always plural, so we can't
(3)/ in trouble. (4)/ No error have an -s ending on the
(5) verb.
5. (4) The correct preposition to 16. (4) All the verbs used in the
be used in this sentence is sentence exc-ept the last verb
'against'. are used in the same tense
6. (5) 17. (3) It is not the adverb form

which should be used here; it
7. (2) The correct construction should be the adjective form.
should be 'as tall as'.
18. (2) The verb should be in past
8. (3) 'About time' is the correct form. He never had taken nor
usage. will ever take such strong
measures.
9. (3) 'Within' should be used as
a single word. 19. (2) The correct sentence is
'Technology must be used to
10. (4) 'Against the rules' is the feed the forces of change'.
right usage.
20. (3) The pronoun should be
11. (4) It should be 'among the used in subjective case third
children' not 'between'. person.
12. (3) The preposition to be 21. The preposition 'of' is not

used here is either 'about' or required.
'around'.
22. The usage of 'been' is not
13. (3) 'Provided at' is the right required.
usage.
23. Omit 'up' in the sentence.
14. (3) 'Behind' is the correct
word. 24. (2) Whose is the possessive
form of who. Who's means
15. (4) Sugar is an uncountable who is or who has.
noun so the article 'a' is not
correct here.
25. (3) 'Than' is used to form outline of the activities

comparative sentences. 'Then' performing by the
is an adverb. Company.(C)/No error (D)
Exercise 7. Why did people get (A)/so much

Directions (Q. 1 to 50): Each of the annoyed even at little
following sentences has been broken provocation (B)/is a matter of
in three parts (A), (B) and (C). If there investigation. (C)/No error (D)
is any grammatical error in any of
these parts, that is your answer. If 8. The success of our efforts depend
there is no error, the answer is (D). upon the (A)/number of people
who (B)/ actually use the new
1. He is the man (A)/ which I know methods.(C)/No error (D)
(B)/ you can trust (C) / No error
(D). 9. You should inform (A)/your
superiors about all those events
2. I shall ask him (A)/ not to come which is (B)/directly related to
on Monday (B)/ as it is a your work.(C)/No error (D)
working day(C)./No error (D)
10. From over last five years (A)/I
3. I get up at five (A)/ and studied have been trying (B)/ my best to
for two hours. (B)/ After taking convince him but without
bath, I took breakfast. Then, I success.(C)/No error (D)
went to school on bike (C)/ No
error (D). 11. In spite of toiling very hardly he
(A)/ realized that he had (B)/ not
4. You need (A)/ not have wasted earned anything substantial.
(B) your time in this useless (C)/No error (D)
activity (C)/ No error (D).
12. Children enjoy listening to (A) /
5. I dare (A)/ not to (B)/ go to my ghosts stories (B) / especially on
father (C)/ No error (D). Halloween night. (C) / No error
(D).
6. The chairman welcomed (A)/all
the guests and (B)/ gave an
13. I (A) / have (B) /many works to 21. It's time you (A) / decide on your
do. (C) / No error (D). next (B) / course of action. (C) /
No error. (D)
14. There are so many filths (A) / all
around (B) /the place. (C) / No 22. The new pizza (A) / that I ordered
error (D). (B) / is tasting good. (C) / No
error. (D)
15. A Senior doctor (A) / expressed
concern (B) /about physicians 23. The students who was involved
recommended the vaccine. (C)/ in communal disturbances (A)/
No error (D). were asked to leave the hostel
(B)/ with bag and baggage. (C)/
16. We have discussing (A) / all the No error. (D)
known mechanisms (B) / of
physical growth. (C) / No error 24. Before men came there were
(D). only animals; (A)/ and before the
animals, there was a time when
17. He who has suffered most (A) / (B)/ no kind of life existed on the
for the cause, (B) / let him speak. earth.(C)/ No error (D)
(C) / No error. (D)
25. I am one of those (A)/ that
18. A cup of coffee (A) / is an cannot describe (B)/ what I have
excellent complement (B) for not seen. (C)/ No error. (D)
breakfast / but has no nutritional
value (C) / No error.(D) 26. It never occurs to me (A)/ that I
should have sent my application
19. He is a university professor (A) / (B)/ through the proper channel.
but of his three sons (B) / neither (C)/ No error (D)
has any talent (C) / No error. (D)
27. The teacher asked him write the
20. After knowing truth, (A) / they answer (A)/ ten times as he has
took the right decision (B) / on again (B)/ committed mistakes in
the matter. (C) / No error. (D) answering it in spite of repeated
corrections. (C)/ No error (D)
28. The minister was pleased (A)/ 34. Let's buy a new sari (A)/ with the
being invited to inaugurate (B)/ annual bonus, (B)/ can we? (C)/
the world conference of religious No error (D)
leaders. (C)/ No error (D)
35. None of the guests (A)/ were
29. His circumstance (A)/ did not introduced (B)/ to the bride. (C)/
allow him to continue (B)/ his No error (D)
studies when he was young. (C)/
No error.(D) 36. The participants are waiting (A)/
for the arrival of the speaker (B)/
30. No sooner did the thief see the for the last two hours. (C)/ No
policeman (A)/ that he jumped error (D)
over the wall (B)/ and ran away
as fast as his legs could carry 37. Even more than my father (A)/
him. (C)/ No error. (D) was she intolerant of
demonstrativeness (B)/ and the
31. His radical proposals for reform wearing of one's heart on his
faced a lot of opposition (A)/ and sleeve. (C)/ No error (D)
his harm handed dealings
produced so much hostility (B)/ 38. None of the students (A)/
that the whole project was killed attending your class (B)/
in the bud. (C)/ No error (D) answered your questions did
they? (C)/ No error (D)
32. In no case we can measure (A)/
the learner's achievement by a 39. They left their (A)/ luggage's at
single test (B)/ however skillfully (B)/ the railway station. (C)/ No
designed. (C)/ No error (D) error (D)
33. It is a common belief (A)/ that 40. You will get (A)/ all the
familiarity dispenses with (B)/ information's (B)/ if you read this
the necessity of politeness. (C)/ book carefully. (C)/ No error (D)
No error (D)
41. She sang (A)/ very well (B)/ isn't
it? (C)/ No error (D)
42. He is working (A)/ in a bank in 49. He lay the watch on the table
New Delhi (B)/ for the past (A)/ and then forgot all about it
several months.(C)/ No error (D) (B)/ when he went out. (C)/ No
error (D)
43. There is no question (A)/ of my
failing (B)/ in the examination. 50. While it is apparent (A)/ that
(C)/ No error (D) biotechnology offers significant
benefits (B)/ adequate attention
44. He fell from a running train (A)/ has not been focused to this vital
and would have died if the area. (C)/ No error (D)
villagers (B)/ did not get him
admitted in the nearby hospital
immediately. (C)/ No error. (D) Answers
45. He is going everyday (A)/ for a 1. B 2. B 3. A 4. C 5. B

morning walk (B)/ with his 6. C 7. A 8. A 9. D 10.A
friends and neighbors. (C)/ No
error. (D) 11.A 12. B 13. C 14. A 15. C
16. A 17. A 18. B 19. C 20. A

46. The man told her (A)/ that he had
brought his dog (B)/ out for a 21. B 22. C 23. A 24. A 25. B
walk as he was afraid and that it
26. A 27. A 28. B 29. A 30. B
would rain.(C)/ No error (D)
31. C 32. B 33. D 34. A 35. B
47. Even though the shirt is rather
36. A 37. C 38. C 39. B 40. B
expensive (A)/ but I wish to
purchase (B)/ it with my own 41. C 42. A 43. B 44. C 45. A
money. (C)/ No error (D)
46. C 47. B 48. C 49. B 50. C
48. Another baffling change (A)/ that
I notice in him now-a-days (B)/
is that he avoids to speak to me.
(C)/ No error (D)
One Word Substitution

Substitution is also a variant of 5. One who knows everything
vocabulary test. In this test, you are - Omniscient
required to use one word for a
6. One who is present everything
sentence or a part of a sentence. There
- Omnipresent
are certain specific words that stand
for a group of words or indicate a 7. One who is all powerful
place, a situation or state of mind. In - Omnipotent
fact, substitution plays a great role in
8. One who cannot read and write
achieving brevity of speech and
- Illiterate
writing. To communicate effectively
in minimum time it is very important 9. One who loves mankind
to acquire knowledge in this area, it - Philanthropist
also enhances the proficiency of the
language. Thus, this art helps you 10. One who hates mankind
adjust to the contemporary situation. - Misanthropist
You can master it by the usual process 11. One who is out to destroy the
of learning it and committing it to government - Anarchist
memory by constant use and rigorous
practice. 12. One who eats human flesh
- Cannibal
Some Substitutes: 13. One who lives on flesh
1. One who looks at the bright side - Carnivorous
of things - Optimist
14. One who lives at the same time
2. One who looks at the dark side of - Contemporary
things - Pessimist
15. One who is eighty years old
3. One who does not believe in God - Octogenarian
- Atheist
16. One for whom the world is a
4. One who believes in God home - Cosmopolitan
- Theist
17. One who is indifferent to pain
and pleasure - Stoic
18. One who champions the cause of 32. One who compiles a dictionary
women - Feminist - Lexicographer
19. One who is given to pleasures of 33. One who retires from society to
the flesh - Epicure live a solitary life - Recluse
20. One that lives on others 34. One who has special skill in
- Parasite judging art, music, etc.
- Connoisseur
21. One who is sympathetic to
mankind - Humanitarian 35. One who is devoted to the
pleasures of eating and drinking
22. One who walks on foot
- Epicure
- Pedestrian
36. Liable to catch fire easily
23. One who studies things of the
- Inflammable
past - Antiquarian
37. That which can be carried
24. One who is gifted with several
- Portable
talents - Versatile
38. Incapable of being corrected
25. One who is new to a profession
- Incorrigible
- Novice
26. One who settles in another 39. The animals of a certain region
country - Immigrant - Fauna
27. One who knows many languages 40. The plants and vegetation of a
- Polyglot region - Incombustible
28. One who carves in stones 41. An instrument for seeing distant
- Sculptor things - Telescope
29. One who cures eye diseases 42. A disease that ends in death
- Oculist - Fatal
30. One who collects postage stamps 43. A person suffering from nervous
- Philatelist breakdown - Neurotic
31. One who mends shoes 44. A book or paper written by hand
- Cobbler - Manuscript
45. A word no longer in use 59. The tendency to postpone things

- Obsolete for future - Procrastination
46. An instrument for detecting 60. One who is interested in the

earthquakes - Seismograph welfare of other people
- Altruist
47. An instrument for measuring
gases - Manometer 61. One who believes in keeping
things as they are
48. The property left to someone by
- Conservative
a will - Legacy
62. Understanding without the
49. Promise given by a prisoner not
interference of feelings
to escape - Parole
- Empathy
50. An exaggerated statement
63. An embarrassing mistake
- Hyperbole
- A faux pass
51. A nation that goes to war
64. A medley or heterogeneous
- Belligerent
mixture of great variety
52. A person who lives in a foreign - Potpourri
country - Alien
65. A washing or cleansing of the
53. A list of things to be discussed at body especially in a religious
a meeting - Agenda ceremony - Ablution
54. One who is complete self- 66. A legal defence by which an

satisfied - Complacent accused person tries to show that
he was somewhere else when the
55. Simple and easily deceived crime was committed - Alibi
- Gullible
67. A speech uttered by one person
56. One who has delusions of one's - Monologue
grandeur - Megalomaniac
68. Mental derangement confined to
57. One who is chivalrous, idealistic
one idea - Monomania
and unpractical - Quixotic
69. Exclusive possession or control
58. One who gets pleasure in others'
of any one thing - Monopoly
trouble and pain - Sadistic
70. The group, especially in the arts, Examples

regarded as being the most
experimental - Avantgarde 1. I was sure that he would bear
hand in my new enterprise?
71. A connoisseur of food and drink a) Interfere b) Join
- Gourmet c) Assist d) Rejoice
Here the answer is (c) Assist.
72. A person or thing that goes
Assist stands for the group of
before and announces the coming
words, bear a hand.
of something - Harbinger
73. An odd, atypical or eccentric 2. I cleared off all my debts with

train - Idiosyncrasy the large money paid to me on
retirement?
74. Not planned ahead of time
a) Golden handshake
- Impromptu
b) Gold mine
75. To compensate a person, etc., for c) Lion's share
loss or damage - Indigenous d) Windfall
The answer is (b), Golden
76. A time between periods or events
handshake. This expression
- Interim
stands for the underlined word.
77. A plan for or the route to be
followed on a journey 3. That which makes it difficult to
- Itinerary recognizes the presence or real
nature of somebody or
78. A group of persons who band something?
together for some secret purpose, a) Cover b) Camouflage
especially for political intrigue c) Pretence d) Mask
- Junta Here the answer is (b),
79. A short journey for pleasure Camouflage, because this word
- Jaunt stands for the whole sentence.
80. A swiftly changing scene or 4. A Place where animals are kept?

pattern - Kaleidoscope a) Zoo b) Aviary
c) Museum d) Sanctuary
Here the answer is (a), Zoo c) Anachronism d) Stasis

because a place where the The answer is (a), Interregnum,
animals are kept is known as a because this word indicates the
zoo. political situation of a country.
5. A place where gambling is 10. One who hates mankind?

practiced? a) Misanthrope b) Gap
a) Hotel b) Casino c) Lover d) Hater
c) Restaurant d) Theatre The answer is (a) Misanthrope,
The answer is (B), Casino. because this word indicates the
mention state of mind.
6. A house where an Eskimo lives?
a) Tent b) Igloo 11. One who believes in God?
c) Mint d) Hamlet a) Atheist b) Theist
Here the answer is (B), Igloo c) Moral d) Immoral
The answer is (B), Theist.
7. One who is unable to pay one's
debt? 12. A man who hates marriage?
a) Bankrupt b) Borrower a) Polyandrous b) Bigot
c) Loaner d) Obliged c) Misogamist d) Widower
The answer is (a), Bankrupt. The answer is (c), Misogamist.
Because this word indicates the
economic situation of the man 13. A person who collects coins?
concerned. a) Pessimist b) Numismatist
c) Philatelist d) Philanthropist
8. The plants and vegetation of a The answer is (b), Numismatist.
region?
a) Fauna b) Flora 14. The murder of king?
c) Landscape d) Climate a) Regicide b) Murder
The answer is (b) Flora, as this c) Suicide d) Insecticide
word indicates the vegetation of The answer is (a), Regicide.
the concerned area.
15. Fear of strangers?
9. The period between two reigns? a) Hydrophobia
a) Interregnum b) Gap b) Photophobia
c) Xenophobia a) Amphibian b) Aquatic

d) Gynophobia c) Hydrophytes d) Marine
The answer is (c), Xenophobia The answer is (a), Amphibian
16. Study of the origin of words? 19. Information of death given in

a) Sociology b) Etymology newspaper with a brief history?
c) Grammar d) Lexical a) Condolence b) Obituary
The answer is (b), Etymology c) Sympathy d) Empathy
The answer is (b), Obituary
17. Belief that there is only one god?
a) Psychology b) Monotheism 20. A building where dead bodies are
c) Cynicism d) Phonology kept before burial?
The answer is (b), Monotheism a) Mortuary b) Cemetery
c) Cenotaph d) Epitaph
18. Able to live both on land and in The answer is (a), Mortuary.
water?
Reading Comprehension
‘Comprehend’ means ‘to take in the meaning, nature, or importance of something
or somebody’. It is the act of grasping the meaning of a given passage or text. It is
often not realized that comprehension broadly means ‘understanding through
reading and integrating it with the knowledge you already have. It involves a wide
range of skills and interests. It is truly a multi-dimensional affair. It encompasses a
variety of abilities with respect to vocabulary, grammar, spirit of the text,
inferential processes and contextual knowledge. The most important factors
operating in comprehending a text or passage are: remembering word meanings,
following the structure of a passage, finding answers to questions answered
directly or indirectly, recognizing the writer’s purpose, attitude, tone and mood and
thus drawing inferences from the passage.
Usually, making out the meaning of a question and writing the answer down is one
way often found in school and college examinations? Besides this, there is the
second kind known as objective comprehension, in which multiple answers are
given only to choose the correct answer out of the alternatives given under the
questions. This type is often found in the present competitive examinations.
Some important techniques:
• Use your pencil as a pointer to guide your eye along a line of the text and to
read as speedily as possible.
• Circle key words and phrases in order to identify them immediately as an
answer to a question posed.
• Don’t get bogged down even if there is a word or a phrase or a sentence
which you don’t understand. Don’t worry. You can sense the meaning from
the context later. So move on to come back later if the time permits.
• Another good reading comprehension strategy is to read the questions first
(which doesn’t mean to read the answer choices). This helps you know what
information you need after reading the text. It will remind you to concentrate
more on the required details from where the questions drawn.
• Read the passages as fast as you can and re-read the questions for correct
understanding. For fast reading understanding the spirit of the text given,
you have to train your eyes and mind to function simultaneously. As your
mind begins to look for ideas rather than words, your eyes will begin to obey
your mind, which is always supreme. Good reading is good grasping and
good grasping is only good reading.
The questions for reading comprehension usually test the ability to find out
the following.
1. Main idea or a suitable title for the text.
2. Information directly given or specified in the passage or text.
3. Any inferences to arrive at logical conclusions from the passage given.
4. The meaning of new and strange words in the text.
5. The author’s style, mood or point of view.
Among the choice answers, there will be certainly one or two answers most
illogical and inappropriate. They must be eliminated. Some general knowledge,
common sense and logical thinking will do the job of elimination. The remaining
answers are either from the information given directly from the text or for
inference. So, finally, the three words information, elimination and inference will
do the job for being successful in reading comprehension. The following example
from Davis quoted by Carroll would make any reader proficient only in simple
comprehension feel out of his depth.
The delight Tad had felt during his long hours in the glen faded as he drew
near the cabin. The sun was nearly gone and Tad's father was at the wood pile. He
was wearing the broadcloth suit that he wore to Church and to town sometimes.
Tad saw his father's hands close around a bundle of wood. He was doing Tad's
work and in his good clothes. Tad ran to him. "I'll get it, Pa."
When Tad saw his father, he felt

A) disappointed B) impatient C) angry D) guilty
It is not easy to say which linguistic skills in what order and combinations would
enable the expert reader to infer or deduce D as the correct answer. However, as
pointed out by Carroll, the following two important points seem to be indisputably
involved in comprehension:
1) Language comprehension occurs in situational contexts whose characteristics
may influence not only the degree to which comprehension processes operate
but also the nature and extent of certain other processes that may accompany
comprehension, usually as a consequence of it. The special arrangements that
are frequently necessary to test comprehension constitute such situational
contexts.
2) Two processes often co-occurring with comprehension are memory and

inference; while they are conceptually distinguishable from comprehension,
their occurrence may make it difficult to assess the separate occurrence of the
comprehension process itself.
Let us look into comprehension in practice as part of language in use.
We are going to take up sample passages and illustrate various kinds of difficulties
involved in comprehending them.
Passage 1: Luckily at the moment he was much too busy talking to the man
opposite him to catch sight of me.
Two things are necessary to understand this sentence fully. First, one has to
know the structure ‘too – to’ (too busy to catch sight of me), so that one gets to
know that the person mentioned was so busy doing something that he could not see
the narrator. Secondly, under the given circumstances the narrator did not want to
be seen by the man referred to. The latter understanding is implied by the use of
the word ‘luckily’.
Passage 2: These nephews of mine never give me any peace – that young man is
the worst of them all! As you see, when he needs money, he even follows me into
the country. Well, perhaps next time he won’t even warn me by writing me a letter.
Confronted with a text like the above, assuming that the context is not known, one
is called upon to make intelligent guesses, particularly, if one were asked to say
what kind of man, a person who says such things, could be. This point can be
exemplified by framing the following question:
The person who said these things is most likely to be
a) Contented b) angry c) complaining d) miserly
Surely, there must be some skill or skills which would enable the reader to make
the correct guess and choose c) as the best alternative. This too is an important part
of the general ability making full comprehension possible.
Passage 3: Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. The
general recognition of this fact is shown in the proverbial phrase, 'It is the busiest
man who has time to spare.' Thus, an elderly lady at leisure can spend the entire
day writing a postcard to her niece. An hour will be spent in finding the postcard,
another hunting for spectacles, half an hour to search for the address, an hour and a
quarter in composition and twenty minutes in deciding whether or not to take an
umbrella when going to the pillar box in the street. The total effort that would
occupy a busy man for three minutes, all told, may in this fashion leave another
person completely exhausted after a day of doubt, anxiety and toil.
1. Explain the sentence: 'Work expands so as to fill the time available for its
completion'.
A) The more work there is to be done, the more the time needed.
B) Whatever time is available for a given amount of work, all of it will be
used.
C) If you have more time, you can do more work.
D) If you have some important work to do, you should always have some
additional time.
The answer here is B. This can be found out through simple inference. A statement
is made right in the beginning of the passage and the story of the lady illustrates
the fact that whatever time is available for a work, people tend to use all of it.
2. Who is the person likely to take more time to do work?

A) A busy man B) A man of leisure
C) An elderly person D) An exhausted person
Here, the answer is B. It requires inference. The answer is to be inferred from the
facts given in the passage that the more the time you have, the more you will need.
Therefore this answer is arrived at through complex inference.
3. What does the expression 'pillar box' stand for?

A) A box attached to the pillar B) A box in the pillar
C) Box office D) A pillar-type post box
The answer is D. It can be derived through implied information. The lady has to go
to the pillar box to drop her letter.
4. What happens when the time to be spent on some work increases?

A) The work is done smoothly B) The work is done leisurely
C) The work consumes all the time D) The work needs additional time
Here the method of elimination applies and simple inference confirms it. A and D
are eliminated at the first reading. The description that the lady who has enough
leisure time takes the entire day in writing the postcard gives us the clue that the
correct answer is C. This again is complex inference.
5. What is the total time spent by the elderly lady in writing a postcard?
A) Three minutes B) Four hours and five minutes
C) Half an hour D) A full day
The answer is D and it is based on the information given in the passage.
Passage 4: The last half of my life has been lived in one of those painful epochs of
human history during which the world is getting worse, and past victories which
had seemed to be definitive have turned out to be only temporary. When I was
young, Victorian optimism was taken for granted. It was thought that freedom and
prosperity would spread gradually throughout the world through an orderly
process, and it was hoped that cruelty, tyranny, and injustice would continually
diminish. Hardly anyone was haunted by the fear of great wars. Hardly anyone
thought of the nineteenth century as a brief interlude between past and future
barbarism.
1. The author feels sad about the latter part of his life because:
A) He was nostalgic about his childhood
B) The world had not become prosperous
C) The author had not won any further victories
D) The world was painfully disturbed during that period of time
2. The victories of the past:

A) Brought permanent peace and prosperity
B) Ended cruelty, tyranny and injustice
C) Proved to be temporary events
D) Filled men with a sense of pessimism
3. The word 'definitive' used in the passage means:

A) Defined B) Final C) Temporary D) Incomplete
4. During the Victorian age people believed that:

A) Strife would increase
B) There would be unlimited freedom

C) Wars would be fought on a bigger scale
D) Peace would prevail and happiness would engulf the whole world
5. A brief interlude between past and future barbarism' can be interpreted as:
A) A short period of time between past and future acts of savagery
B) A short space of time between two great events
C) An interval between cruel wars
D) A dramatic performance during wars
Now, let us examine the answers:

1. The answer is 'D'. You can hit at the answer through inference. The clue is in
the first sentence itself—'the world is getting worse'. The whole passage also
implies that the last half of the life of the author was a period of turmoil.
2. The answer is 'C' and it can be based on information given in the passage: 'the
nineteenth century was a brief interlude'.
3. The answer is 'B'. Both information and simple inference suggest this answer.
4. The answer is 'D'. It is based on information.
5. The answer is 'A'. The information is implied in the question itself—'barbarism'.
The passage also confirms it.
Exercise
Passage I: Three-fourths of the surface of our planet is covered by the sea, which
both separates and unites the various races of mankind. The sea is the great
highway along which man may journey at his will, the great road that has no walls
or hedges hemming it in, and that nobody has to keep it in good repair with the aid
of pickaxes and barrels of tar and steamrollers. The sea appeals to man’s love of
the perilous and the unknown, to his love of conquest, his love of knowledge, and
his love of gold. Its green, and grey and blue, and purple waters call to him and bid
him fare forth in quest of fresh fields. Beyond their horizons he has found danger
and death, glory and gain.
In most continents such as America and Australia, there are towns and villages
many thousands of miles from the coast, whose children have never seen or heard-
or felt the waves of the sea. But in the British Isles it is now here much more than a
hundred miles from the most inland spot. The love of the sea is in the very blood of
the British people.
1. How much of our planet is not covered by the sea?

a) Half the planet
b) One-fourth of the planet
c) More than one can measure
d) Three-fourths of the planet
2. The sea helps a man

a) In building great roads
b) In making journey at his will all around the world
c) In raising walls on the coast
d) In clearing hedges he milling the sea-water
3. In what way does the sea appeal to man?

a) It helps man take lessons from the perilous waves and stay at home
b) It invites man to amass gold hidden under the sea-water.
c) It makes man wax eloquent about the futility of adventurous deeds
d) It bids man to venture out in quest of new places.
4. The children have not responded to the call of the sea

a) In remote towns and of America
b) In Great Britain
c) In the Antarctica
d) In India
5. The sea-route is kept in order

a) By stream rollers
b) By pickaxes
c) By regular repair
d) By none of these
6. What suitable title would you suggest?

a) Treasure trove of knowledge
b) Man’s quest for the unknown
c) The irresistible call of the sea
d) The infatuation of the Britishers for the sea
7. The sea has been compared to

a) A steamroller
b) Hedges hemming it
c) The great highway
d) A spacecraft in motion
8. The sea has a special attraction for the people of

a) America b) Britain c) Australia d) India
9. The sea is the great highway. The figure of speech employed here is
a) Metaphor b) Simile c) Poetic fancy d) Alliteration
Answers: 1) b; 2) b; 3) d; 4) a; 5) b; 6) c; 7) c; 8) b; 9) a.
Passage II: Broken friendship may be repaired but the break will always show.
Friendship is a precious thing-too precious a treasure to be carelessly broken or
thrown away. The world handles the word ‘friend’ lightly; its real, true, deeper
meaning is forgotten.
Your friend is one who appreciates you- your faults as well as your virtues. He
understands and sympathizes with your defeats and victories, your aims and ideals,
your joys and temptations, your hopes and disappointments, as no one else does or
can. It is your friend to whom you turn for counsel, for comfort, for praise; he may
not be as learned as some or as wise as others.
Blessed is the man or woman into whose life has come the beauty and power of
such a friendship. Prize it well. Do all in your power to keep such a friendship
unbroken. Avoid the break, for when it comes it can’t be mended and the jarring
note mars the harmony.
1. In what way will you judge your sincere friend?

a) By his appearance
b) By the way he appreciates your virtues
c) By the way he pinpoints your demerits
d) By the way he appreciates your faults and virtues
e) By no measures discussed above
2. A true friend is one who

a) Shares with another all the joys of life
b) Encourages you in your hour of trials and tribulations

c) Deserts you
d) Shows lip sympathy
e) Shares your defeats and victories, aims and ideals, joys and temptations
3. We owe our blessed life to

a) The experience of moments of loneliness
b) A friend’s constant companionship
c) The power and beauty of friendship
d) The feeling that there is someone to humour us
e) None of the things mentioned so far
4. Why do we turn to sincere friends?

a) For physical support
b) For financial support
c) For their magnanimity
d) For their paeans of praise
e) For their counsel, comfort and words of cheer
5. Friend ought not to be broken. Why?

a) Because it will foster discord
b) Because it will make life troublesome
c) Because it will rob life of all its vitality and vivacity
d) Because it will foster pessimistic attitude towards life
e) Because broken friendship can’t be mended
Answers: 1) d; 2) e; 3) c; 4) e; 5) e
Passage III: Many people think that science and religion are contrary to each
other. But this notion is wrong. As a matter of fact, both these are complementary
to each other. The aim of both these institutions is to explain different aspects of
life, universe and human existence. There is no doubt that the methods of science
and religion are different. The method of science is observation, experimentation
and experience. Science takes its recourse to progressive march towards perfection,
the rules of religion are faith, intuition and spoken word of the enlightened, in
general, while science is inclined towards reason and rationality, spiritualism is the
essence of religion.
In earlier times when man appeared on earth, he was over-awed at the sight of
violent and powerful aspects of objects of nature overwhelmed man. Thus began
the worship of forces of nature-fire, the sun, the rivers, the rocks, the trees, the
snakes etc. The holy scriptures were written by those who had developed harmony
between external nature and their inner self. The object was to ennoble, elevate and
liberate the human spirit and mind. But the priestly class took upon itself the
monopoly of scriptural knowledge and interpretation to its own advantage. Thus
the entire human race was in chains. Truth was flouted and progressive, liberal and
truthful ideas of their beholders punished. It was in these trying circumstances the
science emerged as a saviour of mankind. But its path was not smooth and safe.
The scientists and free thinkers were tortured. This was the fate of Copernicus,
Galileo, Bruno and others. But, by and by science gained ground. (Indian Bank
Pos)
1. Why does man worship the force of nature, according to the passage?
a) The holy scriptures advocate the worship of forces of nature.
b) The worship elevates and liberates the human spirit and mind.
c) The worship makes man believe in faith and intuition.
d) Forces of nature preached us spiritualism.
e) None of the above.
2. Which of the following statements is true in the context of the passage?

a) Science and religion are antagonistic to each other.
b) Science encourages worship of nature.
c) Religion is essential for external peace and harmony.
d) Regimental religion was replaced by scientific principles.
e) Science is essential for inner peace of mind.
3. According to the passage science and religion both

a) Rely on the spoken word of the enlightened
b) Emerged out of the fear of man
c) Emerged from the desire of man to worship the forces of nature
d) Employ different methods of enquiry
e) Work at the cross-purpose of each other
4. Why is it said in the passage that ‘science emerged as a saviour of mankind’?

a) Many great thinkers contributed to the progress of science
b) Science takes recourse to progressive march towards perfection
c) Science is inclined towards reason and rationality

d) Man was bound in chains by religious orthodoxy
e) The free thinkers and enlightened men were tortured
5. Which of the following statements is not true in the context of the passage?
a) Man worship the forces of nature
b) Methods of science and religion are different
c) Regimental religion got degenerated into orthodoxy
d) Galileo and Bruno were disciples of Copernicus
e) The holy scriptures were written by people who had tremendous inner
strength
6. Choose the word which is most nearly the same in meaning as the word
‘flouted’ as used in the passage:
a) mocked b) nourished c) expressed
d) deflated e) concealed
7. According to the passage science and religion:

a) Are contrary to each other
b) Have the same origin
c) Are supportive of each other
d) Have the same aim of controlling universe
e) Don’t allow any deviation from their rules
8. According to the passage, at the present juncture, there is a need to:

a) Encourage spiritualism as much as possible
b) Teach people to worship the forces of nature
c) Free man from all sorts of bondage
d) Explain to the people different aspects of life and universe
e) Judiciously mix the principles of science and true spirit of religion
9. What was the object of the authors of the Holy Scriptures?

a) To teach man the methods of worshipping nature
b) To educate the progressive and liberal ideas
c) To educate and raise the human spirit and mind
d) To develop harmony between external nature and their inner self
10. Choose the words which is most opposite in meaning of the ‘enlightened’ as
used in the passage
a) Uniformed b) Derogatory c) Downtrodden
d) Educated e) Authority
Answers: 1) b 2) d 3) d 4) d 5) d
6) a 7) c 8) e 9) c 10) a
Passage IV: In 1923, he landed in England. In 1928, he returned to India in

response to an urgent call from Bhagat Singh. When he reached Lahore, he was
detained for violation of the Arms Act. He was released after four years rigorous
imprisonment. In 1935, he escaped to Germany by giving a slip to the police. From
Berlin, he reached Paris and purchased a revolver. He kept it ready for action and
managed to reach London again. Opportunity came on 13 March,1940 when Sir
Michael O’ Dwyer was to speak at a seminar in the Caxton Hall. As Sir Michael
turned to resume his seat after the speech, Udham Singh pulled out his revolver
and fired at him. Sir Michael died without a shriek. Udham Singh was arrested and
produced before the court on 2 April, 1940. The court passed death sentence on
him and he was hanged at Pentonville Prison, London on 3 July, 1940.
1. Udham Singh went to America where he

a) Mobilised the Indian citizens for the liberation of the motherland
b) Collected sufficient funds to fight colonialism
c) Met fellow-citizens working for the same cause
d) Went speculating
e) Mobilised likeminded Americans and Indians against the British
2. Where did Udham Singh buy the weapon which was used for killing Sir
Michael?
a) Paris b) Lahore c) London
d) Berlin e) None of these
3. Udham Singh shot at Sir Michael O’ Dwyer in

a) Jallianwala Bagh b) Amritsar c) London
d) Lahore e) Paris
4. When Udham Singh was arrested in Lahore, he was charged for

a) Instigating his countrymen against the Britishers
b) His links with anti-British forces

c) Concealing his identity and carrying on underground activities
d) Possessing unlicensed arms and ammunition
e) Plotting the assassination of Sir Michael O’ Dwyer
5. Udham Singh returned to India in 1928 mainly because he was

a) Short of funds to meet his expenses
b) To procured some arms from Lahore
c) To escape from the British police
d) Called by a revolutionary in India
Answers: 1) c 2) c 3) c 4) d 5) d
Passage V: White cement is the basic raw material for producing cement tiles and
cement paint which are used extensively in building construction. The main
consumers of white cement are, therefore, cement tile and cement paint
manufacturing units. These consumers, mostly in the small scale sector, are today
facing a major crisis because of a significant increase in the price of white cement
during a short period. The present annual licensed production capacity of white and
grey cement in the country is approximately 3.5 lakh tonnes. The average demand
is 2 - 2.5 tonnes. This means that there is idle capacity to the tune of one lakh
tonnes or more. The price rise is, therefore, not a phenomenon arising out of
inadequate production capacity but evidently because of artificial scarcity created
by the manufacturers in their self interest.
The main reason for the continuing spurt in cement price is its decontrol. As it is,
there is stiff competition in the cement paint and tile manufacturing business. Any
further price revision at this stage is bound to have a severe adverse impact on the
market conditions. The Government should take adequate steps to ensure that
suitable controls are brought in. Else it should allow import of cement.
1. Why is the price of cement going up?

a) Because the Government is controlling the quota
b) Because of export of white cement
c) Because of extensive use of white cement
d) Because of large amount of usage of white cement for construction
e) None of these
2. Which of the following statements is false according to the passage?

a) Price rise in the white cement would increase the price of cement paint
b) White cement is a controlled product.
c) Increase in price of white cement is not because of production problem.
d) Price rise in white cement would upset cement tile market.
e) Most cement paint manufacturers are from small scale sector.
3. What is the crisis being faced by the cement tile manufacturers as described in
the passage?
a) White cement is priced very low.
b) White cement is not of good quality.
c) White cement usage is high.
d) White cement prices are very high.
e) White cement is being exported.
4. Which of the following words has the same meaning as the word ‘idle’ as
used in the passage?
a) Lazy b) Clumsy c) Large
d) Excess e) Known
5. Which of the following is correct according to the passage?

a) White cement is not used in the manufacture of paint.
b) White cement forms a minor part of tile manufacturing.
c) White cement is very important for tile manufacturing.
d) White cement is used only for making paints.
e) None of these.
6. Which of the following words has the same meaning as the word ‘artificial’ as
a) Unnatural b) Prolonged c) Practical
d) Absolute e) Deliberate.
7. What is the author’s suggestion to bring down prices?

a) Government should control the white cement market.
b) Production capacity should be increased.
c) Usage of white cement in other areas should be reduced.
d) Competition among manufacturers of cement paints and tiles should be

reduced.
e) None of these.
8. Which of the following words has the opposite meaning as the word ‘basic’ as
a) Vital b) Unimportant c) Acidic
d) Last e) Small
9. Which of the following is correct according to the passage?

a) Cement production capacity is more than usage.
b) Cement production capacity is less than usage.
c) Cement production capacity equal to usage.
d) Cement production capacity is twice than usage.
e) None of these.
10. What can be presumed from the passage regarding foreign trade in cement?
a) The country is exporting cement at present.
b) The country is importing cement at present.
c) The country is exporting and importing cement.
d) The country is neither exporting nor importing cement.
e) None of these.
Answers: 1) e 2) b 3) d 4) d 5) c
6) e 7) a 8) b 9) a 10) d
Passage VI: To those who do listen, the desert speaks of things with an emphasis
quite different from that of the shore, the mountain, the valley or the plains.
Whereas these invite action and suggest limitless opportunity and exhaustless
resources, the implications and the mood of the desert are something different. For
one thing, the desert is conservative, not radical. It is more likely to provoke awe
than to invite conquest. The heroism which it encourages is the heroism of
endurance, not that of conquest. It brings man up against this limitation, turns him
in upon himself and suggests values which more indulgent regions suppress.
Sometimes it includes contemplation in men who has never contemplated before.
And of all the answers to the question what is a desert good for ‘contemplation’ is
perhaps the best.
1. In order to receive the desert’s message the beholder needs to be

a) Courageous in his reaction.
b) Conservative in his responses.
c) A good listener.
d) Sensitive to nature.
2. The desert is unique among landscapes in that it encourages only

a) Contemplation b) Indolence
c) Heroic Endeavour d) Adventurous spirit
3. If one responds with insight to the mood of the desert, it evokes

a) An inclination for deep thought.
b) The possibility of unending resources.
c) The desire for heroic conquest.
d) A sense of intense revulsion
4. The writer calls the desert ‘conservative’ rather than ‘radical’ because it
provides an environment that
a) Inspires man to explore it.
b) Offers unlimited opportunity to conquer.
c) Tests one’s endurance
d) Makes one gloomy.
5. What does the phrase ‘It brings man up against his limitations’ mean?
a) It makes man feel hopeless about his limitations
b) It makes man aware of his limitations
c) It compels man to fight against his limitations
d) It persuades man to overcome his limitations.
Answers: 1) d 2) a 3) a 4) c 5) d
Test of Misspell Words

Letters form words, words form a 2. a) vegeterian b) vegetarian
language. Hence, letters form a c) vegetarean d) vegitarean
language. There is no exaggeration if
3. a) immence b) imence
it is said that spellings form the core
c) immense d) immense
of the English language. So it is
natural to find questions to test your Answers: 1) b 2) d 3) a
knowledge of spellings of words.
Questions are usually set in two types:
Practice Test - 1
TYPE - 1: 1. a) neighbor b) necter
In this type four words are given of c) necessary d) all correct
which one is wrongly spelt. You have
to find out the incorrectly spelt word. 2. a) puntuation b) puncture
c) pungent d) all correct
Examples:
1. a) athlete b) auxiliary 3. a) commend b) amend
c) abscess d) catalogue c) comprehend d) all correct
2. a) forfeit b) fascinate
c) column d) fulfilled 4. a) decency b) promoter
c) deficiency d) all correct
3. a) occassion b) commission
c) accommodate d) occurred 5. a) agnostic b) sceptic
c) prolific d) all correct
Answers: 1) b 2) d 3) a
6. a) envelop b) certain
TYPE – 2:
In this type a word has been spelt in c) uncertain d) all correct
four different ways one of which is
correct. You have to choose the 7. a) deceive b) relieve
correctly spelt word. c) believe d) all correct
Examples:
8. a) procured b) restor
1. a) professer b) professor
c) profesor d) professor c) terminate d) all correct
9. a) pronounse b) enhance 20. a) alloweable b) noticeable

c) performing d) all correct c) décor d) all correct
10. a) global b) sence 21. a) irrelevant b) irreverent

c) commence d) all correct c) immutable d) all correct
11. a) desease b) increase 22. a) delirious b) delusive

c) apparatus d) all correct c) hieniou d) all correct
12. a) brilliant b) column 23. a) lineage b) limber

c) artical d) all correct c) likelihood d) all correct
13. a) catalogue b) calendar 24. a) ferment b) felicitious

c) bebefited d) all correct c) introvert d) all correct
14. a) amateur b) antagonism 25. a) intrude b) mockery

c) anticipated d) all correct c) moderater d) all correct
15. a) measurement b) Answer

disagreement
c) controvarcial d) all 1) b 2) a 3) d 4) c 5) b
correct 6) d 7) a 8) b 9) a 10) b
11) a 12) c 13) c 14) c 15) c
16. a) perceive b) receive 16) a 17) a 18) b 19) b 20) a
c) conceive d) all correct 21) c 22) c 23) c 24) b 25) c
17. a) comperable b) turmoil PRACTICE TEST: 2

c) woolen d) all correct In the following questions, a set of
four words are given. One word of
18. a) occurred b) occurred each set is correct. Find it out.
c) terminate d) all correct 1. a) feasibel b) feasible
c) fascieble d) feasible
19. a) ensured b) siceriety
c) obscure d) all correct 2. a) dolorous b) dolorous
c)doloreus d) delirious c) cannine d) canine
3. a) condiut b) conduit 15. a) intelect b) intellect

c) connduit d) condeut c) intalect d) intelict
4. a) religian b) religion 16. a) convuction b) conviction

c) religoin d) religen c) convicshun d) convicssion
5. a) sedate b) sedote 17. a) agreement b) agreement

c) scedate d) sedate c) aggrement d) agremint
6. a) parimeter b) perimeter 18. a) jovial b) jovial

c) perimotor d) parimetre c) joviel d) joivel
7. a) navijation b) navigation 19. a) arbetrary b) arbitrary

c) navitation d) navigation c) arbetrory d) arbitrary
8. a) sugest b) saggest 20. a) gragarious b) gregarious

c) suggest d) suzest c) gregerious d) agremint
9. a) haabits b) habits 21. a) intrensic b) intrinsic

c) habbits d) habitts c) entrensic d) entrinsec
10. a) teror b) terrer 22. a) violence b) violence

c) terror d) teeror c) voilence d) violence
11. a) nectar b) nector 23. a) critecism b) criticism

c) nactor d) nectar c) cretecism d) critecesm
12. a) rehythem b) rhythm 24. a) humorrous b) humorous

c) rhythem d) rhythum c) humourous d) hummorus
13. a) favourite b) favouret 25. a) democraec b) democratic

c) favorite d) favouriet c) demecratic d) democratic
14. a) canine b) canine
26. a) infloursense b) inflorescence Answers

c) infloorscence d) inflourscence 1) b 2) a 3) b 4) b 5) a
6) b 7) b 8) c 9) b 10) c
27. a) janitor b) janitor 11) a 12) b 13) a 14) a 15) b
c) janitour d) janitor 16) b 17) a 18) a 19) b 20) b
21) b 22) a 23) b 24) b 25) d
28. a) frivoles b) frevoles 26) b 27) a 28) d 29) c 30) a
c) frivolus d) frivolous 31) b 32) c 33) c 34) a 35) c
29. a) beveldur b) biwildur

c) bewilder d) bevilder
30. a) ambience b) ambeance

c) ambeince d) ambense
31. a) patrify b) petrify

c) patrefi d) patrefy
32. a) exsquesit b) ekswisit

c) exquisite d) ixquisite
33. a) demice b) demoise

c) demise d) demaise
34. a) chivalrous b) chivolrus

c) chivolorus d) chivulrus
35. a) bral b) brol

c) brawl d) braul
ANALOGY
Analogy means similarity or resemblance of some kind of relationship between two
given things. Analogy test, therefore, intends to evaluate one's ability to comprehend the
relationship that exists between two objects, things or figures. There are infinite
possibilities in establishing a relationship between two objects. However, for our
convenience we can chart out some important kinds of relationships.
1. Cause and effect relationship. Example: Education : Development
A) Man: Speech B) Nutrition : Health C) Game : Play D) Child : Growth.
The relationship between development and education is of cause and effect. Education
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is a cause for development. Among the four choices only (B) nutrition is a cause for
health and thus this is the answer.
2. Part and whole relationship.

A) Struggle: Fight B) Transport: Car
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Example: Finger : Hand
C) School: College D) Boy: Man
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Finger is a part of Hand. Similarly car is a part of transport system.
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3. Part: Part relationship Example: Gill : Fin
A) Salad: Rice B) Sea: Fish C) Kill: Bomb D) Question: Answer
Just as gill and fin are two different parts of a fish so salad and rice are parts of food.
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4. Purpose relationship. Example: Glove: Ball

A) Summer: rainy B) Game: study C) Stadium: stands D) Hook: fish
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Just as a glove helps catch a ball, so a hook helps catch a fish.
5. Action to object relationship. Example: Break: Pieces

A) Writer: pen B) Bread: bake C) Kick: football D)Muddy: unclear
Just as break is an action that makes pieces, so kick is an action that makes the football
move.
6. Worker and tool relationship. Example: Carpenter: Saw

A) Pathology: disease B) Tailor: needle C) Engineer: site D) Time: seconds
Just as Carpenter works with a Saw so a tailor works with a needle.
7. Study and topic relationship. Example: Linguistics: Language

A) Gardener: harrow B) Hen: chicken C) Scale: length D) Anthropology: man
Just as linguistics is the science of language, so anthropology is the study of man's life.
8. Worker and working place relationship. Example: Professor: university

A) Lawyer: Court B) Author: book C) Wine: grapes D) Volume: litre
Just as a professor works in a university so a lawyer works at a court.
9. Worker and product relationship. Example: Farmer: Crop

A) Fabric: yarn B) Cat: kitten C) Wish: desire D) Editor: newspaper
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Just as crops are the products of a farmer's work so a newspaper is the product of an
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editor's work.
10. Product and raw material relationship. Example: omelet: egg

A) Man: child B) Spoon: feed
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Just as an egg is the raw material for omelet, so jute is the raw material for a sack.
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Type I
Directions: The following questions comprise two words each that have a certain
relationship between them, followed by four lettered pair of words. Select the lettered pair
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that has the same relationship as the original pair of words.

1. Shrub: Prune
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A) Beard: shave B) Hair: trim C) Lawn: mow D) Wool: shear

2. Crèche : Infants
A) School: pupils B) Bedlam: Lunatics C) Deck: sailors D) Cottage: Beggar
3. Shield: soldier
A) Stethoscope: doctor B) Book: author C) Advocate: court D) Helmet: rider
4. Fox: Cunning
A) Cat: playful B) Horse: runner C) Vixen: cute D) Ant: industrious
5. Hillock: Mountain
A) Hare: animal B) Ant: elephant C) Bush: forest D) Grass: tree
6. Sonnet: poem
A) Ballad: stanza B) Murder: crime C) Chapter: book D) Lie: falsehood
7. Identity: Anonymity
A) Flaw: perfection B) Careless: mistake C) Truth: lie D) Fear: joy
8. Revolver: Holster
A) Book: bag B) Eye: eyelid C) School: class D) String: bead
9. Wrestler: Arena
A) Cricket: pitch B) Ring: finger C)Farmer: field D) Assistant: bead
10. Restaurant: Menu
A) Library: catalogue B) Journal: newspaper
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C) Book: encyclopedia D) College: account
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11. Heart: Cardiology
A) Brain: Psychology B) History: histology
C) Civics: polity D) fossils: paleontology
12. Donkey: trot
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A) Monkey: waddle B) Cat: leap C) Eagle: stride D) Mouse: scamper
13. Infection: Illness
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A) Satisfaction: appetite B) Applause: audience
C) Antidote: disease D) Rehearsal: performance
14. Bridge: Cards
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A) Dam: river B) Gamble: money C) Image: mirror D) fencing: sword

15. Banyan Tree: Prop roots
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A) Potato: tuber B) Climbers: tendrils C) Ginger: stem D) Spinach: root

16. Ashes: Fire
A) Building: debris B) Current: bygone
C) Relics: civilisation D) Bullet: barrel
17 Embryo: Child
A) Fruit: rind B) Sprout: plant C) Seed: fruit D) Leaf: chlorophyll
18. Love: Adore
A) Affection: indifference B) Pride: prejudice C) Fight: war D) Hit: suffer
19. Needle: Thread
A) Leader: follower B) Prick: sew C) Bat: ball D) Pin: cushion
20. Wet: Dry

A) Worse: worst B) Weather: temperature C) Scold: praise D) Rise: walk
21. Hard work: Wealth
A) Drought: famine B) Fight: peace C) Horrible: happy D) Drill: excess
22. Prosperity: Happiness
A) Fight:tight B) Success: Joy C) Horrible: pleasant D) Dare: coward
23. Fire: burn
A) Spin: dizzy B) Leg: piece C) Burn: cool D) Mouth: talk
24. Brick: wall
A) Paper: pen B) Ink: bottle C) Page: book D) Success: sorrow
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25. Ornithology: birds
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A) Suicide: murder B) Pig: pen C) Geriatrics: old age D) Petals: sepals
26. Doctor: hospital
A) Nurse: syringe B) Clergy: church C) Pediatrics: child D) Dare: dire
ANSWERS:
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1. B; 2. B; 3. D; 4. D; 5. C; 6. B; 7. A; 8. A;
9. C; 10. A; 11. C; 12. D; 13. D; 14. D; 15.B; 16.C;
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17. C; 18. C; 19. D; 20. C; 21. A; 22. B; 23. A; 24.C;
25. C; 26. B
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Type II
Directions: In the following sets of analogies one word is missing. Select that word from
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the lettered words (A), (B), (C), (D), which exhibits the same analogy as established
among the three words:
1. Bow: Rifle: Hourglass: ?
A) Clock tower B) Bullet C) Diameter D) Chronometer
2. Halcyon: ?: : Placid : Serene
A) Calm B) Irritated C) Harmful D) Peaceful
3. Errata: ?: : Flaws: Jewels
A) Manuscripts B) Books C) Literature D) Prints
4. Truculent: Agitator: : Pacifier?
A) Powerful B) Amenable C) Subversive D) Feeble
5. Inoculation: ?: : Exposure: Toughening

A) Immunity B) Punctuality C) Vulnerability D) Contagious
6. Breeze: Cyclone:: Drizzle: ?
A) Earthquake B) Storm C) Flood D) Downpour
7. Oxygen: Burn : : Carbon dioxide: ?
A) Isolate B) Foam C) Extinguish D) Explode
8. Genuine: Authentic : : Mirage: ?
A) Image B) Transpiration C) Reflection D) Illusion
9. Drill: Bore : : Sieve: ?
A) Thresh B) Sift C) Pry D) Rinse
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10. Country: President: : State: ?
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A) Governor B) Minister C) Chief Minister D) Citizen
11. Bread: Yeast: : Curd: ?
A) Fungi B) Bacteria C) Germs D) Virus
12. Chromite: Chromium: :Ilmenite: ?
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A) Limestone B) Cobalt C) Manganese D) Titanium
13. Steel: Rails: Alnico: ?
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A) Aircraft B) Machinery C) Silverware D) Magnets
14. Naphthalene: Coal tar: : Dyes: ?
A) Petroleum B) Oils C) Chemicals D) Carbon
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15. Tree: Forest : : Grass:?

A) Lawn B) Field C) Garden D) Farm
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16. Conscience: Wrong: : Police: ?

A) Thief B) Law C) Discipline D) Crime
17. Tehran: Iran: : Beijing: ?
A) China B) Japan C) Turkey D) Malaysia
18. Porcupine: Rodent: : Mildew: ?
A) Fungus B) Germ C) Insect D) Pathogen
19. Pigeon: Peace: : White Flag: ?
A) Friendship B) Victory C) Surrender D) War
ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. D; 3. B; 4. B; 5. A; 6. D; 7. C; 8. D; 9. B; 10. A; 11. B; 12. D; 13.
D; 14. A; 15. A; 16. D; 17. A; 18. A; 19. C
ANALOGY
In the previous session we have seen a few types of word relationships. In this session
let us learn about a few more types of relationships.
1. Word and synonym relationship. Example: Abate: Lessen
A) Sweet: bitter B) Ice: solid C) Dog: bitch D) Secret: clandestine
Just as abate and lessen have similar meanings, so secret and clandestine have similar
meanings.
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2. Word and antonym relationship. Example: Confidence: diffidence
A) Dastard: coward B) Field: farm C) House: garbage D) Baffle: clarify
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Just as diffidence is the opposite of confidence, so clarify is the opposite of baffle.
3. Degree relationship. Example: Warm: Hot

A) Tailor: textile
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B) Sun: planet C) Horrible: heinous D) Fight: war
Just as hot is the greater degree of warm, so war is the greater degree of fight.
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4. Sequence relationship. Example: Monday: Tuesday
A) Spring: winter B) Monday: Sunday
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C) Wednesday: Thursday D) Angle: sky

Just as Tuesday follows Monday, so Thursday follows Wednesday.
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5. Grammatical relationship. Example: He: his

A) I: me B) He: him C) They: these D) She: her
Just as he is third person nominative and his is third person possessive case so she is
third person nominative case and her is third person possessive case.
6. Sex: relationship. Example: Lion: lioness.

A) Convict: prison B) Duck: drake C) Flag: nation D) Tiger: leopard
Just as lioness is the female of lion, so drake is the female of duck.
7. Object and creature symbol relationship. Example: Flag: nation

A) Fox: cunning B) Soldier: war C) Wine: grapes D) Cow: herbivorous
Just as flag stands as the symbol of a nation, so fox stands for cunningness.
8. Creature and living place relationship. Example: Bee: hive

A) Duck: drake B) Warm: tepid C) Carcass: corpse D) Monk: monastery
Just as a bee lives in a hive, similarly a monk lives in a monastery.
9. Creature and offspring relationship Example: Horse: Colt

A) Goat: bleat B) Dawn: twilight C) Dog: puppy D) Actor: stage
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Just as colt is the young one of horse so puppy is the young one of dog.
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10.Creature and sound relationship. Example: Frogs: Croak
A) Hare: Leveret B) Liquor: intoxication C) Serpents: hiss D) Brake: car
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Just as the sound of frogs is known by the word croak, so the sound of serpents is hiss.
In the previous session we have seen some examples. In this session let us stu-dy some
more examples of other types.
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ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. D; 3. D; 4. C; 5. D; 6. B; 7. A; 8. D; 9. C; 10. C
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Type III
In this type the relationship that exists is given in the form of a sentence and we have to
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fill in the blank to complete the task.

1. Cobra is related to snake in the same way as Leopard is related to …?
A) Tiger B) Lion C) Cat D) Zebra
2. Blood is related to circulation in the same way as Hormone is related to …?

A) Egestion B) Control C) Co-ordination D) Digestion
3. Leaf is related to Sap in the same way as Bone is related to …?

A) Fluid B) Blood C) Marrow D) Calcium
4. Chlorophyll is related to Chloroplast in the same way as Vulture is related to …?

A) Flesh B) Wings C) Air D) Bird
5. Circle is related to Circumference as Square is related to..?

A) Area B) Volume C) Diagonal D) Perimeter
6. Grain is related to Granary in the same way as Curious is related to …?

A) Archives B) Museum C) Library D) Zoo
7. Formula is related to Constituent in the same way as Equation is related to …?

A) Number B) Variables C) Term D) Constant
8. Inch is related to Centimeter in the same way as Pint is related to ..?

A) Litre B) Volume C) Gallon D) Viscosity
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9. Crumb is related to Bread in the same way as Morsel is related to ….?
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A) Fruit B) Biscuit C) Food D) Cake
10.Earth is related to Axis in the same way as Wheel is related to ..?

A) Tyre B) Car
SC) Road D) Hub
ANSWERS: 1. C; 2. C; 3. C; 4. D; 5. D; 6. B; 7. C; 8. C; 9. C; 10. D
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Type IV
Directions: The following questions comprise four words that have a certain relationship,
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followed by four words in each option. Select the lettered word pair that has the same rela-
tionship as the original words.
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1. Hinduism: Christianity: Islam: Religion

A) Ear: Nose: Eyesight: Vision B) Plus: Minus: Multiple: Division
C) Humid: Hot: tundra: Region D) Winter: Spring: Summer: Season
2. Orange: apple: Grape: Fruit

A) Window: door: Apartment: Suite
B) Job: Employer: Employment: Recruit
C) Description: Analysis: Statement: Report
D) Ship: Lead: Basement: Port
3. Kingdom: Slavery: Freedom: Democracy

A) Dictatorship: Restrain: Slavery: Liberty
B) Press: Slavery: Death: Anarchy
C) Bad: Wrong: Worst: Aristocracy D) Evil: Devil: Religion: Theocracy
4. Abjure : Renounce: Alleviate: Relieve

A) Abstruse: Obscure: Give: Receive B) Allay: Noisy: Defend: Deceive
C) Appease: Soft: Apprehend: Perceive D) Atrocity:Denounce: Aptitude: Believe
5. Tehsil: District: State: Country

A) Block: Colony: Zone: city B) Province: District: State: Country
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C) Madhya Pradesh: Maharashtra: Bombay: Victoria Terminus
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D) Metropolitan: Megalopolis: Town: City
6. Devoid: Vacant : : Desolate: Sad

A) Flimsy: Ordinary: : Trivial : Unimportant
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B) Innate: Unborn : : Inherent: Individual
C) Laudable: Lackadaisical : : Rich: Praise
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D) Delicate: Tough : : Coarse: Improper
7. Immature: Inappropriate : : Improper : Unfit

A) Accept: Strict: : Cheerful: Gloomy B)Defend: Depend : : Present : Absent
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C) Opulent: Wealthy : : Aristocratic: Rich D)Decrease:Reduce : : Increase: Enhance
8. Annihilate: Restore : : Retrieve : Lose

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A) Brutal: Soft : : Sluggish : Lethargic

B) Scanty: Profuse : : Abundance: Shortage
C) Resentment: Rejection : : Reverence : Praise
D) Majestic: Dignified : : Imposing : Able
9. Flexible: Rigid : : Straight : Curved

A) Thoughtful: Careful : : Prolong: Increase
B) Feeble: Weak : : Invent : Create
C) Infer: Deduce : : Encourage: Entertain
D) Acquit: Charge : : Sluggish : Cheerful
10. Initiate: Start : : Begin: Commence

A) Indicate: Clueless : : Bold: Timid B) Jovial: Merry : : Hearty: Vigorous
C) Competent: Potent : : Kind: Cruel D) Hamper: Block : : Disturb: Peace
ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. C; 3. A; 4. C; 5. A; 6. A; 7. C; 8. B; 9. D; 10. B
Type V
In this type the relationship in the order of letters in the alphabet set needs to be careful-
ly observed and we have to find the correct alternative from the given options.
1. PSXM: QRYL: BFTV: ?

A) AESU B) CEUU C) DHVX D) CGUW
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2. NOPQ: PMRO:: ABCD:?
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A) CZEB B) CDEF C) YZAB D) CDAB
3. CDE: ZXY:: EDC:

A) XYZ B) YXZ
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4. AKJ: GNH: : EMD: ?

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A) CLB B) CLD C) AKB D) EMF
5. AFHO: GBDJ: CHFM: ?

A) GBLD B) GBJO C) GPLD D) GBIM
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6. BDF: HJL : : NPR: TVX

A) ABC: FGI : : ILM : PQY B) HIT: STU : : WXY: ZAB
C) ACE: GIK : : MOQ : SUW D) TVX: ZCD : : HJK: NSQ
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7. AB: ZY : : DC : WX
A) GH: TS : : JI : QR B) BC: DE : : JK : LM
C) OD: BD : : ST: TS D) VX: UW: : TR : QP
8. CE: GK
A) FG: JK B) MQ: SW C) OP: DE D) TO: LM
9. ABCD: DCBA : : EFGH: HGFE

A) MNPT: UKSR : : WZFI: BCDO B) PCOD: DPCM : : IJTL: KRST
C) RSTU: VWXY : : ZABC: DGHY D) IJKL: LKJI : : MNOP: PONM
10. CF : IL : : OR: UX
A) BD: FH : : JL: NP B) FG: HI : : MN: QR
C) SV: RM : : VI: PA D) PQ: TO : : ZY : BD
ANSWERS: 1. D; 2. A; 3. B; 4. C; 5. B; 6. C; 7. A; 8. B; 9. D; 10. A
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A
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GENERAL ENGLISH
Sentence Arrangement
Sentence arrangement, jumbled sentences and reconstruction of paragraphs all
come under the same category. In the last session we have seen the different forms in
which the questions may appear in different competitive examinations. In continuation of
that let us see a technique which helps us to solve this section.
TIME-SAVER CQE TECHNIQUE- Clue Qualifier Elimination Technique

This technique is applicable to type one and type two and will also be helpful in type
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three of sentence arrangement. In most cases the first and the last sentences are specified
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and the remaining four are to be arranged. Four answer sets are provided as the alternative
choice to the candidates. Only one choice is correct which the candidates have to spot out.
First of all, we shall find some clues in the set. On the basis of the clue we shall locate a
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qualifier. A qualifier is a sentence that is telling us something about another sentence. That
another sentence is the qualified sentence. The qualifier will be placed by the side of the
qualified. It is just possible that there may be two qualifiers of the same sentence. In that
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case we have to decide the preference based on the sequence.
Now there are three possibilities.
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Possibility (1) The qualifier may be qualifying the first sentence. In this case our answer
choice will begin with the qualifier.
Example 1: Duryodhana was a wicked prince.
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P.One day Bhima made Duryodhana fall from a tree from which Duryodhana was stealing
fruits.
Q. He did not like Pandavas being loved by the people of Hastinapur.
R. Among the Pandavas, Bhima was extraordinarily strong and powerful.
S. Duryodhana specially hated Bhima.
6. This enraged Duryodhana so much that he began to think of removing Bhima from his
way.
Options: A) PSQR B) QRSP C) QSRP D) PSRQ
Here Q is the qualifier of sentence (1) because he is the pronoun used for Duryodhana. So
our answer will begin with Q. But both choices B and C begin with Q. Therefore we have
to decide by sequence and then B will be the correct answer.
Possibility (2) Our qualifier may qualify any sentence other than the first and last. In this case
we have to spot out the answer where the qualifier is by the side of the qualified.
Example 2: Love for the country is a necessity.

P. But it should in no way exceed the limits and take the shape of jingoism.
Q. Similarly nationalism has to be satisfied at the altar of internationalism.
R. There is no reason why the nations of the world cannot treat one another as belonging
to one family of nations.
S. Provincialism has to be sacrificed in the interest of the nation as a whole.
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6.God created the globe, but man drew lines on it to demarcate countries and sow the
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seeds of hatred and enmity on it.
Options: A) QRSP B) PSQR C) RQPS D) SPRQ
Q is the qualifier of S because as it connects the word nationalism to provincialism. Thus

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our answer should show SQ together. Among the four choices only B has SQ together.
Therefore B is the answer.
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Possibility (3) The last sentence may be a qualifier in some cases. In that situation our
answer should end with the qualified sentence.
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Example 3: Once king Shantanu met a young and beautiful fisher girl.
P.He went to the fisherman and asked him for her hand in marriage.
Q. The king was extremely sad and returned to the palace.
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R. He fell in love with the fisher girl.

S. The fisherman agreed to it on the condition that the son of his daughter should be the
heir to the throne of Hastinapur.
6.Devavrata, the king's son, asked him the reason of his sadness.
Options A) PQRS B) RPSQ C) QSPR D) PSQR
Here, sentence number 6 is the qualifier of Q because sadness and sad are connected. Thus
our answer will end with Q. Among the choices given only B ends with Q. Therefore B
is the answer.
Whenever we have more than one choice we have to depend on our sense of sequence.
This technique can be illustrated with a figure.

TIME-SAVER CQE TECHNIQUE
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Step 1
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Find clues to locate a qualifier
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Step 2
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Locate a qualifier
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Step 3

Eliminate alternatives with the qualifier
S 
Step 4

K
Read and catch the sequence if more than one alternative is present
PRACTICE TEST
A
1. Why are horses the same?

P. It may be old and lame, and in time it will die.
Q. A particular horse 'flows', naturally.
S
R.But there is something all horses have in common.

S. You probably don't think they are at all.
6. But the form of the horse is eternal and immutable.
Options: a) SRPQ b) RPQS c) RQSP d) SRQP
2.The headmaster looked at the boy more closely.

P. Although he must have been about eighteen years old, he wore a child's suit.
Q. He noticed the strange mixt-ure of clothes that he wore.
R.His shoes were too broken and old even for a beggar.
S. It was amazingly short in the arms and legs and yet wide enough for his thin body.
6. Besides, one of his feet had been hurt.

Options: a) SQPR b) RQSP c) QPSR d) PRQS
3.So the father gave his younger son a third part of all that he had.
P. Then he left his village and went to the town.
Q. The son sold his share of the land and the animals.
R.Soon all his money was gone.
S. He wasted his money on feasting and drinking.
6. He became poor and returned to the village.
Options: a) QPSR b) PQRS c) SPQR d) RPQS
I
4.1. It was an impulsive decision.
H
P. Buying tickets, therefore, was no problem.
Q. Four of us, all room-mates in the hostel, decided to travel by train from Gwalior to
Delhi and witness the republic Day parade.
S
R.Ashok pretended sickness and prevailed upon the man nearest to the window to buy
four more tickets one for him and three for his sisters.
S. There was a large crowd in the station and a long queue in front of the ticket window.
K
6. The train was already on the platform and all the passengers were in a hurry to board
the train.
Options: a) PSQR b) QSRP c) PQRS d) SQRP
A
5.1. Abraham went to the great slave market in New Orleans.

P. From that day onwards he hated the entire slave-trade.
S
Q. The slaves were auctioned like cattle there.

R.The sight of these miserable human beings made him very sad.
S. He resolved to do every-thing he could to abolish it.
6. He did not rest until he achieved his goal.
Options: a) QRPS b) PQRS c) SRQP d) QPRS
6.1. He was no child prodigy.

P. When soldiers marched though Munich accompanied by drums and pipes, children
enthusiastically joined in.
Q. Indeed, it was a very long time before Albert learned to speak.
R.But when little Albert passed such a parade, he began to cry and told his parents, "When
I grow up, I don't want to be one of those people".
S. He was always taciturn.
6. He saw the parade as a move-ment of people compelled by drums and pipes, children
enthusiastically joined in.
Options: a) QPSR b) RQSP c) SQPR d) QSRP
7.1. I stopped and looked up at the building.

P. I thought I must have imagined the scream.
Q. There were no lights on at all in it.
I
R.I heard some screams.
H
S. Everyone seemed to be asleep.
6. Help! Save me!
Options: a) QSRP b) PQRS c) QSPR d) RSPQ
S
8.1. The flight was delayed by a few hours.
P. The caller had given inform-ation about the planting of a time bomb in the plane.
K
Q. The empty plane was subje-cted to a thorough search.
R.The passengers were asked to vacate the plane.
S. The delay was caused by an anonymous phone call.
A
6. The threat turned out to be a hoax and the plane took off a few hours behind the
schedule.
Options: a) RQPS b) SPRQ c) QRPS d) PQSR
S
9.1. Buddhism is a way to salvation.

P. But Buddhism is more severely analytical.
Q. In the Christian tradition there is also a concern for the fate of human society
conceived as a whole, rather than merely as a sum or network of individuals.
R.Salvation is a property, or achievement of individuals.
S. Not only does it dissolve society into individuals; the individual in turn is disso-lved into
component parts and instants- a stream of events.
6. In modern terminology, Buddhist doctrine is reductionist.
Options: a) RQPS b) SPRQ c) QRPS d) PQSR
10. 1. Until the MBA arrived on the scene, the IIT graduate was king.
P. A degree from one of the five IIT'S was a passport to a well-paying job, great prospects
abroad and for some, a decent dowry to boot.
Q.From the day they crack their joint entrance examination, the IIT student commanded the
awe of neighbours and close relatives.
R.IIT students had, meanw-hile, also developed their own special culture, comp-lete
with lingo and attitude, which they passed down.
S. True, the success stories of IIT graduates are legion and they now constitute the cre-
am of the Indian diaspora.
I
6. But not many alumni would agree that the IIT undergraduate mindset a serious
H
psychological study let alone an interactive one.
Options: a) QPRS b) PQRS c) SRQP d) PQSR
KEY:
S
1) D 2) C 3) A 4) B 5) A 6) C 7) A 8) B
K
9) A 10) A
A
S
GENERAL ENGLISH
Sentence completion exercises
We have seen in detail the KE method which is useful to answer the exercises on sentence
completion in our previous session. By recollecting the clues that have been suggested in the last
session let us practice some exercises.
1. The villagers ________ the death of their leader by keeping all the shops closed.
a) Consoled b) avenged c) mourned d) protested
Here the answer is (C), 'mourned' because the word in use for expressing sorrow over the
I
death of someone is 'mourn'. This is a matter of usage.
H
2. While on a routine flight, the aircraft was hit by a missile and ______ into flames
a) Shot b) burst c) caught d) blew
Here the answer is (B), 'burst' because all other words are not in keeping with 'into' and thus
S
they are eliminated at the first stage- structure.
3. Authority _____ when it is not supported by the moral purity of its users.
K
a) Empowers b) crumbles c) prevails d) waits
The answer is (B), 'crumbles' because other alternatives are eliminated at Stage 2-meaning.
'Empower' is opposite in meaning, 'prevails' is also oppo-site in meaning and 'waits' is not in
A
accord with the meaning. Thus the only choice left is 'crumbles'.
4. He did not register a _________ to the proposal.

S
a) Dissent b) disfavor c) divergence d) deviation

The answer is (A), 'dissent', because other alternatives may have similar meanings, but
'dissent', is the word in use for showing agreement to an idea or a proposal. So other
alternatives are eliminated at Stage 3.
5. No sooner had he entered the room ___ the light went out and everyone started talking loudly.
a) But b) than c) if d) and
The answer is (B). Here the rule of grammar operates.
6. When I saw him through the window _______

a)I have run out to open the door b) I ran out to open the door
c)I am running out to open the door d) I should run out to open the door
The answer is (B). Here the rule of tense operates.
7. He congratulated me ________ my success.

a) On b) for c) at d) in
The answer is (A). 'On'. It is a rule of preposition.
8. I prefer drinking Tea ___ Coffee.

a) Than b) to c) over d) as
The answer is (B), 'to' it is rule of preposition.
I
9. The school festival is always of a very high order because the students have a number of
______ before any performance.
H
a) Practices b) exercise c) rehearsals d) repetitions
Here the answer is (C), 'rehearsals'. Here the point to remember is common usage, for
S
preparations done beforehand for performances in dance, drama and theatre the word in
common usage is 'rehearsal'.
10. I read 'Trojan War' because it was __________ by my friend who said it was very exciting.
K
a) Recommended b) exhorted c) motivated d) commended
Here the answer is (A), 'recomm-ended'. The word commonly used in such a context is
A
'recommended'.
11. His German was roughly _____ with my English, so communi-cation was rather difficult.
a) in accordance with b) at par c) in time d) in tune
S
Here the answer is (B), 'at par'. The correct phrase with the required meaning is 'at par'.
12. I could not _______ what he wanted to say.

a) Make up b) make out c) make in d) make away
Here the correct phrase is 'make out' and thus the answer is (B).
13. A committee has been set up to ________ on the problem of unemployment in this region.
a) Investigate b) inquire c) research d) report
Here the answer can be either 'investigate' or 'report'. Since the connecting word is 'on', the
choice will be report.
14. We can't eat this food; it is ____.

a) Rotten b) old c) bad d) rancid
Here the answer is (A), 'rotten', because this word has the required nuance of meaning.
15. Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru were leaders of the same period; they were _______
a) Contemporary b) colleague c) associate d) co-writers
Here the word 'contemporary' sta-nds for the expression of the same period and thus (A) is the
answer.
16. Ramu has been nominated as the person to settle the dispute between the two warring parties;
he is the _____
I
a) Judge b) advocate c) arbitrator d) barrister
H
Here the answer is (C), 'arbitrator' because this is the substitute word.
17. He has been winning the election, but this time his popularity is on the _________ he may
S
not win this time.
a) Rise b) wane c) ascendance d) increasing
Here the answer is (B), 'wane' as an antonym is required.
K
18. Do not ________ him; he has done no harm to any of you.
a) Accuse b) admire c) discuss d) refer
A
Here the answer is (A), 'accuse', as an antonym is required.
19. I ____ him because of his ____ .

a) Love, impertinence b) hate, rudeness
S
c) admire, hypocrisy d) detest, generosity

Here the answer is (B); in the first option one cannot love because of impoliteness, we love
someone for their good quality not for a bad trait, in the same way in option C we cannot
admire if one has double stand-ards and in the last option to hate someone because of
generosity is not correct so the answer is B.
20. The influence of the environment on man is revealed by an ___ study.

a) Anthropological b) ecological c) epigraphic d) ecumenical
Here the answer is (B). It is a word used to indicate a branch of study.
Practice test
1. The lawyer was threatened _______ dire consequences.
a) From b) by c) with d) of
2. Richa is not _____ for this kind of job.

a) Cut in b) cut up c) cut through d) cut out
3. A good teacher-student relationship helps create a _____ and peaceful atmosphere where
there is no room for any ______ of educational activity.
a) Harmonious, interruption b) congenial, development
c) quiet, confusion d) delightful, exaggeration
I
4. It is indeed ______that 65 years after independence, we have failed to ______ a suitable edu-
H
cation or examination system.
a) Bad, produce Sb) improper, create
c) sad, evolve d) objectionable, present
5. The meeting was presided _______ by the President.

a) very b) upon c) over d) on
K
6. The girl you met yesterday is in class _______.
a) Fifth b) the five c) the fifth d) five
A
7. The data entry operator is very efficient. He is ____ to his firm.

a) A credit b) a blessing c) an asset d) a boon
S
8. The soldiers were instructed to _______ restraint and handle the situation peacefully.
a) Control b) prevent c) exercise d) enforce
9. If I _______ a doctor, I would _______ you free.

a) Were, treat b) am, see c) was, examine d) be, advice
10. Not to ______ of milk, even _______ was not there.

a) Talk, bread b) mention, rice c) speak, water d) discuss, tea
11. In ___ of international matters, there is always an element of risk in _____ one might do.
a) View, whichever b) many, doing c) defence, wrong d) case, whatever
12. These essays are intellectually _______ and represent various levels of complexity.
a) Revealing b) modern c) superior d) demanding
13. Anita is ______; she weighs all options before making a decision.
a) Careless b) bold c) thoughtful d) educative
14. The ______ of meat in your refrigerator doesn't necessarily indicate that you are ______.
a) Presence, hungry b) absence, vegetarian
c) taste, carnivorous d) amount, herbivorous
15. My Violin teacher dislikes ______ music. For this reason she only teaches ______ music.
I
a) Traditional, old b) contemporary, classical
c) modern, popular d) new, recent
H
16. Unlike the misleading television documentary, the biography was ____
a) Phony b) interesting c) accurate d) attractive
S
17. After our team ______ the game, everybody ______.
a) Tied, smiled b) lost, cheered c) won, celebrated d) watched, laughed
K
18. Mina felt_____; the committee rejected her proposal.
a) Pleased b) overjoyed c) miserable d) delighted
A
19. The ______ shopkeeper ______ us; we certainly won't buy anything from him again.
a) Sleepy, excited b) greedy, overcharged
c) generous, welcomed d) polite, thanked
S
20. Customer satisfaction and meeting customers' needs are two ______ but ______ goals.
a) Definite, trivial b) different, important
c) similar, unimportant d) analogous, petty
Answers
1) c 2) d 3) a 4) c 5) c 6) d 7) c 8) c
9) a 10) c 11) d 12) a 13) c 14) b 15) b 16) c
17) b 18) c 19) b 20) b
GENERAL ENGLISH
SENTENCE FILLERS
Stem filling or sentence filler is sentence completion with a variance. In a simple
sentence completion, you fill the blank with one of the words given as choices. In this
format, part of a sentence is given which needs to be completed with one of the various
chunks provided as alternatives. The major difference is that now we have a group of
words in place of a single word. This requires an understanding of the spirit of the stem
of the sentence and the filler part is to be matched with it both in terms of structure and
meaning.
I
We can find a structural clue or a semantic clue or both in the stem part and match
H
the stem with the alternatives one after another. Only one choice will match. Let us see
the SFM Technique.
EXAMPLE-1
S
The doctor warns him that unless he gives up smoking __________
a) Will he be able to recover
b) he will not suffer
K
c) his health will soon be recovered d) he will not recover
'Unless' here demands a 'not' in the filler part. Thus a) and c) are wrong. B) and d) are
structurally correct, but according to 'smoking' the expression 'not suffer' is wrong, but
A
'not recover' is right. Thus d) is the right answer.

EXAMPLE-2
S
The more we looked at the piece of modern art, ________.

a) It looked better
b) the more we like it c) we liked it less d) the less we liked it
e) better we liked it.
In the stem part we have structural clue 'the more' and it is a past tense form. The
structural demand is that the filler part also must have an expression like 'the more'.
Taking this clue, we can eliminate alternatives a), c) and e). Now alternative b) has 'the
more' and the alternative d) has 'the less'. These two are correct, but b) is further
eliminated because the filler is in the present tense form, d) is the correct answer because
it is in the past tense form.
PRACTICE TEST
1. He has no money now________.
a) Although he was very poor once.
b) As he has given up all his wealth.
c) Because he was very rich once.
d) Because he had received huge donations once.
e) Because he always spends money with utmost care.
2. He always stammers in public meetings, but his today's speech________.
a) Was fairly audible to everyone present in the hall.
b) Was not received satisfactorily.
I
c) Was not liked by the audience.
H
d) Could not be understood properly.
e) Was surprisingly fluent.
3. He tames animals because________.
a) Is fond of them.
S
b) Hates them.
c) Wants to set them free.
K
d) Is afraid of them.
e) Seldom loves them.
4. The value of a work of art is seldom precisely measurable in terms of_______.
A
a) Aesthetic harmony.
b) Goods produced, or man hours saved or an increase in the GNP.
S
c) The abstract sense of harmony the work exudes.

d) The labour invested in it.
5. The network of blood vessels connects every cell of the body, _______.
a) Each of they dependent on blood.
b) Each of them dependent on blood.
c) One of the dependent on blood.
d) Each it dependent on blood.
6. In Asian countries, stiff tariffs and other import barriers, plus undervalued
currencies_______.
a) Make imported goods very expensive.
b) Do not encourage smuggling.

c) Make the economy noncompetitive.
d) Give rise to sharp economic inequalities.
7. In the third world, the most over-militarized countries tend to be _______.
a) The oil rich countries.
b) The ones who have traditionally had a military past.
c) Neighbours scared of each other.
d) The ones economically interdependent.
8. Practically, very little work could be completed in the last week as it was_____.
a) Full of working days. b) A very hectic week.
I
c) Full of Dasara vacation. d) Loaded with work.
H
e) A very busy week.
9. Although he is reputed for making very candid statements, ________.
a) His today's speech was not fairly audible.
S
b) His promises had always been realistic.
c) His speech was very interesting.
d) People follow whatever he instructs them.
K
e) His today's statements were very ambiguous.
10. He is so lazy that he________.
a) Always extend help to others to complete their work.
A
b) Dislikes to postpone the work that he undertakes to do.

c) Can seldom complete his work on time.
S
d) Can't depend on others for getting his work done.

e) Can't delay the schedule of completing the work.
11. Even though it is a very large house,____.
a) There is a lot of space available in it for children.
b) There is hardly any space available for children.
c) The servants take a long time to clean it.
d) The municipal taxes on it are very heavy.
12. Despite his best efforts to conceal his anger________.
a) We could detect that he was very happy.
b) He failed to give us an impression of his agony.
c) He succeeded in camouflaging his emotions.

d) He could succeed in doing it easily.
e) People came to know that he was annoyed.
13. In order to raise the company's profit, the employees________.
a) Demanded two additional increments.
b) Decided to go on paid holidays.
c) Requested the management to implement new welfare schemes.
d) Offered to work overtime without any compensation.
e) Decided to raise the cost of raw material.
14. Would you please tell me________.
I
a) When does the next train come.
H
b) When comes the next train.
c) When the next train does come.
d) When the next train comes.
S
15. Only after food has been dried________.
a) That is should be stored for later consumption.
b) Should it be stored for later use.
K
c) It should be stored for later consumption.
d) It must eat.
16. The Ford Theatre where Lincoln was shot ________.
A
a) Must restore b) Must be restoring.

c) Must have been restored. d) Must restored.
S
17. Having been selected to represent the Association of Indian Managers at the
International Convention, ________.
a) The members applauded him.
b) He gave a short acceptance speech.
c) A speech had to be given by him.
d) The members congratulated him.
ANSWERS:
1) B, 2) E, 3) A, 4) A , 5) B, 6) D, 7) C, 8) C,
9) E, 10) C, 11) B, 12) E, 13) D, 14) A, 15) C, 16)C,
17) B
GENERAL ENGLISH
WORDS OFTEN CONFUSED
There are several words that may be confusing because they are similar in meaning
or pronunciation but have different meanings. This is another important section on which
questions will be asked in different formats. The candidates should be very careful in
answering this section. Knowledge of the meaning of both the words is essential. For this
a list of some words that are often confused is given below. Read them carefully and
practice.
I
1. Accept - agree Except - to exclude
H
2. Accede - agree Exceed - surpass
3. Adapt - adjust Adopt - take an idea
4. Advice - opinion Advise - to counsel
5. Affect - change
S Effect - result
6. Allude - to suggest indirectly
Elude - to dodge or escape
K
7. Allusion - reference
Illusion - false belief
8. Alter - change
A
Altar - a raised paltform

9. Ascent - the act of climbing up
S
Assent - consent
10. Atone - to make amends
Attain - to reach or achieve
11. Avert - to anticipate and ward off
Overt - not concealed
12. Bare - plain
Bear - endure
13. Beside - next to
Besides - also, additionally
14. Birth - the process of being born
Berth - a bed on a train

15. Brake - device to lock the wheels
Break - smash
16. By law - according to law
Bylaw - rules adopted by an organization
17. Cannon - very large gun
Canon - an ecclesiastical code of laws
18. Canvas - cloth used for painting
Canvass - solicit votes
19. Caret - a proof-reader's symbol
I
Carat - a unit of measure of the purity of gold
H
Carrot - an orange root vegetable
20.Carpus - wrist
Corpus - body
21. Cell - small room
S
Sell - exchange for money
22. Censor - to prohibit free expression
K
Sensor - something that interprets stimulation
Censure - rebuke, harsh criticism
23. Chord - a group of notes sounded together
A
Cord - a string
24. Cite - to quote or mention
S
Site - a place
Sight - view
25. Coarse - rough
Course - a series of lectures on one subject
26. Complement - to supplement or make complete
Compliment - to praise or congratulate
27.Corps - an organization of people dedicated to a single goal
Corpse - a dead body
28. Decedent - deceased person
Dissident - one who disagrees
29.Depositary - one who receives a deposit

Depository - place where something is deposited
30. Desert - dry area of land covered with sand
Dessert - the last part of a meal
31. Engross - to absorb full attention
In gross -existing independently, in a large quantity or sum
32. Forego - to precede
Forgo - to give up
33. Formerly - previously
Formally - officially
I
34. In jure - according to law
H
Injure - to harm
35. Lesson - a piece of instruction
Lessen - to reduce
36. Lose - misplace
S
Loose - not fastened
37.Lumbar - relating to vertebrae
K
Lumber - timber ready for use
38.Misogamy - hatred of marriage
Misogyny - hatred of women
A
39.Opposite - contrary
Apposite - appropriate; relevant
S
40.Overseas - beyond or across the sea

Oversees - surveys; supervises
41.Pause - a temporary stop
Paws - feet of animals
42.Peace - freedom from war
Piece - a part of a whole
43.Peak - summit; highest level
Peek - a brief look
44.Pendant - something suspended as an ornament
Pendent - supported from above
45.Pole - a rod Poll - casting of votes

46.Principal - main Principle - law
47.Procede - to surpass in rank Proceed - to continue
48.Quite - wholly Quiet - calm
49.Rein - to check or stop
Rain - to pour down
Reign - to rule
50.Stair - a flight of steps
Stare - look fixedly
51.Saver - one who saves
I
Savour - the taste or smell of something
H
52.Sever - to separate, detach
Severe - grim, stern
53.Side - lateral
Sighed - uttered a sigh
S
54.Summary - quickly executed
Summery - fit for summer
K
55.Team - to yoke
Teem - to abound
56.Troop - a group of soldiers
A
Troupe - a group of theoretical performers

57.Vain - worthless
S
Vein - blood vessel

58.Vice - a moral fault
Vise - a tool with tight-holding jaws
59.Waist - part of the body
Waste - rejected material
60.Waive - to strike off
Wave - to motion with hand
PRACTICE TEST
1. The ________of teachers in the college will reduce the student-teacher ratio.
The new ________of this book is now available in the market. (addition/ edition)
2. The company was ________by the government to bring the new product to the market.
Pease speak ________so that everyone can listen to your talk. (aloud/ allowed)
3. Christians use an ________in worship.
I want to________the entire plan in order to complete it. (alter/ altar)
4. The Sahara is the biggest ________in Asia.
The best part of the dinner was the special ________. (desert/ dessert)
5. He can easily play that ________.
The dog is tied to the pole with a ________. (cord/ chord)
6. The painter has brought the________to life.
All the candidates do not___________ successfully. (canvass/ canvas)
I
7. The ________ of the car is not working.
H
Be careful otherwise the glass will ________. (break/ brake)
8. What I am presenting is nothing but ______________ truth.
He cannot ________ this pain. ( bare/ bear)
9. It is good to use ________.
S
You should not ________ at strangers. (stare/ stairs)
10.Every ________ of science is based on objective, observation and analysis.
K
He is the____________actor of this drama. (principle/ principal)
11.The first ______ of this course begins with a diagnostic test.
This medicine may _______ your blood pressure. (lessen/ lesson)
A
12.The devastating tsunami has ________ the lives of thousands of people.

The ________ of tsunami can be seen in several countries of the world. (effect/ affect)
S
13.If you want to join in this organization ________, you need the recommendation of an
existing member.
I am pleased to introduce Mr.Dhawan who was ____________ a member of this
society. (formerly/ formally)
14.You have put on ________.
I cannot ________ for the bus now. (wait/ weight)
15.I have ________ the peon to the post office.
I have not used ________. (scent/ sent)
16.This is an appropriate _______ for the factory.
You may ________ statements from the report to prove your point. (cite/ site)
17.I have not ________ him for many days.

This is a memorable ________. (seen/ scene)
18.The doctor will ________you in this matter.
He is ready to offer his_______ to them. (advice/ advise)
19.You can save your conveyance allowance if you do not ___________ the speed of 80-
90 km per hour.
Sujatha will ________ to the wishes of her parents. (accede/ exceed)
20.Please don't ______ me when I'm reading.
The loud colour will ______ from the beauty of the house. (detract / distract)
21.This is the _____ room where we eat every meal.
I
The sound of the dog barking was _______ in my ears. (Dining / dinning)
H
22.Gagan is an ______ photographer.
The storm is __________. Please get to safety. (eminent / imminent)
23.I must run this _______ before I made dinner.
S
Please correct your _______ behaviour. (errand / errant)
24.He is quite _______.
We will have to put a ___________ on the property. (lean / lien)
K
25.He wanted to try ______ my workload.
Did you see the streak of _________? (Lightning/ lightening)
26.He had a ______ of dust in his eye.
A
The castle is surrounded by a deep ____________.

(mote / moat)
S
27.His ___________ code is very high.

______ is quite high among the workers. (Moral/ Morale)
28.He is a ______ for gold.
She will be a _______ until she turns twenty-one. (Miner/ minor)
29.I get up early every ________.
She is in _______ because her great aunt died. (Morning/ mourning)
30.Cook _____ until it is no longer pink.
Can you _____ me after work? (Meat/ meet)
GENERAL ENGLISH
Jumbled sentences
One of the important units of objective English test in English is sentence arrangement.
This requires a sound knowledge of grammar, a command over the structure of sentences, an
overall sense of composition and an ability to form a logical sequence of ideas behind sentences.
In this test, one has to rearrange the parts of a sentence into a meaningful sentence or the
sentences into a meaningful paragraph. In order to perform well in this section one has to read
good books and newspapers. The questions that are given in this section have different patterns.
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Now it is clear from the chart that, in a sentence, there can appear a subject, a verb, an object
and qualifiers as well. One has to locate the qualifier and attach it to its subject.
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Let us look at another example:
Lakhs of students S
P. on an all India basis
Q. from all over India
R. which is held
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S. appear in the examination by different organizations
a) PQSR b) SRQP c) QSRP d) QSPR
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1. Lakhs of students - subject

2. from all over India - qualifier of the subject (Q)
3. appear in the examination - verb(S)
S
4. which is held - qualifier of the verb (R)

5. on an all India basis - qualifier of which is held (P)
6. by different organizations - the last part
Thus the sequence is QSRP: S + Q + V + Q + Q + Q
The correct sentence, therefore is, 'Lakhs of students from all over India appear in the
examination which is held on an all India basis by different organizations'.
The steps may be summarized as follows:
1.subject of the sentence
2.qualifiers of the subject, if any
3.verb
4.qualifiers of the verb, if any

5.object and
6.qualifiers of the object, if any.
This may be described as the Subject - Verb - Object + Qualifiers Location Technique.
2. Many sentences with the first and the last ones given
In the passage below the first and the last sentences are numbered 1 and 6. The rest four
sentences are numbered as PQRS and they are not in correct sequence. Rearrange them.
1. There was once a hard working and poor, but well contended farm worker.
P. The farm worker buried the silver coins, under the ground.
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Q. He used to work all day in his farm and enjoy the gifts of nature.
R. The village Sarpanch gave him a bag containing some silver coins to keep.
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S.His rich Sarpanch took pity upon the farm-worker.
2. From that day the poor farm-worker's happiness vanished.
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a) SQPR b) QSPR c) RQPS d) QSRP
Method
Idea to sentence stepping (ITSS). A paragraph consists of sentences which are connected
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to one another logically and semantically. Thus, first of all, read every sentence carefully, discern
the meaning of the passage, then form a sequence at the level of idea. Then arrange the sentences
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accordingly. On the basis of one's general knowledge, sense of language and ability to correlate
ideas and structures clues can be found out.
In the above example, we can find many clues. The first sentence is given. It is about a farm
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worker. Now look at the alternatives. The second sentence must follow the first at the level of
meaning and also at the level of structure.
P. begins with the
Q. begins with He
R. begins with the
S. begins with His
Now it is only the pronoun that can be used after the first sentence and thus the second
sentence should be Q. To find the sequence of sentences that follows we have a clue in the last
sentence. To see what made the farm-worker's happiness vanish we have to start with the
sentence S as the second sentence. This is followed by R and than P. Thus the correct sequence
is QSRP and the answer is option D.
3. Several sentences without any definite beginning or end.

Rearrange the given six sentences, A, B, C, D, E and F, in the proper sequence so as to
form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the questions given below.
A.Miss Sullivan arrived at the Keller home when Helen was seven.
B.The deaf and blind Helen learned to communicate verbally.
C.But, eventually, Miss Sullivan's effort was rewarded.
D.Before Helen Keller was two years old, she lost her sight and her hearing.
E. Miss Sullivan worked closely with Helen, her new student.
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F. At, times the teacher became frustrated.
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1. Which sentence should come last?
2. Which sentence should come first?
3. Which sentence should come second?
4. Which sentence should come third?
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5. Which sentence should come fourth?
6. Which sentence should come fifth?
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The same method of arranging the paragraph first at the level of idea and then at the level
of sentences should be followed. Since the first and last sentences are not given, the first step is
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to locate the first sentence.

First, find some clues. For instance, in this paragraph, we may find a clue in the reference
to time. The paragraph is about Helen and Miss Sullivan. The first thing that happened in
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relation to time was the fact that Helen lost sight before she was two years old. Miss Sullivan
arrived when Helen was seven years old. The other incidents took place later. Thus, it is logical
that the first sentence should be D - the sentence telling us that Helen lost her sight before she
was two years old. After that we can arrange other sentences according to the time sequence. The
sequence is D A E F C B. All questions may be answered now.
1) B, 2) D, 3) A, 4) E, 5) F, 6) C
Practice test
The sentences given in each question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph.
Each sentence is labelled with a letter. Choose the most logical sequence from among the given
choices to construct a coherent paragraph.
1. A) To much of the labour movement, it symbolizes the brutality of the upper classes.
B) And to everybody watching, the current mess over fox hunting symbolizes the
government's weakness.
C) To fox hunting's supporters, Labour's 1991 manifesto commitment to ban it symbolizes the
party's metropolitan roots and hostility to the countryside.
D) Small issues sometimes have large symbolic power.
E) To those who enjoy thunde-ring across the countryside in red coats after foxes, fox hunting
symbolizes the ancient roots of rural lives.
1) DEACB 2) ECDBA 3) CEADB 4) DBAEC
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2. A) Once the police managed to capture him.
B) He robbed rich people again.
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C) He was sent to prison for 10 years, but he managed to escape.
D) He helped the poor and the needy from the money so obtained.
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E) The court which tried him found him to be guilty.
F) There was a dacoit who used to rob rich people.
1) DBFAEC 2) FECDBA 3) CEADFB 4) FDAECB
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3. A) Passivity is not, of course universal.
B) In areas where there are no lords or laws, or in frontier zones where all men go armed, the
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attitude of the peasantry may well be different.

C) So indeed it may be on the fringe of the unsubmissive.
D) However, for the most of the soil-bound peasants the problem is not whether to be
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normally passive or active, but when to pass from one state to another.
E) This depends on an assessment of the political situation.
1) BEDAC 2) CDABE 3) EDBAC 4) ABCDE
ANSWERS: 1) 1, 2) 4, 3) 3
GENERAL ENGLISH
Vocabulary
An antonym is a word which has the opposite meaning of the given word. Let us see some
tips to crack this part.
1. Note that the given word and the answer must belong to the same parts of speech.
Pragmatic: a) Angry b) quixotic c) colourful d) pungent
The word Pragmatic is an adje-ctive. Out of the given options the word which is opposite in
meaning and belonging to the same parts of speech is quixotic. The correct answer is b.
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2. The given word and the answer must belong to the same tense form.
Perceived: a) Ignored b) created c) apprehend d) conceive
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Here the alternatives apprehend and conceive are in the present tense and thus they can be
rejected. Ignored gives an opposite meaning and it is also in the past tense as the word
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Perceived is. Thus, the correct answer is a.
3. Make sure that the given word and the answer are in the same voice.
Contraction: a) Reduction b) something which is being expanded
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c) increase d) expansive
The word Contraction is a noun in active voice. The alternative reduction is similar. The
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option b is in passive voice. Thus all the three alternatives are incorrect. The word increase is
a noun and is in active voice. The correct answer is c.
4. A favourite trick as we have seen with the synonyms is in the alternatives given a synonym
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may be given to confuse the candidates.

Venerate: a) Respect b) condemn c) inculcate d) initiate
The alternative 'a' respect is a synonym. One needs to be alert in such cases. The correct
option here is b.
Format 1
Select from the four alternatives, the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word
given in capital letters:
1.ABSTAIN
a) Refuse b) oppose c) permit d) run away
2.CANDID
a) Useless b) misleading c) worthless d) legal
3.IMPLICIT
a) Satire b) baseless c) unexplained d) definite
Answers: 1) c 2) b 3) d
Explanation
1. 'Abstain' means to withhold oneself from an action or self-indulgence, whereas 'permit' refers
to the act of not preventing, which is opposite in meaning.
2. 'Candid' refers to revealing or expressing one's true thoughts or feelings, whereas 'misleading'
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means something that is apt to give a false or mistaken impression.
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3. 'Implicit' refers to something that is not revealed in words but can be inferred from the
evidence, whereas 'definite' refers to expressions unclouded by any ambiguity.
Format II
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In each of the following questions there are four pairs of words marked a-d. Each pair except
one, consist of two words that are opposite in meaning to each other. Select the odd pair.
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1. a) frantic/imperturbable b) fragile/flexible
c) brittle/frail d) mediocre/distinctive
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2. a) turbulent/tranquil b) deplete/revitalise
c) terse/lengthy d) stigma/taint
3. a) persist/collapse b) persistent/occasional
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c) perimeter/centre d) forswear/disclaim
Answers: 1) c 2) d 3) d
Practice Test
Choose the word which is nearly opposite in meaning to the given word.
1. Obey
a) Attract b) disobey c) repel d) diffuse
2. Alleviation
a) Lessening b) magnification c) intensify d) aggravation
3. Transparent
a) Translucent b) vague c) blind d) opaque
4. Virtuous
a) Vicious b) vulgar c) miserly d) insincere
5. Cynical
a) Mature b) eccentric c) naïve d) crazy
6. Malevolent
a) Kindly b) vacuous c) ambivalent d) primitive
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7. Erudite
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a) Ignorant b) unknown c) illiterate d) unfamiliar
8. Morose S
a) Healthy b) gloomy c) haggard d) cheerful
9. Antipathy
a) Indifference b) willingness c) fondness d) liking
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10. Churlish
a) Young b) cultured c) cowardly d) accommodating
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11. Desultory
a) Methodical b) random c) aimless d) indiscriminate
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12. Parochial
a) Broad-minded b) contradictory c) paranoid d) overriding
13. Fickle
a) Belligerent b) constant c) disinterested d) proud
14. Disgruntled
a) Contended b) detached c) obedient d) vigorous
15. Vibrant
a) Feel aggrieved at b) occasional c) pale d) shabby
16. Forbidding
a) Declaring b) forcing c) exposing d) inviting
17. Reprimand
a) Bequeath b) petition c) praise d) scold
18. Lush
a) Cramped b) ridiculous c) rampant d) sparse
19. Tentative
a) Definite b) outdated c) preliminary d) universal
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20. Passionate
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a) Abnormal b) apathetic c) oppressive d) superficial
Each of the following items consists of a word in capital letters, followed by four words
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or group of words. Select the word or group of words that is most similar in meaning to the word
in capital letters.
21. BEMOAN
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a) Lament b) Pacify c) Request d) Imagine
22. PROSAIC
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a) Dull and ordinary b) Slow and steady c) Grand d) Precious
23 ELOQUENT
a) Ambiguous b) Graceful c) Fluent d) Productive
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24. FRAIL
a) Astute b) Delicate c) Foolish d) Immature
25. DERELICT
a) Derogatory b) Depressing c) Ramshackle d) Sluggish
26. INJUNCTION
a) Embargo b) Injustice c) Ruling d) Reproach
27. IMPLORE
a) Entreat b) Put into Practice c) Interfere d) Transmit
28. GROTESQUE
a) Boring b) Gripping c) Monstrous d) Obnoxious
29. PERTINENT
a) Dependable b) Relevant c) Remarkable d) Sensible
30. ESCALATE
a) Rise b) Diminish c) Roll on d) Spiral
31. FLIPPANT
a) Disrespectful b) Polite c) Serious d) Wrong
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32. ALACRITY
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a) Cleanliness b) Cleverness c) Eagerness d) Reluctance
33. BLEMISHES S
a) Qualities b) Faults c) Bruises d) Vices
34. INCESSANT
a) Uncertain b) Ceaseless c) Unshaken d) Successive
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35. CRYPTIC
a) Elaborate b) Obscure c) A warning d) Cautionary
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36. CLEMENCY
a) Harshness b) Mercy c) Stiffness d) Seriousness
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37. ABOMINABLE
a) Disgusting b) Lovable c) Abusive d) Undisciplined
38. SCOWL
a) Scar b) Frown c) Pimple d) Smile
39. EXONERATE
a) Absolve b) Implicate c) Exempt d) Entangle
40. ARRAIGN
a) Punish b) Pardon c) Summon d) Indict
41. SKIRMISH
a) Fight b) Contact c) Enmity d) Relations
42. GAUCHE
a) Vain b) Tactless c) Rich d) Polished
43. ABORTIVE
a) Futile b) Unyielding c) Effective d) Methodical
44. SALUBRIOUS
a) Healthy b) Outdoor c) Spacious d) Luxurious
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45. CANTANKEROUS
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a) Talkative b) Aggressive c) Quarrelsome d) Obedient
Key
1) b 2) d 3) d
S4) a 5) a 6) a 7) a 8) d
9) c 10) b 11) a 12) a 13) b 14) a 15) c 16) d

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17) c 18) d 19) a 20) b 21) a 22) a 23) c 24) b
25) c 26) a 27) a 28) c 29) b 30) a 31) a 32) c

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33) b 34) b 35) b 36) b 37) a 38) b 39) a 40) d

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41) a 42) b 43) a 44) a 45) c

English Grammar (Sakshi)

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English Grammar (Sakshi)

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Parts Of Speech

Nouns: Action: Laughter, theft, movement,

Prepositions: Ex: She looked at me from above

Conjunctions: He can't attend duty because he is

☞ Zing - This is similar to a rim 11) The sea is very stormy.

Prepositions Showing Time

In is generally used to denote a specific time, period, month, year.

By refers to the latest time by which an action will be over.

E.g. India has been independent since

Prepositions Showing Position

In refers to a big area.

Below is used for lower than.

Beneath shows a lower position.

Prepositions showing direction

2. Towards points out particular direction.

3. Into indicates a movement inside something.

5. For denotes direction.

6. Along shows the same line.

7. Across means from one side.

8. From refers to a point of departure.

9. Before denotes face- to-face.

10. Behind means at the back of someone or something.

11. After refers to a sequence.

12. Beside means by the side of.

13. As a preposition, besides means in addition to.

Words taking more than one preposition

B. With (subtle things).

C. For (for a cause).

They are appealing for funds to build a new church.

B. For (post or thing).

B. By (to depend on, to believe in).

He cannot part with his money.

Some important prepositions:

Bungle over Busy with Busy in

Indict for Indifferent to Indulge in

1. Nobody wanted to work _____ New Year's Day.

2. I met him _____ the afternoon.

3. I did things differently _____ the New Year.

4. My dog used to be scared _____ night.

5. You could not go shopping ____ working hours.

6. He had breakfast _____ eight o' clock.

7. She made a very good plan ____ once.

9. He wrote again ____ four weeks time.

10. One of the policemen was killed _____ a knife.

11. How long have you been here _____?

13. I came _____ vain.

14. If you are _____ doubt do not hesitate to contact me.

17. Currently many countries in the world are _____ war.

19. I know it was not an accident. You did it _____ purpose.

20. I saw it _____ TV.

21. He had to repent _____what he had done.

22. A good judge never gropes ____ the conclusion.

24. A study mind triumphs ____ difficulties.

25. Religious leaders should not delve _____ politics.

26. My voice reverberated _____ the walls of the castle.

27. She hates being late. She is always _____ time.

29. It is only _____ you and me. Keep it confidential.

32. He grew up _____ drug addicts. No wonder he became one.

35. Did you come all this way _____ foot?

36. _____ when have you lived in this town?

37. I rang him _____ Friday.

38. I spent a lot of money _____ my holiday.

39. I paid the phone bill _____ March.

A or an is called the Indefinite Article because it leaves indefinite the person,

1. I had_ sandwich and _ apple for breakfast.