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Past Questions
Choose the most appropriate meaning for the idiom: To be close-fisted
A)
To attack someone
B)
To lack warmth or affection
C)
To keep a secret
D)
To be miserly
Option D is correct: To be miserly.
Choose the most appropriate meaning for the idiom: To hold one’s tongue
A)
To flatter someone
B)
To keep silent
C)
To lie blatantly
D)
To argue with someone
Option B is correct: To keep silent.
Transform the following sentence into an Affirmative sentence without changing its meaning: 'I was not at all sure of your success.'
A)
I was sure of your success
B)
I was doubtful of your success
C)
I was at all sure of your success
D)
I was unenthusiastic of your success
Option B is correct: I was doubtful of your success.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: We must treat everyone equally, irrespective _____ race, class or gender.
A)
on
B)
to
C)
by
D)
of
Option D is correct: of.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb: We _____ (drive) all the way to the resort, only for it to be closed.
A)
drive
B)
were driving
C)
drove
D)
will drive
Option C is correct: drove.
Change the following sentence to Direct speech: The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun.
A)
The teacher said, “The earth revolves around the sun.”
B)
The teacher said, “the earth revolved around the sun.”
C)
The teacher says, “The earth revolve around the sun.”
D)
The teacher said, “The earth has revolved around the sun.”
Option A is correct: The teacher said, “The earth revolves around the sun.”.
Change the following sentence to Indirect speech: She said to Peter, “Give me your book, please”
A)
She said to Peter that give her his book please.
B)
She requested Peter to give her his book.
C)
She told Peter to give her his book please.
D)
She asked Peter to give me your book.
Option B is correct: She requested Peter to give her his book..
Transform the following sentence into a Negative sentence without changing its meaning: 'It is possible that I may have been mistaken.'
A)
It is not possible that I may have been mistaken
B)
It is possible that I may have not been mistaken
C)
It is impossible that I may have been mistaken
D)
It is not impossible that I may have been mistaken
Option D is correct: It is not impossible that I may have been mistaken.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: The examination will commence ______6th November.
A)
at
B)
on
C)
by
D)
in
The question tests the correct usage of prepositions of time.
1. **Rule for 'On'**: We use the preposition 'on' for specific dates (e.g., on 6th November) and specific days of the week (e.g., on Monday). Since '6th November' is a specific calendar date, 'on' is the grammatically correct choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'at'**: Used for precise times (e.g., at 10:00 AM) or specific points in time (e.g., at noon, at midnight).
- **'by'**: Used to indicate a deadline or 'not later than' (e.g., by November 6th). While logically possible in some contexts, 'commence' (to start) typically pairs with a specific start date rather than a deadline.
- **'in'**: Used for non-specific times, months, years, seasons, or long periods (e.g., in November, in 2025, in the winter). It cannot be used with a specific date.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: I had no time to warn you. ______, I wasn’t sure.
A)
besides
B)
aside
C)
beside
D)
asides
The sentence requires a word that means 'in addition to' or 'moreover' to introduce a second reason why the speaker did not warn the other person.
1. **'Besides' (Option a)**: When used as an adverb, 'besides' means 'moreover' or 'in addition.' In this context, the speaker provides one reason (no time) and then adds another reason (wasn't sure). This fits the grammatical and logical structure of the sentence perfectly.
2. **'Beside' (Option c)**: This is a preposition meaning 'at the side of' or 'next to' (e.g., 'Sit beside me'). It cannot be used as a conjunctive adverb to mean 'moreover.'
3. **'Aside' (Option b)**: This usually means 'to one side' and is typically used in phrases like 'set aside' or 'step aside.' It does not function as a transition word meaning 'furthermore.'
4. **'Asides' (Option d)**: This is the plural noun form of 'aside,' referring to remarks made to the audience in a play that are not intended to be heard by other characters. It is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Transform the following sentence to Assertive without changing its meaning: How can I bear it any longer?
A)
I can bear it no longer
B)
It is asked if I can bear it any longer
C)
I would not bear it no longer
D)
It is too hard to bear
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the original sentence**: 'How can I bear it any longer?' is an interrogative sentence. In this context, it is a rhetorical question, meaning it is not asking for information but is instead expressing a strong feeling—specifically, that the speaker cannot bear the situation any longer.
2. **Transformation Rule**: When transforming a rhetorical question into an assertive sentence, the meaning must remain the same. If the question is positive in form ('How can I...'), the assertive statement is typically negative ('I cannot...').
3. **Evaluate Option (a)**: 'I can bear it no longer' is the assertive equivalent of 'I cannot bear it any longer.' It accurately conveys the inability to endure the situation, maintaining the original meaning.
4. **Evaluate Option (b)**: 'It is asked if I can bear it any longer' changes the sentence into an indirect question/report, which alters the tone and meaning from a personal expression of distress to a factual report of a question.
5. **Evaluate Option (c)**: 'I would not bear it no longer' is grammatically incorrect due to the double negative ('not' and 'no longer'), which would logically imply that the person *would* bear it.
6. **Evaluate Option (d)**: 'It is too hard to bear' captures the sentiment but is a paraphrase rather than a direct grammatical transformation of the specific phrase 'How can I bear it any longer?'
Therefore, option (a) is the most accurate and grammatically correct transformation.
Identify the underlined part of the sentence: She took time off for a much needed vacation. (Underlined: for a much needed vacation)
A)
Adverb phrase
B)
Noun phrase
C)
adverb clause
D)
adjective clause
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Analyze the structure**: The underlined part 'for a much needed vacation' consists of a preposition ('for'), an adjective ('much needed'), and a noun ('vacation'). Since it does not contain both a subject and a finite verb, it is a **phrase**, not a clause. This immediately eliminates options (c) and (d).
2. **Determine the function**: The phrase modifies the verb 'took' (specifically 'took time off'). It answers the question 'Why?' or 'For what purpose?' did she take time off.
3. **Classify the phrase**: A phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb by providing information about time, place, manner, or reason/purpose is an **adverb phrase** (specifically a prepositional phrase acting as an adverb of purpose).
4. **Evaluate other options**:
- It is not a **noun phrase** because it does not function as a subject, object, or complement in the sentence.
- It is not an **adjective clause** because it lacks a subject/verb and does not modify a noun.
- It is not an **adverb clause** because it lacks a subject and a finite verb.
Choose the most appropriate meaning for the idiom: Up to one’s elbows
A)
Deeply involved in something
B)
Pay no attention to something
C)
In great suspense
D)
To feel discouraged
The idiom 'up to one's elbows' (or 'up to one's neck') is a metaphorical expression used to describe a person who is heavily engaged or deeply immersed in a particular activity, often one that is demanding, messy, or time-consuming. For example, 'She is up to her elbows in paperwork' means she is completely occupied with it.
Analysis of other options:
- Option (b) 'Pay no attention to something' is incorrect; this would be closer to idioms like 'turn a deaf ear'.
- Option (c) 'In great suspense' is incorrect; this would be described as being 'on the edge of one's seat'.
- Option (d) 'To feel discouraged' is incorrect; this would be described as being 'down in the dumps'.
Identify the part of speech in the underlined word: She is very uninclined to read the manuscript. (Underlined: uninclined)
A)
Adjective
B)
Adverb
C)
Preposition
D)
Pronoun
Step-by-step analysis:
1. **Analyze the word**: The word 'uninclined' is derived from the root 'incline' (meaning to be disposed toward something), with the prefix 'un-' (meaning not) and the suffix '-ed' (forming an adjective).
2. **Analyze the sentence structure**: In the sentence 'She is very uninclined to read the manuscript,' the word 'uninclined' follows the linking verb 'is'.
3. **Determine the function**: A word that follows a linking verb to describe the subject ('She') is called a subject complement. Specifically, since it describes a quality or state of the subject, it functions as an adjective.
4. **Verify with modifiers**: The word 'very' is an adverb of degree. Adverbs of degree typically modify adjectives or other adverbs. In this context, 'very' modifies 'uninclined', confirming that 'uninclined' is an adjective.
Why other options are incorrect:
- **b. Adverb**: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. 'Uninclined' describes the person ('She'), not the action.
- **c. Preposition**: Prepositions show the relationship between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence (e.g., in, on, at). 'Uninclined' does not perform this function.
- **d. Pronoun**: Pronouns replace nouns (e.g., he, she, it). 'Uninclined' is a descriptive word, not a replacement for a noun.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: He is late;______, we shall start without him.
A)
finally
B)
whereas
C)
consequently
D)
provided
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the sentence structure: The sentence consists of two independent clauses. The first clause ('He is late') presents a cause or a situation. The second clause ('we shall start without him') presents the result or effect of that situation.
2. Evaluate the options based on logical connection:
- (a) 'finally': Used to introduce a final point or conclusion after a series of events. It does not logically link a cause to an immediate effect in this context.
- (b) 'whereas': A conjunction used to highlight a contrast between two ideas (e.g., 'He likes tea, whereas she likes coffee'). There is no contrast here, only a cause-and-effect relationship.
- (c) 'consequently': An adverb meaning 'as a result'. This perfectly fits the logic: Because he is late (cause), the result is that we will start without him (effect).
- (d) 'provided': A conjunction meaning 'on the condition that'. This would imply we start without him only if he is late, but the sentence states as a fact that he *is* late.
3. Conclusion: 'Consequently' is the only option that correctly establishes the cause-and-effect relationship between the two clauses.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate form of the verb in brackets: She _____ (sit) there waiting for you for over an hour.
A)
sits
B)
had sat
C)
has been sitting
D)
was sitting
The sentence contains the phrase 'for over an hour', which is a time marker indicating a duration of time. When an action started in the past and is still continuing up to the present moment, the Present Perfect Continuous tense is required. The structure for this tense is: Subject + has/have + been + verb-ing.
Analysis of options:
- (a) 'sits' (Simple Present): Used for habits or general truths, not for actions continuing over a specific duration.
- (b) 'had sat' (Past Perfect): Used for an action completed before another action in the past; there is no second past event here to justify its use.
- (c) 'has been sitting' (Present Perfect Continuous): Correct. It links the past start of the action to the present moment of waiting.
- (d) 'was sitting' (Past Continuous): Used for an action that was happening at a specific moment in the past, but it does not typically pair with 'for [duration]' to show a continuing state leading to the present.
Change the following sentence to Direct speech: The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun.
A)
The teacher said, “The earth revolves around the sun.”
B)
The teacher said, “the earth revolved around the sun.”
C)
The teacher says, “The earth revolve around the sun.”
D)
The teacher said, “The earth has revolved around the sun.”
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the Indirect Speech**: The sentence 'The teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun' contains a reporting verb in the past tense ('said') and a subordinate clause ('the earth revolves around the sun').
2. **Identify the Nature of the Statement**: The clause 'the earth revolves around the sun' is a universal truth/scientific fact.
3. **Rule of Tense in Direct/Indirect Speech**: When a statement expresses a universal truth or a permanent fact, the tense remains unchanged even when converting from direct to indirect speech (and vice versa). Therefore, the present simple tense 'revolves' must be maintained.
4. **Conversion to Direct Speech**:
- The reporting verb 'said' remains 'said'.
- The conjunction 'that' is removed and replaced by a comma and quotation marks.
- The statement inside the quotes must be the original words spoken: 'The earth revolves around the sun.'
**Evaluation of Options**:
- **Option a**: Correct. It maintains the reporting verb 'said' and the universal truth in the present tense.
- **Option b**: Incorrect. It changes 'revolves' to 'revolved', which is grammatically incorrect for a universal truth.
- **Option c**: Incorrect. It changes the reporting verb to 'says' and uses 'revolve' (incorrect subject-verb agreement for 'the earth').
- **Option d**: Incorrect. It changes the tense to present perfect ('has revolved'), altering the meaning of the scientific fact.
Change the following sentence to Indirect speech: She said to Peter, “Give me your book, please”
A)
She said to Peter that give her his book please.
B)
She requested Peter to give her his book.
C)
She told Peter to give her his book please.
D)
She asked Peter to give me your book.
Step-by-step conversion from Direct to Indirect speech:
1. **Identify the Sentence Type**: The sentence 'Give me your book, please' is an Imperative sentence used as a request (indicated by the word 'please').
2. **Reporting Verb**: In imperative sentences, 'said to' is changed based on the tone. Since 'please' is used, 'said to' becomes 'requested'.
3. **Connecting Word**: For imperative sentences, the comma and quotation marks are replaced by the infinitive 'to'.
4. **Pronoun Changes**:
- 'me' (first person) refers to the speaker ('She'), so it changes to 'her'.
- 'your' (second person) refers to the listener ('Peter'), so it changes to 'his'.
5. **Removal of Politeness Markers**: The word 'please' is absorbed into the reporting verb 'requested' and is not repeated in the indirect speech.
Analysis of options:
- **Option a**: Incorrect. It uses 'that' (used for assertive sentences) and retains 'please', which is grammatically wrong in indirect speech.
- **Option b**: Correct. It correctly uses 'requested', the infinitive 'to', and the correct pronoun shifts.
- **Option c**: Incorrect. 'Told' is less accurate than 'requested' for a 'please' sentence, and it incorrectly retains the word 'please'.
- **Option d**: Incorrect. It fails to change the pronouns 'me' and 'your', which is a fundamental rule of indirect speech.
Identify the part of speech in the underlined word: I do not simply love, you, I worship and adore you. (Underlined: simply)
A)
Adjective
B)
Verb
C)
Adverb
D)
Noun
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. **Analyze the sentence structure**: In the phrase 'I do not simply love you', the word 'simply' is modifying the verb 'love'.
2. **Define the function**: An adverb is a word that modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. Here, 'simply' describes the manner or degree of the action 'love', indicating that the feeling is not merely limited to love but extends to worship and adoration.
3. **Evaluate the options**:
- **a. Adjective**: Incorrect. Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns. 'Simply' does not describe 'I' or 'you'.
- **b. Verb**: Incorrect. A verb expresses an action or state. 'Simply' does not express an action; 'love', 'worship', and 'adore' are the verbs in this sentence.
- **c. Adverb**: Correct. It modifies the verb 'love'. Most words ending in '-ly' that describe how an action is performed are adverbs.
- **d. Noun**: Incorrect. A noun is a person, place, thing, or idea. 'Simply' does not function as a subject or object in this sentence.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: Many years ______, I met a man who told me my fortune.
A)
since
B)
hence
C)
ago
D)
then
The sentence is written in the Simple Past Tense ('I met'), which indicates a completed action at a specific point in the past.
1. 'Ago' is an adverb used to refer to a period of time measured back from the present moment. It is the standard word used with the simple past to indicate how far back in the past something happened (e.g., 'Many years ago').
2. 'Since' is used to refer to a point in time from which an action started and continues to the present; it is typically used with the Present Perfect tense (e.g., 'It has been many years since I met him').
3. 'Hence' is an adverb meaning 'from now' or 'therefore,' used for future time or logical conclusions (e.g., 'Two years hence').
4. 'Then' refers to a specific time in the past or future, but it cannot be used as a quantifier for a duration of time like 'many years' in this syntactic position.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: The man died ____ cholera, leaving behind his wife and two children.
A)
by
B)
of
C)
from
D)
with
In English grammar, the choice of preposition following the verb 'die' depends on the cause of death.
1. 'Die of' is used when the cause of death is a specific disease, illness, or internal cause (e.g., die of cholera, die of cancer, die of hunger). Since cholera is a specific infectious disease, 'of' is the grammatically correct preposition.
2. 'Die from' is typically used for external causes or indirect causes, such as injuries, exhaustion, or poisoning (e.g., die from a wound, die from overwork).
3. 'Die by' is used when the death is caused by a specific instrument or a violent act, often associated with suicide or execution (e.g., die by the sword, die by suicide).
4. 'Die with' is generally used to describe a state or accompanying circumstance at the time of death, rather than the cause (e.g., he died with a smile on his face).
Therefore, because cholera is a disease, 'of' is the only appropriate choice.
Identify the part of speech in the underlined word: There is a party next week though I don’t think I can go. (Underlined: though)
A)
Preposition
B)
Conjunction
C)
Adverb
D)
Adjectives
Step-by-step reasoning:
1. Analyze the sentence structure: The sentence consists of two independent clauses: 'There is a party next week' and 'I don’t think I can go'.
2. Identify the role of the word 'though': The word 'though' is used to connect these two clauses, introducing a contrast or a concession (a 'concessive' relationship).
3. Define the part of speech: A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses is called a conjunction. Specifically, 'though' is a subordinating conjunction because it introduces a dependent clause ('though I don’t think I can go') that modifies the main clause.
4. Evaluate other options:
- (a) Preposition: Prepositions show relationship (like position or time) between a noun/pronoun and another part of the sentence; they do not connect two full clauses.
- (c) Adverb: Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs; 'though' does not function as a modifier here.
- (d) Adjectives: Adjectives describe nouns; 'though' does not describe a noun in this context.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition/adverb: He swore upon the sky ______ his head that he will not betray me.
A)
over
B)
on
C)
upon
D)
above
The sentence describes a solemn oath. In English, when referring to something that is physically higher than a specific point or person without being directly touching it, 'above' is the correct preposition. In this context, the 'sky' is positioned higher than the person's 'head'.
1. 'Above' is used to indicate a position higher than something else (the sky is above the head).
2. 'Over' usually implies movement across or being directly on top of something (e.g., 'the bird flew over the house'). While sometimes interchangeable with above, 'above' is the standard choice for relative height in a static position.
3. 'On' and 'Upon' imply physical contact or resting on a surface. The sky cannot be physically resting 'on' or 'upon' a person's head.
Therefore, 'above' is the most grammatically and logically accurate choice for this spatial relationship.
Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: (a) Mr. Sharma is planning / (b) to settle in Delhi / (c) as soon as he will retire in Apil next year. / (d) No error
A)
(a)
B)
(b)
C)
(c)
D)
(d)
The error lies in the use of the future tense ('will retire') within a subordinate clause of time. In English grammar, when a sentence refers to a future action using time conjunctions such as 'as soon as', 'when', 'until', 'before', or 'after', the clause following the conjunction must be in the Simple Present Tense, even though the meaning is future.
Step-by-step breakdown:
1. Main Clause: 'Mr. Sharma is planning to settle in Delhi' (Correct).
2. Time Clause: 'as soon as he will retire in April next year'.
3. Rule: In time clauses, the Simple Present is used instead of the Simple Future.
4. Correction: 'will retire' should be replaced with 'retires'.
Corrected Sentence: 'Mr. Sharma is planning to settle in Delhi as soon as he retires in April next year.'
Change the following sentence to Indirect speech: The maid said, “The boy was hiding in a closet.”
A)
The maid said that the boy was hiding in a closet.
B)
The maid said that the boy hid in a closet
C)
The maid said that the boy had been hiding in a closet.
D)
The maid said that the boy had hid in a closet.
To convert a sentence from Direct to Indirect speech, we must follow the rules of tense backshifting when the reporting verb ('said') is in the past tense.
1. **Identify the tense of the reported speech**: The phrase 'The boy was hiding in a closet' is in the **Past Continuous Tense** (was + verb-ing).
2. **Apply the backshifting rule**: According to the rules of indirect speech, the Past Continuous Tense changes into the **Past Perfect Continuous Tense** (had been + verb-ing).
3. **Transformation**: 'was hiding' becomes 'had been hiding'.
4. **Connecting word**: The conjunction 'that' is used to introduce the reported clause.
Evaluating the options:
- Option (a) keeps the tense as Past Continuous, which is incorrect for standard formal grammar backshifting.
- Option (b) changes it to Simple Past, which is incorrect.
- Option (c) correctly changes Past Continuous to Past Perfect Continuous ('had been hiding').
- Option (d) uses 'had hid', which is grammatically incorrect (the past participle of hide is 'hidden') and changes the aspect of the verb from continuous to simple.