← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: To kick the bucket
A)
To die
B)
To be lazy
C)
To be angry
D)
To be argumentative
The idiom 'To kick the bucket' is an informal English euphemism that means 'to die'. Therefore, option 'a' is the correct meaning. The other options—'To be lazy' (option b), 'To be angry' (option c), and 'To be argumentative' (option d)—do not represent the meaning of this idiom.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The judge made a decision and ruled that the estate be divided among the seven sons.
A)
Conjunction
B)
Interjection
C)
Adjective
D)
Preposition
In the given sentence, the underlined word is 'among'.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** 'Among' is a preposition. Prepositions are words that show the relationship between a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition, here 'the seven sons') and other words in a sentence. Here, 'among' indicates the distribution of the estate.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Conjunction (a):** Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., 'and', 'that' in this sentence).
- **Interjection (b):** Interjections express sudden or strong emotions (e.g., 'Alas!', 'Wow!').
- **Adjective (c):** Adjectives modify or describe nouns (e.g., 'seven' is an adjective modifying 'sons').
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: My father is a ___________ who does not like to be around people.
A)
philanthropist
B)
philosphist
C)
misanthropist
D)
pedestrian
The correct option is 'c' (misanthropist). A 'misanthropist' (or misanthrope) is a person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society, which perfectly fits the description of someone who 'does not like to be around people'.
Here is why the other options are incorrect:
- 'philanthropist' (a) is the exact opposite; it refers to a person who loves humanity and promotes the welfare of others, often through charitable donations.
- 'philosphist' (b) is a non-standard term (likely a misspelling of philosopher) and does not relate to avoiding people.
- 'pedestrian' (d) refers to a person walking along a road or street, which is irrelevant to the context of social behavior.
Transform the following sentence into an Affirmative sentence without changing the meaning: None can escape death.
A)
Some must die.
B)
All must die.
C)
None must die.
D)
Few must die.
To transform a negative sentence into an affirmative one without changing its meaning, we must use an affirmative word that conveys the same universal truth. The original sentence 'None can escape death' means that death is inevitable for everyone. Option 'b' ('All must die.') is affirmative and perfectly preserves this meaning. Options 'a' ('Some must die') and 'd' ('Few must die') alter the meaning by suggesting that only a portion of people are subject to death. Option 'c' ('None must die') is still a negative sentence and contradicts the original statement.
Transform the following sentence into a Negative Sentence without changing the meaning: I was doubtful whether it was you.
A)
I was not sure that it was you.
B)
I was unsure that it was going to be you.
C)
I am rather unsure if it was you.
D)
I was very not sure if that was you or not.
To transform an affirmative sentence into a negative sentence without changing its meaning, we use the negative of the antonym. The antonym of 'doubtful' is 'sure', so 'was doubtful' becomes 'was not sure'. Option (a) correctly applies this rule while maintaining the original past tense ('was'). Option (b) changes the meaning by introducing 'going to be'. Option (c) incorrectly changes the tense from past ('was') to present ('am'). Option (d) is grammatically incorrect ('very not sure').
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: Gravity ________ (pull) objects towards the Earth.
A)
pulls
B)
does pull
C)
pulled
D)
has pulled
The correct option is 'a' (pulls). The sentence states a scientific fact and a universal truth, which must always be expressed in the Simple Present Tense. Since 'Gravity' is a singular noun, it takes the singular verb form 'pulls'. Option 'b' (does pull) is incorrect because emphatic form is not required here. Option 'c' (pulled) is in the past tense, which incorrectly implies that gravity no longer pulls objects. Option 'd' (has pulled) is in the present perfect tense, which is inappropriate for describing a continuous, universal law of nature.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Moriarty found many shoes under the house.
A)
Adverb
B)
Verb
C)
Adjective
D)
Preposition
In the sentence 'Moriarty found many shoes under the house', the underlined word is 'under'.
1. **Why 'Preposition' (d) is correct**: The word 'under' is a preposition because it indicates a spatial relationship, linking the noun phrase 'the house' (its object) to the rest of the sentence to show where the shoes were found.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Adverb (a)**: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Here, 'under' introduces a prepositional phrase rather than acting as an adverb.
- **Verb (b)**: The verb in this sentence is 'found', which expresses the action performed by the subject (Moriarty).
- **Adjective (c)**: An adjective modifies or describes a noun. In this sentence, 'many' is an adjective modifying 'shoes', not 'under'.
Transform the following sentence into an Exclamatory Sentence without changing the meaning: I wish I were a millionaire
A)
If I was only a rich man!
B)
How to be a millionaire!
C)
If only I were a millionaire!
D)
If only I could have been a millionaire!
To transform an assertive sentence expressing a wish (starting with 'I wish I were...') into an exclamatory sentence, we replace 'I wish' with 'If only' while keeping the subjunctive verb 'were' and the rest of the sentence structure intact. Therefore, 'If only I were a millionaire!' is the correct exclamatory form. Option 'a' incorrectly changes 'were' to 'was' and alters 'millionaire' to 'rich man'. Option 'b' is grammatically incorrect and changes the meaning. Option 'd' changes the tense to the past ('could have been'), which alters the original meaning of a present wish.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: We waited until she arrived.
A)
Adjective
B)
Adverb
C)
Noun
D)
Conjunction
In the sentence 'We waited until she arrived', the word 'until' connects the main clause ('We waited') with the subordinate clause ('she arrived'). Therefore, it functions as a subordinating conjunction.
- Adjective (a): Incorrect because 'until' does not modify a noun or pronoun.
- Adverb (b): Incorrect because 'until' here is introducing a clause with a subject and a verb, making it a conjunction rather than a simple adverb.
- Noun (c): Incorrect because 'until' does not represent a person, place, thing, or idea.
Choose the correct alternative to change the speech: Sarah said, “The sun rises in the East”.
A)
Sarah said that the sun will rise in the East.
B)
Sarah said that the sun rose in the East.
C)
Sarah said that the sun has risen in the East.
D)
Sarah said that the sun rises in the East.
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, if the reported speech expresses a universal truth, scientific fact, or habitual action, the tense of the verb remains unchanged, even if the reporting verb is in the past tense ('said'). Since 'The sun rises in the East' is a universal truth, the verb 'rises' must remain in the simple present tense. Therefore, option 'd' is correct. Options 'a', 'b', and 'c' are incorrect because they unnecessarily change the tense to future ('will rise'), simple past ('rose'), and present perfect ('has risen') respectively.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: We admired the landscape of the country and decided to return annually.
A)
Adjective
B)
Conjunction
C)
Adverb
D)
Verb
In this sentence, the underlined word is 'annually'.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** 'Annually' is an **Adverb** (specifically, an adverb of frequency/time) because it modifies the verb 'return', describing how often the action of returning will take place.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Adjective (a):** Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns (e.g., 'beautiful landscape'), whereas 'annually' modifies a verb.
- **Conjunction (b):** Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., 'and' is the conjunction in this sentence).
- **Verb (d):** Verbs express actions or states of being (e.g., 'admired', 'decided', and 'return' are verbs in this sentence).
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: This building will never be given to that man, it is yours.
A)
Adverb
B)
Noun
C)
Adjective
D)
Pronoun
In the given sentence, the word 'yours' (or 'it') is a Pronoun. Specifically, 'yours' is a possessive pronoun used to show ownership and replace the noun phrase 'your building' to avoid repetition. 'Adverb' (a) is incorrect because it does not modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb. 'Noun' (b) is incorrect because it is a substituting word rather than a naming word. 'Adjective' (c) is incorrect because it does not directly modify a noun (unlike the possessive adjective 'your').
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: The head of the department informed her team that she would return _______ a week.
A)
For
B)
On
C)
within
D)
with
The correct preposition to fill in the blank is 'within'. 'Within a week' means before a week has passed, which perfectly fits the context of indicating the time frame of her return. 'For' (option a) would imply the duration of her stay rather than the time limit of her return. 'On' (option b) is used for specific days (e.g., 'on Monday') and is grammatically incorrect here. 'With' (option d) does not denote a time frame and is contextually incorrect.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: The last species of the mammal was born _____ April this year.
A)
at
B)
in
C)
by
D)
on
The correct preposition to use before a month (without a specific date) is 'in'. Therefore, 'in April' is the correct usage.
- 'at' (option a) is incorrect because it is used for specific times of the day (e.g., 'at 5 o'clock').
- 'by' (option c) is incorrect because it indicates a deadline or 'not later than' (e.g., 'by tomorrow'), which does not fit the context of a birth event.
- 'on' (option d) is incorrect because it is used for specific days and dates (e.g., 'on April 15th' or 'on Monday').
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: Ran in the same groove
A)
promote each other
B)
move in harmony
C)
clash with each other
D)
move in different directions
The idiom 'ran in the same groove' means to proceed, live, or act in perfect agreement, harmony, or in the same manner. Therefore, 'move in harmony' (option b) is the correct meaning. Option 'a' (promote each other) refers to mutual advancement, which is incorrect. Options 'c' (clash with each other) and 'd' (move in different directions) represent opposing concepts to running in the same groove.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: Please help me cut the yarn ______ a scissor.
A)
with
B)
for
C)
by
D)
on
The correct preposition to use here is 'with'. In English, we use 'with' to indicate the instrument or tool used to perform an action (e.g., 'cut with a scissor/scissors'). 'By' is incorrect because it is used to denote the agent performing the action or the method/means (e.g., 'by hand'). 'For' and 'on' are grammatically incorrect in this context as they do not express the instrument of an action.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: I have been learning driving_____ eight hours.
A)
since
B)
for
C)
from
D)
in
The correct preposition to fill in the blank is 'for'. In the present perfect continuous tense ('have been learning'), 'for' is used to denote a duration or period of time (e.g., 'eight hours'). In contrast, 'since' (option a) is used to indicate a specific starting point in time (e.g., 'since 8 o'clock'). 'From' (option c) is used to show the starting point of an action but not for duration in this tense, and 'in' (option d) is incorrect as it does not denote the duration of an ongoing action up to the present.
Choose the correct alternative to change the speech: Jim said, “I work here every day.”
A)
Jim said that he worked here yesterday.”
B)
Jim said that he worked there everyday.”
C)
Jim said that he worked here everyday.”
D)
Jim said that he worked everyday.”
To convert the direct speech 'Jim said, "I work here every day."' into indirect speech, we apply the following rules: 1. The pronoun 'I' changes to 'he' to agree with the subject 'Jim'. 2. The simple present verb 'work' changes to the simple past 'worked' because the reporting verb 'said' is in the past tense. 3. The adverb of place 'here' changes to 'there'. Therefore, option 'b' is correct: 'Jim said that he worked there everyday.' Option 'a' is incorrect because 'here' is not changed to 'there' and 'every day' is wrongly changed to 'yesterday'. Option 'c' is incorrect because 'here' is not changed to 'there'. Option 'd' is incorrect because the adverb of place is completely omitted.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: The phone tower ______ (shake) when the worker climbed it this evening.
A)
has shaken
B)
shakes
C)
is shaking
D)
was shaking
The correct option is 'd' (was shaking). The sentence describes a past action that was in progress ('was shaking') when another action occurred ('climbed'). This requires the past continuous tense. Option 'c' (is shaking) is present continuous, option 'b' (shakes) is simple present, and option 'a' (has shaken) is present perfect; none of these are grammatically correct because the second clause ('when the worker climbed...') establishes a past time frame.
Choose the correct alternative to change the speech: The planner said that the next meeting would be on Friday.
A)
The planner said, “The next meeting will be on Friday”.
B)
The planner said, “The next meeting would be on Friday”.
C)
The planner said, “The next meeting must be on Friday”.
D)
The planner says, “The next meeting will be on Friday”.
To convert the sentence from indirect speech to direct speech, we reverse the standard rules of backshifting tenses. 1. The reporting verb 'said' (past tense) must remain 'said' in direct speech, which rules out option d ('says'). 2. The modal verb 'would' in indirect speech changes back to 'will' in direct speech, which rules out option b ('would') and option c ('must'). Therefore, option a is the correct direct speech form: "The planner said, 'The next meeting will be on Friday'."
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: My sister knows French and German _______ Latin.
A)
beside
B)
besides
C)
with
D)
for
The correct answer is 'besides' (option b). 'Besides' is a preposition that means 'in addition to' or 'as well as', which perfectly fits the context of knowing French and German in addition to Latin. In contrast, 'beside' (option a) means 'next to' or 'at the side of' (e.g., 'she sat beside me'). 'With' (option c) and 'for' (option d) do not grammatically or semantically fit the sentence to convey the meaning of adding to a list of known languages.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: The repairman told me that my printer was _______ so he cannot find the spare parts.
A)
obsolete
B)
unanimous
C)
pascifist
D)
piscivore
The correct word to complete the sentence is 'obsolete'. Here is the breakdown:
1. **Why 'obsolete' is correct:** 'Obsolete' means no longer produced, used, or out of date. If a machine or printer is obsolete, manufacturers stop producing its components, making it extremely difficult to find spare parts.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **unanimous (b):** Means fully in agreement (e.g., a unanimous decision), which cannot describe a physical object like a printer.
- **pascifist (c):** A misspelling of 'pacifist', which refers to a person who opposes war or violence.
- **piscivore (d):** Refers to a carnivorous animal that feeds primarily on fish.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Mean managers mean nothing to me.
A)
Preposition
B)
Verb
C)
Adverb
D)
Adjective
In the sentence "Mean managers mean nothing to me," the word "mean" is used in two different ways:
1. The first "Mean" is an **Adjective** because it describes the noun "managers" (indicating they are unkind or cruel).
2. The second "mean" is a **Verb** (indicating significance or import).
Assuming the first word "Mean" is the underlined word (which is standard for this classic grammar question), the correct part of speech is **Adjective** (Option d).
* **Why other options are incorrect:**
* **Verb (b):** Only the second "mean" functions as the verb in this sentence.
* **Adverb (c):** "Mean" does not modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb here.
* **Preposition (a):** "Mean" does not show spatial, temporal, or logical relationships between nouns.
Transform the following sentence into a Complex sentence without changing the meaning: Search his backpack and you will find the missing wallet.
A)
If you search his backpack, you will find the missing wallet.
B)
If you search his bag therefore you will find the missing wallet.
C)
If his backpack is searched the missing wallet will probably be there.
D)
If people search his backpack wherefore will the missing wallet be found.
To transform a compound sentence (connected by 'and') into a complex sentence without changing its meaning, we can use a conditional clause starting with the subordinating conjunction 'If'.
1. **Option 'a' is correct** because 'If you search his backpack' acts as the dependent (subordinate) clause, and 'you will find the missing wallet' acts as the independent clause, making it a grammatically perfect complex sentence that retains the exact meaning of the original sentence.
2. **Option 'b' is incorrect** because the use of 'therefore' alongside 'If' is grammatically redundant and incorrect, and it changes 'backpack' to 'bag'.
3. **Option 'c' is incorrect** because the word 'probably' introduces uncertainty, which alters the definite meaning of the original sentence ('you will find').
4. **Option 'd' is incorrect** because the use of 'wherefore' is archaic, grammatically incorrect in this context, and distorts the meaning.
Transform the following sentence into an Imperative sentence without changing the meaning: You are forbidden to drink.
A)
Don’t drink.
B)
Please drink.
C)
Do drink.
D)
Drink instantly.
The original sentence 'You are forbidden to drink' expresses a prohibition (not being allowed to drink). To transform this into an imperative sentence without changing the meaning, we must use a negative imperative. 'Don’t drink' (Option a) correctly conveys this prohibition. Options b, c, and d are incorrect because they encourage or command the action of drinking, which directly contradicts the original meaning of being forbidden to drink.