← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions — 2026
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I rarely eat rice these days as I have to lose some weight.
A)
Adverb
B)
Preposition
C)
Adjective
D)
Conjunction
In the given sentence, the underlined word is 'rarely'.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** 'Rarely' is an **Adverb** (specifically, an adverb of frequency). It modifies the verb 'eat' by describing how often the action of eating rice takes place.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Adjective (Option c):** Adjectives modify nouns (e.g., 'some' modifying 'weight'), whereas 'rarely' modifies a verb.
- **Preposition (Option b):** Prepositions express spatial, temporal, or logical relationships between a noun/pronoun and other words (e.g., 'to' in 'to lose').
- **Conjunction (Option d):** Conjunctions connect clauses or words (e.g., 'as' is used as a conjunction here to connect the two clauses), whereas 'rarely' functions as a modifier.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: Mr. Walsh saw the gardener sitting ________ his sister.
A)
along
B)
besides
C)
beside
D)
in
The correct preposition to fill in the blank is 'beside'. 'Beside' means 'at the side of' or 'next to', which correctly describes the physical position of the gardener relative to Mr. Walsh's sister.
- 'besides' (option b) means 'in addition to' or 'apart from', which is incorrect in this context.
- 'along' (option a) means 'next to the length of' or 'moving in a constant direction', which does not fit here.
- 'in' (option d) is used to indicate being inside a container, place, or area, which is grammatically and logically incorrect in this sentence.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: Carrot and stick policy
A)
fair and foul
B)
continuous vigilance
C)
democratic
D)
reward and punishment
The idiom 'Carrot and stick policy' refers to a strategy of negotiation or persuasion that involves a combination of reward (represented by the carrot) and punishment (represented by the stick) to induce desired behavior. Therefore, 'reward and punishment' is the correct meaning. Option 'a' (fair and foul) refers to using both honest and dishonest means. Option 'b' (continuous vigilance) means being constantly watchful. Option 'c' (democratic) refers to a system based on social equality and collective decision-making. None of these align with the meaning of the idiom.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: My sister is a ________ who reminds me about what is wrong and what is right.
A)
military
B)
moralist
C)
fatalist
D)
mercenary
The correct option is 'b' (moralist). A 'moralist' is a person who teaches, follows, or enforces a system of moral values, specifically distinguishing between right and wrong behavior. This perfectly fits the context of the sentence. Other options are incorrect because: 'military' refers to armed forces; 'mercenary' refers to someone motivated solely by personal gain or money; and 'fatalist' is someone who believes that all events are predetermined by fate and are inevitable.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: He advised me, “You had better _____ (leave) now”.
A)
Leaving
B)
leave
C)
left
D)
had left
1. **Why the correct option is correct**: The phrase 'had better' is a modal-like expression used to give advice or recommendations. It is grammatically required to be followed by a bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without 'to'). Therefore, the base form 'leave' is the correct choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'left' (Option c)** is the past tense form, which cannot follow 'had better'.
- **'Leaving' (Option a)** is the present participle (-ing form), which is grammatically incorrect here.
- **'had left' (Option d)** is the past perfect form, which does not fit the structure of 'had better + bare infinitive'.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: Wrangled over an ass’s shadow
A)
quarrel over trifles
B)
to quarrel like fools
C)
to fight unnecessary battle
D)
to do unnecessary works
The idiom 'to wrangle over an ass’s shadow' means to argue or quarrel over petty, insignificant, or trivial matters. It originates from an ancient Greek tale where a traveler and an ass-driver argued over who had the right to sit in the shadow of the donkey. Therefore, option 'a' ('quarrel over trifles') is the correct meaning. Option 'b' is incorrect because it focuses on the foolishness of the people rather than the insignificance of the topic. Options 'c' and 'd' are incorrect as they refer to fighting battles or doing unnecessary work, which do not capture the essence of arguing over trivial things.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: An undercover police has to ______ himself to the changing situation in order to survive.
A)
adapt
B)
adopt
C)
adept
D)
adorn
The correct word is 'adapt' (option a), which means to adjust or modify oneself to suit new conditions or environments. In this context, an undercover police officer must adjust to changing situations to survive. 'Adopt' (option b) means to take up or accept something; 'adept' (option c) is an adjective meaning highly skilled and cannot function as a verb here; 'adorn' (option d) means to decorate or beautify, which is contextually incorrect.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: She expressed her sadness on receiving news of the accident.
A)
Noun
B)
Adjective
C)
Verb
D)
Preposition
The underlined word 'sadness' is a Noun (specifically, an abstract noun) because it names an emotion or state of being. In this sentence, it acts as the direct object of the verb 'expressed' and is preceded by the possessive determiner 'her'.
- **Adjective (b)** is incorrect because the adjective form is 'sad' (e.g., 'sad news').
- **Verb (c)** is incorrect because 'sadness' does not express an action or state of doing; the verb in this clause is 'expressed'.
- **Preposition (d)** is incorrect because 'sadness' does not show a spatial, temporal, or logical relationship between words (words like 'on' and 'of' are prepositions in this sentence).
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: Like a shag on a rock
A)
completely alone
B)
completely idle
C)
completely silent
D)
completely happy
The idiom 'like a shag on a rock' is an Australian and New Zealand colloquialism that means to be completely alone, isolated, or exposed. It refers to a 'shag' (a type of waterbird, similar to a cormorant) which is frequently seen perched solitary on a rock in the water. Therefore, option 'a' is the correct meaning. Options 'b' (completely idle), 'c' (completely silent), and 'd' (completely happy) do not represent the meaning of isolation or being solitary associated with this idiom.
Select the most appropriate meaning of the following idiom: Between the devil and the deep sea
A)
To be tempted to do evil
B)
Between two dangers
C)
To be devoid of feelings and emotions
D)
To lash out at someone violently
The idiom 'Between the devil and the deep sea' refers to a situation where one is caught between two equally difficult, unpleasant, or dangerous choices. Therefore, 'Between two dangers' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because: (a) refers to moral temptation, (c) describes apathy or lack of emotion, and (d) describes an act of physical or verbal aggression, none of which align with the meaning of the idiom.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: Mr. Johnson is a ________ as he has abandoned his country and joined the other side.
A)
oppressor
B)
panacea
C)
defector
D)
palmist
The correct word to complete the sentence is 'defector'. A 'defector' is defined as a person who abandons their country, cause, or alliance in favor of an opposing one, which perfectly matches the context of the sentence. Let's look at why the other options are incorrect: 'oppressor' refers to someone who treats others with cruelty or injustice; 'panacea' is a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases; 'palmist' is a person who reads palms to predict the future.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: The property was divided______ the four sisters.
A)
among
B)
for
C)
between
D)
in
The correct preposition to fill in the blank is 'among'.
1. **Why 'among' is correct**: 'Among' is used when referring to distributing, sharing, or dividing something between more than two people or entities. Since the property is being divided among 'four sisters' (which is more than two), 'among' is the grammatically correct choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'between' (option c)** is typically used when referring to only two people or distinct entities.
- **'for' (option b)** and **'in' (option d)** do not fit the context of distributing or dividing an object or property among a group of people.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: We live ______ the fourth floor.
A)
on
B)
in
C)
at
D)
by
The correct preposition to use with floors of a building is 'on'. Therefore, 'We live on the fourth floor' is the grammatically correct sentence. 'In' is incorrect because it is used for enclosed spaces (e.g., 'in the room'). 'At' is incorrect because it is used for specific addresses or points (e.g., 'at 12 Main Street'). 'By' is incorrect as it means near or next to, which does not fit the context of residing on a specific level of a building.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: May I sit _______ you two?
A)
among
B)
between
C)
across
1. **Why 'between' is correct:** 'Between' is the preposition used when referring to two distinct people, objects, or entities. Since the sentence specifies 'you two' (exactly two people), 'between' is the grammatically correct choice to indicate sitting in the space separating them.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- 'among' (a) is incorrect because it is used when referring to three or more people or things, or a collective group where individual entities are not distinct.
- 'across' (c) is incorrect because it means on the opposite side of, and in this context, it would typically require the preposition 'from' (e.g., 'across from you') to be grammatically complete.
Transform the following sentence into an Interrogative Sentence without changing the meaning: This is not the best use of your time.
A)
Is this how you use your time?
B)
Is this the best use of your time?
C)
Will you use your time best?
D)
Is this the best time to use this?
To transform a negative assertive sentence into an interrogative sentence without changing its meaning, we convert it into an affirmative rhetorical question. The original sentence 'This is not the best use of your time' is negative, so its interrogative counterpart must be affirmative: 'Is this the best use of your time?' (which rhetorically implies 'No, it is not'). Option 'a' changes the meaning by asking about the manner of using time. Option 'c' incorrectly changes the tense to future ('Will you...'). Option 'd' alters the core meaning by focusing on the 'best time' rather than the 'best use of time'.
Choose the correct alternative to change the speech: The poor examinee said, “O God take pity on me.”
A)
The poor examinee prayed to God to take pity on him.
B)
The poor examinee, invoking God, implored him to take pity on him.
C)
The poor examinee exclaimed that God take pity on him.
D)
The poor examinee asked God to take pity on him.
The direct speech contains an invocation ('O God') followed by a passionate plea ('take pity on me'). According to standard English grammar rules (such as those in Wren & Martin), when a speaker addresses God in this manner, it is best rendered in indirect speech by using the participle phrase 'invoking God' and the reporting verb 'implored' to reflect the intensity of the prayer. Therefore, option 'b' is the most precise and grammatically correct choice. Option 'a' is a simplified version but less precise than 'b'. Option 'c' incorrectly uses 'exclaimed that' for an imperative prayer, and option 'd' uses 'asked', which is too casual and fails to capture the solemnity of the invocation.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: He is both scholarly and cultured.
A)
Verb
B)
Pronoun
C)
Conjunction
D)
Interjection
In the sentence 'He is both scholarly and cultured', the word 'both' (along with 'and') functions as a correlative conjunction. Correlative conjunctions work in pairs to join grammatically equal elements—in this case, the two adjectives 'scholarly' and 'cultured'. Therefore, 'Conjunction' is the correct part of speech.
- **Verb (a)** is incorrect because verbs express actions or states of being (e.g., 'is').
- **Pronoun (b)** is incorrect because pronouns substitute for nouns (e.g., 'He').
- **Interjection (d)** is incorrect because interjections express sudden emotions or reactions (e.g., 'Alas', 'Wow').
Choose the correct alternative to change the speech: The assistant said, “It has been snowing since this morning”.
A)
The assistant says that it has been snowing since that morning.
B)
The assistant said that it had been snowing since that morning.
C)
The assistant said that it has been snowing since this morning.
D)
The assistant said that it was snowing since that morning.
To change the direct speech into indirect speech, we follow these rules: 1. Since the reporting verb 'said' is in the past tense, the tense of the reported speech must change. 2. The present perfect continuous tense ('has been snowing') changes to the past perfect continuous tense ('had been snowing'). 3. The demonstrative/time expression 'this morning' changes to 'that morning'. Applying these rules, Option 'b' is the correct sentence. Option 'a' incorrectly uses the present tense reporting verb 'says'. Option 'c' fails to change both the tense and the time expression. Option 'd' incorrectly changes the tense to past continuous ('was snowing') instead of past perfect continuous.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: You saw the way she looked at the car.
A)
Adjective
B)
Verb
C)
Adverb
D)
Noun
In this standard exam question, the underlined word is **'way'**.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** In the phrase "the way", the word "way" is preceded by the definite article "the". Words that follow articles and function as the head of a noun phrase (here, acting as the direct object of the verb "saw") are **Nouns**.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Adverb:** Although "way" can sometimes be used informally as an adverb (e.g., "way better"), here it functions as a noun.
- **Adjective:** It does not modify or describe another noun.
- **Verb:** It does not represent an action or state in this context (the verbs in the sentence are "saw" and "looked").
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').
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.
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.
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.