← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
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' (option a). 'Among' is used when referring to distributing or dividing something among more than two people or things (in this case, 'the four sisters'). In contrast, '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 grammatical context of dividing property among a group.
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 (represented by the 'devil' on one side and the 'deep sea' on the other). Therefore, 'Between two dangers' is the correct meaning. Option 'a' is incorrect because the idiom does not refer to temptation. Option 'c' is incorrect as it describes apathy or lack of emotion. Option 'd' is incorrect because it refers to an aggressive outburst, which is unrelated to facing a dilemma.
Complete the following sentence with the most appropriate word: The younger son of the Czar _______ his father last year.
A)
secluded
B)
succeeded
C)
sequestered
D)
surpasses
The correct option is 'b' (succeeded). 'Succeeded' means to take over a throne, office, or title from someone, which perfectly fits the context of a Czar's son taking over after his father. Additionally, the sentence refers to a past event ('last year'), requiring a past tense verb. 'Surpasses' (option d) is incorrect because it is in the present tense. 'Sequestered' (option c) and 'secluded' (option a) both mean to isolate or hide away, which do not make sense in this context.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: No boy or girl_____ (be) lucky.
A)
is
B)
am
C)
are
D)
were
When two singular nouns (here, 'boy' and 'girl') are joined by 'or' and preceded by 'no', they take a singular verb. Therefore, the third-person singular present tense form of the verb 'be', which is 'is', is correct. 'are' and 'were' are plural verbs and thus incorrect. 'am' is only used with the first-person singular pronoun 'I'.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: The culprit was beaten ______ a cane.
A)
by
B)
with
C)
in
D)
at
The correct preposition to use here is 'with'. In English grammar, 'with' is used to denote the instrument, tool, or object used to perform an action (e.g., 'beaten with a cane', 'cut with a knife'). In contrast, 'by' (option a) is used to denote the agent or person performing the action (e.g., 'beaten by the police'). 'In' (option c) and 'at' (option d) are prepositions of place or time and are grammatically incorrect in this context.
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
The phrase 'had better' is a modal-like expression used to give advice or strong recommendations. It is always followed by the bare infinitive (the base form of the verb without 'to'). Therefore, 'leave' is the correct form to use. Option 'a' (Leaving) is a participle/gerund, Option 'c' (left) is the past tense form, and Option 'd' (had left) is the past perfect form, none of which can grammatically follow 'had better'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb given in brackets: We _____ (study) last night, but we went to the concert instead.
A)
must have studied
B)
might study
C)
should have studied
D)
would study
The correct answer is 'c' (should have studied). The structure 'should have + past participle' is used to express a past obligation, recommendation, or sensible action that did not actually happen. In this sentence, studying was the recommended or planned action for last night, but it was not done because they went to the concert instead. Option 'a' (must have studied) is incorrect because it expresses a strong logical deduction that an action definitely happened in the past. Option 'b' (might study) is incorrect because it refers to present or future possibility. Option 'd' (would study) is incorrect as it refers to past habits or conditional situations, which does not fit this context of a missed past obligation.
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 work in perfect agreement, alignment, or a similar pattern without conflict. Therefore, 'move in harmony' 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 the opposite of being in the same groove, which implies smooth coordination rather than conflict or divergence.
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'. 'Obsolete' means no longer produced or used, or out of date. If a printer is obsolete, manufacturers stop making its spare parts, making them difficult or impossible to find. The other options are incorrect because: 'unanimous' means fully in agreement; 'pascifist' (pacifist) refers to someone who opposes war or violence; and 'piscivore' refers to an animal that eats fish. None of these fit the context of a machine requiring spare parts.
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 option is 'b' ('for'). In English grammar, we use 'for' to indicate a duration or period of time (e.g., 'eight hours', 'three days'). In contrast, 'since' (option 'a') is used to refer to a specific starting point in time (e.g., 'since 9 AM'). 'From' (option 'c') and 'in' (option 'd') are grammatically incorrect here because they do not denote a continuous duration of time in the present perfect continuous tense.
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: I wish I were a millionaire (Change to an Exclamatory Sentence)
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, the standard structure 'If only I were...!' is used. Option 'c' perfectly maintains the subjunctive mood ('were') and preserves the exact meaning of the original sentence. Option 'a' incorrectly changes 'millionaire' to 'rich man' and uses 'was' instead of 'were'. Option 'b' alters the meaning entirely. Option 'd' changes the tense to the past ('could have been'), which shifts the meaning from a present wish to a past regret.
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: You are forbidden to drink. (Change to an Imperative sentence)
A)
Don’t drink.
B)
Please drink.
C)
Do drink.
D)
Drink instantly.
1. **Why 'a' is correct**: The original sentence 'You are forbidden to drink' expresses a prohibition (not being allowed to drink). To transform this into an imperative sentence while preserving the meaning, we use the negative imperative form 'Don't' followed by the base verb. Therefore, 'Don’t drink' is the correct transformation.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**: Options 'b' ('Please drink'), 'c' ('Do drink'), and 'd' ('Drink instantly') are positive imperatives that command or request the person to drink, which directly contradicts the original meaning of prohibition.
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
In the given sentence, the word 'sadness' is a Noun (specifically, an abstract noun). It represents a state of being and functions as the direct object of the transitive verb 'expressed', preceded by the possessive determiner 'her'.
- 'Adjective' is incorrect because the adjective form is 'sad'.
- 'Verb' is incorrect because the verb in this clause is 'expressed'.
- 'Preposition' is incorrect because words like 'on' and 'of' serve as prepositions in this sentence, not 'sadness'.
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: Search his backpack and you will find the missing wallet. (Change to a Complex sentence)
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.
Option A is correct: If you search his backpack, you will find the missing wallet..
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: None can escape death. (Change to an Affirmative sentence)
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 words with opposite grammatical polarity that convey the same semantic truth. The original sentence 'None can escape death' is a universal negative statement meaning that death is inevitable for everyone. Option 'b' ('All must die') is the correct affirmative equivalent because it uses the universal affirmative quantifier 'All' and the verb 'must die' to retain the exact same meaning. Options 'a' ('Some must die') and 'd' ('Few must die') alter the meaning by limiting mortality to only a portion of the population. Option 'c' ('None must die') remains a negative sentence and contradicts the original meaning.
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
1. **Why 'with' is correct:** The preposition 'with' is used to denote the instrument or tool used to perform an action. Since 'a scissor' is the tool being used to cut the yarn, 'with' is the grammatically correct preposition.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **'by'** is used to indicate the agent performing the action (e.g., 'by a person') or the means of transport/method, not the physical tool itself.
- **'for'** indicates purpose, reason, or recipient, which does not fit the context of using a tool.
- **'on'** indicates position or surface contact, which is contextually irrelevant here.
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 the standard version of this exam question, the underlined word is 'way'. In the phrase 'the way', 'way' is preceded by the definite article 'the', which functions as a noun marker. Here, 'way' refers to the manner or fashion in which she looked, making it a Noun.
- **Adjective (a)** is incorrect because 'way' does not describe or modify another noun in this context.
- **Verb (b)** is incorrect because 'way' does not express an action or state (the verbs in this sentence are 'saw' and 'looked').
- **Adverb (c)** is incorrect because 'way' does not modify a verb, adjective, or other adverb here.
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: I was doubtful whether it was you. (Change to a Negative Sentence)
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 typically use the negative particle 'not' combined with the antonym of the key word. Here, 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 and meaning. Option (b) incorrectly changes the meaning by adding 'going to be'. Option (c) changes the tense from past ('was') to present ('am'). Option (d) is grammatically incorrect ('very not sure').
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: The band will not play for the ceremony _____ you pay the advance they have charged.
A)
for
B)
whether
C)
under
D)
unless
The correct option is 'unless'. 'Unless' is a conjunction that means 'except if' or 'if... not', which perfectly fits the conditional requirement of the sentence: the band will not play except on the condition that you pay the advance. The other options are incorrect because: 'for' is a preposition/conjunction that does not fit the conditional context; 'whether' is used to express a choice between alternatives (e.g., 'whether or not') and makes the sentence logically contradictory; and 'under' is a preposition that is grammatically incorrect before a clause.
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 word to complete the sentence is 'moralist'.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** A 'moralist' is a person who teaches, promotes, or follows systemized moral principles, specifically distinguishing between what is right and what is wrong. This directly matches the context of the sentence.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **fatalist (c):** A person who believes that all events are predetermined by fate and are therefore inevitable.
- **mercenary (d):** A person primarily concerned with making money at the expense of ethics, or a soldier hired to fight for a foreign country.
- **military (a):** Relates to the armed forces and does not fit the context of defining moral behavior.
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
Option C is correct: defector.
Choose the correct alternative to fill in the blank: May I sit _______ you two?
A)
among
B)
between
C)
across
The preposition 'between' is used when referring to relations involving two distinct people or things. Since the phrase 'you two' specifies exactly two people, 'between' is the grammatically correct choice. 'Among' is incorrect because it is used for three or more people or a collective group. 'Across' is incorrect because it means on the opposite side of, which does not fit the context of sitting in the middle of two individuals.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: He is a strange person.
A)
Adverb
B)
Adjective
C)
Noun
D)
Pronoun
In the sentence 'He is a strange person', the word 'strange' describes or modifies the noun 'person'. Therefore, its part of speech is an Adjective.
- Adverb (Option a) is incorrect because adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, not nouns.
- Noun (Option c) is incorrect because 'person' is the noun, and 'strange' is the word describing it.
- Pronoun (Option d) is incorrect because pronouns are words used to replace nouns (such as 'He' in this sentence).
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 'under' is a preposition. A preposition is a word that shows the relationship (often spatial, temporal, or logical) between a noun or pronoun (the object of the preposition, which is 'the house' here) and other words in the sentence.
- Option 'a' (Adverb) is incorrect because 'under' is functioning as a preposition introducing the prepositional phrase 'under the house', rather than modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb directly without an object.
- Option 'b' (Verb) is incorrect because the action/verb in this sentence is 'found'.
- Option 'c' (Adjective) is incorrect because 'under' does not describe or modify a noun directly as an adjective in this context.
Transform the following sentence as directed without changing the meaning: Martin finished his lesson and put away his textbooks. (Change to a Simple Sentence)
A)
Martin finished his lesson hence he put away his books.
B)
Martin finished his lesson however he put away his textbooks.
C)
Martin finished his lesson then and there he put his textbooks away.
D)
Martin finished his lesson, he put away his textbooks.
To transform the sentence without changing its meaning, we must analyze the relationship between the two actions: finishing the lesson and putting away the textbooks. The original sentence implies a sequential or consequential relationship (he put them away because he finished).
1. **Why Option A is correct**: 'Hence' means 'as a consequence' or 'therefore'. It correctly maintains the logical cause-and-effect relationship of the original sentence (finishing the lesson led to putting the books away) without altering the core meaning.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Option B** uses 'however', which introduces contrast or opposition, completely changing the meaning of the sentence.
- **Option C** uses 'then and there', which adds an emphatic sense of immediacy and location ('at that very time and place') that is not present in the original sentence.
- **Option D** is a comma splice (joining two independent clauses with only a comma), which is grammatically incorrect.