← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Choose the correct clause from the given options: It is a long lane that has no turning.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'It is a long lane that has no turning', the subordinate clause is 'that has no turning'. This clause modifies and describes the noun 'lane' in the main clause. Since a clause that functions like an adjective by qualifying a noun is an adjective clause (or relative clause), option (c) is correct. It is not a noun clause because it does not function as a subject or object, and it is not an adverb clause because it does not modify a verb, adjective, or adverb to express time, place, reason, or condition.
Choose the correct form of verb: My friend _____ me for many years when I met him last week.
A)
had not seen
B)
was not seen
C)
did not see
D)
is not seeing
1. **Why 'a' is correct**: The sentence refers to two past situations: meeting the friend last week (Simple Past: 'met') and the period of time leading up to that meeting ('for many years'). To describe an action or state that occurred before a specific point in the past, the Past Perfect tense ('had not seen') must be used.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'b' (was not seen)** is in the passive voice, which is grammatically incorrect because 'friend' is the active subject acting upon the object 'me'.
- **'c' (did not see)** is in the Simple Past tense, which fails to show the relationship of an action continuing up to another point in the past (indicated by 'for many years').
- **'d' (is not seeing)** is in the Present Continuous tense, which cannot be used for past events.
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct option: Run fast or you will miss the train.
A)
Simple sentence
B)
Complex sentence
C)
Compound sentence
The given sentence, 'Run fast or you will miss the train,' is a compound sentence because it consists of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction 'or'. The two independent clauses are: 1) '[You] Run fast' (an imperative clause) and 2) 'you will miss the train'. Option 'a' (Simple sentence) is incorrect because a simple sentence contains only one independent clause. Option 'b' (Complex sentence) is incorrect because a complex sentence must contain at least one independent clause and one dependent (subordinate) clause.
Substitute the underlined phrase to improve the sentence if necessary: Asking me why I was absent, I was punished by the Headmaster.
A)
why was I absent, was I punished by the Headmaster
B)
why I was absent, the Headmaster punished me
C)
why I was absent, was I punished by the Headmaster
D)
No improvement
The original sentence contains a dangling modifier. The introductory participle phrase 'Asking me why I was absent' must modify the subject of the main clause. In the original sentence, the subject is 'I' ('I was punished...'), which incorrectly implies that 'I' asked myself the question. Option 'b' corrects this error by changing the main clause to 'the Headmaster punished me', making 'the Headmaster' the logical subject who did the asking. Options 'a' and 'c' are grammatically incorrect and do not resolve the modifier issue, while 'd' is incorrect because the original sentence requires improvement.
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct option: I am not well so I shall not come to the office.
A)
Simple sentence
B)
Complex sentence
C)
Compound sentence
The given sentence is a compound sentence because it consists of two independent clauses joined by the coordinating conjunction 'so'. The two independent clauses are: 'I am not well' and 'I shall not come to the office'. Both clauses can stand alone as complete sentences. Option 'a' (Simple sentence) is incorrect because a simple sentence contains only one independent clause. Option 'b' (Complex sentence) is incorrect because a complex sentence must contain at least one independent clause and one dependent (subordinate) clause, which is not the case here.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: One half of this task is completed.
A)
Adjective
B)
Noun
C)
Adverb
D)
Pronoun
In the sentence 'One half of this task is completed', the word 'this' functions as an Adjective (specifically, a demonstrative adjective) because it directly modifies the noun 'task' by pointing out which specific task is being referred to.
* **Why other options are incorrect:**
* **Pronoun (d):** 'this' would be a pronoun if it stood alone to replace a noun (e.g., 'This is completed'). Here, it is followed immediately by the noun it modifies, making it an adjective.
* **Noun (b):** 'this' is not a naming word; 'task' is the noun in this phrase.
* **Adverb (c):** It does not modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Both of them have gone.
A)
Noun
B)
Conjunction
C)
Pronoun
D)
Adjective
In the sentence 'Both of them have gone', the word 'Both' functions as an indefinite pronoun because it represents two people or things and acts as the subject of the verb 'have gone'.
- **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Noun (a):** 'Both' is not a naming word.
- **Conjunction (b):** It is not used here to connect words or clauses (such as in the correlative conjunction pair 'both... and').
- **Adjective (d):** It does not directly modify a noun in this context (e.g., as in 'both books'). Instead, it stands alone as a pronoun followed by the prepositional phrase 'of them'.
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct answer: No one will tolerate such an insult.
A)
Comparative
B)
Assertive
C)
Superlative
D)
Positive
The given sentence, 'No one will tolerate such an insult,' is an Assertive (or Declarative) sentence. Assertive sentences are used to state a fact, opinion, or declaration, and they can be either affirmative or negative. Since this sentence makes a negative statement, it is classified as an assertive sentence. Options 'a' (Comparative), 'c' (Superlative), and 'd' (Positive) refer to the degrees of comparison for adjectives and adverbs, which are not applicable to sentence classification here.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: He tells a tale that sounds untrue.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'He tells a tale that sounds untrue', the subordinate clause is 'that sounds untrue'. This clause modifies the noun 'tale' in the main clause. Since a clause that describes or qualifies a noun functions as an adjective, it is an Adjective clause. Option A (Adverb clause) is incorrect because the clause does not modify a verb, adjective, or adverb to show time, place, reason, etc. Option B (Noun clause) is incorrect because the clause does not function as a noun (subject or object) in the sentence.
Choose the correct form of verb: My uncle _____ tomorrow.
A)
will have been arriving
B)
arrives
C)
has arrived
D)
was arriving
The correct option is 'b' ('arrives'). The simple present tense is commonly used to denote a planned or scheduled future event, especially when accompanied by a future time adverb like 'tomorrow'. Option 'a' ('will have been arriving') is in the future perfect continuous tense, which is grammatically incorrect for a punctual action like 'arrive'. Option 'c' ('has arrived') is in the present perfect tense and Option 'd' ('was arriving') is in the past continuous tense; both refer to past actions and cannot be used with the future time marker 'tomorrow'.
Fill in the blank with the correct option: The antonym of LETHARGIC is _____.
A)
hyperactive
B)
unpleasant
C)
immobile
D)
upright
The word 'lethargic' means feeling sluggish, inactive, or lacking energy. The correct antonym is 'hyperactive', which means abnormally or extremely active. Among the other options: 'immobile' means unable to move (which is closer to a synonym than an antonym), while 'unpleasant' (disagreeable) and 'upright' (vertical or honest) are unrelated in meaning.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: The main suspects in the assassination are still _____.
A)
under a cloud
B)
at large
C)
at daggers dawn
D)
at sea
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** The idiom 'at large' means 'free; not captured' or 'at liberty' (especially of a criminal or suspect). In the context of the sentence, it correctly indicates that the main suspects in the assassination have not yet been caught by the police.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **'under a cloud' (Option a)** means to be under suspicion or in disgrace, which is redundant since they are already identified as 'suspects'.
- **'at daggers dawn' (Option c)** (a misspelling of 'at daggers drawn') means to be in a state of extreme hostility or enmity, which does not fit the context.
- **'at sea' (Option d)** means to be confused or lost, which is irrelevant to the status of wanted suspects.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: I predict that the weather will change.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'I predict that the weather will change', the clause 'that the weather will change' acts as the direct object of the transitive verb 'predict'. Since it answers the question 'What do I predict?', it performs the function of a noun, making it a Noun clause. An Adverb clause would modify a verb, adjective, or adverb by indicating time, place, cause, etc., which is not the case here. An Adjective clause would modify a noun or pronoun, but there is no noun preceding this clause for it to modify.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: Life is to death as pleasure is to _____.
A)
suffering
B)
poverty
C)
pain
D)
anguish
The question is based on an antonym analogy. 'Life' is the direct opposite of 'death'. To complete the analogy, we need the direct opposite of 'pleasure', which is 'pain'. While 'suffering' (option a) and 'anguish' (option d) are related to distress, they represent more intense or prolonged states rather than the fundamental, direct antonym of pleasure. 'Poverty' (option b) is the opposite of wealth, making it irrelevant to this analogy.
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct answer: Iron is more useful than any other metal.
A)
Positive
B)
Comparative
C)
Assertive
D)
Affirmative
The sentence 'Iron is more useful than any other metal' is in the Comparative degree of comparison. This is indicated by the use of the comparative adjective form 'more useful' followed by 'than'.
- Option 'a' (Positive) is incorrect because the positive degree form would be 'No other metal is as useful as iron'.
- Options 'c' (Assertive) and 'd' (Affirmative) are incorrect because, although the sentence is structurally assertive and affirmative, the question specifically tests the degrees of comparison of adjectives, where 'Comparative' is the precise grammatical classification.
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct answer: Kalidas was one of the greatest poets.
A)
Affirmative
B)
Comparative
C)
Negative
D)
Superlative
The sentence 'Kalidas was one of the greatest poets' is in the superlative degree of comparison. The adjective 'greatest' is the superlative form of 'great' (great - greater - greatest), and the structure 'one of the + superlative adjective + plural noun' is a standard superlative construction. Option 'b' (Comparative) is incorrect because the comparative form of the adjective is 'greater'. Options 'a' (Affirmative) and 'c' (Negative) refer to sentence polarity; although the sentence is affirmative, the context of the options clearly tests the degrees of comparison, making 'Superlative' the most precise and correct grammatical category.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: His path is beset _____ many difficulties.
A)
in
B)
above
C)
upon
D)
with
The verb 'beset' (meaning to trouble or harass persistently) is idiomatically followed by the preposition 'with' to form the phrase 'beset with' (meaning plagued or surrounded by problems/difficulties). The other options ('in', 'above', and 'upon') do not collocate with 'beset' and are grammatically incorrect in this context.
Choose the correct classification of the adverb: My brother is out.
A)
Adverb of place
B)
Adverb of frequency
C)
Adverb of degree
D)
Adverb of time
In the sentence 'My brother is out', the word 'out' functions as an adverb of place because it indicates location and answers the question 'where?'. Adverbs of frequency (option b) answer 'how often' (e.g., always, daily). Adverbs of degree (option c) answer 'how much' or 'to what extent' (e.g., very, extremely). Adverbs of time (option d) answer 'when' (e.g., yesterday, now).
Choose the correct clause from the given options: You may sit wherever you like.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
1. **Why 'Adverb clause' is correct**: In the sentence 'You may sit wherever you like', the clause 'wherever you like' modifies the verb 'sit' by indicating the place of the action. A subordinate clause that modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb is an adverb clause (specifically, an adverb clause of place).
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Noun clause**: A noun clause functions as a noun (subject, object, or complement) in a sentence. Here, the clause does not act as a noun.
- **Adjective clause**: An adjective clause (or relative clause) modifies a noun or pronoun. There is no noun or pronoun in the main clause that 'wherever you like' is describing.
Fill in the blank with the correct option: The young one of an elephant is called a _____.
A)
cub
B)
kit
C)
calf
D)
foal
The correct option is 'c' because the young one of an elephant is called a 'calf'. Other options are incorrect because: 'cub' (option a) is the young one of carnivorous mammals like lions, bears, and tigers; 'kit' (option b) is the young one of animals like rabbits, ferrets, and foxes; and 'foal' (option d) is the young one of a horse or donkey.
Substitute the underlined phrase to improve the sentence if necessary: If you had attended the meeting, you would have benefitted a great deal.
A)
would benefit
B)
should benefit
C)
could benefit
D)
No improvement
The sentence is a third conditional sentence, which is used to express a hypothetical situation in the past and its past result. The standard grammatical structure for the third conditional is: 'If + Past Perfect (had + V3), ... would have + Past Participle (V3)'. In the given sentence, the 'if-clause' uses 'had attended' (Past Perfect), and the main clause correctly uses 'would have benefitted' (would have + V3). Therefore, the sentence is grammatically correct as it is, and 'No improvement' is the correct choice. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect because they use simple modal verbs ('would', 'should', 'could' + base verb), which are used in second conditional sentences and do not grammatically pair with the past perfect tense in the 'if-clause'.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The blessings came from above.
A)
Noun
B)
Conjunction
C)
Pronoun
D)
Preposition
In the sentence 'The blessings came from above', the word 'above' is used as a noun. Here is why:
1. **Why 'Noun' is correct**: The word 'above' is preceded by the preposition 'from'. Since prepositions require a noun or pronoun as their object, 'above' functions as a noun in this context, meaning 'heaven' or 'a higher place'.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Conjunction**: Conjunctions connect words, phrases, or clauses (e.g., 'and', 'but'). 'Above' does not perform this function here.
- **Pronoun**: Pronouns substitute for nouns (e.g., 'it', 'they'). 'Above' is not replacing a specific noun.
- **Preposition**: Although 'above' can be a preposition (e.g., 'above the clouds'), in this sentence, it is the object of the preposition 'from' rather than introducing a noun phrase of its own.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: He became the governor of a Province _____.
A)
by and large
B)
in course of time
C)
at times
D)
little by little
The correct phrase to fill in the blank is 'in course of time', which means 'eventually' or 'after a period of time'. It perfectly fits the context of someone rising to the position of a governor over the course of their career.
- 'by and large' means 'on the whole' or 'generally', which does not fit the context.
- 'at times' means 'sometimes' or 'occasionally', which is logically incorrect here.
- 'little by little' means 'gradually'; while one can progress gradually, the actual appointment of becoming a governor is a discrete event, making 'in course of time' (eventually) the most appropriate idiomatic choice.
Choose the correct form of verb: His mother was 45 when she _____.
A)
had died
B)
died
C)
was dying
D)
had died
The correct option is 'b' (died). The sentence refers to a specific, completed action in the past. The simple past tense ('died') is used to indicate an event that occurred at a definite point in time in the past ('when she was 45'). Options 'a' and 'd' ('had died') are in the past perfect tense, which is used for an action that was completed before another past action, which does not fit the timeline here. Option 'c' ('was dying') is in the past continuous tense, which would incorrectly imply that the process of dying was ongoing throughout her 45th year rather than being a single completed event.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: She went away after her husband had left.
A)
Verb
B)
Conjunction
C)
Adverb
D)
Adjective
In the given sentence, the underlined word is 'after'. Here, 'after' acts as a subordinating conjunction because it connects two clauses: the independent clause 'She went away' and the dependent clause 'her husband had left'. Therefore, 'Conjunction' is the correct part of speech.
- Verb (Option a): Incorrect. Verbs express actions or states (e.g., 'went', 'had left').
- Adverb (Option c): Incorrect. While 'after' can function as an adverb in some contexts (e.g., 'They arrived shortly after'), here it introduces a clause, making it a conjunction.
- Adjective (Option d): Incorrect. Adjectives modify nouns, which is not the function of 'after' in this sentence.