← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct option: A _____ of cubs.
A)
herd
B)
litter
C)
swarm
D)
pack
The correct collective noun for a group of young animals born at the same time to the same mother (such as cubs, puppies, or kittens) is 'litter'. Therefore, 'a litter of cubs' is the correct phrase.
- 'herd' (option a) is used for a group of herbivorous animals like cows, elephants, or deer.
- 'swarm' (option c) is used for a large group of flying insects, such as bees or locusts.
- 'pack' (option d) is used for a group of canine predators, such as wolves or hounds.
Substitute the underlined phrase to improve the sentence if necessary: Hold hands of your child while crossing the road.
A)
your child’s hand
B)
hand of your child
C)
your child’s hands
D)
No improvement
1. **Why 'a' is correct**: The phrase 'your child’s hand' is grammatically correct and idiomatic. For living nouns (like 'child'), the possessive apostrophe ('s) is preferred over the 'of' construction. Additionally, the singular 'hand' is logically correct because a person typically holds only one hand of a child while walking or crossing the road.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **b ('hand of your child')**: This uses the 'of' construction for possession, which is awkward and non-standard for living beings in this context.
- **c ('your child’s hands')**: Using the plural 'hands' is logically incorrect, as holding both hands of a child would make walking across a road highly impractical.
- **d ('No improvement')**: The original phrase 'hands of your child' is grammatically awkward and uses an incorrect possessive structure.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: Through perseverance we can keep the _____ of liberty burning even dark times.
A)
light
B)
lamp
C)
goal
D)
flame
1. 'flame' is the correct choice because 'the flame of liberty' is a standard metaphorical expression. The verb 'burning' directly collocates with 'flame' to represent keeping the spirit of freedom alive during difficult times.
2. 'light' is incorrect because we typically associate 'light' with 'shining' rather than 'burning' in this metaphorical context.
3. 'lamp' is a physical object and is less idiomatic than 'flame' for this abstract expression.
4. 'goal' does not fit the verb 'burning' in this context.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: The jury believed that the man was guilty.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'The jury believed that the man was guilty', the clause 'that the man was guilty' acts as the direct object of the transitive verb 'believed'. Since it functions as a noun (answering the question 'believed what?'), it is classified as a Noun 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 'c' (Adjective clause) is incorrect because the clause does not modify any noun or pronoun in the sentence.
Choose the correct form of verb: Men _____ to abolish wars up to now.
A)
never
B)
will have never managed
C)
will never managed
D)
have never managed
1. **Why Option D is correct:** The phrase 'up to now' indicates a time period extending from the past up to the present moment. This requires the Present Perfect tense ('have/has + past participle'). Since 'Men' is a plural subject, 'have never managed' is the grammatically correct choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option A ('never')** is incomplete as it lacks both the auxiliary verb and the main verb.
- **Option B ('will have never managed')** is in the Future Perfect tense, which is incorrect because 'up to now' refers to the present, not a future point in time.
- **Option C ('will never managed')** is grammatically incorrect because the modal verb 'will' must be followed by the base form of the verb (e.g., 'will never manage'), not the past participle 'managed'.
Fill in the blank with the correct option: The synonym of LAUD is _____
A)
lord
B)
praise
C)
eulogy
D)
extolled
The word 'LAUD' is a verb that means to praise highly or applaud. Therefore, 'praise' (option b) is its direct synonym and matches the base verb form.
- 'lord' (option a) refers to a person of noble rank or authority, which is unrelated in meaning.
- 'eulogy' (option c) is a noun representing a speech of praise (usually for someone who has died), whereas 'laud' is a verb.
- 'extolled' (option d) is the past tense of 'extol' (to praise highly). While it has a similar meaning, its grammatical form (past tense) does not match the base form of 'laud'.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: Any boy who comes late will be punished.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'Any boy who comes late will be punished', the clause 'who comes late' describes and modifies the noun 'boy'. A clause that does the work of an adjective by modifying a noun or pronoun is called an adjective clause (or relative clause). Option (b) is incorrect because a noun clause functions as a noun (e.g., as a subject or object). Option (a) is incorrect because an adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb, usually expressing time, cause, condition, or purpose.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: Ask either of them to bring a pen.
A)
Pronoun
B)
Adjective
C)
Noun
D)
Conjunction
In the sentence 'Ask either of them to bring a pen', the word 'either' is used as a Pronoun (specifically, a distributive pronoun). It stands in place of a noun to refer to one of two people. It is incorrect to classify it as an Adjective because it does not directly modify a noun (e.g., 'either book'). It is not a Conjunction here because it is not pairing with 'or' to connect clauses or words. It is not a Noun because it is a function word that replaces a noun rather than naming a specific person, place, or thing.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: She was half dead with fear.
A)
Adjective
B)
Noun
C)
Adverb
D)
Pronoun
In the sentence 'She was half dead with fear', the word 'half' modifies the adjective 'dead' by indicating the degree or extent of her state. Since words that modify adjectives are classified as adverbs, 'half' functions as an adverb here. Option A (Adjective) is incorrect because 'half' does not modify a noun in this context. Option B (Noun) is incorrect because it does not function as a naming word. Option D (Pronoun) is incorrect because it does not replace a noun.
Choose the correct form of verb: I _____ him only one better up to now.
A)
sent
B)
shall send
C)
have sent
D)
am sending
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'am sending' (Option D).
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct option: The sun having risen the fog disappeared.
A)
Simple sentence
B)
Complex sentence
C)
Compound sentence
The given sentence is a simple sentence because it contains only one independent clause: 'the fog disappeared'. The phrase 'The sun having risen' is a nominative absolute phrase containing a participle ('having risen') rather than a finite verb, meaning it functions as a phrase rather than a clause. Since a simple sentence consists of a single independent clause, option 'a' is correct. Option 'b' (Complex sentence) is incorrect because there is no subordinate clause. Option 'c' (Compound sentence) is incorrect because there are not two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: I shall remain where I am.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'I shall remain where I am', the clause 'where I am' modifies the verb 'remain' by indicating the place of the action. Since it answers the question 'where?' and modifies a verb, it functions as an Adverb Clause (specifically, an adverb clause of place). Option 'b' (Noun clause) is incorrect because the clause does not act as a subject or object. Option 'c' (Adjective clause) is incorrect because it does not modify a noun or pronoun.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: He admired precision in everything, but it never hampered his quick _____.
A)
decision
B)
dealing
C)
action
D)
finalization
1. **Why 'decision' is correct**: The sentence uses the conjunction 'but' to establish a contrast. While 'precision' (being extremely accurate and detailed) typically requires careful deliberation and time—often leading to hesitation—it did not obstruct or delay ('hamper') his ability to make a 'quick decision'. 'Quick decision' is a highly idiomatic and logical collocation in this context.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- 'action' (c) is incorrect because precision is a mental trait of accuracy, which directly contrasts with the cognitive process of making a 'decision' rather than physical action.
- 'dealing' (b) and 'finalization' (d) do not fit grammatically or contextually, as they do not form natural collocations with 'quick' in this contrastive scenario.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: They will go to Bangalore _____ a plane.
A)
on
B)
with
C)
in
D)
by
The correct preposition is 'on'. We use 'on' with larger public transport vehicles (like planes, trains, buses, and ships) when an article ('a' or 'the') or a possessive pronoun precedes the noun (e.g., 'on a plane'). Option 'd' ('by') is incorrect because 'by' is used directly with the vehicle without any article (e.g., 'by plane'). Option 'c' ('in') is incorrect because 'in' is used for smaller, private vehicles where you cannot stand or walk around (e.g., 'in a car'). Option 'b' ('with') is grammatically incorrect for expressing modes of transport.
Fill in the blank with the correct option: To _____ like the wild fire.
A)
spread
B)
light
C)
burn
D)
flame
The correct idiom is 'to spread like wildfire', which means to circulate, disseminate, or propagate very rapidly (commonly used in reference to news, rumors, or diseases). Options 'burn', 'light', and 'flame' are incorrect because they do not form this standard idiomatic expression, despite their thematic connection to fire.
Choose the correct classification of the adverb: He has been shamefully treated.
A)
Adverb of degree
B)
Adverb of manner
C)
Adverb of frequency
D)
Adverb of negation
The correct option is 'b' (Adverb of manner). Here is the breakdown:
1. **Why it is correct**: The adverb 'shamefully' describes the way or manner in which the action ('treated') was performed. It answers the question 'How was he treated?', which is the defining characteristic of an Adverb of Manner.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Adverb of degree** (Option a) indicates the intensity, scale, or extent of an action or adjective (e.g., 'extremely', 'very').
- **Adverb of frequency** (Option c) shows how often an action occurs (e.g., 'always', 'seldom').
- **Adverb of negation** (Option d) is used to deny or negate a statement (e.g., 'not', 'never').
Choose the correct classification of the adverb: I wonder you never told me.
A)
Adverb of degree
B)
Adverb of manner
C)
Adverb of frequency
D)
Adverb of time
In the sentence 'I wonder you never told me', the adverb is 'never'. Adverbs of frequency describe how often an action occurs. Since 'never' indicates that the action of telling did not happen at any time (frequency of zero), it is classified as an Adverb of Frequency.
- Option a (Adverb of degree) is incorrect because 'never' does not describe the intensity or extent of an action.
- Option b (Adverb of manner) is incorrect because 'never' does not describe the way or how an action is performed.
- Option d (Adverb of time) is incorrect because, although related to time, 'never' specifically denotes the frequency (how often) rather than a specific point in time (like 'yesterday' or 'now').
Analyze the sentence and choose the correct answer: The boss is always right.
A)
Affirmative
B)
Superlative
C)
Comparative
D)
Negative
The sentence 'The boss is always right' is an affirmative sentence because it makes a positive assertion or states a fact without using any negative words (such as 'not', 'never', or 'no'). Option 'd' (Negative) is incorrect because there is no negation in the sentence. Options 'c' (Comparative) and 'b' (Superlative) are incorrect because they refer to degrees of comparison for adjectives/adverbs, whereas 'right' is in the positive degree, and the question asks to classify the sentence type.
Substitute the underlined phrase to improve the sentence if necessary: Have you not reached in time, we would have lost our lives.
A)
Had you not reached
B)
Had you not reach
C)
If you had not reach
D)
No improvement
The sentence is a third conditional sentence, which describes a hypothetical past situation and its past result. The structure of a third conditional is: 'If + past perfect (had + V3), would have + V3' or its inverted form: 'Had + subject + V3, would have + V3'. Since the main clause uses 'would have lost', the conditional clause must be in the past perfect tense. Option 'a' ('Had you not reached') correctly uses the inverted past perfect structure. Option 'b' and 'c' are grammatically incorrect because they use the base verb 'reach' instead of the past participle 'reached'. Option 'd' is incorrect because 'Have you not reached' is in the present perfect tense, which cannot be used in a third conditional.
Substitute the underlined phrase to improve the sentence if necessary: He was urgently in need to get his eye operation.
A)
of an eye operation
B)
for eye to be operated
C)
for operation on eye
D)
No improvement
The phrase 'in need' is idiomatically followed by the preposition 'of' when indicating what is required (e.g., 'in need of food', 'in need of an operation'). Therefore, 'in need of an eye operation' is grammatically correct and precise. Options 'b' and 'c' are incorrect because they use the incorrect preposition 'for' instead of 'of'. Option 'd' is incorrect because the original phrasing 'in need to get...' is unidiomatic and grammatically awkward.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: Innocence is not proof _____ scandal.
A)
against
B)
under
C)
for
D)
over
The correct preposition to use here is 'against'. The phrase 'proof against' is an idiomatic expression meaning 'protected against', 'secure from', or 'impervious to'. Thus, 'Innocence is not proof against scandal' means that being innocent does not shield or protect a person from being affected by scandal. The other prepositions ('under', 'for', 'over') do not form this standard idiomatic collocation and are grammatically incorrect in this context.
Fill in the blank with the appropriate preposition: He finished the work _____ four hours.
A)
during
B)
on
C)
in
D)
with
The correct preposition is 'in'. 'In' is used to denote the period of time within which an action is completed (e.g., 'in four hours' means it took four hours to complete the work). 'During' is incorrect because it is used to indicate that something happened within a specific period (e.g., 'during the meeting'), not to show the duration taken to complete an action. 'On' is used for specific days or dates (e.g., 'on Monday'), and 'with' is used to indicate accompaniment or instrument, making both incorrect in this context.
Choose the correct form of verb: I _____ a lot of work today
A)
did
B)
has done
C)
have done
D)
do
1. **Why 'c' is correct**: The time expression 'today' refers to a period of time that is still ongoing (unfinished). In standard grammar, the present perfect tense ('have + past participle') is used to describe completed actions within an unfinished time period. Since the subject is 'I', it correctly takes the auxiliary verb 'have' followed by the past participle 'done'.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'a' (did)**: The simple past tense is typically used for actions completed in a finished time period (e.g., 'yesterday').
- **'b' (has done)**: This is grammatically incorrect because the first-person pronoun 'I' always takes 'have', not 'has'.
- **'d' (do)**: The simple present tense is used for habitual actions or general truths, which does not fit the context of completing a specific amount of work today.
Choose the appropriate word/phrase to fill in the blank: The prisoner was released on _____ for good behavior.
A)
parole
B)
probation
C)
bail
D)
guarantee
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'parole'. 'Parole' refers to the temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, conditional on good behavior.
- 'Probation' (option b) is incorrect because it is a legal status where an offender is supervised in the community instead of serving time in prison.
- 'Bail' (option c) is incorrect because it is the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, usually in exchange for a sum of money.
- 'Guarantee' (option d) is incorrect as it is a general term for a formal promise or assurance and does not fit this specific legal context.
Choose the correct clause from the given options: He is sure that we will win the match.
A)
Adverb clause
B)
Noun clause
C)
Adjective clause
D)
None of these
In the sentence 'He is sure that we will win the match', the subordinate clause is 'that we will win the match'. This clause functions as a noun because it acts as the complement of the adjective 'sure' (equivalent to 'sure of the fact that we will win the match', where the preposition 'of' is omitted). In traditional English grammar, such noun-equivalent clauses are classified as Noun Clauses.
- **Why Option B is correct:** The clause completes the meaning of the adjective 'sure' and functions as a Noun Clause.
- **Why Option A is incorrect:** Adverb clauses modify verbs, adjectives, or adverbs to show time, place, reason, condition, etc., which is not the case here.
- **Why Option C is incorrect:** Adjective clauses modify a noun or pronoun (e.g., 'The team *that plays well* wins'). Here, the clause does not modify a noun.
- **Why Option D is incorrect:** Since Option B is the correct answer, 'None of these' is incorrect.