← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: It was too hot to go for a walk, so we ________ indoors all day.
A)
stays
B)
were staying
C)
stay
D)
have been staying
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** The sentence begins with 'It was too hot...', which establishes a past tense context. Therefore, the verb in the blank must also be in the past tense. 'were staying' (past continuous) correctly matches the past tense and describes an ongoing action ('all day') in the past.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:** 'stays' (option a) and 'stay' (option c) are in the present tense and do not match the past tense context. 'have been staying' (option d) is in the present perfect continuous tense, which is used for actions that started in the past and continue into the present, which is incorrect here since the situation is entirely in the past.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: The four thieves divided the money equally ________ themselves.
A)
between
B)
among
C)
unto
D)
into
1. 'among' is the correct preposition because it is used when distributing or dividing something among three or more people or entities (in this case, 'four thieves').
2. 'between' is incorrect because it is typically used for only two people or distinct, individual items.
3. 'unto' (an archaic word meaning 'to') and 'into' (indicating movement or transformation) do not fit the context of distributing money.
Change the following to a Compound sentence: He ran out of money. He had to curb his spending habits.
A)
He ran out of money, so he had to curb his spending habits.
B)
Running out of money, he had to curb his spending habits.
C)
He ran out of money, he had to curb his spending habits.
D)
He had to curb his spending habits, he ran out of money.
A compound sentence consists of at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as 'for', 'and', 'nor', 'but', 'or', 'yet', 'so'). Option (a) correctly joins the two independent clauses ('He ran out of money' and 'he had to curb his spending habits') using the coordinating conjunction 'so' preceded by a comma, establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship. Option (b) is a simple sentence because 'Running out of money' is a participial phrase, not an independent clause. Options (c) and (d) are grammatically incorrect 'comma splices' because they attempt to join two independent clauses with only a comma and no coordinating conjunction.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: I offered her my sympathies at the ________ of their mother.
A)
lost
B)
loose
C)
lose
D)
loss
The blank requires a noun because it is preceded by the definite article 'the' and followed by the prepositional phrase 'of their mother'. 'Loss' is the noun form meaning the death of a person or the state of being deprived of someone/something. The other options are incorrect because: 'lose' (option c) is a verb; 'lost' (option a) is the past tense/past participle form of the verb 'lose' or an adjective; and 'loose' (option b) is an adjective meaning not tight or free from confinement.
Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word: He eats in this restaurant once a week.
A)
Noun
B)
Adverb
C)
Adjective
D)
Conjunction
In the sentence 'He eats in this restaurant once a week', the underlined word 'once' is an Adverb (specifically, an adverb of frequency). It modifies the verb 'eats' by answering the question 'how often?'.
- **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Noun (a):** A noun represents a person, place, thing, or idea, which does not apply to 'once' in this context.
- **Adjective (c):** An adjective modifies or describes a noun. 'Once' is not describing a noun here.
- **Conjunction (d):** A conjunction connects clauses or sentences (e.g., 'Once you finish, you can go'). Here, 'once' is not acting as a connector.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: When I see her, I ________ her that I love her.
A)
told
B)
will have told
C)
will tell
D)
will be telling
The sentence contains a time clause ('When I see her') referring to a future event. In English grammar, when a time clause is in the Present Simple tense, the main clause must be in the Future Simple tense ('will' + verb) to express a future action. Therefore, 'will tell' is the correct choice. Option 'a' (told) is incorrect because it is in the past tense. Option 'b' (will have told) is incorrect because the Future Perfect is used for actions completed before a certain point in the future. Option 'd' (will be telling) is incorrect because the Future Continuous is used for ongoing actions, whereas this context requires a single, completed action.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: I was beaten ________ a stick for my disobedience.
A)
with
B)
through
C)
by
D)
of
1. **Why 'with' is correct**: In English grammar, the preposition 'with' is used to denote the instrument or tool used to perform an action (e.g., 'beaten with a stick', 'written with a pen'). Since 'a stick' is the instrument used for beating, 'with' is the correct choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'by' (Option c)** is incorrect because 'by' is used to denote the agent or doer of the action (e.g., 'beaten by the teacher').
- **'through' (Option b)** is incorrect as it refers to a medium, process, or passage, not a physical tool.
- **'of' (Option d)** is incorrect because it denotes origin, cause, or possession, which does not fit the context of an instrument.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: I rarely see him ________ he lived just a few rooms from mine.
A)
except
B)
as though
C)
although
D)
unless
1. **Why 'although' is correct**: 'Although' is a subordinating conjunction used to introduce a statement of contrast or concession. In this sentence, it correctly connects the main clause ('I rarely see him') with a contrasting fact ('he lived just a few rooms from mine'), showing that they rarely see each other despite living very close by.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'unless' (d)** means 'except if', which creates an illogical condition in this context.
- **'except' (a)** is a preposition and cannot directly introduce a clause here without 'that' (i.e., 'except that').
- **'as though' (b)** means 'as if' and is used to describe hypothetical or imaginary situations, which does not fit the factual contrast of the sentence.
Change the following to a Complex sentence: Here comes the girl. She stole my heart.
A)
The girl stole my heart and is coming.
B)
Here comes the girl and she stole my heart.
C)
Here comes the girl but she stole my heart.
D)
Here comes the girl who stole my heart.
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. Option 'd' is correct because it uses the relative pronoun 'who' to introduce the dependent adjective clause 'who stole my heart', which modifies 'the girl'. Options 'a', 'b', and 'c' are incorrect because they use coordinating conjunctions ('and', 'but') to join two independent clauses, which forms compound sentences rather than a complex sentence.
Choose the correct synonym of the underlined word: His perseverance ultimately led to his success
A)
defeat
B)
persistence
C)
corruption
D)
kindness
1. **Why the correct option is correct**: 'Perseverance' means the quality of continuing to make an effort to achieve something despite difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement. 'Persistence' is a direct synonym, as it also refers to the firm continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **defeat** (a) means failure or being beaten, which is the opposite of success and perseverance.
- **corruption** (c) refers to dishonest or illegal behavior, which is unrelated to perseverance.
- **kindness** (d) means being friendly, generous, and considerate, which is a positive moral trait but not a synonym for determination or persistence.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb or adjective: The new property is ________ in shape.
A)
circle
B)
circuitous
C)
circuit
D)
circular
The correct option is 'd' (circular). The sentence requires an adjective to describe the shape of the property. 'Circular' is an adjective meaning 'having the form of a circle,' which perfectly fits the context. 'Circle' (a) and 'circuit' (c) are nouns and are grammatically incorrect here. 'Circuitous' (b) is an adjective, but it means 'indirect or roundabout' (typically used for routes or journeys) and does not describe a geometric shape.
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: He went over and above his duty in defending the townspeople.
A)
to be negligent
B)
in addition to
C)
disobeying one’s superiors
D)
disregarding one’s duty
The idiom 'over and above' means 'in addition to' or 'more than' what is expected or required. In the context of the sentence, it means he did more than his required duty to defend the townspeople. Option 'a' ('to be negligent') and Option 'd' ('disregarding one’s duty') are incorrect because they imply a failure to perform one's duty, which is the opposite of the idiom's meaning. Option 'c' ('disobeying one’s superiors') is incorrect as it refers to insubordination, which is unrelated to exceeding one's duty.
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: The decision to pardon him hangs in the balance.
A)
to be uncertain
B)
favourable
C)
unfavourable
D)
decided by voting
The idiom 'hangs in the balance' means that the outcome of a situation is undecided, critical, or highly uncertain. Therefore, option 'a' ('to be uncertain') is the correct meaning. Options 'b' (favourable) and 'c' (unfavourable) are incorrect because the idiom implies that the final result is not yet determined to be either positive or negative. Option 'd' (decided by voting) is incorrect because the idiom refers to the state of uncertainty itself, regardless of how the decision will eventually be made.
Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word: He wore a silver ring on his left hand.
A)
Adverb
B)
Noun
C)
Adjective
D)
Verb
In the sentence 'He wore a silver ring on his left hand', the word 'silver' (or 'left') describes the noun that follows it ('ring' or 'hand'). Words that describe or modify nouns are classified as Adjectives. Although 'silver' can function as a noun in other contexts (e.g., 'The fork is made of silver'), here it acts as an attributive adjective describing the material of the ring. It is not an Adverb because it does not modify a verb, adjective, or adverb; it is not a Noun here because it is functioning as a modifier; and it is not a Verb as it does not denote an action.
Synthesize the following sentences using a Cumulative conjunction: He was punished. He was fined also.
A)
He was punished but he was fined.
B)
He was punished for he was fined.
C)
Being fined, he was punished also.
D)
He was punished as well as fined.
To synthesize the sentences using a cumulative (or copulative) conjunction, we must use a conjunction that merely adds one statement to another. Common cumulative conjunctions include 'and', 'both... and', 'not only... but also', and 'as well as'.
1. **Option d is correct** because 'as well as' is a cumulative conjunction that perfectly combines the two facts (he was punished and he was fined) without changing the meaning.
2. **Option a is incorrect** because 'but' is an adversative conjunction used to show contrast.
3. **Option b is incorrect** because 'for' is an illative conjunction used to show cause/reason.
4. **Option c is incorrect** because it uses a participle clause ('Being fined') instead of a cumulative conjunction.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: I sympathized with him for the money that he ________.
A)
lost
B)
had lost
C)
losed
D)
had loosed
The correct answer is 'had lost' (Option b). The sentence describes two actions in the past: 'sympathized' and the action of losing money. Since the losing of the money occurred before the act of sympathizing, the Past Perfect tense ('had' + past participle) is required to establish the correct sequence of events. The past participle of 'lose' is 'lost', making 'had lost' the correct choice. Option (a) 'lost' is simple past and does not clearly show the sequence of events. Option (c) 'losed' is grammatically incorrect as 'losed' is not a valid word. Option (d) 'had loosed' uses the verb 'loose' (meaning to release or untie), which is contextually incorrect.
Analyse the following by picking out the adjectival clause: The man who found the dog met me yesterday.
A)
The man
B)
who found the dog
C)
met me yesterday
D)
the man met me yesterday
An adjectival clause (or relative clause) is a dependent clause that functions as an adjective by modifying a noun or pronoun. In the sentence 'The man who found the dog met me yesterday', the clause 'who found the dog' modifies the noun 'man' and answers the question 'which man?'. Therefore, option 'b' is correct. Option 'a' ('The man') is a noun phrase, option 'c' ('met me yesterday') is the predicate of the main clause, and option 'd' ('the man met me yesterday') is the main clause itself.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: He is an ________ painter and dancer.
A)
adopt
B)
adept
C)
adapt
D)
addict
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'adept'. 'Adept' is an adjective that means highly skilled or proficient at something, which perfectly describes his ability as a painter and dancer. The other options are incorrect because: 'adopt' (a) and 'adapt' (c) are verbs and do not fit grammatically as modifiers for the nouns; 'addict' (d) is a noun/verb and is grammatically incorrect in this context.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: My grandparents live in a small cabin ________ that hill.
A)
between
B)
beyond
C)
betwixt
D)
besides
The correct preposition is 'beyond'. Here is why:
1. **'Beyond' (Option b)** means 'on the further side of' or 'past'. It perfectly fits the spatial context of a cabin located on the other side of 'that hill'.
2. **'Between' (Option a)** and **'betwixt' (Option c)** are used to indicate a position in the middle of two or more distinct points or objects (e.g., 'between the two hills'). Since 'that hill' is singular, these options are grammatically incorrect.
3. **'Besides' (Option d)** means 'in addition to' or 'apart from', which does not make sense in this spatial context.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: He betrayed me, ________ I have punished him.
A)
since
B)
therefore
C)
however
D)
for
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** 'Therefore' is a conjunctive adverb used to show a logical consequence or result. In this sentence, the act of punishing ('I have punished him') is the direct consequence of the betrayal ('He betrayed me').
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **'since'** and **'for'** are used to introduce a reason or cause. Using them would incorrectly imply that the punishment was the cause of the betrayal.
- **'however'** is used to show contrast, which does not fit the cause-and-effect relationship between betrayal and punishment.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: I will not forgive you ________ if you begged me.
A)
but
B)
as
C)
and
D)
even
The correct option is 'd' (even). The phrase 'even if' is a subordinating conjunction used to emphasize that something will remain true or unchanged regardless of the condition mentioned. In this sentence, it emphasizes that the speaker will not forgive the person under any circumstances, not even in the extreme case of begging. The other options ('but', 'and', 'as') do not fit grammatically or semantically; for instance, 'as if' means 'as though', which does not make sense in this context.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb or adjective: She was ________ shocked by the appearance of the building.
A)
completedly
B)
completely
C)
complete
D)
completedness
1. In the given sentence, 'shocked' is an adjective. To modify an adjective, we require an adverb. 'Completely' is the standard adverb form of 'complete' and correctly describes the degree of being shocked.
2. 'Complete' (option c) is an adjective, which cannot modify another adjective. 'Completedness' (option d) is a noun. 'Completedly' (option a) is grammatically incorrect and is not a standard English word.
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: My marriage to her brother was the bone of contention between the two of us.
A)
a binding bond
B)
cause of dispute
C)
reason for friendship
D)
cause of happiness
The idiom 'bone of contention' refers to a subject, issue, or decision over which there is continuing disagreement, argument, or conflict. Therefore, 'cause of dispute' is the correct meaning. The other options—'a binding bond' (a), 'reason for friendship' (c), and 'cause of happiness' (d)—are incorrect because they imply harmony, unity, or positive feelings, which is the exact opposite of the conflict denoted by the idiom.
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: The community grew by leaps and bounds after he became their leader.
A)
slowly
B)
rapidly
C)
illegally
D)
to deteriorate
The idiom 'by leaps and bounds' means to progress or grow very rapidly and in large amounts. Therefore, 'rapidly' (option b) is the correct meaning. Option 'a' (slowly) is the opposite of the idiom's meaning. Option 'c' (illegally) refers to unlawful actions, which is irrelevant. Option 'd' (to deteriorate) means to get worse, which contradicts the concept of growth.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: I offered her my help but she would not ________ it.
A)
accept
B)
except
C)
expect
D)
accede
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'accept'.
1. **Why 'accept' (Option a) is correct**: 'Accept' is a verb that means to willingly receive or agree to take something offered (e.g., 'accept help'). It fits the context of the sentence perfectly.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **'except' (Option b)** is usually a preposition meaning 'excluding' or 'apart from'. As a verb, it means 'to exclude', which does not fit here.
- **'expect' (Option c)** means to regard something as likely to happen, which is semantically incorrect in this context.
- **'accede' (Option d)** means to agree to a demand or request, but it requires the preposition 'to' (e.g., 'accede to it'), making it grammatically incorrect here.