← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Analyse the following by picking out the Adverbial clause: We work so that we may enjoy later.
A)
We work
B)
so that we may enjoy later
C)
so that
D)
we may enjoy later
1. **Why Option 'b' is correct**: The clause 'so that we may enjoy later' is an Adverbial Clause of Purpose. It modifies the verb 'work' in the main clause by explaining the purpose of the action, and it is introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'so that'.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Option 'a' ('We work')** is the main (independent) clause of the sentence, not a subordinate adverbial clause.
- **Option 'c' ('so that')** is merely the subordinating conjunction that introduces the clause, not the clause itself.
- **Option 'd' ('we may enjoy later')** is incomplete because it omits the subordinating conjunction 'so that' which is necessary to establish its adverbial relationship to the main clause.
Choose the correct synonym of the underlined word: He asked me discreetly whether I knew the thief or not.
A)
loudly
B)
angrily
C)
cautiously
D)
carelessly
The word 'discreetly' means to do something in a careful, prudent, and guarded manner to avoid attracting attention or causing embarrassment. Therefore, 'cautiously' is the correct synonym.
- 'angrily' (b) is incorrect as it refers to showing anger.
- 'carelessly' (d) is incorrect as it is the antonym of being careful or discreet.
- 'loudly' (a) is incorrect because asking something loudly would attract attention, which is the opposite of doing it discreetly.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: I ________ this man before tonight.
A)
has never seen
B)
have never seen
C)
did not see
D)
had never saw
1. **Why 'b' is correct**: The sentence refers to a personal experience up to the present moment ('before tonight'). The present perfect tense ('have' + past participle 'seen') is used to describe such experiences. Since the subject is 'I', 'have never seen' is the grammatically correct form.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **a ('has never seen')**: Incorrect subject-verb agreement; 'has' is used with third-person singular subjects (he/she/it), whereas 'I' requires 'have'.
- **c ('did not see')**: The simple past tense is incorrect here because the phrase 'before tonight' establishes a connection between the past and the present, which requires the present perfect tense.
- **d ('had never saw')**: Grammatically incorrect because the auxiliary verb 'had' must be followed by the past participle 'seen', not the simple past form 'saw'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: She ________ to see me everyday.
A)
came
B)
comes
C)
is coming
D)
had come
The sentence contains the adverbial phrase 'everyday' (meaning daily), which indicates a habitual action or routine. Habitual actions are expressed using the Simple Present Tense. Since the subject 'She' is third-person singular, it takes the singular verb 'comes'. Therefore, 'comes' is the correct fit. Option 'a' (came) is past tense, Option 'c' (is coming) is present continuous, and Option 'd' (had come) is past perfect; none of these are typically used to express regular, present habits.
Choose the correct meaning of the underlined idiom: Tom caught the eye when he came to our town.
A)
to flirt with
B)
to attract attention
C)
to cause disgust
D)
to make people laugh
The idiom 'catch the eye' (or 'caught the eye' in the past tense) means to attract someone's attention or to be particularly noticeable. Therefore, option 'b' is the correct meaning. Option 'a' (to flirt with) is incorrect because, although catching someone's eye can be used in a romantic context, the idiom itself simply means to draw notice. Option 'c' (to cause disgust) and Option 'd' (to make people laugh) are incorrect as they do not align with the meaning of attracting attention.
Change the following to a Simple sentence: Surdas was a poet. He was blind.
A)
Surdas was a poet and blind.
B)
Surdas was a poet but blind.
C)
Surdas was blind and a poet.
D)
Surdas was a blind poet.
To convert the two sentences ('Surdas was a poet. He was blind.') into a single simple sentence, we must combine them into a single clause with one subject and one finite verb. Option 'd' ('Surdas was a blind poet.') achieves this perfectly by turning the adjective 'blind' into an attributive modifier for the noun 'poet', resulting in a single subject ('Surdas') and a single verb ('was'). Options 'a', 'b', and 'c' are grammatically awkward or introduce unnecessary coordinating conjunctions ('and', 'but') that do not combine the ideas as concisely or naturally as option 'd'.
Analyse the following by picking out the Adjectival clause: This is the boy who rescued my cat.
A)
This is
B)
the boy
C)
who rescued my cat
D)
my cat
An adjectival (or relative) clause is a dependent clause that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun in the main clause. It typically begins with a relative pronoun such as 'who', 'whom', 'whose', 'which', or 'that'. In the sentence 'This is the boy who rescued my cat', the clause 'who rescued my cat' modifies the noun 'boy', making it the adjectival clause. Option 'a' ('This is') is the main clause. Option 'b' ('the boy') is the noun phrase being modified. Option 'd' ('my cat') is simply a noun phrase acting as the direct object of the verb 'rescued' inside the adjectival clause.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb or adjective: Jamie is my ________ friend.
A)
closed
B)
closely
C)
close
D)
closet
The correct option is 'c' ('close'). In this sentence, we need an adjective to modify the noun 'friend'. 'Close' is an adjective meaning intimate or dear, making 'close friend' the correct and natural collocation. 'Closely' (option b) is an adverb and cannot directly modify a noun. 'Closed' (option a) means shut, which is contextually incorrect. 'Closet' (option d) is a noun and does not fit the meaning of an intimate friend.
Choose the correct antonym of the underlined word: We know our true friends during moments of adversity.
A)
misfortune
B)
prosperity
C)
happiness
D)
war
The word 'adversity' refers to a state of hardship, misfortune, or difficult circumstances. The correct antonym is 'prosperity' (option b), which means a state of flourishing, thriving, good fortune, or success.
- 'misfortune' (option a) is a synonym of adversity, not an antonym.
- 'happiness' (option c) is an emotional state (the antonym of sadness), whereas adversity refers to external life circumstances.
- 'war' (option d) refers to armed conflict, which is unrelated to the general concept of adversity.
Choose the correct synonym of the underlined word: I was amazed by the fortitude of the young man.
A)
courage
B)
kindness
C)
cruelty
D)
fickleness
The word 'fortitude' means courage in pain or adversity, representing mental and emotional strength. Therefore, 'courage' (option a) is the correct synonym. 'Kindness' (option b) refers to being friendly and considerate; 'cruelty' (option c) refers to causing pain or suffering to others; and 'fickleness' (option d) means changeability or instability, none of which match the meaning of fortitude.
Synthesize the following sentences using an Infinitive: It is so hot. I cannot function properly.
A)
It is too hot to function properly.
B)
It is so hot that I cannot function properly too.
C)
It is too hot so that I cannot function properly.
D)
It is so hot too that I cannot function properly.
The correct option is 'a' because it uses the 'too + adjective + to-infinitive' structure ('too hot to function') to combine the two sentences. This structure is grammatically correct and concisely expresses that the intensity of the heat prevents the action of functioning properly. Options 'b', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect because they do not use an infinitive verb ('to + verb') to synthesize the sentences, and options 'c' and 'd' are also grammatically incorrect.
Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word: Time is a valuable commodity.
A)
Adjective
B)
Verb
C)
Adverb
D)
Noun
In the sentence 'Time is a valuable commodity', the underlined word 'valuable' is an Adjective.
1. **Why the correct option is correct:** An adjective is a word that describes or modifies a noun. Here, 'valuable' describes the noun 'commodity' by telling us what kind of commodity time is.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Noun (d):** 'Time' and 'commodity' are the nouns in this sentence. 'Valuable' is not a noun as it does not represent a person, place, thing, or idea on its own in this context.
- **Verb (b):** 'is' is the linking verb in this sentence.
- **Adverb (c):** Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs (typically answering how, when, where, or to what extent), whereas 'valuable' directly modifies a noun.
Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word: He was fined a sum of 500 rupees for driving while drunk.
A)
Verb
B)
Noun
C)
Adverb
D)
Adjective
In the given sentence, the underlined word is **'drunk'**.
1. **Why the correct option is correct (Adjective):** In the phrase 'while drunk', the word 'drunk' describes the state of the pronoun 'He' (it is an elliptical clause meaning 'while he was drunk'). Since it describes the state of a noun/pronoun, it functions as an **adjective**.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Verb (a):** Although 'drunk' is the past participle of the verb 'drink', it is not acting as a verb here because there is no action being performed by it; it purely describes a state.
- **Noun (b):** It does not represent a person, place, or thing in this context.
- **Adverb (c):** While the entire phrase 'while drunk' functions adverbially to modify 'driving', the individual word 'drunk' is an adjective describing the subject 'He'.
Synthesize the following sentences using an Adverb: She could not complete her work. It was very sad.
A)
Sadly, she could not complete her work.
B)
It was sad that she could not complete her work.
C)
She could not complete her work and it was sad.
D)
Unable to complete her work, it was sad.
The question requires synthesizing the two sentences using an adverb. Option 'a' is correct because it uses the adverb 'Sadly' (derived from the adjective 'sad') to modify the entire clause and combine the meaning of both sentences. Options 'b', 'c', and 'd' are incorrect because they use the adjective 'sad' instead of an adverb. Additionally, option 'd' contains a dangling modifier ('Unable to complete her work' incorrectly modifies 'it').
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: We ________ to his lecture for over an hour when he suddenly ran out.
A)
listened
B)
had been listening
C)
were listening
D)
had listened
The correct option is 'b' (had been listening). The sentence describes an action that was ongoing over a specific duration ('for over an hour') up until a point in the past when it was interrupted ('when he suddenly ran out'). The past perfect continuous tense ('had been listening') is used to express this continuous action leading up to another past event. Option 'c' (were listening) is incorrect because the past continuous is not used with a duration leading up to an interruption. Option 'a' (listened) is incorrect because the simple past does not show the ongoing nature of the action. Option 'd' (had listened) is incorrect because the past perfect simple emphasizes completion rather than the duration of the activity.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: I asked the gatekeeper to let us ________ the entrance.
A)
through
B)
trough
C)
tough
D)
thorough
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'through'. 'Through' is a preposition meaning moving in one side and out of the other side of an opening or location, which perfectly fits the context of passing 'the entrance'. The other options are incorrect because: 'trough' (option b) is a noun referring to a long, narrow container for animals to eat or drink from; 'tough' (option c) is an adjective meaning strong or difficult; and 'thorough' (option d) is an adjective meaning complete or extremely detailed.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: Ever since his illness, he has become a ________ and no longer drinks alcohol.
A)
turn-coat
B)
teetotaler
C)
teeter-totter
D)
tattletale
The correct option is 'b' (teetotaler). A 'teetotaler' is a person who completely abstains from drinking alcoholic beverages, which perfectly fits the context of the sentence. The other options are incorrect because: 'turn-coat' (option a) refers to a traitor or someone who changes their allegiance; 'teeter-totter' (option c) is a playground seesaw; and 'tattletale' (option d) is a person, typically a child, who reveals secrets or reports others' wrongdoings.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: The airplane will ________ from the clouds as it gets ready to land.
A)
decent
B)
descend
C)
descent
D)
dissent
The sentence requires a verb in its base form to follow the modal verb 'will'. 'Descend' (option b) is a verb that means to move downward, which perfectly fits the context of an airplane coming down from the clouds to land. 'Decent' (option a) is an adjective meaning respectable or appropriate. 'Descent' (option c) is a noun representing the act of moving downward, not a verb. 'Dissent' (option d) is a verb or noun meaning to disagree or hold a differing opinion.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb: She ________ her work by the time we reach home.
A)
was completing
B)
will complete
C)
will have completed
D)
had completed
The correct option is 'c' (will have completed). The phrase 'by the time we reach home' establishes a future deadline (using the simple present 'reach' to refer to a future event). To express an action that will be finished before a specific point in the future, the Future Perfect tense ('will have + past participle') must be used. Option 'a' (was completing) is past continuous and incorrect. Option 'b' (will complete) is simple future and does not emphasize completion before another future action. Option 'd' (had completed) is past perfect and would require a past tense reference (e.g., 'by the time we reached home').
Synthesize the following sentences using an Adversative conjunction: Do as you like. Don’t blame me if you fail.
A)
Do as you like if you don’t blame me if you fail.
B)
Don’t blame me if you fail doing what you like.
C)
Do as you like and don’t blame me if you fail.
D)
Do as you like, only don’t blame me if you fail.
The correct option is 'd' because it uses 'only' as an adversative conjunction. Adversative conjunctions (such as but, yet, still, only) express opposition or contrast between two statements. Here, 'only' is used in the sense of 'but' to connect the two contrasting ideas: 'Do as you like, but/only don't blame me if you fail.'
- Option 'a' is incorrect because it uses 'if', which is a subordinating conjunction of condition.
- Option 'b' is incorrect because it synthesizes the sentences into a single clause using a participle ('doing') rather than using an adversative conjunction.
- Option 'c' is incorrect because it uses 'and', which is a cumulative (copulative) conjunction used to merely add one statement to another, not to show contrast.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: The high-jumper jumped ________ the rope.
A)
on
B)
above
C)
atop
D)
over
The correct preposition is 'over' because it indicates movement from one side of an obstacle to the other, passing above it. In high jump, the athlete's goal is to clear the bar/rope by jumping 'over' it. 'Above' is incorrect because it refers to a static position higher than something, rather than the dynamic movement of crossing it. 'On' and 'atop' are incorrect because they imply physical contact with the top of the rope, which would result in a failed jump.
Identify the Part of Speech of the underlined word: Place your chair next to mine.
A)
Noun
B)
Adjective
C)
Preposition
D)
Conjunction
In the sentence 'Place your chair next to mine', the phrase 'next to' functions as a compound preposition. It indicates the spatial relationship (position) between the noun phrase 'your chair' and the pronoun 'mine'. Therefore, 'Preposition' is the correct part of speech.
- **Noun (a):** Incorrect. A noun represents a person, place, thing, or idea, which does not apply to 'next to'.
- **Adjective (b):** Incorrect. Although 'next' can act as an adjective (e.g., 'the next train'), here it is paired with 'to' to show location relative to an object, functioning as a preposition.
- **Conjunction (d):** Incorrect. Conjunctions connect clauses or words (e.g., 'and', 'but'), whereas 'next to' introduces a prepositional object ('mine').
Choose the correct antonym of the underlined word: I asked the operator to magnify the image on the computer.
A)
reduce
B)
maximize
C)
sharpen
D)
dull
The word 'magnify' means to enlarge or make something appear larger in size. The correct antonym is 'reduce', which means to make something smaller in size, amount, or scale. Among the other options: 'maximize' is a near-synonym meaning to increase to the greatest possible amount; 'sharpen' refers to improving the clarity or detail of an image; and 'dull' means to make less sharp or bright, none of which are direct antonyms of 'magnify'.
Analyse the following by picking out the adverbial clause: Nobody knows it better than I do.
A)
Nobody knows it
B)
better than
C)
better than I do
D)
than I do
In the sentence 'Nobody knows it better than I do', the main clause is 'Nobody knows it better'. The subordinate clause is 'than I do', which is an adverbial clause of comparison modifying the adverb 'better'.
- Option 'd' ('than I do') is correct because it is a complete subordinate clause introduced by the conjunction 'than' with its own subject ('I') and verb ('do').
- Option 'a' ('Nobody knows it') is incorrect because it is the main (independent) clause.
- Option 'b' ('better than') is incorrect because it is a phrase and lacks a subject and a verb.
- Option 'c' ('better than I do') is incorrect because 'better' is an adverb belonging to the main clause, not part of the subordinate adverbial clause itself.
Analyse the following by picking out the Noun clause: It is certain that we are too late
A)
It is certain
B)
we are too late
C)
that we are too late
D)
too late
In the sentence 'It is certain that we are too late', the pronoun 'It' acts as a dummy subject, and the actual subject is the extraposed noun clause 'that we are too late' (which can be rewritten as 'That we are too late is certain'). A noun clause must contain both a subject and a verb and is introduced by a subordinating conjunction like 'that'. Therefore, option 'c' is the complete noun clause. Option 'a' is the main clause, option 'b' is incomplete as it lacks the introductory conjunction 'that', and option 'd' is merely a phrase, not a clause.