← Group B (Gazetted)
Past Questions
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb or adjective: There were a ________ questions that I could not answer.
A)
few
B)
many
C)
little
D)
some
The correct option is 'a' (few). The sentence contains the indefinite article 'a' before the blank. The phrase 'a few' is used with plural countable nouns (like 'questions') to mean 'a small number of'. Other options are incorrect because: 1) 'many' and 'some' cannot be preceded by 'a' in this context ('a many' and 'a some' are grammatically incorrect); 2) 'little' is used only with uncountable nouns (e.g., 'a little water'), not plural countable nouns.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: Not ________ he but his sister also is to blame.
A)
only
B)
but
C)
just
D)
except
The sentence requires the correlative conjunction pair 'not only... but... also' to connect the two subjects ('he' and 'his sister'). Placing 'only' in the blank completes this standard grammatical structure ('Not only he but his sister also...'). Option 'c' ('just') is sometimes used in informal English but is not preferred in formal exams. Options 'b' ('but') and 'd' ('except') do not fit the correlative structure and are grammatically incorrect.
Complete the sentence with the correct preposition or conjunction: My house is ________ the school.
A)
next
B)
near
C)
nearly
D)
nearest
The correct option is 'b' (near). 'Near' is a preposition of place meaning 'close to', which perfectly fits the sentence structure: 'My house is near the school.'
Why other options are incorrect:
- 'next' (option a) requires the preposition 'to' (i.e., 'next to') to indicate proximity.
- 'nearly' (option c) is an adverb meaning 'almost', which does not make sense in this context.
- 'nearest' (option d) is a superlative adjective and typically requires 'to' or a definite article 'the' with a different sentence structure to be grammatically correct here.
Change the following to Comparative degree: Para is smart. No other student can compare to him.
A)
Para is the smartest student.
B)
Para is smartest among all the students.
C)
Para is smarter than any other student.
D)
Para is smart than any other student.
To change the sentence to the comparative degree, we must use the comparative form of the adjective 'smart', which is 'smarter', followed by 'than any other'. Option 'c' correctly applies this rule: 'Para is smarter than any other student.' Option 'd' is incorrect because it uses the positive degree 'smart' instead of 'smarter'. Options 'a' and 'b' are incorrect because they use the superlative degree 'smartest' instead of the comparative degree.
Choose the correct antonym of the underlined word: He was oblivious to the crowd around him.
A)
obvious
B)
aware
C)
unaware
D)
invisible
The word 'oblivious' means not aware of or concerned about what is happening around oneself. Therefore, its correct antonym (opposite) is 'aware', which means having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 'unaware' (option c) is a synonym of 'oblivious', not an antonym.
- 'obvious' (option a) means easily perceived or understood, which is unrelated in meaning.
- 'invisible' (option d) means unable to be seen, which is also unrelated.
Synthesize the following sentences using a Noun clause: He has died. The rumour is true.
A)
He has died and the rumour is true.
B)
The rumour that he has died is true.
C)
The rumour is true as he has died.
D)
He has died is a true rumour.
Option 'b' is correct because it successfully synthesizes the two sentences using a noun clause. In the sentence 'The rumour that he has died is true', the clause 'that he has died' is a noun clause in apposition to the noun 'rumour'. Option 'a' is incorrect because it uses the coordinating conjunction 'and' to form a compound sentence. Option 'c' is incorrect because it uses an adverbial clause of reason ('as he has died'). Option 'd' is grammatically incorrect and does not form a standard noun clause construction.
Fill in the blank with the correct adverb or adjective: He moved ________ into the room to see everything clearly.
A)
further
B)
farther
C)
furthest
D)
farly
1. **Why 'farther' is correct**: 'Farther' is the comparative form of 'far' used specifically to refer to physical distance. Since moving 'into the room' involves physical space and distance, 'farther' is the most appropriate choice.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **further** (Option a): Traditionally used for figurative distance, progression, or to mean 'additional' (e.g., 'further information').
- **furthest** (Option c): This is the superlative form and is grammatically incorrect here as we are comparing his new position to his previous one (requiring a comparative, not superlative, degree).
- **farly** (Option d): This is not a valid English word.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: I was hungry but I could not find anything ________ in their kitchen.
A)
eligible
B)
edible
C)
audible
D)
legible
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'edible'. Here is the breakdown:
1. **Why 'edible' is correct**: 'Edible' means fit or safe to be eaten. Since the sentence mentions being 'hungry' and searching in the 'kitchen', the speaker was looking for food that could be eaten.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **eligible** (Option a) means having the right to do or obtain something; satisfying the appropriate conditions.
- **audible** (Option c) means loud enough to be heard.
- **legible** (Option d) means clear enough to be read (referring to handwriting or print).
Change the following to a Complex sentence: He was wealthy. He was unhappy.
A)
Although he was wealthy, he was unhappy.
B)
He was wealthy and unhappy.
C)
Being wealthy, he was unhappy.
D)
He was wealthy, he was unhappy.
A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent (subordinate) clause. In option (a), 'Although he was wealthy' is a dependent clause introduced by the subordinating conjunction 'Although', and 'he was unhappy' is an independent clause, making it a grammatically correct complex sentence. Option (b) is a simple sentence with a compound predicate. Option (c) is a simple sentence containing a participial phrase ('Being wealthy') rather than a clause. Option (d) is a grammatically incorrect comma splice.
Analyse the following by picking out the Main clause: She is the girl whom I shall marry.
A)
She is
B)
She is the girl
C)
the girl
D)
whom I shall marry
In the sentence 'She is the girl whom I shall marry', the main clause (or independent clause) is 'She is the girl' because it contains a subject ('She') and a verb ('is'), and can stand alone as a complete sentence. Option 'd' ('whom I shall marry') is a subordinate (relative) clause that modifies the noun 'girl'. Option 'a' ('She is') is incomplete, and option 'c' ('the girl') is merely a noun phrase, not a clause.
Change the following to a Compound sentence: He worked hard. He still failed.
A)
Working hard, he still failed.
B)
He worked hard, yet he still failed.
C)
He worked hard to fail.
D)
Working hardly, he still failed.
A compound sentence consists of at least two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction (such as 'for', 'and', 'nor', 'but', 'or', 'yet', 'so').
1. **Why Option 'b' is correct:** It successfully combines the two independent clauses ('He worked hard' and 'he still failed') using the coordinating conjunction 'yet', making it a perfect compound sentence that retains the original contrast in meaning.
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **Option 'a'** is a simple sentence because it contains only one independent clause ('he still failed') preceded by a participial phrase ('Working hard').
- **Option 'c'** is a simple sentence and changes the original meaning of the sentences.
- **Option 'd'** is also a simple sentence and is grammatically incorrect because 'hardly' means 'scarcely' or 'barely', which completely alters the intended meaning.
Fill in the blank with the most appropriate word: I was ________ of the car slowly moving towards me.
A)
conscience
B)
consensus
C)
consent
D)
conscious
The correct word to fill in the blank is 'conscious'.
1. **Why 'conscious' is correct:** 'Conscious' is an adjective that means 'aware of' or 'having knowledge of' something. The phrase 'conscious of' is the standard English collocation used to express awareness of one's surroundings or a specific situation (e.g., being aware of the car moving).
2. **Why other options are incorrect:**
- **'conscience' (a)** is a noun referring to a person's inner moral sense of right and wrong.
- **'consensus' (b)** is a noun meaning a general agreement among a group.
- **'consent' (c)** is a noun or verb meaning permission or agreement to do something.
Change the following to a Complex sentence: This is the house. Michael was born here.
A)
This is the house and Michael was born here.
B)
That Michael was born in this house.
C)
This is the house where Michael was born.
D)
This is the house where Michael was born here.
1. **Why Option C is correct**: A complex sentence consists of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. In option (c), 'This is the house' is the independent clause, and 'where Michael was born' is the dependent (adjective) clause modifying 'house'. They are correctly joined by the relative adverb 'where'.
2. **Why other options are incorrect**:
- **Option a** is a compound sentence because it connects two independent clauses using the coordinating conjunction 'and'.
- **Option b** is an incomplete sentence (fragment) and lacks a main independent clause.
- **Option d** is grammatically incorrect and redundant because it uses both 'where' and 'here' to refer to the same place.
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: Hand over fist
A)
Get panic
B)
State of high alert
C)
Quickly and continuously
D)
Get comfortable
The idiom 'hand over fist' means to do something rapidly, in large quantities, or at a very fast pace (most commonly used in the context of making or losing money quickly). Therefore, 'Quickly and continuously' is the correct meaning. The other options—'Get panic' (a), 'State of high alert' (b), and 'Get comfortable' (d)—do not relate to speed, rate, or continuous action, making them incorrect.
According to the passage, which was the unfinished part of Gandhiji’s experiment?
A)
Educating people to avoid class conflict
B)
Achieving total political freedom for the country
C)
Establishment of an egalitarian society
D)
Radically changing the mind and attitude of men towards truth and non-violence
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'Achieving total political freedom for the country' (Option B).
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: Hard and fast
A)
Weak
B)
Strong
C)
Very strict
D)
Cause of trouble
The idiom 'hard and fast' is used to describe rules, regulations, or principles that are fixed, definite, and cannot be altered or bypassed under any circumstances. Therefore, 'Very strict' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because 'Weak' (a) is the opposite of strict, 'Strong' (b) refers to physical power or intensity rather than unyielding rules, and 'Cause of trouble' (d) refers to a source of problems, which is unrelated to the idiom.
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: Bone of contention
A)
Point of an argument
B)
Worthless
C)
Without any hesitation
D)
To succeed
The idiom 'Bone of contention' refers to a subject, issue, or decision over which there is continuing disagreement, dispute, or argument. Therefore, 'Point of an argument' is the correct meaning. Option 'b' (Worthless) is incorrect because the disputed matter is often of significant value to the parties involved. Option 'c' (Without any hesitation) refers to acting promptly, which is unrelated to a dispute. Option 'd' (To succeed) means to achieve a desired aim, which does not match the meaning of the idiom.
Which of the following statements is ‘not true’ in the context of the passage?
A)
True egalitarianism can be achieved by giving up one’s possessions under compulsion
B)
Man values his life more than his possessions
C)
Possessive instinct is a natural part of the human being
D)
In the political struggle, the fight was against the alien rule
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'Possessive instinct is a natural part of the human being' (Option C).
According to the passage, why does man value his possessions more than his life?
A)
He has an inherent desire to share his possessions with others
B)
He is endowed with the possessive instinct
C)
Through his possessions he can preserve his name even after his death
D)
Only his possessions help him earn love and respect from his descendants
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'He has an inherent desire to share his possessions with others' (Option A).
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: Bite the bullet
A)
To get someone drunk
B)
Talking nonsense
C)
Fight with others
D)
Face unpleasant situation
The idiom 'Bite the bullet' means to face a difficult, painful, or unpleasant situation with courage and endurance, often because it is unavoidable. This phrase historically comes from the practice of having wounded soldiers bite on a lead bullet to cope with pain during surgery without anesthesia. Therefore, option 'd' is the correct meaning. Options 'a' (To get someone drunk), 'b' (Talking nonsense), and 'c' (Fight with others) do not represent the meaning of this idiom.
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: No avail
A)
Effortless
B)
Without any result
C)
Very nervous
D)
Dispose of
The idiom 'no avail' (often used in the phrase 'to no avail') means without success, in vain, or producing no effective outcome. Therefore, 'Without any result' is the correct meaning. The other options are incorrect because: 'Effortless' (option a) means requiring no physical or mental exertion; 'Very nervous' (option c) refers to a state of anxiety or apprehension; and 'Dispose of' (option d) means to get rid of or throw away.
Based on the passage provided, egalitarianism will not survive if:
A)
It is based on voluntary renunciation
B)
It is achieved by resorting to physical force
C)
Underprivileged people are not involved in its establishment
D)
People’s outlook towards it is not radically changed
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'Underprivileged people are not involved in its establishment' (Option C).
According to the passage, true egalitarianism will last if:
A)
It is thrust upon people
B)
It is based on truth and non-violence
C)
People inculcate spiritual values along with material values
D)
‘Haves’ and ‘have-nots’ live together peacefully
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is '‘Haves’ and ‘have-nots’ live together peacefully' (Option D).
According to the passage, people ultimately overturn the form of a social order:
A)
Which is based on coercion and oppression
B)
Which does not satisfy their basic needs
C)
Which is based upon conciliation and rapprochement
D)
Which is not congenial to the spiritual values of the people
Based on established principles in English Language, the correct and most appropriate choice is 'Which is based on coercion and oppression' (Option A).
Select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of the idiom/phrase: To die in harness
A)
Die early
B)
Die after doing work
C)
To die while in duty
D)
Die peacefully
The idiom 'to die in harness' means to die while still actively engaged in one's professional life, employment, or duty, before retirement. Therefore, option 'c' ('To die while in duty') is the correct choice. Option 'a' (Die early) refers to age, option 'b' (Die after doing work) implies dying after a task is completed rather than during active service, and option 'd' (Die peacefully) refers to the manner of death, making them all incorrect.