← Controller of Mines
Past Questions — 2026
The beggar was sitting ______ the road.
A)
beside
B)
besides
C)
asides
D)
aside
"Beside" means "next to" or "by the side of," which correctly fits the sentence: "The beggar was sitting beside the road."
Why others are incorrect:
- "besides" means "in addition to" or "apart from" and does not fit here.
- "asides" is a plural noun form and is not used this way.
- "aside" means "to one side" or "away from," but is not correct in this structure.
Change the sentence by converting the underlined word as indicated: He was wrongly accused of theft. (adjective)
A)
He faced a wrong accusation of theft
B)
He was accused of theft in a wrong manner.
C)
He was wronged by the accusation of theft.
D)
It was a wrong accusation of theft.
The task is to change the underlined word into the form indicated, i.e., convert the adverb/adjective use in the sentence into an adjective form. The sentence 'He was wrongly accused of theft' can be rewritten using the adjective 'wrong' to modify 'accusation': 'He faced a wrong accusation of theft.' Option (a) does this correctly. Option (b) changes the meaning awkwardly and does not convert the word properly. Option (c) uses 'wronged' in a different sense, meaning treated unjustly, not the intended transformation. Option (d) is grammatically possible but changes the focus to the accusation itself and is less direct than the best transformation here.
The supervisor ordered the workers to wear their safety helmets.
A)
The supervisor said, “Workers, you must wear safety helmets.”
B)
The supervisor said to the workers, “Wear your safety helmets.”
C)
The supervisor said, “Workers wore their safety helmets.”
D)
The supervisor told, “Please wear your safety helmets.”
The given sentence is in indirect speech and expresses an आदेश/command. In direct speech, commands are usually reported with a reporting verb like 'said to' or 'ordered' followed by the imperative form of the verb. Option (b) correctly converts the sentence into direct speech as an order: 'said to the workers' + imperative 'Wear your safety helmets.' Option (a) changes the meaning to advice/necessity using 'must'. Option (c) changes the tense and meaning completely. Option (d) is incorrect because 'told' should take an object, and the punctuation/structure is not correct.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: He has already completed the job.
A)
adjective
B)
preposition
C)
verb
D)
adverb
"Already" modifies the verb phrase "has completed," telling us that the action was done earlier than expected or before now. Words that modify verbs are adverbs. It is not an adjective (describes nouns), a preposition (shows relation), or a verb (shows action).
Despite the challenges, the department remained _______ in its commitment to transparency.
A)
static
B)
steadfast
C)
stationary
D)
solid
The sentence needs a word meaning firm, unwavering, and loyal in commitment. "Steadfast" fits perfectly: the department remained steadfast in its commitment to transparency. "Static" and "stationary" mean not moving or changing, and "solid" means strong or substantial, but they do not convey the idea of unwavering commitment as precisely as "steadfast".
He will come _____ I call him.
A)
however
B)
slthough
C)
if
D)
unless
The sentence needs a conditional conjunction: "He will come if I call him." This means his coming depends on my calling him.
- however: used to show contrast, not condition.
- although/slthough: introduces concession, not the correct meaning here.
- unless: means "if not," which would change the meaning.
So, the correct answer is "if".
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I don’t think I truly understand the true nature of love.
A)
verb
B)
noun
C)
adverb
D)
conjunction
In the sentence, the underlined word is likely **"love"**, which names a feeling or concept. A word that names a person, place, thing, or idea is a **noun**. Here, "love" refers to an abstract idea, so it is a noun. The other options are incorrect because it is not an action (**verb**), not a word modifying a verb/adjective/adverb (**adverb**), and not a joining word (**conjunction**).
Choose the sentence that functions as an ‘Optative’ sentence:
A)
I hope you pass the examination.
B)
May you have a successful career in the department.
C)
You will be a successful officer.
D)
Will you have a successful career?
An optative sentence expresses a wish, blessing, or prayer. Option (b) begins with "May" and expresses a good wish, so it is optative. Option (a) is an expression of hope, but it is not the standard optative form. Option (c) is a declarative sentence, and option (d) is an interrogative sentence.
Identify the underlined phrase: “To win the national championship is her only goal.”
A)
Noun Phrase
B)
Adjective Phrase
C)
Adverb Phrase
D)
Prepositional Phrase
The underlined phrase is "To win the national championship." It functions as the subject of the sentence and acts as a noun. A phrase that works like a noun is a Noun Phrase. It is not an adjective phrase because it does not describe a noun, not an adverb phrase because it does not modify a verb/adjective/adverb, and not a prepositional phrase because it does not begin with a preposition.
I wore only a shirt ____ it was very cold.
A)
while
B)
as if
C)
since
D)
though
The sentence needs a conjunction showing contrast: the speaker wore only a shirt despite the cold weather. "Though" correctly means "although" or "despite the fact that."
Why others are incorrect:
- while: suggests time or comparison, not contrast here.
- as if: means "in a manner suggesting," which does not fit.
- since: means "because" or "from the time that," which also does not fit.
So the correct sentence is: "I wore only a shirt though it was very cold."
He said to me, “Don’t enter the restricted area.”
A)
He said to me not to enter the restricted area.
B)
He told me that I don’t enter the restricted area.
C)
He warned me not to enter the restricted area.
D)
He suggested me to not enter the restricted area.
The sentence is an आदेश/negative command: “Don’t enter...”. In indirect speech, a negative command is usually reported with **warned/told/advised + not to + verb**. Here, because the speaker is clearly prohibiting entry into a restricted area, **warned me not to enter the restricted area** is the best conversion. Option (a) is incomplete and unnatural, (b) changes the tense and meaning, and (d) uses “suggested” incorrectly for a prohibition.
The officer said to the worker, “Show me your permit.”
A)
The officer ordered the worker to show him his permit.
B)
The officer said to the worker to show him his permit.
C)
The officer ordered the worker that he show him his permit.
D)
The officer told the worker show me your permit.
The sentence is an imperative in direct speech (“Show me your permit.”). In indirect speech, an imperative expressing an order is reported with the reporting verb in the past tense, usually using “ordered/told/asked” + object + to-infinitive. Here, “me” changes to “him” and “your” changes to “his” according to the new speaker’s perspective. So option (a) is correct. Options (b), (c), and (d) are grammatically incorrect or do not properly change the imperative into indirect speech.
Change the sentence by converting the underlined word as indicated: He laughed loudly, which startled the sleeping baby. (to noun)
A)
He was laughing loudly, which startled the sleeping baby.
B)
His loud laughter startled the sleeping baby
C)
His laugh was loudly, which startled the sleeping baby.
D)
He laughed in a loud manner, which startled the baby.
The task is to convert the underlined word/phrase into a noun form. The adjective/adverbial expression "laughed loudly" is best transformed into the noun phrase "loud laughter." Option (b) correctly changes the sentence into noun form while keeping the meaning intact. Option (a) only changes tense, option (c) is ungrammatical, and option (d) uses a phrase but does not properly convert the key word to a noun.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: The little boy dressed himself in his favourite pajamas.
A)
verb
B)
adverb
C)
conjunction
D)
pronoun
The underlined word is "himself". It refers back to the subject "the little boy" and is a reflexive pronoun. Therefore, its part of speech is a pronoun. The other options are incorrect because "himself" is not an action word (verb), not a modifying word (adverb), and not a joining word (conjunction).
Change the sentence by converting the underlined word as indicated: I take great pride in your achievements. (to adjective)
A)
I feel prideness in your achievements
B)
I am proud in your achievements
C)
I feel proudly about your achievements
D)
I am very proud of your achievements
The underlined word "pride" is a noun. To convert it into an adjective, the correct adjective is "proud." The grammatically correct sentence is: "I am very proud of your achievements."
Why others are incorrect:
- (a) "prideness" is not the correct standard adjective form here.
- (b) "proud in" is incorrect; we say "proud of," not "proud in."
- (c) "feel proudly" uses an adverb, not an adjective, and the preposition is also awkward.
So, option (d) is correct.
In the sentence “The geologist visited the site because he wanted to collect samples,” the underlined clause is:
A)
Noun Clause
B)
Adverb Clause
C)
Adjective Clause
D)
Co-ordinate Clause
The clause "because he wanted to collect samples" tells us the reason for the geologist visiting the site. A clause that expresses reason, time, place, condition, etc. and modifies the main verb is an adverb clause. It is not a noun clause because it does not act as a subject or object, not an adjective clause because it does not describe a noun, and not a co-ordinate clause because it is dependent on the main clause.
The company tried to _______ the villagers by promising jobs that were never actually created.
A)
tell
B)
force
C)
mislead
D)
show
The sentence says the company promised jobs that were never actually created, which means it tried to deceive the villagers. "Mislead" means to cause someone to have a wrong idea or impression, so it fits best. "Tell" is too general, "force" means to compel physically or by pressure, and "show" does not fit the meaning of deception.
The discovery of the new lithium reserve was a _______ event for the country’s energy sector.
A)
momentary
B)
momentous
C)
memorable
D)
mandatory
The sentence needs a word meaning 'very important' or 'significant.' A new lithium reserve would be a major development for the country’s energy sector, so 'momentous' fits best. 'Momentary' means brief, 'memorable' means worth remembering, and 'mandatory' means required by law or rule.
Many things have happened ______ we last met.
A)
since
B)
while
C)
as
D)
until
The sentence refers to a period of time starting from the last meeting up to now. "Since" is used with a point of time in the past: "Many things have happened since we last met."
Why others are wrong:
- "while" means during the time that something was happening, not from a past point until now.
- "as" means at the same time or because, which does not fit here.
- "until" means up to a point in time, but the sentence needs a starting point, so it is not correct.
Identify the underlined clause: “The workers who completed the training received a certificate.”
A)
Noun Clause
B)
Adverb Clause
C)
Adjective Clause
D)
Conditional Clause
The underlined clause is "who completed the training." It modifies the noun "workers" by giving more information about them, so it is an adjective clause (also called a relative clause). It answers the question: which workers? The other options are incorrect because a noun clause functions as a noun, an adverb clause modifies a verb/adjective/adverb, and a conditional clause expresses a condition.
The principal presided _____ the meeting.
A)
upon
B)
unto
C)
over
D)
at
The correct collocation is "presided over" a meeting, meaning to be in charge of or lead it. "Upon" and "unto" are not used with this verb in this context, and "at" is incorrect here.
Change the sentence by converting the underlined word as indicated: The late arrival of the Chief Guest completely disrupted the programme. (to Verb)
A)
The late arrive of the Chief Guest completely disrupted the programme.
B)
The Chief Guest arrived late and completely disrupted the programme.
C)
The late arrived of the Chief Guest completely disrupted the programme.
D)
The Chief Guest completely disrupted the programme by his late arrivance.
The underlined phrase "late arrival" is a noun phrase. To convert it into a verb form, we use the verb "arrived". The sentence is correctly rewritten as: "The Chief Guest arrived late and completely disrupted the programme." Options (a) and (c) use incorrect forms like "arrive" and "arrived" as nouns. Option (d) uses "arrivance," which is not a standard English word.
The food was divided equally ______ the five boys.
A)
between
B)
within
C)
amidst
D)
among
When something is distributed or shared by more than two people or things, we use "among". Here, the food was divided equally among the five boys. "Between" is generally used for two persons or things, "within" means inside, and "amidst" means surrounded by or in the middle of.
Change the sentence by converting the underlined word as indicated: The sweetness of her voice was captivating. (to adjective)
A)
Her sweet voice was captivating
B)
Her voice captivated one sweetly
C)
She speaks sweetly and it was captivating
D)
Her voice is sweet and is captivating.
The underlined noun "sweetness" has to be changed into its adjective form, which is "sweet." So, "The sweetness of her voice" becomes "Her sweet voice." The meaning remains the same. Option (b) changes the meaning and structure incorrectly, (c) is grammatically awkward and changes tense, and (d) is not a proper transformation of the given sentence.
Which of the following is the most appropriate usage? “The new policies will _______ the administrative burden on small-scale miners.”
A)
decrease
B)
alleviate
C)
subside
D)
lessen
The sentence means the new policies will reduce or ease the administrative burden on small-scale miners. 'Alleviate' is the most appropriate word because it specifically means to make something less severe or easier to bear, and it is commonly used with words like burden, pain, hardship, or problem. 'Decrease' and 'lessen' can also mean reduce, but they are less precise and less natural here. 'Subside' is incorrect because it is generally used for something that becomes less intense by itself, such as pain, anger, or a storm, not for something that policies actively reduce.
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