Top 200 Grammar Questions
Two hundred grammar questions with answers and explanations.
200 questions. Each answer is hidden until you open it.
- Q1EasyParts of Speech
In the sentence 'She sings beautifully', the word beautifully is which part of speech?
- aAdjective
- bAdverb
- cNoun
- dPreposition
Show the answer
Answer: b — Adverb
It tells how she sings, so it modifies the verb and is an adverb. An adjective would describe a noun instead, as in a beautiful song.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q2EasyParts of Speech
Which of the following is an abstract noun?
- aHonesty
- bTable
- cSoldier
- dRiver
Show the answer
Answer: a — Honesty
An abstract noun names something that cannot be touched, such as a quality or feeling. The other three name things that can be seen and handled.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q3MediumParts of Speech
Which of the following is a collective noun?
- aCow
- bGrass
- cHerd
- dFarmer
Show the answer
Answer: c — Herd
A collective noun names a group taken as one unit, such as a herd of cattle or a fleet of ships.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q4MediumParts of Speech
The sentence 'Shut the door at once' belongs to which category?
- aInterrogative sentence
- bExclamatory sentence
- cImperative sentence
- dAssertive sentence
Show the answer
Answer: c — Imperative sentence
An imperative sentence gives an order or request and its subject you is understood rather than written.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q5MediumParts of Speech
Which part of speech is used to join two clauses together?
- aInterjection
- bConjunction
- cArticle
- dPronoun
Show the answer
Answer: b — Conjunction
Conjunctions such as and, but and because link words or clauses. An interjection instead expresses sudden feeling and stands apart from the sentence.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q6EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: He ______ to school every day.
- ago
- bis going
- cgone
- dgoes
Show the answer
Answer: d — goes
A habit repeated every day takes the simple present, and a singular third person subject adds s to the verb.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q7MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: She ______ in Delhi since 2010.
- ahas been living
- bis living
- clives
- dlived
Show the answer
Answer: a — has been living
An action that began in the past and still continues takes the present perfect continuous, which is why since 2010 fits it.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q8HardTenses
Choose the correct form: By next December, he ______ his degree.
- awill complete
- bcompletes
- chas completed
- dwill have completed
Show the answer
Answer: d — will have completed
The future perfect describes an action that will be finished before a stated future time, which is exactly what by next December sets up.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q9MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: While I ______ dinner, the telephone rang.
- acooked
- bhave cooked
- ccook
- dwas cooking
Show the answer
Answer: d — was cooking
The longer action in progress takes the past continuous, and the shorter action that interrupts it takes the simple past.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q10MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: When I reached the station, the train ______ already left.
- ahas
- bwas
- chad
- dhave
Show the answer
Answer: c — had
The earlier of two past actions takes the past perfect, and already makes that sequence explicit. The train left first and the arrival came after.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q11MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Neither of the two boys ______ present in the class.
- aare
- bwere
- chave been
- dis
Show the answer
Answer: d — is
Neither is treated as singular when it stands as the subject, so it takes a singular verb even though two people are mentioned.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q12MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Each of the students ______ given a book.
- ahas been
- bhave been
- care being
- dwere being
Show the answer
Answer: a — has been
Each is singular and governs the verb, so the plural noun after of does not change the agreement.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q13MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Mathematics ______ my favourite subject.
- ais
- bare
- cwere
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: a — is
Some nouns look plural but name a single subject, such as mathematics, physics and news, and all of them take a singular verb.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q14MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: The furniture in these rooms ______ very old.
- aare
- bis
- cwere
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: b — is
Furniture is an uncountable noun with no plural form, so it always takes a singular verb however much of it there is.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q15EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: He is ______ honest man.
- aan
- ba
- cthe
- dno article
Show the answer
Answer: a — an
The choice depends on sound, not spelling. Honest begins with a vowel sound because the h is silent, so an is used.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q16EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: ______ Ganga is considered a sacred river.
- aA
- bAn
- cNo article
- dThe
Show the answer
Answer: d — The
Names of rivers, seas, mountain ranges and holy books take the definite article, as in the Himalayas and the Ramayana.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q17EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: She is ______ university student in her final year.
- aan
- bthe
- cno article
- da
Show the answer
Answer: d — a
University begins with a y sound despite its spelling, so it takes a. Honest, by contrast, opens with a vowel sound and takes an.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q18MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: She is very fond ______ classical music.
- aof
- bwith
- cfor
- dabout
Show the answer
Answer: a — of
Fond is always followed by of. The pairing is fixed and does not change with the noun that follows.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q19MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: She has been waiting ______ two hours.
- afor
- bsince
- cfrom
- dby
Show the answer
Answer: a — for
For is used with a length of time and since with a point in time. Two hours is a duration, so for is correct.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q20EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The book is lying ______ the table.
- ain
- bat
- con
- dinto
Show the answer
Answer: c — on
On is used for a surface that something rests upon. In would mean inside the table and into would suggest movement.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q21MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: He insisted ______ paying the whole bill himself.
- aat
- bon
- cfor
- dwith
Show the answer
Answer: b — on
Insist is followed by on and then the ing form. Insist that takes a clause instead, as in he insisted that he would pay.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q22MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: She writes a letter.
- aA letter was written by her
- bA letter is being written by her
- cA letter has been written by her
- dA letter is written by her
Show the answer
Answer: d — A letter is written by her
The simple present active becomes is or are plus the past participle in the passive, and the object moves to the front.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q23MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: They are building a house.
- aA house is built by them
- bA house was being built by them
- cA house is being built by them
- dA house has been built by them
Show the answer
Answer: c — A house is being built by them
The present continuous active becomes is or are being plus the past participle, which keeps the sense of an action still going on.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q24MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the active voice: The work was completed by him.
- aHe has completed the work
- bHe completes the work
- cHe completed the work
- dHe had completed the work
Show the answer
Answer: c — He completed the work
The agent after by becomes the subject and the tense stays the same, so a simple past passive gives a simple past active.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q25HardActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: Open the door.
- aThe door is opened
- bLet the door be opened
- cThe door was opened
- dThe door should open
Show the answer
Answer: b — Let the door be opened
An imperative sentence turns into the passive with let followed by the object and be with the past participle.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q26MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said, 'I saw her yesterday.'
- aHe said that he saw her yesterday
- bHe said that he had seen her the previous day
- cHe said that he has seen her yesterday
- dHe says that he had seen her the day before
Show the answer
Answer: b — He said that he had seen her the previous day
A simple past inside reported speech moves back to the past perfect, and yesterday becomes the previous day.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q27MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: She said to me, 'Where are you going?'
- aShe asked me where was I going
- bShe said me where I was going
- cShe asked me where am I going
- dShe asked me where I was going
Show the answer
Answer: d — She asked me where I was going
A reported question takes the order of a statement, not of a question, so the subject comes before the verb and no question mark is used.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q28MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said to me, 'Please help me.'
- aHe requested me to help him
- bHe said me to help him
- cHe ordered me to help him
- dHe requested me to help himself
Show the answer
Answer: a — He requested me to help him
Please marks a request, so requested takes the infinitive, and the object pronoun must be him rather than the reflexive himself.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q29EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The boy have gone to the market with his friends.
- aThe boy
- bhave gone
- cto the market
- dwith his friends
Show the answer
Answer: b — have gone
The boy is singular, so the verb must be has gone. Have belongs with plural subjects such as the boys.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q30MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: His younger brother is not more taller than him.
- aHis younger brother
- bis not
- cmore taller
- dthan him
Show the answer
Answer: c — more taller
Taller is already comparative, so adding more makes it a double comparative. It should read is not taller than him.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q31MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The childrens were playing in the garden happily.
- aThe childrens
- bwere playing
- cin the garden
- dhappily
Show the answer
Answer: a — The childrens
Children is already the plural of child, so childrens is a double plural. The correct form is simply the children.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q32MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The teacher along with his students are going on a picnic.
- aThe teacher
- balong with his students
- care going
- don a picnic
Show the answer
Answer: c — are going
Along with does not change the number of the subject, so the verb agrees with teacher alone and should be is going.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q33HardError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: A doctor from Chennai met her and she was married with him.
- aA doctor from Chennai
- bmet her
- cand she
- dwas married with him
Show the answer
Answer: d — was married with him
A person is married to someone, not married with them. Married with is used only of possessions, as in married with two children.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q34MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: He returned back from the office very late at night.
- aHe returned back
- bfrom the office
- cvery late
- dat night
Show the answer
Answer: a — He returned back
Return already means to come back, so adding back repeats the idea. The same fault appears in repeat again and revert back.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q35EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: He (is having) a red car.
- ahas
- bis having
- chad been having
- dhas been having
Show the answer
Answer: a — has
When have means possess it is not used in the continuous form, so has is correct. Is having is right only for actions, as in having lunch.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q36MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: I (have went) to the museum twice.
- ahas gone
- bhad went
- chave going
- dhave gone
Show the answer
Answer: d — have gone
The present perfect needs the past participle gone, not the simple past went. Went can never follow have or has.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q37EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: The news (are) very encouraging.
- ais
- bwere
- chave been
- dbe
Show the answer
Answer: a — is
News ends in s but is singular, so it takes is. The same applies to words such as mathematics and physics.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q38MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: He is senior (than) me in this office.
- afrom
- bto
- cof
- dwith
Show the answer
Answer: b — to
Adjectives borrowed from Latin such as senior, junior, superior and inferior take to rather than than.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q39MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: One of my (friend) is coming today.
- afriend
- bfriend's
- cfriends'
- dfriends
Show the answer
Answer: d — friends
One of must be followed by a plural noun, because it selects a single member from a group of several.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q40EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?
- aTo free an animal
- bTo reveal a secret
- cTo make a costly mistake
- dTo start a quarrel
Show the answer
Answer: b — To reveal a secret
The idiom means to disclose something that was meant to be kept hidden, usually without intending to.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q41EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'a piece of cake' mean?
- aA small share of profit
- bA rare opportunity
- cSomething very easy to do
- dAn unfair demand
Show the answer
Answer: c — Something very easy to do
It describes a task that takes almost no effort, as in the examination was a piece of cake.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q42EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to burn the midnight oil' mean?
- aTo waste money carelessly
- bTo work or study late into the night
- cTo destroy evidence
- dTo celebrate an occasion
Show the answer
Answer: b — To work or study late into the night
The phrase comes from the days of oil lamps and describes working long after others have gone to bed.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q43EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?
- aEvery month
- bWithout warning
- cVery rarely
- dAt the wrong moment
Show the answer
Answer: c — Very rarely
A second full moon in one calendar month is unusual, so the phrase came to mean something that happens very seldom.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q44EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to break the ice' mean?
- aTo end a friendship suddenly
- bTo solve a difficult problem
- cTo behave very coldly
- dTo start a conversation in an awkward situation
Show the answer
Answer: d — To start a conversation in an awkward situation
It means to say or do something that eases the tension when people meet for the first time.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q45EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who studies stars and planets.
- aAstrologer
- bGeologist
- cAstronomer
- dMeteorologist
Show the answer
Answer: c — Astronomer
An astronomer studies celestial bodies scientifically. An astrologer instead claims to read their influence on human affairs.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q46EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who can neither read nor write.
- aIgnorant
- bIlliterate
- cIllegible
- dIllicit
Show the answer
Answer: b — Illiterate
Illiterate describes someone unable to read or write. Ignorant means lacking knowledge and illegible describes handwriting that cannot be read.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q47HardOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a speech delivered without any previous preparation.
- aExtempore
- bEloquent
- cVerbose
- dRhetoric
Show the answer
Answer: a — Extempore
An extempore speech is made on the spur of the moment. Eloquent describes speech that is fluent and persuasive, however long it was prepared.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q48HardOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who loves and works for the welfare of mankind.
- aPhilatelist
- bMisanthrope
- cPhilanthropist
- dPedestrian
Show the answer
Answer: c — Philanthropist
A philanthropist works for human welfare. A misanthrope is the opposite and dislikes people, while a philatelist collects postage stamps.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q49EasySynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word closest in meaning to 'abundant'.
- aScarce
- bPlentiful
- cFragile
- dHidden
Show the answer
Answer: b — Plentiful
Abundant means present in large quantity, so plentiful is its closest match. Scarce carries the opposite sense.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q50EasySynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word opposite in meaning to 'ancient'.
- aHistoric
- bAntique
- cModern
- dPrimitive
Show the answer
Answer: c — Modern
Ancient means belonging to the distant past, so modern is its opposite. Antique and primitive both point back to the past as well.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q51EasyParts of Speech
Identify the interjection in the sentence: Alas! He has failed the examination.
- aHe
- bAlas
- cfailed
- dexamination
Show the answer
Answer: b — Alas
An interjection expresses sudden feeling and stands apart from the grammar of the sentence, usually followed by an exclamation mark.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q52EasyParts of Speech
Which of the following is a proper noun?
- aDelhi
- bcity
- criver
- dcountry
Show the answer
Answer: a — Delhi
A proper noun names one particular person, place or thing and always begins with a capital letter. The others name a class of things.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q53MediumParts of Speech
In the sentence 'This book is mine', the word mine is which kind of pronoun?
- aReflexive pronoun
- bRelative pronoun
- cDemonstrative pronoun
- dPossessive pronoun
Show the answer
Answer: d — Possessive pronoun
Mine shows ownership and stands in place of a noun. Myself would be reflexive and who or which relative.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q54EasyParts of Speech
Identify the verb in the sentence: The dog barks loudly at night.
- adog
- bbarks
- cloudly
- dnight
Show the answer
Answer: b — barks
A verb states the action or condition of the subject. Loudly modifies that verb and is therefore an adverb.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q55MediumParts of Speech
What is the comparative degree of the adjective 'good'?
- aBest
- bWorse
- cBetter
- dWell
Show the answer
Answer: c — Better
Good becomes better in the comparative and best in the superlative. Well is its adverb form, not a degree of comparison.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q56MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: If it rains tomorrow, we ______ at home.
- astay
- bstayed
- cwould stay
- dwill stay
Show the answer
Answer: d — will stay
In a first conditional the if clause takes the simple present and the main clause takes will with the base verb.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q57MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: Look! It ______ outside.
- ais raining
- brains
- crained
- dhas rained
Show the answer
Answer: a — is raining
Something happening at this moment takes the present continuous. The word look points to an action going on right now.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q58EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: Water ______ at one hundred degrees Celsius.
- aboils
- bis boiling
- cboiled
- dhas boiled
Show the answer
Answer: a — boils
A general truth or scientific fact takes the simple present, whatever the time of speaking.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q59MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: By the time you arrive, I ______ the report.
- awill finish
- bfinish
- chave finished
- dwill have finished
Show the answer
Answer: d — will have finished
The future perfect describes an action completed before a stated future moment, which is what by the time you arrive sets up.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q60MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: She ______ ill for the past one week.
- ais
- bwas
- chas been
- dhad been
Show the answer
Answer: c — has been
A state that began in the past and still continues takes the present perfect, which is why for the past one week fits it.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q61MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Bread and butter ______ my usual breakfast.
- aare
- bwere
- cis
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: c — is
Two nouns joined by and take a singular verb when they name one single thing, as bread and butter does here.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q62MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Ten kilometres ______ a long distance to walk.
- ais
- bare
- cwere
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: a — is
A measure of distance, money or time taken as one amount is singular, so it takes a singular verb despite the plural noun.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q63MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Either he or his brothers ______ responsible for this.
- ais
- bwas
- care
- dhas been
Show the answer
Answer: c — are
With either or and neither nor, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. Brothers is plural and stands closer, so are is used.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q64HardSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: The number of students in the class ______ increasing.
- aare
- bwere
- cis
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: c — is
The number of takes a singular verb because the subject is the number itself. A number of, meaning several, takes a plural verb instead.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q65MediumArticles
Fill in the blank: He gave me ______ useful suggestion.
- aan
- bthe
- cno article
- da
Show the answer
Answer: d — a
Useful begins with a y sound despite its spelling, so it takes a. Sound rather than the written letter decides the article.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q66MediumArticles
Fill in the blank: ______ Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan.
- aA
- bAn
- cThe
- dNo article
Show the answer
Answer: c — The
Names of particular monuments, rivers and mountain ranges take the definite article, as in the Taj Mahal and the Himalayas.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q67EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: He is ______ best student in the class.
- aa
- ban
- cno article
- dthe
Show the answer
Answer: d — the
A superlative adjective points to one particular person or thing, so it always takes the definite article.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q68EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: He has been absent from work ______ Monday.
- asince
- bfor
- cfrom
- dby
Show the answer
Answer: a — since
Since is used with a point in time such as Monday, and for with a length of time such as three days.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q69MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: Divide the cake ______ the two children.
- abetween
- bamong
- camongst
- din
Show the answer
Answer: a — between
Between is used for two, and among for more than two. The number two in the sentence settles the choice.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q70EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The manager was angry ______ his assistant.
- aon
- bwith
- cagainst
- dfor
Show the answer
Answer: b — with
Angry with is used of a person and angry at or about of a thing or situation.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q71MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The train ran ______ the long tunnel.
- aacross
- bover
- calong
- dthrough
Show the answer
Answer: d — through
Through describes movement inside something enclosed. Across is used for movement from one side of a surface to the other.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q72HardActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: The police arrested the thief.
- aThe thief is arrested by the police
- bThe thief was arrested by the police
- cThe thief has been arrested by the police
- dThe thief was being arrested by the police
Show the answer
Answer: b — The thief was arrested by the police
The simple past active becomes was or were with the past participle, so the tense is preserved in the passive.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q73EasyActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: The teacher taught the lesson.
- aThe lesson was taught by the teacher
- bThe lesson is taught by the teacher
- cThe lesson has been taught by the teacher
- dThe lesson was being taught by the teacher
Show the answer
Answer: a — The lesson was taught by the teacher
The simple past active becomes was or were with the past participle, so the tense is preserved in the passive.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q74MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the active voice: The letter has been posted by him.
- aHe posted the letter
- bHe had posted the letter
- cHe has posted the letter
- dHe posts the letter
Show the answer
Answer: c — He has posted the letter
The agent after by becomes the subject and the tense is kept, so a present perfect passive gives a present perfect active.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q75HardActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: One should keep one's promises.
- aPromises should keep
- bPromises should be kept
- cPromises are kept by one
- dOne's promises should keep
Show the answer
Answer: b — Promises should be kept
When the subject is an indefinite word such as one or people, the agent is dropped in the passive because naming it adds nothing.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q76MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said, 'I am reading a novel.'
- aHe said that he is reading a novel
- bHe says that he was reading a novel
- cHe said that he has read a novel
- dHe said that he was reading a novel
Show the answer
Answer: d — He said that he was reading a novel
The present continuous moves back to the past continuous after a past reporting verb, and the pronoun changes to match the speaker.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q77HardDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: She said, 'What a beautiful scene!'
- aShe said that what a beautiful scene
- bShe exclaimed that it was a very beautiful scene
- cShe asked what a beautiful scene it was
- dShe exclaimed what a beautiful scene
Show the answer
Answer: b — She exclaimed that it was a very beautiful scene
An exclamatory sentence is reported with a verb such as exclaimed, and the exclamation is rewritten as a plain statement.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q78MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: She said to me, 'Please wait here.'
- aShe requested me to wait there
- bShe requested me to wait here
- cShe said me to wait there
- dShe told that I should wait here
Show the answer
Answer: a — She requested me to wait there
Please marks a request, so requested takes the infinitive, and here becomes there because the place of speaking has changed.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q79EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The teacher told to the students to open their books carefully.
- aThe teacher told to the students
- bto open
- ctheir books
- dcarefully
Show the answer
Answer: a — The teacher told to the students
Tell takes a direct object without to, so it should read told the students. Said would need to, as in said to the students.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q80EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: One of the boys are absent from the class today.
- aOne of the boys
- bare absent
- cfrom the class
- dtoday
Show the answer
Answer: b — are absent
The subject is one, not boys, so the verb must be is absent. The phrase of the boys only says which group the one comes from.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q81MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: In this department he is junior than me by two years.
- aIn this department
- bhe is
- cjunior than me
- dby two years
Show the answer
Answer: c — junior than me
Junior takes to rather than than, as do senior, superior and inferior. The correct phrase is junior to me.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q82HardError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Every morning I am accustomed to get up early.
- aEvery morning
- bI am
- caccustomed to
- dget up early
Show the answer
Answer: d — get up early
In accustomed to the word to is a preposition, so it needs the ing form. It should read getting up early.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q83MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Yesterday she did not came to the office at all.
- aYesterday
- bshe did
- cnot came
- dto the office
Show the answer
Answer: c — not came
After did the main verb returns to its base form, so it must be come. Did already carries the past tense.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q84MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The sceneries of Kashmir are very beautiful in the spring.
- aThe sceneries of Kashmir
- bare very
- cbeautiful in
- dthe spring
Show the answer
Answer: a — The sceneries of Kashmir
Scenery is uncountable and has no plural, so it should read the scenery of Kashmir, followed by a singular verb.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q85EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: He (prefer) tea to coffee.
- ais preferring
- bprefers
- cprefer
- dhas prefer
Show the answer
Answer: b — prefers
A singular third person subject adds s in the simple present. Prefer describes a liking and is not used in the continuous form.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q86EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: She (don't) like mangoes at all.
- adoesn't
- bdidn't
- caren't
- dhasn't
Show the answer
Answer: a — doesn't
A singular third person subject takes does, so the contraction is doesn't. Don't belongs with I, you and plural subjects.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q87MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: The teacher asked (that where) I was going.
- athat
- bwhere that
- cif where
- dwhere
Show the answer
Answer: d — where
A reported question is introduced by the question word alone. Adding that as well is a common error, since only statements take that.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q88MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: He is (the most tallest) boy in the class.
- athe more tall
- bthe tallest
- cmost tallest
- dtallest of
Show the answer
Answer: b — the tallest
Tallest is already superlative, so adding most repeats it. A superlative also needs the definite article before it.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q89MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: The boy (who) I met yesterday is my cousin.
- awhich
- bwhose
- cwhat
- dwhom
Show the answer
Answer: d — whom
Whom is used when the relative pronoun is the object of the verb. Here the boy is the person met, so whom is correct.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q90EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to turn a deaf ear' mean?
- aTo lose one's hearing
- bTo refuse to listen
- cTo listen very carefully
- dTo whisper a secret
Show the answer
Answer: b — To refuse to listen
It describes a deliberate refusal to pay attention to a request or complaint, not any actual difficulty in hearing.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q91EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'at the eleventh hour' mean?
- aVery early in the day
- bExactly on time
- cAfter a long delay
- dAt the last possible moment
Show the answer
Answer: d — At the last possible moment
The phrase means just before it is too late, as in the payment arrived at the eleventh hour.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q92EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to hit the nail on the head' mean?
- aTo act with unnecessary force
- bTo say exactly the right thing
- cTo finish a job quickly
- dTo make a serious blunder
Show the answer
Answer: b — To say exactly the right thing
It means to identify or state something precisely, in the way a hammer strikes the nail squarely.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q93MediumIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'a white elephant' mean?
- aA very rare animal
- bA trusted old friend
- cA sudden stroke of luck
- dA costly possession that is of no real use
Show the answer
Answer: d — A costly possession that is of no real use
The phrase describes something expensive to keep but useless, from the story of a king giving a sacred elephant no one could afford to feed.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q94MediumIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to smell a rat' mean?
- aTo be disgusted by a smell
- bTo search a place thoroughly
- cTo spread a false rumour
- dTo suspect that something is wrong
Show the answer
Answer: d — To suspect that something is wrong
It means to sense that something dishonest is going on, even without proof of it.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q95EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who does not believe in the existence of God.
- aAgnostic
- bTheist
- cAtheist
- dHeretic
Show the answer
Answer: c — Atheist
An atheist denies that God exists. An agnostic holds that it cannot be known either way, which is a different position.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q96EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a place where coins and currency are manufactured.
- aFoundry
- bMint
- cTreasury
- dArsenal
Show the answer
Answer: b — Mint
A mint makes coins and notes. A treasury only stores public money and an arsenal stores weapons.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q97MediumOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: handwriting that cannot be read.
- aIllegible
- bIneligible
- cIncoherent
- dIndelible
Show the answer
Answer: a — Illegible
Illegible describes writing that cannot be deciphered. Ineligible means not qualified and indelible means impossible to erase.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q98HardOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who talks a great deal.
- aTaciturn
- bLaconic
- cLoquacious
- dReticent
Show the answer
Answer: c — Loquacious
Loquacious means talkative. Taciturn, laconic and reticent all describe the opposite habit of speaking very little.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q99MediumSynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word closest in meaning to 'candid'.
- aSecretive
- bFrank
- cCautious
- dBitter
Show the answer
Answer: b — Frank
Candid means open and straightforward in speech, so frank is its closest match. Secretive carries the opposite sense.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q100EasySynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word opposite in meaning to 'brave'.
- aCheerful
- bAncient
- cCowardly
- dCurious
Show the answer
Answer: c — Cowardly
Cowardly means lacking courage and is the opposite of brave. The other three describe quite unrelated qualities.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q101EasyParts of Speech
Identify the adjective in the sentence: He is a diligent worker.
- aHe
- bdiligent
- cworker
- dis
Show the answer
Answer: b — diligent
An adjective describes a noun, and diligent tells us what kind of worker he is. Worker is the noun being described.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q102EasyParts of Speech
Which of the following is a material noun?
- aGold
- bCrowd
- cBeauty
- dTeacher
Show the answer
Answer: a — Gold
A material noun names the substance something is made of. Crowd is collective, beauty abstract and teacher common.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q103MediumParts of Speech
Which of the following is a relative pronoun?
- athis
- bhimself
- cwho
- deach
Show the answer
Answer: c — who
A relative pronoun joins a clause to the noun it describes, as in the man who came. This is demonstrative and himself reflexive.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q104EasyParts of Speech
What is the superlative degree of the adjective 'bad'?
- aWorse
- bWorst
- cBaddest
- dMost bad
Show the answer
Answer: b — Worst
Bad is irregular and becomes worse in the comparative and worst in the superlative, so no ending or most is added.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q105EasyParts of Speech
In the sentence 'Some boys are playing outside', which word is the determiner?
- aboys
- bplaying
- cSome
- doutside
Show the answer
Answer: c — Some
A determiner comes before a noun and limits its meaning, telling how many or which ones. Articles and words such as some, many and each all do this.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q106HardTenses
Choose the correct form: He ______ for two hours when I finally arrived.
- ahas been waiting
- bwas waiting
- cwaited
- dhad been waiting
Show the answer
Answer: d — had been waiting
An action that continued up to a point in the past takes the past perfect continuous, which is what for two hours plus a past arrival requires.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q107EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: The sun ______ in the east every morning.
- arises
- bis rising
- crose
- dhas risen
Show the answer
Answer: a — rises
A permanent truth takes the simple present, whatever the time of speaking. The continuous would suggest it is only happening now.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q108MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: I ______ to Delhi three times so far.
- ahave been
- bwent
- chad been
- dam going
Show the answer
Answer: a — have been
So far counts experience up to the present moment, which takes the present perfect. A simple past would need a finished past time instead.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q109MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: I ______ my breakfast when the doorbell rang, so I left it half finished.
- ahad
- bhave had
- cam having
- dwas having
Show the answer
Answer: d — was having
The longer action already in progress takes the past continuous, and leaving the meal half finished shows it was interrupted rather than completed.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q110EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: She ______ never seen snow before she moved to Shimla.
- ahave
- bhas
- chad
- dwould have
Show the answer
Answer: c — had
Experience up to a point in the past takes the past perfect, and moved fixes that point, so the present perfect cannot stand here.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q111MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Politics ______ an interesting subject to study.
- aare
- bwere
- cis
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: c — is
Nouns ending in ics such as politics, economics and physics name a single subject and take a singular verb.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q112MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Fifty rupees ______ not enough for this book.
- ais
- bare
- cwere
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: a — is
A sum of money treated as one amount takes a singular verb, in the same way as a distance or a period of time.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q113MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Not only the students but also the teacher ______ present.
- awere
- bhave been
- cwas
- dare
Show the answer
Answer: c — was
With not only but also the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it. Teacher is singular and stands closer, so was is used.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q114EasySubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: There ______ many books lying on the shelf.
- ais
- bwas
- care
- dhas been
Show the answer
Answer: c — are
In a sentence beginning with there, the verb agrees with the noun that follows it. Books is plural, so are is correct.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q115MediumArticles
Fill in the blank: He is ______ European by birth.
- aan
- bthe
- cno article
- da
Show the answer
Answer: d — a
European begins with a y sound despite its spelling, so it takes a. Sound rather than the written letter decides the article.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q116EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: ______ moon looked very bright last night.
- aA
- bAn
- cThe
- dNo article
Show the answer
Answer: c — The
Things that are unique take the definite article, such as the moon, the sun, the sky and the earth.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q117HardArticles
Fill in the blank: They elected him ______ chairman last year.
- aa
- ban
- cthe
- dno article
Show the answer
Answer: d — no article
No article is used before the name of a unique office following a verb such as elect, appoint or make.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q118MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: He has been suffering ______ a high fever since Monday.
- afrom
- bof
- cfor
- dby
Show the answer
Answer: a — from
Suffer from is the fixed pairing used with an illness. The other prepositions are not used after suffer in this sense.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q119MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: His work is far superior ______ mine.
- ato
- bthan
- cfrom
- dover
Show the answer
Answer: a — to
Superior takes to rather than than, as do inferior, senior, junior and prior. All of them come from Latin comparatives.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q120EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The horse jumped ______ the fence easily.
- aabove
- bover
- cacross
- dupon
Show the answer
Answer: b — over
Over describes movement across and above something in one motion. Above states only position and carries no sense of movement.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q121EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: I congratulated him ______ his success in the examination.
- aabout
- bat
- cwith
- don
Show the answer
Answer: d — on
Congratulate takes on before the achievement. The verb thank takes for, which is where the confusion usually starts.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q122MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: They will finish the work tomorrow.
- aThe work will finish by them tomorrow
- bThe work will be finished by them tomorrow
- cThe work would be finished by them tomorrow
- dThe work is finished by them tomorrow
Show the answer
Answer: b — The work will be finished by them tomorrow
The simple future active becomes will be with the past participle, and the tense is preserved in the passive.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q123EasyActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: Somebody has stolen my bag.
- aMy bag has been stolen
- bMy bag was stolen by somebody
- cMy bag is stolen by somebody
- dMy bag had been stolen
Show the answer
Answer: a — My bag has been stolen
When the doer is an indefinite word such as somebody, the agent is dropped in the passive because naming it adds nothing.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q124MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the active voice: The song was sung beautifully by her.
- aShe has sung the song beautifully
- bShe sings the song beautifully
- cShe sang the song beautifully
- dShe had sung the song beautifully
Show the answer
Answer: c — She sang the song beautifully
The agent after by becomes the subject and the tense is kept, so a simple past passive gives a simple past active.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q125HardActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: Do not touch the wires.
- aThe wires are not touched
- bLet the wires not be touched
- cThe wires were not touched
- dDo not let the wires touch
Show the answer
Answer: b — Let the wires not be touched
A negative command becomes let followed by the object, then not be with the past participle.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q126MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said, 'I have finished my work.'
- aHe said that he has finished his work
- bHe said that he finished his work
- cHe says that he had finished his work
- dHe said that he had finished his work
Show the answer
Answer: d — He said that he had finished his work
The present perfect moves back to the past perfect after a past reporting verb, and the pronoun changes to match the speaker.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q127MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: She said to him, 'Are you coming with us?'
- aShe asked him if was he coming with them
- bShe asked him if he was coming with them
- cShe said him that he was coming with them
- dShe asked him that he was coming with us
Show the answer
Answer: b — She asked him if he was coming with them
A yes or no question is reported with if or whether, and the word order becomes that of a statement.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q128MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: The teacher said, 'The earth moves round the sun.'
- aThe teacher said that the earth moves round the sun
- bThe teacher says that the earth moves round the sun
- cThe teacher said that the earth had moved round the sun
- dThe teacher told that the earth moves round the sun
Show the answer
Answer: a — The teacher said that the earth moves round the sun
A universal truth keeps its present tense after a past reporting verb because it is still true when the report is made.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q129EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Every one of the boys were given a prize at the function.
- aEvery one of the boys
- bwere given
- ca prize
- dat the function
Show the answer
Answer: b — were given
Every one is singular and governs the verb, so it must be was given. The plural noun after of does not change the agreement.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q130MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Since three years he has been working here in this office.
- aSince three years
- bhe has been
- cworking here
- din this office
Show the answer
Answer: a — Since three years
Since is used with a point in time and for with a length of time, so it should read for three years.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q131MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The two brothers are quarrelling with themselves over a piece of land.
- aThe two brothers
- bare quarrelling
- cwith themselves
- dover a piece of land
Show the answer
Answer: c — with themselves
A reflexive pronoun turns the action back on the subject. Two people acting on each other need the reciprocal each other instead.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q132MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: In the morning I always prefer coffee than tea.
- aIn the morning
- bI always
- cprefer coffee
- dthan tea
Show the answer
Answer: d — than tea
Prefer is followed by to rather than than when two things are compared, so it should read prefer coffee to tea.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q133HardError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: No sooner did he reach the platform when the train started moving.
- aNo sooner did he
- breach the platform
- cwhen the train
- dstarted moving
Show the answer
Answer: c — when the train
No sooner is always completed by than, while hardly and scarcely are completed by when. The opening here calls for than.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q134MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The list of selected items have been sent to the manager.
- aThe list of
- bselected items have been
- csent to
- dthe manager
Show the answer
Answer: b — selected items have been
The subject is list, not items, so the verb must be has been sent. Words between the subject and the verb do not affect agreement.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q135EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: He (has came) here yesterday.
- acame
- bhas come
- chad came
- dhave come
Show the answer
Answer: a — came
A finished past time such as yesterday requires the simple past, so came is correct. The present perfect cannot take a stated past time.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q136MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: She is (more cleverer) than her sister.
- aclever
- bmuch more cleverer
- ccleverest
- dcleverer
Show the answer
Answer: d — cleverer
Cleverer is already comparative, so adding more repeats it. A double comparative is one of the commonest errors in this pattern.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q137MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: (Inspite of) his illness, he attended the meeting.
- aIn spite of
- bInspite for
- cDespite of
- dIn spite for
Show the answer
Answer: a — In spite of
In spite of is written as three separate words. Despite carries the same meaning but takes no of after it.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q138HardSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: He (laid) on the bed for an hour yesterday.
- alied
- blay
- clain
- dhad laid
Show the answer
Answer: b — lay
Lie meaning to recline gives lay in the past tense. Laid is the past of lay, which means to place something down and needs an object.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q139HardSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: The reason for his failure (is because) he was careless.
- ais why
- bwas because
- cis due to
- dis that
Show the answer
Answer: d — is that
The reason already carries the sense of cause, so adding because repeats it. The clause should be introduced by that instead.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q140EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to pull someone's leg' mean?
- aTo injure someone badly
- bTo tease someone playfully
- cTo help someone stand
- dTo delay someone deliberately
Show the answer
Answer: b — To tease someone playfully
It means to joke with someone by telling them something untrue, without any intention of harm.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q141EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to be in hot water' mean?
- aTo be very busy
- bTo be in good health
- cTo be extremely angry
- dTo be in trouble
Show the answer
Answer: d — To be in trouble
The phrase describes being in difficulty, usually because of something one has done.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q142MediumIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to make both ends meet' mean?
- aTo finish a task on time
- bTo manage on a limited income
- cTo settle a long quarrel
- dTo travel a great distance
Show the answer
Answer: b — To manage on a limited income
It describes earning just enough to cover one's expenses, with nothing to spare.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q143EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'a bolt from the blue' mean?
- aA long awaited reward
- bA carefully laid plan
- cA minor inconvenience
- dA sudden and unexpected event
Show the answer
Answer: d — A sudden and unexpected event
The image is of lightning from a clear sky, so it describes something shocking that arrives without any warning.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q144MediumIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to keep one's fingers crossed' mean?
- aTo refuse to take sides
- bTo make a solemn promise
- cTo wait without any hope
- dTo hope for a good outcome
Show the answer
Answer: d — To hope for a good outcome
The gesture is an old charm against bad luck, so the phrase means to hope that something turns out well.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q145MediumOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who compiles dictionaries.
- aCartographer
- bCalligrapher
- cLexicographer
- dBiographer
Show the answer
Answer: c — Lexicographer
A lexicographer compiles dictionaries. A cartographer draws maps, a calligrapher writes ornamental script and a biographer writes lives.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q146EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: government by the people themselves.
- aDemocracy
- bAristocracy
- cAutocracy
- dBureaucracy
Show the answer
Answer: a — Democracy
Democracy is rule by the people. Aristocracy is rule by the nobility, autocracy by one person and bureaucracy by officials.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q147HardOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: one who is present everywhere at the same time.
- aOmnipresent
- bOmnipotent
- cOmniscient
- dOmnivorous
Show the answer
Answer: a — Omnipresent
Omnipresent means present everywhere. Omnipotent means all powerful, omniscient all knowing and omnivorous eating both plants and flesh.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q148EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a medicine that counteracts the effect of a poison.
- aAntiseptic
- bAntibiotic
- cAntidote
- dAnaesthetic
Show the answer
Answer: c — Antidote
An antidote works against a poison. An antiseptic prevents infection, an antibiotic kills bacteria and an anaesthetic removes sensation.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q149MediumSynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word closest in meaning to 'obsolete'.
- aEssential
- bOutdated
- cFragile
- dExpensive
Show the answer
Answer: b — Outdated
Obsolete describes something no longer in use because it has been replaced, so outdated is its closest match.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q150EasySynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word opposite in meaning to 'generous'.
- aKind
- bCharitable
- cMiserly
- dLiberal
Show the answer
Answer: c — Miserly
Miserly means unwilling to give or spend, the opposite of generous. Kind, charitable and liberal are all close to it in meaning.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q151EasyParts of Speech
In the sentence 'The book is on the shelf', the word on is which part of speech?
- aAdverb
- bPreposition
- cConjunction
- dArticle
Show the answer
Answer: b — Preposition
A preposition shows how a noun stands in relation to another word, and on links the book to the shelf.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q152EasyParts of Speech
Which of the following is a reflexive pronoun?
- ahimself
- bhis
- chim
- dhe
Show the answer
Answer: a — himself
A reflexive pronoun turns the action back on the subject, as in He hurt himself. His is possessive and him is an object pronoun.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q153MediumParts of Speech
In the sentence 'She is a very intelligent girl', which part of speech is the word very?
- aAdjective
- bPronoun
- cConjunction
- dAdverb
Show the answer
Answer: d — Adverb
Very modifies the adjective intelligent, and a word that modifies an adjective is an adverb of degree. Only intelligent describes the girl.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q154EasyParts of Speech
Identify the auxiliary verb in the sentence: She has completed her homework.
- acompleted
- bShe
- chas
- dhomework
Show the answer
Answer: c — has
Has supports the main verb completed to form the present perfect, which makes it the auxiliary or helping verb.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q155MediumParts of Speech
What is the abstract noun formed from the adjective 'wise'?
- aWiseness
- bWisdom
- cWisely
- dWiser
Show the answer
Answer: b — Wisdom
Wisdom is the noun naming the quality itself. Wisely is an adverb and wiser is the comparative form of the adjective.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q156MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: I ______ him since we were at school.
- ahave been knowing
- bam knowing
- cknow
- dhave known
Show the answer
Answer: d — have known
Know describes a state rather than an action and is not used in the continuous form, so since we were at school takes the present perfect.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q157HardTenses
Choose the correct form: If I ______ his address, I would have written to him.
- ahad known
- bknew
- chave known
- dwould know
Show the answer
Answer: a — had known
A condition about a past that did not happen takes had with the past participle, matched by would have written in the main clause.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q158EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: She ______ this school in 2015.
- ahas joined
- bhad joined
- chas been joining
- djoined
Show the answer
Answer: d — joined
A finished action at a stated past time takes the simple past. The present perfect cannot be used with a definite past time such as in 2015.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q159MediumTenses
Choose the correct form: This time tomorrow we ______ over the Atlantic.
- awill fly
- bhave flown
- chad flown
- dwill be flying
Show the answer
Answer: d — will be flying
An action that will be in progress at a named future moment takes the future continuous, which is what this time tomorrow points to.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q160EasyTenses
Choose the correct form: The bell ______ just rung, so the class is over.
- ahad
- bhave
- chas
- dwere
Show the answer
Answer: c — has
Just marks something completed a moment ago, and the singular subject bell takes has to form the present perfect.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q161MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: A number of students ______ absent from the class today.
- ais
- bwas
- chas been
- dare
Show the answer
Answer: d — are
A number of means many and takes a plural verb. The number of names a single figure instead and takes a singular verb.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q162MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Many a man ______ tried and failed.
- ahas
- bhave
- cwere
- dare
Show the answer
Answer: a — has
Many a is followed by a singular noun and a singular verb, even though the sense of the phrase is plural.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q163MediumSubject Verb Agreement
Choose the correct form: Gulliver's Travels ______ an interesting book for children.
- ais
- bare
- cwere
- dhave been
Show the answer
Answer: a — is
The title of a single book takes a singular verb however plural its wording may look.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q164MediumArticles
Fill in the blank: His elder brother is ______ M.A. in English literature.
- aa
- ban
- cthe
- dno article
Show the answer
Answer: b — an
The letter M is pronounced em, which opens with a vowel sound, so it takes an. Sound rather than spelling decides the article.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q165MediumArticles
Fill in the blank: We had ______ dinner at eight o'clock last night.
- ano article
- bthe
- ca
- dan
Show the answer
Answer: a — no article
Names of meals take no article when they mean the meal in general. An article appears only when the meal is described, as in a heavy dinner.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q166EasyArticles
Fill in the blank: He was ______ first man to reach the summit.
- aa
- ban
- cno article
- dthe
Show the answer
Answer: d — the
Ordinals such as first, second and last point to one particular thing, so they take the definite article.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q167EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The child was accompanied ______ her mother.
- aby
- bwith
- cto
- dfrom
Show the answer
Answer: a — by
Accompanied by is used of the person who goes along. Accompanied with is used only of a thing that goes together with something else.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q168EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: He is confident ______ his success in the interview.
- aof
- bon
- cfor
- dto
Show the answer
Answer: a — of
Confident of is the fixed pairing before a noun naming what one is sure about.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q169EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: He apologised ______ his rude behaviour at the meeting.
- aon
- bof
- cfor
- dfrom
Show the answer
Answer: c — for
Apologise for is used of the act one is sorry about, and apologise to of the person. The two prepositions are not interchangeable.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q170MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The bus will arrive ______ ten minutes.
- aafter
- bin
- cfor
- dsince
Show the answer
Answer: b — in
A future event measured forward from the present moment takes in. After is used of a period counted from a point in the past.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q171EasyPrepositions
Fill in the blank: Her elder sister is married ______ a doctor.
- awith
- bby
- cfor
- dto
Show the answer
Answer: d — to
Married to names the person one is married to. Married with is a common error carried over from other languages.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q172MediumPrepositions
Fill in the blank: The accused was charged ______ theft and released on bail.
- afor
- bof
- cwith
- don
Show the answer
Answer: c — with
Charge somebody with an offence is the fixed pairing. Charge for is used of the price asked for goods or a service.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q173HardActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: Who broke the window?
- aBy whom the window was broken?
- bWhom did the window break?
- cBy whom was the window broken?
- dWho was broken the window?
Show the answer
Answer: c — By whom was the window broken?
An interrogative beginning with who becomes by whom in the passive, and the auxiliary still stands before the subject because it remains a question.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q174MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the passive voice: The children must obey their parents.
- aTheir parents must obey the children
- bTheir parents must be obeyed by the children
- cTheir parents must have been obeyed by the children
- dThe parents must been obeyed by the children
Show the answer
Answer: b — Their parents must be obeyed by the children
A modal keeps its form in the passive and is followed by be with the past participle, so must obey becomes must be obeyed.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q175MediumActive and Passive Voice
Change into the active voice: A new bridge is being built by the government.
- aThe government builds a new bridge
- bThe government is building a new bridge
- cThe government has built a new bridge
- dThe government was building a new bridge
Show the answer
Answer: b — The government is building a new bridge
Is being with a past participle is the present continuous passive, so the active form is the present continuous is building.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q176EasyDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said to me, 'Do not waste your time.'
- aHe said me not to waste my time
- bHe told me that do not waste your time
- cHe advised me that I do not waste my time
- dHe advised me not to waste my time
Show the answer
Answer: d — He advised me not to waste my time
A negative command is reported with not placed before the infinitive, and the reporting verb becomes advise, order or forbid.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q177EasyDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said to her, 'Thank you very much.'
- aHe thanked her very much
- bHe thanked to her very much
- cHe told her that he thanked her
- dHe said her thank you very much
Show the answer
Answer: a — He thanked her very much
Words of thanks are reported with the verb thank rather than with a that clause, so the whole expression collapses into thanked her.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q178MediumDirect and Indirect Speech
Change into indirect speech: He said to us, 'Let us go for a walk.'
- aHe asked us to go for a walk
- bHe proposed that we should go for a walk
- cHe said that let us go for a walk
- dHe told us that we go for a walk
Show the answer
Answer: b — He proposed that we should go for a walk
Let us expressing a proposal is reported with propose or suggest followed by should. Asking them to go would leave the speaker himself out of it.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q179MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: He is looking forward to meet you at the conference next week.
- aHe is looking forward
- bto meet you
- cat the conference
- dnext week
Show the answer
Answer: b — to meet you
In look forward to, the word to is a preposition rather than part of an infinitive, so it must be followed by the ing form: to meeting you.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q180MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Between you and I, the plan is not likely to succeed.
- aBetween you and I
- bthe plan is
- cnot likely
- dto succeed
Show the answer
Answer: a — Between you and I
Between is a preposition and takes the object form of the pronoun, so the phrase must read between you and me.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q181MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: He found it difficult to cope up with the pressure of work in his new office.
- aHe found it difficult
- bto cope up with
- cthe pressure of work
- din his new office
Show the answer
Answer: b — to cope up with
The verb is cope with. The word up has been borrowed from put up with and does not belong here.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q182EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: Everybody agrees that she sings very sweet in the school choir.
- aEverybody agrees
- bthat she sings
- cvery sweet
- din the school choir
Show the answer
Answer: c — very sweet
Sings is a verb and must be modified by an adverb, so the phrase should read very sweetly rather than the adjective sweet.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q183EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: This is one of the best novel that I have ever read in my whole life as a student.
- aThis is one of the best novel
- bthat I have ever read
- cin my whole life
- das a student
Show the answer
Answer: a — This is one of the best novel
One of is always followed by a plural noun, so it must read one of the best novels. A singular noun cannot follow one of.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q184MediumError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: He is confident that he can be able to solve this problem quickly.
- aHe is confident
- bthat he
- ccan be able to solve
- dthis problem quickly
Show the answer
Answer: c — can be able to solve
Can and be able to express the same idea, so using both is redundant. Either he can solve or he is able to solve is correct.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q185EasyError Spotting
Select the part that contains an error: The chairman asked the members to discuss about the new proposal at length.
- aThe chairman
- basked the members
- cto discuss
- dabout the new proposal at length
Show the answer
Answer: d — about the new proposal at length
Discuss is a transitive verb and takes its object directly, so about must be dropped: to discuss the new proposal.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q186EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: He (was died) in a road accident last year.
- adied
- bwas dead
- chas died
- dhad been died
Show the answer
Answer: a — died
Die is an intransitive verb and has no passive form at all, so the simple past died is the only correct choice.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q187MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: (Neither of) the three boys was present at the ceremony.
- aEither of
- bBoth of
- cAny of
- dNone of
Show the answer
Answer: d — None of
Neither and either are used of two people or things only. Where there are more than two the correct word is none.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q188MediumSentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed word: (Lesser) than ten students attended the lecture.
- aLess
- bFewer
- cLower
- dLittle
Show the answer
Answer: b — Fewer
Fewer is used with countable nouns such as students, while less is kept for quantities that cannot be counted.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q189EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: He goes to his office (by walk) every morning.
- aby walking
- bwith walk
- cby feet
- don foot
Show the answer
Answer: d — on foot
The idiomatic phrase is on foot. By is used with vehicles, as in by bus or by train, and not with walking.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q190EasySentence Improvement
Choose the best replacement for the bracketed words: I have (no any) money with me today.
- asome
- bany
- cno
- dnone of
Show the answer
Answer: c — no
No already carries the negative, so any after it is redundant. I have no money is the correct form.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q191EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to beat about the bush' mean?
- aTo search everywhere for something
- bTo destroy a garden carelessly
- cTo argue loudly with someone
- dTo avoid coming to the point
Show the answer
Answer: d — To avoid coming to the point
It means to talk around a subject instead of saying plainly what one means.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q192EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to bury the hatchet' mean?
- aTo hide the evidence of a crime
- bTo make peace after a quarrel
- cTo give up a hobby suddenly
- dTo dig for buried treasure
Show the answer
Answer: b — To make peace after a quarrel
It means to end a quarrel and become friends again, from the old practice of burying weapons once a conflict was settled.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q193MediumIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'a snake in the grass' mean?
- aA very lazy person
- bA sudden danger from nature
- cA secret enemy
- dA clever piece of advice
Show the answer
Answer: c — A secret enemy
It describes someone who behaves like a friend while working against you in secret.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q194EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to call a spade a spade' mean?
- aTo insult somebody openly
- bTo do hard physical work
- cTo accuse a person wrongly
- dTo speak plainly and frankly
Show the answer
Answer: d — To speak plainly and frankly
It means to describe something exactly as it is, without softening the words to spare anyone.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q195EasyIdioms and Phrases
What does the idiom 'to be all ears' mean?
- aTo hear a rumour by chance
- bTo be easily offended
- cTo listen very attentively
- dTo pretend not to hear
Show the answer
Answer: c — To listen very attentively
Somebody who is all ears is giving their whole attention to what is being said.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q196EasyOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: the life history of a person written by that person.
- aBiography
- bAutobiography
- cBibliography
- dMonograph
Show the answer
Answer: b — Autobiography
An autobiography is written by its own subject, a biography by somebody else, and a bibliography is a list of books.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q197MediumOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a person who eats too much.
- aGlutton
- bGourmet
- cEpicure
- dCannibal
Show the answer
Answer: a — Glutton
A glutton eats to excess. A gourmet or epicure is a judge of good food, and a cannibal eats human flesh.
Source: SSC CGL / State PSC exam pattern
- Q198MediumOne Word Substitution
One word substitution: a place where birds are kept.
- aApiary
- bAquarium
- cAviary
- dSanctuary
Show the answer
Answer: c — Aviary
An aviary houses birds. An apiary is kept for bees and an aquarium for fish.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB Group D exam pattern
- Q199MediumSynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word closest in meaning to 'meticulous'.
- aCareless
- bCareful
- cGenerous
- dHesitant
Show the answer
Answer: b — Careful
Meticulous describes somebody who gives great attention to small details, so careful is its closest match.
Source: SSC CGL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
- Q200EasySynonyms and Antonyms
Choose the word opposite in meaning to 'transparent'.
- aFragile
- bColourless
- cOpaque
- dFlexible
Show the answer
Answer: c — Opaque
Transparent means letting light through so that what lies behind can be seen. Opaque means letting no light through at all.
Source: SSC CHSL / RRB NTPC exam pattern
Answers are compiled by hand and may contain mistakes. Where a question came from a real paper, the official key governs.