General English Questions and Answers for Competitive Exam
Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
The place was not cold only and also damp.
(A) No improvement
(B) only cold not also
(C) not only cold but also
(D) not only cold and both
Correct Answer : C
Explanation :
The correct sentence is:
The place was not only cold but also damp.
Explanation: In this sentence, the use of "only" and "also" is redundant. Instead, "not only...but also" is the correct correlative conjunction to use. Also, the conjunction "and" should be replaced with "but" for proper contrast between the coldness and dampness of the place.
Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
Many a person are unable of distinguish right from wrong.
(A) are unable to
(B) are capable of
(C) is unable to
(D) No improvement
Correct Answer : C
Explanation :
The correct sentence is:
Many a person is unable to distinguish right from wrong.
Explanation: "Many a person" is a singular phrase and should be followed by a singular verb, which is "is" in this case. Additionally, the preposition "of" should be replaced with "to," and the article "the" is needed before the noun "right."
Select the correct passive form of the given sentence.
They are making elaborate arrangements for the party.
(A) Elaborate arrangements have been made for the party.
(B) Elaborate arrangements are made for the party.
(C) Elaborate arrangements are being made for the party.
(D) Elaborate arrangements were being made for the party.
Correct Answer : C
Explanation :
The given sentence is an example of Active Voice. As per the given question, we have to change it to Passive Voice.
The process of transformation is as follows:
The subject of the given sentence is 'They'.
The object of the given sentence is 'Elaborate'.
The subject will be put in place of the object and the object will be put in place of the subject.
'Are making' will be changed into 'are being made'.
However, the subject 'they' will not be used as 'by them' because it becomes the hidden subject here. This is so because here the action is the central focus and the actor can be any unknown/general entity.
Thus the correct sentence is: Elaborate arrangements are being made for the party.
Identify the segment in the sentence which contains a grammatical error.
The man played the flute and led all the mouse out of the town.
(A) all the mouse
(B) the flute and led
(C) out of the town
(D) The man played
Correct Answer : A
Explanation :
Some nouns are not made plural by adding 's/es'. It is done in a different manner.
Criterion- criteria, mouse- mice, phenomenon- phenomena, radius- radii, syllabus- syllabi, etc.
For example: You don't fulfill the criterions set by the commission.(wrong)
You don't fulfill the criteria set by the commission.(Right)
We need the plural form of the given noun in the sentence i.e. mice.
Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
She told her brother that she was going to meet her friend.
(A) She said to her brother, “I was going to meet my friend.”
(B) She said to her brother, “She will go to meet her friend.”
(C) She said to her brother, “I am gone to meet her friend.”
(D) She said to her brother, “I am going to meet my friend.”
Correct Answer : D
Select the correct direct form of the given sentence.
Saaransh said he had solved the crossword the previous day.
(A) Saaransh said, “I solved the crossword yesterday.”
(B) Saaransh said, “He have solved the crossword yesterday.”
(C) Saaransh said, “I have solved the crossword the previous day.”
(D) Saaransh said, “He has solved the crossword the previous day.”
Correct Answer : A
Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
We are coping the problems with the best of our ability.
(A) coping in the problems by
(B) No improvement
(C) coping with the problems to
(D) coping the problems at
Correct Answer : C
Explanation :
The correct sentence is:
We are coping with the problems to the best of our ability.
Explanation: The verb "coping" should be followed by the preposition "with," and the definite article "the" is necessary before the noun "problems." Additionally, the phrase "to the best of our ability" is a common idiomatic expression used to indicate doing something as well as one can.
Select the most appropriate option to improve the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to improve it, select ‘No improvement’.
I have been working with children before, so I know what to expect.
(A) No improvement
(B) have worked
(C) am working
(D) work
Correct Answer : B
Explanation :
The underlined segment in the given sentence does not need improvement. It is already grammatically correct and conveys the intended meaning effectively:
Select the most appropriate one-word substitution for the given words.
A partner in crime
(A) Alibi
(B) Amateur
(C) Agent
(D) Accomplice
Correct Answer : D
Explanation :
(D) Accomplice - A partner in crime is referred to as an "accomplice."
Select the correct passive form of the given sentence.
We all regard Liza as an expert.
(A) Liza is regarded as an expert by all of us.
(B) Liza has been regarded as an expert by all of us.
(C) Liza was regarded as an expert by all of us.
(D) Liza should be regarded as an expert by all of us.
Correct Answer : A
Explanation :
In Active Voice, a sentence emphasizes the subject, performing an action. In Passive Voice, a sentence emphasizes the action or the object of the sentence.
The given sentence is in the active voice and 'We' is the subject and 'Liza' is the object.
When we convert this sentence into passive voice, the subject 'We' of the active voice becomes the object 'us', the object 'Liza' becomes the subject.
The passive format "is + V3 (regarded)" should be used. This is the active and passive voice rule for the present simple tense.