Sentence Improvement Test 1 Solved (11 Files Merged)

3/21/2016 EditPostSSCEXAMSDOUBTSANDSOLUTIONSWordPress
TESTI:SENTENCEIMPROVEMENTSOLVED
MAXIMUMTIME:10minutes
1. BythetimetheyreachtherailwaystationthetrainWILLHAVELEFT.
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a) wouldleaveb)wouldhaveleftc)willleaved)noimprovement
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2. NosoonerdidIgetintothebusWHENitstartedmoving.
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a) thenb)whilec)thand)noImprovement
3. ThepoliceNEEDEDhimforarmedrobbery.
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a) likedb)wasafter c) werelookingtod)noImprovement
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4. ThegreaterISTHEincreaseinpopulation,theharderitisforpeopletofind
adequatehousing.
a) ofb)isofthec)thed)noimprovement
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5. ThenovelCONSISTSathousandpages.
a) comprisesofb)consistsofc)composesd)noimprovement
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6. sinceIAMASSUMEDchargehecamehereonatleasteightoccasions.
a) hadassumedb)assumed c) havebeenassumedd)noimprovement
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7. IwassorryNOTTOHADseenthem
a) nottohaveb)nottohasc)hadd)noimprovement
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8. OverthelastfewyearsterrorismHASEMERGEDLIKELYagreatthreattoour
nationalintegrity.
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a) hademergedas b) hasemergedasc)hademergedliked)noimprovement
9. IfIstudiedwell,IWILLPASS.
a) Ipassedb)Ipassc)Iwouldpassd)noimprovement
10. WhentheownerofferedteathepeonDENIEDit.
http://www.sscexamforum.com/blog/wpadmin/post.php?post=19486&action=edit 1/5
a)dislikedb)declinedc)disobeyedd)noimprovement
11.IloveTHELITERATURE,THEMUSIC,THEART.
a)Theliterature,musicandartb)Literature,musicandartc)noimprovement
12.IwouldhavewaitedforyouatthestationifIKNEWthatyouwouldcome.
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a)Iknowb)Ihaveknownc)Ihadknownd)noimprovement
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13.SoldiersaretrainedtoBEHAVEwithoutquestion.
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a)actb)obeyc)observed)noimprovement
14.Ididn'tneedtowateralltheflowers.JustafterIfinisheditstartedraining.
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a)Ididn'twatertheplantsb)Ineedn'twatertheplantsc)Ineedn'thavewateredthe
plantsd)noimprovement.
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15.Hetoldhisfriendthathedrankteaeverymorning.
a)drinksb)haddrunkc)noimrovement
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16.Inherviews,theyaregoingtopresentareportsoon.
a)Forb)ofc)noimrovement
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17.ThecommissionsaresetuptoASKintotheincidents.
a)inquireb)demandc)lookd)noimprovement
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18.HardlyhadIfinishedwritingthisletterbeforeAnilarrived.
a)thenb)whilec)whend)noimrovement
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19.Ifyouwillpraysincerely,Godwilllistentoyourprayers.
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a)youprayb)youareprayingc)youwillbeprayingd)noimprovement
20.NothingbutbooksandmagazinesPLEASESher.
a)werepleasingb)pleasec)arepleasingd)noimprovement
21.Inoticedthattheoppositemanwasstaringatme.
a)theopposedmanb)themanoppositec)themanopposited)noimprovement
22.Practicallyeverypartofthebananatreeisusedbyman.
a)eachpartb)allpartsc)muchpartd)noimprovement
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23.YouwillhavetoreturnmybookwheneverIaskforit.
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a)shouldhavetob)wouldhavetoc)shallhavetod)noimrovement
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24.Theteacheraskedtheintruderwhowasheandwhywasheoccupyinghis
chair.
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a)whohewasandwhyhewasb)noimprovement
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25.Theweatherwasnotgooditwasabitpleasant.
a)ratherb)fairlyc)noimprovement
26.Mywatchstopped,askeywasnotgiven.
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a)thekeywasnotgivenb)ithadnotbeenwoundupc)itskeywasnotgivend)no
Improvement
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27.Nooneneedstoworryaboutme.
a)willworryb)needworryc)shallworryd)noimprovement
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28.Kailashinsistedhimtodothiswork.
a)insistedhimondoingthisworkb)insistedonhisdoingthiswork.
29.Isuggestthathestudiesmedicine.
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a)willstudyb)studiesc)studiedd)noimprovement
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30.Holmestookupasecondletterwhichlayunnoticeduponthetablewhilsthe
hadbeenabsorbedwiththefirst.
a)waslyingunnoticedb)hadbeenlyingunnoticedc)hadlaidunnoticedd)no.
improvement
TESTISENTENCEIMPROVEMENT(inPDF)TESTWITHANSWERS
1.TheanswerNOIMPROVEMENTiscorrect.Werequire'futureperfect'tense(willhave+3rd
formoftheverb)tosaythatsomethingwillbeended,completed,orachievedbyaparticular
pointinthefuturewhichisthecasehere.
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Seeanotherexample:
BythetimeyougethomeIwillhavecleanedthehousefromtoptobottom.
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2.THAN(option'c').'nosooner...........than........'isanidiomandisusedtosaythatsomething
happensimmediatelyaftersomethingelse.
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3.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'd').NEED=torequiresth/sbbecausetheyareessentialorvery
important,notjustbecauseyou'dliketohavethem.e.g.,Don'tgoIneedyou.Hereitmeans
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thatthepolicerequiredhiminthearmedrobberycase.
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Thoughoption'c'(WERELOOKINGTO)isalsocorrect,butinasentenceimprovement
sentenceifthesentenceisalreadycorrect,anyoftheansweroptionsisnottobechosenevenif
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it'scorrect.LOOKTOSBFORSTH=torelyonorexpectsbtoprovidesth.Seethisexample:
Wearelookingtoyouforhelp.
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4.THE(option'c').Acomparativeadjective/adverbisnotfollowedbyaverbdirectlysoISwill
beremoved.
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5.CONSISTSOF(option'b').CONSISTOFSTH/SB=tobeformedfromthethingsorpeople
mentioned.ThewordCOMPRISEisnotfollowedbyapreposition.Yeah,BECOMPRISEDOF
isrightforthesamemeaning.
6.HADASSUMED(option'a').SINCEheremeansBECAUSE.Kyonkimainechargesambhaal
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liyathawoyahankamsekam8baaraaya.Heretwoactionsareinthepastandbothofthem
ondifferenttimesothefirstactionwillbeinthepastperfecttense.
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7.NOTTOHAVE(option'a').Secondformoftheverb(hereHAD)can'tfollowTO.Itshould
eitherbethefirstformorthegerund(verb+ing).Herethegerundcan'tbethereandalsoit's
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notgivenintheansweroptions.NOTTOHASisnotcorrectasthenameoftheverbhappensto
beHAVEnotHAS.HADalsoisnotpossibleasitshouldhaveasubjectthen.
8.HASEMERGEDAS(option'b').LIKELYisanadjectivewhichcan'tbethere.becausea
prepositionisneededhere.LIKEasaprepositionwillbewrongtousehereasLIKEmeans
similartosb/sth.ASiscorrectasASisusedtodescribesb/sthappearingtobesb/sthelse.
9.IWOULDPASS(option'c')IftheverbintheIFCLAUSEisinthepastsimpletense(here
STUDIED)theverbinthemainclauseisintheconditionaltense.SoWOULDPASSiscorrect.
10.Option'b'(declined).
DENY=torefusetoadmitoracceptsth:SHEDENIEDALLKNOWLEDGEOFTHE
INCIDENT.
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DECLINE=torefusepolitelytoacceptortodosth:Iofferedthemtogivealiftbutthey
declined.JABOWNERNEPEONKOTEAOFFERKITOUSNEREFUSEKARDIYA.
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11.TheuseofTHEmakesathingspecific.HereLITERATURE,MUSICandARThavebeen
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usedingeneralsense.SoTHEisnotneeded.
Example:IlovetheliteratureofMunshiPremchand.AsinthisexampletheLITERATUREis
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specificthearticleTHEhasbeenused.
12.Inthissentencetherearetwoclauses,namely,IWOULDHAVEWAITEDFORYOUAT
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THESTATION(mainclause)andIFI.............THATYOUWOULDCOME(ifclause).Ifthe
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verbinthemainclauseisintheperfectconditional(hereWOULDHAVEWAITED)theverb
intheIFclauseisinthepastperfect.SoHADKNOWNiscorrect.
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Notethis:IfheHADTRIEDtoleavethecountryheWOULDHAVEBEENSTOPPEDatthe
frontier.
13.OBEY(option'b').
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14.Option'c'iscorrect.ThestructureNEEDN'T+HAVE+VERB3isusedwhenwehaveto
expressanunnecessaryactionwhichwasneverthelessperformed.Forexample:Ineedn'thave
writtentohimbecausehephonedmeshortlyafterwards.(ButIhadwrittenwastingmytime).
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Sothecorrectsentencewillbe:Ineedn'thavewateredtheplants.JustafterIfinishedit
startedraining.(meansmyeffortofwateringtheplantswentinwastehenceanunnecessary
action).
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15.NOIMPROVEMENT.DRINKSisalsopossibleifthereportismadeveryrecently,asit
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referstoahabitualaction.Butweneverknowwhenactuallythespeakersaidthosewords.So
it'ssafertochangethetenseasusual.
16.ReplaceINbyFOR.It'sobviousthereporthastobepresentedforhertodeliverher
views/thoughts/ideasonatopic.
17.LOOK(option'c').
LOOKINTOSTH=toexaminesth:Aworkingpartyhasbeensetuptolookintotheproblem.
INQUIREINTOSTH=tofindoutmoreinformationaboutsth(investigate):Acommitteewas
appointedtoinquireintotheallegations.
18.WHEN(option'c').HARDLY.................WHENisthecorrectcombination.SCARCELYis
alsousedwithWHEN.
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19.YOUPRAY(option'a').TheverbintheIFCLAUSEisinthepresentsimpletensewhenthe
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verbinthemainclauseisinthefuturesimpleiftheconditionisordinary.SoYOUPRAYis
quitecorrect.
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20.PLEASE(option'b').NOTHINGBUTisanidiom,whichmeansONLY.SoBOOKSAND
MAGAZINESistherealsubject.HencepluralverbisneededsoPLEASEiscorrecthereasonly
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presentsimpleissensiblehere.
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21.THEMANOPPOSITE(option'b').TheadjectiveOPPOSITEcanbeusedbeforeanounor
afterthenounbutwhenit'susedbeforethenounitprecedesbyawordlikeon,at,etc.Inthe
sentencenosuchwordisthere.Thereforeitwillcomeafterthenoun.
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22.Noimprovement.WithwordsALMOST,PRACTICALLY,NEARLY,WITHOUT
EXCEPTIONwecannotuseEACHwiththesewordswecanuseEVERYonly.
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HehaslostNEARLYEVERYfriendhehad.
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23.Noimprovement.Whenwewanttosaythatitwillbenecessaryforsomeonetodo
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somethinginthefuture,weuseMUST,HAVE(GOT)TOorWILLHAVETOnotSHOULD
HAVETOorWOULDHAVETO.WithsecondpersonweuseWILL,notSHALL.
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24.Option'a'iscorrectastherecan'tbethequestionformofasentenceinindirectspeech.The
clauseWHYWASHEisinquestionformasthehelpingverbWASisprecedingthesubjectinit.
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25.FAIRLY(option'b').FAIRLYischieflyusedwithfavorableadjectivesandadverbs,while
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RATHERischieflyusedbeforeunfavorableadjectivesandadverbs:e.g.
Ramisfairlyclever,butMohanisratherstupid.ThewordPLEASANTisafavourableword.A
BITisnotusedinastatementwhichisincontrastwiththeanother.
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26.ITHADNOTBEENWOUNDUP(option'b').Whenawatch/clockismadetoworkthekey
isnotgiventherightword/phraseisWIND(UP).WINDSTH(UP)=tomakeaclockorother
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pieceofmachineryworkbyturningaknob,handle,etc.severaltimes.ThewordUPisin
bracketcauseitcanbeusedwithWINDornot.
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27.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'd')
NEEDissuchaverbthatcanbeusedasahelpingverborthemainverbinasentence:e.g.
i)AsitwasveryhotYOUNEEDN'TWEARacoattoday.(hereNEEDisahelpingverbWEAR
beingthemainverb)
ii)INEEDTOKNOWtheexactlength.(hereNEEDisthemainverb)
WhenNEEDasthemainverbrequiresafullinfinitive(IstformoftheverbprecededbyTOora
noun/pronoun:e.g.
i)Ineedtotakerestatthemoment.(hereTOTAKEisafullinfinitive)
ii)Ineedthatbook.(hereBOOKisanoun)
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Incertaincases,whenpassivemeaningisrequiredwecanusepassiveinfinitiveorthegerund:
e.g.
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i)YourhairneedsTOBECUT.ORYourhairneedsCUTTING.
ii)Thewindowsneedtobewashed.ORThewindowsneedwashing.
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NOTE:WANT+gerundalsocanbeusedinsteadofNEEDhere:e.g.
Yourhairwantscutting.
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InthegivensentenceNEEDisthemainverbandpassivemeaningisnotthere,wejustrequirea
fullinfinitiveoranordinarynounorapronoun.AsWORRYisanaction/activityonlyan
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infinitive,therefore,isneeded.Hencenoimprovement.
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28.Option'b'iscorrect.TheverbINSISTiseitherfollowedbytheprepositionONorfollowed
byaTHATCLAUSE.InthegivensentencethereisnoTHATCLAUSEthereforetheoption'b'is
correct.
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Ifverb+prepositionisfolloweddirectlybythegerund(verb+ing),thegerundreferstothe
subjectoftheverb:e.g.
RAMINSISTEDONREADINGTHELETTERmeansRamreadit
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Butifweputapossessiveadjectivebeforethegerund,thegerundreferstothepersondenoted
bythepossessive:e.g.
RamINSISTEDONMYREADINGTHELETTERmeansIhadtoreadit.
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NOTE:InformalEnglishthePOSSESSIVEADJECTIVEisusedwiththegerund,notthe
pronoun.SoINSISTEDONherewillbefollowedbyHIS,notHIM.
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29.STUDIES(option'b').SUGGESTTHATtakeseitherpresentsimpleorshould+varb.
SHOULDisnotthereinthesentence,presentsimplewillbeused.Butasthesubjectisthird
personsingular,theverbwillbeSTUDIES.TranslationofaboveinHindi:
MerasujhaavhkiwomedicinepadheyaaniMBBSetckre.
30.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'd').ThoughWASLYINGUNNOTICED(option'a')isequally
correct,insentenceimprovementifthesentenceisalreadycorrectwechooseNO
IMPROVEMENTevenifanansweroptionisalsocorrect.
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SENTENCEIMPROVEMENTTEST2SOLVED
1.DoinformmeofyourwellbeingafteryoureachBombay.
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a)willreachb)willhavereachedc)havereachedd)noimprovement
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2.Themainpointofhisspeechwaswellunderstood.
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a)thathespokeb)inthespeechofhisc)madewhenhespoked)noimprovement
3.Thepolicebrokeawaythemeeting,asitturnedviolent.
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a)brokeupb)brokeoffc)brokethroughd)noimprovement
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4.Theboytoldhisfathertoexplainthepassage.
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a)calledhisteacherb)saidtohisteacherc)askedhisteacherd)noimprovement
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5.Shewastooclevertoseethroughhistricks.
a)seeintohistricksb)seehistricksc)seeathistricksd)noimprovement
6.Iwouldgladlyaccompanyyoursisterifyouhadaskedhim.
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a)wouldhavegladlyaccompaniedb)wastohavegladlyaccompaniedc)willgladly
accompanyd)noimprovement
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7.BeforeImetRajeev,Ihadhadapooropinionofhim.
a)hadb)havehadc)didhaved)noimprovement
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8.Hedidmanymischiefs.
a)mademanyamischiefsb)mademuchmischiefc)committedmanymischiefsd)
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noimprovement
9.Hecannotsucceedinbusinessbecauseheworksbyfitsandstarts.
a)withfitsandstartsb)fitsandstartsc)intofitsandstartsd)noimprovement
10.Ishallbegratefultoyouifyouareofhelptomenow.
a)wouldhelpb)helpc)shallhelpd)noimprovement
11.RohitisasfastasorperhapsfasterthanManish.
a)Equallyfastb)almostasfastc)asfastd)noimprovement
12.Alltheallegationsleveledagainsthimwerefoundtobebaseless.
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a)leveledforb)levelwithc)levelagainstd)noimprovement
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13.Theywatchedthesealionsbeingfedwithfish.
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a)hadbeenfedb)arebeingfedc)havebeenfedd)noimprovement
14.Youhavenoideawhatwouldhappenifwordofthisleakedout.
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a)awordofthisleaksoutb)wordofthisleaksoutc)awordofthisleakoutd)no
improvement
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15.Heissohandsomemanthatpeopleturnroundtolookathim.
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a)suchahandsomeb)suchhandsomec)ahandsomed)noimprovement
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16.Wisemancatchtimebytheforelock.
a)holdb)seizec)taked)noimprovement
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17.Kindlyletusknowthetimeofyourarrivalbyreturnofpost.
a)bythereturnofpostb)onreturnofpostc)inreturnpostd)noimprovement
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18.Shecouldnothelpbutlaugh.
a)laughingb)butlaughingc)laughd)noimprovement
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19.Brinjalsaredeadcheapthesedays.
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a)deadlycheapb)dirtcheapc)dustcheapd)noimprovement
20.Hehasbeenworkingoffandonforseveralyearstocompileadictionary.
a)onoroffb)onandoffc)regularlyd)noimprovement
21.IdonotthinkIshouldtellyouoverandoveragainthatmyfamilyareearly
risers.
a)myfamilymembersareearlyrisersb)myfamilyisanearlyriserc)myfamilyarean
earlyriserd)Noimprovement
22.Theweakmanisaslavetohissensuouspleasures.
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A.sensoryB.sensualC.secondary
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23.Histrousersarethreesizeslarge.
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a)threesizestoob)threesizec)threesizesoverd)noimprovement
24.Thebrownshirtwantswashing.
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a)hastowashb)isinneedofawashc)requiresawashd)noimprovement
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25.TogetintothebuildingIwilldisguiseasareporter.
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a)disguisetobeb)disguiseasonec)disguisemyselfd)noimprovement
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26.Allhisanswerswerecorrect.
a)hisallanswersb)allofhisanswersc)hisanswersd)noimprovement
27.DuringtheMissWorldcontestinLondon,itwasadifficulttodecidewhether
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MissIndiaorMissGreeceisthemostbeautiful.
a)ismorebeautifulb)wasmorebeautifulc)wasthemostbeautifuld)no
improvement
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28.AvaricewasShylock'schieftraitofcharacter.
a)aShylock'schieftraitofcharacterb)thechieftraitofShylock'scharacterc)the
Shylock'schieftraitofcharacterd)noimprovement
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29.IwishmybusdidnotarrivesolatethenIcouldhavereachedhomebefore
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breakfast.
a)hasnotarrivedb)doesnotarrivec)hadnotarrivedd)noimprovement
30.Thedoctorexaminedmypulse.
a)observedb)sawc)feltd)noimprovement
ANSWERS
1. HAVE REACHED (option C). In time clauses we use simple present for future
time when the action denoted by the verb given AFTER is very short. But if the
action takes place over a period of time (means it's not short) we use a perfect
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instead. Here the action denoted by the verb REACH is not short; it takes time to
reach a place, so the verb REACH denotes rather a longer action. Hence, we'll use
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the present perfect.
Another example
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When you've finished writing the letter, ring me.
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2. No improvement. Option 'a' is not possible as it's not indicating that gives us
an idea of PART of a thing, which is necessary here. Option 'b' also not possible as
OF and HIS can't stand together. If we use the option 'd' the sentence will be
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grammatically incorrect as the verb WAS won't have any subject in reference.
3. BROKE UP (option 'a')

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BREAK STH OFF = (i) to separate sth, using force: e.g. SHE BROKE OFF A
PIECE OF CHOCOLATE AND GAVE IT TO ME.
(ii) to end sth suddenly: e.g. THEY HAVE BROKEN OFF THEIR
ENGAGEMENT.
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BREAK STH UP (in one of its meanings) = to make people leave sth or stop doing
sth, especially by using force: e.g. POLICE WERE CALLED IN TO BREAK UP
THE FIGHT.
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4. ASKED HIS TEACHER (option 'c'). (This is indirect speech of an imperative

sentence)
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5. No improvement. SEE THROUGH STH = to realize the truth about sth. I CAN
SEE THROUGH THROUGH YOUR LITTLE GAME. = I am aware of the trick you
are trying to play on me.
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6. WOULD HAVE GLADLY ACCOMPANIED (option 'a'). When the verb in the
IFCLAUSE is in the past perfect, the verb in the main clause is in the perfect
conditional.
7.HAD(option'a').Whenasituationdescribedinthemainclauselastsuntilthetimeindicated
intheBEFORE/UNTILclause,thesimpletenseisusedinthemainclause.HereHAVINGA
POOROPINIONOFRAJEEVendsonlywhenImethim.
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8.MADEMUCHMISCHIEF(option'b').MISCHIEFisanuncountablenoun,soyoucan't
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makeitsformplural,andalsoyoucan'tuseMANYwithanuncountablenoun.
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9.Noimprovement.TheidiomisBY/INFITSANDSTARTS,anditmeansFREQUENTLY
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STARTINGANDSTOPPINGAGAINNOTCONTINUOUSLY.
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10.Noimprovement.BE(are)OFHELP=Ifsomeoneorsomethingisofhelp,theymakea
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situationeasierorbetter.AfterBEOFHELPweusetheprepositionTO,whichisthecasehere.
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11.Noimprovement.Hereit'sacomparisonbetweentwopersons.Comparisoncanalsobe
madebyAS......AS.'Equallyfast'oranyotheroptionisnotisnotpossiblehereasitmusthavea
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prepositiontohavealinkwiththenounMANISH.
12.Noimprovement.LEVELSTAGAINST/ATSOMEBODY=tosaypubliclythatsomebodyis
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toblameforsth,especiallyacrimeoramistake.Youcan'tuseoption'c'hereasthepast
participleisneededherebecauseofthetenseoftheverbFINDwhichisthepast(hereWERE
FOUND).
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13.Noimprovement.SEALION=alargeseal(aseeanimalwiththickfur,thateatsfishand
livesaroundthecoast).Alsoafiniteverb(averbthathasasubjectsubject)isnotrequired
hereratheraparticiple(nonfiniteverbdoingfunctionasanadjective)isneeded.Allfirst
threeoptionsarefiniteverbs,sonotpossible).
14. No improvement. The verb in the IF-clause is in the past tense when the verb
in the main clause is in the CONDITIONAL TENSE (would happen). So LEAKED
(past tense of LEAK) should be there.
Here WORD=a piece of information or news. Note this: SHE SENT WORD THAT
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SHE WOULD BE LATE. When this is the meaning the word WORD does not
precede by article. Tumhe koi idea nahin hai ki kyaa ho jaata agar ye information
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leak ho jaati.
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15. SUCH A HANDSOME (option 'a'). When the noun is singular we can use
either SUCH+A/AN+ADJECTIVE+NOUN or SO+ADJECTIVE+A/AN+NOUN.
Therefore, here it will be SUCH A HANDSOME. As earlier said SO HANDSOME
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A MAN is also possible, but it's not in the answer options.
But when the noun is plural you cannot say SO BIG MEN for example, then the
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construction only with SUCH is correct; so you'll say SUCH BIG MEN.
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16. SEIZE (option 'b'). First you need to understand the meaning of the following
words.
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LOCK = a few hairs that hang or lie together on your head. As in: He brushed a
lock of hair from his eyes. (maathe pe lataki hui baalon ki lat)
LOCKS = a person's hair. As in: She shook her long flowing locks. (kisi ke baal)
FORELOCK = a piece of hair that grows at the front of the head and hangs down
over your forehead. (baal jo maathe pe hi uga hua ho)
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BY (in one of its uses)=used to show the part of sb/sth that sb touches, holds,
etc.: I took him by the hand. She seized her by the hair.
SEIZE (in one of its meanings)=to make good use of a chance, an opportunity,
time, etc.
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Now if you see it carefully you'll find the word SEIZE correct here. Buddhiman
aadmi apne maathe ke baal ko pakad ke aur us se khelte hue apne time ka
achchha use karte hain.
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17. No improvement. BY RETURN OF POST=immediately. It's an idiom.

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18. NO IMPROVEMENT (option 'd'). SB CAN NOT HELP BUT DO STH is an

idiom which is used to say that it is impossible to prevent or avoid sth. For
example: She couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. SHE COULD NOT
HELP BUT LAUGH=It was impossible for
herselftoavoidlaughing.
19.Option'b'iscorrect.DIRTCHEAP=verycheap.
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20.REGULARLY(option'c').OFFANDON=fromtimetotime/nowandagain/nowand
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then/occasionally.OFFANDONandONANDOFFaresimilarinmeaning.
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21.Option'd'(Noimprovement)iscorrect.
CREW,FAMILY,JURY,TEAM.,arecollectivenounsandcantakeasingularorpluralverb.
Theytakeasingularverbifweconsiderthewordtomeanasinglegrouporunit:e.g.OurTEAM
ISthebest.
ORTheytakeapluralverbifwetakeittomeananumberofindividuals:e.g.OurTEAMARE
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WEARINGtheirnewsjerseys.
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Thoughoption'a'tooiscorrect,thegivensentenceiscorrectalready.Option'b'&'c'are
incorrectasthewordFAMILYhereisplural.
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22.SENSUAL(option'B').SENSUAL=connectedwithyourphysicalfeelingsorgivingpleasure
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toyourphysicalsenses,especiallysexualpleasure.
SENSORY=connectedwithyourphysicalsenses:e.g.sensoryorgans
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SENSUOUS=givingpleasuretoyoursenses:e.g.
I'mdrawntothepoetic,sensuousqualitiesofherpaintings.
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BothSENSUOUSandSENSUALareadjectivesandthereforetheiruseisacauseofconfusion.
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ThewordSENSUOUSisusedwhenwehavetomeanGIVINGPLEASURETOONE'SSENSES
asin'I'mdrawntothepoetic,sensuousqualitiesofthepaintings'.ButthewordSENSUALis
useddifferentlyitmeans:CONNECTEDWITHONE'SPHYSICALFEELINGSGIVING
PLEASURETOONE'SPHYSICALSENSES.
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ThewordSENSORYisnotpossibleatallThiswordcanonlybeusedwhenoneisconcernedto
thesystem.
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23.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'd').HereSIZE=astandardmeasurementofclothesetc.For
exampleyoucansaySMALL/MEDIUM/LARGEsizeofsth.Thismeasurementcanbein
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numbersalsolikeONE/TWO/THREE/FOUR/FIVEsize.
SS
24.Option'd'(noimprovement)iscorrect.TheverbWANTtakeseitheranoun/pronounorthe
gerundnormally.Thoughoptions'b'and'c'tooarecorrectbutinIMPROVEMENTquestionsif
thesentencegivenisalreadyfine,wekeepitintact.Wedoanimprovementonlywhenitis
needed.
25.Option'c'(disguisemyself)iscorrect.Whenthepersoninthesubjecthastodisguise
himselfandtheverbDISGUISEappearsjustafterthesubjectthereflexivepronounlikemyself,
himself.isusedjustaftertheverb.
M
26.ThecorrectstructureinvolvingthewordALLis:All+possessiveadjective+nounorAll+
O
noun.ThewordOFtooispossibleafterthewordALLbutoftenomitted.SoALLHIS
ANSWERSiscorrect.
.C
M
27.Option'b'(wasmorebeautiful).Herethecomparisonisbetweentwo.
U
28.Option'b'iscorrect.AVARICE=extremedesireforwealth(greedy).TRAIT=aparticular
R
qualityinone'spersonalty.SHYLOCKisacharacterinthenovelMERCHANTOFVENICE
writtenbyShakespeare.NowwehavetoseewhatAVARICEwasobviouslyitwasatrait.So
FO
option'b'iscorrect.Option'c'isfaultyasthearticleTHEcan'thaveapossessivenoun.
AM
29.HADNOTARRIVED(option'c').HeretheWISHisexpressingregretaboutapastsituation
(Icouldhavereachedhomebeforebreakfast).InsuchacaseweuseWISH+SUBJECT+PAST
PERFECTorWISHTHAT+SUBJECT+PASTPERFECT.
EX
30.Noimprovement.ThoughFELTisalsocorrectbutweimproveasentenceonlywhenit's
faulty.
C
SS
SENTENCEIMPROVEMENTTEST3SOLVED
[CombinedGraduateLevelExam(CGLE)]
1.Puttinginhardworktohelpothersiswhathelikesfromhisheart.
M
A)inB)byC)atD)noimprovement
O
2.Whenheheardtherhetoricalspeechoftheleader,hewascarriedalongbyhis
enthusiasm.
.C
A)wascarriedawayB)wascarrieddownC)wascarriedaloftD)noimprovement
M
3.Hespentmuchtimeandenergyoverit,andlostasuminthebargain.
U
A)offthebargainB)forthebargainC)intothebargainD)withthebargain
4.IamdefinitelylatethetrainwillhaveleftthestationbythetimeIreachthere.
R
A)willbeleavingB)willleaveC)wouldhaveleftD)noimprovement
FO
5.Whenshetakesherexamwillhaveaholiday.
A)hastakenherexamB)tookherexamC)hadtakenherexamD)noimprovement
AM
6.Theproblemsoftranslationarestillremain.
A)willbestillremainB)willstillremainC)willhavestillremainD)no
improvement
EX
7.Nottillhegothomehedidrealizethathehadlosthiskeysinthetheater.
A)didherealizeB)hedidnotrealizeC)herealizedD)noimprovement
C
8.Heenjoysnothingmorethandrawingswordswithothers.
SS
A)crossingB)playingC)clashingD)noimprovement
9.Ourdeparturefromthisplacenowdependsontheircominghere.
A)themcomingB)theycomingC)their'scomingD)noimprovement
10.Shewonderedifthechildrenwereaslonelyasshewas.
A) whether B) that C) and D) noimrovement
11. Thestandardoflivingoftheworkingclassishigherthanwasthecasethirty
yearsago.
A) thanthatofthirtyyearsagoB)thanwhatitwasthirtyyearsago C) noimprovement
M
12.Thechildhasbeeninthesickbedforthelastoneweek.
O
A) forthepast B) sincethelast C) sincethepast D) noimprovement
13. Heorderedmeopenthewindow.
.C
A) askedB)badeC)requestedD)noimprovement
M
14. ShehasdecidedtocanvasfortheConservativeParty.
A) advertiseB)canvassC)canvassingD)noimprovement
U
15. AllworkandnoplaymakeJackadullboy.
A) madeB)makes C) hasmade
R
D) noimprovement
FO
16. Morethanonepersonwaskilledintheaccident.
A) havebeenkilledB)werekilledC)arekilledD)noimprovement
AM
17. Thenoveliststresseshisopinionthatwereitnotforthemachinationsof
politicians,Indiawouldneverhaveneededtobepartitioned.
A) wasitnotforB)itwerenotforC)woulditnotforD)Noimprovement
EX
18. Wheneverthetwosistersgooutforshopping,theytaketheirperdogwith
them.
C
A) goforshopping B) gooutshopping C) goshopping D) noimprovement

SS
19. Itisessentialtothoroughlycleanthemachineaftereachuse.
A) tothoroughcleanB)tocleanthoroughC)tothoroughlycleaningD)no
improvement
20. whenshetakesherexamshewillhaveaholiday.
A) hastakenherexamB)tookherexamC)hadtakenherexamD)noimprovement
21. Theteachersawmyconversingwithher.
A) myconversationB)metoconverseC)meconversingD)Noimprovement
22. Theycookedaconspiracytooverthrowthemonarch.
M
A) CreatedB)FabricatedC)HatchedD)Noimprovement
O
23. HegrabbedthemanfromtheovercoatandpulledhimawayfromRitu.
.C
A) OffB)InC)ByD)Noimprovement
24. Theconstablewasasobigmanthathecouldnotrunfastenoughtocatchthe
M
thief.
A) asuchbigman B) SobigmanC)SobigamanD)noimprovement
U
25. onattemptingtostageadrama,anewmeaningtothestorywasdiscovered.
R
A) WhenattemptedB)OnourattemptingC)AttemptingD)Nocorrection
FO
26. Hereachedthevillagejustwhenthesunwassetting.
A) Whenjustthesunwassetting,hereachedthevillage.
AM
B) Whenthesunwassettinghejustreachedthevillage.
C) Hejustreachedthevillagewhenthesunwassetting.
D) Noimprovement
EX
27. Heevadedtopayincometax.
A) frompayingB)againstpaying C) payingD)noimprovement
28. Thegypsieshadleftthevillageafewdaysago.
C
A) haveleftB)wouldhaveleftC)leftD)noimprovement
SS
29. Whenweboughtthehouse,wecouldtellthatitwasalargenewcompact
tintedhouse.
A) itwasanew,largeandcompacthouse
B) itwasasnew,largeandastinted
C) itwasanew,large,compactandbrighthouse
D) noimprovement
30. Johnhadtoldmethathehasn'tdoneityet.
A) toldB)tellsC)wastellingD)noimprovement
M
ANSWERS
O
1. AT(option'C').ATHEART=i)aswhatsomeonecaresaboutthemost
.C
ii) usedtosaywhatsbisreallylikeeventhoughtheymayseemtobesthdifferent
BYHEART=usingonlyyourmemory:e.g.I'vedialedthenumbersomanytimesIknowitby
M
heart.
INHEARTorFROMHEARTisnoidiominEnglish.
U
R
2. 'A'(wascarriedaway).BE/GETCARRIEDAWAYisanidiomwhichmeansTOGETVERY
FO
EXCITEDORLOOSECONTROLOFYOURFEELINGS.Idon'tthinkCARRIEDALONGisa
terminEnglishlanguage.
AM
3. 'D'(noimprovement).BothINTHEBARGAINandINTOTHEBARGAINaresamein
meaning.It'sanidiomwhichmeansALSO.It'susedtoemphasizetheextrapieceof
information.Issbaatpeuskakaafitimeaurshaktilaggayi,aurbahutsaraapaisabhi.
EX
4. 'D'(noimprovement).WeuseWill+Have+Verb(III)toindicatethatwethinkapast
C
situation(seenfromeitherapresentorfutureviewpoint)iscertain.ButWould+Have+Verb
(III)isusedtoindicatethatwethinkanUNREALPASTsituation,i.e.animaginarysituationor
SS
asituationthatmighthavehappenedinthepast(butdidnot),asinIFYOURFATHERHAD
STILLBEENALIVE,HEWOULDHAVEFELTVERYPROUDOFYOUTODAY.
5. HASTAKENHEREXAM(option'A').inthefirstclausethePresentPerfectTenseis
required.(BhaaiuskiholidaysexamCOMPLETEhonepehitoshuruhongi).
6. HereifARE(formofBE))shouldbethehelpingworkitmustbefollowedbyeitherthe
continuousformoftheverborthethirdformwhichisnotthecaseasfirstformoftheverb
(REMAIN)isthereinthesentence.Otherwisealsothethesimplefuturetenseisrequiredhere.
M
7. DIDHEREALIZE(option'A').Forthistoknowyoushouldfirstunderstandwhat
O
INVERSIONOFAVERBis.Inanassertivesentence,whenthesubjectofasentenceorclause
comesbetweenthehelpingverbandthemainverb(questionformofaverb)iscalledinversion
.C
ofaverb.
Well,certainadverbsandadverbphrases,mostlywitharestrictiveornegativesense,canfor
M
emphasisbeplacedfirstinasentenceorclauseandarethenfollowedbytheinvertedformof
theverb.Someoftheseadverbs/adverbphrasesareshownbelow:
U
hardlyever
hardly.............when
innocircumstances
R
FO
never
nosooner...........than
notonly
seldom
AM
EXAMPLES
IhadNEVERBEFOREbeenaskedtoacceptabribe.=NEVERBEFOREHADIBEEN
EX
ASKEDtoacceptabribe.
Hedidn'trealizethathehadlostitTILLhegothome.=NOTTILLhegothomeDIDHE
REALIZEthathehadlostit.
HebecameSOSUSPICIOUSthat..........=SOSUSPICIOUSDIDHEBECOME
C
that................
SS
8. Option'A'(CROSSING)iscorrect.CROSSSWORDS(withsb)=Tofightorarguewithsb.
9. Option'D'(noimprovement).InformalEnglishthePOSSESSIVEADJECTIVEisusedwith
thegerund,notthepronoun.Wecansaythislikeitalso:Objectiveformofapronounisnot
possiblehereasweneedanadjectiveinthissentencetodescribethenounCOMING(gerund).
10. WHETHER(option'A').BothIFandWHETHERarepossiblehere.ButuseofIFislimitedto
QUESTIONSinindirectspeechmainlyandit'suseatotherplaceslikethesentenceaboveisnot
M
preferredgenerally.
O
.C
11. Option'B'iscorrect.Foroption'A'toberightitshouldbeTHANTHATOFTHEWORKING
CLASSTHIRTYYEARSAGO.ThegivensentenceisnotcorrectastheverbWASiswithouta
subject.
M
U
12. FORTHEPAST(option'A').LASTisadeterminingadjectiveandONEalso.Two
determiningadjectivescan'tcometogether.SoPASTiscorrectwhichisanadjectivebutnota
determiningadjective.
R
FO
13. Option'b'.IfyouseeOPENisabareinfinitivehere(meanswithoutTO).BADEisthesimple
pasttenseformofBIDwhichdoesn'ttakeTObeforeaninfinitive.ButverbsORDER,ASKand
AM
REQUESTalltakefullinfinitives(withTO).BID(inoneofthemeanings)=toasksbtodosth
meansusnemujhekhidkikholnekokhaa.
EX
14. Option'b'(canvass).CANVASisanoun,whichmeansASTRONGHEAVYROUGH
MATERIALUSEDFORMAKINGTENTS,SAILS,ETC.ANDBYARTISTSPRINTINGON.
C
CANVASSisaverb,whichmeansTOASKSBTOSUPPORTAPARTICULARPERSON,
POLITICALPARTY,ETC.
SS
15. MAKES(option'B').ALLWORKANDNOPLAYMAKESJACKADULLBOYisasaying
whichmeansitisnothealthytospendallyourtimeworkingyouneedtorelaxtoo.
16.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').Thephrase'morethanone'caneitherbesingularor
plural,dependingonhowit'sused.Whenitmodifiesasingularnoun(asinthegivensentence),
itgoeswithasingularverbe.g.MORETHANONEPERSONISGOING.Butwhenit'sfollowed
byOFandapluralnoun,ittakesapluralverb:MORETHANONEOFTHEPEOPLEARE
GOING.
M
17.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D").Firstweneedtoknow/understandthatthewordTHAT
O
inthesentenceisnotarelativepronoun,ratherit'saconjunction.SothesubjectofWEREis
notTHAT,it'sITinstead(thenextwordgiventoWERE),whichisthepronounofthenoun
.C
OPINION.
NowunderstanduseofWERE:
M
Whenasentence/clausebeginswithahelpingverb/verbthatcanalsobeusedasahelpingverb,
it'sgenerallyaquestionthesubjectthenisusedafterthathelpingverb/verb.Butit'snotalways
U
trueasitcanalsohappeninassertivesentencesit'sthancalledINVERSIONOFVERB.Useof
theverbWEREisexactlythathere,meansit'sacaseofinversionofverb.
R
Ifwewritethatclausewithouttheinversionoftheverbitwillbe:ifitwas/wereforthe
FO
machinationsofpoliticians,Indiawouldneverhaveneededtobepartitioned.You
justneedtoknowherethatiftheverbWAS/WEREisinverted,thenWEREonlyisputin
thebeginning(notWAS),andWEREthenmeansIF.Hinditranslationofthesentence:Novelist
kaajorisbaatperhaahaikiagar(IF)yesarkaarkaakoishadyantra(MACHINATION)nhin
AM
hotaatoIndiakokabhibhibantwaare(PARTITION)kijarooratnahinpadti.
EX
18.Option'C').ItwillbeGOSHOPPING.GOSHOPPING=tospendtimegoingtoshops/stores
andlookingforthingstobuye.g.KAVITAHASGONESHOPPING.GOSHOPPINGisan
idiom.
C
SS
19.Option'D'(noimprovement)iscorrect.ThewordTHOROUGHLYistheadverbofthe
infinitiveCLEANwhichhasrightlybeenused.
20.HASTAKENHEREXAM(option'A').inthefirstclausethePresentPerfectTenseis
required.(BhaaiuskiholidaysexamCOMPLETEhonepehitoshuruhongi).
21.MECONVERSING(option'C').Whomtheteachersaw?............ME........andofcourseIwas
conversingwhenhesawme.CONVERSINGhereispresentparticiple(adjective)describingthe
pronounME.Infinitiveform(toconverse)iswrongtousehereasweneedanadjective.SoME
CONVERSING(option'C')isright.
M
O
22.HATCHED(option'C').Herethecontextis:PLANNINGOFSTHSECRETLY.Whenthe
wordCOOKistobeconsideredforthismeaningweuseBE+INGFORMOFIT(means
.C
COOKING).AlsothisuseofCOOKisinformalnotformal.Sothegivensentenceneedstobe
improvedcertainly.
M
FABRICATEalsoisnotpossibleasitmeanstoinventfalseinformationinordertotrickpeople:
e.g.Theevidencewastotallyfabricated.Aconspiracyisalwaysfabricated.
U
YesthewordHATCHisrighthere.HATCHSTH(UP)=tocreateaplanoranidea,especiallyin
secret.
CONSPIRACY=asecretplantoharmsb.
R
FO
23.BY(option'C').GRAB=totakecompletecontrolofsomebody.TheprepositionBYisused
AM
whensomebodyistreatedlikethis,beitcoat,pant,shirtorcollar,etc.
EX
24.SOBIGAMAN(option'C').Whenthenounissingularwecanuseeither
SUCH+A/AN+ADJECTIVE+NOUNorSO+ADJECTIVE+A/AN+NOUN.Therefore,hereitwill
beSOBIGAMAN.AsearliersaidSUCHABIGMANisalsopossible,butit'snotintheanswer
options.
C
ButwhenthenounispluralyoucannotsaySOBIGMENforexample,thentheconstruction
SS
onlywithSUCHiscorrectsoyou'llsaySUCHBIGMEN.
25.ONOURATTEMPTING(option'B').ATTEMPTINGhereisagerund.AgerundisINGform
ofaverbactingasanoun.HereitmuststateWHOSEattemptitwasobviouslythewordis
OUR.MeansANEWMEANINGTOTHESTORYWASDISCOVERED(DERIVED)WHENWE
MADEANATTEMPTTOPLAYADRAMA.
26.Option'C'.JUSTandWHENcannotbeusedtogetherincontinuingactions.Sothegiven
sentenceneedstobeimproved.AlsothewordWHENcannotprecedethewordJUSTsooption
'A'alsoisrejected.
M
Nowweareleftwithoptions'B'and'C'.ThoughWHENclausecanbeginthesentence,hereit
O
won'tasthewordREACHEDisprecededbyJUST,meanstheemphasisisonthisaction.
Thereforethisclausemustbeginthesentencehenceoption'C'iscorrect.
.C
M
27.PAYING(option'C').TheverbEVADEcan'tfollowaninfinitive(thefirstformoftheverb).
Itcaneitherfollowagerund(verb+ing)oranoun/pronoun.PAYINGisagerund,sooption'C'
iscorrect.
U
R
28.LEFT(option'C').Weusethepastperfecttotalkaboutapastsituationoractivitythattook
FO
placebeforeanotherpastsituation,orataparticulartimeinthepaste.g.Ihadfinishedmy
homeworkwhenmyfatherarrived.Butweusethepastsimpleratherthanthepastperfect
whenwesimplytalkaboutasingleactivityoreventinthepaste.g.Itookmylunchjust
recently.
AM
Hereinthesentenceit'sonlyasingleactivity,soLEFT(simplepast)iscorrect.
EX
29.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').LARGE,NEW,COMPACTandTINTEDallareadjectives
describingthenounHOUSE.Whentwoormoreadjectivesofdifferentkind,asisthecasehere,
describeanounarenotseparatedbyacommaandalsotheyarenotjoinedbytheconnector
C
AND.Sononeoftheoptionsfrom'A'to'C'arecorrect.
SS
TINTED=Fade/dullsooption'C'towaisehicancelhogyaa.
30.TELLS(option'B').Thisisasentenceinindirectspeech.HASN'TDONEisinpresenttense.
Whentheverboftheclauseinreportedspeechisinpresenttense,thetenseofthereporting
verbcanbepastonlywhenit'sauniversaltruthotherwiseitmustbeinthepresentorfuture
tense.Intheaboveoptionsonlyoption'B'isnotinpast.Henceoption'B'(tells)isquitecorrect.
M
O
.C
M
U
R
FO
AM
EX
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
SENTENCEIMPROVEMENTPRACTICESET4
SOLVED[CombinedGraduateLevelExam(CGLE)]
1. MigrantworkerscanbeseenworkingonmanyofthebuildingplacesinNew
M
Delhi.
O
A) sitesB)premisesC)locationsD)noimprovement
2. "IndianEnglish"hascomeofageandhasbeenacceptedasalegitimatecategory
.C
theworldover.
A) literateB)localC)illegalD)noimprovement
M
3. Iftheywereknowingaboutthecrabs,theywouldnothavedecidedtopicnic
U
there.
R
A) hadknownB)knewC)didknowD)noimprovement
4. Ashrewdmancouldonlyseethroughthetricks.
FO
A) Onlyashrewdmancouldseethetrickthrough.
B) Onlyashrewdmancouldseethroughthetrick.
AM
C) Throughthetrickashrewdmancouldonlysee.
D) noimprovement
5. AssoonasIreachedmyhouse,Iopenedmycupboard.
EX
A) IreachedmyhouseassoonasIopenedmycupboard.
B) AssoonasIopenedmycupboardIreachedmyhouse.
C) NosoonerhadIreachedmyhousethatIopenedmycupboard.
C
D) noimprovement
6. Yoursuccessforhardworkdependsonyourability.
SS
A) Yoursuccessdependsonyourabilityforhardworking.
B) Yoursuccessdependsonyourabilityofhardwork.
C) Yoursuccessdependsonyourabilityforhardwork.
D) noimprovement
7. myselfrajeshmehta
A)myselfisB)myselvesC)IamD)noimprovement
8.Haveyoutakenyourbreakfast?
A)hadB)eatenC)doneD)noimprovement
9.Themoretheyearn,moretheyspendonluxuryitems.
M
A)MoretheyshouldspendB))ThemoretheyspendC)Themoretheyoughttospend
O
D)Noimprovement
10.theministeragreedwillanswerquestionsontelevision.
.C
A)toanswerB)foransweringC)withansweringD)noimprovement
M
11.Poetsoftenusearchaicwordsthatarenolongerinuseforthesakeofgreater
effect.
U
A)thatarenotanylongerusedB)thatareusednolongerC)thatnolongerareused
D)noimprovement R
12.Wemusthaveseriousreadingforthemindasweneedwholesomeand
FO
nutritiousfoodforthebody.
A)likeweneedB)likeasweneedC)justasweneedD)noimprovement
AM
13.Helooksuptohisfather.
A)looksawayfromB)staresatC)respectsD)obeys
EX
14.WhentheclockstrucksixIwasreadinghereforanhour.
A)HadwaitedB)hadbeenwaiting.
15.Iftheroomhadbeenbrighter,Iwouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhile
C
beforebedtime.
SS
A)HadtheroombeenbrighterB)noimprovement
16.Beingahandicappedyouth,hewasputhardtocompletehismilitarycourse.
A)washardputtoB)wasputtoithardC)noimprovement
17.AccordingtotheplanningCommissionestimates,bytheyear2015,Indiawill
havebecomeselfsufficientinpetroleumproducts.
A)wouldhavebecomeB)shouldhavebecomeC)noimprovement
18.Shesaysshe'salreadypaidmeback,butIcan'tremember,soI'llhavetotake
herword.
M
A)totakeherwordtrueB)totakeheratherwordC)totakeherwordforitD)no
improvement
O
19.Thesituationremainedthesame,rathergotworse,allhisefforts
.C
notwithstanding.
A)withallhiseffortsnotwithstandingB)inspiteofallhiseffortsnotwithstandingC)no
M
improvement
20.Hedrivesasiftheroadbelongstohim.
U
A)belongedB)noimprovement
R
21.ThepopularityofthenovelsofPremChand,thoughtheyarefullofsadand
FO
painfulincidents,liesinthefactthattheyendwithhappiness.
A)endhappilyB)haveahappyendingC)noimprovement
22.Oneofmyneighbourswillsellhishousewhoisgoingabroad.
AM
(A)Oneofmyneighbourswillwhoisgoingabroadsellhishouse.
(B)Onewhoisgoingabroadofmyneighbourswillsellhishouse.
(C)Oneofmyneighbourswhoisgoingabroadwillsellhishouse.
EX
(D)Noimprovement
23.Youcannotpassaslongasyoustudy.
C
(A)provided(B)unless(C)less(D)noimprovement
SS
24.Theysatbytheriverbankwiththeirlegsremaininginthewater.
(A)swimming(B)dangling(C)washing(D)noimprovement
25.Abuffalocannotdefendabuffaloagainstlion.
(A)Abuffalocannotdefendanotherbuffaloagainstalion.
(B)Buffalocannotdefendbuffaloagainstlions.
(C)Buffalocannotdefendabuffaloagainstlion.
(D)Noimprovement
26.IsatdownonthebenchtolookatthetrophyIwonasaprize.
(A)IsatdownonthebenchtolookatthetrophyIhadwonasaprize.
M
(B)IsatdownonthebenchtolookatthetrophyIhavewonasaprize.
(C)IsatdownonthebenchtolookatthetrophyIhadtowinasaprize.
O
(D)Noimprovement
.C
27.Theyarebringingdowntheoldbridgetobuildanewone.
(A)destroying(B)damaging(C)demolishing(D)noimprovement
M
28.Maggietookahotbathbecauseshewasworkinginthegardenallafternoon.
U
(A)is(B)has(C)hadbeen(D)noimprovement
R
29.Thecountryfacedarainfalldeficitofeightpercentafterthefourmonthlong
southwestmonsoon.
FO
(A)during(B)attheendof(C)for(D)noimprovement
30.Hewastoogladtoseehisfriend.
AM
(A)veryglad(B)soglad(C)toglad(D)noimprovement
EX
ANSWERS
1.SITES(option'A').InoneofthemeaningsofSITE,SITEisAPLACEWHERESOMEWORK
C
ISINPROGRESSORHASTOBESTARTEDRATHERSOON.Noothergivenwordi.e.
PLACES,PREMISESandLOCATIONSconveythatmeaningseewearetalkingMIGRANT
SS
WORKERS...............obviouslyoption'A'(SITES)willbeouranswer.
2.Option'D'(noimprovement).LEGITIMATE=forwhichthereisafairandacceptablereason.
3.HADKNOWN(option'A').IftheverbintheMAINCLAUSEisintheperfectconditional
(hereWOULDHAVEDECIDED),theverbintheIFCLAUSEisinthepastperfect.Hencethe
option'A'(hadknown)iscorrect.
Seeanotherexample:IfheHADTRIEDtoleavethecountryheWOULDHAVESTOPPEDat
theborder.
M
O
4.Option'B'.Ashrewdmancouldonlyseethroughthetrick'thoughisgrammaticallycorrect,
but'ashrewdman'initneedstobeemphasizedhereasthesituationdemands.Thewords
.C
THROUGHneedstobeusedasaprepositionratherthananadverb.Inoption'b'it'sworkingas
aprepositionandinoption'a'asanadverb,sotheoption'A'isnotcorrect.Option'C'is
absolutelywrongyoucansee.
M
NOTE:SEETHROUGHSB/STHisaphrasalverb,whichmeansTOREALIZETHETRUTH
U
ABOUTSB/STH.
EXAMPLES: R
1.WeSAWTHROUGHhimfromthestart.(Shurusehiuskebaaremeinjaangye.)
FO
2.IcanSEETHROUGHyourlittlegame.(I'mawareofthetrickyouaretryingtoplayonme.)
SEESOMETHINGTHROUGHisdifferentadverbwhichmeansTONOTGIVEUPDOINGA
TASK,PROJECT,etc.untilitisfinished.
AM
EXAMPLE
SheisdeterminedtoSEETHEJOBTHROUGH.
ThewordONLYshouldprecedeSHREWDMANastheemphasizeisonthemanratherthan
EX
beingontheverbSEE.
C
5.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').ASSOONASalwaysfollowstheactionthatwascompleted
beforetheotherone.Thepersoninthesubjectofthesentencefirstreachedhishomeandthen
SS
openedthecupboard.Sothegivensentencedoesn'tneedanimprovement.Tensesofboththe
verbsareright.
ThoughNOSOONERcanalsobeusedinthissense,conjunctionjoiningthetwoclauseis
THAN,notTHATasweareseeing.
6.Option'B'.YoumustnotethattheSUCCESSdependsnottheSUCCESSFORHARDWORK.
AbilityfollowsOFnotFOR.Henceoption'B'iscorrect.
7.IAM(option'C).MYSELFisareflexivepronounanditmustnotbeusedasasubjectofa
sentenceexceptwhenasentencedefinesareflexivepronoun.
M
O
8.Option'D'(Noimprovementiscorrect).Thoughoption'A'alsoiscorrectbutina
.C
IMPROVEMENTQUESTIONifthegivensentenceisalreadyflawlessweshouldnotconsider
theansweroptionsevenifanyofthemalsofitswell.
M
9.THEMORETHEYSPEND(option'B').THEMORE..........THEMOREisusedtosayifone
U
thinghappensrepeatedly,somethingelsehappensorbecomeslikely.JITNAKOIKAMAATAH
UTNAHIJYAADAKHARCHKARTAH,meansitbecomeslikelythatapersonearningmore
willalsospendmore.
R
FO
10.TOANSWER(option'A').TheverbAGREEisfollowedbyafullinfinitive(TO+Istformofa
verb)ifit'sanonfiniteverbfollowingit.SOoption'A'(toanswer)iscorrect.
AM
11.THATNOLONGERAREUSED(option'C').NOLONGERprecedestheverbandANY
EX
LONGERfollowsit.ThegivensentenceneedsimprovementasNOLONGERisfollowingthe
verbi.e.ARE.Option'A'isnotrightasANYLONGERisnotusedAFTERtheverb(hereUSED).
Option'B'isnotrightasuseofNOLONGERisnotatrightplace.Yeahoption'C'fitstheruleon
thatwell.
C
SS
12.JUSTASWENEED(Option'c').Thisisacaseofcomparison.LIKEisusedonlywithnouns,
pronounsorgerunds,meanswhentheyarenotfollowedbyafiniteverb(averbwhichhasa
subject).AndASisusedwhenthereisafiniteverb.Thereforeboththeoptions'A'and'B'are
incorrect.
InthesentenceaboveNEEDisafiniteverbasit'slimitedbythesubjectWE.SoASisquite
correctthere.ButthewordASshouldbeprecededbythewordJUSTasit'sacomparison
betweentwoclausesbecauseit'sacaseofcomparisonwithestablishingrelationbetweenthem.
NOTE:LIKEcanreplaceASinconversational/informalEnglishonly,butintheexamitmustbe
standardEnglish.
M
13.Option'C'(RESPECTS)isrightasLOOKUPTOSOMEBODY(anidiom)meanstoadmireor
O
respectsomebody.
.C
14.HADBEENWAITING(option'B').Foranactionthatbeganbeforeacertainactioninthe
M
pastandcontinueduptothattime,weusethepastperfectcontinuoustense.Here6o'clockis
thatpasttimebeforethattheactionofwaitingbeganandit'salsosayingthattheactionwasin
continuationtillthattimeatleast.FORANHOURsayshowlongbefore6o'clocktheactionof
U
waitingbegan.
R
Ghadimeinjab6bjetomujheyahanwaitkrteekghantahogyaatha.
FO
15.Noimprovementasboth'Iftheroomhadbeenbrighter'and'Hadtheroombeenbrighter'
areequallygood.
AM
NOTE:IFthehelpingverbinaconditionalIFCLAUSEisSHOULD,BE,orHADwecanleave
outIFandputthathelpingverbatthestartoftheclause.
EX
EXAMPLES:
a)IfanyofthisSHOULDcostyouanything,sendmethebill.=SHOULDanyofthiscostyou
anything,sendmethebill.
b)Itwouldbeembarrassingifsheweretofindfindoutthetruth.=Itwouldbeembarrassing,
C
wereshetofindoutthetruth.
c)Iftheyhadn'trushedMohantohospital,hewouldhavedied.=HadtheynotrushedMohan
SS
tohospital,hewouldhavedied.
16.WASHARDPUTTO(option'A').BEHARDPUTTODOSOMETHING(hereWASHARD
PUTTOCOMPLETE)=tofinditverydifficulttodosomething,e.g.HEWASHARDPUTTO
EXPLAINHISDISAPPEARANCE.
BEHARDPUT(TOIT)TODOSOMETHINGisanidiom.TheothersimilaridiomsareBE
HARDPRESSEDTODOSOMETHINGandBEHARDPUSHEDTODOSOMETHING.
17.Noimprovement.WILLHAVEBECOMEisfutureperfecttense.Thistenseisusedtotalk
aboutactionsthatwillbecompletedbyacertainfuturetime.
M
NOTE:
O
a)Whenwewanttoindicatethatit'sanunrealpastsituation,i.e.animaginarysituationthat
mighthavehappenedinthepast,butdidn't,weuseWOULDHAVE+3rdVERB
.C
EXAMPLE:
Iwouldhavebeenhappytoseehim,butIdidn'thavetime.
M
b)WeuseSHOULDHAVE+3rdVERBtotalkaboutanexpectationthatsomethinghappened,
hashappened,orwillhappen.
U
EXAMPLE:
i)Iftheflightwasontime,heshouldhavearrivedinDelhiearlythismorning.
R
ii)Thebuildershouldhavefinishedthebuildingbythenextmonth.
FO
18.TOTAKEHERATHERWORD(option'B').TAKESOMEBODYATTHEIRWORDisan
idiomwhichmeansTOBELIEVEEXACTLYWHATSOMEBODYSAYSORPROMISES.
AM
19.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'C').NOTWITHSTANDINGcanbeusedeitherasapreposition
oranadverb,hereit'sapreposition.AsaprepositionitmeansWITHOUTBEINGAFFECTED
EX
BYSOMETHINGDESPITE/INSPITEOFSOMETHING.
EXAMPLES
a)Notwithstandingsomemajorfinancialproblems,theschoolhashadasuccessfulyear.
C
b)Thebadweathernotwithstanding,theeventwasagreatsuccess.
SS
WITHandINSPITEOFbotharepropositionsalsoINSPITEOFandNOTWITHSTANDING
aresameinmeaning.Henceoptions'A'and'B'botharerejected.
NOTE:NOTWITHSTANDINGasanadverbmeansHOWEVER/DESPITETHIS.
EXAMPLE
Notwithstanding,theproblemisasignificantone.
20.BELONGED(option'A').Toindicateunrealityorimprobabilityordoubtinthepresentthe
pastsubjunctivecanbeusedafterASIF.HereinthissentenceBELONGINGOFROADTOA
PERSONisanimprobabilityhenceBELONGED(pastsubjunctive)willbeused.
NOTE:ASIFandASTHOUGHarethesamething.
M
O
21.HAVEAHAPPYENDING(option'B').HAPPINESSisamentaloremotionalstateofbeing,
.C
hencenotanappropriateuseofthewordhere.Readtheactualmeaningoftheword
HAPPINESShere:
M
Happinessisasenseofwellbeing,joy,orcontentment.Whenpeoplearesuccessful,orsafe,or
lucky,theyfeelhappiness.
U
R
22.Option'C'.WHOISGOINGABROADistherelativeCLAUSEforTHENOUN
NEIGHBOURShere,andifthatnounprecedesTHEorAPOSSESSIVEADJECTIVE(my,his,
FO
your,etc)therelativeclausemustbeplaceddirectlyafteritsnounorpronoun.
AM
23.UNLESS(option'B').ThesentencehastwoclausesnamelyYOUCANNOTPASSandYOU
STUDY.Inconditionalsifthemainclauseisnegativetheconditionalclauseisprecededbya
negativeconjunction(hereUNLESS).
EX
24.DANGLING(option'B').DANGLE=tohangorswingfreely:e.g.ASINGLELIGHTBULB
DANGLEDFROMTHECEILING.UseofthewordREMAININGisincorrecthere.
C
SS
25.Option'A'.Herewearetalkingaboutdefendingofonethingbythesametypeinsuchacase
wedonotrepeatthenounitself,ratherweuseANOTHER.SoOption'A'iscorrect.
26.Option'A'.Twoactionsaretherei.e.SITDOWNandWIN.Ifboththeactionshappenedin
thepastoneaftertheotherafteragap,weusethepastperfecttensefortheactionthattook
placefirst.SoHADWONiscorrectinsteadofWON.
27.DEMOLISHING(option'C').BRINGINGDOWNSOMETHINGdoesn'tmeantocause
somethingtofallorcollapseratheritmeansTOREDUCEsth:e.g.Weaimtobringdownprices
onallcomputersortolandanaircraftortomakeanaircraftfalloutoftheskyortomakean
M
animalorbirdfalldownorfalloutoftheskybykillingorwoundingit.DEMOLISHINGisthe
correctwordhere.
O
.C
28.HADBEEN(option'C').Thepastperfectcontinuoustenseisneededhere.Thepastperfect
continuousisusedforanactionthatbeganbeforeacertainpointinthepast(hereTAKINGOF
M
BATH)andcontinueduptothattime.
U
29.DURING(option'A').DURING=fromthebeginningtotheendofaparticularperiod.
R
Meansthecountryfacedarainfalldeficitofeightpercentfromthebeginningofsouthwest
monsoontoitsend.
FO
30.VERYGLAD(option'A').WeuseVERYwhenwemeanTOAHIGHDEGREEandTOO
AM
whenwemeanMORETHANENOUGH/MORETHANWANTEDORNEEDED.Wecanalso
saythatVERYisusedinaffirmative/positivecontextandTOOinnegativecontext.Herethe
contextispositive,soVERYGLADwillbecorrect.
EX
C
SS
sscexamforum.com
SENTENCEIMPROVEMENTPRACTICESET5
SOLVED(CombinedGraduateLevelExam(CGLE)
1. Heissointelligentthathecouldwinthequizcompetition.
M
A) willB)canC)shouldD)noimprovement
O
2. Childrenwithdisabilitiesandspecialneedsalsohavetherighttoeducationjust
likenormalchildren.
.C
A) justasnormalchildrendo
B) evenasnormalchildrenaredoing
M
C) alongwithnormalchildren
D) noimprovement
U
3. Thedemonstrationpassedawaypeacefully.
R
A) passedoutB)passedC)passedonD)noimprovement
FO
4. Theyhavenotspokentoeachothersincetheyquarreled.
A) forB)becauseC)eversinceD)noimprovement
AM
5. Iwalkedbackhomeafterthemovieyesterdaynight.
A) lastnightB)previousnightC)thatnightD)noimprovement
EX
6. LasteveningIwenttotheopticianandboughtspectacles.
A) aspectacleB)twospectaclesC)apairofspectaclesD)noimprovement
C
7. Hecamedespiteofhisbusyschedule.
A) neverthelessB)butforC)inspiteofD)noimprovement
SS
8. Thereceptionistaskedthepatient,"WhorecommendedyoutoDrPaulson?"
A) introducedB)referredC)alludedD)noimprovement
9. Iftheroomhadbeenbrighter,Shwetawouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhile
beforebedtime.
A)Iftheroomwasbrighter,Shwetawouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhilebeforebedtime.
B)Iftheroombeenbrighter,Shwetawouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhilebeforebedtime.
C)Hadtheroombeenbrighter,Shwetawouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhilebefore
bedtime.
M
D)noimprovement
O
10.Assureshspokeabouthisachievements,hishighclaimsamusedus.
A)bigB)tallC)hugeD)noimprovement
.C
11.Hewillnotriskgoingforbusinesswithyou.
M
A)togoforB)goingintoC)goinginD)noimprovement
12.Towriteregularlyinpleasureiswhatshewantstodonow.
U
A)forpleasureB)forthepleasureC)withpleasureD)noimprovement
R
13.Hemetwithanaccidentandwasimmediatelyadmittedtothehospital.
FO
A)admittedtohospitalB)admittedintoahospitalC)noimprovement
14.Whoyousaidwascomingtoseemethismorning?
AM
A)YoudidsayB)DidyousayC)DidyousaythatD)noimprovement
15.VinobaBhavewasoneofthoseGandhianswhodidwhathebelieved.
EX
A)didwhathebelievesB)doeswhattheybelieveC)didwhattheybelievedD)no
improvement
16.Irefreshedmyselfwithacupoftea.
C
A)wasrefreshedB)wasrefreshingC)refreshD)noimprovement
SS
17.SinceIamnotnewtoMumbaiyoumustnothavecometotherailwaystationto
receiveme.
A)shouldnothaveB)neednothaveC)oughtnothavetoD)noimprovement
18.IwillphoneyouafterIshallarrive.
A)afterIshallhavearrivedB)afterIarriveC)afterIarrivedD)noimprovement
19.NowImustbegleavefromyou.
A)begyourleaveB)begofyourleaveC)begoffyourleaveD)noimprovement
20.Mymotherisworriedaboutmyfather'shealthandalsoI.
M
A)IalsoB)soamIC)alsoIamD)noimprovement
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21.Bythetimetheyreachtherailwaystationthetrainwillhaveleft.
.C
A)wouldhaveleftB)wouldleaveC)willleaveD)noimprovement
22.Somepeoplehaveahabitofwearingtheirheartontheirsleeves.
M
A)bearingtheirheartontheirsleeves
B)wearingheartontheirsleeves
U
C)wearingtheirheartonsleeves
d)noimprovement R
23.Thearmwassobadlyinjuredthathehadhaditamputated.
FO
A)hadtohaveB)shouldhaveC)musthaveD)noimprovement
24.Heisaddictedtosmoke.
AM
A)addictedtosmokingB)usedtosmokeC)addictedofsmokingD)noimprovement
25.Therobbersfledbeforethepolicecame.
EX
A)arrivedB)hadcomeC)we'recomingD)noimprovement
26.Youngmenandwomenshouldgethabituatedtoreadingandwritingabout
currentaffairs.
C
A)usedB)preparedC)trainedD)noimprovement
SS
27.Mostoftheparticipatingmembersatthefair,whichwasorganisedbythe
students,wereMathematicsteacher's.
A)MathematicteachersB)MathematicsteachersC)teacherinMathematicsD)no
improvement
28.Wineloosenhistongue.
A)loosesB)loosensC)freedD)noimprovement
29.Itisprobablehewillnevercomeback.
A)inallprobabilityB)itispossibleC)thereisthepossibilityD)noimprovement
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30.Aren'tyoutiredofthisneverendingrain?
O
A)incessantB)intermittentC)continuousD)noimprovement
.C
ANSWERS
M
1.CAN(option'B').It'sanabilityhere.Andthisabilityisinthepresent,soCANwillbeused.
U
ForpastabilitiesweuseCOULD.
R
FO
2.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').AccordingtoSSCkeysthecorrectanswerisJUSTAS
NORMALCHILDRENDO(option'A').ThoughSSCiscorrectalso,insentenceimprovement
whenthegivensentenceisalreadycorrectonedoesnotneedtoconsiderotheroptionseven
whenanyofthemiscorrectalso.
AM
HereweneedtolearnthedifferencebetweenuseofLIKEandASincomparisons.LIKEhereis
aprepositionandincomparisonsit'sfollowedbyanoun,pronounorgerund(verb+ing).Here
inthegivensentenceLIKE(preposition)isfollowedbyNORMALCHILDREN(Nounphrase)
EX
hencequitecorrect.
ASisaconjunctionandisusedwhenfollowedbyaclausehenceSSCisrightalso.
C
3.PASSED(option'B').PASS=tomovepastortotheothersideofsb/sth.
SS
4.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').UseofSINCEandEVERSINCEisequallygoodhere.SSC
keysaysEVERSINCE(option'C')henceit'scorrectalso.Butinsentenceimprovementwhen
thegivensentenceisalreadycorrectonedoesnotneedtoconsiderotheroptionsevenwhenany
ofthemiscorrectalso.
5.LASTNIGHT(option'A').YoucannotsayYESTERDAYNIGHTbecausethenightisalsopart
oftoday.Youcan,howeverusebothlasteveningoryesterdayevening,becausetheeveningis
partofyesterday,aswouldbeyesterdaymorningandyesterdayafternoon.However,you
cannotuselastafternoonorlastmorning.Therearecertainexceptionssometimes.
M
YoucannotusePREVIOUSNIGHT(option'B')alsoasPREVIOUSmeanshappeningorexisting
beforetheeventortheobjectthatyouaretalkingabout.
O
.C
6.APAIROSSPECTACLES(option'C').Nounswhichhavetwopartsformingakindofpairs
as,scissors,spectacles,trousers,jeans,pyjamas,etcareusedinthepluralalwaysandone
M
singlearticleisprecededby'APAIROF',twoarticlesby'TWOPAIRSOF'andsoon.
U
7.INSPITEOF(option'C').Twoopposingorcontrastingexpressionsjustasthegivensentence
R
hascouldbecombinedinseveralways.DESPITEINSPITEOF,NEVERTHELESSarehaving
samemeaning.ThedifferenceisthatDESPITEisnotfollowedbytheprepositionOFand
FO
NEVERTHELESSneedsaclausetofollow.HenceINSPITEOFisonlycorrecthere.
AM
8.Referred(option'B').REFERSB/STHtoSB/STHisaphrasalverbwhichmeanstosend
sb/sthtosb/sthforhelp,adviceoradecision.UseofthewordRECOMMENDisincorrectin
thissense.
EX
9.NOIMPROVEMENT(option'D').Thegivensentencehastwoclausesi.e.(i)IFTHEROOM
HADBEENBRIGHTERand(ii)SHWETAWOULDHAVEBEENABLETOREADFORA
C
WHILEBEFOREBEDTIME.Thisisaconditionalsentencetype3inwhichtheverbintheIF
CLAUSEisinthepastperfecttensetheverbintheMAINCLAUSEisintheperfectconditional.
SS
IntheIFclausetheverbisHADBEEN(pastperfect)andinthemainclausetheverbis
WOULDHAVEBEEN(perfectconditional).Sothegivensentenceiscorrectalready.
HADcanbeplacedfirstandtheIFomittedalso.AccordingtoSSCkeysthecorrectansweris
'Hadtheroombeenbrighter,Shwetawouldhavebeenabletoreadforawhilebefore
bedtime.'(option'C').ThoughSSCiscorrectalso,insentenceimprovementwhenthegiven
sentenceisalreadycorrectonedoesnotneedtoconsiderotheroptionsevenwhenanyofthem
iscorrectalso.
10.Noimprovement
M
O
11.GOINGINTO(option'B').RISKisverbhere.Whenit'sfollowedbyanactionwordittakes
GERUND(verb+ing).RISKDOINGSTH=todosththatmaymeanthatyougetintoasituation
.C
whichisunpleasantforyou.GOINTOSOMETHING=tojoinanorganisation,especiallyin
ordertohaveacareerinit.
M
12.FORPLEASURE(option'A').WeuseWITHPLEASUREwhenacceptingoragreeingto
U
somethinginapolitewaye.g.MayIsithere?'Yes,withpleasure.'
R
FO
13.NOIMPROVEMENT.WhenHOSPITALisvisitedforprimarypurposeitdoesn'ttakethe
articleTHEbutwhensomebodyisadmittedortakenthereittakesTHEifit'saspecific
hospital,otherwiseweusethearticle'A'.Thecorrectusageis:ADMITSOMEBODYTO/INTO
A/THEHOSPITAL.
AM
14.DIDYOUSAY(option'B').Weneedthequestionform,soDIDYOUSAYwillbecorrect.
EX
Whenthewhwordisthesubjectofthesecondclause,wedontputTHATafterit,sooption'C'
isincorrect.
C
15.DIDWHATTHEYBELIEVED(option'C').WHOisrelativepronounofGANDHIANShere
SS
youseethiswordisplural.Option'B'isrejectedbecauseDOESisusedforsingular
nouns/pronouns,hereit'susedforTHEYwhichisplural.
16.Noimprovement.REFRESHYOURSELF=tomakeoneselffeellesstired.
17.NEEDNOTHAVE(option'B').Toexpressanunnecessaryactionwhichwasnevertheless
performedweusethestructureNEEDN'T+HAVE+VERB3e.g.
Ineedn'thavewrittentohimbecausehephonedmeshortyafterwards.
Youneedn'thavebroughtyourumbrellaforwearegoingbycar.
Youneedn'thavelefthomeat6.00thetraindoesn'tstarttill8.00
M
O
18.AFTERIARRIVE(option'B').Wedonotuseafutureforminatimeclause.Thesecond
clauseisreferringtotime,soit'satimeclause.ConjunctionssuchasAFTER,BEFORE,WHEN,
.C
UNTIL,etcstartatimeclause,sononeofthemcantakeafuturetense.Ifinthemainclauseit's
WILL,weusesimplepresenttenseinsuchclauses.
M
19.NOIMPROVEMENT.HereweareconfusedwithIBEGYOURPARDONit'sanidiom,
U
whichisusedtotellsomebodythatyouaresorryforsomethingyouhavesaidordonee.g.
R
Ibegyourpardon,Ithoughtthatwasmycoat.
FO
NOTE:IMUSTBEGLEAVEOFYOUisequallycorrect.
AM
20.SOAMI(option'B').Thisiscaseofaffirmativeadditiontoaffirmativeremark.Here'My
motherisworriedaboutmyfather'shealth'isanaffirmativeremarkwherewehavetoadda
properaddition.Affirmativeadditionstoaffirmativeremarkscanbemadeintwoways:
a)SUBJECT+HELPINGVERB+TOO/ALSO
EX
b)SO+HELPINGVERB+SUBJECT
EXAMPLES
C
MohanwouldenjoyagameandRahulwouldtoo/also.ORMohanwouldenjoyagame
andsowouldRahul.
SS
RamishavingatoothouttomorrowandNeeruistoo/also.ORRamishavingatoothout
tomorrowandsoisNeeru.
Theboyscheatedandthegirlsdidtoo/also.ORTheboyscheatedandsodidthegirls.
Mymotherisworriedaboutmyfather'shealthandIamtoo/also.ORMymotheris
worriedaboutmyfather'shealthandsoamI.
RememberSOAMI,thoughisinquestionform,it'snotaquestionatallastheverbisinverted
only.
21.NOIMPROVEMENT.BYTHETIMEthoughcanbeusedforothertensesalso,thegivenone
isalsofine.
M
O
22.NOIMPROVEMENT.It'sanidiom,whichisincorrectform.ItmeansALLOWYOUR
FEELINGSTOBESEENBYOTHERPEOPLE.
.C
23.HADTOHAVE(option'A').HADTOhereispastofthemodalHAVETO.Itmeanski'Baaju
M
itniburitrhaasejakhmihogyithikiuskoisekatwaanaapdaa'.AMPUTATE=tocutoff
somebody'sarm,leg,fingerortoeinamedicaloperatione.g.
U
Hehadtohavebothlegsamputated.
R
FO
24.ADDICTEDTOSMOKING(option'A').TOhereisnotpartofaninfinitive(firstformofthe
verb),ratherit'sapreposition.Beingaprepositionitshouldbefollowedbya
noun/pronoun/gerund.SMOKINGisanoun.ThoughSMOKEcanbeanounalsohereasthe
AM
wordADDICTEDisthere,inthatsenseweneedthegerundformi.e.SMOKING.
25.NOIMPROVEMENT.Whenweuseatimeexpression(e.g.after,assoonas,before,bythe
EX
time(that),whentosaythatoneeventhappenedafteranother,weuseeitherpastsimpleor
pastperfectfortheeventthathappenedfirstandthepastsimplefortheeventthathappened
second.
C
IfyouseetheactionCAMEhappenedsecond.
SS
26.Noimprovement.HABITUATEDandUSEDwhenareadjective,havethesamemeaningi.e.
ACCUSTOMED,andbotharefollowedbyeithernounsorgerunds(verb+ing).
27.MATHEMATICSTEACHERS(option'B').Thisisacompoundnoun,meansnoun+noun.
CompoundnounsservemanypurposesoneofthemistosayWHATSOMEBODYDOES.
MATHEMATICSTEACHERSmeansteachersteachingMathematics.Option'A'can'tbecorrect
asthenameofthesubjectisMATHEMATICS,notMATHEMATIC.Option'C'isincorrectin
twoways.Teachersaremorethanone,sothenounTEACHERmustbeinpluralsecondly
prepositionOFisneeded,notIN.
M
O
28.LOOSES(option'A').LOOSEandLOOSENaretwodifferentverbs.LOOSESisthesingular
formofLOOSE.
.C
LOOSE=toreleasesomethingorletithappenorbeexpressedinanuncontrolledway.
LOOSEN=tomakesomethinglesstightorfirmlyfixede.g.
M
Firstloosenthenuts,thentakeoffthewheel.
U
R
29.NOIMPROVEMENT.POSSIBLEandPROBABLEbotharepossible.POSSIBLE=thatmay
ormaynothappenormayhavehappenedfeasiblebutlessthanprobablee.g.Itispossible
FO
thatmanwillliveonMars.
PROBABLE=likelybutuncertain.
SowecansayPROBABLEisamorestrongerwordthanPOSSIBLE.Thegivensentenceis
AM
alreadycorrect,sonoimprovement.
EX
30.Noimprovement.NEVERENDINGmeanshavingorseemingtohavenoend.Seemingto
havenoendmeanscausingdispleasure.
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT -- PRACTICE SET 6 --
M
SOLVED
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS: 30 MAXIMUM TIME: 10
O
minutes
1. Aren't you tired of this never-ending rain?
.C
A) incessant B) intermittent C) continuous D) no improvement
M
2. The offerings were placed on the alter.
A) on the altar B) on the steps C) on the platform D) No
U
improvement
3. Really speaking, no man is perfect.
A) Strictly B) slightly C) vaguely

R D) No improvement
FO
4. A chance remark by her friend transported her life.
A) transgressed B) transposed C) transformed D) No

improvement
AM
5. Please switch of the fan.
A) switch off B) switch in C) switch out D) No improvement

EX
6. The employees are hell bent at getting what is due to them.
A) hell bent on getting B) hell bent for getting C) hell bent about getting
D) No improvement
C
7. The new book written by Vikram Seth has become very populous.
SS
A) populist B) popular C) populace D) No improvement
8. Where have you first met your husband?

A) had you first met B) did you first met C) did you first meet D) No
improvement
9. Any able-bodied man is eligible for the job.
M
A) Each able-bodied man is
B) Any able-bodied men have been
O
C) Any able-bodied men are
D) No improvement
.C
10. She found a wooden broken table in the room.
A) wooden and broken table
M
B) broken wooden table
C) broken and wooden table
D) No improvement
U
11. The truck rumbled to a halt and a man got out and ran.
A) shrieked at
B) screeched to
R
FO
C) screamed at
D) No improvement
12. The Professor asked the intruder who was he and why was he in
his lecture.
AM
A) who he was and why he was

B) who he was and why was he
C) who he had been and why he had been
D) No improvement
EX
13. My uncle goes to office on bicycle or by foot.
A) by bicycle or by foot
C
B) by bicycle or on foot
C) on bicycle or on foot
D) No improvement
SS
14. I did not give at the examination as my circumstances are bad.
A) write B) sit C) appear D) No improvement

15. No sooner did the teacher come into the class when we stood
up.
A) since B) then C) than D) No improvement
M
16. He was so much a coward to help his friend.
O
A) so much cowardly B) too much of a coward C) as coward D) No
improvement
.C
17. This book is adopted to the needs of beginners.
A) adapted to B) adapted for C) adopted for D) No improvement
M
18. There are a good many tigers in this forest.
U
A) some good many tigers
B) the good many tigers
C) an good many tigers
D) No improvement
R
FO
19. London is one of the oldest towns of England.
A) in B) at C) besides D) No improvement
20. You will be late if you do not leave now.

AM
A) will not leave now B) did not leave now C) left now D) No
improvement
21. People ask me why I decide to start a new magazine.

EX
A) will decide B) am deciding C) have decided D) No improvement
22. I and my parents live together.

C
A) Me and my parents B) My parents and I C) My parents and me D)

No improvement
SS
23. Will you tell me who did accompany you to the airport?
A) when did accompany you

B) who must be accompanied you
C) who accompanied you
D) No improvement
24. Navinder and his wife departed for London by Air India
M
yesterday.
A) to B) towards C) toward D) No improvement
O
25. The rain brought more respite from the heat.
.C
A) much respite B) most relief C) severe drought D) No
improvement
M
26. He speaks so fast to be understood.
A) very fast to be understood
U
B) too fast to be understood
C) too fast that he cannot be understood
D) No improvement R
27. The judge gave the verdict against the Government.
FO
A) pronounced B) declared C) sentenced D) No improvement
28. Government officials keep throwing the buck to others.

AM
A) giving B) passing C) donating D) No improvement
29. She angrily broke up the letter.
A) tore up B) break in C) teared up D) No improvement

EX
30. They told me that they had build a new house.
A) have built B) have build C) had built D) No improvement

C
SS
SOLUTION
1. No improvement. NEVER-ENDING means having or seeming to have no

end. Seeming to have no end means causing displeasure.
2. ON THE ALTAR (option 'A'). ALTAR = a type of table used in ceremonies in
a Christian church or in other religious buildings
ALTER is a verb which means TO CHANGE.
M
3. STRICTLY (option 'A'). STRICTLY SPEAKING = being completely accurate
O
4. TRANSFORMED (option 'A'). TRANSFORM = to change completely the
appearance or character of something or someone, especially so that that thing
or person is improved; e.g.
.C
The reorganization will transform the entertainment industry.
Whenever a camera was pointed at her, Ritu would instantly transform
M
herself into a radiant star.
5. SWITCH OFF (option 'A'). SWITCH OFF (something) = to turn itself off;
U
e.g.

R
At midnight, all the lights switched off automatically.
The television switched off after I went to sleep.
FO
6. HELL BENT ON GETTING (option 'A'). HELL BENT ON = to be
determined to do something, usually something that people think is wrong;
e.g.
Local fans seemed hell-bent on causing as much trouble as possible

AM
during the match.
7. POPULAR (option 'B'). POPULAR = famous; POPULOUS = having a large

population; densely populated; e.g.
EX
China is the world's most populous country.
8. DID YOU MEET (option 'C'). Past tense is needed.

C
9. NO IMPROVEMENT. Though option 'A' is also right, the given sentence is

also correct. Remember, in a question on sentence improvement, if the given
sentence is already correct we should not choose any answer option if it's
SS
correct also. Option 'C' is incorrect because ANY if used with a plural noun, it
must be either a negative sentence or interrogative, but the given sentence,
you see, is affirmative. ANY = practically every (no particular one); e.g.
Any book about riding will tell you how to saddle a horse.
Any dictionary will give you the meaning of these words.
10. Option 'B' (broken wooden table). Adjectives of physical description come
before adjectives of material. BROKEN is an adjective of physical description
M
and WOODEN an adjective of material.
11. Option 'B' (screeched to). RUMBLED = To move or proceed with a deep,
O
long, rolling sound. SCREECHED TO A HALT/STANDSTILL = to stop very
suddenly, making a loud high noise.
.C
12. Option 'A' (who he was and why he was). The sentence is in indirect
speech, and in the indirect speech we can't use a question form.
M
13. Option 'B' (by bicycle or on foot). When we talk about means of transport
we use BY+NOUN. For FOOT we say ON FOOT (not BY FOOT); e.g.
U
He went to Mumbai by train.
He goes to school by bicycle.
I go to my office on foot.
14. Option 'C' (appear)

R
FO
15. Option 'C' (than). The correct combination is NO SOONER -- THAN.
16. Option 'B' (too much of a coward). If you see the meaning of the sentence is
negative, for a negative sense we use 'TOO -- TO' construction, so the correct
AM
sentence is: He was too much of a coward to help his friend.
17. Option 'A' (adapted to). ADAPT TO = to change something to suit different
conditions or uses
EX
18. NO IMPROVEMENT. A GOOD MANY is used for plural nouns; e.g.
There were a good many people doing last minute shopping at the mall
on Christmas Eve.
C
There were a good many people at the concert.
19. Option 'A' (in). When we mean inside an area or surrounded by something
SS
we use IN, we use OF to show possession, belonging, or origin; e.g.
INCORRECT: Delhi is the capital in India.

CORRECT: Delhi is the capital of India.
INCORRECT: He is one of the top chefs of India.
CORRECT: He is one of the top chefs in India.
20. NO IMPROVEMENT. If it's a future tense in the main clause, we use
M
simple present in the IF-CLAUSE. This is TYPE-I conditional sentence.
21. Option 'C' (have decided). The verb DECIDE can't be used in the simple
O
present, future simple, and present continuous tenses, so the given sentence is
incorrect and options 'A' and option 'B' are also incorrect.
.C
22. Option 'B' (My parents and I). Correct order of nouns/pronouns is given
wrong in the given sentence, the correct order is: Second person, third person,
first person. Option 'C' is incorrect as we need a subjective form here, we do
M
not use ME in the subjective form.
23. Option 'C' (who accompanied you). The verb after WHO needs to be in the
U
assertive (not interrogative) here. The tense here is the simple past tense as
you see. And if a verb in the simple past tense is in the affirmative form, does
R
not take the helping verb. So replace DID ACCOMPANY by ACCOMPANIED.
24. NO IMPROVEMENT
FO
25. Option 'A' (much respite). Here it's not a comparison, so MORE and MOST
are not possible.
26. Option 'B' (too fast to be understood). It's a negative statement. Hindi
AM
translation: Wah itnaa teji se boltaa hai ki samajh nhin aataa. In negative in
this way we use 'TOO -- TO'.
27. Option 'A' (pronounced). PRONOUNCE = to say something officially or

certainly.
EX
28. Option 'B' (passing). PASS THE BUCK = to blame someone or make them
responsible for a problem that you should deal with
C
29. Option 'A' (tore up) TEAR UP = to pull apart or in pieces by force
30. Option 'C' (had built) Three form of the verb build: BUILD BUILT
SS
BUILT
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
M
SOLVED
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS: 30 MAXIMUM TIME:
O
10 minutes
1. One should exercise their right to vote.
.C
A) his B) our C) ones D) No improvement
M
2. She sank back with a mourn of pain.
A) morn B) mourne C) moan D) No improvement
U
3. This material is not much enough for me.
A) not more enough

improvement
R
B) not so much enough C) not enough D) No
FO
4. Maharana Pratap killed many enemy soldiers through his sword.
A) by his sword B) with his sword C) across his sword D) No

improvement
AM
5. Everyone hoped of good weather on the day of the wedding
A) for B) at C) about D) no improvement

EX
6. He asked the child to go and play with some others children.
A) some other's children B) some others C) some other D) No

improvement
C
7. The fire service personnel put off the fire with much difficulty.
SS
A) put on B) put out C) put away D) No improvement
8. Both of them have not apologized yet.

A) Neither of them has
B) Any of them have
C) None of the two
D) No improvement
M
9. The greater the demand, higher the price.
O
A) the high B) a higher C) the higher D) No improvement
10. His appointment as coach is yet another feather in his wing.
.C
A) feather in his hat
B) badge in his hat
M
C) feather in his cap
D) No improvement
U
11. The majority of the rain-fed Indian rivers, either dry up, or
become trickle after the monsoon.
A) the trickle B) a trickle

R
C) an trickle D) No improvement
FO
12. He has the irritating habit of playing his own trumpet all the
time.
A) blowing his own trumpet

B) pumping his own trumpet
AM
C) bringing up his own trumpet

D) No improvement
13. The rays of the sun that is setting glimmer like golden threads.
EX
A) the sunset glimmers

B) the set sun glimmering
C) the setting sun glimmer
D) No improvement
C
14. Will you lend me few rupees for the taxi fare?
SS
A) lend me any rupees

B) lend me a few rupees
C) borrow a few rupees
D) No improvement
15. The higher you climb a Himalayan peak, more cold you feel.
A) the colder B) the most cold C) colder D) No improvement
M
16. They were all astonished at the team's dramatic success in the
competition.
O
A) were astonished at all
B) had all astonished by
C) had been all astonished on
.C
D) No improvement
17. She is bent to taking revenge against her attacker.
M
A) bent upon B) bent in C) bent for D) No improvement
U
18. Salman and the other actors drove through the forest.
A) in B) over C) among D) No improvement

R
19. You will not succeed unless you don't work hard.
FO
A) will not work hard B) should work hard C) work hard D) No
improvement
20. My friend has a toothache and cannot eat something.

AM
A) anything B) things C) edibles D) No improvement
21. Africa is in the South of Europe.

EX
A) by the B) to the C) over the D) No improvement
22. Either Lata or Mala have done it.
A) Neither Lata or Mala has done it

C
B) Either Lata or Mala has done it

C) Neither Lata or Mala have done it
SS
D) No improvement
23. The priest told the devotees that the wages of sin are death.
A) was B) is C) were D) No improvement

24. Careful drivers never take eyes of the road.
A) by B) from C) off D) No improvement
M
25. The teacher asked him where did he live.
A) he has been living B) he lives C) he lived D) No improvement
O
26. The meeting was advanced until the following Monday.
.C
A) adjourned B) suspended C) forwarded D) No improvement
27. His illness means he must resign his chairmanship impromptu.
M
A) fast B) forthwith C) earliest D) No improvement
U
28. The tribe lived with different customs.
A) on B) by C) through D) No improvement
R
29. Dumbfounded by the accusation, he could offer
FO
no serious defence.
A) correct B) certain C) severe D) No improvement
30. Ramu never makes at least a century each time he plays cricket.
AM
A) seldom B) forever C) always D) No improvement

EX
SOLUTION
1. Option 'C' (one's). Possessive adjective of ONE is ONE'S, not THEIR'S.
2. Option 'C' (moan). MOAN = to make a long, low sound of pain, suffering, or
C
another strong emotion; e.g.

SS
He moaned with pain before losing consciousness.

"Let me die," he moaned.
3. Option 'C' (not enough). You can use adverbs such as NEARLY, ALMOST,
JUST, HARDLY, QUITE in front of enough, but do not use MUCH with it; e.g.
At present there is just enough to feed them.
There was hardly enough time to have lunch.
We are all nearly young enough to be mistaken for students.
She is just old enough to work.
M
4. Option 'B' (with his sword)
O
We use WITH to indicate 'using'; e.g.
a) I wrote a letter with the pen you gave me.
.C
b) This is the soup that I made with rice and barley.
c) He cut my hair with his gold scissors.
M
We use BY to indicate a means or method; e.g.
a) Please send this package to Russia by airmail.
U
b) I came here by subway.
R
5. Option 'A' (for). HOPE FOR = to be optimistic that one's wish for something
will come true; e.g.
FO
I still hope for her return.
We hope for good weather on Friday.
6. Option 'C' (some other). OTHER is an adjective here, OTHER as an

adjective does not have a plural form; e.g.
AM
INCORRECT: Seema and Charu stayed behind. The others girls went home.
CORRECT: Seema and Charu stayed behind. The other girls went home.
INCORRECT: These boxes are for books. The others boxes are for clothes.
EX
CORRECT: These boxes are for books. The other boxes are for clothes.
7. Option 'B' (PUT OUT). PUT OUT = to extinguish or douse (a fire, light, etc);
e.g.
C
He put out the fire.

SS
Hindi translation: Aag bujhaane waale employees ne aag ko bdi mushkil se

bujhaaya.
8. Option 'A' (Neither of them has). This is a negative statement, and we use
NEITHER or NEITHER OF to make a negative statement about two people or
things.
M
9. Option 'C' (the higher). The sentence is a case of parallel increase of a
quality. In parallel increase we use the article THE before both the
comparative degrees. So it will be THE HIGHER (not HIGHER).
O
10. Option 'C' (feather in his cap). Right idiom is FEATHER IN ONE'S CAP. It
means 'an achievement to be proud of'; e.g.
.C
It's a real feather in our cap to be playing in the state championship.
M
11. Option 'B' (a trickle). TRICKLE is a noun, it must be preceded by the article
'A' here. TRICKLE = a very small number of people or things arriving or
leaving somewhere; e.g.
U
We usually only get a trickle of customers in the mornings.
R
12. Option 'A' (BLOWING HIS OWN TRUMPET). BLOW ONE'S OWN
TRUMPET = talk boastfully about one's achievements. (Apni deenge
FO
haanknaa; apni khud ki bdaai karnaa.)
13. Option 'C' (the setting sun glimmer). You can't use THE SUNSET
GLIMMERS as SUNSET is the time in the evening when the sun disappears or
daylight fades; e.g.
AM
Sunset was still a couple of hours away.
But here we need a word describing (adjective) the sun, Therefore SETTING
SUN is correct. Also, you see the main word of the subject of the sentence is
EX
RAYS; so the verb must not be in the singular form. In the given answer
option 'A' the verb is GLIMMERS, means singular.
14. Option 'B' (lend me a few rupees). FEW is a negative word and it denotes
C
scarcity or lack and have the force of a negative. A FEW is a positive term and
it denotes a small NUMBER, or what the speaker considers a small number.
Therefore A FEW is correct here.
SS
15. Option 'A' (the colder). The comparative degree of COLD is COLDER, not
MORE COLD. Secondly the sentence is a case of parallel increase of a quality.
In parallel increase we use the article THE before the comparative degree. So
it will be THE COLDER (not COLDER).
16. No improvement
17. Option 'A' (bent upon). BENT ON/UPON SOMETHING = determined to

do something; e.g.
M
He was bent on quitting that job even though he was making a lot of money.
O
Hindi translation: Wah hamla karne waale se badla lene ke liye nishchayee
(determined) hai.
.C
18. No improvement
19. Option 'C' (WORK HARD). UNLESS is a negative word, it can't be followed
M
by another negative word/expression. It always takes a simple tense, therefore
SHOULD WORK HARD is not possible here.
U
20. Option 'A' (ANYTHING). The sentence is negative, in negative sentences
we use ANYTHING (not SOMETHING).
R
21. Option 'B' (TO THE). Africa and Europe are different continents, so you
can't use IN.
FO
22. Option 'B' (Either Lata or Mala has done it). We use a singular verb for
'EITHER -- OR'.
23. Option 'B' (IS). The given sentence is in indirect speech. WAGES OF SIN
AM
IS DEATH is a proverb. Tense of a proverb in the indirect speech does not

change. As WAGES is a singular noun, we'll use IS (not ARE). Hindi
translation: Pujaari ne bhakton se kahaa ki paap ki kmaai mrityu ke smaan
hoti hai.
EX
24. Option 'C' (OFF). OFF = away from the place in question; to or at a
distance. Hindi translation: Achchhe driver kabhi bhi apni nazren road se
nhin htaate.
C
25. Option 'C' (HE LIVED). The given sentence is the indirect speech. In the
indirect speech we do not use question form of a clause/sentence. DID HE
LIVE is in the question form as helping verb DID is appearing before the
SS
subject. So it will be HE LIVED.
26. Option 'A' (ADJOURNED). ADJOURN = to have a pause or rest during a

formal meeting or trial; e.g.
The meeting was adjourned until Tuesday.
Shall we adjourn for lunch?
ADVANCE = to go or move something forward, or to develop or improve
M
something
SUSPEND = to stop something from being active, either temporarily or
O
permanently
27. Option 'B' (FORTHWITH)
.C
FORTHWITH = (especially in official use) immediately; without delay.
IMPROMPTU = done or said without earlier planning or preparation
M
28. Option 'B' (BY). LIVE BY = to follow a particular belief or set of principles.
Hindi translation: Wah janjaati (us janjaati ke log) vibhinn riti-riwaajon ko
U
apnaate thi.
LIVE ON = to eat a particular type of food to live. Small birds live mainly on
insects. R
LIVE THROUGH = to experience a disaster or other unplesant situation and
survive it. He has lived through two world wars.
FO
29. No improvement. SERIOUS = needing or deserving your complete
attention; e.g.
I have serious doubts about the whole project.

AM
30. Option 'C' (ALWAYS)

EX
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
M
SOLVED
O
10 minutes
1. He is given to gambling and drinking.
.C
A) given away B) given in C) given up D) No improvement
M
2. I would soon walk than stand in the cold waiting for the bus.
A) hardly B) longer C) sooner D) No improvement
U
3. We need honest workers, not people of redoubtable integrity.
A) doubting B) doubtful R
C) doubtless D) No improvement
FO
4. I expect every player here to be conversant at the rules of game.
A) on B) about C) with D) No improvement
5. There is no alternate, so we must leave now.

AM
A) altering B) alternative C) alternation D) No improvement
6. If I were you, I would do it at once.

EX
A) was B) am C) would be D) No improvement
7. They set a strong guard, lest any one could escape.
A) would B) might C) should D) No improvement

C
8. The matter called up an explanation of his conduct.

SS
A) out B) in C) for D) No improvement
9. The accused refused having murdered anybody.

A) disagreed B) denied C) declaimed D) No improvement
10. We cannot trust a man who plays false and loose with others.
M
A) false or loose B) fast or loose C) fast and loose D) No improvement
11. He is still in vigorous health although he is on the right side of
O
sixty.
A) wrong B) left C) negative D) No improvement
.C
12. Any English are known for their practical instincts.
M
A) Some B) Many C) The D) No improvement
13. Fifty miles are a long distance to walk.
U
A) is B) become C) be D) No improvement
R
14. Economics today were not what it was a century ago.
FO
A) are B) was C) is D) No improvement
15. Hearing the news of the accident, he broke.
A) broke down B) broke up C) broke out D) No improvement

AM
16. The speaker asked the audience to bear upon him for a few
minutes more.
A) on B) with C) for D) No improvement

EX
17. Those men as are false to their friends should be avoided.
A) The men B) Men C) Such men D) No improvement

C
18. Many people find it difficult to make both hands meet.

SS
A) both accounts B) both hands to mouth C) both ends meet D) No

improvement
19. Young children are not physically capable to carry these loads.
A) have to carry these loads B) of carrying these loads C) carry these
loads D) No improvement
20. 1 enjoyed the ballet by a troupe of Russian dancers.
M
A) troop B) trouper C) trooper D) No improvement
O
21. The secretary threatened to resign his post.
A) from his post B) to his post C) for his post D) No improvement
.C
22. By the time he arrived, everybody had gone home.
M
A) when he arrived B) at which he arrived C) by which he arrive D) No
improvement
U
23. There is no rain in our village for the last six months.
A) has been
B) was
C) had been
R
FO
D) No improvement
24. The police investigated into the matter.
A) with the matter

AM
B) at the matter
C) the matter
D) No improvement
25. Ramachandra Murthy and his family have been in

EX
Guyana from 1985.
A) since
B) about
C
C) on
D) No improvement
SS
26. 1 am living in this town since 1980.
A) was living
B) shall live
C) have been living
D) No improvement
27. If I was you I should tell him the truth.
M
A) am you
B) were you
O
C) had been you
D) No improvement
.C
28. He is better than any boy in the class.
A) any boys
M
B) all the boys
C) any other boy
D) No improvement
U
29. Anil ought not to tell me your secret, but he did.
A) to be telling
B) tell
R
FO
C) to have told
D) No improvement
30. If I were him I would have not accepted the offer.

AM
A) If I was him
B) If I were he
C) If I had he
D) No improvement
EX
SOLUTION
C
1. No improvement. GIVEN TO = to be likely to do something. Members of the

academic community are given to attending meetings and conferences. If the
subject is followed by BE (here IS) we use GIVEN TO. GIVEN UP is wrong
SS
here, as the subject, then, must follow HAS/HAVE. Hindi translation: Uske
joowaa aur sharaab peene ki habit ki sambhawanaa hai.
2. Option 'C' (SOONER). WOULD SOONER (or WOULD RATHER) is the

correct grammar item here. We use WOULD SOONER or WOULD
RATHER to talk about preferring one thing to another. Hindi translation:
Mujhe thand mein bus ki intejaar karne ki bjaaye chalnaa jyaadaa achchha
lagtaa hai.
M
3. DOUBTFUL (Option B). REDOUBTABLE = very strong, especially in
character; producing respect and a little fear in others; e.g.
O
Tonight he faces the most redoubtable opponent of his boxing career.
4. WITH (option C). BE CONVERSANT WITH = to be familiar with, and
.C
have knowledge or experience of the facts or rules of something' e.g.
I'm not conversant with the rules of chess.
M
5. ALTERNATIVE (option B)
U
ALTERNATIVE = One of a number of possible choices or courses of action;
e.g.
R
There are plenty of alternatives to conventional advertising.
FO
ALTERNATE = to happen or exist one after the other repeatedly; e.g.
a) We saw each other on alternate Sunday nights.
b) The two courses are available in alternate years.

AM
6. NO IMPROVEMENT
7. SHOULD (option C). With LEST we use SHOULD.

EX
8. FOR (option C)
CALL FOR = publicly ask for or demand.
CALL UP = to call someone, a group, or a company on the telephone; e.g.

C
a) I will call them up and see whatthey have to say.

SS
b) Please call up the supplier.
9. DENIED (option B)
DENY = to say that something is not true. If you deny an accusation or a
statement, you say that it is not true; e.g.
The accused women denied all the charges brought against them.
M
He denied that he was involved.
REFUSE = to say that you will not do or accept something. If you refuse to do
O
something, you deliberately do not do it, or you say firmly that you will not do
it, e.g.
.C
He refused to accept their advice.
Three employees were dismissed for refusing to join a union.
M
10. FAST AND LOOSE (Option C). PLAY FAST AND LOOSE = to treat
something or someone without enough care; e.g.
U
Like many film-makers, he plays fast and loose with the facts to tell his own
version of the story.
11. WRONG (option A)

R
FO
ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF = looking younger than a particular age
ON THE WRONG SIDE OF = looking older than a particular age
12. THE (option C). 'THE+ADJECTIVE (denoting a human quality)' becomes

AM
a plural noun and takes a plural verb. THE can be used in the same way with
national adjectives ending in CH, SH, SE or SS. ENGLISH is such an adjective
here.
13. IS (option A). A plural noun in the form of some specific quantity or
EX
amount considered as a whole takes singular verb; e.g.
a) Three parts of the cake is left for us.

C
b) Fifty rupees is too much for this work.
14. IS (option C). A number of words ending in 'ics' which are plural in form,
SS
normally take a singular verb; e.g.
Mathematics, Economics, Physics, etc
EXAMPLES
Mathematics is not an easy subject.
Mathematics is his favourite study.
Economics is one of the oldest of the social sciences.
Politics plays a big role in village life.
M
NOTE: But when these nouns are preceded by THE or any POSSESSIVE
ADJECTIVE (my, our, your, his, her, etc) they take plural verbs; e.g.
O
Her mathematics are weak.
Your mathematics are not very good.
.C
The economics of the situation have yet to be explored. (means the
economic facts)
What are his politics? (means his political views)
M
15. BROKE DOWN (option A).
U
BREAK DOWN = i) If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working; e.g.
R
Our car broke down and we had to push it off the road.
ii) to be unable to control your feelings and to start to cry; e.g.

FO
When we gave her the bad news, she broke down and cried.
16.WITH (option B). BEAR WITH = to be patient and wait while someone
does something; e.g.
AM
If you'll just bear with me for a moment, I'll find you a copy of the drawings.
17. SUCH MEN (option C). We use AS after SUCH + NOUN; not WHO,
WHOM, WHICH or THAT/THOSE/THESE, etc; e.g.
EX
a) He is not such a good man as I expected. (not WHOM)
b) Yours is not such a serious problem as mine. (not WHICH)

C
18. Option 'C' (both ends meet). BOTH ENDS MEETS = to have enough
money to buy what you need to live
SS
19. Option B (OF CARRYING THESE LOADS). CAPABLE OF STH/DOING

STH = having the ability, power, or qualities to be able to do something:
20. NO IMPROVEMENT. TROUPE = a group of dancers, actors, or other
entertainers who tour to different venues. TROOP is used for soldiers, scouts,
etc.
M
21. NO IMPROVEMENT. If we leave an organization we say RESIGN FROM;
if we leave a designation we say RESIGN AS; if we leave a post we do not use
any preposition with RESIGN; e.g.
O
a) He resigned from the company in order to take a more challenging job.
.C
b) She resigned as director.
c) She resigned the directorship.
M
22. NO IMPROVEMENT
U
23. Option A (Has been). We need to use the present perfect tense here
because of the phrase FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS. Though in sentences
R
with phrases like this we can use the past perfect tense also, we do like that
only when if a past point of time is given as reference. But here nothing is like
that, so you cant use the option C (had been).
FO
24. Option C (the matter). We do not use a preposition after the verb
INVESTIGATE; e.g.
a) Police are investigating allegations of corruption involving senior

AM
executives.
b) We are of course investigating how an error like this could have occurred.
25. Option A (since). The tense is perfect, so we need since/for before a time
EX
expression.
26. Option C (have been living)

C
27. Option B (were you.) This is a conditional sentence type-II. In a

conditional sentence for advice form we use IF I WERE (not IF I WAS), and in
the other clause both WOULD and SHOULD are equally good with the first
SS
person, though with second person or third person we can use only WOULD
(not SHOULD).
Hindi translation: Agar main tumhaari jghaa hotaa to usko sach sach btaa
detaa (means USKO SACH BTAANE MEIN KOI HARZ NHIN HAI.)
28. Option C (any other boy). Here its a comparison of one thing with
another of the same kind, and when one thing is compared with another of the
same kind, use of OTHER is essential in the positive or the comparative
degree. But OTHER is not used when the comparison is made using the
M
superlative degree.
29. Option 'C' (to have told). The second clause (BUT HE DID) is in the past,
O
so we need to say it in the past or perfect. OUGHT TO have no past form, so
the tense after it must be in the perfect tense. Therefore it will be TO HAVE
TOLD here.
.C
30. Option B (If I were he). The verb BE (is/am/are/was/were) cannot take
an object, so use of an objective form is absolutely wrong with BE. So it will be
M
IF I WERE HE.
U
R
FO
AM
EX
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
M
SOLVED
O
10 minutes
1. What the nation needs is people of character.
.C
A) are the people of character
B) are people of character
M
C) is a people of character
D) No improvement
U
2. We now come to the important question of where this great
swarm of galaxies have come from.
A) have come
B) has come from
R
FO
C) are coming from
D) No improvement
3. Fewer rainfall means less traffic accidents, according to the

experts' report on highway safety.
AM
A) Less rainfall means fewer traffic accidents

B) Less rainfall means less traffic accidents
C) Fewer rainfall means fewer traffic accidents
D) No improvement
EX
4. I never saw you at the party yesterday.
A) have not seen

C
B) did not see

C) had never seen
D) No improvement
SS
5. Ajeet is a bigger scholar than his brother.
A) better
B) smaller
C) superior
D) No improvement
6. I did not wait for him because he went out before I arrived.
M
A) has gone out
B) had gone out
O
C) had been out
D) No improvement
.C
7. Whenever I saw him, he has been reading the same novel.
A) had been reading
M
B) read
C) was reading
D) No improvement
U
8. Since the beginning of the term, we are spending a lot of time on
poetry.
A) spent
R
FO
B) will spend
C) have spent
D) No improvement
9. Your sister cooks well, isn't she?

AM
A) isn't it ?
B) doesn't she ?
C) doesn't it ?
D) No improvement
EX
10. Dickens' novels, like many writers, are largely

autobiographical.
C
A) like those of many other writers

B) like so many others
C) like many other novelists
SS
D) No improvement
11. She was as pretty as, if not prettier than any other girl at the
party.
A) She was very pretty
B) She was pretty
C) She was the prettiest
D) No improvement
M
12. Never I have seen such breathtaking scenery!
O
A) Never have I
B) Ever I have
C) I cannot ever
.C
D) No improvement
13. The police accused him for theft.
M
A) with
B) in
U
C) of
D) No improvement
R
14. He wanted that I left immediately.
FO
A) I may leave
B) me to leave
C) I leave
D) No improvement
AM
15. This is to certify that I know Mr J. Mathews since 1970.
A) am knowing
B) had known
C) have known
EX
D) No improvement
16. They took away everything that belonged to him.

C
A) that had been belonging

B) that belong
C) that has been belonging
SS
D) No improvement
17. It was the mother of the girl of whose voice I had recognised.
A) whose voice
B) the voice of who
C) voice whose
D) No improvement
M
18. The Executive Council is consisted of ten members.
O
A) consists of
B) comprises of
C) constituted of
.C
D) No improvement
19. The maid was laying the table for dinner.
M
A) setting up
B) lying
U
C) sorting out
D) No improvement
R
20. We have so arranged the matters and one of us is always on
duty.
FO
A) that one of us
B) so that one of us
C) such that one of us
AM
D) No improvement
21. Hardly have we got into the forest when it began to rain.
A) Hardly we got
B) We had hardly got
EX
C) We had got hard

D) No improvement
22. Each time he felt tired he lied down.

C
A) lies
B) lays
SS
C) lay
D) No improvement
23. Though it was raining, but I went out.

A) but yet I
B) I
C) however I
D) No improvement
M
24. There is no chance of success unless you do not work hard.
O
A) unless you work
B) until your working
C) until you do not work
.C
D) No improvement
25. She has grown too old to do little work.
M
A) some
B) any
U
C) a little
D) No improvement
R
26. No one enjoys to deceive his family.
FO
A) deceiving
B) for deceiving
C) deceive
D) No improvement
AM
27. Have you ever saw the flower of a pumpkin plant?
A) see
B) seeing
C) seen
EX
D) No improvement
28. It is an ancient, historical place and it once belongs to the

Pandavas.
C
A) belonged
B) belonging
SS
C) belong
D) No improvement
29. Since we were knowing the correct route, we did not worry at
all.
A) knew
B) have known
C) know
D) No improvement
M
30. Our country can progress when only people work hard.
O
A) when people only work hard
B) when people work hard only
C) only when people work hard
.C
D) No improvement
M
SOLUTION
U
1. NO IMPROVEMENT. WHAT THE NATION NEEDS is a clause. A clause is
always considered singular in form, and hence it takes a singular verb. So
R
option A and option 'B' are rejected. PEOPLE is a plural noun, so it cant be
followed by the article A; hence option C too is rejected.
FO
2. Option B (has come from). The subject of the relevant clause is THIS
GREAT SWARM OF GALAXIES the main word of which is SWARM (not
GALAXIES). SWARM is in singular noun form we see, so the verb too will be
in singular form.
AM
3. Option A (Less rainfall means fewer traffic accidents). We use LESS with
UNCOUNTABLE NOUNS and FEWER with PLURAL COUNTABLE NOUNS.
RAINFALL is an uncountable noun.
4. Option B (did not see). The sentence needs to be in the past simple because
EX
of the time expression YESTERDAY. YESTERDAY is used only in the simple

tense. But NEVER is not used in the simple past tense, so DID NOT SEE only
is correct here.
C
5. Option 'A' (better)
6. Option B (had gone out). In this sentence we have three clauses. When two
SS
clauses are such in which there are two different actions, we use the past
perfect for the action that took place first and the past simple for the action
that took place after.
7. Option C (was reading)

8. Option C (have spent). Because of the time expression SINCE both options
A and B are incorrect. The given sentence too is wrong because of
inappropriate use of tense. When SINCE is used to indicate time we use
perfect tense.
M
9. Option B (doesnt she). The tense of the verb (here COOKS) is the present
simple, and helping verb of the present simple tense is DO. As the subject here
O
is third person singular, the helping verb will be DOES, so DOESNT SHE is
the correct question tag here.
.C
10. Option A (like those of many other writers). Comparison is always done in
two or more similar type of things, therefore we should use a correct
noun/pronoun after the word with which we are comparing things (here
M
LIKE). Comparison here is between novels of Dickens and novels of other
writers (not between DICKENS and OTHER WRITERS). Pronoun for novels is
THOSE here. So option A only is correct.
U
11. NO IMPROVEMENT. Here its a comparison between She and any other
R
girl at the party with a positive degree (here PRETTY). When we do
comparison between two things with a positive degree, in the affirmative
sentences, we do it by AS -- AS. So the given sentence is quite correct.
FO
12. Option A (Never have I). When a negative word/expression begins a
sentence, the verb is inverted, means its used as we do in interrogative
sentences, means the helping verb comes before the subject. NEVER is a
AM
negative word.
13. Option C (of). When the verb ACCUSE is following a noun, pronoun or
gerund we use the preposition OF with it. ACCUSE = to say that someone has
done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind; e.g.
EX
a) It wasn't my fault." "Don't worry, I'm not accusing you."
b) He's been accused of robbery/murder.

C
c) Are you accusing me of lying?
d) The surgeon was accused of negligence.

SS
14. Option B (me to leave). The verb WANT is used with TO-INFINITIVE, we
dont use THAT-CLAUSE after it. If an object is there we use it just after
WANT, e.g.
a) They wanted to go shopping.
b) I want to ask you a favour, Seema.
M
c) I want him to learn to read.
d) The little girl wanted me to come and play with her.
O
INCORRECT: I want that he should learn to read.
CORRECT: I want him to learn to read.
.C
15. Option (have known). With SINCE as a time expression we use a perfect
tense. We cant use the past perfect here as there is no past point of time is
M
mentioned there.
16. NO IMPROVEMENT
U
17. Option (whose voice). A possessive relative pronoun is needed here for
GIRL. The possessive pronoun for a person is WHOSE. WHOSE is not
preceded by OF.
R
FO
18. Option A (consists of). The verb CONSIST is not used in the passive, so
given sentence is incorrect. COMPRISE does not take OF, so Option B too is
incorrect. CONSTITUTE means to form or make something; e.g. Women
constitute about ten percent of Parliament, so its use too is incorrect here.
CONSIST is always followed by the preposition OF, so this only is fine in the
AM
given sentence.
19. Option A (setting up). SET UP = To arrange for the consumption of a

meal; e.g. set the table; set a place at table. The word LAY is not suitable here
as LAY means to put something in especially a flat or horizontal position,
EX
usually carefully or for a particular purpose; e.g.
She laid the baby on the bed.

He laid the tray down on the table.
C
She laid aside her book and went to answer the phone.
We're having a new carpet laid in the hall next week.
SS
20. Option A (that one of us). We use SO THAT to talk about purpose; e.g.
a) Ill go by car so that I can take more luggage.
b) We left a message with his neighbor so that he would know wed called.
Use of SO is already in the first clause (We have so arranged the matter),
therefore it wont be repeated now. Hence THAT ONE OF US is only correct
here.
M
21. Option B (we had hardly got). Negative words/expressions like HARDLY,
NEVER, 'NO -- SOONER' if start a sentence, the verb is inverted, means its
used as we do in interrogative sentences, means the helping verb comes before
O
the subject, or that negative word/expression does not start the sentence,
rather we use the subject in the beginning of it. In such a case the helping verb
comes after the subject itself.
.C
So two constructions are possible here: (i) HARDLY HAD WE GOT and (ii)
WE HAD HARDLY GOT. We see HARDLY HAD WE GOT isnt there in any
M
given answer options, so WE HAD HARDLY is correct here. We cannot use
the present perfect tense here as a past tense is needed.
U
22. Option C (lay). Carefully distinguish between the verbs LAY and LIE. The
verb LAY is transitive and is always followed by an object; the verb LIE is
intransitive and cannot have an object.
Three forms of these verbs:
R
FO
I II III
Lie Lay Lain
Lay Laid Laid
AM
Here in the sentence we need the verb in the simple past tense, and that verb
must be intransitive as there is no object given in the sentence, means we need
2nd form of LIE. So LAY is correct.
EX
23. Option B (I). No conjunction is used with use of THOUGH.
24. Option A (unless you work). We do not use negative words with UNLESS.
25. Option B (any). Use of 'TOO -- TO' makes the sentence negative, and in
C
negative sentences we use ANY.

SS
26. Option A (deceiving). The verb ENJOY takes the gerund (-ing form), not
the infinitive.
27. Option C (seen). With helping verb HAVE we use third form of the verb.
28. Option A (belonged). ONCE has the following two meanings:

i) one single time; e.g.
I went sailing once, but I didn't like it.

We have lunch together once a month.
M
ii) in the past, but not now; e.g.
O
This house once belonged to my grandfather.
Computers are much cheaper nowadays than they once were.
.C
Obviously we need it in past use here.
29. Option A (knew). The verb KNOW cant be used in the continuous form,
M
and also simple past is needed; KNEW only is correct here.
30. Option C (only when people work hard). ONLY WHEN = on the condition
U
that. ONLY WHEN is used when you want to say how doing something would
make it possible to avoid something unpleasant.
R
FO
AM
EX
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT -- PRACTICE SET 10 -
M
- SOLVED
O
10 minutes
1. Wake me up when father will come.
.C
A) comes
B) will have come
M
C) came
D) No improvement
U
2. Do take an umbrella with you lest you do not get wet.
A) lest you should get wet

B) lest you should not get wet
C) lest you might not get wet
R
FO
D) No improvement
3. As the parties failed to reach any agreement, the meeting broke

through.
AM
A) broke out
B) broke away
C) broke up
D) No improvement
EX
4. If I have reached there by this time tomorrow, I will write to you

immediately.
A) reached
C
B) reach
C) am reaching
D) No improvement
SS
5. My friend met me, unexpectedly, when I looked for a taxi,

desperately.
A) had looked
B) was looking
C) had been looking
D) No improvement
M
6. Her learning makes up towards her want of beauty.
O
A) for
B) to
C) against
.C
D) No improvement
7. If he got his enemy in his hand, he would have crushed him to
M
death.
A) has got
U
B) was getting
C) had got
D) No improvement R
8. Please ask your son to turn off the radio so that it is not quite so
FO
loud.
A) in
B) back
AM
C) down
D) No improvement
9. He said that when I have worked for him for six months I would
get a pay rise.
EX
A) had worked
B) have had worked
C) did work
D) No improvement
C
10. I am looking forward to joining your organization.

SS
A) join
B) join in
C) having joined
D) No improvement
11. I am not sure why she is wanting to see him.
A) she wants
B) is she wanting
M
C) she want
D) No improvement
O
12. Everybody who finished writing can go home.
A) had finished
.C
B) have finished
C) has finished
D) No improvement
M
13. It's ten o'clock already. It's high time you went home.
U
A) you had gone
B) you were going
C) you had been
D) No Improvement
R
FO
14. The students are playing volley-ball since 8 A.M.
A) were playing
B) have playing
C) have been playing
AM
D) No Improvement
15. Our plans for the trip fell down because we had no money.
A) off
EX
B) out
C) through
D) No Improvement
C
16. None of these groups has reported accurately on the prevailing

situation.
SS
A) have reported
B) was reported
C) has reporting
D) No Improvement
17. Among the athletes undergoing training Ramesh was easily the
better.
A) best
M
B) better
C) the best
D) No improvement
O
18. The earth moves round the sun, isn't it?
.C
A) wasn't it?
B) hasn't it?
C) doesn't it?
M
D) No improvement
19. Supposing if he is arrested what will he do ?
U
A) if he will be arrested
B) he is arrested
C) if he was arrested
D) No Improvement
R
FO
20. My students have been interesting in learning French.
A) have been interested

B) are being interesting
AM
C) have also interesting

D) No Improvement
21. Hardly I had fallen asleep, when the bell rang.

EX
A) I was fallen
B) had I fallen
C) I fell asleep
D) No improvement
C
22. These days, Radha finds it difficult to make both her ends meet.
SS
A) both ends meet

B) both the ends meet
C) ends meet
D) No Improvement
23. My mother always asks us to close the fan when we leave the
room.
A) on the fan
M
B) off the fans
C) turn off the fan
D) No Improvement
O
24. If she does not get more high salary, she will resign.
.C
A) more higher salary
B) high salaries
C) a higher salary
M
D) No Improvement
25. The parents should not discriminate from the girl child.
U
A) discriminate between
B) discriminate against
C) discriminate at
D) No Improvement
R
FO
26. Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth' is another of his greatest works.
A) one of his greatest

B) best of his greatest
AM
C) greatest of his
D) No Improvement
27. Some schools require children to wear black leather expensive

shoes.
EX
A) black expensive leather shoes

B) expensive leather black shoes
C) expensive black leather shoes
C
D) No Improvement
28. It is a good thing for him should recognize his faults.

SS
A) that he to recognise his faults

B) him recognizing his faults
C) for him to recognize his faults
D) No Improvement
29. Some boys speak their mother-tongue among one another.
A) between them
B) among themselves
M
C) with them
D) No Improvement
O
30. Prior than taking any decisions he always consults his lawyer.
A) Prior to
.C
B) Previous to
C) Prior as
D) No Improvement
M
U
SOLUTION
R
1. Option A (comes). We do not use a future tense in time clause, WHEN
FATHER COMES is a time clause. As the first clause of the sentence (WAKE
ME UP) is an imperative clause, only present simple is possible; so COMES
FO
only is correct.
2. Option A (lest you should get wet). LEST is normally use with SHOULD.
As LEST is a negative word it is not followed by another negatives, so option
B is incorrect here.
AM
Hindi translation: Apne saath ek chhatri le lo taaki bheeg naa jaao.
3. Option C (broke up). BREAK UP = come to an end; disperse; e.g.

EX
a) The conference broke up at 10 pm. (= The conference came to an end at 10

pm.)
b) The police broke up the crowd. (=The police dispersed the crowd.)
C
4. Option B (reach). If the main clause is in the future, we use the present
simple after IF and WHEN.
SS
5. Option B (was looking). When a longer action/event was going on, and
something else happened, we use the present or past continuous tense for the
longer action; e.g.
a) The light went out WHEN/WHILE he was doing his homework.
b) WHEN/WHILE I was going to my office I met Mohan.
M
c) She just arrived WHEN/WHILE I was taking my meal.
d) The telephone rang WHEN/WHILE she was taking her bath.
O
e) Please keep your mouth shut WHEN/WHILE I'm speaking.
.C
6. Option A (for). MAKE UP FOR = to use as a replacement for something
missing, lost, or lacking; e.g.
M
Some of these horses have cost me a lot of money, but other ones have made
up for it.
U
7. Option C (had got). This is a type-III conditional sentence in which if the
verb in the main clause is the perfect conditional (here WOULD HAVE
CRUSHED), The verb in the IF-CLAUSE is in the past perfect tense; e.g.
R
a) If I HAD KNOWN that you were coming I WOULD HAVE MET you at the
FO
station.
b) If he HAD TRIED to leave the country he WOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED

at the border.
AM
8. Option C (down). TURN DOWN = decrease volume; e.g.
Could you turn the music down, please? Its too loud.
TURN OFF (something) means to switch something off so that it stops

EX
running or operating. Part of the sentence 'so that it is not quite so loud'
suggests that one only wants to get the volume decreased. So TURN DOWN
only is correct here.
C
9. Option A (had worked)
10. NO IMPROVEMENT. The verb LOOKING FORWARD takes

SS
TO+GERUND (-ing form).
11. Option A (she wants). The verb WANT cannot be used in the continuous.
Option C is rejected because the subject SHE is third person singular subject,
so it must be WANTS, not WANT.
12. Option C (has finished). EVERYBODY takes a singular verb. Past perfect
is not possible here as the sentence is in the present because of CAN.
13. NO IMPROVEMENT. When ITS TIME or ITS HIGH TIME follows a
M
clause, we use the simple past tense form (2nd form) of the verb.
14. Option C (have been playing). When SINCE or FOR refers to time we use
O
perfect tenses.
15. Option C (through). FALL THROUGH = be unsuccessful (usually used
.C
with plans); e.g.
We were going to travel to America because our plans fell through because we
M
couldnt get a visa.
16. NO IMPROVEMENT. Though option 'A' (have reported) is also correct, if a
U
question on sentence improvement is correct already we do not consider
answer options. Rule on use of NONE OF:
R
Verb after NONE OF is optional, means it's our wish if we use singular or
plural; e.g.
FO
None of those boys is trustworthy.
= None of those boys are trustworthy.
17. Option C (the best). Among is used for more than two, therefore we need
AM
the superlative degree here.
18. Option C (doesnt it?). In a question tag, we use helping verb of the tense
that has been used in the statement. Verb of the statement here is MOVES,
means the present simple tense. Helping verb of the simple present tense is
EX
DO/DOES.
19. Option B (he is arrested). When SUPPOSE or SUPPOSING is used as a

conjunction, its used at the beginning of a sentence or clause to mean 'what
C
would happen if'. It does not take IF after it; e.g.
a) Suppose we miss the train what will we do then?

SS
b) We'd love to come and see you on Saturday, supposing I don't have to work
that day.
NOTE: In this use both SUPPOSE and SUPPOSING are equally correct.
20. Option A (have been interested). The verb INTEREST cannot be used in
the continuous form, so both the options B and C are incorrect.
21. Option B (had I fallen). When a negative word/expression begins a
M
sentence we use inverted form of the verb, means the verb is used as we do in
interrogative sentences, means we use helping verb before the subject.
O
22. Option A (both ends meet). Correct idiom is MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET
or MAKE ENDS MEET. This means to have just enough money to pay for the
things that you need; e.g.
.C
My wages were so low that I had to take a second job just to make both ends
meet.
M
= My wages were so low that I had to take a second job just to make ends
meet.
U
23. Option C (turn off the fan). TURN OFF SOMETHING = to stop the
operation, activity, or flow of something; e.g.
a) She turned off the television.

R
FO
b) He turned the radio off.
c) All the lights turn off automatically.
Use of CLOSE is incorrect in this sense.

AM
24. Option C (a higher salary). The given sentence is incorrect as the

comparative degree of HIGH is HIGHER, not MORE HIGH. Option A is also
incorrect as you cannot use two comparatives together. Option B is also
incorrect as SALARIES is in plural in it.
EX
25. Option B (discriminate against)
26. Option A (one of his greatest). Option B is incorrect for more than one
C
reasons. Option C is incorrect because the superlative degree is without THE

or a possessive adjective.
SS
27. Option C (expensive black leather shoes). Though its a long list of order
in which adjectives are used. We use the given adjectives in the following
order: GENERAL DESCRIPTION, COLOUR, MATERIAL.
28. Option C (for him to recognize his faults)

29. Option B (among themselves). TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING DONE
TO/BY A GROUP OR GROUPS OF PEOPLE OR THINGS, we can use either
BETWEEN OR AMONG. So here both are possible.
M
But use of BETWEEN is incorrect here as BETWEEN is following an objective
pronoun here wheareas we need it to be a reflexive pronoun because when the
action done by the subject turns back (reflects) upon the subject we use a
O
reflexive pronoun as the object of the verb or after BETWEEN or AMONG.
Therefore THEM here is wrong, it must be THEMSELVES rather.
.C
30. Option A (prior to). PRIOR if followed by an action takes TO+GERUND,
so PRIOR TO TAKING is correct here.
M
U
R
FO
AM
EX
C
SS
SSCEXAMFORUM.COM
SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT -- PRACTICE SET 11 -
M
- SOLVED
O
10 minutes
1. He does not know what the university is.
.C
A) an
B) a
M
C) one
D) No Improvement
U
2. The Prime Minister called on the President.
A) by
B) in
C) to
R
FO
D) No Improvement
3. No sooner did we reach the railway station when it began to rain.
A) than
AM
B) and
C) while
D) No Improvement
4. Well-bred children always listen to their parents' advice.

EX
A) hear to
B) agree
C) obey
C
D) No Improvement
5. We had not met since then, neither did I wish to meet him now.
SS
A) never did I wish

B) nor did I wish
C) did not I wish
D) No Improvement
6. Even she had taken a taxi, she would have been late.
A) Even if she had

B) Although she had
M
C) As if she had
D) No Improvement
O
7. He felt sure of his success, though he was beginning to get
worried.
.C
A) his succeed
B) his successes
C) being succeeded
M
D) No Improvement
8. When he heard the rhetorical speech of the leader, he
U
was carried along by his enthusiasm.
A) carried aloft
B) carried down
C) carried away
R
FO
D) No improvement
9. After the heavy rains last week, the water in the lake raised
another two feet.
AM
A) rose another two feet

B) arisen another two feet
C) would raise another two feet
D) No improvement
EX
10. One can live and work in a town without being aware of the
daily march of the sun across the sky without never seeing the
moon and stars.
C
A) seldom
B) hardly
C) ever
SS
D) No improvement
11. Applications of those who are graduates will be considered.

A) whom are graduates
B) whose are graduates
C) whom are only graduates
D) No improvement
M
12. It is raining heavily all through this week.
O
A) has rained
B) rains
C) rained
.C
D) No improvement
13. The sparrow took no notice about the bread.
M
A) notice of
B) notice from
U
C) notice to
D) No improvement
R
14. As he spoke about his achievements, his high claims amused us.
FO
A) big
B) tall
C) long
D) No improvement
AM
15. We ought to stand for what is right.
A) stand at
B) stand on
C) stand up
EX
D) No improvement
16. He enjoys to tell stories to children.

C
A) how to tell stories

B) telling stories
C) to narrate stories
SS
D) No improvement
17. In a few minutes' time, when the clock strikes six, I would be
waiting here for an hour.
A) shall be waiting on
B) shall have been waiting
C) shall wait
D) No improvement
M
18. Had she been hungry, she would have devoured the whole lot of
it.
O
A) Unless she had been hungry
B) However she had been hungry
.C
C) As if she had been hungry
D) No improvement
M
19. Until you don't finish the work, you won't be given leave.
A) Until you must finish
U
B) Until finishing
C) Until you finish
D) No improvement R
20. The names of the defaulters have been cut off the register.
FO
A) cut out
B) struck out
C) struck off
AM
D) No improvement
21. This is a matter I'd rather not talk about.
A) of which I'd rather not talk about

B) I rather not talk about
EX
C) than I'd rather not talk about

D) No improvement
22. Only when you left I did sleep.

C
A) I slept
B) did I sleep
SS
C) had I slept
D) No improvement
23. I will be happy if you will buy me apples.

A) buy
B) bought
C) will be buying
D) No Improvement
M
24. After I saved my money, I shall go abroad.
O
A) shall save
B) should have saved
C) have saved
.C
D) No improvement
25. Can you arrange the car to be ready this evening?
M
A) arrange with the car
B) arrange for the car
U
C) arrange that the car
D) No improvement
R
26. Hardly had he reached home when the telephone rang.
FO
A) he had reached
B) did he reach
C) he reached
D) No improvement
AM
27. He is likely to win the elections by the sweeping majority.
A) with the sweeping majority

B) in sweeping majority
C) by a sweeping majority
EX
D) No Improvement
28. I don't remember exactly when did I go to Shimla last year.

C
A) when I did go
B) when I was going
C) when I went
SS
D) No improvement
29. Even he worked hard, he failed in the examination.

A) Since
B) Although
C) For
D) No improvement
M
30. He was asked to arbitrate with two merchants in a dispute.
O
A) to arbitrate between
B) to arbitrate at
C) to arbitrate
.C
D) No improvement
M
SOLUTION
U
1. Option B (a)
R
2. NO IMPROVEMENT. CALL ON = pay a visit to (someone); e.g.
He's planning to call on Ritu today.

FO
3. Option A (than). We use THAN with NO SOONER.
4. NO IMPROVEMENT
AM
5. NO IMPROVEMENT. Though option B also is correct, if the given sentence

is correct already we do not choose any other answer option if its correct also
in a question on SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT.
The rule: Negative additions to negative remarks are made with

EX
NEITHER/NOR + HELPING VERB + SUBJECT; e.g.
a) Mohan never goes to concerts, neither does his wife. OR Mohan never goes
to concerts, nor does his wife.
C
b) Reena hasnt any spare time. -- Neither have I. OR Nor have I.

SS
c) I didnt get much sleep last night. -- Neither did I. OR Nor did I.
6. Option A (Even if she had). EVEN IF is used to say that a possible situation
would not prevent something from being true; whether or not; e.g.
a) Even if you disagree with her, she's worth listening to.
b) I hope I can come back, even if it's only for a few weeks.
M
7. NO IMPROVEMENT
8. Option C (carried away). BE CARRIED AWAY = to be so excited about
O
something that you do not control what you say or do.
9. Option A (rose another two feet). RAISE is a transitive verb, so it must
.C
have an object, but there is no object here.
RAISE = to lift something to a higher position; e.g.
M
a) Would all those in favour please raise their hands?
U
b) He raised the window and leaned out.
c) She raised her gun, took aim and fired.

R
ROSE is the second form of RISE. RISE is an intransitive verb. RISE = to
FO
move upwards; e.g.
a) The balloon rose gently (up) into the air.
b) At 6 a.m. we watched the sun rise (= appear and move upwards in the sky).
AM
10. Option C (ever). You cannot use a negative word after WITHOUT.
NEVER, SELDOM and HARDLY all are negative.
11. NO IMPROVEMENT
EX
12. Option C (rained). We use the simple past tense with ALL THROUGH.
ALL THROUGH = from beginning to end; e.g.
The baby cried all through the night.

C
13. Option A (notice of). TAKE NOTICE OF = the fact of somebody paying
SS
attention to somebody/something
14. Option B (tall). The correct expression is TALL CLAIMS. TALL CLAIMS =
based more on wishful thinking than facts or reality; boasting
15. NO IMPROVEMENT. STAND FOR = to endorse or support an ideal; e.g.
a) The mayor claims to stand for honesty in government and jobs for
everyone.
M
b) Every candidate for public office stands for all the good things in life.
O
16. Option B (telling stories). The verb ENJOY if followed by an action takes a
gerund (verb+ing).
.C
17. Option B (shall have been waiting). When FOR refers to time we use
perfect tenses, though we can use FOR in the past simple tense if its a
terminated action.
M
18. NO IMPROVEMENT. DEVOUR = to eat something eagerly and in large
amounts so that nothing is left; e.g.
U
The young cubs hungrily devoured the deer.
R
19. Option C (until you finish). We dont use any negative word with UNTIL.
FO
20. Option B (struck off). STRIKE OFF = to remove or erase from (a list,
record, etc)
21. NO IMPROVEMENT. WOULD RATHER = prefer. WOULD RATHER and

WOULD SOONER are the same thing, there is no difference in their use.
AM
22. Option 'B' (did I sleep). The verb is inverted when a sentence begins with
Only+Adverb or Only+Adverbial Expression like only yesterday, only the day
before yesterday, only last month, only after a year, only in a few countries,
only in this way, only then, only when; e.g.
EX
Only yesterday did he die.

Only by working hard did he get success.
C
INCORRECT: Only by taking a risk he saved her life.

CORRECT: Only by taking a risk did he save her life.
SS
23. Option A (buy). This is a condition type-I sentence. In such a sentence if

the verb in the MAIN CLAUSE is in the future simple, the verb in the IF-
CLAUSE is in the present simple tense; e.g.
If he runs hell get there in time.

24. Option C (have saved). We use the present perfect in the AFTER-CLAUSE
if we are talking about an action that takes place over a period of time; e.g.
a) After I have written this book, Im having a holiday.
M
b) You can go when youve typed these letters.
O
25. Option B (arrange for the car). When the verb ARRANGE = to make plans
or preparations in advance (for something) we use the preposition FOR with
it; e.g.
.C
we arranged for her to be met.
M
26. NO IMPROVEMENT
27. Option C (by a sweeping majority)
U
28. Option C (when I went). The given sentence is an assertive sentence, but
the verb is in question form, means the helping verb has been used before the
R
subject. We see, here we need the past simple tense in the affirmative. In the
past simple the helping verb is not normally used if the sentence is affirmative.
FO
Therefore the verb will be WENT which will go after the subject.
29. Option B (Although). Both the clauses are contrasting clauses, so

ALTHOUGH is correct here.
AM
30. Option A (to arbitrate between). Prepositional error. ARBITRATE = to

make a judgment in an argument, usually because asked to do so by those
involved; e.g.
a) I've been asked to arbitrate between the opposing sides.

EX
b) An outside adviser has been brought in to arbitrate the dispute between the
management and the union.
C
SS

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3. BROKE UP (option 'a')

4. ASKED HIS TEACHER (option 'c'). (This is indirect speech of an imperative

17. No improvement. BY RETURN OF POST=immediately. It's an idiom.

18. NO IMPROVEMENT (option 'd'). SB CAN NOT HELP BUT DO STH is an

A) whether B) that C) and D) noimrovement

A) goforshopping B) gooutshopping C) goshopping D) noimprovement

1. Aren't you tired of this never-ending rain?

A) on the altar B) on the steps C) on the platform D) No

3. Really speaking, no man is perfect.

A) Strictly B) slightly C) vaguely

A) transgressed B) transposed C) transformed D) No

5. Please switch of the fan.

A) switch off B) switch in C) switch out D) No improvement

6. The employees are hell bent at getting what is due to them.

A) populist B) popular C) populace D) No improvement

8. Where have you first met your husband?

9. Any able-bodied man is eligible for the job.

A) wooden and broken table

A) who he was and why he was

13. My uncle goes to office on bicycle or by foot.

14. I did not give at the examination as my circumstances are bad.

A) write B) sit C) appear D) No improvement

A) since B) then C) than D) No improvement

A) adapted to B) adapted for C) adopted for D) No improvement

20. You will be late if you do not leave now.

21. People ask me why I decide to start a new magazine.

A) will decide B) am deciding C) have decided D) No improvement

22. I and my parents live together.

A) Me and my parents B) My parents and I C) My parents and me D)

A) when did accompany you

A) to B) towards C) toward D) No improvement

A) very fast to be understood

28. Government officials keep throwing the buck to others.

A) giving B) passing C) donating D) No improvement

29. She angrily broke up the letter.

A) tore up B) break in C) teared up D) No improvement

30. They told me that they had build a new house.

A) have built B) have build C) had built D) No improvement

1. No improvement. NEVER-ENDING means having or seeming to have no

ALTER is a verb which means TO CHANGE.

Local fans seemed hell-bent on causing as much trouble as possible

during the match.

7. POPULAR (option 'B'). POPULAR = famous; POPULOUS = having a large

China is the world's most populous country.

8. DID YOU MEET (option 'C'). Past tense is needed.

9. NO IMPROVEMENT. Though option 'A' is also right, the given sentence is

14. Option 'C' (appear)

sentence is: He was too much of a coward to help his friend.

18. NO IMPROVEMENT. A GOOD MANY is used for plural nouns; e.g.

There were a good many people at the concert.

we use IN, we use OF to show possession, belonging, or origin; e.g.

INCORRECT: Delhi is the capital in India.

20. NO IMPROVEMENT. If it's a future tense in the main clause, we use

27. Option 'A' (pronounced). PRONOUNCE = to say something officially or

1. One should exercise their right to vote.

A) morn B) mourne C) moan D) No improvement

A) not more enough

A) by his sword B) with his sword C) across his sword D) No

5. Everyone hoped of good weather on the day of the wedding

A) for B) at C) about D) no improvement

6. He asked the child to go and play with some others children.

A) some other's children B) some others C) some other D) No

A) put on B) put out C) put away D) No improvement