Grammar
19 solved Defence English previous year questions on Grammar, each with the correct answer and a full explanation.
Q1
Read the sentence to find out whether there is any error in it or not. The error, if any, will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part (which has the error) is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (4). Ignore errors of punctuation, if any. The more you (1)/ work hard, (2)/ the more better you get (3)./ No error (4)
✓ Correct answer: c) the more better you get
ExplanationThe error is in part (3) of the sentence. the more better you get (3): This is incorrect."Better" is already a comparative adjective.Using "more" before it creates a double comparative, which is not grammatically correct.Therefore, the answer is C. the more better you get.The corrected sentence should be: The more you work hard, the better you get.
Q2
Fill in the blank with a suitable phrase preposition. I will introduce you ______ my boss this week.
✓ Correct answer: b) to
ExplanationThe best option to introduce someone is: B. to On - The word on is used to refer to something that is touching the surface of something else.To is the most common preposition used to indicate the recipient of an introduction."I will introduce you to my boss" means you'll be presented to your boss for the first time.Too is an adverb used for emphasis or comparison, not for introductions.For - We use for to talk about a purpose or a reason for something Therefore, "I will introduce you to my boss this week" is the grammatically correct and natural way to express this.
Q3
Fill in the blanks in the following sentences with the help of options that follow. She was delighted ________ as well as surprised at her friend's fluke.
✓ Correct answer: a) with
ExplanationThe correct answer is Option A. From the given options, 'with' is the most appropriate answer to fill in the blank.As we can understand from the sentence that she was pleased with something. 'Delighted with' means to please someone with something, such as a gift.Example: He was delighted with the gift.So option A is the most appropriate answer as it fits with the context of the sentence.The correct sentence is: She was delighted with as well as surprised at her friend's fluke.
Q4
Fill in the blank with a suitable phrase preposition. Ankit will _______ as managing director when Rahul retires.
✓ Correct answer: b) take over
ExplanationThe most suitable phrase preposition to fill the blank is: B. take over Take away: This implies removing something from someone, which wouldn't be the case here.Take over: This perfectly captures the situation.It means to assume control or responsibility for something from someone else.In this context, Ankit will take over the managing director role when Rahul retires.Take up: This can imply starting a new activity.Take down: This suggests removing something or defeating someone.Therefore, "take over" is the most appropriate phrase preposition for the sentence.
Q5
In the following question, one part of the sentence may have an error. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and click the option corresponding to it. If the sentence is free from error, click the 'No error' option. He would succeeds / in his efforts only / if he tries hard.
✓ Correct answer: a) He would succeeds
ExplanationError: "He would succeeds" - "Succeeds" should be "succeed" The modal verb "would" indicates a conditional situation, and in such cases, the main verb should be in the base form (succeed, not succeeds).Therefore, the answer is A. He would succeeds.
Q6
Fill up the blank with the correct option to complete the sentence: They will not go to Japan this year for a vacation, ______?
✓ Correct answer: d) will they
ExplanationThe best option to complete the sentence is: D. will they "They will not go to Japan this year for a vacation" is a negative statement.To form a question tag after a negative statement, we use the positive auxiliary verb.In this case, the auxiliary verb in the main clause is "will" (future tense), so the question tag uses the positive form "will." Therefore, "will they" creates a grammatically correct and natural question tag, confirming the information in the main sentence.
Q7
Choose the appropriate option to complete the given sentence: __________ his parent's disapproval, he joined this university.
✓ Correct answer: b) Despite
ExplanationThe best option to complete the sentence is: B. Despite While: This suggests a contrast, but it implies the disapproval happened at the same time he joined."Despite" indicates the disapproval happened before but didn't stop him.Nonetheless used as conjunctive adverbs, or adverbs that are used to connect two independent clauses.Until: This indicates a time limit, which wouldn't make sense in this context.Therefore, "Despite" is the most appropriate choice to show that his parents' disapproval did not prevent him from joining the university.
Q8
Fill in the blank with the appropriate modal in the given sentence: The battery of your phone is dead? No problem. You _________ use my phone.
✓ Correct answer: d) can
ExplanationThe best option to fill the blank is: D. can Should suggests a recommendation.Will wouldn't be appropriate because you're not predicting their action, just offering the option.Must implies obligation.Can is the most natural choice to offer permission or possibility.It indicates they are able to use your phone if they want to.
Q9
Mark the part of the given sentence on your answer-sheet, in which there is an error (of adjective, adverb, clause). This road is the most shortest of all.
✓ Correct answer: b) the most shortest
ExplanationThe error is in part (B) of the sentence. the most shortest: "Shortest" is already the superlative form of the adjective "short." Adding "most" before it creates a double superlative, which is grammatically incorrect.The correct construction is simply "the shortest." Therefore, the answer is B. the most shortest.
Q10
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that contains a grammatical error. I earn / little money / than my / younger brother.
✓ Correct answer: a) little money
ExplanationThe segment containing the grammatical error is: little money (incorrect): "Little" is a positive adjective, not a comparative adjective.Little refers to non-countable nouns, and is used with the singular form.Less is the comparative form of little.Use less in comparative structures, especially before uncountable nouns.Therefore, the error is in using "little" instead of a comparative adjective.
Q11
In the sentence identify the segment which contains the grammatical error. The manager was referring about the previous instances of loss to the employees during his address.
✓ Correct answer: a) The manager was referring about
ExplanationThe segment containing the grammatical error is: A. The manager was referring about about (incorrect): The preposition "about" is not typically used with "referring" in this context.A more natural preposition would be "to." "Referring to" something indicates mentioning or speaking of it.Therefore, the error is in using "about" after "referring." The correct sentence would be: The manager was referring to the previous instances of loss to the employees during his address.
Q12
Each item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any part and indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).
✓ Correct answer: c) are found in India.
ExplanationWhen the sentence starts with the distributive pronoun 'each', the verb is always singular.When we use 'each' with a plural noun as a subject, it's normally followed by a singular verb.The correct sentence is: Each of these substances is found in India.
Q13
Change the voice: The cobbler mended my shoes.
✓ Correct answer: a) My shoes were mended by the cobbler.
ExplanationAnswer: a) My shoes were mended by the cobbler.Solution: Active: Subject + Verb + Object Passive: Object + was/were + past participle + by + subject.Here, were mended is correct (plural shoes).
Q14
Change the speech. He asked Rama If he needed his help then.
✓ Correct answer: d) He said to Rama, "Do you need my help now?"
ExplanationIn indirect speech, reported questions are stated without the original question structure.To convert it back to direct speech: Change the reported verb "asked" to a question format.Replace "if" with the appropriate question word or question format.Replace "then" with "now" if the context demands it.Direct Speech Version: "He said to Rama, 'Do you need my help now?'" Correct Answer: D - He said to Rama, 'Do you need my help now?'
Q15
Change the voice. He is said to be very rich.
✓ Correct answer: a) People say he is very rich.
ExplanationIn passive sentences, the subject receives the action.To change it into active voice, identify the doer of the action (which is often implied as "people" or "they" in such constructions) and place it as the subject.Active Voice Version: "People say he is very rich." Correct Answer: A - People say he is very rich.
Q16
Spot the error in the given sentence parts:
✓ Correct answer: a) Unless you do not work
ExplanationThe word "unless" is a conjunction that introduces a condition.It is equivalent to saying "if not." Therefore, using "not" with "unless" creates a double negative, which makes the sentence incorrect.The correct construction would be "Unless you work hard," which means "If you do not work hard." Correct sentence- "Unless you work hard, you cannot pass the examination."
Q17
Fill in the blank: ________ he graduated, he has not been able to find a job.
✓ Correct answer: b) Since
ExplanationThe correct conjunction to use here is "since," which indicates the time period from when he graduated until now.Correct Answer: B - since
Q18
Fill in the blank: Nisha dances very well _______ ?
✓ Correct answer: a) doesn't she
ExplanationThis is a question tag, which is added at the end of a statement.The rule for question tags is to use a negative tag when the statement is positive and vice versa.Since the statement "Nisha dances very well" is positive, the correct negative question tag would be "doesn't she." Correct Answer: A - doesn't she
Q19
Choose the correct adjective form of 'clarity':
✓ Correct answer: c) Clear
ExplanationAnswer: c) Clear Clarity is the noun form.Its adjective form is clear (meaning “easy to understand or transparent”).Clarify is a verb.Clearly is an adverb.Clarifying is a present participle/verb.
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