English: Error Spotting for Upcoming Exams – Set 199

Directions(1-5): In the given question, a sentence is divided into five parts out of which the last part is correct. Out of the remaining four, there are errors in three parts. Choose the part which doesn’t have an error. If all the four parts are correct, mark E, i.e., 'All are correct' as the answer.

1. No one could be perfectly (A)/ free to all are free; (B)/ no one’s can be perfectly moral (C)/ till all are moral; no one can (D)/ be perfectly happy till all are happy.
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option D
   A is wrong because of the use of ‘could.’ It is making the sentence seem like an event of the past. But the sentence is just an advice or opinion in general
   B is wrong because we can’t use ‘to’ here. When two points of time are to be linked we must use ‘till.’
   C is wrong because the use of ‘one’s’ is wrong. We have already used ‘can’ so there is no need to use ‘is.’ Apostrophe shows possession.
   
    



2. Tackling everything from complex (A)/ conflict in the Indian hinterlands (B)/ to the last breath of India's dying (C)/ professions, these are the (D)/ authors who stand out today. (E)
   
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option E
   
   
    



3. ­Afghan Presidency Ashraf Ghani offered recognition (A)/ of the Taliban as a legitimised political group (B)/ on Wednesday as part of a proposed (D)/ political process that he says could lead to talks (D)/ aimed at ending more than 16 years of war.
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option C
   Part A is wrong because of the use of ‘presidency’ instead of ‘president.’ While ‘President’ refers to the person, ‘Presidency’ refers to the act of a president and the term or tenure of a President.’ Here Ashraf Ghani is the President and not ‘Presidency.’
   Part B is wrong because of the use of the word ‘legitimised.’ The word ‘legitimate’ which happens to be the correct word for this sentence means ‘conforming to the law or to rules.’ When we say ‘legitimised’ we are considering it as a verb, and referring to the act of making something ‘legitimate.’ This idea doesn’t suit the subject matter of the sentence.
   Part D is wrong because the entire statement is in past tense. We can’t suddenly change it to ‘present indefinite.’ So we must use ‘said’ instead of ‘says.’
   
    



4. Riding in the majestic Western (A)/ Ghats, Deccan Odyssey covers (B)/ parts of Maharashtra and other (C)/ Konkan regions, gave travellers a (D)/ glimpse of the Deccan Plateau, too.
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option C
   When we ride, we ride through/across something as “across” and “through” are two words that serve as prepositions. As prepositions, they indicate direction, position, and movement of an object from one place to another. The movement is usually linear, either side by side, front to back, or vice versa. Both terms can also function as adverbs in certain situations. Thus, preposition ‘in’ should not used with ‘ride’ and should be replaced with "through/across" in part A.
   Part B has a specific noun which has a missing article ‘the’. So part B is wrong.
   The Deccan Odyssey is still continuing its service so the verb should be in continuous tense or the past participle form should be used here. So part D is wrong.
   
    



5. Managers and colleagues which are (A)/ empathetic and provide emotional support (B)/ by listening to there peers (C)/ go a long way in fostering to a healthy work (D)/ culture in the office.
   
   A
   B
   C
   D
   All are correct
   Option B
   The error in A is usage of word ‘which’. It should be replaced by ‘who’ as we are talking about people, not things.
   The error in part C is the word – there. ‘there’ should be replaced by ‘their’.
   The error in D is usage of ‘to’ after fostering.
   Fostering means 'to encourage the development of’, it does not require a preposition ‘to’ after it.
   
    


Directions(6-10): Out of the four sentences given below, only one is grammatically incorrect. Find the incorrect sentence and mark the relevant option as your answer.
6. The congratulatory messages received on her promotion, speaks highly of her sincerity at work.
   The number of congratulatory messages she received on her promotion, speak highly of her sincerity at work.
   She received many congratulatory messages on her promotion, which speak highly of her sincerity at work.
   The congratulatory messages she received on her promotion, speak volumes of her sincerity at work.
   All are incorrect
   Option A
   “Messages” in the sentence A is in the plural form. Thus, the plural verb, ‘speak’, should be used in place of the singular verb, “speaks”.
   
    



7. Sachin has been practising the music piece since three hours.
   It has been three hours that Sachin is practising his music piece.
   Sachin has been practising his music piece for the last three hours.
   Sachin has been practising his music piece since nine in the morning.
   All are incorrect
   Option A
   “Since” means from a particular time until now or until a later time. For example, “practising since 11 P.M.” is correct. However, in sentence A, three hours doesn’t refer to any particular time in the past. Hence, sentence A is incorrect. The correct use would be “practising his piece for the last 3 hours or for 3 hours”.
   
    



8. The book is an essential reference for all museum professionals and students of museum studies.
   The book must be essentially referred of by all museum professionals and students of museum studies.
   All museum professionals and students of museum studies must refer to the book.
   One cannot deny that the book is an essential reference for all museum professionals and students of museum studies.
   All are incorrect
   Option B
   Sentence B is incorrect as a book will be referred "to" by the concerned people. You either "refer to" a book yourself or "refer" it to other people.
   
    



9. Libya slid into chaos following the 2011 uprising that killed the dictator.
   As a consequence of the 2011 uprising that killed the dictator, Libya slid into a chaotic.
   Following the 2011 uprising that killed the dictator, Libya slid into chaos.
   The 2011 uprising, which killed the dictator of Libya, caused the country to slide into chaos.
   All are incorrect
   Option B
   Option B is incorrect as "chaotic" is an adjective that must modify a noun. But, the noun is missing in the sentence. Thus, "chaos" must be written instead of "chaotic".
   
    



10. The sentiments of the common people should be considered before passing any bill.
    The common people's sentiments should be considered before a bill is passed.
    The sentiments in the common people is to be considered before passing any bill.
    Before passing any bill, the sentiments of the common people should be considered.
    All are incorrect
    Option C
    The error in sentence (C) is the use of the preposition “in” after sentiments. The correct preposition that should be used here is “of”. Sentiments "of" the common people refer to the sentiments possessed by the common people.