Mixed English Questions for Mains Exam — Set 290

Directions(1-5): A sentence divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D) is given. The errors are in two parts of the sentence. Determine the parts which require correction and mark it as your answer. If the sentence is correct as it is, mark the answer as No error.

1. A closely-knit community of (A)/ around 5,000 Afghans live in Kolkata (B)/ even today, though it might no longer (C)/ be vendors of odds and ends. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option C
   In part B, 'live' is the main verb for 'community' from part A. Since, community is a singular noun, it should be 'lives' in part B. In part C the pronoun 'it' refers to the 'Afghans' from part B as neither 'community' or 'Kolkata' can be 'vendors'. So, the correct pronoun is 'they' instead of 'it'. Hence, the correct answer is C.
   
    



2. Despite a five-year extension of (A)/ the deadline, a majority of Indian (B)/ power plants have not been able (C)/ to get there toxic emissions down. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option B
   Negations ("not" from part C) should be placed between "have" and "been". "There" in part D, is a determiner, whereas it should be a possessive pronoun "their". Hence, the correct answer is B.
   
    



3. We know surprising little about (A)/ vanished civilizations who majesty (B)/ and whose ultimate demise were closely linked (C)/ to liberties they took with water. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option A
   In part A 'surprising' which is an adjective, is used to describe another adjective. This is a grammatical error, as only adverbs can be used to describe adjectives. So, it should be 'surprisingly', instead of 'surprising'.
   We have to show a relation between "civilizations" and "majesty". So, it should be "whose" instead of "who" as "majesty" is not a person and belongs to "civilizations".
   Hence, the correct answer is A.
   
    



4. She had took a small (A)/ package containing bread, socks (B)/ and other amenities towards her (C)/ sister Sonia and brother Nathan. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option D
   "Had" is used in past perfect tense followed by the participle form of the verb. The participle form of the verb is "taken", not "took".
   Towards is used when there is a movement in the direction of something. In part C however, just the destination of the "amenities" is mentioned. So, it should be "to" instead of "towards".
   Hence, the correct answer is D.
   
    



5. A lack of access to effective (A)/ menstrual products may limit the ability (B)/ of women and girls on their period (C)/ to go about their daily lives. (D)
   A-B
   C-D
   B-C
   A-C
   No error
   Option E
   
   
    


Directions(6-10): In the given question, four words are printed in bold and are numbered 1, 2, 3 and 4. Of these, the positions of two words may be incorrect and need to be exchanged to make the sentence correct. Find the two words which need to be exchanged. In case the given sentence is correct, your answer is (E) i.e. No correction required.


6. business(1) medicine is now a big alternative(2) in the United States with more Americans seeking(3) it out than ever(4) before.
   1-2
   2-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No exchange required
   Option A
   
   
    



7. Employees working(1) in the manufacturing alarmingly(2) have an department(3) high rate of repetitive stress injury. (4)
   1-2
   2-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No exchange required
   Option B
   
   
    



8. Charles, aware(1) of his susceptibility(2) to gum disease, is flossing(3) about diligent.(4)
   1-2
   2-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No exchange required
   Option C
   
   
    



9. Even though(1) she’d read her supervisor’s(2) memo four or five times, she still found his ambiguous(3) message rambling.(4)
   1-2
   2-3
   3-4
   4-1
   No exchange required
   Option C
   
   
    



10. Excited (1) about winning the award, Marcia podium (2) up to the walked (3) and delivered (4) an animated acceptance speech.
    1-2
    2-3
    3-4
    4-1
    No exchange required
    Option B