English

Practice Book
For IBA BBA
(Also for IBA MBA, BUP, JU-IBA, RU-IBA and other
Renowned University Admission Exams)

Second Edition
2021-2022
Additional educational titles from Patronus Education –
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Vocabulary Builder

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Preface
Everyone wants to get into the best university in the country. It is not only a matter of pride but also a personal
achievement on an unprecedented scale. This book has been made solely with this conviction in mind. The contents
of this book will allow a person to not only become competent enough to tackle the IBA Admission Examination but
also learn English on a scale that will make that person confident in the daily aspects of life. This book will not only
cater to the admission students opting for IBA, DU but also JU, IBA, BUP, NSU and other established universities.

The contents of this book will also help college and school students who are passionate about learning advanced
English early on.

This Book‘s Approach

This book has been made from a practice-based perspective. There is a general discussion of a specific topic and it
is followed by specific exercises. These exercises are catered for students sitting for the IBA Admission Examination.
But anyone can try them out to judge their proficiency in English. The explanation of all topics are detailed and there
are advanced concepts.

This book is the second edition of its kind and since it is a comprehensive book, there can be some mistakes and
typing errors. It would be really helpful if those are reported in the following email. We want to make sure that this
book is helpful to the utmost level for all the students. So we would really appreciate any positive criticism and
feedback from your end.

Email – [email protected]

Arrangement of Topics
The topics have been arranged in four parts.

Part 1 –

Basic Grammar concepts. Detailed exercises on each concept.

Part 2 –

Advanced Grammar concepts. Detailed exercise on each concept.

Part 3 –

Exercises on Error Detection and Sentence Correction.

Part 4 –

Reading Comprehensions and the Written Section. Detailed exercises on Reading Comprehensions and practice
questions for the written section.
Acknowledgements
This book has been made with the idea of exacting excellence in every aspirant who wants to become better in
English. All the authors have grown on their own while researching for this book. And that has inevitably made the
content of this book better for all. We would like to thank the editors and the instructors for their utmost effort while
proof-reading the materials of this book.
 Table of Contents

Part 1
Introduction to the IBA English 3

Sentence Structuring 9

Parts of Speech 21

Subject Verb Agreement 31

Articles 45

Phrase 55

Clause 65

Noun 75

Pronoun 89

Adjective 105

Degree and Comparison 115

Verb 125

Tense 131
Causative Verbs 143

Subjunctive 151

Modal Verbs 161

Conditionals 171

Adverb 181

Modifiers & Their Errors 189

Preposition 209

Conjunction 217

Interjection 221
Part 2
Voice 229

Appositive 233

Parallelism 237

Run-on Sentence 249

Punctuation 257

Common Errors 267

Suffix-Prefix 285

Phrases and Idioms 293

Embedded Tags 309

Analogy 317
Part 3
Error Detection 335

Error Detection Solutions 345

Sentence Correction 349

Sentence Correction Solutions 391

Part 4
Reading Comprehensions 403

Written Section 447

References 450
Part 1
Chapter 1
English in the IBA Examination

3
4
The Language and Communication section of the IBA examination contains different segments to challenge your
depth in English. The questions are all in English and during the exam, no translation (preferably Bangla) is provided
for your aid. The marks allotted for the English section is usually 30 or 25. The questions are multiple-choice
questions and there are five options for each question. For every correct answer, you will get one mark. For every
mistake, 0.25 marks will be deducted. Therefore, you need to have a very good understanding of the basics of
English to attain the necessary marks to pass and advance to the interview section.

There is also a minimum passing bar for each section of the exam. Usually in order to pass the English section, you
will need to score at least 18 out of a possible 30 (in case the section is of 25 marks, you will need to score at least
15 out of a possible 25). There is a set passing bar for each section. Usually it is 60% of the total marks of that
section.

Now we shall delve into the details of the English section for your better understanding of the exam and explain to
you that acing the exam isn‘t really that hard (even though IBA only takes 120 students each year). With our
guidelines, you can easily become a part of the IBA family.

There are mainly four segments of the language and communication section –

1. Grammar based questions

2. Vocabulary
3. Comprehensions
4. Writing Segment (a separate section from the MCQ part)

We shall now look at the details of each segment and analyze as to what things should be studied to ace them and
how the questions actually appear in the actual exam.

1. Grammar based questions

- There is a basic misconception regarding the grammar part of the IBA examination. You have all learned the
basic English rules of sentence construction, narration, what Parts of Speech are, how to identify phrases and
clauses etc. However, the questions in the IBA examination are not directly going to ask you to identify specific
classifications. You need to have a very good understanding of the basics and using them you need to solve the
questions, which have more depth than it meets the eye.

Let us look at an example of a sentence correction question that came in the English section of the IBA entrance
admission exam of 2014-2015. There is an underlined segment. There are five options. The best possible
answer needs to be selected,

 Example -
It is my earnest request that due considerations to be given to all the proposals in equality, so that we might
all have a fair chance.

a) that due considerations to be given to all the proposals in equality

b) that due considerations to be given to all the proposals equally
c) that due considerations be given to all the proposal equally
d) that due considerations to be given for all the proposals equally
e) that due considerations be given to all the proposals equally

The first thing that you need to notice over here is the word ―request‖ in the base sentence. When imperative words
like request, command, suggest etc. are used then the base form of the verb needs to be used after ―that‖. This is a
basic rule of ―Subjunctives‖. Understand that, knowing about subjunctives gives you an edge here to answer this
question. This is why knowing about basic grammar is necessary for answering such questions. Here due to this rule,
we can easily discard options a, b and d. Now from option c and e, since the word ―all‖ has been used here, we need
to select the option that has the plural form of ―proposal‖.
5
Option c has the singular form of proposal. Therefore, that option is wrong. Here, understanding of subject-verb
agreement is useful and helps you to narrow your options down.

Therefore, the correct answer over here is option e. Having a thorough understanding of the basics of English is
necessary to ace the language and communication section. That is why this book focuses a lot on the basics of
grammar and has detailed chapters outlining every aspect of them. Exercises have also been provided to test your
skills in a holistic manner.

2. Vocabulary

- This is one of the most important things for the IBA examination. Many questions regarding synonyms, antonyms
and fill in the blanks regarding specific words always appear in the examination. There are questions, which have
analogies regarding a pair of words where the elimination method is necessary to ace that segment. However, a
very good knowledge of vocabulary is necessary for that method.

Let us look at an example of a question that came in the IBA entrance admission exam of 2013-2014. This is a
fill in the blanks question with five options where words are given in pairs. The best possible option needs to be
selected,

 Example -
If every move you make is being __________, liberty is ___________.

a) chronicled-curtailed
b) preempted-buoyant
c) obstructed-feted
d) observed-reinstated
e) none of these

For answering this question, you need to know the meaning of the words present in the options. Chronicled means to
record in a factual and detailed way. Curtailed means to impose a restriction on. Preempted means to forestall.
Buoyant means to remain afloat or to be cheerful and optimistic. Obstructed means to give a barrier. Feted means to
honor lavishly. Observed means to inspect. Reinstated means to restore to former position.

If you know the meanings, you will easily be able to identify that options b, c and d do not align with the sentence at
all. Placing option a in the sentence here gives the following meaning – If every move you make is recorded, and
then the liberty is restricted. That makes perfect sense.

Therefore, the correct answer for this question is a. Many variations of questions can come from the vocabulary
segment. Specific methods for studying them have been charted in this book. Nevertheless, for detailed analysis,
there is a Vocabulary Builder by Patronus Education. It is highly recommended that you study that book to gain a
large vocabulary that will not only help you with the examination but will also develop your understanding of English
as a whole.

6
 3. Comprehensions

- In the IBA examination, different forms of passages are given that need to be properly read for answering the
questions related to that. Usually these passages are broad and informative and for acing this section a lot of
practice is needed in reading fast and understanding the question properly. The passages are usually
informative, but the questions will not always be asking for simple elements from the passage. Analytical thinking
needs to be enacted for finding the answers to some of the questions.

Let us look at an example of a passage that came in the IBA entrance admission exam of 2011-2012. The
entire passage has been given here and one question related to that passage has been included. Read the
passage carefully to answer the question. The question contains five options. The best possible answer needs to
be selected –

 Example -

Rock and sea salt are no different from ordinary table salt, despite claims it is natural and healthier, say consumer
groups. Producers dispute this report saying it does not give the full picture.

Eating a diet high in salt is linked with high blood pressure, a risk factor for stroke, heart diseases and heart failure.
The research analyzed the chemical content of several gourmet brands of sea and rock salt and compared this with
ordinary table salt. They say all contain almost equal proportions of sodium chloride and are equally damaging to
health in large quantities. The lead researcher stated, ―The most important message is that you don‘t need to add a
chemical (sodium chloride) to your food. Food without salt tastes much better. There‘s quite enough already present
in fruits, vegetables, meat and fish.‖ The report says brands claiming that some salts are more natural and contain
essential minerals are confusing the public. An online survey of 1358 consumers found around one in three admitted
thinking that rock and sea salts were healthier than table salt. Salt producers disputed the research. According to
them, ―This report is not giving a full picture by not going into the other things in either sea salt or the additives in
table salt. Table salt is a highly refined, processed white substance that‘s devoid of nutrients.‖

 Question – The main objective of the article is –

a) To present information on the harmful effects of table salt as well as rock salt.
b) To provide the pros and cons of consuming salt in higher-than-moderate quantities.
c) To provide the background for research into components as well as consumption of salt.
d) To address the erroneous picture presented by salt producers as to the true contents of their salt.
e) To present opposing views of health implications of natural salt versus processed salt.

Here the passage needs to be clearly understood at first. After that, the options need to be properly read. The actual
background of the passage is about the comparison of natural and processed salt. There are opinions from
consumers and producers over here. There are views regarding health implications and the way people perceive
different types of salts. If all the options are checked after reading the passage, you will easily see that options a, b
and c are irrelevant to the main objective of this article. Option d is somewhat true, but option e expresses the main
idea of the passage in the best possible way, since opposing views of health implications are clearly stated here.

Therefore, the correct answer for this question is e. As you can clearly see, reading and understanding the passage
is very important to answer these questions. There are many types of passages and details regarding them have
been given in this book. Sometimes multiple passages can come in the language and communication section. That is
why this book focuses a lot on comprehensions.

7
 4. Writing Segment

- There is a separate section of roughly 25 to 30 marks that contains the writing segment of the examination. This
segment contains paragraphs or short essays that have to be written regarding a specific topic. The tough part here
is that, the topics are not that straightforward. Most of the topics are critical and you need to clearly label things out in
your head initially and then start writing in order to do well in this segment. A well-written paragraph gives a good
impression to the person checking the copy about the examinee and so acing this section is necessary.

Apart from the paragraphs, sentence construction and Bangla writing are given. Translations, dialogues and short
notes are some of the relevant examples of things that usually appear in this section.

Let us look at an example of a writing section that came in the IBA entrance admission exam of 2015-2016. There
are three separate questions here. One is a critical writing that needs to be analyzed clearly. One is a paragraph
regarding an abstract topic. The last question is a Bangla paragraph on another topic that is open to interpretation
based on who is writing it.

 Writing Ability -
A. Critical Writing –
―Some consider that keeping our localities clean is the responsibility of the Government; which others
consider it to be the responsibility of the individual citizens‖ – Discuss this part.
B. Paragraph –
―Happiness‖
C. wb‡Pi welqwUi Dci evsjvq GKwU Aby‡”Q` wjLyb-
ÒAvÇvÓ

In this segment, critical writing needs to be written in a concise manner with proper arguments. To ace this part you
need to analyze the topic that has been given here and provide an opinion regarding it. Then arguments need to be
given to support that opinion and counter-arguments need to be provided as to why the option that you didn‘t chose
was the right decision. Here these things need to be done in a proper manner for the reader to understand your
interpretation of the topic. Proper methodologies of writing have been discussed in this book extensively for your
help.
The paragraph has an abstract topic that varies from person to person. The same goes for the Bangla writing part. In
order to write in a constructive manner you need to visualize from an abstract perspective and that will give you the
ability to construct a well-thought out paragraph. This helps the reader to gain a better perception about the depth of
your analytical thinking.

For bolstering this sort of understanding, this book can help you a lot to broaden your capabilities for the exam.

A lot of students fail to harness the necessary skills to have the best preparation for acing the language and
communication section. This is one of the main sections in English and a good range of marks acquired for this
section actually provides a huge advantage to the examinee for doing great in this part. In order to get that, a clear
understanding of the English section must be acquired by each individual opting to sit for the examination.

This book solely caters to that need.

8
Chapter 2
Sentence Structuring

9
10
Most students have trouble with sentence construction, and this happens often during essay and paragraph writing.
Some students have trouble relating the subject to the entire theme of the composition and this happens when you
do not know the different types of sentences that there are. Let us now look at the components of a sentence before
getting into the specifics.

Example - Arnold is a boy.

Every sentence needs to have two primary things. It needs to have a subject and a verb. Even though one might be
implied but the presence of these two things is necessary. All the words stringed together in a sentence must also
make sense. This is an inherent quality, which makes a sentence complete. In the example above, Arnold is the
subject. A subject is the entity about which the sentence is constructed. The subject is the entity that performs the
action in a sentence. Here, the sentence is about a boy, which over here is Arnold.
The other necessary element in a sentence is the verb. This describes the action that the subject is doing or the state
that the subject is in. The verb over here is ―is‖. This is an auxiliary verb. This provides support in a sentence. In this
sentence, the verb is supports or relates the subject to the object of the sentence.

The object is basically the part of the sentence upon which the action is being stated. It is something that might be
used to describe the subject better. Here, ―boy‖ is the object.

In a sentence, the verb and the object together usually form the predicate. The predicate is the part of a sentence
that does not contain the subject itself but consists of words that describe the state of a subject and the action that it
carries out. Here, ―is a boy‖ is the predicate of the sentence.

This is how sentences are basically structured.

Types of Sentences –

Sentences, in general, can be divided into many types depending on how they are used and from what perspective
the structure is being interpreted. The most general classification of sentences can be done in 4 ways. They are –

a) Declarative/Assertive
b) Imperative
c) Interrogative
d) Exclamatory

a) Declarative/Assertive Sentence: This is a type of sentence that makes a statement. They are usually
punctuated by a period.

Ex – I went to the store yesterday.

The pink toy was thrown over the fence.
Ms. Naomi wore a brown shirt.

b) Imperative Sentence: This form of a sentence makes a command or a request. This usually ends with a period
but at times can end with an exclamation mark.

Ex – Take out the trash.

Please maintain the decorum.
Give me your tiffin!

11
c) Interrogative Sentence: This form of a sentence asks questions and it always ends with a question mark.

Ex – Where was the event yesterday?

th
How was the slot of BBA 24 ?
Did you complete the Research Method assignment?
d) Exclamatory Sentence: This type of a sentence contains a strong emotion and it usually ends with an
exclamation mark.

Ex – I am excited to watch this movie!

It‘s a great day!
I love you guys so much!

On the basis of sentence composition, sentences can be divided into three categories. There is a sentence-clause
relationship in these structures. The types are –

i) Simple Sentence
ii) Complex Sentence
iii) Compound Sentence

i) Simple Sentence: A simple sentence contains one independent clause and no dependent clause.

Ex- I run.

- This simple sentence has one independent clause, which contains one subject, I, and one verb, run.

Ex- The girl ran into her bedroom.

- This simple sentence has one independent clause, which contains one subject, girl, and one predicate, ran into her
bedroom. The predicate is a verb phrase that consists of more than one word.

Ex- In the backyard, the dog barked and howled at the cat.

- This simple sentence has one independent clause, which contains one subject, dog, and one predicate, barked and
howled at the cat. This predicate has two verbs, known as a compound predicate: barked and howled. This
compound verb should not be confused with a compound sentence. In the backyard and at the cat are prepositional
phrases.

ii) Complex Sentence: A complex sentence has one or more dependent clauses (also called subordinate clauses).
Since a dependent clause cannot stand on its own as a sentence, complex sentences must also have at least one
independent clause.

In short, a sentence with one or more dependent clauses and at least one independent clause is a complex
sentence. A sentence with two or more independent clauses plus one or more dependent clauses is called
compound-complex or complex-compound.

In addition to a subject and a verb, dependent clauses contain a subordinating conjunction or similar word. There are
a large number of subordinating conjunctions in English. Some of these give the clause an adverbial function,
specifying time, place, or manner. Such clauses are called adverbial clauses.

12
Ex- When I stepped out into the bright sunlight, from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my
mind.

- This complex sentence contains an adverbial clause, When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness
of the movie house. The adverbial clause describes when the action of the main clause, I had only two things on my
mind, took place.

A relative clause is a dependent clause that modifies a noun or noun phrase in the independent clause. In other
words, the relative clause functions similar to an adjective.

Ex- 1) Let him who has been deceived complain.

2) You, who have never known your family, see them standing around you.

- In the first example, the restrictive relative clause who has been deceived specifies or defines the meaning of him in
the independent clause, Let him complain. In the second example, the non-restrictive relative clause who have never
known your family describes you in the independent clause, You see them standing around you.

A noun clause is a dependent clause that functions like a noun. A noun clause may function as the subject of a
clause, or as a predicate nominative or an object.

Ex- What she had realized was that love was that moment when your heart was about to burst.

- In this sentence the independent clause contains two noun clauses. The noun clause What she had realized serves
as the subject of the verb was, and that love was that moment serves as complement. The sentence also contains a
relative clause, when your heart was about to burst.

*For details regarding restrictive and non-restrictive clauses, check out the chapter on clauses*

iii) Compound Sentence: A compound sentence is composed of at least two independent clauses. It does not
require a dependent clause. The clauses are joined by a coordinating conjunction (with or without a comma), a
semicolon that functions as a conjunction, a colon instead of a semicolon between two sentences when the second
sentence explains or illustrates the first sentence and no coordinating conjunction is being used to connect the
sentences, or a conjunctive adverb preceded by a semicolon. A conjunction can be used to make a compound
sentence. Conjunctions are words such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so.

Ex - I started on time, but I arrived late.

I will accept your offer or decline it; these are the two options.

The law was passed: from April 1, all cars would have to be tested.

The war was lost; consequently, the whole country was occupied.

The use of a comma to separate two independent clauses without the addition of an appropriate conjunction is called
a comma splice and is generally considered an error (when used in the English language).

Ex- The sun was shining, everyone appeared happy.

- This sentence is incorrect as there are two independent clauses and they need to be separated by a
period or a semi-colon or a coordinating conjunction.

*Check out the part of Run-On Sentences for details regarding comma splices*
13
Complement

In English, a complement is a word, phrase or clause which is used in order to complete a sentence. Complements
are also known as arguments (expressions that help to complete the meaning of a predicate).

Complements are generally of two types. They are-

a) Subject Complement
b) Object Compliment

a) Subject Compliment: Subject complements rename or describe the subjects of sentences. In other words, they
complement the subjects.

 Many of these complements are nouns, pronouns, or other nominals that rename or provide additional
information about the subject of the sentence. They always follow linking verbs. A less contemporary term for
a noun, pronoun, or other nominal used as a subject complement is predicate nominative.

Ex- He is the boss.

Nancy is the winner.
This is she.
My friends are they.

In the first example, the subject complement boss explains the subject he. It tells what he is.

In the second example, the subject complement winner explains the subject Nancy. It tells what Nancy is.

In the third example, the subject complement she renames the subject this. It tells who this is.

In the final example, the subject complement they identifies the subject friends. It tells who the friends are.

o Other subject complements are adjectives that modify the subjects of sentences. They also follow linking
verbs. A less contemporary term for an adjective used as a subject complement is predicate adjective.

Ex- My coworkers are friendly.

This story is exciting.

In the first example, the subject complement friendly modifies the subject coworkers.

In the second example, the subject complement exciting modifies the subject story.

b) Object Compliment: An object complement always follows the direct object and either renames or describes the
direct object.

Ex- She named the baby Ahona.

The verb is named. To find the subject, ask, 'Who or what named?' The answer is she, so she is the subject. Now
ask, 'Whom or what did she name?' She named the baby, so baby is the direct object. Any word following the direct
object that renames or describes the direct object is an object complement. She named the baby Ahona, so Ahona is
the object complement."

14
The object complement characterizes the object in the same way as the subject complement characterizes the
subject: it identifies, describes, or locates the object, expressing either its current state or resulting state. It is not
possible to delete the object complement without either radically changing the meaning of the sentence (e.g. She
called him an idiot --- She called him) or making the sentence ungrammatical (e.g. He locked his keys in his office ---
He locked his keys). In the second example where it becomes ungrammatical, the mistake lies in improper pronoun
referencing.

This is how sentences should be structured. With a proper understanding of these structures, you can easily
construct better paragraphs and essays. This will also help you to understand the intricate details in sentence
corrections and error detections.

15
Exercises
Basic

1. No sooner had the man arrived at the station than the train ______.

a. had left
b. was leaving
c. leave
d. had been leaving
e. left

2. If anyone ___ a question, I will be happy to answer it.

a. will have
b. have
c. had had
d. has
e. None of the above

3. Neither of the two artists _______ studio renovated.

a. wants his
b. wants their
c. want his
d. want their
e. None of the above

4. You may invite ______ you want to the party.

a. whoever
b. who
c. whomever
d. whom
e. None of the above

5. His shirt is cheaper than ____.

a. you
b. your
c. yours
d. the yours
e. None of the above

6. If I ____ during the twentieth century, I could have known Albert Einstein.

a. lived
b. had lived
c. was living
d. had been living
e. was living

16
7. I wouldn‘t have paid the money unless I ________ it.

a. would have owed

b. would owe
c. will have owed
d. had owed
e. owed

8. Hurrying to class, ______________________.

a. I had an accident.
b. an accident happened in the street
c. the protest slowed me down
d. the teacher reprimanded me for being late
e. many interesting scenes came before me.

9. My brother rarely complains about _____________ early.

a. to have to get up
b. to have getting up
c. having to get up
d. having getting
e. have to get up

10. Not until the end of the twentieth century _____ become popular in Bangladesh.

a. personal computers had

b. did personal computers
c. personal computers have
d. do personal computers
e. when personal computers

Sentence Correction

1. The horse, ridden by the experienced jockey with the broken leg, had to be destroyed.

a. horse, ridden by the experienced jockey with the broken leg, had
b. horse ridden by the experienced jockey with the broken leg had
c. horse with the broken leg ridden by the experienced, jockey had
d. horse with the broken leg ridden by the experienced jockey, had
e. horse with the broken leg, ridden by the experienced jockey, had

2. Our guest let us know that he would be arriving next week in his last letter.

a. that he would be arriving next week in his last letter

b. that he was arriving next week in his last letter
c. that he will next week in his last letter
d. in his last letter that he would be arriving next week
e. in his last letter that he was arriving next week

17
3. As a child, my parents took me to Chicago to visit my grandfather.

a. As a child, my parents took me to Chicago to visit my grandfather.

b. My parents took me to Chicago to visit my grandfather as a child.
c. My parents took me, as a child, to Chicago to visit my grandfather.
d. A child, my parents took me to Chicago to visit my grandfather.
e. When I was a child, my parents took me to Chicago to visit my grandfather.

4. The reason that the number of accidents this year is greater than that of last year is because Americans are now
speeding at a higher rate.

a. is greater than that of last year is because

b. is greater than last year is because
c. is greater than last year is that
d. is greater than that of last year is that
e. is greater than the number of accidents last year is because

5. I am not sure as I concur with your decision to try and run for office.

a. as I concur with your decision to try and

b. that I concur with your decision to try to
c. as I concur in your decision to try and
d. that I concur with your decision to try to
e. as I concur with your decision to try, to

6. Although the speakers never having reached their audience, they couldn‘t express themselves plainly or in a
down to earth manner.

a. Although the speakers never having reached their audience, they couldn‘t
b. The speakers never having reached their audience, they couldn‘t
c. Never having reached their audience, the speakers couldn‘t
d. The speakers never reached their audience; however, they couldn‘t
e. The speakers never reached their audience because they couldn‘t

7. Sarah and Matt are the proud possessors of prodigious progeny.

a. Sarah and Matt are the proud possessors of prodigious progeny.

b. Sarah and Matt are the proud possessor of prodigious progeny.
c. Sarah and Matt have prodigious progeny.
d. Sarah and Matt have wonderful children.
e. Sarah and Matt possess prodigious progeny.

8. The prophet announced, ―It is him whom all the sages adore.‖

a. ―It is him whom all the sages adore.‖

b. ―It is he whom all the sages adore.‖
c. ―It is him who all the sages adore.‖
d. ―It is he who all the sages adore.‖
e. ―It is him all the sage adore.‖

18
9. Neither the director of finance nor the auditor could determine the cause of the sudden loss.

a. Neither the director of finance nor the auditor could determine

b. Neither the director of finance nor the auditor couldn‘t determine
c. Either the director of finance nor the auditor couldn‘t determine
d. Neither the director of finance or the auditor could determine
e. Either the director of finance or the auditor could determine

10. We have had many math teachers. But Mr. Farhan has been the first who turned math class into a party.

a. has been the first who turned

b. was the first to turn
c. was the first having turned
d. had been the first who turned
e. having been the first to turn

Error Detection

1. It is often not until the end of their lives that famous people receive the recognize they deserve. No error
A B C D E
2. Modern factories are much larger than that of former times. No error
A B C D E
3. After being exposed to air and water, steel forms rust, a thin brown crust. No error
A B C D E
4. Some breeds of cats can walking briefly on their hind legs. No error
A B C D E
5. A number of cricketers interested in the IPL is increasing day by day. No error
A B C D E
6. Edward Hall, a professor of anthropology, first commented on people‘s strong feelings about
A B C
personal space. No error
D E
7. Bamboo, which sometimes grows 25 meters tall, have hollow stems. No error
A B C D E
8. The Treaty of Chent, signed in 1814, ends the last war between England and the United States. No error
A B C D E
9. Checking my messages, I saw that Rachel invited me to a matinee show the day after tomorrow. No error
A B C D E
10. Canadians are conventionally regarded as being more deferential toward authority than Americans. No error
A B C D E

19
For most students, answering all the exercises of this chapter would be difficult. It is recommended that you complete
all the chapters of this book and then attempt this exercise. You won‘t find this exercise as difficult then.

Sentence Structuring Solutions

Basic

1. (e) Rule: No sooner had + noun + past participle + than + noun + past tense
2. (d) Present tense
3. (a) ―Neither‖ is classified as a singular pronoun.
4. (c) ―Whomever‖ is always used when there is a noun between the word and the verb.
5. (c) ―You‖ is not correct because of illogical comparison. ―Yours‖ indicates possession.
6. (b) When talking about two past events, past perfect must be used for the earlier event.
7. (d) Due to the event happening in the past, past perfect is used.
8. (a) Other answers are dangling modifiers.
9. (c) (Gerund + Infinitive) acts a subject.
10. (b) Rule: Not until + time + did + subject + verb

Sentence Correction

1. (e) Correct order of words and correct usage of punctuation

2. (d) ―Would‖ is used for future events that have not taken place yet.
3. (e) Illogical participle modifier
4. (d) reason + because is redundant. The correct structure is reason + that
5. (d) ―that‖ is appropriate after ―sure‖ and infinitive should be used after ―try‖.
6. (e) Concise
7. (d) Concise
8. (b) Personal pronouns are used an object.
9. (a) Neither…nor is a phrase
10. (b) Concise

Error Detection

1. (C) A noun is required. Therefore, it should be ―recognition‖.

2. (C) The word should be ―those‖.
3. (E) No Error
4. (B) Modal is always followed by the base form of verb. So it should be ―walk‖.
5. (A) It should be ―The number of‖.
6. (E) No Error
7. (C) Bamboo is a singular noun here, so the verb should be ―has‖.
8. (B) Since it occurred in the past, it should be ―ended‖.
9. (C) Redundancy. ―Matinee‖ is sufficient.
10. (E) No Error

20
Chapter 3
Parts of Speech

21
22
‗Parts of speech‘ is basically a categorization of words depending on how the words are being used in a sentence.
There are 8 parts of speech in English grammar which classify usage of different words under 8 different categories.
They are –

Noun
Noun is simply the name of someone or something. Similarly, name of an action, an idea, a quality and a state of
being are also classified as noun. Like-

 The shirt Mr. Kabir searching for is on the table.

Here the words shirt, Mr. Kabir and table are the names of a thing, a person and a thing.

 The happiness in him seems fake to me.

Here the word happiness stands for a name of state of being. The word ‗happy‘ refers to a state of being (in which
condition the person is) and happiness here is the name of that state of being.

Pronoun
Pronouns are the substitutes of nouns. They are used to avoid the repetitiveness of nouns. Like-

 Jawad is so adamant about his decisions that he is not willing to listen to anyone.

Here the words ‗his‘ and ‗he‘ are basically the substitutes of the noun ‗Jawad‘, used to avoid the repetitiveness of
noun Jawad.

Adjective
Adjectives describe or modify—that is, they limit or restrict the meaning of nouns and pronouns. An adjective,
usually coming right before a noun, describes any special quality or attribute of that particular noun. Like-

 The blue book on the table talks about fundamentals of Philosophy.

Here the word ‗blue‘ coming right before the noun ‗book‘, talks only about blue books not the entire category book.
Thus the adjective ‗blue‘ here limits the usage of the general noun ‗book‘.

However, the scenario is not exactly the same in case of modifying pronouns. Adjectives here aren‘t usually directly
placed before the pronouns. Like-

 He is enough brave and competent to go for this adventure.

Here, though the words ‗brave‘ and ‗competent‘ describe two special attributes of the pronoun ‗he‘ and act as
adjectives, they are not placed right before the pronoun.

Verbs
Verbs are considered as the most important part of the sentence. These are words those show an action, an
occurrence, or a state of being. Verbs are simply categorized under two broad categories-

i) Principal verb, which can completely function alone expressing the desired meaning. Like help, ride, go etc.

ii) Auxiliary verb, which can‘t express the desired meaning without the help of theprincipal verb. Like am, is, are
etc.

23
Look carefully at the following three examples.

 Iftekhar is riding a bicycle.

Here the verb ‗is‘ is auxiliary and the verb ‗riding‘ showing an action is principal verb.

 What happened yesterday was totally unacceptable.

Here the verb ‗happened‘ shows an occurrence and acts as a principal verb.

 Dinosaurs existed almost a million years ago.

The verb ‗existed‘ here doesn‘t show an action directly, rather it shows a state of being.

Adverbs: Adverbs are words those modify or qualify an adjective, verb, or other adverbs, expressing a relation of
place, time, circumstance, manner, cause, degree, etc. The difference between adjectives and adverbs, despite both
of them being modifiers, is that adjectives modify nouns and pronouns whereas adverbs modify verbs, adjectives and
other adverbs. Like –

 Jawad ran so slowly in the race that he reached the finishing line after announcement of the result.

Here the word ‗slowly‘ modifies the verb ‗ran‘ and expresses the manner how he ran. Again, the word ‗so‘ further
modifies the adverb ‗slowly‘ expressing the degree of the action how he ran.

So the words ‗slowly‘ and ‗so‘ both are adverbs here.

Conjunction: Conjunctions are words those link other words, phrases, or clauses together.
Conjunction allows to form complex, elegant sentences and avoid the usage of multiple short sentences. Like –

 I like cooking and eating but I don‘t like washing dishes afterwards.

Here, the words ‗and‘ and ‗but‘ link three different words cooking, eating and washing in two different ways. In the
first part, ‗and‘ establishes a parallel link between the actions eating and cooking. On the other hand, ‗but‘ establishes
a contrasting link between washing and other two actions mentioned earlier. In addition, the conjunctions here help to
avoid the usage of three short sentences.

Preposition: Prepositions are words or set of words those indicate location (in, near, beside, on top of) or some
other relationship between a noun or pronoun and other parts of the sentence within the sentence (about, after,
besides, instead of, in accordance with). Like –

 The book is now on the table

Here the word ‗on‘ specifies the position or location of the book which is on the table.

 I‘m not thinking about what tomorrow holds.

24
Here the word ‗about‘ makes a relation between what I‘m not thinking and what tomorrow holds. So the word ‗about‘
here also acts as a preposition.

Interjection: Interjections are parts of speech those demonstrate the emotion or feeling of the author. These words
or phrases can stand alone, or be placed before or after a sentence. Many times, as within the examples of
interjections below, you'll notice many interjections are followed by an exclamation point.

 Hurray! We have won the match.

Here the word ‗Hurray!‘ depicts the joy of the person who gave the statement due to winning the match. Again we
can see that the interjection here can stand alone and is followed by an exclamation mark.

Now since we have gathered a primary knowledge about all the parts of speech, let‘s try to find out the different parts
of speech from the following sentence

 Alas ! The poor suffer much in India and it's a pity.

25
Exercise
Basic

1. Nouns can be ______.

a) Countable
b) Uncountable
c) a and b both
d) None of the above
2. _______ going back to America was unexpected.
a) him
b) his
c) hers
d) he
3. ______ at 212 degrees F and freezes at 32 degrees F.
a) Waters boils
b) The water boils
c) Water boils
d) Waters boil
4. Hybrids have one more ______ per plant than the other varieties.
a) corns
b) corn ears
c) corn‘s ears
d) ear of corn
5. ______ trees is a custom that many people engage in to celebrate Arbor Day.
a) The plant
b) Planting
c) Plant
d) To planting
6. What does an adjective modify?
a) Noun
b) Pronoun
c) Adverb
d) All of the above
7. Is it ______ at the door again?
a) they
b) them
c) themselves
d) him
8. I am taller than ______.
a) him
b) he will
c) he is
d) himself
9. Does she blame us for what happened yesterday, especially you and ______?
a) I
b) me
c) myself
d) her

26
10. Which of the following conjunctions express contrast?
a) However
b) Nevertheless
c) Therefore
d) a and b
11. Profits are divided ______ the stakeholders of the company in an even manner.
a) between
b) amongst
c) beside
d) among
12. Which of the following expressions is incorrect?
th
a) on 10 Street, New York
b) on river Hudson
c) in the corner
d) in Titanic
13. ______ a mayor, many city governments employ a city manager.
a) Also
b) And
c) Beside
d) Besides

Identify the correct parts of speech

When Mary Lennox was sent to (14) Mussel white to live (15) with her uncle, everybody said that she was the
(16) most(17) disagreeable-looking child anyone has ever seen. She was very thin, ill-looking and had a (18) sour
expression. She spent most of her time around the shabby parts of (19) India; thus, she was always ill in one way
(20) or another.

Sentence Correction
1. They arrive on time and were able to witness the entire graduation ceremony (BBA 2005-06)
a) arrived on
b) have arrived on
c) were arriving on
d) arrived at
e) None of these
2. The job application did not state to whom to be sent the personal preferences (BBA 2005-06)
a) to whom to be sent the personal preferences
b) to who the personal preference should be sent
c) to whom to send the personal preferences
d) to whom the personal preferences will be sent
e) none of these
3. Some countries are increasing their land space taking soil from ocean (BBA 2006-07)
a) taking soil from ocean
b) by taking soil from the ocean
c) taking soil from the ocean
d) by taking soil of ocean
e) none of these

27
4. With only 5% of the world‘s population, US citizens consume 28% of its non-renewable resources.
a) With
b) As
c) Being
d) Despite having
e) Although accounting for
5. With diamonds, as with all gems, one should ask for a written description of one‘s purchase. The description may
turn out fruitful for you.
a) one should ask for a written description of one‘s purchase.
b) you should ask for a written description of your purchase.
c) A written discretion of your purchase is what one should ask for.
d) A written description of one‘s purchase is what should be asked for.
e) A written description of your purchase is what should be asked for.

Error Finding
1. The athlete was disqualified from the tournament for participating at an illegal demonstration. (BBA 2005-06)
A B C D E
2. Admittance for the inauguration ceremonies was only by special invitation of the committee. No Error (BBA 05-06)
A B C D E
3. Helen types fastly and efficiently, and never gives you a chance to whine and complain. No Error
A B C D E
4. Sometime several nations become partners in a larger political state, as for example, the four
A B C
nations joined in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. No Error
D E
5. That once a student at State University, he is now an engineer for the National Aeronautical and
A B C D
Research Association. No Error
E

28
Parts of Speech Solutions
Basic

1. Nouns can be broadly classified into two segments i.e. count and non-count nouns.
2. Answer B is correct. Use possessive forms of pronoun before gerunds.
3. Answer C is correct. Same explanation for (2)
4. Answer D is correct. Non-count nouns generally have idiomatic expressions such as ear of corn, bar of soap,
piece of equipment, etc. Look up more such more expressions.
5. Answer C is correct. Planting here works as a gerund (noun).
6. Answer D is correct. An adjective modifies all of the above.
7. Answer A is correct. After the verb be, use the subject pronoun.
8. Answer C is correct.
9. Answer B is correct. If personal pronouns are used as the complement of a sentence or clause, object case
pronouns (me, him) must be used.
10. Answer D is correct.
11. Answer D is correct. To express collaboration between more than two people, use among.
12. Answer D is correct. Use on to express somebody‘s journey via train or ship.
13. Answer D is correct.
14. Noun. Mussel white is the name of a place.
15. Preposition.
16. Adverb. Most modifies the following adjective, similar to what an adverb does.
17. Adjective. Disagreeable looking modifies the following noun, similar to what an adjective does.
18. Adjective
19. Proper Noun
20. Conjunction. A conjunction coordinates and establishes relationship between words, clauses and sentences.

Sentence Correction

1. Answer A is correct. The sentence maintains parallelism and uses the phrase on time correctly.
2. Answer D is correct. The first part of the sentence is in past form; thus, C is crossed out. Whom is also correctly
used in this sentence.
3. Answer B is correct. The sentence correctly uses the preposition by and from.
4. Answer E is correct. Although accounting for functions as a verb for the following subject US Citizens.
5. Answer B is correct and concise. The latter part of the sentence uses the pronoun you.

Error Finding

1. E is incorrect. Use in instead of at.

2. A is incorrect. Use admission instead of admittance.
3. A is incorrect. Avoid using words such as fastly, hardly, etc as adverbs.
4. A is incorrect. Sometimes should be used of sometime. Sometime means an unspecific date in the future,
whereas sometimes means occasionally.
5. B is incorrect. The correct usage is Once a student in…

29
30
Chapter 4
Subject Verb Agreement

31
32
In English, you always have to conjugate the verb to match the subject. To put simply, the subject of the sentence
must always get along with the verb of the sentence. This is called subject-verb agreement. It can get tricky even
though the simple cases seem so natural and obvious to us:

Wrong: You is brave.

Correct: You are brave.
The subject is a noun (person, place, or object) that is the "doer" in the sentence. A verb is a term that expresses
action. Consider how awkward it would be to have verbs that disagree with the subject in the simple statement
above. You don't even need to know what each sentence's subject and verb are to see that it's awkward. Now, the
admission exam (IBA and other BBA admission exams) won't make it easy for you; they'll try to mislead you on
purpose. Let's do an example:
Investigations into the scandal (shows/show) a lot more than we want to know.
To pick the right verb, we must first find the subject. Let's start by applying what we learned in a previous chapter and
cross out the prepositional phrases:
Investigations into the scandal (shows/show) a lot more than we want to know.

What's left is the subject—investigations!

Note that the verb must agree with both the ―number‖ and ―person‖ of the subject.
Now the second step is to ask yourself whether investigations is singular or plural. Well, it's plural because of the s.
Therefore, we need the plural verb show. And that's the whole process! Cross out the prepositional phrases and
you'll be able to pick the subject from the nouns that are left. It's usually the remaining noun closest to the verb.
If you're ever unsure of whether a verb such as show is singular or plural, test it by putting he and they in front and
then asking yourself which sounds more correct:
He show... OR They show...
Hopefully, They show... sounds more correct to you, which means show is the plural form (since they is obviously
plural).

Singular Plural
st
1 Person I pray. We pray.
nd
2 Person You pray. You pray
rd
3 Person He prays They pray
She prays The nuns pray
It slides
Rooney shoots

All the basic rules and their exceptions.

1. Subjects joined by ‗and‘
Two or more singular subjects connected by ‗and‘ usually take a verb in the plural.
Incorrect: Harriet and Arshavin is here.
Correct: Harriet and Arshavin are here.

2. Two singular subjects referring to the same person/thing

If two singular nouns refer to the same person or thing, the verb will be singular.
Incorrect: The Secretary and Principal are coming.
Correct: The Secretary and Principal is coming.

3. Treatment of ‗each‘/‘every‘
If the singular subjects are preceded by ‗each‘ or ‗every‘, the verb is usually singular.
Incorrect: Every boy and girl were ready.
Correct: Every boy and girl was ready.

33
4. Treatment of ‗or‘/‘nor‘/‘either-or‘/‘neither-nor‘
Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, either-or, neither-nor take a verb in the singular.
Incorrect: Neither he nor I were there.
Correct: Neither he nor I was there.

5. Treatment of ‗or‘/‘nor‘/‘either-or‘/‘neither-nor‘ when they join subjects of different ‗numbers‘

When the subjects joined by or/nor are of different numbers, the verb agrees with the subject nearest to it.
Incorrect: Neither the students nor the teacher was present.
Correct: Neither the students nor the teacher was present.

6. Treatment of ‗or‘/‘nor‘/‘either-or‘/‘neither-nor‘ when they join subjects of different ‗persons‘

When the subjects joined by or/nor are of different persons, the verb agrees in person with the one nearest
to it.
Incorrect: Either he or I is mistaken.
Correct: Either he or I, am mistaken.

7. Treatment of collective nouns

A collective noun takes a singular verb when the collection is thought of as a whole, a Plural verb when the
individuals of which it is composed are thought of.
Correct: The Council has chosen the president.
Correct: The military were called out.

8. Subjects that are ‗singular‘/‘plural‘ depending on the context

Some words can be both singular and plural depending on the context of the sentence.
- Congress/ family/ group/ committee/ class/ organization/ team/ army/ club/ crowd/ government/ jury/
majority/ minority/ public
Correct- The majority believes that we are safe.
(‗Majority‘ when alone is singular)
Correct- The majority of the students believe him to be innocent.
(‗Majority‘ when followed by a plural noun is plural)

9. Noun phrases acting as collective nouns

Some noun phrases are collective nouns and act as singular.
- Flock of birds/ flock of sheep/ school of fish/ herd of cattle/ pride of lions/ pack of dogs.
Incorrect- A flock of birds were seen flying over the Atlantic.
Correct- A flock of birds was seen flying over the Atlantic.

10. ‗Plural‘ looking nouns that are actually ‗Singular‘

Some nouns which are plural in form but singular in meaning, take a singular.
Incorrect: Mathematics are a branch of study in every school.
Correct: Mathematics is a branch of study in every school.

11. Subjects joined by parenthetical expressions

Words joined to a singular subject by -with, in addition to, or, as well as, etc. are parenthetical, and therefore
do not affect the number of the verb.
Incorrect: The Chief, with all his men were massacred.
Correct: The Chief, with all his men was massacred.

12. When the ‗subject‘ that the ‗verb‘ has to agree with is a relative pronoun
When the subject of a verb is a relative pronoun, care should be taken to see that the verb agrees in Number
and Person with the Antecedent of the relative.
Incorrect: I, who is your friend, will guard your interests.
Correct: I, who am your friend, will guard your interests.
34
13. Indefinite pronouns that are always singular
The indefinite pronouns such as - Anybody/ anyone/ anything/ nobody/ no one/ nothing/ somebody/
someone/ something/ everybody/ everyone/ everything/ either/ neither, always take a verb to the singular.
Incorrect: In the history of the world, nobody have done this before.
Correct: In the history of the world, nobody has done this before.

14. Treatment of ‗none‘/‘no‘

None/no can take either a singular or plural verb, depending on the noun which it follows.
Incorrect: None of the counterfeit money have been found.
Correct: None of the counterfeit money has been found.
Incorrect: None of the students has finished the exam yet.
Correct: None of the students have finished the exam yet.

15. Sentences starting with a ‗gerund‘

Sentences starting with gerunds always make the verb singular.
Incorrect: Dieting are very popular today.
Correct: Dieting is very popular today.

16. Collective nouns specifying quantity

Collective nouns indicating time/ money/ measurements are used as singulars.
Incorrect- Two miles are a long way to go for just a cup of coffee.
Incorrect- Two miles is a long way to go for just a cup of coffee.

17. ‗The number of‘ vs ‗A number of‘

―The number of‖ always takes singular verbs while ―A number of‖ always takes plural verbs.
Incorrect: The number of instances in which women are treated unfairly in this community are
unprecedented.
Correct: The number of instances in which women are treated unfairly in this community is unprecedented.
Incorrect: A number of stories was told at the campfire last night.
Correct: A number of stories were told at the campfire last night.

18. Subjects that are ‗singular‘/‘plural‘ depending on context

Some indefinite pronouns such as -all, some are singular or plural depending on what they‘re referring to.
That is, whether they‘re referring to count nouns or non-count nouns.
Incorrect: Some of the beads is missing.
Correct: Some of the beads are missing.
Incorrect: All of the water from the water tank have depleted.
Correct: All of the water from the water tank has depleted.

19. Treatment of ‗several‘, ‗many‘, ‗both‘ and ‗few‘

When ‗several‘, ‗many‘, ‗both‘ and ‗few‘ are independently used as subjects, they are always plural.
Incorrect: Several was injured in the fire yesterday
Correct: Several were injured in the fire yesterday

20. Treatment of subjects involved with portioning

For words that indicate portion such as – fraction, majority, part, percent, some, all, none, remainder, etc. the
verb will be taken singular/plural depending on the ‗number‘ of the object.
Incorrect: Fifty percent of the boys was on the side of the principal.
Correct: Fifty percent of the boys were on the side of the principal.

35
21. Treatment of words indicating nationality
If a word indicates nationality and refers to a language, it is treated as singular. If it refers to the people, it is plural.
Incorrect: The Japanese people is some of the most hard working people in the world.
Correct: The Japanese people are some of the most hard working people in the world.

22. Treatment for ‗Units of measurements‘

The singular verb form is usually reserved for units of measurement or time.
Incorrect: Four quarts of oil were required to keep the car engine running.
Correct: Four quarts of oil was required to keep the car engine running.
here, ‗four quarts of oil‘ indicates a unit of measurement and is treated as a singular subject.

23. Treatment of infinitives separated by ‗and‘

If two infinitives are separated by "and," they take the plural form of the verb.
Incorrect: To walk and to swim requires no extra skill at all.
Correct: To walk and to swim require no extra skill at all.

24. Treatment of predicate nouns different in number

If a predicate noun differs in number from the subject, the verb must agree with the subject.
Incorrect: Our biggest achievement are our new patents in the R&D department.
Correct: Our biggest achievement is our new patents in the R&D department.

25. When the sentence starts off as a question

Some words such as – ‗here‘, ‗there‘, ‗where‘, ‗when‘ or ‗who‘ do not affect the verb when they introduce a subject.
Incorrect: Here comes my friends.
Correct: Here come my friends.

26. Agreement with only the true subject

Even if a verb comes before the subject, the verb agrees with the true subject, not the words preceding it.
Incorrect: Coming at us from the back were a bison.
Correct: Coming at us from the back was a bison.

27. Treatment of inverted sentences

In an inverted sentence beginning with a prepositional phrase, the verb still agrees with its subject.
Incorrect: At the end of the Christmas holidays come the best sale.
Correct: At the end of the Christmas holidays comes the best sale.

28. Treatment for names and brands

Titles of -books, companies, name brands, and groups are singular or plural depending on their meaning.
These instances are subjective and you need to have an idea about how these names are used beforehand in
order to determine their number correctly.
Incorrect: Trix is for kids.
Correct: Trix are for kids.
Incorrect: The Rolling Stones is performing in the Super Dome.
Correct: The Rolling Stones are performing in the Super Dome.

36
29. Treatment of nouns with unusual singular forms Singular Plural
Certain nouns of Latin and Greek origin have unusual singular Criterion Criteria
and plural forms. Alumnus Alumni
Incorrect: All the data was lost in the fire. Datum Data
Correct: All the data were lost in the fire. Medium Media

30. Treatment of nouns that have the same spelling for both singular & plural forms
Some nouns such as deer, shrimp, and sheep have the same spelling for both their singular and plural forms.
In these cases, the meaning of the sentence will determine whether they are singular or plural.
Incorrect: Deer is beautiful.
Correct: Deer are beautiful.
Incorrect: The spotted deer are grazing by the river.
Correct: The spotted deer is grazing by the river.

31. Words treated as ‗words‘ rather than grammatical parts

Words used as words, not as grammatical parts of the sentence, require singular verbs.
Correct: Can‘t is the contraction for cannot.

32. Treatment of mathematical expressions

Mathematical expressions of subtraction and division require singular verbs, while expressions of addition or
multiplication take either singular or plural verbs.
Incorrect: Nine plus ten equal twenty-one.
Correct: Nine plus ten equals twenty-one.

33. Treatment of nouns ending with ‗ics‘

Some nouns ending in -ics, such as economics and ethics, take singular verbs when they refer to principles, a
system or a field of study; however, when they refer to individual practices or applications, they usually take
plural verbs.
Incorrect: Ethics are being taught in the spring.
Correct: Ethics is being taught in the spring.
Incorrect: His unusual business ethics gets him into trouble.
Correct: His unusual business ethics get him into trouble.

34. Treatment of verbal nouns serving as a subject

A verbal noun (infinitive or gerund) serving as a subject is treated as singular, even if the object of the verbal
phrase is plural.
Incorrect: Hiding your mistakes do not make them go away.
Correct: Hiding your mistakes does not make them go away.

37
Exercises
Segment Difficulty - Easy

1. The theme parks are so crowded on weekends that the queues are a mile long. No error. (BBA 2006)
A B C D E
2. True friendship always last despite numerous difficulties of life. No error (BBA 2006-07)
A B C D E
3. It is only in case of extreme situations that heroes are born. No error (BBA 2006-07)
A B C D E
4. ______________ of Acer Laptops was its low battery life. (BBA 2006-07)

a) cause for mass recall

b) the reason because mass recall

c) the reason for mass recall

d) result of mass recall

e) none of these

5. People who ____________________ tend to be achievement oriented. (BBA 2006-07)

a) are aggressive in nature

b) have aggression in nature

c) have been aggressive in nature

d) have aggressive in nature

e) none of these

Pick the correct sentence

6. (BBA 2007-2008)

A) The answer to our problems are well-trained soldiers.

B) Anybody knows it is to their advantage to have a BBA degree.
C) The captain and most of his crew was standing on the deck.
D) When everybody has given his/her opinion, the committee can decide.
E) Each of the umpires have to have their eyes examined.

7.

A) Husain, as well as his brothers, plans to enter the university.

B) The IBA faculty have voted to hold monthly meetings.
C) Half the supplies has been used.
D) The public has widely divergent views on many political issues.
E) Three-fourths of our building are not heated adequately.

38
Segment Difficulty - Medium

08. According to the study, as the body ages, the chance that medications will cause harmful side effects are on the
increase.
A) are on the increase
B) increases
C) has increased
D) increase
E) none of these

09. Noting that the price of oil and other fuel components, a major factor in the cost structure of an airline, have risen
and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their outlook for the upcoming quarter.
A) have risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their
B) have risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about the
C) will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about the
has risen and will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their
will continue to rise, the company management was pessimistic about their

10. Since the mid-1990s, the central government of Botswana has been forcibly removing native Bushmen from the
Central Kalahari Game Reserve; the government justifies their actions by stating that it is too costly to provide
such basic services like medical care and schooling to such a remote area.
A) justifies their actions by stating that it is too costly to provide such basic services like
B) justifies their actions by stating it is too costly and expensive to provide such basic services as
C) justify their actions by stating that it is too costly to provide basic services like
D) justify its actions by stating that it is too costly and expensive to provide such a basic service as
E) justifies its actions by stating that it is too costly to provide such basic services as

11. The governor‘s team of advisors, including her education and political strategists, has not been available for
comment since the governor released her controversial education reform proposal.
A) has not been available for comment since the governor released her controversial education reform proposal
B) have not been available for comment since the governor released her controversial education reform proposal
C) have not been available for comment since she released her proposal on controversial education reform
D) has not been available for comment since she released her controversial education reform proposal
E) has not been available to make comments since she released her proposal on controversial reform in
education

12. The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing have been relaxed.
A) The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing have been relaxed.
B) The amount of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like those caused by faulty wiring, have increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
C) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the number caused by faulty wiring, have increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.
D) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like accidents caused by faulty wiring, has increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing had been relaxed.
E) The number of car accidents caused by faulty brakes, like the number caused by faulty wiring, has increased
significantly since regulations on manufacturing were relaxed.

39
13. The banana that contains high level of potassium and other important minerals are considered to be one of
nature‘s healthiest fruits.
A) The banana that contains high level of potassium and other important minerals are considered to be
B) The banana, which contains high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered
C) The banana, which contain high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered to be
D) Bananas which contain high levels of potassium and other important minerals are considered
E) The banana, which contains high levels of potassium and other important minerals, is considered to be

14. The increase in unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs,
are forcing many homeowners to look into alternative sources of fuel in order to save money on winter heating.
A) unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, are
B) rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in retail prices and energy costs, have been
C) unemployment rates, coupled with significant increases in both retail prices and energy costs, is
D) unemployment rates, coupled with significantly increased retail prices as well as energy costs, is
E) rates of unemployment, coupled with significant increases in both retail as well as energy costs, had been

15. Before the Civil War, Harriet Tubman, along with other former slaves and white abolitionists, helped create what
had become known as the Underground Railroad, and were responsible for leading hundreds, if not thousands,
of slaves to freedom.
A) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
B) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and were
C) had become known as the Underground Railroad, and was
D) has been becoming known as the Underground Railroad, and was
E) would become known as the Underground Railroad, and was

16. Mathematical analysis of humpback whale sounds provide evidence that animals other than humans use a
hierarchical structure of communication.
A) provide evidence that animals other than humans
B) provides evidence that animals other than humans
C) provide evidence that an animal other than humans
D) provides evidence that an animal other than a human
E) provide evidence that animals, like humans.

Segment Difficulty - Hard

17. Since 1989, after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in the
reunified Germany, in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans, who have had to
acclimate to an entirely different political system.
A) after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in there unified German,
in cultural and economic assimilation terms, were the former East Germans
B) after the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in there unified Germany, in
cultural terms as well as those of economic assimilation, were the former East Germans
C) when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the reunified Germany's most problematic ethnic groups, in
terms of cultural and economic assimilation, was the former East Germans
D) when the Berlin Wall was demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in there unified Germany, in
terms of cultural and economic assimilation, has been the former East Germans
E) after the Berlin Wall had been demolished, one of the most problematic ethnic groups in there unified
Germany, in both terms of cultural and economic assimilation, have been the former East Germans

40
18. Since the last election, the lobbying effort initiated by environmental organizations, homeowners, and small
business owners have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation.
A) have increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
B) have increased awareness about pending legislation dealing with the environment
C) has increased awareness about pending environmental legislation
D) has increased awareness of pending environmental legislation
E) has increased awareness of environmental legislation that is still pending

19. In comparison with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of
maximum winds located farther from the center, and typically have a less symmetric wind field.
A) with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds
located farther from the center, and typically have
B) with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds
located farther from the center, and typically has
C) with tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone located farther from
the center of maximum winds, and typically have
D) to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds
located farther from the center, and typically have
E) to tropical cyclone systems, subtropical cyclone systems have a relatively broad zone of maximum winds
located farther from the center, and typically has

20. Every workday at dawn, the patriarch of one of the city‘s five richest families leaves his mansion and walks to city hall.
A) richest families leaves his mansion and walks
B) richest families leave his mansion and walk
C) richest families leaves his mansion and walk
D) richer families leave his mansion and walks
E) richer families leaves his mansion and walks

21. A higher interest rate is only one of the factors, albeit an important one, that keeps the housing market from
spiraling out of control, like it did earlier in the decade.
A) keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did
B) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
C) keeps the housing market from spiraling out of control, as it did
D) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like
E) keep the housing market from spiraling out of control, like it did

22. The Daughters of the American Revolution, a volunteer service organization, admits as members only women
who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution.
A) admits as members only women who can prove lineal descent
B) admit as members only women who can prove lineal descent
C) admits as members women who can prove lineal descent
D) only admit as members women who can prove lineal descent
E) admits as members women who can prove lineal descent only

41
23. Consumption of bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms
such as muscle contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
maternal bleeding after childbirth.
A) bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle
contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
B) products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle
contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause significantly reduced
C) bread products made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle
contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significant reduction in
D) bread made from ergot-infected grains often triggers severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle
contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also cause a significant reduction in
E) bread products made from ergot-infected grains often trigger severely debilitating symptoms such as muscle
contractions, seizures and gangrene but, at a proper dose, also causes a significantly reduced

24. Hogarth's engravings, which provide a vivid portrait of eighteenth-century London, are of interest to both artists
and historians.
A) are of interest to both
B) are interests both for
C) are both interesting to
D) is of interest to both
E) is interesting for both

25. According to industry analysts, the recent growth in the number of hybrid motor vehicles inmajor metropolitan
areas are likely to accelerate in the future.
A) the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
B) the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas are
C) the number of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
D) the numbers of hybrid motor vehicles in major metropolitan areas is
E) hybrid motor vehicles‘ numbers in major metropolitan areas are

26. Since 1929, when the global telegraph business peaked, the number of telegrams delivered annually have
decreased from 200 million to only 21,000 last year.
A) have decreased from 200 million
B) have been reduced from 200 million
C) has decreased from 200 million
D) has been reduced from 200 million down
E) has decreased from 200 million down

42
Subject Verb Agreement Solutions
1. E
The sentence is correct and contains no errors.
2. B
A singular verb must be used since ‗friendship‘ is a singular noun.
3. E
The sentence is correct and contains no errors.
4. C
Only C and D are grammatically correct. However, the prose of D makes no sense.
5. D
‗Everybody‘ is considered a singular pronoun.
6. A
Appositive phrases do not affect the verb.
7. C
‗Team‘ is a collective noun, thus singular as judged by the context of the sentence. Hence, singular verb is used.
8. B
Other options contain parallelism error.
9. C
This choice replaces the redundant phrase ‗have risen and will continue to rise‘ with the more concise ‗will
continue to rise‘.
10. E
Here the ‗government‘ I used a collective noun indicating to a single body of administration, thus should be
referred to using the pronoun ‗its‘.
11. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
12. E
‗The number‘ is correctly used to refer to car accidents, a countable quantity. Parallelism and tense errors are
also fixed.
13. B
The noun phrase introduced by the relative pronoun is expendable thus ‗which‘ has to be used. ‗Considered‘ is
used correctly without any preposition and ‗which‘ is inserted.
14. C
Subject verb agreement is maintained and eloquence is ensured.
15. E
Past indefinite is used correctly instead of past perfect tense.
16. B
‗Mathematical analysis of humpback whale sounds‘ here is a the subject and it is singular. Thus, it needs to take
a singular verb.

43
17. D
Present perfect tense is required here, indicating the ongoing nature of the problem. The phrasing is more
elegant that the original sentence.
18. D
Plural verb is used for the singular subject ‗lobbying effort‘. End of the sentence is clear and concise.
19. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
20. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
21. B
The plural verb ‗keep‘ is used to fix the error. ‗Like‘ is changed to ‗as‘ correctly.
22. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
23. C
Two plural verbs are correctly paired with the singular subject ‗consumption‘.
24. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
25. C
Singular verb ‗is‘ is correctly used for the singular subject ‗growth‘.
26. C
The singular verb ‗has decreased‘ maintains subject verb agreement with the singular noun ‗The number‘.

44
Chapter 5
Articles

45
46
Articles are words that define a noun as specific or unspecific. Consider the following examples:

Ex- After the long night, the people of Winter fell can breathe a sigh of relief.

By using the article the, we have shown that it was one specific night that was long and one specific group of people
who breathed a sigh of relief.

Ex- After a long night, a cup of honey feels relaxing.

By using the article a, we‘ve created a general statement, implying that any cup of honey would taste good after any
long night or period of time.

From these examples, you can easily see that there is a specific correlation to the way words can shift the meaning
of sentences and can bring things to specificity. Articles can provide this power to nouns in general.

English has two types of articles: definite and indefinite.

Let us discuss them now in more detail.

The Definite Article

The definite article is the word the. It limits the meaning of a noun to one particular thing. For example, your friend
might ask, ―Are you going to the IBA Boishakh this weekend?‖ The definite article tells you that your friend is referring
to a specific event (which in this case is the IBA Boishakh.) that both of you know about. The definite article can be
used with singular, plural, or uncountable nouns. Below are some examples of the definite article the used in context:

Ex - Please give me the Infinity Gauntlet.

Please give me the power stone; the time stone is too complex for me to use.

Please give me the katana.

Please give me the shield; it‘s the only one strong enough to defeat the enemy.

Please give me the shield and the hammer.

The Indefinite Article

The indefinite article takes two forms. It‘s the word ―a” when it precedes a word that begins with a consonant. It‘s the
word ―an‖ when it precedes a word that begins with a vowel. The indefinite article indicates that a noun refers to a
general idea rather than a particular thing.

For example, you might ask your friend, ―Should I bring a gift to the party?‖ Your friend will understand that you are
not asking about a specific type of gift or a specific item. ―I am going to bring an apple tart,‖ your friend tells you.
Again, the indefinite article indicates that she is not talking about a specific apple tart. Your friend probably doesn‘t
even have any tart yet. The indefinite article only appears with singular nouns. Consider the following examples of
indefinite articles used in context:

Ex- Please hand me a weapon; any weapon will do.

Please hand me an icicle; any icicle will do.

47
Exceptions: Choosing A or An

There are a few exceptions to the general rule of using “a” before words that start with consonants and “an” before
words that begin with vowels. The first letter of the word honor, for example, is a consonant, but it‘s unpronounced. In
spite of its spelling, the word honor begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, we use an. Consider the example
sentence below for an illustration of this concept.

Incorrect - My mother is a honest woman.

Correct - My mother is an honest woman.

Similarly, when the first letter of a word is a vowel but is pronounced with a consonant sound, use a, as in the sample
sentence below:

Incorrect - She is an United States senator.

Correct - She is a United States senator.

This holds true with acronyms and initialisms, too: an LCD television, a UK-based conglomerate, an HR official, a
URL.

Article before an Adjective

Sometimes an article modifies a noun that is also modified by an adjective. The usual word order is article + adjective
+ noun. If the article is indefinite, choose a or an based on the word that immediately follows it. Consider the following
examples for reference:

Ex- Eliza will bring a small gift to Sophie‘s party.

(article + adjective + noun)

I heard an interesting story yesterday.

Indefinite Articles with Uncountable Nouns

Uncountable nouns are nouns that are either difficult or impossible to count. Uncountable nouns include intangible
things (e.g., information, air), liquids (e.g., milk, wine), and things that are too large or numerous to count (e.g.,
equipment, sand, wood). Because these things cannot be counted, you should never use a or an with them—
remember, the indefinite article is only for singular nouns. Uncountable nouns can be modified by words like
some, however. Consider the examples below for reference:

Incorrect - Please give me a water.

Water is an uncountable noun and should not be used with the indefinite article.

Correct - Please give me some water.

However, if you describe the water in terms of countable units (like bottles), you can use the indefinite article.

Ex-

Correct - Please give me a bottle of water.

Incorrect - Please give me an ice.

Correct - Please give me an ice cube.

Correct - Please give me some ice.

48
Note that depending on the context, some nouns can be countable or uncountable (e.g., hair, noise, time):

Correct - We need a light in this room.

Correct - We need some light in this room.

Here it depends on the context of how it is being used. Both of the above-mentioned sentences are correct since the
way the articles have been used provide meaning to the sentence.

Using Articles with Pronouns

Possessive pronouns can help identify whether you are talking about specific or nonspecific items. As we have seen,
articles also indicate specificity. However, if you use both a possessive pronoun and an article at the same time,
readers will become confused. Possessive pronouns are words like his, my, our, its, her, and their. Articles should
not be used with pronouns. Consider the examples below.

Incorrect - Why are you reading the my book?

The and my should not be used together since they are both meant to modify the same noun. Instead, you should
use one or the other, depending on the intended meaning:

Correct - Why are you reading the book?

Correct - Why are you reading my book?

Omission of Articles

Occasionally, articles are omitted altogether before certain nouns. In these cases, the article is implied but not
actually present. This implied article is sometimes called a ―zero article.‖ Often, the article is omitted before nouns
that refer to abstract ideas. Look at the following examples:

Incorrect - Let us go out for a dinner tonight.

Correct - Let us go out for dinner tonight.

Incorrect - The creativity is a valuable quality in children.

Correct - Creativity is a valuable quality in children.

Many languages and nationalities are not preceded by an article. Consider the example below:

Incorrect - I studied the French in high school for four years.

Correct - I studied French in high school for four years.

Sports and academic subjects do not require articles. See the sentences below for reference:

Incorrect - I like to play the baseball.

Correct - I like to play baseball.

Incorrect - My sister was always good at the math.

Correct - My sister was always good at math.

49
The usage of indefinite articles is not that tricky but there are some specific rules that need to be followed for the
usage of definite articles. A table has been charted so that it can help you to see when definite articles are to be used
and when they are not to be used.

Use The Don‘t Use The

1. Oceans, rivers, seas, gulfs and plural lakes. 1. Singular Lakes

These entities usually take up a definite - Lake Manitoba, Lake Erie
article 2. Mounts
- The Dead Sea, The Pacific Ocean, The - Mount Vesuvius, Mount McKinley
Somalian Gulf, The Droid Lakes 3. Planets and constellations
2. Earth and Moon - Mars, Pluto, Orion, Canis Major
- The earth, The moon 4. Colleges, Schools and Universities when the
3. Mountain Ranges and Mountains phrase begins with a proper noun
- The Rocky Mountains, The Andes, The - MohammadpurMohila College, St.
Everest Joseph Higher Secondary School,
4. Colleges, Schools and Universities when the Kurmitola University
phrase begins with these words 5. Ordinal numbers after nouns
- The college of ancients, The school of - World War 1, Chapter Four
martial arts, The University of 6. Countries precedent by New or an adjective
Philadelphia such as a direction
5. Ordinal numbers before nouns - North America, New Zealand, South
- The Second Depression, The fourth Africa
column 7. Countries with only one word
6. War (except World War) - Spain, Argentina, Brazil
- The Vietnam War, The Crimean War 8. Continents
7. Certain regions/countries or groups of - South America, Asia, Europe
countries with more than one word (except 9. States
Great Britain) - Dakota, California, Utah
- The United States, The United Kingdom, 10. Sports
The Central African Republic - Football, Badminton
8. Historical Documents 11. Abstract nouns
- The Magna Carta, The Constitution - Sovereignty, Sadness
9. Ethnic Groups 12. General areas of subject matter
- The Aztecs, The Indians - Sociology, Psychology
10. Group or a family referred through surnames 13. Holidays
- The Talukdars, The Singhs - Eid, Puja, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving

This is how articles work. Having a clear concept about articles can help with detection of errors and will be able to
bolster your sentence construction skills. This basic concept is necessary for proper understanding of the English
language.

50
Exercises
Basic

1. When you go to ___ seaside, remember not to swim near ___ rocks.

a. a, the
b. a, ×
c. the, the
d. the, ×

2. My family and I traveled to South America in ___ August.

a. a
b. an
c. the
d. ×

3. Adnan sent ___ note to his brother, telling him he was in ___ great danger.

a. a, a
b. a, ×
c. ×,×
d. ×, a

4. For the picnic, I brought ___ loaf of bread and ___ apple.

a. a, a
b. a, ×
c. ×, an
d. a, an

5. ___ author of this book gave a lecture on ___ importance of reading books outside your syllabus.

a. ×, the
b. the, ×
c. the, the
d. the, an

Sentence Correction

1. Sixty miles is a long way.

a. Sixty miles is a long way.

b. Sixty miles are a long way.
c. Sixty mile is a long way.
d. Sixty miles is long way.
e. Sixty miles are long way.

51
2. Robert Crawley, an European merchant, became an important military leader in his later life.

a. an European merchant
b. a European merchant
c. European merchant
d. European merchants
e. None of the above

3. Ahsan told me that one of his classmates was from United State of America.

a. United State of America

b. United States of America
c. the United States of America
d. the United State of America
e. United States of the America

4. In 1824, Louis Braille developed a system of writing for blind. It soon spread from France to dozens of other
countries.

a. a system of writing for blind

b. system of writing for blind
c. system of writing for blinds
d. a system for writing of the blind
e. a system of writing for the blind

5. Louis loves islands. He has been to Cuba, Bali, the Bahamas, and the Philippines.

a. Cuba, Bali, the Bahamas, and the Philippines

b. Cuba, Bali, Bahamas, and the Philippines
c. Cuba, Bali, Bahamas, and Philippines
d. the Cuba, the Bali, the Bahamas, and the Philippines
e. Cuba, Bali, Bahama, and Philippine

6. Alana, the least patient person I know, always says that patience is a virtue, which is little ironic.

a. patience is a virtue, which is little ironic

b. the patience is a virtue, which is little ironic
c. the patience is a virtue, which is a little ironic
d. patience is a virtue, which is a little ironic
e. patience is virtue, which is a little ironic

7. We will go to the Encore Beach in the Las Vegas the day after tomorrow.

a. the Encore Beach in the Las Vegas the day after tomorrow
b. the Encore Beach in Las Vegas the day after tomorrow
c. Encore Beach in Las Vegas the days after tomorrow
d. Encore Beach in the Las Vegas day after tomorrow
e. Encore Beach in the Las Vegas the days after tomorrow

8. The parmesan cheese now costs more than $100 a pound.

a. The parmesan cheese now costs more than $100 a pound.

b. The parmesan cheese now costs more than $100 pound.
c. The parmesan cheese now costs more than the $100 a pound.
d. Parmesan cheese now cost more than the $100 a pound.
e. The parmesan cheese now cost more than $100 a pound.

52
9. Having procrastinated until 10 minutes before the exam, Rafsan had a little chance of passing the final exam.

a. a little chance of passing the final exam

b. little chance of passing the final exam
c. a little chance of passing final exam
d. little chance of passing final exam
e. a little chances of passing the final exam

10. A number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class was decreasing day by day.

a. A number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class was decreasing day by day.

b. A number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class were decreasing day by day.
c. The number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class were decreasing day by day.
d. Number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class were decreasing day by day.
e. The number of students in Mr. Farhan‘s class was decreasing day by day.

Error Detection

1. Eating oysters are a practice not usually seen in the United Kingdom. No error

A B C D E

2. A number of students has decided to create a study group to address their problems in Accounting. No error

A B C D E

3. The then President issued an order even though he was not supposedly to. No error

A B C D E

4. Knowledge and wisdom make an individual truly complete and self-assured. No error

A B C D E

5. Our football team comprises of eleven skilled the players. No error

A B C D E

6. Many man have come to the Philippines to enjoy the scenic beauty of nature. No error

A B C D E

7. All the players were shocked to hear the rules and looked at each other in amazement. No error

A B C D E

8. One of the boys who always creates mischief are David. No error

A B C D E

9. Your father for bade you to do this because it is a violation of Constitution. No error

A B C D E

10. Thirteen-year old Sakib was attacked on a Khulna-bound train by an angry mob. No error

A B C D E

53
Article Solutions
Basic

1. (c) Both are common nouns.

2. (d) No article is required before months or years.
3. (b) Danger is not a specific object, hence no article is required.
4. (d) Uncountable nouns must have a unit in order to use indefinite articles before them.
5. (c) Both are common nouns.

Sentence Correction

1. (a) Subjects expressing quantities are considered singular.

2. (b) ‗A‘ must be used before words starting with a spoken vowel sound.
3. (c) ‗The‘ is always used before countries with plural nouns.
4. (e) ‗Blind‘ refers to all blind people, hence ‗the‘ must be used.
5. (a) The first two nouns are singular, while the latter two are plural.
6. (d) No articles before abstract nouns, ―a little‖ is a phrase.
7. (b) ‗Day‘ must be preceded by a definite article.
8. (a) Rule: Clause + amount of money + a + unit of money.
9. (b) ―little chance‖ is a phrase.
10. (e) Rule: The number of + subject + singular verb + clause

Error Detection

1. (B) Gerund is classified as a singular subject.

2. (B) Rule: A number of + subject + plural verb + clause
3. (D) It will be ―supposed to‖.
4. (E) No Error
5. (C) ―The‖ is unnecessary here.
6. (A) The phrase is ―Many a man‖.
7. (E) No Error
8. (D) Rule: One of + the + plural noun + singular verb + clause
9. (D) ―Constitution‖ is a proper noun, hence ―the‖ is required before it.
10. (E) No Error

54
Chapter 6
Phrase

55
56
A phrase is a group of words without a subject-verb component, used as a single part of speech. By itself, a phrase
is not a complete sentence, as it does not relay a complete thought. Since it does not contain a subject and verb, so
it is not a clause either.

Best friend (this phrase acts as a noun)

With the blue shirt (this prepositional phrase acts as an adjective)
For twenty days (this prepositional phrase acts as an adverb)

The length of the phrase may differ from two words to many more words. For example, ―old dog‖ is a phrase. So is
―the old, smelly, shivering dog‖.

There are several types of phrase. The major phrases are described below-

Noun Phrase

These are the phrases that contain a noun and at least one modifier associated with the noun. The modifier can
precede or succeed the noun. The entire phrase will act as a noun for that particular sentence. Here are some
examples,

 He was wearing a black linen shirt.

 They lived in a small, tidy cottage.
 Alex rode her old bicycle to their shiny new school.
 The black car got towed.

Verb Phrase

Every sentence will generally contain a verb. But sometimes the action being described requires a more nuanced
multi-word verb phrase. The phrase consists of the main verb/verbs and then auxiliary verbs, i.e. helping verbs.
Some such verb phrases are as follows,

 The teacher is writing the answer.

 They have been playing since the last two hours.

 You must call your mom at once.

 He has taken the dog along.

Adjective Phrase

An adjective phrase is a group of words headed by an adjective that modifies a noun or a pronoun.

 She had extremely menacing eyes.

57
In this example, the adjective phrase is in bold. The head adjective here is menacing. This adjective phrase
modifies the noun eyes.

Like a normal adjective, an adjective phrase can be used before the noun it is modifying (like the previous example)
or after the noun it is modifying.

 The dog covered in mud looked pleased with himself.

Here, the adjective phrases are in bold. The head adjectives in the two phrases are covered and pleased.

Participle Phrase

A participle phrase is an adjective phrase that starts with a participle. Look at this example:

 You could see the panther releasing its grip.

Here, ‗releasing its grip’ is the participle phrase. The participle is ‗releasing’. The participle phrase is describing the
panther.

Common ways to use participle phrases-

The The Present The Past

Example of a Participle Phrase
Verb Participle Participle

Rising out of the sea in front of us, the sun

To rise the rising sun the risen sun
started to warm our faces.

the printing the printed Printed on the very first press, the document
To print
document document was extremely valuable.

the breaking Broken by a government whistle-blower, the

To break the broken news
news news is all over the media.

Placement of Participle Phrases

A participle phrase will often appear at the start of a sentence to describe something in the main clause. For
example:

 Removing his glasses, the professor shook his head with disappointment.
(When a sentence is structured this way, use a comma to separate the participle phrase from whatever it's
modifying (the professor in this example).)
A participle phrase can also appear immediately after whatever it's modifying. For example:

 I saw Arthur running for the bus.

(There is no comma when a participle phrase is placed immediately after its noun (Arthur in this
example).)
It is also possible to use a participle phrase at the end of a clause and not immediately after whatever it's modifying.
For example:

 Paul loved his boxing gloves, wearing them even to bed.

(There is a comma when the participle phrase is used farther down the sentence than its noun (Paul in
this example).)

58
Beware of Dangling Modifiers and Misplaced Modifiers
Particularly when using a participle phrase at the start of a sentence, be sure to place the noun being modified
directly after the comma. If you fail to do this, you will have made a mistake known as a misplaced modifier. For
example:

 Disappointed almost to the point of tears, the empty test tube was examined by the professor. (Incorrect)
(The empty test tube was not disappointed almost to the point of tears. The words after the participle
phrase and the comma should be the professor.)

Also, be sure to include the noun being modified. If you omit it, you will have made a mistake known as a dangling
modifier. For example:

 Disappointed almost to the point of tears, an empty test tube was the worst outcome possible. (Incorrect)
(In this example, there is nothing at all for the participle phrase to modify. It is dangling.)

Prepositional Phrase

A preposition almost always has a noun following it. Take a look at these two sentences:

 Throughout the living room was the odor of canned beans that had expired weeks ago.
 I put my sister on the diet after it worked so well for me.

The preposition + noun combinations are underlined. These preposition and noun combinations are called
prepositional phrases.

Prepositional Phrase = Preposition + Noun + Extension

of canned beans that had expired weeks ago.

Infinitive Phrases

A phrase that includes an infinitive (to + verb) along with a simple verb is an infinitive phrase. There may also be
modifiers attached to the object in the phrase. Since it contains a verb, it plays the role of expressing an action in the
sentence. Infinitive phrases can act as a noun, adjective or adverb in a complete sentence.

 To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap is Michelle's only goal tonight.
(Used as a noun)

To finish her shift without spilling another pizza into a customer's lap functions as a noun because it is the
subject of the sentence.

 To keep his dogs calm, Alex turned on the radio. (Used as an adverb)

To keep his dogs calm explains the reason why Alex turned on the radio.

 To know Mr. Smith, you have to spend quality time with him.

In this example, To know Mr. Smith functions as an adjective because it modifies the noun, you.

59
Exercises
Basic

Identify the noun phrases in the following sentences.

1. He wished to talk to his manager.

2. The wicked man loves getting poor people into trouble.

3. The poor man wanted to pay back every penny he owed.

4. He hates having to punish his servants.

5. Horses prefer living in dark stables.

Underline the prepositional phrase in each sentence.

1. Rachel‘s books were in her backpack.

2. My boots are under the wooden bench.

3. I stood in line behind Stephen‘s mother.

4. The children sat in the car‘s back seat.

5. We found the cat in the dog‘s bed

Sentence Correction

1. As a young boy, was when Francis discovered that he could spend his life exploring the ocean he loved so
much.
(A) was when Francis discovered that he could spend his life
(B) that was when Francis discovered that he could spend his life
(C) Francis discovered then that his life could be spent
(D) Francis discovered that he could spend his life
(E) Francis discovered the spending of his life

2. A major hurdle to educational reform is parents expect the school experience to be the same as it was decades ago.
(A) parents expect the school experience to be
(B) parents that are expecting the school experience being
(C) parents are expecting that the school experience be
(D) that parents expect the school experience being
(E) that parents expect the school experience to be

3. At the age of seven, my father took me to see my first baseball game.

(A) At the age of seven, my father took me to see
(B) My father took me, at the age of seven, to see
(C) Being seven years old, my father took me to see
(D) When I was seven years old, my father took me to see
(E) I was taken by my father at seven year sold, seeing

60
4. Disillusioned by American politics and culture, Ernest Hemingway led an exodus of expatriate authors on an
overseas journey across the Atlantic following the First World War.
(A) led an exodus of expatriate author son an overseas journey
(B) took an overseas journey leading an exodus of expatriate authors
(C) led an exodus of expatriate authors
(D) has led an exodus of expatriate authors
(E) leading an exodus of expatriate authors
5. The most challenging aspect of the project is we have to coordinate our work carefully.
(A) we have to coordinate our work carefully
(B) we must coordinate our work carefully
(C) our coordination of our work carefully
(D) coordinating our work carefully
(E) in careful coordination of our work

6. An outstanding tennis player, Erica was concerned not only with working her way to the top of the national
rankings, but also wanted to compete with class and dignity.
(A) also wanted to compete with class and dignity
(B) also with competing with class and dignity
(C) also with wanting to have competed with class and dignity
(D) she also wanted to compete with class and dignity
(E) she was also wanting to compete with class and dignity
7. The final three months of the year tend to be profitable for technology companies because of increased
consumer demand being around the holidays.
(A) because of increased consumer demand being around the holidays
(B) because of increasing consumer demand occurs around the holidays
(C) an increased consumer demand around the holidays makes it so
(D) because consumer demand increases around the holidays
(E) because the increased consumer demandis what occurs around the holidays
8. One of the best features of the journalist‘s lifestyle is you never know what‘s next.
(A) you never know what‘s next
(B) it‘s so unpredictable
(C) that you never know what‘s next
(D) one can never predict what‘s next
(E) its unpredictability
9. An increasing number of students are coming to realize that an education at a public university can be as good, if
not better, than an elite private college.
(A) as good, if not better, than an elite private college
(B) as good, if not better, as one at an elite private college
(C) as good as, if not better, than an elite private college education
(D) as good an education as, if not better, than one at an elite private college
(E) as good as, if not better than, one at an elite private college
10. In a symbol of unity, the students gathered in the court yard, their lighting candles to express hope that the labor
dispute would be resolved.
(A) their lighting candles to express hope
(B) in the hope of lighting candles for
(C) expressing hope and lighting candles so
(D) which lit candles to express hope
(E) lighting candles to express hope

61
Error Detection
1. Sea turtle hatchlings can find their way to the ocean by sight alone, even at night, because they are capable
A B
to distinguish visually between the bright reflections from the ocean surface and the dark silhouettes of sand
C D
dunes and vegetation. No error
E
2. If teachers want to be successful in large public high schools, they must learn not only to command respect
A B
From their students, but also they should develop rapport with those students in order to create a productive
C D
work environment. No error
E
3. In his book Night, Elie Wiesel employs a disjointed style, frequently shifting point of view in order to capture
A B C
the fragmented nature of ghetto life in Germany in the time during the Second World War. No error
D E
4. Although the remarks were made to the entire group, everyone at the meeting could tell that they were
A B C
particularly intended for Maria and I. No error
D E
5. Neither the artists who were at the vanguard of the Expressionist movement or even the critics of the era
A B C
could have foreseen the impact of this new mode on the general public. No error
D E
6. After Tara was aroused from sleep by a sharp noise, she raced for the front door; fearing the presence of an
A B C D
intruder. No error
E
7. Although our football team does not win all of its games, Coach Palmer usually never fails to put everyone
A B
of his players into the game, because he feels that they have earned the right to play. No error
C D E
8. Too many students have a tendency of memorizing every formula and procedure they encounter in math class
A B
while ignoring the logic and purpose of each concept. No error
C D E
9. Sakib is stiff because yesterday‘s long football practice. No Error
A B C D E
10. The students are advised to be time. No Error
A B C D E
62
Phrase Solutions
Basic

Noun Phrase

1. He wished to talk to his manager.

2. The wicked man loves getting poor people into trouble.

3. The poor man wanted to pay back every penny he owed.

4. He hates having to punish his servants.

5. Horses prefer living in dark stables.

Prepositional Phrase

1. Rachel‘s books were in her backpack

2. My boots are under the wooden bench

3. I stood in line behind Stephen‘s mother

4. The children sat in the car‘s back seat

5. We found the cat in the dog‘s bed

Sentence Correction

1. D The modifying phrase at the beginning of the sentence must be followed by the noun it modifies, Francis.
Choice (C) uses then redundantly, and choice(E) is illogical.

2. E The subject and verb of the sentence are a hurdle is. What follows should be a noun (predicate nominative)
that is equivalent to the hurdle. In the original phrasing, what follows is an independent clause rather than a noun
phrase. Choices (B), (D), and (E) are all noun phrases, but (B) is illogical, and (D) uses the unidiomatic expect
being instead of the correct expect to be.

3. D In the original sentence, the modifying phrase at the age of seven is misplaced and incorrectly implies that the
speaker‘s father was seven rather than the speaker himself. Choices (B), (C), and (E) commit the same error, but
in slightly different ways.

4. C The phrase on an overseas journey is redundant because the sentence also states that this journey was
across the Atlantic. This redundancy is repeated in choice (B). Choice (D) uses an incorrect verb tense, and
choice (E) produces a sentence fragment.

5. D What follows the linking verb is must be a noun phrase representing the most challenging aspect, not an
independent clause, as in the original. Choice (D) works best.

6. B When using not only A but also B, the words or phrases that replace A and B must be parallel. It should be
replaced by not only with working but also with wanting.

63
7. D The phrase because of is awkward. Answer choice (D) corrects the error in the most concise and logical
fashion.

8. E The underlined phrase should be a noun phrase that represents one of the best features of the journalist’s
lifestyle. Only (C) and (E) are noun phrases, and (E) is much clearer.

9. E The phrase if not better is an interrupter, so the sentence should read well even if it is omitted. The only
phrasing that meets this criterion is (E).E The phrase their lighting candles to express hope is a noun phrase in
the place where a participial phrase belongs.

10. E The phrase their lighting candles to express hope is a noun phrase in the place where a participial phrase
belongs.

Error detection

1. C The phrase capable to distinguish is unidiomatic. The correct phrasing is capable of distinguishing.

2. C The phrase not only A, but also B requires parallel phrasing for the phrases at A and B. The phrase following
not only is an infinitive, to command, so the phrase following but also should likewise be an infinitive, to develop.

3. D The phrase in the time is redundant because the word during conveys the same information. The entire phrase
should be deleted.

4. D This is a prepositional phrase, so the pronoun is the object of the preposition and should be
in the objective case. The correct phrasing is for Maria and me

5. B The word neither is almost always part of the phrase neither of . . . or neither A nor B. So choice (B) should
read nor even.

6. C A comma is better suited for joining the two phrases. The second phrase is not an independent clause, so the
semi-colon is inappropriate.

7. B The phrase usually never is illogical, because usually and never are logically exclusive terms. The word
usually should be eliminated.

8. A The phrase a tendency of memorizing is an incorrect idiom, and should be changed to a tendency to
memorize.

9. B. It should be because of in place of because.

10. D. The phrase should be on time.

64
Chapter 7
Clause

65
66
A clause is a group of words containing a subject and a verb.
For example - Messi plays football like an alien.

This sentence is a clause since it has ‗Messi’ as subject and ‗plays’ as verb. This implies that all complete sentences
are basically clauses. The definition of clause, thus, makes it confusing for us to understand the difference between a
sentence and a clause. To clarify this, we need to know the classification of clause.

There are two major types of clauses:

 Independent clauses
 Dependent clauses

An independent clause is a clause that can stand alone. You can think of this as a simple sentence. There is a
subject, verb, and complete thought. For example, if we consider the following sentence:

John passed the ball.

We have a complete, simple sentence. We have a subject, John; a verb, passed; and a complete thought, the ball.
Since this whole sentence can exist independently as it is, it is an independent clause.

Although independent clauses can stand alone, we often join them with other clauses to make more complex
sentences. Detailed discussion about classification of sentence can be found in the next chapter.

A dependent clause cannot stand on its own and does not express a complete thought. Although it will have a
subject and a verb, it depends on another clause to make the thought complete. Dependent clauses often begin with
such words as although, since, if, when, and because.

Examples:
If I study, I will pass the exam.

In the first sentence, ‗If I study‘ has subject ‗I‘ and verb ‗study‘. So, this is a clause according to the definition. ‗If I
study‘ cannot exist independently because the audience does not know what happens if I study. The thought here is
incomplete which depends on the independent clause ‗I will pass the exam‘ to make a complete sense and, as a
whole, exist as a sentence.

A key point to remember is that dependent clauses, just like phrases, can be used as a noun, adverb or adjective.
Let‘s discuss these individually.

Noun Clause

A dependent clause that functions like a noun in the sentence and generally acts as the subject or verb of the object
is known as a noun clause. For example:

 I think that you will like it. Here, the noun clause- that you will like it, acts as an object of the verb think.
When we ask the verb, ―What do I think? We get the answer ―that you will like it.‖
 Where she went is not known to anyone. Here the noun clause- where she went, acts as a subject of the
verb- is not known.

67
Recognizing a noun clause isn‘t all that difficult. They are usually introduced by the conjunctions that, if or whether.
Noun clauses can also be introduced by question words (e.g. how, what, when, where, which, who, whom, whose,
why) and words ending in –ever (e.g. whatever, whenever, wherever etc.)

Adverb Clause

An adverb clause is a dependent clause that does the job of an adverb i.e. modifies a verb, an adjective or another
adverb in a sentence. Of course, adverbial clauses can be further classified according to the various kinds of
adverbs. For example:

 Wait here till I come back. Here – till I come back, is an adverbial clause of time.
 I shall be late as I have a meeting. Here – as I have a meeting, is an adverbial clause of reason since, this
talks about the reason of the action, being late.

Relative/Adjective Clause

Relative clauses are dependent clauses starting with the relative pronouns who, that, which, whose, where, when.
They are most often used to define or identify the noun that precedes them. Here are some examples:

 I used the notebook that had a red colored cover. Here the adjective clause- ‗that had a red colored cover’
tells about the noun i.e. the notebook.
 The hat which was made of jute was my favorite. Here the adjective clause- ‗which was made of jute‘
speaks about the noun i.e. the hat.

Relative clauses are commonly classified as restrictive and non-restrictive.

A restrictive clause modifies the noun that precedes it in an essential way. Restrictive clauses limit or identify such
nouns and cannot be removed from a sentence without changing the sentence‘s meaning.

The astronaut who first stepped on the moon was Neil Armstrong.

The restrictive clause in this sentence is ‗who first stepped on the moon’. If we stripped it from the sentence, we
would be left with this:

The astronaut was Neil Armstrong.

There is nothing grammatically wrong with this Spartan sentence. However, it does not have the same intent as the
former example, which was to identify the person who first set foot on the moon‘s surface.

A restrictive clause can also have a limiting function.

Children who eat vegetables are likely to be healthy.

If the restrictive clause ‗who eat vegetables’ were removed from this sentence, the intended limits on the noun
children would be no more.

Children are likely to be healthy.

Obviously, our intention with the first sentence was to point out which children, from among the world‘s multitudes,
perform a behavior likely to sustain their health. Thus, who eat vegetables is an essential element of that sentence.

68
A nonrestrictive clause, on the other hand, describes a noun in a nonessential way. Nonrestrictive
clauses provide additional but optional descriptions that can be excised from a sentence without altering its meaning
or structure.

Kaylee, who just graduated from high school, is an accomplished figure skater.

While the nonrestrictive clause ‗who just graduated from high school’ offers a good description of the subject of this
sentence, Kaylee, the sentence retains its meaning without it.

Kaylee is an accomplished figure skater.

Commas and Relative Clauses

A broad rule you can apply to relative clauses in order to punctuate them correctly is that restrictive clauses are
never offset by commas, whereas nonrestrictive clauses are. One way to remember this is that nonrestrictive
clauses are removable, and commas mark the removable part of the sentence. Restrictive clauses, on the other
hand, are essential; they need to blend with their sentences seamlessly, without commas.

That/Which

Confusion about when to use that and which has arisen for good reason: British and American English have different
rules for them. In American English, that is used to introduce restrictive clauses,
and which introduces nonrestrictive clauses.

The lamp, which was given to me by Aunt Betsy, is on the bedside table.

The lamp that Aunt Betsy gave me is on the bedside table.

In British English, it is often acceptable to substitute which in restrictive clauses.

The lamp which Aunt Betsy gave me is on the bedside table.

Of course, that could also be used acceptably in British English, which makes it safer, by default, to follow the
American rule when in doubt.

69
Exercises
Basic – Part A

See if you can determine the function of the highlighted dependent clause in each of the following passages.
Remember that a noun clause answers questions like "who(m)?" or "what?"; an adjective/ a relative clause answers
questions like "which (one)?"; and an adverb clause answers questions like "when?", "where?", "why?", "with what
goal/result?", and "under what conditions?".

1. Some people buy expensive cars simply because they can.

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

2. Many people hope that Canada can resolve its economic problems.
a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

3. The bankers need to know what they should do.

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

4. Which one is the person who stole your car?

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

5. Wherever there is a large American city, there will be poverty.

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

6. The books which the professor assigned were very expensive.

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

7. Canada might give up its marketing boards if the European Community gives up its grain subsidies.
a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

8. That is the place where Wolfe's and Montcalm's armies fought.

a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

9. Unless the crown can make a better case, the accused murderer will not be convicted.
a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

70
10. It is important to ask whether the wedding is formal or semi-formal.
a. Noun clause
b. Relative clause
c. Adverb clause

Part B - Restrictive/Non-restrictive

Read the following sentences and put commas around the non-restrictive clauses. Put an N after the

sentences that are non-restrictive. Put an R after the sentences that contain a restrictive clause.

Leave those sentences without internal punctuation. A few of the sentences could be either, but the

meaning would change.

1. Charles Dickens who was great writer in the late 19th Century is the author of Little Dorrit.

2. The piece of chocolate cake which probably has a million calories in it was delicious.

3. My favorite place to ski is Snow Basin in Utah which is one of the least crowded resorts.

4. The guy that my old roommate married is boring.

5. He reads and studies maps for fun which is no exaggeration.

6. I love the weather which has been so nice lately in Arizona.

7. My graduation from Arizona State University this August which I am extremely elated about has been hard
earned.

8. I am jealous of the guy in my neighborhood who drives a hot 1969 Chevy Camaro.

9. Methods of Teaching English which is my favorite class this semester meets on Tuesday nights.

10. I had the answer that made the most sense.

Part C - Noun Clause Exercise

1. Does anybody know _______ on the ground?

A) how long this plane will be

B) how long will be this plane

C) how long will this plane be

D) that how long this plane will be

2. "This restaurant is very expensive!"

"It is, but order _______ want. This is a very special occasion."

A) what is it you

B) what do you

C) whatever you

D) what you

71
3. "What did your grammar teacher want to talk to you about?"

"I did badly on the last test. She _______ study for it."

A) said why didn't I

B) asked why didn't I

C) said why I didn't

D) asked why I didn't

4. "Why are you staring out of the window? What _______ about?"

A) you are thinking

B) you think
C) are you thinking
D) do you think

5. "I can't decide what color I want for my bedroom. What do you think?"

"You should choose _______ color you want. You're the one who will have to live with it."

A) whichever that
B) whatever
C) however
D) that what

6. "Did you remember to tell Mark _______ he should bring to the meeting tomorrow.

A) that
B) what
C) if
D) that what

7. "My aunt has been feeling bad since Uncle George died. Is it because she's depressed?

"I think so. _______ can cause debilitating physical symptoms is a medical fact."

A) Depression

B) That depression it

C) That depression

D) It is that depression

72
Clause Solutions
Exercise A

1. C. This clause answers the question "why," showing cause, so it is an adverb clause. It does not act as a subject
or object, and it does not modify a noun or pronoun.

2. A. The clause answers the question "what?", and acts as the direct object of the verb "hope."

3. A. This clause does not tell you which bankers need to know, but rather, it tells you what they need to know --
since it answers the question "what?" (and acts as the direct object of "to know"), it is a noun clause.

4. B. The relative pronoun "who" might have confused you here; however, the clause itself does not answer the
question "who?", but the question "which person?", showing that it modifies the noun "person" and is acting as
an adjective clause.

5. C. This clause tells where poverty will exist, and specifying a location is the function of an adverb or (in this case)
of an adverb clause.

6. B. This clause modifies the noun "books," and modifying a noun or pronoun is the function of an adjective or (in
this case) of an adjective/ relative clause.

7. C. This clause provides the conditions under which Canada might give up its marketing boards, and it is an
adverb or an adverb clause which answers the question "under what conditions?".

8. B. This is a very tricky example, and the subordinating conjunction "where" could have fooled you. In fact, the
clause does not answer the adverb question "where?", but the adjective question "which place?". This is an
adjective clause, modifying the noun "place."

9. C. This clause provides the conditions under which the accused murderer will not be convicted, so it must be an
adverb clause.

10. A. This clause is the direct object of the infinitive "to ask," answering the question "what is it important to ask?".

Exercise B

1. Non-restrictive
2. Non-restrictive
3. Non-restrictive
4. Restrictive
5. Non-restrictive
6. Restrictive
7. Non-restrictive
8. Restrictive
9. Non-restrictive
10. Restrictive

Exercise C

1. A
2. C
3. D
4. C
5. B
6. B
7. C

73
74
Chapter 8
Noun

75
76
A noun is the name of a- person, place, thing or idea. Now, here is a sentence where you can see the use of nouns
as names from all 4 categories- person, place, thing or idea.

Sentence: Daniel went to London and bought a book titled ―Happiness is overrated‖.

Over here, Daniel is the name of a person. London is the name of a place. Book is the name of a thing and
―Happiness is overrated‖ is a noun clause.

Based on what kind of -person, place, thing or idea a noun represents, nouns can be classified into 5 types.

1. Common noun

2. Proper noun

3. Concrete noun

4. Abstract noun

5. Collective noun

Common noun: boy, country, birth, happiness.

Sentence: Happiness is hard to come by for people absorbed in self-pity.

Proper noun: Steven, Africa, Monday.

Sentence: Steven has visited Paris more times than he can count.

Concrete noun: building, coffee, tree, train.

Sentence: Bernard was scared because he faced imminent danger from the dog.

Abstract noun: truth, danger, happiness, time, friendship.

Sentence: If used correctly, humor can get you laid.

Collective noun: family, government, team, jury.

Sentence: The whole family was at the table.

Based on the ‗number‘ of the -person, people, place or idea that a noun represents, nouns can be classified into 2
types.

1. Countable (Count nouns)

2. Uncountable (Non-count nouns)

Countable noun: TV, phone, shoe, country.

Sentence: Telephones are redundant, mobile phone are the new hype.

Uncountable noun: Example: happiness, air, rice, Hair.

Sentence: Love is in the air.

77
Let us look at some examples of how count and non-count nouns can have an effect when it comes to singular and
plural variances –

Count Nouns Non-Count Nouns

A Pencil Money
An elephant Water
Singular
One pencil
One elephant

Pencils Three pencils 50 Euros

Plural
Elephants 20 elephants 10 glasses/gallons of milk

A list of some non-count nouns that one should have knowledge about are charted below –

Soaps Cheese Sand Milk

Information Honesty Mathematics Silver

Fruit Music Politics Sugar

Machinery Tea News Equipment

Clothing Traffic Measles Evidence

Pepper Transportation Homework Enjoyment

Pottery Violence Money Knowledge

Physics Mumps Food Happiness

Air Economics Advice Significance

Meat Luggage Rice Coffee

Advertising Scenery Bread Courage

Luck Housework Fun Intelligence

Sadness Postage Furniture Jealousy

Salt Poverty Butter Jewelry

This is not an absolute list. These are some words that are treated as non-count in English generally. However, non-
count nouns can become count nouns when they are used to indicate special type or specific type of delicacies –

The wines of Rajasthan

The fruits of Santorini

78
Determiners and Quantifiers

Words that describe the amount or quantity of a noun are generally known as determiners or quantifiers. For
example – some, any, one, two, several etc. Some of these can be used with just count nouns or non-count nouns
while some others can be used with them both.

Determiners can be used to find out whether a noun is a count or non-count. The use of quantifiers should also be
done in an appropriate context as they, too, indicate the number or quantity of a specific noun used in a sentence.

Let us look at an example of how the proper use can be done,

# Many debate has been going on over the existence of a black hole, but the latest photos have ended that for good.

Over here, a determiner has been used in an illogical manner. Debate is a non-count noun. It is something that
cannot be counted but can be measured in terms of a metric of judgement. The determiner many is used for
describing plural count nouns. For example – Many toys can be bought for Zaman. Here, ―toys‖ is a plural count
noun. So, many can precede that.

The correct usage over here will be –

Much debate has been going on over the existence of a black hole, but the latest photos have ended that for good.

Now let us look at a table that will be useful for you to remember which determiners to use with which types of nouns.

Used with Non-Count Nouns

Used with Count Nouns only
only

Singular Plural (Always takes singular form)

A, an, one, a single, another, Two, three, one billion Other, the other(rarely)
each, every
Other, the other Little, a little

Few, a few Less

A large/great number of, a number of A great/large amount of, a great

deal of, an amount of
The number of
The amount of
Many
Much
Both

Several

Those/These

Some Determiners are used

with both count and non-
The, This, That, Any, Enough, All, A lot of, Plenty of, More, Most, Some
count nouns

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Common Errors involving nouns

There are some nouns, which do not take s/es when they go to their plural state. Many students make mistakes in
these. Let us look at some of the forms of nouns that take a rather different approach when they become plural

Nouns
Type Singular Plural
Bench Benches
Church Churches
Buffalo Buffaloes
Motto Mottoes
Potato Potatoes
Basic Radio Radios
Dress Dresses
Army Armies
Key Keys
Shelf Shelves
Reef Reefs
Goose Geese
Foot Feet
Mouse Mice
Woman Women
Irregular Changes Child Children
Man Men
Tooth Teeth
Die Dice
Ox Oxen
Fish Fish
Duck Duck
Deer Deer
Swine Swine
Salmon Salmon
Sheep Sheep
Ones that don‘t change (always Alphabet Alphabet
singular) Expenditure Expenditure
Fruit Fruit
Furniture Furniture
Information Information
Offspring Offspring
Poetry Poetry
Scenery Scenery
Money Money

80
 Alms
Amends
Billiards
Cards
Contents
Compasses
Dominoes
Goods
Oats
People
__ Riches
Scales
Spectacles
Trousers
Ones that don‘t have a singular form Wages
Scissors
Eyeglasses
Pliers
Tweezers
Tongs
Pants
Jeans
Appendix Appendices
Axis Axes
Basis Bases
Datum Data
Crisis Crises
Erratum Errata
Memorandum Memoranda
Greek and Latin word changes Oasis Oases
Phenomenon Phenomena
Radius Radii
Terminus Termini
Thesis Theses
Index Indexes/Indices
Genius Geniuses/Genii

There are some errors related to compound nouns. These errors are very minute, but they have a lot of impact in
terms to changing the meaning of a sentence.

1. The Plural Compound Noun Error – There are some compound nouns where the second noun is better
described by the first one. Here the first noun usually acts as an adjective. The second noun only becomes
plural here.
Ex- Arthur Conan Doyle‘s detectives stories are admired by people all over the world. Here, the first noun in
the ―detective story‖ word pair is incorrectly made plural. It will just be detective stories; the second part of
the noun will be plural.

81
 2. The Plural Form of Numbers and Measurements – There are some nouns that involve numbers and
measurements. Here a proper structure needs to be followed,
a) number – measurement + noun: They went for a 7-kilometer hike.
b) number + measurement(plural): They hiked 7 kilometers.
c) number – number(singular) – noun: Seven thousand people, five million dollars.
d) number(plural) – of – noun: Thousands of cats, billions of cars.

3. Noun Verb Agreement - There are certain nouns, which act differently in terms of taking a singular or a plural
verb solely depending on how they are being interpreted. This type of error mostly occurs for collective
nouns. When they actually are working as a group, they take a singular verb. When they are working
discretely or in a separate basis, they take a plural verb.

Ex- The committee is having its annual convocation

The committee are returning to their offices.
Here, the meaning in both the sentences are different and so are the verbs even though the collective noun is the
same. When the annual convocation is taking place, it is happening on the basis of a collective decision and the
committee is acting as a group here. So the verb is singular. In the second sentence, you can see that the members
of the committee are returning to their separate offices and due to that the activity is actually not being done as a
group. Here they stand divided and individually going back to their offices. Since they are discrete elements now, the verb
is plural here.

Let us look at a table of phrases which usually describe a group and so they will take a singular verb -

A tower of giraffes
A knot of toads
A prickle of porcupines
A waddle of penguins (on land); A raft of penguins (on water)
A pride of peacocks
A leap of leopards
A bloat of hippos
A brood of hens
A stand of flamingoes
A murder of crows
An intrusion of cockroaches
An army of caterpillars
A caravan of camels
A shrewdness of apes
A parliament of owls
A yoke of oxen
An impatience of wives
A superfluity of nuns
A damning of jurors
A doctrine of doctors
A chain of islands
A congregation of worshippers
A drove/herd/kine of cattle
A hive/swarm of bees
A fusillade of bullets
A galaxy of stars
A kindle/litter of kittens
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These aren‘t the only list of phrases. There are a lot of others and you don‘t need to memorize these. Skim through
them in order to bolster your knowledge and understanding of collective nouns more.

Ex- A galaxy of stars is fascinating to look at.

Collective nouns usually take a singular verb when –

a) They act as a group to perform a single task – The family has moved to Florida.
b) A period of time is being indicated – Three months is enough time to contemplate.
c) A sum of money -Fifty dollars is all I need.
d) A measurement – Ninety kilometers is a long distance.

4. Seems plural but takes a singular verb - Academic subjects and diseases usually take a singular verb. This
is an exception since most of them end in ―-s‖ but still have a singular verb after that.

Ex- Mumps is usually contagious, and people should be careful about that. Economics is a very interesting topic for
one to do a thesis on.

Some common examples would include words like – Physics, Politics, Economics, Civics, Statistics, Mumps, Herpes,
Measles etc.

5. Plural words that can be made singular – Scissors and pants are always plural. But add ―a pair‖ before them
and the verb becomes singular.

Ex- A pair of eyeglasses is a good gift for Trisha; the girl just loves feeling like a detective.

These are the common types of errors when it comes to nouns.

83
Exercises
Basic

1. Electromagnetism is created _____ electrical current through a coil of wire.

a. by Passed
b. passes by
c. to be passed
d. passed
e. None of the above

2. That the country has experienced great economic development in recent years ___ an undeniable fact.

a. do
b. don‘t
c. are
d. is
e. None of the above

3. Two-third of the jackfruit _________.

a. have been eaten

b. has been eaten
c. has eaten
d. have eaten
e. were eaten

4. We cannot arrive by 9:00 pm. There is _____ time.

a. few
b. too much little
c. too little
d. too few
e. very few

5. Most of the children your age like to read _________ during the holidays.

a. these kinds of books

b. this kind of books
c. these kind of book
d. this kinds of books
e. None of the above

Sentence Correction

1. Susan was selected for the Olympic swimming team last year. Her getting selected was lauded by her friends
and family.

a. Her getting selected

b. She getting selected
c. Getting selected
d. She got selected
e. Her to get selected

84
2. I, you and he will help the poor.

a. I, you and he
b. I, he and you
c. You, he and I
d. You, I and he
e. He, you and I

3. Beside being clever, she is also intuitive.

a. Beside being clever, she is also intuitive.

b. Beside being clever, she is intuitive.
c. Aside being clever, she is also intuitive.
d. Asides being clever, she is also intuitive.
e. Besides being clever, she is also intuitive.

4. I have earned nearly half a million dollars in the last year.

a. I have earned nearly half a million dollars in the last year.

b. I have nearly earned half a million dollars in the last year.
c. I have earned nearly half million dollars in the last year.
d. I have earned half a million dollars nearly in the last year.
e. Nearly I earned half a million dollars in the last year.

5. The politics is a subject which very few want to study.

a. The politics is
b. The politics are
c. Politics are
d. Politics is
e. Politic is

6. Despite of being careful, we could not escape the classroom.

a. Despite of being careful

b. In spite being careful
c. Despite was careful
d. In spite of was careful
e. Despite being careful

7. Most tourists cannot decide what should they see in Bali.

a. what should they see

b. what they should see
c. they see what
d. what they see
e. they should see what

8. Some sports fans prefer watching the news to newspapers because they get the highlights.

a. watching the news to newspapers

b. to watch the news to newspapers
c. watching the news to reading newspapers
d. watch the news to reading newspapers
e. watch the news to read newspapers

85
9. The pride of geese was swimming in the water.

a. the pride of geese was

b. the pride of geeses were
c. the gaggle of geese was
d. the gaggle of geeses were
e. the school of geese was

10. Drying food by using solar energy is an ancient process.

a. Drying food by using solar energy is an ancient process.

b. Dry food by using solar energy is an ancient process.
c. Drying foods by using solar energy is an ancient process.
d. Drying foods by using solar energy is ancient process.
e. Dry foods by using solar energy is an ancient process.

Error Detection

1. Copper is a metal which is easily worked and which mixes well with other metals to form alloys. No error

A B C D E

2. An exchange rate is the price of one currencies in terms of another. No error

A B C D E

3. The Dhaka University has an outstanding collection of historical documents. No error

A B C D E

4. Mumps are a very common disease which usually affects children. No error

A B C D E

5. The function of a judge is to supervise the trial to ensure the fair administrator of justice. No error

A B C D E

6. The leader encouraged the need for justice and equality between his people. No error

A B C D E

7. The institution encouraged the participations of students in various activities. No error

A B C D E

8. A glossary, a section on clauses, and using idioms are included in the new textbook. No error

A B C D E

9. The English films that will be shown during the eleven-hour flight includes ―The Shaw shank Redemption‖,

A B C D

―Pulp Fiction‖, and ―Forrest Gump‖. No error

10. The hosts do not object to him joining the party if he is willing to behave himself. No error

A B C D E

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Noun Solutions

Basic

1. (e) The correct answer is ―by passing‖.

2. Rule: That + subject clause + singular verb
3. (b) Singular noun is used for fractions when only one object is concerned.
4. (c) Uncountable noun
5. (a) Plural noun.

Sentence Correction

1. (a) Rule: Possessive + Gerund + Verb

nd rd st
2. (c) In case of subject, order of person is 2 , 3 , 1 .
3. (e) ―Beside‖ is a preposition, ―Besides‖ is a conjunction.
4. (a) Correct.
5. (d) Subjects are classified as singular nouns and articles are not used before them.
6. (e) Rule: Despite + Present participle + Clause
7. (b) Subject must come first in an object clause.
8. (c) Illogical comparison
9. (c) A group of geese is called a gaggle, and it is singular.
10. (a) Correct

Error Detection

1. (E) No Error
2. (C) Since ―one‖ is specified, ―currency‖ must be used.
3. (A) ―The‖ must not be used before the name of a university if the name comes first.
4. (A) Diseases are classified as singular nouns. So ―is‖ must be used.
5. (D) A noun is required here. Therefore, it should be ―administration‖.
6. (C) ―Between‖ is used when only two people are concerned. In case of more than two people, ―Among‖ must
be used.
7. (C) Participation cannot be plural.
8. (C) Parallelism error.
9. (D) Since ―films‖ is a plural noun, the verb should be ―include‖.
10. (B) It should be ―his‖. Rule: Possessive + Gerund + Verb

87
88
Chapter 9
Pronoun

89
90
Pronouns have very close association with nouns. They are basically words those replace nouns in a sentence.
These words are introduced in a sentence to avoid repetition of the same nouns. Whenever used, a pronoun must
have a referent noun which we call ‗antecedent‘. To put it very simply, the noun which is replaced by the pronoun
from the sentence is called ‗antecedent‘ of that pronoun.

**The antecedent and the pronoun have to be in same person and number.
**There must be one, and only one antecedent to which the pronoun refers.

Smeagol is very vulnerable to deception. He might be deceived by Saruman at any point.

Look carefully into this sentence. Both the words Smeagol and He here refer to the same person; a person who is
vulnerable to deception. ‗He’ here is used to avoid the repetition of the noun ‗Smeagol’ which gives the sentence a
better structure and look. ‗He’ here is the pronoun and ‗Smeagol’ here is the ‗antecedent‘.

Classification of pronoun:
Pronouns are primarily classified into 8 categories. However, there are controversies among the grammarians
regarding the extension of this classification. Certain types of pronouns are closely related with one another and
many words can function as multiple types of pronouns, depending on how they‘re used. However, for an extensive
preparation we are going to discuss all the pronouns here separately-

Personal pronouns
Though the classification here incorporates the word ‗Personal‘, Personal pronoun takes the place of both people
and things. They can be either singular or plural, depending on whether they refer to one or multiple nouns.
Examples include I, me, we, and us.

Personal pronouns are usually either the subject or object of a sentence. Each personal pronoun has different forms
depending on its function. For example, if a writer is referring to himself, he should use I/me depending on whether
he is subject or object of the sentence. If he‘s the subject of a sentence, he should use ‗I‘, as in ―I saw the dog.‖ If
he‘s the object, he should use me, as in ―The dog saw me.‖

**Subject and Object Pronoun will be discussed in the later part of the chapter elaborately

Possessive pronouns
Possessive pronouns are personal pronouns that also indicate possession of something. They have singular forms
(like my), and plural forms (like our). These pronouns often appear before the possessed item, but not always. For
example, both ―my car‖ and ―the car is mine‖ both indicate who owns the car and both work as possessive pronouns.

Possessive pronoun and possessive adjective: Theoretically there is an overlap between possessive adjective and
possessive pronoun. Possessive adjective is always followed by a noun whereas a possessive pronoun is used
without a noun. Examples are: his, hers, yours, theirs, ours, mine etc.

My car is having some problems with its tires.

Here the word ‗my‘ coming right before the noun ‗car‘ describes the noun and hence works as possessive adjective.
However, by definition the word ‗my‘ here can also be called as possessive pronoun since this is used to replace a
noun that is not stated in this sentence. So, all the possessive adjectives are possessive pronouns but all the
possessive pronouns (where the pronoun doesn‘t appear right before the item possessed) are not possessive
adjectives. Like- The car is mine. Here the pronoun ‗mine‘ is not followed by a noun and doesn‘t appear right before
the item possessed ‗car‘. So, though the word ‗mine‘ here is a pronoun, it can‘t be called a possessive adjective.
91
Now, here are some rules to make it easier for you to understand where to use Possessive pronouns and where to
use Possessive adjectives-

When you should use them

Possessive adjectives Possessive pronouns

Use possessive adjectives before Use these alone. Don't use them before nouns or
nouns or noun phrases. noun phrases.
My grades won‘t spare me this time The book on the table is mine

Use these to modify gerunds Use these after the preposition ‗of‘ when it indicates
I‘m not surprised by her going on the one of many
trip alone Jawad is not a friend of mine

Use these to replace the second ‗adjective + noun‘

when comparing two objects
My friends are better than theirs (their + friends)
(adjective + noun)

Reflexive pronouns
When a subject performs an action on itself, the sentence uses a reflexive pronoun after the verb. Reflexive
pronouns include - myself, himself, themselves, ourselves and herself. An example of a reflexive pronoun is the
common expression ―I kicked myself.‖ Here the word myself is used since the subject of the sentence ‗I‘ performs an
action on itself which is ‗kicking‘

Intensive Pronoun: Now, there is another type of pronoun which is closely associated with Reflexive Pronoun.
However, this type of pronoun is not that popular in use because of its unsegmented use with Reflexive Pronouns
and look-alike structures (self and selves).

The difference: You can tell the difference between a reflexive pronoun and an intensive pronoun easily: intensive
pronouns aren‘t essential to a sentence‘s basic meaning, whereas reflexive pronouns are. To differentiate an
intensive pronoun from a reflexive pronoun, it from the sentence; if it‘s an intensive pronoun, the sentence will still
make sense. If the sentence no longer makes sense when the pronoun is removed, it‘s a reflexive pronoun.

Reflexive Intensive

The queen bought herself a dog. The queen bought the dog herself.
The queen bought something for herself. She is both The intensive pronoun herself merely emphasizes
completing and receiving the action in the sentence. the fact that the queen (not someone else) was
the one who bought the dog.

Notice how the meaning changes when we remove If the intensive pronoun is removed, the meaning
the reflexive pronoun: doesn't change:
The queen bought herself a dog. The queen bought the dog herself.
Did the queen buy the dog for herself, or did she buy The queen still bought the dog regardless of
it for someone else? Without the reflexive pronoun, whether the intensive pronoun is in the sentence
there's no way to know for sure. or not

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Reciprocal pronouns

Reciprocal pronouns are similar to reflexive pronouns, but they involve groups of two or more entities those perform
the same action with one another. There are only two reciprocal pronouns: each other (for groups of two) and one
another (for larger groups).

They like each other

Relative pronouns
A relative pronoun starts with a noun clause (a group of words that refer to a noun). Who, that, and which are all
relative pronouns. They can also serve as other types of pronouns, depending on the sentence. For example,

I saw the dog that you own

Here, the relative pronoun ‗that’ is the beginning of the clause that you own, which describes the dog, a noun.

Demonstrative pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns point out or modify a person or thing. There are four demonstrative pronouns: this and that
(for singular words), and these and those (for plural words).

This pie is so delicious.

Interrogative pronouns
Interrogative pronouns begin questions. For example, in ―Who are you?‖, the interrogative pronoun who starts the
question. There are five interrogative pronouns: who, whom, and whose (for questions that involve people), and
which and what (for questions that involve things).

Interrogative pronouns examples

Pronoun Usage Sentences using Interrogative pronouns

Asking for general information What‘s your age? What is your middle name?
What

Which When you have a limited choice We have ground coffee and instant coffee. Which would you like?

Who When asking about a person and

Who directed the movie terminator - was it James Cameron?
name

Enquiring about possession or

Whose Whose is this bag? Is it yours or somebody else‘s?
owner

Use when asking about a person

Whom Whom did you ask?
or name

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Indefinite pronouns
Like personal pronouns, indefinite pronouns refer to people or things, but they don‘t have a specific person or thing to
refer to. Examples of indefinite pronouns include some, anyone, and everything.

Apart from these classifications, there are two more pronouns we should have a clear concept about. They are
Subject and Object Pronoun.

Subject Pronoun: Subject pronouns replace a noun as the subject of a sentence or clause. Basically they are words
used as the replaced subjects of the sentence and complete the action by themselves. Now, here is a list of things
you should keep in mind while dealing with subject pronouns-

i) Subject pronouns are used after the verb ‗to be‘

It is I who actually cried last night.
Here you can see, we did not use ‗me‘ after the verb ‗to be‘. Rather we used ‗I‘ which is the subjective form of
‗me‘ since it is being used after ‗to be‘ verb.

ii) Subject pronouns are used when subjects of two sentences or clauses are compared
I am a better football player than he (is)
Here, if we split this sentence into two parts, we can see that the subject of the first part ‗I am a better football
player‘ is ‗I‘ and hence if we need to compare this subject with anything of the second part that has to be a
subject too. So, we‘re using ‗he‘, not ‗him‘, since ‗him‘ is the objective form of the pronoun ‗he‘.
(Subjects are always compared with subjects, objects are always compared with objects)

iii) Subject pronouns are used after ‗as‘ and ‗that‘ whenever they initiate clauses
I am not as agile as he (is)
Here, after the word ‗as‘ starts a new clause ‗he is‘ where ‗(is)‘ is not stated in the sentence to keep the beauty of
the sentence intact.

Object Pronoun: An object pronoun is a type of personal pronoun that is normally used as a grammatical object,
either as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition. They are basically the receivers of
actions. Now, similarly here are few things to keep in mind while dealing with object pronouns.

i) Object pronouns are used when objects of two clauses are compared
Adree helped you more than (he helped) me
Here, in the first part of the sentence, the word ‗you‘ is the object of the sentence since ‗you‘ here is the receiver
of the action. So, we need to use another object to compare with the object ‗you‘, which is ‗me‘.

ii) Object pronouns are used after prepositions

Shahriar is very worried about him.
Here, after the preposition ‗about‘ we used the objective form ‗him‘

Now, look at the following two sentences to simply better understand the usage of subject and object pronoun.
Raiyan is having a bad day. He failed to get attendance for entering the class with a sports-shoe. The teacher didn‘t
allow him to continue the class with the sports-shoe.
Look at the sentences carefully. Both ‗he‘ and ‗him‘ here are used against the noun ‗Raiyan‘. However, in the second
sentence ‗he‘ is used as the subject of the sentence being the doer of the action and in the third sentence ‗him‘,
despite being used against the noun ‗Raiyan‘, acts as the receiver of the action. Hence ‗he‘ in the second sentence is
the Subject Pronoun and ‗him‘ in the third sentence is the Object Pronoun .

94
Pronoun-verb agreement: The pronoun that we will use in the sentence must agree with the verb in terms of
number, person and gender. Here are some rules that you should go through to have a better knowledge and
understanding on this topic-

1. Indefinite pronouns as antecedents

 Singular indefinite pronoun antecedents take singular pronoun referents.

SINGULAR: each, either, neither, one, no one, nobody, nothing, anyone, anybody, anything, someone,
somebody, something, everyone, everybody, everything.

Example:

Each of the clerks does a good deal of work around his or her office singular.

Singular singular

 Plural indefinite pronoun antecedents require plural referents.

PLURAL: several, few, both, many

Example:

Both do a good job in their office.

 
plural plural

 Some indefinite pronouns that are modified by a prepositional phrase may be either singular or plural.

EITHER SINGULAR OR PLURAL: some, any, none, all, most

When the object of the preposition is uncountable  use a singular referent pronoun.

Example:

Some of the sugar fell out of its bag.

 
singular singular

Sugar is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent pronoun.

All of the jewelry has lost its glow.

 
singular singular

Jewelry is uncountable; therefore, the sentence has a singular referent pronoun.

95
When the object of the preposition is countable  use a plural referent pronoun.

Examples:

Some of the marbles fell out of their bag.

 
plural plural

Marbles are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent pronoun.

All of the jewels have lost their glow.

 
plural plural

Jewels are countable; therefore, the sentence has a plural referent pronoun.

2. Compound subjects joined by and always take a plural referent.

Example:

Jones and Smith made their presentation.


plural plural

3. With compound subjects joined by or/nor, the referent pronoun agrees with the antecedent closer to the pronoun.
Example #1 (plural antecedent closer to pronoun):

Neither the director nor the actors did their jobs.

  
singular plural plural

Example #2 (singular antecedent closer to pronoun):

Neither the actors nor the director did his or her job.
 
plural singular singular

Note: Example #1, with the plural antecedent closer to the pronoun, creates a smoother sentence
than example #2, which forces the use of the singular "his or her."

4. Collective Nouns (group, jury, crowd, team, etc.) may be singular or plural, depending on meaning.

Example: The jury read its verdict.

 
singular singular

96
 In this example, the jury is acting as one unit; therefore, the referent pronoun is singular.

The jury members gave their individual opinions.

 
plural plural

In this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the referent pronoun is plural.

The jury members disagreed among themselves.

 
plural plural

In this example, the jury members are acting as twelve individuals; therefore, the referent pronoun is plural.

5. Titles of single entities. (books, organizations, countries, etc.) take a singular referent.
EXAMPLES:

The Grapes of Wrath made its characters seem real.

 
singular singular

The United States cherishes its democracy.

 
singular singular

6. Plural form subjects with a singular meaning take a singular referent. (news, measles, mumps, physics, etc)
EXAMPLE:

The news has lost much of its sting two days later.
 
singular singular

7. ‗Every’ or ‗Many a’ before a noun or a series of nouns requires a singular referent.

EXAMPLES:

Every cow, pig and horse and lost its life in the fire.
 
singular singular

Many a girl wishes she could sing like Tina Turner.

 
singular singular

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8. The number of vs A number of before a subject:

 The number of is singular.

The number of volunteers increases its ranks daily.

 
singular singular

 A number of is plural.

A number of volunteers are offering their help.

 
plural plural

The pronouns ‗one‘ and ‗you‘: The pronoun ‗one‘ comes in use to describe someone in general and is
regarded as third person. So, while using ‗one‘ as the pronoun, the subsequent pronoun referring the same person
must be either ‗one‘ or ‗he/she‘. In the other case, if we use the pronoun ‗you‘, the subsequent pronoun referring the
same person should be in second person (you).

If one tries hard to achieve something, someday one/he will.

If you try hard to achieve something, someday you will.

Look at these two sentences. Both of the sentences have the same structures and words other than the pronouns
‗one‘ and ‗you‘. In the first sentence, since we used ‗one‘ in the first part, the pronoun later referring to the same
person is in third person (one/he). On the contrary, in the second sentence both of the pronouns are ‗you‘ since we
need to use the later pronoun in second person.

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Exercises
Basic

1. Where is the book _______(that, those) I gave you?

2. It is _____(I, me) who _____(is, am) responsible for this.

3. The shed, _____ is for sale. (IBA BBA 2007-08)

a. the roof of which leaks

b. whose roof leaks

c. the roof which leaks

d. which roof leaks

e. whose roof leaking

4. Manzur with _____ I work, helped me.

a. that

b. which

c. who

d. he

e.whom

5. Let's make ______ some fish and chips for lunch

a) we

b) us

c) ours

d) ourselves

Sentence correction

1. The lawyers for the patent holder pressed the federal judge to impose an injunction against the hardware
manufacturer, arguing that they should take immediate action in order to prevent further economic damages
against their client.

a) they should take immediate action in order to prevent further economic damages against their client

b) the judge act immediately in order to prevent the client from suffering further damages of an economic nature

c) they should act immediately to prevent further economic damages being suffered by the client

d) the judge act immediately in order to prevent them from suffering economic damages further

e) immediate action should be taken to prevent their client from suffering further economic damages

99
2. The job application did not state to whom to be sent the personal preferences (BBA 2005-06)

a) to whom to be sent the personal preferences

b) to who the personal preference should be sent

c) to whom to send the personal preferences

d) to whom the personal preferences will be sent

e) none of these

3. In the small, closed Bedouin world, in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier
and their families, subsequently lowering their chances for marriage should word get out that a genetic disease
runs in her family.

a) in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier and their families, subsequently
lowering their

b) in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier and her family, subsequently
lowering her

c) which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier and her family, subsequently
lowering her

d) in which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing a carrier and her families, subsequently
lowering her

e) which secrets are hard to keep, there is the danger of stigmatizing carriers and their families, subsequently
lowering their

4. The United States Navy announced that, beginning next year, they plan to close several of their bases in order to
reduce operating expenses.

a) they plan to close several of their bases

b) they are planning to close several of their bases

c) it plans to close several of its bases

d) they plan several closures of their bases

e) it plans to close several of their bases

5. Created in 1731, Anders Celsius‘ original thermometer had a scale where the value of 0 corresponded to the
boiling point of water; after he died in 1744 the scale was reversed to its present form.

a) in 1731, Anders Celsius‘ original thermometer had a scale where the value of 0 corresponded to the boiling
point of water; after he died in 1744 the scale was reversed to its present form.

b) in 1731, Anders Celsius‘ original thermometer had a scale in which the value of 0 corresponded to the boiling
point of water; after his death in 1744 the scale was reversed to its present form.

c) in 1731, Anders Celsius‘ original thermometer had a scale in which the value of 0 corresponded to the boiling
point of water; after he died in 1744 the scale was reversed to its present form.

d) by Anders Celsius in 1731, his original thermometer had a scale in which the value of 0 corresponded to the
boiling point of water; reversing the scale to its present form after his death in 1744.

e) by Anders Celsius in 1731, his original thermometer had a scale where the value of 0 corresponded to the
boiling point of water; after his death in 1744 the scale reversed to its present form.

100
6. The company is fortunate to have excellent relationships among its employees: they each have a relationship of
respect for all the others.
a) they each have a relationship of respect for all the others
b) they have respect for one another
c) each one has respect for one another
d) they each have a relationship of respect for each other
e) they and the others respect each other
7. Named for the capital of Belgium, Brussels sprouts, which at its fullest growth scarcely exceeds a large walnut in
size, are immature buds shaped like tiny cabbages.

a) which at its fullest growth scarcely exceeds a large walnut in size

b) which at its fullest growth scarcely exceed a large walnut in size

c) which at their fullest growth scarcely exceeds a large walnut in size

d) which at their fullest growth scarcely exceed a walnut's large size

e) which at their fullest growth scarcely exceed a large walnut in size

8. In their most recent press release, the new management stated that they plan to expand into the global software
market via a series of acquisitions in Asia and Latin America.

a) their most recent press release, the new management stated that they plan to expand

b) its most recent press release, the new management stated that they plan to expand

c) its most recent press release, the new management stated that it plans on expanding

d) its most recent press release, the new management stated an intention to expand

e) its most recent press release, the new management stated their intention to expand

9. One of the important functions of the United Nations is to decide if they should recognize the legitimacy of a new
government that assumed power through violence.

a) to decide if they should recognize the legitimacy of a new government that

b) to decide whether to recognize the legitimacy of a new government that

c) deciding whether to recognize a new government to be legitimate that

d) to decide if it should recognize the legitimacy of a new government, which

e) deciding whether they should recognize the legitimacy of a new government that

10. Although William Pereira first gained national recognition for his movie set designs, including those for the 1942
film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations will remember him as the architect of the Transamerica Tower, the
Malibu campus of Pepperdine University, and the city of Irvine.

a) including those for the 1942 film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations will

b) like those for the 1942 film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations

c) like that for the 1942 film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations will

d) including that for the 1942 film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations will

e) including those for the 1942 film ―Reap the Wild Wind,‖ future generations

101
Error Finding
1. The animals who were chosen to present the political parties were created by a famous cartoonist.

A B C D

No error (BBA 2012-13)

2. On the contrary, you will find that Arif is better qualified than him for the position of analyst at the

A B C D

office. No error (BBA 2012-13)

3. I had lot of worries in my life, none of which ever came true. No error. (IBA MBA Nov‘ 14)

A B C D E

4. The animals who were chosen to present the political parties were created by a famous cartoonist.

A B C D

No error. (IBA BBA 2012-13)

5. One would think that the job is simple, since all you have to do is to make sure that everyone is seated before

A B C

the performance begins. No error (IBA BBA 2008-09)

D E

6. Either the constable or the gatekeepers over there failed in his primary duty. No error.

A B C D E

7. It is human nature to want to leave behind a progeny to carry forth the cycle of life. No error (IBA BBA 2008-09)

A B C D E

8. Both lawyers interpreted the law differently and they needed a judge to settle its dispute. No error. (IBA BBA 2011-12)

A B C D E

9. Keeping the box in the almirah, Jaawad locked it. No error

A B C D E

10. As a young adult. I want to travel, to learn and, in some indescribable way, to make a difference in the

A B C

world around me. No error (IBA BBA 2011-12)

D E

102
Pronoun Solutions
Basic
1. Book being singular in number, will take the singular pronoun ‗that‘
2. The first pronoun here should take subjective form ‗I‘ and will be followed by ‗am‘ according to person and number of ‗I‘.
3. B here is the right answer since ‗whose‘ is used to indicate something under possession.
4. ‗Whom‘ is the right answer since Manzur is in the objective position.
5. ‗Who‘ will be the correct answer making a relation with the subject and latter part of the sentence.

Sentence correction
1. Answer E is correct and conveys the clearest meaning. The use of the pronoun they and them is unclear in A, C
and D. The phrase used in B further damages of an economic nature is unidiomatic and redundant.
2. Answer C is correct. The first part of the sentence is in past form; the latter part cannot be in present or future
form. The pronoun should be an object-case pronoun (whom).
3. Answer B is correct. The secrets are hard to keep in a small, closed Bedouin world; thus, use of in which is
idiomatic. The latter part of the sentence uses the pronoun her, so the subject must be singular.
4. Answer C is correct. The United States of Navy is a singular entity and must be referred to by a singular pronoun
(it) and followed by a singular possessive pronoun (its).
5. Answer B is correct. The correct pronoun phrase to modify Anders Celsius‘ thermometer is in which. Using he in
the latter part of the sentence incorrectly modifies the thermometer. The second clause cannot be a dependent
clause because of the semicolon (D), and the thermometer cannot reverse itself (E).
6. Answer B is correct. The correct structure must have each other or oneanother in it. Using both phrases
simultaneously is redundant. The other choices are redundant and have unclear pronouns.
7. Answer E is correct. Brussels Sprouts is a plural noun as specified in the second part of the sentence where are
is used. The verb exceed must agree with the plural subject. In D, the phrase a large walnut in size is awkward
and unidiomatic.
8. Answer D is correct. The new management is a singular entity and must be referred to by singular pronouns (it,
its). In C, the correct idiomatic phrase is plan to, not plan on.
9. Answer B is correct, The United Nations is a singular entity and must be referred to by singular pronoun (it). The
latter part of the sentence is crucial to the meaning of the whole sentence, so that must be used to introduce the
clause, not which.
10. Answer A is correct. Using like to introduce the clause alters the meaning. Movie set designs is a plural entity
and must be referred to by plural pronoun (those). The last clause describes a future event, so using will is
mandatory.

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Error finding
1. Animals should take ‗which‘ as pronoun. So A is the erroneous part.
2. The pronoun ‗him‘ here doesn‘t have the clear antecedent. So D is the erroneous part.
3. The sentence is grammatically correct. So E will be the right answer.
4. Animals should take ‗that‘ as pronoun since omission of the part after ‗that‘ makes the sentence lose its meaning.
So A is the erroneous part.
5. The use of ‗one‘ here is irrelevant since the sentence is structured with ‗you‘. So, A is the erroneous part.
6. Here ‗the gatekeepers‘ is the closest to the verb so, the pronoun is supposed to be according to this. But the
pronoun used ‗his‘ here is singular. So D is the erroneous part
7. The sentence is grammatically correct. So E will be the right answer.
8. The subject of this sentence is both the lawyers which is plural in number and both are human beings. But the
pronoun used ‗its‘ is singular and impersonal. So D is the erroneous part here.
9. The pronoun ‗it‘ here gives an ambiguous direction of referring to both almirah and box. So, the pronoun
reference here is unclear and D is the erroneous part.
10. The sentence is grammatically correct. So E here will be the correct answer

104
Chapter 10
Adjective

105
106
By this time, we have already known what basic adjective is, and how we can identify adjectives in a sentence. Now
we will have a detailed idea about adjectives in this section.

To have a quick recap of what adjective is, we can simply say that adjectives are words that modify or describe
nouns and pronouns.

The scariest villain of all time is Darth Vader.

Look at this sentence. It‘s very easy in this case to identify the adjective. The word ‗scariest‘, coming right before the
noun ‗villain‘, describes the noun. So, ‗scariest‘ here works as an adjective.

Uses of Adjectives

Adjectives with linking verbs: Adjectives can do more than just modifying nouns. They can also act as a
complement to linking verbs or the verb ‗to be‘. If you are not yet familiar with Linking verbs, we are going to have
quick look on what Linking verb is. A linking verb is a verb that doesn‘t directly express an action. Rather it describes
a state of being or a sensory experience.

 Adree doesn‘t look like a brave man.

Look carefully into this sentence. The word ‗look‘ here is the verb of the sentence though it doesn‘t quite mean a
physical action. So the verb ‗look‘ here is a linking verb.

There will always be adjectives to describe the linking verbs.

 The flower smells so good that I feel like staying in this garden for the whole night.

In this sentence, the verb ‗smells‘ is a linking verb. So, to describe something about the verb, we have used the
adjective ‗good‘, not an adverb to describe the verb.

Adjectives with ‗to be‘, ‗become‘ and ‗remain‘:

These three verbs can be followed by adjectives as well as noun phrases.

The man standing on the aisle is happy

Iftekhar became sad after hearing the news.

Mukarram remained calm throughout the time.

Here in these sentences, the words ‗happy‘, ‗sad‘, and ‗calm‘ coming after verbs ‗is‘, ‗became‘ and ‗remained‘ are
adjectives.

Adjectives with ‗enough‘:

When the word ‗enough‘ is used with adjectives, it follows the adjectives. The structure basically is ‗adjective +
enough‘. Like-

Ashraful Shabab is not intelligent enough to solve this math.

Here in this sentence, since the word ‗intelligent‘ tells something about the noun, it is an adjective and is followed by
‗enough‘.

The case is same for using adverbs. When ‗enough‘ is used with adverbs, it also follows the adverbs. Like-

Jawad sings well enough to please the crowd. (Adverbs + enough)

107
However, the case isn‘t the same when used with nouns. When ‗enough‘ is used with nouns, it is preceded by the nouns.

Jawad doesn‘t have enough intelligence to crack a proper joke. (enough + noun)

Now we‘ll have a detailed description of the classifications of adjectives.

Classification of adjective: Here is a list of 7 adjectives that you need to know before you proceed.

1. Descriptive
A descriptive adjective is probably what you think of when you hear the word ―adjective.‖ Descriptive adjectives are
used to describe nouns and pronouns.

Words like beautiful, cute, silly, tall, annoying, loud and nice are all descriptive adjectives. These adjectives add
information and qualities to the words they‘re modifying.

Example:

―The flowers have a smell‖

In this sentence, the sentence is just stating a fact, and it has no adjectives to describe what the flowers or their smell
are like.

―The beautiful flowers have a nice smell‖

This sentence gives us a lot more information, with two descriptive words ‗beautiful‘ and ‗nice‘ which are descriptive
adjectives.

2. Quantitative
Quantitative adjectives describe the quantity of something.

In other words, they answer the question ―how much?‖ or ―how many?‖ Numbers like one and thirty are this type of
adjective. So are more general words like many, half and a lot.

Example:

Maksud wants three children.

In this sentence, the word ‗three‘ quantifies the noun ‗children‘, answering the question ‗how many‘. So, the word
‗three‘ here is a quantitative adjective.

3. Demonstrative
A demonstrative adjective describes ―which‖ noun or pronoun you‘re referring to. These adjectives include the words:

This — Used to refer to a singular noun close to you.

That — Used to refer to a singular noun far from you.

These — Used to refer to a plural noun close to you.

Those — Used to refer to a plural noun far from you.

Demonstrative adjectives always come before the word they‘re modifying.

108
Example:

―This bicycle is mine‖

Here the word ‗this‘ demonstrates which noun it refers to, which is ‗bicycle‘. Hence, this is a demonstrative adjective.

4. Possessive
Possessive adjectives show possession. They describe to whom a thing belongs. Some of the most common
possessive adjectives include:

My — Belonging to me

His — Belonging to him

Her — Belonging to her

Their — Belonging to them

Your — Belonging to you

Our — Belonging to us

All these adjectives, except the word 'his', can only be used before a noun. You can‘t just say ―That‘s my,‖ you have
to say ―That‘s my pen.‖

Here, the word ‗my‘ shows possession and comes before the noun ‗pen‘. Hence this is a possessive adjective.

5. Interrogative
Interrogative adjectives interrogate, meaning that they ask a question. These adjectives are always followed by a
noun or a pronoun, and are used to form questions. The interrogative adjectives are:

Which — Asks to make a choice between options.

What — Asks to make a choice (in general).

Whose — Asks to understand to whom something belongs.

Other question words, like ―who‖ or ―how,‖ aren‘t adjectives since they don‘t modify nouns. For example, you can say
―whose coat is this?‖ but you can‘t say ―who coat is this?‖

Which, what and whose are only considered adjectives if they‘re immediately followed by a noun. The word which is
an adjective in this sentence: ―Which color is your favorite?‖ But not in this one: ―Which is your favorite color?‖

6. Distributive
Distributive adjectives describe specific members out of a group. These adjectives are used to single out one or more
individual items or people. Some of the most common distributive adjectives include:

Each — Every single one of a group (used to speak about group members individually).

Every — Every single one of a group (used to make generalizations).

Either — One between a choice of two.

Neither — Nor one or the other between a choice of two.

109
Any — One or some things out of any number of choices. This is also used when the choice is irrelevant, like: ―it
doesn‘t matter, I‘ll take any of them.‖

These adjectives are always followed by the noun or pronoun they‘re modifying.

Example:

Every student in this class has an ambitious dream.

Here the word ‗every‘ describes each specific member out of the class and sits before the noun ‗student‘. Hence this
word ‗every‘ is a Distributive adjective.

7. Articles
There are only three articles in the English language: a, an and the. Articles can be difficult for English learners to
use correctly because many languages don‘t have them (or don‘t use them in the same way).

Although articles are their own part of speech, they‘re technically also adjectives. Articles are used to describe which
noun you‘re referring to and sits before a noun or pronoun and describes them. Maybe thinking of them as adjectives
will help you learn which one to use:

A — A singular, general item.

An — A singular, general item. Use this before words that start with a vowel.

The — A singular or plural, specific item.

The elephant is trying to break the cage.

Look at this sentence carefully. Here the word ‗the‘ despite being an article, points out which particular elephant
we‘re talking about and sits before the noun ‗elephant‘. So, it is also an adjective.

110
Exercises
Basic
1. Although the southern part of Dhaka is densely populated, ______ live in the northern part of Dhaka.
a) a little people
b) a few the people
c) few people
d) a little of people

2. When your body does not get ______, it cannot make the glucose it needs.
a) enough food
b) food as enough
c) food enoughly
d) enough the food

3. There are three kinds of solar eclipses: one is total, another is annular and ______.
a) the another is partial
b) the partial is other
c) the other is partial
d) other is partial

4. ______ planet from the sun, Mars has a year of 687 days.
a) The fourth
b) The four
c) Fourth
d) Four-numbered

5. They have a ______ baby.

a) four month old
b) four-month-old
c) four-months-old
d) four monthly

Sentence Correction
1. The Canterbury Tales, written in 1836, is as alive and ______ today as it was 600 years ago.
a) appealed
b) appeal
c) appealing
d) the appeal of

2. Oil paints are ______ they have become the most popular medium of art.
a) so versatile and durable that
b) so versatile and durable than
c) such versatile and durable that
d) such versatile and durable

111
3. Water is ______ that it generally contains dissolved materials.
a) so excellent solvent
b) such an excellent solvent
c) such excellent a solvent
d) a such excellent solvent

4. Young rivers have no flood plains and their valleys are ______.
a) too narrow
b) narrowly
c) so narrow
d) very narrow

5. Intelligence is a trait that is actually quite difficult to measure, despite much different attempts to do so.
a) despite the much different attempts to do so.
b) despite much different attempts to do it.
c) despite much different attempts to do so.
d) despite many different attempts to do so.
e) despite much different attempting to do so

6. Quebec rises in a magnificent way above the St. Lawrence River.

a) rises in a magnificent way above
b) rises in a magnificent way, way above
c) rises magnificently above
d) rises magnificently way above
e) is raised in a magnificent way above

7. The paintings of Zainul Abedin were ______ to ______ the essence of Bangalee culture.
a) capturing enough, unlock
b) capturing enough, captivate
c) enough captivating, unlock
d) captivating enough, capture
e) succeeding, unlock

8. The MX-450 is a ______ with a range of 8000 miles.

a) four-stages-rocket
b) fourth staged rocket
c) four staged rocked
d) four stage rocket
e) four-stage-rocket

9. Albert Einstein was ______that many of his colleagues had to study for several years in order to form opinions
about his theories.
a) a such brilliant scientist
b) too brilliant scientist
c) such brilliant scientist
d) very brilliant scientist
e) so brilliant a scientist
112
10. ______ can be grown on arid land.
a) Only few crops
b) Only little crop
c) Only a little crops
d) Only a few crops

Error Finding

1. Philosophy of the ancient Greeks has been preserved in the scholarly writing of Western civilization. No Error
A B C D E
2. When there is a few money remaining after all the expenses have been paid, we say that a small economic
A B C
surplus or profit has been created. No Error
D E
3. It has been proven that when a subject identifies a substance as tasting well, he is often associating the
A B C D
taste with the smell. No Error
E
4. It is impossible to view Picasso‘s Guernica without feeling badly about the fate of the people portrayed. No Error
A B C D E
5. Metals such as iron and magnesium are quite common, but are mostly found in silicates, making
A B C
them so expensive to extract. No Error
D E
6. The Malay Archipelago is the world‘s largest group of islands, forming a ten-thousands-chain of islands. No Error
A B C D E
7. Red corpuscles are so numerous that a thimbleful of human‘s blood would contain almost ten thousand millions
A B C
of them. No Error
D E
8. Humorist Ahsanul Hoque was brought up on a cattle ranch in Gazipur; however the life of a cowboy
A B
was not excited enough for him. No Error
C D E

9. Albert Einstein was such brilliant a colleague that many of his colleagues had to study for several
A B C
years in order to form opinions about his theories. No Error
D E
10. The smallest of the apes, the gibbon is distinguished by its too long arms. No Error
A B C D E

113
Adjective Solutions
Basic

1. Answer C is correct. Few and little have the same meanings, but few is used before count nouns and little is
used before non-count nouns.
2. Answer A is correct. Avoid using as or the with enough.
3. Answer C is correct. One, another and the other are used consecutively in case of more than three subjects.
4. Answer A is correct. Use the before cardinal numbers (first, second). Avoid using the before ordinal numbers (one,
two).
5. Answer B is correct. Each word in a hyphenated adjective (four-month-old) is an adjective and does not change
form, singular or plural.

Sentence Correction

1. Answer C is correct. The blank must contain an adjective and noun-ing can function as adjectives.
2. Answer A is correct. The general form is so + adjective + that + result.
3. Answer B is correct. The general form is such + a/an + adjective + noun + that + result.
4. Answer D is correct. Very is used for emphasis only and does not introduce a clause that expresses a result.
5. Answer D is correct. The use of "much" in the sentence is incorrect, as "much" is used for non-count nouns. The
correct choice should have the word "many" instead of "much.
6. Answer C is correct and the most concise.
7. Answer D is correct. The paintings should capture the essence, not unlock. An adjective should follow before
enough in the first blank.
8. Answer E is correct. Each word in a hyphenated adjective (four-month-old) is an adjective and does not change
form, singular or plural.
9. Answer E is correct. The general form is such + a/an + adjective + noun + that + result. Another form is so +
adjective + a + noun + that + result.
10. Answer D is correct. Only a few and a little have the same meanings, but only a few is used before count nouns
and a little is used before non-count nouns.

Error Finding

1. A is incorrect. Use the before a qualifying phrase. For example, the art of Michelangelo, the poetry of Carla
Sandburg, etc.
2. B is incorrect. Use little before non-count nouns.
3. B is incorrect. An adjective must be used after verbs of the senses such as smell, taste, feel, sound, etc. Well is
an adverb and must be replaced by an adjective.
4. B is incorrect. Same explanation as the previous one. Badly must be replaced by an adjective.
5. D is incorrect. The general for is too + adjective + to + verb.
6. D is incorrect. Each word in a hyphenated adjective (four-month-old) is an adjective and does not change form,
singular or plural.
7. B is incorrect. When two nouns occur together and the first one modifies the latter one, the first noun functions as
an adjectives. Adjectives do not change forms. The correct answer would be human blood.
8. C is incorrect. The correct answer is exciting.
9. A is incorrect. The correct form is so + adjective + a + noun + that + result.
10. D is incorrect. Use of too is erroneous here. Use very for proper emphasis.

114
Chapter 11
Degree and Comparison

115
116
Degrees of Adjectives

As a part of speech, adjectives are words that describe or modify a person, place, or thing (noun) in a sentence.
Along with describing and modifying, adjectives can also express degrees of modification or comparison. These
modifiers are sometimes used to compare two or more people, things, actions, or qualities. They are called degrees
of adjectives. In this section we will have a look on these degrees.

Look at the following sentence-

The Sears Tower is a tall building, but the Empire State Building is taller, and the BurjKhalifa is the tallest building in
the world.

Positive adjectives are used to describe or modify nouns in general (i.e., when no comparison is at work).
Accordingly, in the example above, the adjective ‗tall‘ is only describing the Sears Tower and is thus a positive. The
two degrees of adjective found later in the sentence are known as the comparative and the superlative. We use
comparative adjectives for comparing two things, and we use superlative adjectives for comparing three or more
things. Thus, in the example sentence, ‗taller‘ is the comparative adjective because the Empire State Building is
taller than the Sears Tower. However, ‗tallest‘ is the superlative adjective because the BurjKhalifa is not only taller
than the other two buildings, it is the tallest building in the world.

What the degrees look like: In general, the positive degrees look like normal adjectives without any suffixes
being added after the original words.
The building is as tall as the tower.
The comparative degrees usually take suffixes ‗er‘/‗ier‘ with the original words.
The building is taller than the tower
Lamia is prettier than Roza
The superlative degrees usually take suffixes ‗est/iest‘ with the original words.
Ashraful is the tallest boy of the class.

However, there are adjectives which take irregular shapes while changing. The types and examples have been
tabulated in the following page.

Adjective comparative Superlative Type example sentence

Good Better the best irregular Tara is the best athlete in the school.

Little Less The least He has the least amount of money.

Bad Worse the worst irregular You are the worst driver I have ever known.

Further the furthest irregular My house is the furthest one.

Far
Farther the farthest regular My house is the farther one.

old (people in a family) Elder the eldest irregular Ram is my elder brother.

old (general use) Older the oldest regular Your teacher is older than my teacher.

117
Comparison
We can compare two entities in two different styles. The comparable entities can be equal in terms of quality or
quantity. On the other part, the entities can be comparable in a greater or lesser degree.

Comparison of equality:
If two things are equal in some way, we can use a comparison with ―as … as ….‖. The comparisons may involve
adjectives (adj) or adverbs (adv) after the first as, and noun phrases or clauses after the second as. Basically the
structure looks like-

(As + adjective/adverb + as + noun phrase/clause)

He‘s grown so much. He‘s as tall as his father now. (adj + noun phrase)

The team is still as good as it was five years ago. (adj + clause)

If the second part is a clause: When the second part of the comparison is a clause, the clause is often a reduced
clause (a clause with ellipsis) or one with a substitute verb do or a modal verb:

If the sales figures are as bad as predicted, the company will probably go bankrupt. (…as bad as economists have
predicted…)

If the second part is a phrase: If we use as … as … with a noun phrase, we must use much or little + uncountable
noun or many or few + plural noun:

She had as much work as she needed and did not want to take on any more.

If the first part is negative: We can form the negative of ‗as … as …‘ with ‗not as … as …‘, or with ‗not so … as …‘
The form ‗not as … as …‘ is more common:

He didn‘t run as fast as he did in the European Championship

Comparison of inequality:
If the entities are comparable in a greater or lesser degree, we generally use ―adjective indicating quantity + (noun) +
than‖. The quantity adjective to use depends if the noun in the comparison is countable or uncountable.

Tom has fewer books than Jane (with countable noun)

Jim has less patience than Sam (with uncountable noun)

How to use unequal comparison: Here are some guidelines for using unequal comparison

i) If the adjective is of one or two syllable, use ‗er‘ in general as a suffix after the adjective

Raiyan is thicker than Jawad

ii) If the adjective is of three syllable, use ‗more + adjective‘ as suffix in general.

Ashraful is more important than Shabab

iii) If the adjective is of one syllable and the last consonant is preceded by a single vowel, double the last consonant.

Mukarram is fatter than Tuhin.

iv) If the adjective ends with a ‗consonant + y‘, change the ‗y‘ to ‗i‘ and add er as suffix after the adjective.

Maksud is happier than Iftekhar.

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Notes: Always remember to use the subjective form of pronoun after ‗than‘. Like-

It‘s never correct to say ‗Maksud is happier than him‘ . We have to always use ‗Maksud is happier than he(is)‘ since
the subjective form of ‗him‘ is ‗he‘.

v) Unequal comparison can be further intensified by adding ― ‗much or far‘ + ‗more or less‘ ‖ before the
comparative.

Shahriar‘s watch is far more expensive than mine.

Double comparative: If any sentence begins with a comparative construction, the following construction should also
be in similar comparative. There are two ways to do it. They are-

i) The + comparative + subject + verb + the + comparative + subject + verb

The bigger they are, the harder they fall.

ii) The more + subject + verb + the + comparative + subject + verb

The more we study, the more we learn.

Illogical comparison:
An illogical comparison occurs when a sentence compares two things that aren't of the same type:

Jimmy‘s restaurant has more customers than Bob does.

Even though it might seem fine, this sentence is comparing "Jimmy's restaurant" with "Bob," which makes no sense.
In order to correct it, we have to alter the wording so that the two things being compared are the same type of thing:

Jimmy‘s restaurant has more customers than Bob's restaurant does.

This sentence, though correct, sounds pretty repetitive. To streamline it, we can drop the second "restaurant":

Jimmy‘s restaurant has more customers than Bob's does.

It's still clear that we're comparing Jimmy and Bob's restaurants, but in a way that's not as redundant sounding.

Here are two more examples that will make your idea about illogical comparison clearer.

 Incorrect: The people in my office are smarter than other offices.

 Correct: The people of my office are smarter than that of other offices.
 Incorrect: Synthetic oils burn more efficiently than organic oils.
 Correct: Synthetic oils burn more efficiently than organic oils do.

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Exercises
Basic
1. Modern tires such as Mahindra tires ______ the first ones in that they are filled with helium instead of hydrogen.
a) differ from
b) different from
c) is different from
d) different
e) none of the above
2. After the purchase of the Dhanmondi territory, Ziauddin had ______ he had previously owned.
a) twice more land as
b) twice as much land as
c) two times more land than
d) two times much land than
e) double land than
3. It has been estimated that ______ 3 million people participated in the liberation war.
a) approximate
b) until
c) as many as
d) as much as
e) more
4. The Disney Amusement park of Japan is ______ Florida.
a) the largest ones in
b) larger than
c) larger the ones in
d) the largest of the ones in
e) larger than the ones in
5. The lower the stock market falls, ______.
a) the higher the price of gold rises.
b) higher the price of gold rises
c) the price of gold rises
d) rises the price of gold
e) the price of gold will rise
Sentence Correction
1. Identify the correct sentence
a) From the two she is the cuter.
b) From the two she is the cutest.
c) She is the cuter of the two.
d) She is cute of the two.
e) None of these
2. Identify the correct sentence
a) From the three she is the smartest.
b) From the three she is the smarter.
c) She is the smarter of the three.
d) She is the smartest of the three.
e) None of the above
3. Identify the correct sentence
a) Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is better.
b) Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, and yet Michael is best.
c) Michael and Larry are both excellent—but Michael is better—basketball players.
d) Michael and Larry are both excellent basketball players, but Michael is best.
e) Michael is the better basketball player, and yet both he and Larry are excellent at it.
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4. A labour department study states that the numbers of women employed outside the home grew by more than a
35% increase in the past decade.
a) numbers of women employed outside the home grew by more than a 35% increase
b) numbers of women employed outside the home grew more than a 35%
c) numbers of women employed outside the home were raised by more than 35%
d) number of women employed outside the home increased by more than 35%
e) numbers of women employed outside the home was raised by more than a 35% increase
5. A large rise in the housing starts should boost new construction dollars by several billion dollars, making the
construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than five years ago.
a) making the construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than five years ago.
b) and make the construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than five years ago.
c) making the construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than it was five years ago.
d) to make the construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than five years ago.
e) in making the construction industry‘s economic health much more robust than it as five years ago.
6. A recent national study of the public-school shows that there are now one computer for every 64 pupils, four
times as many than there were four years ago.
a) there are now one computer for every 64 pupils, four times as many than there were
b) there is now one computer for every 64 pupils, four times as many than there were
c) there is now one computer for every 64 pupils, four times as many as there were
d) every 64 pupils now have one computer, four times as many than there were
e) every 64 pupils now has one computer, four times as many as
7. According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal for a majority of
young adults, like that of earlier generations.
a) like that of earlier generations.
b) as that for earlier generations.
c) just as earlier generations did.
d) as have earlier generations.
e) As it was of earlier generations.
8. Companies in Bangladesh are providing job training for nearly 8 million people, about equivalent to the enrolment
of the nation‘s four-year colleges and universities.
a) equivalent to the enrolment of
b) the equivalent of those enrolled in
c) equal to those who are enrolled in
d) as many as the enrolment of
e) as many as are enrolled in
9. Minor graduates are four times more likely than are other graduates in planning to practice in socially depraved
areas.
a) Minor graduates are four times more likely than are other graduates in planning to practice
b) Minor graduates are nearly four times more likely than other graduates who plan on practicing
c) Minor graduates are nearly four times as likely as other graduates to plan on practicing
d) It is nearly four times more likely that minor graduates rather than other graduates will plan to practice
e) It is nearly four times as likely for minor graduates than other graduates to plan to practice
10. The July decrease in unemployment so that it was the lowest in two years suggests that the job market is
improving continuously.
a) so that it was the lowest in two years
b) so that it was the lowest two-year rate
c) to what would be the lowest in two years
d) to a two-year low level
e) to the lowest level in two years

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Error Finding
1. The bodies of the cold-blooded animals have the same temperature like their surroundings, but those of
A B C
warm-blooded animals do not. No Error
D E
2. Despite its smaller size, the Indian Ocean is deep as the Atlantic Ocean. No Error
A B C D E

3. Although business practices have been applied successfully to agriculture, farming is different than
A B C D
other industries. No Error
E
4. There is disagreement among industrials as to whether the products of this decade are inferior
A B C
to the past. No Error
D E
5. The oxygen concentration in lungs is higher than the blood. No Error
A B C D E
6. Perhaps the colonists were looking for a climate like England, when they decided to settle the
A B C
North American continent instead of the South American continent. No Error
D E
7. People who experience less health problems are more likely to be happier and less
A B C
depressed than their unhealthy counterparts. No Error
D E
8. Quality control studies show that employees work the most efficient when they are involved in the total
A B
operation rather than in only one part of it. No Error
C D E
9. The higher the solar activity, the intense the auroras on polar light displays in the skies hear
A B C
the Earth's geomagnetic poles. No Error
D E
10. With American prices for sugar at three times as much the world price, manufacturers are
A B
beginning to use fructose blended with pure sugar. No Error
C D E

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Degree and Comparison Solutions
Basic

1. Answer A is correct. Use differ from or is (are) different from.

2. Answer B is correct. The general form is twice + as + much + compared object + as. Avoid using so instead of
as.
3. Answer C is correct. To estimate, use as many as before a specific number.
4. Answer E is correct. The amusement parks in Japan can only be larger than the amusement parks in Florida.
They cannot be larger than Florida itself.
5. Answer A is correct. This is an example of double comparatives. The structure goes as follows, the more (less) +
subject + verb + the more (less) + subject + verb.

Sentence Correction

1. Answer C is correct. Use an adjective or adverb in the comparative form to compare two people or things. In
comparative sentences involving two people or things, use of instead of from.
2. Answer D is correct. Use an adjective or adverb in the superlative form to compare more than two people or
things
3. Answer A is correct. While comparing only two things, use the comparative form.
4. Answer D is correct and the most concise. The correct form should have number of instead of numbers of.
5. Answer C is correct. The economic health of the industry can only be compared to the economic health that
existed in the past.
6. Answer C is correct. The comparison is sound and the phrase as many as is used correctly.
7. Answer E is correct and expresses a sound comparison. For comparison, use as.
8. Answer E is correct, concise and idiomatic. We need a choice that can be compared with eight million people.
The choice also correctly uses the phrase as many as
9. Answer C is correct and conveys the proper meaning. The choice correctly uses the phrase as...as.
10. Answer E is the best choice with the usage of the lowest level.

Error Finding
1. B is incorrect. The correct usage is the same temperature as.
2. D is incorrect. To express similarity, use the form as + adjective + as.
3. D is incorrect. Use different from instead of different than.
4. D is incorrect. The products of this decade cannot be inferior to the past itself; rather they can be inferior to the
products of the past.
5. D is incorrect. The oxygen concentration in lungs can only be compared with the oxygen concentration in blood,
not with the blood itself.
6. B is incorrect. Only the climate of a certain area can be compared with the climate of England, not with England
itself.
7. B is incorrect. Use fewer instead of less before a count noun.
8. A is incorrect. The correct form is most efficiently.
9. B is incorrect. The correct form is the more intense.
10. A is incorrect. The correct usage is as much as.

123
124
Chapter 12
Verb

125
126
Verbs are technically action words. However, they can describe an occurrence or a state of being as well.
Look carefully at the following three examples.
Example 1: Mukarram is driving a motorcycle.
Here the verb ‗is‘ is auxiliary and the verb ‗driving‘ showing an action is a principal verb.
Example 2: What happened last week at the Gala was very unacceptable.
Here the verb ‗happened‘ shows an occurrence and acts as a principal verb.
Example 3: Dinosaurs existed almost a million years ago.
The verb ‗existed‘ here does not show an action directly; rather, it shows a state of being.

A verb can be described as transitive or intransitive based on whether it requires an object to express a complete
thought or not.

Classification 1 - Transitive and Intransitive

Transitive verbs
Transitive verbs are not just verbs that can take an object; they demand objects. Without an object to affect, the
sentence that a transitive verb inhabits will not seem complete.
Example: Please bring coffee.
verb object

In this sentence, the verb bring is transitive; its object is coffee, the thing that is being brought. Without an object of
some kind, this verb cannot function.
Example: Please bring.
Bring what, or who? The question begs itself because the meaning of bring demands it.
Here are some more examples of transitive verbs and their objects.

Example: The girls carry water to their village.

verb object

Juan threw the ball.

verb object

Could you phone the neighbors?

verb object
Intransitive verb
Intransitive verbs are the opposite of transitive verbs i.e. they do not require an object to make sense out of the verb.
In other word, they do not require an object to act upon.

Example: They jumped.

verb

The dog ran.

verb

None of these verbs require an object for the sentence to make sense, and all of them can end a sentence.

Classification 2 – Finite and Non-finite

Finite verb: In a sentence, there is normally at least one verb that has both a subject and a tense. When a verb has
a subject and a tense, it can be referred to as a finite verb.
Example: We want Charlie to act as club secretary.
I like taking photographs of insects.

127
In both these sentences, the verbs ‗want‘ and ‗like‘ have a subject and a tense, thus they are both finite verbs.
Non-finite verbs: All verbs can be use in either a finite for or a non-finite form. A verb is non-finite either when it is
used without a tense or when it is used in disagreement with a subject.
Example: To open, tear off the tab.
Here, the verb ‗to open‘ is used without a tense and thus qualifies as a non-finite verb
Example: That plan failing, he gave up.
Our guests departed; we felt a little depressed.
Here, the verbs in the two sentences ‗failing‘ and ‗departed‘ have no agreement with the subjects of the sentence and
thus qualify as non-finite verbs.

There are 3 types of non-finite verbs – infinitives, gerunds and participles.

Infinitive: The infinitive is the base form of the verb with ‗to‘.
Example: I like to party.
Gerund: Gerunds are the base forms of verbs used adding ‗ing‘ and always acting as nouns.
Example: Partying is what I like to do.
Participle: Participles are the base for of verbs used adding -ing, -ed, -d, -t, -en, -n, and always acting as adjectives
modifying nouns.
Example: The dancing parrots entertained the crowd.
The wrecked sailboat washed up on shore.

Classification 3 – Linking verbs

Linking verbs
A linking verb connects a subject with its complement. Most linking verbs are forms of the verb be. These verbs are
the verbs that indicate states of being rather than work being done.

Example: She is my sister.

We are happy.
They were shocked to hear the news.
A few other verbs related to the five senses are also considered as linking verbs. Examples are look, feel, sound,
taste, smell. Some stative verbs are also considered as copular verbs. Examples are appear, seem, become,
grow, turn, prove and remain. Note that a noun or an adjective should follow a linking verb.
As far as fundamentals go, learning the use of verbs and being able to identify the wrong uses of verbs is of utmost
importance. Getting a solid grip on the rules of usage of verbs will help you gain a firm understanding of how the
language works, and this will translate into better performance in the grammar part and the written part of the IBA
Admission Test.
All the exceptional rules are as follows.

Rule-1
When there are two subjects in a sentence and they are not of the same ‗number‘, separate auxiliaries such as -am,
is, are, was, were. must be used for both of them.
Example
Incorrect Three- killed and one were injured.
Correct Three were killed and one was injured.

Rule-2
A single verb should be made to serve two subjects, only when the form of the verb is same for both of the subjects.
Example
Incorrect I am seventeen years old and my sister fourteen.
Correct I am seventeen years old and my sister is fourteen.

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Rule-3
Two auxiliaries can be used with just on principal verb, only when the form of the principal verb is appropriate for
both the auxiliaries.
Example
Incorrect He never has, and never will take such strong measures.
Correct He never has taken, and never will take such strong measures.

Rule-4
When there is only one auxiliary verb for two principal verbs, the auxiliary verb should be correctly associated with
both the principal verbs.
Example
Incorrect Ten candidates have passed, one failed.
Correct Ten candidates have passed, one has failed.

Rule-5
A past tense in the main clause should be followed by a past tense in the auxiliary clause.
Example
Incorrect He succeeded because he works hard.
Correct He succeeded because he worked hard.

Rule-6
A past tense in the main clause may be followed by a Present Tense in the subordinate clause when the subordinate
clause expresses a universal truth.
Example
Incorrect Our teacher said that the earth moved round the sun.
Correct Our teacher said that the earth moves round the sun.

Rule-7
When the subordinate clause comes after ‗lest‘, the auxiliary verb ‗should‘ must be used, whatever be the tense of
the verb in the main clause.
Example
Incorrect We start early lest we shall mis the train.
Correct We start early lest we should miss the train.

Rule-8
An Adverb or Adverbial phrase should not be placed between ‗to‘ and the verbal part of the infinitive. This is called
the split infinitive.
Example
Incorrect I hoped to immediately reply to your letter.
Correct I hoped to reply immediately to your letter.

Rule-9
An infinitive should be in the present tense unless it represents an action prior to that of the governing verb.
Example

Incorrect I should have liked to have gone there.

Correct I should have liked to go here.

Rule-10
If a Gerund is preceded by a Pronoun, that pronoun must be in Possessive case.
Example
Incorrect He emphasized me going there.
Correct He emphasized my going there.

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Rule-11
The present Continuous Tense is used for an action that begun in the past and still went on at the time of speaking. It
is used with, Adverbials of time introduced by ‗since‘, ‗for‘ and ‗how long‘.
Example
Incorrect How long are you working in this office?
Correct How long have you been working in this office?

Rule-12
When a Verb is preceded by a Preposition, it must be a gerund.
Example
Incorrect They were punished for come late.
Correct They were punished for coming late.

Rule-13
The Future Indefinite Tense is not used in the clauses of time, place and condition. Here, the Present Indefinite
Tense is used.
Example
Incorrect I shall wait for you till you will finish your work.
Correct I shall wait for you till you finish your work.

Rule-14
The Present Perfect Tense is not used with the Adverbs of past tense like- yesterday, in 1990, etc. Here, the Past
Indefinite Tense is used.
Example
Incorrect I have bought a cycle yesterday.
Correct I bought a cycle yesterday.

Rule-15
Then two past actions are mentioned in a sentence, Past Perfect Tense is used to represent the earlier of the two
past actions and Simple Past Tense is used to represent the latter action.
Example
Incorrect When I reached the station, the train already left.
Correct When I reached the station, the train had already left.

Rule-16
Modal auxiliaries are not used together. But two auxiliaries can be connected by a Conjunction.
Example
Incorrect He should must do it.
Correct He should and must do it.

Rule-17
When ‗need‘ or ‗dare‘ is followed by ‗not‘, it turns into a modal auxiliary. In that situation it takes a Bare Infinitive and
we cannot use ‗needs not‘ or ‗dares not‘.
Example
Incorrect He needs not do it.
Correct He need not do it.

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Chapter 13
Tense

131
132
Tense is the form taken by a verb to indicate time and continuance of completeness of action. The continuance or
completeness of action is denoted by four sub-categories.

Simple tense: This form of tense is used to indicate habitual action or routine action in the present tense, action
which is over in the past tense & action to happen in the future tense.

Continuous tense: This form of tense is used to indicate action that is incomplete or continuous or going on.

Perfect tense: The action is complete, finished or perfect with respect to a certain point of time.

Perfect continuous tense: This form of tense is used to indicate an action that has been going on continuously for a
long period of time and is yet to be finished.

All 13 tenses with their verb forms and a few examples

Sl. Form Tense Verb form used for tense Sentence

1. Present Verb + s/es I go to the film every week.
2. Simple/ Indefinite Past Second form of verb only I went to the film last week.
3. Future Shall / will + verb I will go to the film next week.
4. Present Am/is/are + verb + ing I am watching a film.
5. Continuous Past Was/were + verb + ing I was watching a film earlier.
6. Future Shall / will + be + verb + ing I will be watching a film later.
7. Present Shall / will + be + verb + ing I have seen a film
By the time I reached the theatre, the
8. Past Had + third form of verb
film had finished.
Perfect
By the time I reach the theatre, the film
9. Future Shall/ will + have + past participle
will have finished.
I have been watching this film for 2
10. Present Has/have + been + verb + ing
hours.
I had been watching this movie for 2
11. Perfect Past Had been + verb + ing
hours by the time you got there.
continuous
If I watch this for 10 minutes longer, I
12. Future Shall/ will + have been + verb + ing will have been watching this film for 2
hours straight.
13. Future with ‗going to‘ Am/ is/ are + going + infinitive I am going to watch the film next week.

Uses of simple present tense

1. To express habitual action.

Example: I get up every day at 4 o clock.
2. To express general truths.
Example: Fortune favors the brave.
3. In vivid narrative, as substitute for the simple past.
Example: Immediately the Sultan hurries to the capital.
4. To indicate a future event that is part of a fixed program or time table.
Example: The train leaves at 5:20 am.
5. To introduce quotations.
Example: Keats says, ―A thing of beauty is a joy forever.‖
6. In exclamatory sentences beginning with ‗here‘ and ‗there‘ to express what is actually taking place in the
present.
Example: Here comes the bus.
7. When two actions of the future are being talked about, one dependent on the other, the former action is
represented by present simple and the latter by future simple.
Example: We shall go when the child comes back home.
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Uses of present continuous tense

1. For an action that is going on at the time of speaking.

Example: The boys are playing cricket on the ground.
2. For a temporary action that may not be actually happening at the time of speaking but was happening in the
recent past and is still happening in the recent future.
Example: I am reading the book ‗Econometrics‘ these days.
3. To express a changing or developing situation.
Example: Bangladesh is progressing day by day.
4. For an action that is planned or arranged to take place in the near future.
Example: I am going to the movies tonight.
5. When the reference is to a particularly stubborn habit, the present continuous form is used instead of simple
present. An adverb like -always, continually, constantly, etc. is also used.
Incorrect: There is no use scolding him, he always does what he wants.
Correct: There is no use scolding him, he is always doing what is forbidden.
Uses of present perfect tense

1. To indicate the completed activities in the immediate past.

Example: He has gone out.
2. Action completed in the immediate past or an action of the past whose effect lingers in the present.
Less correct: I wrote three books.
This given sentence appears to be incomplete. That‘s because the sentence immediately begs the question
‗When did you write three books?‘. It is better if you use the following sentence instead.
Correct: I wrote books.
3. The present perfect is never used with adverbs of past time. In such cases the past simple should be used.
Incorrect: India has won the match last week.
‗Last week‘ is not the immediate past. You may therefore be tempted to use the present perfect because that
fits the intended use better, but the thing is that the ‗immediate past‘ here does not go unindicated. Thus,
‗last week‘ is being used as an adverb of past time.
Correct: India won the match last week.
4. To express past actions whose time is not given and not definite- actions with their effect continuing in the
present.
Example: I have never known him to be angry.
Example: Have you read ‗Gulliver‘s Travels?
5. To describe the past events when we think more of their effect in the present than of the action itself.
Example: I have cut my finger.
6. For long actions and situations which started in the near past and went on until very recently.
Example: I have read three chapters since this morning.

Uses of present perfect continuous tense

1. For an action, which began at some time in the past and is still continuing. With the present perfect
continuous tense an adverb or phrase that expresses times used.
Example: They have been building this bridge for several months.

Uses of simple past tense

1. Commonly used to indicate an action completed in the past. Generally, adverbs or adverb phrases of past
time are used in past simple tense.
Example: He went home some time back.
2. To express imaginary present situations or imaginary future events that may not happen.
Example: if I got rich, I would travel all over the world.

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 3. When this tense is used without an adverb of time, them time may be either implied or indicated by the
context.
Example: I didn‘t sleep well.
4. For past habits ‗used to‘ is added to the verb.
Example: She used to carry an umbrella.

Uses of past continuous tense

1. To denote an action going on at some point in the past. The time of the action may or may not be indicated.
Example: It was getting darker.
2. When a new action happened in the middle of a longer action. In this case past simple and past continuous
are used together. Past simple is used for the new action.
Example: The light went out while I was reading.
3. For persistent habits in the past.
Example: She was always chewing gum.

Uses of past perfect tense

1. When two actions happened in the past. In this case it is necessary to point out which action happened
earlier than the other. Here past perfect is used for the action that happened earlier.
Example: When I reached the station, the train had already started.
2. An action that began before a certain point of time in the past & was continuing at a given point of time in the
sentence. A time expression like since last year, for the last few days is generally put after perfect continuous
tense.
Example: At that time, he had been writing a novel for two months.

Uses of simple future tense

1. For an action that has still to take place.

Example: I shall see him tomorrow.

Uses of future continuous tense

1. This form of tense represents an action as going on at some time in the future.
Example: I shall be reading the paper then.
2. Represents future events that are planned.
Example: He will be meeting us next week.

Uses of future perfect tense

1. To indicate the completion of an event by a certain future time.

Example: I shall have written my exercise by that time.

Uses of future perfect continuous tense

1. The future perfect continuous tense indicates an action it being in progress over a period of time that will end
in the future. Generally, the time period is mentioned along with it.
Example: By next July we shall have been living here for 4 years.

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Some exceptional rules to look out for.

1. Event occurring at the same time must be given I the same tense.
Example: When he fainted, his brother was with him.

2. ‗Will‘ or ‗shall‘ cannot be used twice in the same sentence even if both the actions refer to the future tense.
Incorrect: I shall come if he will call me.

3. With the phrases ‗as if‘ and ‗as though‘ the past tense and plural form of the verb should be used.
Incorrect: He behaves as if he is a king.
Correct: He behaves as if he were a king.

4. With the word ‗wish‘, four verbs are namely used -were. had, could, would. ‗Were‘ is used when the wish
seems to be unrealizable.
Correct: I wish I were a king.

5. ‗Had‘ is used when our wish is a lament over the past happening.
Example: I wish I had accepted the job.

6. ‗Would‘ is used when we refer to the future.

Example: I wish I would get a ticket.

7. ‗Could‘ is used when we wish that something that has happened already should have happened otherwise.
Example: He did not go because he was busy yesterday. I wish he could go with us.

8. ‗For‘ is used for a period of time.

Example: He has been working for two hours.

9. ‗Since‘ is used with a point of time.

Example: He has been working since morning.

10. In case of conditional sentences ‗had‘ and ‗would have‘ are used.
Example: If I had met him I would have invited him.

136
Exercise
Segment-1 (BBA 2014-15)

1. Towering well above the sea level, the memorial _______.

a) was a beautiful site to look at
b) was a beautiful sight to look at
c) is a beautiful sight to look at
d) is a beautiful site to look at
e) is a beautiful site for looking

2. The boy who used to be my roommate at college has called me up for the last few days. No error. (BBA 2014-15)
A B C D E

3. He was living off the paltry inheritance his father had left behind. No error.(BBA 2015-16)
A B C D E

4. Do you know that these gloves _____ the bureau all week?
a) have lay on
b) have laid on
c) would lie on
d) had laid on
e) have lain on

5. If the books ____ last week, I could search for my favorite novel now. (BBA 2015-16)
a) have been cataloged
b) would have been cataloged
c) was cataloged
d) were cataloged
e) had been cataloged

Instruction: In each of the following sentences there is one word missing. Identify the missing word from the given choices.

6. A number of clinical trials shown regular exercise to be strongly linked to heightened immunity.
a) have
b) for
c) has
d) and
e) No word is missing

7. Soon after Rashed has finished his thesis, he will leave for Dhaka, where he has a job waiting on him. (BBA 2005-06)
A B C D E

8. Choose the correct sentence : (2008-09)

a) Running along the street, I felt as if my nose were frozen.
b) As I ran along the street, I felt as if my nose was frozen.
c) Running in the street, I felt my nose frozen.
d) My nose had felt frozen when I was running in the street.
e) Running along the street, I felt as if my nose was frozen.

137
9. Identify the Incorrect sentence.(2010-11)

a) The teacher put the idea into my head.

b) This is an efficacious medicine, not a panacea though.

c) Two fifth of the trees of the Sundarbans were destroyed in the hurricane.

d) The auctioneer mistook my nod for a bid, and I ended up buying a painting I don‘t even like.

e) None of these are incorrect.

10. When Scott runs at night, he wears very bright clothes so that drivers could see him. No error.
A B C D E

Segment-2

11. While I really enjoy studying the French language, I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.
a) I would also like to try learning some Portuguese.
b) I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese.
c) I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese as well.
d) I would also like to try and learn some Portuguese as well.
e) I would also like to try to learn some Portuguese.

12. Margaret carried her dog, which was often clad in a pink and white argyle sweater, everywhere she goes. No error
A B C D E
13. "Victoria" is a name that sounds throughout history since the nineteenth century.
a) sounds through history
b) sounds throughout history
c) sounding through history
d) has sounded throughout history
e) sounding throughout history

14. The number of physics principles on tomorrow‘s exam are too much for me to remember.
a) The number of physics principles on tomorrow‘s exam are too much for me to remember.
b) The number of physics principles on tomorrow‘s exam are too much of me to remember.
c) The number of physics principles on tomorrow‘s exam are much too much for me to remember.
d) The number of physics principles on tomorrow‘s exam is too much for me to remember.
e) The number of physics principles on tomorrows‘ exam are too much for me to remember.

15. Although he had never taken piano lessons, anytime that Jeff, who was unusually intelligent, sees a piano,
A B C
he was able to play a song. No error.
D E
16. Testing the new model rocket would not be possible since it was being a rainy day. No error
A B C D E
17. No matter how diverse a menu may be, John always orders the most basic dish that he could find. No error
A B C D E
18. Jose did not understand how a lecture on sea turtles is relevant to a course on the politics of
A B C D
the Middle East. No error
E

138
19. Every member of that family has freckles and bright red hair, so every year, it is easy to spot relatives
A B C
as they arrived at the family reunion. No error
D E
20. The man peered around the corner, checked to see if the coast was clear. No error.
A B C D E

Segment-3

21. In a prolonged effort to curb abuses, the governments reduce the amount in bonuses for arrests.
a) the governments reduce
b) the governments to reduce
c) the governments reduced
d) the governments reduction
e) the governments reduces

22. Celebrations begun in the school after it was announced they had won the championship.
a) begin the school
b) begun in the school
c) began in the school
d) began the school
e) begun by the school

23. Something strange occurs every night of the trip, which spooked the entire family.
a) Something strange occurs every nights of the trip,
b) Somethings strange occurs every night of the trip,
c) Something strange occurring every night of the trip,
d) Something strange occurred every night of the trip,
e) Something strange occurs every night of the trip,

24. Politics has gains such a nasty tone in recent years that it has turned off many voters.
a) has gained such a nasty tone
b) has gains such a nasty tone
c) has gains a nasty tone
d) has gains such nasty tone
e) gains such a nasty tone

25. All of the people know the costs of done business with the corrupt shopkeeper.
a) does business
b) doing business
c) do business
d) business doing
e) done business

26. By the time Bobby and Elvis sat in their seats, the opposing team scored four touchdowns.
a) the scoring of four touchdowns by the opposing team happened
b) the four touchdowns were scored by the opposing team
c) the opposing team scored four touchdowns
d) the opposing team were scoring four touchdowns
e) the opposing team had scored four touchdowns

139
27. Less than five people attend the event that took place six months ago.
a) attends
b) attendance
c) attended
d) attend
e) attending

28. Musicians frequently discuss the ability to play without thinking, let the music flow right out of them.
a) let the music flow right out of them.
b) letting the music flow right out of them.
c) lets music flow right out of them.
d) let music flow out of them.
e) letting so that music flows right out of them.

29. Unbeknownst to her colleagues, she was suffered from a serious illness.
a) she suffering from
b) she had been suffered from
c) she being suffering from
d) she was suffered from
e) she was suffering from

30. The old path worn out, to the point that no vegetation would grow on it.
a) worn out
b) was worn out
c) wearing out
d) worn around
e) worn through

140
Tense solutions
1. C
‗sight‘ is the correct word here. Since the first clause is in present tense, the second clause must be in present
tense to maintain consistency.
2. B
The correct preposition to use here is ‗in‘, since the process of attending college is being referred to here.
3. D
Past perfect form is incorrect here. Past indefinite form must be used.
4. E
Past participle of ‗lie‘ is ‗lain‘.
5. D
A simple past form of the verb is required here.
6. A
A plural verb is always required after ‗A number of‘.
7. A
There is a parallelism error here. To maintain consistency with the second part of the sentence, present indefinite
form of ‗finish‘ must be used.
8. E
The sentence is grammatically correct and does not contain a dangling modifier.
9. D
There is a parallelism error here. The correct verb form in the second part of the sentence is ‗didn‘t even like‘.
10. C
There is a parallelism error here. Since all of the other verbs are in present indefinite form, ‗can‘ must be used
here to maintain parallelism.
11. E
The other choices contain tense errors or redundancy errors.
12. D
There is a parallelism error here. Since the first part of the sentence is in past indefinite form, ‗went‘ must be
used instead of ‗goes‘.
13. D
Present participle must be used since ‗since‘ is used along with a definite time.
14. D
‗The number of‘ is always followed by a singular verb.
15. C
There is a parallelism error here. In order to maintain consistency with the rest of the verbs in the sentence, the
past indefinite form of ‗see‘ must be used.
16. D
The verb is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ‗was‘.
17. D
There is a parallelism error here. To maintain consistency with the first part of the sentence, present indefinite
form of ‗can‘ must be used.
18. C
There is a parallelism error here. Since past indefinite is used at the beginning of the sentence, ‗is‘ must be
replaced by ‗was‘.

141
19. D
Since ‗every year‘ is mentioned, present indefinite tense must be used.
20. B
The two words must be linked by the conjunction ‗and‘. Otherwise, it comes a run-on sentence.
21. C
Option C is the only choice that makes sense in context of the tense and coherence.
22. C
‗begun‘ is the past participle form of ‗begin‘. Here, the past indefinite form ‗began‘ should be used.
23. D
Due to the presence of the past indefinite verb ‗spooked‘, past indefinite form of ‗occur‘ must be used.
24. A
Present participle must be used since ‗since‘ is used along with a definite time.
25. B
A gerund is required here in place of the past participle ‗done‘.
26. E
When two events occur in the past, past perfect must be used in describing the earlier event.
27. C
Since ‗six months ago‘ is mentioned, the event took place in the past. Hence, past indefinite must be used.
28. B
Present participle must be used for beginning verb clauses.
29. E
All the other options are grammatically incorrect or incorrectly uses the phrase ‗suffering from‘.
30. B
Option B is the only choice that contains a viable verb.

142
Chapter 14
Causative Verbs

143
144
In English grammar, a causative verb is a verb used to indicate that some person or thing makes or helps to make
something happen. So, here might arise a question—why to have this verb as a separate topic? The answer is these
verbs follow a special grammatical structure which might collide with our known usage of double verbs in a sentence.
A causative verb, which can be in any tense, is generally followed by an object and another verb form—often an
infinitive or a participle — and are used to describe something that happens because of a person, place, or thing
whose actions bring about change in another entity. Look at the following sentence carefully-

John had Marry wash the car.

In this sentence, Marry has actually washed the car and John had his job done by Marry. Here, Marry helps to make
‗the washing‘ of the car happen. So, the verb used here in this sentence ‗had(have)‘ is a causative verb.

There aren‘t many of this verb in practice. Following are the verbs which are used as causative verbs and are given
with grammatical structures under which they fall-

1. ‗LET‘ standing for- Permit Something To Happen:

Grammatical structure: LET + PERSON/THING + VERB (base form)

Examples:

I don‘t let my kids watch violent movies.

Mary‘s father won‘t let her adopt a puppy because he‘s allergic to dogs.

Here in these sentences, ‗let‘ stands for permission to do something and hence the latter verbs ‗watch‘ and ‗adopt‘
are in base form.

Remember: The past tense of let is also let; there is no change!

Note: The verbs ‗allow‘ and ‗permit‘ are more formal ways to say ―let.‖ However, with ‗allow‘ and ‗permit‘, we use ‗to +
verb‘

I don‘t allow my kids to watch violent movies.

Our boss doesn‘t permit us to eat lunch at our desks.

2. ‗MAKE‘ standing for- Force Or Require Someone To Take An Action

Grammatical structure: MAKE(any tense) + PERSON + VERB (base form)

Examples:

After Billy broke the neighbor‘s window, his parents made him pay for it.

My ex-boyfriend loved sci-fi and made me watch every episode of his favorite show.

Note: When using the verbs ‗force‘ and ‗require‘, we must use ‗to + verb‘.

The school requires the students to wear uniforms.

―Require‖ often implies that there is a rule.

The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.

―Force‖ often implies violence, threats, or extremely strong pressure

145
3. HAVE standing for- Give Someone Else The Responsibility To Do Something
Grammatical structure:

For Active: HAVE(any tense) + PERSON + VERB (base form)

For Passive: HAVE(any tense) + THING + PAST PARTICIPLE OF VERB

Examples of grammatical structure for active:

I‘ll have my assistant call you to reschedule the appointment.

The businessman had his secretary make copies of the report.

Examples of grammatical structure for passive:

I‘m going to have my hair cut tomorrow. (Someone will cut my hair)

We‘re having our house painted this weekend. (Someone will paint the house)

Note: In informal speech, we often use get in these cases which is not entirely appropriate. So, try to avoid these
structures in written English.

I‘m going to get my haircut tomorrow.

We‘re getting our house painted this weekend.

4. GET standing for- Convince/Encourage Someone To Do Something

Grammatical structure: GET(any tense) + PERSON + TO + VERB

Examples:

How can we get all the employees to arrive on time?

My husband hates housework; I can never get him to wash the dishes!

5. HELP standing for- Assist Someone In Doing Something

Grammatical structure:

HELP(any tense) + PERSON + VERB (base form)

HELP(any tense) + PERSON + TO + VERB

After ―help,‖ you can use ―to‖ or not – both ways are correct. In general, the form without ―to‖ is more common:

He helped me carry the boxes.

He helped me to carry the boxes.

146
Exercise
Basic

1. Psychologists believe that incentives ______ to increase our productivity.

a) make us want
b) make us to want
c) making us want
d) makes us wanting
2. Lobbyists who represent special interest groups get ______ that benefits the group.
a) Congress to pass the legislation
b) Congress passed the legislation
c) the legislation to pass by Congress
d) the legislation that Congress passing
3. Like humans, zoo animals must have a dentist ______ their teeth.
a) to be filled
b) filled
c) filling
d) fill
4. Daenerys ______ Jon Snow _______ the Seven Kingdoms.
a) Helped, conquering
b) Helped, conquer
c) he helped, conquer
d) helping, to conquer
5. Sally made me ______ my shoes before I went into her house. She said she wanted to keep the carpet clean.
a) taking off
b) to take off
c) taken off
d) take off

Sentence Correction
1. Residents in some cities can call an electrical inspector to have the wiring in their houses is checked.
a) to have the wiring in their houses is checked.
b) to have the wiring in their houses checked.
c) to make the wiring in their houses is checked.
d) to have the wiring in their house to be checked.
e) to have the wiring in their houses checking.
2. The hijacker forced the pilots to take the plane in a different direction.
a) to take the plane in a different direction.
b) take the plane in a different direction.
c) taking the planes towards a different direction
d) take the plane towards a different direction.
e) None of the above
3. I was nervous about eating sushi, but my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
a) my brother got me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
b) my brother made me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
c) my brother let me to try it at a Japanese restaurant.
d) my brother forced me try it at a Japanese restaurant.
e) my brother had me tried it at a Japanese restaurant.
147
4. Oops! I wasn‘t paying attention while cooking, therefore I let the food burning.
a) therefore I let the food burning.
b) However I let the food burn
c) Sorry! I burnt the food.
d) so I let the food burn.
e) so I let the food burnt.
5. Identify the correct sentences
a) The teacher got all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable.
b) The teacher had all the students rewritten their papers, because the first drafts were unacceptable.
c) The teacher let all the students to rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable
d) The teacher helped all the students to rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were acceptable.
e) The teacher made all the students rewrite their papers, because the first drafts were not acceptable.
6. The Industrial Revolution, making it possible to mass-produced manufactured goods, was marked by their use of
new machines.
a) making it possible to mass-produced manufactured goods, was marked by their use of
b) making possible the mass production of manufactured goods, marked by the use of
c) which made it possible that manufactured goods were mass produced, was marked by their using
d) which made possible the mass-production of manufactured goods, was marked by the use of
e) which made the mass production of manufactured goods possible and was marked by using
7. Accumulation of mineral oil has helped the city growing from a dingy suburban to a posh metropolitan in only 10
years.
a) growing from a dingy suburban to a posh metropolitan.
b) grown from a dingy suburban to a posh metropolitan.
c) grow from a dingy suburban to a posh metropolitan.
d) growing out of a dingy suburban into a posh metropolitan.
e) grow out of a dingy suburban into a posh metropolitan.
8. Cartographers have long struggled with the problem of having the spherical Earth to draw on a flat sheet of
paper.
a) having the spherical Earth to draw on a flat sheet of paper.
b) having a flat sheet of paper on which to draw the spherical Earth.
c) how can one draw the spherical Earth on a flat sheet of paper.
d) how they could use a flat sheet of paper to draw the spherical Earth.
e) how to draw the spherical Earth on a flat sheet of paper.
9. The desire to be fit sometimes drives a gymnast or a ballet dancer grown thin and eventually weak.
a) drives a gymnast or a ballet dancer grown thin and eventually weak.
b) drives a gymnast or a ballet dancer to grow thin and eventually weak.
c) forces a gymnast or a ballet dancer grown thin and eventually weak.
d) drives a gymnast or a ballet dancer to grow thin and eventually weak.
e) helps a gymnast or a ballet dancer grow thin and eventually weak.
10. I like the way you had the beautician had your hair done.
a) the beautician had your hair done.
b) the beautician made your hair done.
c) the beautician doing your hair.
d) the beautician to do your hair.
e) the beautician do your hair

148
Error Finding
1. Too much water makes plants turning brown on the edges of their leaves. No Error
A B C D E
2. In order to receive full reimbursement for jewelry that might be stolen, the owner must get all
A B C
pieces appraised. No Error
D E
3. Most presidential candidates have their names printing on the ballot in the primary election
A
because it is customarily the first one in the nation and winning it can give them a good chance to
B C D
be nominated by their parties. No Error
E
4. NBA will not let any athlete to continue playing in the league unless he submits voluntarily to
A B C D
treatment for drug addiction. No Error
E
5. Doctors agree that the fluid surrounding the spinal cord helps the nourishment of the brain. No Error
A B C D E
6. Besides his contributions to the field of science, Franklin helped the people of Florida founded an
A B C
insurance company, a hospital, a library, as well as a city militia. No Error
D E
7. A temporary driver‘s license permit lets the learner drive with another licensed driver in the car. No Error
A B C D E
8. The Food and Drug Administration, known as the FDA, makes grocers and restaurant owners
A B
pasteurized milk before selling it. No Error
C D E
9. The Rural Free Delivery Acts was passed so that people on farms could have their mails delivery
A B C
cheaper and faster. No Error
D E
10. The Wizard of Oz could not help Dorothy returning to Kansas; nevertheless, the wizard made her
A B
become more seasoned than she was ever before. No Error
C D E

149
Causative Verbs Solution
Basic

1. Answer A is correct. The general form is make + somebody or something + verb. Avoid using to.
2. Answer A is correct. You get somebody or something to do something.
3. Answer D is correct. You have somebody do something.
4. Answer B is correct. You help somebody do or to do something.
5. Answer D is correct. Same explanation for (2).

Sentence Correction
1. Answer B is correct. The general form is have + something + verb word in participle form.
2. Answer A is correct. In case of subordination or forcing, we often use to before the verb word.
3. Answer A is correct and concise. The general form is get + somebody + to + simple verb form.
4. Answer D is correct, concise and conveys the proper meaning.
5. Answer E is correct and follows a proper grammatical construction.
6. Answer D is correct. In A and C, ―their‖ doesn‘t have an antecedent. In B, there is no verb with the subject. In E,
―was marked by using‖ is awkward and the presence of ―and‖ leads to sentence fragmentation problem.
7. Answer C is correct. The general form is help + somebody + to (optional) + verb in simple form.
8. Answer E is correct. The other options distort the meaning.
9. Answer B is correct. The causative verbs, force and help, does not convey the proper meaning.
10. Answer E is correct. The verb in simple form should be used.

Error Finding
1. C is incorrect. The general form is make + somebody (thing) + simple verb form.
2. No error.
3. A is incorrect. The general form is have + something + verb in participle form.
4. A is incorrect. The general form is let + somebody + simple verb form. Avoid using to.
5. C is incorrect. The most concise sentence would go as follows, the fluid surrounding the spinal cord helps to
nourish the brain.
6. C is incorrect. The correct usage is found (to establish).
7. No Error
8. C is incorrect. The general form is make + somebody (thing) + simple verb form. The correct usage is pasteurize.
9. C is incorrect. The general form is have + something + verb in participle form. The correct usage is delivered.
10. A is incorrect. The general form is help + somebody + to (optional) + verb in simple form. The correct usage is
return.

150
Chapter 15
Subjunctive

151
152
The English subjunctive is a special, relatively rare verb form that expresses something desired or imagined. We
use the subjunctive mainly when talking about events that are not certain to happen. For example, we use the
subjunctive when talking about events that somebody:

 wants to happen
 anticipates will happen
 imagines happening

The subjunctive mood in English is used to form sentences expressing wished-for, tentatively-assumed, or
hypothetical states of affairs, rather than things that the speaker intends to represent as true and factual. The
subjunctive mood, such as ―She suggests that he speak English‖, contrasts with the indicative mood (type of
grammatical mood used to express facts, statements, opinions, or questions.), which is used for statements of
fact, such as ―He speaks English‖.

In Modern English, the subjunctive form of a verb often looks identical to the indicative form, and thus subjunctives
are not a very visible grammatical feature of English. For most verbs, the only distinct subjunctive form is found in the
third person singular of the present tense, where the subjunctive lacks the ‗-s‘ ending:

It is necessary that he see a doctor (contrasted with the indicative ‗he sees‘).

The verb be, however, has not only a distinct present subjunctive (be, as in I suggest that he be removed) but also a
past subjunctive were (as in If he were rich,......).

These two tenses of the subjunctive have no particular connection in meaning with present and past time.
Terminology varies; sometimes what is called the present subjunctive here is referred to simply as the ‗base
subjunctive‘, and the form ‗were‘ may be treated just as an ‗were subjunctive‘ rather than a past subjunctive.

Another case where base-subjunctive forms are distinguished from indicatives is when they are negated: compare ―I
recommend that they not enter the competition(subjunctive)‖ with ―They do not enter the competition (indicative)‖.

Base Subjunctive

Form of base subjunctive

The form of the base subjunctive is extremely simple. For all verbs and all persons, the present form is the base of
the verb, for example: be, have, do, go, sing, work
The base subjunctive does not use any other forms (goes, sings, works).
This table shows the base subjunctive in all persons, using the verbs be, work and sing as examples:

I you he, she, it we you you they

Base- be be be be be be be be
Subjunctive work work work work work work work work
sing sing sing sing sing sing sing sing

**Note that the subjunctive does not change at all according to person (I, you, he etc.)

153
Use of base subjunctive

In certain that clauses

The base subjunctive is typically used in that clauses after two structures:

1. suggest-verb (or noun) + that

 advise, ask, command, demand, desire, insist, order, prefer, propose, recommend, request, suggest
 command, demand, order, proposal, recommendation, request, suggestion

2. advisable/anxious-adjective + that

 advisable, best, crucial, desirable, essential, imperative, important, necessary, unthinkable, urgent, vital
 adamant, anxious, determined, eager, keen

Look at these sentences which include examples of the above:

main clause that clause

suggest-verb with subjunctive

He Suggests That You be present at the meeting.

The board Recommend That He join the company.

He Requested That the car park Not be locked at night.

main clause that clause

suggest-noun with subjunctive

They made a suggestion that We Be early.

He made a proposal that the company Buy more land.

The president has issued an order that the secretary Resign next month.

main clause that clause

advisable-adjective with subjunctive

It is advisable that She Rest for a week.

` essential that the army advance rapidly.

After the landing, it will be Vital that every soldier not Use a radio.

154
 main clause that clause
anxious-adjective with subjunctive

Tara is anxious that you Return soon.

They are Keen that he not Be hurt.

We were determined that it Remain secret.

Notice above↑:

 the position of not when creating negation

 that the main clause can be in any tense

Look at some more examples, which include that clauses in negative and continuous form:

 The judge orders that he stay for the execution.

 We have made a request that we notbe disturbed.
 It is important that a car be waiting when we arrive.

The use of the subjunctive as above is more common in American English than in British English, where should
structures are often used:

 It was essential that we should vote the following day.

 He requested that the car park should not be locked at night.

be after if
We sometimes use subjunctive be after if/whether, though this is rather formal, especially in British English:

If that be (not) the case,

I intend to report the
matter.
Whether he be prepared or not,

Fixed expressions
Note the following fixed expressions with the subjunctive:

 Bless you!
 God bless America!
 God save the Queen.
 Long live the President!
 Heaven forbid!
 Heaven help us!

155
were-Subjunctive
Form of were-subjunctive
I you he, she, it we you they
were- Be were were were were were were
subjunctive

**Note that the subjunctive does not change according to person (I, you, he etc).

Use of were-subjunctive
In the following examples, you can see that we sometimes use the were-subjunctive (instead of was) after:

 if
 as if
 wish
 suppose

**Note that in these cases were is always correct, but was is possible in informal language:

Incorrect with ‗was‘ (for the incident being a past contrary

Formal with were
fact)

I would go if I were younger. I would go if I was younger.

If he were not so mean, he would buy one. If he wasn't so mean, he would buy one.

I'd tell her if I were you. We do not normally say "if I was you" even in colloquial
language.

It's not as if I were ugly. It's not as if I was ugly.

She acts as if she were the Queen. She acts as if she was the Queen.

I wish I weren't so slow! I wish I wasn't so slow!

I wish the computer were working. I wish the computer was working.

Suppose she were here. What would you say? Suppose she was here. What would you say

156
Exercises
Basic

1. The doctor suggested that she _______ smoke.

a) do not
b) did not
c) would not
d) not
2. It is imperative that you _______ on time.
a) should be present
b) ought to be present
c) need to be present
d) be present
3. I propose that the vote _______ conducted by a secret ballot.
a) should be
b) be
c) must be
d) should have been
4. She ignored the suggestion that she _______ more exercise.
a) should get
b) ought to et
c) get
d) should be getting
5. The terrorist‘s demand that the airline _______ a plane so that they can elope, will not be met by the deadline.
a) providing
b) provide
c) must provide
d) provided
Sentence Correction

1. A controversial figure throughout his life, Jacob Zuma urged that some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to
him, symbolized freedom.
a) some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized freedom.
b) some Blacks return to the African land symbolizing the possibility of freedom to him.
c) some Blacks returned to Africa which was the land to him, symbolized freedom.
d) some Blacks returned to Africa which was the land to him, symbolized freedom.
e) some Blacks should return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized freedom
2. A group of researchers in Rutgers University proposed that the number of women in the French Legislation must
be increased so as to achieve national prosperity.
a) the number of women in the French Legislation must be increased so as to achieve national prosperity.
b) the number of women in the French Legislation must be increased in order to achieve national prosperity.
c) the number of women in the French Legislation be increased in order to achieve national prosperity
d) the number of women in the French Legislation should experience an increase so as to achieve national
prosperity.
e) to achieve national prosperity, the number of women in the French Legislation must be increased.
3. Therapists insist that the survivors of child abuse need to identify their phobias and work accordingly.
a) the survivors of child abuse need to identify their phobias and work accordingly.
b) the survivors of child abuse need to identify their phobias and should work accordingly.
c) the survivors of child abuse ought to identify their phobias and ought to work accordingly.
d) the survivors of child abuse identify their phobias and work accordingly.
e) None of the above.

157
4. In 1991, the Garbage Disposition Act required that any citizen should not dispose garbage in an unethical
manner and if possible, recycle.
a) any citizen should not dispose garbage in an unethical manner, and if possible, recycle.
b) any citizen not dispose garbage in an unethical manner, and if possible, should recycle.
c) any citizen must not dispose garbage in an unethical manner, and if possible, must recycle.
d) any citizen does not dispose garbage in an unethical manner, and if possible, does recycling.
e) any citizen not dispose garbage in an unethical manner, and if possible, recycle.
5. It is the recommendation of many psychologists that a learner use mental image to associate words and
remember names.
a) that a learner use mental image
b) that a learner uses mental image
c) a learner use mental image
d) a learner uses mental image
e) that a learner should use mental image
6. Ancient Romans suggested that a person to bathed in cold milk, in strawberries that had been crushed, or in
bathtubs filled with black caviar.
a) bathed in cold milk, in strawberries that had been crushed, or in bathtubs filled with black caviar.
b) bathe in cold milk, in strawberries that had been crushed, or in caviar that was black.
c) bathe in cold milk, crushed strawberries, or black caviar.
d) should bathe in cold milk, crushed strawberries, or black caviar.
e) must bathe in milk, strawberries, or caviar.
7. Bankers require that the financial information presented to them by mortgage applicants be complete and follow
a prescribed format.
a) be complete and follow a prescribed format.
b) is complete and it follows a prescribed format.
c) be complete and a prescribed format is followed.
d) to be complete and a prescribed format be following.
e) be completed, and it followed a prescribed format.
8. The federal government requires hospitals to tell a Medicare patient of their legal right of challenge their
discharge if they feel they are being sent home prematurely.
a) hospitals to tell a Medicare patient of their
b) hospital to tell Medicare patients that they have a
c) hospitals to tell Medicare patients that there is a
d) that hospitals tell a Medicare patient of their
e) that hospitals tell a Medicare patient that they have a
9. The Gorton-Dodd bill requires that a bank disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds
from deposited checks.
a) that a bank disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds from deposited checks.
b) a bank to disclose to their customers how long they will delay access to funds from a deposited check.
c) that a bank disclose to its customers how long it will delay access to funds from deposited checks.
d) a bank that it should disclose to its customers how long it will delay access to funds from a deposited check.
e) that banks disclose to customers how long access to funds from their deposited check is to be delayed.
10. Constance Horner, chief of the United States government‘s personnel agency, has recommended that the use of
any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds for not hiring an applicant.
a) the use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds for not
hiring an applicant
b) any dangerous or illegal drug, if used in the five years prior to applying for a job, should be grounds for not
hiring an applicant
c) an applicant‘s use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to application for a job be grounds
not to hire them
d) an applicant‘s use of any dangerous or illegal drug in the five years prior to applying for a job are grounds
that they not be hired
e) for five years prior to applying for a job, an applicant‘s use of any dangerous or illegal drug be grounds for
not hiring them
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Error Finding

1. Many architects prefer that a dome is used to roof buildings that need to conserve floor spaces. No Error
A B C D E

2. Despite their insistence that he will appear when there is an important event, the President
A B
schedules press conferences with the news media at his direction. No Error
C D E
3. IRS provision requires that an S corporation with assets of greater than $200,000 sends W-2 forms
A B C
to its employees before Jan. 31. No Error
D E

4. Judicial rules in many states mandate that the identities of all prosecution witnesses are made
A B
known to defendants, but the Constitution explicitly mandates only that the defendant have
C D
the opportunity to confront an accuser in court. No Error
E
5. Legislation in the Canadian province of Ontario requires of both public and private employers that
A
pay should be the same for jobs historically held by women as for jobs requiring comparable skill
B C D
that are usually held by men. No Error
E
6. One of the most powerful driving forces behind recycling is the threat of legislation that would
A B
require companies they take more responsibilities for the disposal of their products. No Error.
C D E
7. Unlike Michael Madhusudan Datta and Rabindranath Tagore, Nazrul insisted that poets have to
A B C
honor their own regions and employ specifically Bangla rhythms. No Error
D E
8. The commission proposed that funding for development of the park, which could be open to the
A B
public early next year, be obtained through a local bond issue. No Error
C D E
9. If, heaven forbid, something was to happen to you, you would want to know that your family would be taken
A B C D
care of. No Error
E
10. If we were to work any more hours this month, we might need food delivery and toilets in every
A B C
cubicle to make more time for work. No Error
D E

159
Subjunctive Solutions
Basic
1. Answer D is correct. Suggest is a subjunctive verb. The general form of negative subjunctive is as follows,
subject + subjunctive verb + that + subject 2 + not + simple verb form.
2. Answer D is correct. Words such as essential, imperative, important, necessary etc function as subjunctives. Use
the simple form of verb in the following dependent clause.
3. Answer B is correct. Propose is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb.
4. Answer C is correct. Suggestion is a derivative of the subjunctive verb suggest. Use the simple form of verb after
any subjunctive verb.
5. Answer B is correct. Demand is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb.

Sentence Correction
1. Answer A is correct. Urge is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb. Answer B
changes the meaning; returning is not the symbol. land is the symbol.
2. Answer C is correct. Propose is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb. Avoid
using must or should.
3. Answer D is correct. Insist is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb. The
sentence also maintains parallelism.
4. Answer E is correct. Require is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any subjunctive verb. The
sentence also maintains parallelism.
5. Answer A is correct. Requirement is a derivative of the subjunctive verb require. Use the simple form of verb.
Use that before introducing the dependent clause and avoid using should in subjunctive mood.
6. Answer C is correct and most concise. Suggest is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb after any
subjunctive verb.
7. Answer A is correct. Require is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb be after the subjunctive verb. The
sentence also maintains parallelism.
8. Answer B is correct. The other choices can be eliminated due to subject-verb disagreement.
9. Answer C is correct. The bank is a singular entity and the possessive form is its, not their. Require is a
subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb.
10. Answer A is correct. Recommend is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb be. Avoid using should or is
(are) in subjunctive mood.

Error Finding
1. A is incorrect. Prefer is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb. The correct usage is be used.
2. B is incorrect. Insistence is a derivative of the subjunctive verb insist. Use the simple form of verb. The correct
usage is he appear.
3. C is incorrect. Require is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb. The correct usage is send.
4. B is incorrect. Mandate is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb. The correct usage is be made known
to.
5. B is incorrect. Require is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb. The correct usage is paybe the same.
6. C is incorrect. The correct idiom is X require Y to take Z. The correct usage is require companies to take more
responsibilities.
7. B is incorrect. Insist is a subjunctive verb. Use the simple form of verb. The correct usage is honor their own
regions.
8. No Error
9. B is incorrect. To express conditions contrary to fact or impossible events, use were after the subject. Heaven
forbid is an idiomatic expression.
10. No Error. To express conditions contrary to fact or impossible events, use were after the subject.

160
Chapter 16
Modal Verbs

161
162
Modals (also called modal verbs, modal auxiliary verbs or modal auxiliaries) are verbs which have special usages in
English. A modal is a type of auxiliary (helping) verb that is used to express: ability, possibility, permission or
obligation. They are different from normal verbs like "work, play, visit...". They give additional information about the
function of the main verb that follows it. They have a great variety of communicative functions. Look at the following
sentence carefully to have a better understanding about modals.
He might work for this.
Here, in this sentence look at the principal verb ‗work‘. This principal verb is supposed to mean an actual doing of
work with certainty. However, the addition of the modal ‗might‘ changes the function of the main verb ‗work‘. This
addition means a possibility that the work might (a possibility) be done rather than a certainty with only the main verb-
―He works for this‖
Here are some characteristics of modal verbs:
They never change their form. You can't add "s", "ed", "ing"...
They are always followed by an infinitive without "to" (i.e. the bare infinitive.)
They are used to indicate modality that allow speakers to express certainty, possibility, willingness, obligation,
necessity, ability
Here are the words that we usually use as modals with their usages-
1. can

Use Examples

ability to do something. in the present (substitute form: to be able to) I can speak English.

permission to do something. in the present (substitute form: to be Can I go to the cinema?

allowed to)

Request Can you wait a moment, please?

Offer I can lend you my car till tomorrow.

Suggestion Can we visit Grandma at the weekend?

Possibility It can get very hot in Arizona.

2. could

Use Examples

ability to do something. in the past (substitute form: to be able to) I could speak English.

permission to do something. in the past (substitute form: to be I could go to the cinema.

allowed to)

polite question * Could I go to the cinema, please?

polite request * Could you wait a moment, please?

polite offer * I could lend you my car till tomorrow.

polite suggestion * Could we visit Grandma at the weekend?

possibility * It could get very hot in Montana.

163
3. may

Use Examples

Possibility It may rain today.

permission to do something.. in the present (substitute form: May I go to the cinema?

to be allowed to)

polite suggestion May I help you?

4. might

Use Examples

possibility (less possible than may) * It might rain today.

hesitant offer * Might I help you?

5. must

Use Examples

force, necessity I must go to the supermarket today.

Possibility You must be tired.

advice, recommendation You must see the new film with Brad Pitt.

6. must not/may not

Use Examples

You mustn't work on dad's

computer.
prohibition (must is a little stronger)
You may not work on dad's
computer.

7. need not

Use Examples

something. is not necessary I needn't go to the supermarket,

we're going to the restaurant
tonight.

164
8. ought to
similar to should – ought to sounds a little less subjective
Use Examples

Advice You ought to drive carefully in bad

weather.

Obligation You ought to switch off the light

when you leave the room.

9. shall
used instead of will in the 1st person

Use Examples

Suggestion Shall I carry your bag?

10. should

Use Examples

Advice You should drive carefully in bad

weather.

Obligation You should switch off the light

when you leave the room.

11. will

Use Examples

wish, request, demand, order (less polite than would) Will you please shut the door?

prediction, assumption I think it will rain on Friday.

Promise I will stop smoking.

spontaneous decision Can somebody drive me to the station? - I will.

Habits She's strange, she'll sit for hours without talking.

12. Would
Use Examples

wish, request (more polite than will) Would you shut the door, please?

habits in the past Sometimes he would bring me some flowers.

* These are no past forms, they refer to the future.

165
Exercises
Basic
1. By the time a baby has reached his first birthday, he should, without the help of an adult, ______ sit up or even stand
up.
a) to be able to
b) able to
c) to be able
d) be able to
2. Since more than 50% of all marriages in the USA end in divorce, about half of the children in America ______ in
single-parent homes.
a) must growing up
b) must to grow up
c) must have grow up
d) must grow up
3. To check for acidity, one had better ______ a litmus paper.
a) use
b) used
c) using
d) to use
4. Rhododendrons would rather not ______ in moist places.
a) to grow
b) grow
c) grown
d) growing
5. A good counselor would rather that the patient ______ his or her own decisions.
a) makes
b) make
c) made
d) will make
Sentence Correction

11. The receipts that you must no loose are locked in the cabinet. (BBA 2003-04)
a) that you must not loose are
b) which you must not loose are
c) that you must not lose is
d) that you must not lose are
e) none of these
12. A controversial figure throughout his life, Jacob Zuma would rather that some Blacks return to Africa, the land
that, to him, symbolized freedom.
f) some Blacks returned to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized freedom.
g) some Blacks return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized freedom.
h) some Blacks return to Africa which was the land to him, symbolized freedom.
i) some Blacks returned to Africa which was the land to him, symbolized freedom.
j) some Blacks should return to Africa, the land that, to him, symbolized freedom.
13. Journalists surveyed nuclear power stations as unsafe at present, but that they will, or could, be made sufficiently
safe in the future.
a) that they will, or could
b) that they would, or could
c) they will be, or could
d) think that they will be, or could
e) think the power stations would or could
166
14. The reintroduction of caribou in Northern Minnesota would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that
region is more numerous than one wolf for every 39 miles.
a) would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than
b) would fail provided the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more than
c) should fail if the timber wolf density in that region was greater than
d) will fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is greater than
e) will fail if the timber wolf density in that region were more numerous than
15. If you want to make it to the top echelon of the public administration you ought to the intricacies of human nature.
a) ought to learning the intricacies of human nature.
b) must be learning the intricacies of human nature
c) must have learnt the intricacies of human nature
d) should have learnt the intricacies of human nature
e) had better learn the intricacies of human nature.
16. The lights in her room is always on even after midnight. She must go to bed late at night.
a) She must go to bed late at night.
b) She must have gone to bed late at night.
c) She must be going to bed late at night.
d) She must go to bed lately at night.
e) She should go to bed late at night.
17. My roommate would rather that I not keep the lights on after 10 o‘ clock.
a) not keep the lights on after 10 o‘ clock.
b) don‘t keep the lights on after 10 o‘ clock.
c) hadn‘t kept the lights on after 10 o‘ clock
d) didn‘t keep the lights on after 10 o‘ clock.
e) None of the above.
18. Some astronomers have unshakeable evidence and thus contend that in ancient times, the Big Horn Medicine
Wheel, an arrangement of stones in Wyoming, must have served as sighting points for observations of the sun.
a) must have served as sighting points for observations of the sun.
b) must serve as sighting points for observations of the sun.
c) must be serving as sighting points for observations of the sun.
d) should serve as sighting points for observations of the sun.
e) had service as sighting points for observations of the sun.
19. Mr. Rafiq, the head of Mathematics Department, is very angry with Cynthia. Cynthia must have done her
homework not to displease him.
a) must have done her homework not to displease him.
b) could have done her homework not to displease him.
c) should have done her homework not to displease him.
d) must be have doing her homework not to displease him.
e) None of the above.
20. Would you please not worry?
a) please not worry
b) please don‘t worry
c) please not worried
d) please not become worried
e) please didn‘t worry

167
Error Finding

1. When the weather becomes colder, we know that the air mass must originate in the Arctic Ocean
A B C
rather than over the Gulf of Mexico. No Error
D E
2. The American buffalo must reproduce itself again because it has been removed itself from the
A B C
engendered species list. No Error
D E
3. Sheep must have mated in fall since the young are born in early spring every year. No Error
A B C D E
4. Impressionists like Monet knew to use color in order to create an image of reality rather than reality
A B C D
itself. No Error
E
5. It is said that the American Flag has five-point stars because Betsy Ross told Washington she
A B
would rather that he had changed the six-pointed ones. No Error
C D E
6. Although thousands of Grizzly bears were used to roaming the Western plains of the USA, today
A B C
only a few thousand exist. No Error
D E
7. The dean would rather that her students make appointments with her instead of just dropping by. No Error
A B C D E
8. Although fraternal twins are born at the same time, they do not tend to resemble each other
A B
anymore than do other siblings. No Error
C D E
9. Because doctors are treating more people for skin cancer, it is widely believed that changes in the
A B C
layers of the earth‘s atmosphere must produce harmful effects now. No Error
D E
10. He said that he‘d rather went to a small college instead of to a large university. No Error
A B C D E

168
Modal Solutions
Basic

1. Answer D is correct. Avoid using to after a modal (should).

2. Answer D is correct. Must + simple verb form is used to draw logical conclusions from events that are habitual
and universal.
3. Answer A is correct. Had better is used to express advices. Use the simple form of verb after had better.
4. Answer B is correct. Would rather expresses preference. Use the simple form of verb after would rather.
5. Answer C is correct. Would rather that expresses preference for others. Use the past form of verb after would
rather.

Sentence Correction

1. Answer D is correct. The correct verb form is lose. Are is used to maintain the subject-verb agreement.
2. Answer A is correct. In case of preferences for others, use the past form of verb form after would rather. Option C
distorts the meaning.
3. Answer D is correct. For parallelism, the correct usage should be ―view nuclear power stations…but think‖.
Hence, A, B, and C can be eliminated. E has unclear pronoun references.
4. Answer D is correct. A, B, and C can be eliminated because would, if and would, provided are wrong usages. E
is incorrect because of density…more numerous.
5. Answer E is correct. Had better is used to express advices. Use the simple form of verb after had better.
6. Answer A is correct. Must + simple verb form is used to draw logical conclusions from events that are habitual
and universal.
7. Answer D is correct. In case of preferences for others, use the past form of verb form after would rather.
8. Answer A is correct and conveys the meaning that the evidence of Big Horn Medicine Wheel serving as the
observation point is unshakeable. The sentence properly draws conclusions from events in the past.
9. Answer C is correct, as it conveys the intended meaning. Must is used to draw logical conclusions from past and
ongoing events, but there is no logical conclusion in this sentence.
10. Answer A is correct. This is an example of negative imperative. The general form is modal + subject + not +
simple verb form.

Error Finding

1. C is incorrect. Must have originated is the correct usage here.

2. A is incorrect. To draw logical conclusions from present events, we should use must be reproducing.
3. A is incorrect. To draw logical conclusions from habitual or universal events, we should use must mate.
4. B is incorrect. The correct usage is knew how to.
5. C is incorrect. Use the past form of verb after would rather that. The correct usage is changed.
6. B is incorrect. Used to roam is more concise and conveys the accurate meaning.
7. A is incorrect. Use the past form of verb after would rather that. The correct usage is made.
8. No Error
9. D is incorrect. The correct usage is must be producing.
B is incorrect. Use the simple form of verb after would rather used to express personal preferences.

169
170
Chapter 17
Conditional Sentence

171
172
A conditional sentence is a sentence that gives a condition (e.g., If it snows) and the outcome of the condition
occurring (e.g., the game will be cancelled). Conditional sentences are used to speculate about what could happen,
what might have happened, and what we wish would happen. These sentences are statements discussing known
factors or hypothetical situations and their consequences. Complete conditional sentences contain a conditional
clause (often referred to as the if-clause) and the consequence. Consider the following sentences:

If a certain condition is true, then a particular result happens.

Conditional Clause Consequence

I would travel around the world if I won the lottery.

Consequence Conditional clause

What Are the Different Types of Conditional Sentences? There are four different types of conditional sentences in
English. Each expresses a different degree of probability that a situation will occur or would have occurred under
certain circumstances.

 Zero Conditional Sentences

 First Conditional Sentences
 Second Conditional Sentences
 Third Conditional Sentences

Zero Conditionals
Zero conditional sentences express general truths—situations in which one thing always causes another. When you
use a zero conditional, you‘re talking about a general truth rather than a specific instance of something. Consider the
following examples:

If you don’t brush your teeth, you get cavities.

Simple present Simple present

When people smoke cigarettes, their health suffers.

Simple present Simple present

There are a couple of things to take note of in the above sentences in which the zero conditional is used. First, when
using the zero conditional, the correct tense to use in both clauses is the simple present tense. A common
mistake is to use the simple future tense.
Incorrect: When people smoke cigarettes, their health will suffer.
Simple present Simple future
Secondly, notice that the words if and when can be used interchangeably in these zero conditional sentences. This is
because the outcome will always be the same, so it doesn‘t matter ―if‖ or ―when‖ it happens.

First Conditionals
First conditional sentences are used to express situations in which the outcome is likely (but not guaranteed) to
happen in the future. Look at the examples below:
If you take rest for a while, you will feel better.
Simple present Simple Future

If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Simple present Simple Future

173
Note that we use the simple present tense in the if-clause and simple future tense in the main clause—that is, the
clause that expresses the likely outcome. This is how we indicate that under a certain condition (as expressed in the
if-clause), a specific result will likely happen in the future. Examine some of the common mistakes people make using
the first conditional structure:

Incorrect: If you will rest, you will feel better.

Simple Future Simple Future

Correct: If you rest, you will feel better.

Simple Present Simple Future

Explanation: Use the simple present tense in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If you set your mind to a goal, you eventually achieve it.

Correct: If you set your mind to a goal, you’ll eventually achieve it.

Explanation: Use the zero conditional (i.e., simple present + simple present) only when a certain result is guaranteed.
If the result is likely, use the first conditional (i.e., simple present + simple future).

Second Conditionals
Second conditional sentences are useful for expressing outcomes that are completely unrealistic or will not likely
happen in the future. Consider the examples below:
If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.
Simple past Modal
If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.
Simple past Modal

Notice the correct way to structure second conditional sentences is to use the simple past tense in the if-clause and
an auxiliary modal verb (e.g., could, should, would, might) in the main clause (the one that expresses the
unrealistic or unlikely outcome). The following sentences illustrate a couple of the common mistakes people make
when using the second conditional:

Incorrect: If I inherit a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Correct: If I inherited a billion dollars, I would travel to the moon.

Explanation: When applying the second conditional, use the simple past tense in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If I owned a zoo, I will let people interact with the animals more.

Correct: If I owned a zoo, I might let people interact with the animals more.

Explanation: Use a modal auxiliary verb in the main clause when using the second conditional mood to express the
unlikelihood that the result will actually happen.

Note- In unreal condition, the past tense form of ‗be‘ is always were in a conditional sentence; it can never be ‗was‘ in
correct English.

If he were rich, I would travel around the world

In this example, the subject ‗he‘ is not rich and so ‗he‘ is not going to travel around the world. Since this is an unreal
condition, ‗were‘ is used as the ‗be‘ verb after ‗he‘.

174
Third Conditionals

Third conditional sentences are used to explain that present circumstances would be different if something different
had happened in the past. Look at the following examples:

If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.
Past Perfect Modal + have + Past Participle

If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Past Perfect Modal + have + Past Participle

These sentences express a condition that was likely enough, but did not actually happen in the past. The speaker in
the first sentence was capable of leaving early, but did not. Along these same lines, the speaker in the second
sentence was capable of cleaning the house, but did not. These are all conditions that were likely, but regrettably did
not happen.

Note that when using the third conditional, we use the past perfect (i.e., had + past participle) in the if-clause. The
modal auxiliary (would, could, should, etc.) + have + past participle in the main clause expresses the theoretical
situation that could have happened.

Consider these common mistakes when applying the third conditional:

Incorrect: If you would have told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Correct: If you had told me you needed a ride, I would have left earlier.

Explanation: With third conditional sentences, do not use a modal auxiliary verb in the if-clause.

Incorrect: If I had cleaned the house, I could go to the movies.

Correct: If I had cleaned the house, I could have gone to the movies.

Explanation: The third conditional mood expresses a situation that could have only happened in the past if a certain
condition had been met. That‘s why we use the modal auxiliary verb + have + the past participle.

The rules to use different conditionals correctly are portrayed below-

Conditional If clause verb

Usage Main clause verb tense
sentence type tense
Zero General truths Simple present Simple present
A possible condition and
Type 1 Simple present Simple future
its probable result
Present conditional or Present continuous
A hypothetical condition
Type 2 Simple past conditional (using auxiliary modal verb,
and its probable result
e.g. could, should, would, might)
An unreal past condition Perfect conditional (modal auxiliary-
Type 3 and its probable result in Past perfect would, could, should, etc. + have + past
the past participle)

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Exercises
Basic

1. If you can give me one good reason for your acting like this, ---- this incident again.
a. I will never mention
b. I never mention
c. will I never mention
d. I don‘t mention
2. Unless you ---- all of my questions, I can't do anything to help you.
a. answered
b. answer
c. would answer
d. were answering
3. ---- we truly understand others can we show sympathy towards them.
a. Only if
b. Unless
c. Even if
d. But for
4. My parents have been my emotional safety net and I ---- the hardships in life without their constant support and attention.
a. didn't survive
b. wouldn't have survived
c. haven't survived
d. hadn't survived
5. The person in charge told me that If I took the 8 a.m. flight to New York, I ---- change planes.
a. don't have to
b. won't have to
c. didn't have to
d. may not have to

Error Detection

1. If we meet at 9:30, we would have plenty of time. No Error

A B C D E
2. Lisa will find the milk if she looked in the fridge. No Error
A B C D E
3. The zookeeper would punished her with a fine if she had fed the animals. No Error
A B C D E
4. If you had spoken louder, your classmates would understand you. No Error
A B C D E
5. If his accusations were true, there would be a number of senior officials hold accountable for corruption.
A B C D
No error (BBA 2003-04)
E
6. You would have no trouble at school if you had done your homework. No Error
A B C D E
7. If you swam in this lake, you'll shiver from cold. No Error
A B C D E

176
8. The door unlocks if you press the green button. No Error
A B C D E
9. If Mel asked her teacher, he'd have answered her questions. No Error
A B C D E
10. I would call the office if I were you. No Error
A B C D E

Sentence Correction
1. If the books have been cataloged last week, why haven‘t they been placed on the shelf?
A) have been cataloged
B) would have been cataloged
C) was cataloged
D) were cataloged
E) had been cataloged

2. If I had the address, I would have delivered the package myself.

A) had the address,
B) had the address;
C) had the address-
D) had had the address;
E) had had the address,

3. If I would have known about the team tryouts, I would have signed up for them.
A) would have known
B) have known
C) could of known
D) had known
E) could have been told

4. If he would have revised his first draft, he would have received a better grade.
A) would have revised
B) had revised
C) could of revised
D) had of revised
E) would revise

5. That horse could have won the race if he hadn't hurt his leg.
A) hadn‘t hurt
B) hasn't hurt
C) doesn‘t hurt
D) didn‘t hurt
E) wouldn‘t hurt

177
6) If I studied harder for the test I would have gotten a better grade.
A) studied
B) did study
C) will study
D) would‘ve
E) had studied

7) If it had not rained the other day, we would have gone to see the premier show of Detective Pikachu.
A) would have gone
B) will go
C) will have gone
D) would have been going
E) would have went

8) If only she wasn‘t so tired!

A) she wasn‘t
B) she hadn‘t been
C) she weren‘t
D) she hasn‘t been
E) she isn‘t

9) If the road hadn't been icy, we wouldn‘t have an accident.

A) wouldn‘t have
B) wouldn't have had
C) didn‘t have
D) wouldn‘t have faced
E) None of the above

10) He would have gone to work if he weren‘t sick.

A) weren‘t
B) wouldn‘t have been
C) wasn‘t
D) hadn‘t been
E) isn‘t so

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Conditional Sentence Solutions
Basic
1. I will never mention
2. answer
3. Only if
4. wouldn't have survived
5. didn't have to

Error Detection
1. C
2. A
3. A
4. B
5. D
6. A
7. B
8. B
9. A
10. E

Sentence Correction
1) Answer: D
Explanation: This is a verb tense error. The past perfect (had been placed) is used when you want to indicate that
one past action or state (were cataloged)was completed by the time another action has occurred.

2) Answer: E
Explanation: Since this entire conditional-subjunctive sentence construction is in the past, the correct conditional
form is past perfect ―If I had had‖ rather than present perfect ―if I had‖ [(A), (B), (C)] with the present perfect
subjunctive ―I would have.‖ The correct punctuation between conditional ―if‖ and subjunctive ―would‖ parts is always a
comma, never a semicolon [(B), (D)] or a dash (C).

3) Answer: D
Conditional-subjunctive (―If…then‖) constructions set in the past use past perfect (―If I had known‖) for the conditional,
and present perfect (―I would have signed up‖) for the subjunctive, because ―If‖ comes earlier and ―then‖ later. Adding
the subjunctive ―would‖/‖could‖ to the conditional as well (B) is incorrect. Substituting the preposition ―of‖ for the
auxiliary verb ―have‖ (C) is always incorrect. ―Had been/could have been told‖ [(C), (D)] differs in meaning from ―had
known.‖

4) Answer: B
With conditional-subjunctive constructions, never add the subjunctive auxiliary verb (would/could/would have/could
have) to the conditional (If) half [(A), (C), (E)]; it is only used in the subjunctive half. It is never correct to substitute the
preposition ―of‖ for the auxiliary verb ―have‖ [(C), (D)].

5) Answer: A
6) Answer: E
7) Answer: A
8) Answer: C
9) Answer: B
10) Answer: D

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180
Chapter 18
Adverb

181
182
An adverb is a part of speech that modifies or provides a greater description to a verb, an adjective, another adverb,
a phrase, a clause, or even a sentence. It simply tells the readers how, where, when, or the degree at which
something was done. Adverbs answer one of these four questions:

How? When? Where? and Why?

Examples-
Tom Longboat did not run badly.
Tom is very tall.
The race finished too quickly.
Fortunately, Lucy recorded Tom’s win.

Adverbs and Verbs

One of the things adverbs do is modify verbs. This means that they describe the way an action is happening.
Phillip sings loudly in the shower.
My cat waits impatiently for his food.
The adverbs in each of the sentences above answer the question in what manner? How does Phillip sing? Loudly.
How does my cat wait? Impatiently.

Adverbs and Adjectives

Adverbs can also modify adjectives and other adverbs. Often, the purpose of the adverb is to add a degree of
intensity to the adjective.
Kate is a stunningly beautiful girl.
Stunningly is an adverb modifying the adjective, beautiful. This adverb further describes Kate‘s beauty.
Tantalizingly delicious chocolate-chip cookies are baking in the oven.
Tantalizingly is an adverb modifying the adjective, delicious. This adverb further describes how delicious the
cookies are.

Adverbs and Other Adverbs

Adverbs can be used to describe another adverb.
My brother moves quite slowly in the morning.
Quite is an adverb modifying the adverb slowly. This adverb, along with the adverb ―slowly‖, modifies how my
brother moves in the morning.
I nearly always agree with the local newspaper’s position.
Nearly is an adverb modifying the adverb always. This adverb along with the adverb always modifies the extent to
which the subject, I, agrees with the newspaper.
Adverbs and Sentences
Some adverbs can modify entire sentences. These are called sentence adverbs. Common ones include generally,
fortunately, interestingly, surprisingly and accordingly. Sentence adverbs don‘t describe one particular thing in the
sentence—instead, they describe a general feeling about all of the information in the sentence.
Surprisingly, the restroom stalls had toilet paper.
The adverb surprisingly modifies the entire main clause that follows.
Many single-word adverbs end in ly. For example- peacefully, rudely, completely, happily, and surprisingly.

183
Not all ly words are adverbs, however. Lively, lonely, and lovely are adjectives instead, answering the
questions What kind? or Which one?

Adverbs can also be multi-word phrases and clauses. Here are some examples:
At 2 a.m., a bat flew through Deidre's open bedroom window.
The prepositional phrase at 2 a.m. indicates when the event happened. The second prepositional phrase, through
Deidre's open bedroom window, describes where the creature traveled. So, both the phrases are acting as
adverbs here.
With a fork, George thrashed the raw eggs until they foamed.
The subordinate clause until they foamed describes how George prepared the eggs.
Sylvia emptied the carton of milk into the sink because the expiration date had long passed.
The subordinate clause, because the expiration date had long passed, describes why Sylvia poured out the milk.
Adverbs are classified according to their meaning as-

(1) adverbs of manner

(2) adverbs of time

(3) adverbs of place

(4) adverbs of degree

1. Adverbs of manner answer the questions ―How?" and “In what way?"
They modify verbs or adjectives, rarely adverbs. Most of them are formed from adjectives by adding LY. For
example-

Tom answered courageously.

The pain was terribly severe.

2. Adverbs of time answer the question ―When?". They usually modify verbs and talk about the time of the action.

The old castle is now a museum.

He was recently promoted.

3. Adverbs of place answer the question ―Where?". They usually modify verbs. They tell us where something
happens.

What are you doing up there?

An old sailor came forward.

4. Adverbs of degree answer the questions ―How much?‖ ―To what degree or extent?" They tell us about
the intensity of something. They modify verbs, adjectives and adverbs.

Arthur is rather tall.

The task seemed utterly hopeless.

184
To make comparisons, you will often need comparative or superlative adverbs. You use comparative adverbs—
more and less—if you are discussing two people, places, or things. You use superlative adverbs—most and least—if
you have three or more people, places, or things.

Look at these two examples:

Since Beth loves green vegetables, she eats broccoli more frequently than her brother Daniel.

Among the members of her family, Beth eats pepperoni pizza the least often.

Adverbials
In grammar, an adverbial is a word (an adverb) or a group of words (an adverbial phrase or an adverbial clause) that
modifies or more closely defines the sentence or the verb. (The word adverbial means "having the same function as
an adverb".) Look at the examples below:

Tiaan speaks fluently.

(telling more about the verb)

Lorna ate breakfast yesterday morning.

(telling when the verb's action occurred)

In English, adverbials most commonly take the form of adverbs, adverb phrases, noun phrases and prepositional
phrases.
James answered immediately. (adverb)
Surprisingly, he passed all of his exams. (adverb)
James answered in English. (prepositional phrase)
James answered this morning. (noun phrase)
James answered in English because he had a foreign visitor. (adverbial clause)

Placing ―Adverbials‖ at the beginning of a sentence indicates a stronger emphasis on the action than when the
adverbial is in its normal position. For example-

Messi hardly remembers the international tournament that he won.

Hardly does Messi remember the international tournament that he won.

So, the structure of the sentence, when adverbials are placed at the beginning, becomes-

Hardly
Rarely
Seldom + Auxiliary verb + Subject + Verb
Never
Only

Rarely do we watch television during the week.

(We rarely watch television during the week.)

Seldom do I get good grades without studying

(I seldom get good grades without studying.)

Only by staying up all night can John finish his work.

(John can finish this work only by staying up all night.)

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Exercises
A. Choose the correct word
1. The team _______ its games. (had won almost all, had almost won all)
2. ______, the baby survived the plane crash. (Incredible, Incredibly)
3. That is a _______ fee to enter the game. (considerable, considerably)
4. The fee is _________ more than I expected. (considerable, considerably)
5. He needs to swim _________ in order to beat the champion. (fast, fastly)
B. Bring the Adverbials at the beginning of the sentence.
1. We have never seen a match as exciting as this one.
2. Messi can win an international trophy only by playing like a superhero.
3. I rarely find a song that fits my mood so appropriately.
4. He never listens to what his students have to say.
5. You can hardly blame Ashraful for not passing.
C. Complete the sentences with the best adverb.
Hint: Not every adverb is needed.
Slowly, carefully, beautifully, well, loudly, carelessly, easily, excitedly, finally, suddenly, quickly, quietly
1. Come here ____________. You have to see this!
2. We knew that she had got the job when we saw her _________ talking on the phone.
3. He ______________ put the vase on the table. It fell to the floor.
4. Sharon is throwing a party on Saturday. She ___________ finished her PhD.
5. Let's walk ________________. I don't want to be the first one at the meeting.
6. Alex _____________ put up the bookshelves. It was too difficult for me to do on my own.
7. Everything happened so ______________. We had to move to California in less than a month.
8. Why does he always have to talk so ____________. You can hear him in the next room!
9. Although she speaks five languages, she did not do ___________ on the translation exam.
10. I was so surprised. His new apartment was _____________ decorated.
D. Adverb or Adjective
Complete the sentence using an adjective or adverb.
To make adverbs we often add -ly at the end of an adjective (words that describe a noun)
Example: beautiful (adjective) girl (noun)
beautiful + ly = beautifully (adverb)
1. He's always in a rush. I don't understand why he walks so ____________ (quick/quickly).
2. I prefer studying in the library. It's always_______________ (quiet/quietly).
3. Michael __________ (happy/happily) took the assistant job. He had been looking for a position all summer.
4. Marta dances _____________ (beautiful/beautifully). She's been taking ballet since she was five years old.
5. They speak French very ____________ (good/well). They lived in France for two years.
6. My neighbor always plays ___________ (loud/loudly) music on the weekends. It's so annoying.
7. Please be __________ (careful/carefully) in the hallway. The walls have just been painted.
8. Dan is very smart, but he is not a very___________ (good/well) student.
9. He reacted __________ (angry/angrily) to the news. I have never seen him so upset.
10. We didn't ______________ (complete/completely) understand the teacher's instructions. Most of us did not finish
the assignment.

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Adverb Solutions
Exercise A
1. had won almost all
2. Incredibly
3. considerable
4. considerably
5. fast

Exercise C
1. quickly
2. excitedly
3. carelessly
4. finally
5. slowly
6. easily
7. suddenly
8. loudly
9. well
10. Beautifully

Exercise D
1. quickly
2. quiet
3. happily
4. beautifully
5. well
6. loud
7. careful
8. good
9. angrily
10. Completely

187
188
Chapter 19
Modifiers and Their Errors

189
190
Modifier

A modifier tells the time, place and manner of the action.

I bought a cheesecake from the local bakery. (place of action)
I bought a cheesecake with an empty stomach. (manner of action)
I bought a cheesecake in the afternoon. (time of action)

Modifiers Must Be Next to the Thing They Are Modifying

The heading says it all. The most important thing to remember when dealing with modifiers is that they need to be
next to word they are describing.
Example:
Wrong: I bought a house from the local bakery made of gingerbread.
Correct: I bought a house made of gingerbread from the local bakery.
Here, made of gingerbread should be placed next to the house it's describing. Otherwise, it seems like the local
bakery is the thing that's made of gingerbread.

There are roughly 5 rules for you to study to gain a complete understanding of how modifiers should work. Learning
and practicing these rules will help you identify errors in sentences, figure out which sentence has the best use of
grammar when you‘re presented with many and flaunt your skills in the writing section of the IBA Admission Test.

Rule-1

Illogical Participial Modifiers

A participial phrase can be sued to join two sentences with a common subject. But when the two sentences/ phrases
do not have a common subject, we call the participial phrase an illogical participial modifier. More simply put, if there
are two phrased in a sentence and the first phrase describe an action performed by a subject without mentioning the
subject, the subject that had been insinuated in the first phrase must immediately be mentioned at the beginning of
the second phrase.

Example

Incorrect Coming out of the department store, John‘s wallet was stolen.

Correct Coming out of the department store, John had his walled stolen.

Rule-2

Misplaced Words

The adverbs such as- almost, even, ever, just, merely, hardly, nearly and scarcely must always be placed right next
to the word they modify.

Example

Incorrect The mouse almost ate all the cheese bits.

Correct The mouse ate almost all the cheese bits.

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Rule-3

Misplaced Phrases and Clauses

If you use a modifying phrase or clause in a sentence, it is vital that you place the modifying phrase or clause as
close to the words it modifies as possible.

Example

Incorrect I heard that my brother decided to go abroad for his studies while I was
outside standing by the door.

Correct While I was standing outside by the door, I heard that my brother decided to
abroad for his studies.

Here, ‗While I was standing outside by the door‘ is the modifying phrase and it modifies the action of ‗I heard that‘.
So, it is vital that the action is immediately followed by the phrase that modifies it in order to avoid ambiguity.

Rule-4

Squinting modifiers

When a modifier is used in a sentence in such a way that it can be modifying either the word before it or the word
after it, but it is confusing at to which word it is really modifying is called a squinting modifier. Remember this, if you
are confused as to whether a modifier is modifying the word after it or the word before it, and you ‗squint‘ your eyes
looking at it out of confusion, then it‘s a squinting modifier.

Example

Incorrect Defining your terms will clearly strengthen your argument.

Correct Defining your terms clearly will strengthen your argument.

Correct A clear definition of your terms will strengthen your argument.

Rule-5

Dangling modifiers

When the subject and verb of a phrase or dependent clause are implied and not directly expressed, then the phrase
or the dependent clause is called a dangling modifier. A dangling modifier acts as an adjective but does not modify
any particular word in the sentence.

Here, in the Incorrect sentence the subject is not clearly mentioned, but it is implied that there is a subject which in
this case is a person generally raised in Dhaka. This sentence is structurally incorrect and needs to have a clearly
mentioned subject.

Example

Incorrect Raise in Old Dhaka, it is natural to grow up loving biriyani.

Correct For a person raised in Old Dhaka, it is natural to grow up loving biriyani.

192
Exercises
Error Detection
1. Observing from the summit, the valley that stood below Mike's tour group seemed unfathomably extensive
A B C
and arid. No error
D E
2. When I passed the shop window, I saw a silver woman‘s locket that would be perfect for my aunt‘s
A B C D
birthday. No error
E
3. Damaged beyond repair, the tow truck hauled the totaled car away from the accident scene and to
A B C D
the local junkyard. No error
E
4. I‘m looking for the torn biology teacher‘s manual so I can replace it with a new one. No error
A B C D E
5. Facing snow, ice, and starvation, I can‘t imagine how the early Arctic explorers survived their
A B
hazardous expeditions, some of which lasted for weeks. No error
C D E
6. We can‘t give juice to any of the children in glass bottles; someone might drop one and break it. No error
A B C D E
7. Jumping up and down in joy, Annie's excitement was evident when she saw her sister, who had been deployed
A B C
for nearly a year and whom she had dearly missed. No error
D E
8. My niece Tara wore her favorite blue dress to the homecoming dance,
A B C
which unfortunately didn‘t match her green shoes. No error
D E
9. Marilyn brought her old red sneakers to the thrift store, which were faded on the sides but
A B C D
otherwise still had strong soles. No error
E

10. The state is rightfully very hesitant to give teenagers drivers' licenses who have not had training,
A B
as there is a higher chance of those teenagers getting into accidents. No error
C D E

Sentence Correction

1. Coming back to the farm, the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car.
A. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone in the car
B. the gruesome scene saw by everyone in the car.
C. the gruesome scene being seen by everyone in the car.
D. the gruesome scene was seen by everyone at the car.
E. everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene.
193
2. Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats were placed in the closet in the basement.
A. Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats were placed in the closet in the basement.
B. Happy that the long winter was finally over; John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.
C. Happy that the long winter was finally over, John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.
D. Happy that the long winter was finally over, John's coats placed in the closet in the basement.
E. Happy that the long winter was finally over, John placed his coats in the closet in the basement.

3. Waiting for the crucial trial to begin, the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
A. the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming
B. the anxiety almost overwhelmed Neil.
C. the anxiety being felt by Neil was almost overwhelming.
D. Neil felt almost overwhelmed with anxiety.
E. Neil's anxiety felt almost overwhelming.

4. An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of his
former student.
A. An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of
his former student.
B. The professor's student, in his autobiography, lengthy describes an account of the Professor's teachings and
research.
C. An account of the professor's research and teachings being lengthy described in the autobiography of his
former student.
D. An account of the professor's research and teachings is described in great detail in the autobiography of his
former student.
E. The professor's student, whose autobiography describes at length an account of the professor's research and
teachings.

5. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
A. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
B. Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river.
C. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers are viewed clearly across the river.
D. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers come clearly into view across the river.
E. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.

6. Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, they also are
known for ignoring speed limits.
A. through red lights, they also are known
B. through red lights, the other is
C. through red lights; additionally, they are known
D. through red lights, additionally they are also known
E. through red lights; also known

7. Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
A. Coming upon the hills, the sun began setting behind the travelers.
B. Coming upon the hills as the sun began setting behind the travelers.
C. As the travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them.
D. As the sun began setting, travelers coming upon the hills.
E. Coming upon the hills, the sun set behind the travelers.

194
8. Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take.
A. Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take.
B. Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C, having difficulty swallowing it.
C. Vitamin C, a supplement children don't usually take, having difficulty swallowing it.
D. Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take, because they have difficulty swallowing it.
E. Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C because they have difficulty swallowing it.

9. Passing by the waterfront, the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
A. the ducks and geese floated around as spectators strolled.
B. spectators strolled but the ducks and geese floated around.
C. the ducks and geese and spectators floated around and strolled.
D. the ducks and geese were floating around as spectators strolled.
E. spectators strolled as the ducks and geese floated around.

10. It ought to be your mother with who you cut the cake, not I.
A. It ought to be your mother with who you cut the cake, not I.
B. It ought to be your mother, she with whom you cut the cake, not I.
C. It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not I.
D. It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me.
E. It ought to be she, your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me.

195
Modifier Solutions
Error Detection

1. A. ―Observing‖ is a part of a misplaced modifier that should refer to Mike's tour group, not the valley. The way the
sentence is written, it seems as if "the valley" is "observing from the summit," not "Mike's tour group."

2. C. Here, the word ―silver‖ is a misplaced modifier. It‘s the locket that‘s silver, not the woman, so the correct
wording would be a ―woman‘s silver locket.‖

3. A. ―Damaged beyond repair‖ is a modifier that refers to the totaled car, but with its current placement it appears
to be describing the (obviously functional) tow truck. The modifier should be moved next to ―the totaled car.‖

4. A. It‘s not the biology teacher who‘s torn; it‘s the manual. Therefore, ―torn‖ is a misplaced modifier and should be
moved directly next to the phrase it modifies.

5. A. ―Facing snow, ice, and starvation‖ is a dangling modifier, since it is obviously meant to describe not the
speaker of the sentence but rather the Arctic explorers. To correct the sentence, the modifier would have to be
moved next to the phrase it modifies.

6. B. The "children" aren‘t in glass bottles; the "juice" is. Therefore, ―in glass bottles‖ is a misplaced modifier and
should be moved next to the noun it modifies.

7. B. ―Jumping up and down in joy‖ is a misplaced modifier that refers to ―Annie," but as the sentence is currently
written, is seems as if ―Annie's excitement‖ is jumping up and down in joy, not Annie. The sentence should
therefore be rephrased so that ―Annie" is modified by the introductory phrase, e.g. "Jumping up and down in joy,
Annie was excited when she saw her sister."

8. D. ―Which unfortunately didn‘t match her green shoes‖ is a misplaced modifier, since it describes not the dance
but the dress. It is incorrectly placed in the sentence.

9. D. The phrase "which were faded on the sides but otherwise still had strong soles" is a misplaced modifier—it is
currently modifying "the thrift store," but should instead be modifying "sneakers."

10. B. In the current form of the sentence, the phrase "who have not had training" is incorrectly modifying "drivers'
licenses." Instead, the phrase should modify "teenagers" ("teenagers who have not had training").

Sentence Correction

1. E. The sentence is written with a dangling modifier, which makes the sentence read as though the "gruesome
scene" was what was "coming back to the farm." The sentence needs to be restructured to clarify this problem.
The only answer choice that does this is "everyone in the car saw the gruesome scene."

2. C. The original sentence is an example of a dangling modifier. The preceding clause, "Happy that the long winter
was finally over," refers to John, so John must be the subject of the second clause. John's coats are incapable of
being happy that winter is over, so "John's coats" cannot be modified by that first clause.

3. D. When a sentence begins with a dangling participle or descriptive phrase, the person or thing described in that
phrase (in this case, "Neil") must immediately follow it. Only one answer choice does this correctly. The answer
choice that begins "Neil's anxiety" may appear to do so, but it does not, because the possessive "Neil's" is no
longer the subject, but is describing the anxiety.

196
4. D. "An account of the professor's research and teachings, which are described at length in the autobiography of
his former student." - As it is presented in the question stem, the sentence is incomplete. It contains only a
subject and is missing a predicate; "which are described at length in the autobiography of his former student" is a
participial phrase describing "an account of the professor's research and teachings." The "account" doesn't do
anything in this sentence or have anything done to it.

"An account of the professor's research and teachings being lengthy described in the autobiography of his former
student." - This sentence contains two errors. One error is its use of the adjective "lengthy." "Lengthy" is used like
an adverb to modify "described," but adjectives can't modify verbs, so this sentence is incorrect. The sentence's
other error is in its use of the word "being," which does not make sense. To be read as a present progressive
verb, "being" would need to be preceded by "is." Even if "being" were read as beginning a participial phrase, the
sentence would remain incomplete.

"The professor's student, in his autobiography, lengthy describes an account of the professor's teachings and
research. " - This sentence reproduces the "lengthy" error discussed in the previous answer choice, and it also
contains an ambiguous pronoun. "His" could refer to either the professor or the professor's student.

"The professor's student, whose autobiography describes at length an account of the professor's research and
teachings." - This sentence is also an incomplete sentence; it consists of a subject and lacks a predicate. The
participial phrase "whose autobiography describes at length an account of the Professor's research and
teachings" describes "The professor's student," but the sentence lacks a verb to tell us what "the professor's
student" does in the sentence.

"An account of the professor's research and teachings is described in great detail in the autobiography of his
former student." - This sentence has no errors.

5. B. The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, as the construction of the sentence implies the
skyscrapers are what is "coming around the corner." The word order can be changed to make this much clearer.
The correct answer is "Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river."

6. C. "Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, they also are
known for ignoring speed limits. " - This sentence fails to properly separate two indepdendent clauses, creating a
run-on sentence error.

Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights; also
known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence includes improper semicolon usage.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, additionally they
are also known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence also contains a run-on sentence error. "Additionally"
and "also" are also redundant when used in the same clause.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights, the other
is for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence has two errors. It is a run-on sentence, and it is ambiguous what the
"other" represents.

"Young drivers in my grandfather's town often make the mistake of driving through red lights; additionally, they
are known for ignoring speed limits." - This sentence has no errors.

7. C. The sentence as written contains a dangling modifier, in that "the sun" is not what is "coming upon the hills."
The sentence needs to be rewritten to show that the travelers were the ones "coming upon the hills." "As the
travelers came upon the hill, the sun began setting behind them," is the correct answer choice.

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8. E. "Having difficulty swallowing, Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take." - This sentence
contains two errors. There is a subject-verb agreement problem between "Vitamin C" and "are"; since the subject
is singular, the verb shouldn't be plural. As the sentence is framed now, "having difficulty swallowing," while true
of "children," could easily apply to the "Vitamin C" itself.

"Vitamin C are a supplement children don't usually take, because they have difficulty swallowing it. " - This
sentence contains two errors. There is a subject-verb agreement between "Vitamin C" and "are"; since the
subject is singular, the verb shouldn't be plural. Additionally, there is an unnecessary comma after "take."

"Vitamin C, a supplement children don't usually take, having difficulty swallowing it. " - This sentence contains a
verb tense error. "Having" both indicates the possessive and is in the wrong tense.

"Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C, having difficulty swallowing it." - This sentence contains a
verb tense error. "Having" is in the wrong tense.

"Children don't usually take the supplement Vitamin C because they have difficulty swallowing it." - This sentence
has no errors.

9. E. The best answer fixes the dangling participle that starts the sentence (the subject of the main clause should
be the one doing the action described in the opening phrase), and uses a logical coordinator.

10. D. "It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not I." - This sentence contains one error. At the end
of the sentence, "I" constitutes improper pronoun usage. It should read "me."

"It ought to be she, your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me." - This sentence contains a comma error.
The interrupting phrase "your mother" was not correctly enclosed with commas.

"It ought to be your mother, she with whom you cut the cake, not I. " - This sentence is unnecessarily and
confusingly worded. "she with whom you cut the cake" is a very awkward and confusing way of framing the
sentence. Additionally, at the end of the sentence, "I" constitutes improper pronoun usage. It should read "me."

"It ought to be your mother with who you cute the cake, not me." - This sentence contains one error. "Who" is an
incorrect object pronoun to use with "mother." In this situation, "whom" is correct.

"It ought to be your mother with whom you cut the cake, not me. " - This sentence has no errors.

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Exercises
Segment 1

Dangling modifier

1. Having slammed his books on the desk, Kamal felt angry about failing the test. (BBA 2004-05)
a) Having slammed his books on the desk, Kamal felt angry about failing the test
b) Having felt angry about failing the test, Kamal slams his books on the desk
c) Slamming his books on the desk, angry about failing the test
d) Angry about failing the test, Kamal slammed his books on the desk
e) Kamal failed the test, therefore, angrily slammed his books on the desk

Misplaced Modifier
2. The award was presented to the actor that was engraved with gold letters. (BBA 2004-05)
a) The award was presented to the actor that was engraved with gold letters.
b) The award was presented to the actor engraved with gold letters
c) The award was presented to the actor who was engraved with gold letters
d) The award, engraved with gold letters, and presented to the actor
e) The award presented to the actor was engraved with gold letters

Dangling Modifier
3. Identify the Incorrect sentence. (2007-08)
a) It is recommended that our chairperson be given a vote of thanks.
b) The children wish they had visited the zoo last week.
c) We have made many friends, enough to keep us from being lonely here.
d) I always enjoy this beautiful scene.
e) When children watch too much violence on TV, it may affect their behavior.
4. The shed, ____ is for sale. (2007-08)
a) The roof of which leaks
b) whose roof leaks
c) the roof which leaks
d) which roof leaks
e) whose roof leaking
5. Find the non-standard choice. (2007-08)
a) Business administration is the subject in which I am mainly interested in.
b) Business administration is the subject which I am mainly interested.
c) Business administration is the subject which I am mainly interested at.
d) Business administration is the subject which I find interest.
e) Business administration is the subject in which I am mainly interested.

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6. Although covered in about 11 inches of snow, aviation officials said that conditions on the runway at the time of
the emergency landing was acceptable.
a) aviation officials said that conditions on the runway at the time of the emergency landing was acceptable
b) the runway conditions during the emergency landing were acceptable according to aviation officials
c) according to aviation officials, the runway was in acceptable condition during the time of the emergency
landing
d) the runway was in acceptable condition during the emergency landing, according to aviation officials
e) aviation officials said that conditions on the runway at the time of the emergency landing were acceptable

7. Discouraged by new data that show increases in toxic emissions from domestic factories, searches for
alternative investment opportunities are being conducted by shareholders of the nation‘s leading manufacturing
companies.
a) searches for alternative investment opportunities are being conducted by shareholders of the nation‘s leading
manufacturing companies
b) searches are being conducted by shareholders of the nation‘s leading manufacturing companies who are
looking for alternative investment opportunities
c) shareholders of the nation‘s leading manufacturing companies had begun searching for investment
opportunities outside of the manufacturing industry
d) the nation‘s leading manufacturing companies are searching for alternative investment opportunities for its
shareholders
e) shareholders of the nation‘s leading manufacturing companies are searching for alternative investment
opportunities

8. Found in the wild only in Australia and New Guinea, powerful back legs with long feet distinguish kangaroos from
other large mammals.
a) powerful back legs with long feet distinguish kangaroos from other large mammals
b) powerful back legs with long feet distinguish kangaroos from other mammals that are large
c) powerful back legs with long feet distinguish kangaroos from those of other mammals that are large
d) kangaroos are distinguished from other large mammals by powerful legs with long feet
e) kangaroos are being distinguished from other mammals that are large by powerful legs with long feet

9. Responding to growing demand for high-end vehicles, the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that
they sell for nearly twice the price of last year's models.
a) the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that they sell
b) the interiors of the newest models are so luxurious that the cars are sold
c) auto makers have installed interiors in the newest models that are so luxurious that they sell
d) the interior of the newest models are so luxurious that they are sold
e) auto makers have installed such luxurious interiors in the newest models that these cars sell

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Segment 2

10. By applying optimization techniques commonly used to plan operations, it is possible to determine how much
effort ought to be devoted to each of a company‘s products in order to meet its goals in both the short and long terms.
a) it is possible to determine how much effort ought to be devoted to each of a company‘s products in order to
meet its goals in both the short and long terms
b) a company‘s managers can determine how much effort should be dedicated to each of the company‘s
products in order to meet its short and long term goals
c) it can be determined by company managers how much effort ought to be devoted to each of the company‘s
products in order to meet its goals, both short and long term
d) it may be possible for company managers to determine how much effort should be dedicated to each of these
products in order to meet the company‘s short and long term goals
e) managers at a company can determine how much effort ought to be dedicated to each of these products in
order to meet the company‘s goals in both the short and long term

11. Given its authoritative coverage of other science topics, the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly
tentative, which leads one to doubt the author's scholarship in that particular area.
a) the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative, which leads
b) the chapter of the textbook on genetics is surprisingly tentative, leading
c) the textbook contains a surprising and tentative chapter on genetics, which leads
d) the textbook's chapter on genetics is surprisingly tentative and leads
e) the textbook is surprisingly tentative in its chapter on genetics, leading

12. Hailed as a key discovery in the science of evolution, the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish
and a land-animal provide evidence of a possible link in the evolutionary chain from water-based to land-based
organisms.
a) the fossils of a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provide evidence of
b) a large scaly creature resembling both a fish and a land-animal provides fossils that are evidence
c) a large scaly creature, whose fossils resemble both a fish and a land-animal, provides evidence of
d) the fossils of a large scaly creature, which resembles both a fish and a land-animal, provides evidence of
e) the fossils of a large scaly creature resemble both a fish and a land-animal and provide evidence of

13. Hoping to alleviate some of the financial burdens of a growing population, property taxes last year were raised by
an eleven percent increase by the county government.
a) property taxes last year were raised by an eleven percent increase by the county government
b) property taxes were raised by eleven percent last year by the county government
c) the county government raised property taxes by an eleven percent increase last year
d) the county government last year raised by eleven percent property taxes
e) the county government raised property taxes by eleven percent last year

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14. In order to properly evaluate a patient‘s state of mind and gain informed consent prior to surgery, a substantial
period of time must be spent with the operating physician by the patient to become fully aware of the pros and
cons of undergoing a surgical procedure.
a) a substantial period of time must be spent with the operating physician by the patient to become fully aware of
the pros and cons of undergoing a surgical procedure
b) the operating physician and the patient must spend a substantial amount of time together, thus ensuring full
awareness of the pros and cons of undergoing the surgical procedure
c) the patient must spend a substantial amount of time with his or her operating physician, thus ensuring that he
or she has been made fully aware of the pros and cons of undergoing the surgical procedure
d) the operating physician must spend a substantial amount of time with the patient, thus ensuring that the
patient is fully aware of the pros and cons of accepting the undergoing procedure
e) the operating physician must ensure that he or she is fully aware of the pros and cons of undergoing a
surgical procedure by spending a substantial amount of time with the patient

15. Many daring vacationers who participate in guided boat tours on the Tarcoles River encounter native crocodiles
lurking in the shallows, whose eyes and noses are peaking out from the surface of the murky water.
a) encounter native crocodiles lurking in the shallows, whose eyes and noses are peaking out
b) encountered native crocodiles lurking in the shallows, whose eyes and noses peak out
c) had encountered native crocodiles lurking in the shallows, whose eyes and noses peak out
d) encounter native crocodiles lurking in the shallows, with eyes and noses peaking out
e) encounter native crocodiles lurking in the shallows, with eyes and noses that are peaking out

16. Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power only after a long
struggle by the native people.
a) Before its independence in 1947, Britain ruled India as a colony and they would relinquish power
b) Before independence in 1947, Britain had ruled India as a colony and relinquished power
c) Before its independence in 1947, India was ruled by Britain as a colony and they relinquished power
d) Before independence in 1947, India had been ruled as a colony by Britain, which relinquished power
e) Before independence in 1947, India had been a colony of the British, who relinquished power

17. Used until the end of the Second World War, the German army employed the U-boat to attack both military or
civilian watercraft.
a) the German army employed the U-boat to attack both military or
b) the U-boat was employed by the German army to attack both military and
c) the U-boat employed the German army to attack both military or
d) the German army had employed the U-Boat to attack both military and the
e) the U-boat has been employed by the German army to attack both military and also

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18. Though most people take it for granted now, the nationwide admission of students to colleges and universities
based on academic merit is a relatively recent phenomenon, beginning only after World War II.
a) Though most people take it for granted now, the nationwide admission of students to colleges and universities
based on academic merit
b) Though it is now taken for granted by most people, the admission of nationwide students to colleges and
universities based on academic merit
c) Now taken for granted by most people, colleges and universities admitting students based on their academic
merit
d) Most take them for granted now, but the admission of nationwide students to colleges and universities based
on their academic merit
e) Most people now take for granted that colleges and universities admit students nationally based on academic
merit, and it

19. According to Italy's top anti-Mafia prosecutor, the ailing mobster came to take refuge in Corleone, a town famous
because of the ―The Godfather‖ and near to those he most trusted.
a) the ailing mobster came to take refuge in Corleone, a town famous because of ―TheGodfather‖ and near to
those he most trusted
b) famous because of ―The Godfather,‖ the ailing mobster came to take refuge in Corleone, a town near to those
he most trusted
c) the ailing mobster, famous because of ―The Godfather,‖ came to take refuge in Corleone, a town near to
those he most trusted
d) near to those he most trusted, the ailing mobster came to take refuge in Corleone, a town famous because of
―The Godfather‖
e) Corleone, famous because of ―The Godfather,‖ was the town that the ailing mobster came to take refuge in
because it was near to those he most trusted

20. The author Herman Melville and the poet Walt Whitman are icons of American literature, greatly beloved by
generations past and present.
a) The author Herman Melville and the poet Walt Whitman are icons
b) Herman Melville the author and Walt Whitman the poet are icons
c) The author named Herman Melville and the poet named Walt Whitman are great icons
d) The author, Herman Melville, and the poet, Walt Whitman, are icons
e) Herman Melville, the author, and Walt Whitman, the poet, had been icons

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Segment 3
21. Jean-Jacques Rousseau contended that man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by
society, that compels man to compare himself to others.
a) man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, that
b) only man is good when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, that
c) man is good when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted only by society, that
d) only man is good when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, which
e) man is good only when in "the state of nature" but is corrupted by society, which
22. Though the language of Beowulf is practically incomprehensible to contemporary readers, careful linguistic
analysis reveals a multitude of similarities to modern English.
a) Though the language of Beowulf is practically incomprehensible to contemporary readers, careful linguistic
analysis reveals a multitude of similarities to modern English.
b) Despite that it is practically incomprehensible to contemporary readers, careful linguistic analysis reveals that
the language of Beowulf has a multitude of similarities to modern English.
c) Though being practically incomprehensible to contemporary readers, the language of Beowulf reveals through
careful linguistic analysis a multitude of similarities to modern English.
d) Though Beowulf has a language that is practically incomprehensible to contemporary readers, a multitude of
similarities are revealed to modern English through careful linguistic analysis.
e) Despite having practically incomprehensible language to contemporary readers, Beowulf reveals through
careful linguistic analysis a multitude of similarities to modern English.
23. Fusion, the process through which the sun produces heat and light, has been studied by scientists, some of
whom have attempted to mimic the process in their laboratories by blasting a container of liquid solvent with
strong ultrasonic vibrations.
a) Fusion, the process through which the sun produces heat and light, has been studied by scientists,
b) Fusion, the heat and light produced by the sun, has been studied by scientists,
c) Fusion, the process through which heat and light are produced by the sun, has been studied by scientists,
d) Scientists have studied fusion, the process the sun uses to produce heat and light,
e) Scientists have studied fusion, the process the sun uses to produce heat and light, and
24. Pests had destroyed grape, celery, chili pepper crops, sugar beet and walnut in the region, but in the 1880s,
more effective pest-control methods saved the citrus industry.
a) Pests had destroyed grape, celery, chili pepper crops, sugar beet and walnut in the region, but in the 1880s,
more effective pest-control methods saved the citrus industry.
b) Pests had destroyed grape, celery, chili pepper, sugar beet and walnut crops in the region, but in the 1880s,
more effective pest-control methods saved the citrus industry.
c) Pests had destroyed grape, celery, chili pepper, sugar beet and walnut crops in the region, but more effective
pest-control methods that were introduced in the 1880s saved the citrusindustry.
d) In the 1880s, pests destroyed grape, celery, chili pepper, sugar beet and walnut crops in the region and more
effective pest-control methods saved the citrus industry.
e) In the 1880s, more effective pest-control methods saved the citrus industry from what was destroying grape,
celery, chili pepper, sugar beet and walnut crops in the region.

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25. Classical guitar was neither prestigious nor was often played in concert halls until it was revived by Andres
Segovia in the mid-twentieth century, having been won over by the instrument's sound despite its relative
obscurity.
a) Classical guitar was neither prestigious nor was often played in concert halls until it was revived by Andres Segovia
in the mid-twentieth century, having been won over by the instrument's sound despite its relative obscurity.
b) Classical guitar was neither prestigious nor played often in concert halls until it was revived by Andres
Segovia in the mid-twentieth century, having been won over by the instrument's sound despite its relative
obscurity.
c) Classical guitar was not prestigious and was not often played in concert halls until Andres Segovia revived it
in the mid-twentieth century, after he was won over by the sound despite the instrument's relative obscurity.
d) Classical guitar did not have prestige nor was it performed often in concert halls until its revival by Andres
Segovia, who in the mid-twentieth century was won over by the instrument's sound despite its relative
obscurity.
e) Classical guitar was neither prestigious nor was often played in concert halls until Andres Segovia revived it in
the mid-twentieth century, when he was won over by the sound of the relatively obscure instrument.
26. The physicist Richard Feynman presented a comprehensive introduction to modern physics designed for
undergraduate students in a two-year course.
a) The physicist Richard Feynman presented a comprehensive introduction to modern physics designed for
undergraduate students in a two-year course.
b) For undergraduate students, the physicist Richard Feynman presented a two-year course, being a
comprehensive introduction to modern physics.
c) A comprehensive introduction was in a two-year course by the physicist Richard Feynman presenting to
undergraduate students an introduction to modern physics.
d) Presenting a comprehensive introduction, the physicist Richard Feynman introduced modern physics in a two-
year course designed for undergraduate students.
e) In a two-year course designed for undergraduate students, the physicist Richard Feynman presented a
comprehensive introduction to modern physics.
27. Descending approximately 4,000 years ago from the African wildcat, it has been an
exceedingly short time for the domestic cat with respect to genetic evolution and it scarcely seems sufficient to
allow the marked physical changes that transformed the animal.
a) Descending approximately 4,000 years ago from the African wildcat, it has been anexceedingly short time for
the domestic cat with respect to genetic evolution and it scarcely seems sufficient to allow the marked
physical changes that transformed the animal.
b) The domestic cat descended from the African wildcat approximately 4,000 years ago, which is an exceedingly
short time for the domestic cat's genetic evolution and scarcely sufficient for the marked physical changes that
transformed the animal.
c) Descending from the African wildcat approximately 4,000 years ago, the domestic cat has had an exceedingly
short time for its genetic evolution and has been scarcely sufficient for the marked physical changes in the animal.
d) Having descended from the African wildcat approximately 4,000 years ago, the domestic cat has had an
exceedingly short time for its genetic evolution that has scarcely been sufficient for the marked physical
changes that transformed the animal.
e) The domestic cat descended from the African wildcat approximately 4,000 years ago, an exceedingly recent
divergence with respect to genetic evolution and one which scarcely seems sufficient to allow the marked
physical changes in the animal.

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28. Waiting for the crucial trial to begin, the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
a) Neil's anxiety felt almost overwhelming.
b) the anxiety Neil felt was almost overwhelming.
c) Neil felt almost overwhelmed with anxiety.
d) the anxiety almost overwhelmed Neil.
e) the anxiety being felt by Neil was almost overwhelming.

29. Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
a) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
b) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers come clearly into view across the river.
c) Comes around the corner, the skyscrapers came clearly into view across the river.
d) Coming around the corner, the skyscrapers are viewed clearly across the river.
e) Coming around the corner, the people got a view of the skyscrapers across the river.

30. Neither the director of finance nor the auditor could determine the cause of the sudden loss.
a) Neither the director of finance nor the auditor could determine
b) Neither the director of finance nor the auditor couldn‘t determine
c) Either the director of finance nor the auditor couldn‘t determine
d) Neither the director of finance or the auditor could determine
e) Either the director of finance or the auditor could determine

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Modifiers Solutions
1. D
Option D is the only alternative that does not have an illogical modifier or the wrong tense.
2. E
In all other options, the order of words, especially the phrase ‗engraved with gold letters‘, is misplaced.
3. E
It is unclear what the word ‗it‘ is referring to.
4. B
While both A and B are grammatically correct, B is more concise.
5. E
The correct phrase here is ‗interested in‘. Only Option E contains correct usage of the phrase.
6. D
Singular verb is required here. Option C is incorrect because ‗during the time of‘ is redundant.
7. E
The misplaced modifier in the original sentence is corrected by placing ‗shareholders‘ adjacent to the modifying
phrase.
8. D
Since the original sentence contains a dangling modifier, ‗kangaroos‘ must be the subject in the second part of
the sentence. Among D and E, D is more concise.
9. E
Option E is the only alternative that fixes the dangling modifier in the original sentence.
10. B
The phrase ‗a company‘s manager‘ is correctly placed adjacent to the modifier so that the meaning is clear, and
the sentence is clear.
11. E
The modifier issue is corrected here by making ‗the textbook‘ the main clause. The incorrect usage of ‗which‘ is
corrected.
12. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
13. E
This sentence is the most concise and correct.
14. D
This choice places the proper subject ‗the operating physician‘ adjacent to the opening modifier.
15. D
While both D and E are grammatically correct, D is more concise.
16. E
‗India‘ is correctly placed as the recipient of the opening modifier, and the correct form of verb (past perfect) is
used in this sentence.

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17. B
The noun ‗U-boat‘ properly functions as the subject of the modifying phrase in this sentence.
18. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
19. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
20. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
21. E
This choice keeps the original and correct placement of the adverb ‗only‘ and corrects the modifier error by
replacing ‗that‘ with ‗which‘, which is necessary in this sentence.
22. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
23. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
24. B
This choice fixes the parallelism error by correctly placing the word ‗crop‘ after the list of crop types. The past
perfect form of the verb is used here to indicate a time prior to the 1880s.
25. C
This choice demonstrates correct usage of the ‗neither…nor‘ phrase as well as fixing the modifier error present in
the original sentence.
26. E
The prepositional phrase ‗in a two-year course…‘ is placed at the beginning of the sentence to clarify the
meaning. The structure of the rest of the sentence is correct.
27. E
This choice correctly rearranges the opening modifier to place the phrase ‗the domestic cat‘ immediately next to
the modifier ‗descended from the African wildcat‘.
28. C
All of the other alternatives contain illogical modifiers.
29. B
Present tense must be used since the event is not occurring at a specific time.
30. A
The correct phrase is ‗Neither…nor‘, which means that the original sentence is correct.

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Chapter 20
Preposition

209
210
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and the other words of a sentence. They
explain relationships of sequence, space, and logic between the object of the sentence and the rest of the sentence.
They help us understand order, time connections, and positions.

Classification of preposition: There are not any specific classifications of preposition. However, grammarians
have made few specifications for a better understanding on this topic. They are-

Prepositions of Time:
Prepositions of time show the relationship of time between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.

On, at, in, from, to, for, since, ago, before, till/until, by, etc. are the most common preposition of time.

-At for a precise time

-In for months, years, centuries and long periods

-On for days and dates

Example:

He started working at 10 AM.

The company called meeting on 25 October.

There is a holiday in December.

He has been ill since Monday.

Prepositions of Place and Direction:

Prepositions of place show the relationship of place between the nouns to the other parts of a sentence.

On, at, in, by, from, to, towards, up, down, across, between, among, though, in front of, behind, above, over, under,
below, etc. are the most common prepositions of place/direction.

-At for a point

-In for an enclosed space

-On for a surface

Examples:

He is at home.

He came from England.

The police broke into the house.

I live across the river.

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Prepositions of Agents or Things:
Prepositions of agents or things indicate a casual relationship between nouns and other parts of the sentence.

Of, for, by, with, about, etc. are the most used and common prepositions of agents or things.

Example:

This article is about smart phones.

Most of the guests have already left.

I will always be here for you. He is playing with his brothers.

Along with, apart from, because of, by means of, according to, in front of, contrary to, in spite of, on account of, in
reference to, in addition to, in regard to, instead of, on top of, out of, with regard to, etc. are the most common
phrasal prepositions.

Example:

They, along with their children went to Atlanta.

According to the new rules, you are not right.

In spite of him being a good player, he was not selected.

Though it‘s hard to place specific rules for using prepositions, here are some general directions that you can follow to
avoid unnecessary errors-

i) Use ‗in‘ for countries and big towns.

She was born in New Zealand.

I live in Mumbai.

ii) Use ‗at‘ for specific addresses.

Are you still at that address?

We live at D 23, MG Road.

iii) Use ‗in‘ for position inside a three dimensional space.

The cat is in the kitchen.

iv) Use ‗on‘ for position on the surface of something.

There is something on the roof.

Put the books on the table.

v) Use ‗to‘ and ‗into‘ to show direction and moving towards something

He went to work.

The child fell into the well.

vi) Use ‗till‘ to indicate time.

I waited till 6 o‘clock.

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vii) Use ‗since‘ to indicate the starting point of something.

I have been waiting since morning.

viii) Use ‗for‘ to indicate duration.

It rained for two hours.

We have been living in this city for three years.

ix) Use ‗from‘ to indicate the source.

She comes from a small town.

x) Use ‗between‘ to indicate position between two or more clearly defined people or objects and use ‗among‘ to
indicate position among more than two people or objects.

The child sat between his father and parents.

She sat among the children.

xi) Use ‗with‘ to indicate the instrument and ‗by‘ to indicate the agent.

He killed the spider with a stone.

The spider was killed by the boy.

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Exercises
Basics
Use appropriate prepositions
1. The researchers are reliant ___ external funding.

2. This course provides the opportunity to focus ___ your major area of interest.

3. You will study this ___ a social context.

4. This course is ___ the boundary of advanced engineering and science. .

5. Evolutionary Biology involves the study ___ information contained in living plants and animals.

Sentence correction
1. Find out the standard choice. (BBA 2007-08)

A) Business administration is the subject in which I am mainly interested in.

B) Business administration is the subject which I am mainly interested.

C) Business administration is the subject which I am mainly interested at.

D) Business administration is the subject which I find interest.

E) Business administration is the subject which I am mainly interested in.

2. Despite being an American, he married with an Indian woman

a) He married with an Indian woman

b) He married an Indian woman

c) He is married an Indian woman

d) He married with a Indian woman

e) He married with the Indian woman

3. Identify the Incorrect sentence. (BBA 2010-11)

a) The kids broke the window just for the devil in it.

b) We know where it‘s at, and we want to change it.

c) Nobody cared to argue with the manager because he had a reputation for being a curmudgeon.

d) I wish Bangladesh had won their first test match.

e) None of these are incorrect.

4. This research will emphasize on analysis of the current and prospective retail market of China.

a) on analysis of the current and prospective retail market of China.

b) on analyzing of the current and prospective retail market of China.

c) analysis of the current and prospective retail market of China.

d) analyzing of the current and prospective retail market in China.

e) analyzing about the current and prospective retail market of China.

214
5. They were also asked whether they prefer to Chinese or Japanese writers.

a) they prefer to Chinese or Japanese writers

b) they prefer to the Chinese or Japanese writers

c) they prefer to a Chinese or Japanese writer

d) they prefer Chinese or Japanese writers

e) they prefer a Chinese or Japanese writers

Error Finding

1. The athlete was disqualified from the tournament for participating at an illegal demonstration.
A B C D
No Error (BBA 2005-06)
E
2. Our new branch will be located downtown in the corner of Mirpur road and Asad Avenue. No Error (BBA 05-06)
A B C D E

3. Jon, as an avid lover of all animals, decided to protest over the depiction of violence towards dogs, which is
A B C
becoming increasingly common in feature films. No Error
D E
4. When the batter made contact with the baseball, it zoomed in the air like a bullet and flew out of the park.
A B C D
No Error
E
5. In choosing between hummus, salsa, and guacamole as a dip to serve with pita chips, most people would say
A B C
that pita chips are best served with hummus. No Error
D E
6. The employee has been missing from Sunday despite giving much effort to hold him in the business. No error
A B C D E
7. A student indifferent at the niceties of grammar cannot expect to do well on the Sentence Correction part of IBA
A B C D
entrance Exam. No Error
E
8. Despite of the fact that backgammon is easy to learn, it is as difficult to play as chess. No Error
A B C D E
9. Although I had appeared for the preliminary BCS exam in June, the latter part of the exam was
A B
later cancelled due to the authority was alleged to have rigged the exam. No Error
C D E
10. It is shocking for some people to realize that two from three people infected with bronchitis will
A B C D
develop the disease again later in life. No Error
E

215
Preposition Solutions
Basic

1. The researchers are reliant on external funding. Details: External funding is the basis for the researchers‘ work.

2. This course provides the opportunity to focus on your major area of interest. Details: The major area of interest
will be the basis for a student‘s work in this course.

3. You will study this in a social context. Details: A social context will surround this study.

4. The course is on the boundary of advanced engineering and science. Details: The boundary of these two
subjects is the basis for the course.

5. Evolutionary Biology involves the study of information contained in living plants and animals. Details: The
information belongs to the study

Sentence Correction
1. There has to be an ‗in‘ in the sentence. Option A contains two ‗in‘. So, E will be the correct answer.

2. The correct answer here is B. The use of ‗with‘ after married is incorrect.

3. The appropriate prepositional phrase for the meaning in option A is supposed to be ‗Devil of it‘. So, option A is
incorrect.

4. The correct answer is C. ‗Emphasise' is usually followed by the object which doesn‘t take an ‗on‘ with it. In the
passive, we can say something is emphasised by something/someone else. Emphasis – a noun – may be
followed by 'on' 'They place the emphasis on teaching…'

5. The correct answer is D. 'Prefer' is usually followed by the object. In the passive, we can say something is preferred
by someone. Prefer can be followed by a noun phrase (prefer something), or by an infinitive (prefer to eat / to do / to
go).

Error finding

1. D is incorrect. Use in instead of at.

2. C is incorrect. In the corner of is used to refer a closed space. On the corner of X and Y is used to refer to a
junction between two streets or open spaces.
3. B is incorrect. Protest against is the general idiomatic rule, not protest over.
4. B is incorrect. Zoom through is the correct idiomatic expression here. Zoom through means to travel
to pass through a location very fast.
5. A is incorrect. "Between" is used to compare two items, while "among" should be used to compare three or
more items.
6. B is incorrect. The use of ‗from‘ after ‗missing‘ to indicate the beginning of a certain point of time is
erroneous. Since would be the correct choice here.
7. The correct preposition after ‗indifferent‘ will be ‗towards/to‘, not ‗at‘
8. A is incorrect. Despite and in spite of are the correct idiomatic expressions. Avoid using of after despite.
9. C is incorrect. The general form is due to + noun or because + clause. Always use a noun or noun phrase
after due to.
10. C is incorrect. The correct expression is X out of Y number of things.

216
Chapter 21
Conjunction

217
218
Without conjunctions, you‘d be forced to express every complex idea in a series of short, simplistic sentences: I like
cooking. I like eating. I don‘t like washing dishes afterward.

What Are Conjunctions?

Correct - Conjunctions are words that link other words, phrases, or clauses together.

I like cooking and eating, but I don‘t like washing dishes afterward. Sophie is clearly exhausted, yet she insists on
dancing till dawn.

Conjunctions allow you to form complex, elegant sentences and avoid the choppiness of multiple short sentences.
Make sure that the phrases joined by conjunctions are parallel (share the same structure).

Incorrect - I work quickly and am careful.

Correct - I work quickly and carefully.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions allow you to join words, phrases, and clauses of equal grammatical rank in a sentence.
The most common coordinating conjunctions are for, and, nor, but, or, yet, and so; you can remember them by using
the mnemonic device FANBOYS.

Correct - I‘d like pizza or a salad for lunch. We needed a place to concentrate, so we packed up our things and went
to the library. Jesse didn‘t have much money, but she got by.

Notice the use of the comma when a coordinating conjunction is joining two independent clauses.

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Some examples are either/or, neither/nor, and
not only/but also.

Correct - Not only am I finished studying for English, but I‘m also finished writing my history essay. I am finished with
both my English essay and my history essay.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions join independent and dependent clauses. A subordinating conjunction can signal a
cause-and-effect relationship, a contrast, or some other kind of relationship between the clauses. Common
subordinating conjunctions are because, since, as, although, though, while, and whereas. Sometimes an adverb,
such as until, after, or before can function as a conjunction.

Correct - I can stay out until the clock strikes twelve.

Here, the adverb until functions as a coordinating conjunction to connect two ideas: I can stay out (the independent
clause) and the clock strikes twelve (the dependent clause). The independent clause could stand alone as a
sentence; the dependent clause depends on the independent clause to make sense.

The subordinating conjunction doesn‘t need to go in the middle of the sentence. It has to be part of the dependent
clause, but the dependent clause can come before the independent clause.

Correct - Before he leaves, make sure his room is clean.

219
If the dependent clause comes first, use a comma before the independent clause.

Correct - I drank a glass of water because I was thirsty. Because I was thirsty, I drank a glass of water.

Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction

Many of us were taught in school that it is an error to begin a sentence with a conjunction, but that rule is a myth. As
mentioned above, a subordinating conjunction can begin a sentence if the dependent clause comes before the
independent clause. It‘s also correct to begin a sentence with a coordinating conjunction. Often, it‘s a good way to
add emphasis. Beginning too many sentences with conjunctions will cause the device to lose its force, however, so
use this technique sparingly.

Correct - Have a safe trip. And don‘t forget to call when you get home. Gertie flung open the door. But there was no
one on the other side.

List of Conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so

Correlative Conjunctions

both/and, either/or, neither/nor, not only/but, whether/or

Some Subordinating Conjunctions

after, although, as, as if, as long as, as much as, as soon as, as though, because, before, by the time, even if, even
though, if, in order that, in case, in the event that, lest , now that, once, only, only if, provided that, since, so,
supposing, that, than, though, till, unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, whether or not, while

220
Chapter 22
Interjection

221
222
Because interjections are usually separate from other sentences, it‘s hard to use them incorrectly. The bigger
concern is whether it‘s appropriate to use an interjection in your writing. Interjections are fine to use in casual and
informal writing. It‘s okay to use them in speech, too. But avoid using interjections in formal writing because it may
appear that you‘re not treating the topic seriously.

And now, you‘re ready to go out and use interjections. Hooray!

Here are all the basic rules you need to know about the uses of interjections.

1. We just add an interjection as an extra factor of strength to a sentence, without making any grammatical changes.
This is to ensure that the latter can stand grammatically correct on its own, even if the added interjection is removed.

2. Interjections do not always have to be at the beginning of a sentence. They can appear in the middle, at the end,
or anyplace else where the subject wants to interject a feeling and emotion.

3. In some cases, an interjection can be followed by a comma instead of the exclamation mark. This usually
happens when the emotion to be expressed by the interjection is milder in nature.

4. In some cases, an interjection can be followed by a question mark instead of the exclamation mark. This
happens when the interjection is added to an interrogative sentence which presents a question or expects a
response.

5. Interjections can find their way into fictional or artistic writing, most often in the form of dialogue

Rule

The important thing to remember is that the interjection should be set off somehow. Don‘t just drop it in with nothing
to mark it as separate from the rest of the sentence.

Example

I forgot to do the homework assignment oops but my teacher gave me an extra day
Incorrect
to finish it.

I forgot to do the homework assignment (oops), but my teacher gave me an extra

Correct
day to finish it.

Incorrect Gee I hadn‘t thought of that.

Correct Gee, I hadn‘t thought of that.

In the IBA Admission test, there might be a few curveballs that try you. It‘ best if you conceive a firm understanding of
what each interjection means, so that in the off chance that you find an interjection being used wrongly, you can stop
it right there in its tracks.

223
 Interjection Meaning Use
Aah Exclamation of fear Aah! The monster‘s got me!
Ahh Realization or acceptance Ahh, now I see what you mean.
Aww Something sweet or cute Aww! Just look at that kitten.
Bingo Acknowledge something as right Bingo! That‘s exactly what we were looking for!
Eh Question something So that was all she said, eh?
Eww Something disgusting Eww! That movie was so gory.
Hmph To indicate displeasure Hmph. I could do that for half the amount he charged.
Oh I see/ I think Oh, it‘s been around a week since I saw her.
Oops Making a mistake Oops! Sorry I didn‘t see those skates there.
Ouch Exclamation of pain Ouch, that hurt! Stop pinching me!
Shh An indication for silence Shh! The show is about to start.
Uh oh Showing dismay Uh oh! The teacher‘s caught him.
Whew Amazement and/or relief Whew! I can‘t believe we actually finished it all.
Wow Expressing surprise or admiration Wow! That‘s really great news!
Yay/Yaay Congratulatory exclamation I can‘t believe you‘re actually coming here! Yaay!
Yeah Variant of ‗yes‘ Yeah, I‘d love some orange juice.
Yikes For fear or concern (not serious) Yikes, my mother‘s home!
Yippee Exclamation of celebration Yippee! We won, let‘s head to the bar.

List of interjection
And here are a few interjections that are also known as ‗Hesitant Devices‘

Interjection Meaning Use

Indicates a pause/ need for more

Uh Wait I know this... uh... is it Ruskin Bond?
time

Hmm Thinking/Hesitating about something Hmm, I‘m not sure this color is the best for this room.

Er Not knowing what to say I don‘t think...er... wait... let me call my boss.

Not that I don‘t believe you but, um, you say it‘s a
Um Pausing or being skeptical
ghost?

224
Part 2

225
228
Chapter 23
Voice

229
230
The action of a subject, in relation to an object, can be expressed in two ways. These two ways of expressing action
of a subject are known as ‗Voices‘.

1. Active voice.
2. Passive voice.

The structure of the same sentence changes when expressed in Active voice or Passive voice. But, the meaning of
the sentence, expressed in either active voice or passive voice, always remains the same. The only thing that
changes, is the sequencing of the subject and the object of the sentence. For instance:

Active Passive
Structure Subject + Verb + Object Object + Verb + Subject
Sentence I ate an apple An apple was eaten by me.

In the IBA admission test, there is no precedence to prove that there might be questions in the future test that involve
conversion of a sentence from one tense to another, but if you study the rules of transformation, you‘ll be better able
to identify mistakes in sentences and that will directly help you score a lot better and write a lot better in the writing
part of the admission test.

The rules:

Rule-1

When changing the voice of a sentence, you simply interchange the positions of the subject and the object of the
sentence.

Example
Active He bought a camera
Passive A camera was bought by him

Rule-2

Only the past participle form of verb will always be used as the main verb of the sentence, no matter what tense the
sentence is in.

Example
Active He buys movie tickets for everyone.
Passive Movie tickets are bought by him for everyone.

Rule-3

The word ‗by‘ will be used before subject in Passive voice.

Example
Active She drinks water.
Passive Water is drunk by her.

231
Rule-4

The word "by" is generally used. But other words like "to", "with", "at" are use too.

Examples
Active I know him.
Passive He is known to me
Active Water fills a tub.
Passive A tub is filled with water.
Active The news shocked him.
Passive He was shocked at the news.

Rule-5

Here, "filled with water" is used because the tub contains water and is filled with it. In passive voice, the subject of the
sentence may sometimes be hidden and not directly mentioned.

Example
Active People sell sugar in kilograms.
Passive Sugar is sold in kilograms.
Active The ship was destroyed.
Passive Pirates/ storm/ Large sea waves destroyed the ship.

Here, the subject can be anything an long as, it is relevant to the action/ object.

232
Chapter 24
Appositive

233
234
An appositive noun or noun phrase follows another noun or noun phrase in apposition to it; that is, it provides
information that further identifies or defines it. Such ―bonus facts‖ are framed by commas unless the appositive is
restrictive (i.e., provides essential information about the noun).

Appose is a very old word that one does not cross paths with much except in the realms of grammar and science. In
grammar, an element is said to be placed in apposition to another element if it provides an extra layer of description
to it.

An appositive is bonus information. Something that is placed in a sentence is a certain manner to make a sentence
more complex yet concise.

Ex - Armin Ahsan, an artist at IBA, is accomplished at business competitions.

The core of this sentence is Armin Ahsan is accomplished at business competitions. An artist at IBA is an appositive
noun phrase that gives us additional information about Armin Ahsan.

Ex - The Eiffel Tower, Gustave Eiffel‘s masterpiece, can be found on the Champs de Mars.

This is a sentence about where the Eiffel Tower can be found. The appositive phrase Gustave Eiffel‘s masterpiece
tells us a bit more about the sentence‘s subject noun, Eiffel Tower.

Ex - My childhood friend, Maksud Alam Antor, loved cats.

Here, the core sentence is ―My childhood friend loved cats‖. It works as a sentence on its own, but the appositive, the
proper noun Maksud Alam Antor, gives the reader supplemental information about my friend. It renames him.

Commas and Appositives

Appositive nouns and noun phrases are often nonrestrictive; that is, they can be omitted from a sentence without
obscuring the identity of the nouns they describe. Another word for nonrestrictive is nonessential. Always place a
nonrestrictive, appositive noun or phrase with commas in the middle of a sentence. If the noun or phrase is placed at
the end of a sentence, a comma should precede it.

Use Commas to Frame Nonrestrictive Elements. Examples have been charted below -

Incorrect – Adnan Rahman a Bengali composer was one of the most celebrated virtuoso pianists of his day.

Correct – Adnan Rahman, a Bengali composer, was one of the most celebrated virtuoso pianists of his day.

Incorrect – My brother often likens himself to Thor the god of thunder.

Correct – My brother often likens himself to Thor, the god of thunder.

Depending on the tone you want to achieve and the context, you may also choose either parentheses or brackets to
frame a nonrestrictive appositive phrase.

Correct – My brother often likens himself to Thor (the god of thunder).

Correct – My brother often likens himself to Thor—the god of thunder.

Whichever way you choose to punctuate it, the key is to realize that ―My brother likens himself to Thor‖ is the core
sentence and that ―the god of thunder‖ is nonessential to that sentence. It is nice to know, but it is not essential in
terms of function.

235
Think of a sentence with a nonrestrictive appositive in it as a motorcycle with a sidecar attached to it. The sidecar is a
lovely addition to the motorcycle and changes the overall experience of taking it for a spin, but the motorcycle could
go on without it. The nonrestrictive appositive is your sidecar, and it needs punctuation to attach it to the motorcycle,
which is your sentence.

Commas and Restrictive Elements Don‘t Mix

When an appositive noun or noun phrase contains an essential element without which a sentence‘s meaning would
materially alter, do not frame it with commas.

Incorrect - My friend, Bill, owes me fifty dollars.

Correct - My friend Bill owes me fifty dollars.

There are no commas here because Bill is an essential description of my friend. We can assume from this sentence
that the speaker has many friends, but the one who owes him, or her money is Bill. The unlikely circumstance under
which the first sentence could be construed as correct would be if the speaker has only one confirmed friend, and
that friend‘s name is Bill.

Now think of a motorcycle again, except now without the sidecar. This is the restrictive appositive motorcycle. If
anyone wants to hitch a ride on this motorcycle, he or she will have to ride double behind the driver. Just like a
Pathao ride. With this type of appositive, there is no disconnection between the driver and the passenger; one has
his or her arms around the other. The restrictive appositive motorcycle zooms out of sight—without commas.

________________________________________________________________________________________

*For exercises of this section, head to the Sentence Correction exercises. It has been integrated in that part*

236
Chapter 25
Parallelism

237
238
You probably know from math that parallel lines are two lines that go in the same direction. The concept is similar in
English in the way we structure certain things together.

I like flying planes, riding trains, and driving automobiles.

Notice the same format for each of the things in the list: gerund (word ending in ing)-noun, gerund-noun, gerund-
noun. It sounds nice and fluid when the sentence is put together that way. It would be awkward and incorrect to say:
I like flying planes, riding trains, and to drive automobiles.
Here's another correct version:
I like to fly planes, to ride trains, and to drive automobiles. (infinitive-noun pattern)
It's also correct to leave out the to's because they're implied to carry over to all three items in the list:
I like to fly planes, ride trains, and drive automobiles.
But again, you must be consistent—it would be incorrect to write:
I like to fly planes, ride trains, and to drive automobiles.
The to is used again after being left out in the second item.

Parallelism and Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions are sort of like tag-team conjunctions. They come in pairs, and you have to use both of them
in different places in a sentence to make them work. They get their name from the fact that they work together (co-)
and relate one sentence element to another. Correlative conjunctions include pairs such as-

Not only A but also B

Both A and B
Either A or B
Neither A nor B

What does A and B mean? ―A‖ stands for a word or phrase and ―B‖ stands for a word or phrase. These words or
phrases should be parallel. In other words, A and B should be parallel.

Not only is he funny(A), but he is also clever(B).

In this case A and B are adjectives. So, this sentence is correct.

Other examples of this kind are:

Incorrect: Not only has he squandered an important opportunity, but he is also upsetting many people close to him.

Correct: Not only has he squandered an important opportunity, but he has also upset many people close to him.

Squandered is in the simple past tense, therefore, we need the simple past tense of upsetting, which is upset. Notice
in the incorrect example, squandered does not match upsetting.

On more advanced parallelism questions, it won‘t just be two words that have to be parallel but entire phrases. Other
times, a question is difficult because the verbs are buried in a morass of words, as the example below shows.

239
Playing video games, unlike watching television, is not a passive activity, because doing so requires that the video
game player react to what’s happening onscreen, strategizes (1) to overcome obstacles, and that she persevere
(2) to advance through the most difficult stages of the game.

1)
A) NO CHANGE
B) that she strategizes
C) that she strategize
D) strategize

2)
A) NO CHANGE
B) she persevere
C) she perseveres
D) persevere

Answers and Explanation:

The video game player has to do three things: react, strategize, and persevere. The verb form is called the
subjunctive, which comes into effect after specific words that indicate a command, request, or a requirement. You
have to notice that it does not say, ―the video game player reacts‖; a verb usually takes an ‗s‘ the end when it refers
to a third person subject (―he walks‖, ―she dances‖, etc.).

Here, it is ―react‖, not ―reacts‖ (because we have the verb ―require that‖, which removes the –s from the end of the
verb following the subjunctive rule). Therefore, the other two verbs must both be in this form, giving us ―strategize‖
and ―persevere‖. Therefore, the answer to both 1) and 2) is D.

240
Exercises
Basic

Re-write the following sentences so that each has a list using the same verb or noun form.

1. The English teacher spoke in a nasal tone, unpleasantly, but conveying the information clearly and was funny.
- _________________________________________________________________________
2. The coach told his players that they should get plenty of water, to not eat sugary snacks, and being sure they
are getting plenty of sleep.
- _________________________________________________________________________
3. Benefits of coaching include: knowing each player, helping that player to improve and to get to see that person
succeed in life.
- _________________________________________________________________________

4. At the party, my sister helped us make the cake, gathering the kids for games, clean up and to drive some kids
home.
- _________________________________________________________________________

5. Exercises that I enjoy doing are marathon running, to swim lengths in a pool, riding my bicycle in the park, and
to walk along the trails in a forest.
- _________________________________________________________________________

6. We must either change the laws about drunk driving or it will be necessary to start enforcing them more strictly.
- _________________________________________________________________________

7. The protestors were gathering outside, held signs, starting to shout loudly and stopped the speaker from being
heard.
- _________________________________________________________________________

8. My sister-in-law loves fad diets and has tried: eating only meat, to not eat anything but rice, smoothies every
morning while not restricting anything else, and fasting 12 hours a day.
- _________________________________________________________________________

9. To my horror, my wedding dress looked stained, torn and it had wrinkles.

- _________________________________________________________________________

10. Our latest math instructor was enthusiastic, cracked a lot of jokes, is demanding, and failed half the class.
- _________________________________________________________________________

241
Error Detection

1. Because Deborah has been a representative for over 20 years and also her popularity among
A B
her constituents, few are willing to challenge her in an election. No error
C D E

2. The decline of the Enlightenment was hastened not only by tyrants but also because of
A B C
intellectual opposition. No error
D E
3. Asked what he wanted for his birthday, Virgil turned around and quickly replied that he would
A B C
like a bike, a new computer, and staying up past nine o‘clock. No error
D E
4. Many students fail to appreciate that it is much more difficult to teach someone how to write good prose than
A B C
teaching someone how to appreciate good prose written by others. No error
D E
5. High in is flavones, protein, and also in fiber, soy beans are a flavorful food with many healthful benefits.
A B C D
No error
E
6. Too much sugar causes a cake to sag in the center, to brown excessively, and having sticky, thick crust. No error
A B C D E
7. After completing her examination of the patient, the medical intern informed the chief resident that the patient
A B
was not only feeling sick, but dizzy, and therefore might have an infection. No error
C D E
8. Khaled Hosseini‘s novel The Kite Runner, in which two friends are torn apart by culture and by war, is a story
A B C

about devotion, betrayal, and, ultimately, how to redeem one‘s self. No error.
D E

9. Neither the president, who was on vacation, or even the vice-president, who was ill, was available to give the
A B C D
keynote address. No error
E

10. Exhausted and being tired of the noise from the back seat, Pedro threatened to turn the car around and
A B
end the vacation before it could even begin. No error
C D E

242
Sentence Correction

1. With companies spending large parts of their advertising budgets online, the market for
content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual
users, are expanding rapidly.
A. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by a professional writer, a blogger,
and by individual users, are expanding
B. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by professional writers, bloggers,
and by individual users, are expanding
C. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by a professional writer, a blogger,
and individual users, is expanding
D. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by professional writers, bloggers,
and individual users, are expanding
E. the market for content such as feature articles and opinion essays created by professional
writers, bloggers, and individual users, is expanding

2. Originally developed by ancient Hawaiians, surfing appeals to people due to the sport‘s unusual confluence of
adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene,
violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops among people in their common quest to conquer
nature.
A. surfing appeals to people due to the sport‘s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and
the camaraderie that often develops
B. surfing‘s appeal is its unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering, an unpredictable
backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie that often
develops
C. surfing‘s appeal to people is due to the sport‘s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and
developing camaraderie
D. surfing appeals to people due to the sport‘s unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced
maneuvering, a backdrop that is unpredictable and that is, by turns, gracefully and serenely violent and
formidable, and the camaraderie that often develops
E. surfing appeals to people due to their unusual confluence of adrenaline, skill, and high paced maneuvering,
an unpredictable backdrop that is, by turns, graceful and serene, violent and formidable, and the camaraderie
that often develops

3. The Federal Reserve announcement said that growth had accelerated after slowing in the
second quarter and that the policy makers remain concerned about the prospects of inflation, even though there
are few signs of higher energy prices driving up the cost of other goods so far.
A. that growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy makers remain concerned
about the prospects of inflation, even though there are few
B. growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy makers remain concerned
about the prospects of inflation, even though there are few
C. that growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and the policy makers remain concerned
about the prospects of inflation, even though there are little
D. growth had accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and the policy makers remain
concerned about the prospects of inflation, even though there are little
E. that growth accelerated after slowing in the second quarter and that the policy makers remain concerned
about the prospects of inflation, even though there are few

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4. Unbiased third-party "clean" teams can protect sensitive data while assessing the business rationale of a deal,
helping to develop an integrated business plan, and supporting negotiations.
A. while assessing the business rationale of a deal, helping to develop an integrated business plan, and
supporting
B. while also assessing the business concerns for a deal, as well as helping the development of an integrated
business plan, and to support the
C. and assess the rationale of a deal from a business perspective, help the development of an integrated
business plan, and supporting relevant
D. while facilitating the assessment of a business rationale of a deal, help to develop a business plan of
integration, and supporting the
E. and assist the assessment of the deal‘s business rationale, helping to develop an integrated plan for the
business, and support

5. Rather than accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus was sent by the king
and queen of Spain to see if he could reach India by traveling west.
A. Rather than accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus was sent by the
king and queen of Spain to see if he could reach India by traveling west.
B. Rather than accepting the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus was sent by the
king and queen of Spain to see if he could reach India by sailing west.
C. Instead of accepting the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus sailed west to
see whether he could reach India, having been sent by the king and queen of Spain.
D. Rather than accept the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus sailed west to see
whether he could reach India, having been sent by the king and queen of Spain.
E. Instead of accepting the conventional wisdom that the earth was flat, Christopher Columbus was sent by the
king and queen of Spain to sail west to see if he could reach India.

6. After moving to Switzerland in the 1890‘s, Albert Einstein attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in
Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis and developing a foundation for his future work in
mathematics.
A. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis
and developing
B. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis
and developed
C. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis,
and he developed
D. attended the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, received in-depth training in quantitative analysis,
developing
E. attending the Swiss Federal Polytechnic School in Zurich, receiving in-depth training in quantitative analysis,
and developing

7. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and Shakespeare's plays all represent great achievements in
human history.
A. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and Shakespeare's plays all represent great achievements
in human history.
B. Michelangelo, Edison, and Shakespeare all represent great achievements in human history.
C. All great achievements in human history are represented by the art of Michelangelo, theinventions of Edison,
and the plays of Shakespeare.
D. The art of Michelangelo, the inventions of Edison, and the plays of Shakespeare all represent great
achievements in human history.
E. Michelangelo‘s art, Edison‘s inventions, and Shakespeare's plays represent all greatachievements in human
history.

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8. Researchers have discovered a new species of sparrow that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly
dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely
different from all other sparrows.
A. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows
on cypress trees and whose coloring is completely different from
B. that lives only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows
on cypress trees, and has coloring completely different from that of
C. living only in cypress groves, is almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type ofvine that grows on
cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from
D. that lives only in cypress groves, almost wholly dependent on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows
on cypress trees, and whose coloring is completely different from that of
E. living only in cypress groves, depending almost wholly on the berries of a certain type of vine that grows on
cypress trees, and having coloring completely different than

9. When buying clothes, smart customers usually consider how much the item costs, how good it looks, and its
durability.(IBA BBA 2004-05)
A. its durability
B. if it is durable
C. the durability of it
D. the ability of the item to last
E. how well it wears

10. Foods high in tryptophan, an amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin, can help people to fall asleep by
reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in regulating the sleep cycle.
A. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in regulating
B. means of reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and in the regulation of
C. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulation of
D. reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulating
E. means of reducing anxiety, relaxing the brain, and regulating

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Parallelism Solutions
Basic

1. The English teacher had unpleasant, nasal tone, but conveyed the information clearly and humorously.
2. The coach told his players to get plenty of water, not eat sugary snacks and be sure they get plenty of sleep.
3. Benefits of coaching include: knowing each player, helping that player improve and seeing that person succeed in
life.
4. At the party, my sister helped us make the cake, gathered the kids for games, cleaned up the mess,
and drove some kids home.
5. Exercises I enjoy doing are running marathons, swimming lengths in a pool, riding my bicycle in the park
and walking along the trails in a forest.
6. We must either change the laws about drunk driving or start enforcing them more strictly.
7. The protesters gathered outside, held signs, started shouting loudly and stopped the speaker from being
heard.
8. My sister-in-law loves fad diets and has tried: eating only meat, consuming nothing but
rice, drinking smoothies in the morning (while not restricting anything else), and fasting 12 hours every day.
9. To my horror, my wedding dress looked stained, torn, and wrinkled.
10. Our latest math instructor was enthusiastic, joking, and demanding; in fact, she failed half of the class.

Error Detection

1) B. The two clauses must be parallel: has been so popular would make this clause parallel to the first.

2) C. The phrase not only A but also B indicates a parallel structure. To make the structure parallel, the
phrase should be replaced with by.

3) D. Answer choice (D) is incorrect because it does not follow the rules of parallel structure. One good alternative
is permission to stay up.

4) D. The comparison in the sentence is not parallel. How hard it is to teach one thing should be compared to how
hard it is to teach another thing. Therefore choice (D) should be changed from teaching to teach.

5) A. The first two items in the list are simple nouns, so to maintain parallelism the phrase in choice (A) should be
eliminated.

6) D. The sentence is not parallel. The first two items in the list establish the pattern: to sag (infinitive), to brown
(infinitive). So the last item in the list should also be an infinitive to have a sticky thick crust.

7) D. The phrase not only A but also B indicates a parallel structure. To make the structure parallel, the
phrase should instead be but also feeling dizzy.

8) D. The list in the original sentence is not parallel. Since devotion and betrayal are abstract nouns, the final item in
the list should also be an abstract noun: redemption.

9) B. This is an incorrect parallel form. The correct form is neither A nor B.

10) A. This is a violation of parallelism. Omit the word being.

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Sentence Correction
1. The list of creators, "by a professional writer, a blogger, and by individual users "violates the principle of
parallelism in two ways. First, while "a professional writer" and" a blogger" are singular, the third element in the
list, "individual users," is plural. Second, the word "by" introduces the first and third elements in the list ("by a
professional writer . . . by individual users") but not the second element in the list ("ablogger"). To create a
parallel sentence, the word "by" should introduce the entire list and should not be repeated. In addition to the
parallelism problem, the subject of the underlined portion is the singular "market" which does not agree with the
plural verb phrase "are expanding.
(E) CORRECT. The phrase "created by professional writers, bloggers, and individual users" lists elements in
parallel form. Each element in the list is plural and the entire list is introduced by the word "by" which is correctly
not repeated. In addition, the singular subject "market" agrees with the singular verb phrase "is expanding."

2. (A) CORRECT. This choice properly follows rules of parallel construction and uses the introductory phrase to
correctly modify the noun ―surfing.‖

3. The original is correct. The equivalent elements, ―that growth had accelerated...‖and― that the policy makers
remain...,‖ are parallel clauses beginning with "that." The verb tenses are also correct; the action that occurred in
the most distant past (―had picked up pace‖) uses the past perfect; the later past event (―statement also said‖)
uses the simple past. Also, ―few‖ is correct, since it modifies the quantifiable noun "signs."
(A) CORRECT. This choice is correct as it repeats the original sentence.

4. The sentence maintains a parallel construction, using the ―-ing‖ form of each verb (assessing, helping,
supporting). Finally, the sentence is clear and concise.
(A) CORRECT. The first choice is correct as it repeats the original sentence.

5. The original sentence contains several errors. First, the construction "X rather than Y" requires parallelism
between X and Y, but the original sentence pairs an active verb("accept") with a passive one ("was sent").
Second, the use of "if" in this context is incorrect. "If" is used only to introduce conditional clauses (e.g. ―if X, then
Y‖). Here, "whether" should be used instead of ―if‖ to indicate uncertainty about reaching India by traveling west
(D) CORRECT. This choice uses the construction ―X rather than Y‖ to correctly compare the parallel active verbs
―accept‖ and ―sailed.‖ The uncertainty about reaching India by traveling west is correctly indicated by the word
―whether.‖

6. (A) CORRECT. This answer choice is correct as the original sentence is free of error.

7. The great achievements are presented in a list. "The art of Michelangelo" and "the inventions of Edison" are
parallel to each other, but "Shakespeare's plays" must be changed to "the plays of Shakespeare" to make the
third achievement parallel to the first two.
(D) CORRECT. This choice has parallel structure, which corrects the only error of the original sentence.

247
8. The original sentence intends to identify a sparrow by the fact that it lives in cypress groves, eats certain berries,
and has certain coloring. All these facts about the sparrow must be presented in parallel form. However, in the
original sentence, these facts are presented in different forms. We need to find a choice that presents them all-in
parallel fashion. Moreover, "whose coloring is different from all other sparrows" is incorrect. The sparrow's
coloring is different from the coloring of other sparrows, not from the sparrows themselves. We need to find a
choice that makes this clear.
(B) CORRECT. This choice remedies the parallelism issue: "lives only in...., is almost wholly... and has
coloring..." The comparison issue is also remedied: "has coloring different from that of all other sparrows." The
comparison is now logically drawn between the coloring of the new species and the coloring ("that") of other
species.

9. (E) CORRECT. The three parts starting with ‗how‘ must be parallel. Option E correctly solves this problem by
replacing ―its durability‖ with ―how well it wears‖.

10. A list of three things is underlined in the original sentence, indicating the need to tes tthe sentence for parallelism.
According to the non-underlined portion of the sentence, the three verbs starting each item in the list indicate
how the substance (tryptophan)helps people to fall asleep: by "reducing", "relaxing" and "regulating." At first
glance, it
appears that these 3 verbs - each ending in "ing" - are nicely parallel. However, consider that the list is
introduced by the preposition "by." It should read "by x, y, and z" where x, y, and z are parallel. Instead, the list
reads "by x, y, and in z." The use of the word "in" to introduce the third element in the list throws off the
parallelism and creates a nonsensical phrase: "by . . .in regulating.
(D) CORRECT. This choice corrects the original error by omitting the word "in" when introducing the third item on
the list. The three items now follow the parallel structure" by x, y, and z."

248
Chapter 26
Run-on Sentence

249
250
Run-On Sentence: Most students think they know what a run-on is based on their 6th grade English class. So, when
asked to the students whether the following is a run-on sentence, almost all students say yes:

I took the Patronus Mock test, and I scored an 81, and I sat for IBA exam, and I got in!

Now this sentence may be long, wordy, and awkward, but the sentence is actually NOT a run-on sentence—it's
grammatically correct. The reason it's correct is the use of the word and, which connects all the parts together.

I took the Patronus mock test, I scored an 81, I sat for IBA exam, I got in!

Now this IS a run-on sentence because several complete sentences are being mashed together with just
commas.

The basic form of a run-on is this:

Complete sentence , Complete sentence

A run-on also occurs when there is nothing between the two complete sentences:

Complete sentence Complete sentence

There are four main ways to fix a run-on. Let's go over them one by one with a simple run-on example:

He was hungry, he bought a Chipotle burrito.

Two complete sentences connected only by a comma—definitely a run-on that needs to be fixed.

1. Use Periods

Complete sentence. Complete sentence

He was hungry. He bought a burrito.

2. Use a conjunction
Complete sentence, conjunction complete sentence

He was hungry, so he bought a burrito.

Note that a comma, if necessary, comes before the conjunction (we'll learn more about commas in a future
chapter). Keep the acronym FANBOYS in mind to memorize the list of conjunctions:
For And Nor But Or Yet So

Memorize this list because it's super important.

Now here's a really important point: if two sentences are connected by a word that's not from the FANBOYS list, IT'S
STILL A RUN-ON. This is how the question paper tricks you:

He was hungry, therefore, he bought a Chipotle burrito.

This sentence is wrong because therefore is not a conjunction—it's not a member of FANBOYS. Instead, it's a
transition word pretending to be a conjunction. Other words include however, moreover, in addition to,
nevertheless, and furthermore. These words cannot be used as conjunctions.
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 3. Use the Semi-colon:

Semicolons are the simplest way to edit run-ons, but in everyday speaking and writing, conjunctions are more
common because they better express how two connected sentences are related. The SAT will test you on both ways.
Note that this is also correct:

He was hungry; therefore, he bought a Chipotle burrito.

But this one is INCORRECT:

He was hungry; and he bought a Chipotle burrito.

Do not use both a conjunction and a semicolon. Semicolons require complete sentences on either side. By
putting in a conjunction, the second part is no longer a complete sentence.

4. Change the wording so that you no longer have two complete sentences

This last method encompasses a number of run-on fixes. The best way will usually depend on the sentence we're
working with. We'll go over the most common ways of revising the wording.

A. Dependent Clause:

Incomplete Sentence, complete sentence

Because he was hungry, he bought a tuna burger.

By inserting because in front, the first half is no longer a complete sentence, and we're no longer mashing two
complete sentences together. As a result, we don't need anything more than the comma. Because he was hungry is
a dependent clause—it doesn't make sense by itself. An independent clause is just another term for a complete
sentence or thought like he bought a Chipotle burrito. It makes sense by itself. A dependent clause with an
independent clause is not a run-on and therefore does not require a conjunction or a semicolon.

When it comes to rewording the burrito example, using a dependent clause turns out to be the best solution, but let's
take a look at some examples where other solutions work better.

B. Relative clause (who, which, that)

Wrong: The teacher yelled at Sabrina, she left her homework at home.

Correct: The teacher yelled at Sabrina, who left her homework at home.

C. A noun phrase set off by commas

Wrong: The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, it attracts thousands of tourists each year.

Incorrect: The Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world, attracting thousands of tourists each year.

D. Modifier

Wrong: He is reflecting on the meaning of life, Gabriel is trying to find philosophical answers to life‘s problems.

Correct: Reflecting on the meaning of life, Gabriel is trying to find philosophical answers to life‘s problems.

E. Use and to join verbs

Wrong: Amy turned up the music. She danced like there was no tomorrow.

Correct: Amy turned up the music and danced like there was no tomorrow.

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Exercises
Segment A

Directions: Correct each run-on sentence. There can be several correct answers.

Example: The sun was extremely hot she wanted to swim in the pool.
The sun was extremely hot, so she wanted to swim in the pool.
The sun was extremely hot. She wanted to swim in the pool.
The sun was extremely hot; she wanted to swim in the pool.
Because the sun was extremely hot, she wanted to swim in the pool.

1. Mary and Sandra and Ann are coming to dinner tonight.

__________________________________________________

2. I love cake, I love chocolate, white chocolate is my favorite.

__________________________________________________

3. Green is my favorite color it is the color of the trees and the grass. It reminds me of frogs.

__________________________________________________

4. I like my history class we discuss ancient civilizations.

__________________________________________________

5. The meeting was long, it lasted until midnight.

__________________________________________________

Segment B

Find out the correct choice

1. The idea of a "global village" is fast becoming a reality in the 21st century, it is vital that we enlarge our worldview
and understand the cultures of other nations.
A) NO CHANGE
B) century, with it being vital
C) century, making it vital
D) century, with the result being vital
2. However, developed biomedical methods such as cloning are controversial, in fact, 93% of all Americans oppose
cloning.
A) NO CHANGE
B) controversial, and in fact,
C) controversial, which shows that
D) controversial, indeed,

253
3. Environmentalists have worked hard to rid the river of toxic chemicals, but the population of fish still hasn't
recovered to previous levels.
A) NO CHANGE
B) chemicals; but
C) chemicals,
D) chemicals, however,
4. One of the foods Korea is famous for is bibimbap, this is a mix of vegetables over rice served in a hot stone bowl.
A) NO CHANGE
B) which is
C) it is
D) that being
5. It is praised as Tarantino's greatest accomplishment, the movie Pulp Fiction interlaces several stories of
seemingly unrelated incidents.
A) NO CHANGE
B) Praised as
C) People praise it as
D) It is

C. Sentence Correction

1. In the Middle Ages, a lord‘s intricate wall hangings were more than mere tapestries they were a measure of his
consequence and wealth.
(A) mere tapestries they were a measure
(B) merely tapestries they were a measure
(C) mere tapestries and were a measure
(D) mere tapestries; they were a measure
(E) mere tapestries, while they were a measure
2. Many classic recordings have been reissued in compact disc format, some perennial favorites have not.
(A) Many classic recordings have been reissued
(B) Many classic recordings have reissued
(C) Many a classic recording have been reissued
(D) Despite many classic recordings which have been reissued
(E) Although many classic recordings have been reissued
3. Asthma is caused by narrowing and clogging of the small tubes called bronchi, they carry air in and out of the lungs.
(A) tubes called bronchi, they carry air
(B) tubes that are called bronchi, they carry air
(C) tubes called bronchi that carry air
(D) tubes which are called bronchi, and they carry air
(E) tubes called bronchi; as they carry air
4. The FCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming, radio stations are taking a closer look
at their broadcasters‘ materials.
(A) The FCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming
(B) The FCC, broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming, has caused
(C) The FCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming, as a result
(D) Since the FCC is broadening its view on what constitutes indecent programming
(E) The FCC, having broadened its view on what constitutes indecent programming

254
5. By establishing strict rules of hygiene in maternity wards, Ignaz Semmelweis saved many women from dying of
childbed fever, this was a fate that many expectant mothers feared.
(A) fever, this was a fate that many expectant mothers feared
(B) fever, since many expectant mothers feared this was their fate
(C) fever, it was a fate of which many expectant mothers were afraid
(D) fever, because many expectant mothers feared this fate
(E) fever, a fate that many expectant mothers feared
6. To say ―My lunch was satisfactory‖ is complimentary, to say ―My lunch was adequate‖ is not.
(A) complimentary, to say
(B) complementary, to say
(C) complementary, however, to say
(D) complimentary, but to say
(E) complementary to saying
7. Life on Earth has taken a tremendous range of forms, but all species arise from the same molecular ingredients,
these ingredients limit the chemical reactions that can occur within cells and so constrain what life can do.
(A) ingredients, these ingredients limit the chemical reactions that can occur within cells
(B) ingredients, these are ingredients that limit the chemical reactions that can occur within cells
(C) ingredients, these ingredients limit the chemical reactions that could occur within cells
(D) ingredients, which limit the chemical reactions that can occur within cells
(E) ingredients; but these ingredients limit the chemical reactions that can occur within cells
8. Acupuncture has been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions, studies have repeatedly endorsed
its usefulness.
(A) Acupuncture has been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions, studies
(B) Although acupuncture having been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions, studies
(C) Acupuncture has been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions, and studies
(D) Due to the fact that acupuncture has been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions, studies
(E) Because acupuncture has been widely used for years to ease chronic pain conditions is the reason why
studies
9. Paleontologists disputed the authenticity of the discovery, it was believed rather that it was an elaborate hoax.
(A) discovery, it was believed rather that
(B) discovery; they believed that
(C) discovery; but instead they believed that
(D) discovery in believing that
(E) discovery, it being believed that
10. The discovery was made by a team of scientists trying to locate a gene responsible for producing a particular
enzyme, but they found instead a set of genetic triggers for a predisposition to heart disease.
(A) scientists trying to locate a gene responsible for producing a particular enzyme, but they found instead
(B) scientists; trying to locate a gene responsible for producing a particular enzyme, but they found instead
(C) scientists who, trying to locate a gene responsible for producing a particular enzyme, instead found
(D) scientists that tried to locate a gene responsible for producing a particular enzyme, instead finding
(E) scientists who instead, in trying to find a gene responsible for producing a particular enzyme, found

255
Run-on Sentence Solutions
Exercise - B

1. C
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. B

Exercise - C

1. D. Comma splice. The use of the semicolon both corrects the run-on sentence and effectively contrasts the two
clauses

2. E. Error in coordination and subordination. The introduction of the conjunction although corrects the run-on
sentence and provides a logical relationship between the clauses.

3. C. Run-on sentence. Do not link two independent clauses with a comma.

4. D. Error in comma splice. The punctuation in Choices A and C creates a run-on sentence. Choices B and E are
both ungrammatical. Choice D corrects the run-on sentence by changing the beginning clause into the adverb
clause that starts with the subordinating conjunction since

5. E. Run-on sentence. Choice E eliminates the original comma splice to produce a balanced sentence.

6. D. Choices A, B, and C are examples of comma splice sentences. Choices B, C, and E also confuse the
meanings of complementary and complimentary. Choice E leaves the verb is not without a subject. Choice D
corrects the comma splice and adds no other errors.

7. D. Run-on sentence. Choice D provides a replacement that is both grammatical and concise

8. C. Run-on sentence. Do not link two independent clauses with a comma. The addition of the connective and in
Choice C corrects the error.

9. B. This is a run-on sentence because it joins two independent clauses with only a comma. The second clause is
also unnecessarily vague. It uses the passive voice to obscure the subject, which should be the same as that in
the previous clause—paleontologists. Choice (B) joins the clauses appropriately with a semicolon, and clarifies
the subject of the second clause.

10. C The original phrasing breaks the idea into two independent clauses. But since it conveys one central idea, it is
more effectively phrased with a single independent clause and a modifying phrase. Choice (C) does this
effectively, idiomatically, and concisely.

256
Chapter 27
Punctuation

257
258
Comma Rules

1. Commas after introductory words and clauses

 Quietly, she ran past the sleeping man. (adverbs)

 Wow, my sister came home from college. (interjections)
 If I see your sister, I'll call you. (subordinate adverb clauses)

2. Commas with lists

When you list three or more things, use commas between the words.

 I would like grapes, apples, and cookies.

 Are we having fish, chicken, or beef for dinner?

3. Commas between multiple modifiers (Adjectives & Adverbs)

 My new car ran quietly, quickly, and smoothly.

 I love this warm, fuzzy, pink sweater!
 It was a bright, sunny day

4. Commas with numbers

When a number is over 999, use commas to separate the numbers.

 I paid $3,500 for my new boat.

 The house is $600,000.

5. Commas with dates and addresses

 November 1, 2015
 I live in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
 Send the package to 5154 Smith Street, Los Angeles, California 92674.

6. Commas with quotations

When you are quoting someone's exact speech, you must use quotation marks and a comma.

 My sister exclaimed, "You came home!"

 "I missed you," I said.

259
7. Commas joining independent clauses

When you join two independent clauses, use a comma and a coordinating conjunction. When you have two
independent clauses joined only by a comma, it's called a comma splice. You should avoid comma splices.

 I love cats, but I also love dogs.

 Can you come, or should I go?
 My sister had a ballet performance, and my brother had an orchestra concert.

8. Commas setting off nonrestrictive (Nonessential) elements

Nonrestrictive elements add information to the sentence, but they are not essential to the meaning of the
sentence. We could remove them from the sentence, and the sentence would still make sense. You can read
more about this on the appositives page.

 My sister, a French teacher, lived in France for two years.

 Mike and Bri graduated from UWEC, my alma mater.

Semicolons
1. We use these to separate two complete sentences that are closely related.
 I went to the play; my cousin was the main actor.

Colons
1. Introducing lists
When we want to introduce a list of things in any part of a sentence, we start off the list using a colon.
 There are three ways that I love to relax: reading magazines, practicing yoga, and taking baths.
2. Introducing similar items
We use a colon to introduce a single thing, only when we want to emphasize it.
 After shopping for 8 hours, I finally found them: the perfect pair of jeans.

3. Between two complete sentences

A colon can be used between two complete sentences, only under the condition that the second sentence states a
logical consequence of whatever in stated in the first sentence.
 Jim ate brownies constantly: He gained seven pounds.

Difference between the usage of comma and semicolon:

(wrong)
I know those students however, they've changed.

(right)
I know these streets, however, they've changed.

I know these streets: however, they've changed. (right).

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Periods

1. Ending sentences

We use these to end declarative sentences and imperative sentences.

 The sun is shining today.

 Open the door.
2. Abbreviations

We use periods at the end of abbreviated words to indicate that the words are short for something.

 Not all students from St. Joseph try for IBA, but the ones that do have very good chances.

Question marks
1. Ending sentences
We use these to end interrogative sentences. These kinds of sentences ask questions. So, any time we ask a
question, we end the sentence with a question mark.
 Should I study for the D-unit exam or the IBA admission test?
Exclamation marks
1. Ending sentences
We use these at the end of exclamatory sentences. These sentences express emotion.
 We won the game!
2. Interjections
It is okay to use either an exclamation mark or a comma after an interjection.
 Yes! We won the game!

Apostrophes
The punctuation rules for apostrophes are some of the most commonly misused punctuation rules ever. There are
only 3 cases where we should use apostrophes.
1. To show possession
We use apostrophes when we want to express ownership or possessiveness over an object.
 This is Mark‘s cat.
 Don‘t ever go into the teachers‘ lounge

2. To show omission
Contractions use apostrophes in place of missing letters.
 I can‘t (cannot) stand the smell of bananas.
 It‘s 12 o‘clock (of the clock) right now.

3. To form strange plurals

We use apostrophes to make lowercase letters plural.
 Dot the I‘s and cross the t‘s.

Quotation marks
1. Quoting exact speech
Whenever we quote someone‘s exact speech, we use quotation marks.
 The police officer said, ―Where are you going?‖

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 2. Titles
We use quotation marks to show the titles of magazine articles, chapters, short stories, etc.
 Our homework today is to read chapter 6, ―The Lovely Rose Garden.‖

Exceptional rules
1. Punctuation Must be Parallel
When punctuation is parallel it means that interrupting a main clause with a dash or a comma requires the same
punctuation at both the beginning and end of the clause.
 Incorrect: The teenagers, students from Mrs. Smith's art class-went on a field trip to the museum.
 Correct: The teenagers, students from Mrs. Smith's art class, went on a field trip to the museum.
 Correct: The teenagers-students from Mrs. Smith's art class-went on a field trip to the museum.
This rule also means that you should not use a semicolon to set off just one item in a list.
 Incorrect: I have lived in Des Moines, Iowa, Seattle, Washington; and Boise, Idaho.
 Correct: I have lived in Des Moines, Iowa; Seattle, Washington; and Boise, Idaho.

2. Em dash
An em dash (the longest of the three dashes) can be used for many of the same purposes as a comma. A pair of em
dashes might be used if the sentence already contains commas. Similarly, it might be used to mark off information for
emphasis. An em dash can also act alone, drawing attention to a modifier or an extra piece of information. Here are a
few examples:
 Sarah hated walking to school-it was all uphill-but she had no choice, she had missed the bus again.
 For his birthday, Mark received a sweater, a jacket, a savings bond-and a new bike!
 Pizza, chocolate, and ice cream-these are my favorite foods.

3. Parentheses Show Related, Nonessential Elements EM DASH IS LARGER IN SIZE

Parentheses can be used to show elements in a sentence that are related but not necessary to understand the
meaning of the sentence. Parentheses can be replaced by commas in most cases, although the use of parentheses
tends to de-emphasize a piece of information.
 My family visited several countries (Italy, France, Portugal, and Spain) on our vacation last year.
If the information inside the parentheses forms a complete sentence within the larger sentence, no punctuation is
necessary.
 Incorrect: The snow (April saw it when she passed the window.) completely covered the trees.
 Correct: The snow (April saw it when she passed the window) completely covered the trees.

4. Apostrophes Show Possession or Indicate an Omission

An apostrophe is used to show possession or ownership. An apostrophe and an -s should be added to singular
possessive nouns, plural possessive nouns that do not end in -s, and singular possessive nouns that end in -s. Only
an apostrophe should be used when showing possession or ownership for a plural possessive noun that ends in -s.
Singular possessive noun: Susan's book
Singular possessive noun ending in -s: Chris's car
Plural possessive nouns: the children's school
Plural possessive noun that ends in -s: my parents' house

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Exercises
Punctuation
1. The difference between jobs is that one is exciting; the other, boring (BBA 2004-05)
a) one is exciting; the other, boring
b) of one being exciting, the other is boring
c) one is exciting, the other being boring
d) one is exciting, although the other is boring
e) of an exciting one and one that is boring

2. Found even in ancient Egyptian mummies, the parasitic Guinea worm became the focus of a global public health
campaign in 1986; this species of parasite has declined for two decades, and may finally be eradicated from the
earth by 2010.
a) Found even in ancient Egyptian mummies, the parasitic Guinea worm became the focus of a global public
health campaign in 1986; this species of parasite has
b) Being the focus of a global public health campaign since 1986 and found even in ancient Egyptian mummies;
the population of the parasitic Guinea worm has
c) Having been the focus of a global public health campaign in 1986, it was found even in ancient Egyptian
mummies; the frequency of the parasitic Guinea worm
d) Being found even in ancient Egyptian mummies and having been the focus of a global public health campaign
since 1986, the frequency of the parasitic Guinea worm
e) Having been found even in ancient Egyptian mummies and being the focus of a global public health campaign
since 1986, the parasitic Guinea worm species

3. Alpacas' fleece is worth surprisingly little compared to their market value; a top breeding specimen bringing
upwards of $100,000 even if five pounds of fleece fetches only $80 to$240.
a) Alpacas' fleece is worth surprisingly little compared to their market value; a top breeding specimen bringing
upwards of $100,000 even if five pounds of fleece fetches
b) Alpacas' fleece is worth surprisingly little in comparison with its market value; a top breeding specimen
bringing upwards of $100,000 while five pounds of fleece fetches
c) The fleece of the alpaca is worth surprisingly little compared to its market value, while a top breeding
specimen can bring upwards of $100,000 even though five pounds of fleece fetch
d) The fleece of the alpaca is worth surprisingly little compared to the animal's market value; atop breeding
specimen can bring upwards of $100,000 while five pounds of fleece fetch
e) The worth of the alpaca's fleece is surprisingly little compared to the animal's market value; atop breeding
specimen can bring upwards of $100,000 even though five pounds of fleece fetches

263
4. During the past decade, the labor market in France has not been operating according to free market principles,
but instead stifling functioning through its various government regulations restricting the hiring and firing of
workers.
a) principles, but instead stifling functioning through its various government regulations restricting the hiring and
firing of workers
b) principles, instead it has been functioning in a stifled manner as a result of various government regulations
that restrict the hiring and firing of workers
c) principles, rather functioning despite being stifled as a result of government regulations that variously restrict
worker hiring and firing
d) principles; the hiring and firing of workers is restricted there by various government regulations, its functioning
being stifled
e) principles; instead, its functioning has been stifled by various government regulations restricting the hiring and
firing of workers

5. In his laws of motion, which now form the core of classical mechanics, Isaac Newton clearly and concisely
introduced three important physical ideas: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration,
and the coupled nature of forces.
a) three important physical ideas: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and the
coupled nature of forces
b) three important physical ideas; the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and
that forces were coupled in nature
c) three important physical ideas; the concept of inertia, force and acceleration were related, and the coupled
nature of forces
d) three important physical ideas, the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and acceleration, and he
also introduced the coupled nature of forces
e) three important ideas that were physical in nature: the concept of inertia, the relationship between force and
acceleration, and the coupled nature of forces

6. Congestion pricing, the practice of charging a fee for driving into the busiest areas of a city atthe busiest times; it
has more support from economists than do politicians.
a) at the busiest times; it has more support from economists than do politicians
b) at the busiest times, has more support among economists than among politicians
c) at the busiest times; it has more support among economists than among politicians
d) at the busiest times, has more support from economists than do politicians
e) at the busiest times, it has more support from economists than from among politicians

264
7. Municipal governments are beginning to confront the growing pension liabilities; this leads local politicians
throughout the country to become increasingly vocal about restraining costs and limiting services.
a) the growing pension liabilities; this leads
b) their growing pension liabilities; leading
c) the growth in their pension liabilities, which leads
d) their growing pension liabilities, leading
e) their growing pension liabilities, that leads

8. The county cleared this path and paved it with packed gravel, so people would have a peaceful place to hike and
bike.
A. path, paving
B. path and then paved
C. path before paving
D. path paved
E. None of these

9. There was only one thing to do; study till dawn.

A. NO CHANGE
B. to do, study
C. to do study
D. to do-study
E. None of these

10. The automobile dealer handled three makes of cars, Volkswagens, Porsches, and Mercedes Benz.
A. NO CHANGE
B. cars, Volkswagens, Porsches and Mercedes Benz
C. cars: Volkswagens, Porsches, and Mercedes Benz
D. cars. Volkswagens, Porsches, and Mercedes Benz
E. None of these

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Punctuation Solutions
1. A
The original sentence is correct.
2. A
The original sentence is correct.
3. D
The punctuation and grammar of this sentence is correct.
4. E
Not only is the punctuation of this sentence correct, but it is also more concise compared to the other
alternatives.
5. A
The original sentence is correct.
6. D
The other options lack a viable verb.
7. D
Option D fixes the parallelism error while being concise.
8. B
Two different actions are described, hence ‗and‘ must be used.
9. D
Because the ‗one thing‘ is being referred to, hyphen must be used.
10. C
Since numerous classifications are listed, colon must be used after ‗cars‘

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Chapter 28
Common Errors

267
268
There are a lot of rules about the usage of English grammar that are out of the ordinary and fall under no certain
discipline of grammar. These rules are very hard to come by and considering the content of the English section of the
IBA Admission test throughout the years, it is of utmost importance that you study and remember all these rules by
heart.

1. Illogical comparison

When you compare two things that can‘t really be compared, then it‘s a mistake.

 Incorrect: The people in my office are smarter than other offices.

 Correct: The people of my office are smarter than that of other offices.
 Incorrect: Synthetic oils burn more efficiently than organic oils.
 Correct: Synthetic oils burn more efficiently than organic oils do.

2. Spoonfuls of Spoonsful?

The correct plural forms of spoonful and handful are spoonfuls and handfuls respectively and not spoonsful and
handsful.

 Incorrect: I like spoonsful of sugar in my coffee.

 Correct: I like spoonfuls of sugar in my coffee.

3. Just More Appropriate

 Okay: Of the many decisions facing the energy commission as it meets to decide on new directions
for the new century, the question of the future of nuclear energy is for certain the more perplexing.
 Appropriate: Of the many decisions facing the energy commission as it meets to decide on new directions
for the new century, the question of the future of nuclear energy is certainly the most perplexing.

4. Ethics

‗Ethics‘ is usually used as plural; ‗Ethic‘ is the singular usage.

5. Use of ‗May‘

‗May‘ is usually appropriate to use for sentences asking for or granting permission.

 Correct: May I go out for a walk?

 Correct: Yes, you may.

6. Use of ‗Ought‘

‗Ought‘ is generally comfortable with words that concern themselves with what is right or correct, or even, what should be.

 Correct: I think you ought to tell the major what you did.
7. Use of ‗Should‘

The application of ‗should‘ is a little ambiguous, but the word can be used mostly in the following 3 cases

 To express certainty.
Correct: You should definitely play the next part.
 To ask for permission from a person on the same level as you are.
Correct: Should I consult a faculty before I write this?
 To signify something that you‘re expected to do.
Correct: I should take care of my habit no matter the consequences.
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8. Each vs Every

Using either ‗each‘ or ‗every‘ means we are talking about a set of particular items belonging to a group. Now, using
‗each‘ emphasizes on each of these items as individuals, but using ‗every‘ emphasizes on the objects, but not in the
same individualistic sense.

9. Referring to sentences
 Incorrect: Schliemann determined at the age of seven to find the site of ancient Troy and
devoted his subsequent career to do it.
 Correct: Schliemann determined at the age of seven to find the site of ancient Troy and
devoted his subsequent career to finding it.

10. As much as vs Much as

As much as indicates equality whereas, much as indicates ―though‖.

 Correct: Much as I‘d like to invite you, it isn‘t in my best interest to do so.
 Incorrect: As much as I‘d like to invite you, it isn‘t in my best interest to do so.
 Correct: I‘d like for Trump to win just as much as you do.
 Incorrect: I‘d like for Trump to win much as you do.

11. Commonly misused words

Clichés means formulas (plural). Cliché means formula (singular).

12. Advice vs Advise

‗Advice‘ is a noun and ‗Advise‘ is a verb.

 Incorrect: I don‘t know much about cricket, so don‘t rely on my advise on this.
 Correct: I don‘t know much about cricket, so don‘t rely on my advice on this.
 Incorrect: I would rather that you let me advice you on this.
 Correct: I would rather that you let me advise you on this.

13. Less vs Few

We use ‗less‘ when we associate the word with an uncountable noun; for countable nouns we use ‗few‘.

 Incorrect: The company fired no less than 50 employees this week.

 Correct: The company hired no fewer than 50 employees this week.

14. Among vs Between

We use ‗between‘ only when we need to choose from two options. For more than two options we use ‗among‘.

 Incorrect: Among the two of my friends, I like Heimdall better.

 Correct: Between the two of my friends, I like Heimdall better.

15. Whether vs If

We use ‗whether‘ only when two options are discussed and use ‗if‘ when more than two options are discussed.

 Incorrect: I am contemplating whether I should buy a laptop, a suit, or a PS4.

 Correct: I am contemplating if I should buy a laptop, a suit, or a PS4.

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16. Compared to vs Compared with

When we show a comparison between unlike things, we use ‗compare to‘. When a comparison is between like
things, we use ‗compared with‘.

 Incorrect: He compared her with a summer‘s day.

 Correct: He compared her to summer‘s day.
 Incorrect: The police compared the forged signature to the original.
 Correct: The police compared the forged signature with the original.

17. Each

The traditional rule still holds true i.e. "the subject of a sentence beginning with each is grammatically singular".
But there is another rule, which says that when each follows a plural subject, the verb and subsequent pronouns
remain in the plural form.

 Incorrect: The apartments each has their own private entrances.

 Correct: The apartments each have their own private entrances.

18. That vs Which

Using that/which in a sentence correctly can be very tricky. But there is a short trick we can use to give us an
understanding of which alternative to use.

Remember, ‗which‘ is as disposable from a sentence as Mithun is from the national cricket team. If you face the
dilemma of having to choose that/which in a sentence, first identify the clause that starts with the that/which in
question. Then judge whether the clause is disposable or not. If taking out the clause from the sentence does not
change the meaning of the sentence and only takes a bit of information out of the sentence, then the clause is
disposable. And disposable clauses start with ‗which‘. Non-disposable clauses stat with ‗that‘. Most of the times,
disposable clauses are enclosed by commas on both sides.

 Choice: My office building, which/that is three stories high, just caught on fire.
 Correct: My office building, which is three stories high, just caught on fire.

Explanation: The meaning of the given sentence states that ―I have an office building that is 3 stories high, and
further states that the building caught on fire.‖ If we take out the clause that begins with that/which from the sentence,
the new sentence would be something like this.

My office building just caught on fire.

This sentence now states, ―I have an office building and it just caught on fire.‖ Although the new sentence lacks some
exciting information that the earlier mentioned sentence did not, the meaning portrayed by the new sentence is still
the same as the earlier one i.e. the statement that my office has just caught on fire. This tells us that the clause
starting with that/which is disposable and that tells us that we should use ‗which‘ in the sentence.

 Choice: To be yourself in a world that/which is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest
accomplishment.
 Correct: To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest
accomplishment.

19. Quick tip

 Incorrect: A Mercedes is more expensive than usual for a car.
 Correct: A Mercedes is more expensive than is usual for a car.

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20. Who else but he/him?
 Incorrect: Whom were you expecting? Who else but he.
 Correct: Who were you expecting? Who else but him.

Simply because of the following reason; if the question is ‗Who was coming?‘ ‗He was coming‘ would be the answer.
Not ‗him was coming‘. Your husband doesn't believe that you are older than (me, I) Correct option would be ‗I‘. Your
husband doesn‘t believe that you are older than I (am).

21. That vs Because

‗That‘ is a conjunction of consequence while ‗Because‘ is a conjunction of reason. That is why when you say, ―The
reason I did this is because it benefited me.‖, the sentence is ungrammatical. This is also a redundancy error or
sorts. The correct sentence would be, ―The reason I did this is that it benefited me.‖

22. Quick tips

1. Incorrect: Students give the exam.
Correct: Students take the exam.
2. Incorrect: Teachers take the exam.
Correct: Teachers give the exam.
3. Incorrect: I am going to become bald.
Correct: I am going to go bald.
4. Incorrect: I am in no way associated to this person.
Correct: I am in no way associated with this person.

23. Universal truth

A universal truth always takes a verb in present tense.

 Incorrect: Galileo said, Earth revolved around the sun.

 Correct: Galileo said, Earth revolves around the sun.

24. Not __ but__ vs Rather than

―Not __ but __‖ represents actual fact and ―rather than‖ represents preference.

 Incorrect: Pucci is a dog rather than a cat.

 Correct: Pucci is not a dog but a cat. (Represents actual fact)
 Correct: I want a dog rather than a cat. (Represents preference)

25. Childish vs Childlike

‗Childish‘ implies silly behavior while ‗childlike‘ implies innocence.

 Incorrect: I don‘t like his childlike behavior.

 Correct: I don‘t like his childish behavior.

26. Double possessiveness

Sentences in which double possessiveness has been used, sometimes appear to be grammatically incorrect. But it is
important that you know that the usage of double possessiveness is widely accepted.

 Correct: He is a friend of my uncle‘s.

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27. Due to

Due to can be used only as a replacement of caused by and certainly not because.

 Incorrect: The game was postponed due to rain.

 Correct: The game was postponed because of rain.
 Correct: The game‘s postponement was due to (caused by) rain.

28. So as

‗So‘ and ‗as‘ cannot be used together.

 Incorrect: He exercises every day so as to build his stamina.

 Correct: He exercises every day in an effort to build his stamina.

29. Like vs As

‗Like‘ is used to compare people/noun/things. Whereas, ‗as‘ is used to compare clauses.

Incorrect: Romeo and Juliet, as Humpty Dumpty, were extremely stupid.

 Correct: Romeo and Juliet, like Humpty Dumpty, were extremely stupid.
 Incorrect: Just like jogging is a great exercise, swimming is a great one too.
 Correct: Just as jogging is a great exercise, swimming is a great one too.

30. Each other vs One another

When there are two people involved, we use ‗each other‘. When there are more than two people involved, we use ‗one
another‘

 Incorrect: Ross and Rachel loved one another.

 Correct: Ross and Rachel loved each other.
 Incorrect: The three brothers do not like each other at all.
 Correct: The three brothers do not like one another at all.

31. ‗As long as‘ vs ‗So long as‘

‗As long as‘ deals with physical comparisons such as time, length, etc. ‗So long as‘ deals with conditions.

 Incorrect: As long as you maintain your cool; your relationship should be fine.
 Correct: So long as you maintain your cool; your relationship should be fine.
 Correct: The baseball bat was as long as the club.

32. Will vs Would

‗Will‘ is used to express future/certainty. ‗Would‘ is used for wish/possibility.

 Incorrect: I would definitely vouch for you in the future if you do me a favor now.
 Correct: I will definitely vouch for you in the future if you do me a favor now.

33. Conditionals

If a sentence begins with a conditional clause, then the next/ending clause has to be a certainty. If the
second/last/ending clause is anything but a certainty, there is a redundancy error in the sentence.

 Incorrect: If the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, water can freeze.
 Correct: If the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius, water will freeze.

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34. Concerned for vs Concerned with

‗Concerned for‘ means worried/anxious. ‗Concerned with means‘ involved with.

 Incorrect: He is concerned for the election committee.

 Correct: He is concerned with the election committee.

35. Sentence Fragments

Every sentence must contain at least one complete independent clause. If there is no independent clause at all, or if
what‘s supposed to be the independent clause is incomplete, you‘ve got a sentence fragment.

 Incorrect: While many people, who have worked hard for many years, have not managed to save any
money, although they are trying to be more frugal now.
 Correct: Most people, who have worked hard for many years, have not managed to save any money,
although they are trying to be more frugal now.

36. Quick tips

1. Incorrect: The greatest change in my life was when I immigrated to the US.
Correct: The greatest change in my life occurred when I immigrated to the US.
2. Incorrect: This pen is a bargain because it is only ten cents.
Correct: This pen is a bargain because it costs only ten cents.

37. May vs Might

‗May‘ has a more concrete meaning, so this word is commonly used in statements about facts. ‗Might‘ is a little less
tangible and tends to be used in expressions of things that don‘t yet exist.

 Correct: I might take your advice if the circumstances force me to.

 Correct: I may take your advice if the situation demands it.

38. Quick tips

1. Credit with – To give or assign responsibility.
 Correct: Thomas Edison is credited with the invention of the light bulb.
Credit to – To give money.
 Correct: The bank credited $1 million to my father‘s account.
Credit for – Money received in exchange of something.
 Correct: The customer received a $20 credit for the massive interruption.
2. ‗Data‘ is the plural form of ‗Datum‘. ‗Crises‘ is the plural form of ‗Crisis‘.
Incorrect: All the data from the hard drive was lost.
Correct: All the data from the hard drive were lost.
3. Incorrect: Hopefully, the crisis ends.
Correct: I hope that the crisis ends.
4. Incorrect: During two hours, I felt sleepy.
Correct: During the last two hours, I have felt sleepy.
5. Incorrect: Both of them did not go to school.
Correct: Neither of them went to school.
6. Incorrect: Josh has not come also.
Correct: Josh has not come either.

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39. Negative sentences and conjunctions

If a negative word is used in a sentence, the conjunction should be ‗or‘ and not ‗and‘.

 Incorrect: He did not speak loudly and clearly.

 Correct: He did not speak loudly or clearly.

40. Quick tips

Incorrect: To cut one‘s hair.

Correct: Have one‘s haircut.

Incorrect: Today morning, today afternoon, this night, yesterday afternoon.

Correct: This morning, This afternoon, tonight, last afternoon.

Incorrect: Search a lost thing.

Correct: Search for a lost thing.

Incorrect: Wish a thing.

Correct: Wish for a thing.

Incorrect: Dispose a thing.

Correct: Dispose of a thing.

41. Comprised of

‗Comprise of‘ can only be used in passive sentences.

 Incorrect: The team then, comprised of 20 members.

 Correct: The team then, comprised 20 members.

42. Quick tip

 Incorrect: Mobile subscribers base has recorded a rapid growth last year.
 Correct: Mobile subscriber base has recorded a rapid growth last year.

43. Murder vs Assassinate

‗Murder‘ is to kill a person. ‗Assassinate‘ is to kill a person for money or political reasons.

 Incorrect: He was paid a million dollars to murder the president.

 Correct: He was paid a million dollars to assassinate the president.

44. Salary vs Wage

‗Salary‘ is a fixed sum of money that you earn every month. ‗Wage‘ is a sum of money that you earn per hour.

 Incorrect: He has a wage of BDT 80,000 per month.

 Correct: He has a salary of BDT 80,000 per month.

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45. Injury vs Wound

‗Injury‘ is damage to the body. ‗Wound‘ is damage to the body as a result of clash/conflict.

 Incorrect: He was wounded in the car crash.

 Correct: He was injured in the car crash.

46. Ambiguity
 Incorrect: They serve meals on many of the buses that run from Santiago to Antofagasta.
 Correct: Meals are served on many of the buses that run from Santiago to Antofagasta.

47. One and You

When we give advice to others or make general statements, we often use the pronouns one and you. If you use ‗you‘
to refer to someone at the beginning of a sentence, later on in the sentence you have to use ‗you‘ to refer to the
same person again. Bur, if you use ‗one‘ to refer to someone at the beginning of a sentence, later on in the sentence
you can use one/ he/ she to refer to that person again.

 Incorrect: One shouldn‘t eat a high-fat diet and avoid exercise, and then be surprised when you gain weight.
 Correct: One shouldn‘t eat a high-fat diet and avoid exercise, and then be surprised when one gains
weight.
 Correct: You shouldn‘t eat a high-fat diet and avoid exercise, and then be surprised when you gain weight.

48. Active / Passive

Don‘t put one clause of a sentence in the active voice and one in the passive if there‘s any way to avoid it.

 Incorrect: Richard Strauss wrote Salome, and then Elektra was composed by him.
 Correct: Richard Strauss wrote Salome, and then composed Elektra.

49. Wordiness

It is inappropriate to use more words in forming a sentence than is necessary.

 Incorrect: The supply of musical instruments that are antique is limited, so they become more valuable each
year.
 Correct: The supply of antique musical instruments is limited, so they become more valuable each year.

50. Quick tips

 Incorrect: Easy said than done.
 Correct: Easier said than done.
 Incorrect: I was not convinced in the argument that he had made.
 Correct: I was not convinced of the argument that he had made.
 Incorrect: Show one‘s true color.
 Correct: Show one‘s true colors.
 Incorrect: Can be rest assured
 Correct: Can rest assured.

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51. Agree to vs Agree with

Agree to a proposal but agree with a person. That is, agree to is used with inanimate things and agree with is used
with animate ones.

 Incorrect: I agree with the proposition that the airline manager has made.
 Correct: I agree to the proposition that the airline manager has made.
52. Usual vs Is usual

When something is compared to a subgroup to which it belongs, is usual should be used. When something is
compared to itself, usual is fine.

 Incorrect: A Lamborghini is more expensive than usual for a car.

 Correct: A Lamborghini is more expensive than is usual for a car.

53. Who vs Whom

‗Who‘ is used in place of ‗whom‘ when it is immediately preceded by a verb.

 Incorrect: He is the person whom drove the dogs out of the barn.
 Correct: He is the person who drove the dogs out of the barn.

54. Equal vs Equivalent

‗Equal‘ should be used only in its strict sense. Whereas, we use ‗equivalent‘ in cases where two things are not
entirely identical, but almost equal.

 Incorrect: 4+3 is equivalent to 5+2.

 Correct: 4+3 is equal to 5+2.
 Incorrect: FCC spent 3 crore BDT on its alumni reunion, equal to the annual administrative budget of IBA.
 Correct: FCC spent 3 crore BDT on its alumni reunion, equal to the annual administrative budget of IBA.

277
Exercises
Segment - 1
1. Select the best option.
a) You can use these machines only between 9 A.M and 5 A.M.
b) You can use these machines only 9 A.M and 5 A.M.
c) You can use this machines only between 9 A.M and 5 A.M.
d) You can use these machines just only between 9 A.M and 5 A.M.
e) You can use these machines between only 9 A.M and 5 A.M.
2. Select the best option.
a) The four basic elements that make up all but one percent of terrestrial matter include carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen is also.
b) The four basic elements that make up all but one percent of terrestrial matter including carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen is also.
c) The four basic elements that making up all but one percent of terrestrial matter including carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen is also.
d) The four basic elements that make up all but one percent of terrestrial matter include carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen also.
e) The four basic elements which make up all but one percent of terrestrial matter including carbon, hydrogen,
nitrogen, and oxygen is also.
3. He is ____ he sleeps almost all day long.
a) such lazy that
b) so lazy such that
c) so lazy that
d) so lazy so as to
e) as lazy as
4. The spy managed to pass on the message though the police were watchful. (Find the missing word if any)
a) if
b) their
c) even
d) for
e) No word is missing
5. He could not scarcely but hold back his tears when he heard the sad song.
(Choose the best alternative for the underlined part of the sentence)
a) could not scarcely but hold
b) could not hardly but hold
c) could scarcely hold
d) can scarcely hold
e) None of these
6. One would think that the job is simple, since all you have to do is to make sure that everyone is seated before
A B C
the performance begins. No Error
D E
278
7. There are now many kinds of dictionaries, such as a dictionary of synonyms and antonyms, a biographical
dictionary, and a geographical dictionary with pronunciations given.
(Choose the best alternative for the underlined part of the sentence)
A) with pronunciations given
B) that has pronunciations given
C) with pronunciations' given
D) that have pronunciations given
E) that do have pronunciations given

8. Find the Incorrect sentence

a) The couple in the garden is having a healthy rendezvous.

b) He hurriedly came downstairs with a knife, in his hand.

c) The councilor is not disinterested in my eyes and for that I prevented his taking part in the meeting.

d) Would it be all right if I came around about seven tomorrow?

e) None of those are incorrect.

9. Find the Incorrect sentence

a) The couple in the garden is having a healthy rendezvous.

b) He hurriedly came downstairs with a knife, in his hand.

c) The councilor is not disinterested in my eyes and for that I prevented his taking part in the meeting.

d) Would it be all right if I came around about seven tomorrow?

e) None of those are incorrectly.

10. He was aggravated than we were by the boy‘s behavior.

(Choose the best alternative for the underlined part of the sentence)

a) more aggravated than we were

b) more aggravated than us

c) more annoyed than us

d) more annoyed than we were

e) none of these

279
Segment-2

11. Your argument is no different from the last speaker who also opposes this timely legislation. No error.
A B C D E

12. Muchas I would like to see Jon on the iron throne, him not petting Ghost cannot be excused. No error.

A B C D E

13. Whether Bran respected Tyrion‘s advice enough to make him his hand or he made Tyrion his hand just out of

his gratefulness to Tyrion is something that will always be under speculation. No error.

B C D E

14. No Arya, it‘s not funny comparing an apple pie toa Frey pie. No error.

A B C D E

15. The iron throne, that had been a symbol of power for so many years, was destroyed by

A B C

Drogon in just a minute. No error.

D E

16. Isn‘t this piece more expansive than usual for a watch? No error.

A B C D E

17. I had no idea what was going on in that room, if I had known that the students were giving their exams in there,

A B C

I never would have entered. No error.

D E

18. The exam was postponed due to the ongoing political turmoil. No error.

A B C D E

19. Gregor and Sandor wanted to kill one another all their lives, only to be killed by fire in the end. No error.

A B C D E

20. If a storm destroys IBA today, classes can be suspended tomorrow. No error.

A B C D E

280
Segment-3

21. No matter how much he tried to convince me of his disinterest, I believe that he will always be biased so long as

A B C

he‘s concerned for the election committee. No error.

D E

22. It‘s been a while since I lost the book, I think it‘s about time I searched it. No error.

A B C D E

23. The number of artists that are talented are reducing every year, no wonder the music now a days is of such poor

A B C D

taste. No error.

24. If I agreed with the decision my father made for me, that would be the end of my career right there. No error.

A B C D E

25. If I were offered a million dollars to murder the head of state, I‘d buy a lot of chicken wings with the money.

A B C D

No error.

26. Grameen phone currently has the largest mobile subscribers base in the country. No error.

A B C D E

27. If I were to ever work for a multinational company, my monthly wage would have been in the six digits.

A B C D

No error.

28. I like handsful of coffee in my tea, your not liking any is something that bothers me. No error.

A B C D E

29. I am contemplating if I should buy a gaming PC or a PS4. No error.

A B C D E

30. Who does all the thinking in this household? Who else but her? No error.

A B C D E

281
Common Errors Solution
1. A
Option A is the only alternative which has proper subject verb agreement. Other options contain structural errors
or redundancy.
2. D
‗is also‘ cannot be used at the end of a sentence.
3. C
‗So + Adjective + That‘ is the correct structure.
4. C
If ‗though‘ is not used in the beginning of a sentence, it must be preceded by ‗even‘.
5. C
Using both ‗Could not but‘ and ‗scarcely‘ is a redundancy error. Past tense must be used here.
6. A
If a sentence being with the pronoun reference ‗One‘, the subsequent references must be ‗one‘. Since it is not the
case in this sentence, ‗one‘ is incorrect.
7. B
Since a specific type of dictionary is described here, ‗that‘ must be used.
8. B
The comma is misplaced; it should be after the word ‗downstairs‘.
9. D
Since it is implied that the last speaker already spoke, past tense must be used.
10. B
Since it is an objective phrase, the objective pronoun ‗us‘ must be used.
11. B
The comma is misplaced; it should be after the word ‗downstairs‘.
12. D
A possessive pronoun is used before gerunds. The correct word here is ‗his‘.
13. A
Definite article is never used before a possessive pronoun.
14. B
The correct structure is [adjective + infinitive]. Hence, it should be ‗to compare‘.
15. A
Since a specific object is referred to here, ‗which‘ should be used instead of ‗that‘.
16. B
The correct word here is ‗expensive‘, not ‗expansive.‘
17. B
The sentence is a run-on sentence. It should be separated into two distinct sentences after the word ‗room‘.
18. E
The sentence contains no errors.
282
19. A
The correct phrase here is ‗each other‘.
20. B
Since it is a hypothetical situation, ‗could‘ must be used.
21. C
The correct phrase is ‗as long as‘.
22. A
‗It‘s‘ is an abbreviation of ‗It is‘. The correct phrase here is ‗It has‘.
23. B
Singular verb should be used. [The number of + plural subject + singular verb]
24. C
Since the initial verb is past indefinite tense, the correct verb here is ‗would have been‘.
25. E
The sentence contains no errors.
26. C
Noun adjectives must always be in singular form.
27. A
In order to maintain consistency with the rest of the sentence, the correct verb here is ‗ever worked‘.
28. A
The proper plural form is ‗handfuls‘, not ‗handsful‘.
29. A
When comparing between two things, ‗whether‘ should be used, not ‗if‘.
30. E
The sentence contains no errors.

283
284
Chapter 29
Suffix-Prefix

285
286
Suffixes and prefixes are sets of letters that are used either at the beginning of a word or at the end of a word. These
words have no meaning of their own and cannot be used independently in a sentence.

So, if these sets of letters do not have meaning, why do we use them? Well, when prefixes are added at the
beginning of an existing word, they change the meaning of the word and make an entirely new word. For example,
adding ‗un‘ at the beginning of the word ‗happy‘, forms the new word that is ‗unhappy‘, which is a new word that
means the opposite of what it meant before the prefix was added.

Again, adding suffixes at the end of a word does not create a new word with a new meaning, but simply changes the
class of the word from one class to another. For instance, ‗idol‘ is a noun; but adding the suffix ‗ize‘ at the end of the
words turns the word into an verb ‗idolize‘.

In the IBA admission test, there has been one time where students have been asked to find out the wrong usage of
suffixes and prefixes from a bunch of words. Now, this might be very difficult to do, but there are just two things you
need to study in order to ace this part of the test if it pops up.

1. Know what suffixes/ prefixes mean what and with what kind of words they are used with.
2. Have a reasonably good vocabulary so that you can judge if a suffix/ prefix has been used wrongly with word
or if the suffix/ prefix used with the word would mean something that does not make sense.

Prefix
Prefix Meaning Example
1 a-, an- without, not anesthetic, atheist

2 ab- away, from abject, abscess

3 ad-, a-, ac-, as- to, toward access, admit, assist

4 Ante Before antecedent, anterior

5 anti- Against antibiotics, antioxidant

6 auto- Self autoimmune, autonomous

7 ben- Good benefit, benign

8 bi- two, both bifocals, bipolar

9 circum- Around circumference, circumscribe

10 co-, com-, con- with, together companion, concurrent

11 contra-, counter- Against contradict, counteract

12 de- down, undo, not degenerate, depress

13 di-, dis- lack of, not, apart disadvantage, displacement

14 eu- good, normal eugenics, eulogy

15 ex- (or e-) out (of), former expose, extract

16 exo-, ecto-, extra-, extro- Outside exoskeleton, extraordinary

17 fore- Before foresee, foreshadow

18 hemi- Half hemisphere

287
19 Hyper above, excessive hyperactive, hypertension

20 hypo- under, insufficient hypodermic, hypothetical

21 il-, im-, in-, ir- in, into, not, against illegitimate, inadequate

22 inter- among. Between interpose, intervene

23 intra- Within intramural, intravenous

24 macro- Large macrobiotic, macrocosm

25 mal- Bad malfunction, malignant

26 micro- Small microbe, microscope

27 mis- Wrong misfortune, mistake

28 mono- One monolingual, monopoly

29 multi- Many multiple, multitask

30 non- not, lacking nonfat, nonsense

31 ob-,o-, oc-, op- against, over, completely object, occur, omit, oppose

32 omni- All omnipotent, omnivorous

33 over- too much, general overall, overdone, overview

34 peri- Around peripheral, periscope

35 poly- Many polygamous, polygon

36 post- After postgraduate, postpone

37 pre- Before precede, predict, prevent

38 pro- Forward progress, promotion

39 quad- Four quadriplegic, quadrangle

40 re- again, back reform, retain, regenerate

41 semi- half, partially semiannual, semiconscious

42 sub-, sup-, sus- Under submarine, subtropical

43 super-, supra- above, excessive superlative, suprarenal

44 sym-, syn- with, together sympathy, synthetic

45 trans- across, beyond Transform, transportation

46 tri- Three tricycle, triple

47 ultra- beyond. Excessive ultraliberal, ultrasonic

48 un- Not undeserved, unhappy

49 uni- One uniform, unilateral

288
 Suffix
Noun Suffixes Meaning Example
1 -acy state or quality democracy, accuracy, lunacy
2 -al the action or process of remedial, denial, trial, criminal
3 -ance, -ence state or quality of nuisance, ambience, tolerance
4 -dom place or state of being freedom, stardom, boredom
5 -er, -or person or object that does reader, creator, interpreter, inventor,
a specified action collaborator, teacher
6 -ism doctrine, belief Judaism, skepticism, escapism
7 -ist person or object that does Geologist, protagonist, sexist,
a specified action scientist, theorist, communist
8 -ity, -ty quality of extremity, validity, enormity
9 -ment Condition enchantment, argument
10 -ness state of being heaviness, highness, sickness
11 -ship position held friendship, hardship, internship
12 -sion, -tion state of being position, promotion, cohesion
Verb Suffixes Meaning Example
14 -ate Become mediate, collaborate, create
15 -en Become sharpen, strengthen, loosen
16 -ify, -fy make or become justify, simplify, magnify, satisfy
17 -ise, -ize Become publicize, synthesize, hypnotize
Adjective Suffixes Meaning Example
18 -able, -ible capable of being edible, fallible, incredible, audible
19 -al having the form or fiscal, thermal, herbal, colonial
character of
20 -esque in a manner of or picturesque, burlesque, grotesque
resembling
21 -ful notable for handful, playful, hopeful, skillful
22 -ic, -ical having the form or psychological, hypocritical,
character of methodical, nonsensical, musical
23 -ious, -ous characterized by pious, jealous, religious, ridiculous
24 -ish having the quality of squeamish, sheepish, childish
25 -ive having the nature of inquisitive, informative, attentive
26 -less Without meaningless, hopeless, homeless
27 -y characterized by dainty, beauty, airy, jealousy
Adverb Suffixes Meaning Example
28 -ly related to or quality softly, slowly, happily, crazily, madly
29 -ward, -wards Direction towards, afterwards, backwards,
inward
30 -wise in relation to otherwise, likewise, clockwise
289
Exercises
BBA 2015-16
Instructions: In each of the following questions, choose the option where the suffix or prefix has been incorrectly
used.
1. Choose 8. Un-
a) Equilateral a) Unaccustomed
b) Equivocal b) Unkempt
c) Equilibrate c) Unruffled
d) Equidivision d) Uncourteous
e) No error. e) None of these
2. Choose 9. -able
a) Venation a) Reversable
b) Attrition b) Separable
c) Doctrination c) Acceptable
d) Diminution d) Manageable
e) No error e) None of these
3. Choose 10. -cal
a) Equilateral a) Historical
b) Equidistant b) Didactical
c) Equilibrate c) Paradisiacal
d) Equidistribute d) Ecletical
e) No error. e) Topological
4. Choose 11. -ment
a) Disenthrall a) Banishment
b) Disaccordant b) Vestment
c) Discolored c) Adversement
d) Discrete d) Bafflement
e) No error. e) Denouncement
5. Dis- 12. Ante-
a) Discontent a) Antebellum
b) Dislocate b) Antecede
c) Distrust c) Antechamber
d) Disarray d) Antedate
e) None of these e) Anteverse
6. Non- 13. Im-
a) Nonarticulate a) Imprison
b) Nonviolent b) Immaterial
c) Nonsectarian c) Impassive
d) Nonstandard d) Impatient
e) None of these e) None of these
7. -en 14. Mis-
a) Strengthen a) Misadventure
b) Shorten b) Misaim
c) Frighten c) Misally
d) Delighten d) Misdecorate
e) None of these e) Miscount
15. In-
a) Indiscrete
b) Indiscrimination
c) Inbiased
d) Indiscretion
e) Indiscreet
290
Suffix Prefix Solutions
1. D
Equidivision is not a word.
2. C
Doctrination is not a word.
3. D
Equidistribute is not a word.
4. B
Disaccordant is incorrect. The correct word is discordant.
5. B
‗Dis‘ is not used to mean ‗opposite of‘ here.
6. A
Nonarticulate is incorrect. The correct word is inarticulate.
7. D
Delighten is not a word.
8. E
All of them are correct.
9. A
Reversable is incorrect. The correct word is reversible.
10. D
The base form of the word is ‗eclectic‘, so the suffix ‗-cal‘ is not used here.
11. C
Adversement is not a word.
12. E
Anteverse is not a word.
13. E
All of them are correct.
14. D
Misdecorate is not a word.
15. C
Inbiased is incorrect. The correct word is unbiased.

291
292
Chapter 30
Phrases and Idioms

293
294
Be it sentence correction, be it optimum answer selection, or be it essay writing, if you don‘t have a solid grip on what
these following idioms mean, you‘ll find yourself in a lot of confusing situations in the IBA Admission Test. These are
all basics and you might know a lot of these already, but reading the following will definitely clear up a lot of confusion
and some misconceptions that you currently have about the correct usages of these phrases and idioms.

1. Absent from
 Correct: Absent from the debate has been any mention of the governor‘s supposed crime.
 Incorrect: Absent in the debate has been any mention of the governor‘s supposed crime.

2. Acceptable to
 Correct: The use of the improper idiom might be acceptable to one‘s peers–though the SAT is hardly one‘s peer.
 Incorrect: The use of the improper idiom might be acceptable with one‘s peers–though the SAT is hardly one‘s
peer.

3. Accustomed to
 Correct: Growing up in New York, they are accustomed to the nightly street noise.
 Incorrect: Growing up in New York, they are accustomed with the nightly street noise.

4. Acquainted with
 Correct: Few are acquainted with string theory, a dominant paradigm in physics.
 Incorrect: Few are acquainted in string theory, a dominant paradigm in physics.

5. Associated with
 Correct: The name Al Capone is associated with much of the organized crime that occurred in the country
before 1950.
 Incorrect: The name Al Capone is associated in much of the organized crime that occurred in the country before
1950.

6. Adept at
 Correct: Dexter was adept at endearing himself to those in powerful positions.
 Incorrect: Dexter was adept to endearing himself to those in powerful positions.

7. Believe to be
 Correct: Scientists believe the brain to be the most complicated piece of machinery in the entire universe.
 Incorrect: Scientists believe the brain as the most complicated piece of machinery in the entire universe.

8. Capable of
 Correct: Many did not believe him capable of such dastardly deeds.
 Incorrect: Many did not believe him capable in such dastardly deeds.

9. Collaborate with
 Correct: The detective was unwilling to collaborate with the police because he believed the force to be corrupt.
 Incorrect: The detective was unwilling to collaborate in the police because he believed the force to be corrupt.

10. Conclude that

 Correct: Scientists conclude that much of the present day United States was covered in massive ice sheets as
recently as 14,000 years ago.
 Incorrect: Scientists conclude much of the present day United States was covered in massive ice sheets as
recently as 14,000 years ago.

295
11. Consider (no preposition)
 Correct: The astronomical community no longer considers Pluto a planet.
 Incorrect: The astronomical community no longer considers Pluto as a planet.

12. Consistent with

 Correct: A high SAT score is consistent with a high GPA, though not always.
 Incorrect: A high SAT score is consistent of a high GPA, though not always.

13. Conscious of
 Correct: She was not conscious of her mannerisms, and as a result she sent mixed messages.
 Incorrect: She was not conscious in her mannerisms, and as a result she sent mixed messages.

14. Contrary to
 Correct: Contrary to what most expect, college is not an unending succession of grueling exams.
 Incorrect: Contrary with what most expect, college is not an unending succession of grueling exams.

15. Credit with

 Correct: Galileo is credited with many scientific discoveries.
 Incorrect: Galileo is credited in many scientific discoveries.

16. Depict as
 Correct: The events depicted as the unvarnished truth were actually distorted to fit the director‘s political biases.
 Incorrect: The events depicted to be the unvarnished truth were actually distorted to fit the director‘s political
biases.
17. Different from
 Correct: Poetry is different from mere writing–ask any novelist.
 Incorrect: Poetry is different than mere writing–ask any novelist.

18. Distinguish from

 Correct: The victim was unable to distinguish the culprit from the others standing in the line-up.
 Incorrect: The victim was unable to distinguish the culprit and the others standing in the line-up.

19. Emerged as
 Correct: From amongst the 32 singing contestants, Amanda emerged as the victor, her voice taking on notes
she did not ever know she was capable of.
 Incorrect: From amongst the 32 singing contestants, Amanda emerged the victor, her voice taking on notes she
did not ever know she was capable of.

20. Encourage to
 Correct: He was encouraged to pursue a degree in computer science.
 Incorrect: He was encouraged in pursuing a degree in computer science.

21. Essential to
 Correct: Amino acids are essential to our health.
 Incorrect: Amino acids are essential for our health.

22. Familiar with

 Correct: She is familiar enough with the neighborhood to be able to find her way home.
 Incorrect: She is familiar enough in the neighborhood to be able to find her way home.
23. Fascinated by
 Correct: The infant was fascinated by all the shadows that seemed to prance about the ceiling.
 Incorrect: The infant was fascinated with all the shadows that seemed to prance about the ceiling.
296
24. Forbid to
 Correct: His mother forbid Charlie to eat cookies, so round had his tummy become.
 Incorrect/Questionable: His mother forbid Charlie from eating cookies, so round had his tummy become.

25. Inclined to
 Correct: She is inclined to be late, so plan ahead.
 Incorrect: She is inclined on being late, so plan ahead.

26. Indifferent towards

 Correct: Though he pretends to be indifferent towards video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he
played when lonely.
 Okay: Though he pretends to be indifferent to video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he played
when lonely.
 Incorrect: Though he pretends to be indifferent about video games, he actually has a Nintendo at home that he
played when lonely.

27. Insist that

 Correct: Organizers of the obstacle course insist that everyone entering is in top physical condition.
 Incorrect: Organizers of the obstacle course insist upon everyone entering to be in top physical condition.

28. Manage to
 Correct: In three short weeks, the new hire had managed to isolate his colleagues, so bad was his attitude.
 Incorrect: In three short weeks, the new hire had managed in isolating his colleagues, so bad was his attitude.

29. Mistake for

 Correct: With his red shock of dyed hair and multiple face piercings, Chester had somehow been mistaken
for an accountant.
 Incorrect: With his red shock of dyed hair and multiple face piercings, Chester had somehow been mistaken as
an accountant.

30. Modeled after

 Correct: The downtown high school was modeled after the Greek symposium.
 Incorrect: The downtown high school was modeled around the Greek symposium.

31. Native to
(Same meaning as ―indigenous to‖)
 Correct: The platypus is native to Australia.
 Incorrect: The platypus is a native of Australia.

32. Oblivious to / Be oblivious of

 Correct: She pretended to be oblivious to the other students, so concerned was she with coming across as
unconcerned.
 Also Correct: Oblivious of social niceties, the mathematician nonetheless impressed all those present with his
formidable intellect.
 Incorrect: Oblivious to social niceties, the mathematician nonetheless impressed all those present with his
formidable intellect.

33. Originate in
 Correct: Though chili peppers originated in what is today southern Bolivia, they are found in cuisines all over the
world.
 Incorrect: Though chili peppers originated around what is today southern Bolivia, they are found in cuisines all
over the world.

297
34. Perceive as
 Correct: Many perceived as musical geniuses actually owe much of their success to early practice and
ceaseless training.
 Incorrect: Many perceived to be musical geniuses actually owe much of their success to early practice and
ceaseless training.

35. Predisposed to
 Correct: Children predisposed to music are more likely to practice playing an instrument without anyone having
to tell them.
 Incorrect: Children predisposed for music are more likely to practice playing an instrument without anyone
having to tell them.

36. Preferable to
 Correct: For many, forgoing grad school is preferable to years of unpaid student loans.
 Incorrect: For many, forgoing grad school is preferable over years of unpaid student loans.

37. Prejudiced against

 Correct: Basketball tryouts seemed inherently prejudiced against shorter players, though many of these players
make the best point guards.
 Incorrect: Basketball tryouts seemed inherently prejudiced towards shorter players, though many of these
players make the best point guards.

38. Prized by
 Correct: Prized by coin collectors, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is becoming an increasing rarity.
 Incorrect: Prized to coin collectors, the Susan B. Anthony dollar coin is becoming an increasing rarity.

39. Prohibit from

 Correct: Those without security clearance are prohibited from entering the facility.
 Incorrect: Those without security clearance are prohibited to enter the facility.

40. Protect against

 Correct: Hand washing cannot protect against every form of virus.
 Okay: Hand washing cannot protect us from every form of virus.
 Incorrect: Hand washing cannot protect us of every form of virus.

41. Regard as
 Correct: Schubert is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period.
 Incorrect: Schubert is regarded to be one of the greatest composers of the Romantic period.

42. Responsibility to / Responsible for

 Correct: The class president‘s responsibility to her classmates prevented her from making concessions with the
school‘s rivals.
 Also Correct: An increase in cell phone use while driving is responsible for the recent spate of accidents.
 Incorrect: The fifth-grade teacher‘s responsibility of her students prevented her from leaving the classroom
unattended.
43. Sensitive to
 Correct: Sensitive to the demands of the union, the city council offered to give workers a 15% increase in
wages.
 Incorrect: Sensitive over the demands of the union, the city council offered to give workers a 15% increase in
wages.

298
44. Suspicious of
 Correct: During McCarthyism, the government was suspicious of even members of Congress, thinking that
Communist sympathizers were all around them.
 Incorrect: During McCarthyism, the government was suspicious about even members of Congress, thinking that
Communist sympathizers were all around them.

45. Tolerant of
 Correct: Henry VIII was tolerant of few who tried to question his authority.
 Incorrect: Henry VIII was tolerant to the few who tried to question his authority.

46. Try to
 Correct: The mayor will try to fix the city after the major storm.
 Incorrect: The mayor will try and fix the city after the major storm.

47. View as
 Correct: She viewed him as a threat to her popularity, so she found ways to sabotage him.
 Incorrect: She viewed him a threat to her popularity, so she found ways to sabotage him.

299
Exercises
Instruction: Select the word that best expresses the underlines word in each sentence.

Segment 1 - Easy

1. The opposing team was eager to refute the debaters‘ point. It was hard to ____. (BBA 2012-13)
a) play for keeps
b) keep the at arm‘s length
c) keep out of harm‘s way
d) keep them at bay
e) none of these

2. Please leave out unnecessary details and ____. (BBA 2012-13)

a) cut the fat
b) chew the fat
c) cut to the chase
d) chew the scenery
e) none of these

3. A new recruit must be given time to get internalized with the organization‘s culture. (BBA 2012-13)
a) involved with
b) learned about
c) into
d) committed to
e) acclimatized with

4. The dog was soaked to the ____ from the ___. (BBA 2014-15)
a) skin, bone
b) skin, craven
c) skin, storm
d) hide, abyss
e) hide, storm

5. My friend just bought a new house with ____ furniture included. (BBA 2014-15)
a) few
b) several
c) plenty of
d) many
e) so much

6. He passed himself ____ as a rich and noble fellow. (BBA 2014-15)

a) out
b) away
c) for
d) by
e) off

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7. The question was so confusing that he was totally _______. (BBA 2014-15)
a) at world‘s end
b) at his fingertips
c) on his toes
d) at logger heads
e) at his wit‘s end

8. You cannot keep putting of for tomorrow what you can do today. No error. (BBA 2014-15)
A B C D E

9. He was living off the paltry inheritance his father had left behind. No error. (BBA 2014-15)
A B C D E

Instruction: In each of the following sentences there is one word missing. Identify the missing word from the given
choices.

10. You need to hear both sides of the story before making your mind. (BBA 2015-16)
a) carefully
b) up
c) deciding
d) in
e) No word is missing

Segment 2 - Medium

11. Volcanic activities have also resulted in the creation of large land masses, _______ the popular impression of
their sheer destructive potential. (BBA 2003-04)
a) a basis for
b) an example of
c) comparable to
d) contrary to
e) confirming

12. Above all, cooperation and good relations among the region‘s countries are a must for the South Asia everybody
A B C
dreams. No error.
D E

13. The pigments used in modern oil paints are different than the ones used in older paints because they are
more lightfast and vibrant.
a) are different than the ones used in older paints because they are
b) differ from those used in older paints in that the modern ones are
c) are different than those used in older paints because the modern ones are
d) are different from the ones used in older paints on account of being
e) differ from the ones used in older paints because they are

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14. Some museums regard themselves as keepers rather than owners of art, responsible for conserving it in the
present and letting it go where circumstances are auspicious to do it in the future.
a) letting it go where circumstances are auspicious to do it in the future
b) letting them go where circumstances are auspicious to do so in the future
c) letting them go when circumstances are auspicious to do it in the future
d) letting it go when circumstances are auspicious to do so in the future
e) letting it go when circumstances are auspicious to do it in the future

15. Jack Nicklaus, who solidified his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed Augusta National Golf
Club in 1986, and Tiger Woods are widely regarded as two of the best golfers in the history of the sport.
a) Jack Nicklaus, who solidified his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed Augusta National
Golf Club in 1986, and Tiger Woods are widely regarded as two of the best
b) Jack Nicklaus, who solidified his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed Augusta National
Golf Club in 1986, and Tiger Woods are widely regarded to be two of the better
c) Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, who solidified his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed
Augusta National Golf Club in 1986, are widely regarded to be two of the best
d) Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus, who solidified his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed
Augusta National Golf Club in 1986, are widely regarded as being two of the better
e) Solidifying his legendary status with an improbable victory at the famed Augusta National Golf Club in 1986,
Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are widely regarded as two of the best

16. Public-access cable television was created in the 1970s as a means to derive public benefit from the laying of
private television cables on public land.
a) from the laying of private television cables on public land
b) from laying private television cables on the public land
c) by the laying of private television cables on the public's land
d) from private television cables being laid on public land
e) by laying private television cables on land that was public

17. The category 1 to 5 rating known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale provides an estimate of a hurricane‘s
potential of destroying or damaging property, and is primarily determined from wind speed; a category 5 storm
has wind speeds so high as to blow away small buildings, completely destroy mobile homes, and cause severe
window and door damage.
a) of destroying or damaging property, and is primarily determined from wind speed; a category5 storm has wind
speeds so high as
b) to destroy or damage property, and is primarily determined from wind speed; a category 5storm has wind
speeds high enough
c) of destroying or damaging property, and is primarily determined by wind speed; a category 5storm has wind
speeds so high as
d) to destroy or damage property, and is primarily determined by wind speed; a category 5 storm has wind
speeds high enough
e) to destroy or damage property, and is primarily determined by wind speed; a category 5 storm has wind
speeds so high as

18. Opponents of the proposed water desalination plant cite the environmental impact and the tremendous cost as
being reasons not to approve the plan.
a) as being reasons not to
b) to be reasons not to
c) as if they were reasons not to
d) for reasons that they should not
e) as reasons not to
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19. It was not long after the 1930s commenced that such baritone singers as Bing Crosby and Russ Colombo
contributed to the popularization of a type of romantic, soothing singing that came to be called ―crooning.‖
a) It was not long after the 1930s commenced that such baritone singers as Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo
contributed to
b) Not long after the commencement of the decade of the 1930s, baritone singers such as Bing Crosby and also
Russ Columbo decided to contribute in
c ) Not long after the 1930s commenced, baritone singers like Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo contributed to
d) Not long after the beginning of the 1930s commencement, baritone singers like Bing Crosby and Russ
Columbo had contributed to
e) It was not long after the 1930s commenced that baritone singers such as Bing Crosby and Russ Columbo had
contributed in

Segment 3 – Difficult

20. According to a survey conducted by the school administration, incoming seniors planning to attend college prefer
not only rigorous courses, like honors and advanced placement courses, over those that require less work, but
also science and math courses over those in the humanities.
a) like honors and advanced placement courses, over those that require less work, but also science and math
courses over
b) such as honors and advanced placement courses, to those that require less work, but also science and math
courses to
c) like honors and advanced placement courses, to those requiring less work, but they prefer science and math
courses to
d) such as honors and advanced placement courses, more than those that require less work, but also science
and math courses more than
e) such as honors and advanced placement courses, more than those requiring less work, and also science and
math courses more than

21. During the twentieth century, the study of the large-scale structure of the universe evolved from the theoretical to
the practical; the field of physical cosmology was made possible because of both Einstein's theory of relativity
and the better ability to observe extremely distant astronomical objects.
a) because of both Einstein's theory of relativity and
b) by both Einstein's theory of relativity and
c) by Einstein's theory of relativity and also
d) because of Einstein's theory of relativity and also
e) as a result of both Einstein's theory of relativity and

22. Many financial analysts consider an upward trend in a firm‘s current ratio a sign of improving liquidity.
a) a sign of
b) as a sign of
c) to be a sign of
d) a sign of their
e) as being a sign of

23. Though Frank Lloyd Wright is best remembered today because of bold designs like the Guggenheim Museum in
New York City, most of his buildings were intended to blend into their surroundings.
a) because of bold designs like the Guggenheim Museum
b) for bold designs such as the one for the Guggenheim Museum
c) because of bold designs such as the Guggenheim Museum
d) because of bold designs such as that for the Guggenheim Museum
e) for bold designs like the Guggenheim Museum's

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24. Studies of test scores show that watching television has a markedly positive effect on children whose parents
speak English as a second language, as compared to those who are native English speakers.
a) to those who are
b) with children who are
c) with
d) to those whose parents are
e) with children whose parents are

25. Recent research has indicated that sustainable weight loss is generally a result not of self-deprivation or adopting
an extreme diet, but a healthy lifestyle that integrates a balanced diet, regular exercise, and a long-term
approach.
a) self-deprivation or adopting an extreme diet, but
b) self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but of
c) self-deprivation or the adoption of an extreme diet, but
d) depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but
e) depriving oneself or adopting an extreme diet, but that of

26. According to a recent study, hand sanitizers require a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration for the killing of
most harmful bacteria and viruses.
a) require a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration for the killing of
b) require that there be a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration to kill
c) require that a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration be present to kill
d) require a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration to kill
e) require that there be a 60 percent minimum alcohol concentration for the killing of

27. William Shakespeare, though long considered as being one of the finest writers in English or any other language,
was the subject of speculation over the years that he was not the real author of works attributed by him.
a) as being one of the finest writers in English or any other language, was the subject of speculation over the
years that he was not the real author of works attributed by
b) as one of the finest writers in English or any other language, has been the subject of speculation over the
years that he was not the real author of works attributed to
c) to be one of the finest writers in English or any other language, was the subject of speculation over the years
that he was not the real author of works attributed to
d) one of the finest writers in English or any other language, has been the subject of speculation over the years
that he was not the real author of works attributed to
e) to be one of the finest writers in English, was over the years the subject of speculation that he had not been
the real author of works attributed by

28. According to a recent study by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the incidence of reported neck
and back pain correlate positively to the amount of time spent in sitting positions at work.
a) correlate positively to
b) are correlated positively to
c) correlate positively with
d) correlates positively to
e) correlates positively with

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29. Despite Beethoven's traditional status as the first great Romantic composer, he is considered by some
musicologists to be the last great composer of the Classical era.
a) Despite Beethoven's traditional status as the first great Romantic composer, he is considered by some
musicologists to be the last great composer of the Classical era.
b) Despite Beethoven's traditional status as the first great Romantic composer, he is considered the last great
composer of the Classical era by some musicologists.
c) Although his status is traditionally as the first great Romantic composer, Beethoven is considered as being the
last great composer of the Classical era by some musicologists.
d) Despite his traditional status as the first great Romantic composer, Beethoven is considered the last great
composer of the Classical era by some musicologists.
e) Although he is traditionally considered to be the first great Romantic composer, some musicologists consider
Beethoven as the last great composer of the Classical era.

30. Despite an expensive publicity campaign, ticket sales for the new play were poor enough that it closed only after
two weeks.
a) poor enough that it closed only after two weeks
b) poor enough that it was closed after only two weeks
c) so poor that it closed only after two weeks
d) so poor that it was closed after only two weeks
e) so poor that only after two weeks it closed

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Phrases and Idioms Solutions

1. D
‗Keep at bay‘ means to control something and prevent it from harming you.
2. C
‗Cut to the chase‘ means to get to the important details quickly.
3. E
Both ‗internalized‘ and ‗acclimatized‘ mean to get accustomed or adjust with new surroundings.
4. C
‗Soaked to the skin‘ means completely wet. ‗Storm‘ is the least redundant among the alternatives.
5. C
‗Furniture‘ is not a countable noun, so ‗plenty of‘ is the only phrase that fits here.
6. E
‗Pass off‘ means to pretend as someone or something else.
7. D
‗To be at loggerheads‘ means to be in conflict.
8. B
‗Putting off‘ is the correct phrase here, which means to delay doing something.
9. E
The sentence is correct. ‗Living off‘ means to acquire one‘s needs by benefitting from someone else.
10. E
The sentence is correct and no word is missing.
11. D
The two parts of the sentence convey different meanings, so ‗contrary to‘ is the correct phrase here.
12. D
The correct phrase here is ‗dreams of‘, which means to envision or fantasize about something.
13. B
‗From‘ always precedes ‗differ‘. The usage of ‗in that‘ is correct is this choice.
14. D
The idiomatic phrase ‗to do so‘ to refer to the action of ‗letting the art go‘.
15. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
16. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
17. E
The correct usage of idioms is seen in this sentence.

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18. E
This choice uses the correct form of the idiom ‗Cite X as Y‘.
19. A
The original sentence uses the proper verb tense and idioms.
20. B
The examples of ‗rigorous courses‘ are correctly introduced with the phrase ‗such as‘. Moreover, correct usage of
the idiom ‗prefer X to Y‘ is seen in this sentence.
21. B
This choice exhibits the correct usage of both idioms ‗made possible by‘ and ‗both X and Y‘.
22. A
The original sentence is correct and contains no errors.
23. B
‗Because of‘ is replaced by ‗for‘ and ‗like‘ is replaced by ‗such as‘, which fixes the grammatical errors in the
original sentence. Proper usage of ‗the one for‘ is also seen.
24. E
This choice uses the correct idiom ‗compared with‘, which is used to highlight differences between similar things.
Moreover, it also fixes the parallelism error and incorrect pronoun reference in the original sentence.
25. B
This choice correctly uses the idiom ‗a result not of X, but of Y‘. It also fixes the parallelism error in the original
sentence.
26. D
This choice correctly uses the idiom ‗require X to Y‘, where X is the noun phrase ‗a 60 percent minimum alcohol
concentration‘ and Y is the infinitive ‗to kill‘.
27. D
This choice removes the incorrect usage of ‗consider‘. It also uses the correct idiom ‗ ‗attributed to‘, as well as the
correct tense (present perfect).
28. E
This choice corrects the subject verb agreement error as well as implementing the proper idiom ‗correlates with‘.
29. D
The incorrect pronoun reference is corrected in this alternative. Moreover, correct usage of the idiom ‗consider‘ is
also seen, removing the redundant ‗to be‘.
30. D
The proper idiom ‗so X that Y‘ is used, and the word ‗only‘ comes immediately before the time phrase it modifies
(‗two weeks‘). The passive voice expression ‗it was closed‘ is acceptable.

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Chapter 31
Embedded Tags

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A tag question is a special construction in English. It is a statement followed by a mini question. We use tag
questions to ask for confirmation. They mean something like: "Is that right?" or "Do you agree?" They are very
common in English.

The basic structure of a tag question is:

positive statement negative tag negative statement positive tag

Snow is white, isn't it? You don't like me, do you?

Notice that the tag repeats the auxiliary verb (or main verb when be) from the statement and changes it to negative
or positive.

The basic structure also goes like this –

The authority does not know why the conference was disrupted at the wrong time.

Subject + verb (phrase) + question word + subject + verb + (complement)

Positive Statement Tag Questions

Look at these examples with positive statements. You will see that most of the time, the auxiliary verb from the
positive statement is repeated in the tag and changed to negative.

(+) positive statement (-) negative tag

Subject Auxiliary Main verb Auxiliary Negative Personal pronoun same as subject

You are coming, are n't you?

We have finished, have n't we?

You do like coffee, do n't you?

You like coffee, do n't you?

They will help, wo n't they?

I can come, can 't I?

We must go, must n't we?

He should try harder, should n't he?

You are English, are n't you?

John was there, was n't he?

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Some important things to understand over here -

 the use of do in the two coffee questions. Remember that in Present Simple, do is optional in positive
statements (You like coffee/You do like coffee). But the do must appear in the tag. The same applies to Past
Simple did.

 in last two questions, no auxiliary for main verb be in Present Simple and Past Simple. The tag repeats the
main verb.

Negative Statement Tag Questions

Look at these examples with negative statements. Notice that the negative verb in the original statement is changed
to positive in the tag.

(-) negative statement (+) positive tag

Subject Auxiliary Main verb Auxiliary personal pronoun same as subject

It is n't raining, is it?

We have Never seen that, have we?

You do n't like coffee, do you?

They will Not help, will they?

They wo n't report us, will they?

I can Never do it right, can I?

We must n't tell her, must we?

He should n't drive so fast, should he?

You wo n't be late, will you?

You are n't English, are you?

John was not there, was he?

Some important things to understand over here -

A) won't is the contracted form of will not

B) the tag repeats the auxiliary verb, not the main verb. Except, of course, for the verb be in Present Simple and
Past Simple.

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Answering Tag Questions

How do we answer a tag question? Often, we just say Yes or No. Sometimes we may repeat the tag and reverse it
(They do not live here, do they? Yes, they do). Be very careful about answering tag questions.
For example, everyone knows that snow is white. Look at these questions, and the correct answers:

tag question correct answer notes

Snow is white, isn't it? Yes (it is). Answer is same in both
cases - because
Snow isn't white, is it? Yes it is! snow is white! However, notice change
of stress when answerer does not
Snow is black, isn't it? No it isn't! Answer is same in both agree with questioner.
cases - because
Snow isn't black, is it? No (it isn't). snow is not black!

In some languages, people answer a question like "Snow isn't black, is it?" with "Yes" (meaning "Yes, I agree with
you"). This is the wrong answer in English! So you should be aware of simple things like this.

Here are some more examples, with correct answers:

 The moon goes round the earth, doesn't it? Yes, it does.
 The earth is bigger than the moon, isn't it? Yes.
 The earth is bigger than the sun, isn't it? No, it isn't!
 Asian people don't like rice, do they? Yes, they do!
 Elephants live in Europe, don't they? No, they don't!
 Men don't have babies, do they? No.
 The English alphabet doesn't have 40 letters, does it? No, it doesn't.

Tag Question Special Cases

Negative adverbs
The adverbs never, rarely, seldom, hardly, barely and scarcely have a negative sense. Even though they may be in a
positive statement, the feeling of the statement is negative. We treat statements with these words like negative
statements, so the question tag is normally positive. Look at these examples:

Positive Statement
treated as Negative Statement Positive Tag

He never came again, did he?

She can rarely come these days, can she?

You hardly ever came late, did you?

I barely know you, do I?

You would scarcely expect her to know that, would you?

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Imperatives

Sometimes we use question tags with imperatives (invitations, orders), but the sentence remains an imperative and
does not require a direct answer. We use won't for invitations. We use can, can't, will, would for orders.

Imperative + Question Tag Notes

Take a seat, won't you? polite invitation

Help me, can you? quite friendly

Help me, can't you? quite friendly (some irritation?)

Close the door, would you? quite polite

Do it now, will you. less polite

Don't forget, will you. with negative imperatives only will is possible

Same-way tag questions

Although the basic structure of tag questions is positive-negative or negative-positive, it is sometimes possible to use
a positive-positive or negative-negative structure. We use same-way tag questions to express interest, surprise,
anger etc., and not to make real questions.

Look at these positive-positive tag questions:

 So you're having a baby, are you? That's wonderful!

 She wants to marry him, does she? Some chance!

 So you think that's funny, do you? Think again.

Negative-negative tag questions usually sound rather hostile:

A) So you don't like my looks, don't you?

These are used in rare cases. Mostly exercises will not contain such types since they might appear confusing on the
basis of use.

Asking for information or help

Notice that we often use tag questions to ask for information or help, starting with a negative statement. This is quite
a friendly/polite way of making a request. For example, instead of saying "Where is the police station?" (not very
polite), or "Do you know where the police station is?" (slightly more polite), we could say: "You wouldn't know where
the police station is, would you?" Here are some more examples:

 You don't know of any good jobs, do you?

 You couldn't help me with my homework, could you?

 You haven't got $10 to lend me, have you?

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Some more special cases

Example Notes

I am right, aren't I? aren't I (not amn't I)

You have to go, don't you? you (do) have to go...

I have been answering, haven't I? Use first auxiliary

Nothing came in the post, did it? treat statements with nothing, nobody etc. like negative statements

Let's go, shall we? let's = let us

He'd better do it, hadn't he? he had better (no auxiliary)

Mixed Examples of Tag Questions

Here is a list of examples of tag questions in different contexts. Notice that some are "normal‖ and others seem to
break all the rules:
A) But you don't really love her, do you?
B) This'll work, won't it?
C) Oh you think so, do you?
D) Well, I couldn't help it, could I?
E) But you'll tell me if she calls, won't you?
F) We'd never have known, would we?
G) Oh you do, do you?
H) The weather's bad, isn't it?
I) You won't be late, will you?
J) Nobody knows, do they?
K) You never come on time, do you?
L) You couldn't help me, could you?
M) You think you're clever, do you?
N) So you don't think I can do it, don't you? (British English)
O) Shut up, will you!
P) She can hardly love him after all that, can she?
Q) Nothing will happen, will it?

Tag questions in general are pretty easy to form and embedded questions can be constructed on that basis. Always
remember that there will be no auxiliary between the question word and the actual subject in an embedded
question. This is a mistake most people make. A clear understanding of the rules above can help make the entire
prospect of understanding this segment very easy

________________________________________________________________________________________
*For exercises of this section, head to the Sentence Correction exercises. It has been integrated in that part. Go
through the rules properly before tackling that section*
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Chapter 32
Analogy

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In English grammar this is a sort of exercise, which helps you to determine the relationship between a pair of words.
This tests your ability to understand the correlation between the words from a direct and allegorical perspective,
depending on the words that have been given. The relationship can be simple. It can also be complex and
ascertaining that might be difficult. This is known as analogy.

In the IBA examination, you will be given a pair of words in capital letters (the stem pair) that have a particular
relationship with one another. There will be five options containing similar to rather different word pair relationships.
You have to choose the answer that fits closest in terms of meaning and a relationship to the word pair that has been
given. Let us look at a simple example to become clear about the concept –

# DOCTOR : HOSPITAL

a) Sports fan : Stadium

b) Cow : Farm
c) Professor : College
d) Criminal : Jail
e) Food : Grocery Store

In order to find the answer out here, you need to understand the relationship in the given word pair. A doctor works
in a hospital. Here we have formed a sentence so that you can easily understand the inherent meaning vested in
the word pair. Let us now check this against all the given options,

a) A sports fan works in a stadium. This does not fit since fans go to spectate a game and cheer for their club.
The activity is for entertainment and does not seem pertinent to work
b) Cows work in a farm. This also does not fit. Cows generally graze in farms or stay there to become units of
production in the larger consumption cycle. That is not technically work on their part.
c) A professor teaches at a college. This is work done by the professor on a professional level and has
similarity in terms of meaning with the sentence correlation of the original word pair.
d) A criminal works in a jail. Yes, maybe due to compensating work hours for the crime that was committed.
However, he/she never got there to work, it was because of something entirely different and wrong as per
the eyes of the law.
e) Food works in a grocery store. Probably the most meaningless thing you have heard all day. Therefore, we
both know this is not the answer.

Therefore, the correct answer here is c. This is how analogies are done. Let us now delve deeper in the manner of
analogies that will appear in the exam and how they can be solved using different techniques.

The Fundamental Approach

The best way to solve analogies is to form a sentence using the word pair in a suitable manner that helps you to
understand the meaning vested within the words in an easier manner. If the sentence is short, it is easier for you to
skim through the options faster to get to the most appropriate answer. The approach is very easy –

1. Make an adjustable bridge sentence

2. Plug the answers and see if they fit, adjust the sentence to check for alternatives.

Let us look at a simple example of how we can do this –

# ROSE : FLOWER

a) Lily : Thorn
b) Racoon : Barrow
c) Metal : Chair
d) Eucalyptus : Tree
e) Land : Motorcycle

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First, let us make a sentence that explains the relationship in the stem pair. Rose is a type of flower. This simple
sentence can easily describe the relationship of the word pair. Let us test that with each of the sentences in a simple
question-based schematic –

a) Is lily a type of thorn? No.

b) Is a racoon a type of a barrow? No. Not because it is not but that question does not make any sense at all.
There will be some word pairs like this. These must always be eliminated initially so that you can narrow
down your options.
c) Is metal a type of chair? No.
d) Is eucalyptus a type of tree? Yes.
e) Is land a type of motorcycle? No.

Therefore, with this method we have been easily able to identify that the answer here will be d.

Sometimes more than one answer might fit into the bridge sentence. You need to fix your bridge sentence a bit better
than that. It is about finding the perfect balance in order to fit the best option. Let us look at another example –

# CAT : MEOW

a) Cow : Neigh
b) Human : Breathe
c) Crow : Caw
d) Dolphin : Dive
e) Horse : Gallop

If we make a simple sentence bridge like, a cat meows, the analogy becomes hard for us to understand. Because
humans breathe, crows caw, dolphins dive and horses gallop. Therefore, these are functions that they all do but
we need more specificity. Therefore, we need to change the bridge sentence. A proper way to do that would be –
Meowing is how a cat calls. We can now specify the action to a manner of calling and this narrows the options
significantly more.

a) Neighing is how a cow calls? No. That is what horses do. This is an illogical comparison. Neighing is a call
actually, but here the wrong animal has been highlighted. The relation is not always enough, the content
needs to be correct as well.
b) Breathing is how a human calls? No. That is how we perform respiration.
c) Cawing is how a crow calls? Yes.
d) Diving is how a dolphin calls? No.
e) Galloping is how a horse calls? No.

So sometimes adjustments need to be made to get to the correct answer. The correct answer here is c.

Specific word sets can make a bridge strong. Understanding the specific sets are important. Let us look at a word
pair relation that can help to clarify this problem. ―Harmonica‖ and ―Blues‖. On the initial assumption a strong
correlation can be made here. Harmonica is an instrument that is used in the ―blues‖ genre of music. This is a
mistake. Blues can be made with a lot of other instruments and the genre of music is rather complex. So most of the
times it‘s a mix of instruments like – pianos, harmonicas, guitars, bass guitars, drum kits and hammond organs.

On the other hand, ―Harmonica‖ and ―Instrument‖ has a much stronger correlation. A harmonica is a type of
instrument that is used to create music. The type of music over here does not come into question. Therefore, you
need to carefully inspect the underlying correlation to get a better grasp at how the meaning plays out.

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The Elimination Method

A simple example to get your understanding about this method straight. We will start thing without the stem pair.
Assume that you do not know the question. Just look at the following options –

a) River : Stream
b) Food : Nutrition
c) Psychedelic : Music
d) Extremist : Religion
e) Cat : Dog

Let us look at the choices and try to find out if there is a possibility of eliminating any of the options of the basis of a
correlation that does not make any sense.

a) A river can have a stream. However, that‘s not a necessity. Streams do not often go on to make a river. This
word pair does not signify each other in any manner. So this can be eliminated from the thought process
even before looking at the stem pair.
b) Food and nutrition have a correlation. Nevertheless, in a general sense it can be vague. Food provides us
nutrition. That is it. Specificity is not something we can find in this case. So there is a possibility that this
might not be the answer. So this can be eliminated from the thought process.
c) Psychedelic is a genre of music. It is trippy and thought provoking. It is very specific. It is a correlation that
has specificity and we can consider this as an answer that might satisfy the stem pair. Let us not discard this
as of yet.
d) Extremists are those who use many aspects of our life to fuel their own causes of atrocity (mostly). Religion
might be one of them but not necessarily. Therefore, the correlation isn‘t absolutely specific. Therefore, we
can eliminate this choice.
e) Cats and dogs are animals that are pet usually. This is a vague correlation and does not hold much meaning
in a constructive manner. Therefore, we can eliminate this from our thought process.

In this way we end up with just one proper correlation as of yet. That is psychedelic and music. The stem pair is
COMEDY : MOVIE. Comedy is a type or genre of movie. Psychedelic is a genre of music. No other word pair fits as
well.

Therefore, you can clearly see that at times we can easily find out the perfect answer even without looking at the
question. This is the elimination method. This actually helps to eliminate the bias of a bridge sentence. A bridge
sentence if wrong can make the entire construct misrepresenting. Therefore, elimination of the choices can be done
before forming a bridge in order to create a better selection method for the correct option.

Sequence Appropriation

The stem pair has words that are not always set in a specific way. The relationship may change based on the words
that are being used. Without making the entire thing more complicated, let us look at an example –

# DIVERS : SNORKEL

a) Thieves : Steal
b) Students : Teach
c) Lawyers : Retain
d) Citizens : Protect
e) Fans : Music

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Sequence appropriation is understanding the depth of what the correlation is. If it is an action, is someone doing it or
is it being done to someone. The subject and the object prospect come over here and that is actually very important.
The stem pair can be constructed in a sentence like this – A diver is someone who snorkels. Snorkeling is the act
of being on a water surface or going through it wearing a snorkel (an underwater mask that facilitates breathing).
Most divers actually wear snorkels when diving. Snorkeling is something that is done by a diver. Let us analyze the
options based on that –

a) Stealing is something that is done by thieves. Yes. This makes sense because the action that the thief is
performing is known as stealing. The sequence is correct here in terms of the subject accomplishing the
work.
b) Teaching is something that is done by the students. No. Students do not teach in general. Teachers do that.
They are the recipient of the teachings and hence they learn. Therefore, they are at the object end of things
in that perspective. Therefore, this is not the correct option.
c) Retaining is something that is done by lawyers. No. Retaining is basically hiring. Lawyers are hired. They act
upon that, defend a case and what not. However, they don‘t hire themselves. Therefore, they are at the
object end of the perspective as well. This is also not the correct answer.
d) Protection is something that is done by the citizens. No. The government and the law enforcement protects
the citizens. So this analogy is incorrect.
e) Music is something that is done by fans. This makes little sense. Fans listen to music, that is not making
music so it‘s not an act that they are doing. They are the recipient of the act of others. Therefore, they are
subjectively at the object end of the action here. Therefore, this is also not the correct answer here.

So from the explanation the only correct option is a. The action is being done by that individual. The sequence needs
to be understood.

There can be reverse relationships in direct basis. It is not on the basis of the meaning or whether the action is being
done by the subject and being received by the object. Let us look at an example in order to become clearer about
this –

# TELLER : BANK

a) Enigma : Prophecy
b) Hospital : Nurse
c) Devout : Church
d) Janitor : School
e) Pianist : Choir

This entire example follows a complex suit of choices. Let us ascertain the bridge sentence first since an elimination
method here would be rather problematic. The reason is that each of the word pairs have a complex base to each
one.

A teller is a person who deals with the customer in a bank. This bridge sentence has specificity associated to it.
Now let us look at the options –

a) Enigma is a mystery. An enigma is an entity, which deals with a customer in a prophecy. No. It does not fit,
and we can discard this since it does not fit in the bridge. In addition, there is no proper sequence to this.
b) A hospital is a place where there is a nurse who deals with a patient. The meaning fits with the sentence if
the word pair is reversed. A nurse is a person who deals with a patient in a hospital. However, since it is a
reverse sequence let us keep this as an optional answer and move on to the next one.
c) A devout is a person who deals with a customer in a church. No. In a church, a devout is the equivalent of a
customer while the priest might be the one working there. Devout individuals go to pray at a church.
Therefore, this is not the answer.

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 d) A janitor is a person who cleans and takes care of the floors and security (to some extent) of a school. A
janitor is not directly serving a purpose of the basic customers of a school, the students. That is being done
by the teacher. Therefore, this is not the correct option as well.
e) A pianist is a person who serves the audience by playing in a choir. It is true but the pianist does not do this
alone and it might not always be necessarily for a crowd. It can be done for practice as well and the
correlation is not directly suited here. Therefore, this option needs to be discarded as there is no absolute
coherence to the bridge sentence.

So we can easily see that even though option b is in a reverse position here, it has the sequence correct in terms of
the action being performed and fits perfectly into the bridge sentence. Therefore, that is the correct option.

Therefore, these are the things that we should be careful about while solving analogies. It is important to understand
what might come and how to approach them. Let us look at the possible types of analogies that might appear in the
IBA examination.

1. Metaphor

A metaphor is a phrase of comparison that is drawn between two thoughts, activities, or objects, which are in fact
very different from each other. It is in lieu some similarity between them that the direct comparison is thus made. The
comparison is made without using words such as 'like' and 'as'. The comparison is also made directly.

a. Life is a roller-coaster ride, with unnamed twists and turns on its course.

b. Singing to her is walking on a piece of cake.

c. She is a feather on the weighing machine.

From these sentences, it can be understood that the things which are compared are totally unrelated to each other,
yet, they are similar in some way, and hence, they are linked.

Exact word pairs can be given where the bridge sentence might be a metaphor.

2. Simile

Like a metaphor, a simile too draws a comparison between two unrelated things. What makes it different from the
former is the incorporation of words such as 'like' and 'as'.

a. The world is like a stage, and we are like the players.

b. She is as patient as a crane.

c. He is as thin as a piece of twig.

Thus, we see that the comparison between unrelated things have been made easily here with the help of 'as' and
'like'. Bridge Sentences can easily be made up by similes.

3. Cause and Effect

To understand this form of analogy, it is beneficial to remember that every action is followed by another action.
Hence, if anything takes place, another action would succeed it.

a. Smiles are to happiness, as tears are to grief.

b. Sun is to heat, as wind is to breeze.

c. Heat is to drought, as rain is to flood.

These comparisons are ―cause and effect‖ analogies.

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 4. Analogy of the Opposites

This analogy compares the attributes of two opposing actions, elements, feelings, thoughts, and phenomena.

a. Beauty vs. Ugliness.

b. Attrition vs. Retention.

c. Sweet vs. Sour.

There are countless examples of this category of analogy.

5. Classification or Category

In this class of analogy, one element finds its place in the whole group of other such objects, which are similar in
many features.

a. Rivers and seas are water bodies.

b. Jute and Sisal are fibers.

c. Keats and Donne were poets.

From the above examples, we can understand that two or more things, which are similar in most attributes, form a
larger group.

6. Single-Group or Part-Whole

In this type of analogy, there is the mention about one object, which forms a single part of a group of the same
objects.

a. A fish: singular

A school of fish: plural.

b. A bird: singular

A flock of birds: plural.

c. A wolf: singular

A pack of wolves: plural.

It is evident that a group of fish is called a school, bird is called a flock, and wolf is called a pack. Analogies can be
made between them depending on whether the correct form of collective noun has been used or not.

7. Attribute or Characteristic

This analogy highlights the characteristic or a trait of a particular object or a person. This means that, the trait or
characteristic is essential for the existence of the object or person to be in that form.

a. The teacher has knowledge.

b. The song has a melody.

c. The torch has light.

Specific people and objects have specific attributes. We should keep an eye out for the proper correlation in every
sense.

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 8. Action-Performer

This analogy draws a relation between an action and the person who specializes in performing that action.

a. A singer sings.

b. A chef cooks.

c. A teacher teaches.

9. Description

With this analogy, we can easily describe the characteristic or nature or quality of an object.

a. As blue as the sky.

b. As cold as snow.

c. As light as a feather.

It is well-known that the sky is blue, snow is cold, and feathers are light. So when we attempt to describe something
which may be blue, or cold, or light, then we can refer to the above in order to compare.

10. Degree

This analogy describes the characteristic to the superlative or to an extreme, or to maximum intensity.

a. Sob - Howl.

b. Grin - Laugh.

c. Thrifty - Miser.

Therefore, by these examples, we can understand the various levels of the same action.

11. Function

This kind of analogy is to describe the function that is performed by an object.

a. An air conditioner adjusts the temperature in the room according to the comfort of the dwellers in a room.

b. A camera is used to click images.

c. A thermometer measures temperatures.

12. Pairing Together

With this type of analogy, we can easily put things together. Some objects, which are incomplete without the
existence of the other, can be done using this analogy. For instance, if we have to show the relation between two
friends who are inseparable, we can easily do this by comparing them with either of the following pairs. Therefore,
the sentence would be - Ana and Eva are the best of friends. They are always together like-

a. Letter - Envelope.

b. Pen - Ink.

c. Cup - Saucer.

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 13. Composition

This analogy implies that when a large number of a single element are clubbed together, they make a whole new
entity.

a. Page: Book.

b. Sentence: Paragraph.

c. Stanza: Poem.

14. Rhyme

This is yet another interesting form of analogy. The words sound very similar while pronouncing them together.

a. Night and fight.

b. Sky and dry.

c. Fall and tall.

These are all unrelated words, except for the similarity in their pronunciation. When an analogy cannot be
ascertained based on a meaning, this is a sort of a last resort. Very few analogies in IBA are like this. Most of them
can be found out based on a meaning and bridge sentence (provided that you form one which describes the
relationship of the word pair in the most suitable manner)

15. Location

This is also a significant analogy that is used to state the relation between an object and the place where it could be
located.

a. Dog: Kennel.

b. Apples: Orchards.

c. Book: Library.

There can be more forms of analogies. However, these are the common elements in general. With practice and
proper harnessing of the set of rules, you can ace this section of the language and communication part. Having a
good grasp on vocabulary is very important for this section as well. Emphasis on that should be given diligently.

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Exercises
Basic

1. School: Fish 4. Clichéd: Original

a. Snarl : Wolves a. Withdrawn : Reserved
b. Pride : Lions b. Mature : Juvenile
c. Arrogance : Kings c. Gregarious : Sociable
d. Honor : Thieves d. Illustrious : Luscious
e. University : Teacher e. Cheerful : Jubilant
2. Carpenter: Saw 5. Storey: Building
a. Teacher : School a. Foundation : Skyscraper
b. Government : Tax b. Cable : Elevator
c. Runner : Sneaker c. Plot : Outline
d. Tailor : Scissors d. Rung : Ladder
e. Manager : Employee e. Cement : Wall
3. Spider: Web
a. Dog : Bone
b. Cat : Yarn
c. Lion : Cave
d. Bird : Nest
e. Fish : Bait

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Intermediate
6. Aversion: Fondness 11. Irascible: Provoked
a. Apathy : Desire a. Fanatic : Reasoned
b. Tantamount : Importance b. Humorous : Amused
c. Opulence : Wealth c. Gullible : Fooled
d. Mortar : Bricklayer d. Credulous : Persuaded
e. Execrable : Foul e. Bovine : Ursine
7. Cynosure: Brilliant 12. Immortal: Death
a. Map : Legible a. Incombustible : Burn
b. Word : Common b. Incandescent : Shine
c. Magnet : Attractive c. Incantation : Speak
d. Student : Attentive d. Infatuated : Love
e. Leader : Determined e. Infectious : Malady
8. Forgery: Counterfeit 13. Anesthetic: Numbness
a. Murder : Crime a. Laxative : Drug
b. Theft : Punishment b. Sedative : Drowsiness
c. Arson : Insurance c. Therapy : Psychosis
d. Duplicity : Testimony d. Epidemic : Contagiousness
e. Embezzlement : Fraud e. Vaccine : Virus
9. Insoluble: Dissolve 14. Stickler: Insist
a. Gaseous : Expand a. Haggler : Concede
b. Solid : Breakdown b. Laggard : Outlast
c. Fragile : Break c. Braggart : Boast
d. Buoyant : Sink d. Trickster : Risk
e. Flammable : Burn e. Criminal : Compassionate
10. Plumage: Bird 15. Burden: Encumber
a. Hive : Bee a. Synopsis : Recapitulate
b. Forage : Cattle b. Bedsheet : Wash
c. Gaggle : Geese c. Alarm : Trigger
d. Foliage : Horse d. Evanescence : Appear
e. Fleece : Sheep e. Lethargic : Energize

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Hard
16. Complainer: Petulant 21. Temerarious: Daring
a. Philanthropist : Prodigal a. Reserved : Impulsive
b. Physician : Noble b. Lethargic : Energized
c. Liar : Compulsive c. Clearsighted : Perspicacious
d. Critic : Quizzical d. Severe : Clement
e. Mendicant : Impecunious e. Transparent : Opaque
17. Inherit: Heir 22. Anecdote: Humorous
a. Patronize : Protégé a. Elegy : Satiric
b. Dwell : Denizen b. Epigram : Pithy
c. Obey : Autocrat c. Saga : Heroic
d. Shun : Outcast d. Proverb : Modern
e. Squander : Miser e. Allegory : Lengthy
18. Colossus: Gigantic 23. Conduit: Water
a. Despot : Immaculate a. Electricity : Television
b. Demagogue : Liberal b. Turbidity : Liquid
c. Juggernaut : Inexorable c. Mediator : Conflict
d. Philistine : Cultivated d. Artery : Blood
e. Cosmonaut : Worldly e. Hygrometer : Humidity
19. Diehard: Stubborn 24. Desultory: Methodical
a. Parsimonious : Stingy a. Unborn : Dead
b. Blackguard : Protective b. Villain : Evil
c. Spendthrift : Weak c. Concentrated : Assimilated
d. Scornful : Admirable d. Apocryphal : Dubious
e. Braggart : Carefree e. Nefarious : Wicked
20. Reverie: Dreamy 25. Squabble: Petty
a. Journey : Leisurely a. Pursuit : Trivial
b. Expectation : Hopeless b. Pariah : Popular
c. Glance : Resentful c. Dogma : Questionable
d. Acquaintanceship : Brief d. Notion : Farfetched
e. Tryst : Clandestine e. Peccadillo : Trifling

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Analogy Solutions

1. (b) School is a group of fish; Pride is a group of lions.

2. (d) Carpenter uses a saw to cut; Tailor uses scissors to cut.

3. (d) Spider lives in a web; Bird lives in a nest.

4. (b) Antonyms

5. (d) Many storeys comprise a building; Many rungs comprise a ladder.

6. (a) Antonyms

7. (c) A cynosure is always brilliant; A magnet is always attractive.

8. (e) Synonyms

9. (d) Insoluble means unable to dissolve; Buoyant means unable to sink.

10. (e) Plumage means feather covering a bird; Fleece means wool covering a sheep.
11. (c) Irascible means easily provoked; Gullible means easily fooled.
12. (a) An immortal person cannot face death; An incombustible object cannot burn.
13. (b) Anesthetic causes numbness; Sedative causes drowsiness.
14. (c) A stickler is a person who always insists; A braggart is a person who always boasts.
15. (a) Synonyms
16. (e) A complainer is always petulant; A mendicant is always impecunious.
17. (b) An heir is a person who inherits; A denizen is a person who dwells.
18. (c) A colossus is always gigantic; A juggernaut is always inexorable.
19. (a) Synonyms
20. (e) A reverie is always dreamy; A tryst is always clandestine.
21. (c) Synonyms
22. (b) An anecdote is always humorous; An epigram is always pithy.
23. (d) Water flows through conduit; Blood flows through artery.
24. (a) Antonyms
25. (e) A squabble is always petty; A peccadillo is always trifling.

330
Part 3
332
Chapter 33
Mixed Exercises

333
334
Error Detection
Difficulty Level- Easy

1. A glossary of terms, a section on clauses, and using idiomatic expressions are included in the

A B C D

new grammar textbook. No error

2. According to veterinarian Jim Silver, of all the breeds of dogs, poodles learn tricks like

A B C

―sit‖ and ―roll over‖ more quickly. No error

D E

3. Too busy for her own good, Nadine was negligent about drinking enough water, in fact ,

A B C

she was dehydrated so badly that she suffered daily from headaches and irritability. No Error

D E

4. Feeling awkward about the bold assertions he had made in his public address, Jake decided to

resign his harshly stated declaration about the prevalent injustices between male and female athletes. No error

B C D E

5. A motorcade of celebrities compacted the early morning traffic, which was already flooded

A B

with commuters who were trying to beat the rush-hour clock. No error

C D E

6. The bubbly toddlers around the scenic park was walking, hoping to find a colorful jungle

A B C

gym before their mothers decided it was time to return home. No error

D E
7. When tackling reading comprehension on the SAT, test takers should answer questions based

on what‘s stated or implied in the passages and not based on what she knows to be fair or reasonable. No error

B C D E
8. Their sailing certificates hung side by side in the living room in symbolizing their commitment

A B

to trying new things in life and to inspire their young children to try new sports and activities. No error

C D E
335
9. As group leader, Jean is very incisive when it comes to determining how staff outings
A B
should be arranged; typically she needs to ponder something for only a few minutes before
C D
she decides on the details. No error
E
10. Last week Gary went to the ski club meeting with his daughters where they receive a
A B C
brochure on the mountain trails and a schedule of ski school clinics and ice-skating times. No error
D E
11. Although Melissa vehemently claims that she speaks truthful to me, I still am not sure
A B C
whether or not I can trust her fully. No error
D E
12. When interrogated about his recent promotion to director of publicity, Harrison recanted
A B C
that he could not conceive of being more excited or grateful. No error
D E
13. In this heartbreaking case that involved several cousins, Judge Klein pointed out that the inauspicious outcomes
A B
have been determined largely by her earlier, foolhardy actions. No Error
C D E
14. Despite the coach‘s spirited pep talk, every one of the players were feeling deeply defeated by the landslide loss
A B C
endured at the regional tournament. No error
D E
15. Badminton, ping-pong, and volleyball are among the many popular activities that the children enjoy outdoors
A B C
and indoors at the diversified summer camp. No error
D E
16. For art and woodworking enthusiasts, making a wooden sailboat and sculpting with papier-mâché provides

A B C D

hands-on, creative fun. No error

336
17. Furnished with an eclectic style of décor, the home features three distinct fireplaces, each of which are dressed

A B C

in a different style: English, rustic, and contemporary. No error

D E

18. Although Jared, a hard-hitting athlete and loyal team player, impresses others as passive and easygoing,

A B

he underscores his opponent at every chance he gets. No error

C D E

19. Not only are fireplace tools such as a broom, a poker, and tongs decorative, but they are also

A B C

functional as well. No error

D E

20. Situating along the scenic Adriatic coast in central Italy, Francavilla al Mare is the town

A B

where the family will vacation during the summer. No error

C D E

21. If Luke follows the written directions in the instruction booklet and focuses on the sketches,

he should be able to assemble the aluminum goalie net really easy. No error

B C D E

22. Billy can‘t find his baseball mitt, so he decided that either Daddy or Tom are using it at the ball field behind

A B C D

the community center. No error

23. Before dinner was served during the American Airlines flight from New York to Rome, the brothers began to

A B

watch ―Scary Movie 3‖ on their dad‘s laptop DVD player. No error

C D E

24. Some college graduates make career decisions based on salary and prestige, irregardless
A B C
of their true desires and intellectual aptitudes. No error
D E

337
25. Quotidian pastimes of the family include strolling along the shoreline, to shop the
A B C
beach vendors, and listening to the jukebox at the snack bar. No error
D E
26. After climbing the rocks that led to the 150-feet-long breakers, the children walked along the
A
full length of the prodigious and slippery stones, from one end of it to the other. No error
B C D E
27. Some parents coerce their children in playing one particular sport or another, without
A B C
proper consideration of the youngsters‘ genuine interests and talents as individuals. No error
D E
28. The ancient African and Asian game mancala, with its playing board of wooden bowls, its colorful, gemstone
A
playing pieces, and its myriad strategy possibilities, happily bemused the family for days. No error
B C D E
29. Their children having had experienced the malaise of car sickness one too many times, so the couple decided it
A B C
was best not to venture into a cramped car for a six-hour journey along uncertain roads. No error
D E
30. With bittersweet nostalgia, the woman noticed that the bronze lion‘s head knocker that adorned the heavy
A B
wooden door looked just like the one belonging to her aunt‘s. No error
C D E
31. At Tivoli Gardens, just outside Rome, fountains and waterfalls feature sculptures of Greek and Roman gods and
A
goddesses, zoomorphic animal faces, and even show winged dragons, contributing to a tantalizing experience
B C
that blends fantasy and nature. No error
D E
32. The full-length feature films that will be shown during the eight-hour transatlantic

A B C

flight includes ―Paycheck,‖ starring Ben Affleck, and ―Runaway Jury,‖ featuring Martin Sheen. No Error

D E

338
33. Comprised of an accordion player, a bongo drum, and a saxophonist, the musical trio traveled across

A B C D

the sand, playing lighthearted melodies for the sunbathers. No error

34. Although Pedro‘s plan initially seemed ingenuous, it soon turned out to be a debacle of unparalleled proportion

A B C D

and great consequence. No error

35. Since the clear water remains relatively shallow all the way to the breakers, which are about 250 feet from shore,

A B

when the sea is very placid, beachgoers feel as if they are swimming in a pool rather than the sea. No error

C D E

36. Despite Mitchell‘s steadfast attempts to mitigate his friends‘ ongoing rivalry, he was ultimately unable to

A B C

mediate their long-overdue reconciliation. No error

D E

37. The indefatigable beach vendor from Bangladesh carries a 12-foot-long, steel clothes bar, to brim with beaded

A B

cover-ups, fringed shawls, and long Hawaiian style sundresses. No error

C D E

38. How can one pass judgment on the habits and preoccupations of others when they have never experienced the

A B

daily responsibilities and routines that characterize the pace of their everyday lives? No error

C D E

39. I hope that after you give me the keys to the Jeep you‘ll offer lending me twenty dollars to boost my chances of

A B C

having a memorable night out on the town. No error

D E

40. After eating their ice-cream cone and playing their fifth game of foosball, the invigorated

A B

boys joined in on a volleyball match at the net on the sand. No error

C D E

339
Difficulty level- Medium

41. It‘s difficult to imagine how one can contrive of vivid, picturesque details about an exotic and distant place

A B C

that he has never once visited. No error

D E

42. The woman found that her brisk, early morning walk through Sunset Park and along the boardwalk, lined with

sycamore trees, that stretched along the quiet harbor had become an enervating ritual that would keep

B C

her alert and refreshed for the remainder of her day. No error

D E

43. With their rhythmic and hypnotic movements, the orange, turquoise, and yellow buoys that dot the seascape

A B C

playfully skip and they jump over the undulating waves. No error

D E

44. Large, lush geraniums in sunny reds and bright corals cascade down from the third-floor balcony, reaching

A B C

three and four feet toward the earth. No error

D E

45. The vivacious children, after much pleading from their weary parents, put away their toys and made their

A B C

beds themselves. No error

D E

46. Available in tropical flavors such as lime, coconut, and peach, the snow cones that are sold at the beach by the

A B C

jaunty man who pushes along his colorful, rolling cart are tastier than the pizzeria sells. No error

D E

47. According to their fond recollections, the seaside resort offered leisurely summer days to take in natural
A B
beauty, to eat fresh food, and to escape the responsibilities of everyday life. No error
C D E

340
48. The couple bought a set of four hand painted, ceramic plaques where each features pastoral scenes that depict
A B
the labors and harvests associated with each of the four seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. No error
C D E
49. The cacophonous drone of a yellow seaplane interrupted the sonorous and breezy rhythm of the coastal
A B C
waves. No error
D E
50. The shiny, black stretch limousine and leather seats was equipped with a popup flat screen television,
A B
a DVD player, and recessed water coolers that glowed with light effects, changing color every ten seconds
C
from lavender to orange, then from red to green. No error
D E
51. A regular amount of uninterrupted, free time is necessary to the pursuit of daily
A B C
exercise and leisure reading. No error
D E
52. Although the office measures only ten feet by thirteen feet; it holds two bookshelves, two
A B
desks, two computers, and a commodious file cabinet. No error
C D E
53. Soon to turn ten years old, Phillip thought about having a 3D party: eating dinner, dancing under the strobe light,
A B C
and the movie ―Dodge ball‖ with Ben Stiller would provide the entertainment for him and his friends. No error
D E
54. Julian, please get me that Harry Potter book quick so we can read some of it together on the family-room
A B C D
couch. No error
E
55. Since the newly constructed shower stall in the basement was rather large, Sheila bought

A B

the largest of the two sizes of curtain rods that were available at the hardware store. No error

C D E

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56. Grandma, affectionately called ―Gramm,‖ encouraged her grandson‘s reading by assuring

A B C

him that the words he hesitated are the same ones she would have stumbled upon. No error

D E

57. I have tried every shawl, shrug, and scarf with this maroon dress but to my consternation,

A B C

none of them seem right for the casual yet put-together look I desire. No error

D E

58. Upon receiving my friend‘s Christmas card this year, I am so happy to see that her three young children

A B C

are as beautiful and radiant like I remember them. No error

D E

59. After mulling over long lists of dog names that they printed off the Internet, the Mardis had finally narrowed

A B C

down the choices for their chocolate-brown puppy to their three favorites: Mocha, Coco, and Baci. No error

D E

60. To rejoice in the holiday season, the fourth graders assembled in the computer lab to put on a

marvelous presentation for their parents that includes a power-point presentation, portraying

B C

a family tradition, followed by a family cookie exchange in the cozy library. No error

D E

Difficulty Level- Hard

61. If any signer of the Constitution was to return to life for a day, his opinion of our amendments would be

A B C D

interesting. No error

62. After we waited in line for three hours, much to our disgust, the tickets had been sold

A B C

out when we reached the window. No error

D E

342
63. Even before she became a multi-award winning artist, Adele had sensed that her life

A B C

would no longer be the same. No error

D E

64. If any signer of the Constitution was to return to life for a day, his opinion of our

A B C

amendments would be interesting. No error

D E

65. The dean of the college, together with some other faculty members, are planning a

A B C

conference for C the purpose of laying down certain regulations. No error

D E

66. If one lives in Florida one day and in Iceland the next, he is certain to feel the change in temperature. No error

A B C D E

67. Now that the stress of examinations and interviews are over, we can all relax for a while. No error

A B C D E

68. The industrial trend is in the direction of more machines and less people. No error

A B C D E

69. The American standard of living is still higher than most of the other countries of the world. No error

A B C D E

70. At last, late in the afternoon, a long line of flags and colored umbrellas were seen moving toward the

A B C D

gate of the palace. No error

71. Due to the failure of the air-cooling system, many in the audience had left the meeting before the

A B C

principal speaker arrived. No error

D E

72. Psychologists and psychiatrists will tell us that it is of the utmost importance that a
A
disturbed child receive professional attention as soon as possible. No error
B C D E

343
73. That angry outburst of Father‘s last night was so annoying that it resulted in our guests packing up and
A B C
leaving this morning. No error
D E
74. Sharp advances last week in the wholesale price of beef is a strong indication of higher meat costs to come,
A B C
but so far retail prices remain favorable. No error
D E
75. An acquaintance with the memoirs of Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Robert Browning enable us
A
to appreciate the depth of influence that two people of talent can have on each other. No error
B C D E
76. The supervisor was advised to give the assignment to whomever he believed had a strong sense of
A B C
responsibility, and the courage of his or her conviction. No error
D E
77. If he would have lain quietly as instructed by the doctor, he might not have had a second heart attack. No error
A B C D E
78. The inspirational writer of the Harry Potter series is J. K. Rowling, who you must know as an outstanding
A B C D
contributor to modern day literature. No Error
E
79. Though you may not agree with the philosophy of Malcolm X, you must admit that he had tremendous influence
A B C
over a great many followers. No error
D E
80. There is no objection to him joining the party provided he is willing to fit in with the plans of the group and is
A B C
ready and able to do his share of the work. No error
D E

344
Error Detection Solutions
1. Did you notice the comma series, which often indicates an error in parallel form? Find error: C Name error: lack
of parallelism Fix error: a list of
2. Find error: D Name error: faulty comparison; superlative ―most‖ is needed because ―all the breeds‖ are being
compared Fix error: most
3. Find error: C Name error: run-on (comma splice) Fix error: water; in fact
4. Find error: B Name error: diction error Fix error: retract (disavow)
5. Find error: A Name error: diction error Fix error: compounded (added to)
6. Did you notice that the subject of the sentence, ―toddlers,‖ is plural? Find error: B Name error: Subject– verb
agreement error; verb and subject are in reverse order Fix error: were
7. Did you notice that the subject of the sentence, ―test takers,‖ is plural? Find error: D Name error: pronoun
agreement error Fix error: they know
8. Find error: B Name error: verb-form error Fix error: to symbolize
9. Find error: B Name error: diction error Fix error: decisive (incisive means harsh or vitriolic)
10. Did you notice the first two words of the sentence? ―Last week‖ indicates the past tense. Find error: C Name
error: verb-tense error Fix error: received (―went‖ also indicates past tense)
11. C Adverb versus adjective error. To modify the verb ―speaks,‖ the adjective ―truthful‖ should be changed to the
adverb truthfully.
12. C Diction error. Wrong word; should be stressed, repeated, or a similar word. ―Recant‖ means to take back a
statement that was made.
13. D Ambiguous possessive pronoun. ―Her‖ lacks a clear antecedent.
14. C Subject–verb agreement error. The singular pronoun ―everyone‖ requires the singular verb was. ―Players‖ is
the object of the prepositional phrase, not the subject of the sentence.
15. E No error
16. D Subject–verb agreement error. Provide is needed to agree with the compound subject.
17. C Subject–verb agreement error. Is is needed to agree with the singular pronoun ―each.‖
18. C Diction error. Wrong word. Should be undermines or undercuts.
19. D Redundancy. Eliminate as well.
20. A Idiom error. Should be Situated.
21. D Adverb versus adjective error. To modify the infinitive ―to assemble,‖ the adjective ―easy‖ should be changed to
the adverb easily.
22. C Subject–verb agreement error. The verb is should be used to agree with the singular ―Tom,‖ which is the closer
of the two subjects that are joined by the conjunction ―or.‖
23. E No error
24. C Diction error. Wrong word. Should be regardless.
25. C Lack of parallelism. ―To shop‖ should be shopping to agree with the two gerunds in the series, strolling and
listening.
26. D Pronoun-agreement error. The plural pronoun them is needed to agree with the antecedent, ―stones.‖
27. C Idiom. Coerce into is Standard English.

345
28. C Diction error. Wrong word. Amused works in this sentence. ―Bemused‖ means befuddled or confused.
29. A Verb-form error. The correct verb for this introductory clause is having.
30. D Redundancy. Should be her aunt.
31. C Lack of parallelism. Delete ―show‖ to maintain parallel form in the comma series: noun, noun, and noun.
32. D Subject–verb agreement error. The plural verb include is needed to agree with the subject, ―films.‖
33. B Lack of parallelism. To maintain parallel form in the comma series, the instrument, ―drum,‖ should be changed
to the person, drummer.
34. A Diction error. Wrong word. ―Ingenuous‖ means honest. Should be ingenious. For the record, ―disingenuous‖
means insincere.
35. D Lack of parallelism. A gerund (known as a verbal noun form) is needed to match the previous gerund,
―swimming.‖ Should be swimming (or perhaps cavorting) in the sea.
36. C Pronoun error. Pronoun he lacks an antecedent. ―Mitchell‘s‖ is a possessive adjective and, therefore, not a
proper antecedent.
37. B Verb-form error. Should be the gerund brimming.
38. B Pronoun-agreement error. The singular he has (she has, he or she has) is needed to agree with the singular
pronoun ―one‖ that appears earlier in the sentence.
39. C Verb-form error. The gerund ―lending‖ should be the infinitive to lend.
40. B Plural/singular consistency error. The singular ―ice-cream cone‖ should be ice cream cones to agree with the
plural ―boys.‖ It‘s very doubtful that the boys are sharing one ice cream cone!
41. B Diction error. Wrong word. The correct word is conceive.
42. B Diction error. Wrong word. The correct word is energizing. ―Enervating‖ means weakening or draining of
energy.
43. D Unnecessary word. Delete they.
44. E No error
45. D Faulty word. ―Themself ‖ is not a word. The plural pronoun themselves is needed to agree with ―children.‖
46. D Faulty comparison. Snow cones should be compared to snow cones: than those the pizzeria sells.
47. A Pronoun error. ―Their‖ lacks an antecedent.
48. B Diction error. Should be in which; the adverb ―where‖ indicates a place.
49. E No error
50. A Diction error. Should be with.
51. C Idiom error. Should be for.
52. B Punctuation error. Replace the semicolon with a comma. Remember: a semicolon divides two independent
clauses.
53. D Lack of parallelism. Change to watching the movie ―Dodgeball‖ so that each introductory member of the
comma series is a gerund, an -ing ending verb form.
54. C Adjective/adverb error. Replace ―quick‖ with quickly to modify the verb get.
55. C Faulty comparison. Since ―two sizes of curtain rods‖ are being discussed, the comparative form larger should
be used. Remember: the two-letter ending -er is used when comparing two things; the three-letter ending -est,
when comparing three or more things.

346
56. D Idiom error. Should be hesitated on.
57. D Subject–verb agreement error. The singular verb form seems is needed to agree with the singular subject
―None.‖ Think of none as a contraction for not one. Remember: every pronoun that ends in -one or -body is
singular.
58. D Correlative conjunction error. To express comparison, the sentence should read as beautiful and radiant as.
59. C Incorrect verb tense. Eliminate ―had.‖
60. C Incorrect verb tense. Should be included to agree with the past-tense verb ―assembled.‖
61. Correct answer: (A) This part is incorrect. ―If any signer of the Constitution were to return to life…‖ is correct. The
verb in the ―if clause‖ of a present contrary to-fact conditional statement must have a past subjunctive form
(were).
Wrong answers explained:
(B) No. This part is correct; ―for a day‖ works here.
(C) No. This part is correct; ―of‖ works here.
(D) No. This part is correct; ―would be‖ works here.
(E) No. There is an error. One of the above choices is where the error is.
Part (A) is incorrect.
62. Correct answer: (C) This part is incorrect. Avoid squinting constructions—that is, modifiers that are placed so that
the reader cannot tell whether they are modifying the words immediately preceding the construction or the words
immediately following the construction. As the sentence initially reads, we don‘t know whether ―much to our
disgust‖ modifies ―After we waited in line for three hours‖ or modifies ―the tickets had been sold out when we
reached the window.‖ The correct sentence would read, ―After we waited in line for three hours, the tickets, much
to our disgust, had been sold out when we reached the window.
Wrong answers explained:
(A) No. This part is correct; ―After we waited‖ works here.
(B) No. This part is correct; ―for three hours‖ works here.
(D) No. This part is correct; ―when‖ works here.
(E) No. There is an error. One of the above choices is where the error is.
Part (C) is incorrect.
63. Choice E is correct. All underlined parts are correct.
64. Choice A is correct. ―If any signer of the Constitution were to return to life…‖ The verb in the ―if clause‖ of a
present contrary-to-fact conditional statement must have a past subjunctive form (were).
65. Choice C is correct. ―The dean of the college… is planning…‖ The subject of the sentence (dean) is singular.
Therefore, the verb must be singular (is planning).
66. Choice E is correct. All underlined parts are correct.
67. Choice B is correct. ―Now that the stress…is over…‖ The subject of the subordinate clause is singular (stress).
Accordingly, the verb of the clause must be singular (is—not are). Incidentally, examinations and interviews are
not subjects—they are objects of the preposition of.
68. Choice D is correct. ―…of more machines and fewer people.‖ We use fewer for persons and things that may be
counted. We use less for bulk or mass.

347
69. Choice C is correct. ―…than that of most of the other countries of the world.‖ We must have parallelism so that
the word standard in the main clause of the sentence acts as an antecedent for the pronoun that in the
subordinate clause. As the original sentence reads, the American standard of living is still higher than the
countries themselves.
70. Choice C is correct. ―…a long line of flags…was seen…‖ The subject of the sentence is singular (line). Therefore,
the verb must be singular (was seen).
71. Choice A is correct. ―Because of the failure…‖ The rule is that you never start a sentence with Due to. As a
predicate adjective, due to is correct when used in a sentence such as: ―His weakness was due to his hunger.‖
72. Choice E is correct. All underlined parts are correct. Note that we would consider ―receive‖ to be correct because
it would fall into the category of a subjunctive verb form; the sentence is presenting a situation that isn‘t yet
reality. The subjunctive is used following verbs like insist, request, suggest, and so on. None of those are used
directly here, but ―psychiatrists will tell us that it is of the utmost importance that‖ creates a very similar situation.
73. Choice B is correct. ―…resulted in our guests‘ packing up…‖ A noun or pronoun immediately preceding a gerund
is in the possessive case. Note that the noun guests followed by an apostrophe is possessive.
74. Choice B is correct. ―Sharp advances…are…‖ Since the subject of the sentence is plural (advances), the verb
must be plural (are).
75. Choice A is correct. ―An acquaintance with the memoirs…enables us…‖ Since the subject of the sentence is
singular (acquaintance), the verb must be singular (enables).
76. Choice B is correct. ―…to whoever…had a strong sense…‖ The subject of the subordinate clause is whoever,
and it takes a nominative form (whoever— not whomever) since it is a subject. Incidentally, the expression he
believed is parenthetical, so it has no grammatical relationship with the rest of the sentence.
77. Choice A is correct. ―If he had lain…‖ The verb in the ―if clause‖ of a past contrary-to-fact conditional statement
must take the had lain form—not the would have lain form.
78. Choice C is correct. ―…J. K. Rowling, whom you must know as an outstanding contributor to modern day
literature.‖ The direct object of the subordinate clause—or of any clause or sentence— must be in the objective
case and, accordingly, must take the objective form (whom—not who).
79. Choice E is correct. All underlined parts are correct.
80. Choice A is correct. ―There is no objection to his joining…‖ We have here a pronoun that is acting as the subject
of the gerund joining. As a subject of the gerund, the pronoun must be in the possessive case (his).

348
Sentence Correction
* The difficulty levels have not been labeled here. Try this exercise after completing Part 1 and Part 2. You
can test yourself in the best manner then *

1. Scientists have recently discovered what could be the largest and oldest living organism on Earth, a giant fungus
that is an interwoven filigree of mushrooms and root-like tentacles spawned by a single fertilized spore some
10,000 years ago and extending for more than 30 acres in the soil of a Michigan forest.
A. extending
B. extends
C. extended
D. it extended
E. is extending

2. First discovered more than 30 years ago, Lina's sunbird, a four-and-a-half-inch animal found in the Philippines
and that resembles a hummingbird, has shimmering metallic colors on its head; a brilliant orange patch, bordered
with red tufts, in the center of its breast; and a red eye.
A. found in the Philippines and that resembles
B. found in the Philippines and that, resembling
C. found in the Philippines and resembling
D. that is found in the Philippines and it resembles
E. that is found in the Philippines, resembling

3. The increased popularity and availability of televisions has led to the decline of regional dialects, language
variations which originate from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuated by geographic isolation.
A. which originate from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuated
B. that originated from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuated
C. originated from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuated
D. originating from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuated
E. originating from diverse ethnic and cultural heritages and perpetuating

4. The growth of the railroads led to the abolition of local times, which was determined by when the sun reached the
observer‘s meridian and differing from city to city, and to the establishment of regional times.
A. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer‘s meridian and differing
B. which was determined by when the sun reached the observer‘s meridian and which differed
C. which were determined by when the sun reached the observer‘s meridian and differing
D. determined by when the sun reached the observer‘s meridian and differed
E. determined by when the sun reached the observer‘s meridian and differing

5. As the etched lines on computer memory chips have become thinner and the chips‘ circuits more complex, both
the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have vastly increased.
A. the chips‘ circuits more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have
B. the chips‘ circuits more complex, the power of both the chips and the electronic devices they drive has
C. the chips‘ circuits are more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive has
D. their circuits are more complex, the power of both the chips and the electronic devices they drive have
E. their circuits more complex, both the power of the chips and the electronic devices they drive have

349
6. Twenty-two feet long and 10 feet in diameter, the AM-1 is one of the many new satellites that is a part of 15
years effort of subjecting the interactions of Earth‘s atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces to detailed scrutiny
from space.
A. satellites that is a part of 15 years effort of subjecting the interactions of Earth‘s atmosphere, oceans, and land
surfaces
B. satellites, which is a part of a 15-year effort to subject how Earth‘s atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces interact
C. satellites, part of 15 years effort of subjecting how Earth‘s atmosphere, oceans, and land surfaces are interacting
D. satellites that are part of an effort for 15 years that has subjected the interactions of Earth‘s atmosphere, oceans,
and land surfaces
E. satellites that are part of a 15-year effort to subject the interactions of Earth‘s atmosphere, ocean, and land surfaces

7. Although it claims to delve into political issues, television can be superficial such as when each of the three major
networks broadcast exactly the same statement from a political candidate.
A. superficial such as when each of the three major networks
B. superficial, as can sometimes occur if all of the three major networks
C. superficial if the three major networks all
D. superficial whenever each of the three major networks
E. superficial, as when the three major networks each

8. With its plan to develop seven and a half acres of shore land, Cleveland is but one of a large number of
communities on the Great Lakes that is looking to its waterfront as a way to improve the quality of urban life and
attract new businesses.
A. is looking to its waterfront as a way to improve the quality of urban life and attract
B. is looking at its waterfront to improve the quality of urban life and attract
C. are looking to their waterfronts to improve the quality of urban life and attract
D. are looking to its waterfront as a way of improving the quality of urban life and attracting
E. are looking at their waterfronts as a way they can improve the quality of urban life and attract

9. With its abundance of noun inflections, Icelandic is one of several Germanic languages that is compact when
written but can lengthen considerably when translated into English.
A. is compact when written but can lengthen considerably when translated into English
B. are compact when they are written, but they can lengthen considerably when they are translated in English
C. is compact when written but can lengthen considerably when being translated into English
D. are compact when written but can lengthen considerably in English translation
E. is compact when it is written but can lengthen considerably when translated in English

350
10. The global-warming effect of ocean white caps are one of the many aspects of the ocean environment that are
not yet incorporated in any detail into the computer models used for predicting how rising greenhouse gas
concentrations could affect climate.
A. The global-warming effect of ocean white caps are one of the many aspects of the ocean environment that
are not yet incorporated in any detail into the computer models used for predicting
B. The effect on global warming of ocean white caps are one of the many aspects of the ocean environment not
yet incorporated in any detail into computer models, which they use to predict
C. The effect of ocean white caps on global warming is one of the many aspects of the ocean environment that
are not yet incorporated in any detail into the computer models used to predict
D. That ocean white caps have an effect on global warming is one of the many aspects of the ocean
environment not yet having been incorporated in any detail into the computer models that are used for
predicting
E. That ocean white caps have an effect on global warming is one of the many aspects of the ocean
environment not yet being incorporated in any detail into computer models, which they use to predict

11. Biologists believe that they have found one of the substances that tell individual genes both when to become
active and when to remain quiescent in the earliest phases of an embryo‘s development.
A. tell individual genes both when to become active and when to remain
B. tell individual genes both at which time they should become active or should remain
C. tells individual genes both when to become active or remain
D. tells individual genes both when to become active or when to remain
E. will tell an individual gene both about when it should become active and remain

12. Not one of the potential investors is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger
agreement is signed that includes a provision for penalties if the deal were not to be concluded.
A. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement is signed that includes a
provision for penalties if the deal were
B. is expected to make an offer for buying First Interstate Bank until they sign a merger agreement including a
provision for penalties if the deal was
C. is expected to make an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until a merger agreement be signed by them with a
provision for penalties if the deal were
D. are expected to make an offer for buying First Interstate Bank until it signs a merger agreement with a
provision for penalties included if the deal was
E. are expected to be making an offer to buy First Interstate Bank until they sign a merger agreement including a
provision for penalties if the deal were

13. Minnesota is the only one of the contiguous forty-eight states that still has a sizable wolf population, and where
this predator remains the archenemy of cattle and sheep.
A. that still has a sizable wolf population, and where
B. that still has a sizable wolf population, where
C. that still has a sizable population of wolves, and where
D. where the population of wolves is still sizable;
E. where there is still a sizable population of wolves and where

351
14. Lacking information about energy use, people tend to overestimate the amount of energy used by equipment,
such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that used by unobtrusive
equipment, such as water heaters.
A. equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that
B. equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when
C. equipment, such as lights, that is visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when
D. visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate that
E. visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate it when

15. However much United States voters may agree that there is waste in government and that the government as a
whole spends beyond its means, it is difficult to find broad support for a movement toward a minimal state.
A. However much United States voters may agree that
B. Despite the agreement among United States voters to the fact
C. Although United States voters agree
D. Even though United States voters may agree
E. There is agreement among United States voters that

16. Geologists believe that the warning signs for a major earthquake may include sudden fluctuations in local seismic
activity, tilting and other deformations of the Earth's crust, changing the measured strain across a fault zone, and
varying the electrical properties of underground rocks.
A. changing the measured strain across a fault zone and varying
B. changing measurements of the strain across a fault zone, and varying
C. changing the strain as measured across a fault zone, and variations of
D. changes in the measured strain across a fault zone, and variations in
E. changes in measurements of the strain across a fault zone, and variations among

17. One legacy of Madison Avenue's recent campaign to appeal to people fifty years old and over is the realization
that as a person ages, their concerns change as well.
A. the realization that as a person ages, their
B. the realization that as people age, their
C. to realize that when a person ages, his or her
D. to realize that when people age, their
E. realizing that as people age, their

18. New theories propose that catastrophic impacts of asteroids and comets may have caused reversals in the
Earth's magnetic field, the onset of ice ages, splitting apart continents 80 million years ago, and great volcanic
eruptions.
A. splitting apart continents
B. the splitting apart of continents
C. split apart continents
D. continents split apart
E. continents that were split apart

352
19. Legislation in the Canadian province Ontario requires of both public and private employers that pay be the same
for jobs historically held by women as for jobs requiring comparable skill that are usually held by men.
A. that pay be the same for jobs historically held by women as for jobs requiring comparable skill that are
B. that pay for jobs historically held by women should be the same as for a job requiring comparable skills
C. to pay the same in jobs historically held by women as in jobs of comparable skill that are
D. to pay the same regardless of whether a job was historically held by women or is one demanding comparable
skills
E. to pay as much for jobs historically held by women as for a job demanding comparable skills

20. In one of the most stunning reversals in the history of marketing, the Coca-Cola Company in July 1985 yielded to
thousands of irate consumers demanding that it should bring back the original Coke formula.
A. demanding that it should
B. demanding it to
C. and their demand to
D. who demanded that it
E. who demanded it to

21. Because of the enormous research and development expenditures required to survive in the electronics industry,
an industry marked by rapid innovation and volatile demand, such firms tend to be very large.
A. to survive
B. of firms to survive
C. for surviving
D. for survival
E. for firms' survival

22. One view of the economy contends that a large drop in oil prices should eventually lead to lowering interest
rates, as well as lowering fears about inflation, a rally in stocks and bonds, and a weakening of the dollar.
A. lowering interest rates, as well as lowering fears about inflation,
B. a lowering of interest rates and of fears about inflation,
C. a lowering of interest rates, along with fears about inflation,
D. interest rates being lowered, along with fears about inflation,
E. interest rates and fears about inflation being lowered, with

23. Despite protests from some waste-disposal companies, state health officials have ordered the levels of bacteria
in seawater at popular beaches to be measured and that the results be published.
A. the levels of bacteria in seawater at popular beaches to be measured and that the results be
B. that seawater at popular beaches should be measured for their levels of bacteria, with the results being
C. the measure of levels of bacteria in seawater at popular beaches and the results to be
D. seawater measured at popular beaches for levels of bacteria, with their results
E. that the levels of bacteria in seawater at popular beaches be measured and the results

353
24. Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious reformism were the rise of the Wahhabis
in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and the victory of the Usuli
―mujtahids‖ in Shiite Iran and Iraq.
A. Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious reformism were the rise of the
Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
B. Manifestations of Islamic political militancy in the first period of religious reformism were shown in the rise of
the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and also
C. In the first period of religious reformism, manifestations of Islamic political militancy were the rise of the
Wahhabis in Arabia, of the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
D. In the first period of religious reformism, manifestations of Islamic political militancy were shown in the rise of
the Wahhabis in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, the Mahdi in the Sudan, and
E. In the first period of religious reformism, Islamic political militancy was manifested in the rise of the Wahhabis
in Arabia, the Sanusi in Cyrenaica, the Fulani in Nigeria, and the Mahdi in the Sudan, and in

25. The first trenches cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for centrally
administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously with but
independently of the more celebrated city-states of southern Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq.
A. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously with but
B. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arose simultaneously but
C. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East were arising simultaneously but
D. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence of centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arising simultaneously but
E. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arose simultaneously with but

26. The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal
known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.
A. include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
B. include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
C. include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
D. includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
E. includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

27. Past assessments of the Brazilian rain forest have used satellite images to tally deforested areas, where farmers
and ranchers have clear-cut and burned all the trees, but such work has not addressed either logging, which is
the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning down individual trees but do not denude the
forest.
A. which is the removal of only selected trees, as well as surface fires, burning
B. which removes only selected trees, or surface fires that burn
C. which removes only selected trees, along with surface fires that burn
D. removing only selected trees, or surface fires, burning
E. removing only selected trees, as well as surface fires that burn

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28. Yellow jackets number among the 900 or so species of the world‘s social wasps, wasps living in a highly
cooperative and organized society where they consist almost entirely of females—the queen and her sterile female workers.
A. wasps living in a highly cooperative and organized society where they consist almost entirely of
B. wasps that live in a highly cooperative and organized society consisting almost entirely of
C. which means they live in a highly cooperative and organized society, almost all
D. which means that their society is highly cooperative, organized, and it is almost entirely
E. living in a society that is highly cooperative, organized, and it consists of almost all

29. Floating in the waters of the equatorial Pacific, an array of buoys collects and transmits data on long-term
interactions between the ocean and the atmosphere, interactions that affect global climate.
A. atmosphere, interactions that affect
B. atmosphere, with interactions affecting
C. atmosphere that affects
D. atmosphere that is affecting
E. atmosphere as affects

30. The state has proposed new rules that would set minimum staffing levels for nurses, rules intended to ensure
that at least one nurse is assigned for every four patients put through triage in a hospital emergency room.
A. rules intended to ensure that at least one nurse is assigned for every four patients put through triage in a
hospital emergency room
B. rules with the intent of ensuring one nurse at least to be assigned for every four patients to be put through
triage in a hospital emergency room
C. rules intending to ensure at least one nurse is assigned for every four patients in a hospital emergency room
put through triage
D. with the intent of ensuring that at least one nurse should be assigned for every four patients in a hospital
emergency room that are put through triage
E. and this is intended to ensure one nurse at least to be assigned for every four patients put through triage in a
hospital emergency room

31. While studying the genetic makeup of corn, a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock,
a discovery which led to greater understanding of cell differentiation.
A. a new class of mutant genes was discovered by Barbara McClintock, a discovery which led
B. a new class of mutant genes in corn were discovered by Barbara McClintock, leading
C. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, and it led
D. Barbara McClintock discovered a new class of mutant genes, a discovery that led
E. Barbara McClintock, who discovered a new class of mutant genes, leading

32. Possible long-term consequences of the ―greenhouse effect,‖ the gradual warming of the Earth‘s climate, may
include melting the polar ice caps and a rising sea level.
A. may include melting the polar ice caps and a rising sea level
B. may include the melting of polar ice caps and the rising sea level
C. may include polar ice caps that are melting and sea levels that are rising
D. include melting the polar ice caps and sea levels that are rising
E. include melting of the polar ice caps and a rise in sea level

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33. Almost a decade after New York State passed laws to protect patients by reducing the grueling hours worked by
medical residents, twelve hospitals have been investigated by state medical officials, finding that all twelve
consistently break the laws, many residents work longer than 24 hours straight, and that more than half the
surgical residents work more than 95 hours a week.
A. twelve hospitals have been investigated by state medical officials, finding that all twelve consistently break the
laws, many residents work longer than 24 hours straight, and that more than half the surgical residents work
B. an investigation by state medical officials of twelve hospitals have found all twelve consistently breaking the
laws, that many residents work longer than 24 hours straight, with more than half the surgical residents
working
C. an investigation of twelve hospitals by state medical officials has found that all twelve consistently break the
laws, that many residents work longer than 24 hours straight, and that more than half the surgical residents work
D. twelve hospitals were investigated by state medical officials who found all twelve breaking the laws, with many
residents working longer than 24 hours straight, and more than half the surgical residents work
E. an investigation by state medical officials has found that, of twelve hospitals, all twelve consistently break the
laws, that many residents work longer than 24 hours straight, with more than half the surgical residents
working

34. Minivans carry as many as seven passengers and, compared with most sport utility vehicles, cost less, get better
gas mileage, allow passengers to get in and out more easily, and have a smoother ride.
A. Minivans carry as many as seven passengers and, compared with most sport utility vehicles, cost less,
B. Minivans, which carry as many as seven passengers, compared with most sport utility vehicles, they cost less,
C. Minivans carry as many as seven passengers, in comparison with most sport utility vehicles, and have a lower cost,
they
D. Minivans, carrying as many as seven passengers, compared with most sport utility vehicles, cost less,
E. Minivans, which carry as many as seven passengers, compared with most sport utility vehicles the cost is lower, and they

35. Building on civilizations that preceded them in coastal Peru, the Mochica developed their own elaborate society,
based on cultivating such crops like corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and shellfish, and exploiting other wild
and domestic resources.
A. based on cultivating such crops like corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and shellfish, and exploiting
B. based on the cultivation of such crops as corn and beans, the harvesting of fish and seafood, and the exploitation of
C. and basing it on the cultivation of crops like corn and beans, harvesting fish and seafood, and the exploiting of
D. and they based it on their cultivation of crops such as corn and beans, the harvest of fish and seafood, and
exploiting
E. and they based it on their cultivating such crops like corn and beans, their harvest of fish and shellfish, and they exploited

36. In April 1997, Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted an all-day White House scientific conference on new findings that
indicates a child‘s acquiring language, thinking, and emotional skills as an active process that may be largely
completed before age three.
A. that indicates a child‘s acquiring language, thinking, and emotional skills as
B. that are indicative of a child acquiring language, thinking, and emotional skills as
C. to indicate that when a child acquires language, thinking, and emotional skills, that it is
D. indicating that a child‘s acquisition of language, thinking, and emotional skills is
E. indicative of a child‘s acquisition of language, thinking, and emotional skills as

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37. The results of two recent unrelated studies support the idea that dolphins may share certain cognitive abilities
with humans and great apes; the studies indicate dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an
ability that is often considered a sign of self-awareness—and to grasp spontaneously the mood or intention of
humans.
A. dolphins as capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-
awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
B. dolphins‘ ability to recognize themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a sign of self-
awareness—and of spontaneously grasping
C. dolphins to be capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of self-
awareness—and to grasp spontaneously
D. that dolphins have the ability of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered as a
sign of self-awareness—and spontaneously grasping
E. that dolphins are capable of recognizing themselves in mirrors—an ability that is often considered a sign of
self-awareness— and of spontaneously grasping

38. The greatest road system built in the Americas prior to the arrival of Christopher Columbus was the Incan
highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending from northern Ecuador through Peru to Southern Chile.
A. Columbus was the Incan highway, which, over 2,500 miles long and extending
B. Columbus was the Incan highway, over 2,500 miles in length, and extended
C. Columbus, the Incan highway, which was over 2,500 miles in length and extended
D. Columbus, the Incan highway, being over 2,500 miles in length, was extended
E. Columbus, the Incan highway was over 2,500 miles long, extending

39. Seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but it ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate
New York, the Erie Canal connected the Hudson River at Albany to the Great Lakes at Buffalo, providing the port
of New York City with a direct water link to the heartland of the North American continent.
A. Seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but it ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate
New York, the Erie Canal connected
B. Seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep but running 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of upstate
New York, the Erie Canal connected
C. It was seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, and ran 363 miles across the rugged wilderness of
upstate New York, but the Erie Canal, connecting
D. The Erie Canal was seldom more than 40 feet wide or 12 feet deep and it ran 363 miles across the rugged
wilderness of upstate New York, which connected
E. The Erie Canal, seldom more than 40 feet wide and 12 feet deep, but running 363 miles across the rugged
wilderness of upstate New York, connecting

40. Scientists have identified an asteroid, 2000 BF19, that is about half a mile wide and, if it strikes Earth, it can do
tremendous damage to part of the planet but probably not cause planet-wide destruction.
A. and, if it strikes Earth, it can do tremendous damage to part of the planet but
B. and, if it would strike Earth, part of the planet could experience a tremendous amount of damage but it would
C. and that, if it were to strike Earth, could do tremendous damage to part of the planet but would
D. and that, if Earth is struck by it, can do part of the planet tremendous damage, but it would
E. and that, if it strikes Earth, it could experience a tremendous amount of damage but

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41. Researchers have found that individuals who have been blind from birth, and who thus have never seen anyone
gesture, nevertheless make hand motions when speaking just as frequently and in virtually the same way as
sighted people do, and that they will gesture even when conversing with another blind person.
A. who thus have never seen anyone gesture, nevertheless make hand motions when speaking just as
frequently and in virtually the same way as sighted people do, and that they will gesture
B. who thus never saw anyone gesturing, nevertheless make hand motions when speaking just as frequent and
in virtually the same way as sighted people did, and that they will gesture
C. who thus have never seen anyone gesture, nevertheless made hand motions when speaking just as
frequently and in virtually the same way as sighted people do, as well as gesturing
D. thus never having seen anyone gesture, nevertheless made hand motions when speaking just as frequent
and in virtually the same way as sighted people did, as well as gesturing
E. thus never having seen anyone gesture, nevertheless to make hand motions when speaking just as frequently
and in virtually the same way as sighted people do, and to gesture

42. In the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the United States acquired 828,000 square miles for about four cents an
acre, which more than doubled the country‘s size and that brought its western border within reach of the Pacific
Ocean.
A. In the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the United States acquired 828,000 square miles for about four cents an
acre, which more than doubled the country‘s size and that brought
B. For about four cents an acre the United States acquired, in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, 828,000 square
miles, more than doubling the country‘s size and it brought
C. With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the United States acquired 828,000 square miles for about four cents
an acre, more than doubling its size and bringing
D. The United States, in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, for about four cents an acre, acquired 828,000 square
miles, more than doubling the country‘s size, bringing
E. Acquiring 828,000 square miles in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the United States bought it for about four
cents an acre, more than doubling the country‘s size and bringing

43. Fossils of a whale that beached on an African shore more than a million years ago and was subsequently
butchered by hominids have been recovered by paleontologists.
A. that beached on an African shore more than a million years ago and was subsequently butchered by hominids
have
B. that beached on an African shore more than a million years ago and then was subsequently butchered by
hominids has
C. that beached on an African shore more than a million years ago, which was subsequently butchered by
hominids, has
D. having been beached on an African shore more than a million years ago and subsequently butchered by
hominids, have
E. having beached on an African shore more than a million years ago and then subsequently were butchered by
hominids have

358
44. Scientists have recently discovered that the ultrathin, layered construction of a butterfly‘s wings, the same as the
one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are enabling the insect to control how
much heat energy is absorbed by its wings and how much is reflected away.
A. wings, the same as the one making some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, are
enabling
B. wings, which is the same one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, that
also enables
C. wings is the same as the one that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence, enabling
D. wings—the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence—also
enables
E. wings—of the same construction that makes some butterflies shimmer via the phenomenon of iridescence—
also enable

45. The artist Renoir‘s last word was ―flowers,‖ spoken as they arranged a bouquet of roses just picked from his
garden in a vase on his bedroom windowsill.
A. as they arranged a bouquet of roses just picked from his garden
B. as a bouquet of roses had been just picked from his garden and was being arranged
C. as a bouquet of roses just picked from his garden was being arranged
D. during the arrangement of a bouquet of roses just picked from his garden
E. while they arranged a bouquet of roses that had just been picked from his garden

46. Heavy commitment by an executive to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes it
likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.
A. Heavy commitment by an executive to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes it
likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.
B. An executive who is heavily committed to a course of action, especially one that worked well in the past,
makes missing signs of incipient trouble or misinterpreting ones likely when they do appear.
C. An executive who is heavily committed to a course of action is likely to miss or misinterpret signs of incipient
trouble when they do appear, especially if it has worked well in the past.
D. Executives‘ being heavily committed to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes
them likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpreting them when they do appear.
E. Being heavily committed to a course of action, especially one that has worked well in the past, is likely to
make an executive miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.

47. Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found all
over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.
A. Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found
all over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.
B. Although named for the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932, Clovis points are spear points of
longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces and have been found all over North America.
C. Named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in 1932, Clovis points, spear points of
longitudinal grooves chipped onto the faces, have been found all over North America.
D. Spear points with longitudinal grooves that are chipped onto the faces, Clovis points, even though named for
the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932, but were found all over North America.
E. While Clovis points are spear points whose faces have longitudinal grooves chipped into them, they have been found
all over North America, and named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in 1932.

359
48. Although she had been known as an effective legislator first in the Texas Senate and later in the United States
House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan‘s participation in the hearings on the impeachment of
President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was televised nationwide.
A. later in the United States House of Representatives, not until Barbara Jordan‘s participation in the hearings on
the impeachment of President Richard Nixon in 1974 was she made a nationally recognized figure, as it was
B. later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally recognized
figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard Nixon, which
were
C. later in the United States House of Representatives, it was not until 1974 that Barbara Jordan became a
nationally recognized figure, with her participation in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard
Nixon, which was
D. then also later in the United States House of Representatives, not until 1974 did Barbara Jordan become a
nationally recognized figure, as she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard
Nixon, being
E. then also later in the United States House of Representatives, Barbara Jordan did not become a nationally
recognized figure until 1974, when she participated in the hearings on the impeachment of President Richard
Nixon, which was

49. Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing
any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the
Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.
A. appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
B. appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
C. appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
D. appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
E. appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

50. A wildlife expert predicts that the reintroduction of the caribou into northern Minnesota would fail if the density of
the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous than one wolf for every 39 square miles.
A. would fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more numerous
B. would fail provided the density of the timber wolf population in that region is more
C. should fail if the timber wolf density in that region was greater
D. will fail if the density of the timber wolf population in that region is greater
E. will fail if the timber wolf density in that region were more numerous

51. Although energy prices have tripled in the United States over the last two years, research indicates few people to
have significantly reduced the amount of driving they do, nor are they making fuel efficiency a priority when
shopping for cars.
A. few people to have significantly reduced the amount of driving they do, nor are they making
B. few people having significantly reduced the amount of driving they do or made
C. that there are few people who have significantly reduced the amount of driving they do, nor having made
D. that few people have significantly reduced the amount of driving they do and are not making
E. that few people have significantly reduced the amount of driving they do or made

360
52. Since February, the Federal Reserve has raised its short-term interest rate target five times, and because of the
economy‘s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will be raised again in
November.
A. because of the economy‘s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target will
B. with the economy‘s strength continuing, analysts predicted for weeks that the target
C. because the economy continues strong, analysts predicted for weeks that the target would
D. due to the economy‘s continued strength, analysts have been predicting for weeks that the target
E. due to the fact of the economy‘s continued strength, analysts predicted for weeks that the target will

53. Today‘s technology allows manufacturers to make small cars more fuel-efficient now than at any time in their
production history.
A. small cars more fuel-efficient now than at any time in their
B. small cars that are more fuel-efficient than they were at any time in their
C. small cars that are more fuel-efficient than those at any other time in
D. more fuel-efficient small cars than those at any other time in their
E. more fuel-efficient small cars now than at any time in

54. Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a
red giant, eventually ejecting its outer envelope of gases to become a white dwarf.
A. Like any star of similar mass would do, once the Sun has exhausted the hydrogen in its core, it expands into a
red giant, eventually ejecting
B. Like any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, then it expands into a red
giant and eventually ejects
C. As in the case of any star of similar mass, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted, it will expand
into a red giant, and eventually ejecting
D. As any star of similar mass would, once the hydrogen in the Sun's core is exhausted it will expand into a red
giant and will eventually eject
E. As would be the case with any star of similar mass, once the Sun exhausts the hydrogen in its core, it will
expand into a red giant and eventually eject

55. Push for greater integration of global economy is not, like earlier, guided by complicated philosophical questions
about the global fraternity, but the practical matters of business: cost savings and efficiency.
A. not, like earlier, guided by complicated philosophical questions about the global fraternity, but the practical
matters of business
B. being guided by the practical matters of business, instead of complicated philosophical questions about the
global fraternity, as it has been earlier
C. guided not by complicated philosophical questions about the global fraternity, as earlier, but by the practical
matters of business
D. guided by the practical matters of business, not complicated philosophical questions about the global
fraternity, which was the case earlier
E. guided not by complicated philosophical questions about the global fraternity, as has been the case earlier,
but by the practical matters of business

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56. Used by many natural history museum curators in the preparation of animal skeletons for display, dermestid
beetles feed on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses, pulling with its mouthparts to strip the bone of any
residual fat or muscle tissue.
A. dermestid beetles feed on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses, pulling
B. dermestid beetles feed on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses and pull
C. the dermestid beetle feeds on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses and pulls
D. the dermestid beetle feeds on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses, pulling
E. the dermestid beetle feeds on the decaying flesh of animal carcasses and it pulls

57. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the tomato is a member of the generally
toxic nightshade family, including belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
A. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, the tomato is a member of the generally
toxic nightshade family, including belladonna, and was once thought to be poisonous itself as a result.
B. The tomato, though now eaten in large quantities around the world and harmless, is a member of the
generally toxic nightshade family, which includes belladonna, and it was therefore once thought to be
poisonous itself.
C. Once thought to be poisonous itself, the tomato is harmless and now eaten in large quantities around the
world, and is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including belladonna.
D. Though now eaten in large quantities around the world and known to be harmless, the tomato was once
considered poisonous because it is a member of the generally toxic nightshade family, which includes
belladonna.
E. A member of the generally toxic nightshade family, including belladonna, the tomato was once considered
poisonous even though it is harmless and now eaten in large quantities around the world.

58. Based on accounts of various ancient writers, scholars have painted a sketchy picture of the activities of an all-
female cult that, perhaps as early as the sixth century B.C., worshipped a goddess known in Latin as Bona Dea,
―the good goddess.‖
A. Based on accounts of various ancient writers
B. Basing it on various ancient writers‘ accounts
C. With accounts of various ancient writers used for a basis
D. By the accounts of various ancient writers they used
E. Using accounts of various ancient writers

59. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
A. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
B. A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind as an adult
C. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision would be rated about
20/500; qualifying it to be legally blind if an adult
D. A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about
20/500; an adult with such vision would be deemed legally blind.
E. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision, which would deemed
legally blind for an adult, would be rated about 20/500.

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60. More than thirty years ago Dr. Barbara McClintock, the Nobel Prize winner, reported that genes can ―jump,‖ as
pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another.
A. as pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another
B. like pearls moving mysteriously from one necklace to another
C. as pearls do that move mysteriously from one necklace to others
D. like pearls do that move mysteriously from one necklace to others
E. as do pearls that move mysteriously from one necklace to some other one

61. The hognose snake puts on an impressive bluff, hissing and rearing back, broadens the flesh behind its head the
way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but, having no dangerous fangs and no venom, eventually, if its
pursuer is not cowed by the performance, will fall over and play dead.
A. broadens the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but, having no dangerous
fangs and no venom,
B. broadens the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigns repeated strikes, but with no dangerous
fangs and no venom,
C. broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigning repeated strikes, but it has no
dangerous fangs and no venom, and
D. broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does and feigns repeated strikes, but with no dangerous
fangs and no venom, and
E. broadening the flesh behind its head the way a cobra does, feigning repeated strikes, but with no dangerous
fangs and no venom, and

62. Simply because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to become an
invasive or persistent weed, according to a decade-long study published in the journal Nature.
A. because they are genetically engineered does not make it any more likely for plants to
B. because it is genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
C. being genetically engineered does not make it any more likely that plants will
D. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely to
E. being genetically engineered does not make a plant any more likely that it will become

63. In the major cities of industrialized countries at the end of the nineteenth century, important public places such as
theaters, restaurants, shops, and banks had installed electric lighting, but electricity was in less than one percent
of homes, where lighting was still provided mainly by candles or gas.
A. electricity was in less than one percent of homes, where lighting was still
B. electricity was in less than one percent of homes and lighting still
C. there were less than one percent of homes with electricity, where lighting was still being
D. there was less than one percent of homes that had electricity, having lighting that was still
E. less than one percent of homes had electricity, where lighting had still been

64. In some species of Cricket, the number of chirps per minute used by the male for attracting females rise and fall
in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and they can in fact serve as an approximate thermometer.
A. for attracting females rise and fall in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and they can in fact serve
B. for attracting females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, which can in fact serve
C. in attracting females rise and fall in accordance with the surrounding temperature, in fact possibly serving
D. to attract females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, and it can in fact serve
E. to attract females rises and falls in accordance with the surrounding temperature, in fact possibly serving

363
65. Each year companies in United States could save as much as $58 billion annually by preventing illness among
employees and gain as much as $200 billion through improving performance of workers if they simply provided
offices with cleaner air.
A. annually by preventing illness among employees and gain as much as $200 billion through improving
performance of workers if they simply provided offices
B. annually if they prevented employee illness and gain as much as $200 billion through worker performance
improved by simply providing
C. annually in employee illness prevention and gain as much as $200 billion through worker performance
improved by simply providing
D. in employee illness prevention and gain as much as $200 billion through improving performance of workers if
they simply provided
E. by preventing illness among employees and gain as much as $200 billion through improved worker
performance if they simply provided

66. The spectacular disintegration of a comet last year in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes provided
new insights into how comets form and may thus force a rethinking of the role of comets in the delivery of organic
compounds to the evolving Earth.
A. The spectacular disintegration of a comet last year in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes
provided new insights into how comets form and may thus force
B. The spectacular disintegration of a comet last year in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes,
provided new insights into how comets form and thus possibly forcing
C. When a comet's spectacular disintegration occurred in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes last
year, it provided new insights into how comets form and thus may possibly force
D. Last year, in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes, a comet's spectacular disintegration provided
new insights into how comets form and thus possibly forcing
E. Last year, in full view of ground- and space-based telescopes, the spectacular disintegration of a comet has
provided new insights into how comets form and may thus force

67. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico
declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
A. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States trade deficit with Mexico
declined by $500 million as a result of record exports to that country.
B. In contrast to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to
Mexico, reducing its trade deficit by $500 million.
C. When compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports
to Mexico, reducing their trade deficit by $500 million.
D. Compared with ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to
Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.
E. Compared to ongoing trade imbalances with China and Japan, the United States sold record exports to
Mexico, reducing the trade deficit by $500 million.

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68. It was only after Katharine Graham became publisher of The Washington Post in 1963 that it moved into the first
rank of American newspapers, and it was under her command that the paper won high praise for its unrelenting
reporting of the Watergate scandal.
A. It was only after Katharine Graham became publisher of The Washington Post in 1963 that it moved into the
first rank of American newspapers, and it was under her command that the paper won high praise
B. It was only after Katharine Graham's becoming publisher of The Washington Post in 1963 that it moved into
the first rank of American newspapers, and under her command it had one high praise
C. Katharine Graham became publisher of The Washington Post in 1963 and only after that did it move into the
first rank of American newspapers, having won high praise under her command
D. Moving into the first rank of American newspapers only after Katharine Graham became its publisher in 1963,
The Washington Post, winning high praise under her command
E. Moving into the first rank of American newspapers only after Katharine Grahame's becoming its publisher in
1963, The Washington Post won high praise under her command

69. In human hearing, subtle differences in how the two ears hear a given sound help the listener determine the
qualities of that sound.
A. in how the two ears hear a given sound help the listener determine
B. in the two ears hearing a given sound help the listener in determining
C. in how a sound is heard by the two ears helps the listener determine
D. between how the two ears hear a given sound helps the listener in determining
E. between how a sound is heard by the two ears help the listener in determining

70. The automobile company announced that the average price of next year‘s models would decrease four-tenths of
one percent, amounting to about $72, as compared with comparably equipped cars and trucks this year.
A. The automobile company announced that the average price of next year‘s models would decrease four-tenths
of one percent, amounting to about $72, as compared with comparably equipped cars and trucks this year.
B. The automobile company announced that the average price of next year‘s cars and trucks would decrease
four-tenths of one percent, or about $72, from that of comparably equipped models this year.
C. The automobile company announced that there would be a decrease of four-tenths of one percent in next
year‘s models price, or about $72, below this year‘s comparably equipped cars and trucks.
D. Compared to comparably equipped models this year, the automobile company announced that the average
price of next year‘s cars and trucks would decrease about $72, less by four-tenths of one percent.
E. Contrasted with comparably equipped cars and trucks of this year, the automobile company announced that
the average price of next year‘s models would decrease about $72, or four-tenths of one percent.

71. While Hans Holbein the Younger is most often identified with his English portraits, scholars have long been
recognizing him as a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist and who was fundamental in
synthesizing the novelties of the Italian Renaissance with the rational tradition of Northern Europe.
A. been recognizing him as a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist and who
B. been recognizing him for being a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist and he
C. recognized him as a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist who
D. recognized him as a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist and he
E. recognized him for being a superb draftsman and a remarkably versatile artist and who

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72. Many environmentalists, and some economists, say that free trade encourages industry to relocate to countries
with ineffective or poorly enforced antipollution laws, mostly in the developing world, and that, in order to maintain
competitiveness, rich nations have joined this downward slide toward more lax attitudes about pollution.
A. that, in order to maintain competitiveness, rich nations have joined this downward slide toward more lax
attitudes about pollution
B. that, for maintaining competitiveness, rich nations join in this downward slide toward more lax attitudes about
pollution
C. that rich nations join this downward slide toward more lax attitudes about pollution because of wanting to
maintain competitiveness
D. that in rich nations, joining this downward slide toward more lax attitudes about pollution is a result of wanting
to maintain competition
E. that wanting to maintain competition is making rich nations join in this downward slide toward an attitude
about pollution that is more lax

73. The budget for education reflects the administration's demand that the money is controlled by local school
districts, but it can only be spent on teachers, not on books, computers, or other materials or activities.
A. the money is controlled by local school districts, but it can only be spent
B. the money be controlled by local school districts, but it allows them to spend the money only
C. the money is to be controlled by local school districts, but allowing it only to be spent
D. local school districts are in control of the money, but it allows them to spend the money only
E. local school districts are to be in control of the money, but it can only spend it

74. Exceeding even the figures predicted by the most optimistic financial analysts, the automobile company had
earnings in the first quarter that more than doubled the previous quarter.
A. company had earnings in the first quarter that more than doubled
B. company earned more than double in the first quarter what they were in
C. company had first quarter earnings that more than doubled those in
D. company's earnings in the first quarter were more than double
E. company's earnings in the first quarter were more than double those of

75. Sunspots, vortices of gas associated with strong electromagnetic activity, are visible as dark spots on the surface
of the Sun but have never been sighted on the Sun‘s poles or equator.
A. are visible as dark spots on the surface of the Sun but have never been sighted on
B. are visible as dark spots that never have been sighted on the surface of the Sun
C. appear on the surface of the Sun as dark spots although never sighted at
D. appear as dark spots on the surface of the Sun, although never having been sighted at
E. appear as dark spots on the Sun‘s surface, which have never been sighted on

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76. Nikola Tesla, the inventor of alternating current, because he was excited with the prospects of harnessing
Niagara Falls for producing electric power, he predicted in the mid-1890's that electricity generated at Niagara
would one day power the streetcars of London and the streetlights of Paris.
A. Nikola Tesla, the inventor of alternating current, because he was excited with the prospects of harnessing
Niagara Falls for producing electric power, he
B. The prospects of harnessing Niagara Falls to produce electric power was exciting to Nikola Tesla, the inventor
of alternating current, and so he
C. Excited about the prospects of harnessing Niagara Falls to produce electric power, Nikola Tesla, the inventor
of alternating current,
D. Nikola Tesla, the inventor of alternating current, excited about the prospects of harnessing Niagara Falls for
the production of electric power and
E. The inventor of alternating current, excited with the prospects of harnessing Niagara Falls for producing of
electric power, Nikola Tesla

77. New hardy varieties of rice show promise of producing high yields without the costly requirements of irrigation
and application of commercial fertilizer by earlier high-yielding varieties.
A. requirements of irrigation and application of commercial fertilizer by earlier high-yielding varieties
B. requirements by earlier high-yielding varieties of application of commercial fertilizer and irrigation
C. requirements of application of commercial fertilizer and irrigation of earlier high-yielding varieties
D. application of commercial fertilizer and irrigation that was required by earlier high-yielding varieties
E. irrigation and application of commercial fertilizer that were required by earlier high-yielding varieties

78. From studies of the bony house of the brain, which is the cranium, located in the back of the skull, come what
scientists know about dinosaur brains.
A. From studies of the bony house of the brain, which is the cranium, located in the back of the skull, come what
scientists know about dinosaur brains.
B. The knowledge that scientists know about dinosaur brains comes from studies of the bony house of the brain,
located in the back of the skull, that is, the cranium.
C. The knowledge of dinosaur brains that scientists have come from studies of the bony house of the brain,
which is located in the back of the skull and is called the cranium.
D. What scientists know about dinosaur brains comes from studies of the cranium, the bony house of the brain
located in the back of the skull.
E. Located in the back of the skull is the cranium, the bony house of the brain, and it is from studies of this that
scientists know what they know about dinosaur brains.

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79. Hans Christian Andersen wrote fairy tales, which have been some of the most frequently translated works in
literary history, while he wrote plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies, which
remained almost unknown outside his native Denmark.
A. Hans Christian Andersen wrote fairy tales, which have been some of the most frequently translated works in
literary history, while he wrote plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies,
which remained
B. Hans Christian Andersen wrote fairy tales, which, while among the most frequently translated works in literary
history, his plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies remain
C. Even as Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales have been among the most frequently translated works in
literary history, still his plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies, remain
D. Unlike the fairy tales written by Hans Christian Andersen, which are some of the most frequently translated
works in literary history, he wrote plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies,
which remained
E. Although Hans Christian Andersen wrote fairy tales that are among the most frequently translated works in
literary history, his plays, novels, poems, and travel books, as well as several autobiographies, remain

80. The Environmental Protection Agency‘s proposal to place restrictions on both diesel fuel and diesel engines has
sparked a counterattack by the oil industry, saying that the move will exacerbate the nation‘s fuel supply
problems.
A. on both diesel fuel and diesel engines has sparked a counterattack by the oil industry, saying
B. on both diesel fuel and engines have sparked the oil industry to counterattack, and they say
C. on both diesel fuel and diesel engines has sparked a counterattack by the oil industry, which says
D. both on diesel fuel and engines has sparked the oil industry to a counterattack, saying
E. both on diesel fuel and diesel engines have sparked the oil industry to counterattack, and it says

81. With surface temperatures estimated at minus 230 degrees Fahrenheit, Jupiter's moon Europa has long been
considered far too cold to support life, and with 60 square miles of water thought to be frozen from top to bottom.
A. Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, and with
B. Europa has long been considered far too cold to support life, its
C. Europa has long been considered as far too cold to support life and has
D. Europa, long considered as far too cold to support life, and its
E. Europa, long considered to be far too cold to support life, and to have

82. Sound can travel through water for enormous distances, prevented from dissipating its acoustic energy as a
result of boundaries in the ocean created by water layers of different temperatures and densities.
A. prevented from dissipating its acoustic energy as a result of
B. prevented from having its acoustic energy dissipated by
C. its acoustic energy prevented from dissipating by
D. its acoustic energy prevented from being dissipated as a result of
E. preventing its acoustic energy from dissipating by

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83. Margaret Courtney-Clarke has traveled to remote dwellings in the Transvaal to photograph the art of Ndebele
women, whose murals are brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries embellished with old and new
iconography and in a style that varies from woman to woman and house to house.
A. whose murals are brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries embellished with old and new iconography
and in a style that varies from woman to woman and house to house
B. whose murals are brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries are embellished with old and new
iconography, and their style is varying among women and houses
C. whose murals are brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries are embellished with old and new
iconography, and they are in styles that vary from woman to woman and house to house
D. with murals brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries embellished with old and new iconography, and
their style varies among women and houses
E. with murals that are brilliantly colored, their geometrical symmetries embellished with old and new
iconography, and their styles vary among women and houses

84. At the annual stockholders meeting, investors heard a presentation on the numerous challenges facing the
company, including among them the threat from a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit and the
declining sales for the company‘s powerful microprocessor chip.
A. including among them the threat from a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit and the declining sales for
B. which includes the threat of a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit and declining sales of
C. included among these the threat from a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit as well as a decline
in sales for
D. among them the threat of a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit and the decline in sales of
E. among these the threat from a rival‘s multibillion-dollar patent-infringement suit as well as the decline in sales for

85. Now that so much data travels via light—i.e., is carried in glass fibers rather than by electrical current—one goal
of semiconductor research is to develop a silicon chip that can transmit and receive light signals directly, a
development that may one day lead to smaller, faster semiconductors.
A. to develop a silicon chip that can transmit and receive light signals directly, a development that may one day
lead
B. to develop a silicon chip with the capability of transmitting and receiving light signals directly, which may one
day lead
C. the development of a silicon chip that has the capability of transmitting and receiving light signals directly, a
development maybe one day leading
D. developing a silicon chip that can transmit and receive light signals directly, which may one day lead
E. developing a silicon chip with the ability to transmit and receive light signals directly, with this development
maybe one day leading

86. At the time of the Mexican agrarian revolution, the most radical faction, that of Zapata and his followers,
proposed a return to communal ownership of land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership
respected by the Spaniards.
A. land, to what had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards
B. land, a form of ownership of the pre-Columbians and respected by the Spaniards
C. land, respected by the Spaniards and a pre-Columbian form of ownership
D. land in which a pre-Columbian form of ownership was respected by the Spaniards
E. land that had been a pre-Columbian form of ownership respected by the Spaniards

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87. The computer company has announced that it will purchase the color-printing division of a rival company for
$950 million, which is part of a deal that will make it the largest manufacturer in the office color-printing market.
A. million, which is part of a deal that will make
B. million, a part of a deal that makes
C. million, part of a deal making
D. million as a part of a deal to make
E. million as part of a deal that will make

88. The number of people flying first class on domestic flights rose sharply in 1990, doubling the increase of the
previous year.
A. doubling the increase of
B. doubling that of the increase in
C. double as much as the increase of
D. twice as many as the increase in
E. twice as many as the increase of

89. According to surveys by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, about 20 percent of young adults used cocaine in
1979, doubling those reported in the 1977 survey.
A. doubling those reported in the 1977 survey
B. to double the number the 1977 survey reported
C. twice those the 1977 survey reported
D. twice as much as those reported in the 1977 survey
E. twice the number reported in the 1977 survey

90. The loan company announced it would soon lend money to borrowers with proven records of their not paying
back their loans on time, collectively known as the subprime lending market.
A. of their not paying back their loans on time,
B. of not paying back their loans on time, a group
C. of not paying back their loans on time, with such a group
D. that they do not pay back their loans on time,
E. that they do not pay back their loans on time, such a group

91. Because she knew many of the leaders of colonial America and the American Revolution personally, Mercy Otis
Warren was continually at or near the center of political events from 1765 to 1789, a vantage point combining
with her talent for writing to make her one of the most valuable historians of the era
A. a vantage point combining with her talent for writing to make
B. a vantage point, when combined with her talent for writing, that made
C. a vantage point that combined with her talent for writing, and it made
D. and this vantage point, which combined with her talent for writing to make
E. and this vantage point, combined with her talent for writing, made

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92. A group of paleontologists recently announced that a site in Utah has yielded fossils of some of the biggest
armored dinosaurs ever found, and that they were at least 25 million years older than any similar dinosaur type
previously found in North America.
A. and that they were at least 25 million years older than any similar dinosaur type previously
B. and they are at least 25 million years older than those of any similar dinosaur type that previously was
C. and the fossils are at least 25 million years older than any similar dinosaur types that previously were
D. fossils that are at least 25 million years older than those of any similar dinosaur type previously
E. fossils at least 25 million years older than similar dinosaur types previously

93. Women are expected to be the majority of student entering law school this fall, a trend ultimately placing more
women in leadership position in politics and business.
A. Women are expected to be the majority of student entering law school this fall, a trend ultimately placing
B. The majority of students entering law school this fall are expected to be women, a trend that will ultimately
place
C. The majority of students entering law school this fall are expected to be women, which will ultimately place
D. It is expected that the majority of students entering law school this fall will be women, a trend ultimately
placing
E. It is expected for the women to be the majority of students entering law school this fall, which will ultimately place

94. Soaring television costs accounted for more than half the spending in the presidential campaign of 1992, a
greater proportion than it was in any previous election.
A. a greater proportion than it was
B. a greater proportion than
C. a greater proportion than they have bee
D. which is greater than was so
E. which is greater than it has been

95. According to some analysts, the gains in the stock market reflect growing confidence that the economy will avoid
the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come in for a ―soft landing,‖ followed by a
gradual increase in business activity.
A. that the economy will avoid the recession that many had feared earlier in the year and instead come
B. in the economy to avoid the recession, what many feared earlier in the year, rather to come
C. in the economy‘s ability to avoid the recession, something earlier in the year many had feared, and instead to
come
D. in the economy to avoid the recession many were fearing earlier in the year, and rather to come
E. that the economy will avoid the recession that was feared earlier this year by many, with it instead coming

96. To Josephine Baker, Paris was her home long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate, and she remained in
France during the Second World War as a performer and an intelligence agent for the Resistance.
A. To Josephine Baker, Paris was her home long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate,
B. For Josephine Baker, long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate, Paris was her home,
C. Josephine Baker made Paris her home long before to be an expatriate was fashionable,
D. Long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate, Josephine Baker made Paris her home,
E. Long before it was fashionable being an expatriate, Paris was home to Josephine Baker,

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97. The nineteenth-century chemist Humphry Davy presented the results of his early experiments in his ―Essay on
Heat and Light,‖ a critique of all chemistry since Robert Boyle as well as a vision of a new chemistry that Davy
hoped to found.
A. a critique of all chemistry since Robert Boyle as well as a vision of a
B. a critique of all chemistry following Robert Boyle and also his envisioning of a
C. a critique of all chemistry after Robert Boyle and envisioning as well
D. critiquing all chemistry from Robert Boyle forward and also a vision of
E. critiquing all the chemistry done since Robert Boyle as well as his own envisioning of

98. One of the primary distinctions between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any
specific skill but in our ability to extend knowledge gained in one context to new and different ones.
A. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any specific skill but
B. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill but instead
C. between our intelligence and that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill as
D. our intelligence has from that of other primates may lie not in any specific skill as
E. of our intelligence to that of other primates may lay not in any specific skill but

99. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine,
archaeology, and criminology.
A. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
B. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost
any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission
C. A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
D. A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced X-ray emission, which has
the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,
E. A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the
chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-
induced X-ray emission,

100. Construction of the Roman Colosseum, which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D.
69, during the reign of Vespasian, was completed a decade later, during the reign of Titus, who opened the
Colosseum with a one-hundred-day cycle of religious pageants, gladiatorial games, and spectacles.
A. which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian,
B. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and
C. which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and
D. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater and begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian it
E. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, which was begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and

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101. While all states face similar industrial waste problems, the predominating industries and the regulatory
environment of the states obviously determines the types and amounts of waste produced, as well as the cost of
disposal.
A. all states face similar industrial waste problems, the predominating industries and the regulatory environment
of the states obviously determines
B. each state faces a similar industrial waste problem, their predominant industries and regulatory environment
obviously determine
C. all states face a similar industrial waste problem; their predominating industries and regulatory environment
obviously determines
D. each state faces similar industrial waste problems, the predominant industries and the regulatory environment
of each state obviously determines
E. all states face similar industrial waste problems, the predominant industries and the regulatory environment of
each state obviously determine

102. Rivaling the pyramids of Egypt or even the ancient cities of the Maya as an achievement, the army of terra-cotta
warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, in his afterlife is more than 2,000 years old and
took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete.
A. the army of terra-cotta warriors created to protect Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, in his afterlife is more
than 2,000 years old and took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to complete
B. Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, was protected in his afterlife by an army of terracotta warriors that was
created more than 2,000 years ago by 700,000 artisans who took more than 36 years to complete it
C. it took 700,000 artisans more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta warriors more than 2,000 years
ago that would protect Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, in his afterlife
D. more than 2,000 years ago, 700,000 artisans worked more than 36 years to create an army of terra-cotta
warriors to protect Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, in his afterlife
E. more than 36 years were needed to complete the army of terra-cotta warriors that 700,000 artisans created
2,000 years ago to protect Qin Shi Huang, China‘s first emperor, in his afterlife

103. When Congress reconvenes, some newly elected members from rural states will try and establish tighter
restrictions for the amount of grain farmers are to be allowed to grow and to encourage more aggressive sales of
United States farm products overseas.
A. and establish tighter restrictions for the amount of grain farmers are to be allowed to grow and to encourage
B. and establish tighter restrictions on the amount of grain able to be grown by farmers and encouraging
C. establishing tighter restrictions for the amount of grain farmers are allowed to grow and to encourage
D. to establish tighter restrictions on the amount of grain capable of being grown by farmers and encouraging
E. to establish tighter restrictions on the amount of grain farmers will be allowed to grow and to encourage

104. Doctors generally agree that such factors as cigarette smoking, eating rich foods high in fats, and alcohol
consumption not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate genetic predispositions toward certain
diseases.
A. not only do damage by themselves but also aggravate
B. do damage by themselves but also are aggravating to
C. are damaging by themselves but also are aggravating
D. not only do damage by themselves, they are also aggravating to
E. are doing damage by themselves, and they are also aggravating

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105. Digging in sediments in northern China, evidence has been gathered by scientists suggesting that complex life-
forms emerged much earlier than they had previously thought.
A. evidence has been gathered by scientists suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than they
had
B. evidence gathered by scientists suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than had been
C. scientists have gathered evidence suggesting that complex life-forms emerged much earlier than
D. scientists have gathered evidence that suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than that which
was
E. scientists have gathered evidence which suggests a much earlier emergence of complex life-forms than that

106. In a plan to stop the erosion of East Coast beaches, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed building parallel to
shore a breakwater of rocks that would rise six feet above the waterline and act as a buffer, so that it absorbs the
energy of crashing waves and protecting the beaches.
A. act as a buffer, so that it absorbs
B. act like a buffer so as to absorb
C. act as a buffer, absorbing
D. acting as a buffer, absorbing
E. acting like a buffer, absorb

107. The 32 species that make up the dolphin family are closely related to whales and in fact include the animal
known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is famous for its aggressive hunting pods.
A. include the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and is
B. include the animal known as the killer whale, growing as big as 30 feet long and
C. include the animal known as the killer whale, growing up to 30 feet long and being
D. includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow as big as 30 feet long and is
E. includes the animal known as the killer whale, which can grow to be 30 feet long and it is

108. Outlining his strategy for nursing the troubled conglomerate back to health, the chief executive‘s plans were
announced on Wednesday for cutting the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12 billion in assets over the
next 18 months.
A. executive‘s plans were announced on Wednesday for cutting the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12
billion in assets over the next 18 months
B. executive‘s plans, which are to cut the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12 billion in assets over the
next 18 months, were announced on Wednesday
C. executive‘s plans for cutting the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12 billion in assets over the next 18
months were announced on Wednesday
D. executive announced plans Wednesday to cut the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12 billion in assets
over the next 18 months
E. executive announced plans Wednesday that are to cut the company‘s huge debt by selling nearly $12 billion
in assets over the next 18 months

374
109. Affording strategic proximity to the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco was also of interest to the French throughout the
first half of the twentieth century because they assumed that if they did not hold it, their grip on Algeria was
always insecure.
A. if they did not hold it, their grip on Algeria was always insecure
B. without it their grip on Algeria would never be secure
C. their grip on Algeria was not ever secure if they did not hold it
D. without that, they could never be secure about their grip on Algeria
E. never would their grip on Algeria be secure if they did not hold it

110. The first trenches that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for
centrally administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously
with but independently of the more celebrated city-states of southern Mesopotamia, in what is now southern Iraq.
A. that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence for centrally
administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East that were arising simultaneously with
but
B. that were cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, yields strong evidence that centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East were arising simultaneously with but also
C. having been cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally
administered complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East were arising simultaneously but
D. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, yields strong evidence of centrally administered complex
societies in northern regions of the Middle East arising simultaneously but also
E. cut into a 500-acre site at Tell Hamoukar, Syria, have yielded strong evidence that centrally administered
complex societies in northern regions of the Middle East arose simultaneously with but

111. Along the major rivers that traverse the deserts of northeast Africa, the Middle East, and northwest India, the
combination of a reliable supply of water and good growing conditions both encouraged farming traditions that, in
places, endure in at least 6,000 years.
A. good growing conditions both encouraged farming traditions that, in places, endure in
B. good growing conditions encouraged farming traditions that have, in places, endured for
C. of good growing conditions have encouraged farming traditions that, in places, endured for
D. of good growing conditions both encouraged farming traditions that have, in places, endured
E. of good growing conditions encouraged farming traditions that have, in places, been enduring for

112. His studies of ice-polished rocks in his Alpine homeland, far outside the range of present-day glaciers, led Louis
Agassiz in 1837 to propose the concept of an age in which great ice sheets had existed in now currently temperate
areas.
A. in which great ice sheets had existed in now currently temperate areas
B. in which great ice sheets existed in what are now temperate areas
C. when great ice sheets existed where there were areas now temperate
D. when great ice sheets had existed in current temperate areas
E. when great ice sheets existed in areas now that are temperate

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113. Unlike the original National Museum of Science and Technology in Italy, where the models are encased in glass
or operated only by staff members, the Virtual Leonardo Project, an online version of the museum, encourages
visitors to ―touch‖ each exhibit, which thereby activates the animated functions of the piece.
A. exhibit, which thereby activates
B. exhibit, in turn an activation of
C. exhibit, and it will activate
D. exhibit and thereby activate
E. exhibit which, as a result, activates

114. Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is fragmented
into mobile semirigid plates.
A. Despite its covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, rather it is
B. Despite the fact that it covers the entire planet, Earth‘s crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but is
C. Despite covering the entire planet, Earth‘s crust is neither seamless nor is it stationary, but rather
D. Although it covers the entire planet, Earth‘s crust is neither seamless nor stationary, but rather
E. Although covering the entire planet, Earth has a crust that is not seamless or stationary, but

115. More and more in recent years, cities are stressing the arts as a means to greater economic development and
investing millions of dollars in cultural activities, despite strained municipal budgets and fading federal support.
A. to greater economic development and investing
B. to greater development economically and investing
C. of greater economic development and invest
D. of greater development economically and invest
E. for greater economic development and the investment of

116. Combining enormous physical strength with higher intelligence, the Neanderthals appear as equipped for facing
any obstacle the environment could put in their path, but their relatively sudden disappearance during the
Paleolithic era indicates that an inability to adapt to some environmental change led to their extinction.
A. appear as equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
B. appear to have been equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their path,
C. appear as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
D. appeared as equipped to face any obstacle the environment could put in their paths,
E. appeared to have been equipped for facing any obstacle the environment could put in their path,

117. A 1972 agreement between Canada and the United States reduced the amount of phosphates that
municipalities had been allowed to dump into the Great Lakes.
A. reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities had been allowed to dump
B. reduced the phosphate amount that municipalities had been dumping
C. reduces the phosphate amount municipalities have been allowed to dump
D. reduced the amount of phosphates that municipalities are allowed to dump
E. reduces the amount of phosphates allowed for dumping by municipalities

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118. A proposal has been made to trim the horns from rhinoceroses to discourage poachers; the question is whether
tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses after their horns are trimmed.
A. whether tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses after their horns are
B. whether tourists will continue to visit game parks to see one once their horns are
C. whether tourists will continue to visit game parks to see rhinoceroses once the animals‘ horns have been
D. if tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses once the animals‘ horns are
E. if tourists will continue to visit game parks to see one after the animals‘ horns have been

119. Ryunosuke Akutagawa‘s knowledge of the literatures of Europe, China, and that of Japan were instrumental in
his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as the content of his fiction.
A. that of Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing his literary style as much as
B. that of Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, and it informed both his literary style as well as
C. Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style and
D. Japan was instrumental in his development as a writer, as it informed his literary style as much as
E. Japan were instrumental in his development as a writer, informing both his literary style in addition to

120. The only way for growers to salvage frozen citrus is to process them quickly into juice concentrate before they
rot when warmer weather returns.
A. to process them quickly into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns
B. if they are quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns to rot them
C. for them to be processed quickly into juice concentrate before the fruit rots when warmer weather returns
D. if the fruit is quickly processed into juice concentrate before they rot when warmer weather returns
E. to have it quickly processed into juice concentrate before warmer weather returns and rots the fruit

121. Fossils of the arm of a sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest
known mammal of the Greater Antilles Islands.
A. sloth found in Puerto Rico in 1991, and dated at 34 million years old, made it the earliest known mammal of
B. sloth, that they found in Puerto Rico in 1991, has been dated at 34 million years old, thus making it the
earliest mammal known on
C. sloth that was found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, making this the earliest known
mammal of
D. sloth, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, have been dated at 34 million years old, making the sloth the earliest
known mammal on
E. sloth which, found in Puerto Rico in 1991, was dated at 34 million years old, made the sloth the earliest known
mammal of

122. Defense attorneys have occasionally argued that their clients‘ misconduct stemmed from a reaction to
something ingested, but in attributing criminal or delinquent behavior to some food allergy, the perpetrators are in
effect told that they are not responsible for their actions.
A. in attributing criminal or delinquent behavior to some food allergy,
B. if criminal or delinquent behavior is attributed to an allergy to some food,
C. in attributing behavior that is criminal or delinquent to an allergy to some food,
D. if some food allergy is attributed as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior,
E. in attributing a food allergy as the cause of criminal or delinquent behavior

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123. A report by the American Academy for the Advancement of Science has concluded that much of the currently
uncontrolled dioxins to which North Americans are exposed comes from the incineration of wastes.
A. much of the currently uncontrolled dioxins to which North Americans are exposed comes
B. much of the currently uncontrolled dioxins that North Americans are exposed to come
C. much of the dioxins that are currently uncontrolled, and that North Americans are exposed to comes
D. many of the dioxins that are currently uncontrolled and North Americans are exposed to come
E. many of the currently uncontrolled dioxins to which North Americans are exposed come
124. Recently physicians have determined that stomach ulcers are not caused by stress, alcohol, or rich foods, but a
bacterium that dwells in the mucous lining of the stomach.
A. not caused by stress, alcohol, or rich foods, but
B. not caused by stress, alcohol, or rich foods, but are by
C. caused not by stress, alcohol, or rich foods, but by
D. caused not by stress, alcohol, and rich foods, but
E. caused not by stress, alcohol, and rich foods, but are by
125. According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority
of young adults, like that of earlier generations.
A. like that of earlier generations
B. as that for earlier generations
C. just as earlier generations did
D. as have earlier generations
E. as it was of earlier generations
126. In 2000, a mere two dozen products accounted for half the increase in spending on prescription drugs, a
phenomenon that is explained not just because of more expensive drugs but by the fact that doctors are writing
many more prescriptions for higher-cost drugs.
A. a phenomenon that is explained not just because of more expensive drugs but by the fact that doctors are writing
B. a phenomenon that is explained not just by the fact that drugs are becoming more expensive but also by the
fact that doctors are writing
C. a phenomenon occurring not just because of drugs that are becoming more expensive but because of doctors
having also written
D. which occurred not just because drugs are becoming more expensive, but doctors are also writing
E. which occurred not just because of more expensive drugs but because doctors have also written
127. According to scientists who monitored its path, an expanding cloud of energized particles ejected from the Sun
recently triggered a large storm in the magnetic field that surrounds Earth, which brightened the Northern Lights
and also possibly knocking out a communications satellite.
A. an expanding cloud of energized particles ejected from the Sun recently triggered a large storm in the
magnetic field that surrounds Earth, which brightened the Northern Lights and also possibly knocking
B. an expanding cloud of energized particles ejected from the Sun was what recently triggered a large storm in
the magnetic field that surrounds Earth, and it brightened the Northern Lights and also possibly knocked
C. an expanding cloud of energized particles ejected from the Sun recently triggered a large storm in the
magnetic field that surrounds Earth, brightening the Northern Lights and possibly knocking
D. a large storm in the magnetic field that surrounds Earth, recently triggered by an expanding cloud of
energized particles, brightened the Northern Lights and it possibly knocked
E. a large storm in the magnetic field surrounding Earth was recently triggered by an expanding cloud of
energized particles, brightening the Northern Lights and it possibly knocked

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128. Often visible as smog, ozone is formed in the atmosphere from hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, two major
pollutants emitted by automobiles, react with sunlight.
A. ozone is formed in the atmosphere from
B. ozone is formed in the atmosphere when
C. ozone is formed in the atmosphere, and when
D. ozone, formed in the atmosphere when
E. ozone, formed in the atmosphere from

129. Salt deposits and moisture threaten to destroy the Mohenjo-Daro excavation in Pakistan, the site of an ancient
civilization that flourished at the same time as the civilizations in the Nile Delta and the river valleys of the Tigris
and Euphrates.
A. that flourished at the same time as the civilizations
B. that had flourished at the same time as had the civilizations
C. that flourished at the same time those had
D. flourishing at the same time as those did
E. flourishing at the same time as those were

130. The results of the company‘s cost-cutting measures are evident in its profits, which increased 5 percent during
the first 3 months of this year after it fell over the last two years.
A. which increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it fell
B. which had increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after it had fallen
C. which have increased 5 percent during the first 3 months of this year after falling
D. with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after falling
E. with a 5 percent increase during the first 3 months of this year after having fallen

131. In an effort to reduce their inventories, Italian vintners have cut prices; their wines have been priced to sell, and
they are.
A. have been priced to sell, and they are
B. are priced to sell, and they have
C. are priced to sell, and they do
D. are being priced to sell, and have
E. had been priced to sell, and they have

132. Thelonious Monk, who was a jazz pianist and composer, produced a body of work both rooted in the stride-
piano tradition of Willie (The Lion) Smith and Duke Ellington, yet in many ways he stood apart from the
mainstream jazz repertory.
A. Thelonious Monk, who was a jazz pianist and composer, produced a body of work both rooted
B. Thelonious Monk, the jazz pianist and composer, produced a body of work that was rooted both
C. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk, who produced a body of work rooted
D. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk produced a body of work that was rooted
E. Jazz pianist and composer Thelonious Monk produced a body of work rooted both

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133. Nobody knows exactly how many languages there are in the world, partly because of the difficulty of
distinguishing between a language and the sublanguages or dialects within it, but those who have tried to count
typically have found about five thousand.
A. and the sublanguages or dialects within it, but those who have tried to count typically have found
B. and the sublanguages or dialects within them, with those who have tried counting typically finding
C. and the sublanguages or dialects within it, but those who have tried counting it typically find
D. or the sublanguages or dialects within them, but those who tried to count them typically found
E. or the sublanguages or dialects within them, with those who have tried to count typically finding

134. Heating-oil prices are expected to be higher this year than last because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel
more for crude oil than they were last year.
A. Heating-oil prices are expected to be higher this year than last because refiners are paying about $5 a barrel
more for crude oil than they were
B. Heating-oil prices are expected to rise higher this year over last because refiners pay about $5 a barrel for
crude oil more than they did
C. Expectations are for heating-oil prices to be higher this year than last year‘s because refiners are paying
about $5 a barrel for crude oil more than they did
D. It is the expectation that heating-oil prices will be higher for this year over last because refiners are paying
about $5 a barrel more for crude oil now than what they were
E. It is expected that heating-oil prices will rise higher this year than last year‘s because refiners pay about $5 a
barrel for crude oil more than they did

135. One of the primary distinctions between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any
specific skill but in our ability to extend knowledge gained in one context to new and different ones.
A. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lay not so much in any specific skill but
B. between our intelligence with that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill but instead
C. between our intelligence and that of other primates may lie not so much in any specific skill as
D. our intelligence has from that of other primates may lie not in any specific skill as
E. of our intelligence to that of other primates may lay not in any specific skill but

136. Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found all
over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.
A. Even though Clovis points, spear points with longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces, have been found
all over North America, they are named for the New Mexico site where they were first discovered in 1932.
B. Although named for the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932, Clovis points are spear points of
longitudinal grooves chipped onto their faces and have been found all over North America.
C. Named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in 1932, Clovis points, spear points of
longitudinal grooves chipped onto the faces, have been found all over North America.
D. Spear points with longitudinal grooves that are chipped onto the faces, Clovis points, even though named for
the New Mexico site where first discovered in 1932 but were found all over North America.
E. While Clovis points are spear points whose faces have longitudinal grooves chipped into them, they have
been found all over North America, and named for the New Mexico site where they have been first discovered in
1932.

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137. Some anthropologists believe that the genetic homogeneity evident in the world‘s people is the result of a
―population bottleneck‖—at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event, greatly reducing their
numbers and thus our genetic variation.
A. at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event, greatly reducing their numbers
B. that at some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event that greatly reduced their numbers
C. that some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event so that their numbers were greatly reduced,
D. some time in the past our ancestors suffered an event from which their numbers were greatly reduced
E. some time in the past, that our ancestors suffered an event so as to reduce their numbers greatly,

138. Ranked as one of the most important of Europe‘s young playwrights, Franz XaverKroetz has written 40 plays;
his works—translated into more than 30 languages—are produced more often than any contemporary German
dramatist.
A. than any
B. than any other
C. than are any
D. than those of any other
E. as are those of any

139. The stars, some of them at tremendous speeds, are in motion just as the planets are, yet being so far away
from Earth that their apparent positions in the sky do not change enough for their movement to be observed
during a single human lifetime.
A. The stars, some of them at tremendous speeds, are in motion just as the planets are, yet being
B. Like the planets, the stars are in motion, some of them at tremendous speeds, but they are
C. Although like the planets the stars are in motion, some of them at tremendous speeds, yet
D. As the planets, the stars are in motion, some of them at tremendous speeds, but they are
E. The stars are in motion like the planets, some of which at tremendous speeds are in motion but

140. Heavy commitment by an executive to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes it
likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.
A. Heavy commitment by an executive to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes it
likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.
B. An executive who is heavily committed to a course of action, especially one that worked well in the past,
makes missing signs of incipient trouble or misinterpreting ones likely when they do appear.
C. An executive who is heavily committed to a course of action is likely to miss or misinterpret signs of incipient
trouble when they do appear, especially if it has worked well in the past.
D. Executives‘ being heavily committed to a course of action, especially if it has worked well in the past, makes
them likely to miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpreting them when they do appear.
E. Being heavily committed to a course of action, especially one that has worked well in the past, is likely to
make an executive miss signs of incipient trouble or misinterpret them when they do appear.

141. As rainfall began to decrease in the Southwest about the middle of the twelfth century, most of the Monument
Valley Anasazi abandoned their homes to join other clans whose access to water was less limited.
A. whose access to water was less limited
B. where there was access to water that was less limited
C. where they had less limited water access
D. with less limitations on water access
E. having less limitations to water access
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142. Yellow jackets number among the 900 or so species of the world‘s social wasps, wasps living in a highly
cooperative and organized society where they consist almost entirely of females—the queen and her sterile female workers.
A. wasps living in a highly cooperative and organized society where they consist almost entirely of
B. wasps that live in a highly cooperative and organized society consisting almost entirely of
C. which means they live in a highly cooperative and organized society, almost all
D. which means that their society is highly cooperative, organized, and it is almost entirely
E. living in a society that is highly cooperative, organized, and it consists of almost all

143. El Niño, the periodic abnormal warming of the sea surface off Peru, a phenomenon in which changes in the
ocean and atmosphere combine allowing the warm water that has accumulated in the western Pacific to flow back to
the east.
A. a phenomenon in which changes in the ocean and atmosphere combine allowing the warm water that has
accumulated
B. a phenomenon where changes in the ocean and atmosphere are combining to allow the warm water that is
accumulating
C. a phenomenon in which ocean and atmosphere changes combine and which allows the warm water that is
accumulated
D. is a phenomenon in which changes in the ocean and atmosphere combine to allow the warm water that has
accumulated
E. is a phenomenon where ocean and atmosphere changes are combining and allow the warm water accumulating

144. Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives, capitalized on her keen
observation and love of the natural world.
A. Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives,
B. In her book illustrations, carefully coordinating them with her narratives, Beatrix Potter
C. In her book illustrations, which she carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter
D. Carefully coordinated with her narratives, Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations
E. Beatrix Potter, in her book illustrations, carefully coordinated them with her narratives and

145. Marconi‘s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead,
it is precisely the opposite, a tool for communicating with a large, public audience.
A. Marconi‘s conception of the radio was as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation; instead, it is
B. Marconi conceived of the radio as a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, but which is
C. Marconi conceived of the radio as a tool for private conversation that could substitute for the telephone;
instead, it has become
D. Marconi conceived of the radio to be a tool for private conversation, a substitute for the telephone, which has
become
E. Marconi conceived of the radio to be a substitute for the telephone, a tool for private conversation, other than what it
is,

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146. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it, is finding uses in medicine,
archaeology, and criminology.
A. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
B. Originally developed for detecting air pollutants, having the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost
any substance without destroying it, a technique called proton-induced X-ray emission
C. A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced X-ray emission, which can
quickly analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance without destroying it,
D. A technique originally developed for detecting air pollutants, called proton-induced X-ray emission, which has
the ability to analyze the chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying it,
E. A technique that was originally developed for detecting air pollutants and has the ability to analyze the
chemical elements in almost any substance quickly and without destroying the substance, called proton-
induced X-ray emission,

147. While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that stem
from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to generate electricity.
A. While it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as other types of power plants, it is the fixed costs that
stem from building nuclear plants that makes it more expensive for them to generate electricity.
B. While the cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as for other types of power plants, the fixed costs
that stem from building nuclear plants make the electricity they generate more expensive.
C. Even though it costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, it is the fixed
costs that stem from building nuclear plants that makes the electricity they generate more expensive.
D. It costs about the same to run nuclear plants as for other types of power plants, whereas the electricity they
generate is more expensive, stemming from the fixed costs of building nuclear plants.
E. The cost of running nuclear plants is about the same as other types of power plants, but the electricity they
generate is made more expensive because of the fixed costs stemming from building nuclear plants.

148. Authoritative parents are more likely than permissive parents to have children who as adolescents are self-
confident, high in self-esteem, and responsibly independent.
A. Authoritative parents are more likely than permissive parents to have children who as adolescents are self-
confident, high in self-esteem, and responsibly independent.
B. Authoritative parents who are more likely than permissive parents to have adolescent children that are self-
confident, high in self-esteem, and responsibly independent.
C. Children of authoritative parents, rather than permissive parents, are the more likely to be self-confident, have
a high self-esteem, and to be responsibly independent as adolescents.
D. Children whose parents are authoritative rather than being permissive, are more likely to have self-
confidence, a high self-esteem, and be responsibly independent when they are an adolescent.
E. Rather than permissive parents, the children of authoritative parents are the more likely to have self-
confidence, a high self-esteem, and to be responsibly independent as an adolescent

383
149. Among the objects found in the excavated temple were small terra-cotta effigies left by supplicants who were
either asking the goddess Bona Dea‘s aid in healing physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help.
A. in healing physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help
B. in healing physical and mental ills and to thank her for helping
C. in healing physical and mental ills, and thanking her for helping
D. to heal physical and mental ills or to thank her for such help
E. to heal physical and mental ills or thanking her for such help

150. Published in Harlem, the owner and editor of The Messenger were two young journalists, Chandler Owen and
A. Philip Randolph, who would later make his reputation as a labor leader.
A. Published in Harlem, the owner and editor of The Messenger were two young journalists, Chandler Owen and
A. Philip Randolph, who would later make his reputation as a labor leader.
B. Published in Harlem, two young journalists, Chandler Owen and A. Philip Randolph, who would later make his
reputation as a labor leader, were the owner and editor of The Messenger.
C. Published in Harlem, The Messenger was owned and edited by two young journalists, A. Philip Randolph,
who would later make his reputation as a labor leader, and Chandler Owen.
D. The Messenger was owned and edited by two young journalists, Chandler Owen and A. Philip Randolph, who
would later make his reputation as a labor leader, and published in Harlem.
E. The owner and editor being two young journalists, Chandler Owen and A. Philip Randolph, who would later
make his reputation as a labor leader, The Messenger was published in Harlem.

151. A mutual fund having billions of dollars in assets will typically invest that money in hundreds of companies,
rarely holding more than one percent of the shares of any particular corporation.
A. companies, rarely holding more than one percent
B. companies, and it is rare to hold at least one percent or more
C. companies and rarely do they hold more than one percent
D. companies, so that they rarely hold more than one percent
E. companies; rarely do they hold one percent or more

152. Construction of the Roman Colosseum, which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D.
69, during the reign of Vespasian, was completed a decade later, during the reign of Titus, who opened the
Colosseum with a one-hundred-day cycle of religious pageants, gladiatorial games, and spectacles.
A. which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian,
B. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and
C. which was officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, began in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and
D. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater and begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian it
E. officially known as the Flavian Amphitheater, which was begun in A.D. 69, during the reign of Vespasian, and

153. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
A. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.
B. A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about
20/500, or legally blind as an adult.
C. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision would be rated about
20/500; qualifying it to be legally blind if an adult.
D. A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about
20/500; an adult with such vision would be deemed legally blind.
E. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision, which would deemed
legally blind for an adult, would be rated about 20/500.

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154. Starfish, with anywhere from five to eight arms, have a strong regenerative ability, and if one arm is lost it
quickly replaces it, sometimes by the animal overcompensating and growing an extra one or two.
A. one arm is lost it quickly replaces it, sometimes by the animal overcompensating and
B. one arm is lost it is quickly replaced, with the animal sometimes overcompensating and
C. they lose one arm they quickly replace it, sometimes by the animal overcompensating,
D. they lose one arm they are quickly replaced, with the animal sometimes overcompensating,
E. they lose one arm it is quickly replaced, sometimes with the animal overcompensating,

155. Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated international disputes over
uninhabited islands.
A. Because there are provisions of the new maritime code that provide that even tiny islets can be the basis for
claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas, they have already stimulated
B. Because the new maritime code provides that even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and
oil fields of large sea areas, it has already stimulated
C. Even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under provisions of
the new maritime code, already stimulating
D. Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under
provisions of the new maritime code, this has already stimulated
E. Because even tiny islets can be the basis for claims to the fisheries and oil fields of large sea areas under
provisions of the new maritime code, which is already stimulating

156. The original building and loan associations were organized as limited life funds, whose members made monthly
payments on their share subscriptions, then taking turns drawing on the funds for home mortgages.
A. subscriptions, then taking turns drawing
B. subscriptions, and then taking turns drawing
C. subscriptions and then took turns drawing
D. subscriptions and then took turns, they drew
E. subscriptions and then drew, taking turns

157. Gall‘s hypothesis of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely
accepted today.
A. of there being different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
B. of different mental functions that are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
C. that different mental functions are localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted today
D. which is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the brain is widely accepted
today
E. which is widely accepted today is that there are different mental functions localized in different parts of the
brain

158. Mauritius was a British colony for almost 200 years, excepting for the domains of administration and teaching,
the English language was never really spoken on the island.
A. excepting for
B. except in
C. but except in
D. but excepting for
E. with the exception
385
159. George Sand (Aurore Lucile Dupin) was one of the first European writers to consider the rural poor to be
legitimate subjects for literature and portray these with sympathy and respect in her novels.
A. to be legitimate subjects for literature and portray these
B. should be legitimate subjects for literature and portray these
C. as being legitimate subjects for literature and portraying them
D. as if they were legitimate subjects for literature and portray them
E. legitimate subjects for literature and to portray them

160. The World Wildlife Fund has declared that global warming, a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused
by human beings in burning fossil fuels, will create havoc among migratory birds by altering the environment in
ways harmful to their habitats.
A. a phenomenon most scientists agree to be caused by human beings in burning fossil fuels,
B. a phenomenon most scientists agree that is caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings,
C. a phenomenon that most scientists agree is caused by human beings‘ burning of fossil fuels,
D. which most scientists agree on as a phenomenon caused by human beings who burn fossil fuels,
E. which most scientists agree to be a phenomenon caused by fossil fuels burned by human beings,

161. New theories propose that catastrophic impacts of asteroids and comets may have caused reversals in the
Earth‘s magnetic field, the onset of ice ages, splitting apart continents 80 million years ago, and great volcanic
eruptions.
A. splitting apart continents
B. the splitting apart of continents
C. split apart continents
D. continents split apart
E. continents that were split apart

162. A firm that specializes in the analysis of handwriting claims from a one-page writing sample that it can assess
more than 300 personality traits, including enthusiasm, imagination, and ambition.
A. from a one-page writing sample that it can assess
B. from a one-page writing sample it has the ability of assessing
C. the ability, from a one-page writing sample, of assessing
D. to be able, from a one-page writing sample, to assess
E. being able to assess, from a one-page writing sample

163. Sales of wines declined in the late 1980s, but they began to grow again after the 1991 report that linked
moderate consumption of alcohol, and particularly of red wine, with a reduced risk of heart disease.
A. they began to grow again after the 1991 report that linked moderate consumption of alcohol, and particularly
of red wine, with a reduced risk of heart disease
B. after the 1991 report that linked a reduced risk of heart disease with a moderate alcohol consumption,
particularly red wine, they began growing again
C. in a 1991 report, moderate alcohol consumption, and particularly of red wine, which was linked with a reduced
risk of heart disease, caused them to begin to grow again
D. with a reduced risk of heart disease linked in a 1991 report with moderate alcohol consumption, in particular
red wine, they began growing again
E. a reduced risk of heart disease linked to moderate alcohol consumption in a 1991 report, and in particular red
wine, started them growing again

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164. She was less successful after she had emigrated to New York compared to her native Germany, photographer
Lotte Jacobi nevertheless earned a small group of discerning admirers, and her photographs were eventually
exhibited in prestigious galleries across the United States.
A. She was less successful after she had emigrated to New York compared to
B. Being less successful after she had emigrated to New York as compared to
C. Less successful after she emigrated to New York than she had been in
D. Although she was less successful after emigrating to New York when compared to
E. She had been less successful after emigrating to New York than in

165. Today, because of improvements in agricultural technology, the same amount of acreage produces double the
apples that it has in 1910.
A. double the apples that it has
B. twice as many apples as it did
C. as much as twice the apples it has
D. two times as many apples as there were
E. a doubling of the apples that it did

166. The use of lie detectors is based on the assumption that lying produces emotional reactions in an individual that,
in turn, create unconscious physiological responses.
A. that, in turn, create unconscious physiological responses
B. that creates unconscious physiological responses in turn
C. creating, in turn, unconscious physiological responses
D. to create, in turn, physiological responses that are unconscious
E. who creates unconscious physiological responses in turn

167. Joan of Arc, a young Frenchwoman who claimed to be divinely inspired, turned the tide of English victories in
her country by liberating the city of Orléans and she persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne.
A. she persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne
B. persuaded Charles VII of France in claiming his throne
C. persuading that the throne be claimed by Charles VII of France
D. persuaded Charles VII of France to claim his throne
E. persuading that Charles VII of France should claim the throne

168. Australian embryologists have found evidence that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic
animal, and its trunk originally evolving as a kind of snorkel.
A. that suggests that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal, and its trunk originally evolving
B. that has suggested the elephant descended from an aquatic animal, its trunk originally evolving
C. suggesting that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal with its trunk originally evolved
D. to suggest that the elephant had descended from an aquatic animal and its trunk originally evolved
E. to suggest that the elephant is descended from an aquatic animal and that its trunk originally evolved

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169. Cajuns speak a dialect brought to southern Louisiana by the 4,000 Acadians who migrated there in 1755; their
language is basically seventeenth-century French to which has been added English, Spanish, and Italian words.
A. to which has been added English, Spanish, and Italian words
B. added to which is English, Spanish, and Italian words
C. to which English, Spanish, and Italian words have been added
D. with English, Spanish, and Italian words having been added to it
E. and, in addition, English, Spanish, and Italian words are added

170. Over 75 percent of the energy produced in France derives from nuclear power, while in Germany it is just over
33 percent.
A. while in Germany it is just over 33 percent
B. compared to Germany, which uses just over 33 percent
C. whereas nuclear power accounts for just over 33 percent of the energy produced in Germany
D. whereas just over 33 percent of the energy comes from nuclear power in Germany
E. compared with the energy from nuclear power in Germany, where it is just over 33 percent

171. Although the term ―psychopath‖ is popularly applied to an especially brutal criminal, in psychology it is someone
who is apparently incapable of feeling compassion or the pangs of conscience.
A. it is someone who is
B. it is a person
C. they are people who are
D. it refers to someone who is
E. it is in reference to people

172. Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes,
grown from seeds saved during the previous year—they are often green and striped, or have plenty of bumps
and bruises—heirlooms are more flavorful and thus in increasing demand.
A. Although appearing less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom tomatoes,
grown from seeds saved during the previous year
B. Although heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, appear less appetizing than
most of their round and red supermarket cousins
C. Although they appear less appetizing than most of their round and red supermarket cousins, heirloom
tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year
D. Grown from seeds saved during the previous year, heirloom tomatoes appear less appetizing than most of
their round and red supermarket cousins
E. Heirloom tomatoes, grown from seeds saved during the previous year, although they appear less appetizing
than most of their round and red supermarket cousins

173. Last week local shrimpers held a news conference to take some credit for the resurgence of the rare Kemp‘s
ridley turtle, saying that their compliance with laws requiring that turtle-excluder devices be on shrimp nets
protect adult sea turtles.
A. requiring that turtle-excluder devices be on shrimp nets protect
B. requiring turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting
C. that require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets protect
D. to require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets are protecting
E. to require turtle-excluder devices on shrimp nets is protecting

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174. Recently implemented ―shift-work equations‖ based on studies of the human sleep cycle have reduced
sickness, sleeping on the job, fatigue among shift workers, and have raised production efficiency in various
industries.
A. fatigue among shift workers, and have raised
B. fatigue among shift workers, and raised
C. and fatigue among shift workers while raising
D. lowered fatigue among shift workers, and raised
E. and fatigue among shift workers was lowered while raising

175. Spanning more than 50 years, Friedrich Müller began his career in an unpromising apprenticeship as a Sanskrit
scholar and culminated in virtually every honor that European governments and learned societies could bestow.
A. Müller began his career in an unpromising apprenticeship as
B. Müller‘s career began in an unpromising apprenticeship as
C. Müller‘s career began with the unpromising apprenticeship of being
D. Müller had begun his career with the unpromising apprenticeship of being
E. the career of Müller has begun with an unpromising apprenticeship of

176. Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the
tubes form a random pattern.
A. Whereas in mammals the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, in birds the
tubes
B. Whereas the tiny tubes for the conveying of nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in mammals in parallel
lines,
birds have tubes that
C. Unlike mammals, where the tiny tubes for conveying nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines, birds‘
tubes
D. Unlike mammals, in whom the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells are arrayed in parallel lines,
the tubes in birds
E. Unlike the tiny tubes that convey nutrients to bone cells, which in mammals are arrayed in parallel lines, in
birds the tubes

177. Joachim Raff and Giacomo Meyerbeer are examples of the kind of composer who receives popular acclaim
while living, often goes into decline after death, and never regains popularity again.
A. often goes into decline after death, and never regains popularity again
B. whose reputation declines after death and never regains its status again
C. but whose reputation declines after death and never regains its former status
D. who declines in reputation after death and who never regained popularity again
E. then has declined in reputation after death and never regained popularity

178. Most efforts to combat such mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue have focused either on the
vaccination of humans or on exterminating mosquitoes with pesticides.
A. like malaria and dengue have focused either on the vaccination of humans or on exterminating
B. like malaria and dengue have focused either on vaccinating of humans or on the extermination of
C. as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or on exterminating
D. as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating of humans or on extermination of
E. as malaria and dengue have focused on either vaccinating humans or exterminating

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179. In no other historical sighting did Halley‘s Comet cause such a worldwide sensation as did its return in 1910–1911.
A. did its return in 1910–1911
B. had its 1910–1911 return
C. in its return of 1910–1911
D. its return of 1910–1911 did
E. its return in 1910–1911

180. Rock samples taken from the remains of an asteroid about twice the size of the 6-mile-wide asteroid that
eradicated the dinosaurs has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is evidence of the earliest known
asteroid impact on Earth.
A. has been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus is
B. has been dated at 3.47 billion years old and thus
C. have been dated to be 3.47 billion years old and thus are
D. have been dated as being 3.47 billion years old and thus
E. have been dated at 3.47 billion years old and thus are

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Sentence Correction Solutions
1. A. The correct parallel structure of the sentence requires a present participle, which indicates something that
continues into the present.
2. C. The correct parallel structure requires the present participle instead of the word ‗resembles‘
3. D. While both B and D are grammatically correct, the structure of the sentence requires a present participle of
‗originate‘ which is present in D but not B.
4. E. While both D and E are grammatically correct, the structure of the sentence requires a past participle of
‗determine‘ and a present participle of ‗differ‘, which is present in E but not D.
5. B. While both A and B have the correct grammatical structure in the first part of the sentence, the verb in the
second part should be singular, which is not present in A.
6. E. Satellites must be followed by a plural verb, which is present only in D and E. 15-year-effort is the
grammatically correct phrase, which is not present in D.
7. E. ―Broadcast‖ is a plural verb, so the subject must be plural. Thus, the only grammatically option is E.
8. C. ―communities‖ is an antecedent of ―that‖, so the verb and subsequent references must be plural.
9. D. Plural verb is required, which is present in B and D. Pronoun references are used incorrectly in B.
10. C. ‗used to‘ is the correct phrase which should be used here, which means C or D is the answer. C is more
concise.
11. A. Other answers lack parallelism.
12. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence. ‗were‘ must be used due to the
hypothetical situation. C and E have grammatical errors.
13. E. Other options lack parallelism.
14. D. Option D solves the parallelism error in the original sentence while being concise.
15. A. ―that‖ is required after agree, which is only present in A and E. Option E is grammatically incorrect.
16. D. ‗changes‘ is the correct noun to use here instead of the gerund ‗changing‘. ‗among‘ is used incorrectly in Option
E.
17. B. Since ‗people‘ is the antecedent, a plural pronoun must be used. Options C, D and E do not fit into the
sentence.
18. B. Splitting, which is signified as a distinct event in the sentence, must be clearly defined as a noun, which is
present in B.
19. A. Options A and B are grammatically correct. Inconsistency with tense of verbs is noticed in Option B.
20. D. Option D uses the grammatically correct expression: [demanded that + subjunctive]
21. B. The logical subject of ‗survive‘ and logical complement of ‗required‘ should be made explicit. Hence, Option
B is the best answer.
22. B. Option B clearly and correctly uses parallel noun phrases to maintain parallelism in the sentence.
23. E. Subjunctive rule is followed only in Option E. [that + be]
24. E. In Option E, parallelism is maintained for both phrases ―in the rise of‖ and ―in the victory of‖, which is absent
in the other options.
25. E. ‗That‘ is more appropriate after ‗evidence‘ in this sentence. E is also grammatically correct, unlike Option A
and B.
26. A. The original sentence is grammatically correct, while others are not.

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27. B. The phrase ‗Either…or‘ must be used, which is present in B and D. D does not maintain parallelism.
28. B. Option is B is parallel and consistent with the rest of the sentence.
29. A. Appositive modifier is used correctly in the original sentence.
30. A. Summative modifier is used correctly in the original sentence.
31. D. Since a summative modifier is used, the sentence must be in the active voice.
32. E. ‗may‘ is redundant since ‗possible‘ is used, which leaves D and E. D does not maintain parallelism.
33. C. Option C maintains parallelism and contains the correct modifier.
34. A. Usage of conjunction and proper structure is maintained only in Option A.
35. B. Option B is the only option that maintains parallelism.
36. D. Since an entirely different clause is introduced, present participle must be used.
37. E. Options D and E are grammatically correct. ‗ability of‘ is an incorrect idiom, which rules out D.
38. E. None of the other options contain a viable verb.
39. B. Option B correctly uses the single modifier consisting of two contrasting parts.
40. C. The underlined part refers to ‗identified‘, so it must be followed by ‗that. Option C is grammatically correct in
contrast to the other options.
41. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
42. C. Present participle must be required because of cause and effect. Options D and E have misplaced order of words.
43. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
44. D. Summative modifier is correctly used in Option D.
45. C. Other options are grammatically incorrect.
46. E. The grammatical structure of this sentence and the appropriate placement of modifiers expresses the
meaning clearly and concisely.
47. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
48. B. The grammatical composition and use of modifiers in this sentence are correct, in contrast to other options.
49. B. The verb tense clearly indicates that the current evidence is about Neanderthals in the past.
50. D. The consistency of the two verbs in the sentence is maintained only in Option D.
51. E. ‗indicates‘ must be followed by ‗that‘ and only one subject should be used in the latter part. Option D is not
acceptable because of inappropriate use of ‗nor‘.
52. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
53. C. The phrases ‗any other‘ and ‗that‘ are required, which are present only in Option C.
54. E. Option E is the only option to not contain incorrect references or grammatical errors.
55. E. Option E is the only option to not contain parallelism error or punctuation error.
56. D. Singular verb and present participle form of ‗pull‘ is required, which are present only in Option D.
57. D. Option D places the many clauses in the correct order.
58. E. Other options are dangling modifiers.
59. D. The two independent clauses are linked properly in Option D, unlike the other options.
60. B. ‗Like‘ must be used in hypothetical comparison between two things. Present participle must be used here,
which rules out D.

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61. C. Option C and E follow the correct parallel structure. C is more concise.
62. D. Singular form of ‗plants‘, gerund ‗being‘ must be used, which means Option D or E is the answer. D is more concise.
63. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
64. D. ‗used to attract‘‖ is the correct idiom, which means D or E is the answer. Option E is a run-on sentence;
hence D is the answer.
65. E. ‗Annually‘ is redundant because ‗Each year‘ is mentioned. Option D uses verb form prevention, but noun
form prevention is required here. Hence, E is the answer.
66. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
67. A. Contains an arguably logical comparison than all the other options.
68. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence. Option B contains no viable verb.
69. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
70. B. All of the other options contain illogical comparisons.
71. C. Past participle of ‗recognize‘ is required here. ‗And who‘ is not a correct phrase. Among Option C and D,
Option C is more concise.
72. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
73. B. Subjunctive verb is required, which is present only in Option B.[demand that + be]
74. E. Option D and E are grammatically correct, but Option D contains illogical comparison.
75. A. No grammatical or structuring error exists in the original sentence.
76. C. Option C is the only option with no grammatical or parallelism errors.
77. E. Since two activities are mentioned, a relative pronoun ‗that‘ is required. Option D has a misplaced order of
words.
78. D. All of the other options contain grammatical errors.
79. E. Option E contains no grammatical errors, illogical modifiers, and is concise.
80. C. Although the sentence structure is correct, the present participle ‗saying‘ is misplaced here. So, ‗which‘
should be used to refer to the oil industry.
81. B. Note that the presence of frozen water SUPPORTS the claim that europa is "far too cold to support life", so
it should be a MODIFIER. It is inappropriate to place these two things in parallel with AND.
82. C. similar to the above problem.
* take a look at this problem (along with its OA). take a look at the other problem.
* note, and memorize, the pattern of each correct answer.
* try to create your own sentences with the same structure, to reinforce your knowledge.
83. A. Here parallelism cannot be applied, ‗whose‘ refers to women, ‗their‘ refers to murals. Therefore, ‗are colored‘
and ‗are embellished‘ can never be parallel as there are 2 different subjects. Option A uses the Absolute
phrase concept properly.
84. D. ―Decline in sales OF‖ eliminate A, C, E
B, which refers to challenges, so the verb cannot be ‗includes‖

85. A. GOAL is TO DEVELOP (intention)…

A also has Abstract noun … always better than pronoun. Also, ‗can‘ is always better than ability, able, capable,
and capability

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86. A.
B and C are out for faulty parallelism. E is out because of the touch rule of the restrictive pronoun ‗that‘, which
cannot but modify anything but the land. D is out because the communal owners itself was a form of ownership
and not one in which another pre-Columbian form of ownership existed. This is a logical error.
A remains although the repetition of ‗to‘ might unnerve sometimes. However, considering that all others have
more serious flaws, A can be safely construed as the best fit.
87. E.
A - 'which' refers to 950 million. If you think about it, 950 million is NOT part of a deal, the purchase is. Hence,
WRONG
B - Simple present tense is used to denote a future event. Hence WRONG
C - Same Tense error as in (B)
D - Did the company announce the purchase with an intent ('to make') to become the largest manufacturer?
The original sentence does not state that.. Hence WRONG
E - Correct.
88. A. CAUSE and EFFECT… ING… so A, B remain.
B is wrong as ‗that of‘ doesn‘t have any antecedent also, when we say ―increase in something‖, the phrase
means that ―something‖ has increased itself. Hence, this phrase does not make sense in this choice as it
suggests that ―the previous year‖ increased itself.
89. E. 20 percent of something is a number. Hence it should be twice the number reported.
90. B.
In D and E, record that is not idiomatic. The correct idiom is record of. Eliminate D and E.
In A, it is unclear what is being modified by collectively known. Eliminate A.
In C, it is unclear what is being modified by with such a group. Eliminate C.
In B, of not paying back their loans on time, a group possessive "their" clearly refers back to "borrowers";
placement of "their" is good. comma+ "a group collectively" makes the last clause an appositive.
91. E.
A. a vantage point combining with her talent for writing to make noun + noun modifier. to make - shows us a
purpose.
B. a vantage point, when combined with her talent for writing, that made when is used only for presenting time
frames.
C. a vantage point that combined with her talent for writing, and it made it - double subject. a vantage point and it
made.
D. and this vantage point, which combined with her talent for writing to make clause that starts with and - does
not have a verb.
E. and this vantage point, combined with her talent for writing, made introduces a new clause, SV are in
agreement. this is the correct answer.
92. D.
(A) and that they were at least 25 million years older than any similar dinosaur type previously -- they is
ambiguous -- fossils or Paleontologist-- comparison error.
(B) and they are at least 25 million years older than those of any similar dinosaur type that previously was --
same as A -- parallelism issue -- sentence structure ambiguity.
(C) and the fossils are at least 25 million years older than any similar dinosaur types that previously were --
comparison error -- parallelism required.
(D) fossils that are at least 25 million years older than those of any similar dinosaur type previously -- absolute
phrase modifier used -- comparison is proper.
(E) fossils at least 25 million years older than similar dinosaur types previously -- comparison error.
93. B. "placing" V.S "place" , "place" is right --> rule out A & D
"Which" after the comma refers to women --> wrong --> rule out C & E
The choice left is B

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ING modifiers don't have a tense. They automatically adopt the tense of the clause to which they're attached.

94. B.
‗which‘ does not have a logical reference so we prefer the noun, a greater proportion In A, there is no logical
reference for IT so B
95. A.
A is the correct answer. Usage of 'that' makes all the difference. "Gains reflect the confidence that economy
will avoid..." is correct. "Gains reflect the confidence (in the economy) to avoid..." is flawed.
'in the economy' modifies 'confidence' in options B,C & D. You must try to make sense without reading the
modifier in between. Try reading "gains reflect the confidence to avoid...". Does that make any sense?
Of course, E is too wordier & flawed that you'll be able to pick between A & E.
96. D.
A. To Josephine Baker, Paris was her home long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate- JB should be
the subject of the former clause 'her' is redundant.
B. For Joshephine baker, long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate, paris was her home- JB should be
the subject of the former clause. Structure: noun phrase, modifier, clause 1 and clause 2 - placement of
introductory elements is bad.
C. Joshephine baker made Paris her home long before to be an expatriate was fashionable
Structure: Clause 1 modifier and clause 2 The construction is reversed.
D. Long before it was fashionable to be an expatriate, Josephine Baker made Paris her home
Structure: Modifier, Clause 1 and Clause 2- Looks good!
E. Long before it was fashionable being an expatriate, Paris was home to Josephine Baker- JB should be the
subject of the former clause
97. A.
(A) a critique of all chemistry since Robert Boyle as well as a vision of a. Correct. Since Robert Boyle means
'since time of Robert Boyle'. Its correct modifier of "Essay on Heat and Light"
(B) a critique of all chemistry following Robert Boyle and also his envisioning of a his envisioning of a new
chemistry that Davy hoped to found' is awkward usage. 'Vision' is more correct usage.
(C) a critique of all chemistry after Robert Boyle and envisioning as well 'and envisioning as well new
chemistry that Davy hoped to found' becomes wrong English usage.
(D) critiquing all chemistry from Robert Boyle forward and also a vision of It modifies the whole sentence rather
than just a book.
(E) critiquing all the chemistry done since Robert Boyle as well as his own envisioning of It modifies the whole
sentence rather than just a book.
98. C. We can eliminate A&E because they have ―lay‖ instead of ―lie‖.
(A) This is INCORRECT because the idiom "between X from Y" is wrong. It should be "between X and Y."
(C) This is CORRECT! It uses the correct idiom structure "between X and Y."
(D) This is INCORRECT because it uses an incorrect idiom! The appropriate idiom structure here would be
either "distinction between X and Y" or "distinction of X from Y." This sentence uses "distinction X has from
Y," which is wrong.
99. A.
(A) CORRECT
(B) The modifier starting with originally is too far from technique. so wrong
(C) Why do you need a comma after pollutants? The initial modifier starting with A technique seems to modify
called. wrong
(D) which has the ability is wordy
(E) has the ability ?? parallelism problem as well after AND. So, wrong

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100. C.
A. lacking conjunction between the two predicates
B. This is a fragment with the first part lacking a verb
C. Correct choice.
D. The first part is a fragment and the second part is fused with the first part without a punctuation mark.
E. The first part before 'and ' is a fragment.
101. E.―Predominant industries and the regulatory environment‖- this phrase is plural and must be followed by a
plural verb ―determine‖. In (B), ―each state‖ is erroneously referred to by a plural pronoun ―their‖.
102. A. The original sentence is correct. It contains a dangling participle ―rivaling‖, so the opening clause must be
supported by the original subject of the sentence ―the army of terra-cotta warriors.‖ The other choices fail to
support the opening phrase.
103. E. The problem lies in not maintaining parallelism. The correct sentence should be ―will try to… and to
encourage.‖ Other choices fail to maintain this parallelism.
104. A. This original sentence uses the construction ―not only x…but also y‖ correctly. The sentence also maintains
parallelism ―do damage…also aggravate.‖ Other choices have the word ―aggravating‖ which means annoying
in popular English.
105. C. The original sentence has a dangling participle ―digging‖ that must be supported by the original subject of
the sentence scientists. In (D) and (E), it would be preferable to use a verb (emerged) in this context.
106. C. The correct sentence is the most concise one and maintains the parallelism ―rise…and act.‖ In (A) and (B),
using so that and so as to is redundant.
107. A. The verb must agree with the plural noun ―species‖. Among the sentences that contain plural verb include,
in only (A), ―which‖ correctly refers to the animal known as the killer whale which is the subject of the following
dependent clause.68.
108. D. The original sentence has a dangling participle ―Outlining‖, so the opening clause must be supported by the
original subject of the sentence ―the chief executive‖. In (E), ―that‖ incorrectly modifies Wednesday instead of
plans.
109. B.―If x happened, then y would happen‖ is the correct expression. Option (A) and (C) used a wrong expression.
In (D), ―it‖, not ―that‖, should be used to refer back to Morocco and (E) is wordy and awkward. By using
elimination method, only (B) remains.
110. E.―Trenches‖ is a plural subject and cannot be followed by a singular verb ―yields‖. In order to be correct, the
sentence has to be as simple as possible and free from redundancy. In (A) and (C), the phrases ―that were cut
into‖ and ―having been cut into‖ are wordy.
111. B. The repetition of the preposition ―of‖ before ―good growing conditions‖ is unnecessary. Using ―both‖ and
―and‖ simultaneously is also redundant. Only (B) corrects both these errors.
112. B. Here ―in which‖ and ―when‖ can be used interchangeably. The sentence should be in simple past form. In
(E), ―now‖ is an adverb and should be placed right before ―are‖. The phrase ―where there were areas now
temperate‖ is too wordy in (C).
113. D. The correct sentence maintains the following parallelism ―to touch…thereby activate‖. The agent of the
action or the subject (visitors) is clearly indicated by the grammatical structure of the sentence.
114. D. The given sentence has a dangling modifier, and the structure incorrectly suggests that ―Earth‖ is the
subject, not the ―Earth‘s crust‖. The correct sentence (D) rectifies the error and uses the phrase ―neither X nor
Y‖ correctly.
115. A. The idiom ―as a means to‖ correctly communicates that stressing the arts is a method for achieving greater
economic development. ―Economically‖ means frugally and using the word in this context distorts the meaning
of the sentence.

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116. B. Because Neanderthals existed in the past, the verb describing their apparent abilities cannot be in present
tense; therefore ―as equipped‖ must be changed to ―to have been equipped‖. Infinitive ―to face‖ describes a
purpose and is appropriate in this context.
117. D.―The amount of X‖ is idiomatic, whereas ―X (noun) amount‖ is not. The event happened in the past, so the
past form ―reduced‖ should be used. If the agreement remained in effect when the sentence was written, then it
is advisable to use ―are allowed‖ instead of ―had been allowed‖.
118. C. Purpose is expressed by using ―to‖, not ―and‖. Using ―their‖ or any other pronoun in the latter part of the
sentence can create unclear pronoun referencing problem. Only (C) avoids these errors.
119. C. The correct sentence uses the phrase ―literatures of Europe, China and Japan‖, because using ―that of‖ is
redundant in this context. The singular noun ―knowledge‖ must be followed by a singular verb ―was‖. Choice
(D) is wordy.
120. E. Citrus is singular and requires the singular pronoun ―it‖, not the plural pronouns ―them‖ and ―they‖. All the
other choices except (E) make the either or all of the errors.
121. D. The subject of the sentence is the plural ―fossils‖, not ―sloth‖, and therefore requires a plural verb; ―it‖ or
―this‖ cannot be used. In (E), ―were‖ should have been used instead of ―was‖.
122. B. Using ―in attributing‖ wrongly suggests that the perpetrators are attributing the criminal behavior to a factor,
whereas in fact the defense attorneys are. The phrase ―some food allergy‖ used in (D) is unidiomatic.
123. E.―Many‖ must be used before a count noun such as dioxin. Using ―Much‖ in this sentence is erroneous. A
plural verb ―come‖ must be used to refer to plural noun ―dioxins‖. Option (D) is wordy and uses unnecessary
phrases.
124. C. The correct sentence must use the idiomatic structure ―not by X but by Y‖. ―Not‖ should not be used before
―caused‖, because we want to stress on the causes, not on the event itself.
125. E. The correct sentence must maintain the parallelism between ―of a majority of young adults‖ and ―of earlier
generations‖. The phrase ―owning … land‖ is the subject of the first clause. The pronoun ―it‖ refers back to this
phrase and is the subject of the second clause.
126. B. Using ―which‖ to refer to the opening clause is incorrect. The correct sentence maintains the parallelism ―not
just by X… but also by Y‖. Although (C) maintains a similar parallelism, (C) also uses awkward phrase ―doctors
having also written‖.
127. C. Maintaining the timeline is very important in this sentence. It is advisable to introduce the subject ―an
expanding cloud‖ in the sentence as early as possible. Then its action (triggered a large storm) is described
and finally its consequences (brightening…knocking) are stated.
128. B. The preposition ―from‖ is incorrect because the next part of the sentence describes an event. ―From‖ is to be
replaced with ―when‖. The basic structure of the sentence should be ―Ozone is formed when X and Y react‖.
129. A. In the original sentence, the dependent clause correctly uses the simple past tense ―flourished‖ to describe
civilizations that existed simultaneously (If not simultaneously, past perfect tense would have been used). In
(C), ―as‖ is missing.
130. C. Singular pronoun ―it‖ does not agree with the plural noun ―profits‖. ―Which‖ must be used to refer to the
profits. The correct sentence must have two timelines to describe two events i.e. the declining profits and a
five-percent-increase after 2 years. Only (C) describes two timelines correctly by not using the same tense in
both cases.
131. C. The second verb in the last part of the sentence is silent but the second verb must be correctly conjugated
with the main verb ―sell‖. Expressions such as ―they are sell‖ or ―they have sell‖ are not correct verb forms;
―they do sell‖ is correct.
132. D. Using ―both‖ and ―and‖ simultaneously is redundant. Introducing Thelonious Monk with introductory clause
such as ―who was a jazz pianist and composer‖ is wordy and unnecessary. In choice (C), there is no
grammatical structure.

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133. A.―Language‖ is a singular noun and must be followed by a singular pronoun (it). The first clause and the
second clause present opposite views and a conjunction that expresses contrast (but) must be used to connect
them.
134. A. Using expressions such as ―it is expected‖ and ―it is the expectation‖ is unnecessary. The most efficient and
parallel way to compare the two events is to use the two comparative expressions, ―higher than‖ and ―more
than‖. Only (A) uses them correctly.
135. C. While using the word ―distinction‖ to indicate difference, we use the phrase ―between X and Y‖. The correct
verb in this context is ―lie‖, not ―lay‖.
136. A. The original sentence is correct, as it introduces the subject firsthand and the subject is followed by an
introductory clause (spear points…faces). The points were discovered in 1932, so it is advisable to use simple
past tense.
137. B. Using ―at‖ before ―some time is mandatory‖. The correct structure should be the following, ―Anthropologists
believe that X— (in other words) that Y‖. Repetition of ―that‖ effectively paraphrases the belief.
138. D. In the second clause, ―his works‖ is the subject and the works are compared with the works of any other
German artists. ―works‖ is plural and needs to be referred to by a plural pronoun ―those‖.
139. B. To compare the movement of stars to that of planets, it is effective to use the following structure, ―Like the
planets, the stars…‖. To describe the contrast, a conjunction (but) must be used. The other choices do not
follow a grammatical structure.
140. E. The original sentence lacks a definite subject. The choice (B) wrongly indicates that the executive, not his
strategy, causes signs to be overlooked. Choice (E) avoids these errors and places the modifier ―when they do
appear‖ appropriately.
141. A. In the original sentence, the possessive pronoun ―whose‖ correctly refers to its immediate antecedent
―clans‖. ―Where‖ is used to refer to a place, not clans.
142. B. The underlined sentence is a dependent clause that provides an explanation for the wasps. Only (B)
provides a grammatical structure and avoids run-down sentences (two independent clauses joined by only a
comma).
143. D. A singular verb (is) is required to construct the sentence. As El Niño is a natural phenomenon, we use
simple present tense. The latter part, ―in the western…to the east‖ is crucial to the overall meaning, so ―that‖
should be used to introduce the clause.
144. C. The pronoun ―them‖ used in (A), (B) and (E) are unclear pronouns. (D) suggests that Beatrix herself is
coordinated with her narratives. Only (C) manages to avoid these errors.
145. C. To avoid wordiness and ambiguity, we use Marconi as the subject, not Marconi‘s conception. Using ―which‖
to modify the entire clause can be erroneous. Only (C) manages to describe the contrast by introducing a
separate clause.
146. A. The original sentence correctly introduces the technique, explain its function with the help of a dependent
clause starting with ―which‖ and finally describes its ongoing uses. In (C) and (D), a comma should be used
before ―called proton-induced…‖.
147. B. The construction ―it is X that does Y‖ is only used when we want to emphasize the action of the doer for a
good reason. Option (B) clearly compares the two types of costs in a concise manner. The other choices are
wordy and ungrammatical.
148. A. The sentence compares the children of authoritative parents to those of permissive parents. Several choices
except (A) make illogical comparisons and use wordy phrases such as ―Children whose parents are
authoritative‖.
149. A. The correct expression is ―either…or‖. The correct sentence also maintains the parallelism, ―asking the
goddess…or thanking her‖. The noun aid is correctly followed by ―in healing‖ rather than by the infinitive ―to
heal‖, as infinitive describes purpose.

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150. C. A modifying phrase must be placed near the word it modifies. The owner is not the published in Harlem,
rather The Messenger is. Only (C) makes the distinction very clearly.
151. A. A mutual fund is a singular subject, so a plural pronoun such as ―they‖ cannot be used to refer to the
subject. (B) is wordy as it uses the phrase ―it is rare to…‖.
152. C. The correct structure would be as follows: Construction began in…and was completed. Using ―begun‖ or
―was begun‖ violates the parallelism. In (C), the construction was not knows as the Flavian Amphitheater,
rather the colosseum was.
153. D. This sentence fails to convey its meaning because its construction is faulty. In the original sentence, the
pronoun ―it‖ erroneously refers to the baby instead to the vision. Other choices except (D) are run-down
sentences.
154. B. Starfish is a singular subject and a singular pronoun is required. The original sentence uses ―it‖ twice in the
same clause and creates ambiguity. Only choice (B) avoids these errors.
155. B. The sentence needs to make clear whether ―provisions‖ or ―code‖ is the subject of the main verb
―stimulated‖. Choice (B) clearly describes the code as the subject. The other choices are ambiguous and do
not have a clear subject.
156. C. The members performed a sequence of two actions: made monthly payments … and then took turns
drawing on the funds. The two actions must be parallel and expressed in simple past.
157. C. Gall‘s hypothesis needs to be contained in the clause that starts with ―that‖. The general structure is as follows:
noun + that + description of the noun + verb+ rest of the sentence. Only (C) maintains the proper structure.
158. C.A conjunction (but) needs to be used to express the contrast in the sentence. Not using ―but‖ can cause a
run-down sentence (two independent clauses joined by only a comma). Phrases such as ―excepting for‖ and
―with the exception‖ are unidiomatic.
159. E. Avoid using ―to be‖ or ―as‖ after consider. The correct expression is ―consider something‖. We use ―these‖ to
refer to objects, not people (the rural poor).
160. C. Using ―which‖ to modify the opening clause can create unclear pronoun references. Only (C) describes
global warming as a phenomenon caused by the burning of fossil fuels by humans and thus conveys the
intended meaning.
161. B. This sentence describes four effects (four noun phrases) in a series and requires parallelism. We know that
―the + verb-ing + of + something‖ acts as a noun phrase.
162. D. The correct sentence uses the idiomatic phrase ―claims to be able … to assess‖. Option (A) and (B) distorts
the meaning.
163. A. The idiomatic expression is ―link X with Y‖. Red wine is a type of alcohol, not a type of ―alcohol consumption‖
as expressed in (B), (C) and (D).
164. C. A preposition ―in‖ is required to express the comparison of events that took place in different countries. In
(E), two independent clauses are joined in by a comma and thus creates a run-down sentence.
165. B. The idiomatic expression is ―twice as many (much) X as‖. The event of 1910 requires a plural verb (did). The
other options except (B) use redundant phrases.
166. A. The pronoun ―that‖ refers to the plural noun ―reactions‖ and must be used to convey the intended meaning:
emotional reactions eventually create unconscious responses, not lying itself. In (B), the singular verb ―creates‖
does not agree with the plural subject ―responses‖.
167. D. The correct sentence must maintain the parallelism- ―turned the tide…persuaded Charles VII‖. Using ―to
claim‖ is the most concise way to convey the intended meaning.
168. E. The event of the evolution of the trunk occurred in past and thus requires a past form of verb (evolved).
Using ―had descended‖ suggests that the descent had occurred before the animal‘s trunk evolved. Option (E)
avoids these errors.

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169. C.―Words‖ is a plural noun, so a plural verb (have) is required. Only option (C) maintain an idiomatic structure-
―in which X, Y and Z have been added‖.
170. C.―Whereas‖ must be used to describe the contrast. In (A) and (B), it is not clear what the 33% is referring to.
In (D), the use of ―the‖ suggests that the energy produced in France is being used in Germany.
171. D. The intent of the sentence is to define the term ―psychopath.‖ The sentence needs to be rephrased so that it
is clear that ―psychopath‖ is a term used to refer to a specific kind of person, not actually describe a person. In
(E), ―it is in reference‖ is too wordy.
172. B. The intended meaning could be communicated more effectively by mentioning heirloom tomatoes as early
as possible in the sentence. ―Although‖ needs to be used to express the contrast of ―less appetizing‖, yet
―increasing demand‖.
173. B. The subject of the is the singular noun ―compliance‖ and requires the singular verb phrase such as
―protects‖ or ―is protecting‖. Using ―to require‖ in (E) suggests that requiring these devices is the objective of the
laws, when in fact, the objective is to protect the sea turtles.
174. C. All the options except (C) violates parallelism. The correct structure is ―reduced sickness…sleeping on the
job and fatigue‖. The raise in production efficiency needs to be described with the help of another supporting
clause. Not using ―and‖ creates an unclear meaning in (A) and (B).
175. B. The key point is to remember that Müller did not span for 50 years, his career did. The sentence has a
dangling participle ―spanning‖ and requires the subject ―Müller‘s career‖ immediately to support it. It is
advisable to use ―as‖ instead of ―of being‖ to express roles.
176. A.―Whereas‖ introduces two contrasting situations. The original sentence correctly maintains the following
parallelism, ―whereas in mammals the tiny tubes…in birds the tubes…‖. The other choices except (A) violate
this parallelism.
177. C. The key point is to remember that the composer does not goes into decline, rather his reputation does. The
two clauses express a contrast and thus requires a conjunction (but) to connect them. Using ―regain‖ and
―again‖ is redundant.
178. E. The correct idiomatic phrase is ―such as‖ or ―such X as‖. The correct sentence also appropriately uses the
parallel forms ―vaccinating‖ and ―exterminating‖. Using ―on‖ twice is unnecessary and redundant.
179. C. The parallelism between the prepositional phrases (In no other sighting… and in its return). need to
maintained. The other options except (C) violate the parallelism.
180. E. The plural subject of this sentence, ―Rock samples‖, requires plural verb phrases— ―have been dated‖ and
―are‖. The idiomatic phrase ―dated at‖ is used to estimate age.

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Part 4

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Chapter 34
Reading Comprehension

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Reading comprehensions and churning out the specific parts needed for the answers is one of the most tedious
things in the IBA examination. There are different forms of passages that might come in the exam and each set of
passage comes with questions that need to be answered. Based on the questions that usually appear you can
differentiate the types that can appear in the exam.

In the IBA examination, the passages that are given are usually lengthy and complex. Skimming through them will
not necessarily help you if a specific part contains a key element that might help you to answer a question. Before
delving into the types of passages that usually appear let us look at some techniques with the help of which reading
in general becomes easy.

Helpful pointers:

i) Do not take too much time reading the passage. It‘s important to be thorough but since after reading a question,
the answer to which is contained in a specific part based on what you skimmed, you will probably come back to
read that part again. So spending too much time initially just wastes time on your end. Try to avoid such things.
ii) If there are multiple passages, begin with the easiest one. After you churn down one passage, it is easier to
move onto a harder one since it bolsters your confidence a lot and that is necessary in an exam that can be quite
stressful on the mind.
iii) In case you are zoning out while reading a passage, try to mark or white down some important pointers on the
side of the question so that you do not have to read that entire section again. After doing that, stop reading for a
bit. Regain your focus and start again. Just because things are getting blurry and you are losing concentration, it
does not mean that you give up. Take a short break and crack at it again.
iv) If you have read the passage and are trying to answer a question and you are not sure about the answer, do not
just skip it. Based on the time you spent there must be some choices that you can eliminate. Eliminate those and
try to answer again. If you still cannot find it then skip the question and move on to the next. If you do this, then
after you have done answering the rest and have a few seconds left on the clock, you can come back and
attempt the question again and this time it has lesser options since you eliminated some at the first try. Think of
the longer game when it comes to passages. It is important that you understand the necessity of it and act
accordingly.
v) The basic suggestion for increasing your base reading capabilities is practice. Read fiction, documents about any
topic, articles on your phone and any source of writing that is from a credible source. This not only keeps you
updated about the contemporary pop-culture and how things are going on in the world but also helps you to have
a faster skimming rate when it comes to passages. The faster you can read a passage in an efficient manner, the
more time you have to answer the questions and get down to the correct option. This practice is necessary.

Now let us look at the types of passages that can appear in the IBA examination.

a) Basic
b) Informative
c) Analytical
d) Critical
e) Inference Question Based

Let us understand what these types are how to solve questions appearing from these passages.

a) Basic – This is your standard passage that talks about a certain topic and has a general outline of that topic.
It might be about an event or a person or something abstract. This form of a passage is usually labelled with
questions that can be easily found but you have to read the entire thing since all the answers are not in one
part of the passage. It‘s spread throughout.

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  Example -

Cats do get diseases, and prevention is better than cure. It is most important to get a young cat vaccinated against
some of the deadliest diseases. If a cat gets a disease, a veterinarian (animal doctor) can offer help. Some cats,
depending on breed, gender, age, and general health, may be more susceptible to disease than others. Regular
visits to a vet can keep a cat alive many extra years by catching sickness and disease early. Cats that roam outside
will get fleas at some time. Cat fleas will not live on people, but fleas will not hesitate to bite anyone nearby. Owners
may choose to buy anti-flea collars, but any areas where the cat normally sleeps need to be cleaned up. A vet or
local pet-shop may offer advice about fleas. It is recommended that people quickly act when a cat gets fleas because
fleas can make cats uncomfortable. House cats can become overweight through lack of exercise and over-feeding.
When they are spayed or neutered ("fixed"), they tend to exercise less. Spaying is done for queens, and neutering is
done for toms. It is important to fix cats, and here are some reasons. First, if a female cat has kittens, they will need
homes. Finding homes for kittens is often quite difficult. If a tom is not fixed, it develops a disgusting smell. Breeders
who have entire toms keep them in a special hut outside the house, for that reason. Fixing also helps to avoid over-
population. Over-population means that there are too many cats, and some will be put to sleep (put down) in animal
pounds (animal shelters).

i) Which of the following describes the act of a veterinarian the best?

o Animal curator
o Animal hunter
o Child specialist
o Animal doctor
o Animal trainer

ii) Why are regular visits to a vet important?

o It can keep a human being warm
o Vets are purveyors of magic and they have the ability to give you wings and flight
o Children are often too naughty to be controlled at home and so they should be taken to the vet
o Any diseases that animals might suffer from can be caught early which provides a few extra years to the life
expectancy of the said animal
o Vets are cool and people should hang out with them

iii) What can you infer about fleas from the passage?
o Fleas are helpful insects in general and keep a good balance between all animals
o Fleas will not live on people but that doesn‘t mean they won‘t bite people if the opportunity presents
o Fleas will get inside the cat and weaken the cat from within as soon as they come in contact with the cat
o Fleas have magical powers
o Fleas are control agents sent to keep tabs on cats by vets

iv) Spaying is done for queens and ___________ is done for toms.
o Nomenclature
o Neutering
o Nonsensical
o Negating
o Neutralizing

v) What happens when a tom is not fixed?

o It tends to cause trouble for the queens nearby
o It can attack nearby animals and cause a pandemic
o It develops a disgusting smell
o It develops a rabid nature and attacks nearby human beings
o It grows in size and becomes insanely difficult to handle

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This is the example of a basic passage and the questions it can have. The passage is about cats and the diseases
they have in general and how it is treated. It has no depth in terms of interpretation and can be solved easily by
carefully reading the entire passage. Let us read the passage once and try to answer the questions.

- The answer to the first question is animal doctor. It is directly given in the passage.
- The answer to the second question is any diseases that animals might suffer from can be caught early
which provides a few extra years to the life expectancy of the said animal. This information is directly
provided in the fifth line of the passage.
- The answer to the third question is fleas will not live on people but that does not mean they will not bite
people if the opportunity presents. This information is given in the sixth and seventh line if the passage.
-
th
The answer to the fourth question is neutering. This is given at the beginning of the 13 line of the passage.
-
th
The answer to the last question is it develops a disgusting smell. This is given in the 15 line of the
passage.

Solving a passage like this is easy. Just read and find out the answer from the passage.

b) Informative – This type of a passage usually contains a lot of information and you need to read the question
carefully to understand exactly what is being asked of you. Since there is a bombardment of information and
the options are relatively close (mostly done to confuse you) you need to be vigilant while reading the
passage.

 Example -

Tesla Motors, an automobile manufacturing company is one example of a successful enterprise. Since the inception
of the company in 2003, Tesla Motors has carved a niche in the automobile industry with the manufacture of energy
efficient and electric cars.

Tesla Motors was founded by like-minded engineers who had a flare for electric vehicles. Headquartered in Palo
Alto, California, Tesla Motors deployed its first set of cars (Tesla Roadster) in early 2008. It also has the Model S to
its credit and plans to commission Model X, which would see the world‘s transition to ―electric mobility‖. Tesla Motors
hopes to cooperate with other automobile manufacturing companies to produce more electric vehicle in the most cost-
effective way.

Tesla Motors hopes to become a household name as they plan to gain more presence that is global and expand their
business in the international market. They have commissioned a lot of stores and service centers in almost all the
states in the United States. They also have plant in Canada and are planning to expand to other parts of the world
especially Europe and Asia through foreign direct investment. This move has great potentials and will better the lot of
the company. Currently, Tesla Motors has stores and service centers in America and Canada, across Europe in
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United
Kingdom and across Asia in Hong Kong and Japan, and Australia.

i) What sort of a company is Tesla?

o A think tank featuring the best scientists from all over the world
o An automobile manufacturing company
o A tech company that has the latest inventions to help bolster the growth of the world
o A manufacturing company that mostly deals with lower market labors
o A power company that delivers to South African countries only
ii) What sort of cars does Tesla make and how does it position itself in the automobile market?
o They make mechanical cars and position themselves as oil-efficient and sturdy
o They make diesel-based cars and position themselves as inefficient in terms of mileage
o They make toy cars and position themselves as a brand that spreads happiness in a more profound way than Lego
o They make electric cars and position themselves as a brand that is energy efficient
o None of the above
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iii) Which model of Tesla is destined to become the face of ―electric mobility‖ for the world?
o Model Y
o Model S
o Model K
o Model X
o Model P

iv) How does Tesla plan to become a household name in the global scale?
o By manufacturing more power cells in order to fuel the first generation of Terminators which will eventually
take over the planet
o By enabling a data-based hacking program that will take control of the database management of most firms
in the world
o By engulfing the data centers of the world and wreaking havoc on the population of the world
o By commissioning a lot of stores and services centers across major regions which enables them to expand
their business in the international markets
o By decoding a sequence-based genome that causes infection to people in general

v) How does Tesla plan to tap the European and Asian markets?
o By creating plants
o By foreign retailing
o By foreign persuasion
o By foreign direct investment
o By foreign invasion

Therefore, this is a form of passage that is very informative, and all the parts are knit in a close manner. In order to
answer the questions, we need to read the passage very objectively and understand exactly what is being asked in
the question and answer that part only. Let us now read the passage once and try to find out the answer to the
questions.

- The answer to the first question is an automobile manufacturing company. It is given in the first line of the
passage.
- The answer to the second question is that they make electric cars and position themselves as a brand
that is energy efficient. It is given in the last line of the first paragraph.
- The answer to the third question is Model X. It is given in the sixth line of the passage.
- The answer to the fourth question is by commissioning many stores and services centers across major
regions, which enables them to expand their business in the international markets. This is mentioned
in the eighth line of the passage. Careful reading needs to be done here and after that you can easily see
that this is the only viable answer from the bulk of the options.
- The answer to the fifth question is by foreign direct investment. This is given in the fifth line of the last
paragraph of the passage.

Solving this form of a passage needs acute attention to the entire passage and each part needs to be read carefully
in order to understand where the answer might be. Practice reading different texts and documents with focused
attention at the informative parts in order to do better in this segment in general.

c) Analytical – The analytical passage is a format that often appears in the entrance exam. One of the key
things over here is understanding the gist of the passage and answering on that basis. A direct answer will
not be available most of the time. There are descriptions of a certain topic, which are presented with pros
and cons in general in order to give a diversified context which can confuse the reader to a certain extent. So
understanding the entire thing properly is very important here.

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  Example -

An important difference between James and his mother is their method of dealing with the pain they experience.
While James turns inward, his mother Ruth turns outward, starting a new relationship, moving to a different place,
keeping herself busy. Ruth herself describes that, even as a young girl, she had an urge to run, to feel the freedom
and the movement of her legs pumping as fast as they can. As an adult, Ruth still feels the urge to run. Following her
second husband‘s death, James points out that, ―while she weebled and wobbled and leaned, she did not fall. She
responded with speed and motion. She would not stop moving‖. As she biked, walked, rode the bus all over the city,
―she kept moving as if her life depended on it, which in some ways it did. She ran, as she had done most of her life,
but this time she was running for her own sanity‖. Ruth‘s motion is a pattern of responding to the tragedy in her life.
As a girl, she did not sit and think about her abusive father and her trapped life in the Suffolk store. Instead, she just
left home, moved on, and tried something different. She did not analyze the connections between pain and
understanding, between action and response, even though she seems to understand them. As an adult, she
continues this pattern, although her running is modified by her responsibilities to her children and home.

i) Whose context of dealing with pain has been mostly talked about in this passage?

o Jeremy
o Johanasson
o Luther
o Ruth
o Amanda

ii) Does the outward concept of dealing with pain set a specific tone about the personality of a person here?

o Yes, it does and the tone suggest a method of deflecting the entire prospect
o No, it doesn‘t and it is purely subjective to the prospect of a person and his/her thoughts
o Yes, it does and it ensures a tone of not bottling to pressure and taking a course of action that suggest self-
importance and preferring one‘s own sanity
o No, it doesn‘t and this ensures ambiguity throughout
o Yes, it does and it ensures a tone of solidarity and self-harm

iii) What specific interpretation would suit best to the way James described his mother?

o The response with speed and motion was never a solid plan but it was met effectively by her to gain her own
solace from the tragedies of life
o The response with speed and motion did not turn out to be good in any sense and this will not help her in a
good manner whatsoever
o The response with speed and motion has a reverse effect on the psychology that in imprinted in the basic
psyche and this change is something that cannot be enacted on a nominal basis
o The response with speed and motion has a direct effect on the psychology that in imprinted in the basic
psyche
o The response with speed and motion has no direct correlation here and that is just banal

iv) The emotional coping mechanism of Ruth is a pattern that responds to the __________ of her life.

o Joy
o Decadence
o Tragedy
o Prejudice
o Dichotomy

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v) Does the author make any direct correlation to the childhood pattern in Ruth‘s behavior to how she handles
tragedy in general and is there any direct basis to that?

o Yes, the author does that but does not provide a direct correlation
o No, the author does not make a direct correlation and this can be inferred over here.
o Yes, the author makes a direct correlation here and constructs a basis of that by referring to the way she
handled things in her childhood and how that molded into her perception of actions in her adult life when it
comes to confronting tragedy
o No, the author makes no direct correlation here but there is a base to assume this thing based on the other
information in the passage
o None of the above
Therefore, the passage itself is not that large but the entire thing needs to be understood. Therefore, a direct
understanding of the passage is necessary over here. There are constructs of both ends here and they need to be
understood. Let us read the passage and try to find out the answer to the questions.
- The answer to the first question is Ruth. That is the main individual about whom the entire passage is
constructed around.
- The answer to the second question is, Yes, it does and it ensures a tone of not bottling to pressure and
taking a course of action that suggest self-importance and preferring one‘s own sanity. The entire prose is
set about Ruth when her concept of dealing with tragedy with the prospect of moving outward. None of the other
answers over here has a similar semblance and this is the only one that talks about the importance of self-sanity
and preference, something that Ruth is preferably inclined to.
- The answer to the third question is, The response with speed and motion was never a solid plan but it was
met effectively by her to gain her own solace from the tragedies of life. The premise for this is set when
James declares that while she weebled, wobbled, and leaned towards the prospect of going outward. The idea
was not intact but it worked out since Ruth was concerned for the sanctity of her own sanity. Therefore, this is the
appropriate answer for this question.
- The answer to the fourth question is, Tragedy. Over here, the basis of the entire interpretation is based on this.
Therefore, this answer is obvious.
- The answer to the fifth question is, Yes, the author makes a direct correlation here and constructs a basis
of that by referring to the way she handled things in her childhood and how that molded into her
perception of actions in her adult life when it comes to confronting tragedy. The way Ruth did not restrict
herself to an inward life after the tantrums of her father and left the house to become more self-reliant and giving
importance to herself is a way of understanding how her development with age matured her perception of that
outward nature to cope with tragedy. Modifications came into place but the core nature of shifting from things and
prioritizing her happiness is how she deflects from tragedy.

Therefore, from this passage and the answers we can easily understand that there is a direct correlation to the way
this can be solved. The understanding of the entire passage is necessary here. A thorough reading will not just do.
You have to value the pros and cons and then look at the question and options to find the correct answer. Some
options can be eliminated easily but most others can be confusing. Therefore, a proper base for answering is
required.

c) Critical – The critical passage is like the next level of analytical where the boundaries of understanding and
information assimilation is pushed. Here the understanding the passage is as crucial as understanding the
question as well. In most cases the question seems to be about something but in reality it is about something
else altogether. This form of a comprehension tries to question regarding why the author said the things
he/she said in the comprehension. Therefore, a thorough read is very important in this regard. Let us now
look at a comprehension and understand how it can be solved.

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  Example -

While the Gutenberg press was perhaps one of the greatest inventions of all time, we should not let its importance
blind us to other very important events in the history of linguistic development. Granted, the efficiency of printing
allowed for the dissemination of much learning in Europe. Still, such printing was not unique to Europe, and even in
the scope of world history, there are several events that are equally as miraculous regarding the transmission of
knowledge.

For instance, most people overlook the amazing nature of the first time that human beings communicated with
spoken language. Perhaps there were simple signs by which these early humans could indicate their needs to each
other; however, when the first event of person-to-person speech occurred, it was far more marvelous than simple
practical communication. Such speech was like a sharing in ideas. When true speech happened, persons were able
to communicate knowledge to each other, freeing it from its isolation in one lonely person. By means of such speech,
knowledge could be orally transmitted from generation to generation, thus preserving wisdom in a way that is
completely impossible without speech.

Of course, such spoken tradition is very fragile, relying on memories and stories that are passed down from
generation to generation. For this reason, the invention of writing is extremely important. In contrast to the spoken
word, the written word can continue to exist and be useful so long as it can be read intelligently. Likewise, much more
can be recorded than ever could be remembered by someone with the best of memories. Indeed, once these records
are written, copies can be sent to anyone who is able to read the language in question. Just so, it can be translated
into written copies to be read by others. For these (as well as many other reasons) the invention of writing was a very
significant event in history, greatly expanding the possibilities for the exchange of knowledge.

Thus, the printing press is quite important, but it is part of a larger story. Like both spoken and written
communication, it allows human beings to communicate knowledge not only to each other but also across multiple
generations. Often, we think of the press merely in its ability to provide a great number of books in a short period;
however, when considered as a chapter in this longer tale, it likewise appears as the means by which humanity is
able to conquer time by allowing the knowledge of today to live for multiple generations.

i) What is the main idea of this passage?

o The Gutenberg press is the single greatest achievement in the history of humanity.
o The Gutenberg press is a rather unimportant invention in contrast to many other ones over the evolution of
the linguistic iteration of human language.
o Historians should ignore the Gutenberg press in general for it does not have much effect on how life goes on
in general.
o The Gutenberg press should be understood as part of a longer history of the development of human
communication.
o The Gutenberg press is a fascinating case study but nothing more in reality.
ii) What is the main idea of the third paragraph?
o To show the worthiness of speech
o To introduce and explain the benefits of the written word
o To transition back and forth from the discussion of the importance of speech to the relative importance of the
Gutenberg press
o To give an example of the inventiveness of humans in general
o To explain the first historical event of writing

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iii) What is the importance of the first paragraph to this entire passage?

o It sets the tone for the importance of the Gutenberg press and then delves into the prospect of showing
examples of how and when it directly affected the human communication throughout history.
o It sets the tone for the Gutenberg press to be one of the most redundant things out there and that historians
should try to work with better things in general.
o It sets the tone for the Gutenberg press to be an important stepping-stone in the history of human
communication but also dilutes the importance of it and goes on to show that it was small fragment in a much
larger picture for the development of our linguistics.
o It sets the tone for the Gutenberg press to be heralded as the most important and undoubtedly the most
miraculous thing in the history of humanity.
o It sets the tone for the Gutenberg press to be a writing mechanism that conspires to fiddle with the human
mind and goes on to show as to how it should be stopped from meddling with our perception.

iv) Why does the author give more importance to the first event of a person-to-person speech than the prospect of
written format dissemination via press?

o The prospect of spoken communication is much more important in human history than written forms of
communication
o The prospect is given more importance simply because the author is more biased towards a spoken form of
communication
o The prospect is given more importance, as using speech to deliver ideas was far more prominent than
simpler forms of communication and compared to written communication via press; it holds more importance
as it was the first incident to incite human communication to begin with. Written mode of communication
came later as a means to preserve our history.
o The prospect of talking to another person is more interesting in general compared to the prospect of writing
or disseminating written word altogether
o None of the above

v) What is the main theme of the entire passage here?

o A contrast of opinions
o A unison of opinions stated and referred to with examples
o Deflecting a fact in a negative manner to put emphasis on the larger picture overall
o Paraphrasing a segment and reiterating it with a different meaning
o None of the above

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As you can clearly see, the passage itself and the questions are totally on a different level compared to the ones,
which we did before. This is because of the nature of the passage in general. It‘s critical and it tries to put you into the
mind of the author and expects you to find out his/her thinking process. Let us try to answer these questions after
reading the passage thoroughly.

- The answer to the first question is, The Gutenberg press should be understood as part of a longer history
of the development of human communication. Here the main idea from the perspective of the author is to find
a degree of importance for the development of the entire linguistic evolution of humankind. The way the
Gutenberg press is adhered for its dissemination of the written word is something the author feels is slightly
overhyped in comparison to the advent of free speech or verbal communication in general. The author feels that
it is a part of the entire cog that went on to develop the human communication, as we know today. So this is the
viable option from the rest.
- The answer to the second question is, to introduce and explain the benefits of the written word. Here the
answer is obvious since this passage transitions into the prospect of the written word being a form of
communication that can help to preserve our stories and histories for a long time. It can also be disseminated to
others, something speech cannot do when all the parties involved perish or cease to exist.
- The answer to the third question is, it sets the tone for the Gutenberg press to be an important stepping-
stone in the history of human communication but also dilutes the importance of it and goes on to show
that it was small fragment in a much larger picture for the development of our linguistics. This question
needs to be understood properly. The entire passage when read can give a more holistic idea about the way the
author thinks. However, the first passage has been given here not to undermine the Gutenberg press, which is
something that might seem like the case initially. It has undermined with respect to the other important things in
the evolution of human communication and this has been done to bring the concept of free speech and the pros
of the written word later on. So logically, this is the fitting answer for this question.
- The answer to the fourth question is, the prospect is given more importance, as using speech to deliver
ideas was far more prominent than simpler forms of communication and compared to written
communication via press; it holds more importance as it was the first incident to incite human
communication to begin with. Written mode of communication came later as a means to preserve our
history. This question is also based on the perspective of the author. To the author the advent of free speech is
something that is more important than the dissemination of the written word which came as something in a far
more advanced form of the human communication modulus. Without speech itself, communication wouldn‘t have
even gone to the prospect of the written word. So this is the appropriate answer here from the perspective of the
author.
- The answer to the fifth question is, Deflecting a fact in a negative manner to put emphasis on the larger
picture overall. Here the entire thing stands out in the regard of how the author envisioned the passage. The
Gutenberg press was important and this is factual. However, the importance was deflected to put an emphasis
on the entire modality of the evolution of the human communication and then the author took us through the
different stages altogether. Therefore, this is the proper answer here with respect to the other choices.

Therefore, as you can clearly see this is a form of passage that pushes your reading and thinking skills to the limit
and the IBA admission exam has passages like this. A critical passage usually always comes and acing this is very
important. Like the other sections, the suggestion for this section is very similar. Read and develop your skills. Try to
get a passage done in a shorter time so that more focus can be given on the questions. Critical passages always
have the perspective of the author set and answers should be given in that regard. This is how they are different from
analytical passages. They have facts stated and you need to find out and interpret the answer in that regard.
However, in critical passages, the perspective of the author can be swayed in a specific direction. Answers need to
be given in that basis. So critical passages are a bit tougher. Nevertheless, with practice, you can achieve anything.
So start reading more often from now on to develop your skills in this sector.
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 e) Inference Question Based – This is somewhat like a critical passage. Here clues and different statements
are given in general about a certain topic. An inference is to be made from these and the best possible
answer needs to be chosen. Grasping the meaning of the passage without being given all the information is
important over here. Here the passage needs to be tackled and rephrasing some of the lines can help to get
to the answer faster. Since the prospect is inferred, direct answers are not mostly available for this type of a
passage. Let us look at an example for a better understanding.

 Example -

On August 3, 1492, Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with less than a hundred crewmembers to
discover a new route to Asia. After spending a difficult time at sea, the party sighted land early on the morning of
October 12, 1492. They set foot on an island in the Bahamas, which they named Al Salvador. Columbus presumed
that the indigenous people were Native Indians as he was under the mistaken belief that he had set foot on Indian
soil. Probably some 10 million American Indians were natives to the land before the large-scale inhabitation by
Europeans and subsequent annihilation of Native Americans started.

However, it took more than a hundred years after Columbus discovered America for the Europeans to finally take the
important decision to make the New World their home.

The Native Americans actually welcomed the pale-skinned visitors primarily out of curiosity than anything else. They
were fascinated by the steel knives and swords, fire spewing cannons, brass and copper utensils, etc. that these
visitors brought with them. Eventually, cultural differences erupted. The natives could not stomach the arrogance of
the newcomers and the scant respect they paid to nature. The European settlers viewed every resource — plants,
animals, and people as something to be commercially exploited.

The native Indians were vastly outnumbered in the wars that ensued. The resistance they put up never proved
enough to stop the European settlers. The nomadic lifestyle of the Indians, the relatively unsophisticated weapons at
their disposal, the unwillingness of some of their own people to defend themselves, and the diseases of the white
men — all contributed to the virtual elimination of their race. Some of the diseases brought by Europeans from their
overcrowded cities that decimated the natives were - small pox, plague, measles, cholera, typhoid, and malaria.
These deadly diseases, to which most natives had developed no resistance, devastated many tribes between 1775
and 1850. America was named after an Italian navigator, Amerigo Vespucci, who explored the Northern parts of
South America in 1499 and 1500 and later announced to the world about the discovery of a new continent.

i) The primary purpose of this passage is to –

o Disprove the notion that Columbus named America.

o Provide a snapshot about the discovery of America and the early years of settlement.
o Explain how the Europeans eliminated the native Americans in their own land.
o Discuss how the process of colonization of America started.
o None of the above.

ii) From the passage we can infer that compared to the Europeans, Native Americans were –

o Careless about their environment

o A very unhealthy lot
o More respectful of nature
o Ignorant about sanitation
o Afraid of outsiders

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iii) What can be inferred from the third paragraph?

o The Native Americans did not have any weapons with which they could defend themselves
o The Native Americans attached a lot of importance to nature and had an unwillingness to defend in general,
coupled with external factors that were against them leading to a negative outcome
o The Native Americans attached a lot of importance to nature and had an unwillingness to defend in general,
coupled with external factors that were against them leading to a positive outcome
o The early settlers became arrogant as they could exploit commercially viable resources in a steady manner
o The Native Americans were arrogant in general and this lead to the demise of the entire group altogether

iv) Based on the information from the passage, which one of the following cannot be inferred?

a) Alien diseases wiped out certain portions of a large population of the Native American tribes.
b) The early settlers eliminated the Native Americans totally.
c) To the early settlers, even people were resources to be exploited commercially.

o Only a
o Only b
o a&b
o Only c
o None of the above

v) How many years did it take after Columbus discovered America for the Europeans to take the New World as a
part of their home?

o About one thousand years

o About two hundred years
o About fifty years
o About one hundred years
o About ten years

For this sort of a paragraph an inference is drawn and the cues need to be identified properly for the answer to be
interpreted in the right manner. The question needs to be understood and that specific part of the passage needs to
be read. After doing that you need to understand what inference needs to be drawn and after drawing that, the
options need to be checked. A correct answer can be identified then. Let us look at the questions and solve this
passage.

- The answer to the first question is, Provide a snapshot about the discovery of America and the early years
of settlement. Once the passage is read, this answer is pretty simple to find. The components of the passage
provide a snapshot of the events that took place after the discovery of Columbus and talks about those events in
a specific manner.

- The answer to the second question is, More respectful of nature. This is not directly stated in the passage but
this needs to be inferred from the specific set of options that have been given. Comparing the activities done by
the Europeans in the passage we can see that the Native Americans are more respectful of their nature and
activities in general. They are not harsh and rash or disrespectful in nature. Therefore, this is the answer that can
be inferred from the passage in general.

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- The answer to the third question is, The Native Americans attached a lot of importance to nature and had an
unwillingness to defend in general, coupled with external factors that were against them leading to a
positive outcome. This option is the only one that fully describes the reason for the loss of the position of the
Native Americans to that of the Europeans. They are more respectful of their nature and the people around them.
They are not hostile and these inferences can be drawn from the passage about them. The external factors over
here are more prominent with that of the nature of the Europeans. Therefore, this is the obvious answer over
here.

- The answer to the fourth question is, Only b. Here the answer is set on the basis of the usage of the adverbial.
They were not eliminated. They were virtually eliminated according to the passage. So this option is clearly
wrong and based on the information from the passage this inference can be properly analyzed. The other options
are perpetually redundant to the question over here.

- The answer to the fifth question is, about one hundred years. This is directly given in the passage. No inference
needs to be drawn over here.

Therefore, we can easily see that these are the cues which, are needed in order to solve an inference based
passage. This sort of a passage in less difficult than a critical passage. A proper inference needs to be drawn and the
answers need to be given on that basis. Proper practice of reading should give a proper understanding of this form of
a passage.

So this is how reading comprehension can appear in the IBA Examination and these are the helping pointers to solve
comprehensions. In reality, there are no short-cuts to solving reading comprehension. Read and genuinely try to
understand what is being said. The answer will reveal itself to you.

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Exercises
Basic

The "Old Man of the Mountain" was not really an old man, but a rock formation that resembled the face of an old man
in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The natural formation was at least 40 feet high and 25 feet wide. It
became such a symbol of the state of New Hampshire, that "he" was featured on the back of the state's quarter in the
year 2000. Old Man of the Mountain was also honored on a United States Postage Stamp in 1955.
The old man, however, did not last forever. On May 3, 2003, he crumbled to the ground, despite efforts made by the
state of New Hampshire to keep him atop the mountain for the last 75 years! People were so sad that some placed
flowers at the base of his mountain.

1. The Old Man of the Mountain was _____.

a. a real person.
b. a symbol of the state of Hampshire.
c. never really on the mountain.
d. not connected with the soul of the community.
e. removed from the mountain by park rangers.

2. Why did some people place flowers at the base of the mountain?

a. To make the area more colorful.

b. They were happy to see the Old Man of the Mountain.
c. They were sad that the Old Man of the Mountain crumbled to the ground.
d. People thought flowers were a sign of disrespect.
e. Mostly because they saw other people doing it.

3. What happened first?

a. The Old Man of the Mountain was honored on a postage stamp.

b. The Old man of the Mountain was honored on the New Hampshire state quarter.
c. The Old Man of the Mountain crumbled to the ground.
d. People placed flowers at the mountain.
e. The legacy of the Old Man remained.

4. To the state of New Hampshire, the Old Man of the Mountain was ______.

a. significant
b. unknown
c. inconsequential
d. monotonous
e. nugatory

5. What does ―resembled‖ mean in the first sentence of the passage?

a. crumbled from
b. looked like
c. had the composition of
d. was not connected to
e. honoured

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Informative

Christopher Columbus was born in Genoa, Italy. His career in exploration started when he was very young. As a
teenager he traveled the seas and eventually made Portugal his base. He appealed to the kings of Portugal, France,
and England to finance a westward trip to the Indies, but all denied his request. After ten years of monumental efforts
but fruitless results, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain agreed to finance Columbus in the hopes of
acquiring great wealth. On August 3, 1492, at the age of forty, Columbus and three ships, the Nina, Pinta, and Santa
Maria, left Palos, Spain and headed westward.

After stopping in the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa, Columbus's ships hit the open seas. Covering about 150
miles a day, the trip was long and arduous. The crew was afraid of sea monsters and grew more restless every day
land was not sighted. Columbus offered a reward for the first person to sight land. On October 12, a crew member
aboard the Pinta sighted one of the Bahama Islands. Columbus set foot on what he believed was one of the Spice
Islands, a group of islands in Asia (now known as Indonesia), where valuable spices and riches came from. He
named the land San Salvador. Columbus failed to find the riches he expected, and continued to search for China. He
next visited Cuba and Hispaniola (Dominican Republic). He encountered native peoples who he named "Indians"
because he believed they were inhabitants of the Indies.

Columbus returned to Spain a hero. He was named viceroy of the Indies. He soon returned to the New World but
never found the riches he expected. Some began to believe that Columbus had found "a new world" rather than a
shortcut to the Indies.

Christopher Columbus made one of the greatest discoveries in the history of the world - North America. Though he
probably wasn't the first explorer to see the continent, and he believed until his death that the islands he encountered
were in the Asian continent, his discoveries were instrumental in the establishment of Spanish colonies in North
America. Today, we celebrate Columbus Day in October to commemorate his discoveries.

6. Which of the following is closest in meaning to ―fruitless‖?

a. Without fruit
b. Without success
c. Without any cost
d. Broken promise
e. Without intention

7. What country eventually agreed to finance Christopher Colombus‘ trip?

a. Portugal
b. France
c. England
d. Spain
e. Germany

8. Columbus thought he could find a shortcut to the Indies by sailing _____.

a. North
b. South
c. East
d. West
e. None of the above

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9. On October 12, 1492, where did Colombus think he was?

a. North America
b. Asia
c. Africa
d. Dominican Republic
e. Australia

10. When was Columbus born?

a. 1442
b. 1452
c. 1462
d. 1492

Analytical

Among predatory dinosaurs, few flesh-eaters were bigger, faster and nastier than the "tyrant lizard" of popular
imagination, the Tyrannosaurus Rex. At least, that is what we have been led to believe. Now research suggests that,
far from being the Ferrari of dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex, whose ferocious reputation has fascinated generations
of schoolchildren, was in fact a cumbersome creature with a usual running speed of twenty-five kilometres an hour.
This is a mere snail's pace compared with modern animals such as the cheetah. Unlike some of the predators of
today's African savannah, which can change direction almost immediately, the dinosaur would have had to turn
slowly or risk tumbling over. Moreover, while a human can spin forty-five degrees in a twentieth of a second, a
Tyrannosaurus would have taken as much as two seconds, as its long tail would have hampered it. Thankfully,
however, all its prey, such as triceratops, would have been afflicted with the same lack of speed and agility. The
findings were reached after researchers used computer modelling and biomechanical calculations to work out the
dinosaur's speed, agility and weight. They based their calculations on measurements taken from a fossil dinosaur
representative of an average Tyrannosaurus and concluded the creatures probably weighed between six and eight
tons. Calculations of the leg muscles suggest that the animal would have had a top speed of forty kilometres an hour,
which is nothing compared to a cheetah‘s one hundred kilometres an hour. It is sobering to reflect, though, that an
Olympic sprinter runs at about thirty-five kilometres an hour, not sufficient to outrun a Tyrannosaurus, should Man
have been around at that time!

11. Being known as the ‗Ferrari of dinosaurs‘ means Tyrannosaurus Rex:

a. wore shoes.
b. was a quick and agile creature.
c. was a hunting machine.
d. was the most ferocious of dinosaurs.
e. None of these.

12. In turning, a Tyrannosaurus would have been hampered by:

a. its weight.
b. its bulky leg muscles.
c. its overall size.
d. its tail length.
e. All of the above.

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13. In calculating the size, speed and agility of Tyrannosaurus Rex, scientists used:

a. examination of fossils.
b. biomechanical calculations and computer models.
c. comparisons with modern animals.
d. both A and B.
e. both B and C.

14. The overall theme of the passage is:

a. Because it was cumbersome, Tyrannosaurus Rex was lucky to survive.

b. Tyrannosaurus Rex‘s speed and agility were still superior to those of other dinosaurs.
c. Tyrannosaurus Rex‘s fierce reputation is now laid to rest.
d. Compared to modern predatory animals, Tyrannosaurus Rex was slow and cumbersome.
e. None of these.

Critical

If you plan on going to Hawaii, do not bring any pets. Hawaiians are wary of letting in foreign animals. Your beloved
Rex or Fi-fi could spend up to 120 days in quarantine. They have strict rules for importing animals. They carefully
screen all incoming pets. Who could blame them? They've had problems with new animals in the past.

The black rat was introduced to Hawaii in the 1780s. These ugly suckers originated in Asia, but they migrated to
Europe in the 1st century. Since then they have snuck on European ships and voyaged the world with them. These
rats carry many diseases including the plague. They are also good at surviving and tend to displace native species.
That means that after they infest an area, there will be fewer birds and more black rats. Most people prefer living
around birds.

Since their arrival in Hawaii, black rats have been pests. They have feasted on sea turtle eggs. They have eaten tree
saplings, preventing trees from being reforested. In addition, they have been a leading cause in the extinction of
more than 70 species of Hawaiian birds. They love to climb trees to eat bird eggs. They also compete with forest
birds for food, such as snails, insects, and seeds. Perhaps more troubling, black rats threaten humans. They spread
germs and incubate disease. They are a vector for more than 40 deadly illnesses. Some think that rat-borne
diseases have killed more people than war in the last 1,000 years. Rats also eat our food. They eat more than 20%
of the world's farmed food. Moreover, that is why the mongoose was brought to Hawaii.

During the mid-1800s, the Hawaiian sugar industry was thriving. Americans were just realizing that they loved sugar.
Hawaii was pretty much the only place in America where one could grow sugarcane. Nevertheless, those filthy
vermin were tearing up the fields. Black rats were destroying entire crops. What is a plantation owner to do? The
answer is simple. Import an animal known to kill rats. What could go wrong with that? In 1883, plantation owners
imported 72 mongooses and began breeding them.

People revere the mongoose in its homeland of India. They are often kept tame in Indian households. Mongooses
feed on snakes, rats, and lizards, creatures that most people dislike. They are also cute and furry. In addition, they
kill deadly cobras. What has not to love? Sadly, India is a much different place than Hawaii. When the mongooses
got to Hawaii, they did not wipe out the rats as plantation owners hoped. Instead, they joined them in ravaging the
birds, lizards, and small plants that were native to Hawaii. It is not that the mongooses became friends with the rats.
They still ate a bunch of them. However, mongooses are not too different from most other animals: they go for the
easy meal. In Hawaii they had a choice. Pursue the elusive black rat or munch on turtle eggs while tanning on the
beach. Most took the easy route.

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Now Hawaii has two unwanted guests defacing the natural beauty. The Hawaiians have learned their lesson. Talks
of bringing in mongoose-eating gorillas have been tabled. So do not get uptight when they do not welcome your cat
Mittens with open arms. They are trying to maintain a delicate ecosystem here.

15. Based on the text, which best explains how black rats were introduced to Hawaii?

a. The native Hawaiians imported them to solve a problem with their crops.
b. The Asians brought them to Hawaii when they first arrived.
c. The Europeans transported them on their marine vehicles.
d. The rats were able to swim to Hawaii from Asia
e. A merchant smuggled them into Hawaii by illegal means.

16. Which best defines the word originate as it was used in the second paragraph?

a. To come from a place

b. To go to a place
c. To become independent
d. To wander the world
e. To escape

17. Which event happened first?

a. The mongoose was introduced to Hawaii

b. The black rat was introduced to Hawaii
c. The black rat migrated to Europe
d. Plantation owners bred mongooses
e. The experiment of the plantation owners failed.

18. Which statement is false according to information in the text?

a. Rats eat lots of vegetation and crops.

b. Mongooses eat sea turtle eggs.
c. Rats climb trees and eat bird eggs.
d. Mongooses have spread more than 40 diseases.
e. The intention of the plantation owners wasn‘t materialized.

19. Which best express the author's main purpose in writing this text?

a. To persuade readers to protect the endangered mongoose.

b. To describe the habits and hazards of the black rat.
c. To inform readers about species that have invaded Hawaii.
d. To entertain readers with tales of a mongoose's adventures
e. To shed light upon the rivalry between the black rat and mongoose.

20. Which best explains why plantation owners imported mongooses to Hawaii?

a. Mongooses eat rats.

b. Mongooses are fuzzy and adorable.
c. Mongooses make great household pets.
d. Mongooses kill deadly cobras.
e. Mongooses are harmless.

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21. Which best defines the word revere as it is used in the fifth paragraph?

a. To dislike someone or something

b. To respect someone or something
c. To hunt someone or something
d. To get rid of someone or something
e. To detest someone or something

22. Which title best expresses the main idea of this text?

a. Travel Procedures: Getting in and out of Hawaii with Pets

b. Unwanted: The Journey of the Black Rat to Hawaii
c. Uncovered: What the Real Rikki-Tikki-Tavi is Like
d. Backfired: Solving Problems with Problems in Hawaii
e. None of the above

Inference Question Based

By the time a child is six or seven she has all the essential avoidances well enough by heart to be trusted with the
care of a younger child. Moreover, she develops a number of simple techniques. She learns to weave firm square
balls from palm leaves, to make pinwheels of palm leaves or frangipani blossoms, to climb a coconut tree by walking
up the trunk on flexible little feet, to break open a coconut with one firm well-directed blow of a knife as long as she is
tall, to play a number of group games and sing the songs which go with them, to tidy the house by picking up the litter
on the stony floor, to bring water from the sea, to spread out the copra to dry and to help gather it in when rain
threatens, to go to a neighboring house and bring back a lighted faggot for the chief's pipe or the cook-house fire. But
in the case of the little girls all these tasks are merely supplementary to the main business of baby-tending. Very
small boys also have some care of the younger children, but at eight or nine years of age, they are usually relieved of
it. Whatever rough edges have not been smoothed off by this responsibility for younger children are worn off by their
contact with older boys. For little boys are admitted to interesting and important activities only so long as their
behavior is circumspect and helpful. Where small girls are brusquely pushed aside, small boys will be patiently
tolerated and they become adept at making themselves useful. The four or five little boys who all wish to assist at the
important business of helping a grown youth lasso reef eels, organize themselves into a highly efficient working
team; one boy holds the bait, another holds an extra lasso, others poke eagerly about in holes in the reef looking for
prey, while still another tucks the captured eels into his lava-lava. The small girls, burdened with heavy babies or the
care of little staggerers who are too small to adventure on the reef, discouraged by the hostility of the small boys and
the scorn of the older ones, have little opportunity for learning the more adventurous forms of work and
play. Therefore, while the little boys first undergo the chastening effects of baby tending and then have many
opportunities to learn effective cooperation under the supervision of older boys, the girls' education is less
comprehensive. They have a high standard of individual responsibility, but the community provides them with no
lessons in cooperation with one another. This is particularly apparent in the activities of young people: the boys
organize quickly; the girls waste hours in bickering, innocent of any technique for quick and efficient cooperation.

23. The primary purpose of the passage with reference to the society under discussion is to

a. explain some differences in the upbringing of girls and boys

b. criticize the deficiencies in the education of girls
c. give a comprehensive account of a day in the life of an average young girl
d. delineate the role of young girls
e. show that young girls are trained to be useful to adults

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24. The word ‗brusquely‘ means

a. quickly
b. gently
c. nonchalantly
d. abruptly
e. callously

25. The list of techniques in paragraph one could best be described as

a. household duties
b. rudimentary physical skills
c. important responsibilities
d. useful social skills
e. monotonous tasks

26. It can be inferred that the ‗high standard of individual responsibility‘ is

a. developed mainly through child-care duties

b. only present in girls
c. taught to the girl before she is entrusted with babies
d. actually counterproductive
e. weakened as the girl grows older.

27. The expression ‗innocent of‘ is best taken to mean

a. not guilty of
b. unskilled in
c. unsuited for
d. uninvolved in
e. uninterested in

28. It can be inferred that in the community under discussion all of the following are important except

a. domestic handicrafts
b. well-defined social structure
c. fishing skills
d. formal education
e. division of labor

29. Which of the following if true would weaken the author's contention about 'lessons in cooperation'?

a. Group games played by younger girls involve cooperation

b. Girls can learn from watching boys cooperating
c. Individual girls cooperate with their mothers in looking after babies
d. The boys and girls both organize diligently without wasting time
e. None of the above

30. Which of the following is the best description of the author's technique in handling her material?

a. Both description and interpretation of observations.

b. Presentation of facts without comment.
c. Description of evidence to support a theory.
d. Generalization from a particular viewpoint.
e. Close examination of preconceptions.

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Additional Reading Comprehensions

The Story of Spam

How did the term ―spam‖ come to mean unsolicited commercial e-mail? Flash back to 1937, when Hormel Foods
creates a new canned spiced ham, SPAM. Then, in World War II, SPAM luncheon meat becomes a staple of
soldiers‘ diets (often GIs ate SPAM two or three times a day). Next, SPAM‘s wartime omnipresence perhaps inspired
the 1987 Monty Python skit in which a breakfast seeking couple unsuccessfully tries to order a SPAM-free meal while
a chorus of Vikings drowns them out, singing ―Spam, spam, spam, spam . . . .‖ To computer users drowning in junk
e-mail, the analogy was obvious. ―Spam,‖ they said, ―it‘s spam.‖

1. The tone of the passage can best be characterized as

(A) nostalgic
(B) sardonic
(C) detached
(D) chatty
(E) didactic

2. The parenthetic remark in (―often . . . day‖) serves primarily to

(A) establish the soldiers‘ fondness for SPAM

(B) provide evidence of SPAM‘s abundance
(C) refute criticisms of wartime food shortages
(D) illustrate the need for dietary supplements
(E) point out the difference between military and civilian diets

How does an artist train his eye? ―First,‖ said Leonardo da Vinci, ―learn perspective; then draw from nature.‖ The self-
taught eighteenth century painter George Stubbs followed Leonardo‘s advice. Like Leonardo, he studied
anatomy, but, unlike Leonardo, instead of studying human anatomy, he studied the anatomy of the horse. He
dissected carcass after carcass, peeling away the five separate layers of muscles, removing the organs, baring
the veins and arteries and nerves. For 18 long months he recorded his observations, and when he was done he
could paint horses muscle by muscle, as they had never been painted before. Pretty decent work, for someone self-
taught.

3. The primary purpose of the passage is to

(A) explain a phenomenon

(B) describe a process
(C) refute an argument
(D) urge a course of action
(E) argue against a practice

4. The use of the phrase ―pretty decent‖ conveys

(A) grudging enthusiasm

(B) tentative approval
(C) ironic understatement
(D) bitter envy
(E) fundamental indifference

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The Truth Behind Symbols

One of the current definitions of a symbol is that it is ―something that stands for something else.‖ We can differentiate
between three kinds of symbols: the conventional, the accidental, and the universal symbol.

The conventional symbol is the best known of the three, since we employ it in everyday language. If we see the word
―table‖ or hear the sound ―table,‖ the letters t-a-b-l-e stand for something else. They stand for the thing ―table‖ that we
see, touch, and use. What is the connection between the word ―table‖ and the thing ―table‖? Is there any inherent
relationship between them? Obviously not. The thing table has nothing to do with the sound table, and the only
reason the word symbolizes the thing is the convention of calling this particular thing by a name. We learn this
connection as children by the repeated experience of hearing the word in reference to the thing until a lasting
association is formed so that we don‘t have to think to find the right word.

There are some words, however, in which the association is not only conventional. When we say ―phooey,‖ for
instance, we make with our lips a movement of dispelling the air quickly. It is an expression of disgust in which our
mouths participate. By this quick expulsion of air we imitate and thus express our intention to expel something, to get
it out of our system. In this case, as in some others, the symbol has an inherent connection with the feeling it
symbolizes. But even if we assume that originally many or even all words had their origins in some such inherent
connection between symbol and the symbolized, most words no longer have this meaning for us when we learn a
language.

Words are not the only illustration for conventional symbols, although they are the most frequent and best known
ones. Pictures also can be conventional symbols. A flag, for instance, may stand for a specific country, and yet there
is no intrinsic connection between the specific colors and the country for which they stand. They have been accepted
as denoting that particular country, and we translate the visual impression of the flag into the concept of that country,
again on conventional grounds.

The opposite to the conventional symbol is the accidental symbol, although they have one thing in common: there is
no intrinsic relationship between the symbol and that which it symbolizes. Let us assume that someone has had a
saddening experience in a certain city; when he hears the name of that city, he will easily connect the name with a
mood of sadness, just as he would connect it with a mood of joy had his experience been a happy one. Quite
obviously, there is nothing in the nature of the city that is either sad or joyful. It is the individual experience connected
with the city that makes it a symbol of a mood.

The same reaction could occur in connection with a house, a street, a certain dress, certain scenery, or anything
once connected with a specific mood. We might find ourselves dreaming that we are in a certain city. We ask
ourselves why we happened to think of that city in our sleep and may discover that we had fallen asleep in a mood
similar to the one symbolized by the city. The picture in the dream represents this mood, the city ―stands for‖ the
mood once experienced in it. The connection between the symbol and the experience symbolized is entirely
accidental.

The universal symbol is one in which there is an intrinsic relationship between the symbol and that which it
represents. Take, for instance, the symbol of fire. We are fascinated by certain qualities of fire in a fireplace. First of
all, by its aliveness. It changes continuously, it moves all the time, and yet there is constancy in it. It remains the
same without being the same. It gives the impression of power, of energy, of grace and lightness. It is as if it were
dancing, and had an inexhaustible source of energy. When we use fire as a symbol, we describe the inner
experience characterized by the same elements which we notice in the sensory experience of fire—the mood of
energy, lightness, movement, grace, gaiety, sometimes one, sometimes another of these elements being
predominant in the feeling.

The universal symbol is the only one in which the relationship between the symbol and that which is symbolized is
not coincidental, but intrinsic. It is rooted in the experience of the affinity between an emotion or thought, on the one
hand, and a sensory experience, on the other. It can be called universal because it is shared by all men, in contrast
not only to the accidental symbol, which is by its very nature entirely personal, but also to the conventional symbol,
which is restricted to a group of people sharing the same convention. The universal symbol is rooted in the properties
of our body, our senses, and our mind, which are common to all men and, therefore, not restricted to individuals or to
specific groups. Indeed, the language of the universal symbol is the one common tongue developed by the human
race, a language which it forgot before it succeeded in developing a universal conventional language.

425
5. The passage is primarily concerned with

(A) refuting an argument

(B) illustrating an axiom
(C) describing a process
(D) proving a thesis
(E) refining a definition

6. The term ―stand for‖ in the second paragraph means

(A) tolerate
(B) represent
(C) withstand
(D) endorse
(E) rise

7. According to lines 8–33, ―table‖ and ―phooey‖ differ in that

(A) only one is a conventional symbol

(B) ―table‖ is a better known symbol than ―phooey‖
(C) ―phooey‖ has an intrinsic natural link with its meaning
(D) children learn ―phooey‖ more readily than they learn ―table‖
(E) only one is used exclusively by children

8. It can be inferred from the passage that another example of a word with both inherent and conventional
associations to its meaning is

(A) hiss
(B) hike
(C) hold
(D) candle
(E) telephone

9. The author contends that conventional symbols

(A) are less meaningful than accidental ones

(B) necessarily have an innate connection with an emotion
(C) can be pictorial as well as linguistic
(D) are less familiar than universal symbols
(E) appeal chiefly to conventionally minded people

10. Which of the following would the author be most likely to categorize as a conventional symbol?

(A) a country road

(B) a patchwork quilt
(C) a bonfire
(D) the city of London
(E) the Statue of Liberty

11. According to the author‘s argument, a relationship between the city of Paris and the mood of joy can best be
described as

(A) innate
(B) dreamlike
(C) elemental
(D) coincidental
(E) immutable

426
12. A major factor distinguishing a universal symbol from conventional and accidental symbols is

(A) its origins in sensory experience

(B) its dependence on a specific occasion
(C) the intensity of the mood experienced
(D) its unmemorable nature
(E) its appeal to the individual

13. By saying ―Take . . . the symbol of fire‖ (lines 80 and 81), the author is asking the reader to

(A) grasp it as an element

(B) consider it as an example
(C) accept it as a possibility
(D) prefer it as a category
(E) assume it as a standard

14. Which of the following would the author most likely categorize as a universal symbol?

(A) the letters f-i-r-e

(B) the letters p-h-o-o-e-y
(C) a red dress
(D) an American flag
(E) water in a stream

15. The word ―properties‖ in line 108 means

(A) possessions
(B) attributes
(C) investments
(D) titles
(E) grounds

16. The author contends in lines 112–116 that the language of the universal symbol

(A) antedates the development of everyday conventional language

(B) restricts itself to those capable of comprehending symbolism
(C) should be adopted as the common tongue for the human race
(D) grew out of human efforts to create a universal conventional language
(E) developed accidentally from the human desire to communicate

Ovenden and his planetary thoughts

―Idle speculation‖ has no place in science, but ―speculation‖ is its very lifeblood, a well-known physicist believes.

―The more fundamental and far-reaching a scientific theory is, the more speculative it is likely to be,‖ Dr. Michael W.
Ovenden, author and lecturer at the University of Glasgow, Scotland, states in his book ―Life in the Universe.‖ Dr.
Ovenden says it is erroneous to believe that science is only concerned with ―pure facts,‖ for mere accumulation of
facts is a primitive form of science. A mature science tries to arrange facts in significant patterns to see relationships
between previously unrelated aspects of the universe.

A theory that does not suggest new ways of looking at the universe is not likely to make an important contribution to
the development of science. However, it is also important that theories are checked by new experiments and
observations.

Dr. Ovenden discusses recent discoveries in biology, chemistry and physics that give clues to the possibility of life in
the solar system and other star systems. He discusses conditions on Mars, Venus, Jupiter and Saturn, and considers
whether or not the same conditions may be found on planets of other stars.

427
Only the planets Venus, Earth, and Mars lie within the temperature zone, about 75,000,000 miles wide, in which life
can exist. Venus is covered by a dense layer of clouds which permits no observation of the surface, and the surface
temperature of the planet is not known. Mars is colder than Earth, the average temperature being about minus 40
degrees Fahrenheit, compared with plus 59 degrees Fahrenheit as the average for Earth. However, near the Mars
poles during the summer season, temperatures may rise to as much as 70 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas winter
temperatures may fall to minus 130 degrees Fahrenheit.

Because of the extreme difference in the Martian seasons, the only life-forms expected to exist, without a built-in
temperature control such as warm-blooded animals and humans have, are those which would stay inactive most of
the year. These life-forms may be a kind of vegetation that opens its leaves to the sun in the daytime, stores water
and closes its leaves in the night for protection against the cold.

Attempts have been made to detect in the spectrum of the dark markings on Mars the absorption lines due to
chlorophyll. So far the test has not succeeded. But the infrared spectrum of the Martian markings has been found to
be very similar to the spectrum of Earth vegetation when studied at high altitudes.

17. The word ―idle‖ in the first line most nearly means

(A) resting
(B) lazy
(C) empty
(D) lethargic
(E) leisurely

18. ―Speculation is its [science‘s] very lifeblood‖ means that scientists

(A) are gamblers at heart

(B) must concern themselves with provable facts
(C) must understand all forms of science
(D) must form opinions about the data they gather
(E) must keep abreast of new developments

19. According to the second paragraph, a mature science

(A) concerns itself exclusively with gathering and recording facts

(B) dismisses speculative thinking as overly fanciful
(C) connects hitherto unlinked phenomena in meaningful ways
(D) subordinates speculative thought to the accumulation of facts
(E) differentiates between hypotheses and speculation

20. The similarity from high altitudes between the infrared spectrum of the Martian markings and the Earth spectrum
suggests

(A) the value of speculative thinking

(B) the absence of chlorophyll on Mars
(C) a possibility that Mars has vegetation
(D) that Mars‘s surface has been cultivated
(E) the effect of cold on the color of the spectrum

21. The author does all of the following EXCEPT

(A) make an approximation

(B) use a metaphor
(C) state a resemblance
(D) make a conjecture
(E) deny a contradiction

428
 Answer questions 22 to 30 based on the pair of passages below –

Passage 1
The defects of This Side of Paradise should not blind the reader to its importance in Fitzgerald‘s career. It marked his
movement, clumsy and pasted together as the novel often is, from a clever short-story writer and would-be poet to an
ambitious novelist. All his life he was to think of himself primarily as a novelist, to save his best work for his novels, to
plunder his published short stories for usable material for them. If he achieved nothing else in this first novel, he had
at least taken his scattered literary effusions and his undescribed experiences, sifted them, shaped and reshaped
them, often looked at them ironically, and fashioned them into a sustained narrative. Compared with the material he
took directly from his Nassau Litstories, the writing had improved greatly. In many rewritten passages, This Side of
Paradise shows Fitzgerald moving to that freshness of language which became his identifying mark.

The novel took the bold step that Fitzgerald needed: it confirmed his ideas about the importance of his feelings and
about his ability to put them down. It helped Fitzgerald thrash out those ―ideas still in riot‖ that he attributes to Amory
[the novel‘s main character] at the close of the book: his ideas about love and women, about the Church, about his
past, about the importance of being as contrasted with doing. Though it borrowed heavily from the many writers to
whom he was attracted, the book still has Fitzgerald‘s own stamp: the naiveté and honesty that is part of ―the stamp
that goes into [each of] my books so that people can read it blind like Braille.‖ If Amory is not as honest with himself
as Fitzgerald‘s later characters can be, it is chiefly from a lack of perception rather than from a deliberate desire to
deceive.

Finally, though Fitzgerald placed his twin hopes of money and the girl in the book‘s great success, the book is not
merely contrived to achieve these aims. The badness in it is not that of the professional who shrewdly calculates his
effects; it is that of the ambitious amateur writer who produces what seems to him to be witty, fresh, and powerful
prose. It is a much better book than The Romantic Egotist, the version he finished before he left Princeton. For
Fitzgerald at twenty-three, it was the book he wanted to write, the book he could write, and the book that did get
written. Before it even reached its audience, Fitzgerald had found his craft.

Passage 2
It has been said by a celebrated person that to meet F. Scott Fitzgerald is to think of a stupid old woman with whom
someone has left a diamond; she is extremely proud of the diamond and shows it to everyone who comes by, and
everyone is surprised that such an ignorant old woman should possess so valuable a jewel; for in nothing does she
appear so inept as in the remarks she makes about the diamond.

The person who invented this simile did not know Fitzgerald very well and can only have seen him, I think, in his
more diffident or uninspired moods. The reader must not suppose that there is any literal truth in the image. Scott
Fitzgerald is, in fact, no old woman, but a very good-looking young man, nor is he in the least stupid, but, on the
contrary, exhilaratingly clever. Yet there is a symbolic truth in the description quoted above; it is true that Fitzgerald
has been left with a jewel which he doesn‘t know quite what to do with. For he has been given imagination without
intellectual control of it; he has been given the desire for beauty without an aesthetic ideal; and he has been given a
gift for expression without very many ideas to express.

429
Consider, for example, the novel—This Side of Paradise—with which he founded his reputation. It has almost every
fault and deficiency that a novel can possibly have. It is not only highly imitative but it imitates an inferior model.
Fitzgerald, when he wrote the book, was drunk with Compton Mackenzie, and it sounds like an American attempt to
rewrite Sinister Street. Now, Mackenzie, in spite of his gift for picturesque and comic invention and the capacity for
pretty writing that he says he learned from Keats, lacks both the intellectual force and the emotional imagination to
give body and outline to the material which he secretes in such enormous abundance. With the seeds he took from
Keats‘s garden, one of the best-arranged gardens in England, he enfloreated [generated flowers] so profusely that he
blotted out the path of his own. Michael Fane, the hero of Sinister Street, was swamped in the forest of descriptions;
he was smothered by creepers and columbines. From the time he went up to Oxford, his personality began to grow
dimmer, and, when he last turned up (in Belgrade) he seemed quite to have lost his identity. As a consequence,
Amory Blaine, the hero of This Side of Paradise, had a very poor chance of coherence: Fitzgerald did endow him, to
be sure, with a certain emotional life which the phantom Michael Fane lacks; but he was quite as much a wavering
quantity in a phantasmagoria of incident that had no dominating intention to endow it with unity and force. In short,
one of the chief weaknesses of This Side of Paradise is that it is really not about anything: its intellectual and moral
content amounts to little more than a gesture—a gesture of indefinite revolt. The story itself, furthermore, is very
immaturely imagined: it is always just verging on the ludicrous. And finally, This Side of Paradise is one of the most
illiterate books of any merit ever published (a fault which the publisher‘s proofreader seems to have made no effort to
remedy). Not only is it ornamented with bogus ideas and faked literary references, but it is full of literary words tossed
about with the most reckless inaccuracy.

22. The author of Passage 1 thinks that This Side of Paradise demonstrates Fitzgerald‘s ability to
(A) compose both long stories and short novels
(B) write short stories
(C) include poetic language in his writing
(D) tell a long story
(E) edit his own writing

23. The author of Passage 1 believes that Fitzgerald‘s reputation as a writer rests on
(A) his original use of words
(B) his compelling narratives
(C) the suspensefulness of his plots
(D) his use of irony
(E) using bits and pieces to create coherent stories
24. Passage 1 suggests that Amory, the main character of This Side of Paradise,

(A) is a serious and responsible person

(B) is a thinly disguised version of Fitzgerald
(C) represents all that Fitzgerald admired
(D) symbolizes what Fitzgerald wanted to be
(E) is a composite of people that Fitzgerald knew

25. By hoping that people could read his books ―blind like Braille‖ (the second paragraph of Passage 1), Fitzgerald
meant that his writing was

(A) vivid and sensual

(B) deep and full of meaning
(C) sophisticated and subtle
(D) plain and direct
(E) truthful and innocent

430
26. Throughout Passage 1, the writing of Fitzgerald is characterized as

(A) egotistical
(B) immature
(C) phony
(D) optimistic
(E) deceptively easy to read

27. The author of Passage 2 relates the anecdote of the old woman and the diamond in order to

(A) disturb Fitzgerald‘s readers

(B) belittle Fitzgerald as a writer
(C) clarify a mistaken view of Fitzgerald
(D) suggest that Fitzgerald is preoccupied with wealth
(E) explain an aspect of Fitzgerald‘s personality
28. The author‘s assertion that ―Fitzgerald has been left with a jewel which he doesn‘t know quite what to do with‖
(second paragraph of Passage 2) most nearly means that

(A) Fitzgerald‘s exceptional talent as a writer needs polishing

(B) Fitzgerald should take more writing courses
(C) Fitzgerald‘s writing needs better editing
(D) Fitzgerald will probably become a bestselling author
(E) Fitzgerald is destined to become one of the great American writers
29. According to the author of Passage 2, Sinister Street can best be described as
(A) highly inferior to This Side of Paradise
(B) more engrossing than This Side of Paradise
(C) a pale imitation of This Side of Paradise
(D) an unfortunate model for This Side of Paradise
(E) more realistic than This Side of Paradise

30. The author of Passage 2 bases much of his criticism of Sinister Street on the grounds that

(A) the book‘s hero is sadly overemotional

(B) its flowery prose overshadows its hero‘s story
(C) it deals with a conventional subject
(D) the book lacks wit and inventiveness
(E) the novel will fail to interest most readers

431
The Duality of Prejudice
The following passages, written in the 1960s, explore the roots of anti-Japanese and anti-Jewish feelings in America
during the first half of the twentieth century.

Passage 1
Prejudice, the sociologists tell us, is learned behavior. Twentieth-century Californians learned the lesson well.
Although racial prejudice, directed at various ethnic groups, flourished throughout the United States during the period
under discussion, nowhere north of the Mason-Dixon line did any single group encounter the sustained nativist
assault that was directed against California‘s Japanese. There seem to be four chief reasons for this. First, the
Japanese were of a distinct racial group; no amount of acculturation could mask their foreignness. Second, unlike the
Chinese, they rapidly began to challenge whites in many businesses and professions— as a group, Japanese in the
United States became very quickly imbued with what, in Europeans, would be called the Protestant ethic. Third, the
growing unpopularity of their homeland . . . further served to make immigrants from Japan special objects of
suspicion. These three conditions would have made any large group of Japanese a particularly despised minority
anywhere in the United States. Finally, the fact that most of the Japanese were in California probably made things
worse, for California probably had a lower boiling point than did the country at large.

California, by virtue of its anti-Chinese tradition and frontier psychology, was already conditioned to anti-Orientalism
before the Japanese arrived. Other special California characteristics abetted the success of the agitation. In the
prewar years, the extraordinary power of organized labor in northern California gave the anti-Japanese movement a
much stronger base than it would have enjoyed elsewhere; in the postwar years, open-shop southern California
proved almost equally hospitable to an agitation pitched to middle-class white Protestants. In the two periods anti-
Japanese sentiment flourished among completely disparate populations: the first- and second-generation immigrants
who were the backbone of California‘s labor movement, and the Midwestern émigrés who came to dominate the
southern California scene. For most of these Californians, opposition to the Japanese was based upon fears which
were largely irrational.
Passage 2
To say that anti-Semitism in America sprang chiefly from the difficulties of integrating large numbers of first- and
second-generation immigrants is, inferentially, to stress its similarity to other kinds of anti-immigrant sentiment—to
put it in the same class with dislike of the Irish, Italians, Japanese, Mexicans and other transplanted minorities, while
making allowances for the differential characteristics of each group. Likewise, this approach minimizes distinctions
often made between different kinds of anti-Semitism, in that it relates all of them to a common root. Yet we must also
consider the role of irrational anti-Semitic fantasies that had no direct connection with real problems of ethnic
integration. The ideological hatreds spread by the agitator and the fanatic have had a place in American history, too.

Unlike . . . more ordinary social prejudices . . . , ideological anti-Semitism condemns the Jews as incapable of
assimilation and disloyal to the basic institutions of the country. In its more extreme forms, it portrays them as
leagued together in a vast international conspiracy. The alleged plot usually centers on gaining control of the money
supply and wrecking the financial system; sometimes it extends to polluting the nation‘s morals through control of
communications and entertainment. The supposed eventual aim is to overthrow the government and establish a
super state. In America, anti-Semitism of this kind has not been so well organized or so productive of violence as
other racial and religious phobias. But it has enjoyed an unusually rich and complex imagery.

Religious motifs, by and large, have not figured prominently in American anti-Semitic thought. Except among certain
preachers spawned by the Fundamentalist movement of the 1920s (notably Gerald Winrod and Gerald L. K. Smith),
one looks in vain for a clearly religious animus. Though not entirely lacking in references to the treachery of Judas,
ideological anti-Semitism has always dwelled mainly on the power of Shylock. Whether the Jew appears in his
traditional role as exploiter or in his later incarnation as Bolshevik, his subversive influence supposedly flows from an
unwillingness or inability to abide by the existing economic morality.

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31. The author of Passage 1 makes the point that prejudice against the Japanese in the twentieth century

(A) began in California

(B) was comparable to racial prejudice in the South
(C) was taught in the schools of California
(D) often bred violence
(E) was a shameful chapter in the history of California

32. Passage 1 implies that the Japanese would not have faced such intense prejudice if

(A) their physical appearance had been different

(B) they had arrived in California via New York
(C) they had emigrated to California a century earlier
(D) they had settled in southern California
(E) Californians had themselves been recent immigrants

33. Passage 1 suggests that, after Japanese immigrants arrived in California, they

(A) joined unions

(B) often went on welfare until they got jobs
(C) created Japanese ghettos in several cities
(D) worked hard to be successful
(E) contributed technical skills to the state‘s work force.

34. According to information in Passage 1, World War II

(A) provided California‘s Japanese population temporary relief from prejudice

(B) caused prejudice against the Japanese to intensify
(C) had little impact on prejudice against the Japanese
(D) diverted the hatred from Japanese civilians to the Japanese military
(E) shifted the center of anti-Japanese feeling in California

35. One can infer from Passage 1 that hostility toward the Japanese flourished in California because

(A) California was closer to Pearl Harbor than any other state
(B) Californians are more intolerant than other Americans
(C) Japan-bashing was an official policy of the labor unions in the state
(D) Japanese were quickly buying up buildings, land, and other property throughout the state
(E) American workers felt threatened by Japanese workers

36. The author of Passage 2 believes that anti-Semitism in America differs from other forms of prejudice because

(A) it is based on a long tradition

(B) anti-Semites tend to be more hateful than other types of bigots
(C) most anti-Semites are fanatics
(D) it comes in many forms and guises
(E) each ethnic minority experiences prejudice in a different way

37. The term ―ideological hatreds‖ in Passage 2 refers to prejudice

(A) only against Jews

(B) that is openly declared in public
(C) that existed in an earlier era
(D) that is inspired by the victims‘ beliefs and values
(E) that has gone out of control

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38. The author of Passage 2 implies that violence against Jews in the United States has been

(A) fed by social anti-Semitism rather than ideological anti-Semitism

(B) has been directed mostly at first-generation Jewish immigrants
(C) has helped other minorities to cope with violence against them
(D) has been more verbal and psychological than physical
(E) has been less severe than violence against other minorities

39. Passage 2 indicates that avid anti-Semites fear Jews for all of the following reasons EXCEPT that

(A) it is hard to tell a Jew from a non-Jew

(B) Jews crave power
(C) Jews are immoral
(D) the media are controlled by Jews
(E) Jews do not value democracy

40. Gerald Winrod and Gerald L. K. Smith are cited as anti-Semites

(A) who advocated the violent treatment of Jews

(B) whose hatred of Jews was based largely on religion
(C) who sought to convert Jews to Christianity
(D) who alleged that Jews were a danger to the United States
(E) who founded the Christian Fundamentalist movement in the United States

41. Based on the two passages, it is fair to say that prejudice against the Jews in the United States compared to
prejudice against the Japanese

(A) has been more violent

(B) has been more strenuously opposed by fair-minded people
(C) is more complex and diffuse
(D) has a longer history
(E) has increased at a greater rate since World War II

42. The authors of both passages appear to agree that

(A) prejudice in the United States is gradually diminishing

(B) prejudice in the United States is gradually increasing
(C) prejudice is based on irrational thinking
(D) physical appearance is a major cause of prejudice against both Jews and Japanese
(E) stereotypes are hard to break

43. In their explanations of the causes of prejudice, both authors

(A) stress economic reasons

(B) focus on the historical roots of prejudice in America
(C) are hopeful that justice will eventually prevail
(D) agree that the Japanese and the Jews have been scapegoats
(E) think that extreme nationalism may lie at the heart of bigotry

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Kiowas and Comanches

In this excerpt from The Way to Rainy Mountain, the writer N. Scott Momaday tells of his grandmother, a member of
the Kiowa tribe, who was born at a key time in Kiowa history.

I like to think of my grandmother as a child. When she was born, the Kiowas were living the last great moment of
their history. For more than a hundred years they had controlled the open range from the Smoky Hill River to the
Red, from the headwaters of the Canadian to the fork of the Arkansas and Cimarron. In alliance with the Comanches,
they had ruled the whole of the southern Plains. War was their sacred business, and they were among the finest
horsemen the world has ever known. But warfare for the Kiowas was preeminently a matter of disposition rather than
of survival, and they never understood the grim, unrelenting advance of the U.S. Cavalry. When at last, divided and ill
provisioned, they were driven onto the Staked Plains in the cold rains of autumn, they fell into panic. In Palo Duro
Canyon they abandoned their crucial stores to pillage and had nothing then but their lives. In order to save
themselves, they surrendered to the soldiers at Fort Sill and were imprisoned in the old stone corral that now stands
as a military museum. My grandmother was spared the humiliation of those high gray walls by eight or ten years, but
she must have known from birth the affliction of defeat, the dark brooding of old warriors.

Her name was Aho, and she belonged to the last culture to evolve in North America. Her forebears came down from
the high country in western Montana nearly three centuries ago. They were a mountain people, a mysterious tribe of
hunters whose language has never been positively classified in any major group. In the late seventeenth century they
began a long migration to the south and east. It was a journey toward the dawn, and it led to a golden age. Along the
way the Kiowas were befriended by the Crows, who gave them the culture and religion of the Plains. They acquired
horses, and their ancient nomadic spirit was suddenly free of the ground. They acquired Tai-Me, the sacred Sun
Dance doll, from that moment the object and symbol of their worship, and so shared in the divinity of the sun. Not
least, they acquired the sense of destiny, therefore courage and pride. When they entered upon the southern Plains
they had been transformed. No longer were they slaves to the simple necessity of survival; they were a lordly and
dangerous society of fighters and thieves, hunters and priests of the sun. According to their origin myth, they entered
the world through a hollow log. From one point of view, their migration was the fruit of an old prophecy, for indeed
they emerged from a sunless world.

44. The author of this passage indicates in lines in the first paragraph that the Kiowas waged war predominantly
because they

(A) feared the Comanches

(B) wanted more land
(C) were warlike in nature
(D) had been humiliated by the cavalry
(E) believed they would perish otherwise

45. Compared to the Kiowa warriors, the cavalrymen were

(A) more idealistic about warfare

(B) exceptionally fine horsemen
(C) vulnerable to divisiveness
(D) unswerving in determination
(E) less given to brooding

46. The author‘s grandmother directly experienced

(A) imprisonment at Fort Sill

(B) the bleak attitude of the older Kiowa men
(C) the defeat at Palo Duro Canyon
(D) the loss of the tribe‘s provisions
(E) surrender to the white soldiers

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47. The author views the Kiowas of the late seventeenth and eighteenth centuries with a sense of

(A) urgency
(B) ambivalence
(C) remorse
(D) admiration
(E) irony

48. By ―their ancient nomadic spirit was suddenly free of the ground‖, the author most nearly means

(A) the wanderers were now free to worship the sun

(B) the acquisition of horses liberated them to rove more freely
(C) they did not have to pay the Crows for the gift of horses
(D) the oldest of the migratory Kiowas lacked ties to the soil
(E) they no longer believed in the earth spirits of their ancestors

49. An ―origin myth‖ in the second paragraph as used by the author is

(A) a theory of reproduction told to Native American children

(B) a religion the Kiowas learned from the Crows
(C) a type of tale known only to Kiowas
(D) an explanation of how the Kiowas came into being
(E) a natural tale about trees and the sun

Two Fathers

These passages are portraits of two fathers. The first appeared in a contemporary novel, the second in a memoir
written in the 1990s by a person looking back on experiences in the San Francisco Bay area.

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 Passage 1
In 1948 my father was serving his second term as sheriff of Mercer County, Montana. We lived in Bentrock, the
county seat and the only town of any size in the region. In 1948its population was less than two thousand people. . . .

Many of the men in Mercer County had spent the preceding years in combat. (But not my father; he was 4-F. When
he was sixteen a horse kicked him, breaking his leg so severely that he walked with a permanent limp, and
eventually a cane, his right leg V-ed in, his right knee perpetually pointing to the left.) When these men came back
from war they wanted nothing more than to work their farms and ranches and to live quietly with their families. The
county even had fewer hunters after the war than before.

All of which made my father‘s job a relatively easy one. Oh, he arrested the usual weekly drunks, mediated an
occasional dispute about fence lines or stray cattle, calmed a few domestic disturbances, and warned the town‘s
teenagers about getting rowdy in Wood‘s Cafe, but by and large being sheriff of Mercer County did not require great
strength or courage. The ability to drive the county‘s rural roads, often drifted over in the winter or washed out in the
summer, was a much more necessary skill than being good with your fists or a gun. One of my father‘s regular duties
was chaperoning Saturday night dances in the county, but the fact that he often took along my mother (and
sometimes me) shows how quiet those affairs—and his job—usually were.

And that disappointed me at the time. As long as my father was going to be sheriff, a position with so much potential
for excitement, danger, and bravery, why couldn‘t some of that promise be fulfilled? No matter how many wheat
fields or cow pastures surrounded us, we were still Montanans, yet my father didn‘t even look like a western sheriff.
He wore a shirt and tie, as many of the men in town did, but at least they wore boots and Stetsons; my father wore
brogans and a fedora. He had a gun but he never carried it, on duty or off. I knew because I checked, time and time
again. When he left the house I ran to his dresser and the top drawer on the right side. And there it was, there it
always was. Just as well. As far as I was concerned it was the wrong kind of gun for a sheriff. He should have had a
nickel-plated Western Colt .45, something with some history and heft. Instead, my father had a small .32 automatic,
Italian-made and no bigger than your palm. My father didn‘t buy such a sorry gun; he confiscated it from a drunken
transient in one of his first arrests. My father kept the gun but in fair exchange bought the man a bus ticket to Billings,
where he had family.

Passage 2
He was good-looking, in a Southern, romantic poet sort of way. He needed those good looks, one of the aunts said;
why else would my otherwise sensible mother have married a man like him, an actor-writer hyphenate who lived on
dreams and spent his free evenings carrying a spear at the Opera House. But that was in later times, when he had
moved out of the rundown communal house in the Berkeley Hills, leaving my mother and the ever-changing cast of
nominal uncles and aunts to patch the ancient water heater and pump out the basement when the over pressured
valve finally blew. He needed separateness to write, he said, solitude, something we‘d never given him, and he was
tired, tired of being dragged from his study to tend to the latest household eruption that bubbled up ―like gas from a
Calistoga mud bath,‖ he said, with relentless regularity.
He looked tired by then, as tired of us as we were of him, of forgotten birthdays and surprises that failed to surprise.
When he did bring us a present, I even wondered why, for it was always somehow off: last season‘s hot toy no one
played with any more, or a complicated model no boy could assemble without a father‘s help. Which we never got.
He was an actor, after all, not tech crew, an artist, not someone who could fix a toy.
If he was an actor, we were props at best. Reluctant ones—had there been a Plantagenet Pleasure Faire, he would
have strutted his hour as Wicked Dick III, while Geoffrey and I, thrust into burlap sacks, were hauled off, two little
princes in shabby tights, to be disposed of elsewhere. That was his glory, kinging it. Living History, he called it, and in
the early days he followed the fairs up and down the state, living the Renaissance first in Agoura, then in Marin,
finally winding up the acting season with Victoria‘s England in San Francisco or even Oakland for one or two slow
years.
Not that anyone ever hired him to act the king. No, he was a minor figure even on that rude stage, a charming but
lesser nobleman in Elizabeth‘s court, an attentive councilor in Victoria‘s entourage. But he shared the perks of
royalty, such as they were, stood center stage in black velvet pantaloons while the September sun burned overhead,
or posed handsomely (in a Prince Albert coat, no less) as the royal party made its way through the Christmas crowds
at Dickens Fair. Why he stuck to it, I never understood. Certainly not for the pay.

437
Between fairs he wrote, or thought of writing, shut up in his study, into which we children were not allowed, or did
research for his one-man-shows (in which he played a series of writers, one per show, so that one year we saw his
Edgar Allan Poe, another year, his Ambrose Bierce). He was a writer, or at least a writer once removed, writing down
other men‘s words and speaking them as if they were his own. At times it seemed he thought they were his own, he
paraphrased them so freely, vamping upon the themes of The Devil’s Dictionary. And he probably thought we were
his own as well, as little acquainted with us as he was. And so we were, if only by example and heredity.

50. In Passage 1 the narrator uses the parenthetical material to

(A) suggest that his father became sheriff to compensate for his disability
(B) highlight the difference between his father and other men in Mercer County
(C) justify his father‘s peaceful nature
(D) belittle his father
(E) indicate that the voters felt sorry for his father when they elected him sheriff

51. Mentioning that Mercer County ―had fewer hunters after the war than before‖ (Passage 1) is the author‘s way of
saying that
(A) the men had had their fill of shooting and death
(B) the men worked long hours and had no time for hunting
(C) the narrator‘s father prevented the men from hunting
(D) the men thought hunting was too dangerous
(E) many of the hunters were killed in the war

52. By describing his father‘s work clothes (in Passage 1, last paragraph), the narrator is suggesting that his father
(A) wanted to dress like other men
(B) didn‘t take the sheriff‘s job seriously
(C) was pretty dull
(D) was a nonconformist
(E) was concerned about his image
53. By wishing that his father had a gun with ―some history and some heft‖ (in Passage 1, last paragraph), the
narrator means

(A) an antique gun

(B) a more expensive gun
(C) a gun used in the war
(D) a gun that could be worn in a holster
(E) a more impressive gun

54. In Passage 1 which of the following best describes the narrator‘s feelings about his father?

(A) Regret
(B) Hostility
(C) Resentment
(D) Affection
(E) Indifference

55. The narrator of Passage 2 compares himself and his brother to ―props‖ because they -

(A) reinforced their father‘s image as a parent

(B) were assets to theatrical productions
(C) were physical objects handled onstage
(D) supported their father‘s dramatic efforts
(E) possessed essential attributes their father lacked

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56. In line Passage 2 (fourth paragraph), ―rude‖ most nearly means

(A) roughly made

(B) deliberately impolite
(C) highly vigorous
(D) inconsiderate
(E) tempestuous
57. The narrator mentions his father‘s sharing the perks of royalty (Passage 2, fourth paragraph) in order to
emphasize that his father

(A) had gone far in his chosen field

(B) wanted to share these privileges with his children
(C) had a particularly regal demeanor
(D) demanded only the best for himself
(E) received very little for his efforts

58. In Passage 2, which of the following is NOT an accurate description of the narrator‘s father?

(A) He was not dependable to his children.

(B) He enjoyed being the center of attention.
(C) He had an appealing appearance.
(D) He was well liked by those who shared his home.
(E) He was uncomfortable with his responsibilities.

59. The narrator‘s purpose in writing this portrait of his father was

(A) to show readers the effects of a bohemian lifestyle on one man

(B) to help himself understand his complex feelings toward his father
(C) to illustrate the importance of open communication among members of a family
(D) to tell about the difficulties of his boyhood
(E) to praise his father, a man he both loved and feared
60. In which respect is the portrait of the father in Passage 1 similar to the portrait in Passage 2?

(A) In both passages we see the father through the eyes of a young boy.
(B) Both passages portray the father as deficient in some important way.
(C) In both passages we get to know intimate details of the father‘s life.
(D) Both passages tell us as much about the narrator as about the father.
(E) Both passages imply that the narrators would like to emulate their fathers.

61. As presented in the two passages, the relationship between each narrator and his father is

(A) loving
(B) competitive
(C) cautious
(D) distant
(E) tense

62. The authors of both passages come across as

(A) loyal sons

(B) intolerant of their fathers
(C) respectful of their fathers
(D) rebellious sons
(E) puzzled by their fathers

439
Reading Comprehension Solutions
1. (b) The Old Man of the Mountain was a symbol of the state of Hampshire. None of the other options is nearly as
accurate as this one.
2. (c) It is specifically mentioned that the people were sad when the Old Man of the Mountain crumbled to the
ground and hence they placed the flowers at the base of the mountain as a means to pay respect.
3. (a) The Old Man of the Mountain was honored on a postage stamp first. This comes first if a chronological event
based metric is set for the events that took place in the passage.
4. (a) It was significant. That is why it came as a postage stamp and later when it crumbled people paid their
respects by placing flowers at the base of the mountain.
5. (b) It signifies the semblance and so the answer will be it ―looked like‖
6. (b) It is a phrase that generally means ―without success‖
7. (d) Spain. The king and queen later on gave him three ships.
8. (d) West. That is the measure he took in order to find the New World later on.
9. (b) Asia. He thought he was there but in reality, it was North America.
10. (b) 1452. This is directly given in the passage.
11. (b) This is a figure of speech which has been used to define that animal as quick and agile. Ferrari is a car
company that produces some of the fastest sports cars in the world. This inference can be drawn from that.
12. (d) Its tail length. This has been directly given in the passage.
13. (d) both A and B. The examination of fossils were done as well as the biochemical calculations with computer
modeling.
14. (d) This is a statement that has been drawn analytically from the comparison of the current animals like Cheetah
and other African savants. They have much more agile and fast movement compared to the Tyrannosaurus
Rex. So the Tyrannosaurus Rex was slow and cumbersome compared to them
15. (c) The Europeans transported them on their marine vehicles. This is the first event of their arriving at Hawaii.
16. (a) To come to a place. This is evident from the narrative of the passage.
17. (c) The black rat migrated to Europe first. This event took place first from all the other events labelled in the
options.
18. (d) The Mongooses do not spread diseases in general, let alone 40.
19. (c) To inform readers about species that have invaded Hawaii in general and how they have done it. More
emphasis has been given on that.
20. (a) Because they ate rats. This was the primary purpose.
21. (b) Revere generally relates to adulation or respect. Therefore, to respect someone or something is the best use
here.
22. (d) Backfired: Solving problems with problems in Hawaii. This describes the passage best.
23. (a) It is primarily to explain the differences in the upbringing of girls and boys in some context to the society
mentioned in the passage.
24. (d) It means abruptly.
25. (d) These are useful social skills to say the least.
26. (a) It is developed mainly through child-care duties as it has been mentioned in the passage.
27. (b) unskilled in. This phrase best describes the nature of being a greenhorn in the context of the passage.
28. (d) formal education. That is something, which is missing from the set of activities that have been labelled
across the passage.
29. (d) The boys are more organizing but the girls bicker and waste time according to the passage. So both of them
organizing well would actually weaken the authors‘ contention the most. Therefore, this option best describes the
answer to the stated question.
30. (a) Both description and interpretation of observations. This is apparent from the way the statements have been
made and then backed analytically throughout the passage. This narrative is written through observation and
then subsequent interpretation.

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Additional Reading Comprehension Solutions

1. D
From its casual direction, ―Flash back to 1937,‖ to its quotes from computer users, the passage has a chatty, informal
tone.
2. B
Given that SPAM was available for the soldier to eat three times a day, clearly it was abundant (plentiful).
3. B
The author‘s primary purpose is to describe a process—the process by which Stubbs taught himself to draw horses.
4. C
It is clear that the author admires Stubbs‘s achievement. To teach oneself to paint horses as they had never been
painted before is a major accomplishment. To term that accomplishment only ―pretty decent‖ is an example of ironic
understatement.
5. E
The author begins by giving a definition of the term symbol and proceeds to analyze three separate types of symbols.
Thus, he is refining or further defining his somewhat rudimentary original definition.
6. B
For a group of letters to stand for an object, the letters must in some way represent that object to the people who
accept the letters as a conventional symbol for the object.
7. C
In describing the associations of the word ―phooey,‖ the author states that ―the symbol has an inherent connection
with the feeling it symbolizes.‖ In other words, there is an intrinsic natural link between the symbol and its meaning.
8. A
When we say ―hiss,‖ we expel air in a sibilant manner, making a sharp ―s‖ sound as we thrust our tongue toward the
tooth ridge and dispel the air quickly. Thus we express our disapproval of something, our desire to push it away from
us, so that the meaning of ―hiss‖ has both inherent and conventional associations.
9. C
The author gives the example of the flag as a conventional symbol that is pictorial rather than linguistic.
10. E
To the author, the Statue of Liberty would be a conventional symbol, one agreed upon by a group of people to stand
for the abstract idea of freedom.
11. D
If by some accident you were to have a memorably joyful time in Paris, the city of Paris might come to have some
symbolic value for you, bringing a mood of joy to your mind. However, the relationship between the city and the mood
is not an inherent, built-in one; it is purely coincidental.
12. A
The author describes how one‘s inner experience of a universal symbol is rooted in or grows out of one‘s sensory
experience.
13. B
The author offers fire as an example of a universal symbol and asks the reader to consider it.
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14. E
Like fire, water is a universal symbol that we experience through our senses, feeling its fluidity, its movement, its
power. The words ―fire‖ and ―phooey‖ are conventional symbols, as is the flag. A red dress, if it has any symbolic
value at all, is an accidental symbol at best.
15. B
The ―properties‖ mentioned here are our body‘s attributes or characteristics. To answer vocabulary-in-context
questions, substitute each of the answer choices in the sentence in place of the word in quotes.
16. A
The closing sentence states that the human race forgot the language of universal symbols before it developed
conventional language. Thus, the language of the universal symbol antedates or comes before the development of
our everyday conventional tongues.
17. C

Ovenden clearly approves of speculation (pondering; evolving theories by taking a fresh look at a subject or
concept). However, he approves of purposeful speculation, speculation that has as its goal the discovery of new
ways of looking at the universe. Pointless, idle, empty speculation or woolgathering he finds unscientific.

18. D

By asserting that ―Speculation is its [science‘s] very lifeblood,‖ Ovenden says that science cannot exist without
speculation. Scientists must speculate, must evolve theories, must form opinions about the data they gather.

19. C

A mature science tries ―to see relationships between previously unrelated aspects of the universe,‖ that is, to connect
hitherto unlinked phenomena in significant patterns or meaningful ways.

20. C

The similarities of the spectrums suggest the possibility of vegetation on Mars.

21. E

Use the process of elimination to find the correct answer to this question.
• The author makes an approximation: he indicates the temperature zone in which life can exist is ―about
[approximately] 75,000,000 miles wide.‖ Therefore, you can eliminate (A).
• The author uses a metaphor: he implicitly compares speculation to blood. Therefore, you can eliminate (B).
• The author states a resemblance: in the last sentence of the passage, he says ―the infrared spectrum of the
Martian markings has been found to be very similar to the spectrum of Earth vegetation.‖ Therefore, you can
eliminate (C).
• The author makes a conjecture about the sort of life-forms ―without a built-in temperature control‖ that might exist
on Mars: in the last sentence of the next-to-last paragraph, he conjectures (guesses; speculates) they ―may be a
form of vegetation‖ that closes its leaves at night. Therefore, you can eliminate (D).
• Only (E) is left. At no time does the author deny a contradiction. The correct answer is (E).

22. D

Passage 1 says that in This Side of Paradise, Fitzgerald managed to turn a mass of diverse material ―into a
sustained narrative‖, indicating that Fitzgerald knew how to tell a long story.

23. A

Passage 1 says that ―freshness of language‖ is Fitzgerald‘s ―identifying mark.‖ In other words, Fitzgerald built his
reputation on his original use of words.
442
24. B

The author of Passage 1 claims that This Side of Paradise helped ―Fitzgerald thrash out those ‗ideas still in riot‘ that
he attributes to Amory‖. Amory, therefore, seems to be a thinly disguised version of Fitzgerald himself—a young man
trying to find himself and make sense of life.

25. E

In Passage 1, Fitzgerald‘s words are quoted in the context of a discussion of the ―naiveté and honesty‖ of his work.
The quotation confirms that Fitzgerald‘s writing is characteristically truthful and innocent.

26. B

The entire passage describes the problems of Fitzgerald‘s immature writing. In comparison to the writing in
Fitzgerald‘s earlier work, the writing in This Side of Paradise had ―improved greatly‖. Nevertheless, the author of the
passage still regarded Fitzgerald as an ―ambitious amateur‖.

27. C

The paragraph following the anecdote rebuts a mistaken view of Fitzgerald. These portray Fitzgerald as anything but
a ―stupid old woman.‖

28. A

The ―jewel‖ refers to Fitzgerald‘s exceptional talent with words. Talent is not enough, however. Fitzgerald’s talent
needed polishing.

29. D

Stating that This Side of Paradise ―is not only highly imitative but…imitates an inferior model‖, the author indicates
that Sinister Street was an unfortunate choice for a model on which Fitzgerald might base his book.

30. B

The author describes how the hero of Sinister Street is ―swamped in the forest of descriptions‖. The author of the
novel uses so many flowery descriptive phrases that the reader cannot keep track of the novel‘s plot. In other words,
his pretty writing or flowery prose overshadows thehero’s story.

31. B

In the first paragraph the author, by likening the prejudice against the Japanese to the prejudice belowthe Mason-
Dixon line, argues that anti-Japanese feeling was comparable to racial prejudice in the South.

32. A

The intensity of anti-Japanese feeling is explained in part by the fact that the Japanese ―were of a distinctracial
group; no amount of acculturation could mask their foreignness‖. Logically, then, had their physical appearance been
different, they might not have experienced such intense hatred.

33. D

Among the causes of prejudice against the Japanese was the rapidity with which the Japanese immigrants adopted
the so-called Protestant ethic, which includes the notion that you must work hard to be successful.
34. E

Before the war, anti-Japanese feelings were most intense in northern California. Afterward, southern California
became the locus of prejudice. World War II, then, shifted the center of anti-Japanese feeling.

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35. E

The passage explains that labor unions provided the base of the anti-Japanese movement. Presumably, labor unions
voiced their opposition because members felt that their jobs were being threatened by Japanese workers.

36. D

The author of Passage 2 cautions readers not to confuse anti-Semitism with other forms of anti-immigrant sentiment,
but to be mindful of ―different kinds of anti-Semitism.‖ The passage then describes many forms and guises
(appearances) of anti-Semitism.

37. D

The author refers to ideological anti-Semitism as that which has ―no direct connection with . . . ethnic integration.‖ In
other words, it is hatred of others‘ assumed beliefs and values, such as the anti-Semitic notion cited in the passage
that Jews want to take control of the United States.

38. A

According to the passage, ideological anti-Semitism has not been as ―productive of violence as other racial and
religious phobias.‖ When violence has occurred, therefore, it has been inspired or fed by social anti-Semitism.

39. A

The second paragraph of the passage lists several explanations for hatred of Jews, but not that it is hard to tell a Jew
from a non-Jew.

40. B

In the third paragraph Winrod and Smith are cited as examples of anti-Semites whose hatred of Jews was based
largely on religion. As the passage says, except for Winrod and Smith, ―one looks in vain for a clearly religious
animus‖ to explain anti-Semitic feelings.

41. C

The first passage pinpoints California as the center of anti-Japanese feeling and gives several precise explanations
for its growth in that state. In contrast, Passage 2 portrays anti-Semitism as a more complex and diffuse
(widespread) form of bigotry. It describes various reasons for anti-Semitism and fails to identify a place or region
where it is concentrated.

42. C

Both authors cite irrational thinking as the cause of prejudice. The first says the ―opposition to the Japanese was
based upon fears which were largely irrational‖, while the second refers to the role played by ―irrational anti-Semitic
fantasies‖.

43. A

Economic reasons dominate both authors‘ explanations of prejudice. The Japanese were hated for challenging
whites in many businesses and professions, for working hard, and for competing with American workers for jobs.
Jews were accused of plotting to take control of America‘s money supply, wrecking the financial system, and taking
over the communications and entertainment industries.

44. C

The author states that warfare for the Kiowas ―was preeminently a matter of disposition rather than of survival.‖ In
other words, they were warlike in nature.

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45. D

The author comments that the Kiowas ―never understood the grim, unrelenting advance of the U.S. Cavalry.‖ They
lacked the unswerving determination that kept the cavalrymen pursuing their foes long after a band of Kiowas would
have changed its course.

46. B

Born too late to experience the actual fighting and famine, the author‘s grandmother did experience the bleak,
cheerless attitude of the defeated warriors, ―the dark brooding‖ of the older Kiowa men.

47. D

Describing the Kiowas as ―a lordly and dangerous society of fighters and thieves, hunters and priests of the sun‖,
members of a courageous and proud tribe, the author clearly regards them with admiration.

48. B

Before they acquired horses, the Kiowas were tied to the ground, forced to move slowly in the course of their journey
toward the dawn. Once they had horses, however, they were liberated to roam more freely; their wandering spirit was
no longer tied down.

49. D

The Kiowas‘ origin myth describes how ―they entered the world through a hollow log.‖ Thus, it is an explanation of
how they came to be on Earth.

50. C

Throughout the passage, the narrator, a small boy, wishes that his father had been a tougher, more heroic sheriff. To
justify his father’s peaceful nature to himself as well as to his reader, he explains why his father had not gone to war
like other men.

51. A

We are told that, when the men returned from war, they ―wanted nothing more than to work their farms and ranches
and to live quietly with their families.‖ In essence, the war veterans had had their fill of shooting and death.

52. C

The narrator disapproves of his father‘s clothes. At least the other men ―wore boots and Stetsons.‖All told, the boy
thinks that his father is pretty dull, especially for a sheriff in Montana.

53. E

The boy wishes that his father carried a ―nickel-plated Western Colt .45,‖ perhaps one that had been carried by a gun
slinging sheriff in the old West. In short, his gun should to have been a more impressive firearm.

54. A

The passage is tinged with the boy‘s regret that his father was not a tougher, more glamorous sheriff. In fact, he says
that aspects of his father‘s job ―disappointed‖ him.

55. C

Theatrical properties or props are usually movable items (not costumes or furniture) that actors use onstage during a
performance. Note how the author describes the boys‘ likely fate, to be hauled offstage as if they were inanimate
physical objects.

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56. A

The stage is rude in the same sense that ―the rude bridge that arched the flood‖ is rude: it is a roughly made,
somewhat primitive structure.

57. E

The narrator uses the phrase ―such as they were‖ to dismiss the supposed perks or privileges of stage royalty.
Considering that his father‘s reward was to stand under a hot sun wearing a heavy costume, it is clear that his father
received very little for his efforts.

58. D

Given that he forgot their birthdays and never helped them fix their toys, the narrator‘s father clearly was ―not
dependable to his children.‖ He ―enjoyed being the center of attention‖: he gloried in acting like a king and starring in
one-man shows. He ―had an appealing appearance,‖ evinced by the good looks that attracted his wife. He ―was
uncomfortable with his responsibilities,‖ tired of dealing with household problems. All he lacked was the liking of
those who shared his home, who grew to be as tired of him as he asserted he was of them.

59. B

The narrator has told the story of his father to better understand his complex feelings toward his father, who
abandoned his family responsibilities in pursuit of ambitions the narrator neither shares nor fully understands.

60. B

The authors of the two passages portray their fathers as deficient in some important way. The father in Passage 1 is
not tough and courageous enough to suit his son, and the father in Passage2 is flawed in many ways—from his
inability to succeed in his career to his destructive self-centeredness.

61. D

Neither son seems to have a close relationship with his father. In essence, they are distant.

62. E

The author of Passage 1 seems to be asking how a man can be both a sheriff in Montana and a wimp at the same
time. It‘s puzzling to the boy. The author of Passage 2 analyzes his father closely, but not with a sense of confidence
in his findings. In many ways the father remains puzzling. As the passage says, the author never understood why the
father endured his low-paid, uncelebrated career as an actor working for fairs.

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Chapter 35
The Written Section

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After the multiple choice segment is over, a written section is given in the examination. This is also a
compulsory part of the exam and answering this helps the administration to sort out which of the
examinees have the ability to form proper and thoughtful sentences and larger written structures. For
acing this segment, the sentence structuring part of the book should be carefully checked out. A good
understanding of grammar is also necessary.
Some important things need to be kept in check,
- Spelling mistakes should be avoided at all costs. If a tough word can be used but you are not sure
about the spelling of it, do not use it just to make the person checking your copy understand that
you have good vocabulary knowledge. If the spelling is wrong, it just shows you are not that
knowledgeable in the first place. Use simple words. As long as your thought process is being
understood properly, it will suffice.
- Sentences should not be complex in general. Complex sentences are tougher to read and the
meaning gets lost in translation. So use simple sentences as much as you can to get your thoughts
through.
- Allocated spaces are given for answering the questions. So plan the entire structure out before
writing the paragraph or essay (whichever is instructed of you).
- Most of the topics, which are given in the admission exam, are abstract or about contemporary
events happening all over the world. Therefore, keep in touch with the news before the
examination to have a slight idea about things happening around you. A better idea about
something will always give you an edge.
- Make sure that there is coherence in the thought process that you are writing any question. Most
people lose their train of thought and wander to irrelevant parts rather than addressing the
important things. Before long, there is not much space left and owing to that, the important parts
cannot be written properly. Coherence is important as that is what makes everything complete.
- A basic setting of an introduction, body and a conclusion is important for any written segment.
Even for a paragraph give a basic introduction and set the idea about what your thought is. Then
move onto the main part and then conclude your thoughts with a few lines. Such symmetry shows
depth and eloquence. These help to maximize your chances of getting more marks.

Now let us look at some examples of writings that can be asked of you in the actual examination.
1. The current condition of Government is going to destabilize and in that event, the military will take over
and try to restore balance in the society. What are your thoughts on this?
2. How do you define ―happiness‖? Describe a moment in your life when this feeling was at its peak.
3. Do you think child abuse has any correlation to how a person grows up to be in their adult life?
Explain.
4. Write a paragraph on the strictures that religion mandates on a society and how it affects the people
from a psychological perspective.
5. Give an analysis on the ways sports can help to heal a person who suffers from social awkwardness.
6. Do good students end up becoming more successful in life? Provide an opinion on this and explain
your perspective broadly.
7. Provide an antithesis to the following statement – ―Girls should cover themselves up for their own
safety in society‖. Try to provide your answer in the context of our country.

These are some examples of written segments that may appear in the examination. These have never
directly appeared in the exam and understand that these are being provided here to guide your thought
process as to what type of questions appear in the examination. No simple paragraph will be asked.
Something thoughtful will be asked of you. Try to solve these paragraphs on your own and understand
where you stand.
# Bengali translation and writing also appears in the examination. Try reading newspapers and practice
some Bengali writing. Nothing majorly critical ever comes. They just want to test whether you know the
basics or not. Do keep in touch with some form of Bangla communication and you should be good.

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References :
Johansson, D. (2015). The Inference in our psyche(15th ed., Vol. 3). doi:https://www.teachervision.com/reading-
comprehension/inferences
Brien, E. O. (2016). The Eight Parts of Grammar Are In Awe. doi:https://www.english-grammar-revolution.com/parts-
of-speech.html
Underwood, A. E. (2014). Parallelism Perks. doi:https://www.grammarly.com/blog/parallelism/
Chowdhury, S. (2011). A bank of analogies. doi:https://penlighten.com/types-of-analogies-in-english-language
Vappingo, S. (2016). Perks of punctuation. doi:https://www.vappingo.com/word-blog/14-punctuation-marks/
Colbert, J. (n.d.). Writing at ease. doi:https://www.bmmagazine.co.uk/in-business/8-tips-for-writing-an-excellent-
essay/
Priscott, R. (n.d.). The Conditional Landscape. doi:https://www.ef.com/wwen/english-resources/english-
grammar/conditional/

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