English For Competitive Exams (2012)

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An Easy Access To English Grammar

A Comprehensive Grammar Book for Secondary, Intermediate and Advanced Students.

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Friday, December 28, 2012

Grammar Test 2

Answer questions 1 ‒ 6 based on the following passage.

There are some qualities of a sonnet which make it different from other verse forms. Its definite restrictions make it a challenge to the artistry of the poet and call for all the technical skills at the poet’s command. The more or less set rhyme patterns occurring regularly within the short space of fourteen lines afford a pleasant effect on the ear of the reader, and can create truly musical effects. The rigidity of the form precludes too great economy of too great prodigality of words. Emphasis is placed on exactness and perfection of expression. The brevity of form favours concentrated expression of ideas or passion.

1. The word ‘brevity’ means ------.
(a) shortness
(b) freedom
(c) conciseness
(d) permanence

2. What characteristic of a sonnet can create musical effects?
(a) form
(b) regular rhyme patterns
(c) suitable words
(d) verse form

3. The author’s primary purpose is to
(a) identify the characteristics of a sonnet.
(b) contrast different types of sonnets.
(c) criticize the limitations of the sonnet.
(d) teach readers to compose proper sonnets.

4. The word ‘afford’ means ------.
(a) exaggerate
(b) charge
(c) able to pay
(d) provide

5. The author’s attitude towards the sonnet form can be best described as one of
(a) strong disapprobation
(b) effusive enthusiasm.
(c) scholarly appreciation.
(d) amused toletation.

6. The adjective of ‘rigidity’ is ------.
(a) rigor
(b) rigid
(c) rigorous
(d) rigidness

7. It was so dark that the security guard could not see ------.
(a) nobody
(b) somebody
(c) anyone
(d) none

8. Choose the correct sentence.
(a) The children were delighted by the monkeys swinging through the trees.
(b) Swinging of the monkeys through the trees, the children were delighted.
(c) The monkeys swinging through the trees, the children were delighted.
(d) Because the monkeys swinging through the trees, the children were delighted.
 
9. ------- the rain, the cricket match was not cancelled.
(a) Due to
(b) Although
(c) Despite of
(d) In spite of

10. The proposal was tentative means, the proposal was ------.
(a) conclusive
(b) indefinite
(c) definite
(d) timely

11. ------- is it difficult ------ dispose ------ waste?
(a) Where, to, for
(b) When, for, such
(c) Why, with, in
(d) Why, to, of

12. If I had not intervened at the right moment, Jim ------- arrested.
(a) may have been
(b) can have been
(c) might have been
(d) could have

13. The antonym of ‘dormant’ is -------.
(a) latent
(b) active
(c) sluggish
(d) torpid.

14. The synoym of ‘pandemonium’ is ------.
(a) order
(b) calm
(c) commotion
(d) peace

15. ------- is considered a serious crime.


(a) Shoplift
(b) To shoplifting
(c) Shoplifter
(d) Shoplifting
16. -------- resigned, we would have been forced to sack him.
(a) Had he not
(b) He had
(c) Has he
(d) If he has not

17. The word ‘amenable’ means --------.
(a) moveable
(b) durable
(c) agreeable
(d) answerable

18. Frequent ------- badly ------ academic progress.
(a) closure, affect
(b) closures, effects
(c) closures, affects
(d) closures, affect
 
19. The antonym of ‘blasphemous’ is -------.
(a) irreverent
(b) respectful
(c) rigid
(d) frivolous

20. Some of my relatives have left -------- Canada ------- to find jobs.
(a) to, expectation
(b) for, desire
(c) at, wishing
(d) for, hoping

21. I’d ------- a blue bedcover ------- a green one.
(a) prefer, to
(b) like, to
(c) prefer, for
(d) buy, in

22. What do you ------- is the ------- cause of air ------- ?
(a) say, chief, pollution
(b) consider, primary, scarcity
(c) think, main, pollution
(d) count, only, filth

23. Jerry said, “I --------- the axe --------.”
(a) put down, slow
(b) brought down, carelessly
(c) took away, now
(d) hit over, powerfully

24. In “I wondered Lonely As a Cloud” Wordsworth compares the daffodils with ---------.
(a) the stars of the milky way
(b) the waves
(c) the trees
(d) the milky way

25. Choose the English translation of “সোভাগ্যক্রমে পরের বাসে আমি উঠতে পেরেছিলাম।”
(a) Fortunately I could get into the next bus.
(b) Fortunate I managed the next bus.
(c) Luckily I entered the next bus.
(d) Luckily I rode the next bus.

ANSWERS

Answer: 1 (c) conciseness
Answer: 2 (b) regular rhyme patterns
Answer: 3 (a) identify the characteristics of a sonnet.
Answer: 4 (d) provide
Answer: 5 (c) scholarly appreciation.
Answer: 6 (b) rigid
Answer: 7 (c) anyone
Answer: 8 (a) The children were delighted by the monkeys swinging through the trees.
Answer: 9 (d) In spite of
Answer: 10 (b) indefinite
Answer: 11 (d) Why, to, of
Answer: 12 (c) might have been
Answer: 13 (b) active
Answer: 14 (c) commotion
Answer: 15 (d) Shoplifting
Answer: 16 (a) Had he not
Answer: 17 (c) agreeable
Answer: 18 (d) closures, affect
Answer: 19 (b) respectful
Answer: 20 (d) for, hoping
Answer: 21 (a) prefer, to
Answer: 22 (c) think, main, pollution
Answer: 23 (b) brought down, carelessly
Answer: 24 (a) the stars of the milky way
Answer: 25 (a) Fortunately I could get into the next bus.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Grammar Test 1

 Instruction: Choose the correct alternative

1. The synonym of 'embellish' is
(A) adorn
(B) shock
(C) impoverish
(D) destroy

2. The verb of 'beauty' is
(A) beautician
(B) beautify
(C) beautiful
(D) beautification

3. The idiom 'let things slide' means-
(A) ignore
(B) lose gradually
(C) reveal a secret
(D) set free

4. Choose the correct spelling
(A) indegenus
(B) indiginous
(C) indigenous
(D) indigeneous

5. Why is the poet so sad to see the daffodils in 'The Daffodils'?
(A) The poet is sad because the flowers have not bloomed fully.
(B) The poet is sad because winter will come soon.
(C) The poet is sad because the flowers remind him of his own death.
(D) The poet is sad because flowers bring very hot weather.

6. The correct translation of  ‘রবিবার হইতে বৃষ্টি হইতেছিল’-
(A) It was raining from Sunday.
(B) It has been raining from Sunday.
(C) It had been raining since Sunday.
(D) It rained since Sunday.

7. The word 'constraint' means
(A) freedom
(B) limitaion
(C) plentiful
(D) endless

8. The expression 'to look after' means
(A) to take care
(B) to follow
(C) to imitate
(D) to gaze

9. The antonym of ‘stubborn’ is
(A) agreeable                    (B) obstinate                     (C) difficult                        (D) irritable

10. What is the meaning of the expression “bottom of my heart”?
(A) close to my heart
(B) core of my heart
(C) lower part of my heart
(D) close to my liver

11. The word ‘desperation’ is a/an
(A) adjective                     (B) verb                              (C) adverb                          (D) noun

12. Why were the daffodils in Wordswoth’s ‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’ dancing?
(A) The poet was day dreaming.
(B) The flowers had cheerful company.
(C) The sea waves beside them had gone wild.
(D) There was a strong wind.

Questions 13-22: Fill in the blank/blanks:
13. I’d like ------ information, please.
(A) an
(B) some
(C) few
(D) piece

14. Yoga is ------ a good exercise for ------ breathing.
(A) taken, controlling
(B) treated, considerable
(C) not, slowly
(D) considered, controlling

15. A man ----- by a speeding bus while he was crossing the road.
(A) was run over
(B) was run down
(C) had been run
(D) has been run over

16. He ----- prefers ----- speak very little.
(A) doesn’t, to
(B) himself, to
(C) himself, for
(D) does, for

17. It ----- heavily when he ----- up.
(A) has snowed, woke
(B) snows, wake
(C) was snowing, woke
(D) is snowing, wakes

18. Misuse of ----- energy has ----- destruction.
(A) solar, shown
(B) renewable, increase
(C) nuclear, cause
(D) atomic, wreaked

19. There is ----- milk in the bottle.
(A) very few
(B) any
(C) very little
(D) many

20. I have ------ him to give ----- smoking.
(A) said, up
(B) talked, for
(C) told, up
(D) told, in

21. The groom arrived at the community centre exactly ----- time.
(A) in
(B) for
(C) by
(D) on

22. He hates ----- kept ------.
(A) to be, waiting
(B) being kept, wait
(C) to be, to wait
(D) to, waiting

Questions 23-25: Choose the correct sentence:
23.
(A) It is you who is to pay.
(B) It is you who are to leave.
(C) It is you who is late.
(D) It is you who has won the prize.

24.
(A) He suspicioned that something wrong.
(B) He suspicious that something is wrong.
(C) He suspected that something was wrong.
(D) He suspect that something is wrong.

25.
(A) The jury are arguing among themselves.
(B) The jury is arguing among themselves.
(C) The jury has argued among themselves.
(D) The jury has been arguing among themselves.

Read the passage and answer questions 26-30:

Cats are carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae. They cannot chew their food, and their teeth are adapted to stab, anchor, and cut flesh. All cats except the cheetah have strong, sharp, retractile claws. They are not adapted for long chases but prowl their prey on padded feet and try to overwhelm it in short dash or pounce. Big cats roam over a large area, usually alone but sometimes in family groups, for example, a pride of lions can contain as many as 37 individuals. Cats generally are nocturnal animals, the retina of their eyes made extra sensitive to light by a layer of guanine, which causes the eyes to shine in the dark. Tigers are largest of the cats. They are identified by their characteristic striped coat. They inhabit forests and grasslands in Asia where populations have suffered from haunting, deforestation, and demand for tiger parts in traditional medicine.

26. ‘Cats are nocturnal animals’ means
(A) cats have predatory eyesight
(B) cats are sensitive to smell
(C) cats haunt during daytime
(D) cats are active at night

27. A group of lions is called ‘pride of lions’, what is a group of dogs called?
(A) a pack of dogs
(B) a colony of dogs
(C) a flock of dogs
(D) a cluster of dogs

28. ‘retractile claws’ in the passage means
(A) claws the are extra sharp
(B) claws that can change shape
(C) claws that can move inwards
(D) claws that are sensitive to feelings

29. Cats are carnivorous, but human beings are
(A) herbivorous
(B) omnivorous
(C) farinaceous
(D) cadaverous

30. The synonym of ‘prowl’ is
(A) dive
(B) chase
(C) ornace
(D) stalk

ANSWERS 

Answer: 1 (A) adorn
Answer: 2 (B) beautify
Answer: 3 (A) ignore
Answer: 4 (C) indigenous
Answer: 5 (C) The poet is sad because the flowers remind him of his own death.
Answer: 6 (C) It had been raining since Sunday.
Answer: 7 (B) limitation
Answer: 8 (A) to take care
Answer: 9 (A) agreeable
Answer: 10 (B) core of my heart
Answer: 11 (d) noun
Answer: 12 (D) There was a strong wind.
Answer: 13 (B) some
Answer: 14 (D) considered, controlling
Answer: 15 (A) was run over
Answer: 16 (B) himself, to
Answer: 17 (C) was snowing, woke
Answer: 18 (D) atomic, wreaked
Answer: 19 (C) very little
Answer: 20 (C) told, up
Answer: 21 (D) on
Answer: 22 (A) to be, waiting
Answer: 23 (B) It is you who are to leave.
Answer: 24 (C) He suspected that something was wrong.
Answer: 25 (A) The jury are arguing among themselves.
Answer: 26 (D) cats are active at night
Answer: 27 (A) a pack of dogs
Answer: 28 (C) claws that can move inwards
Answer: 29 (B) omnivorous
Answer: 30 (D) stalk

Monday, October 29, 2012

Adverbs Withut -LY

We are used to looking at adverbs as words ending in - LY. But there are some adverbs (without - LY looking alike adjectives. Here are some examples of such confusing adverbs:

1. I clean forgot the matter.
Here clean is not the word you are accustomed to using.. It means something different. It means COMPLETELY.
2. I'm dead certain I left my purse on the desk. 
 Here Dead means Completely. Please that DEADLY is an adjective which means fatal: a deadly virus
3. Does this train go direct to Edinburgh?
4. Take it easy.
5. We will play fair
6. The train runs fast
7. You can eat free in my restaurant.
Note that Freely is another adverb with different meaning of 'without hesitation'. But in this sentence free means free of cost.
8. He can jump really high
Note that the adverb highly means 'very much':  we need a highly-skilled, highly-educated workforce.
9. He arrived right after breakfast.
10. School ahead, Please drive slow.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Why is 'to' not used before 'home'?

Question 001: Why is 'to' not used before 'home'?

Answer 001:

Before answering the the question, let us talk about how adverbs are used after verbs. In British English, adverbs are used independently after verbs without the help of prepositions. For example,
  1. Come here.
  2. Come to school.
In the first example, 'here' is an adverb. So, no preposition is used after the verb 'come'. But in the second example, since school is not an adverb, preposition 'to' is used after the verb. When intransitive verbs are extended, we need either an adverb or a prepositional phrase that works as adverbial.

Home is a word that can be used as noun, adjective, verb and adverb. After verbs of movement (e.g. come, go, run), we do not normally use 'to' before adverbs of place (e.g. here there, inside, home).
  1. He goes home every week.
  2. He comes home on Friday.
  3. It was a nice day and so I decided to walk home.
If 'home' and the verb is separated by other words, 'to' is certainly used.
  • He went to his own home.


Saturday, August 25, 2012

Adjectives ending in -ly

Adjectives ending in -ly

Usually we think that words ending in -ly are adverbs. But not all -ly words are adverbs. There are some adjectives that end in -ly. Here is a complete list below.

Since these words are adjectives, they cannot be used like other adverbs. For example -
Incorrect: He behaves friendly.
Correct: He behaves in a friendly manner.

Some of these words can be used as adjectives or adverbs.
Adverb: He came early
Adjective: You are early today.

SL
Adjectives endinf in -ly
1.     
beastly adj
2.     
beggarly adj
3.     
bodily adj
4.     
bristly adj,
5.     
brotherly adj
6.     
chilly adj COLD 1
7.     
chilly adj UNFRIENDLY
8.     
comely adj
9.     
comradely adj,
10.  
costly adj MONEY 1
11.  
costly adj LOSS 2
12.  
courtly adj
13.  
cowardly adj,
14.  
crackly adj,
15.  
crinkly adj,
16.  
crumbly adj
17.  
cuddly adj
18.  
curly adj
19.  
curmudgeonly adj,
20.  
daily adv adj
21.  
dangly adj
22.  
dastardly adj
23.  
deadly adj VERY DANGEROUS 1
24.  
deadly adj BORING 2
25.  
deadly adj COMPLETE 3
26.  
disorderly adj CONFUSED 1
27.  
disorderly adj ANGRY SITUATION 2
28.  
drizzly adj
29.  
early adj 1
30.  
earthly adj 1
31.  
earthly adj 2
32.  
easterly adj 1
33.  
elderly adj
34.  
fatherly adj
35.  
fiddly adj
36.  
fleshly adj
37.  
friendly adj 1
38.  
frilly adj
39.  
gangly adj
40.  
gentlemanly adj
41.  
ghastly adj 1
42.  
ghostly adj 1
43.  
giggly adj
44.  
godly adj
45.  
goodly adj
46.  
gravelly adj
47.  
grisly adj
48.  
gristly adj, at gristle
49.  
heavenly adj 1
50.  
hilly adj
51.  
holy adj RELIGIOUS 1
52.  
homely adj PLAIN 1
53.  
hourly adj 1
54.  
housewifely adj,
55.  
jolly adj HAPPY 1
56.  
jowly adj, at jowl (n)
57.  
kindly adj
58.  
knightly adj
59.  
knobbly adj
60.  
leisurely adj
61.  
likely adj 1
62.  
lonely adj 1
63.  
lordly adj
64.  
lovely adj ENJOYABLE 1
65.  
lowly adj
66.  
manly adj
67.  
masterly adj
68.  
matronly adj
69.  
mealy adj
70.  
measly adj
71.  
melancholy adj
72.  
miserly adj
73.  
mizzly adj, at mizzle (n)
74.  
motherly adj
75.  
muscly adj
76.  
neighbourly adj
77.  
niggardly adj
78.  
northeasterly adj 1
79.  
northerly adj 1
80.  
northwesterly adj 1
81.  
oily adj WITH OIL 1
82.  
only adj
83.  
orderly adj
84.  
otherworldly adj
85.  
pally adj
86.  
pearly adj
87.  
pimply adj
88.  
poorly adj
89.  
portly adj
90.  
prickly adj 1
91.  
priestly adj
92.  
princely adj
93.  
rascally adj,
94.  
saintly adj,
95.  
scaly adj
96.  
scholarly adj 1
97.  
scraggly adj
98.  
seemly adj
99.  
shapely adj
100.               
sickly adj
101.               
sickly adj
102.               
silly adj
103.               
sisterly adj
104.               
slatternly adj, at slattern (n)
105.               
slovenly adj
106.               
sly adj 1
107.               
smelly adj
108.               
southeasterly adj 1
109.               
southerly adj 1
110.               
southwesterly adj
111.               
spangly adj
112.               
spindly adj
113.               
sprightly adj
114.               
squally adj, at squall (n) SHOUT
115.               
squiggly adj, at squiggle (n)
116.               
stately adj
117.               
steely adj
118.               
straggly adj
119.               
stubbly adj, at stubble (n)
120.               
surly adj
121.               
tiddly adj
122.               
timely adj
123.               
tingly adj, at tingle (n)
124.               
tinselly adj, at tinsel (n)
125.               
treacly adj STICKY 1
126.               
twiddly adj
127.               
twirly adj
128.               
ugly adj NOT ATTRACTIVE 1
129.               
unearthly adj
130.               
unfriendly adj
131.               
ungainly adj
132.               
ungodly adj
133.               
unholy adj
134.               
unlikely adj
135.               
unruly adj
136.               
unseemly adj
137.               
unsightly adj
138.               
untimely adj
139.               
weekly adj adv
140.               
westerly adj 1
141.               
wifely adj
142.               
wiggly adj
143.               
wily adj
144.               
wobbly adj
145.               
womanly adj
146.               
woolly adj
147.               
worldly adj
Some words are used as adjectives and adverbs.
SL Both Adjective and Adverbs
1 bally adj adv
2 bimonthly adj adv
3 biweekly adj adv
4 deathly adj adv
5 Early adj. adv.
6 fortnightly adj adv,
7 monthly adj adv
8 nightly adj adv
9 quarterly adj adv
10 yearly adj adv