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Question 451

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice

  2. BOption (b)

    the principal demanded an unique excuse

  3. COption (c)

    from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

the principal demanded an unique excuse

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The error lies in the phrase "an unique excuse" in part B of the sentence.
  • The article "an" is used before words beginning with a vowel sound, while "a" is used before words starting with a consonant sound.
  • The word "unique" starts with a "yoo" sound, which is a consonant sound, so the correct article should be "a" instead of "an."
  • Thus, the error is located in part B of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 2.

 

Correct Sentence: "In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice, the principal demanded a unique excuse from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "In his well-recognised stentorian yet amused voice," – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • C: "from the student hauled up for alleged minor misdemeanour." – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.

Question 452

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The visiting school children  

  2. BOption (b)

    went around the lake

  3. COption (c)

    during trip to the famous lake city.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

during trip to the famous lake city.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The primary issue in the sentence is the omission of the article before the noun "trip.
  • Singular countable nouns like "trip" normally require an article ("a" or "the") when used in this way.
  • The phrase should be "during the trip to the famous lake city," to make the sentence grammatically correct and complete.
  • Thus, the error is located in part (c) of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "The visiting school children went around the lake during the trip to the famous lake city."

 

Additional Information

  • 1: "The visiting school children" – This part is grammatically correct and clearly introduces the subject of the sentence.
  • 2: "went around the lake" – This segment is grammatically correct and properly expresses the action done by the subject.
  • 3: "during trip to the famous lake city" – This part is incorrect due to the missing article before "trip"; it should be "during the trip to the famous lake city.
  • 4: "No error" – This option would be correct only if all parts were error-free, but there is an error in part (3).

Question 453

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The unfair distribution 

  2. BOption (b)

    of assets among the family members

  3. COption (c)

    angered the more hardworking members of the familyowned firm. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

angered the more hardworking members of the familyowned firm. 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The error lies in the third part of the sentence where "familyowned" is written as a single word without a hyphen or space.
  • When two words are combined to form a compound adjective that modifies a noun (in this case, "firm"), they should typically be hyphenated to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness.
  • The correct form is "family-owned" or "family owned".
  • Thus, the error is located in part 3 of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "The unfair distribution of assets among the family members angered the more hardworking members of the family-owned firm."

 

Additional Information

  • 1: "The unfair distribution" – This part is grammatically correct. The article and noun phrase are properly constructed.
  • 2: "of assets among the family members" – This part is correct. The preposition "among" is correctly used for a group of more than two people.
  • 4: "No error" – Since there is a punctuation error in part 3, this option is incorrect.

Question 454

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    Given the nature of the problem 

  2. BOption (b)

    it was not unnatural for there to be

  3. COption (c)

    bad blood among the two of them. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

bad blood among the two of them. 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The error lies in the phrase "bad blood among the two of them." The word "among" is used when referring to more than two entities, while "between" is used for two entities.
  • Since the sentence refers to "the two of them," the correct word should be "between" instead of "among."
  • Thus, the error is located in part C of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

 

Correct Sentence: "Given the nature of the problem, it was not unnatural for there to be bad blood between the two of them."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "Given the nature of the problem," – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • B: "it was not unnatural for there to be" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • C: "bad blood among the two of them." – This is where the error lies due to the incorrect use of "among" instead of "between."
  • D: No error – This would be the correct option if there were no mistakes in the sentence, but there is an error in part C.

Question 455

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    He emphasised the need for 

  2. BOption (b)

    strict discipline and compliance 

  3. COption (c)

    among the newly-appointed staff.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

No error

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The sentence "He emphasised the need for strict discipline and compliance among the newly-appointed staff" is grammatically correct in all its parts.
  • "Emphasised the need for" is a standard and correct expression to indicate stressing the importance of something.
  • "Strict discipline and compliance" correctly joins two abstract nouns with "and" to show two related requirements.
  • "Among the newly-appointed staff" is an appropriate prepositional phrase showing the group to whom the requirement applies, and the use of "staff" as a collective noun here is correct.

Therefore, the correct answer is 4 (No error).

 

Correct Sentence: "He emphasised the need for strict discipline and compliance among the newly-appointed staff."

 

Additional Information

  • 1: "He emphasised the need for" – This part is correct; it clearly states what he stressed or highlighted.
  • 2: "strict discipline and compliance" – Both nouns are properly used and logically linked, indicating what is needed.
  • 3: "among the newly-appointed staff" – This segment correctly shows the group concerned, and "staff" is correctly treated as a collective noun.
  • 4: "No error" – This is the appropriate option because all three segments (1), (2) and (3) are grammatically sound.

Question 456

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The officer marvelled 

  2. BOption (b)

    at the low attendance

  3. COption (c)

    remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work. 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The issue in the sentence lies in the phrase "less than twenty people" used in part (3).
  • The word "less" is generally used with uncountable nouns, whereas "fewer" is used with countable nouns like "people."
  • Since "people" is a countable noun, the correct expression should be "fewer than twenty people" instead of "less than twenty people."
  • Thus, the grammatical error is in part (3) of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is 3.

 

Correct Sentence: "The officer marvelled at the low attendance, remarking on the presence of fewer than twenty people at work."

 

Additional Information

  • 1: "The officer marvelled" – This part is grammatically correct and clearly introduces the subject and verb.
  • 2: "at the low attendance" – This segment is correct and logically completes the verb phrase "marvelled at."
  • 3: "remarking on the presence of less than twenty people at work" – This contains the error; "less" should be replaced with "fewer" because "people" are countable.
  • 4: "No error" – This option is incorrect because there is a clear error in part (3).

Question 457

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The entire attention of the visiting 

  2. BOption (b)

    dignitaries centred around

  3. COption (c)

     the craftwork on display.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

dignitaries centred around

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The phrase "centred around" is incorrect. The correct phrase should be "centred on."
  • The term "centred on" is more appropriate and widely accepted in formal English usage.
  • Thus, the error is located in part B of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

 

Correct Sentence: "The entire attention of the visiting dignitaries centred on the craftwork on display."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "The entire attention of the visiting," – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • C: "the craftwork on display," – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • D: "No error" – This would be the correct option if there were no mistakes in the sentence, but there is an error in part B.

Question 458

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    A group of wayfaring tourists

  2. BOption (b)

    who had trudged for hundreds of kilometres

  3. COption (c)

    has finally arrived at the destination. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

No error

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 4.

 

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is “A group of wayfaring tourists.”
  • The main noun (head noun) is “group”, which is singular.
  • The verb used is “has finally arrived”, which is singular and correctly agrees with the subject.
  • The phrase “of wayfaring tourists” is a prepositional phrase and does not affect subject-verb agreement.
  • Since there is no grammatical mistake in any part, the correct response is No error.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 4 (No error).

 

Correct Sentence: “A group of wayfaring tourists who had trudged for hundreds of kilometres has finally arrived at the destination.”

 

Additional Information

  • Part (A): “A group of wayfaring tourists” – Grammatically correct; “group” is the singular subject.
  • Part (B): “who had trudged for hundreds of kilometres” – Correct use of past perfect tense.
  • Part (C): “has finally arrived at the destination” – Correct singular verb agreeing with “group.”
  • Part (D): No error – This is the correct choice because the sentence is grammatically accurate.

Question 459

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The tumult among the gathered spectators

  2. BOption (b)

    rose to a crescendo

  3. COption (c)

    upon the arrival of their most favourite superstar. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

upon the arrival of their most favourite superstar. 

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 3.

 

Key Points

  • The primary issue in the sentence is the use of "most favourite" in part (c).
  • "Favourite" already indicates a superlative degree, so the use of "most" is redundant and incorrect.
  • The correct phrase should be "favourite superstar".
  • Thus, the error is located in part C of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is C.

 

Correct Sentence: "The tumult among the gathered spectators rose to a crescendo upon the arrival of their favourite superstar."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "The tumult among the gathered spectators" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • B: "rose to a crescendo" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • D: "No error" – This would be the correct option if there were no mistakes in the sentence, but there is an error in part C.

Question 460

Combined Defence Services (CDS) 2025• English

Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part and indicate your response on the answer sheet against the above-mentioned corresponding letter. If there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The listings on the menu that had been proffered by him

  2. BOption (b)

    were selected after meticulous care

  3. COption (c)

    and discernment with regard to taste and preference. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

were selected after meticulous care

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option 2.

 

Key Points

  • The primary issue in the sentence is the phrase "after meticulous care" in part (b).
  • The correct preposition should be "with" rather than "after".
  • The correct phrase to ensure grammatical correctness should be "with meticulous care".
  • Thus, the error is located in part B of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct answer is B.

 

Correct Sentence: "The listings on the menu that had been proffered by him were selected with meticulous care and discernment with regard to taste and preference."

 

Additional Information

  • A: "The listings on the menu that had been proffered by him" – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • C: "and discernment with regard to taste and preference." – This part of the sentence is grammatically correct and does not require any changes.
  • D: "No error" – This would be the correct option if there were no mistakes in the sentence, but there is an error in part B.