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Question 571

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The accusation of abatement to the crime

  2. BOption (b)

    that had been levelled at him

  3. COption (c)

    was eventually not proven in court. 

  4. DOption (d)

    No error.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (a)A.

The accusation of abatement to the crime

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '1' i.e. abatement is incorrect.

Key Points

  • The word "abatement" is incorrectly used in this sentence. The correct term should be "abetment", which refers to encouraging or assisting someone to commit a crime.
  • "Abatement" means "reduction" or "decrease," which does not fit the context of the sentence.
  • The corrected phrase should be: "The accusation of abetment to the crime...".

Correct sentence: The accusation of abetment to the crime that had been levelled at him was eventually not proven in court.

Additional Information

  • Common Confusion:
  • Abetment: Encouraging or assisting someone to commit an unlawful act.
  • Abatement: Reduction, decrease, or alleviation (e.g., "abatement of noise").
  • It is essential to use the correct term to convey the intended legal or contextual meaning.

Question 572

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The unintentional mistakes 

  2. BOption (b)

    made by the clerical staff 

  3. COption (c)

    was overlooked by the officer.

  4. DOption (d)

     No error. 

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

was overlooked by the officer.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is Option '3' i.e. "was overlooked by the officer." 

Key Points

  • The subject of the sentence is "The unintentional mistakes", which is plural.
  • The verb "was" is singular and does not agree with the plural subject.
  • The correct verb should be "were" to maintain subject-verb agreement.

Correct sentence: The unintentional mistakes made by the clerical staff were overlooked by the officer.

Additional Information

  • Subject-Verb Agreement:
  • Rule: Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural subjects take plural verbs.
  • Example: The team is playing well (singular). The players are practicing hard (plural).
  • Usage: Ensures grammatical correctness and clarity in sentences.
  • Common Errors in Agreement:
  • Using singular verbs with plural subjects.
  • Using plural verbs with singular subjects.

Question 573

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The opening batsman was famous

  2. BOption (b)

    for the imperial stokes

  3. COption (c)

    he played on the cricket field.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

for the imperial stokes

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. "for the imperial stokes" .

Key Points

  • The word "stokes" in part (b) is incorrect. The correct word should be "strokes," which refers to the batting shots in cricket.
  • This is a spelling error, and it changes the meaning of the sentence.

Correct sentence: The opening batsman was famous for the imperial strokes he played on the cricket field.

Additional Information

  • Errors like spelling mistakes can lead to incorrect meanings or interpretations of a sentence.
  • It is crucial to carefully proofread the sentence to spot such errors.
  • The rest of the sentence, i.e., parts (a) and (c), are grammatically correct and do not contain any errors.

Question 574

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    Each student was meant to receive 

  2. BOption (b)

    an equal share of the scholarship but the eventual distribution

  3. COption (c)

    was found to be iniquitous.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (d)D.

No error

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '4' i.e. No error.

Key Points

  • The sentence is grammatically correct, and all parts (a), (b), and (c) are free from errors.
  • The phrase "Each student was meant to receive" correctly introduces the subject and intent.
  • The phrase "an equal share of the scholarship but the eventual distribution" is properly constructed and conveys the intended meaning.
  • The phrase "was found to be iniquitous" is appropriate in terms of grammar and vocabulary, describing the unfair distribution.

Correct sentence: Each student was meant to receive an equal share of the scholarship, but the eventual distribution was found to be iniquitous.

Additional Information

  • Iniquitous: The word "iniquitous" means grossly unfair or morally wrong. It is used correctly in the context of describing the scholarship distribution.
  • Grammatical Construction: The sentence follows proper sentence structure, with no misplaced modifiers or verb agreement errors.
  • No Error Option: When none of the underlined parts of the sentence contain errors, the correct answer is always "No error" (option 4 in this case).

Question 575

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    No one turned up

  2. BOption (b)

    to claim the stowed away piece of baggage

  3. COption (c)

    which was discovered on the luggage compartment of the bus

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

which was discovered on the luggage compartment of the bus

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. 'on' the luggage compartment of the bus should be corrected to 'in' the luggage compartment of the bus .

Key Points

  • The error lies in part 3 of the sentence.
  • The preposition "on" is incorrect because it implies something is located on the surface of the luggage compartment.
  • The correct preposition is "in", as the baggage was discovered inside the luggage compartment of the bus.

Correct sentence: No one turned up to claim the stowed away piece of baggage which was discovered in the luggage compartment of the bus.

Additional Information

  • Prepositions:
  • "On": Used for surfaces or when something is positioned on top of something else. Example: The book is on the table.
  • "In": Used to indicate that something is inside a space or area. Example: The keys are in the drawer.
  • Correct usage of prepositions is critical to ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy in sentences.

Question 576

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    Certain animals have a tendency

  2. BOption (b)

    to communicate only with

  3. COption (c)

     its own species and none other.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error.

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

 its own species and none other.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. "its own species and none other" .

Key Points

  • The underlined part "its own species and none other" in part (c) has an error.
  • The pronoun "its" is incorrect in this context because the subject "animals" is plural, so the correct pronoun should be "their".
  • The correct phrase should be "their own species and none other."

Correct sentence: Certain animals have a tendency to communicate only with their own species and none other.

Additional Information

  • Pronoun Agreement:
  • A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number and gender.
  • For singular antecedents, use singular pronouns like "his," "her," "its."
  • For plural antecedents, use plural pronouns like "their."
  • Common Errors:
  • Using a singular pronoun for a plural subject or vice versa is a common error.
  • Always identify the subject before deciding which pronoun to use.

Question 577

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    As soon as the clock

  2. BOption (b)

    chimed to announce the hour at midnight

  3. COption (c)

    she sprung up from her bed.

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

she sprung up from her bed.

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. she sprung up from her bed .

Key Points

  • The word "sprung" is the incorrect form of the verb. The correct form of the verb is "sprang", as it is the simple past form of the verb "spring".
  • In standard English, "sprung" is used as the past participle of "spring", not as its simple past tense.
  • Therefore, the correct sentence should read: She sprang up from her bed.

Correct sentence: As soon as the clock chimed to announce the hour at midnight, she sprang up from her bed.

Additional Information

  • Common verb forms:
  • Present tense: Spring
  • Past tense: Sprang
  • Past participle: Sprung
  • Always ensure the tense of the verb matches the intended time of the action in the sentence.

Question 578

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    There are people who are likely

  2. BOption (b)

    to fraternise with their

  3. COption (c)

    own community yet none other

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

own community yet none other

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. own community yet none other .

Key Points

  • The error in the sentence lies in part (c). The phrase "none other" is incorrect and awkward in this context. The sentence is comparing a community to something else, so it should be "none other than" to properly introduce the comparison.
  • When comparing something with an alternative or exception, we use "none other than" to indicate the specific thing being compared.

Correct sentence: There are people who are likely to fraternise with their own community yet none other than their own.

Additional Information

  • Common Phrase Error: The phrase "none other" is commonly misused in informal contexts. The correct form is "none other than," which is used when making comparisons or emphasizing a specific choice.
  • Example: The leader trusted none other than his closest advisors in making key decisions.

Question 579

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    The mime show attracted

  2. BOption (b)

    a huge audience despite the high price of tickets

  3. COption (c)

    which defied the purpose of the public event

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (c)C.

which defied the purpose of the public event

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '3' i.e. which defied the purpose of the public event .

Key Points

  • While analyzing the sentence, we note that the third part, "which defied the purpose of the public event," is incorrect in this context.
  • The word "defied" means to openly resist or challenge, which does not fit the intended meaning of the sentence.
  • The correct word should be "defeated," which conveys that the high price undermined or negated the purpose of a public event.

Correct sentence: The mime show attracted a huge audience despite the high price of tickets, which defeated the purpose of the public event.

Additional Information

  • Vocabulary Tip:
  • Defy: To resist or refuse to obey.
  • Defeat: To prevent the success of something or make it ineffective.
  • Contextual Clarity: Always ensure the word used in a sentence aligns with the intended meaning.

Question 580

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 corresponding letter, i.e., (a), (b) or (c). If you determine there is no error, indicate your response as (d).

  1. AOption (a)

    He was unable to recall

  2. BOption (b)

    where he had hanged his shirt

  3. COption (c)

    after returning home from office

  4. DOption (d)

    No error

View answer & explanation

Correct answer

Answer: (b)B.

where he had hanged his shirt

Why this answer is correct

The correct answer is '2' i.e. hanged should be replaced with hung.

Key Points

  • The verb "hang" has two past participles: "hung" and "hanged."
  • "Hanged" is used when referring to death by hanging (e.g., The criminal was hanged).
  • "Hung" is the correct past participle when referring to suspending or placing objects (e.g., He hung the painting).
  • In this context, the sentence is about placing a shirt, so the correct word is "hung."

Correct sentence: He was unable to recall where he had hung his shirt after returning home from office.

Additional Information

  • Usage of "Hanged":
  • Example: The prisoner was hanged for his crimes.
  • Refers to legal or formal execution by hanging.
  • Usage of "Hung":
  • Example: She hung the picture on the wall.
  • Refers to suspending or attaching objects.