Spotting Errors or Common Errors MCQ Question and Answer
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DIRECTIONS (Qs. 21-30): In the following questions, a sentence has been divided into four parts and marked a, b, c and d. One of these parts contains a mistake in grammar Idiom or syntax. Identify that part and mark it as the answer.
Q21. (a) Each of the speakers whom I invited
(b) to participate in the debate
(c) has indicated their unwillingness
(d) because of the short notice
Answer: (c)
Explanation: has indicated his unwillingness
In referring to anybody, everybody, everyone, anyone, each etc., the pronoun of the masculine or the feminine gender is used according to the context but when the sex is not determined, we use the pronoun of the masculine gender, as there is no singular pronoun of the third person to represent both male and female, as, Each must do his best.
Q22. (a) The creature on Mars, if any
(b) are bound to be very different from us
(c) not only in shape but also in size
(d) because of different gravitational conditions
Answer: (a)
Explanation: The creatures on Mars, if any,
The plural of ‘creatures’ is used to agree with the verb ‘are’.
Q23. (a) In order to identify a bird
(b) you must note it’s peculiar marking
(c) and then refer to a guide book
(d) and match them with those of different birds
Answer: (b)
Explanation: …. Note its peculiar
The third person, neuter gender, possessive case is ‘its’. There is no need for the apostrophe unless one says “the bird’s markings”.
Q24. (a) My friend who returned from Florida
(b) after a stay of many years there said
(c) that the climate of Florida is
(d) very much like Madras in summer
Answer: (c)
Explanation: ….of Florida was
The sentence is in Indirect Speech (as the reporting verb “said” indicates) and hence a past tense in the principal clause is followed by a past tense in the subordinate clause.
Q25. (a) The set of enactments passed by the assembly
(b) have been sent to the Council
(c) for consideration by its members
(d) before being notified in the gazette
Answer: (b)
Explanation: has been sent..
Some nouns which are plural in form, but singular in meaning, take a Singular verb; as, The news is true.
Q26. (a) Much of the students in the class
(b) are weak in Mathematics and therefore
(c) the Headmaster has arranged for special tuition
(d) in the evening after class-hours
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Many of the
‘Many’ and ‘much’ both are comparative adjectives but the adjective ‘many’ is generally used for number and the adjective ‘much’ for quantity.
Q27. (a) The speaker gave a lucid exposition of
(b) the butterfly, its evolution
(c) its growth, its varieties
(d) and how it is used to eat
Answer: (d)
Explanation: how it eats
The simple present is used to express habitual actions.
Q28. (a) He is so versatile
(b) that he is capable of beating
(c) all his other classmates
(d) both in studies, public speaking and sports
Answer: (d)
Explanation: in studies, public speaking and sports.
The word ‘both’ is used to refer to two things.
Q29. (a) It was the drug and not the disease
(b) that killed him
(c) he would have been alive today
(d) if he did not take the drug
Answer: (d)
Explanation: if he had not taken the drug
The action of taking the drug occurred before he died.
Q30. (a) Neither the warning of his father
(b) nor the punishment by his teacher
(c) have had any effect on Ramu, who
(d) continues to be absent from classes frequently
Answer: (c)
Explanation: has had any …….
The singular form ‘has’ is to be used as both his father and his teacher refer to the singular (third person) Two or more singular subjects connected by or, nor, neither – nor, either— or, take a verb in the singular.
