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Question

Choose the most appropriate alternative from the options given below to complete the following sentence:
If the tired soldier wanted to lie down, he _______ the mattress out on the balcony.

The correct answer is
should take

Grammar Reasoning: Completing the Soldier Sentence

The sentence presents a conditional situation using an 'if' clause: "If the tired soldier wanted to lie down". We need to select the most appropriate verb phrase for the main clause, indicating the logical or advisable action based on the soldier's desire.

Analyzing Verb Phrase Options

  • 1. should take: This phrase suggests advisability or a logical next step. If the soldier desired to lie down, it would be sensible or recommended that he take the mattress out. This fits the conditional context well.
  • 2. shall take: 'Shall' is typically used for future certainty, strong determination, or formal commands, which doesn't fit the hypothetical nature of the soldier's desire.
  • 3. should have taken: This refers to a past obligation or a recommended action that was *not* performed. It implies regret or a missed opportunity in the past, which is not the scenario described.
  • 4. will have taken: This is the future perfect tense, indicating an action completed before a specific point in the future. It is inappropriate for this conditional sentence structure.

Therefore, 'should take' is the most appropriate choice because it correctly expresses the sensible action implied by the soldier's desire in the conditional clause.

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Important Questions from English Grammar

  1. Directions : Item in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. Indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

    Our greatest glory is (a) / not in never falling but in (b) / raising every time we fall. (c) / No error (d)

  2. Directions : I tem in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. Indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

    Rahim was one of that (a) / selected for (b) / the award. (c) No error (d)

  3. Directions : I tem in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. Indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

    Sujini has met her old friend (a) / Guru before she shifted (b) / to Hyderabad two years ago. (c) / No error (d)

  4. Directions : I tem in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. Indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

    This monument happens (a) / to be one of the old monument (b) / in the city. (c) / No error (d)

  5. Directions : I tem in this section has a sentence with three parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in any underlined part. Indicate your response in the Answer Sheet against the corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b) or (c). If you find no error, your response should be indicated as (d).

    Amit told to Divya (a) / that he would come (b) / with a reward for her. (c)/  No error (d)

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