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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. Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select ‘No substitution required’.

    Overexposure to the sun while sunbathing not only results in sunburns but also causes premature aging.

  2. Select the grammatically correct sentence.
  3. The following sentence has a blank space and four words given after the sentence. Select whichever word you consider most appropriate for the blank space. "The doctor said that a small daily ______ of the new drug would soon cure him.

  4. The plural for 'woman doctor' is:

  5. The singular for 'diagnoses' is:

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