Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with four options labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error and 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). (a) A small parcel (b) of novels is (c) better than none (d) No error
(d)
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The given sentence is: "A small parcel of novels is better than none." We need to examine each part of the sentence to check for any grammatical errors.
Let's break down the sentence into its marked parts:
- (a) A small parcel
- (b) of novels is
- (c) better than none
- (d) No error
Analyzing Each Part for Errors
We will now analyze each segment of the sentence to determine if it contains a grammatical error, focusing on common issues like subject-verb agreement, article usage, and correct comparative structures.
Checking Part (a): "A small parcel"
This part introduces the subject of the sentence. "parcel" is a singular count noun, meaning a collection of items wrapped or bundled together. The article "A" is correctly used before a singular count noun that starts with a consonant sound. "small" is an adjective modifying "parcel". This phrase correctly establishes a singular subject.
Conclusion for (a): No error found in this part.
Checking Part (b): "of novels is"
This part contains a prepositional phrase ("of novels") and the main verb ("is"). The subject of the sentence is the head noun of the subject phrase, which is "parcel" from part (a). The phrase "of novels" is an adjectival prepositional phrase modifying "parcel". Therefore, the verb must agree with the singular subject "parcel". The verb used is "is", which is the singular form of the verb "to be" in the present tense.
Subject: "parcel" (singular)
Verb: "is" (singular)
The subject-verb agreement is correct.
Conclusion for (b): No error found in this part.
Checking Part (c): "better than none"
This part completes the comparison. The structure "better than" is the correct comparative form when comparing two things or situations. The comparison is between having "A small parcel of novels" and having "none" (meaning no novels or no parcel of novels). The use of "none" in this context is grammatically acceptable and conveys the intended meaning of comparison.
Conclusion for (c): No error found in this part.
Concluding the Error Analysis
After examining all the parts of the sentence – (a), (b), and (c) – we found no grammatical errors in any of the segments. The subject-verb agreement is correct, the articles are used properly, and the comparative structure is accurate.
Final Answer Determination
Since no error was found in any of the parts (a), (b), or (c), the correct option indicating no error is (d).
Revision Table: Key Concepts Checked
| Concept Checked | Relevant Part | Finding | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Article Usage | (a) A small parcel | Correct | "A" is used correctly with the singular noun "parcel". |
| Subject-Verb Agreement | (b) of novels is | Correct | The singular verb "is" agrees with the singular subject "parcel". |
| Comparative Structure | (c) better than none | Correct | "better than" is the correct comparative form. |
| Overall Grammar | Sentence as a whole | Correct | No errors identified in any segment. |
Additional Information on Subject-Verb Agreement
Subject-verb agreement is a fundamental concept in English grammar. It means that the verb in a sentence must agree in number (singular or plural) with its subject.
- If the subject is singular, the verb is usually in its singular form (often ending in '-s' in the present tense, except for 'I' and 'you').
- If the subject is plural, the verb is usually in its base form or plural form.
Sometimes, a prepositional phrase comes between the subject and the verb. It is crucial to remember that the verb must agree with the subject (the noun or pronoun before the prepositional phrase), not with the noun or pronoun inside the prepositional phrase.
Example:
- The box of apples is heavy. (Subject is "box", singular, so verb is "is")
- The boxes of apples are heavy. (Subject is "boxes", plural, so verb is "are")
In the given question, "A small parcel of novels is better than none," the subject is "parcel" (singular), and the verb "is" agrees with it, ignoring the noun "novels" within the prepositional phrase "of novels".
Similar Questions
In this section, each item consists of six sentences of passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as SI and S6. The middle four-sentence in each have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: The British rule in India has brought about moral, material, cultural and spiritual ruination of this great country.
S6: We are not to kill anybody but it is our dharma to see that the curse of this Government is blotted out.
P: I regard this rule as a curse.
Q: Sedition has become my religion
R: Ours is a non-violent battle
S: I am out to destroy this system of Government.
In this section, each item consists of six sentences of passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as SI and S6. The middle four-sentence in each have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: We do not know what do to with our knowledge.
S6: In the course of time they may rule over us all together.
P: For example, we are unable to manage our machines.
Q: We already find it difficult to do without machines
R: Machines should be fed properly and waited upon attentively; otherwise they refuse to work or cause destruction.
S: Science has given us superhuman powers, which we do not use properly.
Direction: In this section each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: The Subsidiary Alliance system was extremely advantageous to the British.
P: They could now maintain a large army at the cost of Indian states
Q: if any war occurred in the territories
R: either of the British ally or of the Britishers
S: This enabled them to fight wars far away from their own territories
S6: They controlled the defence and the foreign relations of the protected ally.
The proper sequence should be
Direction: In this section, each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: The ruin of Indian handicrafts was reflected in the ruin of the towns and cities which were famous for their manufactures.P: Dacca, Surat, Murshidabad and many other rising industrialQ: ravages of war and plunder, failed toR: survive British conquestS: Cities which had withstood theS6: Centres were developed and laid to waste.The proper sequence should be:Direction: In this section, each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: The Indian Civil Service gradually developed into one of the most efficient and powerful civil services in the world.S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.P: and often participated in the making of policyQ: independence, integrity and hard workR: They developed certain traditions ofS: Its members exercised vast powerThe proper sequence should beDirection: In this section each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.
S1: In reality, by signing a Subsidiary Alliance, an Indian state virtually signed away its independence.
P: and of maintaining diplomatic relations
Q: It lost the right of self-defence
R: with its neighbours
S: and of settling its disputes
S6: In fact, the Indian ruler lost all vestiges of sovereignty in external matters.
The proper sequence should be
Directions: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
As the ship streams from San Diego
P. as walls of gray water from a distant storm in the North Pacific
Q. making the greener among us miserable with seasickness
R. rock and toss the ship
S. those of us aboard have a personal demonstration of powerful ocean movement
Directions: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
Scientists point out
P. of sunspot activity
Q. that it is an aftermath that
R. has now reached its peak
S. of the eleven-year cycle
Directions: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the pans of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
The spirit of man
P. has slowly and painfully surmounted
Q. and his growing intelligence
R. all the obstacles that have come in his way
S. has faced all kinds of dangers
Directions: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the pans of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
After our school boys had won a well-contested hockey match
P. so that they might communicate the news of their victory to the headmaster
Q. who is a keen sportsman
R. they came to school in high spirits
S. and takes a very lively interest in school games
Important Questions from Para Jumbles
Rearrange the 4 disorganized sentences P, Q, R and S to form a meaningful paragraph.
P : cricket is a religion in India and
Q : most of the other sports suffer
R : due to the extra importance given to cricket as a game
S : it is known to all
Proper order is
A. PQSR
B. PSQR
C. QSPR
D. SPRQ
Rearrange the 4 disorganized sentences P, Q, R and S to form a meaningful paragraph.
P : is mostly produced in rural farms
Q : India is a leading producer of
R : milk is the most important of them and
S : dairy products by volume
Proper order is
A. SRPQ
B. QSPR
C. QPSR
D. QSRP
Rearrange the 4 disorganized sentences P, Q, R and S to form a meaningful paragraph.
P: mostly decided by the market conditions
Q: Sometimes, a United States dollar is worth only 12 pesos in Mexico
R: the rates of exchange between them vary from time to time
S: and some other time it can be 100 pesos
Proper order is -
A. PRSQ
B. QPRS
C. QSRP
D. QSPR
Directions: Given below are four jumbled sentences. Out of the given options select the one that gives their correct order.
A. Anush was very afraid of stray dogs.
B. Anush’s mother saw the dog chasing her son.
C. One evening, when a street dog barked at him, Anush turned and started running.
D. The dog ran after him barking loudly and fiercely.
Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the right order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.
A. In arid regions it may form an almost erect shrub.
B. The grape is usually a woody vine, climbing by means of tendrils and often reaching a length of 17 metres or more.
C. Small greenish flowers, in clusters, precede the fruit, which varies in colour from almost black to green, red and amber.
D. The edible leaves are alternate, palmately lobed and always tooth-edged.
