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: 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.
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.
Even a leisurely game like cricket.
P. demanding grace rather than strength
Q. and over the rough tactics of the Australian team that visited England in 1921
R. as we saw in the controversy over body-line bowling
S. can cause much ill-will
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 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 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) An electrical circuit
(b) is the complete path
(c) traversed by electric current.
(d) No error
Directions: Each item in this section has a sentence with three 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) He waved us a bye-bye
(b) as he boarded the train
(c) which disappeared into the tunnel
(d) No error
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) There was great deal that had to be scrapped, that must be scrapped
(b) but surely India could not have been what she undoubtedly was
(c) and could not have continued a cultured existence for thousands of years
(d) No error
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) With regard to interior decoration, it is the attention given to the less overt aspect of using space
(b) that give it life, an identity, a quality
(c) that makes it exciting and unusual
(d) No error
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: The machines that drive modern civilisation derive their power from coal and oil.
S6: Nuclear energy may also be effectively used in this respect.
P: But they are not inexhaustible.
Q: These sources may not be exhausted very soon.
R: A time may come when some other sources have to be tapped and utilised.
S: Power may, of course, be obtained in future from forests, water, wind and withered vegetables.
The proper sequence should be
Important Questions from Para Jumbles
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the part of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence.
P: the prize money
Q: for refusing her
R: Pepsico was ordered
S: to compensate the woman
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the part of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and choose the correct sequence.
P: trade operating from a colony
Q: held a meeting
R: demanding a probe into the illegal drug
S: the residents of the city
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the part of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S.You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence.
P: the university authorities cancelled the ongoing student's union election and
Q: following student's unrest on campus
R: closed till further orders
S: declared the institution
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the part of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
P: brushed past the latter's pet dog
Q: stabbed to death by a man
R: after his vehicle accidentally
S: a cargo van driver was allegedly
Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the part of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.
P: an earthquake and tsunami
Q: the disaster mitigation agency
R: said that the death toll from
S: in Indonesia has crossed 1500
