In the following question, some part of the sentence may have errors. Find out which part of the sentence has an error and select the appropriate option. If a sentence is free form error, select ‘No Error’. A rainbow is cause by reflection, refraction, and dispersion (1)/ of light among water droplets resulting in a (2)/ spectrum of light appearing in the sky. (3)/ No error (4).
1
Let's analyze the given sentence part by part to identify if there is any grammar error.
Sentence Analysis for Error Detection
The sentence provided is:
"A rainbow is cause by reflection, refraction, and dispersion (1)/ of light among water droplets resulting in a (2)/ spectrum of light appearing in the sky. (3)/ No error (4)."
We will examine each numbered part:
- Part (1): "A rainbow is cause by reflection, refraction, and dispersion"
- Part (2): "of light among water droplets resulting in a"
- Part (3): "spectrum of light appearing in the sky."
Detailed Analysis of Each Sentence Part
Analyzing Part (1): A rainbow is cause by...
This part of the sentence describes how a rainbow is formed. The structure "is cause by" is intended to be in the passive voice. In the passive voice, the subject (A rainbow) receives the action. The correct structure for the passive voice with the verb 'cause' is 'is caused by'. The base form or simple present form 'cause' is incorrect here after the auxiliary verb 'is'. The past participle form 'caused' is required.
The correct phrasing should be: "A rainbow is caused by reflection, refraction, and dispersion..."
Therefore, Part (1) contains a grammatical error.
Analyzing Part (2): of light among water droplets resulting in a...
This part connects the agents of the action (reflection, refraction, dispersion) to the light and the location (water droplets). The phrase "among water droplets" is appropriate for describing the light interacting within multiple droplets. "resulting in a" is also grammatically correct as a participial phrase modifying the preceding clause, indicating the consequence of the processes described.
This part appears to be grammatically correct.
Analyzing Part (3): spectrum of light appearing in the sky.
This part describes the outcome – a spectrum of light that appears in the sky. "spectrum of light" is a correct noun phrase, and "appearing in the sky" is a correct participial phrase modifying "spectrum of light".
This part appears to be grammatically correct.
Identifying the Error Location
Based on the analysis, the error is located in Part (1) where "is cause" should be "is caused".
Understanding the Passive Voice Error
The passive voice is formed using a form of the auxiliary verb 'be' (like is, am, are, was, were, been) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Example:
- Active: The sun heats the water.
- Passive: The water is heated by the sun.
In the given sentence, the action is 'cause'. The passive form needed is 'is caused'.
| Sentence Part | Content | Error Status | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| (1) | A rainbow is cause by reflection, refraction, and dispersion | Error | Incorrect verb form in passive voice. Should be 'is caused'. |
| (2) | of light among water droplets resulting in a | Correct | Grammatically sound. |
| (3) | spectrum of light appearing in the sky. | Correct | Grammatically sound. |
Conclusion
The error is in part (1) of the sentence. The phrase "is cause" should be corrected to "is caused" to form the correct passive voice structure.
Revision Table: Sentence Error Analysis
Reviewing the parts for errors:
- Part (1) - Has an error ("is cause" instead of "is caused").
- Part (2) - No error.
- Part (3) - No error.
Additional Information: Passive Voice Basics
The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the recipient of the action, rather than the performer of the action. It is formed with the structure:
Subject + form of 'be' + Past Participle of Main Verb (+ by + Agent, if needed)
For example:
- The report was finished on time. (Focus on the report and the action)
- The cake is baked by my mother. (Focus on the cake, agent mentioned)
Using the correct past participle form is crucial for forming correct passive sentences.
Important Questions from Error Spotting
Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part 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 honest mistake (a) / is no more than that; (b) / just an honest mistake. (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part 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 company of five thousand soldiers , (a) / having marched tirelessly for over five days , (b) / have just moved into their cantonment . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part 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).
Every person who believes in principles (a) / must stand up to fight (b) / for their convictions . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is any error in any underlined part 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).
The Olympic Games reflects(a) / the highest spirit of (b) / human endeavour and achievement . (c) / No error (d)Direction: Each item in this section has a sentence with three underlined parts labelled (a), (b) and (c) Read each sentence to determine whether there is an error in any underlined part 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).
The principal of the school (a) / stressed the need for discipline (b) / amongst the students. (c) / No error (d)
