Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. The NCERT was set up ahead by the government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.
Understanding Phrase Substitution and Phrasal Verbs
The question asks us to find the most appropriate phrase to replace the underlined segment "was set up ahead" in the sentence:
"The NCERT was set up ahead by the government to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education."
We need to analyze the context and the meaning of the underlined phrase and the given options to determine the correct substitution.
Analyzing the Underlined Phrase: "was set up ahead"
The sentence talks about the establishment or creation of NCERT by the government. The core meaning intended is likely related to setting up an organization. The phrase "set up" is a common phrasal verb meaning to establish, create, or organize something (like an institution, a business, or a meeting).
However, the original phrase includes "ahead". The word "ahead" usually refers to being in front, in the future, or making progress. In the context of establishing an institution, "set up ahead" doesn't form a standard or grammatically correct idiom or phrase. The word "ahead" here seems redundant or misused.
Evaluating the Options for Substitution
Let's examine each provided option to see which one correctly replaces the underlined segment while maintaining or correcting the sentence's grammatical structure and meaning.
- Option 1: was set off
The phrasal verb "set off" has several meanings, such as:
- To start a journey.
- To cause an alarm, explosion, or reaction to happen.
- To make something look better by contrast.
None of these meanings fit the context of establishing an institution like NCERT. Therefore, "was set off" is not an appropriate substitute.
- Option 2: was set forward
The phrasal verb "set forward" is typically used when talking about moving a clock to an earlier time, or sometimes presenting an idea or proposal. For example, "The clocks are set forward for daylight saving time." or "She set forward a new plan."
This phrase does not mean to establish or create an organization. Thus, "was set forward" is incorrect in this context.
- Option 3: was set over
The phrase "set over" can sometimes mean to transfer authority or ownership, or to assign someone to oversee something. However, it is not a standard phrasal verb used to mean the establishment of an institution.
In the context of the government establishing NCERT, "was set over" is not the correct idiomatic expression. It doesn't convey the sense of creation or founding.
- Option 4: was set up
As discussed earlier, the phrasal verb "set up" means to establish, create, or organize something. This meaning perfectly fits the context of the government establishing NCERT as an organization to assist with school education.
The original phrase "was set up ahead" incorrectly adds "ahead". Replacing it simply with "was set up" results in a grammatically correct and meaningful sentence: "The NCERT was set up by the government to assist and advise..."
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the phrasal verbs and the context of the sentence, the phrase "was set up" is the correct and most appropriate substitute for the underlined segment "was set up ahead". It accurately conveys the action of the government establishing NCERT.
| Original Phrase Segment | Meaning in Context | Appropriate Substitute |
|---|---|---|
| was set up ahead | Intended to mean establishment, but grammatically incorrect. | was set up |
Revision Table: Phrasal Verbs with "Set"
| Phrasal Verb | Common Meaning(s) | Example |
|---|---|---|
| set up | Establish, create, arrange, assemble | They set up a new company. She set up the equipment. |
| set off | Start a journey; cause an action/explosion; make something look better | We set off early in the morning. The noise set off the car alarm. The red dress sets off her eyes. |
| set forward | Move a clock/date earlier; present an idea | Set the clocks forward an hour. He set forward a new theory. |
| set over | (Less common in this sense) Delegate authority; assign someone to supervise | He was set over the new team. (Less common than 'put in charge of') |
Additional Information on Sentence Correction
Sentence correction questions often test your knowledge of idioms, phrasal verbs, subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, modifier placement, and other grammatical rules. To improve your skills in this area, focus on:
- Understanding the exact meaning of phrasal verbs in different contexts.
- Recognizing and correcting common grammatical errors.
- Identifying redundant words or phrases.
- Ensuring the substituted phrase fits grammatically and logically into the original sentence structure.
- Reading widely to become familiar with correct and idiomatic English usage.
In this specific question, the error was the incorrect addition of "ahead" to the standard phrasal verb "set up". Recognizing that "set up" is the correct idiom for establishing an institution is key to finding the right answer.
Important Questions from Phrase Replacement
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
My old teacher gave many poor students money in spite of he was poor.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
You should to read the newspaper regularly if you want to be well-informed.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
If he had listening to me he would not have got lost.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”
He asked for a bank loan also he didn't have sufficient resources.
In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select “No improvement”.
I went to the shop to buy some stationeries .
