All Exams Test series for 1 year @ ₹349 only
Question

The following items have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentences by choosing the correct alternative.

Sheela has been at the receiving end

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

but she is very honest

Understanding the Sentence Completion Question

The question asks us to select the best alternative to complete the sentence fragment: "Sheela has been at the receiving end". This requires us to understand the meaning of the phrase "at the receiving end" and how it connects logically and grammatically with the options provided.

Meaning of "At the Receiving End"

The phrase "at the receiving end" is an idiom. It typically means experiencing something negative or unpleasant, such as:

  • Being the target of criticism or blame.
  • Suffering negative consequences.
  • Being treated unfairly or harshly.
  • Receiving something undesirable.

So, the first part of the sentence implies that Sheela has been subjected to some form of negative experience.

Analyzing the Options for Sentence Completion

Let's examine each option to see which one creates the most logical and grammatically sound complete sentence.

  • Option 1: but she is very honest

    This option uses the conjunction "but". "But" is used to introduce a contrast or something contrary to what has just been mentioned. If Sheela has been facing negativity ("at the receiving end"), saying "but she is very honest" suggests that despite the negative experience, her honesty is a significant quality. It could imply that her honesty is a positive trait that exists alongside the negative experience, or perhaps that her honesty is even the *reason* she is at the receiving end (e.g., she was honest about something unpopular). This creates a coherent contrast.

  • Option 2: and she is very honest

    This option uses the conjunction "and". "And" is typically used to join similar ideas or add information that continues the theme. If Sheela is facing a negative situation ("at the receiving end"), adding "and she is very honest" suggests that being honest is simply another piece of information about her, presented alongside the negative experience. It doesn't establish a contrast or a cause/effect relationship in the way "but" does. It's less likely to be the intended connection unless being honest is also considered a negative in this specific context, which is uncommon.

  • Option 3: she had been proud of it

    This option states that Sheela was proud of being "at the receiving end". As discussed, "at the receiving end" usually refers to negative experiences. Being proud of suffering negativity or blame is illogical in most common scenarios. Also, the tense "had been proud" feels slightly disconnected from "has been at the receiving end" unless referring to different time frames, which isn't indicated.

  • Option 4: she was fine with it

    This option suggests Sheela was okay with the negative experience. While possible, this is a less common or expected reaction. Grammatically, just adding "she was fine with it" after "Sheela has been at the receiving end" is possible, but less strong a connection than using a conjunction like "but" (e.g., "Sheela has been at the receiving end, but she was fine with it"). Without "but", it feels like two separate statements rather than a smoothly connected single sentence.

Conclusion on the Correct Alternative

Comparing the options, the phrase "but she is very honest" provides the most logical and grammatically appropriate completion. It uses the conjunction "but" to introduce a contrasting or qualifying idea after the initial statement that Sheela has faced negative experiences.

The Complete Sentence

When completed with the correct alternative, the sentence is:

Sheela has been at the receiving end but she is very honest.

Revision Table: Key Concepts

Concept Explanation Relevance to Question
Idiom: At the receiving end Means experiencing negativity, blame, or harsh treatment. Understanding the meaning of the first part of the sentence.
Conjunction: But Used to show contrast or something contrary to what was just said. Explains why Option 1 connects logically with the first part.
Conjunction: And Used to add similar information; doesn't typically show contrast. Explains why Option 2 is less suitable for showing contrast.
Sentence Structure How parts of a sentence connect logically and grammatically. Evaluating how each option forms a coherent complete sentence.

Additional Information: Conjunctions in English Grammar

Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses. Understanding different types of conjunctions helps in completing sentences correctly.

  • Coordinating Conjunctions: Join elements of equal grammatical rank. The main ones are For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (FANBOYS).
  • "But" is a coordinating conjunction used specifically to introduce a contrast or exception.
  • "And" is a coordinating conjunction used to add information or join similar ideas.
  • In this sentence completion question, recognizing that the first part describes a negative experience makes "but" a suitable connector for introducing a positive quality or a surprising consequence like "she is very honest".
Was this answer helpful?

Similar Questions

  1. Direction: The following item has one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    I asked two people the way to the station

  2. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    The room was very warm

  3. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    We could leave today or we could leave tomorrow

  4. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    Mohan and I couldn't get into the house because

  5. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    There are many good hotels, you can choose to stay in

  6. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    The bus service is very good; there is a bus

  7. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    We live near a busy airport; the planes fly

  8. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    Dan was very quiet. He didn't say a word

  9. Direction: The following item has one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    I don't like stories

  10. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    Not everything


Important Questions from Sentence

  1. Direction: The following item has one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    I asked two people the way to the station

  2. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    The room was very warm

  3. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    We could leave today or we could leave tomorrow

  4. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    Mohan and I couldn't get into the house because

  5. Direction: The following item have one part of the sentence followed by four alternatives. Complete the sentence by choosing the correct alternatives.

    There are many good hotels, you can choose to stay in

Need Expert Advice?
Test Series
CDS img
Defence
UPSC CDS 2026 Mock Test Series
536 Tests 4 Tests Free
1645 Attempts
4.3(174)
English, Hindi
More Questions from CDS

Start Your Preparation with Prepp Mobile App

Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Download the app from Google Play & App Store
Prepp Mobile App