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Conjunctions & connectives MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers

Solve 14 Conjunctions & connectives questions for RAS/RPSC preparation.

Practice questions

Q1Assertion (A): 'Provided that' is more appropriate than 'because' in the sentence: 'The research grant will be renewed ______ the team submits audited accounts by 31 March.' Reason (R): 'Provided that' introduces a condition on which the renewal depends, whereas 'because' introduces the cause of an already stated fact.

A Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A.
B Both A and R are true, but R does not correctly explain A.
C A is true, but R is false.
D A is false, but R is true.
Explanation

The renewal is not being explained as an event that has already happened; it is being made dependent on a requirement. That cue is the future construction 'will be renewed' followed by a deadline condition. Provided that means 'on the condition that' and fits this contingency. Because would state a reason, as in 'the grant was renewed because accounts were submitted', which changes the logic. Therefore the assertion is true, the reason is true, and the reason explains the assertion.

Q2Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence. The board approved the merger ______ several independent directors had warned that the valuation was optimistic.

A despite
B although
C because
D besides
Explanation

The blank introduces a finite clause: 'several independent directors had warned that the valuation was optimistic.' A concessive conjunction is needed because the board approved the merger despite that warning. 'Although' correctly introduces such a clause. 'Despite' would be correct before a noun phrase or gerund, as in 'despite warnings' or 'despite being warned', but not before this finite clause. 'Because' reverses the logic by making the warning the reason for approval, and 'besides' merely adds a point without marking contrast.

Q3Assertion (A): In standard formal English, the sentence 'Although the circular was issued late, but the department implemented it immediately' is faulty. Reason (R): 'Although' already subordinates the concessive clause, while 'but' coordinates two independent clauses; using both for the same contrast usually creates an ungrammatical double marker. Choose the correct option.

A Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C A is true, but R is false.
D A is false, but R is true.
Explanation

The quoted sentence is faulty because it attempts to mark one contrast twice: first with 'Although' and then with 'but'. A concessive subordinate clause beginning with 'Although' is normally followed by a main clause without 'but': 'Although the circular was issued late, the department implemented it immediately.' Alternatively, a coordinate structure may use 'but': 'The circular was issued late, but the department implemented it immediately.' The reason correctly identifies the difference between subordination and coordination and therefore explains the assertion.

Q4Choose the most appropriate connective to complete the sentence. The committee accepted the audit findings, ______ it rejected the consultant's recommendation to suspend the programme immediately.

A although
B because
C unless
D therefore
Explanation

The sentence sets up a contrast between two decisions of the same committee: it accepted the audit findings but rejected the proposed immediate suspension. A concessive connective is needed to show that the second clause is surprising or contrary to what one might expect from the first. Although correctly introduces that contrast. Because would give a cause, unless would create a condition, and therefore would mark a result. None of those relations fits the logic of the two clauses.

Q5Which one of the following sentences is incorrect in its use of a conjunction or connective?

A Unless the applicant submits the original certificate, the scholarship will not be processed.
B If the applicant does not submit the original certificate, the scholarship will not be processed.
C Unless the applicant does not submit the original certificate, the scholarship will not be processed.
D The scholarship will be processed only if the applicant submits the original certificate.
Explanation

Option C is incorrect because 'unless' already carries a negative meaning: it means 'if not'. Adding 'does not' after it creates an unintended double negative. The sentence would mean, illogically, that the scholarship will not be processed if the applicant does submit the certificate. Options A and B correctly express the same condition in two different ways, and option D correctly uses 'only if' to show that submitting the certificate is necessary. In such questions, test whether the negative idea is expressed once or twice.

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6Read the Assertion and Reason carefully and choose the correct option. Assertion (A): The sentence 'Neither the finance secretary nor the district officers were willing to endorse the amended figures' is grammatically acceptable. Reason (R): When 'neither ... nor' joins subjects of different number, the verb commonly agrees with the subject nearer to it.

ABoth A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
BBoth A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
CA is true, but R is false.
DA is false, but R is true.

7Identify the sentence in which the correlative conjunction is used correctly.

AThe policy not only reduces procedural delay but also improves accountability.
BThe policy not only reduces procedural delay but also accountability is improved.
CNot only the policy reduces procedural delay but also improves accountability.
DThe policy reduces not only procedural delay but also improves accountability.

8Identify the grammatically correct sentence.

ANot only did the officer question the figures, but she also asked for the original vouchers.
BNot only the officer questioned the figures, but she also asked for the original vouchers.
CNot only did the officer questioned the figures, but she also asked for the original vouchers.
DThe officer not only questioned the figures, but also she asked for the original vouchers.

9Which one of the following sentences is incorrect?

AThe notice was brief; nevertheless, it conveyed the legal consequence clearly.
BThe notice was brief; however, it conveyed the legal consequence clearly.
CThe notice was brief, yet it conveyed the legal consequence clearly.
DThe notice was brief, however, it conveyed the legal consequence clearly.

10Match List I with List II and choose the correct option. List I: 1. lest 2. inasmuch as 3. whereas 4. no sooner ... than List II: a. contrast between two clauses b. prevention of an undesirable result c. formal reason or explanatory ground d. immediate sequence of events

A1-b, 2-c, 3-a, 4-d
B1-c, 2-b, 3-a, 4-d
C1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-d
D1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b

11Match List I with List II and choose the correct option. List I: 1. Nevertheless 2. Moreover 3. Whereas 4. Consequently List II: a. Marks a result or logical consequence b. Adds a further supporting point c. Contrasts two facts within the same sentence d. Introduces a contrast with the preceding statement

A1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a
B1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
C1-d, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b
D1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

12Consider the following statements about paired connectives. Statement 1: 'No sooner had the Chairperson entered the hall than the members stood up' is grammatically correct. Statement 2: 'Hardly had the evidence been examined than the witness withdrew his statement' is grammatically correct. Statement 3: 'Whether the appeal succeeds or fails, the limitation issue must be decided first' is grammatically correct. Which of the above statements are correct?

A1 and 3 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

13Which one of the following sentences uses the connective incorrectly?

AUnless the contractor submits the revised drawings by Friday, the licence will not be renewed.
BYou may inspect the records, provided that you do not remove them from the office.
CUnless you do not preserve the acknowledgement slip, your application cannot be traced.
DAs long as the evidence remains confidential, the inquiry may continue without public disclosure.

14Match List I with List II. List I: 1. albeit 2. lest 3. insofar as 4. whereas List II: a. contrast between two facts b. extent or degree to which something is true c. concession, usually before an adjective or phrase d. prevention of an undesirable result Choose the correct code.

A1-c, 2-d, 3-b, 4-a
B1-a, 2-d, 3-b, 4-c
C1-c, 2-b, 3-d, 4-a
D1-d, 2-c, 3-b, 4-a

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