MCQ
Spotting errors (wrong words & usage across grammar areas) MCQ - Practice Questions with Answers
Solve 15 Spotting errors (wrong words & usage across grammar areas) questions for RAS/RPSC preparation.
Practice questions
Q1Match each erroneous sentence in List I with the rule that corrects it in List II, and choose the correct option. List I: 1. There are less files on this shelf. 2. I have fewer money than I expected. List II: a. Use 'fewer' with countable plural nouns. b. Use 'less' with uncountable nouns.
Fewer is used with countable plural nouns, and less with uncountable nouns. Sentence 1 has files, so it matches rule a. Sentence 2 refers to money, so it matches rule b. Therefore the correct match is 1-a, 2-b, i.e., option D.
Q2Select the correct replacement for the underlined part. The sentence refers to one answer, not to any answer already specified. The applicant gave a honest answer during the interview.
The indefinite article is chosen by sound, not merely by the first written letter. The cue is 'honest', where the initial 'h' is silent and the word begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, 'an honest answer' is the only correct replacement.
Q3Read the following statements and choose the option that correctly identifies the statements containing an error in word usage. Statement 1: The principal of equality must be followed in every selection process. Statement 2: The section officer advised the clerk to check the file number again. Statement 3: Heavy rain affected the attendance in the morning shift.
This item tests commonly confused words. In Statement 1, the cue is `of equality`, which requires `principle`, meaning a rule or belief; `principal` means chief, head, or a sum of money. Statement 2 correctly uses the verb `advised`, and Statement 3 correctly uses `affected`, meaning influenced. Therefore, only Statement 1 contains an error.
Q4Which part of the sentence contains an error? The manager asked the assistant to / take care about the files / before leaving the office / in the evening.
The idiom is 'take care of' when the meaning is to look after, protect, or handle something responsibly. The cue is the object 'the files', which requires 'of' after 'take care'. Therefore, 'take care about the files' is the only erroneous part; it should be 'take care of the files'.
Q5Read the Assertion (A) and Reason (R), then choose the correct option. Assertion (A): The sentence `The candidate could not avail the concession` contains an error. Reason (R): In the sense of making use of a benefit, `avail` is normally used reflexively as `avail oneself of`.
This item tests the formal construction of `avail`. The cue is `avail the concession`, where `avail` is used as a simple transitive verb. In the sense of making use of a benefit, standard formal usage is reflexive and followed by `of`: `avail oneself of the concession`. Therefore, the assertion is true, the reason is true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.
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More questions
6Identify the sentence that contains an error in word usage.
7In the following sentence, choose the option that correctly replaces the wrongly used word. The clerk was asked to make a note of all complaints, but he wrote them on a peace of paper.
8In the following sentence, identify the part that contains an error. He prefers tea than coffee in the evening.
9Assertion (A): The sentence 'She speaks English fluent' contains an error. Reason (R): An adjective can always be used in place of an adverb after an action verb. Choose the correct answer.
10In these sentences, the committee is being treated as one official body. Statement 1: The committee have decided to revise the office schedule. Statement 2: The committee has decided to revise the office schedule. Statement 3: The committee has decide to revise the office schedule. Which of the above statement(s) is/are grammatically correct?
11List I: 1. The school ___ addressed the students. 2. Honesty is an important ___. 3. The new clerk will ___ charge on Monday. 4. The result will ___ his promotion. List II: a. principle b. principal c. affect d. take Choose the correct matching.
12Choose the correctly worded sentence about an action that began in 2021 and is still continuing.
13Match the erroneous phrase in List I with its correct replacement in List II. List I: 1. good in mathematics 2. experience at office work 3. insisted to a written reply List II: P. insisted on a written reply Q. good at mathematics R. experience in office work
14Read the sentences and choose the option that correctly identifies them according to standard competitive-exam grammar. Statement 1: Neither of the two clerks were present at the counter. Statement 2: Neither of the two clerks was present at the counter.
15Choose the correct sentence.