English Language

Grammar

1,680 Questions
All Parts of Speech Identification 1421 Tense and Time Sequence 167 Conjunctions and Connectors 8 Prepositional Usage 8 Subject-Verb Agreement 6 Pronoun Agreement and Case 4 Adjective and Adverb Confusion 2 Non-Finite Verbs 2 Parallel Structure 2 Noun Pluralization 1

Grammar Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following can express the spirit of Beethoven's music?

Directions: Read the following passage and answer the question based on the passage.

PASSAGE – III:

If Bach is the mathematician of music, as has been asserted, Beethoven is its philosopher. In his work the philosophic spirit comes to the fore. To the genius of the musician is added in Beethoven a wide mental grasp, a selfless spirit that seeks to help humanity on the upward path.

Up to Beethoven's time musicians in general performed their work without the aid of an intellect for the most part; they worked by intuition. In everything outside their art they were like children. Beethoven was the first one having the independence to think for himself - the first to have ideas on subjects unconnected with his art. He it was who established the dignity of the artist over that of the simply well-born. His entire life was a protest against the pretensions of birth over mind. His predecessors, to a great extent subjugated by their social superiors, sought only to please. Nothing further was expected of them. This mental attitude is apparent in their work. The language of the courtier is usually polished, but will never have the virility that characterizes the speech of the free man.

As with all valuable things, however, Beethoven's music is not to be enjoyed for nothing. We must on our side contribute something to the enterprise, something more than simply buying a ticket to the performance. We must study his work in the right spirit, and place ourselves in a receptive attitude when listening to it to understand his message. Often metaphysical, particularly in the work of his later years, his meaning will be revealed only when we devote to it earnest and sympathetic study. No other composer demands so much of one; no other rewards the student so richly for the effort required. The making of a fact, the subject of thought vitalizes it. It is as if the master had said to the aspirant: "I will admit you into the ranks of my disciples, but you must first prove yourself worthy." An initiation is necessary; somewhat of the intense mental activity which characterized Beethoven in the composition of his works is required of the student also.

  1. Phenomenon

  2. Altruistic

  3. Original

  4. Philosophic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The right answer is (2) as can be inferred from the line: 'Beethoven a wide mental grasp, a selfless spirit that seeks to help humanity on the upward path …'

Multiple choice

Directions: This question presents a sentence, all or part of which is underlined. Beneath the sentence you will find five ways of phrasing the underlined part. The first of these repeats the original; the other four are different. If you think the original is the best, choose the first answer; otherwise choose any one of the others.

Not only speech enables man to handle and pass on more complicated ideas, it also enables him to accumulate them.

  1. Not only speech enables man to handle and pass on

  2. Not only does speech enable man to handle and pass on

  3. Not only is speech enabling man to handle and pass on

  4. Not only speech enables man to handle and pass off

  5. Not only speech enables a man to handle and pass on
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Explanation for (2): The sentences beginning with negative words ought to use auxiliaries before the subject, as in the case of an interrogative sentence. The error is rectified by the introduction of ‘does’ in option (2).
 

Multiple choice

Directions: Identify the sentence(s) or part(s) of sentence(s) that is/are correct in terms of grammar and usage (including spelling, punctuation and logical consistency). Then, choose the most appropriate option.

A. A smile can be observed, described, and reliably identified;

B. it can also be elicited and be manipulated under experimental conditions.

C. Not only speech enables man to handle and pass on more complicated ideas,

D. it also enables him to accummulate them.

E. He gave me a gun to shoot.

  1. A only

  2. B only

  3. D only

  4. A and E
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) B suffers from the repetitive use of 'be'.

Sentences beginning with negative words place the auxiliary before the noun. The correct usage in C should, therefore, be “Not only does …”.

D has incorrect spellings for 'accumulate'.

E ought to use preposition 'with' after “shoot”.