English Language

Writing and Communication Skills

1,426 Questions

This hub tests writing techniques, essay structuring, and effective communication skills. It includes practical exercises on vocabulary replacement, drafting passages, and formatting reports. These English language questions appear in most competitive exams.

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Writing and Communication Skills Questions

Multiple choice

Which of the following best replaces the word 'this' in sentence (6)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Research in education has of recent years turned its attention to the problem of assessing a student’s progress as accurately as possible. (2) Only when this is done, can a meaningful course of study be laid down and a student helped to recognize his difficulties and overcome it. (3) But, despite all the new thinking on this subject, there is still no acceptable alternative to the examination. (4) There have been remarkable advances in analyzing the process of learning and in framing tests and maintaining week to week records which provide the teacher with valuable information about the progress of his class and of each individual in it. (5) Whether it be at the end of term, or the year, or at the end of a school course or for the purpose of choosing candidates for a course of study and training, the only practicable way of measuring a student’s performance or of assessing his potential is by an examination, supplemented where necessary, by recommendation, interview and other devices.

(6) The most unfortunate by-product of this has been the proliferation of study notes, guides to passing examination, model answers, hints for writing essays and similar travesties of education. (7) There is no need to engage on the unethical nature of these publications. (8) From the student’s point of view a rigorous censorship of this kind of publication would be a great advantage. (9) For one thing these ‘notes’ promote the habit of rote learning. (10) For the other, they are priced more highly than the poems of Wordsworth or the plays of Shakespeare. (11) They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

  1. The student's performance

  2. The recommendation

  3. The interview

  4. The examination system

  5. The rote learning
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

'Guides to passing examination' is the clue.

Multiple choice

Which of the following, if placed after sentence (11), will be the most effective concluding sentence for the passage?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Research in education has of recent years turned its attention to the problem of assessing a student’s progress as accurately as possible. (2) Only when this is done, can a meaningful course of study be laid down and a student helped to recognize his difficulties and overcome it. (3) But, despite all the new thinking on this subject, there is still no acceptable alternative to the examination. (4) There have been remarkable advances in analyzing the process of learning and in framing tests and maintaining week to week records which provide the teacher with valuable information about the progress of his class and of each individual in it. (5) Whether it be at the end of term, or the year, or at the end of a school course or for the purpose of choosing candidates for a course of study and training, the only practicable way of measuring a student’s performance or of assessing his potential is by an examination, supplemented where necessary, by recommendation, interview and other devices.

(6) The most unfortunate by-product of this has been the proliferation of study notes, guides to passing examination, model answers, hints for writing essays and similar travesties of education. (7) There is no need to engage on the unethical nature of these publications. (8) From the student’s point of view a rigorous censorship of this kind of publication would be a great advantage. (9) For one thing these ‘notes’ promote the habit of rote learning. (10) For the other, they are priced more highly than the poems of Wordsworth or the plays of Shakespeare. (11) They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

  1. The sooner we find a way to dispense with these, the better it is for the student community and the system at large.

  2. But isn't examination system the real culprit?

  3. Yet, we have to give the devil its due.

  4. They should all be replaced by text books.

  5. They do render some help otherwise.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The author has already made the recommendation in sentence (8). The sooner we act on the suggestion, the better. He does not give study notes any credit. That rules out (3) and (5). He doesn't blame the examination system, nor is there any reference to text books.

Multiple choice

Which word/phrase, if inserted at the beginning of sentence (11), can help combine sentences (10) and (11)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Research in education has of recent years turned its attention to the problem of assessing a student’s progress as accurately as possible. (2) Only when this is done, can a meaningful course of study be laid down and a student helped to recognize his difficulties and overcome it. (3) But, despite all the new thinking on this subject, there is still no acceptable alternative to the examination. (4) There have been remarkable advances in analyzing the process of learning and in framing tests and maintaining week to week records which provide the teacher with valuable information about the progress of his class and of each individual in it. (5) Whether it be at the end of term, or the year, or at the end of a school course or for the purpose of choosing candidates for a course of study and training, the only practicable way of measuring a student’s performance or of assessing his potential is by an examination, supplemented where necessary, by recommendation, interview and other devices.

(6) The most unfortunate by-product of this has been the proliferation of study notes, guides to passing examination, model answers, hints for writing essays and similar travesties of education. (7) There is no need to engage on the unethical nature of these publications. (8) From the student’s point of view a rigorous censorship of this kind of publication would be a great advantage. (9) For one thing these ‘notes’ promote the habit of rote learning. (10) For the other, they are priced more highly than the poems of Wordsworth or the plays of Shakespeare. (11) They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

  1. and yet

  2. although

  3. in spite of

  4. despite that

  5. and so
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

They are priced high although they are worth nothing.

Multiple choice

In context, what is the best way to deal with sentence (3)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten.
Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Research in education has of recent years turned its attention to the problem of assessing a student’s progress as accurately as possible. (2) Only when this is done, can a meaningful course of study be laid down and a student helped to recognize his difficulties and overcome it. (3) But, despite all the new thinking on this subject, there is still no acceptable alternative to the examination. (4) There have been remarkable advances in analyzing the process of learning and in framing tests and maintaining week to week records which provide the teacher with valuable information about the progress of his class and of each individual in it. (5) Whether it be at the end of term, or the year, or at the end of a school course or for the purpose of choosing candidates for a course of study and training, the only practicable way of measuring a student’s performance or of assessing his potential is by an examination, supplemented where necessary, by recommendation, interview and other devices.

(6) The most unfortunate by-product of this has been the proliferation of study notes, guides to passing examination, model answers, hints for writing essays and similar travesties of education. (7) There is no need to engage on the unethical nature of these publications. (8) From the student’s point of view a rigorous censorship of this kind of publication would be a great advantage. (9) For one thing these ‘notes’ promote the habit of rote learning. (10) For the other, they are priced more highly than the poems of Wordsworth or the plays of Shakespeare. (11) They are not worth the paper they are printed on.

  1. Move it between sentences (1) and (2)

  2. Move it between sentences (4) and (5)

  3. Delete it altogether

  4. Move it to the beginning of the second paragraph

  5. No change required
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Sentence (3) is actually a logical continuation of sentence (4). Likewise, sentence (5) is a logical continuation of sentence (3).

Multiple choice

Which of the following best replaces the word 'they' in sentence (7)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. Politicians

  2. Academicians

  3. Students

  4. Teacher-politicians

  5. Teens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The preceding sentence talks only about the politicians and the students. Politicians mislead; students get misled.

Multiple choice

Which sentence would be the most appropriate to precede sentence (1)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. A spirit of rebellion and challenge is now in the air.

  2. The nature of the students has undergone a sea-change.

  3. Education today is much changed.

  4. The student community is upset.

  5. There is a distinct generation gap.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statements (2) (3) and (5) are unrelated; (4) is repetitive.

Multiple choice

Which of the following best replaces the word 'assailed' in sentence (2)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. Attacked

  2. Assuaged

  3. Beset

  4. Gripped

  5. Harmed
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The word 'assailed' is inappropriate here. They feel upset because of the sense of frustration.

Multiple choice

Including a paragraph on which of the following would most strengthen the writer's argument?

Directions for the question:
The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) It is necessary to have a standard of education. (2) We can set two sorts of standards there. (3) First, a minimum standard below which no one is allowed to fall, in the shape of so many years of elementary education in such and such subjects. (4) And secondly, and in a way even more important, a standard of equal opportunity for all, to ensure that no boy or girl is deprived of the chance of climbing to the top of the educational ladder through poverty or the accidents of birth. (5) There are also standards of economic security. (6) During the recent past, the sense of insecurity has been the single greatest cause, both of individual anxiety and frustration, and social instability and unrest. (7) A state must see to it that it gives to all its citizens minimum standards of security against ill health against unemployment against widowhood, against old age. (8) A man cannot be a good citizen nor do himself justice as an individual if he lives in a nightmare of frustration and anxiety about losing his job. (9) Issues of social security are, therefore, interlinked. (10) This is irrespective of whether they are in the field of basic education, basic health, employment or even protection against economic needs arising out of old age, disability etc. (11) The state expenditure on social security is bound to fall back upon the shoulders of the society at large. (12) A society that cannot take due care of such basic needs of each and every of its members is not fit to be called in the true sense of the term.

  1. A description of steps already taken by the state.

  2. A description of steps needed to be taken by the state.

  3. A description of the scenario if adequate steps are not taken by the state.

  4. A description of historical past of other societies.

  5. A description of the legal mechanism needed to take such steps.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The author's argument will be strengthened only if a gloomy scenario is presented unless adequate social security measures are taken by the state.

Multiple choice

What is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence no. (5) below? is laid upon political than upon academic

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. is laid upon political than academic

  2. is laid upon political rather than upon academic

  3. is laid on political than on academic

  4. is laid upon political and academic

  5. No change required
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
E Correct answer
Explanation

The phrase is correct as given.

Multiple choice

What is the best revision of the underlined portion of sentence no. (12) below? there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. there is no reason that students should not become good useful citizens

  2. there is no reason because students should not become good useful citizens

  3. there is no reason why students should not become good, useful citizens

  4. there is no reason why students do not become good useful citizens

  5. there is no reason why students do not become useful citizens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

(3) corrects the error by inserting a comma between the two adjectives.

Multiple choice

What is the best way to combine sentences no. (9) and (10)?

Directions for the question:

The following passage is an early draft of an essay. Some parts of the passage need to be rewritten. Read the passage and select the best answer for the question that follows. Keep in mind that some questions are about particular sentences or parts of sentences and ask you to improve sentence structure or word choice. Other questions ask to consider organization and development. In choosing the answer, follow the requirements of standard written English.

(1) Students at present are not what they were two generations ago. (2) A sense of frustration has assailed their minds. (3) They feel that the so called education does not enable them to face the economic difficulties of the modern world. (4) Hence they develop a philosophy of pessimism resulting in defiance. (5) Greater emphasis is laid upon political than upon academic interests. (6) What is still more harmful is that politicians are exploiting this non-academic interest of the students. (7) Naturally they lose their balance of mind and drift rudderless on the current of their impulses. (8) Sometimes they are misled by teacher – politicians. (9) But we need not be depressed. (10) Most of the students are yet in their teens. (11) Their minds are plastic and their hearts sensitive and impressionable. (12) If worthy ideals are set before them by teachers, guardians and other well wishers there is no reason why students should not become good useful citizens.

  1. But we need not be depressed as most of the students are yet in their teens.

  2. But we need not be depressed for the reason that most of the students are yet in their teens.

  3. But we need not be depressed simply because most of the students are yet in their teens.

  4. But we need not be depressed because most of the students are yet in their teens.

  5. But we need not be depressed having most of the students in their teens.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

(1) is the best choice. Sentence (10) furnishes a supposedly known reason for the statement in (9).

Multiple choice

Identify the cluster in which all discourse markers are used to introduce a counter argument.

  1. In conclusion, to sum up, to wrap up, briefly

  2. Actually, or rather, more or less, kind of

  3. For instance, in some cases, therefore, in the first place

  4. All the same, nonetheless, in spite of this, even so

  5. On the other hand, on the contrary, in addition, furthermore
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

All of these are used to introduce a counter argument.

Multiple choice

Identify the cluster in which all the discourse markers convey support to a main idea.

  1. For instance, in particular, in the same way, in any case

  2. That is to say, in other words, actually and no doubt

  3. For instance, such as, for example and even so

  4. However, in contrast, on the other hand, conversely

  5. Anyway, anyhow, at any rate and for instance
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Correct. ‘In any case’ is used to introduce an extra, more conclusive fact or argument. ‘For instance’ and ‘in particular’ are used to introduce examples to illustrate what has been said. ‘In the same way’ is also used to support what has been said by showing similarity.

Multiple choice

Identify the cluster in which all discourse markers are used to generalise habits or customs.

  1. Typically, for the most part, to a great extent, in most cases

  2. For instance, as a result, on the whole, broadly speaking

  3. What is more, in any case, on top of that, as well as that

  4. To begin with, for one thing, to some extent, by the way

  5. However, even so, incidentally, on the contrary
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

All discourse markers in this cluster are used to generalise habits or customs.