Tag: english

Questions Related to english

Robust leadership, staunch resistance to the enemy and eloquent oratory; these are some of the hallmarks of Winston Churchill's statesmanship.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. oratory,

  3. oratory

  4. oratory:

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:
The sentence gives a list of distinctive features under the Churchill's statesmanship. A colon is specifically used to introduce a list into a sentence. Thus, a colon should be used in place of the semi colon. However, a semi colon can be used to link complicated items in a list.
A comma is used to separate different items in a list.
Thus, the correct answer is Option D.

A rocking chair, an armoire, a bureau and several coffee tables; these are the items of furniture that Michael sold at his garage sale.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. tables:

  2. tables,

  3. tables ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The sentence gives a list of items of furniture that Michael sold at his garage sale. A colon is used to introduce a list into a sentence. Thus, a colon should be used in place of the semi colon. However, a semi colon can be used to link complicated items in a list.
A comma is used to separate different items in a list.
An ellipsis is generally used to represent a trailing off thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A.

Shakespeare wrote - "To thine own self be true."

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. wrote:

  2. wrote;

  3. wrote ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The given sentence consists of two independent clauses. Quotation marks can be either preceded by a comma or a colon. However, in the case of independent clause, a colon must be opted for. Thus, the correct answer will be Option A.
The other options are not valid to be used before a quotation mark.
An ellipsis can be used to represent a trailing of thought.


Choose the option that best corrects the underlined part of the sentence:
Delayed trains flooded roads and traffic jams, these made Lucy late to work on Monday morning.

colon punctuation english

  1. Delayed trains; flooded roads; and traffic jams; these

  2. Delayed trains, flooded roads, and traffic jams; these

  3. Delayed trains, flooded roads, and traffic jams: these

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:
The given sentence provides a list of reasons that made Lucy late for work. According to general rule, a colon is used to introduce a list of items in a sentence. Also, in order to separate different items in a list, a comma should be used.  
Thus, the correct answer will be Option C.
A semi colon is used to separate the list items when the list items themselves contain commas.

Those going on the picnic were, Martin, his wife and child, his brother-in-law and his grandparents.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. were

  3. were;

  4. were ...

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The given sentence talk about the people going for a picnic. Usually such sentences that introduce a list require a colon between them. However, using a colon should be avoided before a list if it directly follows a verb or preposition. Such sentences ordinarily need no punctuation. Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer is Option B.
Option A - A comma is used to separate different items in a list.
Option C - A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option D - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

Early dawn, clear mornings and cool weather; these were the things Eric enjoyed on his early morning runs.

colon punctuation english

  1. weather,

  2. weather:

  3. weather ...

  4. NO CHANGE

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The given sentence gives a list of items that Eric enjoyed on his early morning runs. A colon is used to introduce an item or list of items in a sentence. Thus, a colon should be used in the sentence in place of the semi colon. 
Option A - A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option C - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.
Option D - The use of semi colon is incorrect. A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Thus, the correct answer is Option B.

Several companies and not-for-profit organizations are offering the new virtual race and while the details vary, the concept is the same; pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like and receive a medal in the post.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined words.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. offering the new virtual race and, while the details vary, the concept is the same: pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like,

  3. offering the new virtual race, and while the details vary, the concept is the same: pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like

  4. offering the new virtual race, and while the details vary, the concept is the same; pay money, run a set distance whenever and wherever you like,

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:
The sentence describes a list of concepts that several companies run by. In a sentence, a colon is used to introduce a list of items. A comma is used between the different items in a list and before conjunctions that separate them. Thus, according to the rules, the correct answer must be Option B. 
Option A  and D are incorrect. A semi colon is used to connect two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option C uses a colon to introduce the list of items, however, the commas required before the conjunctions in a list are not used. Thus, this answer is incorrect.

These days, one of the things that meteorologists most fear is the onset of a tropical cyclone: a rapidly rotating storm system with a low pressure center.

Choose the option that best corrects the underlined word.

colon punctuation english

  1. NO CHANGE

  2. cyclone;

  3. cyclone,

  4. cyclone ...

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:
The sentence consists of an independent clause followed by a closely related item. A colon is used to introduce an item or list of items in a sentence. Thus, the use of colon in the given sentence is correct.
Option B - A semi colon is used between two independent clauses when the coordinating conjunction is omitted.
Option C - A comma is used before a coordinating conjunction that joins two independent clauses.
Option D - An ellipsis is used to represent a trailing off thought.
Thus, the correct answer is Option A, no change.

Identify the impersonal pronoun in the below sentence:

Raj walked his way to office everyday and he says it helped his fitness.

impersonal pronouns pronoun english

  1. Raj

  2. he

  3. it

  4. his

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Impersonal pronouns are used when we want to refer to people in general, to things, unspecified objects or animals. 'It' is the most commonly used impersonal pronoun. There are several situations where we can use 'it'. In this sentence, 'it' is used to refer to a preceding statement, 'Raj walked his way to office everyday'. Hence, Option C is correct since here 'it' is referring to him walking to office everyday. Raj is a proper noun because it is the name of a person. Thereby, Option A is incorrect. 'He' is a pronoun used to refer to a man or boy previously mentioned. Hence, Option B is incorrect. 'His' is used to as a connecting word or to show belonging. Hence, Option D is incorrect.

Select the impersonal pronoun(s) from options given:

impersonal pronouns pronoun english

  1. It

  2. One

  3. They

  4. You

  5. All of the above

Show answer
Correct Option: E
Explanation:

Impersonal pronouns are used when we want to refer to people in general, to things, unspecified objects or animals. 'It' is the most commonly used impersonal pronoun. There are several situations where we can use 'it'. Example: I am returning the dress because it isn't good. Here, the impersonal pronoun, 'it' is used to represent a noun, 'the dress' which is in neuter gender. 'One' is used to refer to a person in general or any unspecified object. Example: One can travel by bus to Bangalore. Here, we use 'One' to refer to any person who wants to travel to Bangalore. 'They' or 'You' are used similarly to address someone we may not know personally. Example: ‘They mostly speak Bengali in that part of the state’; ‘You won't find anything in this shop. (Maybe, to address myself or anyone in general). Hence, all these answers are correct as impersonal pronouns.