TGPSC MPSO / ASO · Paper I · Topic 17

TGPSC MPSO / ASO Basic English questions with answers

20 questions from TGPSC ASO Paper I Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.

17.1GrammarNotesPractise this chapter · Set 1 free

  1. Read the sentence in three parts. Choose the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

    (a) The rich (b) should help (c) a poor.

    1. A(a) The rich
    2. B(b) should help
    3. C(c) a poor.
    4. D(d) No error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. (c) a poor.

    "The + adjective" names a whole class: "the poor", not "a poor".

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  2. Identify the sentence(s) with the correct question tag:

    A. She doesn't like coffee, does she?

    B. You were in Karimnagar, didn't you?

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    1. AOnly A
    2. BOnly B
    3. CBoth A and B
    4. DNeither A nor B
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Only A

    A is correct: A negative sentence with "doesn't" takes "does she". B is incorrect: The helping verb is "were", so the tag is "weren't you".

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  3. Identify the sentence(s) with the correct use of conjunctions:

    A. Neither he or his wife was at home.

    B. Hardly had I reached when it rained.

    Which of the above is/are correct?

    1. AOnly A
    2. BOnly B
    3. CBoth A and B
    4. DNeither A nor B
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Only B

    A is incorrect: "Neither" pairs with "nor". B is correct: "Hardly … when" is correct.

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  4. Read the sentence in three parts. Choose the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

    (a) My mother (b) told me (c) to don't waste water.

    1. A(a) My mother
    2. B(b) told me
    3. C(c) to don't waste water.
    4. D(d) No error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. (c) to don't waste water.

    A negative order is reported as "not to + verb": told me not to waste water.

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  5. Read the sentence in three parts. Choose the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

    (a) She is (b) more taller (c) than her mother.

    1. A(a) She is
    2. B(b) more taller
    3. C(c) than her mother.
    4. D(d) No error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. (b) more taller

    "More taller" is a double comparative; write "taller".

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  6. Read the sentence in three parts. Choose the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

    (a) Did you (b) went to (c) the market?

    1. A(a) Did you
    2. B(b) went to
    3. C(c) the market?
    4. D(d) No error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. (b) went to

    After "did", use the base form: go.

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

  7. Read the sentence in three parts. Choose the part that has an error. If there is no error, choose "No error".

    (a) He told me (b) that he (c) was leaving.

    1. A(a) He told me
    2. B(b) that he
    3. C(c) was leaving.
    4. D(d) No error
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. (d) No error

    The sentence is correct: "told me that" + past tense.

    Source: Medha AI original item; rule as in standard school grammar (Wren & Martin; NCERT/SCERT Class 9-10 English)

17.2VocabularyNotesPractise this chapter · Set 1 free

  1. Choose the word opposite in meaning to FLAMMABLE.

    1. ANon-flammable
    2. BBurnable
    3. CCombustible
    4. DInflammable
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Non-flammable

    'Flammable' and 'inflammable' both mean 'burns easily'; the opposite is 'non-flammable'.

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

  2. Choose the word nearest in meaning to BAFFLE.

    1. AShout
    2. BExplain
    3. CPuzzle
    4. DBargain
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Puzzle

    A synonym has the same meaning: 'baffle' means puzzle.

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

  3. Choose the word nearest in meaning to TRANQUIL.

    1. ANoisy
    2. BClear
    3. CCalm
    4. DCold
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Calm

    A synonym has the same meaning: 'tranquil' means calm.

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

  4. Choose the word opposite in meaning to the word in capitals.

    The new bridge over the Godavari made travel between the two towns much more CONVENIENT.

    1. AComfortable
    2. BCommon
    3. CTroublesome
    4. DExpensive
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. Troublesome

    An antonym has the opposite meaning: convenient – troublesome (inconvenient).

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

  5. Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in capitals.

    Losing that job was A BLESSING IN DISGUISE; he started his own shop.

    1. AA clever trick
    2. BSomething good that first seemed bad
    3. CA religious ceremony
    4. DA real disaster
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer B. Something good that first seemed bad

    An idiom's meaning is not literal: 'a blessing in disguise' is something good that first looked bad.

    Source: Original item; meanings and spellings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary and Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Idioms

  6. Choose the word nearest in meaning to BRIEF.

    1. ALengthy
    2. BClear
    3. CLoud
    4. DShort
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. Short

    A synonym has the same meaning: 'brief' means short.

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

  7. Choose the word opposite in meaning to VISIBLE.

    1. AInvisible
    2. BBright
    3. CClear
    4. DUnvisible
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Invisible

    An antonym has the opposite meaning: visible – invisible (prefix in-).

    Source: Original item; meanings checked against Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary; Wren & Martin (word-building)

17.3Usage and comprehensionNotesPractise this chapter · Set 1 free

  1. Choose the best replacement for the part in capitals. If no change is needed, choose "No improvement".

    We took a boat ride on THE Godavari during the holidays.

    1. Aa
    2. Ban
    3. Cno article
    4. DNo improvement
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. No improvement

    Use 'the' before the names of rivers (the Godavari, the Krishna).

    Source: Original item; rule per Wren & Martin, High School English Grammar and Composition

  2. Choose the best replacement for the part in capitals.

    Sita is ELDER THAN her cousin.

    1. Aeldest than
    2. Bmore elder than
    3. Celder to
    4. Dolder than
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer D. older than

    'Elder' is used before a noun ('my elder sister'); 'older' is used with 'than'.

    Source: Original item; rule per Wren & Martin, High School English Grammar and Composition

  3. Read the passage and answer the question.

    Sunitha opened a small tailoring shop in her village near Nalgonda. At first, few people came, and she often felt discouraged. She did not give up. She learned new designs from videos and offered to stitch school uniforms at a fair price. Within two years she had three helpers and more orders than she could finish.

    Why did Sunitha's business grow?

    1. AShe stopped stitching uniforms.
    2. BShe moved her shop to Hyderabad.
    3. CShe learned new designs and charged fair prices.
    4. DThe government gave her a large loan.
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer C. She learned new designs and charged fair prices.

    Look for the actions the passage gives just before the result.

    Source: Original item; method per Wren & Martin (composition) and SCERT Class 10 English reading exercises

  4. The sentences below are jumbled. Choose the order that makes a meaningful paragraph.

    P. It was built in the thirteenth century under the Kakatiya kings.

    Q. Because of this history and art, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2021.

    R. Ramappa Temple is a famous temple near Mulugu in Telangana.

    S. The sculptors of that period also gave its pillars fine carvings.

    1. ARPSQ
    2. BQRPS
    3. CRQPS
    4. DPRSQ
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. RPSQ

    The opening sentence names the topic; 'that period' in S points back to P; 'this history and art' in Q sums up P and S, so Q closes.

    Source: Original item; method per Wren & Martin (composition) and SCERT Class 10 English reading exercises

  5. Identify the sentence(s) with correct subject–verb agreement.

    A. Every student has a library card.

    B. Each of the girls have a bicycle.

    1. AOnly A
    2. BOnly B
    3. CBoth A and B
    4. DNeither A nor B
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. Only A

    Every, each and 'each of' take a singular verb.

    Source: Original item; rule per Wren & Martin, High School English Grammar and Composition

  6. Read the passage and fill the blank.

    Ravi is ___(1)___ honest boy. He studies in Class 10 at a government school ___(2)___ Karimnagar. Last week he found a purse on the road. He ___(3)___ it to the police station at once. The police praised him ___(4)___ his honesty.

    Choose the word that best fills blank (1).

    1. Aan
    2. Ba
    3. Cno article
    4. Dthe
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer A. an

    Use 'an' before a vowel sound, even when the first letter is a consonant.

    Source: Original item; method per Wren & Martin (composition) and SCERT Class 10 English reading exercises

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