Part 2 of the 100 Most Important Sentence Improvement /phrase replacement asked in SSC Exams (with detailed solution)

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Part 2 of the 100 Most Important Sentence Improvement /phrase replacement  asked in SSC Exams  (with detailed solution) 


The post contains 50 Most important error detection questions( with detailed solution) asked in SSC  exams.
We have handpicked 100 very important "Sentence improvement questions" which have already been asked in SSC CGL CPO CHSL exams in the last three years and have provided detailed solution of these question to help you tackle similar questions. 
Hence, these questions are very important if you are targeting SSC CGL/CPO/CHSL exam. 
This compilation has been prepared by the experts of EnglishKendra keeping in mind the pattern and demand of the SSC CGL CHSL exams. 

◼️part 2 of the 100 Most Important Sentence Improvement /phrase replacement  asked in SSC Exams  (with detailed solution) 

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💯Click here for the compilation of VOCAB asked in SSC CPO 2019

Q. He is an atheist yet he goes to the church every Sunday.
1) because
2) and
3) however
4) no improvement
Solution : 4, no improvement


Q. The teacher said, “It is time that your daughter has learned how to write.”
1) learned
2) had learnt
3) learnt
4) no improvement

Solution : 3,  learnt
Explanation – We can use the expression it’s (high) time (that) + subject + past verb form to refer to the present moment
It expresses that something should be done and that it is already a bit late.
Example – It is high time we left for the office. 
 “subject + second form of verb” is used. Hence, 'your daughter learnt' is the correct usage.


Q. Take off your shoes before you enter the temple.
1) Put away
2) Extract
3) Put off
4) No improvement

Solution : 4, No improvement



Q. Einstein was one of the wisest men that ever lived.
1) of the wisest man
2) wise man
3) wisest man
4) no improvement

Solution : 4,  no improvement


Q. Venezuelans were being deprived of food and medicines for the past year.
1) were
2) are
3) have been
4) no improvement

Solution : 3,  have been
Explanation – Expression “for + period of time” suggest that the structure of the sentence should be perfect tense/perfect continous tense.
Among the given options the correct structure is present perfect tense – “Sub + has/have + third form of verb + (since/for + time reference)
Example- The old woman has lived here for fifteen years.✔️


Q. We don’t need our computers to be infinitely fast, just a whole lot faster than they are today
1) as fast as
2) faster then
3) more faster than
4) no improvement

Solution : 4,  no improvement


Q. As soon as I saw the ferocious dog than I ran away.
1) No sooner than I saw
2) No sooner has I seen
3) No sooner did I see
4) no improvement

Solution : 3,  No sooner did I see
Explanation – sentence is based on the structure – “no sooner ……than” .
When no sooner comes at the beginning of a sentence, we use inverted word order. That means the auxiliary verb comes before the subject.
Example – No sooner did the thieves see the police than they ran away.
Refer to the ⬇️
Study Notes on ADVERB 


Q. The hapless kid cut a sorry figure in his first performance on the stage.
1) made a sorry figure
2) made a sad figure
3) cut a sorry face
4) no improvement

Solution : 4, no improvement
“cut a sorry figure” means ‘to be ashamed’ / ‘make bad results’



Q. If you are living in the crowded part of the city then you should be ready to bear the noise.
1) bear off
2) bear away
3) bear with
4) no improvement

Solution : 3, bear with
bear with -  to be patient/tolerant.
Example- If you will bear with me a little longer, I will have this work finished.✔️


Q. Shall I sit between you at the concert?
1) beside
2) besides
3) next
4) No Improvement

Solution : 1, beside
 Preposition between means in the middle of two things / persons / points whereas beside means ‘on one side’Between should not be used for one person the correct uses should be ‘beside’.


Q. No one other reason than poverty is hampering India’s progress.

1) No other
2) None other
3) No another
4) No improvement

Solution : 1,  No other
 ‘No other reason’ is the correct usage. 


Q .The custom has took root in the society.
1) taken root
2) take root
3) takes root
4) No improvement

Solution : 1, taken root


Q .We will take care of your children when you are away at Mumbai.
1) be looking for
2) look after
3) take care after
4) No improvement

Solution : 2,  look after
Phrasal verbs ‘look after’ and ‘take care’ have the same meaning but for children the best option is ‘look after’. 


Q .Both of us had a different opinion about it.

1) Both of us has
2) Each of us had
3) Each of us have
4) No improvement

Solution : 2,  Each of us had
 ‘Both’ is used for two and each is used for one , In the sense of one write ‘Each of us had’. 


Q .The trade union is hell bent at getting its demands fulfilled

1) hell bent in
2) hell bent about
3) hell bent on
4) No improvement

Solution : 3,  hell bent on
‘Be hell-bent on something’ -  to be extremely determined to do something, without considering the risks.
Replace preposition ‘at’ with ‘on’


Q .The police had to break the door to get in.

1) to break up
2) to break in
3) to break down
4) No improvement

Solution : 3, to break down
 Break down -   to destroy a physical structure.
Example  – I’ll break this door down if shivani does not come out here right now.✔️


Q .The plane landed and shot towards the airport

1) Taxied
2) Drove
3) Wheeled
4) No improvement

Solution : 1,  taxied
The verb taxi means-
(Of an aircraft) to move slowly on the ground. 


Q. After a hard days work, I just want to go home.

1) hard day’s work
2) hard days’ work
3) hard day work
4) No improvement

Solution : 1, hard day’s work
 Write day (singular form) as the Indefinite article ‘a’ is used for singular and also the apostrophe ‘s’ to make the sentence meaningful.


Q. Would you feel safe if you have to walk through a street alone at midnight?

1) where you had to
2) when you have to
3) if you had to
4) No improvement

Solution : 3,  if you had to
The given sentence is based on conditional  type 3,the if clause should be in past tense hence the correct usage should be ‘if you had to’. Refer to the ⬇️
💯Study Notes on CONDITIONAL SENTENCES 


Q. He is not sure whether she knows to swim.

1) how she can swim
2) how can she swim
3) how to swim
4) No improvement

Solution : 3, how to swim
Explanation - structure – know +how +infinitive
Example – I know how to dance.
The correct usage should be ‘how to swim’. 


Q. The water flows downhill rapidly, taking some of the land with it.
1) soil
2) ground
3) hill
4) No improvement
Solution : 1,  soil


Q. The greater the demand, higher the price.
1) the high
2) a higher
3) the higher
4) No improvement

Solution : 3,  the higher
 "the…the…with comparative adjectives"  is used to show proportionate increase or decrease.
Use definite article the with higher(comparative adjective).


Q. His appointment as coach is yet another feather in his wing.

1) feather in his hat
2) badge in his hat
3) feather in his cap
4) No improvement

Solution : 3,  feather in his cap
 ‘A feather in one's cap’ means an achievement to be proud of
Example  – It’s a feather in our cap to win the game .✔️


Q. The majority of the rain-fed Indian rivers, either dry up, or become trickle after the monsoon.

1) the trickle
2) a trickle
3) an trickle
4) No improvement

Solution : 2, a trickle
The  word trickle is a countable noun , use indefinite article ‘a’ with it.


Q.We sat on the floor to eat dinner and he (appreciate) the fresh food my mother served.
1) had appreciated
2) appreciated
3) will appreciate
4) no improvement

Solution : appreciated
The given sentence is in past tense (we sat- simple past tense / mother served – simple past tense). Use ‘appreciated’ in place  of ‘appreciate’.

Q. We sat there (enjoy) the view.

1) enjoyed
2) enjoying
3) enjoys
4) no improvement

Solution : enjoying
use participle ‘enjoying’ instead of verb ‘enjoy’ to connect the sentence.
 Example - There was a beautiful girl sitting next to him.✔️

Q. Opening the door to her each morning is like (lets) a breath of fresh air into my world.

1) let
2) to let
3) letting
4) no improvement

Solution :  letting
 ‘Like’ is followed by gerund for experience or joy.
 Example- I like getting up early morning.  
‘Like’ is followed by ‘to infinitive’ express habitual preference, something that we do not necessarily like or enjoy but consider as useful, right or wise. 
Example- I like to be honest and straightforward .
Here it is for joy so, it should be followed by gerund (V. + ing) – letting.

Q. What seeds you (has sow) in the garden of your mind determine the quality of life you shall have.

1) sowing
2) sow
3) had sow
4) no improvement

Solution :  sow
Explanation: – general / common / universal truth should be expressed in simple present tense. 


Q. As he tried harder, his steps slowed, his senses (activated).

1) is activated
2) were activated
3) were activate
4) no improvement

Solution : were activated
The given sentence is in passive voice, verb ‘were’ (plural verb will be used for 'senses' ) should be followed by V3 (activated).

Q. My daughter (comes running) as fast as her little feet can take her while her eyes sparkle vivaciously.

1) comes run
2) come running
3) came run
4) no improvement
Solution :  no improvement 

Q. At the micro level, the dialectical process of development in India (has now heading) towards another direction.

1) had now heading
2) now heading
3) is now heading
4) no improvement

Solution : is now heading
 has / have / had should be followed by past participle form of the main verb. Or. “Has/ have/ had + been + present participle” Option (3) present continuous tense is correct to make the sentence meaningful.

Q. I wondered what one would have thought some 40 years ago if you (had said) you could heat liquid using a plastic container.

1) having said
2) had say
3) have saying
4) no improvement

Solution :  no improvement
It's a third conditional sentence.
"would have + past participle…. + if + past perfect tense".
Example - You would have passed your exam if you had worked harder.✔️

Q. I understood that we (is influenced) by what we see, what we hear.
1) was influenced
2) are influence
3) are influenced
4) no improvement

Solution :  are influenced

Q. Tunnels (is built) to connect houses and places of worship whereas innovative trick doors were attached to the underground cities.
1) was built
2) were built
3) were building
4) no improvement

Solution :  were built



6-March-2018

Q.11:- The trick is in (keep) the flavours simple and fresh.
Options:
1) keeping
2) keeps
3) to keep
4) no improvement

Solution :  keeping
Explanation – Preposition should be followed by ‘V+ing’ except ‘to’. Use ‘keeping’ instead of ‘keep’.
Some exceptions with ‘to’:- addicted to, used to, look forward to, opposed to, accustomed to, etc.
Example-  I am looking forward to meeting my friend. ✔️

Q.Yes, amazing things (has happen) with the launch of the internet.
Options:
1) is happening
2) had happen
3) have happened
4) no improvement

Solution :  have happened


Q. The joy of (cook) a meal with freshly grown herbs was boundless.

1) cooked
2) cooking
3) cooks
4) no improvement

Solution :  cooking
preposition should be followed by gerund. Use ‘cooking’ instead of’ ‘cook’.

Q. It is nothing less than magic which (will transformed) tiny teeny seeds into fruits of life.
Options:
1) transform
2) transforms
3) transforming
4) no improvement

Solution : transforms
General statement / truth should be written in simple present tense. The antecedent of the relative pronoun ‘which’ is singular (magic), it should be followed by singular verb – transforms.