Error Detection 3
35 advanced questions covering paragraph error detection, single-sentence errors, word interchange, fill in the blanks, and synonym matching with detailed explanations.
Error Detection
This set covers five question types frequently tested in RRB PO / IBPS Mains. Each question includes a detailed breakdown of errors and the grammar rules behind them.
Section A — Paragraph Error Detection (Q1–Q6)
Directions: Each paragraph below contains multiple grammatical and contextual errors embedded across parts marked (a), (b), (c), (d). Identify and count all errors. If no error exists, select (e) No Error.
TIP
Speed Strategy for Paragraph Errors:
- Read each sentence independently — check Subject-Verb Agreement first
- Watch for word confusion (affect/effect, accept/except, principal/principle)
- Check it's vs its — "it's" = "it is"; "its" = possessive
- Verify preposition collocations — "comply with," "adhere to," "differ from"
- Check parallelism — items in a list must have the same grammatical form
Q1 — RBI Monetary Policy
Paragraph:
The Reserve Bank of India has so far maintained it's (a)/ stance on withdrawing accommodation, arguing that inflation remain above (b)/ the target band. A number of analysts, however, believes that the central bank (c)/ should now prioritise growth and reduce the repo rate to stimulate credit in the economy. (d)/ No Error. (e)/
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Error Detection
This set covers five question types frequently tested in RRB PO / IBPS Mains. Each question includes a detailed breakdown of errors and the grammar rules behind them.
Section A — Paragraph Error Detection (Q1–Q6)
Directions: Each paragraph below contains multiple grammatical and contextual errors embedded across parts marked (a), (b), (c), (d). Identify and count all errors. If no error exists, select (e) No Error.
TIP
Speed Strategy for Paragraph Errors:
- Read each sentence independently — check Subject-Verb Agreement first
- Watch for word confusion (affect/effect, accept/except, principal/principle)
- Check it's vs its — "it's" = "it is"; "its" = possessive
- Verify preposition collocations — "comply with," "adhere to," "differ from"
- Check parallelism — items in a list must have the same grammatical form
Q1 — RBI Monetary Policy
Paragraph:
The Reserve Bank of India has so far maintained it's (a)/ stance on withdrawing accommodation, arguing that inflation remain above (b)/ the target band. A number of analysts, however, believes that the central bank (c)/ should now prioritise growth and reduce the repo rate to stimulate credit in the economy. (d)/ No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "maintaining it's stance" | "maintaining its stance" | It's = "it is"; Its = possessive. The RBI's stance is possessive — use "its" |
| 2 | "inflation remain above" | "inflation remains above" | SVA: "inflation" is singular → requires singular verb "remains" |
| 3 | "analysts... believes" | "analysts... believe" | SVA: "analysts" (plural) → plural verb "believe" (no -s) |
Total errors: 3 → Answer: (c) Three errors
IMPORTANT
It's vs Its — The #1 Tested Error:
- It's = It is / It has ("It's raining" = "It is raining")
- Its = Belonging to it ("The RBI revised its policy")
- Memory trick: If you can replace with "it is," use it's. Otherwise, use its.
Q2 — NABARD and Cooperative Credit
Paragraph:
NABARD, which was setup in 1982, has been instrumental in (a)/ channeling credit to the rural sector threw its refinancing mechanism. Each of the district cooperative banks are (b)/ required to adhere with the guidelines issued by NABARD for priority sector lending. Despite of (c)/ several reforms, the reach of institutional credit to marginal farmers remain inadequate. (d)/ No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "was setup" | "was set up" | "Set up" (verb, two words) vs "setup" (noun — a configuration). "Was set up" = was established |
| 2 | "threw its refinancing" | "through its refinancing" | Word confusion: "threw" = past tense of throw (verb); "through" = preposition (via) |
| 3 | "cooperative banks are required" | "cooperative banks is required" | "Each of the cooperative banks" → "each of" takes singular verb |
| 4 | "adhere with" | "adhere to" | Fixed collocation: "adhere to" (not "adhere with") |
| 5 | "Despite of several reforms" | "Despite several reforms" | "Despite" already means "in spite of" — "of" is redundant |
| 6 | "credit...remain inadequate" | "credit...remains inadequate" | SVA: "reach of institutional credit" → singular subject → "remains" |
Total errors: 6 → Answer: (d) Four or more errors
TIP
Set up (verb) vs Setup (noun):
- "NABARD was set up in 1982." (verb — established)
- "The setup of the new branch is complete." (noun — arrangement)
Q3 — PM Kisan and Soil Health Cards
Paragraph:
The PM Kisan scheme, which was launched to provided (a)/ direct income support to farmers, has been widely appreciated. The principle objective of the scheme is to ensure that even (b)/ marginal farmers can meet there agriculture expenses without depending on moneylenders. (c)/ Soil health cards, which tell farmers about the nutrients in their soil, has also been distributed to improve yield. (d)/ No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "launched to provided" | "launched to provide" | "To" (infinitive marker) + base form (V1): "to provide" — not "to provided" |
| 2 | "principle objective" | "principal objective" | Principal = main/chief (adjective); Principle = rule/belief. "Principal objective" = main objective |
| 3 | "meet there agriculture expenses" | "meet their agriculture expenses" | There = place ("over there"); Their = possessive pronoun ("their expenses") |
| 4 | "Soil health cards... has also been" | "Soil health cards... have also been" | SVA: "Soil health cards" is plural → "have been distributed" |
Total errors: 4 → Answer: (d) Four errors
IMPORTANT
Principal vs Principle — Commonly Confused:
- Principal (adj.) = main, chief: "the principal reason," "the principal crop"
- Principal (noun) = head of school OR the loan amount
- Principle (noun) = rule, belief, moral standard: "principles of accounting"
Q4 — GST and Fiscal Policy
Paragraph:
The GST Council meet regularly to take (a)/ decisions on tax rates for various goods and services. Since it's implementation in 2017, GST has (b)/ streamlined the indirect tax structure and eliminate the cascading effect of multiple taxes. (c)/ The fiscal deficit, which effected investor confidence in the past, has now been (d)/ brought under control through improved revenue collection. No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "GST Council meet regularly" | "GST Council meets regularly" | SVA: "GST Council" = collective noun (singular) → "meets" |
| 2 | "Since it's implementation" | "Since its implementation" | Possessive → "its" (no apostrophe); "it's" = "it is" which makes no sense here |
| 3 | "has streamlined... and eliminate" | "has streamlined... and eliminated" | Parallelism: "has streamlined AND has eliminated" — both verbs must be Past Participle (V3) |
| 4 | "which effected investor confidence" | "which affected investor confidence" | Effect (noun) vs Affect (verb). "Affected" = had an impact on (verb needed here) |
Total errors: 4 → Answer: (d) Four errors
IMPORTANT
Affect vs Effect — The Most Tested Word Pair:
- Affect = verb (to influence): "High rates affect investment."
- Effect = noun (the result): "The effect of high rates is reduced investment."
- Memory trick: Affect = Action (verb); Effect = End result (noun)
Q5 — IBPS Recruitment and Bank Exams
Paragraph:
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts several examinations every year to recruited (a)/ probationary officers and clerks for public sector banks. A large number of candidates who applies for these exams (b)/ come from rural and semi-urban backgrounds. The number of vacancies that are announced every year are determined by (c)/ the staffing requirements of individual banks. The exam tests grammar, quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and general awarencess. (d)/ No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "to recruited" | "to recruit" | Infinitive marker "to" + base form (V1): "to recruit" — not "to recruited" |
| 2 | "candidates who applies" | "candidates who apply" | SVA: "candidates" (plural) → relative pronoun "who" → plural verb "apply" |
| 3 | "number of vacancies... are determined" | "number of vacancies... is determined" | "The number of vacancies" → singular subject → singular verb "is" |
| 4 | "general awarencess" | "general awareness" | Spelling error: "awareness" (not "awarencess") |
Total errors: 4 → Answer: (d) Four errors
Q6 — Digital Literacy and Jan Dhan
Paragraph:
Digital literacy programs have been crucial in helping rural populations to access banking services threw (a)/ mobile phones. Jan Dhan accounts, which was opened for millions of unbanked households, (b)/ have become the primary vehicle for direct benefit transfers. The government should insure that the quality of internet connectivity (c)/ in rural areas improves, so that financial inclusion can be truly achieved. Without not adequate infrastructure, (d)/ these efforts will remain incomplete. No Error. (e)/
Errors found
| # | Error | Correction | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "access banking services threw" | "access banking services through" | Word confusion: "threw" = past of throw; "through" = by means of (preposition) |
| 2 | "accounts, which was opened" | "accounts, which were opened" | SVA: "Jan Dhan accounts" (plural) → relative pronoun "which" → plural verb "were" |
| 3 | "should insure that" | "should ensure that" | Word confusion: "insure" = to take out insurance; "ensure" = to make certain |
| 4 | "Without not adequate" | "Without adequate" | Double negative: "without" already contains negation; "without not" is incorrect |
Total errors: 4 → Answer: (d) Four errors
TIP
Ensure vs Insure vs Assure:
- Ensure = to make certain something happens ("ensure quality")
- Insure = to take out an insurance policy ("insure the crop")
- Assure = to tell someone confidently to remove doubt ("I assure you it is correct")
Section B — Single-Sentence Error Detection (Q7–Q18)
Directions: Each sentence is divided into parts (A)–(D). Find the part with the grammatical error. If correct, choose (E) No Error.
Q7. (A) The FCI's grain procurement operations / (B) in the northern states / (C) has been hampered by / (D) inadequate cold storage facilities. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "has been" → "have been"
Correction: "have been hampered"
Rule: Subject = "grain procurement operations" (plural noun "operations") → plural verb "have been."
✅ Correct: The FCI's grain procurement operations in the northern states have been hampered by inadequate cold storage facilities.
Q8. (A) The SEBI chairman stated that / (B) the new norms would / (C) effect the functioning of / (D) all registered stock brokers. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "effect" (noun used as verb)
Correction: "affect"
Rule: Affect = verb (to have an impact on). Effect = noun (the result). The sentence needs a verb here.
✅ Correct: ...the new norms would affect the functioning of all registered stock brokers.
Q9. (A) Neither the cooperative society / (B) nor its member banks / (C) were willing to accept / (D) the revised credit terms. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "were" → "was"
Correction: "was willing"
Rule: Neither…nor — the verb agrees with the nearest subject. "its member banks" is plural but the nearest subject to the verb is the full construction; however, note the nearest noun is "member banks" (plural) → "were." Wait — recheck: "nor its member banks" is plural → "were" is actually correct here.
✅ Correct: (E) No Error — "member banks" (plural) is the nearer subject, so "were" is correct.
Q10. (A) The water conservation project / (B) in the drought-prone districts / (C) comply with all guidelines / (D) set by the National Water Mission. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "comply" → "complies"
Correction: "complies with"
Rule: Subject = "The water conservation project" (singular) → singular verb "complies." The phrase "in the drought-prone districts" is a prepositional modifier — ignore it.
✅ Correct: The water conservation project in the drought-prone districts complies with all guidelines set by the National Water Mission.
Q11. (A) The agriculture ministry announced / (B) that the millet procurement price / (C) will be rise by / (D) ten percent this season. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "will be rise" → "will be raised" or "will rise"
Correction: "will be raised" (passive) OR "will rise" (active intransitive)
Rule: "Will be" + V3 = passive future. "Rise" is intransitive (cannot be passivised this way — use "raise"). "Will be raised" (passive of "raise") is correct; alternatively, "will rise" (active intransitive) is also correct.
✅ Correct: ...the millet procurement price will be raised by ten percent this season.
Q12. (A) Crop insurance claims / (B) under PMFBY have / (C) been settled more quick / (D) after the digitisation of records. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "more quick" → "more quickly"
Correction: "more quickly"
Rule: Adjective vs Adverb — "quickly" (adverb) modifies the verb "settled." "Quick" is an adjective and cannot modify a verb.
✅ Correct: ...have been settled more quickly after the digitisation of records.
Q13. (A) The Union Budget this year / (B) has allocated a lesser amount / (C) for rural electrification / (D) than the previous year. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (B)**Error: "lesser" → "smaller" or "lower"
Correction: "a smaller amount" or "a lower amount"
Rule: Lesser means "not as important" (e.g., "the lesser of two evils"). For quantity or size, use "smaller," "lower," or "less" (not "lesser"). "A lesser amount" is non-standard in this context.
✅ Correct: The Union Budget this year has allocated a smaller amount for rural electrification than the previous year.
Q14. (A) The bank officer / (B) should have complied with / (C) the RBI directive and not / (D) acted on his own accord. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (D)**Error: "on his own accord" → "of his own accord"
Correction: "of his own accord"
Rule: Fixed Idiom — "of one's own accord" means voluntarily or without being asked. "On one's own accord" is not standard English.
✅ Correct: ...and not acted of his own accord.
Q15. (A) The government is likely to / (B) disinvest it's stake / (C) in three public sector undertakings / (D) before the end of this financial year. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (B)**Error: "it's stake" → "its stake"
Correction: "its stake"
Rule: It's = "it is" (contraction). Its = possessive determiner. "The government's stake" = "its stake" (possessive, no apostrophe needed).
✅ Correct: The government is likely to disinvest its stake in three public sector undertakings...
Q16. (A) The irrigation canal project / (B) differs from the earlier proposals / (C) in that it targets the / (D) most driest regions of the state. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (D)**Error: "most driest" → "driest"
Correction: "driest"
Rule: Double Superlative — "driest" is already the superlative of "dry." Adding "most" before a superlative is redundant and incorrect (similar to "most tallest," "most fastest").
✅ Correct: ...in that it targets the driest regions of the state.
Q17. (A) The number of organic farms / (B) certified by APEDA / (C) have increased threefold / (D) over the last decade. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "have increased" → "has increased"
Correction: "has increased"
Rule: "The number of" + plural noun → singular verb. The subject is "The number" (singular), not "organic farms."
✅ Correct: The number of organic farms certified by APEDA has increased threefold over the last decade.
Q18. (A) India's disinvestment proceeds / (B) from the sale of PSU stakes / (C) is expected to reach / (D) two lakh crore this year. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "is expected" → "are expected"
Correction: "are expected"
Rule: "Proceeds" is always a plural noun (like "earnings," "funds," "winnings"). Plural subject → plural verb "are expected."
✅ Correct: India's disinvestment proceeds from the sale of PSU stakes are expected to reach two lakh crore this year.
Section C — Word Interchange (Q19–Q26)
Directions: In each sentence below, two words have been swapped (interchanged), making the sentence grammatically or contextually incorrect. Identify the two misplaced words and write them in the correct positions.
Q19. The effect of raising the reverse repo rate is to affect the flow of excess liquidity from the banking system back to the RBI.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *effect* ↔ *affect*Correction: The affect → effect is wrong; the sentence should read:
"The effect of raising the reverse repo rate is to affect the flow of excess liquidity..."
Wait — as written, "effect" (noun) is used correctly as the subject, and "affect" (verb) is used correctly in the infinitive "to affect." This sentence is actually correct.
Re-reading for swap: The words are in the correct positions — no swap needed here. This is a "No Error" trap question.
✅ Original sentence is correct. No interchange needed.
Q20. The principal of cooperative farming is that collective effort leads to better outcomes than individual work; this principle has guided many NABARD-funded projects.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *principal* ↔ *principle*Correction:
- "The principle of cooperative farming..." (principle = rule/belief)
- "...this principal..." — NO; "this principal has guided" doesn't make sense (principal = head of school / main).
Corrected sentence: "The principle of cooperative farming is that collective effort leads to better outcomes than individual work; this principle has guided many NABARD-funded projects."
Rule: Principle = rule, guiding belief. The word "principal" (main/chief) does not fit either position in this context. Both positions require "principle."
Q21. The farmers were advised to accept the soil health card recommendations and not to except any of the nutrient application guidelines.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *accept* ↔ *except*Correction:
- "...were advised to accept the soil health card recommendations..." ✅ (correct — accept = receive/agree)
- "...and not to except any of the nutrient application guidelines." ✗ ("except" as a verb = exclude; "ignore" or "deviate from" is the intended meaning)
Actual intended reading: The second part should use "ignore" or the sentence structure should be "not to exclude any guidelines." However, in the context of an interchange question, the swap is:
accept should be except (meaning "exclude") in the second part, and vice versa — BUT that makes "accept" fit the first part correctly and "ignore/exclude" fits the second. The two swapped words as a pair: accept ↔ except.
✅ Corrected: "...were advised to accept...and not to ignore any of the guidelines." (In word-interchange format: swap the positions of "accept" and "except.")
Q22. The affect of demonetisation on the rural economy was severe, as it effected the cash-dependent agricultural transactions for several months.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *affect* ↔ *effected*Correction:
- Position 1 (subject of sentence): needs a noun → "The effect of demonetisation..."
- Position 2 (verb in past tense): needs a verb → "...as it affected the cash-dependent transactions..."
Corrected sentence: "The effect of demonetisation on the rural economy was severe, as it affected the cash-dependent agricultural transactions for several months."
Rule: Effect (noun) = the result; Affect (verb) = to have an impact on.
Q23. The fiscal minister announced several monetary policies in the Union Budget, while the RBI simultaneously revised its fiscal stance through changes in the repo rate.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *fiscal* ↔ *monetary* (in first two instances)Correction:
- "The finance minister announced several fiscal policies in the Union Budget..." (Budget → fiscal/government spending)
- "...the RBI simultaneously revised its monetary stance..." (RBI → monetary policy)
Rule:
- Fiscal = related to government taxes and spending (Union Budget)
- Monetary = related to money supply and interest rates (RBI)
Corrected sentence: "The finance minister announced several fiscal policies in the Union Budget, while the RBI simultaneously revised its monetary stance through changes in the repo rate."
Q24. Farmers should ensure their crops under PMFBY before the deadline; the government will insure that the premium subsidy is credited directly to their accounts.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *ensure* ↔ *insure*Correction:
- "Farmers should insure their crops under PMFBY..." (insure = take out insurance policy) ✅
- "...the government will ensure that the premium subsidy is credited..." (ensure = make certain) ✅
Corrected sentence: "Farmers should insure their crops under PMFBY before the deadline; the government will ensure that the premium subsidy is credited directly to their accounts."
Rule: Insure = to protect against risk via insurance; Ensure = to make certain.
Q25. The number of cooperative societies has grown, but a large amount of them still lack proper accounting systems and trained staff.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *number* ↔ *amount*Correction:
- "The number of cooperative societies has grown..." ✅ ("number" for countable nouns)
- "...but a large number of them still lack proper accounting systems..." (societies are countable → "number," not "amount")
Corrected sentence: "The number of cooperative societies has grown, but a large number of them still lack proper accounting systems and trained staff."
Rule: Number = for countable nouns (societies, farmers, banks); Amount = for uncountable nouns (money, water, information).
Q26. The government's principal in framing the new agricultural export policy is to maximise farmer income; the principle beneficiary will be the small and marginal farmer.
Answer & Explanation
**Swapped Words:** *principal* ↔ *principle*Correction:
- "The government's principle in framing the policy..." ✗ — needs "principle" (the guiding rule) ✅
- "...the principal beneficiary will be the small and marginal farmer." ✅ (principal = main/chief)
Wait — re-reading: "The government's principle..." means the guiding rule; "the principal beneficiary" means the main beneficiary. The original sentence has them swapped:
- Position 1 has "principal" but needs "principle"
- Position 2 has "principle" but needs "principal"
Corrected sentence: "The government's principle in framing the new agricultural export policy is to maximise farmer income; the principal beneficiary will be the small and marginal farmer."
Section D — Additional Single-Sentence Errors (Q27–Q35)
Directions: Each sentence is divided into parts (A)–(D). Find the part with the grammatical error. If correct, choose (E) No Error.
Q27. (A) Lest the microfinance institutions / (B) should not default on / (C) their repayment obligations, / (D) RBI has tightened its oversight. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (B)**Error: "should not default" → "should default"
Correction: Remove "not" — "lest...should default"
Rule: "Lest" already contains the meaning "for fear that (something negative happens)." Adding "not" creates a double negative, reversing the meaning. "Lest they should default" = "for fear that they default."
✅ Correct: Lest the microfinance institutions should default on their repayment obligations, RBI has tightened its oversight.
Q28. (A) No sooner did / (B) SEBI announce new norms / (C) when the market indices / (D) fell sharply. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "when" → "than"
Correction: "than the market indices"
Rule: "No sooner...than" is a fixed correlative conjunction pair. "No sooner...when" is incorrect. Additionally, "no sooner" requires subject-auxiliary inversion: "No sooner did SEBI announce..."
✅ Correct: No sooner did SEBI announce new norms than the market indices fell sharply.
Q29. (A) Though the buffer stock / (B) was replenished after the rabi harvest, / (C) but the distribution network / (D) remained inefficient. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (C)**Error: "but" must be removed
Correction: Remove "but" — use either "Though...," (no "but") or "..., but..." (no "though")
Rule: "Though/Although" and "but" are both contrast conjunctions. Using both creates a redundant double conjunction. Choose one:
- "Though the buffer stock was replenished, the distribution network remained inefficient." OR
- "The buffer stock was replenished, but the distribution network remained inefficient."
✅ Correct: Though the buffer stock was replenished after the rabi harvest, the distribution network remained inefficient.
Q30. (A) The RBI's decision to maintain / (B) the reverse repo rate unchanged / (C) came as a surprise, / (D) as most analysts had anticipated a cut. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (E) No Error**Explanation:
- SVA: "The RBI's decision...came" — singular subject, singular past tense verb ✅
- "Reverse repo rate unchanged" — participial complement ✅
- "As most analysts had anticipated" — Past Perfect used correctly (analysts anticipated before the decision) ✅
- No article, preposition, or word confusion errors present.
✅ The sentence is grammatically correct.
Q31. (A) A number of IBPS-qualified officers / (B) have been deployed in rural branches / (C) to improve the quality of / (D) credit delivery in underserved areas. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (E) No Error**Explanation:
- "A number of IBPS-qualified officers" → plural verb "have been deployed" ✅ ("A number of" = many → plural verb)
- "to improve the quality of credit delivery" — infinitive of purpose, correct ✅
- "in underserved areas" — correct preposition ✅
✅ The sentence is grammatically correct. Note: This contrasts with "The number of officers has..." (singular verb).
Q32. (A) The drip irrigation system / (B) installed in the millet fields / (C) has nearly reduced water consumption / (D) by forty percent. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (E) No Error**Explanation:
- Subject "The drip irrigation system" (singular) → "has reduced" ✅
- "installed in the millet fields" — past participial phrase modifying the subject ✅
- "nearly reduced" — adverb "nearly" correctly modifies the past participle ✅
- "by forty percent" — correct use of "by" for expressing reduction/change ✅
✅ The sentence is grammatically correct.
Q33. (A) The Union Budget's allocation / (B) for digital infrastructure / (C) is greater than / (D) the previous year. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (D)**Error: "the previous year" → "that of the previous year"
Correction: "is greater than that of the previous year"
Rule: Comparison Parallelism — we must compare like with like. "Allocation" (this year) must be compared with "allocation" (previous year). Use "that of" as a substitute for the noun to avoid repetition and ensure logical comparison.
✅ Correct: The Union Budget's allocation for digital infrastructure is greater than that of the previous year.
Q34. (A) India's organic export sector / (B) has grew rapidly / (C) since the government introduced / (D) the certification scheme for organic produce. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (B)**Error: "has grew" → "has grown"
Correction: "has grown"
Rule: Present Perfect = has/have + V3 (past participle). "Grew" is V2 (simple past) of "grow." The V3 (past participle) is "grown." Never use V2 after "has/have."
Verb forms: grow → grew → grown
✅ Correct: India's organic export sector has grown rapidly since the government introduced the certification scheme.
Q35. (A) The government should of / (B) taken proactive steps / (C) to address the agrarian distress / (D) before it reached a crisis. (E) No Error.
Answer & Explanation
**Answer: (A)**Error: "should of" → "should have"
Correction: "should have taken"
Rule: "Should of" is a phonetic error — people write "of" because "should have" in speech sounds like "should've" (contraction). The grammatically correct form is always "should have + V3."
Perfect Modals: should have, would have, could have, might have — never "should of / would of / could of."
✅ Correct: The government should have taken proactive steps to address the agrarian distress before it reached a crisis.
Top Grammar Rules Tested in This Paper
- It's vs Its: "It's" = "it is"; "its" = possessive (no apostrophe)
- The Number of → Singular Verb: "The number of farms has grown" (not "have")
- Affect vs Effect: Affect = verb (impact); Effect = noun (result)
- Principal vs Principle: Principal = main/chief; Principle = rule/belief
- Lest + should (no "not"): "Lest they should fail" — "lest" already contains negation
- No sooner…than: Fixed pair — never "no sooner…when"
- Though/Although + but: Never use both — choose one conjunction
- Parallelism: List items must match in form (all V3, all gerunds, etc.)
- Comparison with "that of": "Greater than that of the previous year" — compare like with like
- Should have (not "should of"): Perfect modals = modal + have + V3
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details / Explanation |
|---|---|
| It's vs Its | It's = "it is/has"; Its = possessive — the #1 most-tested error |
| "The number of" → singular verb | "The number of farms has grown" (number is the subject) |
| "A number of" → plural verb | "A number of farms have adopted drip irrigation" (= many) |
| Affect vs Effect | Affect = verb (to influence); Effect = noun (the result) |
| Principal vs Principle | Principal = main/chief; Principle = rule, moral standard |
| Accept vs Except | Accept = to receive/agree; Except = to exclude or other than |
| Ensure vs Insure vs Assure | Ensure = make certain; Insure = take out insurance; Assure = reassure |
| Through vs Threw | Through = preposition (via/by means of); Threw = past tense of throw |
| Number vs Amount | Number for countable nouns; Amount for uncountable nouns |
| Fiscal vs Monetary | Fiscal = government spending/taxes; Monetary = money supply/interest rates |
| Lest + should (no "not") | "Lest they should fail" — "lest" already contains negation; "should not" is wrong |
| No sooner...than | Fixed pair — "No sooner did X than Y" — never "no sooner...when" |
| Though/Although + but | Never use both: "Though X, Y" OR "X, but Y" — not "Though X, but Y" |
| Double superlative | "driest" (not "most driest") — never add "most" before a superlative |
| Should have (not "should of") | Perfect modals: should have, would have, could have + V3 |
| Comparison parallelism | "greater than that of the previous year" — compare noun to noun |
| "Set up" (verb) vs "setup" (noun) | "NABARD was set up in 1982" (verb) vs "the setup of the branch" (noun) |
| "Of one's own accord" | Fixed idiom — "of his own accord" (not "on his own accord") |
| Present Perfect: has/have + V3 | "has grown" (not "has grew") — V3 of grow = grown, not grew |
| Adverb modifies verb/participle | "settled more quickly" (adverb), not "more quick" (adjective) |
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