LIC AAO and SO : English Error Correction Quiz

Directions (Q.1 - 10): Read each sentence to find out whether there is any error in it. The error, if any will be in one part of the sentence. The number of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is (5).

1. Ravi who has been (1)/ driving all day (2)/ was extremely tired (3)/ and wanted to stop. (4)/ No error (5).

2. The Director of our company (1)/ does not believe that (2)/ we are working sincerely (3)/ and with interest for all these years. (4)/ No error (5).

3. He telephoned from a call-box (1)/ so that the call (2)/ would not be traced (3)/ to his address. (4)/ No error (5).

4. He received timely support (1)/ from his elder brother (2)/ who is working abroad (3)/ for eight years. (4)/ No error (5).

5. They have the nasty habit of (1)/ looking down upon people (2)/ and criticise them (3)/ for no reason. (4)/ No error (5).

6. The main advantage India has (1)/ over other countries is (2)/ its large human capital which (3)/ make it an ideal outsourcing base. (4)/ No error (5).

7. The complainants in their complaint (1)/ have been alleged that (2)/ they were forced to leave (3)/ their belongings unattended. (4)/ No error (5).

8. Despite taking steps to (1)/ encourage foreign investment (2)/ there has been any (3)/ substantial improvement in our economy. (4)/ No error (5).

9. Since the US economy experiences (1)/ a recession many Asian countries (2)/ are likely to have (3)/ reduced-growth-rates this year. (4)/ No error (5).

10. My elder sister and I am (1)/ interested in painting (2)/ and therefore have joined (3)/ the coaching classes. (4)/ No error (5).

Answers:

1-1; Replace 'has' with 'had', because 'was' used in part 3 indicates that the sentence is written in past tense.

2-3; 'are' should be replaced with 'have been', because the subordinate clause (second part of the sentence) is in present perfect continuous tense and the format of this tense is - sub + has been/ have been + v + ing.

3-3; Change 'would not be traced' to 'could not be traced', because 'would not' expresses 'futurity' here as 'could not' expresses possibility in the negative sense. Here the intention of the writer is to avoid possibility of being traced out.

4-3; Replace 'is working' with 'had been working', because the sentence is in past tense.

5-3; Replace 'criticise' with 'criticising', because the parallel structure of the verb 'criticise' is 'criticising'.

6-4; Substitute singular 'makes' for 'make', because, the verb 'make' has been used for 'human capital'. As 'human capital' is singular, the verb also must be singular.

7-2; Delete 'been'. 'Complainants have alleged' means 'complainants have charged someone else'. 'Complainants have been alleged' means someone else has charged complainants. Moreover,

'complainants have charged' is in active voice whereas 'complainants have been charged' in passive voice.

8-3; Substitute 'no' for 'any'. Despite must take a phrase/ clause/ sentence of contrary idea. Here, contrary to 'taking steps' should be 'no improvement'. Therefore 'any' should be replaced with 'no'.

9-1; Substitute 'is experiencing' for 'experiences'. There is cause-effect relationship in the sentence. The U.S. Economy is experiencing a recession, the results thereof are 'reduced growth rate'.

10-1; Substitute 'are' for 'am'. The rule says that when two clauses are joined by 'and' plural verb is used. Here 'my elder sister' is one clause and 'I' is another clause and both are joined by 'and'. Hence plural verb 'are' should be used.