SSC Sentence Improvement

. (b) Past Perfect Tense (had planned) will be used.
Sentence structure is as follows :
Subject + Aux.V. + Main V. + Object
+ he had planned _____
Before we arrived at school the class had started
¯ ¯
Second action First action
Hence, had planned is the right usage.

. (c) fewer (Det., Adj.) : not many used for Countable Nouns.
Hence, no fewer is the right usage.
less (Det., Pro.) : a smaller amount of used for Uncountable Nouns
No less than (Idiom) : used for emphasizing a large
amount

. (c) outstretched (Adj.) : spread out as far as possible
stretch out (Phr. V.) : to lie down in order to relax or
sleep
Here, outstretched in the ditch is the right usage.

. (a) presently (Adv.) : now ; currently; at the time you
are speaking
by this time : a particular allotted time
Here, presently is the right usage.

. (a) cut down on (Phr. V.) : to reduce
get rid of (Phr. V.) : to make yourself free of something
that is annoying or that you do not want or do
not want to do
Here, cut down on is the right usage.

. (c) irritates (Verb.) : to annoy somebody, especially
by something you continuously do or by something
that continuously happens
incessant (Adj.) : never stopping ; constant
annoys (Verb.) : to make some body slightly angry ;
irritates
Here, irritates is the right usage.

. (a) Not only _____ but also are Correlative Conjunctions.
Sentence structure is as follows :
Not only + Aux. verb + Subject
Not only + did + they
Hence, Not only did they go is the right usage.

. (c) The basic sentence structure is as follows :
Subject Verb Object
¯ ¯
fill the sweet notes
Hence, fill the air by their sweet notes is the right
usage.

. (c) power (Noun) : strength or influence in a particular
area of activity
giant (Noun) : a very large and powerful organisation
Here, power is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
many a (Det., Pro.) : a large number of
used with a Singular Noun and Verb
l Many a good man has been destroyed by drink.

. (c) higher (Adv.)
the (Indef. Art.) is used in the Comparative Degree
with Adverbs.

. (a) prefer (Verb) : to like one thing or person better
than another
A Prepositional Phrase with to will be used.
Hence, riding to walking is the right usage.

. (b) demand (Verb) : to ask for something firmly
Here, demanding is the right usage.

. (a) International News is compared to National News.
Hence, National is the right usage.

. (a) be angry with someone : to feel or express displeasure
be angry at something : to be irritated by
angry at what somebody does
angry with somebody about something or for doing
something
Here, angry with is the right usage.

. (c) back out (Phr.V.) : to withdraw from something
Here, withdrew his support from is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
who (Pro.) : used for showing which person you mean

. (a) neither (Adv.) : used for introducing a further negative
statement
l He didn’t remember, and neither did I
Hence, neither did I is the right usage.

. (b) declined (Verb.) : refused politely to accept or to
do something
denied (Verb.) : said that something is not true
Here, declined is the right usage.

. (a) don’t think so (Idiom) : used for saying very strongly
that you do not agree to something, or that something
is not possible
suspect (Verb.) : to be suspicious about something;
not to trust something
Here, don’t think is the right usage.

. (b) return (Verb) : to come or go back from one place
to another
return : turn back We had to return to the old
rules.
Here, you return from is the right usage.

. (a) to make a tag, the first Auxiliary (has) will be used.
Hence, hasn’t he ? is the right usage.

. (a) beneficial (Adj.) : favourable; advantageous ; helpful
benevolent (Adj.) : kind, helpful and generous
beneficent (Adj.) : giving help ; showing kindness ;
generous
bounteous (Adj.) : giving very generously
Here, beneficial is the right usage.

. (b) in (Prep.) : at a point within an area or a space
under (Prep.) : below something
Here, in. (Prep.) is the right usage.

. (c) in case (Conj.) : in the event that something takes
place ;as a precaution, if
Here, If/In case is the right usage.

. (b) components (Noun) : one of several parts of which
something is made
compounds (Noun) : a thing consisting of two or more
separate things combined together
Here, components is the right usage.

. (c) constantly (Adv.) : all the time ; repeatedly
sneak (Verb) : to go somewhere secretly, trying to avoid
being seen
frequently (Adv.) : often
occasionally (Adv.) : sometimes but not often
Here, constantly is the right usage.

. (b) fewer (Det., Pro.) : not many used for Countable
Nouns
less (Det., Pro.) : a smaller amount of used for
Uncountable Nouns
Here, Fewer is the right usage.

. (c) bestow something (on/upon somebody) : to give
something to somebody
bestow is used with on/upon (Prep.)
Hence, bestowed on man is the right usage.

. (b) The sentence is in Passive Voice. Here, been will
not be used.
Hence, held as hostages is the right usage.

. (b) Here, four years ago is the right usage.

. (b) by and large (Idiom) : in general; mainly ; to a
large extent
by the way (Idiom) : used for introducing a comment
or question that is not directly related to what you
have been talking about
Here, by and large is the right usage.

. (c) only (Adv.) : just
one (Adj.) : alone in a class or category
l It was only a matter of time. (Adv.)
l That is the only possible right answer. (Adj.)
Here, only a means is the right usage.

. (c) deflected (Verb) : changed direction after hitting
something
diverted (Verb) : made somebody or something change
direction
Here, deflected is the right usage.

. (c) boast about something :
l She is always boasting about her children.
boast of something :
l He openly boasted of his skills.
Here, boast of is the right usage.

. (c) Prepositions are used at the end of the sentence
in Inf. structures, to make the sense clear.
Hence, didn’t want to is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
may (Mod.v.) : used for saying that something is possible
might (Mod.v.) : Past Tense of ‘may’
shall (Mod.v.) : used with ‘I’ and ‘we’ for talking about
or predicting the future
should (Mod.v.) : used for saying that something is
the best thing or the right thing to do

. (a) Structure of sentence (Past Perfect Tense) will
be as follows :
Subject + had + Verb (Past Parti-ciple form)
¯ ¯
He had taken
Hence, He had taken his breakfast is the right usage.

. (b) referring to (Phr.v.) : speaking about or mentioning
about somebody/something
eluding (Verb) : managing to avoid or escaping from
somebody/something especially in a clever way
hinting (Verb) : suggesting something in an indirect
way
Here, referring to is the right usage.

. (b) reassure (Verb) : put somebody’s mind at ease
l They tried to reassure her, but she still felt anxious.
reassume (Verb) : to carry on ; to adopt again ; to
resume
Object (me) will be used after reassured
Hence, reassured me is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
After let us, (when there is a suggestion or proposal),
the tag begins with shall.

. (c) Here, what the truth was is the right usage.
Structure of the sentence will be as follows :
Subject + Verb + ______
¯ ¯
the truth was

. (c) Here, so am I is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
must have-expresses an opinion about an earlier (Past)
situation, based on evidence.
l Dinosaurs were very big; they must have eaten a lot.

. (b) Positive Sentences require Negative Tags. First
Auxiliary (Must) + not (Mustn’t)
Hence, mustn’t he ? is the right usage.

. (b) English (Noun) : English language or literature as
a subject of study
The English (Noun) : the people of England
The English language (Adj.) : relating to England, its
people, or its language
Here, The English language is the right usage.

. (c) Sentence Structure will be as follows :
If-clause (Simple Present Tense) will (Simple Future)
Hence, One will get is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
between (Prep.) one member to another member
(reciprocal)
among (Pre.p) with all members (collective)

. (c) nor (Conj., Adv.) : used before a Positive Verb to
agree something Negative that has just been said.
l She doesn’t like them and nor does he.
l I’m not going and nor is he.
Hence, nor do I is the right usage.

. (c) Positive Sentence Negative tag
Tag structure First Auxiliary (can) + not (can’t)
Hence, can’t they ? is the right usage.

. (b) Subjunctive Mood expresses a wish
Use of if-clauses expresses an unreal or imaginary
condition.
The Past Tense of the Subjunctive uses the Verbwere.
Hence, were is the right usage.

. (c) respect (Noun) agrees with Prep. (for)
faith (Noun) agrees with Prep. (in)
Hence, respect for and unlimited faith in is the right
usage.

. (a) addicted (Adj.) : unable to stop doing something
as a habit
an Adj. + to Gerund (Verb + ing) will be used.
Hence, addicted to smoking is the right usage.

. (d) lest (Conj.) : in case ; for fear that
should (Mod.V) is used with lest
Hence, you should forget is the right usage.

. (a) Here, go out to play (Inf.) is the right usage.

. (c) for (Prep.) is used for showing purpose or function
Hence, for (Prep.) is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
dazzled (Verb.) : dim the vision with very bright light
or moving lights

. (c) Here, What matters most is the right usage.

. (b) Positive Sentence (withoutAuxiliary) Negative Tag
Tag structure do/did/does + not
Hence, didn’t you ? (Past Tense) is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
board (Noun) : a long, thin, flat piece of wood
boarding (Verb) : to furnish with meals, or with meals
and lodging, for a payment
board (Noun) : a person’s food/meals, provided regularly
for money
used in Phr. like full board, board and lodging

. (c) The sentence structure is as follows :
It’s high time + Subject (you) + Past Verb (went)
Refers to the present moment
Hence, went is the right usage.

. (a) Here, a -feet long bath for males is the right
usage.

. (d) No improvement
siphon something + off (Prep.) : to remove money from
one place and move it to another, especially dishonestly
or illegally ; divert

. (c) emigrant (Noun) : a person who leaves a country
to live in another
migratory (Adj.) : wandering from one place to another
at different times of the year
immigrant (Noun) : a person who comes to a country
to live there
itinerant (Noun) : travelling from place to place, especially
looking for a job
Here, emigrant is the right usage.

. (b) Neither do I nor does my friend is the right usage.

. (a) Here, the poorer of is the right usage.
There is a comparison between two workers.

. (c) than (Conj., Prep.) is used for indicating the second
part of a comparison
Hence, more than enough is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement

. (c) Negative Sentence Positive Tag
Tag Structure First Auxiliary (will)
Hence, will you is the right usage.

. (a) The sentence is in Passive Voice, Present Continuous
Tense.
Hence, being disturbed is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement.
Structure of sentence in Simple Future Tense is as
follows :
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Main Verb
¯ ¯ ¯
I will reach

. (b) each other (Pro.) shows that each member of a
group does something to or for the other member
l They looked at each other and laughed. (A looked at
B and B looked at A)
one another (Pro.) is used when you are saying that
each member of a group does something to or for the
other people in the group
l We all try and help one another.
Hence, each other is the right usage.

. (c) they only work : they do only work nothing else
work only when : never work, except when
l Call me only when your cold is unbearable.
Here, They work only when they have no money is
the right sentence.

. (b) The structure of the sentence in the Past Continuous
Tense is as following :
Subject + Auxiliary Verb (be) + Main Verb + ing
¯ ¯ ¯
he was running
(Simple Past)
Hence, was running is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement
discord (Noun) : lack of agreement among persons,
groups or things
A note of discord surfaced during the proceedings.

. (a) The structure of the sentence is as follows :
if + Simple Past, Main clause with would + Infinitive
¯ ¯
if I dyed would laugh
Hence, would is the right usage.

. (c) truant (Verb) : (of a child) to stay away from school
without permission
Positive Statement Negative Tag
The sentence structure is as follows :
Subject + Auxiliary Verb + Main Verb; Auxiliary +
The students X play do
not + Personal Pronoun same as subject
not they
do not don’t
Hence, don’t they ? is the right usage

. (c) provide (someone) with (something) (Phr.V.)
l They provided him with money to buy new clothes.
l We are here to provide the public with a service.
provide (something) for (someone) (Phr.V.)
l The animals provide food for their young.
Hence, with (Prep.) is the right usage.

. (b) vetted (Verb) : checked the contents, quality, etc.
of something carefully
doctored (Verb) : altered or modified
whetted (Verb) : increased your desire for or interest
in something
Here, vetted is the right usage.

. (a) Can (Mod.V.) less polite
Could (Mod.V) more polite than Can
The sentence structure is as follows :
Could + Subject + Verb
Could you type ….
Hence, Could is the right usage.

. (b) In Indirect Speech, the Reporting Verb changes to
asked, enquired, etc. and if is used.
Hence, enquired of the peasant if he could is the
right usage.

. (c) feel like a fish out of water (Idiom) : someone
who is uncomfortable in a particular situation
Hence, fell like a fish out of water is the right usage.

. (a) look forward to (Idiom) : to anticipate something
with pleasure
Hence, looking forward to is the right usage.

. (d) No improvement

. (b) As there is no Aux.V. in the sentence, often will
come before the Verb-comes.
Hence, often comes is the right usage.

. (b) The Subject (participating members) is Plural.
So, teacher will be used.
Hence, Mathematics teachers is the right usage.

. (b) Object (Verb) agrees with ‘to’ and – ing form will
be used after object to.
Hence, to my calling them is the right usage.

. (c) Comparative Degree (higher than) and any other
one will be used.
Hence, higher than any other one is the right usage.

. (c) reclamation (Noun) : reformation ; restoration to
use (Singular)
acquisition (Noun) : the act of acquiring (Singular)
Here, reclamation and acquisition of farmland is the
right usage.

. (b) Sentence structure in Compound Adjectives is
as follows :
Number (in words) + Hyphen + time period (Singular)
three _ year
Hence, a three-year degree course is the right usage.

. (c) When the Main clause is in the Simple Present
Tense, a Simple Present Tense will be used in the
Subordinate Clause.
Hence, the number of tourists increases is the right
usage.

. (a) Preferable (Adj.) agrees with to (Prep.)
Hence, preferable to money ? is the right usage.

. (b) mark (Verb) agrees with with (Prep.)
Hence, was marked with disagreement and scorn
for his opponent’s position is the right usage.

. (c) as + Adj. + as will be used.
tall
Hence, as tall as, if not taller than is the right usage.

. (a) wears thin (Idiom) : begins to become weaker or
less acceptable
cools down (Phr.V.) : becomes calm, less excited or
less enthusiastic
wears off (Phr.V.) : gradually disappears or stops.
Here, wears thin is the right usage.

. (a) Simple Past Tense-slept is the right usage.

. (b) too (Adv.) is used at the end of the sentence.
Hence, has too is the right usage.