Mahendra's (290

ASSAM
STATE LEVEL EXAMS

ENGLISH
LANGUAGE
s book is very
useful for Assam State Level
Competitive Examinations.
It also contains questions for
enhancing one's competitive
edge. 1
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Mahendra'e
CONTENTS
Sr. No. Topie Pg.No.
UNIT-I : PARTSs OF SPEECH 7-73
1. NOUN 8- 14
2. PRONOUN 15-20
3.
ADJECTIVE 21-28
ARTICLE 29-34
5. ADVERB 35-42
6. VERB
43-52
1. TIME AND TENSE
53-58
8 PREPOSITION
59-67
9. CONJUNCTION 68-72
10. IDENTIFY THE PARTS OF SPEECH
73
UNIT-2 :SENTENCE & STRUCTURE 74-80
1. FIGURE OF SPEECH
75-77
2.
IDENTIFICATION OF SENTENCE (Simple, Complex Or Compound) 78 - 80
UNIT-3 :MISCELLANEOUS VOCABULARY 81-103
1. ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION
82 - 89
2. IDIOMS AND PHRASES
90 - 94
3. ANTONYM - SYNONYM
95 - 98
4. WORLD OF SPELLING 99- 103
UNIT-4 :|MISCELLANEOUS EXERCISE 104-122
1. SPOTTING ERRORS BASED ON PARTS OF SPEECH
105 -108
2. SENTENCE IMPROVEMENT
109 - 111
3. FILL IN THE BLANKS
112- 113
4 REARRANGEMENT OF SENTENCES
114 - 116
5 UNSEEN PASSAGE
117-122
UNIT-S :/TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES 123-146
1. TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES 124- 128
Voice 129- 138
Narration 139-146
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CHAPTER

1 NOUN

a Mr. Siddhartha is an intelligent teacher.

INTRODUCTION
Name of anything: person, animal, He is a well-known doctor.
action, state or quality iscalled Noun.place, thing, idea,
Some Common Nouns are:
Kanul, Boy. India, Chair, Teacher, Oil, Honesty, Happiness, People: teacher, student, man,
Family. Sleep. Death, etc. father, baby, child, ctc.
A person is coming to us. Things: pen, pencil, book, table, computer, etc.
Rajiv is a handsome boy. Animals: bird, dog, cat, cow, goat, wolf, tiger, etc.
The moon shines in the evening Place: capital, beach, forest, city, country, state, etc.
time.
Honesty is the best policy. Collective Noun:
s Poverty is a curse. A collective noun represents a collection or number or
group of things or persons.
CLASSIFICATION OF NOUNS: The army is ready for retaliation.
The class was not aware of the test.

Countable Noun The issue was complained by the committee.

Un-countable Noun Some Collective nouns are:
’ Proper Noun ’ Abstract Noun Cabinet, group, company, society, troupe, corporation,
’Common Noun Material Noun class, army, mob, gang, team, jury, family, herd, committee,
Collective Noun audience, council, public, navy, board, etc.
LIST OFSOME COLLECTIVE NOUNS
A noun can broadly be classified into two categories:
(GROUP NAMES):
(1) Countable nouns are nouns that can be counted. a cloud of flies
Person, Box, House, Pen, Boy, etc. a cloud of insects
Since countable nouns can be counted, they can be both a cloud of locusts
singular and plural. acolony of gulls
We can say person (singular) or persons (plural), and they a drove of cattle
both mnake sense.
a drove of horses
It is further classifñed into:
a flight of birds
Proper Noun: a flight of doves
Proper noun is the name (used for calling) of a particular afiight of swallows
person, place or thing. a flock of birds
Delhi the capital of India. a flock of sheep
Radha is a beautiful girl. a gaggle of geese
a haul of fish
Arjun is a clever boy.
a herd of buffaloes
Note:Proper noun always starts with a capital letter.
a group of singers
Common Noun:
apack of rascals
Common noun is not the name of a particular thing or a pack of thieves
one or all of the members of that
class but represents
class.
a party of friends
Sohan is a smart boy. a patrol of policemen

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soldiers a horde of savages

a regiment of
a host of angels
a staff of employees
servants a line of kings/rulers
a staff of
teachers a mob of rioters
a staff of
a group of dancers
a team of players
a tribe of
natives a colony of ants
troop of scouts
adrove of cattle
a
a plague of locusts
atroupe of artists
a school of fish
a troupe of dancers
a hive of bees
a troupe of performers
an army of ants
aparty of friends
a band of musicians a bevy of quail
a band of robbers a brood of chickens
a board of directors a catch of fish
a herd of cattle
a body of men
a bunch of crooks a herd of deer
a herd of elephants
a caravan of gypsies
a choir of singers a herd of goats
a herd of swine
aclass of pupils
a class of students a host of sparrows
a kindle of kittens
a company of actors
a litter of cubs
a company of soldiers
a congregation of worshippers
a litter of piglets
a crew of sailors a litter of kittens

a crowd of spectators a litter of puppies

a crowd of people a menagerie of wild animals
a muster of peacocks
adynasty of kings
a nest of ants
a galaxy of stars
a nest of mice
agang of crooks
a nest of rabbits
a band of soldiers
a circle of friends a pack of hounds
a pack of wolves
a gang of thieves
a group of people a plague of insects
a horde of children a plague of locusts
amass of people a pride of lions
a school of herrings
a mob of hooligans
a panel of experts a school of porpoises
a party of visitors a school of whales

an army of soldiers a shoal of fish

a bevy of beauties a skein of wild geese in flight
a gang of labourers a string of horses
a gang of prisoners a stud of horses

a gang of robbers a swarm of ants

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a swarm of bees a packet of cigarettes
a swarm of insccts a packetof letters
aswarm of locusts a pair of shoes
a team of borses a pencil of rays
a team of oxen a quiver of arrows
a train of camels
arange of hills
a tribe of goats arange of mountains
atroop of lions a ream of paper
a troop of monkevs areel of thread
a z00 of wild animals
a roll of film
a bouquet of flowers a rope of pearls
a bunch of
grapes arow of houses
a clump of trees a series of events
a collection of cotns a set of clubs
a deck of cards
a set of tools
a set of teeth
a sheaf of arrows
a shelf of books
a sheaf of corn
a string of pearls a sheaf of grain
a pack of cards (2) Uncountable nouns are nouns that can't be counted.
a fleet of ships
Water, scenery, knowledge, homework, luggage, etc.
an album of photographs Uncountable nouns do not have their plural form because
an album of stamps we can't count them.
an anthology of pocms It is further classified into:
a bundie of hay Material Noun:
a cataiogue of goods A material noun is the name of material, substance or
achain of mountains ingredient of which is used to prepare something.
The bangles are made of gold.
achest of drawers
s A cow gives us milk.
a cluster of coconuts
Give me a piece of wood.
a cluster of grapes
Some material nouns are:
a cloud of dust
Iron, Steel, Copper, Gold, Coal, Silver, Milk, Water, Sugar,
aclump of bushes Wheat, etc.
aclump of trees
Abstract Noun:
acollection of coins
a collection of curiosities An Abstract Noun is usually the name of a quality,
action, state or concept and it is generally defined as the
acollection of stamps noun which can't be seen or touched but felt.
a column of smoke a Honesty is the best policy.
acomb of bananas We want the days of childhood back.
a compendium of games The soldiers' bravery is highly appreciated.
aconstellation of stars Some abstract nouns are:
an outfit of clothes
Quality- heroism, stupidity, darkness, kindness, goodness.
an orchard of fruit trees brightness, honesty, beauty, bravery, wisdom, etc.
a pack of cards State- Poverty, slavery, sickness, sleep Childhood, boyhood.
youth, death,ete.
a pack of lies
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hatred, theft, etc.
Action- Judgement, movement, laughter, potato potatoes
NOUN AND NUMBER tomato tomatoes
Exceptions:
There are two numbers in Noun-Number: Singular and
Plural. photo photos
1. Singular: When wc spcak about onc person and one piano pianos
thing, we use the noun in singular form. halo halos
2 Plural: When we speak about more than one person and volcano - volcanos
plural form.
one thing, we use the noun in
8. Some nouns don't change at al when they're
List of some regular words. pluralized.
1. In some cases, singular nouns ending in -s or -z, sheep shcep
require that you double the -s or -z prior toadding the series series
-es for pluralization.
specics species
fez- fezZzes
deer -decr
gas -gasses LIST OF SOME JRREGULAR SINGULAR
2. If the singular noun ends in -s, -ss, -sh, -ch, -x, or -z, PLURAL FORM.
add -es to the end to make it plural. Plural
Singular
truss- trusses
louse lice
bus -buses mouse mice
die dice
marsh -marshes
OX Oxen
lunch - lunches child children
tax - taxes person people
focus foci (also focuses)
blitz blitzes
radius radii(also radiuses)
3. To make regular nouns plural, add -s to the end. fungi
fungus
cat cats nucleus nuclei
cactus cacti
house - houses
alumnus alumni
4. If a singular noun ends in -y and the letter before the axis axes
-y is aconsonant, change the ending to -ies to make the analyses
noun plural. analysis
crisis crises
city - cities thesis theses
puppy - puppies phenomenon phenomena
5. If the noun ends with -f or -fe, the f is changed to -ve criterion criteria

before adding the -s to form the plural. IMPORATNT RULES OF NOUN:

wife - wives Rule: Some nouns are always written in plural form and
wolf - wolves don't have singular form.
Exceptions: Apluralverb is used with these nouns.
roof- roofs Goggles, Belongings, Breeches, Braces, Binoculars, Dregs,
belief- beliefs Entrails, Embers, Fireworks, Lees, Odds, Scissors, Gentry,
Trousers, Pants, Clippers, Shambles, Bellows, Gallows,
chef- chefs Fangs, Eyeglasses, Tidings, Proceedings, Riches, Bowels,
chief - chiefs Remains, Shears, Spectacles, Surroundings, Tactics, Tongs,
Vegetables, Valuables, etc.
0. Tthe singular noun ends in -y and the letter before
the -y is a vowel, simply add an -s to make it plural. These belongings are mine.
ray -rays Where are my goggles?
boy - boys Rule: Some nouns are always written and used in singular
7. If the singular noun ends in -0, add -es to make it form. They are generally uncountable nouns.
plural. Articles A/An are not used with these nouns.
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Money. Langunge. Business, Mischief, Knowedge.
Bread. Stationery. Crockery, Bagzage, Postage, Wastage. We all have good news.
Jewellery, Breakage. Machinery, Work Wood. Dust, Economics is his favorite subject.
Traffc. Electricity, Scenery. Poetry, Furniture, Advice. It was really a good innings by Austral1a.
Information, Luggapge, Hait, etc.
My teachct gave me information Roe: Some nouns look singular but have plural meaniny ,
plural verh is used with thern.
Rahul sent his furniture by Truck
Kavita has good knowledge of Mathematics. Infantry. Children. Cattle, Cavairy. Poultry. Peasant
Gentry, Poiice, Clergy, Etc.
Rule: Some nouns have the same form in singular as
as inplural form well Children are dancing on the floor.
Trout, Deer. Aircraft, Counscl, Swine, People are not ailowed to enter the ground.
Vermin, Species,
Sheep, Fish. Crew, Farnily. Team, Carp, Pike, Police are coming soon.
ctc.
Adeer is grazing in the fheld Rules for using Apostrophe's' ('s)
Deer are grazing in the field. For all singular nouns add apostrophe "s at the end.
Asheep 1s there Radha's book
Ihave many sheep
Kavita's pet
Rule: Some nouns like
Thousand. Million, Billion,Hundrcd, Pai, Stone, Dozen, Cat's home
GroSs, Score, etc. are used in For plural
singular with numeTical adjcctives and nouns add apostrophe 's' at the end.
adjective they can be witten in plural without nurmerical Children's school
form, if required.
My father bought four dozen People's vote
apples for me.
Her sister got five hundred For plural nouns which end with
rupees. after's'. 's' add apostrophe
My friend has purchased two pair
of sandals.
Ihave pairs of shoes. Giris' hostel
Hundreds of persons are Students' mess
Rule: Aplural noun is used after watching the match. Kids' school
of, and Each of. One of, Neither of, Either por joint
possession add apostrophes at the
One of my best friends is a
doctor.
last word. end of the
Either of my friends is corming. Shyam and Radha's house.
Rule: Some nouns look plurai but Teacher and
singular verb is used with them. have singular
mearning. A For Student's relation.
Summons, News, Politics, Physics, individual possession over different
Economics, apostrophe's' with all the words. objects add
Mathematics, Mechanics,
Ethics, Rickets, Biliards, Draughts,
etc. Innings, Shyam's and Radha's bouses.
Teacher's andStudent's lives.
NOTES

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EXERCISE I Q.8. After brushing my head (ay. I found many hairs
lying on the chair.(cy no error. (b)/
indout the errors in the sentences gjven helow:
Q.9. Pranav has (ay a lot of hairs (by on his
).1. The panel is divided on the issue error.
head.(c) no
).2. Hs frend conmitted thsefhood in his house..
9.19. Big factories (a have to pay custom duty (b)/ on
).3. Ayush wears glass to asd his short sighted eyes. Imports.(c no error.
)4. This is the sarme board that is used for chess as well EXERCISE4
as draught
Find out the errors in the sentences given below:
).5. Take care of the vxen hecause they are sharp creatures. Q.J.
96. One of my brother Iives in the U.S A.(SSCFCI,2012)
Ten new members (a)have been enrolled (b)/and
seven have resigned. (c) /no error.
9.7. Tine passes In its chariot royally (BSRB, 1992)
98. The practices of the lawyers vary from those of the Q.2. Thetable's legs (a are carved (b) amazingly. (c) no
doctors error.
9.9. The glitter1ng stars gave much lights.
Q.3. Tusually visit (ay my uncle's (b)/ on Saturdays. (c)/
Q.19. Kriti is Anand of our chess class. no error.

EXERCISE 2 Q4. Surmeet did not (a) present the project (b)/ in today's
Find out the errors in the sentences given below: meeting. (c) / noerror.
).1. Akshay will bc promotcd in the time of ayear. Q.5. Air is (a) not good (by for Garima's intellect. (c)/ no
error.
9.2. Iwill not agree o the proposal. no error.
(55C FCI.2012) Q.6. Did you see (aany of the child (bywhen you were in
the garden? (cVno error.
9.3. The Nature trcats us as his children, not strangers.
Q4. The parade of soldiers move at a uniform speed. (BSRB-LUCKNOW, 1992)
).5. Oucen Elizabeth is a very popular monarchess of 2 The sculpture (a)/ has made (b) beautiful statue. (c/
no error.
England
94. one of the reason for my leaving the company Q.8. My pants (a)/ are three (b/ sizes large. (c) no error
is the lack of proper facilitíes provided there. Q.9. Interviews (a) for the post of Auditor (b) will begin
(BSRB-PATNA, 1998) from Thursday. (c) no error
).7. The Platinum is a precious metal. Q.10. Dharam exercise (a) levery day so (b) /that he may
98. The nilk woman said that she would not be able to keep himself healthy. (c) /no error. (BSRB-JAIPUR,
supply milk on holidays. 1992)

).9. The tean carnped at Kangra. They followed arigorous EXERCISE 5

routine
Read the sentences carefully and give the answer to
9.19. Who will win if there is a competition between the questions asked.
dwarves and the manmoths? 0.1. Which word is a noun in this sentence?
EXERCISE 3
We are predicting rain later.
Find out the errors in the sentences given below: (A) rain (B) later (C) predicting
).1. My sister-in-laws (a/ who live in Pune (by have not
neto Visit us.c/ no error 0.2. Which word is a noun in this sentence?
9.2. The brilliant suceed in the exarnination (ayas well The Sun looks always bright.
as his reund in sports (b) /deserves high praise.(c) / (A) bright (B) sun (C) look
no erro (NDA, 2003) 0.3. Which word is a noun in this sentence?
).3. Biliiards (ay are (b) my favorite garne. (cy no error
You are requested not tonot walk on the grass.
Q4. I bought (ay this sunglass (by for rupees 12500.4c) (A)walk (B) You (C) grass
.5. The (ientry (ay is altend1ng (by the rmeeting.(cy no Q.4. Which word is anoun in this question?
error.
Where is the old jeans.
0.6. Arvind is (ay/ oo proud of (by his riches.(c) / no error. (B) jeans (C) Where
(A) old
0.7. The thirsty (aychildren drank (b)/up all the water.
(cy no. error. Q.5. How can our country accept the two nations theory?
(A)country (B) can (C) accept
(BSRB-JAIPCR, 1992)
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EXPLANATION
EXERCISE 1 Q.3. (B).use 'is' in place of 'are'

Q.1. 'are' at the place of 'is Q.4. (B) use These sunglasses'
Q.2. "theft' at the place of thiefhood' Q.5. (B). Replace 'is'with 'are'.
Q3. 'glasses' at the place of 'glass', ).6. There is no error in above sentence.
Q.4. The game is `draughts not 'draught Q.7. No error.
Q.5. Foxes at the place of Vixen. Q.8. There is no error in above sentence.
06 One of takes a plural noun so 'brothers' is corect Q.9. (B)., replace hairs with 'hair'.
0.7. Time is personificd here so, Time passes in his chariot Q.10. (B).replace Custom with Customs'as Customn means
rovally traditions and Customs means duty.
o.8. The practice of the lawyers varies at the place of The EXERCISE 4
practices of the lawyers vary.
Q.1. No error
Q.9. light' at the place of lights.
Q.10. add 'the' before Anand. Q.2. (A).use 'legs of table'.
Q.3. There is no error in above sentence.
EXERCISE 2
Q.4. There is no error in above sentence.
0.1. Akshay will be promoted in a year's time' as
Possessive case is used with nouns denoting time. Q.5. (A).replace Air is with 'Airs are'.
Q.2. No error Q.6. (B). 'Children' should be written at the place of 'child'.
0.3. The Naturetreats us as her children, not strangers' as Q.7. (A).Sculpture means idol. And we need here a
the Nakre is personified here. person who makes sculpture that is called
0.4. The parade is a collective noun. It should be in the singular. "Sculptor"
O.5. Monarch does not have feminine gender, so Q.8. (C). Replace 'sizes' with 'size'.
monarchess is a wrong word. Q.9. (A). Replace interviews with 'interview as process is
Q.6. U'se 'reasons' at the place of 'reason' singular word.
0.7. Platinum is a material noun so remove article 'an' Q:10. (A). Exercises should be writen according to Dharam,
before it. a name of a person.

0.8. The feminine for milkman is milkmaid, not milk woman. EXERCISE 5
Q.9. It followed at the place of they followed. 0.1. A, 'Rain' is the noun in this sentence.
0.10. Plural for dwarf is dwarfs not dwarves. 0.2. B. 'Sun' is the noun in this sentence.
EXERCISE 3 0.3. C. Grass' is the noun in this sentence.
Q.1. (A). 'My sisters -in -law' is the correct plural. 0.4. B. Jeans' is the noun in this sentence.
Q.2. (B).replace 'succeed' with 'success'. 0.5. A. Country' is the noun in this sentence.

NOTES