Fill In The Blanks

1. Neither of the biscuits you gave me ___________ chocolate chips. [SSC CHSL Tier II (02/11/2023)]

(a) contain
(b) are contained
(c) is contain
(d) contains

Correct Answer: (d) contains

Solution:'Everyone/each/ every/ nothing/ everything/ anything/ either/ neither' represents a singular noun. Therefore, a singular verb (contains) will be used with them. Hence, 'contains' is the most appropriate answer.

2. Stanley __________ to play the violin now, with an amateur instructor. [SSC CHSL Tier II (02/11/2023)]

(a) is learning
(b) had learnt
(c) was learning
(d) will learn

Correct Answer: (a) is learning

Solution:'Is/am/are + V-ing' is grammatically the correct structure for the given sentence which is in the present continuous tense. Hence, 'is learning(V-ing)' is the most appropriate answer.

3. Mohnish and Ravi __________ to Canada next month. [SSC CHSL Tier II (02/11SSC CHSL Tier II (02/11/2023)/2023)]

(a) are moving
(b) is moving
(c) has moving
(d) has move

Correct Answer: (a) are moving

Solution:Present Continuous tense is used for events planned for the near future. Here, Mohnish and Ravi have planned to move to Canada next month. 'Plural subject + are + Ving' is the correct grammatical structure for present continuous tense. Hence, 'are moving' is the most appropriate answer.

4. Currently, Mittu and Bittu ________ hard to meet the project deadline. [SSC CHSL Tier II (10/01/2024)]

(a) worked
(b) are working
(c) have worked
(d) were working

Correct Answer: (b) are working

Solution:'Is/am/are + V-ing' is grammatically the correct structure for the given sentence which is in the present continuous tense. Also, according to the "Subject-Verb Agreement Rule", a plural subject(Mittu and Bittu) always takes a plural verb(are). Hence, 'are working(V-ing)' is the most appropriate answer.

5. The teacher asked the students to ________ their ideas during the class discussion. [SSC CHSL Tier II (10/01/2024)]

(a) get on
(b) put off
(c) bring up
(d) bring about

Correct Answer: (c) bring up

Solution:The phrasal verb 'bring up' means to start to talk about a particular subject. The given sentence states that the teacher asked the students to present their ideas during the class discussion. Hence, 'bring up' is the most appropriate answer.

6. The war ________ badly damaged the country's infrastructure. [SSC CHSL Tier II (10/01/2024)]

(a) has
(b) have
(c) was
(d) is

Correct Answer: (a) has

Solution:'Singular Subject(war) + has + V3' is grammatically the correct structure for the given sentence which is in the present perfect tense. Hence, 'has' is the most appropriate answer.

7. The teacher asked the students to ________ their essays before the deadline. [SSC CHSL Tier II (10/01/2024)]

(a) land in
(b) put off
(c) hand in
(d) hand up

Correct Answer: (c) hand in

Solution:The phrasal verb 'hand in' means to submit. The given sentence states that the teacher asked the students to submit their essays before the deadline. Hence, 'hand in' is the most appropriate answer.

8. The small coffee shop at the end of the road is ________ [SSC CPO Tier II (08/01/2024)]

(a) our
(b) my
(c) mine
(d) their

Correct Answer: (c) mine

Solution:When possessive is written separate from the noun, we use pronouns such as mine, his, hers, yours, etc. In the given sentence, the possessive is written separate from its noun (coffee shop). Hence, 'mine' is the most appropriate answer.

9. Gautam ________ all the documents by the time his senior advocate reached the court. [SSC CPO Tier II (08/01/2024)]

(a) examines
(b) had examined
(c) is examining
(d) will be examining

Correct Answer: (b) had examined

Solution:If two actions took place in the past then the 1st action must be in the Past perfect tense(Had + V3) and the 2nd action must be in the Simple Past tense (V2). Hence, 'had examined(V3)' appropriate answer. is the most

10. She was so busy writing that when the maid came she didn't hear her. [SSC CPO Tier II (08/01/2024)]

(a) in, in
(b) at, up
(c) with, by
(d) to, in

Correct Answer: (a) in, in

Solution:In the first blank, 'in' is used after 'busy' to indicate the activity in which someone is engaged. And in the second blank, 'in' has been used to show the presence of a maid inside a room or house. Hence, 'in, in' is the most appropriate answer.