Sentence Improvement Practice Questions

5 questions per page • Detailed step-by-step solutions

Directions (Q. )

In each of the following questions, a part of the sentence is italicised. Alternatives to the italicised part are provided below, one of which may improve the sentence. Choose the best alternative. If no improvement is needed, select 'E' as your answer.

Question 31
Medium
No sooner I reached the station than the train left.
A No sooner had I reached
B No sooner did I reached
C No sooner I had reached
D No sooner was I reached
E No improvement
Correct Answer: A

Explanation:

After 'No sooner', the auxiliary verb comes before the subject, and the main verb takes the past participle. 'No sooner had I reached' is correct.
Question 32
Easy
Everyone was excited about the trip.
A are
B were being
C is
D have been
E No improvement
Correct Answer: E

Explanation:

'Everyone' takes a singular verb, so 'was' is correct and the underlined part needs no change.
Question 33
Medium
Hardly had we reach the hall when the lights went off.
A Hardly we had reached
B Hardly did we reached
C Hardly had we reached
D Hardly we reached had
E No improvement
Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

After 'Hardly', the auxiliary 'had' comes before the subject, and the main verb takes the past participle 'reached'.
Question 34
Easy
The stationary shop near the school sells notebooks.
A stationer
B stationery
C stationaries
D stationed
E No improvement
Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

'Stationery' refers to writing materials. 'Stationary' means not moving.
Question 35
Medium
The meeting was postponed due of the chairman's illness.
A was postponed owing from
B was postponed due of
C was postponed on for
D was postponed owing to
E No improvement
Correct Answer: D

Explanation:

'Owing to' is a standard way to show cause. 'Due of' is not correct, and 'owing from' and 'on for' are also incorrect.