TCS NQT Foundation Verbal Ability Questions: Grammar

_______ ignorance is a bliss and _________ ignorance of Miranda was really astounding.

• 
  

• No article, The

• The, The

• No article, No article

• An, The

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

'Ignorance is a bliss and the ignorance of Miranda was really astounding.'

No article is required in the first blank because ignorance is an abstract noun while in the second blank, 'the' shall be used because the second part is about a specific person's ignorance.
No article, the is the correct option.

irections: In each of the following questions, an idiomatic expression/ a proverb has been given, followed by some alternatives. Choose the one which best expresses the meaning of the given idiom/ proverb.

• 
  

• To turn over a new leaf

• 
  

• To change completely one’s course of action.

• To shift attention to new problems after having studied the old ones thoroughly.

• To cover up one’s fault by wearing new marks.

• To change the old habits and adopt new ones.

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: To change one's behavior, usually in a positive way

As an idiom, to turn over a new leaf means to take up something new and let go off the old habits or behavior.

Read each sentence to find out whether there is any grammatical error in it. The error, if any will be in one part of the sentence. The letter of that part is the answer. If there is no error, the answer is 'D'. (Ignore the errors of punctuation, if any).

• An animal

• can be just as unhappy in a vast area

• or in a small one

• No error.

Answer explanation

ext Explanation:

Answer: as in a small one

Here, we have used a comparative form of sentence, where it says that an animal can be unhappy both in a small and a vast area. Since we have used two adjectives to describe the locations, and we have used 'as' before the first adjective, it will take a positive form of sentence. hence, it will be, 'as in a small one' instead of 'or in a small one'.

In each of the following questions, a sentence has been given in Active (or Passive) Voice. Out of the four alternatives suggested selecting the one which best expresses the same sentence in Passive (or Active) voice.

Mona was writing a letter to her father.

• 
  

• A letter was written to her father by Mona.

• A letter has been written to her father by Mona.

• A letter was being written by Mona to her father.

• A letter was written by Mona to her father

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: A letter was being written by Mona to her father

The sentence in the active voice is in Past Continuous so when we change it to Passive voice, we add 'being' after the Past participle form of verb and before the object. So the structure becomes 'was + being + V3'

Select the synonym of  Innocuous

• Abominable

• Harmless

• Harmful

• Useful

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: Harmless

Innocuous: not harmful or offensive.
Harmless: not able or likely to cause harm.
Abominable: causing moral revulsion.

In the following question, the sentence given with blank to be filled in with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four and indicate it by selecting the appropriate option.

This shirt is so dirty that it _____ be cleaned.

• 
  

• can’t

• couldn’t

• didn’t

• mayn’t

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

First clause is in ‘present tense’ thus the next clause should be in present as well and since “so” is used, it emphasizes that it is “very dirty” and there is no possibility to clean it. Hence, we use 'can't'

In each question below a sentence broken into five or six parts. Join these parts to make a meaningful sentence. The correct order of parts is the answer.
1. medicine
2. a
3. Neeta
4. given
5. was

• 
  

• 51423

• 25431

• 15423

• 42531

• 35421

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: Neeta was given a medicine.

A sentence should always start with a noun (Neeta) which acts as the subject, followed by a verb (was + gives) and then the object (medicine). Article 'a' is used to state the quantity of medicine i.e. one.

Identify the adjective in the following sentences:

• 
  

• Linda McKenzie has five children.

• 
  

• Linda McKenzie

• has

• five

• children

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: five

An adjective is a word that acts as a describing word for a non. Here there are two nouns (Linda McKenzie) and (children). The word that is describing one of these nouns in 'five' which states the number of children. Hence, it becomes the adjective.  'has' is a verb.

Identify the Preposition in the given sentence

The kids are sitting around the block.

• 
  

• The

• around

• are

• block

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: around

A preposition is a word that states the location, time, place or direction of the subject. Here, the word that is stating a direction of action is the word 'around'. Hence it is a preposition.

The kids - article + noun
are - helping / auxiliary verb
sitting - main verb
the block - article + noun

Out of the four alternatives given below, choose the one which can be substituted for the given word/sentence.

Extreme old age when a man behaves like a fool

• 
  

• Imbecility

• Senility

• Dotage

• Superannuation

Answer explanation

Text Explanation:

Answer: Dotage

All the words stated in the options are related to 'old age' but 'dotage' is related to when a person acts crazily during old age.