752 English questions asked in BPSC TRE previous year papers, each with the correct answer and explanation. Read them free on UTpaper, or attempt the full papers as timed online tests.
Read the passage and answer the question.
Passage 5
One would think that the larger the company is in which we are engaged, the greater variety of thoughts and subjects would be started in discourse; but instead of this, we find that conversation is never so much straitened and confined as in numerous assemblies. When a multitude meet together on any subject of discourse, their debates are taken up chiefly with forms and general positions; nay, if we come into a more contracted assembly of men and women, the talk generally runs upon the weather, fashions, news, and the like public topics. In proportion as conversation gets into clubs and knots of friends, it descends into particulars, and grows more free and communicative : but the most open, instructive, and unreserved discourse, is that which passes between two persons who are familiar and intimate friends. On these occasions, a man gives a loose to every passion and every thought that is uppermost, discovers his most retired opinions of persons and things, tries the beauty and strength of his sentiments, and exposes his whole soul to the examination of his friend.
In having written such a piece of essay, what may be the intention of the author?
ATo find an easy and precise style which could be read and understood by the ordinary public
BTo expound a theory which remains buried in the book
CTo develop arguments so as to influence opinions and win favour
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) To find an easy and precise style which could be read and understood by the ordinary public
Explanation
The essay discusses an everyday subject (conversation) in a clear, easy style meant for the general reading public, as periodical essays of this kind were.
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
No matter what that | I do, I can’t | make my father happy.
ANo matter what that
BI do, I can’t
Cmake my father happy.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) No matter what that
Explanation
‘That’ is superfluous after ‘no matter what’; the correct sentence is ‘No matter what I do, I can’t make my father happy.’ So the error is in part (A).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
What type | of food | do you like to eat?
AWhat type
Bof food
Cdo you like to eat?
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
‘What type of food do you like to eat?’ is grammatically correct, so there is no error.
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
The Shaurya is | the most tallest boy | in the class.
AThe Shaurya is
Bthe most tallest boy
Cin the class.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
A proper noun like ‘Shaurya’ does not take ‘the’ (part A), and ‘most tallest’ is a double superlative - it should be ‘the tallest’ (part B). Since more than one part has an error, (D).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
This wrong mistake | is going to | cost you.
AThis wrong mistake
Bis going to
Ccost you.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) This wrong mistake
Explanation
‘Wrong mistake’ is redundant because a mistake is already wrong; it should be ‘This mistake’. The error is in part (A).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
What kinds | of car do | you want?
AWhat kinds
Bof car do
Cyou want?
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) What kinds
Explanation
With a singular noun ‘car’ we use ‘kind’: ‘What kind of car do you want?’ The error is in part (A).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
What is | this madness | behavior?
AWhat is
Bthis madness
Cbehavior?
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) this madness
Explanation
‘Madness’ is a noun; to describe ‘behavior’ we need the adjective: ‘this mad behavior’. The error is in part (B).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
Each of | the member | agreed.
AEach of
Bthe member
Cagreed.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) the member
Explanation
‘Each of’ must be followed by a plural noun: ‘Each of the members agreed.’ The error is in part (B).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
This set | of books | are for sale.
AThis set
Bof books
Care for sale.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
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Correct answer: (C) are for sale.
Explanation
The subject is ‘set’ (singular), so the verb must be singular: ‘This set of books is for sale.’ The error is in part (C).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
The family has | been living there | since many years.
AThe family has
Bbeen living there
Csince many years.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) since many years.
Explanation
‘Since’ is used with a point of time; a period of time takes ‘for’: ‘for many years’. The error is in part (C).
Read the sentence and find out whether there is an error in any of its underlined parts (A), (B) or (C). If there is no error, choose (E) ‘None of the above’.
By the time | we reached there, | she left.
ABy the time
Bwe reached there,
Cshe left.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) she left.
Explanation
With ‘by the time’ + past tense, the earlier action takes the past perfect: ‘she had left’. The error is in part (C).
Pick out the sentence that is a change of voice of the given sentence.
Has the librarian ordered the books?
AHave the books been ordered by the librarian?
BDid the librarian order the books?
CHad the librarian ordered the books?
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Have the books been ordered by the librarian?
Explanation
A present perfect question ‘Has ... ordered ...?’ becomes ‘Have the books been ordered by the librarian?’ in the passive; the tense and meaning stay the same.
Pick out the sentence that is a change of voice of the given sentence.
He sent them some money.
ASome money was sent to them by him.
BThey were sent some money.
CI saw that he sent them some money.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Some money was sent to them by him.
Explanation
Taking the direct object ‘some money’ as the subject, the passive is ‘Some money was sent to them by him.’ This keeps the doer (him) and the full meaning.
Pick out the named part of speech from the sentence.
Since the police had to move swiftly, it was difficult to document everything extensively. (Adverb)
ASince
BMove
CDocument
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (E) None of the above
Explanation
The adverbs in the sentence are ‘swiftly’ and ‘extensively’. ‘Since’ is a conjunction here, and ‘move’ and ‘document’ are verbs, so none of the options is an adverb.
Let bygones be bygones. We cannot undo the past.
The above sentence has which one of the following grammatical classes?
AParticiple as adjective
BParticiple as verb
CParticiple as noun
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Participle as adjective
Explanation
‘Bygone’ is formed from the participle ‘gone’ (by + gone) and is basically a participial adjective meaning ‘past’. The official key classes it as a participle used as an adjective.
I found my friend who recognized me at once.
The above sentence is an example of which one of the following grammatical classes?
ARestrictive who
BContinuative who
CAntithetical which
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
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Correct answer: (B) Continuative who
Explanation
Here ‘who’ does not define which friend is meant; it continues the narrative, meaning ‘and he recognized me at once’. This is the continuative use of the relative pronoun.
I employed the man who came yesterday.
The above sentence is an example of which one of the following classes?
ARelative pronoun in accusative case
BRelative pronoun in nominative case
CRelative pronoun in genitive case
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Relative pronoun in accusative case
Explanation
Note: the official key gives (A). Inside its own clause ‘who’ is the subject of ‘came’, so by the usual rule it is in the nominative case (B). Its antecedent ‘the man’ is the object (accusative) of ‘employed’, which seems to be the basis of the key.
Which one of the following is a plural form of ‘bandit’?
ABandits
BBandites
CBanditti
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Bandits
Explanation
Note: the official key gives (A). ‘Bandits’ is the regular plural; standard grammars (e.g. Wren & Martin) also list the older Italian plural ‘banditti’, so (D) could be argued.
The telegraph wires have been cut.
The passive form of the above sentence shall be
AThe telegraph wires have been cut by somebody.
BThe telegraph wires have been cut by one.
CSomeone has cut the telegraph wires.
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Someone has cut the telegraph wires.
Explanation
The given sentence is already passive with the agent left out; its change of voice is the active ‘Someone has cut the telegraph wires.’ The key accepts this voice-changed form.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (101).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Acelebratory
Bdisapproving
Celated
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) disapproving
Explanation
The sentence contrasts this attitude with popular writings that praise fast food (‘While ...’), so the established writers show a disapproving attitude.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (102).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Adescription
Bpainting
Cwriting
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) description
Explanation
The attitude is detected in how fast food is presented in their narratives, i.e. in the description of fast food.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (103).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Acooks
Bauthors
Cwriters
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The narratives belong to established authors or writers (as opposed to popular cookbooks and dailies). Both ‘authors’ and ‘writers’ fit, so (D).
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (104).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Apraise
Bhate
Cflay
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) praise
Explanation
The ‘while’ clause sets up a contrast with the disapproving attitude, so the popular writings praise the virtues of fast food.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (105).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Agaze
Blook
Cinspection
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) look
Explanation
‘A quick look through’ is the natural phrase for glancing over something; a ‘gaze’ is long and an ‘inspection’ is careful, not quick.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (106).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Agood
Bleading
Cweekly
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) leading
Explanation
The Hindu is a daily, and a major one, so ‘a leading Indian newspaper’ is the right description.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (107).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Arequired
Bneeded
Callotted
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The recipes stress the time required or needed to cook; both words fit, so (D).
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (108).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Aused
Bnot used
Cleft
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) used
Explanation
The recipes highlight the appliances which are used in cooking (such as the microwave mentioned later).
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (109).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Aorder
Binstruction
Cparagraph
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (B) instruction
Explanation
‘No cooking required’ printed on the pack is an instruction to the user.
Read the passage and choose the right word for blank (110).
While a certain ____(101)____ attitude can be detected in the ____(102)____ of fast food in the narratives of the established ____(103)____, the popular writings which appear in cookbooks and dailies ____(104)____ the virtues of fast food. A quick ____(105)____ through some of the recipes published in ‘Metro Plus’ in The Hindu, a ____(106)____ Indian newspaper, will show the importance given to the time ____(107)____ to cook as well as the appliances which are ____(108)____ in cooking. On the cover of a popular ‘Readymade Paneer’, I have come across the ____(109)____ ‘no cooking required’. All that is required is heating the food in a microwave oven. This is probably the other end of the ____(110)____ of food writing in India where minimalism has become the buzzword. More importantly, their entry into the group of Indian English writers also signals a significant shift in the way we look at Indian writing in English.
Aspectrum
Bfield
Cgenre
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (D) More than one of the above
Explanation
The writer places this minimalism at ‘the other end of the spectrum’ of food writing; the key also accepts another of the given words (such as ‘field’), so (D).
Read the extract carefully and answer the question that follows:
We look before and after,
And pine for what is not:
Our sincerest laughter
With some pain is fraught;
Our sweetest songs are those that tell of saddest thought.
Which one of the following best expresses the paraphrase of the above?
ALife has only joys
BLife has only sorrows
CLife has both joys and sorrows about it
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Life has both joys and sorrows about it
Explanation
In these lines from Shelley’s ‘To a Skylark’ the poet says human laughter is mixed with pain and our sweetest songs speak of sad thoughts - human life holds both joys and sorrows.
Read the extract carefully and answer the question that follows:
The child is father of the Man;
And I could wish my days to be
Bound each to each by natural piety.
Which one of the following is the best paraphrase of the above?
AThe soul is immortal
BThe soul is mortal
CThe body is immortal
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) The soul is immortal
Explanation
In Wordsworth’s lines the same self continues from childhood into manhood and the poet wishes his days to be linked by a lasting love of nature. The key reads this continuity of the inner self as the idea that the soul is immortal.
I have observed that a reader seldom pursues a book with pleasure, till he knows whether the writer of it be a black or a fair man, of a mild or choleric disposition, married or a bachelor, with other particulars of the like nature, that conduce very much to the right understanding of an author.
Which one of the following is a suitable heading for the above?
AMr. Author
BAuthor and His Life
CThe Art of Writing
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (A) Mr. Author
Explanation
The extract (the opening of Addison’s first Spectator essay) is about the reader’s wish to know the author himself - his looks, temper and status - before reading him. The key chooses ‘Mr. Author’ as the heading.
Thus I live in the world rather as a spectator of mankind than as one of the species, by which means I have made myself a speculative statesman, soldier, merchant, and artisan without ever meddling with any practical part in life. I am very well versed in the theory of a husband, or a father, and can discern the errors in economy, business, and diversions of others, better than those engaged in them; as standers-by discover blots, which are apt to escape those who are in the game.
Which one of the following is a suitable heading for the above?
AAuthor and the World
BAuthor and the Book
CAuthor’s Account of Himself
DMore than one of the above
ENone of the above
Show answerHide answer
Correct answer: (C) Author’s Account of Himself
Explanation
The writer describes his own way of living as a mere spectator of mankind and his theoretical knowledge of life, so the passage is the author’s account of himself.
How to use these BPSC TRE English questions
Every question here was asked in a real BPSC TRE paper; the paper and shift are shown on the card, and the number opens the question on its own page. Try each one before tapping Show answer, then attempt the full BPSC TRE papers as timed tests to check your speed under exam conditions.