11 Error Spotting (English) questions asked in DSSSB TGT / PGT previous year papers, each with the correct answer and explanation. Read them free on UTpaper, or attempt the full papers as timed online tests.
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains
an error.
It is so refreshing to walk through the beach early in the morning.
Arefreshing to walk
Bearly in the morning
Cthrough the beach
DIt is so
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Correct answer: (C) through the beach
Explanation
We walk 'along' or 'on' the beach, not 'through' it, so 'through the beach' is the error.
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that contains
an error.
Whether I do not agree with her views, I respect her for her honesty.
Afor her honesty
Bwith her views
CI respect her
DWhether I do not agree
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Correct answer: (D) Whether I do not agree
Explanation
'Whether' is wrong here. The clause shows contrast, so it should be 'Although/Though I do not agree'.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
The ideal detect dog / is extremely energetic / with an excessive / play drive.
AThe ideal detect dog
Bwith an excessive
Cplay drive
Dis extremely energetic
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Correct answer: (A) The ideal detect dog
Explanation
"Detect" is a verb and cannot describe "dog". The correct noun compound is "detection dog".
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
*Barely has they won* the match when the coach had a heart attack.
ABarely have they won
BBarely did they won
CNo substitution required
DBarely had they won
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Correct answer: (D) Barely had they won
Explanation
"Barely/Hardly ... when" takes the past perfect with inversion: "Barely had they won the match when ...".
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
The sparrows are / some of the few birds / that engage on / dust bathing.
Asome of the few birds
BThe sparrows are
Cdust bathing
Dthat engage on
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Correct answer: (D) that engage on
Explanation
The correct phrasal verb is "engage in", so it should read "that engage in dust bathing".
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
*No sooner had the company launch* its new product than it went bankrupt.
ANo substitution required
BNo sooner had the company launched
CNo sooner did the company launched
DNo sooner have the company launched
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Correct answer: (B) No sooner had the company launched
Explanation
"No sooner had" must be followed by the past participle, so "No sooner had the company launched ... than" is correct.
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
The girls or / their father / collects the newspapers / daily morning.
Adaily morning
BThe girls or
Ctheir father
Dcollects the newspapers
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Correct answer: (A) daily morning
Explanation
"Daily morning" is not idiomatic English. It should be "every morning" (or just "daily"). The verb "collects" correctly agrees with the nearer subject, "their father".
The following sentence has been split into four segments. Identify the segment that
contains a grammatical error.
Make sure you work hardest /or you will /not be able to / score good marks.
AMake sure you work hardest
Bnot be able to
Cscore good marks.
Dor you will
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Correct answer: (A) Make sure you work hardest
Explanation
"Make sure you work hardest" is wrong because no comparison is being made. The adverb should be in its plain form: "work hard".
Select the most appropriate option that can substitute the underlined segment in the given sentence. If there is no need to substitute it, select 'No substitution required'.
*No sooner had she finishing* her performance than the lights went out.
ANo sooner have she finished
BNo sooner had she finished
CNo substitution required
DNo sooner has she finished
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Correct answer: (B) No sooner had she finished
Explanation
"No sooner" is followed by "had + subject + past participle", so the correct form is "No sooner had she finished … than".
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that
contains an error.
Please pour the coffee into the flask into the cups.
APlease pour
Binto the cups
Cinto the flask
Dthe coffee
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Correct answer: (C) into the flask
Explanation
Coffee is poured from the flask into the cups, so 'into the flask' should be 'from the flask'.
Parts of the following sentence have been given as options. Select the option that
contains an error.
I appreciate her being honesty about all her mistakes.
Aher being honesty
BI appreciate
Cabout all
Dher mistakes
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Correct answer: (A) her being honesty
Explanation
After 'her being', an adjective is needed: 'her being honest'. 'Honesty' is a noun.
How to use these DSSSB TGT / PGT English questions
Every question here was asked in a real DSSSB TGT / PGT 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 DSSSB TGT / PGT papers as timed tests to check your speed under exam conditions.