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FY13CE English study materials
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FY13CE English practice questions

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Question 1Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the sentence "The committee submitted its report after the deadline," the word "after" functions as which part of speech?

  1. Preposition Correct answer.
  2. Adverb
  3. Conjunction
  4. Adjective

Explanation

Here "after" introduces the noun phrase "the deadline," so it heads a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial of time. A conjunction would need to introduce a full clause with its own subject and verb, which is not present.

Question 2Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which word is the best synonym for "meticulous" as used in "a meticulous record of every transaction"?

  1. Thorough Correct answer.
  2. Rapid
  3. Careless
  4. Reluctant

Explanation

"Meticulous" describes extreme attention to detail, so "thorough" captures the same meaning. The other options describe speed, reluctance, or negligence, none of which matches careful precision.

Question 3Vocabulary and Word Usage

Choose the word that correctly completes the sentence: "The auditor's findings were ___ by the board, which voted to adopt every recommendation."

  1. endorsed Correct answer.
  2. postponed
  3. opposed
  4. ignored

Explanation

The clause "voted to adopt every recommendation" shows support, so a verb meaning "approved" is required. "Endorsed" fits both the grammar and the logical context of the sentence.

Question 4Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which pair of words are antonyms?

  1. Scarce / abundant Correct answer.
  2. Begin / commence
  3. Rapid / swift
  4. Expand / enlarge

Explanation

Antonyms are words with opposite meanings, and "scarce" (in short supply) contrasts directly with "abundant" (plentiful). The other three pairs are synonyms, since each pair shares essentially the same meaning.

Question 5Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the word "unbelievable," which element is the prefix?

  1. believe
  2. -able
  3. -able and un- together
  4. un- Correct answer.

Explanation

A prefix is a bound morpheme attached to the front of a base word, and "un-" precedes the base "believe." The suffix "-able" attaches to the end, and "believe" is the root.

Question 6Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses the word "principal" correctly?

  1. The principal of the loan was paid back with interest.
  2. The principal reason for the delay was a missing signature. Correct answer.
  3. The principal findings was published last week.
  4. She principal asked for a meeting with the client.

Explanation

"Principal" as an adjective means "main or most important," so "the principal reason" is correct. As a noun it refers to a leading person or a sum of money, but it is never an adverb modifying a verb.

Question 7Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses a formal register appropriate for a business report?

  1. The team nailed the rollout, no cap.
  2. The rollout was, like, totally fine.
  3. The team executed the rollout effectively. Correct answer.
  4. The team did a really great job on the rollout.

Explanation

Formal business writing favors precise verbs and avoids slang, intensifiers, and filler words. "Executed the rollout effectively" is neutral and precise, whereas the other options rely on informal or colloquial language.

Question 8Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the phrase "a carefully worded statement," what part of speech is "carefully"?

  1. Adverb Correct answer.
  2. Adjective
  3. Noun
  4. Conjunction

Explanation

"Carefully" modifies the participle "worded," describing how the wording was done, which is the adverbial function. Adverbs commonly modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.

Question 9Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which word best completes the sentence: "The new policy will ___ all employees, including contractors."

  1. effect
  2. infect
  3. defect
  4. affect Correct answer.

Explanation

"Affect" is a verb meaning to influence or apply to something, which fits the sentence's need for a verb taking "all employees" as its object. "Effect" is normally a noun meaning a result.

Question 10Vocabulary and Word Usage

The word "sanction" can mean both "to approve" and "to penalize." What is this phenomenon called?

  1. Contronym Correct answer.
  2. Euphemism
  3. Acronym
  4. Homophone

Explanation

A contronym is a single word with two opposite meanings, and "sanction" is a classic example since it can mean either to authorize or to punish. Homophones are different words that sound alike, which is a separate concept.

Question 11Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses "fewer" correctly?

  1. There were fewer applicants this year than last. Correct answer.
  2. There was fewer traffic on the highway today.
  3. We had fewer time to finish the audit.
  4. She spent fewer money on the project.

Explanation

"Fewer" modifies countable plural nouns such as "applicants," while "less" modifies uncountable nouns like traffic, time, and money. Only the first sentence pairs "fewer" with a countable noun.

Question 12Vocabulary and Word Usage

What is the meaning of the idiom "to table a proposal" in British business usage?

  1. To present it formally for discussion Correct answer.
  2. To withdraw it before a vote
  3. To postpone it indefinitely
  4. To reject it permanently

Explanation

In British English, "to table a proposal" means to formally submit it for consideration. American usage can mean the opposite (to postpone), which makes this a well-known transatlantic contrast.

Question 13Vocabulary and Word Usage

Choose the option that best replaces the underlined word to make the sentence precise: "The manager gave a very good presentation on the new compliance rules."

  1. nice
  2. okay
  3. compelling Correct answer.
  4. decent

Explanation

"Compelling" is a precise evaluative adjective that conveys persuasive force, which suits a professional description of a presentation. The alternatives are vague or lukewarm and add little information.

Question 14Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the sentence "The report, which was drafted in haste, contained several errors," what does the relative clause "which was drafted in haste" do?

  1. It subordinates the main clause grammatically.
  2. It adds nonessential descriptive information about the report. Correct answer.
  3. It identifies which report among several is meant.
  4. It states the main action of the sentence.

Explanation

A nonrestrictive relative clause set off by commas adds extra information without identifying the noun, since "the report" is already specific. A restrictive clause would appear without commas and would serve to identify.

Question 15Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which word is the best antonym for "transparent" in the context of corporate governance?

  1. Accessible
  2. Opaque Correct answer.
  3. Clear
  4. Candid

Explanation

In governance, "transparent" means open and accountable, so its opposite is "opaque," meaning hard to see into or understand. The other options share the sense of openness and are therefore synonyms.

Question 16Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses the word "comprise" in standard usage?

  1. The committee is comprised of seven members.
  2. The committee comprises seven members. Correct answer.
  3. Seven members are comprising the committee.
  4. The committee comprises of seven members.

Explanation

"Comprise" means "to consist of" and takes a direct object without a preposition, so "comprises seven members" is standard. The passive "is comprised of" and "comprises of" are widely criticized as nonstandard.

Question 17Vocabulary and Word Usage

What does the prefix "anti-" contribute to a word such as "antitrust"?

  1. Excessive degree
  2. Opposition to or against Correct answer.
  3. Before in time
  4. Together with

Explanation

The Greek-derived prefix "anti-" means "against" or "opposed to," so "antitrust" refers to measures against monopolistic practices. Recognizing common prefixes helps readers infer unfamiliar words.

Question 18Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which option correctly completes the sentence: "Neither the supervisor nor the analysts ___ aware of the breach."

  1. has been
  2. is
  3. was
  4. were Correct answer.

Explanation

With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is the plural "analysts," so the plural past form "were" is correct. The past tense also matches the implied completed event.

Question 19Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the sentence "She spoke to the board confidently," what is the grammatical function of "confidently"?

  1. Adjectival modifying "board"
  2. Object of the preposition "to"
  3. Adverbial modifying the verb "spoke" Correct answer.
  4. Complement of the verb "spoke"

Explanation

"Confidently" describes the manner of speaking, so it functions as an adverb modifying the verb. It does not describe the board, complete the verb, or serve as a prepositional object.

Question 20Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which word best fits the sentence: "The consultant's remarks were so ___ that no one could tell which side he supported."

  1. explicit
  2. transparent
  3. decisive
  4. ambiguous Correct answer.

Explanation

The result clause "no one could tell which side he supported" signals that the remarks lacked clarity, which "ambiguous" expresses. The other options all imply clarity or firmness, contradicting the result clause.

Question 21Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses "disinterested" in its traditional sense?

  1. She was disinterested in the training and skipped most sessions.
  2. He seemed disinterested, checking his phone during the meeting.
  3. A disinterested observer was appointed to review the dispute fairly. Correct answer.
  4. The disinterested crowd drifted away before the keynote ended.

Explanation

Traditionally, "disinterested" means impartial or free from personal stake, which fits an appointed neutral reviewer. The sense "uninterested" (lacking interest) is a later usage that many formal editors still distinguish.

Question 22Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which option best explains why "The reason is because the file was lost" is often criticized in formal writing?

  1. "The reason is" requires a following infinitive.
  2. "Because" duplicates the causal meaning already carried by "the reason is." Correct answer.
  3. "Because" is an informal word unsuitable for any written English.
  4. "Because" should only introduce noun phrases, never clauses.

Explanation

In "the reason is because," the causal relationship is already expressed by "the reason is," so "because" is redundant; "the reason is that" avoids the duplication. The criticism concerns redundancy, not grammatical impossibility.

Question 23Vocabulary and Word Usage

A draft reads: "The team's performance was impacted negatively by the delayed data." Which revision best improves concision and precision?

  1. The team's performance was negatively impacted by data that was delayed.
  2. Negative impacts on performance came from delayed data.
  3. The delayed data impaired the team's performance. Correct answer.
  4. The team was impacted, negatively, by delayed data.

Explanation

The revision converts a weak passive construction with nominalization into a direct active sentence with the precise verb "impaired." This removes the vague "impacted" and reduces word count while preserving meaning.

Question 24Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses "whose" correctly?

  1. The analyst whose going to present the findings is absent.
  2. The analyst whose report was cited will present the findings. Correct answer.
  3. The analyst whose report was cited it will present findings.
  4. The analyst who's report was cited will present the findings.

Explanation

"Whose" is the possessive relative pronoun modifying "report," which is the correct use. "Who's" is a contraction of "who is," and the other options either misuse it or create a redundant object.

Question 25Vocabulary and Word Usage

In the sentence "Only after the audit did the board revise its policy," why is inversion used?

  1. Inversion marks the subjunctive mood in formal English.
  2. The passive voice requires the auxiliary to precede the subject.
  3. The sentence is a direct question requiring inversion.
  4. A negative or restrictive adverbial begins the sentence, triggering auxiliary-subject order. Correct answer.

Explanation

When a restrictive adverbial such as "only after..." is fronted, standard English applies subject-auxiliary inversion, giving "did the board revise." The sentence is declarative, so the inversion is grammatically conditioned rather than interrogative.

Question 26Vocabulary and Word Usage

A contract clause states: "The supplier shall deliver the goods within 30 days of the order date." In legal usage, what does "shall" most precisely express here?

  1. A binding obligation on the supplier Correct answer.
  2. A prediction about a future event
  3. A condition that may or may not occur
  4. A polite request the supplier may decline

Explanation

In legal and contractual drafting, "shall" conventionally imposes a mandatory duty on the named party, here the supplier. It is not merely predictive or permissive; permissive intent is usually signalled by "may." Recognizing this convention prevents misreading obligations as optional.

Question 27Vocabulary and Word Usage

A report states: "The committee will appraise the proposal before the merger." Which word could replace "appraise" while keeping the meaning unchanged?

  1. Assess Correct answer.
  2. Appraise higher
  3. Apprise
  4. Appease

Explanation

"Appraise" means to evaluate or set a value on something, so "assess" preserves the meaning exactly. The frequently confused "apprise" means to inform someone, which changes the sense entirely. Choosing "assess" keeps the sentence's meaning of evaluating the proposal.

Question 28Vocabulary and Word Usage

A memo reads: "The audit revealed that the branch had ___ its quarterly targets for three consecutive periods." Which verb form fits standard usage?

  1. exceeding
  2. exceeds
  3. exceed
  4. exceeded Correct answer.

Explanation

The auxiliary "had" requires the past participle to form the past perfect, and the past participle of "exceed" is "exceeded." The past perfect marks an action completed before the audit revealed it. Only the participle form satisfies the grammatical requirement after "had."

Question 29Vocabulary and Word Usage

Which sentence uses "imply" and "infer" according to their standard distinction?

  1. The auditor implied from the ledger that funds were missing, though the memo inferred nothing of the sort.
  2. The auditor inferred the memo with a warning about missing funds.
  3. The memo inferred that funds were missing, and the auditor implied it.
  4. The auditor inferred from the ledger that funds were missing, though the memo implied nothing of the sort. Correct answer.

Explanation

A speaker or text implies (suggests indirectly), while a listener or reader infers (draws a conclusion). The correct sentence has the auditor drawing a conclusion and the memo doing the suggesting, which matches the standard division. Reversing the roles produces the common error the other options illustrate.

Question 30Vocabulary and Word Usage

A draft sentence reads: "The consultant, together with the regional managers, were asked to reconcile the figures." Which revision corrects the agreement problem while preserving the intended meaning?

  1. The consultant and the regional managers was asked to reconcile the figures.
  2. The consultant, together with the regional managers, were being asked to reconcile the figures.
  3. The consultant, together with the regional managers, was asked to reconcile the figures. Correct answer.
  4. The consultant, as well as the regional managers, were asked for reconciling the figures.

Explanation

When a subject is followed by "together with," the intervening phrase does not change the number of the subject, so the singular "consultant" takes "was." The original "were" incorrectly agrees with "managers" inside the parenthetical phrase. Changing only the verb to "was" fixes agreement without altering meaning.

Question 31Grammar and Sentence Structure

In the sentence "The committee submitted its report before the deadline expired," which word functions as the subordinating conjunction introducing the dependent clause?

  1. before Correct answer.
  2. its
  3. submitted
  4. expired

Explanation

A subordinating conjunction links a dependent clause to a main clause and signals the relationship between them. Here "before" introduces the clause "before the deadline expired," showing the time relationship to the main clause.

Question 32Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which option correctly identifies the simple subject of the sentence "Several of the new employees attended the orientation session"?

  1. Several Correct answer.
  2. orientation
  3. session
  4. employees

Explanation

The simple subject is the noun or pronoun that performs the action, without its modifiers. In "Several of the new employees attended," the head of the subject phrase is the pronoun "Several," which governs the verb "attended."

Question 33Grammar and Sentence Structure

In the sentence "The technician who repaired the generator arrived early," which clause is the relative (adjective) clause?

  1. the generator arrived
  2. who repaired the generator Correct answer.
  3. arrived early
  4. The technician arrived early

Explanation

A relative clause begins with a relative pronoun such as "who" and modifies a noun, here "technician." The clause "who repaired the generator" describes which technician is meant.

Question 34Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a present perfect tense verb form correctly?

  1. She has finished the audit already. Correct answer.
  2. She finished the audit since Monday.
  3. She is finishing the audit last week.
  4. She has finished the audit yesterday.

Explanation

The present perfect (has/have + past participle) connects a past action to the present and is compatible with adverbs such as "already." It cannot be used with a definite finished past time like "yesterday."

Question 35Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which option is the correct plural form of the compound noun "attorney general"?

  1. attorney's generals
  2. attorneys general Correct answer.
  3. attorney generals
  4. attorneys generals

Explanation

In compound nouns where the first element is the head noun modified by an adjective or phrase, the plural marker attaches to the head: "attorneys general." This follows the pattern of forms like "courts-martial."

Question 36Grammar and Sentence Structure

In the sentence "The manager, along with her two assistants, is attending the conference," the verb "is" agrees with which element?

  1. along with
  2. manager Correct answer.
  3. assistants
  4. conference

Explanation

When a subject is followed by a parenthetical phrase introduced by "along with," "as well as," or "together with," the verb agrees with the original subject only. The singular "manager" therefore takes "is."

Question 37Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains an adjective clause that is correctly set off with commas because it is nonrestrictive?

  1. The report, that I submitted yesterday, was approved.
  2. The report which I submitted yesterday was approved.
  3. The report, which I submitted yesterday, was approved. Correct answer.
  4. The report that I submitted yesterday was approved.

Explanation

A nonrestrictive clause adds extra information and is set off by commas, and it must use "which" rather than "that." Since the sentence identifies a specific report already, the clause is supplementary and takes commas with "which."

Question 38Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which option correctly completes the sentence with an appropriate modal verb: "By next June, the team ___ have completed the migration."

  1. will Correct answer.
  2. can
  3. should
  4. must

Explanation

A future completion by a stated time calls for "will have completed," the future perfect. The adverb phrase "by next June" signals a deadline in the future.

Question 39Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a gerund phrase as the subject?

  1. The manuals, reading them carefully, were long.
  2. Reading technical manuals takes patience. Correct answer.
  3. She read the technical manuals quickly.
  4. She enjoys reading technical manuals.

Explanation

A gerund is a verb form ending in -ing that functions as a noun. In "Reading technical manuals takes patience," the gerund phrase serves as the subject governing the verb "takes."

Question 40Grammar and Sentence Structure

Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier.

  1. Walking through the archive, the archivist found a lost letter.
  2. Walking through the archive, the letter was found by the archivist. Correct answer.
  3. The archivist, walking through the archive, found a lost letter.
  4. While walking through the archive, the archivist found a lost letter.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the implied subject of the introductory participial phrase does not match the subject of the main clause. In the faulty sentence, "walking through the archive" seems to modify "the letter," which cannot walk.

Question 41Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence demonstrates correct use of the past perfect tense to show an earlier action?

  1. He had submitted the form before the office closed. Correct answer.
  2. He submitted the form before the office had closed.
  3. He has submitted the form before the office closed.
  4. He was submitting the form before the office closed.

Explanation

The past perfect (had + past participle) marks the action that occurred first relative to another past action. Submitting the form happened before the office closed, so "had submitted" is the appropriate form.

Question 42Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which option correctly punctuates the compound sentence?

  1. The proposal was strong however, it lacked a budget.
  2. The proposal was strong; however, it lacked a budget. Correct answer.
  3. The proposal was strong, however, it lacked a budget.
  4. The proposal was strong, however it lacked a budget.

Explanation

When a conjunctive adverb such as "however" joins two independent clauses, a semicolon precedes it and a comma follows it. This keeps the two clauses properly separated without a comma splice.

Question 43Grammar and Sentence Structure

In the sentence "Neither the supervisor nor the technicians were informed of the change," why does the verb take the plural form?

  1. Because "neither" is always plural
  2. Because "informed" is a past participle
  3. Because "nor" makes the verb plural
  4. Because the verb agrees with the nearer subject "technicians" Correct answer.

Explanation

With correlative conjunctions "either/or" and "neither/nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. Here the nearer subject "technicians" is plural, so the plural verb "were" is correct.

Question 44Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a reflexive pronoun correctly?

  1. The manager and myself reviewed the policy.
  2. Please send the report to myself by Friday.
  3. The director herself signed the contract. Correct answer.
  4. The team and yourself should coordinate.

Explanation

A reflexive pronoun is correct when it refers back to the subject for emphasis or as the object of the same subject. In "The director herself signed," "herself" intensifies the subject "director."

Question 45Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a restrictive appositive correctly, without commas?

  1. The author George Orwell wrote Animal Farm. Correct answer.
  2. Paris, the capital of France, is beautiful.
  3. Our teacher, Ms. Rivera, assigned homework.
  4. My brother, a surgeon, lives in Boston.

Explanation

A restrictive appositive identifies which particular person or thing is meant and takes no commas. "George Orwell" narrows down which author is intended, so it is restrictive.

Question 46Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence correctly uses a colon?

  1. She bought three items; bread, milk, and eggs.
  2. She bought three items, bread, milk, and eggs.
  3. She bought: bread, milk, and eggs.
  4. She bought three items: bread, milk, and eggs. Correct answer.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list after a complete independent clause. "She bought three items" is a complete clause, so the colon correctly precedes the enumerated items.

Question 47Grammar and Sentence Structure

In the sentence "If the auditors had arrived earlier, they would have found the discrepancy," which type of conditional is used?

  1. Third conditional (unreal past) Correct answer.
  2. First conditional (real future)
  3. Zero conditional (general truth)
  4. Second conditional (unreal present)

Explanation

The third conditional pairs "had + past participle" in the if-clause with "would have + past participle" in the main clause. It describes a hypothetical situation in the past that did not occur.

Question 48Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence contains a correctly formed participial phrase modifying the subject?

  1. Having completed the review, it was archived.
  2. Having completed the review, the file was archived by the clerk.
  3. Having completed the review, the archiving was done.
  4. Having completed the review, the clerk archived the file. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase at the start of a sentence must modify the subject that follows it. "The clerk" is the one who completed the review, so the modifier attaches correctly.

Question 49Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses "whom" correctly according to formal case rules?

  1. Whom is responsible for this error?
  2. Whom will chair the meeting tomorrow?
  3. To whom should I address the complaint? Correct answer.
  4. The candidate whom applied first was hired.

Explanation

"Whom" is the objective case form, used when the pronoun functions as an object. After the preposition "to," the objective "whom" is required in formal usage.

Question 50Grammar and Sentence Structure

Which sentence uses a subjunctive mood verb correctly in a formal context?

  1. The board requires that every member will submit a disclosure form.
  2. The board requires that every member submitting a disclosure form.
  3. The board requires that every member submits a disclosure form.
  4. The board requires that every member submit a disclosure form. Correct answer.

Explanation

After verbs of demand or requirement such as "requires that," formal English uses the base form of the verb regardless of the subject. Thus "every member submit" is the correct mandative subjunctive.