English Comprehension for CAPF ASI (Stenographer)
English Comprehension tests grammar, vocabulary and reading in one paper: error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, spelling, para jumbles and a reading passage. Because the post is a stenographer, correct spelling and sentence construction carry practical weight, and questions often hinge on a single word.
Rules worth drilling
- Subject–verb agreement: "One of the + plural noun + singular verb"; each, every, either and neither take singular verbs.
- Tense: use "since/for" with present perfect; use past perfect for the earlier of two past actions.
- Articles: "an" before vowel sounds (an hour, an MP), "a" before consonant sounds (a university, a European).
- Fixed prepositions: "comprise" takes no "of"; "discuss" takes no "about"; "married to", not "married with".
- Idioms: "bite the bullet" = endure a painful situation; "spill the beans" = reveal a secret.
Worked example
Spot the error: "One of the boys were absent from the class."
Reasoning: the subject is "One", not "boys", so the verb must be singular. "were" should be "was". Candidates who match the verb to the nearest noun choose "boys" and miss the error.
Traps that cost marks
- Matching a verb to the noun nearest it instead of to the real subject.
- Confusing affect/effect, principal/principle, stationary/stationery.
- Missing the word "NOT" or "EXCEPT" in comprehension and vocabulary questions.
- Taking idioms literally.
- Spelling errors such as "occurrence", "separate" and "committee" in one-word substitution options.