English Language
English Language assesses grammar, vocabulary and comprehension through error spotting, fillers, cloze tests, sentence rearrangement, synonyms/antonyms and reading comprehension. The exam rewards precise reading and rule-based elimination.
Core rules
- Subject-verb agreement: a singular subject takes a singular verb. In "one of the + plural noun", the verb agrees with "one": One of the clerks has applied.
- "The number of" takes a singular verb; "a number of" takes a plural verb.
- Use "since" with a point of time and "for" with a duration.
- In reading comprehension, distinguish an stated fact from an inference. Choose the option supported by the passage, not by general knowledge.
- For rearrangement, find the opening sentence that introduces the topic, then follow pronoun and connector links.
Worked example
Sentence: "The number of applicants have increased this year." The subject is "The number", which is singular. "Applicants" is part of the prepositional phrase "of applicants" and does not control the verb. Correct: "The number of applicants has increased this year."
Traps
Being misled by the noun nearest the verb; confusing "affect/effect" and "principal/principle"; choosing a vocabulary option that fits grammar but not tone; in comprehension, selecting an extreme statement not supported by the passage; overlooking a missing article or preposition in error spotting.