English/Hindi Language: Comprehension, Grammar and Usage
The language section is offered in English or Hindi; candidates attempt one. The English version tests reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, sentence improvement, para jumbles, fillers and vocabulary; the Hindi version tests गद्यांश, व्याकरण (संधि, समास, उपसर्ग-प्रत्यय, मुहावरे) and त्रुटि-शोधन.
Core rules
- In comprehension, separate stated facts from inference; the answer must be supported by the passage, not by general knowledge.
- Subject-verb agreement: "one of + plural noun" takes a singular verb; collective nouns take singular verbs when acting as one unit.
- Parallelism: items joined by and/or must share grammatical form.
- Para jumbles: find the opening sentence (no pronoun reference), then follow pronoun and connector chains.
Worked example
"One of my friend are coming to the party." Two errors: "one of" requires a plural noun, and the subject "one" is singular. Correct: "One of my friends is coming to the party."
Traps
- Choosing "no error" too quickly; re-read the whole sentence for agreement and tense.
- In cloze tests, a grammatically correct option may still be wrong for the passage's meaning.
- In Hindi, confusing तत्सम/तद्भव forms and applying the wrong संधि rule.
- In para jumbles, forcing a dramatic sentence first instead of the one that introduces the topic.
- In vocabulary questions, choosing a familiar word that does not fit the context's tone.