English Language and Comprehension
What this domain tests
This section tests grammar accuracy, vocabulary, sentence improvement, error spotting, cloze, and reading comprehension. The paper rewards rule-based elimination, not guesswork.
Core rules
- Subject-verb agreement: the verb agrees with the head noun, not with a phrase after 'of'. In 'One of the officers', the head is 'One'.
- Relative pronouns agree with their antecedent. In 'One of the officers who have inspected the warehouse has been suspended', 'who' refers to 'officers' (plural), while the main verb 'has' agrees with 'One'.
- Use present perfect for a past action with present relevance; use 'since' with a point of time and 'for' with a duration.
- Articles: 'a/an' with singular countable nouns; 'the' for definite or unique reference.
- Comprehension: distinguish stated detail, inference, and tone. An option can be true but still wrong if it does not answer the question.
Worked example
Choose the correct verbs: 'One of the excise officers who ___ inspected the warehouse ___ suspended.' The relative clause refers to 'officers', so 'have' is correct. The main clause subject is 'One', so 'has been' is correct. Full sentence: 'One of the excise officers who have inspected the warehouse has been suspended.'
Traps that cost marks
- 'Each', 'every', 'either', and 'neither' are singular.
- 'Police' is plural; 'news' is singular.
- Dangling modifiers: the opening phrase must modify the subject of the main clause.
- 'Affect' is usually a verb; 'effect' is usually a noun.
Exam focus
Read the whole sentence before choosing; one clue often decides two blanks.