English Language: Grammar, Vocabulary and Comprehension
English in the Rajasthan Group D paper tests practical grammar, vocabulary and comprehension: error spotting, sentence improvement, fill in the blanks, synonyms and antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms and a short reading passage.
Grammar core
- Subject–verb agreement: in 'One of + plural noun', the verb agrees with 'one' (singular). Each, every, either and neither take a singular verb.
- Articles: 'an' before a vowel sound (an hour, an MLA), 'a' before a consonant sound (a university, a European).
- Comparatives: senior, junior, superior, inferior and prior take 'to', never 'than'.
- Tenses: use 'since' with a point of time and 'for' with a duration, with perfect forms - 'He has been working here since 2019.'
- Fixed prepositions: consist of, comprise (no 'of'), prefer to, married to, capable of.
Vocabulary
Prepare synonym–antonym pairs, one-word substitutions (a person who talks too much = garrulous) and common idioms (to let the cat out of the bag = to reveal a secret).
Worked example
'One of my friends ___ going to Jaipur.' Options: are / is. Step 1: identify the subject - 'one', not 'friends'. Step 2: 'one' is singular, so the verb must be singular. Answer: is. The phrase 'of my friends' is a prepositional modifier and does not control the verb.
Reading comprehension
Read the questions first, then scan the passage for the line that answers each one. Answer only from the passage, never from general knowledge.
Traps
- Double comparatives such as 'more better' or 'most best'.
- 'Less' with uncountable nouns, 'fewer' with countable nouns.
- Dropping the article before a superlative: 'He is best player' is wrong; 'He is the best player' is correct.