English: Grammar, Vocabulary and Passage Logic
English is the smallest section, typically 5 questions, but it is scored and can decide a close rank. It tests grammar, vocabulary, sentence completion, error spotting, and short reading comprehension. The level is functional rather than literary.
Grammar
Subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions, pronouns, modifiers, and parallelism. Identify the subject before choosing the verb, especially when a phrase sits between them.
Vocabulary and usage
Synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitutions, idioms, and confusable words. Learn words in context rather than as isolated lists.
Comprehension
Read the questions first, then locate the relevant lines. Answers must follow the passage, not general knowledge.
Worked example
Spot the error: "The list of items were on the desk." The subject is "list", which is singular; "of items" is a prepositional phrase and does not change the number. The verb should be "was". Correct sentence: "The list of items was on the desk."
Traps
- Letting a plural noun near the verb override the real subject.
- Choosing an answer that is true in general but not stated in the passage.
- Misreading "except" or "not" in the question stem.
- Confusing similar words such as affect/effect and principal/principle.