English Language and Comprehension
What this domain tests
English Language and Comprehension checks grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, idioms, synonyms and antonyms, cloze tests and reading comprehension. Questions are usually straightforward but test agreement, tense and preposition accuracy.
Core rules and concepts
- Subject-verb agreement: a singular subject takes a singular verb; “one of + plural noun” takes a singular verb.
- Neither/either, each, everyone and everybody are singular.
- Use “since” with a point of time and “for” with a duration.
- Use “fewer” with countable nouns and “less” with uncountable nouns.
- In comprehension, answer from the passage, not from outside knowledge.
- For idioms, learn the whole meaning; literal translation usually fails.
Worked example
“One of the boys ___ absent.” The subject is “one”, not “boys”, so the correct verb is “was”: “One of the boys was absent.” The plural noun after “of” is part of the prepositional phrase and does not control the verb.
Traps that cost marks
Collective nouns can take singular or plural verbs depending on whether the group acts as one unit or as individuals. Do not use “less” for countable items. Do not choose an answer merely because it sounds formal.