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PN Cadet Initial Test study materials
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PN Cadet Initial Test practice questions

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Question 1English

In a service writing task, which sentence uses the correct article before a singular countable noun?

  1. The cadet submitted a urgent report to the duty officer.
  2. The cadet submitted urgent report to the duty officer.
  3. The cadet submitted the urgent reports to a duty officer yesterday.
  4. The cadet submitted an urgent report to the duty officer. Correct answer.

Explanation

A singular countable noun needs an article, and 'urgent' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is required. Option 0 supplies 'an urgent report', which is grammatically complete and correctly formed.

Question 2English

Choose the option in which the verb agrees correctly with its subject in a formal report sentence.

  1. Each of the squad members has submitted a fitness certificate. Correct answer.
  2. Each of the squad members are submitting a fitness certificate.
  3. Each of the squad members have submitted a fitness certificate.
  4. Each of the squad members were submitted a fitness certificate.

Explanation

'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it takes a singular verb even when followed by a plural prepositional phrase. 'Each of the squad members has submitted' is therefore the only correct agreement.

Question 3English

Which sentence places the adverb in the position standard written English prefers?

  1. The officer is always on time for the morning briefing. Correct answer.
  2. The officer is on time always for the morning briefing.
  3. The officer always is on time for the morning briefing.
  4. Always the officer is on time for the morning briefing.

Explanation

Frequency adverbs such as 'always' normally sit after the verb 'be' and before other main verbs. With 'is', the adverb follows it, giving 'is always on time'.

Question 4English

A cadet writes: 'The parade was cancelled, the rain was heavy.' Which revision correctly repairs the comma splice?

  1. The parade was cancelled, the rain was heavy.
  2. The parade was cancelled because the rain was heavy. Correct answer.
  3. The parade was cancelled the rain was heavy.
  4. The parade was cancelled, and the rain was heavy, so.

Explanation

A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. Turning one clause into a subordinate cause clause with 'because' removes the splice and keeps the logical link.

Question 5English

Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The instructor was ______ with the cadet's drill performance and praised him publicly'?

  1. satisfied Correct answer.
  2. satisfying
  3. satisfy
  4. satisfaction

Explanation

The adjective describing how a person feels is the past participle form 'satisfied'. 'Satisfying' describes the thing that causes the feeling, not the person experiencing it.

Question 6English

In the sentence 'The adjutant gave the new cadets their duty roster', what is the grammatical function of 'the new cadets'?

  1. Direct object
  2. Subject complement
  3. Indirect object Correct answer.
  4. Object complement

Explanation

The verb 'gave' takes two objects: the thing given ('their duty roster') and the receiver ('the new cadets'). The receiver of the action is the indirect object.

Question 7English

Which option spells all words correctly for a formal service document?

  1. The batallion recieved its orders seperate from the brigade.
  2. The battalion recieved its orders seperate from the brigade.
  3. The battallion received its orders separate from the brigade.
  4. The battalion received its orders separate from the brigade. Correct answer.

Explanation

The correct spellings are 'battalion' (one t after the first a, double l), 'received' (e before i after c), and 'separate' (one a in the middle syllable). Only option 1 uses all three correctly.

Question 8English

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly in a military context?

  1. The soldiers' rifles were stacked in the quartermasters' store. Correct answer.
  2. The soldiers rifles were stacked in the quartermasters store.
  3. The soldier's rifles were stacked in the quartermaster's store.
  4. The soldiers rifle's were stacked in the quartermaster store.

Explanation

Plural possession takes the apostrophe after the final s: 'soldiers'' rifles'. A singular possessor such as 'quartermaster' takes apostrophe plus s, giving 'quartermaster's store'. Option 2 applies both rules.

Question 9English

Choose the sentence that uses the correct preposition with the verb 'comply'.

  1. All personnel must comply to the standing orders.
  2. All personnel must comply on the standing orders.
  3. All personnel must comply with the standing orders. Correct answer.
  4. All personnel must comply for the standing orders.

Explanation

The verb 'comply' is followed by the fixed preposition 'with'. This collocation is standard in formal and service writing and cannot be varied without error.

Question 10English

Which sentence correctly uses a conditional form to express an unreal situation in the past?

  1. If the cadet would check the map, he had not lost the route.
  2. If the cadet checked the map, he would not lose the route.
  3. If the cadet had checked the map, he would not have lost the route. Correct answer.
  4. If the cadet has checked the map, he would not lost the route.

Explanation

Unreal past conditions use 'if + past perfect' in the condition and 'would have + past participle' in the result. Option 0 follows this third-conditional pattern exactly.

Question 11English

In the sentence 'Having completed the night march, the platoon commander briefed the section', what does the opening phrase modify?

  1. The night march
  2. The section
  3. The briefing
  4. The platoon commander Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase at the start of a sentence should modify the subject of the main clause. The subject is 'the platoon commander', so he is the one who completed the march.

Question 12English

Which option best replaces the underlined idea to make the sentence concise: 'Due to the fact that the weather was bad, the exercise was postponed.'

  1. Because of bad weather Correct answer.
  2. On account of the fact of bad weather
  3. Owing to the circumstance of bad weather
  4. In view of the fact that the weather was bad

Explanation

Concise service writing replaces wordy phrases such as 'due to the fact that' with a single preposition. 'Because of bad weather' conveys the same cause in three words.

Question 13English

Which sentence uses 'lie' and 'lay' correctly?

  1. The rifle lies on the table; the cadet lain it there earlier.
  2. The rifle lays on the table; the cadet lay it there earlier.
  3. The rifle lies on the table; the cadet laid it there earlier. Correct answer.
  4. The rifle lay on the table; the cadet lied it there earlier.

Explanation

'Lie' is intransitive (to recline) and its present form with a singular subject is 'lies'. 'Lay' is transitive (to place something) and its past form is 'laid', so 'the cadet laid it there' is correct.

Question 14English

Identify the function of the clause 'that the order had been received' in: 'The signal confirmed that the order had been received.'

  1. Adverbial clause of time
  2. Adjective clause modifying 'order'
  3. Noun clause acting as object of 'confirmed' Correct answer.
  4. Relative clause modifying 'signal'

Explanation

The clause introduced by 'that' answers the question 'confirmed what?' and fills the object slot of the verb. It is therefore a noun clause functioning as direct object.

Question 15English

Which sentence uses the passive voice most appropriately for a formal service report?

  1. The sentries checked the perimeter every two hours.
  2. The perimeter was checked by the sentries every two hours. Correct answer.
  3. The sentries had checked the perimeter every two hours.
  4. The sentries were checking the perimeter every two hours.

Explanation

Passive voice suits reports where the action or object matters more than the doer. Option 0 places 'the perimeter' in focus while still naming the agent, which matches report style.

Question 16English

Choose the option with correct punctuation of the non-defining relative clause.

  1. The commanding officer, who had served overseas addressed the cadets.
  2. The commanding officer who had served overseas, addressed the cadets.
  3. The commanding officer who had served overseas addressed the cadets.
  4. The commanding officer, who had served overseas, addressed the cadets. Correct answer.

Explanation

A non-defining clause adds extra information about a specific person and must be enclosed in a pair of commas. Option 1 supplies both commas correctly.

Question 17English

Which word is the best synonym for 'meticulous' as used in 'The armourer kept meticulous records of every weapon'?

  1. Reluctant
  2. Careless
  3. Scrupulous Correct answer.
  4. Sporadic

Explanation

'Meticulous' means showing great attention to detail, which 'scrupulous' closely matches in this context. Both suggest careful, thorough accuracy.

Question 18English

Which sentence uses the correct comparative structure?

  1. This route is shortest than the one we took yesterday.
  2. This route is shorter than the one we took yesterday. Correct answer.
  3. This route is more shorter than the one we took yesterday.
  4. This route is more short than the one we took yesterday.

Explanation

Short adjectives form the comparative with '-er' alone, without 'more'. 'Shorter than' is the correct comparative construction.

Question 19English

In the sentence 'Neither the officer nor the cadets were aware of the change', why is 'were' acceptable?

  1. Because 'aware' is a plural adjective
  2. Because 'neither' is always plural in formal English
  3. Because the verb agrees with the nearer subject 'cadets' Correct answer.
  4. Because 'nor' forces a plural verb in every case

Explanation

With 'neither...nor', the verb conventionally agrees with the subject nearest to it. The nearest subject is the plural 'cadets', so 'were' is the standard choice.

Question 20English

Which sentence avoids a dangling modifier?

  1. After checking the ammunition, the sentry returned the rifle to the rack. Correct answer.
  2. After checking the ammunition, the rifle was returned to the rack.
  3. After checking the ammunition, the rack held the rifle.
  4. After checking the ammunition, it was returned to the rack.

Explanation

The opening participial phrase must describe the subject of the main clause. Only option 1 makes the sentry the subject, and the sentry is the one who checked the ammunition.

Question 21English

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence with a subjunctive form: 'The colonel ordered that the parade ______ postponed until dawn.'

  1. was
  2. is
  3. be Correct answer.
  4. will be

Explanation

After verbs of ordering or demanding, formal English uses the mandative subjunctive, which takes the base form of the verb regardless of tense. 'Ordered that the parade be postponed' is the standard pattern.

Question 22English

Which sentence uses 'whom' correctly?

  1. The officer whom we met at the gate was newly promoted. Correct answer.
  2. The officer whom arrived early was newly promoted.
  3. The officer who we met at the gate was newly promoted.
  4. The officer whom briefed us was newly promoted.

Explanation

'Whom' is the object form of the relative pronoun. In option 2 it is the object of 'met', so 'whom we met' is correct.

Question 23English

Identify the sentence in which the semicolon is used correctly.

  1. The cadets trained hard; passing the inspection easily.
  2. The cadets trained hard; and they passed the inspection.
  3. The cadets trained hard; because they wanted to pass.
  4. The cadets trained hard; they passed the inspection easily. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related and not already joined by a conjunction. Option 1 has a complete clause on each side.

Question 24English

Which option best corrects the faulty parallelism: 'The course teaches cadets to march, to shoot, and how to survive in the field'?

  1. The course teaches cadets to march, shooting, and how to survive in the field.
  2. The course teaches cadets to march, to shoot, and how surviving in the field works.
  3. The course teaches cadets marching, to shoot, and survival in the field.
  4. The course teaches cadets to march, to shoot, and to survive in the field. Correct answer.

Explanation

Items in a series should share the same grammatical form. Making all three infinitives ('to march, to shoot, and to survive') restores parallelism.

Question 25English

In 'No sooner had the alarm sounded than the flight dispersed', which analysis is correct?

  1. The sentence needs 'did' instead of 'had' to form the past tense.
  2. 'No sooner' should be followed by the present perfect, not the past perfect.
  3. The inversion 'had the alarm sounded' is correct after the negative adverbial 'no sooner'. Correct answer.
  4. 'Than' should be replaced by 'when' because 'no sooner' takes 'when'.

Explanation

When a negative or restrictive adverbial such as 'no sooner' begins a sentence, subject and auxiliary invert. The past perfect 'had...sounded' plus 'than' is the standard correlative pattern.

Question 26English

In a written order, the sentence 'The section will move to the ridge at first light' uses 'will' to express which meaning?

  1. A past habit of the unit
  2. A polite request from a subordinate
  3. A firm instruction issued by the commander Correct answer.
  4. A hypothetical situation that did not occur

Explanation

In military written orders, 'will' conventionally conveys a definite instruction or obligation placed on the named element, not mere future prediction. The commander is directing action, so the modal carries directive force. Recognising this convention matters when reading and drafting orders.

Question 27English

Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'The duty officer insisted that the sentry ___ the password before entering the perimeter'?

  1. is stating
  2. stated
  3. states
  4. state Correct answer.

Explanation

Verbs of demanding and insisting such as 'insist that' take the subjunctive in formal English, and the base form 'state' is used regardless of the subject. This mandative subjunctive is standard in service writing. 'Stated' would wrongly suggest a reported fact rather than a requirement.

Question 28English

A cadet writes: 'The rifles were cleaned by the recruits, and the stores were checked by the quartermaster.' Which revision best removes the awkward repetition of agent phrases while keeping the report formal?

  1. The recruits cleaned the rifles, and the quartermaster checked the stores. Correct answer.
  2. The rifles and the stores were cleaned and checked respectively.
  3. Cleaning the rifles by the recruits and checking the stores by the quartermaster occurred.
  4. The rifles were cleaned, and the stores were checked by the quartermaster.

Explanation

Two passive clauses in succession with explicit 'by' agents make a report wordy and indirect; recasting both in the active voice names the actors clearly and shortens the sentence. Formal service writing favours the active voice when the doer is known and important. The active version keeps the same information without repetition.

Question 29English

In the sentence 'The sergeant, together with two corporals, was inspecting the armoury', why is the singular verb 'was' correct?

  1. Because the verb agrees with the subject 'The sergeant', and the phrase between commas is parenthetical Correct answer.
  2. Because verbs following a comma are always singular in formal English
  3. Because 'together with' creates a compound subject requiring a singular verb
  4. Because 'corporals' is plural and therefore cannot control the verb

Explanation

The grammatical subject is 'The sergeant'; the phrase 'together with two corporals' is a parenthetical addition that does not form a compound subject. Agreement is therefore singular. By contrast, 'and' would create a plural subject requiring 'were'.

Question 30English

Which option best replaces the underlined part to make the sentence concise: 'The reason the exercise was cancelled was because the range was flooded'?

  1. was cancelled was due to the fact of
  2. was cancelled, it was because
  3. was cancelled was because of
  4. was cancelled was that Correct answer.

Explanation

The construction 'The reason ... was that ...' is the standard, economical complement after 'reason'. Combining 'the reason' with 'because' is redundant. The 'that' clause states the cause directly and keeps the sentence grammatical.

Question 31English

In 'The order to withdraw having been received, the company began its move', what is the grammatical role of 'The order to withdraw having been received'?

  1. A participial phrase functioning as an adverbial of cause Correct answer.
  2. An independent clause forming a complete sentence
  3. A relative clause modifying 'the company'
  4. A noun clause acting as the object of 'began'

Explanation

The opening element is a participial phrase built on 'having been received'; it has no finite verb of its own and gives the reason for the main action. It therefore functions adverbially. The main clause 'the company began its move' carries the finite verb.

Question 32English

Which sentence uses the colon correctly in a service document?

  1. The inspection: revealed three faults, rusted bolts, loose straps and a cracked lens.
  2. The inspection revealed three faults, rusted bolts: loose straps and a cracked lens.
  3. The inspection revealed: three faults, rusted bolts, loose straps and a cracked lens.
  4. The inspection revealed three faults: rusted bolts, loose straps and a cracked lens. Correct answer.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation only after a complete independent clause; here 'The inspection revealed three faults' is complete and the colon then presents the items. The colon must not separate a verb from its object or interrupt a list.

Question 33English

Choose the sentence in which the modifier is placed so that the meaning is clear.

  1. Covered in mud after the assault course, the sergeant inspected the recruits.
  2. After the assault course, the recruits were inspected by the sergeant covered in mud.
  3. Covered in mud after the assault course, the recruits were inspected by the sergeant. Correct answer.
  4. The sergeant inspected the recruits covered in mud after the assault course.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase describes the noun that follows it, so the recruits must come immediately after 'Covered in mud'. Only that arrangement makes clear who was muddy. The other versions attach the modifier to the sergeant or leave it ambiguous.

Question 34English

Which word is the best antonym for 'cursory' as used in 'The cursory check of the vehicle missed a loose wheel nut'?

  1. Thorough Correct answer.
  2. Rapid
  3. Frequent
  4. Superficial

Explanation

'Cursory' means hasty and superficial, so its opposite is 'thorough', which describes a careful and complete check. The sentence's context, a missed fault, confirms the negative sense. 'Rapid' and 'superficial' are close in meaning to 'cursory', not opposite.

Question 35English

Identify the function of the underlined clause in: 'The instruction that all weapons be cleared before dusk was read to every sentry.'

  1. A noun clause acting as the object of 'read'
  2. A relative clause identifying which instruction was meant
  3. An adverbial clause of time
  4. A clause in apposition explaining the content of 'the instruction' Correct answer.

Explanation

The clause 'that all weapons be cleared before dusk' does not define which instruction among several; it spells out what the instruction says. It is therefore a content clause in apposition to 'the instruction'. The subjunctive 'be cleared' signals reported content rather than identification.

Question 36English

Which sentence uses the article correctly?

  1. The cadet was issued a rifle, a helmet and a pair of boots. Correct answer.
  2. The cadet was issued a rifle, an helmet and the pair of boots.
  3. Cadet was issued rifle, helmet and pair of boots.
  4. A cadet was issued the rifle, a helmet and a pair of boots.

Explanation

Indefinite articles are used for singular countable nouns introduced for the first time, and 'a' precedes consonant sounds while 'an' precedes vowel sounds. 'A rifle, a helmet and a pair of boots' follows both rules. The definite article would wrongly suggest specific items already known to the reader.

Question 37English

Which option best corrects the faulty parallelism: 'The course teaches cadets to march, to shoot and how to survive in the field'?

  1. The course teaches cadets how to march, to shoot and surviving in the field.
  2. The course teaches cadets to march, shooting and how to survive in the field.
  3. The course teaches cadets to march, to shoot and to survive in the field. Correct answer.
  4. The course teaches cadets marching, to shoot and survival in the field.

Explanation

Items in a series must share the same grammatical form; the original mixes an infinitive ('to shoot') with a 'how to' phrase. Making all three items infinitives restores parallelism. Consistency of form is a core requirement of clear service writing.

Question 38English

In 'The platoon had already crossed the bridge when the order to halt arrived', which tense relationship is expressed?

  1. The crossing was completed before the order arrived Correct answer.
  2. Both actions happened at exactly the same moment
  3. The crossing happened after the order arrived
  4. The crossing was still in progress when the order arrived

Explanation

The past perfect 'had crossed' marks an action completed before another past event, which is expressed in the simple past 'arrived'. This sequencing is the standard use of the past perfect. It shows the crossing was already finished when the order came.

Question 39English

Which sentence correctly uses 'fewer' and 'less'?

  1. The unit has fewer recruits and fewer equipment than last year.
  2. The unit has fewer recruits and less equipment than last year. Correct answer.
  3. The unit has less recruits and fewer equipment than last year.
  4. The unit has less recruits and less equipment than last year.

Explanation

'Fewer' is used with plural countable nouns such as 'recruits', while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns such as 'equipment'. The sentence therefore needs 'fewer recruits' and 'less equipment'. This distinction is expected in accurate formal writing.

Question 40English

Which sentence uses 'whose' correctly?

  1. The officer who's patrol led the advance was commended.
  2. The officer whose patrol led the advance was commended. Correct answer.
  3. The officer, whose led the patrol, was commended.
  4. The officer whose led the patrol was commended.

Explanation

'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun and must be followed by the noun it modifies, as in 'whose patrol'. It cannot replace 'who' as the subject of a verb. The contraction 'who's' means 'who is' and is never a possessive.

Question 41Mathematics

A cadet runs 2.4 km in 12 minutes. What is the average speed in metres per second?

  1. 4.00 m/s
  2. 0.20 m/s
  3. 3.33 m/s Correct answer.
  4. 2.00 m/s

Explanation

Convert 2.4 km to 2400 m and 12 minutes to 720 s. Dividing distance by time gives 2400 ÷ 720 ≈ 3.33 m/s.

Question 42Mathematics

Simplify the expression 3(2x − 5) − 2(x − 4).

  1. 8x − 7
  2. 4x − 23
  3. 4x − 7 Correct answer.
  4. 4x + 3

Explanation

Expand each bracket: 6x − 15 − 2x + 8. Collecting like terms gives 4x − 7. Careful sign handling on the second bracket is essential.

Question 43Mathematics

What is the value of 15% of 480?

  1. 72 Correct answer.
  2. 64
  3. 48
  4. 80

Explanation

15% equals 0.15, and 0.15 × 480 = 72. Equivalently, 10% of 480 is 48 and 5% is 24, and their sum is 72.

Question 44Mathematics

The average of five numbers is 18. Four of them are 12, 20, 15 and 25. What is the fifth number?

  1. 20
  2. 18 Correct answer.
  3. 16
  4. 22

Explanation

The total of five numbers averaging 18 is 5 × 18 = 90. The four known numbers sum to 72, so the fifth is 90 − 72 = 18.

Question 45Mathematics

Solve for x: 5x − 7 = 3x + 9.

  1. 4
  2. 16
  3. 8 Correct answer.
  4. 2

Explanation

Subtract 3x from both sides to get 2x − 7 = 9, then add 7 to obtain 2x = 16. Dividing by 2 gives x = 8.

Question 46Mathematics

A triangle has angles in the ratio 2 : 3 : 4. What is the size of the largest angle?

  1. 80° Correct answer.
  2. 90°
  3. 40°
  4. 60°

Explanation

The angles sum to 180°, and the ratio parts total 9. Each part is 180 ÷ 9 = 20°, so the largest angle is 4 × 20 = 80°.

Question 47Mathematics

What is the next term in the sequence 3, 7, 15, 31, ...?

  1. 47
  2. 62
  3. 55
  4. 63 Correct answer.

Explanation

Each term is one less than a doubling: 3 = 4 − 1, 7 = 8 − 1, 15 = 16 − 1, 31 = 32 − 1. The next term is 64 − 1 = 63.

Question 48Mathematics

A rectangle has a length of 12 cm and a width of 5 cm. What is the length of its diagonal?

  1. 13 cm Correct answer.
  2. 7 cm
  3. 17 cm
  4. 11 cm

Explanation

The diagonal forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle with legs 12 and 5. By Pythagoras, the square is 144 + 25 = 169, so the diagonal is 13 cm.

Question 49Mathematics

A sum of money is invested at 8% simple interest per year. After 3 years the interest earned is 7200. What was the principal?

  1. 18000
  2. 30000 Correct answer.
  3. 24000
  4. 36000

Explanation

Simple interest is P × r × t, so 7200 = P × 0.08 × 3 = 0.24P. Dividing gives P = 7200 ÷ 0.24 = 30000.

Question 50Mathematics

Two numbers are in the ratio 5 : 8. If the smaller number is increased by 12, the ratio becomes 7 : 8. What is the smaller number?

  1. 20 Correct answer.
  2. 30
  3. 24
  4. 15

Explanation

Let the numbers be 5k and 8k. Then (5k + 12) : 8k = 7 : 8, giving 40k + 96 = 56k, so 16k = 96 and k = 6. The smaller number is 5 × 6 = 30... check: 5k = 30.