English Grammar Exercises For UPSC Exams

The UPSC English Exam in India is a prestigious examination that assesses candidates on their proficiency in the English language. This exam plays a significant role in determining the communication skills of aspirants aiming for civil service roles. Candidates are expected to demonstrate a strong command of grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills to excel in this competitive examination. Success in the UPSC English Exam not only reflects an individual's language abilities but also showcases their aptitude for effective communication and articulation, which are essential qualities for a successful career in the civil services sector. The following English grammar exercise will give valuable practice for candidates who are preparing for the UPSC English examination.

UPSC English Exam Practice

Correct the underlined parts of the following sentences using one of the options given below. If no change is necessary, choose the last option.

• When I reached the school, the bell was rung, so I was late.
  a) had rung
  b) had already been rung
  c) was going to ring
  d) No improvement is necessary
• My father asked me that I knew where my brother was.
  a) asked me which
  b) asked that
  c) asked me whether
  d) No improvement is necessary
• Until you do not eat your food, I will not feel happy.
  a) Until you eat the food
  b) Until you are eating the food
  c) Until you ate the food
  d) No improvement is necessary
• I did not know what they were doing nor whether could they do it till the last moment.
  a) can they do it
  b) they could do it
  c) they can do it
  d) No improvement is necessary
• Please convey my love back to your family.
  a) return to your family
  b) to back your family
  c) to your family
  d) No improvement is necessary
• It is difficult to understand why did the president of the student union resign so soon after being elected.
  a) why the president of the student unition resigned
  b) why did the president of the student union resigned
  c) why the president of the student unition resign
  d) No improvement is necessary
• ‘Gullivers’ Travels’ are one of the least interesting stories I have bought for my library.
  a) Gulliver’s Travels is
  b) Gulliver’s Travels have been
  c) Gulliver’s Travels was
  d) No improvement is necessary
• I was very upsent when my so-called friends said that I was a coward person.
  a) I was a coward boy
  b) I was a coward
  c) I were a coward person
  d) No improvement is necessary
• If you were knowing why Sheila had not come to class, why didn’t you tell me?
  a) If you was knowing
  b) If you were knew
  c) If you knew
  d) No improvement is necessary
• I was so tired after all the cooking that I could not hardly entertain the guests at the party yesterday.
  a) I cannot hardly
  b) I can hardly
  c) I could hardly
  d) No improvement is necessary
• Most countries in the developing world nowadays cannot cope up with the demands of their increasing population.
  a) cannot cope with
  b) could not cope up with
  c) could not cope with
  d) No improvement is necessary
• “Be mindful of your surroundings. Do not loose your purse,” my mother cautioned me.
  a) not loosing
  b) not losing
  c) not lose
  d) No improvement is necessary
• I did not realize that there were less cookies than needed at the birthday party.
  a) fewer cookies
  b) lesser cookies
  c) few cookies
  d) No improvement is necessary
• I have watched that movie day before yesterday.
  a) watched
  b) have been watching
  c) will watch
  d) No improvement is necessary
• My cat’s favourite pastime is to chase it’s own tail.
  a) its own tail
  b) it own’s tails
  c) it’s own
  d) No improvement is necessary
• The low-income countries of the world has to find ways of controlling overpopulation and corruption.
  a) has to be finding
  b) have to be found
  c) have to find
  d) No improvement is necessary
• There has been no rain in many parts of our country for the past couple of months.
  a) Have been
  b) Is
  c) Were
  d) No improvement is necessary
• Whenever the President of the university visited our campus, there were demonstrations going on.
  a) had been demonstrations
  b) was demonstrations going on
  c) has been demonstrations
  d) No improvement is necessary
• Saumerset Maugham’s stories, like many other writers, were largely autobiographical.
  a) like many other stories
  b) like those of many other writers
  c) like so many others
  d) No improvement is necessary
• He was as handsome as, if not more handsome than, many other men at the party.
  a) Was very handsome as
  b) Was handsome as
  c) Was the most handsome
  d) No improvement is necessary

Answer Scheme

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