Pin Pointing Errors Exercise -6 for University Admission Test, Job Application Test, BCS Exam and Any Competitive Examination

PIN POINTING ERROR

Error Identification

1. Alive creatures are remarkably diversified in their sizes and shapes. [RU BSA 09-10]

A. Alive

B. are remarkably

C. diversified in

D. sizes and shapes

Answer: A Explanation: "Alive" is a predicative adjective, meaning it must follow a verb (e.g., "The creature is alive"). It cannot be used directly before a noun. The correct word here would be the attributive adjective Living.

2. Poor soils containing an excessive proportion of clay are frequent mixed with chalk to improve the texture. [CU (B-1) 10-11, (C) 11-12]

A. containing

B. excessive

C. frequent

D. to improve

Answer: C Explanation: The verb "mixed" should be modified by an adverb. The correct word is frequently.

3. The electric furnace is used extensively to produce the high-grade steel is required for the manufacture of steel alloys. [CU (B-1) 10-11, (D) 11-12]

A. is used

B. extensively

C. is required

D. for the manufacture

Answer: C Explanation: A simple sentence cannot have two finite verbs ("is used" and "is required") without a conjunction. A relative clause is needed. The correct form would be that is required or simply required.

4. Although we are concerned with the problem of energy sources we must not fail recognizing the need for environmental protection. [One Bank-10, CU (B-1) 10-11]

A. concerned with

B. must not fail

C. recognizing

D. for

Answer: C Explanation: The verb "fail" is followed by an infinitive (to + base form). The correct form is to recognize.

5. Neither the players nor the trainer were in the locker room when the thief broke in the door. [RU 08-09]

A. Neither

B. were

C. when

D. broke in

Answer: B Explanation: With "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. "The trainer" is singular, so the correct verb is was.

6. If anyone calls while we are in the conference, tell them I will return the call after the meeting. [RU 08-09]

A. anyone

B. while

C. them

D. after

Answer: C Explanation: The antecedent is "anyone," which is a singular pronoun. Therefore, the pronoun referring to it should also be singular. The correct pronoun is him or her.

7. The animals who are chosen to represent the Democratic and Republican parties, the donkey and the elephant, were created by the renowned cartoonist Thomas Nash.

A. who

B. represent

C. were created

D. renowned

Answer: A Explanation: The relative pronoun for animals is which or that, not "who".

8. Each of the dogs in the show require a special kind of diet.

A. Each of

B. require

C. special kind

D. diet

Answer: B Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "Each," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be singular. The correct verb is requires.

9. Each one of the animals in the zoo require a special type of diet. [KU 09-10]

A. Each one

B. require

C. special type

D. diet

Answer: B Explanation: The subject is "Each one," which is singular, so the verb must be singular: requires.

10. Mary, accompanied by Jane, were well received at the show. [RU Management 09-10]

A. accompanied by

B. were

C. well received

D. at the show

Answer: B Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "Mary." The phrase "accompanied by Jane" does not change the singular nature of the subject. The correct verb is was.

11. The earth was once inhabited by plants and animals of which today there is none living trace. [CU (B-1) 10-11, (C1) 16-17]

A. once

B. inhabited by

C. of which

D. none

Answer: D Explanation: "None" is a pronoun. Here, an adjective is needed to modify "trace." The correct word is no.

12. The duties of the secretary are to take the minutes, mailing the correspondence, and calling the members before meetings. [CU (E) 10-11, 11-12]

A. are

B. mailing

C. correspondence

D. calling

Answer: B Explanation: To maintain parallel structure, all items in the list should be in the same form. "to take" is an infinitive, so the others should be infinitives as well: to mail and to call.

13. Ancient drawings indicate that skill of juggling is at less three thousand years old. [CU (E) 10-11]

A. indicate

B. at less

C. thousand

D. years old

Answer: B Explanation: The correct phrase is at least.

14. The examination will test your ability to understand spoken English to read non-technical language and writing correctly. [Standard Bank-09, One Bank-10, BD Krishi Bank-12, SUST 08-09, CU (E-Law) 12-13, RU (E-even) 13-14]

A. ability

B. to understand

C. to read

D. writing

Answer: D Explanation: To maintain parallel structure, the items in the list should be in the same form. The first two are infinitives ("to understand," "to read"), so the third should be to write.

15. Identify the incorrect word/phrase: There are ten childs playing in the yard near her house, but your child is not among them. [JnU (C) 10-11]

A. There are

B. childs

C. near

D. among

Answer: B Explanation: The plural of "child" is children.

16. We see lightning before we hear the thunder it causes because sound travels more slowly than light is. [RU (Law) 10-11]

A. We see

B. it causes

C. more slowly

D. is

Answer: D Explanation: The comparison is with the verb "travels." To avoid repetition, an auxiliary verb is used. The correct auxiliary is does.

17. Identify the wrong section in the following sentence: Neither have I said and nor I will ever say that I am desirous of Power. [JnU (B) 09-10]

A. Neither have I

B. nor I will

C. that I am

D. of Power

Answer: B Explanation: When a negative adverb like "nor" begins a clause, it must be followed by inversion (auxiliary verb + subject). The correct structure is nor will I.

18. Indicate the error, if any, in the underlined words. He was the author whom I believed was most likely to receive the Ekushe award. [DU (C) 01-02]

A. whom

B. believed

C. was

D. to receive

Answer: A Explanation: "Whom" is incorrect because it functions as the subject of the verb "was." The correct pronoun is who.

19. The more the relative humidity reading rises, the worst the heat affects us. [Standard Bank-09, CU (C) 11-12]

A. The more

B. rises

C. the worst

D. affects

Answer: C Explanation: This sentence uses a parallel structure with comparative adjectives ("the + comparative..., the + comparative..."). "Worst" is superlative; the correct comparative form is the worse.

20. The harder she tried, the worst she danced before the large audience. [DU (C) 09-10, CU (C1) 14-15]

A. The harder

B. tried

C. the worst

D. before

Answer: C Explanation: The structure requires parallel comparatives. The comparative form of "bad" is "worse." The correct phrase is the worse.

21. Not one in one hundred children exposed to the disease are likely to develop symptoms of it. [RU (BBA) 05-06, CU (C) 09-10]

A. one hundred

B. exposed to

C. are

D. symptoms of

Answer: C Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "Not one," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be singular: is.

22. Never before has so many people in Bangladesh been interested in cricket. [CU (C) 09-10]

A. Never before

B. has

C. been interested

D. in

Answer: B Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "so many people," which is plural. Therefore, the verb must be plural. The correct verb is have.

23. The man who is laying in aisle needs medical attention immediately. [RU (ব্যবস্থাপনা) 08-09]

A. who

B. laying

C. needs

D. immediately

Answer: B Explanation: "Laying" is a transitive verb. The intransitive verb needed here is lying.

24. Whitman wrote Leaves of Grass as a tribute to the Civil War soldiers who had laid on the battlefields and whom he had seen while serving as an army nurse. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. laid on

B. whom

C. had seen

D. serving as

Answer: A Explanation: The past participle of the intransitive verb "lie" (to be in a horizontal position) is lain, not "laid".

25. A ray of light passing through the centre of a thin lens keep its original direction. [CU (B-1) 10-11]

A. A ray of light

B. the centre

C. a thin lens

D. keep

Answer: D Explanation: The subject of the verb is "A ray of light," which is singular. Therefore, the verb must be singular: keeps.

26. Neither of the two candidates who had applied for admission to the industrial Engineering department were eligible for scholarship. [CU (C) 09-10]

A. who

B. had applied

C. admission to

D. were

Answer: D Explanation: The subject is "Neither," which is singular. The correct verb is was.

27. Please send information with regard of insurance policies available from your company. [CU (C) 09-10]

A. send

B. with regard of

C. available from

D. company

Answer: B Explanation: The correct idiom is with regard to or in regard to.

28. It is not you who are at a fault; rather, it is I who is to blame. [RU (Law) 04-05]

A. who are

B. at a fault

C. rather

D. is

Answer: D Explanation: The verb in a relative clause agrees with its antecedent. The antecedent of "who" is "I," so the verb should be am.

29. The court lies down the guidelines for negotiation between the two groups. [RU 10-11]

A. lies down

B. for

C. between

D. groups

Answer: A Explanation: The correct phrasal verb is "lay down" (to establish rules). The present tense form would be lays down.

30. To help and guide the courts, modern statutes often includes an interpretation section with definitions of words and expressions used. [RU (Law) 10-11]

A. To help and guide

B. includes

C. with definitions

D. used

Answer: B Explanation: The subject is "statutes" (plural), so the verb must be plural: include.

31. The state governments have to administrate the laws passed by the Parliament. [RU 10-11]

A. have to

B. administrate

C. passed by

D. The

Answer: B Explanation: The correct verb is administer. "Administrate" is a less common back-formation from "administration."

32. Peach trees grow good in a variety of soil types, but do best in sandy loam. [RU 09-10]

A. trees

B. good

C. a variety

D. do best

Answer: B Explanation: The verb "grow" should be modified by an adverb. The correct adverb is well.

33. Cans of paint must be shaking to mix the pigments with the medium in which they are suspended. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. Cans of

B. shaking

C. with

D. suspended

Answer: B Explanation: This is a passive construction (be + past participle). The correct verb form is shaken.

34. When vigorous exercise, muscles require a much greater amount of oxygen than when they are at rest. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. When

B. require

C. much greater

D. at rest

Answer: A Explanation: "When" is a conjunction that introduces a clause. "Vigorous exercise" is a phrase. The correct preposition to use with a phrase in this context is During.

35. The major source of air pollution vary from city to city. [RU 09-10]

A. The major source

B. vary

C. from city

D. to city

Answer: B Explanation: The subject is "The major source," which is singular. The verb must also be singular: varies.

36. An understudy is an actor who can substitute for other actor in case of an emergency. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. who can

B. substitute for

C. other actor

D. in case of

Answer: C Explanation: "Other" is followed by a plural noun. The correct phrase is other actors. Alternatively, another actor (singular) could be used.

37. Many places of history, scientific, cultural, or scenic importance have been designated national monuments. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. of

B. history

C. have been

D. designated

Answer: B Explanation: To maintain parallel structure, all words in the series should be adjectives. The correct adjective form is historic.

38. A feeding animal will unusually allow competitors approaching only within a certain distance, the boundaries of which are called its feeding territory. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. unusually

B. approaching

C. within

D. the boundaries of

Answer: B Explanation: The verb "allow" is followed by an object and an infinitive (to + base form). The correct form is to approach.

39. Carbohydrates as such sugar of starches are important energy sources for humans and animals. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. as such

B. are

C. energy sources

D. for

Answer: A Explanation: To provide examples, the correct phrase is such as.

40. On nights when is the sky clear and the air calm, the earth's surface rapidly radiates heat into the atmosphere. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. is the sky

B. the air

C. rapidly radiates

D. into

Answer: A Explanation: In a subordinate clause starting with "when," the standard word order is subject + verb. The correct order is the sky is.

41. A basic knowledge of social studies, such as history and geography, are considered a basic part of the education of every child. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. such as

B. geography

C. are considered

D. of every

Answer: C Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "A basic knowledge," which is singular. The correct verb is is considered.

42. Many people who live near the ocean depend on it as a source of food, recreation and to have economic opportunities. [CU (E) 08-09]

A. who live

B. depend on it

C. as a source

D. to have

Answer: D Explanation: To maintain parallel structure, all items in the list should be nouns. The correct form is economic opportunities.

43. The judge of the district court was not accepted by the plaintiff who went to the High Court for appeal. [RU (Law) 11-12]

A. judge

B. was not accepted

C. plaintiff

D. for appeal

Answer: A Explanation: The plaintiff would not accept the court's judgement, not the judge himself.

44. While they were away for vacations, they allowed their friends use their TV. [RU 05-06]

A. While

B. were away

C. allowed

D. use

Answer: D Explanation: The verb "allow" is followed by an object and an infinitive (to + base form). The correct form is to use.

45. The group have not returned from the trip yet. [RU 11-12, Bangladesh Shilpo Bank-04]

A. have not returned

B. from

C. the trip

D. yet

Answer: A Explanation: "The group" is a collective noun and is treated as singular. The correct verb form is has not returned.

46. The police are responsible for the force of the law. [RU (B-Law) 11-12]

A. police

B. are responsible

C. the

D. force

Answer: D Explanation: The correct noun here is enforcement, meaning the act of compelling observance of laws.

47. George is not enough intelligent to pass this economics class without help. [CU C 08-09]

A. enough intelligent

B. to pass

C. this

D. without

Answer: A Explanation: The adverb "enough" follows the adjective it modifies. The correct order is intelligent enough.

48. My cousin composes not only the music, but also sings the songs for the Broadway musicals. [CU (C) 08-09]

A. composes not only

B. but also

C. sings

D. for

Answer: A Explanation: For parallel structure, the "not only" should be placed before the verb "composes." The correct structure is not only composes... but also sings....

49. The boy stopped crying when he realized his parent will arrive shortly. [RU 08-09]

A. stopped crying

B. when

C. realized

D. will

Answer: D Explanation: The main clause is in the past tense ("realized"). The subordinate clause should also be in a past tense form. The correct verb is would.

50. This building is an oldest building in the town. [RU (BBA) 08-09]

A. This

B. an

C. oldest

D. in the

Answer: B Explanation: Superlative adjectives like "oldest" are preceded by the definite article the.

51. Identify the incorrect word/phrase: Nobody knew who he is. [RU (B) 18-19]

A. Nobody

B. knew

C. who

D. is

Answer: D Explanation: The main clause is in the past tense ("knew"). Therefore, the verb in the subordinate clause must also be in the past tense. The correct verb is was.

52. I feel sick. I wish I have not eaten so much cake. [RU (B) 18-19]

A. sick

B. wish

C. have not eaten

D. so much

Answer: C Explanation: The verb "wish" is used to express regret about a past action with the past perfect tense. The correct form is had not eaten.

53. In spite of it rained a lot, we enjoyed our holiday. [RU (B) 18-19]

A. In spite of

B. it rained

C. enjoyed

D. our

Answer: A Explanation: "In spite of" is a preposition and must be followed by a noun or noun phrase. "It rained a lot" is a clause. The correct conjunction to use before a clause is Although or Though.

54. Which one is not correct? Paris had been well known about its famous monuments and wonderful restaurants for over one hundred years. [RU 07-08]

A. had been

B. known about

C. its

D. for over

Answer: B Explanation: The correct idiom is "well known for."

55. The atmosphere in (A) Cox's bazaar is open, warm and (B) gives a welcome feeling to all (C) who have the (D) good fortune to visit there.

A. The atmosphere in

B. gives a welcome feeling

C. who have

D. good fortune

Answer: B Explanation: To maintain parallel structure with the adjectives "open" and "warm," another adjective is needed. The correct word is welcoming.

56. (A) When you come after class this afternoon, we (B) discussed (C) the possibility of (D) your writing a research paper.

A. When

B. discussed

C. the possibility of

D. your writing

Answer: B Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence structure (When + present simple, ... future simple). The correct verb is will discuss.

57. The professor (A) is thinking (B) to go the conference (C) on history in Kolkata (D) next month.

A. is thinking

B. to go

C. on history

D. next month

Answer: B Explanation: The correct idiom is "think of" followed by a gerund. The correct form is of going.

58. As the times (A) change, so does (B) the rules of (C) conduct in certain situations (D).

A. As the times

B. does

C. the rules of

D. conduct

Answer: B Explanation: The subject is "the rules," which is plural. Therefore, the auxiliary verb must also be plural. The correct verb is do.

59. Find out an incorrect word or phrase. in Bangladesh, there are much holidays throughout the year. [BUET 10-11]

A. there are

B. Much

C. throughout

D. the year

Answer: B Explanation: "Holidays" is a plural countable noun. "Much" is used with uncountable nouns. The correct word is many.

60. Tomatoes grows all year long in China. [BUET 10-11]

A. Tomatoes

B. all

C. grows

D. in

Answer: C Explanation: The subject "Tomatoes" is plural, so the verb must be in its plural form. The correct verb is grow.

61. You are the man who have always troubled me.

A. The

B. man

C. have

D. me

Answer: C Explanation: The verb in the relative clause agrees with its antecedent. The antecedent of "who" is "man," which is singular. The correct verb is has.

62. A selection of Nazrul's poems have been published to the joy of the readers.

A. selection

B. have been published

C. to

D. readers

Answer: B Explanation: The subject of the sentence is "A selection," which is singular. The correct verb form is has been published.

63. He was so angry that he made me to leave the classroom.

A. so

B. that

C. made

D. to leave

Answer: D Explanation: The causative verb "make" is followed by an object and the base form of the verb (without "to"). The correct form is leave.