AIIMS NORCET General English Syllabus

General English syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General English in AIIMS NORCET, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Grammar

   3 topics

   • Parts of Speech
   • Tenses
   • Subject-Verb Agreement
2. 2

   Vocabulary

   3 topics

   • Synonyms
   • Antonyms
   • Idioms and Phrases
3. 3

   Comprehension

   2 topics

   • Reading Comprehension
   • Passage Analysis

General English flashcards for AIIMS NORCET

20 of 50 cards from the General English deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is a 'part of speech' and how many main types are there in English?

   A part of speech is a category that classifies words by their grammatical function. English has 8 main parts of speech: noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, and interjection.

2. Define a noun and give its main sub-types.

   A noun names a person, place, thing, or idea. Main types: proper, common, collective, abstract, concrete, and countable/uncountable.

3. What is a pronoun? Name the main kinds.

   A pronoun replaces a noun. Kinds: personal, possessive, reflexive, demonstrative, interrogative, relative, indefinite, and reciprocal.

4. What distinguishes an adjective from an adverb?

   An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun (a fast car); an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (drives fast), often answering how, when, where, or to what degree.

5. What is the function of a preposition? Give examples.

   A preposition shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word, usually in time, place, or direction. Examples: in, on, at, under, between, before, with.

6. What is the difference between a coordinating and a subordinating conjunction?

   Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) join equal elements. Subordinating conjunctions (because, although, since, if, when) join a dependent clause to an independent clause.

7. What is an interjection? Give examples.

   An interjection is a word expressing sudden emotion, usually standing alone with an exclamation mark. Examples: Wow!, Oh!, Alas!, Hurray!

8. What are the three degrees of comparison for adjectives?

   Positive (tall), comparative (taller / more beautiful), and superlative (tallest / most beautiful).

9. Name the three main verb types by function.

   Action (transitive/intransitive) verbs, linking verbs (be, seem, become), and auxiliary/helping verbs (do, have, be, modals).

10. How many tenses are there in English and what are the three main time divisions?

    There are 12 tenses, formed from three times (present, past, future) each having four aspects: simple, continuous (progressive), perfect, and perfect continuous.

11. What is the structure and use of the Simple Present tense?

    Structure: subject + base verb (+ s/es for third person singular). Use: habits, general truths, and permanent situations. Example: She walks to school.

12. What is the structure and use of the Present Continuous tense?

    Structure: subject + am/is/are + verb-ing. Use: actions happening now or around the present, and fixed future plans. Example: They are studying.

13. What is the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense?

    Structure: subject + has/have + past participle. Use: past actions with present relevance, or actions continuing to now. Example: I have finished my work.

14. What is the structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

    Subject + has/have + been + verb-ing. Use: an action that started in the past and is still continuing, emphasizing duration. Example: She has been waiting for an hour.

15. What is the structure and use of the Simple Past tense?

    Structure: subject + past form of verb (verb-ed or irregular). Use: completed actions at a definite past time. Example: He visited Delhi last year.

16. What is the structure of the Past Perfect tense and when is it used?

    Subject + had + past participle. Use: an action completed before another past action. Example: The train had left before we arrived.

17. How is the Simple Future tense formed and used?

    Subject + will/shall + base verb. Use: predictions, spontaneous decisions, and promises about the future. Example: I will call you tomorrow.

18. What is the Future Perfect tense structure?

    Subject + will have + past participle. Use: an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Example: By 2030 she will have graduated.

19. What is the basic rule of Subject-Verb Agreement?

    A verb must agree with its subject in number and person: a singular subject takes a singular verb, and a plural subject takes a plural verb. Example: He plays / They play.

20. In subject-verb agreement, what verb form follows two subjects joined by 'and'?

    Generally a plural verb. Example: Ram and Shyam are friends. (Exception: when the two nouns refer to one idea/person, use singular, e.g. Bread and butter is my breakfast.)

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