AKU MBBS Admission Test English Syllabus

What is the difference between the definite article 'the' and the indefinite articles 'a/an'?

'The' refers to a specific, known noun ('the book on my desk'). 'A/an' refers to a non-specific, singular countable noun ('a book'). 'A' precedes a consonant sound, 'an' precedes a vowel sound.

Why do we say 'an hour' but 'a university'?

Article choice depends on sound, not spelling. 'Hour' begins with a vowel sound (the 'h' is silent), so it takes 'an.' 'University' begins with a consonant 'y' sound (/juː/), so it takes 'a.'

What is a pronoun, and what is its 'antecedent'?

A pronoun is a word that replaces a noun (he, she, it, they, who). Its antecedent is the noun it refers back to. A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person.

What is the difference between subjective and objective case pronouns? Give examples.

Subjective (nominative) pronouns act as the subject: I, he, she, we, they, who. Objective pronouns act as the object: me, him, her, us, them, whom (e.g., 'He gave it to her').

What is a 'misplaced modifier,' and how is it corrected?

A misplaced modifier is a word/phrase positioned so it appears to modify the wrong word, creating confusion. It is corrected by placing the modifier directly next to the word it describes (e.g., 'She almost drove for six hours' → 'She drove for almost six hours').

What is a 'dangling modifier'?

A dangling modifier is an introductory phrase that does not logically modify any word in the sentence because the intended subject is missing (e.g., 'Walking to school, the rain began'—'the rain' was not walking). Fix by adding the proper subject.

What is a run-on sentence, and what are three ways to fix it?

A run-on (including a comma splice) joins two independent clauses without proper punctuation/conjunction. Fix it by: 1) using a period to make two sentences, 2) using a semicolon, or 3) adding a comma plus a coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS).

What is a sentence fragment, and how do you correct it?

A fragment is an incomplete sentence missing a subject, a verb, or a complete thought (e.g., 'Because she was late'). Correct it by adding the missing element or joining it to a complete independent clause.

What is a comma splice, and how is it different from a correct compound sentence?

A comma splice incorrectly joins two independent clauses with only a comma ('It rained, we stayed home'). A correct compound sentence joins them with a comma + coordinating conjunction ('It rained, so we stayed home') or a semicolon.

What is faulty parallelism, and how is it corrected?

Faulty parallelism occurs when items in a list or series do not share the same grammatical form ('She likes reading, to write, and jogging'). Correct it by making all items the same form ('reading, writing, and jogging').

When should a semicolon (;) be used?

Use a semicolon to join two closely related independent clauses without a conjunction ('I was tired; I went to bed'), and to separate items in a list when those items already contain commas.

What is the function of a colon (:) in a sentence?

A colon introduces a list, an explanation, a quotation, or an example after a complete independent clause (e.g., 'She bought three items: milk, bread, and eggs').

How do you correctly use an apostrophe to show possession for singular and plural nouns?

Singular nouns add 's ('the dog's bone'). Plural nouns ending in -s add only an apostrophe ('the dogs' bones'). Irregular plurals not ending in -s add 's ('children's toys').

What is the difference between 'its' and 'it's'?

'Its' is the possessive form ('The cat licked its paw'). 'It's' is a contraction of 'it is' or 'it has' ('It's raining'). The apostrophe never marks possession for 'its.'

How are commas used with introductory elements and nonessential clauses?

Place a comma after an introductory word, phrase, or clause ('After dinner, we left'). Use a pair of commas to set off nonessential (non-restrictive) information ('My brother, who lives in Lahore, is a doctor').

What is 'contextual word choice,' and why are 'affect' vs 'effect' commonly tested?

Contextual word choice means selecting the word whose meaning and usage fit the sentence. 'Affect' is usually a verb meaning 'to influence'; 'effect' is usually a noun meaning 'a result' (e.g., 'The drug affects sleep; its effect is fatigue').

Distinguish the correct use of 'their,' 'there,' and 'they're.'

'Their' shows possession ('their house'); 'there' indicates place or existence ('over there,' 'there is'); 'they're' is the contraction of 'they are' ('they're late').

Distinguish 'fewer' from 'less.'

'Fewer' is used with countable nouns ('fewer books, fewer people'); 'less' is used with uncountable nouns ('less water, less time').

What is the difference between 'accept' and 'except'?

'Accept' is a verb meaning to receive or agree to ('accept the offer'). 'Except' is usually a preposition meaning excluding ('everyone except him').

What are logical connectors/transitions, and what category do 'however,' 'nevertheless,' and 'on the contrary' belong to?

Logical connectors are words/phrases that show relationships between ideas. 'However,' 'nevertheless,' and 'on the contrary' express contrast or opposition between two ideas.

Which transition words signal CAUSE-AND-EFFECT relationships?

Therefore, thus, consequently, as a result, hence, accordingly, and so signal cause-and-effect relationships.

Which transition words signal ADDITION, and which signal a CONCLUSION/SUMMARY?

Addition: moreover, furthermore, in addition, besides, also. Conclusion/summary: in conclusion, to sum up, finally, in short, overall.

How is the connector 'although'/'though' used grammatically compared to 'despite'/'in spite of'?

'Although'/'though' are subordinating conjunctions followed by a clause (subject + verb): 'Although it rained, we played.' 'Despite'/'in spite of' are prepositions followed by a noun or gerund: 'Despite the rain, we played.'

In sentence-correction questions, what should you check first when no error seems obvious?

Systematically check subject-verb agreement, verb tense consistency, pronoun-antecedent agreement, parallel structure, modifier placement, and idiomatic preposition use—these are the most frequently tested error types.

What is the rule for tense consistency within a sentence or passage?

Keep verbs in the same tense unless the meaning requires a time shift. Avoid illogical shifts (e.g., 'She walked in and sits down' should be 'She walked in and sat down').

What is the difference between a synonym and an antonym?

A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another (big/large). An antonym is a word with the opposite meaning (big/small).

Give the antonyms of these common academic words: 'abundant,' 'transparent,' and 'condemn.'

Abundant → scarce; Transparent → opaque; Condemn → praise/approve.

Provide synonyms for the academic words 'ameliorate,' 'ubiquitous,' and 'candid.'

Ameliorate → improve; Ubiquitous → omnipresent/everywhere; Candid → frank/honest.

Define the academic words 'inevitable,' 'meticulous,' and 'arbitrary.'

Inevitable = certain to happen, unavoidable. Meticulous = showing great attention to detail, very careful. Arbitrary = based on random choice or personal whim rather than reason.

Define the contextual vocabulary words 'pragmatic,' 'ambiguous,' and 'concede.'

Pragmatic = dealing with things practically/realistically. Ambiguous = open to more than one interpretation; unclear. Concede = to admit or acknowledge something (often reluctantly), or to surrender/give up.