CDS (Combined Defence Services) Exam English Syllabus

In subject-verb agreement, what verb do 'each', 'every', 'everyone', 'nobody' take?

They are singular and take a singular verb. Example: 'Everyone is here'; 'Each of the boys was rewarded.'

How many tenses and aspects are there in English, giving the total tense forms?

Three tenses (past, present, future), each with four aspects (simple, continuous, perfect, perfect continuous), giving twelve tense forms.

State the rule for sequence of tenses when the main clause is in the past tense.

If the main verb is in the past, the subordinate clause is also normally in a past form. Example: 'He said that he was ill' (not 'is ill').

What is the exception to the sequence of tenses rule about universal truths?

A universal truth or habitual fact in the subordinate clause stays in the present even after a past main verb. Example: 'The teacher said that the earth is round.'

What is the structure and use of the present perfect tense?

Structure: has/have + past participle. It links a past action to the present, used for completed actions with present relevance or unspecified time. Example: 'She has finished her work.'

List the three types of prepositions by what they show, with examples.

Prepositions of place (in, on, at, under), time (at, on, in, before, after), and direction/movement (to, into, towards, across).

What is the difference between the articles 'a' and 'an'?

'A' is used before a consonant SOUND (a book, a university), and 'an' before a vowel SOUND (an apple, an hour). It depends on sound, not spelling.

When is the definite article 'the' used?

'The' is used for specific or previously mentioned things, unique objects (the sun, the moon), superlatives (the best), and rivers/seas/mountain ranges (the Ganga, the Himalayas).

What are the three types of conjunctions with an example of each?

Coordinating (and, but, or, so), subordinating (because, although, if, when), and correlative (either...or, neither...nor, not only...but also).

What is the difference between active and passive voice?

In active voice the subject does the action ('Ram wrote a letter'); in passive voice the subject receives the action ('A letter was written by Ram'). The object becomes the subject.

State the general rule for changing active voice to passive voice.

Move the object to subject position, use the appropriate form of 'be' + past participle of the main verb, and place the original subject after 'by'. Tense of the original verb is retained.

Give the passive form of 'The teacher is teaching the lesson' (present continuous).

'The lesson is being taught by the teacher.' Present continuous passive = is/am/are + being + past participle.

Give the passive form of the imperative 'Open the door'.

'Let the door be opened.' Imperatives become 'Let + object + be + past participle.'

What changes when converting direct speech to indirect (reported) speech?

Reporting verb may change, quotation marks are removed, tense usually shifts back (present to past), and pronouns and time/place words change (e.g., now to then, here to there, today to that day).

How do time and place words change in indirect speech: 'now', 'today', 'tomorrow', 'here'?

now to then, today to that day, tomorrow to the next day/the following day, here to there.

How is a question reported in indirect speech?

Use reporting verbs like 'asked/enquired', remove the question mark, change to statement word order, and use 'if/whether' for yes-no questions or the wh-word for wh-questions. Example: He asked if I was ready.

How is an imperative (command/request) reported in indirect speech?

Use a reporting verb such as ordered, told, requested, advised + object + 'to' + infinitive. Example: 'Shut the door' to 'He told me to shut the door.'

What is a para-jumble (ordering of sentences) question?

A set of jumbled sentences (S1...S6) that must be rearranged into a coherent, logical paragraph, identifying the correct opening and closing sentences and the flow of ideas.

What clues help solve ordering-of-sentences (para jumble) questions?

Identify the topic/opening sentence, follow pronoun references and connectors (however, therefore, also), maintain chronological/cause-effect order, and ensure the concluding sentence wraps up the idea.

What does 'ordering of words in a sentence' test, and what is the standard English word order?

It tests rearranging jumbled words into a grammatical sentence. Standard order is Subject + Verb + Object (SVO), with modifiers and adverbials placed appropriately.

What is the purpose of a 'sentence improvement' question?

To identify whether an underlined part of a sentence is grammatically/idiomatically correct, and if not, select the best alternative (or 'No improvement' if it is already correct).

What does a 'completion of sentences' question require?

Choosing the option that best fills the blank(s) so the sentence is grammatically correct and logically/contextually complete, often using correct conjunctions or sequence of clauses.

What is the recommended strategy for Reading Comprehension passages?

Read the passage to grasp the main idea, then answer questions based only on the passage (not outside knowledge). Distinguish factual, inference, vocabulary, and tone questions; for direct questions locate the relevant lines.

In Reading Comprehension, what is the difference between a 'fact/detail' question and an 'inference' question?

A fact/detail question is answered by information stated directly in the passage; an inference question requires a logical conclusion drawn from the passage that is not stated explicitly.

What is a Cloze Test (fill in the blanks)?

A passage with several blanks where each blank must be filled with the most suitable word from given options, based on grammar, vocabulary, collocation, and overall context/coherence.

What should you focus on when solving a Cloze Test?

Read the whole passage for context first, then check grammar (part of speech, tense, prepositions, articles), collocations, and logical connectors so each chosen word fits both the sentence and the passage.

What is 'tone' in a passage, and name common tones tested in CDS English?

Tone is the author's attitude or emotion toward the subject. Common tones: critical, sarcastic/ironic, humorous, optimistic, pessimistic, objective/neutral, persuasive, and nostalgic.

What is the difference between the 'theme' and the 'tone' of a passage?

The theme is the central idea or main message/subject of the passage; the tone is the author's attitude or feeling toward that subject (e.g., serious, mocking, sympathetic).

How can you detect an 'ironic' or 'sarcastic' tone in a passage?

Look for a contrast between the literal words and the intended meaning, exaggeration, mocking remarks, or praise that is clearly meant as criticism.

What is the difference between 'principal' and 'principle', commonly tested in spelling/error spotting?

'Principal' means chief/head (the principal of a school) or a sum of money; 'principle' means a fundamental rule or belief (a man of principles).