PAF GD Pilot English Syllabus

Give the rule for using the definite article 'the'.

Use 'the' for specific/already-mentioned things, unique objects (the sun), superlatives (the best), rivers/seas/oceans, and ordinals (the first).

Which prepositions are used for time: 'at', 'on', 'in'?

'At' for precise times (at 5 pm); 'on' for days and dates (on Monday, on June 5); 'in' for months, years, and longer periods (in May, in 2026).

Which prepositions are used for place: 'at', 'on', 'in'?

'At' for a specific point (at the door); 'on' for a surface (on the table); 'in' for an enclosed space or area (in the room, in Lahore).

What does 'Error Identification' require you to do?

To find the grammatically incorrect part of a sentence among the underlined/divided segments, checking tense, agreement, prepositions, articles, and word form.

What is wrong in: 'He is one of the best player in the team'?

'Player' should be 'players'. After 'one of the', a plural noun is required: one of the best players.

What is wrong in: 'She did not went to school'?

'Went' should be 'go'. After the auxiliary 'did', the base form (V1) is used: She did not go to school.

What is the goal of a 'Sentence Improvement' question?

To replace an underlined part of a sentence with the option that makes it grammatically correct and clearer, or to select 'No improvement' if it is already correct.

Improve: 'If I was you, I would accept the offer.'

'If I were you, I would accept the offer.' The subjunctive uses 'were' for all subjects in unreal/hypothetical conditions.

Improve: 'He is more cleverer than his brother.'

'He is cleverer than his brother.' A double comparative (more + -er) is incorrect; use only one comparative form.

What is a double negative, and why is it a common error?

Using two negatives in one clause (e.g. 'I don't know nothing'), which is grammatically wrong in standard English. Correct: 'I don't know anything.'

Identify the error type: 'Each of the students have a book.'

Subject-verb agreement error. 'Each' is singular, so it should be 'has': Each of the students has a book.

What is the common error with 'less' vs 'fewer'?

Use 'fewer' for countable nouns (fewer books) and 'less' for uncountable nouns (less water). 'Less books' is incorrect.

What is a synonym? Give an example.

A synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same meaning as another. Example: 'Happy' and 'joyful'; 'big' and 'large'.

What is an antonym? Give an example.

An antonym is a word opposite in meaning to another. Example: 'Hot' and 'cold'; 'brave' and 'cowardly'.

Give a synonym and an antonym for 'abundant'.

Synonym: plentiful / ample. Antonym: scarce / insufficient.

Give a synonym and an antonym for 'benevolent'.

Synonym: kind / generous. Antonym: cruel / malevolent.

Give a synonym and an antonym for 'courageous'.

Synonym: brave / valiant. Antonym: cowardly / timid.

What does an idiom mean, and how should it be interpreted?

An idiom is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the literal meaning of its individual words. It must be learned as a whole.

What does the idiom 'a piece of cake' mean?

Something very easy to do. Example: The exam was a piece of cake.

What does the idiom 'to bite the dust' mean?

To fail, die, or be defeated. Example: Many old shops bit the dust during the recession.

What does the idiom 'to let the cat out of the bag' mean?

To reveal a secret, usually accidentally. Example: He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.

What does the idiom 'once in a blue moon' mean?

Very rarely; almost never. Example: He visits us once in a blue moon.

What does the idiom 'to burn the midnight oil' mean?

To work or study late into the night. Example: She burned the midnight oil before the test.

Distinguish the confusing pair 'affect' vs 'effect'.

'Affect' is usually a verb meaning to influence (The weather affects mood). 'Effect' is usually a noun meaning a result (The effect was clear).

Distinguish the confusing pair 'their', 'there', and 'they're'.

'Their' = possessive (their house); 'there' = a place (over there); 'they're' = contraction of 'they are'.

Distinguish the confusing pair 'principal' vs 'principle'.

'Principal' = head of a school or main/most important (the principal reason). 'Principle' = a fundamental rule or belief (a man of principle).

Distinguish the confusing pair 'stationary' vs 'stationery'.

'Stationary' = not moving, fixed. 'Stationery' = writing materials such as paper and pens.

Distinguish the confusing pair 'accept' vs 'except'.

'Accept' = a verb meaning to receive/agree to. 'Except' = a preposition meaning excluding/apart from.

What is the 'main idea' of a reading passage?

The central point or most important message the author wants to convey about the topic; everything else in the passage supports it.

What is an inference in reading comprehension?

A logical conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning in the passage rather than something stated directly; reading 'between the lines'.

What strategy helps you find the main idea of a passage quickly?

Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph (topic and concluding sentences), identify the repeated/central theme, and ignore minor supporting details.