PPSC Test English Syllabus

Give a synonym and an antonym for the word 'benevolent'.

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

Give a synonym and an antonym for the word 'abundant'.

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

Give a synonym and an antonym for the word 'candid'.

Synonym: frank / honest. Antonym: evasive / deceitful.

Give a synonym and an antonym for the word 'transient'.

Synonym: temporary / fleeting. Antonym: permanent / lasting.

What is the one-word substitution for 'a person who knows many languages'?

A polyglot (also called a linguist).

What is the one-word substitution for 'a government by the few'?

Oligarchy. (Government by one is autocracy/monarchy; by the people is democracy.)

What is the one-word substitution for 'a medicine that counteracts a poison'?

An antidote.

What is the one-word substitution for 'one who studies the stars and heavenly bodies scientifically'?

An astronomer (distinct from an astrologer, who predicts the future from the stars).

What is the one-word substitution for 'words inscribed on a tomb'?

An epitaph.

What does the idiom 'to bury the hatchet' mean?

To make peace; to end a quarrel and become friendly again.

What does the idiom 'a wild goose chase' mean?

A foolish, hopeless search or pursuit of something unattainable.

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

To reveal a secret carelessly or by mistake.

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

Very rarely; almost never.

What does the idiom 'to add fuel to the fire' mean?

To make a bad or angry situation worse.

Distinguish the pair of words 'principal' and 'principle'.

'Principal' means chief/head of an institution or a main sum of money (and can be an adjective meaning 'main'). 'Principle' is a noun meaning a rule, law, or fundamental truth.

Distinguish the pair of words 'stationary' and 'stationery'.

'Stationary' (with 'a') means not moving / fixed in place. 'Stationery' (with 'e') means writing materials such as paper and pens.

Distinguish the pair of words 'complement' and 'compliment'.

'Complement' means something that completes or goes well with another. 'Compliment' means an expression of praise or admiration.

What is the correct spelling: 'occured' or 'occurred', and why?

'Occurred' is correct. The final consonant is doubled before '-ed' because the word ends in a single stressed vowel + consonant.

Identify and correct the error: 'He is senior than me.'

Incorrect. Correct: 'He is senior to me.' Words of comparison from Latin (senior, junior, superior, inferior, prior) take 'to', not 'than'.

Identify and correct the error: 'One of my friend is a doctor.'

Incorrect. Correct: 'One of my friends is a doctor.' After 'one of', the noun must be plural while the verb stays singular.

Identify and correct the error: 'He gave me an advice.'

Incorrect. Correct: 'He gave me a piece of advice' or 'He gave me advice.' 'Advice' is an uncountable noun and cannot take 'an' or a plural.

What is the general rule for changing an active sentence into the passive voice?

The object of the active verb becomes the subject of the passive; the verb becomes 'be' (in the same tense) + past participle; the original subject becomes the agent introduced by 'by' (often omitted).

Change to passive voice: 'They are building a new bridge.'

'A new bridge is being built (by them).'

How is the passive voice of the Present Perfect tense formed? Give an example.

has/have been + past participle. Active: 'She has written a letter' → Passive: 'A letter has been written by her.'

How is an imperative sentence changed into the passive voice? Give an example.

Use 'Let + object + be + past participle'. Active: 'Open the door' → Passive: 'Let the door be opened.'

When changing direct to indirect speech, how do present-tense verbs in the reported clause change if the reporting verb is in the past?

They shift back one tense: Simple Present → Simple Past, Present Continuous → Past Continuous, Present Perfect → Past Perfect ('I am ill' → he said that he was ill).

In direct-to-indirect narration, how do the pronouns and the words 'this', 'here', 'now', 'today', and 'ago' change?

Pronouns change according to sense (SON rule). this→that, these→those, here→there, now→then, today→that day, tomorrow→the next day, yesterday→the previous day, ago→before.

How is a direct question converted to indirect speech?

Use a reporting verb like 'asked/enquired', remove the question mark, use 'if/whether' for yes-no questions (or keep the wh-word), and change the interrogative order to statement order: 'He asked, "Where do you live?"' → 'He asked where I lived.'

How is a direct command or request reported in indirect speech?

Use a verb like ordered, told, requested, advised, forbade + 'to'-infinitive: 'He said, "Shut the door"' → 'He ordered me to shut the door.' Negative commands use 'not to'.

In reading comprehension, what is the difference between the main idea and a supporting detail?

The main idea is the central point the whole passage conveys; supporting details are the facts, examples, or reasons that explain, prove, or elaborate that main idea.

What is a precis, and what is the standard rule for its length?

A precis is a brief, clear summary of a passage in one's own words, keeping all essential ideas. The standard length is about one-third of the original passage, written in the third person and past tense.