SSC CGL English – Strategy & Sentence Basics – Level 2 · Exam Level · Tier I Sprint

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SSC CGL English – Strategy & Sentence Basics – Level 2 · Exam Level · Tier I Sprint – 15 questions, subject: English Language & Comprehension. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  
What is the subject of the sentence?
Beside the old well grew a huge banyan tree.

Correct Answer: C [a huge banyan tree]

Explanation:

Find the Engine: 'grew'. What grew?

2.  
Which pattern does this sentence follow?
The judges declared Arun the winner.

Correct Answer: A [SVOC]

Explanation:

Declared whom? Arun (O). 'The winner' renames Arun (= Arun) → object complement.

3.  
Which pattern does this sentence follow?
The postman handed my grandfather a parcel.

Correct Answer: B [SVOO]

Explanation:

Handed to whom? my grandfather (indirect O); handed what?

4.  
Which pattern does this sentence follow?
The milk has turned sour.

Correct Answer: D [SVC]

Explanation:

'Has turned' is a linking verb here (= has become); 'sour' describes the subject milk → complement.

5.  
Spot the errorThe sentence below is divided into parts. Find the part that contains a grammatical error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'.
Here comes / the children / from the school.

Correct Answer: A [Here comes]

Explanation:

Find the Engine, then ask what comes: 'the children' (plural) is the subject after the verb → 'Here come the children'.

6.  
Sentence improvementThe shop was closed, we went back home.

Correct Answer: B [so we went]

Explanation:

Two independent clauses joined by a comma alone (comma splice) need a joiner → ', so we went back home'.

7.  
Which of the following has its own subject and finite verb?

Correct Answer: C [when the lights went out]

Explanation:

Only 'when the lights went out' has a subject (the lights) and a finite verb (went) – a clause.

8.  
Match the followingMatch the words with their parts of speech:
P. quickly Q. among R. happiness
1. noun 2. preposition 3. adverb

Correct Answer: B [P-3, Q-2, R-1]

Explanation:

quickly = adverb, among = preposition, happiness = noun.

9.  
Statement-basedWhich is/are correct?
I. A phrase does not have its own subject and finite verb.
II. A dependent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.

Correct Answer: A [Only I]

Explanation:

I is the definition of a phrase.

10.  
Fill in the blankChoose the correct option:
The basket of ripe mangoes _______ been kept in the kitchen.

Correct Answer: D [has]

Explanation:

Bracket the Extras: The basket [of ripe mangoes] → singular → has been kept.

11.  
Classify the sentence by structure:
The man who repaired our roof lives next door.

Correct Answer: B [Complex]

Explanation:

'who repaired our roof' is a dependent (relative) clause inside the main clause → complex.

12.  
Classify the sentence by structure:
She was tired, yet she kept working.

Correct Answer: A [Compound]

Explanation:

Two independent clauses joined by the coordinator 'yet' → compound.

13.  
Classify the sentence by structure:
If you finish early, you may leave, but you must return the books.

Correct Answer: D [Compound-complex]

Explanation:

Dependent 'If you finish early' + two main clauses joined by 'but' → compound-complex.

14.  
Which part of the sentence is the object?
Every morning, my grandmother waters the tulsi plant.

Correct Answer: C [the tulsi plant]

Explanation:

Waters what? the tulsi plant → object.

15.  
Spot the errorThe sentence below is divided into parts. Find the part that contains a grammatical error. If there is no error, choose 'No error'.
One of the girls / have won / a scholarship this year.

Correct Answer: B [have won]

Explanation:

'One of' + plural noun takes a singular verb: the subject is 'one' → 'has won'.

➤ Full notes, shortcuts and every answer explained – SSC CGL 2026 English Language & Comprehension book (₹149): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/ssc-cgl-english-language-comprehension

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