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All questions of Sentence Improvement for SSC CGL Exam

Directions: Improve the bracketed part of the sentence. [SSC Sub. Insp. 2017]
Neha was too clever to (see through Rohan's tricks).
  • a)
    see at Rohan's tricks.
  • b)
    see into Rohan's tricks.
  • c)
    see Rohan's tricks.
  • d)
    no improvement.
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
Understanding the Sentence
The original sentence states: "Neha was too clever to see through Rohan's tricks." This implies that Neha possesses a level of intelligence that allows her to recognize and understand Rohan's deceitful actions.
Analysis of Options
- Option A: see at Rohan's tricks
- This phrase is incorrect because "see at" is not a standard English expression. The correct preposition should not be "at."
- Option B: see into Rohan's tricks
- The phrase "see into" implies a deeper understanding, but it doesn't convey the same meaning as "see through." "See through" suggests recognizing deceit, while "see into" could imply simply looking at something more deeply.
- Option C: see Rohan's tricks
- This option suggests merely observing Rohan's tricks without the implication of understanding the deceit behind them. It lacks the nuance of recognizing that they are tricks.
- Option D: no improvement
- This is the correct answer. The phrase "see through" effectively communicates Neha's ability to discern Rohan's tricks. It indicates that she is aware of his attempts to deceive her.
Conclusion
The phrase "see through Rohan's tricks" is the most appropriate and effectively conveys Neha's cleverness in recognizing deceit. The other options either misinterpret the meaning or use incorrect phrases, making "no improvement" the best choice.

Select the alternative that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case there is no improvement select “No improvement”. [SSC Steno-2018]
Ail students has a dream to study in a good university.
  • a)
    have dream
  • b)
    no improvement
  • c)
    has dream
  • d)
    have a dream
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Abhiram Mehra answered
Explanation:

Subject-Verb Agreement:
- The subject "all students" is plural, so the correct verb form should be "have" instead of "has."

Improvement:
- The correct improvement for the underlined part of the sentence is "have a dream."
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'D' - have a dream.

Select the alternative that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case there is no improvement select  “No improvement”. [SSC Steno-2018]
The manager could not able to understand the problem the factory workers faced.
  • a)
    no improvement
  • b)
    could not to
  • c)
    was not able to
  • d)
    never able to
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Phrase 'able to' always combines with 'be' or one of its forms (is, am, are, was, were).
Only in option c) above condition follows (was+ able to), so that's the correct answer.
Also both 'could' and 'able' state the same meaning: capable of doing something, which is superfluous use of 'could'.

Directions: In the following question, out of the four alternatives, select the alternative which will improve the bracketed part of the sentence. In case no improvement is needed, select "no improvement". [SSC Stenographer 2017]
No sooner (do the phone ring) that he was out of home.
  • a)
    did the phone rang
  • b)
    did the phone rings
  • c)
    did the phone ring
  • d)
    no improvement
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
“No improvement”.

The [most unique] thing about her is her sense of humor.

A. More unique
B. Uniquest
C. No improvement
D. Uniquely

Answer: C. No improvement.

Explanation: The word "unique" means one of a kind and cannot be compared. Therefore, the term "most unique" is incorrect. Using "more unique" or "uniquest" would also be grammatically incorrect. The sentence is already correct as it is.

Directions: Improve the bracketed part of the sentence. [SSC Sub. Insp. 2017]
I am definitely late, the bus (will have left) the bus stop by the time I reach there.
  • a)
    would have left
  • b)
    will be leaving
  • c)
    will leave
  • d)
    no improvement
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
Understanding the Context
The sentence expresses a situation where the speaker is late and predicts that the bus will have departed by the time they arrive.
Analyzing the Options
- a) would have left
This option uses the future perfect tense, which indicates a completed action in the future. It fits the context perfectly, as it suggests that by the time the speaker arrives, the action of the bus leaving will have already occurred.
- b) will be leaving
This option uses the future continuous tense. It implies that the bus will be in the process of leaving when the speaker arrives. However, this does not convey the certainty that the bus has already left, which is the intended meaning.
- c) will leaved
This option is grammatically incorrect as "leaved" is not a valid form of the verb "leave." The correct form should be "left."
- d) no improvement
This option suggests that the original phrase is correct, but it does not align with the intention of conveying that the bus will have departed.
Conclusion
The correct choice is a) would have left because it accurately reflects the scenario where the bus completes its departure before the speaker arrives. This tense effectively communicates the expected outcome of being late.

Directions: In the following questions, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below are given alternatives to the underlined part at (a), (b) and (c) which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case, no improvement is needed, your answer is (d).   [SSC Multitasking 2014]
I knew that if the animal was at home in that moment it would probably be sound asleep.
  • a)
    within that moment
  • b)
    about that moment
  • c)
    at that moment
  • d)
    no improvement
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Abhiram Mehra answered
Explanation:
The underlined part of the sentence is "in that moment." The correct alternative to improve the sentence is "at that moment."

Reasoning:
- The phrase "at that moment" is the most appropriate choice in this context because it indicates a specific point in time when the action would have taken place.
- Using "within that moment" would imply a shorter period of time, which is not suitable in this case.
- "About that moment" does not convey the same level of certainty or specificity as "at that moment."
- Therefore, the correct alternative is "at that moment" as it accurately conveys the intended meaning of the sentence.
Therefore, option (c) "at that moment" is the correct choice to improve the sentence.

Select the alternative that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case there is no improvement select  “No improvement”. [SSC Steno-2018]
Success and failure in life depends on how well a person uses his time.
  • a)
    depending upon
  • b)
    dependent on
  • c)
    no improvement
  • d)
    depend on
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Shruti Reddy answered
Understanding the Sentence
The original sentence is: "Success and failure in life depends on how well a person uses his time." The key issue here lies in the verb agreement with the subject.
Subject-Verb Agreement
- The subject of the sentence is "Success and failure," which is a compound subject.
- In English, when a compound subject is connected by "and," it is treated as plural. Thus, the verb should also be plural.
Correct Verb Form
- The verb "depends" is singular, which creates a mismatch with the plural subject.
- The correct plural form of the verb is "depend."
Improved Sentence
- When we replace "depends" with "depend," the sentence reads: "Success and failure in life depend on how well a person uses his time."
- This correction ensures proper subject-verb agreement, making the sentence grammatically correct.
Options Analysis
- a) depending upon: Incorrect as it does not resolve the subject-verb agreement issue.
- b) dependent on: This changes the structure and meaning of the sentence, making it incorrect.
- c) no improvement: This is incorrect because there is a clear need for improvement.
- d) depend on: This is the correct choice as it aligns the verb with the plural subject.
Conclusion
- The correct answer is option 'D' because it ensures that the verb agrees with the plural subject, thus enhancing the grammatical accuracy of the sentence.

Directions: In the following questions, a part of the sentence is underlined. Below are given alternatives to the underlined part at (a), (b) and (c) which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case, no improvement is needed, your answer is (d).   [SSC Steno 2016]
She abandoned the idea of marrying him.
  • a)
    deserted
  • b)
    forsake
  • c)
    left
  • d)
    no improvement
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Arnav Saini answered
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The original sentence, "She abandoned the idea of marrying him," uses the word "abandoned" to convey the act of giving up or letting go of a particular thought or plan.
Analyzing the Alternatives
- a) deserted: This word typically implies leaving someone or something behind, often in a context of neglect or betrayal. While it might fit in some contexts, it doesn't convey the same meaning regarding an idea.
- b) forsake: This term means to renounce or give up something, but it often carries a stronger emotional weight, suggesting a more permanent and possibly regretful departure. It might not fit well when discussing an idea.
- c) left: This is the most appropriate alternative. The term "left" can effectively replace "abandoned" in this context, indicating that she decided to no longer pursue the idea of marrying him without the negative connotations of neglect or emotional burden.
- d) no improvement: This option suggests that the original sentence is already correct. However, since "left" is a suitable replacement for "abandoned," this option is not the best choice.
Conclusion
The correct answer is option c) left because it maintains the original meaning while providing a simpler and clearer expression. Using "left" instead of "abandoned" makes the sentence more straightforward and easily comprehensible.

Directions: In the following questions, a part of the sentence is bolded. Below are given alternatives to the bolded part at (a), (b) and (c) which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, your answer is (d).    [SSC CHSL 2012]
The temptations that bestow young people today are ruining them.
  • a)
    appeal
  • b)
    beset
  • c)
    confront
  • d)
    no improvement
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Understanding the Sentence Structure
The original sentence states, "The temptations that bestow young people today are ruining them." The word "bestow" is used incorrectly in this context, leading to confusion about the meaning.
Analysis of the Options
- (a) appeal: This suggests that temptations are attractive or alluring, which doesn’t convey the negative impact implied in the sentence.
- (b) beset: This term means to trouble or harass persistently. It accurately reflects the idea that young people are overwhelmed by temptations, leading to their ruin.
- (c) confront: This implies that temptations are merely faced by young people, which does not capture the ongoing and troubling nature of the temptations.
- (d) no improvement: This option suggests that the original wording is correct, which it is not due to the inappropriate use of "bestow."
Conclusion
By choosing option (b) “beset,” the revised sentence would read: "The temptations that beset young people today are ruining them." This change clarifies that young people are persistently troubled by temptations, aligning with the intended meaning of the sentence and enhancing its overall impact.
Thus, option (b) is the correct choice for improving the original sentence.

Select the alternative that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case there is no improvement select “No improvement”. [SSC Steno-2018]
Gita suggested that her daughter to open a savings bank account.
  • a)
    no improvement
  • b)
    that her daughter open
  • c)
    her daughter opening
  • d)
    her daughter to start
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

  • There may be two correct sentences of the given sentence-
    • Gita suggested her daughter that she should open a savings bank account.
    • Gita suggested her daughter to open a savings bank account.
  • Now, let's see what is correct according to the options given in the questions.
    • option b) is technically correct.
    • option c) doesn't sound correct at all grammatically.
    • option d) is incorrect because a bank account is not started but opened.

Select the alternative that will improve the underlined part of the sentence. In case there is no improvement select “No improvement”. [SSC Steno-2018]
“Let’s go for a movie this weekend, shall we?”
  • a)
    can’t we?
  • b)
    no improvement
  • c)
    shan’t we?
  • d)
    would we?
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev SSC CGL answered
Most of the time the question tag is negative for a positive sentence and positive for a negative sentence.
Look at these sentences-
You are not brave, are you?
They had to finish it, didn't they?
But in some cases, the question tag for a positive sentence is positive -
Let's stay here, shall we?
So there will be no improvement, "shall we" is the correct question tag.

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