Test: Commands and Requests - Class 9 MCQ

• A negative imperative is a command that prohibits or forbids an action.
• Typically formed by adding "do not" or "don't" before the base form of a verb.
• Example: "Don't forget to call me later." This clearly instructs someone not to forget.
• This structure is crucial in communication.
• It conveys not only what should be done but also what should not be done.
• Helps to clarify expectations in various social interactions.

Imperatives specifically refer to sentences that convey direct orders or commands, as well as instructions or requests. They are typically formed using the base form of the verb, highlighting their function in commanding actions or directing behavior.

• The Assertion is true because imperative sentences can indeed serve the dual function of giving commands as well as making polite requests.
• For example, "Please pass the salt" is a polite request, while "Close the door" is a command.
• The Reason is false because modal verbs are not exclusively used for direct commands; they are primarily utilized to express requests and degrees of politeness.
• An example is "Could you please...?" which is a request rather than a direct command.
• Since the Assertion is true and the Reason is false, the correct answer is Option B: both Assertion and Reason are true but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.

• Let's analyze each option to determine the correctly matched pair:
• Option A: Positive Imperative - “Could you please pass the salt?”
  • This is incorrectly matched. “Could you please pass the salt?” is a polite request using a modal verb (could), not a positive imperative. Positive imperatives typically use the base form of the verb to give direct commands, such as “Bring me a glass of water.”
• Option B: Negative Imperative - “Don't touch the hot stove.”
  • This is correctly matched. A negative imperative is used to prohibit actions and is formed by using “do not” or “don't” before the base form of the verb. “Don't touch the hot stove.” is a classic example of a negative imperative.
• Option C: Polite Request - “Finish your homework.”
  • This is incorrectly matched. “Finish your homework.” is a positive imperative, not a polite request. Polite requests typically involve modal verbs to express politeness, such as “Could you” or “Would you mind.”
• Option D: Indirect Command - “The teacher asked the students to listen to him attentively.”
  • This is incorrectly matched. While “The teacher asked the students to listen to him attentively.” is an example of indirect speech, it refers to a request rather than a command. Indirect commands often use verbs like “ordered” or “commanded.”
• Therefore, the correctly matched pair is Option B: Negative Imperative - “Don't touch the hot stove.”

• Statements (i) and (ii) are correct.
• (i) Imperatives use the base form of the verb for commands, as seen in examples like "Close the door."
• (ii) Modal verbs are indeed used to make polite requests, such as "Can you pass the salt?"
• Statement (iii) is incorrect because negative imperatives use "do not" or "don't" before the verb, not just "not."
• Statement (iv) is incorrect because indirect speech for commands typically uses verbs like "asked," "told," or "ordered," not "suggest," which is used for proposals.

• The assertion is correct as imperative sentences are indeed used to give direct commands or instructions.
• The reason is also correct; however, it is not an exclusive statement.
• Modal verbs can be used for more than just making requests—they can express necessity, ability, and permission.
• Therefore, while both statements are true, the reason does not correctly explain the assertion, making Option B the right choice.

• Option A: (a) Positive Imperative - Don't run in the corridor
  • This is incorrect because "Don't run in the corridor" is a negative imperative, not a positive one. Positive imperatives give a command or instruction by using the base form of the verb without "do not" or "don't". An example of a positive imperative is "Run in the corridor" (though not advisable).
• Option B: (b) Negative Imperative - Do not enter without permission
  • This is the correct pair. Negative imperatives are used to prohibit actions and are formed by adding "do not" or "don't" before the base form of the verb. "Do not enter without permission" is indeed a negative imperative.
• Option C: (c) Polite Request - Bring me a glass of water
  • This is incorrect as a polite request. "Bring me a glass of water" is a direct command or positive imperative. A polite request would involve a modal verb, such as "Could you bring me a glass of water?"
• Option D: (d) Indirect Command - He suggested to me that we should go home
  • This is not correctly matched as an indirect command. "He suggested to me that we should go home" is an indirect speech form of a suggestion, not a command. Indirect commands usually involve verbs like "ordered" or "told" and use the infinitive form, such as "He ordered me to go home."

Option B: She ordered me to open the window.
Indirect commands use verbs like “ordered” and include “to” before the verb.

• Statement (i) is correct because imperatives indeed use the base form of the verb to give direct orders or commands.
• Statement (ii) is correct since modal verbs like "can," "could," and "would" are commonly used to form polite requests, indicating varying degrees of necessity or politeness.
• Statement (iii) is incorrect as it describes negative imperatives, which actually involve adding "do not" or "don't" before the verb, not positive imperatives.
• Statement (iv) is correct because in indirect speech, commands are transformed using the word "to" before the verb to indicate the action requested or ordered.
• Thus, the correct combination of statements is (i), (ii), and (iv).

Answer: Option C: Could.
Modal verbs like “could” make requests more polite and less direct.