Test your English - Every level and every skill। Free 15 - minute English test

 

    English Mini Test (PYQ Patterns) 

izitoabc2blogspot.com

Subject -Verb Agreement requires a singular subject to take a singular verb and a plural subject take a plural verb.

Rule 1                                                                                                          When two subjects are joined together by 'Neither....nor' and ' Either....or' , the verb agrees with the nearest subject (the second one)

       First Subject: my boss (Singular)

  

   Second Subject:  my colleagues (Plural)               

      1.  Neither my boss nor my colleagues ....... present in the meeting.

• (a)  is
• (b) am
• (c) are

                                                       Ans: Neither my boss nor my colleagues are present in the meeting. 

Rule 2                                           Abstract nouns and uncountable nouns are considered as singular subjects, so make sure we use a singular verb along with it.             Uncountable Noun  : information

2. The information ....  true.        

  (a) are 

  (b) is        

  (c) am    

Ans: The information is true.      

Here in this sentence, information is uncountable noun so in such type of sentences, we have to identify the subject. In the above sentence:

The subject: information 

So, information - singular noun, 

we use a singular verb. 

Here are some examples of uncountable nouns:

advice                                       

news                                         

furniture                                           

knowledge                                                     luggage  

                                                                   

  Rule 3                                                                                       

 Collective noun is considered as a single unit, it takes a singular unit, it takes a singular verb.                

The members of jury .... going to give the verdict.

  (a) is

  (b) are

  (c) am

Subject:  members (plural)      Prepositional phrase:  of jury       

So, the real subject - members, not jury (members - plural; we use plural verb).

Ans: The members of jury are going to give the verdict.

 

Members of + Collective Noun = Plural Verb 

    

Examples of: ' Members of'

The members of the committee are divided.

The members of the team are sincere.          

Ignore the phrase after 'of'

The verb agrees with the noun before 'of', not after it.

The quality of these grapes is good.

A bunch of bananas costs Rs 70.

Subject: bunch = collective noun (singular) 

                                                      Prepositional Phrase: of bananas                                                              Bunch is treated as one unit so, singular verb 'costs' is correct.       

Idiom/Phrase                                   

     To 'burn the midnight oil' 

    A) To be lazy                

    B)  To light a fire                     

    C)  To work or study late into the night     

Ans: To work or study late into the night.

Sentence: During exams, she often burns the midnight oil to achieve good marks.

          This idiom is commonly used to describe academic, creative

 or professional work done late at night.

        Antonym (Select the word opposite in meaning)                                                                             

               Fragile                                         

               A) Delicate
              B) Weak  

              C) Brittle 

              D) Robust             

Ans: Antonym of Fragile is - Robust

Synonyms of Fragile are: Delicate, Brittle, Weak  

                        He eats healthy food to make himself robust.                                                              

Synonym (Select the word closest in meaning):

Lucrative                                               

        A) Profitable

         B)  Futile          

         C) Losing

         D) Fruitless            

Ans: Synonym of 'Lucrative' is - Profitable

Antonyms of ' Lucrative' are: Futile, Losing, Fruitless 

The tourism sector found a lucrative tourist attraction.

One Word Substitution:                                                         One who is skilled in many arts               

A)  Creative                                                            B)     Versatile                                                       C)      Artisan     

Ans: C) Versatile            

Change the following Passive to Active Voice:                             

 Why should she be deprived of her liberty.  (Select the correct option) 

 A) Why should she deprive of her liberty.

  B)  Why she should be deprived of her liberty.                                  

   C) Why should we deprive her of her liberty.                                     

Rule:  After modals (should, can, may, must) we use first form of the verb.

So, while forming active sentence always keep in mind:

should deprived (incorrect)

should deprive (correct) 

Ans: Why should we deprive her of her liberty. (Active Voice)     

 English Mini Practice Paper:

Most Repeated & Important PYQ Idioms for SSC, CGL 2026 for Competitive Exams

Idioms for Competitive Exams

Choose the correct Option:

 Feather in the cap:

1. New cap
2. Extra cap
3. Favorite cap
4. Additional success

Ans: (4) Additional success

Gala day:

1. Holiday
2. Peaceful day
3. Amazing day
4. Celebration day

Ans: (4) Celebration Day

Maiden Speech:

1. Speech delivered by a girl
2. First speech
3. Last speech 
4. Speech delivered by a maid 

Ans:(2) First speech 

Make up one's mind:

1. To decide 
2. To make a good plan 
3. To try everything possible 
4. To make utmost effort 

Ans: To decide

Although he is not a learned person, he wins the heart of others as

 he has the gift of the gab.

The gift of the gab:

1. A lot of enthusiasm
2. A lot of money
3. Gifts from many people
4. Talent for speaking

Ans: Talent for speaking

He turned a blind eye when he saw his son indulge in illegal activities.

Turned a blind eye:

1. Close his eyes
2. Pretend not to notice
3. Punished by the police
4. Paid special attention to him

Ans: Pretend not to notice

The participants were in high spirits as soon as they saw their SSC results.

In high spirits:

1. To feel depressed
2. Shocked
3. Cheerful
4. Disgusted

Ans: Cheerful

When he didn't pass the exam, he started passing the buck.

Passing the buck:

1. Helped others
2. Felt apologize
3. Blamed someone else
4. Felt regret

Ans: Blamed someone else

She refused point - blank when some people reported against her.

Point - blank:

1. Stubbornly
2. Politely
3. Strictly
4. Directly

Ans: Directly

izitoabc2blogspot.com

Rules of Contractions (Question Tag) in English Grammar for SSC CGL| Most Repeated MCQ' s of Contraction with Answers

  

Contractions in English Grammar

Contractions are frequently used, mostly in informal writing. At the same time, 
knowledge of them is necessary for competitive exams. 

Keeping this in mind, I am writing this article and hope it will be beneficial for you. 
Contractions are shorter combined forms of two words (both in written and spoken English).
 While writing, we use an apostrophe (') in place of the missing letter (s).

Contractions are two words - You have (you and have are two words) These two

 words are joined together by removing letter and after then we add apostrophe (You've).

The apostrophe is used to remove the missing letter.

For instance: He is (here the letter ' i ' is removed, and we write ' he's '.

Here, is a list of common contractions used by us in daily life. These contractions

 can be seen in comprehension section and in informal English.

Some contractions are formed by using has, have, will:

Some more common contractions:

Full Form        Contraction                       
Will not           Won't                                    
Have not          Haven't                                    
Let us              Let's                                       
Should have    Should've                                   
Do not              Don't                                      
Shall not         Shan't                                        

Tips for the Aspirants:

We use the contraction in question tag. Always keep in mind, if the

 main sentence is positive then there will be negative question tag. 

Rules:

If the statement is positive, then we use negative tag.

For instance:

We shall go to the Lotus Temple for meditation, shan't we? (correct)

We shall go to the Lotus Temple for meditation, shalln't we? (wrong)

 Note: Shalln't - Don't use this) 

If the statement is Positive (+), the question tag must be negative (-) 

Everyone was happy at the function, weren't they?

In this sentence "Everyone" is a singular indefinite pronoun, so we

use singular verb "was".

"weren't they"? here is used as question tag, indefinite pronouns like everyone,

someone, everybody and no one are used to refer the plural pronoun " they".

That is why, the tag "weren't they" is correct.

If the statement is negative (-), the question tag must be positive (+)

They seldom visit my place, do they?

Here the word "seldom "acts as a negative word.

Choose the correct option:

1. I am exhausted, amn't I?
2. I am exhausted, am't I?
3. I am exhausted, aren't I?

Ans: I am exhausted, aren't I?

Choose the correct option

1. Mind your language, can't you?
2. Mind your language, cant' you?
3. Mind your language, can'nt you?

Ans: Mind your language, can't you?

Choose the correct option:

1. Let's go to play outdoor games, won't we?
2. Let's go to play outdoor games, shall we?
3. Let's go to play outdoor games, shan't we?

Ans: Let's go to play outdoor games, shall we?

If the sentence begins with" Let's"(Let us), the question tag is always "shall we". 

Difference Between Its vs It's

It's 

It is used an abbreviated (shortened) form of " it is" or "it has". We should always keep 

in mind that the apostrophe (it's) never shows possession. It points out that a letter has 

been removed.  

Its

It is a possessive pronoun.

Who vs Whose:

Your vs You're

Spot the error:

Kindly lend me some books for competitive exam, shan't you?

1. Kindly lend me
2. some books
3. for competitive exam
4. shan't you?

Ans: shan't you

Explanation:

We don't use "shan't", Always use "will" or "would".

 For polite request (Kindly), we use will you or would you. 

Spot the error:

Have one more chocolate, wouldn't you?

1. Have one more
2. chocolate
3. wouldn't you?
4. No error

Ans: wouldn't you

Have one more chocolate, won't you?

Explanation:

It is a sentence of imperative sentence: Have one more chocolate + question tag 

Here the sentence starts as a polite imperative, we use " will you" or "won't you".

Don't play in the scorching heat, won't you?

1. Don't play
2. in the scorching heat
3. won't you
4. No error

Ans: won't you

Don't play in the scorching heat, will you?

Explanation:

"Don't play" is a negative sentence, when we add a tag to a negative imperative,

then we use the positive tag" will you "so, in place of "won't you" we use "will you".

Insert suitable question tags for the following sentences:

Exercise for practice with answers:

He is an ambidextrous, .........?

Ans: isn't he?

Don't reveal the secret, ........?

Ans: will you?

He hardly sings any song, ........?

Ans: does he?

There is no sugar in the juice, .......?

Ans: is there?

Everyone has admitted their mistake, .......?

Ans: haven't they?

The team has taken a good decision, .......?

Ans: hasn't it?

The members of jury are divided in their verdict, ......?

Ans: aren't they?

Most Important & Frequently Asked Prepositions for SSC, CGL & Other Competitive Exams | Online Mini PYQ based on MCQ questions with Answers

     

             
  Prepositions MCQs with Answers:

Choose the correct answer:

You can consult the lawyer ........... 9 am and 1.00 pm.  

• in
• from
• between
• at

Ans: between

He is fond ....... having peanut butter.

• to
• on 
• of
• in

Ans: of

 The alligator jumped ...... the sea.

• in
• into
• to
• on

Ans: into

She arranged her clothes ....... the shelf.

• at
• in 
• on
• onto

Ans: in

The flight will be arriving .... 4 pm.

• on
• in
• at
• of

Ans: at

We are leaving .... Kolkata tomorrow.

• on
• at
• for
• of

Ans: for

Rohan ran to the airport and managed to get there .... time.

• in
• on
• of
• by

Ans: in

He went .... the institute to learn how to use a new software.

• to
• for
• in
• none of the above

Ans: to

He injured the lizard .... a knife.

• by
• of
• with
• none of the above

Ans: with

The gardener instructed us not to play .... the flower beds.

• across
• among
• near
• at

Ans: near

The stranger was standing ... the entrance gate of the school.

• on
•  at
• by
• to

Ans: at

He is good ... English grammar.

• in
• at
• on
• of

Ans: at

There are many benefits of doing Mini PYQ

 (Frequently asked Prepositions)

www.izitoabc2blogspot.com

SSC, CGL 190+ Vocabulary Strategy | Mastering Vocabulary is the Key to Success

                     

190+ Vocabulary Strategy for SSC CGL  

Here are some powerful memory tricks for the aspirants: 

• In English Paper -5 to 6 questions (Synonyms and Antonyms
•  5 to 6 questions (Idioms & phrases
•  4 to 6 questions (One word substitution)
•  3 to 4 questions (Spellings')

Mastering vocabulary ensures 14 marks score with ease.

How to increase your vocabulary:

Learn at least 25 words daily (Synonyms & Antonyms together). After then, write 

these words in your notebook, try to use them in your daily life. Revise after two 

days. Practice Mock Test and online and offline Test paper (PYQ words). Do this 

repeatedly for twenty days.

Next, first of all, learn 8 idioms and 10 one-word substitution, after then, use them

in your own words. When you feel confident, write down in your notebook. Revise 

them after two days. Do this repeatedly for 20 to 40 days. Finally, start doing Online

and offline Mock Test.

Start Using Memorization Tricks:

• Learn in Pairs:
• Root Method
• Three -Time Revision Rule

Focus on High Repetition Words:

• Benevolent
• Obsolete
• Ubiquitous
• Lucid
• Diligent
• Ephemeral

These words are frequently asked in exams

Plan Weekly Structure:

Learn 20 words and revise 20 words from Monday to Friday. Practice at least 

10 PYQ questions daily. On Saturdays, learn and revise idioms and one word 

substitution. On the last day, that is Sunday, Practice full Mock Test and do

 revision consistently.

Avoid Such Type of Mistake:

Final Golden Rule:

English Writing : How to Write a Letter on Any Topic। Letter Writing Tips। Letter Writing in Competitive Exams (2026) | Mastering Formal Letters: Types, Tips & Examples

Practicing formal letter before exams is essential for aspirants, especially in competitions or exams that assess written communication skills. Formal letters are a key element of many exams, evaluating a candidate's ability to convey information clearly and professionally. Mastering formal letter writing allows aspirants to organize thoughts, follow conventional structures

, and use appropriate language and tone. This practice enhances writing skills, boosts confidence, and reduces exam anxiety. Additionally, formal letters are common in real- world situations, making them a vital skill beyond academics. By practicing, aspirants improve grammar, syntax, and audience awareness, crucial for both exams and future professional

 success.

In this article, you'll learn

•  5 essential types of letters
• Format of a Formal Letter
• Tips & Tricks to write a formal letter
• How to craft a formal letter to the Editor 
• How to write a letter on any topic
• Essential phrases to master the language of formal letters
• Video

5 Essential Types of Letters(formal)

Cover Letter:

Business Proposal Letter:

Complaint Letter:

Invitation Letter:

Resignation Letter:

Format of a formal letter:

The Block Format is the modern gold standard for formal letters.

It's clean, professional, and easy to read because everything is aligned

to the left margin without any indentations.

Formal Letter Writing: Tips & Tricks

www.izitoabc2blogspot.com

Here are some tips and tricks to write a formal letter.

Use a clear and professional format:

Write your address, date, recipient's, salutation, body, closing

 and signature.

Use formal language:

Avoid slang, contractions like don't and casual expressions

Use polite and respectful tone:

Maintain professionalism and show respect, even if addressing 

complaints or problems.

Be concise and to the point:

Write the letter to the point, don't write extra information

 (unnecessary details).

Organize your content well:

Use format while writing a letter (paragraphs,body,and conclusion).

State your purpose early:

Write the purpose of writing a letter in the first paragraph. Clearly

mention what you expect from the recipient.

Use appropriate salutations and closings:

Match the level of formality to the recipient.

Check grammar and spellings:

Errors can reduce the credibility of your letter. 

How to craft a letter to the Editor 

How to write a formal letter on any topic 

Essential phrases to master the language of formal letters:

Opening Lines (Use these phrases according to situation)

General Purpose

• I am writing to inform you that ....
• I would like to bring to your notice that ....
• I wish to state that ....

Request/Application

• I would like to request you to ......
• I am writing to apply for ..........
• I kindly request you to ............

Complaint

• I would like to express my concern regarding .......
• This is to bring to your attention that ......
• I regret to inform you that ......

Introductory Paragraph (First Paragraph)

Purpose of writing the letter should be clear in 1-2 lines.

• I am writing in connection with ......
• I am writing this letter to request ......
• The purpose of this letter is .......

Body Paragraphs (Main Content)

Giving Details

• I would like to highlight that ......
• The issue is that ...... 
• It has been observed that ......

Explaining Situation

• As a result ......
• Due to this, I am facing ......
• This has caused inconvenience because ......

Making Request

• I request you to consider my application 
• I would appreciate you to consider ....
• I kindly request you to take necessary action ........

Concluding Paragraph:

Keep it polite + hopeful

• I hope you will consider my request
• I look forward to your response 
• Kindly take necessary action as soon as possible
• I shall be grateful for your support

Ending (Closing) Lines:

Formal Closings

• Yours sincerely
• Yours faithfully

Rule:

Points to remember:

• Use " Yours sincerely" when name is known 
• (for example: Dear Mr. Sen)

• Use "Yours faithfully" when name is unknown 
• (for example: Dear Sir/ Madam)

Some other powerful phrases to boost your confidence:

These make your letter stand out

• Please take this matter seriously
• I would be thankful for your consideration
• Kindly look into the matter at the earliest
• I shall be highly obliged
• I request you to kindly grant me ....

Avoid these common mistakes while writing a letter

• Using rude tone
• Repeating same idea
• Missing subject line
• Writing long confusing sentences
• Using informal words (hey,wanna etc.)

At last, know the "Golden Rules" for Competitive Exams

• Be polite but direct
• Follow proper format
• Stick to one purpose
• Keep sentences clear & short
• Use formal tone