MODALS AND OTHER FORMS OF VERBS --Uses of Modals And Different Types of Verbs -----Transitive, Intransitive, Helping Verbs-Modals (Chapter One)

                                               

USES OF MODALS

A sentence generally comprises of subject, verb and object.  
Verb is a word showing some action or deed in the sentence.

The child drinks milk.

In this sentence ‘drinks’ shows  an  'action'. It is a verb. 

Types of Verbs : ------ Transitive Verb and Intransitive Verb.

Transitive verb 

is a word that denotes an action which passes on from the subject to an object.

In other words a transitive verb governs the object.

In the above sentence drinks is a transitive verb.

The word 'drink' conveys an action between 'the child' and  'milk'.

Intransitive verb 

is a word that denotes an action which does not pass on to an object.

The child weeps.

In the above sentence the word ‘weeps’ denotes action but it does not pass on to any object. 

So there is no object in the sentence.

 A sentence with an intransitive verb has no object. 

Come, go,laugh,sleep are similar words. 

These are intransitive verbs according to their use in a particular sentence.

Such verbs are called Principal Verbs but along with these there are words which are used in the sentence to help to form the tense or the mood of the Principal Verb. 

These  are called ‘Auxiliary’ or ‘Helping’ verbs or ‘Modals’.

Main features of Modals are:

These are used in the sentence to express a request, permission. willingness, possibility,ability or power to act.

These verbs are used along with the main verb. These are not used alone.

Along with a modal first form of verb is used. 

A Modal remains unchanged irrespective of number or gender of the subject.

The word 'to' is used along  with 'ought' and 'used'.

Examples:

We should help him.

He may not come today.

In these sentences ‘should’ and ‘may’ are helping verbs.

The main helping verbs are:

Is,am,are,was,were,been,being,has,have,had,do,does,

did,may,might,can,could,shall,should,will,would,ought,

should etc.

Some verbs are used both as transitive as well as intransitive verbs.

Examples:

Birds fly in the sky.

Boys fly kites.

The slate broke.

He broke the slate.

The train stopped.

 I stopped him from going there.

The office opens at 10 a.m.

He opened the door.

The examination begins tomorrow.

I shall begin my work now.

Boys run in the garden.

He ran a thorn into his foot.

He runs a factory.

Rise, Lie & fall are intransitive verbs but raise, lay & fall are transitive verbs.

The sun rises in the east.The child raised his head.

The old man lies in the bed.She laid the book  on the table.

The tree fell down.He felled the tree.

Reflexive Verbs:

A verb which has a reflexive pronoun as its object, is called a Reflexive Verb; as,

The boy hurt himself.The boys cried themselves hoarse.

In the above sentences, the words in italics are Reflexive verbs and the words in italics after them are Reflexive objects.

Impersonal Verbs :

An impersonal Verb is one which has no real subject; as, 

It rains. It hails. It is very fine.It is very pleasant.

In the aforesaid sentences,the subject 'it' may refer either to the sky or the weather.  

Causative Verbs:

A verb in respect of which the work is got done instead of doing by the subject is called a causative verb ; as ,

He got her punished.

The subject  himself  'He' is not doing the work but on his behalf someone else is doing the same.

Examples: 

Let him sit here.
Did you get the door opened?
Get this letter posted.
The mother made her do this work. 

In the aforesaid sentences causative verbs are used.

OBJECTS :         Direct   &  Indirect

Sentences with two objects.

Some verbs govern two objects, one of which is a person and the other is a thing ; as,

He gave me (person) a gift (thing).

She told her son (person) a story (thing).

She gave the child (person) a toy (thing).

The name of a person or animal is called the Indirect object and the name of the thing is called the Direct object.

Intransitive verbs sometimes take after them an object similar in meaning to the verb.Such an object is called Cognate Object.

She sighed a deep sigh.

The child sleeps a sound sleep.

They laughed a hearty laugh.

I dreamt a horrible dream.

The patient  died a natural death.

He fought a good fight.

The girls sang a beautiful song.

Boys ran a race.

He had to wait for the fruit to fructify.

The words - sighed,sleeps,laughed, dreamt,died,fought,sang & ran are verbs.

The words -- sigh,sleep,laugh,dream,death,fight,song  & race are Cognate objects.

Some more Examples:

He did not object to the object.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse.

I was content to know the content of the message.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

The blessed virgin blessed her.

The king subjected the subject to his tyranny.

The Use Of  Is, Am, Are, Was & Were  :

Is, Am & Are ---- are used in present tense.   'Am' is used with I in present tense. 

Examples:

I am going to the market. 

I am not going to the market.

Am I going to the market? 

'Is' is used with Third Person singular number i.e. he she & it or a name in singular .

Examples :

The child is making a noise.

He is my elder brother.

She is sitting in her office.

It is raining today.

'Are' is used with First Person plural, second person singular & plural  and third person plural. 

Examples:

We are very happy.

All of you are not in the wrong.

Are the grapes sour?

They are our neighbors.

'Was & Were' are used in past tense. 

'Was'  is used with First & Third person singular i.e I, he she & it or a name in singular in past tense.

He was my teacher.

I was his neighbor.

She was not going to her office.

Was he at fault?  

'Were' is used with First person plural, second person singular and plural & Third person plural in past tense.

Examples:

Were you  not well yesterday?

They were plucking flowers.

Boys were playing a match in the ground.We were wandering in the garden.

'Were'  is also used to express strong desire for an act.

Examples:

If I were a king!

If only I were a millionaire!

The Use Of  Have, Has & Had   :

'Have & Has'  are used in present tense whereas Had is used in past tense. 
Have is used with first person & second person  singular and plural & third person plural in present tense. 

Examples:

I have a beautiful purse.
We have no money.
Have you any spare pen with you?
He has  enough money to spend and spare.
They have five goats.
Here 'have' means 'to possess'.

'Have & Has'  are used in following tenses:

Present Perfect Tense.Present Perfect Continuous Tense.Past Perfect Tense.Past Perfect Continuous Tense.Future Perfect Tense.Future Perfect Continuous Tense.

Examples:

Present Perfect Tense

He has paid all his dues.
I have not collected my notebooks.
Have you taken your medicine?
They have gone to the market.
We have not seen him.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

I have been doing my work for two  hours.
We have been playing cricket since morning.
Have you been taking tea for the last half an hour?
Has the teacher not been teaching you for two months?
They have been making a noise for an hour.

Past Perfect Tense

I had never been to Delhi.
You had made no mistake.
We had paid our respects to them.
She had plucked many flowers in the garden.
They had shown us their pictures.

Past Perfect Continuous Tense

I had been doing my work for two  hours.
We had been playing cricket since morning.
Had you been taking tea for the last half an hour?
Had the teacher not been teaching you for two months?
They had been making a noise for an hour.

Future Perfect Tense

I shall have not made this mistake.

We shall have done our work by then.
You will have not missed them.
Will they have gone to such an extent?

Future Perfect Continuous Tense

I shall have been working for two hours.

We shall have been playing since morning.
Will you have been studying for one hour?
She has been suffering from fever for two days.

Have they been making toys for two days?

The Use Of  Shall & Will   :

'Shall'  is used to express simple future tense in the first person & 'Will' in the second and third person; as,

I shall be late for the office.
The boys will succeed in the competition.
Your brother or you will win the race.
His brothers will start a sugar factory.

Shall with the second or third person expresses a command, a promise, a threat or a determination; as,

(a) Command:

He shall go to Simla.
You shall not play.

(b) Promise :

We shall  be free tomorrow.

(c) Threat:

He shall be fined.

(d) Determination :

He shall leave this very instant.You shall carry out the orders, whether you like them or not.

In asking questions shall is used  in the first person and will in the second & third person; as,

Shall I call him?Will he come to see me on Monday?Will you help me in doing this sum ?

The Use Of  Should & Would   :

'Should' is the past tense of  'Shall'. A Noun clause is used in this case.

We said that we should help our friends.
I said that I should not go to the market.

In these sentences, 'should'  gives the meaning of future tense.

'Should' also expresses the meaning of 'advice', 'suggestion', 'counsel'. or 'duty';as in the following sentences:

One should do one's duty.The children should respect their elders.He should not make any mistake now.

'Would' is the past tense of  'Will'. It is used in this form.

It is used in  the Indirect form of speech as in the following sentences :

She said that she would not go to the office that day.
I asked him if he would lend me his watch.
He told me that he  would not help me.
John told her that he would make no mistake then.

Would is used to express  a request.It is used in the present tense; as,

Would you please fetch me a glass of water?
Would you help me in solving these sums?
Would you attend to the customers, please?

Would is used to express of a habit of past time. It is used in the past tense.

He would travel by a bus.
My father would get angry over trifles.
Boys would act in a responsible manner in their childhood.

Would is used to express a strong determination. 

Come what may, I would reach there tomorrow in the morning.She told that she would make all efforts to solve this problem.He would have his own way.

Would is used in conditional sentences.

If I were you, I would have behaved in the same manner.If he were here, I would have talked to him.If you were with us, you too would have helped her.

Would is used to express a desire.
Would that I were rich !Would that I were a millionaire!Would that she were young! 

The Use of Can

Can is used to express 'ability', 'capacity', 'permission' or authority to do a work as in following sentences:

The old man is very week. He cannot walk.

This sentence shows inability of the old man to walk.

The lady can play chess.

This sentence shows that the lady has the capacity to play chess.

The boss can grant you permission.

This sentence shows that the boss has the authority to permit.

You can take my motorcycle.

This sentence shows permission granted to use the motorcycle.

Just look at the following sentences:

I am alright now. I can go home.
You are alright now. You can go home.
The boss says that you cannot go home.
I shall inquire if I can go home.

The Use of Could

'Could' is past tense of 'can'. 'Could' is used to express ability in the past time; as in the following sentences: 

He could express his feelings to her.The team could win the match last year.The young lady could deliver her speech fluently.He could not attend the meeting yesterday.He could not help laughing.

'Could' is used in present tense to express a request; as in the following sentences:


Could you lend me your book?
Could you extend a helping hand to the old man? Could you feel convenient to attend the meeting tomorrow?

The Use of May

May is used in present tense to seek and grant permission; as in the following sentences:

May I come in, Sir ?May I go to see my mother?May we accompany you to visit the training centre ?May I leave now?

You may go now.You may take the guests to the market.You may leave the office early today.You may consult your lawyer.

May is used to express 'possibility' or 'probability' of an action; as in the following sentences:

The guests may reach today.

It may take us time to reach there.

They may not finish their work in time.

We may be late to our office.

It may rain tomorrow.

May is used to express a wish; as in the following sentences:   

May the king live long!

May God help them!

May you prosper in your life!

The Use of Might

'Might' is the past tense of 'May'. It is used to express a remote possibility in the past.It is used in the indirect form of speech.

He told me that he might come late in the evening.

His father thought that his son might get through the examination.

The sky is overcast with clouds. It might rain at night.

John is not serious about his studies. He might fail in the examination.

'Might' is used in the Adverbial clause with a function of showing purpose.

He walked fast so that he might catch the train.He worked hard so that he might get through the examination.

'May' in the direct form of speech changes into 'Might' in the indirect form of speech.

'Might' in the direct form of speech remains unchanged 'Might' in the indirect form of speech.

He said to me,"I may not attend the meeting today." He told me that he might not attend the meeting that day.

She said."I might come late in the  evening."She said that she might come late in the evening.

The Use of Must

'Must' shows meaning different than 'should'. It gives the feeling of necessity, compulsion,conclusion or some result; as in the following sentences:

He must have reached his office  by now.

We must do our duty.

It is very late. We must go to bed.

The boss is in the office.We must attend to our job.

We must not meddle with others' affairs.

We must respect our elders.

The Use of Ought to

'Ought to ' shows meaning different than 'should' or 'must'. 

It gives the meaning of obligation or strong possibility. It is followed by 'to' as in the following sentences:

We ought to obey our elders.

We ought to do our duty.

He ought to get through the examination.

Our team ought to win the match.

We ought to help the poor.

The Use of Used to

'Used to' is used in the past tense to express some action of habit (continuous) nature done in the past as is evident in the following sentences:

I used to play hockey when I was young.

He used to visit our house every Sunday.

John used to sell books in those days.

The merchant used to deal in tea.

'Used to' is not used in present or future tenses.

  PHRASAL VERBS

A combination of words that makes a complete sense or meaning is called a sentence. A sentence is used to

---Name a person or thing

---say something about that person or thing

the word or words denoting the person or thing about which something is said are called the subject of the sentence.

the word or words which say something about the person or thing denoted by the subject in the sentence are called the Predicate.

The subject and predicate are absolutely necessary to make a complete sense in a sentence.The subject of a sentence usually comes first, but occasionally it comes after the predicate. Just in this sentence to put emphasis in the sentence.

Down went the building like a pack of cards. 

In Imperative sentences the subject is implied and is left out as - 

Stand up.

Here the subject 'you' is left out.

A group of words that makes a sense but not a complete sense, is called a Phrase. 

Examples :
People have come to see the fair from far and near.
The sun rises in the east.She is a lady of virtues.

In the above sentences words in italics form a  phrase.

 A clause is a group of words forming a part of a larger sentence and having a subject and a predicate of its own and  makes a complete sense.

A Clause though is a part of a sentence yet it is independent in itself having its own subject and predicate where as a phrase also forms a part of the sentence but it is not independent in its meaning. 

No doubt both of these make their own sense. 

CLOZE TEST (7) --PARAGRAPH - FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH WORDS OUT OF GIVEN OPTIONS

It is of utmost importance that while attempting the question of Cloze Test the most appropriate word out of the suggested options is selected. It can be possible only if the word is selected in conformity with the text of the paragraph. It is therefore essential to understand the subject matter of the given paragraph. Paragraphs generally are descriptive or analytical in nature. The author gives positive or negative aspects of the selected subject. Sometimes it is of a mixed nature also. So the blank spaces are to be filled in according to the tone of the author in that particular part of the paragraph. For this a complete reading of the paragraph is necessary before attempting the exercise. This gives an idea of the essence of the subject matter of the paragraph and the author's mood in writing it. The best method to select a correct option is to use the method of elimination and selection of words out of the options. The apt word is selected only if the candidate sticks to the context and 'selects and rejects' the given words. The idea runs throughout all the sentences of the  the paragraph. So  all the sentences in the paragraph are interconnected with each other. There is a need to understand the underlying idea contained in the sentences and selection of the words is to be made according to the tone of the paragraph.   If the tone of the sentence is positive, all the negative words in the options can be rejected out rightly. This shortens the field of choice. Still if there are some confusing or similar appearing words it is better to read the succeeding sentences carefully and make the choice. 

Vocabulary helps a lot in this process but equally  necessary is knowledge of grammar rules for making appropriate choice of words. However above all continuous practice makes the job easy and convenient. There are small tips of applying grammar rules that are of great help. 

First of all the structure of the given sentence should be understood i.e. all the parts of speech are in their proper places in the sentence. Further what part of speech is required to be filled in the blank space. Its number, gender, and tense etc should be understood. The tense used in the whole paragraph or a part of the paragraph also gives the idea of the word to be selected. The article or a preposition used with the blank space also gives a hint about the word. The corresponding part of the speech used in the remaining sentence also helps. For example number of a noun or pronoun gives the idea of the verb to be used in blank space. The preposition accompanying the verb in case of a phrasal verb also helps. A  preposition 'to' before the blank space shows that only first form of verb is to follow. So all verbs in other forms or other parts of speech can be rejected.    The presence of a noun or a verb before the blank space also gives a hint of an adjective or an adverb to be filled in the blank space.   


EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE


ONE 

Directions  (1 - 10 ) : In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

On a huge banyan tree on the bank of a lake there lived a number of birds in nests built by them on its branches. They lived there happily as the tree saved them from 1......................  heat of the sun and rain. Among them there also lived a beautiful peacock . He often used to dance under this tree when the sky was 2........................... with clouds. All the birds saw him dancing there and enjoyed themselves. In the lake there lived a crocodile with his wife. The crocodile often used to come to the bank of the lake and rested there. The crocodile and the peacock became good friends. Once the crocodile and his wife saw the peacock dancing there. Both of them were 3....................... on  seeing him. The wife of the crocodile was much impressed to see the peacock dancing. She told her husband that his friend was very handsome and she wanted to 4.................................... his flesh. She asked him to invite his friend to dinner at their house. Once his friend came there they would not allow him to go back and will have a good feast of his flesh. Next day the crocodile went to peacock and told him that his dance 5.......................  his wife very much and she wanted to host a dinner party in his honour. The peacock accepted his offer and 6.........................  to accompany him. The peacock 7.................................. himself on the back of the crocodile and both started for the house. On reaching in the middle of the lake the crocodile told the peacock that his wife loved him very much and wanted to consume his heart. The peacock saw the crocodile through his 8.............................  that they would kill him on reaching their house. He hit upon a plan. He told the crocodile that he had left his heart on the branch of the tree because he had not told him about this earlier. He requested him to return to the bank so that he could bring his heart from there. The crocodile 9...........................agreed to his proposal and took him to the bank. On reaching the bank the peacock jumped from his back and climbed up the tree. 10...............................on a branch of the tree, he shouted at the crocodile, "You Cheat ! Go back !I am not going to be taken away by your tricks again".

1.parched, burning, inferno,scorching,vehement.
2.refilled,overcast, engraved, bound, hovered.
3. astonished, honoured, delighted, commended, clamoured.
4.devour, afflict, grasp, douse, hobble. 
5.captivate, fascinated, enchant, attempted, flayed.
6.greeted, abide, proposed, joined, consented.
7.alighted, descended,mounted,attached, supported.
8.habit,trick, tactical, deceive, ployed. 
9.willing, rejoice, readily, fully, playfully. 
10.posed, rested, backed,Perched, raised.




SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

The paragraph is of descriptive nature. The author describes that there lived birds in their nests on the branches of  a tree on the bank of a lake. There was a peacock among them also. It danced when it was cloudy. There lived a crocodile with his wife in the lake. The crocodiles made a plan to kill the peacock and eat his flesh. But the peacock with the help of his wit saved himself. The author writing in the past tense has given a good description of the whole incident.

1.In the sentence containing first blank space the author describes in past tense about birds living on the tree and their living condition. The tree saves the birds form rain and heat of the sun. ‘The tree’ a noun is Subject, saved is verb and ‘them’, a pronoun is an object. ‘Heat’ is a noun and the word in the blank space describes this noun. Here an adjective suitable with ‘heat’ is required. ‘Vehement’, an adjective, meaning strong or fervent does not fit here. ’Parched’, an adjective, means dry or dehydrated, ‘Inferno’, a noun, means big uncontrolled fire, ‘Burning’ a gerund is also used as a noun,  meaning something under the effect of fire. All these words do not fit here. ‘Scorching’ an adjective means sweltering, raising temperature. This is the correct word.

2. The word in blank space is to describe ‘sky’ having effect of clouds on it. ‘Bound’ means something encircled or surrounded on all sides, ‘engraved’ means written on material like stone or metal, ‘hovered’ means to fly in the sky. ‘Refill’ means to fill something empty. All these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘Overcast’ meaning ‘covered with’ clouds. It is the correct word to be used here.


3. ‘Felt’ is a verb and to describe it an adverb is required in the blank space. ‘Astonish’ means to surprise, ‘honour’ means to show respect, ‘commend’ means to praise, ‘clamour’ means to shout or make noise. Birds on seeing the peacock dancing do not astonish or honour, or commend or clamour. All these words do not fit here. ‘Delight’ meaning to be happy is the most suitable word.


4. After preposition ‘to’ first form of a verb is used. All the words given as options are verbs in first form. ‘Afflict’ means to cause pain, ‘grasp’ means to understand or to hold. ‘Douse’ means to extinguish, ‘hobble’ means to stumble or to stagger, ‘devour’ means to gulp or gobble. All the words except ‘devour’ do not fit here. ‘Devour’ is the correct word.


5.‘His dance’ is subject and ‘his wife’ is object, a verb is required in the blank space to complete this part of the sentence. As the paragraph is written in the past tense, here too verb in past tense is required. ‘Captivate’ and ‘enchant’ mean ‘to attract’ but these both are in present tense. ‘Flayed’ means ‘criticised’, ‘attempted’ means ‘tried’, both these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘fascinated’, verb in past tense means attracted. This words fits here.

6. Here ‘consented’ is a verb in past tense, ‘and’ is a conjunction and after this conjunction a verb in past tense is required in the blank space. The sentence tells that the peacock agreed to his proposal and he further expresses his concurrence. ‘Greet’ means ‘to welcome’, abide, a verb in present tense, means ‘to agree’, ‘proposed’ means ‘to offer’. ‘Joined’ means ‘to unite’ or ‘to merge’. All these words do not fit here according to the context. ‘Consented’ a verb in past tense meaning ‘agreed’ is the appropriate word here.

7. ‘The peacock’ is subject and ‘himself’ is object and a verb is required to complete it. ‘Alighted’ means ‘to descend’, ‘descended’ means ‘to come down’, ‘attached’ means ‘to tie with’. All these words do not fit here. ‘Mounted’ means ‘to ride’ is the appropriate word.

8. The peacock is subject, ‘saw through’ is a phrase meaning to come to know about someone’s act of mischief or deceit, In the blank space some word, a noun, with negative tone is required. ‘Deceive’ is a verb in present tense, ‘Ployed’ is a verb in past tense, ‘tactical’ is an adjective or an adverb. All these words do not fit here. ‘Habit’ and ‘Trick’ are nouns but habit is a positive verb whereas ‘trick’ is a negative word. So ‘trick’ is the correct word here.

9. ‘The crocodile’ is subject, ‘agreed to’ a phrasal verb and ‘his proposal’ is object. In the blank space an adverb describing the verb ‘agreed’ is required. ‘Willing’ is a gerund and noun, rejoice is a verb, ‘fully’ ‘playfully’ and readily are adverbs. ‘Playfully’ does not fit with verb ‘agreed’. Out of ‘fully’ and ‘readily’, ‘readily’ is the most appropriate word here.

10. Sometimes to put stress on a certain part of the sentence this part is moved to the beginning of the sentence. Here the sentence is ‘ He, ……. on a branch of the tree, shouted at the crocodile…’ The word to be used in blank space describes the subject, pronoun, ‘he’. A verb in third form i.e. the past participle also works as an adjective. All the options are the past participles of verbs. ‘Raised’ means ‘elevated.’ and posed and backed mean positioned. All these words do not fit here. ‘Rested’ means ‘reposed’ or ‘relaxed’ This word also does not fit here. ‘Perched’ meaning ‘having settled’ or ‘sat’ is the correct word here. This word is used for birds to sit on branch of a tree.

TWO 

Directions  (1 - 10 ) : In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.






Books are a great source of 1...................... for a man who
is in the habit of reading books. These  not only provide him knowledge but also act as a 2......................... of recreation. These provide him life-long company. A man never feels lonely, 3...................... or anguished in the company of books. He 4..............................feels 5......................... in their company. He enjoys his leisure time in reading. He derives a unique type of pleasure from reading them. Blessed is the man who 6.............................the habit of reading books at a young age because he thus accumulates a huge 7........................of knowledge with him when he grows up. This treasure never diminishes but goes on 8................................ as he grows further in years. Reading books 9.......................... a man’s knowledge and awareness. By 10.....................he experiences immense inner joy and happiness.



1. a) enjoy, b) appreciation, c) disillusion, d) relaxation,
e) Inspiration.
2. a) reason, b) cause, c) ground, d) source, e) root.
3. a) forsake, b) afraid, c) desolate, d) bleak, e) mild.
4. a)ever, b) always, c) occasionally, d) rarely, e) never.
5. a) occupied, b) relief, c) liberty, d) safe, e) protected .
6. a)enjoy, b) cherishes, c) favours, d) inculcates, e) dares.
7. a) source, b) treasure, c) assembly, d) hoard, e) casket.
8. a) increasing, b) lifting, c) addition, d)ascending, e) arising.
9. a) engross, b) engages, c) enhances, d) entails, e) ensues.
10. a) reciting, b)listening, c)looking, d) reading, e)speaking.







SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

In this paragraph, the author gives uses of reading books to readers. Books enhance knowledge of the reader. These are also a source of recreation for him. These inspire the reader to do good activities. A reader always remains busy in reading books. He enjoys reading books. He gains experience of life as he gathers knowledge from books. He spends his life with pleasure and happiness due to the knowledge gathered by him from books. The whole paragraph is written in a positive note. 

1. In this sentence, 'a source' is a noun followed by a conjunction 'of  '. This shows that a noun is required in the blank space. Out of the given options, 'enjoy' is a verb. The remaining words are nouns. 'Appreciation' means to praise. It also means an increase. Both these meanings do not fit in this context. 'Relaxation' means freedom from some activity, this word also does not fit here because by reading books one does not get freedom from activity. 'Disillusion' is a negative word. 'Inspiration' is the appropriate word. Reading books inspires a man. 

2. This blank space precedes by an article 'a' and a preposition 'of' follows it. It means that a noun is required in this space. 'Reason' ,'cause' and 'root' mean that books give rise to recreation. This is not in the right sense of the context. Rather it gives out a sense that 'recreation' comes out of the activity of reading books. So 'source' is the right word here.

3. This sentence is in a positive note as a negative word 'never' is followed by negative words like 'lonely, and anguished'. With these negative words a negative word is required in the blank space. These all words describe the noun 'a man'. 'Forsake' 'afraid' and 'mild' are not appropriate words here. 'Bleak' means dark or gloomy. 'Desolate' means deserted or without any shelter etc. This is the correct word here.  

4. In this blank space a word describing the activity of 'feeling' of 'he' is required. 'Occasionally', 'rarely' and 'never' are negative words. These do not fit here. Out of 'ever' and 'always' is the appropriate word. It means all the time and on all instances. This shows continuity of an activity. 

5. In this space a word describing 'he' is required. 'Relief' and 'liberty' do not give any sense here. 'Liberty' means freedom and 'relief' means to reduce intensity of something unpleasant or miserable. With reference to the context of books, these do not provide protection or safety to their readers. 'Occupied' means being busy suits here with the context. Books keep the reader busy.  



6. In this sentence, 'the man' is singular subject, so in the blank space a singular verb is required. 'Enjoy' is a plural verb.  'Cherish' means to show fondness, 'favours' means to show kindness, 'dare' means to challenge to do something dangerous. All these words do not fit well with the object 'the habit'. 'Inculcates' means to develop is the appropriate words 'The man who develops the habit' is blessed one.


7. In this sentence 'he' is subject, 'accumulates' is verb and 'knowledge' is object. In the blank space a noun is required.
 'Hoard' and 'casket' are negative words. 'Source' means something from where a thing starts. 'Assembly' means a group of persons,  
 All these words do not fit here. 'Treasure' meaning a valued possession, is the right word here. Besides, this word is used by the author in the next line also.



8. In this sentence 'this treasure' is subject and 'diminishes' is verb. It is followed by 'but' which denotes that a verb in opposite meaning to the verb 'diminishes' is required in the blank space. According to this, the appropriate word is 'increasing'. 

9. 'Reading' is subject and 'knowledge and awareness' is object. A verb is required in the blank space to complete the sentence. As the subject is singular, a singular verb is required. 'Engross' is a plural verb. 'Engross' means to make busy or to absorb, 'entails' means to follow as a consequence, 'ensue' means to happen after  as a result,'engage' means to involve or catch attention. All these words do not fit here. 'Enhance' meaning to increase is the correct word to be used here. 


10. In this sentence the author continues to tell about benefits of reading of books. So in the blank space a word relating to books is required. 'Recite' means to speak from memory, 'listening' means to hear carefully, 'look' means to see, and the last word is speaking. All these words do not fit with books. 'Reading' books is the correct word in the blank space.

CLOZE TEST (6) --PARAGRAPH - FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH WORDS OUT OF GIVEN OPTIONS

A thorough reading of the paragraph and understanding its contents  is very essential before attempting the question "Cloze Test". This gives an opportunity to peep into author's mind. It makes clear what the author wants to convey in the paragraph. The whole paragraph is interwoven around that particular idea. All the sentences of the paragraph are interconnected with each other. They are closely related to the main idea. So the given blank spaces are also required to be filled in according to the idea contained in the paragraph. The tone of the author prevalent in the paragraph also helps in selecting words out of the given options. In the options there are words of both positive and negative moods. By reading the paragraph it becomes convenient to select appropriate words for the given blanks. A strong vocabulary undoubtedly helps but good knowledge of grammar also is very necessary for this exercise. There are certain small tips about use of grammar that make the job more convenient. To quote here are a few tips that can be useful.

Generally a Sentence has a Subject, Verb and an Object. But sometimes Object is missing in a sentence. A Noun or a Pronoun is used as a Subject or an Object. A noun, Pronoun and a verb have their numbers i.e. they are used in singular and plural forms. Sentences have their active and passive forms. A form of the verb used in a sentence gives the idea whether that sentence is in active or passive form. In a sentence having more than one parts, these parts joined together are necessarily to be  in the same voice. There are certain words that tell about change of the mood of the author in a particular part of the sentence. 'Although', 'But' and 'otherwise' etc are words which determine the change of the mood, positive to negative or negative to positive, of the sentence. Further use of an article before a blank indicates that a noun is to used in the blank. A verb following such a blank gives an idea of the number i.e. in singular or plural form of a noun to be filled in the blank space. Nevertheless, it is practice that makes the attempt of this exercise convenient and easy.      


EXERCISES FOR PRACTICE



ONE 

Directions: (1 - 12 ) : In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

Education not only makes a man wise and intelligent but also 1......................him to find out a suitable source of his livelihood. It is an important medium of acquiring 2.............................. knowledge and skills. It brings about a change in a man’s life by 3............................... his vision.It also creates 4.............................. in him. It sharpens his wits and grooms his acumen. It helps a man to lead a 5........................................ life with 6...................................... earning opportunities. It is an old saying that “the more a man learns, the more he knows how ignorant he was.” These days education 7................................... researchers and scholars only. It does not produce better human beings who are kind and generous with their fellow beings. It teaches a man only how to 8.................................. with other man and not how to 9.................................... his feelings with others. Most of the people take education as a 10.............................. of earning their livelihood only. They 11................................. education so that they may get better chances of their earnings and thus amass a lot of wealth and power. In this process they spend a 12....................................... part of their life to gain quantitative instead of qualitative education only.


1.prompted, enables, made, creates, persuades.
2. overt, adequately, virtual, durable.essential.
3. adding, enhance, expanding, elevate, running.
4.  significance, conscious, prominence, awareness, attention.
5. disciplined, maligned, tainted, foster, blessed.
6. improve,enhanced, balance, ameliorate, engrossed.
7. sifts, garners, selects, produces,developing
8. stay, halt, deal,flow,feeling
9. share,carry, parting, manage, control.
10. agency, instrument, means, source, cause.
11. reach, acquire,  effort, secure, provide.
12.  enlarged, growing, lasting, trivial, significant.

SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION

The author describes in this paragraph how education benefits a man. It enhances his intellect and makes him wiser. It also helps him providing wider range of opportunities for his livelihood. The paragraph starts with a positive note that education develops personality traits of a man. He not only leads a better life but also earns  better livelihood for himself. But the author points out that these days  effects of education are disappointing as it produces academicians and researchers but not good human beings. There is a great need of education that inculcates humane traits among human beings. Education should  be acquired not with a motive of earning money, wealth or power only but it should produce good qualities among people.  People should be taught to be compassionate towards fellow beings. The paragraph ends with a positive note that education should inculcate good qualities among human beings.    



1. In this sentence 'Education' a noun and is a subject, 'makes' a verb and 'a man', a noun, and is an object. Further in second part of the sentence 'Education' is subject, 'him' a pronoun is object. To complete this part of the sentence a verb is required in the blank space. As 'makes' is singular verb in present tense, here too a verb in singular in present tense is required. Out of the given options 'made' and 'prompted' are verbs in past tense. 'Persuades', creates and 'enables' are verbs in singular and in present tense. Persuades means to encourage or induce to do something, 'creates' means to generate or to produce. These two words do not fit here.   Education does not persuade or induce and create or generate to find out anything. It makes a man capable.  'Enables' means to make  someone capable. This  is the correct word here.


2. In this sentence 'knowledge' 'skills' are nouns. To describe them an adjective should precede these words. 'adequately' is an adverb. 'Overt' and 'virtual' are negative words but here a positive word is required. 'Durable' is an adjective but it is sued with usable goods.'Essential' meaning necessary is the appropriate word here.


3. The sentence implies that there should be action in respect of ' his vision' so ' that 'change in life' happens.        Here a word doing action with 'vision for a change in life' is required. 'Life' is a noun followed by conjunction 'by'. So in blank also a noun is required because on both the sides of a conjunction same part of speech is required. 'Enhance' and 'elevate' are verbs. 'Running' and 'adding' are present participles used as adjectives. But 'by adding or running vision' does not fit well here.'Expanding' means to enhance or increase is the correct word. 


4. In this sentence 'It' a pronoun is a subject, 'creates' a verb and in blank space a noun as object is required. 'Conscious' is an adjective. The remains options are nouns. 'Significance' means importance, 'prominence' means fame, 'attention' means care. all these words do not it here according to the context. 'Awareness' means cognizance or awakening fits here.  


5. Life is a noun and in blank space an adjective is required to describe it. A past participle is also used as an adjective. 'Foster' is a verb. It is also used as an adjective as in 'foster child'. But life cannot be foster. 'Blessed' means something holy or sacred. 'Maligned' and ;tainted are negative words. These all do not fit here. 'Disciplined' meaning controlled or orderly is the correct word here.
6. 'Opportunities' is a noun and to describe it an adjective is required, 'Improve' 'ameliorate' 'balance' are verbs. 'Engrossed' means awfully  busy. These all do not fit here. 'Enhanced' means added or increased is the correct word.


7. 'Education' a noun, is Subject, 'researchers' a noun is an object.In blank space a verb is required. 'Developing' a present participle does not fit here. 'Education' a singular noun requires a singular verb in present tense. All the remaining for words are verbs in singular and in present tense. But education does not sift (meaning to separate) or garner ( meaning to reap or harvest). It also does not select. So 'produces' is the correct word here. 



8. A preposition precedes the blank space. It indicates possibility of a verb here. With 'to' first form of verb is required. 'Feeling' is present participle. 'Halt' and 'stay' mean to stop. These are negative words and do not fit here. 'Flow' means movement of a fluid. This also does not fit here' 'Deal' is the appropriate word here.Besides this there is a preposition 'with' after the blank which fits with this verb. 'To deal with' is the correct phrase used here.



9. In this blank space also a verb is required. With this verb also there is a preposition 'with'. 'Parting' is a present participle.To 'carry'  'control' or 'manage' with others does not fit well hare. 'Share with' is the correct word. 

10. In this sentence 'earning' is a participle and a noun here, 'of' a conjunction and another noun is required in the blank space. 'agency' means some activity to support, instrument means some device or implement, source means some basis from where a thing originated, 'cause' means to be reason of something. All these words do not fit here according to the context. 'Means' is the correct word.

11. 'They' a pronoun is Subject here and 'education' a noun is Object. To complete the sentence a verb is required. 'Effort' is a noun. 'Reach' is a verb but it meaning to arrive does not fit here. 'secure' means to obtain also does not suit here. 'Provide' means to give to someone else. It also does not fit here. 'Acquire' is the correct word.

12. 'Part' is a noun and to describe it an adjective is required. 'Lasting' shows durability of a thing. 'Trivial' means petty is a negative word.'Enlarged' means protruded or extended. 'Growing' means developing. All these words do not fit here according to the context. 'Significant' meaning substantial is the correct word to used here.




TWO 


Directions  (131 - 140 ) : In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.



He was a charismatic leader, an entrepreneur and a highly effective manager all rolled into one. As a leader, he(131 )................ the company's growth plan in a dedicated manner and he never (132).............. focus. The cement industry in those days was doing badly (133)........... to everyone's expectations he sanctioned an additional plant in (134) ............ time. He was (135)............ that since the cement industry was cyclic in nature, by the time the plant was (136)................. the market would have improved. It happened and the decision brought rich (137)............. when the plant was commissioned. Not only was he a great entrepreneur but he also (138).............. all his senior people to be 'practising entrepreneurs'. I have seen a similar example at the Asian Institute of Management, which allows its professors to (139)............ their own business. This made their lectures more practical and less theoretical. It is the (140)................ of the institute's success.

                                                                  (Adapted Previous Question Paper)

131. (a) achieved (b) implemented  (c) visualised  (d)persevered  (e) aimed
132. (a)moved  (b) shifts (c) missed (d) charges  (e) lost
133. (a) contrary (b) opposite (c) yet (d) obedient (e) different
134. (a) any (b) mean  (c) short (d) no (e) less
135. (a)known  (b) calculating (c) certain (d) dreamt (e) surely
136. (a) operational (b) install (c) use (d) produced (e) new
137. (a) supply (b) diversity (c) rewards  (d) pay  (e) knowledge
138. (a) thought  (b) tried  (c) wished (d)  encourage (e) wanted
139. (a) expand (b) function (c) choose  (d) run (e) risk
140. (a) responsibility (b) secret  (c) guarantee (d) prize  (e) value






SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION




The author starts writing the paragraph with a positive note. He is describing good qualities of a person. He tells about various aspects of his personality. He tells that he has qualities of a good leader a good entrepreneur and above all these he possesses a good decision making capability. He visualized position of the industry during the years to come and made his plans  according to that. That decision helped him a lot and he was benefited due to this. By doing so he was recognised as a great entrepreneur. 

131. A careful reading of the paragraph is always of a great help in finding out the solution. The first sentence is in past tense This indicates possibility of the sentences following it to be in past tense. This sentence tells about the quality of good leadership of the person. 'He' a pronoun is Subject and 'the company's growth' a noun is object in this sentence. To complete it a verb in past tense is required. The words 'in a dedicated manner' show that some action has been taken by the person concerned. So according to this view the word is to be selected out of the given options. The verbs 'visualised', 'aimed', 'achieved' and 'persevered' are static verbs and not action verbs. 'Implemented' therefore is the correct option here.     

132. 'He' a pronoun is subject, 'focus'  a noun is object and to complete the sentence a verb is required. Before blank space 'never' is a negative word. So to make the verb positive by combining two negative words, a negative verb in past tense  is required in the blank space.'Shifts' and 'charges' are not verbs in past tense. 'Moved' 'the focus' does not give any sense. 'Lost' is a negative verb in past tense. It means something gone that cannot be gained or found. 'Never lost focus' also does not fit well here. 'Missed' means failed to catch is the correct word here.  

133. In this blank an adjective describing the noun 'everyone's expectations' is required. But 'to' before the blank must fit well with this word. The word 'Different' takes preposition 'from' with it. 'yet' or'obedient' to expectations do not give any sense. Out of the remaining 'Opposite' and 'Contrary' opposite is used more in physical sense like on the opposite side of the road or building. But 'contrary' means opposing in nature, character or purpose. So 'contrary' is the correct word. Preposition 'to' also fits well with it. 'Contrary to'.

134. 'Time' is a noun here and an adjective to describe it is required in the blank space. In 'any' time or in 'mean' time do not fit according to the context. 'Less' a comparative word also does not fit here.'Short' is mostly used for length. But when used for time it tells about small span of time to come. Here 'no' meaning 'immediately' or without 'delay or loss of any time' is the correct word.


135. 'Was' is a helping verb. With this one main verb is required. With 'was or were' there is possibility of third form of a verb  or a present participle. 'Certain' is used as adjective or an adverb. 'surely' is an adverb. 'He was dreamt' does not fit well. 'He was known' should be followed by preposition 'as' or 'by' and the word 'that' does not fit well with it. 'Calculating' a present participle meaning that he was assessing is the correct word. 


136.'The plant' is a noun and in the blank a word to describe it is required. With 'was' 'install' and 'use' do not fit. 'The plant was produced or was new'  also do not fit because the plant would have already existed by then. It is an imaginary situation of the time to come. 'Operational' is the correct word. 'by the time the plant was operational.....'. The words ' the plant was commissioned...' in the next sentence also give a hint about this word to be inserted here.

137.'The decision' a noun is subject, 'brought' is a verb, 'rich' is an adjective. A noun as object is required in this part of sentence. 'Supply'  is used as verb as well as a noun. With 'supply' a noun, preposition 'of ' is required which is missing here. Similarly 'knowledge' and 'diversity' also do not give any sense here. 'Pay' is a verb. 'Brought rich ' 'rewards' is the correct answer.  


138. In a sentence with 'Not only.... but also' both parts of the sentence are to be in the same form. As first part is in past tense, the other part also will be in the same tense. Here a verb in past tense is required. 'Encourage' is not in past tense. 'Thought', 'Wished' and 'tried' do not fit well according to the meaning of the sentence. 'Wanted' is the correct word here. He also wanted all his senior people to be.....

139. The sentence next to this one says more 'practical and less theoretical' shows that some action has taken place. The blank is preceded by preposition 'to'. It shows that first form of verb is required in the blank space. 'Risk'a negative word does not fit here. 'Expand' and 'function' also do not give any sense. Out of 'Choose' and 'run' , 'run' is the appropriate word. 'Practical' will be only when some action is done so out of two 'run' shows practical aspect.



140. In this blank space a noun is required which should fit well with the portion 'of the institute's success' . The words 'value' 'prize' 'responsibility' and 'guarantee' do not fit well with these words. Only the word 'secret' with this part of the sentence gives any meaning. It is the secret of the success of the institute's success.  

Although there is no foolproof formula for selecting appropriate words yet there are certain  small tips which help in selecting these words. Practice makes the attempt easy and certain of doing it accurately. 




THREE 


Directions  (1 - 10 ) : In the following passage, there are blanks, each of which has been numbered. These numbers are printed below the passage and against each, five words are suggested, one of which fits the blank  appropriately. find out the appropriate word in each case.

Faith is the 1…………………. on which structure of true friendship 2………………………. . It is the bond that 3…………………. two individuals together. It is a 

feeling in the minds of the two individuals sharing the 

pious bond that 4……………………..  them to be true

 to each other. It 5………………………..  the individuals 

to be 6…………………………  in their actions 7............... 

each other. One cannot 8…………… one’s feelings from 

those of the other nor can one suppress those feelings. These feelings are to be shared in such a way that these do not 9……………………  those of the other partner sharing

 friendship. True friend ship is a balm of life. It is a time tested phenomenon and does not 10………………. with time and distance.

1. support, relation, reality, foundation, edifice.
2. moves, grow, rests, lying, hinge.
3. holds, takes, move, growing, position.
4. need, feeling, compels, resists,urges.
5. reminds, prompts, drags, beckons, encouraging.
6. translucent, responsive, transparent, favour, above.
7. beyond, towards, behind, pointing, covering.
8. attach, show, growth, separate,deprive.
9.develop, decry,  hinder, prevention, chase.
10. fervent, impede, descend, fade away, expel.





SOLUTION WITH EXPLANATION





The paragraph is in present tense as it tells about some universal reality. It tells about traits of true friendship. It tells how friendship grows between two individuals and how it has effect on their lives. True friends share their feelings between themselves. They act in the interest of each other and develop true feelings in their minds for each other.

1.The author says that true friendship is based on certain values. The word ‘the’ indicates that in the blank space there will be a noun. All the given options are nouns. The words ‘reality and relation’ do not it here because friendship cannot be realty or relation. ‘Edifice’ means a building. Friendship cannot form its base on a building. Similarly it cannot form its base on ‘support’. Friendship has its foundation on faith. ‘Faith’ is appropriate word.


2. Structure is a noun and Subject and in the blank space a verb is required to complete the sentence. As structure is singular, a singular verb is required. ‘Grow’ and ‘hinge’ are singular verbs, ‘lying’ is a present participle. Friendship does not ‘move’ but it ‘rests’ on faith.


3. ‘The bond’ is subject in singular form and ‘two individuals’ is object. As the subject is in singular a verb in singular is required to complete this part of sentence. ‘Move’ and ‘position’ are verbs I plural. ‘Growing’ is a present participle. These do not fit here. ‘the bond’ does not ‘take’ but ‘holds’ together. ‘Holds’ is the correct word.


4. In this sentence, ‘a feeling’ is subject, ‘them’ is object and in the blank space a verb is required. Here a singular verb is required as ‘a feeling’ is a singular noun. ‘Need’ is a plural noun. ‘Feeling’ is a present participle. As the tone of the author in the paragraph is positive, a positive word is required in the blank space. ‘compels’ and ‘resists’ are negative words. ‘A feeling urges them’. ‘Urges’ is the correct word here.


5. ‘It’ a pronoun is a subject. ‘The individuals’ is a subject. Here a singular verb in positive tone is required. ‘Encouraging’ is a present participle. ‘Drags’ is anegative word. These do not fit here. ‘Reminds’ meaning to recap and ‘beckons’ meaning to call also do not fit here.’Prompt ’ is the correct word. ‘It promps the individuals.’


6. In this sentence ‘the individuals to be ….. in their actions’, something describing individuals is required. Here a word in positive tone is required. ‘Translucent’ means something giving out light or gleaming, ‘responsive’ means someone reacting or alert etc., ‘favour’ means action of kindness or goodwill etc., and above means something overhead. All these words do not fit as the word ‘transparent’ fits here. ‘to be transparent in their actions means ‘to be clear’ in their actions.



7. In the sentence ‘the individuals to be transparent in their actions ..............each other’ after actions some preposition is required. Out of the given words, ‘covering’ means wrapped, ‘pointing’ means indicating, ‘behind’ means on the rear side, ‘beyond’ means at a distance or farther from. ‘Actions’ with the words ‘covering, or pointing, or behind, or beyond each other’ does not fit well. ‘Towards’, however , is the correct word. Actions towards each other.


8. In this sentence ‘one’ is subject, ‘one’s feelings’ is object and ‘cannot’ is helping verb, main verb coinciding with helping verb ‘cannot’ is required. This word should be according to the latter part of the sentence i.e. ‘nor can one suppress’ This word also should be negative as ‘suppress’. ‘Growth’ is a noun. ‘Show’ ‘attach’ are not negative words. ‘Deprive’ is a negative word. ‘Deprive’ means lacking or to be ‘devoid of ’ but one cannot deprive one’s feelings. ‘One cannot attach one’s feelings’ also does not fit in this context. ‘Separate’ is the appropriate word.


9. In this sentence ‘these’ is subject, ‘those’ object and do not is helping verb and with it main verb is required. ‘These’ denote feelings of one person and ‘those’ denote feelings of the other person. ‘Prevention’ is a noun. ‘Decry’ means ‘to criticize’, ‘Chase’ means ‘to follow’. Feelings do not develop, feelings do not decry, feelings do not chase, So these words do not fit here. ‘Hinder’ means ‘to obstruct’. Feelings of one person should not ‘hinder’ feelings of the other person.

10. In this sentence ‘it’ denotes ‘friendship’ . In this blank space a verb with helping verb ‘does not’ is required. ‘Fervent’ meaning ardent is an adjective. ‘Impede’ means to obstruct, ‘descend’ means to come down, ‘expel’ means to extricate. All these words do not fit here. ‘Fade away’ meaning to become weaker is the most appropriate word here.