XAT 2014: 30 minutes on Subject Verb Agreement

Error correction in XAT 2014 may place 2-3 questions on Subject verb agreement in Verbal Ability section. Spend a few minutes and learn the basic type of errors and how to rectify them from Prof. S.K. Agarwal, expert in Verbal Ability. This will not only bring home the clarity of concept but also the key tips to crack such questions.

Understand the Time Zones

English language has three main time divisions- Past, Present and Future expressed by the tenses. Each tense is subdivided to express other aspects within its general time. Tenses form the backbone of the English language. The tense, which is most appropriate to express the idea, is to be used, else the statement/question would express something opposite to what you wanted to state. Correct use of tense will imply the use of correct form of verb with proper auxiliary.

Clarity is important

It is of utmost importance to write the sentences in correct and applicable time frame, otherwise the entire learning will become futile. The students preparing for CAT/XAT or other MBA entrance examinations must have a clear glimpse of the same. Sentence correction, completion of sentences is based on the use of time divisions called tenses. The sentence may be longer, confusing or full of unfamiliar words, however, the student can attempt it without much difficulty, if there is clarity of verb pattern in a particular tense.

Errors in formation of sentences - Indefinites

The indefinite tenses are of three types, Present, Past and Future. While going for correction of errors in sentences, remember the concepts of Subject, verb pattern, appropriate placement of object. They are used to express habitual action, general or eternal truths, the actions that take place in present/took place in past, to introduce quotations, to express a future event that is part of a fixed timetable or programme. We sometimes use simple present tense to express the future as well

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Model questions

Direction Question 1 to 10 -Below are given the sentences with blanks followed by four options to fill in the blanks. You are required to pick out the most appropriate option which, in your view expresses the best way of writing the sentences.

Q.1 Annseldom______the TV ___ butalways_______ the _______ news. A. switch; on; listening to; latest B. doesswitch; on; listen for; later C. do switch; on; listening by; late D. switches; on; listens to; latest 1. A 2. B 3.C 4.D Q.2 I_________the alarm-clock and my wife no longer _____to the office. A. does not set; goto B. do not sets; goingto C. am not setting; do goes D. do not set; goes 1. A 2.B 3.C 4.D

Q.3 Ioften_________ and never______ supper _____. taking a walk; has my; late. am taking a walk;has the; lately. takes a walk; does cause my; late take a walk; have my; late

1. A 2. B 3.C 4.D

Q.4 ______the lady,as we ______ while studying in the reading hall _____to the University on ________? A. Do;are finding; goes; sunday B. Does;are finding; go;the Sunday C. Does; find; go; Sunday D. Does; find; goes; the sundays A 2.B 3. C 4.D Q.5 _____ house keeper ______ the tableaftershe______her ______. No word; is laying;would wash; hands The; will lay;will wash;hand The; lays; will wash;hands The; will lay; washes; hands 1.A 2.B 3.C 4.D

Q.6 ____ ______ mother ____ the salad when the table ______ set? A. Whom; will help; with; will be B. Whosoever; helped; on; is C. Who; will help; for; will D. Who; will help; with; is

A 2.B 3.C 4.D

Q.7 _____ my wife not ______ upuntilall______dinner? Will; washing;will havehad Will; wash; have Will; wash;would havehad Will; washing;will be having 1. A 2.B 3.C 4.D Q.8

He____at home yesterday as some saplings _____ planted in ______ orchard. A.had been; are being; the B. was; were; the C. had been; had been; no word D.has been; are; their

A 2.B 3.C 4.D

Q.9

Holmes ______the room,______ offhis coat and______to work. A. had entered; took; had; B. was entering;taking;was C. entered;took; set D. entering; took;got set 1. A 2. B 3. C 4. D

Q.10 When ____ Sun ______ brightly a few hours ago, snow _______ quickly. the; had shone; was melted No word; was shining; had melted the; shone; melted the; had been shining; was melting. A 2. B 3.C 4.D

Answers with explanation

4.D- Present Indefinite singular number, permanent nature hence singular verb required 4.D- Present indefinite, singular 4.D- I and you despite being singular take plural form in present Indefinite. Use of does is not allowed with I and You. 3.C- Interrogative present indefinite in singular form. Does is to be used in the question form. 4.D- Future Indefinite in conditional form. When, if afterclauses do not take future tense. Simple Future is to be used in the main clause. 4.D- Future Indefinite in conditional form. When, if afterclauses do not take future tense. Simple Future is to be used in the main clause. 2.B- Future Indefinite in conditional form Until- rest of the rules remain the same. 2.B- Past Indefinite- Yesterday, Ago etc. take simple past tense verb. 3.C- Past Indefinite- Parallel action- entered the room, took-off, set to work. Had entered will have different message and no action after/before to make it past perfect is indicated. 10.3.C- Past Indefinite Ago takes simple past form verb(II form)

XAT 2014 General Awareness - Solve 100 probable questions

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XAT 2014 Result:

XAT 2014 Result will be declared on Friday, January 31, 2014 on the XAT 2014 website. XAT 2014 candidates can check their XAT 2014 Result by visiting the XAT 2014 website. On visiting the XAT 2014 website, one has to click on the tab Download XAT Score Card on the left side of the page. After clicking it, you can download your XAT 2014 Score Card and view your XAT 2014 Result. After logging in, you can download and print your XAT 2014 Result in the form of the score card.

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