Civil Service Exam Grammar and Correct Usage 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement?
- The committee have reached their decision.
- Neither the manager nor the employees was informed.
- Each of the reports were submitted on time.
- The number of applicants has increased this year. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The number of applicants has increased this year.
'The number of' takes a singular verb. 'The number of applicants has increased' is grammatically correct because 'number' is the subject.
'The number of' is a singular expression requiring a singular verb ('has'), unlike 'a number of' which is plural. In the other options: 'committee' can be singular in American English; 'neither...nor' takes the verb form matching the nearest subject ('employees were'); and 'each' is singular ('was submitted'). Only option D is unambiguously correct.
Question 2: Choose the sentence that contains NO grammatical errors.
- Between you and I, this policy needs revision.
- The supervisor gave the assignment to John and myself.
- The data shows that productivity has improved.
- Fewer employees were absent this quarter than last. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Fewer employees were absent this quarter than last.
'Fewer' is correctly used with countable nouns (employees). 'Less' would be used for uncountable quantities.
'Fewer employees' correctly uses the comparative adjective for countable nouns. In option A, 'between you and I' should be 'between you and me' (objective case). In option B, 'myself' should be 'me.' Option C is debatable but 'data show' is traditionally correct. Option D has no errors.
Question 3: Which sentence correctly uses a semicolon?
- The meeting was productive; and we finished early.
- Please bring the following items; pens, paper, and folders.
- The report is due Friday; however, an extension may be granted. (Correct answer)
- The office will close at 5:00; PM today.
Correct answer: The report is due Friday; however, an extension may be granted.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses when followed by a conjunctive adverb ('however') and a comma.
In option C, the semicolon correctly connects two independent clauses, with the conjunctive adverb 'however' followed by a comma. Option A incorrectly uses both a semicolon and 'and.' Option B should use a colon before a list. Option D incorrectly breaks a time expression.
Question 4: Identify the sentence with correct parallel structure.
- The clerk was responsible for filing, answering phones, and to sort mail.
- The job requires attention to detail, strong communication, and being organized.
- The training covered report writing, data entry, and customer service. (Correct answer)
- She enjoys reading, to swim, and cooking.
Correct answer: The training covered report writing, data entry, and customer service.
Option C uses parallel structure with three noun phrases: 'report writing, data entry, and customer service.' All items in the series follow the same grammatical form.
Parallel structure requires that items in a list use the same grammatical form. Option C correctly uses three noun phrases. Option A mixes gerunds with an infinitive. Option B mixes noun phrases with a gerund phrase. Option D mixes a gerund, infinitive, and gerund.
Question 5: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The new policy will _____ all departments equally.'
- effect
- affect (Correct answer)
- affective
- effective
Correct answer: affect
'Affect' is the correct verb meaning 'to influence or have an impact on.' 'Effect' as a verb means 'to bring about,' which does not fit this context.
'Affect' is primarily a verb meaning to influence. 'Effect' is primarily a noun meaning a result, though it can be a verb meaning to bring about. In this sentence, the policy will influence all departments, making 'affect' correct. 'Affective' means relating to emotions, and 'effective' means successful in producing a result.
Question 6: Which of the following sentences uses the correct form of the possessive?
- The employees' lounge is on the third floor. (Correct answer)
- The employes lounge is on the third floor.
- The employee's lounge is on the third floor, shared by one worker.
- The employees's lounge is on the third floor.
Correct answer: The employees' lounge is on the third floor.
For plural nouns ending in 's,' the possessive is formed by adding only an apostrophe. 'Employees'' correctly shows that the lounge belongs to multiple employees.
For singular nouns, add apostrophe + s (employee's). For plural nouns ending in 's,' add only an apostrophe (employees'). Option A correctly uses the plural possessive. Option B lacks any possessive marking. Option C is grammatically correct but contextually odd. Option D incorrectly adds 's after a plural already ending in s.
Civil Service Exam Grammar and Correct Usage 2
Which of the following sentences uses correct subject-verb agreement?