DSSAT English Expression and Grammar 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?
- If he was the agent in charge, he would have known.
- If he were the agent in charge, he would have known. (Correct answer)
- If he is the agent in charge, he would have known.
- If he be the agent in charge, he would have known.
Correct answer: If he were the agent in charge, he would have known.
The subjunctive mood requires 'were' (not 'was') in hypothetical or contrary-to-fact conditional clauses, regardless of the subject.
The subjunctive mood is used for hypothetical, wishful, or contrary-to-fact statements. In formal written English, the subjunctive 'were' is used with all subjects (I, he, she, it) in contrary-to-fact 'if' clauses. For example: 'If she were promoted, she would lead the team.' This distinguishes formal English from informal conversational usage where 'was' is often substituted. Diplomatic Security reports and formal correspondence require strict adherence to these grammatical standards.
Question 2: Identify the sentence that correctly uses a semicolon.
- The agent filed the report; because the deadline was approaching.
- The mission was successful; all assets were extracted safely. (Correct answer)
- She interviewed three witnesses; and compiled their statements.
- The suspect fled the building; when the agents arrived.
Correct answer: The mission was successful; all assets were extracted safely.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a conjunction. 'The mission was successful' and 'all assets were extracted safely' are both independent clauses.
Semicolons are used to join two closely related independent clauses without using a coordinating conjunction. Each clause must be able to stand alone as a complete sentence. Option A is incorrect because 'because the deadline was approaching' is a dependent clause. Option C is incorrect because when 'and' follows a semicolon, a semicolon is not the appropriate punctuation. Option D is incorrect because 'when the agents arrived' is a dependent clause. Only Option B correctly joins two independent clauses.
Question 3: Which word is the correct homophone to complete this sentence: 'The ambassador's _____ was scrutinized for any signs of bias.'
- principal
- principle (Correct answer)
- principale
- principel
Correct answer: principle
'Principle' refers to a rule, belief, or standard of behavior. 'Principal' refers to a main person or thing. In this context, referring to standards or biases, 'principle' is correct.
Homophones are words that sound alike but have different meanings and spellings. 'Principle' (noun) refers to a fundamental rule, law, standard, or belief: 'a principle of justice.' 'Principal' (noun or adjective) refers to the main person in a matter or the most important element: 'the principal investigator.' In the sentence, 'the ambassador's principles were scrutinized for bias' refers to the ambassador's ethical standards or beliefs, making 'principle' the correct choice.
Question 4: What is the grammatical error in this sentence: 'Each of the agents were required to submit their reports by Friday.'
- 'Required' should be 'requiring'
- 'Each' requires a singular verb; it should read 'was required' (Correct answer)
- 'Their' should be 'his or her'
- Both B and C are correct corrections
Correct answer: 'Each' requires a singular verb; it should read 'was required'
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun and requires the singular verb 'was' rather than the plural 'were.'
Indefinite pronouns such as 'each,' 'everyone,' 'everyone,' 'either,' 'neither,' and 'no one' are always grammatically singular and require singular verbs and pronouns. Therefore, 'each of the agents was required' is correct, not 'were required.' While the use of 'their' as a singular pronoun is increasingly accepted in modern usage, in formal written communications the traditional standard still prefers 'his or her.' However, since the question asks for the grammatical error, the subject-verb agreement error ('were' vs. 'was') is the primary issue.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- The agent's duties include interviewing witnesses, to analyze evidence, and report writing.
- The agent's duties include interviewing witnesses, analyzing evidence, and writing reports. (Correct answer)
- The agent's duties include to interview witnesses, analyzing evidence, and report writing.
- The agent's duties include interviewing witnesses, evidence analysis, and to write reports.
Correct answer: The agent's duties include interviewing witnesses, analyzing evidence, and writing reports.
Parallel structure requires that items in a list share the same grammatical form. Only option B uses consistent gerunds (interviewing, analyzing, writing).
Parallel structure (parallelism) requires that words, phrases, or clauses in a series be in the same grammatical form. In Option B, all three items use the gerund (-ing) form: 'interviewing,' 'analyzing,' and 'writing.' Options A, C, and D mix gerunds, infinitives, and noun phrases, creating grammatical inconsistency. Parallel structure is essential for clear, professional writing in government reports and diplomatic communications.
Question 6: Which sentence correctly uses the active voice?
- The classified document was shredded by the security officer.
- The security officer shredded the classified document. (Correct answer)
- The classified document had been shredded.
- Shredding of the classified document was performed.
Correct answer: The security officer shredded the classified document.
Active voice places the subject as the agent performing the action: 'The security officer (subject) shredded (verb) the classified document (object).'
Active voice constructions are clearer, more direct, and more forceful than passive voice. In active voice, the subject performs the action: 'The officer shredded the document.' In passive voice, the subject receives the action: 'The document was shredded by the officer.' While passive voice is sometimes appropriate in government writing (particularly when the actor is unknown or unimportant), active voice is generally preferred for clarity and directness in reports and communications.
DSSAT English Expression and Grammar 2
Which sentence uses the subjunctive mood correctly?