Question 1 (NDA 2011 Pattern)
He likes (a) / the sceneries (b) / of the hills. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Scenery’ is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form. Replace ‘sceneries’ with ‘scenery’.
Question 2 (NDA 2011 Pattern)
You shall get (a) / all the informations (b) / if you read this book carefully. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Information’ is an uncountable noun that cannot be pluralized by adding an ‘s’. Replace ‘informations’ with ‘information’.
Question 3 (NDA 2011 Pattern)
He wanted me (a) / to bring two breads and some butter (b) / for breakfast. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Bread’ is an uncountable noun. To indicate quantity, you must say ‘two loaves of bread’ or ‘two slices of bread’.
Question 4 (NDA 2014 Pattern)
This machine (a) / is more efficient (b) / than any other equipments in the workshop. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: ‘Equipment’ is an uncountable noun and cannot take a plural ending. Change ‘equipments’ to ‘equipment’.
Question 5 (NDA 2015 Pattern)
Not one of the hundreds (a) / of striking workers (b) / were allowed to go near the factory. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: The subject of the sentence is the singular pronoun ‘one’ (in ‘Not one of…’). Therefore, it requires the singular verb ‘was’ instead of ‘were’.
Question 6 (NDA 2016 Pattern)
The king was embarrassed (a) / to find evidences (b) / against his own queen. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Evidence’ is an uncountable noun. Its plural form ‘evidences’ is grammatically incorrect. Change it to ‘evidence’.
Question 7 (NDA 2016 Pattern)
I went to the shop (a) / to buy some (b) / stationeries. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: ‘Stationery’ is an uncountable collective noun denoting writing materials. Change ‘stationeries’ to ‘stationery’.
Question 8 (NDA 2017 Pattern)
Last evening I went (a) / to the optician and bought (b) / a pair of spectacles. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Spectacles’ is a plural-only noun. It is correctly modified using the phrase ‘a pair of spectacles’. The sentence contains no error.
Question 9 (NDA 2018 Pattern)
This view has been taken (a) / by one of the ablest persons (b) / who has written on this subject. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: In a ‘one of + plural noun + relative pronoun’ structure, the relative pronoun (‘who’) refers to the plural noun (‘persons’). Therefore, the relative clause requires a plural verb. Change ‘has written’ to ‘have written’.
Question 10 (NDA 2019 Pattern)
One of the most widely spread (a) / bad habits (b) / is the use of tobacco. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: The rule ‘one of + plural noun + singular verb’ is completely satisfied here (‘bad habits’ is plural and ‘is’ is singular). The sentence is completely correct.
Question 11
My friend’s (a) / daughter-in-laws (b) / have arrived from London. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: The plural form of a compound noun is created by adding ‘s’ to the primary root word. Change ‘daughter-in-laws’ to ‘daughters-in-law’.
Question 12
The cattles were grazing (a) / in the fields (b) / under the watchful eye of the farmer. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: ‘Cattle’ is an inherently plural noun and does not take an ‘s’. Replace ‘cattles’ with ‘cattle’.
Question 13
We padded the seat of the chair (a) / with soft camel hairs (b) / to make it extra soft. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: When considered collectively as a body of hair, the noun ‘hair’ is uncountable and singular. Replace ‘hairs’ with ‘hair’.
Question 14
In the case of this species, (a) / the average number of offsprings (b) / ranges between three to six. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: The noun ‘offspring’ has the same form in both singular and plural variants. The form ‘offsprings’ is incorrect; change it to ‘offspring’.
Question 15
Several work of art (a) / were stolen from the exhibition room (b) / yesterday evening. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: While general labor ‘work’ is uncountable, artistic or literary creations are countable ‘works’. Following the plural quantifier ‘several’, use ‘works’.
Question 16
The heavy box was (a) / too much weight (b) / for the young child to handle. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: The formula ‘too much + noun’ is correctly satisfied here by using the noun ‘weight’. The structure is accurate.
Question 17
These kind of trousers (a) / are not suitable (b) / for a formal military ceremony. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: The plural adjective ‘These’ must modify a plural noun. Change ‘kind’ to ‘kinds’.
Question 18
Patient after patient (a) / were examined by the army doctor (b) / during the relief camp. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: When two identical nouns are connected by a preposition, they remain singular and take a singular verb. Change ‘were’ to ‘was’.
Question 19
The structural layout (a) / was designed by one of the ablest person (b) / in the engineering branch. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: The rule for ‘one of the’ dictates that it must be followed by a plural noun. Change ‘person’ to ‘persons’.
Question 20
The furniture in the mess hall (a) / are exceptionally old (b) / and requires immediate replacement. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Furniture’ is an uncountable noun and always takes a singular verb. Replace ‘are’ with ‘is’.
Question 21
The number of accidents (a) / have fallen sharply (b) / after the new traffic regulations. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: While ‘A number of’ takes a plural verb, the specific phrase ‘The number of’ always takes a singular verb. Change ‘have’ to ‘has’.
Question 22
A group of five-men team (a) / was selected to complete (b) / the high-altitude reconnaissance mission. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: In a hyphenated compound modifier before a noun, the modifying unit cannot be plural. Change ‘five-men’ to ‘five-man’.
Question 23
The company has (a) / received order for (b) / several new military radio units. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: When referring to an official commercial request or authoritative demand, the plural form ‘orders’ is required. Change ‘received order’ to ‘received orders’.
Question 24
He enjoys reading (a) / different kinds of (b) / poetries during his spare time. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: ‘Poetry’ is an uncountable noun and cannot be pluralized as ‘poetries’. If you want to use a countable form, change it to ‘poems’.
Question 25
The commander gave (a) / a series of instructions (b) / to all his subordinates. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: The term ‘series’ acts perfectly as a singular noun here, and ‘instructions’ matches the plural demands of ‘a series of’. The sentence contains no error.
Question 26
The police is (a) / deployed across the sensitive (b) / areas of the border town. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: ‘Police’ is treated as a plural collective noun and requires a plural verb. Replace ‘is’ with ‘are’.
Question 27
Mathematics are (a) / an essential subject (b) / for entry into the naval academy. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: Nouns ending in ‘-ics’ representing subjects (like Mathematics, Physics) are singular in usage and take singular verbs. Change ‘are’ to ‘is’.
Question 28
A three-weeks training course (a) / was organized for (b) / the newly commissioned officers. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: In a hyphenated phrase acting as an adjective before a noun, the noun part cannot take a plural form. Change ‘three-weeks’ to ‘three-week’.
Question 29
The court has (a) / issued two summons (b) / to the witness to appear in the trial. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Summons’ is a singular countable noun ending in ‘s’. Its correct plural form is ‘summonses’. Change ‘two summons’ to ‘two summonses’.
Question 30
The dynamic data (a) / are being analyzed (b) / by the technical branch experts. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Data’ is historically a plural noun (singular: datum). In formal examinations, pairing it with the plural verb ‘are’ is perfectly correct.
Question 31
Ten thousand of soldiers (a) / marched proudly into (b) / the parade ground. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: When a definite numerical digit precedes words like ‘thousand’, ‘hundred’, or ‘million’, the preposition ‘of’ is not used before the following noun. Change it to ‘Ten thousand soldiers’.
Question 32
The house is made (a) / of bricks and stones (b) / rather than timber wood. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: When ‘brick’ and ‘stone’ are used as building materials, they function as uncountable material nouns and must remain singular. Change to ‘of brick and stone’.
Question 33
All the family members (a) / were present at (b) / the passing out parade. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: The expression ‘family members’ is considered unidiomatic redundancy in formal grammar. Replace it with ‘All the members of the family’.
Question 34
The criteria of evaluation (a) / was highly strict (b) / during the final physical test. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Criteria’ is a plural noun (singular form: criterion). Therefore, it requires a matching plural verb. Change ‘was’ to ‘were’.
Question 35
He was selected (a) / as a pilot because (b) / his physics marks were very high. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: While the subject field ‘Physics’ is singular, plural descriptors like ‘physics marks’ or ‘physics scores’ correctly take a plural verb (‘were’). The sentence is correct.
Question 36
The commander-in-chiefs (a) / discussed the defense strategy (b) / at the headquarters. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: To pluralize a compound noun word with hyphens, append ‘s’ to the root word. Change ‘commander-in-chiefs’ to ‘commanders-in-chief’.
Question 37
The gentry of the city (a) / was present (b) / at the elite gathering. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: Collective nouns like ‘gentry’, ‘peasantry’, and ‘clergy’ are singular in form but plural in meaning. They require a plural verb. Change ‘was’ to ‘were’.
Question 38
He provided me (a) / with two important items of information (b) / regarding the examination. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: To count the uncountable noun ‘information’, phrases like ‘items of information’ or ‘pieces of information’ are correct. The sentence has no error.
Question 39
The sheepes are grazing (a) / near the valley slope (b) / in large numbers. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: The noun ‘sheep’ has identical singular and plural forms. The form ‘sheepes’ does not exist; change it to ‘sheep’.
Question 40
A pair of binoculars (a) / have been found (b) / near the lookout post. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: Plural-only nouns like ‘binoculars’ or ‘spectacles’ take a singular verb when preceded by the singular subject unit ‘a pair of’. Change ‘have’ to ‘has’.
Question 41
The table’s surface (a) / was completely covered (b) / with maps and files. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (a)
Explanation: Do not use an apostrophe ‘s’ to show possession for inanimate objects. Use a preposition phrase instead: ‘The surface of the table’.
Question 42
The lookers-on (a) / were deeply shocked (b) / by the sudden accident. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: The plural form of ‘looker-on’ is correctly built by adding ‘s’ to the root word, making ‘lookers-on’. The sentence is correct.
Question 43
He does not cut paper (a) / with a blade, (b) / but with a scissors. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (c)
Explanation: ‘Scissors’ is a plural noun and cannot be preceded directly by the singular article ‘a’. Use ‘a pair of scissors’ or simply ‘scissors’.
Question 44
A fleet of trucks (a) / was blocked by the heavy (b) / landslide on the highway. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: The collective noun ‘fleet’ is followed by a plural noun (‘trucks’) but takes a singular verb (‘was’) when referring to the group as a single unit. The sentence is correct.
Question 45
The company has (a) / deployed its (b) / forces to protect the area. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Force’ means strength, but ‘forces’ means troops or armed groups. Given the context of security protection, the plural noun ‘forces’ is used correctly.
Question 46
He gave me (a) / a ten-rupees note (b) / to buy a textbook from the store. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: In a hyphenated compound modifier used before a noun, the modifying component stays singular. Change ‘a ten-rupees note’ to ‘a ten-rupee note’.
Question 47
The criteria for (a) / admission into the course (b) / are based on merit scores. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Criteria’ is plural, so it correctly pairs with the plural verb ‘are’. The sentence is grammatically sound.
Question 48
He has built (a) / a new house (b) / using expensive building material. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Material’ used as an uncountable collective noun for matter is grammatically correct. The sentence has no error.
Question 49
The local gentry (a) / were unhappy with (b) / the new tax layout proposal. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (d) No error
Explanation: ‘Gentry’ is singular in look but functions as a plural noun, making the plural verb ‘were’ completely accurate. The sentence has no error.
Question 50
Alumni of the college (a) / has gathered for (b) / the grand silver jubilee celebration. (c) / No error (d)
Correct Answer: (b)
Explanation: ‘Alumni’ is the plural form of the noun (singular form: alumnus). Therefore, it requires the plural auxiliary verb ‘have’ instead of ‘has’.