English Qualifying: Grammar, Vocabulary and Translation

What to remember

• Grammar rules are few but must be exact: tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, voice and narration cover most questions.
• Vocabulary grows by use: learn words in pairs (synonym and antonym), with common idioms and one-word substitutes.
• Translation is about meaning, not word-by-word copying: read the full sentence, find the subject, verb and tense, then write natural English.

Parts of speech and sentences

• Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction and interjection.
• A sentence has a subject and a predicate. A simple sentence has one clause; a compound sentence joins clauses with "and", "but", "or"; a complex sentence has a main clause and a subordinate clause.

Tenses

Key uses.

• Simple present: habits and general truths ("The sun rises in the east").
• Present perfect: a past action with a link to now ("I have finished my work").
• Past perfect: the earlier of two past actions.
• Use "since" with a point in time and "for" with a period.
• Do not use will or would after "if" or "when" in the condition part: "If it rains, we will stay."

Subject-verb agreement

• A singular subject takes a singular verb; a plural subject takes a plural verb.
• "Each", "every", "either", "neither", "everyone", "anybody" take a singular verb.
• Two subjects joined by "and" take a plural verb, unless they mean one thing ("Bread and butter is his breakfast").
• With "either...or" and "neither...nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject.
• "The number of" takes a singular verb; "a number of" takes a plural verb.
• Words such as news, mathematics, physics and economics are singular.
• "One of" is followed by a plural noun and a singular verb: "One of the boys is absent."

Articles

• "A" before a consonant sound; "an" before a vowel sound (an hour, a university).
• "The" for a particular or unique thing (the sun, the Ganga, the Himalayas).
• No article before names of languages, meals, games and most abstract uses ("She plays cricket").
• "The" is used before superlatives (the best) and ordinals (the first).

Prepositions

Voice (active and passive)

• Active: subject does the action. Passive: subject receives the action.
• Passive form: object + be (in the same tense) + past participle (+ by the doer).
• Examples: "The teacher praised the boy" becomes "The boy was praised by the teacher." "They are building a bridge" becomes "A bridge is being built."
• Passive of "He will write a letter" is "A letter will be written by him."

Direct and indirect speech (narration)

• Present tense in the reporting verb: the tense of the reported speech does not change.
• Past reporting verb: tenses move back (am/is becomes was, will becomes would, can becomes could, simple past becomes past perfect).
• Pronouns change to suit the speaker. Words of nearness change: now becomes then, here becomes there, today becomes that day, tomorrow becomes the next day, yesterday becomes the day before.
• Questions use "asked" and the word order of a statement, with "if" or "whether" for yes-no questions.
• Commands use "ordered", "told", "requested" with an infinitive.

Common error areas

• "Less" is for quantity and "fewer" for number.
• "Between" is for two; "among" is for more than two.
• "Many" goes with countable nouns; "much" goes with uncountable nouns.
• "Each other" is for two; "one another" is for more than two.
• Double negatives are wrong: "He did not say nothing" should be "He did not say anything."
• A participle must refer to the right subject (avoid dangling participles).
• Use "who" for the subject and "whom" for the object.

Vocabulary

Synonyms and antonyms (selected).

One-word substitutes.

Idioms and phrases.

Commonly confused words.

Spelling hints. "Receive" (i before e except after c), "separate", "occurrence", "necessary", "definitely", "environment".

Translation (Telugu to English and English to Telugu)

• 1. Read the whole sentence. Find the subject, verb, object and tense.
• 2. Word order differs. Telugu usually puts the verb at the end (subject-object-verb). English uses subject-verb-object.
• 3. Postpositions become prepositions. A Telugu word placed after the noun becomes a preposition placed before it in English.
• 4. Tense and aspect must be matched. Check whether the action is habitual, going on, or complete.
• 5. Respect forms. Telugu has honorific forms. In English, use "Mr.", "Madam" or "Sir" where suitable.
• 6. Idioms and proverbs should be translated by meaning, using an English equivalent when it exists.
• 7. Proper nouns such as names of people and places are written as they are, with correct spelling.
• 8. Avoid word-by-word translation. Rebuild the sentence in natural English.
• 9. Check articles and plurals after translating, as Telugu does not use articles.
• 10. Revise for tenses and spelling.

Example method. Telugu sentence meaning "The farmers have been working in the field since morning". Subject: the farmers. Verb: have been working (present perfect continuous). Time: since morning. Final: "The farmers have been working in the field since morning."

Tips for the qualifying paper. The English paper is qualifying in nature. A clear, correct, simple translation scores better than a decorated one.

Table: narration changes

Exam traps

• "Neither of the boys" takes a singular verb.
• "The number of" is singular; "a number of" is plural.
• "Fewer" for numbers and "less" for quantity.
• "Principal" and "principle" are not interchangeable.
• "Yours sincerely" and "faithfully" belong to letters, not to grammar tests of tense.
• In indirect speech, "will" becomes "would" after a past reporting verb.
• "Between" is used for two; "among" for more than two.
• "Stationary" means not moving; "stationery" means paper and pens.

One-liners

• "News" is a singular noun.
• "Each" takes a singular verb.
• "An hour" uses "an" because of the vowel sound.
• Past perfect shows the earlier of two past actions.
• "Since" goes with a point in time; "for" with a period.
• Passive voice uses be plus the past participle.
• "Bibliophile" is a lover of books.
• "Atheist" is a person who does not believe in God.
• "A blessing in disguise" means a hidden good.
• "Once in a blue moon" means very rarely.
• "Affect" is usually a verb; "effect" is usually a noun.
• Translate meaning, not word by word.

Practice questions

1. Choose the correct sentence.

   1. Each of the students are finished the task.
   2. Each of the students were finishing the task.
   3. Each of the students have finished the task.
   4. Each of the students has finished the task.
   Answer

   D. Each of the students has finished the task.

   'Each' takes a singular verb.

2. Fill in the blank: Neither the manager nor the clerks ___ present.

   1. is
   2. were
   3. was
   4. has been
   Answer

   B. were

   The verb agrees with the nearer subject, 'clerks', which is plural.

3. Fill in the blank: The number of applicants ___ increasing.

   1. were
   2. are
   3. have been
   4. is
   Answer

   D. is

   'The number of' takes a singular verb.

4. Fill in the blank: A number of students ___ absent today.

   1. are
   2. is
   3. was
   4. has been
   Answer

   A. are

   'A number of' takes a plural verb.

5. Choose the correct article: She waited for ___ hour.

   1. no article
   2. an
   3. a
   4. the
   Answer

   B. an

   'Hour' begins with a vowel sound.

6. Choose the correct article: He is ___ university student.

   1. no article
   2. an
   3. a
   4. the
   Answer

   C. a

   'University' begins with a consonant sound /ju/.

7. Fill in the blank: He has been working here ___ 2010.

   1. for
   2. from
   3. by
   4. since
   Answer

   D. since

   'Since' is used with a point in time.

8. Fill in the blank: She has lived in this town ___ ten years.

   1. for
   2. at
   3. from
   4. since
   Answer

   A. for

   'For' is used with a period.

9. Choose the correct preposition: He is good ___ mathematics.

   1. in
   2. at
   3. with
   4. on
   Answer

   B. at

   'Good at' is the fixed phrase.

10. Choose the correct preposition: She is afraid ___ snakes.

    1. of
    2. from
    3. with
    4. for
    Answer

    A. of

    'Afraid of' is correct.

11. Choose the correct preposition: This book is different ___ that one.

    1. than
    2. with
    3. to
    4. from
    Answer

    D. from

    'Different from' is standard.

12. Choose the passive form of 'The teacher praised the boy.'

    1. The boy has praised the teacher.
    2. The boy is praised by the teacher.
    3. The boy was praised by the teacher.
    4. The teacher was praised by the boy.
    Answer

    C. The boy was praised by the teacher.

    Past simple becomes 'was praised'.

13. Choose the passive form of 'They are building a bridge.'

    1. A bridge is built by them.
    2. A bridge was being built by them.
    3. A bridge has been built by them.
    4. A bridge is being built by them.
    Answer

    D. A bridge is being built by them.

    Present continuous becomes 'is being built'.

14. Choose the passive form of 'He will write a letter.'

    1. A letter is written by him.
    2. A letter would be written by him.
    3. A letter will be written by him.
    4. A letter will write him.
    Answer

    C. A letter will be written by him.

    Future simple becomes 'will be written'.

15. Choose the indirect speech: He said, 'I am tired.'

    1. He said that he is tired.
    2. He said that he was tired.
    3. He said that I was tired.
    4. He said that he has been tired.
    Answer

    B. He said that he was tired.

    With a past reporting verb, 'am' changes to 'was' and 'I' to 'he'.

16. Choose the indirect speech: She said, 'I will come tomorrow.'

    1. She said that she would come the next day.
    2. She said that she will come tomorrow.
    3. She said that she would come tomorrow.
    4. She said that I would come the next day.
    Answer

    A. She said that she would come the next day.

    'Will' becomes 'would' and 'tomorrow' becomes 'the next day'.

17. Which word is the one-word substitute for 'a person who loves books'?

    1. Bibliophile
    2. Bibliographer
    3. Misanthrope
    4. Philanthropist
    Answer

    A. Bibliophile

    Bibliophile means a lover of books.

18. Which word means 'a person who does not believe in God'?

    1. Pagan
    2. Atheist
    3. Theist
    4. Agnostic
    Answer

    B. Atheist

    An atheist denies the existence of God.

19. Which word means 'a speech made without preparation'?

    1. Monologue
    2. Soliloquy
    3. Epilogue
    4. Extempore
    Answer

    D. Extempore

    Extempore means without preparation.

20. What does the idiom 'a blessing in disguise' mean?

    1. A hidden danger
    2. A religious ceremony
    3. A good thing that seemed bad at first
    4. A curse that is clear
    Answer

    C. A good thing that seemed bad at first

    It describes a hidden advantage.

21. What does 'once in a blue moon' mean?

    1. Very rarely
    2. Every night
    3. Very often
    4. At full moon only
    Answer

    A. Very rarely

    It means almost never.

22. What does 'to spill the beans' mean?

    1. To waste money
    2. To make a mess
    3. To reveal a secret
    4. To cook food
    Answer

    C. To reveal a secret

    It means to disclose a secret.

23. Which word is a synonym of 'frugal'?

    1. Reckless
    2. Thrifty
    3. Wasteful
    4. Generous
    Answer

    B. Thrifty

    Frugal and thrifty both mean careful with money.

24. Which word is an antonym of 'abundant'?

    1. Plentiful
    2. Rich
    3. Ample
    4. Scarce
    Answer

    D. Scarce

    Abundant means plentiful; scarce means little.

25. Choose the correct word: The new law will ___ many families.

    1. defect
    2. affect
    3. effect
    4. infect
    Answer

    B. affect

    'Affect' is the verb meaning to influence.

26. Choose the correct word: The school ___ announced the holiday.

    1. principally
    2. principled
    3. principal
    4. principle
    Answer

    C. principal

    'Principal' means the head of a school.

27. Choose the correct word: He bought some ___ for the office.

    1. stationer
    2. stationary
    3. stationing
    4. stationery
    Answer

    D. stationery

    'Stationery' means paper, pens and similar items.

28. When translating from Telugu to English, what is the usual change in word order?

    1. Verb moves from the end to follow the subject
    2. No change is needed
    3. Subject moves to the end
    4. Verb moves to the start
    Answer

    A. Verb moves from the end to follow the subject

    Telugu is subject-object-verb; English is subject-verb-object.

29. Which approach is best when translating an idiom or proverb?

    1. Translate the meaning and use an equivalent English expression
    2. Leave it untranslated
    3. Replace with a rhyme
    4. Translate word by word
    Answer

    A. Translate the meaning and use an equivalent English expression

    Meaning matters more than literal words.

30. Telugu has no articles. After translating into English, what should you check?

    1. Only spelling of names
    2. Only dates
    3. Articles and plural forms
    4. Only punctuation
    Answer

    C. Articles and plural forms

    Articles and plurals are needed in English.

31. Which sentence uses 'between' correctly?

    1. The prize was shared between all villagers.
    2. The prize was shared between the two winners.
    3. The prize was shared between the five winners.
    4. The prize was shared between many.
    Answer

    B. The prize was shared between the two winners.

    'Between' is for two; 'among' is for more than two.

32. Consider the statements. 1. 'News' is a singular noun. 2. 'Each' takes a singular verb.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

33. Consider the statements. 1. 'Since' is used with a period of time. 2. 'For' is used with a point in time.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    D. Neither 1 nor 2

    'Since' goes with a point in time; 'for' goes with a period.

34. Consider the statements about the passive voice. 1. It uses a form of 'be' plus the past participle. 2. It is formed only in the present tense.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    A. 1 only

    Passive can be formed in all tenses.

35. Consider the statements about indirect speech. 1. After a past reporting verb, 'will' becomes 'would'. 2. 'Now' becomes 'then'.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both changes are standard.

36. Consider the statements. 1. 'Affect' is usually a verb. 2. 'Effect' is usually a noun.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

37. Consider the statements. 1. 'Fewer' is used with countable nouns. 2. 'Less' is used with uncountable nouns.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

38. Consider the statements about translation. 1. A word-by-word translation always gives good English. 2. Meaning must be kept intact.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    B. 2 only

    Word-by-word translation often produces unnatural English.

39. Consider the statements. 1. 'Bibliophile' is a lover of books. 2. 'Atheist' is a person who does not believe in God.

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Answer

    C. Both 1 and 2

    Both are correct.

40. Match: (a) Abundant (b) Frugal (c) Candid (d) Ephemeral with (i) frank (ii) short-lived (iii) plentiful (iv) thrifty.

    1. a-iv, b-iii, c-ii, d-i
    2. a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
    3. a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
    4. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
    Answer

    D. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii

    Abundant is plentiful; frugal thrifty; candid frank; ephemeral short-lived.

41. Match the direct word with its indirect form: (a) here (b) today (c) yesterday with (i) there (ii) that day (iii) the day before.

    1. a-ii, b-i, c-iii
    2. a-iii, b-ii, c-i
    3. a-i, b-iii, c-ii
    4. a-i, b-ii, c-iii
    Answer

    D. a-i, b-ii, c-iii

    Here becomes there; today becomes that day; yesterday becomes the day before.

42. Choose the sentence with correct tense use.

    1. If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
    2. If it rained tomorrow, we will stay at home.
    3. If it will rain tomorrow, we will stay at home.
    4. If it would rain tomorrow, we stay at home.
    Answer

    A. If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.

    The condition part uses the simple present, not 'will'.

43. Choose the sentence without a double negative.

    1. He did not say nothing.
    2. He did not say anything.
    3. He did not say no word.
    4. He never said nothing.
    Answer

    B. He did not say anything.

    Two negatives in one clause are wrong in standard English.