← English Comprehension

Error Spotting — Questions with Solutions

8 solved Error Spotting questions from English Comprehension, as asked in SSC CGL and other SSC exams. Read the answer and explanation below, then practise the full set in the practice section.

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Q1. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: What makes the draft legislation especially contentious is not its proposed restructuring of fiscal authority per se, (1)/ but that it assumes, without empirical evidence, (2)/ a fiscal parity among states whose developmental starting points are (3)/ incomparable by any accepted standard. (4)

उस वाक्य के भाग का पता लगाएँ जिसमें त्रुटि है: What makes the draft legislation especially contentious is not its proposed restructuring of fiscal authority per se, (1)/ but that it assumes, without empirical evidence, (2)/ a fiscal parity among states whose developmental starting points are (3)/ incomparable by any accepted standard. (4)

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

Solution

The error lies in part (2). The article 'a' before 'fiscal parity' is unnecessary.

Q2. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: That the report overlooked several underlying causes (1)/ behind the public unrest were surprising (2)/ given the volume of evidence (3)/ collected over the past few months. (4)

उस वाक्य के भाग का पता लगाएँ जिसमें त्रुटि है: That the report overlooked several underlying causes (1)/ behind the public unrest were surprising (2)/ given the volume of evidence (3)/ collected over the past few months. (4)

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

Solution

The subject clause 'That the report overlooked...' is singular, so 'were' should be 'was'.

Q3. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The manager could not decide whether to approve the merger (1)/ or if the announcement were merely a diversion (2)/ intended to calm investors (3)/ after the recent financial losses. (4)/

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

Solution

To maintain parallel structure with 'whether to', it should be 'or whether the announcement' instead of 'or if'. Furthermore, 'were' is used improperly here for singular 'announcement' unless it's a strict subjunctive, but 'if' breaks the parallel correlative 'whether... or'.

Q4. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: The assumption, not that the reforms themselves were poorly designed but rather that their public messaging-filled with concepts distant from local conversations- (1)/ have led more to voter indifference (2)/ than administrative lapses as such, points to a wider institutional disconnect (3)/ than earlier admitted. (4)

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

Solution

The subject 'messaging' is singular, so the verb in part (2) should be 'has led' instead of 'have led'.

Q5. Little did the board knew (1)/ about the concealed risks (2)/ when it endorsed the acquisition (3)/ late last year. (4)/

त्रुटि?

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

Solution

After 'did', use the base form 'know'.

Q6. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Much of what seems to be coordination (1) / among the regulatory bodies and private stakeholders (2) / are, in reality, coincidental overlaps (3) / arising from differing mandates (4).

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: Much of what seems to be coordination (1) / among the regulatory bodies and private stakeholders (2) / are, in reality, coincidental overlaps (3) / arising from differing mandates (4).

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

Solution

The true subject is 'Much', which is singular, so the plural verb 'are' should be replaced by 'is'.

Q7. Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: That the policy omits provisions for backward compatibility (1) / is less troubling than the belief (2) / that all regional bodies will, without any pressure, (3) / complies with the central directive as issued (4).

Find the part of the sentence that contains an error: That the policy omits provisions for backward compatibility (1) / is less troubling than the belief (2) / that all regional bodies will, without any pressure, (3) / complies with the central directive as issued (4).

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

Solution

The modal verb 'will' requires a base form verb, so 'complies' should be corrected to 'comply'.

Q8. All that is required for the motion to succeed (1)/ are a two-thirds vote (2)/ and approval from the chairperson (3)/ to validate the decision. (4)/

त्रुटि?

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

Solution

'All that is required' is singular; use 'is' instead of 'are'.