Example 28
Choose the best way of writing the sentence below, focussing on grammar, spelling and usage:
(1) Video calls do not have the same effect same as speaking to person.
(2) Video calls are not the same as speaking in person.
(3) Video calls are not the same as speaking to a person.
(4) Video calls are not same as speaking in person.
Solution
In this case, the author is explaining that a video conference is not the same as speaking face-to-face.
Statement (2) is the grammatically correct form of this sentence. This is because speaking in person means speaking to someone who is physically present, whereas speaking to a person can be face-to-face or over a call. One would speak with another person in a video call, and hence speaking to a person does not bring about the difference.
Option (1) has the same usage as option (3), and an additional error – there is no article (a/the) before person. Therefore, it can be eliminated.
Option (4) also does not have an article (the) before same – the same is the correct usage – and hence, this option can also be eliminated.
Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) Video calls are not the same as speaking in person.
Example 29
The options given below combine to form meaningful sentences. Identify the erroneous statement from among the options:
(1) Artificial intelligence isn’t going to go rogue and grab the nuclear codes any time soon,
(2) but the algorithms it helps production of are already having a massive impact on society.
(3) They’re speeding up automation and threatening jobs;
(4) they’re manipulating your news feed and shaping your online addictions.
Solution
Options (1), (3) and (4) are grammatically correct.
Option (2) is incorrect – the correct usage would be it helps produce. Therefore, option (2) is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) but the algorithms it helps production of are already having a massive impact on society.
Example 30
After reading the passage, choose the best option for the underlined parts
[IIFT 2017]
If you've ever been to an art museum, you know the basic layout: long hallways and large rooms with paintings hung a few feet apart. You know how the paintings are [1] by certain means are marked and you know that the paintings have been arranged chronologically or thematically.
There’s one thing, however, which you’ve definitely noticed even if you can’t quite articulate it – particularly when looking at old paintings. [2] paintings all have that vividly new look, whether they were painted in 1950 or 1450. Even where the subject matter is older, the colors are vibrant, and you're never forced to wonder exactly what the painting must have looked like in its original state.
[3] The history of painting is nearly as long as the history of mankind. The incredible feat is the work of a highly specialized group: art restorers. Despite this specialization, the profession has exploded in recent years. Art restoration has been growing steadily since 1930. While the job of an art restorer may seem fairly straight forward [4] When looking, the job is in fact quite complicated: Sometimes, as in the case of Michelangelo's famous sculpture David, the cleaning and restoration of art works is a simple matter: applying chemicals, washing away grime and scrubbing of the dirt.
[5] With most paintings however, the process is a good deal more involved because it is not necessarily, just a matter of 'cleaning' the older paintings. One cannot merely take a scrub brush to centuries - old great work, Because of the wide range of restoration techniques, art restoration itself can be controversial business.
1.by certain means are marked
(1) marked
(2) being marked in a way
(3) by so means of marking
(4) no change
Solution
You know how the paintings are marked, or marked by certain means would be correct. Since the first is mentioned in option (1), this is the correct choice.
Answer: (1) marked
2.paintings all have that vividly new look
(1) no change
(2) You've surely noticed how new all the paintings look
(3) noticing the new look of all the paintings is something you can do,
(4) the paintings always strike you as very new looking,
Solution
There is an easy way to select the correct option, as only one option starts with a capital letter (since this blank is in the beginning of the sentence).
Option (2) is logically and grammatically correct, addressing the reader and speaking of all paintings looking new. Hence, this is the correct choice.
Answer: (2) You've surely noticed how new all the paintings look
3.The writer is considering deleting the underlined sentence. Should the sentence be kept or deleted?
The history of painting is nearly as long as the history of mankind.
(1) Kept, because it is useful introduction to the topic of this paragraph
(2) Deleted, because it restates a historical detail that is provided in a later paragraph.
(3) Deleted because it strays from the paragraph’s major focus by introducing an irrelevant fact
(4) Kept, because it provides a humorous anecdote regarding the work of an restorers
Solution
The previous paragraph is about old paintings looking new, and the rest of this paragraph explains that this is because of art restorers. Speaking about how old art or painting is does not add to this. Hence it should be deleted. Option (3) has the appropriate reason for deleting it, and hence, is the correct choice.
Answer: (3) Deleted because it strays from the paragraph’s major focus by introducing an irrelevant fact
4. When looking,
(1) At first glance
(2) Beholden
(3) Under your gaze
(4) no change
Solution
This blank can be correctly filled by the phrase At first glance, meaning when seen for the first time, on the face of it, as a first impression. The other options are not logically suitable here, and hence, option (1) is the correct option.
Answer: (1) At first glance
5. With most paintings however,
(1) Anyway.
(2) In this sense,
(3) Alongside cleaning,
(4) no change
Solution
In this sentence, the author is contrasting cleaning The status of David with other paintings. The restoration of most paintings is a contrast of the relatively simpler cleaning of the status. Therefore, With most paintings, however is grammatically and logically correct here, and option (4) is the correct choice.
Answer: (4) no change
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