{"id":947,"date":"2026-03-10T12:34:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T07:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/?p=947"},"modified":"2026-03-13T13:49:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T08:19:03","slug":"fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Fill in the Blanks (English) WBCS Preliminary Question"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2023\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2023<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2022\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2022<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2021\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2021<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2020\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2020<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2019\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2019<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2018\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2018<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2017\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2017<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2016\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2016<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2015\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2015<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/#WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2014\" >WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2014<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2023\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2023<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. I am indebted to my friend\u2019s wise _____.<\/strong> (A) council (B) councel (C) counsil <strong>(D) counsel<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(D) counsel<\/strong> is the correct answer. &#8220;Counsel&#8221; means advice or guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Council<\/strong> refers to a group of people meeting for a purpose. The other two options are simply misspellings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>14. He has ____ meticulous in ____ the project, ____ rise to ____ irregularities.<\/strong> (A) not being; overseen; given; much (B) not; oversaw; give; more <strong>(C) not been; overseeing; giving; many<\/strong> (D) not be; oversee; gave; much<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(C)<\/strong> is the only grammatically sound chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>&#8220;He has <strong>not been<\/strong>&#8221; forms the present perfect tense.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The preposition &#8216;in&#8217; must be followed by an &#8216;-ing&#8217; verb (<strong>overseeing<\/strong>).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This action results in &#8220;<strong>giving<\/strong> rise to&#8221; consequences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Because &#8220;irregularities&#8221; is a countable plural noun, we use &#8220;<strong>many<\/strong>&#8221; (not &#8220;much&#8221;).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>20. One should _____ one\u2019s studies with utmost seriousness.<\/strong> (A) persue (B) parsue (C) pirsue <strong>(D) pursue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(D) pursue<\/strong> is the correct spelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2022\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2022<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Use a correct gerund in the blank space: I like ________ pictures.<\/strong> <strong>(A) painting<\/strong> (B) painted (C) to paint (D) paint<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) painting<\/strong> is the correct answer. A gerund is a verb ending in &#8220;-ing&#8221; that functions as a noun. While &#8220;to paint&#8221; is grammatically correct in the sentence, it is an <em>infinitive<\/em>, not a gerund.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ram and his brothers were four in ______.<\/strong> (A) quantity <strong>(B) number<\/strong> (C) numbers (D) totality<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) number<\/strong> is the correct answer. The standard English idiom to describe the count of a group of people or things is &#8220;[X] in number.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2021\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2021<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. While I _____ in the library, someone threw a ball through the window.<\/strong> <strong>(A) was sitting<\/strong> (B) was seated<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) had been sitting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) am sitting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) was sitting<\/strong> is correct. When a continuous past action (sitting) is interrupted by a sudden past action (threw a ball), we use the Past Continuous tense for the background action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>11. The ship, with its crew, _____ lost.<\/strong> (A) were<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(B) was<\/strong> (C) were getting<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) was being<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) was<\/strong> is correct. The subject of the sentence is &#8220;The ship&#8221; (singular). The phrase &#8220;with its crew&#8221; is supplementary and does not make the subject plural. Therefore, we use the singular verb &#8220;was.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>12. \u2018La Gioconda\u2019 (Mona Lisa) is _____ unique work of art.<\/strong> (A) the<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(B) an<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(C) a<\/strong> (D) this<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(C) a<\/strong> is correct. Even though &#8220;unique&#8221; starts with a vowel letter, it starts with a consonant <em>sound<\/em> (&#8220;yoo-neek&#8221;). Therefore, we use &#8220;a&#8221; instead of &#8220;an.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>16. She ______ from the bus and walked to the back-gate.<\/strong> (A) boarded<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(B) stepped<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) moved<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(D) alighted<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(D) alighted<\/strong> is correct. To alight means to descend from a train, bus, or other form of transport. It is the most precise and formal vocabulary word for this specific action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2020\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2020<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. It is nine o\u2019clock in Darjeeling In the morning and ________.<\/strong> (A) there is snow <strong>(B) it is snowing<\/strong> (C) it snows (D) it snowed<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) it is snowing<\/strong> is correct. The first half of the sentence establishes that the action is happening right now (&#8220;It is nine o&#8217;clock&#8230;&#8221;), requiring the Present Continuous tense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. I _____ the patient will die.<\/strong> (A) hope (B) think (C) see <strong>(D) am afraid<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(D) am afraid<\/strong> is the correct idiomatic choice. In English, when delivering bad or unfortunate news, it is standard polite form to say &#8220;I am afraid that&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. We _____ our dinner last night.<\/strong> (A) have taken <strong>(B) took<\/strong> (C) had taken (D) take<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) took<\/strong> is correct. The phrase &#8220;last night&#8221; specifies a completed action at a specific time in the past, requiring the Simple Past tense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>11. I was sure I ______ meet him.<\/strong> <strong>(A) would<\/strong> (B) will (C) shall (D) should<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) would<\/strong> is correct. This is reported\/past thought. Because the main verb is past tense (&#8220;I was sure&#8221;), the future modal &#8220;will&#8221; must shift to its past form &#8220;would.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>16. Babies ______ when they are hungry.<\/strong> (A) cries (B) cried (C) are crying <strong>(D) cry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(D) cry<\/strong> is correct. This sentence expresses a general truth or habit, which requires the Simple Present tense. Since &#8220;babies&#8221; is plural, we use the base verb &#8220;cry.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>24. He will reach home ______ at evening.<\/strong> (A) lately <strong>(B) late<\/strong> (C) later (D) latest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) late<\/strong> is correct. It functions as an adverb of time here. (Note: &#8220;Lately&#8221; means &#8220;recently,&#8221; which does not fit the context of reaching home at a certain hour).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>25. He solved the ______ problem<\/strong> (A) hardly <strong>(B) hard<\/strong> (C) hardlier (D) hardliest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) hard<\/strong> is correct. We need an adjective to describe the noun &#8220;problem.&#8221; &#8220;Hardly&#8221; is an adverb meaning &#8220;barely.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. I need a _______ note.<\/strong> (A) five hundred rupees <strong>(B) five-hundred rupee<\/strong> (C) five hundreds rupees (D) five hundreds rupee<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) five-hundred rupee<\/strong> is correct. When a number and a noun are hyphenated to act as a single adjective modifying another noun (note), the internal noun remains singular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>18. ______ are still tortured In remote villages.<\/strong> (A) Daughter-in-laws (B) Daughters-in-laws <strong>(C) Daughters-in-law<\/strong> (D) Daughter-in-law<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(C) Daughters-in-law<\/strong> is correct. To pluralize hyphenated compound nouns, you add the &#8220;s&#8221; to the main\/principal noun, which in this case is &#8220;Daughter.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2019\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2019<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. My watch is five minutes ______.<\/strong> <strong>(A) slow<\/strong> (B) lately<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) past<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) late<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) slow<\/strong> is the correct answer. This is the standard idiomatic expression used when a timepiece is running behind the actual time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. He advanced ______ he could.<\/strong> (A) until<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(B) while<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(C) as far as<\/strong> (D) as<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(C) as far as<\/strong> is correct. &#8220;Advanced&#8221; implies physical movement or progress, so we need a phrase indicating distance or extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. I am sure I ______ him before.<\/strong> <strong>(A) have met<\/strong> (B) met<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) had met<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) will meet<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) have met<\/strong> is correct. We use the Present Perfect tense for an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past but has relevance to the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. I _______ him for a long time.<\/strong> <strong>(A) have known<\/strong> (B) knew<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) had known<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) should have known<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) have known<\/strong> is correct. When a state begins in the past and continues up to the present (indicated by &#8220;for a long time&#8221;), we use the Present Perfect tense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>20. The jury ______ divided in their opinion.<\/strong> <strong>(A) were<\/strong> (B) was<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) have been<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) have<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) were<\/strong> is correct. While &#8220;jury&#8221; is a collective noun (often taking a singular verb), the phrase &#8220;divided in <em>their<\/em> opinion&#8221; shows they are acting as individuals, not a single unit. Therefore, it takes the plural verb &#8220;were.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>21. Let\u2019s meet _____ next week.<\/strong> (A) sometimes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(B) sometime<\/strong> (C) some time<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) some times<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(B) sometime<\/strong> is correct. Written as one word, it means &#8220;at some unspecified point in time.&#8221; (Whereas &#8220;sometimes&#8221; means occasionally).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>22. No sooner ______ the sun risen than the fog disappeared.<\/strong> (A) did<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(B) has<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>(C) had<\/strong> (D) was<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(C) had<\/strong> is correct. The phrase &#8220;No sooner&#8221; requires subject-auxiliary inversion. Because the verb is in the past participle form (&#8220;risen&#8221;), we must use the past perfect auxiliary &#8220;had&#8221; (No sooner had + subject + V3).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>24. He entered the hall in the _____ part of the show.<\/strong> <strong>(A) Latter<\/strong> (B) Later<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(C) Late<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(D) Lately<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(A) Latter<\/strong> is correct. &#8220;Latter&#8221; refers to the second of two things, or the final stages\/part of something. &#8220;Later&#8221; refers specifically to time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2018\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2018<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. ________ his humiliation, he attended the function.<\/strong> (a) In spite <em>[Missing &#8216;of&#8217;]<\/em> <strong>(b) Not withstanding<\/strong> <em>[Should be one word: Notwithstanding]<\/em> (c) Nevertheless (d) As of<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Not withstanding<\/strong> (Notwithstanding) is the intended answer here, meaning &#8220;in spite of.&#8221; Option (a) is incorrect because it is missing the word &#8220;of&#8221; (In spite <em>of<\/em>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. In all probability it ______ rain tonight.<\/strong> <strong>(a) will<\/strong> (b) can (c) may (d) ought<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) will<\/strong> is correct. &#8220;In all probability&#8221; establishes a strong likelihood, making &#8220;will&#8221; the most appropriate modal verb for this future prediction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>(Note on Q4: The WBCS 2018 paper had a flawed question here. &#8220;Had better&#8221; must always be followed by a bare infinitive verb, like &#8220;move&#8221; or &#8220;leave&#8221;. All options provided ended in &#8220;-ed&#8221;. If you see a question like this, look for the bare infinitive!)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. She liked the ______ plan better.<\/strong> <strong>(a) latter<\/strong> (b) later (c) fast (d) early<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) latter<\/strong> is correct, referring to the second of two mentioned plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. A ______ bow was seen in the sky.<\/strong> <strong>(a) multicolored<\/strong> (b) shooting (c) staring (d) melodious<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) multicolored<\/strong> is correct. This is a descriptive question referring to a rain<strong>bow<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10. _____ about dinner, John ran the whole way home.<\/strong> (a) Having finished <strong>(b) Excited<\/strong> (c) Had been excited (d) Hungry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Excited<\/strong> is correct. This acts as a past participle phrase describing John&#8217;s emotional state. &#8220;Hungry about dinner&#8221; is not grammatically correct English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>12. Only ______ is there a rumble in the sky.<\/strong> <strong>(a) occasionally<\/strong> (b) swiftly (c) quite (d) merrily<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) occasionally<\/strong> is correct. Thunder rumbles &#8220;occasionally&#8221; (from time to time).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>18. ______ is human.<\/strong> (a) To laugh <strong>(b) To err<\/strong> (c) To read (d) To save<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) To err<\/strong> is correct. This is a famous English proverb: &#8220;To err is human; to forgive, divine&#8221; (meaning everyone makes mistakes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2017\"><\/span>W<strong>BCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2017<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Fill in the blank with the correct word:<\/strong> <strong>_________ he was late, he came home by nine.<\/strong> (a) Even <strong>(b) Although<\/strong> (c) Because (d) Despite<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Although<\/strong> is the correct answer. It acts as a conjunction introducing a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause. <strong>Other Options:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Even:<\/strong> Requires &#8220;though&#8221; or &#8220;if&#8221; to function this way (Even though he was late&#8230;).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Because:<\/strong> Indicates a cause\/reason, which does not make sense here.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Despite:<\/strong> Must be followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund (e.g., <em>Despite being late<\/em>), not a full subject-verb clause.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Fill in the blank with the correct word:<\/strong> <strong>The river was ________ the bank.<\/strong> <strong>(a) overflowing<\/strong> (b) dry (c) full (d) deep<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) overflowing<\/strong> is the correct answer. It is the only verb here that can take &#8220;the bank&#8221; as a direct object in this context (the water is flowing over the banks). The other options are adjectives that would require a preposition (e.g., &#8220;full <em>to<\/em> the bank&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. Fill in the blank with the correct word:<\/strong> <strong>A ________ jewel was in the locker.<\/strong> (a) browning (b) filling <strong>(c) shining<\/strong> (d) moving<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(c) shining<\/strong> is the correct answer. This uses a present participle (&#8220;-ing&#8221; verb) as an adjective to describe the natural state of a jewel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. Put in a correct participle in the blank space:<\/strong> <strong>The car was ____ down the slope.<\/strong> <strong>(a) rolling<\/strong> (b) breaking (c) lost (d) having arrived<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) rolling<\/strong> is the correct answer. This describes the continuous physical motion of a vehicle moving down an incline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. Insert correct word in the blank space:<\/strong> <strong>Finish your task in a _____ manner.<\/strong> (a) swift <strong>(b) competent<\/strong> (c) silent (d) lazy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) competent<\/strong> is the generally accepted correct answer for this specific exam question. While &#8220;swift&#8221; (fast) is grammatically fine, &#8220;competent&#8221; (capable and efficient) is the most logical and professional adjective to pair with completing a task.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Use suitable auxiliary verb to fill in the blank space:<\/strong> <strong>You _____ catch the train at once.<\/strong> (a) will (b) can (c) shall <strong>(d) must<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(d) must<\/strong> is the correct answer. The phrase &#8220;at once&#8221; implies immediate necessity and urgency. &#8220;Must&#8221; is the modal auxiliary verb that expresses strong obligation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. It is easy _____ but hard to finish.<\/strong> (a) to end (b) to fall (c) to lose <strong>(d) to begin<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(d) to begin<\/strong> is the correct answer. The sentence relies on a contrast (indicated by &#8220;but&#8221;). The logical opposite of finishing a task is beginning it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. Here is the man ____ you asked _____.<\/strong> <strong>(a) whom, about<\/strong> (b) that, for (c) for, from (d) this, for<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) whom, about<\/strong> is correct. &#8220;Whom&#8221; is the objective relative pronoun referring to &#8220;the man&#8221; (he is the object of your asking). The correct preposition to pair with asking regarding a person&#8217;s identity or status is &#8220;about.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. The man _____ briefcase was lost, reported to the police.<\/strong> (a) that <strong>(b) whose<\/strong> (c) which (d) whom<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) whose<\/strong> is the correct answer. &#8220;Whose&#8221; is the possessive relative pronoun. It connects the man to his possession (the briefcase).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2016\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2016<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Put in a correct participle in the blank space.<\/strong> <strong>The sea _______, we went for sail.<\/strong> (a) being rough (b) disturbed (c) being kind <strong>(d) being smooth<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(d) being smooth<\/strong> is the correct answer. This is an absolute phrase setting the condition for the main clause. You would only go for a sail if the sea conditions were favorable (smooth).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. He talked to his horse ______ the horse could understand his grief.<\/strong> <strong>(a) as though<\/strong> (b) with a feeling that (c) feeling that (d) assuming<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) as though<\/strong> is the correct answer. It is a standard idiomatic conjunction meaning &#8220;as if,&#8221; used to describe a situation that is hypothetical or unreal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. This is the ______ Post Office to my house.<\/strong> (a) farthest (b) next <strong>(c) nearest<\/strong> (d) closest<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(c) nearest<\/strong> is the correct answer. When discussing physical geographical distance, &#8220;nearest&#8221; is the standard superlative adjective used in British\/Indian English grammar rules.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. I can\u2019t walk any _________.<\/strong> <strong>(a) farther<\/strong> (b) further (c) distance (d) far<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) farther<\/strong> is the technically correct traditional answer. In strict grammar rules, &#8220;farther&#8221; is used for physical, measurable distance, while &#8220;further&#8221; is used for figurative or abstract distance (e.g., &#8220;I will look into this further&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. She ______ sit for hours listening to the wireless.<\/strong> (a) will <strong>(b) would<\/strong> (c) can (d) could<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) would<\/strong> is the correct answer. The modal verb &#8220;would&#8221; is uniquely used to express a repeated action or habit in the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Fill in the blank with an infinitive:<\/strong> <strong>______ is worth ambition.<\/strong> (a) To borrow <strong>(b) To reign<\/strong> (c) To repent (d) To cry<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) To reign<\/strong> is the correct answer. This is a literary reference to John Milton&#8217;s epic poem <em>Paradise Lost<\/em>, where Satan famously declares: &#8220;To reign is worth ambition though in Hell.&#8221; To reign means to rule as a monarch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. He is here, ______ is fortunate.<\/strong> (a) who (b) whose <strong>(c) which<\/strong> (d) that<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(c) which<\/strong> is the correct answer. In this construction, the relative pronoun &#8220;which&#8221; does not just refer to a single noun; it acts as a pronoun for the <em>entire preceding clause<\/em> (&#8220;The fact that he is here&#8221;).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. The _____ door awakened the dog.<\/strong> <strong>(a) creaking<\/strong> (b) old (c) new (d) waving<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) creaking<\/strong> is the correct answer. You need an adjective that produces a sound, as the action in the sentence is &#8220;awakened.&#8221; &#8220;Creaking&#8221; acts as a present participle modifying the door.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. Weather _______, there will be a garden party at Government House tomorrow.<\/strong> (a) allowing <strong>(b) permitting<\/strong> (c) happening (d) favorable<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) permitting<\/strong> is the correct answer. &#8220;Weather permitting&#8221; is a fixed, standard English idiom used to say that an event will happen as long as the weather is good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2015\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2015<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. Mary _____, we were freed from anxiety.<\/strong> <strong>(a) Having arrived<\/strong> (b) Rolling (c) Tattered (d) Being arrived<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) Having arrived<\/strong> is the correct answer. This forms a &#8220;nominative absolute&#8221; phrase. It uses the perfect participle (&#8220;having&#8221; + past participle) to show that Mary&#8217;s arrival was completely finished before the main action (being freed from anxiety) occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. Do this in a short time, in a ______ manner.<\/strong> (a) Former <strong>(b) Swift<\/strong> (c) Brave (d) Unwise<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Swift<\/strong> is the correct answer. The clue is in the first half of the sentence: &#8220;in a short time.&#8221; &#8220;Swift&#8221; means moving or capable of moving with great speed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. ______ his illness, he attended the function.<\/strong> (a) In spite (b) Due (c) As of <strong>(d) Despite<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(d) Despite<\/strong> is the correct answer. It is a preposition meaning &#8220;without being affected by.&#8221; <em>Note: Option (a) is incorrect because it is missing the word &#8220;of&#8221; (In spite of). &#8220;Despite&#8221; never takes an &#8220;of.&#8221;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>4. The stream was ______ by the waterfall.<\/strong> <strong>(a) Fed<\/strong> (b) Fed up (c) Filled (d) Filled<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) Fed<\/strong> is the correct answer. In geographical terms, when a body of water supplies water to another, it is said to &#8220;feed&#8221; it. &#8220;Fed&#8221; is the past participle used here in the passive voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>5. A _____ star was seen in the sky.<\/strong> (a) Strengthening <strong>(b) Shooting<\/strong> (c) Shunting to (d) Staring<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Shooting<\/strong> is the correct answer. A &#8220;shooting star&#8221; is the common term for a meteor visible in the sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>6. Mother says, \u201cYou ______ to go to the market at once\u201d.<\/strong> <strong>(a) Have<\/strong> (b) Are (c) shall (d) Will<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) Have<\/strong> is the correct answer. The structure &#8220;have to&#8221; + base verb (go) expresses strong obligation or necessity, which fits the urgency of &#8220;at once.&#8221; The modals &#8220;shall&#8221; and &#8220;will&#8221; would not take the preposition &#8220;to&#8221; after them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>7. ________ fault is easy<\/strong> (a) to begin (b) to bury (c) to read <strong>(d) to find<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(d) to find<\/strong> is the correct answer. &#8220;To find fault&#8221; is a standard English idiom meaning to look for mistakes or complain about something. Here, the infinitive phrase acts as the subject of the sentence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>8. You had better _____ permission.<\/strong> (a) Want <strong>(b) Ask<\/strong> (c) Call (d) Order<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Ask<\/strong> is the correct answer. The phrase &#8220;had better&#8221; is always followed by a bare infinitive (a verb without &#8220;to&#8221;). While all options are bare infinitives, &#8220;ask permission&#8221; is the only correct and logical vocabulary pairing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>9. Who ______ saw her did not pity her?<\/strong> (a) What (b) Which <strong>(c) That<\/strong> (d) Such<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(c) That<\/strong> is the correct answer. This is a slightly archaic but grammatically correct rhetorical question. We use &#8220;that&#8221; as the relative pronoun here to avoid the awkward repetition of saying &#8220;Who <em>who<\/em> saw her&#8230;&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>10. The sun, _____ rays give life to the earth, was regarded by the ancients as a god.<\/strong> (a) That <strong>(b) Whose<\/strong> (c) Which (d) whom<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) Whose<\/strong> is the correct answer. &#8220;Whose&#8221; is the possessive relative pronoun. Even though the sun is not a person, &#8220;whose&#8221; is the only grammatically acceptable way in English to show possession for inanimate objects or concepts in a relative clause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"WBCS_Preliminary_Question_Paper_%E2%80%93_2014\"><\/span><strong>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2014<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1. The last _____ will be performed by members of the family only.<\/strong> (a) Wright (b) Right <strong>(c) Rite<\/strong> (d) Write<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(c) Rite<\/strong> is the correct answer. A &#8220;rite&#8221; is a religious or other solemn ceremony or act. &#8220;Last rites&#8221; specifically refers to the ceremonies performed for a person who has just died. This question tests your knowledge of homophones (words that sound the same but have different meanings and spellings).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>2. He would always _______ the police.<\/strong> <strong>(a) elude<\/strong> (b) illude (c) allude (d) delude<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(a) elude<\/strong> is the correct answer. To &#8220;elude&#8221; means to evade or escape from a danger, enemy, or pursuer (like the police), typically in a skillful or cunning way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Allude:<\/strong> To hint at or mention indirectly.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delude:<\/strong> To deceive or fool someone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>3. You should _______ her case as a precedent.<\/strong> (a) site <strong>(b) cite<\/strong> (c) sight (d) side<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Explanation:<\/strong> <strong>(b) cite<\/strong> is the correct answer. To &#8220;cite&#8221; means to quote a passage, book, or author as evidence for or justification of an argument or statement, especially in a scholarly or legal context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Site:<\/strong> A physical location.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sight:<\/strong> The ability to see<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>WBCS Preliminary Question Paper \u2013 2023 6. I am indebted to my friend\u2019s wise _____. (A) council (B) councel (C) counsil (D) counsel Explanation: (D) counsel is the correct answer. &#8220;Counsel&#8221; means advice or guidance. 14. He has ____ meticulous in ____ the project, ____ rise to ____ irregularities. (A) not being; overseen; given; much &#8230; <a title=\"Fill in the Blanks (English) WBCS Preliminary Question\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/english-mcq\/fill-in-the-blanks-english-wbcs-preliminary-question\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Fill in the Blanks (English) WBCS Preliminary Question\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[93],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-947","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-english-mcq"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=947"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":953,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/947\/revisions\/953"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=947"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/earningvista.com\/exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}