Directions: Correct the following sentences (if necessary) and give reasons for your corrections.
Question 1: The country’s economy required strengthening, its resources increased.
Answer: The country’s economy required strengthening, and its resources needed to be increased.
[Use of Conjunctions]
Question 2: He told his staff that each of them should be able to carry out the task by oneself.
Answer: He told his staff that each of them should be able to carry out the task by himself.
[Pronoun Consistency]
Question 3: A recent decline in retail sales and a decrease in the production of consumer goods has brought down interest rates, according to eminent economists.
Answer: A recent decline in retail sales and a decrease in the production of consumer goods have brought down interest rates, according to eminent economists. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
Question 4: By order of the Student Council, the wearing of mini-skirts by we girls in school has been permitted.
Answer: By order of the Student Council, the wearing of mini-skirts by us girls in school has been permitted.
[Pronoun Case]
Question 5: This year’s crisis seems equally, if not more, dangerous than last year’s.
Answer: This year’s crisis seems as dangerous as last year’s, if not more so. [Use of Comparative Structures]
Question 6: The Dean and the Curriculum Committee plan doubling the number of credits required for graduation, even though the students feel that the present number is sufficient.
Answer: The Dean and the Curriculum Committee plan to double the number of credits required for graduation, even though the students feel that the present number is sufficient. [Use of Idiomatic Verb Patterns]
Question 7: Please bear in mind that the argument is between the vicar and myself, and concerns nobody else.
Answer: Please bear in mind that the argument is between the vicar and me, and concerns nobody else.
[Pronoun Case]
Question 8: We have heard that the principal has decided whom the prize winners will be and will announce the names in the assembly today.
Answer: We have heard that the principal has decided who the prize winners will be and will announce the names in the assembly today. [Pronoun Case]
Question 9: She sang like she wished the people in the next colony to hear her.
Answer: She sang as if she wished the people in the next colony to hear her. [Use of Conjunction or Preposition]
Question 10: The city of Dresden, that was virtually burnt to the ground during the war, now flourishes again.
Answer: The city of Dresden, which was virtually burnt to the ground during the war, now flourishes again.
[Defining/Non-defining Clauses]
Question 11: Many people are questioning the validity of laws that do not allow people with a child to rent certain apartments.
Answer: Many people are questioning the validity of laws that do not allow people with children to rent certain apartments. [Use of Appropriate Phrases]
Question 12: This play is different than the one we saw last night.
Answer: This play is different from the one we saw last night. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 13: Anatomy and Physiology are two of the basic areas of study in which medical students must concern themselves.
Answer: Anatomy and Physiology are two of the basic areas of study with which medical students must concern themselves. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 14: Ram’s conduct does not accord to his profession.
Answer: Ram’s conduct does not accord with his profession. [Use of Prepositions]
Question 15: The shiny new cars and the spacious stations of the city’s first subway system are certainly impressive, but the number of delays are as annoying and inexplicable as we feared.
Answer: The shiny new cars and the spacious stations of the city’s first subway system are certainly impressive, but the number of delays is as annoying and inexplicable as we feared. [Subject-Verb Agreement]
