Spotting Errors

36) The upper caste (1) have no soft corner (2) for the (3) poor. (4) No error (5)

Answer: B

Explanation:

The collective nouns such as the upper caste, the middle class, etc., are treated as singular. So, replace 'have' with 'has' in the second part of this sentence, e.g., the upper caste has no soft corner.

37) One of the chairs (1) which was (2) bought from the market (3) was broken by Peter. (4) No error (5).

Answer: B

Explanation:

In this sentence, the subject is a relative pronoun (which). The verb agrees in number with the noun or pronoun to which the relative pronoun refers. Here, 'which' refers to 'the chairs', i.e., plural, so the verb in the second part of the sentence must be plural, e.g., chairs which were bought from the market.

38) Two-fourths of (1) the land (2) have been (3) plowed. (4) No error (5)

Answer: C

Explanation:

In this sentence, the subject (the land) is an uncountable noun which is used in the singular sense, so the verb in the third part of the sentence must be singular, e.g., two-thirds of the land has been plowed.

39) Two-thirds of (1) the shops (2) is closed (3) on Tuesday. (4) No error (5).

Answer: C

Explanation:

In this sentence, the subject (shop) is a countable noun which is used in plural sense (the shops), so the verb in the third part of the sentence must be plural, e.g., two-thirds of the shops are closed on Tuesday.

40) Everyone (1) among (2) your friends (3) like dancing. (4) No error (5)

Answer: D

Explanation:

If the subject is everyone or everybody, the verb must be singular. So, the verb in the fourth part of the sentence must be singular, e.g., likes dancing.