<u>An electrical circuit</u> <u>is the complete path</u> <u>traversed by electric current.</u> <u>No error</u>
- (a)An electrical circuit
- (b)is the complete path
- (c)traversed by electric current.
- (d)No error
Correct — D, No error. All three parts are sound. 'An' is right before the vowel sound at the start of 'electrical'; 'the complete path' takes the definite article because the predicate is defining what a circuit is; and 'traversed by electric current' is a shortened relative clause in which 'electric current' is uncountable and so needs no article of its own.
- (a)An electrical circuit — 'An' is the correct article before a word beginning with a vowel sound, and 'electrical' is the usual adjective for systems and equipment that work by electricity.
- (b)is the complete path — The definite article is right in a defining sentence of this kind, where the predicate states what the thing is.
- (c)traversed by electric current. — This is a reduced relative clause standing for 'that is traversed by electric current', and 'electric current' is uncountable here, so it correctly takes no article.
In an error-detection item the sentence may be entirely correct, and 'No error' has to be chosen on the evidence rather than by hunting for something to change.
The temptation is to swap 'electrical' for 'electric'. Both words are correct English and they keep different company: 'electric' goes with things that carry or produce current, such as an electric current or an electric train, while 'electrical' describes what belongs to the field of electricity, as in electrical engineering. 'An electrical circuit' is standard, and the sentence stands as printed.
- The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound at the start of the next word, not on its spelling.
- A reduced relative clause drops 'that is' or 'which is' before a past participle.
- 'Electric' and 'electrical' are both correct adjectives, with different usual partners.
- Assuming that one of the three underlined parts must be wrong.
Asked as an error-detection item whose answer is that the sentence is already correct.
Turbidity current is a fast-moving current (a) that sweeps down submarine canyons, (b) carrying sand and mud into the deep sea (c). No error (d)
- (a) Turbidity current is a fast-moving current
- (b) that sweeps down submarine canyons,
- (c) carrying sand and mud into the deep sea
- (d) No error
Answer(d) No error
Same skill — a defining sentence built from a relative clause and a participle phrase, and marked correct as it stands. Both items reward reading each part against the grammar instead of assuming a fault must be hidden somewhere.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which part contains the error — A magnetic field / is the region around a magnet / in which a force acts. / No error
- (a)A magnetic field
- (b)is the region around a magnet
- (c)in which a force acts.
- (d)No error
Answer(d) No error — the articles and the relative clause are all correctly formed.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which part contains the error — An honest officer / never accept a bribe / from anyone. / No error
- (a)An honest officer
- (b)never accept a bribe
- (c)from anyone.
- (d)No error
Answer(b) never accept a bribe — the singular subject needs 'accepts'.