Spot the error in the following sentence; if there is no error, mark (d). 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
Correct — D, No error. Every part is grammatical: 'Turbidity current is a fast-moving current' (subject with linking verb), 'that sweeps down submarine canyons' (relative clause with the correct singular verb 'sweeps'), and 'carrying sand and mud into the deep sea' (participial phrase). Nothing needs changing, so the answer is 'No error'.
- (a)Turbidity current is a fast-moving current — This part is correct — singular subject with the singular verb 'is'.
- (b)that sweeps down submarine canyons, — This part is correct — the relative pronoun 'that' takes the singular 'sweeps', agreeing with 'current'.
- (c)carrying sand and mud into the deep sea — This part is correct — a properly attached participial phrase describing the current's action.
In a 'no error' item, verify each underlined part in turn; here subject-verb agreement, the relative clause and the participial phrase are all sound.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Which sentence is free of error?
- (a)The river which flow through the valley is deep.
- (b)The river which flows through the valley is deep.
- (c)The river which flowing through the valley is deep.
- (d)The river which flow through the valley are deep.
Answer(b) — 'which' takes the singular 'flows' to agree with 'river'.
- practice — not a real PYQ
In a spotting-errors item, when should you choose 'No error'?
- (a)When the sentence is long
- (b)When every underlined part is grammatically correct
- (c)When you do not know the rule
- (d)When the sentence is technical
Answer(b) — choose 'No error' only when all underlined parts are correct.