CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I remember the day ___ we first met.
A. which
B. who
C. when
D. where
Correct Answer: C
'When' introduces a relative clause referring to a time.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
This is the house ___ I was born.
A. which
B. where
C. who
D. what
Correct Answer: B
'Where' is used for a place when it means 'in which'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
My brother, ___ lives in Lahore, is a doctor.
A. that
B. who
C. which
D. whom
Correct Answer: B
A non-defining relative clause referring to a person uses 'who'; 'that' is not normally used in non-defining clauses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The person to ___ I spoke was helpful.
A. who
B. whom
C. whose
D. which
Correct Answer: B
After a preposition in formal English, use 'whom' for a person.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The man ___ car was stolen reported the matter.
A. who
B. whose
C. whom
D. which
Correct Answer: B
'Whose' expresses possession in a relative clause.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The book ___ you gave me is very useful.
A. who
B. whom
C. which
D. whose
Correct Answer: C
'Which' can introduce a relative clause referring to a thing.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I would rather he ___ here now.
A. is
B. were
C. will be
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
For a present unreal preference about another person, a past form is used; 'were' is the formal choice.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
It is essential that every applicant ___ the form.
A. submits
B. submit
C. submitted
D. has submitted
Correct Answer: B
Formal mandative subjunctive uses the base form after expressions such as 'It is essential that...'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The teacher recommended that he ___ more carefully.
A. studies
B. studied
C. study
D. has studied
Correct Answer: C
After verbs of recommendation in formal English, the mandative subjunctive uses the base form: 'study'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Should you need help, ___ me.
A. called
B. call
C. would call
D. calling
Correct Answer: B
'Should you need help' is a formal conditional meaning 'If you should need help'; the main clause can use the imperative.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Were he here, he ___ what to do.
A. will know
B. would know
C. knows
D. would have known
Correct Answer: B
'Were he here' is an inverted second conditional and takes 'would + base verb'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Had I known, I ___ you.
A. would tell
B. will tell
C. would have told
D. told
Correct Answer: C
'Had I known' is an inverted third conditional equivalent to 'If I had known'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If I had enough money, I ___ a new laptop.
A. will buy
B. would buy
C. would have bought
D. buy
Correct Answer: B
A second conditional describes a hypothetical present/future situation: 'would buy'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If you heat ice, it ___.
A. will melt
B. melts
C. would melt
D. melted
Correct Answer: B
A zero conditional states a general truth using present simple in both clauses.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He is poor, ___ he is honest.
A. but
B. because
C. so
D. unless
Correct Answer: A
'But' joins contrasting ideas.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
No sooner had we sat down ___ the lights went out.
A. when
B. that
C. than
D. then
Correct Answer: C
The fixed construction is 'no sooner...than'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Scarcely had he entered ___ the phone rang.
A. than
B. when
C. then
D. that
Correct Answer: B
The standard pair is 'scarcely/hardly...when'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I do not know ___ he will come or not.
A. that
B. whether
C. because
D. unless
Correct Answer: B
'Whether...or not' is used for alternatives or uncertainty.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She is ___ intelligent ___ hardworking.
A. either...or
B. neither...nor
C. both...and
D. whether...or
Correct Answer: C
Both qualities are being affirmed, so 'both...and' is correct.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Not only did he apologize, ___ he also offered compensation.
A. and
B. but
C. so
D. because
Correct Answer: B
The correlative construction is 'not only...but also'.