Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Under no circumstances ___ this door be left unlocked.
A. it should
B. should
C. should it
D. it
Correct Answer: C
A fronted negative phrase triggers inversion: 'should this door...'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Not until the manager arrived ___ the meeting begin.
A. did
B. does
C. had
D. was
Correct Answer: A
Fronted 'Not until...' requires inversion: 'did the meeting begin'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Only after reading the report ___ the problem.
A. I understood
B. did I understand
C. I did understood
D. understood I
Correct Answer: B
A fronted 'Only after...' phrase triggers inversion in the main clause.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Rarely ___ on time.
A. he arrives
B. does he arrive
C. he does arrives
D. arrives he
Correct Answer: B
Fronted 'Rarely' triggers inversion with 'does'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Never before ___ such confusion.
A. we experienced
B. have we experienced
C. we have experienced
D. did we experienced
Correct Answer: B
Fronted negative 'Never before' requires subject-auxiliary inversion.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If it were not for your support, I ___ this project.
A. cannot complete
B. could not complete
C. will not complete
D. did not complete
Correct Answer: B
A present unreal condition takes 'would/could + base verb'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
It is necessary that he ___ present at the hearing.
A. is
B. be
C. was
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
Formal subjunctive uses the base verb after 'It is necessary that...'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
The committee demanded that the report ___ revised.
A. is
B. be
C. was
D. has been
Correct Answer: B
The mandative subjunctive uses the base form 'be'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I wish I ___ that mistake yesterday.
A. did not make
B. had not made
C. would not make
D. do not make
Correct Answer: B
Past regret after 'wish' uses the past perfect.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
I wish I ___ more patient.
A. am
B. were
C. will be
D. have been tomorrow
Correct Answer: B
For a present unreal wish, a past form is used; 'were' is formal.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Should the weather worsen, the event ___.
A. will be canceled
B. would have canceled
C. canceled yesterday
D. is cancel
Correct Answer: A
'Should + subject + verb' is a formal conditional equivalent to 'If the weather should worsen'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Were I in your position, I ___ the offer.
A. accept
B. will accept
C. would accept
D. would have accepted yesterday
Correct Answer: C
This is an inverted second conditional.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Had she known about the vacancy, she ___.
A. would apply
B. would have applied
C. will apply
D. applied
Correct Answer: B
This is an inverted third conditional.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If he ___ tomorrow, tell him to call me.
A. will come
B. comes
C. came
D. would come
Correct Answer: B
In a future conditional clause, use present simple after 'if'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If you mix red and blue, you ___ purple.
A. will get always
B. get
C. would get
D. got yesterday
Correct Answer: B
Zero conditional states a general truth using the present simple.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If she had left earlier, she ___ the train.
A. would catch
B. would have caught
C. will catch
D. caught
Correct Answer: B
Third conditional uses 'would have + past participle'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
If I ___ enough time, I would join the course.
A. have
B. had
C. will have
D. had had
Correct Answer: B
Second conditional uses a past form in the if-clause for a present/future unreal situation.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the sentence with the clearest modifier placement.
A. The officer almost reviewed every file.
B. The officer reviewed almost every file.
C. Almost the officer reviewed every file.
D. The officer reviewed every almost file.
Correct Answer: B
'Almost' directly modifies 'every file', meaning nearly all files.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. He enjoys both reading books and to write essays.
B. He enjoys both reading books and writing essays.
C. He enjoys both to read books and writing essays.
D. He both enjoys reading books and to write essays.
Correct Answer: B
'Both...and' should join parallel gerund phrases.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
Choose the correct sentence.
A. She is not only intelligent but also works hard.
B. She is not only intelligent but also hardworking.
C. She not only is intelligent but also hardworking works.
D. She is intelligent not only but hardworking also.
Correct Answer: B
The correlative pair should connect parallel adjectives.