CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence containing an essential appositive that normally takes no commas.
A. My friend, Ahmed, lives in Peshawar.
B. My, friend Ahmed lives in Peshawar.
C. My friend Ahmed lives in Peshawar.
D. My friend Ahmed, lives in Peshawar.
Correct Answer: C
When the name 'Ahmed' is essential to identify which friend is meant, commas are normally omitted.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses an appositive phrase?
A. The manager a highly experienced administrator handled, the crisis calmly.
B. The manager, a highly experienced administrator, handled the crisis calmly.
C. The manager, a highly experienced administrator handled the crisis calmly.
D. The manager a highly, experienced administrator, handled the crisis.
Correct Answer: B
A nonessential appositive should be set off by commas on both sides.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the best correction: 'After reading the report, the conclusion seemed obvious.'
A. After reading the report, we found the conclusion obvious.
B. After reading the report, the conclusion read us.
C. The conclusion, after reading the report, found obvious.
D. After the report reading, obvious the conclusion.
Correct Answer: A
The revised sentence supplies a logical subject ('we') for the introductory phrase.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?
A. After reviewing the file, the officer noticed several errors.
B. Having read the letter, Sara replied promptly.
C. Walking home, Ali saw the accident.
D. After reviewing the file, several errors became obvious.
Correct Answer: D
The sentence does not state who reviewed the file; grammatically, 'several errors' appears to do the reviewing.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence with a correctly attached participial phrase.
A. Having checked the figures, the statement was signed by the accountant.
B. Having checked, the figures signed the accountant.
C. Having checked the figures, the accountant signed the statement.
D. The statement, having checked the figures, signed the accountant.
Correct Answer: C
The person who checked the figures must be the subject immediately following the participial phrase.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct sentence.
A. The proposal is under the consideration.
B. The proposal is under consideration.
C. The proposal is in consideration under.
D. The proposal under considered is.
Correct Answer: B
'Under consideration' is a fixed phrase meaning being examined or thought about.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses 'for want of'?
A. The project was delayed for want of sufficient funds.
B. The project was delayed for want sufficient funds.
C. The project delayed want of for funds.
D. The project was want for of funds.
Correct Answer: A
'For want of' means because of a lack of.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the correct use of 'at variance with'.
A. His statement was variance with the official record.
B. His statement was at variance the official record.
C. His statement variance at with record.
D. His statement was at variance with the official record.
Correct Answer: D
'At variance with' means in disagreement or conflict with.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses 'by virtue of'?
A. He qualified by virtue his service record.
B. He qualified virtue of by service.
C. He qualified for the benefit by virtue of his service record.
D. He virtue qualified the service record.
Correct Answer: C
'By virtue of' means because of or on the strength of something.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Which sentence correctly uses 'on behalf of'?
A. She accepted the award on behalf the entire team.
B. She accepted the award on behalf of the entire team.
C. She accepted behalf of on the team.
D. She behalf accepted the award of team.
Correct Answer: B
'On behalf of' means as the representative of.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'with a view to'.
A. The department introduced reforms with a view to improving efficiency.
B. The department introduced reforms with a view to improve efficiency.
C. The department introduced reforms with a view improving to efficiency.
D. The department introduced reforms to a view with improve efficiency.
Correct Answer: A
'With a view to' is followed by a noun or gerund; here 'improving' is correct.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'in spite of'.
A. In spite the heavy rain, the match continued.
B. Despite of the heavy rain, the match continued.
C. In spite of it rained heavily, the match continued.
D. In spite of the heavy rain, the match continued.
Correct Answer: D
'In spite of' is followed by a noun phrase or gerund phrase, not directly by a finite clause.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
Choose the sentence that correctly uses 'in accordance with'.
A. The rules were revised in accordance the new policy.
B. The rules revised accordance with new policy.
C. The rules were revised in accordance with the new policy.
D. The rules were accordance with revise policy.
Correct Answer: C
'In accordance with' means according to or in agreement with and requires the preposition 'with'.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "wrap up"?
A. return something or cause a memory to return
B. finish or cover completely
C. handle or take action regarding
D. lose consciousness or distribute
Correct Answer: B
The phrasal verb "wrap up" commonly means finish or cover completely.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "work up"?
A. develop gradually
B. end a relationship or disperse
C. disconnect or isolate
D. understand, see, or claim
Correct Answer: A
The phrasal verb "work up" commonly means develop gradually.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "work on"?
A. enter a building illegally
B. rely on
C. move toward or contribute to
D. spend time improving or repairing
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "work on" commonly means spend time improving or repairing.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "wear out"?
A. enter by force or interrupt
B. recover consciousness or change one's opinion
C. become unusable through use or exhaust
D. inspect briefly
Correct Answer: C
The phrasal verb "wear out" commonly means become unusable through use or exhaust.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "turn in"?
A. explode or enlarge
B. submit or go to bed
C. succeed or become detached
D. anticipate with pleasure
Correct Answer: B
The phrasal verb "turn in" commonly means submit or go to bed.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "turn back"?
A. return in the opposite direction
B. support or make a copy for security
C. become ill with
D. consider someone inferior
Correct Answer: A
The phrasal verb "turn back" commonly means return in the opposite direction.
CSS - PMS - Precis & Composition
Phrases
What is the most appropriate meaning of the phrasal verb "turn away"?
A. request
B. leave a hotel or examine
C. meet an expected standard
D. refuse admission or cause to face another direction
Correct Answer: D
The phrasal verb "turn away" commonly means refuse admission or cause to face another direction.