Explanation: The sentence already contains the preposition “to”, so the correct expression is “conform to the rules”, which means to act according to or obey the rules.

Exam Tip: These verb–preposition combinations are frequently tested:

• Conform to rules/standards
• Abide by rules (not abide to)
• Comply with rules/orders (not comply to)
• Concur with someone/an opinion = agree with

Explanation: Although is a conjunction used to express contrast between two clauses. The sentence means that the speaker wants to go to the park despite the bad weather.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these:

• Although + clause → Although it was raining…
• In spite of + noun/gerund → In spite of the rain… / In spite of raining… (not in spite of the weather is bad)
• As = because/since or while (doesn’t fit the contrast here)
• When indicates time, not contrast

Explanation: Compliment means an expression of praise, admiration, or respect. The sentence implies that the book is a tribute or mark of appreciation for her teacher.

Example: His speech was a compliment to his mentor’s lifelong contribution.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these commonly tested words:

• Compliment = praise or admiration
• Complement = something that completes or enhances something else
• Supplement = something added to complete or improve
• Debt = money owed or an obligation to repay

Explanation: The modal “can” is used to express ability or capability.

Exam Tip: Common uses of modal auxiliaries:

• Can = Ability, permission
• Should = Advice, duty
• Must = Strong obligation or necessity
• May/Might = Possibility or permission

Explanation: Could is commonly used to make a polite request.

Exam Tip: Common modals for requests:

• Could = Polite request
• Can = Informal request or permission
• Would = Very polite request
• Should = Advice
• Must = Strong obligation

Explanation: Filial means relating to or befitting a son or daughter. Therefore, filial duty refers to the duty or respect that children owe to their parents.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these commonly tested words:

• Filial = Relating to children and their duty towards parents
• Parental = Relating to parents
• Fraternal = Relating to brothers or brotherhood
• Ancestral = Relating to ancestors or forefathers

Explanation: Once is used as a conjunction meaning as soon as or after. It indicates that one action will happen immediately after another is completed.

Exam Tip: Common conjunctions of time:

• Once = as soon as, after
• When = at the time that
• Before = earlier than
• After = following the completion of an action

Explanation: The correct sentence is:

He has not been meticulous in overseeing the project, giving rise to many irregularities.

Why?

• Has not been → Correct present perfect tense.
• Overseeing → After the preposition “in”, a gerund (-ing form) is required.
• Giving rise to → A fixed expression meaning causing or leading to.
• Many irregularities → Irregularities is a countable plural noun, so many is correct (not much).

Explanation: The correct sentence is:

We need to look into this matter more thoroughly.

• Look into = to investigate or examine carefully.
• More thoroughly is the correct comparative adverbial phrase, meaning with greater care or detail.

Exam Tip: Remember these commonly tested phrasal verbs:

• Look into = investigate
• Look up = search for information
• Look for = try to find
• Look in = make a brief visit

Explanation: Counsel means advice or guidance, especially wise or professional advice. The sentence expresses gratitude for a friend’s wise advice.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these commonly tested words:

• Counsel = Advice; also means to advise.
• Council = A group or committee formed to make decisions (e.g., Municipal Council)
• Counsil and Cousel = Incorrect spellings.

Explanation: Pursue means to continue, carry on, or devote oneself to a course of study, activity, or goal.

Exam Tip: Be careful with spelling. Pursue is the correct spelling. Also, don’t confuse:

• Pursue = Continue or strive to achieve something.
• Peruse = Read or examine carefully.

Explanation: The proverb “A stitch in time saves nine” means solving a problem promptly prevents it from becoming much bigger or more difficult later. It fits the idea that one should not delay.

Exam Tip: Remember these commonly tested proverbs:

• A stitch in time saves nine = Timely action prevents bigger problems
• Beggars can’t be choosers = People in need cannot be too selective.
• A bad workman blames his tools = Incompetent people blame external factors for their failures.
• All’s fair in love and war = Any strategy is acceptable in love or war.

Explanation: The correct expression is “in number”, which is used to indicate how many people or things there are.

Exam Tip: “In number” is a fixed expression commonly tested in competitive exams. Remember:

• In number = referring to the count of people or things
• In quantity = referring to the amount of an uncountable substance (e.g., produced in large quantity)

Explanation: A gerund is the -ing form of a verb used as a noun. Since the question specifically asks for a gerund, painting is the correct choice.

Exam Tip: Remember:

• Gerund = Verb + -ing used as a noun (painting, reading, swimming)
• After verbs like enjoy, avoid, finish, keep, suggest, only a gerund is used.
• After like, love, hate, prefer, both a gerund (painting) and an infinitive (to paint) are grammatically possible. However, since the question specifically asks for a gerund, painting is the correct answer.

Explanation: Alight from means to get down from or leave a bus, train, or other vehicle.

Exam Tip: Remember these commonly tested verb combinations:

• Alight from = get down from a bus, train, etc.
• Board = get on a bus, train, or plane
• Step out of = leave a vehicle
• Move = change position (does not fit this context)

Explanation: The subject of the sentence is “The ship”, which is singular. The phrase “with its crew” is only an additional phrase and does not affect the number of the subject. Therefore, the singular verb was is used.

Exam Tip: Words and phrases such as with, along with, together with, as well as, accompanied by do not change the number of the subject. The verb always agrees with the main subject.

Explanation: The sentence describes an action that was in progress when another action happened in the past. Therefore, the Past Continuous Tense (was sitting) is used for the ongoing action, while the Simple Past Tense (threw) is used for the interrupting action.

Exam Tip: A common tense pattern is:

• Past Continuous + Simple Past → An ongoing past action interrupted by another past action.
  • While I was sleeping, the phone rang.
  • While they were playing, it started to rain.

Explanation: When a number + noun functions as a compound adjective before another noun, it is hyphenated, and the noun remains singular.

Exam Tip: Remember the rule for compound adjectives:

• A five-hundred-rupee note
• A ten-year-old boy 
• A three-hour journey 

When the expression comes after the noun, use the normal plural form:

• The note is worth five hundred rupees.

Explanation: The sentence describes an action happening at the present moment (“It is nine o’clock in the morning”). Therefore, the Present Continuous Tense is required.

Exam Tip: Choose the tense according to the context:

• Present Continuous = action happening now (It is snowing.)
• Simple Present = habitual actions or universal truths (It snows every winter.)
• Simple Past = completed past action (It snowed yesterday.)
• There is snow describes the presence of snow, not the action of snowfall.

Explanation: “I am afraid (that)…” is a fixed expression used to express regret, concern, or convey unpleasant news politely. Since the sentence predicts something unfortunate, “am afraid” is the most appropriate choice.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these expressions:

• I am afraid… = Used for bad news, regret, or concern
• I hope… = Used for something desirable or positive
• I think… = Expresses an opinion, but is less appropriate for conveying distressing news
• I see… = Means “I understand,” not a prediction

Explanation: The time expression “last night” refers to a completed action in the past, so the Simple Past Tense is required.

Exam Tip: Time expressions like yesterday, last night, last week, ago, in 2020 usually take the Simple Past Tense.

• Simple Past → I took dinner last night.
• Present Perfect → Not used with a specific past time (have taken last night )
• Past Perfect → Used only when referring to an action completed before another past action.

Explanation: The main clause “I was sure” is in the past tense, so the future action is expressed using would, which is the future in the past.

Exam Tip: When the reporting verb is in the past tense, will usually changes to would in reported speech or when expressing future from a past point of view.

• I know I will succeed. (Present perspective)
• I knew I would succeed. (Past perspective)

Explanation: The sentence states a general truth or habitual action, so the Simple Present Tense is used. The subject “Babies” is plural, so the base form cry is correct.

Exam Tip: Use the Simple Present Tense for:

• General truths
• Habits
• Universal facts

Also remember:

• Singular subject → He cries.
• Plural subject → They cry. 

Explanation: The plural of daughter-in-law is daughters-in-law. In compound nouns, the main noun is usually made plural, not the last word.

Exam Tip: Common compound noun plurals:

• Daughter-in-law → Daughters-in-law
• Mother-in-law → Mothers-in-law
• Passer-by → Passers-by
• Commander-in-chief → Commanders-in-chief

Explanation: Late is an adverb meaning after the expected or usual time. It correctly modifies the verb reach.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these words:

• Late = after the expected time
• Later = after a particular time (See you later.)
• Latest = the most recent or newest
• Lately = recently (I haven’t seen him lately.)

Explanation: The blank requires a superlative adjective to describe the noun “problem.” Hardest means the most difficult and correctly modifies the noun.

Exam Tip: Don’t confuse these commonly tested words:

• Hard = difficult (adjective) / with great effort (adverb)
• Hardly = scarcely or almost not (adverb). Not the adverb of “hard”
• Harder = comparative form
• Hardest = superlative form