Sentence Improvement


Direction: In the following questions, part of the sentence is in bold. Below are given alternatives to the bold part at 1, 2, and 3 which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed, your answer is '4'.

  1. The bullet struck a wall and was diverted from its course.









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    deflected (Verb) : changed direction after hitting something diverted (Verb) : made somebody or something change direction
    Here, deflected is the right usage.

    Correct Option: C

    deflected (Verb) : changed direction after hitting something diverted (Verb) : made somebody or something change direction
    Here, deflected is the right usage.


  1. For me, money is only the means to an end.









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    only (Adv.) : just one (Adj.) : alone in a class or category
    ⇒ It was only a matter of time. (Adv.)
    ⇒ That is the only possible right answer. (Adj.)
    Here, only a means is the right usage.

    Correct Option: C

    only (Adv.) : just one (Adj.) : alone in a class or category
    ⇒ It was only a matter of time. (Adv.)
    ⇒ That is the only possible right answer. (Adj.)
    Here, only a means is the right usage.



  1. Chennai is by the way a cosmopolitan city.









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    by and large (Idiom) : in general; mainly ; to a large extent by the way (Idiom) : used for introducing a comment or question that is not directly related to what you have been talking about
    Here, by and large is the right usage.

    Correct Option: B

    by and large (Idiom) : in general; mainly ; to a large extent by the way (Idiom) : used for introducing a comment or question that is not directly related to what you have been talking about
    Here, by and large is the right usage.


  1. He told me that he was married four years.









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    Here, four years ago is the right usage.

    Correct Option: B

    Here, four years ago is the right usage.



Direction: In these questions, a part of the sentence is given in bold. Below are given alternatives to the bold part at 1, 2 and 3 which may improve the sentence. Choose the correct alternative. In case no improvement is needed your answer is (4).

  1. Many workers were being held hostages.









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    The sentence is in Passive Voice. Here, been will not be used.
    Hence, held as hostages is the right usage.

    Correct Option: B

    The sentence is in Passive Voice. Here, been will not be used.
    Hence, held as hostages is the right usage.