TNPSC GROUP-II/IIA

PRELIMINARY EXAM (2025)

GENERAL ENGLISH
- BY B. ANITTA PRIYANKA, M.Sc., M.Ed., Physics
-

“TO SUCCEED IN YOUR MISSION,

YOU MUST HAVE SINGLE-MINDED DEVOTION TO YOUR GOAL."

- DR. A.P.J. ABDUL KALAM

UPDATED SYLLABUS

UNITS TOPICS NO. OF QUESTIONS

I GRAMMAR 25 QUESTIONS
II VOCABULARY 15 QUESTIONS
III WRITING SKILLS 10 QUESTIONS
IV TECHNICAL TERMS 10 QUESTIONS
V READING COMPREHENSION 20 QUESTIONS
VI TRANSLATION 5 QUESTIONS
VII LITERARY WORKS 15 QUESTIONS
(SSLC STANDARD)
 UNIT-I
GRAMMAR (25 QUESTIONS)
1) PARTS OF SPEECH
2) CONCORD
3) TENSE
4) ACTIVE VOICE AND PASSIVE VOICE
5) TYPES OF SENTENCES –
• STATEMENT
• INTERROGATIVE
• IMPERATIVE
• EXCLAMATORY
6) TRANSFORMATION OF SENTENCES –
• STATEMENTS INTO IMPERATIVES,
• INTERROGATIVES INTO STATEMENTS,
• ASSERTIVES INTO NEGATIVES,
• EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES INTO STATEMENT,
• IMPERATIVES INTO INQUISITIVE INTERROGATIVES,
• IMPERATIVES INTO APPRECIATIVE STATEMENTS
7) VERBS
• MAIN VERBS AND AUXILIARY VERBS
• REGULAR AND IRREGULAR VERBS
8) INFINITIVES, GERUNDS, PARTICIPLES
9) QUESTION TAGS
10) SENTENCE PATTERNS
11) TYPES OF SENTENCES -
• SIMPLE
• COMPOUND
• COMPLEX
12) PHRASES AND CLAUSES
13) DEGREES OF COMPARISON -
• POSITIVE,
• COMPARATIVE
• SUPERLATIVE
14) DIRECT INTO INDIRECT AND INDIRECT TO DIRECT
15) SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES
16) PUNCTUATIONS
 TYPES OF SENTENCES
Sentences can be of three types – SIMPLE, COMPOUND, COMPLEX.

A simple sentence has one independent clause (A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb).
A Compound sentence joins two or more number of independent clauses.
A Complex sentence has one independent clause and one or more dependent clauses.

Subordinate conjunctions such as ‘ after  although  as  because  before  even though  if

 since  though  unless  until  when  whenever  whereas  wherever  while etc. are used
to connect Independent Clauses with the Dependent Clauses in Complex sentences.

Coordinate conjunctions such as ‘but, and, or, yet, so’ etc. are used to connect the Independent
Clauses in Compound sentences.
1. SIMPLE SENTENCE
➢ A Simple sentence is one which has only one Subject and one Predicate.
➢ A Simple sentence consists of only one Finite Verb.
➢ Simple sentences are used to depict universal truths, facts and descriptions.
➢ A simple sentence may have subject complements, object complements, adverbial phrases and non-
finite verbs.

EXAMPLES
1. Ramu is too poor to buy a bicycle.
2. Despite his old age, Raghav walked fast.
3. In the event of not consulting a doctor, you cannot recover.
4. On seeing the teacher, the children stood up.
5. Due to a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.
2. COMPLEX SENTENCE
➢ A Complex sentence consists of one Main Clause and one or more Subordinate Clauses.
➢ Ex: I have lost the watch that you gave me.
✓ I have lost the watch - Main clause (the clause stands on its own)
✓ that you gave me - Subordinate clause (the clause depends on the Main clause for its meaning
to be completed)
✓ that - clause marker

EXAMPLES
1. Ramu is so poor that he cannot buy a bicycle.
2. Though Raghav was old, he walked fast
3. Unless you consult a doctor, you cannot recover.
4. As soon as the children saw the teacher, they stood up
5. As there was a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.

3. COMPOUND SENTENCE
➢ A Compound sentence has two Main Clauses combined by a Coordinating Conjunctions.
EX: Honesty promotes character, and dishonesty destroys it.
➢ Honesty promotes character - Main clause I
➢ dishonesty destroys it - Main clause II
➢ and - conjunction
➢ The coordinate conjuctions are for, and, or, a not only but, also, or yet, still, so, otherwise, therefore.
✓ AND - Similar.
✓ BUT - Opposite.
✓ OR - Equally important ideas.
✓ SO - Results in continuation of ideas.
FANBOYS
F For
A And
N Nor
B But
O Or
Y Yet
S So
EXAMPLES
1. Ramu is very poor and he cannot buy a bicycle.
2. Raghav was old yet he walked fast.
3. You consult a doctor otherwise you cannot recover.
4. The children saw the teacher and they stood up.
5. There was a heavy downpour and the match was cancelled.
RULES FOR TRANSFORMING ONE TYPE OF SENTENCE INTO THE OTHER:
SIMPLE COMPLEX COMPOUND EXAMPLE
➢ In spite of being rich, he was
humble (Simple)
In spite of / Though/ Although/ ➢ Although he was rich, he was
But/yet/still
Despite Even though humble (Complex)
➢ He was rich, but he was humble
(Compound)
➢ In the event of your coming late
you will not be allowed inside the
In the event If…can/will/could/would exam hall.
Or…..not/
of/ Unless…..cannot ➢ If you come late you will not be
And/
In case of/ When/As soon as allowed inside the exam hall.
And/at once
On+verb+ing ➢ Don't come late or else you will
not be allowed inside the exam
hall.
➢ Being tired, she fell asleep quickly.
➢ Because she was tired, she fell
asleep quickly.
Being As/Since/Because And so
➢ She was tired,and so she fell
asleep quickly.

➢ Entering the room, I saw my

brother sleeping (Simple)
➢ When I entered the room, I found
Verb + ing When/As/Since And
my brother sleeping. ( Complex)
➢ I entered the room, and I found my
brother sleeping (Compound)
On account
of/ ➢ I took off due to sickness (Simple)
Because of/ ➢ I took off because I was
As a result of/ Because And/ So sick (Complex)
Due to/ ➢ I was sick and went off
Owing to (Compound)

➢ By studying well, I will pass the

exam (Simple)
➢ If I study well, I will pass the
By+Verb+ing If And
exam (Complex)
➢ I will study well and pass the exam
(Compound)
 ➢ Having completed her degree, she
took a job (Simple)
Having + When+ Subject +Had+ ➢ She took a job when she completed
And
Verb Verb the degree (Complex)
➢ She completed the degree, and she
took the job (Compound)
➢ The coffee was too hot to drink.
➢ The coffee was so hot that it could
Too-to So-that….can/could not Very-and not be drunk.
➢ The coffee was very hot, so it
could not be drunk.
➢ " In order to save water, conserve
resources"
➢ We must conserve resources so
In order… to So that And so
that we can save water.
➢ We must conserve resources, and
so we can save water
➢ Besides being intelligent, he is
very hardworking.
➢ He is not only intelligent, but also
Besides+Verb
Not only..But also And /as well as very hardworking.
+ing
➢ He is intelligent, as well as very
hardworking.
➢
➢ Without trying, you can't
succeed.
Without….+ Must…
Unless/ After ➢ Unless you try, you can't succeed.
Verb+ing Or/Otherwise
➢ You must try, or you cannot
succeed.

TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

TYPES OF SENTENCES- SIMPLE, Explanation: A complex sentence has

COMPOUND AND COMPLEX
one independent clause and at least one
Identify the Complex Sentence:
dependent clause. In option (C), "He
(A) He was tired and so he could not walk
1. was so tired" is the independent clause,
(B) He was too tired to walk
and "that he could not walk" is the
(C) He was so tired that he could not walk-
dependent clause.
(D) Being tired, he could not walk
(E) Answer not known
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
1.Identify the simple sentence from the given options given below.
(A) Ramu is too poor to buy a bicycle
(B) Ramu is so poor that he cannot buy a bicycle
(C) Ramu is very poor and he cannot buy a bicycle
(D) Ramu is very poor and so he cannot buy a bicycle

2. Pick out the compound sentence from the option.

1) As there was a heavy rain, the match was cancelled
2) Due to heavy rain, the match was cancelled.
3) There was a heavy rain and the match was Cancelled.
4) She is too poor to buy a bicycle
(A) 1 (B) 4
(C) 3 (D) 2
3. Identify the type of sentence:
This must not occur again, or you will be dismissed
(A) Compound
(B) Complex
(C) Simple
(D) none of the above

4. Identify the simple sentence form the given option.

1) Though Raghav was old, he walked fast.
2) Rajan was old yet he walked fast.
3) Unless you consult a Doctor, You cannot recover.
4) Despite his old age, Raju walked fast.
(A) 2 (B) 4
(C) 1 (D) 3

5.Match the sentences in Column ‘A’ with Column ‘B’ and select the correct answer from the options
given:
Column ‘A’ Column ‘B’
(A) We must eat to Live – 1. Complex sentence
(B) He wrote me a letter - 2. Passive voice
(C) The letter was written by me - 3. Active Voice
(D)Though I like tea,I prefer coffee - 4. Simple sentence
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 3 2 1
(B) 4 3 1 2
(C) 3 4 2 1
(D) 3 4 1 2
EXERCISES
IDENTIFY THE FOLLOWING AS SIMPLE, COMPOUND OR COMPLEX
SENTENCES.
1) I love to read different kinds of books. 1) Simple
2) Unless a book is good, I can’t read it. 2) Complex
3) Mummy was tired so I decided to help her. 3) Compound
4) After the movie is over, we’ll all go for pizza. 4) Complex
5) Let’s go for pizza after dinner. 5) Simple
6) As I reached home, I saw a man leaving our house. 6) Complex
7) We had great fun at our house warming party. 7) Simple
8) I love to watch tennis, but many people don’t enjoy this 8) Compound
sport.

EXAMPLES (SIMPLE SENTENCE)

1) His courage won him honour.
2) He must work very hard to win the first prize.
3) With a great effort, he lifted the box.
4) Hearing their father's footsteps, the boys ran away.
5) The man, being very hungry, ate too much.
6) Ramu is too poor to buy a bicycle.
7) Despite his old age, Raghav walked fast.
8) In the event of not consulting a doctor, you cannot recover.
9) On seeing the teacher, the children stood up.
10) Due to a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.

EXAMPLES (COMPLEX SENTENCE)

1) They rested when evening came.
2) If he is at home, I shall see him.
3) I have found the book that I had lost.
4) We selected this bicycle after we had tried several times.
5) Once upon a time a man owned a hen which laid every day a golden egg.
6) The evil that men do lives after them.
7) Ramu is so poor that he cannot buy a bicycle.
8) Though Raghav was old, he walked fast.
9) Unless you consult a doctor, you cannot recover.
10) As soon as the children saw the teacher, they stood up.
11) As there was a heavy downpour, the match was cancelled.
➢ (In the above sentences, the words Underlined are conjunctions)
EXAMPLES (COMPOUND SENTENCE)
1) The moon was bright and we could see our way.
2) Night came on and rain fell heavily and we all got very wet.
3) I shall do it now or I shall not do it at all.
4) He threw the stone but it missed the dog.
5) I thanked him and rewarded him.
6) You must hurry, or you will miss the train.
7) Give me the book and I will read it.
8) I ran all the way to the station but I missed the train.
9) Ramu is very poor and he cannot buy a bicycle.
10) Raghav was old yet he walked fast.
11) You consult a doctor otherwise you cannot recover.
12) The children saw the teacher and they stood up.
13) There was a heavy downpour and the match was cancelled.
➢ (In the above sentences, the words Underlined are conjunctions)
PICK OUT THE FINITE VERBS IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES
a) You can solve this problem in different ways.
b) The professor has been working on the last chapter of the book since March.
c) Despite being a celebrity, Ravi mingles easily with everyone.
d) You must speak clearly to make yourself understood.
e) The chairman being away, the clerk is unable to approve the proposal.
f) Getting down from the car, the Chief Guest walked towards the dais amidst applause.
g) The old man struggled to walk without support.
h) In case of emergency, please contact this number.
i) The sun having set, the temperature fell rapidly.
j) But for your help, I could not have completed the assignment.

KINDS OF SENTENCES–SIMPLE, COMPLEX AND COMPOUND

DO AS DIRECTED
a) Besides being a singer, she is also a dancer.(Rewrite as a compound sentence)
Ans: She is a singer, and she is also a dancer.
b) Praveen ran into the field so that he might congratulate the winners.(Rewrite as a simple sentence)
Ans: Praveen ran into the field to congratulate the winners.
c) The mountain was steep but he was able to climb it.(Rewrite as a complex sentence)
Ans: Although the mountain was steep, he was able to climb it.
d) Smita carried out the survey and presented her report.(Rewrite as a simple sentence)
Ans: Smita carried out the survey and presented her report.
e) Unless you have a valid passport, you cannot leave the country.(Rewrite as a compound sentence)
Ans: You must have a valid passport, or you cannot leave the country
f) This is not the way to answer.(Rewrite as a complex sentence)
Ans: This is not the way you should answer.
PICK OUT THE COMPLEX SENTENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE.
A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the forest. He did not know what to do.
He was helpless. He was too scared to turn around and run. He just knelt down as if he were getting ready
to pray. He closed his eyes, thinking that the lion would pounce on him anytime. Out of the corner of his
eye, he saw the lion on its knees too. Shocked, he asked the lion what it was doing. The lion replied that
he was praying before he started his meal
ANSWERS
COMPLEX SENTENCES
1) A man saw a lion in the bush, as he was walking through the forest.
2) He did not know what to do.
3) He just knelt down as if he were getting ready to pray.
4) He closed his eyes, thinking that the lion would pounce on him anytime.
5) He asked the lion what it was doing.
6) The lion replied that he was praying before he started his meal.
IDENTIFY THE TWO MAIN CLAUSES AND CONJUNCTION IN EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1) It started raining suddenly and people ran for shelter.
2) Understand the concept well, otherwise you cannot solve the problem.
3) Fifty candidates appeared for the interview, but only five were selected.
4) Ramesh did not know Spanish, so he wanted a translator.
5) He is a good actor, still he is not popular.
S.No MAIN CLAUSES CONJUCTION
1. a) It started raining suddenly and
b) People ran for shelter
2. a) Understand the concept well Otherwise
b) You cannot solve the problem
3. a) Fifty candidates appeared for the interview But
b) Only five were selected
4. a) Ramesh did not know Spanish So
b) He wanted a translator
5. a) He is a good actor still
b) He is not popular
PICK OUT THE COMPOUND SENTENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE.
The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body. The air we breathe in, has
to be thrown out, to help us survive. But we hold negative emotions like insecurity, anger and jealousy
within ourselves for years. If these negative emotions are not eliminated, the mind grows corrupt and
diseased. Let us do away with hatred and lead a healthy life filled with peace and joy.
COMPOUND SENTENCES
➢ The food we eat has to be digested and then thrown out of the body.
➢ Let us do away with hatred and lead a healthy life filled with peace and joy.
LOOK AT THE FOLLOWING COMPLEX SENTENCES. CIRCLE THE MAIN
CLAUSES AND UNDERLINE THE SUBORDINATE CLAUSES.
a) Nobody knows when the power supply will resume.
b) Please tell me what the time is.
c) The man who directed the film was my schoolmate.
d) I believe that all men are basically good.
e) No one knows when he will return.
MAIN CLAUSES SUBORDINATE CLAUSES
Nobody knows when the power supply will resume
Please tell me what the time is
The man who directed the film was my schoolmate
I believe that all men are basically good
No one knows when he will return

TRANSFORM THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES AS INSTRUCTED

1. On seeing the teacher, the children stood up. ANSWERS
(into Complex) 1) When the children saw the teacher, they stood
2. At the age of six, Varsha started learning up.
music. (into Complex) 2) When Varsha was six years old, she started
3. As Varun is a voracious reader, he buys a lot learning music.
of books. (into Simple) 3) Varun, being a voracious reader, buys a lot of
4. Walk carefully lest you will fall down. (into books.
Complex) 4) Walk carefully so that you do not fall down.
5. Besides being a dancer, she is a singer. (into 5) She is a dancer, and she is also a singer.
Compound) 6) He attends the rehearsal despite being sick.
6. He is sick but he attends the rehearsal. (into 7) Meena reads more, and she will become
Simple) proficient in the language.
7. If Meena reads more, she will become 8) He confessed his guilt.
proficient in the language. (into Compound) 9) The boy could not attend the special classes,
8. He confessed that he was guilty. (into Simple) for his mother was ill.
9. The boy could not attend the special classes 10) He followed my suggestion because he trusted
due to his mother’s illness. (into Compound) me.
10. He followed my suggestion. (into Complex)

COMPLETE THE SENTENCES CHOOSING THE RIGHT ENDINGS.

We were thoroughly disappointed to find out his address
Hardly had he stepped out we could not go further
They wanted since our team did not get a prize
Since we had run out of petrol was his reckless driving
The cause of his injury when it began to rain
ANSWERS
since our team did not get a prize when it began to rain
Hardly had he stepped out when it began to rain
They wanted to find out his address
Since we had run out of petrol we could not go further
The cause of his injury was his reckless driving
IDENTIFY THE COMPOUND AND COMPLEX SENTENCES.

ANSWERS
COMPLEX SENTENCES COMPOUND SENTENCES
1) Though he was poor, he was honest.
1) Listen carefully and take notes.
2) I went because I was invited.
2) I called him, but he gave me no answer.
3) Jancy returned home because she was tired.
3) We must eat to live, but we should not live to
4) Whatever you do, do well.
eat.
5) The town in which I live is very large.
4) Govern your passions or they will govern you.
6) They always talk who never think.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTION

1. Pick the simple sentence from the given ➢ Answer: d
options. Explanation: Here, “I don’t know who the man
a) The man who wore red shirt was arrested is” is the simple sentence here. A simple sentence
for murdering his wife. has only one clause in it. The other sentences
b) I think he might have left home without his given contains more than one clause with
bag. multiple subjects (‘I and he’, ‘he and his brother’,
c) He is confident that his brother will win. ‘the man and his wife’) and more than one verb in
d) I don’t know who the man is. it.
2. Identify the complex sentence among the given ➢ Answer: d
sentences. Explanation: The complex sentence is “She did not
a) Your daughter has done well in academics come to the party today because she felt sick”. A
complex sentence, have two or more subjects and two
this year.
or more verbs in them. The complex sentence here
b) The old man in the shop did not buy
thus has two clauses “She did not come to the party
anything.
today” (independent) and “because she felt sick”
c) The girl picked the paper and threw it in (dependent) which are connected using the
the bin. conjunction “because”.
d) She did not come to the party today because
she felt sick.
3. Which one is the compound sentence among ➢ Answer: b
the given? Explanation: A compound sentence is a
a) Deepika ran to the store and bought some sentence with two or more independent clauses,
medicines. connected using a conjunction to form a
b) Alia must not go alone or else she might complete compound sentence. Here, “Alia must
get lost. not go alone or else she might get lost” is the
 c) The car fell under the bridge into the compound sentence with two main clauses, “Alia
river. must not go alone” and “she might get lost”
d) She is going for the music class and the connected using the conjunction “or else”.
party on the same day.
4. The simple sentence among the given ➢ Answer: a
sentences is _____ Explanation: Since a simple sentence has only
a) The baby saw the balloons flying in the air one clause in it, the sentence “The baby saw the
with joy. balloons flying in the air with joy” is the simple
b) A man with a lot of money is always sentence among the given. There is only one
respected. clause that stand independently without any
c) Hema has lost the purse that she had bought connecting conjunctions. Thus, it is the simple
today. sentence.
d) Go out or you will be arrested.
5. Which is the correct complex sentence among ➢ Answer: a
the following? Explanation: Among the given sentences, “I
a) I think she should stay away from you. think she should stay away from you” is the
b) She should stay away from you is what I think. correct complex sentence with one main clause
c) I think you should make her stay away from you. and one subordinate clause acting as the object of
d) She staying away from you is what I think. the verb, “think”.
6. Choose the correct simple sentence from the ➢ Answer: a
following. Explanation: Since a simple sentence has only
a) She cannot run fast without wearing one clause in it, the sentence “she cannot run fast
proper shoes. without wearing proper shoes” is the simple
b) Shiva cannot go home if he doesn’t sentence among the given. There is only one
complete his work. clause that stand independently without any
c) He had a pen but he wouldn’t lend it to the connecting conjunctions. Thus, it is the simple
poor boy. sentence.
d) Varun should sing properly otherwise he
will not be selected.
7. Identify the compound sentence from the given ➢ Answer: c
set of sentences. Explanation: Here, “Her leg was badly hurt so
a) He cannot meet you today as he went to she limped while walking” is the compound
Mumbai. sentence with two independent clauses, “Her leg
b) Wasim has fever therefore he will not eat ice was badly hurt” and “she limped while walking”.
cream. These clauses are connected using a conjunction
c) Her leg was badly hurt so she limped while “so”. ‘as’, ‘since’, ‘therefore’, ‘since’ are all complex
walking. conjunctions which cannot be separated from the
d) Ram goes by walk to home daily since he doesn’t clause that follows it. So, the sentences with these
have a vehicle. conjunctions are complex sentences.
 15. DEGREES OF COMPARISION
(POSITIVE, COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE)
DEGREES OF COMPARISON
➢ Comparison can be made using the three forms of an adjective. Adjective is a word that describes or
qualifies a noun. It gives more information about a noun.
✓ (e.g.) The tiger is a strong animal.
COMPARISON TO UNDERSTAND
➢ They all say that they run fast. So who will win a
race?
➢ We need to compare their speed to help them
decide. For example let us think that the ostrich
runs at 40 km/hr, the deer at 60 km/hr and the
cheetah at 80 km/hr.
➢ We can see that the speed of the ostrich is lesser than the speed of the deer. The speed of the deer is
lesser than the speed of the cheetah.
➢ There are three ways to compare. That is positive, comparative and superlative. These are known as
degrees of comparison.
➢ Now, let us see how the word 'fast' changes to show us how fast each of them run.
✓ The ostrich runs fast.
✓ The deer runs faster than the ostrich.
✓ The cheetah is the fastest of all.
➢ We can see that the adjective 'fast' is changing to show how fast each of them run in comparison to
the other.
➢ So, the cheetah, the fastest of all will win the race.
➢ There are three degrees of comparison,
1. Positive → (e.g.) Kumar is a kind man.
2. Comparative → (e.g.) Tsunami is more destructive than Cyclone.
3. Superlative → (e.g.) Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world.
POSITIVE DEGREE
➢ The Positive Degree is used to express or describe a quality.
➢ The Positive Degree of an adjective states the characteristic of the noun.
✓ (e.g.) It is a tall building.
✓ (e.g.) Mango is sweet to taste.
COMPARATIVE DEGREE
➢ The Comparative Degree is used when two things (or two sets of things) are compared.
✓ (e.g.) This building is taller than any other building.
✓ (e.g.) Mango is sweeter than pineapple.
SUPERLATIVE DEGREE
➢ The Superlative Degree is used when more than two things are compared.
✓ (e.g.) This is the tallest building.
✓ (e.g.) Mango is the sweetest fruit.
VARIOUS TYPES OF SENTENCES IN DIFFERENT DEGREES OF COMPARISON
TYPE -1 ➢ No other profession is as noble as teaching.
➢ Teaching is nobler than any other profession.
➢ Teaching is the noblest of all professions. / Teaching is the noblest profession.
TYPE – 2 ➢ Very few professions are as noble as teaching.
➢ Teaching is nobler than many other / most other professions.
➢ Teaching is one of the noblest professions.
TYPE – 3 ➢ Apples are costlier than mangoes in the summer season.
➢ Mangoes are not so costly as apples in the summer season.
TYPE – 4 ➢ Apples are not more expensive than mangoes during winter.
➢ Mangoes are as expensive as apples during winter.
TYPE – 5 ➢ We have not watched such a thrilling movie as this.
➢ This movie is more thrilling than any other movie, we have ever watched.
➢ This is the most thrilling movie, we have ever watched.
TYPE – 6 ➢ My brother can climb a tree as fast as a monkey.
➢ A monkey cannot climb a tree faster than my brother.

No other metal is as costly as gold (Positive)

1. No other metal is costlier than gold (Comparative)
Gold is the costliest of all metals. (Superlative)
Very few cities in India are as big as Mumbai. (Positive)
2. Mumbai is bigger than most other cities in India (Comparative)
Mumbai is one of the biggest cities in India. (Superlative)
Very few countries in the world are as large as China. (Positive)
3. China is larger than most other countries in the world. (Comparative)
China is one of the largest countries in the world. (Superlative)
No other man was as strong as Hercules. (Positive)
4. Hercules was stronger than any other man. (Comparative)
Hercules was the strongest man in the world. (Superlative)
No other boy in the class is as intelligent as James. (Positive)
5. James is more intelligent than any other boy in the class. (Comparative)
James is the most intelligent boy in the class. (Superlative)
Very few Indian saints were as popular as Vivekananda. (Positive)
6. Vivekananda was more popular than most other Indian saints. (Comparative)
Vivekananda was one of the most popular Indian saints. (Superlative)
No other girl in the class is as tall as Ramya. (Positive)
7.
Ramya is taller than any other girl in the class. (Comparative)
Ramya is the tallest girl in the class. (Superlative)
Very few girls in the class are as tall as Ramya. (Positive)
8.
Ramya is taller than most other girls in the class. (Comparative)
Ramya is one of the tallest girls in the class. (Superlative)
RULES OF DEGREES OF COMPARISON OF ADJECTIVES
ADJECTIVES WITH A SINGLE SYLLABLE - MONOSYLLABIC ADJECTIVES
➢ For most one syllable adjectives you make the comparative form by adding -er and - est for superlative
form.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Bright Brighter brightest poor poorer poorest
Black Blacker blackest rich richer richest
Bold Bolder boldest small smaller Smallest
Clever Cleverer cleverest strong stronger strongest
Cold Colder coldest smart smarter smartest
fast faster fastest Sweet Sweeter sweetest
Great Greater greatest Tall Taller tallest
High Higher highest weak weaker weakest
long longer Longest wise wiser wisest
old older oldest Young Younger youngest

MONOSYLLABIC ADJECTIVES
➢ If the adjective already ends in e, you just add -r

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

Brave Braver bravest Noble Nobler noblest

Clever Cleverer Cleverest Narrow Narrower Narrowest
Fine Finer finest Pale Paler palest
Gentle Gentler Gentlest Simple Simpler simplest
Humble Humbler Humblest wide wider widest
Large Larger largest Wise Wiser wisest
Nice Nicer nicest White Whiter whitest

ONE SYLLABLE ADJECTIVES THAT NEED A DOUBLE LETTER

➢ For some adjectives you need to double the last letter before you add -er. You do this when the last
three letters of the word have the pattern consonant-vowel-consonant.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

big bigger biggest hot hotter hottest

Dim Dimmer dimmest thin thinner thinnest
Fat Fatter fattest sad sadder saddest
flat flatter flattest
ADJECTIVES ENDING IN “y”
➢ For adjectives ending in y, you make the comparative form by changing the y to an i, then adding -er
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE

costly costlier The costliest Lovely Lovelier Loveliest

Dry Drier The driest pretty prettier Prettiest
Easy Easier The easiest Lazy Lazier Laziest
happy happier happiest Silly Sillier Silliest

DISYLLABIC ADJECTIVES
➢ For most words with two syllables or more, you make the comparative form by adding the word more
before the adjective.
POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
Active More active Most active
Attractive More attractive Most attractive
Beautiful More beautiful Most beautiful
Brilliant More brilliant Most brilliant
Careful More careful Most careful
Courageous More courageous Most courageous
Cunning More cunning Most cunning
Difficult More difficult Most difficult
Expensive More Expensive Most Expensive
Famous More famous Most famous
Faithful More faithful Most faithful
important more important most important
Proper More proper Most proper
Popular More popular Most popular
Splendid More splendid Most splendid

THE EXCEPTIONAL CASE: IRREGULAR COMPARISONS

POSITIVE COMPARATIVE SUPERLATIVE
far farther (further) farthest (furthest)
late later (latter) Latest (last)
much/many more most
Bad Worse Worst
Evil Worse Worst
Good Better Best
Ill Worse Worst
Far Farther(further) Farthest(furthest)
Well Better Best
Late Later(latter) Latest(last)
Little Less Least
Much More Most
Many More Most
Near Nearer Nearest
Old Older Oldest
Old Elder Eldest
DEGREES OF COMPARISON - IDENTIFY THE ERROR IN EACH OF THE
FOLLOWING SENTENCES AND CORRECT THEM APPROPRIATELY.
1. Oxygen is more heavier than hydrogen.
2. Very few indoor games are more interesting than chess.
3. Henry is the most strongest of all the players in the team.
4. Faster you run, sooner you get tired.
5. Diamond is more precious than any gem.
6. Mr. Sridhar is wiser than all men in our family.
7. The Biology lab in our school is spacious than the Chemistry lab.
8. This is one of the busier streets in our town.
9. The sparrow is the most unique bird.
10. Beema is stronger among the five Pandava brothers.
11. An ounce is lesser than a gallon.
12. Let me introduce my oldest daughter to you all.
13. Of the two sisters, Helen is the prettiest.
14. This is the most least mark I have ever scored.

ANSWERS
1) Oxygen is heavier than hydrogen.
2) Very few indoor games are as interesting as chess.
3) Henry is the strongest of all the players in the team.
4) The faster you run, the sooner you get tired.
5) Diamond is the most precious of any gem.
6) Mr. Sridhar is the wisest of all men in our family.
7) The Biology lab in our school is more spacious than the Chemistry lab.
8) This is one of the busier streets in our town.
9) The sparrow is the unique bird.
10) Beema is the strongest among the five Pandava brothers.
11) An ounce is less than a gallon.
12) Let me introduce my eldest daughter to you all.
13) Of the two sisters, Helen is the prettier.
14) This is the least mark I have ever scored.

TRANSFORM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE

COMPARATIVE DEGREE WITHOUT CHANGING THE MEANING.
1) Very few boys in the class are as tall as Ravi.
2) Hurricanes are as dangerous as tornadoes.
3) This is the most challenging task I have ever undertaken.
4) E-mail is the fastest means of communication.
5) Compulsive gambling is the worst habit a man can develop.
 ANSWERS
1) Ravi is taller than most boys in the class.
2) Hurricanes are not less dangerous than tornadoes.
3) This task is more challenging than any I have ever undertaken.
4) E-mail is faster than any other means of communication.
5) Compulsive gambling is more harmful than any other habit a man can develop.

REWRITE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES USING THE SUPERLATIVE

DEGREE RETAINING THE MEANING.
1) Shakespeare is greater than many other dramatists of the world.
2) Some people think that nothing is as important as money in life.
3) The peacock is more colourful than any other bird found in India.
4) Very few people in this town are as generous as Mr. Mohan.
5) No other planet in our solar system is as cold as Neptune.
6) I cannot do anything better for you than this.
ANSWERS
1) Shakespeare is one of the greatest dramatists of the world.
2) Money is considered the most important thing in life by some people.
3) The peacock is the most colourful bird found in India.
4) Mr. Mohan is one of the most generous people in this town.
5) Neptune is the coldest planet in our solar system.
6) This is the best I can do for you.

REPLACE THE COMPARATIVE ADJECTIVES IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES

WITH THEIR POSITIVE FORMS.
1) Rural life is certainly more peaceful than urban life.
2) The pen is mightier than the sword.
3) Train journey is more comfortable than bus journey.
4) My mother can speak more sweetly than anyone else.
5) Gold is not more useful than iron.
ANSWERS
1) Rural life is certainly peaceful compared to urban life.
2) The pen is mighty like the sword.
3) Train journey is comfortable like bus journey.
4) My mother can speak sweetly like no one else.
5) Gold is not useful like iron.
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. Choose the correct transformation from positive Answer: c Explanation: The sentence,
to superlative of the comparison in given “Tabu is one of the fastest athletes in sports” is
sentence. the correct transformation of the given
Few athletes in sports are as fast as Tabu. sentence. It changes the degree of comparison
a) Tabu is faster than any other athlete in sports from positive to superlative through the
b) only a few athletes are fast like Tabu word, ‘one of the’. The adverb ‘fast’ is given the
c) Tabu is one of the fastest athletes in sports superlative form ‘fastest’ in the resulting
d) Tabu is fast than most of the athletes in sports sentence after transformation.
2. Identify the correct transformation of the sentence Answer:d; Explanation:The correct
from comparative to superlative degree of transformation of given sentence is
comparison. “Siddharth is the brightest student in the
Siddharth is brighter than any other student in class”. The adverb ‘bright’ is changed from its
the class. comparative degree, ‘brighter’ to its
a) only a few students in the class are as bright as superlative degree, ‘brightest’. Superlative
Siddharth degree shows that only the subject in the
b) Siddharth is brighter when compared to the other sentence can be titled the adverb perfectly
students in his class (brightest) and no one else can replace instead
c) no other student in the class is as bright as Siddharth of him for it.
d) Siddharth is the brightest student in the class
Answer: c: Explanation: Here, “no other
3. Pick the correct transformation of the degree of
man in the army is as tall as him” is the correct
comparison from superlative to positive in the
transformation of the degree of comparison in
sentence given.
given sentence. The word ‘no other man’
He is the tallest man in the army.
equates to the superlative term ‘tallest’ in given
a) He is as tall as anyone in the army
sentence. Positive form of degree of
b) He is taller than most of the men in the army
comparison gives a generalized comparison
c) no other man in the army is as tall as him
between the subject and others through the
d) He is taller when compared to others in army
words, ‘as tall as’ in the sentence given.
Answer:b; Explanation: The correct
4. Pick the correct transformation of the degree of transformation of given sentence is “no other
comparison from comparative to positive in given non-metal is as reactive as graphite”. It gives
sentence. the generalized comparison between
Graphite is more reactive than any other non-
metal. ‘Graphite’ and ‘other non-metals’ through the
a) Graphite is as reactive as any other non-metal words, ‘as reactive as’ in the resulting
b) no other non-metal is as reactive as graphite comparative form. Also, by the words ‘no
c) Graphite is the most reactive non-metal other non-metal’, it gives a stronger
d) Graphite is the reactive non-metal unlike the comparison between the subject and other
others non-metals. It replaces the words ‘more
reactive than’ in the given sentence.
 TNPSC GROUP 4,2025
The positive form of
“Ramesh is the strongest man in the village” is
A) Ramesh is a strong man in the village
B) Ramesh is a stronger man in the village
C) Ramesh is the stronger man in the village
D) No other man in the village is so strong as Ramesh
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
Q1. Find out the Positive Degree from the given option
1) The tiger is a stronger animal
2) A cyclone is more destructive than heavy rain.
3) Mango is sweet to taste
4) He is the Youngest of all.
(A) 1 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 2
Q2. Which of the two sentences are in the same degree of comparison?
I. Mr. Roshanlal is the richest man in his village
II. The climate on the hills is better than that on the Plains
III. It is as hot today as it was yesterday
IV. In your view, who is the most popular cricketer?
(A) I and II (B) I and III (C) I and IV (D) II and IV
Q3. Identify the sentences with the superlative degree of the adjective:
(A) No one else is as courageous as him.
(B) He is one of the most courageous persons.
(C) He is more courageous than most other people.
(D) Very few people are as courageous as him.
Q4. Change the following sentence into superlative degree.
No other metal is as useful as iron.
(A) Iron is more useful than any other metal
(B) Iron is the most useful of all metals
(C) Iron is one of the most useful metals
(D) None of these.
Q5. Match column A with column B and select the correct code given below:
Column A Column B
(a) The elephant is bigger than any other animal - 1. Superlative
(b) No other pen is so costly as parker - 2. Comparative
(c) Akbar was the greatest Mughal king - 3. Positive
(D) Silk is not as rough as Cotton - 4. Positive
(a) (b) (c) (d)
(A) 4 2 1 3
(B) 2 4 1 3
(C) 3 2 4 1
(D) 3 4 1 2
 16. DIRECT INTO INDIRECT AND INDIRECT INTO DIRECT
REPORTED SPEECH
➢ The actual words spoken by a person is Direct Speech. They are enclosed within quotation marks.
➢ When we report this later, making changes to the words the speaker originally said, it is Reported
Speech. (Indirect Speech).
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
➢ Direct speech is a representation of the ➢ Indirect speech does not give the exact words
actual words someone said. uttered but focusses on the content of what
someone said.
➢ e.g. Rama said, “I am very busy now.” ➢ e.g. Rama said that he was very busy then.
It will be noticed that in Direct Speech, we use inverted commas to mark off the exact words of the
speaker. In Indirect Speech we do not.
It will be further noticed that in changing the above Direct Speech into Indirect certain changes have
been made.Thus,
i) We have used the conjunction ‘that’ before the Indirect statement.
ii) The pronoun ‘I’ is changed to ‘he’. (The Pronoun is changed in Person.)
iii) The verb ‘am’ is changed to ‘was’. (Present Tense is changed to Past.)
iv) The adverb ‘now’ is changed to ‘then’.

FIVE CHANGES
1. Reporting verbs (Smith said that he would come the next day.)
2. Conjunctions/ Word order for questions. (Smith said that he would come the next day.)
3. Pronoun (Smith said that he would come the next day.)
4. Verb Tenses (Smith said that he would come the next day.)
5. Adverbs (time and place) (Smith said that he would come the next day.)
REPORTING VERBS CHANGES:

1.He says, "The train will come late" 1.He says that the train will come late.
2.she said, I like Sweets" 2.She said that she liked sweets.
3.The teacher said to balu, "you must work hard". 3.The teacher told balu that he had to work hard.
4.My father said to me, "why are you late today". 4.My father asked me why I was late that day.
5.Raju said to me. "Do you know typewriting". 5.Raju asked me if I knew typewriting.
6.The teacher said to vimala,"Improve your Hand 6.The Teacher ordered vimala to Improve her
writing." hand writing.
7.Hari Said to his father, "Arrange a tutor to teach 7.Hari requested his father to arrange a tutor to
me maths". teach him maths.
8.The visitor said, "what a beautiful building the 8.The visitor exclaimed that the Taj mahal was a
Taj mahal is!". very beautiful building.
9.The boy said, "Hurrah! all my exams are over". 9.The boy exclaimed joyfully that all his exams
are over.

RULES FOR CONJUNCTION CHANGES

DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
Assertive That
Interrogative If/whether/Question word
Imperative That/to
Exclamatory that

RULES OF CHANGE OF PRONOUNS

INDIRECT SPEECH
DIRECT SPEECH
MASCULINE FEMININE PLURAL
I he she -
You (Subject) he she they
you (Object) him her them
your his her their
my his her their
myself himself herself themselves
we - - they
us - - them
RULES FOR TENSE CHANGES
ORIGINAL TENSE REPORTED TENSE EXAMPLE
Simple Present Simple Past He said, “I am happy” –
He said that he was happy.
Present Continuous Past He said, “I am going to the market.”
Continuous He said that he was going to the market.
Present Perfect Past Perfect He said, "She has finished her homework".
He said that she had finished her homework.
Simple Past Past Perfect They said, "We built this house in 1990".
They said that they had built that house in 1990.
Past Continuous Past Perfect She said, "I was studying all night".
Continuous She said that she had been studying all night.
can could “I can sing” – She said she could sing
may might “We may stay” – They said they might stay
must had to “I must go” – He said he had to go
will would “I’ll buy them” – You said you would buy them
RULES FOR ADVERB CHANGES
DENOTING TIME AND POSITION DENOTING TIME AND POSITION
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
this that today that day
these those yesterday the previous day
now Then tomorrow the next day
ago before next week the following week
last night the previous night last week the previous week
next day the following day here there
STATEMENT SENTENCES
When the reporting or principal verb is in the Past Tense, all Present tenses of the Direct are changed
into the corresponding Past Tenses. Thus
➢ A simple present becomes a simple past.
✓ Direct - He said, “I am fine.”
✓ Indirect - He said (that) he was fine.
➢ A present continuous becomes a past continuous.
✓ Direct - She said, “My sister is learning Karate.”
✓ Indirect - She said (that) her sister was learning Karate.
➢ A present perfect becomes a past perfect.
✓ Direct - He said, “I have won the match.”
✓ Indirect - He said (that) he had won the match.
➢ The 'shall' and the 'will' of the Future Tense is changed into should and would.
➢ The simple past in the Direct becomes the past perfect in the Indirect.
✓ Direct - She said, “The horse died in the night.”
✓ Indirect - She said that the horse had died in the night.
➢ THE TENSES MAY NOT CHANGE IF THE STATEMENT IS A UNIVERSAL TRUTH.
✓ Direct - The teacher said, “The earth goes round the sun.”
✓ Indirect - The teacher said the earth goes round the sun.
➢ THE CHANGES DO NOT OCCUR IF THE SPEECH IS REPORTED DURING THE SAME
PERIOD OR AT THE SAME PLACE.
✓ Direct - The Prince said, “It gives me great pleasure to be here this evening.”
✓ Indirect - The Prince said that it gives him great pleasure to be here this evening.

INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES
➢ In reporting questions, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verbs as asked, enquired, whether
or if, etc.
1. Direct - He said to me, “What are you doing?”
Indirect - He asked me what I was doing.
2. Direct - “Where do you live?” asked the stranger.
Indirect - The stranger enquired where I lived.
3. Direct - He said, “Will you attend the meeting?”
Indirect - He asked them whether they would attend the meeting.

IMPERATIVE SENTENCES
➢ In reporting commands and requests, the Indirect Speech is introduced by some verbs as ordered,
requested, commanded, shouted, urged, etc.
1. Direct - Rama said to Arjun, “Go away.”
Indirect - Rama ordered Arjun to go away.
2. Direct - He said to him, “Please wait here till I return.”
Indirect - He requested him to wait there till he returned.
3. Direct - “Call the first witness,” said the judge.
Indirect - The judge commanded them to call the first witness.
4. Direct - He shouted, “Let me go.”
Indirect - He shouted to them to let him go.
5. Direct - He said, “Be quiet and listen to my words.”
Indirect - He urged them to be quiet and listen to his words.

BELOW ARE SOME OF THE MOST COMMONLY USED VERBS OF THIS KIND
accept advise apologize ask assure blame
complain complement congratulate explain greet hope
invite offer order persuade promise remind
regret say suggest tell thank answer
warn encourage regret sympathize refuse instruct
EXCLAMATORY SENTENCES
In Exclamatory sentences that express (grief, sorrow, happiness, applaud) Interjections are removed and
the sentence is changed to an assertive sentence.
Direct. He said, “Alas! I am undone,”
Indirect. He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
Direct : Alice said, “How clever I am!”
Indirect : Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
Direct : He said, “Bravo! You have done well.”
Indirect : He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
Direct : “So help me Heaven!” he cried, “I will never steal again.”
Indirect : He called upon Heaven to witness his resolve never to steal again.

TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

DIRECT INTO INDIRECT AND INDIRECT Explanation: When converting direct speech to
TO DIRECT indirect speech, several changes occur:
Direct to Indirect Speech: *The reporting verb ("said") is changed
He said to Mr. Y, "Mr. Z will leave for his native to "told".
place tomorrow". *Conjunctions like "that" are added to
(A) He told Mr. Y that Mr. Z will leave for his introduce the reported speech.
native place tomorrow *The pronoun is adjusted if necessary.
*The tense of the reported verb is shifted
2. (B) He told Mr. Y that Mr. Z left for his native
back one tense if the reporting verb is in
place the next day
the past tense. In this case, "will leave"
(C) He told Mr. Y that Mr. Z would be leaving
becomes "would leave" since the original
for his native place tomorrow statement was reported in the past.
(D) He told Mr. Y that Mr. Z would leave
*Adverb change: Words like "tomorrow"
for his native place the next day
are changed to their corresponding
(E) Answer not known
indirect speech equivalents, such as "the
next day".
EXAMPLES
TENSE DIRECT SPEECH REPORTED STATEMENTS
Present Simple Sindhu said, “I play chess.” Sindhu said that she played chess.
Present Jayashree said, "I am working in a Jayashree said that she was working in a
Continuous school." school.
Past Simple Mani said, “I bought a car.” Mani said that he had bought a car.
Madhu said, “I was walking along Madhu said that she had been walking
Past Continuous
the street.” along the street.
Present Perfect Sekar said, “I haven't seen her.” Sekar said that he hadn't seen her.
Vijay said, “I had taken swimming Vijay said that he had taken swimming
Past Perfect
lessons long ago.” lessons long before.
Future Simple Sundar said to me, “I'll see you later.” Sundar told me that he would see me later.
 DIRECT QUESTION REPORTED QUESTION
Shankar said to me, “Do you know me?” Shankar asked me if I knew him.
Zuber said to Saira, “Are you living here?” Zuber asked Saira if she was living there.
Senthil said, “Where is the post office?” Senthil enquired where the post office was.
Shanthi said to Baskar, “What are you doing Shanthi asked Baskar what he was doing
now?” then.

DIRECT REQUEST REPORTED REQUEST

The old woman said to the boy, “Please help me.” The old woman requested the boy to help her.
The librarian instructed the students to speak
The librarian said to the students, “Speak softly.”
softly.
Raj said to Sukumar, “Please drop me at the station Raj requested Sukumar to drop him at the station
tonight.” that night.
EXERCISES: CHANGE THE FOLLOWING INTO INDIRECT SPEECH: -
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1) “May you live long”, she said. 1) She wished/prayed that I might live long.
2) He said, “How beautiful the garden is!” 2) He exclaimed that the garden was very beautiful.
3) He said, “Alas! I am undone”. 3) He exclaimed sadly that he was undone.
4) “Many happy returns of the day”, said 4) Mohsin wished him/her many happy returns of the
Mohsin. day.
5) Harsha said to Susheela, “Good Morning”. 5) Harsha wished Susheela good morning.
6) He said, “Bravo! You have been well”. 6) He applauded him, saying that he had done well.
7) She said, “My God! I am ruined”. 7) She exclaimed bitterly that she was ruined.
8) He said, “May your daughter recover soon”. 8) He prayed/hoped that my daughter might recover
9) “So help me, Heaven!” he cried, “I will never soon.
steal again”. 9) He called upon Heaven to witness his resolution to
10) Alice said, “How clever I am!” never steal again.
10) Alice exclaimed that she was very clever.
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING INTO INDIRECT SPEECH: -
1. “What do you want?” he said to her. 1. He asked her what she wanted.
2. He said, “How's your father?” 2. He asked how her father was.
3. “Are you coming home with me?” he asked. 3. He asked if she was coming home with
4. The poor man exclaimed, “Will none of you him.
help me?” 4. The poor man exclaimed and asked
5. “Don't you know the way home?” asked I. whether none of them would help him.
5. I asked if she didn’t know the way home.
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING INTO INDIRECT SPEECH: -
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1) “Bring me a glass of milk,” said the sage to 1) The sage asked the villagers to bring him a glass
the villagers. of milk.
2) “Sit down, boys,” said the teacher. 2) The teacher told the boys to sit down.
3) “Halt!” shouted the officer to his men. 3) The officer shouted to his men to halt.
4) “Take off your hat,” the king said to the 4) The king told the Hatter to take off his hat.
Hatter. 5) The teacher advised him not to read so fast
5) The teacher said to him, “Do not read so 6) He told me to wait until he came.
fast.” 7) He told his servant to hurry up and not to waste
6) He said to me, “Wait until I come.” time.
7) “Hurry up,” he said to his servant, “Do not 8) Their mother told the children to run away.
waste time.” 9) He told his daughter to take his golden jug and
8) “Run away, children,” said their mother. fetch him some water from the well.
9) He said, “Daughter, take my golden jug, 10) His master ordered him to go down to the bazaar
and fetch me some water from the Well.” and bring him some oil and a lump of ice.
10) “Go down to the bazaar. Bring me some
oil and a lump of ice.” ordered his master.

DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH

I want an ice Ram told Rakesh that he wanted an ice
cream. Ram said to Rakesh, “I want an ice cream.’’ cream.
I am coming to
Chennai My uncle said to me, “I am coming to My uncle told me that he was coming to
Chennai tomorrow.” Chennai the next day.
tomorrow.
The comic books
are kept on the The librarian said, “The comic books are The librarian said that the comic books were
kept on the second shelf.” kept on the second shelf.
second shelf.
The monument
Sidharthan said, “The monument is Sidharthan said that the monument was
is beautiful.
beautiful.” beautiful.
REPORT THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1) Pushpa said, “Do not spoil the eco-system.” 1. Pushpa advised not to spoil the eco-
2) Ebin said, “Have you booked the tickets to system.
Delhi?” 2. Ebin asked if I had booked the tickets to
3) Rehman said to Tilak, “When are we leaving Delhi.
to our native?” 3. Rehman asked Tilak when they were
4) Maha said, “Lakshan, you should get up early leaving for their native.
in the morning.” 4. Maha told Lakshan that he should get up
5) Gladin said to his mother, “Can you, please, early in the morning.
buy me a hot-chocolate?” 5. Gladin asked his mother if she could please
6) “Tomorrow, I have to take a test in English”, buy him a hot chocolate.
said Sudha. 6. Sudha said that she had to take a test in
7) Amali said to her sister, “I need your help to English the next day.
arrange the books in the shelf.” 7. Amali told her sister that she needed her
8) “Why don’t you use crayons for colouring?” help to arrange the books on the shelf.
said Prabhu to his son. 8. Prabhu asked his son why he didn’t use
crayons for colouring.
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING INTO DIRECT SPEECH
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1) Nevin asked his father when the next letter 1) Nevin asked his father, “When will the next letter
would come. come?
2) I wrote that I would visit him next day. 2) I wrote, “I will visit you tomorrow”
3) I told them to be quiet. 3) I said to them, “Be quiet”
4) Lakshan asked me if I had anything to say. 4) He asked me, “Do you have anything to say”.
5) An old mouse asked who would bell the cat. 5) An old mouse asked, “Who will bell the cat?”
6) Mervin said that he wanted to be a soldier. 6) Mervin said, “I want to be a soldier”.
7) Ebin asked me what I wanted. 7) He asked me, “What do you want?”
8) Bhagya said that she had seen that picture. 8) Bhagya said, “I have seen this picture”.
9) The stranger asked Nasrin where she lived. 9) The stranger asked Nasrin, “Where do you live?”
10) I asked Mary if she would lend me a pencil. 10) I asked Mary, “Will you lend me a pencil?”
CHANGE THE FOLLOWING INTO DIRECT SPEECH.
1. Jane told Bessie that she would hide herself in the library with Uncle Reed’s book.
2. John ordered Jane to come there when he called her.
3. Eliza asked Jane what she was doing then.
4. Mrs. Reed told Bessie to take her away to the red room and lock her in there.
5. Miss. Temple asked Jane whether she could read and write.
6. Miss. Miller asked Miss. Temple where she should put Jane.
7. Jane asked Helen why they called it an institution.
8. Helen asked Jane why she had come there.
9. Jane asked Mrs. Fairfax whether she would have the pleasure of seeing Miss. Fairfax that night.
10. Miss. Adela told Jane that she could sing and dance also.
ANSWERS
1. Jane said to Bessie, "I will hide myself in the library with Uncle Reed’s book."
2. John said to Jane, "Come here when I call you."
3. Eliza asked Jane, "What are you doing now?"
4. Mrs. Reed said to Bessie, "Take her away to the red room and lock her in there."
5. Miss Temple asked Jane, "Can you read and write?"
6. Miss Miller asked Miss Temple, "Where should I put Jane?"
7. Jane asked Helen, "Why do they call it an institution?"
8. Helen asked Jane, "Why have you come here?"
9. Jane asked Mrs. Fairfax, "Will I have the pleasure of seeing Miss Fairfax tonight?"
10. Miss Adela said to Jane, "I can sing and dance as well."

READ WHAT THESE PEOPLE SAY AND REWRITE AS SENTENCES.

1. I am very busy - Raja said that he was very busy.
2. I have completed my work - Satya said that she had completed her work.
3. I don’t like to go out. - Johnson said that he didn’t like to go out.
4. I have just come back from Chennai. - Akshita said that she had just come back from
Chennai.
5. I am learning English - Jayan said that he was learning English.
6. I bought a pen yesterday. - Madhu said that she had bought a pen the
previous day.
7. We will go shopping tomorrow. - Joseph and Mary said that they would go
shopping the next day.
8. We can’t attend the party. - Afsar and Ayesha said that they couldn’t attend
the party.
9. How are you? - Satish asked how I was.
10. I am fine. Thank you. - Victor said that he was fine and thanked me.

READ THE DIFFERENT VERB FORMS WHERE THEY REMAIN THE SAME IN THE DIRECT
AND INDIRECT SPEECH IN THE FOLLOWING CASES. FILL IN THE BLANKS WITH MISSING
INDIRECT SPEECH.
a) If the reporting verb is in the present ➢ I am enjoying my holiday.
tense.
I will never go to work
➢ Krish says that he is enjoying his holiday.
Kavi says that she will never go to work.
b) When we report a universal truth ➢ Asia is the largest continent.
(something that is always true)
People in Africa are starving.
➢ Balu said that Asia is the largest continent.
Alisha said that people in Africa are starving.
➢ I might come.
I would try it.
c) With modal verbs would, might, could,
should, ought to, used to. ➢ Shalini said that she might come.
Vinoth said that he would try it.
➢ I would rather fly.
d) With would rather, had better
They had better go.
➢ Chitti said that he would rather fly.
Sophia said that they had better go.
➢ If I tidied my room, my dad would be happy.
e) In if-clauses and time-clauses
When I was staying in Madurai I met my best
friend.
➢ Sriram said that if he tidied his room, his dad
would be happy.
Jaheer said that when he was staying in
Madurai, he met his best friend.
f) We do not usually change the modal verbs ➢ I must wash up.
must and needn’t. But must can become
We must do it in June.
had to or would have to and needn’t can
become didn’t have to or wouldn’t have to ➢ He said that she must wash up /she had to
if we want to express an obligation. wash up.
Would/wouldn’t have to are used to talk He said that he would have to do it in June.
about future obligations.
TICK THE RIGHT CHOICE (INDIRECT SPEECH).
DIRECT SPEECH INDIRECT SPEECH
a) took my English
1. “Who took my English book?” b) had taken his English book.
➢ He was curious to know who... c) takes his English book.
d) has taken my English book.
a) Helen lived.
2.“Where does Helen live?” b) Helen lives.
➢ Jim wants to know where... c) Helen had lived.
d) does Helen live?
a) volcanoes erupt.
3.“Why do volcanoes erupt?” b) volcanoes had erupted.
➢ She wondered why... c) volcanoes erupted.
d) did volcanoes erupt?
a) I know why she is
4. “Do you know why she is unhappy?” b) you know why she was
➢ He asked me if ..... unhappy c) did I know why she was
d) I knew why she was
a) photos I had got.
5. “How many photos have you got?” b) photos you have got.
➢ He wants to know how many.... c) photos had I got?
d) photos I have got.
REPORTED SPEECH -CHANGE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES INTO INDIRECT
SPEECH.
a) The pilot said to the passengers, “The plane will land in Delhi at 9 p.m.”
b) The principal said, “Young students must think about the ways to control the use of plastic bags in
the school campus.”
c) Gowtham said to me, “I was very ill last week, but I am better now.”
d) Priya said, “I want to give my sister a present.”
e) Madhu said to me, “I am so happy you have completed your project.”
f) The manager said, “I will speak to you on Friday.”
g) Mani said to his coach, “I shall improve, if you guide me.”
h) My mother said to me, “You can go swimming tomorrow.”
i) Sandeep said to John, “Would you like to watch a movie with me?”
j) Geetha asked Angel, “Will you help me to pack my bag?”
k) The librarian said to the students, “You are not allowed to scribble anything on the library books.”
l) The motorist said to me, “Can you direct me to the post office?”
m) Umar said to his mother, “Could you make me a cup of coffee?”
n) The little boy said to me, “Alas! My dog is dead.”
o) Grandmother said to her grandson, “May God bless you.”
ANSWERS
a) The pilot told the passengers that the plane would land in Delhi at 9 p.m.
b) The principal said that young students must think about ways to control the use of plastic bags on
the school campus.
c) Gowtham told me that he had been very ill last week, but he was better now.
d) Priya said that she wanted to give her sister a present.
e) Madhu told me that she was so happy I had completed my project.
f) The manager said that he would speak to me on Friday.
g) Mani told his coach that he would improve if the coach guided him.
h) My mother told me that I could go swimming the next day.
i) Sandeep asked John if he would like to watch a movie with him.
j) Geetha asked Angel if she would help her pack her bag.
k) The librarian told the students that they were not allowed to scribble anything on the library books
l) The motorist asked me if I could direct him to the post office.
m) Umar asked his mother if she could make him a cup of coffee.
n) The little boy exclaimed sadly that his dog was dead.
o) Grandmother wished her grandson that God would bless him.
 17. SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES

SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCE
➢ Sentence synthesis is the process of combining two or more sentences into a single sentence that
conveys the same meaning.
✓ He wanted to pass the examination. He studied hard.
✓ He studied hard to pass the examination.
TYPES OF SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCE
COMBINING INTO COMBINING INTO COMBINING INTO
SIMPLE SENTENCES COMPLEX SENTENCES COMPOUND SENTENCES
➢ This involves reducing ➢ This involves using sub- ➢ This involves using co-
multiple ideas into a single ordinating conjunctions ordinating conjunctions (and,
sentence using participles, (because, although, since) but, or, so) to link related ideas.
infinitives, or appositive to show relationships of
phrases. time, cause, or condition.
EXAMPLE EXAMPLE EXAMPLE
➢ He finished his work. He ➢ He didn’t study. He failed ➢ She was tired. She continued
went home. → the test. → working. →
➢ Finishing his work, he ➢ Because he didn’t study, he ➢ She was tired, but she
went home. failed the test. continued working.

I. CHIEF WAYS OF COMBINING JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE

SENTENCES INTO ONE SIMPLE SENTENCE
1. BY USING A PARTICIPLE
1. He jumped up. He ran away. 1. Jumping up, he ran away.
2. He was tired of play. He sat down to rest. 2. Tired of play, he sat down to rest.
3. He is well versed in English. He was appointed 3. For his knowledge of English, he was appointed
as the English teacher in the school. as English teacher in the school.

2. BY USING A NOUN OR A PHRASE IN APPOSITION

1. This is my friend. His name is Rama. 1. This is my friend Rama.
2. I spent two days in London. It is one of the most 2. I spent two days in London, one of the most
attractive places in England. attractive places in England.
3. Buddhism was founded in 2500 years ago. It is 3. Buddhism, one of the greatest religions, was
one of the greatest religions. founded in 2500 years ago.
3. BY USING A PREPOSITION WITH NOUN OR GERUND
1. The moon rose. Their journey was not ended. 1. Before their journey was ended, the moon rose.
2. He has failed many times. He still hopes to win. 2. Having failed for many times, he still hopes to
3. Her husband died. She heard the news. She win.
fainted. 3. On hearing the news of the death of her
husband, she fainted.
4. BY USING, NOMINATIVE ABSOLUTE CONSTRUCTION
1. The soldiers arrived. The mob dispersed. 1. The soldiers having arrived, the mob dispersed.
2. The town was enclosed by strong wall. The 2. The town having been enclosed by strong wall,
enemy was unable to capture it. the enemy was unable to capture it.

5. BY USING AN INFINITIVE
1. I have some duties. I must perform them. 1. I have some duties to perform.
2. We must finish this exercise. There are still three 2. We have still three sentences in this
sentences. exercise to finish.
3. He wanted to educate his son. He sent him to London. 3. He sent his son to London to educate him.
4. He is very fat. He can not run. 4. He is very fat to run.
6. BY USING AN ADVERB OR AN ADVERBIAL PHRASE
1. He deserved to succeed. He failed. 1. He failed undeservedly.
2. The sun set. The boys had not finished the
2. The boys had not finished the game by sunset.
game.

II. JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX

SENTENCE
➢ METHOD: Change one of the simple sentences into a principal clause and the others into
subordinate clauses
1. A NOUN CLAUSE: A noun clause does the work of a noun. It can act as the subject or the
object of the verb in the principal clause.
He is a hard-working boy. Everybody knows it. Everybody knows that he is a hard-working boy.
He may be at home. I do not know. I do not know whether he is at home.
He speaks fast. Otherwise he is a good teacher. Except that he speaks fast, he is a good teacher.
He would win the first prize. That was his hope. His hope, that he would win the first prize, was
His hope was not fulfilled. not fulfilled.
She may fail again. This is her great fear. Her great fear is that she may fail again.
Ashok is absent today. Do you know the reason? Do you know why Ashok is absent today?
2. AN ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
➢ An adjective clause does the work of an adjective. It can modify a noun or pronoun in the main
clause.
➢ Two or more Simple Sentences may be combined into one Complex Sentence by introducing an
Adjective Clause by the use of who, whom, whose or which, and the relative Adverb where or
why.
I met my old friend. He is now a Police Inspector. I met my old friend who is now a Police
Inspector.
The boy sits near me. His father is a philosopher.
The boy whose father is a philosopher sits near
me.
This is a fine opportunity. It should not be lost. This is a fine opportunity which should not be
 lost.
My mother will always be grateful to you. You My mother whom you helped will always be
helped her. grateful to you.
This is the garden. The finest roses grow here. This is the garden where the finest roses grow.
You did not come to school yesterday. can you Can you tell me the reason why you did not come
tell me the reason ? to school yesterday.

3. AN ADVERB CLAUSE.
➢ An adverb clause does the work of an adverb. It can modify a verb, an adjective or another adverb in
the main clause.
➢ Two or more Simple Sentences may be combined into one Complex Sentence by introducing an
Adverb Clause by the use of the Subordinating Conjunctions, if, since, because, unless, when, where,
while, though, as, until, before, than, that, etc.

1.You will pass. Your working hard is a condition. 1.You will pass if you work hard.
2.He will succeed. He has worked hard. 2.He will succeed, since he has worked hard.
3.He was fined. He had copied in the examination. 3.He was fined because he had copied in the
4.You must work harder. You will not pass. examination.
5.The sun set. We returned home. 4.Unless you work harder, you will not pass.
6.He worked hard. His object was to win a prize. 5.When the sun set, we returned home.
7.You are there. You can stay there. 6.He worked hard that he might win a prize.
8.The sun shines. Make hay now. 7.You can stay where you are.
9He is contented. He is poor. 8.Make hay while the sun shines.
10.He is ill. He cannot attend office. 9.He is contended though he is poor.
11.I will return. Do not go till then. 10.As he is ill, he cannot attend office.
12.I had left home. She came later. 11.Do not go until I return.
13.He is very old. He enjoys good health. 12.I had left home before she came.
14.Harry tiptoed into the room. He did not want 13.He enjoys good health, though he is very old.
to disturb the class. 14.Harry tiptoed into the room lest he should
15.He did not go out again. He had come back disturb the class.
home. 15.After he had come back home, he did not go
16.It is very simple. Even a child can understand out again.
it. 16.It is so simple that even a child can understand
17.They made a great deal of noise. I could not it.
sleep. 17.They made so much noise that I could not
18.Lila is more intelligent. I am less intelligent. sleep.
19.The bell rang. They all came up at once. 18.Lila is more intelligent than I am.
20.Tom is clever. Harry is equally clever. 19.As soon as the bell rang, they all came up.
20.Harry is as clever as Tom.
III. JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPOUND
SENTENCE
➢ A compound sentence is one having two or more co-ordinate clauses. Hence it can be formed only
with the help of coordinating conjunctions.
➢ By using and, as well as, both…and etc
NOTE THAT THESE CONJUNCTIONS MERELY ADD ONE STATEMENT TO
ANOTHER.
Alice wrote the letter. She posted it. Alice wrote the letter and posted it.
Tom passed the test. James also passed the test. Tom, as well as, James passed the test.
He has many admirers. He also has several Not only has he many admirers, but also several
detractors. detractors.
BY USING BUT, YET, WHEREAS, NEVERTHELESS
➢ These conjunctions are used when contrasting statements have to be joined together.
He is ill. He is cheerful. He is ill but cheerful.
He is rich. He is miserable He is rich, yet miserable.
Tom is ambitious. His brother is quite the Tom is ambitious whereas his brother is quite the
reverse. reverse.

BY USING OR, EITHER…OR, NOR, NEITHER…NOR, OTHERWISE ETC

➢ These conjunctions are used when two alternative facts or statements have to be presented.
You can go by bus. You can go by train. You can go by bus or train.
He does not smoke. He does not drink. He neither smokes nor drinks. (OR)
Neither does he smoke nor does he drink.
You must work hard. You will not win. You must work hard otherwise you will not win.

DIFFERENT WAYS OF COMBINING A SENTENCE

1) Harry is smart. Harry is ✓ Harry 2) She was annoyed. She
handsome. is both smart and handsome. said nothing.
➢ several ways to combine ✓ Harry is smart as well ✓ She was annoyed but she
✓ Harry is as handsome. said nothing.
smart and handsome. ✓ Harry is not only smart but ✓ She was annoyed, yet she
also handsome. said nothing.

a) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX

SENTENCE BY USING A NOUN CLAUSE:
1) A good education is essential for success in life. He believes this.
2) Could he depend on the guide? The traveler did not know.
3) He is bent on mischief. It is known to everybody.
ANSWERS
1) He believes that a good education is essential for success in life.
2) The traveler did not know whether he could depend on the guide.
3) That he is bent on mischief is known to everybody.
b) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX
SENTENCE BY USING AN ADJECTIVE CLAUSE
4) The slave had to fight with a hungry lion. The lion was kept in a cage.
5) He is a prince. Trouble had driven him from home.
ANSWERS
4) The slave had to fight with a hungry lion which was kept in a cage.
5) He is a prince whom trouble had driven from home.
c) JOINING TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO ONE COMPLEX
SENTENCE BY USING AN ADVERB CLAUSE
6) He got the first prize. He was happy.
7) Jack fought very well. As a result of that the captain asked him to join his band of soldiers.
8) He worked hard. His goal was to gain promotion.
ANSWERS
6) He was happy when he got the first prize. / He was happy because he got the first prize.
7) Jack fought so well that the captain asked him to join his band of soldiers.
8) He worked hard that he might gain promotion.

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO COMPLEX

SENTENCES.
QUESTIONS ANSWERS
1. Where does he live? That is a mystery. Where he lives is a mystery.
2. We will have a good monsoon this year. The The meteorologists expect that we will have a
meteorologists expect this. good monsoon this year.
3. The project will be abandoned. That is certain. It is certain that the project will be abandoned.
4. We visited the deer park. Buddha preached his We visited the deer park where Buddha preached
first sermon here. his first sermon.
5. His younger son is in the US. He is a professor His younger son, who is in the US, is a professor
at a prestigious university. at a prestigious university.

COMBINE THE FOLLOWING PAIRS OF SENTENCES INTO A COMPOUND

SENTENCE.
1) The way was long. The wind was cold. ANSWERS
2) The wind blew. The lightning splashed. The 1) The way was long and the wind was cold.
rain started falling. 2) The wind blew, the lightning splashed and
3) It was a cold night. We ventured out. the rain started falling.
4) He is foolish. He is obstinate. 3) It was a cold night but we ventured out.
5) Come in. Go out. 4) He is foolish and obstinate.
6) Do not be a borrower. Do not be a lender. 5) Come in or go out. / Either come in or go
out.
6) Do not be a borrower or a lender. / Be
neither a borrower nor a lender.
 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A PARTICIPLE
1. Choose the correct combination of the given two simple ➢ Answer: b
sentences into a single sentence using a participle from the ➢ Explanation: The sentence,
options. “Explaining the tasks, he walked
He explained the tasks. He walked away from the
discussion. away from the discussion” is the
a) He walked away from the discussion by explaining the correct combination of the given
tasks. simple sentences. It combines the
b) Explaining the tasks, he walked away from the sentences into one by using a
discussion. participle ‘explaining’ that is
c) No sooner did he explain the tasks, did he walk away derived form the verb ‘explain’ and
from the discussion. tells what was done by the subject
d) He explained the tasks and then walked away from the (explaining the tasks).
discussion.
➢ Answer: a
➢ Explanation: The two individual
2. The correct combination of the given two simple simple sentences are changed into
sentences into a single sentence using a participle is one single simple sentence using a
______________ participle ‘buying’ which is a
Piyush bought some vegetables. He started cooking
lunch. modified form of the verb
a) Buying some vegetables, Piyush started cooking lunch ‘buy/bought’. The resulting
b) The vegetables which were bought by Piyush were sentence has one subject and
used by him for cooking conveys the same meaning as the
c) Cooking lunch, Piyush also bought some vegetables given sentences. Thus, the correct
d) Piyush bought some vegetables and started cooking combination of the sentences
lunch given is, “buying some vegetables,
Piyush started cooking lunch”.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A NOUN OR PHRASE IN APPOSITION
➢ Answer: a
1. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: The following set of
simple sentence. sentences given in the question
My dog is sitting there. His name is Joe. statement is combined together into
a) My dog Joe is sitting there one simple sentence by using the
b) It is my dog Joe who is sitting there noun ‘Joe’. The name of the dog ‘Joe’
c) The dog sitting there is mine and his name is Joe is the noun in the sentence and also
d) My dog is sitting there and his name is Joe the subject hence it is used to combine
two sentences together.
 ➢ Answer: a
2. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: In the given set of
simple sentence. sentences in this question, ‘delicate
I saw the sculpture. It is delicate and elegant. and elegant’ is the appositive noun
a) The sculpture I saw, is delicate and elegant phrase as it gives us additional
b) The sculpture which I saw is delicate and elegant information about the ‘sculpture’.
c) I saw the sculpture and it was delicate and elegant Hence it is used to combine the two
d) A delicate and elegant sculpture was seen by me sentences together.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

SIMPLE SENTENCE USING A PREPOSITION WITH A NOUN OR GERUND
➢ Answer: b
1.
➢ Explanation: The two sentences
2. Combine the following set of sentences into one
mentioned in this question statement
simple sentence.
She opened the jar. She found the cookies. are joined together by the preposition
a) She opened the jar and found the cookies ‘after’ in the answer statement. A
b) She found the cookies after she opened the jar preposition is a word which shows
c) When she opened the jar, she found the cookies the relation of a noun or pronoun to
d) Cookies were found by her as she opened the jar another word in the sentence.

➢ Answer: c
3. Combine the following set of sentences into one ➢ Explanation: Using a preposition +
simple sentence. gerund, two different sentences are
He was hit by a bullet. He kept walking. joined together into one sentence.
a) He kept walking even though he was hit by a The preposition used in the correct
bullet option to do so is ‘In spite’ in the
b) He was hit by a bullet but he kept walking beginning of the answer statement.
c) In spite of being hit by a bullet, he kept walking We can use gerund+ preposition
d) He was hit by a bullet though he kept walking combination to turn a full sentence
into a phrase.
4. Combine the following set of sentences into one
➢ Answer: d
simple sentence.
He was lost. She knew it. She did not help. ➢ Explanation: The following set of
a) She did not help him when he was lost and she sentences given in this question
knew it statement is converted into a single
b) She knew that he was lost but she did not help sentence by the use of the preposition
c) Although she knew that he was lost, she did not ‘In site’ in the answer statement.
help Three simple sentences are joined
d) In spite of knowing that he was lost, she did not together into one simple sentence.
help
COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE
COMPOUND SENTENCE USING CUMULATIVE CONJUNCTION
1. Combine the following set of simple sentences ➢ Answer: c
into one compound sentence. ➢ Explanation: The following two simple
The crowd was outside. He was nervous. sentences given in this question statement are
a) The crowd being outside made him nervous converted into a compound sentence by using
b) He was nervous of the crowd outside the cumulative conjunction ‘and’ in the answer
c) The crowd was outside and he was nervous statement. This helps to simply add together
d) The crowd was nervous so he was nervous two different sentences.
2. Combine the following set of simple sentences ➢ Answer: a
into one compound sentence. ➢ Explanation: The two simple sentences
She is smart. She is attractive. mentioned in this question are combined
a) She is both smart and attractive together by the use of the cumulative
b) She is smart so she is attractive conjunction ‘both smart and attractive’ in the
c) She is either smart or attractive answer statement. Cumulative conjunction is
d) She is smart which makes her attractive a coordinating conjunction.

COMBINATION OF TWO OR MORE SIMPLE SENTENCES INTO A SINGLE

COMPLEX SENTENCE USING SUBORDINATE CLAUSE A NOUN CLAUSE
1. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one ➢ Answer: a; Explanation: The
complexsentence. following two simple sentences
I might have some money. I am not sure. are converted into a single
a) I am not sure whether I have money complex sentence by expanding
b) I might have some money but I am not sure the word or phrase given in the
c) I am not sure of having money question into the noun clause ‘I
d) I might have some money still I am not sure have money’.
➢ Answer: a
2. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one ➢ Explanation: The noun clause
complex sentence. used in the given correct option is
The decoration was done. Only the flowers were left.
‘Except for the flowers’. This noun
a) Except for the flowers, the decoration was done
clause joins the two simple phrases
b) The decoration was done but only the flowers were left
given in the question statement
c) The decoration was done without the flowers
and converts them into a single
d)The decoration was done and only the flowers were left
complex sentence.
3. Combine the following set of simple sentences into one Answer: d; Explanation: The two
complex sentence. simple sentences are joined together
He was lost in the forest. They knew it.
by expanding them into a subordinate
a) He being lost in the forest was known by them
clause ‘that he was lost’ in the answer
b) He was lost in the forest and they knew it
statement. This subordinate clause is a
c) He was lost in the forest, however they knew it
noun clause as it deals with the subject
d) They knew it that he was lost in the forest
of the sentence ‘he’.
 TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

SYNTHESIS OF SENTENCES Explanation

Which of the following sentences is a correct *A conjunctive adverb such as
synthesis using an appropriate conjunctive "consequently" connects two
adverb? independent clauses and shows a
Sentence 1: The assignment was due last week. relationship between them. In this case,
Sentence 2: We did not submit it on time. "consequently" indicates a cause-and-
effect relationship: the assignment
(a) The assignment was due last week; being due last week (cause) led to it not
consequently, we did not submit it on time being submitted on time (effect).
(b) The assignment was due last week, so we did When a conjunctive adverb joins two
1. not submit it on time independent clauses, it is typically
(c) The assignment was due last week, because preceded by a semicolon (;) and
we did not submit it on time followed by a comma (,). This
(d) The assignment was due last week and we did punctuation separates the clauses while
not submit it on time. still showing their logical connection.

(A) (a)
(B) (b)
(C) (c)
(D) (d)
(E) Answer not known
 18. PUNCTUATIONS

PUNCTUATION IS A SET OF SYMBOLS THAT SEPARATES AND GIVES

MEANING TO WORDS.
➢ It tells readers where to pause, what words are quotations, and more.
➢ When you use correct punctuation, you convey your intended message clearly to your audience.

SPEAKING AND WRITING

➢ While speaking, we use intonation, pauses and voice modulation to help the listener grasp
exactly what we try to communicate.
➢ In writing, this is achieved with the help of punctuation.
➢ Punctuation is the system of symbols that we use in order to communicate efficiently and effectively
what we actually wish to convey.
➢ Punctuation marks are tools that have set functions. They are not just an optional frill, but are
indispensable to exchange written information accurately.
➢ The correct usage of punctuation marks expresses the intended meaning of the sentence.
➢ At times, wrong punctuation marks can present just the opposite of what you try to say.
➢ At times, serious sentences without proper punctuation become jokes, leading to confusion and
misunderstanding.
DIFFERENTIATING TYPE OF SENTENCES WITH PUNCTUATIONS
➢ A sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a full stop or a question mark or an exclamation
mark.
1. When a sentence is a statement, it gives a fact or an opinion Ducks swim in water.
and we end it with a full stop.
2. When a sentence asks a question, we end it with a question What do you want?
mark.
3. When a sentence makes a request or gives an instruction Take this road.
or a command, we end it with a full stop.
4. When a sentence expresses surprise, wonder or some strong How good these flowers smell!
emotion, we end it with an exclamation mark.

CAPITAL LETTER
To begin a sentence. Ex: They are playing cricket.
To begin each line of poetry. Ex: If you can dream and not make
dreams your master.
For all proper nouns and adjectives ➢ Bharathi is a Tamil poet.
Ex: India, Indian. We live in India. ➢ I met Kumar at the market.
➢ He completed his MBBS last year.
To begin the names and surnames of persons, rivers, Ex: Raj, Cauvery, India, Trichy, Everest,
countries, cities, mountains, roads, buildings, days Grand trunk road, The Hindu, Sunday.
of the week, months, books, newspapers,
magazines, communities, political parties.

14 STANDARD PUNCUATION MARKS & ITS USES

1. Full stop / period .

2. Comma ,
3. Semicolon ;
4. Colon :
5. Question mark ?
6. Exclamatory mark !
7. Apostrophe ‘
8. Quotation marks “…..”
9. Hyphen -
10. Dash _
11. Parentheses ()
12. ellipsis …
13. slash /
14. asterisk *
1) USES OF FULL STOP
To mark the end of a sentence, primarily Ex: Time is Gold. (Statement)
To mark the end of commands, Get me a glass of water. (Imperative)
instructions, orders and requests
After an initial (first Letter of a person ‘s name) Ex: S. Raman, M. Renu

After short forms and abbreviations Ex: "Dr.", "Mrs.", "a.m.", and "e.g.".
"U.S." and "F.B.I."
At the end of a sentence containing an Direct question: Are you going to the movie?
indirect question Indirect question: I wonder if you are going to
the movie.
In website URLs and email addresses Ex: https://www.aimtnyoutubechannel.com/
[email protected]

2) USES OF COMMA: (‘COMMA’ INDICATES A BRIEF PAUSE)

To indicate a pause while reading. Ex: God willing, we will meet again.
To separate words in a list. (The last two items Ex: Health, wealth and peace to together.
are separated by and) He visited Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Kashmir.
To separate the actual words spoken, from the Ex: Mala said, “I am writing a letter.”
rest of the sentences.
To mark off certain words like No, Yes prefixed Ex: Yes, I come. No, I don’t come.
to a sentence.
To break up group of numbers into tens, Ex: 1,25,500
hundreds, thousands and lakhs.
After salutation in letters. Ex: Dear Sir, Dear Kannan,
To separate the date and month from the year. Ex: 1st January, 2005 22nd June, 1969
Before the question tags at the end of the Ex: It's a beautiful day, isn't it?
statements or imperatives they are attached to
After an introductory phrase or clause. After the rain stopped, we went for a walk.
Before coordinating conjunctions (and, yet/but, I like to read, but my brother prefers watching
or/otherwise, so/otherwise, nor) in compound movies.
sentences.
3) USE OF SEMI-COLON
The semicolon represents a pause greater than Ex: Uma came quickly; she ate in a hurry she
that indicated by the comma. went out.
The comma separates individual items. A Ex: In the children’s room were toys, books, balls
semicolon separates groups of items. and colour pencils; in the kitchen were pots, pans,
vegetables, and fruits; and the library had books,
charts and maps.
Links two independent clauses without a "I studied for hours; I felt well-prepared for the
coordinating conjunction exam".
4) USES OF COLON
The colon shows a shorter pause than a full Ex: The three great books are: the Ramayana, the
stop, but a longer pause than a semicolon. Mahabharata and the Gita.
To introduce a list The days of the week are: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Used to separate two independent clauses, "The reason for the delay is simple: we ran into
when the second explains, illustrates or unexpected traffic."
follows from the first.
Before a quotation, and sometimes before "He said: \"I'm going to the store.\""
direct speech
Never use a colon after a sentence "My favorite colors: blue and green." (Incorrect)
fragment. "My favorite colors, blue and green"(Correct)
5) QUESTION MARK
To mark off questions. To mark off question tag.
Ex: What is your name? Ex: Pass the salt, will you?
How old are you? I am not angry, am I?
Are you interested in Maths?

6) EXCLAMATORY MARK
➢ After interjections. ➢ After exclamatory sentences.
✓ Ex: Ah! Hurrah! Alas! Oh! Hush! ✓ Ex: What a useful tree the coconut is!
➢ After exclamatory phrases. ✓ How cunning the fox is!
✓ Ex: Well done! Miserable man!

7) USES OF APOSTROPHE
➢ To indicate the omission of a letter or letters ✓ In contracted forms, in place of the letter
when two words are joined. that is left out. Ex: can’t
✓ Ex: I’ve → I have I’m → I am Don’t → Do ✓ To indicate the plural of figures and
not won’t → will not letters.
➢ Apostrophe is used with s– to give the ✓ Ex: 5’s Your 3’s and 8’s look alike.
meaning belongs to. (Possessiveness)
✓ Ex: Ramu’s book → The book belongs to
Ramu.

8) USES OF QUOTATION MARK OR INVERTED COMMAS

➢ Single quotation marks or inverted commas ➢ To mark the exact words of a speaker
are generally used in British English. without any change / to use a word or phrase
✓ Ex: ‘Help! I’m drowning!’ in a specific way to highlight it
➢ In American English, double quotation marks ✓ Ex: Rama said to Rahim, “Where are you
are used. going?”
✓ Ex: “Help! I’m drowning!”
9) USES OF HYPHEN & EXAMPLES
➢ in numbers between twenty-one and ninety- ➢ in compound adjectives using high and low
nine, when they are written in words. (e.g. high-level, low-tide)
➢ in compound adjectives with fractions (e.g. ➢ To link pairs of words used as single words or
one-third / quarter-million / half-boiled) group of words, or join up words or syllables.
➢ with prefixes ex-, self-, all- (e.g. ex-minister / Ex: Re-search , father–in–law, co–operative,
self-satisfied / all-over) two–third
10) USES OF DASH & EXAMPLES (THE DASH IS LONGER THAN HYPHEN)
1. Specify time ranges World War II (1939–1945) triggered significant changes in the
balance of power worldwide.
2. Join two-word adjective phrases to a single noun. Eg: Academy Award–winning actor
3. Introduce (and emphasize) more The speaker forced members of the audience to confront
detail at the end of a sentence without something that they never wanted to acknowledge—their own
using a colon or semicolon. prejudices.
4. Introduce (and emphasize) a detail Julius Caesar—the first Roman Emperor—ruled until his
in the middle of a sentence. untimely death in 44 BCE.
5. Emphasize a list already separated Multiple languages are spoken in Canada—English, French,
by commas. and Native languages.
6. Mark a sudden change in a The Assyrian Empire’s brutality allowed for the rapid growth
sentence’s tone. of their realm—but it ultimately brought their downfall.

➢ “A Dash is a mark of separation stronger than a comma, less formal than a colon, and more relaxed
than parentheses.” -William Strunk Jr. & E.B. White
11) USES OF PARENTHESES OR ROUND BRACKETS & EXAMPLES
➢ within a sentence to provide ➢ to enclose time zones following the time (e.g. 6 a.m.
supplementary or additional (IST)
information, not essential to the main ➢ to enclose abbreviations/acronyms or their
point expansions upon their first use for the readers’
➢ to enclose numbers or letters used in understanding.
numbered or lettered lists (e.g. (1) (2) "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
......../ (a) (b).......) (CDC) issued a new report".
12)USES OF ELLIPSIS (DOT-DOT-DOT)
➢ to denote omission of a word, phrase, line, EXAMPLES:
paragraph, or any missing piece of a text "The cat sat on the mat. ... and then jumped
passage off." (Omission within a sentence)
➢ to shorten the quote without changing the
meaning "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. ...
➢ to avoid unnecessary repetition of words etc." (Omission of a longer section of text)
➢ to show a pause in a thought or to create
suspense.
13) USES OF SLASH OR OBLIQUE STROKE & EXAMPLES
➢ to signify alternatives (and/or) For example:
➢ to denote division and separate parts of a "In the passage, the poet writes, 'This is the
fraction first line / And this is the second line, / And
➢ to mark line divisions in poetry quoted with this one is the third.'" scribbr says
running text.
14) USES OF ASTERISK & EXAMPLES
➢ to show that a footnote like reference or ➢ * (Footnote at the bottom of the page: "...a
comment has been added at the bottom of a season" is an overestimation.)
page (in case of many footnotes, use one star * ➢ "The meeting is tomorrow.* It's on Tuesday."
for the first one, two stars ** for the second
and so on).
➢ in advertisements to indicate that there is ➢ "All new models now on sale!* (See bottom
extra information. of page for details)"

TNPSC GROUP 4,2025

PUNCTUATIONS Explanation:
Choose the suitable answer: Quotation marks are used to indicate
If a writer uses a word or phrase in a special way, that a word or phrase is being used in a
he/she can write it in specific way, often to highlight irony or
(a) Parentheses to signal that the writer is distancing
1. (b) Quotation marks
themselves from the phrase's usual
(c) Square brackets
meaning.
(d) Dash
(A) (a) (B) (b)
(C) (c) (D) (d)
(E) Answer not known
COMMONLY USED PUNCTUATION MARKS
Comma (,) ➢ The comma is used to indicate a short pause. It is used:
a. for words, phrases and clauses in a series.
➢ For example,
✓ Gandhiji, the Father of the Nation, died on 30th January, 1948.
b. when you address a person.
➢ For example,
✓ "Yes, Sir."
c. to separate numbers, dates and address.
➢ For example,
✓ I was born on 9th August, 1990 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Semicolon ➢ The semicolon represents a stronger pause than a comma.
(;) ➢ It is used to stress the close relationship between one sentence and another.
➢ For example,
✓ Today we love what tomorrow we hate; today we seek what tomorrow we shun;
today we desire what tomorrow we fear.
Colon (:) ➢ The colon is used to show that something is to follow.
➢ For example,
✓ The principle parts of a verb in English are: the present tense, the past tense,
and the past participle.
Full Stop (•) ➢ The full stop is used to mark the end of a declarative or an imperative sentence. It
represents the greatest pause.
➢ For example,
✓ Abirami, Suganya and Sudha are best friends
Exclamation ➢ The exclamation mark is used after interjections and after phrases and sentences
Mark (!) expressing sudden emotion or wish.
➢ For example,
✓ Alas! Oh dear!
Question ➢ Question Mark is used, instead of the Full Stop, after a direct question.
Mark (?) ➢ For example,
✓ Have you finished writing?
Dash (_) ➢ The dash is used to make an abrupt stop or change of thought.
➢ For example,
✓ He has-you may not believe it-failed.
Inverted ➢ Inverted Commas are used to enclose the exact words of a speaker, or a quotation.
Commas ➢ For example,
(“ ”) ✓ "I would rather die," he exclaimed, "than join the oppressors of my country."
Apostrophe ➢ Used to indicate either possession (e.g. Harry's book; boys' coats) or the omission of
(’) letters or numbers (e.g. can't; he's; 1Jan.'99)
Brackets ( ) ➢ Each of a pair of marks ( ) [ ] { } used to enclose words or figures so as to separate
them from the context.
➢ For example, MS Dhoni (the former Cricket captain) resigned from cricket.
 EXERCISES
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES.
1. i like playing with my friends sandy sunny sameer
2. we went through the smoky mountains, near shimla on our way to leh
3. my favourite soap is pears and my favourite toothpaste is pepsodent
4. my friend priya speaks german and she is teaching me some words
5. he was honest sincere hard working
6. hindus muslims sikhs christians live together in india
7. long ago in a town in Switzerland there lived a famous man called william
8. akbar the greatest of the mughal emperors ruled wisely
9. tanya said to rahul is a nice guy
10. when is your birthday

ANSWERS
1. I like playing with my friends: Sandy, Sunny, Sameer.
2. We went through the Smoky Mountains, near Shimla, on our way to Leh.
3. My favourite soap is Pears, and my favourite toothpaste is Pepsodent.
4. My friend Priya speaks German, and she is teaching me some words.
5. He was honest, sincere, and hard-working.
6. Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians live together in India.
7. Long ago, in a town in Switzerland, there lived a famous man called William.
8. Akbar, the greatest of the Mughal emperors, ruled wisely.
9. Tanya said to Rahul, “He is a nice guy.”
10. When is your birthday?

USE THE APPROPRIATE PUNCTUATION MARK THAT COMPLETES THE

SENTENCES.
1. Where is the park ____________________
2. Make sure to complete all your homework on time ____________________
3. Priya asked when are we going on a vacation ____________________
4. Terry Sam and Jeremy went to the movies together ____________________
5. Wow ____________________ What a wonderful event ____________________
6. I am so excited to see my family on Christmas ____________________
7. What day of the week is your favourite ____________________
8. You need to do your homework right after dinner ____________________
9. Please take out the trash when you get home ____________________
10. My favourite team won the game ____________________
11. What do you want to eat for lunch ____________________
12. I had a great time at your party ____________________
13. Do you know what time it is ____________________
14. How do we get to the amusement park ____________________
15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation ____________________
 ANSWERS
1. Where is the park?
2. Make sure to complete all your homework on time.
3. Priya asked, "When are we going on a vacation?"
4. Terry, Sam, and Jeremy went to the movies together.
5. Wow! What a wonderful event!
6. I am so excited to see my family on Christmas!
7. What day of the week is your favourite?
8. You need to do your homework right after dinner.
9. Please take out the trash when you get home.
10. My favourite team won the game!
11. What do you want to eat for lunch?
12. I had a great time at your party!
13. Do you know what time it is?
14. How do we get to the amusement park?
15. I can't wait to go on summer vacation!

REWRITE THE SENTENCES WITH PUNCTUATION MARKS.

1. where is my cat - Where is my cat?
2. jain ate an apple - Jain ate an apple.
3. the book is on the table - The book is on the table.
4. ravi wants book pen and pencil - Ravi wants book, pen and pencil.
5. do you play football - Do you play football?
6. my favourite colour is blue - My favourite colour is blue.
7. leema is a good singer - Leema is a good singer.
8. do you like pet animals - Do you like pet animals?
9. he likes shirt pants and shorts - He likes shirt, pants and shorts.
10. how are you - How are you?
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING.
1. the woman said to the student please help me cross the street
2. sarathy said oh how thrilling it was
3. the teacher said to the students where do you want to go
4. i am tired mohana said to her aunt
5. shankar said to his teacher madam i had prepared my project assignment but I forgot to bring it.
ANSWERS
1. The woman said to the students, “please help me cross the street,”
2. Sarathy said, “Oh, how thrilling it was!”
3. The teacher said to the students, “Where do you want to go?”
4. I am Ham tired, “Mohana said to her aunt.
5. Shankar said to his teacher, “Madam, I had prepared my project assignment, but I forgot to bring
it.
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING.
1. Indias prime minister lal bahadur shastri who coined the slogan jai jawan jai kisan was a man of
humble origin
2. When were stressed we eat a lot of sweets chocolates and ice creams because the word stressed when
spelled backwards becomes desserts
3. To lead a healthy life man needs three things clean water unpolluted air and bright sunshine
4. The notice displayed on the pin-board read those who can do those who cant do learn those who cant
learn quit
5. When we transport something by car its called a shipment but when we transport something by ship
its called cargo
6. If i remember right i was studying in tagore middle school at that time one day my english teacher
looked at me and said name two pronouns i said who me
7. What is punctuation To quote lynne truss punctuation marks are the traffic signals of a language they
tell us to slow down notice this take a detour and stop
8. Behold how beautiful these flowers are they dont blossom for their own sake rather they take pride
in spreading fragrance around and making people happy.
9. Edison built a huge plant at Ogdensburg new jersey to process iron ore this venture was one of edisons
few failures however Tom shrugged off the losses incurred well its gone he said of the money but we
had a good time spending it
10. Alexander the great was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his mother while he was on his deathbed
fearing that he may not live to see her he said take my entire kingdom oh god i wish i knew
beforehand that my entire strength of men and material cant be exchanged for a single breath of life
for then i wouldnt have wasted my life in amassing this empire.
ANSWERS
1. India’s Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri, who coined the slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” was a man
of humble origin.
2. When we’re stressed, we eat a lot of sweets, chocolates, and ice creams, because the word “stressed,”
when spelled backwards, becomes “desserts.”
3. To lead a healthy life, man needs three things: clean water, unpolluted air, and bright sunshine.
4. The notice displayed on the pin-board read: “Those who can do, those who can’t do, learn; those
who can’t learn, quit.”
5. When we transport something by car, it’s called a shipment, but when we transport something by
ship, it’s called cargo.
6. If I remember right, I was studying in Tagore Middle School at that time. One day, my English
teacher looked at me and said, “Name two pronouns.” I said, “Who? Me?”
7. What is punctuation? To quote Lynne Truss, “Punctuation marks are the traffic signals of a
language. They tell us to slow down, notice this, take a detour, and stop.”
8. Behold how beautiful these flowers are! They don’t blossom for their own sake; rather, they take
pride in spreading fragrance around and making people happy.
9. Edison built a huge plant at Ogdensburg, New Jersey, to process iron ore. This venture was one of
Edison’s few failures. However, Tom shrugged off the losses incurred. “Well, it’s gone,” he said of
the money, “but we had a good time spending it.”
 10. Alexander the Great was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his mother while he was on his deathbed.
Fearing that he might not live to see her, he said, “Take my entire kingdom. Oh, God, I wish I knew
beforehand that my entire strength of men and material can’t be exchanged for a single breath of
life, for then I wouldn’t have wasted my life in amassing this empire.”
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING SENTENCES
1) One was said to be the famous sunset ruby which had belonged to the empress-queen Maria
Theresa.
2) Oho he said to himself The angry waters must stay back now
3) He shouted again will no one come, mother mother,
4) mother will be watching for me he thought and he began to run toward home
5) peters father was one of the men who tended the gates in the dikes called sluices
6) dont go so fast, bub; you’ll get to your school in plenty of time
7) M. hamel saw me and said very kindly go to your place quickly little Franz.
8) are you saying youre going to be able to construct a human being
9) then Sir I shall really have discovered the absolute
10) where are we going sir asked the aero-coachman?
11) She said youre wasting your sat scores!
12) well theres a very simple method of finding out
13) arent you getting some result from the moon at any rate
14) Alas! alas cried the farmer the truth must be told!
15) Wait she said i will think.
16) let not thine eyes be blinded my son shilvi said
17) yes said her old father, i heard about it in town.
18) what else can be done said mulans father
19) no my daughter said the old man
20) then as I hurried by as fast as I could go the blacksmith, Wachter who was there, with his apprentice
21) mother will be watching for me he thought and he began to run toward home
22) just at sundown when his days work was ended he took a quantity of unwhitened rice cooked and
dried it
23) right Remember the tiny penknife he gave me last year the one with a genuine sharks tooth blade
24) Wherefore said Miranda, did they not that hour destroy us
25) now tell me sir your reason for raising this seastorm
ANSWERS
1) One was said to be the famous, “Sunset ruby,” which had belonged to the Empress-Queen Maria
Theresa.
2) “Oho!” he said to himself, “The angry waters must stay back now.”
3) He shouted again, “Will no one come? Mother!”
4) “Mother will be watching for me,” he thought, and he began to run toward home.
5) Peter’s father was one of the men who tended the gates in the dikes, called Sluices.
6) “Don’t go so fast, bub; you’ll get to your school in plenty of time!”
7) M. Hamel saw me and said very kindly, “Go to your place quickly, little Franz.”
8) Are you saying you’re going to be able to construct a human being, Francis?’
9) ‘Then, Sir, I shall really have discovered the absolute.’
10) ‘Where are we going, Sir?’ asked the aero-coachman.
11) She said, “You’re wasting your SAT scores!”
12) ‘Well, there’s a very simple method of finding out.’
13) ‘Aren’t you getting some result from the moon, at any rate?’
14) “Alas! Alas!” cried the farmer, “the truth must be told!”
15) “Wait!” she said, “I will think.”
16) “Let not thine eyes be blinded, my son,” Shilvi said.
17) “Yes,” said her old father, “I heard about it in town.”
18) “What else can be done?” said Mulan’s father.
19) “No, my daughter!” said the old man.
20) Then, as I hurried by as fast as I could go, the blacksmith, Wachter, who was there, with his
apprentice.
21) “Mother will be watching for me,” he thought, and he began to run toward home.
22) Just at sundown, when his day’s work was ended, he took a quantity of unwhitened rice, cooked
and dried it.
23) Right! Remember the tiny penknife he gave me last year, the one with a genuine shark’s tooth
blade.
24) “Wherefore,” said Miranda, “did they not that hour destroy us?”
25) “Now tell me, sir, your reason for raising this sea-storm?”
PUNCTUATE THE FOLLOWING.
1) On the drive, he would tell me dont waste ANSWERS
your time playing insane games with these 1) On the drive he would tell me, “Don’t waste
kids your time playing insane games with these
2) “Bow, wow, wow!” wagging his tail violently. kids.
3) Steady old pal weve been through bad things 2) “Bow, wow, wow!” wagging his tail violently.
before and come out safely. 3) Steady, old pal! We‘ve been through bad
4) do you want to buy it things before and come out safely.
5) only three years she smiled 4) ‘Do you want to buy it?’
6) I used to climb the jackfruit tree he said 5) ‘Only three years,’ she smiled.
opening his eyes 6) ‘I used to climb the jackfruit tree,’ he said,
7) She said where did you find it opening his eyes.
8) A human how could a human be a teacher 7) She said, “Where did you find it?”
9) Oh Jim i’m scared 8) “A human? How could a human be a teacher?”
10) she is alive someone said 9) Oh, Jim, I’m scared!
11) Hey wait a minute, ’ pongo shouted. 10) “She is alive!” someone said.
12) tom what on earth ails that cat 11) ‘Hey! Wait a minute,’ Pongo shouted.
13) Im a grizzly from alaska and Ive come to stay. 12) ‘Tom, what on earth ails that cat?’
“I’m a grizzly from Alaska and I‘ve come to stay.