Faculty of Social Sciences

D.E.I.
QUESTION BANK
BBM 103
Course Title: Business Communication I (English)
Revised (2017-2018)

UNIT I: Common Errors Related to Various Parts of Speech

Q.1. Define a Noun. Discuss countable and uncountable Nouns. Discuss the different ways of
forming plural forms of Nouns.

Q. 2. Correct the errors in noun usage in the following sentences:

(i) Her clothes were clean and free from dirts.

(ii) He peeled the apple with a knives.

(iii) He has moved the furnitures in the living room.

(iv) new delhi is the capital of India.

(v) The cattles were grazing in the field.

(vi) The sceneries of Kerala are beautiful.

(vii) His mother in law was kind.

(viii) The counselor gave him many advices.

(ix) The tomatos were red.

(x) She bought two dozens oranges.

Q.3. Correct the errors of Nouns in the following.

1. This is girl's college. 2. The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.

3. Give me your scissor. 4. He needs my advice.

5. He has given me a ten rupees note. 6. Your trouser is dirty.

7. A five men committee has been formed. 8. The rich hate poors.

9. He has bought furnitures from my house. 10. Whose cattle is this.

Q.4. Choose the correct form of Nouns given in the brackets.

1. He has no (brain/brains). 2. It costs five (hundred/hundreds) rupees.

3. He is suffering from (measles/measle). 4. I bought three (dozens/ dozen) oranges.

5. Pay my (thanks/ thank) to him. 6. The (oxen/oxens) are not here.

7. Comb your (hair/ hairs). 8. She gave me two (dozens/ dozen) of apples.

9. She gave (alms/alm) to the beggar. 10. The (jury/ juries) awarded the verdict.

Q. 5. Choose whether the following sentences need countable or uncountable nouns:

(i) The (news/ newses) was on T.V.

(ii) The tourists saw many (deer/ deers) in the forest.
(iii) Give my (thank/thanks) to him.
(iv) Brush your (hair/hairs).
(v) Grandfather bought one(dozen/dozens) bananas.
(vi) There were two litres of (milk / milks) in the fridge.
(vii) The (water/ waters) was gushing out of the faucet.
(viii) Please pass the (bread/ breads).
(ix) The chair was made of (wood/ woods).
(x) The window was made of stained (glass / glasses).

Q.6. Change the following nouns from singular to plural:

(i) child (vi) oasis

(ii) phenomenon (vii) goose
(iii) gold (viii) tomato
(iv) family (ix) gallery
(v) medium (x)self

Q.7. what are possessives? What are the different ways of forming possessives? Give suitable
examples.

Q.8. Add the missing Possessive Pronouns in the following sentences :

(i) That pencil is __________. (vi) ________ is a warm and close-knit family.
(ii) Ravi’s bicycle is like ________. (vii) She said the purse is ____________.
 (iii) Is that _________? (viii) Raman has a football like ___________.
(iv) That laptop is _________. (ix) Can you tell me which car is__________?
(v) “That is _______!” He exclaimed. (x) Is that _____________?

Q.9. Put the following into Possessives.

1. Father of James. 2. The club of the women.

3. The name of my sister-in-law. 4. The wedding of William and Mary.

5. The work of the whole day. 6. The clothes of boys.

7. The war of hundred years. 8. The hats of ladies.

9. At the call of duty. 10. The will of God.

Q.10. Define a Pronoun. Discuss its kinds by giving numerous examples.

Q.11. Correct the pronoun errors in the following sentences:

(i) Timothy drove I home. (vi) Us are going to the play.

(ii) That belongs to herself. (vii) Me am an artist.
(iii) Myself can go to the meeting. (viii) Theirs liked the cake.
(iv) We can do it ourself. (ix) It is herself who is the leader.
(v) The gift is for they. (x) That is what us do.

Q.12. Discuss with examples the uses of Relative Pronoun.

Q.13. Add missing Relative Pronouns in the following sentences.

1. I do not know----------- to do. 2. Tell me-------house this is.

3. I wonder---------he means. 4. All----------he said is correct.

5. The table----------gave me has been stolen. 6. Ram-------------you like, has gone out.

7. Can you tell me----purse this is? 8. All ----------glitters is not gold

Q.14. Supply the appropriate Interrogative Pronoun in each of the following sentences to fill in the
gap.

1. ----------------is your name? 2. ------------teaches you French?

 3. ---------------wants a glass of water? 4. --------------is coming to tea?

5. ---------------do you study? 6. ------------is your phone number?

7. -----------flower is it? 8. ---------------of you understand this exercise?

9. ----------------make coffee sweet? 10. -----------------understand this problem?

Q.15. Define an Adverb. Discuss with numerous illustrations the types of Adverbs.

Q.16. State whether the adverb in each sentence is an Adverb of Manner, Place, Time, Frequency
or Degree.

(i) He thinks ​carefully​. __________________________

(ii) She will travel to London ​early​ in the morning. __________________________
(iii) The bag is ​upstairs​. ___________________________
(iv) The tests are administered ​frequently.​ __________________________
(v) She plays the flute ​beautifully​. _______________________________
(vi) They will go to the park ​tomorrow​. _____________________________
(vii) Her aunt and uncle lived in Tuscany ​for a year​. ___________________________
(viii) John looked ​everywhere.​ ______________________________
(ix) It is ​extremely h​ ot. _____________________________
(x) She spoke ​softly​. ________________________________

Q.17. Correct the errors of Adverbs in the following sentences.

1. My principles have inspired me always to work hard.

2. From home he went directly to his office.

3. The teacher was fairly annoyed with her stupid answer.

4. They are quite rich but too miserly.

5. Traffic usually is heavy at this hour.

6. Raj and Gaurav are so nice people.

7. Her voice is rather sweet.

8. This bus is very crowded.

9. He worked two sums only.

 10. The North-East express is late often.

Q.18. Define an Adjective and discuss with examples its different kinds.

Q.19. Fill in the blanks choosing the appropriate adjectives:

1. Mr. Sharma is…………….to me. (senior, higher)

2. Can you provide …………..men to assist me in this work? (few, a few)
3. She respects her………………………sister. (older, elder)
4. The office is……………..than the store. (farther, further)
5. She needs………………..help when the work is finished. (little, a little)
6. Your bed is…………………….to my bed. (nearest , next)
7. Let me have the ………………..edition of the book. (last, latest)
8. …………………you sent were not many but proved to be very useful. (a few, the few)

Q.20.Correct the errors of Adjectives from those given in the brackets to fill up the blank space in each sentence
given below:
1. That book is best than your book.
2. Gold is the precious of all metals.
3. Who is most beautiful of the two sisters?
4. He is strongest of the two brothers.
5. She is more inferior to Ramesh in intelligence.
6. No other metal is heavier as lead.
7. Iron is most useful than any other metal.
8. Rose is the most loveliest of all flowers.
9. His oldest son joined the army.
10. He is the eldest man in the village.

Q.21. Bring out the difference between the following by forming sentences.
1. Little, a little & the little. 2. Few, a few & the few.
3. Some & any. 4. Hard & hardly.
5. Further, farther 6. Late, latest & last.
7. Too & enough. 8. No & not.
9. Latter & later. 10. Elder & older.
11. Either & any. 12. None & neither.

Q.22. Form Adjectives from nouns; using the appropriate suffix -ful , -ly, -y, -al, -ish,-less.

Air, dust, grass, rose, leaf.

Father, hour, year, man, loud.
Classic, influence, logic, accident, government .
Book, slave, girl, red, boy.
Use, truth, thought, help, cheer.
Life, penny, hope, colour, job.
Q.23. Correct the errors in usage of Adjectives in the following sentences :

(i) The painting was (radiant/ rugged/ beautiful).

(ii) The (raining/ scenic/ thunderous) landscape inspired the artist.
(iii) Sam and Saira were a (wonderful / red / unwavering) couple.
(iv) The (faded / kernel / golden) corn glistened in the field.
(v) Music is the (harsh / content / soothing) balm that soothes the weary soul.
(vi) The shawl’s woven design was (huge/ intricate/ inspired).
(vii) The (sweltering/ hot/ frigid) soup contained medicinal properties.
(viii) Nina is a (professional/ skilled/ balanced) ballet dancer.
(ix) The (fragrant/ acidic/ pungent) jasmine flowers were enchanting.
(x) The (blazing/ burning/ shining) sun burned fiercely in the sky.

Q.24. Define with illustration the Preposition. Mention ten prepositions by using them in
sentences.

Q. 25. Choose the correct preposition in the following sentences.

1. Ravi walked (onto / towards / across) the park.

2. The book is lying (on / over / by) the table.
3. The stationery shop is (around/ through/ between) the chemist and book shop.
4. He cannot submit his application (until/ since/ from) it is stamped with a seal.
5. It is getting cooler as the months pass (on / over / by).
6. He ran (onto / towards / across) the lake.
7. The students stood (behind/ through/ between) one another in single formation.
8. Rajiv walked (through/ into/ onto/) the hospital.
9. The team members were (across/ against/ among) the proposal.
10. The child searched (in/ on/ inside/) her cupboard for her toy.

Q.26. Discuss with illustrations the difference between the placement of 'A' and 'An'. Discuss
the uses of the Indefinite Articles.
Q.27. Write with illustrations the use of Definite Article.
Q.28. Mention the conditions where Articles are omitted. Give examples.
Q.29. Insert ‘A/An’ or ‘The’ in the blank spaces below. Mark (X) if no Article is to be used:

(i) Italy is ……………….European country.

(ii) Every one respects ……………….honest person.
(iii) The box is made of ……………….wood.
 (iv) He is very ill. He has to go to……………………hospital.
(v) I shall be back in less than………………..hour.
(vi) Can you speak…………………..French ?
(vii) The cake is made of…………….flour, butter and …………………sugar.
(viii) ………………gold is …………………metal.
(ix) ………………door of……………..car is open.
(x) There is ………………….parcel that has arrived.

Q. 30. Correct the errors of Articles in the following sentences:

(i) This is book he wants.

(ii) The University is the good one.
(iii) He gave me an advice.
(iv) He is Managing Director of company.
(v) He lived and worked for poor.
(vi) Hindustan Times is a famous newspaper.
(vii) More you eat, more you suffer.
(viii) The man is mortal.
(ix) Read first and second chapters of the book.
(x) United States of America is a big country.

Q.31. Define Conjunctions and various kinds with illustration.

Q32. Correct the errors in the following sentences:-

(i) His father died from cholera.
(ii) Shambhu is a knotty boy.
(iii) He is the most intelligent of the two boys.
(iv) The lid of this cattle is very heavy.
(v) A angel lives in heaven.
(vi) He knew that she is ill.
(vii) Neither Sohan nor Mohan have stolen my watch.
(viii) Krishna is the taller boy in the class.
(ix) This is our attitudes towards Ahimsa and truth.
(x) How do Vinoba appeal to the landlords?
(xi) In summer the days are warm than the nights.
(xii) The orator and the statesman is dead.
(xiii) Earth is rotating on its axis from west to east.
(xiv) My sister who lives in U.S.A.is a teacher.
(xv) Two and two makes four.
(xvi) If I have worked hard I would have passed.
(xvii) He drives on seventy kilometres an hour.
(xviii) The furnitures are made of wood.
(xix) As you sow, so shall you reap.
(xx) Economics are not a difficult subject.

UNIT II: Verbs and Verbals

Q. 33. Define a Verb. Discuss different types of verbs by giving 4-5 examples each.
Q. 34. Explain the difference between Finite and Non-finite Verbs and give 4-5 examples of each.
Q. 35. Define and give 5 examples of the Gerund verb form.

Q. 36. Define and give 5 examples of the Infinitive verb form.

Q. 37. Define and give 5 examples of the Participle verb form.

Q.38. Discuss with illustration the uses of 'be' forms of verbs.

Q.39. What are Modal Auxiliaries? Discuss their main uses with suitable examples.

Q. 40. Underline and identify the kind of Verbal used in each of the following sentences:

(i) Running is a good form of exercise.

(ii) He enjoyed painting.
(iii) She was singing her favorite song.
(iv) The burning sun scorched the parched earth.
(v) To swim is relaxing.
(vi) I like to cook.
(vii) She had a proposal to present.
(viii) They resolved to protect her.
(ix) The swaying palm trees danced on the shining sands. (x) The wrecked sailboat
washed up on shore.

Q. 41. Rewrite the following sentences by using the Verbs within brackets in their correct
forms:

(i) I (finish) my work in time last year. (ii) We (not see) him this
morning.

(iii) We (arrive) there next Monday. (iv) Have you ever (travel) to
Greece?
 (v) He said that he (come) soon. (vi) I generally (get up) early in
the morning.

(vii) None of us (be) free to go there. (viii) He (run) in the race

yesterday.

(xi) (Need) he come early tomorrow? (x) The bird (sing) melodiously.

UNIT III: Time and Tense

Q. 42. Define Tense. Discuss with examples the different types of tenses.

Q. 43. Discuss the uses of the Simple Present Tense with suitable examples.

Q.4 4. Discuss the uses of the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Continuous tenses with
suitable illustrations.

Q. 45. Discuss the uses of Simple Past and the Past Continuous Tense with examples.

Q.4 6. Discuss the uses of the Past Perfect and the Past Perfect Continuous tenses with suitable
illustrations.

Q. 47. Discuss the Future Tense with suitable examples.

Q.4 8. Supply suitable Present Tense of the verbs within brackets:

(i) She (go) to school every day.

(ii) I always (meet) you at my grandmother’s home.
(iii) We now (learn English).
(iv) The baby (cry) because it is hungry now.
(v) The sun always (shine) in India.
(vi) I (wear) a coat because it (cold).
(vii) The child (eat) an apple.
(viii) The architects (make) the drawing-plan of this building.
(ix) He (sung) in French.
(x) It (rain) now.

Q.49. Rewrite the following with the correct form of the Present Perfect and Present Perfect
Continuous verb within brackets:

(i) I (not see) you for a long time.

(ii) You must tell me what you (do) since I saw you.
 (iii) He (not be) here since Monday; I wonder where he (live) since then.
(iv) I (try) to learn English for years, but I (not succeed) yet.
(v) We (live) here for the last six months and just (decide) to move.
(vi) You already (drink) three cups of tea since (sit) here.
(vii) I (wait) here for her since 7 a.m. and she (not come) yet.
(viii) He (not have) a holiday for nine years because he (be) too busy.
(ix) We (talk) for several days.
(x) She (paint) the scenery.

Q.50. Rewrite the following in Past Simple Tense:

(i) I break a cup. (ii) It begins to rain. (iii) Birds fly high.

(iv) You lie to me. (v) He tears his coat. (vi) I choose a book.

(vii) You eat a biscuit. (viii) They drive home. (ix) You hide the key.

(x) We ring the bell.

Q. 51. Rewrite the sentence with the correct Present Continuous verb form:

(i) He (sit) in a café when I see him.

(ii) He (eat) his dinner.
(iii) When I (go) out, the sun (shine).
(iv) Since it (rain), she (carry) an umbrella.
(v) The boy (fall down) the stairs.
(vi) I (read) a book.
(vii) We (live) in London.
(viii) The phone (ring).
(ix) The light (shine) very brightly.
(x) He (play) the piano.

Q. 52. Explain what Tense Sequence is and illustrate with suitable examples.

Q. 53. What are Conditionals? Discuss the different types of Conditional with two examples
each displaying their correct usage.

UNIT IV: Phrases, Clauses and Sentences

Q. 54. Define the term ‘Phrase’. Provide 5-6 examples.

Q. 55. Present and explain, with examples, what the different types of Phrases are.
 Q. 56. In the following sentences, identify the function of the Participial Phrase.

1. The stone steps, ​having been worn down ​by generations of students, needed to be
replaced.
2. Working around the clock​, the fire-fighters finally put out the last of the brush fire.
3. The pond, ​frozen over since early December​, is now safe for ice-skating.
4. Walking rapidly​, we reached the town in fifteen minutes.
5. Annoyed by the noise​, the teacher spoke sharply to the class.
6. Tom, ​having won the chess game​, looked up happily.
7. Having won every game but one​, the Delhi Daredevils were now in the lead.
8. Climbing slowly​, we approached the top of the hill.
9. Ravi, ​worn out by his long trip​, slept for twelve hours.
10. Staring out the window at the rain​, Kiran became more and more impatient.

Q.57. Define the term ‘Complex Sentence’ and illustrate with examples.

Q. 58. Define and give examples of the various forms of the Clause.

Q.59. Explain, with examples, what a Relative Clause, Independent and Dependent Clause is.

Q. 60. What are the four basic sentence structures in English? Define them with examples.

Q. 61​. The following sentences are a simple sentence, a compound sentence, a complex sentence or
a compound/complex sentence. Identify the sentences telling what kind each is.

(i) James and his friend Ryan had planned to return to Canada.
(ii) Although we searched everywhere, Mohan could find no trace of his shoes.
(iii) Aliya wrote an original poem and her mother corrected her spelling mistakes.
(iv) None of the other jurors asked me to change my mind.
(v) Anjali and Madhuri whispered and giggled all night.
(vi) That he is my cousin cannot be denied.
(vii) The boy who is speaking is my brother and he will be staying with us.
(viii) I know you don't like this, but that doesn't matter.
(ix) The ocean waves glittered.
(x) Whereas John had completed the assigned tasks, Peter had not.
UNIT V: Various Concepts

Q. 62. Explain with examples how Commands and Instructions are expressed.

Q. 63. Discuss the several ways of indicating Possibility.

Q. 64. State which form of Expression is used in the following sentences:

 (i) It may rain tomorrow. ___________________________________
(ii) Be careful! The ice is going to crack. _________________________________
(iii) The captain ordered his men to move forward. _____________________________
(iv) I wish you would be quiet. _______________________________________________
(v) Suppose we try doing it this way. __________________________________________
(vi) Could the news be true? _________________________________________________
(vii) She intends to complete the course. _______________________________________
(viii) He’ll be visiting Italy in the summer. _______________________________________
(ix) He’s quite willing to come. ________________________________________________
(x) She promised him she would attend the art gallery’s opening. ____________________

Q. 65. Discuss several ways of expressing the ideas of Obligation and Necessity.

Q.66. What verbs and nouns help in expressing Intention? List them and use them correctly in

sentences.

Q. 67. How can the concepts of Probability and Likelihood be expressed? Present what parts of

speech aid in expressing this concept along with 2-3 sentences displaying these concepts correctly.

Q. 68. Discuss the different ways in which Wish and Hope are expressed.

Q.69. Discuss how the concepts of Plans and Arrangements are expressed. Give examples.

Q. 70. How are the concepts of Determination and Resolve expressed? Give examples to
illustrate.
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Note: These are only sample questions. Other questions based on the Units of the
prescribed syllabus may also be given.

Suggested Reading:

1. A Remedial English Grammar for Foreign Students b​ y F.T. Wood.

2. Living English Structure​ by Stannard Allen.
3. A Comprehensive Grammar of the English Language by ​Geoffrey Leech​, ​Jan Svartvik​, ​Sidney
Greenbaum​, ​Randolph Quirk​.
4. A Guide to Patterns and Usage in English​ by A.S. Hornby.
5. Macmillan Grammar: A Handbook b​ y A.E. Augustine and K.V. Joseph.
6. Cambridge Grammar Of English With Cd (South Asian Edition) b​ y Carter Ronald ​Oxford English
Grammar b​ y Sidney Greenbaum.