The CSS (Central Superior Services) Exam MCQs
Topic Notes: The CSS (Central Superior Services) Exam
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
141
Hassan placed . . . . . . . . apple on the counter.
Answer:
The word 'apple' begins with a vowel sound, so the article 'an' is correct. Indefinite articles are used when something is introduced for the first time. 'A apple' would be wrong because it does not match the vowel sound. 'The apple' would only be used if the apple was already identified earlier. Thus, 'an apple' is the correct usage here.
142
She teaches . . . . . . . . English at a local community college.
Answer:
Academic subjects, languages, and fields of study generally take no article when used generically. 'English' here denotes the subject, not a specific course title. 'The English' would refer to a specific group of people or a particular course. Thus, no article is used.
143
He checked . . . . . . . . oil before starting the long drive.
Answer:
In the context of a particular car, 'the oil' refers to the specific vehicle’s engine oil, which is identifiable in the situation. The definite article is thus appropriate. No article would be too generic. Indefinite articles are not used with uncountable nouns in this definite, situational sense.
144
They restored . . . . . . . . old manuscript found in the attic.
Answer:
The participial phrase 'found in the attic' identifies a specific manuscript, making the noun definite. 'The' signals this specificity. An indefinite article would fail to reflect the unique reference established by the modifier. Hence, 'the old manuscript' is correct.
145
He saved . . . . . . . . little money each month for emergencies.
Answer:
a
With quantifying adjectives like 'little' before a singular countable noun like 'money' (treated here as a fixed expression meaning a small amount), 'a' is used in the idiom 'a little money'. This construction denotes a small but sufficient quantity. 'Little money' without 'a' would emphasize insufficiency. 'An' is phonetically incompatible.
146
. . . . . . . . dogs are loyal companions when treated well.
Answer:
Plural countable nouns used to make generalizations typically take no article. Here, 'dogs' refers to the class as a whole. 'The dogs' would imply a specific set of dogs previously known. Indefinite articles cannot modify plurals.
147
She visited . . . . . . . . United Kingdom last summer for research.
Answer:
Country names with 'Kingdom', 'States', or plural forms typically take 'the'. Thus, 'the United Kingdom' is correct. Omitting the article would be ungrammatical. Indefinite articles are not used with country names in this pattern.
148
I wrote . . . . . . . . email to the registrar requesting an extension.
Answer:
The noun 'email' begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is required. The email is newly introduced, making the indefinite article apt. 'A' would not align with phonetics. 'The' would imply a specific email already known in the discourse.
149
They reached . . . . . . . . end of the corridor and turned left.
Answer:
The noun 'end' becomes definite when a unique spatial point within a known context is intended. The definite article signals this unique location. An indefinite article would be nonspecific and inappropriate. Thus, 'the end' is correct.
150
He searched for . . . . . . . . information online before the interview.
Answer:
When 'information' is used in a general, uncountable sense, no article is needed. It does not refer to a specific, identifiable set of facts. 'The information' would imply specific content previously known. Indefinite articles do not pair with uncountable nouns in this way.