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
161
Who had warned you about this?
Answer:
By whom had you been warned about this?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Past Perfect Tense starting with 'Who', the passive structure is **By whom + had + object + been + V3?**
- **Correct Answer (c)**: 'Who' becomes 'By whom'. The auxiliary 'had' is used, followed by the new subject 'you', 'been', and the past participle 'warned'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This has incorrect word order for a question.
162
Someone is painting the fence.
Answer:
The fence is being painted.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3**. The indefinite subject 'someone' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the fence' becomes the subject. The passive verb form 'is being painted' is correct for the Present Continuous. The agent 'by someone' is correctly omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
163
The committee is going to announce the results soon.
Answer:
The results are going to be announced soon by the committee.
**Rule**: For active sentences using the 'be going to' future form, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + going to be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the results' becomes the subject. The structure 'are going to be announced' is the correct passive conversion.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is the passive of the Present Continuous tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This changes the structure to the 'will' future.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
164
The cat was chasing the mouse.
Answer:
The mouse was being chased by the cat.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the mouse' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'chased'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
165
The principal will grant you a scholarship.
Answer:
Both a and b are correct.
**Rule**: For a Future Simple Tense sentence with two objects (indirect 'you' and direct 'a scholarship'), either can become the subject of the passive sentence.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: Both (a) and (b) are correct passive transformations.
- In (a), the direct object 'A scholarship' becomes the subject. The passive verb is 'will be granted', and the indirect object 'you' is preceded by 'to'.
- In (b), the indirect object 'you' becomes the subject. The passive verb is 'will be granted', and the direct object 'a scholarship' follows.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is correct, but (b) is also correct.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This is correct, but (a) is also correct.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
166
The fire has destroyed the entire forest.
Answer:
The entire forest has been destroyed by the fire.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Present Perfect Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + has/have + been + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'The entire forest' becomes the subject. Since it is singular, 'has' is used, followed by 'been' and the past participle 'destroyed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
167
Please provide the necessary details.
Answer:
You are requested to provide the necessary details.
**Rule**: Imperative sentences that make a request, often starting with 'Please', are converted into passive voice using the phrase **'You are requested to'** followed by the base form of the verb.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The word 'Please' clearly indicates a request. Therefore, 'You are requested to...' is the most appropriate passive structure.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'ordered' is incorrect as the original sentence is a request.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: The 'Let' structure is more common for commands than for polite requests.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Should' suggests advice or obligation, which is different from a direct request.
168
We should respect our teachers.
Answer:
Our teachers should be respected.
**Rule**: For sentences with modal verbs (like should), the passive structure is **Object + modal verb + be + V3**. The agent 'by us' can be omitted when it is clear or implied.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'Our teachers' becomes the subject. The modal 'should' is followed by 'be' and the past participle 'respected'. The agent 'by us' is correctly omitted for a more general statement.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'must' is a different modal, implying a stronger obligation than the advice given by 'should'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'are to be' changes the nuance to a plan or arrangement.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'should have been' is a past modal passive, which changes the tense and suggests a past mistake.
169
The news of her arrival delighted everyone.
Answer:
Everyone was delighted by the news of her arrival.
**Rule**: The verb 'delighted' in the passive voice is often followed by the preposition **'by'** or **'with'** to indicate the cause. The active sentence is in the Simple Past Tense.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'everyone' becomes the subject. The passive verb 'was delighted' is correct for the Simple Past. The preposition 'by' is idiomatically correct here.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'with' is also a possible preposition, but 'by' is equally correct and often used for the direct cause.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
170
You will have to read the instructions carefully.
Answer:
The instructions will have to be read carefully by you.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'will have to', the passive form is **Object + will have to + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the instructions' becomes the subject. The structure 'will have to be read' is the correct passive form for the future necessity.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This omits 'have to', changing the meaning.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This is the passive of the Future Perfect Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.