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
211
The salesman said to me, “All the gift items are new. We received this consignment yesterday.”
Answer:
The salesman informed me that all the gift items were new. He further said they had received that consignment the day before.
are → were, this → that, yesterday → the day before, received → had received** for sequence of tenses. (b) ungrammatical; (c)(d) keep direct-time deixis/tense.
212
My grandfather wished that Allah should give me success in my new venture. He further said that his prayers would always be with me.
Answer:
My grandfather said to me, “May Allah give you success in your new venture! My prayers will always be with you.”
Reported wish (“wished that…”) → direct optative with May…; second clause would always be (indirect) → will always be** (direct). (a)(b)(c) alter modality/tense or are awkward.
213
Reena said, “What a lovely scene! I wish I could stay here forever!” → **(use Muslim name)** Zainab said, “What a lovely scene! I wish I could stay here forever!”
Answer:
Zainab exclaimed that it was a lovely scene. She further wished that she could stay there forever.
Exclamation → exclaimed that it was…; optative wish backshifts: wish → wished, could usually remains; here → there**. (d) leaves “here”; (a) odd phrasing; (c) wrong persons/tenses.
214
Mother said, “Sana, don’t throw tantrums.”
Answer:
Mother told Sana not to throw tantrums.
Negative imperative → told + object + not to + verb**. (a)(d) wrong reporting tense/form; (b) different construction (“is not to”).
215
The Queen said to the ministers, “Cut off the prisoner’s head!”
Answer:
The Queen ordered the ministers to cut off the prisoner’s head.
Imperative → ordered + object + to + verb**. Others misuse tense/voice or have faulty structure (“that to…”).
216
“I’m so sorry! I totally forgot about the meeting,” he said.
Answer:
He apologized and said he had totally forgotten about the meeting.
Apology in direct → apologized; past perfect for earlier action (had forgotten**). (a)(d) wrong tense; (c) “had forgot” is ungrammatical.
217
“You should lock your car as there have been some instances of theft,” said Anas.
Answer:
Anas advised me that I should lock my car as there had been some instances of theft.
Advice → advised + that + subject + should + base; present perfect (“have been”) → past perfect (“had been”)** in indirect. Others distort person/meaning.
218
“Go on, apply for the job,” said my best friend.
Answer:
My best friend encouraged me to apply for the job.
Encouraging imperative → encouraged + object + to + verb** is the natural reporting. Others change tense/voice or are clumsy.
219
“Let’s go out for dinner. I’ve been home this whole week,” said Amina.
Answer:
Amina suggested we go out for dinner as she had been home that whole week.
“Let’s…” → suggested (that) we (should) + base verb; present perfect → past perfect; this week → that week**. (a)(b)(c) tense or modality issues.
220
The lawyer says, “My client is innocent.”
Answer:
The lawyer says that his client is innocent.
Reporting verb in present (“says”) → no backshift; retain is. Pronoun my → his**. (a)(d) use past “said”; (c) backshifts improperly.