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
371
The professor had already graded the exams.
Answer:
The exams had already been graded by the professor.
**Rule**: For a Past Perfect Tense sentence, the passive voice structure is **Object + had + been + V3 + by + Subject**. Adverbs like 'already' are typically placed between 'had' and 'been'.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the exams' becomes the subject. The verb form 'had already been graded' is the correct passive construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: While grammatically intelligible, placing the adverb 'already' after 'graded' is less standard than placing it before 'been'.
372
The company has to increase its sales.
Answer:
Sales have to be increased by the company.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'has to' or 'have to', the passive form is **Object + has/have to + be + V3**. The choice between 'has' and 'have' depends on the new subject.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'its sales' becomes the subject 'Sales'. Since 'Sales' is plural, it takes 'have to be', followed by the past participle 'increased'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'has' is incorrect because the new subject 'Sales' is plural.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'have been increased' is the passive of the Present Perfect Tense ('have increased'), not 'have to increase'.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to the future.
373
Do not pluck the flowers.
Answer:
Let the flowers not be plucked.
**Rule**: Negative imperative sentences (commands) are commonly changed to passive voice using the structure **Let + object + not + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: This option correctly applies the 'Let' structure for a negative command. 'the flowers' is the object, followed by 'not be' and the past participle 'plucked'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This structure ('are not to be') implies a rule or arrangement, which is slightly different from a direct command.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'Forbidden from' is an incorrect prepositional combination; 'forbidden to' would be correct, but 'Let' is a more direct passive form.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'Must' introduces a strong sense of obligation, changing the tone from a simple command.
374
What have you done?
Answer:
What has been done by you?
**Rule**: For interrogative sentences in the Present Perfect Tense starting with 'What', the passive structure is **What + has/have + been + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The 'Wh-' word 'What' remains at the beginning and acts as the subject of the passive sentence. The verb 'has been done' is the correct singular passive form for the Present Perfect Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
375
You will have to finish the work soon.
Answer:
The work will have to be finished soon.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'will have to', the passive form is **Object + will have to + be + V3**. The agent 'by you' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the work' becomes the subject. The structure 'will have to be finished' is the correct passive form. The agent 'by you' is correctly omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This omits 'have to', changing the meaning.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is the passive of the Future Perfect Tense.
376
You must not use your phone in the library.
Answer:
Your phone must not be used in the library.
**Rule**: For sentences with modal verbs (like must), the passive structure is **Object + modal verb + not + be + V3**. The agent 'by you' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'Your phone' becomes the subject. The modal 'must not' is followed by 'be' and the past participle 'used'. The agent 'by you' is correctly omitted as it is a general rule.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'should' is a different modal, implying advice rather than the strong prohibition of 'must'.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This is a grammatically awkward and unnatural construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'must not have been' is the passive form for a past modal, which changes the tense.
377
I remember the doctor advising me to rest.
Answer:
I remember being advised to rest by the doctor.
**Rule**: When the active sentence has a verb (like 'remember') followed by a gerund phrase as its object, the passive form uses a passive gerund: **being + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The active gerund phrase 'the doctor advising me' is changed to the passive gerund phrase 'being advised'. The rest of the sentence is structured correctly.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'to be advised' is an infinitive, not a gerund, and is incorrect after 'remember' in this context.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This changes the structure to a subordinate clause, which is a different construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This changes the meaning and structure illogically.
378
She will have to manage the team.
Answer:
The team will have to be managed by her.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'will have to', the passive form is **Object + will have to + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the team' becomes the subject. The structure 'will have to be managed' is the correct passive form for the future necessity.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'will have been managed' is the passive of the Future Perfect Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This omits 'have to', changing the meaning to a simple future action.
379
We saw the airplane flying over the hill.
Answer:
The airplane was seen flying over the hill.
**Rule**: When verbs of perception (like see, hear, watch) are followed by a present participle (-ing form) in the active voice, the passive form retains the present participle. The structure is **Object + was/were + V3 + present participle**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'the airplane' becomes the subject. The verb 'were seen' is the correct passive form for the Simple Past. The present participle 'flying' remains unchanged.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: Using a 'to'-infinitive ('to fly') would be correct if the active sentence used a bare infinitive ('saw the airplane fly').
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: A bare infinitive ('fly') is incorrect in the passive construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
380
The teacher is explaining the lesson to the students.
Answer:
The lesson is being explained to the students by the teacher.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The direct object 'the lesson' becomes the subject. The passive verb 'is being explained' is correct, and the indirect object is expressed through the prepositional phrase 'to the students'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This structure, where the indirect object becomes the subject, is grammatically incorrect with the verb 'explain'. You cannot 'explain a person'.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.