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
461
They appointed him ___ captain of the team.
Answer:
no article
**Rule: No article is used after verbs like 'appoint', 'elect', 'make', 'select' when followed by a unique position or role.** The role of 'captain' is a unique position on the team. The structure 'appointed captain' does not take an article. While one might say 'He is the captain', after the verb 'appointed', the article is omitted. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.
462
___ tea grown in Darjeeling is of high quality.
Answer:
The
**Rule: An uncountable noun takes 'the' when it is made specific.** 'Tea' is uncountable. Here, it is not tea in general, but the specific tea 'grown in Darjeeling'. This makes it definite, so 'the' is required. Options (a) and (b) cannot be used with uncountable nouns. Option (d) is incorrect because the tea is specified.
463
He bought ___ umbrella to protect himself from the rain.
Answer:
an
**Rule: Use 'an' before a singular countable noun beginning with a vowel sound.** 'Umbrella' starts with a vowel sound ('um-'). The sentence introduces a non-specific umbrella. Therefore, 'an' is the correct indefinite article. Option (a) is wrong by sound. Option (c) would imply a specific umbrella. Option (d) is used for plural or uncountable nouns.
464
___ breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
Answer:
No article
**Rule: No article is used before the names of meals when speaking generally.** 'Breakfast' here refers to the meal in general, not a specific breakfast on a particular day. Therefore, no article is needed. Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect. An article would be used only if the meal was specified, e.g., 'The breakfast we had was delicious'.
465
He was injured in ___ accident and was taken to hospital.
Answer:
an, no article
**Rule: Use 'an' for a non-specific event with a vowel sound, and omit the article for places like 'hospital' when used for their primary purpose.** 'Accident' begins with a vowel sound, and it's a non-specific accident, so 'an' is correct. 'Hospital' is being used for its primary purpose (medical treatment), so no article is used. 'Taken to the hospital' would refer to a specific hospital building. Option (a) incorrectly uses 'the' before hospital. Option (b) and (d) incorrectly use articles for both blanks.
466
It's ___ long way from here to the station.
Answer:
a
**Rule: Use 'a'/'an' with singular countable nouns in expressions of distance and quantity.** 'Way' is used here as a singular countable noun meaning distance. 'Long' begins with a consonant sound, so 'a' is correct. The phrase 'a long way' is a standard expression. Option (b) is wrong by sound. Option (c) would be too specific. Option (d) is ungrammatical.
467
___ French Revolution was a turning point in history.
Answer:
The
**Rule: 'The' is used before the names of unique historical events.** 'The French Revolution', 'the Industrial Revolution', 'the Cold War' are specific, major historical periods or events and require the definite article. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect.
468
He fell into ___ trouble by helping his friend.
Answer:
no article
**Rule: The uncountable noun 'trouble' often takes no article in general phrases like 'get into trouble' or 'be in trouble'.** The sentence refers to trouble in a general, non-specific sense. Therefore, no article is required. An article would be used if the trouble was specified (e.g., 'a lot of trouble' or 'the trouble he caused'). Options (a), (b), and (c) are incorrect.
469
My father is ___ engineer in a multinational company.
Answer:
an
**Rule: Use 'a'/'an' before a singular noun denoting a profession.** 'Engineer' is a profession, and the word begins with a vowel sound. Therefore, 'an' is the correct indefinite article. Option (a) is wrong by sound. Option (c) would be too specific. Option (d) is incorrect as a singular profession requires an article.
470
___ poor are often exploited by the rich.
Answer:
The
**Rule: 'The' + adjective is used to represent an entire class of people.** 'The poor' refers to all poor people as a collective group. This construction turns the adjective into a plural noun. Options (a), (b), and (d) are incorrect as they do not represent the entire class.