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
551
He said to me, "It was raining all day."
Answer:
He told me it was raining all day.
** Past continuous ("was raining") changes into **past perfect continuous ("had been raining").** Option (a) wrongly keeps past continuous. Options (b) and (c) use present tense forms, which break sequence of tenses. Hence, option (d) is correct. ---
552
"I live in Islamabad," she said.
Answer:
She says that she was living in Islamabad.
** Simple present "live" becomes simple past "lived" in reported speech. Option (a) wrongly changes tense to past continuous. Option (b) shifts unnecessarily to past perfect continuous. Option (c) uses present perfect continuous, which is incorrect. Hence, (d) is correct. ---
553
shirin asked Asghar, "Have you heard the news about the inauguration of the new bridge?"
Answer:
shirin asked Asghar if they have heard the news about the inauguration of the new bridge.
** Present perfect "have heard" becomes **past perfect "had heard."** "You" changes to "he." Option (a) uses "they," which is wrong. Option (b) is ungrammatical ("you have hear"). Option (d) is grammatically broken. Hence, (c) is correct. ---
554
"Alas, I have broken my brother's watch!" said he.
Answer:
He exclaimed with sorrow that he has broken his brother's watch.
** Interjections like "Alas" are reported as "exclaimed with sorrow." Present perfect "have broken" changes into past perfect "had broken." Option (b) keeps present perfect. Option (c) repeats direct speech. Option (d) wrongly introduces "may have." Thus, option (a) is correct. ---
555
The counter clerk asked the visitor, "What is your name?"
Answer:
The counter clerk asks the visitor your name.
** In reported speech for WH-questions, the reporting verb is followed directly by the question word. "What is your name?" → "asked the visitor his name." Options (a), (c), (d) change tense wrongly or drop "what." Hence, (b) is correct. ---
556
The French scientist said, "I want to study how bees and wasps find their way home."
Answer:
The French scientist said that he wants to study how bees and wasps found your way home.
** Present "want" → past "wanted." Present "find" → past "found." Pronoun "I" → "he." Option (a) wrongly keeps "wants" and introduces "your way home." Option (b) wrongly keeps "I." Option (c) keeps "find" in present tense. Hence, option (d) is correct. ---
557
Kamal said, "I have done my work."
Answer:
Kamal said I have done my work.
** Present perfect ("have done") in direct speech becomes **past perfect ("had done")** in indirect speech. Pronoun "I" changes to "he." Option (a) repeats direct speech. Option (b) keeps "has done," breaking tense sequence. Option (c) keeps "I," which is incorrect. Thus, (d) is correct. ---
558
The professor said to the media persons, "From our research we have come to the conclusion that there is life on that planet."
Answer:
The professor told to the media persons that from your research you have come to the conclusion that there is life on that planet.
** In reported speech, "we" (the professor + team) → "they." Present perfect "have come" → past perfect "had come." Present "is life" → past "was life." Option (a) wrongly changes "our" to "your." Option (b) changes "is life" into "had been life," altering meaning. Option (d) mixes pronouns incorrectly. Hence, option (c) is correct. ---
559
Raj said to his friend, "Please help me in this task."
Answer:
Raj ordered his friend to help him in this task.
** Imperative sentences with "please" in reported speech change into **"requested" + object + infinitive."** "This" shifts to "that." Option (a) ("ordered") is wrong because polite requests are not orders. Option (b) ("threatened") is illogical. Option (c) is just a repetition of direct speech. Hence, option (d) is correct. ---
560
The policeman said, "It is clear that this is the work of a professional robber."
Answer:
The policeman said that It had been clearly the work of a professional robber.
** In **reported speech**, "is" changes to "was." The demonstrative "this" changes to "that." Hence: "it is clear…this is" → "it was clear…that was." Option (a) uses past perfect incorrectly. Option (b) keeps "is," breaking tense sequence. Option (d) wrongly introduces "must be clear," altering meaning. Thus, (c) is correct. ---