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
761
The fire alarm ______ for five minutes. We need to evacuate.
Answer:
has been ringing
**Rule**: The **Present Perfect Continuous Tense** is used for an action that has been happening continuously for a period of time ('for five minutes') and requires a present action ('We need to evacuate'). **Correct Usage**: 'has been ringing' emphasizes the continuous, alarming sound over a duration. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'rings' (Simple Present) is a habit. (b) 'is ringing' (Present Continuous) is for now. (d) 'has rung' (Present Perfect) is a completed action.
762
My brother ______ just ______ his own company.
Answer:
has, started
**Rule**: The **Present Perfect Tense** is used with 'just' to describe an action that happened very recently. **Correct Usage**: 'has just started' indicates the company was launched a very short time ago. The subject 'My brother' is singular. **Incorrect Options**: (b) 'is, starting' (Present Continuous) is for an action in progress. (c) 'does, start' and (d) 'did, start' (Simple Past) are grammatically incorrect structures with 'just' in this context.
763
It ______ like it's going to rain any minute.
Answer:
looks
**Rule**: **Stative Verbs**. The verb 'look' when it means 'appear' or 'seem' is stative. It is used in the **Simple Present Tense** to describe a current impression. **Correct Usage**: 'looks like' is a common phrase to express an observation about the present situation. The subject 'It' is singular. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'is looking' is used for the action of directing one's eyes. (b) 'has looked' is the wrong tense. (d) 'look' is a plural verb.
764
This is the first time I ______ sushi.
Answer:
have eaten
**Rule**: The **Present Perfect Tense** is used with expressions like 'This is the first/second/best time...' to talk about life experiences. **Correct Usage**: The phrase 'This is the first time' sets up a context for an experience that is happening now or has just happened, connecting it to all of the speaker's prior experience (or lack thereof). 'have eaten' is the correct structure. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'eat' (Simple Present) and (d) 'ate' (Simple Past) are grammatically incorrect in this structure. (b) 'am eating' (Present Continuous) is possible if the action is literally in progress, but 'have eaten' is more standard for the entire experience.
765
He ______ to the gym three times a week.
Answer:
goes
**Rule**: The **Simple Present Tense** is used to describe routines and habits. The phrase 'three times a week' indicates a regular, repeated action. **Correct Usage**: For the third-person singular subject 'He', the verb must be 'goes'. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'is going' (Present Continuous) implies a temporary action or a future plan. (c) 'has gone' (Present Perfect) means he has left for the gym and is currently there or on his way. (d) 'go' is for plural subjects.
766
The number of people who own a smartphone ______ every year.
Answer:
increases
**Rule**: **Subject-Verb Agreement** combined with **Simple Present Tense**. The subject of the sentence is 'The number', which is always singular. The phrase 'of people who own a smartphone' modifies 'number'. The adverb 'every year' indicates a routine or recurring trend, which calls for the Simple Present. **Correct Usage**: Since 'The number' is singular, the verb must be 'increases'. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'increase' is a plural verb. (c) 'is increasing' could describe a current trend, but 'every year' makes simple present a better fit for the repeated nature of the increase. (d) 'has increased' focuses on the result so far, not the annual recurrence.
767
My computer ______ strange noises for the past hour. I think it's broken.
Answer:
has been making
**Rule**: The **Present Perfect Continuous Tense** is used for a repeated or continuous action that has been happening over a duration of time ('for the past hour') and has a present result or conclusion ('I think it's broken'). **Correct Usage**: 'has been making' emphasizes the continuous and worrying nature of the noise. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'makes' (Simple Present) is a habit. (b) 'is making' (Present Continuous) is for now. (d) 'has made' (Present Perfect) is less likely for a continuous noise.
768
Every time I see that movie, it ______ me cry.
Answer:
makes
**Rule**: The **Simple Present Tense** is used to describe a predictable result or a habitual reaction to a recurring event. 'Every time' signals this repetition. **Correct Usage**: 'makes' correctly describes the consistent effect the movie has on the speaker. The subject 'it' is singular. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'is making' (Present Continuous) is for an action happening now. (c) 'has made' (Present Perfect) refers to past instances. (d) 'make' is a plural verb.
769
This coffee ______ too strong for me. I can't drink it.
Answer:
tastes
**Rule**: **Stative Verbs**. The verb 'taste' is stative when describing the quality of something. It is used in the **Simple Present Tense** to describe a current state. **Correct Usage**: 'tastes' correctly describes the current quality of the coffee. The subject 'This coffee' is singular. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'is tasting' is incorrect because 'taste' is stative here. (c) 'has tasted' is the wrong tense. (d) 'taste' is a plural verb.
770
I ______ my keys! I cannot find them anywhere.
Answer:
have lost
**Rule**: The **Present Perfect Tense** is used for a past action that has a result in the present. **Correct Usage**: The past action is losing the keys, and the present result is 'I cannot find them'. 'have lost' correctly connects the past event to the present situation. **Incorrect Options**: (a) 'lose' (Simple Present) would imply a habit of losing keys. (b) 'am losing' (Present Continuous) is not logical in this context. (d) 'have been losing' (Present Perfect Continuous) would suggest a repeated action over a period, which is less likely than the single event implied here.