Q1 : What is the superlative form of the adjective 'good'?
The superlative form of 'good' is 'best', an irregular form differing from regular adjectives which typically end in '-est'. Irregular adjectives follow unique patterns, notably 'bad' turns to 'worst'. Mastery of superlatives, including irregular forms, enhances adjective use for comparisons in English.
Q2 : If 'bio' refers to 'life', what does the word 'biology' mean?
'Biology' is the scientific study of life and living organisms, focusing on their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. The prefix 'bio-' comes from Greek, meaning life, while '-logy' indicates 'the study of'. It's a foundational term in both scientific studies and language.
Q3 : How do you express 'I have a book' in the negative form?
The correct negative form is 'I don't have a book'. In English, negations are formed by using the auxiliary verb 'do' plus 'not', followed by the base form of the main verb. 'I haven't a book' is grammatically accurate but uncommon. Learning proper negation is essential for clarity and accuracy.
Q4 : Which of the following is an example of an alliteration?
Alliteration occurs when consecutive words start with the same consonant sound, such as 'Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers'. It is a stylistic device commonly used in poems and tongue twisters to create rhythm, mood, or musicality. Understanding such literary devices enriches language appreciation.
Q5 : What does the phrasal verb 'give up' mean?
The phrasal verb 'give up' means to surrender or quit doing something, typically after exerting effort. Phrasal verbs are combinations of words that result in a new meaning (often different from the original words), and are crucial in understanding everyday English expression and conversation.
Q6 : In English language, which of these is a homophone pair?
'Bear' and 'Bare' are homophones, meaning they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. 'Bear' refers to the animal or to carrying something, while 'bare' means uncovered. Homophones are important in spelling and pronunciation, often causing confusion in writing.
Q7 : What is the past tense of the verb 'swim'?
The past tense of 'swim' is 'swam', while 'swum' is the past participle of the verb used with auxiliary verbs like 'have'. 'Swimmed' and 'swammed' are incorrect conjugations in standard English grammar. Conjugating verbs correctly is crucial for clear communication in both spoken and written English.
Q8 : In terms of phonetic transcription, which of these words has a silent letter?
In English, the word 'knee' contains a silent 'k', as in its phonetic transcription /niː/. Silent letters are common in English due to historical shifts in pronunciation whereby certain letters are no longer pronounced but remain in spelling. 'Cat', 'run', and 'tree' do not contain silent letters.
Q9 : What does the idiom 'to break the ice' mean?
'To break the ice' means to initiate conversation in a social setting and make people feel more comfortable. It is often used in situations where people meet for the first time or in a group where the atmosphere is initially tense or awkward. It's a metaphor for melting away social barriers.
Q10 : Which of the following words is a synonym for 'happy'?
The word 'elated' is synonymous with 'happy', meaning joyful or overjoyed. While 'sad', 'angry', and 'confused' are emotions that are opposite or unrelated to 'happy'. In English, synonyms are words with similar meanings, and understanding these can greatly enrich vocabulary and comprehension skills.
