CDS · NDA · AFCAT · Indian Army / Navy / Air Force Exams
A sentence is divided into 3–4 parts (A/B/C/D). Identify the part with a grammatical error. If no error, choose "No Error." About 20 questions in CDS English paper.
The team are playing well. ❌
The team is playing well. ✓
| Correct Preposition | Usage |
|---|---|
| Comply with | "Comply with the rules" |
| Differ from | "This differs from that" |
| Oblivious of/to | "Oblivious of the danger" |
| Married to | "She married him" / "married to him" |
| Cater to/for | "Cater to the needs" |
| Die of | "Die of cancer" (not "from") |
A part of the sentence is underlined. Choose the option that best replaces the underlined part. If correct as it is, choose "No improvement." Read the whole sentence for context before choosing.
Elements in a list must have parallel structure (same grammatical form).
She likes singing, dancing, and to paint. ❌
She likes singing, dancing, and painting. ✓
Introductory phrase must logically modify the subject of the main clause.
Running down the street, my hat blew off. ❌
Running down the street, I lost my hat. ✓
Object of active → Subject of passive; verb becomes "be + past participle"
Defence exam questions often ask to convert between voices or identify correct voice usage.
| Direct | Indirect |
|---|---|
| Simple Present | Simple Past |
| Simple Past | Past Perfect |
| Present Continuous | Past Continuous |
| "will" | "would" |
| "can" | "could" |
| "may" | "might" |
| today / tomorrow / yesterday | that day / the next day / the previous day |
CDS typically has 3–4 passages with 5 questions each. Passages are formal — Indian history, current affairs, science, social issues. NDA passages are slightly shorter.
| Question Type | Where to Find Answer |
|---|---|
| Main Idea / Title | First & last paragraph; avoid too-narrow or too-broad options |
| Factual / Direct | Find exact word/phrase in passage; scan mode |
| Inference | Read between lines; closest logical conclusion |
| Tone / Attitude | Note positive/negative language; author's perspective |
| Vocabulary in Context | Read surrounding sentences; tone determines meaning |
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| Acrimonious | bitter, rancorous, harsh, caustic |
| Benevolent | charitable, generous, philanthropic, altruistic |
| Candid | frank, honest, straightforward, forthright |
| Diligent | hardworking, assiduous, industrious, persevering |
| Enigmatic | mysterious, puzzling, cryptic, inscrutable |
| Frugal | thrifty, economical, sparingly, sparing |
| Garrulous | talkative, loquacious, verbose, voluble |
| Hackneyed | trite, clichéd, overused, banal |
| Impede | obstruct, hinder, hamper, thwart |
| Jubilant | elated, ecstatic, exuberant, overjoyed |
| Word | Antonym |
|---|---|
| Audacious | cowardly, timid |
| Belligerent | peaceful, amicable |
| Clandestine | open, overt |
| Dogmatic | flexible, open-minded |
| Ephemeral | permanent, lasting, enduring |
| Fastidious | careless, slovenly |
| Gregarious | solitary, reserved, introverted |
| Insolent | respectful, humble, polite |
| Languid | energetic, vigorous, lively |
| Morose | cheerful, jovial, buoyant |
| Idiom/Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| At the drop of a hat | immediately, without hesitation |
| Bite the bullet | endure a painful situation bravely |
| Burn the midnight oil | work very late into the night |
| Catch someone red-handed | catch in the act of doing wrong |
| Cutting corners | doing something in the easiest/cheapest way |
| Hit the nail on the head | describe exactly what is happening |
| Miss the boat | miss an opportunity |
| On the fence | undecided; neutral |
| Spill the beans | reveal secret information |
| Under the weather | feeling ill |
| Phrase | One Word |
|---|---|
| One who walks in sleep | Somnambulist |
| One who hates mankind | Misanthrope |
| Fear of water | Hydrophobia |
| One who lives in solitude | Recluse |
| Science of stars | Astronomy |
| Study of human races | Anthropology |
| Rule by women | Gynacocracy / Matriarchy |
| One who is all-powerful | Omnipotent |
| Death of public figure announced | Obituary |
| Murder of one's own brother | Fratricide |
One word fills the grammatical/meaning gap. Determine part of speech needed first (noun/verb/adjective/adverb), then check context clues.
"The general's ________ decision saved the battalion from certain defeat."
(a) rash (b) astute (c) lazy (d) clumsy — Answer: (b)
Two blanks must be filled so both fit grammatically AND make sense together. Eliminate options where even one blank is wrong.
"She was ________ in her approach yet ________ in her results."
(a) cautious / impressive (b) reckless / poor (c) slow / absent (d) verbose / negative — Answer: (a)
A passage with multiple blanks (10–15 blanks). Read the entire passage first to understand theme. Then fill blanks using context — each blank's answer depends on the surrounding text and overall theme. Grammar + vocabulary both matter.
| Modal | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| can / could | Ability, permission | "She can swim." / "Could you help?" |
| may / might | Permission, possibility | "You may leave." / "It might rain." |
| shall / will | Future, determination | "I shall return." / "He will come." |
| should / ought to | Obligation, advice | "You should study." / "Ought to rest." |
| must | Strong obligation, certainty | "You must report." / "She must be tired." |
| used to / would | Past habit | "He used to run every day." |
| Word Pair | Correct Use |
|---|---|
| affect vs effect | "affect" = verb (to influence); "effect" = noun (result) |
| principal vs principle | "principal" = main/head; "principle" = rule/belief |
| complement vs compliment | "complement" = complete; "compliment" = praise |
| stationary vs stationery | "stationary" = not moving; "stationery" = writing material |
| immigrate vs emigrate | "immigrate" = into a country; "emigrate" = out of a country |
| lay vs lie | "lay" = to place (needs object); "lie" = to recline (intransitive) |