CGL — English Language: Sentence Improvement | 20 Practice MCQs

Exam: CGL | Subject: English Language | Topic: Sentence Improvement | Year: 2026 | Questions: 20

Practice these 20 carefully selected Multiple Choice Questions on Sentence Improvement for CGL preparation. Each question includes a detailed explanation to help you understand the concept and avoid common mistakes.

Practice Questions

Q1. He is working in this firm since 2010.

  1. He has been working in this firm since 2010.
  2. He was working in this firm since 2010.
  3. He had been working in this firm since 2010.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'since' indicating continuous action from past to present, the correct tense is Present Perfect Continuous: 'has been working'. This is a standard SSC error type.

Q2. Neither he nor I are ready.

  1. Neither he nor I am ready.
  2. Neither he nor I is ready.
  3. Neither he nor I was ready.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('I'). So 'am' is correct. 'Neither he nor I am ready.'

Q3. She is more beautiful than any girl in class.

  1. She is more beautiful than any other girl in class.
  2. She is most beautiful than any girl in class.
  3. She is more beautiful than all girls in class.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: When comparing a member with the rest of its group, use 'any other'. 'More beautiful than any girl' implies she is not in the class.

Q4. I saw him to cross the road.

  1. I saw him crossing the road.
  2. I saw him crossed the road.
  3. I saw him cross the road.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: After verbs of perception (see, hear, watch), use bare infinitive or -ing form. 'I saw him cross' (bare infinitive) is correct here. 'Crossing' is also acceptable but 'to cross' is wrong.

Q5. The news are shocking.

  1. The news is shocking.
  2. The news were shocking.
  3. The news have been shocking.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: 'News' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. 'The news is shocking' is correct. A very common SSC grammar trap.

Q6. He is working in this firm since 2010.

  1. He has been working in this firm since 2010.
  2. He was working in this firm since 2010.
  3. He had been working in this firm since 2010.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'since' indicating continuous action from past to present, the correct tense is Present Perfect Continuous: 'has been working'. This is a standard SSC error type.

Q7. Neither he nor I are ready.

  1. Neither he nor I am ready.
  2. Neither he nor I is ready.
  3. Neither he nor I was ready.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('I'). So 'am' is correct. 'Neither he nor I am ready.'

Q8. She is more beautiful than any girl in class.

  1. She is more beautiful than any other girl in class.
  2. She is most beautiful than any girl in class.
  3. She is more beautiful than all girls in class.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: When comparing a member with the rest of its group, use 'any other'. 'More beautiful than any girl' implies she is not in the class.

Q9. I saw him to cross the road.

  1. I saw him crossing the road.
  2. I saw him crossed the road.
  3. I saw him cross the road.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: After verbs of perception (see, hear, watch), use bare infinitive or -ing form. 'I saw him cross' (bare infinitive) is correct here. 'Crossing' is also acceptable but 'to cross' is wrong.

Q10. The news are shocking.

  1. The news is shocking.
  2. The news were shocking.
  3. The news have been shocking.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: 'News' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. 'The news is shocking' is correct. A very common SSC grammar trap.

Q11. He is working in this firm since 2010.

  1. He has been working in this firm since 2010.
  2. He was working in this firm since 2010.
  3. He had been working in this firm since 2010.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'since' indicating continuous action from past to present, the correct tense is Present Perfect Continuous: 'has been working'. This is a standard SSC error type.

Q12. Neither he nor I are ready.

  1. Neither he nor I am ready.
  2. Neither he nor I is ready.
  3. Neither he nor I was ready.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('I'). So 'am' is correct. 'Neither he nor I am ready.'

Q13. She is more beautiful than any girl in class.

  1. She is more beautiful than any other girl in class.
  2. She is most beautiful than any girl in class.
  3. She is more beautiful than all girls in class.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: When comparing a member with the rest of its group, use 'any other'. 'More beautiful than any girl' implies she is not in the class.

Q14. I saw him to cross the road.

  1. I saw him crossing the road.
  2. I saw him crossed the road.
  3. I saw him cross the road.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: After verbs of perception (see, hear, watch), use bare infinitive or -ing form. 'I saw him cross' (bare infinitive) is correct here. 'Crossing' is also acceptable but 'to cross' is wrong.

Q15. The news are shocking.

  1. The news is shocking.
  2. The news were shocking.
  3. The news have been shocking.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: 'News' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. 'The news is shocking' is correct. A very common SSC grammar trap.

Q16. He is working in this firm since 2010.

  1. He has been working in this firm since 2010.
  2. He was working in this firm since 2010.
  3. He had been working in this firm since 2010.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'since' indicating continuous action from past to present, the correct tense is Present Perfect Continuous: 'has been working'. This is a standard SSC error type.

Q17. Neither he nor I are ready.

  1. Neither he nor I am ready.
  2. Neither he nor I is ready.
  3. Neither he nor I was ready.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject ('I'). So 'am' is correct. 'Neither he nor I am ready.'

Q18. She is more beautiful than any girl in class.

  1. She is more beautiful than any other girl in class.
  2. She is most beautiful than any girl in class.
  3. She is more beautiful than all girls in class.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: When comparing a member with the rest of its group, use 'any other'. 'More beautiful than any girl' implies she is not in the class.

Q19. I saw him to cross the road.

  1. I saw him crossing the road.
  2. I saw him crossed the road.
  3. I saw him cross the road.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: After verbs of perception (see, hear, watch), use bare infinitive or -ing form. 'I saw him cross' (bare infinitive) is correct here. 'Crossing' is also acceptable but 'to cross' is wrong.

Q20. The news are shocking.

  1. The news is shocking.
  2. The news were shocking.
  3. The news have been shocking.
  4. No improvement

Explanation: 'News' is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb. 'The news is shocking' is correct. A very common SSC grammar trap.

Performance Tips for CGL

  • Time management: Aim to solve each question in under 60 seconds
  • Elimination strategy: Always eliminate at least 1-2 options before selecting your answer
  • Review errors: Spend extra time on questions you got wrong — understand the concept, not just the answer
  • Pattern recognition: CGL exam frequently tests similar question types — recognize these patterns

For more practice tests, concept videos, and AI doubt-solving, visit GPT Sir at gptsir.in. These questions are curated for CGL 2026 exam preparation.