Now that the three stages of Kerala PSC Degree Level Preliminary Exam 2026 are behind us. Let's look at the question papers.
Across all three stages of the examination, one thing became abundantly clear; the General English section remains a massive rank-decider. 20 questions were asked in the each of these 3 stages.
Studying these papers is the absolute best way to prepare for upcoming PSC exams. We have extracted every single English grammar question from the three exam stages and compiled them right here.
Practicing these real 2026 questions will help you understand the current difficulty level, spot repeated question patterns (like tags and prepositions), and refine your strategy for the next cycle.
English Section
1. Pick the correct question tag.
Please pass me the sugar, ____________ ?
(A) won’t you ? (B) can you ?
(C) can’t you ? (D) will you ?
Explanation:
It is an
imperative sentence meaning it is a sentence that gives a command, makes a request, offers advice, or provides instructions.
In here, it's an request and for positive imperative requests that starts with "Please" (for politeness) " or a verb, the most common and standard question tag is "will you?" or "won't you?"
The standard form is: Please + [Base Verb] + [Object/Complement] + , + [Question Tag] + ?
2. Choose the correct sentence from the following:
(A) We need the water and the air to live
(B) We need the water and air to live
(C) We need water and air to live
(D) We need water and the air to live
"Water" and "air" are uncountable, material nouns, so we do not use the definite article "the" before material nouns or abstract concepts generally.
3. Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?
(A) We kept away from the class
(B) We kept ourselves away from the class
(C) We kept ourself away from the class
(D) We kept to ourself away from the class
"Ourself" (Options C & D) is grammatically incorrect because "we" is plural, so it must be "ourselves."
In case of Option B, verbs like keep, hide, shave, break, wash, turn etc imply the action is done to oneself, so adding the reflexive pronoun "ourselves" is redundant.
The phrasal verb "keep away / kept away" meaning avoid / refrain from attending the class, it does not require a reflexive object to complete its meaning. So the correct answer is Option A.
4. Identify the simple sentence from the following:
(A) The doctor admitted that he was helpless
(B) The doctor admitted his helplessness
(C) The doctor admitted that he is helpless
(D) None of the above
A simple sentence contains exactly one
independent clause and only
one finite verb (admitted).
5. Which is the correct preposition to be used in the following sentence?
It is very rude to point __________ the people.
(A) to (B) at (C) by (D) for
The phrase "point at" means to direct someone's attention or a finger/weapon toward a specific person or target. Point (verb) at (preposition).
6. She is making tea. (Change into Passive Voice)
(A) Tea made by her. (C) Tea is being made by her.
(B) Tea is making by her. (D) Tea was being made by her.
The active sentence is in the
Present Continuous Tense (is making), to convert it into passive voice, the formula is
:
Object + is/am/are + being + Past Participle (V3) + by + Subject
is making → is being made
7. Here is the book that you asked __________.
(A) of (B) off (C) on (D) for
The phrasal verb "ask for" means to request something.
8. That is the ___________ bracelet I have ever seen.
(A) pretty (B) more pretty
(C) prettiest (D) most pretty
The presence of the definite article "the" indicates that a superlative degree adjective (prettiest) is required.
9. Prasad doesn’t look well today, ___________ ? (Use proper question tag)
(A) does he ? (B) doesn’t he ?
(C) did he ? (D) didn’t he ?
The basic rule of question tags is that a negative statement takes a positive tag.
In here, the negative verb is "doesn't", so the tag must use the positive auxiliary "does" and the proper pronoun for the singular masculine noun Prasad is "he."
10. Ammu ________ her exam last year.
(A) passes
(C) has passed
(B) had passed
(D) passed
See in here, a specific past time or period "last year" is used, so we must use the Simple Past Tense "passed."
11. Identify the correct sentence from the following options.
(A) Flyers were all around the venue
(B) Flairs were all around the venue
(C) Fleyers were all around the venue
(D) Flayers were all around the venue
Flyers = small printed notices, handbills, or circulars distributed among the crowd. Flair = a skill, natural ability, style etc.
12. Fill in the blank by adding the correct phrasal verbs given as options.
We had to _______ the party to another day owing to the sudden turn of events.
(A) Put on
(B) Put in
(C) Put out
(D) Put off
Phrasal Verbs; Put on = To wear clothes or stage a show.
Put in = To spend time or submit a request.
Put out = To extinguish a fire or cause inconvenience.
Put off = To postpone or delay
13. Identify the error in the following sentence.
The fire fighters were well equipped with latest methods.
(A) Fire fighters
(B) Were
(C) Equipped
(D) Latest
This question was cancelled in the final answer key. However the answer is Option D. "Latest" is a superlative adjective, so it must be preceded by the definite article "the."
14. Identify the correctly spelt word from the options.
(A) Consientious (B) Conscientious
(C) Consceintious (D) Consecintious
15. Which word given as options means exactly the same as the one in bold in the following sentence.
To go abroad was the most frivolous decision taken by her.
(A) Timely (B) Tactful (C) Silly (D) Thoughtful
16. De facto means
(A) By law (C) By force
(B) In reality or in fact (D) By accident
17. A life story written by a person about himself is called
(A) Biography
(B) Autobiography
(C) Memoir
(D) Chronicle
- Biography = A life story written by someone else.
- Memoir = A collection of personal memories focusing on specific experiences from a specific period of time ie, part of the whole life story.
- Chronicle = A written record of historical events arranged in order of time.
18. The train will __________ at 6 a.m.
(A) leave (B) live (C) left (D) life
"Will" is an modal auxiliary verb (a verb that helps the main verb like can, could, may, might, must, shall) and they are always followed by the
base form of the verb.
19. Choose the correctly spelt word.
(A) Definately (B) Definetely
(C) Definitely (D) Definatly
20. To throw in the towel means
(A) To wash clothes (B) To give up
(C) To clean the room (D) To become angry
1. Identify the type of sentence:
Please forward the signed agreement before the deadline.
(A) Assertive (B) Imperative
(C) Interrogative (D) Exclamatory
Explanation:
It is an
imperative sentence meaning it is a sentence that gives a command, makes a request, offers advice, or provides instructions.
Assertive sentences state facts,
Interrogative sentences ask questions & Exclamatory sentences express strong feelings.
2. Choose the correct article:
She submitted __________ detailed proposal for curriculum reform.
(A) a (B) an (C) the (D) no article
Explanation:
"detailed proposal" is singular, countable noun phrase and also the adjective "detailed" starts with a consonant sound, so we use the indefinite article "a."
3. Choose the correct verb form:
Every member of the review committee __________ required to sign the attendance sheet.
(A) are (B) were (C) is (D) have
Explanation:
If a sentence starts with "Every" or "Each", then the subject is treated as grammatically singular regardless what else follows so we use a singular verb ie, "is."
4. Choose the correct question tag:
Most candidates attended the orientation session, __________?
(A) did they (B) didn’t they
(C) do they (D) don’t they
Explanation:
Remember the basic rule of the question tags from the first question paper?
A negative statement takes a positive tag.
In here, it is a positive statement, so negative tag should be applied. That eliminates Option A & C.
The verb "attended" is in the Simple Past tense and the hidden auxiliary verb used for tags is "did." So that becomes "didn't" and most candidates is plural, so the plural pronoun "they" must be used. So the correct answer is Option B.
5. Identify the correct sentence:
(A) The officer avoided to answer the query directly.
(B) The officer avoided answer the query directly.
(C) The officer avoided answering the query directly.
(D) The officer avoided for answering the query directly.
Explanation:
Gerunds = verbs ending in
-ing that act as nouns in a sentence. Nouns such as avoid, enjoy, mind, postone, risk, admit etc are as always followed by a gerund.
6. Fill in the blank with the suitable tense of the verb in brackets:
I __________ to a movie yesterday.
(A) went (B) had gone (C) am going (D) had been going
Explanation:
Like in the question 10 of the first question paper, a specific past time or period "yesterday" is used, so we must use the Simple Past Tense which is "went."
7. Choose the correct option:
If it rained, we __________ postpone the match.
(A) will (C) would
(B) shall (D) will have
Explanation:
The rule in here is if the 'If' clause is in the
Simple Past tense (rained), the main clause must use
would + base verb.
8. Choose a suitable preposition to fill the blank:
This text is usually prescribed __________ the undergraduate level.
(A) in (B) at (C) by (D) upon
Explanation:
While referring to a specific point, milestone, tier, or level in an educational or structural hierarchy, the preposition used is "at"
Eg: at the university level, at the entry-level, at the master's level, at the executive level etc.
9. Which degree of comparison does the adjective “good” denote in this sentence?
“This watch is not as good as that one.”
(A) Positive (B) Comparative
(C) Superlative (D) All of the above
Explanation:
Positive: Good | Comparative: Better | Superlative: Best.
10. Complete the sentence choosing the suitable word:
No sooner did I get into the bus, __________ it began to rain.
(A) though (B) that
(C) then (D) than
Explanation:
"No sooner" is always followed by
than.
11. Pick out the antonym of the underlined word:
The thief ’s response was impulsive rather than thoughtful.
(A) sudden
(B) deliberate
(C) hasty
(D) emotional
12. Fill up using the appropriate word from the brackets:
A __________ of lions was sitting on the rock.
(A) herd (B) pride
(C) troop (D) flock
13. Fill up the blank with the correct phrasal verb.
The teacher asked the students to __________ the assignment before Friday.
(A) hand in (B) look after
(C) turn up (D) put off
Explanation:
Phrasal Verbs
- Hand in = To submit a school assignment or document (Fits perfectly).
- Look after = To take care of someone/something.
- Turn up = To arrive or appear.
- Put off = To postpone.
14. Replace the word underlined with its synonym.
The student was diligent in his studies.
(A) careless (B) lazy
(C) hard working (D) slow
15. Pick out the correct prefix to get the opposite of the word organize.
(A) mis
(B) un
(C) dis
(D) non
16. Which word means “having practical knowledge or skill”?
(A) Ingenious (B) Ingenuous
(C) Intelligent (D) Ignorant
Explanation:
- Ingenious = Clever, skillful, inventive, or resourceful.
- Ingenuous = Innocent, naive, trusting, or childlike.
- Intelligent = Smart.
- Ignorant = Lacking knowledge.
17.What does the idiom ‘To bell the cat” mean?
(A) To warn others of danger
(B) To undertake a risky task for the common good
(C) To act foolishly
(D) To make a loud complaint
18.What is the expansion of “UNESCO”?
(A) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(B) United Nations Economic and Social Council Organization
(C) Universal Network of Education, Science and Culture Organization
(D) United Nations Environmental and Scientific Council Organization
19. What is the one-word substitute for “One who walks in sleep”?
(A) Insomniac
(B) Somnambulist
(C) Dreamer
(D) Nocturnal
20. What does “vox populi’’ mean?
(A) Voice of the judge
(B) Voice of the people / public opinion
(C) Voice of law
(D) Secret voice
1. Identify the type of sentence:
How efficiently the inspection team completed the verification.
(A) Assertive (B) Imperative
(C) Interrogative (D) Exclamatory
Explanation:
Sentences that express strong emotions, wonder, or appreciation and typically begin with "How" or "What" are Exclamatory sentences.
2. Choose the correct option:
The delegation travelled by ______ air due to the urgency of the meeting.
(A) a (B) an
(C) the (D) no article
Explanation:
Idiomatic expressions like by air, by bus, by train, and by car are always used without "a", "an", or "the." So the correct answer is Option D.
3. Choose the correct verb form:
Neither the training module nor the supplementary material ______ available on the portal.
(A) is (B) are
(C) were (D) have been
Explanation:
When two singular subjects are joined by "Neither... nor" or "Either... or", the verb must agree with the closest subject.
In here the closest subject (supplementary material) is singular, so it is followed by "is."
Take another example: Neither the principal nor the teachers _____ attending the meeting.
In here, there 2 subjects: Subject 1 = Principal & Subject 2 = Teachers and Subject 2 Teachers are closest to the verb, so the answer for this is "are."
If we reverse the subjects:
Neither the teachers nor the principal _____ attending the meeting, then the answer becomes "is."
4. Choose the correct question tag:
Let us reconsider the proposal, ______ ?
(A) shall we (B) will you
(C) do we (D) don’t we
Explanation:
Any sentence starting with "Let us" or "Let's" represents a suggestion or proposal and automatically takes the question tag "shall we?"
Eg: a) Let us go for a walk, shall we? (imperative sentence)
b) We shall meet them at the station, shall we? (assertive sentence)
c) Let me play football, will you? (but in here the rule change. "shall we" only applies when it is Let us. If the pronoun changes, the tag changes completely and it becomes a request for permission)
5. Identify the correct sentence:
(A) The director had the assistant to prepare the summary.
(B) The director had the assistant prepare the summary.
(C) The director had the assistant prepared the summary.
(D) The director had the assistant preparing the summary.
Explanation:
Causative verb is a verb that indicates that one person makes, allows, arranges, or persuades, ie is causing an action to happen, rather than performing the action themselves.
A bare infinitive is an infinitive verb without the "to" in front.
In here, "have" is the causative verb (have + person + base verb). when you have someone do something for you, the rule is that:
Subject + have / has / had + Person + Bare Infinitive
If the causative verb here was "get", then the rule changes. Then the sentence becomes:
The director got the assistant to prepare the summary. (requires "to")
6. Ravi ______ tea every morning.
(A) is drinking (B) drinks
(C) drank (D) has drunk
Explanation:
The phrase "every morning" shows a habitual action or a routine. For routines, and habits, we always use the Simple Present Tense.
Option A: is drinking→Present continuous tense.
Option C: drank→Simple past tense.
Option D: has drunk→Present perfect tense.
7. The plant shed its leaves. (Identify the Possessive Pronoun)
(A) plant (B) shed
(C) its (D) The
Explanation:
Possessive Pronoun: a pronoun that shows ownership or possession and replaces a noun but it does not come before another noun.
eg: mine, yours, ours, his, hers, their etc (This book is mine)
The sentence given has no Possessive Pronoun, but has Possessive adjective.
Possessive Adjective: a word that shows ownership or possession and is placed before a noun.
eg: my, your, our, his, her, their etc (This is my book)
The noun in the above sentence is "leaves" and "its" shows ownership or possession.
8. Keerthana won’t be late, ______? (Use suitable question tag)
(A) will she (B) will not she
(C) would she (D) wouldn’t she
Explanation:
Remember the basic rule of the question tags?
A negative statement takes a positive tag.
In here, it is a negative statement, so positive tag should be applied. That eliminates Option B & D.
There is another rule to remember for question tags, ie,
Question tag = same auxiliary verb + opposite polarity (positive / negative)
If the sentence has is, the tag uses is/isn't. If the sentence has can, the tag uses can/can't.
Auxiliary Verb (Helping Verb): a verb that helps the main verb to form tenses, questions, negatives, passive voice, or to express possibility, ability, permission, etc.
eg: am, is, are, was, were, be, been, being etc
We will cover more on this in the upcoming posts, in here it is sufficient to know that the auxiliary form of won't / will not is will.
9. Now we shall discuss ______ our future prospects.
(A) about
(B) of
(C) for
(D) no preposition
Explanation:
Transitive verb: a verb that needs an object to complete its meaning. The object receives the action of the verb.
Rule: Subject + Transitive Verb + Object
The verb in here is discuss, which is a transitive verb that means to talk about. So there is no need to add preposition to it.
But if the sentence uses 'talk' or 'speak', we must use the preposition 'about'.
10. We are going to bake the bread. (Change into Passive Voice)
(A) The bread is going to be baked. (B) The bread was going to be baked.
(C) The bread has been baked. (D) The bread will be baked.
Explanation:
The rule is :
Object + is/am/are + going to + be + Past Participle
11. Pick out the antonym of the underlined word
The rules and regulations were strictly enforced
(A) harshly (B) firmly
(C) rigidly (D) lightly
12. Fill up using the appropriate word from the brackets
A _______ of cattle lying under the tree
(A) flock (B) herd
(C) fleet (D) swarm
13. Fill up the blank with the correct phrasal verb.
The meeting was _______ due to the Manager’s illness.
(A) put on
(B) put off
(C) put up
(D) put out
Explanation:
Phrasal Verbs; Put on = To wear clothes or stage a show.
Put up = To build / display / tolerate / to provide accommodation.
Put out = To extinguish a fire or cause inconvenience.
Put off = To postpone or delay
14. Replace the word underlined with its synonym.
Boby's success was the result of perseverance
(A) intelligence (B) persistence
(C) talent (D) luck
15. Pick out the correct prefix to get the opposite of the word manage.
(A) mis (B) un
(C) dis (D) non
16. What is the meaning of “Bona fide”?
(A) In good faith / genuine (B) Illegal
(C) Temporary (D) Immediate
17. What is the correct expansion of “LASER”?
(A) Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission Radiation
(B) Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation
(C) Light Amplified by Stimulated Emitted Radiation
(D) Light Amplification through Stimulated Emission of Rays
18. What is the one-word substitute for “a person who believes in the doctrine of pleasure as the
chief good of life”?
(A) Ascetic (B) Hedonist
(C) Stoic (D) Idealist
Explanation:
- Ascetic = a person who practices severe self-discipline and avoids all forms of pleasure (opposite of hedonist).
- Stoic = a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings.
- Idealist = a person who believes in high moral values, principles, or ideals
19. Choose the correctly spelt word.
(A) Occurrence (B) Occurence
(C) Occurencee (D) Occurrance
20. Which word means “having a harmful effect”?
(A) Pernicious (B) Perilous
(C) Precious (D) Perceptive
Revising the previous exam papers is the single most effective way to clear the Kerala PSC cutoff. As you can see there are repetitive patterns across all the 3 question papers.
By analyzing these English grammar questions from all three stages of the Degree Level Prelims 2026, you can learn to recognize these specific patterns, structural traps, and vocabulary benchmarks.
Keep practicing, stick to the core grammatical rules, and you will comfortably lock in a perfect score in the General English section of your next exam. Good luck with your preparation!
What to read next: Now that you've mastered the 2026 grammar questions, check out our breakdown of the Kerala PSC English Grammar Archive to secure the remaining 10 marks!
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