Next CSE-PPT: 14 March 2027 · Professional & Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam English reviewer on parallel structure, correlative conjunctions (either/or, neither/nor, both/and, whether/or), subordinating conjunctions and transition words for contrast, addition, examples and results.
Good sentences connect ideas clearly. Parallel structure keeps items in a list in the same form, such as "typing, filing and answering calls". Conjunctions join words and clauses, and transition words such as "however", "therefore" and "for example" show how one idea relates to the next.
In fill-in-the-blank items, decide first what relationship the two ideas have: contrast, addition, cause, result, example, condition or time. Then choose the word that expresses that relationship.
Correct answer: A. answering
The other items are -ing forms (typing, filing), so the third must also be an -ing form: answering. Mixing forms, as in "typing, filing and to answer", breaks parallel structure.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. honest
The list contains adjectives (intelligent, hardworking), so the last item must also be an adjective: honest. "Has honesty" and "with honesty" are phrases, and "honestly" is an adverb, so they break the pattern.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. The new system is faster, cheaper and easier to use.
In the correct sentence, all three items are comparative adjectives: faster, cheaper, easier. The other options mix adjectives with clauses or phrases.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. She prefers writing reports to giving speeches.
Items compared with "prefer … to" should be in the same form: writing … giving. Note also that "prefer" is followed by "to", not "than".
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. or
"Either" is always paired with "or", and "neither" with "nor". These pairs are called correlative conjunctions. Both choices after "either" and "or" should also be parallel: "submit … or wait".
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. nor
"Neither" pairs with "nor" to make a negative statement about both. "Neither … or" is incorrect in formal English. With "neither … nor", the verb agrees with the nearer subject: neither the clerk nor the supervisors were aware.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. and
"Both" is paired with "and". Since two people are joined by "and", the subject is plural. Using "or" or "nor" after "both" is incorrect, and "with" would make "the vice-mayor" an add-on rather than part of the subject.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. or
"Whether" pairs with "or" (whether … or not). The expression introduces two alternatives and means the outcome is the same in either case.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. nevertheless
The second idea is surprising given the first, so a contrast word is needed. "Nevertheless" means "in spite of that". "Therefore" would wrongly suggest that being understaffed caused the on-time finish.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. furthermore
The second sentence adds another benefit, so an addition word is needed. "Furthermore", "moreover" and "in addition" all signal added information.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. For instance
The second sentence gives an example of the general statement in the first, so "For instance" (or "For example") is correct.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Consequently
"Consequently" shows that the second event resulted from the first. Other result words include "therefore", "as a result" and "thus".
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. because
The second clause gives the reason for the absence, so "because" is correct. "Although" would show contrast, and "unless" a condition.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Although
The program continued despite the rain, so a contrast word is needed. "Although" introduces a fact that might have been expected to prevent the main action.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. unless
"Unless" means "if not": you cannot enter if you do not present a valid ID. It introduces the condition that must be met.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. so that
"So that" introduces the purpose of an action: she left early for the purpose of catching the first bus. "So that" is often followed by "can", "could", "will" or "would".
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. in case
"In case" means "as a precaution against the possibility that". You bring the umbrella now because it might rain later. "So that it rains" would wrongly mean you want it to rain.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. but
"But" joins two independent clauses that contrast. The second idea, a prior commitment, prevents what the first describes.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Then
The sentences describe steps in order, so a sequence word such as "then", "next" or "after that" is correct. Other sequence words include "next", "after that", "afterwards" and "finally".
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Otherwise
"Otherwise" means "if not": if you do not keep your number, you will have to line up again. It introduces the consequence of not following an instruction.
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