The Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination requires candidates to have a strong command of English, including grammar, vocabulary, sentence usage, comprehension, and verbal ability. Regular practice of objective-type questions can improve both accuracy and speed.
This article contains 100 English questions for CDS with answers covering important areas such as error detection, tenses, articles, prepositions, subject-verb agreement, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, sentence improvement, and vocabulary.
Part A: Error Detection Questions (1–10)
Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error.
1. The officer / as well as his assistants / were present / at the conference.
A. The officer
B. as well as his assistants
C. were present
D. at the conference
Answer: C
Correct: The officer, as well as his assistants, was present at the conference.
2. Neither of the candidates / have submitted / the required documents / within the prescribed time.
A. Neither of the candidates
B. have submitted
C. the required documents
D. within the prescribed time
Answer: B
Correct: Neither of the candidates has submitted the required documents.
3. He is one of those officers / who always keeps / their promises / to their subordinates.
A. He is one of those officers
B. who always keeps
C. their promises
D. to their subordinates
Answer: B
Correct: He is one of those officers who always keep their promises.
4. The captain asked me / whether I had completed / the task assigned to me / yesterday.
A. The captain asked me
B. whether I had completed
C. the task assigned to me
D. yesterday
Answer: D
The sentence is grammatically acceptable. No error.
5. Scarcely had the meeting begun / than the power supply / was interrupted / by a technical fault.
A. Scarcely had the meeting begun
B. than the power supply
C. was interrupted
D. by a technical fault
Answer: B
Correct: Scarcely had the meeting begun when the power supply was interrupted.
6. Each of the soldiers / were instructed / to carry sufficient water / for the journey.
A. Each of the soldiers
B. were instructed
C. to carry sufficient water
D. for the journey
Answer: B
Correct: Each of the soldiers was instructed.
7. The information provided by the officials / are not sufficient / to establish the facts / conclusively.
A. The information provided by the officials
B. are not sufficient
C. to establish the facts
D. conclusively
Answer: B
Correct: The information provided by the officials is not sufficient.
8. He has been working / in this organisation / since ten years / without taking a long leave.
A. He has been working
B. in this organisation
C. since ten years
D. without taking a long leave
Answer: C
Correct: for ten years.
9. The commander ordered the troops / that they should advance / immediately towards the enemy position / before nightfall.
A. The commander ordered the troops
B. that they should advance
C. immediately towards the enemy position
D. before nightfall
Answer: B
Better construction: The commander ordered the troops to advance immediately.
10. No sooner did the aircraft land / when the rescue team / moved towards the runway / to assist the passengers.
A. No sooner did the aircraft land
B. when the rescue team
C. moved towards the runway
D. to assist the passengers
Answer: B
Correct: No sooner did the aircraft land than the rescue team moved towards the runway.
Part B: Tenses and Verb Usage (11–20)
11. By the time the rescue team arrived, the villagers ____ to a safer location.
A. moved
B. have moved
C. had moved
D. were moving
Answer: C. had moved
12. The officer ____ the report for the last three hours.
A. prepares
B. has been preparing
C. prepared
D. had prepared
Answer: B. has been preparing
13. If the weather improves, the aircraft ____ tomorrow morning.
A. takes off
B. took off
C. will take off
D. would take off
Answer: C. will take off
14. When we reached the camp, the soldiers ____ their evening meal.
A. have taken
B. were taking
C. had taken
D. take
Answer: B. were taking
15. He ____ the examination before he joined the academy.
A. passed
B. has passed
C. had passed
D. passes
Answer: C. had passed
16. I ____ this book several times, but I still find it interesting.
A. read
B. have read
C. had read
D. am reading
Answer: B. have read
17. By next month, she ____ her training.
A. completes
B. completed
C. will have completed
D. has completed
Answer: C. will have completed
18. They ____ the problem when the senior officer arrived.
A. discuss
B. discussed
C. were discussing
D. have discussed
Answer: C. were discussing
19. If I ____ in your position, I would reconsider the decision.
A. am
B. was
C. were
D. have been
Answer: C. were
20. The troops ____ the area before the operation commenced.
A. evacuated
B. had evacuated
C. have evacuated
D. evacuate
Answer: B. had evacuated
Part C: Articles (21–30)
21. He is ____ officer of exceptional ability.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: an
22. He joined ____ university after completing his schooling.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: A. a
23. ____ honest person is respected by everyone.
A. A
B. An
C. The
D. No article
Answer: B. An
24. The commander addressed ____ entire battalion.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: C. the
25. He wants to become ____ IAS officer.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: B. an
26. She plays ____ piano exceptionally well.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: C. the
27. ____ Himalayas are situated in the northern part of India.
A. A
B. An
C. The
D. No article
Answer: C. The
28. He was appointed ____ chairman of the committee.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: D. no article
29. He is ____ European citizen.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: A. a
30. This is ____ most difficult task assigned to us.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Answer: C. the
Part D: Prepositions (31–40)
31. He has great influence ____ his colleagues.
A. on
B. at
C. for
D. by
Answer: A. on
32. The officer was entrusted ____ the responsibility of supervising the operation.
A. by
B. with
C. from
D. to
Answer: B. with
33. He is capable ____ handling difficult situations.
A. to
B. for
C. of
D. with
Answer: C. of
34. The soldiers were prevented ____ entering the restricted area.
A. to
B. from
C. by
D. with
Answer: B. from
35. She has no objection ____ working overtime.
A. for
B. with
C. to
D. at
Answer: C. to
36. The committee consists ____ ten members.
A. in
B. with
C. of
D. from
Answer: C. of
37. He has been suffering ____ fever for two days.
A. from
B. with
C. by
D. at
Answer: A. from
38. The commander was satisfied ____ the performance of his unit.
A. at
B. with
C. on
D. by
Answer: B. with
39. The team succeeded ____ completing the mission within the deadline.
A. in
B. at
C. for
D. by
Answer: A. in
40. He is senior ____ all the other officers in his department.
A. than
B. from
C. to
D. over
Answer: C. to
Part E: Subject-Verb Agreement (41–50)
41. The quality of the weapons ____ satisfactory.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
42. A number of candidates ____ selected for the next stage.
A. was
B. were
C. is
D. has
Answer: B. were
43. The number of vacancies ____ increased this year.
A. have
B. are
C. has
D. were
Answer: C. has
44. Neither the commander nor the soldiers ____ willing to surrender.
A. was
B. is
C. were
D. has
Answer: C. were
45. Each of the applicants ____ required to produce valid identification.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
46. Mathematics ____ considered a difficult subject by many students.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
47. The captain, along with his officers, ____ attending the ceremony.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
48. Ten kilometres ____ not a great distance for trained soldiers.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
49. The news of the victory ____ received with great enthusiasm.
A. were
B. are
C. was
D. have
Answer: C. was
50. Neither of the two proposals ____ acceptable to the committee.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
Answer: C. is
Part F: Synonyms (51–60)
Choose the word nearest in meaning to the given word.
51. Abate
A. Increase
B. Reduce
C. Destroy
D. Create
Answer: B. Reduce
52. Adversity
A. Prosperity
B. Difficulty
C. Opportunity
D. Celebration
Answer: B. Difficulty
53. Alleviate
A. Intensify
B. Relieve
C. Increase
D. Ignore
Answer: B. Relieve
54. Candid
A. Frank
B. Secretive
C. Deceptive
D. Careless
Answer: A. Frank
55. Commence
A. Finish
B. Delay
C. Begin
D. Stop
Answer: C. Begin
56. Deter
A. Encourage
B. Discourage
C. Support
D. Permit
Answer: B. Discourage
57. Eloquent
A. Fluent
B. Silent
C. Unclear
D. Hesitant
Answer: A. Fluent
58. Imminent
A. Remote
B. Uncertain
C. About to happen
D. Impossible
Answer: C. About to happen
59. Meticulous
A. Careless
B. Very careful
C. Quick
D. Confused
Answer: B. Very careful
60. Resilient
A. Easily discouraged
B. Able to recover quickly
C. Weak
D. Uncertain
Answer: B. Able to recover quickly
Part G: Antonyms (61–70)
Choose the word opposite in meaning to the given word.
61. Benevolent
A. Generous
B. Kind
C. Malevolent
D. Helpful
Answer: C. Malevolent
62. Concise
A. Brief
B. Precise
C. Lengthy
D. Clear
Answer: C. Lengthy
63. Deteriorate
A. Decline
B. Improve
C. Damage
D. Weaken
Answer: B. Improve
64. Explicit
A. Clear
B. Definite
C. Implicit
D. Direct
Answer: C. Implicit
65. Fragile
A. Delicate
B. Weak
C. Strong
D. Brittle
Answer: C. Strong
66. Hostile
A. Aggressive
B. Friendly
C. Violent
D. Unfriendly
Answer: B. Friendly
67. Luxurious
A. Expensive
B. Comfortable
C. Simple
D. Spartan
Answer: D. Spartan
68. Obsolete
A. Outdated
B. Modern
C. Ancient
D. Old-fashioned
Answer: B. Modern
69. Scarce
A. Rare
B. Limited
C. Abundant
D. Insufficient
Answer: C. Abundant
70. Vigilant
A. Alert
B. Watchful
C. Careless
D. Attentive
Answer: C. Careless
Part H: Idioms and Phrases (71–80)
71. To take someone to task means:
A. To praise someone
B. To reprimand someone
C. To help someone
D. To appoint someone
Answer: B. To reprimand someone
72. To read between the lines means:
A. To read very quickly
B. To understand the hidden meaning
C. To skip difficult words
D. To read aloud
Answer: B. To understand the hidden meaning
73. To weather the storm means:
A. To predict the weather
B. To face and survive difficulties
C. To avoid responsibility
D. To travel during a storm
Answer: B. To face and survive difficulties
74. To leave no stone unturned means:
A. To make no effort
B. To try every possible means
C. To change one's decision
D. To hide something
Answer: B. To try every possible means
75. To be at loggerheads means:
A. To be in complete agreement
B. To be in serious disagreement
C. To be confused
D. To be frightened
Answer: B. To be in serious disagreement
76. To throw in the towel means:
A. To begin a competition
B. To admit defeat
C. To work harder
D. To challenge someone
Answer: B. To admit defeat
77. A close shave means:
A. A comfortable victory
B. A narrow escape from danger
C. A difficult decision
D. A routine task
Answer: B. A narrow escape from danger
78. To keep something at bay means:
A. To keep something away
B. To encourage something
C. To hide something
D. To accept something
Answer: A. To keep something away
79. To go the extra mile means:
A. To travel unnecessarily
B. To make an additional effort
C. To stop working
D. To avoid responsibility
Answer: B. To make an additional effort
80. To call someone's bluff means:
A. To praise someone
B. To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
C. To ignore someone
D. To support someone
Answer: B. To challenge someone to prove a claim or threat
Part I: One Word Substitution (81–90)
81. A person who hates war is called a:
A. Pacifist
B. Militarist
C. Patriot
D. Strategist
Answer: A. Pacifist
82. One who is skilled in the art of war is called a:
A. Diplomat
B. Strategist
C. Linguist
D. Economist
Answer: B. Strategist
83. A person who speaks in favour of a particular cause is called an:
A. Advocate
B. Opponent
C. Arbitrator
D. Spectator
Answer: A. Advocate
84. A person who deliberately sets fire to property is called an:
A. Extortionist
B. Arsonist
C. Anarchist
D. Activist
Answer: B. Arsonist
85. A person who studies the origin and development of words is called a:
A. Philologist
B. Biologist
C. Geologist
D. Sociologist
Answer: A. Philologist
86. A person who looks at the brighter side of life is an:
A. Opportunist
B. Optimist
C. Extremist
D. Realist
Answer: B. Optimist
87. A person who is unable to make up his mind is:
A. Decisive
B. Indecisive
C. Assertive
D. Determined
Answer: B. Indecisive
88. A place where aircraft are kept and maintained is called a:
A. Hangar
B. Harbour
C. Arsenal
D. Dockyard
Answer: A. Hangar
89. A government controlled by a small group of powerful people is called:
A. Democracy
B. Monarchy
C. Oligarchy
D. Theocracy
Answer: C. Oligarchy
90. A person who attacks established beliefs and institutions is called an:
A. Iconoclast
B. Philanthropist
C. Pacifist
D. Conformist
Answer: A. Iconoclast
Part J: Sentence Improvement (91–100)
Choose the option that best improves the underlined part.
91. He is senior than all the other officers.
A. senior from
B. senior to
C. senior over
D. No improvement
Answer: B. senior to
92. The officer asked me where was I going.
A. where I was going
B. where am I going
C. where I am going
D. No improvement
Answer: A. where I was going
93. He insisted to accompany the team.
A. insisted for accompanying
B. insisted on accompanying
C. insisted to accompanying
D. No improvement
Answer: B. insisted on accompanying
94. I have been waiting here since two hours.
A. for two hours
B. from two hours
C. by two hours
D. No improvement
Answer: A. for two hours
95. Unless you do not work hard, you cannot succeed.
A. Unless you work hard
B. Unless you worked hard
C. Unless you had worked hard
D. No improvement
Answer: A. Unless you work hard
96. He is accustomed to wake up early.
A. accustomed to waking up early
B. accustomed for waking up early
C. accustomed with waking up early
D. No improvement
Answer: A. accustomed to waking up early
97. The commander ordered that the soldiers should not leave the camp.
A. ordered the soldiers not to leave the camp
B. ordered the soldiers to not leaving the camp
C. ordered that the soldiers do not leave the camp
D. No improvement
Answer: A. ordered the soldiers not to leave the camp
98. Hardly had he reached the station than the train departed.
A. Hardly he had reached the station when
B. Hardly had he reached the station when
C. Hardly did he reach the station than
D. No improvement
Answer: B. Hardly had he reached the station when
99. The news of the operation have surprised everyone.
A. has surprised everyone
B. had surprised everyone
C. have been surprising everyone
D. No improvement
Answer: A. has surprised everyone
100. He succeeded because of he worked hard.
A. because he worked hard
B. because of he worked hard
C. because his working hard
D. No improvement
Answer: A. because he worked hard
Quick Revision Topics for CDS English
Candidates preparing for CDS should regularly revise:
Error Detection
Sentence Correction
Sentence Improvement
Tenses
Articles
Prepositions
Subject-Verb Agreement
Pronouns
Adjectives and Adverbs
Conjunctions
Active and Passive Voice
Direct and Indirect Speech
Synonyms
Antonyms
One Word Substitution
Idioms and Phrases
Spelling Correction
Fill in the Blanks
Vocabulary
Reading Comprehension
Sentence Arrangement
Cloze Test
How to Prepare English for CDS
1. Strengthen Grammar
Revise fundamental grammar rules and practise applying them through objective questions. Give special attention to error detection, sentence improvement, tenses, articles, prepositions, and subject-verb agreement.
2. Improve Vocabulary
Maintain a vocabulary notebook containing new words, meanings, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, and one-word substitutions.
3. Practise Reading
Read quality English newspapers, magazines, essays, and editorials regularly. This can help improve comprehension and familiarity with formal English.
4. Solve Previous-Year Questions
Previous-year CDS English questions are useful for understanding the types of questions and recurring concepts that candidates encounter in the examination.
5. Practise Under Time Limits
Attempt practice sets within a fixed time. After completing a test, analyse incorrect answers and identify recurring weaknesses.
6. Revise Regularly
Revision is particularly important for vocabulary and grammar rules. Revisit difficult questions at regular intervals rather than studying them only once.
