High Court Assistant — 2019 — Official Paper — Kerala PSC PYQ Practice with Answers

Correct answer (Option C):\nThe word 'Caribean' is spelt incorrectly. The correct spelling is 'Caribbean', which features a double 'b' (C-a-r-i-b-b-e-a-n). It refers to the region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands, and the surrounding coasts. Option C is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOption A 'Playwright' is correctly spelt (meaning a person who writes plays). Option B 'Millennium' is correct with double 'l' and double 'n'. Option D 'Liaison' is also correctly spelt.\n\nStudy tip:\nWords with unexpected double consonants or silent letters, like playwright and millennium, are frequently tested in English vocabulary and error correction sections.

Correct answer (Option B):\nThe modal auxiliary verb 'May' is followed by the base form of the main verb (infinitive without 'to') when asking for permission. Therefore, 'enter' is the grammatically correct choice to complete the sentence. Option B is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOption A 'entry' is a noun, not a verb form. Option C 'entree' is a noun referring to a main dish or a right of access. Option D 'entered' is a past tense verb form, which violates the modal verb rule.\n\nStudy tip:\nAlways use the bare infinitive base form of a verb directly after standard modal auxiliary verbs such as may, can, must, should, and would.

Correct answer (Option C):\nThe verb 'depend' is idiomatically followed by the fixed preposition 'on' or 'upon' when indicating reliance on someone or something. Therefore, 'depends entirely on' is the correct construction. Option C is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOptions A, B, and D (with, in, at) are incorrect prepositions because they do not form the appropriate phrasal combination or idiomatic relationship with the verb depend.\n\nStudy tip:\nMemorizing dependent prepositions (e.g., depend on, rely on, comply with, abstain from) is crucial for securing marks in sentence completion exercises.

Correct answer (Option C):\nThe idiomatic expression used to describe someone who loves sugary foods and confections is to have a 'sweet tooth'. Idioms cannot be altered by substituting literal synonyms. Option C is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOptions A, B, and D (tongue, mind, appetite) are incorrect because they break the established idiomatic structure. While they make logical sense contextually, they do not constitute a recognized idiom.\n\nStudy tip:\nIdiomatic expressions must be learned as complete structural units. Regular reading helps in internalizing common idioms like 'sweet tooth' or 'sour grapes'.

Correct answer (Option A):\nIn negative sentences and questions, 'any' is used with countable plural nouns to indicate a quantity. Since the sentence contains the negative contraction 'aren't' (are not), 'any' fits perfectly. Option A is correct.\n\nWhy others are wrong:\nOption B 'little' is used with uncountable nouns. Option C 'some' is primarily used in affirmative statements. Option D 'few' creates a double negative implication or awkward structure when paired directly with 'aren't'.\n\nStudy tip:\nRemember the general rule of thumb: use 'some' for positive sentences and 'any' for negative sentences and questions when dealing with plurals or mass nouns.