Chapter 18: Conjunctions · UPESSC TGT English

Part IV — Connectives & Mechanics

Chapter 18

Conjunctions

📘 50 MCQs⏱ ~29 min read🎯 Exam-focused

Theory

3.1 Definition and Function

A conjunction is an indeclinable (uninflected) word that connects two or more words, phrases or clauses and indicates the relationship between them. Conjunctions do not govern a noun (that is a preposition's job) and they do not stand for a noun within their clause (that is a relative pronoun's job).

Type	What it joins	Examples
Coordinating	Grammatical equals (word + word, clause + clause of equal rank)	and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so
Subordinating	A dependent (subordinate) clause to a main clause	because, although, if, when, until, that
Correlative	Equals, but in matched pairs	either…or, not only…but also, both…and

3.2 Coordinating Conjunctions — FANBOYS

Coordinating conjunctions join elements of equal grammatical rank: two nouns, two adjectives, two phrases, or two independent clauses. The mnemonic is FANBOYS.

Letter	Conjunction	Relationship	Example
F	for	reason (= because; formal)	She was glad, for the news was good.
A	and	addition	Ram and Sita arrived.
N	nor	negative addition	He neither phoned nor wrote.
B	but	contrast	Poor but honest.
O	or	choice / alternative	Tea or coffee?
Y	yet	contrast (concessive)	Strange yet true.
S	so	result / consequence	It rained, so we stayed in.

Punctuation tip: When a coordinating conjunction joins two independent clauses, place a comma before it: The bell rang, and the class ended. When it joins mere words or short phrases, no comma is needed: bread and butter.

Solved examples — coordinating conjunctions:

He worked hard, yet he failed. (concession)
Walk fast, or you will miss the train. (alternative / warning)
She did not sing, nor did she dance. (negative addition with inversion after nor)
The road was icy, so we drove slowly. (result)
I knocked, but nobody answered. (contrast)
Be quick, for time is short. (reason, literary)

3.3 Subordinating Conjunctions

A subordinating conjunction introduces a dependent (subordinate) clause and links it to the main clause. The dependent clause cannot stand alone as a complete sentence.

Relationship	Subordinating conjunctions
Cause / reason	because, since, as, now that, seeing that
Concession / contrast	although, though, even though, whereas, while
Condition	if, unless, provided (that), in case, lest
Time	when, while, after, before, until, till, since, as soon as, no sooner…than
Purpose	so that, in order that, lest, that
Manner / comparison	as, as if, as though, than
Result	so…that, such…that
Noun clause marker	that, whether, if

Note: A subordinate clause may come first or second. When it comes first, a comma usually separates it: Because it rained, we stayed in. When it comes second, the comma is usually omitted: We stayed in because it rained.

Solved examples — subordinating conjunctions:

Although he is rich, he is not happy. (concession)
We waited until the rain stopped. (time)
He spoke slowly so that all could understand. (purpose)
Unless you hurry, you will be late. (condition = if you do not hurry)
She behaves as if she owned the place. (unreal manner; note past subjunctive)
Since you insist, I shall stay. (reason)

3.4 Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in fixed pairs. The golden requirement is parallelism: the grammatical form that follows the first half must match the form that follows the second half.

Pair	Use	Example
either…or	one of two	Either Ram or Shyam will come.
neither…nor	not one and not the other	Neither he nor I was present.
both…and	two together	Both tea and coffee are ready.
not only…but also	emphatic addition	Not only did he sing but he also danced.
whether…or	doubt / choice	I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
no sooner…than	immediate sequence in time	No sooner had I sat down than the bell rang.
hardly…when / scarcely…when	immediate sequence	Hardly had he left when it rained.
such…that	degree (with a noun)	It was such a cold day that we shivered.
so…that	degree (with adj./adv.)	He was so tired that he slept.
the same…as	identity / comparison	This is the same pen as I lost.
as…as / so…as	comparison of degree	He is as tall as his father; not so tall as his brother.
not…but	correction / contrast	I want not sympathy but justice.

Parallelism rule: Keep the word after each half in the same grammatical class.
✗ He not only lost his wallet but also his keys. ✓ He lost not only his wallet but also his keys. (both halves now followed by noun phrases).

Solved examples — correlative conjunctions:

Neither the manager nor the clerks were responsible. (verb agrees with nearer subject clerks)
He is not only intelligent but also hard-working. (adjective ↔ adjective: parallel)
Both the captain and the coach were praised. (always plural verb with both…and)
It was such a moving speech that the audience wept. (such + a + adj + noun + that)
He ran so fast that nobody could catch him. (so + adverb + that)
No sooner had the sun set than the stars appeared. (immediate sequence; inversion)

3.5 High-Frequency Rules

Rule 1 — lest…should (never "not"). Lest already carries a negative sense ("in case…not / for fear that"). It is followed by should (or the bare subjunctive), and you must never add not.

Work hard lest you should fail.
He ran fast lest he should miss the bus.
Watch the child lest he should fall.
Speak softly lest you should wake the baby.
Keep quiet lest you should be punished.

✗ lest…should not | ✗ lest…will not | ✓ lest…should

Rule 2 — no sooner…than (not "then"/"when"). The correlative of no sooner is always than. When no sooner opens the sentence, the auxiliary is inverted, and the first clause is usually in the past perfect.

No sooner did he arrive than he left.
No sooner had I opened the door than the cat ran out.
No sooner was the result declared than people cheered.
No sooner had she spoken than she regretted it.
No sooner did the bell ring than the students rushed out.

✗ no sooner…then | ✗ no sooner…when | ✓ no sooner…than

Rule 3 — hardly/scarcely…when (not "than"). Hardly and scarcely pair with when (or before), never with than.

Hardly had I sat down when the phone rang.
Scarcely had he left when it began to rain.
Hardly had the train started when it stopped again.
Scarcely had we reached home when the storm broke.
Hardly had the match begun when it was abandoned.

✗ hardly…than | ✓ hardly/scarcely…when (contrast with no sooner…than).

Rule 4 — although/though takes no "but/yet". The concession is complete once although/though is used; do not add a second adversative but or yet in the same sentence.

Although he was tired, he continued. (✗ …but he continued)
Though she is poor, she is honest.
Although it was raining, we went out.
Though he tried his best, he lost.
Although the road was long, we enjoyed the walk.

Use one only: Although X, Y. OR X, but Y. Never both together.

Rule 5 — because takes no "so". Avoid the "double conjunction" of cause-and-result.

Because he was ill, he stayed at home. (✗ …so he stayed)
Because it was late, we left.
We cancelled the trip because the weather was bad.
Because she studied hard, she passed.
He was punished because he had lied.

Use one only: Because X, Y. OR X, so Y.

Rule 6 — unless = "if…not". Do not add another not.

You will fail unless you work hard. (= if you do not work hard)
Unless you apologise, I won't forgive you.
We cannot start unless everyone is present.
You will not pass unless you revise.
The plant will die unless it is watered.

✗ unless you do not work | ✓ unless you work.

Rule 7 — such…that vs so…that. Use such before a noun (often with a/an and an adjective); use so before an adjective or adverb standing alone.

It was such a hot day that we stayed indoors. (such + a + adj + noun)
He is so weak that he cannot walk. (so + adjective)
She spoke so fluently that all were impressed. (so + adverb)
They were such kind people that everyone loved them. (such + plural noun)
The box was so heavy that I could not lift it.

Rule 8 — Inversion with negative/restrictive openers. When scarcely, hardly, seldom, rarely, never, no sooner, not only, nor, neither begin a clause, the subject and auxiliary are inverted (auxiliary before subject).

Scarcely had we arrived when the show began.
Seldom have I seen such courage.
Rarely does he make a mistake.
No sooner had the bell rung than the class ended.
Not only did she sing but she also danced.

3.6 The Many Senses of since, as, while; and the Omission of that

since (time vs reason): Time — I have lived here since 2010. Reason — Since you are busy, I'll come later.
since vs for: since marks a point of time (since Monday); for marks a duration (for three days). As a conjunction, for means "because" (literary): He stopped, for he was tired.
as (because / while / since): Cause — As it was late, we left. Time (simultaneous) — She sang as she worked. Manner/comparison — Do as I say.
while (contrast / time): Time — He read while she cooked. Contrast — While I admire his energy, I doubt his judgement. (= whereas).
whereas: Pure contrast only — Some prefer tea, whereas others prefer coffee.
Omission of that: The conjunction that introducing a noun clause may be dropped after common verbs of saying/thinking: I think (that) you are right. Keep that in formal writing and after some verbs (state, remark, contend) and when the clause is the subject.

3.7 Conjunction vs Preposition vs Relative Pronoun

Word	As Conjunction	As Preposition	As Relative Pronoun
before / after / since / till	joins a clause: before he came	governs a noun: before noon	—
that	joins a clause: I know that he is honest.	—	refers to a noun: the book that I read
for / but / as	for (= because); but (contrast); as (because)	for me; but (= except) all but one	—

Test: A conjunction is followed by a subject + verb (a clause). A preposition is followed by a noun/pronoun (no finite verb). A relative pronoun stands for a noun and does a job (subject/object) inside its own clause.

Common Exam Errors

#	Wrong	Correct	Explanation
1	Work hard lest you should not fail.	Work hard lest you should fail.	lest is already negative; never add not.
2	Run fast lest you will miss the bus.	Run fast lest you should miss the bus.	lest takes should, not will.
3	No sooner did he come then he left.	No sooner did he come than he left.	no sooner pairs with than, not then.
4	No sooner had I left when it rained.	No sooner had I left than it rained.	no sooner…than, never when.
5	Hardly had I sat down than the bell rang.	Hardly had I sat down when the bell rang.	hardly…when, never than.
6	Scarcely had he left than it rained.	Scarcely had he left when it rained.	scarcely…when, not than.
7	Although he was poor, but he was honest.	Although he was poor, he was honest.	No but with although.
8	Though he tried, yet he failed.	Though he tried, he failed.	No yet with though.
9	Because he was ill, so he stayed home.	Because he was ill, he stayed home.	No so with because.
10	As he was busy, so he refused.	As he was busy, he refused.	No so with cause as.
11	Unless you do not hurry, you'll be late.	Unless you hurry, you'll be late.	unless = if not; drop extra not.
12	Unless you don't pay, service stops.	Unless you pay, service stops.	Double negative with unless is wrong.
13	He is not only rich but he is also kind.	He is not only rich but also kind.	Parallel: adjective ↔ adjective.
14	She not only sings but dances also well.	She not only sings but also dances well.	Keep but also together before the parallel verb.
15	Either he or his brothers is guilty.	Either he or his brothers are guilty.	Verb agrees with the nearer subject (brothers).
16	Neither the boys nor the teacher were there.	Neither the boys nor the teacher was there.	Verb agrees with nearer subject (teacher).
17	Both the brothers as well as the sister came.	Both the brothers and the sister came.	both pairs with and, not as well as.
18	It was so a cold day that we shivered.	It was such a cold day that we shivered.	Use such before a + adj + noun.
19	He is such tall that he ducks doorways.	He is so tall that he ducks doorways.	Use so before a lone adjective.
20	He is as tall as not his brother.	He is not so tall as his brother.	Negative comparison prefers so…as.
21	I doubt whether he will come or not, or not.	I doubt whether he will come or not.	whether pairs with or; avoid repetition.
22	Hardly I had reached when it rained.	Hardly had I reached when it rained.	Inversion required after initial hardly.
23	No sooner he came than he left.	No sooner did he come than he left.	Inversion required after initial no sooner.
24	Seldom he makes mistakes.	Seldom does he make mistakes.	Inversion after initial seldom.
25	Not only he came but also stayed.	Not only did he come but he also stayed.	Inversion after initial not only.

Exam Tricks

"No sooner" → than; "Hardly/Scarcely" → when. Memorise this opposition; examiners swap them constantly.
Negative opener → invert. If a sentence begins with Scarcely, Hardly, Seldom, Rarely, Never, No sooner, Not only, Nor, Neither, look for auxiliary + subject; if it reads subject + auxiliary, it is wrong.
One conjunction per relationship. Although ↔ but/yet and because/as/since ↔ so cannot co-exist. Spot the "double conjunction" trap.
"Lest" is a trap word. Expect should after it and reject any not.
Correlative agreement. With either…or and neither…nor, the verb follows the nearer subject; with both…and the verb is always plural.
Parallelism scan. In not only…but also, check that identical word classes follow each half; if the position of not only breaks parallelism, the option is wrong.
such vs so. A following noun demands such; a lone adjective/adverb demands so.
Distractor patterns to reject on sight: lest…should not; no sooner…then; no sooner…when; hardly…than; although…but; because…so; unless…not; both…as well as.

Frequently Confused Pairs

Pair	Difference	Examples
since / for	since = point of time (or "because"); for = duration (or, as conjunction, "because")	since 2015 / for ten years; Since you ask, I'll tell.
as / because	Both give reason; because is stronger and end-focused, as/since introduce known reasons, often first.	As it was late, we left. We left because it was late.
while / whereas	while = time or contrast; whereas = contrast only.	He slept while I worked. He is calm, whereas she is anxious.
unless / until	unless = condition (if not); until/till = time (up to the moment).	Stay unless told otherwise. Wait until I return.
lest / that (purpose)	lest = negative purpose (+ should); so that…not is the positive equivalent.	Hurry lest you should miss it. Hurry so that you may not miss it.
no sooner…than / hardly…when	Same meaning (immediate sequence); only the second halves differ.	No sooner…than; Hardly/Scarcely…when.
if / whether	Both mark indirect questions; only whether takes or not directly and follows prepositions.	I asked whether to go or stay. It depends on whether he agrees.

Exceptions — Important, Rare & Advanced

Inversion after fronted negatives. Restrictive adverbials—not until, only then, no sooner, scarcely, hardly, seldom, rarely, little, never, on no account, under no circumstances, nowhere—force auxiliary–subject inversion: Not until dawn did the storm subside. / Only then did I realise the truth.
"Nor" / "neither" continuing a negative. After a negative statement, nor/neither invert: I cannot swim, nor can my brother.
Subjunctive after lest and that (purpose). Formal English uses the bare subjunctive: He whispered lest he disturb them. / Take care that you be not deceived.
"as…as" vs "so…as". In affirmatives, as…as is normal; in negatives, both are acceptable but so…as is the classic form: He is not so clever as his sister.
"the same…as" vs "the same…that". Use as for a similar one, that for the identical one: This is the same model as mine (a similar model) vs This is the same watch that I lost (the very one).
"scarcely/hardly…before". before can replace when: Scarcely had we started before the bus broke down.
"but for". The prepositional idiom but for means "without/if it had not been for": But for your help, I would have failed.
"if" vs "in case". in case denotes precaution (act in advance), not a simple condition: Take an umbrella in case it rains.

50 MCQs

Easy (1–15)

1. Work hard ______ you should fail.

(a) unless (b) lest (c) until (d) since
Answer: (b) lest
Explanation: "lest…should" expresses negative purpose ("for fear that").

2. He is poor ______ honest.

(a) and (b) so (c) but (d) for
Answer: (c) but
Explanation: Contrast between "poor" and "honest" needs the adversative but.

3. Which set lists the coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS)?

(a) because, since, as, if (b) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so (c) either, neither, both, whether (d) although, unless, until, while
Answer: (b) for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Explanation: FANBOYS are the seven coordinating conjunctions.

4. ______ he was tired, he kept working.

(a) Because (b) Although (c) Unless (d) So
Answer: (b) Although
Explanation: Concession between tiredness and continued work.

5. Hurry up, ______ you will miss the bus.

(a) and (b) but (c) or (d) nor
Answer: (c) or
Explanation: or states the alternative consequence.

6. Neither he ______ his friends were present.

(a) or (b) nor (c) and (d) but
Answer: (b) nor
Explanation: neither pairs with nor.

7. It rained heavily, ______ the match was cancelled.

(a) so (b) for (c) nor (d) yet
Answer: (a) so
Explanation: so shows result.

8. We waited ______ the rain stopped.

(a) unless (b) until (c) lest (d) whereas
Answer: (b) until
Explanation: until marks time up to the moment of stopping.

9. ______ you hurry, you will be late.

(a) Until (b) Unless (c) Lest (d) Whereas
Answer: (b) Unless
Explanation: unless = "if you do not hurry".

10. He is ______ tall ______ his brother.

(a) so…that (b) such…that (c) as…as (d) not…but
Answer: (c) as…as
Explanation: Affirmative comparison of equality uses as…as.

11. Both the teacher ______ the students were happy.

(a) or (b) nor (c) and (d) but also
Answer: (c) and
Explanation: both pairs with and.

12. I do not know ______ he will come.

(a) that (b) whether (c) lest (d) unless
Answer: (b) whether
Explanation: Indirect question/doubt is marked by whether.

13. It was ______ a hot day ______ we stayed indoors.

(a) so…that (b) such…that (c) as…as (d) too…to
Answer: (b) such…that
Explanation: "such + a + adjective + noun + that".

14. He ran ______ fast ______ no one could catch him.

(a) such…that (b) so…that (c) as…as (d) too…to
Answer: (b) so…that
Explanation: "so + adverb (fast) + that".

15. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) No sooner he came than he left. (b) No sooner did he come than he left. (c) No sooner did he come then he left. (d) No sooner he came when he left.
Answer: (b) No sooner did he come than he left.
Explanation: Inversion + correct partner than.

Moderate (16–35)

16. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Work hard lest you should not fail. (b) Work hard lest you will fail. (c) Work hard lest you should fail. (d) Work hard unless you fail.
Answer: (c) Work hard lest you should fail.
Explanation: lest + should, never not.

17. ______ had I sat down when the phone rang.

(a) No sooner (b) Hardly (c) Although (d) Because
Answer: (b) Hardly
Explanation: Hardly…when (with inversion); no sooner would need than.

18. Pick the correct sentence.

(a) Although he was ill, but he came. (b) Although he was ill, he came. (c) Though he was ill, yet he came still. (d) He was ill, although he came.
Answer: (b) Although he was ill, he came.
Explanation: No but/yet with although.

19. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Because he was late, so he ran. (b) Because he was late, he ran. (c) He was late because so he ran. (d) Because of he was late, he ran.
Answer: (b) Because he was late, he ran.
Explanation: No so with because.

20. Which is correct?

(a) Unless you do not pay, the service stops. (b) Unless you pay, the service stops. (c) Until you pay not, the service stops. (d) Lest you pay, the service stops.
Answer: (b) Unless you pay, the service stops.
Explanation: unless already = "if not"; no extra not.

21. Neither the players nor the captain ______ to blame.

(a) are (b) is (c) were (d) have been
Answer: (b) is
Explanation: Verb agrees with the nearer subject captain (singular).

22. Either the manager or his assistants ______ responsible.

(a) is (b) was (c) are (d) has been
Answer: (c) are
Explanation: Nearer subject assistants (plural) governs the verb.

23. Choose the sentence with correct parallelism.

(a) He not only lost his bag but also his phone. (b) He lost not only his bag but also his phone. (c) He not only his bag but lost also his phone. (d) Not only he lost his bag but his phone.
Answer: (b) He lost not only his bag but also his phone.
Explanation: Both halves are followed by parallel noun phrases.

24. ______ does he lose his temper.

(a) Seldom he (b) Seldom (c) He seldom does (d) Although seldom
Answer: (b) Seldom
Explanation: "Seldom does he lose…" — inversion after the fronted negative adverb.

25. Which is correct?

(a) Scarcely had he left than it rained. (b) Scarcely had he left when it rained. (c) Scarcely he had left when it rained. (d) Scarcely had he left then it rained.
Answer: (b) Scarcely had he left when it rained.
Explanation: scarcely…when with inversion.

26. He behaves ______ he were a king.

(a) as if (b) as (c) like (d) so that
Answer: (a) as if
Explanation: Unreal comparison uses as if + past subjunctive were.

27. This is the same pen ______ I lost yesterday.

(a) as (b) that (c) which (d) than
Answer: (b) that
Explanation: The identical object → the same…that.

28. ______ you are tired, you should rest.

(a) Although (b) Since (c) Unless (d) Lest
Answer: (b) Since
Explanation: since here gives the reason (= because).

29. Some like coffee, ______ others prefer tea.

(a) until (b) unless (c) whereas (d) lest
Answer: (c) whereas
Explanation: Pure contrast is marked by whereas.

30. Which is correct?

(a) He is not so clever as his sister. (b) He is not so clever than his sister. (c) He is not as clever than his sister. (d) He is so clever as not his sister.
Answer: (a) He is not so clever as his sister.
Explanation: Negative comparison: not so…as.

31. Take an umbrella ______ it should rain.

(a) unless (b) until (c) lest (d) because
Answer: (c) lest
Explanation: Negative purpose: lest…should.

32. In "I waited till he returned", the word till is a:

(a) preposition (b) conjunction (c) relative pronoun (d) adverb
Answer: (b) conjunction
Explanation: It joins a clause (subject + verb "he returned").

33. In "I waited till noon", the word till is a:

(a) conjunction (b) preposition (c) relative pronoun (d) interjection
Answer: (b) preposition
Explanation: It governs the noun "noon" with no finite verb.

34. Choose the correct connector: "He worked hard ______ he might succeed."

(a) so that (b) such that (c) lest (d) unless
Answer: (a) so that
Explanation: Positive purpose is expressed by so that…might.

35. ______ the bell rang, the students stood up.

(a) Until (b) As soon as (c) Unless (d) Whereas
Answer: (b) As soon as
Explanation: Immediate time relation introduced by as soon as.

Difficult (36–50)

36. Identify the correct sentence.

(a) No sooner had the sun risen when the birds began to sing. (b) No sooner the sun had risen than the birds began to sing. (c) No sooner had the sun risen than the birds began to sing. (d) No sooner did the sun rise then the birds sang.
Answer: (c) No sooner had the sun risen than the birds began to sing.
Explanation: Inversion + past perfect + partner than.

37. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) Hardly the train had started than it stopped. (b) Hardly had the train started when it stopped. (c) Hardly had the train started than it stopped. (d) Hardly the train started when it stopped.
Answer: (b) Hardly had the train started when it stopped.
Explanation: hardly…when with auxiliary–subject inversion.

38. Select the sentence with correct structure.

(a) Not until midnight the guests left. (b) Not until midnight did the guests leave. (c) Not until midnight the guests did leave. (d) Not until did midnight the guests leave.
Answer: (b) Not until midnight did the guests leave.
Explanation: Fronted not until forces inversion (did + subject + base verb).

39. Which sentence is grammatically correct?

(a) Such was his anger that he left the room. (b) So was his anger that he left the room. (c) Such his anger was that he left. (d) So his anger was that he left.
Answer: (a) Such was his anger that he left the room.
Explanation: Fronted such + noun (anger) + inverted verb, then that.

40. Choose the correct option: "______ had I finished speaking ______ the audience applauded."

(a) Scarcely…than (b) No sooner…when (c) Hardly…when (d) Hardly…than
Answer: (c) Hardly…when
Explanation: Only hardly…when is a valid pairing among the options.

41. Identify the correct sentence.

(a) I cannot swim, neither can my brother. (b) I cannot swim, neither my brother can. (c) I cannot swim, nor my brother can. (d) I cannot swim, so neither my brother.
Answer: (a) I cannot swim, neither can my brother.
Explanation: After a negative, neither triggers inversion (can + subject).

42. Which sentence preserves parallelism?

(a) She is not only a writer but also paints. (b) She not only writes but also paints. (c) She not only writes but paints also well. (d) Not only she writes but paints.
Answer: (b) She not only writes but also paints.
Explanation: Verb ↔ verb after each correlative half.

43. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) But for your help, I would have failed. (b) But your help, I would have failed. (c) Unless your help, I would have failed. (d) Lest your help, I would have failed.
Answer: (a) But for your help, I would have failed.
Explanation: The idiom but for = "if it had not been for".

44. Select the correct sentence.

(a) He is the same as he always was. (b) He is the same than he always was. (c) He is same as he always was. (d) He is the same like he always was.
Answer: (a) He is the same as he always was.
Explanation: the same…as for similarity/comparison.

45. Identify the error type: "Although he is clever, but he is lazy."

(a) Wrong correlative (b) Double conjunction (although + but) (c) Missing that (d) Wrong inversion
Answer: (b) Double conjunction (although + but)
Explanation: although already shows concession; but is redundant.

46. Choose the correct connector: "He spoke loudly ______ everyone could hear."

(a) so that (b) lest (c) unless (d) such that
Answer: (a) so that
Explanation: Positive purpose clause introduced by so that.

47. Which sentence is correct?

(a) Scarcely had we reached the station before the train left. (b) Scarcely we reached the station before the train left. (c) Scarcely had we reached the station than the train left. (d) Scarcely we had reached when the train left.
Answer: (a) Scarcely had we reached the station before the train left.
Explanation: scarcely…before/when with inversion; than is wrong.

48. In "The house that Jack built stands still", the word that is a:

(a) coordinating conjunction (b) subordinating conjunction (c) relative pronoun (d) preposition
Answer: (c) relative pronoun
Explanation: that refers to "house" and is the object of "built" within its clause.

49. Choose the correct sentence.

(a) On no account you should reveal this. (b) On no account should you reveal this. (c) On no account you reveal should this. (d) On no account reveal you should this.
Answer: (b) On no account should you reveal this.
Explanation: Fronted negative on no account requires inversion (should + you).

50. Pick the correct option: "I doubt ______ he will keep his word."

(a) that (b) whether (c) unless (d) lest
Answer: (b) whether
Explanation: After doubt (expressing uncertainty), the natural connector is whether.