Sentence Completion

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the correct use of reflexive pronouns. A reflexive pronoun is used when the subject and the object of a verb are the same person or thing.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The subject of the sentence is "He". The action of blaming is directed back to the subject.
The reflexive pronouns are:
- myself (for I)
- yourself (for you)
- himself (for he)
- herself (for she)
- itself (for it)
- ourselves (for we)
- yourselves (for you - plural)
- themselves (for they)
Since the subject is "He", the corresponding reflexive pronoun is "himself".
The complete sentence is: "He blamed himself for the ugly situation."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A) because "himself" is the reflexive pronoun that corresponds to the subject "He".

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the use of indefinite articles ('a' and 'an'). The choice between 'a' and 'an' depends on the sound of the first letter of the word that follows.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- We use the article 'a' before words that begin with a consonant sound (e.g., a boy, a car, a university).
- We use the article 'an' before words that begin with a vowel sound (a, e, i, o, u) (e.g., an apple, an hour, an honest man).
The word "island" starts with the letter 'i', which has a vowel sound. Therefore, the correct article to use is 'an'.
The complete sentence is: "Sri Lanka is an island."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B) because the word "island" begins with a vowel sound.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests knowledge of prepositions and phrasal verbs. The verb "decide" can be followed by different prepositions, but the meaning changes.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- decide on/upon something: This means to choose something from a number of possibilities.
- decide about something: This means to think about something in order to make a decision.
- decide in and decide of are not standard phrasal verbs with "decide".
In the given sentence, the context implies that they made a choice to select the white car among other potential cars. Therefore, "decided on" is the correct phrasal verb.
The complete sentence is: "They decided on the white car."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B) because "decide on" means to choose or select.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question requires selecting the correct form of the verb "discard" to function as an adjective describing the noun "things".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The sentence structure is "Find out the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ things." Here, the blank needs a word that modifies "things".
The past participle form of a verb can often be used as an adjective.
- "discard" is the base form (verb).
- "discarding" is the present participle, used for ongoing actions or as a gerund.
- "will discard" is a future tense verb phrase.
- "discarded" is the past participle, meaning "things that have been thrown away". This fits perfectly as an adjective describing the things.
The complete sentence is: "Find out the discarded things."
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D) because "discarded" acts as an adjective modifying "things", indicating the state of the things.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the use of infinitives and gerunds as predicate nominatives (a noun or pronoun that renames the subject). The sentence structure is "Subject + Verb 'to be' + Complement".
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Analyze the Sentence Structure: The subject is "Their idea of a holiday". The verb is "is". The sentence needs a complement to explain what the idea is. Both an infinitive ("to" + base verb) and a gerund (verb + "-ing") can function as a noun here.
2. Evaluate the Options:
- (A) is relaxed: "Relaxed" is a past participle acting as an adjective. It would mean the idea itself is in a state of relaxation, which is illogical.
- (B) is to relaxing: This is a grammatically incorrect structure. The preposition "to" cannot be followed by a gerund ("relaxing") in this context.
- (C) is to relax: This uses the infinitive form "to relax". This structure is commonly used to state a purpose, goal, or idea. "Their idea is to relax" correctly and clearly states the content of their idea.
- (D) is relaxing: This uses the gerund "relaxing". While "Their idea is relaxing" is grammatically possible, it could be ambiguous. It might mean that the idea itself is relaxing (adjective), or it could mean the idea consists of the act of relaxing (gerund). Option (C) is more precise and common for expressing a plan or idea.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The clearest and most standard grammatical choice to express the content of an "idea" is the infinitive form. Therefore, (C) "is to relax" is the best answer.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests knowledge of different forms of a word (parts of speech) and which form fits grammatically into the sentence. The blank needs a word to describe the noun "act."
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Analyze the Sentence Structure: The structure is "a [adjective] act". The article "a" and the noun "act" require an adjective to modify or describe the noun.
2. Examine the Word Forms:
- (A) pardon: This is a noun (an act of forgiveness) or a verb (to forgive). It cannot be used as an adjective here. ("a pardon act" is incorrect).
- (B) pardoning: This is a present participle. While participles can be used as adjectives (e.g., "a charming person"), "a pardoning act" would mean an act that pardons someone, which doesn't fit the context.
- (C) pardoned: This is a past participle. "A pardoned act" would mean an act that has been forgiven, which is semantically awkward.
- (D) pardonable: This is an adjective ending in "-able," which means "capable of being pardoned" or "excusable." This fits perfectly to describe the nature of the "act." "It was not a pardonable act" means the act was not excusable.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct adjective to modify "act" is (D) "pardonable".

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks for the correct coordinating conjunction to connect two independent clauses. The choice of conjunction depends on the logical relationship between the two clauses.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Analyze the Clauses:
- Clause 1: "Do what you want to do" (giving permission or freedom).
- Clause 2: "don't disturb me" (stating a condition or a contrast).
2. Determine the Relationship: The relationship between the two clauses is one of contrast or limitation. The speaker is granting freedom with one hand but imposing a restriction with the other.
3. Evaluate the Conjunctions:
- (A) though: A subordinating conjunction used for concession, it doesn't fit well between two commands. (e.g., "Though he was tired, he kept working.")
- (B) that: Used to introduce noun clauses, not to connect two independent clauses in this manner.
- (C) but: A coordinating conjunction used to show contrast, opposition, or a limitation. This fits the meaning perfectly: You have freedom, with the contrasting condition that you should not disturb me.
- (D) so: A coordinating conjunction used to show a result or consequence. It implies that "not disturbing me" is a result of "doing what you want," which is not the intended meaning.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The conjunction "but" correctly expresses the contrast between the two parts of the sentence. The correct option is (C).

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the use of prepositions of time. The correct preposition must indicate that an event happened within a specific period.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The phrase "our holidays" refers to a period of time. We need a preposition that means 'throughout the whole of a period of time' or 'at some point in a period of time'.
- (A) on: Used for specific days and dates (e.g., on Monday, on July 4th). Incorrect.
- (B) at: Used for specific times of the day (e.g., at 5 PM) or for holiday periods when seen as a point in time (e.g., at Christmas), but 'during' is better for the whole duration.
- (C) by: Used to indicate a deadline (e.g., by Friday). Incorrect.
- (D) during: Used to specify that something happens within a particular period of time. "During our holidays" means at some point within that time. This fits perfectly.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The preposition 'during' is correctly used to refer to events happening within a span of time like a holiday. Therefore, option (D) is correct.

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question tests the use of determiners (quantifiers) like 'some', 'little', and 'few'. The choice depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable and the specific meaning intended in the context.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Analyze the Noun: The noun is "people," which is a countable noun. This immediately eliminates "little," which is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., little water, little time).
2. Analyze the Context: The sentence implies that the opposition of a specific group of people was the reason for the cancellation. The cancellation suggests that their number, though small, was significant.
3. Evaluate the Options:
- (A) some: "some people" is general and indefinite.
- (B) the some: This is grammatically incorrect. "The" is not used with "some" in this way.
- (C) little: Incorrect, as "people" is a countable noun.
- (D) the few: This refers to a small number of people, but implies that this specific small group.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The most appropriate option is (A) "some," as it points to a specific, small group of people whose opinion was decisive.