Comprehension
Although there is general agreement on the value of teaching grammar, for some time it has been debated whether instruction should be explicit or implicit. In explicit grammar teaching, the rules are explained to learners, or the learners are directed to find the rules by looking at linguistic examples, that is, sentences that embody the rules. Implicit teaching, on the other hand, 'makes no overt reference to rules or forms'. Until recently arguments in favour of one or the other approach were not supported by evidence. But a careful examination of Norris and Ortega's (2000) analysis of 49 studies, referred to earlier, has shown that explicit teaching produces better and long-lasting learning than implicit teaching.
Question: 1

In explicit grammar teaching

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Explicit teaching = Rule first, practice later. The teacher directly explains grammar rules to learners.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • Learners are explained the rules.
  • Learners are not directed to find the rules for themselves.
  • Learning takes the form of arguments.
  • There is no reference to rules.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation




Step 1: Understanding the Question:

We are tasked with identifying the grammatical mistake in a sentence that uses the correlative conjunction "neither... nor".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

According to English grammar rules, when subjects are joined by "either... or" or "neither... nor", the verb must agree in number with the subject closest to it. This principle is called the "rule of proximity."
In this sentence, the two subjects are:
1. "the manager" (Singular)
2. "the employees" (Plural)
Since "the employees" is the subject immediately preceding the verb, and it is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Thus, the singular verb "was" is incorrect and should be replaced with the plural verb "were".
The corrected sentence reads: "Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy."
The grammatical error is located in the segment "was aware".


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct choice is (C).
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Question: 2

Which of the following statements is correct, according to the passage?

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In passage-based questions, choose the option directly supported by the passage rather than relying on outside knowledge.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • There is general agreement on the value of teaching grammar.
  • There is no evidence in favor of the two approaches, explicit or implicit.
  • Norris and Ortega analyzed 80 studies.
  • Implicit teaching is better than explicit teaching as per the studies.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation




Step 1: Understanding the Question:

We are tasked with identifying the grammatical mistake in a sentence that uses the correlative conjunction "neither... nor".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

According to English grammar rules, when subjects are joined by "either... or" or "neither... nor", the verb must agree in number with the subject closest to it. This principle is called the "rule of proximity."
In this sentence, the two subjects are:
1. "the manager" (Singular)
2. "the employees" (Plural)
Since "the employees" is the subject immediately preceding the verb, and it is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Thus, the singular verb "was" is incorrect and should be replaced with the plural verb "were".
The corrected sentence reads: "Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy."
The grammatical error is located in the segment "was aware".


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct choice is (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0
Question: 3

Implicit teaching

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Implicit teaching = Learning through exposure and examples. Explicit teaching = Learning through direct explanation of rules.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • makes no overt reference to rules or forms
  • produces better and long-lasting learning.
  • is an approach that is supported by evidence.
  • makes the learners learn the rules by linguistic examples.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation




Step 1: Understanding the Question:

We are tasked with identifying the grammatical mistake in a sentence that uses the correlative conjunction "neither... nor".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

According to English grammar rules, when subjects are joined by "either... or" or "neither... nor", the verb must agree in number with the subject closest to it. This principle is called the "rule of proximity."
In this sentence, the two subjects are:
1. "the manager" (Singular)
2. "the employees" (Plural)
Since "the employees" is the subject immediately preceding the verb, and it is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Thus, the singular verb "was" is incorrect and should be replaced with the plural verb "were".
The corrected sentence reads: "Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy."
The grammatical error is located in the segment "was aware".


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct choice is (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0
Question: 4

What is the meaning of “overt” in “overt reference”?

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Overt = Open, visible, or clearly expressed. Covert = Hidden, secret, or concealed.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • confidential
  • open
  • ambiguous
  • indirect
Show Solution

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation




Step 1: Understanding the Question:

We are tasked with identifying the grammatical mistake in a sentence that uses the correlative conjunction "neither... nor".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

According to English grammar rules, when subjects are joined by "either... or" or "neither... nor", the verb must agree in number with the subject closest to it. This principle is called the "rule of proximity."
In this sentence, the two subjects are:
1. "the manager" (Singular)
2. "the employees" (Plural)
Since "the employees" is the subject immediately preceding the verb, and it is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Thus, the singular verb "was" is incorrect and should be replaced with the plural verb "were".
The corrected sentence reads: "Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy."
The grammatical error is located in the segment "was aware".


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct choice is (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0
Question: 5

As per the passage, the authors who analyzed the value of teaching grammar

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When answering passage-based questions, pay attention to names of researchers, authors, dates, and numerical facts because they are often tested directly.
Updated On: Jun 15, 2026
  • Dr. Samuel Johnson
  • Wren and Martin
  • Norris and Ortega
  • C.P. Brown
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation




Step 1: Understanding the Question:

We are tasked with identifying the grammatical mistake in a sentence that uses the correlative conjunction "neither... nor".


Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

According to English grammar rules, when subjects are joined by "either... or" or "neither... nor", the verb must agree in number with the subject closest to it. This principle is called the "rule of proximity."
In this sentence, the two subjects are:
1. "the manager" (Singular)
2. "the employees" (Plural)
Since "the employees" is the subject immediately preceding the verb, and it is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Thus, the singular verb "was" is incorrect and should be replaced with the plural verb "were".
The corrected sentence reads: "Neither the manager nor the employees were aware of the new policy."
The grammatical error is located in the segment "was aware".


Step 3: Final Answer:

The correct choice is (C).
Was this answer helpful?
0

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