PPSC MODEL PAPER 173 CLUB CASE ID – 117 (2025)

The question asks for the antonym of "facsimile." A facsimile is defined as an exact copy or reproduction of something, especially an old manuscript or map. To find its antonym, we need a word that means the opposite of a copy.

• Original: This is the correct antonym. The original is the first, authentic item from which copies are made. It is the unique source, not a reproduction.
• Duplicate: This is a synonym for facsimile, meaning an exact copy.
• Copy: This is also a synonym for facsimile, referring to a reproduction of something.
• Replica: This is another synonym, meaning a precise copy or model of something.

Thus, while duplicate, copy, and replica all denote reproductions, "original" stands as the direct opposite, representing the authentic source.

This question tests subject-verb agreement, a fundamental concept in English grammar. The verb must agree in number with its subject. In the second clause of the sentence, "seven resigned," the subject is "seven" (implying seven people), which is plural. Therefore, the auxiliary verb used to complete the present perfect tense must also be plural.

• have: This is the correct choice. "Have" is the plural auxiliary verb used with plural subjects (like "seven") to form the present perfect tense.
• has: This is a singular auxiliary verb and would be incorrect with the plural subject "seven."
• was: This is a singular past tense verb. It is incorrect because the sentence implies a present perfect tense (parallel to "have joined") and the subject is plural.
• is: This is a singular present tense verb and is grammatically incorrect for both the plural subject and the required tense.

Therefore, "have" correctly completes the sentence, maintaining subject-verb agreement and tense consistency.

This question tests subject-verb agreement and pronoun usage. The original sentence "These is a perfect method" is incorrect because "These" is a plural demonstrative pronoun, while "is" is a singular verb. A plural pronoun requires a plural verb, and a singular subject requires a singular verb.

• Correct Option C: "This is a perfect method" is accurate because "This" is a singular demonstrative pronoun, correctly paired with the singular verb "is" to agree with the singular noun "method."
• Option A: "These is a perfect method" is incorrect due to the mismatch between the plural pronoun "These" and the singular verb "is."
• Option B: "This are a perfect method" is incorrect because "This" is singular, but "are" is a plural verb.
• Option D: "These are perfect method" is incorrect because while "These are" shows correct subject-verb agreement, "method" should be plural ("methods") to match "These are," or "method" should be singular with "This is."

This question assesses knowledge of subject-verb agreement and pronoun agreement with the idiomatic phrase "many a." The phrase "many a" is followed by a singular countable noun and takes a singular verb. Consequently, any possessive pronouns referring back to this singular subject must also be singular.

• Correct Option C: "Many a soldier lost his life in the battle." is accurate. "Many a" is correctly followed by the singular noun "soldier" and the singular verb "lost." The possessive pronoun "his" correctly refers to the singular "soldier."
• Option A: "Many a soldiers lost their lives in the battle." is incorrect because "soldiers" is plural, and "their" is a plural pronoun, violating the singular agreement rule for "many a."
• Option B: "Many many a soldier lost their life in the battle." is redundant with "many many a" and incorrect because "their" is a plural pronoun referring to a singular "soldier."
• Option D: "Many a soldier lose their life in the battle." is incorrect because "lose" is a plural verb (should be "loses" or "lost" for past tense), and "their" is a plural pronoun.

Understanding parts of speech is fundamental to English grammar. An adjective is a word that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a quality or state. In the phrase “ill-taught,” the word “taught” functions as a past participle acting as an adjective, describing a person or thing. “Ill” modifies “taught,” forming a compound adjective that describes the manner or quality of being taught. Therefore, “ill-taught” collectively acts as an adjective.

• A. Anger is incorrect; it is a noun.
• B. Verb is incorrect; while “taught” is derived from a verb, the compound “ill-taught” functions descriptively.
• D. Adverb is incorrect; an adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, but here the entire phrase describes a noun.

Antonyms are words that have opposite meanings. Wrath signifies extreme anger or fury. To find its antonym, we need a word that expresses the opposite emotion.

• D. Delight is the correct antonym because it means great pleasure or joy, which is the direct opposite of intense anger.
• A. Anger is incorrect; it is a synonym or a closely related emotion to wrath.
• B. Fury is incorrect; it is a synonym of wrath, meaning intense, uncontrolled anger.
• C. Rage is incorrect; it is also a synonym of wrath, referring to violent, uncontrollable anger.

Correct preposition usage is crucial for grammatical accuracy. The verb “overwhelm” typically pairs with specific prepositions to convey different meanings. When expressing being overcome by a strong emotion or feeling, the standard and most idiomatic preposition is “with.”

• B. with is the correct choice. The phrase “overwhelmed with grief” correctly conveys that grief is the emotion that has completely overcome her.
• A. of is incorrect; “overwhelmed of” is not a standard English construction.
• C. on is incorrect; “overwhelmed on” is grammatically incorrect in this context.
• D. by is incorrect; while “overwhelmed by” can be used (e.g., “overwhelmed by the waves”), “overwhelmed with” is more commonly used for emotions or abstract concepts like grief.

Understanding antonyms requires knowing the precise meaning of a word. Fickle describes someone or something that changes frequently, especially in loyalties, interests, or affection, implying instability and unpredictability. We need a word that means the opposite of this changeable nature.

• C. Steadfast is the correct antonym. It means resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering, directly contrasting with the changeable nature of being fickle.
• A. Unpredictable is incorrect; it is a characteristic of being fickle, not its opposite.
• B. Changeable is incorrect; it is a synonym of fickle.
• D. Variable is incorrect; it is also a synonym of fickle, meaning liable to change.

Correct spelling is essential for clear written communication. Many English words, especially those derived from other languages, can be tricky to spell. The word in question refers to a set of questions used for surveys or studies.

• D. Questionnaire is the correct spelling. This word is derived from French and retains its original spelling with a double 'n' and 'aire' ending.
• A. Quest is incorrect; it is a different word meaning a search or pursuit.
• B. Questionaire is incorrect; this is a common misspelling, missing the second 'n'.
• C. Questionnar is incorrect; this is also a misspelling, missing the 'i' and having an incorrect ending.