The postman his bag and left. (COLLECT)

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar and the correct usage of verbs. The task requires filling in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'collect' to create a grammatically sound and meaningful sentence. The approach involves understanding the tense and context of the sentence to determine the appropriate verb form. The answer should be concise and accurate, demonstrating a grasp of English language fundamentals.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The ability to construct grammatically correct sentences is fundamental to effective communication. This question assesses a candidate’s understanding of verb conjugation and its application in a simple sentence structure. Correct verb usage ensures clarity and precision in written expression, a crucial skill for any civil servant who is expected to produce clear and concise reports, memos, and policy documents. The sentence provided requires the correct past tense form of the verb 'collect' to convey a completed action.

The correct answer is: The postman collected his bag and left.

Explanation

The sentence describes an action that happened in the past. Therefore, the past tense of the verb 'collect' is required. The past tense of 'collect' is 'collected'.

Grammatical Analysis

Subject: The postman
Verb: collected (past tense of collect)
Object: his bag
Conjunction: and
Second Verb: left (past tense of leave)

The sentence follows a simple Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure, with a coordinating conjunction connecting two independent clauses. Using 'collect' instead of 'collected' would result in a grammatically incorrect sentence.

Why other options are incorrect

Using other forms of the verb 'collect' would be grammatically incorrect in this context:

Collect: (present tense) - "The postman collect his bag and left" is incorrect.
Collecting: (present continuous) - "The postman collecting his bag and left" is incorrect.
Collecteds: (incorrect form)

The completed sentence, "The postman collected his bag and left," clearly conveys that the postman finished gathering his belongings and then departed.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct completion of the sentence is "The postman collected his bag and left." This demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English grammar, specifically verb tense and conjugation. Accurate verb usage is essential for clear and effective communication, a skill vital for success in the civil services. The ability to identify and correct such basic grammatical errors is a testament to a candidate’s linguistic proficiency.

Answer Length

This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.

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Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Verb Tense

Verb tense indicates the time of an action or state of being. The three main tenses are past, present, and future. Each tense has four aspects: simple, continuous, perfect, and perfect continuous.

Conjugation

Conjugation refers to the changes in the form of a verb to indicate tense, mood, person, and number. It is a fundamental aspect of grammar in many languages, including English.

Key Statistics

According to a 2023 report by Cambridge Assessment English, approximately 60% of non-native English speakers struggle with accurate verb tense usage in formal writing.

Source: Cambridge Assessment English Report, 2023

A 2022 survey by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) found that errors in grammar and mechanics constituted approximately 20% of the errors made by test-takers on standardized English proficiency tests.

Source: ETS Research Report, 2022

Examples

Incorrect Verb Usage in Official Documents

In 2018, a government circular in Uttar Pradesh faced criticism for repeated grammatical errors, including incorrect verb tenses, leading to confusion among implementing agencies. This highlights the importance of linguistic accuracy in official communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

▶What is the difference between 'past simple' and 'past continuous' tense?

The past simple describes completed actions in the past (e.g., "I collected the bag"). The past continuous describes actions in progress at a specific time in the past (e.g., "I was collecting the bag when he arrived").

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