UPSC MainsENGLISH-COMPULSORY20235 Marks
Q27.

My father (be) eighty years old next Monday.

How to Approach

This question tests basic English grammar, specifically the correct usage of the verb 'to be' in a future tense sentence. The approach involves identifying the correct form of 'will be' and constructing a grammatically sound sentence. The answer should be concise and accurate, demonstrating a clear understanding of English tense structures. No complex analysis or contextualization is required.

Model Answer

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Introduction

The question presents a simple sentence completion task, focusing on the correct application of future tense in English grammar. Accurate verb conjugation is fundamental to clear and effective communication. This question assesses the candidate’s ability to form a grammatically correct sentence expressing a future event – the father’s upcoming birthday. The correct answer requires understanding the structure of future tense with the verb 'to be'.

My father will be eighty years old next Monday.

Explanation of Grammatical Correctness

The original sentence "My father (be) eighty years old next Monday" is incomplete and grammatically incorrect. The future tense requires the auxiliary verb 'will' before the main verb 'be'.

Future Tense Formation

  • The future tense is generally formed using 'will' + base form of the verb.
  • In this case, the base form of the verb 'to be' is 'be'.
  • Therefore, the correct construction is 'will be'.

Why other options are incorrect

  • Using 'is' would indicate present tense, which is incorrect as the birthday is next Monday (future).
  • Using 'was' or 'were' would indicate past tense, also incorrect.
  • Omitting 'will' entirely results in an incomplete and ungrammatical sentence.

The completed sentence, "My father will be eighty years old next Monday," clearly and accurately conveys the intended meaning – that the father’s 80th birthday will occur on the following Monday.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct answer to the question is "My father will be eighty years old next Monday." This demonstrates a fundamental understanding of English grammar, specifically the formation and application of the future tense. The use of 'will be' ensures the sentence is grammatically sound and accurately conveys the intended meaning regarding a future event.

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.

Additional Resources

Key Definitions

Auxiliary Verb
An auxiliary verb (also known as a helping verb) is used in conjunction with a main verb to form tenses, moods, or voices. Examples include 'be', 'do', and 'have'.
Tense
Tense refers to the form of a verb that indicates the time of an action or state of being. The three main tenses are past, present, and future.

Key Statistics

According to a 2022 report by the British Council, approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide are learning English.

Source: British Council - Learning English

As of 2023, India has the second-largest number of English speakers in the world, with approximately 129 million English speakers.

Source: Statista (as of knowledge cutoff)

Examples

Future Tense in News Reporting

News reports frequently use the future tense to announce upcoming events. For example: "The Prime Minister will address the nation tomorrow."

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'will' and 'going to' for future tense?

'Will' is often used for spontaneous decisions or predictions. 'Going to' is used for planned actions or predictions based on present evidence.