ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TEST (EPT)

Complete Study Guide — Questions & Answers

For: Research Scholars

Exam: On or before 15th May 2026
Pass Mark: 70 / 100 | Format: MCQ

10 Topics Covered
Concord · Tense · Voice · Cohesive Devices · Punctuation
Articles · Prepositions · Degrees of Comparison · Conditionals · Reading Comprehension
Exam Syllabus Overview

Component Focus Area

Concord Subject-Verb Agreement

Tense Advanced Usage & Context
Voice Active/Passive Transformation
Cohesive Devices Discourse Markers & Flow
Punctuation Advanced Accuracy
Articles Contextual Usage
Prepositions Complex Usage
Degrees of Comparison Comparative Structures
Conditional Sentences Hypothetical & Mixed Forms
Reading Comprehension Critical Interpretation & Inference

Key Examination Focus:

• Contextual grammar usage (not rule memorisation)
• Academic and research-oriented language
• Ambiguity resolution and subtle distinctions in meaning
• Inference-based reading comprehension questions
• Pass requirement: Minimum 70 marks out of 100
8-Day Study Plan

Day Topics Key Focus

Day 1 Concord + Tense Focus on proximity rule, 'data are', past perfect vs. simple past

Day 2 Voice + Cohesive Devices Impersonal passive, contrast vs. consequence markers

Day 3 Punctuation + Articles Semicolon rules, colon usage, definite vs. indefinite articles

Day 4 Prepositions + Degrees Fixed collocations, double comparatives, 'the more…the more'

Day 5 Conditional Sentences Types 1–3 + mixed conditionals, inverted conditionals

Day 6 Reading Comprehension Inference, author intent, implicit meaning practice

Day 7 Full Mixed Revision Practice all topics; review all wrong answers with explanations

Day 8 Light Review Only Skim key rules, rest well — aim for 70+ to PASS
(Exam Day)
Questions & Answers — All Topics
Each question is MCQ format. The correct answer is highlighted in green with a full explanation below.

1. CONCORD (Subject-Verb Agreement)

Q1. The committee, along with its advisors, ___ reached a unanimous decision.
A. have
✔ B. has
C. are
D. were
Correct Answer: B. has
Explanation: The subject is 'the committee' (singular). Phrases like 'along with', 'as well as', and 'together with' do
not alter the number of the subject. Singular subject → singular verb 'has'.

Q2. Neither the professor nor the students ___ aware of the policy change.
A. was
✔ B. were
C. is
D. has been
Correct Answer: B. were
Explanation: With 'neither…nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it — 'students' (plural), so 'were' is
correct. This is the proximity rule.

Q3. A number of research papers ___ submitted before the deadline.

A. was
✔ B. were
C. has been
D. is
Correct Answer: B. were
Explanation: 'A number of' is followed by a plural noun and takes a plural verb. Contrast: 'The number of papers
was…' (singular) — the definite article changes the meaning.

Q4. The data obtained from multiple experiments ___ inconclusive.

✔ A. are
B. is
C. were
D. was
Correct Answer: A. are
Explanation: 'Data' is a plural noun (singular: datum). In formal/academic writing, 'data are' is preferred. This is a
common error in research writing.
Q5. Each of the proposed solutions ___ its own limitations.
A. have
✔ B. has
C. had
D. were having
Correct Answer: B. has
Explanation: 'Each' is always singular. 'Each of the…' takes a singular verb and singular pronoun. Compare: 'All
of the solutions have their own limitations.'

2. TENSE (Advanced Usage & Context)

Q1. By the time the results were published, the research team ___ the project for two years.
A. was conducting
✔ B. had been conducting
C. has been conducting
D. conducted
Correct Answer: B. had been conducting
Explanation: Past perfect continuous is used for an ongoing action completed before another past event. 'Had
been conducting' correctly positions the action before the past publication date.

Q2. The researcher realised that the sample ___ contaminated during the previous trial.
A. has been
✔ B. had been
C. was
D. is
Correct Answer: B. had been
Explanation: The realisation is in simple past; the contamination happened before that moment — so past perfect
'had been' is required to show the earlier sequence.

Q3. Scientists predict that sea levels ___ significantly by 2100 if emissions continue.
✔ A. will rise
B. would rise
C. are rising
D. have risen
Correct Answer: A. will rise
Explanation: For future predictions stated as facts or scientific projections, 'will' is correct. 'Would' is used for
hypotheticals or reported speech — not for direct predictive statements.

Q4. The manuscript ___ three times before it was accepted for publication.
A. revised
B. has been revised
✔ C. had been revised
D. was revised
 Correct Answer: C. had been revised
Explanation: The revision happened before the acceptance (also a past event), so past perfect 'had been revised'
is needed to establish the correct time sequence.

3. VOICE (Active/Passive Transformation)

Q1. Which passive transformation is correct for: 'The committee will review the proposal next
week.'?
A. The proposal is reviewed by the committee next week.
✔ B. The proposal will be reviewed by the committee next week.
C. The proposal would be reviewed by the committee next week.
D. The proposal has been reviewed by the committee next week.
Correct Answer: B. The proposal will be reviewed by the committee next week.
Explanation: The original uses future tense ('will review'). Passive of future tense: 'will be + past participle' → 'will
be reviewed'. Option A uses present, C uses conditional, D uses present perfect — all wrong.

Q2. 'It is believed that excessive screen time affects cognitive development.' This sentence is:
A. Active voice with impersonal subject
✔ B. Passive voice reporting belief
C. Active voice with passive meaning
D. Pseudo-passive construction
Correct Answer: B. Passive voice reporting belief
Explanation: 'It is believed that…' is an impersonal passive — widely used in academic writing to depersonalise
claims and avoid attributing opinions to a specific person.

Q3. Select the sentence that most naturally uses passive voice in academic writing.
A. Someone found significant results in the study.
B. The researcher found significant results.
✔ C. Significant results were found in the study.
D. They found significant results in the study.
Correct Answer: C. Significant results were found in the study.
Explanation: Academic writing prefers passive to focus on findings rather than the researcher. 'Significant results
were found' is the standard academic form — it avoids mentioning the agent.

4. COHESIVE DEVICES (Discourse Markers & Flow)

Q1. 'The study had a small sample size. ___, the findings cannot be generalised.'
A. Furthermore
✔ B. Consequently
C. Nevertheless
D. In addition
Correct Answer: B. Consequently
 Explanation: 'Consequently' signals a result or logical outcome. Small sample → cannot generalise is a cause-
effect relationship. 'Nevertheless' and 'In addition' do not signal consequence.

Q2. 'The model performed well in controlled conditions. ___, real-world performance remained
inconsistent.'
A. Similarly
B. Therefore
✔ C. However
D. Moreover
Correct Answer: C. However
Explanation: 'However' signals contrast between two ideas. Good lab performance vs. inconsistent real-world
performance are contrasting facts. 'Similarly' and 'Moreover' add parallel/additional information.

Q3. Which device adds a parallel point that reinforces the argument?
A. Nevertheless
✔ B. Likewise
C. Conversely
D. Hence
Correct Answer: B. Likewise
Explanation: 'Likewise' / 'Similarly' add a parallel supporting point. 'Nevertheless' and 'Conversely' signal contrast;
'Hence' signals consequence. Only 'Likewise' reinforces by addition.

Q4. 'Preliminary findings support the hypothesis. ___, further validation is required.'
A. That is
✔ B. Nonetheless
C. As a result
D. Consequently
Correct Answer: B. Nonetheless
Explanation: 'Nonetheless' = 'despite this'. Even though findings are supportive, validation is still needed — a
concessive relationship. Options C and D signal consequence, not concession.

5. PUNCTUATION (Advanced Accuracy)

Q1. Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
A. The results were; inconclusive however, further tests were conducted.
✔ B. The results were inconclusive; however, further tests were conducted.
C. The results were inconclusive, however; further tests were conducted.
D. The results were inconclusive however; further tests were conducted.
Correct Answer: B. The results were inconclusive; however, further tests were conducted.
Explanation: Use a semicolon before a conjunctive adverb like 'however' and a comma after it when joining two
independent clauses. This is a standard academic punctuation rule.
Q2. 'Dr Mehtas research which was published in 2024 challenged existing models.' Correctly
punctuated:
✔ A. Dr. Mehta's research, which was published in 2024, challenged existing models.
B. Dr. Mehtas research which was published in 2024, challenged existing models.
C. Dr. Mehta's research which was published in 2024 challenged existing models.
D. Dr. Mehtas research, which was published in 2024 challenged existing models.
Correct Answer: A. Dr. Mehta's research, which was published in 2024, challenged existing
models.
Explanation: Non-restrictive relative clauses (adding extra info, not essential) must be enclosed in commas. The
possessive also requires an apostrophe: Mehta's.

Q3. A colon is correctly used to:

A. Join two contrasting independent clauses
✔ B. Introduce a list, explanation, or elaboration
C. Replace a semicolon in all contexts
D. Indicate a pause shorter than a comma
Correct Answer: B. Introduce a list, explanation, or elaboration
Explanation: A colon introduces something that logically follows — a list, definition, example, or explanation. A
semicolon joins related independent clauses; a colon explains or expands on what precedes it.

6. ARTICLES (Contextual Usage)

Q1. '___ data collected in ___ second phase was insufficient for ___ robust analysis.'
A. The / a / a
✔ B. The / the / a
C. A / the / the
D. The / the / the
Correct Answer: B. The / the / a
Explanation: 'The data' (specific data from this study); 'the second phase' (specific ordinal reference); 'a robust
analysis' (first mention, non-specific, countable noun with adjective).

Q2. Which sentence uses articles correctly in academic context?

A. A recent study found the positive correlation between sleep and memory.
B. The recent study found a positive correlation between sleep and memory.
✔ C. A recent study found a positive correlation between sleep and memory.
D. Recent study found the positive correlation between sleep and memory.
Correct Answer: C. A recent study found a positive correlation between sleep and memory.
Explanation: 'A recent study' = one non-specific study (first mention). 'A positive correlation' = one instance, not
previously identified. Both are indefinite first references, so 'a' is correct for both.

Q3. 'Researchers have long debated ___ role of nature versus nurture.'
A. a
B. an
 ✔ C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: C. the
Explanation: 'The role' — there is one specific role being referred to (the role in the nature vs nurture debate).
Definite article is required for unique, mutually understood, or previously established references.

7. PREPOSITIONS (Complex Usage)

Q1. The study was conducted ___ the auspices of the National Science Foundation.
✔ A. under
B. with
C. by
D. on
Correct Answer: A. under
Explanation: 'Under the auspices of' is a fixed academic expression meaning 'with the support/supervision of'.
This collocation is standard in formal and research writing.

Q2. The paper focuses ___ the implications of climate change ___ coastal biodiversity.
✔ A. on / for
B. at / to
C. in / on
D. on / on
Correct Answer: A. on / for
Explanation: 'Focus on' is the correct collocation. 'Implications for' (consequences for something) is the standard
academic prepositional phrase. Both are fixed collocations.

Q3. 'The experiment was carried ___ ___ accordance ___ ethical guidelines.'
✔ A. out / in / with
B. on / with / to
C. out / with / by
D. off / in / for
Correct Answer: A. out / in / with
Explanation: 'Carried out' = performed/completed; 'in accordance with' = following/complying with. These are two
separate fixed prepositional collocations essential in academic writing.

8. DEGREES OF COMPARISON (Comparative Structures)

Q1. 'This methodology is far ___ efficient than the previous one.'
A. more
✔ B. much more
C. the most
D. most
 Correct Answer: B. much more
Explanation: 'Far' and 'much' are both intensifiers for comparatives. 'Far more efficient' and 'much more efficient'
are both correct, but option B is listed as the answer. 'Far most' is not standard English.

Q2. Which sentence uses comparison correctly?

A. The newer model is more superior to the older one.
✔ B. The newer model is superior to the older one.
C. The newer model is most superior of the older one.
D. The newer model is more superior than the older one.
Correct Answer: B. The newer model is superior to the older one.
Explanation: 'Superior' is already a comparative adjective (Latin origin). Adding 'more' creates a double
comparative, which is grammatically incorrect. 'Superior to' is the correct form.

Q3. 'The ___ the sample size, the ___ the margin of error.'
✔ A. larger / smaller
B. more large / more small
C. largest / smallest
D. larger / more smaller
Correct Answer: A. larger / smaller
Explanation: The correlative 'the + comparative … the + comparative' is the correct parallel structure for
proportional relationships. One-syllable adjectives use -er: 'larger', 'smaller'. No superlatives here.

9. CONDITIONAL SENTENCES (Hypothetical & Mixed Forms)

Q1. 'If the hypothesis ___ correct, the results would have been different.'
A. were
✔ B. had been
C. is
D. was
Correct Answer: B. had been
Explanation: The result clause 'would have been' reveals this is a Type 3 (past unreal) conditional. Past unreal
condition requires 'had been' in the if-clause: 'If the hypothesis had been correct…'

Q2. Which is a correct mixed conditional (past condition → present result)?

A. If she had studied harder, she would pass the exam.
B. If she studied harder, she would have passed.
✔ C. If she had studied harder, she would be a professor now.
D. If she studies harder, she would be a professor.
Correct Answer: C. If she had studied harder, she would be a professor now.
Explanation: Mixed conditional: 'If + past perfect' (unfulfilled past condition) + 'would + base verb' (present result).
Option C correctly mixes Type 3 condition with Type 2 result.
Q3. 'Were the funding to be withdrawn, the project ___ collapse immediately.'
A. will
✔ B. would
C. had
D. has
Correct Answer: B. would
Explanation: Inverted conditionals use 'Were…to' for formal hypotheticals (equivalent to 'If the funding were
withdrawn'). The result takes 'would + base verb'. This structure is common in formal/academic English.

10. READING COMPREHENSION (Inference & Critical Interpretation)

Q1. A researcher writes: 'While correlation has been established, causal mechanisms remain
elusive.' The author's primary intent is to:
A. Dismiss the significance of the findings
✔ B. Warn against overinterpreting the correlation as causation
C. Confirm that the study is complete
D. Suggest that no further research is needed
Correct Answer: B. Warn against overinterpreting the correlation as causation
Explanation: 'Causal mechanisms remain elusive' = causation is unproven. The author warns against conflating
correlation with causation — a fundamental distinction in research methodology and academic inference.

Q2. 'The proposed model, albeit promising, warrants empirical validation before widespread
adoption.' The word 'albeit' implies:
A. The model has no limitations
B. The author fully endorses the model
✔ C. The model is promising but with reservations
D. Empirical validation has already occurred
Correct Answer: C. The model is promising but with reservations
Explanation: 'Albeit' = 'although/even though'. It signals a concession. The model is promising, but the author is
cautious — 'albeit promising, warrants validation' = qualified endorsement, not full approval.

Q3. 'The absence of longitudinal data constitutes a notable limitation.' This implies:
A. The study collected data over a long period
✔ B. Short-term data may reduce the reliability of conclusions
C. The sample size was too small
D. The methodology was not peer-reviewed
Correct Answer: B. Short-term data may reduce the reliability of conclusions
Explanation: Longitudinal data = collected over extended time periods. Its absence means the study relied on
cross-sectional/short-term data, which limits the generalisability of long-term conclusions.

Q4. A passage concludes: 'These findings, though preliminary, open avenues for future inquiry.'
The author is most likely:
A. Claiming the study is definitive
 B. Suggesting the research is incomplete and inconclusive
✔ C. Acknowledging limitations while highlighting potential
D. Recommending the findings be ignored
Correct Answer: C. Acknowledging limitations while highlighting potential
Explanation: 'Preliminary' acknowledges limitations (not yet final). 'Open avenues' highlights potential (future
directions). This is balanced academic language — neither dismissing nor overstating the findings.
Quick Reference — Key Grammar Rules
Concord
• Phrases like 'along with', 'as well as' do not change the subject number.
• 'Neither…nor' / 'Either…or' — verb agrees with the nearest subject.
• 'A number of' = plural; 'The number of' = singular.
• 'Data' is plural (datum = singular) in formal academic writing.
• 'Each', 'Every', 'Either', 'Neither' are always singular.

Tense
• Past perfect (had + V3) for the earlier of two past events.
• Past perfect continuous for ongoing action before another past event.
• 'Will' for predictions stated as facts; 'Would' for hypotheticals/reported speech.

Voice
• Future passive: will be + V3.
• 'It is believed/suggested/argued that…' = impersonal passive (academic).
• Prefer passive in academic writing to focus on findings, not the researcher.

Cohesive Devices
• Consequence: consequently, therefore, hence, thus, as a result.
• Contrast: however, nevertheless, nonetheless, on the other hand, conversely.
• Addition: furthermore, moreover, in addition, additionally.
• Similarity: likewise, similarly, in the same way.

Punctuation
• Semicolon + conjunctive adverb (however/therefore) + comma → two independent clauses.
• Non-restrictive relative clauses → commas on both sides.
• Colon → introduces list, explanation, or elaboration.

Articles
• First mention = 'a/an'; subsequent specific mention = 'the'.
• Ordinal numbers (second, third) always take 'the'.
• Unique roles/concepts take 'the' (the role, the impact).
• No article before plural/uncountable nouns used in general statements.

Prepositions
• Focus on / impact on / effect on / influence on.
• Implication for / reason for / need for.
• In accordance with / in line with / in contrast to.
• Under the auspices of / under the supervision of.

Degrees of Comparison
• Double comparatives are wrong: 'more superior', 'more preferable' → incorrect.
• 'Superior/inferior/prior' take 'to', not 'than'.
• The + comparative … the + comparative (parallel structure).
• Intensifiers for comparatives: far, much, even, considerably, significantly.

Conditionals
• Type 1: If + present simple, will + base verb (real/possible).
• Type 2: If + past simple, would + base verb (unreal present).
• Type 3: If + past perfect, would have + V3 (unreal past).
 • Mixed: If + past perfect (condition), would + base verb (present result).
• Inverted: Were + subject + to + verb (formal hypothetical).

Reading Inference
• 'Albeit' = although (concession, not full agreement).
• 'Elusive' = hard to find/achieve (implies something unproven).
• 'Preliminary' = early/not final (not dismissive — implies potential).
• 'Warrants' = requires/deserves (implies a cautious recommendation).
• Watch for author hedging: may, might, could, suggest, appear, seem.