Quick Navigation: PYQ Challenge Sections

• Part 1: Direct Plural Identification from PYQs (Questions 1-20)
• Part 2: Plurals with a Change in Meaning (Questions 21-40)
• Part 3: Uncountable Nouns in PYQ Error Spotting (Questions 41-60)
• Part 4: Find the Incorrectly Matched Pair (Questions 61-80)
• Part 5: Advanced Compounds & Foreign Plurals from PYQs (Questions 81-100)

Q1. Choose the correct plural of ‘Lasso’.
(SSC Stenographer Exam)

A) Lassos
B) Lassoes
C) Both A and B
D) Lassi

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
Both ‘lassos’ and ‘lassoes’ are accepted plural forms, with ‘lassos’ being more common.

Q2. What is the plural of ‘Torpedo’?
(CDS Exam)

A) Torpedos
B) Torpedi
C) Torpedoes
D) Torpedo

Answer & Explanation: C) Torpedoes
As a noun ending in a consonant + ‘o’, it takes ‘-es’.

Q3. The plural of ‘Dynamo’ is:
(Railways RRB Exam)

A) Dynamoes
B) Dynamos
C) Dynami
D) Dynamo

Answer & Explanation: B) Dynamos
As a word of foreign/technical origin, it takes only ‘-s’.

Q4. Find the correct plural for ‘Volcano’.
(SSC CGL)

A) Volcanos
B) Volcanoes
C) Both A and B
D) Volcani

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
Both plural forms are standard and accepted.

Q5. The correct plural for ‘Ferry’ is:
(SSC MTS Exam)

A) Ferrys
B) Ferries
C) Ferry
D) Ferrice

Answer & Explanation: B) Ferries
Ending in a consonant + ‘y’, the ‘y’ changes to ‘ies’.

Q6. Choose the plural of ‘Proof’.
(IBPS PO)

A) Prooves
B) Proofs
C) Proovs
D) Proovi

Answer & Explanation: B) Proofs
This is a common exception to the ‘-f’ rule; it only adds ‘-s’.

Q7. What is the plural of ‘Footman’?
(CDS Exam)

A) Footmen
B) Footmans
C) Feetmen
D) Feetman

Answer & Explanation: A) Footmen
Compound words ending in ‘-man’ are pluralized by changing to ‘-men’.

Q8. Find the plural of ‘Ox’.
(UP State PSC Exam)

A) Oxes
B) Oxxen
C) Ox
D) Oxen

Answer & Explanation: D) Oxen
A classic irregular plural.

Q9. The plural of ‘Handkerchief’ is:
(SSC CHSL)

A) Handkerchieves
B) Handkerchiefs
C) Handkerchives
D) Handkerchiffs

Answer & Explanation: B) Handkerchiefs
An important exception to the ‘-f’ rule. It simply takes ‘-s’.

Q10. What is the plural of ‘Canto’?
(UGC NET English)

A) Cantoes
B) Canti
C) Cantos
D) Canto

Answer & Explanation: C) Cantos
Takes a standard ‘-s’ plural.

Q11. The plural of ‘Piano’ is:
(IBPS Clerk)

A) Pianoes
B) Pianos
C) Piani
D) Piano

Answer & Explanation: B) Pianos
A clipped word that takes only ‘-s’.

Q12. Choose the correct plural for ‘Dwarf’.
(CDS Exam)

A) Dwarfs
B) Dwarves
C) Both A and B
D) Dwarfen

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
Both ‘dwarfs’ and ‘dwarves’ are correct plurals.

Q13. Find the plural for ‘Motto’.
(SSC CGL)

A) Mottos
B) Mottoes
C) Motti
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Both forms are correct and used interchangeably.

Q14. What is the plural of ‘Quay’ (a wharf)?
(NDA Exam)

A) Quayes
B) Quays
C) Quaies
D) Quay

Answer & Explanation: B) Quays
Ends in vowel + ‘y’, so it takes ‘-s’.

Q15. The plural of ‘Belief’ is:
(SBI PO)

A) Believes
B) Beliefs
C) Belief
D) Believs

Answer & Explanation: B) Beliefs
A key exception where we just add ‘-s’.

Q16. Plural of ‘Basis’ is:
(IBPS PO Mains)

A) Basis
B) Basises
C) Bases
D) Basi

Answer & Explanation: C) Bases
The ending ‘-is’ becomes ‘-es’.

Q17. Plural of ‘Syllabus’ is:
(CDS Exam)

A) Syllabi
B) Syllabuses
C) Both A and B
D) Syllabus

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
‘Syllabi’ is Latin, ‘syllabuses’ is English. Both are correct.

Q18. Plural of ‘Roof’ is:
(SSC Stenographer)

A) Rooves
B) Roof
C) Roofs
D) Roves

Answer & Explanation: C) Roofs
A well-known exception that takes only ‘-s’.

Q19. Plural of ‘Calf’ is:
(AFCAT Exam)

A) Calfs
B) Calves
C) Calfs’
D) Calfen

Answer & Explanation: B) Calves
The ‘-f’ changes to ‘-ves’.

Q20. Plural of ‘Life’ is:
(Common PYQ)

A) Lifes
B) Life
C) Lifen
D) Lives

Answer & Explanation: D) Lives
The ‘-fe’ ending becomes ‘-ves’.

Q21. ‘Good’ means virtuous, but ‘goods’ means ________.
(Conceptual Question)

A) Better things
B) Merchandise or property
C) Good people
D) Feelings

Answer & Explanation: B) Merchandise or property
The plural ‘goods’ refers to items for sale or possessions.

Q22. The rebels took up ________ against the king. (arm)

A) arm
B) an arm
C) arms
D) armies

Answer & Explanation: C) arms
‘Arm’ is a body part, but ‘arms’ refers to weapons.

Q23. ‘Wood’ is a material, but ‘woods’ means a ________.
(SSC CGL)

A) Forest
B) Collection of wood
C) Wooden table
D) Fire

Answer & Explanation: A) Forest
The plural ‘woods’ means a small forest.

Q24. In the sentence, “She gave herself airs,” the word ‘airs’ means ________.
(Idiomatic Usage)

A) Breaths
B) Winds
C) Affected or haughty manner
D) Open spaces

Answer & Explanation: C) Affected or haughty manner
‘Air’ is the atmosphere, but ‘airs’ refers to affectation or pretentiousness.

Q25. ‘Custom’ is a habit, but ‘customs’ refers to ________.
(IBPS PO)

A) Traditions
B) Unusual habits
C) Taxes on imported goods
D) Customers

Answer & Explanation: C) Taxes on imported goods
The ‘customs’ department deals with taxes on imports and exports.

Q26. A soldier is subject to military ________. (force)

A) force
B) forces
C) a force
D) the forces

Answer & Explanation: B) forces
‘Force’ means strength, but ‘forces’ refers to troops or an army.

Q27. The client paid for both the parts and the ________. (labour)

A) labour
B) labours
C) a labour
D) labourer

Answer & Explanation: B) labours
‘Labour’ is work. ‘Labours’ can refer to the efforts or tasks of a person or group.

Q28. She took great ________ to prepare the meal for her guests. (pain)

A) pains
B) pain
C) a pain
D) pained

Answer & Explanation: A) pains
‘Pain’ is suffering. ‘Pains’ means careful effort or trouble. The idiom is ‘to take pains’.

Q29. We received several ________ from our overseas suppliers. (advice)

A) advices
B) advice
C) advises
D) pieces of advices

Answer & Explanation: A) advices
This is a tricky case. ‘Advice’ (suggestion) is uncountable. But ‘advices’ is a commercial term meaning formal notices or information, like invoices.

Q30. ‘Quarter’ is one-fourth, but ‘quarters’ can mean ________.
(CDS Exam)

A) Fourths
B) Coins
C) Lodgings or accommodation
D) Regions

Answer & Explanation: C) Lodgings or accommodation
‘Quarters’ is often used to refer to a place of residence, especially for soldiers.

Q31. The ________ of war are always devastating. (effect)

A) effect
B) effects
C) an effect
D) affect

Answer & Explanation: B) effects
‘Effect’ is a result. ‘Effects’ can mean results, but also personal belongings.

Q32. The national ________ are flying at half-mast. (colour)

A) colours
B) colour
C) colourings
D) colored

Answer & Explanation: A) colours
‘Colour’ is a hue. ‘Colours’ can refer to the flag of a nation, regiment, or ship.

Q33. He studies ________ in his spare time. (physic)

A) physic
B) physics
C) a physic
D) the physics

Answer & Explanation: B) physics
‘Physic’ is a term for medicine. ‘Physics’ is the branch of science.

Q34. She has good ________ for writing. (ground)

A) ground
B) grounds
C) a ground
D) groundwork

Answer & Explanation: B) grounds
‘Ground’ is the earth’s surface. ‘Grounds’ means reasons or basis.

Q35. Iron ________ are needed to restrain the prisoner. (chain)

A) chains
B) chain
C) a chain
D) chaines

Answer & Explanation: A) chains
‘Chain’ is a series of links. ‘Chains’ often means shackles or bonds.

Q36. We need to save our natural ________. (respect)

A) respects
B) respect
C) a respect
D) respecting

Answer & Explanation: A) respects
‘Respect’ is esteem. ‘Respects’ means compliments or refers to particular aspects (‘in many respects’).

Q37. Please send my ________ to your parents. (regard)

A) regards
B) regard
C) regardings
D) a regard

Answer & Explanation: A) regards
‘Regard’ is consideration. ‘Regards’ means good wishes.

Q38. He received the ________ of the meeting yesterday. (minute)

A) minutes
B) minute
C) minutely
D) a minute

Answer & Explanation: A) minutes
‘Minute’ is a unit of time. ‘Minutes’ are the official written records of a meeting.

Q39. ‘Iron’ is a metal, but ‘irons’ means ________.
(Contextual Vocabulary)

A) Multiple types of iron
B) Fetters or shackles
C) Strength
D) Rusty objects

Answer & Explanation: B) Fetters or shackles
Just like ‘chains’, ‘irons’ can refer to restraints.

Q40. The army general reviewed his ________ before the battle. (force)

A) force
B) forces
C) forcement
D) a force

Answer & Explanation: B) forces
Again, ‘force’ means strength, while ‘forces’ refers to troops.

Q41. The manager was given (A)/ a lot of works (B)/ to complete by the evening. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS PO)

Answer & Explanation: B) a lot of works
‘Work’ (meaning tasks or effort) is uncountable. It should be ‘a lot of work’.

Q42. I like the (A)/ poetries of (B)/ Keats and Shelley. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL Tier-II)

Answer & Explanation: B) poetries of
‘Poetry’ is uncountable. It should be ‘the poetry of’.

Q43. The receptionist gave us (A)/ many informations regarding (B)/ the hotel’s facilities. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SBI Clerk)

Answer & Explanation: B) many informations regarding
‘Information’ is uncountable. It should be ‘much information’ or ‘many pieces of information’.

Q44. My cousin gave me (A)/ several advices before (B)/ my interview. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) several advices before
‘Advice’ (counsel) is uncountable. It should be ‘several pieces of advice’ or ‘some advice’.

Q45. He moved all the (A)/ old furnitures to the (B)/ attic before the renovation. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC MTS)

Answer & Explanation: B) old furnitures to the
‘Furniture’ is uncountable. It should be ‘old furniture’.

Q46. The recent flood caused (A)/ great damages to the (B)/ crops in the village. (C)/ No Error (D)
(State PSC Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) great damages to the
‘Damage’ (harm) is uncountable. It should be ‘great damage’. (‘Damages’ means compensation awarded by a court).

Q47. You need to purchase (A)/ new machineries for (B)/ the factory to increase production. (C)/ No Error (D)
(FCI Manager Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) new machineries for
‘Machinery’ is uncountable. It should be ‘new machinery’.

Q48. The child has beautiful (A)/ long black hairs (B)/ that everyone admires. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS RRB Clerk)

Answer & Explanation: B) long black hairs
When referring to all hair on the head, ‘hair’ is uncountable. It should be ‘long black hair’.

Q49. He packed all his (A)/ luggages and left for (B)/ the airport early in the morning. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CGL)

Answer & Explanation: A) All his luggages
‘Luggage’ is uncountable. It should be ‘All his luggage’.

Q50. The police have not (A)/ yet found any concrete (B)/ evidences against the suspect. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Bank PO)

Answer & Explanation: C) evidences against the suspect
‘Evidence’ is uncountable. It should be ‘any concrete evidence’.

Q51. There has been a lot of (A)/ public outcries against (B)/ the new tax law. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CAT Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) public outcries against
‘Outcry’ when used with ‘a lot of’ should be singular. The error is in ‘outcries’. It should be ‘a lot of public outcry’.

Q52. The greenerys of the (A)/ countryside are soothing (B)/ to the eyes. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: A) The greenerys of the
‘Greenery’ is an uncountable noun. It should be ‘The greenery’.

Q53. He does not know (A)/ the alphabets of the (B)/ English language. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Common Error)

Answer & Explanation: B) the alphabets of the
‘Alphabet’ is the set of all letters. ‘Alphabets’ would mean multiple sets of letters (e.g., the English and Greek alphabets). The correct phrase is ‘the alphabet’.

Q54. She has a deep knowledge (A)/ of German poetries (B)/ from the Romantic era. (C)/ No Error (D)
(UGC NET)

Answer & Explanation: B) of German poetries
‘Poetry’ is uncountable. The correct usage is ‘German poetry’.

Q55. All the childrens were (A)/ excited to go (B)/ on the school picnic. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Basic Grammar Error)

Answer & Explanation: A) All the childrens were
‘Children’ is already the plural of ‘child’. The ‘-s’ is incorrect.

Q56. This land is the ancestral (A)/ propertys of the (B)/ royal family. (C)/ No Error (D)
(State Level Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) propertys of the
‘Property’ in the sense of possessions or land is usually uncountable. ‘Properties’ refers to qualities or multiple buildings. Here, it should be ‘ancestral property’.

Q57. The jury were divided (A)/ in their opinion (B)/ regarding the case. (C)/ No Error (D)
(Advanced S-V Agreement)

Answer & Explanation: B) in their opinion
Since the jury were divided (plural verb), they had multiple ‘opinions’ (plural noun), not a single ‘opinion’.

Q58. She lost her (A)/ binocular during (B)/ the hiking trip. (C)/ No Error (D)
(CDS Exam)

Answer & Explanation: B) binocular during
Nouns like ‘binoculars’, ‘scissors’, ‘trousers’ are always plural. It should be ‘binoculars’.

Q59. The police is investigating (A)/ the case to find (B)/ the real culprits. (C)/ No Error (D)
(SSC CPO)

Answer & Explanation: A) The police is investigating
‘Police’ is a plural noun. The verb should be ‘are investigating’.

Q60. I need to buy (A)/ some new stationeries (B)/ for the office. (C)/ No Error (D)
(IBPS Clerk)

Answer & Explanation: B) some new stationeries
‘Stationery’ (writing materials) is an uncountable noun. It should be ‘some new stationery’.

Q61. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Datum – Data
B) Analysis – Analyses
C) Index – Indice
D) Crisis – Crises

Answer & Explanation: C) Index – Indice
The plurals of ‘Index’ are ‘Indexes’ or ‘Indices’, not ‘Indice’.

Q62. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Child – Children
B) Ox – Oxen
C) Man – Men
D) Woman – Womanen

Answer & Explanation: D) Woman – Womanen
The plural of ‘Woman’ is ‘Women’.

Q63. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Foot – Feet
B) Goose – Geese
C) Mouse – Mice
D) Louse – Louses

Answer & Explanation: D) Louse – Louses
The plural of ‘Louse’ is ‘Lice’.

Q64. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Half – Halves
B) Leaf – Leaves
C) Roof – Rooves
D) Thief – Thieves

Answer & Explanation: C) Roof – Rooves
‘Rooves’ is an archaic and rare form. The standard and correct plural of ‘Roof’ is ‘Roofs’.

Q65. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Criterion – Criteria
B) Phenomenon – Phenomena
C) Automaton – Automata
D) Stratum – Strati

Answer & Explanation: D) Stratum – Strati
The plural of ‘Stratum’ is ‘Strata’.

Q66. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Brother-in-law – Brothers-in-law
B) Passer-by – Passers-by
C) Maid-servant – Maids-servant
D) Spoonful – Spoonfuls

Answer & Explanation: C) Maid-servant – Maids-servant
The plural of ‘Maid-servant’ is ‘Maids-servants’.

Q67. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Deer – Deer
B) Sheep – Sheep
C) Fish – Fish
D) Aircraft – Aircrafts

Answer & Explanation: D) Aircraft – Aircrafts
The plural of ‘Aircraft’ is ‘Aircraft’.

Q68. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Story – Stories
B) Army – Armies
C) Trolley – Trollies
D) City – Cities

Answer & Explanation: C) Trolley – Trollies
‘Trolley’ ends in a vowel + y, so its plural is ‘Trolleys’.

Q69. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Potato – Potatoes
B) Hero – Heroes
C) Photo – Photoes
D) Echo – Echoes

Answer & Explanation: C) Photo – Photoes
The plural of ‘Photo’ is ‘Photos’.

Q70. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Radius – Radii
B) Alumnus – Alumni
C) Focus – Foci
D) Virus – Viri

Answer & Explanation: D) Virus – Viri
The plural of ‘Virus’ is ‘Viruses’, not the Latin ‘Viri’.

Q71. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Man-servant – Men-servants
B) Woman-doctor – Women-doctors
C) Lord Justice – Lord Justices
D) Knight Templar – Knights Templars

Answer & Explanation: D) Knight Templar – Knights Templars
The plural is ‘Knights Templar’.

Q72. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Chief – Chiefs
B) Belief – Beliefs
C) Grief – Griefs
D) Hoof – Hooves

Answer & Explanation: D) Hoof – Hooves
This isn’t strictly incorrect, as ‘Hooves’ is a valid plural, but ‘Hoofs’ is also correct. Compared to the definite correctness of A, B, and C as exceptions, this pair is the most “misfit” if only one option can be chosen. In many tests, A, B, C would be considered the only right way for those words.

Q73. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Axis – Axes
B) Thesis – Theses
C) Basis – Bases
D) Genesis – Genesi

Answer & Explanation: D) Genesis – Genesi
The plural of ‘Genesis’ is ‘Geneses’.

Q74. Find the incorrect pair.

A) I – We
B) Me – Us
C) My – Our
D) Myself – Ourself

Answer & Explanation: D) Myself – Ourself
The plural of the reflexive pronoun ‘Myself’ is ‘Ourselves’.

Q75. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Formula – Formulae
B) Larva – Larvae
C) Vertebra – Vertebrae
D) Dogma – Dogmi

Answer & Explanation: D) Dogma – Dogmi
The plurals of ‘Dogma’ are ‘Dogmas’ or ‘Dogmata’.

Q76. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Medium – Media
B) Millennium – Millennia
C) Bacterium – Bacteria
D) Addendum – Addendi

Answer & Explanation: D) Addendum – Addendi
The plural of ‘Addendum’ is ‘Addenda’ or ‘Addendums’.

Q77. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Man-of-war – Men-of-war
B) Hanger-on – Hangers-on
C) Runner-up – Runner-ups
D) Notary public – Notaries public

Answer & Explanation: C) Runner-up – Runner-ups
The plural of ‘Runner-up’ is ‘Runners-up’.

Q78. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Handful – Handfuls
B) Mouthful – Mouthfuls
C) Cupful – Cupsful
D) Spoonful – Spoonfuls

Answer & Explanation: C) Cupful – Cupsful
The plural of ‘Cupful’ is ‘Cupfuls’.

Q79. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Mrs. – Mmes.
B) Mr. – Messrs.
C) Ms. – Mss.
D) Dr. – Drs.

Answer & Explanation: C) Ms. – Mss.
The plural of ‘Ms.’ is ‘Mses.’ (pronounced ‘mizzes’). ‘Mss.’ is the plural of manuscript (MSS).

Q80. Find the incorrect pair.

A) Piano – Pianos
B) Kilo – Kilos
C) Ratio – Ratios
D) Cello – Celli

Answer & Explanation: D) Cello – Celli
While ‘celli’ is the formal Italian plural, the common and widely accepted English plural of ‘cello’ is ‘cellos’. In the context of exam exceptions, this is the most likely ‘incorrect’ pairing as the others are definitively standard.

Q81. The plural of ‘Corrigendum’ (a thing to be corrected) is:
(RBI Grade B)

A) Corrigenda
B) Corrigendums
C) Corrigendi
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
‘Corrigenda’ is the formal Latin plural (often used as a list of corrections), and ‘corrigendums’ is the anglicized version.

Q82. What is the plural of ‘man-hater’?
(CDS Exam)

A) men-hater
B) man-haters
C) men-haters
D) man-hater

Answer & Explanation: B) man-haters
‘Man’ acts as an adjective describing the ‘hater’. The main noun ‘hater’ is pluralized.

Q83. Find the plural of ‘will-o’-the-wisp’.
(UGC NET)

A) wills-o’-the-wisp
B) will-o’-the-wisps
C) wills-o’-the-wisps
D) will-o’-the-wisp

Answer & Explanation: B) will-o’-the-wisps
The plural is formed by adding ‘-s’ to the very end of the phrase.

Q84. The plural of ‘sergeant-major’ is:
(Defence Exams)

A) sergeants-major
B) sergeant-majors
C) sergeants-majors
D) sergeant-major

Answer & Explanation: A) sergeants-major
This is a tricky compound. The principal noun ‘sergeant’ is pluralized. Compare with ‘Major General’ where the second word is pluralized.

Q85. Choose the plural for ‘ultimatum’.
(SSC CGL Tier-II)

A) Ultima
B) Ultimatums
C) Ultimata
D) Both B and C

Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C
Both the Latin plural ‘ultimata’ and the English ‘ultimatums’ are correct.

Q86. What is the plural of ‘gymnasium’?
(Common PYQ)

A) Gymnasiums
B) Gymnasia
C) Gymnasii
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Both are correct plurals, ‘gymnasiums’ being more common.

Q87. The plural form of ‘chassis’ is:
(Automobile Exams)

A) Chassises
B) Chassis
C) Chassi
D) Chasse

Answer & Explanation: B) Chassis
The plural is spelled the same as the singular, but the pronunciation changes (sing. ‘sha-see’, pl. ‘sha-seez’).

Q88. Choose the plural of ‘tableau’.
(Art/French Origin)

A) Tableaus
B) Tableaux
C) Both A and B
D) Tableaxi

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
Both the anglicized ‘tableaus’ and French ‘tableaux’ are correct.

Q89. What is the plural of ‘mongoose’?
(SSC MTS – Re-emphasis)

A) Mongeese
B) Mongooses
C) Mongoosen
D) Mongoose

Answer & Explanation: B) Mongooses
Reiterating a key exception – it does not follow ‘goose’.

Q90. The plural of ‘poultry’ (domestic fowl) is:
(FCI/Agriculture Exam)

A) Poultries
B) Poultrys
C) Poultry
D) Poultrice

Answer & Explanation: C) Poultry
‘Poultry’ is a plural noun (like cattle, police) and does not take an additional ‘-s’. It refers to a group.

Q91. Find the plural for ‘Lord Justice’.
(Legal Exams – CLAT)

A) Lords Justice
B) Lord Justices
C) Lords Justices
D) Lord Justice

Answer & Explanation: A) Lords Justice
For this specific title, the first part is pluralized, similar to ‘sergeant-major’.

Q92. What is the plural of ‘apex’?
(Maths/CAT Exam)

A) Apexes
B) Apices
C) Apix
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
‘Apexes’ is common; ‘apices’ is the traditional Latin plural.

Q93. The plural of ‘aide-de-camp’ is:
(Defence Exam)

A) aide-de-camps
B) aides-de-camps
C) aides-de-camp
D) aide-de-camps

Answer & Explanation: C) aides-de-camp
The main word ‘aide’ (assistant) is pluralized.

Q94. The plural form of ‘sanatorium’ is:
(Medical Term)

A) Sanatoria
B) Sanatoriums
C) Both A and B
D) Sanatorium

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
Both the Latin and English plurals are correct.

Q95. The plural of ‘mongoose’ is:
(UPSC CDS)

A) mongeese
B) mongooses
C) mongoosen
D) mongoose

Answer & Explanation: B) mongooses
It’s worth repeating common pitfalls found in PYQs. It’s a regular noun plural.

Q96. What is the plural of ‘Trousseau’ (a bride’s collection of belongings)?
(Advanced French Origin)

A) Trousseaus
B) Trousseaux
C) Trousseau
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Both the English plural (‘trousseaus’) and the French plural (‘trousseaux’) are accepted.

Q97. Plural of ‘vortex’ is:
(Physics/General PYQ)

A) vortexes
B) vortices
C) vortex
D) both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) both A and B
‘Vortexes’ is the English plural and ‘vortices’ is the Latin plural.

Q98. Find the plural of ‘curriculum’.
(Education Sector Exams)

A) Curriculums
B) Curricula
C) Curriculum
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Both plurals are correct and widely used.

Q99. What is the plural of ‘referendum’?
(Polity/SSC)

A) Referenda
B) Referendums
C) Both A and B
D) Referendum

Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B
‘Referendums’ is now more common, but ‘referenda’ is the traditional Latin plural and still correct.

Q100. The plural of ‘automaton’ is:
(UPSC/Engineering)

A) Automata
B) Automatons
C) Automati
D) Both A and B

Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
The Greek plural is ‘automata’, while the English plural is ‘automatons’.