GATE CSE 2021 Set 1 Q3: Grammar and ambiguity in two sentences

Consider the following sentences:

(i) Everybody in the class is prepared for the exam.

(ii) Babu invited Danish to his home because he enjoys playing chess.

Which of the following is the CORRECT observation about the above two sentences?

Try it: multiple choice: exactly one correct option

Wrong answer costs 1/3 mark in GATE.

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Answer: C (official GATE 2021 final answer key)

Concept used: "Everybody" takes a singular verb; a pronoun with two possible antecedents makes a sentence ambiguous.

First step: In (ii), ask who "he" refers to: Babu or Danish? Both readings are possible.

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Source: official GATE 2021 Set 1 CS question paper and final answer key, organised by IIT Bombay. Question paper · Answer key