Last-Minute Revision Sheet for CDS English (12 April 2026) based strictly on recent CDS 2024–2025 trends.
LAST MINUTE REVISION CDS ENGLISH (FINAL DAY)
Focus only on high-scoring areas.
Most Important Sections:
- Spotting Errors (20–25 Q)
- Synonyms–Antonyms (20 Q)
- Idioms & Phrases (10 Q)
- Prepositions (10–15 Q)
- Sentence Ordering (10–15 Q)
- Comprehension (15–20 Q)
PART 1 — MOST IMPORTANT GRAMMAR RULES
These rules produce maximum error questions.
SUBJECT–VERB AGREEMENT
✔ Each / Every → Singular Verb
✔ A number of → Plural
✔ The number of → Singular
Examples:
❌ Each of the boys have done it
✅ Each of the boys has done it
❌ The number of students are increasing
✅ The number of students is increasing
✔ Either / Neither → Singular verb
Example:
❌ Neither Ram nor Shyam are present
✅ Neither Ram nor Shyam is present
✔ When joined by or/nor, verb agrees with nearest subject.
Example:
❌ Neither Ram nor his friends is coming
✅ Neither Ram nor his friends are coming
ARTICLES (a, an, the)
Use a/an based on sound.
✔ a university
✔ an honest man
✔ a European
Important:
❌ He is an university student
✅ He is a university student
Use the with:
- Rivers → the Ganga
- Mountains → the Himalayas
- Holy books → the Gita
PREPOSITIONS (Highly Repeated)
Memorize completely.
- Fond of
- Capable of
- Afraid of
- Interested in
- Good at
- Married to
- Divide into
- Prevent from
- Suffer from
- Deal with
- Agree to
- Angry with
- Believe in
- Proud of
Very frequently asked.
TENSE RULES
After did, use V1
❌ Did not went
✅ Did not go
After has/have, use V3
❌ Has ate
✅ Has eaten
ADJECTIVE vs ADVERB
❌ She sings good
✅ She sings well
❌ He runs slow
✅ He runs slowly
COMPARISON ERRORS
❌ More better
❌ More wiser
Correct:
✔ Better
✔ Wiser
GERUND RULE
After preposition, use -ing
❌ Interested to learn
✅ Interested in learning
❌ Look forward to meet
✅ Look forward to meeting
PART 2 — MOST ASKED IDIOMS
Very important.
| Idiom | Meaning |
| At sixes and sevens | Confused |
| A blessing in disguise | Hidden benefit |
| Break the ice | Start conversation |
| Hit the nail on the head | Exactly correct |
| By leaps and bounds | Rapidly |
| A bone of contention | Cause of dispute |
| Once in a blue moon | Rarely |
| Spill the beans | Reveal secret |
| Burn the midnight oil | Work late night |
| In black and white | In writing |
| A storm in a teacup | Small issue exaggerated |
| Call a spade a spade | Speak truth |
| Under the weather | Sick |
PART 3 — MOST IMPORTANT SYNONYMS
Highly useful.
| Word | Meaning |
| Abandon | Leave |
| Diligent | Hardworking |
| Hostile | Unfriendly |
| Brief | Short |
| Expand | Increase |
| Loyal | Faithful |
| Calm | Peaceful |
| Rapid | Fast |
| Wise | Intelligent |
| Brave | Courageous |
| Ancient | Old |
| Vital | Important |
| Permit | Allow |
| Assist | Help |
PART 4 — MOST IMPORTANT ANTONYMS
Revise these.
| Word | Opposite |
| Ancient | Modern |
| Bold | Timid |
| Expand | Contract |
| Generous | Stingy |
| Innocent | Guilty |
| Permanent | Temporary |
| Scarce | Abundant |
| Victory | Defeat |
| Visible | Hidden |
| Weak | Strong |
PART 5 — MOST ASKED PREPOSITION PAIRS
Very high probability.
- Accused of
- Fond of
- Suffer from
- Divide into
- Agree to
- Agree with
- Prevent from
- Complain against
- Believe in
- Deal with
PART 6 — SENTENCE ORDERING QUICK RULES
Follow this method.
- Find starting sentence
- Identify pronoun references
- Look for logical flow
- Identify conclusion sentence
Example flow:
Introduction → Action → Result → Conclusion
PART 7 — COMPREHENSION LAST-MINUTE STRATEGY-CDS English
Very scoring.
Do this:
✔ Read questions first
✔ Then read passage
✔ Underline keywords
✔ Avoid assumptions
Focus on:
- Main idea
- Tone
- Vocabulary
- Inference
PART 8 — VERY COMMON ERROR TYPES
Expect these errors:
✔ Preposition errors
✔ Tense errors
✔ Article errors
✔ Comparison errors
✔ Subject-verb errors
IMPORTANT LIST – CDS English (Revise Before Sleep)
Memorize:
- Married to
- Good at
- Afraid of
- Fond of
- Prevent from
- Interested in
- Divide into
- Capable of
- Proud of
- Suffer from
