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Past Questions
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: He speaks as his father does.
A)
Adjective
B)
Adverb
C)
Preposition
D)
Conjunction
The underlined word is likely "as" in the sentence "He speaks as his father does." Here, "as" is used to introduce a comparison between two clauses, so it functions as a conjunction. It joins the main clause with the subordinate comparative clause.
Why the others are wrong:
- Adjective: An adjective describes a noun or pronoun, but "as" does not modify a noun here.
- Adverb: An adverb modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, but "as" is not modifying the verb "speaks"; it is connecting two clauses.
- Preposition: A preposition usually shows relation and is followed by a noun/pronoun phrase, but here "as" is followed by a full clause ("his father does"), which indicates conjunction use.
Choose the correct option to define the term: Florist is one who
A)
deals in flowers.
B)
offers one’s services.
C)
lives in seclusion.
D)
hates mankind.
A florist is a person who deals in flowers, especially by selling or arranging them. Therefore, option (a) is correct. Option (b) means a person who offers one’s services, which is not a florist. Option (c) means one who lives in seclusion, and option (d) means one who hates mankind; both are unrelated to the meaning of florist.
Choose the correct option to improve the sentence: Where are your luggages?
A)
Where are your luggage?
B)
Where is your luggages?
C)
Where is your luggage?
D)
Where are your lugages?
"Luggage" is an uncountable noun, so it does not take a plural form like "luggages." Therefore, the correct sentence is: "Where is your luggage?" Option c is correct because it uses the singular verb "is" with the uncountable noun "luggage." Option a is incorrect because "your luggage" should not be pluralized. Option b is incorrect for the same reason and also uses the wrong verb form "is" with a plural noun. Option d is incorrect because "lugages" is a misspelling of "luggage."
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence: He promised to look __________ the matter.
A)
into
B)
onto
C)
in
D)
at
The correct phrase is "look into the matter," which means to investigate or examine something carefully. So option a (into) fits naturally and idiomatically.
Why the others are incorrect:
- b (onto): "look onto" is not the correct idiom here.
- d (at): "look at the matter" can mean observe it, but it does not carry the intended meaning of investigate in this sentence.
- c (in): "look in the matter" is ungrammatical and not used in this context.
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom: Throw in the towel
A)
Breast victory
B)
Resist defeat
C)
Counter act
D)
Accept defeat
"Throw in the towel" is an idiom meaning to give up or admit defeat, originally from boxing where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal surrender. So, the correct option is d) Accept defeat. The other options are incorrect: b) Resist defeat means to keep fighting, c) Counter act means to oppose or neutralize an action, and a) Breast victory is not a correct meaning of the idiom.
Identify the type of sentence: I started on time, but I arrived late.
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Complex Sentence
C)
Compound Sentence
D)
Complex Compound Sentence
The sentence is a Compound Sentence because it contains two independent clauses: "I started on time" and "I arrived late," joined by the coordinating conjunction "but." Each clause can stand alone as a complete sentence.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Simple Sentence: Incorrect, because there are two independent clauses, not just one.
- Complex Sentence: Incorrect, because a complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one dependent clause; here both clauses are independent.
- Complex Compound Sentence: Incorrect, because that type requires at least two independent clauses plus at least one dependent clause, which is not present here.
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom: Gain ground
A)
Become popular
B)
In the long run
C)
Very slowly
D)
To overtake
"Gain ground" means to make progress, advance, or become more accepted/popular. So the correct option is **a: Become popular**. The other options are incorrect because **d: To overtake** is too specific and not the usual meaning of the idiom, **b: In the long run** refers to time, not progress, and **c: Very slowly** describes speed, which is unrelated to the idiom.
Combine the sentences 'She began late.' and 'She finished first.' into a Complex sentence:
A)
She finished first though she began late.
B)
She finished first but she began late.
C)
She finished first even so she began late.
D)
She finished first while she began late.
Option (a) is correct because it forms a complex sentence by using the subordinating conjunction "though," which shows contrast between the two ideas: she began late, yet she finished first. This makes one clause dependent on the other, satisfying the requirement for a complex sentence.
Why the others are incorrect:
- (b) "but" is a coordinating conjunction, so it makes a compound sentence, not a complex one.
- (c) "even so" is not used to join the clauses correctly here; it is awkward and does not form a proper complex sentence.
- (d) "while" can show contrast, but in this structure it is less appropriate and does not clearly express the intended concessive meaning as well as "though."
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom: At sixes and sevens
A)
Systematised
B)
In disorder
C)
Well-organised
D)
Finicky
"At sixes and sevens" means in a state of confusion, disorder, or disarray. So option **b. In disorder** is correct. The other options are incorrect because **d. Finicky** means overly fussy, **a. Systematised** means arranged in an orderly system, and **c. Well-organised** means neat and properly arranged—each is the opposite of the idiom’s meaning.
Identify the type of sentence: I spend what I earn.
A)
Simple Sentence
B)
Complex Sentence
C)
Compound Sentence
D)
Complex Compound Sentence
The sentence is a **Complex Sentence** because it has one independent clause, "I spend," and one dependent (noun) clause, "what I earn," which functions as the object of the verb "spend." Since it contains a main clause plus a subordinate clause, option **b** is correct.
Why the others are incorrect:
- **a. Simple Sentence**: A simple sentence has only one independent clause and no subordinate clause. This sentence has a dependent clause, so it is not simple.
- **c. Compound Sentence**: A compound sentence contains two or more independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction or punctuation. This sentence has only one independent clause.
- **d. Complex Compound Sentence**: This would require both multiple independent clauses and at least one dependent clause. Here, there is only one independent clause, so this does not apply.
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence: Each of the students __________ done well.
A)
will
B)
have
C)
has
D)
are
"Each" is a singular distributive pronoun, so it takes a singular verb. Therefore, the correct sentence is: "Each of the students has done well." Option c (has) is correct. Option b (have) is plural and does not agree with "each." Option d (are) is also plural and grammatically incorrect here. Option a (will) changes the tense and does not fit the sentence.
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom: On cloud nine
A)
Apathetic
B)
Happy and excited
C)
Nonchalant
D)
Languorous
"On cloud nine" is an idiom meaning extremely happy, delighted, or excited. Therefore, option **b. Happy and excited** is correct. The other options are incorrect because **apathetic** means indifferent or lacking interest, **languorous** means weak, slow, or lacking energy, and **nonchalant** means casually unconcerned or indifferent.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: He broke the wall with a hammer.
A)
Noun
B)
Adverb
C)
Adjective
D)
Preposition
The underlined word is "hammer," which is a naming word, so it is a noun. In the sentence, "with a hammer" shows the instrument used to break the wall, but the word "hammer" itself remains a noun. The other options are incorrect because an adjective describes a noun, an adverb modifies a verb/adjective/adverb, and a preposition shows relation between words; none of these functions apply to "hammer" here.
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence: She acted __________ my instructions.
A)
in
B)
on
C)
under
D)
as
The correct phrase is "acted under my instructions," meaning she followed or was guided by those instructions. "Under" is the standard preposition used to show subordination or control. The other options are incorrect here: "as" does not fit this meaning, "in" is not idiomatic with "acted" in this context, and "on" would suggest acting based on something, but it is not the correct collocation here.
Identify the underlined clause: The report that the enemy is coming is wrong.
A)
Noun Clause
B)
Adjective Clause
C)
Adverb Clause
D)
Main Clause
The underlined clause is "that the enemy is coming." It functions as the object/complement of the noun "report" and answers the question: what report? Since it acts like a noun within the sentence, it is a noun clause.
Why others are wrong:
- Adjective clause: an adjective clause modifies a noun, but this clause does not describe "report"; it completes its meaning.
- Adverb clause: an adverb clause modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb and usually shows time, reason, condition, etc. This clause does not do that.
- Main clause: the main clause is "The report ... is wrong." The underlined part is only a subordinate clause, not the main clause.
Identify the underlined clause: He who is already down need not fear any fall.
A)
Noun Clause
B)
Adjective Clause
C)
Adverb Clause
D)
Main Clause
The underlined part "He who is already down" is an adjective clause (relative clause) because it modifies the pronoun "He" and tells us which person is meant. It functions like an adjective by describing the noun/pronoun it follows.
Why others are wrong:
- Noun clause: it does not act as a noun (subject/object/complement) in the sentence.
- Adverb clause: it does not modify the verb "need not fear" by showing time, reason, condition, etc.
- Main clause: the main clause is "need not fear any fall," not the underlined part.
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: I recognised his voice at once.
A)
Noun
B)
Verb
C)
Adverb
D)
Adjective
The underlined word is "once," which tells us when the action of recognising happened. It modifies the verb "recognised," so it is an adverb.
Why the others are incorrect:
- Noun: "once" is not naming a person, place, thing, or idea here.
- Verb: it is not showing an action or state.
- Adjective: it does not describe a noun.
Therefore, the correct answer is c) Adverb.
Choose the correct option to complete the sentence: __________ do you take me for?
A)
Who
B)
Whom
C)
What
D)
Which
The correct sentence is: "What do you take me for?" Here, "what" asks about the identity, character, or opinion someone has of the speaker. The phrase "take someone for" means "consider someone to be" or "mistake someone as."
Why the others are wrong:
- Who: used for asking about a person’s identity, but not in this fixed expression.
- Whom: object form of "who," also used for people, so it does not fit here.
- Which: used when choosing from a limited set of things or people, not for this idiomatic question.
So, the correct option is c (What).
Choose the correct option to improve the sentence: The setting of a story effect the story’s plot.
A)
The setting of a story effects the story’s plot.
B)
The setting of a story effect the story’s plots.
C)
The setting of a story affects the story’s plot.
D)
The setting of a story affect the story’s plots.
Option c is correct: "The setting of a story affects the story’s plot." The subject is singular (“setting”), so the verb must be singular in the present tense: "affects." Also, "plot" is correctly singular because the sentence refers to one story’s plot.
Why the others are wrong:
- a: "effects" is incorrect here; as a verb, it means "brings about," but the sentence needs "affects" meaning "influences."
- b: "effect" should be "affects," and "plots" is unnecessary because the sentence refers to one plot.
- d: "affect" should be "affects," and "plots" should be "plot."
Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: No, I cannot take it anymore.
A)
Adjective
B)
Conjunction
C)
Preposition
D)
Interjection
The underlined word is likely "No," which is used here to express refusal or strong emotion. Such words that express sudden feeling, reaction, or exclamation are interjections. Therefore, option d is correct. Adjective is incorrect because it describes a noun, preposition is incorrect because it shows relation between words, and conjunction is incorrect because it joins words, phrases, or clauses.
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom: Weather the storm
A)
Endure hardship
B)
Defeat hardship
C)
Face hardship
D)
Challenge hardship
"Weather the storm" means to survive or endure a difficult situation until it passes. So, option (a) Endure hardship is correct. Option (c) Face hardship is too general and does not capture the idea of surviving through difficulty. Option (b) Defeat hardship means overcoming it, which is stronger than the idiom’s meaning. Option (d) Challenge hardship means to confront difficulty, but not necessarily to bear it through.
Choose the correct option to define the term: Speleology is
A)
the science of law.
B)
the study of caves.
C)
the study of tissues.
D)
the study of inscriptions.
Speleology is the scientific study of caves, including their formation, structure, and ecosystems, so option b is correct. Option c is incorrect because the study of tissues is histology. Option d is incorrect because the study of inscriptions is epigraphy. Option a is incorrect because the science of law is jurisprudence.
Rewrite the sentence 'Would that I were your son!' as an Assertive sentence:
A)
I wish I was your son.
B)
I wish I am your son.
C)
I wish I were your son.
D)
I wish that I were your son.
"Would that I were your son!" expresses a wish, so the assertive form is "I wish I were your son." Option (c) is correct because it preserves the same meaning and uses the subjunctive "were" after "wish." Option (d) is also close in meaning, but the standard expected transformation is the simpler assertive form in (c). Option (b) is incorrect because "I am" is not used after "wish" for an unreal present situation. Option (a) is generally considered less correct in formal grammar here because "were" is preferred over "was" in a wish expressing an unreal condition.
Combine the sentences 'That is the town.' and 'I was born there.' into a Complex sentence:
A)
That is the town I was born.
B)
That is the town in where I was born.
C)
That is the town I was born there.
D)
That is the town where I was born.
Option d is correct: "That is the town where I was born." It combines the two simple sentences into a complex sentence by using the relative adverb "where" to modify "town" and show place.
Why the others are wrong:
- b: "in where" is ungrammatical; "where" already means "in which/at which," so "in" is unnecessary and incorrect.
- c: "I was born there" repeats the place idea redundantly and does not form a proper complex sentence.
- a: "That is the town I was born" is incomplete/incorrect because it lacks the needed relative word or preposition (it should be "where I was born" or "in which I was born").
Choose the correct option that conveys the meaning of the idiom in the sentence: 'This watch costs an arm and a leg.'
A)
Very inexpensive
B)
Very reasonable
C)
Very expensive
D)
Quite moderate
The idiom "costs an arm and a leg" means something is extremely expensive. Therefore, option c (Very expensive) is correct. Option d (Quite moderate), option b (Very reasonable), and option a (Very inexpensive) are incorrect because they describe low or moderate cost, which is the opposite of the idiom's meaning.