General English MCQs
Topic Notes: General English
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1011
The chef is going to prepare a special menu.
Answer:
A special menu is going to be prepared by the chef.
**Rule**: For active sentences using the 'be going to' future form, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + going to be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'a special menu' becomes the subject. The structure 'is going to be prepared' is the correct passive conversion.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This changes the structure to the 'will' future.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
1012
The committee will announce the winner later.
Answer:
The winner will be announced later by the committee.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Future Simple Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + will/shall + be + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the winner' becomes the subject. The verb form 'will be announced' is the correct passive construction for the Future Simple Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Future Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: Using 'would' instead of 'will' changes the modal and the certainty of the action.
1013
The police were questioning the suspect.
Answer:
The suspect was being questioned by the police.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the suspect' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'questioned'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
1014
Who is making these arrangements?
Answer:
By whom are these arrangements being made?
**Rule**: Interrogative sentences in the Present Continuous Tense starting with 'Who' are converted to passive voice using **By whom + is/am/are + object + being + V3?**
- **Correct Answer (d)**: 'Who' becomes 'By whom'. The object 'these arrangements' is plural, so 'are' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'made'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
1015
Why did she sell the car?
Answer:
Why was the car sold by her?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Simple Past Tense starting with a 'Wh-' word, the passive structure is **Wh- word + was/were + object + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The 'Wh-' word 'Why' remains at the beginning. The object 'the car' is singular, so 'was' is used, followed by the past participle 'sold'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is not in the correct interrogative word order.
1016
The committee is discussing the matter.
Answer:
The matter is being discussed by the committee.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the matter' becomes the subject. Since it is singular, 'is' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'discussed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
1017
Please sign these documents.
Answer:
You are requested to sign these documents.
**Rule**: Imperative sentences that make a request (often starting with 'Please' or 'Kindly') are converted into passive voice using the phrase **'You are requested to'** followed by the base form of the verb.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The word 'Please' indicates a polite request. Therefore, 'You are requested to...' is the most appropriate passive structure.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: The 'Let' structure is more common for commands than for polite requests.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'Should' suggests advice or obligation, which is different from a request.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'ordered' is incorrect as the original sentence is a request, not a command.
1018
They are pulling down the old theatre.
Answer:
The old theatre is being pulled down.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence with a phrasal verb, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + preposition/adverb + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the old theatre' becomes the subject. The verb form 'is being pulled down' correctly reflects the passive voice of the Present Continuous Tense, keeping the particle 'down' with the verb. The agent 'by them' is omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
1019
Let us organize a party.
Answer:
It is suggested that a party should be organized.
**Rule**: An imperative sentence starting with 'Let us' which indicates a suggestion is best converted to passive voice using the structure: **'It is suggested that...'**
- **Correct Answer (b)**: This option correctly captures the suggestive tone of the original sentence. 'Let us' is interpreted as a proposal.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This changes the imperative mood to a simple future statement.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: While the 'Let' structure is used for commands, it is less common for suggestions starting with 'Let us'. The form in (b) is more appropriate.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'is to be' implies a plan or an order, which does not fit the suggestive nature of the sentence.
1020
I will have to cancel my trip.
Answer:
My trip will have to be cancelled by me.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'will have to', the passive form is **Object + will have to + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'my trip' becomes the subject. The structure 'will have to be cancelled' is the correct passive form for the future necessity.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is the passive of the Future Perfect Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This omits 'have to', changing the meaning.