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
851
They have informed him of his mother's death.
Answer:
He has been informed of his mother's death.
**Rule**: To convert a Present Perfect Tense sentence to passive voice, use **Object + has/have + been + V3**. The agent 'by them' can be omitted when it is vague or unimportant.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'him' becomes the subject 'He'. The verb 'has been informed' is the correct passive form for the Present Perfect Tense. Omitting 'by them' is natural and correct in this context.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: While grammatically correct, including 'by them' is often considered redundant when the agent is a vague pronoun like 'they'. Option (c) is more concise.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
852
Do not disturb the sleeping dog.
Answer:
Let the sleeping dog not be disturbed.
**Rule**: For negative imperative sentences (commands or advice), the passive voice can be formed using the structure **Let + object + not + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: This option correctly follows the 'Let' structure for a negative command. 'the sleeping dog' is the object, followed by 'not be' and the past participle 'disturbed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This structure ('is not to be') is grammatically awkward and not the standard passive form for this imperative.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Advised' is possible, but the original sentence sounds more like a warning or command, for which 'Let' is a better fit.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'Should' introduces a sense of moral obligation or advice, changing the tone from a direct command.
853
The author is writing a new book.
Answer:
A new book is being written by the author.
**Rule**: To convert a Present Continuous Tense sentence to passive voice, the structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'a new book' becomes the subject. Since it is singular, 'is' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'written'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
854
I will have to consult a doctor.
Answer:
A doctor will have to be consulted by me.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses a modal-like structure such as 'will have to', the passive form is **Object + will have to + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'a doctor' becomes the subject. The structure 'will have to be consulted' is the correct passive form for the future obligation expressed by 'will have to'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This omits 'have to', changing the meaning from future obligation to a simple future action.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'is to be' changes the tense and meaning to a present plan or arrangement.
855
The event manager is arranging the chairs for the concert.
Answer:
The chairs are being arranged by the event manager for the concert.
**Rule**: To change a Present Continuous Tense sentence from active to passive voice, we use the structure: **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the chairs' becomes the subject. Since 'chairs' is plural, 'are' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle of 'arrange' which is 'arranged'. The original subject 'the event manager' becomes the object of the preposition 'by'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This option incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous by using 'were being'. The original sentence is in the Present Continuous Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This option incorrectly changes the tense to Future Simple by using 'will be'.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This option incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect by using 'have been'.
856
His behavior disappoints me.
Answer:
I am disappointed with his behavior.
**Rule**: Certain verbs, especially those related to feelings, take prepositions other than 'by' in the passive voice. The verb 'disappointed' is often followed by **'with'** or **'at'**. The active sentence is in the Simple Present Tense.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'me' becomes 'I'. The passive verb form 'am disappointed' is correct for the Simple Present. The preposition 'with' is idiomatically correct here.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: While 'by' is sometimes used, 'with' is a common and correct alternative in this context.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
857
The tiger was chasing the deer.
Answer:
The deer was being chased by the tiger.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the deer' becomes the subject. Since 'deer' can be singular here, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'chased'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
858
Inform the police immediately.
Answer:
Let the police be informed immediately.
**Rule**: Imperative sentences that express a command or urgent instruction are often converted to passive voice using the structure: **Let + object + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: This option correctly applies the 'Let' structure for a command. 'the police' is the object, followed by 'be' and the past participle 'informed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'Should' introduces a sense of advice or duty, which is slightly different from a direct command.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Requested' is incorrect as the tone is one of urgency, not a polite request.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: The infinitive marker 'to' is incorrect after 'police' in this structure.
859
Shut the door and leave.
Answer:
Let the door be shut and you are ordered to leave.
**Rule**: When an imperative sentence contains two commands, they are converted to passive voice separately and joined by a conjunction. The first part 'Shut the door' is a command and can be passivized using 'Let'. The second part 'leave' is also a command, implying 'You leave', which can be passivized as 'You are ordered to leave'.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: 'Let the door be shut' is the correct passive form for the first command. 'you are ordered to leave' is a suitable passive form for the second implied command.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'Shutted' is not the correct past participle of 'shut' (it's 'shut'), and 'you be left' is grammatically incorrect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'is to be' changes the imperative mood to one of obligation.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'Advised' is not appropriate for a direct command like 'leave'.
860
They were carrying the injured player off the field.
Answer:
The injured player was being carried off the field.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**. The agent ('by them') can be omitted when it is vague or unimportant.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'the injured player' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'carried'. Omitting 'by them' is natural here.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.