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
861
Please bring me a glass of water.
Answer:
You are requested to bring me a glass of water.
**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 (a)**: The word 'Please' indicates a request. Therefore, the passive form 'You are requested to...' is the most appropriate structure.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: While 'Let' is used for some imperative sentences, 'You are requested to' is more suitable for polite requests.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: The original sentence is a request, not an order, so 'You are ordered to' is incorrect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'Should' suggests advice or obligation, which does not fit the context of a simple request.
862
The government is building new bridges.
Answer:
New bridges are being built by the government.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'new bridges' becomes the subject. Since 'bridges' is plural, 'are' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'built'.
- **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.
863
The old lady tells us fascinating stories.
Answer:
Both a and b are correct.
**Rule**: For a Simple Present Tense sentence with two objects (indirect 'us' and direct 'fascinating stories'), either can become the subject of the passive sentence.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: Both (a) and (b) are correct passive transformations.
- In (a), the direct object 'Fascinating stories' becomes the subject. The passive verb is 'are told', and the indirect object 'us' is preceded by 'to'.
- In (b), the indirect object 'us' becomes the subject 'We'. The passive verb is 'are told', and the direct object 'fascinating stories' follows.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is correct, but (b) is also correct.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This is correct, but (a) is also correct.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
864
The host was welcoming the guests.
Answer:
The guests were being welcomed by the host.
**Rule**: To convert a Past Continuous Tense sentence to passive voice, the structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'the guests' becomes the subject. Since 'guests' is plural, 'were' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'welcomed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 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.
865
We are teaching the students a new lesson.
Answer:
A new lesson is being taught to the students by us.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence with two objects, either can become the subject in the passive form. The structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The direct object 'a new lesson' is made the subject. The verb form 'is being taught' is correct for the tense. The indirect object 'the students' is correctly preceded by 'to'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
866
Help the needy.
Answer:
You are advised to help the needy.
**Rule**: Imperative sentences that give advice can be converted to passive voice using the structure **'You are advised to'** followed by the base form of the verb, or by using **Object + should be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The sentence 'Help the needy' is a form of advice. Therefore, 'You are advised to help the needy' is an appropriate passive construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'are to be' implies an arrangement or plan, not advice.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Let' is more commonly used for commands or orders, not for general advice.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'must' implies a strong obligation, which is stronger than the advice given in the original sentence.
867
The chef is preparing a special dish.
Answer:
A special dish is being prepared by the chef.
**Rule**: To convert a Present Continuous Tense sentence to passive voice, the structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'a special dish' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'is' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'prepared'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This changes the tense to Simple Present Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This changes the tense to Past Continuous Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This changes the tense to Present Perfect Tense.
868
Who wrote the play 'Hamlet'?
Answer:
By whom was the play 'Hamlet' written?
**Rule**: Interrogative sentences in the Simple Past Tense starting with 'Who' are converted to passive voice using **By whom + was/were + object + V3?**
- **Correct Answer (a)**: 'Who' becomes 'By whom'. The object 'the play \'Hamlet\'' is singular, so 'was' is used, followed by the past participle 'written'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'who' is the nominative case and incorrect after the preposition 'by'; the objective case 'whom' is required.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is not the standard interrogative word order for such questions in passive voice.
869
The company will hire new employees next month.
Answer:
New employees will be hired by the company next month.
**Rule**: For a Future Simple Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + will/shall + be + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'new employees' becomes the subject. The verb form 'will be hired' is the correct passive construction for the Future Simple Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect change of the modal verb.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Future Perfect.
870
The artists were rehearsing the play.
Answer:
The play was being rehearsed by the artists.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'the play' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'rehearsed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.