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
871
Someone gave her a bulldog.
Answer:
She was given a bulldog.
**Rule**: For a Simple Past Tense sentence with two objects (indirect 'her' and direct 'a bulldog'), either can become the subject of the passive sentence. When the subject is an indefinite pronoun like 'someone', it is omitted in the passive voice.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The indirect object 'her' becomes the subject 'She'. The verb form 'was given' is correct for the Simple Past Tense. This is a very common and natural passive construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is also grammatically correct, using the direct object 'A bulldog' as the subject. However, option (b) is often preferred.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
872
I will not tolerate this nonsense.
Answer:
This nonsense will not be tolerated by me.
**Rule**: For a sentence in the Future Simple Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + will/shall + not + be + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'This nonsense' becomes the subject. The verb form 'will not be tolerated' is the correct passive construction for a negative sentence in the future simple tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'cannot' changes the meaning from a statement of will to a statement of ability.
873
Let him complete his task.
Answer:
Let his task be completed by him.
**Rule**: An active sentence that already begins with 'Let' followed by an object and a bare infinitive has the passive structure: **Let + new subject (direct object) + be + V3 + by + new object (original object)**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The direct object 'his task' becomes the new subject after 'Let'. This is followed by 'be' and the past participle 'completed'. The original object 'him' becomes the agent 'by him'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This omits the agent 'by him', making the sentence less precise than the original.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Should' changes the imperative mood to one of suggestion or obligation.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This changes the subject to 'us' (Let's = Let us) and is an active voice suggestion, not a passive transformation.
874
Will you have finished the assignment by 5 PM?
Answer:
Will the assignment have been finished by you by 5 PM?
**Rule**: To convert an interrogative sentence in the Future Perfect Tense to passive voice, the structure is **Will/Shall + object + have been + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The modal 'Will' remains at the beginning. The object 'the assignment' follows, then 'have been' and the past participle 'finished'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly uses the Future Simple passive form ('be finished') instead of the Future Perfect passive.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is missing 'been' and is grammatically incorrect.
875
I was writing an essay.
Answer:
An essay was being written by me.
**Rule**: To convert a Past Continuous Tense sentence to passive voice, the structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'an essay' becomes the subject. Since it is singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'written'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
876
The people will elect him President.
Answer:
He will be elected President by the people.
**Rule**: In a sentence with an object and an object complement, the object becomes the subject of the passive sentence, and the complement remains. The structure for Future Simple is **Object + will + be + V3 + Complement**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'him' becomes the subject 'He'. The verb form 'will be elected' is correct. The object complement 'President' follows the verb.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'would' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is grammatically awkward; 'He' is the one being elected, so 'He' should be the subject.
877
The boys were digging a hole in the ground.
Answer:
A hole was being dug in the ground by the boys.
**Rule**: To convert a Past Continuous Tense sentence to passive voice, the structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'a hole' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'dug'. The prepositional phrase 'in the ground' is correctly placed.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: While grammatically possible, starting with the prepositional phrase makes the sentence less natural than option (a).
878
The committee is looking into the matter.
Answer:
The matter is being looked into by the committee.
**Rule**: For sentences in the Present Continuous Tense with a phrasal verb (like 'look into'), the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 (of main verb) + preposition + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'the matter' becomes the subject. The verb form 'is being looked into' correctly reflects the passive voice of the Present Continuous Tense, keeping the preposition 'into' with the verb.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
879
Do not insult the poor.
Answer:
Let the poor not be insulted.
**Rule**: For negative imperative sentences (commands or advice), the passive voice can be formed using the structure **Let + object + not + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: This option correctly follows the 'Let' structure for a negative command. 'the poor' is the object, followed by 'not be' and the past participle 'insulted'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: While 'You are warned' can be used for some commands, the 'Let' structure is a more direct and common passive form for this type of imperative.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: 'Should' introduces a sense of moral obligation or advice, which changes the tone from a direct command.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This structure ('are not to be') is grammatically awkward and not the standard passive form for this imperative.
880
People believe that he is a great scholar.
Answer:
It is believed that he is a great scholar.
**Rule**: For sentences with a reporting verb (like believe, say, think) and a 'that'-clause, one common passive form starts with **'It'**. The structure is **It + is/was + V3 (of reporting verb) + that-clause**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The sentence is correctly transformed by starting with 'It', followed by the passive form of 'believe' ('is believed'), and then the original 'that'-clause remains unchanged.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This changes the tense of the reporting verb to past ('was believed') and alters the structure, which is a different type of passive transformation that is less direct here.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: The word order is awkward and unnatural.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This structure is grammatically incorrect and confusing.