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
901
The teacher had not yet checked the papers.
Answer:
The papers had not yet been checked by the teacher.
**Rule**: For a negative sentence in the Past Perfect Tense, the passive structure is **Object + had + not + been + V3**. Adverbs like 'yet' are usually placed after 'not'.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the papers' becomes the subject. The verb form 'had not yet been checked' is the correct passive construction and adverb placement.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: The word order 'yet not' is grammatically incorrect.
902
The government has launched a new scheme for farmers.
Answer:
A new scheme for farmers has been launched by the government.
**Rule**: For a Present Perfect Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + has/have + been + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'a new scheme for farmers' becomes the subject. Since it's singular, 'has' is used, followed by 'been' and the past participle 'launched'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect.
903
He did not obey the orders.
Answer:
The orders were not obeyed by him.
**Rule**: For a negative sentence in the Simple Past Tense, the passive voice structure is **Object + was/were + not + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'the orders' becomes the subject. Since 'orders' is plural, 'were' is used, followed by 'not' and the past participle 'obeyed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
904
The organization has to help the needy.
Answer:
The needy have to be helped by the organization.
**Rule**: When the active sentence uses 'has to'/'have to', the passive form is **Object + has/have to + be + V3**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the needy' (which is plural) becomes the subject. Since the subject is plural, it takes 'have to be', followed by the past participle 'helped'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'have been helped' is the passive of the Present Perfect Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'had to be' incorrectly changes the tense to the past.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'are to be' implies a plan, which is a different meaning.
905
The news of his success pleased his parents.
Answer:
His parents were pleased with the news of his success.
**Rule**: Certain verbs, especially those related to emotions, often take prepositions other than 'by'. The verb 'pleased' is commonly followed by **'with'**. The active sentence is in the Simple Past Tense.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'his parents' becomes the subject. The passive verb form 'were pleased' is correct for the Simple Past. The preposition 'with' is idiomatically correct here.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present and uses the less common preposition 'by'.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: While 'by' is sometimes possible, 'with' is the more standard preposition for 'pleased'.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
906
They consider him a genius.
Answer:
He is considered a genius.
**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 agent ('by them') can be omitted. The sentence is in the Simple Present tense.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: The object 'him' becomes the subject 'He'. The verb 'consider' becomes 'is considered'. The object complement 'a genius' follows the verb. Omitting 'by them' is natural and common.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: Adding 'to be' is possible but not necessary with the verb 'consider'. Option (d) is more direct and concise.
907
Did the team win the championship?
Answer:
Was the championship won by the team?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Simple Past Tense starting with 'Did', the passive structure is **Was/Were + object + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the championship' is singular, so the sentence starts with 'Was'. This is followed by the object and the past participle 'won'.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 'Were' is incorrect because the subject 'the championship' is singular.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
908
Has somebody cleaned the windows?
Answer:
Have the windows been cleaned?
**Rule**: To convert an interrogative sentence in the Present Perfect Tense to passive voice, the structure is **Has/Have + object + been + V3?** The indefinite subject 'somebody' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the windows' is plural, so the sentence starts with 'Have'. This is followed by the object, 'been', and the past participle 'cleaned'. The agent 'by somebody' is correctly omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Perfect and unnecessarily includes the agent.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This is not in the correct interrogative word order.
909
Did the noise from the party disturb you?
Answer:
Were you disturbed by the noise from the party?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Simple Past Tense starting with 'Did', the passive structure is **Was/Were + object + V3 + by + subject?** The verb must agree with the new subject.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'you' becomes the subject. 'You' always takes the plural verb 'were'. The past participle 'disturbed' is used correctly.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'Was' is grammatically incorrect with the pronoun 'you'.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
910
The team was celebrating its victory.
Answer:
The victory was being celebrated by the team.
**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 'its victory' becomes the subject 'The victory'. Since it's singular, 'was' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'celebrated'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Continuous.