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
981
Someone stole the jewels from the museum.
Answer:
The jewels were stolen from the museum.
**Rule**: For a Simple Past Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + was/were + V3**. The indefinite subject 'someone' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the jewels' becomes the subject. Since 'jewels' is plural, 'were' is used, followed by the past participle 'stolen'. The agent 'by someone' is correctly omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous and unnecessarily includes the vague agent 'by someone'.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
982
Let us discuss the matter.
Answer:
Both b and c are correct.
**Rule**: Imperative sentences starting with 'Let us' (Let's) suggest a proposal. They can be converted to passive voice in two main ways: using **'It is suggested that...'** or **'Let + object + be + V3'**.
- **Correct Answer (d)**: Both (b) and (c) are valid passive forms.
- (b) treats the sentence as a suggestion, which is a common interpretation of 'Let us'.
- (c) follows the standard 'Let' structure for imperatives, keeping the agent 'by us'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: While grammatically similar, 'should' is a direct statement of advice, whereas the original is a proposal.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This is a correct form, but (c) is also correct.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This is a correct form, but (b) is also correct.
983
What did she write?
Answer:
What was written by her?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Simple Past Tense starting with 'What', the passive structure is **What + was/were + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The 'Wh-' word 'What' remains at the beginning and acts as the subject. The passive verb form 'was written' is correct for the Simple Past Tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Past Continuous.
984
You ought to respect your promises.
Answer:
Your promises ought to be respected.
**Rule**: For sentences with modal verbs (like ought to), the passive structure is **Object + modal verb + be + V3**. The agent 'by you' is omitted.
- **Correct Answer (b)**: The object 'Your promises' becomes the subject. The modal 'ought to' is followed by 'be' and the past participle 'respected'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'must' is a different modal, implying a stronger obligation.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This changes the modal structure entirely, altering the meaning to past necessity.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: 'ought to have been' is the passive form for a past modal, which changes the tense.
985
The team was not following the instructions.
Answer:
The instructions were not being followed by the team.
**Rule**: For a negative sentence in the Past Continuous Tense, the passive structure is **Object + was/were + not + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The object 'the instructions' becomes the subject. The passive verb form 'were not being followed' correctly reflects the negative Past Continuous tense.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: 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 Present Continuous.
986
The company is considering all applications.
Answer:
All applications are being considered by the company.
**Rule**: For a Present Continuous Tense sentence, the passive structure is **Object + is/am/are + being + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'all applications' becomes the subject. Since 'applications' is plural, 'are' is used, followed by 'being' and the past participle 'considered'.
- **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.
987
They were giving the refugees food and shelter.
Answer:
The refugees were being given food and shelter.
**Rule**: For a Past Continuous Tense sentence with two objects, the indirect object can become the subject. The passive structure is **Object + was/were + being + V3**. The agent 'by them' can be omitted.
- **Correct Answer (a)**: The indirect object 'the refugees' becomes the subject. The verb form 'were being given' is the correct passive for the Past Continuous. The direct object 'food and shelter' follows. The agent 'by them' is correctly omitted.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (c)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Past.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
988
You might have left the keys in the car.
Answer:
The keys might have been left in the car by you.
**Rule**: For sentences with past modals (modal + have + V3), the passive structure is **Object + modal + have been + V3 + by + Subject**.
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The object 'the keys' becomes the subject. The past modal passive form 'might have been left' is the correct construction.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'might be left' is the passive form for a present modal ('might leave'), not a past modal.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: The addition of 'to' is incorrect and changes the meaning.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the structure to Past Perfect tense.
989
The teacher is going to grade the papers tomorrow.
Answer:
The papers are going to be graded by the teacher tomorrow.
**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 (c)**: The object 'the papers' becomes the subject. The structure 'are going to be graded' is the correct passive conversion of 'is going to grade'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: This is the passive of the Present Continuous, which, while possible for future plans, is not a direct conversion of the 'going to' form.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This changes the structure to the 'will' future.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.
990
How will you manage this situation?
Answer:
How will this situation be managed by you?
**Rule**: For an interrogative sentence in the Future Simple Tense starting with a 'Wh-' word, the passive structure is **Wh- word + will/shall + object + be + V3 + by + subject?**
- **Correct Answer (c)**: The 'Wh-' word 'How' remains at the beginning. The modal 'will' is used, followed by the new subject 'this situation', 'be', and the past participle 'managed'.
- **Incorrect Answer (a)**: 'could' is an incorrect modal change.
- **Incorrect Answer (b)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Simple Present.
- **Incorrect Answer (d)**: This incorrectly changes the tense to Present Perfect.