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
111
The art teacher said, “I never tell my students what to draw. I tell them to imagine.”
Answer:
The art teacher said that she never told her students what to draw. She told them to imagine.
Past narration: present simple → past simple (never tell → never told; tell → told**). Both clauses follow past tense.
112
“If the rains don’t stop we will have to move the animals to another place,” said the zoo official.
Answer:
The zoo official said that if the rains didn’t stop they would have to move the animals to another place.
First conditional in direct speech → second conditional in indirect. Don’t stop → didn’t stop. Will have to → would have to.**
113
The salesgirl said, “Forgive me but this dress is already sold.”
Answer:
The salesgirl begged forgiveness and regretted that that dress was already sold.
“Forgive me” becomes begged forgiveness**. Present simple (“is already sold”) changes to past simple (“was already sold”).
114
The airport helper said, “Should I fetch you a trolley?”
Answer:
The airport helper asked me if he should fetch me a trolley.
Yes/No question → asked if. Modal “should” stays unchanged in reported speech. Correct word order = if he should fetch…**
115
She said to her friend, "Where did you go yesterday?"
Answer:
She asked her friend where she had gone the day before.
Past simple in direct speech → past perfect in indirect (did go → had gone). “Yesterday” → “the day before.” The question structure changes to statement order (where she had gone**, not “where had she gone”).
116
“Don’t use your mobile while crossing the road,” I said to him.
Answer:
I advised him not to use his mobile while crossing the road.
Negative imperatives in reported speech become advised/told + object + not to + verb. “Don’t use” → not to use**. Option (a) is wrong because of the extra “to.” Option (c) is present continuous (not correct for narration). Option (d) is grammatically incorrect (“said him” ❌).
117
The examiner said to the candidates, “Write your names on the answer sheets.”
Answer:
The examiner ordered the candidates to write their names on the answer sheets.
Imperative in reported speech → ordered/told + object + to-infinitive**.
118
The old man said, “May Allah bless you with success.”
Answer:
The old man wished that Allah might bless me with success.
May → might** in reported speech when expressing wishes/prayers.
119
The farmer said, “We planted wheat last year.”
Answer:
The farmer said that they had planted wheat the previous year.
Past simple → past perfect (planted → had planted). Last year → the previous year**.
120
Maryam said, “I was cooking when you called me.”
Answer:
Maryam said that she had been cooking when I called her.
Past continuous → past perfect continuous (was cooking → had been cooking). The second past simple verb remains as called**.