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
381
Ayaan said that he had been to Goa the previous year also.
Answer:
Ayaan said, “I had been to Goa the previous year also.”
had been** stays in past perfect when reversed; “previous year” matches indirect. (c) mixes “have been” with last year, (d) awkward tense.
382
The doctor advised Fatima to put the eye drops into her eyes four times a day from the next day.
Answer:
The doctor advised Fatima, “From tomorrow put the eye drops into your eyes four times a day.”
Indirect imperative → direct as “Put …” with from tomorrow**. (a) awkward tense, (c) “advises” incorrect, (d) wrong pronoun “her.”
383
The minister said, “It is tragic that the Australian bush fires have claimed the lives of so many helpless animals.”
Answer:
The minister said that it was tragic that the Australian bush fires had claimed the lives of so many helpless animals.
is → was, have claimed → had claimed** under backshift. (b) simple past weakens aspect, (c) progressive doesn’t match, (d) wrong continuous form.
384
Mariam said to me, "I need your help for my new assignment."
Answer:
Mariam told me that she needed my help for her new assignment.
“said to” → “told + object”; present → past (need → needed**); pronouns shift: “your → my,” “my → her.” Other options misuse tense/pronouns.
385
Bilal said, "I have finally cleared my exams with distinction!"
Answer:
Bilal exclaimed that he had finally cleared his exams with distinction.
Present perfect → past perfect under backshift (have cleared → had cleared**). The exclamatory tone requires “exclaimed.” (a) wrong agreement, (b) keeps present perfect, (c) drops “finally.”
386
The foreigner said to the farmer, “Can you tell me the way to the nearest hotel?”
Answer:
The foreigner enquired of the farmer if he could tell him the way to the nearest hotel.
Polite Yes/No question → enquired/asked of + object + if; can → could (backshift); pronouns shift appropriately (you → he, me → him). Verbs like told/suggested/exclaimed** don’t fit question reporting. **
387
“It is a fact that kids model parental behaviour,” said the researcher.
Answer:
The researcher said that it is a fact that kids model parental behaviour.
Reporting said + general fact → keep present is/model (no backshift for universal truths). (d) changes reporting verb to says**.
388
Peter said, "He broke his glasses."
Answer:
Peter said that he had broken his glasses.
Past simple broke → past perfect had broken** under backshift.
389
The lion asked the lioness, "Where will you hide yourself, until I return?”
Answer:
The lion asked the lioness where she would hide herself, until he returned.
WH-question → asked + where + clause (no inversion); will → would; I return → he returned** (pronoun & tense shift).
390
I said to Kirti, "These plants will take about two months to flower."
Answer:
I told Kirti that those plants would take about two months to flower.
these → those; will → would** (backshift).