English MCQs – Set 1
Practice 20 important English MCQs covering idioms, sentence correction, pairs of verbs and one-word substitutions. Click Show Correct Answer to reveal the answer and a short explanation.
1. What does the idiom “A blessing in disguise” mean?
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Correct Answer: B. Something that appears bad but turns out to be beneficial
A blessing in disguise is an apparently unfortunate event that ultimately produces a good result.
A blessing in disguise is an apparently unfortunate event that ultimately produces a good result.
2. What does “Hit the nail on the head” mean?
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Correct Answer: C. To describe or identify something exactly
The expression means to say or do exactly the right thing regarding a problem or situation.
The expression means to say or do exactly the right thing regarding a problem or situation.
3. What is the meaning of “Burn the midnight oil”?
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Correct Answer: B. To work or study late into the night
The idiom is commonly used for someone working or studying until very late.
The idiom is commonly used for someone working or studying until very late.
4. What does “Once in a blue moon” mean?
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Correct Answer: C. Very rarely
Something that happens once in a blue moon happens extremely infrequently.
Something that happens once in a blue moon happens extremely infrequently.
5. What does “Spill the beans” mean?
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Correct Answer: A. To reveal a secret
To spill the beans means to disclose secret or previously hidden information.
To spill the beans means to disclose secret or previously hidden information.
6. Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
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Correct Answer: C. He does not know me.
After “does not,” the base form of the verb is used: know, not knows.
After “does not,” the base form of the verb is used: know, not knows.
7. Choose the correct sentence:
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Correct Answer: B. She is senior to me.
The adjective “senior” normally takes the preposition “to,” not “than.”
The adjective “senior” normally takes the preposition “to,” not “than.”
8. Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
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Correct Answer: B. Neither of the boys is present.
In formal usage, “neither” is treated as singular here and therefore takes “is.”
In formal usage, “neither” is treated as singular here and therefore takes “is.”
9. Choose the correct sentence:
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Correct Answer: B. He has been living here for five years.
“For” is used with a period of time, while “since” normally introduces a starting point.
“For” is used with a period of time, while “since” normally introduces a starting point.
10. Choose the correct sentence:
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Correct Answer: C. One of my friends is a doctor.
“One of” is followed by a plural noun, but the subject “one” takes a singular verb.
“One of” is followed by a plural noun, but the subject “one” takes a singular verb.
11. Choose the correct word: The new policy may _____ the country's economy.
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Correct Answer: B. Affect
“Affect” is normally a verb meaning to influence, while “effect” is commonly used as a noun meaning a result.
“Affect” is normally a verb meaning to influence, while “effect” is commonly used as a noun meaning a result.
12. Choose the correct word: Please _____ the book on the table.
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Correct Answer: B. Lay
“Lay” means to put or place something somewhere and requires an object. Here, the object is “the book.”
“Lay” means to put or place something somewhere and requires an object. Here, the object is “the book.”
13. Choose the correct word: The sun _____ in the east.
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Correct Answer: B. Rises
“Rise” is intransitive and means to move upward. “Raise” normally requires an object.
“Rise” is intransitive and means to move upward. “Raise” normally requires an object.
14. Choose the correct word: The teacher _____ the students to work harder.
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Correct Answer: A. Advised
“Advise” is the verb, while “advice” is the noun. The sentence requires the past-tense verb “advised.”
“Advise” is the verb, while “advice” is the noun. The sentence requires the past-tense verb “advised.”
15. Choose the correct word: The medicine will _____ your pain.
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Correct Answer: A. Alleviate
“Alleviate” means to make pain, suffering or a problem less severe.
“Alleviate” means to make pain, suffering or a problem less severe.
16. A person who knows and uses several languages is called a:
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Correct Answer: B. Polyglot
A polyglot is a person who knows or uses several languages.
A polyglot is a person who knows or uses several languages.
17. A person who does not believe in the existence of God is called an:
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Correct Answer: B. Atheist
An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods.
An atheist is a person who does not believe in the existence of a god or gods.
18. A person who writes dictionaries is called a:
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Correct Answer: C. Lexicographer
A lexicographer is a person who compiles, writes or edits dictionaries.
A lexicographer is a person who compiles, writes or edits dictionaries.
19. A speech delivered without previous preparation is called:
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Correct Answer: B. Extempore
An extempore speech is delivered with little or no prior preparation.
An extempore speech is delivered with little or no prior preparation.
20. A person who looks at the bright side of things is called an:
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Correct Answer: C. Optimist
An optimist tends to expect positive outcomes and focuses on the favourable aspects of situations.
An optimist tends to expect positive outcomes and focuses on the favourable aspects of situations.
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