General English Questions and Answers for Competitive Exams
Practice these most important General English MCQs for competitive exams such as SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Bank PO, Banking, NDA, Railway, Defence and other government examinations. The questions cover important topics including grammar, tenses, subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, error detection, sentence improvement, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, spelling, phrasal verbs, vocabulary, fillers and sentence correction.
Q1. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He do not know the answer.
B. He does not knows the answer.
C. He does not know the answer.
D. He did not knows the answer.
View Answer
After the auxiliary verb “does”, the main verb is used in its base form. Therefore, “does not know” is correct.
Q2. Identify the part of the sentence that contains an error: “Neither of the two boys have completed his homework.”
A. Neither of the two boys
B. have completed
C. his homework
D. No error
View Answer
“Neither” is singular and normally takes a singular verb. The correct form is “has completed”.
Q3. Choose the correct article: He is ___ honest man.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
View Answer
“Honest” begins with a vowel sound because the “h” is silent. Therefore, “an” is used.
Q4. Choose the correct preposition: She is good ___ mathematics.
A. in
B. on
C. at
D. with
View Answer
The standard expression is “good at” when referring to ability or skill.
Q5. Choose the correct form: By this time next year, I ___ my course.
A. complete
B. completed
C. will have completed
D. have completed
View Answer
An action that will be completed before a specified time in the future takes the future perfect tense.
Q6. Choose the synonym of “Abundant”.
A. Scarce
B. Plentiful
C. Limited
D. Rare
View Answer
“Abundant” means available in large quantities or plentiful.
Q7. Choose the antonym of “Ancient”.
A. Old
B. Historic
C. Modern
D. Primitive
View Answer
“Ancient” means very old, while “modern” refers to the present or recent times.
Q8. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Accomodation
B. Accommodation
C. Acommodation
D. Accommadation
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Accommodation”, with double “c” and double “m”.
Q9. What is the meaning of the idiom “A blessing in disguise”?
A. A hidden danger
B. Something that appears bad but proves beneficial
C. A religious ceremony
D. An unexpected punishment
View Answer
The idiom refers to something that initially seems unfortunate but eventually turns out to be advantageous.
Q10. One who knows and uses several languages is called a:
A. Linguist
B. Polyglot
C. Orator
D. Grammarian
View Answer
A polyglot is a person who knows or uses several languages.
Q11. Choose the correct passive voice: “The police arrested the thief.”
A. The thief arrested the police.
B. The thief was arrested by the police.
C. The thief has arrested by the police.
D. The thief is arrested by the police.
View Answer
The active sentence is in the simple past tense. Its passive form is “was/were + past participle”.
Q12. Change into indirect speech: He said, “I am busy.”
A. He said that I am busy.
B. He said that he was busy.
C. He says that he was busy.
D. He said that he is busy.
View Answer
When the reporting verb is in the past tense, “am” normally changes to “was” in reported speech.
Q13. Choose the correct word: The teacher asked the students to ___ attention.
A. make
B. pay
C. give
D. do
View Answer
The correct collocation is “pay attention”.
Q14. Identify the error: “Each of the players were given a medal.”
A. Each of the players
B. were given
C. a medal
D. No error
View Answer
“Each” is singular and therefore takes “was”. The correct sentence is “Each of the players was given a medal.”
Q15. Choose the synonym of “Diligent”.
A. Lazy
B. Careless
C. Hardworking
D. Negligent
View Answer
“Diligent” means hardworking, careful and persistent in one’s work.
Q16. Choose the antonym of “Expand”.
A. Increase
B. Extend
C. Contract
D. Enlarge
View Answer
“Contract” means to become smaller or reduce in size, which is the opposite of “expand”.
Q17. Choose the correct form: If I ___ rich, I would help the poor.
A. am
B. was
C. were
D. will be
View Answer
In a hypothetical or unreal condition, “were” is traditionally used with all subjects: “If I were…”
Q18. Choose the correct phrasal verb: The meeting was ___ because of heavy rain.
A. called off
B. called in
C. called on
D. called up
View Answer
“Call off” means to cancel something.
Q19. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is senior than me.
B. He is senior to me.
C. He is senior from me.
D. He is senior with me.
View Answer
The adjective “senior” is followed by the preposition “to”, not “than”.
Q20. Choose the one-word substitution: A person who cannot read or write is called:
A. Literate
B. Scholar
C. Illiterate
D. Graduate
View Answer
An illiterate person is unable to read or write.
Q21. Choose the correct option: Neither Ram nor his friends ___ present.
A. was
B. is
C. has
D. were
View Answer
With “neither…nor”, the verb generally agrees with the subject nearer to it. “Friends” is plural, so “were” is used.
Q22. Choose the synonym of “Brief”.
A. Lengthy
B. Concise
C. Extensive
D. Detailed
View Answer
“Brief” means short in duration or concise in expression.
Q23. Choose the antonym of “Transparent”.
A. Clear
B. Visible
C. Opaque
D. Bright
View Answer
“Opaque” means not allowing light to pass through and is the opposite of transparent.
Q24. Choose the correct article: He is ___ European citizen.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
View Answer
“European” begins with the consonant sound /juː/, so “a” is used before it.
Q25. Identify the error: “She is one of the best student in the class.”
A. She is
B. one of the
C. best student
D. in the class
View Answer
After “one of the”, a plural noun is required. The correct phrase is “one of the best students”.
Q26. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Priviledge
B. Privilege
C. Privelege
D. Privillage
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Privilege”.
Q27. What does the idiom “Hit the nail on the head” mean?
A. To injure someone
B. To make a mistake
C. To say or do exactly the right thing
D. To work carelessly
View Answer
The idiom means to identify or express something accurately.
Q28. Choose the correct form: I have been living here ___ 2018.
A. for
B. since
C. from
D. by
View Answer
“Since” is used with a specific point of time, such as 2018.
Q29. Choose the synonym of “Reluctant”.
A. Unwilling
B. Eager
C. Willing
D. Enthusiastic
View Answer
“Reluctant” means unwilling or hesitant to do something.
Q30. Choose the antonym of “Artificial”.
A. Synthetic
B. Natural
C. Manufactured
D. Imitated
View Answer
“Natural” is the opposite of “artificial”.
Q31. Choose the correct passive form: “Someone has stolen my wallet.”
A. My wallet has been stolen.
B. My wallet was stolen by someone.
C. My wallet is stolen.
D. My wallet had stolen.
View Answer
The present perfect passive is formed with “has/have been + past participle”.
Q32. Change into indirect speech: She said, “I have finished my work.”
A. She said that she has finished her work.
B. She said that she had finished her work.
C. She says that she had finished her work.
D. She said that I had finished my work.
View Answer
The present perfect “have finished” normally changes to past perfect “had finished” after a past reporting verb.
Q33. Choose the correct word: The news ___ true.
A. are
B. were
C. is
D. have
View Answer
“News” is grammatically singular and takes a singular verb.
Q34. Choose the correct preposition: He is suffering ___ fever.
A. with
B. from
C. by
D. of
View Answer
The standard expression is “suffer from” a disease or illness.
Q35. Choose the synonym of “Commence”.
A. End
B. Begin
C. Stop
D. Delay
View Answer
“Commence” means to begin or start.
Q36. Choose the antonym of “Victory”.
A. Success
B. Triumph
C. Defeat
D. Achievement
View Answer
“Defeat” is the opposite of victory.
Q37. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is accustomed to get up early.
B. He is accustomed to getting up early.
C. He is accustomed for getting up early.
D. He is accustomed with getting up early.
View Answer
“Accustomed to” is followed by a noun or gerund. Therefore, “getting” is correct.
Q38. A speech delivered without preparation is called:
A. Extempore
B. Dialogue
C. Prologue
D. Monologue
View Answer
An extempore speech is delivered without prior preparation.
Q39. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Questionnaire
B. Questionaire
C. Questionnair
D. Questinnaire
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Questionnaire”.
Q40. What does the idiom “Break the ice” mean?
A. To break something
B. To start a friendly conversation
C. To create a problem
D. To end a relationship
View Answer
“Break the ice” means to initiate conversation or make people feel more comfortable.
Q41. Choose the correct form: If you work hard, you ___ succeed.
A. would
B. will
C. would have
D. had
View Answer
This is a first conditional sentence: “If + present simple, will + base verb.”
Q42. Identify the error: “He has gone to Delhi yesterday.”
A. He has gone
B. to Delhi
C. yesterday
D. No error
View Answer
“Yesterday” refers to a definite past time, so the simple past “went” should be used.
Q43. Choose the synonym of “Obsolete”.
A. Modern
B. Current
C. Outdated
D. Recent
View Answer
“Obsolete” means no longer in use or outdated.
Q44. Choose the antonym of “Optimistic”.
A. Hopeful
B. Positive
C. Pessimistic
D. Confident
View Answer
“Optimistic” means hopeful or positive, while “pessimistic” expresses a negative expectation.
Q45. Choose the correct sentence.
A. The furniture in this room are expensive.
B. The furnitures in this room are expensive.
C. The furniture in this room is expensive.
D. The furniture in this room have expensive.
View Answer
“Furniture” is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
Q46. Choose the correct passive form: “They are repairing the road.”
A. The road repaired by them.
B. The road is being repaired by them.
C. The road was repaired by them.
D. The road has been repaired by them.
View Answer
The active sentence is in the present continuous tense. Its passive form is “is/am/are being + past participle”.
Q47. Choose the correct indirect speech: Ravi said to me, “Do you know him?”
A. Ravi asked me if I knew him.
B. Ravi told me if I knew him.
C. Ravi asked me that I know him.
D. Ravi said me whether I knew him.
View Answer
A yes/no question is reported using “if” or “whether”, and the question changes to statement word order.
Q48. Choose the correct preposition: He insisted ___ going there.
A. to
B. for
C. on
D. at
View Answer
The correct expression is “insist on” followed by a noun or gerund.
Q49. Choose the synonym of “Frugal”.
A. Extravagant
B. Economical
C. Wasteful
D. Careless
View Answer
“Frugal” means economical or careful in spending money.
Q50. Choose the antonym of “Hostile”.
A. Aggressive
B. Unfriendly
C. Friendly
D. Violent
View Answer
“Hostile” means unfriendly or antagonistic; “friendly” is its opposite.
Q51. Choose the correct form: The train had left before we ___ the station.
A. reach
B. reached
C. had reached
D. have reached
View Answer
The earlier action takes past perfect (“had left”), while the later action takes simple past (“reached”).
Q52. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Separate
B. Seperate
C. Seprate
D. Seperrate
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Separate”.
Q53. What does the idiom “Once in a blue moon” mean?
A. Very frequently
B. Very rarely
C. Every month
D. At night
View Answer
The idiom refers to something that happens very rarely.
Q54. A person who hates mankind is called a:
A. Philanthropist
B. Misanthrope
C. Optimist
D. Pacifist
View Answer
A misanthrope is a person who dislikes or distrusts humankind.
Q55. Choose the correct sentence.
A. The furniture in this room are expensive.
B. The furnitures in this room are expensive.
C. The furniture in this room is expensive.
D. The furniture in this room have expensive.
View Answer
“Furniture” is an uncountable noun and takes a singular verb.
Q56. Choose the correct word: She is afraid ___ dogs.
A. from
B. of
C. with
D. at
View Answer
The standard expression is “afraid of”.
Q57. Choose the synonym of “Candid”.
A. Frank
B. Secretive
C. Dishonest
D. Reserved
View Answer
“Candid” means truthful, straightforward or frank.
Q58. Choose the antonym of “Scarce”.
A. Rare
B. Limited
C. Abundant
D. Insufficient
View Answer
“Scarce” means insufficient or in short supply; “abundant” means plentiful.
Q59. Choose the correct form: Neither the teacher nor the students ___ ready.
A. was
B. is
C. were
D. has
View Answer
With “neither…nor”, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, “students”, which is plural.
Q60. Choose the correct passive voice: “People speak English all over the world.”
A. English is spoken all over the world.
B. English was spoken all over the world.
C. English has spoken all over the world.
D. English speaks all over the world.
View Answer
The simple present passive is formed using “is/am/are + past participle”.
Q61. Choose the correct indirect speech: The teacher said, “The Earth revolves around the Sun.”
A. The teacher said that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
B. The teacher said that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
C. The teacher said that the Earth had revolved around the Sun.
D. The teacher says that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
View Answer
A universal or scientific truth generally remains in the present tense in reported speech.
Q62. Choose the correct word: He has great influence ___ his students.
A. on
B. at
C. for
D. with
View Answer
The standard expression is “influence on someone”.
Q63. Choose the synonym of “Magnanimous”.
A. Generous
B. Cruel
C. Selfish
D. Miserly
View Answer
“Magnanimous” means generous, noble or forgiving, especially toward a rival.
Q64. Choose the antonym of “Rigid”.
A. Stiff
B. Flexible
C. Strict
D. Firm
View Answer
“Rigid” means stiff or inflexible, while “flexible” means capable of bending or changing.
Q65. Identify the error: “He is one of those men who always keeps his promises.”
A. He is one of those men
B. who always keeps
C. his promises
D. No error
View Answer
“Who” refers to “men”, which is plural. Therefore, the verb should be “keep”.
Q66. Choose the correctly spelt word.
A. Entrepreneur
B. Enterpreneur
C. Entreprenuer
D. Entrepraneur
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Entrepreneur”.
Q67. What does the idiom “Spill the beans” mean?
A. Waste food
B. Reveal a secret
C. Make a mess
D. Cook a meal
View Answer
“Spill the beans” means to reveal secret or confidential information.
Q68. A person who looks at the bright side of things is called an:
A. Pessimist
B. Optimist
C. Opportunist
D. Extremist
View Answer
An optimist generally expects or focuses on favorable outcomes.
Q69. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is good in English.
B. He is good at English.
C. He is good on English.
D. He is good with English grammar.
View Answer
“Good at” is used to describe skill or ability in a subject or activity.
Q70. Choose the synonym of “Eloquent”.
A. Inarticulate
B. Expressive
C. Silent
D. Confused
View Answer
“Eloquent” means fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Q71. Choose the antonym of “Mandatory”.
A. Compulsory
B. Essential
C. Optional
D. Necessary
View Answer
“Mandatory” means compulsory, whereas “optional” means not compulsory.
Q72. Choose the correct preposition: The child was trembling ___ fear.
A. from
B. by
C. with
D. at
View Answer
The standard expression is “trembling with fear”.
Q73. Choose the correct form: She ___ here since morning.
A. is
B. was
C. has been
D. had been
View Answer
An action or state that began in the past and continues up to the present can take the present perfect form with “since”.
Q74. Choose the correct passive voice: “The manager will announce the results tomorrow.”
A. The results will announce tomorrow.
B. The results will be announced by the manager tomorrow.
C. The results are announced by the manager tomorrow.
D. The results were announced by the manager tomorrow.
View Answer
The future simple passive is formed with “will be + past participle”.
Q75. Choose the correct indirect speech: He said to me, “Please help me.”
A. He ordered me to help him.
B. He requested me to help him.
C. He told me that please help him.
D. He said me to help him.
View Answer
A polite request introduced by “please” is generally reported using “requested” followed by an infinitive.
Q76. Choose the correct one-word substitution: A place where books are kept for reading or borrowing is called a:
A. Laboratory
B. Library
C. Museum
D. Seminary
View Answer
A library is a place where books and other reading materials are collected, stored and made available for reading or borrowing.
Q77. Choose the correct spelling.
A. Maintenance
B. Maintainance
C. Maintanance
D. Maintenence
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Maintenance”.
Q78. What does the idiom “A piece of cake” mean?
A. Something very expensive
B. Something very easy
C. Something very difficult
D. Something delicious
View Answer
“A piece of cake” is used to describe something that is very easy to do.
Q79. Choose the correct sentence.
A. I prefer tea than coffee.
B. I prefer tea over coffee.
C. I prefer tea to coffee.
D. I prefer tea from coffee.
View Answer
In standard competitive-exam grammar, the construction is “prefer A to B”.
Q80. Choose the synonym of “Prudent”.
A. Careless
B. Wise
C. Foolish
D. Reckless
View Answer
“Prudent” means acting with care, wisdom and good judgment.
Q81. Choose the antonym of “Hostile”.
A. Friendly
B. Aggressive
C. Violent
D. Unfriendly
View Answer
“Hostile” means unfriendly or antagonistic; “friendly” is its opposite.
Q82. Identify the error: “The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful.”
A. The sceneries
B. of Kashmir
C. are beautiful
D. No error
View Answer
“Scenery” is generally an uncountable noun. The correct sentence is “The scenery of Kashmir is beautiful.”
Q83. Choose the correct preposition: She is senior ___ me.
A. than
B. to
C. from
D. with
View Answer
“Senior” is followed by “to”, not “than”, in standard usage.
Q84. Choose the correct form: Hardly had the train arrived ___ the passengers rushed towards it.
A. than
B. when
C. then
D. and
View Answer
The standard pair is “hardly/scarcely…when” and “no sooner…than”.
Q85. Choose the synonym of “Meticulous”.
A. Careless
B. Careful
C. Negligent
D. Hasty
View Answer
“Meticulous” means extremely careful and attentive to detail.
Q86. Choose the antonym of “Genuine”.
A. Authentic
B. Real
C. Fake
D. Original
View Answer
“Genuine” means authentic or real, while “fake” means not genuine.
Q87. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He has less books than I have.
B. He has fewer books than I have.
C. He has lesser books than I have.
D. He has few books than I have.
View Answer
“Fewer” is generally used with countable plural nouns such as “books”, while “less” is generally used with uncountable nouns.
Q88. Choose the correct word: The police are looking ___ the matter.
A. into
B. after
C. upon
D. at
View Answer
“Look into” means to investigate or examine something.
Q89. Choose the correct spelling.
A. Conscience
B. Concience
C. Consciense
D. Consience
View Answer
The correct spelling is “Conscience”.
Q90. What does the idiom “Burn the midnight oil” mean?
A. To waste electricity
B. To work late into the night
C. To start a fire
D. To sleep early
View Answer
“Burn the midnight oil” means to work or study late at night.
Q91. Choose the correct form: No sooner did he arrive ___ it started raining.
A. when
B. than
C. then
D. and
View Answer
The standard correlative construction is “no sooner…than”.
Q92. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He as well as his friends are coming.
B. He as well as his friends is coming.
C. He as well as his friends were coming.
D. He as well as his friends have coming.
View Answer
With “as well as”, the verb agrees with the main subject. The main subject “He” is singular, so “is” is used.
Q93. Choose the synonym of “Benevolent”.
A. Cruel
B. Kind
C. Selfish
D. Hostile
View Answer
“Benevolent” means kind, charitable or well-meaning.
Q94. Choose the antonym of “Permanent”.
A. Lasting
B. Enduring
C. Temporary
D. Fixed
View Answer
“Temporary” means lasting for a limited period and is the opposite of permanent.
Q95. Choose the correct one-word substitution: A government by the people is called:
A. Monarchy
B. Aristocracy
C. Democracy
D. Autocracy
View Answer
Democracy is a system of government in which political power is exercised by the people, directly or through elected representatives.
Q96. Choose the correct form: She is looking forward to ___ you.
A. meet
B. met
C. meeting
D. meets
View Answer
In “look forward to”, “to” is a preposition, so it is followed by a noun or gerund. Therefore, “meeting” is correct.
Q97. Choose the correct sentence.
A. He is accustomed to work late.
B. He is accustomed to working late.
C. He is accustomed for working late.
D. He is accustomed with work late.
View Answer
“Accustomed to” is followed by a noun or gerund. Therefore, “working” is correct.
Q98. Choose the correct word: The principal congratulated him ___ his success.
A. for
B. on
C. at
D. with
View Answer
The standard expression is “congratulate someone on something”.
Q99. Choose the correct passive voice: “Open the door.”
A. Let the door be opened.
B. Let the door opened.
C. The door is opened by you.
D. The door was opened.
View Answer
The passive form of an imperative sentence can be formed using “Let + object + be + past participle”.
Q100. Choose the correct sentence.
A. Despite of being tired, he continued working.
B. Despite being tired, he continued working.
C. Despite he was tired, he continued working.
D. Despite of tired, he continued working.
View Answer
These General English MCQs provide comprehensive practice across the most important topics asked in competitive examinations, including grammar, vocabulary, error detection, sentence correction, tenses, articles, prepositions, active and passive voice, direct and indirect speech, synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution, spelling and phrasal verbs. Regular practice of these mixed questions can help candidates improve their English grammar, vocabulary, accuracy and speed for exams such as SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Bank PO, NDA, Railway, Defence and other competitive examinations.
General English MCQs
Practice important Topic wise General English MCQs for competitive exams.
- English Grammar Questions
- Spotting Errors Questions
- Sentence Improvement Questions
- Tenses Questions
- Subject-Verb Agreement Questions
- Articles Questions
- Prepositions Questions
- Active and Passive Voice Questions
- Direct and Indirect Speech Questions
- Fill in the Blanks Questions
- Synonyms Questions
- Antonyms Questions
- One Word Substitution Questions
- Idioms and Phrases Questions
- Spelling Correction Questions
- Cloze Test Questions
- Reading Comprehension Questions
- Para Jumbles Questions
- Phrasal Verbs Questions