GRAMMAR MCQ

PHRASAL VERBS:

1. They acted _________ the story on stage.

a. On
b. Up
c. Out
d. Upon

2. The police told the protesters to back __________.

a. Off
b. Out
c. Down
d. Up

3. The judge’s character may well bear _________ the final decision.
a. Out
b. With
c. Down
d. On

4. They hope the new management will be able to carry the project ____________.
a. Forward
b. On
c. Away
d. Off

5. I disagreed with the idea but had to play ____________ because everyone else liked it.
a. Up
b. Along
c. Around
d. On

6. Students without jobs have a hard time getting ____________.

a. By
b. Away
c. Along
d. Off

7. Angie really takes _________ her grandmother.

 a. On
b. Behind
c. After
d. By

8. Could you speak ___________? I can’t hear you.

a. Out
b. Up
c. On
d. Out

TENSES:

1. When we reach Land’s End, we __________ 1500 km.

a. Will have walked
b. Walk
c. Will had walked
d. Had walked

2. He _______________ the bagpipes since six this morning.

a. Was playing
b. Has been playing
c. Is playing
d. Plays

3. When I opened my eyes, I _____________ a strange sight.

a. Have seen
b. Was seeing
c. Saw
d. Had seen

4. I ___________ English for twelve years.

a. Am teaching
b. Will be teaching
c. Have been teaching
d. Teach

5. We _________ the movie on Sunday.

a. Will watch
b. Watch
 c. Will be watching
d. Will have watched

6. She __________ unconscious since four o’ clock.

a. Is
b. Was
c. Has been
d. Had been

COMPREHENSION:

When I was a small child my grandparents would take me blackberry picking. It was usually
late August when the blackberries had fully ripened. Grandad would drive us is in his old
van. Despite not being comfortable or particularly safe, Grandad’s vans had a character you
would not find in a sleek new car complete with the latest innovations and a silent engine.
Being seven or eight at the time, I always enjoyed a trip as we bounced along to our
destination.
My grandparents always chose the same spot. Wild blackberry bushes stretched along the
roadside as far as the eye could see in both directions. The road overlooked a small pitch and
putt course. On such sunny summer days it was always full. Golfers ambled sedately from
hole to hole and the crack of metal striking ball was a constant accompaniment.
Several hours of picking berries ensued. Nana warned me not to eat any until they had all
been washed but turned a knowing blind eye while I gorged anyway. I also helped myself to
the occasional unripe red berry as I had a particular taste for anything bitter. The fully
immature green berries proved a step too far for even my pallet and were merely unpleasant.
When at last we were finished the bright scenery had turned to lengthy shadows and the
afternoon had elapsed into evening. Grandad hauled a bin bag half full of berries back to the
van. Juice bled slowly onto the ground. Nana would later make apple and blackberry tarts and
fill several jars with jam. When I reached the van my stomach hurt from too much fruit. My
hands stung from constant thorn pricks and were stained dark purple. I always enjoyed those
days.

WORD MEANINGS:

1. Ensued
a. Bounced
b. Elapsed
c. Followed
d. Ambled

2. Overlooked
a. Hauled
b. Ensued
 c. Missed
d. Turned

3. Pallet
a. Taste
b. Hard narrow bed
c. Accessory used during painting
d. Stone

4. Sedately
a. Calmly
b. Serious
c. Agitatedly
d. Frivolously

5. Putt
a. A decided stroke of the golf ball
b. A gentle stroke on the golf ball
c. A firm stroke on the golf ball
d. An unsure stroke on the golf ball

MAKE SENTENCES:

6. Choose the sentence from the given alternatives that use the word “character” in a
meaning different from that used in the passage.
a. This is a side of her character that few people have seen.
b. Excess sewage changed the character of the lake.
c. Do you recognize the character to be that of your brother?
d. She was a person of impeccable character.

7. Choose the sentence from the given alternatives that use the word “spot” in a meaning
different from that used in the passage.
a. They chose a secluded spot for the picnic.
b. Andrew was sharp enough to spot the mistake in the sentence.
c. The official spotted the ball at the ten yards line.
d. Can you tell me which would be the best spot to pitch the tents?

8. Choose the sentence from the given alternatives that use the word “pitch” in a
meaning different from that used in the passage.
a. Her voice rose steadily in a high pitch.
b. The bowler ran towards the pitch as the batsman stood ready.
c. The British countryside with the pitch looked perfect.
d. A test pitched at the fifth grade reading level.

9. Choose the sentence from the given alternatives that use the word “shadow” in a
meaning different from that used in the passage.
a. The ship’s sail cast a shadow on the water.
b. A shadow of war fell across Europe.
 c. As it started getting dark, the trees cast long shadows making the place eerie.
d. He had been up all night shadowing a team of poachers.

10. Choose the sentence from the given alternatives that use the word “dark” in a meaning
different from that used in the passage.
a. Carolyn was sitting in the dark.
b. The dress was a dark shade of blue.
c. Light and dark colours are juxtaposed arbitrarily to create a sense of shallow
relief.
d. The little girl had a dark skin tone.

11. What, according to the narrator, added extra joy to the experience of berry picking?
a. The bumpy ride in the van
b. The summer season
c. The fact that they always went to the same destination
d. The expectation of berry jams

12. What is meant by the phrase “turned a knowing blind eye?”

a. Had a visual impairment
b. Ignored
c. Turned away
d. Winked

13. What could the writer possibly mean by saying that his grandad’s old van had a
character?
a. Spoke about the technology of the car
b. Spoke about the car being humanly
c. Spoke about his involvement with the car
d. Spoke about the monetary value of the car

14. Why would the narrator’s stomach hurt while going back?
a. He had too much fruit
b. He had played all day
c. He had helped prepare the jam
d. He was exhausted

15. “My hands stung from constant thorn pricks.” What effect did it have on the narrator?
a. He became wary
b. He tested his resilience
c. He was not bothered
d. He still enjoyed
16. What does the passage reveal about the narrator’s grandfather?
a. He was reserved
b. He was loving
c. He was self sufficient
d. He was inexperienced

17. “Wild blackberry bushes stretched along the roadside as far as the eye could see in
both directions.”- What is the figure of speech used here?
a. Hyperbole
b. Metaphor
c. Personification
d. Hyperbaton

18. While narrating these small incidents, what is the narrator essentially reflecting on?
a. The innocence of childhood
b. The journey down the hills
c. The destination
d. The expectation

19. Why is the month of August significant?

a. It is the fall season
b. It is the ripening season
c. It is the approach to winter
d. It is the best season of the year

20. What is the general mood and tone of the passage?

a. Melancholic
b. Nostalgic
c. Disturbing
d. Joyful