English Grammar — PSC Practice Quiz

Question 1

Choose the correctly spelt word:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Occurrence — The correct spelling is 'Occurrence' — double 'c', double 'r', ending in '-ence'.‌​‍

Answer

Occurence

Answer

Occurance

Answer

Occurrance

Question 2

Change to passive voice: 'He greeted me.'‌​‍

Accepted Answer

I was greeted by him — Active: He (subject) greeted (Simple Past) me (object). ‌​‍Passive: I was greeted by him. Simple Past passive uses 'was/were + V3'.

Answer

I greeted by him

Answer

I have greeted by him

Answer

I am greeted by him

Question 3

'Matrimony' means:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Marriage — Matrimony means marriage or the state of being married. ‌​‍It comes from the Latin 'matrimonium'.

Answer

Giving money

Answer

Wedding gift

Answer

Inheritance

Question 4

A few people knew the answer, ___?‌​‍

Accepted Answer

didn't they — 'A few' is positive (meaning 'some'), so the tag is negative: 'didn't they'. ‌​‍Note: 'Few' (without 'a') is negative.

Answer

did they

Answer

did it

Answer

didn't it

Question 5

The teacher said, 'The earth revolves round the sun.' (Indirect speech):‌​‍

Accepted Answer

The teacher said that the earth revolves round the sun — Universal truths do NOT change tense in indirect speech. ‌​‍'Revolves' remains as 'revolves' because it states a scientific fact.

Answer

The teacher said that the earth revolved round the sun

Answer

The teacher said that the earth had revolved round the sun

Answer

The teacher said that the earth is revolving round the sun

Question 6

A baby horse is called:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Foal — A baby horse is a Foal. Calf = baby cow, Kid = baby goat, Cub = baby lion/bear.‌​‍

Answer

Calf

Answer

Kid

Answer

Cub

Question 7

'Poke your nose into something' means:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

To interfere in others' matters — 'Poke your nose' means to try to discover or interfere in things that do not concern you.‌​‍

Answer

To be suspicious

Answer

To face danger bravely

Answer

To show cowardice

Question 8

Which part has an error? 'The behaviour / of the / children were / excellent.'‌​‍

Accepted Answer

children were — 'The behaviour' is the subject (singular), so the verb should be 'was', not 'were'. ‌​‍Correct: 'The behaviour of the children was excellent.'

Answer

The behaviour

Answer

of the

Answer

excellent

Question 9

The synonym of 'EXTRICATE' is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Free — Extricate means to free or release from a difficult situation. ‌​‍Its antonym would be 'entangle' or 'complicate'.

Answer

Complicate

Answer

Tie

Answer

Entangle

Question 10

I have been living here ___ 2010.‌​‍

Accepted Answer

since — 'Since' is used with a specific point in time (2010). ‌​‍'For' is used with a duration (e.g., 'for 14 years'). Both require Perfect Continuous tense.

Answer

for

Answer

from

Answer

by

Question 11

One who knows many languages is called:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Polyglot — A Polyglot is a person who knows and can use several languages. ‌​‍While 'linguist' and 'multilingual' are related, 'polyglot' is the standard one-word substitution in PSC.

Answer

Linguist

Answer

Multilingual

Answer

Philologist

Question 12

The antonym of 'OPTIMIST' is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Pessimist — An optimist expects the best outcome; a pessimist expects the worst. ‌​‍They are direct antonyms.

Answer

Realist

Answer

Idealist

Answer

Rationalist

Question 13

He is ____ honest man.‌​‍

Accepted Answer

an — 'An' is used before words starting with a vowel sound. ‌​‍'Honest' starts with a vowel sound (the 'h' is silent: /ˈɒnɪst/), so we use 'an'.

Answer

a

Answer

the

Answer

no article

Question 14

The past participle of 'OVERCOME' is:‌​‍

Accepted Answer

Overcome — Overcome-Overcame-Overcome. ‌​‍The past participle is the same as the base form: 'overcome'. Like 'come-came-come'.

Answer

Overcame

Answer

Overcommed

Answer

Overcomed

Question 15

He is superior ___ me in rank.‌​‍

Accepted Answer

to — Superior, inferior, senior, junior, prior, and posterior all take 'to', NOT 'than'. ‌​‍This is one of the most common PSC error-spotting traps.

Answer

than

Answer

from

Answer

of

English Grammar — PSC Practice Quiz