Tenses Quiz 1

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb. 1. I waited for my friend until he a) came b) had come c) comes d) will come. 2. He ran as quickly as he a) can b) could c) may b) might 3. He went where he - find work. a) will b) can c) could d) shall 4. As he was not there, I - to his brother. a) speak b) spoke c) was speaking d) will not speak 5. He finished first though he late. a) would start b) started c) start d) starts Answers 1. came 6. Entered 2. Could 7. Proceed 3. Could 8. Repent 4. Spoke 9. Ran 5. Started 10. Was 7. Answer the first question before you - any further. a) proceed b) proceeded c) will proceed d) would proceed 8. I forgive you since you a) repent b) repented c) will repent d) would repent 9. He because he was in a hurry. a) runs b) ran c) run d) had run 10. He stayed at home because he feeling ill. a) is b) was c) were d) had 6. Just as he the room the clock struck seven. a) enter b) entered c) will enter d) enters

Easily confused words Quiz 1

Confusing words are words that are very similar in spelling or pronunciation. Choose the correct word to complete each sentence. Each question has only one correct answer. 1. The speaker made several to mythology in his speech. a) b) Illusions Allusions 7. The writer has failed to support his arguments with quotations. a) b) Apposite Opposite

2. We must make every effort to - a Third World War. a) b) Avert Invert

8. She looked lovely in her dress. a) b) Bridle Bridal

3. He has great for his daughter. a) b) 4. a) b) Affection Affectation He is an - rogue. Artful Artificial

9. A childs mind requires surroundings to develop well. a) b) Congenital Congenial

10. He is to violent methods. a) b) Averse Adverse

5. Success often depends on a persons ability to himself / herself to changing circumstances. a) b) Adapt Adopt

11. I can - the bare principles of the Special Theory of Relativity, but I cant the full implications of that theory. a) b) Apprehend, comprehend Comprehend, apprehend

6. I hate in speech or manner. a) b) Affection Affectation

12. Her - qualities endear her to everybody. a) b) Amiable Amicable 5. Adapt 6. Affectation 11. Apprehend, comprehend

Answers 1. Allusions 2. Avert 7. Apposite 8. Bridal 12. Amiable

3. Affection 4. Artful 9. Congenial 10. Averse

Prepositions Quiz
Although prepositions are small words they are very important ones and their correct usage shows your mastery over the language. Complete the following sentences using the most appropriate preposition. 1. He is very sensitive criticism. a) at b) to c) for d) in 2. The Japanese are used periodic cyclones and earthquakes. a) to b) in c) at d) for 3. He is wanting sympathy and understanding. a) in b) at c) for d) with 4. I warned him her treachery. a) against b) with c) on d) from 5. We will not yield such temptations. a) to b) in c) on d) at 6. He has a zest adventure. a) for b) in c) on d) at 7. I am sure passing this time. a) in b) for c) of d) at 8. As she was ill, we send a doctor. a) with b) for c) out d) in 9. I am thankful to you your co-operation. a) to b) for c) with d) at 10. He is worthy our reverence and esteem. a) of b) at c) for d) with

11. I am tired repeating this. a) with b) at c) of d) by Answers 1. b) to 7. c) of 2. a) to 8. b) for 3. a) in 9. b) for

12. I am suspicious - his true intentions. a) with b) of c) in d) for

4. a) against 10. a) of

5. a) to 6. a) for 11. c) of 12. b) of

Prepositions Quiz 2
Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. 1. The boy walked the road. a) in b) along c) at d) in to 2. The river flows - the bridge. a) along b) under c) on d) beyond 3. The work was done haste. a) in b) with c) on d) with 4. He died his country. a) at b) for c) with d) between 5. The steam engine was invented James Watt. a) by b) with c) for d) to 6. The robbers jumped the compound wall. a) over b) under c) inside d) outside 7. The village was destroyed fire. a) by b) with c) between d) around

8. He spoke - me French. a) to, in b) in, to c) at, with d) to, over 9. They live the same roof. a) under b) in c) within d) outside 10. I have not seen him last Wednesday. a) for b) since c) from d) between 11. I have known him - a long time. a) since b) for c) from d) between Answers 1. b) along 8. a) to, in 14. a) with 2. b) under 9. a) under 15. b) into

12. This is a matter little importance. a) of b) over c) with d) off 13. He has not yet recovered his illness. a) from b) on c) of d) off 14. I shall do it pleasure. a) with b) by c) from d) to 15. He broke the jug - a hundred pieces. a) in b) into c) by d) at

3. a) in 4. b) for 5. a) by 6. a) over 7. a) by 10. b) since 11. b) for 12. a) of 13. a) from

Prepositions Exercise
It is difficult to learn to use prepositions correctly in a foreign language. Many nouns, verbs and adjectives are normally used with particular prepositions. Fill in the blanks with appropriate prepositions. 1. The turban and the beard easily distinguish a Sikh others. a) to b) from

c) with d) in 2. The laboratory should be furnished - all necessary equipment. a) in b) of c) with d) out 3. She is keen - building a career in music. a) on b) in c) at d) from

7. He is addicted drugs. a) to b) in c) on d) for 8. The hotel is adjacent - the railway station. a) to b) at c) in d) for 9. During his speech, he alluded a story in the Vedas. a) to b) at c) in d) with 10. You must apologize him. a) with b) to c) for d) with 11. The inspector commented favorably our work. a) on b) in c) with d) for 12. I congratulated him his success. a) in b) on

4. She is a disgrace - her family. a) to b) for c) at d) on 5. He was the first to alight the train. a) on b) from c) in d) with 6. He is busy his studies. a) in b) with c) of d) off

c) for

d) with

Answers 1. b) from 7. a) to 2. c) with 8. a) to 3. a) on 9. a) to 4. a) to 10. b) to 5. b) from 11. a) on 6. b) with 12. b) on

Prepositions: Some special points to be noted

Cases where prepositions are omitted Prepositions of time are generally omitted before words like last, first, next or this.
y y y

I met him last Friday. (NOT I met him on last Friday.) We will discuss the matter next time. I will visit my parents this week.

The use of preposition in the following types of sentences is optional.

y y y y

I was here (in) the July before last. They visited us (on) the day before yesterday. He left the city (on) the next day. We lived there (for) three months.

Prepositions are after certain verbs Some intransitive verbs become transitive when a preposition is placed after them. Examples are: listen to, apply to, partake of, aware of, beware of, depend upon, dispense with, dispose of and prevail upon Different prepositions Some words which differ slightly in form and meaning from each other take different prepositions after them. Examples are: Desire for; desirous of Confidence in; confident of According to; in accordance with Sensible of; insensible to Affection for; affectionate to Ambition for; ambitious of Fond of; fondness for

Neglectful of; negligent in Dislike to; liking for Gerund after preposition The infinitive cannot be used with certain words which require a preposition followed by a gerund.
y y y

I am thinking of visiting my parents. He is bent of attending the meeting. You have no excuse for being late.

Verbs Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the past or past participle form of the verb given in the brackets.

1. 2.

The country is by factions. (tear) Once Sydney Smith was asked his name by a servant and found to his dismay that he had

his own name. (forget) 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. You couldnt have - a better day for a drive. (choose) The old beggar was by a mad dog. (bite) He the book on the table. (lay) Walking through the jungle he - on a snake. (tread) He a hasty retreat on the arrival of a policeman. (beat)

8. 9.

You must reap what you have (sow) His voice - as he spoke. (shake)

10. His path was not with flowers but he persevered. (strew) 11. The explorers were to death. (freeze) 12. His voice to a whisper. (sink)

Answers 1. 7. Notes Torn Beat 2. Forgotten 3. Chosen 8. Sown 9. Shook 4. Bitten 10. Strewn 5. Laid 11. Frozen 6. Trod 12. Sank

The past participle form is used after be (is / am / are / was / were) and have (has / have / had). The past tense form is used in other cases.