The antonym of “prevail” is:
Correct answer: Yield. To prevail is to win or dominate, and its opposite is to yield or give way.
- Countdown: “Countdown” is unrelated.
- Modify: “Modify” means to change.
- Add: “Add” is unrelated.
English Grammar MCQS
📚 Table of Content
Complete the proverb: A watched pot never ______.
Correct answer: Boils. The proverb is “A watched pot never boils”, meaning time seems to pass slowly when you wait anxiously.
- Cooks: “Cooks” is not the wording of the proverb.
- Burns: “Burns” is not the wording of the proverb.
- None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because “boils” is correct.
Choose the meaning of the idiom “Let sleeping dogs lie”:
Correct answer: To avoid restarting a conflict. The idiom means not to disturb a situation that is calm, so as to avoid restarting a conflict.
- Making sleep mandatory: It is not about making sleep mandatory.
- Taking sleep for granted: It is not about taking sleep for granted.
- Discuss burning issue: It does not mean to discuss a burning issue.
Which punctuation mark is used at the end of a declarative (statement) sentence?
Correct answer: Period. A period (full stop) ends a statement.
- Exclamation mark: An exclamation mark ends an exclamatory sentence.
- Question mark: A question mark ends a question.
- Comma: A comma separates parts within a sentence.
Change into passive voice: “She will have visited her doctor by 7:00 PM.”
Correct answer: Her doctor will have been visited by her by 7:00 PM. The future perfect passive is “will have been + past participle”, and the time phrase must be kept.
- Her doctor had been visited by her by 7:00 PM: “Had been visited” changes the tense to past perfect.
- Her doctor will have been visited by her: This option drops the time phrase “by 7:00 PM”.
- None of these: “None of these” is incorrect because the first option is correct.
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom “tie the knot”:
Correct answer: Getting married. “Tie the knot” means to get married.
- Start a fight: Starting a fight is a different idiom.
- Tighten the rope: The literal meaning of tightening a rope is not the idiomatic one.
- To fail in exam: It has nothing to do with failing an exam.
What is the second form (simple past) of the verb “slay”?
Correct answer: Slew. “Slay” is irregular: slay – slew – slain.
- Slayed: “Slayed” is used only in some informal senses (for example, “she slayed the performance”).
- Slat: “Slat” is not a form of slay.
- Slays: “Slays” is the third-person present form.
Which one is an adverb?
Correct answer: Easily. “Easily” describes how an action is done, so it is an adverb.
- Lovely: “Lovely” is an adjective.
- Curly: “Curly” is an adjective.
- Misely: “Misely” is not a word.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Yeast”?
Yeast means a fungus used in brewing and baking.
- Correct answer - a substance used in brewing and baking: it has the same meaning as Yeast.
- food for the insects: food eaten by bugs - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yeast.
- food for the animals: fodder - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yeast.
- food for human beings: nourishment for people - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yeast.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Zealous”?
Zealous means full of eager enthusiasm.
- Correct answer - enthusiastic: it has the same meaning as Zealous.
- weary: very tired - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zealous.
- worthy: deserving respect - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zealous.
- slow: not fast - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zealous.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Zenith”?
Zenith means the point in the sky directly above an observer; the highest point.
- Correct answer - point in the sky directly above the observer: it has the same meaning as Zenith.
- point on the earth: a location on the ground - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zenith.
- point on the moon: a location on the lunar surface - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zenith.
- point on the sea: a location on the water - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zenith.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Zest”?
Zest means great enthusiasm and energy.
- Correct answer - enthusiasm: it has the same meaning as Zest.
- disappointed: sad because expectations were not met - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zest.
- discourage: to dishearten - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zest.
- hope: a feeling of expectation and desire - wrong, it does not mean the same as Zest.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Void”?
Void means completely empty; emptiness.
- Correct answer - emptiness: it has the same meaning as Void.
- confusion: lack of clarity - wrong, it does not mean the same as Void.
- chaos: complete disorder - wrong, it does not mean the same as Void.
- hazy: unclear; misty - wrong, it does not mean the same as Void.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Vulcanize”?
Vulcanize means to toughen rubber by treating it with sulphur.
- Correct answer - to toughen rubber by treating it with sulphur: it has the same meaning as Vulcanize.
- erupt: to burst out - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vulcanize.
- roll hot metal into a rubber sheet: a nonsensical process of rolling metal into rubber - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vulcanize.
- to interlink: to connect together - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vulcanize.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Waggle”?
Waggle means to wobble or wag.
- Correct answer - to wobble: it has the same meaning as Waggle.
- to bicker: to argue over petty matters - wrong, it does not mean the same as Waggle.
- to haggle: to argue over a price - wrong, it does not mean the same as Waggle.
- to bet: to gamble money on an outcome - wrong, it does not mean the same as Waggle.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Warrant”?
Warrant means a written authorisation.
- Correct answer - written authorisation: it has the same meaning as Warrant.
- small payment: a minor sum of money - wrong, it does not mean the same as Warrant.
- national emergency: a crisis affecting a whole country - wrong, it does not mean the same as Warrant.
- special guard: a guard with a particular duty - wrong, it does not mean the same as Warrant.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Whim”?
Whim means a sudden idea or desire.
- Correct answer - sudden notion: it has the same meaning as Whim.
- routine: a regular way of doing things - wrong, it does not mean the same as Whim.
- sorcery: witchcraft - wrong, it does not mean the same as Whim.
- ambition: a strong desire to succeed - wrong, it does not mean the same as Whim.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Xenophobic”?
Xenophobic means afraid of or hostile to foreigners or strangers.
- Correct answer - fearful of strangers: it has the same meaning as Xenophobic.
- hating religion: feeling hostility to faith - wrong, it does not mean the same as Xenophobic.
- extremist atheist: an extreme non-believer - wrong, it does not mean the same as Xenophobic.
- religious fanatic: an extremely zealous believer - wrong, it does not mean the same as Xenophobic.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Yearn”?
Yearn means to long for something strongly.
- Correct answer - to long for something strongly: it has the same meaning as Yearn.
- disgust: a feeling of strong dislike - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yearn.
- to evade: to avoid or escape - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yearn.
- to look after: to take care of - wrong, it does not mean the same as Yearn.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Vicious”?
Vicious means cruel and wicked.
- Correct answer - wicked: it has the same meaning as Vicious.
- deceiving: misleading - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vicious.
- gentle: mild and kind - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vicious.
- of virtues: relating to good qualities - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vicious.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Vigilant”?
Vigilant means keeping careful watch.
- Correct answer - watchful: it has the same meaning as Vigilant.
- drowsy: sleepy - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vigilant.
- careless: not taking care - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vigilant.
- active: energetic - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vigilant.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Vindictive”?
Vindictive means having a strong desire for revenge.
- Correct answer - revengeful: it has the same meaning as Vindictive.
- triumphant: victorious - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vindictive.
- demonstrative: openly showing feelings - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vindictive.
- strategic: planned for a long-term aim - wrong, it does not mean the same as Vindictive.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Virtue”?
Virtue means moral goodness.
- Correct answer - moral goodness: it has the same meaning as Virtue.
- wickedness: evil behaviour - wrong, it does not mean the same as Virtue.
- respect: admiration for someone - wrong, it does not mean the same as Virtue.
- fate: destiny - wrong, it does not mean the same as Virtue.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Verdant”?
Verdant means fresh and green with growing plants.
- Correct answer - fresh and green: it has the same meaning as Verdant.
- pervasive: spreading widely - wrong, it does not mean the same as Verdant.
- pessimist: a person who expects the worst - wrong, it does not mean the same as Verdant.
- strong: powerful - wrong, it does not mean the same as Verdant.
Which of the following words is closest in meaning to “Versatile”?
Versatile means able to do many different things.
- Correct answer - of many-sided ability: it has the same meaning as Versatile.
- shrewd: sharp and clever in judgement - wrong, it does not mean the same as Versatile.
- expert: a highly skilled person - wrong, it does not mean the same as Versatile.
- clever: quick to learn and understand - wrong, it does not mean the same as Versatile.