Try each question on your own first. Use the Show Answer button only after you have selected your option, then read the explanation and revise the related concept from your chapter notes.
1. The sun _______ in the east and sets in the west.
A. rises
B. rising
C. rose
D. has risen
Answer: A. rises
Explanation: Universal truths and general facts are always expressed using the Simple Present Tense.
2. I _______ football since 2 o'clock this afternoon.
A. have been playing
B. am playing
C. played
D. was playing
Answer: A. have been playing
Explanation: The time expression 'since 2 o'clock' indicates an action that started in the past and is still continuing, requiring Present Perfect Continuous Tense.
3. She _______ her homework before her mother arrived.
A. had finished
B. finishes
C. has finished
D. will finish
Answer: A. had finished
Explanation: When two actions occurred in the past, the earlier completed action takes Past Perfect Tense ('had finished').
4. Look! The boy _______ across the busy street.
A. is running
B. runs
C. ran
D. has run
Answer: A. is running
Explanation: An action happening right now at the time of speaking requires Present Continuous Tense.
5. By next year, Rohan _______ his medical degree.
A. will have completed
B. completes
C. was completing
D. completed
Answer: A. will have completed
Explanation: 'By next year' denotes a deadline in the future, requiring Future Perfect Tense ('will have + V3').
6. We _______ respect our elders and teachers.
A. ought to
B. may
C. can
D. might
Answer: A. ought to
Explanation: 'Ought to' is used to express moral obligation and duty.
7. _______ I come in, Sir?
A. May
B. Can
C. Might
D. Must
Answer: A. May
Explanation: 'May' is the correct formal modal verb used for seeking permission.
8. It is very dark outside; it _______ rain tonight.
A. may
B. must
C. should
D. would
Answer: A. may
Explanation: 'May' expresses a good possibility based on current evidence (dark outside).
9. He _______ lift this heavy iron chest when he was young.
A. could
B. can
C. may
D. should
Answer: A. could
Explanation: 'Could' is used to express general physical ability in the past.
10. You _______ follow the traffic signals; otherwise, you will be fined.
A. must
B. might
C. can
D. could
Answer: A. must
Explanation: 'Must' expresses legal compulsion, rule, or strong necessity.
11. Water _______ at 100 degrees Celsius.
A. boils
B. boiled
C. is boiling
D. has boiled
Answer: A. boils
Explanation: Scientific facts are stated in Simple Present Tense.
12. When I arrived at the station, the train _______ already left.
A. had
B. has
C. was
D. is
Answer: A. had
Explanation: The train leaving happened before the arrival, so Past Perfect ('had left') is correct.
13. Work hard lest you _______ fail in the examination.
A. should
B. would
C. might
D. can
Answer: A. should
Explanation: The conjunction 'lest' is always followed by the modal verb 'should'.
14. She _______ speak five languages fluently.
A. can
B. must
C. might
D. ought
Answer: A. can
Explanation: 'Can' denotes present capacity or mental skill/ability.
15. My uncle _______ to Delhi yesterday evening.
A. went
B. goes
C. has gone
D. had gone
Answer: A. went
Explanation: Past time adverbs like 'yesterday' demand Simple Past Tense ('went').
16. _______ God bless you with health and prosperity!
A. May
B. Can
C. Must
D. Should
Answer: A. May
Explanation: Optative sentences expressing wishes or prayers start with 'May'.
17. While he was reading a book, his friend _______ into the room.
A. came
B. comes
C. was coming
D. had come
Answer: A. came
Explanation: A single interrupting past event while another action was ongoing takes Simple Past Tense ('came').
18. You _______ buy a ticket before entering the cinema hall.
A. must
B. may
C. might
D. could
Answer: A. must
Explanation: Buying a ticket is a mandatory requirement/rule, expressed by 'must'.
19. If it rains, we _______ cancel the picnic.
A. will
B. would
C. had
D. were
Answer: A. will
Explanation: In First Conditional sentences (If + Simple Present), the main clause uses Simple Future ('will + V1').
20. He _______ used to smoke, but he gave it up last year.
A. used to
B. ought to
C. should
D. must
Answer: A. used to
Explanation: 'Used to' expresses a past habit or routine that no longer exists in the present.
21. They _______ for the results for two hours now.
A. have been waiting
B. are waiting
C. waited
D. were waiting
Answer: A. have been waiting
Explanation: 'For two hours now' indicates Present Perfect Continuous Tense ('have been waiting').
22. There are no clouds in the sky, so it _______ rain today.
A. might not
B. must
C. can
D. should
Answer: A. might not
Explanation: 'Might not' indicates weak or remote impossibility based on clear evidence (no clouds).
23. She told me that she _______ help me the following day.
A. would
B. will
C. can
D. may
Answer: A. would
Explanation: In indirect speech introduced by a past tense verb ('told'), 'will' changes to 'would'.
24. Drivers _______ slow down when approaching a school zone.
A. should
B. might
C. could
D. would
Answer: A. should
Explanation: 'Should' is used to express advice, recommendation, or sensible obligation.
25. Neither of the two boys _______ present in the class yesterday.
A. was
B. were
C. are
D. have been
Answer: A. was
Explanation: 'Neither' is singular and takes a singular past verb ('was') when referring to 'yesterday'.
This page contains a chapter-wise objective practice set. Try the questions without checking the answer first, then use the explanation to understand the point you missed. The current page contains 25 questions, so you can practise in smaller sets when you are revising.
Topics to keep in mind
Other English Grammar Topics:
Quick revision tip
After the practice set, write down the question numbers you missed and revise only those concepts once more. This makes MCQ practice more useful than repeatedly attempting the same questions without reviewing mistakes.
