Choose the grammatically correct sentence.

(C) The furniture in these rooms is new.

Which of the following conditional sentences is grammatically correct?

(D) If I see him, I will tell him.

Which of the following sentences uses the correct tense?

(A) I have known him for many years.

Which of the following sentences uses the conjunction correctly?

(B) Although he was tired, he kept working.

Which of the following sentences uses the pronoun correctly?

(C) One should keep one's promises.

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English

English Grammar Fundamentals: Practice Questions with Answers

54 practice questions on English Grammar Fundamentals, with answers; most also have an explanation or a worked solution. Try each one before you open its answer.

Q.1

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: If I ___ you, I would accept the offer.
1. A were
2. B am
3. C was
4. D will be
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Correct answer: (A) were

This is an imaginary situation (second conditional). Standard grammar uses 'were' for all subjects in such clauses: 'If I were you'. Answer: were.

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Q.2

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: If he had left home on time, he ___ the 9 o'clock train yesterday.
1. A would have caught
2. B would catch
3. C will catch
4. D catches
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Correct answer: (A) would have caught

An imaginary past situation (he did not leave on time) takes the third conditional: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle. Answer: would have caught.

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Q.3

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: We ___ for two hours when the bus finally arrived.
1. A have been waiting
2. B are waiting
3. C had been waiting
4. D will be waiting
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Correct answer: (C) had been waiting

The waiting went on for a period of time before another past event (the bus arrived), so the past perfect continuous 'had been waiting' is used. Answer: had been waiting.

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Q.4

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: To ___ did you give the letter?
1. A who
2. B whose
3. C whoever
4. D whom
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Correct answer: (D) whom

The pronoun is the object of the preposition 'to', so the objective form 'whom' is required. Answer: whom.

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Q.5

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: The old man slipped and fell DOWN.
1. A Preposition
2. B Adverb
3. C Noun
4. D Adjective
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Correct answer: (B) Adverb

DOWN has no object after it and tells us where he fell, so it modifies the verb 'fell' and is an adverb. In 'He ran down the hill', it takes an object and is a preposition. Answer: Adverb.

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Q.6

Choose the grammatically correct sentence.
1. A The furnitures in these rooms are new.
2. B The furniture in these rooms are new.
3. C The furniture in these rooms is new.
4. D The furnitures in this rooms is new.
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Correct answer: (C) The furniture in these rooms is new.

'Furniture' is an uncountable noun: it has no plural form and takes a singular verb. Only 'The furniture in these rooms is new' is correct. Answer: The furniture in these rooms is new.

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Q.7

Which of the following conditional sentences is grammatically correct?
1. A If I will see him, I will tell him.
2. B If I saw him, I will tell him.
3. C If I had seen him, I will tell him.
4. D If I see him, I will tell him.
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Correct answer: (D) If I see him, I will tell him.

In a first conditional, the if-clause takes the simple present and the main clause takes 'will'. 'Will' is not used in the if-clause. Answer: If I see him, I will tell him.

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Q.8

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: He gave me some very useful ___.
1. A advices
2. B an advice
3. C the advices
4. D advice
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Correct answer: (D) advice

'Advice' is an uncountable noun: it has no plural form and does not take 'an'. We say 'some advice' or 'a piece of advice'. Answer: advice.

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Q.9

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Each of the players ___ given a medal after the final.
1. A were
2. B have been
3. C was
4. D are
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Correct answer: (C) was

'Each' is singular even when followed by 'of the + plural noun', so the singular verb 'was' is needed. Answer: was.

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Q.10

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: ALAS! The old bridge has collapsed.
1. A Interjection
2. B Adverb
3. C Conjunction
4. D Noun
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Correct answer: (A) Interjection

ALAS is a word that expresses sudden sorrow and stands apart from the grammar of the sentence, followed by an exclamation mark. Such words are interjections. Answer: Interjection.

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Q.11

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: When he was young, he ___ swim across the river easily.
1. A can
2. B could
3. C may
4. D must
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Correct answer: (B) could

The sentence describes an ability in the past ('when he was young'), so the past form 'could' is correct. Answer: could.

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Q.12

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Walk carefully lest you ___ slip on the wet floor.
1. A will
2. B should
3. C would
4. D can
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Correct answer: (B) should

The conjunction 'lest' (meaning 'so that...not') is followed by 'should': 'lest you should slip'. Answer: should.

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Q.13

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: My elder brother is ___ M.A. in English.
1. A a
2. B the
3. C an
4. D no article
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Correct answer: (C) an

'M.A.' is read as 'em-ay', which begins with a vowel sound, so 'an' is used even though M is a consonant letter. Answer: an.

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Q.14

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: You ___ shout; I can hear you clearly.
1. A must
2. B have to
3. C ought to
4. D need not
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Correct answer: (D) need not

The second clause shows there is no necessity to shout. Absence of necessity is expressed by 'need not'; the other options all express obligation. Answer: need not.

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Q.15

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Candidates ___ use mobile phones in the examination hall; it is strictly against the rules.
1. A need not
2. B must not
3. C may
4. D can
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Correct answer: (B) must not

Something that is against the rules is a prohibition, which is expressed by 'must not'. 'Need not' only means there is no obligation. Answer: must not.

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Q.16

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: I have ___ good friends in this city, so I never feel lonely.
1. A little
2. B a few
3. C a little
4. D much
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Correct answer: (B) a few

'Friends' is a countable plural noun, so 'few/a few' is needed, not 'little' or 'much'. 'A few' (some) fits the positive meaning 'I never feel lonely'. Answer: a few.

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Q.17

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Water ___ at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level.
1. A boils
2. B boil
3. C is boiling
4. D boiled
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Correct answer: (A) boils

A universal or scientific truth is expressed in the simple present. With the singular subject 'water', the verb is 'boils'. Answer: boils.

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Q.18

Which of the following sentences uses the correct tense?
1. A I have known him for many years.
2. B I am knowing him for many years.
3. C I know him for many years.
4. D I knew him since many years.
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Correct answer: (A) I have known him for many years.

'Know' is a stative verb and is not used in the continuous form. A state that began in the past and continues now takes the present perfect with 'for': 'I have known him for many years.' Answer: I have known him for many years.

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Q.19

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: The cheetah can run very FAST.
1. A Adjective
2. B Noun
3. C Verb
4. D Adverb
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Correct answer: (D) Adverb

FAST tells us how the cheetah runs, so it modifies the verb 'run'. A word that modifies a verb is an adverb. (In 'a fast car', fast is an adjective.) Answer: Adverb.

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Q.20

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: Crude oil is a major IMPORT for many countries.
1. A Noun
2. B Verb
3. C Adjective
4. D Adverb
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Correct answer: (A) Noun

IMPORT comes after the article 'a' and the adjective 'major' and names a thing, so it is a noun here. In 'They import oil', it would be a verb. Answer: Noun.

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Q.21

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: He prides ___ on his punctuality.
1. A him
2. B himself
3. C his
4. D he
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Correct answer: (B) himself

'Pride oneself on' always takes a reflexive pronoun that refers back to the subject, so 'He prides himself on...' is correct. Answer: himself.

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Q.22

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Let's go for a walk, ___?
1. A will we
2. B shall we
3. C don't we
4. D won't we
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Correct answer: (B) shall we

A sentence beginning with 'Let's' (let us) takes the question tag 'shall we'. Answer: shall we.

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Q.23

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: I usually go to ___ bed at ten o'clock.
1. A a
2. B an
3. C no article
4. D the
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Correct answer: (C) no article

When 'bed' is used for its primary purpose (sleeping), no article is used: 'go to bed'. Similarly 'go to school', 'go to church'. Answer: no article.

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Q.24

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Neither the teacher nor the students ___ present at the function.
1. A was
2. B is
3. C has been
4. D were
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Correct answer: (D) were

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject. 'Students' is plural, so 'were' is correct. Answer: were.

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Q.25

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: By the time the fire brigade arrived, the fire ___ most of the shop.
1. A destroyed
2. B had destroyed
3. C has destroyed
4. D will destroy
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Correct answer: (B) had destroyed

Of two past actions, the earlier one takes the past perfect. The fire destroyed the shop before the fire brigade arrived, so 'had destroyed' is correct. Answer: had destroyed.

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Q.26

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: There is ___ university near my house.
1. A a
2. B an
3. C the
4. D no article
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Correct answer: (A) a

'University' begins with a 'yoo' (consonant) sound, so 'a' is used, not 'an'. The choice depends on sound, not spelling. Answer: a.

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Q.27

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: ___ I known about the traffic jam, I would have left earlier.
1. A Had
2. B Have
3. C If
4. D Did
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Correct answer: (A) Had

'Had I known' is the inverted form of 'If I had known' (third conditional). 'If I known' is wrong because the auxiliary 'had' is missing. Answer: Had.

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Q.28

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: The doctor says the patient is quite WELL now.
1. A Adverb
2. B Noun
3. C Adjective
4. D Interjection
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Correct answer: (C) Adjective

After the linking verb 'is', WELL means 'in good health' and describes the patient, so it is an adjective. In 'She sings well', it would be an adverb. Answer: Adjective.

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Q.29

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: She ___ in this company since 2018.
1. A has been working
2. B works
3. C is working
4. D was working
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Correct answer: (A) has been working

An action that began in the past (2018) and is still continuing takes the present perfect continuous with 'since'. 'Is working since' is a common error. Answer: has been working.

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Q.30

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: He is ___ honest man, so you can trust him.
1. A a
2. B the
3. C an
4. D no article
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Correct answer: (C) an

The 'h' in 'honest' is silent, so the word begins with a vowel sound. 'An' is used before a vowel sound. Answer: an.

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Q.31

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: No sooner had the bell rung ___ the students rushed out of the class.
1. A when
2. B than
3. C then
4. D that
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Correct answer: (B) than

'No sooner' is always paired with 'than': 'No sooner had X happened than Y happened'. Answer: than.

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Q.32

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: SWIMMING keeps the body fit.
1. A Noun
2. B Verb
3. C Adjective
4. D Adverb
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Correct answer: (A) Noun

SWIMMING is the subject of the verb 'keeps'. An -ing form used as a subject is a gerund, and a gerund works as a noun. Answer: Noun.

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Q.33

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: THAT is the house where I was born.
1. A Adjective
2. B Conjunction
3. C Pronoun
4. D Adverb
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Correct answer: (C) Pronoun

THAT stands alone in place of a noun (the thing pointed at), so it is a demonstrative pronoun. In 'That house is old', it would qualify a noun and act as an adjective. Answer: Pronoun.

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Q.34

Which of the following sentences uses the conjunction correctly?
1. A Although he was tired, but he kept working.
2. B Although he was tired, he kept working.
3. C Although he tired, he kept working.
4. D Although he was tired, he keeps working yesterday.
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Correct answer: (B) Although he was tired, he kept working.

'Although' and 'but' should not be used together in the same sentence, since both show contrast. Of the other options, one drops the verb 'was' ('he tired'), and one wrongly uses the present 'keeps' with 'yesterday'. Answer: Although he was tired, he kept working.

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Q.35

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Between you and ___, this plan will not work.
1. A I
2. B myself
3. C me
4. D mine
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Correct answer: (C) me

'Between' is a preposition, and a pronoun after a preposition takes the objective case. So 'between you and me' is correct; 'between you and I' is a common error. Answer: me.

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Q.36

Which of the following sentences uses the pronoun correctly?
1. A One should keep your promises.
2. B One should keeps one's promises.
3. C One should keep one's promises.
4. D One should keep ones promises.
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Correct answer: (C) One should keep one's promises.

The pronoun 'one' is followed by 'one's' (with an apostrophe), not 'your'. After the modal 'should', the base form 'keep' is used. Answer: One should keep one's promises.

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Q.37

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: SINCE you are tired, you may go home early.
1. A Preposition
2. B Conjunction
3. C Adverb
4. D Pronoun
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Correct answer: (B) Conjunction

Here SINCE introduces the clause 'you are tired' (it has its own subject and verb) and joins it to the main clause, so it is a conjunction meaning 'because'. Answer: Conjunction.

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Q.38

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: She has been working since morning without a break; she ___ be very tired.
1. A need
2. B must
3. C ought
4. D dare
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Correct answer: (B) must

'Must' expresses a confident logical conclusion based on evidence (working all day). 'Ought' needs 'to', and 'need' and 'dare' do not express deduction. Answer: must.

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Q.39

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: The captain, along with his players, ___ reached the stadium.
1. A has
2. B have
3. C are
4. D were
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Correct answer: (A) has

A phrase added with 'along with' does not change the number of the subject. The subject is 'the captain' (singular), so 'has reached' is correct. Answer: has.

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Q.40

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: This is the boy ___ father is a doctor.
1. A who
2. B whose
3. C whom
4. D which
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Correct answer: (B) whose

The blank shows possession (the boy's father), so the possessive relative pronoun 'whose' is needed. Answer: whose.

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Q.41

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Asking the teacher for permission to enter the class, the student said, "___ I come in, sir?"
1. A Must
2. B Would
3. C Ought
4. D May
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Correct answer: (D) May

'May' is the modal used to ask for permission politely. 'Must' asks about obligation, 'Would I come in' is not idiomatic, and 'ought' needs 'to'. Answer: May.

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Q.42

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: The news from the village ___ very encouraging.
1. A are
2. B were
3. C is
4. D have been
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Correct answer: (C) is

'News' looks plural but is an uncountable noun and always takes a singular verb. Answer: is.

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Q.43

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: I ___ him at the railway station yesterday.
1. A have met
2. B have been meeting
3. C am meeting
4. D met
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Correct answer: (D) met

'Yesterday' names a definite past time, so the simple past 'met' is needed. The present perfect cannot be used with a stated past time. Answer: met.

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Q.44

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: A number of applicants ___ waiting outside the office.
1. A is
2. B was
3. C has been
4. D are
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Correct answer: (D) are

'A number of' means 'many' and takes a plural verb. ('The number of' would take a singular verb.) Answer: are.

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Q.45

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: If it rains tomorrow, the match ___ cancelled.
1. A would be
2. B would have been
3. C was
4. D will be
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Correct answer: (D) will be

A real future possibility takes the first conditional: if + simple present, will + base verb. So 'will be cancelled'. Answer: will be.

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Q.46

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: She plays ___ violin beautifully.
1. A the
2. B a
3. C an
4. D no article
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Correct answer: (A) the

'The' is used before the names of musical instruments when we talk about playing them: 'play the violin', 'play the flute'. Answer: the.

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Q.47

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Each of the girls has brought ___ own lunch box.
1. A their
2. B his
3. C its
4. D her
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Correct answer: (D) her

'Each' is singular, and the girls are female, so the singular feminine pronoun 'her' agrees with it. Answer: her.

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Q.48

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: Hardly had he reached the station ___ the train left.
1. A than
2. B then
3. C when
4. D that
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Correct answer: (C) when

'Hardly' (like 'scarcely') is followed by 'when', not 'than'. 'Than' is used with 'no sooner'. Answer: when.

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Q.49

Identify the part of speech of the word in CAPITALS: It has been raining SINCE Monday.
1. A Adverb
2. B Conjunction
3. C Preposition
4. D Adjective
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Correct answer: (C) Preposition

SINCE is followed by the noun 'Monday' and relates it to the rest of the sentence, so here it is a preposition. It would be a conjunction only if it introduced a full clause. Answer: Preposition.

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Q.50

Choose the correct option to fill in the blank: By the end of this year, she ___ three novels.
1. A will write
2. B will have written
3. C has written
4. D wrote
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Correct answer: (B) will have written

'By the end of this year' points to an action that will be complete before a future time. That calls for the future perfect: 'will have written'. Answer: will have written.

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Authored by an AI assistant (Claude), then checked by a second, independent AI pass - not reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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