MCQs on Structure of the English Language
Part A – Punctuation and Capitals
1. Which punctuation mark is used to show a strong feeling or exclamation?
(A) Full stop
(B) Comma
(C) Exclamation mark
(D) Apostrophe
Answer: C
2. The first word of a sentence should always begin with:
(A) Small letter
(B) Capital letter
(C) Italics
(D) Bold letter
Answer: B
3. Which punctuation is used to indicate possession?
(A) Hyphen
(B) Apostrophe
(C) Semicolon
(D) Colon
Answer: B
4. In the sentence “She said, ‘I am tired.’”, the comma is used to:
(A) Join two sentences
(B) Separate clauses
(C) Introduce direct speech
(D) Show pause
Answer: C
5. Which punctuation mark is used to join two independent clauses without a conjunction?
(A) Colon
(B) Semicolon
(C) Dash
(D) Ellipsis
Answer: B
6. Which of these is correct for capitalizing titles?
(A) the king of england
(B) The King of England
(C) The king Of England
(D) The King of england
Answer: B
7. A colon (:) is often used before:
(A) A list or explanation
(B) A small pause
(C) A quotation only
(D) Ending a sentence
Answer: A
8. Which punctuation mark is used to show omission of words?
(A) Dash
(B) Ellipsis
(C) Semicolon
(D) Parentheses
Answer: B
9. Which of the following sentences is punctuated correctly?
(A) He asked “where are you going?”
(B) He asked, “Where are you going?”
(C) He asked “Where are you going”?
(D) He asked, “where are you going”?
Answer: B
10. Proper nouns always begin with:
(A) Small letter
(B) Italics
(C) Capital letter
(D) Bold
Answer: C
Part A – Punctuation and Capitals
11. Which punctuation mark is used to indicate a sudden break in thought?
(A) Dash
(B) Semicolon
(C) Hyphen
(D) Brackets
Answer: A
12. A question mark is used:
(A) After a statement
(B) After an exclamatory sentence
(C) After a direct question
(D) After a title
Answer: C
13. The apostrophe in don’t shows:
(A) Possession
(B) Plural
(C) Omission of a letter
(D) A compound word
Answer: C
14. Which sentence is correct?
(A) My uncle lives in Kolkata India.
(B) My uncle lives in Kolkata, India.
(C) My Uncle lives in kolkata, india.
(D) My uncle lives in kolkata india.
Answer: B
15. The dash (—) can be used to:
(A) Replace commas or parentheses for emphasis
(B) Indicate a list
(C) Show possession
(D) End a sentence
Answer: A
16. Which of the following requires capital letters?
(A) Names of months
(B) Days of the week
(C) Names of languages
(D) All of the above
Answer: D
17. In It’s raining, the apostrophe shows:
(A) A plural form
(B) Contraction of “it is”
(C) Possession
(D) Ellipsis
Answer: B
18. Which punctuation is used to introduce a quotation?
(A) Full stop
(B) Colon
(C) Dash
(D) Semicolon
Answer: B
19. Parentheses ( ) are used to:
(A) Join two sentences
(B) Insert extra information
(C) Show possession
(D) End a sentence
Answer: B
20. A comma splice occurs when:
(A) Two clauses are joined by a comma without a conjunction
(B) Commas are overused
(C) Commas are missing
(D) A sentence is incomplete
Answer: A
21. Which is correct?
(A) She is my friend, not my enemy.
(B) She is my friend not, my enemy.
(C) She is my friend not my, enemy.
(D) She is my, friend not my enemy.
Answer: A
22. An ellipsis (…) is used to:
(A) End a sentence
(B) Show omitted words
(C) Indicate possession
(D) Show plural form
Answer: B
23. Which word should be capitalized? We visited the taj mahal last year.
(A) taj
(B) mahal
(C) taj mahal
(D) All of the above
Answer: D
24. Which punctuation separates items in a list?
(A) Full stop
(B) Comma
(C) Colon
(D) Apostrophe
Answer: B
25. Which is correct for direct address?
(A) Let’s eat Grandma!
(B) Let’s eat, Grandma!
(C) Lets eat Grandma!
(D) Let’s eat grandma!
Answer: B
26. Which punctuation is used in compound adjectives like well-known?
(A) Dash
(B) Hyphen
(C) Semicolon
(D) Colon
Answer: B
27. A colon can be used to:
(A) Separate two unrelated sentences
(B) Introduce a quotation or explanation
(C) Show omission of words
(D) Indicate a break in thought
Answer: B
28. Which is correct?
(A) I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
(B) I bought apples oranges, and bananas.
(C) I bought apples, oranges and, bananas.
(D) I bought apples oranges and bananas.
Answer: A
29. Which punctuation marks end an imperative sentence?
(A) Period or exclamation mark
(B) Comma or colon
(C) Apostrophe or dash
(D) Semicolon or ellipsis
Answer: A
30. In Dr. Smith, the period after Dr shows:
(A) Possession
(B) Abbreviation
(C) Omission
(D) End of sentence
Answer: B
Part A – Punctuation & Capitals (continued)
31. Which is correct for capitalizing historical events?
(A) world war ii
(B) World War II
(C) World war ii
(D) World war II
Answer: B
32. The punctuation in “Wow!” she exclaimed. shows:
(A) Exclamation inside quotation marks
(B) Question inside quotation marks
(C) Omission inside quotation marks
(D) Possession inside quotation marks
Answer: A
33. Which mark is used to show a range, such as pages 5–10?
(A) Hyphen
(B) En dash
(C) Em dash
(D) Colon
Answer: B
34. Which punctuation is used for plural possessive of “children”?
(A) childrens’
(B) childrens’s
(C) children’s
(D) child’s
Answer: C
35. Which of the following is a correct sentence?
(A) She went to Delhi; and she visited Agra.
(B) She went to Delhi; she visited Agra.
(C) She went to Delhi, she visited Agra.
(D) She went to Delhi; but she visited Agra.
Answer: B
36. Which punctuation is used for titles of short stories?
(A) Italics
(B) Quotation marks
(C) Underline
(D) Capitals only
Answer: B
37. Which is correct?
(A) Did you read the book “Gulliver’s Travels”?
(B) Did you read the book Gulliver’s Travels?
(C) Did you read the book, Gulliver’s Travels?
(D) Did you read the book Gulliver’s Travels?
Answer: B
38. Which is the correct use of capitals?
(A) He lives in the South of India.
(B) He lives in the south of India.
(C) He lives in the south Of India.
(D) He lives in The South of india.
Answer: A
39. Which punctuation is used for joining words like mother-in-law?
(A) Hyphen
(B) Apostrophe
(C) Colon
(D) Dash
Answer: A
40. In O Captain! My Captain! the exclamation mark is used to:
(A) Show excitement or strong emotion
(B) Separate clauses
(C) Indicate omission
(D) Show possession
Answer: A
41. Which is correct for capitalizing book titles?
(A) the Old Man and the Sea
(B) The Old Man and the Sea
(C) The old man and the Sea
(D) The Old man And the Sea
Answer: B
42. A semicolon can be used to:
(A) Join related independent clauses
(B) Replace an apostrophe
(C) End a sentence
(D) Start a quotation
Answer: A
43. Which punctuation is correct in dates?
(A) 11 August, 2025
(B) 11, August 2025
(C) 11 August 2025,
(D) 11 August 2025.
Answer: A
44. Which is the correct plural possessive form of “boss”?
(A) bosses’
(B) boss’s
(C) bos’s
(D) bosse’s
Answer: A
45. Which punctuation is used to indicate direct speech?
(A) Quotation marks
(B) Parentheses
(C) Dash
(D) Colon
Answer: A
46. Which punctuation separates the parts of an address?
(A) Comma
(B) Period
(C) Apostrophe
(D) Dash
Answer: A
47. The capital letter in Mount Everest shows it is:
(A) A proper noun
(B) A common noun
(C) An adjective
(D) A pronoun
Answer: A
48. Which is correct?
(A) “I can’t believe it!” she cried.
(B) “I can’t believe it”! she cried.
(C) “I can’t believe it,”! she cried.
(D) “I can’t believe it” she cried!
Answer: A
49. In etc., the period shows:
(A) End of sentence
(B) Abbreviation
(C) Possession
(D) Contraction
Answer: B
50. Which is correct for capitalizing languages?
(A) He speaks english and hindi.
(B) He speaks English and Hindi.
(C) He speaks English and hindi.
(D) He speaks english and Hindi.
Answer: B
Part B – Formation of Words: Prefixing, Suffixing, Compounding, Conversion
51. The prefix in unhappy means:
(A) Very
(B) Not
(C) Again
(D) Before
Answer: B
52. The word teacher is formed by adding the suffix:
(A) -ly
(B) -er
(C) -ing
(D) -ment
Answer: B
53. The compound word in toothbrush is made from:
(A) Noun + Verb
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Verb + Noun
(D) Adjective + Noun
Answer: B
54. The prefix in prepaid means:
(A) After
(B) Again
(C) Before
(D) Not
Answer: C
55. The suffix in happiness changes the word into a:
(A) Verb
(B) Noun
(C) Adjective
(D) Adverb
Answer: B
56. Which is an example of conversion (zero derivation)?
(A) Play → player
(B) Clean → cleaner
(C) Email (noun) → to email (verb)
(D) Kind → kindness
Answer: C
57. The compound in blackboard is:
(A) Adjective + Noun
(B) Noun + Verb
(C) Verb + Adjective
(D) Noun + Noun
Answer: A
58. The prefix mis- in misunderstand means:
(A) Again
(B) Wrongly
(C) Without
(D) Very
Answer: B
59. The suffix -ist in artist means:
(A) One who does
(B) One who makes
(C) One who believes in
(D) All of the above
Answer: D
60. The word babysit is an example of:
(A) Prefixing
(B) Suffixing
(C) Compounding
(D) Abbreviation
Answer: C
Part B – Formation of Words (continued)
61. The prefix in bilingual means:
(A) One
(B) Two
(C) Many
(D) Half
Answer: B
62. The word driver is formed from drive by adding:
(A) Prefix
(B) Suffix
(C) Prefix and suffix
(D) Compound
Answer: B
63. The compound word notebook is:
(A) Verb + Noun
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: B
64. The prefix inter- in international means:
(A) Between
(B) Inside
(C) Above
(D) After
Answer: A
65. Adding -ment to develop forms a:
(A) Verb
(B) Noun
(C) Adjective
(D) Adverb
Answer: B
66. The word text message is an example of:
(A) Prefixing
(B) Compounding
(C) Suffixing
(D) Conversion
Answer: B
67. The prefix sub- in submarine means:
(A) Over
(B) Under
(C) Across
(D) Beside
Answer: B
68. Adding -able to read makes:
(A) Readable (adjective)
(B) Reading (noun)
(C) Reader (noun)
(D) Readably (adverb)
Answer: A
69. The compound raincoat is made from:
(A) Verb + Noun
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Noun + Verb
(D) Adjective + Verb
Answer: B
70. The prefix anti- in antiwar means:
(A) In favour of
(B) Against
(C) Before
(D) After
Answer: B
71. The word keyboard is:
(A) Prefix + root
(B) Suffix + root
(C) Compound
(D) Conversion
Answer: C
72. Adding -ly to quick makes:
(A) Noun
(B) Adverb
(C) Verb
(D) Adjective
Answer: B
73. The prefix mono- in monolingual means:
(A) Many
(B) Two
(C) One
(D) None
Answer: C
74. Changing email (noun) to to email (verb) is:
(A) Derivation
(B) Conversion
(C) Compounding
(D) Prefixing
Answer: B
75. The suffix -ship in friendship expresses:
(A) Quality/state
(B) Person
(C) Action
(D) Place
Answer: A
76. The word self-respect contains:
(A) Prefix + root
(B) Hyphenated compound
(C) Suffix + root
(D) Prefix only
Answer: B
77. The prefix trans- in transatlantic means:
(A) Across
(B) Under
(C) Before
(D) Without
Answer: A
78. Adding -ist to tour makes:
(A) Touristic
(B) Tourist
(C) Touring
(D) Toured
Answer: B
79. The word lifeboat is:
(A) Noun + Noun compound
(B) Adjective + Noun compound
(C) Verb + Noun compound
(D) Noun + Verb compound
Answer: A
80. The prefix over- in overconfident means:
(A) Less
(B) Too much
(C) Opposite
(D) Again
Answer: B
81. The suffix -less in hopeless means:
(A) Without
(B) Full of
(C) Having
(D) Causing
Answer: A
82. The compound dining-room is:
(A) Verb + Noun
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Noun + Verb
(D) Adjective + Verb
Answer: A
83. The prefix co- in coworker means:
(A) Before
(B) Together
(C) Against
(D) Again
Answer: B
84. The suffix -er in singer means:
(A) A person who sings
(B) A place of singing
(C) An action of singing
(D) A tool for singing
Answer: A
85. The word haircut is:
(A) Prefixing
(B) Suffixing
(C) Compounding
(D) Conversion
Answer: C
86. The prefix post- in postgraduate means:
(A) Before
(B) After
(C) Against
(D) Across
Answer: B
87. Adding -ful to hope makes:
(A) Hopely
(B) Hopeful
(C) Hoped
(D) Hoping
Answer: B
88. The compound classroom is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
89. The prefix non- in nonsmoker means:
(A) Before
(B) Not
(C) Again
(D) Very
Answer: B
90. The suffix -hood in childhood expresses:
(A) A person
(B) A tool
(C) A state or period
(D) An action
Answer: C
Part B – Formation of Words (continued)
91. The word snowfall is:
(A) Verb + Noun
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: B
92. The prefix pre- in preview means:
(A) After
(B) Before
(C) Against
(D) Beyond
Answer: B
93. Adding -ness to kind makes:
(A) Verb
(B) Adverb
(C) Noun
(D) Adjective
Answer: C
94. The compound sunlight is:
(A) Noun + Verb
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Verb + Noun
Answer: B
95. The prefix under- in underpaid means:
(A) Too much
(B) Too little
(C) Again
(D) Without
Answer: B
96. The suffix -ify in beautify means:
(A) Make or become
(B) Having
(C) Without
(D) Relating to
Answer: A
97. The word washing machine is:
(A) Prefixing
(B) Compounding
(C) Suffixing
(D) Conversion
Answer: B
98. The prefix tri- in triangle means:
(A) Four
(B) Three
(C) Two
(D) One
Answer: B
99. Adding -tion to educate forms:
(A) Education (noun)
(B) Educating (verb)
(C) Educator (noun)
(D) Educated (adjective)
Answer: A
100. The compound motherland is:
(A) Noun + Verb
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Verb + Noun
(D) Adjective + Noun
Answer: B
101. The prefix re- in rewrite means:
(A) Not
(B) Again
(C) Before
(D) Against
Answer: B
102. The suffix -ous in dangerous means:
(A) Full of
(B) Without
(C) Capable of
(D) Relating to
Answer: A
103. The word swimming pool is:
(A) Compound
(B) Suffixing
(C) Prefixing
(D) Conversion
Answer: A
104. The prefix super- in superhuman means:
(A) Below
(B) Over/above
(C) After
(D) Inside
Answer: B
105. Adding -al to nation makes:
(A) National (adjective)
(B) Nationally (adverb)
(C) Nationalism (noun)
(D) Nationalist (noun)
Answer: A
106. The compound bookshelf is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
107. The prefix auto- in autograph means:
(A) Other
(B) Self
(C) Together
(D) None
Answer: B
108. The suffix -ist in scientist means:
(A) A believer in
(B) A person who does
(C) A tool for
(D) A place of
Answer: B
109. The word bluebird is:
(A) Adjective + Noun
(B) Noun + Verb
(C) Noun + Noun
(D) Verb + Noun
Answer: A
110. The prefix multi- in multicultural means:
(A) One
(B) Many
(C) Against
(D) Twice
Answer: B
111. Adding -ment to enjoy makes:
(A) Enjoys (verb)
(B) Enjoyment (noun)
(C) Enjoyed (verb)
(D) Enjoying (verb)
Answer: B
112. The compound fingernail is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
113. The prefix semi- in semicircle means:
(A) Whole
(B) Half
(C) Many
(D) None
Answer: B
114. The suffix -ive in creative means:
(A) Without
(B) Full of
(C) Having the nature of
(D) Capable of
Answer: C
115. The word highway is:
(A) Adjective + Noun
(B) Noun + Verb
(C) Noun + Noun
(D) Verb + Noun
Answer: A
116. The prefix extra- in extraordinary means:
(A) Outside/beyond
(B) Less than
(C) Inside
(D) Again
Answer: A
117. Adding -ist to piano makes:
(A) Pianist
(B) Pianoist
(C) Pianistic
(D) Pianism
Answer: A
118. The compound paperclip is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
119. The prefix over- in overwork means:
(A) Less
(B) Too much
(C) Again
(D) Before
Answer: B
120. The suffix -y in sunny means:
(A) Having
(B) Without
(C) Full of
(D) Causing
Answer: A
121. The word mailbox is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
122. The prefix dis- in disagree means:
(A) Not/opposite of
(B) Again
(C) Before
(D) Without
Answer: A
123. Adding -al to accident makes:
(A) Accidental (adjective)
(B) Accidently (adverb)
(C) Accidentism (noun)
(D) Accidentist (noun)
Answer: A
124. The compound newsroom is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
125. The prefix under- in undercook means:
(A) Not enough
(B) Too much
(C) Opposite
(D) Beyond
Answer: A
126. The suffix -able in enjoyable means:
(A) Full of
(B) Without
(C) Capable of being
(D) Relating to
Answer: C
127. The word earthquake is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Noun + Verb
(D) Adjective + Noun
Answer: A
128. The prefix mis- in misbehave means:
(A) Against
(B) Wrongly
(C) Before
(D) Again
Answer: B
129. Adding -ist to novel makes:
(A) Novelty
(B) Novelist
(C) Noveling
(D) Novelism
Answer: B
130. The compound bedroom is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
131. The prefix pro- in proactive means:
(A) Against
(B) In favour of/forward
(C) Before
(D) Over
Answer: B
132. The suffix -ist in dentist means:
(A) A tool for
(B) A place for
(C) A person who does
(D) A state of
Answer: C
133. The word firefighter is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Noun + Verb
(D) Adjective + Noun
Answer: A
134. The prefix super- in superfast means:
(A) Very/above
(B) Less
(C) Against
(D) Before
Answer: A
135. Adding -ly to slow makes:
(A) Slowly (adverb)
(B) Slowness (noun)
(C) Slowable (adjective)
(D) Slower (adjective)
Answer: A
136. The compound playground is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
137. The prefix co- in coauthor means:
(A) Against
(B) Together
(C) Before
(D) After
Answer: B
138. The suffix -ful in beautiful means:
(A) Having
(B) Full of
(C) Without
(D) Relating to
Answer: B
139. The word weekend is:
(A) Noun + Verb
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Verb + Noun
Answer: B
140. The prefix mid- in midday means:
(A) After
(B) Middle
(C) Before
(D) Between
Answer: B
141. Adding -or to act makes:
(A) Action
(B) Actor
(C) Active
(D) Acting
Answer: B
142. The compound football is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
143. The prefix out- in outperform means:
(A) Outside
(B) Better than
(C) Against
(D) Under
Answer: B
144. The suffix -less in careless means:
(A) Full of
(B) Without
(C) Having
(D) Relating to
Answer: B
145. The word teacup is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
146. The prefix over- in overeat means:
(A) Less
(B) Too much
(C) Not enough
(D) Again
Answer: B
147. Adding -ian to music makes:
(A) Musicness
(B) Musician
(C) Musicism
(D) Musicist
Answer: B
148. The compound waterfall is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
149. The prefix ex- in ex-president means:
(A) Before
(B) Former
(C) Against
(D) Extra
Answer: B
150. The suffix -en in shorten means:
(A) Make or become
(B) Having
(C) Full of
(D) Without
Answer: A
151. The word windmill is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
152. The prefix self- in self-taught means:
(A) Together
(B) By one’s own
(C) Against
(D) Before
Answer: B
153. Adding -al to arrive makes:
(A) Arriving
(B) Arrival
(C) Arrivals
(D) Arrived
Answer: B
154. The compound basketball is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
155. The prefix poly- in polygon means:
(A) Many
(B) Few
(C) One
(D) Two
Answer: A
156. The suffix -ive in active means:
(A) Without
(B) Having the nature of
(C) Full of
(D) Causing
Answer: B
157. The word bookstore is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
158. The prefix inter- in interstate means:
(A) Inside
(B) Between
(C) Above
(D) Before
Answer: B
159. Adding -ist to journal makes:
(A) Journalism
(B) Journalist
(C) Journalistic
(D) Journaling
Answer: B
160. The compound blacksmith is:
(A) Adjective + Noun
(B) Noun + Noun
(C) Noun + Verb
(D) Verb + Noun
Answer: A
161. The prefix micro- in microscope means:
(A) Large
(B) Small
(C) Many
(D) One
Answer: B
162. The suffix -ify in simplify means:
(A) Make or become
(B) Full of
(C) Without
(D) Relating to
Answer: A
163. The word armchair is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
164. The prefix sub- in subway means:
(A) Over
(B) Under
(C) Before
(D) Against
Answer: B
165. Adding -er to write makes:
(A) Written
(B) Writer
(C) Writing
(D) Writes
Answer: B
166. The compound seashore is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
167. The prefix ultra- in ultramodern means:
(A) Less
(B) Beyond/extreme
(C) Before
(D) Inside
Answer: B
168. The suffix -ness in darkness means:
(A) State or quality of
(B) Without
(C) Having
(D) Full of
Answer: A
169. The word shoelace is:
(A) Noun + Noun
(B) Verb + Noun
(C) Adjective + Noun
(D) Noun + Verb
Answer: A
170. The prefix over- in overcook means:
(A) Too much
(B) Not enough
(C) Against
(D) Before
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