Free Comprehension MCQs with Answers
56 Comprehension MCQs from English, each with the correct answer and a written explanation of why it is correct. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
56 questions · page 1 of 6
1. Identify the error: Each of the students have submitted their assignment on time.
- A. Each of the students
- B. have submitted
- C. their assignment
- D. on time
Explanation: Each is singular and requires has submitted, so the plural verb is the error. The pronoun their is now widely accepted after each in general usage, and the phrase on time is idiomatically correct. Error detection items usually hide the fault in the verb, so check agreement first.
Correct answer: have submitted2. Complete the sentence: Although the treatment was expensive, it was ____ effective.
- A. therefore
- B. nevertheless
- C. similarly
- D. because
Explanation: Although already sets up a contrast, and nevertheless carries that contrast into the second half. Therefore would signal a result, which contradicts the concessive opening. Sentence completion questions are usually solved by identifying the logical signpost rather than by meaning alone.
Correct answer: nevertheless3. Complete the sentence: The scientist's findings were so ____ that no one could dispute them.
- A. ambiguous
- B. conclusive
- C. tentative
- D. obscure
Explanation: If nobody can dispute the findings they must be decisive, which is what conclusive means. Ambiguous, tentative and obscure all point in the opposite direction and would invite dispute rather than end it. The words following so and that always define the quality needed.
Correct answer: conclusive4. Complete the sentence: Despite his ____ manner, he was in fact deeply insecure.
- A. timid
- B. confident
- C. hostile
- D. quiet
Explanation: Despite signals a contrast with deeply insecure, so the outward manner must be the opposite of insecurity, that is confident or assured. Timid and quiet would match insecurity rather than contrast with it. Reading the whole sentence before looking at the options prevents this error.
Correct answer: confident5. Complete the sentence: The new drug must undergo rigorous trials ____ it can be approved for public use.
- A. before
- B. after
- C. unless
- D. although
Explanation: Trials logically precede approval, so before is the only connector that puts the two events in the right order. After reverses the sequence and unless would make approval the default. Time relationships are as much a part of these questions as meaning.
Correct answer: before6. Identify the error: Neither the doctor nor the nurses was available.
- A. Neither should be Either
- B. nor should be or
- C. was should be were
- D. There is no error
Explanation: With neither nor the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which here is nurses, so the plural were is required. Reversing the two nouns would make was correct instead. Neither is always paired with nor and either with or, so the first two options are wrong on their own terms.
Correct answer: was should be were7. Identify the error: He is senior than me by three years.
- A. senior should be more senior
- B. than should be to
- C. me should be I
- D. There is no error
Explanation: Latin comparatives such as senior, junior, superior, inferior and prior take to rather than than. The construction is he is senior to me. Because these words already carry a comparative sense, adding more would also be wrong.
Correct answer: than should be to8. Identify the error: I have been living here since five years.
- A. have been should be am
- B. since should be for
- C. living should be lived
- D. There is no error
Explanation: Since introduces a point in time such as 2019 or Monday, while for introduces a length of time such as five years. The tense itself is correct for an action continuing from the past into the present. This pair is one of the most frequently tested points in Pakistani entry tests.
Correct answer: since should be for9. Identify the error: The scenery of Naran are very beautiful.
- A. scenery should be sceneries
- B. are should be is
- C. of should be in
- D. There is no error
Explanation: Scenery is an uncountable noun, so it takes a singular verb and has no plural form, which also rules out the first option. The same applies to information, furniture, advice, luggage and equipment. Learners often pluralise these nouns by analogy with their own language.
Correct answer: are should be is10. In the sentence "Time is a thief that steals our youth", the figure of speech used is
- A. simile
- B. metaphor
- C. hyperbole
- D. onomatopoeia
Explanation: Time is stated to be a thief rather than merely like one, and a direct comparison without like or as is a metaphor. Adding like would make it a simile. It also personifies time, so metaphor and personification often overlap in the same phrase.
Correct answer: metaphor