Free Comprehension MCQs with Answers

853 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.

Comprehension involves understanding a passage, completing sentences logically, detecting grammatical or usage errors and interpreting figurative language. You need to identify the main idea, supporting details, tone, implied meaning and the relationship between clues in the passage and the answer choices.

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853 questions · page 2 of 43

  • A. One should be Ones
  • B. friend should be friends
  • C. is should be are
  • D. There is no error

Explanation: The phrase one of must be followed by a plural noun, since it selects a single member from a group, so it should read one of my friends.

Correct answer: friend should be friends
  • A. asked should be told
  • B. to not make should be not to make
  • C. students should be student
  • D. There is no error

Explanation: In careful written English the negative particle precedes the infinitive marker, giving not to make.

Correct answer: to not make should be not to make
Fairly easy
  • A. Pun
  • B. Alliteration
  • C. Transferred epithet
  • D. Oxymoron

Explanation: Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial sound or letter in nearby words, as in “wild and windy.” A pun depends on wordplay…

Correct answer: Alliteration
Hard
  • A. That he could not buy us food
  • B. That who could not buy us food
  • C. To he could not buy us food
  • D. None of These

Explanation: The result clause after “so poor” is introduced by “that”: “My father was so poor that he could not buy us food.” The structure “so ...

Correct answer: That he could not buy us food
Fairly easy
  • A. joined
  • B. replaced
  • C. ignored
  • D. influenced

Explanation: Joined means connected or combined with another group, which fits the idea that both groups continue toward the same goal.

Correct answer: joined
Fairly easy
  • A. at the visitors
  • B. for the visitors
  • C. the visitors
  • D. None of These

Explanation: “Give” takes an indirect object for the recipient and a direct object for the thing given: “We gave the visitors a meal.” “At” and “for”…

Correct answer: the visitors
Fairly easy
  • A. chase
  • B. pursuit
  • C. track
  • D. search

Explanation: Search for is the standard collocation meaning an attempt to find something.

Correct answer: search
Moderate
  • A. among others
  • B. of all others
  • C. of all
  • D. of

Explanation: The natural superlative construction is “the smartest of all girls,” where of all introduces the group being compared.

Correct answer: of all
Hard
  • A. the more/the more
  • B. the most/the more
  • C. the most/ the most
  • D. None of these

Explanation: This uses the comparative correlative pattern “the more..., the more...,” showing that one increasing condition produces another.

Correct answer: the more/the more
Moderate
  • A. Hope
  • B. Fear
  • C. Expect
  • D. No Appropriate Option

Explanation: “Fear” expresses apprehension about an undesirable future event, so it fits the statement that the friend may die soon.

Correct answer: Fear
Hard
  • A. Quite
  • B. As
  • C. Perfectly
  • D. Very

Explanation: The fixed comparative structure is “as ... as”: “I’m as sure of it as you are.” “Quite,” “perfectly,” and “very” cannot complete this…

Correct answer: As
Hard
  • A. would
  • B. need
  • C. could
  • D. shall
  • E. can

Explanation: Need not expresses the absence of necessity, so the sentence means that you are not required to worry.

Correct answer: need
Easy
  • A. Taken
  • B. Drank
  • C. Have
  • D. Put

Explanation: “Have” is used in the expression “have a tea,” meaning drink a cup or serving of tea.

Correct answer: Have
Moderate
  • A. both
  • B. until
  • C. either
  • D. neither

Explanation: The paired construction is “either ... or,” so “either” correctly presents the two possible types of university.

Correct answer: either
Very hard
  • A. 3,182
  • B. 4,182
  • C. 5,182
  • D. 6,182

Explanation: The standard text of Beowulf contains 3,182 alliterative lines, making it the longest surviving Old English epic poem.

Correct answer: 3,182
Very hard
  • A. The Grave
  • B. Cædmon's Hymn
  • C. Peterborough Chronicle
  • D. Beowulf

Explanation: Cædmon’s Hymn is generally regarded as the earliest surviving English poem or literary work, dating from the seventh century.

Correct answer: Cædmon's Hymn
Hard
  • A. January - July
  • B. June - December
  • C. July - January
  • D. December - June

Explanation: Earth reaches perihelion, its closest point to the Sun, in early January and aphelion, its farthest point, in early July.

Correct answer: January - July
Hard
  • A. he ran away
  • B. he had run away
  • C. when he ran away
  • D. than he ran away

Explanation: The correlative construction is “no sooner ... than”: “No sooner did the thief see the policeman than he ran away.” “When” belongs with…

Correct answer: than he ran away
Very hard
  • A. Thought
  • B. Believed
  • C. Considered
  • D. Guessed

Explanation: “I might have guessed” is the natural expression for saying that the speaker could have predicted who was at the door.

Correct answer: Guessed
Easy
  • A. Concern
  • B. Care
  • C. Worry
  • D. Mind

Explanation: “Don’t worry” is the standard expression used to reassure someone that there is no need for anxiety.

Correct answer: Worry