Grammar Practice Tests for Exam Preparation
Introduction
Grammar is an essential aspect of language proficiency that plays a crucial role in almost every exam, especially in competitive tests. Understanding grammar rules, sentence structures, and error corrections can significantly enhance your exam performance. This comprehensive study module provides practice tests to sharpen your grammar skills for exams. Each section includes examples, rules, and applications with explanations to help you apply these grammar rules effectively.
1. Parts of Speech
a) Nouns
Definition: A noun is a word that names a person, place, thing, or idea.
Example:
- Person: teacher, student
- Place: park, school
- Thing: book, pen
- Idea: love, freedom
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct noun in the sentence:
“The book is on the table.”
A) table
B) book
C) is
D) on
Answer: B) book
Explanation: “Book” is a noun, as it is the name of a thing.
b) Verbs
Definition: A verb is a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being.
Example:
- Action verb: run, jump
- State verb: is, am, are
Practice Test:
Question: Identify the verb in the sentence:
“She runs every morning.”
A) She
B) runs
C) every
D) morning
Answer: B) runs
Explanation: “Runs” is an action verb, describing what the subject (She) does.
2. Tenses
a) Present Simple Tense
Definition: Describes actions that are habitual or facts.
Example:
- I read books every day.
- The sun rises in the east.
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct sentence in the present simple tense:
A) She read the book yesterday.
B) She reads the book every day.
C) She will read the book tomorrow.
D) She is reading the book.
Answer: B) She reads the book every day.
Explanation: The present simple tense describes a regular action.
b) Past Simple Tense
Definition: Describes actions completed in the past.
Example:
- I watched a movie yesterday.
- He finished his homework last night.
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct sentence in the past simple tense:
A) I am watching the movie.
B) I will watch the movie.
C) I watched the movie.
D) I watching the movie.
Answer: C) I watched the movie.
Explanation: The past simple tense indicates that the action has been completed.
3. Subject-Verb Agreement
Rule: The subject and verb must agree in number and person.
Examples:
- He runs every morning. (singular subject + singular verb)
- They run every morning. (plural subject + plural verb)
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct sentence:
A) She go to the market.
B) She goes to the market.
C) She going to the market.
D) She gone to the market.
Answer: B) She goes to the market.
Explanation: “She” is singular, so the verb must be in the singular form (“goes”).
4. Active and Passive Voice
a) Active Voice
Definition: The subject of the sentence performs the action.
Example:
- The dog chased the ball.
b) Passive Voice
Definition: The subject of the sentence receives the action.
Example:
- The ball was chased by the dog.
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the passive voice form of the sentence:
“The teacher explains the lesson.”
A) The lesson explains by the teacher.
B) The lesson is explained by the teacher.
C) The teacher is explained by the lesson.
D) The lesson explained by the teacher.
Answer: B) The lesson is explained by the teacher.
Explanation: The sentence is rewritten in the passive voice, where “the lesson” becomes the subject receiving the action.
5. Sentence Structure
a) Simple Sentences
Definition: A simple sentence consists of one independent clause.
Example:
- The dog barks.
- She reads books.
Practice Test:
Question: Identify the simple sentence:
A) I was going to the park when it started raining.
B) The dog barks loudly.
C) He asked if I was coming to the party.
D) She sings and dances in the concert.
Answer: B) The dog barks loudly.
Explanation: A simple sentence contains only one independent clause.
b) Compound Sentences
Definition: A compound sentence consists of two independent clauses joined by a conjunction.
Example:
- I wanted to go for a walk, but it started raining.
Practice Test:
Question: Identify the compound sentence:
A) She likes to read books and watch movies.
B) I am going to the store.
C) I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
D) He is playing the guitar.
Answer: C) I wanted to go to the park, but it started raining.
Explanation: This sentence joins two independent clauses (“I wanted to go to the park” and “it started raining”) with a conjunction (“but”).
6. Punctuation
a) Commas
Rule: Use commas to separate items in a list, before conjunctions, and after introductory phrases.
Examples:
- I bought apples, oranges, and bananas.
- After the meeting, we went for lunch.
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct sentence with proper punctuation:
A) She bought apples bananas and oranges.
B) She bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
C) She bought, apples bananas and oranges.
D) She, bought apples bananas, and oranges.
Answer: B) She bought apples, bananas, and oranges.
Explanation: Commas are used to separate the items in a list.
7. Pronouns and Antecedents
Rule: A pronoun must agree with its antecedent in number, gender, and person.
Examples:
- John loves his dog. (“John” is the antecedent of “his.”)
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the correct pronoun:
“Each student must bring their own book.”
A) his
B) her
C) his or her
D) their
Answer: C) his or her
Explanation: “Each” is singular, so the pronoun must be singular (“his or her”).
8. Common Errors
a) Double Negatives
Rule: Avoid using two negatives in the same sentence, as it can lead to confusion.
Example:
- I don’t know anything about it. (Correct)
- I don’t know nothing about it. (Incorrect)
Practice Test:
Question: Choose the sentence with no double negative:
A) I can’t find no answers.
B) I can’t find any answers.
C) I can’t find none answers.
D) I can’t find nothing answers.
Answer: B) I can’t find any answers.
Explanation: “Any” replaces the double negative “no” and “nothing.”
Conclusion
Grammar practice tests are an essential tool for exam preparation. Consistent practice helps reinforce grammar rules and structures while identifying and correcting errors. By applying these rules to various practice tests, you can improve your grammar skills and increase your chances of excelling in exams.
Here are 20 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) designed to test your grammar skills for exam preparation:
1. Which of the following is a correct sentence?
A) She don’t like pizza.
B) She doesn’t like pizza.
C) She not likes pizza.
D) She isn’t like pizza.
Answer: B) She doesn’t like pizza.
Explanation: “Doesn’t” is the correct contraction for “does not,” which is used with singular third-person subjects (she).
2. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence:
A) I went to the store, and bought some apples.
B) I went to the store and bought some apples.
C) I went, to the store and bought some apples.
D) I went to the store and, bought some apples.
Answer: B) I went to the store and bought some apples.
Explanation: No comma is required before the conjunction “and” when connecting two verbs or simple phrases.
3. Select the correct form of the verb:
She ____ to the market every weekend.
A) go
B) goes
C) gone
D) going
Answer: B) goes
Explanation: “She” is singular, so the verb must agree in the third person singular form, “goes.”
4. Identify the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement:
A) The team have won the match.
B) The team has won the match.
C) The teams has won the match.
D) The team have wins the match.
Answer: B) The team has won the match.
Explanation: “Team” is a collective noun and is treated as singular, so the verb “has” is used.
5. Choose the correct sentence:
A) He’s better than me at basketball.
B) He’s better than I at basketball.
C) He’s better than I am at basketball.
D) He’s better than I at basketball.
Answer: C) He’s better than I am at basketball.
Explanation: The correct sentence uses the full comparison form: “than I am.”
6. Which sentence is in the passive voice?
A) She reads a book every day.
B) A book is being read by her every day.
C) She is reading a book every day.
D) She has read a book every day.
Answer: B) A book is being read by her every day.
Explanation: The passive voice construction is used when the object of the action (a book) becomes the subject of the sentence.
7. Choose the correct form of the adjective:
This test is ____ than the previous one.
A) more easier
B) easier
C) most easiest
D) more easiest
Answer: B) easier
Explanation: The comparative form of “easy” is “easier,” not “more easier.”
8. Which sentence uses the correct form of “their,” “there,” or “they’re”?
A) Their going to the party.
B) They’re going to the party.
C) There going to the party.
D) They went there going to the party.
Answer: B) They’re going to the party.
Explanation: “They’re” is the correct contraction for “they are.”
9. Choose the sentence that is correctly punctuated:
A) He said, “I will be there soon.”
B) He said I will be there soon.
C) He said I will be, there soon.
D) He said I will be there soon”.
Answer: A) He said, “I will be there soon.”
Explanation: A comma is used to introduce a quotation, and the quotation marks are correctly placed.
10. Which sentence is grammatically correct?
A) Neither the teacher nor the students was ready.
B) Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
C) Neither the teacher or the students were ready.
D) Neither the teacher or the students was ready.
Answer: B) Neither the teacher nor the students were ready.
Explanation: When using “neither…nor,” the verb agrees with the closest subject (“students,” plural in this case).
11. Choose the sentence with the correct use of the article:
A) I have a apple in my bag.
B) I have an apple in my bag.
C) I have the apple in my bag.
D) I have an orange in my bag.
Answer: B) I have an apple in my bag.
Explanation: “Apple” begins with a vowel sound, so “an” is the correct article.
12. Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence:
She is sitting ____ the table.
A) in
B) at
C) on
D) to
Answer: B) at
Explanation: “At” is used to refer to a position at a place, especially for locations like tables.
13. Identify the correct sentence with indirect speech:
A) She asked me, “Are you coming to the party?”
B) She asked me if I am coming to the party.
C) She asked me if I was coming to the party.
D) She asked me if I would come to the party.
Answer: C) She asked me if I was coming to the party.
Explanation: In indirect speech, the tense shifts from present to past, and the question format changes to a statement.
14. Choose the correct conjunction to complete the sentence:
She was tired, ____ she went to bed early.
A) because
B) although
C) so
D) but
Answer: C) so
Explanation: “So” is used to show a result or consequence.
15. Which of the following is a correct example of a conditional sentence?
A) If I will go to the store, I will buy some bread.
B) If I went to the store, I would buy some bread.
C) If I go to the store, I will buy some bread.
D) If I went to the store, I will buy some bread.
Answer: C) If I go to the store, I will buy some bread.
Explanation: This is a first conditional sentence, used for real and possible situations.
16. Select the sentence with the correct plural form:
A) The childs are playing outside.
B) The children are playing outside.
C) The childs are plays outside.
D) The children is playing outside.
Answer: B) The children are playing outside.
Explanation: “Children” is the plural of “child,” and it takes the plural verb “are.”
17. Choose the correct word to complete the sentence:
She was very ____ about the exam results.
A) anxious
B) anxiousness
C) anxiety
D) anxiously
Answer: A) anxious
Explanation: “Anxious” is the correct adjective form describing a feeling of nervousness or worry.
18. Choose the sentence with the correct use of “who” or “whom”:
A) Whom is going to the store with you?
B) Who is going to the store with you?
C) Who did you invite to the party?
D) Whom did you invite to the party?
Answer: B) Who is going to the store with you?
Explanation: “Who” is used as the subject of the sentence, and “whom” is used as the object.
19. Which sentence is in the future perfect tense?
A) By this time tomorrow, she will have finished the project.
B) She will finish the project tomorrow.
C) She finishes the project tomorrow.
D) She finished the project yesterday.
Answer: A) By this time tomorrow, she will have finished the project.
Explanation: The future perfect tense expresses an action that will be completed before a specific point in the future.
20. Choose the correct sentence using “much” or “many”:
How ____ apples do you want?
A) much
B) many
C) few
D) less
Answer: B) many
Explanation: “Many” is used with countable nouns (apples), while “much” is used with uncountable nouns.
These MCQs are designed to test a wide range of grammar topics, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and preparation for your exams.
