PSLE Grammar MCQ Practice 5 (with answers)
Grammar MCQ Practice 5
Choose the correct answer for each question. There is only one correct answer.
The gardener __________ vegetables when it started to rain.
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Answer: (A) was planting
The correct answer is (A) 'was planting'. We use the past continuous for an action that was happening when another action started in the past: 'when it started to rain'. If the student chose (B), explain that simple past does not show the action was already in progress; if (C) or (D), they are present tense, but the sentence is about the past.
The tree in our garden is __________ the one in the neighbour's yard.
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Answer: (B) taller than
The correct answer is (B) 'taller than'. We use the comparative form 'taller than' to compare two trees. If the student chose (A), 'the tall' is not a correct comparison; if (C), we say 'taller', not 'more tall'; if (D), 'taller' needs 'than' to complete the comparison.
We must not ________________ loud music while the baby is sleeping.
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Answer: (B) turn up
The correct answer is (B) 'turn up'. 'Turn up' means make the volume louder, so we must not do that while the baby is sleeping. If the student chose (A), 'bring over' does not talk about sound; if (C), 'turn down' means make it quieter, which is okay; if (D), 'switch off' means stop it completely, but the sentence is about loud music.
Of all the dishes in the set, this curry is __________.
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Answer: (A) the spiciest
The correct answer is (A) 'the spiciest'. 'Of all the dishes' means we are comparing more than two, so we need the superlative form with 'the'. If the student chose (B), 'spicier' is only for comparing two things; if (C), 'spiciest' needs 'the'; if (D), we usually say 'spiciest', not 'most spicy' here.
The farmers __________ a new irrigation system since last month, and the work is still not finished.
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Answer: (A) have been installing
The correct answer is (A) 'have been installing'. 'Since last month' and 'still not finished' show an action that started in the past and is still continuing, so we use the present perfect continuous. If the student chose (B) or (C), 'farmers' is plural, so we use 'have', not 'has'; if (D), 'have installed' suggests the action is finished, but it is not.
Grandma held up the plate and announced, '________ cookies smell delicious!'
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Answer: (D) These
The correct answer is (D) 'These'. 'Cookies' is plural, and Grandma is holding the plate near her, so we use 'these' for plural things that are near. If the student chose (A) or (B), 'that' and 'this' are singular; if (C), 'those' is for plural things that are far away.
The person ______ called you is waiting outside.
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Answer: (B) who
The correct answer is (B) 'who'. We use 'who' for a person who does the action: the person who called you. If the student chose (A), 'whom' is usually used for the person receiving the action; if (C), 'which' is for things, not people; if (D), 'whose' shows possession.
The science club __________ a new project this term.
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Answer: (B) has started
The correct answer is (B) 'has started'. 'The science club' is one group, so we use singular 'has', and 'this term' fits a completed action that began in the recent past. If the student chose (A), 'has been starting' is not a natural verb form here; if (C) or (D), 'have' does not match the singular subject 'club'.
Dad promised to take my sister and ________________ to the zoo.
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Answer: (A) me
The correct answer is (A) 'me'. After 'take', we need an object pronoun, so 'my sister and me' is correct. If the student chose (B), 'myself' is only used when the subject and object are the same person; if (C), 'mine' shows ownership; if (D), 'I' is a subject pronoun, not an object pronoun.
This year, I __________ many books.
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Answer: (D) have read
The correct answer is (D) 'have read'. 'This year' means from the start of the year until now, so we use the present perfect. If the student chose (A), 'reading' needs a helping verb; if (B), 'read' is simple past and does not connect the past to now; if (C), 'reads' does not match the subject 'I'.
Well done! You have completed Grammar MCQ Practice 5.