PSLE Grammar MCQ Practice 6 (with answers)
These 10 questions help you practise PSLE grammar MCQ. Tap an option to check it. You will see the answer and the rule behind it. Only 1 answer is correct.
Neither the students nor their teacher __________ aware of the change.
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Answer: (A) was
The correct answer is (A) 'was'. With 'neither… nor', the verb agrees with the subject closer to it. Here that is 'their teacher', which is singular, so use 'was'. (B) and (C) are plural verbs. (D) is plural and also changes the meaning.
By the time we arrived, the concert __________ already started.
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Answer: (B) had
The correct answer is (B) 'had'. There are 2 past actions. The concert started first, so it takes 'had started'. (A) 'has' belongs with the present. (C) and (D) cannot make the 'had started' form needed here.
The pile of old newspapers __________ to be recycled.
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Answer: (B) needs
The correct answer is (B) 'needs'. The real subject is 'the pile', which is singular. It is not 'newspapers'. Cover the words in between and you get 'a pile needs'. (A) and (D) are plural. (C) 'are needing' is not used for this kind of meaning.
She is very good __________ solving difficult puzzles.
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Answer: (C) at
The correct answer is (C) 'at'. We always say 'good at something'. The other words are the wrong prepositions for this phrase. It is one to learn by heart.
My brother, together with his friends, __________ going to the match.
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Answer: (C) is
The correct answer is (C) 'is'. The real subject is 'my brother', which is singular. 'Together with his friends' is extra information between commas. It does not change the verb. (A), (B) and (D) treat the extra part as if it made the subject plural.
__________ you finish your homework, you may not watch television.
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Answer: (A) Unless
The correct answer is (A) 'Unless'. 'Unless you finish your homework' means 'if you do not finish it'. When something must happen first, use 'unless'. (B) and (D) show contrast. (C) gives a reason. None of these fit the meaning.
The children were told __________ quietly in the library.
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Answer: (B) to speak
The correct answer is (B) 'to speak'. After 'were told', use 'to' + the base verb, as in 'told to do something'. (A) leaves out 'to'. (C) and (D) cannot follow 'told'.
There __________ a lot of people at the fair yesterday.
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Answer: (B) were
The correct answer is (B) 'were'. 'A lot of people' is plural, and 'yesterday' shows the past, so use 'were'. (A) is singular. (C) is present tense. (D) 'has been' is the present perfect.
He has lived in Singapore __________ 2015.
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Answer: (C) since
The correct answer is (C) 'since'. Use 'since' with a point in time, like 2015. (A) 'for' needs a length of time, such as 'for 10 years'. (B) 'from' usually goes with 'to'. (D) 'by' shows a deadline.
If it rains tomorrow, we __________ the picnic.
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Answer: (A) will cancel
The correct answer is (A) 'will cancel'. The pattern is 'if + present tense, will + base verb'. Rain tomorrow could really happen, so use 'will cancel'. (C) 'would cancel' is for imagined situations. (B) and (D) are the wrong tenses.
What to take away
Questions 3 and 5 have extra words between the subject and the verb.
| Sentence | Real subject | Verb |
|---|---|---|
| The pile of old newspapers ___ | the pile | needs |
| My brother, together with his friends, ___ | my brother | is |
Find the real subject first. Cover the words in the middle, then choose the verb.
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