English Grammar and Vocabulary
Test your English language proficiency with questions on prepositions, vocabulary, idioms, and one-word substitutions
Questions
Directions: Fill in the blank with suitable preposition.
Jane asked Peter if he knew the address __________ which the letter was to be posted.
- on
- for
- at
- with
Directions: Fill in the blank with suitable preposition.
Henry was so tired __________ the day’s work that he fell asleep in the chair itself.
- for
- after
- during
- before
Directions: Fill in the blank with suitable preposition.
In order to make an impression of her hand on the wall, she kept her wet hand __________ it.
- on
- against
- for
- to
Directions: Fill in the blank with suitable preposition.
After the shocking incident, young Nancy kept mum __________ the whole life.
- in
- from
- for
- about
Directions: Fill in the blank with suitable preposition.
She always picks ___________ a quarrel with me.
- up
- upon
- of
- No preposition required
Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
When I asked them about who had broken the window, the children __________ ignorance.
- <font face="Arial">feigned</font>
- effected
- <font face="Arial">distorted</font>
- acted
Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
She ________ in the court to save her husband from conviction.
- entangled
- scrubbed
- adjusted
- perjured
Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
This article tries to ______ us with problems of poor nations so that we help them more effectively.
- enable
- allow
- convince
- acquaint
Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
Since one cannot read every book, one should be content with making a ________ selection.
- judicious
- standard
- moderate
- sample
Directions: Choose the correct option to fill in the blank.
It will remain a secret between you and _________.
- I
- me
- my
- them
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
I think Peter has taken a fancy to the new doctor, who is very beautiful.
- taken a fancy gift to
- developed a liking
- developed jealousy
- acted according to his emotions
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
In the times of recession, big financial institutions have become lame ducks.
- giving explanations that are weak and unconvincing
- organisations in difficulty and unable to manage without help
- an obvious and defenseless target
- organisations that are minting money
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
In college, being a studious person, I was the odd man out.
- person who remained reserved
- polite and humble person
- an unusual person
- brilliant in studies
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
The business is going from bad to worse and the owner is just hanging on by his fingernails.
- encouraging himself to persevere and not give up
- gripping something firmly so as not to fall
- waiting for some kind of assistance from someone
- just managing to avoid danger or failure
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
In today’s world, poverty and misery always come hand in hand.
- happen simultaneously
- take control of the situation
- happen in close association
- one after another
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase which is underlined. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
I was at my wit's end when they told me that they no longer needed my service.
- I lost my temper
- I was very happy
- I was quite upset
- I was sad
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
You can' t expect him to play second fiddle to anyone.
- obey anyone
- respect anyone
- play a subservient role
- please anyone
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He tried to put a spoke in my wheel, but failed in the attempt.
- to restrict my progress
- to help me
- to reason with me
- to befriend me
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
He was in favour of quitting the job, but his mother put her foot down and he had to give up the idea.
- rebuked him
- tried to reason with him
- admitted that he had enough reason to quit
- took a firm stand
Directions: In the following question, the sentence contains an idiom/phrase. You are to select the alternative which best expresses the meaning of this idiom/phrase.
Your argument does not hold water.
- doesn't seem credible
- is exaggerated
- is true
- None of these
Directions: Give one word substitution for the following phrase/sentence:
To break or crush something into very small pieces between two hard surfaces
- Dint
- Grind
- Crusher
- Mower
Directions: Give one word substitution for the following phrase/sentence:
Moving in a circle around a central fixed point
- Rotary
- Wander
- Loiter
- Drift
Directions: Give one word substitution for the following phrase/sentence:
The way something moves
- Motion
- Progression
- Succession
- Transgression
Directions: Give one word substitution for the following phrase/sentence:
A long, generally round bar that rotates and transmits power to a wheel or gear
- Shaft
- Plank
- Lump
- Axel
Directions: Give one word substitution for the following phrase/sentence:
One of two flat round stones used, especially in the past, to crush grain to make flour
- Millstone
- Finestone
- Limestone
- Milestone