Mixed Grammar MCQ Test With Answers + PDF Exercise 031

This is the 31st of 100 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. Each test comprises 20 multiple choice questions on almost all the topics of English grammar. So these tests are perfect for you to check your English grammar knowledge thoroughly. To do this, we suggest you take these 100 grammar tests one by one.

Grammar Test 031

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Question 1

A: I’ve eaten far too much!

B: Oh, _____ all that exercise.

A	it needn’t be
B	it must be
C	it ought to be
D	it should be

Question 1 Explanation:

B is making a logical guess: the exercise has probably made A hungry. We use must for a confident deduction about the present: It must be all that exercise. Ought to and should express advice or expectation, not deduction.

Question 2

A: There was a lot of noise in this building last night.

B: Well, _____. I was out at a party all night.

A	it might have been me
B	it mustn’t have been me
C	it couldn’t have been me
D	it shouldn’t have been me

Question 2 Explanation:

B is sure it was not him, because he was out all night. For a confident negative deduction about the past we use couldn't have + past participle: It couldn't have been me. Not mustn't have been: mustn't is not used for deductions about the past in British English.

Question 3

A: I’m surprised your husband didn’t stay longer.

B: Well, _____, had the weather been better.

A	he should have done
B	he might’ve done
C	he has done
D	he must have done

Question 3 Explanation:

Might have done talks about a past possibility that did not happen. The clue is had the weather been better, an inverted third conditional (= if the weather had been better). Not must have done, because that is a deduction about something that really happened.

Question 4

A: Must I always pay my rent by cheque?

B: No, _____. Pay it however you want to.

A	you needn’t
B	you mustn’t
C	you shouldn’t
D	you oughtn’t

Question 4 Explanation:

Needn't means there is no obligation: you can choose. The clue is Pay it however you want to. Not mustn't, which means it is forbidden.

Question 5

A: I hate all this polite chat at cocktail parties.

B: Oh, you _____ polite in my house. Say whatever you want!

A	mustn’t be
B	shouldn’t be
C	needn’t be
D	oughtn’t to be

Question 5 Explanation:

Needn't be means it isn't necessary. The clue is Say whatever you want! B is telling A that politeness is not required. Not mustn't be, which would mean politeness is forbidden.

Question 6

I’m sorry but I can’t _____ anybody at the moment because the bedrooms are being redecorated.

A	put up
B	put up with
C	put off
D	put with

Question 6 Explanation:

Put somebody up means to let someone stay in your home for a short time. The clue is the bedrooms: guests can't sleep there at the moment. Not put up with, which means to tolerate.

Question 7

I must say I wouldn’t buy it, but don’t be _____ by me.

A	put up
B	put up with
C	put off
D	put with

Question 7 Explanation:

Be put off means to be discouraged from doing something. The speaker means: don't let my opinion stop you from buying it. Example: Don't be put off by the price.

Question 8

If he hadn’t been so drunk, he would have _____ his ideas more convincingly.

A	put across
B	put up with
C	put through
D	put with

Question 8 Explanation:

Put across ideas means to communicate them clearly so that people understand. It goes well with convincingly. Not put through, which is used for phone calls or for making someone experience something difficult.

Question 9

The noise in the classroom is getting unbearable. I simply won’t _____ it!

A	put across
B	put up with
C	put through
D	put with

Question 9 Explanation:

Put up with means to tolerate or accept something unpleasant. The clue is unbearable: the speaker refuses to tolerate the noise any longer.

Question 10

I’ll never go to that grocer’s again. He seems to _____ his prices every day.

A	put up
B	put up with
C	put off
D	put with

Question 10 Explanation:

Put up prices means to raise or increase them. That explains why the speaker won't go back to the shop. Not put up with, which means to tolerate.

Question 11

A: How do you find your new colleague?

B: I’m told he’s difficult to _____.

A	get away with
B	get along with
C	get over
D	get off

Question 11 Explanation:

Get along with someone means to have a friendly relationship with them. Difficult to get along with describes someone people find it hard to be friends with. Not get away with, which means to avoid punishment for something.

Question 12

They say he’ll never _____ his dismissal.

A	get on with
B	get along with
C	get over
D	get off

Question 12 Explanation:

Get over something means to recover from a shock, an illness or a disappointment. Losing his job (his dismissal) was a shock he may never recover from.

Question 13

I tried to telephone Istanbul yesterday, but I just couldn’t _____.

A	get on with
B	get along with
C	get through
D	get off

Question 13 Explanation:

Get through means to succeed in making a phone connection with someone. Example: I called three times but couldn't get through.

Question 14

Mr. Brown is so old now he just can’t _____ as he used to.

A	get about
B	get away
C	get across
D	get off

Question 14 Explanation:

Get about means to move or travel from place to place. Old age makes this harder for Mr Brown. Not get away, which means to escape or go on holiday.

Question 15

There’s no doubt that he’s guilty and I’m sure he won’t _____.

A	get about
B	get across
C	get off
D	get on

Question 15 Explanation:

Get off means to escape punishment, especially to be found not guilty in court. The clue is he's guilty: the speaker is sure he will be punished. Not get across, which means to communicate an idea.

Question 16

I’ll have so much spare time, I’ll probably _____ some kind of hobby.

A	take up
B	take along
C	take down
D	take in

Question 16 Explanation:

Take up means to start a new hobby or activity. Example: She took up painting after she retired. Not take in, which means to understand, or to deceive.

Question 17

Have you any idea which son of his will _____ when he retires?

A	take up
B	take along
C	take over
D	take in

Question 17 Explanation:

Take over means to take control of something, such as a business, from someone else. The clue is when he retires: one of his sons will take control. Not take up, which means to start a hobby or activity.

Question 18

He’s very funny when he _____ his grandfather.

A	takes off
B	takes to
C	takes after
D	takes for

Question 18 Explanation:

Take off someone means to copy their voice or behaviour to make people laugh. The clue is very funny. Not takes after, which means to look or behave like an older relative naturally, and is not described as a performance.

Question 19

She _____ her friends for advice on investing her money.

A	looks after
B	looks away
C	looks to
D	looks into

Question 19 Explanation:

Look to someone for something means to rely on them to give you help or advice. Example: Students look to their teachers for guidance. Not looks into, which means to investigate.

Question 20

It’s very difficult to _____ a person who has so many prejudices.

A	take to
B	take off
C	take in
D	take for

Question 20 Explanation:

Take to someone means to start liking them. A person with many prejudices is hard to like. Not take in, which means to deceive someone or to give them a place to live.

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