Mixed Grammar MCQ Test With Answers + PDF Exercise 038

This is the 38th 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 038

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Question 1

_____ the world’s population is rising fast, food production is keeping pace with it.

A	Because of
B	In spite of
C	Although
D	Unless

Question 1 Explanation:

Although links two clauses that contrast: the population is rising fast, but food production keeps up. Not In spite of, because it must be followed by a noun or -ing form, not a full clause with a subject and verb.

Question 2

I don’t know her well, but I’ve met her _____ times.

A	plenty
B	another
C	several
D	more

Question 2 Explanation:

Several means 'more than two but not many' and goes directly before a plural noun: several times. Plenty would need of (plenty of times), and another is used with a singular noun.

Question 3

Thousands of people have seen the exhibition _____ it opened last month.

A	while
B	when
C	until
D	since

Question 3 Explanation:

With the present perfect (have seen), we use since + the starting point of the action: since it opened last month. Not when, because when refers to one moment and does not go with the present perfect here.

Question 4

We should never forget how our ancestors struggled _____ freedom.

A	for
B	on
C	of
D	by

Question 4 Explanation:

We say struggle for something when we fight hard to get it: struggle for freedom, struggle for independence. Struggle against is used for the thing you fight, e.g. struggle against injustice.

Question 5

We know each other _____ we have never been officially introduced.

A	even
B	if even
C	even though
D	however

Question 5 Explanation:

Even though is a conjunction showing a strong contrast between two clauses: we know each other, but we were never introduced. Even alone cannot join two clauses, and however is an adverb that normally needs a full stop or semicolon before it.

Question 6

I wouldn’t ask for your help _____ I had no choice.

A	since
B	despite
C	even if
D	although

Question 6 Explanation:

Even if introduces an imagined condition and means 'in that situation too': I would not ask for your help, not even in a situation where I had no choice. Not although, because it introduces a real fact and does not fit with the imagined wouldn't ask.

Question 7

He is sick of being mistaken _____ his brother.

A	by
B	as
C	of
D	for

Question 7 Explanation:

Mistake somebody for somebody means to think wrongly that one person is another: People often mistake him for his brother. Not by, which would only show who makes the mistake.

Question 8

Ever since the coal mines closed, there _____ no jobs here.

A	are
B	have been
C	is
D	were being

Question 8 Explanation:

Ever since + a past event (the coal mines closed) shows a situation that started in the past and continues now, so we use the present perfect: there have been. Not are, because the present simple is not used with since for a period up to now.

Question 9

There must be some other reason for her failure _____ this.

A	as well
B	too
C	also
D	besides

Question 9 Explanation:

Besides is a preposition meaning 'in addition to', so it can be followed by a noun or pronoun: besides this. As well, too and also are adverbs and cannot take an object like this after them.

Question 10

Their arguments are bound to result _____ a fight.

A	to
B	on
C	with
D	in

Question 10 Explanation:

Result in means 'cause' or 'lead to': Their arguments will result in a fight. Not result to; we say lead to but result in.

Question 11

A man who spends all the money he has is _____.

A	fool
B	a fool
C	foolishly
D	foolish man

Question 11 Explanation:

Fool is a countable noun, so in the singular it needs an article: He is a fool. Not foolish man, because it also needs a, and foolishly is an adverb that cannot follow is here.

Question 12

Can you tell what model each of _____?

A	them to be
B	them are
C	they are
D	them is

Question 12 Explanation:

After each of we use an object pronoun (them), and each takes a singular verb: each of them is. This is an indirect question, so the word order is like a statement (subject + verb). Not them are, because each is singular.

Question 13

The diplomats haven’t been able to arrive _____ an agreement yet.

A	by
B	at
C	on
D	to

Question 13 Explanation:

The fixed expression is arrive at an agreement/a decision/a conclusion, meaning 'reach' one. Not arrive to, which is a common mistake; we arrive at or in a place or result.

Question 14

All athletes who have taken drugs will be disqualified _____ the race.

A	out
B	to
C	against
D	from

Question 14 Explanation:

We say disqualified from something: She was disqualified from the competition. From shows what the person is removed from.

Question 15

_____ a drop of rain fell for months, and all the crops died.

A	No
B	None
C	Not
D	Not any

Question 15 Explanation:

Not a + singular noun is an emphatic way to say 'none at all': Not a drop of rain fell. Not No, because No a drop is impossible; No rain fell would need no article.

Question 16

He is _____ short-sighted to be a pilot.

A	so
B	too
C	not
D	enough

Question 16 Explanation:

Too + adjective + to-infinitive means 'more than is acceptable, so something is not possible': too short-sighted to be a pilot. Not so, which needs that (so short-sighted that he can't be a pilot); enough comes after the adjective.

Question 17

Most people _____ the dark.

A	fear
B	are in fear
C	frightened
D	afraid of

Question 17 Explanation:

Fear is a verb that takes a direct object: Most people fear the dark. Not afraid of, because an adjective needs the verb be before it (are afraid of).

Question 18

He had difficulty _____ his wife to stay home.

A	convince
B	to convince
C	convincing
D	for convincing

Question 18 Explanation:

The pattern is have difficulty + -ing: He had difficulty convincing her. Not to convince, which is a common mistake after difficulty in this pattern.

Question 19

If you want to succeed, you must _____.

A	keep to try
B	keep in trying
C	keep on trying
D	keep on to try

Question 19 Explanation:

Keep and keep on are followed by the -ing form and mean 'continue doing something': keep on trying. Not keep to try or keep on to try, because keep is never followed by a to-infinitive in this meaning.

Question 20

When he was a boy, he _____ to himself all day.

A	will sing
B	would sing
C	has sung
D	is singing

Question 20 Explanation:

Would + verb describes repeated actions or habits in the past: When he was a boy, he would sing all day. The clue is When he was a boy, which shows the past. Not has sung, because the present perfect cannot be used with a finished past time.

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