Mixed Grammar MCQ Test With Answers + PDF Exercise 059

This is the 59th 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 059

Please wait while the activity loads.
If this activity does not load, try refreshing your browser. Also, this page requires javascript. Please visit using a browser with javascript enabled.

If loading fails, click here to try again

Start

Congratulations - you have completed Grammar Test 059. You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%. Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Your answers are highlighted below.

Question 1

Professor Perkins _____ teach at your school.

A	has
B	use to
C	is used to
D	used to

Question 1 Explanation:

Used to + base verb describes a past habit or state that is no longer true: He used to teach here (but not now). Not is used to, which means 'be accustomed to' and is followed by a noun or -ing form.

Question 2

_____ to drive a bulldozer?

A	Are you using
B	Did you use
C	Do you use
D	Have you used

Question 2 Explanation:

In questions, used to becomes Did you use to + base verb, without the final -d: Did you use to drive a bulldozer? There is no present or perfect form of this structure.

Question 3

He _____ to go to college in his own hometown.

A	uses
B	use
C	used
D	had used

Question 3 Explanation:

Used to + base verb describes a past habit or situation: He used to go to college in his hometown. The form is always used to in affirmative sentences, never uses to or had used to.

Question 4

Our suitcases _____ examined before anybody said anything.

A	have been
B	is being
C	can’t
D	had been

Question 4 Explanation:

The past perfect passive (had been + past participle) shows an action finished before another past action: the suitcases were examined first, then somebody said something. Not have been, because the sentence is about the past (said).

Question 5

Let’s drive _____, shall we?

A	to downtown
B	at downtown
C	up downtown
D	downtown

Question 5 Explanation:

Downtown works as an adverb here, so no preposition is needed: drive downtown, go downtown. Not to downtown, because we don't put to before this adverb, just as we say go home.

Question 6

The theater is located _____.

A	downtown
B	to downtown
C	in downtown
D	into downtown

Question 6 Explanation:

Downtown is an adverb meaning 'in the city centre', so it needs no preposition: The theater is located downtown. Not in downtown: without a city name after it (e.g. in downtown Chicago), this is not standard.

Question 7

The guests are _____.

A	in upstairs
B	at door
C	to downstairs
D	downstairs

Question 7 Explanation:

Downstairs is an adverb of place, so it needs no preposition: The guests are downstairs. Not in upstairs or to downstairs, because upstairs and downstairs are never used with in or to here.

Question 8

You can find many stores _____ of town.

A	in center
B	the center
C	in the center
D	center

Question 8 Explanation:

We say in the center of + place, with the preposition in and the article the: in the center of town. Without in or the, the phrase is incomplete.

Question 9

The fish moved _____ and silently through the water.

A	swimming
B	rapid
C	to swim
D	quickly

Question 9 Explanation:

An adverb is needed to describe how the fish moved, and it must match silently: moved quickly and silently. Not rapid, which is an adjective (the adverb is rapidly).

Question 10

_____ countries waged a war against poverty.

A	Both of
B	Both
C	None of
D	None

Question 10 Explanation:

Both can go directly before a plural noun: Both countries. Both of needs the or a possessive (both of the countries). None cannot go directly before a noun at all.

Question 11

The whale _____ as a fish, but it is actually a mammal.

A	regards
B	is regarded
C	regarded
D	which has been regarded

Question 11 Explanation:

The whale doesn't regard anything; people regard it, so we need the present simple passive: is regarded as a fish. Not regarded, because the active form needs an object after it.

Question 12

The Empire State Building is different _____ the Parliament Building in Brasilia.

A	between
B	from
C	of
D	for

Question 12 Explanation:

The standard preposition after different is from: X is different from Y. Between is used with two things together (the difference between X and Y), not after different + one object.

Question 13

The American pyramids are in some ways similar _____ the Egyptian pyramids.

A	between
B	from
C	to
D	for

Question 13 Explanation:

The adjective similar is always followed by to: similar to the Egyptian pyramids. Not from, which goes with different.

Question 14

He was _____ than I was at playing chess.

A	good
B	better
C	the best
D	best

Question 14 Explanation:

The word than shows we need a comparative adjective. The comparative of good is irregular: good – better – the best. Not best, which is the superlative and isn't used with than.

Question 15

Martha has been watching television, and _____.

A	Ralph has too
B	Ralph hasn’t either
C	so does Ralph
D	neither has Ralph

Question 15 Explanation:

To agree with a positive sentence, use too with the same auxiliary: Martha has been watching TV, and Ralph has too. Not so does Ralph, because the auxiliary must be has, not does. Either and neither are for negative sentences.

Question 16

Jack finished the assignment quickly and _____.

A	correctly
B	correct
C	rapid
D	hardly

Question 16 Explanation:

Two adverbs joined by and describe how Jack finished: quickly and correctly. Not correct, which is an adjective. Hardly means 'almost not', so it doesn't fit the meaning.

Question 17

Frank likes singing and _____.

A	to dance
B	a dance
C	dance
D	dancing

Question 17 Explanation:

Words joined by and should have the same form (parallel structure): singing and dancing. Not to dance, because it doesn't match singing.

Question 18

Harvey’s new story is both short _____ interesting.

A	but
B	nor
C	and
D	or

Question 18 Explanation:

Both always pairs with and: both short and interesting. Other pairs are either … or and neither … nor, so but, nor and or don't fit.

Question 19

A: Why don’t you call Rita?

B: I _____ call her a few minutes ago, but her phone was busy.

A	am
B	do
C	will
D	did

Question 19 Explanation:

Did + base verb in a positive sentence adds emphasis: I did call her means 'I really called her'. The past auxiliary did matches a few minutes ago.

Question 20

Neither Jake _____ Diana can speak Japanese.