For each of the questions below, four options are given.

Write the number of the correct

answer in the brackets provided.

Practice (A) – Verbs and Tenses

1. Sylvia usually ___________ in the shower every day after work but she did not do so
last evening.
(1) sing
(2) sang
(3) sung
(4) sings

2. During the campfire, the boys made the teachers __________ as famous celebrities.
(1) act
(2) acts
(3) acted
(4) acting

3. Having ___________ the letter from his mother, Muthu went to the nearest post box
to mail it out.
(1) take
(2) took
(3) takes
(4) taken

4. The lesson monitor ended. helped the teacher ____ the books to the stuff room
when the lesson ended.
(1) carry
(2) carries
(3) carried
(4) carrying
5. By the time the police arrived, the burglars ____ from the scene of crime.
(1) fled
(2) flee
(3) had fled
(4) would fled

6. The children saw the monkey __________ up the tree outside their house last week.
(1) climb
(2) climbed
(3) had climbed
(4) was climbing

7. Has anyone in the class ever ________ a kite before?” Mrs Davis asked her students.
(1) fly
(2) flies
(3) flew
(4) flown

8. The champion athlete __________ in the United States since 2008.

(1) lives
(2) is living
(3) was living
(4) has been living

9. I came to the event late and missed seeing my sister _________ the runners to cross
the finishing line.
(1) outrun
(2) outran
(3) outruns
(4) had outrun
10. Although Ahmad had won the motorcycle race, he came close to __________ killed.
(1) be
(2) being
(3) have been
(4) having been

11. The technician _____ the air-conditioner for two hours, but it is still not working.
(1) repairs
(2) is repairing
(3) has been repairing
(4) have been repairing

12. I cannot hear what you ____________ due to the noise made by the workers doing
the renovation.
(1) said
(2) had said
(3) are saying
(4) were saying

13. There was a commotion coming from the coffee shop. Meng Tat heard some men
_________ at one another.
(1) shout
(2) shouted
(3) shouts
(4) were shouting

14. George shouted joyfully when he learnt that he ____________ for the job.
(1) has selected
(2) will be selected
(3) is being selected
(4) had been selected
15. Have you ever _______ an elephant before? It is an experience that you should not
miss.
(1) ride
(2) rode
(3) riding
(4) ridden

16. If I had been informed earlier, I _______ agreed to sign up for the event.
(1) will not
(2) would not
(3) will not have
(4) would not have

17. Mark was walking to his house when he _______ a woman scream for help.
(1) hear
(2) hears
(3) heard
(4) had heard

18. Poor little Tommy eyes the bar of chocolate that his big brother Tim ________.
(1) ate
(2) is eating
(3) has eaten
(4) was eating

19. "You need to report to school at 7 a.m. tomorrow. The bus ______ for the zoo at
7:15 a.m.," reminded the teacher.
(1) has left
(2) is leaving
(3) will have left
(4) has been leaving
20. Jack went over and helped Jill ______ the pail up the hill.
(1) carry
(2) carries
(3) carried
(4) carrying

21. Aunt Lucy likes flowers. I will take her to the Gardens by the Bay should she ______
Singapore this December.
(1) visit
(2) visits
(3) visited
(4) is visiting

22. Keith _______ his homework before he went out to meet his friends at the
playground.
(1) finishes
(2) is finishing
(3) had finished
(4) was finishing

23. “Has anyone ever ____________ in the open sea before?” The coach asked his
students.
(1) swim
(2) swum
(3) swam
(4) swims
24. We ___________ this bakery since we moved into this neighbourhood five years
ago.
(1) had patronised
(2) have patronised
(3) had been patronising
(4) have been patronizing

25. Mrs Joseph made Mingfa _____ up the mess he had created after school.
(1) clean
(2) cleans
(3) cleaned
(4) cleaning
 Practice B – Singular or Plural
1. Most of the flour _______ used up. I need to buy some more from the grocery store.
(1) are
(2) were
(3) has been
(4) have been

2. Neither the teacher nor the students _____________ present at the Flag Raising
Ceremony yesterday.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

3. Sally's sister, as well as her parents, ___________ to watch her perform in the school
concert next Saturday.
(1) go
(2) goes
(3) is going
(4) are going

4. Either Jack or his children ____ injured after tumbling down the hill last Wednesday.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

5. The antique furniture, as well as the rare paintings, _____ at the auction last month.
(1) is sold
(2) are sold
(3) was sold
(4) were sold
6. One of the guests _____________ late for the opening ceremony last night.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

7. Neither Kumar nor his brothers __________ forward to the examination next month.
(1) look
(2) looks
(3) looked
(4) looking

8. A file containing important documents ____________ missing now.

(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

9. None of the contestants __________ likely to withdraw from the race at this stage of
the competition.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

10. Casey, like many girls of her age, ____________ to meet the Korean singers after the
concert next week.
(1) wants
(2) want
(3) has wanted
(4) have wanted
11. There _________ a lot of work to complete by today. We must get on with it quickly.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

12. All the prefects except Tim _______________ out at the award ceremony tomorrow.
(1) help
(2) helps
(3) is helping
(4) are helping

13. Robin Hood, together with his friends, ______________ captured by the soldiers
when they were in the forest.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

14. Since it is raining heavily, neither Mary nor her sisters ______________ out.
(1) go
(2) goes
(3) is going
(4) are going

15. All but John ____________ playing soccer in the rain just now.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were
16. Neither Sally nor her friends ____________ present when the fight broke out at the
coffee shop.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

17. A bunch of keys ___________ found in the library yesterday.

(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

18. Neither Susan nor I ___________ for the party as we need to study for our
examinations next week.
(1) is going
(2) am going
(3) are going
(4) were going

19. Neither of the lifts ____________ working. The residents in the block have no choice
but to climb the stairs to get to their homes.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were

20. Everyone in class, except Larry and Jack, ______ on the outing to the zoo this Friday.
(1) goes
(2) is going
(3) are going
(4) have gone
 Practice (C) – 5Ws and 1H
1. The competitor ___________ came in second managed to qualify for the finals.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

2. I just met someone __________ name I cannot recall no matter how hard I try.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

3. Rina was not sure _________ cake her mother would prefer since she likes both
vanilla and chocolate.
(1) why
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

4. The man ____________ James was referring to was the school librarian.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

5. Mr Wong, ________ son is a talented musician, is performing at the concert tonight.

(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose
6. These are the leaders _________ we rely on as they have proven to be responsible
and capable.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

7. The woman, __________ child won the first prize in a nationwide Chess
Competition, is my neighbour.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

8. When I saw the umbrella they had found, I knew at once ___________ it was.
(1) what
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

9. He is the boy from ___________ I borrowed the 'Artemis Fowl' from.

(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

10. With _____________ did you go on the trip to the museum with?" Susan asked me.
(1) who
(2) whom
(3) what
(4) which
11. He has two sons, one of __________ is a police officer.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

12. The boy ___________ father is working overseas won a scholarship to study in the
university.
(1) whom
(2) which
(3) who
(4) whose

13. John _________ I play basketball with regularly has sprained his ankle recently.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose

14. I really do not know ______________ to tell him the bad news.
(1) how
(2) why
(3) who
(4) what

15. The boy ____________ the principal commended was awarded the Model Student
Award last year.
(1) who
(2) which
(3) whom
(4) whose
 PRACTICE (D) – Modal Verbs
1. The accident victim will only _________ if they can find a blood donor with the same
blood group.
(1) survive
(2) survived
(3) survives
(4) surviving

2. Ming Tuck, who is a Mathematics whiz, ________, solve the complicated sums easily.
(1) can
(2) may
(3) must
(4) shall

3. However busy Mary _________ be with her work, she always finds the time to serve
as a volunteer at the old folks' home.
(1) will
(2) may
(3) must
(4) should

4. You _________ have practised a lot before you gave your speech. It went really well.
(1) must
(2) might
(3) could
(4) should

5. The blind lady at the bus stop asked me if I _________ tell her when her bus arrived.
(1) must
(2) might
(3) could
(4) should
6. We will have our spelling test today, _______________ we?
(1) may
(2) must
(3) shall
(4) won’t

7. If I had a lot of money, I ___________ donate it to charity.

(1) will
(2) shall
(3) would
(4) should

8. There were ruthless people who ______ not hesitate to kill anyone who had ruined
their plans.
(1) must
(2) could
(3) would
(4) should

9. Given Moses' verbal skills, the teachers ______ give him the opportunity to take part
in the school debate next month. It will be a waste of talent if they do not do so.
(1) will
(2) could
(3) might
(4) should

10. “___________ you mind opening the windows to let in some air?” asked the form
teacher.
(1) May
(2) Have
(3) Would
(4) Should
 PRACTICE (E) – Conjunctions
1. Jack chased after the snatch thief _____________ he knew that he was putting his
life in danger.
(1) since
(2) so that
(3) however
(4) although

2. _____________ she was disappointed with her results, she did not complain.
(1) Since
(2) Unless
(3) Despite
(4) Although

3. I am not going to let the matter rest _____________ I get an apology from him.
(1) then
(2) until
(3) though
(4) despite

4. They made it to the concert ___________ their car broke down on the way.
(1) as
(2) since
(3) unless
(4) although

5. _____________ being blind, Kamila works as hard as her peers and she never makes
excuses for herself.
(1) Until
(2) While
(3) Though
(4) Despite
6. The little car managed to maintain its speed __________ it was going up a steep hill.
(1) or
(2) but
(3) although
(4) however

7. __________ it was raining, my brother insisted on going out to run the errand for my
mother.
(1) As
(2) Since
(3) When
(4) Though

8. ____________ Tom makes a concerted effort to revise his work, he will not pass his
examination.
(1) As
(2) While
(3) When
(4) Unless

9. ____________ Singapore has no natural resources like oil and iron, she has a good
government.
(1) If
(2) Since
(3) Unless
(4) Although

10. Garfield has put on weight ____________ the last time we saw him.
(1) as
(2) till
(3) since
(4) before
11. In order not to damage the expensive painting on the wall, it was kept wrapped in
paper ____________ the workers had finished painting the wall.
(1) until
(2) since
(3) because
(4) though

12. You have to be alert while driving ___________ an accident may occur.
(1) if
(2) or
(3) when
(4) should

13. ____________ reading, Jenny also enjoys listening to popular music.

(1) Despite
(2) Except
(3) Besides
(4) Although

14. _______________ from a stale loaf of bread and some cold coffee, the rag-and-bone
man had hardly anything to eat the whole day.
(1) Even
(2) Apart
(3) Except
(4) Besides

15. ____________ for her lack of experience, she would be the ideal person for this job.
(1) If
(2) Lest
(3) Owing
(4) Except
16. ____________ the snakes were harmless, she did not dare to touch them.
(1) Since
(2) When
(3) Even
(4) Although

17. _____________ I am ravenous, I will not eat a full meal.

(1) If
(2) Since
(3) Unless
(4) Whereas

18. Some of you need to share the dictionaries _____ there are not enough to go
around.
(1) but
(2) since
(3) unless
(4) although

19. We would not be in trouble ______ not for our actions.

(1) if
(2) but
(3) except
(4) despite

20. Walter did not do well in the practice paper. ___________, his grades improved after
he had put in more effort to revise his work regularly.
(1) As
(2) Despite
(3) However
(4) Although
21. Mark could not travel with his family _________ of his light schedule.
(1) instead
(2) in spite
(3) because
(4) as a result

22. ___________ the support of his parents, Tom would not have been able to achieve
his dream of becoming the first astronaut in Singapore.
(1) Except
(2) Despite
(3) Without
(4) Besides

23. Gillian baked a birthday cake for his mother ______ the bakery was closed.
(1) and
(2) but
(3) although
(4) because

24. _________ putting in so much effort, Oliver still did not do well In his examinations.
(1) Besides
(2) Despite
(3) Even
(4) Without
25. “ __________ I have the time, I will help you with your project," Mrs Raju told her
son.
(1) If
(2) Even
(3) Since
(4) Because
 Practice (F) – Phrasal Verbs
1. The bank robbers made __________ with two bags of cash that amounted to one
hundred thousand dollars.
(1) of
(2) on
(3) up
(4) off

2. Kai Won could not got __________ the shock of losing his pet cat.
(1) off
(2) out
(3) over
(4) through

3. The teachers refuse to put __________ with his bad behaviour in class.
(1) in
(2) up
(3) down
(4) away

4. While clearing up the attic, I was pleasantly surprised when I came ___________ this
old stamp album that my great grandfather had kept when he was a young boy.
(1) on
(2) over
(3) upon
(4) into

5. Someone passed _____ from exhaust10n after standing under the hot sun for hours.
(1) on
(2) by
(3) down
(4) out
6. Mr Koh has to take ___________ a second job to make ends meet ever since his wife
lost her job.
(1) in
(2) up
(3) over
(4) through

7. I need to break _________ my new trainers before I take part in the marathon next
Saturday.
(1) in
(2) up
(3) out
(4) into

8. After her grandmother's death, she came ______ a huge fortune.

(1) by
(2) out
(3) into
(4) across

9. The children found it difficult to get _________ their disappointment when the trip
to the zoo was cancelled.
(1) down
(2) over
(3) away
(4) through

10. I had to turn __________ the invitation as I had an important meeting to attend.
(1) up
(2) from
(3) over
(4) down
11. It rained _____ December and into the first half of January.
(1) over
(2) along
(3) through
(4) between

12. To prevent the bank robber from escaping, the police sealed ___________ the scene
of crime once they arrived at the bank.
(1) in
(2) off
(3) around
(4) through

13. A commotion broke ___________ when one of the soccer players hit his opponent.
(1) in
(2) up
(3) out
(4) away

14. Mrs Reech has been overspending. She must cut _______________ her expenditure.
(1) off
(2) from
(3) away
(4) down

15. As the company was not doing well, many workers were laid___________ to reduce
labour cost.
(1) out
(2) off
(3) down
(4) away
16. Muthu works very hard but his job does not bring ________ much money.
(1) in
(2) up
(3) over
(4) through

17. Julian was put ______ by the waiter’s insulting remarks and decided not to visit that
restaurant in future.
(1) on
(2) up
(3) off
(4) away

18. The traffic police officer ordered to truck driver to pull ____________ as he had been
driving above the speed limit.
(1) off
(2) out
(3) over
(4) away

19. After a while, it dawned ______ us that Bruce was just joking about his holiday plans.
(1) at
(2) on
(3) over
(4) upon

20. Do you know the relief teacher who is standing _______ for Mrs Pang who has gone
on maternity leave?
(1) in
(2) by
(3) up
(4) on
 Practice (G) – Question Tags
1. En Li practices her violin daily, __________ she?
(1) has
(2) does
(3) hasn’t
(4) doesn’t

2. Jun Ming performed well at the interview, ___________ he?

(1) did
(2) does
(3) didn't
(4) doesn't

3. The students put up a highly entertaining concert last Teachers' Day, __________ ?
(1) aren't they
(2) didn't they
(3) wasn't they
(4) haven't they

4. Joanne does not enjoy running. ___________ her twin sister, Beth.
(1) So do
(2) So does
(3) Neither do
(4) Neither does

5. Susan and her sons rarely eat in fast food restaurants, ____________ they?
(1) do
(2) don’t
(3) have
(4) haven’t
6. These oranges taste very sweet, ____________ they?
(1) don't
(2) aren't
(3) won't
(4) haven't

7. "Your son, Lucas, attended school here, ___________ he?" asked Mrs Davis.
(1) didn't
(2) hasn't
(3) wasn't
(4) doesn't

8. Sarah hardly ever goes to the school library, ___________ ?

(1) is it
(2) isn't it
(3) does she
(4) doesn't she

9. You will not be a spoil sport by not attending the party, __________ you?
(1) will
(2) won't
(3) would
(4) wouldn't

10. Everyone was interested to read about the news, ________________ ?

(1) was he
(2) wasn't he
(3) were they
(4) weren't they
 Practice (H) – Pronouns
1. You and ___________ can share our food at the picnic," suggested Mina.
(1) I
(2) us
(3) me
(4) our

2. It was Sam and not the girls who baked the cake by ____________.
(1) itself
(2) herself
(3) himself
(4) themselves

3. "Let Amy and ________ go and watch the movie tonight, please," Celia begged her
mother.
(1) I
(2) She
(3) me
(4) us

4. Mr Ong remembers _________ of them though they have been to his home before.
(1) both
(2) each
(3) either
(4) neither

5. ______________ of the girls is going to the meet this weekend to discuss the project
work.
(1) All
(2) Both
(3) Some
(4) Neither
6. My classmate has invited my brother and ______________ to his birthday party at
the new swimming club.
(1) I
(2) us
(3) with
(4) me

7. _________ Mrs Lee’s son and daughter take after her.

(1) All
(2) Both
(3) Either
(4) Neither

8. _________ of the workers has asked for a share of the reward.

(1) Both
(2) Each
(3) Most
(4) Some

9. _________ of them are doing voluntary work at the Old Folks' Home every weekend.
(1) One
(2) Both
(3) Either
(4) Neither

10. Uncle Peter gave my sister and ____________ tickets to watch the Vienna Boys Choir
perform at the Esplanade.
(1) I
(2) my
(3) me
(4) mine
11. Rex has lent several books to May but she has not returned any of ____________ to
him just yet.
(1) it
(2) his
(3) hers
(4) them

12. Since the two of you did not leave the room when the accident happened, ________
of you are responsible for the broken window.
(1) one
(2) both
(3) each
(4) either

13. This matter Is between my sister and __________ . Please do not got involved.
(1) I
(2) me
(3) mine
(4) myself

14. It was Jun Seng and not his sister who cleaned the entire house by _____________.
(1) itself
(2) herself
(3) himself
(4) themselves

15. _____________ students blamed each other for the accident.

(1) All
(2) Both
(3) Each
(4) Every
Practice (I) – Prepositions
1. Tina is unable to attend the ceremony as she is down _____________ fever.
(1) by
(2) on
(3) from
(4) with

2. After much deliberation, the judge gave a verdict _________ the guilty party.
(1) at
(2) by
(3) on
(4) with

3. Henry looks short ____ his age. He is about the same height as his younger brother.
(1) for
(2) of
(3) by
(4) with

4. Mrs Yee is a dedicated teacher. She always goes _______________ the call of duty to
ensure that her students achieve their fullest potential.
(1) in
(2) out
(3) under
(4) beyond

5. Many students are congratulating Thomas ____ his success in winning the
championship again.
(1) at
(2) on
(3) over
(4) with
6. When the famine ended, there was great rejoicing _______________ the village.
(1) near
(2) among
(3) beyond
(4) throughout

7. _______ my request for a clean knife, the waiter sniffed haughtily and walked away.
(1) In
(2) To
(3) With
(4) Upon

8. Nobody could convince him _______________ the consequences of his actions.

(1) in
(2) to
(3) on
(4) of

9. Ursula is an excellent basketball player. She is very good _______ dribbling the ball
past her opponents.
(1) at
(2) in
(3) on
(4) with

10. Most fathers would turn weak __________ the thought of taking care of their
children for the whole day.
(1) at
(2) to
(3) with
(4) over
11. The twins are so similar that it is impossible to tell one __________ the other.
(1) at
(2) by
(3) with
(4) from

12. Raymond was not interested In all the speeches that he had to sit _______ during
the conference.
(1) in
(2) at
(3) with
(4) through

13. "Please do not waste your money on this. I would rather you put it _________ good
use,” Mrs Ravi told her son.
(1) in
(2) to
(3) on
(4) for

14. Many children disliked being compared __________ others.

(1) as
(2) to
(3) among
(4) between

15. A jewellery store located ________ a busy street was broken into over the weekend.
(1) on
(2) next
(3) around
(4) through
16. The recent Volcanic eruption is the worst ___________ a hundred years.
(1) in
(2) by
(3) for
(4) from

17. There is mutual respect _________ the team members and that is why they work
well together.
(1) with
(2) among
(3) beyond
(4) between

18. It was heart-wrenching to see old people living _________ their remaining years in a
nursing home alone.
(1) in
(2) by
(3) out
(4) through

19. Smokers are __________ risk of developing lung cancer if they do not quit their bad
habit.
(1) at
(2) in
(3) on
(4) with

20. The suspect was charged __________ shoplifting by the police.

(1) at
(2) for
(3) with
(4) about
Practice (J) – Common Grammatical Errors
1. The motorist sped ____________ the red light and knocked down a pedestrian who
was crossing the road.
(1) past
(2) pass
(3) passes
(4) passed
2. When the wind start e d b lowing, the fire burnt even _____________.
(1) fiercer
(2) fiercely
(3) more fiercely
(4) most fiercely
3. "Look over there! _______________ deer on the grassland are beautiful!” exclaimed
the young child.
(1) This
(2) That
(3) These
(4) Those
4. Penelope placed the puppy into _____________ kennel.
(1) it
(2) its
(3) its’
(4) it’s
5. The police __________ patrolling the neighbourhood when they spotten a man
behaving suspiciously in the area.
(1) is
(2) are
(3) was
(4) were