Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She was sent to ___ prison for five years.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: D
When 'prison' is used for its primary institutional purpose, no article is normally used.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
We sailed across ___ Pacific Ocean.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: C
Names of oceans take the definite article.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He is ___ heir to a large estate.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: B
'Heir' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She is ___ European researcher.
A. an
B. a
C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: B
'European' begins with the consonant sound /j/, so 'a' is correct.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He waited for ___ hour before the interview.
A. a
B. an
C. the
D. no article
Correct Answer: B
'Hour' begins with a vowel sound because the 'h' is silent.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ have waited for me; I could have helped you.
A. should
B. should have
C. might
D. will
Correct Answer: B
'Should have waited' expresses that waiting would have been the better past action.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
When she was five, she ___ read simple sentences.
A. can
B. could
C. may
D. must
Correct Answer: B
'Could' expresses general ability in the past.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ to finish the work before leaving.
A. ought
B. ought to
C. should to
D. must to
Correct Answer: B
'Ought' is followed by 'to + base verb'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ better revise the chapter once more.
A. would
B. had
C. should had
D. must had
Correct Answer: B
The fixed expression is 'had better + base verb'.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
We ___ hurry; there is plenty of time.
A. must not
B. need not
C. should have
D. would
Correct Answer: B
'Need not' means there is no necessity.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
They ___ have reached home by now, but I am not sure.
A. might
B. must not
C. shall
D. ought not
Correct Answer: A
'Might have' expresses uncertainty about a past event.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ have missed the bus; otherwise, he would be here.
A. may
B. must
C. can
D. shall
Correct Answer: B
'Must have' expresses a strong deduction about a past event.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ have checked the figures before submitting the report.
A. should
B. should have
C. can
D. will
Correct Answer: B
'Should have + past participle' expresses criticism about a past action.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
She ___ be at the office; her car is not there.
A. must
B. can't
C. ought
D. shall
Correct Answer: B
'Can't' expresses a strong negative deduction.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ be the manager; everyone is reporting to him.
A. must
B. can't
C. might not
D. shouldn't
Correct Answer: A
'Must' can express a strong logical deduction.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ smoke in this area.
A. must
B. must not
C. should
D. may
Correct Answer: B
'Must not' expresses prohibition.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
You ___ submit the application before 4 p.m.; it is compulsory.
A. may
B. must
C. might
D. could
Correct Answer: B
'Must' expresses strong obligation.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
By noon tomorrow, the committee ___ the final draft.
A. will have reviewed
B. will be reviewing
C. reviews
D. reviewed
Correct Answer: A
Future perfect describes an action expected to be completed by a future deadline.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
At noon tomorrow, the committee ___ the final draft.
A. reviews
B. will be reviewing
C. reviewed
D. has reviewed
Correct Answer: B
Future continuous describes an action that will be in progress at a specified future time.
Precis & Composition
Sentence Structure and Correction
He ___ a book when the lights went out.
A. read
B. was reading
C. has read
D. had reading
Correct Answer: B
An action in progress when another past action occurred takes the past continuous.