CBSE 10 English Grammar

Content Structure

• 1. Determiners
• 2. Modals
• 3. Reported Speech
• 4. Subject-verb concord
• 5. Tense

1. Determiners

1. Choose the correct determiner to complete each sentence.

1. The jury ___ finally given its verdict after three days of deliberation.
a) has
b) have
c) had
d) having
Ans: has

2. She bought _______ umbrella because it was raining.
a) the
b) a
c) some
d) an
Ans: an

3. He has ___ friends in the city.
a) many
b) few
c) much
d) several
Ans: few

4. He is ___ European citizen, though he lives in India.
a) a
b) an
c) the
d) some
Ans: a

5. She bought ___ apples.
a) much
b) little
c) five
d) any
Ans: five

6. He stood ___ in the race.
a) one
b) first
c) early
d) top
Ans: first

7. _____________ pen do you want?
a) What
b) Whose
c) Any
d) Which
Ans: Which

8. He has ___ friends in this city, so he often feels quite lonely.
a) few
b) a few
c) the few
d) many
Ans: few

9. ___ participant was handed a certificate at the end of the workshop.
a) Every
b) Each
c) All
d) Many
Ans: Each

10. I have visited this museum ___________ times.
a) any
b) much
c) every
d) several
Ans: several

11. I have read ___ the books you lent me last week.
a) all
b) both
c) whole
d) each
Ans: all

12. We waited for ____________ hour before the bus arrived.
a) a
b) the
c) one
d) an
Ans: an

13. I will need ___ umbrella because the sky is heavily overcast.
a) a
b) an
c) the
d) some
Ans: an

14. _____________ information was useful.
a) Some
b) An
c) Any
d) The
Ans: The

15. The heavy wooden furniture in this room ___ imported from Italy.
a) is
b) are
c) were
d) have
Ans: is

16. ___________ book on the table belongs to me.
a) A
b) An
c) Some
d) The
Ans: The

17. There are only ___________ biscuits left in the jar.
a) many
b) much
c) few
d) a few
Ans: a few

18. Do you have _____________ questions to ask?
a) some
b) every
c) much
d) any
Ans: any

19. ____________ of the two brothers is taller.
a) Both
b) Neither
c) Each
d) Either
Ans: Either

20. She doesn’t have ___ patience when it comes to dealing with delays.
a) much
b) many
c) more
d) few
Ans: much

21. ____________ child in the class received a certificate.
a) Many
b) All
c) Some
d) Each
Ans: Each

22. I need _____________ information about the project.
a) any
b) little
c) every
d) some
Ans: some

23. She has _______________ friends in this city.
a) much
b) little
c) few
d) many
Ans: many

24. Is there _____________ sugar in the container?
a) some
b) many
c) few
d) any
Ans: any

25. _____________ teacher appreciated my work.
a) A
b) Every
c) Some
d) The
Ans: The

26. We have ______________ time before the movie starts.
a) little
b) many
c) few
d) enough
Ans: enough

27. ___ students were absent yesterday due to the heavy rainfall.
a) Much
b) Many
c) Any
d) Little
Ans: Many

28. ______________ of the boys won the race.
a) Every
b) Each
c) None
d) One
Ans: One

29. I still need ___ more time to complete the science project.
a) some
b) any
c) many
d) few
Ans: some

30. There are ____________ chairs in the room.
a) much
b) little
c) few
d) many
Ans: many

31. He gave me ______________ advice before the interview.
a) many
b) few
c) every
d) some
Ans: some

32. ___________ girl standing near the gate is my cousin.
a) A
b) Every
c) Some
d) The
Ans: The

33. ___ child needs love.
a) Every
b) Each
c) All
d) Some
Ans: Every

34. _____________ people know the truth.
a) Which
b) How
c) Where
d) Few
Ans: Few

35. There aren’t ___ students in the class today.
a) much
b) many
c) little
d) every
Ans: many

2. Modals

2. Choose the most appropriate modal to complete each sentence.

1. You _____________ wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle.
a) can
b) should
c) may
d) must
Ans: Must

2. Students ___ borrow books from the library.
a) can
b) may
c) should
d) must
Ans: May

3. ___ I come in, sir?
a) May
b) Can
c) Will
d) Must
Ans: May

4. We ___ obey the traffic rules.
a) should
b) can
c) may
d) must
Ans: Must

5. He ___ finish the work today.
a) can
b) should
c) may
d) must
Ans: Must

6. We ___ help the poor.
a) can
b) should
c) may
d) must
Ans: Should

7. Citizens ___ vote in elections.
a) ought to
b) can
c) may
d) would
Ans: Ought to

8. Children ___ play with fire.
a) should not
b) may not
c) can not
d) must not
Ans: Must not

9. We ___ waste water.
a) should not
b) cannot
c) may not
d) must not
Ans: Must not

10. He said he ___ help me.
a) will
b) would
c) can
d) shall
Ans: Would

11. ___ I come in, sir?
a) May
b) Can
c) Will
d) Must
Ans: May

12. The sky is very dark; it ___ rain heavily today.
a) may
b) will
c) can
d) should
Ans: May

13. You ___ worry about the entry fees; I have already paid for both of us.
a) need not
b) must not
c) cannot
d) should not
Ans: Need not

14. You ______ consult a doctor if the fever persists.
a) can
b) would
c) might
d) should
Ans: Should

15. ___ you like another cup of tea?
a) Would
b) Should
c) Could
d) Can
Ans: Would

16. ______ you please help me with this bag?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Must
d) Could
Ans: Could

17. ______ you pass me the salt, please?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Might
d) Could
Ans: Could

18. ______ we use your phone?
a) Can
b) Could
c) Shall
d) May
Ans: May

19. Visitors ___ smoke inside the hospital premises.
a) must not
b) need not
c) should not
d) cannot
Ans: Must not

20. ______ I come in, Sir?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Could
d) May
Ans: May

21. Children ______ be taught good manners.
a) can
b) may
c) would
d) should
Ans: Should

22. You have a terrible cough; you really ___ consult a doctor.
a) should
b) ought to
c) must
d) can
Ans: Should

23. Students ___________ respect their teachers.
a) can
b) may
c) must
d) should
Ans: Should

24. We ______ obey traffic rules.
a) could
b) should
c) may
d) must
Ans: Must

25. He promised that he ___ return the money the next day.
a) would
b) will
c) can
d) shall
Ans: Would

26. Citizens ______ follow the law.
a) should
b) can
c) could
d) must
Ans: Must

27. You ______ eat too much junk food.
a) must
b) may
c) can
d) shouldn’t
Ans: Shouldn’t

28. We ______ save electricity whenever possible.
a) may
b) could
c) must
d) should
Ans: Should

29. I ___ join you for the movie later if I finish my assignment early.
a) might
b) can
c) will
d) should
Ans: Might

30. It ______ rain later in the evening.
a) can
b) could
c) should
d) might
Ans: Might

31. The keys ______ be in the drawer.
a) can
b) should
c) might
d) may
Ans: May

32. He ______ lift heavy weights easily.
a) could
b) may
c) should
d) can
Ans: Can

33. The answer ______ be correct, but I’m not sure.
a) can
b) may
c) should
d) might
Ans: Might

34. She ______ swim when she was five years old.
a) can
b) may
c) should
d) could
Ans: Could

35. This plan ______ work if everyone cooperates.
a) can
b) might
c) should
d) may
Ans: May

36. You ______ smoke in the hospital.
a) should not
b) cannot
c) may not
d) must not
Ans: Must not

37. Visitors ______ enter this area without permission.
a) must not
b) may not
c) should not
d) cannot
Ans: Cannot

38. You ______ submit the assignment by Friday.
a) should
b) can
c) may
d) must
Ans: Must

39. You ______ try this new restaurant.
a) can
b) may
c) must
d) should
Ans: Should

40. You ______ complete the form before submission.
a) should
b) can
c) could
d) must
Ans: Must

41. I ___ call you tomorrow.
a) shall
b) can
c) will
d) may
Ans: Will

42. You ___ wear a helmet while riding a bike to avoid heavy fines.
a) must
b) should
c) can
d) may
Ans: Must

43. One ______ always speak the truth.
a) can
b) may
c) must
d) should
Ans: Should

44. He has been studying all night; he ___ be exhausted.
a) must
b) can
c) might
d) should
Ans: Must

45. ______ I borrow your pen for a minute?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Must
d) May
Ans: May

46. ______ I leave early today?
a) Can
b) Must
c) Should
d) May
Ans: May

47. ______ you lend me your notes?
a) Can
b) Would
c) Shall
d) Could
Ans: Could

48. ______ I ask you a question?
a) Can
b) Could
c) Shall
d) May
Ans: May

49. ______ you please close the window?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Could
d) Would
Ans: Would

50. We ___ hurry up, or we will miss the last train.
a) must
b) can
c) might
d) should
Ans: Must

51. I ___ punish you if you do not complete your homework.
a) will
b) shall
c) can
d) may
Ans: Will

52. ______ I have another piece of cake?
a) Can
b) Shall
c) Must
d) May
Ans: May

53. She ______ speak three languages fluently.
a) may
b) could
c) should
d) can
Ans: Can

3. Reported Speech (Narration)

1. Tina said, “I enjoy reading novels.”
Ans: Tina said that she enjoyed reading novels.

2. He said, “I am tired.”
Ans: He said that he was tired.

3. She said, “I like ice cream.”
Ans: She said that she liked ice cream.

4. They said, “We are going to the park.”
Ans: They said that they were going to the park.

5. Ramesh said, “I will help you.”
Ans: Ramesh said that he would help me.

6. The teacher said, “You have done well.”
Ans: The teacher said that I had done well.

7. He said, “Do you like cricket?”
Ans: He asked if I liked cricket.

8. She said, “Are you coming tomorrow?”
Ans: She asked whether I was coming the next day.

9. They said, “Will you join us?”
Ans: They asked if I would join them.

10. He said, “Where are you going?”
Ans: He asked where I was going.

11. She said, “What is your name?”
Ans: She asked what my name was.

12. They said, “When will you arrive?”
Ans: They asked when I would arrive.

13. The teacher said, “Why are you late?”
Ans: The teacher asked why I was late.

14. He said, “Sit down.”
Ans: He ordered me to sit down.

15. She said, “Don’t make noise.”
Ans: She told us not to make noise.

16. The officer said, “Stand in a line.”
Ans: The officer commanded them to stand in a line.

17. She said, “How clever you are!”
Ans: She exclaimed that I was very clever.

18. They said, “Alas! We lost the match.”
Ans: They exclaimed with sorrow that they had lost the match.

19. The boy said, “Hurrah! We won the game.”
Ans: The boy exclaimed with joy that they had won the game.

20. He said, “I saw him yesterday.”
Ans: He said that he had seen him the previous day.

21. She said, “I am reading a novel.”
Ans: She said that she was reading a novel.

22. They said, “We have completed our homework.”
Ans: They said that they had completed their homework.

23. The teacher said, “You will pass the exam.”
Ans: The teacher said that I would pass the exam.

24. He said, “I was playing football.”
Ans: He said that he had been playing football.

25. She said, “I have been waiting for you.”
Ans: She said that she had been waiting for me.

26. They said, “We shall go to Delhi tomorrow.”
Ans: They said that they would go to Delhi the next day.

27. The boy said, “I can solve this problem.”
Ans: The boy said that he could solve that problem.

28. She said, “I cannot attend the meeting.”
Ans: She said that she could not attend the meeting.

29. He said, “I am reading a book now.”
Ans: He said that he was reading a book then.

30. The tourist said, “I love this city.”
Ans: The tourist said that he/she loved that city.

31. She said to me, “I will help you with your project tomorrow.”
Ans: She told me that she would help me with my project the next day.

32. Ravi said, “I am learning French.”
Ans: Ravi said that he was learning French.

33. Rahul said, “I have completed my science assignment.”
Ans: Rahul said that he had completed his science assignment.

34. The child said, “I want an ice cream.”
Ans: The child said that he/she wanted an ice cream.

35. The geography teacher said, “The earth revolves around the sun.”
Ans: The geography teacher said that the earth revolves around the sun.

36. Nisha said, “I will call you tonight.”
Ans: Nisha said that she would call me that night.

37. “I went to the museum yesterday,” she said.
Ans: She said that she had gone to the museum the previous day.

38. The player said, “I practised hard.”
Ans: The player said that he had practised hard.

39. Mother said, “I was cooking dinner when the lights went out.”
Ans: Mother said that she had been cooking dinner when the lights had gone out.

40. She said, “I was absent yesterday.”
Ans: She said that she had been absent the previous day.

41. “We are playing a friendly match today,” the boys said.
Ans: The boys said that they were playing a friendly match that day.

42. He said, “I have cleaned my room.”
Ans: He said that he had cleaned his room.

43. She said to him, “What is your name?”
Ans: She asked him what his name was.

44. The doctor said, “You are recovering well.”
Ans: The doctor said that I was recovering well.

45. The policeman said to the man, “Where do you live?”
Ans: The policeman asked the man where he lived.

46. He said, “I forgot my keys.”
Ans: He said that he had forgotten his keys.

47. The teacher said, “I appreciate your effort.”
Ans: The teacher said that she appreciated my effort.

48. He said, “I am not feeling well.”
Ans: He said that he was not feeling well.

49. She said, “I wrote the letter yesterday.”
Ans: She said that she had written the letter the previous day.

50. My brother said, “I have passed the exam.”
Ans: My brother said that he had passed the exam.

51. He said, “I may join you later.”
Ans: He said that he might join me later.

52. My friend said to me, “Will you help me with this math problem?”
Ans: My friend asked me if I would help him with that math problem.

53. The student said, “I understand the lesson.”
Ans: The student said that he/she understood the lesson.

54. “Did you finish your homework?” the teacher asked Rohan.
Ans: The teacher asked Rohan if he had finished his homework.

55. She said, “I have finished my lunch.”
Ans: She said that she had finished her lunch.

56. The doctor asked the patient, “How are you feeling today?”
Ans: The doctor asked the patient how he was feeling that day.

57. My father said, “I will return soon.”
Ans: My father said that he would return soon.

58. The artist said, “I am working on a new painting.”
Ans: The artist said that he was working on a new painting.

59. She said, “I have never been to Kashmir.”
Ans: She said that she had never been to Kashmir.

60. Arjun said, “I am watching television.”
Ans: Arjun said that he was watching television.

61. Father asked, “Did you lock the door?”
Ans: Father asked if I had locked the door.

62. The child asked, “Can I have some ice cream?”
Ans: The child asked if he/she could have some ice cream.

63. He asked, “Have you visited Delhi?”
Ans: He asked if I had visited Delhi.

64. The teacher asked, “Will you participate in the competition?”
Ans: The teacher asked if I would participate in the competition.

65. She asked, “Do you understand French?”
Ans: She asked if I understood French.

66. The police officer asked, “Where were you last night?”
Ans: The police officer asked where I had been the previous night.

67. Mother asked, “What do you want for dinner?”
Ans: Mother asked what I wanted for dinner.

68. She asked, “How long have you been waiting?”
Ans: She asked how long I had been waiting.

69. The teacher asked, “Why have you not completed your work?”
Ans: The teacher asked why I had not completed my work.

70. Mother asked, “Where did you keep the keys?”
Ans: Mother asked where I had kept the keys.

71. He asked, “What is your favourite subject?”
Ans: He asked what my favourite subject was.

72. The tourist asked, “Where is the nearest railway station?”
Ans: The tourist asked where the nearest railway station was.

73. She asked, “What are you doing?”
Ans: She asked what I was doing.

74. He asked, “Why are you late?”
Ans: He asked why I was late.

75. Mother asked, “When will you return?”
Ans: Mother asked when I would return.

76. The teacher asked, “Who broke the window?”
Ans: The teacher asked who had broken the window.

77. She asked, “How did you solve the problem?”
Ans: She asked how I had solved the problem.

78. He asked, “Where do you live?”
Ans: He asked where I lived.

79. Father asked, “Why did you miss the bus?”
Ans: Father asked why I had missed the bus.

80. The doctor asked, “What did you eat yesterday?”
Ans: The doctor asked what I had eaten the previous day.

4. Subject–Verb Concord

4. Choose the correct verb form to complete each sentence.

1. The boy ______ to school every day.
a) go
b) goes
c) went
d) gone
Ans: goes

2. The boy ___ playing in the garden.
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) were
Ans: is

3. She ___ my best friend.
a) am
b) are
c) is
d) were
Ans: is

4. My mother ___ very kind.
a) am
b) are
c) is
d) were
Ans: is

5. The boys ___ playing football.
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was
Ans: are

6. They ___ going to school.
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) was
Ans: are

7. The committee ___ decided to postpone the meeting.
a) have
b) has
c) had
d) having
Ans: has

8. The family ___ going on vacation.
a) am
b) is
c) are
d) were
Ans: is

9. The jury ___ divided in their opinion.
a) is
b) was
c) are
d) has
Ans: are

10. The staff ___ arguing among themselves.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) has
Ans: are

11. The police ___ investigating the case.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) has
Ans: are

12. Every child ___ fond of toys.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have
Ans: is

13. Everyone ___ invited to the party.
a) are
b) have
c) is
d) were
Ans: is

14. My brother ______ cricket very well.
a) play
b) plays
c) played
d) playing
Ans: plays

15. The dogs ______ loudly at night.
a) barks
b) bark
c) barking
d) barked
Ans: bark

16. She ______ English fluently.
a) speak
b) speaks
c) spoke
d) speaking
Ans: speaks

17. The children ______ cartoons every evening.
a) watches
b) watch
c) watched
d) watching
Ans: watch

18. My parents ______ in Chennai.
a) lives
b) live
c) lived
d) living
Ans: live

19. The teacher ______ the lesson clearly.
a) explain
b) explains
c) explained
d) explaining
Ans: explains

20. The players ______ hard before the match.
a) practises
b) practise
c) practised
d) practising
Ans: practise

21. The baby ______ peacefully.
a) sleep
b) sleeps
c) slept
d) sleeping
Ans: sleeps

22. The principal, as well as the teachers, ___ present.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have
Ans: is

23. The captain, as well as the players, ___ honored.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) have
Ans: is

24. The boy, as well as his friends, ___ playing.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have
Ans: is

25. Neither the principal nor the teachers ______ available.
a) was
b) were
c) is
d) be
Ans: were

26. Either my father or my brothers ______ driving today.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
Ans: are

27. Neither the players nor the captain ______ ready.
a) were
b) was
c) are
d) be
Ans: was

28. The United States ______ a developed country.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

29. Ten kilometres ______ a long distance to walk.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

30. Five hundred rupees ______ enough for the trip.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

31. Hundreds of people ___ gathered.
a) has
b) have
c) had
d) having
Ans: have

32. Bread and butter ______ my usual breakfast.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

33. The police ______ investigating the case.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
Ans: are

34. The scissors ______ on the table.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
Ans: are

35. Physics ______ an interesting subject.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

36. A pair of shoes ______ kept near the door.
a) are
b) is
c) were
d) be
Ans: is

37. “The Three Musketeers” ___ an interesting novel.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have
Ans: is

38. “Gulliver’s Travels” ___ my favorite book.
a) are
b) were
c) is
d) have
Ans: is

39. The girls ______ in the playground.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
Ans: are

40. Either Riya or her sisters ______ coming to the party.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
Ans: are

41. Neither the boys nor their coach ______ present.
a) were
b) was
c) are
d) be
Ans: was

42. Either the teachers or the principal ______ the decision.
a) have made
b) has made
c) had made
d) making
Ans: has made

5. Tenses

5. Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verbs given in brackets.

1. She ______ to school every day. (go)
Ans: goes

2. They ______ cricket in the park now. (play)
Ans: are playing

3. The train ________ (leave) the platform before we reached the station.
Ans: had left

4. My grandfather generally ________ (go) for a brisk walk early in the morning.
Ans: goes

5. I ______ my homework already. (finish)
Ans: have finished

6. He ______ when I called him. (sleep)
Ans: was sleeping

7. We ______ the movie before dinner yesterday. (watch)
Ans: had watched

8. The sun ______ in the east. (rise)
Ans: rises

9. My father ______ a newspaper every morning. (read)
Ans: reads

10. He ______ TV when his friend visited. (watch)
Ans: was watching

11. We ______ lunch before going out. (have)
Ans: had had

12. She ______ the piano beautifully. (play)
Ans: plays

13. I ______ my assignment yet. (not submit)
Ans: have not submitted

14. They ______ a new house next year. (build)
Ans: will build

15. The birds ______ in the sky. (fly)
Ans: fly

16. Look out the window! The children ________ (play) enthusiastically in the heavy rain.
Ans: are playing

17. The author ________ (write) this novel since January.
Ans: has been writing

18. My mother ________ (cook) dinner when the unexpected guests arrived.
Ans: was cooking

19. It is a scientific fact that water ________ (boil) at 100 degrees Celsius.
Ans: boils

20. He ______ for the exam these days. (prepare)
Ans: is preparing

21. We ______ this museum before. (see)
Ans: have seen

22. She ______ to Jaipur last month. (go)
Ans: went

23. By next week, I ______ the book. (finish)
Ans: will have finished

24. The students ______ quietly in the library now. (study)
Ans: are studying

25. I ______ him since childhood. (know)
Ans: have known

26. She ______ dinner when the lights went out. (cook)
Ans: was cooking

27. They ________ (live) in this neighborhood for over a decade.
Ans: have been living / have lived

28. The company ________ (launch) its new smartphone model last week.
Ans: launched

29. The sun ________ (shine) brightly when I finally woke up.
Ans: was shining

30.. I suddenly realized that I ________ (forget) my admit card at home.
Ans: had forgotten

31. The principal announced that the school ________ (remain) closed tomorrow.
Ans: would remain

32. The main event ________ (start) by the time we manage to reach the stadium.
Ans: will have started

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