MCQs for English Composition with Answers
Part 1: Grammar & Sentence Structure 1-25
01 :Which sentence is a fragment?
Answer A. Because I was late.
B. I was late because of traffic.
C. Traffic made me late.
D. I arrived late.
02 : Choose the correct verb form: Neither of the students ___ finished.
A. have
Answer B. has
C. were
D. are
03.Identify the run-on sentence:
Answer A. She loves coffee, she drinks it daily.
B. She loves coffee; she drinks it daily.
C. She loves coffee and drinks it daily.
D. Because she loves coffee, she drinks it daily.
04: Which is a complex sentence?
A. The dog barked and the cat ran.
Answer B. After the rain stopped, we went outside.
C. The rain stopped.
D. We went outside quickly.
05: Choose the correct pronoun: Everyone must bring ___ own book.
A. their
Answer B. his or her
C. its
D. there
06 : Which sentence uses parallel structure?
A. She likes hiking, to swim, and biking.
Answer B. She likes hiking, swimming, and biking.
C. She likes to hike, swimming, and to bike.
D. She likes hiking, to swim, and to bike.
07 : Select the correct word: The ___ of the committee was unexpected.
A. affect
Answer B. effect
C. affects
D. effects
08 : Which sentence is in active voice?
A. The ball was thrown by John.
Answer B. John threw the ball.
C. The ball was being thrown.
D. The ball had been thrown.
09 : Choose the correct modifier: ___ finished with dinner, we washed dishes.
Answer A. Having
B. Having been
C. Being
D. To have
10: Identify the dangling modifier:
Answer A. Running down the street, my hat flew off.
B. While I was running down the street, my hat flew off.
C. My hat flew off as I ran down the street.
D. I was running and my hat flew off.
11: Between vs. Among: The prize was divided ___ the two winners.
Answer A. between
B. among
C. with
D. through
12: Which is correct?
A. Your the best student.
Answer B. You’re the best student.
C. Youre the best student.
D. Yore the best student.
13: Choose the correct form: She is one of the students who ___ always on time.
A. is
Answer B. are
C. was
D. be
14: Identify the subject: In the middle of the lake stood a tall fountain.
A. middle
B. lake
Answer C. fountain
D. tall
15: Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly?
A. I have one goal; to graduate.
Answer B. I have one goal; however, it’s hard.
C. I have; one goal to graduate.
D. I have one; goal to graduate.
16: Fewer vs. Less: There were ___ people at the meeting today.
A. less
Answer B. fewer
C. lesser
D. fewest
17: Choose the correct punctuation:
A. The author, who won the prize, is my friend.
B. The author who won the prize is my friend.
Answer C. Both A and B can be correct depending on meaning.
D. Neither is correct.
18: Which word is an adverb?
A. quick
Answer B. quickly
C. quickness
D. quicker
19: Identify the type of clause: that she wrote in “The book that she wrote is popular.”
A. Independent clause
Answer B. Adjective clause
C. Adverb clause
D. Noun clause
20: Correct the shift in tense: She went to the store and buys milk.
Answer A. bought
B. had bought
C. will buy
D. buying
21: Lay vs. Lie: Please ___ the book on the table.
A. lie
Answer B. lay
C. laid
D. lying
22: Which is a comma splice?
Answer A. It’s raining, take an umbrella.
B. It’s raining; take an umbrella.
C. It’s raining, so take an umbrella.
D. Because it’s raining, take an umbrella.
23: Choose the correct case: The teacher gave the award to Maya and ___.
A. I
Answer B. me
C. myself
D. mine
24: Which sentence has correct subject-verb agreement?
A. The group of students are meeting today.
Answer B. The group of students is meeting today.
C. The groups of student is meeting today.
D. The group of student are meeting today.
25: Identify the appositive: My brother, a skilled guitarist, plays in a band.
A. My brother
Answer B. a skilled guitarist
C. plays
D. in a band
Part 2: Punctuation & Mechanics 26-40
26: Which sentence uses apostrophes correctly?
Answer A. The dogs’ leashes are tangled.
B. The dog’s leashes are tangled.
C. The dogs leashes are tangled.
D. The dogs’s leashes are tangled.
27: When should you use a colon?
A. Before a list
B. Between independent clauses when second explains first
Answer C. Both A and B
D. To separate items in a series
28: Which title is punctuated correctly?
A. The article “How to Write” was helpful.
B. The article How to Write was helpful.
C. The article How to Write was helpful.
Answer D. A and C are correct.
29: Choose the correct sentence:
A. I can’t believe its already Monday.
Answer B. I can’t believe it’s already Monday.
C. I cant believe its already Monday.
D. I can’t believe its’ already Monday.
30: Which is correct for a direct quote?
A. She said, “I’m tired”.
Answer B. She said, “I’m tired.”
C. She said “I’m tired.”
D. She said, “I’m tired”.
31: Hyphen use: She is a ___ student.
A. well known
Answer B. well-known
C. wellknown
D. well knowned
32: Which sentence uses dashes correctly?
A. My friends—Sam and Alex—are coming.
B. My friends – Sam and Alex – are coming.
C. My friends, Sam and Alex, are coming.
Answer D. A and C are both acceptable.
33: Capitalization: Which should be capitalized?
A. spring
B. aunt mary
C. the president of the club
Answer D. Professor Johnson
34: Which is correct?
A. 12 a.m. midnight
Answer B. 12 p.m. noon
C. 3 AM in the morning
D. Both A and B
35: Numbers in academic writing: Use numerals for ___
Answer A. numbers 10 and above
B. numbers beginning a sentence
C. both A and B
D. only when citing data
36: Which sentence is punctuated correctly?
A. However she tried, she failed.
B. However, she tried, she failed.
C. However she tried she failed.
Answer D. However, she tried; she failed.
37: Ellipsis use: “To be ___ not to be.”
A. ,
Answer B. …
C. —
D. ;
38: Which is correct for a compound adjective before a noun?
A. A five year old child
Answer B. A five-year-old child
C. A five-year old child
D. A five year-old child
39: Parentheses: Which is correct?
Answer A. He finally answered (after taking five minutes).
B. He finally answered (after taking five minutes.)
C. He finally answered. (after taking five minutes)
D. He finally answered (after taking five minutes.)
40: Which needs a comma?
Answer A. Because it was late we left.
B. We left because it was late.
C. We left early because it was late.
D. B and C are correct.
Part 3: Style, Diction & Clarity 41-60
41: Which sentence is most concise?
A. At this point in time, we need to make a decision.
Answer B. We need to decide now.
C. The decision that needs to be made by us is now.
D. It is necessary for us to make a decision at this point in time.
42: Which word is redundant? “Past history shows ___”
Answer A. past
B. history
C. shows
D. None
43: Choose the most formal word: The experiment ___ the hypothesis.
A. proved
B. showed
Answer C. supported
D. was like
44: Which sentence avoids sexist language?
A. Each student should bring his notebook.
B. Each student should bring his or her notebook.
C. Students should bring their notebooks.
Answer D. B and C
45: Wordiness: “Due to the fact that” can be replaced with ___
A. Since
B. Because
Answer C. Both A and B
D. Regarding
46: Which sentence has the strongest verb?
A. She is a good speaker.
Answer B. She speaks well.
C. She gives good speeches.
D. She is good at speaking.
47: Choose the correct idiom: She is interested ___ biology.
A. on
Answer B. in
C. at
D. for
48: Which is jargon?
A. The data supports the claim.
Answer B. We need to optimize our synergy metrics.
C. The results were significant.
D. The study used a survey.
49: Tone: Which sentence is appropriate for academic writing?
A. The results were super awesome.
Answer B. The results were significant.
C. The results totally blew us away.
D. The results were kinda important.
50: Choose the specific word: The politician gave a ___
A. thing
Answer B. speech
C. talk
D. stuff
51: Which avoids a cliché?
A. At the end of the day
B. In conclusion
C. Ultimately
Answer D. B and C
52: Which sentence uses precise language?
A. She walked slowly.
Answer B. She ambled.
C. She went.
D. She moved.
53: Euphemism: “Passed away” instead of “died” is a ___
Answer A. euphemism
B. cliché
C. jargon
D. redundancy
54: Which is in second person?
A. I think this is true.
Answer B. You should consider this.
C. One must consider this.
D. They considered this.
55 : Which sentence avoids passive voice?
A. Mistakes were made.
Answer B. The team made mistakes.
C. It was decided by the committee.
D. The report was written by her.
56: Choose the correct homophone: They took ___ seats.
A. there
Answer B. their
C. they’re
D. the’re
57: Which is most objective?
A. The horrible policy failed.
Answer B. The policy did not achieve its goals.
C. The stupid policy was terrible.
D. I hate the policy.
58: Vague pronoun: “In the document it says” should be ___
A. left as is
Answer B. “The document says”
C. “In it, the document says”
D. “It, in the document, says”
59: Which avoids nominalization?
A. We made a decision.
Answer B. We decided.
C. A decision was made by us.
D. The making of a decision occurred.
60: Which is correct: “The reason is because” should be ___
A. left as is
Answer B. “The reason is that”
C. “Because the reason is”
D. “The reason because”
Part 4: Essay Structure & Rhetoric 61-80
61: What is a thesis statement?
A. A question the essay answers
Answer B. The main claim + main points of an essay
C. A quote from a source
D. The first sentence of the intro
62: Where does a thesis usually appear?
Answer A. Last sentence of introduction
B. First sentence of body paragraph 1
C. Conclusion
D. Title
63: Which is NOT a type of essay?
A. Argumentative
B. Expository
C. Narrative
Answer D. Prepositional
64: What is a topic sentence?
A. The first sentence of the essay
Answer B. Main idea of a paragraph
C. The conclusion sentence
D. A quote
65: Which is the best hook?
A. This essay is about dogs.
B. Dogs are nice.
Answer C. In 2023, 65 million US households owned a dog.
D. I like dogs.
66: What is the purpose of a counterargument?
A. To confuse the reader
Answer B. To show you considered opposing views
C. To make the essay longer
D. To agree with the opposition
67: Which is a logical fallacy?
Answer A. Ad hominem
B. Thesis statement
C. Topic sentence
D. Transition
68: MLA in-text citation for a book with one author:
Answer A. (Smith 23)
B. (Smith, 23)
C. (Smith p. 23)
D. (23, Smith)
69: What does “ethos” refer to?
A. Appeal to emotion
B. Appeal to logic
Answer C. Appeal to credibility
D. Appeal to humor
70: Which is pathos?
A. Statistics showing poverty rates
Answer B. A story of a child going hungry
C. An expert’s testimony
D. A dictionary definition
71: What is “logos”?
A. Emotional appeal
Answer B. Logical appeal
C. Ethical appeal
D. Stylistic appeal
72: Which is NOT part of a standard conclusion?
A. Restate thesis
B. Synthesize main points
Answer C. Introduce new evidence
D. Closing thought
73: What is a signal phrase?
Answer A. A phrase that introduces a quote
B. A phrase that concludes
C. A phrase with no meaning
D. A type of thesis
74: Which is plagiarism?
A. Using a quote with citation
Answer B. Paraphrasing without citation
C. Using common knowledge
D. Citing your own past work
75: What is the purpose of an outline?
Answer A. To organize ideas before drafting
B. To replace the final draft
C. To list sources only
D. To write the conclusion first
76: Which transition shows contrast?
A. Furthermore
Answer B. However
C. Therefore
D. In addition
77: What is “unity” in a paragraph?
Answer A. All sentences relate to one main idea
B. All sentences are the same length
C. All sentences use the same words
D. All sentences are complex
78: What is “coherence” in writing?
Answer A. Ideas flow logically with transitions
B. Every sentence is true
C. The essay is short
D. The essay has five paragraphs
79: Which is a primary source?
A. A textbook about World War II
Answer B. A diary from a WWII soldier
C. An encyclopedia entry
D. A documentary
80: What is the purpose of peer review?
A. To give the teacher a break
Answer B. To get feedback and improve writing
C. To grade other students
D. To copy other students’ ideas
Part 5: Reading Comprehension & Revision 81-100
81: The main idea of a passage is ___
A. a specific detail
Answer B. the central point the author makes
C. the first sentence
D. the title
82: An inference is ___
A. a direct quote
Answer B. a guess based on evidence
C. the author’s biography
D. a summary
83: Author’s purpose can be to ___
Answer A. inform, persuade, entertain
B. confuse the reader
C. use big words
D. write long sentences
84: Tone is the ___
Answer A. author’s attitude toward the subject
B. time period of the text
C. length of the text
D. number of paragraphs
85: Which is an example of summary?
A. Copying a paragraph
Answer B. Condensing main ideas in your words
C. Quoting the entire text
D. Listing all details
86: When revising, you should focus on ___ first.
A. commas
B. spelling
Answer C. big ideas: thesis, organization, evidence
D. font choice
87: Which is a fragment that could be fixed by adding a subject?
A. Ran to the store.
B. Because I ran to the store.
C. I ran to the store.
D. Running to the store is fun.
88: Which sentence needs revision for clarity?
A. The dog chased the cat.
Answer B. After eating the dog took a nap.
C. The dog took a nap after eating.
D. The dog, after eating, took a nap.
89: What is “audience” in writing?
Answer A. The people who will read your text
B. The number of pages
C. The teacher only
D. The author
90: Which is NOT a strategy for proofreading?
A. Read aloud
B. Read backward sentence by sentence
Answer C. Add new arguments
D. Use spell check
91: What does “synthesize” mean in research writing?
A. Copy one source
Answer B. Combine ideas from multiple sources
C. Ignore sources
D. Only use quotes
92: Which is a compound-complex sentence?
A. I ran and he walked.
Answer B. I ran because I was late, and he walked.
C. Because I was late, I ran.
D. I ran.
93: Identify the error: “Each of the boys were here.”
Answer A. Subject-verb agreement
B. Pronoun case
C. Comma splice
D. Fragment
94: Which is correct for titles of long works?
A. “The Great Gatsby”
Answer B. The Great Gatsby
C. The Great Gatsby
D. ‘The Great Gatsby’
95: What is annotation?
Answer A. Writing notes while reading
B. Ignoring the text
C. Only highlighting
D. Copying the text
96: Which sentence uses a colon incorrectly?
Answer A. I need: milk, eggs, and bread.
B. I need three things: milk, eggs, and bread.
C. She had one goal: to win.
D. He said this: “Go.”
97: Which is a strong concluding strategy?
A. End with “The End”
Answer B. Call to action or broader implication
C. Repeat the intro exactly
D. Apologize for your argument
98: What is diction?
Answer A. Word choice
B. Sentence length
C. Paragraph structure
D. Punctuation
99: Which revision fixes wordiness? “In the event that it rains, we will cancel.”
Answer A. If it rains, we will cancel.
B. In the event of rain, cancellation will occur.
C. We will cancel, in the event that it rains.
D. Should there be rain, cancellation is happening.
100 : The writing process is usually ___
A. linear: one step after another
Answer B. recursive: moving back and forth between steps
C. only drafting
D. only editing