WBCS English Mock Test: 25 Harder MCQs

WBCS English for Prelims 2024. WBCS indicative notification has been published on the official website of West Bengal PSC.

This WBCS English Mock Test with 25 harder MCQs will help you to score 22+ out of 25 in prelims.

You will also like: Score 25/25: WBCS Prelims 2024 English Mock Test

WBCS English 25 harder MCQs

1. Which word is the closest synonym for “perfidious”?

a) Faithful
b) Treacherous
c) Transparent
d) Sincere

Correct Answer: b) Treacherous

Explanation:

• Perfidious refers to someone who is deceitful and untrustworthy.
• The word treacherous also denotes betrayal or deceit, making it a synonym for perfidious.
• The other options are incorrect:
  • Faithful means loyal, the opposite of perfidious.
  • Transparent means open or clear and doesn’t relate to deceit.
  • Sincere refers to honesty, which contradicts the meaning of perfidious.

2. Choose the correct antonym for “laconic.”
a) Succinct
b) Verbose
c) Reticent
d) Taciturn

Correct Answer: b) Verbose

Explanation:

• Laconic describes someone who uses very few words, being brief and to the point.
• Verbose means using more words than necessary, making it an antonym for laconic.
• The other options are incorrect:
  • Succinct is a synonym, meaning concise or brief.
  • Reticent means reserved or reluctant to speak, aligning with the meaning of laconic.
  • Taciturn refers to someone who is habitually quiet or uncommunicative, which is also similar to laconic.

3. Identify the word that is the most appropriate synonym for “obfuscate.”

a) Clarify
b) Confuse
c) Illuminate
d) Simplify

Correct Answer: b) Confuse

Explanation:

• Obfuscate means to make something unclear or confusing deliberately.
• The word confuse has a similar meaning, making it the correct synonym.
• The other options are incorrect:
  • Clarify means to make clear, which is the opposite of obfuscate.
  • Illuminate means to shed light or explain, contradicting obfuscate.
  • Simplifying means making something easier to understand, which contrasts with obfuscate.

4. Convert the following direct speech into indirect speech:
The teacher said, “You must complete your assignment by tonight.”

a) The teacher said that you must complete your assignment by tonight.
b) The teacher said that I should complete my assignment by tonight.
c) The teacher said that I must complete my assignment by that night.
d) The teacher said that I had to complete my assignment by that night.

Answer: d) The teacher said that I had to complete my assignment by that night.
Explanation:

• Must often changes to had to in indirect speech when referring to a past obligation.
• Tonight changes to that night.

5. Choose the correct passive form of the sentence:

“Who wrote this masterpiece?”
a) By whom was this masterpiece written?
b) By whom this masterpiece was written?
c) This masterpiece is written by who?
d) This masterpiece was written by who?

Answer: a) By whom was this masterpiece written?
Explanation:

• In passive voice, the question word (who) changes to by whom, and the sentence maintains proper question syntax: By whom + auxiliary verb + subject.

6. Choose the correct interrogative transformation of the following statement:
“He had already solved the puzzle before anyone else arrived.”

a) Who else arrived before he solved the puzzle?
b) Why had he solved the puzzle before anyone else arrived?
c) Had he already solved the puzzle before anyone else arrived?
d) Who had already solved the puzzle before anyone else?

Answer: c) Had he already solved the puzzle before anyone else arrived?
Explanation:

• The auxiliary verb had is placed at the beginning to form a yes/no question in the past perfect tense.

7. Fill in the blank with the correct form of the adjective:
“This is the ______ book I have ever read.”

a) good
b) better
c) best
d) most good

Answer: c) best
Explanation: The superlative form (best) is used when comparing more than two things or stating the highest degree of quality.

8. Choose the correct option to complete the sentence:
“If I ______ more time, I would have finished the project.”

a) have
b) had
c) will have
d) had had

Answer: d) had had
Explanation: This is a third conditional sentence, which expresses a past unreal condition. The structure is: If + past perfect, would + have + past participle.

9. “It’s already 10 o’clock ______ my watch.”

a) on
b) by
c) with
d) at

Answer: b) by
Explanation:

• The phrase by my watch means according to the time shown on my watch. Other prepositions do not convey the correct meaning in this context.

10. “They sat ______ the shade of the large oak tree to escape the heat.”

a) under
b) in
c) on
d) at

Answer: b) in
Explanation:

• The phrase in the shade is used to indicate being within the cool, shaded area, not directly under the sunlight.

11. Which idiom means to face unpleasant consequences of one’s actions?

A. Bite the bullet
B. Face the music
C. Jump the gun
D. Cry over spilled milk

Answer: B. Face the music

• Explanation: To “face the music” means to confront the consequences of one’s actions, often unpleasant or difficult. For example, if someone gets caught lying, they must “face the music” when others find out.
• Other options:
  • Bite the bullet refers to enduring pain or a tough situation bravely.
  • Jumping the gun means acting prematurely or before the proper time.
  • Cry over spilled milk means wasting time regretting something that cannot be undone

12. What does the idiom “beside the mark” mean?

A. To be irrelevant or incorrect
B. To be very close to achieving something
C. To be extremely accurate
D. To be undecided or uncertain

Answer: A. To be irrelevant or incorrect

• Explanation: The idiom “beside the mark” means to miss the point or be off-target, often about an argument or statement that is unrelated or incorrect. For example: “His suggestion was beside the mark; it had nothing to do with solving the issue.”
• Other options:
  • B. To be very close to achieving something is incorrect because it suggests near success, which is not implied by the idiom.
  • C. To be extremely accurate is the opposite of what “beside the mark” conveys.
  • D. To be undecided or uncertain is unrelated to the idiom’s meaning.

13. Which idiom describes someone trying to achieve the impossible?

A. Break the ice
B. Chase rainbows
C. Hit the nail on the head
D. Burn the midnight oil

Answer: B. Chase rainbows

• Explanation: To “chase rainbows” means pursuing unrealistic or unattainable goals, much like trying to find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
• Other options:
  • Break the ice means to start a conversation or ease tension in a social setting.
  • Hit the nail on the head means to be exactly right about something.
  • Burn the midnight oil refers to working late into the night.

14. Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph:

1. The invention of the printing press changed the way information was shared.
2. It enabled the mass production of books and the widespread dissemination of knowledge.
3. Before its invention, manuscripts had to be painstakingly written by hand.
4. This breakthrough played a crucial role in shaping the modern world.

Options:
A. 3, 1, 2, 4
B. 1, 3, 4, 2
C. 3, 2, 1, 4
D. 2, 4, 1, 3

Answer: A. 3, 1, 2, 4

• Explanation: The logical flow begins with the context (how manuscripts were written before the invention), introduces the printing press, explains its effects, and concludes with its broader significance.

15.  Rearrange the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph:

1. Without proper maintenance, any vehicle will eventually break down.
2. This ensures that it remains in optimal condition.
3. Regular servicing and care are essential for a vehicle’s longevity.
4. Neglecting such care can lead to costly repairs or even permanent damage.

Options:
A. 1, 3, 2, 4
B. 3, 2, 1, 4
C. 4, 1, 2, 3
D. 3, 4, 1, 2

Answer: B. 3, 2, 1, 4

• Explanation: The paragraph logically starts with the importance of vehicle care, explains its benefits, mentions the consequences of neglect, and concludes with a warning.

16. Arrange the sentences in logical order:

1. But as time went on, they began to explore new lands.
2. In ancient times, people were largely confined to their local environments.
3. This led to the discovery of new cultures and trade routes.
4. Initially, they moved due to basic needs like food and shelter.

Options:
A. 2, 4, 1, 3
B. 4, 1, 3, 2
C. 1, 2, 4, 3
D. 2, 3, 4, 1

Answer: A. 2, 4, 1, 3

• Explanation: The paragraph begins with a general statement about ancient lifestyles, moves to reasons for exploration, and ends with the consequences of exploring new lands.

17. Rearrange the sentences to form a clear sequence:

1. These discoveries led to breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and communication.
2. Over centuries, humans have been driven by curiosity and the quest for knowledge.
3. Such curiosity has fueled countless explorations and scientific studies.
4. The impact of these advancements has revolutionized the way we live today.

Options:
A. 2, 3, 1, 4
B. 3, 2, 4, 1
C. 1, 4, 2, 3
D. 2, 1, 3, 4

Answer: A. 2, 3, 1, 4

• Explanation: The logical progression starts with humanity’s curiosity, discusses its results, mentions specific achievements, and concludes with their broader impact.

18. Arrange the sentences in the correct order:

1. Consequently, they play a vital role in regulating the Earth’s climate.
2. Forests are home to an incredible variety of plants and animals.
3. They also act as carbon sinks, absorbing large amounts of carbon dioxide.
4. Protecting forests is crucial for maintaining biodiversity and combating climate change.

Options:
A. 2, 3, 1, 4
B. 3, 2, 1, 4
C. 2, 4, 3, 1
D. 4, 2, 1, 3

Answer: A. 2, 3, 1, 4

• Explanation: The paragraph begins by introducing forests, describes their ecological functions, explains their role in climate regulation, and concludes with the importance of protecting them.

19. She ______ skips breakfast when she’s in a hurry.

A. Despite
B. Sometimes
C. Been
D. sometime

Answer: B. Sometimes

• Explanation: “Sometimes” is used correctly to indicate an occasional action or habit.

20. The company provided additional leave days ______ a bonus this year.

A. Despite
B. Sometimes
C. Being
D. In lieu of

Answer: D. In lieu of

• Explanation: “In lieu of” means “instead of” or “in place of,” fitting the context where leave days were given as a substitute for a bonus.

21. ______ late to meetings can create a bad impression.

A. Being
B. Been
C. Despite
D. in place of

Answer: A. Being

• Explanation: “Being” is used as a gerund to refer to the act of being late in general.

22. She has ______ waiting for the results since morning.

A. Being
B. Been
C. Despite
D. Sometimes

Answer: B. Been

• Explanation: “Been” is used correctly in the present perfect continuous tense with “has” to indicate an ongoing action in the past leading to the present.

23. ______ his injury, he managed to complete the marathon.

A. Despite
B. instead of
C. Being
D. Sometimes

Answer: A. Despite

• Explanation: “Despite” is used to indicate something happening in opposition to a challenge or hindrance. The sentence shows that he completed the marathon despite being injured.

24. You will pass the exam ______ you study consistently and complete all your assignments.

A. Provided
B. Although
C. Despite
D. Unless

Answer: A. Provided

• Explanation: “Provided” is used as a subordinating conjunction meaning “on the condition that.” The sentence sets a condition for passing the exam, making “provided” the appropriate choice. Other options (e.g., “although” and “despite”) do not imply a condition.

25. A person who leaves their own country to settle permanently in another.

A. Expatriate
B. Immigrant
C. Emigrant
D. Refugee

Answer: C. Emigrant

WBCS English Mock Test-1 FREE PDF: Best 25 MCQs to score 22+ in 2024