Change into indirect speech: The teacher said to us, “Have you finished your homework?”
Show answer
The teacher asked us if we had finished our homework.
SEE English model questions with answers
150 free practice questions for Grade 10, written in the pattern of recent SEE papers. Try each one, then tap “Show answer”.
Reported speech: questions
Hari said to his sister, “Will you put tika on me tomorrow?”
Change into indirect speech.
- Hari asked his sister if she will put tika on me tomorrow.
- Hari asked his sister would she put tika on him the next day.
- Hari told his sister that she would put tika on him the next day.
- Hari asked his sister if she would put tika on him the next day.
Show answer
(d) Hari asked his sister if she would put tika on him the next day.
said to → asked, add if, you → she, will → would, me → him, tomorrow → the next day.
Change into indirect speech: The guide said to the tourists, “Where are you from?”
Show answer
The guide asked the tourists where they were from.
She said to me, “What are you doing?”
Change into indirect speech.
- She asked me what was I doing.
- She asked me what I was doing.
- She asked me what are you doing.
- She asked me that what I was doing.
Show answer
(b) She asked me what I was doing.
said to me → asked me; are you doing → I was doing (statement order).
The visitor wanted to know when ___.
- did the festival start
- the festival started
- does the festival start
- started the festival
Show answer
(b) the festival started
Reported questions use subject + verb: when the festival started.
Find and correct the mistake: “He asked me that I liked sel roti.”
Show answer
that → if
A yes/no question is reported with if or whether, never “that”: He asked me if I liked sel roti.
They said, “Who won the competition?”
Change into indirect speech.
- They asked who did win the competition.
- They asked if who had won the competition.
- They asked who had won the competition.
Show answer
(c) They asked who had won the competition.
Keep who; won → had won; no “did”, no “if”.
Guided writing
Write a news story of about 100 words using the clues. Give it a headline.
Indra Jatra · Kathmandu Durbar Square · began on Bhadra 30 · eight days · Kumari chariot procession · masked Lakhe dancers · thousands of visitors · police: extra security, traffic changes in Basantapur
Show answer
Model answer
Indra Jatra Begins at Kathmandu Durbar SquareKathmandu, Bhadra 30
The eight-day Indra Jatra festival began at Kathmandu Durbar Square on Bhadra 30. Thousands of visitors gathered to watch the celebrations.
The main attraction was the chariot procession of the Kumari, the living goddess. Masked Lakhe dancers also performed in the streets and delighted the crowd.
The police arranged extra security for the festival. Traffic in the Basantapur area was changed to keep the square safe for visitors. The festival will continue for a week.
A good answer includes:
- A short headline
- Place and date
- A lead with what, where and when
- Every clue used: procession, dancers, visitors, security
- Past tense and factual, third-person tone
Your friend Pemba has just joined a hostel and says he has no energy. Write a letter (about 150 words) giving him advice about healthy habits.
sleeps late · no breakfast · sits indoors all day · lots of fizzy drinks · feels lonely, misses home
Show answer
Model answer
Lakeside, PokharaMangsir 2, 2083
Dear Pemba,
I hope you are well. I was glad to get your letter, but sorry to hear that you have no energy these days. Let me give you some advice as your friend.
First, you should go to bed before ten and never skip breakfast. Even a glass of milk and some fruit will help. Try to go outside every day; a short walk in the sun will wake you up. It’s also a good idea to drink water instead of fizzy drinks.
I know you miss home. Why don’t you join a sports club or call your family every weekend? New friends will make the hostel feel like home.
Take care of yourself and write back soon.
Your friend,
Nabin
A good answer includes:
- Address and date
- Greeting and a friendly opening
- Advice on every problem in the clues
- Kind advice phrases (should, try to, why don’t you)
- A warm closing and ending with a name
You are the secretary of the Sports Club of your school. Write a notice (about 60–80 words) using the clues.
inter-house volleyball tournament · Magh 10 to 12 · school ground, from 11 a.m. · Grades 7 to 10 · teams of six · names to the sports teacher by Magh 5 · sports dress compulsory · no entry fee
Show answer
Model answer
Sports Club, Shree Janata Secondary SchoolNOTICE
Date: Poush 25, 2083
Inter-house Volleyball Tournament
All students of Grades 7 to 10 are informed that an inter-house volleyball tournament will be held on the school ground from Magh 10 to 12, starting at 11 a.m. Each house can send teams of six players. Team names must reach the sports teacher by Magh 5. Players must wear sports dress. Teams need not pay any entry fee.
Anil Rai
Secretary, Sports Club
A good answer includes:
- Organisation, NOTICE and date
- A short title
- What, when, where and who
- How to take part and the deadline
- Name and post at the end
Write a notice of about 80–100 words for your school notice board, using the clues.
Shree Janata Secondary School, Dhangadhi · date: 5 Poush 2083 · talk on “Safe Use of Social Media” · Friday, 1 p.m., school hall · speaker: a cyber-security expert · all Grade 9 and 10 students must attend · bring a notebook · from Ramesh Bhatta, Principal
Show answer
Model answer
Shree Janata Secondary SchoolDhangadhi, Kailali
NOTICE
Date: 5 Poush 2083
Talk on Safe Use of Social Media
This is to inform all Grade 9 and 10 students that the school is organising a talk on “Safe Use of Social Media” on Friday at 1 p.m. in the school hall. A cyber-security expert will explain how to protect your accounts, spot fake messages and stay safe online. All Grade 9 and 10 students must attend. Please bring a notebook and a pen. You should come with your questions, too.
Ramesh Bhatta
Principal
A good answer includes:
- School name, NOTICE and the date
- A clear heading
- What, when and where
- Who must attend and what to bring
- Name and post of the writer at the end
Write a news report of about 80–100 words, using the clues. Give it a headline.
Inter-school girls’ volleyball final · Friday, 15 Poush · school ground, Dhangadhi · Janata Secondary School beat Shanti Secondary School 3–1 (sets) · Janata lost the first set but won the next three · about 800 spectators · player of the match: captain Sarita Rana · ward chair presented medals to both teams · coach Kamala Chaudhary: “The girls have been working hard all year.”
Show answer
Model answer
Janata Girls Win Volleyball FinalDhangadhi, 15 Poush
Janata Secondary School won the inter-school girls’ volleyball final on Friday, beating Shanti Secondary School 3–1 at the school ground in Dhangadhi.
About 800 spectators cheered as the two teams fought for every point. Janata lost the first set but won the next three. Captain Sarita Rana was named player of the match.
After the final, medals were presented to both teams by the ward chair.
“The girls have been working hard all year,” said coach Kamala Chaudhary.
A good answer includes:
- A short headline that names the result
- A dateline: place and date
- Who, what, where, when and the score in the first paragraph
- Key moments in the past simple
- The coach’s quote, punctuated correctly
Write a condolence message of about 60–80 words for a newspaper, using the clues.
Mr Hari Prasad Joshi, 68, retired headteacher of Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Dadeldhura · passed away on 12 Mangsir 2082 after a short illness · taught at the school for 35 years · loved by students · from: the teachers and students of the school
Show answer
Model answer
Heartfelt CondolencesWe are deeply saddened by the sad demise of Mr Hari Prasad Joshi, 68, retired headteacher of Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Dadeldhura, who passed away on 12 Mangsir 2082 after a short illness. He served our school for 35 years and was loved by all his students. We share the grief of the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in eternal peace.
From: The teachers and students, Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Dadeldhura
A good answer includes:
- A heading such as “Heartfelt Condolences”
- Who died, with age and role
- When he passed away
- One good thing about him
- Sympathy for the family and a prayer for peace
- Who the message is from
Write a congratulation message of about 60–100 words for a newspaper, using the clues.
Your friend Pema Lama, Grade 10, Shree Janajyoti Secondary School, Ilam · won the provincial science quiz · wish her success in the national round
Show answer
Model answer
Heartfelt Congratulations!We are delighted to congratulate Pema Lama, a Grade 10 student of Shree Janajyoti Secondary School, Ilam, on winning the provincial science quiz. Her hard work and curiosity have made her school and family proud. We wish her every success in the national round and a bright future ahead.
From: Friends of Grade 10, Ilam
A good answer includes:
- A clear heading (Congratulations!)
- Who is being congratulated, with school and place
- What she achieved
- A wish for the future
- Who the message is from
Reported speech: commands
Change into indirect speech: The teacher said to the students, “Don’t use your phones in class.”
Show answer
The teacher told the students not to use their phones in class.
Sita said to her friend, “Please help me with my homework.”
Change into indirect speech.
- Sita requested her friend to help me with my homework.
- Sita requested her friend that please help her with her homework.
- Sita said her friend to help her with her homework.
- Sita requested her friend to help her with her homework.
Show answer
(d) Sita requested her friend to help her with her homework.
requested her friend to help her with her homework (me → her, my → her).
The doctor said to the patient, “Eat more green vegetables.”
Change into indirect speech using advised.
- The doctor advised the patient to eat more green vegetables.
- The doctor advised the patient that eat more green vegetables.
- The doctor advised to the patient ate more green vegetables.
Show answer
(a) The doctor advised the patient to eat more green vegetables.
The doctor advised the patient to eat more green vegetables.
Find and correct the mistake: “He told me not go out in the rain.”
Show answer
not → not to
Negative commands use not to: He told me not to go out in the rain.
Change into indirect speech: The captain said to the soldiers, “March forward.”
Show answer
The captain ordered the soldiers to march forward.
Father said to me, “Don’t stay up late tonight.”
Change into indirect speech.
- Father told me not to stay up late tonight.
- Father told me don’t stay up late that night.
- Father told me not to stay up late that night.
- Father asked me if I stayed up late that night.
Show answer
(c) Father told me not to stay up late that night.
told me not to stay up late that night (tonight → that night).
Modal verbs
We must wear ties to school.
Change into the past.
- We must wore ties to school.
- We had to wear ties to school.
- We musted wear ties to school.
- We have to wear ties to school.
Show answer
(b) We had to wear ties to school.
Past obligation: had to wear.
___ I borrow your dictionary, madam?
- May
- Must
- Need
- Ought
Show answer
(a) May
“May I…?” is the formal way to ask permission.
Find and correct the mistake: “He musts wear a helmet at work.”
Show answer
musts → must
Modals never take -s: He must wear a helmet.
Tomorrow is a holiday. You ___ come to the office.
- mustn’t
- ought
- needn’t
- must
Show answer
(c) needn’t
Not necessary: needn’t. “Mustn’t” would mean you are not allowed.
I ___ swim when I was six, but now I can.
- mustn’t
- couldn’t
- needn’t
- shouldn’t
Show answer
(b) couldn’t
Past ability (negative): couldn’t.
You should respect your elders.
Rewrite using ought to.
- You ought respect your elders.
- You ought to respecting your elders.
- You ought to respect your elders.
Show answer
(c) You ought to respect your elders.
should → ought to + base verb: You ought to respect your elders.
Find and correct the mistake: “She can speaks three languages.”
Show answer
speaks → speak
Modal + base verb: can speak.
Conditionals
If you ___ a stone into water, it sinks.
- drop
- dropped
- will drop
- would drop
Show answer
(a) drop
Zero conditional: present simple in both parts.
If the bus is late, we ___ the first period.
- missed
- would miss
- will miss
- had missed
Show answer
(c) will miss
First conditional: if + present simple, will + base verb.
If our school ___ a bigger lab, we would do more experiments.
- has
- had
- will have
- had had
Show answer
(b) had
Second conditional: if + past simple, would + base verb.
If Ramesh had read the instructions, he ___ the glass.
- would not break
- will not break
- had not broken
- would not have broken
Show answer
(d) would not have broken
Third conditional: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle.
Find and correct the mistake: “If I were a scientist, I will study the stars.”
Show answer
will → would
Second conditional: if + were, would + base verb.
Change into indirect speech: If you don’t wear gloves, the acid will burn your hands. (Use unless.)
Show answer
Unless you wear gloves, the acid will burn your hands.
Unless it rains, the science fair will be held outside.
Which sentence has the same meaning?
- If it rains, the science fair will be held outside.
- If it doesn’t rain, the science fair will be held outside.
- The science fair will be held outside because it is raining.
- If it didn’t rain, the science fair would be held outside.
Show answer
(b) If it doesn’t rain, the science fair will be held outside.
Unless it rains = if it doesn’t rain. The result part stays the same.
If the hare had not slept, he ___ the race.
- will win
- would win
- would have won
- had won
Show answer
(c) would have won
Third conditional: if + had + past participle, would have + past participle.
Linking words
Sita didn’t eat the soup ___ it was too salty.
- so
- because
- but
- or
Show answer
(b) because
“Because” comes before the reason.
Change into indirect speech: The momos were ready. We sat down to eat. (Join using so.)
Show answer
The momos were ready, so we sat down to eat.
Change into indirect speech: Hari can cook. Mina can cook. (Join using both…and.)
Show answer
Both Hari and Mina can cook.
Ram doesn’t like bitter gourd. Shyam doesn’t like bitter gourd.
Join using neither…nor.
- Neither Ram nor Shyam doesn’t like bitter gourd.
- Neither Ram or Shyam likes bitter gourd.
- Neither Ram nor Shyam likes bitter gourd.
- Either Ram nor Shyam like bitter gourd.
Show answer
(c) Neither Ram nor Shyam likes bitter gourd.
Neither … nor, no extra “doesn’t”, and the verb agrees with Shyam: likes.
Find and correct the mistake: “Either you or your sister have to wash the dishes.”
Show answer
have → has
The verb agrees with the nearer subject, “your sister” (singular): has.
Add the salt slowly, ___ the dal will be too salty.
- or
- and
- because
- so
Show answer
(a) or
“Or” can mean “otherwise”: do this, or something bad will happen.
The kitchen was small, ___ the food was delicious.
- so
- because
- but
- or
Show answer
(c) but
The two ideas contrast, so use “but”.
Articles
She is ___ university student.
- an
- a
- the
- no article
Show answer
(b) a
“University” starts with a “you” sound (a consonant sound): a university student.
Please send me ___ SMS when you reach home.
- an
- a
- the
- no article
Show answer
(a) an
S is said “ess”, a vowel sound: an SMS.
Mount Everest is ___ highest mountain in the world.
- a
- an
- the
- no article
Show answer
(c) the
Superlatives take “the”.
___ honesty is the best policy.
- The
- An
- A
- No article
Show answer
(d) No article
Uncountable nouns used in general take no article: Honesty is the best policy.
Add the articles: I bought ___ phone. ___ phone has ___ good camera.
Show answer
I bought a phone. The phone has a good camera.
Find and correct the mistake: “He waited for a hour at the cyber café.”
Show answer
a → an
The h in “hour” is silent: an hour.
The old farmer was ___ honest man.
- a
- an
- the
- no article
Show answer
(b) an
“Honest” starts with a vowel sound (the h is silent), so “an”.
Modals
You ___ share your password with anyone. It is against the school rules.
- should
- mustn’t
- don’t have to
- can
Show answer
(b) mustn’t
Mustn’t means it is not allowed.
Active and passive voice
Farmers grow oranges in Gorkha.
Change into passive voice.
- Oranges is grown in Gorkha.
- Oranges are grown in Gorkha.
- Oranges grew in Gorkha.
- Oranges are grow in Gorkha.
Show answer
(b) Oranges are grown in Gorkha.
“Oranges” is plural, so are grown. “By farmers” can be left out because it is obvious.
Change into passive: “The children made a kite.”
Show answer
A kite was made by the children.
They have repaired the road.
Change into passive voice.
- The road has repaired.
- The road have been repaired.
- The road is been repaired.
- The road has been repaired.
Show answer
(d) The road has been repaired.
has repaired → has been repaired. “By them” adds nothing, so leave it out.
You must finish this work today.
Change into passive voice.
- This work must finished today.
- This work must be finished today.
- This work must been finished today.
- This work must be finish today.
Show answer
(b) This work must be finished today.
must + be + finished.
She invited us to the party.
Change into passive voice.
- Us were invited to the party by she.
- We was invited to the party by her.
- We were invited to the party by her.
- We are invited to the party by her.
Show answer
(c) We were invited to the party by her.
We were invited to the party by her.
Find and correct the mistake: “The match was watch by thousands of people.”
Show answer
watch → watched
The passive needs the past participle: was watched.
Change into passive: “The principal will give the prizes.”
Show answer
The prizes will be given by the principal.
Someone has stolen my bicycle.
Change into passive voice. Choose the best answer.
- My bicycle has been stolen by someone.
- My bicycle has stolen.
- My bicycle has been stolen.
- My bicycle was stole.
Show answer
(c) My bicycle has been stolen.
has stolen → has been stolen, and “by someone” is left out because the doer is unknown.
Past tenses
I ___ (watch) TV when the electricity went off.
- watched
- was watching
- had watched
- am watching
Show answer
(b) was watching
Long action interrupted by a short one: was watching.
While my mother ___ (cook), the guests arrived.
- cooked
- had cooked
- was cooking
- is cooking
Show answer
(c) was cooking
was cooking (past continuous).
By the time the police arrived, the thief ___ (run) away.
- has run
- was running
- ran
- had run
Show answer
(d) had run
The thief ran away first: had run.
Change into indirect speech: Join with “after”: She finished her homework. She went to bed.
Show answer
She went to bed after she had finished her homework.
The guests left. Then we arrived.
Join the sentences with “before”.
- The guests had left before we arrived.
- The guests left before we had arrived.
- The guests have left before we arrived.
- The guests leave before we arrived.
Show answer
(a) The guests had left before we arrived.
The guests left first: had left before we arrived.
Find and correct the mistake: “While I was walking home, I see an old friend.”
Show answer
see → saw
The short, sudden action is past simple: I saw an old friend.
They ___ (play) football when it began to rain.
- played
- were playing
- was playing
- had played
Show answer
(b) were playing
Long action interrupted: were playing.
Present perfect tenses
I have known her ___ 2075.
- for
- since
- from
- ago
Show answer
(b) since
since + a starting point.
They have been waiting ___ two hours.
- since
- from
- for
- ago
Show answer
(c) for
for + a length of time.
The guests have not arrived ___.
- already
- just
- since
- yet
Show answer
(d) yet
“Yet” goes at the end of negatives and questions.
Use the present perfect continuous: She started reading at 7 o’clock. She is still reading.
Show answer
She has been reading since 7 o’clock.
Nabin ___ the match last Sunday.
- has watched
- have watched
- has been watching
- watched
Show answer
(d) watched
With a finished time, use the past simple: watched.
Find and correct the mistake: “They has been playing since morning.”
Show answer
has → have
“They” takes have: They have been playing since morning.
This bicycle ___ to my brother for three years.
- has been belonging
- has belonged
- is belonging
- have belonged
Show answer
(b) has belonged
State verbs use the simple form: has belonged.
Negatives
Pasang broke the window.
Change into negative.
- Pasang didn’t broke the window.
- Pasang not broke the window.
- Pasang didn’t break the window.
Show answer
(c) Pasang didn’t break the window.
didn’t + base verb: didn’t break.
Change into negative: There is some milk in the jug.
Show answer
There isn’t any milk in the jug.
Everybody was present.
Change into negative without changing the meaning.
- Everybody was not present.
- Nobody was absent.
- Nobody was present.
Show answer
(b) Nobody was absent.
everybody present = nobody absent. The meaning stays the same.
Rita never tells lies.
Change into affirmative without changing the meaning.
- Rita always tells the truth.
- Rita always tells lies.
- Rita sometimes tells lies.
Show answer
(a) Rita always tells the truth.
never tells lies = always tells the truth.
He always comes on time.
Change into negative.
- He never comes on time.
- He doesn’t always comes on time.
- He always doesn’t come on time.
Show answer
(a) He never comes on time.
“always” becomes “never” to keep the meaning negative.
Subject–verb agreement
Find and correct the mistake: “Each of the girls have a bicycle.”
Show answer
have → has
The subject is “each” (singular), so use has.
Either you or he ___ responsible for the mistake.
- are
- am
- is
Show answer
(c) is
With either … or, the verb agrees with the nearer subject, “he”: is.
One of my uncles ___ in Qatar.
- work
- works
- are working
Show answer
(b) works
The subject is “one”, so the verb is singular: works.
The jury ___ given its decision.
- has
- have
Show answer
(a) has
Acting as one unit (its decision), the collective noun takes a singular verb: has.
Future tenses
Don’t worry. I ___ help you with your project.
- am helping
- will
- helped
Show answer
(b) will
Promises take will: I will help you.
Look at the river! It ___ flood the fields.
- is going to
- was
- has
Show answer
(a) is going to
A prediction from present evidence: is going to flood.
The bus tickets are booked. We ___ for Ilam at 6 tomorrow.
- leave
- left
- are leaving
Show answer
(c) are leaving
Fixed arrangement → present continuous: are leaving.
Change into future continuous: We plant trees.
Show answer
We will be planting trees.
By next April, the workers ___ (complete) the bridge.
- will complete
- will have completed
- completed
- have completed
Show answer
(b) will have completed
“By” + future time → future perfect: will have completed.
Find and correct the mistake: “By the time the guests arrive, we will have cook dinner.”
Show answer
cook → cooked
will have + past participle: will have cooked.
They will be working tomorrow.
Change into negative.
- They will be not working tomorrow.
- They will not working tomorrow.
- They won’t be working tomorrow.
Show answer
(c) They won’t be working tomorrow.
will be working → will not (won’t) be working.
Connectives: contrast
Join with although: He was poor. He was honest.
Show answer
Although he was poor, he was honest.
The new road is finished. ___, there are no buses yet.
- Although
- However
- Despite
Show answer
(b) However
However links two separate sentences.
Although she was ill, she sat the exam.
Rewrite: ___ her illness, she sat the exam.
- In spite
- Even though
- Despite
Show answer
(c) Despite
Despite + noun phrase. “In spite” needs “of”, and “even though” needs a clause.
Find and correct the mistake: “Despite be tired, Ram finished the race.”
Show answer
be → being
Despite + -ing: despite being tired.
Ram saves his money, ___ his brother spends all of his.
- whereas
- despite
- in spite of
Show answer
(a) whereas
Whereas compares two facts and is followed by a clause.
He failed the driving test twice, ___ he never gave up.
- despite
- in spite of
- yet
Show answer
(c) yet
Yet joins two contrasting sentences, like but.
Choose the correct sentence.
- Even though it was late, but we waited.
- Even though it was late, we waited.
- Even it was late, we waited.
Show answer
(b) Even though it was late, we waited.
Even though + clause, comma, main clause. No “but”.
Question tags
I am a good trekker, ___?
- amn’t I
- aren’t I
- am I not
- isn’t it
Show answer
(b) aren’t I
The tag for a positive “I am” sentence is aren’t I?
Don’t make a noise in the library, ___?
- do you
- will you
- don’t you
- won’t you
Show answer
(b) will you
Imperatives, positive or negative, take will you?
Nobody called you, ___?
- did they
- didn’t they
- did he
- didn’t he
Show answer
(a) did they
Negative sentence → positive tag; nobody → they; past simple → did: did they?
Find and correct the mistake: “Your uncle went to Jumla, wasn’t he?”
Show answer
wasn’t → didn’t
“Went” is past simple with no helping verb, so the tag uses did: didn’t he?
There is a lodge near the lake, ___?
- isn’t it
- isn’t there
- is there
- doesn’t it
Show answer
(b) isn’t there
There is … → isn’t there?
Let’s go to the library, ___?
- shall we
- don’t we
- won’t you
- let us
Show answer
(a) shall we
Sentences starting with “Let’s” always take “shall we?”.
You had better leave now, ___?
- didn’t you
- hadn’t you
- wouldn’t you
- hasn’t you
Show answer
(b) hadn’t you
“had better” uses “had”, so the tag is “hadn’t you?”.
Relative clauses
Join using who: The woman runs the lodge. She is called Aama Dolma.
Show answer
The woman who runs the lodge is called Aama Dolma.
That is the boy ___ bag was lost at the airport.
- who
- which
- whose
- where
Show answer
(c) whose
“Whose” shows belonging: the boy whose bag was lost.
Talcha is the airport ___ we landed.
- which
- where
- who
- whose
Show answer
(b) where
Use where for a place when the clause has its own subject and verb: where we landed.
Prepositions of place and time
The meeting starts ___ 10 a.m. ___ Friday.
- at, on
- on, at
- in, on
- at, in
Show answer
(a) at, on
at 10 a.m. (exact time), on Friday (a day).
Our new school library opened ___ 2080.
- on
- at
- in
- since
Show answer
(c) in
Years take in: in 2080.
Find and correct the mistake: “My uncle has worked in Qatar since three years.”
Show answer
since → for
Three years is a length of time, so use for.
We have known each other ___ we were in Grade 5.
- for
- since
- during
- by
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(b) since
Since + a point in time (here, a clause): since we were in Grade 5.
The little house stood ___ tall pine trees.
- between
- among
- across
- along
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(b) among
Among a group of many things: among tall pine trees.
The new road goes ___ a long tunnel.
- through
- across
- along
- among
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(a) through
Through means in one side and out the other, like a tunnel.
You must finish your project ___ tomorrow morning.
- until
- by
- since
- during
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(b) by
By = not later than: finish it by tomorrow morning.
Join using during: We stayed at home. There was a storm.
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We stayed at home during the storm.
Dependent prepositions
My sister is interested ___ painting.
- on
- at
- in
- about
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(c) in
The pair is interested in.
Bishal is very good ___ maths.
- at
- in
- on
- for
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(a) at
The pair is good at.
Find and correct the mistake: “Her parents are very proud on her result.”
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on → of
The pair is proud of.
We congratulate you ___ your success in the SEE.
- for
- on
- with
- about
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(b) on
congratulate someone on something.
At last she succeeded ___ getting a scholarship.
- to
- on
- in
- for
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(c) in
succeed in + -ing: succeeded in getting.
Farming in the hills depends ___ the monsoon.
- of
- on
- from
- to
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(b) on
The pair is depend on.
Lumbini is famous ___ being the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
- for
- of
- with
- by
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(a) for
famous for + noun or -ing: famous for being the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Comparison of adjectives and adverbs
Dharan is ___ (hot) than Ilam in summer.
- hoter
- more hot
- hottest
- hotter
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(d) hotter
hot → hotter (double the t) + than.
Rara is ___ lake in Nepal.
- the bigger
- bigger
- the biggest
- most big
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(c) the biggest
One from a group: the + superlative: the biggest.
My handwriting is bad, but my brother’s is even ___.
- worse
- badder
- worst
- more bad
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(a) worse
bad → worse → the worst. Two people: worse.
Change into indirect speech: Ram and Hari are equally tall. Rewrite using “as … as”, starting “Ram is…”
Show answer
Ram is as tall as Hari.
Biratnagar is one of the biggest cities in Nepal.
Change into the comparative degree.
- Biratnagar is bigger than any other city in Nepal.
- Biratnagar is bigger than most other cities in Nepal.
- No other city in Nepal is as big as Biratnagar.
- Biratnagar is the bigger city in Nepal.
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(b) Biratnagar is bigger than most other cities in Nepal.
“One of the” + superlative becomes comparative + than most other.
Find and correct the mistake: “The old man walked slow up the hill to the temple.”
Show answer
slow → slowly
It describes how he walked, so use the adverb: slowly.
Sita writes ___ than her classmates.
- neatlier
- more neat
- most neatly
- more neatly
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(d) more neatly
-ly adverbs form the comparative with more: more neatly than.
Life in the village is simple. ___, life in the city is fast and busy.
- Whereas
- On the other hand
- While
- Because
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(b) On the other hand
“On the other hand,” starts a new sentence to show contrast. Whereas and while join clauses in one sentence.
Causative verbs
The long queue at the ticket counter made us ___ for two hours.
- waited
- waiting
- to wait
- wait
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(d) wait
make + person + base verb: made us wait.
The old Nepali song on the radio made my grandmother ___ about her childhood.
- think
- thought
- to think
- thinking
Show answer
(a) think
make + person + base verb: made my grandmother think.
At the exam centre, we were made ___ our phones at the gate.
- leave
- to leave
- leaving
- left
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(b) to leave
In the passive, make takes to: were made to leave.
My parents let me ___ the late-night film on Saturday.
- to watch
- watching
- watch
- watched
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(c) watch
let + person + base verb: let me watch.
The volunteers helped the old man ___ the road.
- crossed
- crossing
- cross
- to crossing
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(c) cross
help + person + base verb: helped the old man cross. “To cross” would also be correct.
Change into indirect speech: I persuaded my sister to lend me her headphones. Rewrite with “got”.
Show answer
I got my sister to lend me her headphones.
Change into indirect speech: A photographer took our class photo. Rewrite, starting “We had…”
Show answer
We had our class photo taken.
Find and correct the mistake: “Dad got the TV fix after the storm.”
Show answer
fix → fixed
get + thing + past participle: got the TV fixed.
Reported speech
Change into indirect speech: The coach said to the players, “Are you practising for tomorrow’s match?”
Show answer
The coach asked the players if they were practising for the next day’s match.
Sunita said to me, “Where do you live?”
Change into indirect speech.
- Sunita asked me where I lived.
- Sunita asked me where did I live.
- Sunita told me where do you live.
Show answer
(a) Sunita asked me where I lived.
said to me → asked me; do you live → I lived (statement order, one step back).
Change into indirect speech: Mother said to me, “Don’t play in the rain.”
Show answer
Mother told me not to play in the rain.
The shopkeeper asked me what ___.
- did I want
- I wanted
- do I want
- that I wanted
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(b) I wanted
Reported questions use subject + verb: what I wanted.
The teacher ___ us that the test was on Friday.
- said
- told
Show answer
(b) told
“Told” takes a person after it: told us.
Change into indirect speech: Sita said, “I am happy.”
Show answer
Sita said that she was happy.
He said, “I will come tomorrow.”
Choose the correct reported sentence.
- He said that he will come tomorrow.
- He said that he would come the next day.
- He said that I would come tomorrow.
Show answer
(b) He said that he would come the next day.
I → he, will → would, tomorrow → the next day.
Find and correct the mistake: “Ram told that he was hungry.”
Show answer
told → said
There is no person after the verb, so use “said”. (Or: Ram told me that he was hungry.)
“We have won the match,” they said.
Choose the correct reported sentence.
- They said that they have won the match.
- They said that we had won the match.
- They said that they had won the match.
Show answer
(c) They said that they had won the match.
we → they, have won → had won.
Rita said, “My brother is sick.”
Choose the correct reported sentence.
- Rita said that her brother was sick.
- Rita said that my brother was sick.
- Rita said that her brother is sick.
Show answer
(a) Rita said that her brother was sick.
my → her, is → was.
Voice
Ramesh has written a letter.
Change into passive voice.
- A letter has been written by Ramesh.
- A letter was written by Ramesh.
- A letter has written by Ramesh.
Show answer
(a) A letter has been written by Ramesh.
has written → has been written; the object (a letter) becomes the subject.
Wh-questions
She goes to school by bus.
Make a question to get the answer in bold.
- How does she go to school?
- How she goes to school?
- When does she go to school?
Show answer
(a) How does she go to school?
“By bus” answers “How?”, and the question needs does + base verb: How does she go to school?
Tense
By next week, I ___ (finish) my project.
- will finish
- will have finished
- finished
- have finished
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(b) will have finished
“By + future time” takes the future perfect: will have finished.
Causatives
The teacher made us ___ the poem by heart.
- learn
- to learn
- learning
- learnt
Show answer
(a) learn
make + person + base verb: made us learn.
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