Fill in Blanks (Grammar) — Set 13
Questions 121–130 of 140
She has been waiting here _____ two hours.
Correct Answer: B. for
'For' is used with a duration of time (two hours, three days, a week). 'Since' is used with a point of time (since morning, since 2020). The sentence mentions 'two hours' which is a duration, so 'for' is correct. 'From' and 'during' do not fit grammatically with the present perfect continuous tense here.
Neither the manager nor the employees _____ informed about the change.
Correct Answer: B. were
When 'neither...nor' connects two subjects, the verb agrees with the subject closest to it (proximity rule). Here the subject closer to the verb is 'the employees' which is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct. If the order were reversed (employees nor manager), the verb would be 'was'. This rule applies to both 'either...or' and 'neither...nor' constructions.
The news _____ shocking to everyone who heard it.
Correct Answer: C. was
'News' is an uncountable noun that always takes a singular verb despite ending in 's'. Similarly, 'mathematics', 'physics', 'economics', and 'politics' are singular nouns. 'Was' is the correct past tense singular verb here. Using 'were' or 'are' would be grammatically incorrect as they treat 'news' as plural.
I wish I _____ more time to complete the assignment.
Correct Answer: B. had
After 'I wish', the past subjunctive is used to express an unreal or hypothetical wish about the present. 'I wish I had' means the speaker does not have enough time now (unreal present). 'Had' here is the past subjunctive form. For wishes about the past, 'I wish I had had' would be used. 'Have' and 'will have' are incorrect as they would indicate factual statements.
The committee _____ its decision after a long discussion.
Correct Answer: A. announced
'Committee' is a collective noun and in most formal or British English usage takes a singular verb when acting as one body. 'Announced' (simple past) is correct here for a completed past action. 'Have announced' (present perfect with plural 'have') would be incorrect if treating 'committee' as singular. The sentence is about a completed past event, making simple past the most appropriate tense.
He is good _____ solving mathematical problems.
Correct Answer: B. at
The adjective 'good' is followed by the preposition 'at' when expressing skill or ability in a particular area. Common expressions: 'good at English', 'bad at maths', 'excellent at painting'. 'In' is incorrect in this context as 'good in' is not standard English for skills. 'For' means 'suitable for a purpose' and 'with' means 'having or using', neither of which fits here.
The train arrived _____ the station at exactly 9 o'clock.
Correct Answer: D. at
The preposition 'at' is used with specific locations like stations, airports, bus stops, and precise points. 'Arrived at the station' is the correct collocation. 'In' is used for larger areas or enclosed spaces (arrived in Mumbai). 'On' is used for surfaces. 'To' is used for movement towards a destination (going to the station) but not with 'arrived'.
She spoke to him _____ he could understand clearly.
Correct Answer: C. so that
'So that' introduces a clause of purpose or result — it explains the reason why something was done. 'She spoke to him so that he could understand' means the purpose of her speaking was for him to understand. 'Such that' is also possible but less natural in this context. 'So as' must be followed by 'to' + infinitive (so as to understand) and cannot introduce a full clause. 'In order' must be followed by 'to' or 'that'.
The book _____ on the table belongs to my sister.
Correct Answer: C. lying
'Lying' is the present participle of the intransitive verb 'lie' (to be in a horizontal position), which is used here as an adjective modifying 'the book'. 'Lying on the table' means the book is resting on the table. 'Laying' is the present participle of the transitive verb 'lay' (to put something down) and requires an object. 'Lay' and 'lain' are past forms of 'lie' and cannot modify the noun here.
He _____ the office before the meeting started.
Correct Answer: C. had left
When two past events are mentioned, the past perfect (had + past participle) is used for the event that happened first, and simple past for the one that happened second. He leaving the office happened before the meeting started, so 'had left' (past perfect) is correct for the earlier action. 'Has left' is present perfect and cannot be used for a clearly past context. Simple past 'leaves' indicates present habit.