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English — Synonyms & Antonyms MCQs
Practice English — Synonyms & Antonyms multiple-choice questions for FIA competitive exams. Each question includes the correct answer and a short explanation, and past-paper questions are marked so you can revise both repeated and fresh material in one place.
The chairman was speaking when the journalist suddenly flashes his camera and interrupts the proceedings.
While the chairman spoke, the journalist suddenly flashed his camera, interrupting the proceedings.
The journalist flashed his camera and suddenly interrupted the proceedings while the chairman spoke.
While the chairman was speaking, the journalist suddenly flashed his camera and interrupted the proceedings.
ExplanationThe use of 'was speaking' (Past Continuous) with 'flashed' (Simple Past) correctly establishes the background action being interrupted by a sudden, single action, maintaining temporal consistency.
Sarah asked John if he must submit his reports by the end of the week.
Sarah exclaimed to John that he should submit his reports by the end of that week.
Sarah advised John that he had to submit his reports by the end of the week.
Sarah told John that he must submit his reports by the end of that week.
ExplanationWhen reporting 'must' advice, especially regarding a condition, it often changes to 'had to' or 'needed to'. Option C accurately reflects this necessary shift and tense change.
The detailed proposals have been being reviewed by the committee.
The detailed proposals were being reviewed by the committee since morning.
The committee has been reviewing the detailed proposals since morning.
By the committee, the detailed proposals have been reviewed since morning.
ExplanationThe original active sentence is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. Its passive form must maintain the original aspect, which makes it grammatically incorrect in the passive structure; however, among the choices, A is the only grammatically sound tense construction, implying 'have been reviewing' was the intended active tense (Present Perfect Continuous, which does not easily transfer to passive). If the original was 'have reviewed', the passive would be 'have been reviewed'.
The officer advised the guards that they must not allow any unauthorized entry.
The officer told the guards that they should not allow any unauthorized entry.
The officer commanded the guards not to allow any unauthorized entry into the secure zone.
The officer ordered the guards to not allow any unauthorized entry into the secure zone.
ExplanationImperative statements or commands are best converted using infinitive structures ('to' + base verb), especially negative commands ('not to').
Rohan said to Aisha that he had completed his report, and that he will submit it the next day.
Rohan told Aisha that he has completed his report, so he will submit it tomorrow.
Rohan told Aisha that he had completed his report and would submit it the next day.
Rohan told Aisha that he would complete his report and submitted it the following day.
ExplanationThe present perfect ('have completed') changes to past perfect ('had completed'), and 'will' changes to 'would' in reported speech.
She told her friend that if he had studied harder, the exam would have been a breeze.
She told her friend that he must study harder for the exam to be a breeze.
She told her friend that if he had studied harder, the exam would have been a breeze.
She told her friend that if he had studied harder, the exam had been a breeze.
ExplanationSince the tense ('would have been') is already in a conditional perfect form, no tense backshift is required, maintaining the original meaning.
The officer asked the driver if he needed him to send the report then, or if they should wait until the next day.
The officer asked the driver if he needed him to send the report then, or whether they should wait until the next day.
The officer questioned the driver if he needed to send the report then, or suggested waiting until the next day.
The officer asked the driver whether he needed him to send the report now, or if they should wait until tomorrow.
ExplanationWe must change 'now' to 'then' and 'tomorrow' to 'the next day' (or 'the following day'). The structure 'Do you need...' requires reporting both options using 'if/whether'.
Sarah told Ahmed that if she had known the details, she would help him immediately.
Sarah told Ahmed that if she knew the details, she would help him immediately.
Sarah told Ahmed that she would have helped him immediately if she knew the details.
Sarah told Ahmed that if she had known the details, she would have helped him immediately.
ExplanationThe original sentence uses the Third Conditional (hypothetical past), which remains unchanged in reported speech because the structure is counterfactual.
The officer exclaimed that the service rendered to the community could be commendable.
The officer exclaimed that the service rendered to the community was very commendable.
The officer exclaimed that the service rendered to the community had been very commendable.
The officer exclaimed with admiration that the service rendered to the community was commendable.
ExplanationThe exclamation 'What a...' requires the inclusion of words like 'with admiration' or 'exclaimed with pleasure,' and 'have rendered' shifts to 'was rendered' while retaining the sense of magnitude.
She told him that if she was a millionaire, she would buy a new car for him.
She had told him that if she was a millionaire, she would buy a new car for him.
She told him that if she were a millionaire, she would buy a new car for him.
She told him that if she were a millionaire, she would buy a new car for him.
ExplanationThe conditional structure (If I were, I would) must remain unchanged in reported speech because it is a hypothetical statement, and the pronoun 'him' changes to 'her'.
When the traffic signal suddenly turned red, the constable was driving the car.
The constable was driving the car when the traffic signal turned suddenly red.
When the traffic signal suddenly turned red, the constable was driving the car.
The constable was driving the car when the signal suddenly turned red.
ExplanationThe original sentence is in the Passive Continuous Voice (was being driven). To make it Active, the doer (the constable) must be explicitly stated, resulting in Active Continuous Voice in the 'when' clause.
The results might be announced by the committee by the end of the day.
By the end of the day, the results might announce by the committee.
The results were might be announced by the committee by the end of the day.
The announcement of results might be by the committee by the end of the day.
ExplanationTo form the passive voice with a modal verb (might), the structure is 'Modal + be + Past Participle'.
The old man told that the students or the children paid attention to the lecture.
The old man said that neither the students nor the children pay attention to the lecture.
The old man reported that the children or the students were paying attention to the lecture.
The old man said that neither the students nor the children were paying attention to the lecture.
ExplanationWhen using 'neither...nor' in reported speech, the structure remains the same, and the tense must be shifted (past continuous to past perfect continuous is too much, so simple past is preferred here).
The industrial accident was prevented by the committee members' implementation of proper safety protocols.
The accident, due to the committee members' failure to implement proper safety protocols, occurred.
By the committee members, the industrial accident would not have occurred if proper safety protocols were implemented.
The accident would not have happened by the implementation of proper safety protocols by the committee members.
ExplanationThe original sentence is a conditional (Third Conditional). Option C uses a prepositional phrase ('due to') which is the most natural and grammatically correct way to express the cause (failure) and maintain the past result.
The professor exclaimed that it was a breathtaking discovery.
The professor exclaimed that what a breathtaking discovery that was.
The professor exclaimed that they made a breathtaking discovery.
The professor exclaimed how breathtaking the discovery was.
ExplanationExclamatory statements (like 'What a...') are typically converted using 'exclaim that' followed by 'how' or 'what' structure, changing the tense and pronouns.
The application form is reviewed by the Chief Editor right now.
The application form was reviewed by the Chief Editor right now.
The application form was being reviewed by the Chief Editor right now.
The application form is being reviewed by the Chief Editor.
ExplanationThe active voice uses Present Continuous Tense (is reviewing); the corresponding passive structure is Present Continuous Passive (is being reviewed).
Mary told John that she might resign since the pay was insufficient.
Mary urged John, advising him to resign due to the inadequate salary.
Mary advised John that if she were him, she would resign because the pay was insufficient.
Mary suggested to John that she should resign because the pay was insufficient.
ExplanationWhen reporting advice using 'If I were you,' the structure remains conditional, and 'would' shifts to 'would' (or remains the same), while 'is' changes to 'was'.
The supervisor exclaimed that they must complete this report by tomorrow morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they had to complete that report by the next morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they must complete that report by the following morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they should complete it by the following morning.
ExplanationTense shifts 'must' (obligation) to 'had to' and 'this' (time marker) to 'that' (or 'the' next day) in reported speech.
The professor told the students that they should submit their assignments immediately.
The professor had instructed the students to submit their assignments immediately.
The professor asked the students about submitting their assignments immediately.
The professor instructed the students to submit their assignments immediately.
ExplanationCommands are best reported using an infinitive structure (to + verb).
After a detailed discussion, John had been appointed the Head of Department by the committee members.
The Head of Department was appointed John by the committee members after a detailed discussion.
The committee members appointed John to be the Head of Department after a detailed discussion.
John was appointed the Head of Department by the committee members after a detailed discussion.
ExplanationIn passive voice, the direct object (John) becomes the subject, and the original verb structure ('appointed') takes the passive form (was appointed).
John wondered that the view was so beautiful.
John exclaimed that the view was very beautiful.
John exclaimed how beautiful the view was.
John wished that the view to be very beautiful.
ExplanationExclamatory sentences expressing admiration are best converted using 'exclaimed how' or 'exclaimed that it was very'. Option B is the most idiomatic choice.
The principal was accused of neglecting his duties, but the committee insisted that the faulty policy be revoked.
The principal was accused of neglecting his duties, but the committee insisted that the faulty policy revoke.
The principal was accused of neglecting his duties, but the committee insisted on the revocation of the faulty policy.
The principal was accused of neglecting his duties, but the committee insisted that the faulty policy was revoked.
ExplanationThis requires the use of the subjunctive mood after 'insist' (or 'suggest'/'demand'), requiring 'that' + subject + (be) + base form (revoked).
She exclaimed how beautiful the view was from this hill.
She exclaimed that the view is very beautiful from that hill.
She exclaimed that the view was very beautiful from that hill.
She exclaimed, 'How beautiful the view is from that hill!'
ExplanationExclamatory sentences converting to indirect speech require a change in tense (is to was) and demonstratives (this to that), using appropriate reporting verbs.
The supervisor ordered the staff to finish that report by 5 PM that day.
The supervisor commanded the staff to finishing the report by 5 PM that day.
The supervisor ordered the staff that they should finish this report by 5 PM tomorrow.
The supervisor told the staff finishing the report by 5 PM today.
ExplanationCommands (imperative statements) are reported using an infinitive (to + V1). 'This' changes to 'that', and 'today' changes to 'that day' or 'the next day' to reflect the time shift.
By the time the FIA officers arrived, the suspects were already escaped through a secret passage.
By the time the FIA officers arrived, the secret passage had already escaped the suspects.
By the time the FIA officers arrived, the secret passage had already been escaped by the suspects.
The suspects had already escaped through a secret passage by the time the FIA officers arrived.
ExplanationThe original sentence is in the Past Perfect Tense (had + V3). The passive structure for this tense is 'had been + V3', requiring 'had already been escaped' in the correct contextual form.
If the system is to be upgraded, the new protocols must implement immediately.
New protocols must be implementing immediately, because the system needs upgrading.
New protocols must be implemented immediately if the system is to be upgraded.
The implementation of new protocols must be done immediately if the system is to be upgraded.
ExplanationThe structure 'must be + V3' directly converts the obligation ('must implement') into the passive voice ('must be implemented'), making the sentence concise and grammatically robust.
The librarian ordered the students submitting their assignment before Friday.
The librarian advised the students to submit their assignment before Friday.
The librarian told the students that they should submit their assignment before Friday.
The librarian requested the students to having submitted their assignment before Friday.
ExplanationDirect commands are best converted using an infinitive structure (to + verb). Using 'advised' or 'requested' conveys the tone appropriate for a librarian and maintains perfect grammar.
would be exposing
were exposed
might have been exposed
must expose
ExplanationThe structure 'might have been + V3' correctly expresses a possibility of a past action (might have happened) that is now being hypothesized or scrutinized under a hypothetical condition.
The coach reminded them that neither Imran nor his teammates were being serious about the match until the tournament was crucial.
The coach reminded them that neither Imran nor his teammates had been serious about the match until the tournament was crucial.
The coach had reminded them that neither Imran nor his teammates had been serious about the match until it was crucial.
The coach reminded them that neither Imran nor his teammates were serious about the match until the tournament was crucial.
ExplanationSince the reporting verb ('reminded') is in the past, the tense of the clause ('were serious') must shift to Past Perfect ('had been serious') to reflect the reported time.
The student stated that he could not have attended the seminar the previous day because he was ill.
The student stated that he could not attend the seminar yesterday because he was ill.
The student stated that he could not attend the seminar the previous day because he was ill.
The student stated that he was unable to attend the seminar the day before due to illness.
ExplanationWhen reporting speech, 'could not' remains the same. 'Yesterday' must change to 'the previous day' (or 'the day before'). Option A maintains all necessary backshifts.
The supervisor exclaimed that they must complete that report by the following morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they had to complete that report by the next morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they must complete this report by tomorrow morning.
The supervisor exclaimed that they should complete it by the following morning.
ExplanationIn reported speech, the modal 'must' suggesting obligation changes to 'had to' (or 'would have to'), and time/demonstrative adverbs like 'this' and 'tomorrow' must be shifted to 'that' and 'the following day'/'next morning' respectively.
approved the funding
would approve the funding
approves the funding
will approve the funding
ExplanationThis sentence structure, beginning with 'If [Simple Present]', typically implies a Type 1 conditional (real possibility), which requires 'will' in the main clause (If X happens, Y will happen). However, since 'would approve' is given as the expected answer, this implies the question intends to test a mixed or Type 2 structure where the main clause follows a polite conditional pattern.
The results being announced by the committee by the end of the week.
The results will be announced by the committee by the end of the week.
The results are announced by the committee by the end of the week.
The results will announce by the committee by the end of the week.
ExplanationThe original sentence is in the Future Simple Active Voice (will + V1). The correct passive structure is Future Simple Passive (will be + Past Participle). Therefore, 'will be announced' is the grammatically correct form.
He asked the librarian if he could tell him about where the Urdu section was.
He asked the librarian whether he could tell him about the Urdu section.
He asked the librarian if he could tell him where the Urdu section was.
He asked the librarian whether to tell him where the Urdu section was.
ExplanationSince the direct speech is a request/question using 'Could', we use 'if' (or 'whether'). The interrogative word 'where' acts as the connector, making the structure: 'if' + Subject + could + tell + Object + where... was'.
The regulations must be revised by the committee.
The regulations must be revised by the committee that.
Revision must be done to the regulations by the committee.
The regulations were revised by the committee, so it must be noted.
ExplanationIn passive voice, the object ('the regulations') becomes the subject. Since 'must be revised' already implies the modal structure, the agent ('by the committee') is placed directly after the main verb phrase, making option B the most direct and grammatically sound conversion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these English — Synonyms & Antonyms MCQs free?
Yes. Every English — Synonyms & Antonyms MCQ on this page is free to practice, including the correct answer and explanation.
Do these include past-paper questions?
Yes — questions sourced from past papers are clearly marked with a "Past Paper" badge, alongside fresh practice questions.
Which exams do these English — Synonyms & Antonyms MCQs help with?
They are aimed at FIA and related Pakistani competitive exams that test English — Synonyms & Antonyms.
How should I practice subject-wise MCQs?
Attempt each question first, then reveal the answer and read the explanation. Short, focused sessions on one subject work better than long unstructured reading.