NDA English Practice Test - Fill in the Blanks, Comprehension & Sentence Ordering MCQs 50

NDA English Practice Test - Fill in the Blanks, Comprehension & Sentence Ordering

NDA English Practice Test - Fill in the Blanks, Comprehension & Sentence Ordering

Targeted 50 MCQ Practice Module for NDA English Paper covering: Fill in the Blanks (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions), Comprehension Passages, and Ordering of Words & Sentences.

Select your answers and click Submit Assessment Answers at the bottom to calculate your total score and review explanations.

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SECTION I: Fill in the Blanks - Tenses, Articles & Subject-Verb Agreement [Questions 1 to 10]
1. He has been living in Delhi ____ 2015.
Explanation: 'Since' is used with a specific point of time (a year, date, or event) to show when a continuous action started.
2. Neither the teacher nor the students ____ present in the hall.
Explanation: When 'neither...nor' joins a singular and a plural subject, the verb agrees with the subject nearer to it — here 'students' (plural), so 'were' is correct.
3. If I ____ you, I would apologise to her at once.
Explanation: In a conditional (subjunctive) sentence expressing an unreal/hypothetical situation, 'were' is used for all persons, not 'was'.
4. The train ____ before we reached the station.
Explanation: Since one past action (train leaving) was completed before another past action (reaching station), the Past Perfect Tense 'had left' is required.
5. He is one of the boys who ____ hardworking.
Explanation: The relative pronoun 'who' here refers to 'boys' (plural), so the verb must agree in the plural form 'are'.
6. ____ European gentleman addressed the gathering yesterday.
Explanation: Although 'European' begins with a vowel letter, it is pronounced with a consonant sound /j/ ('yu-ropean'), so the article 'A' is used, not 'An'.
7. Everyone must submit ____ assignment before the deadline.
Explanation: 'Everyone' is a singular indefinite pronoun and traditionally takes the singular possessive 'his' in formal/exam English.
8. I am looking forward to ____ the results soon.
Explanation: The phrase 'look forward to' is followed by a gerund (verb+ing) because 'to' here functions as a preposition, not part of the infinitive.
9. Scarcely had he left the house ____ it started raining heavily.
Explanation: The correlative pair 'Scarcely...when' is the grammatically correct construction used to show that one action followed another immediately.
10. No sooner did the bell ring ____ the students rushed out.
Explanation: The correct correlative conjunction pair is 'No sooner...than', used to indicate that two actions happened in quick succession.
SECTION II: Fill in the Blanks - Prepositions & Idiomatic Usage [Questions 11 to 20]
11. He was accused ____ theft by his neighbour.
Explanation: The idiomatic preposition used with 'accused' is 'of' (accused of a crime/wrongdoing).
12. The committee consists ____ five eminent scholars.
Explanation: 'Consist of' is the standard idiomatic usage meaning 'to be made up of' or 'to comprise'.
13. She has been married ____ a senior army officer for ten years.
Explanation: The correct idiomatic preposition after 'married' (as a state) is 'to' — 'married to someone'.
14. The old soldier succumbed ____ his injuries in the hospital.
Explanation: 'Succumb to' is the fixed idiomatic expression meaning to die from or give in to something, such as an illness or injury.
15. The officers congratulated the cadet ____ his outstanding performance.
Explanation: 'Congratulate someone on something' is the correct idiomatic preposition pattern used for achievements.
16. He is quite capable ____ leading the platoon on his own.
Explanation: 'Capable of' is the fixed idiomatic preposition indicating ability to do something.
17. The prisoner was deprived ____ his basic rights during custody.
Explanation: 'Deprive someone of something' is the correct idiomatic construction meaning to take something away from a person.
18. He felt ashamed ____ his cowardly behaviour on the battlefield.
Explanation: 'Ashamed of' is the standard idiomatic preposition used to express embarrassment or guilt over one's own action.
19. The brave soldiers were rewarded ____ their exceptional courage in battle.
Explanation: 'Reward someone for something' is the correct idiomatic pattern, showing the reason behind the reward.
20. The recruit is well acquainted ____ the rules of discipline.
Explanation: 'Acquainted with' is the fixed idiomatic expression meaning familiar with something.
SECTION III: Comprehension Passages [Questions 21 to 30]
Read the following passage carefully and answer Questions 21 to 25:

Discipline is the very backbone of any armed force. A soldier without discipline is like a ship without a rudder, doomed to drift aimlessly and eventually founder. From the moment a cadet enters an academy, he is trained not merely to obey orders but to internalise a code of conduct that governs every aspect of his life, from personal hygiene to conduct under fire. This rigorous training instils punctuality, self-control, and a sense of duty that often surpasses personal comfort or safety. Officers repeatedly emphasise that true discipline is not imposed from outside but grows from within, becoming a habit of mind rather than a set of rules to be feared. It is this inner discipline that allows soldiers to function coherently as a unit even amid the chaos and uncertainty of battle, where individual heroics count for far less than coordinated, disciplined action.

21. According to the passage, what is described as the backbone of any armed force?
Explanation: The passage opens by stating directly that discipline is the very backbone of any armed force.
22. A soldier without discipline is compared to:
Explanation: The passage uses the simile 'like a ship without a rudder' to describe a soldier lacking discipline.
23. As per the passage, from where does true discipline grow?
Explanation: The passage states that true discipline is not imposed from outside but grows from within, becoming an internal habit.
24. What allows soldiers to function coherently as a unit during battle, according to the passage?
Explanation: The passage explains that inner discipline enables soldiers to act coherently as a unit even amid the chaos of battle.
25. What does the passage say counts for far less than coordinated, disciplined action in battle?
Explanation: The passage concludes that individual heroics count for far less than coordinated, disciplined action during battle.
Read the following passage carefully and answer Questions 26 to 30:

Leadership in the military is fundamentally different from leadership in most civilian professions, for the stakes involved are often a matter of life and death. A good military leader must combine technical competence with genuine concern for the welfare of his men, for soldiers will follow a commander into the most dangerous of circumstances only if they trust his judgement and believe he values their lives. History offers numerous examples of leaders who inspired extraordinary loyalty not through fear but through personal example, sharing hardships with their troops rather than merely issuing commands from a safe distance. Such leaders understand that authority earned through respect endures far longer than authority enforced through intimidation, and it is this quiet, steady form of leadership that sustains an army through its most difficult trials.

26. According to the passage, what makes military leadership fundamentally different from most civilian leadership?
Explanation: The passage explains that military leadership differs because the stakes involved are often a matter of life and death.
27. Soldiers will follow a commander into danger only if they:
Explanation: The passage states soldiers follow a commander into danger only if they trust his judgement and believe he values their lives.
28. How did the great leaders mentioned in the passage inspire loyalty?
Explanation: The passage says such leaders inspired loyalty through personal example, sharing hardships with their troops rather than issuing commands from a distance.
29. What does the passage say endures far longer than authority enforced through intimidation?
Explanation: The passage explicitly states that authority earned through respect endures far longer than authority enforced through intimidation.
30. What sustains an army through its most difficult trials, according to the passage?
Explanation: The passage concludes that this quiet, steady form of leadership sustains an army through its most difficult trials.
SECTION IV: Ordering of Words to Form a Meaningful Sentence [Questions 31 to 40]
31. P: to defend the nation
Q: is the sacred duty
R: of every soldier
S: bravely and selflessly
Select the correct order to form a meaningful sentence:
Explanation: The logical, grammatically correct order is: 'To defend the nation (P) is the sacred duty (Q) of every soldier (R) bravely and selflessly (S).'
32. P: the young cadet
Q: with great enthusiasm
R: joined the academy
S: after clearing the entrance exam
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'The young cadet (P) joined the academy (R) with great enthusiasm (Q) after clearing the entrance exam (S).'
33. P: despite the heavy rain
Q: continued their march
R: without a single complaint
S: the soldiers
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'Despite the heavy rain (P) the soldiers (S) continued their march (Q) without a single complaint (R).'
34. P: honesty and courage
Q: are the two qualities
R: that every officer
S: must possess
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'Honesty and courage (P) are the two qualities (Q) that every officer (R) must possess (S).'
35. P: the general
Q: praised the troops
R: for their outstanding valour
S: on the battlefield
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'The general (P) praised the troops (Q) on the battlefield (S) for their outstanding valour (R).'
36. P: a true leader
Q: never abandons his men
R: no matter
S: how dire the circumstances
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'A true leader (P) never abandons his men (Q) no matter (R) how dire the circumstances (S).'
37. P: the recruits
Q: were taught
R: map reading and navigation
S: during the training camp
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'The recruits (P) were taught (Q) map reading and navigation (R) during the training camp (S).'
38. P: victory
Q: is often the reward
R: of careful planning
S: and unwavering discipline
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'Victory (P) is often the reward (Q) of careful planning (R) and unwavering discipline (S).'
39. P: the wounded soldier
Q: refused to leave
R: his post
S: until reinforcements arrived
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'The wounded soldier (P) refused to leave (Q) his post (R) until reinforcements arrived (S).'
40. P: character
Q: is built
R: not in times of comfort
S: but in times of hardship
Select the correct order:
Explanation: The correct order is: 'Character (P) is built (Q) not in times of comfort (R) but in times of hardship (S).'
SECTION V: Ordering of Sentences (Paragraph Jumbles) [Questions 41 to 50]
41. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. He immediately took charge of the situation.
B. The bridge had collapsed overnight due to heavy rains.
C. The young officer was leading his platoon across the valley.
D. Within an hour, an alternative route was found.
Explanation: Logical order: C (setting the scene) -> B (the problem occurs) -> A (his reaction) -> D (the resolution).
42. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. As a result, morale in the unit improved dramatically.
B. The new commanding officer noticed low morale among the troops.
C. He decided to address their grievances personally.
D. He began by listening carefully to every soldier's concerns.
Explanation: Logical order: B (problem identified) -> C (decision to act) -> D (action taken) -> A (result).
43. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. The cadets were exhausted after the long route march.
B. They had been walking for over twelve hours in difficult terrain.
C. Yet not a single one of them complained.
D. Their instructor was deeply impressed by their endurance.
Explanation: Logical order: B (cause) -> A (effect: exhaustion) -> C (their reaction) -> D (instructor's response).
44. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. Consequently, he was awarded a gallantry medal.
B. During the ambush, the soldier saved three of his comrades.
C. He acted swiftly and without regard for his own safety.
D. An enemy patrol had ambushed the convoy at dawn.
Explanation: Logical order: D (the ambush occurs) -> B (his heroic act) -> C (how he acted) -> A (the consequence: award).
45. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. The academy places equal emphasis on physical and mental training.
B. This holistic approach produces officers who excel both on and off the battlefield.
C. Every cadet undergoes rigorous physical drills each morning.
D. Afternoons are reserved for classroom instruction in strategy and ethics.
Explanation: Logical order: A (general statement) -> C (morning physical drills) -> D (afternoon classroom work) -> B (overall outcome).
46. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. He spent the next few months mastering navigation and tactics.
B. His hard work paid off when he topped the final examination.
C. Ravi always dreamt of joining the National Defence Academy.
D. He finally got selected after his second attempt.
Explanation: Logical order: C (his dream) -> D (his selection) -> A (his effort after joining) -> B (the eventual result).
47. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. Storm clouds gathered rapidly over the training ground.
B. The instructor ordered the cadets to take shelter immediately.
C. Within minutes, heavy rain began lashing the camp.
D. The cadets calmly followed the drill they had practised many times.
Explanation: Logical order: A (clouds gather) -> C (rain begins) -> B (instructor's order) -> D (cadets' calm response).
48. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. She was the first woman officer to lead the contingent that year.
B. Her selection was a proud moment for the entire training academy.
C. Captain Mehra had trained tirelessly for the Republic Day parade.
D. Her disciplined bearing left a lasting impression on the spectators.
Explanation: Logical order: C (her training) -> A (her achievement) -> B (the significance) -> D (the impression she left).
49. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. The commanding officer briefed the troops on the mission at dawn.
B. By nightfall, the objective had been successfully secured.
C. Every unit moved into position exactly as planned.
D. The operation proceeded smoothly throughout the day.
Explanation: Logical order: A (briefing) -> C (units move into position) -> D (operation proceeds) -> B (final outcome).
50. Arrange the sentences in a logical sequence:
A. The old veteran often spoke to cadets about his years of service.
B. He stressed that true valour lies in quiet, consistent duty.
C. Many cadets found his talks more inspiring than any textbook.
D. He would recount stories from the wars he had fought.
Explanation: Logical order: A (the veteran speaks) -> D (he recounts stories) -> B (his key message) -> C (the cadets' response).

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