NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam - Paper A: English (Grammar & Vocabulary) Practice Test 50 MCQ's

NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam - Paper A: English (Grammar & Vocabulary) Practice Test

Targeted 50 MCQ Practice Module focusing on: Grammar & Usage (Parts of Speech, Tenses, Prepositions, Sentence Correction) and Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, One-Word Substitution & Idioms).

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

📢 Stay Updated on NDA Exam Materials! Follow the Official WhatsApp Channel: Join Channel Here  |  💬 Contact Admin Direct

SECTION I: Grammar & Usage - Parts of Speech, Tenses & Articles [Questions 1 to 10]

1. Choose the correctly punctuated/tensed sentence: "By the time the officer arrived, the soldiers ______ the camp."

have set up were setting up had set up set up

Explanation: Past Perfect Tense ("had set up") is used for an action completed before another past action ("arrived").

2. Identify the part of speech of the underlined word: "The soldiers marched bravely into battle."

Adjective Adverb Noun Preposition

Explanation: "Bravely" modifies the verb "marched", describing how the action was done, making it an adverb.

3. Fill in the blank with the correct article: "He is ______ honest officer and ______ university topper."

an, a a, an an, an a, a

Explanation: "Honest" begins with a silent 'h', so it takes "an"; "university" begins with a consonant sound /j/, so it takes "a".

4. Choose the sentence with the correct subject-verb agreement.

Neither of the cadets have submitted their forms. The team of soldiers are marching towards the border. Each of the officers were given a medal. Neither of the cadets has submitted his form.

Explanation: "Neither" is singular and takes a singular verb ("has"); collective nouns like "team" acting as a unit take a singular verb ("is").

5. Which of the following is a correct example of the Future Perfect Continuous Tense?

By next year, he will complete his training. By next year, he will have been training for five years. By next year, he has been training. By next year, he was training.

Explanation: Future Perfect Continuous ("will have been + V-ing") shows an ongoing action that will continue up to a point in the future.

6. Identify the correctly formed conditional sentence (Second Conditional).

If he will study hard, he will pass. If he studies hard, he passes. If he studied hard, he would pass. If he had studied hard, he would pass.

Explanation: Second Conditional structure: "If + Past Simple, would + base verb" — used for hypothetical present/future situations.

7. Choose the correctly formed plural: "The two ______ discussed the strategic plan."

commanders-in-chief commander-in-chiefs commanders-in-chiefs commander-in-chieves

Explanation: In compound nouns like "commander-in-chief", the principal noun ("commander") takes the plural form.

8. Choose the correct passive voice form of: "The general is inspecting the troops."

The troops was inspected by the general. The troops inspected the general. The troops have been inspected by the general. The troops are being inspected by the general.

Explanation: Present Continuous Active ("is inspecting") converts to Present Continuous Passive: "are being inspected by".

9. Which word correctly completes the sentence? "She is ______ to her duty despite hardships."

loyalty loyal loyally loyalist

Explanation: After the linking verb "is", an adjective ("loyal") is required to describe the subject, not a noun or adverb.

10. Identify the correctly reported (indirect) speech: He said, "I will join the Academy tomorrow."

He said that he would join the Academy the next day. He said that he will join the Academy tomorrow. He says that he would join the Academy the next day. He said that he would join the Academy tomorrow.

Explanation: In reported speech, "will" changes to "would" and the time expression "tomorrow" changes to "the next day".

SECTION II: Grammar & Usage - Prepositions & Sentence Correction [Questions 11 to 20]

11. Fill in the blank with the correct preposition: "The regiment is proud ______ its glorious history."

for with of at

Explanation: The correct idiomatic usage is "proud of", indicating a fixed preposition pairing.

12. Choose the correct preposition: "The convoy travelled ______ the mountain range to reach the border post."

across through beside above

Explanation: "Through" is used for movement within or amid a three-dimensional space such as a mountain range or passage.

13. Spot the error in the sentence: "Each of the candidates (A) / were asked (B) / to submit their documents (C) / before the deadline (D)."

Part A Part C Part D Part B

Explanation: "Each" is singular, so it should take "was asked" instead of "were asked" — the error lies in Part B.

14. Choose the sentence that is grammatically correct.

Scarcely had the parade begun when it started raining. Scarcely the parade had begun when it started raining. Scarcely had the parade begun than it started raining. Scarcely the parade begun when it started raining.

Explanation: "Scarcely" requires inversion (had + subject) and is correctly paired with "when", not "than".

15. Choose the correctly punctuated sentence.

The Commandant said, "parade will begin at 0600 hours." The Commandant said "Parade will begin at 0600 hours". The Commandant said, "Parade will begin at 0600 hours." The Commandant said "Parade will begin at 0600 hours," .

Explanation: Correct punctuation requires a comma before the opening quotation mark, a capitalized first word inside the quote, and the full stop placed inside the closing quotation marks.

16. Choose the correctly formed sentence using the appropriate conjunction: "He worked hard, ______ he failed the physical test."

so yet because and

Explanation: "Yet" is a contrasting conjunction appropriate here, showing an unexpected result opposite to hard work.

17. Identify the sentence with correct use of "fewer" and "less".

There were fewer casualties this year and less damage to equipment. There were less casualties this year and fewer damage to equipment. There were fewer damage and less casualties. There were less casualties and less damage.

Explanation: "Fewer" is used for countable nouns ("casualties") and "less" for uncountable nouns ("damage").

18. Choose the correctly formed comparative sentence.

He is more taller than his brother. He is tallest than his brother. He is more tall than his brother. He is taller than his brother.

Explanation: Single-syllable adjectives take "-er" for comparison; double comparatives (e.g., "more taller") are incorrect.

19. Choose the correct preposition: "The cadet was accused ______ misconduct during the drill."

for with of on

Explanation: The idiomatic fixed usage is "accused of", pairing the verb with the preposition "of".

20. Spot the error: "The Colonel, along with his officers, (A) / were reviewing (B) / the newly drafted battle plan (C) / for the operation (D)."

Part A Part B Part C Part D

Explanation: Phrases like "along with" do not affect the number of the subject; since "Colonel" is singular, the verb should be "was reviewing".

SECTION III: Vocabulary - Synonyms [Questions 21 to 30]

21. Choose the word most similar in meaning to VALOUR.

Cowardice Bravery Weakness Caution

Explanation: VALOUR means great courage in the face of danger, synonymous with "Bravery".

22. Choose the word most similar in meaning to AUDACIOUS.

Timid Modest Daring Hesitant

Explanation: AUDACIOUS means showing a willingness to take bold risks; it is synonymous with "Daring".

23. Choose the word most similar in meaning to VIGILANT.

Watchful Careless Sleepy Indifferent

Explanation: VIGILANT means keeping careful watch for possible danger, synonymous with "Watchful".

24. Choose the word most similar in meaning to FORMIDABLE.

Weak Insignificant Pleasant Powerful

Explanation: FORMIDABLE describes something impressively strong or powerful enough to inspire fear or respect.

25. Choose the word most similar in meaning to TENACIOUS.

Fragile Persistent Flexible Passive

Explanation: TENACIOUS means holding firmly to something, not easily giving up, synonymous with "Persistent".

26. Choose the word most similar in meaning to CANDID.

Deceptive Secretive Frank Reserved

Explanation: CANDID means truthful and straightforward, synonymous with "Frank".

27. Choose the word most similar in meaning to RETREAT.

Withdraw Advance Attack Charge

Explanation: RETREAT, in a military context, means to move back or withdraw from a position, synonymous with "Withdraw".

28. Choose the word most similar in meaning to ADVERSARY.

Ally Friend Supporter Opponent

Explanation: ADVERSARY means one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute, synonymous with "Opponent".

29. Choose the word most similar in meaning to METICULOUS.

Careless Precise Hasty Vague

Explanation: METICULOUS means showing great attention to detail, synonymous with "Precise".

30. Choose the word most similar in meaning to RESILIENT.

Fragile Fatigued Tough Delicate

Explanation: RESILIENT means able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions, synonymous with "Tough".

SECTION IV: Vocabulary - Antonyms [Questions 31 to 40]

31. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to OBEDIENT.

Defiant Loyal Compliant Dutiful

Explanation: OBEDIENT means complying with orders; its opposite is "Defiant", meaning boldly resistant to authority.

32. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to ABUNDANT.

Plentiful Ample Scarce Copious

Explanation: ABUNDANT means existing in large quantities; its opposite is "Scarce", meaning insufficient in supply.

33. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to TRANQUIL.

Calm Turbulent Peaceful Serene

Explanation: TRANQUIL means calm and undisturbed; its opposite is "Turbulent", meaning marked by violent disorder.

34. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to CONCEAL.

Hide Cover Disguise Reveal

Explanation: CONCEAL means to keep something secret or hidden; its opposite is "Reveal", meaning to make known.

35. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to VOLUNTARY.

Compulsory Optional Willing Free

Explanation: VOLUNTARY means done by choice; its opposite is "Compulsory", meaning required by rule or law.

36. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to GENUINE.

Authentic Real Fake True

Explanation: GENUINE means truly what it is claimed to be; its opposite is "Fake", meaning not authentic.

37. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to RETAIN.

Keep Discard Hold Preserve

Explanation: RETAIN means to continue to have or hold; its opposite is "Discard", meaning to get rid of.

38. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to LENIENT.

Merciful Kind Forgiving Strict

Explanation: LENIENT means permissive or tolerant in judgement; its opposite is "Strict", meaning demanding total obedience.

39. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to ANCIENT.

Modern Antique Old Historic

Explanation: ANCIENT means belonging to the very distant past; its opposite is "Modern", meaning relating to the present.

40. Choose the word most opposite in meaning to HUMBLE.

Modest Meek Arrogant Unassuming

Explanation: HUMBLE means having a modest view of one's own importance; its opposite is "Arrogant", meaning having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

SECTION V: Vocabulary - One-Word Substitution & Idioms [Questions 41 to 50]

41. One word for "A person who loves and is devoted to his or her country":

Nomad Patriot Migrant Traitor

Explanation: A "Patriot" is a person who vigorously supports and is devoted to their country.

42. One word for "A place where weapons and ammunition are stored":

Barracks Sanctuary Armoury Vault

Explanation: An "Armoury" is a place where weapons and ammunition are kept and stored.

43. One word for "A person who can speak two languages":

Bilingual Linguist Polyglot Interpreter

Explanation: "Bilingual" specifically refers to a person who speaks two languages fluently; "Polyglot" refers to someone fluent in several languages.

44. What does the idiom "To bite the bullet" mean?

To avoid a difficult situation To lose one's temper To celebrate a victory To face a difficult situation with courage

Explanation: "To bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or unpleasant situation with courage and resolve.

45. What does the idiom "To hold the fort" mean?

To surrender to the enemy To take responsibility while someone is away To build a new structure To retreat from a battle

Explanation: "To hold the fort" means to take charge and manage responsibilities in someone else's absence.

46. One word for "A person who is easily deceived or fooled":

Sceptic Cynic Gullible Pragmatist

Explanation: A "Gullible" person is one who is easily persuaded to believe something and can be readily deceived.

47. What does the idiom "To face the music" mean?

To accept the consequences of one's actions To enjoy a musical performance To avoid responsibility To sing loudly in public

Explanation: "To face the music" means to accept criticism or punishment for one's actions.

48. One word for "The killing of one's own brother":

Homicide Regicide Suicide Fratricide

Explanation: "Fratricide" specifically refers to the killing of one's own brother or sister.

49. What does the idiom "Once in a blue moon" mean?

Every single day Very rarely Frequently at night Only during festivals

Explanation: "Once in a blue moon" is an idiom meaning something that happens very rarely or infrequently.

50. One word for "A statement or story that is a mixture of truth and falsehood, often difficult to verify":

Chronicle Testimony Ambiguous Manuscript

Explanation: "Ambiguous" describes a statement open to more than one interpretation, making its truth difficult to verify.

🏠 Go to Home 📢 Join WhatsApp Channel 💬 Message Me on WhatsApp