Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for Class 10 English: Tense
Access targeted multiple-choice questions for Tense designed to align with the latest CBSE academic syllabus for Class 10 English. These objective practice sets help students evaluate their conceptual understanding and improve exam readiness.
Practice Tense MCQs for Class 10 English
Access the complete set of multiple-choice questions for Tense below. This focused format allows students to isolate specific topics for thorough review and uninterrupted practice alongside official CBSE textbooks.
Multiple Choice Questions
Malaria ______ (be) caused by female Anopheles mosquito.
(a) was
(b) had
(c) has been
(d) is
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is
Explanation:
1. This is a scientific fact, true at all times.
2. Facts take the simple present: 'Malaria is caused'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Universal truths and scientific facts are always in the simple present.
2. 'Was' would wrongly suggest that this is no longer true.
They ______ (be) also called carriers.
(a) is
(b) was
(c) are
(d) were
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) are
Explanation:
1. 'They' (the mosquitoes) is a plural subject.
2. A general fact in the present needs 'are'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Check both number (plural) and time (general fact) before choosing.
2. 'Were' is plural but past, so it does not suit a fact.
When a mosquito ______ (bite) a person, the microbes enter into the blood stream.
(a) bite
(b) bites
(c) bit
(d) is biting
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) bites
Explanation:
1. The main clause 'microbes enter' is simple present.
2. 'A mosquito' is third person singular, so the verb takes -s: 'bites'.
Teacher's Note:
1. In general statements, both 'when' and main clauses stay in the simple present.
2. Third person singular subjects add -s/-es in the simple present.
We should ______ (keep) the surroundings clean to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes.
(a) kept
(b) keep
(c) is keeping
(d) will keep
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) keep
Explanation:
1. 'Should' is a modal.
2. A modal is always followed by the base form of the verb: 'should keep'.
Teacher's Note:
1. After any modal (can, should, must, will) use the first form of the verb.
2. Never add -s, -ed or -ing to a verb right after a modal.
Disease-causing microbes ______ (be) called pathogens.
(a) is
(b) are
(c) will be
(d) would be
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) are
Explanation:
1. The subject 'microbes' is plural.
2. This is a general fact, so the simple present plural 'are' is used.
Teacher's Note:
1. Ignore the long modifier 'disease-causing' and find the head noun 'microbes'.
2. Definitions and facts use the simple present.
Yeast ______ (be) a friendly microbe.
(a) will be
(b) is
(c) was
(d) would be
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) is
Explanation:
1. 'Yeast' is an uncountable (singular) noun.
2. A general fact takes the simple present: 'Yeast is'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Uncountable nouns like yeast, water, sugar take singular verbs.
2. Facts about nature are always in the simple present.
Last week I ______ (visit) the trade fair.
(a) visited
(b) has visited
(c) is visiting
(d) visits
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) visited
Explanation:
1. 'Last week' is a definite past time marker.
2. A definite past time needs the simple past 'visited'.
Teacher's Note:
1. The present perfect is never used with definite past time like 'last week', 'yesterday'.
2. Underline time markers first; they usually decide the tense.
Last week I visited the trade fair. It ______ (inaugurate) by the President of India.
(a) inaugurated
(b) was inaugurated
(c) will be inaugurated
(d) inaugurates
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) was inaugurated
Explanation:
1. The fair cannot inaugurate itself, so the verb is passive.
2. The event is in the past, so 'was inaugurated'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it.
2. Keep the tense in line with the rest of the narrative (past).
I ______ (accompany) by my friend.
(a) accompanied
(b) was accompanied
(c) will be accompanied
(d) accompanies
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) was accompanied
Explanation:
1. 'By my friend' shows the subject 'I' received the action.
2. The visit was in the past, so 'was accompanied'.
Teacher's Note:
1. A 'by + doer' phrase is a clue for a passive form.
2. Keep all verbs of a past narrative in the past.
He ______ (come) from the U.S.A. last week.
(a) will come
(b) came
(c) has come
(d) comes
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) came
Explanation:
1. 'Last week' is a definite past time.
2. Definite past time takes the simple past 'came', not the present perfect.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Has come' cannot be used with 'last week', 'ago', 'yesterday'.
2. This is one of the most tested tense rules in CBSE papers.
He ______ (live) in the U.S.A. for the last five years.
(a) lives
(b) has been living
(c) had been living
(d) lived
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) has been living
Explanation:
1. 'For the last five years' shows an action that began in the past and continues up to now.
2. This needs the present perfect continuous: 'has been living'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Use 'for' with a period of time and 'since' with a point of time.
2. 'Had been living' would need another past action as a reference point.
He came from the U.S.A. last week. He ______ (do) his MBA from the New York University.
(a) was doing
(b) is doing
(c) will do
(d) has done
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) has done
Explanation:
1. He has already returned, so the MBA is complete.
2. A completed action with a present result takes the present perfect: 'has done'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Read the surrounding sentences; context decides between continuous and perfect forms.
2. 'Is doing' cannot be right as he has left the university.
Kate Middleton may (a) ______ looked dainty and fairy-like in her wedding gown but talk doing the rounds (c) ______ that the dress bore a striking similarity with Grace Kelly's wedding outfit. Royal wedding fans couldn't (d) ______ noticing that both the brides (e) ______ dramatic gowns with similar V-shaped necklines and long white lace sleeves at their respective weddings.
(a) has
(b) have
(c) had
(d) will have
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) have
Explanation:
1. 'May' is a modal, so the base form follows.
2. 'May have + past participle' (may have looked) expresses a possibility in the past.
Teacher's Note:
1. Modal + have + V3 talks about possible past actions.
2. 'Has' and 'had' can never come after a modal.
Kate Middleton may (a) ______ looked dainty and fairy-like in her wedding gown but talk doing the rounds (c) ______ that the dress bore a striking similarity with Grace Kelly's wedding outfit. Royal wedding fans couldn't (d) ______ noticing that both the brides (e) ______ dramatic gowns with similar V-shaped necklines and long white lace sleeves at their respective weddings.
(a) are
(b) is
(c) was
(d) has been
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) is
Explanation:
1. The subject is 'talk' (gossip), an uncountable singular noun.
2. The news is current, so the simple present 'is' fits.
Teacher's Note:
1. Uncountable nouns like talk, news, information take singular verbs.
2. Find the subject before the blank, ignoring the phrase 'doing the rounds'.
Kate Middleton may (a) ______ looked dainty and fairy-like in her wedding gown but talk doing the rounds (c) ______ that the dress bore a striking similarity with Grace Kelly's wedding outfit. Royal wedding fans couldn't (d) ______ noticing that both the brides (e) ______ dramatic gowns with similar V-shaped necklines and long white lace sleeves at their respective weddings.
(a) helped
(b) help
(c) helps
(d) helping
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) help
Explanation:
1. 'Couldn't' is a modal (could + not).
2. A modal is followed by the base form: 'couldn't help noticing'.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Can't help + -ing' means one cannot stop oneself from doing something.
2. Only the base form can follow could/couldn't.
Kate Middleton may (a) ______ looked dainty and fairy-like in her wedding gown but talk doing the rounds (c) ______ that the dress bore a striking similarity with Grace Kelly's wedding outfit. Royal wedding fans couldn't (d) ______ noticing that both the brides (e) ______ dramatic gowns with similar V-shaped necklines and long white lace sleeves at their respective weddings.
(a) wears
(b) is wearing
(c) worn
(d) wore
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) wore
Explanation:
1. The weddings are completed past events.
2. So the simple past 'wore' is needed.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Worn' is a past participle and needs a helping verb.
2. Past events reported in news use the simple past.
Mrs Talwar ______ (live) in a village.
(a) is living
(b) was living
(c) had lived
(d) lives
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) lives
Explanation:
1. This describes a permanent state about her present life.
2. Permanent situations use the simple present: 'lives'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Use the present continuous for temporary situations, the simple present for permanent ones.
2. The rest of the description is in the present, which confirms 'lives'.
Mrs Talwar lives in a village. She ______ (have) three children.
(a) had
(b) has
(c) will have
(d) is having
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) has
Explanation:
1. 'Have' showing possession is a state verb and is not used in continuous form.
2. The description is in the present, and 'she' takes 'has'.
Teacher's Note:
1. State verbs (have for possession, know, love) avoid -ing forms.
2. Third person singular takes 'has'.
Mrs Talwar lives in a village. Her hobby ______ (be) singing and praying in solitude.
(a) was
(b) has been
(c) will be
(d) is
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is
Explanation:
1. The subject 'her hobby' is singular.
2. The paragraph describes her present life, so 'is'.
Teacher's Note:
1. The verb agrees with the subject 'hobby', not with the two activities after it.
2. Keep the tense consistent with the rest of the passage.
Mrs Talwar lives in a village. She ______ (love) to look after the poor children.
(a) loved
(b) love
(c) loves
(d) is loving
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) loves
Explanation:
1. 'Love' is a state verb, not used in the continuous.
2. Third person singular present: 'loves'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Verbs of feeling (love, like, hate) normally stay in simple tenses.
2. Add -s for he/she/it in the simple present.
Mrs Talwar lives in a village. Her children ______ (be) abroad.
(a) will be
(b) are
(c) were
(d) has been
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) are
Explanation:
1. 'Her children' is plural.
2. The present description needs 'are'.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Has been' is singular and cannot go with 'children'.
2. Read the passage tense before choosing.
Mrs Talwar lives in a village. She ______ (be) a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna.
(a) is
(b) was
(c) will be
(d) had been
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) is
Explanation:
1. The passage describes her present habits and nature.
2. Singular 'she' in the present takes 'is'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Character descriptions of a living person use the simple present.
2. 'Was' would suggest she is no longer a devotee.
As soon as I entered the gate, I was informed that he ______ a book in his study since morning.
(a) is reading
(b) was reading
(c) had been reading
(d) has been reading
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) had been reading
Explanation:
1. 'Since morning' shows an action that continued over a period.
2. The time reference is past ('was informed'), so past perfect continuous.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Nowadays, parents are concerned about the misuse of the internet by their kids as they ______ the facility of cell phones to continue their online classes.
(a) had to be given
(b) have to be given
(c) are to be given
(d) were to be given
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) have to be given
Explanation:
1. 'Nowadays' and 'are concerned' show the present.
2. The kids receive the facility out of necessity: 'have to be given'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Yoga not only ______ the body but it also ______ in replenishing the mind and soul.
(a) has been exercising; helping
(b) exercised; helped
(c) will exercise; help
(d) exercises; helps
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) exercises; helps
Explanation:
1. This is a general truth about yoga.
2. General truths take the simple present: 'exercises; helps'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
It is an indisputable fact that the world ______ too far with the innovation of new technologies such as mobile phones.
(a) will be going
(b) might be gone
(c) has gone
(d) will have gone
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) has gone
Explanation:
1. The progress has already happened and its effect is seen now.
2. Present perfect: 'has gone'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
In India and tropical countries where the Indian diaspora ______, it is very common to see neem trees used for shade lining streets, around temples, schools and other such public buildings.
(a) appear
(b) is reaching
(c) have arrived
(d) has reached
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) has reached
Explanation:
1. 'Diaspora' is a singular collective noun.
2. The spread has happened and continues to matter now: 'has reached'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
In many cultures, people ______ to live in harmony with nature and ______ that there is God in all aspects of nature.
(a) had been taught; had to recognise
(b) are taught; recognise
(c) people teach; to get recognised
(d) can teach; recognising
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) are taught; recognise
Explanation:
1. People receive the teaching, so the passive 'are taught'.
2. The second verb is a simple present general truth: 'recognise'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Much later in life, I ______ that though we ______ much from our respective holy books, there is a lot to learn from our surroundings.
(a) have realised; learn
(b) realised; are learning
(c) realised; learn
(d) realised; had learned
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) realised; learn
Explanation:
1. 'Much later in life' places the realisation in the past: 'realised'.
2. What we learn from holy books is a general truth: 'learn'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Intelligence is the basic knowledge of life which ______ into knowing with regular meditation.
(a) is getting transformed
(b) will be transforming
(c) has been transformed
(d) is transformed
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is transformed
Explanation:
1. This is a general truth, so the simple present.
2. Knowledge receives the change, so the passive 'is transformed'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
The Central and State Governments are expected to frame policies so that every citizen ______ of a decent living standard irrespective of sex, caste, religion, language and region.
(a) shall be assured
(b) is assured
(c) has to be assured
(d) might be assured
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) is assured
Explanation:
1. 'Every citizen' is singular and receives the assurance (passive).
2. A purpose clause after 'so that' with a present main verb takes the simple present: 'is assured'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Those who never exercised before, too ______ some new habits of Yoga, Pranayam and exercises during the lockdown period.
(a) have developed
(b) had developed
(c) developed
(d) were developing
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) developed
Explanation:
1. 'During the lockdown period' is a finished past period.
2. A finished past period takes the simple past 'developed'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Because light takes time to travel, the farther away an object is, the farther back in time we ______ .
(a) looked
(b) have been looking
(c) had to look
(d) are looking
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) are looking
Explanation:
1. The sentence describes what happens at the moment we observe an object.
2. The present continuous 'are looking' fits the present context.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
In conventional agriculture, crops are washed away or ______ from being waterlogged during flooding.
(a) are rotten
(b) are rotten away
(c) get rotted
(d) rot
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) rot
Explanation:
1. 'Rot' is an intransitive verb; crops rot by themselves.
2. A general fact in the simple present: 'rot'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
There is a danger of water pollution as well if the sewage lines ______ and dirty water gets mixed up with the drinking water.
(a) had broken
(b) get broken
(c) were broken
(d) have been broken
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) get broken
Explanation:
1. A real condition in the present uses the simple present in the 'if' clause.
2. 'Get broken' matches 'gets mixed' in the same clause.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
The Iditarod Trail quickly became a major thoroughfare in Alaska, as all the mail and supplies ______ this trail.
(a) had been carried on
(b) were carried across
(c) were carried into
(d) carried throughout
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) were carried across
Explanation:
1. The mail and supplies received the action in the past: 'were carried'.
2. Goods move 'across' a trail from one end to the other.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
The thieves were difficult to trace, as the stolen goods ______ to second-hand clothes dealers who supplied the whole country.
(a) have been sold
(b) are sold
(c) will be sold
(d) would have been sold
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) would have been sold
Explanation:
1. The narrative is in the past ('were', 'supplied').
2. The writer guesses what probably happened: 'would have been sold'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Volunteers now look after his saplings and ______ him a hand for free.
(a) lent
(b) lend
(c) are lending
(d) must lend
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) lend
Explanation:
1. 'And' joins two verbs of the same subject and tense.
2. 'Look after' is simple present plural, so 'lend'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Junk foods are a major health hazard: there is no nutritional value that they ______ .
(a) are possessing
(b) possessed
(c) possess
(d) can possess
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) possess
Explanation:
1. 'Possess' is a state verb, not used in the continuous.
2. A general fact takes the simple present 'possess'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
The Sun has immense gravity as well as magnetic fields that ______ the solar winds under control.
(a) are keeping
(b) had kept
(c) keep
(d) may keep
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) keep
Explanation:
1. This is a scientific fact.
2. Plural 'fields' in a fact takes the simple present 'keep'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Webb's solar shield ______ the light from the Sun, Earth, and Moon, which will help it stay cool.
(a) is blocking
(b) will block
(c) has blocked
(d) blocked
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) will block
Explanation:
1. The second clause uses 'will help', showing a future plan.
2. So the shield's action is also future: 'will block'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
An invasive plant species, the Lantana, ______ the farmers who live near the forests.
(a) upset
(b) has upset
(c) are upsetting
(d) has dared to
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) has upset
Explanation:
1. 'The Lantana' is singular, so 'upset' (plural form) and 'are upsetting' are wrong.
2. The present perfect 'has upset' shows an effect felt now.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
Over the years, the Japanese ______ a liking to tuna salad using it as a common filling in the Japanese rice ball called onigiri.
(a) were taking
(b) have taken
(c) has taken
(d) are taking
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) have taken
Explanation:
1. 'Over the years' shows a change up to now: present perfect.
2. 'The Japanese' (people) is plural: 'have taken'.
Teacher's Note:
1. Look for time clues (since, now, last year, every day) before choosing a tense.
2. Ask whether the subject does the action or receives it; that decides active or passive.
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FAQs
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