Practice 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.
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Multiple Choice Questions
The picture that (a) ______ out of the camera was very disappointing. In it, neither I was there nor was she. (CBSE Foreign 2017)
(a) come
(b) comes
(c) came
(d) coming
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) came
Explanation:
1. The main clause uses 'was', so the event is past: 'came out of the camera'.
2. Verbs in the relative clause follow the time of the main clause.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Comes' is present and clashes with 'was disappointing'.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Kanishka, the ruler of the Kushanas, embraced Buddhism. He (a) ______ invited to a Buddhist meeting in Kashmir during his reign. It was during his time that Buddhism spread to Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Java. (CBSE Delhi 2016)
(a) is
(b) was
(c) had
(d) has
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) was
Explanation:
1. The passage is about a past ruler ('embraced'), so 'was invited'.
2. Historical events are narrated in the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Is invited' is present and does not suit an event of the past.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Kanishka, the ruler of the Kushanas, embraced Buddhism. He was invited to a Buddhist meeting in Kashmir during his reign. It was during his time that Buddhism (c) ______ to Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Java. (CBSE Delhi 2016)
(a) spread
(b) spreads
(c) spreading
(d) is spread
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) spread
Explanation:
1. 'It was during his time' fixes the past, so the past form 'spread' (same as present) is used.
2. 'Spread' has the same form in present, past and past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Spreads' would be present tense and singular, which clashes with 'was'.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Recent heavy rains lashed Chennai city, throwing normal life out of gear. The city (a) ______ severe water logging and people wading through knee-deep water. Many volunteers in their respective areas carried out the relief activities. In Annai Satya Nagar food packets were distributed to the victims. (CBSE AI 2016)
(a) seen
(b) saw
(c) see
(d) sees
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) saw
Explanation:
1. The report is in the past ('lashed'), so 'the city saw severe water logging'.
2. News reports of a past event use the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Seen' is a past participle and needs 'has' or 'was'.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Recent heavy rains lashed Chennai city, throwing normal life out of gear. The city saw severe water logging and people wading through knee-deep water. Many volunteers in their respective areas (b) ______ out the relief activities. In Annai Satya Nagar food packets were distributed to the victims. (CBSE AI 2016)
(a) carry
(b) carrying
(c) carried
(d) had carried
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) carried
Explanation:
1. The relief work happened at the same past time, so the simple past 'carried out'.
2. Use the simple past for completed actions in a past narrative.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Had carried' would wrongly suggest it happened before the rains.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Many agricultural scientists have begun to realise that chemical pesticides are not necessary. The tragedy is that this recognition has come much late. Pesticides have already (c) ______ our lands. (CBSE Foreign 2016)
(a) poisoned
(b) poisoning
(c) poisons
(d) poison
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) poisoned
Explanation:
1. 'Have already' needs the past participle: 'have already poisoned'.
2. Present perfect = have/has + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Have poisoning' and 'have poisons' are not valid verb forms.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
I have been (a) ______ to learn English for the last three years. But, I haven't succeeded yet. My teacher is very patient with me and he encourages me every time I fail. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) tried
(b) try
(c) tries
(d) trying
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) trying
Explanation:
1. 'Have been' + verb-ing + 'for the last three years' makes the present perfect continuous.
2. Present perfect continuous = has/have been + verb-ing, for an action continuing up to now.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Have been tried' is passive and changes the meaning.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
I have been trying to learn English for the last three years. But, I haven't (b) ______ yet. My teacher is very patient with me and he encourages me every time I fail. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) succeeded
(b) succeed
(c) succeeds
(d) succeeding
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) succeeded
Explanation:
1. 'Haven't ... yet' needs the past participle: 'haven't succeeded yet'.
2. Present perfect = have + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Haven't succeed' omits the participle ending.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
I have been trying to learn English for the last three years. But, I haven't succeeded yet. My teacher is very patient with me and he (c) ______ me every time I fail. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) encouraging
(b) encourage
(c) encourages
(d) encouraged
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) encourages
Explanation:
1. 'Every time I fail' shows a habit in the present, and 'he' is singular, so 'encourages'.
2. Habitual present with a singular subject takes verb + -s.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Encouraged' is past and does not match 'fail'.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
I am (a) ______ to go to a hill station this time. Last year, I went to Kanyakumari. My friends have already left for their holiday destinations. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) plan
(b) planning
(c) planned
(d) plans
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) planning
Explanation:
1. 'I am' + verb-ing forms the present continuous for a plan: 'I am planning'.
2. The present continuous can express a present plan or arrangement.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'I am plan' lacks the -ing ending.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
I am planning to go to a hill station this time. Last year, I (b) ______ to Kanyakumari. My friends have already left for their holiday destinations. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) gone
(b) going
(c) goes
(d) went
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) went
Explanation:
1. 'Last year' is a finished past time, so the simple past 'went'.
2. Use the simple past with definite past time expressions.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Gone' needs 'have' and cannot be used with 'last year'.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
I am planning to go to a hill station this time. Last year, I went to Kanyakumari. My friends (c) ______ already left for their holiday destinations. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) have
(b) will
(c) had
(d) has
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) have
Explanation:
1. 'Already' with a recent result needs the present perfect; 'friends' is plural, so 'have'.
2. Plural subject + present perfect = have + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Has' is singular; 'had' would need a past reference point.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
The annual function (a) ______ on 14 October, 2013. The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The Principal welcomed all the guests. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) is being organized
(b) organized
(c) was organized
(d) will organize
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) was organized
Explanation:
1. A past date is given and the function is the thing organised, so the past passive 'was organized'.
2. A report of a past event uses the simple past; passive when the subject receives the action.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Organized' alone would mean the function organised something.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
The annual function was organized on 14 October, 2013. The programme (b) ______ with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The Principal welcomed all the guests. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) begins
(b) began
(c) is beginning
(d) has begun
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) began
Explanation:
1. The report narrates past events, so 'began'.
2. Keep all verbs in a report in the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Has begun' is present perfect and cannot go with a past date.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
The annual function was organized on 14 October, 2013. The programme began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. The Principal (c) ______ all the guests. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) is welcoming
(b) welcomes
(c) has welcomed
(d) welcomed
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) welcomed
Explanation:
1. Same past report, so 'welcomed'.
2. Completed past actions in a report take the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Welcomes' shifts to the present without reason.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Last year, a group of tourists (a) ______ to India and they decided to visit Goa. At Calangute they were swept off their feet by the beauty of the beach. (CBSE Foreign 2014)
(a) had come
(b) came
(c) have come
(d) are coming
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) came
Explanation:
1. 'Last year' marks a completed past time, so the simple past 'came'.
2. Definite past time takes the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Had come' is needed only when another, later past action is the reference point.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
For the first time, the Indian Railways (a) ______ to utilise track-laying machines that would help put in place one kilometre of railway lines each day. Costing 70 crores, the model is being imported on a trial basis by Trans Rail Solutions. The first set of the track-laying machines is expected to arrive by December 2013. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) was planned
(b) plan
(c) is planning
(d) planned
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) is planning
Explanation:
1. The plan is current news ('for the first time') and Indian Railways is treated as one body, so 'is planning'.
2. Present continuous reports an ongoing plan; 'Indian Railways' as an organisation takes a singular verb.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Was planned' is passive and makes no sense with 'to utilise'.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
For the first time, the Indian Railways is planning to utilise track-laying machines that would help put in place one kilometre of railway lines each day. Costing 70 crores, the model (b) ______ on a trial basis by Trans Rail Solutions. The first set of the track-laying machines is expected to arrive by December 2013. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) imported
(b) imports
(c) is importing
(d) is being imported
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is being imported
Explanation:
1. The model is receiving the action now ('on a trial basis'), so the present continuous passive 'is being imported'.
2. Present continuous passive = is/are being + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Is importing' would mean the model imports something.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
For the first time, the Indian Railways is planning to utilise track-laying machines that would help put in place one kilometre of railway lines each day. Costing 70 crores, the model is being imported on a trial basis by Trans Rail Solutions. The first set of the track-laying machines (c) ______ to arrive by December 2013. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) expected
(b) expects
(c) was expected
(d) is expected
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is expected
Explanation:
1. The set is expected by others in the present, so 'is expected'.
2. Present passive = is/are + past participle; 'The first set' is singular.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Expects' would make the machines the ones expecting.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
The tiny sand fly (a) ______ the deadly Kala Azar, a parasitic disease. This disease affects hundreds every year and can also cause death. It is now to be made part of school textbooks in Bihar to create awareness about the fly. The Bihar Government has decided to introduce a new chapter on it from next year. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) causes
(b) caused
(c) will cause
(d) causing
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) causes
Explanation:
1. A general fact about the sand fly is stated in the simple present: 'causes'.
2. General truths take the simple present; singular subject adds -s.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Will cause' limits it to the future; the fly causes the disease always.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
The tiny sand fly causes the deadly Kala Azar, a parasitic disease. This disease affects hundreds every year and can also cause death. It (d) ______ now to be made part of school textbooks in Bihar to create awareness about the fly. The Bihar Government has decided to introduce a new chapter on it from next year. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) was
(b) cause
(c) has
(d) is
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) is
Explanation:
1. 'Now' and the singular 'It' need 'is': 'It is now to be made part of textbooks'.
2. 'Is to be' + past participle expresses a plan or arrangement.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Was' clashes with 'now'.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
The tiny sand fly causes the deadly Kala Azar, a parasitic disease. This disease affects hundreds every year and can also cause death. It is now to be made part of school textbooks in Bihar to create awareness about the fly. The Bihar Government (f) ______ to introduce a new chapter on it from next year. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) has decided
(b) will decide
(c) decided
(d) had decided
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) has decided
Explanation:
1. The decision is recent with a present result (chapter from next year), so 'has decided'.
2. Present perfect shows a recent action with present relevance.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Had decided' needs another past action as reference.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Health check-up for general health, E.N.T., blood sugar and blood pressure (a) ______ by general physicians and specialists from Escorts Hospital. An interactive session on heart problems was organised for senior citizens. Lecture on Yoga tips for good health was a huge success. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) is carried out
(b) has carried out
(c) was carried out
(d) has been carried out
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) was carried out
Explanation:
1. The camp is over and the check-up was done by doctors, so the past passive 'was carried out'.
2. A report of a past event uses the simple past; passive since doctors did the action.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Has carried out' is active and would make the check-up the doer.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Health check-up for general health, E.N.T., blood sugar and blood pressure was carried out by general physicians and specialists from Escorts Hospital. An interactive session on heart problems (b) ______ for senior citizens. Lecture on Yoga tips for good health was a huge success. (CBSE AI 2012)
(a) has organised
(b) organised
(c) was being organised
(d) was organised
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) was organised
Explanation:
1. The session was arranged by someone in the past, so 'was organised'.
2. Past passive = was/were + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Was being organised' shows an action in progress, not a completed one.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
A large number of scientists gathered at Lakpat in Gujarat to see the view of the last eclipse of the twentieth century. This place (b) ______ to be the best as the totality there would be the longest. They had gone there to study the phenomenon. But they were disappointed because the clouds blocked the clear view of the eclipse. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) was considered
(b) had considered
(c) consider
(d) considered
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) was considered
Explanation:
1. The place was judged by others in the past, so the past passive 'was considered'.
2. Past passive = was + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Considered' alone would make the place the one considering.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
A large number of scientists gathered at Lakpat in Gujarat to see the view of the last eclipse of the twentieth century. This place was considered to be the best as the totality there would be the longest. They (d) ______ there to study the phenomenon. But they were disappointed because the clouds blocked the clear view of the eclipse. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) are going
(b) were going
(c) were gone
(d) had gone
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) had gone
Explanation:
1. They went there before the eclipse event being narrated, so 'had gone'.
2. Past perfect marks an action completed before another past event.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Were gone' is not a correct way to show this action.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
A large number of scientists gathered at Lakpat in Gujarat to see the view of the last eclipse of the twentieth century. This place was considered to be the best as the totality there would be the longest. They had gone there to study the phenomenon. But they (e) ______ because the clouds blocked the clear view of the eclipse. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) were disappointed
(b) disappointed
(c) had disappointed
(d) have disappointed
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) were disappointed
Explanation:
1. The scientists felt disappointment (they were affected), so the passive 'were disappointed'.
2. Feelings caused by something take be + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Disappointed' alone would mean they disappointed someone else.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
A large number of scientists gathered at Lakpat in Gujarat to see the view of the last eclipse of the twentieth century. This place was considered to be the best as the totality there would be the longest. They had gone there to study the phenomenon. But they were disappointed because the clouds (f) ______ the clear view of the eclipse. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) have blocked
(b) blocked
(c) were blocked
(d) block
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) blocked
Explanation:
1. The clouds did the action in the past, so the active simple past 'blocked'.
2. Active voice: the subject performs the action.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Were blocked' would mean the clouds themselves were blocked.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Speedy disposal of court cases
111 cases related to thefts, street brawls and road accidents (a) ______ by a junior judge in Mangalagiri town in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday creating a world record. In 78 cases fines were imposed and in the remaining 32 cases the accused were acquitted. He was lenient with those who admitted the crime. If we had a few more of these judges, there would be no backlog left. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) cleared
(b) were being cleared
(c) were cleared
(d) had been cleared
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) were cleared
Explanation:
1. The cases were disposed of on Thursday (a past day) by the judge, so the past passive 'were cleared'.
2. A completed past action in a report: was/were + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Cleared' alone would make the cases the doer.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Speedy disposal of court cases
111 cases related to thefts, street brawls and road accidents were cleared by a junior judge in Mangalagiri town in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday creating a world record. In 78 cases fines (b) ______ and in the remaining 32 cases the accused were acquitted. He was lenient with those who admitted the crime. If we had a few more of these judges, there would be no backlog left. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) were imposed
(b) have been imposed
(c) were being imposed
(d) had been imposed
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) were imposed
Explanation:
1. The fines were imposed in the same past hearing, so 'were imposed'.
2. Keep the same simple past passive for parallel actions.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Have been imposed' is present perfect and clashes with 'on Thursday'.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Speedy disposal of court cases
111 cases related to thefts, street brawls and road accidents were cleared by a junior judge in Mangalagiri town in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday creating a world record. In 78 cases fines were imposed and in the remaining 32 cases the accused (c) ______. He was lenient with those who admitted the crime. If we had a few more of these judges, there would be no backlog left. (CBSE AI 2011)
(a) are acquitted
(b) were being acquitted
(c) had been acquitted
(d) were acquitted
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (d) were acquitted
Explanation:
1. 'The accused' (plural here) received the action in the past, so 'were acquitted'.
2. Past passive with a plural subject = were + past participle.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Are acquitted' is present and does not match the report.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Shivani : When did you arrive in Delhi, Mr. Shiv?
Shiv : I (a) ______ yesterday.
Shivani : Did you have any difficulty on the way?
Shiv : Nothing much, but someone ran away with my bag while I was sleeping in the train.
Shivani : It is very sad news. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) arrived
(b) have arrived
(c) was arrived
(d) had arrived
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) arrived
Explanation:
1. 'Yesterday' is a definite past time, so the simple past 'arrived'.
2. Simple past is used with yesterday, last week, ago.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Have arrived' cannot be used with 'yesterday'.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Shivani : When did you arrive in Delhi, Mr. Shiv?
Shiv : I arrived yesterday.
Shivani : Did you (b) ______ on the way?
Shiv : Nothing much, but someone ran away with my bag while I was sleeping in the train.
Shivani : It is very sad news. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) had any difficulty
(b) have a difficulty
(c) have any difficulty
(d) had a difficulty
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) have any difficulty
Explanation:
1. After 'Did' the base form is needed, and questions use 'any': 'Did you have any difficulty'.
2. In questions with did, use the base form of the main verb.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Did you had' is a double past and is wrong.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Shivani : When did you arrive in Delhi, Mr. Shiv?
Shiv : I arrived yesterday.
Shivani : Did you have any difficulty on the way?
Shiv : Nothing much, but someone (c) ______ my bag while I was sleeping in the train.
Shivani : It is very sad news. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) ran away with
(b) runs away with
(c) has run away with
(d) had run away
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) ran away with
Explanation:
1. The theft happened while he was sleeping (past continuous), so the simple past 'ran away with'.
2. A short past action interrupting a longer one takes the simple past.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Had run away' omits 'with' and changes the meaning.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Tourist : I would like to know about the tours your company offers.
Travel agent : Sir, could you tell me which places you would like to visit?
Tourist : Bangalore and Mysore.
Travel agent : Please go through this brochure and see what you like.
Tourist : Thank you. (He goes through the brochure). What would be the cost of the trip?
Travel agent : Rupees eight thousand, sir.
Tourist : (c) ______ the travel expenses also?
Travel agent : Yes, sir. It includes all expenses. (CBSE Delhi 2014)
(a) Does it include
(b) Will it include
(c) Did it include
(d) Has it included
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Does it include
Explanation:
1. The agent answers 'It includes', so the question is in the simple present: 'Does it include'.
2. Match the tense of the question to the tense of the answer.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Did it include' refers to the past, but the package is current.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Ram : Could you lend me your English Reader?
Sita : I am sorry. I (b) ______ my English homework.
Ram : Okay. I shall ask Ankit. (CBSE AI 2014)
(a) have yet to complete
(b) will yet complete
(c) shall have completed
(d) am yet completing
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) have yet to complete
Explanation:
1. Sita still needs the book because the work is unfinished: 'I have yet to complete'.
2. 'Have yet to' + base verb means something is still not done.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Shall have completed' suggests the work will be finished, so the refusal makes no sense.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Ishant : Papa, do you know Kapoor uncle (a) ______ yesterday?
Papa : Oh! Very sad. What happened?
Ishant : He was crossing the road when a speeding car hit him and sped away.
Papa : This is really bad. Where is he now?
Ishant : He was admitted to Sewak Sabha Hospital and is recovering now. (CBSE Foreign 2014)
(a) he met with an accident
(b) meets with an accident
(c) met with an accident
(d) is met with an accident
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) met with an accident
Explanation:
1. 'Yesterday' requires the simple past: 'Kapoor uncle met with an accident'.
2. Use the simple past with a definite past time.
Teacher's Note:
1. Option (i) repeats the subject ('uncle he'), which is incorrect.
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Ishant : Papa, do you know Kapoor uncle met with an accident yesterday?
Papa : Oh! Very sad. What happened?
Ishant : (b) ______ when a speeding car hit him and sped away.
Papa : This is really bad. Where is he now?
Ishant : He was admitted to Sewak Sabha Hospital and is recovering now. (CBSE Foreign 2014)
(a) He is crossing the road
(b) He has crossed the road
(c) He was crossing the road
(d) He had been crossing
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (c) He was crossing the road
Explanation:
1. A longer action (crossing) was interrupted by a shorter one (car hit), so the past continuous 'was crossing'.
2. Past continuous + simple past shows an action interrupted by another.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'He had been crossing' is incomplete without an object and suits a different time relation.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Ishant : Papa, do you know Kapoor uncle met with an accident yesterday?
Papa : Oh! Very sad. What happened?
Ishant : He was crossing the road when a speeding car hit him and sped away.
Papa : This is really bad. Where is he now?
Ishant : He was admitted to Sewak Sabha Hospital and (c) ______ now. (CBSE Foreign 2014)
(a) was recovering
(b) is recovering
(c) has recovered
(d) was recovered
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) is recovering
Explanation:
1. 'Now' signals an action in progress at present: 'is recovering'.
2. Present continuous is used with 'now' for ongoing actions.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Was recovering' is past and clashes with 'now'.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Seema : What is your lucky charm?
Nandish : My lucky charm is my 'Karha' (an iron ring).
Seema : (b) ______?
Nandish : I have been wearing it since childhood. It's my grandfather's 'Karha'. I believe when I am wearing it, his blessings are with me.
Seema : Are you not superstitious?
Nandish : No, I am not superstitious. I don't believe in fasting and going to a particular place of worship. I just believe in Karma. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) Since when have you been wearing it
(b) Since when are you wearing it
(c) Since when you have been wearing it
(d) Since when you are wearing it
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (a) Since when have you been wearing it
Explanation:
1. The answer 'I have been wearing it since childhood' needs the matching question 'Since when have you been wearing it'.
2. Present perfect continuous with 'since' for an action continuing till now.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Since when you have been' lacks the question order (auxiliary before subject).
2. A past narrative usually stays in the simple past; earlier past actions take the past perfect.
Doctor Dhawan rushed off straight from his clinic to see his friend Gopal who has been in bed for some days. Gopal's wife greeted him.
Doctor : How long has he been in bed?
Gopal's wife : A month and a half, Doctor.
Doctor : (a) ______?
Gopal's wife : A doctor in the next street comes down once in three days.
Doctor : What is his name? I have never heard of him. Why didn't you send me a word earlier?
Gopal's wife : We thought you would be busy and didn't wish to trouble you. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) Who was attending him
(b) Who is attending him
(c) Who attended him
(d) Who had attended him
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) Who is attending him
Explanation:
1. The answer 'comes down once in three days' describes a current arrangement, so 'Who is attending him'.
2. Present continuous describes an ongoing arrangement.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Who attended him' suggests the treatment is over.
2. Look for time markers (yesterday, last year, since, now, every year) before choosing a tense.
Doctor Dhawan rushed off straight from his clinic to see his friend Gopal who has been in bed for some days. Gopal's wife greeted him.
Doctor : How long has he been in bed?
Gopal's wife : A month and a half, Doctor.
Doctor : Who is attending him?
Gopal's wife : A doctor in the next street comes down once in three days.
Doctor : What is his name? I have never heard of him. Why didn't you send me a word earlier?
Gopal's wife : We thought you would be busy and (c) ______. (CBSE Delhi 2013)
(a) doesn't wish to trouble you
(b) didn't wish to trouble you
(c) don't wish to trouble him
(d) didn't wished to trouble him
Show Answer & Explanation
Answer: (b) didn't wish to trouble you
Explanation:
1. 'We thought' is past, so the parallel verb is past: 'didn't wish to trouble you'.
2. Verbs joined by 'and' in the same reported thought keep the same tense.
Teacher's Note:
1. 'Didn't wished' is wrong; after 'didn't' use the base form.
2. Keep the tense of a passage consistent unless the time reference clearly changes.
Free study material for English
Tense Objective Questions & Solutions for Class 10 English
Download Multiple Choice Questions: Tense (Class 10 English)
Review structured objective questions for Class 10 English Tense. Built according to official CBSE guidelines, these MCQ sets support daily revision and core concept reinforcement.
Concept Clarification for Tense
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FAQs
You can get most exhaustive CBSE Class 10 English Tense MCQs Set 04 for free on StudiesToday.com. These MCQs for Class 10 English are updated for the 2026-27 academic session as per CBSE examination standards.
Yes, our CBSE Class 10 English Tense MCQs Set 04 include the latest type of questions, such as Assertion-Reasoning and Case-based MCQs. 50% of the CBSE paper is now competency-based.
By solving our CBSE Class 10 English Tense MCQs Set 04, Class 10 students can improve their accuracy and speed which is important as objective questions provide a chance to secure 100% marks in the English.
Yes, English MCQs for Class 10 have answer key and brief explanations to help students understand logic behind the correct option as its important for 2026 competency-focused CBSE exams.
Yes, you can also access online interactive tests for CBSE Class 10 English Tense MCQs Set 04 on StudiesToday.com as they provide instant answers and score to help you track your progress in English.