14th BCS English Questions & Answers with Explanation / English for BCS Examination / BCS Examination Previous Questions and Answers

14th BCS English Questions & Answers

1. The walls of our house have been painted ___ green.

a) with

b) no preposition

c) by

d) in

Correct answer: b) no preposition

(Explanation: The correct structure is "painted green" without a preposition)

2. A speech full of too many words is:

a) An unimportant speech

b) A verbose speech

c) A big speech

d) Maiden speech

Correct answer: b) A verbose speech

(Explanation: Verbose means wordy or using too many words)

3. To meet trouble half way means:

a) To be disappointed

b) To bear up

c) To be puzzled

d) To get nervous

Correct answer: c) To be puzzled

(Explanation: This idiom means to anticipate trouble unnecessarily)

4. What is the meaning of the idiom 'a round dozen'?

a) A little less than a dozen

b) A little more than a dozen

c) Round about a dozen

d) A full dozen

Correct answer: d) A full dozen

(Explanation: It means exactly 12, no more no less)

5. You should "show good manners" in the company of young ladies. Which is the appropriate phrase for the underlined expression above?

a) Behave yourself

b) Do not talk rudely

c) Behave gently

d) Practice manners

Correct answer: c) Behave gently

(Explanation: Most appropriate synonym for showing good manners)

6. Trying unitedly we were able to have our project approved 'against' strong oppositions. Which of the following says nearly the same as 'against' above?

a) In the guise of

b) In the plea of

c) In the teeth of

d) In the wake of

Correct answer: c) In the teeth of

(Explanation: Phrase meaning 'in defiance of' or 'against strong opposition')

7. Not many people can commit such a heinous crime 'in cold blood'. What does the quoted idiom mean?

a) So impatiently and thoughtlessly

b) Stirred by sudden emotion

c) In cool brain and calculated thought

d) So patiently and thoughtfully

Correct answer: c) In cool brain and calculated thought

(Explanation: Meaning to act deliberately without emotional influence)

8. People who assume that no evil can befall them are foolishly:

a) Complacent

b) Confident

c) Apprehensive

d) Ardent

Correct answer: a) Complacent

(Explanation: Meaning self-satisfied while unaware of potential dangers)

9. One who unduly forwards in rendering services for others is not generally liked in society. Which word represents this character?

a) Officious

b) Bureaucratic

c) Official

d) Benevolent

Correct answer: a) Officious

(Explanation: Meaning overly eager in offering unwanted services)

10. The second anniversary celebration of our college will be held on December 15. Which phrase correctly replaces 'will be held'?

a) comes off

b) will bring about

c) will come round

d) takes off

Correct answer: a) comes off

(Explanation: Meaning 'takes place' or 'occurs')

11. 'Dog day' means:

a) A period of having youthful flings

b) A period of misfortune

c) Hot weather

d) A period of being carefree

Correct answer: c) Hot weather

(Explanation: Refers to the hottest period of summer)

12. What kind of man is quite the opposite type of "supercilious"?

a) Disdainful

b) Wicked

c) Affable

d) Haughty

Correct answer: c) Affable

(Explanation: Opposite of supercilious/arrogant; meaning friendly)

13. How many eggs have your hens ___ this month?

a) laid

b) lay

c) lied

d) lain

Correct answer: a) laid

(Explanation: Past participle of 'lay' meaning to produce eggs)

14. Can you tell me where ________?

a) Mr. Ali lives

b) Lives Mr. Ali

c) Mr. Ali doesn't live

d) Does Mr. Ali live

Correct answer: a) Mr. Ali lives

(Explanation: Correct indirect question structure)

15. Now-a-days many villages are lit ___ electricity. Which is the correct preposition?

a) from

b) on

c) by

d) with

Correct answer: d) with

(Explanation: Correct preposition for being illuminated by electricity)

✅ Correct Answers with Explanations (Full Set)

Q#	Question Summary	Correct Answer	Explanation
1	The walls have been painted ___ green.	b) no preposition ✅	The correct expression is “painted green” without a preposition. Prepositions like “with” or “in” are incorrect here.
2	A speech full of too many words	b) A verbose speech ✅	"Verbose" means using more words than needed — excessively wordy.
3	Meaning of: To meet trouble half way	d) To get nervous ✅	The idiom means to anticipate or worry about trouble before it happens, often showing nervousness or fear.
4	Meaning of: a round dozen	d) A full dozen ✅	The phrase means exactly twelve.
5	"Show good manners" — suitable phrase?	a) Behave yourself ✅	"Behave yourself" covers the idea of showing good manners in a general and polite way.
6	Meaning of 'against' in: approved against strong oppositions	c) In the teeth of ✅	"In the teeth of" means "despite strong opposition."
7	Meaning of 'in cold blood'	c) In cool brain and calculated thought ✅	The idiom refers to doing something (usually violent) deliberately and without emotion.
8	People who assume nothing bad will happen are foolishly ___	a) Complacent ✅	"Complacent" means being self-satisfied and unaware of possible dangers.
9	One who is too eager to help (unwanted)	a) Officious ✅	"Officious" describes someone who is annoyingly eager to offer help or advice, especially when it's not wanted.
10	'Will be held' — replace with?	a) comes off ✅	“Comes off” is an idiom meaning “takes place.”
11	'Dog day' means:	c) Hot weather ✅	"Dog days" refer to the hottest, most uncomfortable days of summer.
12	Opposite of "supercilious"	c) Affable ✅	"Supercilious" means arrogant; "affable" means friendly and pleasant — its opposite.
13	How many eggs have your hens ___?	a) laid ✅	"Laid" is the past participle of "lay," the correct verb for producing eggs.
14	Can you tell me where ___?	a) Mr. Ali lives ✅	In indirect questions, the subject comes before the verb.
15	Villages are lit ___ electricity.	d) with ✅	"Lit with electricity" is the correct prepositional phrase. "By" would indicate the agent (who lit them), not the tool/source.

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