CSS English (Précis & Composition) MCQs: Vocabulary & Grammar With Answers

The English (Précis & Composition) paper carries 20 marks of objective questions on vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and grammar, ahead of an 80-mark subjective part. Here is a sample from the CSS Main MCQs QBank.

Sample MCQs

1. Change voice: Who is knocking at the door?

• A) The door is being knocked by whom?
• B) By whom is the door being knocked at? ✅
• C) By whom is the door being knocked?
• D) The door is being knocked at by whom?

2. Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word: Amble

• A) Walk ✅
• B) Bustle
• C) Stare
• D) Trot

3. He wants ____ a cold drink.

• A) To drink ✅
• B) Drinking
• C) Drinks
• D) Drink

4. Antonym of the word “OBSOLETE”?

• A) He wished me to have a long life.
• B) He wished for me that I might have had a long life.
• C) He wished that I might have a long life.
• D) He wishes to me that I may live long. ✅

5. Which preposition correctly completes the sentence: We must stoop down ___ ALLAH.

• A) At
• B) By
• C) With
• D) To ✅

6. Find the word similar in meaning to the word 'Trespass':

• A) Intrude ✅
• B) Expository
• C) Persuasive
• D) Contemplative

7. Choose the closest SYNONYM for 'Metanoia':

• A) Repentance ✅
• B) Conversion
• C) Prostrate
• D) Submission

Metanoia (Greek) = a transformative change of heart. 'Repentance' most precisely captures the internal moral turning the word denotes.

8. Choose the correct analogy: Guile: Ingenious:

• A) Denote: Burden
• B) Wise: Crooked
• C) Courage: Timorous ✅
• D) Honesty: Truthful

9. Festoon : chain :: creek : ____

• A) Stream ✅
• B) Island
• C) Crook
• D) Inlay

10. Choose the antonym of Abolish:

• A) Conserve ✅
• B) Negate
• C) Eliminate
• D) Repeal

11. "Pro bono publico" means:

• A) Public demands
• B) Against the public interest
• C) For the public good ✅
• D) Public involvement

12. Ali is my best friend. "Best" is which part of speech?

• A) Noun
• B) Adverb
• C) Verb
• D) Adjective ✅

How to Prepare This Section

• Learn vocabulary in families: a word with its synonyms and antonyms together.
• Drill idioms and one-word substitutions, which repeat often.
• Revise the common grammar traps: subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, prepositions and articles.

Read the CSS Main syllabus and scheme for the full scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many MCQs does the English paper have?

20 MCQs worth 20 marks, in Part-I of the paper. The rest of the paper (80 marks) is subjective.

Is there negative marking?

No. There is no negative marking in the objective part, so attempt every question.

Practise the Objective Section

The CSS Main MCQs QBank groups MCQs by compulsory paper, with a free batch of questions to try first. Related: compulsory paper pattern, MPT vs Main objective.