I85PREP
⌘ K
PSEB Matric English study materials
PSEB Matric English study resources

PSEB Matric English practice questions

One question at a time. Build your PSEB Matric English understanding.

First 50 of 200 questions. Each one lists the choices, the correct answer, and an explanation. The checker at the top of this page saves progress in this browser when it is available.

Continue in the practice tool above to load more questions, 50 at a time.

Question 1English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the PSEB Class 10 English syllabus, a sentence such as "The teacher gave us homework" is analysed by identifying its subject, verb and object. Which word functions as the indirect object in that sentence?

  1. teacher
  2. gave
  3. us Correct answer.
  4. homework

Explanation

A verb like 'gave' can take two objects: the thing given (direct object) and the person who receives it (indirect object). 'Homework' is what was given, so 'us' is the receiver and therefore the indirect object.

Question 2English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A Class 10 grammar exercise asks students to change "She writes a letter" into the passive voice. Which transformation is grammatically correct?

  1. A letter was written by her.
  2. A letter has written by her.
  3. A letter is written by her. Correct answer.
  4. A letter is wrote by her.

Explanation

The active sentence uses the simple present tense, so the passive must also be simple present: is/are + past participle. 'Written' is the past participle of 'write', and the subject pronoun changes to the object form 'her' after 'by'.

Question 3English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "If it rains tomorrow, the match will be cancelled," which type of conditional sentence is used?

  1. Zero conditional
  2. Third conditional
  3. First conditional Correct answer.
  4. Second conditional

Explanation

The first conditional expresses a real or likely future possibility and follows the pattern 'if + present simple, will + base verb'. Here 'rains' is present simple and 'will be cancelled' is the future result, matching that pattern exactly.

Question 4English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB comprehension passage includes the line "The old man's eyes were pools of sorrow." Which figure of speech is used in this expression?

  1. Personification
  2. Hyperbole
  3. Metaphor Correct answer.
  4. Simile

Explanation

A metaphor compares two things directly without using 'like' or 'as', by stating that one thing is another. The eyes are described as being 'pools of sorrow', an implied comparison, so it is a metaphor.

Question 5English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "We reached the station before the train arrived," which conjunction is used and what relationship does it show?

  1. reached - result
  2. before - cause
  3. arrived - contrast
  4. before - time Correct answer.

Explanation

'Before' is a subordinating conjunction that links two clauses by indicating the order of events in time. It shows that the first action happened earlier than the second, so it expresses a time relationship.

Question 6English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A letter-writing task in the PSEB Class 10 paper asks for a formal letter to the Principal. Which opening salutation is appropriate?

  1. Respected Sir/Madam, Correct answer.
  2. Hi there,
  3. My dear Principal,
  4. Dear friend,

Explanation

Formal letters in the PSEB syllabus use a respectful salutation followed by a comma, such as 'Respected Sir/Madam'. 'My dear Principal' is over-familiar, and casual greetings belong in informal letters to friends or relatives.

Question 7English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "He runs faster than his brother," which word is the adverb in the comparative degree?

  1. brother
  2. than
  3. faster Correct answer.
  4. runs

Explanation

Adverbs of manner such as 'fast' form the comparative by adding '-er', giving 'faster'. Here 'faster' modifies the verb 'runs' and compares two people, so it is a comparative adverb.

Question 8English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Which sentence uses the article 'an' correctly according to the rule taught in the PSEB grammar section?

  1. They waited for an hour ago.
  2. He bought an book.
  3. She is an honest girl. Correct answer.
  4. She is an university student.

Explanation

'An' is used before words that begin with a vowel sound, not merely a vowel letter. 'Honest' begins with a silent 'h', so its first sound is the vowel /ɒ/, making 'an honest girl' correct.

Question 9English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item asks students to combine "He was tired. He continued working" using a concessive conjunction. Which sentence is correct?

  1. Although he was tired, he continued working. Correct answer.
  2. He was tired so he continued working.
  3. He was tired and continued working.
  4. He was tired because he continued working.

Explanation

A concessive conjunction such as 'although' introduces a clause that contrasts with the main clause. It shows that the second action happened despite the first condition, which is exactly the meaning required here.

Question 10English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Read the reported speech conversion: Direct - She said, "I am going to Lahore today." Which indirect form is correct?

  1. She said that she is going to Lahore today.
  2. She said that I was going to Lahore that day.
  3. She said that she was going to Lahore that day. Correct answer.
  4. She said that she has gone to Lahore that day.

Explanation

When the reporting verb is in the past ('said'), the present continuous 'am going' shifts to past continuous 'was going'. The first-person pronoun 'I' changes to 'she' to match the speaker, and 'today' becomes 'that day'.

Question 11English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "The children, who were playing in the garden, heard a loud noise," what is the function of the clause "who were playing in the garden"?

  1. Non-defining relative clause Correct answer.
  2. Noun clause
  3. Adverb clause of time
  4. Defining relative clause

Explanation

The clause is set off by commas and adds extra, non-essential information about 'the children'. A defining relative clause would not be separated by commas and would be needed to identify which children are meant.

Question 12English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB vocabulary exercise asks students to choose the correct synonym for the word 'diligent' as used in a passage about a hard-working farmer. Which option fits best?

  1. Careless
  2. Hard-working Correct answer.
  3. Lazy
  4. Wealthy

Explanation

'Diligent' describes a person who works steadily and with careful effort. Its closest synonym is 'hard-working', which matches the description of the farmer in the passage.

Question 13English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Which sentence correctly uses the modal verb 'must' to express strong obligation in a PSEB grammar item?

  1. You must submitted the assignment today.
  2. You must submit the assignment today. Correct answer.
  3. You must to submit the assignment today.
  4. You must submitting the assignment today.

Explanation

Modal verbs such as 'must' are followed by the base form of the verb without 'to'. Therefore 'must submit' is the only correct structure, expressing strong obligation.

Question 14English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the poem section of the PSEB Class 10 syllabus, a stanza reads: "The woods are lovely, dark and deep, / But I have promises to keep." Which poetic device is most clearly shown by the repetition of the 'd' sound in 'dark and deep'?

  1. Metonymy
  2. Onomatopoeia
  3. Alliteration Correct answer.
  4. Oxymoron

Explanation

Alliteration is the repetition of the same initial consonant sound in nearby words. The repeated 'd' at the start of 'dark' and 'deep' is a clear example of alliteration.

Question 15English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "Neither the students nor the teacher was present in the class," why is the verb 'was' singular?

  1. Because the verb agrees with the nearer subject 'teacher'. Correct answer.
  2. Because 'students' is a plural noun.
  3. Because 'nor' requires a singular verb always.
  4. Because 'neither' is always followed by a plural verb.

Explanation

With the correlative conjunction 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the subject closest to it. The nearer subject is the singular 'teacher', so the singular verb 'was' is correct.

Question 16English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB writing task asks students to write a notice for the school notice board about an inter-house debate. Which opening is most appropriate for a notice?

  1. Dear students, how are you all doing today?
  2. Once upon a time, our school decided to hold a debate.
  3. NOTICE - Inter-House Debate Competition Correct answer.
  4. I am writing this letter to inform you about a debate.

Explanation

A notice is a short, formal announcement written in the third person and headed with the word NOTICE and a clear title. It avoids narrative openings and personal greetings.

Question 17English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect continuous tense as taught in the PSEB grammar syllabus?

  1. She is studying since two hours.
  2. She has been studying for two hours. Correct answer.
  3. She has been studying since two hours.
  4. She studied for two hours now.

Explanation

The present perfect continuous is formed with 'has/have been + present participle'. It uses 'for' with a period of time and 'since' with a point in time, so 'for two hours' is correct.

Question 18English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "Having finished his work, he went home," what does the participial phrase "Having finished his work" modify?

  1. finished
  2. home
  3. his work
  4. he Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase at the beginning of a sentence modifies the subject of the main clause. Here the subject of the main clause is 'he', so the phrase tells us that he had finished his work before going home.

Question 19English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB comprehension passage states: "The farmer toiled from dawn to dusk, yet his granaries remained empty." What does the word 'yet' signal in this sentence?

  1. Contrast between effort and result Correct answer.
  2. Addition of similar ideas
  3. A condition
  4. Cause and effect

Explanation

'Yet' functions as a coordinating conjunction showing contrast, similar to 'but'. It highlights the unexpected contrast between the farmer's hard work and the empty granaries.

Question 20English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Which option correctly changes "The boy said to his mother, 'Please give me some water'" into indirect speech?

  1. The boy told his mother to please give him some water.
  2. The boy requested his mother to give him some water. Correct answer.
  3. The boy said his mother gave him some water.
  4. The boy asked his mother that she gives him some water.

Explanation

A sentence beginning with 'please' expresses a request, so the reporting verb 'said to' changes to 'requested'. The imperative 'give' becomes 'to give', and the pronoun 'me' changes to 'him'.

Question 21English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar exercise asks students to identify the type of sentence in "What a beautiful sunset it is!" Which classification is correct?

  1. Declarative
  2. Exclamatory Correct answer.
  3. Imperative
  4. Interrogative

Explanation

An exclamatory sentence expresses strong emotion and typically begins with 'what' or 'how' and ends with an exclamation mark. This sentence expresses admiration, so it is exclamatory.

Question 22English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the sentence "The book which I bought yesterday is very interesting," what is the grammatical function of "which I bought yesterday"?

  1. It is a defining relative clause modifying 'book'. Correct answer.
  2. It is an adverb clause modifying 'bought'.
  3. It is a non-defining relative clause set off by commas.
  4. It is a noun clause acting as the subject.

Explanation

The clause identifies which particular book is meant and is not separated by commas, so it is a defining relative clause. It modifies the noun 'book' through the relative pronoun 'which'.

Question 23English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB comprehension passage, the writer says: "Had the government acted earlier, the crisis could have been avoided." What does this sentence imply?

  1. The government is acting early right now.
  2. The government will act early in the future.
  3. The government did not act early, so the crisis occurred. Correct answer.
  4. The government acted early and avoided the crisis.

Explanation

This is a third conditional sentence, which describes an unreal past situation. It implies that the government did not act early and that the crisis was not avoided.

Question 24English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier that a PSEB examiner would mark as an error?

  1. As I walked down the road, I saw a snake.
  2. Walking down the road, I saw a snake.
  3. While I was walking down the road, I saw a snake.
  4. Walking down the road, a snake was seen by me. Correct answer.

Explanation

A participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. In 'Walking down the road, a snake was seen by me', the phrase appears to modify 'a snake', which is illogical because the snake was not walking.

Question 25English (Matriculation/Class 10)

Read the sentence: "Not only did she complete the project on time, but she also helped her classmates." Why is the auxiliary 'did' placed before the subject?

  1. Because the past tense always requires inversion in English.
  2. Because a negative word at the beginning triggers inversion.
  3. Because 'not only' begins a clause and requires subject-auxiliary inversion for emphasis. Correct answer.
  4. Because the sentence is a question.

Explanation

When a sentence opens with the correlative 'not only', the first clause undergoes subject-auxiliary inversion for emphasis. The auxiliary 'did' moves before the subject 'she', and the main verb remains in its base form.

Question 26English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB Class 10 grammar item asks students to pick the sentence in which the past perfect tense is used correctly to show that one past action happened before another. Which sentence fits?

  1. The train left before we had reached the station.
  2. The train has left before we reached the station.
  3. The train was leaving before we reached the station.
  4. The train had left before we reached the station. Correct answer.

Explanation

The past perfect (had + past participle) marks the earlier of two past actions, so 'had left' correctly shows the train's departure happening before 'reached'. The later action stays in the simple past.

Question 27English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the PSEB syllabus, the passive voice of 'The teacher is explaining the lesson' is required. Which transformation is correct?

  1. The lesson is being explained by the teacher. Correct answer.
  2. The lesson is explained by the teacher.
  3. The lesson has been explained by the teacher.
  4. The lesson was being explained by the teacher.

Explanation

When an active sentence in the present continuous is made passive, the auxiliary becomes 'is/are being' plus the past participle. So 'is explaining' becomes 'is being explained'.

Question 28English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB punctuation exercise gives the sentence: 'My uncle who lives in Multan is a doctor.' Which version correctly uses commas for a non-defining relative clause?

  1. My uncle who, lives in Multan, is a doctor.
  2. My uncle, who lives in Multan, is a doctor. Correct answer.
  3. My uncle who lives in Multan, is a doctor.
  4. My uncle, who lives in Multan is a doctor.

Explanation

A non-defining relative clause gives extra information and must be enclosed by commas on both sides. Here 'who lives in Multan' merely adds detail about the already identified uncle, so commas appear before 'who' and after 'Multan'.

Question 29English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB grammar section, students must choose the correct question tag for: 'She hardly ever comes late, ______?'

  1. does she Correct answer.
  2. is she
  3. doesn't she
  4. isn't she

Explanation

Words like 'hardly', 'never' and 'seldom' carry a negative sense, so the statement is treated as negative and takes a positive tag. The auxiliary for the simple present with 'she' is 'does', giving 'does she'.

Question 30English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB writing task requires a short paragraph describing a process. Which sentence opener best signals the first step in a sequence?

  1. To begin with, the seeds are sown in prepared beds. Correct answer.
  2. As a result, the seeds are sown in prepared beds.
  3. On the other hand, the seeds are sown in prepared beds.
  4. In the same way, the seeds are sown in prepared beds.

Explanation

Sequencing linkers such as 'to begin with', 'first' and 'initially' introduce the opening step of a process. 'To begin with' clearly marks the first stage in a description.

Question 31English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item asks for the correct form of the verb: 'If I ______ rich, I would help the poor.' Which option completes it?

  1. will be
  2. were Correct answer.
  3. am
  4. have been

Explanation

This is a second conditional sentence describing an unreal present situation, and the rule is 'If + past subjunctive, would + base verb'. With 'I', the subjunctive form 'were' is the standard choice.

Question 32English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB vocabulary exercise, students must identify the correct antonym of 'generous' as used in a passage praising a kind landlord. Which word is the antonym?

  1. wealthy
  2. generous
  3. stingy Correct answer.
  4. hospitable

Explanation

An antonym expresses the opposite meaning, and 'stingy' means unwilling to give or spend, which is the opposite of 'generous'. The other words either repeat the meaning or describe something unrelated to giving.

Question 33English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar exercise asks students to identify the underlined word's part of speech in: 'She spoke to him kindly.' Which part of speech is 'kindly'?

  1. adjective
  2. adverb Correct answer.
  3. conjunction
  4. noun

Explanation

'Kindly' describes how the action of speaking was done, so it modifies the verb 'spoke'. Words that modify verbs and answer 'how' are adverbs.

Question 34English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB comprehension passage contains: 'The old bridge, though repaired twice, still creaks under heavy loads.' What does the sentence suggest about the bridge?

  1. It has been rebuilt completely.
  2. It was repaired only once.
  3. It no longer carries any traffic.
  4. It remains weak despite repairs. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Though repaired twice' concedes that repairs were made, while 'still creaks under heavy loads' shows the problem persists. Together they imply the bridge is still not strong.

Question 35English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB grammar task, students must choose the sentence with correct subject-verb agreement when the subject is a collective noun acting as one unit. Which sentence is correct?

  1. The jury have reached its verdict.
  2. The jury has reached its verdict. Correct answer.
  3. The jury have reached their verdict.
  4. The jury has reached their verdict.

Explanation

When a collective noun such as 'jury' acts as a single body, it takes a singular verb and a singular pronoun. 'Has reached its verdict' keeps both verb and pronoun singular and consistent.

Question 36English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB letter-writing task asks for an application to the Principal requesting leave. Which closing is most appropriate for this formal letter?

  1. See you soon,
  2. Yours faithfully, Correct answer.
  3. Yours lovingly,
  4. Take care,

Explanation

A formal application to the Principal uses a formal subscription, and 'Yours faithfully' is standard when the letter begins with 'Dear Sir/Madam'. Informal closings are unsuitable for official correspondence.

Question 37English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item asks students to rewrite 'He said, "Alas! I have lost my purse."' in indirect speech. Which option is correct?

  1. He exclaimed with joy that he had lost his purse.
  2. He told that he lost his purse.
  3. He exclaimed with sorrow that he had lost his purse. Correct answer.
  4. He said that alas he has lost his purse.

Explanation

An exclamatory sentence with 'Alas!' is reported using 'exclaimed with sorrow', and the present perfect 'have lost' shifts back to past perfect 'had lost'. Pronouns also change from 'I' to 'he'.

Question 38English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In the PSEB poetry section, a line reads: 'The sun is a golden coin in the sky.' Which figure of speech is used?

  1. metaphor Correct answer.
  2. alliteration
  3. simile
  4. personification

Explanation

A metaphor states that one thing is another without using 'like' or 'as'. Calling the sun 'a golden coin' is a direct comparison, so it is a metaphor.

Question 39English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar exercise asks which sentence correctly uses 'a few' rather than 'the few'. Which sentence is correct?

  1. Few students attended the extra class, isn't it?
  2. A few of student attended the extra class on Saturday.
  3. The few students attended the extra class on Saturday.
  4. A few students attended the extra class on Saturday. Correct answer.

Explanation

'A few' means some, a small number, and carries a positive sense, so 'A few students attended' simply reports that some students came. It is followed by a plural countable noun.

Question 40English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB comprehension passage states: 'No sooner had the bell rung than the students rushed out.' What is the effect of starting with 'No sooner'?

  1. It suggests the bell did not ring at all.
  2. It shows the second action happened much later.
  3. It emphasises how immediately the second action followed. Correct answer.
  4. It indicates the students ignored the bell.

Explanation

'No sooner ... than' is used to stress that one event happened immediately after another. The inverted structure 'had the bell rung' adds emphasis without changing the meaning of close succession.

Question 41English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB grammar section, students must choose the correct phrasal verb to complete: 'The meeting was ______ because of the storm.' Which option fits best?

  1. called on
  2. called off Correct answer.
  3. called up
  4. called for

Explanation

'Call off' means to cancel, and a meeting cancelled due to a storm fits the meaning. Phrasal verbs must be chosen for their specific idiomatic sense.

Question 42English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB composition task asks for a paragraph on 'My Ambition'. Which topic sentence is most suitable for the opening?

  1. In conclusion, ambition needs hard work and patience.
  2. My greatest ambition is to become a doctor and serve my village. Correct answer.
  3. Doctors in Pakistan work very hard every day.
  4. Yesterday I visited a hospital with my cousin.

Explanation

A topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph and should appear at the beginning. 'My greatest ambition is to become a doctor' directly announces the subject of the composition.

Question 43English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item asks students to identify the correct use of 'since' as a preposition of time. Which sentence is correct?

  1. She has been teaching here since 2015. Correct answer.
  2. She is teaching here since 2015.
  3. She taught here since 2015 every day.
  4. She has been teaching here since three hours.

Explanation

'Since' is followed by a point in time when the action began, and it pairs with a perfect tense. 'Since 2015' with the present perfect continuous is the standard pattern.

Question 44English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB vocabulary exercise, students must choose the word that best completes: 'The teacher praised him for his ______ work throughout the term.' Which option is most suitable?

  1. consistently
  2. consistent Correct answer.
  3. consistency
  4. consist

Explanation

An adjective is needed to modify the noun 'work', and 'consistent' is the adjective form of the word family. The other forms are an adverb, a noun and a verb.

Question 45English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item tests the use of 'unless'. Which sentence uses it correctly?

  1. You will fail unless you work hard. Correct answer.
  2. You will fail unless you do not work hard.
  3. Unless you work hard, you will not fail.
  4. You will fail unless working hard.

Explanation

'Unless' already carries a negative meaning, so it introduces the condition without another negative. 'Unless you work hard' correctly means 'if you do not work hard'.

Question 46English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB reading passage says: 'Had it not been for the timely help of the villagers, the travellers would have perished.' What does the writer mean?

  1. The travellers never needed any help.
  2. The villagers refused to help the travellers.
  3. The travellers reached home safely without help.
  4. The villagers saved the travellers. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Had it not been for' introduces a condition meaning 'without', and the result clause shows what would otherwise have happened. The sentence therefore credits the villagers' timely help with saving the travellers.

Question 47English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar task asks for the correct indirect form of 'The teacher said to the class, "Open your books at page ten."' Which option is correct?

  1. The teacher told that the class opens its books at page ten.
  2. The teacher asked the class that they opened their books at page ten.
  3. The teacher told the class to open their books at page ten. Correct answer.
  4. The teacher said the class to open their books at page ten.

Explanation

Imperative sentences are reported with 'told' or 'ordered' plus 'to + verb'. The verb 'said to' changes to 'told', and 'your' changes to 'their' to match the third person.

Question 48English (Matriculation/Class 10)

In a PSEB syllabus poem, the speaker repeats 'alone, alone, alone' at the end of successive lines. What is this device called and what does it convey?

  1. repetition, conveying deep isolation Correct answer.
  2. hyperbole, conveying exaggeration
  3. irony, conveying the opposite meaning
  4. simile, conveying comparison

Explanation

Repeating a word for emphasis is the device of repetition. Here the repeated 'alone' stresses the speaker's sense of deep loneliness and isolation.

Question 49English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB comprehension passage reads: 'The village well, once the heart of the community, now stands silent.' Which technique does the writer use in 'the heart of the community'?

  1. simile
  2. onomatopoeia
  3. metaphor Correct answer.
  4. alliteration

Explanation

Describing the well as 'the heart of the community' transfers the idea of a heart as a central life-giving organ to the well. This direct identification without 'like' or 'as' is a metaphor.

Question 50English (Matriculation/Class 10)

A PSEB grammar item asks which sentence correctly uses the gerund as the subject of a sentence. Which option is correct?

  1. He swimming in the canal is dangerous.
  2. Swimming in the canal is dangerous in winter. Correct answer.
  3. To swimming in the canal is dangerous.
  4. Swimming in the canal, he hurt his leg.

Explanation

A gerund is the -ing form used as a noun, and here 'swimming in the canal' acts as the subject of 'is'. The verb 'is' agrees with this singular subject.