Nouns and Pronouns Quiz

Select the sentence with the collective noun used correctly:

1. The team are arguing amongst themselves about strategy.
2. The team is arguing amongst itself about strategy.
3. The team are arguing amongst itself about strategy.
4. The team is arguing amongst themselves about strategy.

Answer: (a) The team are arguing amongst themselves about strategy.

Select the sentence in which the noun is functioning as an abstract noun.

1. The wind blew fiercely.
2. He rode his bike swiftly.
3. The child held the toy tightly.
4. Her kindness was admired by all.

Answer: (d) Her kindness was admired by all.

Which sentence uses the reflexive pronoun correctly?

1. The prime minister himself attended the ceremony.
2. The prime minister attended the ceremony himself.
3. Himself, the prime minister attended the ceremony.
4. The ceremony was attended by himself, the prime minister.

Answer: (a) The prime minister himself attended the ceremony.

Identify the sentence with the correct indefinite pronoun-verb agreement:

1. Either of the options are acceptable to the committee.
2. Either of the options is acceptable to the committee.
3. Neither of the options are acceptable to the committee.
4. None of the options is acceptable to the committee.

Answer: (b) Either of the options is acceptable to the committee.

Which sentence uses the relative pronoun correctly?

1. This is the chap which I told you about.
2. This is the chap who I told you about.
3. This is the chap that I told you about.
4. This is the chap whom I told you about.

Answer: (d) This is the chap whom I told you about.

Select the correct pronoun usage in reported speech:

1. The witness stated that he or she saw nothing unusual that evening.
2. The witness stated that their saw nothing unusual that evening.
3. The witness stated that she saw nothing unusual that evening.
4. The witness stated that one saw nothing unusual that evening.

Answer: (c) The witness stated that she saw nothing unusual that evening.

Identify the correct application of the reciprocal pronoun:

1. The two candidates criticised one another during the televised debate.
2. The two candidates criticised each other during the televised debate.
3. The two candidates criticised themselves during the televised debate.
4. The two candidates criticised each one during the televised debate.

Answer: (b) The two candidates criticised each other during the televised debate.

Which principle explains why 'none' takes a plural verb in: 'None of the biscuits were left on the plate'?

1. None' always requires a plural verb.
2. None' means 'not one' and should take a singular verb.
3. None' can take either singular or plural verbs depending on the emphasis and context.
4. The plural verb is incorrect; it should be 'none was'.

Answer: (c) None' can take either singular or plural verbs depending on the emphasis and context.

Which linguistic principle explains the pronoun choice in: 'Everyone brought their own flask of tea'?

1. Notional agreement, where grammar follows meaning rather than strict rules.
2. Grammatical error that should be corrected to 'his or her'.
3. Subject-verb disagreement that should be corrected.
4. Linguistic evolution accepting 'their' as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Answer: (d) Linguistic evolution accepting 'their' as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Why is the pronoun usage incorrect in: 'If anybody wishes to comment, you should raise your hand'?

1. The indefinite pronoun 'anybody' should be followed by 'they' not 'you'.
2. The sentence shifts inconsistently from third person ('anybody') to second person ('you').
3. Anybody' requires singular pronouns like 'he' or 'she'.
4. The pronoun usage is correct in informal contexts.

Answer: (b) The sentence shifts inconsistently from third person ('anybody') to second person ('you').