100 Singular Plural Practice Set MCQs for Competitive Exams (Set 2)
Singular Plural Practice Set: Welcome back to Objective English and the next level of your grammar mastery journey! In our first post of 100 Singular-to-Plural MCQs, we covered the foundational rules. Now, it’s time to test your knowledge with more advanced, tricky, and frequently asked questions in competitive exams.
This second practice set features 100 completely new MCQs sourced from papers like SSC CGL Tier-II, IBPS PO Mains, CDS, and other high-level examinations. We will focus on exceptions, complex compound nouns, and confusing foreign plurals that often separate the top scorers from the rest.
Are you ready for the challenge? Let’s dive in!
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Part 1: Advanced Regular Plurals & Exceptions (Questions 1-20)
This section moves beyond the basics to focus on exceptions and less common words.
Q1. What is the plural of ‘Epoch’?
(UPSC CSE Prelims)
A) Epoches
B) Epochs
C) Epochae
D) Epoch
Answer & Explanation: B) Epochs
Like ‘stomach’ and ‘monarch’, the ‘-ch’ in ‘epoch’ is pronounced with a hard ‘k’ sound, so we only add ‘-s’.
Q2. Choose the correct plural for ‘Fox’.
(SSC MTS Exam)
A) Foxen
B) Fox’s
C) Foxes
D) Fox
Answer & Explanation: C) Foxes
Nouns ending in ‘-x’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’.
Q3. The plural of ‘Lens’ is:
(SSC Scientific Assistant)
A) Lens
B) Lenses
C) Lens’s
D) Lentils
Answer & Explanation: B) Lenses
Nouns ending in ‘-s’ typically take an ‘-es’ to form the plural.
Q4. What is the plural of ‘Witch’?
(IBPS RRB Clerk)
A) Witchs
B) Witchen
C) Witches
D) Witch
Answer & Explanation: C) Witches
Follows the standard rule for nouns ending in ‘-ch’ with a ‘tch’ sound.
Q5. The plural for ‘Topaz’ is:
(CAT Verbal Ability)
A) Topazs
B) Topazes
C) Topaz
D) Topazi
Answer & Explanation: B) Topazes
Nouns ending in ‘-z’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’.
Q6. Choose the plural of ‘Mattress’.
(General Grammar Question)
A) Mattress
B) Mattreses
C) Mattresses
D) Mattrex
Answer & Explanation: C) Mattresses
Nouns ending in ‘-ss’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’.
Q7. What is the plural form of ‘Patch’?
(SSC CHSL)
A) Patches
B) Patchs
C) Patchis
D) Patch
Answer & Explanation: A) Patches
Adds ‘-es’ as it ends in ‘-ch’.
Q8. Find the plural of ‘Loss’.
(Bank PO Exam)
A) Losses
B) Loss
C) Loises
D) Lossen
Answer & Explanation: A) Losses
Nouns ending in ‘-ss’ take ‘-es’.
Q9. The plural form of ‘Index finger’ is often referred to as:
(Common Knowledge)
A) Indices fingers
B) Index fingers
C) Index fingerae
D) Indexi fingers
Answer & Explanation: B) Index fingers
Although ‘index’ has a foreign plural ‘indices’, in a compound noun like this, the simple English plural form is used on the last word.
Q10. What is the plural of ‘Virus’?
(Modern Usage)
A) Viri
B) Vires
C) Viruses
D) Virus
Answer & Explanation: C) Viruses
Although it ends in ‘-us’, ‘virus’ does not take a Latin plural. The standard English plural is ‘viruses’.
Q11. The plural of ‘Watch’ is:
(SSC GD Constable)
A) Watch
B) Watchs
C) Watches
D) Watchies
Answer & Explanation: C) Watches
Follows the ‘-ch’ becomes ‘-ches’ rule.
Q12. Choose the correct plural of ‘Radish’.
(General Vocabulary)
A) Radish
B) Radishs
C) Radishes
D) Radishies
Answer & Explanation: C) Radishes
Nouns ending in ‘-sh’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’.
Q13. Find the plural for ‘Lynx’.
(CDS Exam)
A) Lynx
B) Lynxs
C) Lynxes
D) Lyncen
Answer & Explanation: C) Lynxes
Nouns ending in ‘-x’ take ‘-es’.
Q14. What is the plural of ‘Breach’?
(NDA & NA Exam)
A) Breachs
B) Breaches
C) Breach
D) Breachi
Answer & Explanation: B) Breaches
The ‘-ch’ ending requires ‘-es’ for the plural form.
Q15. The plural of ‘Annex’ is:
(Legal/Official Terminology)
A) Annexis
B) Annexe
C) Annexes
D) Annex
Answer & Explanation: C) Annexes
Nouns ending in ‘-x’ form their plural by adding ‘-es’.
Q16. Plural of ‘hoax’ is:
(IBPS SO)
A) Hoaxen
B) Hoaxes
C) Hoax
D) Hoaxi
Answer & Explanation: B) Hoaxes
Ends in ‘-x’, so it takes ‘-es’.
Q17. The plural of ‘Atlas’ is:
(SSC CGL)
A) Atlas
B) Atlai
C) Atlases
D) Atlasis
Answer & Explanation: C) Atlases
Follows the standard rule for nouns ending in ‘-s’ by adding ‘-es’.
Q18. Plural form of ‘Blitz’ is:
(General Knowledge)
A) Blitz
B) Blitzes
C) Blitzi
D) Blitzen
Answer & Explanation: B) Blitzes
Nouns ending in ‘-z’ add ‘-es’ for the plural.
Q19. Plural form of ‘Prefix’ is:
(English Olympiad)
A) Prefixs
B) Prefices
C) Prefix
D) Prefixes
Answer & Explanation: D) Prefixes
Another straightforward example of a noun ending in ‘-x’.
Q20. Plural of ‘Campus’ is:
(University Entrance)
A) Campi
B) Campuses
C) Campus
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: B) Campuses
While ‘campus’ is a Latin word, its plural is almost always the standard English ‘campuses’. ‘Campi’ is very rare and often considered incorrect in modern usage.
Part 2: Tricky Nouns ending in -O, -Y, -F, -FE (Questions 21-40)
Focusing on more exceptions and challenging words from this category.
Q21. The plural of ‘Mosquito’ is:
(SSC Scientific Assistant)
A) Mosquitos
B) Mosquitoes
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Mosquito
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
Like ‘mango’ and ‘volcano’, both ‘mosquitos’ and ‘mosquitoes’ are accepted, with the ‘-es’ form being slightly more traditional.
Q22. Find the correct plural for ‘Embargo’.
(IBPS PO Mains)
A) Embargos
B) Embargoes
C) Embargo
D) Embargi
Answer & Explanation: B) Embargoes
Typically follows the rule of consonant + ‘-o’ taking ‘-es’. ‘Embargos’ is a rare variant.
Q23. Choose the plural of ‘Solo’.
(Music & Arts Terminology)
A) Soloes
B) Solos
C) Soli
D) Both B and C
Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C
‘Solos’ is the common English plural. ‘Soli’ is the original Italian plural, often used in classical music contexts.
Q24. What is the plural of ‘Turkey’ (the bird)?
(General Vocabulary)
A) Turkies
B) Turkeys
C) Turken
D) Turkey
Answer & Explanation: B) Turkeys
Nouns ending in a vowel + ‘y’ (e-y) simply take an ‘-s’.
Q25. The plural of ‘Wolf’ is:
(Forest Guard Exam)
A) Wolfs
B) Wolf
C) Wolven
D) Wolves
Answer & Explanation: D) Wolves
A classic example where the ending ‘-f’ changes to ‘-ves’.
Q26. What is the plural of ‘Handkerchief’?
(SSC CGL)
A) Handkerchieves
B) Handkerchives
C) Handkerchiefs
D) Both A and C
Answer & Explanation: C) Handkerchiefs
This is a major exception to the ‘-f’ rule. The plural is ‘handkerchiefs’.
Q27. The plural form of ‘Motto’ is:
(CDS Exam)
A) Motti
B) Mottoes
C) Mottos
D) Both B and C
Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C
Both plural forms are correct and used interchangeably.
Q28. Find the plural of ‘Studio’.
(Media/Arts Entrance)
A) Studioes
B) Studi
C) Studios
D) Studii
Answer & Explanation: C) Studios
Nouns ending in a vowel + ‘o’ (i-o) just add ‘-s’.
Q29. What is the plural of ‘Safe’ (a storage box)?
(Bank Security Exam Terminology!)
A) Saves
B) Safe
C) Safes
D) Saven
Answer & Explanation: C) Safes
Another exception to the ‘-fe’ rule; we just add ‘-s’.
Q30. The plural of ‘Dynamo’ is:
(SSC Scientific Assistant)
A) Dynamos
B) Dynamo
C) Dynamoes
D) Dynami
Answer & Explanation: A) Dynamos
A technical word of foreign origin that takes a simple ‘-s’.
Q31. Choose the plural for ‘Trolley’.
(Railways RRB Exam)
A) Trollies
B) Trolleys
C) Trolley
D) Trolls
Answer & Explanation: B) Trolleys
Ends in vowel + ‘y’ (e-y), so we just add ‘-s’.
Q32. The plural of ‘Pianoforte’ is:
(Music Olympiad)
A) Pianofortes
B) Pianoforti
C) Pianoforte
D) Pianosforte
Answer & Explanation: A) Pianofortes
This compound word takes a regular English plural at the end.
Q33. Find the plural for ‘Fife’.
(Music Terminology)
A) Fives
B) Fifes
C) Five
D) Fife
Answer & Explanation: B) Fifes
An exception to the ‘-fe’ rule; we add ‘-s’.
Q34. What is the plural of ‘Cliff’?
(CDS Exam)
A) Clives
B) Cliff
C) Cliffs
D) Clivves
Answer & Explanation: C) Cliffs
Another key exception to the ‘-f’ rule; just add ‘-s’.
Q35. Plural form of ‘Portfolio’ is:
(IBPS SO – Marketing)
A) Portfolioes
B) Portfolios
C) Portfoli
D) Portfolii
Answer & Explanation: B) Portfolios
Ends in a vowel + ‘o’ (i-o), so we simply add ‘-s’.
Q36. Choose the plural of ‘Grief’.
(Advanced Vocabulary)
A) Grieves
B) Griefs
C) Grief
D) Grieven
Answer & Explanation: B) Griefs
Similar to ‘belief’ and ‘chief’, ‘grief’ is an exception and just takes ‘-s’.
Q37. The plural of ‘Veto’ is:
(UPSC CSE – Polity)
A) Vetos
B) Vetoes
C) Veti
D) Veto
Answer & Explanation: B) Vetoes
Follows the consonant + ‘-o’ rule, taking ‘-es’.
Q38. What is the plural of ‘Dairy’?
(FCI Manager)
A) Dairys
B) Dairies
C) Dairi
D) Dairy
Answer & Explanation: B) Dairies
Ends in a consonant + ‘y’ (r-y), so ‘-y’ changes to ‘-ies’.
Q39. Find the plural of ‘Wharf’.
(Navy/Merchant Navy Exam)
A) Wharves
B) Wharfs
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Wharf
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
This word has two accepted plural forms, similar to ‘dwarf’ and ‘hoof’.
Q40. Plural of ‘Soliloquy’ is:
(Literature Entrance Exam)
A) Soliloquys
B) Soliloquy
C) Soliloquies
D) Soliloquex
Answer & Explanation: C) Soliloquies
The word ends in a consonant + ‘y’ (u is a vowel, but here ‘qu’ acts as a consonant sound before y). The ‘-y’ changes to ‘-ies’.
Part 3: Uncommon Irregular Plurals (Questions 41-60)
Delving deeper into nouns with irregular plural forms that often trap even well-prepared candidates.
Q41. The plural of ‘Octopus’ is:
(SSC CGL Tier-II)
A) Octopi
B) Octopuses
C) Octopodes
D) All of the above
Answer & Explanation: D) All of the above
This is a classic trick question. ‘Octopuses’ is the standard English plural. ‘Octopi’ is a common but technically incorrect Latin plural. ‘Octopodes’ is the Greek-derived plural, which is technically the most correct but rarely used. For exams, ‘Octopuses’ is the safest bet, but knowing all is useful.
Q42. Find the plural of ‘Footman’.
(CDS Exam)
A) Footmans
B) Footmen
C) Feetman
D) Feetmen
Answer & Explanation: B) Footmen
In compound words ending in ‘-man’, the plural is formed by changing it to ‘-men’.
Q43. The plural of ‘Salesman’ is:
(IBPS SO Marketing Officer)
A) Salesmans
B) Salesmens
C) Salesmen
D) Salesman
Answer & Explanation: C) Salesmen
Similar to ‘footman’, ‘man’ becomes ‘men’.
Q44. What is the plural form of ‘Dutchman’?
(General Knowledge)
A) Dutchmans
B) Dutchmen
C) Dutchsmen
D) Dutchman
Answer & Explanation: B) Dutchmen
Follows the same rule as other compound nouns ending in ‘-man’.
Q45. The correct plural for ‘Libretto’ (text of an opera) is:
(CAT Verbal Ability)
A) Librettos
B) Libretti
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Libretto
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
‘Libretti’ is the traditional Italian plural, while ‘Librettos’ is the anglicized plural.
Q46. Choose the plural of ‘Graffito’.
(Art History)
A) Graffiti
B) Graffitos
C) Graffito
D) Graffities
Answer & Explanation: A) Graffiti
Many people don’t realize that ‘graffiti’ is actually the plural form of the singular Italian word ‘graffito’.
Q47. The plural form of ‘Templar’ (as in Knights Templar) is:
(History-based Question)
A) Templars
B) Templarii
C) Templaes
D) Templar
Answer & Explanation: A) Templars
It’s a regular noun in English and simply takes an ‘-s’.
Q48. The plural of ‘Norman’ is:
(SSC CGL History section relevance)
A) Norman
B) Normen
C) Normans
D) Normanmen
Answer & Explanation: C) Normans
Unlike ‘Englishman’ or ‘Dutchman’, ‘Norman’ is not a compound of ‘man’, so it takes a regular ‘-s’.
Q49. What is the plural of ‘Talisman’?
(CDS Exam)
A) Talismen
B) Talismans
C) Talisman
D) Talisma
Answer & Explanation: B) Talismans
Similar to ‘Norman’, the ‘-man’ here is part of the root word, not the separate word ‘man’. So it takes ‘-s’.
Q50. Find the plural of ‘mongoose’.
(General Vocabulary)
A) Mongeese
B) Mongooses
C) Mongoosen
D) Mongoose
Answer & Explanation: B) Mongooses
This is a common trick. It does not follow the pattern of ‘goose’ -> ‘geese’. It is a regular noun.
Q51. The plural form of ‘German’ is:
(IBPS PO)
A) Germen
B) Germans
C) Germanies
D) German
Answer & Explanation: B) Germans
Another word that looks like a compound with ‘man’ but isn’t. It takes a regular ‘-s’.
Q52. Choose the plural of ‘Cherub’ (angelic being).
(Advanced/Theological Vocabulary)
A) Cherubs
B) Cherubim
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Cherubes
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
‘Cherubim’ is the original Hebrew plural, often used in religious texts. ‘Cherubs’ is the standard English plural.
Q53. The plural of ‘Seraph’ (angelic being) is:
(Advanced Vocabulary)
A) Seraphs
B) Seraphim
C) Seraphes
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Similar to ‘cherub’, ‘seraph’ has an English plural (‘seraphs’) and a Hebrew plural (‘seraphim’).
Q54. The plural form of ‘Cloth’ can be:
(Very Tricky Question)
A) Cloths
B) Clothes
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Clothen
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
‘Cloths’ (pronounced with a hard ‘th’ sound) means pieces of cloth/fabric. ‘Clothes’ (pronounced with a soft ‘th’ sound) means garments or articles of dress.
Q55. The plural of ‘Roman’ is:
(SSC CGL History section relevance)
A) Romen
B) Romani
C) Romans
D) Roman
Answer & Explanation: C) Romans
This is not a compound word with ‘man’. It is a regular noun.
Q56. What is the plural of ‘Still life’?
(Art/Painting terminology)
A) Stills life
B) Still lives
C) Stills lives
D) Still lifes
Answer & Explanation: D) Still lifes
Although ‘life’ becomes ‘lives’, in the specific artistic term ‘still life’, the standard plural is formed by adding ‘s’ at the end.
Q57. The plural form of ‘Mussulman’ (an archaic term) is:
(History based)
A) Mussulmen
B) Mussulmans
C) Mussulmi
D) Mussulman
Answer & Explanation: B) Mussulmans
The ‘-man’ here is not the English word ‘man’, but comes from Persian. Therefore, it takes a regular ‘-s’.
Q58. Find the plural of ‘Brahman’ (a member of the Hindu priest class).
(Indian History Context)
A) Brahmans
B) Brahmen
C) Brahmas
D) Brahman
Answer & Explanation: A) Brahmans
Another example where ‘-man’ is part of the root word and takes a regular ‘-s’.
Q59. The plural of ‘go-between’ is:
(CDS Exam)
A) goes-between
B) go-betweens
C) gos-between
D) goes-betweens
Answer & Explanation: B) go-betweens
Compound words formed from verbs and adverbs are usually made plural by adding ‘-s’ at the end.
Q60. What is the plural of ‘Human’?
(General Usage)
A) Humen
B) Humans
C) Humane
D) Human
Answer & Explanation: B) Humans
Like ‘German’ and ‘Roman’, it takes a regular ‘-s’.
Part 4: Advanced Foreign Plurals (Questions 61-80)
Challenging words from Latin and Greek that are frequent in high-level exams.
Q61. The plural of ‘Addendum’ is:
(Official/Legal Document Term)
A) Addendums
B) Addenda
C) Addendi
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
‘Addenda’ is the traditional Latin plural. ‘Addendums’ is the more modern, anglicized plural. Both are correct.
Q62. What is the plural form of ‘Larva’?
(SSC Scientific Assistant)
A) Larvas
B) Larvi
C) Larvae
D) Larva
Answer & Explanation: C) Larvae
For Latin nouns ending in ‘-a’, the plural is typically formed by changing ‘-a’ to ‘-ae’.
Q63. Find the plural of ‘Bacterium’.
(CDS Exam – Biology)
A) Bacteria
B) Bacteriums
C) Bacteri
D) Bacteriae
Answer & Explanation: A) Bacteria
A very common word where people often mistake ‘bacteria’ for the singular. The singular is ‘bacterium’.
Q64. The plural of ‘Stratum’ is:
(Geography/Sociology Term)
A) Stratums
B) Strati
C) Strata
D) Stratumes
Answer & Explanation: C) Strata
A Latin noun where ‘-um’ changes to ‘-a’ in the plural.
Q65. The plural of ‘Alga’ is:
(Biology Term)
A) Algas
B) Algae
C) Algo
D) Alga
Answer & Explanation: B) Algae
Follows the rule of ‘-a’ changing to ‘-ae’.
Q66. Choose the correct plural for ‘Millennium’.
(IBPS PO)
A) Millenni
B) Millenniums
C) Millennia
D) Both B and C
Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C
‘Millennia’ is the traditional Latin plural, while ‘millenniums’ is also correct.
Q67. What is the plural of ‘Automaton’?
(Engineering/CS Terminology)
A) Automata
B) Automatons
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Automato
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
The Greek plural is ‘automata’, while the English plural is ‘automatons’.
Q68. The plural form of ‘Memorandum’ is:
(Office/Legal Vocabulary)
A) Memorandums
B) Memoranda
C) Memorandi
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
‘Memoranda’ is the formal Latin plural; ‘memorandums’ is the more common, informal plural.
Q69. Find the plural of ‘Neurosis’.
(Psychology Terminology)
A) Neurosi
B) Neuroses
C) Neurosis
D) Neurosae
Answer & Explanation: B) Neuroses
Follows the standard rule for words of Greek origin ending in ‘-is’.
Q70. Choose the plural for ‘Stimulus’.
(CAT Exam)
A) Stimuluses
B) Stimula
C) Stimulae
D) Stimuli
Answer & Explanation: D) Stimuli
A classic Latin plural where ‘-us’ changes to ‘-i’.
Q71. What is the plural of ‘Hypothesis’?
(SSC Scientific Assistant)
A) Hypothesi
B) Hypothesae
C) Hypotheses
D) Hypothesis
Answer & Explanation: C) Hypotheses
The ending ‘-is’ changes to ‘-es’.
Q72. The plural of ‘Erratum’ (an error in writing) is:
(Publishing Terminology)
A) Errata
B) Erratums
C) Errati
D) Erratum
Answer & Explanation: A) Errata
Follows the Latin ‘-um’ to ‘-a’ pluralization rule.
Q73. Find the correct plural for ‘Corpus’.
(Linguistics/Legal Terminology)
A) Corpuses
B) Corpora
C) Corpi
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
‘Corpora’ is the Latin plural used in technical fields. ‘Corpuses’ is the standard English plural.
Q74. What is the plural of ‘Antenna’?
(Tricky Case)
A) Antennas
B) Antennae
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Antennum
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
‘Antennae’ refers to the feelers on an insect. ‘Antennas’ refers to aerials used for receiving signals.
Q75. The plural of ‘Bureau’ is:
(French Origin)
A) Bureaus
B) Bureaux
C) Both A and B are correct
D) Bureau
Answer & Explanation: C) Both A and B are correct
‘Bureaux’ is the traditional French plural. ‘Bureaus’ is the accepted English plural.
Q76. Choose the correct plural of ‘Alumna’ (a female graduate).
(University Application Forms)
A) Alumnas
B) Alumnae
C) Alumni
D) Alumnum
Answer & Explanation: B) Alumnae
The singular ‘-a’ changes to ‘-ae’. ‘Alumni’ is the plural of the masculine ‘alumnus’.
Q77. What is the plural of ‘Chateau’ (a large French country house)?
(Advanced Vocabulary)
A) Chateaus
B) Chateaux
C) Chateai
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: D) Both A and B
Both the French plural (‘chateaux’) and the English plural (‘chateaus’) are correct.
Q78. The plural of ‘Terminus’ is:
(Railways/Transport Terminology)
A) Terminus
B) Termini
C) Terminuses
D) Both B and C
Answer & Explanation: D) Both B and C
The Latin plural ‘termini’ and the English plural ‘terminuses’ are both correct.
Q79. Find the plural for ‘Genus’.
(Biology Classification)
A) Geni
B) Genuses
C) Genera
D) Genus
Answer & Explanation: C) Genera
A less common Latin form where ‘-us’ changes to ‘-era’.
Q80. What is the plural of ‘Apparatus’?
(Science Lab Terminology)
A) Apparati
B) Apparata
C) Apparatuses
D) Apparatus
Answer & Explanation: D) Apparatus
This is a special case. ‘Apparatus’ can be used as both a singular noun and a plural noun (like sheep, deer).
Part 5: Complex Compound Nouns & Special Cases (Questions 81-100)
The final challenge: complex compounds, nouns that look plural but are singular, and other tricky cases.
Q81. The plural of ‘son-in-law’ is:
(CDS Exam)
A) son-in-laws
B) sons-in-law
C) sons-in-laws
D) son-ins-law
Answer & Explanation: B) sons-in-law
The principal word ‘son’ is made plural.
Q82. Find the plural of ‘forget-me-not’ (a flower).
(Advanced Grammar)
A) forgets-me-not
B) forget-me-nots
C) forgets-me-nots
D) forget-mes-not
Answer & Explanation: B) forget-me-nots
Compound words made of several parts not centered around a main noun are usually pluralized at the end.
Q83. What is the plural of ‘Runner-up’?
(Sports Terminology)
A) Runners-up
B) Runner-ups
C) Runners-ups
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: A) Runners-up
The principal word in this compound is ‘Runner’, which is pluralized.
Q84. The plural of ‘Knight-errant’ (a medieval knight) is:
(History/Literature Vocabulary)
A) Knight-errants
B) Knights-errants
C) Knights-errant
D) Knight-errant
Answer & Explanation: C) Knights-errant
Here, both the noun (‘Knight’) and the adjectival part (‘errant’ describing the knight) can seem important, but the noun is pluralized. ‘Knights-errant’.
Q85. Choose the plural for ‘Hang-out’.
(Informal Vocabulary)
A) Hangers-out
B) Hangs-out
C) Hang-outs
D) Hanged-out
Answer & Explanation: C) Hang-outs
Compound words formed from a verb and adverb take ‘-s’ at the end.
Q86. What is the plural of ‘Tug-of-war’?
(Sports Vocabulary)
A) Tugs-of-war
B) Tug-of-wars
C) Tugs-of-wars
D) Tug-of-war
Answer & Explanation: A) Tugs-of-war
A tricky one. The main noun is considered ‘Tug’, so the plural is ‘Tugs-of-war’.
Q87. The plural form of ‘Father-in-law’ is:
(General Grammar)
A) Father-in-laws
B) Fathers-in-law
C) Fathers-in-laws
D) Father-ins-law
Answer & Explanation: B) Fathers-in-law
The principal noun, ‘Father’, is pluralized.
Q88. Choose the correct plural for ‘Bystander’.
(Legal/Journalism Term)
A) Bysstander
B) Bystanders
C) Bies-stander
D) Bys-standers
Answer & Explanation: B) Bystanders
This compound noun takes a regular ‘-s’ at the very end.
Q89. What is the plural of ‘Court of Arms’?
(Heraldry Terminology)
A) Courts of Arms
B) Court of Arms’
C) Court of Armses
D) Coats of Arms
Answer & Explanation: D) Coats of Arms
This is a common malapropism. The correct singular term is ‘Coat of Arms’, and its plural is ‘Coats of Arms’.
Q90. The plural of ‘Major General’ is:
(Defence Exams – CDS, NDA)
A) Majors General
B) Major Generals
C) Majors Generals
D) Major General
Answer & Explanation: B) Major Generals
In compound titles, the last part (the more significant noun) is usually pluralized.
Q91. Find the plural for ‘Hanger-on’.
(Idiomatic Vocabulary)
A) Hangers-on
B) Hanger-ons
C) Hanged-on
D) Both A and B
Answer & Explanation: A) Hangers-on
The principal word ‘Hanger’ is pluralized.
Q92. What is the plural of ‘salmon’?
(Biology/Cuisine)
A) salmons
B) salmen
C) salmon
D) salmonies
Answer & Explanation: C) salmon
Like sheep, deer, and fish, ‘salmon’ is usually the same in both singular and plural forms.
Q93. The plural of ‘Scenery’ is:
(Error Spotting Favourite)
A) Sceneries
B) Scenerys
C) Scenery
D) Scena
Answer & Explanation: C) Scenery
‘Scenery’ is an uncountable noun and does not have a plural form. The sentence ‘The sceneries of Kashmir are beautiful’ is incorrect.
Q94. The plural form of ‘Counsel’ (legal advisor) is:
(Legal Terminology)
A) Counsels
B) Counsel
C) Counsen
D) Counselez
Answer & Explanation: B) Counsel
When referring to a legal advisor or advisors, ‘counsel’ can be both singular and plural.
Q95. The plural of ‘Chassis’ (frame of a vehicle) is:
(Automobile Engineering)
A) Chassises
B) Chassi
C) Chasse
D) Chassis
Answer & Explanation: D) Chassis
The plural of chassis is chassis, with the pronunciation changing (sing. ‘sha-see’, pl. ‘sha-seez’).
Q96. What is the plural of ‘I’?
(Pronoun Question)
A) We
B) Us
C) I’s
D) Me
Answer & Explanation: A) We
A simple but fundamental question. The first-person singular pronoun ‘I’ becomes the first-person plural pronoun ‘We’.
Q97. The plural of ‘Thou’ (archaic ‘you’) is:
(Literary/Archaic English)
A) Thine
B) Thee
C) Ye
D) Thous
Answer & Explanation: C) Ye
In archaic English, ‘Thou’ was the singular ‘you’, and ‘Ye’ was the plural ‘you’.
Q98. Find the plural of ‘Governor General’.
(History – SSC/UPSC)
A) Governors General
B) Governor Generals
C) Governors Generals
D) Governor General
Answer & Explanation: A) Governors General
The more significant noun, ‘Governor’, is made plural. A very important question for history-related exams.
Q99. The plural of ‘do’s and don’ts’ has a singular form:
(Idiomatic Usage)
A) do and don’t
B) a do and a don’t
C) does and don’tes
D) doing and not doing
Answer & Explanation: B) a do and a don’t
This tests the concept backwards. The plural phrase ‘do’s and don’ts’ comes from the idea of listing singular rules: ‘a do’ (something you should do) and ‘a don’t’ (something you should not do).
Q100. The plural of ‘Man-of-war’ (a type of jellyfish or warship) is:
(CDS/Navy Exam)
A) Man-of-wars
B) Men-of-war
C) Mans-of-war
D) Men-of-wars
Answer & Explanation: B) Men-of-war
The principal word ‘Man’ is made plural, resulting in ‘Men-of-war’.
Singular Plural Practice Set: Conclusion & Next Steps
Fantastic work completing this challenging second set of 100 Singular to Plural MCQs! If you performed well on these questions, your grasp of noun plurals is exceptionally strong and ready for any competitive exam.
The key to success is not just knowing the rules, but mastering the exceptions and special cases which are frequently tested.
Recap of Topics Covered:
- Advanced exceptions for regular plurals.
- Tricky nouns ending in -o, -f, and -y.
- Uncommon irregular and archaic plurals.
- Complex plurals from Latin, Greek, and other languages.
- Difficult compound nouns and uncountable nouns.
Singular Plural Practice Set: Don’t forget to review our first set of 100 MCQs to keep your basics sharp. In our next major post, we will explore another vital grammar topic to continue building your comprehensive preparation for the General English section. Stay tuned!